Unspeakable Things Chapter 25: Who Needs Dragons?, a harry potter fanfic

Author's Note: Responses and comments for the Chap 24 Reviews are available in my Defense for Two Forum, the link to which is in my profile. Thank you all for reading!

Chapter Twenty-Five: …Who Needs Dragons?

"Potter!"

Harry was just emerging from another training session with Luna and Ginny when the hoarse voice caught his attention. He looked up to see Moody stomping toward him with his artificial eye swinging madly about.

"Yes, professor?"

"Wanted to talk to you, boy!" Moody said. He grabbed Harry's arm and pulled him into one of the many unused classrooms around the castle. "So, do you know what the first task is?"

"Dragons, sir."

"Good lad. Now, what are you going to do about it?"

"Summoning charm first, sir."

Moody smiled. "Nice thought, but won't work. There's an anti-summoning ward around the nest. What else?"

"A few things ... I'm going to try talking in Parseltongue to it as well."

Moody's normal eye blinked. "You're a Parselmouth, boy?"

"You didn't know?" Harry asked. "I thought it was in all the papers in my second year."

"I don't read papers," Moody said quickly. "Bunch of hogswallup if you ask me. But it sounds like you are going in with a plan, and that's good. If worse comes to worse you can always try a conjunctivitis curse."

"That's a back-up plan," Harry said. "I don't want to actually hurt the dragon."

"I see. Well, good luck, lad. I'll be watching."

Luna and Ginny did not emerge from the other room until Moody was gone. "That was interesting," Ginny said. "I wonder if the headmaster sent him to try and help you."

"I don't know," Harry admitted. "We have time for lunch, right?"

"I don't know how you can think about food before the task," Ginny said. "My stomach is twisted in a knot, and I'm not even competing."

"It's good to keep our energy up," Luna said. "Let's go eat."

The Great Hall was filled not just with students, but also Ministry officials including the scowling Scrimgeour. And next to him – "Ginny is that Percy?" Harry asked.

"Yes, he took a job at the ministry. I think he's Mr. Scrimgeour's aide for the tournament."

"They don't look happy," Harry said.

"Scrimgeour went from Head Auror to the head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation, a department that didn't exist before the tournament and likely won't exist after," Luna said. "He went from managing a staff of two hundred to a staff of Percy Weasley and Bertha Jorkins, who has since disappeared. Even worse, the Head of the Misuse of Muggle Objects was promoted to head the DMLE over him. It was not a good idea for him to antagonize Amelia Bones."

Hermione and Ron joined them. Ron looked pale, but Hermione looked absolutely sick. "Hello, Harry," she said. "How are you?"

"Nervous," Harry admitted. "We have a good plan, though."

"I was thinking last night…" Hermione began. "You're such a good flier, if you could learn the summoning charm you could…"

"I'll have his broom outside the stadium," Luna said.

"Harry and I've known that charm since his second year," Ginny said. "I learned it as a first year."

Hermione seemed to deflate, until Harry reached across the table and took her hand. "Thanks, Hermione," he said. "It's going to be okay. Because my friends are going to be there rooting for me, right?"

"Yes," she said before biting her lip.

She then elbowed Ron, hard. "Er, right!" Ron said quickly.

~~Unspeakable~~

Naturally he would get the Hungarian Horntail. Three dragons of varying personalities and traits, and a fourth rabid, blood-thirsty monster and Harry, the youngest champion by three years, naturally had to get the monster.

He left the tent and all the carefully laid plans and contingencies just fell away like so many flecks of ash when he caught sight of the monster for the first time.

Unlike the other dragons that waited for the champions to approach, the horntail attacked him. It launched itself into the air with a huge billow of its wings; the wind alone was enough to knock Harry from his feet, and only a quick roll prevented a spiked tail from crushing him.

He transfigured a rock onto a dog, which lasted just long enough to yelp before the dragon impaled it with a claw and tossed the beast into the air, even as it coughed fire at him.

In the stands, Ginny grabbed a hold of Luna's hands while Hermione was covering her face in horror. "The dragon is much more aggressive than the others," Luna noted with a detached voice.

Below, Harry was literally running and hopping for his life as the dragon hunted him mercilessly. The other people in the stadium realized that the dragon was acting much more aggressive than it should have even for this particular breed.

Harry gave up any pretence of a plan and began to react on instinct. With the dragon hovering over him constantly, there was no chance for a summoned broom to reach him. He knew Luna had it shrunk in her robe, but he doubt it would make much difference.

What he needed was something to make the dragon back off.

He hid behind a boulder as a rush of fire poured around him, scorching his robes. The fact the boulder blocked the fire inspired him. He turned to face the back of the stone even while fire billowed around him, and hit the boulder with his strongest banishment charm.

The boulder flew right into the horntail's open mouth.

An enraged cry coming from the dragon filled the stadium. The stone had lodged just far enough into the dragon's mouth that it could not open it any more to get the stone out, nor could it attack with fire.

Around Harry, the stadium started cheering wildly as Harry ran past the incensed dragon toward the nest. He snatched the egg and scrambled back over the rocky surface. He paused before the tent, turned, and shouted "Reducto!" at the rock.

The stone shattered and the furious dragon roared a huge bellow of fire into the sky, but by that time Harry was already in the tent.

~~Unspeakable~~

"The dragon was tampered with," Adonis said during their training session the following morning in the Shrieking Shack. "Our man did a test and found the Horntail had been dosed with a large amount of pheromones, which put it into a mating frenzy."

Ginny snickered at the look on Harry's face. "Mating frenzy?"

"It did not see you as a mate, Harry," Adonis said with a tolerant smile. "She saw you as a challenger for her mate. With the amount of pheromones in her blood stream, she would have attacked her mate as well. You handled the situation very well."

"It wasn't even one of our plans," Luna noted. She sounded disappointed.

"The best laid strategy has to give way to tactics once battle is engaged. Luna, your job is to create a winning strategy that will encourage and aid Harry, but in the end he and Ginny have to have tactical skills as well. And I have to say, Harry, you did well."

"Thank you, sir."

"Any progress on the second clue?"

Luna nodded, having been the one to solve it the first time she heard the message. "It is a riddle in Mermish. It implies something or someone Harry treasures will be taken to the bottom of the Black Lake where Harry will have to retrieve it. I did some research and found that past tournaments have used hostages to encourage champions in the past."

Adonis shook his head in disgust. "This was why the damn tournament was cancelled in the first place! It is barbaric, so much so we started to research why the other schools actually agreed to compete. That's when we learned about the other champions."

Harry of course had related all he knew of Krum and Delacour to Ginny and Luna, and both nodded now. "It was an excellent means of getting them into the country," Luna noted.

"Indeed," Adonis said. "What news on Snape?"

Harry shrugged. "I've had detentions nearly every night that he has assigned, with points deducted. However, I've reached an understanding with Professor McGonagall and aid her in grading first year papers for my detention. She then awards me the points back for helping her. So far the situation appears to be in equilibrium."

Adonis nodded. "While she is often blinded by her trust in Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall has always been a fair witch. She also had a fondness for your father. I'm not suggesting you abuse it, but I suspect that you could continue to build that relationship."

"Yes, sir."

"I also understand that there is going to be a Yule Ball."

"Really?" Ginny asked.

"Fourth year and above, unless a third year or below is specifically invited by another fourth year or above," Adonis said. He looked at Luna and Ginny. "Get yourselves invited."

"I'll invite them," Harry said quickly.

"Unfortunately it's one guest per champion."

Harry looked torn, but Luna smiled luminously. "Harry, you must take Ginny, of course. I will find my own way in, do not worry."

"Are you sure?" Ginny asked.

"There was never any doubt," the lithe blonde said. "You and Harry are partners. If it makes you feel better, I need you to be together."

"Good, we're decided," Adonis said. "Now, let's see where our Occlumency is this morning."

~~Unspeakable~~

"Hermione, you're a girl," Ron said a bit too loudly. "You'll go with me, right?"

"Oh no," Ginny whispered.

Harry closed his eyes and shook his head as Hermione's expression vacillated between outrage and anguish. "One week before the ball and you just now realize that I am a girl?" she said. Somehow she sounded more frightening for the completely cold tone of voice she used. "As a matter of fact, I already have a date for the ball."

"No way, who'd want to go with a bookworm like you…."

Hermione looked like she was about to curse him, but Ginny said, "Allow me." She slapped him in the back of the head, hard enough to make his face bounce off the table.

Hermione sniffed. "Thank you."

"Sometimes he needs it," Ginny said.

"What'd you do that for?" Ron cried.

"Ron," Harry said, "you just told Hermione—our Hermione—that no one would want to go out with her. She's the brightest witch of our generation and frankly one of the most beautiful and you just insulted her. Think about that, Ron. I mean, Merlin's beard, think about what you just said to the best friend either of us have!"

Hermione looked like she was about to cry at Harry's words. But the effect on Ron was almost profound. He blushed to the roots of his hair, and then went strangely pale as he looked from an outraged Ginny, and exasperated Harry, and a genuinely hurt Hermione.

"Er… I am sorry, Hermione," he finally managed to stammer out. "I was a git, wasn't I? The bloke taking you—he's nice at least, right? He'll be nice to you?"

"He has been a gentleman in every one of our conversations," Hermione said, fighting to maintain her composure.

"Oh, okay. I'm… Okay. Good." Looking stunned and confused, Ron got up and left the table. A few seats down, the twins watched their brother walk away. When he was gone, they announced loudly: "Ladies and gentlemen, you have now seen what happens when a Weasley male gets struck by a deep thought." That was George.

Fred added: "He breaks."

The rest of the Quidditch team laughed at the joke even as Hermione sank back down to the table. "I…" she began.

"I think Ron realized for the very first time that you are not only a girl," Ginny said softly, "but that you're beautiful. I'm glad you're not going with him, Hermione. Because maybe now he won't take you for granted as his friend."

"Thank you both," she said, before she too turned and left the room without actually eating.

"Those two hurt each other so much," Ginny muttered.

"Ginny, do you think we should have a fight?" Harry asked out of the blue.

"What? Why?"

"Aren't couples supposed to fight?"

Ginny snickered. "We're not a couple Harry. Remember, you can't actually date me until I'm fourteen. So until then, we don't need to fight."

"Oh, yeah ... Good ... I don't like fighting that much."

~~Unspeakable~~

Ron sat on the edge of the lake, shivering in the snow despite his warming charms. The lake itself was frozen into a gray sheet stretching into the snowy gloom.

He was too cold to cry, but he wanted to. Everything inside him felt broken and alone. He was so caught up in his self-pity he did not hear or even feel the presence next to him until he felt a hand on his.

He looked up in surprise to see Luna studying him. "What are you feeling?" she asked. It sounded strangely detached and clinical—or it would have if he didn't know Luna. The holidays taught him more about her than he cared to think about.

"Don't wanna talk 'bout it."

"Yes you do," Luna said. "I've known you my whole life. And while many of the things you Weasleys do confuse me, I have observed that none of you keep emotional pain quiet, at least not for long. I know that you are in pain from your expression and the fact you are out in a blizzard shivering under a too-weak warming charm."

She corrected that, and Ron instantly felt warmer. "Thanks," he muttered.

"So, what are you feeling?"

"Like I've been abandoned," he finally admitted. "Harry's got you and Ginny and…I just thought Hermione was for me, you know?"

"For you?" Luna repeated, blinking. "Hermione is not for anyone, Ron. She is a powerful, intelligent witch. She is not a consolation prize for the best mate of the Boy Who Lived."

"I know that," he said.

"You know that now," Luna said. "But not then,"

"You're not making me feel any better," he accused.

"Why ever did you think I would?" she asked, tilting her head oddly. "I rarely am able to comfort anyone. Normally I just hurt people. It's much easier that way. So, let me ask you: Now that you know what you know, what would you do different with Hermione?"

"I guess…." Ron dropped his face in his hands. "I don't know. I like her, but she drives me mental, you know? She won't let me just be me. She's always nagging me about eating or taking a bath. You know what she said yesterday? She told me to shave. Acts like me mum, she does! Drives me nutters."

"And what do you think she has in common with your mum?" Luna asked.

"She a nutter too?"

Luna sighed. "Ron, I know it is difficult for you not to be stupid, but it is cold. If I cannot bring comfort, at least help me help you in achieving clarity. Why do you think your mum treats you the way she does? Is it because she hates you?"

"Nah, Mum loves me. She loves everyone. Little mental if you ask me, but I know she loves me."

Luna said nothing; she just sat and stared at Ron with large, silvery eyes.

"What?" Ron asked.

She continued to stare at him until he had to look away. "Hermione doesn't love me," he said. "She's going with some other bloke."

"Because you never asked her to go," Luna said.

The terrible, awful truth hit Ron like a brick. It stole his breath and brought tears to his eyes. He never asked her, because on some level he always expected her to be by his side. Whether as a date or a friend, he just assumed she would be there, because she couldn't be by Harry's side any more.

"I didn't ask her," he admitted. "Is that why she's been so…"

"Disappointed in you? Yes, I suspect so. It is strange how people who profess to care for each other can also cause each other the most pain."

"Harry and Ginny don't."

"That's because they are different than we are," Luna said. "Our magic affects our personalities just as our personalities affect our magic. Harry and Ginny are so powerful, and their magic is so compatible, that it is literally reshaping their personalities to be more compatible. You've noticed how Harry has become more outgoing in the past year. Do you think the Harry would have hexed Draco in front of Professor Snape even just a year ago? Meanwhile, Ginny has become a little more reserved. By the time they are adults, I suspect they will be literally soul-bonded."

Ron hadn't noticed that, until she pointed it out. "Does that mean I love Hermione too?" he asked.

"Ronald, you are a fourteen year old boy. Also you are stupid. I do not think you are even capable of adult love at this point in your life."

Ron flushed. "Gee, thanks. Right joy you are."

Luna shrugged. "I try not to lie if it is not necessary. Truth is easier to keep track of. However, you do depend on her. And if you feel this way about Harry and Ginny, then imagine how Hermione must feel when Harry shifted from depending on her, to Ginny and me. All she had left was you. And you…"

"Didn't ask her to the ball. Yeah, I get it. I'm stupid. I'm a prat. I'm a right ruddy bastard I am. The stupid good-for-nothing son who's never going to amount to anything 'cause his brothers have already done everything."

"And who likes to wallow in self-pity," Luna added.

"I don't talk like that."

"Hermione nags you because she is trying to make you a better person. She wants you to be a better person because, for whatever reason, she thinks you might be worth pursuing romantically one day. But that will never happen if you don't even try, Ronald."

"So what am I supposed to do?"

Luna leaned forward, and for a brief moment Ron felt frightened. "Try talking to her," Luna said. "In the meantime, you are taking me to the ball."

"Er, okay. Wait. What?"

"I need to be there, but Harry cannot ask Ginny and I both. So I will go with you. We will dance once, and then you can mope at a table all you want. Or you can, for the first time in your life, act like a man and ask Hermione for a dance. Even if she says no, it would let her know you cared."

"I…okay."

Luna stood. "Good, I'm glad we're agreed. You shall pick me up half an hour before the ball begins. Harry and Ginny will have to go first as champions, but I wish to be there on time. I reserve the right to transfigure your dress robes depending on what your mother chooses for you. While she is a loving soul, Mrs. Weasley is in fact quite crazy."

With that, Luna hopped down from the stone and disappeared in the snow. Ron shook his head in shock, and then looked back over the lake. "Right," he said. "Enough stupid."

~~Unspeakable~~

That night, as Harry and Ginny were snuggled by the fire reading his arithmancy text and reviewing Hermione's notes, Ron sat down on the couch near the stuffed chair Hermione was using for her own homework.

He looked nervously at Harry and his sister, and then briefly looked around the room before clearing his throat, "Hermione?"

"What, Ron?" she said without looking up.

"I… I've been thinking."

"I'm sure there's a potion for the pain," she muttered.

Ginny snickered but made a point not to look up from the book.

"Yeah, I'll probably need it later," Ron agreed with a wry smile. "I know I said a lot of mean things. Didn't think about it 'cause I am a stupid git. But I guess what I'm really sorry for isn't saying those things. I mean, I am 'cause it hurt you and I didn't want to. I'm trying to…I mean…"

He sighed, and for the first time Hermione looked up from her book.

"What I'm most sorry for is that I didn't ask you to the ball proper, when I should have," he finally ground out. "You're my best friend. I just don't know what I'm supposed to… and then… well, there you have it."

"And the really frightening thing is I think I understand," Hermione said with a long sigh. "You hurt me, Ron."

"I'm really sorry, Hermione. I didn't mean to."

"And you'll probably do it again, you prat."

"Can I say sorry in advance?"

Hermione gave a chuckle that sounded almost like a growl. "God, boys are stupid."

"Usually," Ginny muttered.

Harry looked at her, and she winked, which confused him more.

"Did you get a date?" Hermione finally asked.

"Luna ordered me to take her," he said. "I don't know if it's a date or an assignment."

"Probably the same thing to her,"

Ron took a long, ragged sigh. "Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that."

Hermione deliberately marked her page with a tassel, placed the book on the table, and then stepped over the carpet to give the startled boy a hug. She then kissed his cheek. "Thank you, Ronald. No, go see Madam Pomfrey. With all that thinking I'm sure your brain hurts."

She stood, gathered her things, and left the common room.

"Feel like I just got hit by a Bludger," Ron muttered.

Ginny left Harry's side and gave her brother a hug. "Ron, that's probably the nicest thing you've ever done, for anyone. Make sure you don't ruin it by being stupid again."

She too left, leaving Harry and Ron alone in the common room. "So," Ron muttered, "fancy a game of chess?"

Author's Note: Special thanks to Teufeul1987 for Beta reading and Brit Picking, and also to JR and Miles for additional beta reading!