Harry Potter and the Mind Mage
By James Milamber
A/N: Greetings all! I seem to have caused a bit of confusion with the last chapter, so I'll clarify a few things here. Alex has black hair, pale skin, and was wearing black robes. The combination was just enough to make Harry think of Voldemort. Sorry if I confused anyone into thinking he actually looked like Voldemort, because he didn't.
This chapter's a bit of an experiment, so let me know what you think. It's the first time I've written from someone other than Harry's perspective, too. Anyway, on with the chapter! Michael bashing, anyone? I've been waiting a long time for this moment…
The Ball consisted of a three-course meal, after which all the tables moved back closer to the walls to enlarge the dance floor and the band Dumbledore had hired trooped onto the stage at the front of the hall. Harry didn't recognise them, but from the excited whispers they generated they must have been fairly popular.
The lead singer and guitarist, a man in his mid twenties with hair dyed an almost fluorescent blue, made an odd gesture from the front of the stage. Immediately the Hall broke into cheers, leaving Harry a little confused.
'How y'all doing Hogwarts!' the man roared, and the Hall cheered again. 'Alright, just get out there and enjoy yourselves, and we'll take care of the music!'
With that the band launched into a rendition of a song Harry knew he'd heard before but couldn't quite remember the name of. The dance floor quickly filled up as many students led their partners out to dance.
Harry fidgeted nervously for a moment. He remembered with painful clarity the last "Ball" he had attended. Of course, that had been with Parvati, not Ginny, and he had been the centre of attention as one of the contestants in the Tri-Wizard tournament. He glanced nervously at Ginny. She stood quietly beside him, her face neutral. Her foot was tapping lightly in time to the music, and he knew she was waiting for him to ask her to dance.
A short distance away, Alex extended his hand to Isabelle. She smiled a little impishly, and the couple made their way out onto the dance floor. Harry watched them a moment, then heard Ron on his other side asking Hermione to dance. He looked around close to panicking as Neville and Luna went also, closely followed by Cassie and Seamus. He and Ginny were alone.
He glanced over at Ginny again. She was watching him with a slightly sad smile. 'We don't have to dance if you don't want to,' she said quietly, taking his hand within her own.
Harry took a deep breath, glancing out at the floor again. Alex and Isabelle were easy to spot, perhaps because no one was willing to get within a few feet of them. Alex's sword didn't seem to get in his way much, and Isabelle had a broad smile on her face. Both seemed to enjoy the attention they were getting as they danced exuberantly in time to the fast paced song. Ron and Hermione were not far away, and just beyond them Harry could make out Neville and Luna.
'No,' Harry said firmly, more to himself than Ginny. Reminding himself that he was a Gryffindor, and Gryffindor's are supposed to be brave no matter what, he turned to face her, extending his hand a little shakily. 'Would you like to dance?'
Ginny's smile was immediate, and it lit up her face. 'Of course,' she smiled, taking his hand and allowing him to lead her onto the dance floor.
Soon enough the first fast song ended, and the band began another, much slower number. All around them couples were moving closer to each other, dancing in a more traditional way.
Harry awkwardly took one of Ginny's hands with his own and placed the other on her waist. She smiled at him, grasping his hand firmly, and as he looked into her eyes some of his nervousness melted away.
'Just go with it,' Ginny whispered, as they started to dance. He found it much more pleasant than at the Yule Ball, when he had danced with Parvati. Ginny was much more relaxed, and the couple were content to simply be near each other. Harry felt a little more nervousness leave him.
Alex and Isabelle glided past, her head rested on his chest. Ginny smiled again as she watched the couple dancing. Alex looked up briefly and flashed Harry a quick grin, which Harry returned.
'They look so good together,' Ginny sighed as they moved away.
'Yeah, they do.' Harry may not have been an expert on these matters, but even he could see that.
The next couple of songs were fast ones, and Harry found that he was beginning to enjoy himself as he danced with Ginny. The band announced that they would take requests, either Wizarding or Muggle songs, and someone requested a Wizarding dance tune.
As the song ended, a dark skinned boy threaded his way through the crowd until he reached them. 'Care to dance, Ginny?' he offered his hand, completely ignoring Harry. Harry's straightened slightly as he realised who the boy was: Michael Corner.
'Umm…' Ginny glanced at Harry, who shrugged slightly.
'I don't mind,' he said. 'If you want to, go ahead.'
Ginny hesitated, but Michael apparently took that as a yes. He grabbed her hand and led her away as the band started up another slow song. Harry almost went after them, but instead he turned and made his way over to a long table that had been set up against the wall, where light snacks and bottles of Butterbeer vied for room. Ignoring Malfoy, who was standing nearby glaring at him with Pansy Parkinson hanging off his arm, Harry grabbed two bottles and made his way to their seats, waiting for Ginny to come back.
As the song neared the end, Harry clearly heard a squeal of indignation and a sharp slap over the music. Harry half stood, his wand seeming to appear in his hand, as he recognised Ginny's voice.
'How bloody dare you!' There was another sharp slap, and the crowd parted slightly to allow Ginny to leave the floor. Her face was red with anger, and she came immediately to where Harry was sitting, dropping into her seat with a huff.
'What happened?' Harry asked tersely.
'Michael bloody Corner, that's what!' Ginny burst out, grabbing the second Butterbeer and taking a long drink. 'Stupid arrogant git…'
'What did he do?' Harry asked in a quiet voice. Images were beginning to fill his mind, images of a dark skinned boy screaming in agony as he was slowly tortured…he firmly shoved the images away.
'He tried to…to…feel me up!' Ginny said indignantly, her face flushed. She glared back at the dance floor, where Michael, wisely, was nowhere to be seen.
'He did what?' Harry asked flatly.
'You heard,' Ginny muttered.
Harry stood slowly, his mind filled with a white hot fury that coursed through him in waves, obliterating rational thought. He stalked towards the dance floor, roughly shoving anyone out of his way as he searched for Michael.
'He's over there,' Ron nudged his shoulder, pointing to a dark corner. Harry could just make out a figure crouching in the shadows. Without a word Harry headed directly for the corner, shoving the massive fake spider webs out of his way. Ron made to follow him, but Hermione grabbed his arm.
Michael tried to bolt, but Harry pulled him back with a Summoning Charm. He grabbed Michael's neck, lifting him off the floor as the younger boy struggled to escape, kicking at Harry repeatedly, blows he never even felt. It took a great deal of Harry's self control not to just snap his neck right there and then.
'If you ever, ever, so much as talk to my girlfriend again, I'll kill you myself,' Harry hissed, his mind still filled with flames. Michael nodded furiously.
'Of course,' he stammered, his eyes wide with fear. 'Don't know…what came over me…I'm sorry…'
Harry negligently tossed Michael into the wall, where he slumped to the ground, shaking in fear. There were several bright flashes, and Harry turned to see a photographer holding a camera and snapping madly. The music had stopped, and the students and teachers were staring at Harry in shock.
'Harry! Mister Potter!' A witch in crimson robes was hurrying towards him. 'Michelle Murray, Witch Weekly. Why are you threatening this boy? Would you care to comment?'
'No,' Harry growled. 'I would not.' He turned and walked away, but the witch grabbed his arm and pulled him back around.
'Please, just a few words. What did this boy do to…'
'I said no!' Harry snarled, roughly shaking the witch's hand from his arm. 'Leave me alone!' Harry spun on his heel and raced from the Hall. Ginny, who until now had been standing in shock on the other side of the Hall, bolted after him.
The last thing Harry saw as he ran from the Hall was the reporter talking excitedly with Neville.
========
Ron looked on in satisfaction as Harry threw Michael Corner into the wall. Stupid git deserves it. Where does he get off, trying to feel up my baby sister?
He and Hermione were close to the edge of the dance floor, so they had a clear view of what was going on. They watched Harry shake off the reporter and storm from the room, and then Ginny run after him.
The reporter had closed in on Neville, who seemed to be trying to get rid of her, without much success. Ron saw Dumbledore, McGonagall and James in the corner, obviously checking on Michael. Snape was watching the doors, an unusually thoughtful expression on his face.
'Come on,' Ron muttered to Hermione. 'Let's go help Neville.'
She nodded, and the couple quickly made their way towards where the reporter was grilling Neville for information.
'Is Mister Potter prone to losing his temper?' the reporter asked, her notepad and quill ready to jot down answers.
'No,' Neville replied, his eyes darting around the Hall. 'Well, only when someone hurts his friends…'
'So what did Mister Corner do to deserve Harry's wrath?' the witch asked promptly.
'Umm…'
'The git tried to feel up Harry's girlfriend when they were dancing,' Ron said hotly as they reached them. Silence once again reigned in the Hall as Ron's loud statement filtered through, and the reporter immediately forgot about Neville, who slipped gratefully back into the crowd.
'And you are…'
'Ron Weasley,' Ron said firmly.
'And who is the lucky girl?' The witch asked, her breath held in anticipation.
'You…you don't know?' Ron faltered, confused. He was sure that someone would have found out by now, and that it would be all over the papers.
'No, of course not,' the reporter glanced darkly at Dumbledore, who was now watching the scene unfolding, making no move to intercede. 'Care to shed some light on the subject?'
'No he would not,' Hermione said, making to lead Ron away.
'Miss Granger, correct?' the reporter smiled in triumph as Hermione stood stock still. 'You wouldn't perhaps be the one, would you care to comment?'
'No she isn't!' Ron rounded on the reporter. 'She's going out with me, not Harry!'
'Harry's two best friends dating!' The witch looked about ready to start bouncing off the walls with excitement. 'So if not Miss Granger, then who?'
'That would be me,' a clear voice came from the doors. The witch whirled around to find Ginny striding across the Hall in her direction.
'And you are…?'
'Ginny Weasley,' Ginny said, but before the reporter could ask anything else, she spoke again. 'That's Ginevra, not Virginia. And no, I will not answer any more questions. You have your story, now please leave.'
'But…'
'Remember what happened to the last person who pissed Harry off?' Ginny said warningly. 'You're coming very close to pissing him off.'
The witch glanced nervously in the direction of Michael Corner, who was now laying on a stretcher conjured by Dumbledore. She licked her lips, obviously weighing up the choice of more information against possible bodily harm, then she nodded quickly and left the Hall, followed by her photographer.
========
Harry only made it as far as the Entrance Hall before Ginny caught up. Her voice made him stop abruptly in his tracks, his anger dissipating as he turned to face her.
'I'm sorry,' he whispered. 'I lost control again. I shouldn't have…'
Ginny stopped him talking by kissing him. His eyes widened in surprise, and he pulled away quickly.
'What…but…how…huh?'
Ginny giggled softly. 'I'm not angry at you, silly,' she chided, moving across the hall and sitting on the bottom step of the marble staircase. Harry followed in a daze. 'You were defending me, how could I be angry about that? Besides, all you did was scare the hell out of him and give him a concussion. No lasting damage.'
Harry sighed, running his hand distractedly through his perpetually messy hair. 'I still lost control, and I shouldn't have,' he said pensively.
'Harry, everyone loses control once in a while,' Ginny said gently. She smiled wryly. 'You just do a bit more damage than others.'
Harry laughed weakly, leaning over to rest his head on her shoulder. She tilted her own head to rest on top of his, and her hand sought out his and gripped it tightly. They sat for a long moment without moving, until finally Harry sighed.
'I suppose we'd better go back in,' he said unhappily.
'I'll get rid of the reporter,' Ginny promised, standing and moving towards the doors. 'You hide somewhere so she doesn't try to talk to you when she's leaving.' She slipped through the doors.
Harry smiled briefly, standing and climbing to the top of the stairs. He had to wonder just what he had done right to deserve such a wonderful girl.
He saw the reporter leave, and rather apprehensively went back down stairs and re-entered the Hall. All noise abruptly ceased as he stood near the doors, and it took all his self control not to bolt as every eye in the Hall turned to look at him.
Professor Milton was the first to move, walking towards Harry with a smile. 'You really need to learn to control your temper, you know,' he said quietly, shaking his head in amusement. 'Still, I think you got your point across. I doubt anyone will touch Ginny for quite some time after that little display.' When Harry looked guilty, James grinned and clapped him on the shoulder. 'Don't worry, you're not in much trouble. Dumbledore knows why you did it, and you didn't really do much damage, just gave him a scare. We'll talk about suitable punishments tomorrow.' James shook his head again. 'Remind me to never piss you off,' he muttered, then raised his voice. 'Come on, this is supposed to be a Ball!' he said loudly, placing one arm around Harry's shoulders in a fatherly gesture that Harry wasn't quite sure how to take. 'What happened to the music?'
As James led him back to where all his friends stood, he decided that he liked it. In some ways, James reminded him not only of Sirius, but of how he imagined his father would have been, had he lived. The comfort Harry drew from James' simple act of placing an arm around him in a half hug was an extraordinary feeling, and completely new. He wondered about this new revelation as the Hall once again filled with the sound of music and the dancing began again.
A/N: More Ball to come! Not finished yet…the night is still young!
Before anyone asks, no, James Milton is NOT James Potter in some form of disguise. That's just too weird. He just happens to have the same name, which incidentally I used because it's my middle name, not as a reference to James Potter in any way, shape or form. Just thought I'd let you know.
Review Responses:
Magnus Thorson: They haven't started yet. Don't worry, they're coming, probably after Christmas.
sunni07: Comparing AUS and NZ? What's the point? They're practically our 7th state anyway…(dodges multiple flying objects thrown by NZ readers) As to how cold it gets, it's not really that extreme, but it's without ANY of the benefits you get with coldness, like snow (it never, and I mean NEVER, snows here). But in winter, as it is now, the average high temp is about 10 degrees C. Or there abouts. And if you want me to take a look at your story, just e-mail it to me as an attachment.
Sauron the Deceiver: Hurrah! Someone with a brain…Cricket rules, and AUS rules Cricket! Granted, the All Blacks are probably second, but we're still better:) And WTF is the deal with gridiron? They call THAT a sport? Those guys wouldn't last ten seconds in Rugby…now that would be funny to see.
Kaylee-Smith: Sure, just send it to me as an attachment (my address is in my Profile). I don't mind unusual…
Lady of the Dragons2: What on earth gave you the idea Alex was blond? Both he and Cassie have black hair. And my sport is Cricket.
Harry: I'm not even going to dignify that with a response. ;) A Brit that thinks Cricket is for Nancy boys? Now I've seen everything…but you're just saying that because the English suck at Cricket…How many years since you beat us? Five? Something like that…come on, the last game we won by a full Innings and about 400 runs.
MsMissProngs: Ahh, it's all in good fun, don't mean nothin' by it. And I'm offended to be called a Brit…I'm an Aussie, thank you very much. We're as like to the Brits as Americans are like Iraqis.
athenakitty: Peaceful and Harry are oxymorons.
Melindaleo: Honestly, I couldn't remember what colour Ron's robes were, and I couldn't be bothered to look it up.
shrek: Don't you mean the other way around? India hasen't won against us in at least three years…and at one stage, we were undefeated for twenty two tests, a world record. We now have the best bowler (Warne), we had the best batsman (Bradman) and we have the best wickety (Gilly).
Saerry Snape: Yes ma'am! Ramble I shall! I think that was the Profile you had when I first started reading, which would make it about 18 months ago or something. Cripes, has it been that long? How can you even contemplate finishing NM? Evil woman…it's the only one of my original stories that's still going. I, for one, will be very sad to see it go…sequel! Sequel! Sequel!
Mistress-Genari: Harry didn't really want to make a huge impression, for obvious reasons. You want me to draw? (laughs hysterically) Sorry, but I can draw about as well as George Shrub can run a country. As to what Cassie did, she (censored). ;)
twins-rule: I didn't know Zith sliced and diced…
harryptaxd204: Grab your torch and pitchforks! Kickball?!? You reckon that's better than Cricket? What the…?
