A/N: Okay, I don't know if ANY of you are actually going to come back for this chapter, it's been so long since I updated. *Sigh* I'm sorry. HOWEVER: I've already written chapter 22!! Yay! ^_^ Okay, so...at most there's 3 chapters to go. Maybe two, I'm not sure yet. But anyway, have fun with this chapter, it's...interesting. Oh yeah, and there's a Quidditch game! Hooray!
Chapter Twenty-One
Of Quizes, Quidditch, and Teatime
"It seems we have a new student," Professor Jenkins sneered. Harmony looked up at her, startled. Why was Crystal being so mean all of a sudden?
As a matter of fact, Crystal had decided that Mindy's over familiar attitude was going to get "Brooke" caught. After a council with Mindy and Remus, Crystal agreed to get rather...Snape-ish toward Harmony.
These facts all passed through Crystal's mind in a splintered second, and then she continued sneering down at "Brooke Silinster", and consequently Harry Potter and Hermione Granger as well. "Miss Silinster," She continued, in the sarcasm the alias deserved, "Are you enjoying your little stay here in Hogwarts?"
"Yes, Cry-Professor," Harmony squeaked.
"Hopefully you've remembered to study as well?"
"Yes, Professor," Crystal didn't realize how well she was playing her part. Many of her pupils (Neville in particular) were having bad flashbacks starring their old Potions master.
"Very well," Crystal said, smiling down at her newest pupil before sweeping to her desk. "I will be the judge of that." With a flourish, she produced a thick stack of papers. "Today, class, we will have a pop quiz in honor of our new friend."
The class groaned, and Harmony stared at Crystal in open-mouthed shock. What the HELL? What have I done? Harmony thought to herself furiously. She made a mental note not to allow Crystal back into Marigold to visit Sirius.
She took on of the test packets (the word 'quiz' does it an injustice-it was four pages long) and surveyed the first page.
1. Manticore breath has what affect on domestic dogs?
2. How does fire hinder lethifold reproduction?
WHAT?! Harmony's mind screamed as she stared down the seemingly never-ending list of ridiculously hard questions right down to '206. Compare and contrast werewolf and vampire fangs.' This was ridiculous! She looked around, and was relieved to see everyone around with a look on his or her face similar to the one she imagined to be on hers, with the obvious exception of Hermione, who was already hard at work. She then turned to glare at Crystal, who was searching her class with the eyes of a hawk. They made eye contact...
And Crystal winked.
Harmony rolled her own eyes. She realized that Crystal was just acting her part to help hide 'Brooke's' identity. She silently gave her professor an Academy award and then turned to attempt passing the "quiz."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Life in Marigold was dull. For Ron, it was downright miserable. He moped around the palace, to the point where both Sirius and Shinra were getting worried about his health.
They both knew that Harmony hadn't parted on the best of terms with Ron, but neither of them understood the extent of what had happened. Sirius tried to approach Ron, but he got only the cold shoulder.
Ron didn't realize how frustrating he had become. Harmony was plaguing his thoughts, and his mind would tolerate little else. Every day after she left the palace seemed to hold too many memories.
But what could he do? Leave, perhaps, but where to? Hogwarts was obviously out of the question, as was practically all the human world. His home in Marigold was the palace, and there was nowhere else he could really go.
His solution? Ron had taken to turning into a badger and disappearing into the forest for hours on end. The forest that had inspired fear into him during his years at Hogwarts had now become the only thing he took any comfort in. Perhaps if Hagrid would've been more observant during his groundkeeper's duties, he would've noticed a badger skirting the edge of the forest, its liquid eyes gazing intently at the castle.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It took Harmony a good three weeks to get used to her life as Brooke Silinster. Not to mention the name itself, she had to adjust to teachers, classes, students, waking up, eating school food, teenage gossip, Quidditch excitement, rivalry with Slytherin, and most of all being friends with Harry and Hermione. It was culture shock for the sheltered Princess of Slytherin's Palace.
And it was a good thing she was in the groove of things by then, because the first mention of Ron came up, and she realized she had to pretend she didn't know who he was or anything about him.
Joy of joys.
It was Friday, and everyone was buzzed about tomorrow's Quidditch game, Gryffindor vs. Ravenclaw. The winner would be facing Slytherin for the Cup. Harry's team had gone undefeated. He was determined to win in Ron's name. So if you can imagine an extremely nervous Harry fretting over a tattered book of strategies, Hermione pouring over a Runes chart, but stopping every other moment to look up worriedly at Harry, with Harmony frowning both at her essay and the nervous couple, then you know where we stand.
"Harry, are you alright?" Harmony asked when she couldn't stand the silence any longer. He jumped.
"Huh? Yeah, yeah, Brooke, I'm fine," He replied absently, waving her off. Harmony and Hermione exchanged looks.
"I don't think you are, Harry," Hermione said firmly. He looked up again, his emerald eyes searching her cinnamon ones. Watching the staring contest, Harmony wondered if she had started trouble. Just like the heir of Slytherin to turn Gryffindor and Ravenclaw against each other, she thought sarcastically.
"I'm fine, Hermione," Harry finally said, annunciating every word carefully.
"You hardly touched your dinner!" She wailed, causing both Harry and Harmony to start. She had obviously been worrying about this forever. "Even Ron ate before a Quidditch game-"
"Yeah, a chocolate chip cookie and a glass of milk."
"Well, at least it was something!"
"Who?" Muttering that one syllable was on of the hardest things Harmony Zalaras Slytherin ever forced herself to do. Pretend she didn't know Ron? That she'd never head of him? She was in love with him! Somehow, her natural Slytherin lying nature covered all this.
"Who what?" Harry asked. She gulped.
"Who's Ron?" The effect of her question was immediate. Hermione bit her lip and looked at Harry, who sighed and put his head in his hands.
"He was a friend of ours," Hermione explained softly. "A very dear friend."
"Was?" The was heart wrenching for Harmony to watch. She had never realized how very close Ron was to them. To see them nearly in tears...when she knew he was alive...
"He's dead." Harry said flatly, not lifting his head. "Voldemort."
"Oh no..." Harmony said, for lack of anything better. She remembered what Ron had said about Harry and Hermione "not caring" and felt a wave of anger sear through her. He didn't have a CLUE!
"Yeah," Harry said. He looked down at his strategy booklet for a moment, then stood and bounded upstairs toward his dorm.
"I'm sorry," Harmony whispered. "I didn't know." It was almost the truth.
"I know, Brooke," Hermione replied. "It's not your fault." Harmony was surprised to see the Head Girl wiping away tears. "Goodnight." And with that she stood and, like Harry, went to bed.
Harmony sat down and wondered what she had done. And, more importantly, if she had messed up Gryffindor's chances for winning tomorrow's match...
Saturday dawned bright and sunny, with a crisp breeze in the mid April air. Harry woke up before anyone else, with the possible exception of Corinne Sevenish, the Ravenclaw captain. At breakfast he ate next to nothing, despite Hermione's wheedling and Brooke's reassurances.
His pep talk was short, but his team knew what he was thinking of. Noelle Pineapple, a short blonde fifth year, gulped. She had taken Ron Weasley's position as keeper when he failed to be found before Quidditch season, and she got the feeling Harry didn't like her. (Unfortunately, Noelle got the feeling that one of the chasers and fellow fifth years, Ezekiel Banana, liked her a little too much...)
So, when the Gryffindor team marched onto the field, grim faced but determined, they were all too caught up in their own worlds to pay the screaming spectators much attention.
"And here come the Gryffindors: Pineapple, Banana, Greensleeves, Post, Fredbro, Swiss, and POTTER!" The crowd screamed. "Then the Ravenclaws: Twobuck, Christo, Vail, Turpin, Long, Gerst, and SEVENISH!" Once again, the crowd screamed. Harry tried to force himself to listen to the commentary as if it weren't Colin Creevey's squeaky voice. Madame Hooch came out and did her thing, then they were off.
For a moment, Harry was aware of nothing except the exhilaration of flying. However, he shook his head and turned his attention to the commentary.
"-Post to Banana, Banana to Gree-NO! IT'S INTERCEPTED!! Turpin in possession for Ravenclaw, passes to Vail, passes to Christo, back to Vail-WAIT! It's a fake! Christo passes to Turpin. She shoots...SHE SCORES!" Harry groaned as the score became 0-10. As the game continued, Gryffindor fell further and further behind. Noelle seemed a little off today, and Ezekiel seemed to be a bit over concerned with Noelle.
Harry gritted his teeth as Christo scored again, bringing the score to 90-20. Brad Swiss was Mike Fredbro, his beaters, were taking out their frustration on the Ravenclaw chasers, and be default Lizzy Post was left free to grab the quaffle and score. 'Great,' Harry thought, 'Now we're only 60 points down.'
"Just remember Harry, you were the youngest seeker for a century!" Harry could hear Ron's voice as clearly as if he were standing next to him. "There's no way we can lose." These had been his words right before they faced Hufflepuff for the Cup last year. The memory brought him strength, and a new resolve.
"Greensleeves in possession, and she's WIDE open! She takes it down the field, dodges a bludger from Gerst and-wait a second, what is Potter doing?!" The whole stadium turned its attention to the scarlet blur streaming across the field toward the Ravenclaw goal posts.
"Potter's seen the snitch!" Colin cried excitedly. "Sevenish tries to follow, but Potter's a speed demon on that broom. He-HE HAS THE SNITCH! POTTER CAPTURES THE SNITCH! GRYFFINDOR WINS 180-100!!" Uproar. It's really the only word to describe the chaos that ensued. "GRYFFINDOR IS GOING TO THE CUP FOR THE SIXTH YEAR RUNNING!!!"
Harry landed among screaming fans and teammates. He accepted their congratulations (although no one used such fancy words) gracefully, and fought his way through to change, as his housemates flocked up to the tower to party. He was the last one to leave the lockers, and was pleasantly surprised to find Hermione waiting for him.
"Hey," She said when he emerged. She kissed him, then smiled. "Congratulations on your big win." Well, of course Hermione used the big words.
"Today the Quidditch Cup, tomorrow the world!" Harry joked. Hermione laughed even though she knew his heart wasn't in it by the way he was half-smiling. Harry laced his fingers through hers. A brief silence ensued.
"Harry, are you okay?" Hermione asked finally. He sighed.
"Yeah, Herm, I'm fine," She could tell by his tone that the subject was closed, and therefore he was NOT okay.
"So," She said lightly, trying to change the subject. "What do you think of Brooke?"
"She's cool," He shrugged. Biting her lip, Hermione continued nervously.
"She didn't mean to bring up Ron, you know."
"Yeah," Harry said heavily. "Yeah, I know."
Neither of them noticed the emerald green snake hiding in the grass nearby, its liquid silver eyes watching their every move. 'Oh yes,' it thought, 'I did know.' The snake waited until the two disappeared into the castle before morphing into its true form.
Harmony was nearly in tears. Why couldn't she just TELL them? But no, she knew this wasn't an option. She looked longingly toward the forest, before turning to go back to the castle-Hogwarts, that is.
She didn't notice the badger hiding in the trees.
When Harmony reached the common room, she found a splendid party in action, with the Quidditch team in the middle of it all. She glanced at it unenthusiastically, before turning to go up to her dorm. Thankfully she found it deserted.
However, no sooner had she flopped into bed then she heard a knock at the door. With a groan, she forced herself up and to the door, preparing herself for a talk with Hermione. However, when she opened the door, she discovered that it wasn't Hermione at all.
It was Ginny.
"Oh," She said shortly, blinking. "It's you."
"Yeah..." Ginny raised her eyebrows. "Can I come in?"
"Oh, yeah," Harmony stepped aside, as if coming out of a daze. "Come on in."
"Thanks Har-I mean Brooke," The girls laughed.
"You don't know how good it feels to hear someone try to use my real name," Harmony smiled.
"I can imagine," Ginny replied. She sat down on Hermione's bed. "So, how is life here in Hogwarts treating you?"
"Not bad," Harmony shrugged. "I miss Marigold."
"Me too," Ginny smiled. "So, how's everyone in the city? How's Ron doing?"
"Probably swaggering around the castle like he owns the place, the miserable git," Harmony muttered spitefully.
"Well, something's developed that I certainly don't know about," Ginny said lightly, but on closer inspection, she realized her friend's face was sorrowful and angry. "Harmony, what happened?" She asked, quite seriously, sitting down next to the other girl, who refused to look at her.
"I got into a fight with Ron," Harmony finally murmured.
"What?" Ginny repeated disbelievingly.
"You heard me!" Harmony snapped.
"I know but...wow. You and Ron are so perfect-"
"Were, Ginny. Ron and I were so perfect," Harmony corrected bitterly.
"What...what happened?" Ginny inquired nervously.
"I don't know," Harmony replied miserably. "He just...and I...we..." She burst into tears.
"Oh dear," Ginny muttered, giving her friend an awkward hug.
"Sorry," Harmony whispered, pulling away and wiping her tears shamefully.
"For what?"
"For-" Harmony was interrupted by a knock on the door. The two girls jumped away.
"Come in," Harmony said, only to see none other than Miranda Himalia and Remus Lupin. She let out a sigh of relief.
"You guys scared me, I thought it was Hermione or something." Harmony laughed.
"What, you and Hermione not getting along?" Mindy asked in concern, shutting the door as she sat down on Parvati's bed.
"No, it's not that, it's just Ginny and I were talking about...er..."
"Marigold?" Remus supplied helpfully, sitting next to his fiancé. "Ron?"
"Yeah, him," Harmony replied in a bitter voice, looking away. Remus and Mindy gave her a funny look.
"They broke up," Ginny explained.
"Oh dear, I'm so sorry!" Mindy cried, standing and giving Harmony a hug. Harmony was shaking, but no longer crying.
"It's okay, Min, really." Harmony said, pulling away. "I'm fine."
"That's what I said too," Mindy smiled knowingly. Harmony looked down, and gasped.
"Oh my God, where did you get that ring?" She cried, looking up at Mindy, who turned to smile at Remus. Harmony stared. "Are you two...engaged?"
"Didn't I tell you about this?" Ginny asked. "Remus proposed in front of the entire Gryffindor/Ravenclaw Potions class!"
"You didn't!" Harmony exclaimed, looking at Remus.
"I did," He replied, grinning as he took Mindy's hand. Harmony looked at Mindy's happy expression and felt a pang of jealousy go through her. Just a few weeks ago she too had been engaged to be married. To Ron. And now, she had blown it.
No, no, HE had blown it, remember? Harmony said to herself. She couldn't start blaming herself, she would never be able to dig herself out of the guilt if she did and she knew it. She had to keep her anger, at least until she was finished here at Hogwarts. Only thirteen days left, she kept reminding herself. I only have to stay another thirteen days. Then my forty days are up and I can go home.
"Brooke? Brooke....HEY! Harmony! Are you alive in there?"
"Huh?" Harmony shook herself out of her dismal thoughts. "Yeah, I'm fine Ginny, thanks."
"You look about as fine as a cat stranded in a lake," Mindy muttered.
"I heard that!" Harmony said, smiling. Mindy rolled her eyes.
"You were supposed to, dumbo!" Just when things were starting to perk up a little, they heard the doorknob turn. Harmony jumped, looking nervous.
"Hey guys, bet you didn't think I could get up here, did you?"
The smug voice belonged to none other than Draco Malfoy. Ginny's jaw dropped.
"Draco?"
"Don't forget me," Another voice said. This time, all the rest of the jaws in the room dropped.
"Crystal?" Harmony and Mindy said at the same time. Crystal Jenkins smiled and shut the door behind herself and Draco.
"That's my name, don't wear it out," She said, dropping onto Hermione's bed as Draco sat on Lavender's. He gestured for Ginny to join him, which she did.
"How did you guys get in here?" Harmony finally managed to splutter. Crystal laughed.
"A little trick Sirius taught me once," She replied, grinning.
"That old trick?" Remus asked disbelievingly. "That still WORKS?"
"Of course, Moony," Crystal replied. Harmony just smiled and shook her head. After being in Crystal's class, she found it strange to see her so...happy. She looked around at the few people in the school that knew her...really knew her as herself. She was so tired of this masquerade. She was Harmony Zalaras Slytherin, damn it, and she wanted the world to know.
No, she didn't. If Harry or Hermione knew, that would be it. To them Slytherin meant Voldemort, and Voldemort meant death. They would...well, actually, she didn't have the slightest idea what they would do. But she was pretty sure it wouldn't be pretty.
"So, how's it going Brooke?" Draco asked, grinning evilly as he said the name.
"Who's idea was that?" Crystal asked, making a face. "I mean, you're named after a body of water!"
"Sirius," Harmony replied, shrugging.
"Really? Go figure," Crystal rolled her eyes. "I thought it would've been Ron." At the sound of his name, Harmony sighed, and Ginny rolled her eyes.
"Oh honestly, how many time do we have to go through this today!" She exclaimed. "Harmony and Ron broke up! There, does everybody have it now?"
"No!" Crystal gasped. Harmony just bowed her head. "Oh I'm sorry, I didn't realize I was bringing up a sensitive subject."
"It's okay," Harmony mumbled.
"No it's not," The professor replied firmly. "What you need is a good cup of tea." Crystal pulled out her wand and muttered a spell, and in a few moment a table appeared in the middle of the dorm with a teapot, sugar, lemon, spoons, napkins, crumpets, cookies, cups and saucers. Mindy raised an eyebrow.
"Tea, Crystal?" She asked.
"Yes of course," The other replied briskly. She turned to Remus and asked politely, "One lump of sugar, or two?"
"One," Remus replied, his mouth twitching. "And some lemon, if you please."
"Certainly," Crystal replied, either oblivious to or choosing to ignore the sarcasm in his voice. She continued around the circle, and soon everyone had a cup of tea (except for Draco, who turned it down for coffee) and they had all had their chance to laugh at Crystal. Harmony took a sip smiling, and found that she did feel better, though it was probably the people around her as opposed to the beverage.
"Thank you, Crystal, I believe the tea does help," Harmony said. Crystal laughed, and buttered herself a crumpet.
"I think so," She said. "There is really no need to worry yourself about Ron, dear."
"Yeah," Ginny nodded in agreement. "Ron's always overreacting and getting dramatic. He's probably regretting it now."
"He'll be sorry all right," Draco replied. "Don't worry, Harmony, Weasley'll get what he deserves."
At these words, the door flew open, and Hermione burst into the dorm. She stopped short. Her Defense Against the Dark Arts professor was sitting on her bed, nibbling on a crumpet. On Parvati's bed sat Draco Malfoy and Ginny, holding hands with teacups at their feet. Likewise, Mindy and Remus were sitting on Lavender's bed. Mindy and Professor Jenkins seemed to be getting along, which was strange in itself. Her gaze finally turned to the final and newest bed, on which Brooke Silinster sat with a cup of tea, a cookie, and a guilty looked.
"Hello, Hermione," Brooke finally stuttered. "Care for a cup of tea?"
Chapter Twenty-One
Of Quizes, Quidditch, and Teatime
"It seems we have a new student," Professor Jenkins sneered. Harmony looked up at her, startled. Why was Crystal being so mean all of a sudden?
As a matter of fact, Crystal had decided that Mindy's over familiar attitude was going to get "Brooke" caught. After a council with Mindy and Remus, Crystal agreed to get rather...Snape-ish toward Harmony.
These facts all passed through Crystal's mind in a splintered second, and then she continued sneering down at "Brooke Silinster", and consequently Harry Potter and Hermione Granger as well. "Miss Silinster," She continued, in the sarcasm the alias deserved, "Are you enjoying your little stay here in Hogwarts?"
"Yes, Cry-Professor," Harmony squeaked.
"Hopefully you've remembered to study as well?"
"Yes, Professor," Crystal didn't realize how well she was playing her part. Many of her pupils (Neville in particular) were having bad flashbacks starring their old Potions master.
"Very well," Crystal said, smiling down at her newest pupil before sweeping to her desk. "I will be the judge of that." With a flourish, she produced a thick stack of papers. "Today, class, we will have a pop quiz in honor of our new friend."
The class groaned, and Harmony stared at Crystal in open-mouthed shock. What the HELL? What have I done? Harmony thought to herself furiously. She made a mental note not to allow Crystal back into Marigold to visit Sirius.
She took on of the test packets (the word 'quiz' does it an injustice-it was four pages long) and surveyed the first page.
1. Manticore breath has what affect on domestic dogs?
2. How does fire hinder lethifold reproduction?
WHAT?! Harmony's mind screamed as she stared down the seemingly never-ending list of ridiculously hard questions right down to '206. Compare and contrast werewolf and vampire fangs.' This was ridiculous! She looked around, and was relieved to see everyone around with a look on his or her face similar to the one she imagined to be on hers, with the obvious exception of Hermione, who was already hard at work. She then turned to glare at Crystal, who was searching her class with the eyes of a hawk. They made eye contact...
And Crystal winked.
Harmony rolled her own eyes. She realized that Crystal was just acting her part to help hide 'Brooke's' identity. She silently gave her professor an Academy award and then turned to attempt passing the "quiz."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Life in Marigold was dull. For Ron, it was downright miserable. He moped around the palace, to the point where both Sirius and Shinra were getting worried about his health.
They both knew that Harmony hadn't parted on the best of terms with Ron, but neither of them understood the extent of what had happened. Sirius tried to approach Ron, but he got only the cold shoulder.
Ron didn't realize how frustrating he had become. Harmony was plaguing his thoughts, and his mind would tolerate little else. Every day after she left the palace seemed to hold too many memories.
But what could he do? Leave, perhaps, but where to? Hogwarts was obviously out of the question, as was practically all the human world. His home in Marigold was the palace, and there was nowhere else he could really go.
His solution? Ron had taken to turning into a badger and disappearing into the forest for hours on end. The forest that had inspired fear into him during his years at Hogwarts had now become the only thing he took any comfort in. Perhaps if Hagrid would've been more observant during his groundkeeper's duties, he would've noticed a badger skirting the edge of the forest, its liquid eyes gazing intently at the castle.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It took Harmony a good three weeks to get used to her life as Brooke Silinster. Not to mention the name itself, she had to adjust to teachers, classes, students, waking up, eating school food, teenage gossip, Quidditch excitement, rivalry with Slytherin, and most of all being friends with Harry and Hermione. It was culture shock for the sheltered Princess of Slytherin's Palace.
And it was a good thing she was in the groove of things by then, because the first mention of Ron came up, and she realized she had to pretend she didn't know who he was or anything about him.
Joy of joys.
It was Friday, and everyone was buzzed about tomorrow's Quidditch game, Gryffindor vs. Ravenclaw. The winner would be facing Slytherin for the Cup. Harry's team had gone undefeated. He was determined to win in Ron's name. So if you can imagine an extremely nervous Harry fretting over a tattered book of strategies, Hermione pouring over a Runes chart, but stopping every other moment to look up worriedly at Harry, with Harmony frowning both at her essay and the nervous couple, then you know where we stand.
"Harry, are you alright?" Harmony asked when she couldn't stand the silence any longer. He jumped.
"Huh? Yeah, yeah, Brooke, I'm fine," He replied absently, waving her off. Harmony and Hermione exchanged looks.
"I don't think you are, Harry," Hermione said firmly. He looked up again, his emerald eyes searching her cinnamon ones. Watching the staring contest, Harmony wondered if she had started trouble. Just like the heir of Slytherin to turn Gryffindor and Ravenclaw against each other, she thought sarcastically.
"I'm fine, Hermione," Harry finally said, annunciating every word carefully.
"You hardly touched your dinner!" She wailed, causing both Harry and Harmony to start. She had obviously been worrying about this forever. "Even Ron ate before a Quidditch game-"
"Yeah, a chocolate chip cookie and a glass of milk."
"Well, at least it was something!"
"Who?" Muttering that one syllable was on of the hardest things Harmony Zalaras Slytherin ever forced herself to do. Pretend she didn't know Ron? That she'd never head of him? She was in love with him! Somehow, her natural Slytherin lying nature covered all this.
"Who what?" Harry asked. She gulped.
"Who's Ron?" The effect of her question was immediate. Hermione bit her lip and looked at Harry, who sighed and put his head in his hands.
"He was a friend of ours," Hermione explained softly. "A very dear friend."
"Was?" The was heart wrenching for Harmony to watch. She had never realized how very close Ron was to them. To see them nearly in tears...when she knew he was alive...
"He's dead." Harry said flatly, not lifting his head. "Voldemort."
"Oh no..." Harmony said, for lack of anything better. She remembered what Ron had said about Harry and Hermione "not caring" and felt a wave of anger sear through her. He didn't have a CLUE!
"Yeah," Harry said. He looked down at his strategy booklet for a moment, then stood and bounded upstairs toward his dorm.
"I'm sorry," Harmony whispered. "I didn't know." It was almost the truth.
"I know, Brooke," Hermione replied. "It's not your fault." Harmony was surprised to see the Head Girl wiping away tears. "Goodnight." And with that she stood and, like Harry, went to bed.
Harmony sat down and wondered what she had done. And, more importantly, if she had messed up Gryffindor's chances for winning tomorrow's match...
Saturday dawned bright and sunny, with a crisp breeze in the mid April air. Harry woke up before anyone else, with the possible exception of Corinne Sevenish, the Ravenclaw captain. At breakfast he ate next to nothing, despite Hermione's wheedling and Brooke's reassurances.
His pep talk was short, but his team knew what he was thinking of. Noelle Pineapple, a short blonde fifth year, gulped. She had taken Ron Weasley's position as keeper when he failed to be found before Quidditch season, and she got the feeling Harry didn't like her. (Unfortunately, Noelle got the feeling that one of the chasers and fellow fifth years, Ezekiel Banana, liked her a little too much...)
So, when the Gryffindor team marched onto the field, grim faced but determined, they were all too caught up in their own worlds to pay the screaming spectators much attention.
"And here come the Gryffindors: Pineapple, Banana, Greensleeves, Post, Fredbro, Swiss, and POTTER!" The crowd screamed. "Then the Ravenclaws: Twobuck, Christo, Vail, Turpin, Long, Gerst, and SEVENISH!" Once again, the crowd screamed. Harry tried to force himself to listen to the commentary as if it weren't Colin Creevey's squeaky voice. Madame Hooch came out and did her thing, then they were off.
For a moment, Harry was aware of nothing except the exhilaration of flying. However, he shook his head and turned his attention to the commentary.
"-Post to Banana, Banana to Gree-NO! IT'S INTERCEPTED!! Turpin in possession for Ravenclaw, passes to Vail, passes to Christo, back to Vail-WAIT! It's a fake! Christo passes to Turpin. She shoots...SHE SCORES!" Harry groaned as the score became 0-10. As the game continued, Gryffindor fell further and further behind. Noelle seemed a little off today, and Ezekiel seemed to be a bit over concerned with Noelle.
Harry gritted his teeth as Christo scored again, bringing the score to 90-20. Brad Swiss was Mike Fredbro, his beaters, were taking out their frustration on the Ravenclaw chasers, and be default Lizzy Post was left free to grab the quaffle and score. 'Great,' Harry thought, 'Now we're only 60 points down.'
"Just remember Harry, you were the youngest seeker for a century!" Harry could hear Ron's voice as clearly as if he were standing next to him. "There's no way we can lose." These had been his words right before they faced Hufflepuff for the Cup last year. The memory brought him strength, and a new resolve.
"Greensleeves in possession, and she's WIDE open! She takes it down the field, dodges a bludger from Gerst and-wait a second, what is Potter doing?!" The whole stadium turned its attention to the scarlet blur streaming across the field toward the Ravenclaw goal posts.
"Potter's seen the snitch!" Colin cried excitedly. "Sevenish tries to follow, but Potter's a speed demon on that broom. He-HE HAS THE SNITCH! POTTER CAPTURES THE SNITCH! GRYFFINDOR WINS 180-100!!" Uproar. It's really the only word to describe the chaos that ensued. "GRYFFINDOR IS GOING TO THE CUP FOR THE SIXTH YEAR RUNNING!!!"
Harry landed among screaming fans and teammates. He accepted their congratulations (although no one used such fancy words) gracefully, and fought his way through to change, as his housemates flocked up to the tower to party. He was the last one to leave the lockers, and was pleasantly surprised to find Hermione waiting for him.
"Hey," She said when he emerged. She kissed him, then smiled. "Congratulations on your big win." Well, of course Hermione used the big words.
"Today the Quidditch Cup, tomorrow the world!" Harry joked. Hermione laughed even though she knew his heart wasn't in it by the way he was half-smiling. Harry laced his fingers through hers. A brief silence ensued.
"Harry, are you okay?" Hermione asked finally. He sighed.
"Yeah, Herm, I'm fine," She could tell by his tone that the subject was closed, and therefore he was NOT okay.
"So," She said lightly, trying to change the subject. "What do you think of Brooke?"
"She's cool," He shrugged. Biting her lip, Hermione continued nervously.
"She didn't mean to bring up Ron, you know."
"Yeah," Harry said heavily. "Yeah, I know."
Neither of them noticed the emerald green snake hiding in the grass nearby, its liquid silver eyes watching their every move. 'Oh yes,' it thought, 'I did know.' The snake waited until the two disappeared into the castle before morphing into its true form.
Harmony was nearly in tears. Why couldn't she just TELL them? But no, she knew this wasn't an option. She looked longingly toward the forest, before turning to go back to the castle-Hogwarts, that is.
She didn't notice the badger hiding in the trees.
When Harmony reached the common room, she found a splendid party in action, with the Quidditch team in the middle of it all. She glanced at it unenthusiastically, before turning to go up to her dorm. Thankfully she found it deserted.
However, no sooner had she flopped into bed then she heard a knock at the door. With a groan, she forced herself up and to the door, preparing herself for a talk with Hermione. However, when she opened the door, she discovered that it wasn't Hermione at all.
It was Ginny.
"Oh," She said shortly, blinking. "It's you."
"Yeah..." Ginny raised her eyebrows. "Can I come in?"
"Oh, yeah," Harmony stepped aside, as if coming out of a daze. "Come on in."
"Thanks Har-I mean Brooke," The girls laughed.
"You don't know how good it feels to hear someone try to use my real name," Harmony smiled.
"I can imagine," Ginny replied. She sat down on Hermione's bed. "So, how is life here in Hogwarts treating you?"
"Not bad," Harmony shrugged. "I miss Marigold."
"Me too," Ginny smiled. "So, how's everyone in the city? How's Ron doing?"
"Probably swaggering around the castle like he owns the place, the miserable git," Harmony muttered spitefully.
"Well, something's developed that I certainly don't know about," Ginny said lightly, but on closer inspection, she realized her friend's face was sorrowful and angry. "Harmony, what happened?" She asked, quite seriously, sitting down next to the other girl, who refused to look at her.
"I got into a fight with Ron," Harmony finally murmured.
"What?" Ginny repeated disbelievingly.
"You heard me!" Harmony snapped.
"I know but...wow. You and Ron are so perfect-"
"Were, Ginny. Ron and I were so perfect," Harmony corrected bitterly.
"What...what happened?" Ginny inquired nervously.
"I don't know," Harmony replied miserably. "He just...and I...we..." She burst into tears.
"Oh dear," Ginny muttered, giving her friend an awkward hug.
"Sorry," Harmony whispered, pulling away and wiping her tears shamefully.
"For what?"
"For-" Harmony was interrupted by a knock on the door. The two girls jumped away.
"Come in," Harmony said, only to see none other than Miranda Himalia and Remus Lupin. She let out a sigh of relief.
"You guys scared me, I thought it was Hermione or something." Harmony laughed.
"What, you and Hermione not getting along?" Mindy asked in concern, shutting the door as she sat down on Parvati's bed.
"No, it's not that, it's just Ginny and I were talking about...er..."
"Marigold?" Remus supplied helpfully, sitting next to his fiancé. "Ron?"
"Yeah, him," Harmony replied in a bitter voice, looking away. Remus and Mindy gave her a funny look.
"They broke up," Ginny explained.
"Oh dear, I'm so sorry!" Mindy cried, standing and giving Harmony a hug. Harmony was shaking, but no longer crying.
"It's okay, Min, really." Harmony said, pulling away. "I'm fine."
"That's what I said too," Mindy smiled knowingly. Harmony looked down, and gasped.
"Oh my God, where did you get that ring?" She cried, looking up at Mindy, who turned to smile at Remus. Harmony stared. "Are you two...engaged?"
"Didn't I tell you about this?" Ginny asked. "Remus proposed in front of the entire Gryffindor/Ravenclaw Potions class!"
"You didn't!" Harmony exclaimed, looking at Remus.
"I did," He replied, grinning as he took Mindy's hand. Harmony looked at Mindy's happy expression and felt a pang of jealousy go through her. Just a few weeks ago she too had been engaged to be married. To Ron. And now, she had blown it.
No, no, HE had blown it, remember? Harmony said to herself. She couldn't start blaming herself, she would never be able to dig herself out of the guilt if she did and she knew it. She had to keep her anger, at least until she was finished here at Hogwarts. Only thirteen days left, she kept reminding herself. I only have to stay another thirteen days. Then my forty days are up and I can go home.
"Brooke? Brooke....HEY! Harmony! Are you alive in there?"
"Huh?" Harmony shook herself out of her dismal thoughts. "Yeah, I'm fine Ginny, thanks."
"You look about as fine as a cat stranded in a lake," Mindy muttered.
"I heard that!" Harmony said, smiling. Mindy rolled her eyes.
"You were supposed to, dumbo!" Just when things were starting to perk up a little, they heard the doorknob turn. Harmony jumped, looking nervous.
"Hey guys, bet you didn't think I could get up here, did you?"
The smug voice belonged to none other than Draco Malfoy. Ginny's jaw dropped.
"Draco?"
"Don't forget me," Another voice said. This time, all the rest of the jaws in the room dropped.
"Crystal?" Harmony and Mindy said at the same time. Crystal Jenkins smiled and shut the door behind herself and Draco.
"That's my name, don't wear it out," She said, dropping onto Hermione's bed as Draco sat on Lavender's. He gestured for Ginny to join him, which she did.
"How did you guys get in here?" Harmony finally managed to splutter. Crystal laughed.
"A little trick Sirius taught me once," She replied, grinning.
"That old trick?" Remus asked disbelievingly. "That still WORKS?"
"Of course, Moony," Crystal replied. Harmony just smiled and shook her head. After being in Crystal's class, she found it strange to see her so...happy. She looked around at the few people in the school that knew her...really knew her as herself. She was so tired of this masquerade. She was Harmony Zalaras Slytherin, damn it, and she wanted the world to know.
No, she didn't. If Harry or Hermione knew, that would be it. To them Slytherin meant Voldemort, and Voldemort meant death. They would...well, actually, she didn't have the slightest idea what they would do. But she was pretty sure it wouldn't be pretty.
"So, how's it going Brooke?" Draco asked, grinning evilly as he said the name.
"Who's idea was that?" Crystal asked, making a face. "I mean, you're named after a body of water!"
"Sirius," Harmony replied, shrugging.
"Really? Go figure," Crystal rolled her eyes. "I thought it would've been Ron." At the sound of his name, Harmony sighed, and Ginny rolled her eyes.
"Oh honestly, how many time do we have to go through this today!" She exclaimed. "Harmony and Ron broke up! There, does everybody have it now?"
"No!" Crystal gasped. Harmony just bowed her head. "Oh I'm sorry, I didn't realize I was bringing up a sensitive subject."
"It's okay," Harmony mumbled.
"No it's not," The professor replied firmly. "What you need is a good cup of tea." Crystal pulled out her wand and muttered a spell, and in a few moment a table appeared in the middle of the dorm with a teapot, sugar, lemon, spoons, napkins, crumpets, cookies, cups and saucers. Mindy raised an eyebrow.
"Tea, Crystal?" She asked.
"Yes of course," The other replied briskly. She turned to Remus and asked politely, "One lump of sugar, or two?"
"One," Remus replied, his mouth twitching. "And some lemon, if you please."
"Certainly," Crystal replied, either oblivious to or choosing to ignore the sarcasm in his voice. She continued around the circle, and soon everyone had a cup of tea (except for Draco, who turned it down for coffee) and they had all had their chance to laugh at Crystal. Harmony took a sip smiling, and found that she did feel better, though it was probably the people around her as opposed to the beverage.
"Thank you, Crystal, I believe the tea does help," Harmony said. Crystal laughed, and buttered herself a crumpet.
"I think so," She said. "There is really no need to worry yourself about Ron, dear."
"Yeah," Ginny nodded in agreement. "Ron's always overreacting and getting dramatic. He's probably regretting it now."
"He'll be sorry all right," Draco replied. "Don't worry, Harmony, Weasley'll get what he deserves."
At these words, the door flew open, and Hermione burst into the dorm. She stopped short. Her Defense Against the Dark Arts professor was sitting on her bed, nibbling on a crumpet. On Parvati's bed sat Draco Malfoy and Ginny, holding hands with teacups at their feet. Likewise, Mindy and Remus were sitting on Lavender's bed. Mindy and Professor Jenkins seemed to be getting along, which was strange in itself. Her gaze finally turned to the final and newest bed, on which Brooke Silinster sat with a cup of tea, a cookie, and a guilty looked.
"Hello, Hermione," Brooke finally stuttered. "Care for a cup of tea?"