Disclaimer: J.K. reaps the benefits. I'm not her, nor do I pretend to be her. This is my pathetic attempt to create a sequel to the fourth book, "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire". I'm not trying to copyright or copy or anything. J.K. GETS ALL!! Her mansion is Scotland is evidence of that. ;-)

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CHAPTER 8.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT

Even several weeks afterward, Harry still had no answer to Ron's question, nor to the question that the ghost had posed to him through Ron. I don't understand why Cedric, if it was Cedric at all, is focusing on Ron. Unless it's to get to me. That could be it. And the paper, I can't make heads nor tails of it. The Master's Mirror and eyes. What do they have in common? I just don't know. I need something else to take my mind off of this. Many other students agreed with this thought. Many of the younger children still hadn't gotten over the fact that they had been sent to Hogwarts early was because a Hogwarts student had been cruelly murdered, though no details would be given as to how he was murdered. "That means it was pretty gory. They never tell you how they died if its gory." Ron explained knowingly.

The older children weren't as concerned with the murder, believing that they were in good hands, for surely Dumbeldore wouldn't let a murderer into Hogwarts! Never! He had kept Sirius Black away from them hadn't he? But the younger children weren't so convinced. They went to classes as usual, did their activities, but they needed something else to distract them from the gruesome and thoroughly frightening events.

Apparently, Dumbledore and the staff agreed, for at breakfast about a week after Ron was let out of the Infirmary, Dumbledore stood from his seat and ordered silence. "Students, I have an announcement to make, a pleasant one I hope. I'm sure you have observed that the Quidditch try-outs had been postponed until an unknown date. Well now that date is known. This afternoon and the day afterward, Madame Hooch and the leaders of the other Houses will observe the Quidditch try-outs for their house teams. After the two days, places will be assigned to certain lucky youths. There are several playing spots open, as many of our students have either graduated from our school, or have left us." There was a small sob from an indistinct corner of the Dining Room. Harry knew what it was about and he shrunk in his chair. He didn't want to think about Cedric now.

What if he's here looking for me? Then I definetly don't want to think about him. Harry thought.

"That is all. Enjoy your meal." Dumbledore said before sitting down and eating once more.

"Isn't it great Harry? I think I'm gonna try out! I'd love to be Captain." Ron murmured dreamily. Beside him, Fred and George chuckled, and Fred smacked his brother's back good-naturedly.

"I think you've gotta be at least as tall as the Beaters to be Captain." Fred winked. Ron shrugged him off and instead stared dreamily into space.

"I think I'll try out for Keeper. Granted, I won't be as good as Oliver Wood was, but I can still try." He said, a wistful smile on his face. Across from him, Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Like you'll even make Keeper! I bet you'll be knocked out in the try-outs! You should be worrying about more important things, like your Charms paper that you still haven't finished." She scoffed. Ron snapped out of his daydreaming instantly.

"I only have a few feet left to write, Hermione, and I will not get knocked out! I don't have four older, Quidditch-playing brothers for NOTHING! I know a few things about Quidditch, Hermione Granger, and I can assure you that I WON'T GET KNOCKED OUT!" Ron said forcefully. Harry smiled as Hermione huffed, but said nothing.

"I think I'll try out for Chaser." Harry almost didn't recognize the quiet voice to be Artemis', but it was hers. She sat back in her chair, her fair hand resting lightly against her chin thoughtfully.

"Did you play Quidditch in Durmstrang? You never told us!" Harry said in surprise. Artemis grinned and shrugged. "Didn't think it was important. I thought they had postponed the try-outs indefinetly, so I didn't see any point in bringing it up." She said wryly.

"But we LOVE Quidditch! We would have talked to you about it anyway!" George said quickly.

"Yeah! Our brother Charlie could have been Seeker for the British Quidditch team, but he went off chasing dragons. I'd much rather have a nationally acclaimed brother than a brother who spends his days slopping about in dragon dung." Fred said remorsefully. Artemis shook her head and chuckled.

"Well if you and Ronnie get on the team it'll be great! 'Cause then it'll be me, Fred, Ron, you, and old Harry is the best Seeker we've ever had for a long time! It'll be grand!" George said excitedly.

Artemis quickly turned her eye upon Harry. "You're Seeker? I had forgotten! I can't wait to see you in a game! Everyone says you're wonderful!" Artemis said excitedly.

"Obviously you didn't talk to everyone." A cool voice remarked from behind Artemis. She whirled around quickly, a frown on her face as she saw Draco Malfoy leaning over her chair. His elbows rested on the back of her chair and he eyed her with a lazy expression. From behind Artemis, Fred, George and Ron all eyed Draco angrily, their fists clenching and unclenching. "In case you didn't know, I'm also on a Quidditch team. Slytherin's Seeker in fact." Draco raised up a pale hand for inspection as he eyed his nails before fixing his cool eyes upon Artemis, who stared at him coldly. "Better than Potter in fact." Ron scoffed loudly. Draco's face quickly gravitated over to Ron's red face and he glared at him. "Look who's talking Weasley. Look who didn't even get ON the team." He commented.

Anger boiled up inside of Harry as he eyed Draco. "The only reason YOU got on the team was because your Dad paid your way in. You didn't get in there by any real talent whatsoever!" Harry said angrily. Draco's gaze moved to Harry's eyes and Harry's scar flashed with pain. But he restrained his hand from moving up to it, knowing that even if he did caress it, the pain would not leave that easily.

"At least thats more than your father can do, Potter. But thats right. He's dead, isn't he?" Fred and George quickly put their arms on Ron as he attempted to leap out of his chair and strangle Malfoy, hissing a curse that would have made Molly Weasley blanche and wash his mouth out with soap. Draco chuckled, then pretended to look shocked. "Why, Weasley! Did your Pop teach you that one?" Fred and George winced as they strained against their brother's raging fists.

Draco simply rolled his eyes and leaned back down on Artemis' chair, his cool eyes never leaving her face. Artemis quickly met his gaze and locked it, but to Harry's surprise, after a moment she faltered and looked away. Draco continued to stare into her face for a time before letting his hand drop to touch one of Hermione's frizzy locks. "Gosh Granger! Aren't you ever gonna get any suitable shampoo that takes care of this rot? Honestly, its disgusting." He chuckled. Ron growled under his breath, but sat down at his brothers' bidding. Hermione simply scoffed, but turned deep red as she muttered,

"Bug off, Malfoy." Malfoy shrugged and turned away from her, instead turning again to Artemis. Artemis again met his gaze with determination, but again it faltered. Harry frowned as he watched them, the two pairs of cool gray eyes locked together. Why was Artemis backing off? Then Harry realized. There was something that Artemis saw in Draco's eyes that shook her. It wasn't frightening, for she didn't give any indication of being frightened. It simply shook her so, that she couldn't stare hard at him like she did to Fred and George when they were getting on her nerves. It troubled Harry because it troubled Artemis, and it seemed to trouble her moreso.

Finally Draco looked away and smiled at them. "See you at the try-outs, Weasley, Thornshadow. Hope you live till then." He said, winking before walking off.

"I really hate him. That big, fat JERK." Ron muttered, his flashing blue eyes staring at the boy's figure as it stalked away.

"You said it Ronnie." Fred said firmly. "A real jerk." He repeated.

"Oh, come now. Calling names isn't going to change anything. He's always going to be obnoxious. Its his job." Hermione sniffed.

"You alright Artemis?" George asked, concern entering his tone. Artemis continued to stare after Draco long after his figure was no longer visible. Harry frowned and eyed her closer, before he drew back in fright. The gray-green color of her irises were no longer visible. Instead they were taken over by the pure black of her pupils. But as soon as he blinked, the girl's head had moved and she shrugged.

"I'm fine." She said quietly, not noticing Harry's look of surprise and shock that spread across his face.

Harry tried to think about the incident, tried to find a reason for it, tried to understand what was happening. The first time I saw something like that happen was when I was in Flourish and Blotts and it happened to George when he was looking out the store windows right after Malfoy left. Then when Malfoy left, it happened to Artemis. But whats the connection? Or is there one? Harry didn't have much time to think about it afterwards, for all his classes kept him busy, and Snape seemed to be breathing down his neck excessively that day, causing him to lose ten points from Gryffindor for simply not remembering the name of an ingredient.

After he left Rhiannon's class, which had gone incredibly well, he had helped to earn thirty points for Gryffindor, making up for the loss in points that Snape had caused. But still, Harry shuffled out of the door dismally, completely forgetting the announcement that had been made that morning till Ron came up behind him and draped his long arm around his shoulders. "Ready for Quidditch old boy? I tell you I am! Can't wait to try out! Can't wait to work with you! It'll be great!" He gushed excitedly. Harry perked up immediately. He'd forgotten about the Quidditch try-outs. Finally, something to take his mind off eyes and mirrors and Malfoy for once. There would be nothing there but him in the air practicing with the other kids trying out.

"Hold on! I've gotta go get my broomstick!" He said, leaving Ron and running up the stairs.

When he stepped into the Gryffindor boys' bedroom, he dove under his bed and pulled out the long case that Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had chipped in to get him for his birthday. It was an incredibly early birthday present, but, "We wanted to get it for you before you went to Hogwarts, dear! We didn't want your wonderful broomstick to get all mussed or something." Mrs. Weasley said with a smile. Ron had grumbled at that.

"Your wonderful broomstick. Cripes, why doesn't she just drool?" He had asked, rolling his blue eyes. Harry snapped the latches on the case and stared happily at his broomstick, the Firebolt. He gently pulled it out and ran his fingers over the smooth wood of the handle lovingly. He held it in his hands a moment more then shoved the case back under his bed and jumping to his feet.

For a mere moment he considered opening up the window, jumping out and flying to the Quidditch field, but he thought better of it. "Don't wanna get kicked off the team already." He murmured with a smile, running his fingers over the handle before running down the tower stairs quickly. As Harry ran onto the Quidditch field, he gave encouraging smiles to all the nervous faces in the lines waiting for their turn to try out. He waved to Ron who was looking quite pale and also to Artemis, whose face was set with determination, but was still stricken with look of nervous sickness. On the far end of the field, the Slytherins were already trying out for places on their team. Harry watched as Draco showed off immensely, swooping and diving more than necessary, simply to attract attention and to make those who were trying out, nervous.

"Heya Harry! This'll be fun what?" Fred called out from up in the air. Harry grinned and blocked the sun from his eyes as he looked up to see Fred and George soaring high above him.

"Can't wait to see how Ronnie does! I'm sure he'll do great though!" George yelled, falling out of a double arc in order to speak intelligibly to Harry.

"Well what're ya waiting for? Come on up, Potter!" Fred yelled. Harry grinned and jumped on his broomstick, feeling the power rush into the slender bit of wood and carry him high in the air. Once up with the others, he felt free. He swooped and dove through the air, spinning and twirling with sickening accuracy, letting his arms fly out from him, just breathing the air that flew into his face and into his nostrils. It was wonderful up there.

"Alright! Enough horsing around up there! Weasleys! Potter!" Harry ceased to fly about as he heard Professor McGonagall's stern voice. Obediently, he and the twins stopped flying about. "Now for Chaser position, Marty Macfell." Professor McGonagall called out. A pale boy walked from the lines and stepped hesitantly onto his broomstick. He barely made it into the air before he fell off his broomstick. The other children rushed to him and one of them called out,

"Professor! He's fainted!" Professor McGonagall sighed and brought her hand to her face.

"Help him to the Infirmary! Yes, yes I'll hold your place. Now go!" She ordered a young fourth year. "Well, next up for Chaser position, Artemis Thornshadow." McGonagall called out. Artemis stepped out of the crowd, her broomstick in hand, tight-lipped and pale, but firm none-the-less. From up above her, Fred and George let out loud whoops that echoed throughout the entire field. Artemis released a nervous grin before breathing deeply and jumping on her broomstick, bringing it soaring into the air.

The Quaffle was released and Artemis quickly brought it into play. The substitute Keeper, who'd been taking Oliver Wood's place braced himself, not expecting much from the newcomer. Artemis quickly faked, pretending to pass it back to Alicia Spinnet. The Keeper moved towards Alicia, and Artemis tossed the Quaffle through one of the hoops. The team cheered loudly and Artemis soared above them in an arc before coming back down to run another play. "Alright! Enough showing off! Lets play Quidditch!" Harry noticed that though Professor McGonagall was showing her superiority, there was a hint of pride and admiration in her voice as she cast a triumphant glance at Professor Snape who stood across the field. Professor Snape merely scoffed and looked away.

Several more plays were run, in most of which Artemis showed great speed and control. At times she faltered, but they were not many. All in all, Harry felt that her technique was very strong, especially when she ceased to be nervous. When she finally settled down on the ground below, she grinned and ran through the crowd high-fiving everyone, barely hearing Professor McGonagall's message that she would be contacted either way. The next hour was spent on running through those trying out for Chaser position. There were many who were very good and some who were not so good. "I'm betting it will either be Artemis or that one kid Malus Krandoff." George said knowingly during a break before the try-outs for the positions of Keeper were started. Harry nodded, agreeing silently.

There were quite a few Keepers that were tried out, for Ron was the last. The tension grew terribly with each player that took his or her turn. Harry noticed that with each player that tried out, the more pale Ron became. "Please don't let him faint." Harry muttered under his breath. Finally, Ron's turn came and he gulped and stepped out of the crowd.

"C'mon Ronnie. C'mon Ron." Harry looked over to see the twins eyeing their brother completely seriously, no hint of joking in their voices. They eyed their brother with respect and hope, hoping that he wouldn't fail. Ron slowly moved into the air and into the Keeper position, looking more pale than he had a moment ago.

Fred and George and the other players moved up and positioned themselves in front of the Quaffles in front of them. They were instructed to toss the Quaffles in front of the Keeper, to see how well he could save them. They waited for McGonagall's whistle breathlessly. Ron gulped and breathed deeply. He fixed his eyes on Harry and didn't move them until the whistle was blown. When it was blown, Ron's eyes snapped to attention and he watched the Quaffles as they were tossed at him. Harry thought that he would be quickly overwhelmed. It was making him dizzy. But he underestimated his friend. Ron caught the first Quaffle tossed towards him by Alicia Spinnet, threw the one Fred had thrown directly at his dangling knees, causing him to bring his broom up sharply, and nearly hit George's head with the one that George threw to him. George whistled as the Quaffle whizzed past his ear. "Good one, Ronnie." He whispered.

From below, McGonagall nodded primly. "Make them faster this time." She called up. So the volleys came faster, and faster still. Only one Quaffle made it past Ron's hands and that was hit to him by Fred. Fred grinned as he saw Ron's dejected face.

"S'okay Ronnie! Its just one! Just one old boy! Don't give up!" He called. Almost instantly, Ron's face perked up and he moved back into position as the volleys began again. When McGonagall finally called them down from the air, everyone cheered so loudly that they barely heard McGonagall's message. Fred and George fairly pounced on their brother as soon as they reached the ground. "You were great Ronnie!" Fred yelled.

"And you thought you'd suck!" George said with a smile as he gave his brother a noogie. Ron smacked them away with an irritated gesture, but there was a pleased grin on his face.

"Ron!" Ron whirled around as he heard the feminine voice call his name.

Harry was surprised to see Hermione run up to them breathlessly, her eyes shining. "Hermione? But I thought you had to study this afternoon." Ron faltered. Hermione shrugged.

"I got done early. You were wonderful!" She said excitedly. Ron's ears turned pink as he grinned at her.

"Thanks for coming, Hermione." He said quietly.

"I 'most thought you were gonna throw up up there!" Fred laughed.

"I told you I wouldn't! I was just nervous." Ron said, waving them off.

"Ron, you were great! Fabulous! However did you do it?" Artemis asked as she pushed through the crowd. Ron grinned and gave her a thumbs-up sign.

"Easy, just imagined that Fred and George were pitching spiders and trolls at me like they did when I was a kid and it was simple." Ron said with a smile.

"Luck, thats all that was." Came a cool voice from behind them.

The group groaned as a collective as they turned around to face Draco Malfoy, who stood directly in front of them, his hands on his hips. "Nice bit of protecting Weasley, but you looked a little sick. Have altitude sickness do you?" Draco sneered. Harry quickly eyed Fred and George as they both narrowed their eyes and clenched their fists. "Well then, perhaps there'll only be one good person on this team this year. And that'll be an improvement. Of course a team isn't made up of one person though, so you'll most likely lose the tournament this year." Draco said with a sigh.

"And who would that one person be Malfoy?" Ron asked angrily. Draco didn't even blink as he quickly answered,

"Why Artemis Thornshadow of course." He said cooly. Artemis was taken aback, and apparently so was everyone else on the team, as they stared at the Slytherin boy with surprise.

"Yes. She's the only one whose got some talent on this team, which is something that even the infamous celebrity Harry Potter does not have. Natural talent, thats what she's got." Draco said with a cruel smile.

"Yeah, thats more than you can say for yourself Malfoy." Ron sneered. Draco's head quickly turned to Ron and his pleasant appearance faded.

"You shut up, Weasley. I don't see any lightning moves coming out of your broomstick." He scoffed.

"Don't you tell us Weasleys to shut up!" Fred growled.

"Yeah! You tell one of us to shut up, then you've gotta deal with the rest of us." George said, his eyes narrowing. Draco raised one long eyebrow.

"Oh, scary. I'll be attacked by red-headed sparrows." Artemis placed one hand in front of the Weasley twins as they moved to attack the boy.

They looked at her questioningly and she shook her head. "He's not worth your time." She said simply. Draco looked at her, then at the softening boys and scoffed.

"Amazing what a woman's touch can do." He said sarcastically.

"We can still hex you from here Malfoy, so I wouldn't start laughing again." Fred growled. Draco threw his hands in the air.

"Like I said, scary. Let me know when you've actually got a team, Weasley, a team that can truly challenge Slytherin. But then again, that will never happen, unless you get a team of Artemis Thornshadows." Draco scoffed before turning his pale eyes upon Artemis' fierce face. But she didn't retort his words. Simply stared at him just as cooly as he and said,

"Leave them alone, Malfoy." Draco shrugged his shoulders and walked away from them, his blonde head still held high.

Fred and George stared at Artemis in horror. "What?" She asked. Fred pointed one finger at her.

"You just told Draco Malfoy to bug off." He said simply.

"Yeah? So?" Artemis questioned.

"SO?? He listened to you! He never listens!" Ron exploded. Artemis shrugged.

"Ah, who cares? He's just a push-over anyway. C'mon, lets eat. I'm starved. Hey George, you think you can raid the kitchen for those pasties I really like?" Artemis asked, leading the team back to the castle. George quickly stepped up to her pace and nodded.

" 'Course! It'd be my pleasure!" He said happily.

A few days later, the notice announcing those who'd made the Quidditch teams was posted. Harry strode past it, barely noticing that it was there, but he stopped when he noticed that Ron had stopped in front of it, his face pale. "Ron? Ron, are you okay?" He asked eyeing his friend with concern. He then saw the notice.

"Harry, I can't look. Will you look for me?" Ron gulped.

"Sure I'll look for you." Harry said generously. But before he could look, he and Ron whirled around as a shrill shriek filled the entire hall. Further down the hall in front of Professor McGonagall's classroom, another notice was posted. In front of it, stood Artemis and Hermione, both clutching each other and staring at the notice in awe.

Harry and Ron both turned to each other and shrugged before the two girls bolted down the hall. Ron jumped as Hermione threw herself upon him excitedly. "Oh RON! Ron! I'm so proud of you!" She said excitedly.

"Thats great, Hermione. But what did I do?" He mumbled uncomfortably, blushing pink. Hermione squeezed him tightly.

"YOU MADE THE TEAM!!" She squealed before blushing pink and releasing her hold on Ron, realizing that she had never squealed in her life and she didn't necessarily like the sound of it.

"You're Keeper! And I'm," Artemis started, but before she could finish, there was a triumphant roar down the hall as the Weasley twins rushed down it towards them. Both of them clapped Artemis and Ron on the backs simultaneously.

"YOU'RE CHASER!! CONGRATULATIONS!" Fred said excitedly. "

Great job Artemis! You'll do great!" George said generously, winking at her before he bowed slightly. Artemis waved her hand at them, but blushed red.

"So, we'll all be on the team together. Thats great!" Harry said excitedly.

"Yeah, great." They all turned to face Draco. "I just can't wait for you to choke at the first game." He said, walking through them and bumping shoulders with them as he did so.

"He's such a terd." Ron said with narrowed eyes.

"Artemis, where'd you get that? Its beautiful!" Hermione whispered in awe as she fingered the girl's robe. Artemis frowned but gasped as she saw a tiny scarlet rosebud hanging from a fine gold chain that was caught on a frayed thread of her robe. She pulled it up in surprise and touched the soft petals wondringly. George frowned.

"You put that on?" He asked suspiciously. Artemis looked up at him, her eyes filled with wonder as she shook her head. Harry looked back towards the departing Malfoy and saw him turn around once, give a satisfied smile, then turn back around, walking with his self-absorbed swagger.

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Author's Note: *beams and tosses confetti* Thanks you guys! You guys are so sweet to review! That goes for all of you and also to those who've just started reading. You guys rock! I really appreciate your reviews because I enjoy reading your input and hearing your suggestions as to how I can perfect my story! Thanks so much!

Hollie: Thank you so much for reading my humble little HP story! And also, thank you for telling me how to better format the story! I had been meaning to try something like that out, but never got around to it. To tell you the truth, I wasn't really sure how to do it you know? Just to separate it out. I know, I'm not that observant, I guess. But no one's perfect! :-) Thanks for the help! I really appreciate it! As for "Lian", GAK! Ending it there was evil! You've gotta continue it soon!

Sara Minks: Thanks for reviewing and reading! You're certainly welcome for the reviews! I really like your stories! You better continue that story of yours, otherwise, I'll end this in a horrible cliffhangar until you do! ;-) I wouldn't do anything THAT cruel! But I do wanna see what happens in your story! Keep it up!

WhetherRose: Ah! One of my brand new reviewers! Thank you so much! I really appreciate your input and long reviews! Heh-heh, I LUV long reviews! Lol! Heck, I love any kind of reviews. ;-) But seriously, thank you for all your input and suggestions. And you know what, you're probably right about Petunia actually using the words 'Magic' and 'Wizards'. She's deluding herself into thinking its not real and for her to be using them, she'd be giving in. She's too stubborn for that. Thanks for pointing that out! Also thanks for complimenting the title name! I already have names for the other two stories that will eventually be sequels to this one, but heh-heh, I don't have all of the stories for them! :-) Well, I'm writing the sequel to this, but still. :-) Thanks! I'm glad you (this goes for all you guys) like the little incidents that the characters talk about in the story. I really like to create a background for the characters when I write, so I am just tickled when people say that they enjoy them. Thanks so much again and keep writing your story! I really wanna see what happens! Oh yeah! I've been meaning to say this in one of my reviews to you, but always forget! I just LOVE your author name! It's so poetic!

Torrential Zephyr: Thanks for your first review! You're probably not gonna see this till later because you're still at the beginning of the story, but hey, thats okay! :-) I think that 'minions' is a perfect word to describe Crabbe and Goyle. They just hang around Draco and grunt. Backup is all they are. :-) Thats just another sad reminder that Draco really doesn't have any friends. I'm gonna address this soon in the story. Thats also the second time someone has commented on Petunia's noticing her sister's eyes in Harry, and almost imagining that Lily is there! Thank you! I thought it was an intriguing idea because, although Petunia was incredibly jealous of Lily, I think that somewhere inside her is this regret. She doesn't know what its for or why she has it, but its still there. Thats what I was trying to say with that passage. Also, thank you for your keen observation of my sentences! I know I get a little rough at times. With this chapter, I kinda just skimmed, then put it up. I've gotten better since then, but sometimes I miss them. Thank you though! I really appreciate your observation! Tom Riddle was great! I still as of yet have to review, but I DID read it and it rocked! Post more of your other story too! They both rock!

Thanks for all the reviews guys and I hope you enjoyed this part of the chapter. It was shorter than the others, but trust me, as it gets more into the story, the chapters get longer. Heh-heh. :-) Come along for the ride, guys!

Oh yeah, and for some reason, I just wanted to put up this little quote for your enjoyment, something we could all take to heart. I do! :-) Luv ya!

Let the night be too dark for me to see

Into the future. Let what will be be.

T.H.

(Heh-heh, I don't own that EITHER!!) :-)