Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Dedication: This is in memory of one of my favorite characters of all time, who died in book 5.
Sorry I haven't posted in a while. Just keep with me.
*****************THE MYSTERY OF STONE MANSION*******************
Chapter 2: The Invitations
Ginny slowly turned to face them, a look of great shock on her pale face. A confused smile soon dawned on her. Whispers and loud talking soon filled the hall about the teacher's choices. Dumbledore rose from the teacher's table. "The invitations are now all delivered. As for the participants, all of your questions should be answered in your letter. Thank you." He sat back down.
No later than twenty seconds after Dumbledore's short speech, Ginny hurried over to them and took a seat next to Hermione. "I can't believe it," she said smiling. "I didn't think I would ever be one of the ones chosen, but - " she let out a deep and pleasant sigh and allowed her hair to fall gently across her face.
Hermione seemed to react exactly the same way. "This will be so much fun. I was so worried that none of you would get it after Malfoy - "
"That's right, Malfoy," Harry said, realizing that his enemy was, in fact, one of the other guests. However, he was the only Slytherin and there were a total of four Gryffindors that he would have to spend a full two days with. When he pointed this out, the four of them turned to the Slytherin table to look at Malfoy. He was glaring at the quartet of Gryffindors. The four of them simultaneously smiled and waved at him. His stare became more hatful as they turned around and laughed loudly. It wouldn't be that bad.
"I can't imagine who picked me," Ginny spoke once the laughter died down. "I mean, the only class that I'm really good in is Professor Binns'."
"Well, I guess that answers that question," Ron said as the four of them got up to head to the common room. It was then that Fred and George came running over to them. Fred put his arms around Ron and Hermione while George wrapped his over Ginny and Harry's shoulders.
"Excellent," Fred began.
"Fantastic," George told them. "If it wasn't us, at least we have a sixty- six point nine, nine, nine, nine, nine, nine, nine percent chance that we'll get a ton of house points.
"Do rather wish it could have been us, though," Fred continued.
Seeing the jealous looks on their faces, Ron gave a small smirk. "Well, that's just too bad, you know, because only the best were chosen." Fred punched him hard in the arm. "Ouch! What - what I meant was that I'm sure they were going to pick you, but - but they thought that you would hurt Malfoy too much," he said nodding, a little afraid of being hit again. He glanced over at Hermione and was slightly relieved to see that she was smiling.
They reached the common room within ten minutes because Fred and George still had a tight hold on them, forcing everyone to walk slower than usual. "Well, we have some time to kill before first classes start," Ron said, glancing at his watch.
"Why don't we open these and see exactly what's going on?" Ginny spoke, holding up her letter. In all of the excitement, they had completely forgotten about their invitation.
"Okay," Harry said, sitting down in an armchair by the fire. When everyone was seated, they opened their letter. Harry read:
Mr. Potter,
You along with five others are invited to a weekend holiday beginning Friday the 4th of September lasting to Sunday the 6th. However, under the circumstances, we feel that it is necessary for each person to have an alias. Please memorize the following information about your character:
Professor Gold is one of the most brilliant and famous wizards of the
20th century. Currently a Hogwarts teacher, he strongly supports
any ant-dark arts movements.
This information will be shared with the others once you reach your destination. Until then, it is to be kept a secret.
You and the other guests will be transported to your location at exactly five o'clock on Friday evening. Please be in the Hogwarts entrance hall at that time, and feel free to bring any personal items that are necessary.
There will be a puzzle that will need to be solved while you are enjoying the weekend. It is suggested that you work on your own to solve it. A member of the Headmaster of Hogwarts will be arriving at midnight on Sunday to collect the guests and to see who, if anyone, has solved the riddle. Also, remember that it is very important for you to remain in character during the holiday. Good luck.
There wasn't a signature on it. Harry figured that Dumbledore or McGonagall most likely wrote it.
Ron glanced over at Harry's letter. "Cool. You're Professor Gold. I saved your life. I'm an ex-araur. Hey, I guess some things never change. You're still famous for something, and I've got a huge family."
"Ron!" Hermione exclaimed. "We're not supposed to give out any of this information to the other participants. It's against the rules! Didn't you read all of your letter?"
"Lighten up, Hermione. Come on, now. Who are you? You don't have to tell us everything. Just tell us who you are."
Hermione looked at their anxious faces. "Fine. I'll tell you a little, but I won't show you everything!" she added, not wanting to cheat more than she had to. "My name is Miss Silver and I've written seventeen books," she read off her paper, rather pleased that her alias was so smart.
"Are you some kind of Lockhart or did you actually do all of that?" Ron asked her, smirking.
"How 'bout you, Ginny?" Harry asked, attempting to keep his two best friends from fighting. They've been doing that a lot lately.
"My name's Miss Ruby. I'm an heiress," she said a little shyly, her face glowing scarlet. Everyone nodded their head.
"We've got Care of Magical Creatures in fifteen minutes," Harry suddenly said, looking down at his watch. "We'd better get going. Bye Ginny." With that, the trio left the common room for the grounds.
"This is going to be great," Harry exclaimed as they made their way down the sloping lawn to Hagrid's hut. "I wonder what's the task that we'll have to do."
"I dona know. Maybe we'll have to get passed a whole bunch of enchantments and stuff like we did in our first year. That wouldn't be too bad," Ron said, shrugging.
"They wouldn't have us do something that easy," Hermione began. "Let's see, there are six of us all in one location, we have new names and personalities, and we're supposed to solve.OH!" she suddenly exclaimed, coming to a halt, her eyebrows raised. "Of course! I - I know what we have to do now! I don't know why I didn't see it before. It's so simple. So, that's what they've decided to do."
"Are you going to tell us now?" Ron asked.
"N - No, of course not. I mean, it's all supposed to be a secret, isn't it?" Hermione asked.
"Fine," Ron sighed. "We'll just find out on Friday. Wonder who picked me, though." They were coming up to Hagrid's hut now. "Hey, bet Hagrid picked you, Harry!"
"Nope." They turned around to see Hagrid right behind them. How could they have missed him?
"You know who picked us?" Harry asked with interest.
"Yup," was all Hagrid said.
"Could you tell us?" Ron asked hopefully.
"Don't think it could do no harm. Let's see, Professor Binns picked Ginny, that was awfully nice of 'em, Snape picked Malfoy, Sinastra - Cho, McGonagall - Hermione," he beamed down at her as if to say that he knew all along that she would be chosen, "Professor Trelawney picked Harry here -,"
"What? Why would she pick me? Why not Parvati or someone who is actually good at divination. I just make everything up," Harry said.
"Probably because we were so good at making stuff up," Ron nodded. "So, Hagrid, who picked me?"
"Well, I did, as a matter o' fact," Hagrid smiled, very pleased with himself. "Yeh are one of the best students I've ever had, and yer always willing ter help out."
"Thanks, Hagrid," Ron smiled very widely. "So, what are we studying today?"
~There you go. Next chapter is when they actually go to the mystery location. Keep with me. It'll get good. Now you know what to do: clickity click click!
Carmen Willows
Dedication: This is in memory of one of my favorite characters of all time, who died in book 5.
Sorry I haven't posted in a while. Just keep with me.
*****************THE MYSTERY OF STONE MANSION*******************
Chapter 2: The Invitations
Ginny slowly turned to face them, a look of great shock on her pale face. A confused smile soon dawned on her. Whispers and loud talking soon filled the hall about the teacher's choices. Dumbledore rose from the teacher's table. "The invitations are now all delivered. As for the participants, all of your questions should be answered in your letter. Thank you." He sat back down.
No later than twenty seconds after Dumbledore's short speech, Ginny hurried over to them and took a seat next to Hermione. "I can't believe it," she said smiling. "I didn't think I would ever be one of the ones chosen, but - " she let out a deep and pleasant sigh and allowed her hair to fall gently across her face.
Hermione seemed to react exactly the same way. "This will be so much fun. I was so worried that none of you would get it after Malfoy - "
"That's right, Malfoy," Harry said, realizing that his enemy was, in fact, one of the other guests. However, he was the only Slytherin and there were a total of four Gryffindors that he would have to spend a full two days with. When he pointed this out, the four of them turned to the Slytherin table to look at Malfoy. He was glaring at the quartet of Gryffindors. The four of them simultaneously smiled and waved at him. His stare became more hatful as they turned around and laughed loudly. It wouldn't be that bad.
"I can't imagine who picked me," Ginny spoke once the laughter died down. "I mean, the only class that I'm really good in is Professor Binns'."
"Well, I guess that answers that question," Ron said as the four of them got up to head to the common room. It was then that Fred and George came running over to them. Fred put his arms around Ron and Hermione while George wrapped his over Ginny and Harry's shoulders.
"Excellent," Fred began.
"Fantastic," George told them. "If it wasn't us, at least we have a sixty- six point nine, nine, nine, nine, nine, nine, nine percent chance that we'll get a ton of house points.
"Do rather wish it could have been us, though," Fred continued.
Seeing the jealous looks on their faces, Ron gave a small smirk. "Well, that's just too bad, you know, because only the best were chosen." Fred punched him hard in the arm. "Ouch! What - what I meant was that I'm sure they were going to pick you, but - but they thought that you would hurt Malfoy too much," he said nodding, a little afraid of being hit again. He glanced over at Hermione and was slightly relieved to see that she was smiling.
They reached the common room within ten minutes because Fred and George still had a tight hold on them, forcing everyone to walk slower than usual. "Well, we have some time to kill before first classes start," Ron said, glancing at his watch.
"Why don't we open these and see exactly what's going on?" Ginny spoke, holding up her letter. In all of the excitement, they had completely forgotten about their invitation.
"Okay," Harry said, sitting down in an armchair by the fire. When everyone was seated, they opened their letter. Harry read:
Mr. Potter,
You along with five others are invited to a weekend holiday beginning Friday the 4th of September lasting to Sunday the 6th. However, under the circumstances, we feel that it is necessary for each person to have an alias. Please memorize the following information about your character:
Professor Gold is one of the most brilliant and famous wizards of the
20th century. Currently a Hogwarts teacher, he strongly supports
any ant-dark arts movements.
This information will be shared with the others once you reach your destination. Until then, it is to be kept a secret.
You and the other guests will be transported to your location at exactly five o'clock on Friday evening. Please be in the Hogwarts entrance hall at that time, and feel free to bring any personal items that are necessary.
There will be a puzzle that will need to be solved while you are enjoying the weekend. It is suggested that you work on your own to solve it. A member of the Headmaster of Hogwarts will be arriving at midnight on Sunday to collect the guests and to see who, if anyone, has solved the riddle. Also, remember that it is very important for you to remain in character during the holiday. Good luck.
There wasn't a signature on it. Harry figured that Dumbledore or McGonagall most likely wrote it.
Ron glanced over at Harry's letter. "Cool. You're Professor Gold. I saved your life. I'm an ex-araur. Hey, I guess some things never change. You're still famous for something, and I've got a huge family."
"Ron!" Hermione exclaimed. "We're not supposed to give out any of this information to the other participants. It's against the rules! Didn't you read all of your letter?"
"Lighten up, Hermione. Come on, now. Who are you? You don't have to tell us everything. Just tell us who you are."
Hermione looked at their anxious faces. "Fine. I'll tell you a little, but I won't show you everything!" she added, not wanting to cheat more than she had to. "My name is Miss Silver and I've written seventeen books," she read off her paper, rather pleased that her alias was so smart.
"Are you some kind of Lockhart or did you actually do all of that?" Ron asked her, smirking.
"How 'bout you, Ginny?" Harry asked, attempting to keep his two best friends from fighting. They've been doing that a lot lately.
"My name's Miss Ruby. I'm an heiress," she said a little shyly, her face glowing scarlet. Everyone nodded their head.
"We've got Care of Magical Creatures in fifteen minutes," Harry suddenly said, looking down at his watch. "We'd better get going. Bye Ginny." With that, the trio left the common room for the grounds.
"This is going to be great," Harry exclaimed as they made their way down the sloping lawn to Hagrid's hut. "I wonder what's the task that we'll have to do."
"I dona know. Maybe we'll have to get passed a whole bunch of enchantments and stuff like we did in our first year. That wouldn't be too bad," Ron said, shrugging.
"They wouldn't have us do something that easy," Hermione began. "Let's see, there are six of us all in one location, we have new names and personalities, and we're supposed to solve.OH!" she suddenly exclaimed, coming to a halt, her eyebrows raised. "Of course! I - I know what we have to do now! I don't know why I didn't see it before. It's so simple. So, that's what they've decided to do."
"Are you going to tell us now?" Ron asked.
"N - No, of course not. I mean, it's all supposed to be a secret, isn't it?" Hermione asked.
"Fine," Ron sighed. "We'll just find out on Friday. Wonder who picked me, though." They were coming up to Hagrid's hut now. "Hey, bet Hagrid picked you, Harry!"
"Nope." They turned around to see Hagrid right behind them. How could they have missed him?
"You know who picked us?" Harry asked with interest.
"Yup," was all Hagrid said.
"Could you tell us?" Ron asked hopefully.
"Don't think it could do no harm. Let's see, Professor Binns picked Ginny, that was awfully nice of 'em, Snape picked Malfoy, Sinastra - Cho, McGonagall - Hermione," he beamed down at her as if to say that he knew all along that she would be chosen, "Professor Trelawney picked Harry here -,"
"What? Why would she pick me? Why not Parvati or someone who is actually good at divination. I just make everything up," Harry said.
"Probably because we were so good at making stuff up," Ron nodded. "So, Hagrid, who picked me?"
"Well, I did, as a matter o' fact," Hagrid smiled, very pleased with himself. "Yeh are one of the best students I've ever had, and yer always willing ter help out."
"Thanks, Hagrid," Ron smiled very widely. "So, what are we studying today?"
~There you go. Next chapter is when they actually go to the mystery location. Keep with me. It'll get good. Now you know what to do: clickity click click!
Carmen Willows