Episode 10. Part 6

Episode 10. Part 6

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- Arrogant boy.

- Heartbreaker.

- Mr. icebreaker.

- Rude Girl.

- Dudley, Victor, and the Weasley twins, who had become cronies over the past month, simultaneously rolled their eyes: their friends Harold and Fleur never gave each other a moment's peace, fighting constantly. It had begun shortly after the first round, when a disappointed Frenchwoman had lashed out at Potter, who had responded in kind. Not a day of silence since. The whole of Hogwarts and the guests avoided them. Except for friends...

Victor would have run away from such company long ago, to the delight of the headmaster Karkaroff, who kept warning him of the danger, but the very clever girl Hermione Granger, who he liked, was often hanging around with them as well. At first the Bulgarian thought that she was the girlfriend of one of his cousins, but after talking to them, he realized that she was free. So he decided to quietly make contact with her, having been warned by the Pied Piper Club, and well aware that "Hermie" must not be offended. Granger, however, despite the approval of Harold, to whom she almost looked in the mouth, did not notice the advances ...

However, the Bulgarian hoped that this would change at the Christmas Ball, to which he had managed to invite the girl, and she - had time to agree. And, in Potter's company, as he wanted, he had made friends in whom he had no doubts. They didn't hang out with him and have fun with him because of his fame. But the bickering had managed to get to him, and he sincerely regretted that Delacour had fit in just as well... "Hump and hypocrite," Fleur called Harold with sincere indignation, not noticing the envious laughter of the girls behind him, and the smirks of the boys.

- Shameless coquette," Lord Potter responded, even somehow lazily, but no less excitedly. It wasn't a wit contest today, so he was a little bored: they were calling each other the same nicknames for the tenth time.

- Narcissistic egomaniac. - Harold sighed and asked wistfully: - Fleur, will you come to the ball with me? - The Frenchwoman froze with her mouth open, looking at her rival with distrustful eyes, but, realizing that he's not kidding, she picked herself up like a predator: - I'll ruin your Christmas.

- I'll make it worth your while. You bet I will," the boy who'd found his troubles again sniggered.

- With great displeasure, I agree," pretending that she, the queen, no less, had agreed to a dance with a commoner. - Yes, I'd have to get over my squeamishness complex, too, because I'd have to touch you," Harry didn't let up. Trying to ruin each other's lives took it to the next level..." They're the perfect couple! - Dudley, Victor, and Gemini exhaled in one voice in exasperation. Of course, they knew that their friends were just suddenly interested in each other, but not to this extent...

Looking at each other, they knew that at the ball a lot of guys will be biting their elbows with envy at Harold, and even more girls will suddenly hate Fleur. And they really were worth each other...

***

- My girl, are you out of your mind? - Clapped her imposing eyelashes with genuine bewilderment at the half-giant and Charmbaton principal, Madame Maxime, when, leaving her student to talk after class, she found out who her date would be at the Christmas ball. - He is a rival. Yes, he's good-looking, but a boy, three years younger than you. He's also too secretive. Who knows what he's up to?

- Madame Maximus, Potter is a closed-minded jerk with his brains leaking out through the famous scar on his forehead, but not a cheater. - Fleur had been expecting this conversation since the moment she'd agreed to Potter's proposal, but she still hadn't had time to prepare for it. She knew she would be dissuaded, but she only wanted to dance at the ball with him. Harold was a jerk, but in her opinion, he was the most worthy. - My inner Veil wouldn't be interested in a trickster. And age... you know it's nothing to us.

- You seem to have made up your mind," came a melodious voice from the corner of the Headmaster's office, which was housed in a magically enlarged mini Charmbaton carriage, set up for schoolwork, entertainment, and lodging alike. - Maman! - Fleur, of course, instantly recognized her mother's voice and jumped up from her stool to hug her. Madame Delacour was delighted to enclose her eldest daughter in an embrace, slyly inquiring, "Is he really so good, the national hero of Britain? - But Fleur was not provoked: "That's what I want to find out...

***

- They didn't take their eyes off each other for a second! - Dudley shuddered as the Weasley twins loomed up beside him. The ball was in full swing and, tired from dancing, he went to the special order table to get a drink for himself and his partner. Their choice of cocktail was a rare one, and the Hogwarts elves needed time to fill the order. As he waited, he watched his brother... A beautiful couple came out. Fleur wore a weightless turquoise dress that accentuated her figure, but didn't flaunt it. The intricate hair, the slight dreamy smile...

Even the old men looked up to her because she looked like a miraculous fairy. His cousin matched his partner: a little old-fashioned dark green, almost black camisole embroidered with silver, simple pants with arrows and the absence of the cloak showed that Harold kept his body in shape for a reason. And such a choice gave him the stature due to his status. And it was a good thing that he, Dudley, had advised his brother to put his hair in a low ponytail with a silver barrette. It aged him slightly, making his age match his partner's. Harold's height helped, though: he appeared taller than Fleur, also thanks to his training. And he seemed a fairy-tale sorcerer, much more realistic than the wizards assembled in the colorful robes of unimaginable colors, which for some reason were called ceremonial...

Bella picked out their ballgowns, though Harry asked her to do it, but he corrected them, too. Lord Potter decided to dress according to his status and he, Dudley made him conform. He wrinkled his nose because the lacing of the corset, which proved to be a natural part of their choice of clothing, hurt his ribs, preventing him from breathing freely. How had his brother tolerated it for so long? Of course, the answer was unequivocal: he simply didn't notice her, preoccupied with his partner. And that made Dudley smile, shaking his head...

- Dancing without a rest for three hours now," Fred continued.

- Dudley, we have bad news for you," George patted his shoulder, sympathetically. The twins waited for the questioning expression on their faces and in a mysterious whisper reported, "Your brother... - Is in love!

- And it's mutual," Victor Kram, who also jumped up to his friends, said with a chuckle. He'd come for a drink, too, but that didn't prevent him from glancing sideways at his first mate, Harold. - Ew," he exhaled tiredly and extremely contentedly, hugging an embarrassed Granger, his partner, "I've never danced so much in my life! Hermivona, you dance beautifully, you're beautiful... - Just Hermie... - blushing even more, Granger asked shyly. She was stunned by the interest in her, a Gryffindor nerd, of a famous athlete. But she liked Victor. He wooed her beautifully, embarrassing her wildly and complimented her as often as he could. No one had ever told her that she was a pretty girl, not just smart. Naturally, the fact that Kram had never learned to pronounce her name correctly was greatly lost on this background. However, half the guys at Hogwarts were shocked when she went down to the Hall today, to see Victor. She did her best to match her partner...

The Weasley twins squinted with fear at the mistletoe and pink mist that magically appeared today over many couples whose feelings for each other had long ago crept beyond the marks of "friendship" and "mutual sympathy." Only, contrary to expectation, there was no rose mist or mistletoe over Harold and Fleur. And only Dudley sensed that there was a cousin's magic at work here... - Dudley, run... - Fred whispered panickedly, looking with superstitious horror at the way Victor and Hermie were suspiciously close to each other's faces, and that under the mistletoe!

- I think your brother's illness is contagious," George hissed with emotion. Dudley grinned, "Excuse me, Dread, Forge, but my partner is waiting for me," with these words he glanced to one of the tables, from where a flushed Gryffindor classmate, Riona O'Neil, was smiling at him...

***

- So that's how it is. So he's chosen you as his new hero..." Harold thought about that in his mind, wondering what it would mean. The morning after the ball, he woke unusually early, although he returned from it closer to the morning, having accompanied his dancing partner to the carriage. He didn't feel sleepy anymore, but he didn't know what to do. Fortunately for him, Neville, who had returned only a little before him, was also awake and shyly asked him for a tete-a-tete while most of the school slept. So after their morning routine, they found an abandoned classroom, where they locked themselves in. And Longbottom finally dared to talk about his conversations with Dumbledore, and about someone slipping unknown potions into his food. He did not understand much of the talk, and he did not dare to ask the headmaster again. And he hoped that Harold would clarify what he wanted from him.

- A hero? - There was no need to question Potter. He wasn't much of a talker himself, but he answered questions that didn't concern him and his cousin, or touched them in passing.

- Yeah, to fight the dark forces in the guise of He-Man-Name and his Eaters," Harry shrugged. He found Neville's candidacy as a hero logical, if only because of his modesty. - I've never had much faith in the Headmaster, and he knows that after the way he poisoned Dudley, I'd rather stick a knife in his back than fight for his ideals. But you... You seem a little too naive and easy to control, I'm sorry. - Neville nodded. He knew it himself. But that was the result of his strict and demanding grandmother's upbringing, and also... a sort of protection against the aggressive world around him. - We Pied Pipers know that's not true. Especially now that your parents are fine. But the principal probably just decided not to take any more chances with the burly students.

- But I don't want to be a hero! - Longbottom exclaimed. - I mean... - Like Dudley, you think you're a coward," Harold grinned, smiling and shaking his head. - But if you were, you wouldn't have gotten into Gryffindor. You have more courage than you know. I, on the other hand, had a hard time getting into the faculty. The hat said I was only suitable for Slytherin," he sighed sincerely, ignoring first his friend's surprised look and then his understanding one.

- "That's true. Even our Slytherins wonder how you got into Gryffindor," Neville smiled.

- Eh, I wish I knew about this prophecy..." Potter was wistfully calculating whether it was possible to get into the Hall of Prophecy with his status as Lord and potential participant in the prophecy. It was worth finding out. But who?! He didn't know anyone at the Ministry who worked in the Department of Mysteries. Or did he, but he didn't know? - So he said I was probably on a mission when I was a year old, and he was wrong about me? - Neville nodded. - Let me guess, he warned me that knowing the snake language was a dark gift...

- And that he'd found traces of your magic on the troll brought to school and killed by someone in our first year, as well as on Quirrell and on Ginny. - Harold wondered immensely: so magic or a magical trace could be traced? This was getting dangerous in an unkind way. - He said he had no proof that you were involved, but sometimes doubts are enough...

- Oh, really? So he's been looking for something to do with me for a long time. - Nicholas was obviously right that there was no need to rush to revenge. But his natural incredulity was more curious about something else.

- I've seen your strength," he shrugged, not noticing the wariness in his friend's voice. Yet the flame of doubt about Potter smoldered inside him...

After all, he had indeed seen his power, seen how he easily tore the Chamber of Secrets into fine sand with mere thought. Had he not been too hasty with his vassal oath?! - I owe her. Remember when you saved me in flight class my freshman year? - Harold rolled his eyes and patted Neve on the shoulder. He'd acted on instinct then anyway, not thinking about the consequences.

- Thank you for sharing information about Dumbledore," Harold breathed out with sincere gratitude. - But I don't understand, what do you want from me?

- Help me avoid the headmaster's web," Neville asked bluntly. - Dad advised me to stay close to you. He said you made a very good impression on him. And as suzerain, you're supposed to take care of me..." He added the last sentence in a coy tone. He didn't want to pressure his friend, but he doubted Potter would help without it. He'd doubted for nothing, by the way.

- There's a Slytherin hiding in you..." Harry laughed. - And it's all right that I'm hiding your parents' tormentor, and I treat her well? - Longbottom shook his head vigorously in denial, hastily explaining," Dad said that only a few have the strength, courage, intelligence, and good-heartedness to not only tame people as crazy and strong as Bella, but not to hate them for their crimes, to forgive and give them a chance to reform. I haven't been able to forgive yet, but you- -Cute. I don't think it's about me, but it's nice," Harold commented, after a few moments of surprised stupor, on what he thought was an odd way of looking at events. But it didn't matter: "Well, I'll help. Dudley and I will help..." he held out his hand for a handshake, and Neville shook it with relief.

Neither of them heard the quiet laughter of magic: another of her children had returned to her roots when the mental bookmarks in his mind had been shattered by the will of her other child. Still, she was not mistaken in her chosen one...

***

- Riona, I'm asking you to be my girlfriend..." Dudley asked, struggling to suppress his embarrassment, to the former dance partner at the ball. Unhappy or happy, O'Neill, red to the roots of her hair, could only nod as she placed her trembling hand in Dursle's icy palm, also from excitement. The performance took place in the great hall at breakfast, in thunderous silence. And as soon as Riona agreed to be the girlfriend of Boy Who Survived's cousin, clapper shots erupted from all four faculty tables, apparently replacing the salute. But especially zealous activists jumped up on the tables, stretching banners...

So, for example, Nott, Zabini, Malfoy, and the Greengrass sisters jumped up, stretching a banner with a slogan-wishing to love each other to death. Booth, Corner, and Lovegood advised on their banner that the couple should not be bogged down in their studies because they were not going to do extracurricular assignments for them. Ravenclaws, what can you take them for?! Bones, Abbott, McMillan, and Finch-Flechley advised them not to pay attention to the idiots who raised the banners, but to enjoy each other's company. Well, the Weasley twins, Longbottom, Krum, who was hugging Granger, and Harold himself, on whom Delacour, who had actually moved to the Gryffindor table, was actually hanging, wrote on the banner a simple but succinct "Dudley, we are proud of you. Take care of your girl!" And none of the boys paid any attention to Dursle and O'Neil, blushing like boiled crayfish.

Harold cheered for his brother, but still coolly calculated that there were already twenty people in the club and they were willing to give up their statuses for the sake of supporting each other. Of course, Victor and Fleur didn't know yet that all his friends, not just friends of the Boy Who Didn't Die, but also a "secret club," but Dudley had already said that they, and not just them, would be in the club by the end of the year. Yeah, he had nine people from his class that he and his cousin had become friends with since sophomore year. And his friends had friends, too. After all, in Gryffindor alone there were thirteen of their year's intake, including themselves. Four were already in the club, five more he knew, and it wasn't that he disliked them, just that they were people his cousins didn't have common interests with. Another one genuinely considered himself an enemy of Harry Potter. That left four, and it was with them that Harold managed to get along, for all his taciturnity and distrustfulness. In general, the club was in full swing.

As for amorous matters, Potter had everything under control. Hermione's ward, finally, allowed her femininity to manifest itself and woo the famous catcher. In short, they made quite a pair. Sue and Nev were perfect for each other, too. Korner had a crush on Hannah. Theodore was infatuated with Astoria, which made Draco very sad since his father had promised him a marriage contract with the younger Greengrass, but the elder Nott had surpassed Lucius. He did not grieve long, though, until he fell for Luna's long white hair. As for the Ice Queen of Hogwarts, the eldest Greengrass and his best friend, she continued to send all her suitors away, including the Pied Piper. She only let Harold himself into her personal space - as her best friend. But even his cousin didn't have half of those privileges.

Well, Potter himself, a day after the ball, paid a visit to the Ministry of Magic of France, in the department alternative to the British Aurorat, specifically to its chief, Monsieur Delacourt. It was a personal visit, because Harold asked permission to meet with Delacourt's eldest daughter, Fleur. The surprised man didn't dare refuse him, only warned him about the explosive nature and frivolous behavior with other boys of the women of his family. Potter was already well acquainted with Fleur's character, so he wasn't afraid. And he ended up with the most... unforgettable girl in two countries. I didn't care if she had a bad temper, as long as she didn't let him get bored.

Everything was fine. Until...

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