Roz: So...what chapter are we on? Before it was the second part of chapter two and now it's chapter four...I think. At any rate, here it is. *waves flag* I'll hand it over to my partner in crime now, seeing as she's handling all of this stuff.
Zarra Rous: *sarcastically* Oh. That just makes me feel so loved.
*******
Hogwarts University
Chapter Four: Dance Dance Revolution
*******
"Is all in place for the evening's festivities?" Vesdemort asked Jemma and Luna.
"All obstacles have been removed and with the range we'll get from all twelve of us, I can't imagine we'll have any trouble." Jemma answered.
"I did some scouting and it seems that Hufflepuff has broken into teams to follow us around during the ball." Luna added, frowning.
"I've compensated for that already." Vesdemort reached for a piece of rolled parchment with her right hand, her left arm still tingling as it recovered from Feiffer's attack. "These are the groups assigned to each of you girls, I trust that you can dispose of them properly during the course of the night." She handed the paper to Jemma, who tore it into pieces and passed them out to each girl, each piece detailing who was to follow her and giving a physical description for easy identification. "How are all other preparations?"
"Sprik has finished the gowns and they're lovely." Marisol sighed, shifting impatiently in her chair.
"Purple and silver," Melinda added. "We'll be in house colors when we make University history."
"Well girls, since we're going to have a long night I suggest we retire to our rooms and prepare. This house meeting is adjourned." Vesdemort rose and left the common room, followed closely by Jemma and Luna.
*******
"Remind me why Palmerdore agreed to this ridiculous event," Snape growled at Alendi who was briefing him on Sabet's previous lesson plans.
"Because it will be fun Severus!" Alendi replied, a mischievous smile showing she was, as usual, up to something.
"You do know your prefect has started an interhouse war?"
"Yes, isn't it lovely? Though Severus dear, it was Hufflepuff who started the war, we simply plan to finish it." Alendi's eyes twinkled with pride in her girls, though she was having difficulty mentioning Hufflepuff around the foul taste in her mouth whenever the house came to mind.
"They're going to tear the campus apart." Snape set the papers he was looking over aside and cast Alendi a stern glare.
"Come now, my girls have more tact than that and Slytherin house is equally well versed in subterfuge." Batting her eyelashes innocently Alendi followed Snape's example and put Professor Sabet's notes away.
"And Gryffindor?" It was Snape's turn to fight the rising bile in the back of his throat.
Alendi faltered. "Well, they're...persistent little buggers." Placing her head in her hands she sighed, "Honestly, I don't have a clue what Gryffindor's doing on our side."
"I believe it has something to do with the fact that Hufflepuff instigated that blasted duel."
"Don't remind me," Dragnon groaned, "I've been fielding questions left and right about where my prefect learned a Shadow curse. How in Merlin's name am I supposed to know? The child was passed from school to school like a blasted quaffle. A semester here, a few days there- I'm amazed she's been able to stay at the University for so long."
"That family always did like to have their spawn near the nest."
"And thanks to the duel we may lose her, only this time she'll be expelled. If anyone mentions her name in her hearing she'll use a Shadow curse or worse on them, make no mistake of that. The Dark Arts run in her blood like fire barely kept in check."
"Is her father still agitated about his forced resignation from the Ministry?"
"Agitated is a light term, Severus. I hear Miss Vesdemort wants to be a Minister, herself once she gets out of University."
"She'll make a fine Minister if she ever learns to control her temper," Severus commented. "And if she can get over her ineptitude with the basic charms. I've never seen a student botch up Wingardium Leviosa so many times in all the years I've been teaching."
"I heard her first Charms professor in New Zealand say that she managed to summon a wraith on accident," Alendi commented, shivering slightly. "I swear, I'll never understand that child."
*******
"Richard should be here to pick me up shortly," Jemma told Vesdemort and Luna. The fourth years had gathered to await their escorts in Miss Vesdemort's quarters. "Who's taking you, Luna?"
"Jared Kust," Luna chuckled.
"He's a Hufflepuff!" Jemma shrieked.
"And he thinks I'll ditz out and give him information." A wide grin spread over Luna's features. "I'll give him information alright."
"You are, as ever, an asset to our cause Luna," Vesdemort laughed, her face alight with glee.
"And who has the pleasure of escorting our beloved prefect?" Jemma asked.
"No one, I'll be going this one alone. I need to concentrate on the plan."
"Glad I'm not a prefect, " Luna pouted, "it's no fun at all."
"You ladies best get going, your escorts will be here soon." Vesdemort snapped and the door to her room opened for the other two then shut quietly after they had exited.
*******
"Who're you taking to the ball Harry?" Ron asked as he busied himself getting ready. "No one's really caught my eye," Potter sighed, "You taking Hermione?"
"Of course!" Ron beamed, adjusting his tie.
Harry shook his head. "It's going to be bloody chaos, what with Piagera and Gryffindor on different sides of the argument."
"Nah, we'll manage," Ron assured him. "Let's go see what Frances is up to. No offense or anything, but he seems a bit dazed for a prefect if you ask me."
Said prefect was currently in the fourth year room bemoaning his existence. "A bloody rotten day," he groaned, lying back on his bed.
"Keep this up and you'll out-moan Moaning Myrtle," Ron commented, poking his head into the room.
"Can I help you with something Ron?" the prefect asked, sitting up.
"We just came by to see what you were up to," Ron answered, pulling Harry inside the room. "You know, to see if we should be preparing anything for classes tomorrow."
"Well, I suggest you brush up on your Potions or Snape'll dock the house points for it, other than that I can't imagine what you'd need to prepare for. Your blocks are with Slytherin and Britholden so I don't foresee any problems in that respect." Frances paused and shook his head. "That is most likely the first time a Gryffindor has ever uttered those words," he groaned, gripping his head in his hands.
"It's not so bad as all that," Ron said, trying to reassure the distressed man.
"When Tort finds out he's going to strip me of my title for sure," Kuiper groaned.
"But we're on the just side," Harry said, aware of the irony of his words. I'm defending a Riddle, Harry thought to himself, I must be going mad. "Hufflepuff took things too far by attacking Miss Vesdemort's personal life, which is against duel regulations."
"And bloody bad manners," Ron chimed in.
Harry ignored Ron and continued. "The only reason Piagera sided with Hufflepuff was because of Cleo's relationship with Feiffer and the only reason Ravenclaw joined was because of the stigma against Slytherin and Britholden, which is a result of the University adopting the house names of Hogwarts school. We are on the right side and you shouldn't let anyone tell you differently."
"Who're you taking to the ball?" Ron asked suddenly, trying to lighten the mood.
"No one," Frances mumbled, too low for either Ron or Harry to hear.
"Who?" the two first years asked in unison.
"No one," Frances growled. He really didn't want to go into this, he'd already heard it from his fellow fourth years.
"I thought Meredith Kramer asked you," Harry commented.
"And Alice Rogers and a dozen other girls," Ron finished.
"I didn't want to go with them," the prefect replied softly, his eyes taking on a far off expression. "Now, it's time for you first years to meet with Tort, he should be back from his office by now."
"At least ask her to dance with you once instead of being a bloody coward," Ron muttered as Harry pulled him out of the room.
"Easy for you to say, Weasley," Frances grunted, falling back onto his bed and waiting for the other fourth years to come back. "A bloody rotten day."
*******
Feiffer Goodwin had still not recovered from Vesdemort's curse and so Percivel Snoutert, his best friend and fellow fourth year Hufflepuff, gave the welcoming speech which was less than moving. After the speech each house began to spread out, some moving to dance while other made their way towards the refreshments.
"Who's the DJ tonight Professor Dragnon?" Jemma asked after sending Richard to get drinks.
"Professor Lockhart," Alendi said before letting out a long, suffering sigh.
"We'll easily set things into action then, don't forget about your part Professor, we're counting on you!" Jemma ran off before Alendi could respond.
"One track mind, that girl," Alendi mused to herself before looking about to find Severus. She did, after all, have a duty to perform.
*******
"You're being oddly quiet tonight." Vesdemort heard a voice behind her say.
"I haven't been given a reason to make a scene, unless you plan to give me one Frances Kuiper." Will he bugger off, it's almost time to put the plan into action.
"Would you like to dance?" he asked, his body trembling as he endeavored not to run at the scowl Vesdemort gave him.
"Why?" The prefect's eyes darted to the side and she noticed a group of three Hufflepuffs coming to stand next to her. That must be the group that's supposed to track me tonight.
Frances shrugged and tried to look nonchalant. "It passes the time and will show Hufflepuff that our houses are, indeed united against them."
"A noble motive," Vesdemort grinned. If I dance with him then I'll be able to move towards the rendezvous point without arousing any suspicion. "Very well then, we dance to confuse and intimidate the enemy."
*******
"What's going on over there?" Percivel asked Cleo, spinning her around so she could see.
"That Britholden girl is dancing with the Gryffindor idiot. Disgraces both of them. We can call group Alpha back in, we can watch Vesdemort from here." Cleo allowed Percivel to spin her around again so he could give the signal for the team following Vesdemort to disperse.
*******
"What the devil is Vesdemort doing, dancing with a Gryffindor," Severus snarled.
"She must be starting her term project for Harlotry studies early. She always was an overachiever in her better classes." Alendi smiled when she caught her pupil's gaze over the crowd. "She seems awfully agitated about something though."
*******
If he steps on my feet one more time, I'm going to kill him. Miss Vesdemort caught Professor Dragnon's eye and smiled when she saw Snape standing next to her- their key diversion was in place. As she danced with Frances she sought out her housemates and nodded for each of them to commence the operation.
*******
"There's the signal," Severa told Sabina, who had chosen to follow the blonde around. "It's our job to get the DJ to play a slow song."
"Yeah," Sabina sighed. She'd asked Draco to dance and he'd told her to piss off at which point she'd run to Severa and hung resolutely by her side while devising a plan to lure Draco to her. Quickly and quietly the two blondes made their way to the DJ booth where Lockhart stood, posing.
"Professor Lockhart, would you mind playing the song you composed last year after you recovered from your illness? I've always found it so inspirational." Severa tried not to spit the words out too quickly, though had difficulty not frowning as she spoke. With some effort she managed to plaster a doting smile on her face, though she would most definitely speak to Jemma about giving her such a foul task to perform.
"Of course my dear," Lockhart sighed, striking a tragic pose. "Shortly after my tragic bout with amnesia I composed this soft ballad to express the dark days and nights I experienced, not knowing the glory that is me." Lockhart cast a quick smile to Sabine who pretended to swoon, just as she and Severa had practiced moments before. "Celebrity is as celebrity does, girls, always remember that. It will get you through the darkest of times." He winked and they sighed in unison. "Now go and dance girls, have fun, enjoy this wonderful night!" A soft melody began to play and Severa and Sabine made their way to the rendezvous point.
"They owe me for that," Severa growled, gagging as Lockhart's crooning echoed throughout the Hall.
*****
"Come Severus, we're going to dance," Alendi instructed, tugging on Snape's arm.
"I will not embarrass myself in such a manner," Snape snarled, snatching his arm back.
"But Severus, no one else will dance with me and you still owe me a dance from..."
"Alright," Snape sighed, "Just don't mention that day again." Snape grudgingly took Alendi's hand and they moved to the side of the dance floor.
This will never do. Dragnon thought, slowly maneuvering both of them toward the center of the dance floor. Much better.
****
If I don't get away from him soon I'm going to kick him Vesdemort growled mentally, perking up slightly when Lockhart's song began. Showtime! Wriggling away from Frances Vesdemort smiled brightly at the prefect. "I should be checking on my girls and checking in with Professor Dragnon, it's been lovely, goodbye." She all but ran to meet her fellow fourth years.
"Dragnon's done her part, she and Snape've got all the attention," Luna chuckled as Vesdemort approached.
"Girls! Come have a dance with us!" Dragnon called. Luna, Jemma, and Vesdemort smiled at one another then walked up to the dancing pair and curled around them, hands joined. The rest of the house soon followed, forming an outer circle that swayed slightly in a large group hug. The school watched, fascinated at Britholden's display of house solidarity. Suddenly Lockhart's voice rose in pitch in the song as his "dramatic moment" came and the Britholden girls turned in unison, wands out.
"Vox Imperius Musicus Infitatum," the girls called, brilliant red light sparking from the tips of their wands and vanishing just as the song ended. Everyone present applauded the beautiful fireworks display.
"What did they just do?" Snape asked Dragnon, panic evident in his eyes.
"To tell the truth, I'm not sure Severus, but whatever they did it's going to be amazing," Alendi replied, vaguely worried when nothing vile had happened following the curse.
****
"What was that 'Mione?" Ron asked, watching the slowly dispersing Britholden girls warily.
"I haven't got a clue, I've never heard of it but, if what I hear about Britholden is true, it's some sort of curse."
"But they didn't directly attack anyone," Harry countered, his brow furrowing in puzzlement.
"A curse can be directed by will alone," a voice replied. The three friends turned to see Frances frowning toward the door to the Hall.
"Then how could the first years have cursed anyone, we didn't learn that yet," Ron sighed. "They just did some light show to make us nervous."
"Hold on," Harry said, a though striking him. "Frances, is it possible that a stronger will could direct a curse for someone?"
"It is possible. Very tricky, but possible." The prefect continued to frown at the door.
"Those Britholden's are a tricky lot," Hermione thought aloud, "the three fourth years might've been able to direct the curse for the first years.
"But that doesn't explain why nothing happened but some nice fireworks," Ron argued. "If they put a curse on something or someone then we would've seen it."
"Unless he's not here," Hermione ventured.
"What are you gettin' at 'Mione?" Ron stepped back from his friend.
"What if the curse was meant for Feiffer Goodwin? What if Vesdemort wanted to finish what she started."
Frances chose that moment to travel in the direction his gaze had held.
"I don't think that was a wise accusation to make Hermione," Harry sighed, watching Frances storm off. "Not that it isn't possible," he amended at the glance Hermione sent him, "I just don't think some people want to hear it spelled out, if you follow me."
"Granger!" came Cleo Zilbergeld's command.
"I guess that means the dance is over, see you guys tomorrow." Hermione gave Harry a quick hug and Ron a kiss before trotting off to her prefect's side to be berated for 'consorting with the enemy.'
"Poor 'Mione, Cleo's been a mess since Goodwin got zapped by that curse and has been taking her frustration out on all the first years," Ron commented, shrugging off his suit jacket.
"Speaking of messes," Harry interjected, his eyes now on the Hall door, "we best go see what our prefect's gotten himself into."
"Harry?"
"Yes Ron?"
"How in Merlin's name did such an emotionally inept wizard become a prefect?"
Harry ran a hand through his hair nervously. "He's a great wizard Ron, I'm sure of that, but if what I hear of him is true, he's not used to not getting his way and this entire...ordeal has him a bit frazzled." There was no need to say what the 'ordeal' was as the entire school knew about it though none were brave enough to name it in public.
"But really Harry, he's in his fourth year, you'd think that he'd have done something by now."
"Maybe the opportunity hadn't presented itself until now. The first two years at University are always hectic and..."
"But he had almost all his bloody classes with her," Ron interrupted.
"He might've been paying attention in class Ron, I've heard it helps." A cheeky smile played across Harry's mouth and Ron laughed and smacked him on the shoulder.
"Okay, okay, let's go see if Frances wants to play some Wizard's Chess." Ron took off before Harry could respond.
****
"That was bloody beautiful," Luna chirped from her seat at the common room meeting table.
"It was, wasn't it?" Indiga sighed, playing with the rose an admirer had given her.
"Indiga, can I see that flower please?" Jemma asked, holding out her hand. Pulling out her wand Jemma tapped the flower and muttered, "Revertus." The flower quickly transfigured into a radio recorder and Jemma scowled before handing the item back. "Really Indiga, you should've known better."
"Anyone else pick anything up?" Vesdemort asked, giving a nod to Jemma as congratulations for her thoughtfulness.
"I got a flower, too" Melinda replied, "but I threw it away."
"Nicely done. Indiga, could you please dispose of that then rejoin us?" Jemma asked, gesturing to the recorder.
Indiga rose from her seat, set the device on the floor, then lowered her heeled boot onto it several times, smashing the offensive device. "They're gonna pay for that one," she promised as she brutalized the now mangled box.
"They already have been paid back plenty," Luna chirped, clapping her hands in joy.
"Miss Vesdemort, why didn't the curse work?" Severa asked, frowning. She was certainly not convinced of the prefect's supposed magical prowess.
"The curse begins with the rising of the sun tomorrow, Miss Valfoy. It wouldn't do to expose the game immediately, the enemy must first sweat a bit." A feral grin accented Vesdemort's words.
"Miss Vesdemort! A word before I head out please!" Dragnon called from the top of the stairs.
"Jemma, carryon on in my absence." Vesdemort quietly walked up the stairs to Alendi's quarters. "Yes Professor?" she called to the closed door that opened for her almost immediately.
"Vesdemort, I wanted to speak with you about your independent project." Alendi sat at her vanity, brushing through her hair.
"Yes, well, I thought that I'd..."
"Use Mr. Kuiper as your project, I know dear! I can't tell you how proud I was to see you starting to..."
"Professor, you don't understand, I wasn't..."
"Oh don't be bashful dear, it's a noble project, one of the most ambitious I've seen in years." Alendi's smile killed all protests the prefect had- she simply couldn't disappoint her mentor.
"I'll update you on it as I progress," Vesdemort sighed. Sweet Merlin, what on Earth am I going to do now?
****
"Um...Frances," Ron tapped the prefect on the shoulder, starting him out of his thoughts. Harry and Ron had tracked the prefect to the Quidditch pitch where he sat, his back against a hoop pole.
"Shouldn't you boys be in bed?" Frances asked, pushing chocolate brown locks out of his face. "Big day tomorrow."
"One might say the same for you," Harry replied, moving to sit next to Frances.
"This is a beautiful field," Ron commented, eyeing the rings with glee. "What positions are open on the team this year?"
"Keeper, one Chaser, and one Beater." Frances replied before looking to Harry. "Afraid 'ol Rika is still got one more season in her before she's drafted Harry, but you're sure to succeed her."
"Rika the Rocket?" Ron nearly giggled. "She's the fastest Seeker on the college books!"
"As long as she's not being smacked down by a bludger," Frances grumbled, bitterness creeping into his voice.
"Let me guess, Slytherin," Harry laughed.
"Britholden," Frances corrected, dropping his head to rest in his palms. "Every blasted game they manage to get Rika with a bludger, if not two. She spent a week in the infirmary growing her bones back last time we played Britholden."
"That's horrid," Ron gasped.
"It's a part of the game, Ron," Harry countered. "Do I need to remind you f all the bludgers I've had sent my way?"
"But every game, Harry, that's ridiculous. You'd think there'd be a rule for that sort of cruelty."
"Harry's right Ron," Frances sighed, "We just have to deal with it.
Harry smiled at the prefect while rubbing his hands over his arms to combat the chill night air. "Why are you out here in the cold Frances, it's nearly suicidal."
"Just thinking," the prefect replied, his gaze moving out to take in the opposite hoops. "I was thinking about a Quidditch game I saw my first year at University. It was between Slytherin and Britholden and it was brutal."
"I'll bet," Ron whistled.
"The Britholden Seeker had been taken out by a bludger so they sent in their replacement Seeker, a first year who'd never played the position in game before."
"Five sickles says I know who it was," Ron whispered to Harry who grinned and shook his head- he wasn't prepared to make a bet he knew he'd lose.
"The game lasted two days because each team kept losing players and, in Britholden's case, that can be dangerous given that they've only got 12 girls in the house."
"Bloody hell, you need at least 30 to play a decent match, especially at collegiate level," Ron gasped.
"Britholden won, the new girl caught the Snitch during the second night by executing the Wronski Feint. It was brilliant and none of us expected her to be able to perform the maneuver." A sigh escaped quickly chapping lips. "After the match I went up to introduce myself and compliment her on her dive but she was already busy chatting with her teammates about the injured Seeker's health. Next year, when the actual Seeker graduated she stepped up to the position. She's no Rika, but she's good enough to win her share of games."
"Hold on," Harry murmured, "If Britholden only has 12 girls in the house, do they all play Quidditch?"
"It's a house requirement, or so I'm told," Frances replied, shrugging.
"So do you mean to tell us that you've had a crush on her for four years and you've done nothing about it?" Ron's jaw was set and his brow was arched in disbelief. He's an idiot, an absolute idiot.
"It's not that I haven't tried Ron, but you have to understand that she's not the most approachable person on campus."
"That's an understatement," Harry muttered under his breath.
"First year she was stuck to Professor Dragnon's side almost all day, second year she was always busy training for Quidditch, third year she holed up in the library studying for classes, and this year she's got her duties as prefect and will probably cloister herself up in her house."
"Then drag her out of her house or talk to her at prefect meetings," Ron offered.
"Yes Ron, I'll just march up to Britholden house and demand that she come out," Frances replied sarcastically. "And prefect meetings aren't social gatherings where one can strike up a casual conversation. This blasted...crush is bad enough, I don't need the other prefects finding out and mocking me."
"I think they already know Frances, you've been quite obvious about it," Harry said, slapping a mosquito.
"The drool gives it away every time," Ron added.
"I do not drool," the prefect protested.
"If you don't mind me asking, what do you see in her? She seems a bit evil to me, no offense," Harry slapped another mosquito as he waited for Frances to answer.
"She's not the prettiest girl on campus, or the best Quidditch player, or even a powerful witch really," Frances admitted, his eyes looking far off. "But I'm puzzled by the way her mind works. She always manages to come up with the most amazing things, like that curse; I'm sure she wrote it, we haven't studied it here." Frances paused, deliberating over his next words. "If you ever see her in a true duel you'll see what I'm getting at. She has this aggressive way of manipulating a situation just so-- probably something she refined during her time in Britholden, but it was there even during the month she spent at Beauxbatons."
He likes her because she's evil Harry commented silently. She's cold and manipulative and he finds it attractive. Best keep an eye on him. Aloud he said, "It's getting on, we should get to bed."
"What about Wizard's Chess?" Ron complained, though under his complaint was a quiet signal that he wanted to talk to Harry about what Frances had just spoken of.
"Tomorrow," Harry promised, standing. "We need to be awake for Potions."
"Potions," Ron groaned. "Just when we thought we were rid of Snape we're stuck with him for another year." Ron scrambled to his feet, offering a hand to Frances.
"He can't be all that bad," Frances said, smiling.
"Oh yes he can," Ron grumbled. "And we endured seven years of him."
"It's only temporary Ron, they'll find a new Potions master soon...I hope." Harry offered a weak smile and trudged toward Gryffindor house, his spirits darkened.