And yes people, the translations are back as there will be more Viktor this chapter.
моята любов is the Bulgarian translation for My Love
надявам се с мен от ваша страна is Bulgarian for I hope with me by your side
сладка любов is the Bulgarian Translation for Sweet love
Chapter 21
WHILE IT SHOULD BE YOURS!
Hermione's POV
"I would like to read next." I tell the Great Hall and Ron, looking at me while hugging Percy, asks: "Are you sure? You do know what this will probably be about?" I nod, feeling very touched by the concerned tone in his voice and say: "Yeah I do, that's the whole reason I want to read. I want to see how you guys think about that event."
My best friend nods, but I can tell he feels stupid about what happened. I lie a hand on his shoulder, making him smile at me and I say: "Hey, don't worry, Ron. We weren't even friends back then." And the boy snickers: "No, but that sure changed, didn't it?" I snicker back, still disbelieving we became friends over something so dangerous and nod at him.
I then walk over to the Owl Stand and while Oliver walks away, I hear him mutter: "That was not what I expected. I just wanted his appointment as Seeker." I shake my head, not at all understanding what he likes about Quidditch so much as I have only seen Harry get hurt almost every other game and start to read.
Halloween
Malfoy couldn't … perfectly cheerful.
"How exactly was it possible for you to be cheerful after that?" Sirius asks his son and Harry says: "Part of it was relief that I survived something I could call more dangerous than my uncle. The other part was my Inner Lion coming up (Ron nods in agreement) and the last was just show – to make sure others didn't discover that monster from us."
The man nods and I snicker as I had decided the same, but then because I didn't want to get in trouble with the teachers. If students were to be caught in that corridor, they would spill on me and I would have had to confess about being out after curfew, something I wanted to avoid doing, no matter what the situation.
I then look at Harry and think: "I never would have ratted out on him. Especially not after last year." And with dread and anger I think back on that monster Pettigrew and on the Dementors that would have, had it not been for my Time turner, sucked Harry and Sirius' soul out of them. I shudder at this idea and read on.
Indeed, by … another one, although they both agreed that their next adventure should be with some kind of creature they could handle.
"At least there's that." Sirius sighs and Harry says: "Oh, come on. You've been through adventures just as much as me." And Sirius retorts: "Yeah, but I wasn't 11 when I faced a – a Cerberus! And for your info, young man, I'm only this worried, because I don't want to lose you to something dangerous or life-threatening, so I'm glad you wanted that."
The boy smiles at his mum and then he hugs him and says: "You'll be a wonderful mum for my siblings. Can I expect them before my O.W.L.s or after?" The man looks at his excited son shocked and Remus laughs, obviously just as excited and while I can see a great deal of love in his eyes as he looks at his son, does he say:
"That will all depend on how well we can get you to get peace with your past, cub. Your future and mental state are more important than a growth in family." The boy pouts and says: "But I really want a big family. Like the Weasleys." He then sees his mum whiten and says: "Okay, maybe not 7, but I won't take any less than 3 siblings."
Remus laughs and asks: "And since when did you have a say about that?" To which Harry shrugs and says: "Since you started calling me your own and werewolf adopted me. I'm your son now and part of this family, am I not?" Sirius shakes his head, while the students laugh at the amazing sense of humor of my best friend and says:
"We'll try, cub. But don't expect so many siblings anytime soon. I don't think my body can handle that yet." Harry nods, but I can tell that we both know why Sirius doesn't think his body ready for growing babies just yet and while I know that this chapter won't be any good, do I not want my friend to think even worse thoughts and so I read on.
In the … dog again. Harry couldn't blame him, but his curiosity had been growing since he entered a world he knew nothing about and this seemed to be an important part of that world.
Hermione was … added bonus.
This makes me cringe and Ron wants to stand up to comfort me, but I shake my head and mouth: "Later, I'll come over later." The boy nods, but I can tell that he has trouble sitting back down and smile at my best friend as he moves back into Percy's hug, something the elder redhead is only too happy about as I read on.
All they … the parcel, just when Harry tried to see if the parcel hadn't landed more in front of someone else and whether or not it was really for him, but the letter was addressed to him, so the parcel must have been too.
Harry ripped … to read. He also had great trouble even speaking or seeing as his eyes were glazed over with tears and his throat was tight with emotion. This was the second time someone showed they cared for him and actually gave him a present.
He really belonged here and not with those rotten Muggles; the Dursleys.
Everyone nods feverishly and professor McGonagall smiles widely, obviously glad she has been able to make my best friend feel at home at Hogwarts – and that by just giving him a gift. I shake my head and think: "And that is only the second real gift he can remember. I fear I don't want to know how he'll react to his Christmas presents."
I shake my head, feeling terrible that my best friend, at one point in time, didn't even think himself worthy of receiving a gift and how much he actually cherishes it and think: "If his parents don't make his oncoming birthday the best of his life, I will." But looking at the two caring, loving parents, do I know that they surely will.
"A Nimbus … felt it.
This makes some of the older years snicker, the boys mainly and even some of the Bulgarians sitting at the Slytherin table and the twins whisper with a loud tone: "That just sounds so wrong, especially with the current situation between those two." But then the Chasers hit them on the head, making them yelp out loud.
I then look at my international friend, wondering if I could have really helped him get together with Harry while at war and I can see by the restrained smile on Viktor's face that he is both angered by the thought of his love being touched by someone else, while on the same time he must be dreaming of doing the same himself.
I shake my head at his thoughts and think: "And the worst is that Harry doesn't even understand the current situation." Which is clearly visible by the young black-haired boy blinking around curiously, obviously not getting the elder secretive innuendo, which in turn makes his parents smile at his innocence as I read on.
"That's a … allowed them."
"And with good reason too." Sirius grumbles, obviously still too worried about what could happen to his son while on the pitch and I wonder if that worry will lessen when he hears about Harry's training sessions, not to mention his first ever match, but then the man asks: "You were constantly under watch that year, right?"
And Harry nods and says: "Wood was always on me if he wasn't stopping a Quaffle thrown by the girls and if he wasn't watching me the twins were, even if it meant they got hit with a Bludger themselves. One of them would watch the Bludgers and the other would watch out for me." The man nods, smiles at the three of them and I read on.
Ron couldn't … by twig."
"With the way the twins are making money, I'd say they'll be able to afford more brooms in a month than you can fly on your Nimbus in a whole year." Harry mock-spats at his cousin, showing only a small playful smile and Draco smirks back, obviously wanting to help his cousin while he's healing and says:
"We'll see about that, Potter. There are after all a lot of worried parents that don't want their kids getting hurt by prank items." And Harry retorts: "Perhaps so, Draco, but the twins are professionals on the prank department. They do too much research before they invent for their products to be risky, unless handled wrongly and that can happen to anyone."
The boy grumbles, having lost the spat, but not showing any real anger as he seems to be fighting a small smile, while the twins beam at their friend and Harry goes on: "And let's not forget that I promised you the Tri-wizard winnings if I won and I did – sort of – well, at least I got the money, so a deal's a deal. Here's the money."
And after some sputtering, do the twins look at each other and then grudgingly accept the money. George then wants to open his mouth, but Harry beats him to the punch and says: "And don't you dare see this as a loan you have to pay off. You deserve it, especially with a mother like yours, and it's not as if I feel that I wasted the money."
The two nod, but as they start to mutter together, do I know they'll find a way to still thank Harry for his actions. I shake my head, knowing those two to be devious, but quite brilliant and I think: "I do not want to know how they'll get it done, but I know they will." And with that, while anxious to see them pull it off, do I read on.
Before Ron … he added. He didn't really want to pester the boy, but if he realized that pestering others would only backfire on him, he would perhaps stop doing it. It was always worth a shot – and currently it was quite funny.
Harry and … the air.
"I really picked the wrong times to talk to you, didn't I?" I ask my friends, who nod while looking pained as if they're trying not to feel bad about having to agree. I smile at their care, mostly because Ron obviously has trouble reading the emotions of others and while some students now whisper about how we became friends, do I read on.
Harry had … the top.
"To be honest, I don't know which of my brooms I love most." Harry then comments and Wood asks: "What? Why? The Firebolt is bloody ten times better." But Harry says: "I do agree there, especially seeing the person who gave it to me, but the Nimbus was the second gift I was given that I could remember being given.
And it was from my Head of House and thus, to me, a sign I could trust her." This makes the strict woman, who still has some tear stains on her face, smile at the young boy and I sigh, wishing that fact had encouraged him to tell her about his home life. With another sigh as I know just how stubborn Harry can be, do I read on.
As seven … lightest touch.
Everyone smiles, the Quidditch nuts almost drooling at the description of the World's Third Best Broom and I'm glad to have one of the better chapters. Then Oliver snaps: "Damn, I should have waited a chapter." But I say: "Trust me, you wouldn't have had this chapter. I would have fought nail and tooth for it."
The elder boy looks shocked, while some of the other students – who were there back then – seem to remember what happened and Remus asks: "Why? What happens?" And as a bypassing answer, I say: "Let's just say that Halloween is never quiet when you're friends with Harry Potter. No offense, Harry." But the boy shrugs and says:
"Bathroom incident first year, threatening warning second, painting attack third, and my name coming out of the Goblet of Fire this year. Hell, I don't even want to know what will happen next year." But to this, while some of those who weren't there during these events start to whisper to those who were, does Viktor hug him and says:
"Just look at it this way, моята любов, at least it can only get worse in the books. You defeated Voldemort and he made your life hell, but now you can look and work forward to a future of your own. надявам се с мен от ваша страна."
I smile, already knowing that only the Bulgarian words are words of sweetness and then Sirius leans forward and says: "Hint from a top charmer, try saying the sweet words in a way your beloved can understand them, not his mother." The Bulgarian turns red and Harry laughs softly, sweetly caressing the elder boy's cheek as I read on.
"Hey, Potter … a week."
"That really just wasn't enough time to practice." Oliver says, shaking his head with his arms crossed and a pout on his face, but then the twins and the Chasers chorus: "THAT WAS HEAVEN!" The ex-Gryffindor Keeper looks shocked and I snicker as I remember how often the others complained about the long training sessions before I read on.
He opened … soccer ball.
"It does?" Oliver asks and I nod, while Harry first sends Dean a look, telling him he'll leave the rest of the explanation to him before he says: "Yeah, soccer balls are just black and white spotted and don't have those round dents in them. Oh, and soccer players use their feet instead of their hands, except for the Goalie."
To this Wood asks: "What's a Goalie?" And Dean, who starts talking once Harry sends him another look, answers: "In soccer, you play with a single large net, held up by three large poles like a large cage, but only one half. The Goalie is the person standing in front of it and keeping the soccer ball from getting through."
"So like my job." Wood says excitedly and Dean nods, while I know the West Ham fan is exhilarated to have someone to share his passion for soccer with. I sigh relieved, as I know it's a big part of the boy's life, like the library and my friends are a big part of mine and while I happily smile at the two boys that made my life here wonderful, do I read on.
"This ball's … Harry quickly. He really wanted to explain the game to the obvious sports fan, but he had only seen one game and he had been 5 when that happened. A year, together with when he was 6, he rather forgot about.
I look at my best friend hurt and concerned and while Remus holds his shoulder and Sirius pats his back, does Viktor have my best friend on his lap, while the wheelchair is now pushed away so his parents can still be close and Viktor whispers: "We'll get you through this. You will get through this. We will help you." And then something magical happens.
Harry looks at Viktor for a long time after these words and then softly, closing his eyes even before acting, Harry kisses the boy softly on the cheek, showing his affection. I can barely believe what I am seeing and think: "Has he done it? Has Viktor really wormed his way into Harry's heart like he worms his way into ours?"
And as I look at the shocked, yet amazingly gleeful expression on my international friend's face, do I know that yes, Viktor is conquering the one heart that has so much trouble trusting others. This is such a good step in the right direction, I can't help the amazingly broad grin of pure joy on my face as I continue the chapter.
"Now, there's … his nose as Dudley always loved to do if only to see his glasses break, and sent … reeled off. He was ever so grateful for his photographic memory, which he owed to years of chores by the Dursleys, hard garden work and the hard hand of Erica as she kept reminding him to be strong, even after her terrible death a month before he would turn 7 years old.
The first two make people all over growl and I feel a new wave of fury go through them concerning those horrendous Muggles, even while all kinds of plans to make those Muggles pay for hurting my friend go through my mind, but the last part makes the people I can see as I read the book – and thus probably the entire Hall – smile.
I myself feel terrible for the fact Harry had to lose such an important factor in his life so quickly and think: "Was it really just Erica and us that kept my best friend on his feet all this time? And what on earth would make him want to kill himself?" But I know I won't get answers from the shy boy yet and thus continue the story.
"Very good," … sounded offhand.
"Sorry Harry, but you sounded like you were scared to death those things would punch you to pieces next time you didn't have a Bat with you. On the other hand, seeing your uncle's treatment, I now understand that actually." Wood says and Harry smiles, while obviously embarrassed for his failure. I shrug and read on.
"Never at … Bludgers themselves."
This causes snorts all over and the twins chorus: "Hey, to protect from destruction, you must become the destruction. But have you ever seen us cross the line too far?" I see everyone look at each other and I myself torment my brains, trying to find one memory of this happening during any of the matches I watched to support Harry.
To my shock I find none and slowly more and more people look at the two with wide eyes, making them nod and then one of them asks: "And who do we have to thank for that, George?" And the other says: "Thank you for asking, Fred. I do believe that to be our Code dictionary, otherwise known as." And they chorus: "Percival Ignatius Weasley."
The elder boy looks shocked and Fred asks: "Why else do you think we always eavesdropped when you overheard yourself on the English code?" And George goes on: "Or sit with you for a few minutes when you found interesting or important laws, before we would pull you out of your room for some fun with your siblings?"
They then sit on either side of the boy and Fred – or I think it's Fred – says: "We always wanted to be pranksters." And George goes on: "But we didn't want to embarrass the family and end up in jail." And they chorus: "So we spend time with you and learned what we needed to know, so we would never cross the line and still pull lots and lots of pranks."
They then both wrap an arm around the teary man and chorus: "You're our muse, Perce, our law muse, but our muse. We need you, big bro." And the man hugs his brothers and says: "And I need you. If only to remind me I can have fun with my family no matter what I have to do." They happily hug their elder brother and I smile as I read on.
Wood reached … always win.
"Nearly always indeed." Viktor grumbles, obviously angry over his loss at the Finals of last summer, but Harry cuddles into him, reminding him of where he is and says: "You did the best you could. It was brilliant of you to save your team any real humiliation. How would it have looked to your fans if you lost, say 450 to 140?"
The elder boy smiles at his beloved boyfriend, but for some reason I feel the need to write this score down. Quickly grabbing a piece of paper and a quill, I do so, wondering if Harry has a small Seer gift like Ron or if this is just a stupid guess. Not wanting to dwell on it, seeing that hag Trelawney, I stuff the paper in my pocket and read on.
That's why … the problem. He had after all only played a few sports games at school before he was expelled and after that the only game he ever played was Harry Hunting – a game he didn't willingly participate in.
"We won't … chasing dragons."
To this Charlie looks at who was once his fellow team-player as he playfully tells Wood: "First of all, I do more than chase Dragons. Second of all, we both know your big idol is James Potter, so stop bringing me up already. I first want a fair Quidditch match against Harry to see if he really is better than me."
To this Ron says: "Sure, we'll hold a Snitch race once Harry is fully recovered. We'll just release a couple of Snitches, set a certain time area and let you guys fly to your heart's delight. The one with the most caught Snitches is the best." Harry and Charlie nod in agreement, while I shake my head at their idea and just read on.
Perhaps it … ever had.
Not that that was really so hard to believe, even though he never really understood the concept of a good home. The people here after all liked him, even if they just stared at his scar, and Neville, Ron and the twins were really growing onto Harry like friends, or what felt like friends to him.
He did, when he thought of the fact this was his home, wish his family could be like the Weasleys, but then he shook his head, berating himself for thinking about something that should never be part of this amazing world. Ron caught him doing this once, but he waved it off, telling him how he loved his home.
He knew he was giving the boy the wrong ideas as Ron must have thought he meant wherever he believed Harry to have grown up, but how could someone his age help him with what he was going through at home? Especially now he was finally realizing that his uncle's punishments were wrong. There was nothing Ron could do for him and all he could do was wait and see if one of the teachers would notice that not all was right with one of their students.
His lessons … the basics. Harry still didn't ask any of the teachers questions and he still held back, using whatever he could to make the teachers believe he either had trouble with the current subject or that he was pulling it off on average scale.
His reason now was that Ron was still easily jealous and Neville really seemed to need help with some subjects. Harry wanted to help from the sidelines and he couldn't do that if he used all of his ability and became known as a showoff.
Heck, after getting past the basics, Transfigurations, Charms and Astronomy were even easier than before and Harry actually enjoyed practicing the spellwork after finishing his self made potions or whenever the others boys wanted to sleep in on the weekends.
The only problem was Quidditch. Apparently after a long training session all the boys showered together, but Harry convinced the boys that his aunt had taught him this to be inappropriate and they let him wait until they were done. He still took his own cloths into his stall and showered and dressed there, but they were always kind enough to wait for him and escort him back to the castle, talking to him as if he really was one of the guys.
Harry always felt like crying when the boys talked so easily with him or when Katie and Angelina would coo with him and tell him how he was growing onto them like an adorable, kind little brother. The Quidditch team, like Wood said, easily grew onto each other and it never mattered what new members came, the team was family.
Harry cried in his bed for two and a half hours after hearing Wood say this for the first time about two weeks after his golf-ball practice.
This makes everyone choke up and a few small tears slide down Harry's cheeks as he must be remembering how he felt back then. Then Wood, obviously proud of what he did back then, helps the boy and says: "I stay with what I said back then. Hell, even now I don't feel as close to my new team as I did to you guys."
Harry smiles at his old team captain while biting his lip and trying to hold back a new wave of tears and Angelina says: "You're our little brother, Harry. And you're always welcome over at our place." And the other two girls nod in agreement, making the boy cry in Viktor's shoulder as he gets over-come with emotion. I smile at him before I read on.
On Halloween … the classroom.
"Same day I found him again. I do not call that coincidence." Neville then states, holding his finger up in a mock-serious way and with a grin trying to show on his face. Everyone looks at him and then they laugh and the boy smiles proudly, obviously proud that he got everyone to feel good again as I read on, also proud of my friend.
Professor Flitwick … his chest."
Now Sirius snickers and while his tone sounds reminiscent, does he asks: "Wizard Baruffio? Couldn't you just have told them that James was that wizard, wanting to impress Lily and thus thinking he could fight a buffalo?" Professor Flitwick blushes, the hue visible under his beard, while I look shocked and Harry asks:
"Dad did that?" Sirius nods and while he seems amused by a memory we can't see, does he say: "He had heard stories from his mother as he was slightly home-schooled like many Purebloods and he was already trying to impress your mother, so he stood up, jumped over his desk and stood in the middle of the class.
He then pompously – oh, it was just hilarious –." The man says as he shortly loses himself to a wave of laugther and when he calms down, does he go on: "He waved his wand, said the spell wrong purposely and the next moment – well, let's just say your dad was very glad there's no window behind professor Flitwick's desk that day."
He then laughs hard, almost too hard to breath and needs Remus to hit him on the back before he catches his breath and says: "There he was, Harry, there he was. You know that small fireplace like hole behind professor Flitwick's desk? Well, James thought, because he would use small power while using the spell he would get a small buffalo.
But no, he did not and he was stuck with that buffalo for over 20 minutes, screaming for me to come and release him. Really, he was going all aaahhhh! And I couldn't breathe, I was laughing so hard." Now the whole hall laughs and even teachers are trying to hold back snickers, while I'm bend over the owl stand laughing.
Finally professor Flitwick, who has had tears running down his cheeks and had been laughing since Sirius started talking, conjures a stock of white doves to fly around and everyone turns silent, all of us admiring the beautiful birds. Then professor Flitwick says: "Quite right, Mr. Black and quite the humorous story indeed.
And to answer your question, I didn't want to embarrass both of my favorite students and Mr. Potter and didn't know how he would feel knowing this embarrassing little piece of information, let alone how he would feel about the rest of the class knowing it as well. Also, I – I didn't want him to know – well, about you."
I see the man sigh and while hating how that one day ruined everything yet again, does he say: "I do understand that, Professor. And seeing James was screaming at me nonstop I can understand why you didn't bring it up." The man nods and I sigh too, knowing the third book will be terrible on the little family as I read on.
It was … his hat.
Of course Harry was constantly aiming a little off, but Seamus, wanting to perform good so badly, didn't notice. The fire incident, though, made Harry wish he had picked Neville as partner after all. No offense meant to Seamus, but it was quite obvious he had a problem with fire spells.
Neville on the other hand had already heard Harry's excuse of not wanting to be a showoff and that he wanted to let the teachers grow onto his growing core, so Harry knew, had he picked Neville, he would have been able to just let the feather fly a few inches, let professor Flitwick judge them and then perform to his max without Neville asking questions.
Neville smiles and says: "Yeah, that's true. I guess, while you tell everything to Ron and Hermione about the out of school things, your school secrets are only held with me, aren't they Harry?" Harry nods and with his voice changing from happy to hurt, does he say: "Yeah, together with our other secret – up until last chapter that is."
But Viktor hugs the now slightly grumpy boy and says: "It would have come out eventually, сладка любов. And we both know this means we can only help and comfort you more." Harry smiles and, obviously taking his mum's advice, asks: "And сладка любов means what?" And a shy Viktor mutters: "Sweet love."
Earning him another kiss on the cheek. I know the boy would rather have it on the lips, but his eyes tell me that it isn't what my friend wants right now and I realize something. If Harry kisses him on the lips it will be the young boy's first kiss and Viktor does not want that to be out in public. I smile at the young couple and read.
Ron, at … Ron snarled.
Harry rolled his eyes at the two as Hermione rolled … nightmare, honestly."
Harry really wanted there and then he could show his magic as it would at least prove that Hermione wasn't the only smart and talented person in the House, but he just didn't want to ruin a friendship with the only person he was really close to and hang around with all the time.
Someone knocked … no friends." This angered Harry amazingly and he mutters: "You don't make girls cry, Ron, you just don't." And he hurried on, hoping to have knocked some sense into his friend – and on the same time hoping he hadn't done what he feared the most.
But still, he knew who he really should blame. The rest of Ron's family. It was obvious Ron was harping on others to hide his own self-consciousness and lack of self-respect and none of his five brothers noticed? Percy was Prefect for God's sake; wasn't it his task to watch and see how the First years were doing?
Now that he thought back to it, he had barely seen Percy the last two months. The boy had only been around for about a few lunches and other meals and was only rarely so often present in the common room and even then he was way too busy on his studies to be good for him.
Harry didn't want to think bad on people, but he was furious at what had just happened and it, like always, made him see the worst in people. Sure Percy was busy with his studies, but had those brothers not told their mother they would look out for Ron? No, only the twins had and it seemed to Harry they were only doing so when they were hanging out with Harry during meals.
Harry shook his head as he entered the next lesson and sat down angry, thinking, "Do they really think they can leave Ron's life and safety here with the Boy-Who-Lived? And what if I was not? Would they have done the same?"
Now Harry and the twins look down and Harry wants to open his mouth, but Percy shakes his head and says: "No Harry, you were completely in your own right with what you thought. We are Ron's older brothers and even if he is here at Hogwarts, does that not mean he is safe and loved. We had to watch out for him, like we said we would."
Ron is also red and by this time I have come to sit down with my boys again, lying the book on the table and clearing my spot to make sure the book has plenty of space. Ron wraps an arm around me and says: "Harry was right, you know. I really shouldn't have said that. I should never make any girl cry, especially not you."
Now I turn red, hoping he meant it romantically, but his guilty face makes me know it's just to comfort me and I think: "One day, Ronald Weasley, I will find out how you feel about me. And if you don't want to return my feelings – well, you got enough brothers to hang around with." And with a happy smile I read on.
Hermione didn't … start-of-term banquet.
Harry himself wondered if his name and the whole event of what happened years ago would be mentioned at the Feast, but to his shock all students, even the Purebloods, were talking about classes and it didn't seem as if anyone remembered the two losses that led them all to a victory over Voldemort.
And Harry knew this, because it had been in a History of Magic, a book he knew many Halfbloods and Muggleborns read, so why was no one bringing it up? Were they so into eating they forgot to thank those that died for them? Harry could barely believe that not even Hagrid seemed sad, as the man seemed to be munching on a large steak happily.
He suddenly hated where he was and glared at the kidney pie and potatoes Ron had placed on his plate. He knew if he pushed his magic into his glare, he would burn the kidney pie to ashes, but he didn't care. He felt bad for what this day meant all day and what had happened to Hermione didn't really encourage him to feel better.
"A simple thank you to my parents for their sacrifice too much to ask?" Harry thought and he muttered, "Celebrating over a child, but not honoring his parents. Bunch of bloody fair-weather fans." And he stabbed the food on his plate.
This makes people look down, the older students and Purebloods rubbing their necks in shame and Draco says: "He does have a point. Lily and James might not have been loved by many of the Ancient Pureblood families, but they were the lasts to die at the last war. We could have at least said a prayer before starting the feast."
And Harry mutters: "Since third year, I think of that more than ever." And Remus wraps an arm around him, while Ron and I look at him in pain and Sirius and the others in confusion. I know Remus, Ron and I are the only ones that know Harry hears his parents when the Dementors come too close and sigh as I read on.
Harry was … the stairs. The Slytherins had gone a completely other way, as had the Hufflepuffs and while Harry knew they were near the kitchens, did he worry about the Snakes, whose common room was in the Dungeons. Harry hoped with heart and soul that Quirrell meant another set of dungeons, if only because not all snakes were like Malfoy. And even he didn't deserve to have a Troll go at him.
"Don't worry, cousin." Draco then says and I look up, never having realized this as I never knew the students of Slytherin were also send to their Dorms and while hating Dumbledore for being so careless, does he say: "Our prefect knew we shouldn't go there, so he led us through a secret passageway back to the Great Hall.
Professor Snape knew this and we waited there until he came to fetch us. He said he had to check up on something more important than other Houses." The boy shrugs, while Harry, Ron and I share a meaningful glance and while many are shocked at seeing this and start to whisper about the significance of it, do I read on.
"Don't ask … Halloween joke." Harry really doubted this.Not only would that set off the Bloody Baron as Peeves would have then set it off in Slytherin territory, he also knew that the Poltergeist did have something called self-preservation and with his fear for the Bloody Baron – no way, would he want to anger the ghost like that.
They passed … his lip. Harry's fury rose. "You caused her trouble and now you won't even fix it?" He thought but Ron proved him wrong.
"Oh, all … see us."
"Why didn't you just tell me?" Percy asks hurt and Ron says: "I didn't want to admit it was my fault she was there." And Harry goes on: "And I didn't because I feared you would either not believe us or first go and get a teacher and I feared that would take too much time." The ex-prefect nods, while I smile at my boys and read on.
Ducking down … to clean. Harry knew the first stench because Dudley liked to keep his socks on for too many days, especially when it was Harry that had to do the laundry and because Harry Hunting sometimes resulted in Harry hiding in such places.
And then … so long.
Now I feel the same fear I felt back then, the description fitting that monster of four years ago spot on in my memory and Sirius once again holds Harry tightly, having somehow wrenched him out of Viktor's grip. Remus is whimpering and I know it's the wolf within the man feeling worried for its only cub.
Other students are also terrified and Mrs. Diggory keeps muttering about how she should have been notified of this and why no one had the guts to do so. She too is holding onto Cedric and Fleur had left the small group around us to join her in holding her fellow Champion, Viktor seeming desperate to hold at least someone.
All Weasleys on the other hand are holding onto Ron and all their faces are white, while Ron's is too. I wonder why, but then see that Charlie has his unclipped nails digging into his brother's arm. I shake my head at this, hoping either the older brother will realize this or that Madam Pomfrey will interfere before it gets too bad and read on.
The troll … they have?
"A LOT! A DOZEN! A MILLION CHOISES! NUMBER ONE – and no offence, Hermione – RUN LIKE HELL!" Sirius shouts, actually hurting Remus' sensitive hearing, making the werewolf clamp his hands on his ears with a yelp and Harry says: "Mum, even if we had run like hell to get a teacher it would have been too late.
Even Snape would have taken too much time to convince and even with that scream we heard it wouldn't have convinced him quick enough to save her." To this the man pulls him back in his shoulder and mutters: "Damn you and your logic." Making me shake my head as I understand his fear before I read on.
Wheeling around … to escape.
"OW CHARLIE!" Ron suddenly yells and everyone jumps in shock, quite a few First and Second years falling off the benches with shocked yelps of fear, while I look up as the details of the chapter made me relive the event. Charlie actually lets go in shock and Ron uses the hand not being crushed by Ginny to rub his pained arm, saying:
"You've been almost breaking my arm since we heard of the troll's appearance. I'm here and alive, aren't I?" And Charlie snaps: "Yeah, and there's four years between now and then. Who says Madame Pomfrey didn't have to heal you for weeks for what happened there?" Ron cringes and Charlie grabs his other hand as he sits back down and I read on.
Harry then … the club. Harry didn't even want to think of whether or not the club would hurt more than a ruthless beating of his uncle and instead tried using his wand to guide the troll away from Ron, by trying to pull his nose in the right direction – through the bathroom door.
"You actually tried to get it to leave – with your wand up his nose?" The twins chorus and while Harry nods, Bill asks: "But what if it had worked and you had jumped off? What if he had then attacked you?" Harry shrugs and says: "I was already preparing for it. All I could think about was getting that beast out of there."
The Weasleys and I look shocked and Harry says: "Hey, I'm going to be honest with you. Back then, the one thing I cared about most was the friendship I had. I wanted that and nothing more and you – you know I wanted to kill myself before. I'm sorry I'm being so hard, but it's the truth. Back then I had major trouble thinking any value about myself.
I still do." Everyone is silenced in shock as Harry had admitted this last part with the softest, most hurting voice I have ever heard him use and he says: "I only believed my future lay in the magical world and if I had to let that future end sooner than I would have liked, back then, so be it. But – but now – now I –."
And he looks at Sirius, his eyes tearing up as he says: "I'd never want to separate from you guys again. I would do anything to protect you, but – I don't want to die. Not anymore." And he hugs his mum, whispering something the spell doesn't register, but that makes Sirius bowl with tears as he hugs his son tightly.
I smile at the mother and son, ever so relieved Harry is feeling like this and think: "It won't last though. I'm sure Harry will have fallbacks once he starts his personal therapy. But with the family he has." And with a smile and a last loving glance at the family, do I continue reading, while thinking: "He'll be okay."
Hermione had … troll's trousers. It didn't seem to do much good, so he aimed it at the mirror and focused on a spell he saw the twins use on Lee's spellbooks every now and again. "Evanesco." And with a large push of his magic, the spell reflected off the mirror and hit his wand, cleaning it.
A sudden … troll's roars. Harry himself wondered why Professor Snape had not shown up sooner as he must have been lots and lots closer to them, heading for the Third floor and all. A moment … a teacher?
"I cannot believe you did that, Mss. Granger." Professor McGonagall tells me and I lower my head, telling her: "I knew Ron and Harry would be in trouble for the Troll and the fact they were in a girl's bathroom and didn't want to tell the truth, because then you would blame them for getting me into this situation in the first place.
And they had just saved my life, while I knew Ron couldn't stand my intelligence, so I felt it no more than fair that I saved their hides as well. I just didn't want them punished while they had just done something I would have never expected from them." The woman nods, but then Sirius asks: "So they weren't punished at all?"
"You want us punished?" Harry asks shocked and white, his mind obviously rushing through memories of older punishments and Sirius says: "Not like what that Muggle did, but not at least giving 11 year olds lines to write makes them reckless and that makes their parents worry, which in return forces their parents into punishing them.
Had I been your parent back then, and even James would have agreed with me here, you would have, at the very least, received a spanking young man. In fact, if I find out you've faced one more being not even 14 year olds should face, you will get that spanking and I don't care that it was 3 years ago. I will not have you recklessly throw away your own safety."
Harry looks shocked and then he shares a glance with me and Ron, motioning with his eyes for Hagrid and I whiten, remembering Norbert later on. But Ron shakes his head and mouths: "Different." To which I nod as Hagrid held us around Norbert, we didn't willingly face the dragon. I sigh relieved and continue the chapter.
"If they … may go."
"ARE YOU MAD?" Remus shouts, shocking us as we had expected a shout from Sirius and not him and he goes on: "You gave me, James and Sirius a week and three days of detention for talking to a Centaur and took James and Sirius off of Quidditch for a week and you actually AWARD POINTS for fighting a BLOODY MOUNTAIN TROLL?"
All the while Sirius is holding Harry as if he wants to glue the boy stuck to his side, his face a mask of fury, while his eyes show how scared he is of what we just read about and Viktor is grumbling in Bulgarian. Then Remus growls: "Minerva, do you even have the slightest idea what kind of example you set for my son here?
You tell him it's okay if he saves lives, something no 11 year old should even think about doing. You tell him it's okay to go up against such monsters even 40-year olds die from encountering. You bloody well show him that he should be doing your work in protecting others and that facing the dangers that threaten the school is his job, WHILE IT SHOULD BE YOURS!"
The woman whitens and he hisses: "The least you could have done is set him and Ron on an essay why Mountain trolls are dangerous creatures. You could have let Albus meet with them and the Weasleys. You could have showed them, by showing them the worry of their parents, what it would cause to their families if they get hurt.
This just strengthens Harry's belief that no one cares whether he lives or dies, as long as he protects what should fall under the protection of adults. This is exactly the kind of behavior of a fan of the Boy-Who-Lived, not my old Head of House, of who I hope to see a glimpse somewhere during this blasted book."
The woman nods, while some of the elder students now look ashamed, having obviously thought the same thing about Harry back then and while the younger years now start to whisper about how right the man is and while Madam Maxime is glaring at the people she is sharing a table with, do I read on, shocked by his words.
They hurried … reminded him. He himself could barely believe they got off no problem, but after Fluffy a month and a half ago and now this monster he was done with creatures at least half a foot taller than him.
Remus sighs relieved and says: "Thank Merlin." And he proudly hugs his son, who smiles at him and says: "Dad, I don't go looking for trouble, it always finds me. I swear it." The man shakes his head and many students who hear the boy snicker as Remus slowly puts Harry back in his wheelchair before I read on.
They had … of them. Even though all three of them would have been more than happy if they never saw that beast again.
Everyone smiles, most of the adults now letting go of their kids, relieved it's all over and Fred says: "Unbelievable that this is how the Golden Trio got together." And Ron asks: "The what?" George shrugs and says: "It's how we all call you. It was after the first Quidditch match in Second year, really, that you got that nickname.
Don't ask us how though, we don't know either." My friends and I look at each other, but personally I don't really care about the nickname, even if I do have a small idea as to how we could have come to achieve it and who could be responsible for it and shrug before I put the book back on the stand, with a small bookmark on the page.
Then Fudge, who had been white throughout the reading and had been turning his bowler hat in his hands the whole time says: "Good, now that that chapter is over, would I like to suggest we rest and take a small snack, while we wait for whoever will be Ludo Bagman's replacement." Everyone nods and I sit back with my friends.
But then – about 10 minutes into the small meal made of sandwiches, pieces of fruits, treacle tart and Every Flavor Beans – Remus suddenly stops talking with Charlie about the differences between Beings like Veela and Creatures like Pixies shudders as if cold and his strange shudder is followed by a childish, high-pitched Hem Hem
