Hey everyone,
So this chapter ought to be a little easier for me to write and thus a little more interesting for you all to read. After all, Even isn't really the romantic type, yet while he will show his great care for Harry, he will also find his element with everyone else coming to the Patil party and their host allows me a new chance.
As many of you probably know, in Canon, Parvati has Lavender as her best friend, yet my question is: Who did Padma have for her best friend? This question I will try to answer as I will see about running a few things that I summarized in chapter 22 in further detail and with that get us all a step closer to the end of the story.
Okay, have fun,
Venquine1990
Chapter 27
Dances And Talks
22nd of July 1996
Patil Palace, England
Even's POV
This morning at breakfast did Harry and Lea share with us their experiences at the ball last night and while part of me feels worried I might not be able to make the same amazing impression with Harry as he did with Lea, did Lea seem to notice that I am not the only one feeling like this as he had smiled and told us:
"Hey, even with Destiny picking us all, I have the Potter destiny. And it's like Ienzo told us, the Potter mate will always be like the leader of any group of beloveds sharing the Potter Heir or Lord. My bond with Harry impressed the world, yet you all can impress the world by proving your worthiness to the titles Harry will give you upon bonding."
Yet while this had calmed us, had Harry then proved us that his teenage hormones are working together with his inner needs as our mate as he says: "Speaking of our bonds, I have some potentially bad news. Because of our weeks of separation so closely after our first bonds forming, do I now really physically long for you all.
Therefore I would like you all to agree with me that, from now on, we will use our private nights together to grow to satisfying that need in such a way it will allow us to grow closer in more than just the physical way. And while I understand and feel grateful for your need to take this slow, do I not feel like I can do so for much longer."
"How long do you think we'll have?" Ventus had asked and Harry had made us all feel a mix of relief and concern as he says: "I will probably jump you all if we don't physically bond before Christmas this year." And while this does give us a good five months, do I still feel concerned for this length of time being too short.
Instead of that do I focus on what will happen in only a few minutes as Harry and I calmly walk down a gorgeous pathway that is covered in a carpet that is made of blue silk with silver trims and lights made out of actual small Earthen fairies are stationed at various spots on both sides of the pathway that leads up to our destination.
The house that we are approaching is very pleasing to the eye as it is made of soft sand-colored bricks that are pasted together with a darker colored cement and the whole structure is made of a single square shaped building with a few towers at odd points all over the property that are either two or three floors higher than the building.
To make matters even better is the entire ceiling of the central building one huge platform that has a very low fence made of decorative metal, yet also enforced by protective wards and it will be on this flat roof that my partner and I will meet our host and be part of this family's dance and even the weather seems ready for this.
Unlike what has happened a few times over the weeks of my travels with my team is the sky over our heads crystal clear with large groups of constellations and other clusters of stars and while part of me wonders if any of these stars are actually worlds from my own universe, do I instead focus on the partner I have on my arm.
Harry has used magic to slick back his hair and has even added a string that is blue colored with tiny hints of silver through it to keep his hair in the base of his neck and out of his face, regardless of the fact that this now allows one and all to see the scar that he told us about and that he, until recently, had hated beyond words.
When Daphne had seen this and asked about it, had Harry answered: "It represents my battle with Voldemort and – with Riddle's permission – will me openly showing it off be like a sign that we truly defeated him. I may not like the mark, but I do like what I can do with it." And this had made the female snake giggle in agreement.
I then focus further down and smile at how amazingly gorgeous Harry looks as the dark blue robe really shows off his tan whereas the choker that he is using to show off his Ravenclaw ancestry as it has an Onyx Raven showing itself in all its outstretched glory at the front of his choker really shows off the slimness of his form.
His robe is made of gorgeous black silk with a dark blue sheen that makes it look like the night sky and there are actual silver stars covering his black tie that is on top of his silver-white shirt and there is another night sky blue waistband around his waist that is also covered in silver-colored diamonds, some of them shaped like ravens.
"You are the epitome of Ravenclaw tonight, my precious little scholar." I whisper at him as Sirius helps us get past the first guard at the front door and Harry smiles at me and says: "My job is to physically prove that this evening. Remember, your job is to prove that with your smarts." And I happily nod at him for this.
"Lord Sirius Black, escorting Lord Harry James Potter and his Destined Mate, Even Ravenclaw." And while I had been shocked the first time Sirius mentioned this, which had also been at this morning's breakfast, does it now just give me further motivation to come true to both the name and the mission Harry has bestowed upon me.
We enter the gorgeous looking platform and, like Harry and Sirius warned me, are there many eyes around us all wide with shock and then a single sound erupts from the front of the crowd as a tanned girl wearing a gorgeous dress made of white and blue silk starts to clap for us, a huge smile on her face as the rest of the crowd follows.
The first to follow is a girl who is obviously her twin sister and the twin is easily followed by someone she seems to be quite close to as the two of them are standing on a friendly distance from each other, yet at the same time that the friend starts clapping, so does a girl that stands on an equally friendly distance to the first clapper.
I look at the four of them and then hear Harry whisper: "Padma, Parvati, Lavender and Regina. Padma and Regina are friends and there are rumors Parvati is seeing Lavender." At this I nod just subtle enough only he can notice before we both move over to the first girl to applaud and Harry takes lead as Head as he says:
"Heiress Patil, may I bless you with a bow of gratitude for your invitation as well as a smile of relief for not making my entrance painfully awkward for either my person, that of my mate or the crowd that has gathered on this glorious evening." And with a happy smile do I follow his example before the girl giggles and replies:
"And may I honor you, Heir Potter, with a curtesy of gratitude for accepting the invitation and a smile of honor for aiding me in providing proper distractions for our joined guests and ourselves." and while she and her friend curtesy to us, does she then giggle again and ask: "But seriously, care to explain to the new ones why Even is Lord Ravenclaw?"
And here I take charge as I say: "What you must understand, Keen Heiress Patil, is that if I had been born on this plane instead of my homeland, I would have most assuredly been your senior in your own House and may, by chance, have even been either your Prefect or – if luck or fate would have it – your Head Boy."
The girl raises a shocked eyebrow before her sister joins us and says: "Yeah, I can see why you chose him to represent my sister's House, Heir Potter. Anymore of his talent showing off and I would have considered it the same gibberish my sister sometimes seems to spew out when we have study sessions between our two Houses."
At this I smirk at the girl and say: "Don't count your cards lucky till you draw them, Brave Heiress Patil. The night is still quite young indeed and my precious Lion of Wisdom has given me permission to express his desires for this world, both as its ruler as well as a member of the fine, fine community that has gathered here tonight."
And this effectively silences the girl before her friend asks: "Seriously Heir Potter, I have been wondering this ever since you first officially introduced us to them as your mates. How did you get so lucky as to have so many different yet incredible mates? Honestly?" And while the girl ends with an exclaim, do I subtly ask:
"My dear Heiress, are you insinuating either a desire to have me for your own or that my Lion of Wisdom does not deserve the happiness of life that my partners and I desire to bestow upon him?" And the girl turns red before she shrieks: "Of course not!" Making me smile as I say: "I didn't think so. Thank you for clearing that up."
And while the girl looks wide-eyed does the girl next to the smart Heiress of the Patil line then say: "Nicely done. You avoided a possible rumor or scandal, defended your mate and the Heir to the Ravenclaw Line and proved your worth as his mate as well as for the title he gave you all with only a single question. I like you."
And while I smile at this – and at the many nodding heads that surround us – does it make Harry shine like a flash of light with the smile that shows on his face and after finishing the official greeting procedure does Harry take me over to one of the charmed walls of the platform before he hugs me tightly around the waist and says:
"I told you to prove them you were the best candidate for the Ravenclaw line, not to swipe them off their feet with your incredible talents as a mastermind. How are you supposed to have fun now?" To which I sneakily smile and whisper: "I still have our plans for the future and – giving a starting answer to your desire, my little lion."
And while Harry seems to tense with shock, do we then get interrupted by the friend named Regina as she walks over and asks: "Drink, you two?" And I see her holding up a tray with several glasses on them before Harry asks: "Choice of beverage?" And the girl snickers as she says: "Butterbeer – and no, not the Weasley twin brand."
Making Harry snicker himself before he takes one of the glasses and I happily take another before the girl turns a little red and asks: "Can I entrust you with a rumor that has been going round since you announced your schedule for the dances, Heir Potter?" And while her blush intrigues me, do her words concern me.
"Are they like Second year? Or like after the First Task?" Harry calmly answers, yet I can easily tell that he is on the verge of going on full defense and Regina makes him do as she replies: "Second. You see, some of the more – seasoned – lords have supposedly started a betting pool. And the subject is you failing one of your chosen balls."
This alone infuriates me and makes me take a tense sip of my drink, yet the magic of the incredible beverage does nothing to lift my spirits and Harry cautiously asks: "They were expecting me to fail this one, weren't they?" And the girl's answer has me on high alert as she says: "Just make sure you don't speak to the following people.
Lord Casterwill, Lord Rasdor, Lord Vance, Lady Umbridge – yes, I know, I can't believe it either – and – well – Lord Diggory." And this last name seems to hit the sore thumb with my mate as he tenses and asks: "Lord – lord – Cedric's father expected me to fail this ball?" And the girl nods before she softly mutters:
"Apparently he was doing more or less fine a few weeks after the death of his son, after Dumbledore's honorary speech and whatnot, yet his wife apparently died last year on Christmas Eve and he has been going down the emotional and logical drain ever since. He has also become quite a drunk according to rumors and pays for his liquor with bets.
Needless to say, he really doesn't like it that you just lost him his next payment for another shipping of very expensive drinks, so yeah, I'd avoid him if I were you. And Umbridge too, of course." Yet at this Harry seems to steel his resolve and he says: "I'm sorry, Heiress Trebell, but for legacy reasons, I cannot comply with that advice."
The girl looks shocked and confused and then Harry sighs before he whispers: "I really thought this wouldn't happen until the Ministerial Ball. How did Umbridge get invited anyway? I thought Padma did all the inviting?" And Regina sighs as she answers: "Fudge is still preparing for the Ministerial Ball, so he send her instead."
This makes Harry roll his eyes and he says: "Let me guess, it was a last minute decision?" And the derision that sounds from his voice astounds even me before a disgustingly sweet voice interrupts Regina from answering as it says: "You still haven't learned your lesson, have you Mr. Potter?" Making me turn my head.
And instantly I regret doing so as the woman I see speaking to us is just too horrid in looks to be considered anything other than a Heartless, Dream Eater Nightmare or Unversed. The woman wears dress robes of fluorescent pink that clash horridly with her brown hair and make her skin look almost toad-like green.
And the fact that her facial features also resemble those of an amphibian don't help either, yet while Regina shudders as she sees her before turning her head away, does Harry shock and worry me as he calmly turns to the woman and says: "Lady Umbridge, we are at a social gathering, let's keep to proper addressing, shall we?"
And even Regina and Umbridge seem shocked at hearing him speak so calmly and with a tone that suggests a change in the weather instead of insinuating that someone has not shown him the respect his titles deserve before the boy locks eyes with the woman and just the gaze that he sends her sends shivers of dread down my spine.
A look of cold hearted, yet well-earned victory shines in my mate's green eyes and he says: "You are here in name of the Ministry, Lady Umbridge, may I ask as to why your Robe colors do not match the green and gold of our fine regal establishment? I thought it was written in the invitations that all guests were to wear their House colors.
Or did I perhaps mistake House for family instead of school? If so, then seeing your previous occupation I guess you bring great pride to a previous accomplishment. A nod of respect to you, Lady Umbridge." Yet while the boy complies with his own words and while I follow his lead, do I still feel my concern for him growing.
"He is suppressing some kind of urge or need, all for the sake of not causing a scandal at a ball he was invited to. What could this amphibian of a woman done to bring out such a restraining side to my precious Lion of Wisdom?" Yet before I can get an answer, does a voice shout: "DOLORES, WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?"
And while this silences all activity around us and not just a few of those who had gone silent to watch my mate in action, do we all turn to the source of the voice, which is a pudgy looking kind of man who wears a green bowler hat and who has a look of intense fury on his face as he dashes over to approach our group.
And as he does, can I not help but notice how Umbridge pales in feared concern at seeing him and she stutters as she asks: "Cor-Cor-Cornelius. I – I – I thought you were working on new preparations for the Ministerial Ball." To which the man snaps: "I was, until I spotted my representative actually aiding in some of those preparations."
And instantly I feel like shaking my head at the silly little plan the woman had obviously schemed out to take someone else's place and come here and then the new arrival seems to shock my mate and Umbridge as he actually bows and says: "Sire, please do not fault the Ministry for this fault in the sending of a representative."
And while Harry seems too shocked to respond, does the woman not feel the same as she shrieks: "CORNELIUS OSWALD FUDGE! HOW DARE YOU BOW FOR THAT LOWLIFE RUNT AND NOT FOR THE TRUE QUEEN OF ENGLAND!" Yet it seems the man has more of a backbone than the woman expected as he reacts.
He stands from his bow and levels her a look as hard and cold as the one my mate used earlier before he says: "I don't bow to those who manipulate murderers, Dolores. Yes, Lord Riddle remembers what Lucius told him about the prophesy and he has confided in me how he regrets the deaths of Lord and Lady Potter above all other.
Not because of Lady Potter being the Heiress to the throne and birthing the rightful king, but because he fell for the simplest trick in the book with more vigor than even his evil self ever should have." And then the amphibian woman seals her fate: "THAT WHORE AND FILTHY BLOOD TRAITOR DESERVED ALL THEY GOT!"
And while this causes for a whole new level of silence to ring through the open sky platform, do I also spot something that instantly sets alarm bells ringing in my mind as the time that I had spent as a Nobody has allowed me to gain several new abilities, one of which allows me to see various shades of magic; including a very familiar one.
The dark tendrils of one who is about to be changed into a Heartless start to slowly show around the woman as they start to form and swirl around her, starting at her fingertips and slowly moving up to her arm pits before they sneak down her form and instantly I decide to take action, yet without making it look as if I am the one causing the scene.
Everyone looks at me as I allow for a small snowflake to float above my hand and I say: "No Darkness shall ruin this Event of Intelligence. Dolores Umbridge, as proxy to my mate and his partner, Lady Aqua, do I hereby sentence you to a state of living frigidness, where I pray you may learn the true value of intelligence and how to use it for the better of others.
You desired to be queen, yet as long as you treat your subjects as you just proclaimed to desire, then I cannot allow for my mate or his partner of choice to continue accepting you as part of their future kingdom. Away with you." And with that do I blow the snowflake her way, my power allowing it to grow as it floats further and further.
The woman shrieks as she sees this and tries all kinds of spells, yet while I feel this mentally hitting my link with the now solid-formed ice crystal, do I not allow for it to weaken either me or my size-expanding gift of winter and when it touches her wand, do I snap my fingers, causing for the crystal to expand ten-fold and encase the woman entirely.
Everyone looks at this shocked and then I take a deep breath and quickly cast a silent Cura spell on myself to heal up my energy levels before I turn to the Minister and say: "Rest assured that she will be released into official custody after the End of the Season. This to make sure she doesn't try the same at another regal event."
The man is slightly gaping, yet he regains himself and nods before he says: "May I offer a bow of gratitude for your willingness not to hold her captive for longer than necessary as well as a grimace of apology as the Ministry would have never thought send her to any dance accepted by our new king and your destined mate."
To this Harry, yet again as eerily calm as he was before, speaks and says: "I return these gestures with a bow of returned gratitude for the Minister's understanding and a gaze of request. A request for Lord Fudge, my Lady Aqua and myself to meet before the Ministerial Ball so we may discuss business and clear any air that is still necessary to be cleared."
And while even Fudge seems uncertain of how Harry can sound so regal yet so calm in such an eerie, impersonal way, does the man still nod and then I say: "Perhaps now the Minister can remain at this lovely event? I do have permission from my mate to share his plans for the kingdom he shares ruler ship over with Lord Fudge, after all."
And this seems to be exactly what the man needs to hear before Harry smiles at me and says: "You discuss business, Even, while I escort Heiress Trebell back to Heiress Padma." And while I worry for him, do I also understand that he has reached his limit of patience with the Ministry and nod at him before escorting Fudge off to the side as workers of the ball move the ice sculpture away.
"I've really messed things up with him, haven't I?" The man at my side then mutters more to himself than to me, yet I still calmly answer: "To be honest, Minister, I have heard many tales from my mate and going by what he told me of the past year, he is still in doubt as to why you did any of what you caused him this past year.
He may have just proven to be rock-hard and ice-cold in determination and judgment, but he is and remains a teenage king. There are still things, such as the behavior of other rulers and dignitaries, that he just can't understand, even with all he has already experienced over the years he has been attending Hogwarts school."
The man looks at me and I say: "Yes, your fear led you to believe the wrong things, but even now Harry does not want total power. He wants the confidence that he can rule alongside those that have already been responsible of the country before he discovered his heritage. He wants the confidence – that he can trust them."
The man looks at me shocked and I smile at him as I say: "I will go get us some drinks now, okay?" And then leave the man to himself, feeling confident that when I return the Minister will have thought over my last words. "I thought you would tell the Minister of your partner's plans?" Someone suddenly asks me and I look up.
The man besides me is of Asian descending, yet I can tell that he is not related to the Hostess and her family and I calmly fill two glasses with a simple bit of wine that I have already deduced has very low levels of alcohol in it and then say: "There would be no point speaking of plans if the Minister's mind is stuck on other topics.
As I left my mate, Minister Fudge felt there was a burned bridge between him and my mate. I simply proved him different and gave him something to think on before I elaborate on my mate's plans. The doubts simply need to leave the Minister's mind before he can collaborate in on our future king's plans and that is what I did."
The man looks disgruntled at this and then says: "You know, my daughter was almost the actual queen of this country." This intrigues me and the man says: "Yeah, before you all showed up, my daughter was the only one the king had eyes for." And with that do I recognize the man, yet this discovery makes me smirk and the man asks:
"Something you find funny?" I nod and say: "Like I have already told the Minister, my mate has used the weeks between our arrival and us leaving on our journey to cleanse Lord Riddle to tell us of as many a tale of his past as possible. As such, I know all about how disastrous the relation between your daughter and my mate went.
I know of how she attempted to force her – yes force – her grief onto my mate without even taking the chance into account that my king may still be grieving himself, she tried putting the blame of her friend's betrayal onto my mate's friend's actions and she dared to feel jealous of a friendship that was much stronger than her own bond.
She cared nothing for my mate, who he considered his friends and who he cared for in what ways, she was just jealous, selfish and possessive – and those are not character traits my mate would have kept accepting for any longer than he did. Oh, and I know just fine of how your daughter tried to claim my mate at the Longbottom ball."
"YOU KNOW NOTHING OF MY DAUGHTER! YOU ARE NOTHING BUT A STRANGE FOREIGNER! YOU –!" The man tries to shout, yet while I had already sensed his approach, does Harry still shock me as he speaks up and interrupts the man, making him twirl around in shock as Harry speaks and says:
"Are one of the seven people that my magic chose for me. Are someone who has taken the time to ask me of who I am and who I want to be. Are someone who respects my likes and dislikes and doesn't just base a supposed relationship on looks, popularity and one single common form of entertainment. Are my chosen mate."
The Chinese man looks shocked at what Harry has to say about me, yet while Harry had looked calm before, does he now glare at the man and say: "To be honest, I find it nothing short of ironic that you would dare insult my mate Even – when your daughter must have already told you that he is to be by my side as Lord Ravenclaw.
Not to mention that you must have heard this yourself when my mate and I were announced at our arrival, so I can't help but be amused – at how you just sprouted an entire slang of insults against the Lord of the House of your own daughter. Makes me wonder what you think of House Ravenclaw, wouldn't you agree?"
And just like that does my mate silence our little adversary with efficiency, yet he also causes many of those around us to start muttering together and then the one thing I had hoped for happens as Fudge comes over to stand beside me, causing for both Harry and the father of Cho Chang to look at him as he says:
"Lord Potter is the son of the late Lady Lily Potter, the descendant of King Arthur Pendragon. He is also the son of the late Lord James Potter, whose family is known to be blessed by Lady Fate from time to time with multiple true mates. That combination of blood inheritances makes for an indisputable destiny.
All of Lord Potter-Pendragon's mates are chosen for him by fate and he and the person of his choice are destined to rule this country. Therefore, even if you did not insult Lady Aqua, you did insult the heritage of Lord Potter-Pendragon – and I truly believed you knew better than to insult a heritage as irrefutable and strong as his."
This seems to slightly shock Harry and seems to completely flabbergast Lord Chang and while even more of those around us now mutter in disfavor of the foreign man before me, does the Minister then straighten his robes and ask: "Now, Lord Even, shall we take our drinks elsewhere while you tell me of our King's plans?"
And while I can easily spot a hint of delight in the shocked visage of my mate, do I wink at him with the silent message of You go have fun, I got this before I hand the Minister his drink and say: "Let's head for the terrace of the roof, Minister. I believe a good view will help us enjoy our conversation." And with that I leave Lord Chang behind.
Okay, that was that.
And I will be honest, I enjoyed this chapter way more than I did last. I got the chance to further disgrace Umbridge and even got to bring in and then take out a new possible antagonist. Now I won't say that Cho was fully in the wrong in Cannon, I just think she was going about her bond with Harry the wrong way.
Now, next chapter will be bleeding awesome as it will be – well mostly – Gryffindor based. However, this won't mean that there won't be another antagonist in this ball like there have been in both other balls, but I will promise one thing: I will bring out one Canon antagonist – and create one non-canon for next chapter.
Haha, that will be fun,
Venquine1990
PS. 01-10-2016 Sorry people, I had Even mixed with Ienzo and used the Lexicon instead of the Ice magic. It's been fixed now. Thanks to Jessica Marie Whitlock for noticing.
