Disclaimer- I don't own Harry Potter, and I don't' own Adamo Redamo (Go JediGinny!) and I don't own anything by Terry Pratchet. But you should read his books, and I don't anything by Patricia C. Wrede, but you should read her books to.
A/N- Come on people, I'm not going to stop writing because of lack of reviews but Jesus, is it really so hard to review? I have over 2000 HITS, AND ONLY 40 REVIEWS, COME ON! There, now I feel a little better.
The DanceRon collapsed onto his bed, sobbing helplessly. His parents had let him go soon after hearing the news; they knew that Ron needed to be alone with his grief for a time, just like Bill. So now he was here, on his bed, in his room, the same room he'd been living in for the past 5 years, but now-
Loss was something hard to deal with, it always is. Charlie had been more than a brother to Ron, Percy Fred and George were his brothers, but Charlie had been like a brother, and a friend. He had fond memories of Charlie playing with him, talking to him. And now- Charlie had been killed. It hadn't been by a person, no, an animal. A dragon. And that almost made it worse; there was really no one to blame. Charlie had been at the top of his field, if there was anyone that knew everything about dragons it was Charlie.
At least he died happy; no one's seen a real quicksilver dragon in 500 years. Ron sighed and felt the tears leave him, and his sorrow settled in his stomach like a cold pit. Just then Neville waltzed in the door, his manner jaunty and his face happy. It all stopped when he saw Ron.
"Ron?" Neville asked. Ron choked; he didn't want anyone to see him, not in this state. Neville looked at Ron and then moved forward onto Ron's bed. He sat down beside him and awkwardly put a hand on his back, just running his hand back and forth. Ron collapsed face first into the pillows again, bone wearied.
Neville was lost at what to do, he didn't know why Ron was crying, all he knew was that he didn't want Ron to cry, it pained him to see someone so strong, someone so powerful, reduced to a sobbing quivering mass.
"It's ok Ron-"
"NO! It'll never be ok, he's dead damn it, you don't get better from dead." Ron snapped. Neville paused, who was dead?
"Ron…" Neville trailed off and Ron shuddered as he felt sorrow well up through him again. But showing emotion was something Ron didn't do well, and so he bit back tears, and painfully swallowed his sobs, until he was calm and only his shaking hands and tear streaked face betrayed him.
"It was- Charlie." He choked out. Neville went cold, Charlie? He clutched Ron then and offered him the same comfort Harry had gifted to him earlier. But right now it'll be just the two of us, and maybe I can show that it doesn't have to hurt so much, or that maybe, we can share this.
Victor stared out across the lake, and threw the stone. One, two, three- it skipped five times before sinking. Victor sighed and looked at the late noon sky. The last vestiges of summer were clinging to the autumn sky, and right now there was still light amongst the reds yellows and oranges of the Forbidden Forest.
Time was flying past at a tremendous speed, he wasn't sure that there would be enough to stop the coming storm. He smiled then, softly, as he felt a strong-arm slip around his waist.
"Why do you stare so Victor?" Alex whispered into his ear, his Bulgarian perfect. Victor sighed into his grasp.
"It is all moving so fast, but we must trust Dumbledore, he is the only one that can guide us all through this. But I guess what's bothering me most is I haven't played Quidditch in ages." Alex nodded.
"Start a club, with that Hooch woman maybe, she's appeared a little disconsolate lately too. It would be good for kids." And for you. Alex thought.
"Yes, yes I shall." Victor said. And then noticed just how close Alex was standing. "We've never done it on a beach before have we?" Alex shook his head and Victor could feel him blushing.
"Variety-" Victor kissed him softly. "Is-" Another kiss. "The-" Sliding his hands under Alex's robes, another kiss. "Spice-" Inhaling his smell. "Of-" Pressing himself tightly against his love. "Life…" A soft whisper, and then no more words.
But then again, what words were needed?
"I couldn't find him 'Mione." Harry said. She sighed.
"Let's see we've looked everywhere but- a god Harry's he's in your dorm room." She said as she threw her hands up. "It figures you know? Why couldn't have just grabbed the Marauders Map or something and then we wouldn't have had to search everywhere?" She ranted and absentmindedly hopped over a disappearing step. Harry took it and cursed as his foot rolled. Hermione caught him and pulled him up, not even breaking the rhythm of her talking.
"-I mean honestly, and what's gotten into Ron, why's he hiding- Oh Harry, what if he's in there with Neville? Maybe it's already happened I don't need to do anything?" Hermione squeaked gleefully. Harry shook his head.
"What happened to you 'Mione?" She sobered instantly and looked at him sadly.
"After- the tournament, and I nearly lost you Harry, you're the dearest friend, between you and Ron we keep each other sane. I hope we never separate, but-' She paused. "I almost lost that friendship, and I realized, life's to short to be only about school work and getting ahead. They're important, but love and laughing outweighs them by so very much." Harry nodded, and instantly regretted not spending more time with Hermione and Ron, he resolved to fix the problem.
"Jobberknoll." He walked into the dorm, and stopped cold at the sight that awaited him. Hermione get up here he shot at her mentally. Neville looked at him, and his eyes were puffy from crying too. Ron hiccupped and sobbed again. Harry quickly walked over to the too and looked at Neville, his eyes begging the question.
"Charlie died." Neville whispered, and Harry went cold deep in his gut.
Power, it was such a relative thing. Pansy Parkinson thought that power was synonymous with control, but how to gain control? Through respect, fear, love? Emotions were where battles were won, win someone's heart and they were yours.
"And that ultimately is where you fail Voldemort, you inspire only fear, and that is most pathetic emotion." Pansy spoke softly to herself, and she smiled bitterly as the cold wind rose to a high moan on the tallest tower of the castle. The lake was beautiful at this time, it sparkled like a million diamonds, and the ships of the Durmstang students made it appear that great shadow's moved in the water, in addition to the giant squid of course.
"Answers, I need answers." Pansy had always like Draco, had even convinced herself she could love him. But Pansy was nothing if not realistic. Draco obviously- loved that Finnigan, and yet-
Wasn't Potter going out with Finnigan? Which meant one of two things, Finnigan was cheating on Potter, or Potter was in on it… Of the two the latter was far more likely, and made altogether to much sense. It explained why Vincent and Gregory rarely knew where Draco was, and why he left the dorms at night. So many things…
"So, fear is what you use. The basest of emotions, one that is effective, yet so very clumsy, and so very flimsy." Pansy mused, her brain following two totally different pathways. And then they met.
"Voldemort will fail, but their maybe gems of truth in his side, as well as Dumbledore's." She smiled then. The game had begun, calculations were the answer now. Trying to control the players would be futile, but to influence both sides at the same time… Her smiled deepened, but there was no humor in it, only satisfaction.
The stars twinkled and fluttered, and night enveloped her. She found herself remembering lines of a Muggle play, something her father was secretly fond of.
"Make thick my blood. Stop up th' access and passage to remorse, that no compunctious visitings of nature shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between th' effect and it." The words were oddly satisfying, and she sympathized with her father for a moment.
"Hey guys, have you seen the trio around?" Seamus asked. Dean shook his head.
"Nah, and Neville's gone too." Seamus pouted.
"Harry better come to dinner, if he doesn't take me to the dance he won't be sleeping in my bed until he comes begging back to me." Dean rolled his eyes.
"Yeah like you could last for a couple days without relieving your sexual frustrations." Seamus smiled then.
"That's why having Draco around is so much fun." But dinner was almost over, and Seamus was actually a little angry. Where was Harry? Oh well, at least he could spend the entire time sharing secret glances with Draco. It was then that Dumbledore stood up.
"We are now ready to announce those chosen to compete in the Triwizard Tournament!" The school went crazy, with cheers and clapping. At the head table the assorted school heads sat forward in their seats, at the announcement.
"And now-" Dumbledore gestured and the Goblet of Fire appeared in the room. Seamus noticed Joel Laura and Catherine holding each other's hands in hope.
"And now, from our very own Hogwarts-" He flicked his wand at the goblet and a fiery slip of paper rose up out of the goblet. He caught it and looked at it. He grinned.
"Cho Chang, please come to the front of the room." The entire Ravenclaw table burst out in raucous cheering. Cho, blushing fiercely, made her way to the front of the room. Seamus noticed that her eyes sparkling with unshed tears, and remembered she was close to Cedric…
"And now, from Beauxbatons-" He gestured again and another fiery slip of paper came out. He looked at it, and frowned. He leaned down towards Madam Maxine who whispered in his ear. He smiled then and beamed at the schools.
"Pardon me, I didn't want to mangle this person's name, my French is not so good. But Renee Dumas please come to the front of the room." A short French girl with frizzy blond hair smiled and made her way quietly up to the front of the room. Her fellow classmates clapped, although many had tears on their faces.
"Now, from Durmstang-" Once again, Dumbledore flicked his wand and the Goblet spat out-
"Ramius Kamarov, please come to the front of the room." A tall dignified looking boy with a pinched expression rose and swiftly made his way across the room. Dumbledore smiled widely.
"And finally-" He flicked his wand one last time.
"Joel Swenson, please come to the front of the room." The Americans all burst out in polite clapping, and as Joel passed the staff table, Jacob gave him a great big hug. Then the four champions and their respective school leaders, Madam Maxine, Jacob, Dumbledore, Victor and Alex made their way into another room.
"Now everyone, it's time for the dance!" Professor Glassier stood up and announced. "Please be down by the Forbidden forest near the lake in 45 minutes."
"Ron." Harry said softly. Ron had long ago fallen asleep in his lap, his head resting on Hermione's lap, who gently finger combed his hair. Neville sat right next to him, gently stroking the back of his hand. Ron stirred gently and looked up to meet three pair of sympathetic loving eyes. For a second his red and bleary eyes stared at them, and then he sighed.
"Thank you." They nodded and then Hermione looked stricken.
"Oh- Ginny-" And then she stopped. Ron smiled sadly.
"Go Hermione, Ginny always needs a shoulder to cry on, and Harry, I want you to go too, please." Harry looked at Ron, and then nodded, but sent a small burst of amusement at Ron that was tinged with happiness and a decidedly "go for it" quality. The wink at Neville made Ron blush and assured him of it's meaning. Hermione dashed out and Harry followed her quietly. Ron sighed and leaned back into Neville who wrapped his arms around him. And then they fell asleep, just holding each other.
"Hey Harry, where've you be-" Dean started.
"Stop, I can't tell you, but I want both you and Seamus to stay out of our dorm room ok?" Dean looked at Seamus who frowned and then smiled.
"Ooh, so Ronnykins and Nevilley are hooking up eh?" He winked suggestively, and then faltered at Harry's expression.
"No, but Ron should be the one to tell you, until then though, let's go to the dance." Seamus looked at Dean who shrugged.
"Well we've got some time, so Harry, let's go for a walk, Dean can wait till Parvati gets here." Dean plastered on a reckless grin that made Harry grin right back. Then Seamus dragged him out of there.
"Quickly, Draco said we could meet him by the dock."
Draco stared gently at the sky. Tonight it was cloudy, and it almost looked like rain. He wondered how that great oaf of an American would handle this change in plans. He sighed then and kicked a clump of dirt. Into the lake. It sank beneath the surface. Ripples-
Draco stomped his foot with frustration and fell to his knees. It all seemed so overwhelming and-
"Draco." His name, a soft voice followed by two pair of strong arms. Seamus and Harry. The three layback against the grass and Draco shivered at the cold hard ground for a second, and then sighed as warmth swept in from either side of him.
"I love you." Harry whispered in his ear, and then Seamus kissed him gently on the cheek. If he could have, he might have cried. Instead he slid his arms under their cloaks, and pulled them closer to him and sighed into the comfort they provided.
It was so sweet it was sickening, then why was she- Ach, stupid tear glands… Pansy sighed as she watched the three curl up on the ground together, seriously it was pretty disgusting right? Then why did it make her throat catch and make her want to make this little "ahhhhh" sound? Honestly, another minute and she'd be acting like a- a- a Griffyndor or something heaven forbid.
Yeah, heaven forbid… For a moment she watched and then she walked over to them.
"Draco." That voice- within seconds Draco was standing along with Harry and Seamus. Pansy looked, oddly beautiful, her hair cascaded and the moon lit her face in a way that softened her normally hard mouth. And then fear struck him; she had seen him and- His face must have shown his fear for she shook her head.
"No, that would be-" She stopped. "No. I won't deny you happiness, but I won't deny my feelings for you." She stopped, and Draco suddenly felt relieved and horrible at the same time. Of course none of this touched his now smooth face. But Seamus moved forward to gently take her into an embrace.
Pansy was surprised, she couldn't remember the last time she'd been hugged, years and years ago- her grandfather before her grandmother had reprimanded him for showing positive emotion. For a minute she did nothing, but Seamus held strong, remembering how long it took Draco to respond to physical contact. Suddenly Pansy just fell weakly against Seamus, who stumbled, as he was no bigger than he was. Draco suddenly clutched Harry, who enveloped Draco in his arms.
"Well, that was interesting, but now I have Griffyndor germs." Pansy said quite matter of factly. Seamus chuckled and let her go.
"Oh god, that explains that rash I have all over my body!" Draco exclaimed and Harry chuckled into Draco's hair. Seamus waved to Pansy who waved back, and as the turned around her smile changed, from kind, to predatory. She held those cards, now all she needed was to gain the rest of the hand, and she'd be set.
"So Draco, what are we going to do?" Harry asked softly. Draco looked at him. "I mean Seamus and I, everyone's ok with us from my dorm, but- well isn't it awful for you not being with us and we can be together?"
Yes, it's horrible, it kills me and I can't stand it! Was what Draco thought.
"Oh get over yourself Potter, this isn't some much fairy tale, I can live." Was what he said. Harry looked oddly taken back, while Seamus rolled his eyes.
"Which is Draco Malfoy for 'I love you two with all my heart and yes it does' but we won't make him admit that." Seamus joked, and then kissed Draco on the nose.
"Come on guys, let's go to the dance." Harry said, and then smiled at Draco. "We'll make it up to you later…" And his green eyes sparkled with mischief.
"Ginny?" Hermione asked softly. Where was she? Finally she shook her head and crept into the boys dorm only to see-
When she left with the Maurader's Map she chuckled slightly even as her eyes filled with tears, good could come out of bad… She looked down, and made her way to find Ginny.
"I solemnly swear I am up to no good."
"Come on everybody!" Jacob shouted. "I want you to put your hands together, and let loose!" The music was loud and the lights were bright and flashing and the very scenery seemed to change. The trees wavered and water hung in the air in small globes that gave of coolness, and the dance floor itself hovered about 3 inches above the ground, and it was big.
"Harry!" Joel shouted above the noise to a song whose lyrics Harry was just no listening to and his eyes went wide.
"All my players in the house that can buy the bar
And the ballin' ass niggas with the candy cars
If you a pimp and you know you don't love them hoes
When you get on the flo nigga throw them bows
All my women in the house if you chasing cash
And you got some big titties with a matching ass
With you fly ass boots or you open toes
When you get on the flo nigga throw them bows"
"What sort of music is this?" Harry asked. Joel laughed.
"Just grab Seamus and dance, and introduce me to some ladies." Harry laughed and then Seamus grabbed him and they were just, moving really. Seamus gyrating his hips into Harry's and Harry couldn't help but get a reaction…
"Seamus you little fox." Harry whispered and Seamus grinned wickedly. Suddenly they were surrounded by friends, as the rest of the Griffyndors arrived. Dean smiled as Parvati and Lavender made a sandwich out of him, and Harry laughed as Catherine alternated between flirting with Fred and George, and forgetting who was who.
The lights were bright and colorful, and all the students were having a good time, even the Slytherins. Draco didn't dance, and Pansy stood with him by the refreshment table.
"You need to snap out of this Draco, appearances must be kept." She said softly to him and he looked at her.
"I could care less, I have all the power I need to protect myself from anything I need to." Was all he said and Pansy looked at him.
"What do you mean?" He smiled.
"I only tell you this since you are- my friend." The subtle pause Pansy definitely picked up on, and knew that Draco had put it there for a reason. She grew excited, verbal games, anything that tested her intellect in that fashion excited her.
"I'm a male Veela." He whispered softly, and her eyes widened. "Lucius is too, but even he doesn't know that my mother is as well." And then his features darkened. "And I sincerely hope you don't tell anyone, Harry and Seamus do so hate when I get- upset." Pansy smiled.
"Oh Draco, threats don't work on me, but I can see the wisdom. I just want you to remember, I hold all the cards Draco dear, you hold none of mine." Draco smiled.
"You are good Pansy, but will you be good enough?"
"Do I need to be?" And that spoke volumes.
"I still say that it's outrageous, I mean how could this possibly work?" Mad Eye barked.
"I have complete confidence in Severus-" Dumbledore began.
"I could care less, it's-" He gestured wildly and then sat down. "Whatever, but your placing that man's life in the hands of-"
"Damn it! Let it go! I am not that man anymore." Snape growled. Mad Eye glared at him and then Dumbledore sighed.
"Severus my friend, when you make enemies, you make enemies." Beside him Sirius Black chuckled nastily. "And Sirius, I know you wanted to see Harry tonight, but due to other events, I would request that you come back in another month or so, when things are calmer." Sirius frowned.
"Of course if you wish for me to leave him a message you know I will." Sirius nodded and sighed. "Any news?"
"None yet, Muggles haven't started disappearing yet, but Dementors are becoming more and more plentiful." He stopped and his face went white with a peculiar sort of rage. "I swear if there is a way to destroy those things I'll come up with it." Dumbledore nodded in sympathy.
"Anyway, Severus will you do it? I realize that only bringing back part of his memory will be very difficult but-" Snape waved his hand.
"Yes, but it will be a fantastic challenge will it not? I may however have to make some expensive requests…" He trailed off and Dumbledore waved his hand.
"The school has so much money I can't count it all. We can buy whatever we need to Severus."
"Well now that that's settled I should be going… Albus please give Harry this." He handed Dumbledore a small slip of parchment and then changed to a dog before trotting out the door.
"Honestly, that bastard pissed me off." Moody mumbled, still fixated on what they'd been talking about earlier. "He was just so-" The door opening stopped any further observations as a stunningly gorgeous wizard walked in with teeth that were almost a little to white and styled blond hair.
"Well, I'm here Headmaster Dumbledore, what do you wish of me?" The wizard asked.
"I have a proposal for you Gilderoy."
Percy sighed as he sank into his desk. He was no officially the youngest ever member of the Ministry, and it was glorious. It was almost a boon that many people didn't take him seriously because of this age; it allowed him to run rings around them before they knew what was happening if he wanted something done. It was rather odd though to outrank his father, it felt very, uncomfortable.
But Dad is going what he wants to, and that's what counts. He leaned back and was about to doze off when his door opened and his secretary walked in.
"Yes Derek?" He mumbled. Derek, a young black American wizard with dreads cleared his throat.
"You have a meeting with the other Ministry members Mr. Weasley." Percy cursed absentmindedly, something that he had found himself doing ever since spending time with Bill that summer. Derek only nodded and walked right back out. Percy sighed and rubbed his eyes, before grabbing his wand and Apparating.
As soon as he disappeared Derek walked right back in and began to sort through the items on his desk, neatening everything in his wake.
Bill Weasley sighed as he took out the Chalice; it was beautiful and had taken them years to get out from the ancient Egyptian tomb. And now he held it in his hand, all around him his friends were rooting through the gold and treasure of the tomb but all that concerned Bill was the cup.
"Oi Bill! What's that you got there?" Shouted a voice and Bill turned to meet his friend. It had been a week since- Charlie… Bill had thrown himself back into his work; letting nothing stop him, sleep? Who needed sleep… And it had paid off.
"Listen Bill, you need to take a break, this is too much, even for you." Said the voice as it drew near enough and resolved into a short fit Chinese man with an Irish accent. "And-" He stopped. "Oh god, everyone get over HERE!" Bill smiled in exhaustion.
"I found it, the Chalice, the cup, isn't it beautiful?" Bill smiled as he held up the Chalice of Potions, he had not failed Dumbledore and if this was here then- He whirled around and looked at the back wall of the tomb. He scanned the runes quickly as the rest of the room went quiet, nobody disturbed Bill when he had there mental leaps, and there was something almost ethereal about him when this happened. He had a gift, he understood what he was doing on a level that couldn't be learned, it was a gift.
He pulled out his wand walked up to the wall, staring at the strange hieroglyphics and smiled as it dawned on him.
"Yes!" HE shouted jubilantly and took the Chalice. HE looked at it and whispered something the others couldn't hear. He then splashed the contents on the wall, and it dissolved only to reveal another room, where there was only a pedestal with a pair of old worn gloves on them.
"Wha- what are those?" Someone asked. And Bill answered softly.
"The Gauntlets of Hufflepuff."
"He has found them." Dumbledore said softly, and smiled, went to go fetch one Ronald Weasley… The Prophecy was coming together quickly.
Shout Outs-
Mizzy (the eternal never signing in^_^)- Thanks for the reviews though! Nice to know that Neville's appreciated, and the Creator stuff, and H/D/S is yummy isn't it? And since you finished another chapter it's time to go review!
Myr-Yup, now you're all caught up, and thanks for catching up, trying not to cram to much into each chapter, but the action is fun. Love what you're doing with POD, great fic, and I hope that you're enjoying you're break from writing, and that you get back to it soon!!!!!
Rannchan- Yeah that is a problem isn't it? I don't know how long this could go on for, but it is nowhere near finished, I have tons of stuff I still need to bust out, so watch out! Sirius just hasn't had much to do lately, but he will be involved later, I plan to involve as many people as I can without making it tedious, but don't worry, Sirius gets to shine. Hope you got my email update.