A/N: Hello everybody! Look at this! Not even a week and I've got another one out! I think this one is kinda cute ^.^ it makes me smile. Anyway, I know it's not christmas yet, but here at the cafeteria it's decked out completely in christmas stuff! It's awesome! Anyway, I hope you like this chapter, I do. Thanks to everyone who read this, favorited it, added it to their alerts, added me to their favorite authors, added me to their author alerts and reviewed! You guys are just amazing!
Hope you enjoy!!
Seventeen: Yule Tide Carols
Jared grinned at the students filling the Gryffindor common room from atop the twins' shoulders. He held the golden egg above his head, laughing as they cheered.
"Come on, Jared, open it!" A fifth year called to the Boy-Who-Lived from amidst the crowd.
Jared laughed. "You really want me to open it?"
"Yeah!"
Jared laughed again. He brought his right hand up to the three leaves that were holding the golden egg closed. He twisted the leaves and the worst possible scream echoed around the common room. Jared was dropped as the twins and everyone else tried to cover their ears. As quickly as he could, he turned the leaves back to their original places, shutting off the sound.
"What the bloody hell was that?" Ron had arrived and everyone went silent as Jared glared at the youngest Weasley son.
"Alright everyone go back to your knitting. This will be awkward enough without all you noisy sods listening in." Fred said as Ron walked up to him. The twins turned and walked a little ways away.
Everyone turned away as well, pretending to talk or continue homework as Ron stopped in front of Jared.
Jared just raised an eyebrow at Ron, waiting.
"I figured you had to be barking mad to put your own name into the Goblet of Fire." Ron started.
"Took you long enough," Jared snapped.
"I wasn't the only one who'd think you'd done it. Everyone was saying it behind your back," Ron answered.
Jared sighed, peaking at the others that surrounded him and Ron. "Brilliant. That makes me feel loads better."
"At least I warned you about the dragons," Ron said.
"The twins warned me about the dragons."
Ron opened his mouth but closed it again when he realised Jared was right.
Jared raised an eyebrow again. "Why should I forgive you?"
"I've been your best friend since we were three," Ron stated with confidence.
Jared crossed his arms. "The twins have also been my best friends since we were three, and they didn't turn their backs on me."
Fred and George stepped up behind Jared then and placed an arm on each of his shoulders. "That's right, Ronnikins." George said.
Ron tightened his hold on the red thing he had in his hands. His knuckles began to turn white as his eyes slowly narrowed at the three.
Jared smirked; a smirk that usually belongs to the Slytherin's.
Ron's eyes widened slightly at that. "You have been hanging around with the Slytherin's," he accused.
Jared rolled his eyes. "They believed me; it's not my fault my own house decided to turn their backs. Some house loyalty," he growled.
Many of the students looked ashamed at that, while others joined Ron in narrowing their eyes.
"We're not the traitors; you are!" Ron shouted.
Jared growled, narrowing his hazel eyes at the idiot in front of him. "I am no traitor. I just learned something new; the twins agree too."
Fred and George nodded at this, grinning madly at their younger brother. "Yes, we learned something new indeed."
Jared chuckled with the twins as they turned and headed up the dormitory stairs.
Ron glared after them before turning and stalking away, grumbling under his breath.
The Slytherin's, from years three and above, were gathered in the Great Hall, boys on one side and girls on the other. It was December 4th and Snape was just gliding through the doors. His black robes billowed out behind him as he came in and stopped in front of a record player.
"I'm going to assume that your parents, being purebloods, gave you dance lessons." He drawled, looking over his students.
Everyone nodded, even the Stone's. They had started with Kyrene and Lucius taught them a few things too.
Snape nodded, "Wonderful." He stated. "I want you to pair up and I'll wander through and determine if you're ready for the Yule Ball or not. The ball itself will be held the Saturday before Christmas, which is the twentieth. For those of you heading home, you'll be heading home the day after."
The students nodded as they stood up and began partnering up. Draco stood up and offered his hand to Harry who beamed up at him and took his hand. Hermione and Ginny giggled at her brother and his mate as Draco pulled Harry close and they started to dance to the music that danced around the room.
Gregory offered his hand to Hermione while Theodore Nott offered his to Ginny. The two girls smiled up at them and they too began to dance.
Severus glided through the throng of students, watching them twist and twirl and shuffle. They were all very good; they were purebloods after all.
Severus' hand once again reached up to rub at the insistent itching feeling that resided behind his ear. The dark mark on his arm had started to become more noticeable, darker. He was wondering what would be happening.
Lucius had told him many stories when Severus had come to visit him at Slytherin Castle. So, now, five months later, he was contemplating everything he's heard; from Draco to Lucius to Lily to Harry.
He scowled as he stopped next to the record player. Why must everything be so complicated?
Jared stared at the twins who sat across from him with shy smiles. Shy. He still couldn't get over the fact that the twins were shy. They were never shy.
Jared shook his head to try and dispel his other thoughts. No good to dwell on that now. No, what he should be dwelling on is the fact that the twins had just asked him to the Yule Ball; to go as three.
A smile slowly started to make his way across his lips as he studied the two pranksters in front of him. That thought stopped him.
"This isn't a prank, right?"
The twins shook their heads fiercely. "We would never"
"Ever"
"In a million years"
"Toy with your feelings."
Jared allowed the smile to grow before he nodded. "I'd love to then."
The twins grinned widely and jumped up, rushing around the table and pulling him into a hug. Jared giggled, a blush spreading over his cheeks when he realised he did something so girly, as the twins hugged him and kissed all over his face.
Dumbledore paced his office, scowling at the floor. His right hand was stroking his beard while his left hand was behind his back. "This is not working," he mumbled. "Damn Potter brats."
The five portraits studied the scowling headmaster, trying to figure out what he was complaining about this time.
"Really, candyman, what did you expect?" Isaac Kellerman mused, stroking his own black beard.
Dumbledore scowled up at him.
Isaac smirked, "What's got your knickers in a twist this time?"
"Nothing," Dumbledore snapped as he continued his pacing.
Monica Jerrod snorted, "Yes, like we believe that. Come now, you know you can trust us."
Dumbledore's eyes just glanced at her before turning back and continuing on his path across his office.
Isabella Rockwell sighed, "Honestly, it won't be long now."
Dumbledore chuckled darkly before clearing his throat. "That's what you think," he muttered as he walked to his desk and sat down in his high back chair. He touched the tip of his wand to the bottom most drawer on the right hand side of his desk. It sprang open with a click and he pulled out the small, leather, purple journal that sat inside.
The five portraits all tried to get a look at the book he was holding. It was plain on the front, no initials or markings, just a button that had a leather strap wrapped around it to keep the book closed. They watched Dumbledore unravel the strap and carefully open the old journal.
"Purple is such a lovely color, isn't it? It reminds me of spring time, with all the flowers blooming and smiles passing around. I do love spring." Lady Evelyn Karst said, her blue eyes taking on a far away gaze. "I can't wait for spring."
The others shook her head, not understanding a word she said.
Dumbledore grinned maliciously when he found the spell he was searching for. He stood up and headed out of the room, taking the book with him.
The portraits looked at each other and shook their heads, wondering what fate will befall the school next.
Classes ended the nineteenth, the students rushing from their last classes. The hot topic around the school was the Yule Ball being held tomorrow night. Everyone had dates, including Ron Weasley who had finally mucked up the courage to ask Lavender Brown.
Jared sat on his bed that night, twirling his wand between his fingers. He was staring blankly at his bedspread, trying to keep his tears from flowing. His curtains were drawn shut and protected with silencing and locking charms.
Jared shakily reached out and grabbed the red howler from the owl's beak. He was alone in his dorm, sitting on his bed. The owl flew out the window a moment later and the red envelope forced its way out of Jared's hands and began speaking.
"HOW DARE YOU AGREE TO GO WITH THE WEASLEY TWINS?! FIRST, THEY ARE BOYS! MY SON CANNOT BE A POOF! SECOND, THEY ARE TWINS! IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE DISOWNED, YOU WILL REFUSE TO GO TO WITH THEM. PICK A NICE GRYFFINDOR GIRL, NOT A BOY. YOU HAVE SHAMED THE POTTER NAME!"
The letter had torn itself up after that and the tears had fallen down his cheeks in silence.
Jared shook his head forcefully, trying to dispel that memory from his mind. He hadn't listened to his father, but he didn't much care. He wanted to go with the twins; after all the more recent dreams he had been having had been growing in detail.
James had held true to his statement and the Potter line was now going to end with James. Jared hadn't cared; after all, this year would be when Tom came back.
A small smile came to his lips as he heard the other boys come into the dorm. He heard them go through their normal night time routine and he sighed, falling back on his bed. Tomorrow night would be a good night; he just had a gut feeling.
The next day, girls were giggling, boys were gloating and the atmosphere was happy. Talk all around was of the ball that night, even more so than the day before. Girls were comparing dresses and offering to do the others hair while boys compared dates and tuxes.
Harry and Draco, obviously, were going together. They were sitting at the Slytherin table, smiling at each other. Ginny grumbled, her arms crossed and pouting. Her mate was refusing to acknowledge her presence in his mind. He was pushing her away and it hurt; it hurt her heart and soul that cried out to her mate. He couldn't hear it though.
Hermione and Luna were going together as well; Hermione's Elvin side couldn't stand the thought of someone else touching what was hers. Luna had smiled, took Hermione's hand and led her up to the Astronomy tower.
Hermione sighed happily as she recalled that night in her mind. Luna was clearly the more dominant one out of the two of them, not that Hermione minded. Her Elvin side relished in it.
It seemed all of the elves were submissive; Ginny noticed this after Hermione had told her what had happened between her and Luna. Ginny tapped the side of her head as she mulled over this in her mind. Clearly this was a trait between all elves.
Ginny shook her head and smiled over at Theodore who had joined them at the table. Theo had asked her last week and, since her mate was practically rejecting her, she said yes.
Ten hours later, at about seven, the Great Hall was slowly filling with students. The four champions were outside the doors, McGonagall instructing them to wait.
"Professor?" Jared called and McGonagall turned to him. "Why are we waiting out here?"
"The champions are to dance first; surely I told you that."
Jared's eyes widened, "No."
"Oh, well now you know." McGonagall said before she moved along, ushering students into the hall.
The twins turned to Jared and smirked. "Not to worry, Jared dear,"
"We'll capture the attention of the entire hall"
"By our amazing dance moves"
"And our gorgeous selves."
Jared sighed and rolled his eyes heaven-ward. "Merlin help me," he mumbled.
Harry passed by Jared and waved, giggling. "I always knew you'd make an entrance."
Jared glared at his half-brother who was led into the hall by his smirking mate.
"So, Jared,"
"Tell us your relationship"
"With the dear Slytherin's."
"Harry's my half-brother." Jared stated as they all lined up, Jared and the twins at the back.
The twins' eyes widened, "Really?"
Jared nodded as the doors opened and they started into the Great Hall. It was decked out in all white, snow sprinkling from the ceiling to dissolve just before it would reach their heads. The normal tables were replaced with round tables that would seat eight. There was a dance floor at the front of the hall where the staff table normally was. Along the walls were tables filled with food and drinks. The tables were all covered in white cloths and the chairs were white as well.
The students were gathered around the dance floor in a circle, a small break for the champions to walk through to the middle. The champions walked through, smiles on their nervous faces. They turned to each other as they stopped in the center. Jared was the filling of a twin sandwich, his hands held by theirs that were linked together.
The band on the stage shifted slightly as they brought their instruments up from their original positions on the floor. The champions shifted just slightly as well, and the audience all turned their attention away from their dates and towards the champions. Music began to float around the hall, little notes dancing through the snow and into the ears of the students and staff.
The champions began to twirl around the dance floor, swaying across the floor in time with the beat of the song. They twirled and twisted around each other, before the staff started to join them, Dumbledore offering his hand to McGonagall. Draco pulled Harry towards him and joined the others on the dance floor. Luna smiled at Hermione and took her hand, pulling her onto the dance floor to join the dancers. Theo and Blaise mimicked the other two, taking Ginny and Pansy's hand to twirl them onto the floor.
Severus scowled at Theodore without realizing he was doing it. Once he blinked, he looked away from the dancing couple with a scowl and glared at the floor.
Ron scowled from his seat beside Lavender at one of the tables. Their chairs were pointed towards the dance floor, Lavender bobbing along to the music.
"Come on, Ron, let's dance." Lavender pouted her lips, twirling a lock of her brown hair around her finger.
Ron's eyes shifted to her before turning back to scowl at the dancers. He was actually scowling at his older brothers and the Boy-Who-Lived. They were still on the dance floor, close together, and swaying to the slow song that the band was playing. Just a little ways from them were Draco and Harry and Hermione and Luna.
Ron's scowl deepened. Bloody Slytherin's, he thought as Lavender finally sighed and stood up to join the Parvati twins. Ron turned to scowl at her as he watched her skip away from him as well. Bloody idiots, the lot of 'em, he crossed his arms and pouted before quickly shaking his head and turning his pout into a scowl.
Harry laid his head down on Draco's shoulder, smiling happily. He tightened his hand that was being held by Draco's just slightly, causing Draco to squeeze back and lay his head on top of Harry's.
"I love you," Harry whispered.
Draco smiled against Harry's head, pressing a kiss to the black locks. "I love you too."
Harry sighed happily, his smile widening.
Jared sat staring out of the compartment window on the Hogwarts Express. James had demanded that he return for the winter holidays. He was sitting in a compartment with the twins who were on either side of him. He had his head on Fred's shoulder, staring passed him and outside. Fred's arm was wrapped around his shoulders while George's was wrapped around his waist.
Jared sighed and let his eyes fall close, shifting just slightly on Fred's shoulder. Fred's arm twitched and George's head fell to his shoulder, his right hand taking up one of his and playing with his fingers.
"You'll be alright, right?" George mumbled through his shirt.
Jared sighed, "I don't know. I haven't any idea what he's going to do."
"We'll always stand by you," Fred whispered.
Jared sighed, smiling, "Thank you."
The Gryffindor Red train slowly stopped at platform 9 ¾, showing parents waiting, searching through the windows for their children. There were even parents from Norway and France, here to pick up their kids that had gotten the chance to take the Hogwarts Express.
Jared searched the platform for his father, walking between the twins. He felt a hand wrap around his neck and he gave a startled shout before he was apparated away. Fred and George had turned to him when he cried out, and looked fearful at the thunderous look that was possessing James Potter's face.
James let go of his son as they landed in the front entrance hall of Potter Manor. There was a scowl on his face as he studied the disgrace he was given. Jared was looking fearfully down at his shoes, too scared to actually meet his father's eyes.
"Well?" James questioned. "Don't you have anything to say for yourself?"
Jared shook his head, refusing to break up with the twins.
James growled, "I will not have a fagot live in this house!"
Jared straightened his shoulders and looked his father square in the eyes. "I refuse to dump the twins. They will always stand by me. I will not bow to your every whim. I don't care if you disown me; I don't give a shit what you do. I refuse to act like you; you are not the father I want you to be."
James' eyes widened. "I am your father and you will listen to me."
Jared glared at him, "No. I don't love you. You are a pathetic glory hound that picks on others because you need to make others feel small so you can feel good about yourself. I hope mom didn't choose you; she never deserved you. Nobody in this world deserves you. You deserve to wallow in grief; alone."
James snarled at his son, "If you want to have a roof over your head, you will cease these pathetic ways."
"I'll be gone tomorrow morning," Jared stated before turning and heading up the stairs to his room.
James just stood there, staring with wide, furious eyes at the spot his son had once stood. He turned and stalked towards his study, believing Jared would still be there by tomorrow morning. He grabbed his bottle of firewhiskey and a glass out of his liquor cabinet and sat down on his favourite armchair, pouring himself a generous amount.
Jared, meanwhile, was in his room, writing a letter to his mother. He attached it to Shadow, giving him specific instructions to wait for a reply.
When you return to school, gather a sample of your brother's blood. Have it on you when you go for the third task.
"How do you know I'll make it to the third task?" Jared whispered.
I have faith. Once you figure out the clue, think of all possible angles. Sometimes even ask the most unlikely person you could think of.
Jared nodded, "I will."
Good. I will see you at the end of the year.
Jared nodded again and smiled. He felt the presence leave as he headed to his bedroom door and looked both ways down the hallway. Not seeing his father, he stepped out of his room and headed towards the library at the end of the hall. He quietly opened the door and quickly checked inside to make sure James wasn't about. Still seeing no one he stepped inside and started through the rows of books. He headed to the back, turning right at the last shelf and heading into the dark corner. He kneeled and pulled the last book on the bottom shelf before standing and making his way back to his room.
Shadow was waiting with an envelope in his beak and Jared rushed over to him. He pulled the envelope free and opened the top drawer on his desk, pulling out his owl treats. Shadow hooted to him before flying over to his spot in the corner. Jared pulled out the letter and a button.
Jared,
Whenever you're ready, say 'Everlasting' to the button; it will activate the portkey. You'll be brought into the front entrance of Slytherin Castle. We'll see you soon.
All my love,
Lily.
Jared smiled and quickly put the last of his belongings into his trunk. He turned to Shadow and smiled. "We're heading to mothers. I'll meet you there?"
Shadow hooted again before flying out the still open window, disappearing into the night.
Jared grinned and closed his trunk, grabbing the handle and taking a hold of the button. He grabbed the letter and stuffed it into his pocket, not wanting his father to find out where he went.
"Everlasting," Jared stated after grabbing his trunk, and he disappeared with a pull at his navel.