Title: Designated Harbinger – Secrets Chapter 15: Setting Up October
Author: Lia Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I do not own HP. No money is being made from this story. My plot and original characters are mine. Do I need to go on?
Sorry for the wait people. School, life, and the holidays got in the way. Never worry. I'm not giving up on this story and we have quite a ways to go yet.
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SETTING UP OCTOBER*********************************
A GHOSTLY CONVERSATION.
Fall quickly fell on the grounds of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It was chilly inside and out. As the wind blew colder weather, the students were grateful for their warm robes. However, that didn't stop the cold epidemic that was currently spreading thru the school. Madam Pomfrey cures them with Pepperup potion which left the patient smoking at the ears for several hours afterward. Colin Creevey's ears smoked so much he had to stop taking pictures. His camera's lens kept fogging up much to his disappointment and to the relief of his classmates.
It is gloomy day of a very gloomy week. The weather consists mainly of rain for most of the time. The flower beds and lawns are becoming a muddy mess. Herbology became something to be dreaded for it meant going outside. Anyone who travels outside afterwards has to be careful and avoid Flinch while heading back to their dormitory to change clothes. Everyone seems to wish for a change in the weather.
One day during the first week of October, Jessica was heading back to the Ravenclaw Tower between classes. She wants to leave most of her books back in her room and just take a notebook with her to the library. Walking quickly she tries to avoid meeting any of the school's ghosts.
She'd had some difficulty adjusting to the ghosts. Her first week there she mostly tried to ignore them. It didn't work. They were so different from the one's she'd read about. Witches and wizards, it seems, become some particular kinds of ghosts. These entities keep a lot of their personality and form. Magic once again changes things.
People are starting to notice her edginess around ghosts. A couple of the Gryffindors even began teasing her when she started every time one appeared in the room. Her friends tolerated it at first thinking it was because she lived in the muggle world. They only started to worry when Alex, Helen, and the other Muggleborns got over the weirdness of ghosts, but Jessica didn't.
"Miss Bradley. If you would just pause a moment. I wish to speak with you, please." A woman's soft voice came from behind.
She spins around, but wasn't too surprised at the site of a ghost. Lately she had been feeling the presence of one of them, usually Peeves, lurking about. Spirits were something most Psychics can sense. These even more so, because of the magic inherently in them, changing their vibe.
Jessica relaxes at the sight of the Grey Lady, the Ravenclaw's ghost. Of all the spirits haunting the castle, she felt most comfortable being around this one. It might have something to do with the fact that she's quiet and usually ignores the living. Or maybe because she is usually reading a book. Whatever it was, she is the most normal ghost here, if that is even possible.
She hugs her books closer to her body. Nodding but not speaking, she walks over to where the ghost floated. /What's this all about? She doesn't talk to students often./
"Thank you, dear. Come and chat with me for a while. I've noted some odd behavior from you these past weeks." The Grey Lady eyed her.
Shrugging, Jessica didn't say anything. /Damn. Why do I have to get chills all the time around these ghosts?/
"You are Marie Montgomery's girl are you not? I remember her. One of Sir Nicholas's charges, a Gryffindor."
"Hmm, yes. I guess you could say that," said Jessica who frowns in confusion. /What is the point in this conversation?/
The Grey Lady releases a breathless little sigh, and continues, "Then what is it about us that rattles you so? We do not frighten you, do we dear? I must say you are starting to attract our ghosts' attentions masterly. Peeves, in fact, has been eyeing you with glee lately."
Jessica frowns. She had noticed before this that Peeves had been around her a lot lately. It was disturbing that the other ghosts had noticed this as well. That colorfully clad clown wanta-be had just yesterday taken to throwing wads of wet paper at a group of students, aiming quite a few of them at her. He is not considered a ghost here but a poltergeist. Delighting in mayhem, the colorful and badly dressed apparition frequently causes chaos among the students and staff.
"Well…I don't know what to say to you. Mom didn't think I was a witch until last summer. Ghosts are not talked about in pleasant terms in the US. At least not among the Muggles they are."
It wasn't the complete truth, but would have to do. She does have a problem with ghosts. Not merely the Wizarding ones. Once again Jessica has found another difference between the Wizarding World and the one she is used to. Ghosts weren't really anything new. The first ghost she'd felt was at her old school two years ago. At the time, she didn't realize what it was.
The boy had just been climbing on the jungle gym. What made Jess stare was the odd clothing he wore. They reminded her of what kids wore on those old fifties black and white television shows. He looked solid, and was in color, but didn't notice any of the other people around him. Then he disappeared.
She had told Christy. Her friend thought she was joking. It didn't seem very important so she forgot about it until dinner. Jessica didn't know she was a psychic back then and just figured she imagined it. Her dad looked at her very strangely that night.
Now she knows. Judging from the information in her books, what she'd seen was a ghost, a Residue. A visual play back repeating past actions which doesn't notice others around them. The boy must have died on that playground and left an energy impression on the area.
The Grey Lady interrupts Jessica's thoughts. "The only ones you have to worry about here are Peeves, The Bloody Baron, and perhaps Myrtle." The lady now looks thoughtful.
Witches and wizards ghosts are different. These new kinds of ghosts make her nervous. It seems that there are only three types here. The spirits that have passed on, the independent ghosts that still reside here, and poltergeists. Ghosts are visible to everyone all the time, but are only seen in shades of gray. Poltergeists are seen in color, and tend to cause mischief, not deadly harm.
At least that is what they seem to know. Jessica knew differently. Some poltergeists are not spirits at all. Some are massive amounts of energy that a living person is unknowingly controlling. Some extreme poltergeists activity has been linked to demons. They progress through five levels of behavior that she knows of but none of those might include Peeves. He is closest now to a level four. Just one step below the really dangerous level five. It may seem that it's only a harmless ghost being playful. However, a poltergeist would be gathering knowledge of what the people around it consider frightening. The information it gains here is used in a violent manner to create an atmosphere of absolute terror. Which it then will use to feed off of and build its own energy.
Jessica didn't know if poltergeists of wizards follow the same guidelines. Frankly she doesn't want to find out. At level five, they are truly dangerous. Physically violent, they have been known to beat up, bite, rape, and possess the living. They can even use surrounding objects to hurt or kill you. Setting fires seems to be a favorite pastime. Lots of times blood will appear on walls, floors, or ceilings. Threatening writings or visual signs are left for you. Attacks happen by unseen forces.
Shaking her head, Jessica tried not to think about Peeves. With luck, Wizard Poltergeists are nothing like the others. A lot of Psychics made careers of exercising ghosts and releasing their spirits from this world into the next. She didn't want to test her psychic gifts yet.
"Myrtle?" Jessica asked the Grey Lady. /Who is that?/
The Grey Lady arched a ghostly elegant brow. "A student who died around fifty years ago. She haunts the girls first floor lavatory. It would be wise of you to continue avoiding that place."
Jessica nodded. Never even considered opening that door, so no one had to warn her before. Every time she passed that area she'd get chills up and down her spine. It was cold there and she instinctively stayed away from there if she can. /That does explain the creepiness factor I get around there. No wonder, it's haunted./ No. She would not be going in that room anytime soon.
"Please remember to tell one of us ghosts or any of the professors if Peeves is targeting any one of the students. I let you continue on your way then. Try not to react around him, dear. It'll only encourage him," said the Grey Lady before she smiled and floated away down the hall.
With a small wave goodbye, Jessica walked on lost in thought. The similarities and differences between these two worlds are strange and disturbing. She decides just to try her best and deal.
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WITCH COSTUMES?
It being October, Jessica naturally starts talking about Halloween. It was one of her favorite holidays back in the states. She had been ecstatic when she'd heard the descriptions of the feast they were going to have at Hogwarts. Rumors about the feast spread among all the houses. It was said that Dumbledore was going to enchant some dancing skeletons for our entertainment. Everyone seemed to be in high spirits. Even the decorations sounded fabulous.
"So what costume are you planning to wear?" Jessica asks Alex and Helen as they ate lunch.
"I suppose I'll get Mum to send me the outfit I wore last year. It should still fit. How about you, Alex?"
"No idea. I'll figure something out. Why do you have something planned yet, Jess?"
She smiles mysteriously. "Nope. Try again, harder. You will not get me to spill. It's going to be a surprise."
Carol came up to the table and sat down. She opens her charms book, grabs a bisket, and starts reading. "What's going to be a surprise?" She asks Jessica without looking up from her book.
"Oh, hey, Carol. What are you coming as?" Jessica purposely ignores her question. It's not a surprise if you tell everyone about it.
" I have no idea what you are talking about," she sniffs, barely glancing up from the book.
Helen explains by asking, "What costume are you going to wear for Halloween?"
She finally looks up from the book, a confused expression marring her face as she stares at the three of them. "You, don't realize…. We do not wear costumes at Halloween. Is that some kind of Muggle tradition?"
Jessica sputters up on her pumpkin juice. Alex slaps her on the back so she wouldn't choke. "What do you mean? No costumes? That's crazy talk! It isn't Halloween without them. Okay, no Trick or Treat, I can deal with, but no costumes? No way!" Jessica's face is becoming red from more than her coughing fit.
Shaking her head at Jessica's behavior, Carol says, "Well. I suppose that answers my question. I've never her anyone mention wearing costumes before now."
Helen looks disappointed while Alex shrugs. He doesn't have to worry about a costumes it seems. Jessica looks around before settling her eyes back on them. Hazel eyes regard them with a strange sort of shine. "Uh, ah. Nope. Not going to happen."
"Just accept it. We do not wear costumes at Hogwarts," Carol says exasperated. Jessica didn't say anything.
Alex smiles at the determined expression on Jessica's face. Halloween is going to be interesting.
They begin to discuss their assignment due in that afternoon's class. Thankfully, the subject of Halloween was dropped for the time being. Before they left the Great Hall, Jessica told them to keep thinking about what they'll wear. She had an idea.
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PLAN TO PERSUADE
Her plan turned out to be rather simple. During Charms she considered her choices before deciding on an approach. This was something she was determined to make happen. Halloween just wouldn't be Halloween without getting dressed up. She had already decided what to wear and did not intend to give up easily. Her little brother, Peter, was going out dressed as a ninja with his new friend Nathan. Even Christy, who she missed a great deal, was wearing a costume. Ironically, she was going as a witch this year. It wasn't going to be the same as last year's Trick or Treat, but she was going to try her best.
So, who should she decide to go to about this dilemma? Dumbledore was out of the question. He'd be too busy to approach. She didn't know exactly where his office was anyway. Snape was out, too. He was family and Jessica felt strangely comfortable around him. Still, she doubted that he'd take this seriously. /Inane question. Waste of time. Forget it, you silly girl./
The answer was so obvious that Jessica almost smacked herself on the forehead. The girl next to her looked at her strangely as it was. Helen sent her a concerned look, which she brushed off. Her plan was set.
That night with a little help from Ravenclaw Perfect Penelope, Jessica finished four professional looking parchments. One for each of the houses. At the top was a little persuasive argument for letting students wear costumes on Halloween.
Penelope Clearwater was nice though a bit stuffy girl. Most perfects are that way it seems. After she asked what Jessica was doing, Penelope left the common room for a while. When she came back, she was smiling. It seems that Jessica now had Professor Flitwick's approval. Now she just had to get enough signatures. If enough students wanted to wear costumes, then he'll approach Dumbledore with the request.
Surprisingly, about a fourth Ravenclaws signed it that night. Jessica even persuaded Carol to sign the petition. She had to promise to help her with a costume if the teachers approved this. Penelope signed as well, but she was commenting on Jessica showing initiative and leadership skills.
The next day would be the true test. Going to the other house tables and trying to get signatures. For the first time since she started this, she had doubts. Jessica's stomach felt all queasy at the thought of dinner. Even though she'd had a good response from her own house, she worried about the other houses.
Rumors must of spread the news quickly because Zoey came up to her just before dinner. Bouncing up and down with excitement, she demanded to be the first of the Hufflepuffs to sign. "If this passes, I already know what I'm going as."
Zoey had become a good friend and often helped Jessica practice flying. Zoey was a natural flier and would likely join the Quidditch team if she could. Only her and Chloe were able to get the brooms to fly into their hands at the first Hufflepuff-Ravenclaw flight lesson. Alex had found out that he was quite leery of heights while Carol was okay, but rather stiff on the broom. Jessica and Seth maneuvered their brooms well, but were nothing compared to Zoey and Chloe. Since then, after Jessica and Carol asked for Zoey's advice, they have often flown together on the weekends.
Jessica pulls out the petition she made for the Hufflepuffs. "Here. I made one more each of the houses. I plan to give it to each table tonight. What do you think?" She smiles weakly.
"Brilliant! Let me take this to my table. I'm sure to get some of my housemates to sign. Let me ask Chloe. Her sister is in Gryffindor. Maybe she can give it to her so you won't have to. It is probably be better if one of their own asks them to sign," Zoey says. Jessica looks at her relieved and hopeful at the same time.
Zoey signed her name, then frowns and asks, "How, what are you going to do about the Slytherins? Are you going to ask them? They probably will not like this. It sounds Muggle-like. You know what kind of prats that lot is."
"Thanks for signing Zoe. Ask Chloe. That'd help a lot. As for the Slytherins, I guess I'll just have to suck it up and ask them nicely," she said grimacing. Nervously she played with her bracelet. She was not looking forward to doing that. "It wouldn't be fair not to ask them."
Looking at Jessica, Zoey smiled just a tad sarcastically. "Nicely? I don't think they respond well to that. Do they even know the meaning of that word? Good luck, Jess. And watch your back."
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Wow! Seven pages typed in 12 font. Nine in 14 font. Cool, huh?
Catch ya, later. ~ Lia