To Choose the Lesser of Two Evils
Chapter 7: Roller Coaster
Spoilers: All four books
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned
by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books,
Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being
made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
**
"I had that dream about you again
Where I wait outside
Until you let me in
And now I'm breathing deeply
Walking backwards
Finding strength to call and ask her
Roller Coaster, favorite ride
Let me kiss you one last time
Goodnight, goodnight"
~ Blink-182 "Roller Coaster"
**
"Badria! Get up! We're going to Hogsmeade!" yelled Hermione.
"Ahh ... All right! I'm getting up," Badria mumbled, then promptly
rolled over and fell back asleep.
"Come on!" exclaimed Hermione, pulling the blankets off of the
sleeping girl. "We're leaving in an hour!"
"An hour? Why didn't you wake me sooner?" asked Badria, now wide-awake.
She jumped out of bed and ran to the bathroom to get ready.
**
Hermione and Badria met Ron and Harry in the common room at exactly half past
ten. Hermione had allowed Badria to use a couple of relaxing charms on
her hair, so now it was full of soft waves, rather than its normal bushiness.
Badria had also used some of her make up on Hermione. She *really*
looked nice. She had confessed to Badria the night before that she had
feelings for Ron. It had seemed like the perfect opportunity to get Ron
to notice her.
"Oh good, you're ready. We should leave now so we don't have to wait
for a carriage," said Harry. Badria noticed happily that Ron didn't
say anything- he was too interested in looking at Hermione.
"Today's going to be so much fun!" said Badria. "I've
heard such great things about your Halloween feast."
"They usually are pretty fun. I wonder if Dumbledore arranged for
any entertainment," said Hermione.
"You know what? It seems like every year, something major happens on
Halloween," said Ron thoughtfully. "Like first year, there was
that whole big thing with the troll, and the three of us became friends."
"Second year we went to the Deathday party and Mrs. Norris was attacked by
the basilisk," put in Harry.
"Oh and during our third year Sirius attacked the Fat Lady," said
Hermione.
"And last year was the Goblet of Fire, when Harry was chosen as the fourth
champion," finished Ron.
"Wonder what'll happen this year," said Harry as he got in the
carriage.
**
The four spent the day shopping. Badria wanted to mail some packages that
she had bought, so Harry said he would take her. Perfect, thought Badria,
We'll leave Ron and Hermione alone for awhile.
"You bought a lot of stuff. Who are you sending it all to?"
asked Harry.
"Some of my friends at Beauxbatons," explained Badria.
"Oh ... you haven't seen them since you left, have you?"
"No, and I miss them so much," said Badria. When they got
there, Harry wrapped each item while Badria wrote out the addresses. They
all had the same address - Beauxbatons Palace, just different names - Fleur
Delacour, Clarissa Heughton, Louise Haverforge, Margo Vilanio, etc.
Once they were done, Harry asked Badria if she wanted to go to Three
Broomsticks for a butterbeer. She said yes, suddenly remembering Seamus.
Maybe he'll be there already, she thought, I don't want to hurt his
feelings.
**
The Three Broomsticks was full of Hogwarts students. It took awhile to
find a table, but eventually they found a small table in the corner.
Badria sat down while Harry went to get drinks. From where she was
sitting, she spotted Ron and Hermione. They were sitting together at a
small table not unlike her own. She could also see that they were
involved in a deep conversation. Obviously she couldn't hear what was
being said, but by the look on Hermione's face, it was a good sign.
Harry came back with two butterbeers, handing one to Badria. She thanked
him, and proceeded to drink it. She finished it no less than two minutes
later. She hadn't realized quite how thirsty she was.
"Wow, that was really good. I've only had butterbeer once or twice,
when I was younger," said Badria.
"Yeah, it's my favorite," said Harry, as he finished his.
"Hmm ... did you see Ron and Hermione?"
"Yes, I saw them on my way back from the bar. They do seem to be
getting quite cozy over there, don't they?"
"It's about damn time," said Badria with a giggle.
"You noticed too? I knew something was going on ever since the Yule
Ball. The last time I told Ron to get a move on he ignored me completely
and started talking about our History of Magic essay."
"Oh I heard about the thing at the Yule Ball - Did you see that?!?"
"Way to go Ron!" said Harry, for Hermione had just kissed him on the
cheek, leaving him pink. Badria turned to the door just as Dean and
Seamus walked in.
"Harry, I told Seamus that I would get a butterbeer with him, so when he
and Dean come over, can you get Dean to leave with you? Please?"
begged Badria.
"Since you're begging, I guess so. But you owe me," said Harry,
unsuccessfully trying to suppress a chuckle.
"Thanks! You're the greatest!" exclaimed Badria, giving him a quick
peck on the cheek. Harry looked towards Seamus, so Badria couldn't see
him blush.
"Guys, over here!" called Badria to the two boys. They turned
and walked over.
"Hey, what's up?" asked Seamus, taking a seat next to Badria.
"Not much, we just finished sending some owls and I wanted to come and
wait for you," said Badria.
"Well I'm done with my butterbeer, so I'm going to head to Zonko's. Want
to come, Dean?" asked Harry.
"All right, I'll see you two later," said Dean, as he and Harry got
up to leave. After they were gone, Seamus and Badria talked about the
upcoming feast over two butterbeers.
**
What is she doing over there with Finnegan? Draco wondered, drinking his
butterbeer.
"Draco, what are you doing?" asked Crabbe.
"Thinking of a way to get Finnegan away from my girl," he muttered.
**
When Badria and Hermione walked into the Great Hall that night, they were amazed.
The decorations were spectacular. Thousands of bats swooped from
the ceiling, and boulder-sized jack-o-lanterns decorated the walls. A
singing and dancing skeleton act preceded the feast. After that, wood
nymphs serenaded the students as they sat and talked. Badria had ended up
sitting with Seamus, who pleasantly shocked her by giving her a kiss at the end
of the night before she went her room.
Once Badria turned the first corner, she bolted to the fifth year dormitory.
A bubbling Hermione greeted her.
"He asked me out!" she squealed.
"He kissed me!" responded Badria.
"Aughhh!" both exclaimed as they hugged each other.
"Sit down, I want to hear all of the details!" said Badria.
Hermione began her story, and the two were up well past midnight talking.
**
The next day started slowly, as most days following holidays do. Badria
was sitting with Hermione at breakfast when her father's owl dropped a letter
off in front of her and left. She picked it up and opened it.
Dear Badria,
I'm sorry that you have to learn this through a letter, but it's the only way
right now. There is going to be a trial in a couple of weeks. You
may go if you wish. But until then, Lucius and I have to go into Ministry
custody. We won't be held in Azkaban, thank God, but somewhere in the
Ministry headquarters. All of our mail will be read, so be careful.
Expect frequent letters from your mother during the next couple weeks,
and do be there for her, she's quite upset. We'll be leaving in ten
minutes, so I have to end this now. Oh and be there for Draco too.
I know this is going to be hard for both of you, and at least you can be
there for each other.
Love,
Ramsay
Badria looked up, too stunned to think. She could see Draco at the
Slytherin table, opening a letter. It had to be from Lucius. She
wanted to run over there to stop him from reading it, but she couldn't move.
When she thought of how he had treated her, she lost that urge.
"Badria? What's wrong?" asked Hermione.
"We need to talk."
**
A/N: Well, there it is. I really put some work into this one, and I hope
it paid off. The title is from a blink-182 song called "Roller
Coaster", which is a really awesome song and part of it was included in
the chapter. Speaking of which, I saw blink in Boston ~ 7-28-01 ~ the
best night of my life. I would really like some feedback on this chapter,
and on what you think is going to happen. So please tell me what you
thought. I love getting reviews, something about them just brightens my
day. : )
Also, if you're a big fan of *Draco* come and join the Yahoo! Group my friend
and I created, called Ego Amo Draco. Even if Draco's not your fave, it's
also for - but not limited to - D/G and H/H shippers. I hope to see you
there soon. The address is:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EgoAmoDraco
THANK YOUS
My reviewers of chapter six!
silversmarties
I.C. Fire
Caitlin Allyana
princesstAra
lisa
Bella Marie
thumbelinaflower
Phoebe Angela
You rock!
My wonderful betas!
You deserve so much credit: Danette, Caitlin Allyana, and Zsenya.
*ashliee evilia.