Chapter 7: The Yule Ball
Chapter 7
Harry was relaxing in front of the fire in the Gryffindor Common Room reading the Daily Prophet.
He was very much enjoying the poison pen stories that Rita Skeeter had been writing the past month. He had read the article that revealed that the Squibbed Voldemort had been released from Ministry custody. His release give Rita opportunity to bash the Wizengamot members who had voted to let him go. Because of the backlash the DMLE were now investigating these Wizengamot members for ties to the Death Eaters.
Now he was reading the second best article he had ever read. In the first best article he had read it was revealed that apparently Dumbledore had gotten drunk with Lord Squibmort and had revealed how he had ended the Wizarding War from fifty years ago by sleeping with the enemy.
The article he was now reading had revealed how Dumbledore had been pushed into a vow by his brother to take his drinking buddy Squibmort to the Yule Ball. It had even mentioned Fleur's Golden Egg by commenting that it had knocked out the two drunks.
"Hiya Harry."
He shied away from the flash he was expecting to come from Colin Creevey's camera. But none came.
"No photos today, huh Colin?" Harry asked.
"I'm trying to avoid that at the minute Harry," Colin said, sitting down next to him. "I made a bet with my brother that I can hold it off for a week."
Harry sighed in relief. Although he found Colin nice the boy was annoying when he had his camera on him and taking photos of him.
"How's Third Year treating you Colin?" Harry asked, settling himself into his chair and putting down the paper.
"It's great," Colin replied. "Although I wish there was a class that could teach Magical Photography."
Harry smiled. It was so like Colin to want to have a class like that.
"How does it feel to be a celebrity Harry?" Colin asked.
Harry once again felt like scowling at the repeated question. Colin had been asking him that question for the past two years and he hated it. He hated being famous. He hated being a celebrity. He hated the way people believed he had defeated the feared Lord Voldemort as a baby when it was really his mother who had defeated him.
However, instead of getting up and leaving the Third Year on his own he decided to finally answer the question.
"Colin, I hate being a celebrity," he said.
"Why would you hate that?"
"Let me ask you a question," Harry said, sitting up straight. "Would you want to be remembered for something you don't even remember? I do not remember what happened at all that night. Sometimes I get brief flashes in my memory of what happened. I'm still trying to understand it sometimes. I did not defeat Voldemort. It was my Muggle-born mother who had beat him.
"And another thing, I grew up without having my parents by my side. I wish my parents were alive, so I can get to know them, get to laugh with them, share my life with them. I wish they had lived so I could have a family. I wish I had a brother to bicker with and share my toys with. I wish I had a sister that I could spend time with and play with her. I wish I had my birthdays with an actual family, instead of with toy soldiers in a tiny cupboard under the stairs while my relatives ignored me.
"All I want is a normal life Colin, do you understand?. A normal life where I can have friends and just be myself. I do not have my parents with me. The closest person who I consider a parent is my godfather and Hagrid."
Harry finished speaking and turned to look at Colin. The young boy was pale and shaking. There was a sign of a few tears on the boy's face but they were quickly wiped away.
"I had no idea," he said, his lips trembling. "I always thought you were the one that had it all. Money. Fame. Everything. Looks like I got the wrong message."
Colin turned his head up from the ground and looked directly at Harry. "I'm sorry for my behaviour. I just always wanted to meet a famous person and you were the one everyone around here spoke about. I'm sorry about the loss of your parents. I gotta go."
The young boy made to get up but Harry reached out his hand and made the boy stay.
"Remember that I said I just want to have friends like a normal person," Harry asked. Colin nodded. "Well, let's start here right now. Tell me a bit about yourself Colin."
As he began listening to Colin about himself, he realised he was glad that he was now making a friend in Colin.
IlIlIlI
For the first time that weekend, Harry invited Fleur up to the Gryffindor Common Room to show her around.
Fleur was amazed with the school. Harry had introduced her to the library and she was amazed at the amount of books that the school had. After that he had taken her to the Room of Requirement and had explained how the room worked. Her view on Hogwarts had changed when Harry showed her the room as Beauxbatons didn't have magical rooms like that.
They emerged from the room an hour later with swollen lips and mussed up hair. Harry was thinking of introducing her to the Chamber of Secrets but quickly decided it was not the place to bring a girlfriend.
So he took her up to Gryffindor Tower to show her where he had been since First Year. Fleur had set the boys into drooling mode when she had entered the room except for Neville and Colin. She ignored them while Harry showed her around. They eventually left and went down to the Beauxbatons Carriage, where Fleur showed Harry around. The carriages were expanded magically to let everyone fit in to them. There were several rooms in the smallest carriage where the classes for Beauxbatons were held. However they quickly left when Fleur's classmates glared at her and Harry angrily and they went off to visit Hagrid in his hut where they found Fleur's headmistress, Madame Maxime.
"Bonjour, Madame Maxime," Fleur said to her head, and then began speaking to her in French words that neither Harry or Hagrid could understand.
"This is my boyfriend, Harry Potter," Fleur said, reverting back to English.
Harry took Madame Maxime's outstretched hand and kissed it. "Bonjour, Madame Maxime, it is an honour to finally meet you."
"The honour is mine, Meester Potter," she said in a thick French accent.
It turned out that Madame Maxime and Hagrid had become fast friends since Beauxbatons arrived at Hogwarts. When Hagrid heard of the Yule Ball, he had immediately sought out 'Olympe' (as he called her) and had asked her to the Yule Ball.
Harry smiled at the obvious looks that Hagrid seemed to be sending the Beauxbatons headmistress. It seemed that Hagrid had a crush on the woman. But despite the obvious looks that Hagrid was showing towards the fine lady, Madame Maxime didn't seem to notice them at all.
IlIlIlI
Harry was walking back to his dorm after classes the next day mindlessly.
He loved thinking about Fleur nearly all the time, thinking of her beautiful French voice, the smell of her hair, and the deep connection he had formed with her in their relationship.
He bumped into somebody near the tower and had fallen down with the stranger. He brushed himself off and stood up, looking at the person he walked into. He had walked straight into Hannah Abbott.
"Hi, Harry," she said nervously.
Harry chuckled. "You waiting for somebody, Hannah?"
Hannah blushed and ducked her head down. She mumbled something under her breath.
Harry heard what she said and smiled. "Waiting for Neville to come out, huh."
Hannah looked back at him, looking scared and pale. "Don't tell him I'm looking for him, please. I don't want to sound desperate."
"You want him to ask you to the Yule Ball, don't you," Harry asked, smiling at her.
"Yes," she mumbled.
"I can point him towards you if you'd like," Harry offered. He liked Hannah, she stood up for him back in Second Year when the school turned against for his Parseltongue ability. She had refused to believe Ernie MacMillan's argument that he was dark and had stood by him.
"You'd do that for me," she asked, awestruck and surprised.
"Of course," he smiled at her. "I'd be happy to help a friend."
Not noticing her shocked look he entered Gryffindor Tower and made his way to Neville who was sitting by the fireplace reading Mind Your Planters.
"Hey, Neville, how are you today?" Harry asked.
Neville looked up from his book to Harry. "Uh, I'm okay Harry," he said.
"Looking forward to the Yule Ball, Neville?" Harry once again asked.
Neville seemed to shy off for a moment. "I wish I could."
"What's wrong?"
"I haven't got a date," Neville said shyly.
Harry inwardly sighed in relief. "Who do you want to ask?"
Neville ducked his head shyly and spoke. "Hannah Abbott."
Harry's mind was spinning. Now this was interesting. It seemed both of them had a mutual crush on each other, but were far too shy to ask the other out.
"Why don't you ask her?"
Neville looked scornfully at Harry. "Why would she agree to go to the Ball with me?"
"Why tear yourself apart trying to find something wrong with yourself that women might not like?" Harry said to him. "Come on, Neville, you're a Gryffindor. Be brave like our house founder. Ask her to the Yule Ball before someone else does."
He leaned in to whisper to Neville. "I was talking to her earlier. She doesn't have a date yet."
Eyes wide as saucers at this new information, Neville darted out of the Common Room in search of Hannah before someone else could get to her.
Harry smiled. He knew Neville would come back to the Common Room with an arranged date later.
"Playing matchmaker Harry," Ginny Weasley asked, sitting down next to Harry.
"You saw through it, didn't you," Harry asked.
"It's quite obvious, Harry," she snorted.
"Do you have a date yet Ginny?"
Ginny blushed. "No, but I hope he asks me."
Harry was half expecting Ginny to say she wanted him to take her. Despite not normally thinking of it, he knew she had a crush on him when he met her. It seemed to sound like she had gone off him.
"Oh, who are you hoping will ask you," he asked.
"Colin," she said, slightly blushing.
Okay, now the mutual crushes were getting freaky. When he had talked to Colin and got to know him, Colin admitted to having had a crush on Ginny Weasley since he met her on the Hogwarts Express. Apparently the crush was still there two years on.
"Well, hopefully he will wise up to your stunning beauty and ask you to the Yule Ball," Harry added.
Half an hour later Harry had found Colin and had convinced him to ask Ginny to the Ball.
Merlin, Ginny was right. He was a bit of a matchmaker.
IlIlIlI
A week later Harry had been busy with a difficult assignment set by Snape and didn't get the chance to spend time with Fleur the past week.
He had meant to try and escape to the Room of Requirement to try and find out how he still knew Parseltongue as he discovered from the First Task but he never had much time in between doing his homework, studying, and spending a little time with Fleur.
He had also spent some time with Colin. Despite being a year below him, Harry had become fast friends with Colin and had now considered Colin his best friend. The boy was fun to hang about with. They had both played some pranks on some Slytherins who had mistreated Colin for his Muggle-born status, snuck out to Hogsmeade through the Secret Passage by the One-Eyed Witch, and spent some time with each other.
"Potty the Potty," the singsong voice of Peeves broke out. Harry ignored the poltergeist and focused on his work.
Peeves however was not going to let himself be ignored by an ickle fourthie. He went right up to Harry and blew a massive raspberry.
"Is there something you want Peeves?" Harry asked nonchalantly.
Before Peeves could try to pour sour milk on the dark haired wizard, he noticed his new first favourite target. His former first favourite had gone missing from the Dragon Reserve in Albania. He missed taking trips to the Ministry to annoy Madam Umbridge. He had hated the girl when she was a student and loved annoying her.
He poured the sour milk onto the head of Draco Malfoy. Ignoring the effeminate scream he laughed out loud at how angry the young brat looked before he was forced out of the Great Hall by McGonagall who put on a stronger stance on bullying than Dumbledore had ever done.
Harry looked up when he heard grumbling to see Colin sit himself across from him.
"How were classes today Colin?" he asked.
"I hate Snape," Colin said. "He called me out several times during class today and said that I was just as big as a 'dunderhead' as Potter."
Harry sighed in anger. Snape had been thoroughly unpleasant as of late and he could guess why. Still pissed about being a Squib he probably decided that mistreating Harry's friends would get to him.
"Interested in a little payback, Harry," Colin whispered.
Now this was a conversation he would enjoy. Harry put down his quill and looked at Colin. "What do you have in mind?"
Smiling, Colin informed him of a plan he had been thinking of just recently.
IlIlIlI
"Accio Hinges," Colin whispered.
The hinges of the door to Snape's private quarters fell to the ground. No clatter was heard due to the Silencing Charm cast by Harry.
Both under the Invisibility Cloak, both boys snuck into the room, leaving the door slightly ajar. Snape was heavily sleeping on his couch thanks to Dobby who had sneaked a Sleeping Draught into the man's nightly tea before bed.
"No one is about Colin," Harry spoke, looking at his father's map that was in his hand. "Get to work."
Colin took the syringe he had out of his pocket. This process would take a while but it would be worth it. Harry had sent off a letter to Sirius with Dobby who had returned an hour later with a book on blood pranks that was retrieved from the Black Library.
Carefully, Colin put the syringe into the underside of the sleeping man's elbow and slowly drawed a tiny amount of blood on the man. A quick healing and covering charm on the spot fixed that a moment later.
Harry pulled out the shrunken head he had been working on the past hour. He had retrieved the head from the Room of Requirement and had spent twenty minutes casting the right charms to make it start the animating process.
A quick placement on Snape's shoulder later and blood drawn into it was done and the two boys left, waiting to see what would happen the next day.
IlIlIlI
Severus Snape woke up with a soft groan to find himself sleeping on his couch. Rubbing his eyes he stood up and went into his bathroom. His vision felt rather blurry and he couldn't see much. He filled the sink with cold water and plunged his head in to the water.
Once he came up he felt his vision clearing up.
"HELLO GORGEOUS."
Severus jumped in shock. Turning around he looked for the intruder. Seeing no one he turned around to reach into his mirror medical cabinet for his toothbrush when he saw it.
Perched on his left shoulder with a pale face and very familiar long dark hair was... him.
"Check it out, Sevvy," it said. "I look stunning."
Severus was gaping at the figure that apparently was stuck on his shoulder.
"What are you?" he asked.
"I'm your other half, Sevvy," it happily spoke. "I'm your conjoined twin. I'm your happy version."
Severus fainted.
IlIlIlI
Minerva McGonagall was in the Headmistress' Office speaking to the portrait of Dilys Derwent when Snape burst into her office.
"Look what Potter did to me," the man screeched, pointing at his shoulder.
Minerva sighed, turning her head to see what the problem was now. She narrowed her eyes when she saw what was on Severus' shoulder.
"What did you put on your shoulder, Severus?"
"What did I... WHAT DID I DO?" he screamed. "Potter has gone too far. Expel him before he does anything else."
Minerva once again narrowed her eyes and glared at the man. "Severus, for once shut up about Harry Potter," she spoke, her lips thinning. "The boy is not like his father. He is not a notorious prankster and he doesn't bully you."
"Then explain this," Snape seethed.
"What is that anyway?" she asked.
"I'm his conjoined twin, my dear madam," the head said, bowing to her. "And I must say that your skin is gorgeous. Can I lick it?"
"No," she said thinly. Inside she was laughing her head off. She knew Snape's abuse to students would someday backfire on him, and now it had finally happened.
"Can I take my classes off for the day?" Snape asked in a begging voice.
"No, you will not," she said. "Hogwarts will not cancel a class just because you gained a brother stuck on your shoulder."
"Did you hear that Sev," the head exclaimed. "She called me your brother. Isn't that great?"
A growl was heard from the Potions Master before he left the room, slamming the door behind him. As soon as he left Minerva fell to the floor as well as Fawkes and laughed like she hadn't laughed in years.
IlIlIlI
For the first time ever Harry was looking forward to his Potions class. Sure, he knew that Snape would probably blame him for his newfound development but he desperately wanted to see the twin.
Snape opened the door to his classroom and glared at his students, a towel on his left shoulder obviously covering the twin..
Everyone quickly sat down in his class to avoid angering the irate man.
"Today, we will be brewing a Calming Drought. Instructions are on the board."
Before the class could move forward to grab their ingredients, a huge burp permeated through the classroom. A few people looked at Ron, having expected that it was him. But most of the class stared at Snape, as the noise seemed to come from him.
"Those eggs and beans know how to backfire on you, don't they Sevvy." Another large burp came, blowing the towel off the man's shoulder, exposing what was on the man's shoulder.
Harry kept his smile hidden as he stared at his and Colin's creation.
"Hello everyone," the head said. "I am Sevvy's conjoined brother, and I must say you all are quite colourful.
Snape glared murderously at his twin.
"You can all call me Fanny," the head proclaimed.
"Isn't Fanny a girl's name?" Parvati asked.
"Look at my hair sweet cheeks," Fanny said shaking his head so his hair swung graciously. "I have hair like a girl and a nice fanny. Don't we Sev."
Harry could not hold it in any more. He promptly burst out laughing, joined in shortly by everyone else who had now gotten over the surreal experience and were laughing openly.
Fanny laughed along with the rest of the class while Snape glared murderously at his pupils.
"DETENTION FOR ALL OF YOU," he roared, immediately stopping all the laughter.
"Oh, I'm looking forward to this," Fanny said happily. "Are you gonna spank the naughty students? Or have them bend down cleaning cauldrons while you stare at the fine fanny they have."
The detentions never went through. Snape let them all out early as he couldn't stand the humiliation and laughter from Fanny and the students.
IlIlIlI
Snape's Shoulder Pal became popular with all of the students rather quickly. Unlike the real Snape, Fanny loved the students and their jokes. With the magic Harry and Colin did to the conjoined twin, Fanny had some -if not all- control over Snape's legs.
As Snape had been too tired to walk at the moment, Fanny walked straight over to Lavender Brown and was deep in discussion about make-up and boys. Snape looked like he was going to have a stroke at any moment.
Harry didn't know who found out, but it became quickly known in the Hogwarts Rumour Mill that it was him and Colin that had done the daring to Snape. He had told no one, neither had Colin. They both had been under the Invisibility Cloak all night and no portraits had seen them.
IlIlIlI
Fleur had woken up on Christmas Day with happiness in her heart.
She loved Christmas every year. It was a time of celebration to her. A time when grudges would be dropped between family fights and everyone in the Delacour family would show compassion and love on the wondrous day of Christmas.
Unfortunately this year Christmas at home wouldn't be happening. The Yule Ball was happening at Hogwarts on Christmas Day and it felt rather alien to her to be waking up in the carriage than at the family home at Lake Annecy.
It didn't mean she wasn't looking forward to this day though. For the first time since she was a young girl she was happier than ever. She had made a few nice friends in a few students at Hogwarts. There was a particular girl she got on well with. A young dirty blonde haired girl named Luna Lovegood often came down to the carriages to find some strange creatures named Lorcacks or Humdinger something. Despite finding the girls theories rather strange, the girl was kind to her and treated her nicely, so she treated the girl nicely in return.
And Hermione Granger. Harry's closest female friend. She hadn't got on well with her at first, but having similar childhoods of being bullied made both of them avoid making a grudge out of each other.
And Harry. Oh Harry. Fleur had never had a boyfriend before. She had wanted to have a boyfriend who would like her for herself and not for her beauty. She didn't like that it had taken her until aged seventeen to have her first kiss. But she wouldn't have it any other way. Harry was gentle, kind, attentive, and very passionate. He had soothed her when she felt angry and made her comfortable more than anyone else could. She loved being with him. He was loosening her up and making her open her eyes to what a relationship should be. There were no lies between them. There was pure honesty and trust between them. All the time she was spending with him were becoming the happiest moments of her life.
She pulled herself out of her thoughts and turned to the gifts her family had sent her from abroad. At the foot of her bed were several gift wrapped packages. She picked up the gift her grandmama sent her first. She opened it to find her grandmama's hand knitted sweater for every Christmas and she went a bit sad. This was the first time she had received a gift from her grandmama and she wasn't there for her to thank and give a hug.
She shook her head out of her sad thoughts and opened the other gifts. Her parents had sent her a gift certificate to her favourite bookstore and she received her favourite French chocolate from Gabrielle and a note begging her to come home soon.
She found a small gift that she found hidden by the larger gifts in the pile. She lightly tore off the wrapping paper to find a small blue box. She opened it and her breath hitched.
Inside the box was a stunning pair of diamond earrings that seemed to brighten up the room. Feeling breathless, she removed the earrings from the box and placed them on her ears. She looked into the mirror and gasped. The earrings hung down beautifully and the sparkling colour seemed to brighten u her features. She picked up the card that was attached with the gift.
To my darling flower, this is my Christmas gift to you. I Love You. Love Harry xxx.
Fleur was crying tears of happiness as she ran her fingers along Harry's writing. He loved her! He loved her!
She couldn't wait around for much longer. She quickly got dressed, making sure to put on her new bracelet, and practically ran out of her carriage to the tree by the lake. Something inside her told her Harry would be there.
IlIlIlI
Harry woke up abruptly on Christmas morning to see large green tennis ball sized eyes watching him.
"Dobby," Harry half yelled. "Don't do that."
Seeing the elf's crestfallen face Harry elaborated. "I mean don't come so close to me when I'm sleeping."
Harry smiled at the elf, sitting up in his bed. "Merry Christmas Dobby."
Dobby forced back the wailing he felt himself about to do with the gratitude shown to him. "Thank you, Harry Potter. I came here to give you my Christmas gift to you and to say 'Merry Christmas'."
Harry smiled. Since the near end of Summer he became closer to Dobby when the elf had been helping him. He really enjoyed the elf's company. He had more in common with the crazy elf than anyone else he knew.
"Will Sirs open my present?"
Harry pulled off the wrapping to find a pair of mismatched socks. The left sock was bright red and had a pattern of broomsticks on it; the right sock was green with a pattern of snitches.
"They're really nice," Harry said warmly. "Thank you Dobby. Here's your gift."
Harry reached down under his bed, feeling around for the package he had for Dobby. He pulled it out and handed it to the elf.
Dobby happily tore the wrapping off to find... socks. At least five pairs with different patterns. There was also a red and blue coloured beanie.
"Dobby thanks Sirs Harry Potter," the elf sniffled. "You are a truly kind wizard."
And with that the elf was gone. Harry smiled and looked at what he received for Christmas. From Hagrid he received a huge assortment of his favourite sweets, from Sirius he received a magical penknife that apparently could cut through anything, from Hermione he received the new book How To Win Quidditch and Influence Players, from Remus he received a sweatshirt saying on the front I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good. Colin had given him sweets. He had a surprise when he found a gift from Professor McGonagall. The Headmistress had given him a full broomstick kit and a small book on Firebolt broomsticks. There had also been a small note, apologising for being incompetent and wishing him a Merry Christmas.
Since McGonagall had became Headmistress, Hogwarts had seen a massive change. Bullying was no longer tolerated at Hogwarts. Dumbledore's ignorance of them had seen it rise notoriously since he became Headmaster and McGonagall stamped it out. The students that had gotten away with bullying for years quickly found themselves in detentions for their behaviours. A full safety procedure had been taken on the castle and the wards had been updated to keep out dark artefacts and leeching Dark Lords along with other dangerous creatures. The Forbidden Forest had been cleared of dangerous creatures by the Ministry except the dragons from the First Task whom were still waiting for transportation home.
He saw a small gift wrapped box at the end of his bed that he hadn't noticed. He unwrapped the packaging and found a small box. He opened it to find an ID bracelet that said Harry Potter. He ran his fingers over the writing, wondering what the bracelet meant. He picked up the note that was with the gift.
Merry Christmas mon amour Harry. Now we have matching bracelets. Love Fleur xxxx.
Harry put the bracelet on. Feeling in the mood to go down to the lake, he got dressed, putting on the sweatshirt he received from Remus. He ran into no problems as he went down to the lake. He sat down just by his favourite spot. He was there for a few minutes when he sensed someone running near him. He looked up to see that Fleur was nearing him.
"Good morning flow- mmmphhh," Harry was cut off as Fleur dipped him into a deep kiss. Their lips moved in practised synchronisation, achieved through the many times they had kissed each other. Harry's eyes suddenly widened as he felt her tongue poking against his lips. He opened his mouth willingly and he and Fleur shared their first French kiss together, tongues dancing against each others.
They both eventually pulled apart and both youngsters had dreamy gazes on their faces.
"I love you flower," Harry murmured softly.
"And I love you," Fleur said back softly before claiming Harry's lips once again.
IlIlIlI
Harry looked at himself in the mirror, admiring his dress robes. They were more or less the same as his school robes, except they were bottle green instead of black. While it was a strange colour, it had indeed, as Mrs Weasley put it, brought out the colour of his eyes. Fleur had asked him what he was wearing so it wouldn't clash with her attire.
He walked down to the Common Room where the waiting males were. Colin was looking exceptionally dapper in handsome dark robes that made his blonde hair stand out. Next to him was Ginny in a purple floaty material.
"You ready, Harry?" asked Ginny, with a delightful squeal. "Remember you owe me a dance. Let's go."
Harry chuckled. He walked with Colin and Ginny down to the Entrance Hall, conversing with the two while walking.
Suddenly he stopped. In front of the entrance hall in a beautiful silky silvery grey material satin robes stood Fleur, who was smiling broadly at everything and everyone.
Harry couldn't walk up to her. He was too stunned at the beauty of his girlfriend that he didn't process that she had walked up to him.
"Close your mouth mon amour or the flies will fly in," she giggled.
Harry slowly closed his mouth. "You're beautiful," he croaked out.
"You're not too shabby yourself Mr Potter," she giggled further. "Care to escort a lady to dinner?" And with that she linked Harry's arm in hers and walked to where the other champions were standing. Cedric was standing with Cho Chang and Viktor Krum was standing with-
"Hermione," Harry blurted out as he stared at his best friend.
Blushing, Hermione let out a very girlish giggle and looked at Harry, a huge smile plastered on her face. She had abandoned the bookworm look, wearing a floaty periwinkle blue material. She had also done something to her hair. It was no longer bushy, but sleek and shiny, twisted up into an elegant knot at the back of her head.
Harry ignored the other two 'Chumpions' that were in the room lurking in the shadows.
Dumbledore was looking extremely pissed off. He was wearing disgusting brown robes that looked like they hadn't been worn in two centuries. His beard was forcibly combed by his skunked partner and looked like a stoned hippie.
Squibmort was an entirely different matter. Earlier in the day he discovered tequila and the alcohol had made him a happy and friendly drunk. Being delighted at the prospect at getting back into the castle he considered his home, he had decided to dress in his best, which was a white dress that would normally be worn by a bride at her ceremony. He went through a personality change for the night, smiling around him and chortling in a posh laugh when he saw something funny.
"Is that you Harry Potter?" the former Dark Lord called out. Harry ignored him. "You look like you're about to preen like a peacock. I know I'm preening like a peacock. How 'bout you Dumby?"
Before Dumbledore exploded Professor Smeth appeared. "Follow me Champions'," she announced. She looked at Dumbles and Squibmort. "And Chumpions'."
Smiling wildly, Harry walked into the Great Hall with Fleur on his arm. Jealous looks were thrown his and Fleur's way, but he ignored it. Hermione was also thrown jealous looks as well as Cho, but then it changed.
Dumbledore and Squibmort did not walk gracefully in. Dumbledore walked in with pure loathing on his face and glaring at the audience. Voldemort walked in holding a bouquet of flowers that he stole from the plant outside the room and trying to 'preen like a peacock'. Laughter broke out among everyone at seeing Dumbledore walk in with the half rat/half skunk in his arms. Everyone knew that the hybrid animal was the former British Dark Lord. They all heard he was without magic so they didn't bother worrying.
The Champions and Chumpions sat down at the long table that was provided for them. There was no food as yet on the glittering golden plates, but small menus were lying in front of each of them. Harry picked his up uncertainly and looked around — there were no waiters. McGonagall, however, looked carefully down at her own menu, then said very clearly to her plate, "Poached salmon!"
Harry stifled a giggle. Of course McGonagall would order something a cat would love to eat. He spoke to his plate, "Goulash."
When all the food had been consumed, McGonagall stood up and asked the students to do the same. Then, with a wave of her wand, all the tables zoomed back along the walls leaving the floor clear, and then she conjured a raised platform into existence along the right wall. A set of drums, several guitars, a flute, a cello, and some bagpipes were set upon it.
The Weird Sisters now trooped up onto the stage to wildly en thusiastic applause; they were all extremely hairy and dressed in black robes that had been artfully ripped and torn. They picked up their instruments, the lanterns on all the other tables had gone out, and the champions and their partners were standing up.
Harry moved onto the brightly lit dance floor with Fleur, feeling nervous about dancing in front of an audience. Braving himself he placed his arms on Fleur's waist and her arm and started moving in time to the music. Fleur was leading so he didn't have any problems with the movements.
The rest of the watching people moved on to the dance floor. He noticed with a satisfied smile that Neville was smiling broadly as he danced with Hannah. Colin was enjoying his dance with Ginny and Hermione looked like she was having the time of her life.
He danced with Fleur for a half hour. She left the floor with a satisfactory feeling to get some punch.
"You want anything extra with that punch," an older student asked them.
Checking over her shoulder to ensure no teachers were near Fleur nodded. She accepted the punch and walked back with Harry to the floor.
"Gimme that punch," came a snarl.
Harry and Fleur looked up to see that Dumbledore had snatched the spiked punch and had promptly drank the entire glass of punch.
"I hate you Harry Potter," he snarled, glaring at his newfound enemy, before walking away.
"You never took your revenge on him, did you Harry," Fleur asked as they watched a very drunk Dumbledore clumsily dancing with a now more drunk Squibmort.
"I got him arrested and exposed to the public," Harry said.
"I mean personally," she whispered, as she kept an eye on the flowers Squibmort was still holding. "Good Merlin, they look like a drunk couple."
The idea came to Harry's head like a train.
"Oho, now I know what I want to do to BOTH of my enemies."
He whispered his idea to Fleur. Her eyes had widened and she burst into laughter. "My boyfriend has such a devious side to him," she said huskily as they both made their way to the drunk men.
On the dance floor Lavender Brown was talking to her new best friend Fanny who was still attached to a seething Snape.
"I can't believe how fun this is," Fanny giggled. "I get to see so many boys dancing so hard they start to sweat."
Fanny was gazing lustfully at Cormac McLaggen, whom was trying to steer away from the horny Shoulder Guy all night. Snape was now in a constant foul mood because everyone now laughed at him. At least he was leaving the school in a few days. The only problem was that Fanny would be going with him for his rest of his miserable life.
IlIlIlI
The ball had finally ended and Colin Creevey was escorting his date back to Gryffindor Tower.
"That was a fun night, huh Colin," Ginny said giggling. She had loved the Yule Ball and dancing with her crush was like a dream come true. She briefly wondered earlier about her former crush on Harry but pushed it away. She had a feeling they both would have been a terrible couple anyway.
"Yeah, I had fun dancing with you," he told her, grinning from ear to ear.
They came up to the portrait and went in after speaking the password. They both went into the Common Room and sat on the couch in front of the fire. Ginny cuddled into Colin and he stiffened. He wanted to kiss Ginny and ask her to be his girlfriend but he was terrified she would reject him.
He took a look around the Common Room and saw something that surprised him.
The normally timid and shy Neville Longbottom was sitting by the window, but he was not alone. Sitting on his lap was Hannah Abbott and they were both kissing each other intensely.
His eyes flickered to the Gryffindor crest that hung above the fireplace. The typical Gryffindor traits rushed into his head; bravery, nerve, courage and daring.
With new found resolve he leaned into Ginny and planted a firm but gentle kiss on her lips. He pulled back to see her expression only to be pulled back in for a longer kiss.
Life was good.
IlIlIlI
"Do you, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, take Thomas Marvolo Riddle to be your lawfully wedded husband, to take him into your life and vow to be together after death so you do not part," Harry asked.
"I do," a very, very drunk Dumbledore said.
"And do you, Thomas Marvolo Riddle, take Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore to be your lawfully wedded husband, to take him into your life and vow to be together after death so you do not part," Harry finished.
"I do," a very, very drunk Squibmort said.
"Then by the powers vested in me and my magic, I now pronounce you married," Harry said, letting the sparks fly out of his wand as a halo bound the married couple tight before disappearing.
Once that was concluded the two drunks passed out. The flowers that were in Tom's hand flew out of his grasp and grabbed by the only invited member, Rita Skeeter.
Chapter 8: That's The Wrong Ark
A CHRISTMAS WEDDING
ALBUS DUMBLEDORE AND TOM RIDDLE (AKA LORD VOLDEMORT) MARRIED
By Rita Skeeter
Christmas Day normally comes with gifts, happiness, and family get-togethers for the day.
In Hogwarts Castle it was different. As the famous Yule Ball was being held in Hogwarts this year as per tradition with the TriWizard Tournament demands it, a wedding was held in the halls of the castle. Or rather, in a classroom.
Albus Dumbledore and Tom Riddle decided to get married after a night of dancing with each other at the Yule Ball. This reporter witnessed the nuptials of the two famous wizards after a few hours of dating.
When asked about their plans for the future, both wizards had this to say. "I've never been married before, but I'm going to make sure it remains fabulous and in luxury," was the response of Tom Riddle. Albus Dumbledore responded with saying, "I hope I get morning sickness soon. It's time to carry on the line."
When asked if he would take the name of Dumbledore, Tom Riddle had this to say. "Now, that would be so cute. He already calls me Tummy Dummy and I love it."
Britain's own Harry Potter officiated the wedding and had this to say of the new couple, "I saw the potential of Albus Dumbledore and Tom Riddle as a couple. They will make waves together. I wish them my very best."
Rita finished typing her article and had it quickly sent off to the editor. The Ministry would normally not allow these articles to be published but shortly after former Minister Fudge was ousted Minister Sirius Black turned up as a proxy for Harry Potter and revealed to the workers that the Potter's had retained control of the Prophet now that Harry Potter had discovered his assets.
Originally, she was hoping for a chance to bash Harry Potter but once that was revealed she knew she wouldn't risk it. Then she had met Harry Potter face-to-face for an interview in the Three Broomsticks and he had told her to go after anyone she wanted, as long as it wasn't him or his closest friends. Seeing the incredible opportunity for what it was she took it, gaining the full trust of Harry Potter and Minister Sirius Black. Minister Black occasionally sent her secret messages on who would have the most secrets and her next journalistic efforts had crippled the likes of Thaddeus Nott, Lucius Malfoy, Barty Crouch and many other Ministry morons. She had gone from Gossip Columnist to Corruption and Crime Correspondent. She had received a new office to herself and a pay raise and now she was the envy of many other high ranking journalists in the Magical Community.
"Rita, I need something clarified," came the voice of her editor through a Messenger Patronus that arrived in her office.
She left the room to see what the editor thought of the chaos she was causing.
IlIlIlI
In a motel in Hogsmeade two drunks were still passed out since their wedding.
In the body of the former Dark Lord a strange magical surge took place. Tom had drunk far too much tequila throughout the day that it was interfering with his blood. Despite having lost the magicks of his body the many blood rituals he had done to alter his veins and his appearance were still in effect. The tequila had mixed in with the Hate Magic he had ritualised into himself when he was younger and was overriding it. As the tequila earlier had made him a happy and rambunctious man the alcoholic liquid poured that personality itself into the blood stream that had housed all the hate he had built up. The hate was pushed out of his system and the alcoholic substance that had his earlier personality of the day was forced in.
The hate in Voldemort's blood went away. His memory of the previous night was not going to leave though due to a ritual he performed on his memory forty years beforehand. The tequila had also destroyed the torso of the botched ritual that made him half rat and returned the normal look he had up above the waist from when he was in his later years at Hogwarts.
SIX HOURS LATER Dumbledore groaned from his side of the bed and sat up. The bright light coming in the window blinded him and he let out a small scream, awaking his sleeping partner.
"Wow, it's daylight already," Tom exclaimed. "Isn't it amazing what a little sleep can do to you."
Albus jumped in fright and turned to look at who was in bed with him. "What in Merlin are you doing in here Tom? Get out!"
"You shouldn't talk to your wife like that, Alby," Voldemort preened. "Oh my god, that's right. We're now married. WE'RE MARRIED ALBY."
And with that, Tom leaned over and pressed his lips to Dumbledore's.
In the Three Broomsticks, Madam Rosmerta almost jumped out of her skin as she heard the ear-piercing scream that came from the other end of town.
Five miles away in the nearby mountain Muggle climbers heard the scream and called for air support, believing someone had fallen down the mountain. No one would be found leaving the screaming matter unsolved.
After his scream, Dumbledore noticed the Daily Prophet in the room. Desperate for information on what was happening he snatched it up and began reading. The more he read, the angrier he got. When he came to the last line detailing that Harry Potter was the one to marry him off, he snapped.
Despite the recent torments in his life that had been started by Harry Potter that did not snap him, this was the last straw. Anger and hate overflowed him and he charged out of the motel room towards the Hogwarts Lake where he knew he would find Harry Potter.
"Alby, don't do anything stupid, honey bunny," came the simpering voice of Tom.
And what the Merlin was wrong with Tom? His former student was never a happy person, and yet now he was overexcited at every small thing he laid his eyes on. He was supposed to be filled with hate and anger.
His eyes rested on the distant figure of Harry Potter who was by the lake with the French champion. Dumbledore was pissed off that Harry was dating her. His plans were to have Harry marry a member of a light family, and yet he was dating a member of a neutral house. He was going to plan to dose Ginny Weasley to be obsessed with him but he swore he would stay away from the Weasley's after what Fred and George did to him in the Tournament. Molly was pissed off with him for 'exposing' himself to the public during the First Task and had cut ties with him. When she had done that she broke the near four-year Confundus Charm he had planted on her with her declaration. Remembering how Narcissa Malfoy treated her husband she had summoned a frying pan and had whacked him across the face.
"POTTER!" he roared, now just twenty feet from Harry. "You're dead!"
Albus raised his wand and was about to cast the spell when he found himself thrown back several feet, landing in the water with a splash. Grumbling, he got up and paled. In front of him and holding his wand was Dobby. A house-elf had disarmed him.
Suddenly the consequences of being disarmed of that wand hit him full force. A lowly house-elf had claimed the Elder Wand.
In complete shock, he hadn't registered that Tom had lifted him up and was carrying him away.
"In a few minutes, you'll be roaring a different name, Alby," Tom said wickedly.
IlIlIlI
After saving the great Harry Potter, Dobby returned to the castle to continue his work in the kitchens. The rest of the house-elves didn't really like him as he was a free elf who enjoyed freedom a little too much.
Dobby went back to working on the treacle tart that he was doing before he was interrupted with the danger call. He was just finishing his work when he was hit by a powerful surge of magic. It was so overwhelming he fell to the floor and started convulsing.
"DOBBY, DOBBY," he heard Winky screeching.
The overflowing of the magic was calling to him, telling him that he would be dead within the hour due to the influx of magic. There would be only one thing that could save him from this fate. Something he would not do again for as long as he lived. But now, he wanted to live. He had only been free for a little over the year and now the magic was killing him. Unless he bonded with another wizard, he would be dead. There was only one wizard he wanted to be bound to though, but Harry Potter turned him down three times.
IlIlIlI
Harry was still sitting by the lake with Fleur when he heard a massive CRACK.
He looked up to see Winky trying to steer Dobby to him. Dropping his new book, he jumped up and ran to Dobby.
"Dobby," Harry asked. "What's wrong?"
Dobby looked terrible. He was not grey in colour like the other house-elves, but rather white and shaking. Dark black spots were showing itself on his two legs and he could barely walk.
"Too much magic," Dobby spoke deliriously. "Must pet Spot."
Harry looked at Winky. "What happened?"
"I don't know," Winky said. "Dobby said to bring him to you."
"Is it something to do with disarming Dumbledore?" Fleur asked.
Winky's eyes widened in shock. "Dobby disarmed him. Now I see what's wrong."
"What's wrong?" Harry asked.
"Dumby has lots of magic in him," Winky explained. "If Dobby disarmed him he claimed some magic from him. It wouldn't happen to a normal wizard but Dumby's wand has some kinda strange power."
Harry was now beginning to understood what was wrong. "Will Dobby be okay?"
"Dobby will be dead within the hour," Winky said bluntly. Harry felt like breaking into tears at hearing this. "But he can be saved."
"What can we do?" Harry asked, his voice choking.
"He must bond to a wizard as a house-elf to survive," said Winky. "Now I know why he wanted to be brought to you."
Harry looked at the murmuring form of Dobby. Dobby had told him before he wanted to be bonded to him and he said no. He had wanted Dobby to have his deserved freedom.
But now, Dobby would die unless he bonded to him. Not wanting to lose his dearest friend, he leant down and picked up Dobby's small form.
"Dobby," Harry called out.
"Harry Potter," Dobby gasped out. "Bonding?"
Harry knew Dobby was asking if he was sure he wanted this. Despite the elf's delirium, he could sense Harry and could hear him. "Be my elf," Harry said kindly.
Dobby's green eyes closed. Suddenly a bright flash went off between the two as the magic of the union as owner and house-elf transpired. The bright flash did not wane for fifteen minutes, and Harry and Dobby were knocked out from the force of the magic that was being pushed in during that time.
Once the fifteen minutes were up the magic force disappeared and Harry and Dobby fell to the ground.
As the powerful magic of the Elder Wand had been too much for Dobby he transferred its power into the wizard he was bonding to. He managed to transfer three quarters of the magic into his new owner and now he had a quarter of the power of the Elder Wand.
Harry and Dobby became dual owners of the Elder Wand.
IlIlIlI
"I love your book, Ms Black," squealed Elena Diggory.
"Thank you very much," Narcissa smiled.
Since November life had been amazing for Narcissa Black, formerly Narcissa Malfoy.
Once she had discovered that Lucius had been somehow been turned into a squib, she had instantly applied for divorce and it had been done within the day. As Lucius had no magic to access his vault, all his lifetime earnings had been immediately transferred to her. She sold the manor to her cousin, Sirius Black, who wanted to turn it into a magical orphanage. Wanting to insult Lucius to the extreme she suggested to Sirius to turn it into a Muggle Orphanage, who was delighted at the suggestion.
She had healed her relationship with her sister Andromeda and was once again close to her as if nothing had happened, despite the many years that she had last seen her. Sirius had invited Andromeda back into the Black Family. Without his father in his life, Draco was finally beginning learning to not run off at the mouth and she returned his 'When My Father Hears About This Letters' with a howler and a book on how to be manipulative and cunning. It would be a slow process but she was sure she could raise her son to be a somewhat respectable Slytherin and not a foolish Gryffindor.
She had decided to write a book, specifically a self-help book to pass the time and had it published. It had become a big hit instantly and she had fans all over her now. She wrote and titled her book Perils of Marrying Money (Or How I Shouldn't Have Married A Malfoy). Now she was doing a book signing in Flourish and Blotts.
"I love how your book has became so popular, Cissy."
She looked up from her musings and recognised the face of her new best friend, Molly Weasley. After she left Malfoy Manor, she seeked out the Weasley's to apologise for what her foolish husband had done to their daughter two years prior. Molly had accepted her apology and Arthur had been put into an excellent mood at knowing that she had hated her husband her whole life. When he heard of her love for whacking him with the Frying Pan, he had passed out in happiness.
As Molly had helped her write the book, she shared the royalties with her. The Weasley's were no longer poor and Arthur had bought a more modern day Ford to tinker with. He still loved his cars.
IlIlIlI
Deep in a warehouse in Washington, America, several Death Eaters were traipsing their way through several crates.
Gregg Gibbon, Thorfinn Rowle, Kray Jugson, and Hilbert Selwyn had been all released from Azkaban because they had been sentenced without trial.
Before all four had been released, they, along with the other Death Eaters, had been turned into Squibs for some unknown reason. Most Death Eaters in the prison had killed themselves out of shame for being turned into Squibs. Hearing Bellatrix Lestrange scream into the night had terrified them when she discovered her Squibdom. The woman had cursed Dumbledore, the Ministry and Harry Potter before stabbing herself to death.
However Gibbon, Rowle, Jugson and Selwyn refrained from killing themselves, despite the urge. They wanted to find out what had caused it.
Once they got out of Azkaban they couldn't find any reason for why they had turned into Squibs. Eventually Jugson made a suggestion about a legendary artefact hidden in the South American Jungle that would give them back their magic.
They had contacted Malfoy, Yaxley, Crabbe, Goyle, MacNair and the other Death Eaters and had travelled to South America in search of the Golden Icon, a legendary artefact that was said to give you instant magic.
They had found the Icon easily enough but it didn't possess any of the powers that it was said to have. Instead it had a map that had led them to a tavern in the Kingdom of Nepal. After a few days of searching the tavern Yaxley found another map in a headpiece of a horse that had led them to the desert in Egypt.
They had an unfortunate encounter with an angered Egyptian who had killed MacNair and had burned the map out of spite.
Lucius' memory of the map led them to a cave buried under the sands in the desert where the object was said to be. But it wasn't there.
Another investigation into where it went was learnt from a tiny village sixty miles away. Having no magic to apparate, they all had to walk it out of the desert as they walked in. They managed to become stowaways on a ship headed towards the Aegean Sea, only to jump off when they all learnt it was a pirate ship. Crabbe and Goyle's weight had drowned them and Yaxley had been harpooned to death by the head pirate.
They swam to the island, losing the Carrow siblings who had angered a pair of hungry sharks. Disgusted by the taste of the wizards the sharks had not bothered attacking the rest of the swimmers and swam away.
They could not find any trace of the dangerous artefact and Lucius was now beginning to wonder if suffering another Muggle contraption was really worth it. He was overruled however by the others and they searched for the legendary Ark of the Maginent.
A comment from Gibbon suggesting Muggle authorities retrieved it led them to Washington, D.C. to a massive warehouse that housed thousands of Muggle crates. It took several weeks of searching but they finally found what they believed was the Ark of the Maginent.
They had to flee with the Ark as they were caught by some workers. They stole a tugboat and fled out of the country believing they were protected by the water borders.
They kept the Ark in the hold and all went down to open it once they got away from authorities.
"It's beautiful," Kray Jugson drawled happily.
After a strong nudging with a crowbar they opened the legendary Ark. Spirits and souls began to fill out and flew around them.
"Is this the right Ark?" Lucius asked, bewildered by the appearance of the spirits.
The Death Eaters began screaming as the spirits and souls revealed themselves to be angels of death- their beautiful teeth changing into fangs and appearance changing into rotting flesh.
Lucius' head had exploded and Selwyn's entire body melted. Given the demon the Death Eaters had directly in front of them, they all died in creatively explosive ways. The exploding of Lucius' head was enough to put a small explosion below his feet, letting water flow into the boat and starting to sink. The demons returned into the Ark before the hold had submerged along with the tugboat.
Apparently the Death Eaters found the wrong Ark, as Lucius thought. Instead they had stolen the Ark of the Covenant that had been laying in storage for nearly sixty years. The Ark of the Maginent would never be found.
IlIlIlI
Severus Snape was doing something he had wanted to do for so many years. He was packing his bags.
For years he had to deal with dunderheaded foolish brats at the request of Dumbledore and had hated it. Unable to take out his anger on Dumbledore he took his anger out on his students, especially those born in the end of July 1980.
He hated Neville Longbottom because it wasn't that infernal brat that had been targeted by the Dark Lord. Also because his parents were pushing their influence to get him sentenced to Azkaban. He was delighted when the Longbottom's had gone insane. It was risky enough scaring Neville with Augusta Longbottom in the boy's life. Luckily the brat was so scared of him he wouldn't dare mention his name to his grandmother. He knew he wouldn't survive a confrontation with the ever formidable witch.
Harry Potter, the bane of his existence, arrived in Hogwarts full of airs and arrogance, bullying his Slytherins just like his father had done, always singling out the poor and innocent Draco Malfoy. Draco was harmless, if a bit stupid.
So he taunted Potter every time he had the chance. The boy had no parents or family to stick up for him, so he was the easiest target in the school.
But once the Goblet of Fire spit out the Dark Lord's name, everything had changed. He had become a Squib, couldn't prevent explosions from occurring in his classroom, resulting in Longbottom's work to land itself on Malfoy and other Slytherins quite often. He had yelled himself hoarse at the Longbottom brat that he lost his voice for ten days.
"Just keep snarking, just keep snarking, just keep snarking, snarking, snarking. What do we do, we snark, snark."
And then the worst happened. Not long before Christmas he had awoken to the thing that had pissed him off more than the Marauders. He had been given a conjoined twin stuck on his shoulder. The little thing was infuriating, talking rudely, being exuberant in his speech, acting gay, and being a complete pain in the rear.
"Ha ho ho ho ho I love to snarking, when you want to snark you want to be the-"
"SHUT UP!"
"Sevvy, you know you want to sing," proclaimed Fanny. "Come on, sing with me."
He had tried everything on the infernal thing. He made Draco Malfoy cast many spells on his twin that did not work. He tried to get Draco to cast the Killing Curse, but the boy staunchly refused to do that, believing he would be tossed into Azkaban in a trice. He had tried the Shrinking Solution on the bloody thing, only for Fanny to giggle and exclaim, "That tickles."
He knew Potter had something to do with this, no matter what the Headmistress or anybody else said. Potter had looked at Fanny as if he had expected it in his class, and Draco had informed him that the Hogwarts Rumour Mill suggested that he and Creevey had been involved.
"I'm gonna miss you Lavender," Fanny cried.
Lavender Brown was constantly in his quarters applying makeup on Fanny and talking about dim-witted air-headed things. He tried scaring her away, only for her to apply blush on him every time he tried. He was the laughingstock of the school.
And because of Fanny's approaching nature, students liked to come up and talked to Fanny. The Weasley twins had given Fanny ideas on how to deal with him when he was in a mood and was terrified of the ideas suggested.
Fanny was permanently stuck to him. St. Mungo's would have been able to remove it but because his teaching had reduced students who wanted to be Healers in recent years they would not help him. He couldn't access his vault as he had made only his magic access it. And it would be pointless asking Dumbledore to do something. The man was due for Azkaban and wouldn't jeopardise his sentence to help a former Death Eater.
"Scratch my back and I'll scratch yours," Lavender said to Fanny.
Horrified, Severus watched as his mini-me moved his arms towards Lavender. He tried to run, but his feet were stuck firmly on the ground.
The scream from the dungeons could be heard all the way up in Gryffindor Tower. Parvati Patil looked up from her magazine and muttered, "I wish Fanny would scratch my back too."
IlIlIlI
All the Hogwarts students gathered by the Hogwarts gate for the day they were hoping to see for years. Many visitors and former students of Severus Snape came from as far as Mongolia for the moment they were waiting for all these years. Minister Sirius Black had even arrived, bringing with him an entire contingent of reporters from the British tabloids and magazines.
Also there were the Weird Sisters, hired by Sirius Black for the occasion.
Excited chatter was the only thing that was heard for the moment among the crowds as students spoke to each other.
The doors of Hogwarts suddenly gave a groan and the crowds went silent. The doors opened to reveal a snarky git by the name of Severus Snape.
Snape tried to dash through the clapping crowd but Fanny made him move slower than a bloody snail, openly crying at leaving Hogwarts. The Weird Sisters began singing their number one hit, 'Gone Grease' to enthusiastic applause.
It took two hours, but he finally left Hogwarts Grounds and stayed in Hogsmeade for the night. He fulfilled his dream of Potion Making, for which Fanny became useful for helping him. Forty years later Fanny passed away and he found himself depressed. Despite being the most annoying thing ever created, he had grown to love his twin after twenty years. Shortly after Fanny died he had created a potion to cure dragon-pox and finally achieved the fame he had wanted for years.
He died in his sleep ten years after Fanny.
IlIlIlI
New Year's Eve was another day that Fleur would remember for the rest of her life. Her parents couldn't come to celebrate so she spent the night with Harry. The Weasley twins had arranged a massive party in the Gryffindor Common Room but she and Harry didn't join it.
They went off for a romantic walk in the Forbidden Forest to visit Layla the dragon. The dragons were all leaving in the morning. With delays in Albania they were kept in the Forest for a little while longer after the First Task. She and Harry visited the dragon a few times and got on well with her.
They sat at the lake as they always did, but it seemed more romantic to be there in the starry night with the new moon.
When they heard the clock in the grounds chime at midnight they leant in close and shared a kiss and a small dance to celebrate the New Year, promising each other to stay together the more time went by.