Harry Potter and the Curse of the Gypsy

Authors Note: Hello Everybody! Thank you for reading! This story is progressing nicely, and I hope to have it done by the end of May. I don't know how many chapters it will be, but the chapters are getting longer, since I will now be getting more time at my computer. I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters from the books. I own only the plot and the original character Cory Johnson. Hmmmm, finished taking notes? All right, let's begin, shall we?

Chapter Four

Harry and Ron met the rest of the family at lunch at one o' clock. The twins, who had gone to the seeker competition in confidence of seeing Harry pull off, as usual, a marvelous victory, congratulated him warmly on his win. When they saw that Ron had also won, they feigned utter surprise.

"What? You mean ickle Ronnikins got a little trophy? He actually managed not to get himself killed?" George gasped, hand on his heart.

"I know. Dearest brother, this is amazing. How on earth did this happen? I think somebody got hold of a talent potion." Fred smirked. Ron scowled at the both of them.

"That isn't funny. I'm a good Keeper. We've been practicing all summer you know." He rolled his eyes when the twins snorted in shared amusement.

"Are you going to be trying out for Wood's old position, then?" Harry asked as the waitress started over, taking Mr. Weasley's order. "I think you should do good. You've always had good reflexes, and you're strategic thinking is a lot better than most people's."

"Thanks." Ron grinned. "I started practicing as soon as I figured out that Oliver was no longer going to be on the team. I really was glad that we didn't have Quidditch last year. I wasn't ready for the team yet. I think I am now."

"It'll be hard to keep up with three Weasley's on the team." Mr. Weasley noted as the waitress made her way to the twins. "I imagine poor Lee's going to have to call you by your first names. Or your position."

"Who knows? I'm just ready for Quidditch tryouts to begin."

"What are tryouts like?" Harry asked. "I've never been to one." Ron shook his head in mock disgust.

"No, no. Some people have natural talent, don't they? If it hadn't been for Draco Malfoy, then you would never have been selected youngest Quidditch player in a century. You never had to endure the training, the tryout, the struggle..."

"Stuff it Ron." George said loudly. "You know all you have to do is threaten the captain. Everybody knows that."

"I was wondering how you got on the team." Harry said, grinning. "I always reckoned Wood had just gotten hit on the head with a few too many bludgers. Who is going to be captain, anyway?" He added. Fred and George looked at one another.

"A vote." Fred finally said. "Right before the tryouts. The team, tallied with McGonagall's pick. That'll be around the first of October."

"Yeah. Right." He nodded. "I wonder who will get it? Maybe Alicia Spinnet. She's pretty good. And I reckon she might be a little more concerned for the welfare of her team." He snorted, remembering the many times Wood's Quidditch obsession had led Harry to believe that Wood had an odd assessment of priorities.

"Sure." Ron grinned. "I don't care, as long as I'm on the team."

"I wish I could have seen you." Harry said. "You've watched me loads of times. How did you manage to pull off a perfect clean sweep?" He looked at Ron, who had gone slightly red.

"I...well, you see, at first, I wasn't doing too well. There were a lot of near misses, and I don't think I would have made it if something hadn't...clicked. I just pulled it together all of a sudden." He chuckled. "I even managed to knock a few quaffles into Crabbe and Goyle's goals."

Harry smiled. "That's great. Something clicked? I guess you just pulled yourself together." He glanced over his shoulder. The waitress was standing there, smiling.

"Hello, and what would you like today?" Her quill was tucked behind her ear, and she smiled at him. She had fair hair and light green eyes. Harry supposed that she wasn't a gypsy.

"Er..." He glanced at the menu. "How about a hamburger with cheese? And a large vanilla shake."

"All right, hon." She winked. "I saw you and your friend today at the competition. You were both excellent." Harry and Ron simultaneously blushed.

"Thanks." They muttered in unison. She went off to prepare their meal. And then Ron began telling them about their prizes.

"Backstage passes to the concert? That sounds like fun." Mr. Weasley said. "I remember when I got to see Liam Brockman. He was incredible."

"Yeah, dad." Fred muttered. "Whatever you say."

The twins had quite a bit more to say about Ron's new broom. "A Nimbus Extreme?" George repeated reverently. "That is amazing. It'll beat any broom on the field. Except for the Firebolt, of course." Harry grinned at the mention of his own broom.

"I can't believe you actually won it. We should have entered the Beater competition." Fred lamented. "What was the prize?" Harry and Ron looked at each other and turned away, laughing.

"A year's worth of things from Zonko's." Ron finally said. "Nothing that you would have wanted."

"WHAT?!" The twins were still squabbling when the witch came back with their food. She set it all before them. They all dug into their food. He was halfway through his meal when he got a strange prickling at the back of his neck. He stiffened before shaking it off, but within seconds the feeling returned. He turned swiftly, expecting to see somebody watching him.

Nobody was there. He turned back to his food. It came back swiftly, like a cold chill down his spine. Agitated, he turned once more. Still, nobody was there. "What is it Harry?" asked Ron through a mouthful of chicken.

"Nothing." He muttered, berating himself for his foolishness. He returned to his meal, but soon he could no longer eat. The feeling was running like a shiver up and down his body. Irritated, he prepared to turn again, but thought better of it. Without moving, he flickered his gaze up until he could see into a window at the back of the restaurant. He jolted when he saw a young girl staring at him.

He turned quickly. She was gone. "Harry, what are you doing?" Ron frowned. "You're acting like somebody is watching you." Harry chuckled wryly as he returned to his food. However the feeling did not return. It reminded him vaguely of the time that Sirius had watched him, in animagus form. Except this had felt...colder.

"You excited about the concert, Harry?" Ron asked when they were done. "I mean, it's going to be incredible, meeting Cory Johnson. She's amazing."

"Yes, we know Ron." George sighed. "You fancy her. Just remember not to drool, all right?"

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They returned to the festival for awhile before meeting again for dinner. Harry and Ron rode several more rides, and visited Zonko's. This store had the complete line of Zonko's products, including several Harry and Ron had never seen before. Harry regrettably used the last bit of money he had with him on a bag full of tricks.

When they met for dinner, everybody was anticipating the concert. None of them, except for Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, had ever been to a concert before. Ron was taking the time to tell Harry everything he knew about Cory Johnson which, considering his 'admiration' of her, was surprisingly little.

"Nobody really knows where she comes from." Ron said. "All I know is that she is somehow connected to Fudge. His cousin's daughter or something like that. And she's been taking home courses for her studies, reason she isn't at Hogwarts."

"What? You mean that not everybody goes to Hogwarts?" Harry asked, a little surprised.

"No. Most people do, but in extreme circumstances, if there is a qualified witch or wizard to give you lessons, you can do it from wherever you are. There are lots of forms and tests that have to be given." Mr. Weasley answered, overhearing the question. "Cory Johnson has only been working for about a year, which is the odd thing. She hasn't gone to Hogwarts at all. I wonder what might have happened."

Ron shrugged. They went to the concert after finishing their meal. The auditorium was filling quickly. Many people were wearing shirts that had Cory's face on them, moving as most wizard photographs did. The stage was dim and covered with faint smoke. A guitar and other instruments could just be seen through the haze.

"Is that her?" Harry asked as a young girl came out on stage. Ron squinted.

"No. I don't know who she is." The girl smiled at the crowd, her black robes floating about her. Harry saw that Ron was right. This girl had dark blonde hair, cropped short at the nape of the neck. She smiled as she leaned over to speak into the voice enhancer, a silver orb that floated before the stage and transmitted sound over the audience.

"Is everybody out there ready to rock?" she asked loudly. The crowd cheered wildly in response. "All right!" She said, tossing her head. "Then it's time for....Cory Johnson!" The crowd screamed madly as lights began flashing around the entire audience. The Weasleys, who had gotten a prime spot close to the front of the stage, had a prime view as a second figure emerged from the smoke.

Her robes were black leather, and ripped so that they had no sleeves. Underneath, she wore leather pants and a tight lacy black shirt cropped to show the stomach. Her arms were covered with what looked to Harry like gauntlets of black and silver. Long black curls cascaded down her back, and her silver eyes glowed brightly through the shadow. Harry felt hot fire burning in his stomach as he watched her.

The band that had followed her from backstage took their places and struck up a low, solemn beat. Cory half-closed her eyes as she began to sing.

"All I could do, when I thought of you, was wish for a dream, or a fantasy... And now that you've gone, and I'm sitting here alone, I miss you more than I could ever dream. You're my life, my soul, my heart. You strike me always as my eternal fire. And if I've said it once, then I'll say it again, you are magically... My eternal desire..."

"Incredible." Harry said. Her voice was soft and dusky. Harry was in complete and utter awe.

"Isn't she?" Ron said hoarsely. Neither he or Harry looked at each other as Cory made her way around the stage, her leather robes sweeping behind her. When the final strains of music died, she smiled softly at the crowd. "Thank you." She said entrancingly. "You're a wonderful audience, tonight..."

She strode away from the edge of the stage as a faster paced song began to energetically fill the air. She sang to it, and to her many other songs. Harry, who had never before witnessed such a spectacle, was amazed at the sheer number of charms that had been used for the performance. Every now and then a new light would sweep the stage, or something would explode, showering everybody with a mist of gold and silver sparks.

Within a couple of hours, the concert was over. They said goodbye to the Weasleys, who would be waiting for them in a nearby ice cream shop, and made their way through the swarm until they got to a large black curtain. A man with dark eyes stared at them, his arms crossed.

"Nobody is allowed backstage." He said darkly. Harry and Ron shot each other quick glances.

"Excuse me, sir..." Harry said quickly. "But we have passes. I won them today in the Quidditch tournament..." The man stared at them suspiciously.

"They weren't giving away any passes. Cory Johnson never allows any fans backstage. She never has." Ron groaned as Harry handed him the two passes with Cory's picture on them.

"Come on...we didn't make these up. Can't you check?" The man stood thinking for a moment, before calling for a partner. The other man strode over, looking at Harry and Ron.

"These kids giving you trouble?" he asked.

"Say that they won these passes in a contest today. You hear anything about that?" The man scratched his head.

"Seems like I might of heard something. Why don't you go and check? I'll guard the door." The first nodded and swept through the curtain, clutching the passes.

Harry and Ron waited uncomfortably, shooting each other furtive glances as they watched the one at the door. Every so often he would stretch out and crack his knuckles in warning. Harry shook his head uncomfortably, while Ron glanced about the now empty stadium.

The first man returned a few minutes later and jerked his thumb back at the curtain. "We've got it worked out. You can go on back, but only for fifteen minutes. Miss Johnson isn't feeling well."

They swept through the curtains and into the backstage area. Carts held trays of food and water, and small smoking pots emitted a strong perfumed scent into the air. People in black T-shirts with Cory's name bustled about quickly. A frazzled young man with brown hair came over to Ron and Harry.

"You the contest winners?" He asked. When Harry nodded, he turned and began walking swiftly away. "Follow me!" he called behind him. They shot each other looks of surprise as they trailed him through the dark rooms. He stopped, jerking a thumb at a door with CJ written on it in bright silver.

Harry knocked. "Come in." A faint voice said through the door. Harry slowly opened the door and stepped inside. Ron followed. The door closed with a soft click, making them jump. "Over here." She said. Harry and Ron walked down the long hallway and emerged in an open room, with a long low couch against the wall.

Harry hadn't known what to expect. Anything like the girl on stage, or what a girl his age was normally like. He did not expect what he saw in the least.

Reclined on the sofa was Cory, her long girls swept up in a mop of black curls. She wore a short black robe, and her feet were propped against an arm of the sofa. She glanced over at them, her eyes glinting with annoyance.

"Yes?" she muttered. "What would you like?"

"Er...I won a contest. I just..." She sighed as Harry stumbled over his words and stood.

"I know. You just wanted to come and 'congratulate' me on my work." She shook her head. "This is why I don't like talking to you people." She leaned against the wall with her arms crossed. "Why don't we just cut the small talk and you two ask what you want?"

The pair goggled as she talked. Her voice was toneless and tired sounding. "Well, we're sorry if we're bothering you," Harry said in as kind a voice as possible. "I didn't know that you didn't like people back here. We really enjoyed your concert." He said hopefully. She just frowned.

"That worthless rot? Listen, I only do that because I've got nothing better to do. I don't plan on remaining a two-bit singer for the rest of my life. I've got other things planned." She spoke hastily, her eyes darkening like storm clouds.

"Er...like what?" Ron asked. "I mean...what do you have planned?"

"To rule the world." She snorted. "Be all that I can be. Get rid of all those who oppose me. Stuff like that." She shrugged, amused greatly at the dark humor. "I mean, I'm not really alone on this, am I? I've never killed anybody. Yet."

Harry stared at her. "Erm...okay. Listen, I think it was a mistake coming back here. You're a really good singer and I liked the concert."

Ron nodded. "Yeah. I think so too." He coughed slightly. "Hope you...well...do something." He turned and walked away back down the dark hall. Harry looked at her, his stomach clenching tightly as he glanced at the expanse of long, creamy legs that peeked from her robe.

He followed Ron out of the curtain. Ron looked shocked, and his face was quite pale. "I never imagined...I mean, I...well..."

"Yeah." Harry said. "She was a bit nasty, wasn't she?"

The guard at the door chuckled softly. "Bite you, did she?" Harry and Ron turned.

"Yeah. Is she always like...that?" Harry asked, shaking his head.

"All the time." The guard sighed. "She actually isn't that bad, really. At times she can be a sweetheart. But...well, she wasn't in a good mood to begin with, and she hates concerts." They looked at each other as the man laughed. "Didn't used to be like this. She used to love talkin' to people. But she's changed quite a bit."

"I noticed." Ron said hoarsely. The guard waved them off as they exited, making their way to the ice cream shop. After a quick treat and recounting the events as they had happened, which caused the twins to begin laughing madly and taunting Ron on his disappointment, they made their way through the remnants of guests who had yet to leave to Starlight Square. Mr. Weasley chose a fireplace not in use and brought out a back of Floo Powder, letting everybody take a small pinch. They returned to The Burrow and everybody said goodnight, stumbling to bed. Harry, though his entire body was tired, actively assessed the day's events in his mind as Ron began to snore softly. It was the best birthday he had ever had, he said to himself. He was proud. He felt like he was home.

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"What do you have to say for yourself?" a high, cold voice hissed. The voice trembled as it answered.

"It isn't my fault. Nobody informed me of the details. I wasn't ready..."

"You can't always be ready. You have to learn to think in an instant. I will tolerate no less than complete success...."

"Yes. I understand. I understand. I go soon. I will watch his every move. The girl's too. They will not be allowed to uncover the secret. I will be sure of it. The girl will be none the wiser. Potter will be dead before the year is out."

"I trust you to do it. And you shall, I believe. But when you have Potter, do not kill him. It is time I finish him for good. And do not let him have his wand." The voice sneered. "I cannot afford to make the same mistake again."

"Yes. It will be as you wish..."

"It had better. But I cannot allow you to get away without punishment..."

"No...please, no!"

"CRUCIO!"

Harry jolted up in bed swiftly as the pain seared his scar. White pain flashed like light in his eyes as he slid out of bed and plodded to the window. After a moment, he sighed and closed his eyes. It was going to be a long year.

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Yep, it's me! How are you liking the story so far, those of you that are actually reading? I hope you like Cory. She is anti-Mary Sue, though unfornately she will show a few qualities later on that might be a little Mary-Sue-ish. I have nothing against them, but really, I am uncomfortable with any character being too perfect. Cory is not evil, I can tell you this. She just happens to be very fond of conflict. Next Chapter they finally go to school! I know I have dwelled for awhile on the summer, but I think it was time Harry had an important birthday. See you later!

Special Thanks go out to Jasmine Black. You rock!