Chapter Twenty Seven: Guest Apartment Twelve
When they reached the Headmaster's office, Minerva McGonagall immediately collapsed on the sofa, shaking with laughter. If this wasn't enough, it appeared that Remus, too, had been in the vicinity watching, because he was trying hard to catch is breath from laughing too hard.
"Oh, Albus..." Minerva gasped. "It was priceless to see that little prat properly put in his place for once!"
Harry glanced at the others, who seemed to be having just as difficult a time as he getting over the fact of a Professor McGonagall overcome with hilarity.
"So, I take it our little display was successful?" The Headmaster's eyes danced.
"I would say so," Tonks pulled off the Invisibility cloak to reveal a very wide grin.
"Oh... you must tell me..." McGonagall calmed enough to ask. "The antlers... who in Merlin's name did that?"
"I did, Professor," Luna looked at her.
"Miss Lovegood... twenty points to Ravenclaw house for the antlers! Oh, my... I haven't had such a good laugh since Florius Coddleswump's one hundred and twelfth birthday party... Albus, do you remember?"
"Of course, Minerva..." the old Headmaster smiled through his beard. "That was a good time...until that incident with the goat, of course...."
At this, the normally staid Transfiguration professor went off into further gales of laughter.
"Ummm, do you think...?" Harry glanced between the Headmaster and his head of house.
"Oh, yes, of course, forgive me..." McGonagall calmed herself again, sitting straight-backed in her chair.
"So, do you think it was enough...?" Harry asked.
"Because if it wasn't, I'll happily hunt the bloody wanker down and do it again..." Ron said darkly.
"No, no, Mr Weasley, I think that will be sufficient," Dumbledore said. "Now, forgive me for this, you know I do not mean it, but... it must be done."
At that, he launched into a tirade against them that rocked the school. After a few moments, he stopped suddenly, smiled, and took several files from a drawer in his desk.
"That should do it," he nodded calmly. "Professor McGonagall, if you would be so kind as to escort the students here through my floo to their new quarters?"
"Yes, of course," she smiled.
"I will be there shortly," Dumbledore nodded, turning back to the files on his desk while Professor McGonagall, followed by the students, Remus Lupin and Tonks, disappeared through the floo with the address given as 'Guest Apartment Twelve'.
The room they flooed into was as large as the Gryffindor common room and similarly decorated, although the colors tended towards creams and browns. The fireplace they stepped out of was at least seven feet high and just as wide. Harry looked around in awe.
He had followed Hermione, Luna and Professor McGonagall through, and Ginny arrived as he stepped back. He caught her hand and pulled her clear as Ron arrived, and they stepped into the room together.
Four sofas were arranged, three in front of the fire and a fourth set near several large armchairs in a group to the left of the fire. Beyond the sofas were two large, long tables, set around with benches and chairs. In the corners there were small round tables with chairs, excellent for private conversations or studying. There were several doors leading out of the room, and to the right of the fire, a stone staircase leading up.
"There are several private rooms upstairs," McGonagall said when everyone had arrived. "You may choose as you see fit. Feel free to explore."
"Where do we eat?" Ron asked, his hand rubbing his stomach which was growling.
"There is a kitchen through that door," McGonagall indicated the last door on the opposite wall. "I would imagine the house elves have stocked it well."
Ron headed for the door, followed by an annoyed Hermione.
"I will leave you to it, then. Remus, Miss Tonks... if you need anything further..."
"I think we'll figure it out, Professor," Remus nodded to her as she headed for the floo.
"The Headmaster will be by later. The house elves will deliver your belongings."
And she left. Hermione could be heard beyond the kitchen door berating Ron for something, and Harry and Ginny smiled at each other. Those two would never change. Neville reached out and took Luna's hand, and Remus sighed.
"Well, let's have a look around, shall we?" Remus said. "I would imagine our things will be delivered upstairs... you might want to have a look about and call dibs on rooms while those two are arguing."
The four teenagers followed Remus and Tonks up the stairs to find several doors opening off a long hall. At the very end of the hall was a final door.
Remus walked along, opening doors to reveal well-appointed rooms along all sides. Six by all counts. At the end there was a bath and the final door, which opened into a large suite.
"Wow..." Harry looked around. "Big enough?"
"Dumbledore said it was for visiting dignitaries..." Remus said.
"Well, this is obviously the master room," Ginny smiled. "Will you and Tonks be taking this one?"
"I..." Remus looked rather surprised.
Harry looked around to find they'd lost Luna and Neville along the way, and he smiled.
"Oooh... can we?" Tonks bounced over to the windows. "Look, Remus, it looks out over the lake!"
Harry grinned and followed as Ginny retreated out of the room, "Where are you off to?"
"Which one do you want?" she asked him, glancing over her shoulder.
"I don't care," he said.
"Well, I want it close to me so that..." she flushed. "So if you need me we won't disturb anyone else."
"You choose, then," he shrugged.
Ginny chose the two rooms at the far end of the hall from Remus and Tonks. One, a double was at the top of the stairs, and had a separate, shared ensuite. The attached room was a smaller single, and the rooms connected through the bath.
"This works," she said. "Okay?"
"Fine," he shrugged again. "So long as your brother doesn't freak on me, I'm happy."
"Ron isn't..."
"Ron isn't what?" the brother in question stuck his head around the door. "This where you two are going to be? Good... Mione and I are right across the hall."
"Mione...?" Harry looked askance at his friend as the head disappeared, only to reappear with Hermione in tow.
"We're not sharing a room, Ronald!" Hermione said as she followed him into the room.
"I don't see what difference it makes," Ron said, around a mouthful of apple he was munching on. "It's not like..."
"Ron!" Hermione's cheeks were bright pink.
"What?" Ron looked at her strangely. "Harry and Ginny know."
"Yes, but..." Hermione looked even more upset. "But we don't have to discuss it like this, do we?"
"Why not?" Ron asked.
With a huff, Hermione shot looks at Harry and Ron, and abruptly turned and left the room.
"What?" Ron asked again, following her out.
"Wow," Ginny giggled. "He's thicker than I thought."
"Why did she look at me like that?" Harry asked.
"Because you're male," Ginny giggled, then moved to his side, wrapping her arms around him, and standing on tip toes to kiss him soundly.
The sound of a throat being cleared in the doorway made them part, and they turned to see Remus leaning against the doorjamb, a grin on his face.
"Now, at least try and pretend you have a chaperone in the immediate vicinity, hmmm?"
"It was just a kiss, Remus," Ginny scoffed. "Perhaps you'd better have a talk with Ron, though."
"Oh?"
"He doesn't seem to understand why Hermione won't share a room with him," she smiled.
Remus straightened, a long-suffering look on his face as he shook his head. "Yes, well... duty calls. I'm not sure I'm going to enjoy this head-of-house thing. Your father, Harry, would be so disappointed in me."
"Dumbledore will probably be here soon," Harry said after laughing and watching Remus disappear from the doorway.
"Mmmmhmmm," Ginny agreed, her lips teasing along his jawline.
"We probably should..."
"Harry?" she leaned back, looking into his eyes.
"Yes?"
"Shut up and kiss me," she leaned back in, closing her eyes and offering her lips up to him. Harry didn't bother to resist.
Dumbledore arrived just as they were sitting down to the impromptu meal that Hermione and Luna had managed to put together. Soup and fresh bread, along with a salad that Hermione had made and Luna had eyed suspiciously.
"It's good for you, Lu..." she said.
"Hermione, anything could be lurking in there... it's not even cooked!"
"Raw vegetables are good for you. Greens. Roughage. I'm bloody amazed that the heart-disease rate isn't higher in the wizarding world, you know that?"
"You're eating raw greenery," Luna said. "All sorts of things eat raw greenery... Sproggerts and Snorkacks and..."
"Consider them protein, then!" Hermione said shortly, her temper beginning to show as she carried the salad out to the long table outside the kitchen.
As they called the others to eat, the floo flared and Dumbledore stepped through.
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry... I didn't realize you'd be eating..."
"We decided to eat early to be ready for when you came, Albus," Remus said. "Come, join us..."
"Ah..." the old man looked doubtful.
"Hermione cooked, sir," Ginny smiled. "I can guarantee you, none of it will kill you."
Luna looked doubtful for a moment, but then sat down. Harry smiled as he noted she'd selected the chair furthest from where Hermione had set the large salad bowl.
"Well, perhaps just a bowl of soup..." the aging Headmaster smiled, and eagerly sat down.
When they were all seated around the long table and eating, Dumbledore placed his spoon down and looked around.
"You're comfortable here, then?"
"There's plenty of room, yes," said Remus.
"Yes... rooms are all to your liking?"
To Harry's embarrassment, he looked directly at him, a twinkle in the old blue eyes.
"Yes sir, thank you."
"Miss Granger..."
"Yes, sir?"
"You've had a chance to explore the library?"
"Library?" Hermione perked up at that.
"Yes... the far door beyond the staircase. You will be most impressed, I'm sure. There are several first editions of some muggle books I'm sure you're familiar with. Also, enough reference material to assist you all with your studies."
Harry could tell that dinner was forgotten for Hermione. She desperately wanted to get up and go, but didn't want to be rude.
"Oh, for pity's sake, Hermione," Ron said after taking a huge bite of bread. "Go, already!"
Hermione was gone before they could blink.
"I should tell you that all the teachers who will be assisting with your instruction have access that room, and the one beyond, where they will floo in. The only external door is that one," he pointed at the large oak door in the far wall. "And it leads out into the corridor three floors up from the kitchens. The entry is hidden behind the tapestry of the Fortescue family. This floo and the one in the far room are directly connected to my office only. There is no other entry or exit – other than the windows."
"So who will have access to these quarters?" Harry asked.
"Only those teachers directly instructing you. The others don't even know you are here. Argus Filch..."
"Filch!"
"He could hardly not know, Harry. Argus Filch knows the secrets of this castle better than I do," Dumbledore peered over his half-moon glasses. "He would know you were here whether I told him or not. The house elves, of course... and the Weasleys."
"Which Weasleys?" asked Ron.
"Those members of your family involved with the Order."
"What about the... Order?" Harry asked.
"No, Harry..." Albus looked at him over the top of his half-moon glasses. "I respect the fact that you are not comfortable with... all the members of the Order of the Phoenix. The Weasleys have been given access only because of the familial tie, and their involvement with our cause. Have the rest of you had a chance to peruse the library...?"
"No, sir... not yet," Harry said.
"I would suggest you have a look," Dumbledore said, standing. "I do believe there may be several volumes of interest to you in there. To all of you. Now, thank you for the meal, the soup was excellent."
Luna smiled. The Headmaster hadn't touched the salad, either.
"And please thank Miss Granger for me," he nodded at the others. "Oh, before I forget..."
He tapped the table with his wand and a pile of parchment appeared. "Professor McGonagall would have been most displeased with me, had I forgotten to give you your schedules. That woman is a stickler for... well... pass these about, then."
"Professor?" Neville spoke.
"Yes, Mr Longbottom?"
"What about my gran? What have you told her?"
"Enough to make her understand, Neville," the old Headmaster said softly. "And nothing more. Unless she questions you about your... living arrangements... I would suggest you leave the subject entirely alone."
"Yes, sir."
"That goes for you, as well, Miss Lovegood. Your father needs no details."
"Yes, Professor," Luna nodded, absentmindedly eating her soup and nibbling on a piece of bread.
"Oh, and by the way... I just thought I'd let you know that Miss Brown has... well... expressed her support of you in a rather... interesting way," Dumbledore's eyes were sparkling furiously with amusement.
"Oh?" Harry and Ron exchanged glances.
"Yes, it would appear that she has put forth a challenge. Specifically to Mr Malfoy."
"Malfoy?" Harry was curious.
"Yes, apparently Mr Malfoy has been most... verbal... about your expulsion from the school. He's been making some rather broad statements with respect to the efficacy of the remaining members of the DA club. Miss Brown took exception to that, and put forth a challenge to Mr Malfoy, to duel her to see exactly how well she has been taught. I understand that Mr Malfoy has taken her up on it, and is intending to go so far as to attend the DA meeting this evening to qualify for the demonstration."
"Too bad we're not going to be able to watch," Harry said.
"Yeah, Lavender will kick his..." Ron began.
"Ron!" Luna said, sounding eerily like Hermione.
"Now, I must go..." Dumbledore turned towards the floo. "Dinner will shortly be served in the Great Hall. I understand that the house elves are serving steak pie this evening... can't miss that."
At that, Ron looked down at his bowl of soup and sighed.
There is one particular reviewer who seems to review with a copy of Elements of Style and a grammar text next to her computer. I love her reviews, because she points out things that really do make me strive to write better fiction. She and I have discussed this at length, and without naming names, I thank her. She knows who she is.
In addition, I have a wonderful beta, who tells me flat out when I've gone too far, or not far enough. James – I love you, and I love the fact that you're comfortable enough with me, from half a world away, to say it like it is. You're wonderful.
I'd also like to mention that a good reviewer can make the difference between a good story, a bad story, and an abandoned story. I thank you all for taking the time to review, and offer honest, constructive criticism. Every fanfic author I know has their fair share of decent reviews, excellent reviews, and those reviewers who would appear to prefer it if they were writing your story themselves. All are appreciated, because it means you're reading what we write.
For that, there are not enough ways to say "thank you".
CQ
Treck: Nope.
Larna Mandrea: One does one's best.
Rdprice29: Not me, talk to the muse. She's surprising me, lately, too!
KittiesRule878: Malfoy needed some of his own back... I had to insert SOMETHING where he got his butt kicked for him.
PotatoMaker: Thank you for reading it. It wouldn't be here but for the readers and reviewers.
SiriusBlack08: I keep telling him, but his muses don't listen to me.
MrsSakuraPotter: Had to do SOMETHING to Malfoy... antlers seemed appropriate, given the time of year.
NotYourAverage: Isn't it a wonderful, happy coincidence that everyone doesn't feel the same way? What a boring world it would be if we all had the same tastes. The story will be fully posted by next Tuesday. Possibly Monday.
MedievalWoman: I'll be checking out your Neville. I'm tired of "wimpy" Neville. I think the boy has more spine than he's given credit for. As does Harry. Some disagree with me, of course, but they're free to write their own story and portray the characters as they see them.
Shotgunn: A certain comment on Christmas at the Burrow.... Anyhow, as for updates over Christmas, you've got them until the end of this one, my love... Chapter 30. I'm not starting a new fic over the holidays... but it'll give you something to look forward to in 2005, won't it? Some other reviewer seemed to think I was moving them into a private apartment for naughtiness. Perhaps I should have clarified, they have two heads of house living with them – it's just like they've been moved to a fifth house within the school. Needed to be done.
Kordolin: Perhaps. I may think about it. Maybe. (Wink)
GeeUnit: What? Every day isn't often enough for you? Wow... I'll have to quit my day job...
PCB: Oh, you live there, huh? I live in the OTHER Alberta city (grin). Actually, I'll probably have it all posted by Monday.
GiGiFanfic: I know Oshawa well – I dated a guy from there once (bad idea – the guy, not the fact he was from Oshawa) and a dear, dear friend lived in Whitby while we were in school. Many weekends spent there. Thank you for being one of my longest-remaining reviewers. You have no idea of what you and the few others who have been with me nearly from the beginning mean, and your reviews and comments are always welcome.
BJ: Me too, although I'm old enough to know better. I bought the first book early on, and have waited patiently (well, sometimes) for the release of EVERY book in the series. I prefer to be optimistic at times like this.
Kyrra: Hope that answers your question.
And to all my other wonderful reviewers: Mehgan, Elmire, MysticRuby, Ryougazell, Sabine Strohem-Moss, Nebulia, Sailor C, Sumer's Girl, Fox8867, Lilia3, Pdlegirl, Morianie, HPandGWfan, Heather, dkandmax, Beth5572, IndiaInk, LifeIsGood, Irishdancer61790