A/N: Hey everyone long time no see! I just figuerd that maybe I should finish off this series once and for all with in fell swoop! So I'm posting all 3 final chapters at once! There's nothing to worry about since I still have 2 whole stories from the Nightshade series to cover plus loads of other co-written Fanficts too. So, I better get this done!
For that last review I recieve, I'd like to point out the very first thing I wrote about this story being written in 2000-2001 and for future reference for new readers. It's OLD - very old. My style isn't even like this anymore and although I'm scanning it for errors, I'm actually having trouble not editing this. If you don't like me making Bill emotional that's fine. It's quite your opinion and I had specified quite a few chapters ago how this Bill evolved in a way that was different then J.K.R's. This Bill, is NOT in character because book 4 Bill, barely had one. As for your snappy comment about Ginny and Harry in the RoR, I NEVER said that I was pro GH just cause I support HrR. If you don't like it then don't read it! XP
Disclaimer: J.K.R owns... everything! : That being Harry Potter! ;)
Chapter 9
"The Water-Burrow Scavenger Hunt"
The day after, at lunchtime, the whole school was assembled in the Great Hall for an intriguing announcement. It was very sudden and no one had any clue as to what it would be about. Bella had not yet arrived and Bill was wondering on the impact of his words on her last night. Harry was also absent and Hermione and Ron were looking quite cross. It seems that by telling Harry about investigating their new suspect Harry had laughed at them for even thinking it up and thought it was too far fetched. It seemed that everyone with the exception of those three were all a flutter about the announcement. Ginny had sat next to Bill at the Gryffindor table and looked at him curiously.
"Anything wrong Bill?" she asked.
"Oh, no nothing! Does it look like something's wrong Ginny?" he replied.
"Well, you've been looking like you've got tons of things on your mind lately. I was just wondering-"
"No, no. Don't worry! I'm fine! It's those two who look like they've got problems," he said as stared at the two pouting Gryffindors.
"Well. Harry has been a bit harsh with them but I don't think he meant anything by his attitude. I wish he'd come here already. Probably hanging around Cho again," she said as she slouched on her chair.
"Have they been hanging around a lot Ginny?"
"No, not really, but where else would he be?" she said as Dumbledore rose from his chair and hailed for everyone's attention.
The long-bearded man looked about his fellow teachers and the difference between expressions was clearly shown. Most of the teachers looked somewhat worried or flustered but Snape and Trelawney's expressions were quite the opposite. As Dumbledore made sure that everyone noticed him he then said in a mighty voice:
"Fellow students, this year we present you with something quite unique. It seems that 15 years have passed since the last Water-Burrow Scavenger Hunt. This event is celebrated every 15 years to commemorate a Mr. Daniel Water-Burrow who succeeded in keeping this school open during a ministry crisis 75 years ago by finding in the grounds a silver mine to which was sold and allowed to keep Hogwarts running. This Scavenger Hunt is only allowed however, to 1 house every 15 years. So without further a due, this year's Scavenger House is... Hufflepuff!"
The students from the Hufflepuff house all leapt to their feet with happiness until Dumbledore silence them again.
"Now, now, there's something important that must be mentioned here! The Hunt will happen during the winter holidays so as not to disrupt classes. This year is very perilous indeed so we cannot allow the chance for anything to stop the school from working efficiently. So, if the Hufflepuffs wish to participate, then they must stay over holidays,"
There was a murmur at the table as some sighed with disappointment and others giggled with excitement. Acacia could be seen jumping around the table and hugging some of her friends. Christopher was given a hug as well as he smiled irritably. Bella had just entered the room and gotten to her seat that was in between Professor Sprout and Snape. The dark man glared at her triumphantly as he then looked at Dumbledore as if awaiting more.
"The rules of the Hunt will be posted in the Hufflepuff common room starting the week of holidays; I hope most of you will participate. Now, it's time to eat so I better sit down," he said as the old wizard rested himself on the chair.
Bella looked shocked to hear the news of the Scavenger Hunt and muttered something to Professor Sprout worriedly. She then nodded her head to affirm yet another question on her behalf and began to say something angrily towards Snape. Snape withheld his demeanor with proud arrogance and broke into a twisted smile. Bill wished he could hear what was going on but it seemed that his curiosity had to pair up with his imagination for there was no way he'd get an answer before the end of the day.
Acacia came running towards Ron and Hermione in a happy frenzy as she told them that she was planning on staying during the holidays for the Hunt. Ron grinned and Hermione giggled when Christopher, right behind the girl, made all attempts to bring Acacia somewhere else. He wanted to talk with her alone but to his surprise; Ron went by his side and pulled him away.
"Listen, I just want to tell you that you don't have to be jealous of me anymore. I have a girlfriend now and Acacia is all yours," said Ron smiling as the little Hufflepuff boy looked at him surprised.
"I – I'm NOT jealous!" he pouted. "I just REALLY wanted to tell her something important!"
"Ok mate. I believe you. I just don't want you to be worried or anything," he said winking.
As the boys spoke, Acacia was talking up a storm on how she'd be the one to find everything on the list because she was such a good tracker. Bill nearly felt warn out by the girl's excitement. Christopher and Ron returned and it didn't take long for the first year to go back to his old routine.
"Come on! I really want you to go!" he said.
"This isn't about the place is it?"
"QUIET! I don't want you saying things like this in front of everyone!"
"I guess it is then... Well, how about we go there when the holidays begin?" she said with a grin.
"Yeah, right! You've been telling me this every week for the 3 weeks that we'd go but we never do!" he pouted now forgetting that others were around.
"Ok! I promise that I'll go to your special place during the holidays! Deal?" said Acacia as she extended her pinky.
"Ok," the boy sighed as he hooked his own on to the girl's.
No sooner that the two Hufflepuffs returned to their tables, did Harry appear and sat down in an empty chair next to Ginny. He smiled at her, she blushed in return and then the excitement and gossiping at the Hufflepuff table caught his attention. When Harry asked everyone what was going on, they told him about the Hunt and how it would be happening in around Christmas time. Suddenly Harry's eyes grew to twice their size. He then got up from his place and paced over to Belladona. As Harry began to speak to her Bella gave him a discouraging look then acidly glared at Snape who was busy drinking. Harry looked liked it was the end of the world and began to walk back to his place miserably. Ginny asked if there was something wrong but the boy just nodded and took his plate of food and headed out the door.
"What as that all about?" asked Bill.
"I don't know. I've given up on figuring Harry out," said Ron as he picked up his goblet of pumpkin juice.
But Bill wasn't going to give anything up. Everyone seemed to have his or her own hidden agenda and it was time to get to the bottom of it once and for all but this had to be done delicately. Bill decided that he'd wait for the Scavenger Hunt to see if anything arose. Another week went by and most of the students were getting ready to go home for Christmas. As always, Harry, Ron and Hermione had decided to stay and Bill didn't want to go anywhere until this was all sorted out. They bid goodbye to Ginny, George and Fred as they headed back to the Burrow. Surprisingly many people had left in comparison to the previous years and only the Hufflepuff house had managed to round up a crowd. As the three Weasleys left, Draco Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle were seen heading out the door as well.
"It's too bad really that the Slytherin house didn't get chosen this year. Snape will be heading the hunt and he would have probably told us where everything was," smirked Draco, as he and his companions left the castle.
The castle was empty without the hustle and bustle of the other students. The Hufflepuffs felt like they owned the school by the way they ran and played, being occasionally stopped by a teacher or two. Bill and Bella were taking a walk in the courtyard as the elegant mounds of snow covered the grounds on the cold yet sunny day.
"They got the rules two days ago. I just hope that Snape isn't planning on doing what I think he is. The fool! Doesn't he understand that his plan won't work," said Bella with Bill's arm around her shoulder.
"So you really think that he's trying to single out the child with the bite? How did he know they'd be in the Hufflepuff house?" said Bill.
"He said... that after I... reported it he went around the common rooms during every full moon. The only ones he didn't look in where Slytherin and Hufflepuff. He told me that on the first sighting he was in the common room doing room inspections so, it had to be Hufflepuff. Garr... Can't he figure out that I'm the one in charge of this NOT him," she said with contempt.
"I see," said Bill in realization. "Doing this is pointless if-"
Bill bit his tongue. He was about to say that it was pointless if the werewolf wasn't a student at all but if he let wind of what he knew, Bella would get upset. He also suspected that the dark robe he saw, near the Gryffindor tower during the last full moon, could only belong to Snape. They made their way back to the castle as Bill dropped Bella back to her office.
"So do you think you'll be able to handle Snape?"
"Well, I won't be alone Bill. That man might be heading the Hunt but all the teachers will be there as well. Luckily, it's in the evening so there should be nothing to worry about. But if he does what I think he will, it will trail on until night, during the full moon... How could they have decided on this when I wasn't there?"
"Don't think about it. Calm yourself before. It's in two days and you still have time to negotiate with Dumbledore. I'm sorry I can't stay; Hagrid should be waiting for me by now. Good night... I'll see you later," he said as he gently kissed her while caressing her cheek.
Bella got shivers out of the kiss and Bill bowed with his devilish smile. As Bill turned around Bella's eyes saddened. She was obviously still worried.
As Bill marched over to Hagrid's, he could see him outside looking into the forest. He was clearly scanning the area for trees to bring in to decorate the castle. Bill waved hello and Hagrid put on one of his friendly grins.
"Hello there, Bill. I reckon those there will be good! Look big enough and green enough," said Hagrid pensively.
"Yeah... I guess. Will you be bringing them tomorrow?"
"Yup, right before the Hunt,"
"Hagrid, what's the Hunt like? I mean, you've been here for longer than I have and I just wondered if you've ever seen it in your day,"
Hagrid gave a mighty laugh.
"In my day? You young'ins are growin' up so fast that I'm startin' too feel pretty old! Yeah, I managed to see the Hunt once er twice... Ain't nothin' different than the normal scavenger hunts 'cept the events at the very end. It's really nice. Everyone tries their hardest to find everythin' and at the very end, they give out prizes to those that found the most. The winners get taken into the mines that made this Hunt happen. They, then get to choose a prize from there. It's silver a'course," he said.
"Has it ever happened... that it ran through to the night?" Bill continued to question.
Hagrid lifted a bushy eyebrow at this and said that the teacher heading the Hunt is the one that decides how long it is and when everyone is to return. After that, Hagrid seemed a bit troubled by something and told Bill that he wouldn't need his help with the pines after all. Bill looked surprised by this and still wanted to help but Hagrid insisted and he returned to the castle.
The next day was filled with excitement, as the Hufflepuffs would be choosing whom they'd be teaming up with for the Hunt. They would be put into teams of two and be given their lists the following evening. Acacia was asked by a lot of her friends but was reluctant to choose for Christopher didn't seem to have anyone with whom to team up with. So she decided sign up with him as her teammate. The sign-up sheets would be found in the Great Hall and they would be putting their names down during lunchtime. Harry, Ron and Hermione walked about the halls heading for lunch and this was a rare sight indeed for Harry didn't try to escape the couple's company. Ron and Hermione were very silent and had nearly forgotten how to act around Harry because they didn't want to chase him away again. Drifting in insecurity, they walked about shouting to a couple of Hufflepuffs to try not to kill anyone with their rampant jumping. But after a while, Hermione couldn't take it anymore and decided to address the issue right away.
"Harry... do you hate us?"
Both boys stopped immediately as Hermione looked right into Harry's eyes.
"Hermione honestly, what makes you think that?" answered Harry.
"Because – because you never spend any time with us anymore. You've been keeping yourself so busy with Quidditch and the tutoring that we've both started to believe that they're just excuses that you make up so you don't have to be with us," she blurted out.
Harry's eyes became gloomy as he then looked at Ron to see if he thought the same. Ron gave only a side-glance as if hiding shame. Harry then knew that he should set the record straight.
"Guys... I really don't hate you. It's true that I have been really busy but I can't talk about why I have. Please, you've got to understand me on this. It's important. I'll tell you both... the real reason why... but I can't now. I will though, I promise," he said hoping his message could pass through.
It was enough for Hermione as she hugged him with a bit of relief. Ron on the other hand, looked at him worriedly and frowned sadly. Harry looked at the boy with Hermione still hooked onto him. As she left him, Harry extended his hand as if to confirm a silent agreement that he wouldn't worry Ron anymore if just accepted the truths he gave him. Ron then nodded and took the boy's hand. Harry smiled as Ron forced one onto his face.
"I still think you're just lonely – OUCH!" said Ron as he received a new jab from Hermione.
"Don't you start! I'm just happy that we're sure on certain things and Harry, please do hurry and tell us your secret the moment you can. Please? I can't stand you keeping something from us... from both of us," she said giving Ron a look of tenderness.
With their hearts slightly lifted they all went to the Great Hall.
As they headed for the door, Bill was heading there himself and greeted them with a bit of a worry on his face.
"Hello Bill, are you okay?" asked Harry.
"Oh, yes, I'm fine Harry... It's nice to see you all together again. Well, let's go eat," he said as he pushed the Hall doors open.
"You Weasleys are all about food aren't you?" said Hermione with a smile all the while walking to the table.
"I'm afraid you're right Hermione. When you and Ron get married you'll be cooking non-stop like mum," added Bill as they sat down, Hermione blushing at that last comment as Ron gave her an embarrassed smile.
Bill looked up to see Belladona resting calmly on her chair; her plate of food remained untouched. Acacia was running around though and gave a quick look to her sister and then pulled on Christopher's sleeve. The boy looked confused but still allowed himself to be dragged out the door by the little witch. The two ran quickly up two flights of stairs and stopped in front of Professor Nightshade's office. With a tap of Acacia's wand and a murmur of words the door burst open and the pair went inside.
"Acacia. What are we doing here?" asked Christopher still puzzled.
"Isn't it obvious? We're looking for clues!"
"Clues? Clues for what?"
"For the Hunt silly! My sister is a teacher after all, and she might have a copy of the list we'll be getting tomorrow. We just have to know where to look,"
"I thought you had agreed with me to go to my place with me instead of going on the Hunt!"
"That's the point Christopher! This way, we'll have everything AND enough time to go!"
Christopher sighed as Acacia rummaged around the semi-tidy office. Bella's office was not close to as neat as Godmik's, Bill's boss, though it did have its share of nick-knacks and bobbles everywhere. There were some papers pretty much scattered around the desk also to distinguish her place of work to that of the goblin.
"How does she keep her notes so organized when she has a place like this?"
"Acacia, we shouldn't be here," said Christopher lowering an eyebrow.
"Oh come on! You want to win don't you?" she said lifting up Bella's "memory box" that was over a stack of papers.
"But going through her things isn't how we should be winning besides, Snape's heading the Hunt, not Professor Nightshade,"
"I know, I know, but I don't have the spell for his office, do I? Now where could she – oh! Christopher, look under that trunk will you? It might be behind there," she said.
Christopher walloped down for the trunk and said: "Reduced to a slave am I?"
"Not a slave... more like a pet!" she said smiling. Christopher just groaned.
As Acacia continued she stumbled upon a silver box with flower engravings on it. She examined it quickly and opened it. She saw, to her delight, the lovely collar that Bill and Bella had taken from the caves. She was entranced by the engravings and loved the way it shimmered in the light. She looked about to see Christopher kneeling on the floor back turned against her. She grinned evilly, bent down and put the open collar onto his neck! It locked instantly and then it magically shrunk to fit the boy's neck size.
"What! Acacia!! Why did you do that?" he said getting up and pulling onto the collar so it would come off.
"Heehee! Now you really are my pet!" she said as she giggled.
However Christopher was not so amused. The thing wouldn't come off! He pulled and tugged but nothing. His efforts were useless and Acacia's mood suddenly changed.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"What do think is wrong? This bloody thing won't come off!" he said out of breath.
"Well, just open it from the front,"
"Don't you think I've tried that?"
"Oh... Oh no!! There's a lock on it!! We must need the key to open it!" she said as she began to look around her with fright. "If Bella sees you with that, she'll know I went through her things without asking! I'll be put in detention for sure! Oh, no! We'll both be out of the Hunt!"
"Acacia... I don't think that that is the most important thing right now! You've got to take this thing off! It feels funny! I think there magic in this and it's doing something!"
In complete panic she came up to Christopher and tried to find another way to remove it. The collar was made of Silver and the magic woven around it was very strong. She tried all the unlocking spells she could think of but it was useless. She looked at the clock in the office and noticed that time was moving rather quickly. Lunch had just finished and Bella would be coming anytime now. So without thinking, Acacia reached for a scarf that hung with Bella's cloak and wrapped it around Christopher's neck. They then hurried out of the office just as Bella was seen walking down the hall.
