It had been what he had always suspected, what he had always feared. They distrusted him. They never saw him as family, as he had started to see them. No, they saw him as a figure. Not even a person. A figure who was to be tolerated, but watched. They had kept him around, so they could ensure he wouldn't betray them. Keep your enemies close. The thought of them even thinking of him, in conjunction with the word enemy, made him want to crumble away, like ash. Indeed, at the moment Sokka started his tirade in the Headmistresses office, from the moment Sokka spoke in Muggle studies, he felt himself slowly crumbling away. The remnants of a man who once blazed, consuming all around him. He was ash now, flicked away by the slightest of breezes. At the slightest whisper. A whisper, it would seem, was all it took.
Zuko's head drooped as he thought back to Sokka's words:
How am I supposed to believe that you know the difference between right and wrong, that you truly UNDERSTAND what you've done…
Sokka had said he'd had a "change of heart". Was that how he saw it? Was that how they all saw what Zuko had done? A change of heart? As if walking out on
the only family you've ever known, as if almost being murdered, as if holding the terrifying force of lightening hurled at you by the one person who should have loved you the most- as if it was all as simple as changing your mind. A whim. Zuko balled his fists tightly, consumed with an odd combination of bitterness, dread, and misery.
Misery.
He thought those days were over, he thought he had finally found friends. Family. Love. Love-what a cruel concept. For love inspires hope, and hope always ended in crushing misery. At least for him anyway. He scoffed at the thought. Misery, it would seem, was the only friend he had left. Misery had always been there, had never let him down. It would seem that Zuko and misery were lifelong companions.
For the first time since he had to face Uncle after his treacherous betrayal, he let a silent tear wind down his carved, regal features. It fell silently to the ground, and was whisked away. Like Ash.
"So this is where you've been?" said a familiar voice that caused Zuko to briefly close his eyes, checking to see if he was dreaming. He wasn't. For he heard her soft footsteps inch closer to him and, finally, saw her figure standing next to him. He couldn't look at her. He couldn't bear to see contempt in her face. Why couldn't they just leave him alone! If they distrusted him so much, why couldn't they just let him wither in peace?
"How did you find me?" He said quietly, hiding his face as if she would somehow see the trail of his single tear that had, no doubt, evaporated with the wind.
"You know, I'm not sure. I just kind of…ended up here." She said quietly. Then they were silent, save for the breeze that seemed to roar and whisper at the same time.
Finally, Zuko sucked up the courage to look at her peripherally. She was standing, looking out at something, or nothing. The Astronomy tower had the most spectacular view. He wished there was a place like it in his world. She had taken her hair down and it flowed magnificently. She still had her hair loopies, as Sokka had dubbed them- His insides throbbed at the thought of Sokka.- but mostly she looked far more like a woman than the girl he had once battled savagely at the North Pole.
He blew out a hard breath.
"Talk to me Zuko." She said.
"What is there to say Katara?" Zuko said quietly, in a rasp of a whisper.
"Well…" Katara hesitated, then continued, "Sokka's…outburst would be a good start."
A good start? Zuko couldn't help but think that Sokka's outburst was anything but a start. It was a finish.
He looked at her again, out the corner of his eye. She really was beautiful. He could see why Aang was so covetous of her. She had the softest looking tan skin that seemed to glow. Her whole look seemed to be meticulously planned, so much so that it seemed laughable that she was born. Being born was so plain, so common. Nothing about her seemed common to him at the moment. No, she had to have been created. Designed. Yes, she really was beautiful. Inside and out. But still, she distrusted him. Of that, he was now certain. She and Sokka were blood, siblings think alike. Well, except when it came to him and Azula, but then again, nothing about his family ran to the norm.
Finally, he blew out a breath and it shone brightly against the cold December night before coiling into itself and dancing into non-existence, which is to say everything. "Katara, you don't have to do this. I get it. I understand."
Katara was amazed with how resolute he sounded. Perhaps, because she couldn't see the face that was turned away from her, staring at something…or nothing. She arched an eyebrow.
"You understand what?" She inquired, moving closer to him now. She looked out onto the grounds of Hogwarts and briefly found herself wondering how much she would miss it when they left…if they left.
Zuko shifted uncomfortably, moving away from her. Finally, he strode around her, to a dark corner of the tower, a corner deprived of the illuminating light of the full moon. The corner that represented what he now believed was his definition. Out of the way, shrouded in darkness, to be avoided but whose presence would always be necessary, because it purifies light.
"Come on Zuko." Katara said, her back to the grounds, staring at him. Their current positions only helped to bolster his shame. The full moon behind her seemed to make her shine like an omnipotent spirit. And here he was, skulking in a darkened corner, like scum. Dark vs. Light. Good vs. Evil. Yin Vs. Yang.
"What do you want from me Katara?" Zuko said, quiet and steady.
"I just…I just want to know where you're at. How you're feeling." Katara said, scrutinizing him delicately.
"I've never been a feelings sharing kind of guy." Zuko said, his face shrouded in darkness but his figure was stubbornly obvious.
Katara chuckled a bit and Zuko looked at her mutinously. "I'm sorry to laugh Zuko, but if you have taught me one thing, it's that you are not a man who can be defined."
Zuko looked up at her confusedly. "What?"
Katara looked at him for a minute, as if surprised that he didn't understand her. "Well, you say you aren't a feeling sharing guy. You define yourself by that. Emotionless Zuko. But in the time that I've known you, I've seen a million Zukos. Every time I think I know you…I've always come out wrong. You may define yourself by apathy, but I know better. You can't be defined Zuko. No matter how hard you try, no matter what role you try to play. You are a million Zukos. You defy definition."
Zuko wasn't following.
Katara rolled her eyes a bit and smirked. "Zuko…if I can't define you, what makes you think you can?"
They were quiet for a bit and then Katara started giggling. Then Zuko started to chuckle. Then Katara started laughing, and Zuko followed suit. Just then, it started to snow, and yet the full moon was still just as crisp. The flakes glided into the Astronomy Tower and yet the world seemed warmer. That was the weird thing about snow. It was always bitterly cold beforehand, but the world seemed to change once it came. Warm, cleansing, new.
Zuko was still laughing as he felt a snowflake fall on his lips. He ran his tongue across it, it was lukewarm. A Firebender's blood always ran hotter than most. He was instantly brought back to his predicament. So much for new.
"None of this changes anything Katara." He said, his laughter dying with the taste of that snowflake.
"Changes what, Zuko?" Katara said, her expression changing as instantly as Zuko's.
"Come on Katara." Zuko replied.
"Say it Zuko." Katara said quietly. "Say what your thinking.
Katara watched him, he had come out somewhat from the shadows of his corner, but he didn't seem totally willing to leave the sad protection it provided him. He was quiet for a moment, and Katara could literally hear his breath quicken before he said:
"You don't trust me!" Zuko yelled and immediately sunk further back into the darkness.
Katara sighed.
"Yea, the mooslion cub is out of the bag." Zuko muttered bitterly.
"Oh Zuko…" Katara replied, looking at him almost amusedly.
Zuko glared back at her, although she couldn't see it.
"Zuko, Sokka…he didn't mean it-" Katara started.
"Didn't mean it?" Zuko interrupted, and his words came out cold. "Don't humor me Katara. Don't do that whole…motherly thing-"
"What motherly thing! Why do people keep saying that!" Katara said, but there was something in her eyes, an edge to her voice. Resentment. Katara, the mother of the group. Always telling everyone what to do. Always ruining everyone's fun. Even after the war, the jokes kept on coming. One day Katara was strolling along in Ba sing Se when she saw Aang and Toph playing Rockball- a game invented by Aang that was currently all the rage with the city children- when she suggested MAYBE they shouldn't be hurling rocks around a busy city square.
"Relax Katara! This is Ba Sing Se! City of Earthbenders? I think we'll be alright!" Aang replied laughing.
"Yea, mom, we'll make sure we wash up for dinner." Toph replied smirking.
They both laughed and Katara joined in, but really, she was tired of the reputation. Really, how concerned for safety could one be if they LEFT the comfort of their home to go prancing around SAVING THE WORLD. It was HER idea to leave! Sokka said no! SHE was the one who insisted! But no one remembers that. All they seem to remember is her nagging them. Katara scoffed. That was mooselion shit. Just because she had common sense, she was suddenly a killjoy? She didn't seem to see any of THEM braving the taunting and harassing of the BITCHES of Hogwarts. She didn't see them enduring their scorn with a smile on their face.
Zuko looked at her face as she questioned him. The kindness he had grown accustomed to was gone and was replaced with a face he couldn't quite describe. Had he said something wrong? Her expression unnerved him. Not an easy feat, but if there was one person who could…it would be her. He learned that several months ago, locked alone with her in the glittering emerald caverns of Old Ba Sing Se. She had unnerved him that day, merely by showing him kindness. She had told him that she could heal him, but more importantly, she had touched his scar, had ran her hand down it without the slightest recoil. Without the slightest hint of disgust. Her compassion, her willingness to touch him without hesitation, after all he had done. She had unnerved him.
"Katara?" Zuko said cautiously.
"What?" Katara snapped.
"Did I…is something wrong?" Zuko said, slowly edging out of the darkness, his face illuminated in the light of that glorious full moon and Katara found her irritation interrupted by his eyes. Not the scar of course, having never known him without his affliction, it seemed an unequivocal part of him. No, she was caught in his eyes. She had never noticed before but the color was striking. They were almost…gold. A very curious color for the human eye. His eyes blazed, they danced, they breathed. They seemed to sing. His eyes sang a thousand emotions, all separate to produce a whole. They were beautiful. He was beautiful.
"Katara?" He implored again.
His voice seemed to snap her back to reality, if that really and truly was where she was. And then, her resentment surged back to her, like some kind of hideous infection. And her own ocean blue eyes turned to slits. "Motherly. You said motherly. Why do you all keep saying that?" She muttered, yet her voice was sharp.
Zuko's head tilted a bit, as if he was looking at a most strange creature. "I..er…I dunno. Why?"
"Is that how you all see me then? As some kind of nagging mother. Little Miss killjoy?" She replied slowly, looking toward the ground as if she was making up her mind about something.
"I didn't say that Katara," Zuko replied cautiously. Her tone unnerved him.
"Then what do you mean! Your all always saying it! Making fun of me! Takin the… the…MICKEY!" Katara yelled suddenly, the shaking of her voice caused Zuko to flinch slightly.
Zuko looked at her through wide eyes and suddenly saw her face looked rather surprised. As if she didn't know she had it in her. Whatever IT was.
"I'm sorry." She whispered.
"For what?" He replied simply.
She looked at him quizzically for a moment before replying: "I dunno."
Zuko smirked. "I'm not buyin' it Katara."
"I'm just…I'm just tired of the jokes I guess." Katara said. She turned away from him and walked back to the balcony and the glow of the full moon. It beckoned to her, the call of the Waterbender and Katara found herself wondering if it was Yuweh. If it was possible that she could exist in other worlds. And suddenly she was brought back to something Aang had said after a particularly poignant trip to the spirit world: Some Friendships are so strong, they can transcend lifetimes. Or maybe…worlds.
"Jokes? What jokes?" Zuko said quietly. And suddenly Katara looked at him, and her eyes held a blaze of their own.
"You know the jokes Zuko! Katara, always mothering everyone! Katara the killjoy! Wash your hands before dinner! You know!" Katara yelled, and Zuko thought he could see the fury of the full moon blasting out of her. He had rarely seen this side of her.
"Katara…we're just joking…" Zuko said slowly, how did this become about her?
"Jokes. Everyone is always just joking." Katara said quietly, slowly turning to look out at the full moon. "Nobody thinks about the pain jokes cause."
And then Katara felt a hand on her shoulder. She didn't turn around. She couldn't turn around.
"I…we didn't know Katara. We didn't know we were hurting you." Zuko's unsure voice muttered next to her, unsure but warm all the same.
Katara chuckled a little. "It's not you guys…not really. It's here. It's this place. The people….and their little jokes." And her voice came out icy.
"I don't understand." Zuko replied quietly.
"The people here have their little jokes as well." Katara said slowly. "Cruel, vicious little jokes. And they all seem to be directed at me."
And she still wasn't looking at him.
"The people here? Draco and his friends? Are they hurting you Katara?" And there was a vicious angry edge to his question that caused Katara to turn suddenly to him. And then gold met ice blue, and curiously, both eyes were pleading.
"No! No, of course not!" Katara said, and suddenly she noticed how close he was. She noticed how the moon illuminated him. Illuminated the best of him.
"Then…who?" Zuko said and his eyes widened just the slightest.
"The girls here…they…well I suppose they kind of hate me." Katara said, and she smirked at her own proclamation. The words seemed funny out loud, but really, there wasn't much funny about it.
"What do you mean?" Zuko said.
"They pick on me. Silly things you know. Changing my hair color. Ignoring me…Hexing me-"
"What!" Zuko yelled, and his voice echoed off of the darkness in a way that caused Katara to flinch. "Sorry…Katara, that doesn't sound silly. Hexing? I've seen what hexing is here…"
"Yea, I know, I know!" Katara said.
"Well, why haven't you told anyone! What haven't you-"
"Because I don't want to cause a problem, ok!" Katara yelled back, standing toe to toe with Zuko as the snow washed away all signs of their existence to the world around them.
"Cause a problem? This is serious Katara!" Zuko said, gripping her arm for emphasis.
She smacked his arm away. His touch was hotter than most. "No it isn't! It's nothing! Besides, I'm sure you've heard about what Aang did to Harry's dorm room!"
"Yea, Hermione said it was just a misunderstanding…" Zuko replied.
"No! Aang blew up Harry's dorm room because of me! Because I told him about the girls here! He was angry because he couldn't protect me!" Katara yelled back.
Zuko stood in stunned, confused silence as the snow fell like a sheet.
"Don't you see?" She said quietly, and she looked down at the ground. "I…I can't do that to him. I can't hurt him like that anymore. I can't do that to him…and I can't do that to Harry and his friends. I just have to tough it out."
"Katara…Katara, you aren't hurting ANYONE by letting us know that people are hurting you."
Suddenly, Katara scoffed. She walked over to the balcony and leaned over it. "They aren't hurting me. They're just being girls."
Zuko arched an eyebrow. As if Katara could see his confusion, she continued, "They like you Zuko. And Aang. Definitely Sokka…for some insane reason. They're just jealous."
"Jealous of what?" Zuko said.
And for the first time, Katara really saw how clueless the men of Team Avatar were. Or maybe, how humble. "They are jealous because I know you. That I'm on speaking terms with you. That's I'm friends with you."
"And they attack you because of that?" Zuko said.
Katara turned to him and smiled, "Zuko, you have a girlfriend. Can you honestly say you haven't gotten…disrespectful with a guy who talked to Mai?"
Zuko opened his mouth, then closed it. Visions of him knocking Rah-Jon across the room for merely talking to Mai at a party.
"Yea, I thought so. Man, you guys really don't know women. You see, we're far more subtle. You may fight a guy. We find more…creative ways to hurt people." Katara said, and her amused face suddenly fell. "The most pervasive cruelty…is usually subtle…"
Zuko stared at her curiously It wasn't the words that surprised him, it wasn't the news that she was being bullied that surprised him. It was her eyes. It was her tone. She told him this news as if it was an inevitability. As if she had no control over her situation. Katara had never spoken like that before. As long as he had known her, properly known her, she had always been the voice of hope. She had always had this…reassuring way about her. Everything would be okay. As long as they all believed it would be. There was always a way out, a way to conquer adversity, and bring about the light of a new and glorious world. He had never realized it before but, to him, she had become that light. His eyes widened briefly at this realization but immediately fell as her down cast face brought back to him their current reality. Now, she sounded so concrete. So finite. Suddenly, life was finite and their destinies were no longer theirs. In accepting her fate, she had taken away the ever-present possibility of choice, of hope. No, he didn't like this at all. THIS Katara, scared him. This Katara had lost her light.
"Cruelty?" Zuko whispered.
Suddenly Katara's faced snapped up, as if she had just realized what she had said. "You know what I mean. It's silly. Who cares! I'm fine!" Katara rushed on.
"You're not fine." Zuko persisted.
"HOW WOULD YOU KNOW!" Katara yelled. She was shaking. Zuko briefly wondered whether she was cold, but quickly remembered she had grown up on the South Pole.
"Katara…look at you." Zuko said quietly, and he walked closer to her, the moon illuminating him now. "You're shaking."
Her eyes widened and then narrowed. "It's cold." She finished shortly, turning away from him.
"Pigchicken shit. Katara of the Southern Water Tribe? Cold? The temperature here isn't nearly cold enough." Zuko said and he walked up behind her and gingerly, as if terrified, held both her hands. And they stood, front to back, impossibly close for a Firenation prince and a Water tribe peasant, staring out into the grounds of a world that suddenly seemed like a fairy tale. A prince and a peasant girl, holding hands high atop the tower of a magnificent castle. In the middle of a glistening winter snow shower that danced in the night.
She flinched as he grasped her hands. What was happening? His hands were so hot. Was he running a fever? And then Katara remembered that he was a firebender, raised in a volcano. No, his hot hands weren't the surprising thing. It was the softness in his grasp. It was the feeling of his breath against her neck, as if he was looking down upon her. Gazing at her. And she was brought back to his almost golden eyes. Her breath hitched. "Zuko?"
Zuko chuckled and Katara could feel his chest rumble.
"Surprised, Katara?" He whispered, and yet the boldness of his words didn't translate to his tone. He was just as surprised as she was. Finally, he continued, "A million Zuko's. Remember? Katara…I'm going to tell you something…" He swallowed hard and Katara held her breath.
"I've always thought you were…sort of amazing." Zuko started to sweat. "Even when I…was trying to kill you. The way you fought…for your friends. Even at the North Pole, you stood your ground against me." And Zuko started to chuckle and yet his grip slackened ever so slightly, as if he was ashamed. "And I battled you that night Katara, with all the aggression and fire and anger and…fear in my heart. But you? You fought me with love. With all the love in your heart. I tried to kill you…you tried to protect him." Zuko went to release her, the guilt too consuming, but her grasp tightened and suddenly a thin teenage girl was holding a fully grown (right?) man in some kind of vice grip. After the initial shock of it, he conceded that he would have to continue if he didn't want to become permanently fused to her. "You see…after we battled, I spent about a month or so drifting on a raft with Uncle. Uncle thought I was sleeping, and I was for the most part, but other times I was just pretending because I was thinking. About a lot of things. We had been drifting a long time you see…" Zuko babbled.
Katara cut him off. "Thinking about what?" She whispered.
Zuko closed his eyes and memorized her hands, because surely she would not want to touch him or even lay eyes on him after this, "Thinking about you. About how I wished I had someone who loved me even a fraction of the amount you loved your friends…Aang. I….I …well I didn't always know it…but I…had sort of… fallen in love with you after that… " And suddenly, his strength returned to him and he wrenched his grip from hers and walked away from her. Frankly, the proper word would have been ran if he hadn't had the discipline to slow down his pace.
She didn't watch him walk away from her but stood staring out at the increasingly white Earth. It was as if she could suddenly see every individual snowflake. The enormity of his statement seemed to make the world so much clearer. She blew out a breath and a tiny wisp flew from her lips and disappeared. "Love…me?" She whispered.
"Yea." He finished shortly, standing with his back towards her, staring at a wall that had suddenly become intensely interesting. He couldn't believe he had said it. His greatest secret and he just blurted it out, to someone who already distrusted him as it was. But that wasn't the whole story. And then he felt a hand on his shoulder, and it slowly pulled him around. His eyes darted to the floor. He couldn't look at her. "So, are you finally gonna admit you hate me now? I've given plenty of reasons…" She just needed a little push was all.
"So…do you …still? Love me?" She whispered. And she raised his face so that he was looking at her. And fire met water. She wanted to know. She needed to know.
He was quiet for a long while. "That night in the caves of old Ba Sing Se… I was so close to…kissing you." He whispered staring straight into those big blue eyes and suddenly the world didn't exist. It was just him and her, caught in some kind of timeless, noiseless, personless void. Totally alone. And then his hand, as if it had a mind of his own, slid down the side of her face. Reveling in the softness of her tan skin.
"Do you?" She questioned again. Say it.
And then his hand dropped and he sighed. "No." And he knew this was the moment where she would never want to lay eyes on him again. He knew women didn't like to be toyed with, even if they didn't have feelings for him, but he was trying to make a point. It all seemed to make so much sense in his head when he brought it up. Now, it just seemed like he was being callous. Bringing up painful truths in an effort to hurt someone with whom he was bitter.
She stared at him and the look on her face was indiscernible. She could be an even match for Koh the face stealer himself. And just as Zuko was about to explain himself, she smiled.
And he took a step back. Was she going to hit him?
"So, I guess it's my turn to tell a story." She said smirking.
"I…yes?" He said in stuttering confusion.
"Zuko…that day in Old Ba Sing Se, when we were trapped together…I thought I had feelings for you too." Katara said quietly, the smirk disintegrating from her face.
"You…did?" Zuko replied, and his voice raised about 40 octaves as he said it.
"Yes." She finished shortly.
She said nothing else and Zuko realized that it was he who would have to continue this conversation. "What…what happened?"
Katara looked suddenly heavy, as if she were going to burst into tears at any moment. Zuko fidgeted nervously.
Finally, she blew out a breath and spoke, "Azula killed Aang."
Zuko turned blood red and looked at the ground. No matter what he did, he couldn't escape his shameful betrayal. But then Katara continued.
"When I thought he was dead…I realized I just couldn't go on without him. There was no life for me without him." She said quietly and she turned and looked out at the full moon.
Don't say that…" Zuko mumbled.
Katara looked at him in a way that made Zuko's insides ignite. "You don't understand. People always say…that they would die for the one they love. It's all just words you know? Professions not facts. No one really knows whether they would die for someone else. Self-preservation is the strongest instinct a human has…"
Zuko looked at her with wide eyes, wondering if she was going where he thought she was going. So many times tonight, she had spoken in a way he had never known her to speak. She had spoken like a defeated woman, then like a firey harpy…and now, like a woman wiser than her years. Her very short 14 years- a couple of which he had chased her, threatened her, beaten her, and battled her. And suddenly, the reason for why they were even in this situation came barreling back into his consciousness. She distrusted him and rightly so. But just as he was about to cut her off, to end this conversation, she spoke again:
"He died for me Zuko. It wasn't just words. It wasn't just sentiment. He died for me. And when he died, a part of me did too. Even though he came back, that part of me is still dead. That optimistic part who never really considered the concept of death, the naïve, bright eyed Katara that thought that people could change if you just believed in them, that motherly Katara…she died the second that lightning passed through my Aang. So there. That's why I haven't told anyone about these stupid Hogwarts girls. I'm done with seeing the world through rose-colored lenses. They're going to treat me this way whether I like it or not, because that's the way it is. Pretty words and believing the best in people is a naïve, silly way to walk through life…their pranks, your jokes, they don't hurt my feelings; they remind me…remind me of the price of letting your guard down, of not protecting the ones you love. Death and pain Zuko, simple as that. I can't let that happen. The practical, sensible thing to do is to just take it and not burden anyone else with it. Not burden Aang… I can't burden Aang. He died for me the least I can do is tough it out. I have to protect him.
And then she was silent, looking at Zuko like a woman who had seen the worst in humanity and had accepted it as truth.
"So yea, I nag, I'm a killjoy. And you all tease me for it, but I know that death is very real and I HAVE to protect my friends. You should have realized ages ago that I'm not a motherly woman anymore; there is nothing sweet, warm, or motherly about this. You should have realized that the day I told you I would kill you Zuko, if you hurt Aang… I meant it. I would kill anyone who would try to take him away from me again. Anyone who would try to hurt him. And I would do it with a smile." She finished.
And just like that, everything about her had changed. Her voice was cold and deliberate. Her demeanor was rigid yet prominent. Her face was still and, somehow, pale. But it was her eyes that said it all. They were penetrating, resolved, and calculating. They seemed blacker than Zuko had ever seen them, they had always been a brilliant shade of blue, through laughter and tears, always a brilliant blue. But the brilliant was gone, and all that was left was ash. He said nothing, his mind was starkly and absolutely wiped blank in her poignant stare.
But it wasn't just her demeanor. It was the whole world. It was darker, colder, the snow had let up, and the world seemed paler and starker. There was no color, only blacks, whites, and greys. The world had become black, white, and grey. Defined but uncertain.
And then she blinked. And suddenly Zuko could think again, as if he had been broken out of a trance. She bowed her head slowly and the slightest look of fear crossed her face, as if she had never realized who she was…or perhaps what she was becoming. And then she looked back at Zuko, pursed her lips and started for the door. As she started Zuko froze momentarily, too shaken to think.
Katara could see her breathe puffing from her own trembling lips as she went towards the door. It was abrupt. Everything about this night seemed abrupt. But still, it had to be said. He needed to understand. She had changed, she was different, if she seemed mothering it wasn't because she wanted to protect her friends from a few cuts or bruises, no, she wasn't being motherly… she was being protective. The way a mooselion would rip the throat out of anything that threatened her cubs. There was nothing affectionate about it, she would protect them because she knew what it felt like to watch the person you loved most in the world die in your arms. She couldn't take seeing that again. She couldn't take reliving the moment she had bended the spirit water into his wound and for that oh so brief but so inexplicably long moment, thought he was truly dead. She could hardly breath from the thought of it.
So she would protect him, all of them, not out of love but fear, and that protection would mean hurting ANYONE who would threaten that protection. And in the case of the Hogwarts girls, that protection would mean hurting herself. This was not some nagging, sentimental, tendency. This was serious, bloody serious.
"No." She heard Zuko say just as she was about to walk through the door. She turned to see him looking at her with his arms crossed. Classic Zuko. She arched an eyebrow at him.
"Come here." He commanded and his voice came out steady and regal. He looked like royalty. He WAS royalty. She obeyed wearily, something about his current demeanor made her a bit submissive. Just a bit.
"What?" She said and suddenly she was just as commanding. Walking into the light of the full moon made her stronger. She was a child of the moon. And when she walked into it's light, she too was royalty.
"That's not you Katara. Those words aren't you." Zuko said, staring down into her eyes. Scrutinizing them as if he was searching for her.
"Well, I guess you don't know me as well as you think." Katara replied and she crossed her arms defiantly.
"I know you." Zuko muttered.
"And what makes you think that?" Katara replied, still defiant.
"Because at one point…you were my enemy. I KNOW my enemies, Katara." Zuko said, still staring at her intensely. " Do you know why I brought up that I used to…used to have feelings for you? It's because I wanted to show you the kind of person you are. You are the type of woman who makes her enemies fall in love with her. Your heart is so beautiful it makes the heart of others beautiful, even if only for a moment." Zuko looked down at the ground. "If you were a murderer Katara…you would have killed Yon Rha when you had the chance. You would never have let me near Aang, you would never have been my…" Zuko couldn't finish the statement. Friend. Were they friends? Afterall, wasn't this whole thing about the fact that he was now convinced they all distrusted him? He continued, "…well anyway, you say I'm a million Zukos. Well, you're just one Katara. You've always been you. Genuine, kind…beautiful. Unique."
"People can change Zuko." She replied quietly. "You don't understand."
"What is it I don't understand Katara?" Zuko said stepping closer to her, gazing down on her as they were both illuminated by the crisp full moon.
And then the snow started again.
"You think you're the only one whose had to face the possibility of losing someone? You know why I stopped having feelings for you? It was because of Mai. The way she risked being murdered for me. She looked at me Katara, looked me straight in the eye as she made the decision to betray Azula and keep that lift going. It's like I could see my entire life in her eyes… our life." Zuko stopped for a moment and stared out at the full moon still shining magnificently behind a veritable sheet of dancing snowflakes. "I could see that I've loved her since we were kids. You know, she cried when I was banished. There was a procession, you see. My father said he wanted everyone to witness my shame. Some glared at me, others laughed, some booed and hissed. It was the second most humiliating day of my life, but then I turned and saw her, standing with her parents, crying. I've never seen Mai cry, and I've never forgotten it. You say you're terrified of seeing someone you love die? Imagine what it feels like to not know…to never know. After we escaped from the Boiling Rock, I had to struggle with not knowing whether Mai was alive or dead for months…My mother. I still don't know what happened to her."
Zuko blew out a hard breath as he stared out at the moon and for the first time Katara saw a tear slide down his beautiful, tortured face.
"She could be dead, she could be sick…she could be alone. No one should ever have to be alone. I know that now." Zuko whispered.
And suddenly arms were wrapped around him and even more curiously, his arms were wrapped around something as well, without him even realizing it. They were embracing, they were hugging, they were crying. Together. The Prince of Fire and the Daughter of the Water. They embraced each other tightly. Katara's arms wrapped around Zuko's neck, her finger tangled in his hair. Zuko's arms, one around her lower back, the other tangled in her long wavy tendrils. They swayed on the spot, sobbing in each other's arms as the snowflakes blew all around them. Cleansing.
"I'm so sorry Zuko." Katara whispered through tears.
"I just…I just miss her so much." Zuko sobbed, burying his face in her neck. A truly rare moment indeed. Zuko sobbing copiously. Uncontrollably. A million Zuko's. "Where is she? Where…" He repeated over and over again.
"I'll help you find her, if it's the last thing I do, Zuko. We'll find her," Katara whispered as the tears fell.
And then they were quiet for a while, embracing on the top of a tower during a snowstorm, under the full moon.
Finally, they broke apart but stayed close to each other. Zuko smiled a watery smile as his face reddened. Gingerly, he grasped her chin with his thumb and pointer finger and tilted her face up to his. "There they are, brilliants blues." He whispered. Katara looked at him quizzically, he continued, "You see? You haven't changed at all Katara. You still have that…Katara-ness, that can make a grown man break down sobbing in front of you."
Katara smirked at him warmly, "Well, I hope you see now that not all of us distrust you. Don't think I've forgotten what we were talking about."
"Right…" Zuko said quietly, again staring down at the ground.
Katara grasped his face in her hands and forced him to look at her. "It's not you Zuko, it's not that Sokka doesn't trust you. He's angry Zuko. He's been angry for a while now. I've noticed it…and I thought it would pass but…it hasn't. I can see it in his eyes. He's hurting and I don't know why. I don't think he does either. I've been noticing for a while but I guess I just figured it was nothing, or maybe I've just been too caught up in my own stuff to understand. But now…now I know." Katara looked down at the ground as if ashamed. "I should have said something sooner…I should have talked to him. Protected him."
"How do you know?" Zuko said, searching her eyes.
"Because…because he's my brother." She said quietly and then she looked up at him. "And so are you. You're my family Zuko. I hope you never forget that. We all feel that way. Even if we don't always show it. You're my brother. You're Aang's brother. Toph and Sokka's bother. I don't want you to ever feel like you don't have a family. We will ALWAYS be your family. You will NEVER be alone"
"Thank you." Zuko said quietly, holding back his tears. "I love you Katara. Thank you."
Katara smiled. "I'll talk to him. We'll talk to Sokka." She whispered. "I love you too."
"And Katara, it's not your responsibility to protect your brother, or any of us." Zuko said, and as Katara was about to protest, he cut her off. "It's not, Katara. You hurt us more by keeping secrets from us. It hurts ME more when you don't tell me that your being bullied. Promise me Katara, promise me you will never hide that someone is hurting you. After all, how would you feel if we kept secrets like that from you?"
Katara opened her mouth and then quickly shut it. And then she looked out at the moon and Zuko followed suit.
"You know…you once told me that I rise with the moon." Katara said quietly. "But, I think, you rise with the moon as well."
Zuko chuckled, draping his arm around her. "Well, I know, that you rise with the sun."
And then they both turned to look out at the beautiful view before them. Winter in the world of Hogwarts. And a newly minted brother and sister stared out into the night, pondering all the beauty of what it is to be a family.
…
Sokka's eyes shot open. Today was the day. Christmorrisey holidays. No classes, no more pretending to be able to turn cats into chandeliers (which he kinda thought seemed kind of cruel by the way), nope, just rest and relaxation.
Sokka whipped open his curtains and hopped out of bed with unusual spring for someone who hated mornings.
"Rise and shine, Team Avapotter!" He declared boisterously before immediately ducking a rock that whizzed right past his face. "Oh REAL classy Toph!"
"I thought so." Said a female voice- from behind a bed curtain- that almost SOUNDED like it was smirking.
"Come onnnn people! We're gonna miss the Hogwarts Express…whatever that is." And then Sokka stood up as rigid as possible and with a painfully stern face said: "I will not tolerate tardiness." He continued in an almost perfect imitation of McGonagall.
And then Ron's curtains flew open, "Miss the Hogwarts Express? Mate, it's 6 o'clock in the bloody morning."
"What's going on?" The sleepy voice of Neville muttered in the background.
And then Toph's curtains flew open. "What's going on is Sokka's an idiot."
"Such language Toph. Young ladies do not dane to speak in such indelicate tones." Sokka continued in his impression of McGonagall.
Ron laughed raucously. "Is that supposed to be McGonagall? Because at the Battle of Hogwarts, I once heard her tell a Deatheater to go fuck himself, then she turned him into a bench." Ron was thoughtful for a moment, "Wait, is he still a bench? I should check on that…"
Sokka's jaw dropped.
And then they were interrupted by a loud thud. Apparently, Neville was having difficulty getting out of his bed and somehow got himself caught in the curtains…again.
"Ah, I see Neville's up! And so graceful." Sokka said jovially, Neville smirked at him in a goofy manner.
"Leave him alone Sokka." Toph said quietly, the seriousness of her tone was a bit unsettling.
Sokka stared at her curiously for a second before being interrupted by what can only be described as an outrageous yawn from Ron.
Everyone in the room stared at him for a bit.
"What? If I'm gonna be up this early, you're going to be hearing me make a lot of bodily noises." Ron said indifferently. "Anyway, we might as well pack and get a head start on breakfast."
"Not necessarily in that order." Sokka said, chuckling at himself.
"Ok, but if we're not gonna be at Hogwarts does that mean I can wear MY clothes? Toph said hopping out of her four poster.
"Well…" Ron started but was cut off by Sokka.
"Ron, I'm in muggle studies with you. I KNOW that if muggles saw the way you guys dress, they would think you were crazy. I ALSO know, that muggles can dress in-freaking-sane. Did you see the picture of the girl with pink hair? Come on Ron, our clothes can't be THAT much weirder that theirs." Sokka finished.
Ron pursed his lips. Sokka had a point. Professor Devry had shown them many slides during the section on muggle culture. He almost died of fright when he saw what was apparently called a "headbanger." Not to mention "hippity- hop" with the men whose pants hung below their kegs. No Team Avatar's clothes couldn't be weirder than that. He sighed, "Fine, you can wear them today but seeing as you only have one set I guess we'll have to figure something out for the rest of the holiday. You can't wear the same thing everyday…like cartoon characters or something."
"Shaka Zam!" Sokka yelled, bolting for the fireplace he grabbed a hand full of floo powder and threw it in. Then stopped abruptly. He had seen Ron do this before a couple times but still, shoving your head in green fire was still a down right terrifying prospect. Finally, he sucked in a breath and quickly thrust his head in, as if he was jumping into cold water. He was surprised when he didn't immediately feel immense pain. Slowly he opened his eyes and was temporarily mesmerized by the beautiful green glow. Finally, he resolved he probably wasn't gonna die and, scrunching his face tightly, he tried to remember what it was Ron said about Floo networks.
You have to say the name of the place you want to go but make sure you say it REALLY…blah blah blah, Sokka's awesome.
Ok. MAYBE Sokka hadn't been paying attention as much as he should have. Still, it didn't seem too complicated. So he confidently arched an eyebrow and yelled "HEADSUITE!"
The world started spinning and suddenly all Sokka's confidence drained from him and was replaced by fear. What was happening?! But just as he was about to attempt to yank his head out of the fireplace (if he was even still in the fireplace) everything started to slow down, the world started coming back into focus and slowly what appeared to be a room came into focus. It was a fairly clean looking room with tile floors. He looked to the left and saw a very delicate looking claw footed tub, he looked to the right and saw a porcelain sink. So he was in a woman's bathroom? But this didn't look like the bathroom in the Head's suite? Actually, now that he thought about it, there was no fireplace in the Head's suite bathroom.
"WHAT THE HELL!"
Sokka jerked his head up to see a very big, very angry man, in a frilly pink dressing gown and slippers. "What?" Sokka said.
"What the hell are you doing in my fireplace!" The giant man said in a deep booming voice.
"Why do you have a fireplace in the bathroom?" Sokka said in a high pitched voice.
"WHAT?" The man said, his face turning the same color as his satin dressing gown, which Sokka noticed, was impossibly short.
"Uh! Nothing! Sorry about that!" Sokka said.
"I'll show you sorry!" The man said pulling out his wand.
Sokka knew his cue. He pulled himself out of the fireplace just as the man was about to utter his curse, and Sokka fell back onto the hard stone floor of the seventh year dorms to the amused faces of Ron, Neville, and Toph.
Ron looked at Sokka for a moment. "What happened?" Sokka looked utterly bewildered.
Sokka looked like he was lost for a moment, then he looked up at Ron, like he was looking into his very soul and said: "I've seen too much, Ron. I've seen too much."
And then they were all silent for a while.
"Spirits." Toph said quietly before walking over to the Floo network, hurling some floo powder in the general direction of the fireplace and then, without the slightest hesitation, shoved her head in the fireplace. "HEAD'S SUITE."
"TWINKLE TOES!"
Aang shot up on the couch. "I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT FRUIT PIE GOT THERE, HEADMISTRESS!" He yelled, causing Katara to also fly up on her couch.
"Haha, you have some weird dreams twinkle toes." The floating head of Toph said.
Aang stared at the fireplace for a bit, trying to figure out what was happening. Slowly, he realized that it was the Floo network. Toph was on the Floo network. "Wait, why are you on the Floo network? What time is it?"
"It's Toph o'clock! Learn it!" Toph said. The concept of the clock still confused most of Team Avatar. Sokka seemed to learn it fairly quickly, but in their world, people usually gauged the time by the sun.
"WHAT'S HAPPENING!" Aang yelled, half amused.
And suddenly there was a second head in the fireplace. Sokka looked crazy in the form of flames. "Time to rise and shine, oh great Avatar! Christmanson holidays are upon us!"
"Christmas!" Ron yelled from what Aang could only assume was somewhere in the seventh year dorms.
"Exactly." Sokka said.
"What's all the racket about." A voice said, and suddenly Aang realized Harry and Hermione were standing on the balcony, staring down at them.
"I guess it's Toph o'clock." Katara said sleepily, smiling up at Hermione, who returned her smile warmly. "Sorry for waking you up."
Hermione chuckled. "Don't worry about it. I'm used to it. But don't Toph and Sokka know it's, like, 6:30 in the morning."
"6:30! We're wasting daylight!" Sokka said.
"Is the sun even out?" Harry yawned as he stretched himself out and walked towards the bathroom.
Katara laughed. "Ok, can we at least get dressed?"
Sokka smirked. "It's Team Avatar day! Dress as we usually do!"
"Wait…what?" Aang said.
"Really, Aang? You should take Muggle studies. We're dressing like we would in our world. Man, I miss my warrior's clothes. Sokka's starting a new fashion trend at Hogwarts!" Sokka's head replied and then his head was gone.
"WHAT?" Aang yelled.
"We've decided that our clothes can't be weirder than muggles. Since we're not gonna be at Hogwarts, we might as well show the Hogwarts kids how much better we dress than them, before we leave for vacation." Toph said and then she was gone as well.
Aang looked up at Hermione, she shrugged. "Well, I guess one day couldn't hurt." She said, walking back to her room to get dressed.
Aang looked at Katara. "Sokka's starting a new fashion trend." He said, shrugging. Katara smiled mischievously
"I'm a little excited about this." Katara said.
Aang laughed. "Imagine, being excited to get dressed."
Katara smiled. "We get to be us…finally."
Aang smiled back, "Yea, I guess we do."
A little while later, there was a knock on Hermione's door. She opened it to see Harry with a mischievous look on his face.
"…what…" She said suspiciously. As if all the awkward sexual tension wasn't enough.
"Well, Aang and his friends seem resolved to wear their own clothes, right?" Harry said.
"Yeah, I guess. It's a little sudden but frankly, I think it would be good for them. They've had to pretend to be like us for months. Might as well let them be themselves for a day. Shouldn't attract that much attention." Hermione sighed.
"Agreed." Harry said. "But why should they get to have all the fun?"
Hermione narrowed her eyes just a bit.
Harry smiled. "Call up Draco and…Ron. I think if Aang and his friends have to face the Great Hall, we might as well do it in style."
And so they all clambered down to the great hall in their street clothes and agreed to meet in the hallway. Things had been decidedly awkward since their meeting with Clavicula, interactions seemed to oscillate between extra politeness and nervous silences. They were all still angry with each other and the occasional snide remark was uttered from time to time but Clavicula's little speech about friendship seemed to have gotten through slightly to each of them in one way or another.
Ron was in an especially awkward position. His ex- best mate and his ex-girlfriend were both coming to stay at the Burrow. Which meant he would be spending Christmas holidays avoiding being in rooms alone with them. When he was still furious with both of them, he had written to his mother demanding that Harry not stay with them over the holidays (in a moment of temporary childishness). This resulted in a particularly ferocious howler from Molly telling him "we are the only family he has" and "how dare you demand ANYTHING from me, I'm your MOTHER" and finally "very ashamed of your behavior." -And he was, in turn, furious with his mother for taking Harry's side.
But now? Now he wasn't sure how he felt about it. He wasn't happy about it, but he certainly wasn't enraged about it. But he did know that since he and Harry usually shared a room, he would be going to bed much later, hopefully after Harry had fallen asleep.
They all showed up in the Great Hall corridor and Team Potter was momentarily shocked to see Team Avatar in the clothes of their world. It had been so long since they had worn them. Their clothes were so indicative of who they were and where they were from. Blues for the water tribe, red for the Fire Nation, and green for the Earth Kingdom. Aang's clothes, however, didn't seem to indicate at all that he was an Air nomad, but then again what color signified air? Clear? No, Aang certainly couldn't show up wearing clear.
In any case, they definitely stuck out.
But it wasn't just Team Avatar. Aang and his friends were treated to an even more outrageously surprising fashion show.
It would seem that Harry, Ron, Draco, and Hermione had apparently decided to have a little fun of their own. If Team Avatar had to walk through the Great Hall in weird clothes that would surely be gawked at, then so would they. It was a move of solidarity. It would seem that even in their current states of awkwardness with each other, they could still collaborate even if only for a moment to make THIS Christmas holiday one the students of Hogwarts wouldn't soon forget. They had all been at each other's throats for so long that it would seem that this kind of pointless, random, silliness was just what they all needed. They were young, they were teens, and for once, they would act like it.
Hermione was wearing a black wifebeater, tight dark blue jeans, heeled boots charmed to change colors at will along with lip stick that did the same, and gloves with no fingers which she had cut off herself. She looked like a Bi-polar, biker, rainbow.
Harry wore a backwards cap, a t-shirt with a muggle basketball team called "The Chicago Bulls" and Dudley's old jeans, which were far too baggy for a normal human being. He also wore a giant chain around his neck, which upon closer inspection was a stupefied gnome painted gold, in homage to Fred. Hippity Hop, indeed.
Ron decided to imitate the "punk" muggle style. Studded vest, sleeveless loose band half shirt that showed off this Quidditch-earned ab muscles, somewhat fitted ripped up jeans, Doc Martins, and his hair was charmed into a full-on Mohawk.
Draco…was wearing a neat black three piece suit. But in a show of solidarity, wore brown shoes.
Hermione smirked. "Well done Draco. That must have been hard for you."
Draco smirked back. "Trust me, it already looks weird enough that I'm walking with you."
"What…are you wearing?" Katara said smiling goofily at them.
Ron smirked. "Well, we reckon when you go into the Great Hall a lot of people are gonna be staring. I mean, for Merlin's sake Zuko there's a sword on your back!"
Zuko arched his head back and caught a glimpse of his broad swords. "Huh. Yea, sometimes I forget that's there." He muttered thoughtfully.
"Anyway, we thought that if they're going to stare, we might as well give them something to stare at!" Hermione said with a warm smile on her face.
Aang looked at them curiously. "So…you did this…so we wouldn't have to feel…awkward?"
"I suppose. But mostly, we thought it would be a right laugh." Ron replied, and there was just a hint of glimmer off the tip of his fire red Mohawk. "Mind you, I'll have to charm this back before mum sees or she'll throttle me."
"Wow. That's…so sweet of you." Katara said, trying to suppress her snicker. "But you really didn't have too. We don't care what they think…"
"We know." Hermione said simply, "But what's life without a little time-wasting nonsense?"
Sokka smirked.
Harry looked at the group before him. Team Avapotter. Here they were about to enter the muggle world and what a bunch of misfits. They looked like they all just escaped from the Asylum. He smiled.
"Eh…lookin good." Harry said cautiously. Why had he agreed to letting Team Avatar dress in their usual attire? They all looked like business casual ninjas.
"That's right." Sokka said, casually brushing his shoulders off.
"So…does everyone in your world wear boots?" Ron asked amusedly.
Team Avatar looked around, indeed they all seemed to be wearing them. Huh. Never noticed that before.
"Alright. You all ready to face the Great Hall." Harry said with a smirk.
Draco smirked back. "Can't be worse than walking out into muggle London looking like that." He said, pointing his thumb at Zuko, who rolled his eyes in reply.
"I think the real question: Is the Great Hall ready to face us? They can say what they want, I KNOW I look good." Sokka replied triumphantly and then, with a cocky air to his step, led the way.
Have you ever watched one of those movies where the protagonists enter a room full of people, dressed to impress? And this sexy, rockin' music comes on and suddenly everything is in slow motion. The people turn to the protagonists and stare at them in awe. And the protagonists slow motion strut through the room.
This was one of those moments.
Team Avapotter walked into the Great Hall and suddenly everyone turned to look at them. And the world was in slow motion. They walked down the tables and every jaw seemed to drop as they saw Team Avapotter's clothes. And Team Avapotter smirked and walked along casually as if all was right with the world. And indeed, it was.
As they finally made it to their seats, they all sat down next to Ginny, Neville, and Luna.
"Oh, could you pass the salt?" Luna said, even as Ginny and Neville looked flabbergasted. Ron and Sokka smirked at each other, of course she wouldn't notice anything.
Neville dropped his fork and his mouth formed a perfect comical "O". "What's happening? Where am I?" Neville said, looking around the Great Hall as if he had drifted into a particularly confusing dream.
Ron leaned over his plate to look at Neville and for a moment all Neville seemed to see was talking crazy hair.
"Sorry mate. You were gone before I could tell you about the plan." Ron finished, casually shoving a sausage in his mouth.
"WELL YOU COULD TELL ME NOW." Neville said, his frustration becoming ever more present.
"Nah. It's funner this way…man this is tasty." Sokka replied, shoveling two pieces of toast and some kippers in his mouth.
Neville smacked his hand to his forehead and just decided to drop it.
"So! When are we hopping on the Express!" Katara said.
"It leaves around 2ish. We'll be gone for a couple weeks-" Harry started when he was cut off.
"Is the Express big enough to fit Appa?" Aang asked casually.
"Um…I thought we were going to leave Appa here. Hagrid will look after him." Harry replied cautiously.
"I can't leave him here for that long!" And suddenly Aang looked panicked and terrified. "That's it! I'm not going!"
"Er…" Harry stalled, this was abrupt. Why hadn't he thought about Appa? Aang had visited him every day since he was here. He should have known Aang wouldn't leave him behind.
"So take him with you." A dreamy voice said. They all turned to see Luna eating her pudding.
"How? How are we going to take a two-ton, six legged monster through Muggle London? How are we even going to get it on the train?" Ron said. "Hello, have you met my pet Appa, he's the fattest cat IN THE GALAXY. Don't mind the legs, they're for DECORATION."
"No." Luna said shortly, causing Ron to look around flabbergasted. Finally she continued.
"You fly of course." Luna said, causing Harry to smirk and then frown remembering the last time he heard her utter that sentence.
"Oh yea. We'll FLY Appa over London. NO ONE WILL NOTICE THAT." Ron declared again.
"Honestly Ron, are you a wizard or not?" Hermione said. It was the first time they had spoken directly to each other in a while and Ron's face was momentarily surprised as Hermione cheeks tinged a slight pink. "Um…we would disillusion him. We'll have Aang follow the Hogwarts express on Appa. They'll be totally invisible. The only problem is transporting Appa and Aang to the Burrow."
"Oh! One of us will go on Appa as well!" Luna said excitedly. "Harry, you should definitely go! You look like you could use a little sun!"
Harry looked at her curiously, flying on Appa meant he would get a lot more than a little sun. "Luna, you live the closest to Ron, you should go." Harry wanted to add on the word 'obviously' but thought it would be too mean.
Luna's eyes bulged a bit and she looked adamant and in a dead pan voice said: "Harry, I think this will be good for you."
Harry couldn't see how flying through the air on a giant beast that he couldn't control or SEE would be good for him. But still, he had never seen Luna look so creepy.
"I think it's a great idea!" Aang said excitedly.
"We all should go!" Luna chimed in. Ron did not look amused.
"Whoa, whoa. Appa's still getting over his foot. I think we better limit the number of passengers." Aang said looking concerned. "Makes the landings easier."
"Fair enough! I'll take the Hogwarts Express. Every time I get on Appa I feel like I'm about to freefall through my own vomit." Toph said.
"That was…oddly specific." Sokka said. "Still, I guess I'll go with Toph, somebody should keep an eye on her."
"Whatever." Toph mumbled smirking.
Finally Aang chimed in. "Ok, how about this. Harry, Hermione, Luna, and Katara will come with me on Appa. Everyone else will go on the Hogwarts Express. We'll all meet up at Ron's house." Everyone seemed to agree. Hermione looked downright uncomfortable. But Aang had chosen to split them that way for a reason. He wasn't sure how angry they still were at each other and the last thing he wanted was them fighting on Appa.
And so morning conversation began as the students chattered on about whether they were going home, what plans they had. Then Zacharias Smith came strolling into the Great Hall, handing out something to various people. And then he got to Team Avapotter's table and looked temporarily horrified as he looked at their clothes.
"Hello Smith." Zuko said, smiling menacingly. "Do you know what broad swords are?"
Zuko started to get up when Harry stopped him at the off. "Eh…What do you want Smith?" Harry said abruptly, glaring at Zuko.
Smith's gaze lingered on Zuko nervously before he turned to Harry. "Ah Harry. I'm having a get together at my parents' place for Christmas holidays. You, Granger and…Weasley are invited, of course. Make sure you get there before 8 for dinner, and I'm afraid the invitation is just for the three of you." Zacharias looked over at Ginny, Luna, and Neville and smirked. As if he was ensuring that they understood they were not invited to this MOST important event. Then turned to Team Avatar and gave them a mocking "sorry" before abruptly turning his back on them and starting to walk off, not even waiting for a reply.
"OI!"
Smith turned to see Hermione standing there, arms crossed, looking livid.
He looked at her for a bit then his eyes narrowed, as if she didn't know her place. "Something to say Granger?"
"WHAT is wrong with you?" Hermione said with irritation but control. How dare he treat her friends that way, how dare he think that any of them would just sit there and accept such boorish, pompous behavior. They may currently be fighting with each other, but that didn't mean that ANYONE else had that right.
"Calm down Granger. Don't be such a hysterical woman." Smith replied casually and he looked towards his gaggle of friends smirking, they chuckled.
And then Ron Weasley and Harry Potter stood up, and the gaggle of friends immediately became silent.
"Smith. When….in the entire time I have known you, have I ever given you the FAINTEST indication that I thought you were…I dunno, even 1% decent?" Ron said, his face red.
"Honestly Smith, you must be packing some MAJOR Nargles in that empty bloody head of yours if you haven't noticed by now that we think you are a SEVERE bloody PRAT!" Harry yelled, smirking at Luna.
Smith spluttered. Looking around he saw what seemed like a million eyes on him. "I…I…well that's just what I would expect from people who hang out with the likes of Malfoy. You're…you're…you're traitors that's what you are!" Smith finished in a desperate attempt to save face.
And suddenly Draco was out of his chair, "NEWSFLASH SMITH. Potter KILLED BLOODY VOLDEMORT!" Draco announced and was momentarily shocked that he actually said the name, for Smith winced as he said it. Draco took a deep breath and continued, "I think that pretty much exempts him from being a traitor for, what's a fair number…a hundred billion years?"
All the color had drained from Smith's face as he realized that Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Draco bloody Malfoy were all standing together presenting a united front against him.
And then Hermione brought it full circle. "And you know what, I'm having a Christmas party too! And EVERYONE is invited, no matter who you are, what house your in, how cool you think you are and it's- She looked down at the invitation Smith had given her and smirked- December 23rd at 7:00 pm at MY parents' house.
"But…but that's the same date as my-" Smith started but was cut off by Hermione throwing his pretentious invitation in his face.
"Yes, that's the general idea Smith. But don't worry, you're invited. I have a feeling your party will be a little lonely." She said before turning her back on him and walking out of the Great Hall, and for one brief moment the eyes of every boy in Hogwarts were glued on badass Hermione Granger and her impossibly tight jeans.
And the Great Hall was silent.
And then, as always in these situations, Sokka spoke, "No offense Ron. But I think I may be in love with your awesome, scary girlfriend." And several near by guys nodded slowly in agreement as they watched her go.
Ron sighed in awe. "Yea, I get that."
And then without giving Smith a second look, Team Avapotter got up and left the Great Hall.
But Sokka ran back. "I just gotta…'scuse me." He said, reaching over several students, he grabbed a couple muffins and an entire bowl of bacon.
"Sausages, Wang!" Ron yelled half way down the Great Hall.
"Right!" Sokka said and looking around, he grabbed some sausages off a couple students plates as they were actively eating. "It's ok, I'm Wang Fire." Was the only explanation he offered before running off back down the Great Hall to a smattering of applause by amused students.
Yes, indeed, they really did leave for holiday in style.
Authors Note. Hey kids! Super long time right? If it makes you feel any better, this chapter is twice as long as a usual chapter. Soooo, last chapter alert reviewer Getti pointed out an unintentional Zutara scene. I decided that if I'm gonna do Zutara, I'm gonna do it right. Canon compliant of course. Sooo, what did you think? Is it realistic? I understand that the end of this chapter is a little teeny bopper but I decided we REALLY needed the comedy back in this story. Some light hearted hi-jinks so it's not all trauma and drama (I made a rhyme!). Don't worry, we WILL get to see Harry riding on Appa and Team Avatar on the Hogwarts express. Should be an amusing next couple of chapters. Did you like how Team Potter finally stuck it to Smith? So high school. And it won't be the last time Team Potter sticks it to somebody (the bitches of Hogwarts are next). We will see several fun things in the next couple chapters: our gang in the muggle world, Team Avatar meeting the Weasley brood, Zuko at Malfoy manner, and the return of a character (a minor part of the story but it keeps in line with JK's latest info about our post-war HP world). Shout outs to DarkAngel620 for her (his?) fantabulous review. She (he?) is the alpha reviewer for the last update (this is a new thing I'm starting, my fav. reviewer of the chapter will be the alpha reviewer, not that it's a competition thing, I just think that a thoughtful reviewer deserves as much praise as I beg for for each chapter...we'll see how it goes I don't want to come off as a jerk, I really do appreciate all the reviews). Keep reviewing BEST FRIENDS! Is that creepy? I really do love the review. Thanks for sticking with me for so long and tolerating my long waits. I really love hearing your input and opinion, this story is something I actually really care about and your input is invaluable. Ok Kids, I'm gonna watch the news, it's election time in America and stuff is goin DOWN! Hooahrtr I missed you! Later kids.