Disclaimer: You know the drill
Author's Note: Okay, then, Here is the next Chapter. I have been trying to type this one up as fast as possible, but it's really long and my computer is gay. Anyway, as you can probably tell by the happy title, there is a tiny little accident. Don't worry, Harry's fine, just knocked unconscious, thanks for asking. Also, time has been moved forward a bit to get things rolling, so this chapter is in really late November/really early December. Thanks for reading, tell your friends, now let's watch…
CHAPTER ELEVEN: The Accident
Harry slipped on jeans and a T-shirt and headed outside. It was actually pretty mild for so late in the year, though the school knew that this was going to be the last bit of sunshine Hogwarts would see in a while. Snow three feet thick, drafty halls, and a sniffling Filch would all be coming their way soon enough. Beautiful Sunday morning, Harry thought.
It was the last Sunday before mid-term exams. Though their impending tests had left Hermione nearly hysterical, Harry was fairly confident. He was actually doing pretty well in all of his classes, even Potions, and besides, Harry wasn't really thinking about that. He was more concerned about getting Gwen alone. Ever since he had decorated her bedroom at the start of term, they had shared secret looks and knowing smiles when nobody else was looking. He had gotten to know her so well over the past few months.
The Friday before Halloween, Dumbledore had informed the school that Gwen would be making her introduction. It was supposed to be a big deal, to celebrate her coming of age to receive her throne, and there would be a large ball afterward. The celebrations would last from breakfast on Christmas Eve, all the way to the wee hours of Christmas Day. Because of this, more people were staying at Hogwarts for the holidays than ever before. This was mainly because Gwen had invited the entire school. Many older students and even a few faculty members had frowned at the idea of inviting the younger years to such an extravagant party. Gwen, however, could see no reason why anyone would be excluded, and she openly stated that she had specifically asked Dumbledore to let everyone be admitted.
"If you are eleven or twelve then you are eleven or twelve!" Gwen admonished the Slytherin prefect Lottie Yates a few weeks back for- it must be confessed- slapping a first year Ravenclaw girl and calling her 'a brat', "It's not like you can help it. Weren't you eleven once? A person's age is not a mark against their character and should never be treated as such!"
Gwen was known around school for her kindness and generosity, but people who crossed her soon found out that doing so was a very bad idea indeed. After the first few rocky weeks of whispers, stares, and cold silences, people began to grow familiar with Gwen. They started to try to get to know her, and soon after, Gwen became highly regarded by everyone at Hogwarts and aided to all who came to her without hesitation.
She tended to colds and fevers between classes. She gave advice to the worried and wiped the tears of the sorrowful. She broke up fights and amended friendships. She tutored the troubled and counseled the masses until all hours of the night.
By mid-November, Gwen was widely known as "Princess Mother," especially to the younger students. And the more Harry thought about it, the more the name seemed to fit. Harry had caught many a person in the Head common room late at night that had tried to sneak up to talk to Gwen.
What surprised Harry most was her never-ending patience. No matter how hungry or tired or upset she may have been herself, the princess offered with a free hand a bit of food for the hungry, a place to rest for the tired, or a shoulder to cry on for the upset. At the very least, Gwen always had a kind word and a smile for those in need, and that was usually more than enough. Because of her kindness, she was able to keep the students in line much like Dumbledore was able to. It was her soft firmness that people respected and obeyed.
Harry truly admired her, and had opened up to her like he never could with Ron or Hermione. Today, walking across the grounds and smelling the fresh air, Harry was happy while he daydreamed. Today, Harry was going to finally get Gwen alone and ask her to the ball.
As he rounded a corner, Harry was pleased to see all three of his friends under their favorite tree like he knew they would be. Hermione and Gwen were crowded around a book and were going on about Charms. Ron, on the other hand, was shoving his face full of food. They were all sitting on a large red blanket, and on top of it had been spread a beautiful feast. Trays of bacon and bowls full of fluffy eggs and cereal, platters of towering muffins and croissants, along with jugs of milk and juice. Harry smiled appreciatively and sat down, grabbing a muffin.
"Hello, Hermione, Ron," He said, then turned to the princess, "Good morning, Gwen,"
"Good morning, Mr. Potter," she returned, pointing to the figure in the book on Hermione's lap. Hermione scribbled it down. "And don't call me 'Gwen'!" she finished playfully. Harry saw her grin behind her blue veil. They played that game every morning now. Secretly, Harry called it "Don't-call-me-'Gwen'-!". He knew it was stupid, but he couldn't think of any other name for it.
"So what's with the bounty?" he asked, taking a bite out of his muffin.
"Jin slet eentup," Ron answered, his mouth filled to the breaking point with eggs. Gwen and Hermione giggled, and Harry had some difficulty trying to suppress his laughter and he asked, "Say again?". Even Ron chuckled at himself after he swallowed.
"Gwen set it up," he repeated clearly.
"It was such a beautiful day," she said, closing her eyes and turning her face to the sky to be warmed by the sun, "and it wasn't that hard to do. Besides, I thought you all might enjoy it."
"You're always thinking of others," Harry said, a small, faraway smile on his face.
Did I just say that out loud?!?!?, he realized suddenly. But it didn't really matter, because apparently, his other friends seemed to think so as well.
"That's right," Hermione, said jokingly, "When do you ever consider yourself?"
Gwen laughed.
"I'll have plenty of time to consider myself when I'm dead," was her reply.
The group laughed again, until…
"Having fun are we?" drawled a casually cool voice. Harry whipped around so fast he felt his neck crick. There was Malfoy, leaning against a nearby oak tree. Harry and Ron stood. Malfoy walked over and leaned down at the waist so his lips were mere centimeters from Guinivere's ear. "Thought you could escape me by hanging out with the Famous Harry Potter and his goons? Well you can't. Not this time. I'm onto you. You know what today is…" he said scathingly, loud enough for them all to hear.
"I-"she faltered, "I know not what you mean…"
Malfoy walked around so he was right in front of her. Standing straight, he leered down at the princess with such glee in his eyes that Harry found it bordering on obscene.
"It's the third new moon of the year, my foolish love, and tonight you shall be my……pariah,"
The last word slipped between Malfoy's teeth like a fine wine, and though Harry and Ron didn't know what that meant, both Gwen and Hermione's eyes flew open as they looked at Malfoy and gasped. But Gwen's eyes fell to the ground, filled with hopelessness and despair, while Hermione's stayed on the Slytherin as she let a soft, "No…" escape.
Harry and Ron looked at each other, silently communicating that no mater what was going on, it definitely wasn't good.
Gwen said nothing. She stood, her head hanging. However, when she raised her head and looked up, her amber eyes burnt with such ferocity that even Malfoy took a step back.
"I am no play-thing of yours!" she cried passionately before slapping Malfoy hard across the face. Harry saw the red hand-shaped mark on Malfoy's face, and was sure it must have smarted painfully, but he was glad. The Slytherin, in slight awe, reached up and touched his cheek where Gwen had struck him. His face clouded over for a moment, quickly turning from shock to rage, and all of a sudden Malfoy grabbed Gwen by the wrist. He pulled her to himself, twisting her arm behind her back. Harry could see the pained tears that sprung to Gwen's eyes, and he shook with fury. Whether Harry loved her or not, Malfoy didn't have the right to treat any girl like that.
Harry and Ron whipped out their wands, but there wasn't anything they could do while Malfoy was using Gwen as a human shield.
"Let her go!" Harry bellowed. A few first-years dawdling by the lake's edge looked round to see what the disturbance was. "You have no right to her!"
The Slytherin grinned maliciously.
"Oh, she didn't tell you? No…No, I didn't think she would. Our parents were very old friends. I have more right to her than anyone here. Also, tonight is the third new moon of the year. That means she's mine today. Tonight, she'll be my pariah."
"And just what the hell does that mean?" Ron spat.
"Why, she'll be my bedtime toy," Malfoy answered, wrapping his other arm around the princess' slim waist, "My own little sex kitten. I simply can't wait to put her to use toni-"
At the look Harry was giving him, Malfoy stopped mid-word and let Gwen go. Gwen rushed to Hermione's side and sat with her.
"Let's settle this now," Harry said, his voice deeper and more serious than it had ever been before. "Fine," Malfoy glowered, pulling out his own wand.
"Ron," Harry said getting ready, "You protect the girls. This is between him and me."
"No!" Gwen cried out, rushing between the two opponents, "I won't let you!"
"Gwen!" Harry shouted, keeping his own emerald eyes fixed on Malfoy's cold gray ones, "Get out of the way and let me protect you!"
The princess said nothing, but retreated closer to the wall of the castle.
"Taramaculus!" Harry yelled, his wand pointed squarely at Draco. With a quick shield charm, the Slytherin deflected the spell towards the lake. The curious first-years ducked for cover as the dual began. Harry and Malfoy fought viciously and after nearly twenty minutes, they paused to catch their breath. "H-Had enough, P-Potter?" Malfoy panted, sneering.
"I'm just getting started," Harry replied, clutching a stitch in his side.
"Canorius!" cursed the Slytherin. In an instant, Harry found himself bound by invisible restraints and mere inches away from Malfoy. While he struggled to break free, Malfoy spoke softly, enjoying his triumph.
"You know, Potter, if you keep putting me off like this, I might just have to take my frustrations out on our mutual friend over there," he threatened, motioning towards Gwen, "Some of thiiis, a bit of thaaat, and then- something else too!"
The bastard! Harry thought, What's he talking about, this and that? She's got nothing to do with this dual! Nothing! Except -he glanced over at the princess. There she was, next to the shore of the lake, her hands clasped and her eyes worried. He looked back at his rival, his bright green eyes black with passionate ferocity- Except for some reason, it really pisses me off!
"Finite Incantatum!" bellowed Harry with renewed strength. He fell to his feet as his bonds disappeared. Malfoy glared.
"Pentosium!" cursed Malfoy.
"Immaculus!" Harry yelled.
The two hexes struck each other in mid-air and ricocheted towards the school building.
Gwen ducked, and both jets of light flew upward, hitting a large stone gargoyle high on the wall's face. The stone cracked and began to crumble, unable to stand any longer. The statue plummeted, and it was headed straight down, right where the princess was standing, unaware of what had happened.
Without thinking, Harry ran at her, and just before the ton of marble fell, pushed her out of the way. He felt something heavy strike the back of his head, and his world collapsed into the darkness….
8
My Two Cents: Well, for now this is TBC. I know I haven't been good at posting, but until I get THREE reviews, I'm not posting anymore, and you will just have to live with the strain of this cliffy. PLEASE- just write a tiny little something. Please?