2,32610 April
Chatter echoed around the Great Hall. Hundreds of candles floated overhead, casting a warm glow. White flower petals floated down above the students before disappearing above their heads. The smell of spring filled the air, flowers and early morning mist. Fleur paid no attention while arms crossed in front of her grabbing plates piled high with eggs and bacon.
Fleur had to bite the inside of her cheek to stop herself from glaring at the Slytherin table. Every morning for the past week anger, sadness, and disgust would flood into her as she watched Daphne and Harrison enter the Great Hall holding hands. How could Harrison move on so fast? Did their nights together mean nothing? How could he have moved on with her?
Fleur had always suspect that Daphne had a crush on Harrison, but she never thought that he would fall in return. But she should have. Blonde hair, clear complexion, intelligent, and wealthy - so much like Fleur. Her hand tightened around her fork as Daphne rose from the Slytherin table.
Laughter rang out from the Slytherin table and Daphne held her hand out to Harrison. The two began to make their way out of the Great Hall, Cass and Blaise following behind. Fleur dropped her fork and stood up quickly, elbowing the Ravenclaw next to her. Fleur ignored the girls glare and quickly made her way towards the large oak doors, ignoring the sympathetic stares and whispers.
Fleur exited the Great Hall and craned her neck to look behind a group of students. She caught a glimpse of Daphne's blonde hair rounding a corner and picked up her speed. She didn't know what she was going to do or say, but she knew she had to confront Harrison and Daphne. She couldn't get Harrison out of her head. The awful thing he had his friends do repulsed Fleur, but she couldn't go an hour without his face crossing her mind. She needed closure if she was ever going to move on.
Fleur pushed past a first year boy wearing a Hufflepuff tie and mumbled an apology. The sound of her kitten heels on the stone floor sounded like fireworks in her ears. She felt her blood run cold as Daphne's laugh echoed down the hall. Fleur rounded a corner and exited out of a pair of large doors and stepped into the cool morning air.
Harrison and Daphne were leaning against a pillar, his arm snaked around her shoulders. Cass and Blaise were sitting on a bench, their knees touching. Daphne's laughter died when they caught sight of Fleur. She saw Harrison's eyes harden and Blaise sit up pin straight.
"Harrison." His name flew out of Fleur's mouth before she could think of what to say.
"Fleur." Harrison inclined his head.
"Can we talk?" Fleur's voice was shaky as emotion flooded her.
Daphne leaned further into Harrison, and she could see him arm tighten around her. Bile rose in her throat as she pictured Harrison on top of Daphne. She pushed the unwanted image away.
"There's nothing more to say." Harrison was blunt, and Fleur couldn't sense any kindness towards her in his tone or expression.
"We're going to be late for Charms," Daphne interjected.
Anger flooded Fleur and she could feel the veela in her rising, and it took all of her strength to squash it down.
"I wasn't talking to you!" Fleur snapped, finding her voice.
Anger flashed in Harrison's eyes and he pushed himself off the pillar. He came towards Fleur in three large strides. She could feel the anger pulsating off him. She couldn't bring herself to look past him to see his friends' expressions, and she didn't care about them anyways.
"I would watch your words carefully," Harrison said quietly.
"You left me for her." Fleur spat, her accent thick. "You claim it was because I couldn't understand, but that isn't true. If it was you wouldn't be with her a few weeks later. You wanted her. You were sleeping with me. Holding me. Kissing me. You were thinking of her… Weren't you?" Fleur could feel her cheeks burning.
"Walk away, Fleur." Harrison's tone was flat, void of all emotion. "I cared about you, so I will give you a chance, but you need to stop talking and walk away."
Fleur stared at him, she didn't know where that came from. She couldn't be sure Harrison hadn't cared for her, she truly believe that he had. But how could he move on so fast? No guy would ever look at her the way he did - like she was human and not some unattainable goddess. He was capable of such cruelty, but could she have come to understand?
Fleur swallowed hard. She turned to look at Daphne who was watching the scene unfold with amusement.
"I had him first," Fleur said. "When he's inside of you, know that, and hope he doesn't grow bored of you too."
Daphne's amusement turned to anger and then was immediately masked, but Fleur could feel it radiating off her.
"Now, Fleur." Harrison's tone was deathly. "And stay away from Daphne."
Tears stung Fleur's eyes and she blinked rapidly to keep them from falling. How did I end up here? How am I all alone? Fleur took a step back before running past them towards the Beauxbatons carriage.
11 April
A tiny house elf poured steaming hot tea into two white china cups. Lucius waved his hand and the house elf bowed before popping away. Lucius stared up at the Malfoy family portrait hanging in pride of place above the ornate black and gold fireplace. Draco's handsome young face looked seriously ahead, while Lucius' breathtaking wife smiled coyly. His eyes passed over the priceless artifacts glimmering on the mantle before settling onto Tom.
"Everyone who will be taking part in June has been informed of what will be required of them," Lucius said proudly.
"Good," Tom said. Nagini slithered around his chair, her scales glinting in the glow of the fireplace. "Everything appears to be going according to plan."
"And Viktor?" Lucius asked, one perfectly sculpted brow rising into his hairline.
"He's of no use to me," Tom said. "Luna's visions have proven to be…" His lips curled. "They have proven more of a hindrance than a help. It seems Viktor will be of no use." Tom stared into the fire and Lucius knew not to press on the matter of Luna's visions.
"Will he be disposed of?" Lucius asked. "He knows too much."
"A plan for Viktor is already in motion." Tom replied, waving his hand as though batting away a fly.
"Oh?" Lucius smirked.
"Harrison's idea," Tom said. "My son, so full of ideas." A smirk played on his lips.
Lucius wanted to know more but knew he would learn in time. Anticipation and excitement flooded through him as his mind raced with all of the plans that would soon be coming to fruition. Nearly two decades of work, and finally their goals would become reality. The time was nearing for the transformation of Britain's wizarding world, and Lucius and his family would be by the Dark Lord's side.
12 April - 3 PM
The wind around the Black Lake lashed furiously around Viktor as he threw himself against a large tree and slid to the ground. He could feel the wet earth beneath his robes, but he didn't care. His mind raced with thoughts of Ginny, Harrison, and the Dark Lord. What if the Dark Lord ordered his death? What if Harrison and his friends do something further to hurt Ginny?
Viktor's stomach twisted in knots. His nerves felt like they were on fire. Ginny was innocent in all of this, but because he fell for her she now finds herself in the crossfire. He'll never forgive himself if something happens to her. He didn't know what he could do. He couldn't go to anyone for help, he knew he was being watched. He had to save himself and Ginny on his own. Maybe if he could get away, he could hide somewhere, out of the reach of the Dark Lord.
But what about Ginny? She was only in trouble because of him. Without Viktor they would have no issue with her.
Viktor stared over the Black Lake and watched as a bird flew down over the water, its claws grazing the lake before flying back up. Viktor breathed in the cool air and let out a deep breath. He knew what he had to do. He would keep Ginny close until after the third task, then he'd get out of Scotland as fast as he could. He just needed to keep them both safe until then.
12 April - 6 PM
Clean dishes, a few with tiny chips around the edges, flew across the kitchen and into the open cupboards. Knitting needles worked away at unnatural speeds in midair, blue yarn twisting and turning with black yarn, a scarf slowly forming. Molly moved quickly around the kitchen, flicking her wand and causing the dining chairs to scoot themselves under the cluttered table.
Molly's brown eyes scanned the room looking for something to do. She needed something to do. Anything to keep her mind off the battle she knew was coming. Order meetings had been running late as everyone theorized when Voldemort would make a move and what that move would be. It was making her jumpy and filled her with dread. Her mind raced with worst case scenarios.
All Molly could think about was her children. She had lost so many people over the years at the hands of Voldemort and his followers, and the thought of losing anyone else was more than she could bear. The thought of Ginny lying dead on the floor flooded into her mind and she flicked her wand sending a stack of red and blue dishes crashing to the floor.
"It'll be ok, Molly," Arthur said quietly.
Molly spun around quickly and put her hand on her chest, her breath coming out in sharp bursts. Arthur looked exhausted, she could see the worry etched in his face. Molly stumbled forward and threw her arms around her husband.
"Oh, Arthur," Molly whimpered. "You don't know that. I'm so worried."
Arthur rubbed her back gently and Molly breathed in his scent. His presence calmed her and her breathing began to return to normal.
"We know that he's going to attack," Arthur said. "We're ready for them, Molly. The kids will be ok."
"You can't know that for sure," Molly countered.
"I have to believe it," Arthur said. "I need to."
Molly clung tighter to her husband. She looked out the large window above the kitchen sink. She could remember clearly days filled with laughter, as the kids ran around the overgrown garden. Fred and George would hunt for garden gnomes, and Ginny would search for butterflies. She closed her eyes and tried to convince herself that she was there again, listening to them laugh under the summer sun. She couldn't help but feeling that her thoughts were the closest that she would get to those days ever again.
17 April
Harrison dodged a bright red light and flicked his wand, sending a bright purple spell towards Blaise. The spell bounced off a shield charm and Blaise smirked. Harrison shot one spell after another, blue and green flashes of light charging towards Blaise. The Room of Requirement erupted into laughter and cheers as Blaise's shield fell and he flew into the air, slamming into the back wall. He slid to the ground.
"Who cast these cushioning charms?" Blaise complained as he rubbed the back of his head.
"The room did." Harrison laughed. "The room must have it out for you."
"Funny," Blaise muttered.
"Oh, lighten up," Leo said. "I'm next!"
"An excuse to cast spells at you?" Cass asked. "I'm in."
Harrison sat down on a large gray couch and put his hand on Daphne's knee. She kissed him and Harrison wished they were alone. She pulled away and winked at him as if she could read his thoughts. Harrison shook his head in amusement and turned to watch Cass and Leo duel.
He was growing impatient for the third task. He was tired of putting on a mask. Tired of pretending to the professors and the world. He wanted to stand by his fathers side, striking down those who would oppose them. He wanted to transform Hogwarts into a school that would produce the strongest wizards in the world.
He watched his friends cast shields and shoot spell after spell. Cass was turning into a top rate dueler, her mom in miniature. Leo was fast and his spell work creative. He couldn't wait to see what him and his friends would accomplish once they could come into the light.
Daphne leaned into Harrison and he breathed in her scent. They had only been together a week, but he was already falling fast. Her touch sent chills all over his body and her smile drove him crazy. Barty had told him that he would never be able to give himself away completely, but Harrison didn't believe that. He was young, but not foolish, and being with Fleur had been eye-opening. Daphne was everything he ever wanted and he could see a future with her. He was looking forward to where their relationship went.
"Daphne?" Blaise asked and gestured towards the dueling platform.
"You're on," Daphne said.
Harrison smirked, Blaise won't know what hit him.