LoDK
The Legacy of the Dark Knight Saga
Jamie Prosser and the Fourth Champion
Chapter 20: The Yule Ball
Disclaimer: This is solely a not-for-profit fan activity and does not intend to infringe on copyrights held by Time Warner, DC Comics, Bloomsbury et al, and JK Rowling. Any characters who are original to this work remain the property of the author.
A/N: This story diverges significantly from accepted canon for the Harry Potter series from the outset, as in addition to the crossover elements, there are several deviations from the books that will be covered where they fit into the narrative. The timeline of the DC Comics elements borrows heavily from Young Justice (2011), but adds elements and characters from the comics, and relocates the series to the late Sixties and early Seventies rather than the New Tens as screened and is heavy on 'legacy' and original characters as a result.
A/N: Unless stated otherwise, the action of this story takes place in the run up to and during the 1997-1998 school year (305 "Anno Secreto" or "Year of Secrecy") parallel to the events of Deathly Hallows in canon. The year code "AL" is also my own invention and stands for After Liberation, counting the years after the Justice League's ending of the "Apokolips War", my as-yet unwritten take on the events of Young Justice Season 3 (Set late 1973 to April 1976).
The Orchard,
Royctonshire.
21st December, 0831 GMT.
Ginny winced as the rising sun hit her eyes through a gap in the curtains. Her head was still aching, though not as much as before, but her nausea was gone and when she swung herself out of bed and got up, she felt steady on her feet and was able to slip on her robe and cross to the bathroom without any dizziness or difficulty.
After helping herself to a couple of painkillers in the medicine cabinet, Ginny padded downstairs in search of some breakfast. When she reached the kitchen, she found it empty, but after a minute or two rummaging in the cupboards, she unearthed a small tin of beans, which she dumped into a saucepan and heated up quickly, then she toasted some fresh bread and added both to a plate and brought it to the table. She ate quickly, then rinsed off the pan, plate and utensils used and then – her headache now pretty much gone thanks to painkillers and food – she went in search of the Montroses.
The first place she looked was Alanna's study, where she found the older woman working on some paperwork. Alanna looked up almost immediately and gave Ginny a small smile. "Are you feeling better?"
"Much better," Ginny assured her, slipping into one of the office chairs. "I've still got a little bit of a headache, but I made it down here without any problems."
"Good, good. I'm going see if Chase is free for a visit," said Alanna, glancing towards her computer.
"Sounds good," said Ginny. "I'd like an update on the Ttab situation as well."
Alanna nodded. "The boys are downstairs playing pool. Why don't you go and hang out with them until she arrives?"
"Will do," agreed Ginny and stood up again and headed for the door.
****
1019 GMT.
"Recognised Chase Jacobsen A70," declared the computer as the Zeta Tube disgorged Chase into the Orchard's game room.
Eddie glanced up at her and nodded in acknowledgement, "Morning, Doc."
"Morning, Eddie," replied Chase, then glanced around for a few seconds until she located Ginny. "Morning, Ginny."
"Morning," acknowledged Ginny and then put down the book she was reading. "Has there been any word about the gunman?"
Chase nodded. "SCOPE had to bring in a telepath, but they finally got everything out of him." While she was talking, she crossed over to where Ginny was sitting and started setting up on a low table nearby. "Green Lantern, Impala and two Spartan teams conducted a raid in the early hours of this morning and scooped up the rest of the cell."
"Where they Oostermaand 82 like we thought?"
"Yep," Chase confirmed. "Can you roll up your sleeve for me? Big Ben and Nightrunner are negotiating with the Police National and the courts in the FEO about finally taking action against the cells on the continent."
"How's everyone else?" asked Ginny as Chase wrapped a blood pressure cuff around her arm.
"That's mixed news I'm afraid," said Chase. "Blood pressure one-ten over seventy-five… pulse seventy."
"Who?"
"Alizia's fine, a few scratches and some of healed tissue from the burns… her father has a private care assistant watching her at the Lexor," said Chasse, then swapped her stethoscope for a thermometer. "Pull back your hair for me… The driver, S'srayak, got off a little worse, minor head injury like you… but he also broke an ankle and his hip, so he's off his feet for a while… temperature thirty-eight point five, but like most metas you run a little hotter than normal so I'm not too worried there."
"And the attendant?" asked Ginny, slightly worried at this point.
"How are you feeling generally? Any vomiting, nausea, weakness or numbness of the limbs, confusion…."
"No none of those," Ginny assured her. "What about the attendant?"
"Your speech is fine…" said Chase, ignoring the question. "I'll just do a quick check on your eyes…"
"Doc!" snarled Ginny in annoyance as the older woman whipped out a small penlight and flashed in first one eye and then the other. "What aren't you telling me?"
"Pupil reaction is normal," confirmed Chase. "I'd say you're fine… just don't do anything too strenuous for a few days."
"Okay," agreed Ginny, while at the same time wondering about the ball. "What happened to the attendant?"
Chase's expression went dark, "Unfortunately she didn't make it."
"She's dead!"
"I'm afraid so… broken neck."
****
Prosser House,
Great Worden BB7.
21st December, 1830 GMT.
Harry shut off the shower and got out, grabbing a warm towel from a rail and dried off, then after shaving and spending and headed back to his room. He swapped his towel for underwear and swapped his contact lenses for his trademark glasses, then he drifted over to his wardrobe. He pulled out a pair of slim-fitting navy trousers, a Muggle wing-collar shirt and some gold cufflinks, then paused to ponder consider his options. What should I go for… traditional or 'stand out'? he pondered. The 'old me' that came to Hogwarts the first time would say 'traditional', but I'm a Champion, I'm going to the centre of attention anyway so…He dressed quickly in his chosen option, added a Muggle top-hat in place of the traditional Wizards hat and drew on a navy-and-gold boat cloak and a pair of oxfords, then left his room and headed downstairs. Beryl was waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs. "You look good, Harry," she said. "But I've got a little finishing touch." With that, she brought out a short-stemmed red rose and attached it one of the lapels on his robe.
"Thanks," said Harry, and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "I'll see you soon."
"Have a good night," said Harry and then disappeared in a flash of light.
****
The Orchard,
Royctonshire.
1855 GMT.
Out of habit, Harry appeared in the Game Room, where the two Montrose boys were in the middle of a game of pool.
"Hi Harry," said Eddie, glancing over at him briefly then returning to his shot, which he sunk a second or two later. "Ginny and the girls are still upstairs."
Harry nodded. "We've got a bit of time yet. How's everything?"
"It's okay," Eddie replied as he moved to stand next to Harry as his brother set up for his own shot. "Are you looking forward to the ball?"
Harry made a face. "Yes, no… sort of…" he replied. "I'm looking forward to spending some time with Ginny, and even the dancing's not a bad thing but…"
"Let me guess," said Eddie. "You'd prefer something a little more private?"
"Yup," agreed Harry, then a sound from upstairs drew to his attention. "On the other hand… I can live with that."
Eddie's gaze turned to follow Harry's, then nodded. "I probably could too."
****
Forbidden Forest,
Hogwarts.
Scottish Highlands.
21st December, 1955 GMT.
Harry and Ginny reappeared on the grounds in a flash of yellow light, the area of lawn right in front of the main doors had been transformed into a sort of grotto full of fairy lights – meaning hundreds of actual living fairies were sitting in the rosebushes that had been conjured there, and fluttering over the statues of what seemed to be Father Christmas and his reindeer. The Durmstrang students had just left their ship with Professor Karkaroff, the Durmstrang champion and her date in the lead.
Harry and Ginny made their way to the front of the group and got into step beside Szilagyi, who was wearing bright red robes with blue accessories.
"Dobrý večer, Sanda." said Harry. "Have you met my date, Ginny Weasley?"
"I have not," replied Szilagyi. "I am pleased to mit you, Ginny. May I introduce my own date… Claudia Zamfirscu?"
"We are honoured," Harry replied for the pair.
"Zank you," said the woman, who – unsurprisingly for a Beater – given that she stood at over six feet and maybe a hundred-and-sixty pounds, was tall and muscular enough that Harry hadn't initially clocked her as female. "You are surprised, da?"
"A little," Harry admitted. "Is this a friends only thing, or have you just managed to keep it under wraps until now?"
"Under wraps?" asked Zamfirscu. "I am not sure…"
"Kept it secret," clarified Ginny.
"Da…zis is so," agreed Zamfirscu. "Ve haff been togezzer since the beginning of last season."
"And I would have preferred that you keep it that way," said Karkaroff. "It is unseemly."
"As you say, Highmaster," noted Szilagyi. "But I am adult now, and it is my choice."
Karkaroff looked like he wanted to say more, but they had reached the main doors, which swung open to let them pass, so he kept silent.
Harry scanned the assembled group which included both Beauxbatons and Hogwarts students and was able to easily pick out the tournament judges, several of his friends and the Beauxbatons students, all of whom were dressed in dress robes in a variety of colours and styles. On his quick survey, he picked out Ron and Hermione, who were wearing the dress robes they'd bought for Bill Weasley's wedding; Draco Malfoy, who was wearing high-collared black velvet robes and was escorted by Pansy Parkinson in pink and Crabbe and Goyle in mossy-green; and Neville Longbottom who wore black barathea wool robes similar to his own but with silver accessories that complemented his date's spangled silver Christmas-themed robes.
"Is that your friend Luna with Neville?" Harry asked Ginny in an undertone.
Ginny's eyes darted quickly to follow his smile, then she smiled slightly. "Yeah, it is. Interesting robe."
Harry nodded, but before he could say any more, his attention was distracted by Professor McGonagall, who was wearing dress robes of red tartan and had arranged a rather ugly wreath of thistles around the brim other hat, called out, "Champions over here, please!"
Harry, Ginny and the Durmstrang couple made their way towards her, the crowd parting to allow them through. When they reached her, she indicated that they should told them to wait on one side of the doors while everyone else went inside; and then enter the Great Hall in procession when the rest of the students were seated. Zacharias Smith – who was accompanied by a slim girl in a brown pixie-cut that Ginny identified as Tamsin Applebee, a fifth-year chaser for the Hufflepuff Quidditch team – pushed his way to the front of the line. Harry considering saying something, but decided that it wasn't worth making a fuss, and allowed Szilagyi and Zamfirscu to go next, before following them, and leaving Blanchard and his date – a coltish, chestnut-haired girl with smoke-coloured eyes – to bring up the rear.
Once everyone else was settled in the Hall, Professor McGonagall told the champions and their partners to get in line in pairs and to follow her. They did so, and everyone in the Great Hall applauded as they entered and started walking up toward a large round table at the top of the Hall, where the judges were sitting.
The walls of the Hall had all been covered in sparkling silver frost, with hundreds of garlands of mistletoe and ivy crossing the starry black ceiling. The House tables had vanished; instead, there were about a hundred smaller, lantern-lit ones, each seating about a dozen people.
Slughorn smiled happily as the champions approached the top table, but a stormy expression briefly appeared on Karkaroff's face as he watched Szilagyi and Zamfirscu drew nearer but he quickly reverted to his normal expression of false cheer, and Madame Maxime – who had changed her usual uniform of black satin for a flowing gown of lavender silk – was applauding them politely, while Constantine and Mustafa watched in silence.
When the champions and their partners reached the table, Constantine drew out the empty chair beside him, staring pointedly at Harry. Harry took the hint and sat down next to his mentor, who was wearing similar navy-blue dress robes to his own, but with his normal shirt and tie underneath.
There was no food as yet on the glittering golden plates, but small menus were lying in front of each of them. Harry picked his up uncertainly and looked around… there were no waiters. Slughorn, however, looked carefully down at his own menu, then said very clearly to his plate, "Roast pheasant!"
And a plate of roast pheasant and all the trimmings appeared. Getting the idea, the rest of the table placed their orders with their plates too.
When all the food had been consumed, Dumbledore stood up and asked the students to do the same. Then, with a wave of his wand, all the tables zoomed back along the walls leaving the floor clear, and then he conjured a raised platform into existence along the right wall. A set of drums, several guitars, a lute, a cello, and some bagpipes were set upon it.
The Weird Sisters now trooped up onto the stage to wildly enthusiastic applause; they were all extremely hairy and dressed in black robes that had been artfully ripped and torn. They picked up their instruments, and Harry, who had been so interested in watching them that he had almost forgotten what was coming, suddenly realized that the lanterns on all the other tables had gone out, and that the other champions and their partners were standing up. He followed suit and offered Ginny his hand "Shall we dance, Miss Weasley?"
"I would be delighted, Mr Potter," agreed Ginny, taking his hand and rising to her feet.
Harry followed the other champions out of onto the dance floor, The Weird Sisters struck up a slow, mournful tune.
It wasn't as bad as it could have been. Harry thought, as he led Ginny through the opening waltz, then pausing to crowd watch as the rest of the students and a few teachers drifted on to the dance floor, diverting attention away from the other champions. Neville and Luna were dancing nearby – he could see Luna wincing frequently as Neville trod on her feet – and Slughorn was dancing with Madame Maxime. He was dwarfed by her, but despite her size, she moved far more very gracefully than he did, while Constantine was dancing with one of the Hogwarts teachers, he that it might be the Astronomy witch, Sinistra.
Ginny was fine through the first few dances… but by the time the last, quavering note from the bagpipe sounded for the sixth time, and the Weird Sisters stopped playing, applause filled the hall once more, ginny was feeling a little faint so she reached up and whispered in Harry's ear. "Can we sit the next one out?"
"Are you sure, it's one of your favourites?" Harry asked as the Weird Sisters struck up a new faster song, which was much faster than the previous one.
"I'm sure," Ginny said ruefully, as Harry was right, it was one of her favourite songs. "I need to sit down for a bit."
"Whatever you need," Harry said, and led her away from the dance floor and over to the table where Ron and Hermione were sitting.
"Are you okay?" Hermione asked as Harry helped her into a chair. "You look a little pale."
"I'll get us some drinks," Harry told Ginny.
"I'll be fine," Ginny glanced around briefly, then once she was sure no-one was watching, she added. "Ginny nodded. "I was in Steel City on a mission… protecting the daughter of Graxosian by-election candidate… the terrorist cell that my team was tracking was more well equipped than we expected. They hit the ambulance I was riding in… it flipped the ambulance over like it was nothing… the ambulance attendant was killed, and I took a few knocks, my squad managed to take down the rest of the cell though."
"Well, thats good anyway," said Hermione. "How's your studying going?"
"I think I'll be ready to take my Ancient Runes OWL in the new year," Ginny replied. "I'm not quite as confident about my other subjects."
"If you need any help…"
"You'll be the first person I'll ask," Ginny assured her, smiling at Harry who had reappeared with two bottles of butterbeer. She accepted one of the bottles and took a healthy slug from it. "Thanks, that's better."
"Anything, you need, just ask," Harry told her, then took a small sip from his own bottle.
"I will."
****
22nd December, 0000 GMT.
When the Weird Sisters finished playing at midnight, everyone gave them a last, loud round of applause and started to wend their way into the entrance hall. Many people were expressing the wish that the ball could have gone on longer, but with a glance at Ginny who was still looking a little worn out, he thought that as fun as the evening had been, enough was enough. He was escorting Ginny through the Entrance Hall, he heard someone calling him.
He turned towards the voice, it was Szilagyi's. She and the rest of the champions were standing by the door into the anteroom that the first years gathered before the Sorting.
"Can ve talk?"
"Of course," Harry said. "Ginny, will you…"
"Ginny can come," said Szilagyi. "It is not secret."
"Okay," agreed Harry, and followed the rest of the group into the anteroom.
"You suggested ve share information about First Task," Szilagyi said. "Do you have anyzing to share about Second Task?"
"I can share a little," Harry said. "Obviously each of us have to decide how to use for ourselves…"
"Ano," conceded Szilagyi, and the other two quickly agreed.
"Well, as you know you the egg screeches when you open it…" He glanced at the other Champions, unsurprisingly, this wasn't news to them. "I've been able to identify the screeching as Mermish, if you want to check it, open the egg under water."
"Do you know what it says?" asked Smith.
"I do," Harry confirmed. "Come seek us where our voices sound… we cannot sing above the ground… and while you're searching, ponder this… we've taken what you'll sorely miss… an hour long you'll have to look… and to recover what we took… but past an hour the prospect's black… too late, it's gone, it won't come back…"
"Zat's a little… how do you say… ominous?" suggested Blanchard.
Harry nodded, "I'm fairly sure that the last part is exaggeration, based on past history of the Tournament 'what you'll sorely miss' is likely to be a person, and despite my scepticism about the Ministry I can see them deliberatedly endangering people like that in public."
"Agreed," said Smith.
"I'm not so sure about Highmaster Karkaroff," offered Szilaygi. "But if you say ozzer judges would not do zis zen I agree."
"If there's nothing else, I'd like to get Ginny back home," said Harry. "She's not had the easiest weekend."
The others agreed that everything that needed to be said had been and the four Champions parted company.
"Who do you think will be the hostages?" Ginny asked as they walked through the winter grotto.
"I'd guess you and the other Champions' dates are a good bet…" Harry offered. "Maybe Jamie for me… Smith has a sister or cousin called Sally, they might chose her… But don't worry, Ginny, I'll save you if it comes to it."
"I know you will, Harry," Ginny assured him. "You always have before."