AN: I don't have much to say about this chapter, except that I'm sorry it took me so long to get out. I had the hardest time trying to write the last big scene, and even tho' it's not perfect, I'm happy with it now. Enjoy it.
Dedication: Why is it, Sparks m'dear, that you always seem to inspire me? You've been the inspiration for 'EC' since way back when ('Dragon Mage' was a way back, wasn't it?), and you continue to do it now. For that I am eternally grateful. You are definitly a Goddess. Hence the reason this chapter is all yours. (And guess what? More Nathalie in the next chapter. Betcha can't wait for that one.)
Everything Changesby T.K. Yuy
Chapter 11- Silver and Gold
Harry excused himself from the Gryffindor table, kissing his boyfriend on the cheek before heading up to the teachers table. Draco leaned over to tell Hermione and Ron something, and they looked over at their friend. He stopped before Dumbledore, leaning his weight on his hands as he spoke in magically hushed tones, and nodded in the general direction of all the Houses. McGonagall gasped, Snape smirked, and Lupin laughed as Dumbledore nodded, taking another biscut from the basket in front of him. Harry stood up straight, nodded once to the other professors, and headed back to the table. He picked up a handful of candy corn, and held his hand out to Draco.
"Let's go." he said, nodding to Ron and Hermione.
"You mean…?"
"Yes."
Hermione downed the last of her pumkin juice and grabbed a roll from the basket as she hurried to catch up to the two, where as Ron just sat there, continuing his conversation with Dean and Seamus. He knew his part in the whole scheme of things, and was more than happy to play it.
"Where's 'Mione going?" Ginny asked, playing her part as well.
"Where do you think she's going?" the smirk Ron gave his sister would be fit for even Draco.
"I don't wanna know!" she cried, "if it makes you smirk like that, I don't wanna know!"
She picked up her things and headed out of the Great Hall, catching up rather quickly with the three. She counted off three on her fingers, and they all heard Dumbledore start his announcment.
"May I have your
attention please?" he said calmly, "It has been brought to my
attention that due to the magnitude of some of your costumes and themes this
Halloween, that many of you will not be able to concentrate during your
classes. Therefore I am making a
decision that I hope you all will not abuse, and am allowing you the day
off. *The Hall erupted in great
murmurs* I ask only that you give
Hogwarts the best Halloween Ball it has seen in centuries. Do you all think you can handle that?"
The whole of Hogwarts erupted in cheer, and Dumbledore smiled.
"4th through 7th years, if you feel it necessary to head to Hogsmeade, please see your House Prefects. They have your passes. 1st through 3rd years, should you need anything from town, please see your Head of House, or a House Prefect, and arrangments will be made for you to accompany an older student. With that said, I bid you all a good day, and I will see you this evening."
Harry smiled and motioned for them to continue, and disappeared down the East Hall before the doors to the Great Hall burst open and streams of excited students swarmed out. They quickly ducked down a narrow hall heading towards the Dungeons, and Draco unlocked a hidden door to a rather large store room.
The room was lined with shelves, most of which were empty, and had at one point been covered in a thick layer of dust. It had recently been cleaned up, and set up in a huge dressing room fashion, with dividers for the guys and girls. Ginny walked over to the shelf where humerous boxes were being kept, and pulled one out that was the size of a shoe box. She brought it back out to one of the few tables in the room, and opened it, setting the lid underneath it.
"When do we want these to arrive?" she asked, looking over at Harry (who was currently counting money with Draco)
"Just as Lunch
starts. All the students will be
required to return to Hogwarts at about 2 pm, and they should be in their rooms
to get ready shortly after that. Some
may be back early, and I think it would be a good idea to have the scrolls
arriving ahead of time."
"Sounds like a plan to me. Draco,
do you want me to do the same for the Slytherins?"
"Yes, please, Ms. Weasely. I have
a feeling that they'll need the extra time to argue, as most, if not all, of them
are not planning on dressing up for the ball."
"Are you sure we'll have enough to go around? It does seem like we ordered too few." Hermione said, pulling her hair back into a loose and messy braid.
"Madam Malkin said
that she has extras of everything set aside for us, should we have over looked
someone. The spell she gave us
automatically takes the sizes and what not of the person being fitted, and it
would make the adjustments according to that." Draco said, pocketing his
money. "Now, are we ready to head
into town, or do we still need stuff from here?"
"No, I think we're fine." Ginny said, glancing around the room. "Our costumes are all here, and the
pages for the transfiguration spells are all marked, Potions are labeled, and
all of our props have to be picked up this morning."
Harry nodded, pulled on his winter cloak and was just helping Draco into his when the door burst open.
"Bloody fucking hell, it's a zoo out there!" Ron gasped, quickly shutting the door and trying to catch his breath. "I just owled Fred and George. They'll meet us at the shop at about 11:30. They've got a meeting with one of the representatives from Matel at 9."
"Sounds good to
me. Okay everybody, let's get
started. We've got a lot to get done
today, and not a whole hell of a lot of time to get it done in." Draco said, pocketing his wand. "Harry, what did Dumbledore say about
the Hall?"
"His exact words were: 'If you can pull it off without damaging anything,
then by all means my dear boy, do it.'"
~!*!~
They were the first ones to arrive in Hogsmeade, using the tunnels from Hogwarts to come out in the Shrieking Shack, where they were met by a rather friendly black dog. Harry smiled and linked his fingers with Draco's ignoring the look his Godfather gave him as he shifted back. Ron and Hermione both linked arms with Ginny, and they headed out, Sirius behind them, still scowling.
Sirius, I would like today to go off without any problems, so if you would be so kind as the wipe that scowl off your face while in my presense…
I don't understand what you see in him, Harry. He's a Malfoy for Christ's sake!
Why, Sirius, I didn't think you were a religious person.
I'm not! Damn you! Why did you have to be so much like your father?
Harry laughed, and let Draco lean into him as they walked into the Midnight Raven. A woman with jet black hair and even blacker eyes met them, and smiled as she saw Draco.
"What can I do for you and your… friends, Draconis?"
"First, don't call me that, and second, you wouldn't happen to know where I could find a feather from a Pegasus, do you?"
The woman's smile disappeared, and she walked to a locked cabinet. There weren't many people who knew she carried such rare things, other than her brother, and possibly the Malfoy's.
"What's it for?" she asked, taking a key out from her robe pocket.
"Extra credit project for my class, Severia."
All eyes turned to the door, and Sirius laughed as realization finally dawned on him. He knew he'd seen the woman before, he just couldn't place her.
"Why Severus, I didn't think you would use such ingredients in your potions. They're far to 'light' for the likes of you."
"It's not my potion, it's Draco's, and if you know what's good for you, you'd get it out, along with Lion's Claws, Serpent's Tongue, and Blood of the Founders."
Harry turned around and glared at Snape, his eyes flashing as he moved to get in the older man's face. If Sirius hadn't held him back, Severus Snape would have been added to Severia's collection of odd potion ingredients. Draco helped her wrap up the precious things, and was about to pay for them when she folded her hand over his.
"It's not your place to pay for that, Draconis."
"What?"
"You're not old enough to even be in here unattended, so what makes you think
you can buy these? The Founders Blood
in itself is illegal to sell to anyone without the proper identification, let
alone someone who's not even been granted their Wizard's License!" she laughed
and looked at Severus. "Pay up, brother-dearest, or shall I put in as a budget
spending?"
Snape paled and quickly handed her the money for the items, as well as a few things he'd picked up. Harry was about to say something when a better idea came to him.
"Severia, you know who Lucifer is, don't you?" he asked.
All eyes turned to him, Draco's wide and fear quite clear. If he was doing what he thought he was going to do, Draco would be bolting out the door before he could react.
"That depends on why you're bringing the God of Change into discussion, Mr. Potter." she replied, pushing a renegade lock of hair back behind her ear.
"Because you're looking at him."
"If you are who you claim to be, then what's your grounding force? Lucifer can't exist in a Mortal body without one."
"You've been looking at him since he walked in." Draco said, moving behind Harry, looking almost as if he were trying to hide from the woman.
"Draconis, what have I-"
"Don't call me that!"
The energy that flew off the Slytherin was enough to prove the point that he was indeed Harry's grounding, but it proved another point as well. That he was indeed more than that. The pull of Power was so unexpected that Hermione felt like something was trying to tear her apart, and Harry knew it wouldn't be much longer before there was actual harm done. He quickly grabbed his lover by the shoulders, and looked him in the eye. Once he let his own eyes shift, he felt the Power start to recede, and he sighed as everything returned to normal.
"Well…" Ron said, scratching his head, "that was interesting."
"I don't think 'interesting' was the correct word, Mr. Weasely." Severia said, moving to the back room, "Mr. Potter, I do hope you know what you're getting yourself into."
"If you're refering to being with a Malfoy, I think I can handle it."
"Draconis never was the easiest child to-"
"How many times must the boy tell you not to call him 'Draconis', Severia? You should know how it annoys him by now."
They turned to the door, only to see a woman with long gold-blonde hair, the tips of all layers a bright red, and her cerulean eyes twinkled much like a certain Headmaster they all knew. Severus sighed, for which he earned a smack from Sirius, Draco scowled, and Harry ignored her completely. She readjusted her tight black velvet robe, and the red cloak she wore over it, and set her hand on the counter.
"I don't remember telling
you that you could come in here, Liona." spat the dark haired woman, bringing a
sealed black box in with her, "Or has the Council disregarded simple rulings
because of Mr. Potter's nature?"
"I am not disregarding any ruling, Ms. Snape.
If you would remember correctly the last ordinance made…"
"That you could –and would- accompany Lucifer on his journey through the Mortal world. That's all fine and dandy, but in case you haven't noticed, Harry Potter and Lucifer, despite their Powers being one, are two separate people. And I never gave you clearance to enter my shop, so get out."
Hermione watched the scene with attention that she was used to using on her studies, and very quickly noticed that both of the Snapes wore a sterling pendant around their neck on a black leather cord. She noticed it on Sirius as well, and as her mind made some sort of connection, she realized that the symbol on it was also embedded in Professor McGonagalls brooch and Dumbledore had it in the stained glass in his office.
Where else have I seen that symbol…? she wondered, trying to make sense of everything.
"Liona, I don't think you're welcome here." Sirius said, placing a hand on the woman's shoulder.
"Damn straight she's not welcome!" Draco hissed. "Bloody Gryffindor Lion!"
"Draco, leave her be. If she thinks it's beyond important to follow me, then let her follow me. She'll just find herself a ruddy spot on the pavement once we walk outside." Harry whispered, kissing his lovers neck.
"If you say so."
Liona narrowed her eyes at them as she curled her hand into a fist, nails leaving large scratches in the polished ebony counter. Severia repaired it, and aimed her wand straight for her forehead.
"Get. Out." she growled, eyes glowing a dark green.
"I really don't know what those idiots think they're accomplishing, having Wizards and Witches as their protectors." she huffed, turning on her heel to leave.
"We don't expect you to understand, we just expect you to obey it."
Again they all turned to the door, and Nathalie walked in, a heavy black robe and cloak on, skull clasp at the front, it's blue diamond eyes glowing softly. Her hair was as it normally is, in two plaits over her shoulders, this time tied with red and gold ribons. Her eyes became reptilian for a split second before she stepped over the threshold. This time it was Ron's turn to feel the energy in the room change. He put a hand on Harry's shoulder and leaned over.
"What is she?"
"The one thing that all the Councilmembers fear."
"That tells me nothing, mate."
"A Necromancer."
Nathalie took one step forward, brandishing her wand, and stepped in front of the small group. Liona turned to follow her.
"And if you value your immortality, Liona, I would suggest leaving. Now."
"You're nothing but a child, Necromancer, and you mean even less to me than Ormand's 'children'."
"Wrong thing to say." smirked the Gryffindor Beater, "because there's three of us in this very room, along with a Grim, and twin Crimsons."
Liona's eyes widened, and as the three Dragon animagi shifted their eyes, Sirius immediately became Padfoot, while crimson colored stars appeared on Severus and Severia's foreheads, glowing as their eyes flashed white. She disappeared with an audible pop, and Hermione let out the breath she didn't even know she'd been holding.
"Will some one please explain what just happened?" she asked, putting a hand to her forehead.
"Liona thinks that because she's the oldest Councilmember, she has the right to over look simple little rulings we Necromancers have set in place." Nathalie started,"The Councilmembers aren't allowed to appear to any of our Protectors, without prior consent on the Protectors behalf. As far as I know, the others have actively sought out each and every Protector, asking for the permission to seek their council or company. Liona is the only one who out and out refuses. But this isn't the reason you're all in Hogsmeade, is it?"
"No, and as it stands now, we're running a bit behind. Nathalie, may I ask why you're here?" Harry asked quietly.
"Because I told you I would get someone who can answer your questions, and I have. Teek will be here sometime tomorrow morning, and she'll meet you after dinner to discuss whatever it is you want."
"She's coming to see you
play, isn't she?"
"Yes. If you'll excuse me, I have a few
things to pick up."
As she left, Ron scratched his head. He had no idea what was going on, but he was pretty sure he'd find out.
~!*!~
The look on Blaise Zambini's face as he read the small scroll that was left on his bed was priceless. The look that replaced it when he said 'yes' to what it was asking was even better.
"They're insane!"
~!*!~
The Great Hall was elaborately decorated this Halloween, with the enchanted ceiling matching the night sky outside, and torches lining the columns glittering with gold light. There were only three tables in the Hall, one of which was the Professors Table, but the other two sat one on either side of the room, with high back chairs decorated in black velvet cushions. All the Professors were dressed in black for the festivities, and as the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws filed in, dressed in outrageous costumes, they knew that this Ball was going to be big.
Fred and George Weasely had brought a Wizards band up from Hogsmeade earlier that day, and set up all the lighting and special effects, and were currently seated at the table closest to the Slytherin door. Dumbledore made an announcement, telling the two houses that the Gryffindors and Slytherins would be arriving shortly, and to enjoy the feast.
They were doing just that when the doors to the Great Hall burst open.
A great black dog, decked in a large black studded collar and chrome plated body armor walked in, the chain leads in the hands of Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy. Both boys were dressed in tight black leather pants and long chainmail vests. The odd bit about them was the fact that while the vest went down below their knees, the back was split twice from the shoulder down. Both had bikers gloves on, and a pair of black boots with chrome armored heels and toes. The double black leather corded chokers they wore had a dark black crystal hanging from it, the silver setting melting down over it a bit, the front looking like a lightning bolt. Both had matching hoop earings in both ears, but Draco had a small black crystal hanging from his cartilige ring. Their eyes were done in black liner and mascara, and while Harry'd chosen a dark grey shadow, Draco'd chosen a chrome shadow. Both had kohl black nail polish on, and silver sparkles in their hair. Draco's hair was tied half back, while Harry's was just gelled to look wet.
The Hall was quiet as they made their way to the center of the room, and as the doors flew open for a second time, they were on their feet. Two lines of black cloaked figures walked in, lead by a golden brown and black dragon. The dragon bowed before the two, letting the dog sniff at it, and as the hooded figures formed two circles around them, let out an ear shattering roar. It took off for the rafters of the room, and perched itself there, eyes glowing softly as it watched the circles started to move, one clockwise, the other counter-clockwise.
Their feet moved silently as they raised their arms, the inner circle's nails being long and golden, the outers being long and silver. As Harry and Draco threw the leashes away from them, the dog ran around with the circles, weaving his way in and out of the people. Draco raised his hands, cupping a ball of what could only be described as waves of black energy, and Harry placed his over top. The circles stopped moving, the front crossing their hands behind them, the back crossing in front. Now both circles were gripping their hands together, and they bowed their heads.
The dog skid to a half under Harry and Draco's joined hands, the chains wrapping themselves around his neck as so not to be in the way, and he howled. The energy burst out from between their fingers, flying into the chests of each and every person in the circle. Their cloaks disappeared in a flurry of black, and the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws (and Professors) gasped. The inner circle was made up of all the Gryffindors, the outer being the Slytherins. The girls outfits were merely shimmering dress-like robes of gold or silver, while the boys wore black pants and black peasant shirts, open gold or silver robes over them. It wasn't until the dragon roared again that they moved.
Something akin to step dancing took place, the rings of Gryffindors and Slytherins mixing, and through it all, not a word was uttered. Dumbledore watched intently as the two in the center started a dance of their own. Their timing was so perfect that their feet made one click on the floor as opposed to two a mere fraction of a second apart, and as the circles stopped with a dramatic 'bang', they noticed that they'd all kneeled down. It was then that the Headmaster realized why the back of the boys chainmail was slit. Twin trails of blood made their way down Harry and Draco's backs, and as a shimmering occurred not far from where they danced, he knew exactly what was happening.
"My God…" he breathed, eyes widening, "He's calling the Order of the Dragon."
"Shhh!" Madam Pomfrey hissed, swatting his arm from her place on his left as she watched, totally drawn in by the elaborate theatrics… or was it the Power Harry was emitting? Dumbledore couldn't be sure.
The shimmering started to become more pronounced, and Harry and Draco brought their dance to an end, one foot in front of the other, standing straight and breathing hard. The dragon shifted above them, and the shimmering fell away completely, revealing a girl –Ginny Weasely to be exact-, dressed in a billowy white gown and midnight blue cloak, a star shaped brooch at her chest. Professor McGonagall gasped, noticing that the youngest Weasely was transparent, and that her eyes were glowing a silvery white color. The two circles were now watching, but never once broke formation. They were too in awe to move.
The room darkened, and the walls now showed a forest, and the sky was pregnant with rain, the electricity crackling through it like waves crashing on a shore. The dog disappeared, and as Dumbledore moved to stand, Sirius placed a hand on his shoulder, a knowing smile on his face as he watched as a spectator, not a participant.
"Serás Curandtúth? Karatú vivé?" she asked, looking down on them as they kneeled. (Your Chosen? You take him for life?)
"Yes, I chose him." replied Harry, eyes flickering to the blonde beside him.
"Isilder mañterantes vivé, Curandtúth?" she asked of Draco. (You give him your life, Chosen?)
"Without being asked." Draco told her, watching as the Sword of Gryffindor shimmered before her.
"Asalan carak." (So mote it be.) [1]
They linked their hands before bending forward, their bleeding backs bare to her as she grasped the sword. A few murmers were heard as she dragged the tip of the blade over each shoulder. The sword disappeared then, and she kneeled before them. She kissed their foreheads, and shimmered out again as she pulled her cloak around her. The room darkened even more, and the only light now was from the enchanted ceiling above. From what they could see, Harry and Draco stood, hands linked together as their lips met. The sky chose that moment to open up, and lighting flashed. One bolt in particular hit the two in the middle of the room, and their wings burst free, covered in blood, and rippling with their energies. The two uninvolved houses screamed as a magical rain came down, lighting hitting each of the torches every other minute or so. The flames burned blue, and in the still dark room, the shimmering appeared again, this time floating above them.
"Eht Llah fo Sgnik stiaw rof uoy…" [2] she said, massive white feathered wings unfurling from her back as she floated up to where the dragon sat, and she disappeared.
The last torch was lit, and the two circles rose. The black energy erupted from within each of them, their heavy cloaks reappearing as the dog ran back out to his masters. They smirked and took the leads, the dogs body armor shifting to completely cover him as their eyes glowed brightly, and they stretched their wings to their max.
The dragon roared, and the circles quickly clasped hands, ignoring the fact that they were of two different Houses. Ignorning that they were probably standing next to someone they absolutely hated. A large ball of flames came down from the rafters, and everyone, even a few teachers, screamed. A defensive sheild appeared inside the smaller circle of people, and by the time it hit Harry and Draco, it was difusing into a glitter of red. When the sheild let go, the blast of magic filled the room, returning the torches to their normal flame, and the ceiling to the previous star-lit sky. The dragon was gone.
"What," a Hufflepuff gasped,"the bloody Hell was that!?"
Fawkes flew in from the now open doors, and landed on Harry's shoulder, nipping at Draco's hair tie and pulling out. As it turned into a black and green serpent, and wrapped itself around the Slytherin, Dumbledore sat back in his seat in shock. Both boys still had their wings, and Padfoot was now taken off his leashes and running out of the Hall, presumably to change.
They've joined the two most opposing Houses, in one shot… the Headmaster thought, Well, I suppose tomorrow I'll have to ready myself for a visit from all of the Council, and from the Order of Dragons. Perhaps I should call a meeting of the Phoenix as well…
~TBC~
Well, that was certainly different, wasn't it. The dance is incredibly hard for me to explain, but it's so awesome to watch. I have a bunch of friends who are Irish Step Dancers, and we made this very dance, circles, center pairing and all. I only wish I could write it better than this. *sigh* We all have our limitations. Anywho, time for foot notes.
[1] Remember that Snape had Severia (who will be mentioned in later chapters, as well as what a 'Crimson' is…) get them Lions Claws and Serpents Tongue? Well the claws made the Slyths and Gryffs nails longer and, well, claw like, while the Serpents Tongue allowed Ginny the ability to speak Parseltongue. In my own opinion, it's not just the language snakes/serpents use, but I'll be explaining that in later chapters.
[2] Just reverse each word, and you get 'The Hall of Kings waits for you…"
Okay… I'm not sure when the next chapter will get out, but I'm hoping that it'll be some time soon. I'm in the middle of the second chapter of my 'Death Seeker' series, and I'm thinking I should finish that first. Hell, I should finish my other HP works first, but what can I say? Inspiration and motivation for them is still there, but not as strong as 'Everything Changes' and 'Death Becomes Him' (that's what the 'Death Seeker' series is going to be called).
Until the next chapter… you know how to review, right?
TK