Hello all! How are we this fine evening? Enough with the pleasantries on with the show I think. I'm still amazed with the response that I've had for this story so far. Some of you may have noticed that the first chapter has been removed. I was intending to remove a different chapter to update it but clicked on that one instead. Since I don't have the chapter saved (because I'm such a genius) it may take a little while before I can re-upload it.
Disclaimer: I own nothing!
Chapter Nineteen:
By Rosa241
Harry POV:
Percy's words run through my brain as I sit across from my best friend. Everything he said was correct. Over the last few years I've been so concerned with everything going on in my life that I don't actually remember the last time that we've just sat around and had fun. There's always been something going on, something in my life that Ron and Hermione have had to deal with.
"I'm sorry." We both say at the exact same time. Thankfully this breaks the tension that had settled over us and we both fall into fits of laughter. Eventually we both manage to compose ourselves long enough to actually remember what we're doing here.
"Me first." I say, more like I insist really. "I'm sorry. I should have realised what was really going on. The other day at the tent you tried to tell me but I wasn't interested in listening to you. I should have let you talk instead of making assumptions."
"I'm sorry too. I was never really angry at you. Everything just wound me up and…you just happened to be in the firing line mate." For another few minutes we descend back into silence although this time it's far more comfortable.
"Listen Ron Percy pointed something out earlier on and I wanted to know what you thought. He said that I'm so focused on my problems that I tend to forget that other people have issues too." The way he nods his head only fills me with even more guilt.
"Honestly mate I've never really thought about it. Truth is it wasn't until Percy said something about it that I actually thought about it. Maybe he's got a point. You do tend to obsess over things that happen to you, not that anyone can blame you though." For a moment I ignore my guilt and focus on his words. "I mean let's face it you've got enough on your plate. It's not like life has been easy for you."
I know he's right. With everything going on these last couple of years I shouldn't feel too bad for being a bit self-centred but I do. Ron and Hermione have done everything they can, including risking their lives, to help me and how do I repay them? By ignoring their issues and getting mad at them for stupid reasons.
"I'm sorry Ron." He shakes his head but I force myself to continue. He needs to hear this. "Percy was right. I get so focused on my problems that I never stop for a moment to consider that you might have problems too. From now on that's going to change."
"It's not all your fault though. I should have told you how I felt instead of running off and getting angry. I didn't exactly make it easy to understand did I?"
I can't help but marvel over our stupidity. Here's me, too wrapped up in myself to notice that there was something wrong with my best friend, and then there's Ron, too proud to talk about what was going on.
"Friends?" He queries and I can't help but smile.
"Friend." We might argue and we might have our problems but we'll always be there for each other when it matters most.
Percy POV:
"I wonder what the clue is?" Oliver ponders once again as he stares at the egg sitting on the table. So far neither us nor Harry have had any joy figuring out the clue. How the heck are we supposed to figure out the clue if we can't even stand to listen to it for more than ten seconds? I voice my thoughts to Oliver who shrugs his shoulders.
"Maybe it's a puzzle. Maybe we can move some of the panels or something…" He trails off as he picks up the egg and starts fiddling about with it.
"Oliver don't play with it you'll set it off again." And I honestly don't think my ears could take that again.
Its almost inevitable really. I should never have let him loose with the egg in the first place. Despite my protests he picks up the egg and starts prodding at some different areas on the golden casing. My eyes widen as his hands skitter over the opening. Of course my warning to him falls on deaf ears and all of a sudden the room is filled with that awful sound.
The entire common room cries out in pain and instantly cover their ears. It takes a few seconds of absolute agony before Oliver finds himself able to finally close the blasted thing.
"For merlins sake!" He mutters out a series of apologies as everyone sends him a series of furious glares.
"That is just about the most awful sound I've ever heard." Angelina moans as she punches Oliver in the shoulder. "Maybe the sound is the clue. Maybe whatever beast you have to face next makes that kind of noise."
"If there's a beast out there that makes that kind of noise then I don't ever want to meet it." Sending another glare towards my soon to be former best friend I shake my head once more. I'll never get this damn ringing out of my ears.
Flitwicks POV:
"So what do you think then?" All eyes turn to me as I speak. We've talked about it before but so far no one has been confidence enough to actually voice their thoughts.
"About what Phineas?" Minerva knew exactly what I was talking about. We've discussed it at length several times but she's refused to give away who she thinks will win.
"You know what I'm talking about. The tournament of course!" She rolls her eyes before turning them back to her plate. That woman wouldn't ever give away anything. Several eyes descend into a look of thoughtfulness before someone finally answers.
"All of our competitors have an equal chance of winning." Ever the diplomat. Dumbledore is another that has given nothing away so far.
"Well I wouldn't say an even chance. After all poor Harry is a couple of years behind the others." Pomona answers after a beat. "I would love to know how his name ended up in the goblet. The poor lamb."
"If we're on that train of thought then we better cast Mr Weasley into that as well." Another nod from the table as my words hit them. There was not anyone among us that believed that Percy or Harry had managed to get their names into the goblet. As much as I believe that Percy is a brilliant young wizard, much the same as Harry, I can't see how he'd get his name in there.
"Either way their names are in the goblet now and they've both proven that they can handle themselves quite aptly." Although her words are relatively neutral there's an obvious smile on her face.
"My moneys on Potter." From day one he's said that he thinks Harry's going to win this. Personally I can't see it happening. Don't get me wrong Harry's a wonderful wizard and an amazingly talented young man, give him a couple of years more knowledge and I would bet on him every time. But at the moment he's only a fourth year and I can safely say there are very few who would be able to compete.
Personally my bet is on Percy. I've said for years that there's something inside of him, some great spirit just waiting to emerge. He's one of the most talented wizard that I've come across in all my years of teaching. Both Bill and Charlie were talented, as is Hermione but not in the same way as Percy is. Everything about magic just comes so easily for him.
You just watch. He'll win this thing I'm sure.
Not a lot to this chapter but just how will Percy figure out the clue? Just how will 'Moody' ensure Harry's victory and what does this mean for poor Percy? Well keep reading and maybe you'll find out.
Until then bye!