Disclaimer: I only own the story.
Author's notes: See bottom of page.
Every Time I Close My Eyes – Chapter 12
Harry saw Neville sat by the fire in the common room. He cautiously went
over.
"Er, Neville?" No answer.
"Look, I know that it seems I've been using you, but you have to believe
me, I'd never do that!" Neville looked at him.
"Then why did you?" Harry was lost.
"Um, it's complicated." Neville glared back at the fire.
"Neville, you've known me for four years. I'd never use anyone! I swear
when all this is over you'll understand!" Harry voice had a pleading edge
to it. Neville sighed.
"I'm not even that mad anymore Harry. I just thought people would see
that I'm not rubbish at everything for once."
"You aren't rubbish at everything!"
"It's ok Harry, you can stop crawling now, I forgive you."
"No, I mean it. Look, what difference does it make me entering? You
knocked me down enough times in practice, why can't you just do it
again?"
"You sound like you want to lose?" said Neville.
"Um, no, it's not that, I just want to say,…. I believe you can win."
Neville smiled for the first time in the conversation.
"Thanks Harry. Hey, maybe we should practice together?"
Harry grinned with relief and agreed, but at the back of his mind he knew
that in a day or so Neville would be mad at him again.
Ron and Hermione had been pressing him to tell them what he'd wish for,
but kept getting no answer. Harry knew he'd have to think of something to
wish for soon, even if he wouldn't get to have it. The evening in the
common room was the most enjoyable since the beginning of term, all the
entrants being wished good luck and trying out their hexes. Harry stayed
off to the side a little, just enjoying the laughter. He had a nasty feeling
people wouldn't be so eager to speak to him this time tomorrow.
Hermione wandered over.
"Well I've looked at two more past wishes and haven't found anything."
"What do you mean?"
"I haven't found the reason you suddenly decided to enter." Harry sighed.
"There isn't a big secret reason, Hermione, can't I just change my mind?"
"You never have before. Plus, you don't seem very excited about it."
"Why should I be? All my friends are going to be fighting each other
tomorrow."
"Yes, but not in a serious way. Remember it's first disarmed or sent to the
floor, not first knocked unconscious or anything!" Harry didn't reply.
What if Mortority did hurt someone? Would he be blamed for it? What
if….what if he killed someone? Harry's eyes narrowed in determination.
He wouldn't let that happen. The night suddenly didn't seem so fun any
more.
Sirius was crying out, he was hurt. Harry tried to reach out to him, but he
couldn't move. Someone was laughing, Sirius was screaming, then a voice
said,
"Good luck Potter."
Harry woke up at the crack of dawn, covered in sweat. Ron mumbled
something in his sleep and turned over. Harry tried to slow his breathing.
He groped for his glasses, but his hand closed around something else. The
Pensieve Crystal. He picked it up and put it against his temple. Once again
it got very hot, so hot he dropped it on his bed. Images swirled inside for a
second then were gone. Harry realised he felt a lot calmer, and was
breathing normally. Using the crystal seemed to help him control himself,
make everything seem less hopeless. He dragged himself out of bed to get
a shower, hiding the crystal in his trunk again. He wasn't sure if other
people could see the images, it would be another way of getting them
killed, Harry supposed. He considered not using it or dropping it in the
lake, but it was helping him cope, and besides, it was a birthday present.
He was first to the common room, and there was a notice on their
noticeboard. The first round would start at 9.30 that morning, and would
last all day until there was a winner for the House year. Slytherin and the
other houses would have their first round on the next three days, and the
Griffindors would be able to go and watch. Great, thought Harry, I'll have
the whole school watch me make an idiot of myself. He didn't know what
Mortority had planned but he was sure it would hardly make him look
good.
Lavendar bounded down the stairs, startling him.
"Isn't it so exciting?!?" she didn't wait for an answer, dashing to the
noticeboard. "Oooooo, I don't think I can wait until 9.30!" She beamed at
him, then frowned. "You don't seem very excited?"
"I'm not." He said shortly and slouched down by the fire. Harry heard
Lavendar leave for the Great Hall. He didn't feel like eating, or like being
smirked at by Mortority. The other boys wandered down twenty minutes
later.
"Hey Harry. Up long?" Ron looked a bit pale.
"No more than usual. Nervous?" Ron indicated with a grunt that because
he was a guy of course he wasn't nervous, but showing he actually was by
not being able to answer.
"Um.....you want to go down now then?" Asked Harry.
"Sure." Said Ron, taking a deep breath.
People were milling around in the seats set up around the edges of the
Hall. The duelling area was set out in a glowing white line. Seamus spoke
up.
"What happens if you cross the line?"
"You lose." Replied Ron. Harry hadn't even known that. If he could lose
that easily, fine by him. He hadn't practised at all since the last time with
Neville, and was trying to forget everything he'd ever been taught.
Lavendar came over.
"They've put up our first duelling partners. It's Ron against Dean first,
then me and Harry, then Seamus and Neville." Lavendar then glared at
Harry. Harry looked at his watch, seeing it was almost half nine. His eyes
strayed to Sirius' name, which still hovered over lost. Harry glanced
around, then saw Mortority in conversation with Dumbledore. He looked
at his friends. Ron and Dean were laughing, Seamus was patting Neville's
arm. Lavendar was chatting to a Ravenclaw friend. What was Mortority
going to do to her? Harry decided he'd have to try and beat her before his
help was needed. Dumbledore climbed onto the stage.
"Ahem. Well, here we are, the first round. I know you are all nervous, but
there is no need. We will not be aiming to hurt each other, but if accidents
happen..." Here he gestured to Madam Pomfrey. "Will the first pair please
take the floor, and will everyone else be seated." Harry sat down with
everyone else. The other Griffindor fifth years had wandered in, and
Hermione scooched next to him. Harry remembered it was the whole of
Griffindors first round today, the other years must be held somewhere else.
Ron was stood at one end of the hall, Dean at the other. Dumbledore
spoke again. "Now, I'm sure you know the rules. Anyone who steps over
the line is disqualified. You only have to disarm or topple your opponent,
nothing more. When I send up green sparks, you will begin. If for any
reason I wish the duel to end, I will send up red sparks. Do you
understand?" Ron and Dean both nodded mutely. There was a long pause,
then the green sparks went up.
Both boys shouted "Expelliarmus!" at the same time, the spells colliding
in the air in a shower of magic. Dean sent out the jelly legs curse, almost
sending Ron over. Ron tottered close to the line, the hall filled with
laughter. He recovered and then said
"Accio Dean!" Dean looked as shocked as the rest of the Hall as he flew
towards Ron. Ron side-stepped out of the way, and Dean went sailing
over the line and into the wall. Everyone started clapping as Madam
Pomfrey dashed over, muttering about teenagers. Ron was beaming as he
watched his name on the wall move down a step towards the winner of the
first round. As the clapping died down he ran over to Harry and
Hermione.
"Well done....." Harry was cut off by Hermione.
"Ron that was amazing I would never had thought of it!"
"Aww, 'course you would have." said Ron, turning slightly pink. Harry
felt someone nudge him. Neville whispered,
"It's you!" Harry looked up, Lavendar was already inside the white line.
Having absolutely no idea what he would do, he stepped over. Mortority
stood level with him. Harry glared, but then heard Dumbledore say,
"Ready?" He saw Lavendar nod, then nodded himself. The green sparks
went up.
Once again, both opponents shouted, "Expelliarmus!" And the magic
collided. Harry saw Lavendar begin to say something, so shouted,
"Reducto!" Again, there was brilliant light as the spells met. Lavendar
reacted quickly and he heard "Mobilicorpus!" before feeling himself lifted
into the air. Laughter from the hall, but Harry saw Mortority walk to
Lavendar's side of the Hall. Harry had to do something. He still had his
wand, and decided to do to Lavendar what she did to him.
"Wingardiun Lervosia!" Lavendar shreiked as she was lifted up far
quicker than Harry. Mortority drew his wand. Harry desperately waved his
own around, making Lavendar fly through the air. She screamed again,
and he heard a clatter just before he fell to the floor. When he looked up,
he saw his own name magically move down a place. She dropped her
wand before he hit the floor. He had won. Breathing a bit heavily, he got
on his feet. Lavendar had stalked off in a huff, and Mortority was smiling
at him. He glared back and went back to Ron and Hermione, who
congratulated him.
"That was cool, doing a spell in mid-air!"
"Not as cool as what you did to Dean." said Harry. He smiled, but inside
he felt awful. Now he would have to face Ron to win. His attention was
caught by Neville moving into the duelling area, followed by Seamus.
Neville stuck to the plan. He disorientated Seamus with the jelly legs
curse, Seamus tottering around just as Ron had. Seamus tried to disarm
him, but couldn't aim with wobbling around, and Neville shouted out
"Reducto!" Seamus was knocked off his wobbling legs with a bump onto
the floor. Neville turned bright red as his name was moved down a place.
Seamus got himself up then wandered over to him.
"I can't believe I convinced you to enter!" Then he laughed, and both boys
sat down.
Dumbledore took the stage again.
"Well, that was very exciting. Now, we have three duellers left, one of you
will have to be picked to face the winner of a duel between the others. The
board will select who, according to your duelling times." The names
flashed on the board, then Neville's glowed. Harry and Ron's names
moved together, forming Harry Potter v Ronald Weasley. Harry looked at
Ron and gave a weak smile. Ron's returning smile was equally weak.
Harry said, "Look, this is a friendly. Whatever happens, it's just a
contest." Ron nodded and clapped his shoulder. They made their way
down.
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Author's notes: ACK!!!! I know I said I'd do the whole first round and it's
really mean to leave you there but I have to guys! I'm dangerously close to
that detention and battling with the evil ucas form! I swear, U'll get the
end of the first round tommorrow. No, really, you will.
Author's notes: See bottom of page.
Every Time I Close My Eyes – Chapter 12
Harry saw Neville sat by the fire in the common room. He cautiously went
over.
"Er, Neville?" No answer.
"Look, I know that it seems I've been using you, but you have to believe
me, I'd never do that!" Neville looked at him.
"Then why did you?" Harry was lost.
"Um, it's complicated." Neville glared back at the fire.
"Neville, you've known me for four years. I'd never use anyone! I swear
when all this is over you'll understand!" Harry voice had a pleading edge
to it. Neville sighed.
"I'm not even that mad anymore Harry. I just thought people would see
that I'm not rubbish at everything for once."
"You aren't rubbish at everything!"
"It's ok Harry, you can stop crawling now, I forgive you."
"No, I mean it. Look, what difference does it make me entering? You
knocked me down enough times in practice, why can't you just do it
again?"
"You sound like you want to lose?" said Neville.
"Um, no, it's not that, I just want to say,…. I believe you can win."
Neville smiled for the first time in the conversation.
"Thanks Harry. Hey, maybe we should practice together?"
Harry grinned with relief and agreed, but at the back of his mind he knew
that in a day or so Neville would be mad at him again.
Ron and Hermione had been pressing him to tell them what he'd wish for,
but kept getting no answer. Harry knew he'd have to think of something to
wish for soon, even if he wouldn't get to have it. The evening in the
common room was the most enjoyable since the beginning of term, all the
entrants being wished good luck and trying out their hexes. Harry stayed
off to the side a little, just enjoying the laughter. He had a nasty feeling
people wouldn't be so eager to speak to him this time tomorrow.
Hermione wandered over.
"Well I've looked at two more past wishes and haven't found anything."
"What do you mean?"
"I haven't found the reason you suddenly decided to enter." Harry sighed.
"There isn't a big secret reason, Hermione, can't I just change my mind?"
"You never have before. Plus, you don't seem very excited about it."
"Why should I be? All my friends are going to be fighting each other
tomorrow."
"Yes, but not in a serious way. Remember it's first disarmed or sent to the
floor, not first knocked unconscious or anything!" Harry didn't reply.
What if Mortority did hurt someone? Would he be blamed for it? What
if….what if he killed someone? Harry's eyes narrowed in determination.
He wouldn't let that happen. The night suddenly didn't seem so fun any
more.
Sirius was crying out, he was hurt. Harry tried to reach out to him, but he
couldn't move. Someone was laughing, Sirius was screaming, then a voice
said,
"Good luck Potter."
Harry woke up at the crack of dawn, covered in sweat. Ron mumbled
something in his sleep and turned over. Harry tried to slow his breathing.
He groped for his glasses, but his hand closed around something else. The
Pensieve Crystal. He picked it up and put it against his temple. Once again
it got very hot, so hot he dropped it on his bed. Images swirled inside for a
second then were gone. Harry realised he felt a lot calmer, and was
breathing normally. Using the crystal seemed to help him control himself,
make everything seem less hopeless. He dragged himself out of bed to get
a shower, hiding the crystal in his trunk again. He wasn't sure if other
people could see the images, it would be another way of getting them
killed, Harry supposed. He considered not using it or dropping it in the
lake, but it was helping him cope, and besides, it was a birthday present.
He was first to the common room, and there was a notice on their
noticeboard. The first round would start at 9.30 that morning, and would
last all day until there was a winner for the House year. Slytherin and the
other houses would have their first round on the next three days, and the
Griffindors would be able to go and watch. Great, thought Harry, I'll have
the whole school watch me make an idiot of myself. He didn't know what
Mortority had planned but he was sure it would hardly make him look
good.
Lavendar bounded down the stairs, startling him.
"Isn't it so exciting?!?" she didn't wait for an answer, dashing to the
noticeboard. "Oooooo, I don't think I can wait until 9.30!" She beamed at
him, then frowned. "You don't seem very excited?"
"I'm not." He said shortly and slouched down by the fire. Harry heard
Lavendar leave for the Great Hall. He didn't feel like eating, or like being
smirked at by Mortority. The other boys wandered down twenty minutes
later.
"Hey Harry. Up long?" Ron looked a bit pale.
"No more than usual. Nervous?" Ron indicated with a grunt that because
he was a guy of course he wasn't nervous, but showing he actually was by
not being able to answer.
"Um.....you want to go down now then?" Asked Harry.
"Sure." Said Ron, taking a deep breath.
People were milling around in the seats set up around the edges of the
Hall. The duelling area was set out in a glowing white line. Seamus spoke
up.
"What happens if you cross the line?"
"You lose." Replied Ron. Harry hadn't even known that. If he could lose
that easily, fine by him. He hadn't practised at all since the last time with
Neville, and was trying to forget everything he'd ever been taught.
Lavendar came over.
"They've put up our first duelling partners. It's Ron against Dean first,
then me and Harry, then Seamus and Neville." Lavendar then glared at
Harry. Harry looked at his watch, seeing it was almost half nine. His eyes
strayed to Sirius' name, which still hovered over lost. Harry glanced
around, then saw Mortority in conversation with Dumbledore. He looked
at his friends. Ron and Dean were laughing, Seamus was patting Neville's
arm. Lavendar was chatting to a Ravenclaw friend. What was Mortority
going to do to her? Harry decided he'd have to try and beat her before his
help was needed. Dumbledore climbed onto the stage.
"Ahem. Well, here we are, the first round. I know you are all nervous, but
there is no need. We will not be aiming to hurt each other, but if accidents
happen..." Here he gestured to Madam Pomfrey. "Will the first pair please
take the floor, and will everyone else be seated." Harry sat down with
everyone else. The other Griffindor fifth years had wandered in, and
Hermione scooched next to him. Harry remembered it was the whole of
Griffindors first round today, the other years must be held somewhere else.
Ron was stood at one end of the hall, Dean at the other. Dumbledore
spoke again. "Now, I'm sure you know the rules. Anyone who steps over
the line is disqualified. You only have to disarm or topple your opponent,
nothing more. When I send up green sparks, you will begin. If for any
reason I wish the duel to end, I will send up red sparks. Do you
understand?" Ron and Dean both nodded mutely. There was a long pause,
then the green sparks went up.
Both boys shouted "Expelliarmus!" at the same time, the spells colliding
in the air in a shower of magic. Dean sent out the jelly legs curse, almost
sending Ron over. Ron tottered close to the line, the hall filled with
laughter. He recovered and then said
"Accio Dean!" Dean looked as shocked as the rest of the Hall as he flew
towards Ron. Ron side-stepped out of the way, and Dean went sailing
over the line and into the wall. Everyone started clapping as Madam
Pomfrey dashed over, muttering about teenagers. Ron was beaming as he
watched his name on the wall move down a step towards the winner of the
first round. As the clapping died down he ran over to Harry and
Hermione.
"Well done....." Harry was cut off by Hermione.
"Ron that was amazing I would never had thought of it!"
"Aww, 'course you would have." said Ron, turning slightly pink. Harry
felt someone nudge him. Neville whispered,
"It's you!" Harry looked up, Lavendar was already inside the white line.
Having absolutely no idea what he would do, he stepped over. Mortority
stood level with him. Harry glared, but then heard Dumbledore say,
"Ready?" He saw Lavendar nod, then nodded himself. The green sparks
went up.
Once again, both opponents shouted, "Expelliarmus!" And the magic
collided. Harry saw Lavendar begin to say something, so shouted,
"Reducto!" Again, there was brilliant light as the spells met. Lavendar
reacted quickly and he heard "Mobilicorpus!" before feeling himself lifted
into the air. Laughter from the hall, but Harry saw Mortority walk to
Lavendar's side of the Hall. Harry had to do something. He still had his
wand, and decided to do to Lavendar what she did to him.
"Wingardiun Lervosia!" Lavendar shreiked as she was lifted up far
quicker than Harry. Mortority drew his wand. Harry desperately waved his
own around, making Lavendar fly through the air. She screamed again,
and he heard a clatter just before he fell to the floor. When he looked up,
he saw his own name magically move down a place. She dropped her
wand before he hit the floor. He had won. Breathing a bit heavily, he got
on his feet. Lavendar had stalked off in a huff, and Mortority was smiling
at him. He glared back and went back to Ron and Hermione, who
congratulated him.
"That was cool, doing a spell in mid-air!"
"Not as cool as what you did to Dean." said Harry. He smiled, but inside
he felt awful. Now he would have to face Ron to win. His attention was
caught by Neville moving into the duelling area, followed by Seamus.
Neville stuck to the plan. He disorientated Seamus with the jelly legs
curse, Seamus tottering around just as Ron had. Seamus tried to disarm
him, but couldn't aim with wobbling around, and Neville shouted out
"Reducto!" Seamus was knocked off his wobbling legs with a bump onto
the floor. Neville turned bright red as his name was moved down a place.
Seamus got himself up then wandered over to him.
"I can't believe I convinced you to enter!" Then he laughed, and both boys
sat down.
Dumbledore took the stage again.
"Well, that was very exciting. Now, we have three duellers left, one of you
will have to be picked to face the winner of a duel between the others. The
board will select who, according to your duelling times." The names
flashed on the board, then Neville's glowed. Harry and Ron's names
moved together, forming Harry Potter v Ronald Weasley. Harry looked at
Ron and gave a weak smile. Ron's returning smile was equally weak.
Harry said, "Look, this is a friendly. Whatever happens, it's just a
contest." Ron nodded and clapped his shoulder. They made their way
down.
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Author's notes: ACK!!!! I know I said I'd do the whole first round and it's
really mean to leave you there but I have to guys! I'm dangerously close to
that detention and battling with the evil ucas form! I swear, U'll get the
end of the first round tommorrow. No, really, you will.