Author's Note: Trying hard to get this story finished. Just not getting much in the way of inspiration. But, in any case, here's chapter 23. In the next few chapters, things will jump from character couple to character couple, happen at roughly the same time. I don't own anything Potter-related, just some of the plot and the original characters. Read, review, & enjoy!
Krum's carriage had taken them across Sweden and finally stopped a luxurious hotel in Stockholm. Krum exited the carriage, followed by Draco and Ginny.
"Are we staying here?" Ginny asked.
"Yes," Krum replied, "Durmstrang is not far to the south from here. We have reservations here under a false name. Follow my lead."
Draco and Ginny nodded as the three of them entered the hotel. Krum walked up to the front desk and rung on the bell. A clerk approached the desk and sat down. "Welcome to our fine establishment," the clerk said.
"Reservation for McHenry," Krum said. The clerk typed in the name and waited for the computer to respond.
"Ah, here it is," the clerk said, "Room for three. Two beds. Non-smoking. This all checks out. I'll have someone get your bags." The clerk grabbed a bell and rung it, causing a bellhop to appear. "Take these bags to room 314," the clerk said.
The bellhop nodded and grabbed the bags. Krum, Draco, and Ginny then followed the bellhop into the elevator and up to the third floor, where they then walked to room 314. Ginny walked in first, followed by Draco. Krum stayed in the doorway and tipped the bellhop.
"You two get situated," Krum said, "I have to make some last minute preparations. We start our first spy run tonight."
Draco and Ginny nodded as Krum closed the door. "Do you think we can trust Krum?" Draco asked, sitting down, "I mean, he is a Durmstrang, after all."
"Of course we can trust him," Ginny said.
"Something just doesn't feel right," Draco said, "I hope I'm wrong."
"Well I'm going to take a shower," Ginny said, walking into the bathroom.
Draco walked over to a large nightstand, sorting through the different complimentary items provided by the hotel. He could hear the shower running when he heard the door to the bathroom open. Draco looked over to see Ginny, her arm and leg hugging the doorframe and her red hair damp from the steam.
"Care to join me?" Ginny asked. Draco smirked as he removed his shirt, following Ginny into the bathroom.
The sun was close to setting when Krum had returned. Draco and Ginny has showered and changed into darker clothing. "Everything is set," Krum said, "Are you ready?"
Draco and Ginny nodded. "We need a backup plan," Ginny said, "In case we are spotted."
"We do not need to worry about that," Krum said.
"Are you so certain of everything?" Draco said.
Krum and Draco stared at each other, sharing a tense moment, each man trying to read the other's facial features, hoping to gain a clue as to what the other was thinking.
"Perhaps you are right," Krum said.
"I say if we are spotted, we should return immediately to the hotel, regroup, and make our way to Hogwarts," Draco said.
"The idea is sound," Ginny said.
"It is agreed then," Krum said, "Now come with me. I have a carriage waiting outside."
Krum turned and opened the door to their room and walked out, followed by Draco and Ginny. Draco and Ginny walked through the lobby of the hotel, making a direct line for the door.
"Checking out, Mr. McHenry?" the clerk at the front desk asked quietly.
Draco's ears picked up the question and he turned his head to see Krum leaning against the front desk, quietly talking to the clerk. A wave of dread swept over him as he turned and walked out, keeping Ginny close to him. Krum walked out and joined them.
"Will the carriage be along soon?" Ginny asked.
"We cannot afford a carriage," Krum said, "We would be too easily seen."
Almost on cue, a man walked into view, leading three horses. "Horses?" Draco asked.
"They're faster," Krum said, "And will be less conspicuous."
Krum walked over to one of the horses, grabbed the saddle, and mounted the horse. Draco and Ginny followed suit. With a loud "Hee-Yah!" Krum rode off into the night, followed closely by Draco and Ginny. Draco's pulse began to race as he anticipated what could happen.
The Rising Dragon had drifted through a patch of dense fog and had slowed down its speed. Harry wandered out of his cabin and peered out into the fog. He hadn't decided yet if he was going to completely forgive Cho. In truth, he had a hard time forgiving himself. He knew what he had done with Hermione, and what he would have done had he not been caught, was wrong in almost every sense of the word. More to the fact, Harry was ready to do what he would've done simply out of spite for the fact that Cho, and rightfully so, still had some feelings for Cedric.
"I've made up my mind," Harry thought to himself.
It was at that moment, he saw something moving through the waters. It was barely noticeable, but Harry could see what appeared to be a fin moving through the distant waters, all but shrouded by the thick fog. Harry turned to check on Cho only to be approached by Choukichi.
"Harry," Choukichi said, his voice relaying alertness, "Please get Cho and follow me at once."
"What's going on?" Harry asked.
"There's no time," Choukichi replied, "You must trust that you are potentially in danger here and come with me now."
Harry could sense the alarm in Choukichi's voice. It seemed too genuine to be neither a trick nor a potential false alarm. Harry nodded and walked back into his cabin, to see Cho brushing her hair. She saw Harry's reflection and turned to him.
"Is everything alright?" Cho asked.
"Cho, get your things," Harry said, "Choukichi wants us to follow him." Cho nodded and both she and Harry grabbed their bags.
"Leave them," Choukichi said from the doorway.
"Are you mad?" Cho asked.
"They will be here when you return," Choukichi said.
"Return?" Harry asked, "From where?"
"There is no time," Choukichi replied, "You must follow me at once."
Harry and Cho followed Choukichi out of the cabin and down to the front of the ship. "Choukichi, what's going on?" Harry asked.
"Someone tipped off the Death Eaters to your location," Choukichi said, "They're on their way to our location. We have to get you out of here at once."
"Where will we go?" Cho asked, "We're in the middle of the ocean."
"Leave that to him," Choukichi replied, pulling a bamboo flute from his jacket.
"Who?" Harry asked.
Choukichi leaned over the edge of the ship and played a quick tune from the flute. Suddenly, the waters around the ship began to bubble. From the bubbling mass of seafoam, a scaly head arose.
"A dragon," Cho said.
"Not just any dragon," Choukichi explained, "A Hiroshima Spinetail. One of the last known in existence."
The dragon buoyed in the water for a moment, then opened its massive jaws. "You two must get inside," Choukichi said.
"Inside?" Harry asked, "You mean inside that dragon's mouth? You must be joking."
"Harry you must trust me," Choukichi replied, "Tsunami will not harm you. Climb into her mouth and she will take you to Burning Lotus."
"I don't know about this," Cho said, "This could be dangerous."
"You must trust me," Choukichi said, "You are not safe here. You must go."
Harry wasn't sure, but he knew something was wrong. He grabbed Cho by the wrist and stepped over the edge into the waiting jaws of the dragon. Cho held onto Harry as the dragon closed its mouth and submerged into the water. Harry and Cho began to feel dizzy and blacked out.
The Lady of the Sea had docked and Ron and Alice had stepped onto dry land. They hadn't gotten far when Ron heard a familiar voice. "What took you so long?" the voice called out, "We've been waiting for you."
Ron and Alice turned around to see Bill and Fleur walking towards them. "We can't be that late," Ron said, "Ship just barely arrived."
"We were expecting you to arrive by broom," Fleur said, "Or perhaps floo powder."
"Only recently did we receive word that you'd by arriving by ship to avoiding detection," Bill said, "Well, let's go. Beauxbatons awaits."
Bill and Fleur led Ron and Alice into a local tavern. They walked through the room to a storage room in the back. At the far end of the storage room was an old fireplace.
"This is a private floo to Madame Maxime's office," Fleur said, throwing a handful of floo powder into the fireplace.
"After you," Bill said.
Ron kissed Alice and stepped into the green fire. Alice walked through next, followed by Bill and Fleur. When the green flames dissipated, Ron and Alice saw Madame Maxime pouring glass of brandy.
"Greetings," Madame Maxime said, "I am relieved that you have arrived safely."
"It is a pleasure to see you, Madame Maxime," Ron said, "We come on urgent business."
"I know why you have come," Madame Maxime replied, "Voldemort's army grows every day. War is inevitable."
"We can defeat him," Alice said, "But we'll need all the help we can get."
"When Voldemort strikes," Madame Maxime said, "You can rely on Beauxbatons to aid you in the war."
"We are pleased to hear that," Ron said, pulling a piece of parchment from his robes, "I have here an admission of alliance. We need your signature as head mistress of Beauxbatons."
Madame Maxime took the parchment from Ron, withdrew her quill from its ink bottle and signed the document. Ron rolled the parchment back up and secured it in his robe.
"When we return to Hogwarts," Ron began, "We will add this parchment to the others when they are presented."
"The Hogwarts Accord," Alice added.
"Do you really think Voldemort will attack Hogwarts?" Bill asked.
"Voldemort has spent the last almost seven years with one goal," Ron replied, "Kill Harry. Harry will be at Hogwarts, so I'd bet that Voldemort will attack there in order to get to him."
"When do you need our help?" Madame Maxime asked.
"We are working on the theory that the Death Eaters will not stage a full assault until after Christmas," Alice said.
"What makes you think that?" Fleur asked.
"If you look at the last years," Ron began, "Voldemort has bided his time until the end of the school year to strike."
"After the new year, we will send word to Beauxbatons," Alice said.
"I shall hand select my best students," Madame Maxime said, "They shall train. When you send word, I shall personally deliver them to Hogwarts."
"Hogwarts owes you a debt," Ron said, "Our ship does not sail until tomorrow morning. If possible, could we find lodging here tonight?"
"You are more than welcome to stay here," Madame Maxime replied.
"I'll show you to the guest quarters," Fleur said.
Fleur and Alice left the room as Ron turned to Bill, a look of concern on his face. "I must speak with you about something," he said.
"What troubles you?" Bill asked.
"A vision that came to me," Ron said, "I fear I may have to do something terrible."
The Madame of Good Fortune had already docked in Salem and Jason and Hermione were standing at the entrance to Dragonfire. Two large dragons, one green and the other brownish-red. Swooped down and landed in front of them, growling and snarling.
"Yorick. Sparky," Jason said, "Down boys."
The dragons stood their ground, baring their teeth. Suddenly, another shriek echoed from the clouds. A white dragon soared down, landing hard on the ground and issuing a series of growls and guttural sounds to the other dragons. The two dragons ceased their snarling, sniffed Jason and Hermione, and then flew off.
"That was a close one," Hermione said. "Thanks, Avalanche."
Avalanche, the white dragon, turned to Jason and dropped his stomach, letting out a tiny squeal. Jason reached out and patted Avalanche's snout. "Well, well, well," a voice called out, "The prodigal son returns."
Jason spun around to see Marrius Moody walking towards him. Jason met his former instructor and embraced him. "How are you doing, Jason?" Marrius asked.
"I've seen better days," Jason said, "I need to speak to Headmaster Abernathy."
"Follow me," Marrius said.
Marrius turned and led Jason and Hermione into Dragonfire. Hermione looked over at Jason and saw a change in him almost instantly. Being back in the halls of Dragonfire brought calm to Jason's mental struggle.
"Jason!" a voice called out.
Jason looked around a corner just in time to be rushed by Paul Heitman. Jason and Paul locked each other in a brief embrace. "I heard you'd come back," Paul said.
"I've only been here ten minutes," Jason said.
"This is Dragonfire. Word travels fast here," Paul said, "Wait till Thomas and Louie find out. Hey, we're playing a concert later. Why don't you stop by?"
"I'll see what I can do," Jason said, "I'm sorta here on official business."
Marrius led Jason and Hermione to Abernathy's office. Nathaniel Abernathy was sitting at his desk, signing papers when he looked up and saw Jason. "Jason, how good to see you," he said.
"Good to see you, too, Headmaster," Jason replied.
"Come now, we'll have none of that," Abernathy said, "I am no longer your headmaster. Hogwarts is your school now."
"Yes Headma...uh...sir," Jason said.
"Now, what brings you back to the halls of Dragonfire?" Abernathy asked.
Jason nodded to Hermione, who produced a roll of parchment, placing it on Abernathy's desk. "We call it The Hogwarts Accord," Hermione said, "We have gone to the heads of each school to negotiate an alliance. Voldemort will no doubt strike Hogwarts before the end of term and with his ever-growing army, we shall need an army to match him."
Abernathy looked over the parchment, and then nodded to Marrius, who joined him from the doorway and scanned the parchment himself. "So, if I am correct," Abernathy began, "You want me to sign this as a show of my part in this alliance. And on top of that, you wish me to send a regimen of my students to aid you in this fight?"
"That's correct," Hermione said.
Abernathy leaned back in his chair, looking uncertain. "Miss Granger, you are no doubt aware that Voldemort's brief occupation of these grounds has reduced the size of our upper classes," he said, "The number of students who would be suitable to aid in the war is critically low. I'm afraid I cannot risk losing an entire graduating class."
"Abernathy, you can't be serious," Jason said, "I know it's a big risk, but it's a necessary risk. If Voldemort wins and Hogwarts falls, the other schools will be next."
"Jason, I will not put my students at risk simply because Hogwarts is willing to risk theirs," Abernathy said.
"The students at Hogwarts have chosen on their own to aid in the war," Jason said, "They have pride in their school and they know the consequences of doing nothing. So, don't you dare question or insult Hogwarts."
Abernathy narrowed his eyes, not in anger, but rather to read Jason's facial features. "You've seen it, haven't you?" Abernathy asked.
"What are you talking about?" Hermione asked.
"Something's happened to Jason," Abernathy said, "Whatever it is, it's caused a spike in Jason's abilities. His telekinesis is stronger and his precognitive senses have become active again."
"Something did happen," Jason said, "I won't talk about it, though."
"I won't ask you to," Abernathy said, "I want to know you saw. What your precognitive senses have shown you."
"Jason hasn't seen any visions of the future," Hermione said, "We would've known about it."
Hermione turned to Jason, who was straight-faced as he slowly sat down in a chair. "When I sleep, it comes to me," he said, "Playing over and over like it's stuck on a loop."
Hermione sat down in a chair next to Jason, suddenly looking concerned. Abernathy leaned forward in his chair as Marrius leaned against the desk. All eyes were now on Jason. Jason took a deep breath and closed his eyes, recalling his vision of a horrible future.
"Everything that has a beginning, has an end," Jason said, "I see the end coming. I see the darkness spreading. I see death himself. And we are all that stands in his way."
"Voldemort," Marrius said.
"Very soon, he will have the power to destroy the magical world," Jason continued, "But I believe he won't stop there. He can't. He won't stop until there's nothing left at all. Until this world is reduced to ash."
Abernathy closed his eyes, losing himself in his thoughts. "I will present it to the student body," he finally said, "If my students are willing to risk their lives, then I will sign the accord. In the meantime, you're welcome to stay at the school. It just so happens that the head student of the South Wing is in the infirmary, so you and Miss Granger can stay in his room."
"I will tonight," Jason said, "But in the morning, I'm leaving the grounds."
"Where are you heading?" Marrius asked.
"Savannah," Jason said.
"To see your grandparents?" Marrius asked. Jason nodded as he stood up and walked out of the room, followed by Hermione.
Marrius turned to Abernathy. "He's hiding something," he said.
"I know," Abernathy replied, "We have to be careful how we discover the truth or else we could lose him to Voldemort."
"Do you really believe what Jason said?" Marrius asked.
"I believe that Voldemort's power is growing," Abernathy said.
"Then if we do nothing," Marrius said, "We could all be in danger."
"I know," Abernathy said, "But we can do nothing until the Red Dawn."
A/N: So that was chapter 23...lemme know what y'all think...next chapter will be up by Christmas