--Beyond the Grave--
Disclaimer: Anything you recognise isn't mine – god bless JK!!!
Beta Reader: Sir Darlon – big thanks I couldn't do this without you!
Chapter 17 – Beyond the Grave
Reminder: "looks like he's not here then" I said glumly
"Who isn't?" whispered a jolly voice from behind us.
-- Ghost of a Conversation --
I spun around to find a rather squished face right in front of me. Even If I hadn't seen the fat Friar before I would have known immediately who he was, one thing you could always find with all the house ghosts was that they're nicknames suited them perfectly, and in some cases even the real name did too.
Take nearly headless Nick for example; nearly headless because his head had been almost completely cleaved from his shoulders, but even his real name, Sir Nicholas De Mimsey Porpington had a twisted sort of irony about it.
I suppose not everyone would know about the ironic part though, but me, being a Weasley, and being as poor as church mice, had one advantage;
Chickens.
We had had chickens at the Burrow for as long as I could remember, and when I was seven it became my job to take care of them. In true style of my obsessive nature, I had to be the best chicken minder ever, a fact that I suppose came in quite handy for Tom Riddle a few years later… but the less said about that the better.
I studied chickens with the same intensity that I would later put into my research into Harry's past, I suppose in that one respect I take after Percy … but in my defence as least its only that one little thing..
One of the first things I found out about chickens was the different types of breed, Dorkings and Cornish, and more to the point, Orpington's.
Almost exactly the same as Porpington, and of course I think everybody's heard the saying running around like a headless chicken, stemming from the way a chicken with a broken neck would run with its head dangling over its shoulder.
When I heard his name I had made the connection immediately, in fact in my sudden fit of laughter I managed to spit the sweet corn that I was eating at the time right into Colin's steaming bowl of tomato soup. That turned out to be a great introduction; I don't think he's ever really forgiven me, although that might be because I got him petrified.
There was only one way to describe the Fat Friar though, and that was round. Round from the circular patch of freckled skin peeping through his hair, to his bi round face with its big round nose, and his big round body.
As round as the room we were still stood in I realised with a giggle, had they modelled it after him?
I almost opened my mouth to say precisely that, but stopped myself quickly, remembering it would be a really bad idea to insult someone when I needed they're help, no matter how jolly they're appearance might seem.
Exhaling quickly I cut myself off, and stood there grasping for something to say, meanwhile looking for all the world like a goldfish.
Cedric realising my difficulty cut in and grabbing the Friar's hand he greeted him enthusiastically, a little too enthusiastically for all intents and purposes, but I wasn't about to stop him and instead I shot him a grateful smile as he gave me a conspirative wink over the Friars shoulder.
Stifling giggles I nodded back and Cedric took a step back from the friar who had enveloped him in a huge bear hug.
"Friar, we need your help" he said, whilst the Friar grinned at us heartily and gave a covert glance around the room.
"A little more privacy?" he suggested arching a rather hairy eyebrow
I nodded vigorously and Cedric began leading the way out of the Hufflepuff tower.
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Once again we found ourselves settling near the lake, as the Squid basked in the low waters trying to catch some of the evening sun.
"So how can I help you Miss Weasley" quipped the Friar, turning to me.
I was at a loss for words, how did he know who I was? Then it occurred to me that murder probably didn't happen very often much around Hogwarts, and the rumours surrounding my death had probably even spread to moaning Myrtle' s U-bend.
"We are looking for Godrics Hollow" I began slowly, but quickly accelerating with excitement I continued,
"We realised that it has to be something to do With Godric Gryffindor, and Jane said you were here the longest, even before the founders and that you knewthemandcanyouhelpus?"
I took in a deep breath of air, despite the fact that I no longer really had any lungs to breathe with.
"Wanna say that a bit slower now Gin?" teased Cedric as the Friar let out a long low chuckle.
"Patience is a Virtue Miss Weasley" he chastised,
I blushed crimson and mumbled my apologies whilst Cedric dissolved into fits of laughter on the grass besides me, only calming down when the Frair frowned in his direction.
"So you want to hear the real history of Hogwarts?" he asked
I sat up my legs crossed and nodded attentively eagerly anticipating his start.
"It all began years ago……"
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[Author notes: thank you to all my reviewers, your lovely comments kept me smiling all day, and then I couldn't wait to get home and turn out another chapter. I'm not going to mention everyone because I always find that really annoying when I'm reading a story, its just like quick next chapter NOW! But once again thank you - you're all lovely!!! This chapter's a bit on the short side but the friar has a lot to say so I've decided to stick it all in one chapter than I hope to begin some time tonight. Thanks again to Darlon, you're a star!!! And hope you like the chappy, don't forget to review :o) – Silvermoonluna]