Chapter 44
Thud

Author's Note: This chapter goes back and forth chronologically, so pay attention to the bold sections in this chapter, at the start of each scene.

Confused by the chapter title name? You won't be by the end.


Friday, December 18th, 1994

Fleur Delacour wouldn't admit it out loud, but she was currently hiding in her tent. She was laying on one of the sofas in the sitting area, and reading an English romance novel to help her improve her English. She was also practicing her English, trying to perfect it, so she could talk to one of the Hogwarts students she had her eye on.

"Fleur!" Gabrielle said, as she hurried into the tent, "The Carriages are back. Which means Rose is back. Can I meet with her and go to the Ilvermorny tents?"

"Mmm," Fleur said, staring at her book and thinking, "If the students are back, zat means dinner in ze Great 'All will be starting soon."

"I wasn't planning on having dinner in the Great Hall," Gabrielle said. "I was thinking something more private with Rose. I haven't seen her all day."

"You might not be attending dinner in ze Great 'All," Fleur said, "But I will be."

"Why?" Gabrielle asked; then after a moment, she laughed out loud, "Are you going to ask a boy to the Ball, so everyone will stop asking you?"

"Oui," Fleur said.

"Is that why you are reading an English romance novel?" Gabrielle asked. "Looking for an English way to ask someone out?"

"I am working on my English, zank you very much!" Fleur exclaimed.

"Zank?" Gabrielle echoed, then snorted. "Yeah, good luck there."

Fleur huffed. "Have you asked Rose to the Ball?"

"Well, no," Gabrielle said, "But I just thought -"

"- zat you two will go togezzer because you are a couple?" Fleur asked. "Are you a girl or not? You're a girl dating a girl, and you don't even know what zey want! Girls want to be asked."

"So why are you asking then?" Gabrielle said, "I'm asking because I'm a girl asking a girl. Are you asking a girl?"

"Non!" Fleur exclaimed. "I am asking because otherwise zey might not ask me!"

"And if they say 'no'?" Gabrielle asked, "Will you Allure them into saying yes?"

"I would never!" Fleur huffed. "Besides, I already know zis boy is attracted to me. My ability tells me so!"

"Is his color pink or red?" Gabrielle asked.

"Red," Fleur said, "For now. But it is only a date. If pink by end of date zen we talk boyfriend-girlfriend talk."

"Well, Bon chance then," Gabrielle said. "Bon chance with asking him, and Bon Chance with getting him to understand you!"

Fleur huffed again. "Go on and see your girlfriend, you little 'Arpy. And ask 'er to ze Ball! She probably zinks you won't ask 'er!"

Gabrielle's eyes widened. Then she turned and ran out of the tent. Fleur rolled her eyes, set the book on the coffee table and stood up from the couch. She made her way out of the tent, and headed off to the castle, with a quest in mind. She was going to have a date to the Ball by the end of the night! Even if she had to go with one of those boys who were asking her just because she was pretty!


Carriages

Roughly an hour after the Winter Solstice Session ended, the Thestral-drawn carriages headed back to Hogwarts with the Hogwarts students, and four members of the staff in tow. Those staff members were in one of the last Carriages at the end of the queue. Albus Dumbledore was sitting in the carriage with Minerva McGonagall, Severus Snape, and Filius Flitwick.

"Have you decided when you will hold a staff meeting to discuss Lord Davis' ridiculous bill, Albus?" Minerva asked. "We need to decide what we're going to discuss with the Pureblood Heritage Act Committee by next Sunday, before they can make their final decisions!"

Albus sighed. Minerva had asked him that same question about three times now in the past hour. He swore she was finally going senile!

"Tomorrow afternoon before dinner – five-o-clock," Albus said. "I can't imagine Molly Weasley contacting me about a meeting before then, so we can discuss a good time and place during the meeting tomorrow. Then once I have confirmation from Molly, I'll send word to the appropriate staff members who will be attending the meeting. Can the three of you please make sure all staff members know by five-o-clock tomorrow?"

Three nods from his staff members. Albus pulled took his pocket-watch from his robes, and glanced it.

"Almost seven-o-clock," Albus said, "Excellent, we'll all be right in time for dinner. Do make sure the students head on into the Great Hall for dinner after leaving the carriages."

"Will you make any announcements about the Winter Solstice Session during dinner?" Filius said.

"Ah – I am sure the Great Hogwarts Rumor Mill will take care of all the news before I can even say a word," Albus said.

"Ah, but some of it could be wrong!" Minerva said.

"I am sure the Daily Prophet will clear everything up in the coming days," Severus drawled. "Let the little heathens make rumors and gossip. Maybe this will be a fine piece of education for them – what rumors to believe and what they shouldn't."

"An excellent idea," Albus said, nodding. "By the time the articles come out in the Daily Prophet, I'll be able to figure out which decisions made today should be something a Headmaster says to his students."

"Like Lord Davis' bill?" Minerva asked.

"Now, now, Minerva," Albus said, "Not every student in Hogwarts will fall under that bill. Only those who are Betrothed. I think it would be better to collect all the Betrothed students and announce it to them. And only them. And if more students get Betrothed – well, I am sure their parents or guardians would let them know about that. And we can't discuss the bill with the students until after the next Council Session next Sunday where those details will be finalized."

"I suppose so," Minerva said.

"What about the modified Underage Restriction law?" Filius asked.

"Now that will be something I can announce and explains when it comes out in the articles," Albus said, "Hopefully it will come out tomorrow at breakfast, before those students leaving for Christmas Break head onto the Hogwarts Express."

"Yes," Severus drawled, "Wouldn't want so many underage brats to not know they can now use magic at home, around their families. Especially the Muggleborn. Oh joy."

"Do I sense sarcasm in your tone, Severus?" Minerva asked.

"I am never sarcastic, Minerva," Severus said. "I detest sarcasm."

Minerva and Flitwick scoffed. Albus merely chuckled.

Soon the carriage stopped. Minerva and Severus stepped out first. Then Filius conjured a footstool outside the Carriage, and used it as stairs to step out. Then Albus stepped out last. Minerva and Severus were already guiding the students.

"Strange," Minerva said, as glanced amongst the carriages, "I don't see Harry and Lily Potter or Sirius Black."

"Lily informed me that she and her family would be going to the Leaky Cauldron for dinner to celebrate," Albus said.

"Then I suppose Rose Potter must not be feeling well," Minerva said, "Because there she is with Miss Granger. Oh, and there is Madam Bones with young Susan."

Albus turned and saw Rose with Hermione Granger and Madam Bones.

"Perhaps Lily and Sirius asked Amelia to escort Rose back," Minerva said, "but if she wasn't feeling well, then why didn't they just simply delay a celebration at the Leaky Cauldron until Rose felt better? And there's Tracey Davis too. If they were celebrating Sirius' Blood Adoption Bill passing Tracey and her girlfriend would be with them. Odd."

Albus raised an eyebrow. Minerva raised a good point. Had Lily lied to Albus? Was Lily taking Sirius and Harry elsewhere? To do something that didn't involve Rose? He considered the possibilities. Perhaps they were meeting with their Account Manager at Gringotts. He knew the Potters and Blacks had the same Account Manager.

Albus decided he would contemplate this later. Dinner would beginning soon, and he hadn't gotten much to eat from the available refreshments during the session. He had an appetite!


Hogwarts Grounds – a couple minutes prior

Rose Potter was sitting in one of the Thestral-drawn Carriages, as it made its way toward Hogwarts Castle. Hermione and Amelia and Susan Bones were with her. After leaving her mother, Harry and Sirius with that odd Unspeakable character at the Department of Mysteries, Rose, Amelia and Susan had made their way to the Atrium of the Ministry of Magic, where they had caught up with Hermione and the rest of her tent-mates. Hermione had chosen to accompany them back in a carriage. Now Hermione was staring out the window in the direction of the tents.

"Something wrong, Hermione?" Rose asked.

"Just wondering if Harry will be back soon or not," Hermione said, "Whether or not I should delay dinner until he gets back."

"I'm sure their meeting with Unspeakable Croaker won't last too long," Amelia said.

"Right, an Unspeakable," Hermione said, wistfully, "Wish I could have gone with them. The Department of Mysteries must be an extremely interesting place to visit!"

"Never been there myself," Amelia said. "When the Unspeakables wish to speak to me, they come to me. Whatever Unspeakable Croaker wanted to talk to them about must be quite important."

"I'm sure Harry will tell us what happened," Hermione said.

"Ooh, perhaps not," Amelia said, "Meetings with Unspeakables – you can't just bandy about information like that to anyone. They might be required not to tell anyone what was discussed."

Hermione frowned and nodded, still staring out the window. Soon the carriage stopped, and Rose stepped out first.

"You joining me and Remus in the House Potter tent?" Rose asked Amelia, as the older witch stepped out of the Carriage.

"I'll be down there in a few minutes," Amelia said, "I'm going to hang out with Susan for a bit. If Sirius arrives before I get down there, tell him I'll be there soon."

"Alright," Rose said.

Meanwhile, Hermione had joined up with her tent-mates, including Tonks. So Rose ran to join them as they headed toward the Ilvermorny Tents. Midway through the journey, however, she noticed Gabrielle running in her direction from the Beauxbatons Camp. She grinned, split away from the group of girls and hurried toward Gabrielle. She met Gabrielle in the middle, and pulled her into a hug.

"Finally!" Gabrielle said, "Been waiting all day. Our Christmas Break started today, so I had no classes, and it got so boring without you around!"

Rose grinned, backed away from the hug, and pecked Gabrielle on the lips.

"Missed you too, mon Ange," Rose said; her girlfriend glowed at hearing her nickname in French, "You're lucky we're back this soon. Could have been there until midnight!"

"Midnight?!" Gabrielle asked, "Then I wouldn't have seen you all day. We haven't been apart that long since we became a couple."

"Might have been good practice though," Rose said, as she took Gabrielle's hand and headed toward the House Potter Tent. "Aren't you going back to France for a week, the day after the Yule Ball?"

"Yeah," Gabrielle said, frowning. "Won't see you until the New Year's Eve Party."

Rose smiled. What Gabrielle didn't know – because Rose wanted to keep it a surprise – was that one of Gabrielle's birthday gifts would be a "Marauder Mirror" – a communication mirror Sirius and Remus invented just like the one she and her friends back home had. Once a week, every week she'd talk to her friends over the communication mirrors. None of them knew she had a girlfriend though. They knew of her sexuality – she had told them in September, and all of her friends supported her. She hadn't mentioned one word about her girlfriend to them. Perhaps she could introduce Gabrielle to them after Gabrielle found out about the mirrors?

"Though I suppose one week away is going to be good practice too," Gabrielle said. "Will let us know if we can survive a long-distance relationship."

"Do you think we can?" Rose asked, frowning; they hadn't discussed that since their very first date.

"I believe so," Gabrielle said, "But I guess we'll find out."

"Mmhmm," Rose said, "So why aren't you asking me about what happened at the Winter Solstice Session?"

"Bleh!" Gabrielle exclaimed, in a mock-disgusted tone, "English politics. Are you going to summarize it to Remus, or let your mother and Sirius do it?"

"I'll give him a few interesting details," Rose said.

"Then I suppose I'll listen in when you tell him," Gabrielle said, "But don't blame me if I am not interested. English politicians are so... stuffy."

"Yeah, I got that impression myself," Rose said, grinning.

Soon they were feet away from the tent.

"Before we go in," Gabrielle said, "I need to ask you something."

"Alright," Rose said.

"Rose Potter, will you do me the honor of accompanying me to the Yule Ball?" Gabrielle asked.

"Finally!" Rose said, grinning, "I was thinking of asking you myself! Of course I'll go with you, mon Ange!"

"I'm sorry I didn't ask until now," Gabrielle said, "I would have but – and Fleur told me – and I well, I had just assumed -"

"That we'd be going together, because we're a couple?" Rose asked.

"Yeah," Gabrielle said, "Fleur basically said I shouldn't be so assuming."

"Well, next time you'll know," Rose said, grinning. "And if you don't, then I'll be the one asking you on a date, silly!"

Gabrielle blushed and grinned. This time it was her, who leaned in for a peck on the lips.

"Mmm, I want to kiss you longer," Gabrielle said, "but I think we can wait until the Yule Ball to make it special."

"I'd like that," Rose said, smiling.

She pulled Gabrielle toward the tent and stepped inside. Remus was lounging on a sofa, reading a book. He laid the book face-down on his chest when he saw Rose and Gabrielle enter.

"You're back!" Remus said, sitting up, "Didn't last until midnight as feared then? Where's your mother, Harry and Sirius?"

"Mom got a note from an Unspeakable – I think Amelia called him Croaker?" Rose said, "Anyway, the Unspeakable wanted to meet with Mom, Harry and Sirius. Last time I saw them, they were heading to the Department of Mysteries, and I left with Amelia and Susan."

"Hmm, I see," Remus said, nodding. "I think I know what they're talking about. Did you have fun?"

"It was... interesting," Rose said, "A lot of good stuff happened. "But also some very bad stuff."

"Uh-oh," Remus said, frowning, "Let's sit at the table. Where are my manners? Good evening, Gabrielle."

"Good evening, Remus," Gabrielle said.

Rose sat down with Gabrielle and Remus at the dining room table.

"So do you want to hear bad news or good news first?" Rose asked.

"How much good stuff and how much bad?" Remus asked.

"Only one very big bad thing," Rose said, "And a few good things."

"I think we better start with the bad then," Remus said, sighing, "Tell me the Blood adoption passed and the 'Pureblood Wives Only' bill didn't."

"Those went our way," Rose said, grinning.

Remus sighed in relief and relaxed against his chair, "Thank Merlin. So what is the bad thing that is very big bad?"

"Tracey's ex-Daddy," Rose said, "He brought forth a bill that would also modify the Pureblood Heritage Act, like the 'Pureblood Wives Only' bill would. Only this one passed."

"Mmhmm," Remus said, "And what was the bill about?"

Rose inhaled and exhaled. She looked at Gabrielle, then looked back at Remus.

"Witches in Betrothal Contracts sixteen years and older," Rose said, "have to either be pregnant with their Betrothed's child, or be a mother of their Betrothed's child by seventeen years old,"

Gabrielle's jaw dropped and her eyes widened.

Remus coughed loudly. "Please tell me you're joking. Sirius didn't tell you to pull this one on me, did he?"

"No, he didn't," Rose said. "It really happened. It affects all witches and wizards in Betrothal Contracts sixteen and older. These girls will have to become pregnant. And Harry is now worried that Daphne might have to, and Hermione might have to if she gets Betrothed too. But Mom and Sirius and Amelia already told us it wouldn't happen. We'd all be back in America before it happened."

Remus stared at Rose, with a shocked expression. "How did that bill pass? There were so many parents there! It had to be argued greatly! I imagine there must have been a pretty good debate with that one, huh?"

"No, not at all," Rose said, shaking her head. "Harry said Lord Davis used – what was it called – 'scare tactics'?"

"Fear-mongering," Remus said, "He made everyone afraid of something?"

"Yeah," Rose said, "Um... Mom was the only one to argue about it. And everything she argued against, Lord Davis had things to argue right back .And then he basically attacked her – verbally that is. Mom asked Lord Davis if he was mad to propose witches being mothers or pregnant at seventeen. She argued about witches getting jobs, and knowing their Betrothed before they planned to have kids. But Lord Davis was ready for it all..."

Rose described everything. She could remember it all. How Lord Davis countered the job and 'getting to know each other' arguments, how he had asked Augusta Longbottom about Ginny and Neville. And then how Lord Davis mentioned her father.

"He... he told her that she shouldn't let others make her mistake," Rose said, frowning, "How Harry barely got to know Dad. And how I never did get to know him before he..."

She felt tears coming down her cheeks – and she hadn't even realized they had been pooling in her eyes. Gabrielle scooted her chair over next to Rose's and hugged her. Rose sniffled into Gabrielle's shoulder.

"Lord Davis knew where to hurt your mother," Remus said, his face twisted in anger, "Not with curses or hexes. With the memory of your father. I can see how bringing that up would make others afraid. He told everyone in the Council that they shouldn't make the same – as he put it – 'mistake' your father did, right? How sixteen year olds and up should have children because they might not get to if something happened to their Betrothed or themselves."

"Yeah," Rose said, backing out of her girlfriend's hug, and wiping her tears. "He mentioned the riot at the Quidditch World Cup. How future Lords could have died. Later, Mom, Sirius and Amelia said the law wouldn't matter. Before long Voldemort might come back, and start another war. And then everyone would realize what Lord Davis said."

"They're probably right," Remus said, "So how did the votes for the bill go? I imagine the Great Alliance voted against?"

"Yeah, but most approved," Rose said, "Even a great part of the Light Alliance. Lord Castor said Dumbledore even approved of the bill!"

Remus frowned. "Did he? But won't Hogwarts be affected by this? I thought he'd argue due to that."

"Hogwarts will definitely be affected," Rose said. "Hogwarts Staff and the Pureblood Heritage Act Committee will meet together. Apparently there will be modifications to Lord Davis' bill, but the idea of the bill will stick."

"Sixteen year olds and up will still be required to be pregnant by seventeen," Remus said, then he snorted. "Not everyone is that lucky. Sometimes it takes a while to get pregnant, even with constant attempts - especially at that young of age. Hogwarts staff, you said? Well, I am sure Madam Pomfrey will discuss it with the staff, and the committee. I think we can definitely expect modifications. I'd love to get a look at your mother's memory of that event. Something tells me Lord Davis didn't plan out his bill much. Especially if the Committee has to modify it."

"He didn't give that many details out at all," Rose said. "He just said 'Why wait until the Betrothed Witches and Wizards are twenty-one to have kids? They'll be married at seventeen.'"

"I can't believe so many people agreed to it," Remus said. "Fear-mongering only does so much. There are so many parents on the Council. Parents of teens affected by this. Sounds like somebody was trying to benefit from this, and Lord Davis doesn't sound like the type."

"So," Gabrielle said, "You mean it wasn't his bill? He was just -"

"Parroting?" Remus suggested.

"Yeah," Gabrielle said.

"Very likely," Remus said. "His strategy was give very few details, then scare everyone into agreeing with him. It sounds as if he didn't remember the entire bill he was supposed to give. Just important details."

"He was pretty angry," Rose said. "Just a little while prior, he had argued against Sirius' Blood Adoption for Tracey, and Tracey was given permission to speak her mind about it. She said a lot of things Lord Davis didn't like – and then Lord Davis tried to save face, and basically said he'd Betroth Tracey to Harry if Tracey was his daughter again. Then he tried to make a challenge that the Council should vote for him to have custody of Tracey again. But making a challenge in reaction to a challenge in the same session is illegal. And Tracey reminded him of that."

"So he got pretty mad," Remus guessed.

"Yep," Rose said, "Then Tracey said Lord Davis was probably lying, and if he got custody of her, he'd probably Betroth her to the boy he wanted to before he disowned her."

"Probably," Remus said, nodding. "Tracey isn't in a Betrothal Contract. She isn't affected by his bill. But if she got Betrothed to someone who stayed in Britain – so not Harry -"

"She'd end up pregnant before seventeen!" Rose said.

"Yep," Remus said, "I imagine he was angry, and forgetting whatever he was supposed to 'parrot' was due to him wanting revenge Tracey and Sirius. He even forgot his bill doesn't affect her. It might affect Tracey's girlfriend, but Daphne is likely going to be in America with Harry by the time she is sixteen or seventeen. She'll be an American citizen. So it won't affect her."

"Actually it might," Rose said, "Daphne discussed something, and thankfully it wasn't discussed today."

"What wasn't discussed?" Remus asked.

"Dual-citizen law," Rose said.

"Daphne would have to heed British laws if she became a dual-citizen in America," Remus said, "Yeah, that would be pretty bad."

"Let's hope it never happens," Gabrielle said.

Rose nodded, agreeing with her girlfriend. She then began giving the good news.


Hogwarts – Great Hall – Head Table – Half-an-hour later

Severus sneezed.

"Are you catching a cold, Severus?" Minerva asked.

"Someone somewhere is talking about me without my knowledge!" Severus snarled.

"Probably Harry Potter," Minerva said, "isn't that who you've blamed these ridiculous things about recently. Severus?"

"Now who is being sarcastic," Severus drawled.

He sneezed again. This time violently.

"Someone is discussing very bad things about me behind my back!" Severus snarled. "Whoever is doing it will rue this day!"

"Tissue, Severus?" Albus asked, nonchalantly. "Or perhaps a napkin?"

Minerva offered Severus a napkin. Severus glared at her, while several of his fellow staff chuckled at him.


Elsewhere In the Great Hall

Fleur was currently eating dinner in the Great Hall of Hogwarts, and talking to a few older Ravenclaws she had gotten to know while sitting at the table whenever she chose to eat in the Great Hall. A few boys were looking in her direction, obviously wanting to ask her on a date to the Ball. But the Ravenclaw girls kept giving them all glares that told them to leave her alone.

"Don't you have a date yet, Fleur?" one of the Ravenclaw girls asked. "I thought one of those handsome Beauxbatons boys would have asked you."

"I turned zem all down," Fleur said. "I am interested in one boy 'ere at 'Ogwarts."

"Is he single?" another Ravenclaw girl asked.

Fleur frowned. "I zink so. I am not sure. Oh, Merde! What if I 'ave lost my chance?"

"Who is it?" the first Ravenclaw asked. "Maybe we know if they're single."

Fleur was about to answer when she saw the boy stand and make his way out of the hall, followed by a group of girls. Fleur frowned. One of them had to be his girlfriend. No... she needed to take her chance. What if she was wrong? What if he said yes?

"I am finished," Fleur said, "I am going to ask 'im."

"Ooh, I see who it is!" one of the Ravenclaw girls said, giggling, "Good luck, Fleur!"

Fleur grinned and hurried off out of the Great Hall, as quick as her feet could take her. The boy, Cedric Diggory, was surrounded by those girls again. When he caught her looking, he smiled, and said something to the girls. They frowned, complained for a moment, and Cedric pushed past them. The girls walked off separate ways – dungeons or to Grand Staircase – as Cedric walked over to her.

"May I help you, Miss Delacour?" Cedric asked.

"Oui, Cedric Diggory," Fleur said.

Cedric blinked. "You know who I am?"

"I 'ave 'eard some girls speak of you," Fleur said, "I 'ave – um – admired you from afar. I am sorry my English isn't so good."

"I think it is pretty good," Cedric said.

"I am sorry I interrupted your talk," Fleur said, "I am sure you were just looking to go off and spend your evening with your girlfriend."

"Those girls," Cedric asked, "They were hoping I'd dance with them all at the Ball. I don't have a date yet. Haven't found the right one. Well, I thought I had – but she got expelled at the end of November."

"Expelled? Zat Asian girl?" Fleur asked.

"Cho Chang," Cedric said, "I was going to ask her, but after what happened between her and Lord Potter – the Love Potion thing." He shuddered. "Glad she wasn't going for me."

"Oui, good zing," Fleur said.

She inhaled and exhaled. She wanted to ask him. He was single! No date!"

"Hey! You!" a boy screamed behind her.

Fleur turned and saw a ginger-haired boy running toward her and Cedric.

"Don't let him ask you to the ball!" the boy said, "Get away from her, Diggory! I'm asking her. Go to Ball with me!"

Fleur sniffed. "Go away, little boy."

"Go to the ball with me!" the boy said.

"Turn away, Cedric, please – close your eyes and ears," Fleur said.

Cedric raised his eyebrows. Then he nodded and closed his eyes. He turned around, and plugged his ears.

Fleur turned and glared at the ginger-hair boy, bringing forth the bad part of her Allure. The kind that scared stupid little boys and rude men away.

"You will go to your dormitory, boy," Fleur said. "You will ask nobody to ze Ball. And you will not attend ze Ball. It would be better if you went 'ome tomorrow with ze rest of ze little children too immature to attend a Ball, and tell your Mummy you couldn't go because every girl 'ates you because you have bad hygiene, bad table manners and don't know how to act around the better sex! Do you understand me?"

"Yes," the boy said, in a dazed tone.

"Good," Fleur said, "Now go."

The boy ran toward the Grand Staircase. Fleur inhaled and exhaled, calming herself. Then she poked Cedric on the back. He turned around.

"Sorry about zat," Fleur said, "Some boys just don't know how to say 'no'. You weren't affected by my Allure, were you?"

"Allure?" Cedric asked.

"I had to use Allure to tell him to leave," Fleur said.

"Well, I am still here," Cedric said. "So I guess not. Say... do you have a date to the Ball?"

"Non – I am not attracted to anyone who has asked me," Fleur said, then smiled. "But that might change very soon."

"Would you accompany me to the Yule Ball, Champion Delacour?" Cedric asked.

"Are you prepared to dance in front of everyone – champions get the first dance of the night," Fleur said.

"I am," Cedric said.

"Then I would be honored to go to ze ball with you, Cedric Diggory," Fleur said.

"Brilliant," Cedric said, "I will... meet you at your camp... well, I'll be there in enough time to accompany you back here. We will not be late."

"I look forward to it," Fleur said, "Zank you."

"You are most welcome," Cedric said, "Have a good evening, Champion Delacour."

He took one of her hands and kissed her knuckles. She blushed and giggled.

"Good evening," Fleur said.

She smiled, turned and headed off out onto the Grounds. She got the boy she wanted. And what a handsome, polite, perfect boy he was!


Riddle Manor – Little Hangleton

Lord Voldemort was cranky. And not because he looked like a baby. He was cranky because certain parts of his plans were not going well at all. Bartemius Crouch, Junior had been his most trusted, most important minion – er – follower. He had a very important job to do. Well, more than one important job to do. Tonight the man had given him some bad news.

"Do you understand why I changed my well-thought-out plans at the last minute, Barty?" Voldemort asked his minion, "Do you? I had planned that you would take over the Defense Against the Dark Arts position at Hogwarts. Disguising yourself as the Professor using Polyjuice. But you made a suggestion, and I listened to it. You wanted revenge your on your father, Barty. You wanted to ruin his reputation, then ruin him. So I allowed you to pose as him instead. Now, you were able to get the Longbottom boy into the tournament. And you have been a good spy at Hogwarts. But today, you disappointed me."

"Yes, My Lord," said the bowing Barty Crouch, Junior.

"I told you to make sure no bills were passed during the Winter Solstice Session that made our plans more difficult!" Voldemort hissed, "I told you to make sure that bills that helped us did pass!"

"My Lord – the Dementor bill," Barty said.

Voldemort sighed. He desperately wanted to Crucio the man.

"The Dementor bill," Voldemort said, "Ah yes, you said it did pass. But there was a complication."

"Dumbledore," Barty said.

"Dumbledore has to take it to the ICW," Where it might not pass!"

"My father is not part of the ICW, My Lord," Barty said, "There is no way I could influence that."

"Lucius?" Voldemort asked, glaring at the man who had prostrated himself behind Barty.

"He is right, my Lord," Lucius Malfoy said. "The ICW has to approve all laws regarding Azkaban. Wizengamot is merely one step."

Voldemort sighed. "Fine. I admit that was not your fault, Barty. But... the other Bill that is your fault."

"I argued against it, My Lord," Barty said.

"You don't argue enough!" Voldemort snarled. "The bill passed, and now the Unforgivable Curses are Taboo! I want to Cruciate you until blood drips from your eyes and ears, and I cannot do it! Aurors and Hit-Wizards would be here! Do you think we can stop a team of Aurors and Hit-Wizards!"

"No, my Lord," Barty said, "We would stand a chance. But – I do not believe we would succeed."

"I would live, because I will live forever," Voldemort said, "and even if I could kill them all, I'd be stuck here because you two would be dead! And nobody else knows I am here! I would be too weak to do anything! I My homonculus would die, and I would have to retreat again, and my plans would be ruined! All because of you!""

"I could bring more of your followers, my Lord," Barty said.

"No," Voldemort snarled. "I cannot risk a mutiny while I am in this body. You two are my most trusted – but if anyone else sees me this weak, they would betray me, because they are greedy."

"I would kill anyone who dares!" Barty snarled.

"Who made that blasted bill anyway?!" Voldemort growled.

"Augusta Longbottom, My Lord," Barty said, "The Grandmother of the boy who is one of your targets."

"Augusta Longbottom," Voldemort hissed, "Mmm... yes. I believe a new change of plans is in order for her grandson. I will capture her grandson, torture him, but keep him alive, until we capture Augusta Longbottom. Then we will torture both of them, and see who is the last to survive. And then I kill them too!"

"A good plan, My Lord," Barty said. "Do we still need Potter?"

"Of course we need Potter!" Voldemort hissed. "I will be using Potter's blood for the ritual! Then I will kill him, just like I killed his father thirteen years ago!"

"It will be a thrill to watch, My Lord," Barty said.

"Do you know what will be a thrill to watch?" Voldemort asked.

"What, My Lord?" Barty asked.

"Beg me to tell you," Voldemort said.

"I beg you to tell me, My Lord," Barty said. said, "I wish to know."

"I will be very thrilled to watch you torture yourself," Voldemort said, "Pound your head repeatedly into that wall until you knock yourself out!"

"As you wish, my Lord," Barty said.

He stood, walked over to one of the walls in the room.

Thud. Voldemort grinned. Thud. Lucius winced.

"Watch him, Lucius," Voldemort said.

Thud.

"Yes, My Lord," Lucius said, as he sat back on his haunches and looked at Barty.

Thud.

"Do you see, Lucius?" Voldemort asked. "That is why he is my most valuable servant."

"Thud."

"He will torture himself," Voldemort said, "When I cannot."

"Thud.

"Make sure he is conscious, and ready to do his job tomorrow, before he leaves," Voldemort said. "And nurse Nagini for me! All this yelling made me hungry!"

Thud.

"Yes, My Lord," Lucius Malfoy said.

Thud. Barty Crouch, Junior fell to the ground, face bloodied, and unconscious. Voldemort grinned.


Hmm... should I have put a warning of some type for that last scene? Can't use Cruciatus? Adapt and find better ways!

So now we know that Barty Crouch Junior is posing as his father.

I loved writing Fleur's Allure to Ron. Is Fleur and Cedric a good pairing?

Three guesses why Severus was sneezing. Do you only need one?

Next Chapter: Harry, Lily and Co. return to the Ilvermorny Tents. Harry speaks to Hermione and the girls, while Lily, and Sirius talk to Remus and Amelia.