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batsutousaiTitle: The Creators
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
batsutousai
Beta: The amazing, the beautiful,tsuki_no_suzu!
Rating: PG-13
Pairings: Susan/Neville, Ron/Krum, Hermione/Bill, Sarah/??, Harry/NO ONE, DAMMIT!
Warnings: Mentions of child-abuse, anti-Muggle sentiments, mentions of murder and rape, anti-Dumbledore
Summary: 'When their Creators return, their world shall be remade.' Four children hold the fate of the Wizarding World in their un-tried hands.
Disclaim Her: So, I've been off and on considering writing a side-story that shows the Founders in their various Houses, since some people have asked about that. What are people's thoughts?
Does anyone read these Disclaim Hers? I mean, we've already shown that no one reads the A/Ns at the bottom... (Except the people who never review, and you lot don't count. So :P )
A/N: I can't TELL you how much I enjoyed everyone's guesses for Harry's date. Admittedly, Sarah – who practically everyone and their mother seemed to guess – was my original fall-back, if I couldn't come up with someone more exciting.
Alas, I came up with someone more exciting. And no one guessed it. *mad cackle*
-0-0-
Question of Honour
-0-0-
"Damn egg," Harry muttered, falling back on to his bed with it. All it did was screech at him, and he couldn't, for the life of him, figure out what it was supposed to be. And most of the school, to make things worse, were giving him a wide berth after he spoke Parseltongue at the task. "Damn teenagers," he added at the thought. For some reason, the little idiots thought the serpent's tongue was evil, and since he was already in Slytherin...
'You can't win them all, Sal,' Hogwarts soothed, as she had been for the past week. She already knew what the Second Task was, but Harry had told her not to tell him, determined to figure it out on his own, since the first one had been handed to him.
Harry groaned. "Well, no. But I'd rather enjoy being able to eat in the Hall again without getting glared at. It's like Snape was still here!"
"Some of us are still a little peeved at you for that, you know," Draco commented drily as he led the way into the dorm, his two trolls following. (Sometimes, Harry wondered how the two burly boys had made it into his House, but the Hat just laughed madly every time he asked, so he'd given up after the second year.)
Harry snorted at the boy. "Yes, and he favoured you like Dumbledore does the Gryffindors. If you don't think that's fair, then what do you think the other Houses thought about Snape?"
Draco just sneered and turned to his trunk. "Whatever, Potter. So, figured out the golden paperweight yet?" He glanced up, holding his cloak. It was starting to get cold in the castle, especially the dungeons beyond the common room, and many students were opting to grab their cloaks and scarves when going out into the main part of the castle, rather than waste magic on heating charms. (Harry, who – like the other Founders and, to an extent, Sarah – had huge reserves from the extra magic which had followed them with their memories, usually just cast the charm.)
Harry sighed and glared down at the egg again, which was enough answer for Draco, and the boy shrugged.
"Oh well," the blond said uncaringly as he closed his trunk again, "keep trying."
"Yeah, sure thing."
Draco stopped just inside the doorway and said, "Oh, and Potter?"
"Yes, Draco?" Harry asked tiredly.
"You really shouldn't keep talking to yourself like that; people might think you're mad."
"Hmm, evil and mad," Harry commented aloud as Draco opened the dorm door, "you know, that sounds rather like Voldemort."
Draco shuddered and hurried away, his bodyguards following just as quickly.
-0-
When Slughorn told them about the Yule Ball, Harry almost cried. First, the school though he was evil, now he had to find one of them to take to the dance?
"At least you know how to dance," Susan commented when Harry complained to his friends one evening. "Imagine how the other boys are feeling."
"Hm, learning to dance from your Head of House," Ronald commented, then shuddered theatrically.
"Godric..." Hermione complained, knocking her head against the back of the couch.
Ronald just grinned at her.
"You could always go with Row or myself," Susan offered, ignoring the other two Founders.
Harry shook his head. "Uhm, no. Dancing with my sisters is not my style. Oh, you're laughing now Godric," he snapped at Ronald, who was snickering, "but wait until you realise that you too must ask a girl out!"
"Or I could ask out a guy," Ronald agreed cheerfully.
"I suppose it is a bit more acceptable now than it was back home," Susan said thoughtfully.
"You could invite one of the girls from your own House," Hermione suggested, considering it a perfect solution. The Slytherins had actually reacted positively to Harry being a Parselmouth, possibly because of his relation to their Founder, as unaware of the truth of it as they were.
Harry grimaced. "No thanks. They're a bunch of pureblood loonies."
"Sounds like someone I once knew," Hermione replied with a touch of sarcasm.
Harry frowned at her. "I was never that bad."
"No, you were worse," Hermione snapped back.
"So!" Ronald cut in, leaning forward to get in between the fighting pair. "What you're saying is that none of the Hogwarts girls are mature enough for you?"
Harry's lip curled with a sneer. "Godric, get out of my face."
Ronald just grinned. "You could ask one of the professors."
Harry blinked, thought about it, then gagged.
"Salazar!" Hermione cried, horrified.
Susan cleared her throat. "Row, even you have to admit that none of the professors are particularly attractive," she said softly.
Hermione thought about it, trying to remember a time one of the boys in the school had said anything good about one of the female professors. "Er, Hooch?"
"I don't date hawks, they tend to try and eat me," Harry replied drily, referring to how the flying instructor looked like a bird of prey.
"Sal, you don't date anyone," Susan replied tiredly.
"You could take the castle," Ronald suggested jokingly.
Harry blinked. "Could I?" he wondered.
"Sal, he was joking," Hermione said, eyes narrowed.
"Hey, Hogwarts, could I take you to the ball?" Harry asked the room.
"Salazar..." Hermione said. Susan sighed and shook her head while Ronald covered his smile with one hand.
Hogwarts' stone form appeared in the middle of the room, blinking stone eyes slowly. "I don't know that I could retain this form outside of this room," she said. "It might be fun, however, if it worked."
Harry eyed the stone form thoughtfully. "You're always made of stone?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Salazar, no," Hermione ordered.
Harry glanced at her. "What do you think, Row? Could we make a stone body for Hogwarts that she can assume outside the Room of Requirement?"
Hermione swallowed. It would be an amazing feat of magic if they could pull it off, but still, taking the school to the dance?"
"She really wants to go," Harry added, eyes bright.
Hermione closed her eyes helplessly. "Oh, fine! I'll try it!"
"Well, mate, looks like you've got yourself a date," Ronald said cheerfully to Harry.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Yeah? And what about the rest of you?"
"Row already got asked by one of the seventh years in Ravenclaw," Susan offered, ducking the irritated curse Hermione sent her way. "Yon Su, the Chinese girl in our year's older brother."
"Helga!"
"And what about you, Helga?" Ronald asked, eyes dancing.
"Oh, I have someone in mind, but I need to ask him," she replied easily. "And I'm not telling you who," she added, seeing Ronald open his mouth to ask that very question. "What about you, then?"
Ronald's eyes gleamed dangerously. "Oh, I have the perfect gentleman in mind."
"Oh, brother," Harry groaned. "Ric, just because it's seen in a more acceptable light doesn't mean you should flaunt it."
"I'm not 'flaunting' anything!" Ronald complained. "I'm just asking the man of my dreams to the Yule Ball!"
"Oh, I've got a really bad feeling about this," Hermione commented, eyeing Ronald like he was some sort of wild beast.
Ronald just grinned madly and refused to say anything more.
-0-
"Hey, Potter?"
Harry turned and blinked at Cedric in surprise. The boy had been forced to avoid Harry for weeks because of his friends. The other Hufflepuffs seemed very keen to keep "their" champion from the "evil" champion. "Yeah, Diggory?"
Cedric sighed and sat in the open seat at the library table next to Harry. "I'm sorry," he said.
Harry shrugged. Once his date for the dance had been figured out and everything finished the night before, he finally decided he didn't care what the rest of the school thought of him, because he was Dark, and they already thought him evil, even if they didn't know it was him, per say, but still. (Hermione had finally managed to beat that concept into his head after four days, irritated with Harry bemoaning his lot in life while they were working on Hogwarts' body for the dance.)
Cedric shook his head. "At least your House took things well, I suppose," he said.
Harry smiled grimly. "Yes, well, they can relate; the school already thinks they're all evil."
Cedric winced. "Oh. Yeah."
Harry shrugged again. "Did you just come here to apologise for the school, then?"
Cedric shook his head. "No! Actually, I came to ask if you've figured out the egg yet?"
Harry blinked. "The egg? Oh. No. I stopped caring after I realised I'd need to find a date who didn't think I'd curse them as soon as their back was turned."
Cedric smiled sadly. "Ah, yes. Of course. Any luck?"
Harry smirked. "But of course."
Cedric chuckled and rolled his eyes. "Gryffindor," he muttered disbelievingly, making Harry grin, then said, "Take the egg with you to the bath. Uhm, use a big bathtub, like the Prefect's Bath. I can give you the password..."
Harry shook his head, awed. "Are you really the same Cedric Diggory who spent my entire first year yelling at me for every little thing?" he asked.
Cedric grimaced. "Well, things changed."
"I suppose they did," Harry agreed. "And thank you, but I don't need the password. I know of a room that can become anything you envision it to be, and that should work fine."
Cedric blinked. "Really? Where?"
Harry smirked. "Sorry, Diggory, can't tell you." He shrugged, as if it was beyond his control.
Cedric just rolled his eyes. "Slytherins," he muttered, then pulled out some books and things to take notes with. "Do you mind if I sit here and study?"
Harry shook his head. "Be my guest."
-0-
An hour later, Hermione joined Harry and Cedric with, surprisingly, Ronald. When Harry shot her a questioning look, she shrugged, clearly baffled. Just as they were settling down to study, Viktor Krum stopped next to their table and, looking at Hermione, said, "Vould you go vith me to the dance?"
Hermione blinked at him, then shook her head. "Already have a date, sorry," she replied, turning back to her book.
"You can go with me, though," Ronald suggested, smiling winningly.
Krum looked startled, while Harry sighed and muttered, "An entire year in Slytherin, wasted."
"Please?" Ronald added, smile turning slightly pleading.
Krum finally seemed to come out of his surprised stupor and seriously considered Ronald and his question. The boy weighed the option of taking Ronald, who was a fanboy, but one he could have a decent conversation with, against taking one of his hoards of fangirls, the rest of whom would probably descend upon the lucky girl and tear her apart. Ronald, on the other hand, could probably keep the girls at bay. And going with a guy might get the girls off him.
"Agreed," Krum finally said, surprising the other three at the table, while Ronald practically beamed.
When Krum left after he and Ronald had finalised everything, Harry commented, "I really hope this doesn't blow up in your face, Ron."
Ronald huffed. "Just because you've never been able to keep anyone doesn't mean we're all failures in that department."
"Go– Ronald!" Hermione hissed, smacking Ronald's arm.
But Harry was already gathering his things and turning to leave.
"Harry..." Cedric tried, confused, but needing to help his fellow champion.
Harry pushed past the Hufflepuff and stopped next to Ronald's chair, green eyes blazing. "Yes, but at least I had them. That's more than you can say."
"Harry!" Hermione cried as the black-haired boy stalked from the library.
Ronald just stared at the table, jaw clenched angrily.
"How could you!" Hermione demanded of Ronald, turning on him furiously.
Ronald glared at her.
"He was trying to show you he cared, you idiot!"
"Yes, and I'm fine without his help," Ronald replied coolly. "He doesn't need to lump his past failures on me."
Hermione looked uncertain for a long moment, then smacked the boy across the face and, grabbing her things, hurried from the library.
Cedric left quickly after, completely confused, but unwilling to stay with the angry Gryffindor.
-0-
Harry spent the next day in his dorm, refusing to see his friends or even leave to get food. Eventually, Hogwarts donned her golem body – which had been made of stones from the Chamber around her core and magically glamoured to look and feel human – and came down to knock some sense into the gloomy Founder.
"Salazar Slytherin," she said after ensuring the rest of the Slytherins weren't able to hear their conversation, not even the boys dressing in the room, who had all ducked behind bed curtains when she'd entered. "You will come out of there right this minute and take me to the ball."
"Oh, piss off."
Hogwarts scowled and, reaching into Harry's curtained-off bed, grabbed his leg and bodily dragged him out.
"Ow!" Harry shouted as his head slammed into the stone floor. He sat up, rubbing it and glaring at the golem. "You know, Hogwarts, I'm not made of stone. I do break if you drop me."
"You haven't eaten in almost forty-eight hours, and you're complaining about me knocking your head on the stone floor?" the castle demanded. "You idiot!"
"I don't care about the dance," Harry informed her.
"Well I do," Hogwarts replied tartly. "And you promised to take me to it! If you don't, I won't let anyone go!"
Harry eyed her. "So if I don't take you to the dance, you'll throw a temper tantrum?"
Hogwarts crossed her arms over her chest, looking displeased with the correlation. "Yes," she decided. "And then Godric's night really will be ruined!"
Harry winced. As mad as he was at his best friend, he wouldn't wish a ruined date on the other. Especially if Harry was the cause behind it, indirect or no.
Hogwarts nodded, seeing that he'd given in, and dragged him to his feet. "Get dressed," she ordered, mentally calling for the boy's house-elf. When Winky appeared next to her, she said, "Bring Harry an apple to eat. I know there's supposed to be a feast before the ball, but I want something in him now."
"Winky understands," the little elf agreed, then popped away.
"I'm not a child, Hogwarts," Harry commented as he pulled out his heavy green robes. He'd had them specially made in an older style, with Celtic knots in silver lining the neck and arms. Ronald, Hermione and Susan had all done the same with their own House colours, in preparation for their public appearance in the future, but all agreed that they would work equally well for the Yule Ball.
"You're acting like one," the castle snapped back.
"Godric is acting like one," Harry corrected.
"Yes, but you aren't helping," Hogwarts agreed as Winky reappeared with Harry's apple.
The boy took the apple with a quick, "Thank you, Winky," and took a bite before pulling off the robes he'd worn since his fight with Ronald, uncaring of his modesty. (After all, he thought, Hogwarts had seen it all before.)
Hogwarts huffed as she was ignored in favour of her date dressing, and she glared at the other boys as they poked their heads out curiously. She dropped the silencing barrier and snapped, "Oh, go dress in the bathroom, then! Teenagers!"
Harry's lips twitched with a smile and he bit into the apple to hide it. He conjured a mirror and glanced at his tired reflection critically. "I look like shit," he decided.
"You do," Hogwarts agreed. "But you did it to yourself, so you can't complain."
Harry rolled his eyes at the castle and cast a few quick charms on himself to get rid of the circles under his eyes and the faint tear-tracks still staining his cheeks. A quick brush through his hair – which he'd started keeping long after he'd realised as a small child that messy hair irritated his muggle aunt more than long hair – was enough to get it clear of tangles, and a wooden clasp with his personal crest held it back and out of the way. Another critical look in the mirror showed him to be a sharp-looking pureblood heir, which was the look he'd been going for, so he vanished the mirror and turned to look at his and Hermione's accomplishment.
Hogwarts wore a simple silver gown which accentuated the gentle curve of her body, which Hermione had insisted she must have. Her hair, a pale grey, had been piled elegantly on top of her head and pinned there with jewelled clips, which Hermione assured them both would look stunning in the lights of the Great Hall during the ball. She wore, around her throat, a pendent of the school's symbol, with the four animals rearing for battle behind the letter 'H'. She was, as demanded by the castle herself, the same height as Harry, so the boy wouldn't look ridiculous for dancing with a girl taller than him.
Harry cleared his throat. "You look lovely, Hogwarts."
The castle smiled happily. "Thank you, Salazar."
Harry shook his head. "Harry," he reminded her. They were going to be in public, and if she called him his old name, it could ruin them all.
Hogwarts' cheeks flushed. "Sorry. When you look like that..."
Harry nodded in understanding. Salazar Slytherin had always striven to wear the finest things, and the older robes were very much his style. While wearing school robes, Harry was just that, Harry Potter, but in these old robes, he could have been his old self again, willing to lay down his life to protect stone walls and students who looked at him with fear.
"Let's go," he decided, inviting her to curl her arm in his.
Hogwarts smiled and took his arm, letting him lead her from the dorm and out into the common room, where his fellow Housemates stopped their own preparations to stare at them in surprise.
An older Slytherin called, "Potter! Who's she?"
Harry smiled coolly. "My date, you idiot," he called back, then led the castle from the room.
Cedric with Cho Chang and the Delacour girl with one of the sixth year Ravenclaws were waiting for them at the entrance to the Great Hall.
"Well, hello, there," Cedric said to Hogwarts, smiling. "I don't believe we've been introduced."
Hogwarts smiled at him, then looked to Harry reproachfully. "This is how you were supposed to greet me."
Harry rolled his eyes. "I'm sorry." He turned to Cedric, scowling at his smile. "Diggory, this is Hogwarts."
Chang coughed politely. "I wasn't aware this was a costume party."
"You mean you didn't get the owl?" Harry replied sarcastically. "She's Hogwarts, I'm Salazar Slytherin. Nice to meet you."
"Potter..." Cedric sighed as Chang shrunk back from Harry. The girl was part of the population that believed him to be evil incarnated.
Harry shrugged, unapologetic.
Cedric shook his head. "Fine, be that way."
"He always is," Ronald said, coming up behind Harry, sans Krum.
Harry turned to glare at his best friend, but it only lasted a moment before Hogwarts snapped, "If you two ruin my evening, I'll make the rest of this school year absolutely unbearable for you!"
Harry and Ronald traded grimaces, then turned to the castle and chorused, "Sorry, Hogwarts."
Hogwarts sniffed and turned her nose up at them.
"Alright, if she's Hogwarts, and Potter's playing Slytherin, who are you?" Cedric asked with a touch of a smile.
"Godric Gryffindor," Ronald replied promptly, smiling winningly. "Can't you see the resemblance?"
"Uncanny," Harry deadpanned.
Ronald eyed him. "Are you going to be difficult all night?"
"I am really, really pissed off at you right now," Harry replied honestly. "I've half a mind to curse you so hard your grandparents feel it."
Ronald grimaced. "I'll admit I was out of line–" he started.
Harry shook his head. "Ron, you were so far beyond the line, it started crying in loneliness."
Ronald sighed. "I'm sorry."
"And I'm still mad at you."
Ronald rubbed at his cheek, where Hermione had smacked him. "You're not the only one," he commented. "The girls haven't talked to me since."
"You deserve it," Harry replied, unmoved.
Ronald nodded in acknowledgement and held out his hand. "Friends?"
Harry eyed the offered hand for a long moment like one might a dragon, then took it and shook. "Friends. But I swear to Merlin, if you pull a stunt like that again..." Harry let the threat hang unsaid, knowing Ronald would be able to fill it in without his help. Salazar Slytherin had not been kind to those who wronged him, and Harry Potter was shaping up to be very much the same. (Though the boy had a touch more forgiveness than he'd had before.)
"Boys," Hogwarts huffed, taking Harry's arm firmly. "Are you through being idiots?"
"With him around?" Harry asked, jerking his thumb at Ronald, who smiled wanly.
Hermione showed up then with her date. "Harry! Hogwarts!" she called, completely ignoring Ronald.
"Oh, so she's in on the joke, too?" Cedric muttered, making Harry grin.
"No, no, my dear Rowena," he said smoothly, smirking at the faintly worried look that appeared on her face, "remember, we are pretending to be the Founders tonight, since Hogwarts is determined to play her part."
Hermione's eyes widened in understanding, then she smiled, easily putting on a lady-like air, much to the surrounding people's surprise. "Of course, Salazar, forgive me," she said, executing a perfect curtsy. "Hogwarts, you look lovely tonight."
Hogwarts smiled. "As do you, Lady Ravenclaw."
"You lot are mad," Cedric decided.
Hermione's date seemed to think the same thing, but wisely kept his mouth shut, since he was well aware that the wrong move could get him cursed into next week by the capable witch on his arm.
"We'll see you inside," Harry said. "If you see Helga, remind her."
Hermione nodded and led her date through the open doors.
Krum chose that moment to finally appear. He walked right up to Ronald and held out a single white rose. "For you, Ron," he said.
"He's good," Hogwarts commented as Ronald blushed and took the offered rose, stumbling over his own words.
Harry rolled his eyes and kicked Ronald's shin. "Godric."
That pulled Ronald from his embarrassment – which had only been made worse by his own awe of Krum – and he forced himself back into his assumed character for the evening. Curiously, playing himself seemed to make him that much more confident, though in truth, Godric Gryffindor had been just as fumbling with love as Ronald had just appeared to be.
Krum looked confused at Harry's use of the wrong name for his date and asked, "Godric?"
Ronald smiled. "Salazar – that would be Harry – and his date decided to play a Founder and the school, since they could. I got roped into playing Godric Gryffindor for the evening. I hope you'll bear with us?"
Krum considered the blushing boy from mere moments ago and compared him against Ronald as he acted playing his assumed roll and shrugged. "Godric it is," he said agreeably.
Ronald looked absolutely lovesick, but was saved from Harry kicking him again by McGonagall coming to insure they were all ready to enter the Hall. Her lips thinned when she saw Ronald and Krum, and she frowned a bit when she saw the unknown girl on Harry's arm, but she still directed them to enter as if nothing was amiss, and Harry silently congratulated her on that.
There was quite a bit of surprised chatter as people realised that Krum had come with a boy, and that Harry had brought in a girl no one recognised. However, the four champions and their partners all made it up to the Head table where they were to eat without incident. Harry, Cedric and the Ravenclaw with Fleur all had no problems with helping their dates sit, but Krum and Ronald had a moment where neither was sure who was supposed to help who into their seats, so they just both shrugged and sat themselves. Harry coughed in amusement at the whole affair, earning him a helpless look from Ronald.
Dinner was generally wonderful. Harry happily struck up conversation with Hogwarts about little things – and was constantly reminded to eat – and traded stories about Bulgaria with Ronald and Krum. Delacour complained about how pathetic Hogwarts was for the holidays and about Peeves, so Harry sneakily shot a freezing charm at her, feeling quite pleased with himself when she spent the rest of the meal shivering. (Hogwarts, who had been the only one to see him do it, was quite approving, since it was the castle herself the stupid part-Veela was putting down.)
When the time came for them to all dance, there was an awkward moment where Ronald and Krum fumbled to decide who would lead. Krum ended up taking over, as he was older, and he only stepped on Ronald's feet once. The next dance, Ronald led, and everything went much smoother.
After the fourth dance, Harry demanded a break and led Hogwarts over to the table Hermione had been left at, looking furious. As soon as Harry got close enough, she snapped, "That stupid little boy left me!"
Harry blinked, then sighed and sat down next to his friend, nodding appreciatively when Hogwarts settled on the girl's other side. "What happened, Row. And from the beginning, please."
Hermione sniffed and wiped at her nose with a napkin from the table. "Well, we sat down next to Helga – who's here with that adorable little boy from Gryffindor she always fawns over – and I told her all about your plan. Well, she thought it was wonderful, and Neville was happy to play along. But Yon was just a little unsure of the whole thing. And, well, when Godric walked in with Krum, he sort of got really quiet and disapproving. He left when the dancing started, saying he didn't want to date a girl with a queen for a friend."
Harry left Hogwarts to hug the distraught girl, eyes sweeping the Hall. He finally saw the boy over by a group of girls who had come without dates in the hopes of at least getting one dance. Harry glanced back at the girls and saw Hogwarts cuddling Hermione, who was crying quietly into the castle's silver gown. Hogwarts' grey eyes were hard, and when she met Harry's gaze, she nodded.
Harry gently touched Hermione's shoulder. "I'll go get us some butterbeer," he murmured, then stood to go find Ronald. He was hardly afraid of a sixth year, but Ronald had been insulted as much as Hermione had been, and deserved a crack at the Ravenclaw.
Harry found Ronald and Krum over by the drink table, laughing together about something one of them said. Ronald turned to Harry with a smile, but it faded when he recognised the murderous glint in his friend's eyes. "What happened?"
"Row's date walked out on her, saying it didn't want to date a girl who was friends with a queen," Harry said coolly.
Ronald's eyes widened, then narrowed. "Is Row okay?"
Harry nodded. "Hogwarts is with her. I'm going after the sod, if you're interested?"
Krum cleared his throat. "Translation?" he requested.
Ronald turned and forced a smile for his date. "Hermione's date dumped her because of me. If you'll give me a few moments, I'd like to go with Harry and clear things up, if that's okay?"
Krum nodded. "Sure," he agreed easily. From what he was able to piece together of their conversation after the blanks were filled in, Hermione's date had left her because Ronald had gone with him, and Ronald felt responsible. If the boy wanted to blow off some steam at this date, Krum was hardly about to stop him.
"The table's over there," Harry offered Krum, pointing back the way he came. They're against one of the walls, so they shouldn't be too hard to find, if you'd like to avoid your fans there?"
Krum nodded his thanks and walked in the direction Harry had pointed, leaving Harry and Ronald staring at each other.
"Where is he?" Ronald asked.
Harry smiled nastily. "I'll get him into the garden."
Ronald nodded in understanding and made for the open doors out into the night air.
Harry turned towards where he'd last seen Yon Li. The boy had picked one of the girls and was dancing with her on the floor, but the song was nearly over, so Harry patiently waited until it was before stepping in and grabbing Yon's arm. "I need to speak with you," he whispered to the older boy, smiling at the surprised girl. "You'll come with me without complaint, or I'll curse you. Understood?"
Yon glanced down at the smaller boy, intent on telling him to bugger off. The words died on his lips when he saw those murderous green eyes. He swallowed and nodded.
"I just need to borrow him for a moment," Harry told the girl, then led Yon off, into the gardens.
Ronald was waiting for them just off the path, in the shadows. His smile, when they got close enough to see it, was cold. "Hello, Yon Li," he said easily. "I hear you dumped 'Mione because you didn't like who I chose to dance with. Is this right?"
Yon nervously looked between the two boys. Normal fourth years weren't a concern, but these two, like their two female friends, were in a league of their own, and even the upper years knew to say clear of their fury by now, especially after the weird accidents that happened to anyone who made any attack against the teens or Harry's adopted sister. Having lived in the same House as both of the boys, he considered Harry to be the greater danger, but he'd also never seen Ronald without his constant good humour. "I–"
"There's no need to deny it," Harry said, smiling a horrible smile, which sent chills along Yon's spine. "I've already heard everything from 'Mione. She's quite distraught."
"This won't hurt," Ronald offered, pulling out his wand.
"Much," Harry agreed, turning his wand on the boy.
Yon was only able to squeak before the two curses hit him.
Back in the Great Hall, Susan and Neville had joined the table again, and Hermione had calmed down enough to inquire after Harry and Ronald, noticing Krum sitting with them.
Hogwarts hesitated a moment, then said, "They've gone to talk with Yon."
Hermione swallowed. "At least he took Ric with him," she decided after a moment. She rather agreed with Yon getting a talking to, but if Harry had gone by himself, he was likely to have gone too far.
Neville and Krum went to get drinks for the three girls while Susan and Hogwarts worked together to dry Hermione's face and cheer her up. The butterbeer went a long way towards doing that. Eventually, Krum asked Hermione if she'd like to dance, and the girl agreed, feeling much better.
While the two were on the dance floor, Harry and Ronald came back, both looking calm and unruffled.
"Did you teach him not to hurt Row again?" Susan demanded, eyes bright with anger for her friend. She was almost as mad with herself as she was with Yon, as she'd left with Neville before the Chinese boy had left Hermione, which meant their friend had sat at the table by herself for three songs, with no one to comfort her.
"Honestly," Harry commented easily, sinking into the seat next to Hogwarts, "I don't think he'll be coming within three feet of her again. Hey, Neville. I see she finally caught you."
Neville turned a bright red. "Shut up, Harry."
"Salazar," Susan corrected with a fond smile.
"Or Sal," Harry agreed cheerfully. "It's what my friends call me." He winked at the startled Longbottom, earning him a tentative smile.
"Sure thing, Har– Sal."
"Where'd Viktor go?" Ronald asked, looking curiously at the dancing couples. "And Row?"
"Viktor asked her to dance," Susan offered carefully.
Ronald blinked, then sighed. "Oh, well," he decided. "At least I got to dance with him."
"I'm sorry, Ric," Harry said honestly.
Ronald shrugged and smiled. "I asked, knowing he was straight and that he'd rather go with Row."
Susan shook her head at the two of them, then turned to Neville. "Dance with me some more?"
Neville smiled and happily took her hand to return to the floor.
"Your brothers are coming," Hogwarts warned Ronald just before the twins came into view.
Ronald groaned. "Bugger."
Fred and George stopped in front of their younger brother, smiling cheerfully. "Hello there,"
"Little Ronnikins."
"Interesting date you picked."
"Didn't know you swung that way."
"Wonder what Mum'll say."
"Don't you dare!" Ronald snapped, standing to glare at the twins.
Fred shrugged. "I don't think she'll care," he said.
"Not as much as she did when you got Sorted to Slytherin," George added.
"As long as you never try dating–"
"–oh, I don't know..."
"Draco Malfoy," they chorused.
"We really doubt–"
"–that she'd care."
Ronald eyed them suspiciously. "You're not pulling my leg?"
"Nah."
"Too easy."
"Not as much fun."
"And the way you're acting–" Fred started.
"And the way he's looking–" George added, pointing over his shoulder at where Krum stood with a dark look on his face, Hermione at his elbow.
"It wouldn't be worth it!" they chorused, then hurried away, waving over their shoulders as they went.
"Those two..." Harry said, shaking his head in amusement.
Ronald smiled at Hermione and Krum. "Feeling better, Row?"
Hermione smiled back at him. "Yeah." She glanced sideways at Harry, who shrugged at her, then turned back to Ronald and said, "I'm sorry I hit you."
Ronald shrugged. "I deserved it."
"And I've already told him off," Harry added cheerfully, then turned to his date. "I do believe, my dear, that I promised you a ball, and here we are, sitting!"
"About time you decided to be chivalrous again," Hogwarts replied, getting to her feet.
Harry bowed formally to the other three, saying, "We take our leave, gentlemen, fair lady."
"Oh, off with you, you great flirt!" Hermione laughed, waving them away.
"A pity she's not real," Ronald commented, referring to Hogwarts.
Hermione shrugged. "I can't see those two lasting longer than a few weeks before one of them starts a fight," she commented. "They get on well enough, but you know how they are if he needs sense knocked into him."
Ronald grinned. "Yeah," he agreed. "They'd never last."
Krum cleared his throat and held his hand out to Ronald. "May I have this dance, Godric?" he requested.
Ronald blinked in surprise, then looked at Hermione, who smiled at him encouragingly. "I'd love to," he told Krum, and let the other boy lead him out onto the dance floor.
Hermione sighed happily and took her seat. "Ah, young love," she said to herself. "I hope, for Godric's sake, that this lasts."
-0-0-0-0-0-
A/N: This was supposed to cover the Second Task as well, originally, and maybe touch on the Third. Whoops. *sweatdrop*
So, after some contemplation – and rereading a couple of chapters – I realised that it would be pretty hard to get Ron and Draco together. And even though Draco is my favourite guy to pair Ron with, it seems it's not to be. And then Ron asked Krum to the dance without really asking me, first, so...
For those of you who hated the idea of Ron and Draco, this should please you. Those who were looking forward to it, I'm sorry. I guess it's going to be Ron/Krum. (Never considered that pairing before, though I'm sure it exists...)
Imagine my surprise when, after threatening to discontinue the story, everyone is suddenly all for Harry being by himself. *snickers* Not that I don't think some of you were honestly of that strand, I just thought it was funny.
No, I won't discontinue this story. But I might get grumpy enough in extreme circumstances to put it on hold for a month. Scout's Honour. (I'm a Girl Scout, I can say that. XP)
~Bats ^.^x
Chapters:
Pro - Prophecy's Children / 1 - Home ||| 2 - Socially Acceptable ||| 3 - Touch the Sunrise
4 - Tomorrow Will Come ||| 5 - Fallen Star ||| 6 - A Dream Will Come True When It Will
7 - The Deepest River |||8 - Question of Honour ||| 9 - Hanging By a Thread
10 - Never As it Seems ||| 11 - Long Road
Incomplete
Author:
batsutousaiBeta: The amazing, the beautiful,
tsuki_no_suzu!Rating: PG-13
Pairings: Susan/Neville, Ron/Krum, Hermione/Bill, Sarah/??, Harry/NO ONE, DAMMIT!
Warnings: Mentions of child-abuse, anti-Muggle sentiments, mentions of murder and rape, anti-Dumbledore
Summary: 'When their Creators return, their world shall be remade.' Four children hold the fate of the Wizarding World in their un-tried hands.
Disclaim Her: So, I've been off and on considering writing a side-story that shows the Founders in their various Houses, since some people have asked about that. What are people's thoughts?
Does anyone read these Disclaim Hers? I mean, we've already shown that no one reads the A/Ns at the bottom... (Except the people who never review, and you lot don't count. So :P )
A/N: I can't TELL you how much I enjoyed everyone's guesses for Harry's date. Admittedly, Sarah – who practically everyone and their mother seemed to guess – was my original fall-back, if I couldn't come up with someone more exciting.
Alas, I came up with someone more exciting. And no one guessed it. *mad cackle*
Question of Honour
-0-0-
"Damn egg," Harry muttered, falling back on to his bed with it. All it did was screech at him, and he couldn't, for the life of him, figure out what it was supposed to be. And most of the school, to make things worse, were giving him a wide berth after he spoke Parseltongue at the task. "Damn teenagers," he added at the thought. For some reason, the little idiots thought the serpent's tongue was evil, and since he was already in Slytherin...
'You can't win them all, Sal,' Hogwarts soothed, as she had been for the past week. She already knew what the Second Task was, but Harry had told her not to tell him, determined to figure it out on his own, since the first one had been handed to him.
Harry groaned. "Well, no. But I'd rather enjoy being able to eat in the Hall again without getting glared at. It's like Snape was still here!"
"Some of us are still a little peeved at you for that, you know," Draco commented drily as he led the way into the dorm, his two trolls following. (Sometimes, Harry wondered how the two burly boys had made it into his House, but the Hat just laughed madly every time he asked, so he'd given up after the second year.)
Harry snorted at the boy. "Yes, and he favoured you like Dumbledore does the Gryffindors. If you don't think that's fair, then what do you think the other Houses thought about Snape?"
Draco just sneered and turned to his trunk. "Whatever, Potter. So, figured out the golden paperweight yet?" He glanced up, holding his cloak. It was starting to get cold in the castle, especially the dungeons beyond the common room, and many students were opting to grab their cloaks and scarves when going out into the main part of the castle, rather than waste magic on heating charms. (Harry, who – like the other Founders and, to an extent, Sarah – had huge reserves from the extra magic which had followed them with their memories, usually just cast the charm.)
Harry sighed and glared down at the egg again, which was enough answer for Draco, and the boy shrugged.
"Oh well," the blond said uncaringly as he closed his trunk again, "keep trying."
"Yeah, sure thing."
Draco stopped just inside the doorway and said, "Oh, and Potter?"
"Yes, Draco?" Harry asked tiredly.
"You really shouldn't keep talking to yourself like that; people might think you're mad."
"Hmm, evil and mad," Harry commented aloud as Draco opened the dorm door, "you know, that sounds rather like Voldemort."
Draco shuddered and hurried away, his bodyguards following just as quickly.
When Slughorn told them about the Yule Ball, Harry almost cried. First, the school though he was evil, now he had to find one of them to take to the dance?
"At least you know how to dance," Susan commented when Harry complained to his friends one evening. "Imagine how the other boys are feeling."
"Hm, learning to dance from your Head of House," Ronald commented, then shuddered theatrically.
"Godric..." Hermione complained, knocking her head against the back of the couch.
Ronald just grinned at her.
"You could always go with Row or myself," Susan offered, ignoring the other two Founders.
Harry shook his head. "Uhm, no. Dancing with my sisters is not my style. Oh, you're laughing now Godric," he snapped at Ronald, who was snickering, "but wait until you realise that you too must ask a girl out!"
"Or I could ask out a guy," Ronald agreed cheerfully.
"I suppose it is a bit more acceptable now than it was back home," Susan said thoughtfully.
"You could invite one of the girls from your own House," Hermione suggested, considering it a perfect solution. The Slytherins had actually reacted positively to Harry being a Parselmouth, possibly because of his relation to their Founder, as unaware of the truth of it as they were.
Harry grimaced. "No thanks. They're a bunch of pureblood loonies."
"Sounds like someone I once knew," Hermione replied with a touch of sarcasm.
Harry frowned at her. "I was never that bad."
"No, you were worse," Hermione snapped back.
"So!" Ronald cut in, leaning forward to get in between the fighting pair. "What you're saying is that none of the Hogwarts girls are mature enough for you?"
Harry's lip curled with a sneer. "Godric, get out of my face."
Ronald just grinned. "You could ask one of the professors."
Harry blinked, thought about it, then gagged.
"Salazar!" Hermione cried, horrified.
Susan cleared her throat. "Row, even you have to admit that none of the professors are particularly attractive," she said softly.
Hermione thought about it, trying to remember a time one of the boys in the school had said anything good about one of the female professors. "Er, Hooch?"
"I don't date hawks, they tend to try and eat me," Harry replied drily, referring to how the flying instructor looked like a bird of prey.
"Sal, you don't date anyone," Susan replied tiredly.
"You could take the castle," Ronald suggested jokingly.
Harry blinked. "Could I?" he wondered.
"Sal, he was joking," Hermione said, eyes narrowed.
"Hey, Hogwarts, could I take you to the ball?" Harry asked the room.
"Salazar..." Hermione said. Susan sighed and shook her head while Ronald covered his smile with one hand.
Hogwarts' stone form appeared in the middle of the room, blinking stone eyes slowly. "I don't know that I could retain this form outside of this room," she said. "It might be fun, however, if it worked."
Harry eyed the stone form thoughtfully. "You're always made of stone?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Salazar, no," Hermione ordered.
Harry glanced at her. "What do you think, Row? Could we make a stone body for Hogwarts that she can assume outside the Room of Requirement?"
Hermione swallowed. It would be an amazing feat of magic if they could pull it off, but still, taking the school to the dance?"
"She really wants to go," Harry added, eyes bright.
Hermione closed her eyes helplessly. "Oh, fine! I'll try it!"
"Well, mate, looks like you've got yourself a date," Ronald said cheerfully to Harry.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Yeah? And what about the rest of you?"
"Row already got asked by one of the seventh years in Ravenclaw," Susan offered, ducking the irritated curse Hermione sent her way. "Yon Su, the Chinese girl in our year's older brother."
"Helga!"
"And what about you, Helga?" Ronald asked, eyes dancing.
"Oh, I have someone in mind, but I need to ask him," she replied easily. "And I'm not telling you who," she added, seeing Ronald open his mouth to ask that very question. "What about you, then?"
Ronald's eyes gleamed dangerously. "Oh, I have the perfect gentleman in mind."
"Oh, brother," Harry groaned. "Ric, just because it's seen in a more acceptable light doesn't mean you should flaunt it."
"I'm not 'flaunting' anything!" Ronald complained. "I'm just asking the man of my dreams to the Yule Ball!"
"Oh, I've got a really bad feeling about this," Hermione commented, eyeing Ronald like he was some sort of wild beast.
Ronald just grinned madly and refused to say anything more.
"Hey, Potter?"
Harry turned and blinked at Cedric in surprise. The boy had been forced to avoid Harry for weeks because of his friends. The other Hufflepuffs seemed very keen to keep "their" champion from the "evil" champion. "Yeah, Diggory?"
Cedric sighed and sat in the open seat at the library table next to Harry. "I'm sorry," he said.
Harry shrugged. Once his date for the dance had been figured out and everything finished the night before, he finally decided he didn't care what the rest of the school thought of him, because he was Dark, and they already thought him evil, even if they didn't know it was him, per say, but still. (Hermione had finally managed to beat that concept into his head after four days, irritated with Harry bemoaning his lot in life while they were working on Hogwarts' body for the dance.)
Cedric shook his head. "At least your House took things well, I suppose," he said.
Harry smiled grimly. "Yes, well, they can relate; the school already thinks they're all evil."
Cedric winced. "Oh. Yeah."
Harry shrugged again. "Did you just come here to apologise for the school, then?"
Cedric shook his head. "No! Actually, I came to ask if you've figured out the egg yet?"
Harry blinked. "The egg? Oh. No. I stopped caring after I realised I'd need to find a date who didn't think I'd curse them as soon as their back was turned."
Cedric smiled sadly. "Ah, yes. Of course. Any luck?"
Harry smirked. "But of course."
Cedric chuckled and rolled his eyes. "Gryffindor," he muttered disbelievingly, making Harry grin, then said, "Take the egg with you to the bath. Uhm, use a big bathtub, like the Prefect's Bath. I can give you the password..."
Harry shook his head, awed. "Are you really the same Cedric Diggory who spent my entire first year yelling at me for every little thing?" he asked.
Cedric grimaced. "Well, things changed."
"I suppose they did," Harry agreed. "And thank you, but I don't need the password. I know of a room that can become anything you envision it to be, and that should work fine."
Cedric blinked. "Really? Where?"
Harry smirked. "Sorry, Diggory, can't tell you." He shrugged, as if it was beyond his control.
Cedric just rolled his eyes. "Slytherins," he muttered, then pulled out some books and things to take notes with. "Do you mind if I sit here and study?"
Harry shook his head. "Be my guest."
An hour later, Hermione joined Harry and Cedric with, surprisingly, Ronald. When Harry shot her a questioning look, she shrugged, clearly baffled. Just as they were settling down to study, Viktor Krum stopped next to their table and, looking at Hermione, said, "Vould you go vith me to the dance?"
Hermione blinked at him, then shook her head. "Already have a date, sorry," she replied, turning back to her book.
"You can go with me, though," Ronald suggested, smiling winningly.
Krum looked startled, while Harry sighed and muttered, "An entire year in Slytherin, wasted."
"Please?" Ronald added, smile turning slightly pleading.
Krum finally seemed to come out of his surprised stupor and seriously considered Ronald and his question. The boy weighed the option of taking Ronald, who was a fanboy, but one he could have a decent conversation with, against taking one of his hoards of fangirls, the rest of whom would probably descend upon the lucky girl and tear her apart. Ronald, on the other hand, could probably keep the girls at bay. And going with a guy might get the girls off him.
"Agreed," Krum finally said, surprising the other three at the table, while Ronald practically beamed.
When Krum left after he and Ronald had finalised everything, Harry commented, "I really hope this doesn't blow up in your face, Ron."
Ronald huffed. "Just because you've never been able to keep anyone doesn't mean we're all failures in that department."
"Go– Ronald!" Hermione hissed, smacking Ronald's arm.
But Harry was already gathering his things and turning to leave.
"Harry..." Cedric tried, confused, but needing to help his fellow champion.
Harry pushed past the Hufflepuff and stopped next to Ronald's chair, green eyes blazing. "Yes, but at least I had them. That's more than you can say."
"Harry!" Hermione cried as the black-haired boy stalked from the library.
Ronald just stared at the table, jaw clenched angrily.
"How could you!" Hermione demanded of Ronald, turning on him furiously.
Ronald glared at her.
"He was trying to show you he cared, you idiot!"
"Yes, and I'm fine without his help," Ronald replied coolly. "He doesn't need to lump his past failures on me."
Hermione looked uncertain for a long moment, then smacked the boy across the face and, grabbing her things, hurried from the library.
Cedric left quickly after, completely confused, but unwilling to stay with the angry Gryffindor.
Harry spent the next day in his dorm, refusing to see his friends or even leave to get food. Eventually, Hogwarts donned her golem body – which had been made of stones from the Chamber around her core and magically glamoured to look and feel human – and came down to knock some sense into the gloomy Founder.
"Salazar Slytherin," she said after ensuring the rest of the Slytherins weren't able to hear their conversation, not even the boys dressing in the room, who had all ducked behind bed curtains when she'd entered. "You will come out of there right this minute and take me to the ball."
"Oh, piss off."
Hogwarts scowled and, reaching into Harry's curtained-off bed, grabbed his leg and bodily dragged him out.
"Ow!" Harry shouted as his head slammed into the stone floor. He sat up, rubbing it and glaring at the golem. "You know, Hogwarts, I'm not made of stone. I do break if you drop me."
"You haven't eaten in almost forty-eight hours, and you're complaining about me knocking your head on the stone floor?" the castle demanded. "You idiot!"
"I don't care about the dance," Harry informed her.
"Well I do," Hogwarts replied tartly. "And you promised to take me to it! If you don't, I won't let anyone go!"
Harry eyed her. "So if I don't take you to the dance, you'll throw a temper tantrum?"
Hogwarts crossed her arms over her chest, looking displeased with the correlation. "Yes," she decided. "And then Godric's night really will be ruined!"
Harry winced. As mad as he was at his best friend, he wouldn't wish a ruined date on the other. Especially if Harry was the cause behind it, indirect or no.
Hogwarts nodded, seeing that he'd given in, and dragged him to his feet. "Get dressed," she ordered, mentally calling for the boy's house-elf. When Winky appeared next to her, she said, "Bring Harry an apple to eat. I know there's supposed to be a feast before the ball, but I want something in him now."
"Winky understands," the little elf agreed, then popped away.
"I'm not a child, Hogwarts," Harry commented as he pulled out his heavy green robes. He'd had them specially made in an older style, with Celtic knots in silver lining the neck and arms. Ronald, Hermione and Susan had all done the same with their own House colours, in preparation for their public appearance in the future, but all agreed that they would work equally well for the Yule Ball.
"You're acting like one," the castle snapped back.
"Godric is acting like one," Harry corrected.
"Yes, but you aren't helping," Hogwarts agreed as Winky reappeared with Harry's apple.
The boy took the apple with a quick, "Thank you, Winky," and took a bite before pulling off the robes he'd worn since his fight with Ronald, uncaring of his modesty. (After all, he thought, Hogwarts had seen it all before.)
Hogwarts huffed as she was ignored in favour of her date dressing, and she glared at the other boys as they poked their heads out curiously. She dropped the silencing barrier and snapped, "Oh, go dress in the bathroom, then! Teenagers!"
Harry's lips twitched with a smile and he bit into the apple to hide it. He conjured a mirror and glanced at his tired reflection critically. "I look like shit," he decided.
"You do," Hogwarts agreed. "But you did it to yourself, so you can't complain."
Harry rolled his eyes at the castle and cast a few quick charms on himself to get rid of the circles under his eyes and the faint tear-tracks still staining his cheeks. A quick brush through his hair – which he'd started keeping long after he'd realised as a small child that messy hair irritated his muggle aunt more than long hair – was enough to get it clear of tangles, and a wooden clasp with his personal crest held it back and out of the way. Another critical look in the mirror showed him to be a sharp-looking pureblood heir, which was the look he'd been going for, so he vanished the mirror and turned to look at his and Hermione's accomplishment.
Hogwarts wore a simple silver gown which accentuated the gentle curve of her body, which Hermione had insisted she must have. Her hair, a pale grey, had been piled elegantly on top of her head and pinned there with jewelled clips, which Hermione assured them both would look stunning in the lights of the Great Hall during the ball. She wore, around her throat, a pendent of the school's symbol, with the four animals rearing for battle behind the letter 'H'. She was, as demanded by the castle herself, the same height as Harry, so the boy wouldn't look ridiculous for dancing with a girl taller than him.
Harry cleared his throat. "You look lovely, Hogwarts."
The castle smiled happily. "Thank you, Salazar."
Harry shook his head. "Harry," he reminded her. They were going to be in public, and if she called him his old name, it could ruin them all.
Hogwarts' cheeks flushed. "Sorry. When you look like that..."
Harry nodded in understanding. Salazar Slytherin had always striven to wear the finest things, and the older robes were very much his style. While wearing school robes, Harry was just that, Harry Potter, but in these old robes, he could have been his old self again, willing to lay down his life to protect stone walls and students who looked at him with fear.
"Let's go," he decided, inviting her to curl her arm in his.
Hogwarts smiled and took his arm, letting him lead her from the dorm and out into the common room, where his fellow Housemates stopped their own preparations to stare at them in surprise.
An older Slytherin called, "Potter! Who's she?"
Harry smiled coolly. "My date, you idiot," he called back, then led the castle from the room.
Cedric with Cho Chang and the Delacour girl with one of the sixth year Ravenclaws were waiting for them at the entrance to the Great Hall.
"Well, hello, there," Cedric said to Hogwarts, smiling. "I don't believe we've been introduced."
Hogwarts smiled at him, then looked to Harry reproachfully. "This is how you were supposed to greet me."
Harry rolled his eyes. "I'm sorry." He turned to Cedric, scowling at his smile. "Diggory, this is Hogwarts."
Chang coughed politely. "I wasn't aware this was a costume party."
"You mean you didn't get the owl?" Harry replied sarcastically. "She's Hogwarts, I'm Salazar Slytherin. Nice to meet you."
"Potter..." Cedric sighed as Chang shrunk back from Harry. The girl was part of the population that believed him to be evil incarnated.
Harry shrugged, unapologetic.
Cedric shook his head. "Fine, be that way."
"He always is," Ronald said, coming up behind Harry, sans Krum.
Harry turned to glare at his best friend, but it only lasted a moment before Hogwarts snapped, "If you two ruin my evening, I'll make the rest of this school year absolutely unbearable for you!"
Harry and Ronald traded grimaces, then turned to the castle and chorused, "Sorry, Hogwarts."
Hogwarts sniffed and turned her nose up at them.
"Alright, if she's Hogwarts, and Potter's playing Slytherin, who are you?" Cedric asked with a touch of a smile.
"Godric Gryffindor," Ronald replied promptly, smiling winningly. "Can't you see the resemblance?"
"Uncanny," Harry deadpanned.
Ronald eyed him. "Are you going to be difficult all night?"
"I am really, really pissed off at you right now," Harry replied honestly. "I've half a mind to curse you so hard your grandparents feel it."
Ronald grimaced. "I'll admit I was out of line–" he started.
Harry shook his head. "Ron, you were so far beyond the line, it started crying in loneliness."
Ronald sighed. "I'm sorry."
"And I'm still mad at you."
Ronald rubbed at his cheek, where Hermione had smacked him. "You're not the only one," he commented. "The girls haven't talked to me since."
"You deserve it," Harry replied, unmoved.
Ronald nodded in acknowledgement and held out his hand. "Friends?"
Harry eyed the offered hand for a long moment like one might a dragon, then took it and shook. "Friends. But I swear to Merlin, if you pull a stunt like that again..." Harry let the threat hang unsaid, knowing Ronald would be able to fill it in without his help. Salazar Slytherin had not been kind to those who wronged him, and Harry Potter was shaping up to be very much the same. (Though the boy had a touch more forgiveness than he'd had before.)
"Boys," Hogwarts huffed, taking Harry's arm firmly. "Are you through being idiots?"
"With him around?" Harry asked, jerking his thumb at Ronald, who smiled wanly.
Hermione showed up then with her date. "Harry! Hogwarts!" she called, completely ignoring Ronald.
"Oh, so she's in on the joke, too?" Cedric muttered, making Harry grin.
"No, no, my dear Rowena," he said smoothly, smirking at the faintly worried look that appeared on her face, "remember, we are pretending to be the Founders tonight, since Hogwarts is determined to play her part."
Hermione's eyes widened in understanding, then she smiled, easily putting on a lady-like air, much to the surrounding people's surprise. "Of course, Salazar, forgive me," she said, executing a perfect curtsy. "Hogwarts, you look lovely tonight."
Hogwarts smiled. "As do you, Lady Ravenclaw."
"You lot are mad," Cedric decided.
Hermione's date seemed to think the same thing, but wisely kept his mouth shut, since he was well aware that the wrong move could get him cursed into next week by the capable witch on his arm.
"We'll see you inside," Harry said. "If you see Helga, remind her."
Hermione nodded and led her date through the open doors.
Krum chose that moment to finally appear. He walked right up to Ronald and held out a single white rose. "For you, Ron," he said.
"He's good," Hogwarts commented as Ronald blushed and took the offered rose, stumbling over his own words.
Harry rolled his eyes and kicked Ronald's shin. "Godric."
That pulled Ronald from his embarrassment – which had only been made worse by his own awe of Krum – and he forced himself back into his assumed character for the evening. Curiously, playing himself seemed to make him that much more confident, though in truth, Godric Gryffindor had been just as fumbling with love as Ronald had just appeared to be.
Krum looked confused at Harry's use of the wrong name for his date and asked, "Godric?"
Ronald smiled. "Salazar – that would be Harry – and his date decided to play a Founder and the school, since they could. I got roped into playing Godric Gryffindor for the evening. I hope you'll bear with us?"
Krum considered the blushing boy from mere moments ago and compared him against Ronald as he acted playing his assumed roll and shrugged. "Godric it is," he said agreeably.
Ronald looked absolutely lovesick, but was saved from Harry kicking him again by McGonagall coming to insure they were all ready to enter the Hall. Her lips thinned when she saw Ronald and Krum, and she frowned a bit when she saw the unknown girl on Harry's arm, but she still directed them to enter as if nothing was amiss, and Harry silently congratulated her on that.
There was quite a bit of surprised chatter as people realised that Krum had come with a boy, and that Harry had brought in a girl no one recognised. However, the four champions and their partners all made it up to the Head table where they were to eat without incident. Harry, Cedric and the Ravenclaw with Fleur all had no problems with helping their dates sit, but Krum and Ronald had a moment where neither was sure who was supposed to help who into their seats, so they just both shrugged and sat themselves. Harry coughed in amusement at the whole affair, earning him a helpless look from Ronald.
Dinner was generally wonderful. Harry happily struck up conversation with Hogwarts about little things – and was constantly reminded to eat – and traded stories about Bulgaria with Ronald and Krum. Delacour complained about how pathetic Hogwarts was for the holidays and about Peeves, so Harry sneakily shot a freezing charm at her, feeling quite pleased with himself when she spent the rest of the meal shivering. (Hogwarts, who had been the only one to see him do it, was quite approving, since it was the castle herself the stupid part-Veela was putting down.)
When the time came for them to all dance, there was an awkward moment where Ronald and Krum fumbled to decide who would lead. Krum ended up taking over, as he was older, and he only stepped on Ronald's feet once. The next dance, Ronald led, and everything went much smoother.
After the fourth dance, Harry demanded a break and led Hogwarts over to the table Hermione had been left at, looking furious. As soon as Harry got close enough, she snapped, "That stupid little boy left me!"
Harry blinked, then sighed and sat down next to his friend, nodding appreciatively when Hogwarts settled on the girl's other side. "What happened, Row. And from the beginning, please."
Hermione sniffed and wiped at her nose with a napkin from the table. "Well, we sat down next to Helga – who's here with that adorable little boy from Gryffindor she always fawns over – and I told her all about your plan. Well, she thought it was wonderful, and Neville was happy to play along. But Yon was just a little unsure of the whole thing. And, well, when Godric walked in with Krum, he sort of got really quiet and disapproving. He left when the dancing started, saying he didn't want to date a girl with a queen for a friend."
Harry left Hogwarts to hug the distraught girl, eyes sweeping the Hall. He finally saw the boy over by a group of girls who had come without dates in the hopes of at least getting one dance. Harry glanced back at the girls and saw Hogwarts cuddling Hermione, who was crying quietly into the castle's silver gown. Hogwarts' grey eyes were hard, and when she met Harry's gaze, she nodded.
Harry gently touched Hermione's shoulder. "I'll go get us some butterbeer," he murmured, then stood to go find Ronald. He was hardly afraid of a sixth year, but Ronald had been insulted as much as Hermione had been, and deserved a crack at the Ravenclaw.
Harry found Ronald and Krum over by the drink table, laughing together about something one of them said. Ronald turned to Harry with a smile, but it faded when he recognised the murderous glint in his friend's eyes. "What happened?"
"Row's date walked out on her, saying it didn't want to date a girl who was friends with a queen," Harry said coolly.
Ronald's eyes widened, then narrowed. "Is Row okay?"
Harry nodded. "Hogwarts is with her. I'm going after the sod, if you're interested?"
Krum cleared his throat. "Translation?" he requested.
Ronald turned and forced a smile for his date. "Hermione's date dumped her because of me. If you'll give me a few moments, I'd like to go with Harry and clear things up, if that's okay?"
Krum nodded. "Sure," he agreed easily. From what he was able to piece together of their conversation after the blanks were filled in, Hermione's date had left her because Ronald had gone with him, and Ronald felt responsible. If the boy wanted to blow off some steam at this date, Krum was hardly about to stop him.
"The table's over there," Harry offered Krum, pointing back the way he came. They're against one of the walls, so they shouldn't be too hard to find, if you'd like to avoid your fans there?"
Krum nodded his thanks and walked in the direction Harry had pointed, leaving Harry and Ronald staring at each other.
"Where is he?" Ronald asked.
Harry smiled nastily. "I'll get him into the garden."
Ronald nodded in understanding and made for the open doors out into the night air.
Harry turned towards where he'd last seen Yon Li. The boy had picked one of the girls and was dancing with her on the floor, but the song was nearly over, so Harry patiently waited until it was before stepping in and grabbing Yon's arm. "I need to speak with you," he whispered to the older boy, smiling at the surprised girl. "You'll come with me without complaint, or I'll curse you. Understood?"
Yon glanced down at the smaller boy, intent on telling him to bugger off. The words died on his lips when he saw those murderous green eyes. He swallowed and nodded.
"I just need to borrow him for a moment," Harry told the girl, then led Yon off, into the gardens.
Ronald was waiting for them just off the path, in the shadows. His smile, when they got close enough to see it, was cold. "Hello, Yon Li," he said easily. "I hear you dumped 'Mione because you didn't like who I chose to dance with. Is this right?"
Yon nervously looked between the two boys. Normal fourth years weren't a concern, but these two, like their two female friends, were in a league of their own, and even the upper years knew to say clear of their fury by now, especially after the weird accidents that happened to anyone who made any attack against the teens or Harry's adopted sister. Having lived in the same House as both of the boys, he considered Harry to be the greater danger, but he'd also never seen Ronald without his constant good humour. "I–"
"There's no need to deny it," Harry said, smiling a horrible smile, which sent chills along Yon's spine. "I've already heard everything from 'Mione. She's quite distraught."
"This won't hurt," Ronald offered, pulling out his wand.
"Much," Harry agreed, turning his wand on the boy.
Yon was only able to squeak before the two curses hit him.
Back in the Great Hall, Susan and Neville had joined the table again, and Hermione had calmed down enough to inquire after Harry and Ronald, noticing Krum sitting with them.
Hogwarts hesitated a moment, then said, "They've gone to talk with Yon."
Hermione swallowed. "At least he took Ric with him," she decided after a moment. She rather agreed with Yon getting a talking to, but if Harry had gone by himself, he was likely to have gone too far.
Neville and Krum went to get drinks for the three girls while Susan and Hogwarts worked together to dry Hermione's face and cheer her up. The butterbeer went a long way towards doing that. Eventually, Krum asked Hermione if she'd like to dance, and the girl agreed, feeling much better.
While the two were on the dance floor, Harry and Ronald came back, both looking calm and unruffled.
"Did you teach him not to hurt Row again?" Susan demanded, eyes bright with anger for her friend. She was almost as mad with herself as she was with Yon, as she'd left with Neville before the Chinese boy had left Hermione, which meant their friend had sat at the table by herself for three songs, with no one to comfort her.
"Honestly," Harry commented easily, sinking into the seat next to Hogwarts, "I don't think he'll be coming within three feet of her again. Hey, Neville. I see she finally caught you."
Neville turned a bright red. "Shut up, Harry."
"Salazar," Susan corrected with a fond smile.
"Or Sal," Harry agreed cheerfully. "It's what my friends call me." He winked at the startled Longbottom, earning him a tentative smile.
"Sure thing, Har– Sal."
"Where'd Viktor go?" Ronald asked, looking curiously at the dancing couples. "And Row?"
"Viktor asked her to dance," Susan offered carefully.
Ronald blinked, then sighed. "Oh, well," he decided. "At least I got to dance with him."
"I'm sorry, Ric," Harry said honestly.
Ronald shrugged and smiled. "I asked, knowing he was straight and that he'd rather go with Row."
Susan shook her head at the two of them, then turned to Neville. "Dance with me some more?"
Neville smiled and happily took her hand to return to the floor.
"Your brothers are coming," Hogwarts warned Ronald just before the twins came into view.
Ronald groaned. "Bugger."
Fred and George stopped in front of their younger brother, smiling cheerfully. "Hello there,"
"Little Ronnikins."
"Interesting date you picked."
"Didn't know you swung that way."
"Wonder what Mum'll say."
"Don't you dare!" Ronald snapped, standing to glare at the twins.
Fred shrugged. "I don't think she'll care," he said.
"Not as much as she did when you got Sorted to Slytherin," George added.
"As long as you never try dating–"
"–oh, I don't know..."
"Draco Malfoy," they chorused.
"We really doubt–"
"–that she'd care."
Ronald eyed them suspiciously. "You're not pulling my leg?"
"Nah."
"Too easy."
"Not as much fun."
"And the way you're acting–" Fred started.
"And the way he's looking–" George added, pointing over his shoulder at where Krum stood with a dark look on his face, Hermione at his elbow.
"It wouldn't be worth it!" they chorused, then hurried away, waving over their shoulders as they went.
"Those two..." Harry said, shaking his head in amusement.
Ronald smiled at Hermione and Krum. "Feeling better, Row?"
Hermione smiled back at him. "Yeah." She glanced sideways at Harry, who shrugged at her, then turned back to Ronald and said, "I'm sorry I hit you."
Ronald shrugged. "I deserved it."
"And I've already told him off," Harry added cheerfully, then turned to his date. "I do believe, my dear, that I promised you a ball, and here we are, sitting!"
"About time you decided to be chivalrous again," Hogwarts replied, getting to her feet.
Harry bowed formally to the other three, saying, "We take our leave, gentlemen, fair lady."
"Oh, off with you, you great flirt!" Hermione laughed, waving them away.
"A pity she's not real," Ronald commented, referring to Hogwarts.
Hermione shrugged. "I can't see those two lasting longer than a few weeks before one of them starts a fight," she commented. "They get on well enough, but you know how they are if he needs sense knocked into him."
Ronald grinned. "Yeah," he agreed. "They'd never last."
Krum cleared his throat and held his hand out to Ronald. "May I have this dance, Godric?" he requested.
Ronald blinked in surprise, then looked at Hermione, who smiled at him encouragingly. "I'd love to," he told Krum, and let the other boy lead him out onto the dance floor.
Hermione sighed happily and took her seat. "Ah, young love," she said to herself. "I hope, for Godric's sake, that this lasts."
A/N: This was supposed to cover the Second Task as well, originally, and maybe touch on the Third. Whoops. *sweatdrop*
So, after some contemplation – and rereading a couple of chapters – I realised that it would be pretty hard to get Ron and Draco together. And even though Draco is my favourite guy to pair Ron with, it seems it's not to be. And then Ron asked Krum to the dance without really asking me, first, so...
For those of you who hated the idea of Ron and Draco, this should please you. Those who were looking forward to it, I'm sorry. I guess it's going to be Ron/Krum. (Never considered that pairing before, though I'm sure it exists...)
Imagine my surprise when, after threatening to discontinue the story, everyone is suddenly all for Harry being by himself. *snickers* Not that I don't think some of you were honestly of that strand, I just thought it was funny.
No, I won't discontinue this story. But I might get grumpy enough in extreme circumstances to put it on hold for a month. Scout's Honour. (I'm a Girl Scout, I can say that. XP)
~Bats ^.^x
Pro - Prophecy's Children / 1 - Home ||| 2 - Socially Acceptable ||| 3 - Touch the Sunrise
4 - Tomorrow Will Come ||| 5 - Fallen Star ||| 6 - A Dream Will Come True When It Will
7 - The Deepest River |||
10 - Never As it Seems ||| 11 - Long Road
Incomplete
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Date: 12/11/11 07:58 (UTC)