Disclaimer: don't own.
Thank you for your reviews. Unfortunately, I couldn't reply to any of them – FF error… Sorry again…
"What did you want to speak about, my lord?" Abraxas asked quietly, peering at the now empty classroom. He and Draco were more or less cowering in front of Tom. How pathetic. He shook his head. Why was Dumbledore in such a good mood today? Did have something to do with yesterday, the way he left?
"It's your task to find out, if Natalija is still together with her fiancée, Krum. And YOU look up your family tree, Malfoy, if you have any relatives in the East." Tom snapped.
Draco felt all the colour drain from his face. So Voldemort noticed. Lovely.
Both Draco and Abraxas knew why Tom wanted to know that, but both of them played clueless. Tom noticed how Draco's face masked his shock and he smirked inwardly in triumph. 'I will find out, Krum.' Tom thought mockingly.
"And don't make it too obvious with YOUR task, Krum!" Tom warned.
"Yes, of course." Abraxas and Krum bowed and left the room after Tom. Abraxas still couldn't help glancing at Draco. There was something about him. Abraxas couldn't quite place the finger on it, but it seemed as if they were related. And it seemed as if Draco was his brother or son.
He let out a single humourless laugh. A Malfoy-like laugh.
"What's the matter, Abraxas?" Draco Malfoy asked, raising an eyebrow.
A typical Malfoy-gesture, mind you.
"Nothing, Krum. I was just laughing about the task, Tom gave us. Don't you think it's ridiculous? First, he wants to be the big dark lord, inducing fear in his followers and enemies, wants to take over the world and has other plans, such as ridding the world of mudblood filth or carry on the work of Salazar Slytherin. He didn't want anything to do with something as unimportant as girls. And now, since Natalija is here – NOTHING!" Abraxas fumed, kicking into the wall in frustration.
Draco was at a loss of words. "Uhm… It doesn't necessarily mean that a girl stops Tom from his plans." he conceded.
"Not necessarily. But this girl does." Abraxas stomped into the Great Hall and all Draco could do was to follow him.
Harry was still thinking over the fact that Dumbledore had defeated Grindelwald. Something was odd about this story, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. He wanted to discuss this development with Draco, but Draco took a seat next to him, looking disgruntled.
"He wants me to find out if Natalija is still together with her fiancée." Draco growled, ladling spaghetti onto his plate.
"That's perfect. That was my plan, actually." Harry grinned.
Draco huffed and turned around, facing Harry fully. "And WHY didn't you let me in on your brilliant plan, Potter? In case, you haven't noticed, I am on your side!"
THTHTH
The news that Grindelwald had been defeated by none other than Albus Dumbledore himself, spread fast – especially in Durmstrang. The MDA-class was spending their morning break on the grounds, talking excitedly.
Hermione was very pleased about the outcome of the events and even a tired Ginny cracked a smile – at least until Dolohov turned up.
"Antonin!" Hermione grinned, moving over to make him some space.
"Natalija, how are you?"
"Very well, especially concerning the news." Hermione smiled. "What about you?"
"So happy. Yesterday, I was on the best date for years and now the evil wizard who killed my brother is gone!" he practically beamed. Ginny's head snapped up and Hermione also looked confused. Dolohov was on the good side? What happened that Dolohov will turn to the bad side in the alternate future?
Hermione was so lost in thoughts that she didn't notice how Dolohov had slipped his hand into hers. Her head snapped up and Dolohov grinned mischievously at her, Ginny had the same expression and her smile even widened when she saw Vladimir approach.
"Hey!" Vladimir grinned. "It was tough today about poisons, wasn't it?"
Ginny nodded her head fervently. "I didn't even know half of them existed!"
Hermione rolled her eyes jokingly: "Well, you mustn't have paid any attention in our potions class then!"
Antonin Dolohov and Vladimir laughed loudly and Ginny stuck out her tongue. The bell rang at that moment and signalled them to go back to class.
Antonin, who had taken his seat next to Hermione this morning, squeezed her hand reassuringly and didn't let go until they were inside the classroom. No one noticed how uncomfortable Hermione felt, not even Ginny who was heavily flirting with Vladimir.
Professor Mikhail afterwards made them brew a potion that could create fear, sorrows and sadness and therefore weaken the opponent. Even the smell of the potion made Hermione and Dolohov, who was partnering her, hugely depressive.
"This was just so that you know about this potion. The cheering charm can make the effects undone again, so use this potion widely." Professor Mikhail vanished the potions with a simple evanesco and Hermione was pleased about that. She thought she couldn't have stood the potions any longer. Even the sight of them made her feel scared.
She shook her head and smiled brilliantly at Dolohov who had his wand pointed at her. "Thank you for the cheering charm, Antonin." Hermione raised an eyebrow and did the spell on Dolohov as well.
"Thanks to you too." Dolohov and Hermione were walking to the dining hall for lunch since Ginny and Vladimir were nowhere to be seen. "Tonight we will have to learn a lot! Tomorrow is the exam." Dolohov practically growled.
"Yes." Hermione concluded. "Luckily, I've already started studying."
"Really? I should too." Dolohov laughed and his eyes laughed as well. Hermione was still in shock to see how this Dolohov did NOT resemble the Dolohov in the future.
He winked at her and departed to another table as Hermione walked over to her usual seat swiftly. Ginny and Vladimir took their seat precisely 5 seconds after Hermione had sat down. "Where were you?" Hermione asked them when Ivan and Anton sat down as well.
"Just behind you. Didn't you see us?" Vladimir asked with wide eyes.
"No, she didn't, she was flirting with Dolohov." Ginny grinned.
"Look at that, Krum," Hermione spat heatedly "We did NOT flirt! I am not interested in Dolohov."
"If I didn't know better, Karkarova, I would…"
"…shut your mouth." Hermione finished in a very final sort of way, leaving Ginny and Vladimir exchanging knowing glances.
Hermione sighed. Why was Ginny so stubborn? And why was she flirting with Vladimir when she had Harry?
THTHTH
Natalija would be back soon. More than half of the time was already over. Tom smiled at the thought of her and his heart skipped a beat. What would he do when she was back WITHOUT a fiancée? He truly didn't know. But he had plans, though he doubted them. Would they work?
He looked at a small black book that had been delivered to him by owl. It was about ridding the magical world of mudbloods and how to do so without drawing attention. Tom used to be very interested in that book and used to enjoy reading it in his spare time, but at this moment he didn't like the content at all. It slightly disturbed him.
Tom started when the headmaster appeared in the headboy dorm.
"Professor Dippet!" Tom had put on his fake mask again, concealing the book behind a non-verbal charm.
"There will be a ball next month and the prefects are organizing it. Apparently they need your help. Are you willing to support them?"
"Of course, headmaster." Tom said although he wouldn't like anything less. Organizing a ball? Come on. He had better things to do. Although… he didn't know that there would be a ball in the first place. This would be the perfect opportunity to ask Natalija out.
With a triumphant smile, he followed the headmaster out of the door.
Harry was fuming in his invisibility cloak. What was Tom playing at? And it seemed as if he really had a thing for Hermione. Or was that just Draco's vivid imagination and jealousness? Moreover, was this development dangerous for them?
TTHTH
Hermione and Ginny were absolutely exhausted. Today had been their last day of classes, tomorrow was the MDA-exam.
"I can't do it!" Ginny moaned when they were sitting in the library, studying.
"Yes, you can. Only half of that is new!" Hermione told her in a soothing voice.
Ginny laughed. "Maybe for YOU."
Vladimir shook his head. "It's all more complicated than it seems. Especially the practical exam will be hard."
Hermione shuddered. "Probably. I guess, we should try out the spells…"
"No, we shouldn't. I don't want to weaken myself." Ginny explained.
"Besides, the other students won't take it so lightly when they are being hexed with a dark curse." Dolohov grinned.
Hermione threw her hands in the air. "Fine."
"By the way, when are you leaving? Surely not tomorrow?" Vladimir asked, putting his quill down.
"No, the day after tomorrow – we are going to wait for our results and the certificate. And as this will be handed over the next day, we are going to leave then." Hermione explained. The mischievous twinkle in Vladimir's eyes disturbed Hermione slightly.
"Why?"
"There will be a big party you know, after the MDA exam." Dolohov grinned.
"Perfect. You know what? We'll be there!" Ginny grinned as well.
"Very well. But now, if you don't mind, I'm STUDYING." and with that Hermione buried herself behind her notes and concentrated on Dark artefacts.
THTHTH
"I don't think that it's your opinion to decide, Abbott." Tom said with a slight malicious edge. "We should find a topic that does not only involve Hufflepuff."
"And you think that LOVE is solely a Hufflepuff-topic?" Jeremy Belby from Ravenclaw asked with a slight frown.
"Oh yes or do YOU find "love" a Ravenclaw trait?" Tom sneered disdainfully and Belby remained silent. Tom used the silence to contribute something of his own mind.
"I would suggest something darker."
Of course.
"It is winter after all and we need something to fit that description."
"Oh, I know something." Leanne giggled. She was a Gryffindor prefect and constantly drooling over someone or giggling with her girlfriends. It annoyed Tom to no end. Furthermore, her voice reminded him of someone scratching a blackboard.
"Yes, Prewett?" Tom growled, glaring at the girl.
"A vampire party, maybe? So we can all dress up as-"
"Thank you, Prewett, but no. Anyone has any better suggestions?"
"A snake-party!" Flint suggested smirking.
"No, Flint. It is NOT a Slytherin-dance." Tom said, though he smirked about the loyalty of his housemates.
"So what do YOU suggest, then, Riddle?" Abbott said darkly, unsuccessfully trying to keep the fear out of his voice. "You can't really use something dark. What would the transfer students think? Can you imagine our reputation?"
And suddenly a vivid image of Natalija flashed in Tom's mind. Her disappointed face at having to attend a dark party, although she WAS Durmstrang. Dark just didn't appeal to Natalija and didn't suit her. An angel on the dark side? No, that just wasn't possible. She was too good to be on the dark side.
He sighed inwardly. "A winter ball. A wintry landscape, fake snow, fake trees, etc, … decorations are your job, Gryffindors, Food and drink are for the Slytherins, invitations are the hufflepuffs and the Ravenclaws do the final calculating as well as music preparations. Get to work. NOW!"
THTHTH
Hermione was concentrating hard. The students were sitting their theoretical MDA-paper and Hermione was – as usual – well prepared for the test. She was answering the questions with ease, and was sure she passed with flying colours. What her bothered, was the practical test in the afternoon. They had to brew a potion, handle a dark artefact correctly, and duel a classmate twice. She didn't know who she would have to duel, but wasn't looking forward to it nevertheless.
Yana next to her sighed and scratched out a sentence. This brought Hermione out of her reverie and she scribbled down the next answer, although she had already progressed furthest, she was in a hurry so that she could reread her answers three times.
Ginny and Vladimir were sitting next to each other, both mastering the test okayish. Dolohov and the girl next to him, Lena, were both sitting there with a deep frown.
Ten minutes later, the bell rang and Hermione was first to hand in her test, after having read through the test 3 times.
She was hungry and anxious about the practical exam. AND there was Dumbledore's task. Well, about her supposed fiancée.
Who could she take?
It was obvious, when Dolohov waited for her outside the classroom! Dolohov! Of course!
He was waiting for her with a big smile. "Natalija. How did your test go?"
"I think, I did okay. The questions were hard though. What about you?"
"Yeah, I did it as well. I'm already excited about this afternoon…"
"So am I. Though excited is not the right word. More like scared or anxious." Hermione shook her head worriedly. Ginny and Vladimir caught up with them on their way to the dining hall for lunch.
"I'm starving." Ginny exclaimed to nobody's surprise and Vladimir groaned. "I can't believe, they formulated the questions like that! I had to read through them THREE times to finally get the point of them."
Ginny nodded. "They were really stupid. But I think, I passed."
"Of course you did." Vladimir grinned. "So did I."
When they arrived at the dining hall, Hermione and Dolohov said their good-byes and sat at their respectable table. Ivan, Mascha and Anton sat down some minutes later.
"So, how did your test go?" Mascha asked.
"Well, I think okay. The practical is in the afternoon and THAT'S what scares me a bit." Hermione admitted.
"Yes, actually, the practical is always the hardest and the most dangerous. Take care." Ivan warned her and Hermione looked at him with wide eyes. She would take care. She never thought that Dumbledore would put them deliberately into life-threatening situations.
The afternoon of the practical exam finally came. The class was divided into groups of four, for brewing different potions. Hermione got to make the potion to induce sadness and fear. Eurgh. Ginny, who was in her group as well got luckier to make an easy potion – in Hermione's opinion at least – a potion to create confusion, dizziness and the loss of change of direction.
They all mastered their potions with ease and after that even the handling with a fire-ball gave Hermione full marks. Then it was time to duel.
They were partnered up with two different partners and Hermione's face fell considerably. She was supposed to duel against GINNY.
The other person was Danijel who she didn't know that well.
She had NEVER in her life duelled against her best girlfriend. Hermione looked behind and saw that Ginny was wearing a similar expression.
The third pair was called and Hermione noticed her name. Danijel looked at her and gave her a half-smile, positioning himself in front of her on the stage. The jury looked at the pair encouragingly. The sight of the mediwitch didn't make Hermione feel less anxious.
Danijel and Hermione bowed and positioned themselves in the combat position. "You have three minutes to duel. One, two, three." a grey-haired man in the jury called out and Danijel shot the first hex.
"Expelliarmus." Hermione gasped and Danijel shot a stupefy with ease which Hermione waved off in half a second.
"Reducto!" she shouted back, but Danijel jumped to the side, Hermione's spell breaking the cupboard behind her.
"Impedimenta." "Protego." Averte Statum." "Expelliarmus." "Furununculus." "Tarantellagra." Imperio." "Serpensortia." "Petrificus Totalus." All the spells, they had learned, waved through the air, various colours like fireworks.
In the end, no one got hurt, though Danijel's hair was smoking slightly and Hermione was sporting a small cut in her left shoulder.
"Very well. Both of you, full marks."
Daniejl and Hermione shook their hands, a relieved smile breaking out on both of their faces. Finally, the first duel was over. Hermione let herself heal by the mediwitch with a simple incantation – she had to remember that one – and it was Ginny's turn next against Dolohov.
Hermione watched and was surprised of Ginny's strength. From what she could see on her face, Ginny was using all hatred from the future Dolohov to duel. Hermione guessed that Ginny was picturing the older, mean Dolohov and therefore gaining anger and power.
Actually a good idea. But after three minutes, Ginny and Dolohov were both red in the face and panting. NOTHING had happened and they both got full marks as well.
"Very well, Katya." Hermione praised her.
"I can't believe, we have to duel against each other!" Ginny murmured disappointedly. "Yes, I know. It's a pity. I don't know, if I can even concentrate. I CAN'T shoot any dark curses towards you." Hermione muttered.
"But you have to! Just three minutes and it's over. We'll forget that it ever happened, okay?"
"Yes, okay. Come on, let's get a coffee." Hermione dragged Ginny to the back of the class, were some students were assembling in front of the coffee machine.
"I hope, we can survive this." Hermione still murmured gloomily.
"Come on, we were both taught at the D.A." Ginny grinned, putting some sugar into her coffee. "Yes which is the problem. So we don't really have a chance. I hope, no one gets injured too badly." Hermione sighed.
"Oh no, we won't. That's why there is a mediwitch."
"And no bat-bogey-hex, Ginny." Hermione warned. "But beware, I won't take care of you or pay attention. Ginny, you will be like a real opponent!"
"Deal, Hermione. I will picture you as Bellatrix Lestrange." Ginny smirked.
"Thank you, Ginny. You can be quite charming."
THTHTH
This is the end of the chapter. I will update next week. Any suggestions, improvements or wishes – reviews please! :)