HARRY POTTER AND THE SEERS' TRUTH

By Lady Lestrange

Chapter 27

Dragon Breath and Bludger Bats

Disclaimer: All Potterverse belongs to JK Rowlings. Thanks JK.

(Answers to reviews at the end).

***

(A/N: I've been reading a number of fanfics in installments like this one myself, and find it is sometimes hard to remember exactly what has happened before-In a fic as complex as this one is, I thought having a reminder may be helpful for you. If you want to skip it, just page down three times. --Lady Lestrange)

UP TO THIS POINT: Parvati has been having dreams and visions about the Dark Lord, Harry and a Prophecy Child. So far, they are not sure who the prophecy child is, and it is important for them to find him/her. The Sorting Hat is not sorting, so the students have "little brothers and sisters" to show around. The dream team thinks that The Sorting Hat failing is a plot to hide the Prophecy child from the teachers and anyone who can help insure that he/she stays on the side of light. No one is sure that the brothers

and sisters actually belong to the house they are currently in.

The Hogwarts Express has been attacked. Dark Marks have been in the sky. The floo network is compromised. The Minister of Magic has been turned. Snape is now teaching both Defense and Advanced Defense, but it looks like Advanced Defense is just an excuse to let the Slytherins and Ginny and Edward visit the Dark Lord. Mrs. Figg is teaching potions and we know very little about her so far, except that she was against Dumbledore's suggestion to make Poly Juice Potion.

Beatrice is an animagus, a bunny. Edward's granny looks like she could have given the Dursleys a few pointers on cruelty. Slytherin is a house at war according to Snape, divided between Death Eaters and those who want to stay on the side of light. Harry uses his Invisibility Cloak and finds out when it is ripped, the Invisibility spell ceases. There is an unwelcome addition to Myrtle's bathroom, Olive Hornby. Peeves is his usual annoying self, but the Baron seems to have a little less control over him.

Samara, for some reason, lofts some wicked, powerful curses. She doesn't look like she has total control over them, which isn't really surprising since she's learned magic on her own from a book, that Harry is sure is a dark book. She seems to like Draco, but don't assume this is a romance. It is not. Ginny is still hearing voices in her head. Harry's scar is hurting more, and neither he nor Ginny know what this means. Ginny is closer with Harry this year, but again, not romantically. There is Edward, the new Gryffindor, who seems interested in Ginny, but Ginny really hasn't gotten over Tom.

We find out about Neville's powerful auror parents. We learn that Neville has a memory charm that was put on him as a baby. He's a more powerful wizard than anyone ever thought as evidenced by his yew wand and the way he reacts to Snape's ministrations in trying to remove the memory charm. We might wonder why Snape is trying to do this himself, instead of enlisting the help of Madam Pomfrey. Sirius and Lupin are on "fieldtrips" with the sixth and seventh years.

Of course we can also wonder why Snape is so determined to teach his classes advanced spells like the Patronus, or we can just chalk it up to Snape, being mean. The Fifth year class starts apparition classes and we meet Professor Sinistra. We also visit Hufflepuff, where we see The Wall, and Slytherin house, where we discover, to our amazement, a magic room that Draco shares with Samara, but Samara has a very unslytherin use for the room. Ravenclaw to come next weekend.

The chapter, CHAINED AND CHARMED, takes place at the same time as DANCING IS AN OUT OF BODY EXPERIENCE-when Samara was in Slytherin, dancing. It is Saturday afternoon. Harry and the Gryffindors examine Samara's Dark Book, after they come back from lunch. They find an extreme potion, and decide they need to make a trip to the Chamber of Secrets. Ghastly Ghostly Dinner is when Gryffindor's meet with Samara after her little trip to Slytherin. Samara and Beatrice are persuaded by Edward to help him steal his snake back from his brother Ethan. Things get a little out of hand, and Samara learns more about Slytherin than she ever wanted to know.

Now the Gryffindors are mad at her. Samara wants to make up and be friends with them, but is it possible to befriend both Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy? How far will she go to make up, or will she just find some valuable information to store away for future use? (So, don't you want one of those Tee shirts? I do.

--Lady Lestrange)

LIONS AND TIGERS,: In this fun and funny chapter, we see a very stressed out Snape both in Harry's memory of what happened with Snape and Neville and in the actual DADA class. We find out Trelawney doesn't want Samara in her class and Samara decides to take Ancient Runes instead. HMMMM. Wonder what the runes will help her discover? Was that another real prediction of Trelawney's or is she just faking us out? McGonagall assures Samara that Trelawney has done her a favor. McGonagall further talks to Samara about her experiences in Gryffindor, opening the door to give Samara someone to talk to, if she so chooses. We also learned lots more about animagi in McGonagall's class. We were left with a question: Why did Snape only dismiss the Gryffindors and keep the Slytherins after DADA. On to the chapter to find out—

Chapter 27

Dragon Breath and Bludger Bats

Ginny had struck up a conversation in the corridor with Lauren and Pansy who were in her Advanced Defense class, but they refused to tell her anything about why Snape kept the Slytherins in class after he dismissed the Gryffindors..

Beatrice stood to the side and looked a little uncomfortable, "I'm going up to McGonagall," she said at last.

When the Samara and Ginny finally went into potions, they weren't anymore enlightened, but during potions, Samara wheedled the answer out of Pansy. Apparently Snape had been having special 'patronus' classes in Slytherin between class time and dinner time. None of the Slytherins were very good at their patronus. As a matter of fact, Pansy said that no one had gotten any yet in front of Snape. About that time, Mrs. Figg complained about their talking and they decided they should work in silence.

After potions, Samara hurried back to her dorm room. She wanted to get her homework done so that she would have nothing hanging over her head later tonight. Her heart quickened a little bit and she had a hard time keeping her mind on her charms homework. Beatrice peeked her head into the dorm room. "Want to go to the library with me?" she asked. "It's too noisy to study in the common room."

"Ok," Samara agreed, and gathering up her work, they went to the library.

A few minutes later, Edward and Ginny came looking for her. "Samara!" Ginny called. "I thought she was here." Ginny shrugged.

"Oh well," said Edward. "We can do it ourselves. We don't have a lot of time to waste. If you want to help me to setup the Dragon Breath Mints, we need to go to the kitchen now."

"OK" Ginny agreed.

---

==

When Ginny and Edward got to the kitchen, the house elves were busily putting out the plates for dinner.

One of the elves rushed over and knelt at Edward's feet, kissing his robe. "How may I serve, Master Edward?" he asked.

Ginny frowned. "You've been taking midnight trips to the kitchen without me," she scolded.

"Just continue with what you were doing," Edward said quickly to the elf. "I have made a few trips," Edward said to Ginny.

Set up in the kitchen, were four tables that corresponded to the four tables in the Great Hall. When Dumbledore called for the food, it was sent by magic through the floor to the appropriate table.

Ginny left Edward to figure out how to distribute the Dragon breath mint powder to selective plates while she moved to discuss a surprise party with Dobby.

"You see," Ginny told Dobby, my brothers, the twins, always procure food for everyone else, so I thought that we should have something special since they just came back.

"Will you help us?"

"Of course Dobby will help with party for the Weasley twins. Dobby likes the twins—both twins."

Ginny threw a glance at Edward who was slowly moving through the Slytherins' plates.

"Too bad it's too early for their birthday," said Ginny loudly. "Yes. Did you know that muggles have a custom?" Ginny held up both hands, palm side up in front of her. They make a cake and make a wish and blow, like this." She demonstrated by blowing across her out stretched palms. And poof! On go the Candles."

"Oh no, Miss Weasley is not right," corrected Dobby. "The candles don't come on, they blow out," said Dobby.

"Really?" said Ginny as Edward cupped his hands and blew the Dragon Breath Mint dust across most if not all of the Slytherin table. "My mistake—"

"Anyway," Ginny finished, "you're busy with dinner right now. We just wondered if you would help us with the party for the Weasley twins later."

"Of course," said Dobby. "House elves always helpful."

"That you are," Ginny agreed.

"Sometimes, too helpful—" Dobby muttered.

"Dobby should take more pride in helping his master," admonished Winky, who Ginny noticed, looked like she was finally settling into life at Hogwarts.

"Professor Dumbledore is my master now," said Dobby sharply. "And yours too. And I do take pride in my work."

Ginny and Edward giggled while climbing the stairs back to the Great Hall. "Blowing the dust was a great idea," said Edward. "How did you know about that muggle custom?"

"Oh they always had birthday cakes at the orphanage—no presents but—"

"What orphanage?" said Edward, stopping on the steps.

"Uhh—"Ginny paused, realizing what she just said. "Someone—someone I knew first year," said Ginny distractedly. "Lived in a muggle orphanage."

"A Mu--muggle born?" said Edward.

"Yeah," she answered, but somehow she couldn't leave it at that. "Actually, half-blood." But Edward was no longer listening.

==

Most of the students were already at their tables when Edward and Ginny joined them.

"What's up?" Samara asked curiously.

"Fire," said Edward.

"Look. Look." Ginny nudged Samara and motioned discreetly to the Slytherin table.

Samara looked across the room to see who was missing from the Slytherin Table. Draco was there, glowering at Ethan. Ethan didn't bother to put anything on his plate. He just took a sip of water. With a yelp, he spouted flame and without thinking, took another drink. Once again, flame sprouted from his mouth. Ethan was only the first, to spout flames. Most of the rest of the Slytherin table also was caught by the Dragon breath mints. Snape moved down to his table and began sending those with fried mouths to Madam Pomfrey.

Edward and Ginny were clinging to each other in hysterical laughter. She glanced at Fred and George, who were laughing and clapping. Harry, Ron and Hermione looked like they were enjoying the sight too, and when they glanced over at Ginny and Edward; Ginny caught Samara and pulled her into their embrace.

"We thought it was time you made up with Harry. He likes you, Samara." Said Ginny. "He's just too shy—"

"He can go straight to hell," spat Samara. "And so can you!" Samara turned and stalked out of the Great Hall.

Behind her, she heard Dumbledore clapping for quiet. "There will be no more of these dinner-time pranks," he said using a sonorous charm to get above the noise. "And furthermore—"

But Samara was already in the corridor and out of earshot.

==

"Great," thought Samara "Just Great." Now the Slytherins will be mad at me too. And Ginny was just trying to help, but what is wrong with her! She had to know, I didn't want to be a part of this. Samara dashed the tears away that began to spill down her face.

She went into a bathroom to wash her face and try to get control of herself. Another girl was in there crying too. "I hate them all," muttered Samara. "Why don't they just mind their own business."

"No one ever does," sniffed the other girl.

"What do you care?" snapped Samara. "Go away,"

Suddenly the girl's cries rose to a howl. "This is my bathroom! You get out."

With a start, Samara realized the other girl was a ghost. "I'm sorry. I was just not thinking. Of course, you can't leave."

"I can leave if I want to," said the ghost. "I just don't want to."

Samara tried to turn on the tap to wash her face, but no water came out.

"That tap is broken," said the ghost. "It's never worked."

"Oh—" sniffed Samara, as she moved to wash her face at the next sink. "My name is Samara," she said.

"And I'm Myrtle," said the ghost. "I'd say pleased to meet you, but I probably won't be—"

"Why's that?" asked Samara.

"Well, most people aren't very nice to me."

"Most people aren't very nice to me either," said Samara sulkily. "The Gryffindors all think I'm a whore because I like Draco, and now the Slytherins think I played a nasty trick on them, because of Ginny Weasley—"

"Oh, Ginny," said Myrtle. "I could tell you things about that girl that would make your hair curl. What sort of nasty tricks is she playing now?"

"Well, I—" Samara sniffed. She wasn't sure she wanted to tell a strange ghost what had happened, especially a ghost that had chosen to haunt a bathroom.

Suddenly, another ghost flew into the bathroom. It was the poltergeist. "Oh, girltalk," he said. "I love girltalk." He perched above the sink to listen.

"I was just leaving," Samara said.

"Oh, don't go just because HE came in," said Myrtle flying in front of the doorway. "You get out Peeves. This is a girl's bathroom!"

"Never stopped you did it, Myrtle? You've spent enough time in boy's bathrooms—and boy's bedrooms of course—"

"I never—"

"Oh I don't know about never—" said Peeves. "Of course, maybe it was never. You always were such a tease, Myrtle---And then you were so ugly."

"Get out. Get OUT. GET OUT!"

"Did I say WERE UGLY—You ARE UGLY!"

"GET OUT!"

Well if you're going to be so nasty," said Peeves. "I think I'll sing. I just made up a new song," said Peeves flying into Samara's face. "Want to hear it?"

"No, I—"

"Oh, very well then," said Peeves, "An oldie," and he began to sing:

I heard Mytle yell one day.

Monster boy, come out and play—

"I never said that, Peeves. Stop lying!"

Peeve's voice changed into the nasal whining that was so like Myrtle's:

Monster boy don't yell at me

I see a box where they can't see

Under your bed with lock and key

"I never was in Reubus' room, Peeves, and I never said that. You're lying!" Myrtle was at her moaning best.

Peeves sang on, undaunted:

I'd keep your secret for a fee

For a kiss, I'd even keep it free

Peeves made kissy sounds that made Myrtle dive at him.

Samara decided it was time to leave the bathroom, just as an older ghost came in through the ceiling. She shouted at Peeves to get out or she would call the Baron. It seemed to work, because Samara didn't hear the poltergeist any longer.

Samara hadn't eaten much at supper, but she really wasn't hungry. She wondered down by the lake, where she and Draco had sat together—a few short days ago. He'd never believe that she wasn't involved, not after Ginny hugged her in the Great Hall, like they shared this victory. She was still so mad that she wanted to curse someone or something. She took out her wand and twirled it through her fingers. Several little minnows swam along the shore of the lake, but Samara knew that cursing them wouldn't make her feel any better. It would only make her feel worse.

She couldn't go to Hufflepuff like this. She would probably strangle one of them—or curse them into oblivion. She didn't feel like studying. She probably couldn't keep her mind on her books now anyway.

She watched a Quiddich practice going on over the hill at the Quiddich pitch. There were only a few people there. It must be a special teams practice. She couldn't see which team it was. Samara wished she could go flying. Flying helped her to settle her mind. It was so like dancing. It just took her away from her problems. Dancing! Would Draco EVER allow her to come back into the Room? With something like a sob, Samara pulled herself to her feet. Where would she get a broom? She always borrowed Ginny's. Oh well, she thought. There were always school brooms.

She began the long walk from the lake to the Quiddich Pitch. Her anger seemed to burn more fiercely with each step. By the time she got there, the practice was breaking up. It was Gryffindor, Samara noticed, but apparently it wasn't the whole team. It was a special practice that Fred and George were holding. Even with their typical perseverance, it didn't look like much was getting done. As a matter of fact, after Samara thought about it for a moment, she realized that it was Fred and George who invented the Dragon Breath Mints. She wanted to hit them with something.

Just then she saw Joe touch down on the pitch with a school broom and a bludger bat in his hand. He was grinning from ear to ear. No one had the right to be that happy, thought Samara.

"Gimme that," said Samara sharply. "And the broom too."

"Sure," said Joe. "And you're Welcome."

Samara ignored him. She mounted the broom and flew over to the supply cupboard, which was open. The balls were left in the trunk. There were the bludgers, but she didn't know if she could catch them when she was finished, the snitch—way to small for her purposes and the quaffle. Oh well, she thought, the quaffle would have to do.'

Samara lobbed it in the air and took aim at the unsuspecting twin whose back was turned to her. Telepathic as twins often seem to be though, the other twin saw the quaffle coming and swooped around to catch it. He threw it back to her. She batted it back with all of her might. This time he wasn't quick enough and the quaffle hit him on the upper arm, nearly unseating him with its force.

"Accio!" she called and the quaffle turned and speed back to her.

"Hey, that's illegal," said George. "You can't accio any of the quiddich balls."

"So sue me," replied Samara as she batted the quaffle at the twin again. She started to get into a rhythm and both twins were dodging well. Finally one of them caught the quaffle.

"Stop!" shouted Fred. "We're looking for a new beater. I think you are it."

"The only one I want to beat is you for making those miserable fire mints. Accio!" The ball jerked out of the twin's hand and flew to her. "I have no friends because of them, and it's YOUR FAULT." She lobbed the ball again and it struck Fred squarely between the eyes.

"Oww! Quit it," said Fred. "It was just a joke."

"Well, here's another joke!" said Samara batting the quaffle at him again. George caught the quaffle and locked his arms around it. "We didn't set the mints on the whole damned Slytherin table," said George. "You can't blame us for that."

"I can blame you for making them though," said Samara.

"Anyway," said Fred, "They're just Slytherins."

To their horror, Samara burst into tears. "Hey, don't cry," said George.

"Stay here. I have an idea," said Fred.

"What?" called George as his twin swooped down towards the ground.

"Something to get her mind off of her troubles—" A moment later, he called. "Bludgers up!"

George pushed away from Samara and shouted at her. "This is the ball you should have been hitting. It hits back!"

She whacked it at him just as Fred flew up to join them. The three of them couldn't concentrate on anything but staying out of the way of the murderous bludger balls. After an hour of chasing the things, Samara was sweating and spent. Her arms ached and although she still felt sad, her anger was a dim reflection of what it had been. As they landed on the ground, Fred held out his hand. "Congratulations," he said. "And Welcome to the Gryffindor Quiddich team. If you would like the spot, you are our new beater. You will replace us when we go on our 'field trips'."

"Us? There's supposed to be two beaters," said Samara. "Who's the other one?"

"Joe Foresmen,"said Fred. "He's a little slow, but he has good aim and a strong batting arm."

"We've been wracking our brains trying to think of what the team would do if we weren't there. Up until you arrived, we were thinking they would have to forfeit. No one stood a chance to keep Harry from getting beat up by bludgers, and we can't let our Seeker get killed—"

"Harry." Said Samara. "That's what beaters do—Keep the Bludgers off of the Seeker—"

"And the chasers too," said George, "But—"

"No thanks," said Samara, dropping the bludger bat and handing her broom to Fred. "I don't want the job."

She turned and walked off the Quiddich Pitch.

==

(A/N: Next Chapter: Wish it Real; Wish it Not. Look for more Draco. More Ginny/Tom. Ginny and Samara "discuss" their differences, and Harry, Ron, Hermione rejoin the fray. They are of course, diligently working on the plan to stop the Dark Lord. Can they do it? This chapter is finished and ready to put up on fanfic, but if I put up two at once, people don't read them both. It will be up very soon though. Couple days or 10 reviews: whichever is first—Lady Lestrange)

REVIEW. DO IT RIGHT NOW. Be a responsible reader and review. It beats paying for the book, doesn't it?

ANSWERS TO MY DEAR REVIEWERS:

Love you all.

Motley: I'm your favorite? Really? OH JOY. You've made my day.

Fallen Angel of Darkness: Missed you. Thanks for the long review. Glad you like my Neville. Wait till you see his awesome folks.

PyRei: You get the award for the most faithful reviewer. I love that you got my humor. Sometimes in a story this intense, the humor is a good place to breathe. Sadly, some people seem to skip those lighter chapters. I have advanced stats and can't understand why people skip them??

I want that t shirt too. Anyone know someone who would make it for us all??

Yeah. I like chapter 20 (fanfics #) too. Go Neville.

I just got so excited when you said I characterize Draco "perfectly". A pound of Honeyduke's best chocolate to you!

Glad you are reading Peeves. He has a lot to say.

Trillium: Bunny from Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail!~ Ha Ha. LOL Glad you like the twins. They get better. Keep reading. I haven't said what Draco's patronus is, but I know it. Sorry though you won't get to find out until he's faced with the dementers, much later.

LIZ: Sorry it wasn't really a bunny, but Beatrice so wanted a tiger! Also, please note this update was up in 10 days. OK, so it's late, and fanfic might get it up after midnight then it will be 11 days. Oh well. It was worth the wait wasn't it?

Thanks for alerting me to the mix up calling lions and tigers the wrong title. I fixed it.

Silverfox: (love your stories! Go reads something of silverfox's as soon as you have reviewed this!)

Glad you like my Hufflepuffs. More Hufflepuff coming and RAVENCLAW ROCKS. Coming soon. Sevi and Albus aren't telling what they are talking about until after Halloween.

Thanks for the comments on DADA.

Whiteriver: You have to go back to the hospital! OH NO. Everyone send good thoughts and prayers to whiteriver! Thanks for taking the time to R&R, and the rest of you WHO ARE WELL—WHY HAVEN'T YOU REVIEWED? Don't you feel guilty? You should. Now review.

David. Nope. You're wrong. Read the book. In the movie every spell threw people backwards. That isn't what the book says. If you had signed your review I would have explained this better in a personal email and maybe even reviewed your stories if you wrote any.