Disclaimer: Harry Potter is NOT mine! All of the recognizable characters and settings belong to JK Rowling, Warner Bros. and Scholastic, not me. I am just having some fun in JK Rowling's masterpiece, as well as adding my own twists to it.
"Looking sharp there Patrick," James said as Harry stepped out of his room, smoothing out the front of his dress robes. "Glad to see that my old pair fits."
"Yes, they fit well," Harry said, "and thank you again for lending me these robes, and for inviting Juliet and I to your family's Ball."
"Of course Patrick, its no problem," James said. "We are happy to have you and Juliet. Besides, no one should be alone on Christmas."
Harry grinned. "So who all is coming to this?" he asked. "I've never been to a Christmas Ball like this, my school had a Christmas dance once but that was just a school dance."
"Well usually the majority of the Ancient and Noble Houses will make an appearance," James said, "along with some of my classmates from Hogwarts and their families will show up."
"What about those families who are Dark? Do they come as well?" Harry asked.
"Sometimes," James said, though it seemed like the words were being forced from him. "Christmas is a bit of a ceasefire for politics, or at the very least it makes us all be polite to one another. It has been nearly a century since any family attacked another on Christmas, and that family was kicked out of polite society for it."
"Who was it?" Harry asked.
"The Gaunt family," James answered, causing Harry to nearly miss the bottom step of the stairs. "Are you all right there Patrick?"
"No, I'm all right," Harry said quickly, "just mistimed my step. So what is this Ball like? Like I said, I've only been to one school dance, nothing like this."
"Well to be honest, its probably pretty similar to what you are used too," James said. "Food, drinking, dancing, all of that."
"Don't tell me you are afraid of a little dancing Patrick?" Sirius laughed as he, Remus and Peter appeared around the corner. All three teens were wearing dress robes like Harry and James' robes.
"Not afraid, just not very good," Harry said. "I don't like being the center of attention."
"No one is ever really good at dancing," Peter said, "well, except for Sirius. He knows how to dance better than all of us put together."
"Really?" Harry asked, surprised.
"It's one of those things that you have to know when you live in high magical society," Sirius said, "as an heir, you are expected to put on a certain face, and being able to dance well is just one part of it. Now of course, no one can match my style and grace on the dance floor."
"Of course," Harry said, rolling his eyes causing the other Marauders to chuckle.
"Where are Juliet and Lily?" Peter asked. Harry had to force himself to keep his face straight at Peter's question. The future-traitor had seemingly developed a crush on Hermione, who of course had noticed but just brushed aside Harry's concerns. Harry did have to admit that the Peter Pettigrew in front of him was nothing like the cowardly traitor that Harry had met in the future. This Peter was still a smaller man, an inch or so shorter than Harry but he was solidly built, a bit like Charlie Weasley, and his blue eyes gleamed with mischief and happiness, not fear and loathing.
Harry could see why his father, Sirius and Remus were friends with Peter and it was difficult to see how this young man turned into the traitor that he had. To Harry, Peter seemed to just fit in with the other Marauders, while Peter wasn't a genius like Remus, or the heir to a powerful house like James or Sirius, he was the everyman, the one who kept the others grounded in reality.
"They are still getting ready," James said. "They should be down in a few moments. You know how girls are."
The other Marauders nodded while Harry kept silent. A chime then rang through the house causing the five men to look around.
"What was that?" Harry asked.
"That was the incoming Floo alarm," James said. "Our guests should be arriving soon, I need to be there to greet them. See you all in a few."
"We'll come with you James," Sirius said. "I'm getting hungry anyway."
"You guys go on ahead, I'll wait for Lily and Juliet," Harry said.
"I'll wait too," Peter said. Harry looked at Peter out of the corner of his eye but he didn't say anything.
"Ok Peter, Patrick, we'll see you inside," James said. He, Sirius and Remus left the front hall, heading toward the main hall where Charlus and Anne were already greeting guests.
"Why don't you like me Patrick?" Peter asked suddenly.
"What?" Harry sputtered, his mind racing." Why would you say something like that?"
"Don't play dumb Patrick," Peter said. "Ever since we met, you have been keeping me at an arm's length. You haven't done that with James, Sirius or Remus, just me. Why?"
Harry cursed himself mentally; he hadn't realized that he had been so obvious, or that Peter would be astute. The other Peter had been a sniveling coward, only concerned about saving his own skin, though he was obviously smart enough to trick the Order.
"Sorry Peter, I hadn't realized that I was acting differently toward you," Harry said, "I guess I have been so concerned about what is going on with the Wizengamont and Riddle that I didn't realize I was acting differently. I apologize Peter."
"That's all right Patrick," Peter said with a friendly smile. "I can understand you are worried about that Bill. To be honest, it scares me that the Wizengamont would go so far. If it were to pass, who knows how far they could go in the name of protecting our world from the muggles."
"You don't think the Bill is a good idea?" Harry asked.
"I'm not really sure," Peter admitted, scratching his chin. "I know some muggleborns, like Lily, and their families are very accepting of their magical abilities, but I also know of some muggleborns who were cast out of their families due to them having magic. So I think that the bill has some good points, about protecting our world and any muggleborns from families who don't want them, but not all muggleborn families are the bad ones."
Harry frowned, he knew all about not being wanted. The Dursleys had made that abundantly clear every chance they could that Harry wasn't wanted with them. "So you think that the Wizengamont should just remove children from their families?" Harry asked.
"If those families are harming the kids, then yes, I think the Ministry or Wizengamont should step in," Peter said firmly. "It's better for everyone. These kids go somewhere safe, and where their powers will be nurtured and taught properly, and the magical world's secret is kept because I am sure the Ministry can Obliviate the family."
Harry raised an eyebrow at Peter's answer; it certainly was not something he had been expecting from Pettigrew. "And what about those families that don't hate or fear their child's magic?"
Peter wet his lips as he thought about his answer. "You mean like Lily's parents?" he asked. Harry nodded. "I think in cases like that, nothing should change, except maybe the Ministry should contact muggleborn families long before their 11th birthday especially if those kids have birthdays close to September 1st."
Harry paused as he considered Peter's suggestion. He knew that Hermione, with her birthday coming after September 1st, had nearly a year to learn all about the wizarding world before she started at Hogwarts while Harry had only a month. He could have certainly used more time to learn about the world that he was entering, or re-entering.
"That's actually a very good idea," Harry said. "I know I could have used more time to learn about the wizarding world."
"I thought you were a half-blood Patrick?" Peter asked.
"I am but I was raised by muggles," Harry said. "They feared magic so I didn't know until I turned eleven."
Peter was about to say something when a soft cough caught both men's attention. At the top of the stairs were Lily and Hermione, and both looked spectacular. Lily was wearing a black, sleeveless dress that made her pale skin and red hair stand out to great effect, while Hermione wore nearly the same dress that she had at the Yule Ball, though she was also wearing elbow-length white gloves that covered the scar on her left forearm.
"Wow," Harry said softly as the two young women descended the stairs. Lily had a small but smug grin on her face, noticing the reactions of both Patrick and Peter. She also noticed that Patrick and Peter were not looking at her, but focusing their attention on Juliet. Lily's grin only widened as she spotted the blush bloom across Juliet's cheeks as the two women walked down the stairs.
"James, Sirius and Remus in the other room?" Lily asked.
"Yes, James said he needed to be with his parents to help greet the guests," Harry said, finally taking his eyes off of Hermione. "Sirius and Remus went with him."
"We decided to wait for you and Lily," Peter said, his eyes fixed on Hermione, which caused Harry's lips to dip in a slight frown.
"Thank you for that Peter, Patrick," Lily said, noticing Harry's frown. "Since you boys are here, why don't you escort Juliet and I inside? Come on Peter, you can go with me and Patrick can take Juliet."
"But…" Peter began but Lily had already grabbed his arm and pulled him off toward the main hall before Peter could continue.
"You look amazing Hermione," Harry said softly once Lily and Peter were out of earshot. His earnest statement caused Hermione's blush to deepen and to look away. "Just like at the Yule Ball, is that the same dress?"
"No," Hermione said, "It is the same color though."
"Well, you look lovely," said Harry. He turned toward the main hall were they both could hear voices chattering away. "Are you ready for this?"
"I am not really sure," Hermione said, rubbing her left arm where Bellatrix's mark had scarred her.
"We don't have to go in there Hermione," Harry said. "I am sure that everyone would understand."
"No, no we can't do that Harry," Hermione argued. "I will be fine. It is just a dance, nothing more."
"If you are sure Hermione," Harry said, extending her arm for Hermione to take. She did so, with a slight blush, and the pair slowly made their way into the dance hall where the hosts and guests were talking and greeting one another.
At the front of the hall were the Potters, greeting their guests as they entered the hall like the proper hosts they were. Charlus and Anne were standing right next to the main doors, with James standing just behind his parents. Lily had made her way over to James and was standing at his side. The hall was just starting to fill up with guests as Harry and Hermione entered, and they didn't recognize most of the guests. There were some familiar faces to Harry and Hermione including Frank Longbottom and Alice Steward, Mary MacDonald and several other members of the Order of the Phoenix including Dedalus Diggle and Elphias Doge.
But in addition to the Light families or members, there were members of families that were considered Grey or Neutral or even Dark, including an older man with slicked back blonde hair, a pointed chin and gray eyes.
"What is a Malfoy doing here?" Harry hissed as he and Hermione approached the Marauders.
"My father invited them, well perhaps a better way of phrasing it is that he didn't not invite them," James said. "This party is an open event, anyone can come unless specifically not invited. You'll notice that there are quite a few families here that dad doesn't agree with, something about keeping enemies closer he says."
"It is part of a muggle quote," Lily said. "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."
"That's dumb," Sirius scoffed, "why would you want to keep your enemies close by, it would just give them a chance to hurt you."
"Perhaps," Hermione said, "but it also would let you watch them more easily, and see an attack coming and prevent it."
Sirius just rolled his eyes and wandered off toward a buffet table. Harry watched him go with a frown, "Is he all right?" he asked.
"It is his brother's birthday," James said.
"Brother?" Hermione asked, even though she knew about Regulus.
"Yeah, Sirius has a younger brother, Regulus," Remus said. "He was two years behind us at Hogwarts, and went into Slytherin. Sirius doesn't like to talk about Regulus all that much, he thinks that he failed Regulus by leaving for Hogwarts because it allowed their mother to corrupt Regulus, Sirius' words, with all the pureblood supremacy shite that You-Know-Who spouts off."
Hermione turned to watch Sirius load up his plate with food with a soft expression that Harry recognized as one she used when she saw a problem that needed to be solved but wasn't sure how to approach it.
"Regulus is a Death Eater?" Harry asked.
"No one is really sure," James answered. "He is suspected to be one, and certainly acted like a Death Eater while we were at Hogwarts; bullying muggleborns and everything. Sirius was hurt because when they were younger, Regulus looked up to him. Sirius hoped that Regulus would follow in his footsteps and not their parents', and not go into Slytherin."
"Welcome Lord Black," Charlus' voice cut over the chatter of the hall.
Harry, Hermione and the Marauders whipped their heads around to see the Head of House Black, Arcturus Black, greeting the Head of House Potter with a handshake.
"What is Lord Black doing here?" Lily asked.
"Like I said Lily, anyone who isn't specifically told that they can't come is allowed to arrive," James said, "and remember the Wizengamont meeting when they worked together to beat that kidnapping bill."
"Where's Sirius?" Hermione asked. "Wouldn't he want to see his grandfather?"
"Sirius has a complicated relationship with his grandfather," James said, glancing over at Sirius who was watching the two Lords greet one another. "His parents cast him out when Regulus gained his OWLs, claiming that Sirius was unworthy to carry on the name of Black. However, his grandfather, as Head of the House, allowed Sirius to keep the Black name. It is something that is never done, especially for a family like the Blacks."
"Why would Lord Black do that?"
"No one is really sure," James said. "As most know, the majority of the Black family has allied themselves with Riddle but apparently Lord Black has not, he has not said anything either way. My father believes that Lord Black is doing this as a way to keep a foot in both camps, he doesn't want his House to be completely wiped out."
"That's wise, I suppose," Hermione said, looking over at Sirius who was pointedly ignoring his grandfather's presence.
"Enough of the politics, there's a party going on," James said with a wide grin that everyone could tell was forced. He then turned and asked, "Would you care to dance Lily?"
The redhead blushed nearly to the roots of her hair but nodded with a smile. "I'd love too," she said, taking James' offered arm. The others watched as James led Lily out onto the dance floor as music began to play and several other couples began to join them.
"Um Juliet?" Peter asked. "Would you care to dance?"
Harry blinked as he saw Peter blush and look down at his feet. He turned to Hermione who was looking slightly stunned at Peter's request. Hermione looked then over at Harry, who had turned away from Hermione.
"If you want to that is?" Peter added, noticing Hermione glance at Harry.
"No, no Peter, I'd like to dance," Hermione said with a small smile. Peter's face lit up and he offered Hermione his arm. She took it with a second of hesitation but let Peter lead her onto the dance floor.
Harry watched Peter lead Hermione onto the dance floor, a heat growing deep in his stomach. 'Must be hungry,' Harry thought as he turned away from the dance floor and walked over to the buffet table to where Sirius and Remus were eating and talking.
"Hey there Patrick," Sirius said, grinning broadly but Harry could tell that the smile was slightly forced. "Where's Juliet?"
"Oh, she is dancing with Peter," Harry said. "How's the food?"
"Excellent," Sirius said, "course the Potters couldn't have anything less, it would show weakness if the hosts couldn't provide a feast. Bloody pureblood politics," he spat before taking a big drink from his goblet.
"I think you should take it easy there Sirius," Remus said, "you have already had quite a bit to drink."
"Oh don't worry about me Moony," Sirius said. "I can handle my liquor. Here Patrick, have a drink." Sirius pushed a smoking glass into Harry's hands. Harry took the glass and was just going to set it down without partaking when, as he turned, he saw Hermione smiling at something Peter had said. A rush of heat leapt from the pit of Harry's stomach up into his chest and throat.
"Hey, careful there Patrick," Sirius said, "You are spilling the booze all over yourself."
"Oh," Harry said looking down at his wet hand. He had spilt nearly half of his drink all over his hand and robes. "Sorry," he muttered, setting his glasses down and drying his hand off on his robes.
"Are you all right there Patrick?" Remus asked.
"Yes, yes I am ok," Harry said, "just slipped there."
"Can't believe Peter finally found the courage," Sirius muttered, glancing out at the dance floor.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
"Oh come on Patrick, you aren't that dense, are you?" Sirius laughed. "Peter has been crushing hard on Juliet for a while now. He just hasn't mustered up the courage yet to ask her out."
"Peter fancies He…Juliet?" Harry choked.
"Yes Patrick," Remus sighed. "I honestly think all of us fancy her a bit, except for James of course."
"All of you?"
"Yes Patrick, all of us," Sirius said, "you can't be that daft. Juliet is the total package; she's gorgeous, brilliant, feisty and sweet. To be honest, we were all waiting for you to pull your head out of your arse and make your move. I guess Wormtail was tired of waiting."
Harry turned back to watch Peter dance with Hermione. It was quite a sight as Wormtail was the same height as Hermione; he had been shorter than all of them when he, Hermione and Ron had discovered him in the trio's third year. 'I suppose hiding as a rat for over a decade will stunt any growth,' Harry thought. 'She really is beautiful though. Ron is…was a lucky bloke.'
Harry felt his breath catch in his chest when Hermione looked up from across the dance floor. He could see Hermione's brown eyes sparkle from all the way across the room, and a warmth flooded Harry's chest when he saw her smile. Harry remembered the scaly monster that had roared within his chest whenever he saw Ginny with Dean during his sixth year but this feeling was different. Harry didn't feel the burning sensation that he had felt toward Dean back then, no, now he felt almost a sense of longing. He wanted to be the one who was making Hermione laugh and smile, he wanted to be the one who was twirling her around the dance floor.
"You all right there Patrick?"
Harry jumped slightly as he realized that James had appeared at his side. He turned to find his father staring at him with an arched eyebrow as well as a tiny grin on his face.
"I'm fine James," Harry answered, tearing his gaze away from Hermione.
"Really? Cause you have been staring at Juliet for pretty much the entire time she and Peter have been dancing," James chuckled. "Don't be jealous Patrick."
"Jealous? I'm not jealous," Harry argued.
"Take it from someone who knows jealousy Patrick," James said, "you are jealous. I had that same look on my face whenever I saw Lily talking with any other bloke, even when we weren't dating. It wasn't' the best look, and it wasn't until after my fifth year that I realized how poorly my attitude was. My father told me that my behavior was reflecting poorly on the House of Potter, and that no woman would ever be with me if I kept acting like I had been, especially a woman like Lily."
"But I have never had feelings for Juliet," Harry said.
"You might think that Patrick," James said. "But I can tell, deep down you do have feelings for Juliet, you probably don't even realize it."
"I am not jealous of Peter, James," Harry argued, even though he could tell that his argument was not very strong. "I am just worried about her, you know that Juliet was involved with my best mate, I don't want her to get hurt."
"Well don't worry about that Patrick," James said. "For one, Peter won't hurt her, she'd take him down in a heartbeat, and that doesn't include what you and Lily would do to him if he did."
Harry gave James a small smile. "I suppose so," he said.
"Why not just ask Juliet to dance next?" James suggested. Harry snapped his head around at James. "You say you aren't jealous Patrick, but again you barely have taken your eyes off Juliet all night." James smirked as Harry's mouth opened as he tried to come up with a retort but came up with nothing. "Look Patrick, what do you have to lose? The worst is that Juliet will say no and then you will know."
"Know what?" Harry asked.
"If Juliet fancies you as much as you fancy her," James said.
"Juliet doesn't fancy me James, be serious," Harry said.
"Sirius is over there," James grinned while Harry groaned at the bad pun. "But I am serious Patrick, Juliet might hide it better than you, but she does have feelings for you. Just get off your arse and go and ask her to dance Patrick. The worst is that she will say no."
"I suppose you are right," Harry said, setting his drink down.
"Good on you mate," James grinned, clapping Harry on the back. "I am off to find Lily, but if I don't see you and Juliet out there by the time I get back, you will be the Marauders' next target."
"Ok James ok," Harry said holding his hands up. "I'll go and ask her in a minute, you just go and find Lily."
James grinned before moving off to find Lily, leaving Harry along by the buffet table. He barely noticed the other partygoers maneuvering around him to reach the refreshments as he watched Hermione continue to dance with Peter. Harry, even though they had been in the past for four months now, was still having trouble separating the cringing and cowardly rat that Pettigrew would become with the bumbling yet earnest Peter that he watched. To Harry, he couldn't fathom why Peter had betrayed his parents and friends.
"Are you all right Patrick?" Peter's question broke through Harry's thoughts. "You looked like you were a million miles away just then."
"Oh I am all right Peter," Harry said after shaking his head, clearing it of unwanted thoughts. "Just woolgathering I suppose."
"Ok then," Peter said, slipping past Harry to grab a drink. Hermione, who had been talking with another partygoer, noticed Harry standing by the table and swept over, her face slightly flushed and eyes sparkling like gems. For Harry, it drew him back once again to the Yule Ball and mentally kicked himself for not asking Hermione to the Ball, he would have certainly had a better time with Hermione than with Parvati.
"Ha…Patrick, are you all right?" Hermione asked when she reached him.
"I'm fine Juliet," Harry said. "You seem to be having a nice time with Peter."
Hermione blinked, taken aback by Harry's tone. "Yes I am," she said. "Peter is a sweet boy, and besides it was only a dance."
"He's the one who betrayed by parents," Harry hissed. "He sold them out to Riddle to save his own skin."
Hermione's eyes hardened. "Peter is not that person," she hissed back. "He has done nothing to earn your hate Harry," Hermione added, using Harry's real name. "This is what we've come back to change, to make sure that he doesn't betray your parents."
Harry growled in frustration and turned away.
"You are acting like Ron did when I went to the Yule Ball with Victor," Hermione said.
"I am not," Harry snapped. "I just think you are being too friendly with the scum who sold my parents out to Riddle."
"You are being ridiculous!" Hermione shouted, gaining the attention of several other partygoers. Hermione noticed and quickly cast a Muffliato spell around the pair to keep eavesdroppers from listening in. "Look Harry, Peter is not the sniveling, cowardly traitor that sold out your parents. He is a sweet boy who reminds me of Neville a bit. He doesn't know what his place is yet, and he is always compared to the other Marauders, and is found lacking to most. Think about it; you have James and Sirius, two heirs to powerful Houses, both powerfully magically and in personality. And Remus is one of the smartest of this generation, and while not as powerful as James or Sirius, is still very formidable. But Peter, everyone thinks of Peter as only the hanger-on, the lack wit who got lucky to latch himself to James and Sirius. Peter is much like Neville was, he needs someone who believes in him, to take the time to get to know him and encourage him like you did with Neville in fifth year."
"Pettigrew is nothing like Neville," Harry grumbled. "Neville was a true Gryffindor; standing up to his enemies and his friends."
"And Peter became an Animagus, a dangerous and difficult procedure, as a fifth year in order to keep his friend company on the full moon," Hermione pointed out. Harry opened his mouth but closed it when he realized that he couldn't refute Hermione's point. To which Hermione then grinned smugly. "Look Harry, I understand that this is difficult for you…actually, I probably can't understand," she said, "but you need to realize that this Peter is not the Wormtail from the future. We have a chance to change everything and save everyone."
Harry took a deep breath and slowly nodded. "All right Hermione, I'll try," he said. "That's all I can promise you."
"That's all I ask Harry," Hermione said with a smile. She dispelled the Muffliato Charm, and upon noticing the crowd growing around them, she continued, "Come on Patrick, I believe you owe me a dance."
Before Harry could resist, Hermione had grabbed his arm and pulled him away from the wall and out onto the dance floor, leaving behind several chuckling or amused partygoers along with a disappointed blonde-haired who was holding two drinks.
"Come on Patrick, I am not made of glass you know," Hermione said with a sly smile as she wound her arms around Harry's neck. Harry slowly relaxed and placed his hands on Hermione's hips, his fingers gliding along the smooth fabric of her dress.
It was quite difficult for Harry to look Hermione in the eye as he was not about three inches taller than Hermione, and if he looked down, his gaze would most likely be drawn lower than Hermione's eyes.
Meanwhile Harry's dance partner was feeling torn. Here she was dancing with her best friend, in a beautiful dress, at what was essentially the Yule Ball all over again. But for Hermione, it wasn't the picture she had been hoping for. In her dreams, her dance partner didn't have thick black hair, wear glasses or the most beautiful green eyes, no he was supposed to have bright red hair and blue eyes that always seemed to smile when he saw her. Hermione's breath hitched as she buried her face in Harry's chest as a vision of Ron appeared over Harry's face.
Harry froze as Hermione clutched at him, her face buried in his robes. To those watching, it might seem like a couple in love embracing one another but Harry could feel Hermione's tears beginning to dampen his shirt front as well as the shaking of her shoulders. Slowly, Harry's arms came up in a comforting embrace with one hand rubbing gentle circles on her back.
"What's wrong Hermione?" Harry whispered.
"Nothing Harry," she answered back, quickly wiping her eyes. "I was just thinking about the Yule Ball back in fourth year."
"Oh," Harry said, unsure of what he should say. "You know, you really did look stunning that night. Looking back, I wish I had asked you instead of waiting."
Hermione looked up at Harry in astonishment.
"What? You don't believe me?" he asked with a rye grin, which grew when Hermione nodded. "I suppose you wouldn't. But seriously Hermione, you took everyone's breath away when you showed up with Krum. I felt like kicking myself for not asking you, and I am sure that Ron would be saying the same."
Hermione gave Harry a watery grin before hugging him tightly. Harry returned the hug and looked up at the ceiling. 'Wish you were here mate,' Harry thought. 'She misses you so much, and so do I.'
The song ended and the pair slowly released one another. Harry looked over at the side of the hall where the Marauders and Lily were watching him and Hermione with wide smiles, well aside from Peter who was standing off to the side with a smile that Harry could tell was somewhat forced.
"Are you all right Harry," Hermione whispered, noticing that Harry had gone quiet.
"I am fine Hermione," Harry said, "just thinking about things."
"What things?"
"Just things," Harry said. "I think the others want to talk, Lily looks like she is ready to come running over here and rip you away."
"Yes she does," Hermione said with a fond smile. "Let's get this over with." She grabbed Harry's hand and pulled him off the dance floor and over to their friends.
"You are coming with us Juliet," Lily said as soon as Harry and Hermione reached the group. She grabbed Hermione's arm and pulled Hermione away from the boys with Alice and Mary following close behind.
"Way to go Patrick," Sirius laughed, slapping Harry on the back.
"What are you talking about Sirius?" Harry asked.
"You finally worked up the nerve to dance with Juliet," Sirius said. "We all saw how close you two were dancing, so when are you going to ask her out?"
"Padfoot, could you cool it," Harry said. "I have already told you that neither of us are ready for any type of romantic relationship. You all know that Juliet was with my best mate, and that I was dating his sister before we came here. And don't forget that Juliet saw Ron die right in her arms, and I saw Ginny killed by Dark Wizards as well. I know that I am not going to betray my best mate by moving on and dating his girl. And I will not let anyone try and take advantage of Juliet, she means too much to me."
Sirius wanted to continue arguing but the look that Patrick gave him shut his mouth with a snap. It was a look that gave Sirius shivers up and down his spine, and one that he had only seen his grandfather use to silence his mother and father. It was a look that commanded obedience, and Merlin help you if you didn't obey.
"Ok Patrick, I'll lay off," Sirius said. "But I do think that you and Juliet would be good for one another."
Harry just grunted and turned back to the buffet table, and poured himself a butterbeer.
Meanwhile Hermione was facing a similar interrogation from Lily, Mary and Alice, as Harry had, and Hermione was certainly having mixed feelings about it. One the one hand, Hermione had never had that many girlfriends in the future, with only Ginny and Luna being considered, and most of the gossip that they had talked about was what was happening with the war and how they were going to survive, that and those crazy, imagined animals that Luna always talked about.
"So…" Mary said, drawing out the word as she looked at Hermione with gleaming and excited eyes.
"So what Mary?" Hermione asked, playing dumb.
"Oh come now Juliet, you can't deny that there were sparks between you and Patrick," Mary said with glee. "You two looked like a bunch of newlyweds out there."
"Come off it Mary," Hermione said, "We were just two friends having a dance."
"It wasn't just one dance Juliet," Lily said. "You two were dancing for several songs. I'm not surprised that you didn't notice, you and Patrick were so wrapped up in one another."
Hermione couldn't contain her blush as her mind drifted back to the dance that she and Harry shared.
"See Juliet, you can't deny it anymore," Mary cried, "You fancy Patrick."
"Patrick is my best friend, he's practically my brother, Mary," Hermione argued. "There is no fancying between him and I. We have been friends since we were eleven, and have gone through too much together to even think about messing things up by becoming romantically involved."
"So there are feelings there," Alice spoke up. Hermione spluttered while Lily and Mary grinned. "Come on Juliet, you cannot deny the attraction you have toward Patrick. We all fancy Patrick, I mean, look at him, he is scrumptious."
"But what about James or Frank?" Hermione asked.
"Don't get us wrong, both Alice and I are crazy about our boys but that doesn't stop us from looking," Lily said. "Patrick is very good looking, and if we weren't in relationships, we would certainly be interested in Patrick."
Hermione frowned at the thought of Mary or Alice or Lily hanging all over Harry like Romilda Vane. She of course didn't notice the knowing smirks on the other girls' faces.
"Face it Juliet, you do fancy Patrick, no matter how much you deny it," Mary said. "We know that you have gone through a lot of stuff recently but you shouldn't let that experience hold you back from being happy. Do you really think that Ron would want you to stay unhappy for the rest of your life?"
Hermione shook her head, quickly wiping her eyes clear of tears. "No, he wouldn't," she whispered but the girls all heard it. "But I can't think about relationship right now, not with the war and everything going on."
"This would be the perfect time Juliet," Lily said. "With all the darkness around us, we need to take hold of any happiness that we can find."
Hermione blinked as she thought over Lily's words, noticing how similar they were to something that Dumbledore had once said. "I will think about it," Hermione said. "But I don't believe that Patrick has any feelings for me aside from brotherly affection."
"I don't believe that for a single second," Mary said. "That man worships you Juliet, and will do absolutely anything to protect you."
Hermione glanced over her shoulder and saw that Harry was talking with the Marauders. He then looked up and saw her watching him, and gave her a smile which caused Hermione's face to heat up and make her turn away.
Just then a bell rang throughout the hall and all noise quickly died away. Harry noticed that his grandparents were staring at the front door with confused looks.
"What's going on James?" Harry asked.
"I am not sure," James answered. "I thought that all the guests had arrived. But what I don't understand is why they are coming through the front door and not the Floo?"
A shiver raced up Harry's spine. "Something doesn't feel right James," he said. "Let's find the others."
James didn't look fully convinced but nodded. He had learned to trust Patrick's instincts. "Oi Sirius, grab Remus and Peter, and go get the girls," he called.
Sirius seeing the look on James' face just nodded and grabbed the other two Marauders, and pulled them over to where the girls had been talking at the other end of the dance floor. Suddenly the hall doors flew open with a bang, which was quickly followed by a blast of cold air that filled the entire hall and snuffed out several candles closest to the doors. Harry's wand dropped into his hand as he saw several dark robed figures standing in the open doorway.
"Welcome," Charlus Potter's strong voice echoed around the hall. "Please come in and warm yourselves by our fire and eat your fill. If you would remove your cloaks, I have can my staff put them away."
"That is quite all right Lord Potter," a high, clear voice said. "We shall not be intruding upon your gracious hospitality for long."
Harry felt his blood freeze as the speaker lowered his hood. He dimly heard Hermione gasp beside him, as his eyes never wavered from the face of Tom Marvolo Riddle.
"Are you are sir?" Charlus asked. "I do not recognize you from any of the Wizengamont meetings."
"Ah yes, you would not find me there Lord Potter," Riddle said with a smile that looked charming to all but Harry and Hermione. "My family lost its seat quite some time ago."
"Harry!" Hermione whispered, pulling on his sleeve. "That's…"
"I know," Harry hissed back.
"And that family was?" Harry's grandmother, Anne, asked stepping up to her husband's side.
"Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Tom Marvolo Riddle, Head of the Ancient House of Gaunt."
"Gaunt? Riddle?"
"I see you are aware of my family's unfortunate reputation," Riddle said. "I give you my oath that I, nor any of my companions here with me, shall not harm you or any of your guests, and shall only use magic to defend ourselves." A bright flash of light surrounded Riddle and then vanished.
"Patrick, no!" James hissed, grabbing Harry's arm stopping it from rising up anymore. Harry's wand was tightly gripped in his hand, and a spell on the tip of his tongue. "You can't!"
"That is Riddle, that is Voldemort!" Harry growled. "You can not expect to do nothing!"
"He gave a magical oath that he wouldn't harm us or use magic unless to defend himself or his companions," James said. "If he tries anything, his magic will be stripped from him and he'd become nothing more than a Squib. But if we attack, then he could be free to use all and any magic to defend himself. And if he is as strong as you claim, he could do a lot of damage and hurt a lot of people."
Harry grit his teeth but returned his wand to its holster. He then saw the white flash of teeth in a smile from beneath one of the hoods of Riddle's companions.
"Why have you come here Mr. Riddle?" Charlus asked.
"My companions and I have come this evening only to speak with you and your guests Lord Potter," Riddle said, spreading his arms wide.
"Speak to us about what?"
"The future of our society and world of course," Tom said.
"What do you mean by that?" Anne asked.
"My Lord and Ladies, you are all the Heads of your respective families, and as such you are the leaders of our world," Riddle began. "You have the ability to shape the future of our world for the betterment of our children and future generations. And yet you sit back and do nothing when the opportunity to advance our society is given."
"What do you mean 'the opportunity is given'?" Neville Longbottom asked. Harry and Hermione had been stunned to find out that their Neville had been named after his grandfather.
"Every year more and more children, born of muggles, are blessed with the gift of magic, and each year you allow our world to teeter on the brink of discovery," Riddle said. "You all could make our world safe and secure if you only had the vision to do so. Lord Fawley's proposal would have safeguarded our world from the threat of discovery by the muggles, and it would have provided a safe and loving place for those children to grow up in a place where their gifts could be explained and nurtured, not hated and feared."
"Lord Fawley's proposal was ill-conceived and draconic to the extreme," Charlus said. "It was little more than legal kidnapping of children. We cannot save our society by committing such heinous acts. No Mr. Riddle, I will never vote for such a thing, and I will fight against those who think that is the right thing to do."
Harry saw Riddle's eye twitch at Charlus' retort, it was miniscule but it was there. He also saw a flash of red fill Riddle's dark eyes for a brief second.
"Very well Lord Potter," Riddle began, "I had hoped that you would see the vision that I have for the future of our world. But alas, it seems I was wrong that you would care more for the future than your selfish positions of power. I wonder what those who are not as privileged to be born to such families would think when they hear that you would refuse them the chance to fully accepted by our world. So I ask those here, come and join us. Be a part of the change that our world so desperately needs. Do not be afraid, join us and we shall lead our world into a glorious future!"
Harry could feel the passion behind Riddle's words, and a small voice was whispering in his head, telling him to go with Riddle, that Riddle was right. That voice was however quickly quashed when he realized that Riddle was using magic through his voice to influence the room.
"No!"
Harry looked over and saw that James had stepped forward, with Lily at his side. A hard look was on James' face, his eyes blazing with anger, anger aimed at Riddle.
"We will not join you Riddle!" James said. "You claim to have our world's best interests at heart but as my father said, our society should not be saved by committing such crimes as kidnapping children. I will not be party to the mass kidnap of innocent children because bigots are afraid."
Harry felt his chest swell with pride at his father's words. He then noticed that once again red flashed in Riddle's eyes at James' public refusal.
"Very well," Riddle answered. "Then we shall take our leave. I only hope that your pride and fear do not lead you down the wrong path."
Harry bristled at the veiled threat and watched as Riddle and his cohorts left the hall. As the black robed figures left, Harry noticed that one paused and looked over his or her shoulder, he couldn't tell due to their hooded cloak, at someone in the hall. Even after Riddle had left, there was a slight chill throughout the hall, Harry noticed that Hermione was rubbing her left arm and was looking very pale.
"James, we should get everyone some chocolate," Harry said. "This chill is not natural, it's the work of a spell."
James nodded and called for a house elf to have the staff provide everyone with a mug of hot chocolate. The Potter elves leapt into action, and soon everyone was holding a hot mug of chocolate and taking bracing sips.
"Brilliant idea son," Charlus said. "The chocolate I mean, I don't know what was happening, why everything suddenly went so cold."
"It was a spell Lord Potter," Harry said.
"A spell Patrick?" Charlus asked. "I have never heard of such a spell that could have such an affect on such a large group of people."
"And besides, how could Riddle cast a spell when he gave an oath to not perform any magic against us," Sirius pointed out.
"Riddle is as brilliant as Dumbledore, only more cunning and devious," Hermione said. "If anyone could find a loophole in an oath, it would be Riddle. Most likely because that spell is an area affect spell rather than specifically aimed at a single person, it didn't trigger the oath."
"Or someone outside of the hall cast the spell," Sirius suggested. "He did say that neither him or any of his companions with him would cast a spell, someone could have easily cast the spell from outside and not been under the constraints of the oath.
"What was that spell?" James asked. "I have never felt anything like it before."
"It is a spell that mimics the effects of a Dementor, only on a grander scale," Harry said. "It is used to induce fear in other people, making it more difficult to fight back effectively."
"How do you know?" Charlus asked.
"I have felt the spell's effects before, and I know how difficult it is to function when under the effects of a Dementor," Harry said.
"So what do we do now?" Lily asked.
"We prepare," Harry said. "Those words of Riddle's were a threat, anyone who doesn't agree with him are his enemies, and are put right at the top of his list of targets. He might claim to be the champion of the downtrodden now, but he will never share his power with anyone else. Anyone who survives his wrath will be either a servant or a slave, that's it."
"You know quite a bit about this Riddle Mr. Daniels," a curt voice said. The group turned to find Lord Arcturus Black standing behind them.
"Lord Black," Harry inclined his head. "This man and his followers murdered my parents, family and many of my friends, and so I have made it my mission to learn everything I can about him."
Lord Black gave Harry a firm and penetrating look that had quailed many witches and wizards during his life but this young man met the look evenly, without the slightest waver. Lord Black nodded and then turned to Sirius. "Grandson, would you please follow me? There is something we need to discuss."
Sirius looked like he wanted to argue but a nudge from James forced his hand. The son of House Black took a deep breath and nodded to his grandfather. The two Blacks excused themselves and walked to a quiet corner of the room, and with a twitch of his wand, Arcturus erected a cone of silence and an obscuring ward so that no one could overhear or lip-read the pair.
"I wonder what they are talking about?" Peter asked.
"It doesn't concern us Peter," James said. "If Lord Black has taken measures to keep people from overhearing or lip-reading his and Sirius' conversation, then it must be important to the House of Black and none of our business."
"Just wondering James," Peter said.
"What are we going to do about Riddle, Dad?" James asked. "I mean, if what Patrick said, he just threatened most of the people here."
"We must not rush into action without thinking things through James," Charlus said. "Riddle knows what he is doing, he came here to force a reaction from those who voted against Lord Fawley's bill, and perhaps tried to intimidate some of us. If we go rushing after him, we will most likely fall right into his trap if Riddle is as devious as young Patrick believes."
"So we do nothing?" Lily asked.
"Of course not dear," Anne said. "As my husband said, we must think about a proper response. Those who rush headlong into danger can soon lose their heads."
"So what would be the proper response?" Hermione asked.
"Obviously we won't be kowtowing to the man," Charlus said. "We will not allow him scare us into going along with Fawley's proposal. But as of right now, we will not make any drastic moves until I know more about our opponent. Mr. Daniels, you and I need to have a talk."
Harry nodded. "I think that we do Lord Potter."
A/N: Hey all, I am so sorry it has taken me so long to post a new chapter. Real life has been hitting me hard these past few months, with work and job hunting, and I suppose just the slog of working through writer's block. I hope that this chapter makes up for my disappearance. This chapter is a bit of a filler but I did enjoy writing it because it allowed me to dive deeper into the characters, so please let me know what you all think. Til next time (which I hope won't be five months),
SlyNinjaKnight