Hey, everyone! Mystery Critic here, back at you with another chapter of Ma Fleur! Your favorite author is back again, everyone! I hope you all enjoyed the second task, it was a lot of fun for me to write. Next, I want to apologize for the unintentional hiatus. From late December through all of January, I was sick on and off for about a week and a half at a time, and writer's block showed her ugly mug after every time. I also wanted to wait and write something that was good rather than just spewing out a subpar chapter. I hope you all didn't feel too terribly waiting for more. I apologize again, and I should be on the right track again soon. As for the disclaimer, I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the rights affiliated with it. Anywho, with that out of the way, sit back, relax, and enjoy chapter thirty-two!
Chapter 32
Italics – French
Walking back towards Harry's apartment, the Delacour family moves in silence, the imminent explosion drawing ever nearer. As the family closes in on the apartment, the air around the family begins to sizzle, Harry's magic burning around the group. Growling out the password, the door swings open and Harry steps to the side, his features hard as he lets everyone inside. Closing it behind him, he turns around to see Apolline looking away.
"What the bloody hell were you thinking, maman?!" Harry erupts, screaming at his mother. The walls around them crackle as his magic flares around the room. "What makes you think three veela in a lake full of merpeople was a good idea?! Fleur and Gabby were already there, and they were going to pick someone to be my hostage. But no! You just had to jump in and throw yourself in danger. Gabby was going to be safe! I knew she was going to be in there, so I placed protection around her!
"But you, I had no idea! I didn't know and I was set to rip Dumbledore's beard off and strangle him with it!" He roars, the cracks in the wall deepening as his magic rages wildly. "Do you have any idea how worried about you I was?! What makes you think that was a good idea?!"
"It wasn't a good idea, Harry." She says, looking down. "I didn't know you had placed protection around Gabby. If I did, I would still have gone down there, I'm not leaving her alone in a lake full of merpeople. Harry, you have no idea how many of our species were lost to them. I wasn't going to take any chances, she couldn't have protected herself. I don't trust the organizers of this tournament, either. Can you really blame me for volunteering?"
"Yes! No! I don't know!" He screams, grabbing his hair with a frustrated growl. "I understand where you're coming from, but it was such a stupid decision that I can't help but be mad! You have to understand my side. I knew Gabrielle would be protected. The moment any merperson laid a hand on her, they would have turned to dust. I was right next to Fleur the whole time, so I could protect her."
"Like I need protecting." She says with a smirk, raising an eyebrow challenging him to disagree.
"Fair point, but mine still stands." He says, sighing in exasperation. "I don't blame you for what you did, maman. I really don't. Odds are, I would have done the same thing if the situation was reversed. Do you understand why I'm so mad, though?"
"Yes, Harry," She says, stepping forward to hug him which he quickly reciprocates. "I do understand. I will not apologize for this, though. I stand by my decision."
"I know..." Harry grumbles into his mother's shoulder. "I'm still going to be mad at you, though."
"That's perfectly fine, Harry." She says, kissing the top of his head. "You can be mad all you want while you're grounded for an entire month when you come home."
"Wait, what?" He asks, looking up at her.
"You didn't think you were going to speak to your mother that way and get away with it, did you?" She asks, putting her hands on her hips with a faux glare.
"I was hoping to?" He says unconvincingly before clearing his throat and smirking with a quip. "Besides, you deserved a chewing out, you dense harpy!"
"A harpy, am I?" She asks, smirking as she raises her hand and transforms her nails into talons. "Shall we see how much of a harpy I really am?"
"I suggest you run, son." Jacques mutters in Harry's ear. "I speak from experience, those really hurt."
"Bollocks." Harry says simply before turning around and running out of the apartment.
"Get back here, Harry!" Apolline screams, pulling her wand out and sending stinging hexes flying after him. "This harpy simply wants to scratch your back!"
"HEEEEEEEEEEEEEELP!" Harry screams, running through the halls with his arms above his head.
"Come now, my sweet son!" She says, forming a small fireball in hand and tossing it after him. "Just a few ribbons of flesh! It will only hurt for a moment!"
"You're a bloody liar!" He screams, running past Professors McGonagall and Vector, along with Madame Pomfrey. A few seconds later, the teachers watch as Apolline runs past them as well, screaming in French.
"Um….what was that all about?" Professor Vector asks, staring down the hallway in confusion.
"Oh, Harry simply did something wrong." Professor McGonagall says, sipping a glass.
"He'll be in my infirmary soon enough." Madame Pomfrey says, holding out a bottle of amber liquid towards McGonagall. "More sherry, Minerva?"
"Ah, thank you, Poppy." She says, holding her glass out for Poppy to refill. Professor Vector opens her mouth to ask a question, but a scream pierces the air from down the hall. "Ah, that'll be your cue, Poppy. Same time next week, then?"
"Absolutely, Minerva." She says, standing up and straightening out her dress. "Thank you for joining us, Septima. It was lovely having you, and you're more than welcome to join us next week. I had better go help Mr. Potter. It sounded like she got him good this time."
"This isn't a common occurrence, is it?" Septima asks, looking around nervously.
"Not too common." Minerva says, putting away the sherry and glasses with a wave of her wand after taking a final sip.
"Help, child abuse!" Harry screams from down the hall.
"Will he be alright?" The Arithmancy professor asks.
"Oh, pish posh." Poppy says with a dismissive wave of her hand. "Harry's the biggest drama queen you'll ever meet."
"Oi, not the fire!" The assembled witches hear from a distance.
"Although, this time he may have been idiotic instead of playful." Poppy says with a shrug. "Oh well. Dying is a wonderful character building experience."
"I can see why people tend not to get on your bad side." Septima mutters into her glass.
"It isn't beneficial to one's health, no?" McGonagall says with a smile.
"Ta ta, ladies!" Poppy says, slipping out the door.
"Somehow, I'm more worried for Harry now than I was before."
"Oh, please." Minerva says with a smile. "Poppy is like a grandmother to Harry. She'll fix him right up, maim him herself again, then have him looking better than before."
"That doesn't make me feel any better..." Septima says hesitantly.
"It wasn't supposed to, dear."
~Fleur~
The next day comes to pass as the lull from the second task dies down, lessons and day to day living continues. Walking out of potions class, Harry is dragged to the side suddenly and is greeted to the sight of Fleur smiling excitedly and Hermione bouncing up and down in anticipation with a smirking Fred next to her.
"So… who broke what and how much is it going to cost me?" Harry asks.
"Be'ave, 'Arry. You're not allowed to misbe'ave on my birzday." Fleur says, smacking him in the back of her head. "We 'ad a terrific idea, love!"
"What's that?"
"A double date!" Hermione blurts out, grabbing Fred's arm. George walks around the corner and sees Hermione grabbing her brother's arm and mimics her actions.
"Oh, my! Did you tell him?" George asks, jumping on his brothers back.
"Get off of him!" Hermione snaps playfully swatting at George.
"Hermione, relax." Harry says, placing a kiss on Fleur's cheek. "Don't hurt your twin-in-law."
"I like that, Harry." Fred says, sliding his brother off of his back and wrapping his arm around his brother. "Twin-in-law. It's got a nice ring to it, don't you think brother of mine?"
"Couldn't agree more, oh less handsome one." George says.
"Fred is the pretty one and we all know it, George." Hermione says, rolling her eyes.
"I have to use the loo, be right back." Fred says, walking into the bathroom behind them.
Sliding next to Hermione, George leans against her before lying the side of his head on top of hers. "Thank you, Hermione."
"For what?" She asks.
"Making him happy," He answers, smiling fondly. "Fred always has a lot of stress on his shoulders, we both do. Comes with being a twin, I suppose. No identity, and all that. No one can tell us apart when we're together, and I want to thank you for helping him find his own identity. You've helped him be more than just one of the Weasley twins. I'll always be a part of his life, but now he has someone else who he can trust without fail."
"George, you and Fred are twins. I could never possibly come between something as close as that," She says, wrapping her arms around him. "I would never imagine pushing you out of his life, and I will always be grateful you have as big a heart as your brother. I know I'll always be welcome in his life without you feeling like I'm in the way."
"You could never be in the way, little sister." He says, smiling as she hugs him tighter. "You'll always be a part of the life of the Weasley Twins, remember that."
"Thank you, George." She whispers.
"Fred, I've got a bone to pick with you!" Ron yells, stomping up to them and pointing at a stunned George. "Hermione is supposed to be my girl! You just think you can come in and steal her from me, then you've got another thing coming! Everyone says we belong together, and I won't have someone stealing my girl from me, least of all my own brother!"
"Ronald Weasley, shut up!" Hermione snaps, causing him to go red in the face. "First of all, I am not not 'your girl!' I am my own person and I am not anyone's property! Second, to think I would go out with you after the way you treated Harry is completely laughable! You are a boorish brute and the mere idea of me being with you makes me want to vomit! Third, in case your thick head hasn't noticed, this isn't Fred! It's George, and the fact that you can't tell your own brothers apart just goes to show how idiotic you really are!"
"What are you talking about?" Ron snaps back. "No one can tell them apart!"
"I can, Harry and Fleur both can, every one of their true friends can!" She snaps, drowning out his voice. Fred walks out of the loo and stands still in shock at what his girlfriend is yelling. "The fact that you can't just means you don't care to know! Fred has less freckles on his face than George, and George's cheekbones are a little higher than Fred's. Also, Fred's hair is wavier than George's, and George's hair is curlier at the ends. When you see these differences every day, you can tell them apart easily! The fact you haven't just shows how little you care, Ronald Weasley!"
Fred snaps out of his stunned state and chuckles before saying. "Exactly! Those are just the differences with clothes on!"
"Well, of course, Fred." Hermione says with a roll of her eyes. "He can't very well see the broom-shaped birthmark on your right arse cheek, can he?"
"Um, Fred?" George asks. "Have you and Hermione-"
"Do not ask that question, George!" Hermione says with finalization, shutting up the twin she doesn't have in her pocket. "As I was saying... wait... what was I saying? Dammit, George! I lost my train of thought when you said that! Fred, come with me."
"Oi, where are you going?" Ron snaps. "We're not done here! Wait...you can't do THAT with Fred!"
"A broom cupboard, yes we are, and it wouldn't be the first time!" Hermione says, dragging a dreamy-eyed Fred away from an angry Ron and a goofy-grinning George.
"Whipped." George says simply, shaking his head in amusement.
"And proud of it!" Fred calls out from around the corner.
"Oh my..." Harry says, raising an eyebrow. "Are we that bad in terms of lovey-dovey?"
"No, you're worse!" Katie says, appearing behind them out of nowhere and wrapping an arm around each of their shoulders as they jump. "Trust me, that was kinda corny but ultimately really cute. What you guys do could asphyxiate most people."
"Wow, Katie," Harry drones sarcastically. "Thank you so much."
"You're welcome, Harrykins!"
"Oi, only we get to call him that!" George says.
"You wanna fight me for that?!" Katie says, whipping her wand out at George.
"I shall defend my nickname for the lad to the death, Lady Katie!" He says, following suit.
"Tell Fred that we'll see him Sunday at the Three Broomsticks," Harry says, wrapping an arm around Fleur's waist and walking away with her as she giggles. "Enjoy your battle."
"We will, Harrykins!" The pair say at the same time before turning back towards each other. "Hey!"
Harry and Fleur laugh as they walk away from the erupting jinx war from the two Gryffindors battling for the rights to the nickname.
~Fleur~
Sighing nervously, Harry walks up to the door of his former enemy, the potions master of Hogwarts; Professor Severus Snape.
"Fleur, if I die..." Harry begins to say, only to be cut off by Fleur.
"Yes, yes, I know." She says, waving her hand dismissively. "Burn the stack of Playwizards under your bed."
"No, that's Neville's job," He says with a smirk as he wraps his arms around her in a warm hug. "Your job is to take care of Hedwig."
"I do that now." She scoffs with a roll of her eyes. "She loves me more than you, anyway."
"Lying chicken…" Harry mumbles under his breath, feeling heat spring to life behind him a moment later.
"Care to repeat that, my love?" She snarls, exaggerating the word venomously.
"I said 'I love you, most beautiful goddess this world has to offer?'" He stutters out, raising his hands in surrender.
"That's better," She says with a smirk, snuffing out the fireball and planting a chaste kiss on his lips. "Now hurry up and go get killed by your potions master. I need you ready for our date tomorrow."
"IF he lets me, you mean."
"He will." She says with finalization.
"How do you know?" He asks skeptically.
"I'm smart like that." She says, smiling with a fake air of snootiness. "Now stop wasting time and get in there!"
"Pushy veela..." He grumbles under his breath as she literally shoves him through the door into the classroom.
"Harry?" Severus says, turning to see the source of the ruckus. "What are you doing here? Your detention isn't until tomorrow."
"Severus, I came to ask a favor,. Harry says, wringing his hands. "Look, I know we were never really friends before now, and I know you really didn't like me, so asking a favor from you seems kind of… Taking advantage of the fact we're friends now."
"While I can't promise I can grant the favor, I can certainly guarantee to listen." He says with a small smile. "What is it, Harry?"
"Well, you know how my detention is tomorrow?" Harry starts hesitantly, receiving a curt nod following a raised eyebrow. "Well, I was wondering if you're free to do it now instead?"
"Hmm, this is quite an unusual request, Mister Potter." He says, adopting his role as a teacher once more. "I'm afraid before I can't give you a yes or no right now, I'll need the reason why you're making this request first."
"Well, Fleur has some studying to do for the next hour or two, and then we were planning on spending time together for her birthday today." He explains, Professor Snape listening intently. "Tomorrow, Fleur and I are going on a double date with Fred and Hermione, and I don't know how long they want to stay out. I don't want to have to worry about leaving in the middle of the date. In addition, I was going to study myself beforehand. So please, Severus? Let me do my detention now and I'll even stay for two hours instead of the one."
"I take it you can't reschedule the date tomorrow?"
"Severus, it's Hermione." Harry says in a deadpan. "You'd be better off trying to wrestle a werewolf covered in meat sauce than mess with one of her schedules."
"Hermione is remarkably similar to Lily, you know." He says with a fond smile, Harry's expression turning into one of curiosity. "When Lily set a schedule, Merlin help anyone who didn't follow it. She would be on a warpath seldom seen in her day. She would tear apart the castle to find you if you tried to hide, and there was nowhere you could. Let me tell you, being on the end of her wand was a horror."
"I take it you learned after the first time?" Harry asks with a chuckle.
"No, but your father definitely did." Severus answers with a grin. "I happened to have the knowledge that following a schedule can make life much easier. Your father, on the other hand… well, let's just say your mother didn't take kindly to breaking an agreement to follow a schedule. James was in the infirmary for a week and a half."
"Severus, just how scary WAS my mother?" Harry asks hesitantly.
"I'd rather be in the path of a herd of rampaging hippogriffs."
"That wasn't an exaggeration, was it?"
"Not in the slightest." The professor answers with a shudder. "Very well, Harry. You can do your detention now instead."
"Thank you, Severus." He says, smiling at the man. "I'll grab my bag from Fleur."
"Turn around, Mister Potter."
"How…?" Sitting on the doorknob is his bag, Harry rushes up to see a note with the words 'I told you so.' written in beautiful cursive stuck on the side of his bag. "I didn't even hear the door open! How did she…?"
"Magic, Mister Potter." Severus says with a smirk. "I think the best line for tonight is 'My future wife is always right, and I will never question her again.'. Best to give it to her afterwards, hm?"
"Professor Snape?"
"Yes, Mister Potter?"
"You're a right arse, you know that?"
"Start writing, Mister Potter."
~Fleur~
Walking up behind his girlfriend in the library, Harry covers her eyes with a smirk.
"Guess who?" He asks, smirking playfully.
"Hm, it must be some jerk who likes to scare me while I'm studying." Fleur retorts, moving his hands and spinning around to glare playfully at her boyfriend.
"No, it's your boyfriend who loves you." He deadpans, giving her a look that says 'really?'.
"Same thing." She says, waving her hand in dismissal. "Is your detention over? Can we spend time together now?"
"I'm all yours, Fleur." He says, wrapping his arms around her.
"I'm glad." She says with a smile, cupping his cheek. Waving her wand, her books and supplies fly into her bag and onto her shoulder. "Now, what do you have planned for my birthday, my love?"
"Now why would you assume I'd tell you what the plan is?" He asked, raising an eyebrow at her. "That kind of ruins the whole point of a surprise, doesn't it?"
"Pretty please with sugar quills on top?" She pouts, batting her eyelashes at him.
"Oooooh, no!" He says, stepping away and turning around with his arms crossed. "We're not going anywhere until you've put away the puppy dog face. You know that's a weapon that can't be defeated and I'm not opening my eyes until it's been put away."
"You're no fun, Harry." She says with a playful whine. "Fine, I put it away. Now can you tell me where we're going and what we're doing?"
"No, I will not." He says, turning around with a smirk. "But I can show you."
Wrapping his arms around her, they vanish from the spot and reappear hundreds of miles away, reappearing on a cliff overlooking a crumbling castle.
"What are those ruins over there, Harry?" She asks, furrowing her brow in confusion.
"Take my hands and close your eyes." He says. Doing as she's asked, she places her her hands in his and let's him slowly spin her around and takes a few steps forward towards the edge of the cliff.
"Harry?" She asks nervously, her eyes still closed.
"Do you trust me?" He asks her, stroking the top of her hand with his thumb.
"With my life." She answers without hesitation.
"Then relax. Just a few more steps." Stepping forward a few more paces, he suddenly stops as a wave of peace and warmth washes over the pair. Letting go of her, he smiles before gesturing for her to turn around. Doing so, her jaw drops as a small gasp escapes from her. Towering over the pair stands a beautiful castle, sparkling marble towers blocking out the very sky as the heavens seem to bow before it's light. The sun catches the stone, sparkling roofs and walls glittering like diamonds in the sunlight. Pristine and beautiful, the castle stands alone on the edge of a cliff above a beautiful sea, crystalline blue waters rolling out to the horizon.
Speechless, Fleur reaches out towards it, as if to make sure that what she's seeing isn't an illusion. "Harry, what is this place?" She whispers, fingers trembling in awe.
"Fleur, my love..." He says, wrapping his arm gently around her waist and stepping forward with her. "Welcome to Camelot."
"Camelot?!" She squeaks, her voice rising several octaves in shock. "Harry, Camelot has been gone for millennia!"
"Not gone, just somewhere else," He corrects with a smile. "There's someone who could explain it a little better than I can."
Wrapping his arms around her waist once more, he Shimmers them away from the spot they're standing on and reappearing in the courtyard within the castle. Stepping away from her with a smile, he allows her to look around in marvel at the marketplace. A bustling marketplace, people running from stand to stand as they shop and trade. Turning around and snapping her head from side to side, Fleur stares in fascination at the environment. Rushing around from booth to booth, Fleur observes in detail the people, the products, the stands, all the while grinning like a kid in a candy store. Walking up to her after a few minutes, Harry chuckles and pulls her away from a stand where she's examining a basket.
"Come on, Fleur." He says with a smile. "I still have someone I need to introduce you to."
"But Harry, they have homemade perfumes and scented parchment!" She pleads as Harry drags her away from the stand, her screams echoing off the stone. "SCENTED PARCHMENT, HARRY!"
Grumbling as they walk out of the marketplace, Fleur shoots playful glares in Harry's directions every few seconds. After a few moments, she bursts and whines at him. "They had scented parchment and you couldn't even let me buy a few dozen packages of it?" She pouts, smacking his shoulder lightly. "They had bluebell scent, Harry! That's my favorite flower!"
"Who said I didn't already buy you some?" Harry says simply with a smirk as Fleur wraps her arms around his neck.
"You're the best boyfriend ever, Harry!" She squeals, humming happily after letting go of his neck.
"Now I'm the best?" He asks skeptically, raising an eyebrow.
"Hush." She says rolling his eyes. He continues to walk beside his girlfriend, shaking his head at her antics. Walking through the gates of the castle after a few more minutes, Fleur gasps again, marveling at the castle at such a close distance. "It's amazing, Harry… How can it be even more beautiful up close?"
"I don't know," He says, wrapping an arm around her waist. "I've often wondered the same thing about you."
"Flatterer." She says, smacking his shoulder.
"I'm only speaking the truth." He responds, kissing her cheek with a smile. "The fact that it's flattering is on you, not me."
"He's right, you know." A voice sounds from in front of them. Turning towards the source of the voice, Fleur sees a tall old man with purple robes reaching the ground, a staff taller than the man himself, a long gray beard, and a dark blue baseball cap with an orange letter 'C' on it. "The truth is often more flattering than one thinks. Then again, Harry here really took to my seduction classes like a thestral to a pile of fresh meat."
"Ignore him." Harry says, rolling his eyes once more. "Fleur, this is Merlin. Merlin, be nice or I'll tell Morgana that you went priest from the original cut of The Little Mermaid."
"It is quite pleasant to meet you, Miss Delacour." Merlin says, gently kissing her knuckles. "As this blackmailing piece of dung has said, I am Merlin, one of his teachers."
"'Ow is it possible we are 'ere?" She asks in practically a whisper.
"Magic!" Harry and Merlin say together, wiggling their fingers.
"I am going to murder boz of you..." Fleur mutters, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I meant, I zought zat Camelot 'ad been abandoned centuries ago, or destroyed."
"Pish posh," Merlin says with a wave of his hand. "Camelot wasn't destroyed, Morgana and I simply brought it back in time."
"Back in time?" Fleur repeats, having trouble believing it.
"Quite." Merlin answers with a smirk. "To put it simply, you're in a sort of time loop that resets every few decades. The people grow old, they die, and life continues on while the time period resets. They're quite content, you know. Everyone knows what's going on."
"Does anyone ever want to leave?" Fleur asks.
"All the time," Merlin answers with a confused smile. "it's not like they're prisoners. So many people go in and out all the time. In fact, I only think there are a few every generation who don't. There are also hundreds every reset that make lives outside the castle."
"Are zey allowed to come 'ome?"
"Why on Earth wouldn't they be allowed to?" Merlin asks, confusion visible on his face. "People come and go all the time. The castle and village are in a loop, not the people. They have to keep it a secret, of course, but no one minds it. Morgana and I are the only ones who can't leave, unfortunately. We're the ones who keep the loop running."
"If you don't mind my asking, why…?"
"Haven't Morgana and I passed?" Merlin finishes for her, receiving an embarrassed nod in response. "WE ARE MORGANA LE FAY AND MERLIN EMERYS!" He roars, his voice thundering throughout the air as he grows powerful and imposing. "WE ARE THE EMBODIMENT OF POWERFUL MAGIC ITSELF, THE GREATEST MAGIC USERS TO EVER LIVE! NOTHING CAN- Ow, Harry! Watch where you're tugging!"
"Tell her the truth, you theatrical drama queen." He deadpans, letting go of the old man's long gray beard.
"Fine, spoilsport." The old mage grumbles, rubbing his sore chin. "It's really simple. Morgana and I keep the loop running, the loop keeps us running. Give and take, that's all."
"That's… amazing!" Fleur exclaims breathlessly.
"Thank you, Miss Delacour." Merlin says, beaming with pride. "Any other questions?"
"Just a few..." She says, Merlin gesturing for them to go into the castle before she mutters out under her breath. "Addendum; thousand..."
~Fleur~
"Zank you so much, Merlin!" Fleur exclaims, walking away excitedly with Harry's arm around her. "You 'ave taught me so much in zese few short hours, and I can't wait for our next discussion!"
"You're most welcome, my dear." He answers tiredly, his hair looking ragged. Waving goodbye to the pair, he points at Harry. "See you for training tonight, Harry."
"Night, Merlin." He answers lazily, waving behind him. "Give my best to Morgana."
Shimmering them both back to the cliff, they walk together towards the barrier that would lead them back to present day. Walking through the transparent yellow field, the pair turns around to see the castle once more in ruins. Staring at the solemn monument to what once was there for a few minutes, Fleur sighs happily. "Zank you, 'Arry" She whispers, turning to wrap her arms around him and kiss him passionately. After what seems like an eternity, their lips slowly part ever so slightly. "Zis was ze best birzday present in my entire life."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it, Fleur." He says, holding her closely. "I hope I can top it some day."
"I'm sure you'll figure somezing out." She says, pecking him on the lips softly. "Let's go back, alright?"
"Your wish is my command." He says, Shimmering them out of existence and back into existence on the shore of the Black Lake. Sighing happily, they turn to walk back towards the castle but are stopped as a very large burst of phoenix fire bursts in front of them. After a moment they uncover their eyes to answer Dumbledore's questions on their whereabouts. As soon as they do, several wands are pointed at the pair.
"Harry Potter?" The man asks, holding out an Auror's badge as Harry conjures lightning into his hands and pushing Fleur behind him at the present threat. "My name is Head Auror Scrimgeour, and I'm afraid you're under arrest for the kidnapping of Fleur Delacour and the attempted sabotage of the Triwizard Tournament."
Boom, the Cliffhanger King is back, baby! I hope you all enjoyed that chapter, and I'm so happy I got to write that baby! I missed posting so much, and I hope you all missed it, too. I am once again sorry it took so long. I will once again be posting every two weeks (barring writer's block doesn't show again and I don't get sick, give me your loyal reader's energy so that doesn't happen) and I hope to give you more soon. Thank you to everyone who told me I should wait and make sure it's good instead of just pumping something out. I'd rather it be the same way, and thank you again for being patient throughout this unintentional hiatus. I hope it doesn't happen again any time soon. As usual, constructive criticism is always appreciated, flames will be used to melt the ice on my sidewalk. Read, review, and spread this story like wildfire! This is Mystery Critic, signing off.