Harry Potter and the Return Of Lord Voldemort Part 9
"So many murders. There's been so many murders and it's just Halloween." Harry murmured, as he got ready for the Halloween Feast.
"What?" Ron asked. He was standing on the other side of the room. "Just thinking about… you know… Neville." Harry muttered, looking away. Ron sighed sympathetically. "Harry, Neville's death wasn't your fault. No one's death was your fault."
Harry looked into his eyes and said softly, "Then why do I feel so bad inside?" Ron shrugged hopelessly.
"Because you take it upon yourself, I guess," he replied.
"Yeah, but Ron! So many people have died, and it's just the beginning of the school year. I mean, think about it. If this continues, everyone on earth will be dead before this year's Graduation Day! And it's all my fault!" Harry said, his voice rising.
"Harry, don't worry. Everything will work out. You'll see. They always do. Everything's going to be fine," Ron said, trying to calm him down.
"Oh yeah? Tell that to Cedric and the dead Durmstrang kids." Harry said bitterly.
* * *
Harry, Ron and Hermoine walked into the Great Hall. Relana met them there, grinning excitedly. "Hey guys! Isn't this great!? I tell you, I've never seen such magnificent decorations." She squealed happily. A few bats flew past them.
"Look! Live bats! How cool is that?" she asked, grinning form ear to ear, pointing at them. Harry and Ron stared and Hermoine smiled. "Wait till you see the school at Christmas," she informed Relana.
"You've been drinking coffee, haven't you?" Harry asked, still staring. Relana nodded. "How great is that taste? It makes me feel so young!" she exclaimed. The boys stared again.
Coffee? Taste great? "Relana, you are young. You're only fifteen!" Harry said. "Shall we go in? We're blocking the way," Hermoine suggested, hastily changing the subject. Relana nodded and they walked in.
Hogwarts had outdone itself again. The Great Hall was magnificent. The pumpkins were enchanted to say 'Happy Halloween!' whenever anyone walked by. Bats crowded the enchanted ceiling. The suits of armors were gone and instead of them, their places were taken by
"Shadow Creatures!" Hermoine squealed. The class had learned about Shadow Creatures at their last Care of Magical Creatures. Professor Kettleburn walked in. "Hello, gentlemen, ladies. Have you your dates?" he asked.
Harry frowned. "Dates?" he asked, confused.
"Certainly," Kettleburn said smiling, "Don't tell me you haven't heard. All fifth years can bring dates, if they wish. If you do bring a date or meet one here, you can dance if you want."
"Whose your date?" Ron inquired. Kettleburn smirked. "Professor Luna," he grinned. "Have fun kids," he added, as Professor Luna entered the Hall and walked away with her.
"Well, that's surprising," Harry said staring after the two. Ron and Hermoine walked off in search of dates. Harry turned to Relana. "Will you be my date?" they asked each other in unison.
They laughed at their alike ways of thinking. Harry held out his arm, and Relana took it. They met Fred and George. Fred was holding Angelina Johnson's hand and George was holding Alicia Spinnet's.
They met Dean and Seamus. "Hey, who's your date?" Harry asked Seamus. "Dean," he answered immeadiately.
Harry frowned. "Dean?!" he asked, confused. Dean smiled and nodded.
(A/N: If you don't like M/M slash, don't worry. The book's called Harry Potter not Dean and Seamus. I'm not so crazy about homosexuals, either, but my sister said that I was close-minded when I became disgusted by Willow's relationship with Tara in Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, so this is to prove her wrong! Ha! So there!)
Relana smiled. "Goodbye, you two. Have a lovely time," she teased lightly. Seamus smiled. "Your girl's hot too, Harry. What is it with you getting the good ones, even when you are late?"
* * *
Hagrid and Maxime climbed the mountains and finally reached the top. Hagrid, brushed the sweat off his forehead. "The mountains just had to be Unapparatable, didn' it?" he growled.
"It doez not matter, 'agrid. You cannot Apparate, anywayz," Maxime said, dusting herself off. Hagrid ignored her and said, "Hey, look! It's the village!" Maxime looked up and exclaimed "It iz 'uge!"
The two of them made their way to the giants town in the mountains. Hagrid whispered to her, "It's up to us now," Maxime nodded, but didn't say anything. Hagrid rapped on the door of one of the doors. Silence. He knocked again.
The door swung open and a giant stepped out. Hagrid gasped. This giant was one he vaguely remembered. One he never expected to see again. One he thought was dead. "Mum!" he rasped.