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Can I just say that you guys are amazing? I received no hate. That's so nice! And by the way, I figured out how to look at my stats, so I now know how many people read this story. That means I'm definitely not updating until reviews are posted. But this time, it's different. I'm not updating until a review with a contest entry is posted. Read about it at the end of the chapter please. Thank you.
Chapter 11
8 Months Later
Bill and Fleur were lovely hosts. They were always asking us what we needed, if they could help us. But no one could.
Luna explored the cottage, admiring its subtle beauty. That was one of the things I loved about my whimsical friend: She could make light of any situation.
Hermione and Ron mostly lounged around the cottage, mentally recuperating after our extensive journey. I could quite blame them.
Mr. Ollivander and Griphook kept to themselves, not leaving their rooms, even after our three days of being here.
I, much like them, was in the same place I had been for three days: the pathetic tombstone of the most loving and heroic house elf I had ever, and will ever meet.
My butt buried in the slightly damp earth, I had my right knee pulled close, but not entirely into my chest, while my elbow rested upon it. A foot higher, my head lay in my hand, my fingers continuously combing through my now much longer hair. The other leg stuck straight out, foot flexing back and forth.
It's all my fault.
It had been months since I'd seen the people I'd cared most about, with the exception of Ron and Hermione. More importantly, it'd been months since they had seen the people that they cared most about.
The way I saw it, I had three options.
Alright, Brooke, you can drop this right now. Let Voldemort win. Just save the lives that'll be lost in the future anyway and go into hiding. Or, maybe you could try to see things from Voldemort's perspective. Join him?
That was when I realized that Fleur had given me something more than pumpkin juice.
What the hell is the matter with you? Join Voldemort? You tosspot! Here's what you're gonna do! You're gonna man up, march into Hogwarts, tell Snape that he can go to hell right before you shoot a stunning spell at him, and then you're gonna do what you've had to for seven years.
You're gonna kill Tom Riddle.
A lump immediately formed in my throat at the though of murdering another person. But then I realized something. Voldemort didn't qualify as a person. To be a person, you needed to feel, to understand, to have compassion, to realize that there is more in this world than just your material desires. He was none of those. And thus why he fell under the classification of monster.
With that I didn't something I hadn't done in what felt like days. I pulled both knees close to me, shifted my weight onto the balls of my feet, and I stood, gazing out over the sea. Then, I did something I knew I had never done before.
I reflected.
For some unmentionable reason, standing there on the beach, the breeze blowing through my hair, the cerulean waves slapping back and forth about the shore line, all reminded me of my fourth year at Hogwarts.
3 Years Earlier
I was essentially strutting down the hallways of Hogwarts, my arm in a cast after my mishaps with my dear friend, the Hungarian Horntail. I didn't know what it was, but, after that victory, I just felt on top of the world. Like nothing could bring me down. Not even Cedric's arse-hole posse.
Things had been going well since the first task. Ron and I had made up. The hassling had decreased dramatically. Even Snape had eased up on the homework in Potions. There were two problems however. The first was that I still needed to figure out what the hell that screeching egg was trying to tell me about the next task. The second: finding a date to the Yule Ball.
It wasn't exactly as if boys were asking me, because they were. It was just that none of them felt right. Three of my suitors were from Gryffindor. I had, what I believed to be, very politely turned down Seamus, Dean, and Neville. In the process, I had even found Ginny a date.
Another who had asked to escort me to the ball was none other than my competitor, Viktor Krum. I was in utter shock. It seemed that I was the only one, however, because anyone I asked said that they had "seen it coming," and I was "blind for not noticing" the looks he'd sent me.
The last to ask me on a date to the Yule Ball was horrifically mind-boggling. The very thought of him and I together made my head spin. I had no idea what was going on in his mind when Draco Malfoy had asked me out. It was unimaginable. Apparently, he had a crush on me. Or so he said. He told me that if anyone deserved to win the TriWizard Tournament, it was me. He also threw in some opinions about my "lustrous emeralds for eyes." He had dropped his voice lower and lower until it was a whisper as he leaned in close, awaiting my answer.
What happened next was even more frightening. I pondered the offer. Recapping my history with Draco Malfoy, and deciding that no way in hell was this going to happen, whether he had changed for me or not, I, in the most obnoxiously loud voice, boomed through the crowded hallways of Hogwarts, "I'm sorry, Draco. I'm sure you're a lovely boy, and I'd love to go to the ball with you, but pansy Parkinson told me that you're just too 'small,' if you get what I'm saying. And I'll need a bloke who knows how show a girl a good time."
The hallway erupted in laughter. Draco erupted in embarrassment. He ran off, face red as the strawberries that grew in Mrs. Weasley's garden, yelling something about regretting that. I shrugged, turned on my heels, and nearly collided into a redhead far taller than me.
"Umpf! Oh, sorry, George! I didn't see you there!" I said gathering my satchel off the ground, rising up, and then extending a hand towards him.
He took it, and I helped pull him up. "No problem, Brooke. What's that phrase from the muggle movie you're always rattling about? Hakuna Matata?"
I giggled. "That's the one."
George and I had recently become great friends, despite the age difference. Instead of writing to Ron, Ginny, and Hermione, and I had also spent my summer holiday conversing with George via owl. He had described his and Fred's latest pranks, as I explained my favorite things about the muggle world. He regretfully let me in on his increase on chores when his mother found out about his pranks. I expressed my apologies for when I would take too long to write back because Uncle Vernon had confiscated Hedwig. Needless, to say, we learned that we were more alike than we had thought, and thus, became close friends.
"Well, I just wanted to congratulate you on your impeccable burn on Draco Malfoy. What did the nutter want anyway?"
"Oh, my gosh! You'd never believe it, but he asked me to the Yule Ball!"
The light in George's eyes suddenly dimmed, and his huge grin faltered. "Hey, listen, I've been meaning to talk to you about that." I looked at him curiously. "I was thinking, you know, I'm a guy, and you're a girl…"
"Wow, you Weasley men really are sharp. Nothing gets past you," I spoke slyly.
He was staring up at the ceiling now. "You know what I mean…" He looked me straight in the eyes now, his lips drawn in a straight line. "Brooke Potter, would you please do me the honor of allowing me to escort you to the Yule Ball?" He had pulled a violet-colored lily out of his book bag, handing it to me. I simply stared at it. Purple. My favorite color.
I redirected my attention to George's face. "I would love nothing more than to attend the Yule Ball with you, George Weasley." I could feel my uncontrollable smile growing wider and wider.
He had relaxed now, taken a deep breath, and grinned at me. "Then I can't wait," he spoke lowly, dropping down and giving me a peck on the cheek. He then turned, as did I, and we started towards our classes.
Present
That was how my romance with George Weasley had begun. By publicly humiliating Draco Malfoy. And I had to say, after what'd he done, holding us as prisoners along with his deranged family, he'd deserved it.
Ron had flipped when he'd found out George was taking me to the ball. Not because he had feelings for me (since we all knew he had eyes only for Hermione), but because I was like another sister to him, whether I be nearly taller than him or not.
At the ball, George and I had an amazing night of dancing with our friends, and I was nearly shocked when he left the side of his twin to walk me to my dormitory. Wishing me goodnight, and letting me know that he didn't want this to be the last of our dates, he slowly dropped his head to peck my cheek as he had in the hallway days earlier. I wasn't having that. I grabbed him by the back of the neck, and our lips crashed into each other, rough at first, but slowly locking smoothly. When we finally came up for air, I looked him in the eyes, wished him a goodnight, and disappeared into my dormitory. I could have sworn I heard him slump against the common room wall, and sinking down, out of breath, whisper to himself in astonishment, "What a woman."
It was only a week later that the second task had occurred, and though George wasn't the person I was given to save, he sprinted to me as soon as I was on the deck, just having popper out of the Black Lake after saving Ginny and Fleur's little sister. He was wrapping blankets around me, asking if I was okay. Of course, he couldn't really do the same thing after I completed the third task, returning with the body of Cedric Diggory, as I was immediately dragged away sobbing hysterically by Professor Moody. Or, at least, who I had thought was Moody.
I started back towards the cottage, a plan now ready to share with Hermione and Ron. We would need Griphook, too. But I was sure I'd convince him to help somehow. After all, I was Brooke Potter.
~stoppingtosmellroses~
"You let him in? Brooke, how could you do that?"
"I can't help it, Hermione! Or maybe I can, but I don't know."
That was when Ron cut in, dripping wet like the two of us. "What was it you saw, Brooke?"
"He knows. He knows that we're one step closing to making him mortal. He's angry, and he's scared. Also, there's another horcrux, and it's at Hogwarts," I said as we began stripping. Who really cared if Ron saw Hermione and I in our state of undress. It wouldn't be long before those two saw each other like that regularly, if we survived, that is. And as for me, I'm pretty sure even Ron had bigger things on his mind than my chest.
"Well, we can't just ride broomsticks in through the front gates of Hogwarts. We'll have to get in through Hogsmeade," stated Hermione.
That was it. The next step of our plan was decided. "Then I guess we're going to Hogsmeade."
~stoppingtosmellroses~
"Neville!" I nearly shouted with glee. "You look-"
"Like hell I reckon," he said with a chuckle. I didn't argue. He was bruised ad bloody. I was just glad to see that his sense of humor was still intact.
I thought about what Aberforth had said as we made our way through the passageway whose history was explained by Neville. Aberforth told me that I was simply a child, looking to prove myself a grown-up. He told me that I had no idea what I was getting into. He was right. I had no idea what I was getting into. However, I did have an idea as to what a world ruled by Voldemort would be like. And after all that I'd seen, all that I'd lost, I decided that anything, even the unknown, was better than a Riddle-ruled world.
I tuned back into the conversation to hear Neville explaining his fairly recent injuries to Hermione.
"Why would they do that to you?"
"Today's Dark Arts lesson was practicing the Cruciatus Curse... on first years. I refused."
I spoke up. "Good for you, Neville." He smiled at me.
"It's good to have you back, Brooke. You, too, Ron and Hermione."
We had now reached another door, a painting probably hanging on the other side.
Neville's voice boomed, "I got a surprise for you lot!"
I could hear Seamus make a remark about Aberforth's cooking. Neville stepped out of the way, and, at the unruly sight of me, the students erupted in applause.
Why are they clapping for me? What have I done? It's not like I've defeated Voldemort or anything.
It was things like this, praise, which made me uncomfortable. I blame it on my upbringing. Vernon and Petunia raised me to believe that I was worthless and undeserving, so, most times, I tended to feel that way. Of course, there were rare occasions when I felt made of gold. This wasn't one of those occasions.
I forced a smile, and began to climb carefully down the ladder. When I reached ground level, I was enveloped in warm hugs at such dark times from my classmates. It all ended quickly though, for we were in need of a plan. I explained that we needed to find a small, easily concealed item having to do with Ravenclaw. When Luna suggested Rowena's lost diadem, Ron muttered, "Oh, bloody hell, here we go." I smacked him in the stomach, earning a hmpf! Out of him.
We continued to discuss the possibility of the diadem when Ginny appeared. She immediately sprinted towards me, and jumped on me, wrapping her arms around my neck, and legs around my torso. She held me in a death grip. She was lucky I was strong or I would have dropped her, pulling myself down along for the ride.
"I'm so sorry! The last thing I said to you was so mean! I called you a prankster and I was angry and you could have died! You're my best friend and I'm so happy you're ok!" She had rambled on, her tears soaking my shoulder, but I didn't mind. I just held her tighter.
"I'm so glad you're ok, too," I whispered. Then we both realized that everyone had gone silent and was watching us have our best friend reunion. She hopped off of me and straightened out her sweater. That was when Ron cleared his throat.
"Hi, there, Ginny. It's just me. You're beloved brother. I've only been on the same trip as your dear BFF here, but it's okay, I completely understand why you'd act as if I'm Frankie First-year after eight months."
She muttered a "shut up," and ran into his arms, telling her brother how much she'd missed him. When all was said and done, she decided it would be a swell time to let us know that Snape knew I was in Hogsmeade.
"What are you gonna do, Brooke?" Seasmus questioned, genuine concern apparent.
"I'm going to get dressed for school."
AUTHOR'S NOTE! PLEASE READ! CONTEST!
I'll be writing a sequel! It will be a crossover, so anyone with any suggestions can leave them in the reviews. My ideas for a crossover sequel include The Vampire Diaries, Avengers, MAYBE X-Men or Merlin. Any other suggestions would be great. I know I said before that this is a contest, and it is. Anyone who leaves me a suggestion must leave a crossover, AND a ship between Brooke and a character in that crossover. The suggestion I choose will have their fanfiction account and tumblr (if they have one) advertised by my fanfiction account and tumblr. Please be creative and original! And don't worry if you don't think I'll like your idea! I'll give anything a try! I'm shipping George and Fem!Harry, aren't I? Thank you!