Invisible—Chapter 11
Year Four, Part 3:
The Games Begin, A Yule Ball, and Figuring Out the Clue
Harry woke up early the next morning and went down to the common room to wait for Luna. It was something he had been doing for a while now, thankful that Luna wasn't like most girls. She was awake within fifteen minutes of him and dressed for the day while none of the other girls were down in the common room until five minutes before breakfast. Just because they were bookworms, it didn't mean they didn't like to wear make up or gossip, although the gossip was usually more academic in nature.
They were going down to breakfast before they knew it, and as usual, it wouldn't be long before their other friends joined them. Cedric Diggory had now officially joined their group, having been very upset not to be chosen as a Champion, especially loosing out to Nick Potter, of all people. There was nothing to be done about it now, though. Cedric really liked Fleur, so that might have also been a reason for his joining. Fifth year Ravenclaw Cho Chang had been practically glaring daggers at both Cedric and Fleur since then. She obviously liked Cedric, but unfortunately, she was nothing compared to a Veela and she knew it.
"Did you get any sleep?" asked Luna as they sat down.
No one else was there yet, apart from the teachers, of course. None of the Durmstrang students had ventured from the boat nor had any of the Beauxbatons ventured from their carriage house. Luna had told him it was beautiful after having gone with Fleur one time to see it. Or rather, Luna had gone to see the abraxans pulling it, given how much she loved magical creatures. Fleur was used to them and didn't see them as magnificent creatures. She was proud of her school and everything about it, though, hence why she hadn't had a problem showing Luna around.
"I suppose so," answered Harry.
He was so used to getting up early it was a habit. He had to get up early during the summer to open the shop and deliver the newspapers. The people of Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade preferred their post delivered to their doors, as they saw enough owls without being woken up by them at six in the morning. Most of the people in both delivery zones were housewives with working husbands. It was hard enough looking after children without being woken up at the crack of dawn.
"What do you have first thing?" asked Luna. She always did, despite probably knowing his schedule equally as well as her own.
Harry grimaced in distaste. "Potions."
"Ah, good luck with that," said the girl, knowing about Reese's hatred for Harry.
Although, the teacher had cooled down somewhat in regards to being nasty, possibly having something to do with Harry no longer doing his best in his class. It was always the right color and texture, but never, ever to the extent of being perfect like before. He did, however, continue reading his potions books, and kept sharp with his written knowledge. He loved potions, it was by far his favorite subject. Or it had been, until Reese came along. Part of him resented Professor Snape for that, but he couldn't blame him, not really. Given half a chance, he would leave and become an apprentice to a Potions Master.
Defense came next in terms of likes; he loved that at least his Defense scores weren't bad like his Potions ones. Reese was truly out to get him, and Harry couldn't figure out why. At least with Professor Snape, he knew why he hated Nick. He remembered all the times James had spoken about him with disgust, usually ending with trying to tell Nick a name he used to call him, a Sniv-something, but Lily always yelled at him for trying to do so.
Potions had just started and Reese kept staring at him while he was talking about poisons and antidotes. He had a sinking feeling that he was going to be the test subject, but didn't let the teacher see how bothered he was, even if his heart was beating a mile a minute. Harry was just wishing he could fade away when there was an urgent knock on the door.
The boy who came in was the same boy who followed Nick around all day. His younger brother had taken to doing it, too. They were both short, skinny little runts. Colin and Dennis Creevy he thought their names were, if he remembered the Sorting properly. Colin was positively beaming at Nick as he went up to Professor Reese's desk.
"Can I help you?" frowned Reese in confusion.
"Sir, I've to take the Potters upstairs!" beamed Colin.
"They have an hour of Potions to complete. They will go up when this class is finished," said Reese, glaring at Harry before softening his gaze as he looked at the eager Gryffindor, Nick.
"Sir, Mr. Bagman wants them, all the Champions have got to go. I think they want to take photographs," said Colin.
"Very well. Nick, Potter, go," said Professor Reese curtly.
Harry and Nick quickly left the classroom, Harry eager to get away and Nick not wanting to miss an opportunity to get his picture taken.
"It's amazing, isn't it, Nick?" asked Colin, gazing up at Nick in obvious hero worship. "Isn't it, though? You being Champion?"
"Of course. If anyone's going to be a Champion, it's me!" agreed Nick smugly.
"What do they want photos for?" asked Harry curtly, cutting in to the absurdity.
"The Daily Prophet, I think!" said Colin, barely glancing Harry's way. He was too busy staring at Nick in awe.
Harry grimaced, hating the idea that he was going to have his picture across the bloody globe. There was still hope that maybe they would only put Nick's picture up, as he would sell more papers than the other Champions. He crossed his fingers and prayed for the best.
When he entered the room Colin led them to, he saw a rather small classroom. Krum was staring moodily at the corner and Fleur was just standing there near Krum, so he waved at them both, feeling like copying Viktor. It helped that he now knew the older teen hated the press; it was no wonder given the things they would do to get a picture of the Quidditch hero. He also saw Bagman sitting in the middle of the room, talking to a witch he had never met before. Nick had, though, because he had perked up and straightened his robes.
"Ah, here they are, Champions three and four!" beamed Bagman. "Come in, come in…nothing to worry about, it's just the Wand Weighing Ceremony. The rest of the judges will be here in a moment."
"Wand Weighing?" asked Harry frowning.
"We have to check that your wands are fully functional, no problems, you know, as they're your most important tools in the tasks ahead," nodded Bagman soothingly. "Now, this is Rita Skeeter. She's doing a small piece for the Daily Prophet," said Bagman, introducing the witch.
"Maybe not that small, Ludo," said Skeeter.
Harry noticed she only had eyes for Nick and nearly whooped in relief. Maybe his face wouldn't be on display after all.
"May I have a conversation with our youngest Champion first?" asked Rita after a few seconds.
Harry didn't even bother to mention that he was actually the youngest, being younger than Nick. He didn't want attention drawn to himself, thank you very much. Before Ludo, or even Nick, could agree, Skeeter was dragging him along and pulling him into a broom cupboard.
Meanwhile, Fleur, Viktor, and Harry sat down on chairs they'd placed near one wall, conversing quietly. Shortly after, the rest of the judges arrived, Maxime, Karkaroff, Dumbledore, and Crouch. The trio saw Headmistress Maxime and Headmaster Karkaroff frowning at the fact they were talking to one another, though Dumbledore was smiling and twinkling madly at them. The teachers seemed to be taking the Tournament a lot more seriously than the students were, anyway. Harry had no desire to win, even if it would prove he was better than his brother. They would assume it was a fluke, or even that he'd cheated in order to take the attention away from Nick, and would wonder how he had won and not his brother.
"Harry, my boy, where is Nick?" asked Dumbledore kindly to his student.
"In the broom closet," said Harry bluntly, pointing at it. Go figure. Dumbledore finally talked to him for the first time since the day they'd met, but only to ask him about Nick bloody Potter. Sometimes he felt like strangling the old man. If Dumbledore had any brothers or sisters, he pitied them for having to put up with him, since no doubt it was just like him and Nick all over again.
Dumbledore frowned before quickly making his way over to the closet. Nick quickly joined the other teens, surprisingly sitting next to Harry. The younger twin shifted away a bit, but not making it too obvious, as he didn't want it in the paper that he was jealous of his brother's fame.
"May I introduce you to Mr. Ollivander? He will be Weighing the Wands," said Dumbledore suddenly, drawing all attention to the door, where the other old wizard now stood beside him. The Hogwarts Headmaster's eyes twinkled big time.
Greetings were exchanged as Ollivander took a chair and moved it to face the Champions so he sat a few feet away from them, far enough that they'd have to get up to give him their wands, but close enough for everyone to see clearly from where they stood or sat. "Mademoiselle Delacour, could I have you forward first, please?" said Mr. Ollivander, causing Nick to frown and twitch beside Harry.
"Of course," she agreed. Fleur smiled at them before sweeping over to the wand maker and handing him her wand.
"Hmmm…" murmured the wand maker. He examined it for a time as everyone waited anxiously. "Yes," said the man quietly. "Nine and a half inches…inflexible…rosewood…and containing…dear me…"
"A 'air from zee 'ead of a Veela," said Fleur. "One of my grandmozer's."
"Yes," said Mr. Ollivander. "Yes, I've never used Veela hair myself, of course. I find it makes for rather temperamental wands…however, to each their own, and if this suits you…Orchideous!" muttered the wand maker, and flowers emerged from Fleur's wand. "Very well, very well! It's in fine working order," said Mr. Ollivander, picking up the flowers and handing them to Fleur along with her wand. "Mr. Krum, you are next."
Nick began tapping his foot impatiently. He wasn't used to waiting, and Harry found it hilarious.
"Hmm…" said Ollivander again. "This is a Gregorovitch creation, unless I'm very much mistaken? A fine wandmaker, though the styling is never quite what I…however…Yes, hornbeam and dragon heartstring. Rather thicker than one usually sees…quite rigid…ten and a quarter inches…Avis a number of small, twittering birds flew out the end and disappeared through the open window. "Good, now Harry Potter!" said Ollivander.
Harry stopped his snickers from breaking through at Nick's indignant look. He handed over his polished wand to the wand maker and waited patiently.
"Ah, now this is one of mine!" said Mr. Ollivander with much more enthusiasm. "Eleven and a third inches, beech, and unicorn hair! A strong combination!" proclaimed Ollivander.
Harry just nodded since he already knew that.
The wand shot out wine before Ollivander said it was in perfect working order.
Finally, it was Nick's turn as the older twin huffed and got up, handing his wand over. All three other Champions, and even most of the judges, rolled their eyes when they saw him acting as if he was doing a great service to Ollivander by letting him touch the 'Boy-Who-Lived's' wand. "Ah, another of my own! Nine inches, holly, dragon heartstring," said Ollivander, using it to conjure wine, much the same as he had Harry's. Nodding his head, the wand maker proclaimed it in working order.
It wasn't long before Ollivander was gone and it was time for the dreaded photos. Harry almost wanted to beg Ollivander to do them all again. Then again, he knew even Fleur and Viktor would kill him if he did that. He could tell by their faces that they were getting very bored.
Harry was whipped out of his thoughts just to catch Rita saying, "Individual photos." She was looking at Nick as if he was the holy grail of the wizarding world, so Harry just smiled almost smugly. He knew Nick would definitely be the only one on the front cover of the Prophet. As he put up with the flashing pictures, he almost rubbed his hands together gleefully, and unlike the others, he didn't even attempt to smile. Not that anyone noticed, of course.
Harry was right, and the next edition for the Daily Prophet only had Nick on it. Not only that, but Skeeter had spewed lies about Nick across the front page. Harry couldn't see Nick saying he was scared, or letting his 'green eyes glisten with tears' at the thought of disappointing his parents. Skeeter was in for it, that was for sure. James wouldn't just let that go. He may only be an Auror, but he had plenty of connections, even if that was mostly because of who his son was.
"Wee are onlee menteeoned at zee bottom of zee page!" huffed Fleur, her accent even thicker than normal as she tried to contain her fury.
"You get used to it eventually," said Harry softly, tone indifferent.
"They had no right, he's stealing the limelight from everyone!" said Cedric, furious on Fleur's behalf.
"How do you put up wit it, Harry?" asked Viktor, not as bothered as Fleur. He had been in the papers all summer back home. He was actually glad for the reprieve he was getting here—and he was quick to notice how Harry was quite turned on by the peculiar hissing-and-rolling-r sound of Viktor's voice when he said Harry's name.
"It's all I've ever known…so what can I say?" shrugged Harry, deciding not to tell them he was bloody glad his face hadn't appeared in the paper. It was a shame for Viktor and Fleur, he knew that, but he wasn't them—he didn't want eternal glory. Fame wasn't everything, and he loathed the thought of being famous.
"I still think it's wrong. At least Daddy did a good piece," said Luna. She had taken pictures of Viktor, Fleur, and Harry and sent them home, and her father had indeed done a piece for those who bought the magazine—and now, for those who wanted to know about the Champions besides Nick Potter.
"Xeno is great," smiled Harry, nodding in agreement.
"Look at zat, zat ees a good picture, Luna! You might be able to go into zat business," stated Fleur kindly.
"Oh yes, I plan on it. I'd rather take pictures of magical animals, though," said the younger girl dreamily, and the others smiled.
Two weeks had gone flying by. Between classes, homework, and spending time with his friends, Harry was exhausted. He had brewed two potions alone, one to make him invisible, and a potion he could take to repel flames from him. He had also found a spell to erase his scent so the Dragon couldn't track him by smell.
Before long, they were in the tent, listening to the roaring of the crowd. Crouch brought a bag forward, and inside it were miniature versions of the Dragons they would be facing. They then each had to pick one out. Fleur got a Welsh Green, Krum ended up with the Chinese Fireball, and Harry got the Swedish Short-Snout, which left Nick with the most dangerous of all—the Hungarian Horntail.
Bagman took Nick outside, but Bagman came back in ten minutes later. Harry barely heard the commentary being shouted, too preoccupied with fluttering nerves. He didn't want to do this, but he had to since it was a magical contract. He nodded curtly to each of his friends as they went out to fight their own Dragon.
Krum went first, and ten minutes later, he had successfully retrieved his egg if the crowd was anything to go by. Fleur went next, looking rather sick and clammy. Harry had to hand it to her though—she walked out with her head held high, even if her wand was held rather tightly in her grip. Around then, Nick came back inside as well.
Finally it was Harry's turn. As he was about to leave the tent, he spared one glance for his brother, who actually looked green. After that momentary pause, he shrugged his shoulders, deciding he wasn't about to help him, and it wasn't his problem. His brother had never once helped him in their lives, so why should he give him any comfort now?
Out in the arena, he looked at all the spectators and swallowed thickly. Well, it was now or never, he thought to himself.
Everyone gasped in shock when he drank a potion and disappeared from view. They saw only a vial being raised to his lips as he drank the one to stop the fire hurting him, and never heard the spell he chanted. Finally ready, he went forward. Harry's hands were shaking, and his forehead was wet with sweat. Still, he went on. He had to keep quiet, he hadn't thought about his footsteps. Swiftly, he grabbed the egg and made a dash for it, and the noise of the dash caused the Dragon to spew fire in his direction. The fire caught him but did no damage as the Dragon hissed and blew fire in every direction, trying to hit an invisible target. The spectators knew where he was since they could see the egg clutched in his arm. They had gasped, then went quiet when the fire should have completely fried him. Harry kept running until he was safe from the Dragon, then he raised the egg in triumph as he was expected to do.
It was Nick's turn next, and Harry never stuck around to see it happen. Needless to say, it was over an hour before they could check their scores. Nick had eventually managed to summon the egg from the basket an hour later.
Fleur's scores: Maxime = 10, Karkaroff = 8, Crouch = 7, Dumbledore = 8, Bagman = 8. The grand total = 41.
Viktor's scores: Maxime = 7, Karkaroff = 10, Crouch = 7, Dumbledore = 7, Bagman = 7. The grand total = 38. His score was mostly because he had caused damage to real Dragon eggs, and the Dragon handlers were not happy in the slightest about it.
Harry's scores: Maxime = 9, Karkaroff = 7, Crouch = 10, Dumbledore = 10, Bagman = 10. The grand total = 46.
Nick's scores: Maxime = 3, Karkaroff = 2, Crouch = 4, Dumbledore = 8, Bagman = 3. The grand total = 20.
"Well done, all of you!" beamed Bagman. "Now just a few quick words. You have a nice, long break before the second task, which takes place in February. We have given you something to think about in the meantime! If you look down at your eggs, you will see hinges on them! They open, and will tell you how to solve the next clue, which gives you time to prepare for it! Got it? Alright! Well, off you go!"
Of course, Nick was caught by Skeeter once more, this time luring him in by acting shocked at his score points.
"He's an idiot isun't he?" asked Krum, watching Harry's twin ramble on with scorn.
"He can't help it…it's how he's been raised. If his parents hadn't done it…maybe he would have been different," shrugged Harry. They weren't his parents anymore and hadn't been for a long time, it was just more official now that he had changed his name.
Beside him, Viktor said nothing about his reference to Nick and the Potters, a knowing look in his eyes.
"Ah, Severus! Good to see you! Come in," beamed Dumbledore at the man whose face he could currently see in his fireplace.
"How are things?" asked Severus when he stepped out of the Floo a moment later.
"Terrible," sighed Dumbledore sadly.
"Why? Did he die?" asked Severus dryly.
"Oh no, I was told by James and Remus that they had trained Nick during the summer, however, I find that hard to believe. It took him an hour to Summon the Dragon's egg to himself," said Dumbledore. "Actually, of all the Champions, Harry's approach was both the fastest and wisest. I was impressed."
"What did he do?" asked Severus, cocking his eyebrow curiously while declining the sweets Dumbledore insisted on offering everyone. He absolutely loathed lemon drops.
"He used two potions apparently, one to turn him invisible, the other to stop fire affecting him," said Dumbledore, smiling proudly. His customary twinkle was gone, though.
"Quite impressive indeed," smirked Severus in amusement, impressed a Potter could have come up with such an intelligent move. Then again, the boy was a Ravenclaw, so it was to be expected.
"I do not understand Nick at all!" sighed Dumbledore, agitated. "He should be more powerful and intelligent than this, equally as much as his twin, if not more!"
"Do you know how the Potters treat Harry?" asked Severus, ignoring Dumbledore's pity party. He wanted no part in that, he was sick of the man's constant doubts that Nick wasn't the Boy-Who-Lived. Severus couldn't care less…Or wouldn't until Voldemort came back, then he'd worry.
"What do you mean?" frowned Dumbledore, not liking Severus' insinuations.
"Well, you say he never spends time at home. The other brat does, so why doesn't Harry? Have you ever asked him?" questioned Severus wryly. He wasn't about to tell Dumbledore that Harry was living at his mother's during the summers. Merlin knew what damage Dumbledore could do, even unintentionally. The Potters might even insist on Harry going home this coming summer and staying there.
If what his mother suspected was true, it wasn't advisable for the boy to be at home for an extended period. If they continued down that road, it was just asking for trouble, the boy could even turn to Voldemort to get some bloody sort of attention. He knew what it was like to go without a stable family or friends, and it had made him join Voldemort. He had at least had his mother to go to, but by the sounds of things, Harry Potter didn't have anyone—well, except his mother, irony of ironies. He didn't want a path of darkness for someone as smart as Harry.
"All teenagers like spending time away from home," Dumbledore pointed out.
"Then why isn't Nick doing the same thing?" asked Severus shrewdly.
"I'm not sure," admitted Dumbledore. "I assume because he's getting training."
"Yet you just told me it took him an hour to cast the Summoning Charm correctly?" asked Severus dryly.
Dumbledore just looked rather constipated at that.
Harry had been in Transfiguration when they were all told unexpected news. He had practically run towards the Great Hall afterwards, completely and utterly gobsmacked and furious with the judges and teachers for just dumping it on them. Harry hadn't worn dress robes in years—Nick's parents hadn't bought him any in just as long, either. He didn't have the kind of money for dress robes, especially not on short notice! Life was going from bad to worse in his bloody book.
"What's wrong, Harry?" asked Luna, noticing Harry's sour mood.
"'E ees angry because of zee Yule Ball," giggled Fleur.
"Not funny," hissed Harry between clenched teeth.
"It's not so bad!" insisted Luna.
"Oh right? You think so? Try going to a Ball with normal robes on when everyone else is dressed up!" huffed Harry, his green eyes showing apprehension instead of anger.
"You don't hef duress robes?" asked Viktor, sitting down across from them.
"No, and I am not spending a ridiculous amount of money to wear something for one night!" said Harry adamantly. He wasn't exactly rich, even if he now had the Peverell money along with the money he had been saving up for years, working his arse off. He had plans for that money, all of it; getting himself a flat and apprenticing himself to a Potions Master cost a lot of money unless he showed 'great promise'. Thanks to Reese, his academic records didn't show any promise—he was pretty sure he would be down to a low A, or maybe even a D, by the end of the year.
"I hef a few sets wit me. If you want to be wearink dem, I'd hef to shurinuk dem for you," offered Viktor.
"That would be great!" said Harry, his face lightening up as he nodded eagerly.
"Oh, Cedric, would you like to come to zee Yule Ball wis me?" asked Fleur, half seriously and half-flirting-teasingly as soon as she saw Cedric approaching.
"I'd love to!" smiled Cedric, not seeing Cho's defeated look.
"Veree good!" said Fleur, smiling as well.
"It's a pity I can not invite a Chamupion," said Viktor.
"Why's that?" asked Harry, jealousy stirring in him as he thought Viktor wanted to ask Nick.
"I would hef asuket you," answered Viktor, his face softer than anyone had ever seen it.
Harry flushed bright red, a smile on his face he nodded that he would have accepted. "Luna, I'd love to ask you—as my best friend, of course," said Harry quietly.
"I'd love to," beamed Luna. She wouldn't get to go if she didn't agree, anyway, so she might as well.
"Is dere a boy you like, Luna?" asked Viktor curiously.
"Neville," blushed Luna softly.
"Well, ask him, just say you are doing me a favor," suggested Harry.
"I think I will," said Luna, grinning widely without her usual dreamy look.
"Now I jusht hef to fint someone which would ratur go wit someone eluse…who will put up wit me jusht for one danuce," commented Viktor, his distaste for it evident.
"Thomas asked the Weasley girl…why not ask her?" suggested Cedric.
"I guess I could be askink her..." agreed Viktor reluctantly.
Viktor had given Harry the robes and shrunk them, and had also asked Ginny Weasley for the first dance with the Champions. She had spoken to Dean Thomas and both had agreed, Ginny unable to pass up the opportunity to dance with the Viktor Krum, as she was as Quidditch-crazed as the rest of the Weasley family.
Christmas morning was fun to say the least. Fleur, Viktor, Cedric, Luna, and Eileen had all given him presents this year.
Viktor had gotten him two potions books, one for defensive potions and one a very rare advanced potions book.
Fleur had given him a raven clasp to put his hair up with—she was always complaining that he didn't do his hair properly, something she felt he had to do since he kept it long. Fleur always had perfect hair whenever he saw her, and it did make him feel rather messy, so she had gotten him the perfect gift, and he wasn't even surprised to find a comb next to it. It wasn't just any comb, either, but a blue jewel-encrusted one you wouldn't leave lying around, and it made Harry feel bad. He hadn't gotten anything nearly as nice as that for her.
Cedric had gotten him a large selection of candies which contained more of his favorites than anything else. That meant more chocolate frogs, sugar quills, and exploding bonbons than fizzing whizzbees, ice mice, and others.
Eileen had gotten him some casual wear, some chocolates, and a few books. She had seen all the books in the room she had given him, and gotten some really nice ones he didn't have yet. Along with those, she had given him a brand new journal. This one he had decided to use like the Half-Blood Prince had used his Potions book—any new spells or potions he made in the future would be placed inside the beautiful journal, as well as notes about improvements or adjustments to spells and potions already in use.
Luna had gotten him a dream catcher. It looked as if she had made it herself, and had added a lot of protection charms to it if the warmth emanating from it was anything to go by. It was quite large, but Harry didn't care—he loved it, and proudly put it above his bed...Not that there was anyone to look at it since he still had his own room.
Harry had given Eileen a nice, old fashioned locket he had found in the Peverell vault. It was embedded with onyx, which was why he had given it to her—it reminded him of her, plus it was a locket so he wasn't about to go around wearing it.
To Fleur, he had given a beautiful, silver photo frame, extremely large and decorated. She had been going on about not having a picture of her whole family together on her wall because there wasn't a photo frame big enough. Why she didn't just put it up, he didn't know, but there could have been magic involved in the picture she wanted to put up, so he'd felt the frame would be useful to her. He had given her fudge, too; he had seen her eating it numerous times before.
Cedric he had given a toffee tray and three bars of chocolate, white, dark, and milk chocolate.
Viktor had been the hardest to buy for, as he had given nothing away when asked. What did you get a Quidditch star who had everything? So, after watching him very closely for awhile, Harry had gotten him a dragon hide wallet. He'd noticed just a few days ago that his other one was very worn, and that Viktor kept a picture of his immediate family in it. As such, the one Harry had eventually chosen had a clear slot for a picture in it. He knew Viktor missed his family, especially his sister.
For Luna, he had gotten chocolates, a new camera (which he had gotten at a discounted rate) and a spell. The spell was one he'd needed to research extensively and had partially made, himself, but it could be embedded in all her things so she could say the activation word and they would appear in her trunk. It had taken him a year to complete it but he had managed. Luna's things always seemed to go missing, especially near the end of the year, and Harry suspected Peeves to be the main problem, annoying pest that he was.
"Tenk you for di wallet, Harry. I hef beink needink a new one," smiled Viktor as he sat down with the group at breakfast. He had already added a picture of himself, Harry, Fleur, Luna, and Cedric to it, as well as one of his family.
"I'm glad you like it!" proclaimed Harry, relieved. "I really wasn't sure what to get you and you wouldn't give me any clue!"
"True," grinned Viktor.
The day went by exceedingly fast. It wasn't long before Fleur wandered off, needing a few hours to get ready, and even Luna left half an hour after Fleur! Krum had to leave to get ready around then, as he had to go all the way back to the boat, so it was just Cedric and Harry. Both left for their own common rooms soon after, thinking they might as well get it over with.
Harry got dressed in the clothes Viktor had given him, a light flush settling over his features. He couldn't believe Viktor Krum actually wanted to be with him. He wasn't special, or famous, or even worth noticing, really. At least, that was how he felt, and being ignored all his life didn't deter his assumptions. He was slowly beginning to realize he wasn't truly invisible, though it would take a while for his self-worth to be established. Perhaps Viktor would be able to do that before the end of the year.
Dinner hadn't been served yet, and he was starving by the time it was eight o'clock. They met everyone down at the entrance to the Great Hall. Harry had Luna on his arm, and the girl was dressed in a green gown that looked remarkably like a Christmas tree. She had some accessories on and she actually looked good in it if it was possible. Viktor was standing next to him with Ginny on his arm looking extremely broody and gorgeous in his brown dress robes. Fleur and Cedric were together both wearing different shades of blue, Fleur a baby blue dress (of course) and Cedric royal blue dress robes. The only one who didn't look comfortable was Ginny, who wore a faded blood red dress. It didn't surprise any of them as she wasn't part of their group. He noticed Nick in his brand new Gryffindor red dress robes out of the corner of his eyes. He was with one of the Patil twins, though he wasn't sure which because they didn't have their uniforms on. She was wearing a traditional pink Hindu dress which hugged her figure in all the right places.
Everyone else was allowed in bar the Champions and their partners, since they had to make a grand entrance and open the dance. Luna was great to dance with, much to his relief. Once that dance was over, they were allowed to sit down and eat.
"Sweet and sour chicken," said Harry after looking at the menu, and the food appeared. All around him, people were doing the same, digging into their food ravenously—really, making people wait that long to eat without planning a snack between hadn't been the smartest move. He decided on a chocolate log, strawberry tart, and some ice cream for dessert. Thankfully, he didn't make a mess of the black dress robes Viktor had been kind enough to lend him.
Finally, after eating, Ginny left to find her actual date, Dean Thomas, and Luna approached Neville. They began dancing...Poor Neville, though, as Luna wasn't the most inconspicuous of dancers—she had her own version of a dance. No one was as bad as Ronald Weasley, though, who was stomping on the other Patil's poor feet. She was wearing an open toe shoe, and her toes were already bright red, along with her face.
Viktor was quick to invite Harry to dance, and Harry was just as quick—and happy—to accept, much to the surprise of nearly the entire Hall. They danced most of the night, talking about things and in general having a good time. Eventually, midnight approached, and Harry was going to see Viktor off to his boat before heading to Ravenclaw Tower.
"I'll see you tomorrow," said Harry softly.
"You cerutainuly will," said Viktor while smiling softly. He didn't smile often, and when he did, it changed his entire face. Which Harry had realized was getting closer to his own.
Harry automatically opened his mouth and let Viktor lead in the kiss. He was very inexperienced in the tangible, physical aspect of things like kissing, so he preferred it that way. Experience aside, it was one of the best things he'd ever felt, and it made him happy to know Viktor was enjoying it as well, if his pleased moan was anything to go by—a moan which Harry answered. Eventually, they broke apart, panting heavily. Harry had flushed red which caused Viktor to smirk in amusement and pride.
Suddenly, they heard a noise behind them and broke apart to finish vocally saying goodnight. As it turned out, it was only Fleur and Cedric doing pretty much the same thing as he and Victor had been, but they still felt it would be better to part ways then, rather than be caught by a Professor.
The fourteen-year-old practically floated all the way back to Ravenclaw Tower, where he wrote and sent off a letter to Eileen, despite having written one yesterday with his present for her. He wrote about the Yule Ball, Viktor, and of course, he thanked her for the presents she'd sent him.
He wasn't surprised he had gotten nothing from Nick's parents—again.
It was January before Viktor and Harry tried to figure out the egg clue. It was actually one of the Ravenclaws who gave him the idea to use the Prefects' bathroom when she had commented that it sounded like a merperson or something. Ironically enough, the comment she had made as a joke was actually right. Viktor and Harry had been spending a lot of time together by themselves, and much to Harry's relief, Luna had Neville to content herself with. He didn't want to feel guilty for leaving her like that, and he would have stayed if she had been alone.
"You ready?" grinned Harry as he stood in the huge, deep bath quite nude. His confidence had grown in leaps and bounds and he was finally comfortable in his own skin by the looks of things.
"Your egk firsht," answered Viktor, who was also nude and clearly quite enjoying the view of Harry he had.
Well, work came before pleasure, so they dove under the water and listened to Harry's first, then Viktor put his under and they found it was the same message.
"What do you think it means?" asked Harry curiously, wrapping his legs around Viktor's under the water, grinning mischievously.
"Well obuviousuly sometink we value is beink taken unudur di watur," said Viktor, frowning thoughtfully and trying to ignore Harry's actions—which was getting harder by the second. It wasn't just getting hard to ignore Harry's actions, but his body was as well.
"Hm…Mine will be Luna, then, if it's a person, and I really don't have anything else—besides you—I'd risk my life for, and you're out because you're a Champion, too," said Harry confidently, rocking back and forth against the older teen, which pulled a strangled gasp from Viktor's lips.
"Hm…Which could dey be usink for me?" grunted Victor.
"Your sister, if she's coming here for the task?" Harry offered. He then said, "Now let's stop talking about that. I want our first time to be really, really good, not mixed with that."
At that, the older and now amused teen just shook his head and took his boyfriend properly in his arms, letting Harry have his wicked way with him and guide how quickly things progressed. For a virgin, Harry seemed very experienced, knowing how to drive him mad with desire. If only he had seen the large selection of sex books—gay sex books, which were actually not that hard to find in the wizarding world—Harry had been reading…he would have thought differently.
Finally, when he'd had enough teasing, Viktor turned them around. Harry grabbed the edge of the large bath for balance, then wrapped his arms around Viktor's torso more securely. The younger teen gasped, feeling the intrusion of the older's first finger in his body, but when Viktor hit that spot inside of him, he pushed down pushing it deeper into him while moaning deeply. Another finger was added rather quickly, then Viktor grabbed his wand and used a spell, lubricating Harry. The third finger hurt a little, but it was forgotten when he hit his sweet spot over and over again, delving the fingers deeply into the younger teen.
Viktor withdrew his fingers, and replaced them with something much larger and thicker. Slowly but surely, he sank deeply into Harry, tortured moans leaving their lips. Harry was going to be hard to leave behind, very hard indeed. Thankfully, the bath was magical and didn't allow the water to spread all over the bathroom, otherwise they'd flood the room in short order as they moved together, panting, moaning, and keening in desperation, wanting more and wanting to come. Fortunately, the need to come became too much, and with a groan, Harry had released hard, his essence erupting in the bath. Viktor followed close behind, only his seed was deep inside Harry.
Viktor sat there for an hour, holding onto Harry and basking in the afterglow. Eventually, though, their skin looked like prunes, so they gathered their eggs and Viktor banished their activities from the water. Getting dry, they quickly pulled their clothes back on while kissing a little more.
Suddenly, they realized Viktor had to get back to the boat, as his own curfew was coming up quickly. Harry walked—admittedly a little slower and funny—him to the doors, waved him away, and made his way back up to Ravenclaw Tower.
Big thanks to Snow Leopard Pasha for editing this chapter - 3/7/15
