Harry Potter

Courage

By xXxKaraBeckerCutterxXx


Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all related concepts do not belong to me! I am merely borrowing them for my own personal enjoyment. All OC's and anything you dont recognize is copyrighted by me: xXxKaraBeckerCutterxXx

Rating: K

Pairing: Marcus/OC

Genre: Adventure/Friendship

Warnings: Please do not flame me for anything.

Summary: This year, their greatest test will become their darkest hour; as Charlie and Harry realize that 'Courage is not the towering oak that sees storms come and go; it is th fragile blosson that opens in the Snow'

Author's Note: Hi! Yes, is that time again. CHAPTER DEDICATIONS! And this chapter we have my favourite people: ItzKevin97, Forever Dreaming Grace, Razmend, Aileen Autarkeia and Aims5. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter and I hope its up to standard for the Muggleborn Witches Series, chapters outside of School are usually shorter, but I will try and make this one longer. Promise.


The Portkey


It was a dark and gloomy night, the old graveyard out on the outskirts of a small town called Little Hangletown stood lonely and dead in the night, as at the behind it stood the old decaying building which residents of the villiage knew as the Riddle House. Villiages, even to this day called it this name, even though it had been years since the Riddle's even lived there...well, since anyone lived there for that matter. The house stood on a hill overlooking the village, some of its windows were boarded up, tiles were missing from the roof and ivy had started to spread unchecked over the face of the building.

Just by the look on the outside, visitors to Little Hangleton could tell that once upon a time this building had looked rather grand and beautiful, instead now, it stood damp, dreadfuly and unoccupied.

The Riddle house did have one person who tended too it, and that was old gardener and caretaker Frank Bryce. And this is here are story begins: during a very humid night of late July, Frank Bryce was risen from his bed by the bones in his leg aching he intended on just getting up, boiling a kettle full of water, adding the hot water to his hot water bottle and then returning to bed. But whilst in the mist of boiling the water on his stove something up at the hold house caught his attention. A flicking light in one of the upstairs windows. Instantly he knew what was going on, the boys of the local villiage and broken into the house again and judging by the flickering of the light, set a fire.

With no telephone and no trust over local authorities, Frank grumbled to himself about bloody kids; pulled on a small coat, grabbed his flashlight and ventured out of his small hut, across the lawn of the Riddle House and towards the manor. He reached the cavernous kitchen and edged towards the stairs when he heard movement; whoever had broken in was still here, maybe if he could corner them, he could spook them into either fleeing and never returning, or keep the occupied long enough for him to call the police.

However, what he found when he came upon the room in which the flickering light seemed to becoming from, he found a whispered conversation between three people. Three people he didnt recognize.

"There is more in the bottle my lord," came a voice "if you are still hungry"

"Later," replied a second voice, this too belonged to a man, but it was strangely high-pitched, and cold as a sudden blast of icy wind. Something about that voice made the hairs on Frank's neck stand on end "Move me closer to the fire, Malcolm!"

There was the sound of grinding as a chair was pushed along the wooden floorboards of the bedroom behind the door, which Frank stood outside.

"Where is Nagini?" said the cold voice

"I - I don't know my Lord," said the first voice, there was a nervous edge in his tone "She set out to explore the house, I think"

"You will milk her before we retire, Malcolm" said the second voice "I will need feedng in the night. The journey has tried me greatly"

The first voice seemed to hesitate "My Lord, may I ask you, how long we are to stay here?"

"A week," the second voice answered "at the most. This place is moderately comfortable, and the plan cannot proceed yet. It would be foolish to act before the Quidditch World Cup is over"

"The Quidditch World Cup, my Lord?" the first voice questioned "He will be attending! I could go and get him! I do not understand, why we should wait for it to end, when I could easily just grab hm from his respective parties"

"Because, fool, at this very moment wizards are pouring into the country from all over the world! And every meddler from the Ministry of Magic will be on duty, on the watch for signs of unusual activity, checking and double-checking identities!"

The first voice, seemed to sigh "But I am well known, my Lord" he explained "No one would give the slightest indication that I could be considered of such a crime."

"No!" the second voice cried coldly "Who will feed me while you are gone? Take care of me?"

There was a pause

"Perhaps, if we were to do it without the boy," the first voice, which belonged to the man who had been identified as Malcolm stated

But the second voice was having none of it "No! The boy is everything!" he sneered

"My Lord, I do not say this out of concern for the boy!" said Malcolm "The boy is nothing to me, nothing at all! It is merely that if we were to use another witch or wizard, the thing could be done so much more quickly! If you allowed me to leave you for a short while, I could bring you back both of what you seek!"

"It cannot be done without him." the cold voice hissed " And it will be done, exactly as I said!"

"I will not disappoint you, my Lord" came a new voice, and through the crack in the door, Frank could see a young man kneel in front of the chair that the cold voice was coming from.

"Good" the cold voice stated "First, gather our old comrades, send them a sign"

Out on the corridor, Frank heard movement. He turned to glance of his shoulder, and found himself paralysed with fright. A large python was slithering its way towards him. The reptile must have been at least 12 feet long. Horrified, transfixed, Frank stared as the snake slithered past him and into the room, curling its way around the chair on which the cold voice was sat, and hissing to the occupant. Much to Frank's amazement the cold voice responded in a hiss himself; this man, whoever he was, could speak to snakes.

Frank didnt understand what was going on, as he stood shaking in the dark trying completely to re-gain control of himself, the cold voice switched from a dangerous hiss to that of its normal english tone again.

"Nagini tells me that the old Muggle caretaker is standing just outside the door"

Frank didnt have a chance to react and hide himself, there were footsteps and the door was pulled swiftly open, as a middle-aged man glared down at him with dark brown, almost black eyes.

"Invite him inside, Malcolm" the voice from the chair hissed "Where are your manners?"

Frank took a firm grip upon his walking stick and entered the room, despite the feeling of intense fear that was coursing through his entire being. The fire was the only source of light in the room, it was casting long, shadows upon the walls. Frank stared at the back of the armchair; the man inside it seemed to be even smaller than his servant, for Frank couldnt even see the back of his head.

"You heard everything Muggle?" said the cold voice

"What is this you are calling me?" Frank questioned

"I am calling you a Muggle," the voice responded coolly "It means that you are not a wizard"

"I do not know what you mean by wizard," said Frank "All I know is I've heard enough to spark an interest in the police tonight. I have. You've done murder anre you're planning more! And I'll tell you this, too," he added "My wife knows I am up here, and if I don't come back -"

The cold voice cut him off "You have no wife!" it snapped "Nobody knows you are here. You told nobody that you were coming. Do not lie to Lord Voldemort, Muggle, for he knows...he always knows"

"Is that right?" Frank asked "Lord, is it? Well, I dont think much of your manners, my Lord. Turn around and face me like a man, why don't you?"

Malcolm bristled angrily behind Frank "How dare you speak to Lord Voldemort in that tone!" he growled "You disgusting Muggle filth!"

"Malcolm!" the cold voice sneered, shutting up the middle-aged wizard "Because you see, Muggle. I am not a man. I am much more than a man. However...why not? I will face you, Malcolm come turn my chair around"

The middle-aged wizard bowed and moved forward, he gripped the chair and turned it around in an all mighty thrust. And then the chair was facing Frank, and he saw what was sitting in it. His walking stick fell to the floor with a clatter, he opened his mouth to scream, but the sound never came; the figure in the chair had raised a thin black wand, and uttered two words:

"Avada Kedavra!"

There was a flash of green, and Frank's yells were silenced as his body hit the ground.

Dead.

Two hundred miles away, two fourteen year old kids woke with a start, and one of them was Charlie Hunter.

xXxHarryPotterxXx

A cold sweat dripped from Charlie's face as she screamed and sat up in bed, a hand pressed to her forehead, her breathing was hard as if she had just a 500 meters race; when in fact she had just been woken from a vivid dream...or nightmare, one would call it. What the hell? the young Slytherin thought as she run her fingers through he damp hair, her gaze transfixed upon the bed clothes that still covered her, leaning forward, she tried to process what was going through her head. The nightmare had been very unsettling and although she had suffered from nightmares before, she had never suffered from anything as bad...or closely as bad as this.

The nightmare had consisted of Voldemort, it was abnormal for the young Muggleborn Slytherin; why was she dreaming about the darkest wizard known to magical kind? He meant nothing to her, she wasnt even a pure magical witch so she didnt understand why everyone feared him so badly, hell her friends even cringed when she mentioned his name. But the dream felt like it was really happening...possibly not in her bedroom, or anywhere remotely near her, but it was possibly happening somewhere out in the world. As she sat mulling over her thoughts and what she had just seen in her dreams, Charlie hadnt noticed that her dreams had aroused her friends from their slumber; due to these dreams, nor had she realized that the door to her bedroom and been opened and that Nikki was standing there, staring at her through the darkened room.

"Charlie?" she questioned, crossing the threshold and moving towards the bed on which the young Slytherin sat "What did you see?" she asked

"I saw..." Charlie trailed off, as the dream started to slip away from her mind's eye and she found that she couldnt remember anything of what had happened. She shook her head "...I don't know. Its fading"

The older Slytherin nodded "That's the nature of dreams" she sighed "Some stay and plague us; others leave the moment we open our eyes" she smiled "Can you remember anything?"

"No," Charlie answered "But im scared to go back to sleep"

"You want me to stay?"

The Muggleborn nodded "Please," she mumured, not caring that she sounded like a terrified little girl. Normally, if this had occured at home, she would have more than likely gone to her mother, and climbed into bed with her. There was something about being next to a loved one after a nightmare that made any kid...feel, well safe.

Nikki smiled and climbed onto the side of the four poster bed beside her Muggleborn friend, after Charlie had lain back down and made herself more comfortable; Nikki lay beside her, placed a loose arm around the Muggleborn and pulled her close like any older sibling would. "Goodnight Charlie," the pureblood smiled

"Goodnight Nikki," Charlie responded "and thanks"

"For what?" Nikki questioned

The Muggleborn glanced up "Being my older sister"

xXxHarryPotterxXx

The next time Charlie awoke, the sun was seeping in through the window on the far side of the room and spilling a warm glowing light into the bedroom. The young Slytherin groaned and rolled over, burying her head into the pillow beneath her, but unfortnately the morning light had done its damage and she was now awake. Flexing her muscles Charlie stretched her arm out over the bed and found a cool patch beside her, with a frown she pushed herself up and noticed that the left side of the bed looked as if it had been slept in and the quilt was pulled back but covered her so that she wouldnt get cold.

Then, as if someone had pressed the play button; the events of last night came flooding back to her. Nikki, she mused Nikki, spent the night here last night she nodded, having remembered that the older Slytherin had spent the night just to keep her company after the nightmare she'd endured the night before. Shaking her head and brushing her fringe out of her face, the Muggleborn reluctantly pushed off the blanket that covered her and slid out of bed.

It then dawned on her that today was the big day; the Quidditch World Cup.

At the bottom of her bed, sat her school trunk and on top of it were the clothes she had removed the night before. Quickly snatching them up Charlie crossed the room and disappeared into the bathroom that was adjoined to her bedroom, she showered, brushed her teeth, washed her face and then dressed; she was in the middle of brushing her hair back into a high ponytail when there was a small 'pop' from outside the door. Grabbing her Slytherin cloak, Charlie returned to her bedroom to find a small house-elf standing in the middle of the room "Hello," she smiled

"Hello," the elf responded in a chirpy voice "Tippy as been sent to tell Mistress Hunter than breakfast is ready"

Charlie smiled and nodded, as she crossed the room to sit on her bed as she pulled on a pair of black daps that were situated underneath the bed. "Where is the kitchen?" she asked

"Mistress O'Donald, Spirit and Masters Flint, Pucey and Carmichael are awaiting your arrival in the dining hall" Tippy told her "Tippy, will take you there"

"Thank you," Charlie nodded, as she grabbed her wand and stuffed it into her pocket, before following the house-elf from the room.

xXxHarryPotterxXx

Meanwhile downstairs, Nikki, Marcus, Adrian, Riley and William all sat in silence as they ate breakfast; neither of them were awake enough to think of a decent conversation starter, although all Nikki could think about was last night when she had been awoken by Charlie's blood-curlding screams. It was a wonder that no one else had been awoken by the young Slytherin's screams; but Nikki figured that she was more accustom to listen for something to be wrong with Charlie than the others were. Riley was probably used to her friend waking up from nightmares and then just dropping back off to sleep, it wasnt that the young Gryffindor was selfish of not getting up to check on her best friend, but Riley had to deal with a sleeping William as well as a terrified friend. I guess that's one good thing about being with friends Nikki thought, at least here Riley has help when it comes to dealing with Charlie.

Nikki's thoughts about the muggleborn Slytherin were interrupted when the dining room door opened and Tippy entered "Mistress Hunter, is awake" he bowed to Nikki as the girl in question entered the room; tiredly rubbing her eyes "Can Tippy be of anymore service?"

"No thank you, Tippy" Nikki mumured "Your dismissed"

The house-elf bowed and disappeared from the room; as Charlie took up residence on an empty chair beside Riley.

"Are you okay?" the Gryffindor asked, noticing the distress on her friends face

Charlie nodded "Yeah, im fine" she answered "still reeling from that dream I had last night"

"Ordinary dream or freaky dream?"

"Second one," the Slytherin answered "But weird thing is, I can't rememer what it was I dreamt about. I know it must have been nightmarish, because I didnt want to be alone last night"

Riley nodded "I realized that when I came to wake you this morning and found Nikki beside you. Are you sure your, okay?"

A soft thoughtful look crossed Charlie's features, before she nodded "Yeah. Im fine Rils," she smiled "Promise" and she reached for the goblet of orange juice that had apeared in front of her, along with a plate of eggs on toast. It was only when William started to nod off in his sleep, did Charlie even realize how early in the morning it was and the light that had woken her had in fact been the sunrise "Would someone like to explain to me, why we are awake this early?"

"We have a bit of a walk," Nikki answered "We're meeting up with my uncle Amos, and heading to the arena with him. Everyone ready?"

When the others were ready to leave, the six friends crowded around the fireplace in the living room of the manor "Where are we heading?" Charlie asked "I thought we were walking?"

"No that's later," Nikki smiled "We're flooing to my uncle's house, and then walking with him. We're meeting up with your friends the Weasley's"

Riley and Charlie exchanged grins "Cool. Was wondering when we'd get to see Harry, Ron and Hermione" Riley smiled

"Riley, William you first" Nikki instructed, motioning to the fireplace

Riley frowned "I hate this!" she grumbled, stepping inside and wrapping an arm around William. Nikki clambered in beside her.

"Just don't open your mouth," Charlie told her friend "I know that's probably difficult for you"

The Gryffindor glared, before emerald flames wrapped around her and she, William and Nikki disappeared.

"Come on, then" Adrian smirked, nudging Charlie forward

The Muggleborn frowned "Why have I gotta go first?" she asked "You go first!"

"Im older," Adrian told her

"Obviously not smarter," she retorted "I mean, come on, how do you manage to fail 7th year?"

Adrian glared at her as she climbed into the fireplace; Marcus followed as to put something between his best friend and the Muggleborn. Once the three of them were inside the fireplace, Marcus held up his hand and shouted "Diggory Residence. Ottery St Catchpole." he dropped the floo powder and the flames turned emerald as they disappeared.

xXxHarryPotterxXx

After making it to the Diggory household, Charlie was greeted by the familiar face of Hufflepuff's cutest student: Cedric Diggory. He had been standing in front of the fireplace talking with Nikki and Riley, while his father fussed around in the kitchen with his mother and William seemed to be unconscious on the chair. "Charlie, you made it" the Hufflepuff smiled "Should have figured you wouldnt be too far behind, Riley"

"Attached to the hip," Charlie nodded, wrapping her arm around Riley's shoulder

Riley nodded "Unfortunately,"

The Slytherin rolled her eyes "How's your summer been, Ced?" she asked

"Been enjoyable," the Hufflepuff nodded "Bit more exciting now, what with the World Cup and everything. And everything that's gonna happen at Hogwarts this year"

Charlie and Riley frowned "Not you too!" they complained "are we the only two who don't know what's going on?"

"What's going on?" Marcus asked

"At Hogwarts this year," Charlie answered "Do you know?"

Marcus shook his head

"Oh, well I feel better now then" the Muggleborn nodded

Nikki smirked "Well, I graduated last year so I have the privelges of knowing, and im just gonna say this; you're gonna be blown away" she looked pointedly at the two Muggleborns "and maybe this year, you'll finally have a quiet year, Charlie"

Charlie smirked "You honestly think that?" she questioned

"One can dream," Nikki mumured

Cedric smirked "You are a little trouble maker, mind"

"Nuh-uh" Charlie shook her head "I dont go looking for trouble; it finds me..." she paused "...and Harry!" she added with a nod

The conversations were soon grounded to a halt as Amos Diggory returned, and announced that they were leaving. Leading the way from his home, the older man led the large group of teenagers across the back country of Ottery St Catchpole and into the woods surrounding the area. Cedric broke off way from the group, hoisted his backpack up onto his both shoulders and scaled a near-by tree as he disappeared into the branches and leaves. Shedding her backpack; and handing it to Riley, Charlie followed the Hufflepuff and laughed as she hopped from tree to tree following the group on the ground as Cedric followed along behind her.

"You looking forward to a new term?" Cedric asked, as he finally caught up with the Slytherin.

The group beneath them had stopped, it was nearly travelling time and they were now waiting on the Weasleys. Charlie glanced up at the older boy and nodded "Yeah; just wish I knew what was happening. Sometimes being a Muggleborn is a blessing and a curse" she shrugged "A blessing because you get to prove your worth and a curse, because you don't know things as well as purebloods"

"Well, if I didnt know any better, after seeing you at Hogwarts I'd say you were a pureblood" Cedric smiled "The way you wield Magic, and your knowledge of the wizarding world. Its as advanced as any pureblood"

"That's cause Nikki is very helpful," Charlie pointed out "She didnt want people to take advantage of being a Muggleborn in Slytherin, so she taught me about various magical traits and history; so I would give the illusion that I was more of a pureblood." she shrugged "But I like being a Muggleborn Slytherin, makes me feel unique"

The Hufflepuff chuckled "You're definitel unique, Charlie" he nodded "More unique than most. Half the school can't imagine what you've been through. Cruciatus Curse when you were 11; exploding potions that have scared you for life -" he touched the scar on her face "- finding the Chamber of Secrets and facing the monster inside; saving Ginny Weasleys. And then last year...well, I don't know what you did last year, did you have a quiet year?

"Wish I could say yes," Charlie responded "But no; Sirius Black is only innocent because of me and my friends," she glanced down "Marcus included"

Cedric glanced down too "That's another thing that amazes me about you," he spoke "Ever since you came along, Marcus Flint has been calmer more cool headed. I mean, he's still a hot-headed Slytherin, but when your around its like you calm him down. That he doesnt wish to upset you or anything. I know for a fact that before you came along, he frowned on people of your blood status, but there's something about you that...I don't know, catches his attention or something"

Charlie frowned "What are you trying to say, Cedric?" she asked

"Im trying to say," Cedric sighed "That I think he likes you..."

"He's my friend, I should hope he likes me"

The Hufflepuff chuckled and shook his head "No, I think he likes you as more than a friend" he elaborated

Charlie immediately grew defensive "No!" she stated, shaking her head vigoroulsy "No! We're just friends..." she glanced down, and subconsciously her gaze landed on Marcus "Just friends..."

"I think the feelings hidden," Cedric smirked "but mutual!"

"Whatever!" the Muggleborn retorted, reaching out and shoving Cedric in the shoulder. The Hufflepuff lost his balance and tumbled out of the tree. Riley screamed in surprise, and a new voice reached Charlie, who was still up in the tree.

"And this strapping young lad must be Cedric, am I right?"

Glancing down once more Charlie noticed that the Weasleys; Harry and Hermione had arrived. Climbing over into a tree that was directly above Ron; the Slytherin jumped and landed directly behind the red head "BOO!" she yelled, grabbing his shoulders and watching as he let out a terrified scream and stumbled away from her. Charlie's laughter filled the clearing, as did Riley's and Hermiones. Harry cracked a grin as Ron glared.

"You'll give a man a heart attack!" he accused

"Last time I checked, you weren't a man" Charlie pointed out "You're still a boy"

The Red head glared "And your a girl!" he retorted, although it wasnt a good comeback

"So you do know your opposite's," Charlie smirked "Good boy Ron, next lesson we'll be working on differences"

Marcus, Adrian and Nikki smirked. The Gryffindors rolled their eyes and Cedric looked between the two friends with amusement.

"This way," Cedric said, motioning over his shoulder. Nikki moved off to follow her cousin, as Charlie, Riley and William fell back into step with Hermione and Ginny. The hike up the hill was a tiresome one, although Ginny sprinted on ahead and found the item that would transport them to the arena.

"What's going on?" Riley asked

Nikki glanced at her "Thats a Portkey," she explained "Its another form of transportation. You'll be fine" she added

Mr. Weasleys' voice sounded from the back of the group "Must be nearly time," he called "Do you know if we're waiting on more, Amos?"

Mr. Diggory shook his head "No, the Lovegoods have been there for a week already and the Fawcetts couldnt get tickets" he answered "There arent anymore of us in this area, are there?"

"Not that I know of," Mr. Weasley answered "Yes, it's a minute off...we'd better get ready..."

Charlie turned to Marcus "Ready for what?" she asked

"Just touch the portkey," Marcus answered her "Come on,"

With great difficulty, owing to the bulky backpacks, the fifteen of them crowded around the old boot held out by Amos Diggory. Nikki's free hand tightened around Riley's upper arm, as the younger Gryffindor clutched William's free hand in her own. Charlie on the other hand was wedged between Marcus and Cedric; the older Slytherin slid his arm around her waist (something he'd grown accustom too) and held her firmly beside him. Cedric smirked as Charlie scowled in his direction, the remains of their last conversation fresh in her mind.

Standing in a very tight circle, they waited. Nobody spoke, except for Mr. Weasley who was counting backwards under his breath.

"Three..." Mr. Weasley muttered, one eye still on his watch "two...one..."

It happened. Charlie gasped as she felt an uncomfortable tug behind her naval and she was jerked forwards, her feet had left the ground and she was flying furiously through some sort of warp-zone. She could feel Cedric knocking into her from the side and Marcus tighten his hold on her from the other.

"Let go kids," Mr Weasley instructed

Riley panicked "What?" she demanded, looking scared

"Let go!" Mr. Weasley responded

Exchanging looks both Riley and Charlie let go of the boot and screamed as they fell, and then -

They slammed into solid ground, Adrian staggered into Marcus who was attempting to pull Charlie to her feet; only to be knocked back down and ontop of the Muggleborn he was trying to help. "Maybe you should just leave me down, for a bit" she suggested "Make sure your safe on your own feet first"

"Funny," the Slytherin captain smirked, in amusement

All around them they could hear the others groaning from the unsuccessful landings from the portkey; it seemed the only ones who had actually managed to land approrpriately were Mr. Diggory, Mr. Weasley, Nikki and Cedric. "I bet that cleared your sinuses, eh?" Mr. Weasley asked, as he landed beside Ginny and helped her to her feet

Cedric approached Harry and held out his hand

"Thanks," Harry mumbled, as he was pulled up

"Total shambles, as per usual" Mr. Diggory was saying, as he walked ahead with Mr. Diggory

Riley shook her head as she finally made it back to her feet "Add Portkeys to the lis of things I hate" she groaned, grabbing her backpack and turning to Charlie, who was in the process of shoving Marcus off of her, and rolling back onto her feet.

"Charlie!" Nikki called over her shoulder, from the top of the hill where the others were standing "Riley! Come here!"

Grouping together the two best friends and William raced to the top of the hill and were greeted by a sight of utmost joy, excitement and amazement.

"Well, kids, welcome to the Quidditch World Cup!" Mr. Weasley stated happily, as the others gathered around to relish in the excitement that was to come.


A/N: Another chapter done and dusted. Off to bed now. Night.

Reviews (please)

~*Kara*~

All OCs and anything unrecognizable is copyrighted (c) and belongs to xXxKaraBeckerCutterxXx

Chapter updated 03/02/2011 at 03:21am