"Long night?" Amadeus said while walking by during another of the class's
sword practice'.
"I suppose." Harry responded dully. He didn't feel like telling Amadeus about his previous night's encounter with Ginny. He didn't want him to know how he felt about Ginny, or anything else for that matter.
"No problem, Harry. Just put the sword back and we won't push the matter any longer." He said. It was incredible, it was as if Harry had told him himself and Amadeus just had sympathy for him. "Girl trouble's, I know the feeling all too well. I've been around the block more than thirty times." He patted Harry's back and set him off towards the castle. It was almost time for lunch, so Harry sat in the Great Hall and waited for the bell to ring.
It wasn't long before students started to flood back into Great Hall. Ron and Hermione sat down next to Harry and started talking.
"I'm so exited! Today's my first lesson with Amadeus. He's going to teach me how to use that staff." Hermione said with glee, while Ron snorted. "I've read that book he gave me and have been practicing the basic methods. It should be rather easy." She said.
"It won't be," Ginny interrupted "anything he teaches takes hard work. He only manages to perfect his methods by constant practice." She said.
Lunch went by quickly and they all finished their classes. Hermione ran to the Dark Arts class room as fast as she could, where she found Amadeus and Professor Sophitia waiting for her and over Amadeus' shoulder was the Staff.
"Hello Hermione." They exclaimed at the same time. "I take it your ready for your first lesson." He laid the staff down on the table. "Touch it." Hermione knew the staff had to choose her, just like her wand did. She put her hand over it and felt it tingle, then pain shot through her hand and the tingling stopped. She picked up the staff.
"Good. Now, twirl it." Hermione looked at him strangely and started twirling it, it was surprisingly easy. It was easily spinning through the air, between her fingers. "Good, now I would like some pie, please." Hermione tapped the Staff on the desk and a steaming hot apple pie was resting of the desk. "Very good, I knew I chose the right person for that staff."
"Thank you." Hermione was extremely pleased with herself. She continued to make miniscule items until Amadeus decided to turn her on to something more powerful.
"Aim it at me, and cast the incantation on page two hundred and twenty." Hermione knew this was a freezing spell. She twirled the staff at him and muttered an incantation. Within moments a blue ray as wide ad the twirling staff was sending a terrible looking blizzard at him, with gale force winds and chunks of ice, all hurling at him at extreme speeds. He just stood there, unperturbed by the blizzard hitting him at every side. Minutes later Hermione stopped and the blizzard stopped.
"Very good." He smiled. "Come back on Saturday, and if you'd like, I am having some teacher's here. I am the residential expert on Alchemy. If you'd like to attend, I would be honored." He bowed.
"I'd love to." Hermione said with glee.
*
It was long before Saturday came, and Hermione went back to the dark arts classroom and greeted some of the teachers at the door. Hermione saw Amadeus socializing, so she decided it was best to stay out of the crowd. She sat in an empty desk in the back of the room, when Valatifia joined her.
"Hello Hermione." She said.
"Hello, Professor." She said dully. "May I ask you a question?"
"Certainly," She said, with brightness in her voice "Ask away."
"Well, what was Amadeus.before whatever he lived in America." She asked.
"Well, I forgot what you call them..Hit men! That's it; he was a hit man since we were separated. He was the best of his sort. Most militaries looked to him for teaching in hand to hand combat, then armed combat, and then he disappeared." She looked at him with love filled eyes. "He was brave beyond brave at times when none others would fight. He stood alone in so many battles," She looked at Hermione and laughed "and won as well."
At that time Amadeus stood up and showed everyone some basic potions. After about an hour everyone left and Hermione went back to the common room and told Harry, Ron and Ginny what she was told.
"Wow." Harry said. He was simply amazed.
"It's all rubbish. There's no way he did anything like that, Hermione would have read about it." Ron said with a snort.
"Actually I have, but somebody scorched out the names." She said.
"Well, this just proves he's greater than he seems I suppose." Ginny said.
"Yes, well I'm going to sleep." Hermione said quickly. She ran upstairs and Ginny followed.
* Ginny woke up early in the morning with the intent of getting a lesson from Valentine. Ginny got dressed and went to the dark arts corridor. She heard voices and put her ear to the door.
"I think he knows about us." She heard Valentines voice from behind the door. "Just be glad he gone for a weekend."
"I do not care what he thinks. We were meant for each other." She heard a male voice. Suddenly she heard footsteps and she hid behind a corner and waited for whoever was exiting to pass. She saw a rather portly man walk down the hall; he looked young, around mid twenties. He was rather tall but not nearly as tall as Amadeus. He walked by quickly and Ginny ran back to the common room to tell Harry and the others what she saw.
When she arrived at the common room she found it empty, but to no surprise. Breakfast had just started. Ginny ran down the stairs to tell the others but when she arrived, she had no need to. Valentine was sitting at the staff table, but in the lap of the portly man. Professor McGonagall was looking at them in a way which showed she was about to tell them off when a pair of gargantuan wings flew into the hall and landed in front of the staff table with a loud thud that echoed through the Great Hall.
At that moment two cold, hard, blue frosty eyes looked at them both and Amadeus stood up strait and a dark, monstrous voice spoke coolly.
"Boris." Amadeus spoke.
"You." The man said. He stood up and walked down to Amadeus.
"If you leave now I will consider not killing you mercilessly." Amadeus said.
"I fear you no longer." With saying this, he punched Amadeus in the stomach. Amadeus stood strong, unhurt in all possible ways.
"Wrong answer." Amadeus said. He took of his coat and threw it mindlessly behind him, he grabbed his hand, twisted it and kicked his leg and knocked him off his feet. Three loud cracks echoed through out the Great Hall. The fat man lay on the floor with blood oozing out of his mouth. Valentine crouched down in front of him, crying.
"Treacherous slut," Amadeus pulled on his jacket. "You're no longer welcome in my presence." He said, his voice was as cold as the air in his wake. With flick of his wrist the two vast doors leading out of the Great Hall flew off of their hinges and to the back of the Great Hall. Amadeus stormed out of the hall with a feeling of coldness and despair in his wake. Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione were shocked beyond all belief.
"Please..I'm sorry..." She whispered "Don't bother, what's the point in false love? Without true love, life is a life of despair." Amadeus said in the door way, his back turned towards her. "I believe you told me that, I was foolish enough to believe you. A life with happiness.., seems to exclude you." He said shortly. He turned and left without saying goodbye or taking one last look at his crying maiden.
That day seemed to be the longest in Hogwarts history. Professor Valatifia said a teary goodbye and said something to Ginny. She left without many words, she was just too sad. She told them she was going to visit her family and that they should not worry.
The rest of day passed slowly. No one dared disturbed Amadeus in his rage, the Dark arts corridor was unofficially off limits to anyone who dared be brave. Harry and the others sat in the common room and waited for the day to end. They all talked about the events that had occurred, it was basically the only thing to do. One by one people started to drift off into sleep. Harry and the others sat awake in the common room, alone. It had been too long a day to sleep.
"So, why do you think he got all angry like that for?" Ron said.
"Well I think it was obvious, what if Hermione had not only been cheating on you, but with someone really ugly." Ginny said. "I feel so bad for him; he really didn't deserve anything like that to happen to him." She whispered.
"Well I don't care; I still don't like him much." Ron spat.
"How could you say that? Remember that gold he gave you on the train?" Hermione said agitatedly.
"Yeah, but he wouldn't give me anymore." Ron said arrogantly.
"You're so self-centered." She said. "I'm going to bed."
"How about a kiss then?" Ron said with a smile on his face.
"You're too dense for a kiss." Hermione spat at Ron, instantly killing his smile. She ran upstairs with Ginny right behind her. Ron and Harry eventually went upstairs to sleep.
When dawn came, Ginny decided that Amadeus should have someone to talk to, so she ventured to Amadeus' quarters. She was about to knock on the door when she heard his voice.
"Come in, Ginny." He said. She opened the door and saw him reading a book. She walked over too him and realized that it wasn't a book, it was a picture album.
"Just looking at happier times," He said drearily. Ginny was heartbroken, she didn't know what to do. She was looking at someone who seemed so strong, yet broken. He stood up and tried too move when he realized Ginny clamped to his waist.
"You've still got me; you said I was like a daughter." Ginny said, her voice quivering.
He smiled, all the cold felt around him seemed to vanish at that moment "That's right, I did." He sat Ginny on his bed and they spent the morning looking at his old photographs and paintings of people he knew.
Ginny went down stairs just in time for breakfast.
"Where were you?" Ron asked with a mouth full of eggs.
"He's ba-" She said breathlessly, but was cut off by Professor Dumbledore.
"I am afraid our Dark Arts teacher is not going to be teaching for a short period of time, so the lessons will be given by our potions master, Professor Snape."
The Slytherin table broke out clapping. Harry could hear Malfoy bragging.
"All this just because he lost his girlfriend? Pathetic," He said before loud bangs echoed from the doors. They flew open and Amadeus was standing fully clothed and ready to join the staff for breakfast.
"Do not sell me out to be as weak as you think I am, Professor Dumbledore." He said with a smile, before walking to the Slytherin table.
"By the way, it was much more than losing a girlfriend. But you wouldn't know that pain, would you Malfoy? You've never had a girlfriend, much less go through puberty yet." He said to Malfoy, loud enough for the rest of the hall to share a laugh. The rest of the house tables broke into applause.
"It's good to be back." He said, adjusting his collar. He walked to the staff table and took his seat. He was greeted happily by the rest of the teachers and he sat down and cast an approving glance at Ginny before continuing his conversation with the rest of his fellow teachers.
The Halloween feast was as grand and delicious as usual. Amadeus had scheduled a special reading by a ghost whose name sounded like Alex Poodle or Allen Poe. The following days snailed by, it wasn't long before the long awaited Christmas break was upon them. Most of the school was awaiting the up coming ball which was rumored to be set up by a student whose identity was to remain anonymous. It wasn't long after everyone left when Harry felt the traditional nudge from Ron on Christmas morning.
"Wake up Harry!" Ron yelled. They ran down stairs and Harry had an unusually large amount of presents. "Let's see, mum sent you a sweater, another planner from Hermione, what's this?" Ron said, pointing to a small wooden box with a letter on top which Hermione instantly read.
"Dear Harry, I figured you would like this for practicing Quidditch. The other things I'm giving you can also prove themselves if you give them the chance. Enjoy these, Amadeus."
Harry opened the small box first and was immediately greeted by a familiar small ball of gold.
"Harry, that's a snitch!" Ron screeched. "Those are extremely valuable!" He said with his voice quivering. Hermione opened a larger package from Amadeus.
"Wow, I've seen this book before!" She said. She held up a large black book with ancient gold gothic writing which read: Dueling For Demi-gods.
"Should be interesting," Harry said. He opened a slightly smaller package, it was another book but it was much different than the other. Harry opened it to a random page, which read: How to get a girl to like you. Harry was amazed, he was just thinking of how to get Ginny to like him all night. He proceeded to think of different things and opening the book. Every page showed him what he wanted to see. The rest of the year should be pretty great.
Around five o'clock Harry and the rest got ready for the ball. Hermione had looked as beautiful as the Yule ball and Ron looked better in his new dress robes of red and Harry wore his old ones. He tried to tame his hair, but decided that he'd let it do what it felt like. By luck, Harry had managed to Get Ginny to go with him to the ball. They all walked down together and met Amadeus along the way.
"Hello Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny. Don't be surprised if you find this ball.., surprising to say the least." He said with a grin on his face. "Miss Patil put it together; I think it should a rude awakening for you witches and wizards." He said. They opened the doors to see lights and fog everywhere.
"As I said, it's quite out of the ordinary for you!" Amadeus shouted.
Everyone took there seats and ordered there food. When they were done Professor Dumbledore stood up and spoke.
"Will the couples, please join me for the first dance?" He said. Mostly every stood up and started dancing to a slow mournful tune which seemed to be coming out of nowhere. All the teachers were dancing except one. Amadeus sat alone; his eyes were glaring at the students who were dancing and having a good time with their dates. The mood was happy, but he just sat and watched until Parvati Patil walk over to him. "Hi." She said quietly
"Hello Parvati." He said with a smile. She was astonished that he knew her name.
"I was wondering." she started.
"Would you care to dance, Parvati?" He said with a grin.
"Y-y-yes of course!" She squealed. He stood up and started to dance with her. Harry could see the sympathy in the eyes of the other teachers. Amadeus danced with all the courtesy and kindness he could. He showed everyone in the great hall how to dance properly, with unspoken elegance and grace. When the song was over, the rest of the student body started clapping. Amadeus took a bow, sat down, and was bombarded with requests for dances. When the slow song ended, a faster song started to be played and Harry recognized it as the kind of music muggle teenagers would listen to; techno. Students started dancing faster and even Dumbledore was attempting to dance to the speed of the music.
Amadeus had taken too much of this mockery known as dancing. He stood up and flipped himself on one arm and commenced in American style break dancing. Everyone formed a circle around Amadeus and watched him spin himself around to the beat of the music, this was dancing. Most people went to a school to learn this, but to Amadeus it was simply doing back flips, front flips, and head stands. The sad part was everyone was impressed with it.
At the end of the song, Amadeus stood up and bowed whilst everyone was applauding. He went back to sitting contently, watching everyone dance with their dates, but a strange figure caught his eye. A cloaked figure was mingling among the students and seemed to be going unnoticed. The figure left through the large doors and Amadeus followed, but he was unaware that Hermione was not too far behind him. He followed the figure down into the dungeon where it stopped, turned around, and revealed itself. It was Professor Valatifia. She had a look on her face as though she had been crying for months.
"I knew I couldn't kill you by any normal means." She said with her voice quivering. "Lord Voldemort told me I couldn't, but I decided to use a muggle method." She held in her hand a muggle gun and pointed it at Amadeus. "Maybe if I kill her, you'll finally be gone." She pointed the gun at Hermione and fired. Amadeus jumped in the way and blocked any bullets that could have done any serious damage. Hermione felt an excruciating pain in her leg and fell to the ground. Amadeus hadn't been so lucky. He was on his knees, his eyes wide open, blood pouring out of his mouth. Valatifia fled somewhere before Hermione saw dark.
*
Hermione woke up to find Dumbledore and the rest of the staff hovering over the bed next to her. "Professor, she's awake!" Ron yelled, his hand was clutched to hers. Professor Dumbledore walked over with a faint smile.
"Hello Miss Granger, that's quite a nasty wound you have in your inner thigh." He said. "But I'm afraid that you were the lucky one." He turned over to the bed next to her, where Amadeus lie. He was covered in blood and was riddled with holes. "I pray he'll survive."
There was silence for a while, when Hermione started talking.
"How did you find us?" She asked.
"The noise from the fireleg startled Filch and he got Dumbledore and they found you. Amadeus had actually carried you up the stairs before he lost most of his blood." Ron said shrilly.
"Dumbledore found you and took you and him to the hospital wing." Harry simplified.
"Wow.is he going to.?" Hermione asked silently, but it was one of the staff that answered.
"You can't get rid of him that easily." Professor McGonagall
"You really shouldn't help now." Madam Pomfrey said. "Your wasting energy you don't have." She snapped
"Sorry Poppy." Said Professor McGonagall.
* Students went home after the ball to see their parents before term started again. Harry and Ron spent all their time in the Hospital wing with Hermione. They were nearly kicked out because Ron tried to look up Hermione's gown to see the wound, but Harry managed to convince Madam Pomfrey to let them stay in unless Ron tried another stunt like that.
"You're such a pervert you know that, Ron?" Harry laughed. "I know that she's your girlfriend and everything but that's still perverted." He said.
"He's right Ron, when I want to show you what's there, I'll decide to. Until then you've got to have patients." Hermione tried to say firmly.
"Sorry." Said Ron dully, he leaned over like he was tying his shoe in order to try to she up her gown. "RON!" Hermione screamed. Ron looked around and then ran out of the hospital wing. His ears were redder then Harry had ever seen them before.
"So Hermione, when did they say you would be better?" Harry asked.
"Well, this is a severe accident so after some muscle reconstruction potion, I should be better." She said with a smile. "But, Amadeus has some time before he even regains consciousness." She frowned. "He gave up his life to protect mine."
"He did it for a good reason. He knows how smart you are, a brain like that can't go that early." Harry said in a brotherly tone.
"Thanks Harry." She said.
The first two weeks went by quickly. He was visiting Hermione when Professor McGonagall walked in with tears in her eyes.
"Potter, Miss Granger, we've gotten a letter from the Ministry." She held it out and sat down. "You may want to read it." She said quietly.
The Ministry regrets to inform you that Amadeus Potter had been declared dead at 12:22 P.M. Greenwich mean time. A funeral shall be scheduled shortly.
The Ministry of Magic.
Hermione broke into tears while reading and the note. She clung to Harry and wiped her tears.
"I'm sorry Harry." She whispered. Harry didn't know how to feel. There was hate, pain, sorrow, just too many emotions. Ron walked in shortly and read the note. He turned to the large, hole riddled body and touched on of the holes. Something happened that made Ron back away.
"H-h-h-he's alive!" Ron screamed.
"Ron, sometimes when you're not ready for someone to die you start-" Hermione was cut off.
"HE IS!" Ron backed away and the body moved.
"Touch the holes and I will beat you like a red headed step child." Said a slow, drawn voice. The large body stood up and took a deep breath. "Hello all, why are you all so sad now?" he asked.
"The ministry sent us a letter," Hermione squeaked. "Saying you were dead."
"They tried to heal me, Minerva?" He asked. She nodded. "Of course I was dead; any attempts to heal me would have stopped my heart to make sure I reject the medicine." He turned over to Hermione. "How are you? I saw that injury on your leg and got scared." He said, then leaned in and whispered. "Has Ron tried to see it?"
Hermione smiled and gave him a hug before he pulled her off. "Okay, the next person who touches one of my damn holes is going to have one of their own!" He screamed with a smile on his face. He closed his eyes and they watched in amazement as blood filled the many holes and the healed without a scare.
"Much better." He said while grinning
"I suppose." Harry responded dully. He didn't feel like telling Amadeus about his previous night's encounter with Ginny. He didn't want him to know how he felt about Ginny, or anything else for that matter.
"No problem, Harry. Just put the sword back and we won't push the matter any longer." He said. It was incredible, it was as if Harry had told him himself and Amadeus just had sympathy for him. "Girl trouble's, I know the feeling all too well. I've been around the block more than thirty times." He patted Harry's back and set him off towards the castle. It was almost time for lunch, so Harry sat in the Great Hall and waited for the bell to ring.
It wasn't long before students started to flood back into Great Hall. Ron and Hermione sat down next to Harry and started talking.
"I'm so exited! Today's my first lesson with Amadeus. He's going to teach me how to use that staff." Hermione said with glee, while Ron snorted. "I've read that book he gave me and have been practicing the basic methods. It should be rather easy." She said.
"It won't be," Ginny interrupted "anything he teaches takes hard work. He only manages to perfect his methods by constant practice." She said.
Lunch went by quickly and they all finished their classes. Hermione ran to the Dark Arts class room as fast as she could, where she found Amadeus and Professor Sophitia waiting for her and over Amadeus' shoulder was the Staff.
"Hello Hermione." They exclaimed at the same time. "I take it your ready for your first lesson." He laid the staff down on the table. "Touch it." Hermione knew the staff had to choose her, just like her wand did. She put her hand over it and felt it tingle, then pain shot through her hand and the tingling stopped. She picked up the staff.
"Good. Now, twirl it." Hermione looked at him strangely and started twirling it, it was surprisingly easy. It was easily spinning through the air, between her fingers. "Good, now I would like some pie, please." Hermione tapped the Staff on the desk and a steaming hot apple pie was resting of the desk. "Very good, I knew I chose the right person for that staff."
"Thank you." Hermione was extremely pleased with herself. She continued to make miniscule items until Amadeus decided to turn her on to something more powerful.
"Aim it at me, and cast the incantation on page two hundred and twenty." Hermione knew this was a freezing spell. She twirled the staff at him and muttered an incantation. Within moments a blue ray as wide ad the twirling staff was sending a terrible looking blizzard at him, with gale force winds and chunks of ice, all hurling at him at extreme speeds. He just stood there, unperturbed by the blizzard hitting him at every side. Minutes later Hermione stopped and the blizzard stopped.
"Very good." He smiled. "Come back on Saturday, and if you'd like, I am having some teacher's here. I am the residential expert on Alchemy. If you'd like to attend, I would be honored." He bowed.
"I'd love to." Hermione said with glee.
*
It was long before Saturday came, and Hermione went back to the dark arts classroom and greeted some of the teachers at the door. Hermione saw Amadeus socializing, so she decided it was best to stay out of the crowd. She sat in an empty desk in the back of the room, when Valatifia joined her.
"Hello Hermione." She said.
"Hello, Professor." She said dully. "May I ask you a question?"
"Certainly," She said, with brightness in her voice "Ask away."
"Well, what was Amadeus.before whatever he lived in America." She asked.
"Well, I forgot what you call them..Hit men! That's it; he was a hit man since we were separated. He was the best of his sort. Most militaries looked to him for teaching in hand to hand combat, then armed combat, and then he disappeared." She looked at him with love filled eyes. "He was brave beyond brave at times when none others would fight. He stood alone in so many battles," She looked at Hermione and laughed "and won as well."
At that time Amadeus stood up and showed everyone some basic potions. After about an hour everyone left and Hermione went back to the common room and told Harry, Ron and Ginny what she was told.
"Wow." Harry said. He was simply amazed.
"It's all rubbish. There's no way he did anything like that, Hermione would have read about it." Ron said with a snort.
"Actually I have, but somebody scorched out the names." She said.
"Well, this just proves he's greater than he seems I suppose." Ginny said.
"Yes, well I'm going to sleep." Hermione said quickly. She ran upstairs and Ginny followed.
* Ginny woke up early in the morning with the intent of getting a lesson from Valentine. Ginny got dressed and went to the dark arts corridor. She heard voices and put her ear to the door.
"I think he knows about us." She heard Valentines voice from behind the door. "Just be glad he gone for a weekend."
"I do not care what he thinks. We were meant for each other." She heard a male voice. Suddenly she heard footsteps and she hid behind a corner and waited for whoever was exiting to pass. She saw a rather portly man walk down the hall; he looked young, around mid twenties. He was rather tall but not nearly as tall as Amadeus. He walked by quickly and Ginny ran back to the common room to tell Harry and the others what she saw.
When she arrived at the common room she found it empty, but to no surprise. Breakfast had just started. Ginny ran down the stairs to tell the others but when she arrived, she had no need to. Valentine was sitting at the staff table, but in the lap of the portly man. Professor McGonagall was looking at them in a way which showed she was about to tell them off when a pair of gargantuan wings flew into the hall and landed in front of the staff table with a loud thud that echoed through the Great Hall.
At that moment two cold, hard, blue frosty eyes looked at them both and Amadeus stood up strait and a dark, monstrous voice spoke coolly.
"Boris." Amadeus spoke.
"You." The man said. He stood up and walked down to Amadeus.
"If you leave now I will consider not killing you mercilessly." Amadeus said.
"I fear you no longer." With saying this, he punched Amadeus in the stomach. Amadeus stood strong, unhurt in all possible ways.
"Wrong answer." Amadeus said. He took of his coat and threw it mindlessly behind him, he grabbed his hand, twisted it and kicked his leg and knocked him off his feet. Three loud cracks echoed through out the Great Hall. The fat man lay on the floor with blood oozing out of his mouth. Valentine crouched down in front of him, crying.
"Treacherous slut," Amadeus pulled on his jacket. "You're no longer welcome in my presence." He said, his voice was as cold as the air in his wake. With flick of his wrist the two vast doors leading out of the Great Hall flew off of their hinges and to the back of the Great Hall. Amadeus stormed out of the hall with a feeling of coldness and despair in his wake. Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione were shocked beyond all belief.
"Please..I'm sorry..." She whispered "Don't bother, what's the point in false love? Without true love, life is a life of despair." Amadeus said in the door way, his back turned towards her. "I believe you told me that, I was foolish enough to believe you. A life with happiness.., seems to exclude you." He said shortly. He turned and left without saying goodbye or taking one last look at his crying maiden.
That day seemed to be the longest in Hogwarts history. Professor Valatifia said a teary goodbye and said something to Ginny. She left without many words, she was just too sad. She told them she was going to visit her family and that they should not worry.
The rest of day passed slowly. No one dared disturbed Amadeus in his rage, the Dark arts corridor was unofficially off limits to anyone who dared be brave. Harry and the others sat in the common room and waited for the day to end. They all talked about the events that had occurred, it was basically the only thing to do. One by one people started to drift off into sleep. Harry and the others sat awake in the common room, alone. It had been too long a day to sleep.
"So, why do you think he got all angry like that for?" Ron said.
"Well I think it was obvious, what if Hermione had not only been cheating on you, but with someone really ugly." Ginny said. "I feel so bad for him; he really didn't deserve anything like that to happen to him." She whispered.
"Well I don't care; I still don't like him much." Ron spat.
"How could you say that? Remember that gold he gave you on the train?" Hermione said agitatedly.
"Yeah, but he wouldn't give me anymore." Ron said arrogantly.
"You're so self-centered." She said. "I'm going to bed."
"How about a kiss then?" Ron said with a smile on his face.
"You're too dense for a kiss." Hermione spat at Ron, instantly killing his smile. She ran upstairs with Ginny right behind her. Ron and Harry eventually went upstairs to sleep.
When dawn came, Ginny decided that Amadeus should have someone to talk to, so she ventured to Amadeus' quarters. She was about to knock on the door when she heard his voice.
"Come in, Ginny." He said. She opened the door and saw him reading a book. She walked over too him and realized that it wasn't a book, it was a picture album.
"Just looking at happier times," He said drearily. Ginny was heartbroken, she didn't know what to do. She was looking at someone who seemed so strong, yet broken. He stood up and tried too move when he realized Ginny clamped to his waist.
"You've still got me; you said I was like a daughter." Ginny said, her voice quivering.
He smiled, all the cold felt around him seemed to vanish at that moment "That's right, I did." He sat Ginny on his bed and they spent the morning looking at his old photographs and paintings of people he knew.
Ginny went down stairs just in time for breakfast.
"Where were you?" Ron asked with a mouth full of eggs.
"He's ba-" She said breathlessly, but was cut off by Professor Dumbledore.
"I am afraid our Dark Arts teacher is not going to be teaching for a short period of time, so the lessons will be given by our potions master, Professor Snape."
The Slytherin table broke out clapping. Harry could hear Malfoy bragging.
"All this just because he lost his girlfriend? Pathetic," He said before loud bangs echoed from the doors. They flew open and Amadeus was standing fully clothed and ready to join the staff for breakfast.
"Do not sell me out to be as weak as you think I am, Professor Dumbledore." He said with a smile, before walking to the Slytherin table.
"By the way, it was much more than losing a girlfriend. But you wouldn't know that pain, would you Malfoy? You've never had a girlfriend, much less go through puberty yet." He said to Malfoy, loud enough for the rest of the hall to share a laugh. The rest of the house tables broke into applause.
"It's good to be back." He said, adjusting his collar. He walked to the staff table and took his seat. He was greeted happily by the rest of the teachers and he sat down and cast an approving glance at Ginny before continuing his conversation with the rest of his fellow teachers.
The Halloween feast was as grand and delicious as usual. Amadeus had scheduled a special reading by a ghost whose name sounded like Alex Poodle or Allen Poe. The following days snailed by, it wasn't long before the long awaited Christmas break was upon them. Most of the school was awaiting the up coming ball which was rumored to be set up by a student whose identity was to remain anonymous. It wasn't long after everyone left when Harry felt the traditional nudge from Ron on Christmas morning.
"Wake up Harry!" Ron yelled. They ran down stairs and Harry had an unusually large amount of presents. "Let's see, mum sent you a sweater, another planner from Hermione, what's this?" Ron said, pointing to a small wooden box with a letter on top which Hermione instantly read.
"Dear Harry, I figured you would like this for practicing Quidditch. The other things I'm giving you can also prove themselves if you give them the chance. Enjoy these, Amadeus."
Harry opened the small box first and was immediately greeted by a familiar small ball of gold.
"Harry, that's a snitch!" Ron screeched. "Those are extremely valuable!" He said with his voice quivering. Hermione opened a larger package from Amadeus.
"Wow, I've seen this book before!" She said. She held up a large black book with ancient gold gothic writing which read: Dueling For Demi-gods.
"Should be interesting," Harry said. He opened a slightly smaller package, it was another book but it was much different than the other. Harry opened it to a random page, which read: How to get a girl to like you. Harry was amazed, he was just thinking of how to get Ginny to like him all night. He proceeded to think of different things and opening the book. Every page showed him what he wanted to see. The rest of the year should be pretty great.
Around five o'clock Harry and the rest got ready for the ball. Hermione had looked as beautiful as the Yule ball and Ron looked better in his new dress robes of red and Harry wore his old ones. He tried to tame his hair, but decided that he'd let it do what it felt like. By luck, Harry had managed to Get Ginny to go with him to the ball. They all walked down together and met Amadeus along the way.
"Hello Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny. Don't be surprised if you find this ball.., surprising to say the least." He said with a grin on his face. "Miss Patil put it together; I think it should a rude awakening for you witches and wizards." He said. They opened the doors to see lights and fog everywhere.
"As I said, it's quite out of the ordinary for you!" Amadeus shouted.
Everyone took there seats and ordered there food. When they were done Professor Dumbledore stood up and spoke.
"Will the couples, please join me for the first dance?" He said. Mostly every stood up and started dancing to a slow mournful tune which seemed to be coming out of nowhere. All the teachers were dancing except one. Amadeus sat alone; his eyes were glaring at the students who were dancing and having a good time with their dates. The mood was happy, but he just sat and watched until Parvati Patil walk over to him. "Hi." She said quietly
"Hello Parvati." He said with a smile. She was astonished that he knew her name.
"I was wondering." she started.
"Would you care to dance, Parvati?" He said with a grin.
"Y-y-yes of course!" She squealed. He stood up and started to dance with her. Harry could see the sympathy in the eyes of the other teachers. Amadeus danced with all the courtesy and kindness he could. He showed everyone in the great hall how to dance properly, with unspoken elegance and grace. When the song was over, the rest of the student body started clapping. Amadeus took a bow, sat down, and was bombarded with requests for dances. When the slow song ended, a faster song started to be played and Harry recognized it as the kind of music muggle teenagers would listen to; techno. Students started dancing faster and even Dumbledore was attempting to dance to the speed of the music.
Amadeus had taken too much of this mockery known as dancing. He stood up and flipped himself on one arm and commenced in American style break dancing. Everyone formed a circle around Amadeus and watched him spin himself around to the beat of the music, this was dancing. Most people went to a school to learn this, but to Amadeus it was simply doing back flips, front flips, and head stands. The sad part was everyone was impressed with it.
At the end of the song, Amadeus stood up and bowed whilst everyone was applauding. He went back to sitting contently, watching everyone dance with their dates, but a strange figure caught his eye. A cloaked figure was mingling among the students and seemed to be going unnoticed. The figure left through the large doors and Amadeus followed, but he was unaware that Hermione was not too far behind him. He followed the figure down into the dungeon where it stopped, turned around, and revealed itself. It was Professor Valatifia. She had a look on her face as though she had been crying for months.
"I knew I couldn't kill you by any normal means." She said with her voice quivering. "Lord Voldemort told me I couldn't, but I decided to use a muggle method." She held in her hand a muggle gun and pointed it at Amadeus. "Maybe if I kill her, you'll finally be gone." She pointed the gun at Hermione and fired. Amadeus jumped in the way and blocked any bullets that could have done any serious damage. Hermione felt an excruciating pain in her leg and fell to the ground. Amadeus hadn't been so lucky. He was on his knees, his eyes wide open, blood pouring out of his mouth. Valatifia fled somewhere before Hermione saw dark.
*
Hermione woke up to find Dumbledore and the rest of the staff hovering over the bed next to her. "Professor, she's awake!" Ron yelled, his hand was clutched to hers. Professor Dumbledore walked over with a faint smile.
"Hello Miss Granger, that's quite a nasty wound you have in your inner thigh." He said. "But I'm afraid that you were the lucky one." He turned over to the bed next to her, where Amadeus lie. He was covered in blood and was riddled with holes. "I pray he'll survive."
There was silence for a while, when Hermione started talking.
"How did you find us?" She asked.
"The noise from the fireleg startled Filch and he got Dumbledore and they found you. Amadeus had actually carried you up the stairs before he lost most of his blood." Ron said shrilly.
"Dumbledore found you and took you and him to the hospital wing." Harry simplified.
"Wow.is he going to.?" Hermione asked silently, but it was one of the staff that answered.
"You can't get rid of him that easily." Professor McGonagall
"You really shouldn't help now." Madam Pomfrey said. "Your wasting energy you don't have." She snapped
"Sorry Poppy." Said Professor McGonagall.
* Students went home after the ball to see their parents before term started again. Harry and Ron spent all their time in the Hospital wing with Hermione. They were nearly kicked out because Ron tried to look up Hermione's gown to see the wound, but Harry managed to convince Madam Pomfrey to let them stay in unless Ron tried another stunt like that.
"You're such a pervert you know that, Ron?" Harry laughed. "I know that she's your girlfriend and everything but that's still perverted." He said.
"He's right Ron, when I want to show you what's there, I'll decide to. Until then you've got to have patients." Hermione tried to say firmly.
"Sorry." Said Ron dully, he leaned over like he was tying his shoe in order to try to she up her gown. "RON!" Hermione screamed. Ron looked around and then ran out of the hospital wing. His ears were redder then Harry had ever seen them before.
"So Hermione, when did they say you would be better?" Harry asked.
"Well, this is a severe accident so after some muscle reconstruction potion, I should be better." She said with a smile. "But, Amadeus has some time before he even regains consciousness." She frowned. "He gave up his life to protect mine."
"He did it for a good reason. He knows how smart you are, a brain like that can't go that early." Harry said in a brotherly tone.
"Thanks Harry." She said.
The first two weeks went by quickly. He was visiting Hermione when Professor McGonagall walked in with tears in her eyes.
"Potter, Miss Granger, we've gotten a letter from the Ministry." She held it out and sat down. "You may want to read it." She said quietly.
The Ministry regrets to inform you that Amadeus Potter had been declared dead at 12:22 P.M. Greenwich mean time. A funeral shall be scheduled shortly.
The Ministry of Magic.
Hermione broke into tears while reading and the note. She clung to Harry and wiped her tears.
"I'm sorry Harry." She whispered. Harry didn't know how to feel. There was hate, pain, sorrow, just too many emotions. Ron walked in shortly and read the note. He turned to the large, hole riddled body and touched on of the holes. Something happened that made Ron back away.
"H-h-h-he's alive!" Ron screamed.
"Ron, sometimes when you're not ready for someone to die you start-" Hermione was cut off.
"HE IS!" Ron backed away and the body moved.
"Touch the holes and I will beat you like a red headed step child." Said a slow, drawn voice. The large body stood up and took a deep breath. "Hello all, why are you all so sad now?" he asked.
"The ministry sent us a letter," Hermione squeaked. "Saying you were dead."
"They tried to heal me, Minerva?" He asked. She nodded. "Of course I was dead; any attempts to heal me would have stopped my heart to make sure I reject the medicine." He turned over to Hermione. "How are you? I saw that injury on your leg and got scared." He said, then leaned in and whispered. "Has Ron tried to see it?"
Hermione smiled and gave him a hug before he pulled her off. "Okay, the next person who touches one of my damn holes is going to have one of their own!" He screamed with a smile on his face. He closed his eyes and they watched in amazement as blood filled the many holes and the healed without a scare.
"Much better." He said while grinning