Chapter Ten
Good To Be Back
:.:.:
I woke up that morning next to George Weasley. No, not next to. More like...on...sort of. My head was on his chest, his hand resting on my head as though he were playing with my hair. And maybe it was because I finally felt...safe, or maybe I just simply liked the feeling, his warm ambery scent, but I just laid there for a while. Sunlight was spilling into the dormitory as much as it could. Not much penetrated the four-poster curtains, though. But when George began stirring a bit, I knew he'd woken up. That was when I shut my eyes in case he checked to see if I was awake too (and he did check). And after, he, too, continued to lay there just the way we were. He even started stroking my hair back. It was sort of hard to do considering my curls and knots, but he was gentle, twisting curls around his finger. But he stopped immediately after hearing the same rustling I did from another four-poster.
Fred, at least I assumed, gave a deliberately loud yawn, George completely freezing. His chest hardened like marble under my head. I finally lifted myself from it and we shared a wide-eyed look of alarm.
"Rise and shine, vagabonds!" Fred called out, audibly pealing away his curtains.
My hand instantly flew to cover my mouth to stifle a giggle. George's hand joined in, pretending it would actually make a difference.
"Lee, was that you or did you bring home a broad last night, you saucy imp?" He must've pulled back the curtains from Lee's bed.
"What're you on about?" Lee groaned groggily. "I didn't hear a thing."
"Do my ears deceive me or is it you, Georgie?" I could clearly detect Fred's voice getting closer.
George panicked and threw a hand to my chest, nearly pushing me off the bed. "Your ears deceive you!" he shouted to his twin, gesturing for me to go. Just before Fred pulled back George's curtains, I was standing on the other side of the bed, behind those curtains. Luckily, George's four-poster was the closest to the wall.
"Too bad," said Fred. "Thought maybe that's where Demetria's been hiding all this time."
George gave a nervous laugh, probably getting out of bed, and I got down on the floor to check for crawl space under it. The good news: there was, and so I crawled underneath. The bad news: there were quite a few other things under his bed besides myself. Mainly clothes...some pranking products...
"Speaking of hiding, where'd you disappear to last night, George?" Lee inquired.
"I went looking for Demetria again, is all," he said effortlessly...though probably because that technically wasn't a lie.
"Well you must've found her then, if you were gone all night," Fred suggested.
"No, I didn't actually," he lied. "I went up to the Clock Tower and just...sat and thought."
"About what?" pressed Lee.
They were all moving about, probably getting ready for classes.
"Her, mainly," George told them. He sounded genuine about that. I wondered if any part of it was true.
"Sorry, mate," said Fred softly. "I can't imagine how it must've felt to see her and Cedric..." his voice trailed off, not needing to go any further. We all knew he meant mine and Cedric's kiss at the Yule Ball. No wonder George had gotten so angry...for everything.
"Well they aren't official or anything, so maybe there's still hope for you two," Lee offered brightly.
"I seriously doubt that," said George, crestfallen. "You guys go on ahead, I'll be down in a minute."
I waited, even after I heard the door open and close, before crawling out from under the bed. And I was expecting to see a George matching the one I'd just heard a moment ago, but instead he was standing in the mirror, adjusting his tie, looking as though he didn't have a care in the world.
"It wasn't really necessary to hide under the bed, love," he told me with an amused smirk.
I looked down and felt the need to dust myself off, though nothing was really on me. I was still clad in nothing but George's button-down shirt. "George...I'm sorry." I wasn't sure what else to say.
He turned and looked to me in confusion. "It's nothing to be sorry about, love, I'm the one who's sorry — I should probably be a bit more organized."
"I'm not talking about that," I told him seriously.
"I just needed to tell them something they could belie —"
"It's true, I know it is, it explains everything," I rushed out.
"Dem..." He still looked as though he would protest, still gave me that playful smirk as though it were nothing.
"Don't lie to me, George."
That wiped the grin right off his face. He didn't speak for a while; shrugged his shoulders, ears reddening a bit before he finally did. "It doesn't matter."
"Of course it does!" I objected.
"Does it change how you feel?"
"I don't —"
It happened before I'd even registered it. George had grabbed me by the waist and pressed his lips to mine. I was expecting it to be rough, given the moment, but he was...gentle. It had already been longer than my kiss with Cedric... In fact, it felt as though it lasted hours. I thought of my kiss with Cedric, mouth gradually opening and he responding with his tongue. But then I realized...it wasn't Cedric... I pulled away, George staring back at me expectantly. But after a moment of silence, his face fell. I didn't even have to answer his previous question.
"I-I'm sorry."
"Like I said, it doesn't matter," he convinced himself more than me, reaching for his grey uniform sweater.
"Yes, it —"
"It doesn't change how you feel and so it doesn't matter," he didn't sound angry, just stern...and grim.
"I still care about you so it does matter," I argued. "I care about how you feel, you're my friend —"
"Yeah, we're great friends!" George exclaimed. "And I knew that you obviously fancied Diggory too! And yet, somehow, that didn't stop me...from putting my heart on the line!"
"George —"
"Just let me finish," he said, composing himself. "Alright, that was out of line...I didn't have to tell you how I felt. But I did because...I thought maybe there was a chance you felt the same way I did. You wanted to stay with me last night...laid your head on me... I knew you were awake, by the way."
"I didn't mean to — If I led you on or — I just..." I should've realized this sooner. I gave George false hope. It was all my fault.
"You just...?"
"I just feel...safe...with you." I wish I could've told him more...and it be true. "But I s'pose you don't want to be around me anymore."
"What?" said George at once. "Of course I do. Demetria, we really are great friends. Besides...I've practically seen you naked."
I couldn't refrain from smiling. He always knew how to bring one out of me, no matter what the circumstances. He even gave me that mischevious lopsided grin of his.
"But I don't want to hurt you," I told him whole-heartedly.
His smile remained intact. "I'll get over it, love," he assured. "Don't you worry about your devilishly handsome ol' pal."
"It's not Finn I'm worried about," I returned the smirk...until something dawned on me. "Shite..."
"What is it?"
"Finn, Viktor, Grigor, everyone else on the ship...everyone else in this entire school!" I began. "I wish I could just avoid all the questions I know they'll ask me."
"Well you certainly aren't dressed to answer any of their questions right now," agreed George, looking me up and down as though for the first time.
"Well what am I s'posed to do?" I asked. "All of my clothes are on the ship where all of the blokes from my school are!"
"Temper, temper, Princess," said George in jest. "You'll just have to wait here until everyone's asleep an —"
"Oh no, absolutely not," I interjected. "You are not leaving me hauled up in your dormitory all bloody day!"
"Well I don't see another option," he said desolately. "Unless, of course, you'd like to wrap yourself in the curtains."
"Just give me a pair of trousers," I insisted.
"None of them will come close to fitting you," George reasoned. "And somehow, that's a worse idea than the curtains."
"I'll be fine, everyone's gone down to breakfast by now," I persisted. "Just let me borrow a pair."
"Don't give me that look, Princess," said George at once, looking away. "Just because I admitted to fancying you doesn't mean you can use it against me."
I hadn't even realized I was giving him any sort of look. I had to be more aware of things like that so I wouldn't hurt George even more...
"Sorry, I didn't realize," I said sincerely, averting my eyes as well. But when they returned to George, he was laying on his stomach on the floor at the foot of his bed.
"That's alright, I'll get you back," he vowed in a playfully wicked sort of way.
"Oh really?" I played along with a smirk. "How so?"
George popped up from the floor, clothes held in one arm. Sure enough, he too, was smirking. "I can't reveal my secrets, love." He then handed me the pile. "It's cold out there."
"George, I'm used to far colder temperatures than this," I assured him, going through it; fleece pajama pants, a heavy thermal sweater, and...sneakers? "And what am I s'posed to do with these?"
"There's still some snow out there, you're not walking to the ship barefoot," he told me authoritatively.
"What happened to not wearing things too big for me?" I questioned, holding up his sneakers which were obviously far too big for my feet.
"That went out the window when you asked for my pants." He held up the pajama pants in protest, which were obviously made for George's long legs and not mine.
"Fair enough." I took the pants back from him and pulled my legs through, then had to actually pull the pants up enough for my feet to even be seen. I put the sweater over my head and then sat on the four-poster with the shoes. They were Chuck Taylors; black with white laces.
"Not up to royal standards?" teased George with a good-natured smile on his face.
"I've never owned a pair of sneakers," I admitted, putting one on. I didn't even need to untie them. "I always wear those combat boots."
"Ol' Grandad doesn't approve?"
I froze after sliding my other foot in. Grandad. Had he woken up yet? Did Benjamin tell him where I was? And what about Jack? Did Benjamin find his family? Would there be a funeral? How much did Mrs. Gelling cry? How badly did Mr. Gelling want to find whoever killed his son? Did Benjamin even tell them what really happened? That he was killed... Or did he lie to them? I wondered if Jack had siblings...friends that would mourn him. Or maybe Jack was like me and had no one...except perhaps a grandfather.
"Sorry, that was... I didn't mean it," came George again.
"What, no, it's not that," I told him. "I was just thinking..."
George sat down next to me. "I'm sure he's fine, love," he assured me sincerely. "I wouldn't worry about him." The bell sounded throughout the grounds and the castle. "Aaaaand now I've missed the most important meal of the day."
I couldn't help but chuckle a bit. "Sorry about that."
"Not a problem, I'll just swing by the kitchens on my way to..." George paused and then feigned vomiting off to the side. "...double Potions."
"You have double Potions?" I asked fervently, the two of us getting up from his four-poster. "Lucky..."
"Lucky?!" he parroted incredulously. "Having Snape two periods in a row is anything but!"
"Snape is —" I caught myself, realizing that I couldn't mention I knew Snape without blowing that at least Grandad was a Death Eater. "— nothing I'm sure I couldn't handle. I love Potions. I'm in an advanced class back at Durmstrang."
"I shouldn't be surprised," said George, opening the dormitory door for me. "I'd heard you were one of the top students in the entire school."
"Well, er, yeah," I admitted modestly. "So if you ever need help, you know where to find me."
"Thanks, love," George said with a genuine smile. When the two of us reached the bottom of the stairs, he stopped me at the portrait hole. "You might want to wait until everyone's gotten to their classrooms," he advised. "Looks as though you won't be avoiding your Durmstrang chums after all."
"Might as well get the questioning over with then," I said defeatedly. "Now don't you have a double Potions class to get to?"
"You're right, can't be late to that," George went to open the portrait hole, but froze and turned to face me for a moment. "Although..."
"What is it?" I curiously inquired.
"I just don't see how I'm going to be able to focus for about two hours without thinking of those lacey knickers of yours," he said with a sly grin. I raised my eyebrows to him until it unfolded in my mind. "Fred and I had Harry pegged as the thong wearer."
"You said it was too dark to see anything, you git!" I recalled the previous night and how I said I wouldn't crawl into his bed first...for this exact reason.
"I also said I'd get you back," he countered. "So long, Princess!" And before I could say anything else, he'd disappeared on the other side.
What was I going to do with him?
–
"Where were you?!"
"Vhere haff you been?"
"Why did you disappear?"
"Ve vere vorried!"
"We thought we had lost the tournament!"
Ah, good to know their concern wasn't for my safety or anything... Although, I shouldn't say that. Some of my Durmstrang brothers were genuinely concerned. They all attacked me with questions the moment I'd come within sight of the ship. And boarding was no better.
"I just needed a break!" I explained to them, everyone quieting down. "Professor Dumbledore sent me home and I just...took an extra day. I'm sorry if I worried you, but I'm back. And...I'm ready to win this for Durmstrang!"
Cheers errupted. Godric, they were so easy. It seemed as though they'd cheer for anything as long as you shouted it out. But I didn't test that theory, simply made my way toward mine and Viktor's bunk bed. But before I could make it that far, I was stopped by none other than Nikolai.
"So glad you have returned, Lille Prinsesse," he said in a bitter tone which didn't quite match the malicious smirk on his face. "I thought I would have to take your place in the tournament."
"Well then it's a right good thing I came back when I did, or else you would've cost Durmstrang its victory," I challenged. We both kept our voices low enough so not to attract attention.
Nikolai gave a full laugh. "I would not be so sure of that," he told me gravely. "Would you like to hear what Karkaroff told me when I asked to do the stepping in?"
"Probably something along the lines of..." I hoped my Norwegian was up to par. "...over min kalde døde kropp." (Over my cold dead body)
"Everte Statum!" Before I could even think to counter attack, or retrieve my wand, I was shot with a short burst of sharp pain, knocking me off my feet and backwards a bit.
But in that same instant, someone came up from behind me with their wand extended toward Nikolai. "Fumunculus!" It was Grigor.
"Fumunculus?" repeated Finn in disbelief, coming from behind to help me to my feet. "That's the first one you thought of, Grig?"
"It is much vorse than it looks," Grigor defended. "Try to remove all of them, Pavel!"
Nikolai stood before me, face covered in boils. His expression was actually unreadable... I couldn't see past the work of the Pimple Jinx. But he kept his beady eyes on me as Oskar rushed him toward the other side of the cabin.
"Perhaps next time you should do the spell casting if you think you can come up vith something better on the spot," Grigor casually said to Finn.
"There should not be a next time," came Viktor. I was wondering when he'd pop in. "Demetria, you know you should not be getting involved vith Pavel and his gluposti." (bullshit)
"Da, bashta," I teased him; Grigor and Finn chuckled. (Yes, father)
Viktor gave his usual amiable smile. "I like to think of myself more as a viser, older brother," he said before coming up to me and tousling my hair.
I laughed but maneuvered away from him and made my way toward our bunk bed.
"So is it true?" Grigor asked me as we came to our corner of the cabin.
"Yes, of course," I assured all three of them, for they were all looking to me expectantly. "Where else would I have been?"
Finn still looked unsure, but I couldn't blame him. He was, after all, the only one who had an idea of what I was really up to. He kept silent, but that answer satisfied Grigor and Viktor.
"Vell it is good to haff you back...truly," said Grigor, obviously more sincere than Nikolai.
"Strictly for the tournament, of course," Viktor joked.
"Right, of course." I smiled, Viktor planting a kiss on top of my head.
"Sestra," he said softly to me before addressing all of us. (sister) "Vell, I am going for a swim."
"A swim?" I was shocked...though not much. After all, I'd seen him swim in colder waters than the lake we were docked in.
The lake...swimming... Oh, for the love of Merlin!
"When's the second task?" The question shot out, causing a bit of a jump from Finn and Grigor, Vik already having walked off.
"About...five weeks away," replied Finn. "I thought you already figured out the clue."
"I did," I assured him. "I just need some practice."
And so I rushed off after Viktor, climbing out of the cabin and catching him at the starboard railing, pulling off his pants. He had a pair of swimming trunks conveniently underneath.
"Swim often, Vik?" I asked him as he pulled off his shirt. We were the only two on the deck.
"Lately," he told me. "I haff been looking for vays to make this task easier for you."
"Any luck?"
"So far it has been nothing but attempting Transfiguration," he admitted, looking out at the lake.
"Transfiguration?" I echoed. "You mean on yourself?"
"Yes, such as the shark," he explained. "The trick is to Transfigure...not completely. Othervise you vill haff the brain of a shark as vell."
"How the sodding hell am I s'posed to do that?" I asked him.
"Vhen I learn, you vill be the first to know, trust me," Viktor assured.
"Well shouldn't I be helping?" I inquired. "It's my task, after all. You shouldn't be doing all the work, Vik."
"Doing all of the vork vould include pulling it off and swimming through the lake to find whatever it is the morska sirena has taken," he said airily. "And that is your job."
I had almost forgotten what was expected of me for the task. "What d'you reckon they'll take?"
"It is hard to say," said Viktor. "Is there something of value to you?"
"Nothing comes to mind." Except for that damn locket...
"Then perhaps you vill haff it easier than the others already," offered Viktor with a small smile before diving off into the lake.
That was the first I'd thought of the locket since Finn and I went to see...whatever her name was, that loony Divination professor. I didn't even have another dream. Light with a capital L. Ugh, I was not about to try and decode that again.
Viktor re-surfaced, just his head bobbing up in the middle of the lake. He waved me in. "Going to join me?" he called out.
"Are you insane?" I shouted back.
"Practice makes perfect!" he said simply.
I rolled my eyes, but smiled, looking around to ensure no one had come up on deck. The coast was clear, so I stripped down to my bra and knickers. Viktor wolf-whistled as I stood up on the railing.
"Shut up, Vik," I told him, though still smiling. "You're my brother." And then I dove in.
He and I swam and practiced Transfiguring ourselves all day... Well, until lunch, at least. He'd also suggested we investigate the lake further so I'd have an idea of what I was up against, but I told him an advantage that big wouldn't be fair at all.
So when the bell for lunch sounded throughout the grounds, Viktor and I waited some time after for the ship to clear out before getting back on deck and putting our clothes on. Although, I did actually take that opportunity to retrieve my own clothes from the cabin and change into those. After doing so, Viktor and I made our way to the Great Hall, discussing other possible options other than Transfiguring.
"Couldn't we do something a bit simpler?" I asked him as we entered the castle.
"Such as vhat — the Bubble-Head Charm?" he questioned mockingly. "Demi, that Madame Maksimalen —" (Maximum) I gave a full laugh at that. "— is like Grigor said: all about the style points. You vill not impress her vith something simple."
"Alright, well what if instead of a shark, it was a — ?"
"Ve vill continue this later," said Viktor decidedly as we approached our usual spots at the Slytherin table.
That was when I remembered what I'd completely forgotten I wanted to avoid — everyone's questions. And sure enough, taking my seat among my Slytherin acquaintances (Not sure if friends was the appropriate term), that was exactly what they did. But much to my surprise, it wasn't Finn, Viktor, or Grigor who got them to stop. It wasn't even me.
"Oi! Sod off! Don't you reckon she's heard enough of that?" It was Draco. "She probably went home for the holiday. Am I right?"
He directed his grey orbs toward me then. "Yeah, I did," I replied. That seemed to settle things. I wondered if Draco knew what I'd been up to, if his father filled him in. When all of the nosey onlookers returned to their own conversations, I muttered "Thanks" to him.
"No problem." And he actually offered a small smile with it. A genuine one, at that. I wish I'd actually taken the time to get to know Draco during all those Death Eater meetings or whatever we were both forced to attend.
"Well, Demetria, now that you are back," came Adrian charmingly. "I was just wondering how you thought I was as your date."
"Fit for a champion," I assured him. "Speaking of dates..." I turned to Grigor who appeared to be wrestling with a chicken leg rather than eating it. "How did yours go, Grig?"
"I had fun...Ginny said she did too," he told me brightly. "You know I am usually not one for dancing, but she convinced me." He said the next part softer, leaning in closer to me. "Thank you again for doing the setting up."
"Don't mention it, mate," I told him with a grin. "What about you, Vik?"
"I, too, had fun," he shared. "Er, Herm-own-ninny —"
"Hermione?" I offered.
"Yes," he confirmed. "I like her...very much...but her red-headed friend does not like me."
Ah, Ron. I had a front row seat to that. "I'm sure he'll come around," I insisted, despite that.
"Sorry, blokes, but the only date I'm concerned with — besides my own — is Draco's," came Finn seriously.
"Why's that?" Draco asked incredulously.
"Because it obviously didn't go well, and I can't thank you enough for whatever you did to ruin it."
We all gave a chuckle at that, even Draco having to laugh a bit. I'd forgotten Draco ended up taking that awful pug-looking girl, Pansy, and was also grateful she was no longer sitting with us at the table.
"You never did tell us vhat happened," prodded Viktor.
"That's because I'm still trying to forget," Draco defended.
"Aw, c'mon, Drakey," cooed Adrian. We all errupted in laughter again.
"Alright, alright," Draco admitted defeat, though smiling like a good sport. "Well, long story short...ened... I had Crabbe and Goyle acting as my bodyguards but she continued to try and hug me, cuddle me, kiss me, her hands were restless the entire night. So I finally told her I'd get us something to drink and for her to wait at the table. When I didn't return after...oh, a good...three bloody minutes, she went searching for me and found me dancing with another bird. Didn't want to speak to me again after that, told me we were 'over'." He applied the air-quotes.
Finn began applauding and soon we all joined in.
"I'd like to propose a toast," he announced, raising his goblet. "To Draco Malfoy: for being the worst possible date and getting rid of that unbearable wench!"
We all raised our goblets and chorused, "To Draco Malfoy!" before all taking a swig and laughing once again. But we were interrupted by a particular Hufflepuff approaching our table.
"Demetria, hey," Cedric greeted me from the other side with a warm smile.
"Hi, Cedric." I returned it, and was vaguely aware that someone at the table was making fun of me for it. I wasn't sure who, but I heard the others snickering. Although I didn't care, I was too busy looking at Cedric who looked no where else but at me.
"George Weasley told me you were back," he said.
I looked past him for a moment to the Gryffindor table, George catching my eye almost immediately. He was looking over at us, smiling at me when our eyes met and then looking away. It must've been hard on him.
"Yeah, here I am." My gaze returned to Cedric, the smile back in place. I heard more snickers around me. I caught who was mimicking me from out of the corner of my eye.
"I was wondering if... Would you walk with me to my next class?" he asked with sort of a breath of laughter, almost as though he were nervous.
"Yeah, of course," I told him, both of us smiling wider. "Let's go."
And then I'd waited for him to turn and walk off, before slapping the mimicker upside the head without even so much as looking at him.
"Love you too, Dem!" called out Finn.
I turned back after I got up from the bench, rolling my eyes at him with my smile intact. And when I met Cedric at the end of the Slytherin table, we walked out of the Great Hall together.
"So...the second task is coming up soon," I reminded him as we began making our way down a corridor.
"Yeah, thanks again for the tip on the egg," he said sweetly. "I passed it on to Harry."
"Oh, so I did tell you?" I asked. "Hm...I couldn't remember if I did or not."
"Well it was sort of a while ago," he advocated. "It was before you left..."
Godricdammit! I should've known he'd ask too. "Sorry about that..." was all I could think of saying.
"You don't have to apologize, you had your reasons," he said sympathetically. "Besides, I'm sure you've been getting interrogated all day."
"It certainly has been quite the popular ice breaker," I said, earning a small chuckle from Cedric.
"The only thing I want to know is..." He grew serious then. "...was it because of me? The reason you left, I mean. I thought maybe...after the kiss..."
"What?" I stopped in my tracks after we'd gotten off a staircase. Cedric followed suit. "No, no, absolutely not. I just needed a br —"
"Like I said, I'm sure you had your reasons," said Cedric. And all he had to do to silence me before he spoke was tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear. I'd pulled my wet hair into a high ponytail but I suppose I'd missed some pieces in the haste. "Don't feel forced to tell me anything."
"I don't," I told him honestly. That made him smile, which I couldn't help but mirror.
Just then, the bell rang.
"Well maybe when we've got more time," he suggested. "Like at the Hogsmeade trip on Saturday."
"Shall I invite the rest of the blokes again or...?" My voice trailed off, hoping he wouldn't say yes.
"Not this time," Cedric told me with that charming smile of his. Students could be heard throughout the castle now. "I s'pose you could call it a...date."
I stood there smiling at him for what felt like a century. "Looking forward to it," I finally told him.
"Me too," he admitted, beaming. Students rushed on to the staircases and passed us then. "Well I should get to class."
"Right, yeah, I'll see you around," I told him, though still not moving. Neither did he.
"See you," he returned.
But before walking off, he leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on my cheek. If I hadn't been smiling like a tosspot before, I certainly was then. I watched Cedric walk off then, smile intact, and didn't turn to leave until he was out of sight.
I felt a pang of guilt, though, for I then remembered that George felt for me what I felt for Cedric. And then I realized...
I just admitted I fancied Cedric...
–
"Took you long enough!"
"You are just realizing this now?"
"I vas expecting something more exciting..."
"Thank you all for your support," I deadpanned.
I was back aboard the ship after my walk with Cedric, having just told Finn, Viktor, and Grigor about my realization.
"Vell this vas not exactly news, Demi," said Viktor, pulling down his pants to reveal, once again, swimming trunks.
"Vik, you ever gonna take a break, lad?" asked Finn. Viktor looked to me.
"It is for the tournament," he replied, eyes still on me.
"Finn's right, you should take a break," I suggested.
"Alright, now I am confused," Grigor admitted. "Vhy is Viktor doing the swimming if Demetria is doing the task?"
"He's been trying to figure out partial self-Transfiguration," I explained. "And once he knows, he'll teach me so I can breathe underwater."
"You do not know how to self-Transfigure?" Grigor inquired, seeming taking aback.
"We're only fourth years, you don't learn that until sixth," Finn clarified. "Besides they're only partially Transfiguring."
"Vhich reminds me..." said Viktor suddenly. "You vere about to suggest something other than a shark vhen ve came to the Great Hall."
"Oh right," I said doubtfully. "Well I — er — it's nothing, it's stupid."
"Well then now you have to tell us," said Finn in jest.
I smiled despite my doubts. "Alright, fine," I admitted defeat. "Rather than a shark, what if I could Transfigure into...whatever's in the lake."
I waited in the silence, different expressions registering across their faces. Grigor appeared rather taken aback, Finn was looking impressed, and Viktor was...well, thinking...
"That could vork..." he said, still musing. "Full Transfiguration may even be possible..."
"So, vhat, Demetria is becoming the giant squid?" Grigor inquired innocently.
"Grig, where'd you hear that?" asked Finn, amused.
"Everyvun from Hogvarts is saying such things..."
"I reckon they're just trying to scare us, seeing as how we're on this lake every sodding day," I suggested.
"Alright, so what's Dem really becoming?" Finn directed his question toward Viktor. "A mermaid?"
"If I remember correctly...morska sirena are not found in waters such as these," he shared, pulling his trousers back up to cover his trunks. "Ve should visit the library just to be sure."
"Sounds as though you've been spending a bit too much time with Hermione," I teased. Fred and George had told me about Ron and his friends, Hermione being the one who always insisted upon homework and studying and such.
"I actually have not seen her since the Yule Ball," Viktor admitted, a hint of saddness in his tone. We all began following him off the ship and across the grounds.
"Why not?" Finn came in sympathetically.
"Nothing has gone vrong," Viktor insisted hastily. "Ve simply...haff not run into eachother."
"Well then maybe you should just find her on purpose and ask her out," I brightly offered, reaching up to rest a hand on his shoulder. "You two should get out of the library, maybe take her on the Hogsmeade trip this weekend!"
"I vas going to vork on the Transfiguring this veekend," he said indifferently.
"Vik, you've already done more than your share," I insisted. "This is my task, so I'll figure it out. You said yourself I won't need partial Transfiguration, and that's part of what made it so difficult." Viktor could see I was making sense. Maybe he was just nervous to be on an actual date.
"It could be dangerous if not done prop —"
"I'm one of the best in the school, Vik, you're all out of excuses. Go out, brat," (brother) I pressed; he was beginning to smile. "I'll stay here and work on the Transfiguring...and babysit Grigs."
"Vhat?" said Grigor himself, who had clearly not been paying attention. Probably mesmerized by the moving staircases we were on then.
Viktor laughed, something he didn't do as much as he should. "Alright, you vin, I vill ask her."
"On the contrary, I reckon it's you who wins, mate," said Finn, playfully nudging Viktor in the ribs.
Viktor gave another full laugh, but it ceased as soon as we were outside what I assumed was the library. "Just a varning: the librarian is samiyat strikten." (very strict)
Vik, Finn, and I turned to look at Grigor. "Naistina?" he said exasperatedly. (Really)
"Just making sure you heard." Finn patted him on the back before we entered through the library doors.
Dark. That was all I noticed at first. Not much light in there, and well, other than that it was much like any other library. It wasn't quite as big as the one back at Durmstrang, but they possessed the same bookshelves, tables, wooden study carrels...old book smell. Durmstrang's had a huge window that nearly covered an entire wall, allowing sunlight to spill in and give one a front row seat to the Norwegian mountains.
Viktor being the expert, out of the four of us, on the Hogwarts library, led us to the appropriate section and began searching.
"Vhat exactly is it ve are looking for?" Grigor asked.
"Anything on —"
"Merpeople," Finn cut off Viktor, showing us the book he found. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. He was already flipping through the pages.
"Well this went easier than expected," I airily said.
"Yes, a bit too easy," Viktor agreed. "Vhat does it say, Finnick?"
"Let's see... Sirens —"
"Morska sirena," Viktor clarified more toward Grigor and I.
"— are the earliest recorded race of merpeople...lived in warm water...Greece...exceptionally beautiful as compared to colder water merpeople like selkies and Merrows."
"Great, it had to be the ugly one," I sneered.
"Perhaps one is...less ugly," Grigor offered to cheer me up.
"You won't like it either way," Finn told me truthfully.
"You know of both creatures?" inquired Viktor curiously.
"Yeah, I've encountered my fair share," he shared. "I grew up here in Scotland, and anytime I'd go swimming, my mum would tell me to watch out for selkies. Merrows are Irish."
"I thought you vere Irish," said Grigor, amazed.
"That's like saying 'I thought you were Russian'," Finn countered.
"The Irish and Scottish sound the same!" he defended.
"Bulgarians and Russians sound the same," Finn returned, though keeping his voice low and smirk intact.
"Keep it down!" appeared the librarian out of no where, whispering fiercely. The woman looked like underfed vulture; I was surprised I hadn't noticed the last time Finn and I were in the library. Her skin was parchment-like, her cheeks sunken, face shrivelled, and she even had an unflattering hooked-nose. She was so thin, she looked as though she might snap at any minute...literally and figuratively.
"Madam Pince," Viktor disclosed as she disappeared.
"Oh, I thought that was a selkie," I said, half comically and half sarcastically.
"You should be so lucky," said Finn at once, turning the book to face me and revealing a close-up photo of what I inferred was a selkie, swimming up to the camera and screaming before doing it all over again.
It bore no resemblance to the beautiful mermaids and sirens I'd grown up assuming were the majority of merpeople. The selkie appeared more fish than human. The one in the picture had grey skin and long, wild, dark green hair. Its eyes were piercingly yellow, as were its broken teeth.
"Svyat laĭna!" Grigor shouted out, the first time the selkie came right up to the edge of the photo. (Holy shit)
Madam Pince was back immediately, staring us down silently with an irate expression. Grigor was first to rush out, the rest of us following suit directly behind. I turned to see if she was still watching us just before I walked out the door... She was.
"Vhat did I tell you?" said Viktor, the three of us looking to Grigor again.
"I could haff used some varning about the selkie," was his excuse.
But just as we began walking off, the library doors were opened again, Madam Pince stepping out, so livid she was practically turning red. She had an owl on her shoulder with a parcel in its beak.
"Demetria Harris?" she grumbled.
"Yes," was all I had to say before the owl came swooping toward me. By the time it had perched itself on my own shoulder, Madam Pince had disappeared back into the library, doors being slammed behind her.
"Sweet woman," Finn mocked.
I removed the letter from the owl's beak, the front of it reading my name in an unrecognizable handwriting. Regardless, I unfolded it and read.
Demetria —
I found Jack Gelling's family. Well, his aunt... I told her I saw him get mixed up in a bar fight, that he was trying to defend a young girl. But the bloke he fought went too hard on him and he was beaten to death. It was the best I could do on the spot.
This woman didn't know me, didn't even ask if I was a friend of Jack's, but she still hugged me and thanked me...and cried on me. She told me to take her to the bar (I'd moved his body to Lost Angel) and on the way, she told me some things. She said she had to raise him on her own, her sister and her husband not fit to be parents. She didn't say why, just that Mr. and Mrs. Gelling had to deal with their bullshit before they could handle taking on a child. But they obviously never were and still aren't.
Jack was going to turn 21 next month. He was studying at some Muggle school called University of Oxford. He wanted to become a lawyer, though I'm not entirely sure what that is. His aunt also told me he was suffering from a disease called lupus. I'm not quite sure what that is either, but she told me it was something very painful and difficult to deal with, but Jack never showed that pain to anyone...except her, of course.
Demetria, I doubt this will help you but...I was hoping it might, even just a bit. Jack has been put out of his misery. He no longer has to live a life of pain and struggle. And that isn't just me talking, it's his aunt. Even she looked on the bright side of this. She said he was finally in a place where he couldn't hurt any longer.
In other news (a smooth transition, I know), Carlisle woke up about an hour ago and I told him all about what happened. He said it was a right good call sending you back to Hogwarts and he wishes you luck in the next task of the tournament, and so do I. He also sends you his love...and a surprise waiting for you in the kitchens, which I had nothing to do with. Unless you like it, in which case I had everything to do with it.
Be safe,
— Benjamin Turner
"Who is it from?" inquired Grigor.
"My grandad," I replied after a moment, letting the owl go. It soared off out the nearest window.
"You vere just vith him during the holiday," Grigor pressed as we all began making our way down the multiple staircases.
"Yes well, there was just something he forgot to tell me about my...Christmas present," I quickly thought up.
"So that is vhat that vas..." said Viktor grimly.
"What what was?" I asked.
All three blokes exchanged looks as though to decide which would be the one to tell me...whatever it was they had to.
"It should be you, Vik, you're the one who first noticed," Finn insisted.
"Will someone just tell me!" I fervently demanded.
"All I know is I voke up Christmas morning and nearly cut my foot on broken glass by our bunk," Viktor explained to me. "Grigor helped me collect it and ve vere going to throw it avay, but Finn said ve should ask you."
"But you didn't come back on the ship all day, and you left before the ball was even over," Finn finished as we made our way out on to the grounds.
I awoke, mid-scream, to find my body being shaken by Finn. And for a moment, all I could do was stare at him through the darkness, his sea-foam green eyes popping out against it. And he didn't even have to ask anything, for he was fully aware of what happened and was already helping me down from my bunk, a slight smashing sound emitted as he did so.
"Did you ever piece it together?" I asked just out of curiosity.
"Yeah, but we'd forgotten about it until now," he said. "Still got it somewhere, Viktor?"
"Of course."
Once back on the ship, we went down into everyone's shared cabin and over to the bunk Viktor and I shared. Vik began his search for my present under the bunk...well, his part of it.
"Dem, if you haff your own dormitory back at Durmstrang, vhy is it you do not haff your own room on the ship?" Grigor wondered.
"The ship isn't exactly outfitted with plenty of cabins to go around," Finn answered for me. I was watching Viktor pull a box out from under his bed. "Besides, she's got all the privacy she could ever want right here in the corner," he finished sarcastically.
"It's true," I added derisively. "I just hope I don't get too accustomed to the luxury of changing clothes under my blankets every morning."
"You haff done that vonce," Viktor said with a chuckle, opening the box, slowly and carefully unwrapping the object from the wrapping paper and tissue molded around it. "Just do not grow accustomed to me sheilding you as you change your clothes every morning."
Finn and Grigor joined in the laughter, but mine ceased as soon as my eyes fell upon the object, finally unwrapped. It was a black leather case with some silver lettering on it that I couldn't quite make out from looking at it upside down. But whatever it said, it caused Viktor to conclude his laughter as well. He looked up at me with a smile.
"You vill like this, Demi," he assured me, turning the case around to face me.
Aiden Patrick Harris
And then I mirrored Viktor's smile. It was my father's, probably the same broomstick servicing kit he used as a Tornado. I knelt down and unlatched it, the inside of the top home to numerous clippings from the Daily Prophet and Quidditch Illustrated all about my father. There were also different stickers of the Tornado's symbol, the blue double-T. Needless to say, I was far more interested in the articles rather than the instruments for broomcare. They all talked about some extraordinary move or trick Dad had performed, or how his goal had saved the game. One article even spoke of the Tornados being chosen to represent England in the Quidditch World Cup of 1978, my father ensuring the win.
That was what I wanted for myself...not for the rest of my life, but for a good portion of it. I wanted to carry on Dad's legacy, and perhaps even start one of my own. But I knew Grandad didn't exactly want that for me. He said I was so gifted and intelligent, I had the skills to become practically anything I wanted. I just had no idea what to be...
"Your father truly was incredible, Dem," Finn commented, looking over my shoulder at a clipping.
"Yeah..." I said almost distantly. "I just wish I knew more about him than these reporters probably did."
I got up from the floor and gingerly placed the kit on Viktor's bed, taking a seat next to it.
"Your grandfather never speaks of him?" Viktor inquired.
"He doesn't really like to," I explained simply.
"You still haff a right to know," Grigor chimed in.
All I could do was nod. Of course he was right, but he also didn't understand how truly impossible it was to hear the slightest thing from him about my father. You'd think he'd want me to know what my dad was like, or that he'd want people to know about his son, his only child. But Grandad was different, certainly...told me it was all still his way to cope — to just repress it. Perhaps one day, though, I'd get something out of him.
I spent the rest of the day admiring the kit, wishing I'd brought my broom to Hogwarts so I could actually put it to use, perhaps with some of the Fleetwood's High-Finish Handle Polish. But until I did have my broom, I read the clippings again and again, thinking of what they might say when I became Chaser for the Tutshill Tornados. In fact, that thought alone had kept me preoccupied until the dinner bell rang, and that was when I was reminded of the real issue at hand — a surprise waiting for me in the kitchens...
"Demetrius, wait up!" Finn called out as I made my way off the ship.
"Something I can help you with, Winifinn?" I returned the comical nickname.
"Yes, actually," he said. "I was hoping you could help me understand who that letter was really from and what it actually said."
"Alright, you caught me," I surrendered. "It said 'Dear, Demetria... Actually... Love, Really."
"And here I am thinking I'm the smart arse in the group." Finn smirked.
"I can't exactly get into details about it now," I reasoned with him.
"Really quickly, in a nutshell, before we get to the castle," he suggested. "I'll walk slower."
"I thought I was going to stay at home and never come back to school, I attended Death Eater meetings, I was sent on a mission of sorts to pick up a Muggle at a bar and bring him home to torture, Antonin Dolohov got carried away with it and killed the Muggle, wanted me to do it but I refused so he used the Cruciatus Curse on me, George's Patronus came in delivering a message and I accidentally sent one back and it recorded my scream from the curse, my grandad was knocked unconscious from a spell when he tried to help me, another Death Eater stepped in to save me, they all left except that one — Benjamin — but then Dolohov came back and I was half naked, George came to save me, Benjamin got rid of Dolohov... Er, I reckon that's it..."
I'd rushed it all out in practically one breath all before we'd reached the Great Hall. Finn looked to me in relative awe, but then his usual calm demeanor took over.
"All in a day's work, eh?"
I playfully nudged him in the shoulder as we entered the hall. "Oh, and the letter was from Benjamin telling me not to feel bad about the Muggle dying..." Did I still feel bad? I wasn't entirely sure, I hadn't thought much about it, my mind mostly still consumed with the surprise. I wondered if I should even mention it to Finn.
"Well you shouldn't," said Finn seriously. "I wasn't even there and I know it's not your fault. Dem, you couldn't've done anything without getting yourself killed too..."
It was true. Harsh, but definitely true.
"Hey," I stopped Finn, also by placing a hand on his chest. "What d'you think of sitting with Gryffindor tonight?"
He smiled straight away. "After you, m'lady."
Taking my hand from his chest, he held it out and allowed me to lead him over to the table. I rolled my eyes at the gesture but couldn't help smiling the entire time. I located the two redheads I was looking for with relative ease, and saw the two others close by.
"Well well well," said Fred, seated on the other side of the table. "If it isn't the Princess and her court jester."
"Court jester?" Finn echoed with a smirk. "Then what does that make the two of you?"
George was seated across from his twin, the two sharing a significant glance before looking back at the two of us.
"We work for the Princess as well, don't worry, Finny," George assured with the same sly grin as his brother.
"We just earn more of her love." Fred wiggled his eyebrows and licked his lips.
"Remind me again why I wanted to sit here," I said humorously to Finn.
"If you ever figure that out, let me know," said Lee in jest.
George pushed him down the bench a bit, good-naturedly. "I believe a seat has just opened up," he joked.
Finn offered for me to sit and I would've, but I thought it might not be alright for George.
"You take it," I insisted. "I'll sit by the better half." Fred winked.
I made my way all the way around the table, apparently catching the eye of Harry Potter, because he called my name just as I sat down next to Fred.
Harry was two Gryffindors away, but traded seats with them. Naturally, that brought Ron and Hermione closer as well.
"What brings you over here?" he inquired. I was actually a bit surprised. Harry and I barely spoke.
"Just a change of scenery," I said simply.
"I just wanted to thank you," he said. I wasn't sure what he meant until he added, "Cedric told me." Ah, right, the task.
"Sure, no problem," I assured him whole-heartedly. "Just trying to even the playing field."
"So what about Fleur?" he asked as though he already knew the answer.
"I would've been happy to help, but she ees above us, 'Arry," I mimicked her French accent and lofty tone. That earned a few laughs around the table.
"Demetria," said Hermione after a moment. "I think Ron has something he'd like to say to you as well."
She subtly nudged him, and though I thought he might get angry, he actually needed the nudge because he looked rather uneasy.
"I was...about to get to that," he insisted quietly before turning to me. "Demetria, I just wanted to...er...apologize for the things I said at the Yule Ball. I didn't mean any of it, really."
"Don't even worry about it, Ron," I told him, offering a smile which he mirrored. "I'm sorry I threatened to hex you into the next tournament."
"I'm just sorry it didn't happen," said Fred, earning a few chuckles.
"Could you imagine Ron up against that Hungarian Horntail?" George said, already laughing.
"In a skirt like Fleur's?" I added; everyone joined in the laughter at that point.
"S'pose I deserve that," Ron admitted once the laughter died down. He, too, had joined in on it like a good sport, ears slightly reddening.
We all continued to joke around, at the expense of everyone really. It was fun, nothing like sitting at the Slytherin table. Don't get me wrong, we joked there too, but there was just something more...friendly about it on this side. When the bell sounded, that was the first time I'd been disappointed that it did.
"This was fun," Hermione said, still laughing about something Finn had said.
"Yeah you two ought to sit over here more often," Harry told us sincerely.
"You fit right in," agreed Ron. "Enemy school or not."
He gave a rather uncharacteristic smirk and I rousled his hair a bit.
We bade the Golden Trio goodnight as they walked off first, I walked at the same pace as Finn so we met at the end of the table. Fred, George, and Lee hung back with us.
"So what really brought you over to our table tonight?" Fred asked me. He and Finn always seemed to know there was more to the things I did.
"I decided to take your advice and do what makes me happy," I recalled that night the three of us had snuck into the kitchens.
Fred didn't seem to remember it at first, though. "I told you that?" he asked.
"Well I believe your exact words were 'Tell your grandad to piss off' but that was the jist of it, yeah."
"Oh, right, that!" he said, laughing. "Well I'm glad you did."
I couldn't yet decide if I was glad too. For now: yes. But I feared what might happen if my grandfather or even another Death Eater...like Dolohov...caught wind.
"What're we gonna do without you guys once the tournament is over?" Lee asked, in the middle of his own conversation with Finn.
"Who said we'd be without them?" said George. "I believe they've nearly perfected the cloning process."
"Bugger off." I swatted away at George who tried taking a strand of my hair. But I couldn't stop smiling as he tried.
"Someone get Finny's DNA! Quickly!"
We were all standing just outside the Great Hall now. Fred practically tackled Finn trying to get a strand of his hair, Finn laughing and struggling.
"You don't actually believe we're two different people, d'you?" George asked, he and his twin both stopping to stand side by side.
"We're the same," they both chorused.
"Someone just decided to clone me in case I ever left them," Fred said casually, popping his collar. "She just couldn't live without me."
"Oh I'm sure," I played along. "But she got one thing wrong. George has got a scar right above his right eyebrow." I wasn't entirely sure when I'd first noticed it, but it was there — a small, very faint scar.
George and Fred actually looked rather astonished that I'd noticed it, Lee even looked as though he just then noticed it.
"And exactly what activities have you two been taking part in that would require her to get so close to your face, George Fabian?" Fred crossed his arms and spoke authoritatively, but with his usual sly grin.
George's ears began reddening. Oh, he and Ron were definitely related. Luckily, I stepped in. It didn't appear as though George had a witty remark for that one.
"Well we couldn't keep this secret forever, George," I said, feigning sadness as I placed a hand on his chest. "The truth is...George only looks like you, thanks to me."
George had been holding his breath, clearly thinking I would take that in a different direction. But he physically relaxed after I'd said that, his chest falling as he finally released a breath. "It's true, Freddie," George pretended to admit. "Demetria helps me put on my face every morning."
Finn and Lee couldn't suppress their snickering any longer. We all continued to laugh and joke around some more, even long after we were the only ones occupying the hall. Until finally, Finn spoke up.
"Dem, we ought to get back to the ship," he suggested reluctantly.
"Oh, right." I'd actually been hoping to use the crowd of people leaving the hall to cover myself as I snuck into the kitchens. That, unfortunately, was no longer an option, however.
"Yeah, we've got to turn in, too," said Lee. "Great seeing you guys again."
"Likewise, mate," Finn replied for the both of us.
"Always a pleasure, Finn. And glad to have you back, your Majesty." Fred bowed before making his way off with Lee. George hung back still and I could read the unasked question in his eyes.
"You go on, Finn, I'll catch up," I told him.
He looked between the two of us, understandingly, before walking off as well. "Night, George!" he called back.
"Night!"
George waited until Finn was out of earshot to begin speaking. "Did you get in touch with your grandad?" The question caught me a bit off guard.
"Er, yeah, well Benjamin owled me," I explained. "Said my grandad is glad I came back to Hogwarts."
"That's...good."
Back to that word again.
"Yeah..." I agreed, unsure of what else to say. "I don't remember if I ever got the chance to thank you...for that night — last night, I mean."
"I don't remember either, honestly," he admitted with a smile. An actual smile, not one of the Weasley twins' sly grins or smirks.
"Well, thanks," I told him whole-heartedly, mirroring his smile. "It meant a lot...that you came looking for me and all that. And I'm glad you found me."
"I'm glad I found you too," he said sincerely. The smile was fading then, as he got serious. "I'm glad I found you that night after the World Cup in the woods."
It was time to face the fact that no matter how much I wanted him to, George (and Fred, for that matter) would never forget that night. And what was starting to worry me about that, was that they might actually figure out the part I played in all of it. Which wasn't really anything...but they'd know whose side I was on...or at least s'posed to be on.
"That wasn't exactly my shining moment," I admitted, attempting to lighten the mood. George, however, remained serious.
"You were bleeding a lot," he recalled in a small voice. "And ran into Fred —"
"George, don't think too much about that night, wouldn't want your brain to overload," I said, forcing out a laugh. He was having none of it. It actually looked as though something in his head clicked.
I panicked. I had to do it. Maybe not, but I still did. It wasn't that bad, not bad at all, actually. It was innocent and — Oh, what did I do? Did I not mention that? I reached up on my tip-toes and pecked George on the lips. And when I say a peck, I do mean it. It was as though our lips never even met. But it worked, he stopped right in the middle of his next sentence. He looked to me as though he was just noticing I was there, blue eyes wide and face gaining some color.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't've..." my voice trailed off. I had to stop doing that to him, I knew how he felt about me.
George began to lean in to me slowly. I'd given him the completely wrong impression! I did my best to pretend I didn't notice his advance, and shot my head down, suddenly becoming very interest in my boots. How was I going to get myself out of this one?
"Mr. Weasley," came a stern voice from down the hall. Peeking out from behind George, I found it to be Professor McGonagall, that woman with the square spectacles who defended Harry and I against Snape when we'd been chosen as champions. "You are aware you are out past curfew, do you not?"
George quickly composed himself and even straightened up his posture. "Yes, sorry, I was just —"
"No excuses, Mr. Weasley, you are to report back to your dormi —" As she got closer, she realized I had been standing behind George. "Miss Harris," she greeted. "Out for a stroll, are we?"
"I, er, didn't know there was a curfew and needed George's help for something," I quickly pieced together on the spot.
"Well, be that as it may, Mr. Weasley is fully aware of the curfew and may even be serving detention tomorrow evening for breaking it," McGonagall said airily.
"I'm sure it hasn't even been five minutes," George attempted to reason.
"It is...9:35 precisely," McGonagall declared, checking her watch. "Curfew for fifth years and above is 9:00. Care to make it two evenings of detention, Weasley?"
"If George gets detention, I should too," I defended. McGonagall appeared rather taken back, as did George actually. "It is my fault, after all, he wouldn't be out here if it weren't for me."
"That is very noble of you, Miss Harris," she said admiringly. "You will join Mr. Weasley in detention tomorrow evening, but I'm afraid he has earned the second night all on his own."
"Oh, completely agreed," I assured. George appeared insulted, but I swore I saw McGonagall crack a smile at that.
"Now then, shall I escort you back to your common room, or can I trust you not to make any more stops along the way?" she asked George.
"I'm going, I'm going," he insisted, hands up in surrender. "Night, Demetria."
I couldn't help but smile as he began backing away. "Night, George."
"Miss Harris, you will report to my office tomorrow evening, eight o'clock sharp," McGonagall told me seriously before another small smile broke through. "And best of luck to you in the upcoming task."
"Thank you, Professor," I said genuinely before we both began walking in our separate directions.
I didn't even go to this school and yet...I had a detention from it.
Hey, guys! I just wanted to thank those of you who are favoriting and following this story, it is one I posted a few years back but wanted to edit and just decided to completely delete it and re-post it. I have all of the chapters done and I even have the sequel finished as well, but I don't see much point in continuing to post if no one is really reading, so please leave reviews so I know you're interested! I'm currently writing the third book in this series and it's a lot of fun, there's a ton of crazy stuff that happens, so if you love Demetria as much as I do, be sure to review! Thank you again for all the support! XO