Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and am making no money from this.
Cho
The Great Hall was a mob scene after the um, incident with Harry, myself and Fleur. Calling it an incident is not the most eloquent way to put it, I suppose. It would be more precise to refer to it as an argument with Harry, a dubiously appropriate kiss with Fleur, a parting of ways with my boyfriend and a new Sapphic association with Fleur. Or I suppose I could channel Pansy and say I traded up from Harry to Fleur. It is shorter that way, certainly, if a bit mean spirited.
Once I announced I was in a relationship with Fleur I barely had time to say a word to her, apologizing for being so forward before I was descended upon by every friend, passing acquaintance and person with a random interest in the social scene at Hogwarts. After dinner, matters in the Ravenclaw common room were little better. I knew my housemates could be gossips, but this was absurd.
It's only now, on my Prefect rounds that I have a moment's peace. I'd gone back and forth on the issue of a relationship with Harry versus one with Fleur for some time now, thanks to what turned out to be a date between Fleur and I at the Yule Ball, and of course Ginny Weasley's prodding for a double date where she took Harry and I took Fleur.
And it's true that in all that analysis Fleur did come off as the seemingly better choice. Still, now that I've actually done it, I have no small amount of second thoughts. Was I right to dump Harry? Was it because of legitimate reasons that actually rose to the action taken, or was it simply an act that amounted to little more than lashing out, an emotional girl living down to all her worst billing?
I hear Fleur coming, the sound of her high heels on the stone floor, so it seems even my rounds will not afford me time to think. Fleur's encouraged me to externalize my internal monologues in the past. I don't know if that advice will prove to be as helpful today as it has been in the past.
"Hello," Fleur greets me in her typical French accent. "I think as the saying goes, we should talk, no?"
"Yes, I think so." I resume my walking, wandering nowhere in particular on my rounds. Fleur falls into step beside me, taking my hand in hers. I glance down at our intertwined hands briefly. It's a simple gesture, practiced by couples the world over, yet one I haven't known unless I was the one to initiate it with Harry. His shyness around girls was without equal. I recall thinking of him as a work in progress when we first started dating, and that certainly was true. But even after all our time together, physical displays of affection as simple as holding hands was not a thing he would initiate. I would have to do so, or go without.
"I'm sorry," Fleur removes her hand from mine.
"No, please don't apologize." I reach out and take Fleur's hand. "Harry didn't do things like this, so it was unexpected, but not unwelcome. I rather like it, actually."
"Oh." An awkward silence follows as we walk through the castle. "I won't hold you to what you said earlier," she starts, "You don't need to do this if you don't want to."
"No, it's fine," I insist, even before I've had a chance to analyze what Fleur said in depth. "It was not how I envisioning things going with Harry and I, not the ending I think either of us wanted, but I don't know that it was avoidable. I realize Harry was there to talk, to make a genuine effort, but I think too much had already transpired; it was too late as they say."
"But you still aren't enthusiastic about the two of us."
"I don't know. It's all so new still, and I haven't had a moment to myself to think all day it feels like. And I've never been with a girl before. That's not to say I'm opposed to the concept, mind you. And just to mention it, your trademark forwardness seems to be notably absent at the moment as well."
"I suppose I have some hesitation too. I don't want to see Harry hurt, but I do want this. Us, I mean."
"Yes, you've been rather clear about that point."
"I'm a girl who gets what she wants. A thing we have in common, no?"
"I don't know, that scene in the Great Hall wasn't something I can claim to have wanted."
"No, but you weren't happy with how things were and you wanted a change. I've seen you, every night on these rounds and you haven't been happy in a long time. You needed to do something, and you did." It's true, as Fleur has pointed out, the nightlife in the castle and Hogsmeade are quite subpar, so her accompanying me on my nightly rounds has been the norm for some time now. "And if not for Harry I think we would have been together long before today, no?"
"That's true, yes. I wish it had not been so public, and I hope Harry isn't hurt too badly, but talking to you, I'm reminded of why I wanted this in the first place; talking like this with you is easy. So I suppose in the final analysis I agree with you; I regret how events transpired, but I can't claim to dislike the outcome. I do hope your part in this won't be a problem for your work for Professor Dumbledore, however."
"I don't know, maybe. I suppose it depends on what Harry and his friends do. I don't really care either way. I'd like to help, be a part of the Order and all that, but if I have to choose between that and you it's a simple choice, no? I pick you."
I can't hide my smile at hearing that. It's been a long time since I've heard something like that. I had no idea how much I've missed it.
Pansy
Hermione and I are just getting back to the Gryffindor common room after our Prefect rounds. Hermione hasn't said much to me about the whole Potter/Cho/Fleur thing to me. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because she knows what I'll say; I'm not exactly subtle in what I think of people after all. Or maybe she knows what a shit storm is waiting in that common room, all the crap from the idiot weasel and then whatever the hell Potter will have to say too. Or maybe it's because she knows I like Cho and Fleur a hell of a lot more than Potter, and that sort of traps Hermione in the middle. If it's that I feel bad for her.
Of course the common room is exactly like I expected. Usually at this hour a lot of people have gone up to their rooms to do homework and shit, sleep and all that; not today though. As soon as Hermione and I are in the door the idiot weasel is calling Hermione over, and the girl weasel comes up to me.
"Oh, um, Pansy, you were there, can you tell me exactly what happened?"
"Huh?" I ask, looking at Hermione who just shrugs and heads over to Potter and the idiot weasel. "What, this your smooth way of splitting me and Hermione up so she can talk to those two morons without me?"
"Well, yeah, basically," the girl weasel replies sheepishly. "I don't think this is the sort of situation that you're the best in."
"Like you're better?"
"What are you talking about? I'm a great sympathetic ear. And this is my brother's best friend. Of course I'd be a good sympathetic friend here."
"Except this is the best news you've heard all year and it's probably almost killing you to not grin like an idiot."
"That's not true," the girl tries to restrain herself. It only sort of works.
"Come on, this is your big chance. Hell, when you made up with Cho you tried selling her on a double date where you'd take Potter and she took Fleur didn't you?"
"What, she told? That was private."
"She didn't say a word, I was just guessing. Thanks for letting me know I was right." That earns me a dirty look from the girl weasel. "I'm right about this being a good day for you too."
"It's not that simple; not everything is just about selfish desires."
"Oh yeah, sympathy for Potter and all that crap."
"Oh come on, if Hermione was hurt you'd care about that. A lot I'm guessing. She and that cat are all you care about, after all."
"Yeah, I care about Hermione and Madison. That's the kitty's name, by the way. So what? I'm honest about how I feel about people, not like I bother pretending I give a shit when I don't."
"Most people have a bigger emotional range than you."
"Whatever," This conversation is getting to be a pain in the ass fast.
"All right, fine, yeah, I do feel bad for Harry; I don't like to see him hurting. But it's good news like you said too. I get my shot now."
"Think you'll be friend zoned this time?"
"Merlin, I hate that stupid Muggle saying. And no, I won't wait for Harry to figure it out, I'll push this time."
"Great. So when you gonna go try and pick him up? Once he and your idiot brother are done bitching to Hermione?"
"No, I can't do that; I have to wait three days. Don't you know the rules?"
"What, there's rules for picking someone up on the rebound?"
"Of course there are," she insists. "How'd you get to be a sixth year without knowing the rules?"
"I was promised to a moron, so this crap wasn't really relevant to me."
"Oh right, Malfoy. Sorry. And um, glad you got better now."
"So you're glad I'm with Hermione now?"
She has to think about that for a minute. Talked herself into a corner I guess. "I guess, sort of. I mean, Hermione's happy with you after all; actually loves you she says, so that's good. And you're not so bad really. Kind of blunt, but it's not like you've been a jerk to me in a while."
"You're a real poet there; should write greeting cards."
"Give me a break. You probably love seeing people squirm and react like that to you." Damned right I do.
Hermione
Last night was something of a long one, for me. Harry feeling bad about being dumped, Ron trying to balance offering comfort and feeling vindicated about Cho, it was a situation I'm simply not good at. After all, I've never been the expert on emotional matters and thankfully, I have no experience being dumped, so the whole affair was rather awkward for me. Still, Harry is my friend, so I tried. Thankfully Ginny kept Pansy distracted, though I have no idea how.
I don't think I helped much. I suppose being there helps, show the flag or offer a shoulder to cry on or however one would put it. Mostly I just listened. I told Pansy it's important to talk and listen in relationships, but last night made me feel like I was eating my own words, and I was extremely glad when it was over.
Now it's breakfast the next morning, which is its own awkward affair. Since Pansy wants to sit with Cho and Fleur, there's no point waiting for Harry and Ron. Pansy didn't want to wait, and I can't claim to have enjoyed having to wait around in the common room every morning, so I didn't argue the point. The looks Ron and Harry give us as they walk past the Ravenclaw table however, make me regret my decision; a mix of hurt and annoyed.
"I think coming down early was a mistake," I say, mostly to Pansy, but Cho and Fleur are here already as well.
"Oh for fuck's sake, one dirty look and you fold?" Pansy asks.
"Pansy, they're my friends."
"Whatever."
"Pansy, friendship comes with certain obligations. I don't like wasting time waiting around for them the common room any more than you do, though for the record I've done it for years now, whereas you have not. Regardless, sometimes you do things for friends that you find annoying, and this is one."
"Yeah, yeah, I know. Not that I care about Potter or the idiot weasel, but you do, so I'll put up with it for you."
I appreciate Pansy's theatrically amplified sacrifice on my behalf. I mean to tell her, but I'm preempted by the morning paper delivery.
THE HERO REVEALED
The masked vigilante, now famous for his defeat of You-Know-Who, as promised held an event in Diagon Alley today to reveal himself. Before a massive crowd, the vigilante took his place on a raised platform erected for this event and removed his mask and robe, revealing his identity to be Chadwick Pennington. Few will be familiar with the name, as Pennington has not been a household name in over a century. He was last heard from in 1899 when he led a famous expedition to what was then referred to as the Dark Continent, more commonly known to our readers as Africa.
Clearly the long lapse since he was last seen, as well as the issue of his advance years are questions that our readers would want answered, and Pennington when asked about those matters answered.
"The Dark Continent is a place of great mystery. When you leave the colonies and enter the jungle you don't just leave civilization, you leave the world as we know it. Within a few weeks we were lost and our numbers were dwindling, thanks to disease and predators, both magical and mundane. Eventually only I was left, wandering aimlessly, trying to survive in an alien land. I would have perished as well, if not for the kind and most timely intervention of the natives. They healed my wounds, let me live with them, and taught me their ways. Using all I had learned from the shaman and witch doctors I met, I've been able to live to see this modern era.
"I had thought to live out my remaining days in my adopted home, but even so far away as I was, word reached me about the troubles in my beloved Britain. So I returned, and thanks to the magics I had learned, unknown outside of the Dark Continent I was able to defeat your dreaded Dark Lord."
When asked about his plans for the future, Pennington said he would like to return to Africa, but will stay in England long enough to make sure that all those attacking our way of life, both Death Eaters and the Order of the Phoenix are dealt with. With He-Who-Must-Not-Be named now only a memory this should give pause to the remaining malcontents.
"Someone from the 19th century? Did I read that right?" Fleur asks, looking up from her paper.
"Apparently so," I answer.
"That make him older than the old man?" Pansy asks.
"I believe so." It doesn't say when this Pennington was born, but to lead an expedition in 1899 he's almost certain to be older than Professor Dumbledore, though by how much I couldn't guess.
"He sure doesn't look it; guy looks like he's in his 50's at the oldest. That and he looks like he belongs in some old movie or a cartoon or something."
Pansy is right, the picture shows a man who's tall and vibrant, bald with a bold moustache, and dressed like the most cliché explorer from a classic movie. I suppose clichés have some basis in reality, but still, rarely have I seen someone pull one off one so completely.
"Apparently the magic in Africa has potent life extending abilities," I offer.
"Bullshit. I only know one thing that extends life like that and it sure as fuck isn't from a witch doctor."
"You think he benefited from a similar process to what Voldermort was attempting last year?" Cho asks.
"I don't know. I don't even know if there's a way to tell if he has. But this is bullshit, this whole thing, the Dark Lord dying in some nowhere town, no body, and now this guy who's so obviously fake it hurts."
"What's your theory then, if this is all fake?" I ask. I mean the question seriously, not mocking Pansy at all. Her point of view can be unique, but since we became a couple I've always listened to it, and never simply discounted it out of hand.
"I don't have one. But that doesn't mean this isn't all crap."
"If Voldermort isn't dead, why hasn't he shown himself? He'd want to show he's alive, disrupt this event, no?" Fleur questions.
"Assuming Pansy is correct, then he must see some advantage in these events playing out," Cho replies. "Among other things it gives him a great deal of cover, being that no one searches for a dead man."
"Wonderful coincidence for him to take advantage of."
"Too much of one."
"You think Voldermort set this up?" I cut in.
"It's possible," Cho grants. "But keep in mind this is nothing more than wild speculation, guesses that happen to hit the few facts we have and then conclusions drawn based on those guesses."
"It's more believable than that crap in the paper," Pansy discounts Cho's disclaimer. "Only an idiot would believe that shit. Speaking of…." Pansy gestures to the Gryffindor table, where there's an impromptu celebration going, led by Ron and Harry.
"Voldermort has been one of the defining forces in Harry's life. You can't blame him for being glad to see him gone."
"Sure I can. He should know by now the Dark Lord's a sneaky bastard. And the idiot weasel, well he got played by that toad Umbridge last year, manipulated into selling you all out, but here he is again, being handed great news and believing it all, no questions asked."
"You do have a point about Ron I think." Ron never dealt with the issues surrounding the DA at the end of last year and his part in them. It's been raised a few times, but it never amounted to anything. Ron simply sees it as unfortunate circumstances to be moved on from without need for introspection or comment.
"Regardless, there is a problem I don't think any of you have realized yet," Cho breaks my train of thought about Ron.
"What's that?" I ask.
"The paper said Pennington would remain in England until the remaining Death Eaters and the Order of the Phoenix are stopped. I'm not a member of the Order, but as Pansy has pointed out, the membership list is not difficult to guess."
"You're right; that is a problem," Fleur says.
"I'm sure you're not a suspect," Cho reassures. "You have a cover story to be here, both the made up one about research and acting as added security for us. You haven't done anything illegal either."
"No, but I am a part of the Order, I've been to meetings, I know who many of the members are."
"True, but you're not a senior member, more of a periphery one, and you have an alibi for every illegal action the Order is accused of having undertaken this year. I think you have nothing to worry about."
"And if the shit hits the fan you can bail back to France,' Pansy offers.
"I'd rather like to stay here, actually," Fleur responds.
"You'll be fine," I reassure. "You haven't done anything wrong, and you're extremely low on their target list, if you're on it at all. At most they might ask you a few questions. You should be perfectly safe. It's people like the teachers and Professor Dumbledore that need to worry more." and of course Ron's parents. I don't think in his celebrating he realizes the threat that may come for his family quite soon.
Harry
I could use someone to talk to. A sympathetic ear from Ron and Hermione is all fine and good, but neither has the sort of relationship experience to really relate, so I've decided to talk to Sirius; he should hopefully listen and know what to say.
He isn't hard to find after classes end for the day; he's around to spend time with me after all.
"Ah, Harry, I expected you might want to talk," he greets me.
"Yeah, I thought you probably had more experience in this sort of thing than Ron or Hermione."
"Yes, quite so, I had a number of relationships over my years here at Hogwarts. Usually I wasn't on the receiving end of this sort of thing like you were, but it did happen once or twice."
"So how do you deal with it?"
"The short answer is you just move on. Plenty of fish in the sea and all that. Of course that's a great deal easier after you've been in a few relationships. The first time is painful, no doubt, and something that even all these years later I still remember."
"That isn't the most comforting answer."
"I know, and I am sorry for that, Harry. But there's no simple or easy answer, no quick fix solution. It just takes time. I know it hurts, but I told you this might happen. I'm sorry I was right, but you have to move on. If this Cho Chang wasn't the one, that's unfortunate, but there will be others, and one of them will work out."
"Great." That's not much help at all; Ron and Hermione said basically the same thing.
"Go play some Quidditch, take a day and sleep in, go exploring, do whatever makes you feel better, just try to get your mind off what happened. Or if you're the sort to get back on the horse go find a new girl. I hear the Weasley girl is fond of you."
"Ginny? She's practically my sister."
Sirius shrugs. "The point is, do something fun, try not to dwell. You will feel better, it'll just take time."
"Speaking of fun, can I stay with you this summer? Voldermort's dead, so there's no danger, no reason to stay with the Dursley , right?"
"Harry, I wouldn't rush to any conclusions about Voldermort if I were you. Yes, I've seen the paper, I know what they say has happened, but we have no proof, and a great many questions without any answers."
"No answers? You don't know a thing?"
"Less than we'd like. We're tried to find the town Voldermort is said to have died in, but we haven't had much luck. There's basically no details to go on, and a lot of little towns to check. And of course The Prophet hasn't exactly been forthcoming in giving more information, so for the moment that's a dead end."
"And that guy, Pennington or whatever?"
"That's been a matter of research. He's older than even Dumbledore you see, and no one had seen or heard from him since 1899, so it's been old newspaper stories and such. Yes, the man did exist, he was a famous explorer and adventurer, and his expedition did occur, like it said in The Prophet. And once they set off they were never heard from again."
"He just disappeared, just like that?" I ask.
"You have to understand, Harry, the world was very different in 1899. Yes, the world was mapped, but a great deal of those maps were empty space. Africa, the vast majority of Asia, the American north, these were wild, untamed, and unknown places. The colonial era in Africa was a few decades old, and as Muggles colonized Africa, wizarding Britain went along as well. There were cities that had been built in Africa by then, yes, but outside them was still the great unknown; anything past what you might think of as suburbs today.
"There had been expeditions into the wilds of Africa before, but they had a high mortality rate, and most were small groups of loners, odd balls and adventurers, not well organized and prepared expeditions. Pennington's was the largest, meant to answer all manner of questions and fill in sections of that blank map.
"In that era explorers were all the rage, every child's hero. So Pennington was famous then, a celebrity and whatnot. His disappearance was a great mystery, but not long after his expedition vanished the colonial era ended and Britain withdrew from Africa largely, both Muggles and magic folk."
"And he really looked liked that? Like that picture in the paper today I mean?"
"Yes, his appearance, his clothing, all of it, it's exactly how he looked when he left on his expedition. It was big news, so there's photographs to compare."
"So what's all this actually mean?"
"We don't know Harry. But the supposed battles with the Order and Death Eaters, Voldermort's unconfirmed death and now this hero from the past, something isn't right about it all. There's simply too many things going on that can't be explained. I hope Voldermort really is dead, but I'm holding off on celebrating until there's proof and I suggest you do the same."
Fleur
I've been called to Dumbledore's office. I'm not surprised; I don't think I'm Harry's favorite person at the moment, and watching over him is the real reason I was brought here in the first place.
"Miss Delacour, please, have a seat," Dumbledore greets me as I come in. "I think perhaps the reason for this chat is not a mystery?"
"I can guess."
"While I do not make it my policy to involve myself in the personal affairs of others generally, in this case I worry that your personal life is in conflict with the reason I asked you here to begin with."
"You don't think I can protect Harry after what went on in the Great Hall."
"I think my doubts are not without reason, Miss Delacour."
"If something happens Harry will involve Hermione, who will bring Pansy, and she's sure to bring Cho and I. That's good enough, no?"
"That is hardly the most direct method. Being close to Harry himself would have been a far better plan."
"I'm sorry this has made things difficult for you, and I'm sorry Harry got hurt, but I will not apologize for dating Cho Chang. She's a lovely girl. You knew I was just a few years older than them when you brought me here, and you know I'm part Veela. These things happen, surely it can't be a complete surprise?"
"No, but as I said, it makes things more difficult."
"What is there to even protect Harry from? You think Voldermort will reappear and attack him?" I ask.
"I do not know what Voldermort is planning, but I do not believe that he is dead."
Maybe not, but shouldn't you be more worried about going to prison than what might happen to Harry?"
"I am capable of being concerned about more than one thing at a time. Though you are right, it is a concern, and I suspect you may have similar concerns. "
"Yes, Cho mentioned how Pennington plans to hunt the Order, but we talked it through and Cho and Hermione both think I'm safe."
"Indeed you are," Dumbledore confirms. "Though I would advise monitoring the situation just the same."
"You too."
"Of course. And as I said, please mind the safety of Harry and the others, particularly should anything happen to me, legal troubles or what have you."
"You really believe that's necessary? Not just something to keep me busy, but you really think something will happen to them?"
"I think there is a great deal going on that we do not know about, and none of it bodes well for us. I do not know when or how it will play out, but when it does I am quite concerned there will be real danger, and it will involve them, yes. So please, Miss Delacour, stay vigilant. Trouble has a way of always finding Harry and his friends, and it seldom gives advance warning."
Author's Notes:
Another chapter down. As always thanks to everyone who reads and especially who reviews. Authors do love our reviews. This story is going to be 20 chapters long, and unless I manage to forget to release a chapter, it should be one per week until all are published. Thanks for reading.