Hellooooo every body… buried in the backyard. –cough- HEY Jacqui! And why exactly aren't you reviewing for every chapter, missy? God, I'm needy. Meh, oh well. –Shrug- Hmmm… Well… my rival has yet to post a chapter… says her hamster died; the one that turns the wheel that powers her brain. Um, so I guess this story will be a tad long as we are supposed to finish at the same time so there will be no arguments like- you only won cause you finished first and so nobody read mine. –sigh- I hope she gets hers up soon. Tralala la la… la- okay, I think it's time I put down the pixi sticks. So! Um… you guys just want me to start the chapter, don't you? You'd like that wouldn't you? Well too bad, cause I got a lot to say… … … … … Erm… … … Uh… … … oh stfu. On with the fic.
"I'm going to be next," Hermione whispered during their next DADA class, the rest of the class being busy practicing shield charms as Mortimer dive-bombed them, having a nifty little shield himself.
"Why do you think that?" Ron asked her, watching the bat closely and thus informing Hermione that he thought she was over reacting.
Surprisingly, she wasn't pleased about this. She stared at him with her head turned slightly to the right and tilted but her eyes locked directly onto his. Her lips were pursed together and her arms were tightly crossed. With her frizzy brown hair she looked very much like a lion about to bite. When Ron took his eyes off the flying mammal and retrieved the look like an obedient little dog he was quick to apologize and thus save the relationship as it was that time of the month. Only then did Hermione continue in a voice of importance.
"The teachers and the best students are the ones in the most danger and everyone knows I'm the smartest girl in our year."
"I dunno," Harry said, watching Chase and Mike hold Sara back as she tried to attack Crabbe. "Students know that and teachers do, but how would Voldemort know? So far only teachers have been attacked, and the History club leader and I think that's only because the book probably can't hurt ghosts."
"Still," Hermione hissed, firing out a shield at Mortimer, who'd been very close to snatching her ribbon.
"Heelow!" he squeaked, bouncing off his shield and doing a back-flip in the air. He landed next to Sara's bag and proceeded to dig through it in search of her lipgloss, intending to eat it.
Sara fired out a shield and he bounced away, stealing Neville's hat as he went. Eric glanced about the room; everyone seemed able to produce a shield, even if it wasn't very strong. Mortimer swooped down on Robin and stole the red ribbon that marked a hit. Robin, a born actor, proceeded to let out a death cry and perform an over exaggerated demise.
"Score: Mortimer seven, Students: thirteen," announced Eric as Mortimer flew to the ceiling and hugged his teddy bat.
"Let's go to the library after dinner," proposed Hermione as a llama walked by and Eric tried to pull the dead Robin to his feet.
"Why?" sighed Ron, slumping sown into his chair as Mortimer tried to sneak up on Sara's bag. "It never turns up anything!"
However no amount of argument could diverge Hermione from her mission. So after dinner, Ron and Harry dragged themselves up to the library. As usual they said they were doing extra credit work for Eric. The excuse, however, was unnecessary as the Library seemed full of people. Neville was reading three different books at once, taking notes with Rosemary on the other side of the table doing the exact same thing. Harry assumed it was a Herbology club thing as Desdemona was also sitting at a table, reading and taking notes with a Llama standing beside her and off to the left wearing an orange lampshade.
Ginny was also present, sitting at a table with Luna and reading up on astronomy. Sadly, everyone's least favorite git was also studying. Hermione preferred to ignore everyone else as she scanned the shelves. She crawled along, looking at the bottom shelf while trying to ignore Malfoy's constant berating about how often she was on her hands and knees. Then she saw it, a book entitled 'The Secret Journal of Salazar Slytherin.' She beamed proudly and reached out for it, but was stopped by Harry, who grabbed her wrist.
"Don't you think that's a little too easy?" he asked her. "It's got to be some sort of trick."
Hermione pulled her hand back and nodded, rising to her feet. "Let's find out," she said, pulling him after her as she rushed to the librarian. "Excuse me."
The librarian, who had been reading a dictionary sized book, looked up at Hermione and instinctually lifted her finger to her lips and instructed the two teenagers to calm themselves. Harry and Hermione looked to each other with confused stares. The librarian ignored this and slowly she placed a bookmark into her book and shut it with care that some parents don't even reserve for their children. She then folded her hands together and asked quite snippily, (yes, it's a word I assure you.)
"Can I help you?"
"Yes, I was wondering if you could help us find a book called The Secret Journal of Salazar Slytherin."
The librarian clicked her tongue and lowered her glasses so she could peer over them without the annoyance of vision or facial details. "If it's a SECRET Journal then why would it be published?"
"Ah ha!" Harry ah haed.
"What are you ah haing?" Hermione questioned. "That was blatant sarcasm."
"It counts!"
"It does not!"
"Does that book exist?"
The librarian scowled and shook her head, "Not here it doesn't."
"Ah ha!"
"Oh fine, you just live it up."
"Why are you asking stupid questions?"
"Umm… no reason," Hermione and Harry chorused suspiciously before bolting from her sight. They returned to the bookshelf to see another victim! DUH DUH DUNNNN! And it was Draco Malfoy! (Gasp!... No not really but hey I tried.) Harry and Hermione sighed before dragging their feet past a llama and over to the only two available chairs, which were next to Desdemona.
"Oh, hello," she greeted nervously.
"Hi," they chorused back.
"Why aren't you sitting with Neville?" Harry asked, poking open a book on Ancient Egypt.
"Oh, um well they're, I mean Neville and Rosemary, are working on a special project and I-I-I'd just be in the way," Desdemona replied, hiding her face behind a book on using magic in daily chores.
"I thought you and him…" Hermione's voice faded off and she busied herself with straightening up the books on the table.
Desdemona peeked over her book at Hermione, looking confused. "What?"
"Well, it's just that you both seem very friendly towards each other, what with spending so much time in the greenhouses and giving him that study guide and all."
"Yeah, Neville's had the hots for you since day one," stated Ron, seating himself halfway into Hermione's chair and pulling her up onto his lap.
Desdemona blushed furiously before launching back behind her book.
"Seriously!" gasped Hermione, leaning forward to pry the book from Desdemona's hands.
"Uhh…" having nothing to hide behind, Desdemona took hold of her bag and stood up. "I should really be getting back to the common room."
Hermione grabbed one of the bag straps and held tight; though she didn't need any more proof as Desdemona's eyes traveled to Neville, who was staring right back at her and they both immediately looked away, blushing. Hermione released her grip in triumph and Desdemona shot away.
The class climbed the stairs towards the DADA class room. They knew quite well that the door would only appear once everyone was tired because Eric wanted them all to be able to act their best even under stress and exhaustion, that and being out of breath made the Slytherin a lot better to be around and ensured that the class didn't waste energy acting up. When they entered the class room they found that Mortimer was not on the ceiling.
He was, however, at the front of the room on Eric's desk. Though he was lying in a shoe box on a satin pillow with a little cloth blanket. His half-lidded eyes stared at them, bloodshot and miserable. He sneezed and pulled the blanket up higher. Eric entered the room very quietly instead of his usual dramatic entrance. He placed a tinny ice pack on Mortimer's head and a thermometer in his mouth.
"Please take your seats," he requested of the class, his voice softer than usual.
The class very silently took their seats and no one dared to move, all except Goyle who waited for Eric to step away from Mortimer and then yelled,
"Duh what are we learning today, teach?"
Mortimer cringed and covered his very large ears with his wings. The entire class turned to glare at Goyle, but Eric reached him first and glowered threateningly.
"Common courtesy is all I ask of you," he hissed menacingly. "If you can't show that to me, then be warned, I won't show it to you."
Goyle, who was under strict orders from Malfoy shook his head and the fearful look vanished into a sneer. "It's just a flying rat."
Eric ignored him and instead returned to the front of the class room. "Today we are going to discuss-"
"WHAT? SPEAK UP WE CAN'T HEAR YOU!" Crabbe bellowed, Goyle chortling stupidly. A llama spat on him and he stared at it in confusion.
"Yes you can for while my mouth may be moving, I am speaking directly into your minds."
The class ooohhed in great green globs of awe. (Any particular song going through your head?)
"Today I want to discuss a new tactic in Defense Against the Dark Arts," Eric explained, though he stopped moving his mouth halfway though the sentence as if to prove he really was speaking into their minds. A hand shot up. "Yes?"
"How are you doing that?" whispered Mike.
"It's very simple to explain," smiled Eric. "I can send out a telepathic wave throughout the room and that is what you all hear. If I wanted to speak to one student directly, I'd simply have to look at them and concentrate on narrowing the wave to only that person. Now, today I want you all to try and learn something like this. Good friends can look at each other and get a vague idea of what their friend is thinking."
The class nodded in unison and Mortimer sneezed.
"I want you all to be able to do this as in a crisis, you will not be able to huddle up and formulate a plan. Now…. Ms Embers, I'd like you to come up here and try this."
"Crap, we'll be here all day!"
"Mr. Ferociter, if you'd be so kind," snarled Eric.
Chase grinned evilly as he raised his wand and the two goons went pale and sank very low into their seats.
"Now, Ms. Embers," continued Eric. "This technique is designed to calm and focus your thoughts and allow you to react better in battle. Relax, you are safe here among us. Remember that you are safe. Now, turn your back to the class and focus on me."
The class was on the edge of their seats, leaning in to watch. Nothing seemed to be happening though as Desdemona turned towards Eric and wrung out her hands in nervousness.
"I am the villain," said Eric. "Your teammates are behind you. You need to be able to focus and know what they are doing. Can you remember where everyone was sitting?"
"Y-y-y-yes," replied Desdemona, hoping that she could. "I-I think," she added.
"You're an artist, you make a picture with your mind," continued Eric, sensing her discomfort. "Do you know where everyone is in the picture?"
"Y-yes."
"Good." Eric took his eyes off her and looked to Harry. "Get up, move towards her." He instructed so Desdemona couldn't hear. Harry, Chase, and Desdemona were his favorites so call upon. No one thought Desdemona could do anything, Harry was a master, and Chase was very creative in his spells.
"Ok," Eric looked back to Desdemona as Harry stood up. "What's your team doing?"
"Uh-"
"Don't turn around," Eric reminded her quickly.
Desdemona looked into his eyes and tried every thing he's told her to do as she'd walked to the front. She could hear footsteps, but only one pair. She looked at Eric and somehow she knew people were moving and who they were.
"Potter, is coming towards me!" she announced to the applause of the class.
Eric smiled and one by one he called people up. Though the only ones able to accomplish the task were Harry, Chase, and Desdemona, though she didn't get as far as Chase and Harry did. By the end of the week, Harry was able to understand how Dumbledore could fight and simply know what his teammates were doing, it was like there was a silent language that only fighters could hear and he'd tapped into it. The very idea of learning that brightened Harry's month and as Christmas break rolled around he was feeling better than ever. The joy only increased when Harry was pulled aside from the group one night with only two words.
"It's time!"
They rushed toward the greenhouses and into the special section that was being guarded by ominous looking plants that had the ability to puff out and shoot spikes. Neville pulled out two vials and threw them at the plants, which then fell asleep. Neville hurried on and came to an area where Rosemary and Desdemona were waiting, both staring at a plant.
"Nothing yet, Neville," Desdemona reported with a clearly excited smile.
Neville grinned back at her and took a seat directly in front of the purple pod. As Harry sat down he could see that it was moving and glowing slightly. Rosemary had a camera and was sitting next to Neville as he instructed her on visual effects he wanted her to do. Harry moved out of their way and over to Desdemona.
"Uh, hi," he greeted, slightly alarmed to see her smiling and to see the llama out the window behind her, chewing bubble gum.
"Hi," she replied, finally taking her eyes off the pod. "Isn't this exciting?"
"Yeah," Harry smiled. Somehow her enthusiasm drove in the point of how rare and spectacular this would be.
Yet an hour later they were all still sitting there. Rosemary was circling the plant, keeping the pod in focus on the camera while Neville was talking to the plant, saying encouraging things and explaining the world in a comforting voice. Professor Sprout hurried in, shoving the deep vine curtain out of the way as she entered. She beamed at Neville and plopped down on the ground where she began lecturing on the plant. Two hours later and they still sat there; the three garden enthusiasts and the two others who were bored and had run out of things to talk about.
The moon broke through the clouds and moonlight cascaded into the greenhouse, creating an ethereal glow. Neville moved closer to the pod, his excitement spreading to the others. Harry grinned and looked to Desdemona. She was bathed in moonlight and smiling excitedly. As her eyes met his he could see a strange beauty he'd never seen before in her. With her hair shimmering in the light and her face glowing, she didn't look real. Harry smiled back as the event took full hold of him and Professor Sprout stopped talking and instead just gazed in awe.
Then the pod jerked and everyone scrambled to move closer, forming a crescent around the plant. Rosemary was also caught up in the excitement and ran around hugging everyone twice before she leapt back to her camera and began the visual effects Neville had requested. Professor Sprout was beside herself and could no longer be heard as her last sentence faded off and she leaned in, shaking Neville's shoulders supportively.
The pod began to glow as the moonlight soaked into it. Then it simply twisted and turned and seemed to bloom into the most beautiful flower they had ever seen. It looked like a Lily, smelt like Jasmine, yet was full of gorgeous greens, purples, pinks, blues, and yellows. The color came towards them, then the petals gave shape as wings unlike any they had ever seen before and soon a shinning mass of pastel green hair came into view as the fairy emerged from the flower.
The forehead revealed a blue gemstone in the very center, and the skin was fair and smooth. The eyes, though closed, were large and diamond shaped, like those expected of models. Soon the neck appeared and then shoulders. The hair cascaded over the shoulders and fell down the torso as it emerged. The hair went all the way to her ankles as they emerged, followed by perfect little feet.
Rosemary sat herself between Harry and Neville, one hand on the camera and the other giving Neville a supportive hug. The fairy looked like a fragile doll that was being pulled out by a rope that must have come from right where her neck ended and her back started though it caused her no pain as she seemed to simply sleep. A light shone up from the flower, matching the one in the moon and suspended the fairy in midair. There she stayed, tinny white sparkles swimming around her in a slow celebratory dance.
Everyone was filled with an unexplainable joy, as if they'd never be sad again. They looked to each other, smiling in awed joy. Tinny white petals drifted off the plant and floated around the group, who turned this-way-and-that to watch. A small breeze blew through the greenhouse, spreading the smell of Jasmine, vanilla, and peaches. It ruffled through there hair and clothing. Neville took a deep breath and everyone returned their gaze to the fairy, who opened her eyes and stared straight forward at Neville.
The light from the flower faded and Neville brought his hand forward, palm up. The fairy stepped onto his hand as the light from the flower disappeared and she was no longer floating. She was about at tall as a can of soda and her wings would make even the most gorgeous butterfly jealous. Desdemona leaned across Harry and handed a silk handkerchief to Neville. He took it gratefully and draped it around the fairy's shoulders. She smiled and pulled it tightly around herself, escaping the cold breeze.
"Hello," Neville whispered softly.
The fairy tilted her head, then sank to her knees and sat back upon her ankles, still staring up at Neville; she didn't look afraid at all. Professor sprout leaned in and whispered into Neville's ear,
"Give her a name."
Neville could only think of one name to give the fairy, the name of someone he loved with all his heart; the name of the person who gave him courage when he was alone, the name of the person that had been tortured but still had protected him.
"Alice. First name Zaara and second name Alice."
"That's a beautiful name, Neville," smiled Rosemary.
"Wonderful," said Professor Sprout, somehow managing to smile even bigger. "Zaara, beautiful flower.
"It's perfect," said Harry.
"Welcome to the world, Zaara," beamed Desdemona.
"We're so happy you're here," added Neville softly.
The next match was against the Ravenclaw and all the members had been practicing very hard on what Eric had taught them and were almost able to synchronize without telling each other anything; though this took all their free time and most of their sleep time. Neville spent all his free time in the dorm room where he was constantly checking on the fairy. Rosemary had sent in to a custom doll clothes service and had given Zaara a hundred very cute little outfits to wear, having told the company that the doll had wings, there were snap on buttons to allow them.
Neville even had a little bedroom for the fairy, made out of a shelf in his trunk. Zaara didn't seem able to speak, but she did cry a lot. Seamus called it a Siren's song as while the noise was in perfect pitch and beautiful, it came at all hours and usually meant they all had to wake up. Since Neville couldn't very well be seen hauling a doll around school, the day care of the fairy was entrusted to Rosemary as she was the best in her herbology class and seemed to love the fairy, who was like a, infant in her curiosity and knowledge of the world.
Gryffindor won the match against the Ravelclaw, though it had been hard and involved three hours of overtime. Ginny had scored an all-time high on her DADA test and was reporting the highest grade to her parents, Ron and Neville's plant business was blooming (sorry) as almost every student had one and wanted to get more for their family and friends. Hermione was pulling her usual high grades and had even convinced Mike to join S.P.E.W. He now roamed the halls like a mad-man, demanding other people join and had scared a lot of first years into joining.
Though he though the house elves were cool, but thought that they should not be hit or yelled at and only the ones who want payment should get it. Harry was doing well in his potions class as he could visualize Neville's book, as could Neville. Sara was happy because Malfoy was in the hospital wing, though he didn't seem to be as bad as the others. Chase was happy as he wasn't sick and had gotten extra points in transfiguration, giving him the highest grade in the class.
Even Luna was happy as Ginny had convinced everyone to stop calling her loony. Yes, it seemed every thing was going well, even for the random background llamas you probably have been wondering about. That was until the first morning of break.
"Neville's cheating on Desdemona!" Ginny shrieked, throwing herself into the common room.
"What!" Cried Ron, Harry, Hermione, Sara, Mike, and Chase.
"I saw him in the greenhouse with Rosemary, right before they both got on the train!"
"Tramp!" spat Hermione. "Poor Desdemona.
"Damn, that sucks…" said Mike. "Rosemary is so hot."
"You're sure it was Neville?" asked Ron. "I mean, seriously."
"Whore!" Piped Sara. "And that Rosemary is a slut!"
"Neville?" clarified Chase, agreeing with Ron. "Our Neville? Sorry but… how… it doesn't seem right."
"Where's Desdemona?" asked Harry. "Does she know?"
"I saw her in the library…" said Ginny solemnly. "I don't think she knows."
They were all silent, not daring to look at each other. Even at breakfast they were somber and quiet; though that was quickly noticed as most of the students had vacated the presence after hearing that a student was attacked. All that was left at the school was the seven Gryffindor students, Desdemona, and the teachers who had opted to stay. Eric was of course staying, though that news was greatly disturbing Snape. For breakfast The Gryffindor arrived to see again that there was only one table, at which sat Albus, Eric, Minerva, and Severus.
The students gravitated away from the disgruntled potions master, an instead waved a cheery hello to Eric and Mortimer, who was flapping around the hall in a celebratory dance to the Swiss cheese clutched in his foot.
"I thought you weren't negotiating with terrorists," Sara reminded Eric, being the only one gutsy enough to seat herself nearest to Snape, who glared at her in return.
Eric looked over at her looking defeated, though he was smiling and simply explained, "He's feeling better."
"Ah," chorused the students, nodding their heads.
Albus beamed at each of them in his usual fashion, "I imagine our American guests must be feeling rather homesick?"
Mike, Sara, and Chase all stared at him, though their minds drifted towards cheeseburgers, but they were American so they answered, "Nope, nah, not really," and then looked around at nothing. That was until Sara noticed something, "Where are Huraiva and Nadav?"
"I believe they apperated home," Dumbledore smiled. "This is their seventh year after all."
"Oh-"
The left side of the table erupted in laughter that was quickly stifled as they realized Eric was using thought-speak and none of the adults had heard the joke. Eric grinned and leaned back from the position he had been in. Albus beamed over at them, though his sparkle proved conversation would be out-loud from then now on.
"I hope you are enjoying yourselves," Dumbledore continued. "I'm glad your headmaster allowed you to come."
"Yes," piped Hermione. "Barely any of the other Headmaster's would even think of sending students here."
"Well, the head minister said that there was an opportunity to join an exchange program. Now, usually that meant out two schools would meet and-"
"Two?" Ron interrupted. "Why two?"
"Well, Salem's Secret is based in Arizona, hidden in the mountains near Phoenix and of course some of it is located outside the mountain, but there's a hiding charm on it that makes it look simply like a very hard and overly dangerous mountain to climb so non-magics usually stay away." explained Sara, tapping her nails against that table slowly as she did.
"Right, and Revolution is in Pennsylvania," added Mike, eagerly waiting for breakfast to appear before him. "Anyway-"
All conversation between the teenagers stopped as Desdemona entered the hall and took a seat. That was when things got awkward. The only thing anyone could think to do was to say 'Now what?' but they weren't sure who'd entered fourth and since there were four teachers they weren't quite ready to risk it. A llama walked into a bar and got a massive headache; feeling stupid, it gathered up its dime sized bags of cocaine and scurried away wearing a rainbow beanie with dreadlocks sticking out from beneath.
"Good Morning, Desdemona," greeted the Headmaster, smiling warmly.
Desdemona blushed and stared at the table, squeaking out a soft, "Good Morning, Professor."
She looked timidly to her right to see that all the teen girls were staring at her with different looks of pity and the guys were avoiding eye-contact. There was a very, excruciating, over exaggeratedly long and awkward silence while the professors tried to figure out what in Merlin's name had happened, all except Snape who didn't give a llama's ass.
"Food!" Mike cheered thankfully as great piles of breakfast began appearing on the serving plates.
"Dig in everyone," instructed the Headmaster, though it seemed pointless as Mike had all but launched himself directly into the food and Mortimer was flying around Eric's head, catching food as the teens threw it to him.
"Who's going to tell her?" whispered Ginny, tossing up a blueberry.
"There's only one way I can think of to decide…. One two three, not it," Mike replied quickly, shoveling scrambled eggs and cinnamon sugar into his mouth.
"That's juvenile!" Hermione hissed.
"Not it!" said Chase.
"Not it," said Ron and Harry, tying with Sara.
"Not it!" declared Ginny. "You tell her, Hermione."
"… No," replied Hermione as if pouting.
Professor Trelawney arrived, looking rather insect like and strode in looking important and dramatic. Though the only ones looking at her were the Americans because they'd never seen her and thus did not know to run for their lives.
"Ah, this is a treat!" Dumbledore smiled, ignoring the fact that the students were crossing themselves and had just thrown salt over their shoulders.
"Oh yeah, she had another premonition," mumbled Harry. "Something about a curse active this year."
Dumbledore simply smiled and said, "Not dangerous I hope."
"Not really."
"I was gazing in my crystal ball and saw that I should join you all, and who am I to disagree with the beyond," explained the dragonfly.
"That's good to here Sybil, have a seat," invited Albus.
"Crisis mode people," Minerva muttered. "Everyone just start running around the table, maybe she can't count us if we move."
Snickers began, but soon they realized she was serious and grudgingly began to get up. Though it was too late.
"Over exaggerated GASP!" Sybil clutched her chest and struck a pose. "I dare not join you, for then we will be thirteen and-"
Minerva, who had been miming the actions interrupted loudly, "Yes, yes, we've been through it all before. Now have a seat, the food is getting cold."
Sybil snuck forward like she expected to burst into flames; she then sat timidly upon the seat and stared across at Desdemona. "Child!" she gasped, though her eyes did that fluttery thing that only a real premonition could foretell. "I fear a terribly awful event has happened and you have yet to hear about it. Someone here shall inform you soon."
The Gryffindor students all moaned and sank low into the bench while Desdemona looked morbidly terrified. Trelawney blinked and stared forward as if wondering what was wrong. She decided her very presence was intimidating the girl, and thus smiled, making it worse, and began loading up her plate. She then looked up and stared at Snape.
"Ah, I sense you have met the one you are destined to fall in love with," she stated, marveling at her wisdom.
The teenagers and Eric snorted out a quick laugh, which they quickly stifled, though Eric grinned boldly.
"Sadly though, that person will not be with us long," continued Trelawney, tipping bacon onto her plate and wiping the smiles off the teenagers and Eric and instead forming one on Snape. "And who are you?" she asked Mike.
"Yoda, my name is," said Mike, doing a perfect impression.
"Ah, Master Yoda," Eric bowed. "Tell us of your infinite wisdom."
"Infinite, my wisdom is," nodded Mike.
"Ah," smiled Eric.
"See the force, I can," continued Mike. "Form a proper sentence, I cannot."
"And you?" Sybil asked Chase.
"Bond… James Bond."
"Yes, I have foreseen your coming," nodded Sybil, making no one doubt that she wasn't really paying attention. "And you?" she asked Sara.
"You're not one for pop culture, are you?" Sara asked. "Any why are you asking our names, shouldn't you already know them, Professor?"
"Pop culture. Of course not," Sybil replied snippily. "And I feel introductions, while unnecessary, help people relax in my company."
"Maybe, Sybil, if you refrained from telling people about their doom the ice would be easier to break," said Minerva curtly.
"My name is Paris Hilton, I am a rich brat," Sara grinned evilly.
"And you?" Sybil asked Desdemona, ignoring Sara.
"Her name is Julia Roberts," Sara stated proudly as Desdemona was still a bit freaked out.
"Well, hello, I am Professor Trelawney."
"… Hi," said Sara.
Dumbledore asked each person their plans for the day before excusing everyone. No one moved, not wanting to be victim to Sybil. They all stared at each other, urging certain members to leave, then with Eric advising them so, Harry, Desdemona, and Chase erupted from their seats.
"STOP!" Sybil cried, staring at the four of them. "Which one of you left you seat first?"
"Well, that would be me," announced Eric. "And since technically I'm already dead I feel I'm in no danger."
Sybil stared at him in disgust and turned her attention towards the teenagers. One was waiting not to care, one was curious but doubtful, and one was cringing in fear. "I saw these three get up before you, but I didn't see who was first," the dragonfly announced, her eyes scanning Desdemona as she looked to be the one ready to cry.
"Eric, dear, would you mind popping into the hall and checking for an axe murdered?" Minerva requested curtly.
Sybil looked upon her with a half-lidded glare, though admittedly they were getting along better after last years events. Yet now, Minerva was inches away from asking if Firenze was adapting well to his new teaching position.
"If you tell me which one of you left your seat first it may be possible for me to see the circumstances under which the poor dear shall meet an end… maybe we can help her… or him… avoid such a tragedy."
"I'd love to stay and do that, but I'm working on an extra credit assignment called bolt," stated Chase.
"Bolt?" asked Eric in mock confusion.
"As you wish," and with that the three teenagers fled from the room at maximum speed. When they reached the hall they continued onward, figuring that if death really was coming it would at least have trouble catching them. When the finally stopped, panting and out of breath, Chase Looked to Harry and took a very deep breath. Then another one which he used to say,
"Not it."
For a few brief seconds, Harry was greatly confused. Then he looked to the panting Desdemona and said,
"Crap… Rock Paper Scissors?"
"No!" hissed Chase.
Harry sighed and turned to Desdemona, who had caught her breath and sadly spoke first. There was fear in her voice and she clasped her sketchbook nervously.
"What do you think Professor Trelawney meant when she said I wasn't aware that something terrible has happened but someone was going to tell me?"
"Errr," both boys looked away and bit their lips.
Desdemona didn't think this was a good sign at all and debated if she should leave or stay to hear the news. She turned away from them and peered out the window, hoping the sun would go back down and the day would start over. Behind her, the two boys had a silent, but furious battle over who would have to tell her. They battled their opinions in silent fury and violent gestures which eventually lead to Rock, Paper, Scissors. The match lasted until Harry lost for the fourth time and Chase said that was enough.
Harry sighed and approached Desdemona, but gave up on that as he saw how nervously she was clutching her sketchbook, and launched back into combat with Chase. He eventually lost again and scrapped himself off the floor, glaring at Chase. When Desdemona turned around they were both standing there innocently as if bewildered by her presence. Then Harry took a deep breath and said,
"Um, Desdemona… WE need to tell you something."
"Sunova…" he heard Chase whispered so only Harry could hear.
"It's about you and Neville," began Harry as Chase snapped into his more feminine, caring side.
"Yeah, see we hate to have to tell you this, but you gotta know," he stated, coming up beside her and placing his hand very supportively on her shoulder.
"Ginny was in the greenhouse this morning because she wanted to see if Zaara was awake yet," Harry explained quickly.
"She said Rosemary and Neville were… uhh…" Chase faded off.
"Making out," Harry filled in. "We're sorry," he added quickly.
They waited for the inevitable outburst of tears and for Desdemona to crumple into a fetal position and sob. Yet the doom ridden look upon her face dissolved an she said,
"Oh, is that it?"
Both boys stared at her. They didn't understand girls but they expected more than that. Especially as she seemed to be such a fragile little thing.
"We'll kill him for you, of course!" promised Chase.
"No, no!" protested Desdemona. "It's alright."
"All… what?" asked Harry, bewildered.
"Look, he's a cheating rat and well kill him if you want… in fact, let's got send him a howler," prompted Chase with Harry nodding in agreement.
"No!" Desdemona grabbed his elbow as he tried to march off, though there was something of a smile on her face.
"Woman, you're driving me insane, what's going on?" demanded Chase as Desdemona started to laugh.
"He's not cheating on me," she stated, her hand covering her mouth though they could tell she was smiling.
Both Harry and Chase stared at her, wondering when exactly she'd slipped into denial… and if she'd ever leave it, though they hoped it was around other girls and not them.
"Ginny saw him," Harry reminded her. "With Rosemary."
Desdemona nodded and uttered something they never thought they'd ever hear,
"He's been dating her since the start of term. Apparently she's had a crush on him for a while and facing Voldemort won her over… Guys, Neville's not even a virgin."
There was silence. The kind of silence you'd expect after a miracle of God… or someone's head exploding off their shoulders like… KUPOW! There goes the head… Yeah… I really do need counseling. But anyway. Harry felt his eyes twitch and said,
"But… he's been giving you Herbology lessons and helping you with the club and you both seemed so close."
"I caught him with Rosemary on patrol one night," explained Desdemona. "I said I wouldn't tell, but he wanted to make sure I didn't say anything so he offered to help however he could. He's good at Herbology. Rosemary likes me just fine so there wasn't ever a reason for us not to get along."
"That explains so much," said Harry, his face crinkling as he remembered all the strange things he should have caught.
"And yet is so amazingly unbelievable," nodded Chase, obviously stunned.
Desdemona smiled and, though shocked, the two boys had a good laugh. Together they headed back to the main hall to see what was taking the others so long. Then Harry had a thought.
"So if that's not a problem for you, what did Trelawney mean?"
Desdemona shrugged and smiled, deciding not to care and just happy she didn't have to be the soul bearer of such a scandalous secret anymore. That was until they opened the door to the great hall and saw Fudge. The teenagers were huddled together, some with tears in their eyes as they looked over, and every one of the teachers looked solemn. Even Mortimer looked depressed.
Albus held a letter in his hand and looked up as time slowed down in ominous waves. Yet even before his eyes reached her, Desdemona gasped in a shuddering breath. The Headmaster's sad eyes met hers just before Fudge's did. Harry looked to his friends, all of whom cringed and shook their heads. Something terrible had happened.
"Miss Embers," Cornelius began. "The Ministry is very, sorry to have to tell you that-"
"Desdemona, could you come with me?" The headmaster interrupted, stepping forward with a gentle sparkle in his eyes.
"Uh, actually I was going to um…" began Desdemona, obviously shaken. "I've got a test later and…"
"It's alright," said Albus. "Please."
"O-o-okay, b-b-but…." Her lips were trembling and Harry put his hand on her back.
She looked at him and he gave her a supportive look. "Go with him," he instructed.
She bit her lip and nodded, following the Headmaster out of the room. Fudge moved to follow, but Eric blocked him and shook his head.
"I think the Minister of Magic had other duties to attend to," he stated. "Let Dumbledore tell her."
"But I need to ask her a few questions-"
"Go back to the Ministry," Eric snarled, exposing his sharp and deadly fangs.
Harry crossed over to Ron and Hermione.
"What's going on?" he asked.
"Oh it's horrible, Harry," cried Hermione. "Voldemort… he's killed her parents."
