Acknowledgments: Rpeh for the beta work.
The Pantomime Fountain
What is Past is Prologue
Daphne Greengrass emerged from the dormitory bathroom wearing a fluffy white bathrobe with a white towel wrapped around her head. She threw herself onto her bed, landing next to where she'd discarded her wand. She stared up at the windows, watching the fish swim by in the lake.
When she'd first been sorted into Slytherin the dormitories had, frankly, scared her. Something about sleeping underneath the millions of gallons of water that comprised the lake hadn't sat well with her. And catching the giant squid mid meal never helped. She would have preferred to be a Ravenclaw like both her parents. Something about the sunny tower was far more appealing than the dungeons and their eerie green artificial light.
But she'd grown used to it. Her sister, Astoria, had never expressed any of the same qualms she'd had in her first year, so she figured she must have been crazy. Of course the inquisitive part of her would win out. She still wondered how exactly they'd charmed it, and when. Some people claimed Salazar himself had done it, but something about that rang false to her. Nothing about Salazar Slytherin screamed comfort. It had to have been a later addition by someone as sick of dungeons as she had been. It wouldn't have shocked her had it been a student's idea. She stalled by pondering the mechanics of it all for a few moments.
When 'pondering the mechanics' turned into 'seeing imaginary cracks in the ceiling,' she decided that perhaps it was time to stop thinking about that. She sat up and looked around the room. The dormitory was empty, but that was to be expected as it was the middle of dinner. She'd skipped the meal and opted for a bath instead.
She knew she had no real reason to be nervous. Just because it would be her first time in Dumbledore's office didn't mean anything. She'd still felt queasy most of the day knowing it was on the schedule. And hadn't been able to stomach any food at lunch so she'd figured dinner would be a lost cause.
It wasn't like she was being called there for disciplinary reasons or anything. It was just a meeting to get permission for something they've planned for the last month. And there was something about the undeniable fact that their entire last month might be utterly pointless that thought made her feel absolutely vile.
Professor Burbage didn't think there was any chance they didn't get permission from Dumbledore though. And with Professors Flitwick and Hagrid joining their cause, it seemed like a sure thing. There was a high chance she wouldn't even have to speak at the meeting. Her presence with her green and silver tie may be all she could offer but she wouldn't let them down. Afterall, Professor Burbage had to be right that a united front would all but guarantee their success.
She knew that sitting around in her dormitory stewing on it wasn't going to help anyone's cause. She decided it was time to put on her big girl pants and at least make her way down to the Great Hall.
Daphne sat up on the edge of her bed and leaned over to rifle through her trunk to find something to wear. She debated dress robes, at least then she'd be able to justify having her mother send hers earlier in the year.
When her boyfriend first started attending the Slug Club meetings with the new Potions professor she was sure she'd be invited along eventually. And how mortifying would it be to not have anything to wear? But the invite hadn't come, or so her boyfriend claimed.. There seemed to be a slightly roving cast of attendees on the parties, which made her wonder if she just wasn't good enough. She'd barely made it into NEWT potions. In fact, she shouldn't have. But when Professor Slughorn replaced Professor Snape she'd just qualified.
It was funny, she thought. Her parents had done nothing but complain that there were not enough healer candidates joining the hospital. And the main drawback seemed to be very few qualifying for advanced potions. So few, in fact, that her mother and the hospital were recruiting heavily from the continent and planning on lowering their requirements and offering classes for those who wished to intern at the hospital.
But with Slughorn back as the potions master, it seemed like they might not have to. At least as long as a few students continued with the class. Her parents' excitement that she could take the course and continue to follow in their footsteps to become a healer had been contagious. So contagious, in fact, that she didn't have the heart to tell them she hated the thought of working at a hospital. Or really, even being in a hospital. Or being a healer.
She could always intentionally fail, she thought. But something about how that would crush them sat so poorly with her. No, she'd just have to think of a better career and approach them about it and have a very disappointing talk. But until she could come up with a better option she didn't think it was wise to have that conversation yet.
Either way, she dug out clean underwear from her trunk and then moved to the wardrobe where she kept her uniforms and other assorted outfits that required hanging. She plucked one out and tossed it onto the bed.
She unwrapped the towel from her head and tossed it over the mirror at the massive square vanity that dominated the center of the room. The square desk had a plush chair at each of the four sides, aligned with each of the girls' beds in her dormitory. All four sides had their own separate mirror and each girl had set up their own area.
The mirror groaned when she covered it. Someone, and they were not sure who, but it almost certainly had to be the sixth or seventh year boys, had charmed the mirrors to make rather inappropriate comments, mostly to do with how their outfits could be improved by being on the floor rather than on their person.
They'd complained to Professor Snape but the mirrors wouldn't speak when he was in the dormitory. He claimed to have dispelled any unwanted magic on the mirrors and gone on his way. About a minute after he'd left the mirrors were even worse. At the very least, though, they had learned that when shattered, every single shard developed its own voice.
All four of them had complained multiple times to Snape. And, to his credit, he did check every time they did. And even had a meeting with every male in the house. But it hadn't mattered, the voices always returned.
Part of her wanted to write to her father about it. He was incredible with charms and dispelling them. But she hadn't gotten around to including it in the letter yet. Something about writing about it felt almost shameful to her. She knew that was stupid but she just couldn't figure out how to broach the subject. And given that the other girls didn't seem as bothered by it as she did, it felt silly to complain to her parents.
But whatever the mirror couldn't see, it couldn't comment on. So, they'd come up with ways around it. Anything to disrupt the line of sight worked just fine. From her current solution of throwing a towel over it, to any number of blackout charms, or to clever use of the bed's curtains.
She grabbed her wand to employ stratagem three, figuring there was no need for her to be annoyed before going to an important meeting with the Headmaster. It only took one quick of charm to remove one side of the curtains from her bed and attach them to Millicent's.
"Can't help you from back there, dearie!" the mirror said in the best impression it could do of an elderly matron.
"You've yet to provide help when I'm anywhere," Daphne quipped back. The mirror chuckled quietly as Daphne shimmied into her underwear and started getting dressed behind the curtain.
"Well, if you followed the advice, you'd have a different opinion on that," the mirror shot back.
"Good idea," Daphne said as she continued to dress. "What was it Pansy talked about? Modesty screens? I bet I could create a few without much of a problem. Charm them to grow and shrink with a simple incantation. Would be a fun project, really."
"Then I'd just have to focus on makeup advice," the mirror snipped back as Daphne finished dressing by buttoning up her shirt.
"I've already got a compact for that," Daphne sighed. She returned the curtains to their proper places with a flick of her wand before sitting on the bed to put on her shoes. "But, I'm guessing your opinion on that is the inverse of your opinion on clothing."
"You are learning!" The mirror said in mock astonishment. "You, my dear, could benefit from much more eyeshadow. Pink tones to bring out the youth and those baby blues. It would make you look positively scrumptious."
"Gross," Daphne said, pulling her hair back into a ponytail. She glanced toward the mirror to make sure she looked presentable.
"And here you are, looking and imagining," the mirror said. Daphne rolled her eyes.
"Whatever you have to tell yourself. I'll figure out how to get rid of you eventually," Daphne said as she moved toward the stairs that led up to the common room.
She knew she shouldn't engage the mirror. One thing her mother was adamant about from her time in the Artifacts Accidents ward of the hospital was to never engage with something if you couldn't tell how it made decisions. And, while it seemed like a harmless bit of juvenile fun, she still knew to be cautious.
Then again, she'd never bothered to worry about it when the mirrors were telling her to adjust her tie or that there was a stain on her shirt. But that seemed more helpful than the consistent commentary that if you're even going to bother with underwear it should be a thong.
She took the steps two at a time to get back into the common room. There wasn't much of a crowd in the early evening hours. Most would be at dinner. The weather was still fairly nice so it wouldn't have surprised her if there was a pickup Quidditch match or something occurring outdoors as well. The more studious would be in the library getting ahead on their assignments.
A couple of second years were playing Gobstones in the corner and a seventh year was scribbling away at an essay for Ancient Runes, but they were the only other students currently in the common room. None of them so much as looked at her as she exited into the dungeons.
The walk up to the Great Hall only took her a few moments. The Bloody Baron, the Slytherin house ghost, floated through a wall in front of her. His sword was drawn and had a strange neon green sheen to it. He smelled awful, which was weird. Normally ghosts didn't have much of a scent, but it seemed rude to ask.
"Take the long way," the Baron said. She raised her brows and tried to peer through his translucent body to see down the hallway. She wondered if that was rude and figured that the ghosts had to be used to it by now.
"Why?"
"Are you aware of Madame Borboleta's butterfly wings?" the Baron asked.
"Yes. But who wants coconut in their candy?" Daphne asked. Her father actually liked them but the three main women in his life all thought they were a waste of perfectly good chocolate. She struggled to see what sweets had to do with the hallway, though.
"Peeves convinced someone to charm about a dozen of the demandable things. They now have his face in place of the butterfly head and charge at whomever is in their vicinity. And they're waiting to ambush anyone down that hallway. He must have gotten the idea from that canary trick the Granger girl pulled," the Baron said.
"Well, that sounds annoying but doesn't seem like anything a simple charm can't undo," Daphne said. She reached into her pocket and drew out her wand.
"If they get close to you, they explode into a rather foul-smelling neon paint," the Baron added, gesturing to his sword.
"Ah."
"And I would hate to have your evening ruined because of it. I can attempt to guard you if you prefer, Miss Greengrass," the Baron said. His gaze turned to a suit of armor at the end of the hallway that possessed a rather large shield.
"No, that's fine. I'll go around," Daphne said. "Thanks for letting me know."
"Of course," the Baron responded before returning through the wall. Daphne watched him vanish before turning down a separate hallway. It would only take her a few minutes longer to loop around the classrooms and make it to the Great Hall.
A few Gryffindor boys were leaving as she entered and made her way to the Slytherin table. She spared one glance up to the staff table. Professor Dumbledore was the only staff member not present. When she reached the Slytherin table she slid into an open spot next to Pansy, who was occasionally prodding her chicken with her fork while not eating any of it. She looked rather dour and it only took a quick scan of the table to realize Draco wasn't there to entertain her.
"When's your thing?" Tracey asked from across the table. She didn't even bother looking up from her Transfiguration essay.
"Seven," Daphne responded. She leaned forward to grab a couple of dinner rolls from a basket on the table. She wasn't hungry at the moment but had a feeling that once the meeting was over and her nerves were settled, she'd be famished. To alleviate that she forced herself to eat the rolls.
Tracey sensed her nerves and acted upon it. She spun her Transfiguration book around and asked Daphne to clarify a theory they'd discussed in class that morning. Daphne peered at it for a moment and then set to explaining.
She didn't think Tracey needed her help, but it was one way to distract her. And it worked until Tracey finished her essay with a flourish. Unfortunately for Daphne, she finished at the exact moment that Astoria came sliding onto the bench.
"Ow," Daphne said as Astoria's body hit hers. The slight impact didn't deter her sister.
"You have to get it approved," Astoria squealed, her eyes infectiously bright. Daphne sighed and turned her attention away from her sister. They looked alike, with dark blonde hair and blue eyes. Their figures were similar although Daphne had about three inches and perhaps ten pounds on the younger girl. But everyone who ever saw them together always thought Astoria was the prettier of the two.
"Last night you thought it was a waste of time," Daphne responded.
"Well yes. But that was before I thought about it more. And the castle will be a thousand times more entertaining around the holidays when you get it approved," Astoria squealed. Daphne blinked at her.
"That was my argument, verbatim, last night. What changed with you?"
"I thought about it more," Astoria said.
"Did our parents write saying they decided to take a vacation over the holidays again?" Daphne asked. They'd only done it once, during the Yule Ball when both Astoria and Daphne had begged to stay at the castle for the festivities.
While the ball had been fun, Daphne was far less of a fan of spending Christmas morning in the common room with Astoria and the few others who hadn't left that morning. Still, they'd had fun, despite the depressing nature of it.
"What? God no. If they ever do that again I'll throw a tantrum," Astoria said.
"Aren't you a bit old for that?" Daphne said.
"Only when it stops working. Anyway, you have to get it approved it will be so much fun! I was just talking about it with Eva and we both think it will be amazing. They should have been doing it for years," Astoria said.
"I think I'm going to stand there and hope for the best. I doubt I'll even have to say anything one way or another."
"You better fight for it if you have to," Astoria countered. "I don't care if you have to get down on your knees before the Headmaster."
"Gross, Astoria. And I doubt Marcus would approve," I sighed.
"What? Oh! Get your head out of the gutter Daphne, I meant beg," Astoria crossed her arms over her chest and glared at her sister.
"With what I've heard of Professor Dumbledore I don't think he'd be interested anyway," Tracey added.
"And who's the gross one now?" Astoria countered.
"Just saying," Tracey said. "There's always been those rumors."
"I'm pretty sure petulant children made them up just to slander him," Pansy said. "Probably after getting detention."
"Fair enough," Tracey said.
"Professor Flitwick and Professor Burbage are leaving the staff table. And Professor Hagrid almost knocked over the table getting up. Is he helping too? His Creatures classes are surprisingly entertaining. I'm sure he could add some interesting flair," Astoria said. Daphne, who'd never taken Creatures, had very little experience with the Gamekeeper.
"I better go," Daphne said. She rose from the table as Astoria, Tracy and Pansy all wished her good luck as she left the table. A few feet down, Colin Creevey joined her from the Gryffindor table.
Ernie Macmillan and Padma Patil joined them as they rendezvoused with the Professors.
"Are we all here?" Professor Burbage asked as they approached. She taught Muggle Studies. While most students thought it was a pointless blowoff class, Daphne found it interesting. At least after the very basic first couple of months of third year where the curriculum was clearly designed for Pureblood students without a clue for the Muggle World.
Daphne didn't have that problem. Both of her parents had worked in Muggle hospitals for a couple of years and had Muggle friends. She'd grown up with Muggle appliances although they didn't get much use, when some of her housemates couldn't tell the difference between a microwave and a television.
But after the basic vocabulary and daily life of the Muggle was sorted out, the class became far more interesting. It focused on specific areas in Muggle history and dissected them while contrasting it to Wizarding events of the same eras. It was far and away the most reading she had to do for any class, but she had fun with it.
"We're all here," Padma Patil said.
"Excellent," Professor Flitwick said as he started walking down the hall.
"Professor, wait," Daphne said.
"What is it, Miss Greengrass?" the diminutive charms professor turned as he spoke. A butterfly flew straight into his head. As soon as it touched him it exploded in a neon pink ectoplasm of some sort splattered all over him.
"Peeves was waiting to ambush someone in this hallway," Daphne said dumbly. The other students laughed and even Professor Burbage was fighting back a smile. Peeves the poltergeist came cackling out of one of the walls, seeming ready to taunt whomever had fallen into his trap. His expression fell as he saw the Professor and he turned and fled through the wall.
"Thank you, Miss Greengrass," Professor Flitwick said. He drew his wand and cleaned the substance off of his head.
"Are you alright, Filius?" Professor Burbage asked.
"Fine, Charity. I'll have to go undo whatever it is Peeves has done. Can you handle it from here?"
"Of course," Professor Burbage said.
"Good luck then," Professor Flitwick said. Professor Burbage nodded at him and continued on the way. She led the students to a gargoyle statue. She whispered a word to it before any of the students got close enough to notice and it moved out of the way. Daphne followed her up a stairway to an open door.
She could see Professor Dumbledore at his desk, reading a copy of the evening paper as they entered. He closed the paper, folding it neatly and setting it on the edge of his desk as they approached.
"Good evening, Charity," he said before giving a warm smile to the students. "And how nice to see your students with you."
"Thank you for having us," Professor Burbage said.
"I must say you have intrigued me with your request. I did not expect such a thorough proposal to come from the students. The last time a group of students petitioned me their work was considerably sub-par by comparison. Who put in the work on it?" Dumbledore asked.
"It was a fairly equal endeavor. Daphne and Padma did the bulk of the planning when it came to the various performances and games. Ernie and Colin focused more on the decorations and atmosphere," Professor Burbage said.
"Good work from all of you," Professor Dumbledore said to the students. "I was quite impressed."
"Thank you," Padma Patil muttered. Daphne was too surprised that he'd actually bothered reading it to say anything. It shouldn't have surprised her, she thought. Afterall, answering petitions from students was art of his job. But given that her housemates had openly speculated if he'd even bother opening the booklet she'd made after all the work she'd put into it, she always figured he might flat out reject it without looking.
"I did think Filius was joining us," Professor Dumbledore said as he turned his attention away from the students and toward his Muggle Studies professor.
"There was a bit of a situation with Peeves he felt he should sort out first," Professor Burbage responded. Dumbledore gave her a slow, knowing nod before he decided to speak.
"I understand you wish to revive the old Hogwarts Christmas Festival," Professor Dumbledore said.
"That's our plan." Professor Burbage said. "It will be seventy-five years since the last one this winter. I've gotten the approval of all four heads of house and now all that's left is yours."
"Your proposal was quite excellent but you did not include a reason as to why you would like to bring it back. Consider it was cancelled largely because fewer and fewer students were staying at Hogwarts for the holiday season. I'm pondering how much interest you think the events will garner. Last year we hosted less than a score of students for the holiday," Dumbledore said.
"Which is why our biggest change to the last festival is to hold it during the final week of classes. I'd hoped that the other Professors would agree to go a bit light that week, given that the students never seem to be paying attention that week as is," Professor Burbage said. Daphne noticed she was shifting back and forth as she spoke.
"I see that. I can't say I approve of intentional leniency before a break. I found that a mid-term shortly before break with an intense assignment for the break was the best way of keep students prepared," Dumbledore said.
"I can't say I've had much luck with that," Professor Burbage said.
"We've staggered the events over two weeks," Padma Patil spoke up, summoning more courage than Daphne had at that moment. "We think our proposed schedule will allow for ample time to study and keep up on homework."
"I take it you handled the initial scheduling, Miss Patil," Dumbledore said, his gaze shifting toward her. The Ravenclaw Prefect blushed but nodded.
"Daphne and I did it," she said. "It was Daphne's idea to stagger the days as much as we did. I thought we could do the entire thing in a week but she pointed out the benefits of stretching it out."
"Is that right? I think that was an inspired decision myself," Dumbledore said as his gaze turned to Daphne. She felt the color rise to her cheeks but she managed to squeak out a response.
"Thank you." She spent a few moments wondering if it was the first time she'd ever spoken to the headmaster. It seemed odd that it would be, but she couldn't remember ever being addressed by the man before.
"And we do feel like some of the smaller clubs get forgotten about during the school year. It seemed like a great time to get them some publicity," Ernie Macmillan blustered.
"I always did wish Gobstones received more attention from the student body. Truly exceptional play is becoming a lost art," Dumbledore said.
"I couldn't agree more," Ernie said as he too flushed with embarrassment at being addressed directly by Dumbledore.
"There is one part of your proposal that I am less keen on, however," Dumbledore said.
"And which part is that?" Professor Burbage asked.
"The pantomime," Dumbledore said. "The last time we had a student run pantomime it ended in a rather publicized disaster. And I see your preference is to do The Fountain of Fair Fortune once again."
"It's a good story with a message that I think is crucial in this era," Professor Burbage said.
"I couldn't agree more where the story is concerned. However, the last time it was performed it was best described as an utter disaster. It was so destructive that there hasn't been an attempt to put on another show since," Dumbledore said. He let his gaze linger on each of the students for a moment before focusing on Professor Burbage. Daphne watched her fidget under his gaze. But there was something about the way she steeled herself that led her to believe she'd prepared for this argument.
"The last time it was performed with next to no supervision from the staff. I plan on being far more hands on in my approach to casting and preparations of the cast. And Professor Flitwick and I both agree that it presents very interesting opportunities in other areas as well," Professor Burbage said.
"Go on," Dumbledore responded. He leaned back in his high-backed chair and pressed the tips of his fingers together.
"Well, he thought it would be a good practical experience for some of the more ambitious students. We'll need people to help with the lighting, and the effects, and costuming. And there's all sorts of other things. I figured if we attempt to make a fairly big production of it. Which would lead to more involvement from all of the students," Professor Burbage explained.
"And from your preliminary notes you planned on handling the players while Filius handled the rest of it?" Professor Dumbledore said.
"Yes," Professor Burbage responded. "Although I will expect the actors to lend a hand with a little bit of everything as well,"
"And how do you plan on casting?" Professor Dumbledore asked.
"Open auditions. That's another reason for the choice of play. There's fewer main roles to cast so if there isn't a great deal of interest from the student body it still shouldn't be that difficult to round out the cast. In a pinch we can do it with just four. Although I would like to incorporate some smaller parts if am able. I'd also like to have at least one member of each house present too to create a more unified production."
"So it won't be entirely based on merit?" Dumbledore asked.
"It depends," Professor Burbage said. "I would prefer it to be. But the holidays are a time for coming together and being inclusive and I plan to incorporate that as best I can."
"That's good to know. There are one or two things I think need to be reviewed before December," Professor Dumbledor said.
"Like what?" Professor Burbage asked.
"Just some logistics. Nothing I'm sure we won't be able to coordinate around. I will put it at the top of our agenda for the next staff meeting. For example, I think we should cancel classes that Friday before the show to give everyone ample time to prepare," Professor Dumbledore said. Daphne watched Professor Burbage's lips curl into a smile.
"Are you serious?" Colin Creevy asked, sounding rather
"And it may behoove us to incorporate Hogsmead more than we have in the past. And parents will want to see what their children produce for the event. So perhaps with that Friday off, and if we push back the departure of the Hogwarts Express a few hours on Saturday, we can provide ample time for visiting family members to join in the festivities," Professor Dumbledore said.
"That would be wonderful," Professor Burbage said.
"So we can do it?" Daphne asked as relief rushed through her.
"Of course Miss Greengrass," Dumbledore said. He gave her a warm smile as he spoke. "We'll have to work out some of the more minor details but I see no reason why you shouldn't be allowed to have your festival."
"Awesome," Daphne smiled back at the headmaster. Her cheeks still felt warm and she assumed she must have been blushing but in that moment she was too thrilled that their planning had paid off.
"May I ask what each of you are looking forward to the most?" Dumbledore asked, his eyes shifting over each of the students as he spoke. The students were silent for a moment before Professor Burbage prodded Colin in the back.
"Oh! Uhm, the ice shaping and enchanting," Colin said. "And I'd like to get photographs of everything."
"Please let me see them when you do. Who knows, after seventy-five years one might warrant being added to Hogwarts, a History," Dumbledore said. "And you Miss Patil?"
"The play," Padma said without skipping a beat. It didn't surprise Daphne in the least that she responded so quickly. She'd been one of the ones who'd pushed the hardest to get it added onto their agenda.
"And you, Mister MacMillan?"
"Well, Professor Hagrid said he could get some arctic creatures and that I could be involved with teaching the various myths associated with them to anyone who stopped in," Ernie said. "And I think it'll be fascinating to work with some of those creatures."
"And Miss Greengrass?"
"Nothing in particular. I'll try out for the play," Daphne said, not mentioning the fact that Professor Burbage was already prodding all of the Muggle Studies students to at least put their name in the mix. "Otherwise I'd just like to help out wherever I can. I already made up a bunch of flyers to put up. It was premature but I had fun designing them."
"Can I see one?" Professor Dumbledore asked.
"Of course," Daphne responded. She rifled through her bag until she found one of the posters and unrolled it. She didn't think it was anything special. She'd done up the Hogwarts Crest so the animals in it were all wearing Santa hats and snow covered the crest. She'd flanked it with Christmas trees and a menorah sat above it.
She'd added in animals as well. A raven perched near the top of one of the Christmas trees. A lion and a badger stood in opposition underneath the crest. And finally, a snake lounged in the lower branches of the opposite tree.
Some text at the bottom told students to take a signup sheet and inquire with Professors Burbage or Flitwick for more information about the Hogwarts Holiday festival. Padma had made up the signup sheets while Ernie and Colin had prepared smaller pamphlets that they planned on making available as well.
"This is very good work, Miss Greengrass," Dumbledore said as he admired the poster.
"Thank you," she said, feeling the blush return to her cheeks.
"It never hurts to start advertising early. Why don't you four go and get started while Professor Burbage and I continue our discission," Dumbledore said. The student took the hint.
"Thank you, Professor," Padma Patil said. Daphne nodded and muttered a thanks of her own, as did both Colin and Ernie. They scrambled out of the office and down the stairs. It wasn't until they moved past the gargoyle that Padma squealed and hugged Daphne.
"We did it!" Daphne said.
"He didn't put up much of a defense," Ernie said.
"Because he knew it was a brilliant idea," Padma responded.
"I'm going to go get started on hanging up the posters," Daphne said.
"I'll join you," Padma said. "It'll be good to have signup sheets near them. Can I have some of the pamphlets too? May as well overwhelm them with information."
"Sure," Ernie said. He reached into his bag and drew out a stack of the pamphlets. "Hopefully we get enough people to participate."
"I don't think we'll have trouble with that," Padma said. "Everyone always complains there's not enough to do during the winter. We're going to fix that!"
"I hope so," Colin said.
"We will," Padma said with confidence. She turned to Daphne and took a few of the posters from her. She added a few of her own sheets and a couple of the pamphlets and gave the small packets to Colin and Ernie. "Hang those up in your common rooms. Daphne and I will get the rest."
"Will do. Good night," Ernie said. He and Colin turned to head to their common rooms.
"Shall we start with the bulletin boards outside of the classrooms and then move on Great Hall?" Padma asked.
"Sure," Daphne said as they started to walk. It only took a few moments to get back to the classrooms. There were various bulletin boards down the walls. They were mostly barren, as the elves cleaned up anything that was past the allotted dates.
The girls spent a few minutes bickering about where the best spots to hang their posters before it occurred to them that, given that they had an infinite amount of them, they could put them in whatever spots they liked.
Still, it seemed perhaps too exuberant to put more than two up on each board. Daphne did duck into Flitwick's office and put one of the posters on an empty spot of wall, figuring he wouldn't mind.
When she emerged Padma was shrieking at Peeves who was trying to take down all of their posters and turn them into origami. Daphne's eyes narrowed on instinct as she saw what he'd been doing. But before she could think of a spell that would harm a poltergeist, the Baron floated in and dragged Peeves away.
The two of them corrected the posters and moved toward the Entrance Hall. They entered just as Marcus Belby was leaving.
"Oh. Hey babe," he said, almost skittishly. Marcus was taller than her and very thin. His uncle was a rather famous potions master notable for his work on the Wolfsbane Potion and other various brews. If Marcus was to be believed, the Weasley twins were funding his research into other transformative brews that they no doubt wanted to use in a line of products to go along with their various joke products.
Daphne wasn't sure how much she trusted that but it felt rude to criticize her boyfriend when he went on about it. Still, it never seemed like he was that close with his uncle and sometimes she expected he made it all up as a way to brag. She didn't understand it but it felt harmless.
"Hi," she said cheerily, giving him a very large smile as she walked up to him.
"Did your meeting with Professor Dumbledore go well?" he asked.
"Very," Daphne smiled, holding up one of the posters. "We're just getting the word out now."
"Awesome!" he said. "Do you want to hang out for a bit?"
"Sure. You can help us hang the posters. Then we should have some free time after that," Daphne said. Marcus looked at the posters then at Padma, and then at Daphne.
"Actually, I think I have to finish a Transfiguration essay tonight," Marcus said.
"I could help. It is my best subject," Daphne said.
"I think McGonagall is growing suspicious of my work with all the help you're giving me. I think I should take care of this one by myself," Marcus said. "And we wouldn't want to give you too much of a head start on the seventh-year work."
"Are you sure?" Daphne pouted. Normally her pout could get her just about anything she wanted as long as the target wasn't Astoria. Marcus only nodded.
"Yeah, I'm sure," he said. He plucked one of the pamphlets Padma had just pinned to the board. "And I should read up on this a bit too so I have more of a clue what you've helped plan."
"I could always just tell you," Daphne said. "Maybe tomorrow?"
"We'll see," Marcus said. He leaned over to give her a peck on the lips while tracing his hand over her hip and backside, before giving a quick nod to Padma and moving toward the Ravenclaw common room.
"Ouch," Padma said as she watched him go.
"Oh, shut up," Daphne scoffed.
"I haven't seen someone get blown off so hard since Ron Weasley did it to me at the Yule Ball," Padma teased.
"I'm sure he is just busy," Daphne said. "He is trying for six exams you know. And sometimes and extra half hour of study yields amazing results."
"Yes, and only becomes an option after his girlfriend won't go snog him," Padma said.
"I would have. But we should finish this first," Daphne said. She slid her bag from her shoulder and took a poster out of it as Padma snickered at her. She adjusted it on the wall, moving further away from the prying Ravenclaw as she did before attaching it with a flick of her wand.
She bent down to grab some of the pamphlets and spent a few moments arranging them artfully around the poster before bending over again to grab some more of the general sign up and information sheets before tucking them underneath the poster. Finally, she leaned over to pick up her bag and spun around.
Harry Potter was staring at her and he looked rather startled that she'd noticed him. He and Hermione Granger had just walked out of the hall. Granger's gaze was easily enough to follow. She was staring at the poster over Daphne's shoulder. Potter's eyes; however, weren't looking in the same direction.
"Were you just staring at my ass, Potter?" she asked. She expected him to refute it. And, while he blushed in embarrassment at being caught, his response still surprised her.
"Yes," he admitted without hesitation. Granger's gaze shot over to him. She raised her fist and hit him on the arm. She hit him harder than Daphne would have expected. His weight shifted with the blow and Granger shook out her fist. But other than that, he didn't make another noise or even seem bothered. Granger stormed off, but not before Padma could shove a pamphlet into her hands. Harry's gaze shifted to the poster.
"Your girlfriend doesn't like that," Daphne said.
"We're not dating," Harry said. "Only avoiding Ron and Lavender."
"They are very public with their groping," Daphne said.
"He grabs her ass less than Belby grabs yours," Harry quipped.
"You seem to be paying a lot of attention to my backside, Potter," Daphne said.
"No more than most of the males in the castle," Harry said.
"You're as bad as our mirrors," Daphne scoffed.
"Do I want to know?" Harry raised his brows in confusion.
"Someone enchanted it to be rather pervy," Daphne said. "And we can't seem to fix it."
"I'm assuming Finite Incantatem didn't work?" Harry asked.
"First thing we tried," Daphne said. "It didn't work at all. It just caused it to make fun of us for hours on end."
"Irritating."
"Very."
"The professors didn't help?"
"It doesn't say anything out of the ordinary when they're around. Professor Snape's inspected it four or five times when we complain and did a complete disenchantment of it. But about two days later it's back to being a prick," Daphne sighed.
"I'm sorry that sounds obnoxious to deal with," Harry said.
"I bet you think it's funny," Daphne said.
"If I did I'd be laughing. I know how irritating unwanted attention can be," Harry responded. Daphne raised her brows at him.
"I'm sure," she said trying to not let too much sarcasm drip into her voice. She wasn't sure she succeeded. Or really, cared.
"What's all this about?" he asked, ignoring her vitriol.
"We are organizing a holiday festival for the weeks leading up to Christmas," Daphne said.
"Who's 'we'?"
"The combined Muggle Studies classes. Well, a good portion of them anyway. It's not required," Padma said as Harry reached around Daphne and plucked one of the pamphlets from the wall and started paging through it.
"So that's what Colin has been talking about in the common room?" Harry asked.
"I would think so," Padma affirmed despite everyone knowing she'd never visited the Gryffindor common room. "He's been instrumental in helping plan it. Hopefully you'll consider joining in on some of the events," Padma said with a smile so bright it had to be forced.
"Maybe," Harry said. "I am keeping rather busy with Quidditch but some of it might be a nice break. But I should offer to help Hagrid out with the creatures. It'll lessen his annoyance that I didn't continue with Creatures."
"I'm sure he'd appreciate that," Padma said.
"Hey, you're doing a school play?" Harry asked as his eyes lingered on the middle page of the pamphlet where the pantomime was heavily featured.
"We are," Padma responded. This time her smile softened her face and felt far more genuine.
"That's cool," Harry said. "I was always surprised by how little interest in theater there seemed to be here."
"You should try out," Padma said.
"Nah," Harry shook his head. "Not something I'd be good at. People don't believe me when I tell the truth. I'm not sure how convincing I could be in another role. But I look forward to watching it."
"I hope you enjoy the performance from the seats then," Padma said, sounding rather disappointed.
"I'm sure I will," Harry said. "Do you need any help with the rest of the flyers?"
"No, we're almost done," Daphne said.
"Have a good night then," Harry said.
"You too," Padma said. Daphne muttered something that sounded similar enough. Harry turned and walked up the stairs toward Gryffindor tower. He was still reading the pamphlet when he missed a trick step and nearly fell down the stairs. Daphne resisted the urge to laugh. After he ascended the stairs fully Padma continued speaking.
"It's a shame he was such a terrible date," Padma said. It was fairly common knowledge that Harry and Ron had been complete sticks in the mud at the Yule Ball two years ago. While Harry had gone with Padma's sister, Parvati and had rather notably only danced with her once and then sulked the rest of the night.
"Must have been awful considering the reputation still follows him around," Daphne commented.
"I mean Parvati forgave him. She'd probably still snog him if he asked. She thinks he struggles with making friends and he was too worried about doing something that would annoy Ron and leave him alone again than he was about her," Padma said.
"I don't talk to him much," Daphne said. In fact, in six years, the only times she could remember talking to him was when they were forced into group work in various classes. If she was honest, he wasn't a terrible group member. He was normally quiet, but he got his parts done efficiently and correctly. And that was all that mattered for group projects.
"According to my sister, no one does," Padma said. "Outside of Hermione and Ron at least. She claims he gets quiet whenever anyone else gets involved."
"He didn't seem quiet there," Daphne said. She had a hard time thinking that someone who'd freely admitted to leering at her had trouble conversing with others.
"I guess not," Padma shrugged. "Still, wish he'd agree to try out for the play. Maybe I'll have Parvati harp on him about it."
"Why does that matter?"
"Did you see how many students showed up for the Gryffindor Quidditch tryouts? I can't imagine it wouldn't be a huge boost to have Harry Potter show up for our thing. And the more people that tryout, the better and bigger we can make it," Padma explained.
"Good point," Daphne said. In her mind bigger didn't equate to better, but she saw no point in arguing with Padma.
"I think that'll do it for the flyers for now. You have enough stuff left to hang in your common room?" Padma asked as she finished tucking pamphlets around another poster.
"Oh yeah. We duplicated way too many of the posters," Daphne said.
"Better to have and not need," Padma said.
"Of course," Daphne said. "Thanks for your help putting them up."
"No problem. Now we just have to make sure the boys actually remembered to hang them in their common rooms."
"They'll tell us they did. Claim they spent hours getting the correct positioning and everything."
"And then we'll know they're fibbing when no Gryffindor or Hufflepuff students show up for the auditions," Padma chuckled.
"Exactly," Daphne agreed. "Anyway, I'm going to go finish up my assignments. Thanks again for the help."
"Have a good night," Padma said. She grabbed her own bag and walked toward the staircase leading to the Ravenclaw common room. Daphne turned and walked the other way. She peered at each of her posters as she made the trek back to the dungeons. Every one of them made her smile. She'd have to remember to brag to Astoria that she got the festival approved. But now, all that was left was to wait for it to start.
Author's Note: As always thanks for reading and reviewing. I'm on PAT RE ON now as TE7writes if you're interested in supporting my work at all I do appreciate it. New chapters of this will be posted a few days early on there than here. Chapter two, for example, will come out there Tuesday or Wednesday.
The entire thing should be finished and posted here over the next couple of weeks.