A Life Worth Living Chapter Ten
The following three weeks after the first challenge were dramatic ones for Harry and his family. First was Harry learning what Jamie told him was true and there was to be a dance prior to the Christmas Hols. When he asked Ginny if she would go with him, she kidded him by asking, "Am I the first one you asked, or just the last one to ask?"
Harry confused her by answering, "Yes."
"So, which one was it?"
"I thought I just told you."
"Told me what? Am I the first or the last one you asked?"
"And I told you yes. What is so hard about that?"
"It didn't answer my question."
"It answered both of your questions. What didn't you understand?"
"OH, I get it. I was the first you asked, and also the last one, unless I say no."
"Yes."
"Yes."
Then Harry continued the talk by asking, "Is that a yes to my asking or my last statement?"
"Yes."
"Good. Now will you go to Hogsmeade with me when the time comes?"
"Don't you think you are asking An awful lot of me now? What if I had plans to go on the next trip with someone else?"
"Then by all means, keep them. He may have you for Hogsmeade, but I have you for the dance. That is much more intimate, if you ask me."
"What happened to the easy to confuse Harry Potter? This new one is no fun anymore. You know I will go to Hogsmeade with you, you sot. Now, is there anything else you wish to ask me?"
"Yes."
Ginny waited a few seconds then practically screamed, "Well, what is it?"
"Who does your nails?" and he ducked as Ginny tossed a pillow at him. He laughed his way out of the room.
ALWL-}
Fred and Luna were thinking about what might be going on back home, when Luna remembered something, "Fred, since there is the Tri-Wizard Championship going on this year, that means there will be a Yule Dance. Would you go to the Ball with me this year?"
"Why Princess, are you asking me out on a date?"
"Yup." Luna answered him with a knowing wink.
"It's quite inappropriate for a person such as me to be asking a Princess out, let alone being asked by said same Princess. However, since no one is around to hear me, then Hell Yes. I would love to go to the Ball with you."
Then they laid there both thinking about the Ball and them floating around to the music, yet knowing there was no way they would be there.
Luna had been quiet for quite a while, when she sat up abruptly and said out loud, "Yes Lal, it's me. Please come find us."
Fred sat up as well when she did and Had to ask, "What was that all about?"
"Lal is reaching out for me. Hopefully we will soon be saved. She is going to try and get Data to come get her. With her help, he should be able to find us."
"Who's Lal? Have we met her yet? How do you know her, and what does Data have to do with her?"
She laid back down feeling better, knowing someone has an idea of where she is. She knew Lal would lead Data right tho them. She told Fred of Data's creation and how he fashioned her by using Luna as a model.
ALWL-}
Jon Luc never saw Data like he was right now. Emotions were never a part of him until he met the Potters and Luna in particular. He was never anxious or nervous. He was always calm, even under the most stressful of circumstances. Now he was pacing and worrying, like he was an expectant father. No one was able to calm him down. Until just now.
Jon Luc was contacted by the enterprise that Data was needed back on their ship due to a disturbance going on in his room. It would have been taken care of, except the lock on the door precluded that.
As soon as Data was told this, he knew what was going on and he was beamed right to his door. He entered his password and the door opened for him, displaying what was going on in his room. He didn't know how it happened, but Lal had been activated and was acting in a most peculiar way.
He tried to get her to calm own, but she kept repeating, "Must save them. Must save them."
"Lal, are you talking about Luna and Fred?"
"Yes, must save them. It is what you want father, so I just have do it."
Everyone around them heard what Lal said and wondered what she was talking about. Data explained what she meant, "I created Lal, so she thinks of me as her father, though that is quite impossible. I am just her creator, but she means more than that to me. I am afraid I used someone as a model when I did it and now I think I may have put too much into it. Lal, do you know how to find them?"
Lal twisted her head sharply towards Data when he asked her this, then tilted her head to the side and answered, "I believe so. I am attuned to Luna's bio rhythms and if I am within ten miles of her, I can sense her. I know this is also very hard, but it is something to work with, father."
"It is Lal, but like you said, it is more than what we had. Now where do we start?"
They knew where they had already searched, so they thought somewhere new. They started in London and the ten mile reach helped out greatly as all that had to do was land in three different locations to cover it all.
They tried Godrics Hollow because of Voldemorts connection with it, but she didn't find a signal there. They tried several more places, when Sirius asked about the town of Somerset. No one asked him why, but they did follow his suggestion, and as soon as she landed, she found the trail. It was about one mile away, to the north and slightly east. As soon as she said it, Sirius began to run to the spot he knew they would find them. Everyone followed him, trying to keep up. Remus was the only one in shape enough, except for Data and Lal. But they didn't know where he was running to, so they stayed behind him. Then Remus knew where he was going and he slowed them all down since they were now close.
Remus didn't know why Sirius thought of this, but however he did it, he felt he was right. It was the home of his girlfriend Marlene McKinnon and her family. They were killed after school was over for them. It was about a year before Jamie saved them.
They approached the house quietly as there were lights on in the house. This told them that whoever it was, was there illegally. Before anyone could make a move, Sirius turned into Pads and searched his way before they moved in. He wanted to bark out loud when he found the scent he was looking for, in the basement. Fred and Luna were kept down there. He went around to the front and sniffed around there and found the traces of seven different people in the home. These did not include Luna and Fred.
He changed back to Sirius and reported what he found. Data almost blew it for them as he wanted to charge right in and do harm to these hurtful people. They got him to see reason and took him around back, to the kitchen area to see if there was a better way in.
No one noticed that Lal was missing from the group. She found a basement window that was unlocked and opened it and entered the home. The first thing she saw was Fred and Luna chained to the wall. She saw where they had not been tortured, but had been fed sparingly.
Fred didn't know who, or what this was in there with them, but whoever it was, did not mean them any harm, and maybe was there to rescue them. He kept quiet as it moved through the shadows, not making any noise. Fred looked to Luna and saw her smiling at the figure as it moved along. Luna even whispered, "Good Luck."
Lal made it to the top of the stairs and tried the door. It was unlocked, but she didn't open it. She waited patiently for the others to attack before she opened her door and helped out from the rear. It was a good decision as somehow the others were detected and were in a fight for their lives. They were holding their own, but Jon Luc only had his phaser with him and it had little affect on the magic protecting the kidnappers. They were at a stand still, when all of a sudden, the people inside began to fall at an alarming rate. It was always from the rear, so the ones in front didn't know what was going on, until they were down to just two against the Attacking forces.
When the two turned around, it was to what looked like someone in a silver mask and suit. He was fast, strong and smart. It took only a few seconds for Lal to take out the final two. Data walked up to her and held his hand out to her, but she reached out and pulled him in for a hug, like Luna would do.
Data didn't know how to react to this, but held the hug longer than he should have, but Lal didn't care as she wanted it to last as long as father would let it. The others moved around them as they hugged and went to the basement to free Fred and Luna from their containment.
Luna actually had tears in her eyes when they entered the cell they were kept in. She didn't think they would be saved until Harry finished the Tournament.
Fred was trying to rip the chains from the wall, as he attempted to get to his rescuers. It was the greatest feeling he ever felt that did not involve Luna or George. He felt he had to add George, because he knew him longer than he did Luna. He was not thinking rationally.
Data and Lal finally joined up with the rest and they gathered the DEs and brought them to the Ministry and turned them over to the Auror Division. From there they made it back to the Manor, where the two were fed the best meal they had in months. It wasn't the roasted beef with smashed potatoes and sauce, with baby carrots and pearl onions, but there was pudding for Luna as her dessert.
Luna and Fred went to bed early that night and Data was there with Lal and Luna to wish her goodnight and for Lal and Luna to talk for a bit before Data returned her to the Enterprise. He never dropped the thought of how she was activated and thought it was a good chance for him to ask, with Luna present. "Lal, do you know how you were activated, with out my voice command?"
"Yes father, a young boy named Aldain visited your room and brought me to life, then told me to tell you that Luna did not deserve what she was being put through, so he gave me the ability to feel her life form. He also told me to tell you that you are welcome and to make sure that I turn out right. Was I going to turn out wrong, Father?"
"No Lal, you were not. You were going to turn out fine, but I think I know what Aldain meant. It will take some work, but I will make sure that it happens. Luna, I am sorry for what you and Fred went through, I should have been more aware of yours and Harry's situation. It will not happen again. Do you both wish to return to school after the Christmas Holidays?"
"No, we wish to return before then. We have a dance to attend. We started it already, but were unable to enjoy it. Now we will do it right. We will be going back tomorrow. We have quite a bit to catch up on. Poor George and Ginny are probably worried sick about us. Harry is probably ready to kill someone and Hermione is doing everything she can think of to find us. And then there is the school work we have missed. Hopefully we will be caught up by the end of the year, and Harry can settle down by the end of it, after he finishes off Tom. He is going to finish him off, isn't he?"
"He will, if I have anything to do about it. I cannot let something like what happened to you and Fred, happen to anyone else. People should not have to live in fear." and with that, Data and Lal wished her a goodnight and they left.
Data Took Lal back to the Enterprise and talked with her before he turned off her life force. He kissed her forehead before he left and missed the glow coming from her eyes and the tear that dropped from them. Emotions were not supposed to be a part of her programming, but they were were going to be a part of it, but it would not be a good thing for her or Data.
ALWL-}
The first thing the next morning, Fred and Luna used the Floo system to return to Hogwarts and Albus called for Harry, Ginny, George, Hermione, Ron and Percy to come to his office before eating. Ron looked at the food on the table as he walked up to the Headmaster's office, like it was going to disappear.
Fred and Luna sat in the far corner to watch as they entered and sat in the chairs in front of the desk Albus was sitting at. "I have some news for you this morning that you all may find interesting. It seems you have a visitor this morning." and Fred and Luna walked up behind them and Fred grabbed George and Luna grabbed Ginny. They both jumped up when this happened and turned and about cried out for who it was.
The only word that left either of their mouths came from Ginny and that was, "When?"
"Yesterday." Luna answered.
From George came, "Who?"
Fred added, "Data, James, Sirius, Remus, Jamie, Jon Luc and Lal."
Ginny was still hugging Luna when she asked, "What did she look like? Was she cute?"
Luna smiled as she answered, "She looked like a robot and I guess she was cute, for how she looked. She was so loving though, you had to look past her appearance. She really cared for us. She had a bond, of sorts with me. I hated to see her leave last night."
"You mean we missed her? Why?"
"Data needed to bring her back, since she wasn't completed yet. He asked Lily if he should blank the to crews minds of her existence and Lily said she didn't think it would be necessary. They would act like she was new to them when he brought her to life. Data is worried that he would get the two captains in trouble."
"He certainly has had an adventure since he has been here. I wonder when they will be returning to their own time?"
"Jon Luc and Jamie said not until Harry has completed his destiny. It is either to end Voldemort or die trying and intend to make sure that second part does not happen. Now, have they announced the Yule Ball yet?"
"That's right, the Ball. Yes they have and everyone is partnered but you two?" Harry said.
Fred jumped in and said, "Who said we weren't partnered. I asked and Luna accepted. We even tried to share a dance while in captivity. It was not much of a dance, so it should continue during the Ball. So George, who's the lucky Lady?"
George got a goofy look on his face and said, "Me." which brought a laugh to everyone. He then corrected himself, "I was lucky enough to get Hermione to agree to go with me. Thank goodness too, because right after she agreed to go with me, Viktor Krum was there to ask her to go with him. Then he even asked Ginny and was turned down again. Harry got him to ask Daphne Greengrass to the Ball and and she agreed. Fleur was asked by Bill, and she accepted. So, we are all happy with who we are going with, I think."
Fred laughed out, "You think? Who may not be too happy?"
"Ron asked Lavender to the dance, but she was already going with Dean. So he asked Romilda Vane and she accepted. Not his first choice, so who knows." Ginny laughed. Ron didn't look too interested in what they were talking about. All he thought about was the meal down in the hall he was missing.
Luna asked the next question, "Have they had the Hogsmeade Weekend yet? I need to get a few things to complete my robes."
Fred answered for everyone, "Even if they have, George and I can get you there for your things. If this isn't something you wish to try, then we will get the things for you."
Luna smiled before she answered, "That's sweet Fred, but I think I will just go with you. It would be quite embarrassing for you. And no Hermione, I'm not above another adventure. It may not have been comfortable where we were, but I was with the second best person to be a hostage with. He knows who is first and it doesn't bother him in he least. At least I don't think it does. What do you think Fred?"
"Hey, in this instance, second is as good as first. In fact, it is even better, because first is kin. I love Ginny, but not in that manner. I'm sure Harry loves Luna, but there again, not in that manner." They all made their way to the great hall to eat and continue their talk. The twins made their plans for their little adventure with Luna.
So, without even asking, Fred, George and Luna used the secret passage to get to Hogsmeade and get the things Luna needed, plus a few things of their own. Since it was Saturday, a little pre-dance party to welcome back Fred and Luna was in order.
When they were seen by Professor Dumbledore as they walked the street of the village, he wished them a good afternoon and continued on his way. The smile he wore when he was past them, stayed hidden from their view. Luna knew what happened and called out to the Professor, "You have a good day also sir. We will see you back at school. Oh and sir, thank you for everything you have done for us."
Albus turned and bowed to the three of them and then continued his walk back to the school. Since they had just been back this day, he felt they needed to walk free for a bit, before being confined to the school until the Christmas Hols.
Luna left the twins for their own plans, and walked into the dress shop to make her purchases. She wanted to look her best for Fred, and make him proud of his choice of partner. She didn't know how proud he already was of her. During their lock up, another girl might have become weak and cried or complained, but Luna joked and carried on with Fred, as if they were still in school. It made the time there tolerable at least. He also remembered his promise to her for a meal, on him.
They got back to the common room with out being found with their goodies, and the rest of the evening was a fun time for all, where there was singing and dancing, games and some heavy kissing. Hermione never thought she would allow such frivolous behavior in school, but George changed her opinion of flirting and public display of affection. She shared some heated kisses with George, but would not let them go any further, which he respected.
Harry and Ginny had their share as well, which the twins let him know how far he could go, and no further through fear of humiliation. They would never harm him, but his ego would take a huge hit. They also knew he would never do anything like that to their sister. Lily would disown him if she found out.
The final week went by quickly and now the group was making it's way down to the main hall and the dance. This dance was for real and Harry joined the other champions at the door to wait for their entry. He saw where Daphne was clutching Viktor's arm as her housemates walked by her with crude comments. Nothing too vulgar, but bad enough to cause her to blush and hide her face.
Bill was getting the same thing from all houses, but he looked up proudly and just nodded in agreement. He knew what he was getting into when he asked Fleur to the dance, and he knew he would be the envy of a large number of school mates. He was extremely happy that he was asked to be the Security Chief for the Tournament, other wise he would never have found Fleur and got to ask her to the dance.
Ginny was surprised when she got the attention she got. It seemed her biggest admirer was Michael Corner as he was the loudest. Harry also felt he was the most obnoxious, with some of his words toward Ginny. He would set him straight later, after the dance. Maybe on the train ride home.
Cedric and Cho seemed to draw the least amount of attention, and it bothered Cho, because of her vanity. She knew Daphne was better looking than she was, but not as popular. Fleur was much better looking than she was, but she was with an outsider. Ginny was the one she couldn't understand. She felt she was better looking than Ginny and much more popular. She thought it was because she was with Potter, that she was shown so much attention. It would bother her all night.
Finally the champions were led into the hall and to their table. The meal came first, then the champions stood to start the dance with the waltz.
After it was finished, it was complete chaos as the real dancing began. The music was loud and fast. The dancing was wild and all over the place. The drinks were spiked if you were to go to the right bowl for them. This was Seamus and Deans idea. The twins knew they would get the blame for it though, and didn't really care.
The night went on without a hitch, and even Ron enjoyed the evening with Romilda. She was funny, charming, very pretty and just fun to be with.
There were always people on the dance floor who switched partners during the dance, but Harry's group was not a part of that, which upset Michael to no end. He wanted to dance with Ginny really bad. He even asked for a dance from Luna, which also didn't work out. He didn't get a dance from any of the Potter girls, as he called them. It turned out to be a long night for Michael, and a brilliant night for all of Harry's friends and himself. It would be the talk of the entire trip home the next day.