I walked to DADA alone as I was off playing my guitar in an empty corridor again. I stopped and received a letter from Hedwig who found me on the way and stuffed the letter into my pocket hurriedly. I entered the room just as class started and crept to a seat in between Blaise and Hermione. They both rolled their eyes as I set the guitar case underneath the desk and pulled out a notebook and pen. Moody eyed me with curious annoyance.
Then he went off, teaching the Unforgivable curses. He used a spider that he cursed with these illegal curses and went about showing us the effects. I wasn't enjoying myself when he cast the pain curse on the spider in front of Neville. The poor boy was trembling with something akin to terrified panic and I felt a low growl protrude from my lips as I narrowed my eyes with anger at the ex-auror. Then he made a pointed statement about the death curse. He made an example of me as the only person to survive the curse. Everyone looked at me with surprise as I growled. Then we copied the notes on the chalk board hurriedly before we were dismissed.
Neville stood by a window a few stairs down, looking at the stain glass as rain pounded against it. I hurried to his side and with Blaise and Hermione, we tried to console the boy. He was trembling with the same emotion he had during class.
"Neville, are you okay?" Hermione asked with a worried voice.
"Oh, yes, I'm fine," he muttered in a unnaturally high voice. "Very interesting dinner--I mean, lesson--what's for eating?"
Blaise gave me a startled look.
"Neville, what--?"
The odd clunking sound that came from Moody made its way down the stairs to us. We turned and fell silent when we saw the old grizzled man. I felt myself start to growl and I heard Hermione and Blaise let out low snarls that made the man look up at us with calculating eyes. He turned to look at Neville a second later.
"It's all right, sonny," he said to the boy. "Why don't you come up to my office? Come on... we can have a cup of tea..."
Neville gave him a terrified look at the invite. He didn't move or speak. Moody then rolled that magical eye of his to look upon me.
"You all right, are you, Potter?"
"It's Dresden," I growled. "And I'm utterly fine, thank you very much."
He looked at me for a few seconds before he started back up the stairs. Neville looked pleadingly at us and I nodded. If he didn't want to, I certainly wasn't going to make him. But then he shook his head and followed Moody up. I heard Hermione hiss viciously. Blaise grabbed her and started leading her downstairs before she did something rash. I followed after a few seconds.
"That man!" Hermione hissed. "Ooh, I could just wrang his neck for scaring Neville like that!"
"Couldn't we all," Blaise remarked darkly as she made a vicious strangling gesture.
"I hope Neville's all right," I stated. "He looked considerably horrified."
We met up with Neville after dinner when we went to our normal empty classroom for studying. Zuri and Jenci came after a few seconds with Ginny and Luna trailing after them. Hermione went straight to Neville and wrapped an arm about his shoulders. Blaise and I went to him and noticed that he was reading an old Herbology book about water plants from the Mediterranean. His eyes were rather red, though.
"Are you all right, Boo?" Hermione asked with a concerned voice.
If those of you who remember Yogi Bear's faithful little companion, you'd remember Boo Boo. He sounded like the rational one of the duo. Which, of course, Neville was. Hence, the nickname for his bear animagus form.
Okay, okay, I'm lying. His animagus form's name was Mooin. It was a name from Native Lore. Mooin, the bear's child. The only reason Hermione would call Neville Boo Boo would be out of sheer affection for the guy. Also, it was out of a private joke that us muggle-raised people knew. Neville took it in good stride.
"Oh, yes," he replied with a small smile. "I'm fine, thanks. Just reading this book Professor Moody lent me. Professor Sprout told him I'm really good at Herbology. He thought I'd like this." I looked at Blaise who shared a same dislike of the man, but we both nodded in agreement. We wouldn't start in on him in Neville's presence.
"You want to go hunting, Mooin?" I asked with a small smile.
"Can we go tomorrow?" he asked with a frown.
"Anything for you," Blaise chuckled as he grabbed Neville's shoulder and shook him lightly making the boy beam happily at us and then returned to reading.
"Can we change here?" Jenci asked with a notable frown.
"Let's keep changing an outside sport," I replied with a pointed look at everyone. "I heard Moody's eye can see through all sorts of things. Let's not make ourselves known." I turned to look at Jenci. "Keep Loki in his cage for a bit longer."
"Okay, but tomorrow we're definitely going hunting?" Zuri asked with a excited smile. She loved hunting.
"Indeed, Leloo," Blaise stated with a grin as he glanced at her.
"Oh, that reminds me..." I muttered as I pulled the letter I received earlier before DADA. I opened it and read it aloud to the group who came closer to me to hear.
Harry---
I'm flying north immediately. This news about your scar is the latest in a series of strange rumors that have reached me here. If it hurts again, go straight to Moony or your father. Perhaps Dumbledore?--they're saying he's got Mad-Eye out of retirement, which means he's reading the signs, even if no one else is. Though do not give your full trust to him. You remember what happened last time.
I'll be in touch soon. My best to the new Marauders. Keep your eyes open, Harry.
Sasha.
"Damnit," I cursed with panic. "I knew dad shouldn't've told him!"
"What are you on about?" Blaise asked with a surprised look at me.
"And what does he mean reading the signs?" Zuri followed.
"What signs?" Jenci asked with a frown. "Is something going on that we don't know about?"
"It's made him think he's got to come back here," I growled furiously. "He's coming here because he thinks I'm in trouble. I'm not in trouble!"
"Harry?" Hermione asked. "What's going on with your scar?"
"It started hurting for the third time when dad wrote him," I replied, trying to keep a calm voice now. "I have to go to bed, guys. I'll talk to y'all tomorrow."
I nodded my farewell and raced out of the room and up to the west tower where I went when I was stressed out. I got onto the roof and was grateful that it had stopped raining. It smelled fresh and clean up here and I felt myself begin to tire out.
The next morning, I was greeted by rain. I hurriedly got off the roof, but not before I was thoroughly soaked. I was only thankful that it was the weekend. I slid into the castle and hurried through corridors. The common room was empty as I made my way in and I went to change out of the wet clothing and showered. I went to dress in a huge black t-shirt and sweatshirt and a baggy pair of jeans with running shoes. I ran a hand through the wet spikes of hair and left for the owlery after I quickly wrote a letter in reply to Sirius, demanding that he stay put and out of trouble since I was perfectly fine. I gave it to another owl as Hedwig was exhausted and too noticeable. The owl I gave it to left immediately.
Hermione reprimanded me on sending the letter when I told her about it at breakfast. I spent the hour before breakfast running around the lake. We spent the weekend in the library doing essays and the rest of the time with the group in our animal forms. We hunted and enjoyed ourselves while in the forest. It was relaxing to say the least.
It was the beginning of October when we were inside, waiting for Beauxbatons and Durmstrang to arrive. I had already received a letter back from my godfather saying that he was already nearby and wanted me to update him on everything. He told me that I had given my best try to command him about, but that I should remember that he was a grown adult. I growled angrily as I read the letter. Zuri, who was with Ginny and I at the time I received it when we headed down to the forest, snatched the letter before I shredded it in frustration. Blaise snorted and Hermione rolled her eyes with amusement when they read the letter. Neville and Jenci just gave me the expressionative shrug of what can you do about it now?.
Meanwhile, Ginny and I were in a stage of bets. We found that I mostly lost them when these bets did not involve muggle card games. Practical bets were Ginny's specialty though. Yet I never did learn my lesson after the first time I lost the bet. Singing in the Great Hall during dinner almost every other night should've taught me that, but I was stubborn.
My little group somehow managed to sit together at the end of Gryffindor table and I noticed some of the teachers were allowing it because there was no use to telling us otherwise. Hermione was bouncing around nervously as we waited with the rest of the school for the others to arrive to the Great Hall. Blaise placed a calming hand on her shoulder and told her to relax. Neville shot a look to the two of them and shared an amused smile with me. Jenci and Zuri were whispering to each other softly, trying to behave as something almost made both burst into loud laughter. I shook my head with a sigh. Ginny and Luna gave me smiles of contentment and I smiled back.
Dumbledore announced that it was the Beauxbatons' delegation to enter first. The school was led by an assortment of beautiful girls dressed in dove grey silk robes that walked in the middle of the hall like they were going down a catwalk. A couple followed with gymnast movements that were elegant and graceful. They were followed by a very tall woman that no doubt was even taller than Hagrid. She was called Madam Maxime by Dumbledore when the two greeted each other.
Then the Durmstrang were announced. They came in with staffs and every time the staff struck the ground, red and orange sparks flew up. Some followed with gymnast movements more refined for a male's strength and several did complicated breakdance movements. We then noticed the Headmaster of their school walking with a guy that we all recognized instantly.
"That's Krum!" Ron whispered excitedly to our group as the Headmaster of Durmstrang was named as Professor Karkaroff when Dumbledore greeted the other man.
Then dinner was started as every guest went to find a place to sit. I only cared about the food as did the rest of the group. We piled our plates with all the foreign food and enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. Ginny started in on me again immediately. I really should've known better before I agreed to any betting at this time.
"Harry, please, sing," she giggled insistently.
"I'm not singing again during dinner," I laughed loudly with amusement catching the attention of a few others of the table who smiled instantly. "I'm not doing it unless I lose another bet."
She scanned the room and nodded to the beautiful girl with blonde hair heading toward us, "I bet that she's a veela."
"Mmmhmm," I chuckled. "And if you're right then I'm going to have to sing, right?"
"Yes," she stated with a wicked smile.
"You're on," I laughed and we shook on it.
"Excuse me, are you wanting ze bouillabaisse?" she asked me as after I put more of that particular food on my plate.
"Yeah, you have it," I laughed with amusement and handed the girl the dish.
"You 'ave finished wiz it?" she asked, suddenly looking quite beautiful.
Why hadn't I noticed just how beautiful? I shook my head to clear it. I looked down and concentrated on my plate of pudding.
"Yeah," Jenci suddenly stated with a hoarse voice. "Yeah, it was excellent."
She nodded and took the dish with her back to the Ravenclaw table. Jenci stared after her with infatuated eyes. Zuri elbowed him harshly in the ribs.
"Stop drooling, you bloody prat," she snapped with annoyance.
"She's a veela," Jenci stated with the same voice as before.
"Of course she isn--" But I noticed all the boys in the hall staring after the girl with expressions filled with longing. Now I couldn't really deny the element she held.
"Damnit!" I snarled as Ginny burst into laughter, drowning out what Hermione was saying to Jenci. "I'm not gambling with you anymore!"
"Why's that?" she giggled.
"Because I always lose!" I growled with a rueful grin and then asked, "Do I have to play my guitar too?"
"I think it's a requirement," Neville laughed as he watched us with mirth filled eyes.
"Please don't make me do this right now!" I groaned with flush filling my face, making it bright red.
I noticed some of the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws looking at me curiously, obviously wondering if I had lost another bet. No doubt this would answer their questioning eyes. They were expecting it to happen. Most of those who knew what was going on knew I'd probably lost a bet already. It was just a matter of time.
"Right now," Ginny replied with a grin.
"No," I groaned.
I pulled the case from my necklace and unshrunk it. This one held my new electric guitar. I picked the guitar up and cast a spell that I found to provide some kind of surge to give it the power to work. I grabbed the pick that I slid under the strings and then slid the case underneath the table discreetly. I eyed the teacher's table in the front with nervous eyes.
I turned to look at Ginny, "If I get detention, you will owe me big time."
She nodded with a smile, "Come on, Harry. Don't be a coward." I sneered jokingly at her and she muffled a giggle with her hand.
I played a few notes to check the sound. It startled everyone that was new to the whole situation while others started laughing and quickly explaining. The teachers were watching and whispering amongst themselves with laughter. Apparently, they knew I just lost another bet. Joy.
I stood up with the guitar and tried a few more notes and tuned it by ear. Then I looked about and smiled with a nervous smile about the room. Then I let my expression slide into one of calm.
"Any suggestions?" I called with a small smile that received laughter in return from my group of friends.
"The Cure," one first year muggleborn wizard called.
Another shouted, "Korn!"
"You know the rules, youngsters," I called back. "Only one band and song. Appropriate ones, too, guys." I paused thoughtfully. "We'll leave off Korn for today, which song of The Cure?" I eyed the grins that appeared on the younger kid's faces. Some called out songs, but I chose to ignore them as I turned to Hermione. "What song would you like to hear?"
"Just Like Heaven," she replied with a soft smile.
"I like that song," Zuri giggled as she shot a grin in Hermione's direction.
"Show me how you do that trick
The one that makes me scream" she said
"The one that makes me laugh" she said
And threw her arms around my neck
"Show me how you do it and I promise you
I promise that I'll run away with you
I'll run away with you"
Spinning on that dizzy edge
I kissed her face and kissed her head
And dreamed of all the different ways I had
To make her glow
"Why are you so far away?" she said
"Why won't you ever know that I'm in love with you?
That I'm in love with you?"
You
Soft and only
You
Lost and lonely
You
Strange as angels
Dancing in the deepest oceans
Twisting in the water
You're just like a dream...
Daylight licked me into shape
I must have been asleep for days
And moving lips to breathe her name
I opened up my eyes
And found myself alone
Alone
Alone above a raging sea
That stole the only girl I loved
And drowned her deep inside of me
You
Soft and only
You
Lost and lonely
You
Just like heaven."
Cheers and claps followed when I ended the song. I waved and bowed with a grin. Then I put the guitar away, reshrunk the case, and put it back on my necklace. Then I sat down with a sheepish smile at those that eyed me with intrigue.
"Harry, that was wicked!" Dean called from up the table.
Some agreements followed him. I heard one of the first years called, "The best song you've done so far."
"And hopefully the last," I called back down the table and the others protested.
Dinner was finished right as I finished and I looked mournfully at my empty plate and glared at Ginny who dared laugh in amusement. We all turned our attention to Dumbledore who laughed and explained in not so many words of me doing the song and then went about explaining the tournament. Then the goblet was turned on. Now the tournament's would-be contestants were to put their names into it. And that was it.
My group got up and started to leave, but we walked into the Durmstrang students and I was recognized by Professor Karkaroff who instantly looked at the scar on my forehead that I left off covering. Right then, I wished I hadn't. Now everyone from Durmstrang were looking. I growled.
"Dude, you're blocking the doorway," I snapped with annoyance as the man was about to say something. He looked surprised. "Yeah, yeah, Boy-Who-Lived... didn't anyone get enough staring done during dinner?" I sidled past the group with mine following and left the group to stare after us. We disappeared off to race up the staircase. Then I got an ear full from Hermione. Looks like I can never stay out of trouble. Insert grin.
-----
It had been the morning where I was completely sore from the day before's workout and was watching Hermione read while I did a handstand with a group of people milling about, watching me out of the corner of their eyes. I had been practicing my kickboxing and gymnast moves under the eyes of close peers. I wore sweats and the muscle shirt and was as comfortable as a dying person. I was in a trance and I fell out of it as soon as I wobbled when people rushed pass to see Vicktor Krum walk in ahead of a group of Durmstrang students as one by one, they put their names into the goblet. Krum looked over at me as I rolled and went to a sitting position. I rubbed my arms as I grimaced with soreness.
"Harry, are you all right?" Zuri asked as she came over and helped me up.
"Yeah, just really sore," I replied as the Weasley twins rushed into the room with excitement.
A crowd gathered around and watched as the two excitedly took an aging potion which Hermione advised them against. They crossed the age line and were about to place their names in when they were shot out, growing white beards as they bounced to the floor a few yards away. Hermione shook her head and ignored the trouble with a scowl. I noticed Vicktor Krum watching her as he left the room and I smiled as I noticed that Blaise noticed. He had a dark expression as he turned to look at me with a dark stare. Jenci shook his head as he entered the hall with Neville, Luna, and Ginny when they noticed the twins wrestling on the floor.
"So they took the aging potion?" he asked with a frown as he went to sit next to Zuri as she sat next to Blaise and read some of what book he was currently holding.
"Yes, the witless wonders took the aging potion," Blaise replied with a vicious grin as he returned to reading his book.
I glanced about the room with a frown. "I'm going outside to do some exercise movements after some running."
"Oh, no, you do not!" Hermione snapped, setting her book aside and snatching my arm before I could get away. "We are coming with you to make sure you don't kill yourself!"
"Oh, all right," I growled with annoyance as she grabbed her things and followed me out. The others quickly followed after.
I set my bag down by the tree near the lake and stretched for awhile before starting to jog around the lake. Hermione, Jenci, and Zuri, who all loved to join me and had already dressed in running shorts and tank tops, or muscle shirts in Jenci's case, had stretched and were right by my side.
I kept my eyes forward and concentrated, not on the burning in my legs, but on the run around the lake. It may be a long run, but it was well worth it. When we were all faraway from watching eyes and nothing but a blur of color, we transformed into our animals and skimmed across until we were on the other side and close enough to be noticed by those watching. We changed back then.
I slowed down a couple of miles before collasping to the ground and stretching out my used limbs. My eyes fluttered close as I panted and felt the pain in my side return in full swing as the adrenaline wore off. I then glanced at the other three who were panting and in various states of collapse.
"I told you three you were pushing it," I stated with a sigh as I got to my feet. They all shot withering glances at me. "I've been running that amount of miles every morning since I got back to America for the summer. You only started a couple of weeks ago. You're bound to hurt worse if you force yourself to keep up with me."
"Don't I know it," Jenci breathed as he rubbed his left leg. "I could do it if I was Loki the entire time."
"Sure, and I'm Cleopatra," Zuri panted as she fell back to the ground and curled up on her side.
Hermione popped back up to her feet and trailed over to where Blaise sat and sat down and leaned against him with a small, tired smile. I looked over to the lake and thought about what I really wanted to do. No doubt the water was freezing, but there were things in that water that could do more harm than naught. I shrugged, noting that some of the Durmstrang had been seen during the early morning hours, diving off the ship into the icy water. Krum in particular.
"Excuse me," I stated as I jumped to my feet and raced into the lake and relaxed as the freezing water numbed my burning muscles.
"Harry!" Ginny cried from the shore as I swam a few yards out. "Harry, you get back here!"
"You loony Gryffindor, there are dark creatures in that lake!" Jenci called worriedly as he got to his feet and stood beside Ginny. Blaise and Hermione joined them.
"Harry, there is a giant squid in there!" Zuri shrieked frantically as she appeared beside Ginny. "I swear if you get hurt..." She trailed off with her threat, looking in a right state.
"I'm fine," I called back as I went to floating out on my back.
"Caliban Amun Dresden, you get out this instant!" Hermione snarled with a ferally angry voice that made me start swimming back to shore without thought.
I walked to shore once my feet hit high enough ground to keep my head above water. I shook my hair out and grinned as I walked past the group who were gaping at me with disbelief. Though, Hermione, quick reactions being her quota, clipped my ear and shook me about in irritation. She took a few minutes to lecture me before letting go. I rubbed my ear and watched her with a wide, cheeky grin.
Then I had an idea. An idea that would create an opposing or equal reaction. A reaction that could mean my death or impossible hilarity. Then again, when did I care much for most consequences?
I slid an arm around Hermione's waist as she glared at me, but as soon as she noticed the widening grin on my face, it was too late. I had thrown her over my shoulder with her shrieking with laughter that showed her amusement rather than the anger that she was trying furiously to display as she shouted threats of disembowlment and other many creative murdering techniques. Especially, thoroughly imaginative ones that I normally didn't think she should know about. I started heading quickly toward the lake before anyone could catch me and noted for the first moment that the water was effing frigid. I collasped into the deeper water after I got Hermione off my shoulder.
We both broke through the surface of water and gasped with laughter. Hermione was trying, but failing, to remove her sopping wet hair from her face. Glaring, she put a hand on my head and dunked me under with a smirk. I gasped for breath as I rose from the water and sputtered in disbelief. We then swam back to the shore, leaning into each other while laughing, and went to stand before the rest of our group.
"We shouldn't have done that," Hermione stated with a stern voice then, but her Cheshire cat grin betrayed her. "Something could have gotten us in there."
I pulled to the side of Zuri, who eyed me with a silent glare that spoke volumes of her worry and anger, and looked at Hermione. Luna pulled close to Neville and they went to sit back under the tree and get back to whatever it was that they were doing. Blaise gave a disgruntled look over at me as Hermione purposely shook her sopping hair out next to him. I had to duck my head to hide the sudden clown smile I had as I tried not to laugh. Score one for Shriek. Nada for Diablo.
Ginny pulled Jenci with something akin to dismissing the problem at hand to deal with at another time. Knowing her, she'd find a way to prank me royally for worrying her. For this, I did respect that my seconds were draining away. Blaise eyed me with a glare, but I noticed the slight twitching at the corner of his mouth as he fought to keep an angry expression.
"You two are a menace," Zuri announced suddenly, looking at Hermione and I with stern eyes as she cocked her hip to the side and crossed her arms over her chest. "What would possibly make you leave off all senses to jump into a large body of water where it is popular for dark creatures to reside in?"
"We really shouldn't have done that," Hermione conceded with a small smile while her eyes darkened with thought. "The giant squid could have attacked us."
"I'm sorry for worrying you," I murmured to Zuri as I slipped close enough to her without much suspicion.
Her eyes suddenly widened and she started to back away, "No, Harry! No! Don't you--!" She shrieked as I threw her over my shoulder and took her with me into the lake. She sputtered as she surfaced, "E-Echo!" By the time I got to shore, I broke out into a steady run.
I was in the courtyard within a few seconds and noticed some of the different houses there and before I knew it, I had been tackled by one annoyed girl. Everyone looked up as I yelled with surprise as I hit the ground and started laughing. Zuri growled at me with annoyance.
"Okay, okay," I laughed. "Uncalled for. I get it."
"Oh, you had better," Zuri stated in a menacing voice as she got off of me and got to her feet. The others showed up in the courtyard at that moment. "Or else."
I had gotten to my feet and looked at her with the cheekiest grin ever. "You'll ground me?"
By the time her eyes flashed, I darted through a crowd as she chased after. I pulled someone--who at the time shouted with a surprised, "WHA--!"--to hide behind and peeked out behind them as Zuri pulled to a stop.
"Cedric, excuse me," she stated as she gazed at me through narrowed eyes.
"No, don't," I urged while looking up at the taller boy who was laughing at the hilarity of the situation he was in. "She'll hurt me."
"I'll do more than hurt you," she growled as she tried to get around, but I kept tugging Cedric around to hide behind.
"Please (gasp) stop!" Cedric laughed as we continued doing to same thing for a minute or two.
"Thanks, Ced," I laughed before letting go of him and dodged Zuri as she lunged for me.
I had grabbed a hold of another person and used them as a shield and laughed, "Zuri, honestly, I was just joking."
"Then stop hiding, prat!" she snapped as she angrily tried to get to me.
"No, you'll hurt me!" I shouted with mock innocence that made her lips curl up a little.
"Dresden, afraid of a fan girl?" Malfoy's snarky shout from across the courtyard was loud and clear. "Perish the thought."
I dodged Zuri the second time after letting the person I was hiding behind go, I paused mid-flight with a loud thought that I stated in a loud sheepish tone, "Well, when you're popular..."
Just then, I went to the ground with her tackling me and pinning me to the ground. Mind you, I could have fended her off, but I was just in too much of a state of surprise that it didn't occur to me until she started tickling me without mercy. I went decidedly quiet with silent snickers as I struggled to make her stop. The courtyard was filled with laughter as more students flocked to the area just to see what the excitement was all about. Krum and some of his fellow school mates gathered next to my group who stood a couple of yards away, laughing, watched with grins. The French girls tutted and stuck to looking at us with a mixture of impatient amusement and disdain.
I finally wrestled Zuri to the ground and sat on her with an accomplished expression as I tickled her in revenge. She shrieked with laughter and shoved me off of her. I hurriedly got to my feet and raced behind one glaring Blaise and used him as a shield as she followed slowly behind. Blaise growled as she pulled to a halt in front of him, looking at me as I peeked out from behind him with a grin.
"I'll get you back for that," she stated knowingly and it made me perk up and look at her suspiciously.
"What do you have in mind?" I asked with a frown as I came out from behind Blaise slowly and stepped cautiously forward.
Her wand appeared in her hand and she grinned suddenly as she pointed it at my head and murmured a spell that shot at me, but I didn't feel it at all. I perked up even more as laughter filled the courtyard at my expense. I looked at her with folded arms and narrowed eyes.
"What did you just do?" I asked with a small rueful smile pulling at my lips. I heard a loud snicker from behind me that I recognized as Blaise's. "What's so funny? What did she do?" I started to run a hand through my hair and paused at the notice of difference in the long fringe. Were those blue...green...?
"That's just plain mean," I stated lightly as I examined the fringe closely as I recognized the mix. "But I like your color scheme."
"Your hair's neon," Jenci choked as he leaned over, holding his sides, laughing.
I made a face as I came to a conclusion, "I don't think I'm going to let you take that spell off of me."
"You're just going to walk around with neon blue and green hair?" Blaise asked with bemusement.
"Yep," I stated and placed an arm about her shoulders, pulling her close. "Leloo, this looks to be the start of a beautiful friendship."
"Casablanca reject," Zuri muttered as she shook her head in amusement.
I looked down at her with a wink and saluted her, "Here's looking at you, kid."
"Harry, please," Hermione sighed lightly while looking at me with mirth-filled eyes, "do not pretend to be today's Bogart."
"I thought I was modern day Bogie," I pouted jokingly.
"No, you're no Bogart," Jenci chuckled as the others, meaning the pureblood bunch, looked at us in confusion as the courtyard started to get quieter. "You're more like a modern day Houdini." I looked at him with a raised brow of confusion as Zuri and Hermione looked at him with agreeing eyes.
"And I'm at a complete loss of words at that statement," I muttered with amusement.
"I mean, you're like the greatest escape artist," Jenci stated with a snort.
"Oh!" I exclaimed with the dawning of realization. Insert smack to the head. Duh. "Yeah, that makes sense. Houdini's the real McCoy and I'm mini McCoy."
"You're depriving a village its idiot, you know," Hermione stated matter-of-factly.
"Run it up the flagpole, why don't you?" Zuri giggled mischievously. "People need to be aware of these things."
"Talk about taking the Mickey out of the boy," Jenci sighed while rolling his eyes at the girl's laughter. "That's like saying ha ha only serious."
"We only say these things because we love him," Zuri stated wickedly and shared a silent message between her and her brother for a second more. Then she removed my arm from her shoulders and looked at the entire group. "We have something we need to get done."
"We'll try to meet you guys later for that end of the day run," Jenci chuckled as he slung his bag over his shoulder and hauled Zuri off once she gathered her things.
"That time of the month?" I asked with a glance to Blaise.
He nodded, "They keep in constant contact with their parents."
I sighed and looked at Hermione, "What do you say we all get cleaned up?"
"That sounds nice," she replied with a small smile.
I chuckled, and then I turned back to Blaise, "I'll leave you to it, then. Hey, Shriek, coming or what?"
"I'll be just a moment," she stated as she went to gather her things, and then joined us a few seconds later. "All right, I'm ready."
"We'll see you guys in a little while," I stated as we starting leaving Blaise, Ginny, Neville, and Luna alone in the courtyard.
"Er... Echo, rabbit," Hermione moaned just as we were about to go into the castle.
I turned and caught sight of the white blur of a rabbit making its way on the edge of the treeline. "Forget cleaning... Shriek, it's time to go hunting."
"I think that is the most intelligent thing you've suggested today," she sighed as we turned around and started heading toward the Quidditch Pitch and around the back to go into the forest without being seen. We hid her things in a tiny aclove, and then we were running in our feline forms, hunting small game, and overall having fun. Soon we were making our way back toward the school and I thought I saw a black blur following nearby, but I shrugged with a heavy sigh that made me wince as my ribs throbbed. I yawned and stumbled after Hermione as we headed in.
---
When dinner came about, the both of us entered the Great Hall with twigs in our hair and smudged in dirt. Hermione was smiling and I limped after her as we went to sit and eat quickly. Some of the students around us were looking with mirth filled expressions. I winked at Blaise, Neville, Ginny, Zuri, Jenci, and Luna whom were looking at the both of us with laughter. Yep, together we made quite the picture.
I got up slowly after finishing, not waiting for the others, and limped out of the room. I made it up a few steps before falling to my knees, swaying. I scrunched my face in pain. I needed some help if I was ever to get up to the tower.
I looked up with a sudden pained smile and called, "Sparky!"
The house elf appeared within a moment and looked at me with surprise. "Master Dresden, are yous okay?"
"I need a little help getting up to the tower," I replied with a small smile. "Can you help me out?"
"Yessir," the elf ringed in reply and placed his little hand against my arm and within a second, we appeared in the Gryffindor common room.
"Thank you, Sparky," I chuckled, patting the elf on the head with a wide smile.
"Is there anything else yous need?"
"Are there any tubs in this tower?" I asked with a pained expression as I dragged myself to my feet.
"No, but Sparky will go and get one for sir," the little elf chimed.
"If that wouldn't be any trouble of course," I chuckled tiredly before glancing at the elf. "I need it filled with lots of ice and some water."
The elf disappeared before anything could be said and I shook my head with surprise. I went to my dorm room and peeled off my cloths except for my boxers and limped to the bathroom. When I made it there, an old-fashioned tub sat at the farside of the room filled with ice and water. I let a prayer leave my lips before limping forward and stepping in and sinking down with a sigh. I kept my arms on the sides of the tub to hold myself up a little so I wouldn't completely go under and I leaned my head back with exhaustion as the cold dripped and numbed my scorching muscles.
"Harry?" I heard someone ask as they entered the room. I looked over to see one of the seventh year Gryffindor boys that I didn't converse with looking at me with apprehension.
"I'm fine," I stated as I noticed the concerned eyes looking at me.
"Should I go get someone?" he asked with worry.
"No, I'll be out in a few minutes," I stated as I sank further into the tub and went under with both arms.
I came up for air a few seconds later and felt numbed, but not completely. The older Gryffindor boy was still in the room, only taking a shower now. I relaxed and continued to stay in the tub until I felt completely done. I pulled myself out, shivering, but overall feeling refreshed. I stumbled to my knees and sat for a few minutes.
"Is Master Dresden really fine?" Sparky asked when he appeared to empty the tub. "Does sir needs to go to hospital wing?"
"No, no, Sparky," I laughed as I felt my body wrack with shivers. "I'll be fine. Thank you for your concern though. It means a lot."
The elf smiled brightly and disappeared as the boy finished showering and came out to look at me. I got to my feet slowly and nodded to him before stiffly walking out of the bathroom and into the dorms after magically drying off. I changed into another pair of boxers and pulled on some sweats. I collapsed into bed and curled up.
When it was time for lunch the next day, the rumor that I had taken an ice-filled bath had been spread entirely. That night, the only person who had known that, woke up that following morning with bright green hair and orange skin. He also couldn't stop breaking out into songs that were reminescent of ones from one particular movie. Nobody knew who had pulled the prank and nobody deemed it necessary to state outloud who they suspected. Not even the prankee.
-------
It was the day that the Champions were being chosen for the tournament. It was raining during the day and I stayed in the great hall, playing on my acoustic guitar. Hermione sat next to me, deciding that she would learn a bit. I taught her and a couple of other peers without much trouble. It was enjoyable as our group silently studied or learned the guitar. By the time it was time to choose the champions, we were all twitching with excitement.
We watched and waited for Dumbledore to finish his speech and give instructions for the future champions to follow. I held my guitar tightly, nerves bothering me greatly. I was excited to see who were going to be chosen and I was not the only one. Every one of the students were eagerly waiting to hear who would be chosen to compete. It was almost too much to bear as the excitement filled the air like thick syrup.
Within a moment, the goblet let loose sparks of blue and a strip of paper flittered into the air and floated down into Dumbledore's grasp. He looked at it and smiled. Then he looked up at us.
"The champion for Durmstrang," he stated in a strong, clear voice, "will be Victor Krum."
The hall filled with cheers as the Bulgarian stood up from the Slytherin table and marched up to the front and disappeared through a door in the far back corner. Karkaroff cheered Krum loudly and could be heard over the crowd of cheers. The goblet spit out another burst of flames and another piece of paper was caught by Dumbledore.
"The champion for Beauxbatons," he announced, "is Fleur Delacour!"
Another set of cheers and applause thundered through the room. Some of the girls from the delegation were looking glumly after their fellow student, but they cheered nonetheless. The beautiful blonde veela disappeared too into the back room. It was time to announce the Hogwarts...
A sprout of sparks and the last slip was announced, "The Hogwarts champion is Cedric Diggory!"
The whole hall was filled with booming thunder. Applause at every angle, nook, and crannie. It was exhilirating and I cheered along with the rest of the mass. Cedric looked overwhelmed and stupified at the whole situation, but nonetheless took it with great stride. He disappeared into the back room within seconds.
We were all settling down to listen to what Dumbledore was trying to say, but our attention was caught by the still working goblet. Dumbledore turned and looked at it with surprise. Everyone was starting to get really unsettled as it didn't die or shut off after Cedric was called. There was only supposed to be three champions, right? Or was the goblet supposed to shut down after a few seconds? Was it malfunctioning?
Then the blue light turned to a flame color and burst out sparks, letting loose a slip of paper. Dumbledore snatched it from the air and his eyes widened with surprise as he read whatever it said. We all waited with bated breath as the man took a slow breath and let it out harshly. And then he looked up as he cleared his throat and read out---
"Harry Potter."
It took a minute before my eyes widened and my breath caught in my throat when I finally realized the significance of that name. Everyone's gaze landed on me immediately and I looked wordlessly back. I shook my head in denial and tried to swallow the large lump that was lodged in my throat.
There was no applause. Not that I expected any, really. Everyone started trying to get a better look at me and I could feel the intensity of their silent words being shot at me. I turned to look at Hermione and Blaise and they stared at me with disbelief.
"What the hell is going on?" I croaked.
"Harry," I heard Zuri breathe behind me with a quiet whine.
"I didn't put my name in there," I told Neville who looked at me with wide eyes that were terrified for me. He knew that I--"I didn't, you know that!"
"Harry, I don't like this," Jenci tried to say with a strong voice, but his voice resorted itself into a fearful yip.
We could hear whispers burning across the hall as Blaise muttered, "Someone had to have done this. You'd never use the name Potter!"
"Harry Potter-Dresden!" Dumbledore called over the many voices. "Harry! Up here, if you please!"
"No," I murmured as I shook my head in disbelief. "Hell's bells, no!"
"Go on," Hermione whispered, giving me a slight push forward.
I spun around to look at her, "Shriek, please--"
"Harry!" Dumbledore called again.
I turned and started walking forward. I hugged my guitar to me as one would with a stuffed animal. I tried to disappear as I curled into myself as I walked. I could feel Echo the jaguar panicking inside my mind. There were terrible roars and mewls occuring constantly. I could hear Misha purring in my ear, trying to comfort me, but there was no comfort that could ease me. I stopped in front of Dumbledore and peaked through my fringe with terrified eyes that avoided his own.
"Well... through the door, Harry," he said. He wasn't smiling. I didn't expect him to.
I slumped more and walked to the door and slipped through it. It was very quiet behind me as the door closed with a snap. I jumped in surprise, but then continued on through the small passage way and into a room.
Krum, Cedric, and Fleur were grouped around the fire. They looked impressive, silhouetted against the flames. Krum was brooding and leaning against the mantle distantly from the other two. Cedric stood straight up and held his hands behind his back as he stared into the fire. Fleur looked around and then at me.
"What is it?" she asked. "Do zey want us back in ze Hall?"
But I didn't answer her as I went to an area that was darker than the rest of the room and slid down to sit as I tried to concentrate on breathing. They watched me with notes of surprise and worry. I let a small mewl escape as I prayed to all that was good that I would wake up from this horrible dream. I wanted dad and Adam here. I wanted this to be all something I dreamt up and would be waking within a moment's time, but the pinch I delivered to myself told me otherwise.
"Harry, are you all right?" Cedric asked as he started toward me, but all of us were startled as Ludo Bagman entered the room.
"Extraordinary!" he muttered as he looked around, trying to find me no doubt. "Absolutely extraordinary! Gentlemen... lady," he added, approaching the fireside and addressing the other three. "May I introduce--incredible though it may seem--the fourth Triwizard champion?" He waved an arm toward me when he finally spotted me.
Krum straightened up and his gaze darkened as he examined me. Cedric looked decidedly surprised and concern filled his eyes when he looked back at me. Fleur tossed her hair and smiled, "Oh, vairy funny joke, Meester Bagman."
"Joke?" Bagman repeated, bewildered. "No, no, not at all! Harry's name just came out of the Goblet of Fire!"
That was about the time I started to get sick. I stood and swayed slightly. I started to make my way to the nearest trashcan. I didn't listen to the conversation as I searched around for a proper place to throw up. Ludo grabbed me by the shoulder and yanked me over to his side; Misha escaped my shoulder seconds before, hissing. Cedric and Krum watched me with calculating eyes now. Ludo excitedly explained to Fleur what was going on. After he finished, he shook me in an excited manner.
"I'm going to be sick," I murmured while I turned slightly green. "I need something to--"
The large group of teachers appeared in the room at that second and started arguing. I was too busy eyeing for a trashcan still to fully pay attention. I pulled myself away from Ludo and started to look hastidly. I needed something. A calming potion would have been pleasant at this very moment, but I digress and searched--Who thought to remove the room's trashcan at a time like this?
Dumbledore tried to ask me something, but I couldn't concentrate. It felt like the room was enclosing. Who would do this? Who was it? And could I have a gun when I found out who?
I was grabbed by the arm roughly by Snape and I shot my eyes up at him with sudden anger. I snarled and yanked myself away from him and tried to back into a corner. Now that my panic and sickness left, I was left in the shocked state of rage. I did so love my reel of emotions at times. I swear I had to be bipolar or something.
"Harry, calm down," Dumbledore tried, but to no avail.
"Who in the hell put a slip with my old name in that bloody goblet?" I snarled, making several step back. I probably just gained a great set of incisors that were normally for my animagus form, but I did sometimes get them when I was pissed off.
And I was really pissed off.
"Did you put your name in the Goblet of Fire?" Dumbledore asked calmly.
"No!" I snapped angrily. The room's temperature dropped rapidly and the fire flickered down a bit.
"Did you ask an older student to put it into the Goblet of Fire for you?" Dumbledore asked, again, calmly.
"No!" I snapped just as viciously as before. "And if I find out who did, I'm going to wrang their neck!"
"Mr. Dresden, mind your tongue," McGonagall hissed as she tried to intimidate me to make me back down. I bit my cheek and held myself back from snapping at her. This wasn't her fault after all and she looked both worried and furious as hell.
There were some words discussed and I started to pace, feeling trapped and my rage was burning like liquid magma through my veins. Then I heard something I didn't like. Something that made me burst into crazed, disbelieving laughter as soon as the words were said.
"We must follow the rules," Crouch stated with a curt voice, "and the rules state clearly that those people whose names come out of the Goblet of Fire are bound to compete in the tournament."
They all turned to look at me as I laughed roughly. I started choking with horror as I felt the room enclosing steadily now. I turned sharply to look at them as I quite as suddenly stopped laughing and gave them a deadly glare.
"Is that right?" I asked calmly. They looked at me with anxious eyes. They were waiting for me to do something completely out of character and completely insane again.
"Yes, that is correct," Ludo replied with a small smile, trying to placate me. "Barty knows the rule book back to front."
"Oh, so that's it?" I snapped as my eyes suddenly narrowed. I stalked toward Ludo and Crouch who both watched with frightened fascination. "I don't think so." This was spat angrily and then I went to stalk out of the room, but somebody threw up a ward before I could exit. I turned back to them with a dark glare.
Dumbledore watched me calmly, "Harry, you need to calm down and listen to us."
"And I should do that why?" I spat.
"I think you should listen to the Headmaster, Potter," Moody growled, watching me with an amused smile.
"My name's Dresden," I snapped as I shot a glare at the ex-auror. "Anyone with half a brain could at least remember that or are you lacking?" The man's face went slack and darkened visibly. Snape looked considerably surprised and looked at me with new eyes.
"Do not be stupid, boy," Moody growled darkly.
"I'm not being stupid," I snapped. "I'm going to go get a hold of my dad so we can fix this major effing screw up!"
"You cannot fix this, Mr. Dresden," Ludo chirped with a fearful voice. "Nothing can change this. You are as of now a champion."
"I don't even have a choice, do I?" I breathed roughly, placing a hand at my temple and rubbing it roughly.
"Indeed," Karkaroff stated with irritation.
I looked sharply at him with narrowed, suspicious eyes. "Why were you not prepared for this on the off chance happening?"
"It would have taken an extremely powerful wizard to do something like this," Moody answered gruffily. "None of the students here are capable of duping such a powerful relic."
"How divine," I breathed darkly as I went to go lean against the nearest wall where I could view every person in the room. "I want my father informed of this immediately. Or, at the least, my Uncle, Thomas Raith."
"Agreed," McGonagall stated with a grim look down at me.
"Just so you know, they'll both be livid by the end of the story of how this came to happen," I chuckled tiredly. "So you might want to keep your distance."
"So you are going to go along with this?" Dumbledore asked softly, trying to gauge a reaction out of me.
"I guess I should until daddy Dresden or my Uncle comes along," I replied sarcastically. "But I'm not going along with the star-life it comes with. I have a life that's more important than sticking it to the masses. Which reminds me, can I go now? I have an essay to complete and a library to raid."
"Yes, you can," Dumbledore replied, "All of our champions can." The other three youngsters started heading for the door. "Goodnight, champions."
"Misha, come along," I sighed, grabbing my guitar and following the other three out the door. The blue feline followed me through the door and I was stopped by Cedric who waited for me.
"Harry, you didn't do it, right?" he asked while watching me with confused eyes.
"No, I never wanted to participate," I replied justly as I unshrunk my guitar case and placed the guitar in it, and then reshrunk it. "I wanted a quiet year, to be perfectly honest."
"I'm sorry," he said, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder.
I breathed. "It's not your fault, man."
"I know, but you know..."
"Yeah, I know."
"Are you going to be all right, do you think?"
"I should," I snorted, "given all that happens to me."
"Yeah, should be a simple stroll in the park."
I laughed. "Thanks for the cheering me up, but you'll probably have it easier than I would. I'm, what?--two years behind you?"
"Three."
"See, definitely better off."
"I don't know about that."
"I know, don't argue."
We started walking out of the Great Hall and joked around before splitting up to go to our own common rooms. I paused, listening to the sounds on the other side of the portrait hole before sliding in and going hastidly up to the dorm room. I felt all the eyes stuck on me, following my every movement. I met Ron at the door.
"How'd you do it?" he asked with annoyance.
"Do what exactly?" I asked with confusion.
"Put your name in the goblet?"
I looked at him with raised brows of bewilderment. "Dude, I didn't do anything."
"Sure, right," he snorted with a lashing sneer. "You could at least let one of us know what you were about."
"Hell's bells, dude," I snapped. "I didn't put my name in that cup."
"Oh, right, I suppose one of the ghosts did it?" he sneered angrily before stalking over to his bed to go to sleep.
"You're being stupid, man," I stated matter-of-factly.
"Yeah, that's me," he snorted with derision. "Ron Weasley, Harry Potter's stupid friend!"
He shut the curtains about his bed as I snidely returned, "Well at least you can admit to being utterly idiotic."
A returned snarl of anger came from behind the curtains and I narrowed my eyes before stalking over to my trunk and grabbing a pair of knee-ripped, paint-splattered jeans and a SPLATTERCON!!! t-shirt. I threw them on as quickly as I had taken off the heavy robes. I pulled on my boots and headed for the door while pulling on a sweat jacket of dark blue and down to the common room where I nodded to Ginny, Hermione, and Neville. They stayed at the table in the corner as everyone openly and slowly surrounded me, but not enough to hinder my stride toward the portrait hole. I left with a glare at them before stalking off.
"Open!" I hissed as I strode into Moaning Mrytle's bathroom where Malfoy leaned against a stall in boredom.
His expression lit up in surprise as I jumped down the shoot without meriting a greeting, but when I landed and he landed afterwards, I strode toward the chamber with the air crackling around me. Malfoy hurried after, looking curiosly after me. As soon as we entered the inner chambers, I looked at the carcass of the basilisk with quiet eyes. Malfoy stood beside me, looking at me with intrigued eyes.
"Do you see the magic?" I asked with a small voice as I let my Sight glaze over my unblinking eyes. I could see swirls of magic in the air. The chamber reeked of magic, yet it was comforting. It was like having a warm blanket covering you in harsh wintery nights.
"What do you mean?" he asked, surprised. "I don't see anything but a dead snake that's been partly skinned."
"The magic," I breathed. "It's the color of blue flames."
"Caliban, what are you on about?" he asked with annoyance.
I shook my head and turned off my Sight, "Nothing, Dray. Nothing at all."
Notes:
Song: The Cure's "Just Like Heaven".
Thanks to the reviewers and their comments. I will try to answer next update, but right now, I really don't have the time. It's a bit late for me and I have lots to do tomorrow. Thanks for reading and I hope you have enjoyed this chapter. I tried to put in a more appropriate age playfulness to the story.
And for those few who are of the Dresden persuasion, I hear you guys and understand. There will be certain aspects that will come up in this story. Sorry for not doing so sooner. I've got the plans, I just need to follow it up by writing them into the story. Marcone will show up eventually, though. So for those of you who enjoy him as much as I do, yay por vous.
LEAVE COMMENTS!