Barry Potter - Chapter 9
Harry lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling. His mind was full, images swirling before him. He rolled over and closed his eyes. He wanted to review everything.
It hadn't been so bad asking the girls to the dance. They had all gone together during dinner, approaching the girls cautiously and all speaking in unison. Silvia and Hermione had blushed, smiling and accepting. Alden had choked on a chicken bone, and managed to accept after Kayla whacked her on the back. Harry smiled, remembering the look on her face. Hilarious, really.
The weeks had flown by, and the night finally arrived. Harry concentrated on it, forcing it to come into his mind...
They arrived down at the Great Hall, talking and laughing as a group. The Hall was as before, round tables and stage at one end. Kayla was sitting on the stage, tuning her double bass. She glanced up and smiled at them, with a friendly nod of the head. Silvia and Dean headed over to her while the four others went to find their friends.
Harry saw Draco standing in the corner with Goyle, eyes coldly sweeping about the room. Harry grinned as he realized that Draco was with out a date. He gently took Hermione's arm and continued on.
Draco glared fiercely as he watched Harry lead Hermione away. Glaring made the scab on his cheek tighten painfully, and with a grimace he let his face resume its usual smirk. It still irritated him how lucky Harry was. Potter had had his way with everyone since day one. It wasn't fair; but then, Draco recalled, life wasn't fair. He turned his eyes to the stage, where Kayla and Silvia were chatting. His eyes then swept back to the four friends, and a wicked grin appeared on his face.
Goyle glanced at Draco, and shuddered as he saw the grin. It was always scary when Draco smiled, but this smile was chilling.
With a casual air, Draco said to Goyle, "You know, this might be an interesting evening after all."
"How so?"
Draco laughed, and Goyle shuddered again. "You'll see, you'll see."
The steady beat of Kayla's double base soon filled the room. Students were tapping their feet and chatting, though few boys had mustered the courage to ask their date to a dance. Harry and Ron stood up, excusing themselves from their small group of friends to get some drinks. Hermione kept her eye on them as they wove their way across the hall. She tugged on the sleeve of Alden's dress robe. "He's really something, isn't he?"
"Hmm?" Alden turned and tried to follow Hermione's gaze. "Who?"
"Harry, of course. Who else?"
"Dunno, could have been anyone."
Hermione rolled her eyes, then returned her gaze to the Boy Who Lived. She sighed, a bit dreamily. "He's perfect."
Alden studied Harry's back thoughtfully as he ordered the drinks. "Yeah, he is. Creepy, eh?"
"No, not creepy! Wonderful. And I'm sure he's a great kisser."
Alden spat the Butterbeer she had just drunk back into the mug. "Hermione! That's sick!"
Hermione turned to look at her. "Sick?"
"You're thinking about kissing him! That's - that's just wrong!"
"How so?"
"You've been best friends for 7 years now. He asks you to go to the dance with him, and suddenly you're wondering if he's a good kisser. There is defiantly something wrong with this picture."
Hermione replied huffily, "Not at all! If you must know, I've... I've been quite taken with Harry ever since I met him. And come on! Don't tell me you've never thought of kissing Ron."
"It never occurred to me." Alden locked her gaze onto Hermione's eyes, and Hermione gave an involuntary shudder. Her friend's two-colored eyes always gave her the creeps. She often felt that they went deeper into Alden's soul than she had ever really said... but what did that mean? Alden was just another girl, albeit with a more unusual history then most. Still, there were times when Hermione couldn't shake the feeling that her American chum could read her mind.
She turned her eyes away, flicking her hair over shoulder and looking toward Harry. "Look, they're coming back. Not a word about kissing."
"Not a word."
As Harry had walked away from the table he had glanced at Draco Malfoy again. He distinctly disliked the way his nemesis was looking at his date. While he and Ron waited for their drinks, Harry kept his eyes trained on Draco, who had a decidedly evil glint in his eyes. He leaned back on the makeshift bar, while Ron began to muse.
"I can't believe it. I mean, me and Alden Dumbledore, here, at the Yule Ball at Hogwarts. And then there's Dean and Silvia Moone. Can you believe it? After all those fan letters he wrote to her... and then there's you and Hermione." Ron frowned, thinking. "That's where I get stuck."
Harry swung his eyes to Ron, asking somewhat defensively, "What's wrong with me an' Hermione?"
Ron shook his head and tried to shrug the comment away, but Harry persisted. At last Ron said, "It just seems... odd. After all these years, you two suddenly seem to have, I dunno, hit it off. It's just... fast, that's all."
Now Harry looked away, eyes briefly sweeping over to Hermione. She was talking to Alden , God knows about what. Girl stuff, most likely. He quickly drank in the curve of Hermione's neck as she exposed it while toying with her hair. She was beautiful now... but then, she always had been. In a moment of complete, utter trust and friendship, he said quietly to Ron, "It's not that fast. It's taken me 7 years to build up the guts."
Ron nodded silently, though only half-believing. He remembered all too well the hopeless moaning when Harry had been rejected by Cho. Every time he had been rejected by Cho. And that was a lot of times. The drinks came, and the two boys made their way back across the room to the girls.
Soon Silvia's melodic voice flowed smoothly over the room. More boys now dared to dance with their dates, and the music became slower and softer. Harry watched as others slowly swung by him, some whispering and others simply swaying together to the beat of Kayla's double bass and the airy trill of Silvia's voice. Hermione was sitting beside him, coughing once or twice expectantly. Alden and Ron were too deeply engrossed in discussing Quidditch tactics to think about the romantic setting blossoming around them as the lights faded some and Silvia began singing a low love song. Dean was gazing up the stage, lost in his own thoughts and dreams. Several girls without dates had asked him to dance, but all had been sent off with a dismissive shake of Dean's head. Harry glanced toward Draco. The devious Slytherin hadn't moved an inch.
Hermione sighed, making Harry fidget uncomfortably. Her eyes swung lazily around the room, and settled for a moment on Draco. Their eyes met and locked, and, oddly enough, Hermione felt her heart skip a beat. She quickly turned away, cheeks burning slightly as she felt Draco's eyes remain on her. Oh, why wouldn't he look away? Why wouldn't Harry notice the way he was looking at her? And why, for one fleeting moment, had she wanted to allow her eyes to linger? To remain gazing into his eyes forever? To... oh, God! What was she saying? Thinking? Whatever!
Harry sensed Hermione shift uncomfortably in her seat. His eyes darted up to Malfoy. Draco was still smirking across the hall at Hermione, who continued to keep her eyes down on her hands. Red flashed before Harry's eyes; what gave Draco the right to look at Hermione that way? He pulled gently on Hermione's sleeve, "Hey, would you like to dance?"
She raised her head to him gratefully, and they rose. Draco scowled a bit as he watched them, eyes locked on their backs as they swung round and round. It was all so sickeningly sweet... more than he could bear. Silently he began gliding along the wall toward the stage. Harry picked up his motion, but was too lost in pleasure to think much of it.
Hermione gently rested her head on Harry's shoulder, and his pulse quickened. He was so close to her, he could feel her slow, steady breath...
She shivered a bit, feeling his warmth and strength radiating toward her. She felt safe, safe from troubles, safe from the turbulent world. But most of all, she felt safe from eyes. Alden's eyes. Draco's eyes. Snake eyes...
'Snake eyes? Where did that come from?' she wondered. But no matter. She once again allowed her thoughts to drift freely, glad to be safe and supported as she leaned on Harry's shoulder.
All too soon for Harry's taste, the song ended. Hermione gently pulled herself away to join the applause. Harry's eyes wandered up to the stage, and they paused on Draco Malfoy. Draco had made it up to the edge of the stage and was whispering with Silvia.
Silvia shook her head, "I've never heard of it." She turned to her sister, "How 'bout you, Kay?"
Kayla frowned and silently shook her head as well. Draco smiled craftily, "That's fine. I have the sheet music with me." He coolly drew a sheet of parchment from his pocket, handing it up to Silvia.
The girl's cat-like eyes narrowed suspiciously. "You carry sheet music with you?"
Draco nodded innocently, and Silvia sighed. She had no reason to distrust Draco, though it did seem odd... She turned to the music again, glancing over it with an expert eye. "It's just a base part, then?"
Draco shook his head, "The words aren't in English, thought it'd be easier for you not to sing them."
"I'm good with languages. Let me try."
"As you wish..." Draco drew another sheet from his pocket and handed it to her. Silvia's eyes darted over the page, mouthing words she didn't understand.
"'Srehtaf fo reredrum, luof si doolb reh'? Perhaps you were right." She returned the paper to Draco, who slid it quickly back into his pocket.
"But can you play it?"
Silvia turned to her sister questioningly. Kayla finished perusing the paper and nodded. Draco grinned, muttering thanks. He then slipped off to his post again where he had left Goyle waiting.
Kayla studied the music once more, then confidently struck the first bar. Alden's head snapped up and she whirled around to face the stage. Harry and Ron frowned, exchanging glances. It was the music Alden hummed to herself in the halls, and what she had sung as she waited for them at the Quidditch pitch. Other students turned and saw her, gazing up at the stage with a combination of hatred and terror. The dancers all slowed, watching Alden as she sat transfixed, staring up at the stage with fire in her eyes. It was eerie, surreal to see her, with the haunting music dancing in the background. It was as though someone had cast a spell over the room, turning everyone to stone save Kayla, who continued playing as though nothing was happening.
The song seemed to last forever, sweat trickling down Harry's face and neck. Some fell into his eye, clouding his vision, but he couldn't move his hand to wipe it away. At last the song ended, and silence reigned. Suddenly, Alden became reanimated, twisting sharply around to face Draco from across the hall. Her motion was like a domino effect, students slowly falling into polite applause and chatting edgily. Draco's smirk broadened, stretching up into his eyes, which were usually cold and indifferent. The scab on his cheek was again stretching painfully, but he hid the pain and stared evenly back into Alden's eyes.
Ron watched, still half-dazed, as Alden's breathing slowed and the fire faded from her eyes. She was soon simply glaring at Draco, as any school girl might have glared at an offending party. At last, the pain in Draco's cheek became overwhelming and he turned away. Gently, Ron reached out and touched her arm. She turned slowly, eyes now somewhat dim and sad. He hadn't seen that veil over her eyes since she had talked about Toby the first night of the year. But as she looked up at him, they regained their sparkle and mischievous glint that still reminded him a bit of the twins. "Sorry," she muttered, moving her hand as if to wave the incident away, "I haven't heard that song played in a long time..."
He nodded understandingly, hand still on her arm protectively. They soon drifted back into conversation, chatting and even laughing as if nothing had happened. But his hand stayed on her arm, and she allowed it to remain. It was the only reminder that something had changed.
Silvia and Kayla bent toward each other, speaking in rapid whispers, trying to think of a song that would easy the tense mood. At last they reached an agreement, and Silvia pulled her flute out. With Kayla playing the baseline, Silvia struck up an airy tune, and students began dancing and laughing again. Inwardly, Kayla sighed with relief and bent her head lower over her double bass.
Calm prevailed for about another hour. Harry and Hermione whirled around the room, Draco's eyes constantly on them. Alden and Ron continued chatting, while Dean continued to watch the stage and throw his thoughts in now and again. But all too soon trouble stirred again. In a pause between numbers, a resounding knock was heard on the door.
Everyone turned to see who it was. Snape, who had been watching everything with a singular look of disgust on his face, swept silently forward to open the great doors. There, framed by the massive wooden slabs, stood Percy, large and formidable. His eyes glanced coldly around the room, at last swinging up to the stage. He drew out a warrant and called out, "Moone, you're under arrest."
Silvia's face drained of its color as Kayla rose angrily. "Which of us?" the older girl called hotly.
"Silvia Moone is under arrest."
"On what charges?"
"The murder of Terrace Doogle."
Silvia became paler, and she took a step backward. Kayla hissed angrily, but said nothing more. Snape half-bowed respectfully, saying in his deadly voice, "Minister, might I see the warrant?"
Percy handed the arrest warrant, eyes locked on Silvia. Dean stood up, then sat down, only to stand up and sit down again. Harry, Ron, and Hermione all looked between Percy and Silvia, shocked beyond words. In his corner, Draco's eyes gleamed triumphantly. Alden closed her eyes, bowing her head and taking deep, steadying breaths.
Snape nodded, handing the warrant back to Percy. "All seems to be in order. You may proceed, Minister."
With a signal, Percy sent four wizards into the room. They swept through the students, reaching and mounting the stage in no time. Silvia had backed against the wall and was mumbling unintelligibly. Two stepped forward, grabbing her roughly by the shoulders and spinning her around. She made no protest as they tied her hands together, then began leading her off the stage, head down, hair falling around her face like a swaying curtain.
It was more than Kayla could bear. "Stop this instant! She's innocent, it's me you want!"
Silvia raised her frightened eyes, calling softly to her sister, "Kay, no, don't!"
But Kayla was infuriated. She took a step down from the stage, eyes flashing across the room at Percy. "I did it. I killed Terrace Doogle, and I'm proud. Let Silvia go."
"Seize her!" Percy called, and the two remaining escorts leapt toward Kayla, grabbing her and tying her arms behind her back. Her eyes flashed dangerously, and she said in an icy voice,
"Now let Silvia go."
Percy smirked at her. "No."
Kayla shrieked and threw her weight forward, trying to free herself. But the guards were strong, and gripped her shoulders tightly. She struggled, but at length one of the guards raised his wand and Stunned her. She fell limp and silent. With another signal, Percy ordered the guards to lead the Moones from the room.
The students fell back, silent as the two girls were lead by. Alden sat, eyes still closed, clenching and unclenching her fists until they were about half way across the room. Then, in one fluid motion, she rose and slid to the center of the room, blocking their path with a raised wand.
The four guards froze, holding their wards tightly but unsure of what to do. There was a strange, deadly light in Alden's eyes, and it made even the grown wizards shudder. She spoke at length, in an odd, raspy voice none had heard her use before. "Let them go."
Percy stepped into the room, raising his own wand. "Professor Snape, permission to Stun this student."
"Permission granted, Minister." No sooner had the words left Snape's lips then two things happened at once. A burst of green light exploded from the end of Percy's wand, blasting its way toward Alden. At the same moment Alden ducked and whirled around, the spell just missing her and striking one of the guards, who went flying backwards and hit the ground. A spell shot from Alden's wand and slammed Percy from the doorway and into the entrance hall. Eyes glinting devilishly, the girl whirled around again to face the remaining guards, bending her head sideways just in time to miss the blast as all three shot Stunning spells at her at the same time. Pale white light exploded from her own wand, knocking the two guards holding Kayla down and singeing the arm of the third. She threw her hair back, face distorted with what could only have been rage, as she prepared to execute the final blast.
But then she froze. Silvia's voice rang calmly over the room, singing, "The one so bright, the one so dark, One a falcon, one a lark..."
Her voice faded, yet kept a distinct hold on Alden. Her wand was still raised, but her eyes seemed dull and weary. Silvia said softly, "Stand down."
Alden sank to the ground, arms falling limp at her side. Silence once again engulfed the Great Hall, seeming loud and ringing after the clash of sound. The three fallen guards began struggling to their feet, raising Kayla's still limp body and once again surrounding the two sisters. Percy staggered to the door, signaling the men to leave the room. He waited until they had gone, eyes still fixed on Alden's dejected form. At last he hissed to Snape, "Dumbledore will hear of this!" and swept from the stunned room.
They had all been sent to their dormitories, of course. Harry tossed and turned, still puzzling over the meaning of it all. There was something missing still from the puzzle, something he couldn't put his finger on... Slowly, he drifted off into a troubled sleep.
Miles away, Barry Potter woke with a start. The figure in the chair beside his bed moved, voice ringing out softly, "What's wrong, Barry dear?"
Harry lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling. His mind was full, images swirling before him. He rolled over and closed his eyes. He wanted to review everything.
It hadn't been so bad asking the girls to the dance. They had all gone together during dinner, approaching the girls cautiously and all speaking in unison. Silvia and Hermione had blushed, smiling and accepting. Alden had choked on a chicken bone, and managed to accept after Kayla whacked her on the back. Harry smiled, remembering the look on her face. Hilarious, really.
The weeks had flown by, and the night finally arrived. Harry concentrated on it, forcing it to come into his mind...
They arrived down at the Great Hall, talking and laughing as a group. The Hall was as before, round tables and stage at one end. Kayla was sitting on the stage, tuning her double bass. She glanced up and smiled at them, with a friendly nod of the head. Silvia and Dean headed over to her while the four others went to find their friends.
Harry saw Draco standing in the corner with Goyle, eyes coldly sweeping about the room. Harry grinned as he realized that Draco was with out a date. He gently took Hermione's arm and continued on.
Draco glared fiercely as he watched Harry lead Hermione away. Glaring made the scab on his cheek tighten painfully, and with a grimace he let his face resume its usual smirk. It still irritated him how lucky Harry was. Potter had had his way with everyone since day one. It wasn't fair; but then, Draco recalled, life wasn't fair. He turned his eyes to the stage, where Kayla and Silvia were chatting. His eyes then swept back to the four friends, and a wicked grin appeared on his face.
Goyle glanced at Draco, and shuddered as he saw the grin. It was always scary when Draco smiled, but this smile was chilling.
With a casual air, Draco said to Goyle, "You know, this might be an interesting evening after all."
"How so?"
Draco laughed, and Goyle shuddered again. "You'll see, you'll see."
The steady beat of Kayla's double base soon filled the room. Students were tapping their feet and chatting, though few boys had mustered the courage to ask their date to a dance. Harry and Ron stood up, excusing themselves from their small group of friends to get some drinks. Hermione kept her eye on them as they wove their way across the hall. She tugged on the sleeve of Alden's dress robe. "He's really something, isn't he?"
"Hmm?" Alden turned and tried to follow Hermione's gaze. "Who?"
"Harry, of course. Who else?"
"Dunno, could have been anyone."
Hermione rolled her eyes, then returned her gaze to the Boy Who Lived. She sighed, a bit dreamily. "He's perfect."
Alden studied Harry's back thoughtfully as he ordered the drinks. "Yeah, he is. Creepy, eh?"
"No, not creepy! Wonderful. And I'm sure he's a great kisser."
Alden spat the Butterbeer she had just drunk back into the mug. "Hermione! That's sick!"
Hermione turned to look at her. "Sick?"
"You're thinking about kissing him! That's - that's just wrong!"
"How so?"
"You've been best friends for 7 years now. He asks you to go to the dance with him, and suddenly you're wondering if he's a good kisser. There is defiantly something wrong with this picture."
Hermione replied huffily, "Not at all! If you must know, I've... I've been quite taken with Harry ever since I met him. And come on! Don't tell me you've never thought of kissing Ron."
"It never occurred to me." Alden locked her gaze onto Hermione's eyes, and Hermione gave an involuntary shudder. Her friend's two-colored eyes always gave her the creeps. She often felt that they went deeper into Alden's soul than she had ever really said... but what did that mean? Alden was just another girl, albeit with a more unusual history then most. Still, there were times when Hermione couldn't shake the feeling that her American chum could read her mind.
She turned her eyes away, flicking her hair over shoulder and looking toward Harry. "Look, they're coming back. Not a word about kissing."
"Not a word."
As Harry had walked away from the table he had glanced at Draco Malfoy again. He distinctly disliked the way his nemesis was looking at his date. While he and Ron waited for their drinks, Harry kept his eyes trained on Draco, who had a decidedly evil glint in his eyes. He leaned back on the makeshift bar, while Ron began to muse.
"I can't believe it. I mean, me and Alden Dumbledore, here, at the Yule Ball at Hogwarts. And then there's Dean and Silvia Moone. Can you believe it? After all those fan letters he wrote to her... and then there's you and Hermione." Ron frowned, thinking. "That's where I get stuck."
Harry swung his eyes to Ron, asking somewhat defensively, "What's wrong with me an' Hermione?"
Ron shook his head and tried to shrug the comment away, but Harry persisted. At last Ron said, "It just seems... odd. After all these years, you two suddenly seem to have, I dunno, hit it off. It's just... fast, that's all."
Now Harry looked away, eyes briefly sweeping over to Hermione. She was talking to Alden , God knows about what. Girl stuff, most likely. He quickly drank in the curve of Hermione's neck as she exposed it while toying with her hair. She was beautiful now... but then, she always had been. In a moment of complete, utter trust and friendship, he said quietly to Ron, "It's not that fast. It's taken me 7 years to build up the guts."
Ron nodded silently, though only half-believing. He remembered all too well the hopeless moaning when Harry had been rejected by Cho. Every time he had been rejected by Cho. And that was a lot of times. The drinks came, and the two boys made their way back across the room to the girls.
Soon Silvia's melodic voice flowed smoothly over the room. More boys now dared to dance with their dates, and the music became slower and softer. Harry watched as others slowly swung by him, some whispering and others simply swaying together to the beat of Kayla's double bass and the airy trill of Silvia's voice. Hermione was sitting beside him, coughing once or twice expectantly. Alden and Ron were too deeply engrossed in discussing Quidditch tactics to think about the romantic setting blossoming around them as the lights faded some and Silvia began singing a low love song. Dean was gazing up the stage, lost in his own thoughts and dreams. Several girls without dates had asked him to dance, but all had been sent off with a dismissive shake of Dean's head. Harry glanced toward Draco. The devious Slytherin hadn't moved an inch.
Hermione sighed, making Harry fidget uncomfortably. Her eyes swung lazily around the room, and settled for a moment on Draco. Their eyes met and locked, and, oddly enough, Hermione felt her heart skip a beat. She quickly turned away, cheeks burning slightly as she felt Draco's eyes remain on her. Oh, why wouldn't he look away? Why wouldn't Harry notice the way he was looking at her? And why, for one fleeting moment, had she wanted to allow her eyes to linger? To remain gazing into his eyes forever? To... oh, God! What was she saying? Thinking? Whatever!
Harry sensed Hermione shift uncomfortably in her seat. His eyes darted up to Malfoy. Draco was still smirking across the hall at Hermione, who continued to keep her eyes down on her hands. Red flashed before Harry's eyes; what gave Draco the right to look at Hermione that way? He pulled gently on Hermione's sleeve, "Hey, would you like to dance?"
She raised her head to him gratefully, and they rose. Draco scowled a bit as he watched them, eyes locked on their backs as they swung round and round. It was all so sickeningly sweet... more than he could bear. Silently he began gliding along the wall toward the stage. Harry picked up his motion, but was too lost in pleasure to think much of it.
Hermione gently rested her head on Harry's shoulder, and his pulse quickened. He was so close to her, he could feel her slow, steady breath...
She shivered a bit, feeling his warmth and strength radiating toward her. She felt safe, safe from troubles, safe from the turbulent world. But most of all, she felt safe from eyes. Alden's eyes. Draco's eyes. Snake eyes...
'Snake eyes? Where did that come from?' she wondered. But no matter. She once again allowed her thoughts to drift freely, glad to be safe and supported as she leaned on Harry's shoulder.
All too soon for Harry's taste, the song ended. Hermione gently pulled herself away to join the applause. Harry's eyes wandered up to the stage, and they paused on Draco Malfoy. Draco had made it up to the edge of the stage and was whispering with Silvia.
Silvia shook her head, "I've never heard of it." She turned to her sister, "How 'bout you, Kay?"
Kayla frowned and silently shook her head as well. Draco smiled craftily, "That's fine. I have the sheet music with me." He coolly drew a sheet of parchment from his pocket, handing it up to Silvia.
The girl's cat-like eyes narrowed suspiciously. "You carry sheet music with you?"
Draco nodded innocently, and Silvia sighed. She had no reason to distrust Draco, though it did seem odd... She turned to the music again, glancing over it with an expert eye. "It's just a base part, then?"
Draco shook his head, "The words aren't in English, thought it'd be easier for you not to sing them."
"I'm good with languages. Let me try."
"As you wish..." Draco drew another sheet from his pocket and handed it to her. Silvia's eyes darted over the page, mouthing words she didn't understand.
"'Srehtaf fo reredrum, luof si doolb reh'? Perhaps you were right." She returned the paper to Draco, who slid it quickly back into his pocket.
"But can you play it?"
Silvia turned to her sister questioningly. Kayla finished perusing the paper and nodded. Draco grinned, muttering thanks. He then slipped off to his post again where he had left Goyle waiting.
Kayla studied the music once more, then confidently struck the first bar. Alden's head snapped up and she whirled around to face the stage. Harry and Ron frowned, exchanging glances. It was the music Alden hummed to herself in the halls, and what she had sung as she waited for them at the Quidditch pitch. Other students turned and saw her, gazing up at the stage with a combination of hatred and terror. The dancers all slowed, watching Alden as she sat transfixed, staring up at the stage with fire in her eyes. It was eerie, surreal to see her, with the haunting music dancing in the background. It was as though someone had cast a spell over the room, turning everyone to stone save Kayla, who continued playing as though nothing was happening.
The song seemed to last forever, sweat trickling down Harry's face and neck. Some fell into his eye, clouding his vision, but he couldn't move his hand to wipe it away. At last the song ended, and silence reigned. Suddenly, Alden became reanimated, twisting sharply around to face Draco from across the hall. Her motion was like a domino effect, students slowly falling into polite applause and chatting edgily. Draco's smirk broadened, stretching up into his eyes, which were usually cold and indifferent. The scab on his cheek was again stretching painfully, but he hid the pain and stared evenly back into Alden's eyes.
Ron watched, still half-dazed, as Alden's breathing slowed and the fire faded from her eyes. She was soon simply glaring at Draco, as any school girl might have glared at an offending party. At last, the pain in Draco's cheek became overwhelming and he turned away. Gently, Ron reached out and touched her arm. She turned slowly, eyes now somewhat dim and sad. He hadn't seen that veil over her eyes since she had talked about Toby the first night of the year. But as she looked up at him, they regained their sparkle and mischievous glint that still reminded him a bit of the twins. "Sorry," she muttered, moving her hand as if to wave the incident away, "I haven't heard that song played in a long time..."
He nodded understandingly, hand still on her arm protectively. They soon drifted back into conversation, chatting and even laughing as if nothing had happened. But his hand stayed on her arm, and she allowed it to remain. It was the only reminder that something had changed.
Silvia and Kayla bent toward each other, speaking in rapid whispers, trying to think of a song that would easy the tense mood. At last they reached an agreement, and Silvia pulled her flute out. With Kayla playing the baseline, Silvia struck up an airy tune, and students began dancing and laughing again. Inwardly, Kayla sighed with relief and bent her head lower over her double bass.
Calm prevailed for about another hour. Harry and Hermione whirled around the room, Draco's eyes constantly on them. Alden and Ron continued chatting, while Dean continued to watch the stage and throw his thoughts in now and again. But all too soon trouble stirred again. In a pause between numbers, a resounding knock was heard on the door.
Everyone turned to see who it was. Snape, who had been watching everything with a singular look of disgust on his face, swept silently forward to open the great doors. There, framed by the massive wooden slabs, stood Percy, large and formidable. His eyes glanced coldly around the room, at last swinging up to the stage. He drew out a warrant and called out, "Moone, you're under arrest."
Silvia's face drained of its color as Kayla rose angrily. "Which of us?" the older girl called hotly.
"Silvia Moone is under arrest."
"On what charges?"
"The murder of Terrace Doogle."
Silvia became paler, and she took a step backward. Kayla hissed angrily, but said nothing more. Snape half-bowed respectfully, saying in his deadly voice, "Minister, might I see the warrant?"
Percy handed the arrest warrant, eyes locked on Silvia. Dean stood up, then sat down, only to stand up and sit down again. Harry, Ron, and Hermione all looked between Percy and Silvia, shocked beyond words. In his corner, Draco's eyes gleamed triumphantly. Alden closed her eyes, bowing her head and taking deep, steadying breaths.
Snape nodded, handing the warrant back to Percy. "All seems to be in order. You may proceed, Minister."
With a signal, Percy sent four wizards into the room. They swept through the students, reaching and mounting the stage in no time. Silvia had backed against the wall and was mumbling unintelligibly. Two stepped forward, grabbing her roughly by the shoulders and spinning her around. She made no protest as they tied her hands together, then began leading her off the stage, head down, hair falling around her face like a swaying curtain.
It was more than Kayla could bear. "Stop this instant! She's innocent, it's me you want!"
Silvia raised her frightened eyes, calling softly to her sister, "Kay, no, don't!"
But Kayla was infuriated. She took a step down from the stage, eyes flashing across the room at Percy. "I did it. I killed Terrace Doogle, and I'm proud. Let Silvia go."
"Seize her!" Percy called, and the two remaining escorts leapt toward Kayla, grabbing her and tying her arms behind her back. Her eyes flashed dangerously, and she said in an icy voice,
"Now let Silvia go."
Percy smirked at her. "No."
Kayla shrieked and threw her weight forward, trying to free herself. But the guards were strong, and gripped her shoulders tightly. She struggled, but at length one of the guards raised his wand and Stunned her. She fell limp and silent. With another signal, Percy ordered the guards to lead the Moones from the room.
The students fell back, silent as the two girls were lead by. Alden sat, eyes still closed, clenching and unclenching her fists until they were about half way across the room. Then, in one fluid motion, she rose and slid to the center of the room, blocking their path with a raised wand.
The four guards froze, holding their wards tightly but unsure of what to do. There was a strange, deadly light in Alden's eyes, and it made even the grown wizards shudder. She spoke at length, in an odd, raspy voice none had heard her use before. "Let them go."
Percy stepped into the room, raising his own wand. "Professor Snape, permission to Stun this student."
"Permission granted, Minister." No sooner had the words left Snape's lips then two things happened at once. A burst of green light exploded from the end of Percy's wand, blasting its way toward Alden. At the same moment Alden ducked and whirled around, the spell just missing her and striking one of the guards, who went flying backwards and hit the ground. A spell shot from Alden's wand and slammed Percy from the doorway and into the entrance hall. Eyes glinting devilishly, the girl whirled around again to face the remaining guards, bending her head sideways just in time to miss the blast as all three shot Stunning spells at her at the same time. Pale white light exploded from her own wand, knocking the two guards holding Kayla down and singeing the arm of the third. She threw her hair back, face distorted with what could only have been rage, as she prepared to execute the final blast.
But then she froze. Silvia's voice rang calmly over the room, singing, "The one so bright, the one so dark, One a falcon, one a lark..."
Her voice faded, yet kept a distinct hold on Alden. Her wand was still raised, but her eyes seemed dull and weary. Silvia said softly, "Stand down."
Alden sank to the ground, arms falling limp at her side. Silence once again engulfed the Great Hall, seeming loud and ringing after the clash of sound. The three fallen guards began struggling to their feet, raising Kayla's still limp body and once again surrounding the two sisters. Percy staggered to the door, signaling the men to leave the room. He waited until they had gone, eyes still fixed on Alden's dejected form. At last he hissed to Snape, "Dumbledore will hear of this!" and swept from the stunned room.
They had all been sent to their dormitories, of course. Harry tossed and turned, still puzzling over the meaning of it all. There was something missing still from the puzzle, something he couldn't put his finger on... Slowly, he drifted off into a troubled sleep.
Miles away, Barry Potter woke with a start. The figure in the chair beside his bed moved, voice ringing out softly, "What's wrong, Barry dear?"
