Disclaimer: don't own
A/N: Thankies to sugar-high pixie for reviewing
Of Blood and Magic
Chapter 21: Loof Lirpa
"Trust me, Hermione is not cheating!"
"I haff never said-"
"No, just implied. That Rita Skeeter is making things up. I mean, come on, Harry and Hermione? Is she blind! They're friends."
"But-"
"Now, if she wanted to be believable she would have picked Ron Weasley to pair Hermione up with, what with them constantly at each other's throats like kids in grade school. But that wouldn't have been quite the scandal as her and Harry Potter."
"Tevelle-"
"What?"
"Vhy are you talking about this vith me?"
"Because I am sick of your moping. You haven't gone swimming with me in weeks! And I know it's because you think it would make Hermione jealous and possibly drive her further into Harry Potter's waiting arms. Which won't happen because they're… say it."
"Friends."
"Good, now that we have this settled, where are we going?"
"Haff you eaten a large portion of sugar vonce again?"
"Maaaaybe."
Krum shook his head as they stepped out into the evening air. Tevelle bounced along beside him. She hadn't eaten quite as much sugar as Krum assumed, but he had been more glum than usual lately and she had felt the need to lighten him up a bit, even if that meant acting the fool. She wasn't quite sure when she had begun considering Krum friend enough to do so without questioning it beforehand.
"I am going down to the Quidditch pitch Mr. Bagman vanted to talk to the champions. I do not know vere you are going."
"That's funny, I'm going the same way!"
"Vreally…"
"Yup!"
The next few minutes of walking passed in silence, or near silence. Tevelle couldn't quite keep still.
"What have you done to the Quiddich Pitch?" Cedric Diggory exclaimed, having joined them on the way.
Tevelle looked around where a crowd had gathered. All of the staff, the judges, champions and associated friends were scattered in varying groups amidst streamers and festively decorated tables.
Xeven was missing.
"Oh yeah! How could I forget!" Tevelle exclaimed. "It's Xeven's birthday today!"
"Do you even know when his birthday is?" Aberforth, who was maintaining a careful distance from his brother asked.
"Good point, does it matter?" Tevelle giggled.
"True."
Beside Tevelle, the Champions were still confused. Luna took it upon herself to explain. "We decided my dear Granduncle Xeven needs a party to cheer him up."
"Well spoken, my dear," a musical voice chimed in. A tall, longhaired woman draped an affectionate arm around Tevelle.
"Aria! What are you doing here?"
"Well," Aria continued, "We could not let you all have all the fun, so the Coven and I decided to join you."
Tevelle took that moment to look around, making sure to take note of a those heads that she had somehow missed before. "Where's Tanas?"
"Oh, that prankster…. Hmmm….."
"I think I saw him with the weasel twins." Luna supplied.
"Oh no, not Tanas and the Weaselys. The world will never be the same."
A small explosion rocked the far end of the pitch and a bowl of punch went flying, landing spectacularly on Mr. Bagman's head.
"See, never the same."
"Anyway, is this everyone?" Tevelle inquired.
"Yes, I lost track of a few people earlier, the Gnarlishs were hungry, but other than that we are just waiting on the guest of honor."
"Aria," Xenophillius Lovegood interjected, handing a goblet of punch to Luna, "I have told you already Gnarlishs do not like the smell of vampires, they would not have stolen any of these people, too many vampires about. It is the Loof Lirpa that you must be wary of in such a setting. Never fear though, acting the fool usually scares them away."
"Very well then, I suppose that explains this rather outlandish hat you have been wearing."
"Yes."
"This is great, won't Xeven be surprised!" Tevelle giggled at the thought.
"Quite," a cool voice interceded. The guest of honor had materialized while no one had been looking. Xeven surveyed the assembled crowd. Silence swept thought the assembly as Xeven walked towards the refreshments table, sedately sliced a large piece of blood velvet cake for himself, and ambled back up to the castle, leaving a baffled crowd in his wake.
A/N: April Fools! The real chapter will be up as soon as I can write it.