Sailor Witches 22
Two Tasks in One day
I do not own Sailor Moon or Harry Potter or the songs Lydia and Seamus sing in this chapter.The next day Lydia dressed in her grubbiest, safest clothes to wear during a yucky job: her ripped overalls and a white shirt underneath, not to mention a very pitiful expression.
"I don't' know who to wish luck," Serena said, unable to keep from grinning, "You or Harry!"
"It's not funny, Serena," Lydia mumbled. "You've got to tell me everything that happens today. The types of dragons, what they had to do, how they did it—everything!"
"Just as long as you don't tell me everything you did," Serena told her.
They came downstairs and met Seamus in the common room. He was also dressed for the occasion: an old shirt with a stain on it and a pair of ripped jeans.
"Hi," he said gloomily. "Nice overalls."
"Thanks," she replied, "I like your shirt."
"Yeah," he mumbled as they stepped out of the portrait together.
They walked down to breakfast in silence. People were talking excitedly about the first task, what it could be and where they were going to sit. Before they entered the hall, they both shouted together, "I HATE THIS!"
Though neither of them had any appetites, they forced themselves to eat as much as they could because they definitely would need the energy to clean the owlery. Filch approached them.
"You've eaten enough," he growled. "Come with me. The owls have already left and they weren't happy."
Serena waved at Lydia weakly, giving her a smile as Lydia and Seamus slowly got up and followed Filch out as if they were on their way to be executed.
"The owls will return to the owlery at six," Filch explained, leading him up the stairs. "So you had better have it spotless before then."
They entered the owlery. It still looked worse than Lydia remembered. Perhaps the Slytherins learned about their detention and added to the filth that was already there. At least the owls weren't there to bother them or to continue pooping or regurgitating their food onto the floor. There was a stack of fresh straw in a pile with brooms, mops, buckets Filch brought up along with the cleaning supplies Madame Indigo sent Lydia earlier.
"I'll be checking on you every hour," Filch said, shoving a push broom into Seamus' chest. "I expect to see work when I return. Don't have too much fun."
They stared at them as he walked out of the owlery and then they looked at each other. Lydia looked as if she was about to cry. They took in a deep sigh.
"Well," said Seamus, "let's get started."
Lydia nodded feebly and walked over to grab a broom. On her way there, she stepped on a dead mouse and let out a wail.
"I'm cursed!"
The work went slowly. Seamus was sweeping the same place for thirty minutes as if he were in a daze. Lydia's indigo eyes were too blurred with silent tears to see where she was going and she kept bumping into stuff. Filch came on every hour just like he said, staring at their progress and telling them to hurry up.
At two o'clock, they checked their watches.
"The task is starting now," said Seamus softly. "I wonder what's happening right now."
"I wonder if we can hear what's going on out there," Lydia sighed and she went to one of the windows.
Seamus came up behind her. "Hear anything?"
"I'm not sure," she replied. "Maybe it hasn't started yet."
"Get to work!" Filch yelled as he walked inside. "That straw's not going to pick up itself!"
"Yes, Mr. Filch," Seamus mumbled, getting back to pushing the straw into a pile.
Filch glared at Seamus and walked back out.
"I can't stand that guy!" Seamus groaned.
"Me neither," said Lydia, pulling on her gloves and looking at the top. She felt a little angry. Filch wanted this place spotless? Fine. She was going to turn the place upside down. He wouldn't' even recognize it when he'd come back. She went to the parcel Madame Indigo sent her and took out a strong cleaning agent, a rag and a scrubber.
"Seamus, help me this ladder," she said as she went to a ladder put up in a corner. "If they want a clean owlery then they're going to get one!"
--
"Too bad Lydia's missing this," said Serena as she sat next to Hermione in the bleachers, looking down onto the ground where the dragons were guarding their nests. Bagman just welcomed them to the first task and explained what the champions had to do. He and Mina's mother were commentating.
"The first champion will be Cedric Diggory of Hogwarts," said Bagman. "He'll be facing the Swedish Short-Snout. Tell everyone about the Short-snout, Susie!"
"I'll be happy to, Ludo," Susan stated. "The Short-Snout's beautiful but beauty can be dangerous."
"Indeed it can!" laughed Bagman.
"Mina!" Lita gasped. "The dragon Ced has to face is the Swedish Short-Snout! My wand has a Short-Snout heart string!"
"Does Mr. Bagman have to flirt with my mom in front of all these people?" Mina groaned as her mother went on talking about the Short-Snout with Bagman making funny jokes.
"Thank you Susie," Bagman's voice echoed through the air, "and here comes Cedric Diggory Hogwarts."
Hogwarts cheered like mad as Cedric came onto the field. Lita jumped up and down, holding a big yellow sign that said, "GO CED-SENPAI!" in black letters.
"You can do it, Ced-senpai!" she exclaimed. "You can do it!"
A few Slytherins snickered and she glared at them.
Cedric walked around the fenced in area, examining his surroundings carefully.
"Looks like he's looking for something," Susie stated, scratching her head.
"Yes," Bagman agreed. "I think for a way out!"
Some of the people in the stands laughed.
Cedric slowly, carefully approached the dragon. He backed up as it lifted up his head.
"Oooh, narrow miss there, very narrow."
"Oh, I hope Ced-senpai remembers what we learned about the Short-Snout," Lita whispered, "come on, Cedric."
Cedric bit his lip and walked away. He continued to look around the enclosure. The dragon was watching him. The dragon wizards stood ready to step in.
Cedric remembered that Swedish Short-Snouts rarely attacked humans. So he had to give the dragon something else to attack, incase it made an exception when it saw him come too close to the nest. Cedric crouched down by the fence, looking for something to transfigure. But there was a slight problem—it wasn't that he wasn't very good at transfiguration; he was a pretty average student. It was just finding something in the enclosure big enough to transfigure into something to draw the dragon's attention from him.
The dragon got up from his nest. He had to act fast. Then he saw a rock behind the dragon as it got up. He pointed his wand at it.
"Come on, Ced!" Lita called.
"Affectio Canarius!"
The crowd cheered as the rock changed into a Labrador. Some of the girls 'awed' at its cuteness. It barked at the dragon and the dragon looked at it. Cedric breathed a sigh of relief as he got up and approached the nest with caution.
"He's taking risks, this one!" said Bagman.
"Come on, Cedric," said the Hufflepuffs.
Cedric came near to nest. The dog saw him and wanting someone to play with, it ran to him. "No, you stupid dog!" he shouted. "Go away, go!"
"Uh oh," said Susie, "this could be a problem."
"Clever move—pity it didn't work!"
He threw a small stick at it. "Go, one, fetch!"
The dog barked and ran to go catch it. Cedric hurried to the nest and grabbed the golden egg. The dog would be on its way back to bring back the stick.
"He's got it!" Susie exclaimed. The crowd cheered.
Cedric heard an angry roar. It sounded nothing like the dog. He turned and he saw the dragon coming toward him.
"Run Cedric!" Lita exclaimed, jumping up and down. "Oh I can't look!" She held the "GO CED-SENPAI" sign over her face.
A blast of brilliant blue flames seared past Cedric as he dived out of the way.
"Oh no!" Hannah exclaimed. "I think it got his face!"
"No, not his face!" Lita gasped, looking over the sign.
The dragon wizards came out to subdue the dragon as Cedric ran out of the exit, one arm around the egg and covering his face.
"Very good indeed!" Bagman shouted. "And now the marks from the judges."
Madam Maxime--seven
Crouch--six
Ludo Bagman--seven.
Susan Applebee--seven
Dumbledore--eight
Karkaroff--five
--
Seamus heard the cheering and ran for the door. "I want to know what's happening out there!"
"No, Seamus!" Lydia yelled, jumping from the ladder and tackling him to the dropping-covered floor. "Ye can't!"
"I heard cheering—I want to know who for!"
"Ye must fight it, Seamus!" she muttered. "Fight it!"
"I CAAAAAAN'T!" he tried to struggle.
"You must!"
"What if it was Harry?" he demanded.
"We must finish cleaning the owlery!" she said. "The champions have their task to do and we've got ours!"
"Okay, okay," he sighed. "I'm all right now. You can let go."
"Ye sure?"
"Yeah," his breathing slowed down and she got up. "Thanks."
She climbed back up the ladder and he held it for her. They were already done with one side. Lydia started to sing a Celtic song. "As I roved out on a bright May morning. To view the meadows and flowers gay..."
"How can you sing at a time like this?" he demanded.
"It will probably go by faster," she replied.
"Really?" his voice perked up.
"Yeah." She continued to sing. "Whom should I spy but my own true lover as she sat under a willow tree..."
She heard Seamus' voice below. "I took off my hat and I did salute her. I did salute her most courageously…"
Lydia looked down. Seamus paused and smiled up at her. She smiled back and they continued the song together.
"When she turned around, well the tears fell from me. Saying, 'False young man, you have deluded me…'"
--
"As you can tell," said Susie Aino, "the Welsh green blends in well with its surroundings."
"Addomisco!" Fleur shouted, her wand pointed and the Welsh Green. Its eyes began drooping and it lowered itself down. She waited for a moment before she approached the nest.
The Beaxbatons cheered and called at her in French. Fleur was five feet from the nest when the dragon snored and a thin jet of red flames shot out its nostrils, catching her skirt on fire. Some of the boys watched excitedly as her skirt nearly burned away.
"Oh, I'm not sure that was wise!" said Bagman.
"Boys, close your eyes!" Susie exclaimed.
"Hey, that rhymed Susie!" Bagman laughed and Mina groaned.
Fleur gasped and pointed her wand at her burning skirt and put it out with an extinguishing charm.
"Oh...nearly! Careful now…good lord, I thought she'd had it then!"
Fleur entered the nest and grabbed the golden egg before getting flamed again.
Madam Maxime--ten
Crouch--six
Ludo Bagman—five
Applebee--five
Albus Dumbledore--six
Karkaroff—five
People clapped and Fleur walked out of the fence.
"And here comes Mr. Krum!" Bagman exclaimed.
"He's facing off with the Chinese Fireball," informed Susie, "also known as the liondragon, it weighs up to between two and four tons. Beautiful with its gold and red scales, isn't it?"
"But remember how dangerous beauty can be, everyone!" Bagman said.
Krum walked inside the enclosure, coming closer to the dragon. The Durmstrang students cheered. Krum ran right up to the dragon, raising his wand.
"Very daring!" said Bagman.
"Coniveo Afflictatio!" Krum shouted.
The spell hit the Fireball's eyes and it let out a horrible roar of pain. It's enormous legs danced around the ground, squashing some of its own eggs and nearly Krum.
"Oh no!" Sofia gasped, covering her mouth. "He's not supposed get those ruined!"
--
The scream carried off to the owlery. Lydia and Seamus felt the ground move.
"What was that?" Lydia asked Seamus. "Did you hear that scream?"
"I hope it wasn't a banshee," Seamus said with a shiver.
Lydia bounded for the door. "No, I think it was a dragon! I think it was in pain!" she said in delight. "Oh, I wonder what happened! I've got to see! Oh, I bet it was the coolest thing! Who did it?"
Now it was Seamus' turn to stop Lydia from running of. "No, Lydia!" he ran after her, grabbed her and picked her up.
"Let me go, Seamus!" she exclaimed, kicking her legs as he pulled her from the door. "Did you feel the ground move? Someone must've got it with some spell—I want to see who did it!"
"It's too late now anyway!" he told her. "Fight it, Lydia. You've got to fight it! Be strong!"
"I can't take it anymore, Seamus!" she cried, tears seeping out of her eyes. "While we're cleaning dung off the floor, everyone else is having fun! We're missing everything! It's not fair! It's not fair!"
"Oh, don't cry, Lydia!" Seamus frowned. "It'll be all right.
"How much longer?" Lydia demanded. "I don't know if I can take much more of this!"
"You've got to fight the temptation," Seamus said firmly. "Come on, Lydia—we're done cleaning all the perches—see? We're almost there!"
"Of all the rotten luck!" Lydia groaned.
"There, there," Seamus whispered. "I'm sure everybody will tell us everything that happened."
"It's not the same!" she exclaimed, pushing him away and she went to sit down on a stack of straw. "I was so excited that there was going to be a tournament for my first year at Hogwarts. I couldn't wait until the first task. Could you?"
"No, not really," said Seamus nervously.
"But then…oh…those stupid Slytherins and their badges!" she growled. Her face scrunched up in anger. "It's all their fault!"
"Yeah, it is all their fault," Seamus agreed. "Damn Slytherins."
"I wouldn't have cared if McGonagall made us do it on Hogsmead Weekend," Lydia mumbled. "Most of the students were gone anyway…"
"We've got to finish," said Seamus, "Filch should be on in a minute to check how we're doing. We've still got loads to do"
Lydia sniffed. "Do we have to?"
"Yes," he mumbled.
"Oh, fine," she groaned.
"Hey, do you know The Flower of Magherally?" he asked with a slight smile. "It's my favorite."
"No," she replied.
Seamus started singing as he grabbed a broom to sweep up the last of the straw and mess Lydia brushed down from the perches.
"One pleasant summer's morning when all the flowers were singing O!" he grinned at her as he started sweeping to the tune of the song. "Nature was adorning and the wee birds sweetly singing O!"
Lydia laughed, wiped a tear away and picked up another push broom. She listened to Seamus and swept in sync with him, humming along since she did not know the words. Seamus had an excellent singing voice and she wished Moody had made him sing instead Dean Thomas when they were all placed under the Imperious Curse. Seamus ended up acting like a bird.
"I met my love near Banbridge Town, my charming blue-eyed Sally O! She's the queen of the County Down and the Flower of the Magherally O!
"With admiration I did gaze upon this blue-eyed maiden O! Adam wasn't half so much plazed when he met with Eve in Eden O! Her skin was like the lily white that grows near yonder valley O! She's my queen and my heart's delight and the flower of Magherally O!
"Her yellow hair in ringlets clung, her shoes were Spanish leather O! Her bonnet with blue ribbons strung, her scarlet cap and feather O! Like Venus bright she did appear, my charming blue-eyed Sally O! She's the girl that I love dear, and the flower of Magherally O!
"I hope the day will surely come when we'll join hands together O! And I will bring my darling home in spite of wind and weather O! And let them all say what they will and let them reel and rally O! I shall wed the girl I love; she's the flower of Magherally O!
Seamus finished singing. His face was slightly red. He cleared his throat and swept the ground.
"That was great, Seamus," Lydia said, clapping.
"Thanks," he said.
"Why did Moody have Dean sing instead of you?" she asked and she went back to sweeping.
"No idea."
--
"Come on, Harry!" Serena exclaimed as Harry flew around in the air, trying to get the dragon to get up from its nest.
The Horntail looked like it was going to blast fire at him. Serena gasped and covered her eyes.
"Is he okay?" asked Hermione from her right.
"Huh?" Serena peeked through her fingers. Hermione had her face covered too. She was holding her face so tight that her nails pricked into her skin. "Hey!" Serena pulled Hermione's hands down. "You helped Harry summon his Firebolt! He couldn't have done it without you, Hermione!"
"Oh, what've I done?" Hermione demanded herself.
"Look at that," Serena laughed. "Oh, Lydia is going to be so mad she's missed this."
"Frankly, I'd like to switch spots," said Hermione. "Oh, no, Harry, look out!"
Harry just dodged a blast of fire. "Great Scott, he can fly!" yelled Bagman. "Are you watching this, Mr. Krum?"
"Look at that," Serna laughed. "Did he always fly this fast?"
Raye kept an eye more on the Hungarian Horntail than Harry, as she paid more attention to the previous dragons the champions had to face. They did not match the dragon she saw in her dream. The Horntail came very close because it was also black but it had bronze horns and scales and it looked a lot like Godzilla with wings. The one in her dream looked a bit smaller. Instead of a tail of spikes it was shaped like an arrow. Its scales were smoother. The Hungarians eyes were yellow and the one from her dream had violet eyes.
"What kind of dragon was it?" she whispered as she watched the Horntail swipe at Harry with her tail. The crowd gasped.
"He is amazing!" Serena breathed, "just amazing!"
Watching Harry fly was a lot easier than seeing people get hit in the face with Bludgers like in the World Cup. Serena was on her feet, cheering Harry on. She was glad she didn't have to transform into Sailor Moon and fight the dragon. She could sit here in the crowd and enjoy the show.
"He makes flying look so easy," said Serena.
"Well, it isn't," Hermione moaned. "When is he going to get that egg?"
"I know," Serena blinked as she turned to Hermione. "I hope it's soon—Harry's making me dizzy!"
--
The owlery was nearly finished. It wasn't just detention anymore for Seamus and Lydia. It became a mission. With the perches wiped clean, the floors swept and dung free layered with fresh straw, Lydia went to the box to take out the air fresheners.
"Finally," Seamus breathed, looking over the new and improved owlery. "I thought we'd never finished it in time."
"Just another thing," Lydia said as she approached him with the air fresheners. They were round with little cracks to let the fragrance out and a piece of adhesive on the back. "This will help take away the smell."
"Are those muggle-made?" Seamus inquired.
"Yeah," she replied.
"Cool."
"I can't decide which one to use," she smiled. "So yer going to have to help me choose."
He laughed. "Well, okay. What've you got?"
"Well, we've got pine," she held it to his nose. He took a whiff and sneezed. "Smells like a tree."
"It's supposed to," she winked. "Okay, and this is vanilla. This smells nice."
He smelled the vanilla fragrance and smiled. "It's nice, but it's a bit too sweet. Almost want to make candy out of it."
"Okay, how about this one?" she asked as she held another one to his nose. "Flower bouquet?"
After another whiff he sneezed again. "Too flowery. Might make everyone sneeze."
"You're killing me here, Seamus," she sighed, putting the flower bouquet fragrance away. "How can you be so indecisive?"
"I thought you wanted my help," he chuckled.
Lydia held an orange one to his nose. "Citrus?"
"No," he replied immediately. "Too fruity."
"We're down to the last one," Lydia said, "so I hope you've made your mind." She held a light blue one to his nose. He took a whiff. He moaned pleasantly and smelled it again.
"I like it,' he said, "What is it?"
"Rainstorm," she replied, taking it away so she could sniff it.
"Really, that's what it's called?"
"Yeah, interesting isn't it?" she said. "It smells exactly like rain—though I think we've got enough rain already. It will smell the same in here as is it does outside."
"I love the smell of rain," he said, folding his arms and leaning toward her. "Don't you?"
She smiled and she felt warmth in her cheeks. "Yeah, sometimes. I mean, it can be a downer if you're planning to go outside. But the smell is really great and it makes everything clean." She shrugged. "But there are other times when I like being out in it. Especially when it's raining really hard."
"Yeah," Seamus smiled. "Like at the beginning of term."
"Except for the part where I jumped in the lake," she laughed. "I was trying to save Dennis Creevey but the giant squid already pushed him in."
"I love feeling rain fall on my face, Seamus whispered. "It's very nice."
"You do?"
Seamus nodded.
Lydia bit her lip, chuckling nervously. She wasn't sure why. She sniffed the rain scented air freshener. It did smell nicer than the others. Not as fake. It was pure and natural.
"I also like it when it's finished raining," said Seamus suddenly. "Right after—when the sun comes out—and there's a rainbow in the sky."
"Me too," Lydia said. "It's really…eh…brilliant." She cleared her throat and put the other air fresheners away. "Well, Rainstorm it is then!"
"Cool," Seamus said, rubbing his neck nervously. Lydia handed him some of the rain scented air fresheners.
"All we've got to do is just stick these around the room," she said softly. "Better get a move on. We've got five minutes until Filch gets here."
"And all the owls," he moaned. "I wonder how long it will take them to make a mess again."
She laughed as she walked to the other side of the owlery. "Hopefully not for a couple of weeks!"
Seamus laughed and sniffed the air freshener before sticking it to the wall. It reminded him so much of the time Sailor Rainbow saved his life. How it was such a downpour but then, it died down and he was able to see Sailor Rainbow. It was the prettiest Rainbow he'd ever seen before in his life. It just added to why he loved to see rainbows after a rainstorm. He hoped soon, he'd see her again.
Seamus and Lydia just finished placing all the air fresheners when all the owls came flying back into their new home. It was kind of nice to see, and to feel as a flutter of many wings rushed in, bringing Lydia's pigtails up in the process. Some of the owls looked very pleased and they pecked at the air fresheners. Pigwidgeon hooted happily and flew around her head.
Lydia laughed. "Do you like your new home?"
"Now you all have to do your business outside from now on!" Seamus grunted.
"Well, it has certainly improved," said a voice behind them. They turned around and Filch stood in the doorway.
"How does it look, Mr. Filch?" Seamus inquired hopefully. He hoped Filch wasn't going to give them more to do. He was too tired and smelly already.
"Impressive," he muttered, looking around. "Good."
"All it needs now is maybe some windows," said Lydia. "You want us to do those?"
Seamus looked at her warningly, shaking his head. Filch rubbed his chin.
"Maybe later," he said. "I can get the house elves to do that."
"So…are we done?" Seamus asked. "Can we go?"
"Yes, yes, you can go." Filch said. "Go on."
They breathed sighs of relief as they left the owlery. "I'm glad that's over," said Seamus. "Thought my fingers would come off."
"It was fun though," Lydia smiled. "I wouldn't have enjoyed myself as much if I had to do that all by myself. "
Seamus smiled back. "Yeah, it wouldn't be very fun to do that alone. Glad I could help you, Lydia."
"Thanks for helping me," she said. "I can't wait to take a bath and get this owl dung smell off me."
"Me too," Seamus sighed, looking himself over.
--
"Oh, Harry, you were wonderful!" Serena exclaimed, throwing her arms around his neck. "Absolutely wonderful!"
"Thanks, Serena," Harry gasped in surprise.
"I knew you could do it," Serena grinned. "I knew it." Serena finally pulled herself off of Harry, unable to keep from grinning. She nodded to Hermione, who had faint fingernail marks on her face. "I had to keep Hermione from covering her face."
"Hey, you covered your face a couple of times," Hermione muttered.
Serena looked over at Ron. "Well, Ron…anything you'd like to say?" her grin disappeared and her face went serious. She put her hands on her hips.
Ron's face was white and his blue eyes grim. He opened his mouth. "Harry, whoever put your name in that goblet—I—I reckon they're trying to do you in!"
"We tried to tell you, Ron," Serena groaned, shaking her head. Her eyes focused on Harry.
"Caught on, have you?" Harry demanded. "Took you long enough."
Hermione and Serena glanced from Ron to Harry. Hermione looked anxious and Serena looked angry. They were waiting for Ron to apologize. Ron was trying to work his mouth.
"It's okay," said Harry suddenly. "Forget it."
"No," Ron said. "I shouldn't've--,"
"Forget it," Harry told him.
The boys grinned at each other. As Hermione burst into tears, Serena broke into a fit of giggles.
"There's nothing to cry about!" Harry said to Hermione.
"You two are so stupid!" Hermione yelled as she stomped her foot on the ground. She hugged Harry and Ron, followed by Serena.
"I'm so glad you're friends again!" she gushed. "And you were able to make up without having to touch other's nose."
The boys looked nervous.
"I think it's a guy thing," Serena tittered and she ran after Hermione. "Hey, wait for me!"
Harry came out with Ron to look at his marks. Serena was dancing around on the spot in excitement. She couldn't wait any longer.
"Oh, come on!" she exclaimed. "How did Harry do? How did he do?"
Madame Maxime---eight
Crouch—nine
Dumbledore--nine
Bagman—ten
Susie Aino—eight
Karkaroff—four
The Gryffindors, including Ron, were highly upset by this. They were on there feet, yelling. Serena wanted to change into Sailor Moon and hit him with her tiara.
After learning he was tied with Krum, Harry went with Ron to send an owl with Ron. Hermione and Serena followed them.
--
They couldn't believe the owlery when they got there. "Wow!" Ron exclaimed. "I half expected Seamus and Lydia to still be working on it!"
"It's kind of good they're not here," said Serena. "They'd be mad at us if they saw us trying to send a letter. Lydia would've thrown us right out." She walked around the room and took in a deep whiff. "It even smells different."
"Because they stuck air fresheners all over the place," said Hermione, pointing at a blue air freshener. "Smells like rain."
"Oh, I'd better go tell Lydia," Serena said and she dashed out of the owlery.
Lydia, fresh from her bath and feeling exhausted, was lying on her bed. "Lydia! The owlery looks great!"
"Thanks," Lydia yawned as she sat up. "Hey…what were you doing in the owlery? Did you go send a letter?"
"No—er—Harry was," Serena whispered, "to tell Sirius about the task!"
"Which owl is he going to use?" she demanded.
"Er, Ron's, I think," she answered and cleared her throat. "Oh, by the way—Harry's tied in first place with Krum!"
"Really?"
"Yeah, come on down!" she grabbed her hand. "We're going to celebrate."
Sparks and stars filled the common room along with Dean Thomas' banners. Seamus and Lydia were so excited as the others told them what happened.
"Harry, you used your Firebolt?" Seamus groaned, staring at Dean's drawings. "Oh…I could kill Snape!"
Lydia gasped when Serena told her about Krum and the Chinese Fireball.
"That's the dragon we heard, Seamus!" she said, nudging him. "And you thought it was a banshee!"
Seamus grinned nervously and went rather red in the face. "Yeah…I know…"
After Lydia learned step-by-step what happened at the task, people urged Harry to open the egg. When he did, the room was filled with high screams.
"What was that?" Seamus asked, his eyes on the egg as if it were going to explode. "It sounded like a ban--," he saw the way Lydia was staring at him and laughed nervously. "Like a bunch of screaming girls, or something…"
As Fred and George passed around sweets, Serena grabbed a jam tart and talked to Harry. "Harry, how did you figure out what to do?"
"Had a bit of help," he replied.
"Besides Hermione and Hagrid you mean?"
He nodded. "Yeah, Professor Moody."
"He did?" she raised an eyebrow. It was the least person she would expect. "Why?"
He shrugged, "well, he was in the corridor when I told Cedric about the dragons. Then he told me to come with him to his office. He said I had to play by my strengths."
"Is that why you were late for Herbology?" she asked.
"Yeah."
"So, Professor Moody knew you were a good Quidditch Player?" Serena asked. "I wonder how he knew."
Harry shrugged. "A lot of people know. I can't believe I haven't thought of it before. I guess it's because I haven't taken out my Firebolt since the Quidditch Final last year. Forgot I even had it."
Serena smiled. "Well, I'm glad you remembered in time."
Harry nodded. "Me too. Oh hey…someone else tried to give me help."
"Who?" she asked.
"Right before the task started," he told her, "Mr. Bagman said he'd give a few pointers."
"He did?" Serena inquired as a sinking sensation filled her stomach. "Did he say why?"
"Said I was the underdog," Harry explained. "But I told him I already had a plan."
Serena thought about the ten Bagman gave him. Maybe Bagman was the person who put his name in the goblet. But before she could think on it any more. Neville Longbottom changed into a life-size canary and the room erupted in laughter.
--
"Bagman offered Harry help?" Mina inquired the next morning as they stood around in their usual empty classroom.
"Yeah," Serena replied. "And he did give him ten points—even though Harry got hurt."
"He still probably didn't put his name in," said Lita. "He would've given him more help before the task started."
"Maybe he couldn't," Raye pointed out, "he had more to do because he's a judge and he didn't want to make it so obvious."
"That's right!" Serena exclaimed. "Harry said others helped him—Hagrid and Professor Moody. I bet Bagman told them to help Harry."
"Well," said Ami, "if he did do it he's doing a good job. Harry's already tied with Krum."
"Now we've got to see how he does with the golden egg," Lydia said. "And where he gets his help from."
--
Serena enjoyed watching Harry and Ron being best friends again during their studies. Though she knew that neither of them liked divination or Professor Trelawny, they had a fun time being themselves in class. After dinner as the four of them were on their way to the common room, Hermione ran after them.
"Hey!" she said, grabbing Harry's shoulder. "You won't believe this. The most amazing thing's happened?"
"Voldemort's dead?" Lydia asked hopefully.
"Not exactly," said Hermione as they followed her through crowds of people and to a corridor where Harry and the other champions were on Halloween. The room had paintings with food. Ron kept asking her about SPEW.
"I'm not asking t you too!" she said abruptly. "I came down here just now, to talk to them all, and I found—Oh come on, Harry, I want to show you!"
She pulled Harry's arm and she tickled the green pear. Serena gasped when she heard it laugh and it changed into a green handle, which Hermione grasped.
"That's pretty cool," said Serena.
They came into a huge room with a high ceiling with a brick fireplace and pots and pans. Lydia pointed at something rushing toward them but before she could ask what it was, it threw its small arms around Harry.
"Harry Potter, sir! Harry Potter!"
"D-Dobby?" Harry squeaked.
"It is Dobby, sir, it is!" the house elf cried. "Dobby has been hoping and hoping to see Harry Potter, sir, and Harry Potter has come to see him, sir!" Dobby stepped back, beaming at Harry.
"Is this a house elf?" Serena asked.
"Yes, yes Dobby is a house elf, miss!" Dobby said.
"Dobby, what are you doing here?" Harry inquired.
"Dobby has come to work at Hogwarts, Sir!" Dobby answered. "Professor gave Dobby and Wink jobs sir!"
"Winky? She's here too?"
"Yes, sir, yes!" Dobby said, taking Harry's hand and pulling him into the kitchen. Ron, Hermione, Serena and Lydia followed, looking over the room.
"Nice kitchen," said Lydia.
Dobby led the group to the fireplace.
"Winky, sir!" said Dobby, pointing at Winky, who sat on a stool. She did not look very well.
"Hello, Winky," said Harry.
Winky started to cry. Hermione tried to console her.
"Why is she upset?" Serena asked. "What'd we do?"
While doing her best to calm Winky down, Hermione told Lydia and Serena about the World Cup incident and Crouch dismissing his elf. They already knew this, but acted like they didn't.
Elves came to them bearing biscuits, tea and milk. Serena, glancing at Hermione nervously, grabbed a biscuit and nibbled on it. Dobby continued to explain how he found work at Hogwarts and the Malfoys. At the mention of their name, Lydia swiveled around.
"You worked for the Malfoys?" she asked in surprise. "And you survived?"
"Yes, miss," said Dobby. "Dobby did try to serve his master as best he could. But they sometimes were unkind to Dobby—but Harry Potter freed Dobby and now that Dobby works for Dumbledore—Dobby can say whatever Dobby want about the Malfoys!"
"That's great!" Lydia exclaimed. "I'm glad you don't work for them anymore, Dobby."
"Dobby could not work for bad Dark wizards anymore!" Dobby said bravely and he was shocked at his words. He ran to the table to punish himself, "Bad Dobby! Bad!"
Harry pulled Dobby away from the table. Serena spilled her milk in surprise.
"Why'd he do that for?" she demanded.
"He was punishing himself," said a house elf. "We houseless sometimes punish ourselves when we say bad things about our old masters—but Dobby was right in saying that. The Malfoys were evil, evil, evil! Don't feel bad, Dobby! You served them as best you could and you made it, Dobby!"
"Thank you, Tippy," said Dobby. "You are right—you almost came to work for the Malfoys too."
Lydia sprang forward the house elf. "Your name is Tippy?"
The house elf smiled and curtsied. She had light brown hair and deep brown eyes. Her nose wasn't like Dobby's or Winky's. It was small cute button nose. "Yes, my name is, Tippy miss."
"Ye haven't always worked here, have yeh?" Lydia asked. "Ye had a wizard family to serve?"
Tears filled up in Tippy's eyes. "Yes! A good family I served! The MacGreggors. A good family indeed but they had no choice but to free me. It was the Malfoys—so evil—they took my family away! They told me I had to go to Hogwarts. 'You will be safe there, Tippy' Master Kevin had said. Tippy is safe but she misses her family! Especially the little girl Lydia! Oh, how Tippy always took care of her! If only Tippy knew where the little girl could be!"
Lydia began to cry too. Tippy stopped and looked up. "Why does miss ask? Why does miss cry?"
"Because, Tippy," Lydia wailed, "I am Lydia MacGreggor!"
A light twinkled in Tippy's eye as she ran to Lydia. Lydia knelt down and embraced the elf. The elf laughed.
"We is reunited!" she said happily. "We is reunited! Tippy should have recognized mistress Lydia when she came in! Now we can have fun together again!"
"That's your elf, Lydia?" Serena asked. "She's so cute!"
"I'm glad you got to see your old mistress again, Tippy," said Hermione. "Tippy, how long did you serve the MacGreggors?"
"Oh, long time, miss!" said Tippy as she turned around with happy tears trailing down her cheeks. She squeezed her arms around Lydia's waist. "My mother served them before me. They was always good to us. We were part of the family—we was!"
Dobby and Winky were arguing with each other about their masters. "Dobby, you is bad elf! Talking that way about your masters!"
"They isn't my masters anymore, Winky!" Dobby told her. "Dobby doesn't care what they think anymore!"
"And Dobby shouldn't!" added Tippy, "and you shouldn't either!"
"My Mr. Crouch is needing my help. I is looking after the Crouches all my life, and my mother is doing it before me, and my grandmother is doing it before her...oh what is they saying if they knew Winky was freed? Oh the shame, the shame!" she turned to sobbing into her skirt.
"Winky," Hermione told her, "I'm quite sure Mr. Crouch is getting along perfectly well without you. We've seen him, you know--,"
"You is seeing my master?" Winky asked. "You is seeing him here at Hogwarts?"
"Yes," Hermione replied. "He and Mr. Bagman are judges in the Triwizard Tournament."
"Mr. Bagman comes too?" Winky squeaked and her sadness was replaced with anger. "Mr. Bagman is a bad wizard. A very bad wizard! My master isn't liking him, oh no, not at all!"
"Not true, not true!" Tippy argued.
"What?" Lydia asked. "What do you mean?"
"Bagman, bad?" Harry inquired.
"Oh yes," Winky nodded, "My master is telling Winky some things! But Winky is not saying…Winky—Winky keeps her master's secrets!"
"Your master gave you wrong secrets!" Tippy said. "Bagman is not a bad wizard. He was good friend of my old family. Bagman may be stupid, yes—but was never bad. Bad and stupid does not mean the same thing!"
"What do you mean?" Lydia asked, looking down. "What's Winky talking about?"
"Bagman went to trial," said Tippy, "people thought he gave information to the supporters of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. But Bagman did not know he was—he just made a mistake. Bagman is stupid, but not bad. Not bad!"
"Yes he is!" Winky yelled. "My master is no liar!"
"Crouch is no longer your master!" Tippy said. "And he is liar! He put my family in prison, he did! And I will never, ever forgive him! Him or the Malfoys!"
"How dare you!" Winky shouted, looking like she was about to attack Tippy. But Tippy continued to yell at Winky.
"Crouch's son is a bad wizard! You served a bad wizard—and Mr. Crouch had to put his son is prison because he was bad!"
"What is you saying? What is you saying?"
"Barty Crouch Jr. was a supporter of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named!" Tippy hollered. "He went to prison!"
"Stop! Stop saying things about my master!"
"Tippy, clam down," said Lydia firmly.
"Tippy is trying, miss Lydia!" Tippy said, "but Tippy is mad—for loosing her family! MacGreggors should not have gone to Azkaban! Crouch would not listen to my family!"
"Stop!" Winky wailed, running to a far end of the kitchen. "Winky is not listening anymore!"
"It is the truth!" Tippy exclaimed after her. She sighed and looked at the others. "Tippy is most sorry sirs and misses had to see that."
"It's all right," said Harry.
"Tippy," said Lydia, 'what do you think about our group? Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare—us trying to find a way to get wages for house elves."
"Most house elves think it is shameful," Tippy replied. "Like Winky. But Dobby thinks it is great. I think house elves should be treated fairly too—as we are part of the wizard family. A house elf should be good to its family and the family should be good to it too. House elves should not work for dark wizards—it does things to their minds!"
"Good for you, Tippy!" Hermione exclaimed. "And you think you should get paid and everything too?"
"Money?" Tippy demanded. "No! Tippy does not need money—Tippy needs family back. It is money that got my family taken away—Malfoys have too much of it and they think they can get anything they want with money!"
They talked with the house elves a little longer, finished their tea and took off. Lydia was so happy to be reunited with another person from her past and she was slowly getting her memory back.
--
The other girls were happy to hear about where the kitchens were located. They found a new place to hold scout meetings and the house elves were okay with giving them privacy with their tea. Raye walked around with piece of parchment, interviewing all the house elves and asking about the people they worked for. She sometimes ahd to get help from the others to consol them or to prevent them from hurting themselves when they got to talking about some of the families they had to work for.
"This is great!" Raye laughed as they stepped out of the kitchens. She looked over the parchment, her eyes wide with glee. "Oh, I've got some real dirt on Malfoy—hahaha!"
"They are all really cute," said Mina. "I can see why Hermione wants to support them."
"I think when a person sacks their elf it should be in writing—and the elves shold learn how to read and write." Lita added.
"They're so helpful!" Serena grinned, shoving biscuits into her mouth. "I'm so glad I joined SPEW!"
--
Instead of listening to the lesson on Switching Spells, Serena was looking at Ron and Harry having a duel with Fred and George's fake wands. She really didn't care because the lesson was nearly over and the bell was about to ring. It looked like Harry was loosing with the rubber haddock in his hand because it flopped side to side like a real fish. She laughed.
"Take that!" said Ron.
Then an angry voice went through the room. "Potter! Weasley! Will you pay attention?"
Lydia nudged Serena before McGonagall called for her attention as well. Serena looked up. What could Professor McGonagall want now?
"Now that Potter and Weasley have been kind enough to act their age," Professor McGonagall said. "I have something to say to you all.
"The Yule Ball is approaching--,"
Serena, who had been sinking in her seat, sat straight up and paid much closer attention to McGonagall. "Of course!" Serena whispered to Lydia. "the ball, I forgot!"
"A traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament and an opportunity for us to socialize with our foreign guests. Now, the ball will be open only to fourth years and above—although you may invite a younger student if you wish."
Lavender Brown giggled. Serena glanced at her and Parvarti and turned to Lydia. "What do they find so funny?"
"Maybe they're excited?" Lydia guessed. "Dunno—they're always giggling about something."
"Dress robes will be worn," Professor McGonagall went on, "and he ball will start at eight o'clock on Christmas Day, finishing at midnight in the Great Hall. Now then—"
She looked at the class. Everyone looked right back. "The Yule Ball is of course a chance for us all to—er—let our hair down." She said as though she weren't too happy about the Yule Ball coming up.
"But that does NOT mean,' Professor McGonagall said seriously, "that we will be relaxing the standards of behavior we expect from Hogwarts students. I will be most seriously displeased if a Gryffindor student embarrasses the school in any way."
The bell rang and Serena turned to Lydia. "What does she think could go wrong?"
Lydia shrugged. "I don't know. It's a ball."
The girls got up to leave. As McGonagall called Harry over, Lydia heard a voice behind her.
"Lydia, wait up!"
Lydia looked over her shoulder. "Hey, Seamus. What's up?"
"Better do it now," he whispered to himself. He smiled as he approached her. "Want to go to the ball with me?"
Serena looked back in shock. She would kill for an ounce of Lydia's luckiness. "W-what?"
Lydia smiled. "I'd love to, Seamus." She tucked her hand through his arm and they walked off.
--
Raye dashed out of the classroom the second the bell rang. She knew Malfoy would ask her to the ball the moment he got the chance. She had to act fast or she'd have to resort to sleeping in the kitchens until the ball was over.
Then she saw the Durmstrang students coming into the hall for dinner. Vladimir and Sofia were in conversation as she approached. She'd ask Vladimir! Vladimir was a quiet and shy guy but she found that was cute in him.
"You've got to take someone Vladimir," Sofia told him.
"Hey, Vladimir?" Raye inquired.
"Hi Raye," Sofia smiled.
"I'm sure you know about the Yule Ball coming up?" Raye said.
"Yeah," Sofia nodded. "I was just getting him to find someone to take to it.."
"Maybe I can help you," said Raye. "I'm available. Vladimir, would you care to go to the ball with me?"
Vladimir blushed and looked at his plate. His twin nudged him. "Come on, Vlad…."
"Er, I don't know," said Vladimir.
"He just thinks he's not a good dancer," Sofia told Raye. "But he's all right. He'll go, Raye."
"Sofia!" Vladimir groaned.
"You are going," Sofia said and she turned to Raye. "He's just kind of shy."
"Stop1" Vladimir said.
"Please?" Raye inquired.
Vladimir paused. "Okay."
"See, that wasn't so hard is it?" Sofia inquired. "Now…I just need to find a date. Raye, do you think you can set me up with someone from Hogwarts? I know people from my school all too vell."
"Well, you definitely don't want to go with Draco Malfoy," said Raye as Malfoy walked in. "I can tell you that much for sure."
--
On Friday night, Lita soaked her body in a bath of bubbles. She knew the moment Professor Flitwick announced in charms about the ball who she wanted to go with. Cedric Diggory. She was in love with him the moment she set eyes on him. He was the kind of guy she always hoped to have. On the side of the tub was a parchment and quill. She was sitting in the tub to come up with ideas to ask Cedric Diggory to the ball. Yes, he was in her house and she could just ask him in the common room or at the Hufflepuff table during meals but she wanted it to be special and creative. So far she had just three ideas and they seemed quite mediocre.
"Oh…a puzzle parchment's a bad idea!" she grunted as she crossed it out. "Come on, Lita! Think!"
She was already sitting in the water for about an hour. Her body had been pruning and the bubbles were about to melt into the water. But she couldn't leave that spot until she came up with a way to ask Cedric Diggory to the ball. It had to be perfectly romantic—but not too romantic. Original and sweet.
"I'd write him a song if I could sing," she said, leaning back in the water. "Come one, Lita—I know you're tired but you've got to come up with a way to ask—" she sat straight up and gasped. It hit her suddenly. There were two things Lita loved to do—and was good at. Cooking and cleaning.
"A dinner!" she exclaimed. "I'll make him a full course Japanese dinner! I'll have to reserve the common room though. Or…maybe even in the kitchens! That would be more private and the house elves wont' mind. I'd have to some how tell them I want to do it myself. I hope it won't offend them." She grinned and daydreamed how it would be.
Day Dream
Lita was dressed in a green kimono, her hair pulled back with sticks. The kitchen had kanji scrolls and Japanese decorations all over the place. Lita was teaching Cedric how to eat with chopsticks and telling him about the different foods.
"Lita, this is great," said Cedric, dabbing his mouth. "Very delicious. Just wonderful, thank you."
"Oh, you're welcome Ced-senpai," she smiled.
"And the decorations—wow!" he said as he looked around. "You sure you did this all on your own?"
"Mm-hmm," she replied, "well, the house elves did help a little—I needed to know where they kept everything." She started pressing her fingers together. "Er, Ced-senpai?"
"Yes?"
"You're probably wondering why I made you this dinner," she said sheepishly as she felt her cheeks grow warm. "Well, it's because I think you're a great person and to congratulate you on how you made it passed that dragon."
"Thanks, Lita," Cedric said. "The research really helped."
"And…and I…want to ask you something," she whispered. She cleared her throat. "Ced-senpai—would you go with me to the Yule Ball?"
Cedric straightened up. "The Yule Ball? Really? Why, of course Lita! I'd love to go with you!"
End
Lost in her daydream, Lita began sinking in the water. She gasped and splashed around. "Oh, it's perfect! Just wonderful—oh!" she grabbed her parchment. "I need to come up with a recipe…and decorations! Where am I going to get those? I don't have time to import them all the way from Japan! As cute as Cedric is, I've got to ask him before someone beats me to it!"
To Be Continued