Last time on Black and White:
Hermione ducked her head once more as the blood once again found its way to her face.
"Herminny, I 'ave somezing I must request of you..."
Hermione looked up at the older boy, her eyes shining with curiosity and her blush still prevalent on her face.
Book 4 – Chapter 23: Rejections and Protections
At the end of the next day, Andrew and Harry finally got their summons from their respective teachers and were told to meet them that evening.
Andrew arrived in Flitwick's office and greeted the teacher with a nod, which Flitwick returned as well as a smile.
"Now, I notice your lack of reaction to Harry's absence means you are aware of the current situation?" Flitwick asked.
"Yes sir, Harry explained what Dumbledore had told him and that we'd be getting separate lessons for the time being."
"Excellent, saves me the trouble. So up till now, we have been focussing on your spell output, but from now until we have completed we will be focussing on your control."
Andrew nodded, that made sense.
"So for the first time, you and I, Mr Potter, will be duelling."
"I'm sorry, what?"
Flitwick chuckled. "That's right, in order to learn control we will be building your experience. Now then," the tiny professor whipped out his wand and held it at the ready. "Come at me, Andrew."
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Harry entered the Headmaster's office and was greeted by Dumbledore; who stood by his desk. When the older man saw Harry he smiled, and welcomed him in.
"Good Evening Harry, are you ready for our first lesson?"
"Yes, sir."
"Excellent, now I know you were hoping on learning some spells this evening, but alas that will have to wait as we have quite a bit of theory to cover first. Please come join me."
Harry walked closer to the desk and took a seat opposite the Headmaster.
"I have been researching this curse for many years now and I have come to some discoveries that I believe you should be aware of. Firstly, it is an old curse, as I have stated before, but the exact age still alludes me. What I could discern is that is older than perhaps even the Founders, probably going back to an age when Magic was well known and generally accepted by all."
Harry nodded his head and listened closely.
"There is one thing I was able to verify though, this curse does not just affect Andrew's family, but the Potter's as well."
Harry's eyes widened at that. "Hold on, so this curse is somehow linked to both of us?"
Dumbledore nodded sagely.
"Though the affect on the Potter's were not nearly as dangerous. I will have to do more research on it."
"Could this curse... Is it the reason my parents...?"
Dumbledore sighed and removed his glasses before speaking again.
"I don't want to lie to you Harry; I believe the attack on Godric Hollow all those years ago, was an unfortunate set of circumstances, though a part of me does still wonder if it was not connected to the curse somehow."
Harry sat back heavily against his seat. His mum and dad killed because of a curse from well before their time? What kind of sick joke was that?
"Harry I understand how devastating this must all feel, but I ask that you do not make Andrew the target for your pain, it would do you well to remember; he didn't choose to have this affect him either, like you, he is a victim of his circumstance."
Harry took a breath and nodded his head, he didn't blame Andrew, he blamed whoever decided to curse their families.
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The week went on with the boys receiving an additional two more lessons, when Friday came around, there was an announcement to the school, that all members from 4th year and above were to meet with their Head of House. This caused a ripple of excitement to go through the school and everyone was excited to find out what the announcement was about.
"What do you think they want to talk to us about?" Ron asked with a small frown.
"Dunno, probably has something to do with the tournament, though." Harry responded with a small shrug.
Andrew looked to Hermione and found the fact that she didn't join the speculation, weird. Yes, she wasn't a gossip like, Lavender or Parvati, but she enjoyed speculating like the rest of them, her silence was a weird reaction. Before he could question her though, she looked up at him and spoke.
"Have you figured out the clue to the second task yet?" she asked quickly.
"Hmm? Oh! No, I haven't every time I open the damn thing it screams bloody murder. I'm not sure what the purpose is supposed be."
"Maybe it's a banshee's scream? Or at least something that mimics what a banshee is supposed to sound like? Maybe you have to fight a banshee next!" Ron said excitedly.
"Well considering the fact that banshee's have been known to kill wizards over 300 meters away with their screams alone, I doubt they would be dumb enough to-"
"Dragons." Harry provided pausing between his bites of food.
"Fair point." Andrew conceded. "Well guess I'm going to be doing some research on banshee's, Christ I hate this bloody tournament."
After being thoroughly distracted, Hermione watched as her best friend and boy seemed to know her best, started muttering about adults trying to kill children all in the name of sport, and sighed a breath of relief when he topic of meeting was no longer on the table.
The 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th year Gryffindors were led to an unused classroom near Gryffindor tower, once they got over their excitement, Professor McGonagall addressed them.
"Now then ladys and gentlemen, I have been tasked to tell you all of the upcoming event during the Yuletide. As is customary, Hogwarts will be holding a Ball, as is required with the Tri-Wizard Tournament."
The students started whispering excitedly amongst themselves.
"Whilst I appreciate the excitement, there will be no funny business conducted on that night! As students of Gryffindor I expect you all to embody the values of our house; especially honour! And to conduct yourselves in a respectable manner!" she said while shooting a particularly long glare towards the boys.
"Anyone else feel like she she doesn't trust us?" Andrew whispered to the boys around him who chuckled.
"Honestly, it's like she thinks we're going to jump our dates the moment we see them." one of the twins bent over to whisper back with a smirk.
"Yeah, that only happens at the end of the night." the other provided with a matching smirk.
"Is there something you wish to share boys?" McGonagall asked staring at the group of boys who had been giggling.
"Well, you see oh, gracious Professor-" One of the twins started.
"- It would seem our dear brother here doesn't know how to dance-" the other jumped in.
"- and is awfully scared the rest of the school will be making fun of him because of it."
"So, we were hoping-"
"- and we're prepared to beg, of course."
"Could you please show him some basic steps?" they finished in unison.
"Wha...! No, Professor, they're lying! Andrew help me out here."
Andrew suddenly found the ceiling interesting and completely ignored Ron.
"Mr Weasley, come up here and I will show you the basic box step."
"Traitor." he muttered towards Andrew who was now sporting a huge grin.
To say the other boys found watching Ron being completely uncomfortable and awkward around their Transfiguration professor enjoyable, would be an understatement.
Once everything was said and done and the students allowed to leave Prof. McGonagall called for Andrew to stay behind, at the confused looks of his friends he simply nodded and walked back to the Professor.
"Mister Potter, as I am sure you had heard, the Yule Ball is an important part of the Tri-Wizard Tournament. As such I expect you and your date to be on your best behaviour as one of the champions."
"My date and I? Professor, I was kind of hoping to... you know, skip this unofficial task."
The Professor's mouth curled into it's usual thin expression.
"Mr Potter, as a champion not only are you expected to show up, with a date, but you will be participating in the first dance."
Andrew paused before blinking and rubbing his ear.
"I'm sorry, I think my ears are still ringing from the Dragon, did you say dance?"
"That's correct, Mr Potter."
"Hold on, I don't even know how to dance!"
"Well, you've got a few weeks to learn and practice, don't you?" with that the Professor left the room, and Andrew staring blankly at the space she had been occupying.
"Fuck this tournament." he grumbled sourly.
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The excitement about the ball rippled through the school, and it showed. Girls were huddled together in what seemed to be packs; assessing every boy who approached or walked past them and giggling at some unshared joke or criticism, prime example would be the Patil twins, Lavender Brown, Romilda Vane hell even some Slytherins, like Greengrass and Parkinson were in the fold.
While the boys were split into a few factions; there were the ones who looked confident, strutting around the school as if their time had finally come. There were the actual bold ones who had taken the first opportunity to approach a girl and ask her to be his date, example Seamus, Fred and George and Cormac McLaggen, who still avoided Andrew and his friends like the plague. Then there were the watchers, the boys who would simply sneak a glance at another girl, but be too afraid to make a move or ask them to the dance, prime example would be Neville, Dean Thomas and Ernie McMillan.
Two weeks passed and the excitement; while lessoned, was still prevalent within the school. Another two weeks passed and the shy boys were starting to get nervous as they had yet to approach a girl and time seemed to tick away much faster than they had anticipated.
It was the 12th of December when tensions became high and the search for a date really took off. Andrew, Harry and Ron walked out of the Great Hall when the topic of the ball was brought up.
"So, do you have a date yet?" Harry asked his brother.
"No, I've been too busy with Flitwick, classes and the bloody egg to set any real dedication to it. What about you two?" he asked as he shoved his bag strap onto his shoulder for better support.
"No, luck here. I just freak out and freeze when I think about asking someone." Ron admitted with a small shrug.
"Well, I did ask someone, but they haven't gotten back to me yet." Harry said.
"The hell? That's... There's barely two weeks left, you should ask them to get back to you soon, or else you might be out of luck." Ron suggested with a look of surprise.
"Agreed. Who'd you ask anyway? Cho?"
Harry blushed. "No, she's going out with Cedric, so I assume they're going to be going together."
This caused Andrew to frown a bit. "Then who did you... no..." he groaned when he figured it out.
"What is it? Who'd he ask?"
"Tonks."
"Oh, Harry." Ron moaned with a sad smile.
"What?! Listen, maybe she can make it, seeing how it's during Christmas, she could have some time off." Harry defended vehemently.
"Yeah, but what are the chances she'll want to spend said Christmas with a bunch of kids?" Andrew asked as gently as he could.
That caused Harry to pause before he shook his head. The three boys made their way to the Gryffindor common room where they found Hermione sitting by the fire with a book in her hands. The snow had already started falling a little while ago, which explained her close proximity to the warm flames.
Andrew made his way over and sat down beside her.
"You know, one day those books are going to be the death of you. You didn't even notice me get here."
"Ah, but then you'd be in violation of your pinky promise, I'd be dying before you." she responded smugly, not even lifting her head from the book.
"Damn, outsmarted once more." Andrew answered back with an exaggerated snap of his fingers.
Hermione giggled and closed her book, using a finger to keep her place as she turned to face him.
"So what can I do for you, Andrew?"
"Glad you asked, can you dance?" he asked casually.
Andrew missed the look of surprise and slight apprehension on Hermione's face.
"I may know a few basic steps?" she answered cautiously.
"Great! What do you charge for lessons, because I have fantastic rhythm but not training, so..."
Hermione stared at Andrew's hope filled face and smiled with a small shake of her head.
"For you, nothing. But we'd better get started now, if you're going to be at the very least acceptable on the night." she said as she began putting her book in her bag. Doing so, Hermione missed Andrew take a small breath before speaking.
"Also, that is to say... if you haven't already been asked, of course, if you'd... consider, or you know, if you'd like to... go to the ball with me?" he asked softly enough that only she could hear. Ron and Harry were in the boys dorm, doing something or another and would be down soon, so this was his only window to ask without an audience.
Hermione's eyes grew in surprise and quickly whipped her head back to look at Andrew. She saw him looking everywhere but her eyes, and was surprised to find herself disappointed.
"Andrew... I... you don't have to feel like you have to ask me just because we're friends. I'm sure there are many other girls who'd love to go with you..." she didn't get to finish as Andrew spoke again.
"What? Oh, this isn't a charity thing... no, Hermione... I- I want to go with you." he answered with a frown and look of confusion.
"Well, Andrew, there are 13 days until the Ball. Honestly, it's really short notice..."
"I know, I just- I've been busy with so much stuff that my mind sort of blanked on this specific thing."
"Andrew... I've- I've already got a date. I'm sorry..."
"No! No, no, no, it's fine. Really! I get it. It's my idiocy that made me think you'd still be dateless. I mean obviously, someone's asked you. I hope you have a great evening." Andrew answered quickly before standing and wringing his hands slightly.
"Andrew..."
"Um, I'm going to go, I have a thing I have to do..."
"What about our dancing lessons?" Hermione asked with a small frown.
"Oh, err- It's fine! I uh, know someone who can help me. I'll see you around, yeah?" Andrew finished lamely before rushing out of the common room, ignoring the Fat Lady's abolishment of his behaviour.
Hermione sighed and sagged in her seat.
"Ah, it would seem as though someone has been dealt a bum hand." a voice said behind her, causing the bushy haired girl to groan.
"Hmm, though I will admit, it was his fault for leaving it until so late."
"Lavender, Pavarti, didn't we agree that you'd drop this whole Andrew and me nonsense after last time?" she asked tiredly.
"Hmm? Oh hello, Hermione. I believe the deal was that we wouldn't bring it up with you, but we can talk about your tragic love all we'd like." Lavender responded with a small shrug.
"I hate the two of you..." Hermione muttered.
"No you don't, because even if you won't admit it, everything we say makes sense." Pavarti answered back while shooting her a smug look.
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Andrew rushed through the school, not really sure where he was headed when he heard some voices coming from a corridor on his right, voices he recognised.
"He should be expelled for that crap he pulled in the Great Hall before the first task."
"Honestly? Attacking a teacher, Potter is purely deranged."
Andrew rubbed his face tiredly. They were still on about that? God, he could only imagine how long it would be until Skeeter got a hold of this, luckily Harry's interview with the various news outlets was soon, he just hoped they got to do that before Skeeter made her next move.
"Honestly, and he's friends with that Veela champion; Delacour... I heard Veela are dark creatures. You think that rumour of Harry being under some kind of potion is real?"
Andrew felt his blood boil, as he moved to rip whoever had been speaking apart he heard another voice, a voice he recognised.
"Those are some pretty serious accusations, and without any proof you're liable to be sued for slander, or maybe even defamation of character."
"Su?" he whispered as he laid back and listened to the conversation.
"Oh, you're Li, Su Li, right? One of... Potter's friends?"
"Yes, and?"
"You should make sure you cleared of any and all loyalty potions, you know, my aunt is head of the DMLE, if you ever feel unsafe-"
"Ironic, being the niece of the Head of the most powerful law enforcers in the Magical community you should be aware of the fact that you need proof before you accuse anyone of anything. What happened to being innocent until proven guilty?" Su cut her off coldly.
"He attacked a fellow Gryffindor and tried to attack Professor Snape!" the girl argued angrily.
"The same Gryffindor who was responsible for him falling from the moving staircase onto the landing below, almost killing him? The same Gryffindor who thought that the best way to 'teach him a lesson' was to damn near kill him? Oh and let's not forget the Professor who constantly insults him, his brother and his family, who were killed mind you."
Andrew's eyes widened a bit as he listened to Su basically lay into this girl and her friends with cold facts.
"You're one of his groupies, so of course you're defending him!" a boy yelled out angrily.
"I am not a 'groupie' as you put it. I simply know him. I took the time to know him rather than let the uninformed opinions of others bug me down. I may hate the way Ravenclaw seems to be content with just letting things happen and learning about the situation rather than being a part of the action and getting first hand experience, but I really hate how weak minded, and short sighted Hufflepuff's are based on their feelings about those they are close to."
Andrew had to cover his mouth and nose to stop himself from laughing at that.
"What did you say?" the boy from earlier asked his voice low and menacing.
"You heard me, you're still sore about Diggory being out shun by Andrew, first by being selected then by actually proving his worth by beating the other champions. You base your assessments of people based on external elements and personal feelings rather than the person as an individual, thus making you weak minded... or in simpler terms, sheep."
"You little...!"
Andrew stepped out at that moment and drew his wand, disarming the boy and watching as the group recognised him.
"Potter, here to get your little sl-"
"I highly suggest you watch your next words, you're wandless and I think I've proven my skill by nearly making McLaggen's nose unfixable, without my wand, so just imagine how I am when I do have my wand. Now, walk along, Smith." he said with a growl.
"Threatening students... typical."
"Listen Bones, I truly don't give a shit what you think of me, you are a literal speck in the peripherals of my life. You are so meaningless to me that you could slip in the bathroom tonight, crack your skull open and lay on the floor dying, and I would still not give a shit, because your life is insignificant to me or my interests. So no, I am not threatening you, much like how I treat an irritating bug; I am simply letting you know, that I don't care for any of you, thus would like you all to stop wasting my time and to do so in a timely manner."
The group all glared at the boy before they turned and walked away, with Zacharias Smith snatching his wand from Andrew and joining his friend group. Andrew turned to Su and smiled.
"Hey, thanks for that." he said with a smile.
"No problem, we're friends, and friends stick together." she responded with a smile.
There was a beat of silence as the two teens simply watched one another before Andrew finally spoke.
"Hey, I was going outside for a bit of a cool down, would you like to join me?" he asked with a smile.
Su responded with her own smile and linked her arm through his, surprising him slightly.
"I would love to." she responded.
"Well then, my Lady Li, shall we?"
