They Shook Hands: Year Four (Original Version)

Dethryl

Story Summary:
Harry Potter's new life with his godfather, Sirius Black, is the stuff his best dreams were made of. As they turn 12 Grimmauld Place into a real home, Harry finally gets to hear all about his father and mother. At the Quidditch World Cup, Harry learns of the upcoming Triwizard Tournament from Mr. Lucius Malfoy. Back at Hogwarts, there's treachery afoot, as Harry is named as a fourth Champion. Can his reputation recover from what the other Houses are saying? Who will stand with him? Who will stand against him? Tasks of immense danger loom, and dark shadows are gathering again. How can Harry survive with life and limb in peril? Will Harry ever be the same again?

Chapter 17 - Gallivanting in the Gardens

Chapter Summary:
Harry is very nervous about the New Year's Eve party at Bridget Sawyer's house. No parents, just older siblings? Funtastic! All manner of old Slytherins are hobnobbing, the guest list is exclusive, and there's even a few celebrities present. The Sawyer yacht takes a trip on the Thames to a prominent social spot for fraternization and fireworks as they ring in the new year in style.
Posted:
01/06/2010
Hits:
1,628
Author's Note:
All chapters are posted on Schnoogle. All chapters and some juicy extras are posted on

They Shook Hands : Year Four

An alternate (but realistic!) universe Harry Potter fic
by Dethryl

Chapter Seventeen - Gallavanting in the Gardens

The last week of the year was awkward, to say the least. All of the drama of the Yule Ball crashed and burned like a flying skrewt, as Millie so eloquently put it.

For one thing, Michelle seemed to have fallen out of favour with everyone. Nobody in the upper years would even speak to her, while Laine's every remark was laced with sarcasm and verbal poison. Remembering what Michelle had let slip to Harry when calling in her favour, he deduced that it had something to do with how Laine felt about him. Michelle became a virtual ghost.

Draco wasn't around much either, spending his time in secluded corners of the castle with Parvati. Harry had thought once the Yule Ball was over that Draco might stop trying to get under Pansy's skin by paying attention to the girl she most disliked. Surprisingly, Draco had maintained his interest.

"I've forgiven him for that snubbing," Pansy said to Harry several days later as they sat in the common room after the evening meal. "I won't forget it any time soon, but I've forgiven him. He can't help it if he's such a buffoon. If he's not mature enough to show his girlfriend the proper courtesy and ask her to the most important social event of our seven years here, then he can just go ahead and consort with the damn Gryffindors. I really don't care. There are plenty of other boys who will be thrilled to be seeing a beautiful, vivacious, well-connected girl like me."

She tossed her head, flipping her shiny black hair back over her shoulders. She hadn't cut it once since Harry had first met her on the Hogwarts Express, and now it was very long indeed. She was very proud of it, Harry surmised, because she loved to draw attention to it.

"That's the spirit, Pansy," Harry said encouragingly. Draco was his best mate, and Harry agreed that it wasn't right for Pansy to have pushed him so hard regarding the Yule Ball. At the same time, he didn't really approve of how Draco had chosen to make his point, by asking out Pansy's worst rival.

"All right, you two, quit looking so cosy," Draco said teasingly as he walked through the common room wall and came over to the couch where Harry and Pansy were sitting in front of the fire. "You're not planning on making a run at Harry, now, are you Pansy?"

"Don't be absurd, Draco. Harry is quite happy seeing Padma."

"But think of the lustre it would add to your reputation."

"You're the one developing a reputation, Draco. I don't need to be dating anyone to be important. Parkinson is a very respected name." Pansy's tone was cool, a marked change from how furious she'd been the day after the Yule Ball. This frosty politeness and rigid courtesy was hard to hear after they'd been so close just a scant few weeks before, but at least she wasn't trying to stick knives in him at every opportunity.

Though right now, Harry couldn't much blame her if she tried. The smirk on Draco's face was pretty smarmy, in Harry's opinion. His strut lately was cocky and self-satisfied.

"Have fun tonight, Draco?" Harry asked.

"Quite."

"Where'd you snog this time?"

"A gentleman doesn't kiss and tell," Draco declared.

"So go ahead and brag about it already," Pansy said sweetly. "Because you are no gentleman, Draco."

"Pansy, you wound me."

"No, I'm over trying to do that."

"I made it quite clear that I had no wish to go to the sodding dance. You persisted in not listening to me. I can't be with someone who won't listen to what I have to say. I will not continue to apologize for this."

"Oh, I understand your position perfectly clearly. I'm merely acknowledging that the genteel thing to do would be to offer alternative entertainment. The Yule Ball was the social event of the decade, and a good boyfriend would have understood his girlfriend's desire to attend."

While Pansy was speaking, Tim emerged from the dormitory with a scowl on his face that deepened when he saw Draco. Then he looked at Pansy for a long moment, the expression on his face indecipherable, before heading for the exit.

"Hey, Tim," Harry called out.

Tim ignored the greeting and stalked through the open wall, past Goyle, who was just returning.

"What's his problem?" Goyle asked.

"What's always his problem?" Draco responded with a shrug. "Where've you been?"

"I went for a walk on the battlements with Mandy."

"Isn't it a bit cold out there?" Harry asked.

"It is. But I put the Self-Warming Charm on myself and then offered to put my arms around her, so everything was fine."

"I'll say. Well done, Goyle," Draco said, offering a rare compliment.

"I'm going to go have a shower and hit the sack. Good night."

"So I've had a letter from my father," Draco said, changing the subject. "He says he quite understands why we three won't be at the party on Saturday. He urges all of us to make as many connections with the important people who are likely to be present. He sent a letter of permission that I'm to give Professor Snape."

Pansy nodded. "I turned mine in this afternoon.

"Sirius said he'd send a letter directly to Dumbledore."

"I can't wait," Pansy declared. "I can't believe we're going to a proper dinner party instead of the same old boring chatter we'd have at Malfoy Manor."

"Hey!"

Harry grinned. "Yeah, they are awfully stuffy, the adults. I don't care about how good interest rates are!"

"I wonder what sort of entertainment there will be."

"Entertainment? Are we talking about Sawyer's party?" Jenna and Warrington the Third joined them in front of the common room fireplace.

"Hey, Harry. Hey, Pansy," Jenna said.

"Hi, Jenna, Warrington," Harry replied.

"The Third."

"Yes, we were. Have you heard anything?" Pansy asked.

"Oh yes," Warrington said. "My sister Sam is friends with Veronica, so I got invited as well. Jenna's my date."

"My, my," Pansy said admiringly. "Well done, Jenna."

Amazingly, Jenna blushed. Harry had never seen her without anything to say. Ever since she had started seeing Warrington, she had become very easy to embarrass. All one had to do was merely say the word "snog".

"And Sam told me that Veronica told her that Lyranna Erato will be there."

"As a guest or to entertain?" Pansy asked archly.

"To entertain, I think."

"Outstanding. She's very talented, and it's sure to set the mood properly."

Warrington grinned and kissed Jenna's hand. His rather extravagent attention was behind her near-constant mirthful giggling, and this time was no exception. It was nice to see Jenna put a bit off her usual snarky game. Harry took a great deal of pleasure in winning more of their teasing exchanges.

"Would you two like the common room to yourselves?" Harry asked cheekily.

Jenna blushed even more. "Yes. Why don't you bugger off and go find Padma?"

Harry had been taking a great many long walks with Padma, both through the castle and on the grounds. Her laugh was delightful, and seeing her with snowflakes scattered in her dark hair set his pulse racing. When she was cold, Harry would steal Goyle's trick and cast the Self-Warming Charm on himself before holding her close. Every walk ended with a passionate kiss, where she wrapped her arms around his neck and refused to let him go for even so much as air.

On Saturday night, Harry and Draco met Padma and Parvati in the entrance hall before dinner. Warrington escorted Jenna from the Slytherin table. Pansy walked alone, and Millie surprisingly joined them as well. In pairs, they exited the front door. On the path to the gate they encountered Viktor Krum, who looked splendid in his red cloak. He wore no heavy protection despite the falling snow.

"This?" he said when questioned about it. "This is nothing compared to the snow ve haff at Durmstrang."

Krum held out his arm to Millie, and she took it with grave courtesy. They set off in the lead, not seeing Pansy and Jenna conversing without words, boggling once more at the very concept of Millie the tomboy going out on a date. Harry shared their amazement, even though he was delighted for her. Seeing Millie done up proper was a singularly unique opportunity, and here she was twice in a week's time.

In the Three Broomsticks, the celebrating was well underway. Christmas carols were being sung by the very inebriated crowd. Everyone was in exceptionally good cheer.

"Sawyer Point!" they called in to the green flames, and one by one they stepped in to the fireplace. The trip through the Floo network was dizzying, but not horrendously so. Harry didn't even stumble as he stepped out calmly and held out his hand to Padma as she emerged after him.

Bridget was waiting on the other side of the Floo. She looked stunning. Her dress was slinky, hugging her from chest to knees. Her reddish-blonde hair flowed over her bare shoulders in waves.

"Harry! Welcome!"

"Good evening, Bridget. Thank you for inviting me."

"Thank you for coming. You're the last to arrive. Please follow me."

There were no lights on in the rest of the house. A single path was marked by small glowing points on the floor. Bridget led the way out the back doors on to the deck. Stairs lead down to the dock, and everyone thumped quite enthusiastically on the hard wood.

The yacht was magnificent. It was fifty metres long, constructed of a brilliant white wood. The three masts reached up in to the night sky. The sails were not yet raised. Across the gangplank, the party was already going on the rear deck.

"All aboard!" Bridget called out, as the last person set foot on deck. "Weigh anchor! Set the sails and cast off!"

The gangplank began to retract all on its own. With the clink of gathering chain, the anchor was pulled up from the depths of the water. The sails unfurled themselves and filled out tightly, though not a breeze was blowing. All by itself, with only the power of magic, the yacht took itself out in to the river.

Looking quite pleased with herself, Bridget led the group to the rest of the party.

The whole of Slytherin fifth form was present. Veronica Sawyer, their hostess' younger sister, was holding hands with David Palce. Joy duMonde, Michael Drummond, Erika Chabré, and Thomas Lapointe were all standing casually in the circle. Samantha Warrington had brought a fifth year Ravenclaw, Sidney Bateman.

Additionally, Elan Malfoy was holding court amongst a crowd of older kids who had finished school. Percy was there, holding hands with Lynn. There seemed to be a lot of couples, actually. Former prefect Sam Palce and Elenor Weiss; Lawrence Derrick and Heather Duke; former Head Boy and Girl Abraham Montague and Jessica Conejo; Jehan Dolohov and Maddy Fitzjean. Peter von Erickson, who had been a prefect in Harry's first year, was with a girl Harry recognized by her fluorescent pink hair.

"Agatha!"

The second guitarist for Wand Smasher lit up with a brilliant smile. "Great Merlin, it's my biggest fan! How come I haven't seen you at any shows? We're on tour, you know."

"I'm sorry," Harry said promptly. "I was very busy this summer. Lots of things have changed for me. I'm living with my godfather now."

"Bring him to the show. He'll have a blast."

"I've played your music for him. We work out to it. He does like it. Maybe. We'll see."

"Where's your friend Nott?"

Harry snorted. "Still at school."

"He didn't want to come?"

"He wasn't invited. He's been a complete and utter troll all term. I don't care what's going on in his personal life; there's no call for treating us all the way he has been."

"He just needs to get out to a show and let some of his rage go. Our music is very theraputic."

"Champagne, anyone?" Bridget offered. With a wave of her wand, a tray of champagne flutes in the air and glided over.

Draco immediately seized two. Elan cocked an eyebrow at him.

"And what makes you think I'm going to let you have that?" the elder Malfoy brother asked, his tone reminding Harry of their father.

"It's New Year's Eve, we are specifically here without chaperones, and you expect I'm not going to take full advantage of it? Elan, please, you're embarrassing me in front of my date." Draco handed one of the flutes to Parvati.

"You think just because we're at a party, I'm going to ignore my responsibility for you? Draco, your girlfriend's kisses must be making your brains go soft. What would Father tell you?"

"Father isn't here. And you're not going to tell him either, unless you want me to start spilling some of my secrets. Stop being such a bore. Nobody is going to get out of control. Unless you think Harry's going to get smashed and start dancing on tables."

"That would be interesting," Padma whispered in Harry's ear, making him blush to the roots of his hair.

"Harry, have some champagne." Draco handed him the flute he held and grabbed two more. He gave one to Padma and raised his up in a toast. "To our hostess," Draco said. "She is not only beautiful, but possessed of keen intellect and grace."

The fourth years all drank, and Bridget acknowledged Draco's words with a small curtsy.

Harry asked a question that had been troubling him ever since he'd caught sight of the crowd. "You didn't invite any of the Quidditch lads?" Harry was there, of course, and Charles Warrington the Third played Chaser. The other five boys from the present house team were not present.

"This is intended to be a quiet party. I love all the guys on the team, but they're a rowdy bunch. This party is designed with a more sophisticated guest in mind."

"What, Bole and Derrick aren't sophisticated?" Jenna asked cheekily. "They'll be crushed to hear you say it."

"Well they won't hear it, will they?"

"Not from my lips."

"Good plan. Everyone having a lovely holiday so far?"

"Oh yes," Pansy said. "It's been wonderful. I've never had this much fun at holiday. All the nice clothes? It's simply fantastic."

"Speaking of clothes," Bridget said. "Millicent, you shocked everyone. You clean up quite nicely. I thought you were the world's biggest tomboy."

"Who says I'm not?" Millie responded, a bit weakly in Harry's opinion.

"I do," Bridget riposted. "That dress you were wearing at the Yule Ball? It looked stunning. I'd say you quite stole the night. Surely you got a bunch of trouble for having stolen Viktor Krum?"

"I don't really care what the gossip mill has to say."

"In other words, they were livid," Bridget said with a knowing smile. "Good on you. Those back-biting bitches need to be shaken up every so often."

"Language, darling," Elan chided gently. "Whatever will our guests think if you are so careless with your tongue?"

"Keep complaining about my tongue, and I'll be extremely careful with it." Bridget directed an arched eyebrow towards her boyfriend.

Elan laughed heartily and planted a smooch on Bridget's hand. "I cannot win. And losing hath never been so sweet."

"Oh, you flatterer, you."

"Come, my dear. Our other guests deserve some of your attention too."

Elan and Bridget moved away, leaving the fourth years standing by themselves.

"We should mingle too. Not that you all aren't stimulating to talk to," Jenna hastened to add, "but what fun is a party if you only talk to people you came with?"

"An excellent point, Jenna," Pansy said agreeably. "I'm going to greet Veronica."

"I'll go with you," Jenna said. "I must thank her for the invitation."

Harry was of a different mind. He hadn't seen Jessica for two years. She'd always been his favourite prefect, and he'd been as delighted as any to learn she'd ascended to Head Girl. He hadn't heard of her since she'd left school, and now would be a perfect time to catch up.

"Well, well, if it isn't the fourth champion," Jessica marvelled as Harry and Padma approached.

Harry tried not to groan. "Yes, that's me."

"Relax, Harry," Jessica said reassuringly. "I'm not at all impressed by that rot. You forget, I once wiped drool off your chin when you fell asleep in the common room."

Harry felt himself start to blush. "Where would you like the trophy sent?"

"Oh, just some flowers will be fine. I love flowers. Make them orchids."

"I'll have one of my people take care of it," Harry promised. "Orchids would go very well with that outfit. You look stunning."

"Why thank you. And I know you're correct, because you obviously have excellent taste."

"Ah, yes, this is my girlfriend Padma. Padma, you remember Jessica and Abraham."

"Head Boy and Girl in our second year, of course."

The girls complimented each other on their outfits and then began to critique every other girl on the yacht. Most of the comments were positive, but a few of the fifth year girls were better off not hearing what was said about their fashion sense.

"So Abraham, I don't think I've ever thanked you for encouraging me to study history. It's a fascinating subject. I earned top marks last year."

"Really? That's so wonderful to hear. Wizarding history is filled with such spectacular tales. I'm presently compiling all the old stories about powerful wands. Did Binns ever tell you about Emeric the Evil?"

"I don't think so."

"He was a very bad fellow, and he had a most extraordinary wand he called the Wand of Destiny. He set out to fulfil whatever he decided his destiny was and left a path of dead bodies across England."

Abraham began to relate the story, but Jessica quickly hushed him. "Abraham, sweetie, no gory stories before dinner. I don't want to lose my appetite."

"Of course, my love. I forgot myself."

"So you're writing a book? A history book?" Harry wondered if Abraham was up to returning to Hogwarts as a teacher. Someone with his sort of dedication would surely be able to inspire young minds. He certainly had inspired Harry's.

"Yes, I got an advance from Whizz Hard Books based on an outline and a sample chapter. I'm presenting each tale in a narrative form, based on verifiable accounts. It's fictional, but only in the barest sense of the word. I may get the words wrong, but many of the conversations and confrontations did really happen with known results."

"I think that's called historical fiction."

"I think they're about to serve the food."

Sure enough, covered platters were starting to appear on the table. Small placecards identified where everyone was designated to sit. Harry and Padma were seated near Elan and Bridget, with Draco and Parvati nearby.

"Quite the coup, Harry, taking first place in the tournament so far," Elan commented in an undertone. "I didn't want to say anything earlier with Krum right there. The whole world is paying attention."

"You say that like it's a good thing."

"Isn't it?" Elan sounded surprised. "The only thing worse than being noticed is not being noticed."

"Hear, hear!" agreed Bridget.

"Everyone thought I'd cheated just because I'm a Slytherin."

"Naturally. Slytherins don't know how to not cheat," Elan replied sarcastically. "We cheat even when we don't need to."

"Yeah, pretty much. I did have a good number of people apologize, though. Once they saw the dragons, they knew I'd have to be crackers to have done it myself."

"Or you're just that ambitious."

"I don't think any amount of ambition can give you that sort of death wish."

"Someone's got a death wish for you."

"So, Harry, did you have fun with your two dates?" Bridget asked, changing the subject.

"Honestly, no," Harry said bluntly. "I would have much rather been there with just this lovely lady." He brought Padma's hand up to his lips and kissed it. "The only reason I brought Michelle was because she called in a favour."

"Ah, the game," Bridget said sagely, nodding her head. "Well, there wasn't any harm in it."

"Other than I'm going to be the topic of discussion on the Hogwarts grapevine for the next month."

"The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about," Elan commented.

"You're so witty, Elan," Padma said admiringly.

"The only thing worse than being witty is not being witty."

"So what else is in store for us tonight, Bridget?" Draco asked. "This is the Thames, isn't it?"

"Very observant, Draco. Yes, we're going to be cruising until dinner is concluded. Then we shall port at the Vauxhall Gardens for some nighttime strolling."

"The Vaux?" Parvati exclaimed. "But it takes months to secure a reservation!"

Bridget smirked like the cat that got the canary. "Yes, it does."

"How'd you get in, then?"

"I know people."

"Must be some pretty important people."

Bridget nodded. "Yes, they certainly are. I can't talk about it, you understand."

The noise of a gasoline engine drifted over the water, a peculiar sound for this crowd of purebloods. A Muggle boat was approaching them at a goodly speed. It appeared to be another pleasure craft. It was smaller than the Sawyer yacht, but there were about the same number of people crammed aboard. They were drinking, not dining; it appeared to be a group of university students bent on getting bent.

They were directly in the path of the oncoming boat.

"Bridget?" Harry asked nervously. "They're coming right towards us."

"Hrmm? Oh, them. Not to worry. Daddy made sure to get the best Muggle-Repelling Charms installed."

Sure enough, for absolutely no reason, the Muggle yacht veered sharply. Shouts of alarm rose up from the Muggles as some of them lost their balance. One unfortunate fellow went over the side and head first in to the water. The captain throttled back on the motor and began to swing around.

"See?" Bridget said airily. "Nothing to worry about."

Harry chuckled slightly. The Thames was a pretty clean river, so the lad's ego was the only thing hurt. Hopefully he hadn't inhaled too much water.

With such a small crowd, it wasn't really possible to slip away for some snogging after dinner. They would be too easily missed. Plus there was nowhere to go. The yacht was big, but not huge -- or so Harry supposed. He'd never been on a yacht before. If the Malfoys owned one, they'd never made mention of it.

At the Gardens was an entirely different story. Several other boats had also docked, and there was quite a crowd milling around the stage area. A hundred different beverages were available at the assorted booths, ranging from the relative tameness of butterbeer to more exotic concoctions that Harry wouldn't have even taken for drinks.

"We'll be departing at half-midnight. No stragglers!"

Harry paid a few Sickles for two glasses of some innocuous-seeming punch. He handed one to Padma and clinked his glass with hers. He took a sip and nearly choked as his throat rejected it.

"Harry!" Padma cried.

"I'm fine," he croaked. "Drink punch, breathe air."

"Usually a good policy. All right?"

"Yeah, great." He took a more careful sip and managed to get it down. It was amazingly strong, even moreso than the firewhiskey he'd shared with Sirius at the end of his third year.

Warned by his example, Padma was likewise cautious while imbibing. "Wow," she gasped. "This could be a very interesting night."

"Yeah." Harry took another sip. His tongue and throat had gone numb, and now the drink went down easier. He would have to pay close attention to how much he drank. It would never do to completely embarrass himself in such a distinguished crowd. He would shame himself and his hostess, to say nothing of his girlfriend.

The place seemed made for private trysting. There was no moon, and flickering torches sent smoke curling in to the dark sky. The scattered illumination barely let one see the path. Other couples were meandering in that direction. Harry held out his arm to Padma, and she took it. Together they sauntered in to the night.

A little further on, the torches disappeared. The way was lit by fairy lights in the trees. Shadowed figures could be seen walking ahead of them, and every so often they would duck off the path in to a private alcove. As they passed by, Harry heard a lot of giggling and heavy breathing.

Every hundred feet or so, they came across a marble statue. Harry wasn't any kind of art buff, but he recognized a few pieces. Venus, the armless lady, brought a flush to Harry's cheeks that he was glad to hide in the dim light. He wasn't accustomed to looking at bare breasts. A little further on, Padma started giggling at the unmistakable maleness of David.

Marble was also used to construct the fountains that were scattered here and there. Harry and Padma found one with an empty bench and took a short break to rest their feet. The burbling water muffled any incidental sounds.

A beautiful voice suddenly split the night. Lyranna Erato was indeed performing on the stage, and she was even better in person than she sounded on her albums. She was singing about love, loss, and longing. Her haunting voice carried even this far in to the garden, an effect surely achieved by magic.

"Shall we dance?" Harry asked.

"I would love to."

As he took Padma in his arms, Harry marvelled at how neatly they seemed to fit together. He held her close; she rested her head on his shoulder. They swayed back and forth, more or less in time with the music.

"Thanks for coming with me tonight," Harry said. "I really wanted to make it up to you that you couldn't have me all to yourself at the Yule Ball."

"It was a tad annoying," Padma admitted. "But it was lots of fun getting one up on her all night. The dress that girl was wearing? I'd rather be turned over to Filch for an old-fashioned detention."

Harry noted absently that Padma refused to call Michelle by her name.

"I've got you now, and that's what counts. Let's not talk about her anymore."

"Sure."

"In fact, let's not talk at all."

Padma's head came off his shoulder, and she tilted her face up. Harry closed his eyes and leaned down. Their lips pressed together, setting off fireworks in Harry's mind. Dimly, he felt her arms wrap around his neck. He squeezed her tightly, pulling her body close to his. Her breasts pressed against his chest, a strange feeling that was shooting electricity straight to his groin.

How long the kiss lasted, Harry couldn't rightly say. When he finally broke away, it was from a need for air more than anything else. Padma was also breathless, and she snuggled close to him.

By the cheerfully gurgling fountain they remained. Several other couples passed them by, but none offered greeting. They sat on the stone bench, lips and tongues saying with action what they did not say with words. Her hands ran lightly over the tight muscles he had developed from a summer of lifting weights with Sirius. Moved by unknown instinct, Harry ran his hands down her back and dared to place them on her bum.

She made no objection. In fact, the soft moan she uttered gave him encouragement. She put her lips to his neck and kissed gently down his throat to his Adam's apple. It felt fantastic, and every inch of his flesh was tingling.

Every word he'd ever heard about what to do with a girl had abandoned him. Mr. Malfoy would be scolding him about groping. Elan surely would remind him of all the spots he was missing. Sirius alone would have merely asked if he was having fun. To that, Harry would most emphatically answer yes.

An explosion in the night sky startled them both. Lost as they were in each other, midnight had snuck up on them. Brilliant blues and reds burst overhead. Flaming green spirals shot towards the heavens. All over the gardens, a great cry went up of "Happy new year!"

"Happy new year, Padma."

"And to you, Harry."

"We should probably get back. We don't want them to leave without us."

"No, that would never do. We'd have to stay here." The twist to Padma's smile said she didn't find the idea bad at all.

"And what sweet torture that would be."

As they began to return along the winding path they had taken, they encountered others of their party. Sam Warrington and her Ravenclaw escort, Sidney Bateman, had been admiring and emulating a statue of two nude people kissing (minus the nudity). Sam Palce and Elenor Weiss were walking hand in hand.

Back at the dock, people were returning to Sawyer yacht. With better lighting, Harry could now read the name "Water Maiden" on the side in bright blue paint. He magnanimously gestured for Padma to precede him up the gangplank.

On board, everyone congregated in an interior cabin filled with comfortable-looking couches and low tables. A bar to one side of the room appeared well-stocked. Amongst his many talents, Lawrence Derrick appeared to be quite a mixer of drinks, for he was flipping many bottles around without any visible magic. He served glasses all around.

"Hope you don't mind, Brigh," he said saucily. "But I didn't have nearly enough to drink back there. I could barely tell what half those drinks were, and I never have anything I don't know what it is."

"Carry on, Renny. It'll be just like old parties in the dorm."

"So Percy," a slightly inebriated Abraham said. "Tell us about the glamorous life of a department head."

"Well, there's not much to say, really. The most excitement was the celebration party."

"Tell us!" Abraham commanded. "I need to live vicariously. It's amazingly dull keeping company with books. I love my work, but books don't talk to you, and you have to spend lots of long hours reading them. Those are hours I don't go out and get drunk like I am tonight."

"Oh, are you drunk, Abe?" Percy said with mock surprise.

"Just a little." He swayed slightly as he indicated with thumb and forefinger. "Last time I was drunk, I don't even remember."

"You must have been drunk."

"No, I mean it's been a long time! So catch me up on all the excitement I've been missing."

"As you wish. To begin with, I had no idea I'd been promoted. I was working late, preparing my final report on cauldron bottoms -- a real problem, believe it or not. Many wizards have been injured when cheap foreign cauldrons have collapsed due to substandard manufacturing processes and- and- it's boring as all heck, I have to be honest. Important, yes, but so dreadfully dull and boring I could scream. Anyway, Elan sticks his head in my office and tells me there's an important group of wizards I really ought to have a meeting with. So we Apparated over to The Kneazle's Nose. He held the door for me, and everyone shouted 'Surprise!'

"I was shocked, of course. Promoted to Department Head? I had no idea about Mister Crouch's retirement. In retrospect, I should have anticipated it. All the signs were there. He was overworked, and sometimes he would forget the most commonplace things. Things wouldn't get done, so I'd have to take care of it. I started off running half the department and wound up running all of it."

"It's only right that they recognize your obvious talents, my love," Lynn praised. "Have you hired any new personnel yet? I know you were looking at resumes."

"Not yet, but I can take my time. I don't want to rush and hire the wrong person. I can handle the department by myself for a little while."

The journey back to Sawyer Point was vastly different from the trip to Vauxhall Gardens. Everyone seemed a bit more boisterous, even despite the stiff attitude they'd started out with. Like Abraham, Harry suspected they were all "a little drunk", but they didn't get out of control. In no time at all, it seemed, they were pulling in to the dock again.

"This is the end of the night, my friends," Bridget said loudly. "Thank you so much for coming. It has been a great pleasure to have you all here, and I hope to do it again very soon. Travel safely."

Harry stumbled when he exited the fireplace in the Three Broomsticks. The crowd there had largely dispersed, and only a few solitary figures lingered over their ale cups. Madam Rosmerta was waving her wand at the dirty tables, sending glassware and dishes towards the kitchen. She ignored the arriving students, who quickly hurried out in to the cold.

Snow was still lightly falling, making the whole world seem slightly muffled. Their own footsteps made no noise other than the crunching of snow, but sound carried rapidly through the still night. They could clearly hear the Blast-Ended Skrewts in their cages, and they didn't seem appreciative of the new year.

Krum and Millie fell back as they approached the Durmstrang ship. Harry didn't look, not wishing to intrude on their privacy.

In the entrance hall, most of the Slytherins moved immediately for the stone steps down to the dungeons. Harry bade Padma a fond goodnight, leaving her with a tender kiss. Draco was likewise gentle with Parvati, and the two girls ascended the stairs escorted by Bateman. Only when they were out of sight did Harry follow his housemates down in to the depths of the school.

In the privacy of the dorm, Harry lay down on his bed. Though he was tired, he was not sleepy. His mind was racing, reliving every kiss and caress he'd shared with Padma. Sleep crept up on him quickly, now that he was no longer active. His last thought before his dreams claimed him was how delightful it had been to hold Padma, to feel her body pressing against him. It was the closest thing he knew to heaven.

to be continued...


You can join my Yahoo group Deth By Fanfiction to participate in an open forum for discussing all things about this fic. Chapter updates go out here first before I post to Schnoogle. Come and join us at PotterFicWeekly where the story never ends! Podcast discussion of tons of awesome fics, including this one. Join the discussion group as we pour through fics chapter by chapter. Many thanks to my loffly beta readers, Elle and Aerion. This fic would not be possible without Elle and all her tireless work. She's working on Green With Envy again, her Percy POV picking up from Halloween in TSH Y2. I'll let you all know when it's finished. I myself am plotting a Ginny POV over the same time period. I know some people at least would want to read that. Special shoutout to rae, for all of her patience.