Hey everyone,
So what did you guys think of the set of previews that were added to Venquine's Mind. Would you prefer me to add the whole Resurrect-The-Potters idea to this story or would you rather that it becomes its own story? And what about the other previews?
Which was your favorite?

Venquine1990

Chapter 10
The Final Stretch

24th of June 1995
Great Hall, Hogwarts
Terra's POV

I'll never tell Aqua and Ventus this, but I had almost given up hope.
I had almost given up hope that I would ever get my body back from that thief.
I had almost given up hope that I would be able to avenge what he did to my dearest friends.
I had almost given up hope that I would ever be able to redeem myself.
Yet I had never given up hope that Aqua and Ventus would be able to prevail over Xehanort.

But then Sora came into the picture and everything changed. In only a few hours' time I regained control over my body, had been able to help him and the other Guardians take down the Seekers of Darkness, given my late master the chance to move on from where he had festered himself within my heart and won the war.
But instead of going home, showing one last sign of honor to my late master Eraqus and then reacquainting myself with my old body and my friends, fate had other plans in store. Instead of that, thanks to Sora and Lea, I traveled to a brand new world and now I am about to embark on a whole new adventure.
This last hour of reading has been incredibly tense. And while part of me still wonders why we started with such an emotionally charged set of chapters, I can also understand why it was vital for us to learn about this Final Task of the Tournament.

And because the book is so close to me, on the table in front of the master of my own successor, Riku, I decide to reach out and take the book, ready to read the final chapter myself.
I run my gaze across the whole Great Hall to make sure that everyone is ready. And once I get a few nods of grateful acceptance, I open the book and start to read.

The Beginning
When he … painful. The only positive and yet at the same time the worst, perhaps … following morning.

Cedric himself smiles at Harry, who is still asleep and leaning against him, and whispers: "Here it comes. You're going to bring me back from Limbo, I'm sure."
Yet the happiness in his voice has a hollow tone to it. I know this is because he doesn't like the notion that his book-self will be convinced to leave the country and I feel a great sense of pride for the young man and his loyalty to his mates. I resume my reading.

Harry had woken early, while everyone else who had stayed to keep him company was still asleep, and upon turning his head, he had laid his eyes upon a horrific sight;
Cedric's body lying a few beds away from his own.
Harry carefully got out of his bed, careful to make sure that the others who were somewhat lying or leaning on his bed as well didn't wake, and moved over to the bed on bare feet.
As soon as he laid eyes on the handsome brown-haired boy, his heart skipped a beat. But not in horror, pain or grief. The sight of the young man, who looked to be vast asleep and nothing more, brought that same need from the other night back in full force.
Before Harry was able to realize what he was doing, he had thrown himself on top of Cedric and whispered, "I know you're there, Cedric. Come back to me. Don't leave me. It's not your time. You know it. I know it. Come back to me."
Harry truly didn't know why he was saying this, didn't know why he believed – with all his heart – that Cedric was able to hear him, why he believed that Cedric wasn't dead. All he knew was that, while he suddenly realized that Cedric's parents weren't like the Weasleys and were wide awake and staring at him, something happened.
His head laid right on top of Cedric's chest, right where his heart was within his body. And while he hadn't quite realized it while he was rambling, his eyes suddenly widened when he, slowly but surely, started to hear Cedric's heart start to beat again.
Instantly Harry was on hands and knees above the other Champion, his eyes wide, his mouth open and gaping and his head going up and down as he gazed between Cedric's chest and his face.

A few students look like they want to make a joke about something I said, if the leers and grins on their faces are anything to go by.
But all of them are silenced with furious and disgusted glares by their peers and those they are seated with. I suppress a small grin of my own at this before I return my focus to the book.

And after a few moments, it started to become more and more visible. Cedric's chest rising and falling, his eyes fluttering beneath their lids, his lips parting slightly as he breathed in and out.
Cedric was alive.

And just like the words Cedric was dead had horrific effects on the Hall at large a few chapters ago, these three words make many cheer.
A few people ask: "Why are you so happy? You knew this would happen, right?" Their questions are either completely ignored or glared at in the same way the leering jokesters were earlier.
I happily let the cheering go on for a few minutes as I feel we all desperately need some positive energy to flow through the hall. And when silence has returned, I return to my reading.

Harry heard the Diggories jump out of their seats and reacted instantly. He jumped from his seat and tore the curtains closed with lightning speed. He didn't want to share this moment with anyone other than the other boy's parents.

"That's going to happen a lot, isn't it? That we get to hear how Potter doesn't want to share something private, yet we learn about it anyway?" Someone at the Ravenclaw table asks.
Sirius shrugs and says: "Maybe, but my pup always seemed like someone who'd be willing to sacrifice one thing in order to accomplish something greater.
And next to that, you can always consider this like an offer for a deal. You get to learn everything there is about Harry now – and you'll leave him to his own private life once the reading of all books is over. Give him back the privacy that his fame stole from him."
A tentative silence flows through the hall as many students stare either at Harry or share looks with their peers. Then someone at the Hufflepuff table shrugs and says: "Sounds like a fair deal." And many others nod. Harry smiles gratefully and I read on.

And after he closed the last of the curtains and turned around, his eyes filled up with tears that streamed down his face as he saw Mrs. Diggory bawling her eyes out while crying out her son's name and holding him close against her form.
Mr. Diggory, on the other hand, seemed rooted to the spot with shock.
Mrs. Diggory kept crying for several minutes and Harry was very glad that he had closed the curtains as the sounds of her cries would have surely woken his friends.
And while he desperately wanted to join the woman at Cedric's side, instead his mind was going a mile a minute.
He had no idea how this was possible, he had no idea what he could have done to bring Cedric back from the dead – or perhaps somewhere else as suddenly the thought of Limbo occurred to Harry.
But as his mind analyzed the situation, a horrifying thought occurred to him.
"Cedric, Mr. Diggory, Mrs. Diggory – no, don't interrupt me, just listen. You can't let anyone know that Cedric is alive. Tell one person and those who worked with Crouch Junior will learn about it. And when they do, Voldemort will. And when Voldemort learns that Cedric survived, he will hunt him down, relentlessly. I know he will, he's done so for years with me.
Cedric, you need to keep up the act of being dead, at least until your parents have taken your "body" out of Hogwarts. Once you've left, you, Mr. and Mrs. Diggory, need to hold a fake funeral.
I know, Crouch did the same for his wife to hide that his criminal of a son was alive. But he paid the price for that. You need to do this.
And once the funeral is over, you need to leave the country. Don't stay in England. If you do, Voldemort will hunt you down. If you do, you will die. And I can't guarantee that I will be there. I can't guarantee that I'll be able to do – whatever I just did.
Please, leave. Leave Hogwarts, leave England. Please."

The sense of positive energy that had been flowing through the hall at the declaration of Cedric's return is now well and truly gone. Several students, both those in Hufflepuff and most of the younger years who are apparently unaffected by the spell look worried, frightened and concerned. A few of their peers question them, but they don't answer as I read.

Mr. Diggory was silently sobbing through most of his speech. Mrs. Diggory seemed to be beyond tears or words.
Yet Cedric released himself from his mother's embrace and got out of the bed. He moved over to where Harry was standing near the side curtains and gently put a hand to Harry's cheek as he spoke, "Harry, you can't expect me to leave you. I can't leave my soulmate behind."
His parents gasped behind him and while Harry had no idea what Cedric was talking about, he understood enough to know that the statement was important and impactful.
But Harry stood firm and said, "Cedric please, I can't lose you a second time and neither can your parents. I'll be fine. I survived Voldemort up to this point and I'll continue to do so. What I need you, the – my Champion – to do – is live. For me."
Harry truly didn't know where those last words came from. They felt as if they had been inspired by Cedric's attempt at an argument. And apparently they struck home as Cedric sighed, leaned his forehead against Harry's and whispered,
"I'll be back. I won't leave you. I won't lose you."

"And I'm not leaving you here either. I didn't get brought back from Limbo, so you can't make me leave for my own safety. It's not on the line here."
Cedric firmly tells his soul mate. The young man, who is probably only a few years younger than me, doesn't seem to care that his mate is still asleep. I, on the other hand, feel slightly amazed at how strong Lea's Sleep spell is before I return to my duty.

And as he laid back down and closed his eyes, Harry believed him.
For a few more minutes, Harry and the Diggories talked and Harry got to learn things about the other Champion.
When they … yourself, now. We'll be back for you, once it's all over, you hear."
Harry seized … keep it. It will keep you safe."
Harry returned … very much.
Especially because he had seen Cedric's body – or better said Cedric himself – being escorted out of the Hospital Wing and Hogwarts safely only a few hours earlier.
He was sure Cedric was safely at home now, though he wasn't sure if the older boy would keep up the dead act until the funeral or only when his parents had visitors.
Still, he continuously distracted himself with thoughts on what Cedric might have meant and reassured himself with the notion that, soon, the Diggories would be safe and out of the country.

"And if something happens after all of this is done, I'll just phase us over to Radiant Garden. I'm not letting any hint of Darkness from this world tarnish your Lights anymore. With either of you." Lea tells both his mates.
Cedric smiles and – whether he can hear him or is having a pleasant dream – Harry's face also shows a small grin.

Then Axel grins and says: "You know, it's kind of unfair. I mean, we split and I didn't get your Keyblade ability, but you did inherit my phasing ability."
Lea shrugs and says: "It might come later. It took me quite a while too. I actually, at one point, didn't think I'd be able to and that was after hours of training."
Axel seems pacified by this and I grin as I know how it feels to want something that seems to be just slightly out of your reach. I feel immense pride for Lea as I continue.

He liked … played chess.
He either spent his time with them or with the team. When he was with the twins, he just simply watched them tinker and experiment. When he was with the Chasers, they talked about simple things, like classes, homework, hobbies and what they'd do in their free-time over summer.

"Isn't that dangerous? To talk like that when a war is on the horizon?" Someone on the Ravenclaw table asks a friend of theirs worriedly.
But instead of the friend, Angelina answers: "I might not be able to answer for Harry here, but I do believe I know him well enough to make a solid guess.
I think, in the book, Harry was relying on us just telling our parents what happened and then planning the ideas we discussed with Harry around whatever we might need to do to keep ourselves safe."
The Ravenclaw student nods and a lot of those that look to be Angelina's age look at her with looks of awe and pride at her answer. I definitely respect it as I read on.

He felt as though all of them … haven't we?"
But Harry didn't trust Dumbledore and he knew that Ron and Hermione didn't either. Ron had just said that, because a group of Third Year Ravenclaws had been passing them on the way to the library while they talked and they were standing close to a couple of portraits that, Harry knew, reported a lot of what happened at Hogwarts back to Dumbledore.
It was all an act, a ruse to keep up to keep Dumbledore satisfied and off his back, as much as that was possible.
Still there were often times where Harry wondered who his real enemy was; Voldemort – or Dumbledore. He didn't voice these beliefs out loud, but he was sure his friends sometimes felt the same. It didn't make what happened at the Maze and the Graveyard any easier to process.

Each time that a comment is made against the Headmaster, I sense it. The Darkness in his heart. It seems to feed on the anger and annoyance that he feels over the fact that he is not universally loved, adored and obeyed.
More and more the man reminds me of Master Xehanort. Yet at the same time the fact that this man lets his anger show, even if he tries to hide it behind a mask, sets the man apart from Xehanort at the same time.
Yet I'm not afraid. I was able to keep Xehanort somewhat at bay, even when he had control of my body. And now that I am back, I am determined not to let Dumbledore manipulate anyone the way Xehanort manipulated me.

Ever.

The only person apart from his secret and not-so-secret group of friends that Harry … said nothing.
He would never be able to thank Hagrid for the kindness and friendship the half-giant had shared with him over the years, but the other man's blind devotion to Dumbledore always made it feel as if there was a wedge the size of a canyon between them.

Everyone turns to the Half-giant at this bit. Hagrid looks to be somewhat at odds with himself. Yet then he seems to shock everyone. He stands up, turns to the Headmaster and says:

"I'm really sorry, Headmaster sir, but – Harry's my friend.
I will never forget what you did for me, but –
Harry is the one who got me out of Azkaban,
Who cleared my name. I can't ever forget that."

An intense silence falls over the hall for a few moments. But then Ron repeats Sora's earlier actions from when Sirius made his speech.
The redhead stands up and loudly starts to clap and cheer. His family is right behind him and the table around us follows after.
After a few minutes, almost the entire hall cheers the man's name. Only most of Slytherin and a few Ravenclaws remain seated.
The man himself is near tears and is beet-red at the same time. He rubs the back of his head, clearly not used to this kind of praise. I decide to relieve him.

Harry desperately wanted to confide in Hagrid, but he knew that there was no chance for that. Now was not the time. Not now that Voldemort had returned.
Instead Harry would just rely on his biggest friend, just like always.
"Knew he … their faces.
Harry was sure that the man thought that it was because of Hagrid's lack of care about Voldemort's return. In truth it was because the man still relied on Dumbledore as desperately as he did. The man still seemed blind to all the ways that Dumbledore had been failing the school, failing those as loyal to him as Hagrid himself.
Harry wondered what it would take for Hagrid to see Dumbledore for the man that he was.

"These books. They will show all."
Chirithy says and his voice sounds almost ominous, which is slightly bizarre coming from such a small and cute little being.
Some students look concerned and worried over these words, others look intrigued and curious. Yet I also notice the satisfied looks on Ron and Hermione's faces as I resume the chapter.

"No good … at Harry.
Harry, in the meantime, wondered what Dumbledore had and had not told Hagrid.
"Yeh did … in days, at least out in public. "What's Dumbledore … Privet Drive. He wondered if the threat of his "criminal" godfather would be enough to keep the Dursleys in check after the little incident with Mr. Weasley and the Floo. If not, he would just tell them the truth; that Voldemort was back and that his return was meant to keep them safe, that they owed him their lives. He wasn't looking forward to that conversation.

Sirius turns to look at Susan and says: "Let Amelia know I want to speak with her in private about this. Harry's been sending me signs that have worried me for the past year now. I've just constantly been distracting myself with the whole thing with Voldemort as I didn't want to focus on this until I had my name cleared."
Susan nods, yet at the same time the man's words has caused the concern that many felt over the written text to increase. I hear someone at the Hufflepuff table whisper: "I knew he doesn't like it at those Muggles, but how bad could it be? What's going on here?" I wonder that myself as I continue with the reading.

He was also dreading the … fellow students.
Either that or he would visit the kitchens and get some food from Dobby. There had also been a few days where his friends would bring food up to the common room or even his dorm for him.
When he … to Cedric.
Several emotions hit him with this realization.
Curiosity over whether or not Cedric had already left the country.
Relief that the whole event proved that Cedric had successfully tricked everyone.
Glee that even the Death Eaters would continue to believe that Cedric was dead.
And fury that Dumbledore wasn't willing to do the same for his parents and the other war-heroes and victims on Halloween.

Lupin turns to Dumbledore in shock and asks: "Wait, so you lied to me when you said that you forgot about it last year?"
Dumbledore cringes, while Hermione rolls her eyes and says: "I haven't seen Dumbledore hold a celebratory feast in honor of the fallen heroes in all the years I've been here.
Now I'll admit that I wasn't there for Second as I was at Nick's Deathday Party, but I didn't hear anything of the sort happening when I asked Parvati or Lavender afterwards."
The two girls nod to confirm this, Lupin and several of the other visiting adults glare at the staff table in disgust and I growl as I read.

The real … own trunk. Professor Sprout, who each time made sure to show Moody her hand before she laid it on his shoulder to get his attention, appeared to be the only one with who he could speak calmly. Harry desperately hoped that the Head of Hufflepuff would continue this trend over summer, for the former Auror's sake. Professor Karkaroff s … with him.
For just a moment Harry wondered and feared if any part of the world would really be safe for Cedric. Would Voldemort go global to seek Karkaroff out? Harry desperately hoped and prayed that his plan would work, even if he knew that he wouldn't find out until after the conflict was over. He remembered Hagrid's words and decided to apply them to this situation as well.

Madam Maxime steps up and says: "I would like it know that, regardless of Monsiour William's plan, any student from either Hogwarts or Durmstrang, who feels unsafe in their own country, can and will find sanctuary within the walls of Beauxbattons Academy."
Many students smile in relief and some even cheer at this news. It pains me to see this as that indicates that some students might not be returning to Hogwarts next year. Then, after he shares a look with his Headmaster, Krum joins in on the offer and tells us that the same counts for Durmstrang.
This is met with slightly less enthusiasm, yet the Bulgarians don't seem offended by this in the slightest. Dumbledore, on the other hand, had a look of rage hidden beneath his smile of gratitude when Madam Maxime made her offer.

Madame Maxime … his time?
Harry knew he would never be able to like the man. The Professor had, right from his first class on that first Friday in his First Year, ruined one of the two classes Harry had looked forward to all summer.
But he could respect the risk and the potential sacrifice that Snape was willing to make with these actions. If Harry's beliefs were true, he felt a new sense of respect for the man. He understood the importance of spies during wartime and he was slightly awed that Snape was willing to take on such a dangerous, yet critical role.

Quite a few Snakes and Lions look equally shocked at this. Yet I also notice that quite a few students are nodding in empathy and agreement with the boy's words. Master Yen Sid is also smiling, yet I get the feeling it's not because of what I just read.
Yet then I read the next line and say: "Everyone, please keep quiet and keep your comments to yourself for a moment. Dumbledore's about to make a speech and I'd like to read the whole thing in one go." Many nods of acceptance inspire me to read.

Harry's musings … the Hall.
It pained Harry to see this and he squashed down the desperate desire to go over to them and tell them the truth. He wouldn't be a Snitch. He wouldn't betray Cedric or his own plans. He would be better than Pettigrew had been when the rat had sold out Harry's own parents.
"There is … into silence.
Instantly Harry cursed the man. Dumbledore was looking as if he was discussing a topic in class, not informing emotional teenagers of something that could traumatize them. The man had obviously used the last few weeks to come to terms with his loss, but he seemed oblivious to the fact that his students were still emotionally suffering.
Harry could see the writing on the wall and knew that this, so closely before the summer break, would not end well in regards to their efforts to bring a peaceful end to this upcoming conflict.
"The Ministry … his memory."
Harry didn't entirely disagree with Dumbledore, though he did disagree with his methods. Those in Harry's own year were definitely old enough thanks to the past three now four years. But the same couldn't be said for the First to Third. If Dumbledore had wanted to share this, he should have let Snape, Sprout, Flitwick and McGonagall do that, in the common rooms. They would have been able to rely this information in a way that all students of all ages would have been able to digest and come to terms with. This was too global, too widespread.
Stunned and … his stomach. But then, thanks to years of listening in and keeping his eyes out, Harry saw Malfoy's lips move and the words "Dumbledore's Folly" left his mouth, even though barely a sound escaped his lips. He forced … at Dumbledore. He didn't want to draw Dumbledore's attention to Malfoy or show anyone that he agreed with the Snake.
"There is … see them.
Harry was actually grateful for this. He knew that Dumbledore had tried to show him respect, but he also knew what this action would cause him long-term. Dumbledore, with his previous actions towards Fudge and now the students, was digging his own social and political grave. And now he made it clear that he was willing to drag Harry down with him.
Harry tried not to stare at Dumbledore, lest the man became aware of the fact that Harry had silently accepted the unspoken challenge.
When everyone … Cedric Diggory."
This was the only part of Dumbledore's speech that Harry agreed with. He just worried whether the Durmstrang and Beauxbattons students would take it the same way the English witches and wizards would probably take it over summer. Would they stand with them or would they just leave them all out to dry against the monster.
Harry hoped, if nothing else, that either Fleur or Viktor – or another foreign student – if they came across Cedric at any point in time, that they would help keep him safe, alive and away from England and Voldemort's grasp.

The atmosphere as I read this portion was tense the entire way through.

When I read of Pettigrew, I had to keep quiet for a moment, just to temper my own raging anger at the man and what he had done only a few chapters ago.
When the difference between Dumbledore's ability to move on and that of the students was mentioned, the man looked both guilt-stricken and annoyed.
When the suggestion that the Heads should have discussed this with their Houses came up, the four of them had nodded in agreement to the words.
When Harry's acceptance of the unspoken challenge came up, Dumbledore made an attempt to argue the words. But one look from Master Yen Sid and McGonagall silenced him.

I reach the end part and lower the book a little, to indicate that I have reached the final portion of the speech. Fleur and Viktor smile at Cedric and just their smiles speak volumes, if not entire bookcases. If he ever needs it, they will help him.

Harry's trunk … of it. Fred and George had renewed the protective spellwork that they had cast upon both at the end of his Second and Third. The whole group had been down to the kitchens to see if, now that he was working for Hogwarts, Dobby was still willing to keep sending Harry's mail from time to time.
Harry had even considered the idea to ask Winky for help, but the elf had been sleeping on the kitchen floor. Instead, Harry had asked Dobby to keep an eye on her. He would reconsider the idea once he got back on September First.

"Hey wait a second, is Dobby the help that was mentioned in the first chapter? Why didn't the book hide that this time around?"
Someone asks and another person shrugs as he says: "Maybe the book wanted to be more specific this time around. It did mention Winky as well, after all."
Personally I wonder if the magic that created the books can't have been sentient. Yet because I know so little about little Chirithy, I have no answer.

He, Ron … Hogsmeade station.
The twins and the others were either waiting on the other side with their own year or somewhere out in the courtyard.
It was … Hermione scowled.
Harry, in the meantime, felt a mix of happiness and regret. It would be nice to meet Fleur again and it was great that they had a Champion here to help them. But at the same time that scrapped a name off of the list of potential candidates to keep Cedric safe and away from the English shores.
"Good-bye, 'Arry," … for Ron.
For just a moment Harry toyed with the idea to go after the man, with the excuse to apologize for Ron's behavior, but then he noticed it. The hair in the back of his neck was standing on edge. Harry stayed where he was. He knew he was being watched.

"Wha? That can't be right! Crouch was Kissed!"
Someone yells. Yet Ron and Hermione grimace and Ron says:
"Harry has many enemies. And very few openly show themselves."
Yet even without this cryptic warning, I have my suspicions on who it is.

The weather … ginger cushion.
Seamus had stopped by their compartment before seeking out his own and told Harry, "My mum is likely to believe whatever Skeeter or Fudge will come up with this summer."
Harry had nodded and told him, "I'll play along. Don't worry.""What's that supposed to mean?"

Someone asks at the same time that I wonder the question myself. Seamus shrugs and says: "I hardly ever agreed with the whole Potter's in the wrong, let's punish him sheep mentality that happened. But I don't have Harry's mental resilience, so Harry and I agreed.
I would pretend to go along with the other people hating on Harry, but we'd keep calm and remain friends when inside the dorm or somewhere else that students weren't often to be found. It was Harry's idea, really."
A lot of students look at this shocked. Yet while most of Beauxbattons glare at those they share a table with, Aqua and a few of my friends glare at the Head Table. And I definitely agree with them as the teachers should have prevented such actions.

Harry, Ron … happened now.
For a moment Harry wondered if, perhaps, Dumbledore had initially cursed Harry to not speak until he could do so himself. But with how Harry had never had a moment alone since the night that it happened, he doubted it. He knew his friends and he knew they were constantly keeping a watchful eye on him. They knew spells to help him detect such things and he had Dobby as well. And when he had visited the kitchens, Dobby hadn't detected anything unusual, not even among the usual set of tracking and other spells.

Dumbledore may try to hide it, but while most of the staff looked horrified at the notion that the book mentioned Tracking Charms so callously, the man had a swift look of annoyance on his face. instantly I know he was the caster, but I keep quiet. Mostly because of the calming hand Master Yen Sid has on my arm as I focus on the chapter in front of me.

They broke … keep quiet."
Harry wondered what that would mean for Cedric's "funeral". At the same time it filled him with a sense of relief. Fudge's forced silence would allow Cedric more of a chance to leave the country undetected and without anyone being made aware of his departure – or that of his parents.
"He'll never … like this."
He hated that he hadn't told his friends about Cedric yet, but he had sent them a look a day after it all had happened. They had shook their heads. "Not now, not yet."
They knew that Harry had something important to tell them, something no one else knew. But they didn't want to know yet either. They didn't consider it safe.

"Hogwarts is supposed to be the safest place in Magical England. What in the name of Mother Magic happened to make you three think otherwise?"
Sirius asks in exasperated anxiety and both Mrs. Weasley and the Diggories clearly share his concern. Hermione and Ron sigh and Hermione mutters:
"Trust me, by the end of the week, you'll know." The man huffs and turns to look at his slumbering godson in concern. Again I am amazed by the strength of Lea's spell.

"Oh, Rita … Hermione happily.
Harry wondered if he should tell Hermione about the whole myth that he had debunked about magic and electronics. Apparently his expression told a different story.
"Oh not … she wears."

"Miss Granger, while I commend you on your actions, I must recommend that, if you get a similar chance, you alert authorities sooner. Right now, in this situation, you have been holding a fellow witch hostage for several weeks. You can consider yourself lucky that, apparently, Miss Skeeter didn't see the need to use this against you."
Hermione blanches at the words of her Head of House. Mrs. Weasley is quick to reassure her and Ron speaks for her as he assures the Professor that Hermione will take her advice to heart. Professor McGonagall nods, while some students whisper: "Wow, she really would go above and beyond for Potter." And I totally agree with this statement.

Harry looked … seen them.

"I don't like where this is going."

The voice startles me and quite a few others as well. Even though it still sounds half-asleep, Harry is obviously slowly waking from his slumber. I really don't like the fact that he woke at such an awkward part of the story and just keep on going strong.

"So," said … the f-"

Here, even though I read ahead and saw that Harry and the others will not let the boy get away with this, I have to pause.
My voice is deep and strong, but not strong enough to be heard over the furious yells, shouts of rage and cries of disgust that ring through the hall.
And because of what was said, it really doesn't surprise me that the other Snakes at the table need to hurriedly cast shield spells to protect their fellow Snake from an onslaught of spells.

"ENOUGH!"

Two voices yell this at the same time, yet all heads turn to one of the two. My friends and I are some of the few who notice that this annoys Dumbledore, as Master Yen Sid turns to address the blonde boy, who is actually cowering in fear behind his peers.
"Young Mr. Malfoy, I can only give you one warning. And that is that you are wrong. It is not Mr. Potter that chose the wrong side, that fault lies you.

And before you attempt to argue with me, young man, I once knew a man who was just as arrogant and full of himself as you have shown yourself to be.
He too believed himself invincible, incapable of fault, that all he did was right and that he only did what was best for others.

It cost him everything.

And even now, several weeks after he finally saw the light and repented, he has only managed to regain a fraction of what he lost all those years ago.
Simply because his own hubris blinded him to the traitor that took him everything – even his own name. And yet, even after that, it wasn't the actions of the traitor that made him lose even more. It was his own arrogance once more.
Don't go down that path, young man. Don't make the same mistakes my friend did. You are still young, you still have time to see that – even if you don't wish to be like Harry – you aren't perfect either. You make mistakes.
And this one – will cost you." I look between the Master and Malfoy the entire time he speaks. Halfway through I feel as if the master is wasting his time. Malfoy has an angry, disgusted pout on his face. I shake my head and turn back.

It was … Fred inside. Angelina, Alicia and Katie were also outside, though they remained there and turned their backs towards the compartment, ready to stand guard against anyone else with views similar to Malfoy's.
"Interesting effect," … the corridor, where the girls moved them so they were somewhat away from the compartment itself, then came … cards again.
Harry really felt for two of his closest friends. At the same time, regardless of what Mrs. Weasley might think of it, Harry was sure that their joke products could earn them back triple the money they had lost to Bagman in no time. Not that that made things better, but it made Harry feel a little better about it all.

A lot of Gryffindors, who obviously still feel tense over what they just heard Malfoy say in the book, now rise up in raging anger and glare at Bagman. The man squeaks, especially at the looks of utter revolting disgust that are thrown his way by Mrs. Weasley and Aqua.
It really amazes and awes me how much my closest friend and this mother of seven have in common with each other. This makes me smile and for a moment I wonder what Aqua would look like pregnant of a child.
"My child." The thought startles me and I suddenly wonder if, perhaps, Aqua and I could be soul-mates. I think to myself about this and then realize that Aqua and I are the only ones who haven't been tested yet.
But because of what Bill has planned for later, I decide that it doesn't matter. Still, I can't quite keep the image of a child with my physical strength and Aqua's beautiful looks out of my head, even as I try to distract myself with the book.

The rest … and Hermione put their trunks on top of each other, but then struggled out carrying them both, even together. Harry, however … George's hands.

All of the Weasleys and even some of the others at the other tables look shocked and flabbergasted at this notion.
Mrs. Weasley turns to Harry and apparently wants to reprimand him, but then Mrs. Diggory speaks up. And with a smile on her face, she says: "I know you don't know this – and I'm sure Molly was just about to bring it up – but while you might not use that money to keep yourself safe, I still think you put it to good use."

Harry smiles,
Mrs. Weasley splutters,
I genuinely agree.

"What?" said … the floor near the entrance, covered in … it did.
And whether that meant dealing with Dumbledore first and Voldemort after or vice-versa, he didn't care. He would get through it, regardless.

Harry, who is still somewhat sleepily leaning up against Cedric, nods in agreement with the words of his book-self.
Many of those around him smile in pride at his words, even though a few others look concerned and confused. And naturally Dumbledore looks deeply annoyed.
Yet William leaves him little chance to argue as he says: "Whenever you're ready, Harry. I'm ready to take that thing out of you and put an end to that monster."

Instantly Harry is wide awake.

Get ready, Harry,
Also, quick word of warning. The way that Bill is going to get the thing out of Harry's scar is going to be my new method for all stories that involve or could involve Bill in some manner. I've been mentally going over the whole procedure and I like it so much, I want to make it a stable, at least for these kinds of story-plots.
Also, I had to write this chapter twice. The first time I had added text and already worked the CR portions of the story before I started adding reactions. But there were also CR bits of text that deserved to be responded to and those had been lost to the CR bits.
Oops, my bad,

Venquine1990
PS. Did anyone catch the preview hint? What about the MLP reference? Anyone?