Chapter 31: Aftermath
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER. IT BELONGS TO JK ROWLING.
A/N: Read, enjoy, and remember not to take either life or my writing too seriously.
In the Great Hall the next morning, Harry and Hermione were enjoying a pleasant breakfast. They had learned to tune out the sight and sound of Ron eating. If it weren't for the nausea it created, watching him try to hold onto his egg with one hand while shoveling food into his mouth with the other might have been amusing.
As usual, the owls began their morning deliveries before the meal was over. Hermione quickly unrolled the Daily Prophet and saw a picture of Fleur Delacour, taken during the Weighing of the Wands, headlining the front-page article.
Veela Terrorizes Hogwarts
By Rita Skeeter
This reporter witnessed the most shocking and brazen event on the night of the Yule Ball at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Following a romantic evening of dancing by the Boy-Who-Lived, Harry Potter, and his love interest, Miss Hermione Granger (see accompanying articles on the spectacular dancing skills portrayed by the couple and an updated analysis of Mr. Potter's kissing skills), the two lovebirds were enjoying a quiet moment in the gardens when the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic Triwizard Champion and part-Veela, Fleur Delacour, attempted to ensnare our young hero using her Veela powers.
Only the true love Mr. Potter feels for his girlfriend, and Miss Granger's formidable defense of her wizard, prevented the theft and corruption of our national hero's affections and innocence.
I call upon the Headmaster of Hogwarts and the Beauxbatons Headmistress to launch a joint investigation into this event. I also call upon my readers to show their displeasure toward the Beauxbatons champion herself. Finally, I call upon my readers to let Miss Granger know of their appreciation for the love she has for our young hero and her willingness to defend him at all costs.
When Hermione finished reading the article, she sat quietly for a moment, remembering that evening in the garden.
I'll always be there for Harry, she thought.
Finally breaking out of her thoughts, she noticed several Beauxbatons students standing nearby.
"Excuse me, Mademoiselle Granger?" asked one of the students in light blue cloaks.
"Yes?" Hermione answered cautiously as both she and Harry placed their hands on their wands.
"We," the student said, gesturing to the group beside her, "wish to apologize on behalf of our school. Zough we wish eet understood zat zis is only on behalf of ze school and not Mademoiselle Delacour 'erself. We find what she did disgusting and inexcusable."
"Thank you," Hermione said, relaxing. "I hold no grudge against your academy. My family and I have traveled many times to your wonderful country and plan to continue doing so."
"Zank you. My name eez Michelle," the leader of the group said. "We also would like to ask a favor, s'il vous plait."
"What would that be?" Hermione asked.
"Could you teach us ze spell you used on Mademoiselle Delacour? She 'as stolen several of our boyfriends, and we would like to defend our love interests as well as you did."
"Eet ees very funny," another Beauxbatons student chimed in. "For ze first time, zat truie is 'aving to wear make-up. She won't leave ze carriage."
"I'll be glad to," Hermione replied. "But I would prefer to wait until you are preparing to leave. I can't guarantee that one of you isn't actually friends with her, and knowing the exact spell might make it possible for a cure to be found before it wears off—or if I need to use it again."
"We understand," Michelle replied. "Zough we can guarantee zat no female in ze whole school likes 'er. She struts around ze school as if she eez a queen, and if you make 'er angry, she transform into 'ag-bird. Last year Marianna," Michelle nodded toward another student, "got 'it with 'er fire and was in ze 'ospital for two weeks."
"Well, if she causes too much trouble before you leave, come see me again," Hermione said.
"Zank you."
Dumbledore, meanwhile, was in a foul mood.
Alastor Moody had stood him up the previous day. After spending two full hours braiding his beard for the meeting, his old friend had simply failed to appear. Dumbledore looked down at his carefully braided beard in frustration. He had even washed it beforehand.
And still he had been stood up.
As he glared toward the gnarled Defense professor, Professor McGonagall's voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Well, Albus, are you going to investigate the Beauxbatons champion's attack on Mister Potter?"
"Investigate what, Minerva?"
"The report that the Beauxbatons champion attacked Mister Potter and Miss Granger," McGonagall repeated as she pushed the morning's Daily Prophet under his nose.
Dumbledore glanced down and quickly skimmed the article before his eyes were caught by an advertisement for magical grease-removing shampoo.
Hmm… I wonder if Severus would like that for a birthday present?
He carefully considered the idea.
Probably not.
The Headmaster leaned back in his chair.
Perhaps socks.
"Well, Albus?" McGonagall asked.
"Well what?" Dumbledore replied serenely.
"Will you be investigating?"
"What do I need to investi—" Dumbledore paused as he remembered the article.
"Of course, Minerva. A full investigation will be conducted at the earliest possible time."
"And when would that be?" she asked sharply.
"As soon as I can fit it into my busy schedule."
"I presume that means after the Beauxbatons delegation leaves."
"Well, the school year is quite full."
McGonagall rolled her eyes.
Moody—who was actually Crouch Jr.—was suffering from a brutal hangover. Even two headache potions had failed to dull the pounding in his skull.
The previous day he had encountered Ron Weasley in the corridor.
"Weasley," he growled.
Ron stopped immediately.
"Yes, sir?"
"I see you have your egg."
"I carry it everywhere."
"Have you solved the clue yet?"
"Clue?"
"The clue in the egg."
"The egg is a clue?"
"Yes."
Ron looked delighted.
"You mean I have a clue? Fred and George will be amazed!"
He ran off happily.
Moody contemplated using the Cruciatus Curse on himself.
The next morning Hogwarts was flooded with owls.
Hundreds of them plastered the Beauxbatons carriage, delivering letters and Howlers to Fleur Delacour. Several Howlers exploded every minute as angry readers expressed their outrage.
Another flock entered the Great Hall.
Some flew to the Gryffindor table.
Ron sighed happily when he saw them.
He was certain they contained fan mail.
He imagined witches across England finally recognizing how handsome and heroic he was.
Half the owls landed directly on him.
The other half landed beside Hermione.
Ron eagerly opened his first letter.
Dear Ronald Weasley,
After reading the article yesterday, I find it embarrassing to live in the same country as you.
—Evelyn Ridgewater
Ron frowned.
Must have me confused with Malfoy.
He opened another.
Mr. Weasel,
You disgust me. Expect a curse soon.
Ron shrugged.
Another weirdo.
Meanwhile Hermione read letters praising her and Harry.
"…wishing you both happiness…"
"…so glad you two…"
"…love is wonderful…"
Ron continued eating happily.
"PPPWWWWT!
Victor Krum entered the Great Hall with Luna Lovegood on his arm.
He stayed near her whenever possible. According to Luna, Hogwarts was full of dangerous creatures like Nargles and Wrackspurts.
Ron spotted him.
He rushed over.
"Victor! Want to see my broomstick sometime?"
Krum stared in horror at Ron, who was covered in owl droppings.
"Do you carry your own balls?" Ron continued eagerly.
Before he could finish, Ron suddenly convulsed and collapsed.
Luna calmly lowered her wand.
"He seems to have a severe Wrackspurt infection," she said dreamily.
Krum looked at Ron twitching on the floor.
"How long vill he be like that?"
"Oh… three or four days."
"Could it be longer?" Krum asked hopefully.
Four days later Ron finally woke up.
Moody found him again.
"Weasley, how is the clue going?"
"Oh, the egg is fine! I polish it every night!"
Moody sighed.
"Try opening it in the prefects' bathroom."
Later Ron ran into Cedric.
"Moody told me to take a bath with my egg," Ron said cheerfully. "Want to join?"
Cedric fled immediately.
Even after multiple attempts, Ron still misunderstood everything.
Finally Moody followed him into the bathroom and threw the egg into the tub so Ron could hear the clue properly.
The egg sang:
Come seek us where our voices sound,
We cannot sing above the ground…
Ten minutes later Ron asked:
"What does 'ponder' mean?"
Moody nearly lost his mind.
Ron eventually concluded the second task involved catching a missing black Snitch.
Moody briefly considered letting Voldemort kill him.
Meanwhile Dumbledore had his own problem.
He needed a hostage for Ron in the second task.
Unfortunately, nobody volunteered.
Even Harry laughed hysterically at the suggestion.
While wandering the corridors one day, Dumbledore overheard Fred and George discussing Ron's egg.
Suddenly the solution came to him.
Ron's egg can be the hostage.
Satisfied, the Headmaster returned to pondering more important issues—such as why Moody had stopped visiting him.
For Harry and Hermione, however, the month had been wonderful.
They spent more time studying in the library—mainly because Ron never went there.
Hermione had begun rewarding Harry for good grades, which made studying surprisingly motivating. The kiss she gave him after he received an Outstanding on a Transfiguration essay ensured he worked even harder.
Their Hogsmeade trip later that month was equally enjoyable.
Rita Skeeter also published an article praising Hagrid for his friendship with Harry. In response, Hagrid brought unicorns to class. The girls were allowed to pet them, while the boys cautiously touched the foals.
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