Author's Notes:

Standard Disclaimer: It all belongs to JKR. That you JKR for letting us play with your toys.

I will continue to use the occasional song lyric in the story and will give credit at the time when needed.

This is the fifth book in my Slytherin Harry series.

Book 1 Harry Potter and the Muggle's Daughter.

Book 2: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Book 3: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Book 4: Harry Potter and the Blood Traitor's Daughter

Book 5: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

If you haven't read books 1-4 you won't know what's going on. But the bonus is you've got four completed books before you even get to this one!

HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE

CHAPTER XVIII

Par for the Course

HPHPHP

Harry and Neville found Cedric in a compartment with Rowena and the rest of their friends from Hufflepuff on the train back. Harry knocked on the door and poked his head in. "Hey, Ced, can I have a minute?"

"Sure thing, Harry." He patted Rowena's leg and stood.

"Going well then, Rowena?" Harry asked.

She smiled. "Very well."

Harry grinned. "Glad to hear it." He moved aside so Cedric could exit the compartment.

"What's up?" Cedric asked once in the passageway.

"Not here," Harry said. He led Cedric to the end of the train where he pulled the door open to the baggage compartment. He motioned Cedric in. Neville stayed outside to guard the door. Harry triggered the release for his wand, pointed it at the door and cast an Imperturbable Charm on it. "Given how loud it is in here it's probably overkill, but just in case."

Cedric eyed him. "That's a seventh-year charm."

Harry shrugged. "Your point?"

Cedric shook his head. "Haven't got one I guess." He leaned against a pile of trunks. "So what's up?"

"The second task. We need to practice out of sight of anyone who might be the wrong people."

"Wrong people?"

"Teachers, judges, people who want to kill me," Harry shrugged, "you know."

"All right."

"Tomorrow night at seven I want you to go to the Room of Requirement."

"The Room of Requirement?"

"Seventh-floor corridor across from the tapestry of Barnabus the Barmy. You won't see the door. Pace back and forth in front of the tapestry three times while thinking, 'I need the room where Harry Potter is.'."

"You're joking, right?"

"Was I joking when I told you not to enter this?"

Cedric sighed. "Fine. I'll be there."

Harry tossed him a small box. Cedric caught it. "You'll need that. Switch out the chain on that charm you wear."

Cedric opened the box. Inside there was a chain that was the exact match for the necklace he wore. "Why?"

"Cause you won't be able to get past the wards without it."

"Wards?"

"Sorry, not saying more than that."

Cedric eyed him. "You're kind of unnerving, Potter."

Harry smirked. "Good. Any chance the Goblet will pick Rowena as your hostage over your sister?"

Cedric paled. "I'd rather it didn't pick either of them."

"I'd rather not be in the tournament at all," Harry said. "Who is it going to pick?"

Cedric sighed. "Probably my sister. But I'm not sure."

Harry nodded. "We'll have to plan for both and hope it's not your sister."

"Why?"

"Cause Rowena would be able to help us. You're sister's going to be a hostage, nothing more. It makes it harder." Harry tossed another box to Cedric. He caught that one as well. "Give that to Rowena when you get a chance. Do it in private and bring her along tomorrow. Don't tell her where you're going or who you're meeting."

"Why not?"

"Cause the fewer people who know about this place, the better."

"Any chance you're going to tell me what this brilliant plan of yours is?"

"Tomorrow night."

Cedric took a slow breath and blew it out. "All right then."

"Should we head back?"

"Actually I wanted to ask you if you'd mind if Rowena joined us in training in the morning?"

Harry grinned. "If she's willing to get up, we'll train her."

Cedric smiled. "Brilliant."

"Cool, shall we?"

"After you."

Harry paused as the three boys passed a compartment with Ginny's brother Ron and his friends Dean and Seamus. "I'll catch you up, Nev," he said. Neville looked at him curiously. "I want to talk to Ginny's brother for a second."

"You're not going to kill him, are you?" Cedric asked.

Harry gave him a look. "Seriously?"

"It's a fair question, Mate," Neville said.

Harry rolled his eyes. "Fine, wait for me at the end of the corridor then."

"You gotta rep, Mate," Cedric said.

"Do I ever start a fight?"

"No, but you have a habit of needing to get the last word in," Cedric countered.

Neville nodded. "What he said."

"Oh, fuck off."

"The prosecution rests, your Honor," Neville said. Cedric snorted. Harry glowered at them. "All right, we're going."

"But we're going to be right there," Cedric said. Harry gave him the finger. The two boys returned the favor before moving off to the end of the corridor. Harry thought about hitting them with itching hexes but decided he'd seek some other form of retribution. He rapped the door of Ron's compartment and slid it open. The three boys looked up, watching him warily. "Ron," Harry said. He ignored the other two. They said nothing.

"Pot… I mean, Harry."

"Can I talk to you in private for a second?"

Ron glanced at his friends. They shrugged. "Yeah, sure." He stood. Harry backed into the corridor, giving Ron room to step out. He slid the door closed. "Thanks," Harry said.

Ron shrugged. "No problem. What do you want?"

"To thank you for what you did at the ball."

Ron frowned. "What?"

"You danced with your sister. I wanted to thank you for that."

Ron looked at him like he was barmy. "Why the hell would you want to thank me for that?"

"Because you gave her something I'm never going to be able to."

"Whhaat?" Ron asked.

"You're her brother. I'm not. Thank the goddess. But she loves you and no matter what I do I can't give her the love of her brother so I wanted to thank you."

Ron shook his head. "If you want to give her the love of her brother then why are you glad you're not?" Harry stared at him. He couldn't be this dense, could he? It was near everything he could do not to ask him just that, but if Ron really was going to try and be a brother to Ginny he really didn't want to mess that up by letting him know just what an idiot he thought he was. "Ohhh," Ron said. "I get it." His ears turned red.

"Yeah," Harry said. He stuck his hand out. "So thanks then?"

Ron eyed his hand before slowly reaching to shake it. "Sure." He squeezed hard but Harry didn't react.

"Cool," Harry said. He let go. "See you around, Ron." He turned and made his way to Cedric and Neville. The three boys worked their way back up the train.

"Did he seriously ask that?" Cedric asked once they were two carriages up.

"Erm, maybe because it'd be kind of weird dating her then?" Harry said.

Neville snorted. "I thought Crabbe and Goyle were slow."

"Well he did get there," Cedric chuckled, "but Merlin."

Harry laughed. "No idea how she's related to him."

"Related to whom?" Luna asked.

Harry spun around. "Where did you come from?"

She grinned. "That's for me to know and you to find out… Now, whom were you talking about? Wait, let me guess… Ginevra annnd Ronald?"

The three boys exchanged looks. "How did…" Neville trailed off. "You to know and us to find out?"

Luna clapped, then reached up to pat his cheek. "Oh, you learn so fast."

Harry snorted. "Luna, I've given up trying to understand how you know some of the things you do."

Luna frowned at him. "It's not that difficult is it?"

The boys glanced at each other again. "Yes," they said together. Luna pouted.

"It's not a bad thing though," Cedric said.

"A woman should have an air of mystery about her," Harry said.

"Very true," Neville agreed. "Keeps us guessing."

She tipped her head, considering. "Perhaps that is why Hermione is so fascinating. She's one of very few people I can't figure out."

"Whom else can't you figure out?"

Luna grinned at them. "That's for me to know—"

"And us to find out," the boys finished for her.

She clapped her hands. "Oh, you're all so smart. I'll have to make sure you get special treats at dinner tonight." She walked off. "Come along you two; before Ginevra and Daphne start wondering where you are."

"Why do I feel a bit like a dog?" Cedric asked.

Harry chuckled. "Just don't try and sniff my crotch." Neville shot Harry a look. "What?" Neville raised an eye. "Oh piss off, Longbottom."

Cedric glanced between the two. "I missed something again, didn't I?"

"No idea what you're talking about, Ced," Neville said. He walked off after Luna.

Harry watched him go. "You know, he was a lot more fun when he was terrified of me." He set off as well. "See you at dinner, Ced."

Draco Malfoy sat at the Slytherin table covertly watching Ginny Weasley. The Christmas break had been very interesting for him. He wasn't quite sure how his attempt to poison his newborn brother had been discovered, but it had. Interestingly, while his parents had taken steps to ensure he couldn't make another attempt on his brother's life – he'd not seen his mother or brother even once the whole of the break – his actions seemed to have raised his parent's opinion of him; especially that of his father. Despite being thwarted, his attempt to kill his brother and thereby ensure his inheritance had somehow proved himself a true Malfoy to his father.

As a result, his father had taken an interest in him like he had before having started Hogwarts and being made a laughingstock by Potter and his little band of sycophants. Most interesting of all was the nugget of information as to why his father was so interested in the Weasley bitch. His lip twitched just slightly. The little slut might have made him look a fool, but the last laugh would be his. She would pay. She would spend the rest of her life paying for what she'd done to him; even better would be getting his revenge on Potter at the same time.

"Draco?"

Pansy's voice intruded on his thoughts. The rest of the students were beginning to stand and make their way to their respective common rooms. He stood and offered her his arm. "I'm sorry, I'm afraid I drifted off for a moment." She smiled, hooked her arm with his and they made their way to the doors. Draco let his eyes slide to Ginny again. Oh yes, she would pay dearly for the crimes she'd committed against him.

HPHPHP

"What in the world are you doing?" Rowena asked.

"Shush," Cedric hushed her. "Just trust me." He started pacing again.

She crossed her arms over her chest impatiently. Looking up and down the hallway she couldn't recall that she'd ever been down this particular corridor and had been convinced her boyfriend had found some secret spot for them to spend a bit of time together alone. From the looks of it, unless they were going to duck behind the tapestry of some fool trying to teach trolls ballet she was out of luck. She sighed dejectedly. For all the charisma that had made him head boy, Cedric truly was clueless about girls. Mind, she wasn't really complaining. He might have been moving the pace of their relationship along at that of a Frankie First-year, but she also didn't have to worry some other girl would turn his head. Every rival for his affections had given up long before she had. It was endearing how oblivious he was. Mind, it was much more endearing now she'd snagged him than when she'd been hopelessly mooning. She'd stuck it out though, and now she'd won she had no intention of ever letting go.

"Bugger."

Rowena shook out of her thoughts. Cedric was standing in front of her staring at a door she'd known wasn't there just ten seconds ago. Her heart sped up a bit. It had been far too long since she'd really kissed him. "What is it?"

Cedric shrugged. "Potter called it the Room of Requirement."

"Harry told you about this?"

"Yeah."

"How does he know about all these things?"

"No idea."

Just then the door opened. Cedric slid in front of Rowena. Ginny stuck her head out. "Are you two going to stand there all night or are you coming in?"

Stepping through the door the two blinked under the assault of a blazing sun. Once their eyes had adjusted they found themselves on a pristine, white-sand beach with sapphire-blue water beckoning them. Harry, Hermione, Daphne, Neville, Luna and Ginny crowded in around them.

"Pretty awesome, yeah?" Harry asked.

"It's a bit sterile compared to the real thing," Hermione said.

"But it'll do in a pinch," Ginny said. Cedric and Rowena could only gap in wonder.

"I think we broke them," Luna observed. Daphne snapped her fingers in their faces.

Rowena snapped out of it. "What is this place?" she breathed.

"The Room of Requirement," Hermione supplied.

"Pace back and forth in front of the tapestry three times," Neville said.

"Think of what you want," Daphne said.

Harry snapped his fingers. "And badda bing, badda boom."

"Instant beach," Neville said.

"Or library," Hermione said.

"Or, kitchen," Daphne said.

"Fully stocked," Harry added.

"Or sitting room," Neville said.

"Or bedroom you don't have to worry about getting caught in," Luna said.

"That too," Harry said. "Wait, what?"

"LUNA!" Hermione cried at the same time.

"Well we could," Luna said. "Though I think I'd prefer just a roaring fire, and a pile of blankets on the floor." Hermione gapped at her. "Think about it. Bare skin, dancing firelight." She licked her lips. "Yes, definitely. Much better than a boring old bed."

Hermione glanced at the others. All of them were watching her. "We haven't done anything like that!"

"But we could," Luna said. "The possibilities are endless." A thoughtful expression came over her face. "Why I'll bet…"

"STOP!" Hermione shrieked. "Whatever you're thinking about, stop right now!"

Luna pecked her nose. "You're so easy."

Harry and Ginny exchanged a look before collapsing. "Luna," Ginny chortled.

"You kill me," Harry snickered. Neville shook his head while Daphne giggled.

Cedric and Rowena, not quite as familiar with Luna's eccentricities, shifted uneasily. Luna winked at them. "I was thinking of a BDSM chamber," she stage whispered. "You're seventh-years. If you try it out, I expect a full report."

Hermione threw her hands up in the air. "Oh for the love of!" she exploded and stalked away. Neville and Daphne finally lost it and collapsed with Harry and Ginny.

Cedric and Rowena just stared at Luna with wide eyes. "Well it would only be right," Luna said. "I did give you the idea after all."

"Ju–just," Harry gasped.

"A–a–agre–gree," Ginny giggled.

"Hurts," Neville gasped.

"Re–really," Daphne managed, "just agree."

Rowena focused on Luna who looked at her expectantly. "O–ok."

Luna beamed. "Excellent!" She flounced off after Hermione.

Rowena turned to Cedric. "My head hurts," he said and sat down. She slowly sank down beside him.

An hour later the group was sat on a blanket having gone over the plan with Rowena and Cedric. She focused on her boyfriend. "I really doubt it will be me, but I'd like to practice just in case."

"I'm sorry," he said meekly.

She took his hand. "We've only been going out a few weeks Cedric. And she's your sister. I love that you care for her so much."

"I do really care about you."

"And I care about you. But if it were me competing, I rather doubt you would be my hostage just now either." She smiled. "Even so, I want to practice.

"You're sure?" he asked.

"After watching what happened when Fleur refused to summon the egg till it was almost too late and then finding out someone deliberately weakened the chain for Harry's dragon I'm more convinced than ever this tournament is idiocy. I want to do anything I can to get you out of it alive."

Cedric watched her for a few seconds before he nodded. "Thank you."

"All right then," Hermione said. "We'll have you and Ginny practice in the water together and separately. That way if one of you has problems the other can help them or they can do it alone."

"And what if they both have problems or if it is only Ginny, what happens if she has trouble?" Cedric asked.

"Then we go get them," Harry said.

Cedric took a deep breath. "Right."

"It should be straight forward," Hermione said. "Once the Gillyweed takes effect and the gills form it will have the same effect on the stasis spell as surfacing from the water. Then all you have to do is free the other hostages, send the signal to Harry and Cedric and they'll summon you away."

"And we're not going to tell Fleur and Viktor?"

"I don't know," Harry said. "I feel like we could trust Viktor, but I just don't know about Fleur."

"You and her really don't get on, do you?" Rowena asked.

"She's nasty," Harry said.

"She's a bloody damn bitch," Ginny corrected.

"Even the rest of the Beauxbatons' students don't like her," Hermione said.

"That's not true," Rowena countered. "She's friendly with at least Venus and Serena, and all the boys like her."

"The boys are only thinking with their penis," Luna countered. Harry sniggered.

"Exactly," Daphne agreed.

"Well," Rowena said. "I can't deny there's some truth to that. But my experience tells me she's lonely."

"Lonely?" Hermione said derisively. "She's got half the male population following her around with their tongues hanging out. How could you possibly think she's lonely?"

Rowena pursed her lips for a second. "Because she's too pretty."

"What!" Daphne asked.

"I have an aunt," Rowena said. "You wouldn't know her, but she's one of the most sought after fashion models in the Muggle world. She is beyond stunning. She's the nicest, kindest person I've ever met in my life and she has exactly two friends in the world; my mother and a childhood friend who didn't let being the ugly one – and I use that term facetiously – turn her jealous. The thing is, she's so beautiful it's the only thing about her that interests anyone. She's given up making friends. Any woman she tries to make friends with just worries she'll steal their boyfriend or husband. The one thing she wants in the world is to find a guy who actually trusts her and marry him. But any guy she's ever dated, within six months, is convinced she's cheating on him. She can't so much as talk to another guy without them getting all possessive and controlling. I know it sounds weird, but being as pretty as Fleur isn't as easy as you might think. And before you scoff at me, I'll point out that every one of you four, even Ginny, whose boyfriend hasn't so much as looked at Fleur twice, is jealous of the attention she gets from boys, or, given present company, some girls."

The six of them, especially the four girls exchanged looks. "Well," Ginny hedged, "I suppose there's some truth to what she's saying."

Daphne, Luna and Hermione all, if for slightly different reasons, frowned. None of them could deny Fleur made them feel plain. "I suppose it is possible I haven't been as kind as I could be," Daphne conceded.

"I haven't been kind either," Luna said. "But she truly is a bitch. She told Tabitha Albright she was disgusting when she asked her to go to the ball with her."

"Among a few dozen other things," Harry muttered.

"Tabitha asked Fleur to go to the ball with her?"

"Yes," Daphne answered.

Rowena eyed Luna for a second before shifting to Hermione. "Just how long have you two been together?" Hermione shifted guiltily. "Let me guess, you witnessed this and broke up with Luna sometime before your very public declaration after the Gryffindor/Durmstrang match?"

"Bitch," Luna grumbled.

"It wasn't her fault, Luna," Hermione sighed.

"Was," Luna said petulantly.

"Luna."

"Fine, it wasn't. That doesn't change the fact she's a bitch."

"I'm not saying she hasn't been a bitch," Rowena said. "I've seen her. She really can be nasty… But then so can you lot."

"Whatever," Luna muttered.

"I don't know about being best friends or anything," Harry offered, "but before she went off on Tabitha, I really did believe she understood just how serious this was. I believed she was terrified for her sister, and I believed she regretted entering the tournament."

"We could try starting over," Neville ventured.

Luna abruptly stood. "I'd rather poke myself in the eye with my wand," she snapped and stormed off.

"Luna," Hermione called, running after her.

"I didn't mean to upset her," Rowena said softly.

"It's not your fault," Ginny assured. She looked torn on going after Luna or if she should leave Hermione to it.

"It's just," Daphne said, "she was devastated when Hermione broke up with her."

"It actually goes back a lot further," Harry added.

"To when you befriended Andrew and Daniel?" Rowena asked.

Harry sighed. "Hermione nearly kissed Luna last Christmas. The two of them were getting closer and closer till that day with Daniel and Andrew. It freaked Hermione out for months. She mostly got over it by last Easter. That's when they started dating. But Hermione wasn't willing to be out about their relationship. It wasn't a big deal for the last few months of school last year, but over the summer where they didn't have to worry about it, well, Luna didn't like how things were when school started again. They'd been struggling all the way up till Tabitha asked Fleur to the dance. Fleur was really nasty about it. Hermione freaked out and broke up with Luna." He shrugged. "You saw them make up."

Rowena nodded slowly. "I can see why Luna doesn't like her."

"There are a lot more reasons than that," Harry said. "Just ask Cedric what she's been like behind closed doors."

"I've told her," Cedric said, "at least some of it."

"And I've told you she's been, if a bit guarded, perfectly pleasant the few conversations I've had with her."

"Have you spoken with her since you started dating Cedric?" Ginny asked.

"Only at the ball. She wished me luck."

"Well," Daphne said, "I don't see why we can't at least try."

"What about Hermione and Luna?" Neville asked.

"They forgave me," Daphne said. "And I was their friend. I should think giving a second chance to me was a much more difficult proposition."

HPHPHP

A few nights later Harry, Ginny and Daphne were traversing a balcony, making their way down to the dungeons after dropping Neville and Hermione at the Gryffindor tower when he stopped. Ginny tensed beside him. Harry turned back the way they'd come and inhaled deeply. His mirror vibrated in his pocket.

Five Durmstrang boys stepped out of the corridor onto the landing above, blocking the way back. Harry turned back to see another group of five move out of the corridor onto the landing below. His jaw clenched. The Durmstrang delegation had moved into the castle after the destruction of their ship. Their scents permeated the place, and without a breeze to bring him those scents he hadn't been able to determine they were being stalked till the trap had been sprung.

Gregor, the boy who had knocked Harry into the suit of armor months ago smiled malevolently. Harry stepped in front of Ginny and Daphne. "This stays between you and me," he warned. "Anyone lays a finger on them, I'll kill every last one of you."

The Durmstrang boys exchanged looks before they all started laughing. "You think you scare us?" Gregor sneered.

Harry shrugged. "Believe what you want. You keep this between you and me, all I'll do is put you in hospital for a month. One of you touches my friends, well, you lot won't be the first people I've killed." He moved to within a few feet of the bigger boy. The boy tensed. "Or you can just move aside and let us go on our way." The older boy glanced at his friends. They all smirked and nodded.

"Get him, Gregor."

He turned back, swinging at Harry as he did. Harry grabbed his arm, pulled and twisted it around behind Gregor's back. Wrenching his arm up Harry propelled the bigger boy forward towards the banister. Slamming Gregor into it he lifted up on his arm till Gregor was up on his toes and in danger of going over the rail, followed by a four-story plunge with accompanied abrupt stop. Though he might bounce, Harry wasn't sure.

Behind him Ginny and Daphne's wands slid into their hands. "None of you move," they warned.

"Last chance," Harry growled before letting Gregor go and backing away.

The boy let out a roar. Spinning around, he charged at Harry. Harry ducked and launched him over his shoulder. The boy landed heavily next to Ginny. Scrambling to his feet he grabbed her, clamping his arm around her neck while pinning her back to his chest. For about a half second everything seemed to stop. "Get him!" Gregor screamed.

With a snarl of rage, Harry's wand slid into his hand.

"Stupefy! Stupefy! Stupefy!" Daphne screamed.

"Defodio Maxima!" Harry snarled. The curse slammed into the stairs just below the upper landing. It exploded in a hail of pebbles and shards that slammed into the five boys running down them. They screamed and fell back onto the landing, writhing in pain.

Ginny smashed her head back into Gregor's face, breaking his nose. He let out a yowl of pain and staggered back. She turned, grabbed the back of his head and pulled him down while bringing her knee up. The force of the blow straightened him up before he crumpled to the floor. Harry shoved past her. Pouncing on the boy he began pummeling his face.

Daphne almost couldn't believe it when she dropped three of the four boys in front of her as fast as she could bark the spells out. The last one managed to draw his wand and cried, "Expelliarmus!" Her wand went flying. Without a thought she lashed out and punched the boy in the face. He staggered back and she made a grab for his hand. She twisted him around; disarmed him, and flipped him over her shoulder. "Stupefy!" She stunned him with his own wand. The spell was weak, being from a wand that didn't recognize her as its master, but it was enough to leave him lying on the floor in a daze. Shocked, nearly as dazed as he was, Daphne stood over him. Apparently months of combat training under the tutelage of Hermione's father were working.

"Harry, Stop!" Professor McGonagall's voice cut through the din.

Daphne tore her eyes away from the boy in front of her in time to see Luna racing out of the lower corridor. Professor McGonagall, Hermione and Neville were on the landing above, prevented from reaching Harry by the destroyed staircase. Somehow Harry had picked Gregor up from the floor. He was holding the bigger boy by the throat against the wall. Where he wasn't covered in blood, she could see Gregor's face turning purple. Ginny, her face contorted with rage, simply stood by his side watching. Luna dashed out of the lower corridor and across the landing with Professor Flitwick behind.

"Oh my," Flitwick gasped, sliding to a stop.

Luna stepped in front of Harry and grabbed his face in her hand. "Put – Him – Down." Harry's nostril's flared. "Ginevra," Luna demanded, "help me." Ginny's lip curled. "Ginevra," Luna hissed.

"Stupefy!" Hermione snapped. Her spell streaked at Harry only to rebound away about an inch from striking him. He turned on her. Her hand shook but she kept her wand on him. "Put him down, Harry."

Ginny snapped out of it and stepped to Harry. She turned his face back. "Stop," she said softly. Harry's cheek twitched. "It's over," she said. Harry let out a growl, turned and threw Gregor across the landing. He skidded across the floor, slammed into the banister and lay in a crumpled heap. Blood quickly began staining the marble floor.

Karkaroff and Dumbledore picked then to rush onto the landing. The two skidded to a halt and stood there in shock. Karkaroff focused on Harry. "I'll see you in Azkaban for this, Boy!" He advanced on him threateningly.

"Stop right there!" Moody thundered. He trained his wand on Karkaroff from the upper landing.

"Over my dead body," Luna hissed. She, Daphne and Ginny stepped protectively in front of Harry.

"They attacked us!" Ginny shouted.

"Shut up, Girl!"

Harry shoved past them. "Her name is Ginny, Death Eater," he snarled.

"Silence!" Dumbledore thundered.

Daphne stepped forward. "I wish to press charges against them."

"Now, Mrs Greengrass—" Dumbledore began.

"My name is, Flint, Headmaster," she cut him off. "I know the law. As head of my house, one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight, and eldest daughter of a second family of the Sacred Twenty-Eight, I demand you contact the aurors so that I may give statements, provide memories, and, if need be, submit to questioning under veritaserum so that charges may be brought against these criminals."

"As a daughter of the Sacred Twenty-Eight, I make the same demand," Ginny said.

"I back their demand," Neville called loudly.

"As a ward of Lord Sirius Black I invoke his name as well," Hermione said.

"This is preposterous!" Karkaroff exploded. "He destroyed my ship and now he has attacked my students. I demand his expulsion immediately."

"Shut your hole, Karkaroff," Moody said disdainfully.

"Alastor you are not helping," Dumbledore warned.

Moody step/thunked to the edge of the broken stairs. "The aurors are already here, Albus. I, for one, am very curious to see just what happened here." His good eye fixed on Karkaroff. "Be a real shame if we learned such a venerable man as Headmaster Karkaroff had anything to do with this."

Karkaroff turned purple with rage. "Exactly vat are you implying?"

"You know what I'm implying, Karkaroff."

"Enough!" Professor McGonagall snapped harshly. "There are injured students here."

A bit more than an hour later Harry jumped out of his seat. "What do you mean it's my fault?"

"We were attacked, Father!" Daphne exclaimed. "Ten boys cornered us and attacked us. How on earth do we bear responsibility?"

"You may not have started that fight, but you and your friends were most certainly looking for it."

"Oh yes," Harry said disdainfully. "Because I'm so brave I went looking for ten against three odds. That's not brave, it's asinine."

"Mr Potter," Professor Vector reprimanded. Harry glowered at her.

"You had a chance to stop this months ago, Harry," Lord Greengrass said. "Instead you lied and said you had tripped into that suit of armor. Do not sit there and pretend your innocence or try to hide behind the lie you were simply defending yourselves. Just as much as theirs, your actions led to this fight. A fight you fully intended to see through when each one of you lied to Professor Vector. As such I find no reason you and your friends should not face appropriate repercussions."

Harry's jaw clinched. "Fine, what's one more injustice? It's not like I expect anything else from this shithole. I can't wait till this year's over and I never have to set foot in this dump again. Dumbledore's eyes widened before he composed himself. Harry caught it. "Yeah, you heard me," he sneered at the man.

"Harry," Sirius warned.

"For lying to me, Mr Potter, Miss Greengrass, Miss Weasley, Miss Granger, Miss Lovegood and Mr Longbottom, will serve detention with me for one week each," Professor Vector said.

"A week!" Hermione cried.

"Be thankful it is only detention and not a suspension," Professor Vector snapped. Hermione fell silent.

"Will that be all, Professor?" Ginny bit out.

"No. For his role as ringleader, Mr Potter will also be suspended from playing in Slytherin's next match." A collective gasp was taken by Harry's five friends.

"You're joking," Harry cried.

"I most certainly am not." Harry glared murderously at her. "You have something to say, Mr Potter?" she challenged. Harry opened his mouth. "It can easily become two matches," she cut him off. Harry clamped his mouth shut, but continued to glare malevolently at her. She didn't back away. "Is this acceptable to everyone?" she asked.

"I find the punishment to be appropriate," Professor McGonagall said.

"I do as well," Professor Flitwick added.

"Six of my students are in hospital," Karkaroff exploded, "and you give them a veek in detention? No! It is most certainly not acceptable."

Sirius slapped a hand over Harry's mouth. "Whatever responsibility Harry and his friends carry for this situation," he said, "the fact remains ten of your students cornered and attacked Harry, Ginny and Daphne. Given what I saw in the pensive, and the fact Harry could very easily have aimed just a bit higher, I'd say you're lucky your students aren't in the morgue."

"Exactly, it is only luck that he missed."

"I seem to remember Potter using that spell to snap the neck of a dragon from over fifty meters away," Professor Moody growled in his gravely voice. "If memory serves he was mounted on the back of a failing broom when he did it. It's not even the first time he's used it from a broom. If I remember that incident correctly his target was a good fifty meters away then as well. Correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't two of the three assailants killed outright? Hell, he used it against me the first time he stepped in my classroom. Hit me dead in the heart even though I was disillusioned at the time. If Potter wanted those boys dead, they would be. You all want to punish Potter and his friends, fine. It's no skin off my back. Nothing like paying the price for lack of vigilance when it doesn't really matter to keep you alive when it does. What I'm interested in, is what you intend to do about ten boys who attacked a boy and two little girls?"

"Just wait till next class and I'll show you how little I am," Ginny muttered under her breath. Harry was forced to bite his cheeks to keep from adding anything.

Minister Bones stood. "I think this whole mess is despicable. My niece has been telling me for months now that a number of the Durmstrang delegation have been bullying younger students; seeming without any repercussion from staff of Hogwarts or their own headmaster. I find it near inconceivable staff were unaware of this situation."

"Now see—"

"You forget yourself, Headmaster Karkaroff," she rounded on him. He snapped his mouth shut. She continued to glower at him.

He bowed his head slightly. "Forgive me, Minister," he said through clenched teeth.

She held his eyes a second longer before turning away from him. "As I was saying, I find it difficult to believe staff were unaware of this situation and once again must wonder what, exactly, is going on at this school. Unfortunately, that situation is out of my hands. What is not, however, is this one. All Durmstrang students involved in this altercation are hereby expelled from the country." Karkaroff's jaw dropped. Minister Bones continued. "Sentence to be enforced no more than twenty-four hours after they are discharged from hospital. They are each barred from reentering the country for a period of one month. Further, those individuals who are seventeen or older will be labeled as Unwelcome Foreign Nationals."

"Amelia," Dumbledore said.

"You can't do that!" Karkaroff exploded

She held her hand up. "I'm not finished." Dumbledore inclined his head slightly. Karkaroff pressed his lips together angrily, looking like he might attack her at any second. She continued. "You aren't the only person who believes in second chances, Albus. And while I find their actions to be abhorrent, I can't quite bring myself to believe a fight between schoolboys should follow a person forever so I herby suspend the label. Free movement upon English soil is returned to them after the initial month long expulsion expires. If, after five years, they've managed to keep their noses clean, the label will be stricken from their names. If not, the label becomes binding and they will be removed from the country never to be allowed back." She turned to Director Scrimgeour. "I believe that is all within my power, yes?"

"The Unwelcome Foreign National label might be pushing things a bit, but certainly the initial deportation is."

"See to it then."

"Yes, Minister."

"Four of those boys are on my quidditch team," Karkaroff protested. "We will be forced to forfeit without them."

She shrugged. "That is not my concern… Though I might suggest it is possible the rules allow for you to bring replacements to join those players who remain." Karkaroff glared at her murderously.

"Be careful, Karkaroff," Moody warned. "Someone of your history, well, you wouldn't want anything you said to be misconstrued, would you?"

"This will not go unanswered," Karkaroff hissed. He spun on his heel and stormed from Dumbledore's office.

It was a good thirty seconds or so before anyone moved. "Can we go?" Harry asked.

"Harry—" Sirius started.

"Can – We – Go?" Harry cut him off.

Sirius sighed. "Is there anything else?" The adults all exchanged looks.

"I find the resolution to be satisfactory," Professor McGonagall said. The others nodded.

"Very well, you are dismissed," Dumbledore said. Harry was up and out the door before Dumbledore had finished speaking. Ginny, Hermione, Luna Neville and Daphne were less than a second behind him.

"Daphne," her father called.

She turned back. "Did we lie to Professor Vector? Yes. But did we go looking for a further fight after doing so? No, we did not. Our actions were to forgive and forget. Our actions were to go out of our way to avoid any further altercation between us. Our actions were to turn the cheek and allow them the last word. They were the ones who wouldn't allow that to happen. They were the ones who, for lack of a better term, hunted us. They waited till we were exposed and forced us to defend ourselves.

"Despite this we gave them every opportunity to just step aside and let us go. Even once the fight started Harry held back and tried to get them to stop. Yet somehow, despite being the wronged parties, we're punished. Minister Bones said so herself. We may have said nothing, but only a blind man could have missed seeing the trouble they were brewing. If it wasn't us, it was going to be someone else. But then I don't know what else I expected. It's par for the course for Harry to pay the price when the adults who are supposed to protect him are too cowardly to do so." She turned and was gone.

Moody step/thunked his way to the door. "Considering I've been telling you those boys were brewing trouble for months, I'd say your lucky it was Potter and his friends they finally went after. Anyone else and it wouldn't be Durmstrang students in hospital right now." Just before he left he added, "And five points to Greengrass for having the stones to call a spade a spade."

HPHPHP

"Weasley, stay," Professor Moody barked when the bell signaling the end of class rang. Harry and Daphne stopped with her, letting the rest of the students exit. Moody waved his wand at the door. It slammed shut.

"You wanted to see me, Sir?"

He crossed his arms and leaned against his desk. "I thought you wanted to show me something," he said.

Ginny frowned. "Sir?"

He smirked. "Something about how little you were." Ginny's eyes widened. "Think you're faster than me, Girl?" he taunted. "Go on then."

Ginny glanced at Daphne. She shrugged. Ginny was in the process of turning to Harry when her wand slid into her hand. "Stupe—" that was as far as she got before a ball of red paint slammed into her forehead. "OW!" she yelped. Harry jerked his head to the side to avoid the pellet aimed at him. Daphne wasn't so quick, and, like Ginny, had oily paint dripping down her face.

Moody blew across the tip of his wand. "Dismissed."

Ginny wiped the paint from her face. "I will beat you, Sir."

He held her eyes. "Not today, you won't."

HPHPHP

Daphne walked into the cloister. Fleur stopped her pacing. The two eyed each other warily. "I was expecting Harry," Fleur said in French.

"He couldn't make it." Daphne responded in French as well.

"So you were chosen?"

"Well, Hermione is the only one besides myself who speaks French. Though Ginny is picking it up rather quickly."

"Why is it important that you speak French?"

Daphne glanced at the bench. "Shall we sit?"

"We should not linger. It would be very bad if Madame Maxime were to learn I was with one of you."

"I will have warning if someone is coming."

Fleur eyed her. "How?"

"I'm afraid you'll just have to trust me on that." Fleur didn't respond. "We'd like to try and start over, Fleur."

"Start over?"

"To try and be friends."

"Friends?"

"You and Harry got off on the wrong foot. It hasn't improved since. So we'd like to try and start over."

"We cannot be seen to be friends. My Headmistress will tell me nothing if I am even seen with one of you."

"That doesn't mean we can't be friends. And if we're really going to help each other the truth will eventually come out."

Fleur frowned. "Why?"

"Because a friend recently pointed out to us that we are not always as kind as we could be. That, and she thought you were lonely."

Fleur's eyes widened slightly. "Our friend has an aunt who is, in her words, too pretty. She says her aunt is terribly lonely because of it. We realized we may have judged you unkindly for, things and thought it might be possible to start over." Fleur fidgeted for a few moments. "To be perfectly honest, Fleur, your headmistress isn't going to tell us anything we don't already know. And if something changes, chances are we will know as quickly, if not sooner, than she does. So the only real reason to hide our friendship lies in how difficult you think your life will become while you remain under her thumb. Just know that we are willing for anyone to see that we are friendly with not only you, but Viktor as well. You tell us what you need or want and we will work within that framework."

Fleur swallowed. "Would you like to sit?"

Daphne smiled. "I'd love to."

HPHPHP

Author's notes:

I really enjoy Daphne in this chapter. She's truly coming into her own and becoming an integral part of the six who also works as a bit of a foil for Harry. She's completely uncowed by him and he needs that.