Golden Egg

Three Slytherins walked into an abandoned boy's bathroom. Harry paused and snorted. Ginevra canted her head, "What?"

Harry shook his head. "There's a punchline here somewhere."

Blaise raised an enquiring eyebrow, but Harry could only give a sheepish grin before the red headed twins - standing with their arms spread in the center of the room, apparently awaiting their arrival - called out in unison, "Welcome to Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes!"

The twin on the left amended, "Or more accurately…"

"This is our research laboratory." Added the twin on the right, as the brothers began their volley of speech.

"We have another room…"

"Where we keep the bulk of our products."

Ginevra had made her way over to some finished products which were wrapped in bright foils and peered at them curiously, but wisely refrained from touching anything. The set up in the bathroom was simple. One wall was lined by a long workbench supporting four working cauldrons. Each station had an array of ingredients and tools along with a stack of parchment.

"Fascinating set up you two have here." Blaise looked at the numerous bubbling cauldrons from a safe distance. "You've kept accurate research notes?"

"Yes."

"With testing results?" The business minded teen's eyes scanned over their stacks of parchment near each cauldron with mild interest.

"Naturally."

"Excellent." Blaise gave them a nod, "I have a solicitor that focuses on patents. Next Hogsmeade trip, he will meet with you two and begin the paperwork process."

The twins had matching grins as they began to show the three visitors around, pointing out their various works in progress. Boxes and crates held various ingredients or shiny wrappings. A few boxes contained products awaiting transfer to the storage room. It was one of those latter boxes that caught Harry's attention and refused to let go as he stood there, standing and scratching his head. Harry felt compelled to ask, "Really guys?"

"It hasn't been tested yet…"

"Even though we're certain it will work."

"Can't find a volunteer?" Harry chuckled, "I can't imagine why."

Ginevra looked at the polished green tablets in the clear bottle before reading the label. The young girl wrinkled her pert nose, "You… oh ew."

"No, not U-Oh-Ew,"

"U-No-Poo!"

"Gross!" Ginevra shuddered.

"Disgusting," Harry wrinkled his nose good naturedly.

"It's bloody brilliant," Blaise crossed his arms, sporting a sly grin. "The trick will be getting her to consume it."

The common room's fire crackled in the fireplace. His ebony locks draped over his face, forming a curtain of hair. With the flames blazing behind him, long shadows cast what little of his features that were visible to be hidden. His hands clasped casually behind him, Snape's stoic stance belied the intensity with which he spoke. The man's dulcet baritone voice boomed across the room, yet he never raised the volume to be heard. "As many of you are aware, the Yule Ball will be held on Christmastide eve beginning at eight p.m. sharp. This will be a formal affair and as such I expect you all to behave as proper ladies and gentlemen.

"There will be dancing." Snape paused for effect, as if waiting for a reaction, but typical of his Slytherins, the professor received none. Each Slytherin student ages fourth year and up - with a random third year here and there that had already been invited to the ball - sat or stood attentively hanging on every syllable the man spoke. "As not all of you are purebloods, it is up to the rest of you to ensure that your fellow snakes are not an embarrassment to the House of Slytherin."

The professor's eyes fell on Harry as he spoke the last sentence. Snape's eyebrow rose in a questioning fashion when Harry sat apathetically, self-assured in the knowledge that Mrs. Zabini trained them well over the summer.

Snape pulled his wand from his sleeve, waved it and flicked it towards a far corner of the common room behind his students. The Head of House stowed his wand as he moved around the teenagers, who in turn followed him to the newly cleared area. All furniture and rugs were set aside leaving a large area cleared for practicing. Sitting in the far corner on a table was a gramophone with a horn of muted brass and a base of cherry wood.

With a barely perceptible nod of Snape's head, Adrian turned the crank which in turn spun the turntable. With a gentle touch Adrian lowered the tone arm until the needle sat within the groove of the disc. As a waltz filled the air, the students stood near the cleared floor. Snape peered at Harry. "As I mentioned before, Mr. Potter, you will be required to begin the ball with the other champions."

Harry gave a wry smile and nodded, "I will be aptly prepared, sir."

Continuing with the banter, Snape offered, "Well, then feel free to impress your fellow students with your prowess on the dance floor."

The boy stood straighter and placed his hands behind him with a small tilt of his head, "Is that a challenge, sir?"

Snape gave a soft snort as his lip twitched, but the smile never reached his mouth regardless of the humor in his gaze. "Naturally. After all, we must keep our champion alert and primed."

As the waltz continued, Harry gave Snape a cordial nod, accepting the challenge. As the teen moved forward into the clearing he glanced towards a group of girls and quirked an eyebrow. Alia shook her head slightly with a panicked look and Harry simply gave a small smile before striding to the girl to his friend's left.

Harry bowed politely and offered his hand to her. The motion was nowhere near subservient, showing just the proper amount of manners owed to a pureblood lady. The brunette blinked owlishly at him in surprise. She peered at him suspiciously and he smiled in return with sincerity.

Slowly her hand slipped into his. The stocky girl dipped into a responding curtsey before allowing him to lead her to the center of what was used as a dance floor.

Resting his hand on her ample waist, Harry gave her another smile filled with reassurance and Millicent sighed, "You better know what you're doing."

Harry chuckled and with a brief, "Trust me", he had her floating around the common room. With gentle spins and turns, the pair danced flawlessly. "Mrs. Zabini insisted I learn to be a gentleman. I think it was her way to keep me from embarrassing her son."

Millicent Bulstrode did something so utterly out of character that Harry almost missed a step. The stocky Slytherin girl - with a short neck, thick waist, drab brown hair and a glare comparable to Snape's - giggled.

When the song came to its conclusion, Harry once again bowed to the young lady and this time Millicent readily curtsied in return. Harry then walked Millicent back to her place before returning to Snape. "I do hope that will suffice. If not, I'm also familiar with the foxtrot, but my tango isn't up to par and don't even get me started on that bloody quickstep." At Blaise's prompting cough, Harry blinked with a look of a deer caught in headlights and straightened, "Sorry, sir."

At breakfast Harry sat quietly between Nilia and Blaise, content on eating his usual scrambled eggs, bacon and toast with a dab of strawberry jam. Across from them were Poliakoff, Brækken and Viktor. Viktor speared a sausage before asking, "Have you looked at egg?"

Blaise shot Harry a glance, apparently wondering the same thing. Harry winced and gave a noncommittal one shoulder shrug, "I've… looked at it."

At his best friend's scoff Harry frowned. Blaise challenged him, "When did you last look at it?"

"November twenty-fourth." Harry admitted.

Viktor snorted, but nodded. "It is mystery. Makes my head hurt with the sound."

Poliakoff and Brækken both agreed quickly. Brækken added, "Viktor opened egg in room. Not a pleasant sound."

"We have a couple of months before the second task." Harry stabbed his scrambled eggs. "I'm still hoping I'll be cleared before then."

"What is the latest from Black and Lupin?" Blaise asked.

"Ministry officials don't want to hand over the cup. Black's solicitor is pressuring them." Harry took a bite, chewed and swallowed before continuing. "It's ridiculous, really. They've compared my signature to that of the slip of paper. They've established it isn't mine, but until they can figure out who it is so that he or she will take my place… I'm stuck."

"Vell, ve vill figure out egg. Then you can train. Prepare." Viktor said with authority and a nod of finality, ending any argument before it could begin.

"Let's just hope your godfather doesn't decide to help you again." Blaise smirked, "I'm surprised those two red headed menaces haven't asked you about those spells you used during your first task."

Harry didn't comment as said duo suddenly appeared at the Great Hall entrance sporting matching, broad mischievous smiles. While the Slytherin took a sudden interest in his tea cup, the twins marched over to the Gryffindor table and took their seats only to start loading their plates with breakfast items.

Blaise looked from the older boys to his best friend, "Why is your silence disturbing me?"

Again the teenager didn't respond, but Harry managed a sheepish grin once a screech came from somewhere beyond the Entrance Hall. Nilia nudged Harry, "Vat did you do?"

"M-me?" Harry sputtered, feigning innocence and mock indignation. The amusement dancing in his emerald eyes belied his annoyance. "I didn't do a thing."

No sooner were the words of denial out of Harry's mouth, Ron ran into the Great Hall as if his pants were on fire. When in actuality, Ron was being chased by Mrs. Norris… and two dozen of her clones. All current occupants of the Great Hall sat up at the sight of multiple cats. Thirteen cats moved with grace and sat in the doorway: tails flicking while watching with accusing eyes.

It was December tenth, a Hogsmeade weekend and two weeks until the Yule Ball. No new news articles had been written about Harry or his alleged harem. While Harry wasn't sure what stopped the stories and gossip, he wasn't about to look that particular gift horse in the mouth.

Blaise, Padma, Harry, Hermione, Luna and Neville made their way down the path towards the village. It was a chilly day with the sun fighting to be seen behind thick clouds. Every so often the sun would win a brief victory, bursting through the covering grey and causing the glare off the snow to be blinding.

The three couples moved at a leisurely pace and the only talking was Neville as he spoke about a new herbology book he had been reading. Much like the other girls did with their boyfriend, Luna had latched her hand in the crook of Neville's arm and listened attentively, nodding on occasion. So when the conversation turned suddenly, it took Harry by surprise. "Have you figured out the clue yet, Harry?"

Harry blinked to gather his wits and shook his head, "Erm, no…"

"You don't have much time," Hermione reprimanded, earning a scoff from her boyfriend.

"Hermione, I have two months… give or take a day or two." Harry frowned and sighed, "You're right. I need to figure this out so I know what to study up on. Honestly, the thing gives me a headache."

Blaise grimaced at the memory of the last time he had insisted Harry listen to the clue given by the egg. "It is a piercing screech. It is quite unpleasant."

"You should soothe it with the healing balm of warm waters." Luna's airy voice drifted between them gaining her friends' attention. Her sincere smile left them a bit dazed at what she said next. "When you're there, Harry, could you try telling the mermen to beware the dabberblimps? I've tried warning them, but they don't seem to be overly concerned."

Edited 10/19/2016