AN: Lots of different topics covered the last few chapters. Whew. This chapter will be looking at some of the other characters and what is going on with them. While it would be fun to just focus on Ryosuke and Harry I can't ignore the others. These do not necessarily happen on the same day or time but they all happen at some point during the Hogwarts weekend.
POLL IS NOW CLOSED.
Neville – 25
Luna – 24
The Weasley Twins – 14
Draco – 9
Theodore – 8
Snape – 6
Ginny – 2 (-2 vote… so back to 0?)
Thank you to everyone who voted.
Winners by popular vote:
~Neville in 1st Place
~Luna in 2nd
~The Twins in 3rd
Therefore all who are paired with a Joukriger are: Harry, Blaise, Luna, Neville, and the Twins
Disclaimer: Don't own Harry Potter. Self-beta'd
"…" = speaking
'…' = thoughts or quotes
Word translated below
Word is written word
-Nananananananananana-
Ginny leaned back against the pillar of on the covered walkway and looked out at the rain. This was her favorite place to think and read on rainy days. Few wandered outside so she knew that she would be left to her book and thoughts. With the way that the rain was coming down it looked like it could continue for the rest of the day; which meant that she could stay out here for hours without being bothered. She breathed in the fresh air that always came with rain as she looked over the garden below her. Her current location gave her a great view of the garden on ground level on this side and the green houses on the other. Being surrounded by so much natural green was relaxing. Although if her brothers knew how much she loved being surrounded by that color they would freak out and start a campaign to show her how much better reds and golds were. In her mind there was nothing wrong with the earthy, natural green that came from the outdoors. Especially since it was usually interspersed by other colors via flowers and trees.
Movement below drew her attention from her thought. It was her best friend Luna walking hand in hand with another person. They were just far enough away that Ginny couldn't get a good look at the person but it was easy to spot Luna with her radiant blonde hair and the way she seemed to float when walking. Ginny was startled to notice that wherever the two were, it wasn't raining. It was if they had a disillusioned umbrella above them keeping them and the area directly around them dry.
Ginny continued watching as the two sat below a tree, snuggled together, and talked. She smiled at the scene, happy that Luna was able to find someone who could care for her. With all of her unconventional thoughts it was hard for her to connect with people normally, especially romantically. Ginny really hoped that whoever this person was, he continued to treat her right. If he didn't there wasn't anywhere he could hide from her wrath. No one would get away with harming her friends.
Ginny waved her wand to capture this moment for Luna. The picture that came out of the spell showed the two of them snuggled beneath the tree, his arms wrapped around her. She would give her the picture tomorrow. For now, Ginny would leave the two alone while keeping an eye out for anyone who might intrude. No one would break up this moment of peace on her watch. She opened her book to where she had left off the other day and continued to read about Belinda the Beautiful and the Minotaur, the newest in the series from her favorite author, content in the knowledge that Luna was having a peaceful morning down below.
Ginny looked up from her book a while later to check on Luna and the male below only to see three 7th Year Ravenclaw females snickering to each other as they crossed the garden towards the two sitting below the tree. She set her book down and readied her wand to throw some jinxes if needed. Ginny watched as the male looked up from watching Luna make a flower crown and frown at something the girls said.
This was a time that Ginny really wished that she had one of the Twin's extendable ears on her, so that she could hear what was being said down below. It was easy to tell by their body language that the Ravenclaws were mocking Luna and flirting with the male. All Ginny could do was watch at the male tensed up before he was sending a bright yellow spell at the three.
Immediately all three started shrieking in horror when they looked at each other before running off. Ginny could only assume they were headed for the Hospital Wing or a teacher. She wondered what the spell was and what it caused them to see. Nothing was wrong from what she could tell, so it must have messed with their perceptions.
Ginny picked up her book and headed back inside. If she was lucky she would run into those Ravenclaws and do her own bit of magic for their continuous teasing of Luna. It was time that they learned to stop being bullies. It was good to know that the male would stand up for her best friend. If nothing else it added one point to the good column in her mind. She still needed to meet him to finally decide if his intentions were good or not; but today definitely saw points in his favor.
Draco settled into his chair in front of the fire and eagerly opened the letter he received from home that morning. He was sure it was a response to the letter he sent the other day about Blaise and he couldn't wait to read his mother's reaction to that bit of gossip. The letter of course came with a box of his favorite chocolates from the chocolatier in France and a copy of the Prophet which he set aside to read later. As he unfolded the letter he popped a chocolate into his mouth.
Dragon,
I was pleased to hear that your studies are going well. Your Godfather has reported something similar in our talks. Your father and I do, however, believe that you can do better in Ancient Runes and Arithmancy and expect your scores to improve.
Lord Parkinson paid a visit the other day to finalize the negotiations between our families. I realize that she is not your preferred choice but, considering the alternatives available in Britain, she is the most suitable. I will remind you that our family simply does not have the connections to France to procure a worthy betrothal from there at this point. I do not wish you to concern yourself with this, however, as your father has insisted on a clause which will ensure we are able to select you a better option while he works on his contacts in France.
Indeed, your friend's choice of partner is worrying on many fronts. I am sure I do not need to remind you to not allow any of those Creatures to have that degree of familiarity with you. There is simply no helping some when they stray, and you may wish to place careful consideration of your future interactions with that particular acquaintance. Be sure that you don't fall as he did. Then again, his blood status was never as inscrutable as yours, and has always been somewhat debatable, so I do not think we can view it as any great loss.
There are, however, other more important things that I wish to make you aware of.
As I am sure you have read by now, my cousin Sirius Black was declared free and has taken up the mantle of Lord Black. A disgraceful thing, I am sure you will agree; however, as my Aunt failed to disinherit him before her death, there is nothing to be done in that regard. What is most concerning about this is that, after regaining his freedom, he immediately went to Gringotts and officially disinherited both your Aunt Bella and myself. The owl arrived this morning with this most unsavory news. It did not say anything regarding your status within the Black family, and therefore we can assume there is still a chance that when he dies you will gain the Lordship.
Do not do anything to bring yourself to his attention. Hopefully he will forget and at his death our rightful inheritance will fall to you. Since he is with a Creature, he is unable to have his own blood heirs and as such, this means that the Lordship will pass to the next male with Black blood, you, unless he blood adopts or disinherits you. The copy of the family tree I brought with me to the Manor also shows that he has also reinstated your Aunt Andromeda, along with her Muggle husband and Half-Blood daughter, back into the Black family. Andromeda is, of course, too old to have another child and their daughter seems to be too busy playing Auror to have children of her own.
Your father also received a summons from the Aurors to sit trial on Thursday. He wouldn't share with me what the summons said, but with what that article about Lord Black said, it is likely that there will be hard times upon us. I am making a trip to Gringotts today to make sure that, should anything happen to your father, the Malfoy vaults are still available to us.
Your Godfather has been informed and is also fully aware of all salient details. He will be able to protect you there at the school. Let him know if any issues arise.
Keep your head up in the coming days. No matter what anyone says, you are a proud Malfoy and Black. They will see their errors soon enough.
Mother
Neville eased open Greenhouse 4's door, arms full. Once inside he ducked to the right avoiding the vines of a Venomous Tentacula who was set to guard the doors to Greenhouse 4. It was the only Greenhouse off limit to the general student population. Only to be used by those looking for a career in the field and Professor Sprout. This Greenhouse housed a variety of common but dangerous and poisonous plants like aconite, Valerian roots, an adult Snargaluff tree in the back corner, and Fanged Geraniums, among others.
Neville was dropping off a package of supplies for Professor Sprout and planning to spend some time working on his own Snargaluff Tree which was still in seedling form. He was hoping that its first spikey branch started growing. It would be good to record something new with his plant. Sure, Professor Sprout had mentioned that the first branch took a while to form, but once it reached that stage of growth the first of the pods would start growing.
Neville carefully set his burden down on the back work bench for Professor Sprout to deal with later and picked up his Snargaluff from the shelf it was resting on. Turning around carefully he made his way to one of the tables in the middle of the room. As he set the tree seedling on the table he noticed another brunette male already working there.
"I'm sorry. I didn't even notice you there. What are you working on?" Neville said as he shifted his pot further down so as not to interfere with the plants that the other was studying.
"It's not a problem at all. I'm studying the differences of growth of the plants here compared to home." The stranger calmly replied running a hand through hair, pushing his fringe out of his brown eyes.
"Forgive me for asking, but does Professor Sprout know you are here? This greenhouse is used only by those looking to enter the field and barred from others." Neville nervously asked, fingering the side of his pot.
"Yes. I obtained her permission before entering. I often work with our healers and herbologists when not on duty. So she saw no issue with allowing me access to the greenhouses."
"Oh. Are you one of the visiting Joukriger?" Neville finally sitting down at the table while trying to figure out what the male was writing in his notebook. The book was being filled out with various images, arrows, and strange lettering that he couldn't work out but knew wasn't English or Arithmancy.
"I am. My name is Shoko and you're in Gryffindor, correct?" He said looking at Neville with brown eyes while continuing to write notes.
"Yes. I'm Neville. I'm usually in here on weekends or after class helping Professor Sprout with the plant care." Neville felt a blush start to form the longer he looked into Shoko's eyes.
"Then we'll get to spend a lot of time together. I'm glad." With a flash of a smile Shoko turned back to his plant and notebook. Neville pulled out the rest of his things and started on his own observation notes. However, he couldn't stop from taking side glances at Shoko while they worked; blushing each time he caught the other's blue and green eyes. He made a mental note to ask Harry what the colors meant.
"Blaise, I don't care how long we have been friends for, but if you and your paramour do not keep your hands and mouths off of each other while I am in the same room then I will hex both of you." Theodore looked up from his cards to glare at Blaise who just smirked back as Kazuma continued to place a hickey on his neck. Theodore could also clearly see that the hand that wasn't holding Blaise's cards was under the table in Kazuma's lap, moving back and forth lazily.
"Come now Theodore. There's no reason for you to be jealous just because you aren't getting any. Your turn love." Blaise directed the last to Kazuma who finally left his neck. With the air of someone who wasn't being felt up, Kazuma calmly selected a card to place on the pile before drawing another.
"Do not test my patience Blaise," Theodore ground out. "I've had to deal with a whiny yet smug Parkinson this morning and a ranting Draco this afternoon because of the news of their betrothal negotiations being finalized. I do not want to deal with a horny Zabini and mate this evening." Theodore closed his eyes as if praying for patience before turning his glare on Kazuma. "If need be I will hex both of you and leave you that way until morning."
"Kazuma, leave your sukidoushi alone. You're both already in trouble with the generals because you two insist at doing it everywhere and getting caught. I'm not sure where your bouts of voyeuristic tendencies came from. Don't make them decide you need someone to chaperone you like Minato does our kouteishi." The other Joukriger in the room spoke up with an annoyed chuckle. "Knowing them, I would have to do that job, and while it would be fun to constantly shock you and drench you in water, I do not wish to be around you while you are horny and whiny that much."
With a sigh of regret Kazuma scooted his chair further from Blaise dislodging the hand that had been pleasuring him. Blaise pouted at him until Kazuma gave him a quick kiss in apology.
"Fine we will work on holding back in the presence of others. Can we finish this game quickly so that the two of us could head off?" Kazuma asked. Theodore narrowed his eyed before huffing and throwing his cards down.
"Blaise isn't going to stop behaving like a child whose broom was taken away until you two go at it like nugs. Therefore, this game is now over." Theodore picked up his things and left the room via the secret passage back to the Slytherin common room. He had better things to do that night than sit and watch Blaise and his lover go at it.
"Are you sure this is a great idea? Kouteishi would not be very happy that we are helping them develop pranks when he specifically assigned us to them in order to stop them from doing further pranks." Koyo whispered to Junpei as they watched the twins add things to a cauldron in the middle of the room. Every few minutes one or the other would write down notes on what was happening. Koyo and Junpei startled at the loud pop from the cauldron and yell of pride from the twins. It sounded like they reached a new stage of whatever prank they were trying to modify today. Yesterday, Koyo watched as the two improved their Tongue-Toffees to be longer lasting with Junpei's pilfered Joukriger herbs.
"Kouteishi didn't say anything about interrupting their studying. If he asks; how are we supposed to distinguish between Potion homework, prank creation, and individual study? Also he also only wanted them to not do pranks on us. Nothing was said about them doing pranks to the other students." Junpei replied with a shrug before he wandered over to Fred to see how he could assist in the process.
Koyo sighed and prayed that Ryosuke would be understanding about the situation; after all Joukriger always had a hard time turning down requests from their soul mates.
-Nananananananananana-
AN:
So a little look into the lives of some of the other students. I couldn't resist adding a little reference to Dragon Age. I just finished playing the Tresspasser DLC so it is very much in my mind right now. Don't worry, this won't turn into a crossover with DA. Also as a heads up I might not be able to update Chapter 12 in 4-5 days. It might have to wait until next weekend. This week is a little busy for me.
Greenhouse 4 plants: come from the HP Lexicon page
Sukidoushi = (好き同氏) soul mate
Kouteishi = (皇帝子) crown prince
Reviews are greatly appreciated. So are favs, kudos, follows, pms, and subscribes. Flames or negative reviews are fed to the plot bunnies to keep them multiplying. I am now on both fanfiction and ao3 under the same penname and story title. Both locations will be updated together.