Came out of the Darkness – 43 – Kiss Heard Round the World

Characters belong to J.K. Rowling

I need you right here, by my side
You're everything I'm not in my life.
We're indestructible, we are untouchable
Nothing can take us down tonight
You are so beautiful, it should be criminal
That you could be mine.

And we will make it out alive
I'll promise you this love will never die!

No Matter What – Papa Roach – lyrics by Bendeth, David Jonathan; Michael, James; Esperance, Tobin Joseph; Horton, Jerry Allan Jr; Palermo, Tony; Shaddix, Jacoby Dakota © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing LLC

*x*x*x*x*x*

Fleur Delacour walked back through the crowd in the Great Hall to rejoin the other Champions. "Your mother and sister leave?" Hermione asked.

"They used the Floo to reach the train station," Fleur replied. "I want to thank you all. They say my sister was in no danger. But I am grateful that you did not leave her in the lake. She… she is my heart." She sniffled. Cedric handed her a handkerchief from his pocket. She nodded her thanks and wiped her face, "I will return this." She tucked it into her own pocket. "So one of you will be victorious in this."

"Personally I just hope we all survive this," Cedric replied.

People who'd begun gathering around them fell silent.

The Castle looked down into the Hall. The four champions stood in a rough circle, Harry shoulder to shoulder with Cedric and Viktor, across from Fleur. Harry had Hermione embraced in front of him. Beth Diggory blinked rapidly and touched her son's back. Amos frowned. Draco stood behind Harry between Seamus and Dean, Lucius and Narcissa behind them. Pansy made her way to his side. Neville and Luna stood behind Fleur along with Aggie facing Harry. Remus stood between Severus and Sirius, the latter two finally looking at each other with something other than hatred. Ever increasing circles of people gathering. Governors, professors, and students. The Ministry officials still huddled together in the front of the room.

Fate smiled. Castle opened the front doors, wide and inviting.

Dumbledore whirled in surprise.

A very loud clop-clop-clop echoed through the now silent Hall. Backlit from the main hall, a Centaur moved into the doorway. He stood tall and proud, hair and tail dancing in the self-created breeze. "I am Magorian, Leader of the Centaurs of the Dark Forest."

Dumbledore began to push through the crowd, "Magorian. To what do we owe this honor…?"

The Centaur ignored him, "We seek audience with Lord and Lady Potter. The Magic Light of their bonding has circled the world; alerting all to this wondrous occasion. We've come to congratulate them and offer gifts."

"We?" Crouch Sr. asked.

"Lord Potter," Magorian called, "The Castle Hogwarts has granted us access. Will you meet with us? And others?"

Lucius leaned into his ear and whispered, "Say yes."

Sirius grabbed his arm, "You have no right to stand as counsel to my godson!"

"Sirius please," Harry hissed. "How do I respond Lord Malfoy?"

"Just say yes. Loudly"

"YES!" Harry called with a confidence he did not feel. The Centaur nodded and stepped away. Harry glanced back to where Sirius, Remus, Severus and Lucius all stood. "What do I do?"

"You want to take this Lord Black?" Lucius asked smugly.

"Sirius," Remus said gently, "Malfoy is a much more appropriate choice in this matter." He met Lucius' gaze. "We won't go far."

Lucius nodded and stepped in front of Harry, as he spoke he was straightening Harry's tie and robes. "I don't know who is coming in. But stand tall. Make eye contact with whomever is speaking to you. Keep your chin up, shoulders square. If someone bows, bow in return. Maya you should curtsy if bowed to. Accept all gifts; we'll arrange a table behind you. I'll stand behind you if anything else comes up." He then quickly straightened his own clothing though Harry couldn't see so much as a hair out of place. "What a day."

"Harry," Dumbledore walked over with Crouch Jr. limping behind in his Moody disguise. "You will need advisors. Professor Moody and I will stand with you."

"Thank you Headmaster, but I've got this covered," Harry replied politely.

Crouch scowled fiercely with Moody's misshapen face. "Be careful who you trust, Mr. Potter."

"I am," Harry said firmly.

"You'll need a second," Lucius said. "A friend to stand on your left side."

"Ahh," Harry looked to where Neville and Draco stood. Neville looked ready to yield to Draco, when Cedric walked over.

"I'll need a second as well," Cedric said. "I and the other Champions have been told to stand post as well. So I'll need a second. Krum's got his best friend. So does Fleur."

"Where are your friends?" Neville asked.

"Good question," Cedric replied. "I don't see any of them standing by my side do you?"

Neville walked over to him with Luna in tow, "I'll stand there, Cedric."

Crouch growled, turned, and came face to face with his father. They stared at each other, then Jr. jerked spasmodically and Sr. flinched, eyes going wide. Harry's desperate gaze went to Severus, who looked to father and son, remembered the conversation before the task, caught on quick, and nodded to Harry. Snape slipped through the crowd to Gabriel Rosier's side. He whispered quickly and Gabe glanced at him. Snape whispered more and Gabe nodded. Then Lord and Lady Rosier walked over to Crouch Sr. and led him away.

"What did you say," Harry whispered quickly when Snape returned to him

"That Crouch was in danger here, that I would explain later," Snape replied softly as the Hall began to shift around them. "Guess I was convincing. Rosier and Crouch are childhood friends. He's taking him home. Perhaps Sr. will entrust his friend with his secrets." The Hall was quickly decorated in the banners and colors of the school. Two long sets of tiered benches appeared along the walls. The students of Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang mixed in together and quickly filled up the seats. "When you dreamt of your mother, did she approach me?"

"Yeah, why?"

"I could smell her on my robes," Snape replied. Harry stopped breathing for a moment. Snape then caught him by the shoulders and turned him around. "Lucius will whisper to you as needed. I'll be close as well. We'll discuss your dream later."

Harry took position in the front of the Hall dead center directly in front of the risers to the Head Tables. Hermione stood at his right side, Draco on his left. Lucius and Narcissa moved into place behind them. Snape was a few paces back. Sirius and Remus moved to the end of the lower Head table to sit alongside the remaining Ministry officials.

Cedric took position to Harry's far left. Neville on his left side, Luna on his arm. The Diggorys stood behind their son. Professor Flitwick stood on Cedric's right giving a few last minute things to the young man and his entourage.

Viktor stood to Harry's far right. A tall solid Durmstrang boy stood at his left, Fleur stood at his right. Karkaroff and Maxime stood behind them. A pretty French student was whispering into Fleur's ear. The girls smiled and giggled a bit, then sobered and stood tall.

Magorian reappeared in the doorway along several other Centaurs. It was only as they stepped into formation to trot up the open aisle, that Harry realized that two of the Centaurs were female. Bringing up the rear was a young foal who stared around in wide-eyed excitement.

"Leader Magorian," Lucius whispered into their ears, "Keep straight, chin up, and keep eye contact."

"Young Lord Potter. Sweet Lady Potter," Magorian said as he reached the front of the Hall.

"Leader Magorian," Harry nodded his head respectfully but kept eye contact as instructed.

"Your reputations precede you. Your union brings hope to the world. May I present my second, Firenze."

Harry smiled with genuine warmth, "Firenze, it is good to see you again."

"Thank you Lord Potter. This is my wife Hylea."

"Please to meet you, ma'am," Harry said.

Magorian turned to his other side, "This is Bane and Ronan. And Ronan's wife Latrea."

"And I am Iphin," the young foal burst forward.

Harry stooped instinctively to bring himself down to eye level with the youngster. "Well hello Iphin. It is a true honor to meet you. What do you think of the Castle?"

The foal whinnied, "It is sooo cool! I love the candles up there. They look like stars! Do you have any apples? Apples are my favorite."

"Iphin," Latrea scolded as mothers do everywhere.

Harry stood up with a glance to Lucius. The expression on the man's face froze him for a split second. Pride. Lucius was immensely proud of him. It filled him with warmth. "I'm sure we can find some apples for you Iphin," he said with a smile. The words were barely out of his mouth before a House Elf apparated at his feet with a small basket of ripe red apples. Harry handed one to Iphin who nickered his thanks.

Magorian stared at Harry with a new level of respect, "Lord Potter, the Centaurs of the Dark Woods wish to present you with this." Firenze handed over a bundle of leather tied off with twine made of bark. Harry opened it to reveal a large orb of white sitting on a carved wooden base. He held it up to eye level. White was the wrong word to describe it. It was like staring into a cloud with a rainbow inside.

"Magical Moonstone," Severus whispered in awe.

Magorian nodded in response, "It will bring you sight beyond sight, protection, and hope."

"It's beautiful," Hermione said. "Thank you Leader Magorian."

Iphin, happily munching on the apple, tugged on Hermione's robes, "I picked this for you sweet Lady." He handed her a pretty pure white rosebud.

"Thank you Iphin," she said accepting the flower and tucking it into her robes behind the Potter crest.

The Centaurs moved on to speak to Cedric and his gathering. Harry heard Luna gush, "Oh Latrea, he is getting so big!"

Two large Forest trolls lumbered in, grunted something at Harry, dropped a small club at his feet and lumbered back out.

"Uh," Harry uttered.

"No clue," Lucius said as he gingerly retrieved the club and moved it out of the way. "Oh we need to get this out of here; it stinks." Again as soon as the need was expressed, an Elf appeared, grabbed the club, and disappeared.

The first people came in. The next few hours went by in a blur of faces, names, and countries. Representatives from France and Germany. Italy and Egypt. India. Russia. Japan. Most of them brought foods and/or flowers from their native lands. Though the Chinese Ministry of Magic sent an elaborate small red and gold dragon that puffed out sweet-scented steam. A trio of Cobbler Goblins dropped off a bookshelf hand carved from one large oak. A squadron of Garden Gnomes dropped off a variety of flowering plants. The Merpeople sent a platter of fish and kelp via Hagrid who'd gone down to check that Madam Maxime's horses were comfortable.

As time grew later and later, more of the students slipped out of the Hall to return to their Dorms. Meals were served in their Common Rooms. Only a devout few remained such as Dean and Seamus. Susan Bones and Hannah Abbott. Isabel and Pansy. Others. Of course each Champion and their supporters remained. The Elves slipped them snacks throughout the night.

A flock of shrill, blue Cornish Pixies flew in and circled the candles overhead.

A huge swarm of fairies drifted in and danced around. They deposited a huge pile of shed wings and hairs on the table (valued potions ingredients, Snape advised) and wove flower blossoms into the hair of several girls, including Luna, Isabel, and Pansy. Three flew around Harry and dropped a shower of fairy dust over his head. He sneezed twice, violently, which sent the fairies into giggling tumbles. Lucius handed him a folded cloth, "Handkerchief, always carry two in your pocket. One for yourself, one for your lady. Once you have children, you stuff in as many as you can fit."

"Yes sir," Harry nodded and wiped his nose. "I'll remember that."

Night had fallen when a pair of unicorns pranced in. They touched Harry and Hermione, then each champion with their elegant horns. "A blessing," Lucius explained.

"How much longer will this go on?" Harry whispered. "We're all getting tired."

"I know," Lucius nodded. "And you must be starving, despite the snacks smuggled in by the Elves. I'm sorry you can't have a full meal, but it would appear rude. And you can't eat any of the gifts until we can examine them. Oh shit."

Harry turned. Gasps filled the Hall. There in the doorway stood a quintet of tall, solidly built wolves. The first, with thick brown fur, stood taller than Harry. They came up, one by one and dropped logs at Harry's feet. "Wood for your fires, human boy," the Alpha wolf growled.

Harry started in shock, though he should not have been surprised that a Magical Wolf could speak. Lucius nudged his back and Harry bowed low, ducking his head. He felt Hermione curtsy deeply.

"You are respectful for a human boy," the Alpha said.

"Ahh… thanks," Harry said.

The wolves circled the room and walked back out following the Alpha. "Well, that was… remarkable," Lucius said. "Highland Wolves rarely come around people. And I've never known one to willingly walk into any castle. Much less bring his pack into one full of *humans*."

"The night is full of firsts," Severus said. He nodded toward the doorway.

"Griphook," Harry grinned. "Oh wow."

There were four other Goblins behind Griphook, two on each side like a walking arrowhead. But the real surprise was the smaller Goblin in the middle. The first female Goblin Harry had ever seen. She had a sling around her shoulder holding what looked like a carved out rock. And three little Goblins on her heels.

Griphook had brought his family to see them.

Harry started forward, actually got a few steps before Lucius snagged his robes. "Wait," Lucius urged.

"Oh shit," Harry whirled, "Hizzy!"

Hizzy apparated at his feet, "Yes Lord Harry?"

"Is there any way I can get a box of Candy Rocks in the next few seconds?"

Hizzy blinked, "Lord Harry should not be eating Cand…. Oh…" he disappeared with a loud pop and was back in a second with an unopened box of the treats. "Hizzy left funds for the Hogsmeade store owner."

Griphook walked up, "Lord Potter, Lady Potter, Lord Malfoy, Lady Malfoy, Young Lord Malfoy, Master Snape," he greeted. "May your gold ever increase in value."

"May your coffers never be emptied," Lucius replied.

Harry just grinned, "Hello Mr. Griphook."

"Hello Harry," Griphook smiled with jagged teeth, "Congratulations on formally establishing your bond. Hello Maya."

"Hello Griphook, this must be your lovely wife," Hermione curtsied to the female Goblin. "And your children." Griphook's wife came forward. Hermione peeked into the carrier, "Well hello there, aren't you precious. She's just over a year old now, isn't she? She's so tiny."

"Yes," the goblin mother nodded, "She's just starting to crawl around."

From the carrier came a loud squawk. Then a long fingered hand waved in the air. Hermione looked to the mother for permission then grasped the baby Goblin's hand in hers. She winced slightly, "That's some grip you've got there sweetheart." The baby girl pulled herself up in the carrier, peeking out at the group of wizards. Then she reached toward Hermione's hair. Hermione reached up and touched a small clip that Narcissa had slid in place so many hours ago. She glanced over and Narcissa nodded encouragingly. Hermione slipped the clip from her hair and showed it to the baby.

"She'll steal it," one of Griphook's boys said. "She likes shiny things."

Hermione smiled and let the baby grab the clip. She waved it in the air burbling happily.

"She won't try to eat it will she?" Draco asked.

"No," Hermione shook her head. "That's a human trait."

The baby just held it at different angles so that the flashy stones caught the light. Cooing and laughing in glee. Griphook smiled proudly, then presented Harry and Hermione each with a small knife that could be folded into its handle. He subtly slipped an additional one to Draco before moving on to speak to Cedric, Neville, and Luna (who all also received knives).

"Lord Harry Potter," another of Griphook's sons said. "Pleased to meet you sir. Thank you for all of the candy you've sent us. Is that a box of Candy Rocks?"

Harry smiled, "Yes. Do you know anyone who likes Candy Rocks?"

"We do, we do," all three boys chorused.

Harry laughed, "Alright, you have to share with your mother and father too." He handed over the box.

"Thank you Lord Harry!" one boy said. Another just grabbed him around his legs and squeezed.

Harry glanced back. Lucius and Severus both were beaming proudly. So were Remus and Sirius.

X * x * X

Harry yawned and staggered as they walked up toward Gryffindor tower. Lucius caught him and kept him from knocking anyone over. "You did very well tonight. All of you." It was very late. The last visitor had left a short while ago and Harry and the other Champions were dismissed.

"Thank you sir," Draco, Harry, and Hermione chorused.

"I'm starving," Harry said.

"There's food waiting in your rooms." Narcissa said. "This way." She led them by the Fat Lady Portrait entrance.

"Where?" Hermione asked.

"Your rooms," Narcissa replied. She turned a corner to a small hallway off the main corridor and a portrait of a Griffin standing overlooking Black Lake. "As a bound couple you have every right to share a bedroom. As fourteen year olds that is not going to happen. So we Governors' Wives found a compromise." The Griffin turned its proud eagle head and looked at her. "Password is Destiny. Feel free to change it."

"Destiny works for me," Harry shrugged as the portrait opened. They stepped into a large room roughly the size of the Gryffindor Common Room. There was a dining table loaded down with food next to a window overlooking the Quad lit up in the night. A large fireplace burned merrily, the logs provided by the Highland Wolves stacked next to the hearth. There was a living area with two long sofas and several comfortable looking chairs. Bookshelves lined the walls. Many of their gifts already sat on the shelves. The Moonstone and Chinese Dragon were front and center on the mantle. "What is this?"

"The Gryffindor Special Guest suite," Remus replied. "That door there leads to a corridor that wraps around the Tower to reach the common room. There is one large bedroom on that side with its own bath. To that side are two rooms, slightly smaller, each with their own bath. Initially, the Gryffindor Heads or seventh year prefects lived here. The boys in the one room. The girls in the other two. I'm not sure why the arrangement ended in the last few years. Your Dad and I shared the boys room our last year. He was Head Boy and I was still prefect. Sirius and Peter…" he paused after the traitor's name, "…stayed in the dorm. Our fifth roommate flunked out by then."

"Girls can't share rooms?" Draco asked.

"They can, but they tended to fight more often. So the room and bath were split," Narcissa explained.

"Hope it's alright," Neville emerged from the boys' room, "I've already asked the Elves to move us both in. Luna is waiting for you Maya," he pointed. "She didn't want to pick a room and bath without you." Hermione smiled broadly and fled the room. Harry heard Luna squeal and laughed.

Harry grinned broadly, "That's great!" Then shedding his formal robes, Harry went for the table, "Draco come eat!"

"Don't have to ask me twice," Draco pulled off his robes and tie and handed them to his mother. "I'm starving."

*x*x*x*x*x*

Luna led Hermione by the hands into one of the rooms. "I didn't pick a room, really I didn't, but I want this one." She walked over to the fireplace and pointed to a series of names carved into the back. One of the last in the list was familiar.

"Alice," Hermione read. "Like Alice in… Oh. Neville's mother."

Luna nodded, "My husband's mother's room."

"And yours," Hermione nodded. "Be sure to add your name."

"If Alice was in this one, Lily was likely in the other. In yours."

Hermione smiled broadly.

*x*x*x*x*x*

Lucius sat at one end of the table with Narcissa and Draco on either side. Sirius sat at the other between Remus and Harry. Hermione sat between Harry and Draco, Neville and Luna filled in the other side of the long table.

"Severus isn't joining us?" Remus asked as they passed around bowls of potatoes and vegetables, platters of beef and turkey, gravy, rolls.

"No," Lucius replied. "He said he'd grab something in his rooms."

Sirius grunted and all eyes cut to him. "Sorry."

"Nev, I never got a chance to talk to your Gran," Harry said. "I didn't even see her leave."

"Yeah, may be for the best," Neville said. "She was seriously pissed about the whole hostage thing. Cedric's mother finally convinced her to go home and rest. I'm sure you'll get a letter by morning."

"That reminds me," Remus said. "Harry I wrote a list of the visitors and gifts. I've marked the ones you'll need to send a note to. The gifts that require a more careful examination have been pulled."

The meal done and cleared away, the adults prepared to leave.

"Alright you two," Narcissa said. "Skin to skin contact several times a day." When the men chuckled, "Hand to hand, cheek to cheek. You are fourteen! I better NOT hear about anything more." She leaned over and kissed Hermione's cheek, "Owl your parents. But I'm sure the Cravens will fully explain what all of this means on their next visit. I'm very proud of all of you. You handled a very difficult situation and tedious evening with courtesy and grace."

X * x * X

Harry was in his new room, in a bed twice as big as his dorm bed. He'd been thinking over the day. So much had happened in the last twenty-four hours.

He heard the muffled thud of the portrait closing. Then a thunk and the soft murmur of voices. Harry got up, pulled his wand and crept out of the room.

Draco was flopped on the couch. An Elf had just apparated out, if the loud pop was any indication. "Dray? What are you doing here?"

"Moving in," Draco replied. "Look, things in my dorm have been… tense since last Christmas. There was all that shit with Crabbe and Goyle. And Nott and Weasley have been hanging out a lot lately."

"Didn't know that," Harry said. "Damn."

"Yeah. Zabini is cool but he keeps to himself mostly. I've actually started sleeping in one of the Quiet Rooms because I didn't trust those guys enough to close my eyes. So I asked Professor Snape if I could move up here. He said so long as you don't object."

Harry smiled, "Welcome home. Come on. We'll get an Elf to put another bed in the room."

"Thanks, Harry."

X * x * X