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SS Chapter 18: Solemn Contemplation
🕑 Added 2025-01-29 11:26:30 +0000 UTCXVIII. Solemn Contemplation
Fleur paced back and forth, a whirlpool of emotions swirling in her chest. Her friends watched her worriedly all the while.
“A month,” Fleur murmured crossly, “The Yule Ball is in less than a month -”
“In French Fleur, please -”
Fleur glared at the girl who had spoken. Adeline had the decency to at least falsify a look of guilt.
“I - er - sorry.”
“Much better,” Fleur turned around. She felt only a few short steps away from pulling out her hair, “I can not believe Madame Maxime is forcing me into this -”
“You’re a champion, Fleur,” Aimee reminded her, “This was always going to happen.”
“Surely you can go with one of us?” Adeline frowned, “They can’t argue without looking really bad -”
But Fleur shook her head.
“Father would not permit it,” she noted sadly, “The French tabloids would not rest - the Minister’s daughter, a lesbian -”
“Might as well be, the way you avoid men,” Adeline murmured. Fleur glared at her.
“I just - I just need someone who won’t make a fool of themselves,” she said half-heartedly, “Someone who knows Occlumency -”
“Someone older, then,” Aimee frowned, “Likely older than any of the students here.”
I know.
Fleur grimaced with frustration, plopping herself into a seat opposite a vast window. Her eyes roamed the Hogwarts Grounds, eventually pausing to watch as a large crow shifted through stones in the dirt.
“It’d probably be best to ask one of our peers,” Adeline sighed from somewhere behind her, “The Beauxbatons boys have been around you long enough to not be super creepy.”
Fleur gritted her teeth.
I shouldn’t have to settle for ‘not not super creepy’.
She shook her head, glancing across the room. Alice was cozied up beneath a large stuffed bear, an expression of uncertainty covering her face.
“What are you thinking?”
Alice frowned.
“I - I might be able to help you,” she said slowly, “But you won’t like it. Not one bit.”
Fleur threw her hands up in the air.
“I already don’t like it,” she reminded the black-haired girl, “I don’t see how it can get much worse.”
“Are you going to get her a partner?” Aimee asked curiously. Alice paused.
“I - I don’t know. Maybe.”
“Can they control themselves?”
The girl nodded slowly.
“Undoubtedly.”
“And they’re not - not a weirdo, right?” Fleur added quickly, “It won’t reflect poorly on me if I go with them, will it?”
“Oh no, not at all!” Alice shook her head quickly, “No, he’s great -”
“Then it’s fine,” Fleur decided, settling herself back in her seat. Her eyes fixated on the crow again, “But I want to meet him first.”
Alice nodded quickly, straightening up. Adeline eyed the girl suspiciously all the while.
“I’ll ask him tomorrow,” she said, her gaze flicking to Adeline, “I still don’t know if he’ll say yes, after all.”
Fleur sighed.
The fact that he might say no can only be a good thing.
“Of course,” Fleur smiled half-heartedly, “Thank you, Alice.”
“You’re welcome.”
Fleur watched as the mischievous crow flew away. She closed her eyes, listening as the door slid shut upon Alice’s departure, Adeline hot on her heels.
(-{- S S -}-)
Ample chatter flooded the Great Hall. Harry sat - seemingly alone - at the Gryffindor table. He moodily stabbed at his breakfast, eying a copy of the Daily Prophet that sat an arm’s length away.
‘Boy-Who-Lived Parties Hard Following First Task’
The headline was accompanied by a rather vivid photograph of Harry hanging from a chandelier. A foolish smile had adorned his face.
“She’s always had a knack for making her subjects look bad, that Skeeter woman,” a voice whispered quietly from his side. Harry bristled.
“I’m more concerned with how she knows about this.”
He’d been thinking about it for some time now. Harry had, of course, considered the admittedly outrageous possibility that someone from Gryffindor had ratted on him - but no, it just didn’t make much sense.
For one, the Gryffindors like me too much.
Harry nodded along at the thought, his eyes briefly raising to examine his surroundings. There were about ten feet separating him from the Gryffindors in either direction - a byproduct of having been asked to be left alone, no doubt. The students on the boundaries edge eyed him with a wistful expression, clearly unaware of the annoyance that prickled at his skin. Harry shook his head, returning his attention to the article.
Reason number two is more interesting.
Thrice now Harry had read the article published only twelve hours ago. Aside from the rather clumsy - albeit endearingly youthful - light it portrayed him in, the paper’s account of the Gryffindor common room and its inhabitants had been . . . . alarmingly accurate.
“You said Skeeter was a Slytherin, right?”
An impatient sigh rang in the air beside him.
“About five times, yes.”
Harry’s lips curled with frustration.
Whatever.
Harry made a flicking motion with his finger, watching with silent satisfaction as Skeeter’s article went tumbling across the table. His pleasure evaporated as the gasps of surprised first years met his ears.
I’m really not in the mood to be worshipped.
“There really are a lot of people around,” the floating voice whispered nervously, “Are you sure this is necessary -”
“Yes,” Harry hissed, “Now shut up and look around.”
If the sudden silence was anything to go off, Malfoy did as he was told. Harry took the opportunity to pop a spoonful of beans into his mouth, chasing it down with a bite of toast. His thoughts turned to the vacuum that seemingly sat beside him.
Harry wasn’t sure how he’d never noticed it before - perhaps because it was he who was usually under the cloak - but it was as though the Invisibility Cloak hid magic itself. It was an odd sensation; Harry knew something was off, but he had a hard time placing it -
I normally can feel a person’s magic. Their presence. And now I can’t.
The ends of his lips curved upwards at the thought.
A cloak worthy of Death himself -
And, just like that, Harry’s happiness faded.
“Did you see anything?” he asked impatiently, stabbing at his food again. He was careful to cover his mouth as he spoke, “Anyone acting odd?”
Harry could almost see Malfoy’s frown.
“Bones looks off,” the Slytherin boy muttered, “Does that matter?”
Harry sniffled.
“No,” he said decidedly, “She’s had her knickers in a twist about me for a minute now.”
And if it isn’t that, it’s probably about her stupid aunt.
“Right,” Malfoy yawned to his side, “In that case, we’re left with Dumbledore and Delacour.”
Harry fought the urge to freeze. He let his fingers push his fork further into a thin sausage, raising it to his lips.
“What’s Dumbledore doing?”
“Watching you every now and then. It’s not very obvious, but he is. He looks . . . disturbed.”
Harry fought the urge to snicker.
“He probably knows you’re there.”
Harry felt a soft hand wrap painfully tight around his wrist.
“He what?” Draco Malfoy sputtered, “Potter - you - you -”
“Relax,” Harry smiled easily. He wormed his arm out of Draco’s invisible grasp, doing his best to make the movement look natural, “He doesn’t know it’s you. He can’t.”
The cloak makes sure of that.
His lips curved at the sound of labored breathing beside him.
“You’re sure?” Draco panted nervously.
“Positive,” Harry snapped, “And you can go now, by the way.”
Completely useless, yet again.
“I can?” Malfoy muttered. He sounded surprised, “But - don’t you want to hear about Delacour?”
Harry frowned.
“Not really. I know why she’s looking at me.”
There’s no way she hasn’t figured out who Alice’s ‘mystery man’ from earlier is.
“You do?” a surprised voice asked.
Harry nodded faintly.
“Let me guess,” he whispered, bringing a fork to his lips yet again, “She probably looks like she’s assessing me. Probably a touch of distaste - I doubt she likes my friendship with Alice.”
And a hint of bewilderment if she’s noticed me seemingly talking to myself.
“Yeah, I think that’s right,” Malfoy sighed, “I guess that rules her out as the thief.”
Harry felt his stomach drop. His fingers went white from how tightly they were wrapped around his utensils.
“I guess it does.”
“I still can’t believe you lost it,” Malfoy murmured, “I mean to say . . . you actually had the Resurrection Stone. The Resurrection Stone! And you . . . you -”
“Thank you for the recap, Malfoy,” Harry said bitterly, stabbing at his toast. The floating voice seemed undeterred.
“I imagine that’s what we went to find that night, wasn’t it?” the boy asked aloud, “Was it the gemstone on the ring?”
“Yup,” Harry nodded irritably, his palms curled into fists.
“Doesn’t that mean Delacour’s more likely to be the thief?”
Harry blinked.
“What do you mean?”
“Well,” the disembodied voice began, “She knew we were going out. What if she followed? If she knew what it was -”
“She would still have to have taken it from me,” Harry noted, voicing his disagreement, “Something she can’t possibly have done. She’s not strong enough.”
A frustrating ‘hmph’ emanated from beneath the cloak.
“Someone clearly is,” said Malfoy simply, “If that weren’t the case, you’d still have the stone.”
Harry gritted his teeth with frustration.
“They . . . they got the better of me,” he admitted eventually, “I was drunk. I’ve never been drunk before.”
“And you don’t remember anything that could be of use?”
Harry shook his head, his frustration growing.
“No. I think I blacked out.”
I’m never fucking drinking again.
Harry winced as paranoia stabbed at his thoughts. He lowered his fork.
“Maybe I was Obliviated?”
No . . . a soothing voice assured himself, No, that just isn’t possible. There’s only two people who’d stand a chance, and Dumbledore would never . . .
Harry frowned, grabbing his fork.
If the rumours about his family are true then he might.
He shook his head vehemently.
But he’s not the only one, is he?
Harry grimaced as the gaunt face of a brown-haired man popped into his head.
“Malfoy,” Harry murmured, “What do you know about Barty Crouch Junior?”
“I - not much,” the boy sounded surprised, “He was arrested for torturing Longbottom’s parents into insanity around the time you-know-who fell.”
“Right,” Harry nodded slowly, “Alongside your aunt . . .”
Harry ignored the way the air beside him shifted uncomfortably, instead focusing on the puzzle in his mind.
What if he took it? He might’ve thought he could use it to resurrect Voldemort?
“No,” Harry whispered aloud, “He isn’t Voldemort. He hasn’t the skill . . .”
A tinge of uncertainty plagued him nonetheless.
I have to find the thief. No one can steal from me -
“Susan’s standing up,” Malfoy whispered in warning, “I think she’s coming this way.”
Harry looked up. Sure enough, the pretty redhead was making her way toward him, her Hufflepuff robes almost gliding as she traversed the length of the hall. Harry watched with feigned interest as she plopped herself down opposite him.
“Good morning, Susan,” Harry smiled, “I can’t help but feel you’re not here to banter.”
Susan Bones eyed him carefully, her delicate fingers sliding along a thin silver necklace that adorned her neck. She nodded slowly.
“No, I’m not,” she admitted, “You’ll have to forgive me, but I’m here to talk to you on my aunt’s behalf.”
Harry’s jaw clenched.
“Right,” he said irritably, “Well, you tell her I’m a bit swamped at the moment -”
“No, I don’t think I will,” Susan sniffled, “You haven’t been all too nice to me as of late. Surprising, considering everything I’ve done for you.”
Harry fought to keep his eyes from rolling. He plastered a gentle, caring smile across his features.
“I’m sorry,” he said earnestly, “I don’t mean to take my annoyance at your Aunt out on you.”
Susan stared at him. She looked wholly unimpressed.
“Uh huh,” she frowned, “Well, Auntie’s a bit concerned with your progress. I’m not really sure what that means, but I imagine you do.”
Harry nodded gruffly. Inside, he felt his heart spasm with annoyance.
“Tell you what,” he said eventually, taking another bite out of his toast, “You tell Auntie Bones that I’ll do whatever I need to do on my own schedule.”
Susan eyed him uncertainly.
“I doubt she’ll like that,” she warned him.
“I doubt I care,” Harry snapped, “And while you’re at it, tell her not to get too used to ordering me around.”
I should probably do something about that sooner than later.
Harry looked up. He watched as Susan Bones tucked a strand of brilliant scarlet hair behind her ears, huffing irritably. For whatever reason, she reminded him an awful lot of his mother. Harry frowned at the thought.
Weird.
Across from him, Susan was slowly rising to her feet.
“If that’s how you feel, I’ll let her know,” she sighed, “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
And she walked off, her hips swaying hypnotically as she left. Harry tuned her out, returning to his breakfast.
“Are you going to tell me what that was about?” an irritating voice asked to his right. Harry weighed his options.
“Madam Bones is trying to blackmail me into forging connections with our foreign peers. It’s oddly fascinating, really.”
Draco huffed.
“I’d have thought you’d be . . . less receptive to the idea.”
Harry snorted.
“Oh, I’m furious,” he admitted, stabbing at his breakfast, “I’ll get myself out of it soon enough, but the actual task is a bit interesting.”
Besides, Bones thinking I’m under her control does grant me access to reliable source of useful information.
“How exactly do you plan on befriending the delegates, exactly?”
Harry shrugged.
“Krum’s easy,” he noted, “We’re both Seekers. I’ll just go flying with him -”
“I was thinking about the Beauxbatons girls, actually,” Malfoy interrupted, “The ones who hate you.”
Harry rolled his eyes.
“They don’t hate me,” he sighed, “But since you asked nicely, I’ll divulge.”
Harry popped the final bite of his toast into his mouth.
“I’m taking Fleur to the Yule Ball.”
Malfoy sputtered. Harry was almost worried the Invisibility Cloak would fall off the bewildered boy.
“You - what?” Draco’s voice rang, “But - you - how -”
“It’s nothing you need to concern yourself with, really,” Harry yawned, pushing his plate aside, “Though, now that I mention it, I do have a task for you -”
“Another one?”
Harry’s eyes narrowed irritably. He straightened up, stepping away from the Gryffindor table.
“Start practicing the Memory Charm,” he said simply before making his way out of the hall. The magical vacuum continued to hover at his side, “Oh, and let me know whenever the next big event at the Ministry is taking place. One that requires lots of security.”
“Why?”
Harry smiled.
“We’ve got another adventure ahead of us.”
(-{- S S -}-)
Harry lay within the smothered grass of the Hogwarts Grounds, his eyes slid shut. He thought carefully as gentle fingers combed through his hair.
“Does that feel good?” Lavender’s voice asked kindly from above him. Harry gave her an honest smile.
“It does, actually.”
A bit like comfort food.
Harry turned his head, opening his eyes. His gaze slid along the outskirts of Hagrid’s Hut. Some hundred meters away sat the Beauxbatons carriage, surrounded by students adorned in baby blue. Harry paused.
Best not to waste time.
He gently pried himself from Lavender’s grasp, straightening up. The girl pouted.
“Is something wrong?”
Harry shook his head, smiling.
“Just need to talk to someone. I’ll be back.”
He returned the smile Lavender favoured him with before making his way down the grounds. He kept his eyes peeled for a familiar flash of black hair.
There.
Harry hurried down the path leading to the carriage, drawing the attention of several Beauxbatons students. He eventually came to a sudden stop before two girls dressed in blue.
“Hey Alice,” Harry grinned, stepping toward her. Alice smiled sweetly, standing up. To her side, another girl with long, dark hair and a golden tan frowned, “Who's your friend?”
“I - Adeline,” Alice stammered, blushing, “Adeline, this is Harry.”
The girl smiled kindly. It didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“It is nice to finally meet you,” she said, holding out a hand. Harry shook it, “If we ignore the cupboard incident, of course.”
Alice grimaced. Harry allowed himself to laugh.
“I’d prefer we did,” he grinned, “I was in a bad place that night, as I’m sure you can imagine -”
“Right!” Alice cut in between them. Perhaps it was his imagination, but the girl looked rather nervous, “Harry - er - can I talk to you? In private?”
Harry smiled.
It’s almost too easy.
“Funnily enough, I was about to ask you the same thing.”
Alice blushed. Behind her, Adeline rolled her eyes.
“Right - er - we can talk by the lake.”
Harry nodded, sending Adeline a quick wave before following after Alice. Adeline didn’t wave back. They found themselves by the Great Lake much faster than Harry would’ve expected.
“So - who’s going first?”
“You can,” said Alice gently, “My thing is a bit more of a tirade.”
Harry nodded, clearing his throat.
“Right - Alice Beaumont, would you go to the Yule Ball with me?”
Alice’s jaw dropped. Harry watched, pleased, as longing flickered in her eyes.
Bingo.
“Harry,” Alice sounded more upset with herself than anything, “Harry, I’d love to more than anything, but - well, that’s what I was about to ask you -”
Harry forced a frown. He motioned for the girl to continue.
“I was wondering if you could go to the Yule Ball with one of my friends?”
Harry's insides roared with delight.
I can’t believe I’m thinking this, but Madam Bones really would be proud of me right now.
He glanced back at Alice, straightening up.
“Why does she need me to go with her?” he asked politely.
Alice sighed.
“I - she has a hard time dealing with people,” Alice whispered, “They tend to stare, or act like fools -”
Harry allowed his eyes to widen with faux understanding, making a show of his supposed realisation.
“It’s Fleur, isn’t it?” he breathed, “Because she’s a Veela.”
Alice nodded hurriedly.
“She needs someone who can control themselves,” said Alice seriously, “Someone like you.”
Lilies, roses, and tulips all sprouted in his mind, a giant rainbow circling around him. Harry felt as though he could walk on the sun.
“Are you sure she’d want to go with me?” Harry tested. “Your friends don’t seem very fond of me.”
“That’s - well, that’s your fault, really,” Alice smiled, “You shouldn’t have made me cry in that cupboard.”
Harry sighed.
“I wish I hadn’t, Alice.”
“I know you didn’t,” the girl said sweetly, “But it looks bad, you know? You can’t blame them for caring.”
“And I don’t. Not at all,” he assured her, “I’d be more worried if they didn’t.”
Alice beamed. Beside them, the golden rays of the sun glimmered on the lake’s surface.
“I’d better go tell Fleur,” she said eventually. Harry caught her by the wrist as she moved to leave.
“On the odd chance that Fleur says no,” he added knowingly, “Will you go to the Yule Ball with me?”
Alice nodded breathlessly, her cheeks tinged pink.
“I - of course I will.”
And with that, she hurried back to the Beauxbatons carriage, Harry smiling as she left.
Comments
521-DREAM
Don't worry I'll be posting SS again the moment the Beauxbatons Arc of AFiF is wrapped up (which is about to happen very soon).
Wesley Freeman
If we are gonna pay for early access this story has my vote above afif to me it is more interesting than flaw in fate. I don’t say that to say flaw in fate is somehow lesser or not up to par but that this story caputered my attention in ways that few stories have. It is truly amazing. And if you read these comments I vote for more frequent updates for sacred sight
