Chapter 16
Ron climbed into the sleeping bag next to Hermione, inadvertently slightly rousing her.
"Ron?" she asked, her voice muddy with sleep.
"Yeah, 'Mione. Go back to sleep. Ginny looks like she misses you."
"OK," she murmured before rolling back over to face Ginny. Ron rolled his eyes.
"Why can't she be that agreeable when she's awake?" he grumbled to himself as he settled in and prepared for a restful night's sleep.
***
Methos laid his head down on the table and stared at the face of his lover. AS he stared he found it harder and harder to keep the smirk of his face, but when Severus began to open his eyes, he schooled his features beautifully to an innocently pleased expression.
"Good Morning, Sunshine!" Severus, in all his cranky glory, glared, but the effect was ruined when he yawned mid glare. He rubbed his eyes and raised his head. His expression froze and he put his head back down.
"Methos," he growled softly, knowing no one could over hear them, "why didn't you tell me.no, why didn't you wake me?" Methos shrugged.
"Because you're so damned adorable when you're asleep. And you obviously needed your rest. Now go relieve Minerva. She needs sleep too." Severus glared and grumbled but he stood to replace the Gryffindor head. Methos smirked and sprawled back in his chair, blowing a kiss to his lover when he turned to glare at him. He closed his eyes to fall into a light slumber. It had been a long night, but it was finally over.
***
The students were returned to their respective dorms that morning. The classes before lunch were all canceled, and the students all welcomed the brief respite.
Ron was playing Harry in chess in the library (Harry was loosing horribly, as usual). Hermione sat near them, reading, while Draco drew at the table next to them. The book Hermione had, however, wasn't Hogwarts: A History but Dreams and Visions by Llwellen.
"I was thinking about your vision, Ron," Hermione began.
"O, wonderful. I wasn't."
"I was thinking," she went on undeterred, "Pierson and Snape are represented as birds of prey, correct?"
"Uh huh."
"And they're both.you know."
"Gay?"
"Ron!"
"I know, I know."
"And MacLeod's a bird of prey as well, and he's."
"Yes."
"So birds of prey represent immortals."
"I know." Hermione blinked.
"What? You know?"
"Yes. I had that figured out last year." Hermione looked hurt.
"And you didn't tell me?"
He shrugged. "Wasn't my place to tell."
That shut her up.
"And Cassandra's owl."
"Yep."
"Oh." She seemed very out of sorts. It wasn't very often that Ron outsmarted her. But then again many things were changing lately. Slowly she returned to her book, refusing to acknowledge the thought that she hoped these changes didn't put her completely out of the story.
***
Contrary to popular belief, Vincent Crabbe was a common sight in the library. Folding a piece of parchment carefully, he watched Draco and the Gryffindor Trio. With a wave of his wand he banished the note to land on Draco's Paper. Draco jumped, and looked around. Catching Crabbe's eye, Crabbe nodded and Draco opened the note, which read as follows:
Pansy has detention with McGonagall tonight at 8. Your court will convene at 815. WE need our Prince and will await your arrival.
Draco closed the note, crumpled it up, and, away from the watchful eye of Madame Flitwick, turned the parchment to ash. Catching Crabbe's eye once more, Draco nodded.
Tonight the Price would meet with his court.
***
Laying on Draco's bed, Harry held Draco in his arms.
"It's five after eight." Harry murmured. Draco nodded.
"I know." He pulled up and away, leaned foreward and softly kissed Harry. "I have to go. My court awaits." Harry nodded.
"Be careful, my Prince." Draco grinned.
"Hey, it's me."
"That's what I'm afraid of," Harry muttered as Draco left his rooms.
***
A white-blond shadow moved swiftly and quietly down to Ax Serpens, the Slytherin Dorms. Crabbe and Goyle met him by the Gargoyle that guarded the entrance.
"This way, my Prince," Crabbe commented as Goyle said the password.
"Veryy funny," Draco muttered darkly, but it didn't bother the bodyguards, as they were too excited over having Draco back to care.
All talking ceased when Draco entered the common room. One by one the students stood, the first years scrambling and not really understanding what was happening. Nobody stood for Pansy. They bowed or curtsied as one, and he nodded his greeting to them, a soft smile playing about his lips.
"My dear Slytherins," he began, his voice quiet and warm in the chilly dungeon air, "It warms my heart to be welcomed here by all of you. Ax Serpens is a cold place when one is alone. Rodgers," He turned to the 7th year prefect, "report." Rodgers smiled, glad to have back his position in Draco's court. Pansy looked at him more like a prized stallion at stud than an informant.
"My Prince, as you know, Pansy has been abusing her powers as Princess. The younger years live in fear of her temper. She is fond of punishment, you see, and inflicting pain. The older years do all her work for her. The fifth years take the wrap for all her crimes. McGonagall caught her in the act this time, or she would have gotten away with this, too.
"She rules by fear, and is attempting to become dictator." Rodgers stopped and Draco nodded.
"You can't rule Slytherin as a dictator. The masses wouldn't stand for it and you'd find yourself friendless and alone in no time at all. She is a disgrace to Slytherin.' Draco lapsed into silence, the gears in his head turning. "Can someone tell me, please, how she came into power in the first place?" The Slytherins shifted nervously. Finally, Blaise stepped foreward.
"She started a secret campaign at the end of last year to kick you out of the Prince-hood. She used your father against you, and money to win over enough others to win a majority vote."
"How do you know, Blaise," Draco asked, voice soft. Blaise looked pained.
"I helped her. She had some.information on me that I didn't want public and I was frightened. I've since realized that a bit of embarrassment is worth keeping her from power." Draco nodded.
"Thank you for your honesty, Blaise. I know it must be hard for you." Blaise blushed, but nodded. Draco bit his cheek before he spoke once more.
"Something must be done," Draco said finally. "But now is not the time fore me to reclaim the throne. My orders are thus. Let Pansy think she still has control. She must not know he power is all in her mind. I shall relay any messages to you through Rodgers or Crabbe and Goyle here. When the time is right they will know and will spread the word. Be ready. Prepare. In the meantime, Be safe. Viva Serpenta!"
"Viva!"
And the Prince left his stronghold, planning his final return.
***
Hermione sat in front of the fireplace in the common room, not really reading, just staring at the pages. Over in the corner Dean slumped in defeat as Ron took his king yet again. Ron packed up th eonce again whole and complaining pieces and joined Hermione on the couch. When he put his arms around her, she stiffened.
"'Mione? What's wrong, luv?" Hermione relaxed a bit, but was still way to tense.
"Nothing's wrong, Ron."
"Herms."
"Really. I'll be ok. I'm just feeling a bit worthless now. It'll pass soon enough."
"Worthless?" Ron exclaimed, but kept his voice low. Hermione shrugged.
"Yeah, I'm feeling down because of, well, hormones, and this afternoon I felt like I wasn't needed anymore. What's the point of being the smart one of the group if everybody figures things out for themselves."
"Oh, 'Mione, you know that's not true. The only reason I knew about the visions is because I'm trained to, well, training to. You'll always be the smartest one of the three, well, four now I guess. That will never change. Besides, apart from that, I love you, and I would never, ever, not need you." Hermione smiled a watery smile at him, in the brink of tears.
"Oh, Ron that was beautiful. Thank you. I love you, too." Suddenly Ron had his arms full of happy, sobbing Hermione. Awkwardly he patted her back, before relaxing into it, and hugging her back.
"There, there. It's alright."
"Oh, Ron. I'm so happy."
Ron paused, blinked, and shook his head.
He would never understand women.
TBC
Ok. Here's where I answer the reviews. I'm answering them all this time just because it's been so long.
Cyanide Queen: I liked writing that part. My original impression for the two of them was a Methos/Xena hybrid and a Gothic Brittney Spears/Severus. I hoped you liked their revenge. If you have any ideas for how the the twins will get back Severus and Methos, please let me know.
Aurulumpi - I'm glad I got going again too. I missed writing. I hope you like these massive updates. They don't happen often, but they are big when they do. Hopefully, I'll be able to stay on top of this and not have to do this in bulk again. That means more frequent updates.
Lady Cinnibar - Lady, I've missed you. I hope you'll forgive my absence from the fan fiction scene, but I have returned once more. Half my friends don't even know what fan fiction is, the other half hate slash. I have a few loyal readers (mel) whom I am very thankful for. If not for them, I'll never make any decisions on my own. You wanna know the thing with Duncan? Everybody insists he's straight unless he's with Methos. You ever notice? You'll be hard pressed to find Duncan willingly slashed with anyone but the Old Man, not even Richie. I have plans for our Dear Duncan (yes, they start out slash) and I think I've said that all immortals are bisexual. Duncan MacLeod will always be a ladies man, but here at Hogwarts he can be a man's man too. What on earth is a Chizpurfles? I really hope you like what I'm doing with the whole of Slytherin. I think that's the way they would really act. It was a spur of the moment decision that came to me as I was writing another part. I was originally going to only have one stay loyal, but I couldn't split up the ghoombas. The rest just kinda happened. You know, I'm really glad I enjoy my job too. It helps that if I can't write, at least I'm somewhere where I enjoy what I'm doing. Oh, I hate the dentist! But at least they let me watch M*A*S*H or cartoons. I was there twice recently with a cavity and a swollen nerve in my jaw. (it still hurts to eat sometimes) argh! My Dear Lady, if not for your reviews I would not feel so bad about waiting so long to update. I feel I let you, and the others down, and that is something this pooka cannot do. But, on to the other reviews. Untill next time Pooka
Delphiarose - I don't think I'm going to mess with Remus and Sirius' marrage like that. But, given the time, I will write another story with the three together, if you really want. I may do that anyway, it's a good idea. We need to slash Duncan with more people than Methos.
Annakas - Yes, people do love that part. I have one thing to say to you about the pairing. Bill and Charlie are coming to visit over Christmas. Take from that what you will.
Xanpetuk - Yes. She does, doesn't she.
The Light Goddess - Dear Rosie? No, hun. I don't think so. Duncan needs that stick out of his ass, and only a guy can do it that way he needs it. It won't last forever, however, and he will get a girl again. Most likely Amanda.
RunningWithCoyotes - Ace, you luck bastard. I'm glad you're enjoying yourself. *wink*
MidnightLoner - Ok. I updated. Enjoy.
Ron climbed into the sleeping bag next to Hermione, inadvertently slightly rousing her.
"Ron?" she asked, her voice muddy with sleep.
"Yeah, 'Mione. Go back to sleep. Ginny looks like she misses you."
"OK," she murmured before rolling back over to face Ginny. Ron rolled his eyes.
"Why can't she be that agreeable when she's awake?" he grumbled to himself as he settled in and prepared for a restful night's sleep.
***
Methos laid his head down on the table and stared at the face of his lover. AS he stared he found it harder and harder to keep the smirk of his face, but when Severus began to open his eyes, he schooled his features beautifully to an innocently pleased expression.
"Good Morning, Sunshine!" Severus, in all his cranky glory, glared, but the effect was ruined when he yawned mid glare. He rubbed his eyes and raised his head. His expression froze and he put his head back down.
"Methos," he growled softly, knowing no one could over hear them, "why didn't you tell me.no, why didn't you wake me?" Methos shrugged.
"Because you're so damned adorable when you're asleep. And you obviously needed your rest. Now go relieve Minerva. She needs sleep too." Severus glared and grumbled but he stood to replace the Gryffindor head. Methos smirked and sprawled back in his chair, blowing a kiss to his lover when he turned to glare at him. He closed his eyes to fall into a light slumber. It had been a long night, but it was finally over.
***
The students were returned to their respective dorms that morning. The classes before lunch were all canceled, and the students all welcomed the brief respite.
Ron was playing Harry in chess in the library (Harry was loosing horribly, as usual). Hermione sat near them, reading, while Draco drew at the table next to them. The book Hermione had, however, wasn't Hogwarts: A History but Dreams and Visions by Llwellen.
"I was thinking about your vision, Ron," Hermione began.
"O, wonderful. I wasn't."
"I was thinking," she went on undeterred, "Pierson and Snape are represented as birds of prey, correct?"
"Uh huh."
"And they're both.you know."
"Gay?"
"Ron!"
"I know, I know."
"And MacLeod's a bird of prey as well, and he's."
"Yes."
"So birds of prey represent immortals."
"I know." Hermione blinked.
"What? You know?"
"Yes. I had that figured out last year." Hermione looked hurt.
"And you didn't tell me?"
He shrugged. "Wasn't my place to tell."
That shut her up.
"And Cassandra's owl."
"Yep."
"Oh." She seemed very out of sorts. It wasn't very often that Ron outsmarted her. But then again many things were changing lately. Slowly she returned to her book, refusing to acknowledge the thought that she hoped these changes didn't put her completely out of the story.
***
Contrary to popular belief, Vincent Crabbe was a common sight in the library. Folding a piece of parchment carefully, he watched Draco and the Gryffindor Trio. With a wave of his wand he banished the note to land on Draco's Paper. Draco jumped, and looked around. Catching Crabbe's eye, Crabbe nodded and Draco opened the note, which read as follows:
Pansy has detention with McGonagall tonight at 8. Your court will convene at 815. WE need our Prince and will await your arrival.
Draco closed the note, crumpled it up, and, away from the watchful eye of Madame Flitwick, turned the parchment to ash. Catching Crabbe's eye once more, Draco nodded.
Tonight the Price would meet with his court.
***
Laying on Draco's bed, Harry held Draco in his arms.
"It's five after eight." Harry murmured. Draco nodded.
"I know." He pulled up and away, leaned foreward and softly kissed Harry. "I have to go. My court awaits." Harry nodded.
"Be careful, my Prince." Draco grinned.
"Hey, it's me."
"That's what I'm afraid of," Harry muttered as Draco left his rooms.
***
A white-blond shadow moved swiftly and quietly down to Ax Serpens, the Slytherin Dorms. Crabbe and Goyle met him by the Gargoyle that guarded the entrance.
"This way, my Prince," Crabbe commented as Goyle said the password.
"Veryy funny," Draco muttered darkly, but it didn't bother the bodyguards, as they were too excited over having Draco back to care.
All talking ceased when Draco entered the common room. One by one the students stood, the first years scrambling and not really understanding what was happening. Nobody stood for Pansy. They bowed or curtsied as one, and he nodded his greeting to them, a soft smile playing about his lips.
"My dear Slytherins," he began, his voice quiet and warm in the chilly dungeon air, "It warms my heart to be welcomed here by all of you. Ax Serpens is a cold place when one is alone. Rodgers," He turned to the 7th year prefect, "report." Rodgers smiled, glad to have back his position in Draco's court. Pansy looked at him more like a prized stallion at stud than an informant.
"My Prince, as you know, Pansy has been abusing her powers as Princess. The younger years live in fear of her temper. She is fond of punishment, you see, and inflicting pain. The older years do all her work for her. The fifth years take the wrap for all her crimes. McGonagall caught her in the act this time, or she would have gotten away with this, too.
"She rules by fear, and is attempting to become dictator." Rodgers stopped and Draco nodded.
"You can't rule Slytherin as a dictator. The masses wouldn't stand for it and you'd find yourself friendless and alone in no time at all. She is a disgrace to Slytherin.' Draco lapsed into silence, the gears in his head turning. "Can someone tell me, please, how she came into power in the first place?" The Slytherins shifted nervously. Finally, Blaise stepped foreward.
"She started a secret campaign at the end of last year to kick you out of the Prince-hood. She used your father against you, and money to win over enough others to win a majority vote."
"How do you know, Blaise," Draco asked, voice soft. Blaise looked pained.
"I helped her. She had some.information on me that I didn't want public and I was frightened. I've since realized that a bit of embarrassment is worth keeping her from power." Draco nodded.
"Thank you for your honesty, Blaise. I know it must be hard for you." Blaise blushed, but nodded. Draco bit his cheek before he spoke once more.
"Something must be done," Draco said finally. "But now is not the time fore me to reclaim the throne. My orders are thus. Let Pansy think she still has control. She must not know he power is all in her mind. I shall relay any messages to you through Rodgers or Crabbe and Goyle here. When the time is right they will know and will spread the word. Be ready. Prepare. In the meantime, Be safe. Viva Serpenta!"
"Viva!"
And the Prince left his stronghold, planning his final return.
***
Hermione sat in front of the fireplace in the common room, not really reading, just staring at the pages. Over in the corner Dean slumped in defeat as Ron took his king yet again. Ron packed up th eonce again whole and complaining pieces and joined Hermione on the couch. When he put his arms around her, she stiffened.
"'Mione? What's wrong, luv?" Hermione relaxed a bit, but was still way to tense.
"Nothing's wrong, Ron."
"Herms."
"Really. I'll be ok. I'm just feeling a bit worthless now. It'll pass soon enough."
"Worthless?" Ron exclaimed, but kept his voice low. Hermione shrugged.
"Yeah, I'm feeling down because of, well, hormones, and this afternoon I felt like I wasn't needed anymore. What's the point of being the smart one of the group if everybody figures things out for themselves."
"Oh, 'Mione, you know that's not true. The only reason I knew about the visions is because I'm trained to, well, training to. You'll always be the smartest one of the three, well, four now I guess. That will never change. Besides, apart from that, I love you, and I would never, ever, not need you." Hermione smiled a watery smile at him, in the brink of tears.
"Oh, Ron that was beautiful. Thank you. I love you, too." Suddenly Ron had his arms full of happy, sobbing Hermione. Awkwardly he patted her back, before relaxing into it, and hugging her back.
"There, there. It's alright."
"Oh, Ron. I'm so happy."
Ron paused, blinked, and shook his head.
He would never understand women.
TBC
Ok. Here's where I answer the reviews. I'm answering them all this time just because it's been so long.
Cyanide Queen: I liked writing that part. My original impression for the two of them was a Methos/Xena hybrid and a Gothic Brittney Spears/Severus. I hoped you liked their revenge. If you have any ideas for how the the twins will get back Severus and Methos, please let me know.
Aurulumpi - I'm glad I got going again too. I missed writing. I hope you like these massive updates. They don't happen often, but they are big when they do. Hopefully, I'll be able to stay on top of this and not have to do this in bulk again. That means more frequent updates.
Lady Cinnibar - Lady, I've missed you. I hope you'll forgive my absence from the fan fiction scene, but I have returned once more. Half my friends don't even know what fan fiction is, the other half hate slash. I have a few loyal readers (mel) whom I am very thankful for. If not for them, I'll never make any decisions on my own. You wanna know the thing with Duncan? Everybody insists he's straight unless he's with Methos. You ever notice? You'll be hard pressed to find Duncan willingly slashed with anyone but the Old Man, not even Richie. I have plans for our Dear Duncan (yes, they start out slash) and I think I've said that all immortals are bisexual. Duncan MacLeod will always be a ladies man, but here at Hogwarts he can be a man's man too. What on earth is a Chizpurfles? I really hope you like what I'm doing with the whole of Slytherin. I think that's the way they would really act. It was a spur of the moment decision that came to me as I was writing another part. I was originally going to only have one stay loyal, but I couldn't split up the ghoombas. The rest just kinda happened. You know, I'm really glad I enjoy my job too. It helps that if I can't write, at least I'm somewhere where I enjoy what I'm doing. Oh, I hate the dentist! But at least they let me watch M*A*S*H or cartoons. I was there twice recently with a cavity and a swollen nerve in my jaw. (it still hurts to eat sometimes) argh! My Dear Lady, if not for your reviews I would not feel so bad about waiting so long to update. I feel I let you, and the others down, and that is something this pooka cannot do. But, on to the other reviews. Untill next time Pooka
Delphiarose - I don't think I'm going to mess with Remus and Sirius' marrage like that. But, given the time, I will write another story with the three together, if you really want. I may do that anyway, it's a good idea. We need to slash Duncan with more people than Methos.
Annakas - Yes, people do love that part. I have one thing to say to you about the pairing. Bill and Charlie are coming to visit over Christmas. Take from that what you will.
Xanpetuk - Yes. She does, doesn't she.
The Light Goddess - Dear Rosie? No, hun. I don't think so. Duncan needs that stick out of his ass, and only a guy can do it that way he needs it. It won't last forever, however, and he will get a girl again. Most likely Amanda.
RunningWithCoyotes - Ace, you luck bastard. I'm glad you're enjoying yourself. *wink*
MidnightLoner - Ok. I updated. Enjoy.
