Last time Harry and his family witnessed just what Max Kildare and The Ramblers can do against the forces of evil. In an attempt to capture the insidious Shannon Revek, our heroes stumbled on the makings of a major terrorist attack, which The Ramblers proceeded to break apart. Evil Meta-Humans, Rogues, were involved, as well as some demons, some dark wizards and dozens of muggle mind-slaves, all of whom were working for Shannon Revek. 'Nuff said, on with the show!
Chapter 9: Food for Thought
"I have to admit it," said Ron after swallowing a bite of a dish that Andrew had made, "this is bloody fantastic!"
"It's unlike anything they serve at Hogwarts," said Hermione in an appraising manner after sampling the casserole, "different, but enticing enough to make one want to try more."
"I wonder if Andrew would be willing to share the recipe with mum," said Ginny.
"Ask him," said Harry, "I want to know as well."
Even after witnessing the horrific battle at the abandoned warehouse less than half an hour ago, Harry and his family were willing to try the cooking of Andrew Carpenter. So here they were, along with Rebecca, Samantha and Chris, in the cafeteria of The Bureau, with Andrew in the kitchen, hearing every word of praise from the magic users.
Hermione wasn't saying much; she hadn't spoken more than a few words at a time since the end of the battle. Harry knew that she was thinking, replaying in her mind the massacre of the enemy mind-slaves at the hands of The Ramblers. What troubled Harry the most was that at the time, Hermione called Max and his comrades living weapons. Harry knew that before too long, Hermione would have much more to say about it.
"I have to know, Andrew," said Rebecca, "what is this?"
"It's a simple rice casserole that I came up with on my own," said Andrew as he stepped out of the kitchen and sat at the table, "you start out with rice, can be either white or brown, but sometimes I like to use saffron rice. You then take a can or two of mixed vegetables, depending on how many you're serving, and add the juice in the can first. I like to use carrots and peas, but with this I used succotash. Fresh vegetables also work, but with this you use the juice in the cans to help with the flavor.
"Add some water to and set it over a low flame, stirring every five minutes. When the rice is a third of the way cooked, add the seasonings. You've probably noticed the paprika, red curry powder, a little bit of cumin, plus a few others that I won't say, for the sake of mystery.
"Let the seasonings boil with the rice for about ten minutes and then add the vegetables. Let it boil another ten minutes and add whatever meat you desire. I hope you like the Italian sausage."
"I do," said Harry, "but it tastes more than Italian sausage."
"That's because I marinated the sausage in special sauces before cooking the meat off," said Andrew, "then cut them up and added them to the pot."
"Simple my eye," said Chris, "you've got some real talent, Andrew."
"With culinary skills like this," said Samantha, "why don't you have your own restaurant?"
"The same reason I had to give up competitive fencing," said Jill as she slinked into the cafeteria, "his ability came out," she then smiled at Andrew in a mocking manner, "and such a lovely ability it is; a grease monkey and a pyromaniac, all in one package."
"I am not a pyromaniac," said Andrew as he glared at Jill in a threatening manner, "a pyromaniac is obsessed with fire, get a dictionary. What I have is a special understanding of the science of explosives, as well as the ability to correctly determine how a bomb was assembled and how to defuse it. I also fix things, which is something that wouldn't hurt you to try for once instead of constantly trying to kill yourself."
"At least my life is never dull," said Jill, "and as for your other 'passion,' how can you be so talented with a kitchen knife, while in the kitchen, but you're all butterfingers with a combat knife?"
"Ooh, he got burned," said Samantha to Ron.
"How come you're so skilled with that oversized letter opener," said Andrew as he pointed at Jill's saber, "and be totally inept with a kitchen knife?" he looked at Harry, "she'll never admit it, but Jill is a total klutz in the kitchen."
"Served," said Chris to Hermione.
"He'll never admit it," said Jill to Harry, pointing at Andrew, "but he only uses that oversized cap-pistol of his because it makes him look like Charles Bronson in that movie, whatever it was."
"Double served," said Samantha.
"Since when was it a crime to like Charles Bronson?" Andrew asked, "and yes, I use my gun because it's the same model he used in Death Wish 3. I'm surprised that you don't like the Death Wish movies, Jill, you tend to emulate the title."
"Triple served," said Chris.
"Shouldn't someone go get Max or one of the others?" Ginny asked.
"I don't think they're going to try and kill each other this time," said Harry.
Jill just stood there ,as if trying to think of a snappy comeback, but she couldn't.
"Nothing more to say, Jill?" Andrew asked in a taunting tone, "what? Aren't you going to comment on how I'm still a dateless wonder? Or that I've never gotten past second base with a girl?"
"I don't have to," said Jill as she smiled wickedly, "you just revealed those two facts to our guests."
Andrew's eyes widened in disgust. He then glared at Harry and the others.
"We didn't hear anything, Mate," said Ron in a placating tone.
"Damn right you didn't," said Andrew in an aggravated tone. He then glared at Jill, "I forget why I ever thought I could work with you."
"Because you love me," teased Jill. She then skipped out of the room, but not quick enough to stop Andrew from getting the last word.
"In a pig's eye I do!" shouted Andrew. He maintained his angry expression, but once Jill was out of the room and down, he sighed in frustration and sank to the ground and leaned against the wall.
"Oh yeah," he sighed to himself, "that was really great of you, Andrew; just keep pushing her away," he then stood up, turned around and began banging his head against the wall, not really hard, but Harry could tell it was hard enough to vent a lot of pent-up frustration.
"Stupid!" Andrew said every time he banged his head, "Stupid! Stupid!! STUPID!!" It vaguely resembled Dobby.
"I take it you fancy Jill," said Ron in an reluctant tone.
Andrew stopped banging his head and looked at Ron, "Fancy her?" he asked in an unstable tone, "I adore her! And what's not to adore? She's smart, beautiful, always there to do the right thing, loyal, honest, and let's not forget that she goes gaga over my cooking."
"Well if you like her so much," said Ginny in a slightly confused tone, "why do you fight all the time?"
"It's part of my mentality," said Andrew as he sighed again in frustration, but this time it was as if he knew this question was coming sooner or later, "it's like I'm cursed. All my life whenever I try to have a relationship with the opposite sex that goes beyond simple friendship, I always manage to screw it up.
"I always end up finding some flaw in the girl I'm trying to talk to, and I end up exploiting that flaw without really meaning to. You see how she was at the warehouse tonight; it's like she wants to die."
"Well…" said Hermione, "…maybe she risks herself like that because she only truly feels alive when her life is in danger. It's not uncommon, and a lot of times the person ends up doing something that does get himself or herself killed, but Jill doesn't strike me as the kind of person who really wants to die."
"I believe you," said Andrew, "and I'm sure that Jill does want to live, if only to fight another day, then she can go ahead and almost get killed again, a vicious cycle indeed…damn! I'm doing it again!!" he then resumed pounding his head on the wall.
"Shouldn't we do something to stop him?" Ginny asked, "it looks like he's the one about to get hurt."
"We should," said Harry, "but I feel that he needs to get this out of him."
"It's alright," said Andrew as he stopped banging his head, "I don't do it to hurt myself, it's another one of my little quirks." he sighed, "I know that I do a lot of strange things that people find disturbing, but I'm a lot better than I was before I came to The Bureau, and for them I'll always be grateful."
"How bad were you?" Ron asked.
"Bad enough," said Andrew. He walked over to a table and sat down, Harry and the other following, "at first my parents had no idea what was wrong with me, and let me tell you, I was a real hellion when I was young. I couldn't go a day without doing something that got me in trouble; nothing serious, I never broke any laws. But let's just say that I was more grounded than not.
"I had absolutely no friends at school, they picked on me all the time, and when I complained to the teachers, they either ignored me or punished me for being a distraction."
"How old were you?" Harry asked.
"Eight," said Andrew, "I was in private schools earlier, but I had to attend public when my mom and dad divorced, which was a good thing, and don't let me get started on my dad, the lousy, good for nothing bastard," he sighed.
"You don't have to talk about this," said Hermione.
"I feel like I have to," said Andrew, "it'll make me feel better to get it all out at once. Where was I…oh…public schools. I hated it. No friends, enemies everywhere, no help from the teachers, and my grades were almost nonexistent," he looked at Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny in a serious tone, "Don't ever send your kids to America. Public schools here are war zones of the mind and heart, believe me. I can't tell you how many times I fantasized about killing every one of my tormenters. I would never had gone through with my fantasies of course, but I still dreamed them, I still think about them sometimes.
"My mom finally took me to a psychologist, who concluded, wrongly, that I had Attention Deficit Disorder. They made me take several different medications that are used to treat ADD, none of them worked. The last one they gave me made me act even more insane than I was.
"My mom, I've nothing against her, she's my mom after all, but she never really did anything that really helped me. That last medication, the one that made me act more insane, she made me stop taking it cold turkey. The withdraw symptoms made me so sick and depressed I considered suicide once, if only to end the pain."
"Bloody Hell!" said Ron.
"In a nut shell," said Andrew, "anyway, I was finally taken to a real psychiatrist, not like the quack I went to before. He and a few consultants realized that what I really had was a combination of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, ADHA, and Asperger Syndrome, a mild form of Autism. I'm perfectly capable of being a functioning member of society, I just have trouble empathizing with others and have communication issues, and I do have my OCD moments.
"I was put in a state-funded private school for children and young adults with mental disorders. The school, god bless it, it was paradise for me. My grades skyrocketed and I made several friends, nobody close, the damage was done to my level of social interaction, but what really made me happy there was I found that not only was I good at cooking, but I was also a genius at mechanics and chemistry, especially in combustibles.
"The Bureau found me in 1999. They offered to pay for the rest of my education and provide me with a really good job, one that paid well and would help bring out my full potential."
"Well I'm glad you're happy here," said Hermione.
"I am," said Andrew, "and it would be perfect here in The Bureau, if only for one thing."
"Jill," said Harry.
"She's my vision of the perfect woman," said Andrew, "a living goddess, and I always manage to make her hate me."
"I'm sure you just talk with her," said Hermione, "explain that you act the way you do because you can't help it…"
"Jill already knows about my mental conditions," said Andrew, "but that's not what makes her really hate me. No, I have one more little disturbing behavior. It's something that helps keep my anxieties at bay, something to help me calm down."
"And this is what drives Jill away from you?" Harry asked.
"Please don't ask me what it is," said Andrew, "ask Max or the others, they all know but they're okay with it. We all have or own calming rituals. But mine just freaks Jill out for some reason."
"We'll talk to her if we have to," said Hermione.
"We will?" Ron asked.
"Of course," said Ginny, "it'd be a terrible shame to let two destined lovers be torn apart by such simple things."
"You'd do this for me?" Andrew asked.
"Of course," said Harry, "what are friends for?"
"Whatever it takes to help you and Jill get together," said Ginny.
"You guys are the best," said Andrew as he smiled happily, "thanks."
"Any time," said Harry.
"I'll make it up to you," said Andrew, "one of these days I'll cook for you, all of you. Bring your families, the more the merrier!"
"I don't know," said Ginny in an uncertain tone, "my family is pretty big."
"Let them come!" Andrew said eagerly, "tell you what; Thanksgiving is coming up, fourth Thursday of November. Just let me know how many are coming and I'll prepare a feast like they've never seen before."
"I don't think mum would appreciate it if we let someone else prepare a feast for us," said Ron.
"I'm sure your mother will have other things to say once she's sampled my cooking," said Andrew, "for starters, I can make a Caesar salad with a dressing that'll make your taste buds do the conga. Then there's my candied sweet potato dish with marshmallow topping, my string bean and mushroom casserole, there's a little number I like to call 'broccoli yum-yum,' fresh cranberry sauce, freshly baked cornbread rolls, and let's not forget the turkey with my own combination of herbs and spices."
"Stop it," said a practically drooling Ron, "you've my RSVP now."
"And for an alternative entrée," said Andrew, "I've ground beef and tomato sauce over linguini, toped with three types of cheese . Or you can sample my other pasta dish; tortellini with succotash and kielbasa sausage."
"Now I'm getting hungry," said Ginny, while Hermione nodded in agreement.
"And for desert," said Andrew, a sly look on his face, "your choice of pumpkin pie, apple pie, cherry pie, blueberry pie, peach pie, or my masterpiece, the best damn pecan pie on the east coast, believe it! And let's not forget my chocolate and cherry cheesecake."
"Can you make treacle fudge?" Harry asked.
"I can make treacle fudge that'll send you to heaven three times over," said Andrew, not bothering to hide his bragging.
"Tell me you can arrange it with Jessica to let us have that day in November off," said Ron to Harry in a desperate tone, "please, tell me you can do it!"
"If I have to use the Imperus curse on our supervisor, I'll do it," said Harry. He knew he would never do that to Jessica Yeager, but then, this was a feast to end all feasts they were talking about.
It was then that Andrew tensed, "she's coming back, I know the sound of her shoes anywhere."
"Another ability of yours?" Harry asked.
"My hearing has always been above average," said Andrew, "I'm going to step out before I put my foot in my mouth again."
"Go," said Ginny, "we'll talk to her."
"Thanks," said Andrew. He headed for the doorway, just as Jill walked in, "oh, it's you," he said in an annoyed tone, and he walked out.
"Did I say or do anything to deserve that?" Jill asked in an innocent tone, as if she really were the victim, "honestly, that man is the limit."
"You really hate him, don't you?" Hermione asked.
"Like I said before," said Jill, "I'd fancy Andrew, if he weren't so damn annoying."
"Well if you knew why he was so annoying you'd understand him better," said Ginny.
"Oh I know that he had Asperger Syndrome and ADHD," said Jill, "and I completely sympathize with him. And again like I said, his cooking nearly makes up for his eccentricities," she then looked away in frustration, "but…"
"But what?" Ron asked, "what's he doing that's making you so irksome."
"It's nothing," said Jill, "nothing."
"Well it's obviously making you upset," said Hermione, "so what is it?"
"He picks his feet," muttered Jill.
"He does what?" Harry asked.
"He picks his feet!" spat Jill, "Andrew Carpenter; whenever we're not on a mission and have some free time here at The Bureau, he sits in the recreation room, takes his shoes and socks off and picks his feet." She shuddered as if remembering something repulsive.
"What's so bad about that?" Ginny asked, "I have an uncle who does that."
"I think that's besides the point," said a rather disgusted looking Ron, "we just ate his cooking."
"I'm sure he washes his hands before he goes into the kitchen," said Harry in a slightly disturbed tone, while Hermione, Rebecca, Samantha and Chris also looked disturbed.
"He does wash his hands," said Jill, "but when he does pick his feet, does he have to do it where everyone can see it?" now she was the one speaking in a disgusted tone, "I can't tell you how revolting it is to watch him scrape dead skin and calluses off and remove lint and grime from between his toes and underneath his toenails. For some reason, he cuts his toenails in private, but the rest he does it where everyone can see it."
"If it's so disgusting," said Harry, "why haven't the others complained?"
"They simply ignore Andrew," said Jill, "like it's not that big a deal to them."
"Maybe it isn't," said Hermione, "maybe they all have embarrassing habits."
"I'm sure they do," said Jill, "but Andrew always picks his feet when I'm in the room. I once told him to stop it, and he said that it helped keep his anxieties at bay, as if it did. He does wash his hands thoroughly afterwards, always, but it's still disgusting to watch."
"Well at least he washes his hands," said Ginny.
"But still," said Ron, "maybe we should think of an excuse to not come to Thanksgiving at Andrew's house."
"We made a commitment," said Hermione, "no matter what revolting revelation has come to light, we're going. But I have to agree, Andrew does have a disgusting habit. If only there was some way for him to not do that."
"It's his calming ritual," said Ginny, "I doubt someone with as much problems as Andrew could change so easily."
"Maybe so," said Harry, but then he had an idea, one that he probably would never had thought of while still at Hogwarts, but the years since the final death of Voldemort had taught Harry many other things, "but maybe not. I need to talk to John Baxter."
As fate would have it, John came into the room, followed by Linda Keith.
"We've interrogated the dark wizards that were at the warehouse," said John, "the results are being said to the Bureau heads, but I wanted to tell you directly, Harry, we got nothing."
"They don't know where Shannon Revek is or what her overall plan is about," said Linda Keith, "apparently all they did was provide to Revek the identities of those involved in The Harmony Project."
"But someone else must be involved," said Harry.
"That's what we think," said John, "our people at the AMA are looking into it."
"That's great," said Harry, "listen, John, there's something I want to talk about with you and Ms. Keith, something involving Magical Law."
"Well you're talking to the right people," said Linda Keith, "what's the question?"
"Hang on," said Harry. He motioned for Ron, Hermione and Ginny to join them at a table, then spoke to Jill, "I have a favor to ask."
"As long as it doesn't involve picking feet," said Jill.
"It's nothing like that," said Harry, "but I do need you to go and bring Andrew back into the room. I know you don't want to, but trust me, I'll all make sense in the end."
"Alright," said Jill hesitantly. She exited the room, just as Daniel and Gillian came in and sat down at another table.
"Mind telling the rest of us what this is all about, mate?" Ron asked.
"Just a second," said Harry. He aimed his wand at the table where Daniel and Gillian were at, "Muffliato."
"Never heard of that one," said John.
"Just a little spell I picked up from The Half-Blood Prince," said Harry, "they can't hear us. Now, I want to ask if, assuming it's for a good cause, the Imperius Curse can be used, not to take total control, but merely to plant one simple suggestion."
"I'm sorry," said Linda Keith, "what exactly is it that you're asking?"
"I know what he's getting at," said Hermione, "Harry, you're talking about making Jill and Andrew like each other without hating each other."
"Not at all," said Harry, "just one little suggestion so they're more civil around each other."
"It's still forcing them to do something against their will," said Linda Keith in an aggravated tone, "Honestly, Harry Potter, to think you'd suggest using an Unforgivable Curse on muggles."
"There may be another way," said Rebecca.
"How long have you been here?" Ron asked.
"I came in with you," said Rebecca in an annoyed tone, "anyway, Harry, I know what you want to do with Jill and Andrew. Well, there's another way to help them without using an Unforgivable Curse, I just need…" she reached into her pocket, but drew it out empty handed.
"What the…" she checked all her pockets, "damn! I left my money pouch at home."
"I think I know what you need," said Hermione. She drew from her pocket a Galleon, but it was in fact a spare DA coin.
"Is that…?" an amazed Chris asked.
"It is," said an equally amazed Samantha answered.
"Thanks, Hermione," said Rebecca as she took the coin, "this is exactly what I need."
"I don't care what you do on your own time!" shouted Andrew as he and Jill came back into the room, "just don't involve me!"
"Just as long as you don't drag me into your fetishes!" snapped Jill.
"Shut it! Both of you!!" exclaimed Ginny.
By now the Muffliato spell had worn off, causing everyone in the room, including Daniel and Gillian to look at Ginny.
"Damn, girl," said Samantha, "you've got some serious pipes."
"Well," said Ginny in a modest tone, "when you grow up with six older brothers, it helps to be able to shout loud enough to be heard."
"I'm sure it does," said Rebecca. She then looked at Jill and Andrew, "we want to talk to you two, so please, sit down."
They sat at a table, while Harry and the others sat at a different one.
"I just want to say that we at the AMA appreciate all that you're doing to help bring this psychopath, Revek, to justice," said Rebecca to Andrew and Jill, "and that we also appreciate your trust you're giving. It's not easy learning that magic is real, even more so that witches and wizards are also real."
Harry noticed that while Rebecca was speaking, she was maneuvering the DA coin across her right hand, as if it were walking back and forth across her fingers. The coin caught the light of the room in such a way that it caught the notice of Andrew and Jill.
"We've encountered more bizarre things than witches and wizards," said Andrew in a slightly distant tone as he watched the coin.
"Inter-dimensional vampires," said Jill, "now that was bizarre."
"I'm sure it was," said Rebecca, "but to continue…" she began droning on and on about how grateful the AMA was for the help The Bureau and The Ramblers were giving, sometimes repeating the same sentence over and over, all the while she kept walking the coin.
It didn't take much longer for Jill and Andrew to be so entranced by the coin that their eyes glazed over and their faces relaxed into a trance-like state.
"Cool," said an amazed Daniel, "you hypnotized them."
"Make them c-cluck like ch-chickens!" said an eager Gillian.
"This is to help them," said Rebecca, "not make them look like bigger idiots. Okay then," she then spoke in a clear tone, "Jill, Andrew, can you hear me?"
"Yes," said both Jill and Andrew in a flat, neutral tone.
"Good," said Rebecca, "now, you two are going to stay like this until I ask you if you've ever seen an albino dragon. Do you understand?"
"Yes," said both Jill and Andrew.
"Good," said Rebecca, "now, Harry has something to say to you. I want you to listen to him. Do you understand?"
"Yes," said both Jill and Andrew.
"It's your show," said Rebecca to Harry.
"Right," said Harry. "Jill, Andrew, can you hear me?"
"Yes."
"That's good," said Harry, "now, I understand that you both have more than your fair share of problems, that you have your personal anxieties, and that you have your own ways of alleviating those anxieties."
"We don't know what's Jill's problem," said Ron.
"She's an adrenaline junkie," said Daniel, "and she can't stand being quiet."
"It's an ad-addiction to her," said Gillian, "she can't g-get enough d-danger. When she g-gets anxious, she st-starts an argument."
"Right then," said Harry, "Andrew, Jill, there's something I want you to do. Whenever you both feel anxious about something, whenever you need to calm down, I want you both to tap the fingers of your hands to your palms. Andrew, you are to do this with your right hand, and Jill, you are to do this with your left hand. Do you understand?"
"Yes."
"Good," said Harry, "now, there's something else I want you to do. Andrew, Jill, whenever you get into an argument about anything, even the slightest disagreement, whenever it feels like the argument is about to get out of control and you two begin threatening each other, I want you to tap your fingers, just like when you feel anxious. Do you understand?"
"Yes."
"Good," said Harry. He then spoke to Rebecca, "that's all I've got."
"That may just be enough," said Rebecca.
"Now can we make them to something crazy?" Daniel asked.
"Like m-make them th-think they're f-farm animals?" Gillian asked.
"Not on your lives!" said Rebecca. She then spoke to the two mesmerized Meta-Humans, "Jill, Andrew, have either of you ever seen an albino dragon?"
Both of them blinked at the same time, their eyes clearing, "thanks, Rebecca," said Andrew, "I can't tell you how good it is to hear praise from someone outside The Bureau."
Harry noticed that Jill began taping her fingers, "it is nice," she said, "and it's even nicer hearing it from a girl."
Andrew's fingers began tapping at that, "it is nice," he said. He looked at Jill, his fingers tapping faster, while hers were tapping just as fast, though neither of them noticed what they were doing.
Without another word from either, they both left the room.
"Well, that takes care of that," said Linda Keith, "without using any Unforgivable Curses. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've a mountain of paperwork to get through by morning."
"You sure you won't stay a while?" John asked, "I've got two cases of Butterbeer just waiting to be consumed."
"Next time," said Linda Keith. With that she left the room.
"Who would have thought simple hypnosis could bring about such a miracle," said Katina Jones as she entered the room after Linda Keith walked out.
"You know what happened?" Harry asked.
"I heard what you did from the other side of the complex," said Katina, "anyway, I think you may have just done something good. Then again, who knows what will happen, considering those two." She then left the room, just as Max and Aaron came in.
"I just saw Andrew and Jill walking without shouting at each other," said Aaron, "what happened?"
"We sort of gave the course of nature a little push in a different direction," said Rebecca.
Harry then told Aaron and Max what just happened.
"I think this may have dire consequences later," said Max, "but at least they're not fighting now."
"Finally," said Aaron, "some peace and quiet."
"About what?" Jill asked as she came back, "forgot my jacket," she picked it up from where she left it on the table.
"He was talking about a chance to relax after all the murders," said John, "and I was going to share this," he pulled out his wand and summoned a 6-pack case of Butterbeer.
"Outstanding!" said Chris as John opened the case and began passing out bottles, one for Ron, one for Chris, one for Samantha, one for Hermione, one for Rebecca, and one happened to be given to Aaron, "I need to wet my whistle."
"This isn't what they serve at The Three Broomsticks," said Ron as he looked at the bottle label.
"It's not," said Rebecca, "this is American Butterbeer."
"You'll find this very different from what you're used to," said John as he summoned another case. He reached for a bottle, but hesitated before grabbing a different one than he meant to. He handed this one to Harry, who then passing it to Ginny.
"I should warn you," said Aaron, "I'm a strict teetotaler."
"I pass as well," said Max as John handed him a bottle then finished passing the rest out.
"Oh these aren't alcoholic," said Rebecca as she took the top off her drink.
"Well in that case," said Aaron as he took the top off his.
"I'll still pass," said Max, "I don't like carbonated drinks of any kind."
"You don't like soda?" Hermione asked.
"He can't stand the bubbles," said Jill, "believe me."
"That's okay," said Ron, "I'll have yours."
"You're welcome to it," said Max.
"Here's to another Halloween," said John, "clearly one like we didn't expect, but hopefully next year's will be a bit more quite."
"You can say that again," said Harry. He and everyone else took a swig, "hmm…not bad, for American."
"It is different," said Hermione.
"I don't see the big deal," said Aaron as he set his down on the table, "not really my taste."
"Me neither," said Jill as she set hers down
"Maybe it just doesn't taste good to Muggles," said Ron.
"Maybe," agreed Ginny as she took another swig, "it is different, not as good as that from Hogsmede, but it's alright. It has a strange aftertaste though, like almonds."
"I didn't taste any almonds," said Ron.
"Neither did I," said Hermione.
"Well I didn't," said Harry.
"What's that you said about almonds?" a concerned Max asked.
Before Ginny could answer, her face paled and she dropped her butterbeer, the bottle shattered on the floor. She clutched at her stomach, her face contorting in pain.
"I don't feel so good," she gasped as she stumbled, nearly losing her balance. She clutched at the table, barely able to stay upright.
"Ginny!!" exclaimed both Harry and Ron.
"I really don't feel so good," said Ginny as her grip on the table loosened and she collapsed to the floor.
"What's happening?!" Gillian exclaimed.
"I'll tell you what's happening," said Max in an angry tone as he sniffed at the shattered remains of the butterbeer bottle Ginny drank from, "she's been poisoned."
"Poisoned?" a shocked Hermione asked.
"Poisoned!" confirmed Jill as she sniffed the broken bottle, "cyanide poison, I know that stench anywhere!"
The end of chapter 9.
Next chapter, well, you'll have to read it to believe it. Reviews will be rewarded with pumpkin pasties and cauldron cakes. See you next time!
