Ravenrin & Slytherclaw

Sorry to all my readers, but as you saw, another fanfic popped into my head and took all of my time away from me. Thanks goes to AlabasterPrincess for challanging me on that one!!! Love you really hunni xx So, another few chapters for you all to read. :)

RAVENRIN & SLYTHERCLAW- Chapter 16

The next day was 24th June, the day of the final task and everyone was on tenterhooks as to what would happen that night. At the House tables, everyone was chatting away and reading the Daily Prophet. Many people gasped and turned in their seats to look at Harry on the Gryffindor table. Argenta was still very quiet and Honeysuckle said nothing to her until she had finished reading the paper.
“Who the fuck does that cow Skeeter think she is? How dare she try to upset Harry on the day of the final task!”
“Whoa Honey, calm down! What’s the bitch written now?”
“Here, I can’t repeat what she has obliviously made up,” Honeysuckle answered whilst pushing her copy of the wizarding newspaper across the table. After Argenta had read what everyone in the Hall now knew, she marched over to her own House table and whispered into Draco Malfoy’s ear. He turned even paler than usual as what Argenta had said to him began to sink in.
“What did you say to him? He looks like he’s going to throw up!,” Honeysuckle chuckled once her friend had returned to her seat opposite her.
“I told the jumpy little ferret that if he ever, in the future, decided to give that scank Skeeter any more ‘insider’ interviews I would tell the entire school of his own – and his father’s- letchy desires. About them being avid voyeurs,” Argenta informed her friend, who now was glaring at Malfoy to which he gave her a very rude finger gesture.
“Oh you cheeky sod! Just you wait!,” hissed Honeysuckle, who suddenly grabbed her Prefect’s Receipt book and wrote one out, then sent it to Malfoy, informing him that because of his obvious and blatant behaviour she- and yes she was still a Prefect until she was off the train and out of school for good- was taking 10 points from the Slytherin hourglass and that the incident would be reported to his Head of House. Malfoy’s face paled once more when Severus marched to the table, pulled him from his seat and frog- marched him forcefully out of the Great Hall.
As the Hall emptied, Honeysuckle joined Argenta who was waiting at the main doors to the Hall and watching the champions greet their families. Honeysuckle saw Viktor with his parents, Cedric with his parents too, Fleur with her parents and her mini- look-a-like of a sister and Harry with two red heads she instantly recognised. They were Mrs Weasley and the oldest of the brood, Bill. Even though her heart sank because Charlie had not returned, she still ran forward to greet an old friend.
“Oh. My. Gods! Bill!!” Before he could reply, he was jumped upon by Honeysuckle and embraced tightly.
“Gees Honey! Nice to see you too,” Bill laughed as he set her down and away from him. The last time that he had seen her, she was just 11 and taking her first train journey to school. Charlie had written to him and had told him just how much she had grown and become more attractive, compared to that shy, awkward girl they had known whilst growing up. She certainly had changed! Mrs Weasley turned to greet her 4th cousin’s daughter’s niece’s daughter and saw her own cousin staring back at her.
‘Oh yes, one of the family, definitely!,’ she thought as she watched her eldest son talk at ease to Honeysuckle. Her mind stared to work overtime, but she did not see Fleur eyeing up Bill, which Honeysuckle did see as Fleur gave her a deep look of detest. Honeysuckle just shrugged off the stare and told Bill and Mrs Weasley that she would catch up with them later, so that left them to spend the rest of the day with the rest of the Weasley clan, Harry and Hermione.
Argenta and Honeysuckle spent most of their spare time searching for non-returned library book and sheepishly returning them to Madam Pince. She tutted and scowled at the girls, who soon scarpered out of the library and headed to their spot to just watch the world go by and comment on certain people’s fashion faux pas.
“What in Merlin’s Beard is Joleen Thompson wearing? Those shoes so don’t go with that top! Oh. My. Gods, how are those trousers staying up with that arse?,” Argenta commented on a Hufflepuff boy that was passing in tight group of his friends.
“Defiantly not that belt on the waist band, which is hanging on his hips and showing…ewwww, Anderson, put next weeks washing away! We don’t want to see what your mum has to wash,” Honeysuckle shouted across the courtyard. The harassed Hufflepuff yanked his trousers up sharply and winced as the crouch hit his delicate parts, causing his friends to laugh at his discomfort. After about an hour of ripping people’s ideas of fashion to shreds, the pair joined the growing line of mixed students to enter the Great Hall for the feast just before the final task, which would begin at dusk. Everyone but the champions ate heartily and were soon traipsing down to the Quidditch Pitch and its stands to watch the task unfold.
The champions had all entered the maze by 7.15pm and now all the crowd had to do was watch for the winner to claim the trophy in the centre. A full 45 minutes later, red sparks were shot up from the far side of the maze and the look out on that side entered the maze to retrieve the champion who had conjured the sparks. Fleur was the champion to be brought out of the maze. Not long after, only 15 minutes, more red sparks and very soon it was the unconscious body of Viktor Krum, the favourite champion, to be dragged out of the maze. Everyone in the crowd were now on the very edges of their seats, waiting with bated breath for the winning champion to emerge. It wouldn’t matter who it was because the remaining champions were both Hogwarts students.
It was a full hour and 25 minutes before anything happened. In a flash two figures appeared an the edge of the maze, just in front of the judge’s box. It was Harry and Cedric. But screams soon filled the stadium as Argenta and Honeysuckle forced their way forward.
Cedric was dead.
Argenta and Honeysuckle moved forward with the crowd, pushing their way towards Professor Dumbledore.
“Sir, what can I do to help?,” asked Honeysuckle as they reached the Headmaster, who’s face was clouded in worry and dismay.
“Miss Blonde, please see that the Diggory’s are Ok. Please take them to Madam Pomfrey’s office and wait with them.”
“Yes Sir,” Honeysuckle replied and turned to find the Diggory’s right behind her, one on the ground in sorrowful tears and the other stood like a stone statue.
“Mr and Mrs Diggory, please, come with me.”
“I don’t want to leave him,” whispered Mr Diggory as he rose from his knees, tears still silently rolling down his cheeks.
“Mr Diggory, look, your son is well looked after, but we must move inside. The crowd is pushing and I’m sure you wouldn’t want Cedric to be stamped upon,” Honeysuckle tried to reason whilst holding back the now furiously pushy masses behind her, aided by Argenta too.
“Please Amos. His teachers will protect him. Come dear, I’m sure his Head of House is waiting for us,” Mrs Diggory hushed. The sound of his wife’s voice acted like a tonic and stirred him from his trance. Her arm linked through his and they moved slowly, following Honeysuckle to the castle. Upon hearing the sniffles of the grieving parents, Honeysuckle dug in her pocket and pulled out a packet of tissues, which she reached back and handed to Mrs Diggory. Silently the trio walked into the office of the Hufflepuff Head of House and they waited. Honeysuckle conjured up a pot of tea and enough cups for all with the usual cream and sugar. As she poured the couple a cup each, Madam sprout entered her office.
“Professor, would you like a cup?,” Honeysuckle offered.
“Thank you Honeysuckle. Would you mind waiting outside?,” the plump witch asked as she took the cup from the Ravenclaw Prefect. Honeysuckle nodded and silently slipped from the room. Outside she found Argenta waiting for her. Each girl smiled weakly at each other in the dark corridor.
“Such a shame. He was alright really. Not bad looking. Well, that’s another one that has slipped through my fingers,” Argenta whispered.
“Argenta! You can’t say things like that at a time like this! His parents are in there!,” hissed her friend, who was clearly shocked by the statement and was pointing to the door she had just come through. Before Argenta could reply the door to the office opened and Madam Sprout called Honeysuckle back in.
“Give them a few minutes, then take them up to the Hospital Wing to see their son.”
“Yes Madam Sprout.” Honeysuckle looked at the couple and saw the husband resting his head on his wife’s shaking shoulder. She waited, with a silent Argenta just behind her still, until they were ready to move and was soon leading them to the harsh reality of the fact that they had just lost their only child. Argenta stopped outside the Hospital Wing as Honeysuckle went inside with the Diggorys. As Madam Pomfrey turned down the sheet to reveal the head the head of Cedric Diggory, Honeysuckle looked at the only other patient in the ward. Harry was surrounded by his two friends, Mrs Weasley, Bill and a large, black, shaggy dog. Hermione had moved away from the group by the bed to the window, staring intently out of it. Moments later there was a loud bang and Hermione whispered a sorry to all in the room as she stood still, her hands cupped around something. Honeysuckle suddenly realised what had happened and grabbed an empty jar from the shelf she was standing next to, then walked over to the Gryffindor.
“Whatever you have in your hands maybe safer in here,” Honeysuckle said as she handed over the jar. Hermione turned her back and cast a charm over the jar before showing Honeysuckle what she had found. In the jar was a small, green beetle with large black antennae. She instantly knew who it was and her suspicions had been confirmed. Rita Skeeter. Nodding to Hermione, kind of a well done from her, she then turned back around and joined the now waiting Diggorys. She escorted them down to the Main doors, along with Argenta in tow. Waiting at the door was a carriage which would take them to Hogsmeade and an awaiting room in The Three Broomsticks. As she watched the carriage make its way down the long drive, she felt a pair of arms circle her body. Knowing it was Argenta she leant into the comforting embrace.
“They’re really cut up. I can’t imagine how my parents would react if it was me,” Argenta said. The pair of friends said nothing as they walked through the eerily quiet corridors until they bumped into Severus, who too was walking the corridors.
“Miss Emmanuelle, could I have a word in private please?” Honeysuckle melted away into the shadows, leaving the lovers alone.
“Argenta, I have to leave for a while. But before I go, I must tell you something. Something I have never revealed to anyone other than Dumbledore,” he rushed.
“You’re a Death Eater,” she said, watching his mouth drop.
“How…?”
“Honeysuckle overhead Professor Moody say that you were one. I take it you’re leaving is something to do with what Potter was babbling on about.”
“The Dark Lord has indeed returned,” Severus said, rolling up his left sleeve and showed Argenta the Dark mark that was still very black, but not as vivid as it was earlier. “Today is the beginning of a very dark time. I must return to his side before he comes and seeks me out. I must do what I can to help Dumbledore and do it without causing suspicion in his eyes. Your visit to my home will have to wait,” he continued and explained, painful though it was to say that they had to wait to be truly alone.
“I will wait for you Severus. No matter how long it takes,” Argenta replied in a hushed voice, reaching up and cupping his head, bringing it down to hers, crushing her lips to his. They clung together as the portraits whispered disparately. Severus broke the kiss and held Argenta tight.
“I will be gone a few days at most, but I will return for the End of Term feast,” he whispered into her hair. He inhaled her scent before releasing her and striding off, leaving his young lover standing in the darkened corridor.
Over the last few days the entire school was still in shock and many people actively avoided Harry Potter, whispers still circling about the alternate reasons to his explanation of Cedric’s death. He took to waiting until the Great Hall was nearly empty before entering to eat. True to his word, Severus did return for the End of Term feast which was a sombre affair. There wasn’t a dry eye on the dejected Hufflepuff table and Dumbledore paid a quite fitting tribute to the lost pupil, Quidditch Captain and friend. Everyone was glum on the train until there was a disturbance down near the front of the train. The Twins had barricaded Harry and Ron into their compartment, but not before pinching a couple of hairs from each of the boys. They then whisked away to find Honeysuckle and handed her the hairs. The Twins then set off back to the front of the train and began to cause allsorts of havoc. Entering the toilets, Honeysuckle silently locked the door and dropped the hairs into two waiting glasses which held the Polyjucie Potion she had been brewing over the past month. They had also managed, again via the Twins, a set of Gryffindor robes for each of them.
“Ewww, I can’t believe I’m doing this,” squealed Argenta in the guise of Ron as she pulled on the stolen robe. Honeysuckle, well Harry, laughed as a hand ruffled the hair to reveal the scar some more. They moved out onto the corridor, luckily they were at the opposite end of the train to the real boys. Upon spying Hermione, they quickly embraced and locked lips and tongues, giving the people who were in the corridor a show they would never forget. Cheers and whistles filled the air along with an angry shout from just behind the kissing pair. Storming up the corridor was the real Harry and Ron, who had somehow managed to escape their compartment and had heard the commotion. The fake Gryffindors parted, smiles on their faces at first then slowly fading as they spot the real Ron and Harry.
“Oh hell. We’re boned now!” Confused looks surrounded the fake pair and Argenta, the fake Ron, who had said the phase had to explain.
“You know, boned. Like fucked, screwed, done for!” Looks of clarification dawned on the once confused faces as the real Harry and Ron faced their fake counterparts.
“Sorry guys. I just had to pull one last amazing prank before I left the life of a Hogwarts student behind,” said the fake Harry, well Honeysuckle, who was grinning mischievously. Her hair slowly grew longer, the scar on the forehead faded and the robes loosened. Luckily the boys laughed it off and were soon joking between themselves just how convincing the two girls had been. Just before the train pulled into King’s Cross, Honeysuckle pulled Harry to one side.
“I just wanted to say…. I believe you Harry.”
“Thank you Honeysuckle. It’s nice to know there are people out there that do believe, other than my friends.” He then turned and headed towards his waiting friends and Honeysuckle left to find Argenta.