Disclaimer: the usual. The song belongs to Gaelic Storm. Great band.
Authors note: I am so sorry! This chapter is inundated with enough fluffy goodness to satisfy a marshmallow factory and pillow company sharing the same warehouse. My muse, while sometimes quite creative, has this little collection of fluffy plot bunnies that she sics on me at times. That's where this chapter came from. Yet another reason why writing at 2 am is not a good idea. Side note: This actually had two or three scenes that I wrote, but deleted from the final version. They were purely for my enjoyment, had no purpose in the story, interrupted the flow, and I doubt anybody else would get them. Not to mention they were puerile. The writing sucked "big, hard goat balls" *thanks Cricket*
*_* indicates thoughts. ^_^ are Eva's thoughts.
Chapter 6
At lunch Eva showed Harry the recording she had made of her banquet prank. He laughed when she focused in on Malfoy, drenched in pumpkin juice and sparks and scowling so darkly he resembled Snape. Then he asked "How much longer will the training last?"
For the two of them, over 14 months had already passed, and Harry desperately missed his friends and Hogwarts. It felt sometimes like a piece of him was missing. His powers and skills had increased incredibly, and his body was fit and strong, while that once unruly mop of wild black hair now reached his waist. There is a difference between growing up and growing old. While he had not aged physically, his body went through its natural development, and he seemed older not only because of the changes, but due to the wisdom and pain still reflected in his emerald eyes.
Harry had also picked up a couple of tattoos and scars along the way. A phoenix in flight and a small lion adorned his back, while a small rune marking him as the Phoenix Lord graced both his right hand and left shoulder. Overall, people would be very surprised when Harry showed up again.
Eva snuck a glance at him. "Tired of my company, is that it?" He looked pained and trapped for a moment, before she laughed and said "I'm joking." She considered him thoughtfully. "I was planning on at least two years here, but you're more powerful than I had ever planned on. You have a natural talent for fighting and dueling, and an uncanny skill with both Elemental and wandless magic."
She smiled as he blushed a bit; still modest. "You're such a quick and natural study, I think that in less than a month we'll have exhausted what I can teach you here. Now at Hogwarts you can focus on Herbology and Potions, but I doubt you'll have much trouble with those. I figure you can return to Hogwarts in a week or so."
Eva thought for a moment. "On Halloween Hogwarts will have a masquerade ball for the third years and up to make up for the cancelled Hogsmeade trips. Everyone is required to cover their face to enter, and all masks come off at midnight. They'll give a prize for best costume. That'll be your homecoming party and prank! We'll have to work up a disguise." Harry suppressed a grin, until she started giggling, then he joined in.
****************************************************************
The first month back at Hogwarts had gone smoothly, if a little quieter than normal. Snape still favored the Slytherins while berating the Gryffindors, McGonagall was as strict as ever, and Binns lulled everyone to sleep in History of Magic with his notes on the Warlock Conferences of 1365. Hagrid presented lessons on centaurs, and persuaded Firenze to come speak to the classes. Lupin began teaching the 5th years advanced curses and countercurses, while Arabella Figg turned out to be a very tough but experienced dueling professor. Trelawny, however, seemed a bit lost as her favorite student to predict dire events on had been missing for over two months, but she could not prove that he was dead, so had no idea if her prediction had come true.
Dumbledore announce the Halloween masquerade at dinner, and also told them not to tell anyone what they were going as. The grand prize would go to the least recognizable student with the most creative costume. So naturally everyone went back to their common rooms to discuss and plan their costumes.
Ron spotted Hermione sitting in a corner away from everyone else, attempting to read. He berated himself for being scared of his best friend, so he gathered his courage and walked over to sit down next to her. "Um, hello." "Hello. I didn't see you there." She attempted a faint smile, but Ron wasn't buying it. He leaned over.
"Hermione, we may not have talked as much as normal over the summer, but I can tell that something's wrong. Can you tell me? I'm your friend." *And I'd like to be so much more, but only if you let me, * he thought. She stared at him, internally debating as unnoticed tears welled up. Finally she sighed.
"It's Viktor," she admitted. Ron clenched his hands into fists before he calmed himself down, but Hermione did not notice. "He wrote me again. You know we've been corresponding over the summer. Anyway, he told me that he loves me. He feels it's our destiny to be together. He wants to wait for me to graduate, and then we'll get married."
Ron stayed silent for a moment, battling his emotions, before asking gently, "And what do you think?" Hermione bit her lower lip. "I'm too young to consider marriage. I mean, I'm only 15, and he's 19 and planning his family and future already. He needs someone older, who's ready for that kind of commitment." She screwed up her face in an unreadable expression for a moment. "I don't want to get married right out of school, and not to Viktor. He would tie me down. I want to live my life, see what the world offers, do something important and interesting . . . " She gestured with a hand as she tried to find words for her feelings. Ron broke in softly, "You want to be yourself and be known as yourself, not somebody's wife." Her expression brightened. "That's exactly it!"
Suddenly she looked away, a slight blush staining her cheeks. "Viktor wouldn't understand that, that's why I don't love him. He's a good friend, but can never be anything more to me. I sent him a letter back today, telling him that, and I'm worried about his reaction. I want to stay his friend."
Ron breathed an inaudible sigh of relief before pulling her into a hug. "Don't worry. He should be understanding enough to recognize you feelings and remain friends. If not, then maybe it's for the best." They just held each other, then Hermione added "I'm so worried about Harry. He's been gone for months, not a trace. You don't think he's . . . he's . . . well . . . dead, do you?"
Ron felt tears wet his shirt, and buried his face in her soft hair. Oh, her hair smelled so good, of apples and honey. "No, I think . . . no, I know, he's still alive somewhere, far out of You-Know-Who's reach. He's too tough to just roll over and die. He'll be back, you'll see. Harry would never just abandon us. We're his friends, and I know he misses us just as bad as we miss him."
For long minutes neither spoke, then reluctantly Ron, his voice muffled by her hair, asked a question that had been bothering him. "Why could Viktor never be more than a friend?" Hermione stiffened in his arms, and tried to pull away. He stopped her with a pleading gaze. She gnawed her bottom lip, distracting Ron, not meeting his eyes, then muttered something inaudible. "What was that?" He leaned in closer.
Hermione sighed and repeated softly, "I'm in love with someone else." With that she broke away from his embrace, flushing scarlet, and ran up the stairs to her dorm, not looking back. Her abrupt departure attracted attention from the group by the fireplace, which turned questioningly to Ron.
Lavender asked, "What did you say to her?" He shook his head. "She's upset over Harry." The others nodded understandingly and absorbed themselves in the discussion again over Halloween costumes. Lavender however got up and went over to Ron, for once completely serious.
In a low voice she asked, "That's not all is it? You're in love with her." Ron grimaced, not bothering to deny it. "Is it that obvious?" She smiled. "No, not really. Have you told her that?" Negative response. Lavender leaned in close and whispered, "You should. I know for a fact that she loves you. That's why she refused Viktor Krum. I'm breaking the girls' oath of silence for this, so you better take advantage of it." She straightened up, grinning at Ron's stupefied look, and rejoined the discussion group around the fire.
Ron slowly climbed the stairs, digesting this new information, and when he was lying in bed, he smiled as a plan began to form in his mind.
************************************************************************
Ron woke up early the next morning to put his plan into motion. Lucky for him it was Saturday, so the only thing going on was Quidditch practice later in the afternoon. Tryouts for Keeper and Seeker plus a whole reserve team had been a couple of weeks ago. Ron had made the team as Keeper, which was a first in his family. They couldn't really replace Harry, but they needed a Seeker and a third year had earned that position. He still needed work though.
Ginny became a reserve Chaser along with Seamus and a second year named Rich Harrison, and a couple of 6th years were the reserve Beaters. Since the majority of the team were 7th years and graduating, they needed to start training next year's team. For the same reason, none of them had wanted to be captain. They had planned on Harry taking over Oliver's old role, but with his disappearance and Ron's lack of experience, Alicia Spinnet was voted captain.
Ron went down to the Great Hall for breakfast and ate quickly, then ran for the library, earning many strange looks from Madame Pince. He had given Lavender instructions to get Hermione into the Common room at 10 sharp. On Saturdays she normally shut herself in her room until lunch, then spent the afternoon in the library until dinner. Ron decided he was going to shake up her routine, and her life, today.
By 9:30 he found everything he needed from the library and rehearsed the entire scenario, but he was still so nervous. What if she said no, or laughed, or worse, cried? But then he thought to himself, *Get a grip! You're a Gryffindor and a Weasley. You love her. Just follow your heart and see where it leads.* With the mental pep talk strengthening his resolve, Ron walked quickly back to Gryffindor Tower to get ready.
************************************************************************
Hermione sat at her desk, pretending to read her Potions textbook, but not seeing the page at all. Her thoughts were all over the place, but mainly on Viktor, Harry, and Ron. Ron. She sighed deeply. She thought that from his jealousy over her and Viktor he loved her as much as she realized she loved him. But over the summer things had changed. They barely spoke to each other, even when living in the same house. She'd waited too long; he had given up on ever having his feeling reciprocated and forgot about her.
If only Harry were here. Hermione could talk to him, he'd comfort her and talk to Ron, and . . . But Harry was missing, and Ron, while still a friend, could have been so much more. She shook her head, trying to rid herself of these depressing thoughts, but her mind stubbornly focused not on the properties of witch hazel leaves in, but on Ron's bright red hair, his cute freckles, the way he held her close . . .
Just then Lavender poked her head in. "Hey Hermione, I know you hate to be bothered when you're working, but we have a problem in the common room that we need a prefect to mediate." Hermione did not turn around. "Can't Ron take care of it? I'm busy." Lavender shifted uncomfortably, "Uh, we, we can't find Ron. And besides, it's kind of a girl thing." Hermione sighed, marked her page and rose from her bed, actually thankful for the distraction. She crossed the landing and started down the stairs. "Okay, what is the . . . Oh!"
At the foot of the stairs stood Ron, dressed in an immaculate tuxedo and his hair slicked back attractively. At her arrival Seamus started playing a song on the wizard stereo he'd gotten over the summer, and a soft guitar began strumming. Ron began to sing, a slight flush on his cheeks.
I've lived a long life and now I'm looking back It's the end of the road, the last stop on the track And I smile as I think of my true love once more. She's the light of my life, the one I adore.
She . . . she was the prize! The prettiest girl with the loveliest eyes. She . . . she was the prize! Shiny brown hair and those lovely . . . lovely brown eyes.
I met her one day at the Harvest Fair dance I longed for a whisper, I hoped for a glance Then she turned and she smiled and I melted away. And I know I'll be with her 'til my dying day.
She . . . she was the prize! The prettiest girl with the loveliest eyes. She . . . she was the prize! Shiny brown hair and those lovely . . . lovely brown eyes.
Hermione stood awestruck at the base of the stairs after Lavender dragged her down, speechless. Ron had knelt and held one of her hands as he sang to her, gazing straight into her lovely brown eyes the whole time. Once the song had finished, he took a deep breath and said, "I have known you for the last 5 years and have enjoyed our friendship ever since we took out that troll. But now I realize that my feelings for you have changed; they've moved beyond friendship." He paused, then took the plunge, "I love you Hermione Granger."
She froze stock-still, her formidable brain barely able to process the information. He loved her, he actually loved her! Warmth rushed through her, making her dizzy and a bit breathless. The she realized she was just staring at Ron as he waited for her response, hope dimming in his eyes. Hermione tugged his hand, making him rise from his knees. Dejection started to settle on his features when she leaned in and said "I love you too Ron Weasley." She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him fiercely.
Ron couldn't believe it. His stupid plan had actually worked! She did love him! He put his hands at her waist and pulled her closer, returning the kiss. Eventually they had to break for air, which is when they became aware of their surroundings.
Applause, whoops, hollers, cheers and catcalls filled the common room. Once people had heard the music they came down to see, and now most of Gryffindor House stood watching them. Ron and Hermione both blushed bright red as Ginny winked, Lavender and Parvati cheered ecstatically, and Fred and George collected money off of people for bets they had placed on the scenario.
Ron leaned in close and whispered "I'll go change, then let's get out of here. Meet me back down here in 5 minutes." She nodded, grinning, gave him a quick kiss and ran upstairs to grab her cloak.
************************************************************************
Harry watched this scene play out on Eva's dimensional portal and sighed. *Wish I could've been there.* ^ I know, and I'm sorry. But maybe it's for the best. Ron doesn't rely on you anymore to solve all his girl problems, and Hermione was able to sort out her feelings.^ He could see Eva's mental grin. ^Besides, in a sense you were there. You're the whole reason this friendship ever got started.^ Harry chuckled. *That's true. Now let's get back to work. Your mental chatter can be quite distracting.*
Eva worked on Harry's Halloween costume while Harry was completing his last task to become a mage: building a staff. A staff is different and more versatile than a wand, and provides a stronger focus for a mage's power than a wand is capable of. They work by focusing the inborn magic in the blood and soul with no need of an incantation or gesture. Only the most powerful of magical beings can use a staff, so they are very rare and practically impossible to find in modern times. In the ancient times when magical beings and Muggles lived peaceably the magical blood was much stronger, and staffs were almost common. But over the centuries the strength diminished, until the last of the War Mages, the most powerful race of magical humans, died out. Their knowledge had been lost, their magic untamable. Until now.
Harry's staff was made of a particular hardwood not found in his world, and the core was filled with a liquid mixture of dragon's blood, phoenix tears, powdered unicorn horn, and a lion's claw. A ruby capped the staff, clutched in a claw-like cavity in the wood. Various etchings and runes carved into the wood itself guaranteed the staff would only work for the builder, and could never be used for evil. The final step remaining in the construction was the binding, which would activate it.
Harry Apparated with the staff to the summit of a mountain far away. He needed solitude for this part, and as he surveyed the view, he could see he was quite alone. He held the staff upright in front of him and grasped it with both hands. He began to speak.
"Spirits of the North, South, East and West, of Wind and Earth, of Fire and Water, hear my voice and answer. I bind myself and my powers to you, to finish what has begun, and while I live darkness will never overcome the Light. This I, Harry James Potter, pledge to you with my life, soul, and strength."
A fierce wind whipped up, blowing Harry's hair all over the place, but he ignored it and stood firm. A faint rumble, more sensed than felt, shivered through the mountain under his feet, but he stood firm. A brief shower of icy rain soaked him, but still he stood firm. Finally a bolt of lightning crackled down from the clouds to strike him. Harry felt the electricity combined with pure, raw magic shoot through him and into the staff.
The liquid mixture at the core frothed and bubbled, gathering power from nature and Harry, and then the ruby glowed, bathing his face in a blood-red light that shone blindingly bright like the sun itself. A voice, not Eva's, seemed to speak in his head, unlike any he had ever heard before. ~We bind ourselves to you, Child of Light. May you never be conquered and always uphold the light.~
It was done. Harry smiled broadly, exhausted. Tomorrow he would go home.
Authors note: I am so sorry! This chapter is inundated with enough fluffy goodness to satisfy a marshmallow factory and pillow company sharing the same warehouse. My muse, while sometimes quite creative, has this little collection of fluffy plot bunnies that she sics on me at times. That's where this chapter came from. Yet another reason why writing at 2 am is not a good idea. Side note: This actually had two or three scenes that I wrote, but deleted from the final version. They were purely for my enjoyment, had no purpose in the story, interrupted the flow, and I doubt anybody else would get them. Not to mention they were puerile. The writing sucked "big, hard goat balls" *thanks Cricket*
*_* indicates thoughts. ^_^ are Eva's thoughts.
Chapter 6
At lunch Eva showed Harry the recording she had made of her banquet prank. He laughed when she focused in on Malfoy, drenched in pumpkin juice and sparks and scowling so darkly he resembled Snape. Then he asked "How much longer will the training last?"
For the two of them, over 14 months had already passed, and Harry desperately missed his friends and Hogwarts. It felt sometimes like a piece of him was missing. His powers and skills had increased incredibly, and his body was fit and strong, while that once unruly mop of wild black hair now reached his waist. There is a difference between growing up and growing old. While he had not aged physically, his body went through its natural development, and he seemed older not only because of the changes, but due to the wisdom and pain still reflected in his emerald eyes.
Harry had also picked up a couple of tattoos and scars along the way. A phoenix in flight and a small lion adorned his back, while a small rune marking him as the Phoenix Lord graced both his right hand and left shoulder. Overall, people would be very surprised when Harry showed up again.
Eva snuck a glance at him. "Tired of my company, is that it?" He looked pained and trapped for a moment, before she laughed and said "I'm joking." She considered him thoughtfully. "I was planning on at least two years here, but you're more powerful than I had ever planned on. You have a natural talent for fighting and dueling, and an uncanny skill with both Elemental and wandless magic."
She smiled as he blushed a bit; still modest. "You're such a quick and natural study, I think that in less than a month we'll have exhausted what I can teach you here. Now at Hogwarts you can focus on Herbology and Potions, but I doubt you'll have much trouble with those. I figure you can return to Hogwarts in a week or so."
Eva thought for a moment. "On Halloween Hogwarts will have a masquerade ball for the third years and up to make up for the cancelled Hogsmeade trips. Everyone is required to cover their face to enter, and all masks come off at midnight. They'll give a prize for best costume. That'll be your homecoming party and prank! We'll have to work up a disguise." Harry suppressed a grin, until she started giggling, then he joined in.
****************************************************************
The first month back at Hogwarts had gone smoothly, if a little quieter than normal. Snape still favored the Slytherins while berating the Gryffindors, McGonagall was as strict as ever, and Binns lulled everyone to sleep in History of Magic with his notes on the Warlock Conferences of 1365. Hagrid presented lessons on centaurs, and persuaded Firenze to come speak to the classes. Lupin began teaching the 5th years advanced curses and countercurses, while Arabella Figg turned out to be a very tough but experienced dueling professor. Trelawny, however, seemed a bit lost as her favorite student to predict dire events on had been missing for over two months, but she could not prove that he was dead, so had no idea if her prediction had come true.
Dumbledore announce the Halloween masquerade at dinner, and also told them not to tell anyone what they were going as. The grand prize would go to the least recognizable student with the most creative costume. So naturally everyone went back to their common rooms to discuss and plan their costumes.
Ron spotted Hermione sitting in a corner away from everyone else, attempting to read. He berated himself for being scared of his best friend, so he gathered his courage and walked over to sit down next to her. "Um, hello." "Hello. I didn't see you there." She attempted a faint smile, but Ron wasn't buying it. He leaned over.
"Hermione, we may not have talked as much as normal over the summer, but I can tell that something's wrong. Can you tell me? I'm your friend." *And I'd like to be so much more, but only if you let me, * he thought. She stared at him, internally debating as unnoticed tears welled up. Finally she sighed.
"It's Viktor," she admitted. Ron clenched his hands into fists before he calmed himself down, but Hermione did not notice. "He wrote me again. You know we've been corresponding over the summer. Anyway, he told me that he loves me. He feels it's our destiny to be together. He wants to wait for me to graduate, and then we'll get married."
Ron stayed silent for a moment, battling his emotions, before asking gently, "And what do you think?" Hermione bit her lower lip. "I'm too young to consider marriage. I mean, I'm only 15, and he's 19 and planning his family and future already. He needs someone older, who's ready for that kind of commitment." She screwed up her face in an unreadable expression for a moment. "I don't want to get married right out of school, and not to Viktor. He would tie me down. I want to live my life, see what the world offers, do something important and interesting . . . " She gestured with a hand as she tried to find words for her feelings. Ron broke in softly, "You want to be yourself and be known as yourself, not somebody's wife." Her expression brightened. "That's exactly it!"
Suddenly she looked away, a slight blush staining her cheeks. "Viktor wouldn't understand that, that's why I don't love him. He's a good friend, but can never be anything more to me. I sent him a letter back today, telling him that, and I'm worried about his reaction. I want to stay his friend."
Ron breathed an inaudible sigh of relief before pulling her into a hug. "Don't worry. He should be understanding enough to recognize you feelings and remain friends. If not, then maybe it's for the best." They just held each other, then Hermione added "I'm so worried about Harry. He's been gone for months, not a trace. You don't think he's . . . he's . . . well . . . dead, do you?"
Ron felt tears wet his shirt, and buried his face in her soft hair. Oh, her hair smelled so good, of apples and honey. "No, I think . . . no, I know, he's still alive somewhere, far out of You-Know-Who's reach. He's too tough to just roll over and die. He'll be back, you'll see. Harry would never just abandon us. We're his friends, and I know he misses us just as bad as we miss him."
For long minutes neither spoke, then reluctantly Ron, his voice muffled by her hair, asked a question that had been bothering him. "Why could Viktor never be more than a friend?" Hermione stiffened in his arms, and tried to pull away. He stopped her with a pleading gaze. She gnawed her bottom lip, distracting Ron, not meeting his eyes, then muttered something inaudible. "What was that?" He leaned in closer.
Hermione sighed and repeated softly, "I'm in love with someone else." With that she broke away from his embrace, flushing scarlet, and ran up the stairs to her dorm, not looking back. Her abrupt departure attracted attention from the group by the fireplace, which turned questioningly to Ron.
Lavender asked, "What did you say to her?" He shook his head. "She's upset over Harry." The others nodded understandingly and absorbed themselves in the discussion again over Halloween costumes. Lavender however got up and went over to Ron, for once completely serious.
In a low voice she asked, "That's not all is it? You're in love with her." Ron grimaced, not bothering to deny it. "Is it that obvious?" She smiled. "No, not really. Have you told her that?" Negative response. Lavender leaned in close and whispered, "You should. I know for a fact that she loves you. That's why she refused Viktor Krum. I'm breaking the girls' oath of silence for this, so you better take advantage of it." She straightened up, grinning at Ron's stupefied look, and rejoined the discussion group around the fire.
Ron slowly climbed the stairs, digesting this new information, and when he was lying in bed, he smiled as a plan began to form in his mind.
************************************************************************
Ron woke up early the next morning to put his plan into motion. Lucky for him it was Saturday, so the only thing going on was Quidditch practice later in the afternoon. Tryouts for Keeper and Seeker plus a whole reserve team had been a couple of weeks ago. Ron had made the team as Keeper, which was a first in his family. They couldn't really replace Harry, but they needed a Seeker and a third year had earned that position. He still needed work though.
Ginny became a reserve Chaser along with Seamus and a second year named Rich Harrison, and a couple of 6th years were the reserve Beaters. Since the majority of the team were 7th years and graduating, they needed to start training next year's team. For the same reason, none of them had wanted to be captain. They had planned on Harry taking over Oliver's old role, but with his disappearance and Ron's lack of experience, Alicia Spinnet was voted captain.
Ron went down to the Great Hall for breakfast and ate quickly, then ran for the library, earning many strange looks from Madame Pince. He had given Lavender instructions to get Hermione into the Common room at 10 sharp. On Saturdays she normally shut herself in her room until lunch, then spent the afternoon in the library until dinner. Ron decided he was going to shake up her routine, and her life, today.
By 9:30 he found everything he needed from the library and rehearsed the entire scenario, but he was still so nervous. What if she said no, or laughed, or worse, cried? But then he thought to himself, *Get a grip! You're a Gryffindor and a Weasley. You love her. Just follow your heart and see where it leads.* With the mental pep talk strengthening his resolve, Ron walked quickly back to Gryffindor Tower to get ready.
************************************************************************
Hermione sat at her desk, pretending to read her Potions textbook, but not seeing the page at all. Her thoughts were all over the place, but mainly on Viktor, Harry, and Ron. Ron. She sighed deeply. She thought that from his jealousy over her and Viktor he loved her as much as she realized she loved him. But over the summer things had changed. They barely spoke to each other, even when living in the same house. She'd waited too long; he had given up on ever having his feeling reciprocated and forgot about her.
If only Harry were here. Hermione could talk to him, he'd comfort her and talk to Ron, and . . . But Harry was missing, and Ron, while still a friend, could have been so much more. She shook her head, trying to rid herself of these depressing thoughts, but her mind stubbornly focused not on the properties of witch hazel leaves in, but on Ron's bright red hair, his cute freckles, the way he held her close . . .
Just then Lavender poked her head in. "Hey Hermione, I know you hate to be bothered when you're working, but we have a problem in the common room that we need a prefect to mediate." Hermione did not turn around. "Can't Ron take care of it? I'm busy." Lavender shifted uncomfortably, "Uh, we, we can't find Ron. And besides, it's kind of a girl thing." Hermione sighed, marked her page and rose from her bed, actually thankful for the distraction. She crossed the landing and started down the stairs. "Okay, what is the . . . Oh!"
At the foot of the stairs stood Ron, dressed in an immaculate tuxedo and his hair slicked back attractively. At her arrival Seamus started playing a song on the wizard stereo he'd gotten over the summer, and a soft guitar began strumming. Ron began to sing, a slight flush on his cheeks.
I've lived a long life and now I'm looking back It's the end of the road, the last stop on the track And I smile as I think of my true love once more. She's the light of my life, the one I adore.
She . . . she was the prize! The prettiest girl with the loveliest eyes. She . . . she was the prize! Shiny brown hair and those lovely . . . lovely brown eyes.
I met her one day at the Harvest Fair dance I longed for a whisper, I hoped for a glance Then she turned and she smiled and I melted away. And I know I'll be with her 'til my dying day.
She . . . she was the prize! The prettiest girl with the loveliest eyes. She . . . she was the prize! Shiny brown hair and those lovely . . . lovely brown eyes.
Hermione stood awestruck at the base of the stairs after Lavender dragged her down, speechless. Ron had knelt and held one of her hands as he sang to her, gazing straight into her lovely brown eyes the whole time. Once the song had finished, he took a deep breath and said, "I have known you for the last 5 years and have enjoyed our friendship ever since we took out that troll. But now I realize that my feelings for you have changed; they've moved beyond friendship." He paused, then took the plunge, "I love you Hermione Granger."
She froze stock-still, her formidable brain barely able to process the information. He loved her, he actually loved her! Warmth rushed through her, making her dizzy and a bit breathless. The she realized she was just staring at Ron as he waited for her response, hope dimming in his eyes. Hermione tugged his hand, making him rise from his knees. Dejection started to settle on his features when she leaned in and said "I love you too Ron Weasley." She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him fiercely.
Ron couldn't believe it. His stupid plan had actually worked! She did love him! He put his hands at her waist and pulled her closer, returning the kiss. Eventually they had to break for air, which is when they became aware of their surroundings.
Applause, whoops, hollers, cheers and catcalls filled the common room. Once people had heard the music they came down to see, and now most of Gryffindor House stood watching them. Ron and Hermione both blushed bright red as Ginny winked, Lavender and Parvati cheered ecstatically, and Fred and George collected money off of people for bets they had placed on the scenario.
Ron leaned in close and whispered "I'll go change, then let's get out of here. Meet me back down here in 5 minutes." She nodded, grinning, gave him a quick kiss and ran upstairs to grab her cloak.
************************************************************************
Harry watched this scene play out on Eva's dimensional portal and sighed. *Wish I could've been there.* ^ I know, and I'm sorry. But maybe it's for the best. Ron doesn't rely on you anymore to solve all his girl problems, and Hermione was able to sort out her feelings.^ He could see Eva's mental grin. ^Besides, in a sense you were there. You're the whole reason this friendship ever got started.^ Harry chuckled. *That's true. Now let's get back to work. Your mental chatter can be quite distracting.*
Eva worked on Harry's Halloween costume while Harry was completing his last task to become a mage: building a staff. A staff is different and more versatile than a wand, and provides a stronger focus for a mage's power than a wand is capable of. They work by focusing the inborn magic in the blood and soul with no need of an incantation or gesture. Only the most powerful of magical beings can use a staff, so they are very rare and practically impossible to find in modern times. In the ancient times when magical beings and Muggles lived peaceably the magical blood was much stronger, and staffs were almost common. But over the centuries the strength diminished, until the last of the War Mages, the most powerful race of magical humans, died out. Their knowledge had been lost, their magic untamable. Until now.
Harry's staff was made of a particular hardwood not found in his world, and the core was filled with a liquid mixture of dragon's blood, phoenix tears, powdered unicorn horn, and a lion's claw. A ruby capped the staff, clutched in a claw-like cavity in the wood. Various etchings and runes carved into the wood itself guaranteed the staff would only work for the builder, and could never be used for evil. The final step remaining in the construction was the binding, which would activate it.
Harry Apparated with the staff to the summit of a mountain far away. He needed solitude for this part, and as he surveyed the view, he could see he was quite alone. He held the staff upright in front of him and grasped it with both hands. He began to speak.
"Spirits of the North, South, East and West, of Wind and Earth, of Fire and Water, hear my voice and answer. I bind myself and my powers to you, to finish what has begun, and while I live darkness will never overcome the Light. This I, Harry James Potter, pledge to you with my life, soul, and strength."
A fierce wind whipped up, blowing Harry's hair all over the place, but he ignored it and stood firm. A faint rumble, more sensed than felt, shivered through the mountain under his feet, but he stood firm. A brief shower of icy rain soaked him, but still he stood firm. Finally a bolt of lightning crackled down from the clouds to strike him. Harry felt the electricity combined with pure, raw magic shoot through him and into the staff.
The liquid mixture at the core frothed and bubbled, gathering power from nature and Harry, and then the ruby glowed, bathing his face in a blood-red light that shone blindingly bright like the sun itself. A voice, not Eva's, seemed to speak in his head, unlike any he had ever heard before. ~We bind ourselves to you, Child of Light. May you never be conquered and always uphold the light.~
It was done. Harry smiled broadly, exhausted. Tomorrow he would go home.