Inklings of Celebrity
Chapter Eight: Cupidity
A/N: Chapter Eight! Naria and Eriya will be coming in soon, and right now the Hogsmeade trip between Selena, Dilandau, Harry & Hermione is on. Sorry that this chapter took a longer time than most others, but I'm working on a Serena Schezar shrine. Anyway, you'll notice that Dilandau and Hermione seem to have a much more interesting time than the other two (in a G or PG rated way, though!). This is because, well, it's Dilandau! He's never in any boring scenes in Escaflowne, because he's such an interesting character. Therefore, he deserves to have a slightly more lively time.
Harry and Hermione had been immensely pleased with themselves, until Hogwarts filled up again. That was when Ron came back, and he'd been of course planning to go with them for the trip. Although he was of course happy for both of them, he was really quite otherwise lost.
"What am I supposed to do with myself if you'll be busy?" he grumbled.
"Go out with Padma," suggested Harry. Padma was going out with Ron now. After a while of thought and conferring between Ron and Padma, they agreed. They even started planning out exactly what they'd do, including the part where they'd pair up with the ones they wanted. It was like an army.
The day before the Hogsmeade trip, January 12th, Dumbledore made a special announcement. "Because of the unfortunate events last year, we have decided that Hogwarts will have celebrations throughout this year. One of these will be the Parent's Week, where your parents or guardians will be able to come and experience your learning. That will be in April. For Valentine's Day, we've planned a very special ball for you; the Cupids Ball."
Those in the Great Hall cheered, except for Harry and a few other students with bad or no families. Selena was somewhat concerned about this, and resolved to ask Folken to take care of it later on. She really did want to see Allen (although she'd also enjoyed being away from her overprotective brother), but was worried about what he'd say if he saw Dilandau.
Hermione spent the day testing out look-changing potions, spells and charms on herself for the approaching trip. She'd found a particularly useful one to straighten her hair, that would work for a month. Selena was not half as excited, being an extremely calm and cool person. She was actually quite nonchalant about it; just a group of people going to some little magic village.
But Dilandau was actually very displeased about it. Selena was his best friend, and he therefore thought that they'd get to spend time together, privately, not with people they didn't really know. He secretly promised himself to try and make the world miserable if it was boring.
The next day dawned, cloudy and drizzling. Selena, who liked the rain, was happier than she'd been the previous night, although the others meeting with her were somewhat annoyed at the weather. The group met at the Three Broomsticks, where they all ordered themselves Butterbeer and food.
There wasn't really much conversation at first, until Harry started to tell an anecdote about how Dudley had made a fool of himself that summer. This loosened up the group enough to maintain a conversation. At one point in the conversation, Dilandau asked, "How did you come to Hogwarts, anyway?" to the others.
Harry smiled, remembering his interesting encounter with Hagrid. "What happened to me was that I started getting letters. The Muggles that I live with wouldn't let me get a single one of them, and eventually they left with me. Hagrid came to get me, and I continued from there."
Hermione had a less exciting story; she'd just received a letter. "How did you come to Hogwarts?" asked Hermione curiously.
Selena answered quickly. "I was at an event, and a letter for Dilandau and I appeared in the mail for me. Van got the same letter as us."
"Aah," said Hermione. "So, what should we do now? We should probably split up in pairs, since the shop-wizards usually get suspicious of groups of people." This was actually a complete lie. "Let's see... Selena, you can go with Harry, and I guess I'll go with Dilandau."
Selena was about to protest about this, but she realized what Hermione was trying to do, so she nodded. Although she knew that Hermione probably wasn't at all who Dilandau would like, she decided to go along with Harry and Hermione's 'experiment'. She didn't really know Harry, but he seemed to be an alright person. The group of them stood up, then separated.
Harry couldn't believe his luck. He never was especially self-confident, and now the prettiest girl in the fifth-year would be talking to him. The two of them started walking around the village aimlessly. "So," Selena began, "your friend likes Dilandau?"
Harry stared at her in amazement. "How did you know?" he asked.
Selena laughed melodiously. "It's obvious; she was just planning for the coupling-off of us." Harry nodded in agreement, and the two continued their walk in the rain. "I love the rain, don't you?" Selena remarked enthusiastically.
"Not especially. My cousin Dudley used to strap me onto the roof when it rained, in hopes of electrocuting me."
"That can't be good."
"I suppose not. Why do you like the rain, though?" Harry inquired.
"I suppose because I've always witnessed so much burning, and rain is much more peaceful. The weather is cool and refreshing, and the rain washes everything bad away," Selena reminisced. Harry nodded mutely, since he couldn't think of anything remarkably intelligent to say.
"I wonder how Dilandau and Hermione are getting along," mused Selena, then proceeded to contact Dilandau telepathically. He responded promptly, telling her the details of his excursion so far. Selena giggled. "Right now, our friends are at the book store. Dilandau's looking at a book about war, and Hermione is pondering over a book about Hogwarts."
"Huh?" Harry looked at Selena suddenly. It was somewhat odd that she knew what they were doing. He would've asked her about it, but she interrupted him.
"What do you think of the wizarding world?"
"It was really confusing at first, but I got used to it. It's still unnerving for me since I'm famous, but the magical world is the closest thing to my home."
Selena cocked her eyebrow at him. "You're famous?"
Harry was actually quite surprised that someone didn't know. He'd gotten used to the fact that everyone knew about him somewhere along the line. "Yeah, that Voldemort fellow disappeared after not managing to kill me. Nothing, really."
"Right. So what do you think of the upcoming dance, anyway? I think it should be interesting. I've been to many balls and social events, and I'd like to see what happens here. I can't say I'm too fond of dancing, though," Selena finished.
"I'm not actually good at dancing; never learnt it. There was a dance last year. We have to wear dress robes, although this dance may be different. By the way, do you think you'd be able to come with me?" Harry asked nervously, with bated breath.
Selena thought about this. "Sure, I'm free. No one has asked me yet, anyway. I could teach you how to dance, if you want," she offered. Harry was grinning like crazy because of her acceptance, and he agreed to learn how to dance; he would've even been nice to Malfoy at that time.
"But how could you teach me? You only know the girl's position, don't you?"
"No, I know both of them. Quite useful if I ever decide to change sex." The two of them laughed, and continued on their walk, drenching wet.
Dilandau and Hermione hadn't had such a successful time as that. They were at the bookstore, first of all, and that really was quite ridiculous. Dilandau was already bored, and Hermione was absorbed in the book about Hogwarts. Dilandau and Selena were still talking through their minds, and he found out that she was going to the ball with Harry. This greatly annoyed him, and he relieved himself of his feelings by burning an antique book by magic. He wasn't noticed, except by the cat. When the cat tried to attract someone, Dilandau kicked it out of the way.
He then felt slighter better, and decided to try to get some kind of response from Hermione. Since Selena would be going with Harry, that would leave him free to get a date. Out of mischief, he decided to ask Hermione. This was actually only to get her away from the book and have something more interesting happen; Dilandau figured that he could just suffer through the night of the dance, or get drunk.
Hermione looked up at hearing the store's cat yowl as it limped past her, still not recovered from being kicked. The first thing she saw was Dilandau standing next to her, looking as if he thought he was really quite wonderful to be able to stay awake in such a tedious place. This set Hermione off in peals of laughter, and she was kicked out of the bookstore for disturbing the other customers.
Dilandau popped his question to her so that they wouldn't have to go to an Ancient Runes store. Hermione then went starry-eyed, and was speechless for a few seconds before ecstatically accepting his offer. Dilandau suggested they go to the Three Broomsticks again instead of the Ancient Runes store, and Hermione accepted.
This was when Harry and Selena came back, dripping. Dilandau and Hermione weren't as wet, since Dilandau especially hated the rain, and had taken good care not to keep in the rain. The four greeted each other, and once again ate and drank.
Back at Hogwarts, both Harry and Hermione hung around all day, not really doing anything but staring straight up at the ceiling in pure bliss, and sighing in joy every now and then. Fred and George found this quite humorous, and proceeded to cast spells that made water balloons fall down from the ceiling. Yet Harry and Hermione weren't even very upset then.
Harry caught sight of Selena later on, entering the common room with Dilandau and the Dragon Slayers. Both he and Hermione jumped up, and each greeted their future dates. The Dragon Slayers meanwhile comically rolled their eyes at this, and joined in with the Weasley twins' dropping water balloons on others.
During that day's supper, Dumbledore had another announcement to make. "Hogwarts has joined up with the Salem Magical School in America, and we have induced an exchange program, to take place throughout this whole year. One student will be chosen from each year to go to the American school, and other students will come to the school here."
He chose the students to go to Salem, and Hitomi Kanzaki was included in that list. This set Van off into a bad mood, and he went off, alone, into an empty room to sulk and brood about it. Selena decided to follow him, to try and cheer him up. Using a special charm, she found him near the library, and she started to talk to him.
"Don't worry, Van. I know that you'll miss Hitomi, but you'll meet again! Besides, you told me that the last time you two separated, you had a lot less notice."
'No," he said bitterly, "I knew that she'd leave all along then. This is the third time she'll be leaving, and it annoys me. She'd probably be better off without me, and so would everyone else."
"Of course not! Your people love you, and they really need you to rule them. Hitomi also adores you, and I know you adore her. Besides, she can't help leaving."
"You're right, Selena, but still..." Van trailed off here, silent tears streaming down his face. Selena put her hand on his shoulder.
"But remember, she has the pendant. You said that the pendant connected the two of you, and it will connect the two of you on the same planet, too. That is one advantage; you'll both be on the Mystic Moon!" Selena pointed out.
Van sighed. "I can't help but be sad, there have been too many good-byes for me in my life. The only family I have left would be Folken. My country burned down before me. I'd like to be able to stretch my wings, but I can't. Hitomi is now once again leaving me. I don't think it's very fair."
"Of course it's not fair, you know that. But Van, you probably could stretch your wings. You could do it right now, in fact," Selena commented. Van smiled weakly, and took off his robes (he had a pair of pants on underneath, just in case you must know), and a pair of beautiful white wings burst out of his back.
He flapped the angelic wings a few times, resulting in a swirl of feathers around the room. Selena moved over to the door to stop people coming in, and mentioned, "People would think you're an angel; a messenger of the heavens, who apparently have white wings and a halo around their head." The two friends laughed about this for a few seconds, and Van felt greatly cheered.
He heard footsteps approaching the room, and quickly sucked in his wings. Unfortunately, feathers were still strewn across the floor, and there was nothing that could be done with this. The two looked at each other, then the door burst open.
Draco Malfoy appeared, of course followed by Crabbe and Goyle. He greatly needed protection at that moment, for Van and Selena charged at him, only to be blocked by the two burly Slytherins. Selena took out her sword in a threatening manner, making them move back rapidly.
Malfoy stared in a bored manner at Van, then turned his attention- and charm- to Selena. She looked at him as if he were quite repulsive, which didn't quell him. "I'd like to be able to talk to you, girl," Draco drawled, then looked at the others surrounding them, "Excuse us, please?" Crabbe and Goyle cleared off, but Van stayed in his place.
"Excuse me, you. I said for you to move, and I'd like you to do it," Draco demanded. Van still didn't move, but glared at Draco in a dangerous manner.
Selena seethed. "We really don't give what it is that you like, and I'd like you to continue with what you were going to say."
"Well," Malfoy began, looking quite nervous, "I was going to ask you if you'd come with me for the upcoming dance."
"Do you remember who I am?" came the reply.
"Not quite; am I supposed to?" Malfoy smirked. His face was met with a deafening slap, and he looked up in surprise.
"Do you remember who I am?" Selena repeated. Malfoy looked at her in sudden recognition, and fear grew in his expression. "Now that you seem to recognize me, let's get down to business. Why is it that you want me to be your date?"
"Because you're the best- looking girl in the year, and I'll have the best I can get," Malfoy explained shrewdly.
Selena looked at him, then scoffed, "Well, the best you can get is a lot lower than me." Van started to pull her out, and the two of them went out into the hallway, where they started laughing heartily at Draco Malfoy.
The next day during Potions class, Draco was still in a rather foul mood. He was, as of yet, fuming over being rejected, and a bruise was forming on his cheek. He decided to take this out on his nemesis, Harry Potter. Snape wasn't in class yet, fortunately, so Harry wouldn't lose any points either way.
"Hey, Potter," he sneered, "Have you been taking lessons from Longbottom about how to be stupid? Because you're doing a pretty good job of it. Oh, wait- it's just something you got from your parents. Never mind."
"Oh, shove off, Malfoy," called Selena from her seat by the window. He turned on her next, after pulling his wand out of his robes for protection.
"Ho, Potter's got a girlfriend now!" exclaimed Malfoy in a loud voice for the whole class to hear.
"That's right," said Selena calmly as she walked up to him, "He has. But you should've found that out first before asking me to the ball, shouldn't you?" Hoots were heard through the class as Malfoy went red. Calls of "Take that!" and other such remarks were also heard.
Selena twirled on Malfoy, and walked back to her seat. She started to talk with Dilandau.
A/N: OK, this is chapter 8, aptly named Cupidity (a mix of Cupid and Stupidity). I'm planning to have something adventurous happen, as it's practically a requirement that I haven't been meeting in both Harry Potter and Escaflowne. What do you, the responsible reader, want to see more of? More romance, humor, drama, adventure? More of couples/best friends/individual characters? Please review to tell me; flames welcomed.
Would you know that I've never been hyper in my life, and probably never will be?