G:H, R:Hr & new characters.// This tale springs forward in the Harry Potter
series to when 18 year old Ginny places herself in a situation that must
save her career, life and love; with help from friends, family and
unexpected alliances.
~ Comical, romantic, different than you would expect! ~
New Faces Turn Heads
A knock on Ginny's door woke her with a start, causing her to sit up quickly and check to make sure her notebook was where she left it. She didn't know how long her semi-conscious state had lasted, but was quick to note that some linens and food had been left on her desk. Someone had entered the room while she was sleeping, and the thought made the reporter shiver.
The knock became more sharp and impatient, reminding Ginny of why she was creeping herself out instead of being relaxed, warm, and dancing in Ginny World.
"Hang on!" she called, pushing herself off the mattress and over to her wardrobe to find her wand.
Meanwhile, the person standing in the hallway seemed to lean against the unsteady, wooded barrier into the room and inhaled deeply.
"I'm sorry to inconvenience you, Chess, but for some reason Schell insisted that we meet. May I come in?" Harry said. After Schell had left the little back room, Harry had left for his own office and attempted to start on some paper work, but for some reason couldn't shimmy his way out of thinking about the new stragitist. Now he found himself outside of her room, wondering why the voice he heard call out to him seem so familiar and searched his past to try and place it.
He had juggled his work, social, and celebrity-style life so unsurely after he graduated from Hogwarts that it became a big mess. The media had practically begun to live at his flat, his social life had slumped till it was almost non-existent because of work, where he wasn't allowed to go out and actually fight because an accident on the field, leaving someone dead on his call. On his way into a major nervous breakdown, Pelican caught him and helped the poor teenager get his life back into his own hands. Harry rarely left the underground base, had made tons more friends in his new habitat and didn't need to fear the press watching him shower or something.
He still missed his friends dearly, though, and all the adventures they used to get in. Ron, Harry's first real friend ever made and now almost an adopted brother, was spending the rest of his teenage years as Keeper for England's Quidditch team. Traveling, playing and making loads of money, Harry was positive his best friend was having the time of his life.
Then again, Hermione was also part of Ron's life, maybe making it even better. Having a girlfriend who was making all the difference in the wizarding world must make you feel better about yourself, Harry thought to himself with a smile. She had been the top student in their class (duh) and was working at the ministry as the head of "Misuse of Magic", making her the youngest person to be in charge of a ministry department in history!
The only other person who could have made as high as Hermione's marks and wiggle her way into the history books was Ginny. He had become rather fond of her after she grew out of her most embarrassing crush on him. She was able to challenge his wits, without making him feel stupid as Hermione did, or beat him at Quidditch without making him feel like a loser. She had grown and matured an lot, he recalled, thinking about her gorgeous hair, deep brown eyes, full lips.he had to think about someone else. She was his best friends little sister, after all!
But then he found he couldn't think of anyone else when Chess opened her dorms door and he was forced to face those shocked brown eyes.
*******
One week later
Tessa dive and made a grab at the Quaffle, but missed when she was distracted by the Gryffindor Seeker swoop for the Snitch. Haylie, the Ravenclaw captain, bounced on her broom, trying to get her attention. Get the ball, she mouthed, then caught the Quaffle, which the other teams Chaser had got, easily and threw it with all her might toward Tessa. She grabbed for it again, this time catching it, and flew to the other teams post, tossing it to Lisa for an easy score.
With cheers, the team followed Haylie in a victory lap, and then went back to their positions. Haylie, captain and Keeper, of course; Tessa, Lisa and a 4th year boy named Troy Zappit were the Chasers; Beaters were 7th year boys named Justin Tipe and William Zonk; and last the Ravenclaw Seeker, a 5th year perfect named Jordan Hersmith. Quick and speedy, the team was battling to beat the champions of 9 years, Gryffindor Lions. So far, though, Ravenclaw was 40 points behind.
"The Quaffle is thrown again and Gryffindors' Jakes takes it in an impressive twist," Bobby Taffy, a Gryffindor of course, was announcing for the game, "He's moving toward Black, who seems to.wait, was that a yawn from her? Oh, baby, your going to get your little tail whi...she jumped off the broom and caught it! That has to be a foul. Oh, Zappit flies under and gets the Quaffle 'dropped' by Black, and he's heading for the other side..ouch, banged in the arm by a Bludger. Gryffindor takes control of the ball yet again..flying to the post.Haylie Black seems to be giving some kind of signal.wait, why did he drop the Quaffle? Mourning takes it and is running down the field..Hersmith diving! The Snitch! Tessa throws the Quaffle at Jake..why?...NO! Don't dive! Jake gets the Quaffle, but you cut your Seeker off, you idiot! Hersmith grabs the Snitch! RAVENCLAW WINS, 210 to 100!!"
The crowd was going wild as the team swooped down to congratulate each other and visit with their friends. Tessa breathed an easy, happy sigh, temporarily forgetting her life's turmoil. Quidditch seemed to always clear her head and relax her. When Ginny was still on the Gryffindor team, they would go for days without speaking to each other before the game, playing pranks, betting large sums of money, etc. Now that Ginny was gone, Tessa was Head Girl and three out of the four Ravenclaw 7th year girls were on the team, she didn't have any stress or anxiety.
Brandi ran up, dragging her current guy, and pulled her and Haylie into a bone crushing hug, tugging Tessa out of her thoughts. "WE WON!! YOU WON!!" she screamed at her roommates, jumping while still holding them.
"Well, now, I see I'm not loved," Lisa said, standing behind the group pouting and ignoring the wild Ravenclaws trying to congratulate her.
Laughing, they squeezed her in and continued to dance happily when someone screamed terribly. All stunned, they looked to the voice and saw a giant grim rushing into the Forbidden Forest. Panic broke lose and most of the spectators ran to the safty of the castle.
"Ravenclaw team, into the locker room!" Haylie's yelled, then, to Tessa's horror, turned and ran after the evil symbol.
******
The day wasn't the best for walking conditions, but Draco knew that Dumbledore would be expecting the news right away. Twisting and turning through the hallways of his home, he made his way to his room and grabbed his cloak.
Draco had grown to be a walking god to most girls. His height had exceeded most men as it was six foot and his build was lean and fit. His facial features hadn't changed much sense his school years; still had a straight nose, full lips, high cheek bones and piercing gray eyes. There was only one error to him, and that was the always burning of the Dark Mark on his wrist.
But he ignored it as he threw on his cloak and Apparated to Hogsmade.
He arrived at the gates of Hogwarts, where he let himself in and started to make his way to the castle. Cheers could be heard from the Quidditch stadium, and he hoped against reason that Dumbledore would be in his office. He didn't feel like watching the game, but if one was going on, most likely the headmaster was there to witness it. Sighing, Draco plowed his way through the snow toward the field.
Memories rushed back, evil thoughts lured and Draco could only remember when, on this same field, he held his wrist out for the Dark Lord to brand him.
He shook his head and concentrated on his task, telling the Headmaster about the search for Harry Potter and his Godfather. Draco had become, like Snape, a double agent, once his master had killed his parents during his sixth year. Revenge was in his blood, and because his enemy had killed his parents, took over his home, and laid out Draco's future, all he wanted to do was bring him down.
Easier said than done.
He had made it to the field in time to see the Ravenclaw Keeper flick a Gryffindor off, causing him to drop the Quaffle. Draco smirked at the girl, happy to note that the Ravenclaws were much better prepared than in his years. He then witnessed a clever play, and saw Ravenclaw Seeker holding the Snitch for everyone to see.
Draco couldn't help jump and cheer with the Ravenclaws and happily watch the Gryffindor team shuffle off the field. In all the excitement, though, he searched the crowd carefully for Dumbledore. Taller than most, he was the first to see the black dog at the other side of the stadium. "Sirus," Draco said to himself, dashing around the back of the crowd where no one could see him and making his way to his target.
Damn, they must have seen me, he thought when the first scream was heard and people began to rush to the castle.
"Ravenclaw team, into the locker room!" was the only command he heard, before he took off toward the Forbidden Forest, where he last saw Sirus running to. Draco's long legs carried him over the bushes and between trees; he dodged the creatures of the wood and avoided any path incase someone could be following him...
Someone WAS following him!
He heard a rustle behind him and he stopped to make no noise. His eyes searched for the person as well as for the big dog he was chasing. The noise was getting closer and out of nowhere he heard a female voice curse carry on.
"Damn dog! I should be celebrating and eating but no, ol' daddy has to show up and ruin the day. When I find him I'm gonna.oof!" the girl fell into Draco's view and he saw it was the Ravenclaw Keeper.and Sirus daughter?!
Confused, he walked over to her and offered his hand to pull her up. She just stared at it and him before pushing it aside and getting up by herself.
"Malfoy," she spat, "what in the world are you doing here?"
Regaining himself, he stood straight and stared down at her before saying, "I'm a school governor; I think I have the right to look in as I please. Who are you?"
Narrowing her black eyes (Sirus' eyes), she answered, "I would think a governor would know me, considering I was the student who was put under school arrest during the Black escape my first year," her eyes flashed before she continued, "besides Potter, of course."
Draco had never known that during his time at school that the child of a mass murderer was eating meals with him two tables away! He would never admit that, though. "I was at school at the time so I wouldn't know much about with happened six years ago."
"Oh, but you should. Malfoy, I knew of you during your stay at Hogwarts. You were most famous! The glorious hunk that lived in the dungeons. Well, you may have the face but you don't have the brains," she stated, patting his shoulder before explaining in a preschool teacher voice, "you can't become a school governor until you're child is in the school, darling. For someone that's such a good liar you screwed that one up."
"I guess your right. Tell me who you are and I'll tell you what I'm doing here."
"Haylie Black, 7th year Ravenclaw and Captain of the team."
"Hence the robe. I am trying to find a shrub to make a potion." He lied, looking her up and down.
She golden blond hair was pulled back into a high pony tail, curling slightly at its ends. Her eyes were set on high cheek bones and a nose that crooked a bit from, he guessed, a Quaffle or Bludger hitting it. Under that were her lips, the bottom bigger than the top and a freckle just beneath it. Her frame was little and her height was about five foot five, she looked too small to be a Keeper. When he looked at her eyes again, they were smiling.
"What?" he questioned.
"You caught the Snitch in the first ten minutes against us a couple of years ago. I remember telling myself that when I was captain, I would make sure my Beaters would be all over you. Pity you graduated."
"Ha ha. What are you doing here, Black?"
"I'm looking for a Quaffle that was thrown in here. The teachers shouldn't know, though. The Forbidden Forest is forbidden" She said, looking at him like there was nothing to hide. He knew it was a lie, but he might as well play along, this girl could help him.
"Oh, well let me help you." He said.
"Nah, that's ok. Bye," she began to walk off, but he stepped into her way.
"This place is dangerous, I shouldn't leave you alone."
"Like you could help me. I bet you've never even been in here before anyway."
"My first year I was forced to wander around this place with nothing but a dog, lamp, and Harry Potter himself."
Her eyes flared, to his surprise, with jealousy and she turned to walk the other way. "That was a decade ago, and spare me the story."
"Why? Don't you want to know about Potter? He did save the world, after all." Draco pressed, pulling on the back of her robe.
He didn't expect to hear her sniffle and he circled her to see her face. She lifted her eyes to him for one second, long enough for him to see that she was no longer jealous or angry, but hurt.
"If I wanted to know anything more about Harry Potter, all I'd have to do was mention his name to my father, and I'd get an earful about the successes and how he's like his father and what a great Harry is. I don't need any outside help. Just let me go."
"Who's your father?"
"Doesn't matter, let me go."
"I think it matters."
"Why would I tell a Death Eater? LET ME GO!" and with that, Haylie pushed him, showing more strength than he had guessed she had, and sprinted deeper into the forest, letting Draco lie there in wonder.
"Strange girl. I'll be seeing her soon." He said out loud, forgetting about the news to the headmaster and apparated to his house.
******
Dissel avoided the main halls next to the Dark Lords room as much as possible. He didn't enjoy socializing with young, over-excited, naïve Death Eaters who always wanted to make a good impression towards their master. The sight disgusted him, so he instead used the servants runaways. Of course, he wasn't always lucky enough to get away from his peers.
"Dissel," Draco Malfoy called from behind the man, striding towards him.
"Yes?" Dissel answered, turning to get a better look at his fellow Death Eater.
"Oh, I just wanted to get caught up, considering we only have spoken twice sense my promotion so we don't know anything about each other, and I like to know my comrades." he drawled, leaning onto the wall.
Dissel noted that he was covered in dirt and his usual up-kept appearance was replaced with dishevel hair and twigs sticking out of his cloak. "Malfoy Jr., aren't you almost always outside tempting the girls?"
"Yes, but I was interested in seeing you turn into the servants quarters. Avoiding our Lord, are we?"
"How did you know it was the servant's quarters?"
Draco rolled his eyes. "I've lived here sense I was born, hence the name Malfoy Manor."
Dissel didn't like this kid, his sarcasm, laziness and cleverness made an indirect threat. Draco, not noticing the other mans silence, pushed himself off the wall and folded his arms over his chest. "Why are you avoiding Voldemort?" he questioned more to the point now.
"I'm not, just not in the mood to deal with his fans," Dissel responded, standing up straight so he was eye to eye with younger boy. The men continued to stare till Draco smiled and starting walking in the other direction.
"See you next meeting," he drawled over his shoulder.
Dissel shrugged off the feeling of the boys' presence and continued down the corridor to his room. The same guard stood at the door, eyeing him carefully then opening the door. He sat himself in front of a table and ringed for a house elf to bring up his dinner. Then he let his mind wander.
Tessa was more trouble then he had originally thought. She was back at school for about 15 days and all the owls he had sent her had been returned saying the same thing, "Dissel, you not getting anything till my parents and brothers are at home making tea and sending me presents. Yours Truly, Tessa."
If she had been anywhere else than Hogwarts and working directly for his master, Dissel believe she would have been strangled by him for than once. She seemed to be keeping quiet, though. That gave him reassurance that she was still imitated by him and guilty talking to him at Knotty Nicks that night..
((memory: He wasn't getting an answer from the gorgeous red-head he had asked to dance with. Instead, she seemed to be concentrating on her shoes, which were on her lap, not on her feet.
"Snap out of it Ginny!" the other girl whispered into her ear and the red- head popped out of her zone long enough to notice him and say every nicely, "Oh, sorry. Nah, thanks for asking, I'm just not in the mood."
He was disappointed, who wouldn't be? The woman looked like she had just fallen from heaven. Just as he was turning to go, her friend touched his arm and smiled.
"Well, if she won't, I will," she offered. "Do you mind settling for little old me?"
He smiled back and took her hand to lead her onto the floor. Though he wasn't able to get the goddess, her angle would be just fine. He inspected her a bit before pulling her into his arms and starting to sway to one of his favorites, 'Broken Wand'.
"Sorry about my friend. She seems to have been hit with a love spell." She said, sighing and tossing her black hair out of her face.
"It's ok. I'm Dissel. What's your name?"
"I'm Tessa Mourning and that was Ginny Weasley. We're just out here to get her thoughts away from this job offer. Seemed to work, huh?" Tessa giggled.
"Where do you work?" he asked, looking at Ginny. He had heard of the name Weasley before. Both from the papers about Ron Weasley's Quidditch success and from Draco Malfoy, who just got a promotion and was working in the circle, who talked about Harry Potter's best friend. He may be able to use that on his search for Sirus Black.
"Oh, I don't work. I'm still a student at Hogwarts. 7th year, finally. But Ginny is a reporter for the Weekly Prophet. She asked her boss about doing a story and he said he'll tell her after the weekend. I really don't like him, considering I was the one to pull her out of the toilet and polish her up. My parents were so mad today when I got home to change for tonight because I used magic and I'm not allowed to till tomorrow when I get back to school. My mom works in Misuse of Magic department, so I think she'll get me out of it.maybe not after the rumble we had this afternoon. Anyways, where do you work?"
Boy, she was a talkative one, he thought to himself. Maybe he could get to talk more about Ginny's brother. "Well, I'm a Quidditch player, so I don't get to read much in Daily or Weekly Prophets. Does your friend have an older brother in the game?"
"Oh yes, Ron Weasley. I play too! I'm a Chaser for my house team, and my room mate, Haylie Black is the captain and Ke.ouch! My foot!" the girl stopped, letting go of him and hopping up and down on the uninjured leg.
"I'm so sorry! I'm sorry, I'm usually better at this." He apologized automatically, helping her but couldn't get the name out of his mind. Haylie Black. Black. The same last name of the person he was trying to track down for his lord!
"Its ok, you must have just recognized her name. Haylie is the best Keeper in history and every team is trying to get her to sign with them!" Tessa exclaimed proudly. "She gets it from both her parents. Her mom was wonderful and she told Haylie that her father was great at it, too. Haylie wouldn't know, though, because when she was still living in America, he disappeared and now.." she blushed as if knowing she gave away too much. "I'm sorry, but please don't tell anyone." Dissel just nodded and grinned happily. He had found the roommate of, or at least who could be, Blacks daughter! Tessa seemed not to get the connection between the criminal and her friend, though. All for the better, he told himself, making a plan in his head.
"Um, I better go scold Ginny for not dancing with such a cute and nice man," she said, standing embarrassingly and saying good-bye.
"Good-bye, thanks for the dance," he called after her, "and I'll be seeing you soon." he murmured the rest under his breath, leaving the bar and taking out his mask.))
He had decided that night that Tessa was the link to getting Sirus, and then he would be able to present his master with the one thing he wanted most, Harry Potter.
******
Ginny slumped against her chair in exhaustion, trying to answer the questions swarming her. She had only been there for a week and already seen two raids, controlled a rescue search, wrote forty pages of notes for her column and deceived Harry into believing she was someone else. She spent her days as Chess and her nights as a reporter, all the while working side- by-side with Schell, the man she had vowed she'd do anything to find after the alley attack, and Harry, the man she had sent a singing valentine to during her first year. She still blushed at the though of that.
"Chess, you look horrible. The nights are for sleeping around here, not working. You need rest," Harry, who stood behind her, said. To his and everyone else's eyes, she had straight brown hair, freckles, glasses and a mole the size of a small lemon on her chin. Schell went along with it, believing her out there explanation.
"Chess, where did your red-hair and face go?" he had whispered to her in a low voice while Pelican introduced her to the staff.
"This is the real me. The poly juice has worn off," she had responded, shaking hands with some random person.
Everyone seemed to be relieved to have an "experienced stragitist" there and working. She had ignored the stare from Schell and the confused look from Harry when she went into the crowd to mingle with people.
Now she felt like she was about to explode! Harry was right, the nights are for sleeping, and that's exactly what she was going to do.
"Your right, Jet, I'm in for a good-night sleep. 'Night everyone." Ginny called, then got up and left the office.
Harry watched after her till she was out of sight, then took his leave and wandered around, not ready to go to bed. There was something odd about Chess, he knew it but couldn't place it. Those eyes and voice, so much like Ginny, so familiar, yet the person were in no way her. She looked different and she acted different; less confident and quieter, like she was always surveying.
"Jet!" someone called from behind him and he turned to see Schell there.
"Yes?" he murmured, rolling his eyes and turning so he could keep walking.
"I'm trying to place Chess. How did you know her?"
"I've never met her before in my life, but she seems so much like someone else I know. someone I just cant get my mind off of."
"Who?"
"No one. Why?"
"Well, when she arrived, she looked just like the girl who tipped us off in the alley a week ago. When I asked her about it, she said she was just wandering around, looking for stuff because she already knew the job. She had mentioned something about you, so I sent you down to her dorm to meet her, and when you came back, she had changed. She told me it was Poly juice, but I'm just lost."
"Poly juice? What's so confusing about that?"
"That's not the confusing part. I think she's wanted for or hiding something and refuses to be out in public as her self. That's my theory, anyway"
Harry stopped and looked at the other man, who was only and couple years older than him, and snapped, "Well, your theories are bullshit. Last time I listened to one, I ended up not allowed to go into the field anymore, so maybe you should just take your crap and flush it like everyone else wants you to do."
"Man, that wasn't my fault," Schell said, feeling his fury boil up.
"Well, it doesn't matter; I got blamed for it anyway."
"It doesn't even matter."
"It mattered to the department; it mattered to me; most of all it mattered to Tanil, who's lying five feet under dirt somewhere in France." Harry breathed before he said, "Let's leave it at that. Good Night, Schell."
"Go fuck yourself, Jet."
"Unlike you, I can find someone to do that with..for free."
Harry had to run the rest of the way back to his dorm, unfortunate to have left his wand there.
**WOW!! This chapter is LONG!! Upon request from a dear friend (Lacy) I have decided to add Draco into the story, so for all you Draco fans out there, Merry Christmas! Anyways, having Harry not know who Ginny is seems to make more sense for now, more dramatic later so I guess I lied when I said he was going to "see" her. Next chapter Tessa and Brandi spill a bit more about the past, Sirus and Harry converse about Haylie, Ginny gets chewed out by her boss and Draco makes an appearance to Haylie, who is going to show us all the true meaning behind trust. Thanks and PLZ REVIEW!!!!!**
New Faces Turn Heads
A knock on Ginny's door woke her with a start, causing her to sit up quickly and check to make sure her notebook was where she left it. She didn't know how long her semi-conscious state had lasted, but was quick to note that some linens and food had been left on her desk. Someone had entered the room while she was sleeping, and the thought made the reporter shiver.
The knock became more sharp and impatient, reminding Ginny of why she was creeping herself out instead of being relaxed, warm, and dancing in Ginny World.
"Hang on!" she called, pushing herself off the mattress and over to her wardrobe to find her wand.
Meanwhile, the person standing in the hallway seemed to lean against the unsteady, wooded barrier into the room and inhaled deeply.
"I'm sorry to inconvenience you, Chess, but for some reason Schell insisted that we meet. May I come in?" Harry said. After Schell had left the little back room, Harry had left for his own office and attempted to start on some paper work, but for some reason couldn't shimmy his way out of thinking about the new stragitist. Now he found himself outside of her room, wondering why the voice he heard call out to him seem so familiar and searched his past to try and place it.
He had juggled his work, social, and celebrity-style life so unsurely after he graduated from Hogwarts that it became a big mess. The media had practically begun to live at his flat, his social life had slumped till it was almost non-existent because of work, where he wasn't allowed to go out and actually fight because an accident on the field, leaving someone dead on his call. On his way into a major nervous breakdown, Pelican caught him and helped the poor teenager get his life back into his own hands. Harry rarely left the underground base, had made tons more friends in his new habitat and didn't need to fear the press watching him shower or something.
He still missed his friends dearly, though, and all the adventures they used to get in. Ron, Harry's first real friend ever made and now almost an adopted brother, was spending the rest of his teenage years as Keeper for England's Quidditch team. Traveling, playing and making loads of money, Harry was positive his best friend was having the time of his life.
Then again, Hermione was also part of Ron's life, maybe making it even better. Having a girlfriend who was making all the difference in the wizarding world must make you feel better about yourself, Harry thought to himself with a smile. She had been the top student in their class (duh) and was working at the ministry as the head of "Misuse of Magic", making her the youngest person to be in charge of a ministry department in history!
The only other person who could have made as high as Hermione's marks and wiggle her way into the history books was Ginny. He had become rather fond of her after she grew out of her most embarrassing crush on him. She was able to challenge his wits, without making him feel stupid as Hermione did, or beat him at Quidditch without making him feel like a loser. She had grown and matured an lot, he recalled, thinking about her gorgeous hair, deep brown eyes, full lips.he had to think about someone else. She was his best friends little sister, after all!
But then he found he couldn't think of anyone else when Chess opened her dorms door and he was forced to face those shocked brown eyes.
*******
One week later
Tessa dive and made a grab at the Quaffle, but missed when she was distracted by the Gryffindor Seeker swoop for the Snitch. Haylie, the Ravenclaw captain, bounced on her broom, trying to get her attention. Get the ball, she mouthed, then caught the Quaffle, which the other teams Chaser had got, easily and threw it with all her might toward Tessa. She grabbed for it again, this time catching it, and flew to the other teams post, tossing it to Lisa for an easy score.
With cheers, the team followed Haylie in a victory lap, and then went back to their positions. Haylie, captain and Keeper, of course; Tessa, Lisa and a 4th year boy named Troy Zappit were the Chasers; Beaters were 7th year boys named Justin Tipe and William Zonk; and last the Ravenclaw Seeker, a 5th year perfect named Jordan Hersmith. Quick and speedy, the team was battling to beat the champions of 9 years, Gryffindor Lions. So far, though, Ravenclaw was 40 points behind.
"The Quaffle is thrown again and Gryffindors' Jakes takes it in an impressive twist," Bobby Taffy, a Gryffindor of course, was announcing for the game, "He's moving toward Black, who seems to.wait, was that a yawn from her? Oh, baby, your going to get your little tail whi...she jumped off the broom and caught it! That has to be a foul. Oh, Zappit flies under and gets the Quaffle 'dropped' by Black, and he's heading for the other side..ouch, banged in the arm by a Bludger. Gryffindor takes control of the ball yet again..flying to the post.Haylie Black seems to be giving some kind of signal.wait, why did he drop the Quaffle? Mourning takes it and is running down the field..Hersmith diving! The Snitch! Tessa throws the Quaffle at Jake..why?...NO! Don't dive! Jake gets the Quaffle, but you cut your Seeker off, you idiot! Hersmith grabs the Snitch! RAVENCLAW WINS, 210 to 100!!"
The crowd was going wild as the team swooped down to congratulate each other and visit with their friends. Tessa breathed an easy, happy sigh, temporarily forgetting her life's turmoil. Quidditch seemed to always clear her head and relax her. When Ginny was still on the Gryffindor team, they would go for days without speaking to each other before the game, playing pranks, betting large sums of money, etc. Now that Ginny was gone, Tessa was Head Girl and three out of the four Ravenclaw 7th year girls were on the team, she didn't have any stress or anxiety.
Brandi ran up, dragging her current guy, and pulled her and Haylie into a bone crushing hug, tugging Tessa out of her thoughts. "WE WON!! YOU WON!!" she screamed at her roommates, jumping while still holding them.
"Well, now, I see I'm not loved," Lisa said, standing behind the group pouting and ignoring the wild Ravenclaws trying to congratulate her.
Laughing, they squeezed her in and continued to dance happily when someone screamed terribly. All stunned, they looked to the voice and saw a giant grim rushing into the Forbidden Forest. Panic broke lose and most of the spectators ran to the safty of the castle.
"Ravenclaw team, into the locker room!" Haylie's yelled, then, to Tessa's horror, turned and ran after the evil symbol.
******
The day wasn't the best for walking conditions, but Draco knew that Dumbledore would be expecting the news right away. Twisting and turning through the hallways of his home, he made his way to his room and grabbed his cloak.
Draco had grown to be a walking god to most girls. His height had exceeded most men as it was six foot and his build was lean and fit. His facial features hadn't changed much sense his school years; still had a straight nose, full lips, high cheek bones and piercing gray eyes. There was only one error to him, and that was the always burning of the Dark Mark on his wrist.
But he ignored it as he threw on his cloak and Apparated to Hogsmade.
He arrived at the gates of Hogwarts, where he let himself in and started to make his way to the castle. Cheers could be heard from the Quidditch stadium, and he hoped against reason that Dumbledore would be in his office. He didn't feel like watching the game, but if one was going on, most likely the headmaster was there to witness it. Sighing, Draco plowed his way through the snow toward the field.
Memories rushed back, evil thoughts lured and Draco could only remember when, on this same field, he held his wrist out for the Dark Lord to brand him.
He shook his head and concentrated on his task, telling the Headmaster about the search for Harry Potter and his Godfather. Draco had become, like Snape, a double agent, once his master had killed his parents during his sixth year. Revenge was in his blood, and because his enemy had killed his parents, took over his home, and laid out Draco's future, all he wanted to do was bring him down.
Easier said than done.
He had made it to the field in time to see the Ravenclaw Keeper flick a Gryffindor off, causing him to drop the Quaffle. Draco smirked at the girl, happy to note that the Ravenclaws were much better prepared than in his years. He then witnessed a clever play, and saw Ravenclaw Seeker holding the Snitch for everyone to see.
Draco couldn't help jump and cheer with the Ravenclaws and happily watch the Gryffindor team shuffle off the field. In all the excitement, though, he searched the crowd carefully for Dumbledore. Taller than most, he was the first to see the black dog at the other side of the stadium. "Sirus," Draco said to himself, dashing around the back of the crowd where no one could see him and making his way to his target.
Damn, they must have seen me, he thought when the first scream was heard and people began to rush to the castle.
"Ravenclaw team, into the locker room!" was the only command he heard, before he took off toward the Forbidden Forest, where he last saw Sirus running to. Draco's long legs carried him over the bushes and between trees; he dodged the creatures of the wood and avoided any path incase someone could be following him...
Someone WAS following him!
He heard a rustle behind him and he stopped to make no noise. His eyes searched for the person as well as for the big dog he was chasing. The noise was getting closer and out of nowhere he heard a female voice curse carry on.
"Damn dog! I should be celebrating and eating but no, ol' daddy has to show up and ruin the day. When I find him I'm gonna.oof!" the girl fell into Draco's view and he saw it was the Ravenclaw Keeper.and Sirus daughter?!
Confused, he walked over to her and offered his hand to pull her up. She just stared at it and him before pushing it aside and getting up by herself.
"Malfoy," she spat, "what in the world are you doing here?"
Regaining himself, he stood straight and stared down at her before saying, "I'm a school governor; I think I have the right to look in as I please. Who are you?"
Narrowing her black eyes (Sirus' eyes), she answered, "I would think a governor would know me, considering I was the student who was put under school arrest during the Black escape my first year," her eyes flashed before she continued, "besides Potter, of course."
Draco had never known that during his time at school that the child of a mass murderer was eating meals with him two tables away! He would never admit that, though. "I was at school at the time so I wouldn't know much about with happened six years ago."
"Oh, but you should. Malfoy, I knew of you during your stay at Hogwarts. You were most famous! The glorious hunk that lived in the dungeons. Well, you may have the face but you don't have the brains," she stated, patting his shoulder before explaining in a preschool teacher voice, "you can't become a school governor until you're child is in the school, darling. For someone that's such a good liar you screwed that one up."
"I guess your right. Tell me who you are and I'll tell you what I'm doing here."
"Haylie Black, 7th year Ravenclaw and Captain of the team."
"Hence the robe. I am trying to find a shrub to make a potion." He lied, looking her up and down.
She golden blond hair was pulled back into a high pony tail, curling slightly at its ends. Her eyes were set on high cheek bones and a nose that crooked a bit from, he guessed, a Quaffle or Bludger hitting it. Under that were her lips, the bottom bigger than the top and a freckle just beneath it. Her frame was little and her height was about five foot five, she looked too small to be a Keeper. When he looked at her eyes again, they were smiling.
"What?" he questioned.
"You caught the Snitch in the first ten minutes against us a couple of years ago. I remember telling myself that when I was captain, I would make sure my Beaters would be all over you. Pity you graduated."
"Ha ha. What are you doing here, Black?"
"I'm looking for a Quaffle that was thrown in here. The teachers shouldn't know, though. The Forbidden Forest is forbidden" She said, looking at him like there was nothing to hide. He knew it was a lie, but he might as well play along, this girl could help him.
"Oh, well let me help you." He said.
"Nah, that's ok. Bye," she began to walk off, but he stepped into her way.
"This place is dangerous, I shouldn't leave you alone."
"Like you could help me. I bet you've never even been in here before anyway."
"My first year I was forced to wander around this place with nothing but a dog, lamp, and Harry Potter himself."
Her eyes flared, to his surprise, with jealousy and she turned to walk the other way. "That was a decade ago, and spare me the story."
"Why? Don't you want to know about Potter? He did save the world, after all." Draco pressed, pulling on the back of her robe.
He didn't expect to hear her sniffle and he circled her to see her face. She lifted her eyes to him for one second, long enough for him to see that she was no longer jealous or angry, but hurt.
"If I wanted to know anything more about Harry Potter, all I'd have to do was mention his name to my father, and I'd get an earful about the successes and how he's like his father and what a great Harry is. I don't need any outside help. Just let me go."
"Who's your father?"
"Doesn't matter, let me go."
"I think it matters."
"Why would I tell a Death Eater? LET ME GO!" and with that, Haylie pushed him, showing more strength than he had guessed she had, and sprinted deeper into the forest, letting Draco lie there in wonder.
"Strange girl. I'll be seeing her soon." He said out loud, forgetting about the news to the headmaster and apparated to his house.
******
Dissel avoided the main halls next to the Dark Lords room as much as possible. He didn't enjoy socializing with young, over-excited, naïve Death Eaters who always wanted to make a good impression towards their master. The sight disgusted him, so he instead used the servants runaways. Of course, he wasn't always lucky enough to get away from his peers.
"Dissel," Draco Malfoy called from behind the man, striding towards him.
"Yes?" Dissel answered, turning to get a better look at his fellow Death Eater.
"Oh, I just wanted to get caught up, considering we only have spoken twice sense my promotion so we don't know anything about each other, and I like to know my comrades." he drawled, leaning onto the wall.
Dissel noted that he was covered in dirt and his usual up-kept appearance was replaced with dishevel hair and twigs sticking out of his cloak. "Malfoy Jr., aren't you almost always outside tempting the girls?"
"Yes, but I was interested in seeing you turn into the servants quarters. Avoiding our Lord, are we?"
"How did you know it was the servant's quarters?"
Draco rolled his eyes. "I've lived here sense I was born, hence the name Malfoy Manor."
Dissel didn't like this kid, his sarcasm, laziness and cleverness made an indirect threat. Draco, not noticing the other mans silence, pushed himself off the wall and folded his arms over his chest. "Why are you avoiding Voldemort?" he questioned more to the point now.
"I'm not, just not in the mood to deal with his fans," Dissel responded, standing up straight so he was eye to eye with younger boy. The men continued to stare till Draco smiled and starting walking in the other direction.
"See you next meeting," he drawled over his shoulder.
Dissel shrugged off the feeling of the boys' presence and continued down the corridor to his room. The same guard stood at the door, eyeing him carefully then opening the door. He sat himself in front of a table and ringed for a house elf to bring up his dinner. Then he let his mind wander.
Tessa was more trouble then he had originally thought. She was back at school for about 15 days and all the owls he had sent her had been returned saying the same thing, "Dissel, you not getting anything till my parents and brothers are at home making tea and sending me presents. Yours Truly, Tessa."
If she had been anywhere else than Hogwarts and working directly for his master, Dissel believe she would have been strangled by him for than once. She seemed to be keeping quiet, though. That gave him reassurance that she was still imitated by him and guilty talking to him at Knotty Nicks that night..
((memory: He wasn't getting an answer from the gorgeous red-head he had asked to dance with. Instead, she seemed to be concentrating on her shoes, which were on her lap, not on her feet.
"Snap out of it Ginny!" the other girl whispered into her ear and the red- head popped out of her zone long enough to notice him and say every nicely, "Oh, sorry. Nah, thanks for asking, I'm just not in the mood."
He was disappointed, who wouldn't be? The woman looked like she had just fallen from heaven. Just as he was turning to go, her friend touched his arm and smiled.
"Well, if she won't, I will," she offered. "Do you mind settling for little old me?"
He smiled back and took her hand to lead her onto the floor. Though he wasn't able to get the goddess, her angle would be just fine. He inspected her a bit before pulling her into his arms and starting to sway to one of his favorites, 'Broken Wand'.
"Sorry about my friend. She seems to have been hit with a love spell." She said, sighing and tossing her black hair out of her face.
"It's ok. I'm Dissel. What's your name?"
"I'm Tessa Mourning and that was Ginny Weasley. We're just out here to get her thoughts away from this job offer. Seemed to work, huh?" Tessa giggled.
"Where do you work?" he asked, looking at Ginny. He had heard of the name Weasley before. Both from the papers about Ron Weasley's Quidditch success and from Draco Malfoy, who just got a promotion and was working in the circle, who talked about Harry Potter's best friend. He may be able to use that on his search for Sirus Black.
"Oh, I don't work. I'm still a student at Hogwarts. 7th year, finally. But Ginny is a reporter for the Weekly Prophet. She asked her boss about doing a story and he said he'll tell her after the weekend. I really don't like him, considering I was the one to pull her out of the toilet and polish her up. My parents were so mad today when I got home to change for tonight because I used magic and I'm not allowed to till tomorrow when I get back to school. My mom works in Misuse of Magic department, so I think she'll get me out of it.maybe not after the rumble we had this afternoon. Anyways, where do you work?"
Boy, she was a talkative one, he thought to himself. Maybe he could get to talk more about Ginny's brother. "Well, I'm a Quidditch player, so I don't get to read much in Daily or Weekly Prophets. Does your friend have an older brother in the game?"
"Oh yes, Ron Weasley. I play too! I'm a Chaser for my house team, and my room mate, Haylie Black is the captain and Ke.ouch! My foot!" the girl stopped, letting go of him and hopping up and down on the uninjured leg.
"I'm so sorry! I'm sorry, I'm usually better at this." He apologized automatically, helping her but couldn't get the name out of his mind. Haylie Black. Black. The same last name of the person he was trying to track down for his lord!
"Its ok, you must have just recognized her name. Haylie is the best Keeper in history and every team is trying to get her to sign with them!" Tessa exclaimed proudly. "She gets it from both her parents. Her mom was wonderful and she told Haylie that her father was great at it, too. Haylie wouldn't know, though, because when she was still living in America, he disappeared and now.." she blushed as if knowing she gave away too much. "I'm sorry, but please don't tell anyone." Dissel just nodded and grinned happily. He had found the roommate of, or at least who could be, Blacks daughter! Tessa seemed not to get the connection between the criminal and her friend, though. All for the better, he told himself, making a plan in his head.
"Um, I better go scold Ginny for not dancing with such a cute and nice man," she said, standing embarrassingly and saying good-bye.
"Good-bye, thanks for the dance," he called after her, "and I'll be seeing you soon." he murmured the rest under his breath, leaving the bar and taking out his mask.))
He had decided that night that Tessa was the link to getting Sirus, and then he would be able to present his master with the one thing he wanted most, Harry Potter.
******
Ginny slumped against her chair in exhaustion, trying to answer the questions swarming her. She had only been there for a week and already seen two raids, controlled a rescue search, wrote forty pages of notes for her column and deceived Harry into believing she was someone else. She spent her days as Chess and her nights as a reporter, all the while working side- by-side with Schell, the man she had vowed she'd do anything to find after the alley attack, and Harry, the man she had sent a singing valentine to during her first year. She still blushed at the though of that.
"Chess, you look horrible. The nights are for sleeping around here, not working. You need rest," Harry, who stood behind her, said. To his and everyone else's eyes, she had straight brown hair, freckles, glasses and a mole the size of a small lemon on her chin. Schell went along with it, believing her out there explanation.
"Chess, where did your red-hair and face go?" he had whispered to her in a low voice while Pelican introduced her to the staff.
"This is the real me. The poly juice has worn off," she had responded, shaking hands with some random person.
Everyone seemed to be relieved to have an "experienced stragitist" there and working. She had ignored the stare from Schell and the confused look from Harry when she went into the crowd to mingle with people.
Now she felt like she was about to explode! Harry was right, the nights are for sleeping, and that's exactly what she was going to do.
"Your right, Jet, I'm in for a good-night sleep. 'Night everyone." Ginny called, then got up and left the office.
Harry watched after her till she was out of sight, then took his leave and wandered around, not ready to go to bed. There was something odd about Chess, he knew it but couldn't place it. Those eyes and voice, so much like Ginny, so familiar, yet the person were in no way her. She looked different and she acted different; less confident and quieter, like she was always surveying.
"Jet!" someone called from behind him and he turned to see Schell there.
"Yes?" he murmured, rolling his eyes and turning so he could keep walking.
"I'm trying to place Chess. How did you know her?"
"I've never met her before in my life, but she seems so much like someone else I know. someone I just cant get my mind off of."
"Who?"
"No one. Why?"
"Well, when she arrived, she looked just like the girl who tipped us off in the alley a week ago. When I asked her about it, she said she was just wandering around, looking for stuff because she already knew the job. She had mentioned something about you, so I sent you down to her dorm to meet her, and when you came back, she had changed. She told me it was Poly juice, but I'm just lost."
"Poly juice? What's so confusing about that?"
"That's not the confusing part. I think she's wanted for or hiding something and refuses to be out in public as her self. That's my theory, anyway"
Harry stopped and looked at the other man, who was only and couple years older than him, and snapped, "Well, your theories are bullshit. Last time I listened to one, I ended up not allowed to go into the field anymore, so maybe you should just take your crap and flush it like everyone else wants you to do."
"Man, that wasn't my fault," Schell said, feeling his fury boil up.
"Well, it doesn't matter; I got blamed for it anyway."
"It doesn't even matter."
"It mattered to the department; it mattered to me; most of all it mattered to Tanil, who's lying five feet under dirt somewhere in France." Harry breathed before he said, "Let's leave it at that. Good Night, Schell."
"Go fuck yourself, Jet."
"Unlike you, I can find someone to do that with..for free."
Harry had to run the rest of the way back to his dorm, unfortunate to have left his wand there.
**WOW!! This chapter is LONG!! Upon request from a dear friend (Lacy) I have decided to add Draco into the story, so for all you Draco fans out there, Merry Christmas! Anyways, having Harry not know who Ginny is seems to make more sense for now, more dramatic later so I guess I lied when I said he was going to "see" her. Next chapter Tessa and Brandi spill a bit more about the past, Sirus and Harry converse about Haylie, Ginny gets chewed out by her boss and Draco makes an appearance to Haylie, who is going to show us all the true meaning behind trust. Thanks and PLZ REVIEW!!!!!**
