Author's Notes: Thank you to all my reviewers! Your support is greatly
appreciated. Sorry to all those who have requested certain partnerships –
the plan for each character was mapped out before the story was first
posted and I don't intend to change it… Please read on anyway! Sorry that
this instalment was late – yesterday was Australia Day and there was a big
fireworks display that I went to see, so I wasn't home until 2am. I don't
really think that my family would have been too happy if I tried to turn on
the computer and post it then! Also, I have exams next week so Tuesday's
instalment might be delayed or nonexistent, depending on how stressed I
get. Next Friday I will be at the Day/night cricket (*drool* Daniel
Vettori! *grins*), but hopefully I will be awake long enough on Saturday to
post. Apologies in advance!
I hope you all like this chapter. It's shorter than other but more important things happen! Read and review please! Flames are not welcome and will be used to ignite next year's Australia Day fireworks! :-)
Chapter Four – Announcements and Applause
Friday couldn't come soon enough for Harry, who was looking forward to finding out who else would be up for auction. He had had a great week – Malfoy was still being tormented by the pink teddy bear rumour, and had kept away from Harry, Ron and Hermione. They were grateful for this, particularly Hermione, as it meant that they could concentrate more on their studies, and as Hermione often reminded them "OWLs are coming up soon, you know!"
By Friday night Harry was glad to have a rest from studying. As he walked into the Great Hall with his fellow Gryffindors, he was instantly aware of a great sense of excitement and anticipation. Everyone was chattering excitedly, and from what he could hear it was all about the slave auction. He grinned. Thank god everyone has finally stopped worrying about Voldemort! I mean I guess worry is natural, but not all day every day!
The Great Hall filled quickly and when Dumbledore stood up, the Hall went instantly quiet.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, Good evening"
There was a chorus of "Good evenings" in reply.
"I am sure that you are all eagerly anticipating the announcement of nominees for the slave auction. I must again remind you that every student has the right to not participate. Please respect that right."
Suddenly the doors opened and Filch appeared, carrying the Lantern of Lurve. He carried it through the Great Hall and placed it at the staff table, in front of Professor Dumbledore.
"Thank you, Mr Filch. Now, without further ado lets find out who has been nominated… Mr Fred Weasley!"
Fred stood up and nodded his head vigorously. Applause and cheering broke out, to which Fred waved and bowed.
"Lee Jordan!" Lee looked puzzled, and Harry could see him talking to George. Lee looked up at Dumbledore before slowly shaking his head, still looking utterly bewildered. A number of jeers could be heard, coming from the direction of the Slytherin table.
"That's enough!" Thundered Dumbledore. "I thought I made it clear that noone be harassed for their choices! If this continues then I will have no choice but to call this whole thing off!" The hall fell as quiet as a mouse.
"That's better. Now, Mr Jordan is objecting, because he has kindly agreed to act as our auctioneer. Thank you Mr Jordan." Some applause broke out, although Harry could see the Slytherin table sitting in stony silence.
"Mr George Weasley!"
"Mr Justin Finch-Fletchley!"
"Miss Hannah Abbott!"
Dumbledore read off a number of names, including quite a few people that Harry didn't know. Most people agreed, but one or two shook their heads, including one young girl who looked like she would burst into tears if someone so much as spoke to her. Harry also noticed that everyone who was nominated was from Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. Apparently none of the Slytherins would lower themself to the level of a slave, even if it was only for a day and for a good cause.
"Miss Hermione Granger!"
What the-? Harry looked up in shock. Ron had a look of utter disbelief on his face that Harry suspected might be mirrored in his own face. Hermione paused for a moment, seemingly weighing things up, before standing, smiling broadly and nodding her head. Loud cheers could be heard from all along the Gryffindor table as she sat down, grinning at Harry and Ron, who were still frozen from the shock.
"'Mione… have you gone mad? This isn't you!"
"Oh shut up Ron," she replied breezily. "I felt like trying something new. Is that a crime?"
Ron stared at her, his mouth hanging open. Harry felt obliged to break the silence.
"Well, I for one think that this is great! Very brave of you. Way to go, Mione!"
Ron had barely had time to react from one surprise when another came along.
"Miss Ginny Weasley!"
Ginny looked just as shocked as Ron. She brushed bright red and looked around angrily at the table. She found what she was looking for in Fred and George, who were talking together and trying not to laugh. Putting two and two together, Harry realised that Fred and George must have submitted Ginny's name without telling her.
"Poor Ginny…" he said aloud. Hermione nodded. Obviously she had come to the same conclusion as Harry. Ginny looked as mad as Harry had seen her get. She shot a death look at the twins before standing and nodding her head. The twins looked shocked - apparently they hadn't expected her to go through with it. Ron was still sitting speechless, a look of complete bewilderment on his face. But the shocks were not over yet, for the next name that Dumbledore read out was the most surprising of them all!
A/N: Hahaha, cliffhanger! Sorry! See you here for the next episode of Harry Potter and the Lantern of Lurve…
I hope you all like this chapter. It's shorter than other but more important things happen! Read and review please! Flames are not welcome and will be used to ignite next year's Australia Day fireworks! :-)
Chapter Four – Announcements and Applause
Friday couldn't come soon enough for Harry, who was looking forward to finding out who else would be up for auction. He had had a great week – Malfoy was still being tormented by the pink teddy bear rumour, and had kept away from Harry, Ron and Hermione. They were grateful for this, particularly Hermione, as it meant that they could concentrate more on their studies, and as Hermione often reminded them "OWLs are coming up soon, you know!"
By Friday night Harry was glad to have a rest from studying. As he walked into the Great Hall with his fellow Gryffindors, he was instantly aware of a great sense of excitement and anticipation. Everyone was chattering excitedly, and from what he could hear it was all about the slave auction. He grinned. Thank god everyone has finally stopped worrying about Voldemort! I mean I guess worry is natural, but not all day every day!
The Great Hall filled quickly and when Dumbledore stood up, the Hall went instantly quiet.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, Good evening"
There was a chorus of "Good evenings" in reply.
"I am sure that you are all eagerly anticipating the announcement of nominees for the slave auction. I must again remind you that every student has the right to not participate. Please respect that right."
Suddenly the doors opened and Filch appeared, carrying the Lantern of Lurve. He carried it through the Great Hall and placed it at the staff table, in front of Professor Dumbledore.
"Thank you, Mr Filch. Now, without further ado lets find out who has been nominated… Mr Fred Weasley!"
Fred stood up and nodded his head vigorously. Applause and cheering broke out, to which Fred waved and bowed.
"Lee Jordan!" Lee looked puzzled, and Harry could see him talking to George. Lee looked up at Dumbledore before slowly shaking his head, still looking utterly bewildered. A number of jeers could be heard, coming from the direction of the Slytherin table.
"That's enough!" Thundered Dumbledore. "I thought I made it clear that noone be harassed for their choices! If this continues then I will have no choice but to call this whole thing off!" The hall fell as quiet as a mouse.
"That's better. Now, Mr Jordan is objecting, because he has kindly agreed to act as our auctioneer. Thank you Mr Jordan." Some applause broke out, although Harry could see the Slytherin table sitting in stony silence.
"Mr George Weasley!"
"Mr Justin Finch-Fletchley!"
"Miss Hannah Abbott!"
Dumbledore read off a number of names, including quite a few people that Harry didn't know. Most people agreed, but one or two shook their heads, including one young girl who looked like she would burst into tears if someone so much as spoke to her. Harry also noticed that everyone who was nominated was from Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. Apparently none of the Slytherins would lower themself to the level of a slave, even if it was only for a day and for a good cause.
"Miss Hermione Granger!"
What the-? Harry looked up in shock. Ron had a look of utter disbelief on his face that Harry suspected might be mirrored in his own face. Hermione paused for a moment, seemingly weighing things up, before standing, smiling broadly and nodding her head. Loud cheers could be heard from all along the Gryffindor table as she sat down, grinning at Harry and Ron, who were still frozen from the shock.
"'Mione… have you gone mad? This isn't you!"
"Oh shut up Ron," she replied breezily. "I felt like trying something new. Is that a crime?"
Ron stared at her, his mouth hanging open. Harry felt obliged to break the silence.
"Well, I for one think that this is great! Very brave of you. Way to go, Mione!"
Ron had barely had time to react from one surprise when another came along.
"Miss Ginny Weasley!"
Ginny looked just as shocked as Ron. She brushed bright red and looked around angrily at the table. She found what she was looking for in Fred and George, who were talking together and trying not to laugh. Putting two and two together, Harry realised that Fred and George must have submitted Ginny's name without telling her.
"Poor Ginny…" he said aloud. Hermione nodded. Obviously she had come to the same conclusion as Harry. Ginny looked as mad as Harry had seen her get. She shot a death look at the twins before standing and nodding her head. The twins looked shocked - apparently they hadn't expected her to go through with it. Ron was still sitting speechless, a look of complete bewilderment on his face. But the shocks were not over yet, for the next name that Dumbledore read out was the most surprising of them all!
A/N: Hahaha, cliffhanger! Sorry! See you here for the next episode of Harry Potter and the Lantern of Lurve…
