A/N: Right. Back to Harry's world. Sorry, sorry! You'll see what happens to Herm and the others eventually! In the next chapter, actually. This chapter is much shorter than the last one... and, well, *sigh.* I don't think I'm going to be writing much in the near future. I'm sort of having some difficult family health problems. This has been my first experience with real stress, the kind of stress that makes you feel sick or like you're about to collapse. And I'm not really recovered from it yet. Which is why this A/N is a little inarticulate. But just wait it out. My mind has to be a lot more organized before I can try to pick this up again. And I'm about to start school, which means I won't be very organized for a time yet.

As a matter of fact, we all (myself and audience included) may have to consider the possibility that I just can't finish this story. I may have to give it up. I'm really sorry. If I decide to give up writing I will at least go ahead and tell you my plot outline, so you can see the ending, even if you can't get there the dramatic way. I know it's unfair. My life is being very unfair right now. Life is just like that.

Thank you.
Raven

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Chapter Ten: And Now For Something Completely Different!
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Deep blue curtains were flung back all around the seventh year Ravenclaw girls' dormitory, letting the clear, pale winter sunlight have free reign of the open spaces. Four girls blinked and squinted, yawning against the intrusion of dawn; but a fifth girl stood in the center of the room, breathing deep in the fresh air flowing through the open windows. She was of obvious Asian descent, with almond-shaped blackish-brown eyes, long, straight black hair, and high cheekbones. This girl's name was Cho Chang, and today was one of her favorite days -- in half an hour, the Ravenclaw team would being going out for Quidditch practice.

Cho ignored the loudly mumbled protests from all the other girls, and leaned on the windowsill of their third-floor dorm room. Unlike the Gryffindors, the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff common rooms and dormitories weren't in towers -- thankfully they weren't in the dungeons either, of course -- but sometimes Cho was envious of the height the Gryffindors must have, up there in their tower rooms. Cho loved heights; the feeling of flying was the most wonderful, exhilarating thing in the world.

So Cho was always in a good mood when a day of Quidditch practice was coming up. She grinned out at the weak sun and frost-covered grounds, happy beyond words.

The rest of her team grumbled at how early practice was today, and they ate little at breakfast; but as the team Captain, Cho felt that it was her duty to keep her team on its toes. As soon as they were done, she ushered them out into the locker rooms.

After a brief discussion of the moves and tactics they'd be practicing, the team emerged from the lockers, shivering without their cloaks. Only Cho was perfectly comfortable in her bright blue Quidditch robes, anticipating the warmth that a good workout on her Comet 260 would bring.

She could afford a newer broom model -- but she had always refused the idea of a new broomstick. She and her Comet 260 were as close as a writer and their pen. She could never part with the old-model broom -- it would be nearly as hard as parting with her mother when she was born. Anyway, although the broom had a slight list to the left if you flew it for more than an hour or so, Cho had used it for so long that compensating with her own weight wasn't even a conscious thought. As far as she was concerned, the broom flew perfectly.

She hopped onto her broom and gave the signal for Lisa Turpin, one of the Beaters, to release the four balls. As one of the Bludgers zoomed out of the box, it headed straight for Lisa; she lifted her bat and swung as hard as she could, knocking the Bludger out towards the bleachers with a resounding thunk!

Any leftover fatigue vanished from the atmosphere, as the rest of the team cheered clamorously. Cho's yell rose above the others like a battle cry, and she kicked off from the ground, zooming into the air with a speed that the old Comet really shouldn't have been able to handle; she left her stomach far behind on the ground, but that didn't matter -- all she needed in order to survive up here was her spirit.

She flew all around the pitch, ducking, dodging, shouting directions to the others when she saw a falter or a hesitation; and watching, scanning all the while, looking for the tiniest hint of gold... ultimately, playing the perfect game.

Cho reveled in perfection, but at the same time she loved new adventures, new challenges; she had a wild spirit, that only revealed itself on the Quidditch pitch nowadays. Ever since Cedric...

Well, things just hadn't been the same without him.

Cho had really, honestly loved Cedric. He was a nice guy, not just the perfect Hufflepuff idol. He hadn't lied about anything, letting his fame among the students spread of its own accord. He never asked to be admired; he was simply himself, and he let things fall as they happened to fall. He'd once told Cho that he loved her; and Cedric was always honest. A part of her heart had died with him. As her first boyfriend... no, not just boyfriend. More than that. Her first love.

True love. That was more like it.

When he died, a large part of her will had simply stopped, frozen dead in its tracks. She simply didn't feel like going out, looking for adventure. Quidditch was enough. She loved it, and she knew that it wouldn't die on her -- so she played Quidditch.

That was what she did. Simply because she was in Ravenclaw didn't mean she was a bookish library-hog. Quidditch was her life -- all the life she had left, anyway.

Cho turned her thoughts to happier subjects as she soared higher, trying to get a good view of the field. She was flying... some people said that if men were meant to fly, they would have been given wings; Cho did not share this belief. Her proud posture on the broom screamed out, Look! Why should I need wings? I can fly! Fly!'

So Cho flew; with a vengeance.

Hey, Douglas -- Bludger! she shouted, as a speeding black ball rushed towards her best Chaser's head. Lisa Turpin veered in just in time, swinging her bat with all the strength she possessed. Douglas swerved around to land a perfect catch and throw, all in one fluid motion -- the Quaffle went dead-on through the goal hoop Douglas had aimed for. Terry Boot swooped underneath the hoop and caught the ball before it fell even halfway to the ground.

Everyone was executing their moves perfectly. Cho smiled, showing off perfect, white teeth -- this was just what she had hoped for. They had a game against Slytherin on Saturday, and if they played this well then... well, there'd be a good bet on who would win the Quidditch Cup this year. Cho longed to win the Cup once more before she graduated. Ravenclaw had won in her fifth year, but Gryffindor had absolutely abolished both Ravenclaw and Slytherin last year. Surprisingly, it had been a very close run between Hufflepuff and Gryffindor in the last game of the season, but eventually the latter won -- by a narrow margin of twenty points. Hufflepuff considered this quite a victory for their team, even if they didn't win the Cup itself -- usually Hufflepuff came in third or fourth, and then by an extremely long shot. But due to their new team Captain, they were now far better organized and trained -- a formidable opponent.

Cho looked around, scanning in every direction for the Golden Snitch. She rose even further into the air, so fast that her ears popped. There wasn't enough altitude yet to make her feel dizzy, but she had almost reached the top of the highest hoop... over fifty feet...

Another five feet and she could see the grounds all around the outside of the pitch, but there was still no visible glimmer of the Snitch...

What the... Cho muttered, not even looking at the pitch any longer. Something outside the field had caught her eye -- a tiny, milky white dome out by the Forbidden Forest, maybe two hundred yards from the groundskeeper's hut.

But there was something else. Near the dome there was a small black smudge -- three black smudges, spread out a bit. From this height she couldn't be sure, but those smudges looked an awful lot like...

She zoomed down into earshot of her team an shouted, Hey! Oy! Stop practice!

The others looked up at her curiously; Douglas tucked the Quaffle under his arm and called, What's up?

There's something on the grounds. I think we should investigate.

Lisa frowned and asked, It must be serious -- what'd you see?

It looks an awful lot like bodies, Cho replied grimly.

Douglas promptly dropped the Quaffle, which fell twenty feet to land with a bouncing thud on the packed dirt below.

Come on, Cho called. We can fly faster than walking -- Tony, Mavis, could you catch the Bludgers and lock them up?

echoed Anthony and Mavis, the former of whom was the second Beater; the latter, the Keeper.

Cho nodded and sped for the entrance to the field. Neither Tony or Mavis had the skill to catch the Golden Snitch, but they were the only ones with the sheer muscle to wrestle the Bludgers back into their case. Besides, here was an enchantment on the Snitch to make it stay within the bounds of the pitch, so Cho could come back to find it any time.

Cho led her three Chasers and one Beater out of the entrance to the Quidditch field, zipping between the two gateposts with precise speed and accuracy. The team was proving itself to be incredible this year -- so much so that Cho expected it to be a close call between Ravenclaw and Gryffindor for the Cup.

Frowning against the wind that whipped her long black hair out of its ponytail, she skimmed across the lawns almost twenty feet above the ground. She could see what she was aiming for at this height -- the three black smudges sharpened through the early-morning mist until they were clearly visible as bodies.

Exactly what Cho had expected -- but not what she'd hoped -- to see.

Her heart and throat tightened with foreboding. What if some of Voldemort's surviving followers had struck their final departing blow right here, at the school? As if all the students who had died already weren't enough -- as if Cedric wasn't enough --

Red hair. The spread-eagled body of the closest student had flaming red hair -- hair that was instantly recognizable to anyone who had been at Hogwarts during all the years of the Weasley reign. It must be Ron, Harry Potter's friend; he and his little sister Ginny were the only Weasley children left at the school, and this sprawled form was far too tall to be the petite Ginny.

Cho flew on, gaining speed as she frantically ran to see who the other people were. A short way from Ron lay a girl Cho didn't recognize; definitely someone from Gryffindor, but Cho couldn't place the name. Finally, nearly twenty yards from Ron and the nameless girl...

It couldn't be. No -- he'd already defeated the Dark Lord! What had happened, how could -- how could Harry Potter be dead?

Lisa, Douglas and the others swooped around her as she leaned her broom nose-down, slowing for a landing. Lisa started to follow her, but Cho waved her back. As the Asian girl tumbled onto the grass, she looked over her shoulder and called, Check the others!

Staggering from the awkward landing, Cho half-ran, half-fell the few feet to where Harry lay still. She was so frantic that she almost didn't notice the slow rise and fall of the boy's chest. Kneeling over him, she felt for a pulse on his neck; when she found it, steady and strong, she had to stifle an audible exclamation of relief.

She fumbled for her wand, which she always kept nearby, even during Quidditch, games and practice alike; pointing it at Harry, she said

Harry's eyes snapped open. Blinking once or twice to clear his vision, he squinted into Cho's face. he said incredulously, then turned a deep shade of magenta. He looked away from her face and struggled to sit up, holding his head as if he were dizzy.

Hey -- wait, no, don't do that, said Cho, putting her hands on his shoulders. You could be hurt. I mean, are you? Hurt?

Harry shook his head, and winced. No, don't think so. Just dizzy. That blast...

What blast?

You didn't feel it?



Last night, around three thirty...

I was asleep. What were you doing up that late? And what happened?

I -- it doesn't matter, Harry muttered, looking away. Cho instantly suspected something big, but she didn't push her luck. There was a sort of explosion. I'm all right. He held onto Cho's arm for steadiness as he rose to his feet. Ron and Natalie, they were out here too -- I think they were behind me -- and Professor Lupin, he was running in front --

I saw Ron and, er, Natalie, said Cho, holding Harry up as he took a few wavering steps. But there's only three of you out here, that I saw -- She frowned. Why was Professor Lupin out that late? It was a half-moon.

Yeah, I know, he -- well, it would take too long, said Harry evasively. I have to find Ron...

They're right back here, said Cho, hurriedly picking up her fallen broom and leading Harry across the grounds to where Ron and Natalie had already been revived by the other four Ravenclaws.

How'd you find us? asked Harry, as they walked. I mean, besides the fact that we were in plain sight?

Quidditch practice, Cho answered shortly. I was above the stands looking for the Snitch. That -- she nodded over her shoulder to where the milky white dome stood several dozen yards away -- caught the corner of my eye.

Harry looked over his shoulder, confused; when he saw the dome he stopped in his tracks and simply stared. What the hell...?

Ron was running flat-out towards Harry and Cho. Behind him Natalie followed more slowly, surrounded by the rest of the Quidditch team. Cho looked up and saw Anthony and Mavis flying over to them to see what was going on.

Ron! Are you okay? Harry called, trying to run but only succeeding at staggering into Cho's arms. The Ravenclaw girl righted him, and he blushed, giving her an almost goofy-looking smile of thanks. She smiled inwardly, remembering the time he'd asked her to go to the Yule Ball with him. It was terribly obvious that he had a crush on her. For two years she'd convinced herself that no one could ever replace Cedric, but now, with one arm around Harry's shoulders and her hand on his arm, she wasn't so sure. Harry was nice -- and just like Cedric in that he didn't encourage his fame. He always tried to do the right thing, no matter what. Really, he and Cedric weren't all that different.

She felt her face getting warm, and tried not to think about boys at all as she was confronted with a barrage of confusing questions, with the foremost inquiry being What the hell is going on here?'

Douglas was suddenly right there by her, grinning from ear to ear with relief. Everyone looks fine, Cho -- they're being close about what happened --

Cho nodded him away. Harry's a bit disoriented. I think we should get him to the hospital wing.

Douglas nodded back, and went back to talking among the others, trying to catch a hint of an explanation. Ron materialized out of the crowd to support Harry's other side, and Natalie trotted next to them, holding a hand to her temple but seeming fine otherwise.

I'll get you to the hospital wing, but I expect an explanation, Cho grumbled as they walked on towards the castle. She let go of Harry's arm for a moment to tuck her broom more securely under her arm. She still had to get back on the field and catch the Snitch sometime today, and it seemed more like a chore now than it had a mere twenty minutes ago.

What's up, Harry? Ron was saying. I feel fine.

But I was closer, said Harry, wincing. I've got a massive headache, that's all. And I can't stand up straight, apparently.

You're just a little off balance. Happens when you get knocked out really hard, Cho interjected. I got hit by a Stunning spell at point-blank range during one of the battles. Waking up was a nightmare.

Harry nodded, and immediately wished he hadn't. The headache was only increasing with time, instead of dying away.

Madam Pomfrey can probably fix you up, Cho continued, and thanked Natalie as she opened the front doors of the castle for the others.

What's going on, Cho? asked Lisa Turpin, scurrying up beside her.

We're taking Harry to the hospital wing. I think practice is over, she added pointedly, nodding at Lisa's broom.

Lisa frowned. But it's our last practice before the game on Saturday. Shouldn't we --

It's fine, interrupted Cho. I couldn't find a single flaw, anyway. You all played perfectly.

Lisa and the other team members allowed themselves grins. Anthony asked of Cho's retreating back, What about the Snitch?

I'll pack it up later, Cho called. She was struck with sudden inspiration. Unless you think you can catch it. Make it a competition. Whoever catches it gets the first test ride on my Firebolt 37, if it ever ships properly. The Ravenclaws whooped with delight, and the others turned a corner, out of their sight.

Halfway to the hospital wing, they reached a cross-corridor; Harry tried to turn left, but Cho gripped his shoulders tighter and turned him back on the right path. Where d'you think you're going? she asked, as Harry made a small noise of protest.

Dumbledore's office, he gasped. He has to know --

Know what?

No. No, can't say.

Cho sighed. Er -- Natalie? The other girl looked up, startled out of her own deep thoughts. Could you get Professor Dumbledore? Tell him Harry's in the hospital wing, and wants to talk.

said Natalie, shrugging. Her nonchalant manner seemed a bit stiff and acted, however; Cho glanced over her shoulder as Natalie turned back to the left-hand corridor, and saw that the girl was half-trotting, half-running, as if the message was far more urgent than her shrug had indicated.

Cho shifted her arm out from under Harry in order to open the hospital wing door, when they reached it a few minutes later. The spacious white room appeared to empty, so Cho called out Madam Pomfrey's name.

What is it? Trying to get an early start at it today? said a grumpy voice from the door to Pomfrey's office, which was slightly ajar. For heaven's sake, I've only just got in... The door was yanked open, and a sleepy-looking Madam Pomfrey marched out. Her eye caught Harry, standing there holding his head with a pained expression, and she rolled her eyes. How often do you plan on trying to kill yourself, Potter? I swear, I don't even remember your father giving me this much trouble... Oh, come here, come here. What have you been up to this time? She shot Ron a glare all of his own as she led Harry to one of the beds. He sat with his legs over the side, refusing to lay down until he could get a word in.

Cho interrupted before Harry could speak. I found him and Ron out on the grounds, Madam, she said, businesslike. And Natalie... um...

supplied Ron.

Yeah. They were all unconscious -- me and the rest of the team revived them...

...But my head is killing me, cut in Harry.

Any pain in your scar? asked Madam Pomfrey, frowning.

grunted Harry, wincing. Just dizzy, and a headache. I've never had a normal headache this bad before.

You say Mr. Weasley was unconscious as well -- how do you feel? She directed the question at Ron.

Ron shrugged uncomfortably. he said, glancing at Harry. I was a little dizzy when I woke up, but it passed.

What were the circumstances under which this happened? said Madam Pomfrey severely, walking to a nearby cabinet to pick up ingredients for a potion.

Harry shook his head and opened his mouth, probably to refuse to speak once again, but at that moment the door swung open and the Headmaster walked in, followed by Natalie.

Dumbledore peered over the tops of his half-moon glasses, concerned. Miss MacDonald said it was urgent. Madam Pomfrey straightened instantly at the sound of the Headmaster's voice, and her eyes snapped to Harry at his remark.

Yes, sir, Harry croaked. Hermione --

Ron nudged Harry and shot a warning glance at Cho, who crossed her arms stubbornly and planted her feet firmly on the smooth stone floor.

Dumbledore followed Ron's look and smiled thinly at Cho. Perhaps you should start from the beginning, for Miss Chang's sake, he said, turning to Harry.

Harry opened his mouth in confusion. But --

I don't perform Memory Charms on my own students, Harry, Dumbledore said gently. She has chosen to involve herself in the matter, and willing minds are the best kind.

Harry hesitated, but Dumbledore nodded at him with such a sense of inarguability that Harry was forced to gather his thoughts and start from the top.

Cho listened intently as Harry spoke. Ron shuffled his feet, bored despite himself; he'd heard it so many times before that he was getting tired of the story. Finally, Harry concluded with the story of how he'd woken up suddenly last night with the feeling that he had to find Hermione before it was too late; how he, Ron, Natalie, and Professor Lupin had been out on the grounds under the strange blackness; how Lupin had realized the full danger of Dobby's untamed, boundless magic, and had gone running on ahead of the others. Being the closest to the source of the blast, Harry had been knocked out the hardest; he reasoned that Ron felt nothing because he had been too far away for the full impact to hit him.

Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey were frowning deeply when Harry finished. You were right to contact me first, Harry, said Dumbledore, looking grave. This is serious. Do you know if Hermione had the ring with her?

Harry shook his head. All I know is that Sn -- Professor Snape, Malfoy, Dobby, Sirius, Hermione, and Eloise were under that tree when the blast hit, and that Cho couldn't find Professor Lupin anywhere. I'm guessing he reached them just before the blast.

Dumbledore nodded. I'll have to call another staff meeting. Poppy, please try to alleviate Harry's pain as quickly as you can, and come to my office. Madam Pomfrey nodded, her face drawn.

As Dumbledore strode quickly out, Madam Pomfrey looked Harry over once again and said, If I didn't know better, I think I'd start calling you Potter Stormcrow. How is you always bring bad news? She began bustling around, hurrying to complete a potion that might help with Harry's headache.

Harry gawped at her. You've read the books?

Of course I have, said Poppy absently. Those Muggles aren't all bad, you know. Some of them certainly know how to write. She snorted. All those doctors with their machines, of course -- ridiculous, simply ridiculous. There are all sorts of sensitive high-frequency scanning spells that can detect smaller problems than all their chunky equipment could dream of... She went on muttering to herself as she prepared the potion, walking out of earshot towards her office.

Cho was staring at Harry, unable to hide her wide-eyed astonishment. Why hasn't anyone been told about all this? she blurted. I mean, this is serious!

The teachers know, Harry grumbled. It's not like fighting Voldemort, you don't need a huge number of people to fix it. I just wish Hermione hadn't decided to take it into her own hands.

If the ring has her... Ron muttered.

Then we're screwed, cut in Natalie. What if she comes back? She can use this bridge thing to come back, can't she? What's going to happen to our world?

Harry said, so forcefully that all three of the others blinked. He winced and leaned forward, putting his head in both hands. Nothing's going to happen to our world, he murmured. We'll be fine. I don't think Hermione would fall for the ring. I trust her.

Isn't that just great for you, said Natalie sarcastically. If you had told me all of this stuff before you went running out into that blackness, I would've --

What? You would have gotten a teacher, wouldn't you? Ron gave Natalie a distasteful look. You did that anyway. Look how much good that did. Natalie glared at him.

I was going to say that I wouldn't have tried to stop you. If we could have gotten there a few minutes earlier we might've been able to stop your crazy friend. Who, as it happens, I don't trust.

Ron opened and shut his mouth once or twice, then clamped his jaws shut and looked firmly away from Natalie, trying to hold onto a scrap of dignity.

They went on talking and arguing until Madam Pomfrey came rustling over with Harry's potion. Harry held his breath, ignored the smell, and instantly downed the whole gobletful in one gulp. He was apparently more desperate to get rid of the headache than he had outwardly seemed. He spluttered for a moment, trying to swallow too much at once; but when he had gulped one last time to force the last of it down his throat, his face cleared enormously. He gave Madam Pomfrey a heartfelt thanks and she nodded, making some random comment about how it was merely her job, and how she wished he'd stop finding reasons to come see her anyway.

Harry found that his balance was restored, so he, Ron, Natalie, and Cho made their way out of the hospital wing, followed closely by Madam Pomfrey. The nurse turned to the right and walked briskly down the corridor, turning a corner and going out of sight almost before Harry could blink.

There's one thing I don't get, Cho said as they wandered along the halls, eventually coming to a stop in the library. That dome thing out there, near where we found you -- what is it? And where did Professor Lupin go? She looked around at the others and found her own expression mirrored on three other faces: a worried frown that traced deep lines in her forehead.

Harry walked around the shelves until he found a north-facing window. All four of them stared through the age-stained glass, their shadowed eyes searching out the Knut-sized white spot near the Forest.

I don't know, said Harry in a low voice, mainly so Madam Pince wouldn't throw him out. What it is. I just... I don't know. This was Hermione's territory.

Well, what do we do? said Natalie, crossing her arms. Isn't there anything...?

I think we should wait for Dumbledore, replied Ron, sitting down.

Silence greeted his remark. They all wanted anything but to wait; but waiting was all they could do.

A moment later Professor Vector entered the library and muttered something to Madam Pince, and they both left the room, with worried, urgent looks on their faces, leaving the four teenagers with no company but moldy books and quiet, dusty sunlight.

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Two days passed and finally Harry received word from Dumbledore on the state of affairs in accordance with Hermione and the ring.

It was explained that the white dome was a circle of protection, driving age and decay away from the bodies of those who had traversed the bridge. A quick scanning spell had showed that Professor Lupin's body was inside the circle, and thus he was assumed to be in Middle-earth with the other six mismatched intruders. According to Dumbledore, there was absolutely nothing that could be done. Hermione had broken the only Time-Turner in the castle -- which had belonged to Dumbledore himself -- in order to use its sand in the spell, and there was not another to be had, because the Ministry had put a ban on all such objects after Voldemort's followers had begun using them to escape into the future from crime scenes. Hermione could not be followed; and with that course of action ruled out, there was nothing else that could be done.

Except to wait.

So Harry waited. He, Ron, Natalie and Cho became the only students in the entire castle to know about Hermione's desperate journey, and they kept in close touch with each other, meeting after classes, at meals, and in the library to talk. Natalie warmed up to Ron and Harry eventually, but she remained a stubborn young girl, and Ron gave her many a deep sigh and rolling of his eyes. Harry was noticeably uncomfortable around Cho, but Cho kept deliberately starting conversations with him anyway; Natalie, if no one else, could see exactly what was happening, and she smiled quietly to herself when she watched the two.

Harry found himself missing Hermione enormously as a week passed; her ability to scold him into really studying; her peculiar way of making him feel like education was a genuinely interesting thing, despite all his outward scorn for it. One week became two, and three, and that became a month; the moon waxed into full maturity, and Harry wondered how Professor Lupin was doing in a strange land, without the help and relative comfort of his monthly Wolfsbane Potion. And when January passed uneventfully, Harry found that he sorely missed Sirius' pranks.

Ron, though he tried to hide it, was obviously pining for Eloise; he ate little and paid sharper attention in classes, as if to take his mind off of other, less pleasant subjects. Cho sympathized with him, often joining the two boys at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall -- but though she had many comforting words for Ron, she always took a seat by Harry's side.

One month drifted into two, and as the weeks passed the seasons shifted, almost imperceptibly, thawing day by day; until the dull, wintry atmosphere had brightened into a warm, beautiful spring.

But whenever Harry looked out the window, it was with a troubled mind and a heavy heart; and his eyes did not see the life and beauty of a perfect spring -- only a small, unobtrusive white dome, distant as if untouchable, set off by a dark backdrop of forbidding trees.
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A/N: Right, that was basically it for Harry's world. If your hopes were still up for Harry or Ron or someone else going into Middle-earth, I'm sorry. The 7 who are now in the LotR universe will be the only ones to go there, for the rest of the fic. Oh, and one other thing -- way back in the 2nd chapter, Viktor Krum sent Harry and Ron daggers, right? Well, I had thought at the time that they might be important later in the story, but by now my idea of the plot has cemented itself, and as it turns out, the daggers are completely pointless. They won't make any further appearances. Well, I was just trying to get the right feel for the story back then, so some things may be a little inconsistent with the earliest chapters.

The next chapter is half-done, but I don't know when it will be decently readable. But it does have a little twist all of my own -- Sirius reading tarot! I couldn't resist. I just got a deck and they're really fascinating -- and of course the saying is that you write what you know.' Of course, sometimes that doesn't apply, like with the fact that I HATE heights. Writing Cho's personality was HARD, because I'm absolutely mortified with fear by just climbing up a stepladder, for heaven's sakes. Thankfully I have a vivid imagination.

So, just keep me in mind... but don't bother checking daily. This is a terrible time for me, and family comes first.

If you like my style and want to read more of my stuff, be warned that most of what's currently posted isn't Harry Potter. I write a truckload of HP fic, mind, it's just not posted. But there's a funny, stupid story called Insanity @ 3 AM, which doesn't actually have a plot, but it does have Siri and Remey in it. *drools* Stress will never damage my ability to fawn all over those two... Harry? Harry who? *chases Sirius, ignoring Harry, who is looking indignant*