Hello everyone! I hope you will enjoy this chapter!
katrina ~ Of course there will be couples!
Wicker Basket ~ No, Ron and Hermione wont be joining. Hey! Who was throwing tomatoes??? I like Harry/Fleur too, and I think it might be....eventually. Glad you like this!
BraveSpiritGryffindor ~ Now you can find out what happens....in this chapter at least!
Sarah Louise ~ *Hides* Sorry! I'm sorry! I promise to write lots! I didn't mean to start another story, it just...happened. I'm glad you think it's good though.
RambleDraco ~ Thanks!
DISCLAIMER: Don't own no Harry Potter characters, and the only Minties I own are several months out of date - and they're my mum's anyway!
I'll say this now and not at the bottom - Please review! I adore reviews! Really!
~ TAS
The Resistance
By: The Aussie Slytherin
Chapter Three
Hermione, Ron and Harry walked through Hogsmeade with Dean, Seamus and Neville, heading towards Honeydukes.
Harry stayed outside as they all went in, and Hermione stopped to ask him why. "Aren't you coming in, Harry?"
"No, I want to read that letter from Cho and Oliver without you and Ron reading it over my shoulder," he teased.
She laughed. "All right then, leave me to stop the boys going overboard with sweets."
"Sure thing 'Mione."
Harry watched her go inside and immediately begin scolding Ron, who seemed determined to buy himself enough sweets to last him a month. Which is a lot if you're Ron.
He opened the letter.
Dear Harry,
How are you? I hope you've been keeping up in classes, and Oliver hopes that this years Quidditch team is up to scratch. I personally have no doubt about that, considering that you're the captain.
Now, do you still want me to get that set of Quidditch robes repaired, or are you okay without them?
You would not believe who I saw the other day! Fleur Delacour! She told me a little tale about a certain Boy-Who-Lived and his part in her resistance. And before you reply to this letter and tell Oliver and me to keep out of it, I will anyway. Fleur wants me to know what's going on but not get directly involved. I think the whole exchange is going to involve Hedwig.
Oliver, on the other hand, was originally supposed to stay with me, but the second I mentioned you...well, he decided that you're not allowed to get yourself killed without him hanging around. I wonder if I'll still have my fiancé after all of this.
Yes, you read right, fiancé. I was going to mention it earlier in the letter, but didn't get around to it. We went to the practice session of the English international side, and then we were introduced to several players.
After they left, we got on our brooms and were flying around when Oliver flew over to me, and attempted to kneel on his broom and propose.
He got as far as 'Cho, I love you with all my heart, will you marry -' and fell off. He asked me again when I flew down to him, despite the broken shoulder. I said yes, of course.
Gosh, that WAS a long letter! I really must be going now, hear from you soon?
Love Cho
PS. Harry, are this year's Gryffindor team in the running for the Quidditch Cup? I hope so. Good luck for the season, even if you aren't going to be there for much of it. ~Oliver
Harry sighed. 'Well, it was certainly a good idea to read it away from Ron and Hermione,' he thought.
He folded the letter and returned it to his pocket, planning on sending a Howler to tell Oliver that he could get himself killed perfectly well without him watching his every move, thank you very much!
Just then the others all came out of the store, each (even Hermione) with a large bag of sweets. Ron and Dean both had two.
Ron was sifting through his bags, and Neville was sucking a Sugar Quill. Dean handed Harry one of his bags. "You can pay me back later, but I couldn't let you go without!"
Harry laughed. "Thanks Dean."
The six of them continued towards Zonko's, each thinking about what they were going to buy.
Well, except Harry. "Dean, do you like Minties?"
Dean grinned at him. "Like them? No! I love them!"
"He's not kidding," Seamus added. "I wouldn't be surprised if he got married to a Mintie -" He was cut off by both Dean and Harry shoving a Mintie in his mouth.
"That'll shut him up for a while," Dean commented. "Even I wouldn't eat two Minties at a time."
Harry shook his head. "No, me neither. Two at a time is just wrong."
They arrived at Zonko's not long after that, but before any of them went in Harry got an evil gleam in his eyes. "Dean, Seamus, come with me."
The two boys looked at each other warily, but followed him away from the others. Ron, Hermione and Neville just went into the shop, none of them wanting anything to do with one of Harry's schemes.
Once they were far enough away, Harry laughed. "That was so easy. I'm starting to wonder what you guys really think of me."
Dean and Seamus looked at each other before replying together. "We all think you're insane."
Harry nodded. "Yeah, that's what I thought you thought." He turned and walked towards the Three Broomsticks.
They both blinked. Then they ran to catch up with Harry.
****************************************************
Pansy sighed as Draco tried to convince Millicent Bulstrode that he wasn't interested in dating her, not the tiniest little bit.
Vince and Greg were betting on how long it would take him to shake her off.
"Five Galleons say she's gone in the next three minutes."
"No way Vince, five at least."
"We'll see Gregory, we will see." They tuned back into the conversation.
"Millie, you're nice and all, but I'm just not looking for a relationship with you right now."
"But Drakkie...." the girl whined.
"Oh for Merlin's sake!" Pansy exploded. "Millicent, what Draco is so tactfully trying to tell you is that he and I are going out at the moment!"
"Oh," Millicent said weakly. She turned and walked away.
Draco smiled at Pansy. "Thanks Pans, I was getting desperate. I thought I might yell at her myself." He looked at his watch. "It's nearly one, we'd better get to the Three Broomsticks."
They were only a few minutes walk away, and on the short journey Vince tried to get his money out of Greg.
"Vincent, you clearly stated that Draco would be the one to chase her off earlier during the conversation."
"Yes Gregory, that's true. But I actually said, the actual bet was, that she'd be gone in the next three minutes, which she clearly was."
Their 'negotiations' continued. Draco rolled his eyes at Pansy and she grinned back.
****************************************************
In the Three Broomsticks, Seamus was judging a Mintie eating competition between Harry and Dean (who could eat the most Minties in ten minutes) when Pansy, Draco, Vince and Greg arrived.
Draco immediately realized what was going on and turned to address Seamus. "Who's winning?"
The blond boy didn't look away, but seemed to be considering the question as Harry unwrapped another Mintie and Dean swallowed one. "I think Harry is. It's close though."
The four new arrivals sat down at the table, watching the 'ever so fascinating' competition.
"How long have they got left?" Pansy asked, ignoring the fact that Vince and Greg had seemingly forgotten their previous bets and were now deciding whether Harry or Dean could eat the most Minties.
Seamus risked taking his eyes off his housemates for a few seconds to glance at his watch. "About three minutes. Harry's had twenty, and Dean's had eightee - no, make that nineteen."
They continued to watch for the next three minutes, Draco stealing the occasional Mintie.
"Stop!" Seamus announced after time had run out. They both finished the Mintie they were on and turned to him for the result. "Harry wins by one Mintie."
Vince held out his hand. For once, Greg didn't protest but simply placed seven Galleons in Vince's hand and both turned to Harry, as did Draco.
Dean broke the brief silence. "Harry, you said you were friends with Pansy, not these three."
Harry shrugged. "They're here for the same reason you two are. Pansy trusts them, I trust you, and I've been wondering." He looked at each of them in turn, even Pansy. "Would any of you like to help Fleur Delacour and myself save the world?"
They stared. Well, Pansy didn't, but Dean, Seamus, Vince, Greg, and especially Draco did.
Harry watched their reactions. "Would anyone like a Mintie?"
Draco took one. "Thanks. Er, I've got a question."
"So ask it," Harry said with a smile.
"Why us? I mean, you don't know me, or like me. So why are you so willing to believe that I'm not going to sell you out to the Dark Lord?"
"Draco, the thing is, I would trust Pansy, Dean and Seamus with my life. I'd like to be able to say the same thing about you someday soon. Pansy, on the other hand, already trusts you, and Vince and Greg too. Fleur started a resistance, she needs help, and that's what brought us all to this table today."
'Oh." The blond Slytherin considered that for a moment, before grinning at him. "Harry, you're not so bad after all. I could get to be friends with you. Are you sure you weren't meant to be a Slytherin?"
Harry smiled slyly. "Maybe you were supposed to be a Gryffindor, Draco."
"Merlin forbid it," Seamus muttered. Then he smiled. "I'm in too, Harry. Can't go letting you three get killed without me."
Vince and Greg both nodded.
"I'd like to help," Vince said quietly.
"Me too," Greg agreed. "Better than staying here and not knowing what's going on."
Dean seemed to be thinking hard on his decision. Finally he spoke. "Are we going to have any Minties while we save the world?"
Harry nodded. "What would be the point of life without Minties?"
"There wouldn't be one," Draco said seriously.
Harry frowned. "You do all realize what you're getting into, right? That you could die within a day?"
Draco laughed slightly. "No different than staying here, just a little more productive. I mean, what help would I be if my father murdered me for not becoming what he is?"
They continued to discuss the details, including Cho's and Oliver's parts in it all, but then one really big question surfaced.
Pansy was the one who asked it. "Who else are we going to ask?"
They all thought about that for a minute.
"No one else from our Houses," Draco said. "A few Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, but that's it. Probably be best if they were from our year."
Harry nodded. "Makes sense."
Vince looked at Harry inquisitively for a minute. "How come you haven't got your other two thirds in on this?"
Harry cocked his head to the side. "What makes you think they aren't?"
"They'd be here with you if they were," Greg answered.
Harry realized that he'd really underestimated these two boys, and resolved to get to know them better soon. He nodded. "You're right, of course. Ron and Hermione would try to stop me from going, to keep me safe. They wouldn't realize that I'll probably be safer if I go."
Seamus snorted. "And how did you come to that conclusion?"
"Voldemort will have no idea where I am. The only people who will know are Cho, and everyone who's going with us."
Dean nodded. "You're right, of course. So, when do we leave?"
katrina ~ Of course there will be couples!
Wicker Basket ~ No, Ron and Hermione wont be joining. Hey! Who was throwing tomatoes??? I like Harry/Fleur too, and I think it might be....eventually. Glad you like this!
BraveSpiritGryffindor ~ Now you can find out what happens....in this chapter at least!
Sarah Louise ~ *Hides* Sorry! I'm sorry! I promise to write lots! I didn't mean to start another story, it just...happened. I'm glad you think it's good though.
RambleDraco ~ Thanks!
DISCLAIMER: Don't own no Harry Potter characters, and the only Minties I own are several months out of date - and they're my mum's anyway!
I'll say this now and not at the bottom - Please review! I adore reviews! Really!
~ TAS
The Resistance
By: The Aussie Slytherin
Chapter Three
Hermione, Ron and Harry walked through Hogsmeade with Dean, Seamus and Neville, heading towards Honeydukes.
Harry stayed outside as they all went in, and Hermione stopped to ask him why. "Aren't you coming in, Harry?"
"No, I want to read that letter from Cho and Oliver without you and Ron reading it over my shoulder," he teased.
She laughed. "All right then, leave me to stop the boys going overboard with sweets."
"Sure thing 'Mione."
Harry watched her go inside and immediately begin scolding Ron, who seemed determined to buy himself enough sweets to last him a month. Which is a lot if you're Ron.
He opened the letter.
Dear Harry,
How are you? I hope you've been keeping up in classes, and Oliver hopes that this years Quidditch team is up to scratch. I personally have no doubt about that, considering that you're the captain.
Now, do you still want me to get that set of Quidditch robes repaired, or are you okay without them?
You would not believe who I saw the other day! Fleur Delacour! She told me a little tale about a certain Boy-Who-Lived and his part in her resistance. And before you reply to this letter and tell Oliver and me to keep out of it, I will anyway. Fleur wants me to know what's going on but not get directly involved. I think the whole exchange is going to involve Hedwig.
Oliver, on the other hand, was originally supposed to stay with me, but the second I mentioned you...well, he decided that you're not allowed to get yourself killed without him hanging around. I wonder if I'll still have my fiancé after all of this.
Yes, you read right, fiancé. I was going to mention it earlier in the letter, but didn't get around to it. We went to the practice session of the English international side, and then we were introduced to several players.
After they left, we got on our brooms and were flying around when Oliver flew over to me, and attempted to kneel on his broom and propose.
He got as far as 'Cho, I love you with all my heart, will you marry -' and fell off. He asked me again when I flew down to him, despite the broken shoulder. I said yes, of course.
Gosh, that WAS a long letter! I really must be going now, hear from you soon?
Love Cho
PS. Harry, are this year's Gryffindor team in the running for the Quidditch Cup? I hope so. Good luck for the season, even if you aren't going to be there for much of it. ~Oliver
Harry sighed. 'Well, it was certainly a good idea to read it away from Ron and Hermione,' he thought.
He folded the letter and returned it to his pocket, planning on sending a Howler to tell Oliver that he could get himself killed perfectly well without him watching his every move, thank you very much!
Just then the others all came out of the store, each (even Hermione) with a large bag of sweets. Ron and Dean both had two.
Ron was sifting through his bags, and Neville was sucking a Sugar Quill. Dean handed Harry one of his bags. "You can pay me back later, but I couldn't let you go without!"
Harry laughed. "Thanks Dean."
The six of them continued towards Zonko's, each thinking about what they were going to buy.
Well, except Harry. "Dean, do you like Minties?"
Dean grinned at him. "Like them? No! I love them!"
"He's not kidding," Seamus added. "I wouldn't be surprised if he got married to a Mintie -" He was cut off by both Dean and Harry shoving a Mintie in his mouth.
"That'll shut him up for a while," Dean commented. "Even I wouldn't eat two Minties at a time."
Harry shook his head. "No, me neither. Two at a time is just wrong."
They arrived at Zonko's not long after that, but before any of them went in Harry got an evil gleam in his eyes. "Dean, Seamus, come with me."
The two boys looked at each other warily, but followed him away from the others. Ron, Hermione and Neville just went into the shop, none of them wanting anything to do with one of Harry's schemes.
Once they were far enough away, Harry laughed. "That was so easy. I'm starting to wonder what you guys really think of me."
Dean and Seamus looked at each other before replying together. "We all think you're insane."
Harry nodded. "Yeah, that's what I thought you thought." He turned and walked towards the Three Broomsticks.
They both blinked. Then they ran to catch up with Harry.
****************************************************
Pansy sighed as Draco tried to convince Millicent Bulstrode that he wasn't interested in dating her, not the tiniest little bit.
Vince and Greg were betting on how long it would take him to shake her off.
"Five Galleons say she's gone in the next three minutes."
"No way Vince, five at least."
"We'll see Gregory, we will see." They tuned back into the conversation.
"Millie, you're nice and all, but I'm just not looking for a relationship with you right now."
"But Drakkie...." the girl whined.
"Oh for Merlin's sake!" Pansy exploded. "Millicent, what Draco is so tactfully trying to tell you is that he and I are going out at the moment!"
"Oh," Millicent said weakly. She turned and walked away.
Draco smiled at Pansy. "Thanks Pans, I was getting desperate. I thought I might yell at her myself." He looked at his watch. "It's nearly one, we'd better get to the Three Broomsticks."
They were only a few minutes walk away, and on the short journey Vince tried to get his money out of Greg.
"Vincent, you clearly stated that Draco would be the one to chase her off earlier during the conversation."
"Yes Gregory, that's true. But I actually said, the actual bet was, that she'd be gone in the next three minutes, which she clearly was."
Their 'negotiations' continued. Draco rolled his eyes at Pansy and she grinned back.
****************************************************
In the Three Broomsticks, Seamus was judging a Mintie eating competition between Harry and Dean (who could eat the most Minties in ten minutes) when Pansy, Draco, Vince and Greg arrived.
Draco immediately realized what was going on and turned to address Seamus. "Who's winning?"
The blond boy didn't look away, but seemed to be considering the question as Harry unwrapped another Mintie and Dean swallowed one. "I think Harry is. It's close though."
The four new arrivals sat down at the table, watching the 'ever so fascinating' competition.
"How long have they got left?" Pansy asked, ignoring the fact that Vince and Greg had seemingly forgotten their previous bets and were now deciding whether Harry or Dean could eat the most Minties.
Seamus risked taking his eyes off his housemates for a few seconds to glance at his watch. "About three minutes. Harry's had twenty, and Dean's had eightee - no, make that nineteen."
They continued to watch for the next three minutes, Draco stealing the occasional Mintie.
"Stop!" Seamus announced after time had run out. They both finished the Mintie they were on and turned to him for the result. "Harry wins by one Mintie."
Vince held out his hand. For once, Greg didn't protest but simply placed seven Galleons in Vince's hand and both turned to Harry, as did Draco.
Dean broke the brief silence. "Harry, you said you were friends with Pansy, not these three."
Harry shrugged. "They're here for the same reason you two are. Pansy trusts them, I trust you, and I've been wondering." He looked at each of them in turn, even Pansy. "Would any of you like to help Fleur Delacour and myself save the world?"
They stared. Well, Pansy didn't, but Dean, Seamus, Vince, Greg, and especially Draco did.
Harry watched their reactions. "Would anyone like a Mintie?"
Draco took one. "Thanks. Er, I've got a question."
"So ask it," Harry said with a smile.
"Why us? I mean, you don't know me, or like me. So why are you so willing to believe that I'm not going to sell you out to the Dark Lord?"
"Draco, the thing is, I would trust Pansy, Dean and Seamus with my life. I'd like to be able to say the same thing about you someday soon. Pansy, on the other hand, already trusts you, and Vince and Greg too. Fleur started a resistance, she needs help, and that's what brought us all to this table today."
'Oh." The blond Slytherin considered that for a moment, before grinning at him. "Harry, you're not so bad after all. I could get to be friends with you. Are you sure you weren't meant to be a Slytherin?"
Harry smiled slyly. "Maybe you were supposed to be a Gryffindor, Draco."
"Merlin forbid it," Seamus muttered. Then he smiled. "I'm in too, Harry. Can't go letting you three get killed without me."
Vince and Greg both nodded.
"I'd like to help," Vince said quietly.
"Me too," Greg agreed. "Better than staying here and not knowing what's going on."
Dean seemed to be thinking hard on his decision. Finally he spoke. "Are we going to have any Minties while we save the world?"
Harry nodded. "What would be the point of life without Minties?"
"There wouldn't be one," Draco said seriously.
Harry frowned. "You do all realize what you're getting into, right? That you could die within a day?"
Draco laughed slightly. "No different than staying here, just a little more productive. I mean, what help would I be if my father murdered me for not becoming what he is?"
They continued to discuss the details, including Cho's and Oliver's parts in it all, but then one really big question surfaced.
Pansy was the one who asked it. "Who else are we going to ask?"
They all thought about that for a minute.
"No one else from our Houses," Draco said. "A few Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, but that's it. Probably be best if they were from our year."
Harry nodded. "Makes sense."
Vince looked at Harry inquisitively for a minute. "How come you haven't got your other two thirds in on this?"
Harry cocked his head to the side. "What makes you think they aren't?"
"They'd be here with you if they were," Greg answered.
Harry realized that he'd really underestimated these two boys, and resolved to get to know them better soon. He nodded. "You're right, of course. Ron and Hermione would try to stop me from going, to keep me safe. They wouldn't realize that I'll probably be safer if I go."
Seamus snorted. "And how did you come to that conclusion?"
"Voldemort will have no idea where I am. The only people who will know are Cho, and everyone who's going with us."
Dean nodded. "You're right, of course. So, when do we leave?"
