Eventually Everett returned to his teaching, but he would only speak
during his class. Then, he still only said the minimum. He was still
mourning over Sal's death. Leroy's talk had helped some, but everything was
different now. Voldemort, again, wanted him; no matter where he went that
damned monster was after him. It seemed that the only place he was safe was
in New York, and now he had endangered them.
The connection he had with Voldemort, from being Harry, flared up. He was very angry that Everett had been lost to him, and now the others were protected. With every passing day their connection grew stronger, yet still Voldemort didn't know Everett was Harry, and his mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Everett. Who is currently sitting at the end of the Head Table, next to Neville Longbottom.
Today was the day before the students left for their Christmas Vacation, and while it wasn't an official Ball, it was a so-called end-of- the-year-term dance. It was for only fourth years and above, and would take place directly after the feast for the rest of the students. Neville, who was also sitting next to Ron, was talking about the dance. "Ginny is really excited about playing tonight. She says it's going to be their first really major gig in a while."
"You know I still can't believe that she started a band, no one expected that was going to happen after school." Ron said.
"I know, but have you heard any of their new stuff? It's really great." Neville said cheerfully.
'Ginny is in a band?' Everett thought, mentally shrugging. That's a surprise. Though he felt weird listening to their conversation he kept on doing it.
"Did you hear, Hermione and Seamus are coming to the dance tonight. Luna is coming as well, it will be all of us together again." Ron stated, "Did you know she is pregnant?"
"Really? I haven't seen Hermione in the longest time, Seamus too. You know Ron," Neville paused, "sometimes I wonder what would have happened if..."
"Don't say is Neville, I don't want to talk about him." Ron spat out the last word.
An overflowing sense of anger and sadness swept over Everett, and before he knew it he was stalking out of the Great Hall. In the very back of Everett's' mind a voice whispered, "There you are my pet." This made Everett pause and look back at the Head Table. Nobody but Draco was paying attention to him. Draco looked away before Everett did, and he continued walking out of the hall.
*~*~*~*~*~*
The rest of the day went by fast enough and the Dance came too quickly. All Professors were required to attend to supervise and what not. So there Everett stood near the doors waiting for the younger students to get back to the common rooms. The older students had worn their dress robes to dinner and were now all seated around small tables waiting for Dumbledore. There was one fairly large circular table for the staff to sit at and most of them were also seated with only a couple of teachers stood around the hall.
Two people entered the Great Hall and headed right to the Professor's Table. Seamus and Hermione, Everett mentally labelled them. It was a surprise to find that Ron and Luna had married, and Herm and Seamus also married. Everett watched as they greeted everyone, Hermione staying painfully close to Seamus the entire time.
Finally Dumbledore stood and the hall went silent. "Everyone please give a big round of applause for our musical entertainment this evening. The GIN 'N TONICS!!" A stage magically appeared and the music started playing.
A woman with short fiery red hair was up at the microphone. That must be Ginny, Everett thought. There was also a woman with beaded blonde hair playing the bass guitar and a man with blue hair on the drums. When Ginny started her song Everett was shocked even further. She was very talented.
"I cant get out of bed today Or get you off my mind I just cant seem to find a way to leave the love behind I ain't trippin I'm just missin you You know what I'm saying You know what I mean
You kept me hanging on a string Why you make me cry I tried to give u everything But you just give lies I ain't trippin I'm just missin you You know what I'm saying You know what I mean."
The students had gotten up from their tables and were now all dancing. Even some of the teachers were dancing. Ron had been pulled onto the floor by Luna and they were also 'rocking out' so they say. Everett hung back from the crowd and started walking around the room. This was so different from the hot-spot clubs that he owned; it was so messy and thrown together. Everett pushed the thoughts from his mind, and continued his supervising. Like he really cared if two people were shagging on the tables, but he had to pretend.
"Now love's a broken record That's been skippin' in my head I keep singing Yesterday Why we got to play these games we play?
I aint trippin I'm just missin you You know what I'm saying You know what I mean Every now and then When I'm all alone I've been wishing you would call me on the telephone Say you want me back But you never do I feel like such a fool There's nothing I can do I'm such a fool for you
I can't take it What am I waiting for My heart's still breakin I miss you even more And I can't fake it The way I could before I hate you but I love you I can't stop thinkin of you It's true, I'm stuck on you"
Everett had gotten back to his spot next to the door when the singer Ginny looked his way. Eyes alight with happiness. At first she just swept over him, but she quickly looked back. She grabbed the microphone pole, keeping her eyes on Everett.
"I hate you but I love you," she paused, and locked eyes with Everett, "I can't stop thinking of you, I don't know what to do, I'm stuck on you!" The song ended, but Ginny kept staring at Everett. As if pulled out of a trance she turned back to the crowd, "Are you ready to party Hogwarts?!"
A loud scream was heard, "Then lets get this party started, maybe we'll even get Professor Snape to join in!" She smiled slyly over at him.
Snape glared.
"One, a one, two, three...."
*~*~*~*
After a couple more songs were played Ginny put on a recorded track and sat down next to Neville. She kissed him lovingly as Everett passed by. But he didn't get away so quickly, "Everett, I'd like you to meet my wife Ginny. Ginny this is Everett Trattativa, he's the new DADA Professor, and he owns the Black Swan."
"A pleasure to meet you Ginny." Everett said silkily.
She stared into his eyes. "You too Everett," They shook hands, but just as Everett touched her hand a flash of Ginny in the Chamber of Secrets entered his mind. Quickly he shook it off and sat down at the table.
Ginny continued to eye him strangely, but still held a conversation with Neville. Everett changed his pumpkin juice into fire whiskey and downed it quickly. Absently Ginny flicked her wand and a slow song started, Neville and Ginny rose from the table and started dancing close together. Ron and Luna, Herm and Seamus, and some of the other teachers were also together.
Snape however came and sat down next to Everett, sneering at the dancing crowd. "I hate these dances."
Everett just shrugged and got some more whiskey, but this time he gave some to Snape. "You have to remember I own many clubs."
After a couple more rounds of whiskey the music abruptly stopped. All heads turned to see what was going on and their eyes met with a young man. He was medium in height, fairly skinny and gangly. His hair was a darkish brown and he had yellow-hazel eyes. He was holding the microphone, and motioning the band to start playing a song softly in the background.
"I know you think that I shouldn't still love you, I'll tell you that. But if I didn't say it, well I'd still have felt it where's the sense in that? I promise I'm not trying to make your life harder Or return to where we were Well I will go down with this ship And I won't put my hands up and surrender There will be no white flag above my door I'm in love and always will be I know I left too much mess and destruction to come back again And I caused nothing but trouble I understand if you can't talk to me again And if you live by the rules of "it's over" then I'm sure that that makes sense '
A slightly drunken Snape leaned forward and placed a hand on Everett's shoulder, "That's the infamous Kyle Wooden, Draco's boyfriend, he's proposed five times already and is still persisting it seems."
However Everett heard none of it, as soon as Snape laid his hand on his shoulder images filled his mind, "Mr Potter our new celebrity..." "It was Potter, I know he had something to do with this!" "What was your head doing in Hogsmead?" They were filling his head more and more every second. With each new scene they got louder and louder, until Everett abruptly stood up and pulled away. He pushed on his temples as the noise slowly faded away. A high chuckling was heard in the back of his mind.
Immediately Everett knew what was going on. Severus was curiously looking up at the standing man, but Everett just pushed past him as he was slowly getting up and rushed out of the hall. Coincidently, just after Everett had passed the hall doors Draco came out. They collided in the hall causing Everett to fall to the ground.
Draco was disoriented for a second, then regained his composure and reached down to pull Everett back up. Again as soon as Draco touched him images flashed in his mind. Everett tried to force them out so Voldemort couldn't see Draco, but he failed miserably.
"Draco extending his hand to Harry, 'I think I can choose my friends for myself thanks" "Hello Potty, Weasel and Mudblood." "Draco flashing his 'Potter stinks' pin at him. Draco telling Harry he'll pay for sending his father to Azkaban." Everett jerked away; he didn't want Voldemort to see anything past that year. But Draco looked slightly worried and grabbed his arm to steady Everett. "Draco and Harry were in the trophy room for a detention, and Harry suddenly fell to the floor screaming. Draco rushed to his side and tried to stop the convulsing body. Harry and Draco stood in the Astronomy tower, and Harry shyly kissed Draco for the first time" The images started coming faster as Everett struggled to get Draco off of him, "Harry was chasing Draco around the frozen lake laughing, Draco was passionately kissing Harry in the snow, they were meeting in their secret spot and holding hands just staring at the sky. The first time Draco said "I love you" to Harry, when Harry said "I love you" to Draco"
Everett frowned and pushed Draco off of him, "Don't touch me." He hissed. He was drained from Voldemort and as soon as he took a step away he fell, Draco again coming to his side and trying to put him in a sitting position. "Harry was telling Draco about his dream about Azkaban, Harry looked into Draco's eyes and nodded as he told the class he was innocent, Harry was being dragged away by the aurors and Draco mouthing the words 'hold on' to him, Draco was handing Harry the golden ring. They were kissing for the last time and Draco left."
Everett was weakening each time Draco touched him again. "Stop touching me," he said in the firmest voice he could muster.
"What's going on Everett?" Draco asked.
"Just..." Everett started but was interrupted when Minerva, Albus and Severus came out into the Hall. They were looking for Draco but were surprised to find him with a half conscious Everett.
"What's going on?" Minerva asked, closing the distance between them and placing a hand on Everett forehead.
*McGonagall was tapping her fingers on the stair wall waiting for the first years *
Everett pulled away, and with the rest of his strength he said in a deadly voice, "Everyone stop touching me, or he'll keeping seeing you, I can't stop it!"
"Who Everett?" Minerva asked, but Albus was ahead of her, kneeling next to Everett. He grabbed Everett's hand, but before Everett could get an image in he pulled away, "What did I just tell you? Voldemort is in my fucking head!"
Albus grimly smiled. "I know." He leaned forward and pulled Everett into a tight embrace. All the contact on Everett caused everything to come by so quickly he couldn't distinguish what was what. He was drained so much that he passed out in the arms of the Headmaster. Albus hurriedly carried him to the infirmary, all the time keeping his body closely connected to Everett's.
*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*
Everett vaguely remembered waking up, only to hear Albus telling Poppy, "I want him in a sleep induced coma until his body is completely restored." And then Everett was back in the darkness again....
*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
Everett was standing in front of the Hogwarts doors, and he could tell by the darkness around him that it was night. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, in fact as a few minutes passed and nothing happened it actually started to worry Everett more than if something horrendous was happening. He was waiting a few more minutes when the doors opened and shut quietly, three cloaked figures exiting Hogwarts and heading towards the Forbidden Forest. Everett started following them; concluding that this was in fact why he was witnessing this vision, and realizing he didn't want to miss it.
Once they went past the anti-Apparition barrier they all left. Everett felt a little defeated at being left behind, but was suddenly found himself transported to a large room. Inside there was a long table, going down the centre of the room, which seated at least fifty people. Nobody was in the room yet, but Everett could see through a nearby doorway and three people were approaching. He was astonished to find that, as the first person entered, his robes automatically changed into dark emerald green robes. On the side of his sleeve a capital H was stitched, and below it an embroidered OP. On the clasp holding the robe there was a small lightning bolt, but what added to the effect was that the first person who entered was Draco Malfoy. The other two people that were with him turned out to be Minerva McGonagall, who also had the H and OP, and Severus Snape, who had not only the H and OP, but a DE right below them both. Draco sat at the head of the table, with Minerva and Severus sat themselves on either side of him. Quietly they conversed, waiting for the others to come.
"What is this place?" Everett thought to himself. From the absence of the Headmaster he could presume that it wasn't the Order of the Phoenix, but it was definitely not a Voldemort gathering either. Everett puzzled over the question when a sudden thought filled his mind. The Rebel group? It had to be, and the letters on their arm must signify what positions they were in. This was a rebel group for... him. A small knot of happiness caught in his chest.
Everett settled for standing in the corner to watch how this meeting would proceed, and who would attend. Everett was again thoroughly surprised when the next group of people entered, the figures being Tonks, Moody, and Lupin. All except Lupin had M's on their sleeves.
Arthur and Molly Weasley were the next to join, and then a group of people came in that Everett didn't recognize. Then two familiar faces appeared in the doorway, Fred and George Weasley. Silently he cheered for them, but when he saw Luna Lovegood enter the room he felt a pang in his heart. During his last years at Hogwarts they had gotten very close and she was one of his most trusted friends, or used to be.
Everett's attention was drawn back to Draco when he rapped sharply on the table three times. All talking quieted down, "This is all that will be joining us for tonight. Let us immediately begin." Draco was interrupted when Moody stood from his seat. "Yes Alastor?" Up until now Moody hadn't scanned that corner of the room where Everett was standing. His magical eye scrutinized Everett closely. Everett looked at himself then looked behind him. There wasn't anything there. Moody couldn't see him could he? As a mild precaution, knowing that if Moody could see him, he could see through the glamour, Everett approached the table. Other members were looking in Everett's direction, but with confusion on their faces.
Slowly Everett reached up and pushed his hair aside clearly showing his scar to Moody. He placed his finger over his lips in a sign to keep quiet, and smiled at Moody.
Moody's eyes widened, then he regained his focus, "Sorry Draco, I thought I saw something."
Draco eyed him then pressed on. "Anyway, Voldemort had chosen a new target. He is currently the DADA Professor, Everett Trattativa." Everett's ears perked up. "This past night somehow Voldemort entered Trattativa's mind, and was able to transfer things about people to his mind, when they were touching him. Dumbledore supposedly put a mind barrier in his mind and dislodged Voldemort for the time being, but now we have a very weakened Professor.
"I've no idea as to why Voldemort is going through this much trouble to get a follower. The problem is we don't know what side Trattativa is on. Obviously he isn't a Death Eater, but he has shown signs of officially rejecting Dumbledore. In fact, he openly hates the man." Whispers broke out in the group.
"What else do we know about him?" Molly asked, "I mean he could be another Dark Lord just competing with Voldemort."
"What?!" Everett mentally thought, outraged. "I most certainly am not!"
"We don't know, for all we know he could be. He's very powerful, as on the day Voldemort first approached Everett he just Apparated out of the Great Hall."
"That's not possible." Moody said.
"Well he did it, so " Draco replied. "He can't be with the light if he despises Albus, he's the so-called founder of light. So he must be dark." Everett was angered, how could they just stereotype him into being the next Dark Lord. Everett went to the table and slammed his hand against it. He didn't really think it would make contact with the wood, but it did and what a noise it made!
All eyes went to the spot struck on the table, "I have to highly suggest against the thought that this Everett Trattativa is a Dark Lord." Moody said, his magical eye glued to Everett's face.
McGonagall, who was closest to the spot, spoke. "I highly agree."
Draco looked a little flustered but continued, "What do you think we should do about Everett? Currently he is in the Hogwarts Hospital wing, but do we want to approach him?"
Moody, who kept this magical eye on Everett, looked for an answer. Everett shrugged, it was their choice, "I think we should wait and see what Voldemort's next move will be. Severus, have you heard anything from the Dark Lord concerning Trattativa?"
"Not as such, but I did touch Everett, so now we don't know how much he know about him." Severus stated plainly.
McGonagall and Molly looked sharply at Severus. "Next time he calls you, I want you to take a portkey just in case," Minerva firmly said.
Severus just nodded his head slightly.
The meeting went on with the members deciding to wait for Voldemort to attack next, and then they moved onto different topics. Some were ways of upsetting plans from the Dark Lord, others were to upset the Light. The meeting was adjourned and only Moody, McGonagall, Snape and Draco were left. Harry had gotten closer to hear what they were whispering about when both of Moody's eyes looked in his direction. The rest of the group looked at Harry, but they couldn't see him.
Snape took a step forward and reached out his hand as if to remove a cloak covering him. Everett stepped closer, letting Moody see his hand go through him. Moody's eyes widened and he told the group what he saw. Minerva gave him a calculating look and checked the time. "Oh my," she said, "we've got to get back or Albus will notice our absence."
Snape agreed, threw one last look at the spot where Harry was and walked through the door. Instantly changing his robes back, Minerva followed him out, then Moody. Draco stayed behind looking at Everett, or trying to look at him. "Harry?" he asked quietly.
Everett reached up to touch his cheek and was shocked to feel skin under his hand. Draco looked even more surprised but instantly reached up to touch the hand. "Draco." Harry said and Draco reached out to find the rest of Harry, but just as Draco was about to touch his face he was pulled away and back into nothingness.
*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
The next thing Everett saw was something very bright and very white. The Hospital Wing. "Ugh" Everett groaned as he sat up. No one else was in the wing, not even Poppy and it was quiet, too quiet. Everett located his clothes and put them on. He felt fine so he gave himself permission to leave the ward.
There wasn't a single soul in any of the Halls, but as he continued on faintly he started to hear voices. Following in that direction Everett found that it was coming from the staff room. "What's going on?" Everett thought. He pushed open the door, and all eyes were on him. The first thing he noticed was Minerva, her eyes were slightly red and puffy. No doubt from crying, everyone else was rigid and stony. "What's happened?" Everett immediately asked, then thought quickly. "How long have I been out?"
"One and a half weeks." Poppy replied.
"Then what's going on?" He looked at Minerva. "Minerva?"
"Draco had been taken by Voldemort." She said stiffly.
"Oh shit." Everett said more to himself than anyone. He looked at Severus this time. "Has Voldemort left anything behind?"
Severus raised an eyebrow, "How would you..."
Dumbledore stopped him and slowly stood from his chair, "He left a message, but it's in Parseltongue. We can't decipher it, so we can only speculate."
Everett was torn, find out the message and reveal some more of his secrets, or stay quiet and look at the paper later. But his blood boiled under his skin, Voldemort took Draco! He wasn't going to loose another loved one, this had to be stopped. Everett was going to ask to see the message, when a paper on the desk started to slowly burn. Everyone lunged for it, trying to stop the burning.
Acting quickly Everett raised the paper from the table and brought it over to him. He managed to read the message before the whole sheet fell to the floor in ashes. All eyes were on Everett again, who was now ghost pale but rapidly turning an angry shade of red.
"Why didn't you stop it!?" Shouted Snape.
Everett ignored him.
"You utter fool, how could you let our only hope burn? Now we'll never know what it says!" Snape continued.
"As if you would've found out anyways, you're not a Parseltongue are you? NO!" Everett snapped.
Leroy conjured a chair for Everett. "Everett, sit down you don't look well, are you going to be sick?"
Everett sat down stiffly and through dark eyes he looked at the staff. "The message Voldemort left was for one person in particular. We're going to get Draco out, but I'll need full cooperation from you." "What?"
"You are not all of the sudden in charge Trattativa, I don't think you fully understand the power Voldemort has, you don't just walk up to him and demand someone be released. Besides we've started a plan already." Severus growled.
"Oh, I know exactly the extent of Voldemort's Power, and I can say that as of this moment I am in charge or I'll have to leave and get him myself. Really I need all the help I can get." His last statement was directed towards the Headmaster.
Albus was quiet for a moment, and finally asked, "What did the message say Everett?" Everett was silent, "Everett, if I'm going to let you direct this rescue mission you're going to have to tell us what the message said."
Everett clenched his teeth, but complied since he knew Albus wasn't going to interfere with his mission. "It said and I quote, 'So we meet again my pet, it seems that I have something, or rather someone, that you might want back. He is waiting for you my pet, come and get him.'"
The staff sat in awed silence until Leroy finally spoke up, "You're a Parselmouth?"
"Obviously," Everett snapped.
"My pet?" Poppy asked, "What does that mean?"
Dumbledore stared into Everett's eyes, "What do you want us to do to get Draco back?" There was nothing but seriousness in his voice.
Everett slightly nodded his head, thanking him. "First I'm going to need a team, Not everyone can help but I'm going to bring in a few of my old friends. I have to prepare a few things first, but if everyone would meet back here in an hour we can get started." "We'll be there," Albus said. He opened his mouth to say more, but was interrupted by the doors being thrown open.
The man from the party, Kyle Wooden, rushed into the room. "What happened?" he asked frantically, "I got this message that said Draco was gone, what has happened?!"
Everett was immediately irritated with this man, "Voldemort," flinch, "has him." he said bluntly.
"And who the hell are you?!" Kyle blurted out.
"That is Everett Trattativa, the DADA Professor" Albus said for Everett, "Kyle please sit down. Everett is just going to prepare so we can form a plan to return Draco."
"I'm in, I'm helping, I have to get Draco out." "No, absolutely not, I have no room to deal with this man!" Everett said. He could tell from a smirking Snape that he had the right idea about this 'Kyle' man.
"Who are you to tell me that I can't help?"
"I believe the Headmaster just informed you of that, and if your dense head can't comprehend simple introductions such as that then I suggest you go back home and color in your wallpaper, or something of that IQ level." Kyle just looked back glaring. "You are starting to get on my already strained nerves!" Everett said standing up.
"Albus!" Kyle raged, "What "
"Oh do shut up!" Everett said, flicking his finger and putting a silencing spell on him.
"Everett go prepare, I'll handle this."
"Thank you Headmaster." Everett turned on his heel and left.
~*~*
Everett appeared back in the staff room precisely one hour later. All the occupants from earlier were already seated. Kyle, he noticed was also there. Everett moved to the head of the table and checked the time, "I took the liberty of asking some others to join us that are familiar with Hogwarts. They should be arriving in about..." Everett motioned towards the door just as a group of people entered the room.
Some were shocked to see them, but others didn't care, too worried about the task at hand. Everett however approached the group, keeping eye contact with Moody, who now obviously knew who he was, "I am Everett Trattativa, and I have asked you all here because one Draco Malfoy has been abducted by Voldemort. Now, I specifically asked you here because of your special talents that will help in our rescue mission." Everett's eyes left Moody's and scanned the rest of the group. "Please if you would take a seat."
Mot of the people called, Everett suspected, Albus would've also asked to come, but their reasons were different. Each person filed past Everett and into their seats, Moody, Tonks, Fred and George, Lupin, Blaise Zabini, whom he had seen at the rebel meeting, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Hermione, Colin Creevey, Luna, and somebody no one would have expected to see, Mrs. Narcissa Malfoy.
Everett resumed his place at the table and started by flicking his wrist, a large pile of folders appearing in front of almost everyone. "As I said before I will not bee needing everyone's assistance in this mission, but for this meeting everyone will be allowed to listen. In front of everyone who will be needed is a stack of the others who we will be collecting shortly after this meeting. It had their up-to-date, current location, and a bit of background information. Everyone in this stack is a muggle, but has specific talents we'll want. We're going to be mixing magic and muggle technologies to enhance and perfect our means of getting to Draco."
"I don't have a list of the people." Kyle said.
Everett narrowed his eyes. "Do you listen to anything, you won't be needed therefore you don't get a pack." Dumbledore who was seated next to Kyle gave him his packet, and looked back at Everett expectantly. "Headmaster..." Dumbledore just eyed him. "Fine, but don't let him interfere." Another stack appeared in front of Dumbledore, making him nod in thanks.
Everett surveyed the group then snapped his fingers once, a screen appearing behind him. Hermione gave a small gasp at the wandless magic. "First we start with Leo Durocher."
A/N hey sorry this took such a long time to get up, but it is longer than the others so I hope that will compensate for the time. R/R!!! Cheers~~Sidda BJR
The connection he had with Voldemort, from being Harry, flared up. He was very angry that Everett had been lost to him, and now the others were protected. With every passing day their connection grew stronger, yet still Voldemort didn't know Everett was Harry, and his mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Everett. Who is currently sitting at the end of the Head Table, next to Neville Longbottom.
Today was the day before the students left for their Christmas Vacation, and while it wasn't an official Ball, it was a so-called end-of- the-year-term dance. It was for only fourth years and above, and would take place directly after the feast for the rest of the students. Neville, who was also sitting next to Ron, was talking about the dance. "Ginny is really excited about playing tonight. She says it's going to be their first really major gig in a while."
"You know I still can't believe that she started a band, no one expected that was going to happen after school." Ron said.
"I know, but have you heard any of their new stuff? It's really great." Neville said cheerfully.
'Ginny is in a band?' Everett thought, mentally shrugging. That's a surprise. Though he felt weird listening to their conversation he kept on doing it.
"Did you hear, Hermione and Seamus are coming to the dance tonight. Luna is coming as well, it will be all of us together again." Ron stated, "Did you know she is pregnant?"
"Really? I haven't seen Hermione in the longest time, Seamus too. You know Ron," Neville paused, "sometimes I wonder what would have happened if..."
"Don't say is Neville, I don't want to talk about him." Ron spat out the last word.
An overflowing sense of anger and sadness swept over Everett, and before he knew it he was stalking out of the Great Hall. In the very back of Everett's' mind a voice whispered, "There you are my pet." This made Everett pause and look back at the Head Table. Nobody but Draco was paying attention to him. Draco looked away before Everett did, and he continued walking out of the hall.
*~*~*~*~*~*
The rest of the day went by fast enough and the Dance came too quickly. All Professors were required to attend to supervise and what not. So there Everett stood near the doors waiting for the younger students to get back to the common rooms. The older students had worn their dress robes to dinner and were now all seated around small tables waiting for Dumbledore. There was one fairly large circular table for the staff to sit at and most of them were also seated with only a couple of teachers stood around the hall.
Two people entered the Great Hall and headed right to the Professor's Table. Seamus and Hermione, Everett mentally labelled them. It was a surprise to find that Ron and Luna had married, and Herm and Seamus also married. Everett watched as they greeted everyone, Hermione staying painfully close to Seamus the entire time.
Finally Dumbledore stood and the hall went silent. "Everyone please give a big round of applause for our musical entertainment this evening. The GIN 'N TONICS!!" A stage magically appeared and the music started playing.
A woman with short fiery red hair was up at the microphone. That must be Ginny, Everett thought. There was also a woman with beaded blonde hair playing the bass guitar and a man with blue hair on the drums. When Ginny started her song Everett was shocked even further. She was very talented.
"I cant get out of bed today Or get you off my mind I just cant seem to find a way to leave the love behind I ain't trippin I'm just missin you You know what I'm saying You know what I mean
You kept me hanging on a string Why you make me cry I tried to give u everything But you just give lies I ain't trippin I'm just missin you You know what I'm saying You know what I mean."
The students had gotten up from their tables and were now all dancing. Even some of the teachers were dancing. Ron had been pulled onto the floor by Luna and they were also 'rocking out' so they say. Everett hung back from the crowd and started walking around the room. This was so different from the hot-spot clubs that he owned; it was so messy and thrown together. Everett pushed the thoughts from his mind, and continued his supervising. Like he really cared if two people were shagging on the tables, but he had to pretend.
"Now love's a broken record That's been skippin' in my head I keep singing Yesterday Why we got to play these games we play?
I aint trippin I'm just missin you You know what I'm saying You know what I mean Every now and then When I'm all alone I've been wishing you would call me on the telephone Say you want me back But you never do I feel like such a fool There's nothing I can do I'm such a fool for you
I can't take it What am I waiting for My heart's still breakin I miss you even more And I can't fake it The way I could before I hate you but I love you I can't stop thinkin of you It's true, I'm stuck on you"
Everett had gotten back to his spot next to the door when the singer Ginny looked his way. Eyes alight with happiness. At first she just swept over him, but she quickly looked back. She grabbed the microphone pole, keeping her eyes on Everett.
"I hate you but I love you," she paused, and locked eyes with Everett, "I can't stop thinking of you, I don't know what to do, I'm stuck on you!" The song ended, but Ginny kept staring at Everett. As if pulled out of a trance she turned back to the crowd, "Are you ready to party Hogwarts?!"
A loud scream was heard, "Then lets get this party started, maybe we'll even get Professor Snape to join in!" She smiled slyly over at him.
Snape glared.
"One, a one, two, three...."
*~*~*~*
After a couple more songs were played Ginny put on a recorded track and sat down next to Neville. She kissed him lovingly as Everett passed by. But he didn't get away so quickly, "Everett, I'd like you to meet my wife Ginny. Ginny this is Everett Trattativa, he's the new DADA Professor, and he owns the Black Swan."
"A pleasure to meet you Ginny." Everett said silkily.
She stared into his eyes. "You too Everett," They shook hands, but just as Everett touched her hand a flash of Ginny in the Chamber of Secrets entered his mind. Quickly he shook it off and sat down at the table.
Ginny continued to eye him strangely, but still held a conversation with Neville. Everett changed his pumpkin juice into fire whiskey and downed it quickly. Absently Ginny flicked her wand and a slow song started, Neville and Ginny rose from the table and started dancing close together. Ron and Luna, Herm and Seamus, and some of the other teachers were also together.
Snape however came and sat down next to Everett, sneering at the dancing crowd. "I hate these dances."
Everett just shrugged and got some more whiskey, but this time he gave some to Snape. "You have to remember I own many clubs."
After a couple more rounds of whiskey the music abruptly stopped. All heads turned to see what was going on and their eyes met with a young man. He was medium in height, fairly skinny and gangly. His hair was a darkish brown and he had yellow-hazel eyes. He was holding the microphone, and motioning the band to start playing a song softly in the background.
"I know you think that I shouldn't still love you, I'll tell you that. But if I didn't say it, well I'd still have felt it where's the sense in that? I promise I'm not trying to make your life harder Or return to where we were Well I will go down with this ship And I won't put my hands up and surrender There will be no white flag above my door I'm in love and always will be I know I left too much mess and destruction to come back again And I caused nothing but trouble I understand if you can't talk to me again And if you live by the rules of "it's over" then I'm sure that that makes sense '
A slightly drunken Snape leaned forward and placed a hand on Everett's shoulder, "That's the infamous Kyle Wooden, Draco's boyfriend, he's proposed five times already and is still persisting it seems."
However Everett heard none of it, as soon as Snape laid his hand on his shoulder images filled his mind, "Mr Potter our new celebrity..." "It was Potter, I know he had something to do with this!" "What was your head doing in Hogsmead?" They were filling his head more and more every second. With each new scene they got louder and louder, until Everett abruptly stood up and pulled away. He pushed on his temples as the noise slowly faded away. A high chuckling was heard in the back of his mind.
Immediately Everett knew what was going on. Severus was curiously looking up at the standing man, but Everett just pushed past him as he was slowly getting up and rushed out of the hall. Coincidently, just after Everett had passed the hall doors Draco came out. They collided in the hall causing Everett to fall to the ground.
Draco was disoriented for a second, then regained his composure and reached down to pull Everett back up. Again as soon as Draco touched him images flashed in his mind. Everett tried to force them out so Voldemort couldn't see Draco, but he failed miserably.
"Draco extending his hand to Harry, 'I think I can choose my friends for myself thanks" "Hello Potty, Weasel and Mudblood." "Draco flashing his 'Potter stinks' pin at him. Draco telling Harry he'll pay for sending his father to Azkaban." Everett jerked away; he didn't want Voldemort to see anything past that year. But Draco looked slightly worried and grabbed his arm to steady Everett. "Draco and Harry were in the trophy room for a detention, and Harry suddenly fell to the floor screaming. Draco rushed to his side and tried to stop the convulsing body. Harry and Draco stood in the Astronomy tower, and Harry shyly kissed Draco for the first time" The images started coming faster as Everett struggled to get Draco off of him, "Harry was chasing Draco around the frozen lake laughing, Draco was passionately kissing Harry in the snow, they were meeting in their secret spot and holding hands just staring at the sky. The first time Draco said "I love you" to Harry, when Harry said "I love you" to Draco"
Everett frowned and pushed Draco off of him, "Don't touch me." He hissed. He was drained from Voldemort and as soon as he took a step away he fell, Draco again coming to his side and trying to put him in a sitting position. "Harry was telling Draco about his dream about Azkaban, Harry looked into Draco's eyes and nodded as he told the class he was innocent, Harry was being dragged away by the aurors and Draco mouthing the words 'hold on' to him, Draco was handing Harry the golden ring. They were kissing for the last time and Draco left."
Everett was weakening each time Draco touched him again. "Stop touching me," he said in the firmest voice he could muster.
"What's going on Everett?" Draco asked.
"Just..." Everett started but was interrupted when Minerva, Albus and Severus came out into the Hall. They were looking for Draco but were surprised to find him with a half conscious Everett.
"What's going on?" Minerva asked, closing the distance between them and placing a hand on Everett forehead.
*McGonagall was tapping her fingers on the stair wall waiting for the first years *
Everett pulled away, and with the rest of his strength he said in a deadly voice, "Everyone stop touching me, or he'll keeping seeing you, I can't stop it!"
"Who Everett?" Minerva asked, but Albus was ahead of her, kneeling next to Everett. He grabbed Everett's hand, but before Everett could get an image in he pulled away, "What did I just tell you? Voldemort is in my fucking head!"
Albus grimly smiled. "I know." He leaned forward and pulled Everett into a tight embrace. All the contact on Everett caused everything to come by so quickly he couldn't distinguish what was what. He was drained so much that he passed out in the arms of the Headmaster. Albus hurriedly carried him to the infirmary, all the time keeping his body closely connected to Everett's.
*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*
Everett vaguely remembered waking up, only to hear Albus telling Poppy, "I want him in a sleep induced coma until his body is completely restored." And then Everett was back in the darkness again....
*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
Everett was standing in front of the Hogwarts doors, and he could tell by the darkness around him that it was night. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, in fact as a few minutes passed and nothing happened it actually started to worry Everett more than if something horrendous was happening. He was waiting a few more minutes when the doors opened and shut quietly, three cloaked figures exiting Hogwarts and heading towards the Forbidden Forest. Everett started following them; concluding that this was in fact why he was witnessing this vision, and realizing he didn't want to miss it.
Once they went past the anti-Apparition barrier they all left. Everett felt a little defeated at being left behind, but was suddenly found himself transported to a large room. Inside there was a long table, going down the centre of the room, which seated at least fifty people. Nobody was in the room yet, but Everett could see through a nearby doorway and three people were approaching. He was astonished to find that, as the first person entered, his robes automatically changed into dark emerald green robes. On the side of his sleeve a capital H was stitched, and below it an embroidered OP. On the clasp holding the robe there was a small lightning bolt, but what added to the effect was that the first person who entered was Draco Malfoy. The other two people that were with him turned out to be Minerva McGonagall, who also had the H and OP, and Severus Snape, who had not only the H and OP, but a DE right below them both. Draco sat at the head of the table, with Minerva and Severus sat themselves on either side of him. Quietly they conversed, waiting for the others to come.
"What is this place?" Everett thought to himself. From the absence of the Headmaster he could presume that it wasn't the Order of the Phoenix, but it was definitely not a Voldemort gathering either. Everett puzzled over the question when a sudden thought filled his mind. The Rebel group? It had to be, and the letters on their arm must signify what positions they were in. This was a rebel group for... him. A small knot of happiness caught in his chest.
Everett settled for standing in the corner to watch how this meeting would proceed, and who would attend. Everett was again thoroughly surprised when the next group of people entered, the figures being Tonks, Moody, and Lupin. All except Lupin had M's on their sleeves.
Arthur and Molly Weasley were the next to join, and then a group of people came in that Everett didn't recognize. Then two familiar faces appeared in the doorway, Fred and George Weasley. Silently he cheered for them, but when he saw Luna Lovegood enter the room he felt a pang in his heart. During his last years at Hogwarts they had gotten very close and she was one of his most trusted friends, or used to be.
Everett's attention was drawn back to Draco when he rapped sharply on the table three times. All talking quieted down, "This is all that will be joining us for tonight. Let us immediately begin." Draco was interrupted when Moody stood from his seat. "Yes Alastor?" Up until now Moody hadn't scanned that corner of the room where Everett was standing. His magical eye scrutinized Everett closely. Everett looked at himself then looked behind him. There wasn't anything there. Moody couldn't see him could he? As a mild precaution, knowing that if Moody could see him, he could see through the glamour, Everett approached the table. Other members were looking in Everett's direction, but with confusion on their faces.
Slowly Everett reached up and pushed his hair aside clearly showing his scar to Moody. He placed his finger over his lips in a sign to keep quiet, and smiled at Moody.
Moody's eyes widened, then he regained his focus, "Sorry Draco, I thought I saw something."
Draco eyed him then pressed on. "Anyway, Voldemort had chosen a new target. He is currently the DADA Professor, Everett Trattativa." Everett's ears perked up. "This past night somehow Voldemort entered Trattativa's mind, and was able to transfer things about people to his mind, when they were touching him. Dumbledore supposedly put a mind barrier in his mind and dislodged Voldemort for the time being, but now we have a very weakened Professor.
"I've no idea as to why Voldemort is going through this much trouble to get a follower. The problem is we don't know what side Trattativa is on. Obviously he isn't a Death Eater, but he has shown signs of officially rejecting Dumbledore. In fact, he openly hates the man." Whispers broke out in the group.
"What else do we know about him?" Molly asked, "I mean he could be another Dark Lord just competing with Voldemort."
"What?!" Everett mentally thought, outraged. "I most certainly am not!"
"We don't know, for all we know he could be. He's very powerful, as on the day Voldemort first approached Everett he just Apparated out of the Great Hall."
"That's not possible." Moody said.
"Well he did it, so " Draco replied. "He can't be with the light if he despises Albus, he's the so-called founder of light. So he must be dark." Everett was angered, how could they just stereotype him into being the next Dark Lord. Everett went to the table and slammed his hand against it. He didn't really think it would make contact with the wood, but it did and what a noise it made!
All eyes went to the spot struck on the table, "I have to highly suggest against the thought that this Everett Trattativa is a Dark Lord." Moody said, his magical eye glued to Everett's face.
McGonagall, who was closest to the spot, spoke. "I highly agree."
Draco looked a little flustered but continued, "What do you think we should do about Everett? Currently he is in the Hogwarts Hospital wing, but do we want to approach him?"
Moody, who kept this magical eye on Everett, looked for an answer. Everett shrugged, it was their choice, "I think we should wait and see what Voldemort's next move will be. Severus, have you heard anything from the Dark Lord concerning Trattativa?"
"Not as such, but I did touch Everett, so now we don't know how much he know about him." Severus stated plainly.
McGonagall and Molly looked sharply at Severus. "Next time he calls you, I want you to take a portkey just in case," Minerva firmly said.
Severus just nodded his head slightly.
The meeting went on with the members deciding to wait for Voldemort to attack next, and then they moved onto different topics. Some were ways of upsetting plans from the Dark Lord, others were to upset the Light. The meeting was adjourned and only Moody, McGonagall, Snape and Draco were left. Harry had gotten closer to hear what they were whispering about when both of Moody's eyes looked in his direction. The rest of the group looked at Harry, but they couldn't see him.
Snape took a step forward and reached out his hand as if to remove a cloak covering him. Everett stepped closer, letting Moody see his hand go through him. Moody's eyes widened and he told the group what he saw. Minerva gave him a calculating look and checked the time. "Oh my," she said, "we've got to get back or Albus will notice our absence."
Snape agreed, threw one last look at the spot where Harry was and walked through the door. Instantly changing his robes back, Minerva followed him out, then Moody. Draco stayed behind looking at Everett, or trying to look at him. "Harry?" he asked quietly.
Everett reached up to touch his cheek and was shocked to feel skin under his hand. Draco looked even more surprised but instantly reached up to touch the hand. "Draco." Harry said and Draco reached out to find the rest of Harry, but just as Draco was about to touch his face he was pulled away and back into nothingness.
*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
The next thing Everett saw was something very bright and very white. The Hospital Wing. "Ugh" Everett groaned as he sat up. No one else was in the wing, not even Poppy and it was quiet, too quiet. Everett located his clothes and put them on. He felt fine so he gave himself permission to leave the ward.
There wasn't a single soul in any of the Halls, but as he continued on faintly he started to hear voices. Following in that direction Everett found that it was coming from the staff room. "What's going on?" Everett thought. He pushed open the door, and all eyes were on him. The first thing he noticed was Minerva, her eyes were slightly red and puffy. No doubt from crying, everyone else was rigid and stony. "What's happened?" Everett immediately asked, then thought quickly. "How long have I been out?"
"One and a half weeks." Poppy replied.
"Then what's going on?" He looked at Minerva. "Minerva?"
"Draco had been taken by Voldemort." She said stiffly.
"Oh shit." Everett said more to himself than anyone. He looked at Severus this time. "Has Voldemort left anything behind?"
Severus raised an eyebrow, "How would you..."
Dumbledore stopped him and slowly stood from his chair, "He left a message, but it's in Parseltongue. We can't decipher it, so we can only speculate."
Everett was torn, find out the message and reveal some more of his secrets, or stay quiet and look at the paper later. But his blood boiled under his skin, Voldemort took Draco! He wasn't going to loose another loved one, this had to be stopped. Everett was going to ask to see the message, when a paper on the desk started to slowly burn. Everyone lunged for it, trying to stop the burning.
Acting quickly Everett raised the paper from the table and brought it over to him. He managed to read the message before the whole sheet fell to the floor in ashes. All eyes were on Everett again, who was now ghost pale but rapidly turning an angry shade of red.
"Why didn't you stop it!?" Shouted Snape.
Everett ignored him.
"You utter fool, how could you let our only hope burn? Now we'll never know what it says!" Snape continued.
"As if you would've found out anyways, you're not a Parseltongue are you? NO!" Everett snapped.
Leroy conjured a chair for Everett. "Everett, sit down you don't look well, are you going to be sick?"
Everett sat down stiffly and through dark eyes he looked at the staff. "The message Voldemort left was for one person in particular. We're going to get Draco out, but I'll need full cooperation from you." "What?"
"You are not all of the sudden in charge Trattativa, I don't think you fully understand the power Voldemort has, you don't just walk up to him and demand someone be released. Besides we've started a plan already." Severus growled.
"Oh, I know exactly the extent of Voldemort's Power, and I can say that as of this moment I am in charge or I'll have to leave and get him myself. Really I need all the help I can get." His last statement was directed towards the Headmaster.
Albus was quiet for a moment, and finally asked, "What did the message say Everett?" Everett was silent, "Everett, if I'm going to let you direct this rescue mission you're going to have to tell us what the message said."
Everett clenched his teeth, but complied since he knew Albus wasn't going to interfere with his mission. "It said and I quote, 'So we meet again my pet, it seems that I have something, or rather someone, that you might want back. He is waiting for you my pet, come and get him.'"
The staff sat in awed silence until Leroy finally spoke up, "You're a Parselmouth?"
"Obviously," Everett snapped.
"My pet?" Poppy asked, "What does that mean?"
Dumbledore stared into Everett's eyes, "What do you want us to do to get Draco back?" There was nothing but seriousness in his voice.
Everett slightly nodded his head, thanking him. "First I'm going to need a team, Not everyone can help but I'm going to bring in a few of my old friends. I have to prepare a few things first, but if everyone would meet back here in an hour we can get started." "We'll be there," Albus said. He opened his mouth to say more, but was interrupted by the doors being thrown open.
The man from the party, Kyle Wooden, rushed into the room. "What happened?" he asked frantically, "I got this message that said Draco was gone, what has happened?!"
Everett was immediately irritated with this man, "Voldemort," flinch, "has him." he said bluntly.
"And who the hell are you?!" Kyle blurted out.
"That is Everett Trattativa, the DADA Professor" Albus said for Everett, "Kyle please sit down. Everett is just going to prepare so we can form a plan to return Draco."
"I'm in, I'm helping, I have to get Draco out." "No, absolutely not, I have no room to deal with this man!" Everett said. He could tell from a smirking Snape that he had the right idea about this 'Kyle' man.
"Who are you to tell me that I can't help?"
"I believe the Headmaster just informed you of that, and if your dense head can't comprehend simple introductions such as that then I suggest you go back home and color in your wallpaper, or something of that IQ level." Kyle just looked back glaring. "You are starting to get on my already strained nerves!" Everett said standing up.
"Albus!" Kyle raged, "What "
"Oh do shut up!" Everett said, flicking his finger and putting a silencing spell on him.
"Everett go prepare, I'll handle this."
"Thank you Headmaster." Everett turned on his heel and left.
~*~*
Everett appeared back in the staff room precisely one hour later. All the occupants from earlier were already seated. Kyle, he noticed was also there. Everett moved to the head of the table and checked the time, "I took the liberty of asking some others to join us that are familiar with Hogwarts. They should be arriving in about..." Everett motioned towards the door just as a group of people entered the room.
Some were shocked to see them, but others didn't care, too worried about the task at hand. Everett however approached the group, keeping eye contact with Moody, who now obviously knew who he was, "I am Everett Trattativa, and I have asked you all here because one Draco Malfoy has been abducted by Voldemort. Now, I specifically asked you here because of your special talents that will help in our rescue mission." Everett's eyes left Moody's and scanned the rest of the group. "Please if you would take a seat."
Mot of the people called, Everett suspected, Albus would've also asked to come, but their reasons were different. Each person filed past Everett and into their seats, Moody, Tonks, Fred and George, Lupin, Blaise Zabini, whom he had seen at the rebel meeting, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Hermione, Colin Creevey, Luna, and somebody no one would have expected to see, Mrs. Narcissa Malfoy.
Everett resumed his place at the table and started by flicking his wrist, a large pile of folders appearing in front of almost everyone. "As I said before I will not bee needing everyone's assistance in this mission, but for this meeting everyone will be allowed to listen. In front of everyone who will be needed is a stack of the others who we will be collecting shortly after this meeting. It had their up-to-date, current location, and a bit of background information. Everyone in this stack is a muggle, but has specific talents we'll want. We're going to be mixing magic and muggle technologies to enhance and perfect our means of getting to Draco."
"I don't have a list of the people." Kyle said.
Everett narrowed his eyes. "Do you listen to anything, you won't be needed therefore you don't get a pack." Dumbledore who was seated next to Kyle gave him his packet, and looked back at Everett expectantly. "Headmaster..." Dumbledore just eyed him. "Fine, but don't let him interfere." Another stack appeared in front of Dumbledore, making him nod in thanks.
Everett surveyed the group then snapped his fingers once, a screen appearing behind him. Hermione gave a small gasp at the wandless magic. "First we start with Leo Durocher."
A/N hey sorry this took such a long time to get up, but it is longer than the others so I hope that will compensate for the time. R/R!!! Cheers~~Sidda BJR