Chapter 21: The Irony
8:00 a.m., the Mansion
Samantha, Bethany, Jimmy, Katie, Draco, and the familiars were sitting in the living room waiting for the tracking device to give them the location of the next shard.
Samantha was wearing a black crisscross halter crop top, black cutoff shorts, and her black thigh-high converses. Bethany was wearing a black faux leather peplum top, high-waist denim black shorts, and her knee-high converses.
"Again girls, what is up with all the outfits?" Jimmy questioned.
"We told you Jimmy, depression, and we're being badass," Samantha stated.
"What's taking it so long?" Bethany asked.
"I don't know," Samantha replied. "This one must be pretty far or something."
Suddenly the screen started glowing purple and the map appeared.
"It looks like it's responding to your element Bethany," Katie confirmed.
"That's not all, it's taking us to the Capitol Power Plant," Samantha said looking at the map.
"Wait, Capitol, as in Washington D.C.?" Jimmy questioned.
"Yeah, it's in D.C.," Samantha confirmed.
"That's nearly a four hour drive," Bethany declared.
"That means this probably won't be just a one day thing," Jimmy added.
"Well, it looks like we'll have to pack stuff for a two day trip then," Samantha declared.
"Does that mean that you're going to leave us here?" Gollum complained.
"We can bring you guys with, but you'd probably be stuck in a hotel room the whole time," Bethany stated.
"On that note then, maybe we should stay here and watch the house for you guys in your absence," Claw stated.
"Are you all sure about that?" Draco questioned.
"Yeah, we'd rather stay here than be stuck in some place we don't know," Abhay stated.
"Ok, come on, we need to pack and leave," Samantha stated. "If we're lucky we'll beat the lunch hour traffic."
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5 hours later
The group made took Jimmy's truck for the ride. They made it there in a little less than four hours. Bethany's family had a time share in D.C. so they didn't have to worry about searching all over the area for hotels, once they were settled in there they made their way through the streets of D.C. until they found the power plant.
"So this is it?" Draco questioned.
"Yeah, it's pretty big," Jimmy declared. "Probably even bigger than the one we were at in New Jersey."
"According to this brochure it's fossil-fuel burning power plant which provides steam and chilled water for the United States Capitol, the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress and 19 other buildings in the Capitol Complex," Bethany read.
"I still can't believe you actually picked up that brochure Bethany," Jimmy stated.
"Why, we might as well know what kind of place we're dealing with if we have to find the shard here," Bethany declared.
"Come on, there's a tour group over there," Samantha stated. "We can blend in with them, until we find out where exactly the shard is."
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After about 20 minutes on the tour the group still hadn't found anything yet, and it was starting to get very frustrating for all of them. That was until they were in one of the generator rooms; the Elementals started getting a strange feeling.
"You guys, I think I can see it," Bethany stated,
"Where?" Draco questioned.
"Over there, by on top of that generator," Bethany stated.
Everyone looked to see that there was indeed something practically glowing on top of the generator.
"Ok, let's wait for the group to leave," Samantha stated. "Then, I'll speed over and grab it before someone notices."
"Ok, the rest of us will stand guard by the door way then," Jimmy stated.
After two more minutes the tour guide led the large group out of the room and down the hall. Bethany, Jimmy, Draco, and Katie stood by the door way to watch for any approaching people. They didn't see anyone coming so they gave Samantha the clear to get the shard. She sped over to the generator and quickly grabbed the shard.
By the time anyone in the group could blink again they were in the other dimension. They looked to find only one of Morgause's assassins was also in the dimension. That was kind of strange.
"Welcome everyone," The familiar deep disembodied voice said. "Today's challenge will be one of mental strength."
"Please, don't tell us it's another riddle," Bethany said.
"No," the voice replied. "Before is a set of targets, one member of your team will take the bow and arrows sitting on the table in front of you. You get one shot per target. The one who gets their arrows closer to or on the bull's-eyes will win the shard. Now you all must pick someone from your team to participate in this challenge."
"I'll do it," Bethany volunteered.
"I'm sorry young lady, but do to your perfect marksmanship, it would be unfair for you to compete," the voice declared.
"Dammit," Bethany said.
"You all must pick someone else from your team to participate in this challenge," the voice stated.
The group all looked at each other to discuss the matter.
"It's times like this I actually wish Amelia and Chelsea were here," Bethany stated.
"Never mind that right now," Jimmy said. "Who are we going to send?"
"I don't know, I've never picked up a bow and arrow before," Samantha declared.
"I don't think any of us have," Draco stated.
Suddenly Samantha thought of something.
"Katie, you said you play for the Holyhead Harpies now right?" Samantha questioned.
"Yes, why?" Katie questioned.
"You're still a chaser right?" Samantha asked.
"Yes, but where are you going with this?" Katie asked.
"Why don't you give do this challenge?" Samantha stated. "Just think of it like trying to throw the quaffle through the hoops."
"This is different though," Katie confirmed.
"Come on Katie you can do it," Bethany said.
"Yeah, we believe in you," Jimmy said taking hold of her hand as reassurance,
"Alright, I'll do it," Katie stated.
She walked over to the table and picked up the bow and arrows. Much to her relief though, the assassin got to go first.
The group watched as the assassin fired his fire arrows. Much to their relief he did not get very close to any of the bull's-eyes, three of his targets were in the blue and only one was in the red.
So Katie picked up the bow and one of the arrows and took her stance. She shot at the first target and it stuck in one of the red circles, nice.
The next one was she fired was a little sloppier, only hitting the blue.
"Don't worry Katie, you still have two arrows left," Bethany confirmed.
Katie drew another arrow and took her stance. When she fired the arrow it hit the target in the yellow.
"Alright Katie," Samantha said.
Katie drew her last arrow and held her stance for a few extra seconds. When she released it everyone watched as the arrow hit the bull's-eye of the target.
"Congratulations, you have gotten the higher score," the voice stated. "You get to keep the shard."
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The group found themselves back in the generator room of the power plant, and Samantha was holding the shard.
"Katie you did it!" Bethany exclaimed.
"Yeah, great job," Jimmy said kissing his girlfriend on the cheek.
"Well, I couldn't have done it without the support from you guys," Katie stated.
"So what do we do now that we have an extra day here?" Draco questioned.
"Well, this is the country's capital and there is a lot to see," Bethany declared.
"You guys want to check out what's around here?" Samantha asked.
"Sure, why not?" Jimmy replied.
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One hour later
Bethany and Samantha had just gotten lunch at one of the many food carts around the city.
"You know you could have stayed with the others right?" Samantha questioned.
"Well, I didn't want to get a hotdog either," Bethany declared. "Besides, we all can't be walking around alone in D.C. it's a pretty good place to get lost."
"Well, it's a good thing we told the rest of the group to meet us by the Washington Monument then," Samantha declared.
"Yeah, good thing," Bethany replied. She looked at the ground for a few seconds before looking at Samantha again. "Samantha I need to talk to you about something."
"Ok, what is it?" Samantha asked.
"Well, I know this isn't really your topic of knowledge, but I'm not that close with Katie, Draco and I are not friends, and if I ask Jimmy I can't imagine how he'll react," Bethany declared. "So you're all I got."
"Just tell me what it is Bethany," Samantha said.
"Ok, well Seamus told me that he's still in love with me," Bethany declared. "And I told him I still wasn't sure about my feelings for him, he really understood though and said he could wait."
"So what exactly is the problem then?" Samantha asked.
"Seamus deserves an answer, but I'm still not sure what I should tell him," Bethany stated. "I don't know if I should even take the chance."
"Bethany, look, I'm in the same situation with Fred as you might already know," Samantha confirmed. "While I admit I haven't thought much on the situation either, I think it all comes down to a few things."
"Like what?" Bethany asked.
"Well, first of all, let me ask you this," Samantha said. "When we were in their dimension, if there was anyone you considered yourself close with, besides the Trio, who would it be?"
"Well, honestly, I guess it would have to be Seamus," Bethany declared.
"Ok, and hypothetically speaking, if he had to go back to their dimension after we defeated Morgause, how would you feel?" Samantha questioned.
"I'd be very upset, because then I'd never see him again," Bethany stated.
"Well, then Bethany, I'll tell you this," Samantha declared. "We are indeed in a very dangerous and tight situation right now, but you might never get a chance like this again. So maybe you should take it while it's still there."
"Thanks Samantha," Bethany said. "That really helps."
"You're welcome," Samantha replied.
"You should probably take your own advice as well though," Bethany teased.
"Shut up," Samantha replied. "Come on; let's go take a look at the monument."
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As Samantha and Bethany approached the monument they could have sworn they saw four very familiar faces. They got closer only to see that their suspicions were indeed true. There standing around the door to the interior of the monument was Seamus, Fred, Luna, and Hermione.
They slowly approached the group and saw that they noticed them to.
"Samantha?" Fred questioned.
"Bethany," Seamus questioned.
"Uhm, hi guys," Bethany said awkwardly.
Suddenly Samantha burst into laughter.
Everyone just looked at her strangely.
"I'm sorry," Samantha apologized on the verge of tears from her laughter. "You all can't imagine the irony right now."
"Anyway, what are you all doing here?" Bethany asked.
"The detection device informed us today that there is a shard corresponding to Amelia's element somewhere within this monument," Hermione declared.
"Really, our device told us there was a shard corresponding to my element at a power plant not too far from here," Bethany declared.
"It must have been a strange coincidence," Samantha declared. "Did all of you come here?"
"No, Mum, Dad, Snape, and Hagrid are back at the house with the rest of the familiars," Fred declared. "They said they would watch the house in Chelsea and Amelia's absence."
"So I assume everyone else is inside looking for the shard?" Samantha asked.
"Yeah," Seamus confirmed.
Right after that Seamus and Bethany immediately started looking at each other awkwardly, neither of them saying a word.
Suddenly Samantha had an idea.
"Oh look, is that Jimmy and the others by the reflecting pool?" Samantha asked looking in the opposite direction. "I better go see what they're doing." Samantha sprinted off in the other direction.
"Wait, Samantha," Bethany yelled.
Samantha was already gone. Then Fred, Hermione, and Luna were going in the direction Samantha went.
"Wait, where are all of you going?" Seamus asked.
"To see where Samantha went," Luna replied.
With that they were gone, and Bethany and Seamus were all alone.
"Bethany," Seamus acknowledged.
"Seamus I…" Bethany began.
She wasn't sure what to say. Samantha's words of advice were playing on repeat in her mind, along with all her thoughts about Seamus. He was always a good and supportive friend. They had a lot of good times together in the other dimension; and he fell in love with her despite her flaws, and he didn't seem to care about the dangers of her being an Elemental. Did she really have feelings for him too though? Was she willing to take the risk?
"Bethany," Seamus said snapping her out of her thoughts.
"Huh?" Bethany inquired.
"I called your name like three times, you looked out of it though," Seamus stated.
"Oh, sorry Seamus, I guess I just zoned out," Bethany laughed awkwardly.
A few more seconds of awkward silence.
"Seamus," Bethany began. "About what you said to me…"
"Bethany, take all the time you need I meant…" Seamus stated.
"No, please listen," Bethany said cutting him off. "It's just that there is still so much happening right now. I can't go back to the house because Grandpa's actions were unforgiveable, and Morgause is going to do all she can to make sure all of us don't come out of this alive, I just haven't had the time to consider…us."
"I understand," Seamus said sadly.
"It's also made me realize something else though," Bethany declared. "With all of this going on we might not ever get a chance, and losing you would make me feel absolutely horrible. So when all of this calms down a bit, I'm willing to give us a shot."
"You are?" Seamus asked looking directly at her.
"Yes, I am," Bethany said suddenly feeling bold and taking hold of his hands.
"Thank you," Seamus said with a smile.
"You're welcome," Bethany said smiling back.
"Bethany, can I give you a kiss?" Seamus found himself asking.
"Sure," Bethany replied.
Unlike last time they kissed they both leaned in at almost the same time and Bethany didn't hesitate as much, still the kiss was short, probably only ten seconds. When they broke apart both were still smiling. Suddenly Bethany let go of Seamus's hands.
"I should go," she said. "I can't get separated from the others. So I guess this is until next time Seamus."
With that said she ran in the direction she had seen Samantha go in before, leaving a very surprised yet happy Seamus standing there.
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Meanwhile Inside the Washington Monument
Chelsea, Amelia, and the rest of the group searched every stone they saw for the shard.
"You know for only having three floors this place is pretty big," George yelled to Amelia's group on the floor above.
"Yeah, no shit," Ron yelled back.
"Did you guys find anything up there?" Chelsea questioned.
"No, nothing yet," Amelia replied. "A couple of us are going to go up a floor and check there."
"Okay," Harry replied.
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Amelia, Ron, and Percy stepped out of the elevator and into the third floor area of the monument.
"I can sense it somewhere up here, I'm not sure exactly where though," Amelia declared.
"We better start searching then," Percy declared.
The group ascended up the flights of stairs and looked in every brick trying to locate the shard. After climbing four flights worth of stairs Amelia sensed something on the western wall.
"You guys I can see the shard," Amelia said looking at the wall.
"Well, what are you waiting for; grab it," Ron replied.
So Amelia grabbed the shard and before anyone could blink again they were in the other dimension, along with the rest of the group.
"I'm guessing you guys found the shard then?" Neville questioned.
"Yes, we did," Amelia replied.
"Where are Seamus and the others?" Chelsea asked.
"They're probably still outside the monument," Harry declared.
"Welcome everyone," the all too familiar deep disembodied voice greeted. "Today's challenge will test your physical strength. You will choose one member of your team to compete in this long five part obstacle course against your opponent. The winner will get the shard as their prize."
The group looked to see that there was only one of Morgause's assassins in the dimension with them this time. That was rather strange.
"Ok guys, only one of us can compete, so who's it going to be?" Amelia turned to the group.
"I think Harry should do it," Ginny suggested.
"I second that," Ron stated.
"I third it," George added.
"Well, Harry, you were the Gryffindor seeker, so you're good with speed," Chelsea declared. "Whether or not you want to do this is ultimately up to you."
"I've never been through an obstacle course before," Harry declared. "I'll do it though."
"Ok, who from your group is going to go through the obstacle course?" The voice questioned.
"I am," Harry declared.
"Very well," the voice said. "Now I shall give you the basic layout of the hospital, you were start by crawling under the barbed wire pit and grab the flag at the end. After that you will have use the rope provided to climb over the 20 foot wall and grab the next one. Finally you will dive into the mud pit, grab your last flag and make your way to the finish line. The first one to cross the finish line with all three flags wins the challenge. Now if you would please take your positions at the start line.
So Harry and the assassin lined up at the start line. Once the horn sounded Harry began running toward the barbed wired pit and dove under, crawling across it as fast as he could. The assassin was trailing not so far behind him. He quickly grabbed the flag and kept running until he reached the wall.
Harry grabbed hold of the rope and began climbing up the wall. The assassin caught up and started climbing a bit faster and was ahead of him. Harry wasn't about to let the assassin win though he speed up and got to the top first, grabbed the flag and jumped.
Once he landed he ran toward the mud pit.
This was a little more difficult seeing how he basically had to swim through it, and Harry wasn't the strongest swimmer. In fact the assassin was now in the lead. Harry saw this and moved through the mud a lot faster and grabbed the last flag, and ran as fast as he could toward the finish line. He and the assassin were neck and neck, but Harry picked up his speed, and crossed it first!
"Yeah!" Chelsea and Amelia cheered from the other side.
"Congratulations, you won the challenge," the voice announced. "The shard is yours for the keeping."
When everyone blinked again they were back in the monument and Amelia was holding the shard.
"Well, we did it," Amelia declared.
"We beat a physical challenge too," Ron stated.
"Yes, we did," Amelia confirmed. "Come on, let's get out of here."
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The group exited the monument to find Seamus, Fred, Hermione, and Luna standing outside like they were earlier.
"You guys won't believe what just happened," Chelsea declared.
"Well, you won't believe what happened to us either," Hermione stated.
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Hi! Sorry this took so long, coming up with two challenges for one chapter is kind of hard. Anyway, what is ahead for Bethany and Seamus (not even I know)? A big thank you as usual to my coauthor DevilDragon8 for all of her awesome ideas. Please review, we appreciate input. See you in the next chapter!