Harry Potter and the Fortress of Darkness

Ch. 5 The Kiss and the Banquet

"Okay you guys...we have a job to do and that is preserve Hogwarts. The ministry is going to arrest anymore that resists and there are more students at Hogwarts than the UK, Bulgarian and French ministries all together. Jess, do you have the list?" asked Harry.

"Right here!" said Jess. Harry nodded.

"Excellent, let's read off the list."

"Dungbombs?" asked Jess.

"Check," said Dean, holding up a bag.

"Fireworks?"

"Check!" replied Ginny. "Fred and George sent us a whole bunch!"

"Awesome. Canary Creams?"

"CANARY CREAMS?!" cried the group.

"Look, no questions asked," said Jess, "Just say check."

At this moment, a large bird was sitting where Neville had been.

"Check," replied Neville gloomily and the group busted into laughter.

"Okay, third years and below, since us older students know most of the spells, we thought it'd be easier if you guys distracted them using all of this stuff," said Jess.

"Yeah, so why don't you guys go over there in the corner. Us older students need to go and do something," said Hermione

The third years and under went into the corner to discuss their strategy and Hermione motioned for everyone else to come around.

"Guys, emergency meeting of the DA, tonight. Room of Requirement. Spread the word at lunch!"

* * *

Seamus hummed a friendly tune as he strolled the corridors doing his nightly prefect duties before the DA meeting around Midnight. As he passed the Room of Requirement, he heard a faint soft tone of a piano coming from inside. He poked in quietly and saw Jess sitting at the grand piano inside. He smiled as she played an unfamiliar tune. She noticed some sheet music in front of her. She suddenly stopped and cursed herself as she wrote something down and Seamus spoke.

"Don't stop, I was enjoying that," he said. Jess jumped and sighed.

"I didn't think anyone would hear," she sighed. "I wanted to get some playing time in before the others arrived for the meeting."

"That was beautiful. Did you write that?" he asked. Jess nodded.

"Yeah, it's not much though."

"I like it," he said and came and sat over next to her. "Play it again."

Jess blushed and started to play the song again.

"There's lyrics to it," she said. "Wanna hear?" Seamus nodded and Jess began to sing.

(Note: these are actual lyrics I wrote. Enjoy!)

As she ended, she wiped a few tears that had trickled down her face.

"Gawd, I forgot how long it's been since I wrote it."

"When did you write it?"

"Last year, after Dad died last summer. My best friend from Salem died in a freak Quidditch accident the day my broom got wrecked and her boyfriend was heartbroken. He was gonna propose to her but that night she died in the hospital wing."

"Oh honey, I'm so sorry," said Seamus as he wrapped his arms around her.

"Don't worry. Life happens ya know?" she asked.

"Yeah, I know." Just then they heard a group of people come in. Jess gathered her papers and magiked the piano away.

"Hi guys!" said Hermione as everyone entered. "We're all here so let's get this show on the road."

* * *

"I have an announcement to make," said Dumbledore the next morning. "As most of you have heard, the ministry has been under a few changes. Hogwarts will not be involved in any changes. I've come to an agreement with the Ministry, However, the minister is not personally happy with the council's decision. We will be under extreme caution. The ministry may change their minds. So tonight, we are going to play host to the Minister and his council members in hopes to keep the school under our control. We will be having a banquet in their honor along with a few special musical guests."

The hall broke out into loud whispers and Dumbledore silenced them again.

"So today we will be allowing everyone to go to Hogsmeade for dress robes and anything else you might need."

The hall burst into cheers and the first and second years were excited to be going to Hogsmeade for the first time.

"Unbelievable," muttered Dean. "They're gonna change their minds for sure."

The group started talking again as they ate. Jess, however, excused herself and took off towards her room. Seamus rose and followed Arabella, who had been sitting at the Head Table. By the time they reached Jess' room, Arabella put a hand on Seamus' shoulder.

"I'll go, Seamus. She needs Mum." Arabella entered jess' room and said the password.

"Jessie? Sweetie? What's wrong?" asked Arabella as she sat next to a tear-stricken Jess.

"Oh Mum, it's so complicated."

"Is it about the law?" Jess sighed.

"Yes, it is. I'm fucking sick of the way everyone is being treated! You're a Muggleborn. Dad was a pureblood, and by that law, I'm a halfie. Which means I can't display the Black Family crest when I get married and have kids or they'll throw me in Jail!"

"And look at Harry and Hermione. Both of them come from Muggle families in their line and Harry's dad was a pureblood too. Malfoy isn't going to cut any respect for anyone who's not a Goddamn fucking death eater! I want to kill him! That bastard betrayed Dad and sent Bellatrix Lestrange to kill him so they could inherit our damn house!"

"But remember, that was only if Narcissa divorced him, then she could get the house and she did divorce him, but she gave it back to us.

Jess sighed. "I know, but I still want to kill him! And I have plenty of fucking reasons to!"

"Can I come in?" spoke up Seamus, who had poked his head in.

"Sure," said Jess.

"I'll leave you two alone. if you need me, I'll be in my office sweetie." With that Arabella left the two alone in Jess' room. There was an awkward pause for a few minutes.

"You can sit on the bed, you know," said Jess. Seamus stuttered.

"Oh yeah, erm, right." Seamus sat down next to her and leaned back. They laid there together, her arm across Seamus' chest.

"Jess?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm going to kiss you now." He leaned down and kissed her full on the lips before she could protest and Jess melted and returned the kiss passionately. Seamus traveled up and down her body with trails of kisses and Jess moaned.

Outside the room, Arabella smiled as Lupin came up to the room.

"Is she okay?" asked Lupin with concern.

"Oh Moony, I think Jess and Mr. Finnegan will be just fine," she said and gave him a hug.

"I'll be in my office," she said as she gave him a peck on the cheek. "Have Tonks stop by. I must discuss something with her."

"Alright, see you in a bit."