A/N: okay. you know how Harry gets when he's mad? I hate that. So there's just a little revenge in the beginning of this chap for those times when he yelled at Hermione and everybody when they were trying to help and he was just having a tantrum. This is a long chapter, I dunno how I pulled this off way back when. But the chaps will shorten up soon.
CHAPTER TWO
PARTY HOUSE
"No," Harry said more loudly. Dumbledore gave him a stern look, but Harry didn't care. How could Dumbledore bring along the daughter of the woman Harry hated most? What Snape did to Sirius one thing to blame, but if any one person was to blame for it all, it was Bellatrix Lestrange. Harry's anger was rapidly swelling inside of him. She took Sirius away from him. She took away his godfather, who wasn't just that, but Sirius was his father, his brother, his friend, his everything! That wasn't the half of it. The memories of the despicable things Bellatrix Lestrange had done arose into his mind blinding all other thoughts. And there stood the daughter of that very person.
"NO!" Harry shouted overwhelmed. "She's the daughter of Voldemort's favorite Death Eater? The one who used the Cruciatrus Curse on Neville and tortured his parents into madness with glee? The one who threatened to torture Ginny before us if I wouldn't hand over some stupid prophecy? The one who killed Sirius. . . even if they were cousins!" his voice rang through the silence in the room. He couldn't stop himself, he was too infuriated. Ena didn't respond and there was a breakout of whispers.
"That is enough Harry!" Dumbledore yelled. Everyone was greatly taken aback at the look and sound of the enraged Dumbledore, everyone except Harry.
"Your godfather would be utterly disappointed with you, if he were still alive." Dumbledore said, back to his calm voice, but still had fiery eyes. Moody nodded in agreement and Snape sneered. That was the most hurtful thing someone could ever tell Harry.
"I thought you, of all people, would easily accept the fact that Ena here is the daughter of someone so dark," said Dumbledore looking as tranquil as he was before he yelled. Remus Lupin stepped to Dumbledore's side and eyed Harry disappointedly.
"Harry," Lupin sighed, "don't you remember how Sirius was so unlike his hag of a mother. He was nothing like his so called 'pure-blood' relatives, and you knew him very well as what he was: kind and innocent, yet misunderstood by many..."
"Do you understand what we are saying, Harry?" Dumbledore asked, "This girl is nothing like her mother. In fact, she has been through many more hardships than you, surprising enough. . ." Ena looked into Harry's eyes with her one visible brown, heavily lidded, like her mother's, eye.
Harry was struck with an incredible amount of shame. The conversation he had with Sirius about Bellatrix being Sirius's cousin when looking at the tapestry of the Black family tree came into his mind:
"You never told me she was your — "
"Does it matter if she's my cousin? As far as I'm concerned, they're not my family. She's certainly not my family. . . .D'you think I'm proud of having relatives like her?"
How could he have been so insulting? Even worse, Sirius would be completely disappointed with him if he was alive. Harry dropped to his hands and knees.
"I — I'm so sorry," he said looking at the floor. Harry was sure he looked like a disgrace on the floor on all fours, but that well suited how he felt. He had just stereotyped someone just as the Malfoy's and most all the Black's stereotyped non pure-blood wizards and witches.
"It's okay, Harry," Ena had knelt in front of him and put her bony hand on the shoulder of Harry, who was still staring at the floor, too ashamed to speak. "Your reaction really wasn't completely unexpected." Her voice sounded kind and good natured. Harry looked up at her and saw her smile for the first time.
"Mind your business!" Moody yelled looking around fiercely at the staring faces. "I said get back to the partying!" He said even more loudly and got the message through this time as there was an abrupt start to other sounds and voices. Ena got to her feet and Harry afterward.
"I'm Hermione Granger, pleasure to meet you Ena," Hermione said stepping forward and shaking Ena's hand.
Harry was about to apologize more, but was pulled away by Dumbledore. Harry looked back and saw Ron, Neville, Ginny, and Luna also greeting Ena.
"Harry, I want you — no no, there's no need for more apologies —," Dumbledore said. "Now, Ena is enrolling into Hogwarts and she's never been to school before. She has had her own wand and I have provided her with the other supplies she will need to participate in her classes. I have arranged that she be placed in Gryffindor House. I need you to look after her, Harry. You and anyone else you trust."
"You mean, help her with her schoolwork?" asked Harry.
"Yes, that as well, but I need you also to make sure she is around the right people and follows school rules, such as curfew and out of bounds," said Dumbledore. "She has provided the Order with vital information that is helpful beyond belief with our struggle against Lord Voldemort. We have taken her word and set up the necessary precautions. Bellatrix knows by now what her daughter has done. We believe Voldemort and his followers will be after her life more even than yours. I cannot be watching over her at every moment, I am a busy man, Harry. I trust I can leave you with this responsibility?"
"Yes! Yes of course, I won't let you down Professor, I promise." Harry answered.
"I must ask of one more favor Harry," Dumbledore said.
"Sure, anything."
"You must try not to get too close to Ena. The chances of her death is very great indeed, and I know you are not as commendable in handling a loss. Being under protection may perhaps delay this, but I doubt it can be prevented. She is such a primary target." Dumbledore said, almost too casually as if they were talking about Quidditch. Harry stood dumbstruck by the statement.
"Er — well — I'll try. . ." he said nodding.
"Very well, off you go, and happy birthday," Dumbledore said smiling. Harry smiled back and jogged over to where Ena and the others were standing. Harry had again intended to make more apologies, but, once more, he was interrupted, this time by Hermione.
"Luna and I are going to take Ena back to Grimmauld Place by Floo powder to get her all cleaned up and lend her some clothes. We won't take that long, so don't mind us missing, and enjoy the party," she said and scurried off with Luna and Ena towards the fireplace at the other end of the Party House. Harry saw Dumbledore hold them up for a couple of seconds. He whispered something to Luna and Ena, and they nodded. Harry watched as they reached the large fire place, grabbed a handful of glittering powder from a vase atop a stool, and threw it into the orange flames. The flames instantly grew and turned an emerald color. They stepped in altogether and vanished, the fire returning to its original state.
Harry decided to go talk with Hagrid, who was talking with Professor McGonagall. Hagrid's bruises and cuts from last year had healed over nicely. Nearby, Krum was talking with a square-jawed man with thick, straw colored hair, Sturgis Podmore. Harry remembered him being attacked by Death Eaters, while guarding the Prophecy, and unfairly sent to Azkaban.
"Here's the birthday boy!" Hagrid said his twinkling beetle eyes looking down at Harry. "Bin waitin' fer you ter come an' talk ter us. Well, Happy birthday!"
"Yes, and a happy birthday from me as well," said Professor McGonagall, "Ronald Weasley and Miss Granger had forgotten to invite Oliver Wood, but when I took it upon myself to do so, he had urgent business as on the reserve team of Puddlemere United. I believe he will be playing in a league soon."
"Wow! I watched the Quidditch World Cup," said Harry excitedly, "and it would be great to see him playing professionally in a competition like that!"
"Oh yes, I've heard of that match. Ireland won, did they not? However, the Bulgarian Seeker, whose name escapes me, was the one to catch the Snitch, yes yes that's it." she said to Harry's astonishment.
"Viktor Krum, 's Viktor Krum I'm purty sure o' it," said Hagrid nodding vigorously. "He's here, at the par'y! Came with Hermione, if yeh know wha' I mean," he said moving his head closer to McGonagall's ear as he talked more quietly, "I figure they've been together since he came fer the Triwizard deal."
"They have been together since then," Harry confirmed.
"Oh how nice!" Professor McGonagall said with glee as though they were having a very enthusiastic girl-talk. "It's simply amazing how fast these students mature isn't that right Rubeus?"
"Yep," Hagrid said now straight and towering again.
"Between us three," Harry whispered and Hagrid and McGonagall huddled closer, "Ron used to be a great fan of Krum until he saw them together at the Yule Ball," he paused as Hagrid and McGonagall exchanged looks. It interested him to see two Hogwarts teachers being intrigued by his gossiping. Then he continued, "In my opinion, it's been quite obvious —"
"Harry! There's a par'y goin' on!" Hagrid interrupted quite loudly, "Go on! Ter the fun!" his giant hand landed on Harry's shoulder and spun him around. Ron was standing with a curious look on his face.
"Yeah Harry, let's go," he said to Harry's relief apparently having not heard. "Professor. Hagrid." Ron said politely and then started dragging Harry away. Harry managed to wave a good-bye to his teachers and turned back to face Ron, who had finally let go of him.
"Hey, Harry!" Seamus Finnigan had come along with his best friend, Dean Thomas, who was accompanied by Ginny. "I told my mam the truth about the things she didn't believe, and now she doesn't rely on the Daily Prophet any more since she knows now what jerks they are." He gave an innocent smile. Harry had gotten over Seamus thinking of him as a liar in the previous year along with nearly the rest of the magic world.
"Or maybe," Ron said skeptically, "she only believes Harry now because the Daily Prophet's pretending they hadn't ever made him look like a liar, a phony, a fake, a selfish git that just wanted the attention, a madman, a —"
"Ron," Harry said sighing as Ron continued, "Ron. Ron. . . RON!" he yelled having lost his patience. "The Daily Prophet means nothing to me. I don't even care that they're complimenting me now, so just drop it," he said as Ron finally shut up.
"Cool!" said Dean, "Then I guess it was okay for me taking Seamus with me to the party. He wasn't invited. I took him to the last D.A. meeting, 'member? We're all roommates and he's my best friend, too. . . well, you're my best friend also, Ginny," he looked to Ginny. She laughed as Dean gleamed, Seamus rolled his eyes, and Ron looked disgusted.
"What was that sound?" Ron said suddenly, "There it goes again! Harry, it's coming from you! Wait a minute. . . Harry, have you eaten anything today?" Harry looked up, and heard his stomach let out another roar. He never realized his hunger as a result of all the excitement that was going down, but now that he thought about it, he hadn't eaten any supper the night before and was transported to the Party House without a breakfast.
"You should really go and have a bite," He heard Ginny's voice for the first time in over a month.
"Yeah," said Harry and started his way to eat, with Ron following. They reached the center of the table. Now close up, its grayish, ancient looking wood was more prominent. There were about all the food from the magic world that Harry could think of and a white, gigantic, birthday cake labeled Happy Birthday Harry & Neville! in green with, also green, decorative borders. At the end nearest to the fireplace, was a load of wrapped presents.
"Well?" Ron said with a mouthful of biscuit, "Donff juff look aff it. Eat," he said before swallowing. Harry was about to grab something to eat when something struck him that made him lose his appetite.
"That girl. . ." Harry said miserably.
"Eh?" Ron said with a confused look on his face.
"Ena," said Harry, "she's looked like she hasn't eaten in days, I should really go bring her some of this food."
"Harry Harry Harry," Ron said shaking his head, "Can't you do something for yourself for once? If she hasn't eaten for days, I think she can handle a couple more minutes. Hermione and Luna should be on their way back with her any moment now," he said and looked at the fireplace, but no one appeared.
"Sorry Ron, but I've made up my mind." Harry said determined, "I'm going to
bring her food. It's the least I could do to make up for my lousy first impression."
Ron stared at him. "Harry, stop being so hard on yourself! We were there, we know that Bellatrix lady's no good. I was freaked out too!" He said sounding a little over dramatic.
"So," Harry said tapping his foot with impatience, "what are you playing at? You think I'm wrong, do you? You think I shouldn't do what's — what I think is right?"
"No!" Ron said looking half insulted, half frightened, "Your getting me all wrong. Don't be mad — please!" he begged, "I just wanted you to stop kicking yourself, that's all," Ron mumbled and hung his head.
"I see Ron has managed to get on another person's nerves already," Hermione had returned with Luna, who was gazing at the pair of them. Ena was standing behind Hermione looking unrecognizably better. Her groomed, black hair was shining gloriously, and the long sleeved robes she was wearing were clean and unripped, and lessened the image of her skinniness. However, once again, only her left eye was visible. Her head was turned just enough that Harry couldn't see her right eye making Harry curious and suspicious.
"For your information, I wasn't getting on Harry's nerves," Ron said in an annoying tone, "I was actually being a friend and getting him all happied up — hey, I'm talking to you!" Hermione had turned away to look at Ena, who Harry was also more interested in than Ron's blabbering.
"Oh Ena, you won't be able to hide it forever," she said.
"Yeah, she's right," Luna agreed, "We can keep it between us, and you don't have to explain now, we'll tell them later." And with a little extra encouragement from Hermione, Ena closed both her eyes and turned to face Harry and Ron. There was a light scar over her right eye lid, then she opened her eyes and Ron jumped, but Harry stood his ground. Her whole right eye was completely blood-red, but that wasn't it. There was a thin, vertical black slit down the center of a lightly outlined pupil. It wasn't the exact same, but Ena's eye much resembled the eyes of Voldemort. Her's seemed to shine.
"Wicked. . ." Ron said starting to walk forward gaping straight at Ena's scarlet eye.
"Don't be rude Ron!" Hermione pushed him back. "And no questions, we'll explain everything after the party."
"Hey, guys," Neville said cheerfully, coming up from behind Harry to Ron's side, "This surprise is the best thing that's ever happened to me! Even if it's a belated," He said and clapped his hand on Ron's shoulder. "Hi Ena — whoa!" Neville yelped. "What is — er — I mean — uh —" Ron slapped his hand over Neville's mouth and there was an awkward pause. Ron took back his hand and Neville murmured, "Sorry." Ena wasn't disgruntled at all with Neville's reaction and accepted his apology.
"Belated?" Harry said bemused, "But, you've got the same birthday as me: July thirty-first, haven't you?"
"My birthday was yesterday," Neville said.
"But, the prophecy. . ." Harry said aloud, but not meaning to.
"Prophecy?" Hermione said, and Harry remembered that he had never told anyone about the lost prophecy Dumbledore revealed to him. "It was destroyed, Neville accidentally smashed in the Death Room, didn't he? That's what he told us."
Neville nodded, "That is what happened, no one heard it. . ." he said. Hermione looked at Harry for an excuse.
"Well, Dumbledore told me the prophecy," Harry confessed, ". . . end of term last year." Luna, Hermione, Ron, and Neville gave him a look of shock and dis-appointment that he hadn't told them sooner.
"But that prophecy was about you, Harry, and — and You-Know-Who," Neville said hesitantly, "then what's it got to do with me?"
Harry had the entire prophecy completely memorized, but really didn't feel like explaining.
" 'Born to those who thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies. . .' " Ena spoke of what was clear to only Harry, among them, a verse of the prophecy. Harry was surprised she had it locked up in her head as well, and Neville, Hermione, Ron, and Luna all exchanged looks of thorough confusion as Ena continued, "It says 'as the seventh month dies' not exactly the last day of the seventh month," she explained and Harry then understood.
"Oh." Harry said dully and Ena smiled. He cleared his throat, "You should probably eat something, looks like you haven't had a proper meal in days. I was going to bring you food, but someone caused a holdup and you already turned up back here," he shot a look at Ron, who pointed to himself and mouthed "me?" as if he had had his memory modified.
"Well, that was very nice of you," Ena said, "and, actually, I haven't had a proper meal in weeks. I decided I could handle a couple more minutes without food, so there's no problem." She pulled out a chair that was next to her, sat down, pulled over a bottle of butterbeer, and loaded the plate in front of her with chicken, biscuits, and slices of sandwiches. She started eating with enough manners that no one would expect her to be eating a well meal for the first time in weeks. Ron looked to Harry who knew what was coming, but before Ron could say anything—
"There you are!" Angelina was walking towards them taking quick strides. Alicia Spinnet, Katie Bell, Ginny, and Dean followed. Angelina, Alicia, and Katie were the Chasers of the Gryffindor Quidditch team for Harry's first five years at Hogwarts.
"The lifelong ban of playing Qudditch that Umbridge woman gave you was removed, right?" Alicia asked Harry.
"Of course it was!" Ron answered for him.
"Great! In that case," Angelina said, "I want to leave my post as captain of Gryffindor's Qudditch team to you, Harry. I wanted Katie to be captain, being the oldest, but she thought you would be a better candidate. So, there you go! The new captain of the Gryffindor team is Harry Potter!"
"Thanks so much guys!" said Harry filled with joy.
"Excuuuuse you, we are girls, and your welcome," Katie replied.
"We've been deciding on who could be on our Quidditch team," said Ginny, "So far it's: Harry back to being the Seeker; I'm switching to Chaser. Katie's the other Chaser; Ron as the Keeper; and. . . that's it. So we need one more Chaser and — er— two Beaters."
"Hang on," Harry said, "what happened to those two boys that replaced Fred and George when they got a Quidditch ban and dropped out of school?"
"You mean Andre Kirke and Jack Sloper?" Alicia said shocked, "They couldn't be a positive to the team if their lives depended on it!" Harry was finally starting to have a good time. Quidditch talk always seemed to lift his spirits.
"We think it would be wise of you to chuck them off the team," Angelina told Harry, "They were more like a last resort, but I'm sure that there's better to-be Beaters out there. Dean's gonna be a Beater, if it's okay with the captain of course, you forgot to mention that, Ginny." Ron looked at Ginny with a stern face, striking Harry as the look Professor McGonagall gave him when he'd done something wrong.
"Yeah, that'd be alright with me," Harry said awkwardly, then Angelina continued, "We also think it would be a great idea to keep the tradition of having the Gryffindor's three Chasers being all girls." With this, Alicia, Katie, and Ginny began nodding their heads at the speed of a Snitch's tiny wings, but Ron didn't seem pleased with having all these things decided without him. Angelina went on, "Maybe Hermione can be one?" Harry and Ron snorted loudly.
"I think I'll pass," said Hermione sounding embarrassed.
"Ena! Ena Lestrange! She can be a Chaser! Dumbledore's putting her in Gryffindor," Harry's idea jumped out of his mouth as fast as it had jumped into his head. Ena turned and faced them, leaning on the back of the chair, and continuing to drink punch from a clear glass. Alicia squeaked at the moment she saw Ena's eye, which seemed considerably more red than her drink. Angelina and Katie flinched as if someone had just yelled 'VOLDEMORT!' Dean and Ginny, on the other hand, leaned forward, staring with interest.
"I'd liked to be called Ena — just, Ena. I don't really like anything relating to my parents," she said casually, putting down her glass and pretending not to notice people's stares. "And that name definitely doesn't relate to their unne-cessarily long and weird ones. Anyway, I would be more than willing to play Quidditch, I've been told a bit about it — but, how hard could it be? After my life so far, I'm confident that even a head on blow from a — waddaya call 'em? — Bulger — wouldn't keep me down and out —"
"Bludger," said everyone surrounding her together.
"Yeah that," she said. "But I don't have a broom. . ."
"MY BROTHERS!" Ron barked making everyone jump, "Fred and George! They're so rich that they're actually giving the whole team Nimbus Two Thousand and Twos! They told me to spread the word for them, so they would look humble, but, well, I forgot."
"Nimbus Two Thousand and Twos?" said Harry. Ena got up, heading for a dessert.
"Nimbus Two Thousand and Twos!?" Angelina repeated and let her mouth hang open for a while, then said, "The brand, spankin' new Nimbus Two Thou-sand and Two? Those are the best yet! —"
"Second best," Ron corrected, "A Firebolt is the best, but they've stopped making them. A Firebolt is only better by a bit, though." Harry swelled with pride at the thought of his broom being still unsurpassed.
"Did you ever find out who sent you your Firebolt?" Katie asked Harry. Harry frowned. He received his Firebolt as an anonymous Christmas gift three years ago, which he, later found out it was sent by —
"Sirius Black," he said feeling dreadful again.
"That murderer?" gasped Alicia, "The one that escaped Azkaban? They never did catch him, he's could still be on the loose, after you!" She looked around at Katie and Angelina, all of them with fear on their faces. Ginny slapped her own forehead with her palm.
"Sirius was never a murderer! He was my godfather!" Harry shouted, "He was innocent, and framed by Peter Pettigrew! But none of that matter now, he's dead.. ."
"Innocent?" Angelina said shakily.
"Godfather?" Alicia said going pale. These comments weren't adding to Harry's rage until—
"Dead?" Katie gulped.
"Yes Dead!" Harry said fiercely.
"Harry calm down, they didn't know," Hermione said with a sense of pleading as he seemed on the brink of throwing another tantrum, but he knew better, and decided to hold his tongue.
"How could they not know?" Ena returned, munching on an apple. "Didn't you three hear along with everybody else? My mother killed Sirius. Harry was practically telling the whole world, Dumbledore implied that he was Harry's godfather, and Lupin specifically stated that Black was innocent but misunderstood." Harry felt a surge of familiar guilt and also eagerness to hear their excuse.
"Oh," Angelina started, "That's because George and Fred thought it would be oh so hilarious to try their new trick candy on us."
"It's true!" said Katie, "They were sweet, cubed chews that tasted so good, and we had no idea what they really were. Snape burst in through the front doors with Ena, and before we knew it —"
"We all became mute and deaf!" Alicia finished. Ginny, Dean, Ena and Ron sniggered.
"Those numbskulls!" Katie said angrily, "We could see them laughing their heads off, then they became strangely serious looking, and everyone else was still, so we decided to save the pounding for later. When we could finally speak and hear again, Moody was saying to get back to the partying and we had missed the whole thing!" Harry couldn't help but laugh with the rest.
"It's not that funny!" Alicia said, "We were about to give them a beating, when they Disapparated to who knows where — "
CRACK, POP!
"Speak of the devil, there's Fred and George! GET THEM!" Angelina bellowed pointing at Fred and George, who just Apparated about five feet behind her.
"Uh oh," George said and Fred and he bolted in the other direction.
"Your gonna get it now!" Angelina yelled and tore after them with Katie and Alicia quick on her tail swinging their fists in the air threateningly. People leapt out of the path.
Angelina took out her wand, skidded to a halt, took aim, then yelled, "Tarantallegra!" The hex hit George. Onlookers laughed heartily as George's legs suddenly began to do a crazy dance. Fred came to his brother's aid with his wand out.
"Finite," he said pointing his wand to George's legs, which stopped flailing. "Fine!" Fred yelled at Angelina, Katie, and Alicia, who all had their wands ready. "We were just having a bit of fun, and if you're going to take it that hard, let's duel!" The adults exchanged looks, nodded, and looked forward for what was sure to be quite a show. Others backed away giving plenty of space for the duel. Ginny sprinted to the front pulling Dean, and Harry and the others followed, getting a front row view. Harry could tell Fred and George were enjoying themselves; they usually liked to be in the thick of things and the noisy center of attention.
Harry caught Cho's eye across the room and she smiled, but Harry looked away. Something was telling Harry she only liked him again because everyone believed him to be a hero.
"You're on, Weasleys!" Alicia said as she, Angelina, and Katie went into a fighting stance. Fred and George smirked.
"Too bad Lee couldn't make it," Katie said, "Then this would be a fair three on three match." Fred and George looked at each other with raised brows and chuckled loudly.
"First of all," Fred announced so everyone could here, "I think we can manage girls!"
"Second," George said, just as loud, "everyone knows Lee likes Angelina. He would've gone soft on us!" They laughed again.
Angelina looked embarrassed but regained a serious face in no time and screamed, "Silencio!" Now, only Fred's laugh was audible. Fred's smiles soon faded and he pointed his wand towards Angelina, but before he could even begin any enchantments—
"Expelliarmus!" Alicia yelled, and his wand flew out of his hand. George punched his wand forward, mouth moving, but no words came out. Even their own parents were laughing at George and Fred now. They began blushing like mad.
"Er — maybe we were — wro — wrong," Fred stuttered as George nodded, "Can we have someone on our side, so this will be a fair three on three match?" George pointed urgently at Ginny, who frowned.
"That would be unlawful, she's not of age," Hermione stated.
"She's right. . ." Ginny moped as everyone stood watching, but suddenly a smirk, much like her brothers', appeared onto her face. "Unless," she said in a very sneaky voice, "Professor Dumbledore and Moody are okay with it?" she looked in their direction.
"Yeah! C'mon Professor, Minister, don't be party poopers,"said Fred, "I mean, the rule is that there's no underage wizardry allowed outside school, but we've got a great excuse! The very headmaster of our school is supervising us along with, Sir Excellency, the new Minister of Magic himself! Pleeeaase," Fred said putting both hands together in begging form as George did the same. The entire room seemed to be giving off pleading looks and sounds as well.
Dumbledore faced Moody and they seemed to be considering it. Harry was momentarily baffled at the idea that Moody had become the new Minister of Magic without his knowing.
"Very well," Dumbledore announced, which lead to an uproar of cheering. "However, any major injuries will not be of our responsibility, is that clear with all?" Most people yelled "yes!" while others nodded. Harry was pleased to see Snape having a look of shock and outrage with the decision.
Ginny squeaked with delight and ran to her brothers' side. Dean looked amazed and Hermione worried. Harry, though, knew that Ginny was excellent with a wand.
"Just a warning," Ginny said beaming at Angelina, Alicia, and Katie, wand brandished, "I won't hold back, and I hope you don't either. Accio wand!" Fred's wand flew perfectly into Ginny's hand, and she passed it to him. Dumbledore waved his own wand in the air.
"I have removed the silencing charm from George. Now, this is becoming a most exciting party! Come now, take your positions," The three Weasleys took identical stances, Ginny in the middle, Angelina nodded.
"Start as you please," said Dumbledore. The six of them were staring each other down as silence fell. The whole room seemed frozen in time.
"Stupefy!" Alicia cried, jets of red sparks darted from her wand.
"Protego!" Ginny deflected the stunner, which ended up exploding into a chandelier. Sparkles of glass shards fell to the floor shattering. Those who were under, simply moved out of the way without complaint.
"Petrificus Total —!"
"Impedimenta!" Angelina got flung into the air backwards, by Ginny, before she could complete her incantation.
Soon, the battlefield was engulfed with sparks and bolts from spells, jinxes, charms, and hexes. Before they knew it, everyone was witnessing Alicia being attacked by giant bat bogeys, Fred's legs wobbling violently, George lying unconscious on the floor, stunned, Angelina also on the floor, every part of her body immobilized. A few unfortunate bystanders had been jinxed by missed and deflected spells. Katie was stomping the bottom of her robes, which had caught fire, and Ginny, amazingly, stood unharmed, with a proud look on her face. She raised her wand to finish off the two left standing, who were both on the opponents' side as Fred had fallen over. But, Moody stepped in.
"That's enough Miss Weasley, you and your brothers have won," he said, and with a wave of his wand the fire was put out and the bat bogeys vanished. The Party House erupted with applause and cheers. Professor Mcgonagall tended to George, while the Jelly-Legs Jinx on Fred was lifted by Lupin. Mrs. Figg was all over Ginny with exuberance.
"Marvelous! What a performance! I've never seen anything like it!" Harry heard Mrs. Figg telling Ginny. He understood her excitement, knowing that she has lived in the Muggle world most of her life. Ginny's cheeks and ears went red. Mrs. Figg scuttled cheerfully to two witches Harry was positive he's seen before.
"Hestia, Emmeline, wasn't that fantastic?" Mrs. Figg said so loud that Harry heard her from a distance away. He then remembered Hestia Jones and Emmeline Vance being a part of the Advanced Guard, who helped Harry escape the Dursleys' house a year ago. Harry looked back to see Angelina being revived by a silver-haired wizard, Elphias Doge, accompanied by a wizard wearing a top hat. This was unmistakably Dedalus Diggle. Both were also present at the company that came to collect Harry and take him to Grimmauld Place.
The Party House was filled with noise as everyone got back to what they were doing. The broken chandelier was repaired instantly by Mrs. Weasley with magic. "Oh Arthur, I'm so proud of our Ginny!" Mrs. Weasley was telling Mr. Weasley from behind, "But I can't believe Fred and George! To think they could ever serve in the Order!"
"Now, Molly," Mr. Weasley replied in a voice of contradiction, "We should be just as proud of the twins for other reasons. They're having us built a new Burrow for goodness sake, and think of the wealth they've brought to our family with the shop you thought would never work out."
"Harry," Ena said, she was still standing beside him, "I think it's time you have something to eat."
"Huh?" Harry said as his stomach growled painfully. "Right." And he headed to the long table for a delicious meal.
The next few hours passed by fast. Harry was having the time of his life with all his friends. Viktor shared Quidditch strategies with Harry, Tonks was making entertaining impressions by shape shifting her nose, Angelina, Alicia, Katie, Fred, and George were all back on good terms, Ron wasn't as uptight with Ginny and Dean, the enormous birthday cake tasted scrumptious, and Ena was enjoying herself as well, making Harry feel even better.
The lights were dimmed and Dumbledore conjured a set of drums, several guitars, a lute, cello, and some bagpipes out of thin air, much like how he did at the Yule Ball. This time, however, the instruments began playing themselves. Most people danced, but Harry had preferred sitting down and watching, with Ron, Neville, Luna, and Ena.
They had taken and spun five chairs alongside the table to face the dance floor. Ron was slouched in the chair to Harry's right with his arms crossed and grumbling to himself. Beside him, Neville was interesting himself with a package of Bertie Botts' Every Flavored Beans. Luna, who was sitting next to Neville, had a dazed look back on her face. Ena, on Harry's left, had just eaten a Chocolate Frog and was now reading the card on the back of the box.
Two songs later and Hermione was treading their way with Viktor and Ron said, "May I help you?"
"Why," she started, "are you five just sitting here? Come and dance!"
"I don't really do dancing," Harry said in unison with Ena. They exchanged grins and Ron nodded in agreement. With this, Hermione put her hands on her hips.
"Luna, you can take one of them to the fun," she said. Luna got up and looked at Neville, Ron, and Harry. Ron leapt backwards into Harry's lap covering his face with his arms as though trying to block out a blinding light. To Harry's relief, she grabbed Neville's arm and pulled him to his feet. He threw his candy onto his chair and whimpered.
"See?" Hermione said, looking at Harry and Ron, "Neville and Luna are going to stop sitting around. Neville's now going to actually do something in his party." she said looking at Harry. He looked at Ron, who was smiling menacingly.
"Yes Harry," Ron said, holding back laughs, "Go and dance. After all, it's your party, so you have to dance." He really couldn't understand why girls found it so important for the boys to dance. Harry really didn't want to, and they couldn't force him to dance. But before he could object, Krum looked at his watch and spoke.
"Herm-ownee," he said, "I must go."
"It's time already?" Hermione asked disappointedly, though Harry had no idea what they were talking about.
"Yes, I'm sorry," Krum replied and gave her a hug, Ron looked at the floor. "Haff to go. Happy birthday again, Harry, Neville," said Krum. He took a few steps back, smiled, and Disapparated.
"What was that all about?" Ron asked Hermione.
"Quidditch. . . ." she said, most unspecifically. Luna began pulling Neville away, as another song began. The instruments struck a familiar, slow, and rather mournful tune. Neville looked pleadingly at Harry, Ron, and Hermione, but they didn't say anything, so Neville had no choice but to allow himself to be steered away.
"Well?" Hermione said to Harry and Ron, who threw Harry an inquiring look as well.
"You two can't make me," Harry said. Ena giggled.
"How about a deal?" Hermione said, "If Ron gets up and dances, you get up and dance with — er — Ena. If Ron doesn't want to dance, then I leave you alone." This was it, Ron wouldn't dance, and he, Harry, would be free.
"You've got yourself a deal then," Ron said smirking at Harry, grabbing his hand and shaking it, Harry nodded. "Brilliant plan, Hermione," Ron told her, "Now shoo, 'cause I'm not going anywhere." He smiled. Harry was saved.
"Ron," Hermione said with a grin that Harry didn't like the looks of, "will you dance with me?" The bottoms of both Harry and Ron's jaws hit the floor. Hermione pulled Ron to his feet.
"B — bu — but — I, I — I — Harry!" Ron stuttered uncontrollably, he was looking at Harry with a pleading face giving Harry a peculiar feeling. Ron's entire face was also redder than all the Weasleys' hair put together.
"No objections then?" Hermione asked Ron, "Well, you know what that means, Harry. Now you can join the rest of us!" She said it as though that's what he had always wanted.
"Oh it's not that hard, Ron, with the music this slow," she said to Ron, who was soon pulled into the crowd and disappeared, just after Hermione turned her head and let out a triumphant "Ha!" Harry sunk his face into his hands.
"Well," Ena said, "I'm usually the type to keep my word, but since I didn't give it, I'm perfectly fine with just sitting somewhere else where Hermione can't see us. So, shall we, ahem, dance?" She hopped to her feet and Harry followed. Harry caught a glimpse of Hermione's satisfied face and suppressed a smirk.
Ena spoke as they sat in their new spots a couple of seats down, "Dancing's not really my thing. Oh look." Hermione and Ron came into view. Harry got scared that they might see him not keeping his end of the bet, but realized they were too busy arguing. He heard them hissing at each other.
"How can duck-footed Krum do this and I can't?"
"Your just not trying hard enough. See, now move your foot like this — no, this foot!"
"Ouch! You didn't have to kick it!"
Harry then decided to explain thoroughly to Ena how Quidditch works.
"Ooooh, now I understand," Ena said as Harry finished and the bagpipe made the final, quavering note. Applause filled the Party House. The instruments struck up a new song, and to the audience's delight, it was a new, and much faster tune.
"Fancy more eating with me?" Ena asked.
"Good Idea," Harry beamed.
A/N: A lot of chit chat in this chap, huh? Kinda weird how the Quidditch team was just decided without tryouts or anything, but whatever, this whole chapter is still how I had it before HBP just without the recaps. So I didn't know better. And Moody as Minister! What was I thinking! It's okay... and yeah I know, a duel means two people and there were six. Next chapter reveals a lot about Ena, ooOOoOo and it's a whole lot more exciting. Like in the hp books when it's all mellow in the beginning then a little action comes along. And, no, I would NOT like to have a Harry and Ena ship in case anybody was thinking that, and I would know! My zero reviews tell me a lot:P oh well.