"Do we have to do this?" Red asked as he and the rest of the group currently stood in the forbidden forest at night along with the body of the dragon that Harry killed.
"Yep." Harry nodded. "I get the feeling something bad is about to happen and I'd like to be as prepared for it as possible. The tournament alone is fishy enough."
"Fine...if we must." Red sighed.
"Alright, I'll do the ritual." Harry said. "Red, Violet, you two will work on restraining me long enough for Rose to grab me and calm me down. Ryan, you're on lookout duty, get ready to call us if you see any person coming and be ready to get Rose out of here in case something goes wrong."
"Got it." Ryan said just as the ring on his finger transformed into a bow.
"Great, let's do this then." Harry said.
Several minutes later a large roar was heard, fortunately nobody had heard it apart from the forest animals that ran away in fright.
The next day, Harry noticed that a lot of people were avoiding him or jumping out of his way. Because, believe it or not, killing a dragon and using a killing curse could make people think you're dangerous. Didn't stop Adrian, Daphne or his friends from hanging out with him.
Soon he and Adrian found themselves in Dumbledore's repaired office. Adrian sat down after Harry, who was not really happy about being summoned.
"Where is Dumbledore?" Adrian asked
"The diva is probably planning to make a bit of an entrance" Harry sighed "but as of the moment, he's currently up the stairs, under a charm to make himself invisible, and I would really appreciate it if you would stop wasting our time sir." Adrian looked up and was surprised to find Dumbledore standing on the stairs.
"How did you know I was there?" Dumbledore asked
"I think the fact that you just basically admitted that you were there is enough to give me a headache" Harry replied, ignoring Dumbledore's question "now, why are we here? This had better be important, I'm taking a break from some crucial level snogging for this."
"Well Mr Potter," Dumbledore walked down and sat at his desk "I wanted to talk to you both about the events of yesterday. Firstly, I'd like to start with congratulating you both on your victory. I must admit Adrian, I was very impressed by the simplicity and brilliance of your strategy." Dumbledore said, giving Adrian a kind smile.
"Wasn't mine sir," Adrian admitted "it was Harry's strategy and we had a backup strategy in case it didn't work, which was to summon our brooms and get out of there. Luckily, I never needed the second plan, as for Harry I think he either forgot about it or just decided to not use it." Adrian said as he gave a questioning glance at Harry.
"It tried to attack my friends." Harry shrugged.
"Ah yes," Dumbledore turned to the Slytherin Potter "I must admit Potter, you were simply marvelous yesterday. I understand that you used a flame freezing spell to survive the dragon fire, not many would have the power to use the spell in a way to defend against dragon fire, simply genius if I do say so myself." Harry remained silent, choosing not to tell Dumbledore that he did not use a flame freezing spell. "However, we still need to discuss your actions.
"Must we?" Harry raised an eyebrow. "I can think of much more interesting things to discuss, perhaps how that dragon was able to get out of those chain and why there were not more safety precautions to prevent it from happening."
"That will be investigated, Mr Potter," Dumbledore assured him "but let's not get off topic. You appear to also have the ability to fly, many wizards throughout history have levitated themselves but none have been able to fly like you have, at least not without a broom."
"Always knew I was special." Harry grinned as he leaned back into his chair.
"Would you like to share how you did it?"
"Not really." Harry shrugged, pretending not to understand what was basically an order.
"I'm afraid I will still ask, how did you learn to fly?"
"How much would such knowledge be worth to you?"
"You want money?" Dumbledore raised an eyebrow.
"I'd love some now that you mention it." Harry nodded. "I'm sure that you could afford to spare some money seeing as you're headmaster of the 'most prestigious magical school in Britain', Chief Warlock and Supreme mugwump."
"And I'm sure that you do not need money as you are..."
Oh Dumbledore, this isn't about needs, this about wants. Ten galleons if you want it."
"Very well," Dumbledore sighed as he pulled out ten galleons and gave it to Harry, ten galleons was a brilliantly cheap price for learning to fly. Dumbledore briefly wondered why Harry would charge such a low price but decided that it was probably due to him being raised in America and likely not knowing the proper worth of a galleon.
"Brilliant," Harry said, taking the galleons from Dumbledore. "Do you promise not to tell anyone?"
"I promise." Dumbledore smiled his grandfatherly smile.
"Fairy dust and happy thoughts." Harry answered with a straight face.
"Really?" Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. "Like the patronus charm?" He asked curiously.
"Oh yes, works miracles," Harry replied "you just take some fairy dust, throw it over yourself and think happy thoughts then you jump off of something. When you jump you'd want some air and remember to keep yourself facing horizontally when you jump."
"Why horizontally?"
"Just trust me when I say it's better" Harry replied, what he did not say was that it made it better for Dumbledore to fall on his face "you'd also need some height as the dust will keep you up in the air but it won't help you take off. For an extra ten galleons I can give you some later."
"Very well." Dumbledore sighed as he handed him another ten galleons.
"Brill, you'll get that later."
"Thank you Mr Potter, may I ask where you learnt this?"
"No," Harry shook his head "my secrets are my own and I am not obligated to share them with you simply because you ask."
"I am the headmaster." Dumbledore reminded him
"You think that means anything?" Harry raised an eyebrow "You may be king of the castle but you are not my king"
"Mr Potter, have I wronged you in some way?"
"Yes," Harry nodded "you have wronged me in so many way, some forgivable, others aren't."
"What way's?" Dumbledore asked curiously, he got the sense that Harry was talking about more than just leaving him at the Dursley's, to be fair Dumbledore wasn't sure that Harry even knew that Dumbledore placed him there.
"I'm sure someone as smart as you can work it out." Harry smiled sweetly at him, before his face went back to neutral "is there anything else you wanted?"
"Yes, I was quite shocked to see you use an unforgivable curse." Dumbledore answered.
"I have no regrets about that," Harry leaned back in the chair "between me and the enemy, I chose the enemy every time."
"Mr Potter, that was a very dark curse."
"Your point?" Harry raised an eyebrow "It wasn't illegal to use it against a dragon and I haven't used it against a person so I don't see what the problem is"
"Harry, you are turning dark" Dumbledore said "that spell is definitely not something a light wizard should be using"
"Who ever said I was light?" Harry replied "Just because my family supported you in the last war, does not mean that I do."
"You are claiming to be a member of the dark?"
"Did I say that?" Harry said with an annoyed expression "I hate Voldemort with a passion but I do not trust you. I'm not light and I'm not dark, I don't care enough to take a side in the little chess match that you had going with Voldemort. Not like you were effective anyway."
"Mr Potter, me and the order had accomplished great things during the war and…"
"You, your order and the ministry were battling against a few hundred death eaters that didn't even make up a quarter of the British population and you were still losing and would've lost if not for a lucky night."
"Mr Potter, you know nothing about war." Dumbledore replied condescendingly
"You're right, all I know is how to survive," Harry replied "now, is there anything else?"
"No," Dumbledore sighed "I simply have to inform you that you both are expected to take part in the opening dance at the Yule ball."
"Fine." Harry stood up and walked out, Adrian slowly stood up and followed him.
"Harry," Adrian caught up to his brother once they were out "you alright?"
"I'm fine" Harry reassured him "just as long as that old man keeps his distance"
"What did he do to you?" Adrian asked "What did Dumbledore do that made you hate him so much?"
"It's a long story," Harry sighed "not a pleasant one either"
"You hate him." Adrian said, it wasn't a question.
"I do more than hate him," Harry responded "I'll tell you one day, just not today."
"Fine" Adrian said, realizing his brother wasn't going to say more on that particular subject "so…I'm guessing that you're going with Daphne to the ball?"
"Yep" Harry nodded "how about you?"
"I…I don't know" Adrian replied "I don't really know who to ask"
"Well, what are you looking for in a girl?" Harry asked "If it's just looks then you could go with Fleur, if it's brains then you could probably go with a Ravenclaw. What are you searching for my young student?"
"I don't know," Adrian shrugged "perhaps someone who is willing to forgive me for being a prat all these years or at least doesn't treat me like a prat, preferably be good looking and just someone nice, you know."
"Hmm, I have a few ideas for you." Harry said.
"You want to help me get a date?" Adrian asked Harry
"Of course," Harry nodded "you're my brother and you're a Potter. What you do at the event reflects on me, yourself and the family. I've got to make sure you look good, can you dance?"
"Uh…no, not really" Adrian admitted
"I'll teach you," Harry responded "but excuse me for now, I need to go and ask Daphne if she wants to be my date to the ball."
"But she's your girlfriend, she's obviously going to go with you"
"Never assume brother" Harry winked at him "try and find a girl yourself, and if it doesn't work then I'll help you out"
"Greengrass," Harry heard Malfoy drawl as soon as he entered the common room, he saw Malfoy walking towards Daphne who did not look happy at having Malfoy talk at her...or even look at her...or even be near her...long story short Malfoy did not make Daphne happy. "there's a yule ball happening, I would like it if..."
"Daphne," Harry cut Malfoy off by rushing forwards and sliding down to his knee so he was now kneeling in front of Daphne, he took her soft hand into his own and planted a small kiss on it. "my beautiful and lovely girlfriend, would you allow me the honour and privilege of being your date to the yule ball?" He asked with a smile.
"Yes," Daphne smiled back, mostly because of Harry asking and the way he asked, but the fact that it annoyed Malfoy was just a brilliant bonus. "yes I would love to Harry."
"Him!" Malfoy exclaimed in shock and disbelief with a touch of anger. "He's just a filthy half-blood who..."
"Who beat a dragon dumbass." Red interrupted.
"Well Malfoy," Harry said as he stood up and let go of Daphne's hand before turning to Malfoy. "we could always fight for the honour." Harry said as his hands became covered in lightning just as wind began blowing. Malfoy gulped, and backed away, he did not like Potter but he was not about to forget the fact that Potter had killed a dragon. "Yeah, that's what I thought Malfoy." Harry said to the fleeing blonde before turning to the better looking blonde. "Sorry about that."
"Don't apologise for Malfoy," Daphne said with a wave of her hand. "he just has a need to annoy someone, unfortunately he choses me and you."
"So..." Harry said. "...do you want to go and snog?"
"..."
"..."
"...
"..."
"Okay." She said as he grabbed her hand and the two walked off.
"Ridiculously sweet." Ryan said with a shake of his head.
"I'd like a sweet." Rose said.
"Here you go." Red rolled his eyes and handed her one.
"Love you Red." Rose smiled at him.
"After all the sweet's I've given you, you had better."
Victor Krum was currently sat in the library, a little father down Hermione and Ron were sat. Ron was somewhere between wanting to talk to Krum whilst also being too nervous to do so. Hermione could admit that Krum was a handsome man, and the fact that he was a famous quidditch player was a nice bonus.
Perhaps if she had him as her date then Adrian would get jealous and come back to his senses and realize that he needed her. It was obvious to her that Adrian's brother was corrupting Adrian, before Adrian would have listened to Hermione and did what she said before, but now he doesn't. Adrian had in fact tried his best to avoid her and Ron since the first task.
"Alright Krum? You smug bastard" A voice brought the two out of their thoughts and they looked up to see Harry, Red and Ryan sitting with Krum "we've been looking for you." Harry added.
"Sorry," Krum apologized "vat did you vant to talk about?"
"Firstly, do you have a date yet?" Ryan asked, Ron scowled while Hermione perked up.
"Not yet." Krum admitted with a small frown
"Well, do not fear my friend, we have your back." Red smiled. "Trust us, Harry over here got the best looking Slytherin in the school."
"Yeah, I already have a date so I have nothing better to do than help the rest of you sorry sods." Harry said with a grin.
"Thank you," Krum said dryly "well, I did have one I was thinking about." Krum leaned in as did the trio and whispered something to the three, a few seconds later he leaned back. "What do you think?" Krum got his answer when Harry delivered a dope slap on the back of his head
"No," Harry said, he leaned in and whispered into Krum's ear "she abandoned my brother after his name came out, despite the fact that she was his best friend for the last few years." Harry leaned back and stopped whispering "I don't think that that's the type of person you want to go with."
"True" Krum sighed disappointedly "who do you suggest?" Harry whispered his answer into Krum's ear "Really? Her?"
"Yeah, she finds it difficult to get dates," Harry replied "but she's also smart and kind once you get to know her."
"Very vell," Krum nodded "I shall ask her"
"Good for you." Harry smiled "Just tell her that I recommended you, it'll help a lot."
"I'm sure" Krum chuckled and the four continued talking.
"Who do you think they're talking about?" Ron asked Hermione from where they were sitting.
"I don't know!" Hermione internally cursed Harry for ruining her plan, even though she knew there was no way he would have knew her plan.
"Are you done in here?" Harry asked.
"Ya" Krum nodded "would you three like to accompany me on a flight? I vant to go and fly around for a bit"
"Sure, unless you want to duel." Harry grinned, a grin that was soon matched by his two friends.
"Oh no," Krum quickly shook his head. "I'm not dueling you two again," Krum said to Harry and Red. "nor am I fighting you." He added to Ryan who was about to speak. "last time vas enough." Krum shuddered.
"Baby." Harry replied as they all stood up
"You say baby, the healer said broken arms." Krum said as they walked out
"Yeah but they're fixed so stop being such a pansy."
"You nearly cost me a leg"
"What does that matter? You have two for a reason" Red replied.
"What the bloody hell was that about?!" Ron exclaimed once they had left, which then resulted in the librarian kicking him and Hermione out, which was why Hermione was glaring at him the whole way back to the common room.
"Okay so you two are going together." Red said to Daphne and Harry as they all sat at the Slytherin table, apart from Tracy and Blaise who both decided to spend their time together in a broom closet.
"That is correct." Harry nodded.
"So now the rest of us have to get dates." Violet said.
"I've got a date." Rose smiled happily.
"With who?" Violet asked.
"I'm going with Krum." Rose said. "Harry and the boys set us up together, we're just going as friends though."
"That's surprising." Violet said, knowing how protective the group was about Rose.
"Well...we threatened to rip his cock off if he didn't behave." Harry confessed as Red and Ryan nodded proudly.
"Good." Was all Violet said.
"Now how are the rest of us going to get dates?" Red asked.
"I don't know about you but for me the answer is 'easily'." Ryan smirked.
"Oh yeah, prove it." Red said in a challenging voice.
"Fine then I will." Ryan said, he paused and looked around and spent a few moments deciding on who he would ask. "Ah, that's perfect. I'll ask Fleur." Ryan said as he walked towards where Fleur was sat. The group looked and noticed that Ronald Weasley was already there and talking to Fleur.
"Uh...hi..." Ron said with glazed eyes as he looked at Fleur with drool coming out of his mouth. "I...I was wondering...if you..." As Ron was trying to regain the ability to speak Fleur was doing her best not to face palm. As a Veela she possessed an allure that attracted those interested in the female sex, unfortunately it also meant that the weaker men would turn into bumbling and stammering wrecks when near her. But for her the worst part was the fact that this boy was wasting her time by trying to speak when she was eating, so she decided to just ignore him and continue eating so she could just leave.
"Hey Fleur." A voice called, breaking Ron out of his daze and Fleur out of her thoughts as they both turned to see Ryan walk up to them.
"Ryan." Fleur said in greeting.
"Hi, Fleur I was wondering if I could have the pleasure of being your date to the ball?" Ryan said with a charming smile.
"That would be acceptable." Fleur smiled, it didn't really matter to her that Ryan was a squib. Despite being a squib he was more resistant to her allure than most wizards she met.
"What him?!" Ron blurted out as he pointed at Ryan. "But...but he's a squib..."
"Yeah but I'm the one who got the girl." Ryan grinned at him before turning to Fleur. "Perhaps you'd like to go for a walk once you've finished eating?"
"I have finished." Fleur said as she stood up.
"My lady." Ryan offered her an arm, she smiled and took it and walked out with him. "That's how it's done." Ryan mouthed to the group before exiting the hall.
"I've taught him well." Harry said with a proud smile as he wiped away fake tears. "Now Violet, Red, which one of you is going first?"
"I don't really know who to ask." Violet shrugged.
"I can make a suggestion." Harry offered.
"Do you ever get tired of playing matchmaker?" Red asked with a roll of his eyes.
"I'll stop playing matchmaker when all of you fuck-ups are married and I no longer have to keep acting like your mother." Harry replied. "Now Violet, I would like to suggest my brother."
"Why?" Violet raised an eyebrow as she glanced towards the Gryffindor table where she saw Adrian who was holding back laughter and was still looking at Ron who was still frozen in shock and disbelief from having been rejected by a Veela who had preferred to go with a squib.
"Well a lot of people don't like him." Harry said.
"He has been known to be a bit if a jerk." Daphne admitted while sending Harry an apologetic look.
"Exactly," Harry said to Violet. "you're a good looking girl, you're smart and you don't have any bad history with him. Plus...if we're being honest..."
"You think we'd be good together?" Violet asked.
"Well I have no doubt that you'd be able to keep him in line," Harry answered. "besides it's just a date, it's not like I'm telling you to marry him."
"True," Violet said. "he's not that bad in the look department either."
"Well he is a Potter," Harry smirked. "so go and ask him."
"Fine." Violet sighed before walking towards Adrian.
"What's so funny to you?!" Ron demanded as he walked up to Adrian and stopped in front of him when he saw the amused look on Adrian's face.
"Several things Ron, your face, your failure at getting a date, shall I go on?" Adrian asked in an innocent voice.
"Yeah well..." Ron's face turned red in a combination of anger and embarrassment. "it's not like you could get a date you prat!"
"Oi Potter." Violet said as she arrived, she placed a hand on Adrian's shoulder and leaned down. "do you have a date?"
"Um...no." Adrian said with a small shake of his head.
"Do you want to go with me?" Violet asked.
Really?" Adrian asked with a shocked voice.
"Do you not want to go with me?"
"No...no I didn't say that..." Adrian said. "...it's just...why me? I mean you're like a really good looking girl and I'm..."
"Well first of all you're not all that bad in the looks department." Violet said, causing Adrian to blush. "Besides your brother suggested I go with you."
Adrian's eye went wide at that and he looked in Harry's direction, Harry smiled at him as he extended his arm and gave him a big thumbs up. Rose also looked at him and gave him a smile and a small wave while Red just shrugged and gestured to Violet with his head.
"Um...okay...I mean yeah. Yeah I'd like to go with you." Adrian said to Violet.
"Great," Violet smiled at him before looking towards Ron who was standing there and gaping at them. "Can I help you? If not can you leave."
"Don't talk to me like that!" Ron replied.
"I'll talk to you however I like, you going to do something about it?" Violet gave him a challenging look, Ron looked like he was going to actually try something so she continued. "And before you do anything, I'd like to remind you that I have my protective brother and protective friend watching." She gestured with her head to where Harry and Red were sitting, both had their wands drawn and were looking in their direction with a warning look aimed at Ron. "Plus I'm not half-bad with a wand either." Violet said as she flicked her wrist and her wand came into her hand.
"Yeah and I'm obligated to defend my date," Adrian said as he pulled out his own wand. "not saying that you cant' defend yourself or anything." He quickly added to Violet.
Ron glared between the two before he stormed off, cursing under his breath.
"Well, it looks like you're the only one without a date." Daphne said to Red.
"Only one so far." Red responded. "Don't really know who to ask."
"Hello Kitty." Luna said as she sat at the table and began petting Red on the top of his head.
"Oh Luna!" Rose said in an excited voice. "Can you go to the ball with Red?"
"Rose?!" Red blurted out in a shock voice.
"No, Luna, I'm already going with Krum." Rose replied. "So what do you say?" She asked
"Okay." Luna smiled her dreamy smile before turning to Red. "Do you think they'll have pudding at the ball?" She asked.
"I don't have a clue." Red sighed as he put his face in his hands.
In Dumbledore's office that night, Dumbledore threw a pot of fairy powder over himself. He took a deep breath, he pictured his happiest thoughts. He took one more breath and he ran, he jumped off the staircase and prayed for the best. He had placed cushioning charms down on the floor just in case,
He jumped and closed his eyes, a few seconds later he opened them. To his amazement he was still in the air, Potter was right! He was flying! This was brilliant! He would be Dumbledore the flying wizard! He could imagine the envy of the other wizards, he'd need to find a way to keep Potter and his friends quiet about the fairy dust.
What he didn't notice was Harry hiding in the shadows and holding Dumbledore up with a levitating charm. What he also didn't notice was Harry's friends also there in his office, each with a camera.
Suddenly Dumbledore was no longer in the air, he plummeted right down and landed on his desk. The one part of the room he didn't put a cushioning charm, he barely noticed the camera flash as he smashed through the wooden desk.
Despite the pain and the splinters, he did hear some laughter for a brief second but when he looked up he couldn't find the source of it. Looking down at himself, he couldn't really understand how he was suddenly wearing green tights, pointy shoes and a green shirt
And that was the sight that McGonagall entered the office to, Albus Bloody Dumbledore on top of a broken desk while dressed as Peter Pan. Needless to say he had a lot of explaining to do that night