Broomsticks and The Wizards Gauntlet

Broomsticks and the Wizards Gauntlet

A/N-***** If you are reading this at adultfanfiction please review me, or this may be the last chapter I upload to this site. I'm getting rave reviews over at fanfiction, so the story will be uploaded still there, but from what I can tell, nobody is really reading my stories over here. So this chapter is a test I guess to see if its worth it to keep updating here. I don;t take any offense whatsoever, my stories may not be right for this forum is all. Gotta let me know because otherwise this is the last chapter to be uploaded here. My fanfiction link is in my profile here, so I left a bread crumbs trail for anyone who is actually reading this story or other stories of mine hehe :) love yas!
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Chapter 4
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Hermione woke up early and made herself a spot of tea. She cringed when she saw the morning edition of The Daily Prophet. There was a picture of Roderick Raspodin, on the front, cheesy curled up mustache and all. He was at a political rally. He chanted along with the crowd the phrase, No More Malfoy. Hermione rolled her eyes and turned the page. She squinted to see the tiny picture of Luna Lovegood and her former husband, Jean Paul LaRoche. It was a death announcement. It said that Jean Paul was found crucio-ed to death in his mansion in Paris. A wand was found at the scene, the owner of the wand in question, being none other then decorated war hero, Luna Lovegood. Hermione’s eyes grew wide. The article went on to explain, that Auror’s couldn’t find Luna or the couples three children, but that the estranged couple, had been embroiled in a bitter custody dispute for two years, so the motive was solid and Auror’s were currently searching for Ms. Lovegood.

Draco stumbled into the kitchen wearing only his pajama bottoms and he put the coffee on. With his stint in America, Draco had decided, like Luke, that he preferred coffee to tea, so he stocked up on his favorite Wizardbucks brews. He had a taste for Hazelnut and the aroma was a welcome presence in their home as far as Hermione was concerned.

“Draco, be sure to read the Prophet. Especially page two. Luna is on the run. She may show up here.”

“Really?” Draco said sipping his coffee. “I’ll take a look.”

“You may not want to read page one. It’s likely to get you into a bad mood. More of Raspodin’s attacks on you.” Draco grumbled at that. He was used to it by now, but it still stung every time he read the rhetoric and propaganda that his nemesis spewed.

“Yeah well, Blaise is coming over first thing this morning. He and I are working on my reelection campaign. I thought I’d work from home today, since Scorpius is injured and all. Shouldn’t Luke and Persephone be up? The Hogwart’s Express leaves in an hour.”

“I heard them both up this morning.” Hermione said, pausing before launching into what she really wanted to say. “Draco, are you angry with me?” Hermione had told Draco the night before when Draco asked why she was at Potter’s house, that she couldn’t tell Draco what she was doing with Harry Potter. She didn’t want to lie to Draco, so she just asked him to not ask her and to trust her. He had bitched and moaned about keeping secrets from each other, but Hermione held steadfast and told Draco that she just couldn’t tell him, but that nothing remotely romantic was going on.

“Mad isn’t the word, Hermione. Hurt maybe. I meant what I said though. His fucking lips are not to touch your’s again. I don’t care if it’s your cheek or you hand. He’s divorced, and its bad enough that you are sneaking around with him behind my back.”

“You are mad!”

“I think I hear the baby,” Draco said extricating himself from the room and the conversation. She tells him that she can’t tell him what she was doing at Harry Potter’s, but that he should trust her? She obviously didn’t trust him, Draco thought to himself.

Draco meandered down the expansive hallway. He knocked on Luke’s door and reminded him to get a move on if he intended to catch the train. He was about to knock on Scorpius and Persephone’s door, when the girl opened the door. Draco stepped back, a little surprised, but Persephone…Persephone was staring at him. Draco noticed her staring too. Was his daughter in law feasting her eyes on his chest? She looked him up and down and Draco suddenly felt completely exposed, even though he frequently walked around the house without a shirt. He cleared his throat.

“Umm yeah, the Hogwarts Express leaves in less then an hour. I thought you…well…anyways, the baby is up.” Persephone cast her eyes down when she realized she had been staring. She couldn’t get the vision out of her head though. Draco in the midst of a mind blowing orgasm kept replaying itself over and over again in her mind. His face looked so, well, HOT for lack of a better word.

“Yeah, Scorpius is still sleeping. I won’t be able to come back until the weekend, unless I can get McGonagall to let me come home. Thanks for the reminder though.” Draco nodded and proceeded into his daughter’s room.

“Well that was awkward,” Draco said, holding his squirming daughter in his hands.

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“What’s up Harry? You said it was important.” Hermione said, sitting across from Harry at their normal muggle diner in London. She had a full day today, but she wanted to meet Harry first, in case something bad had happened. Harry worked part time in the Auror’s office, so he was privy to information that nobody else had. He kept tabs on whether or not the Auror’s office was investigating The Gauntlet.

“It’s out. The whole office was talking about the Gauntlet. When your son was hurt, the word spread. How is he by the way?”

“He’ll be okay. He’s going to be missing a year of quidditch though. I have to go down there today and talk to the coach of Puddlemere United and renegotiate his contract. So, what are they saying?”

“Nothing to worry over, yet. The boys were just talking about it, as if it’s some competition. Testosterone driven event. They all want to go now. Apparently, one of the aurors was there last night. I’m grateful the event ended early, even if it was because of Scorpius getting hurt. If they had seen the last part of the Gauntlet, all the wards I put in place, it would be obvious that an auror had erected the damn thing. It could have led to trouble.”

“Well, what are we going to do? This is too important Harry. Remember how it was when you and I were the only witch and wizard in the Squib Network? It was exhausting.”

“I know ‘Mione. I didn’t like you doing it either. You were almost killed that one time when you were trapped in that cave by the shore. If you hadn’t have gotten yourself out before the tide came in…well I shudder to think about it. I remember thinking I was going to have to tell Draco that I got you killed, and you were pregnant at he time! That was really stupid of me to allow that.” Hermione looked down at that. In the early days of the Underground Squib Network, only she and Harry escorted fleeing squibs to America. They had to use well hidden portkey’s, but now even the portkey’s were being monitored, making the trip that much more difficult. Then they used polyjuice for a while, but the aurors cracked down on that too, making polyjuice potion an illegal substance and one that required a person to submit a formal document in writing and their reasons for needing it. The Gauntlet was the safest way to transport squibs. It assured that the wizard escorting the squibs to freedom, were fit and agile and smart and able to think on their feet. They had a 100 success rating, since Harry and Hermione had passed the torch so to speak.

“Speaking of Draco. He followed me to your house yesterday.”

“Oh? What did ya tell him?”

“Harry, he thought I was having an affair with you! “ Harry laughed hard at that.

“’Mione that’s ridiculous. You’re like a sister to me.”

“I know and I told him that, but he saw you kiss me on the cheek. Anyways, I told him I couldn’t tell him what we were doing, but that I wouldn’t allow you to kiss me anymore. He actually demanded that you never touch me again.” Harry jokingly moved his hand away from hers at that. Their fingers were touching as they had their tea and banana nut muffins.

“Why didn’t you just lie and say you were helping me through the pain of my divorce or something?”

“I’m not going to lie to my husband, Harry! Maybe that’s why you and Ginny didn’t work out.”

“Ouch, that hurt.”

“Oh, I’m sorry Harry. I just don’t like keeping things from Draco like this. We have a really open and honest relationship and I don’t want to tarnish that. I’m just frustrated.” Hermione held Harry’s hand at that. She was startled when he pulled it away.

“You’re touching me, remember?”

“This is silly. Anyways, so was that all?”

“No. The cave down by the loch is getting too small to accommodate the people at the Gauntlets. Therefore, I’m going up there today and move it. I put up security enchantments and wards around my property and I’m moving The Gauntlet outside.”

“Well, that’s good. I hated the cave anyways. Reminded me of the cave by the shore that time, where me and that poor squib boy got stuck for hours, while aurors combed the beach.”

“Yeah, I figured as much. I’m sorry about that ‘Mione. I set up that portkey that time. I feel responsible. In any case, I want to change a few of the traps. I’m getting rid of the catapult. Besides it being fun and interesting to watch the wizards fly through the air and land on their arse in most cases, it isn’t really beneficial to anyone.”

“I’d like to take that bloody devils snare out too.”

“No Hermione. The snare is good. How many times did you find yourself tromping through briars and vines with a squib in tow and an auror on your tail? The devil’s snare stays. People have to know how to get themselves out of those types of situations. I did however, set up an age circle. Now nobody under the age of twenty can enter the arena. It’s my fault that Scorpius was allowed to run the gauntlet. I should have had those safeguards in place, beforehand.”

“I don’t blame you Harry.”

“Thanks, but I do. So, I was thinking. What about a wizards chess board? Or maybe a flying course?”

“Well unless Ron is going to run The Gauntlet each time, I don’t think the chess idea is very good. The flying course though sounds wonderful, Harry.”

“Yeah, my thinking as well. With all of our means of transportation being sealed off by auror’s, broomstick may be our last viable means of getting the squibs and their families out safely.”

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“So what’s my schedule look like Blaise?” Draco sat his desk in the library with a suave and sophisticated Blaise Zabini, sitting across form him. Through the years,Blaise Zabini had become Draco’s right hand man and most trusted advisor.

“I cleared your schedule today, after Scorpius got hurt at last nights Gauntlet. But tomorrow, you have a noon lunch with the Minister from Thailand to discuss tourism. Sexy woman too by the way.” Blaise winked. “Then you have a speech to make at DPU, since your campaign has a stronghold there. Then…” Draco cut Blaise off.

“What do you mean Scorpius got hurt at the Gauntlet? And how did you know he got hurt? I didn’t mention it and I don’t think even the Prophet knows about it yet,” Draco said sharply.

“Well, I was at The Gantlet last night when he got hurt. There was no mistaking his blond hair behind the mask. I thought it was you at first, but I knew you wouldn’t go down in Devil’s Snare. You are much smarter then that.” Draco’s head was spinning.

“Blaise, what the fuck are you talking about! What’s a bloody Gauntlet?”

“Are you fucking with me Draco? I figured you were the master of ceremonies. It’s your bloody platform to save the squibs, after all. Stop playing games with me. I’m not going to tell anyone that you set up an Underground Squib Network. Your secret is safe with me. You’re like a brother to me.”

Draco was rubbing his temples trying to wrap his mind around all of this.

“Blaise. I don’t know what The Gauntlet is. I don’t know of any Underground Squib Network. Now, if you could please start at he beginning.”

Blaise did just that. He explained what the Gauntlet was, how it had become quite popular with the wizards who attended it. The Gauntlet was held once a week and groups of wizards were now coming down to watch and take part. It was the cool place to be and everyone was going. Blaise had heard about it from his on again, off again girlfriend, Drew’s mother, Parvati Patil. That is, before she ran off with the guy who worked at the Robes shop, to help save the Cornish pixies, whose indigenous home in Borneo, was being overrun by Giants. Parvati in her adult years was more concerned with various charitable causes, then she was with raising her only child, Drew Weasley. The time she did spend with Drew, was usually spent working on one of her causes, so the girl really depended on the Weasley’s for support.

“I want you to take me to this Gauntlet.”

“Sure Draco, but wear a mask okay? I’m not sure if it’s smart to be seen at this event with the campaign in full swing.”

“Agreed. So when do we go? “

“Well, last nights Gauntlet ended early, when your son got hurt, so they are having another one tonight. I guess the master and mistress of ceremonies are hiding Theo Nott and his family after they tried to take his squib daughter from him. There weas a big stand off and some really powerful wizard was defending him against the auror’s raid. By the time the auror’s got inside, the family was gone. It was in the Prophet Draco.”

“Yeah, I read about it. I’ve had Theo and his wife and kids over for dinner many times since we’ve been back. Such a shame. That girl is bright and cheerful and a riot. I couldn’t imagine what I’d do if someone tried to take my Jillybean away.”

“She isn’t a….you know…a squib, is she?”

“No Blaise. In fact, Hermione says that when she takes too long to whip the boob out to feed her, she makes the lights flicker. We notice her magical ability most when she gets fussy and is crying to be fed. Still though, even if she were a squib, I’d love her just the same. I really feel for Theo. Look, meet me at The Manor and we will leave from there,” Draco said and Blaise agreed.

“Now, I have a couple other matters of importance that I need to discuss with you.”

“I want you to check into these figures of Raspodin’s. It can’t be right that one in five children are born as squibs. That seems really high and I’m not buying that blood status has anything to do with the rise in squibs. It’s complete poppycock and he;s using that to instill fear into the minds of the people.”

“Done,” Blaise said, his quill moving of its own accord.

“Next matter. I want you to book me speaking engagements at all of the places Raspodin lectures at, minus the ones that we know we can’t drum up support at. I don’t want to be speaking at a Death Eaters anonymous meeting. You getting me?”

“Got ya.”

“Lastly, did you see this?” Draco shoved the paper across his desk, opened to the article about his sister Luna.

“Fucking hell Draco…She finally offed the bastard, huh?”

“I don’t know. Luna doesn’t seem the type to be honest. See if you can find out what the French Ministry knows about this. I want to know what the Auror’s office in Paris knows. I’m worried. Her daughter in particular, is such a frightened and beautiful little girl. I of course will help Luna in any way that I can.”

“I’m not sure that’s so smart, Draco. I mean, associating with a known murderer. You could lose votes, or even be implicated as an accessory.”

“Yes, well I don’t intend on broadcasting it Blaise, but she is my sister and I want to help.” Suddenly the doorbell rang.

“Blaise, would you mind getting that, I think I hear the baby.” Draco ran to get Jillian.

“Don’t you have a house elf to do this? I swear Draco, I’m not your butler!” Blaise hollered up the stairs as he threw the door open. He was met with the face of Luna Lovegood, with three dirty kids in tow. He ushered them in and then hung his outside the castle, to see if anyone was lurking around. When he didn’t see anybody, he closed the door and locked it.

“Nobody followed us Blaise Zabini, except the horneytoads. Blaise shook his head and loosened his collar. He had never noticed how attractive Luna Lovegood actually was and then hearing her mention horneytoads…well…Blaise hadn’t had sex in a month, so he wondered if she was she talking about him as the horney toad? He almost laughed at the thought.

“So, did you do it?” Blaise asked casually.

“You’re perspiring and your face is flushed, and your hand was sweaty when I shook it. Are you attracted to me?” Luna always had a way of cutting through the bull and getting right to the matter at hand. Blaise coughed into his fist, feeling nervous. He didn’t see Draco standing behind Luna bouncing the baby in his arms, but now Draco was smirking at Blaise. He had never, ever, seen Blaise blush in a woman’s presence before. Maybe he had met his match at long last. The smooth player, the master of manipulation when it came to women, just was flattened by the Knight Bus, his vulnerabilities hanging out to dry. Draco decided to let him off the hook. He cleared his throat and greeted Luna and her children.

“Hi Jessie. Would you like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? Hermione showed me how to make them. They’re really wonderful and you look a little hungry. The little girl smiled and nodded and then climbed into Draco’s arms. He carried both children into the kitchen. Luna followed along with her twin boys Pierre and Francois.

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Scorpius awoke and cringed in pain. His leg throbbed. He looked at the bottle of potion on his night table and turned away. He hated taking potions for anything, even for pain. He hobbled out of bed but collapsed on the small sofa in their room, unable to make it any farther. His guitar was sitting next to the sofa, so he picked it up and started strumming. He had vague recollections of the Gauntlet and how he hurt himself. He didn’t remember how he got to St. Mungo’s, but he remembered that he was told he couldn’t play quidditch for a year. This pissed him off, he was the cornerstone of their team, they needed him. He had hoped to make it the World Cup this year. His strumming took on a dark sound as he began to sing. Draco entered the room at hearing the music and brought him a tray of food. When Draco left, Scorpius flicked his wand and a quill and parchment floated towards him. He started over and played a few chords and then jotted them down. Within an hour, he had written a song. He didn’t stop there though, he continued writing, the words and the music just flowing out of him. He hadn’t played his guitar in so long and now he couldn’t remember why. He thought they were pretty good songs, the best one being about his wife. It was a ballad with deep resonating bass and an edgy melody that he felt was hauntingly accurate at capturing the essence of Persephone. He scrawled at the top of the page after he’d finished writing it. Sapphire’s Burn. Not really thinking, Scorpius bewitched an envelope and sent the song in it to a local wizards radio station. He climbed back into bed and drank some of the potion, his leg aching terribly. It wasn’t long before his head clouded over and sleep found him again.

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“Hey, Luke!” Lily Potter slid the compartment open and sat down next to Luke. Luke was a fourth year student, but was taking mostly sixth year classes, because of his genius intelligence. Even the sixth year course work was too easy for Luke. He didn’t feel challenged at all in school. It really wasn’t for him. He hated being there. He would much rather work fulltime in the Potions store. His mother told him not to try to grow up so fast though. There would be dances and other school functions that were vitally important for Luke to attend and enjoy, so that he could be a well rounded kid. So now, he sat in the compartment wondering why it was that Lily Potter was talking to him. She was an average height, attractive girl with auburn hair and emerald green eyes. She was a fourth year student like Luke. Luke didn’t know her very well, but supposedly they used to play in each other’s paddling pools when they were kids, back when Hermione and Ginny were inseparable.

“Hey Lily. What’s up?”

“Nothing. My brother James was annoying me and I saw you in here all by yourself, so I thought I’d come annoy you,” the girl winked and smiled a toothy grin at Luke. “You want a piece of gum?” The girl held out a pack of muggle bubblegum.

“Why, does my breath smell?” Luke said dryly. Lily giggled.

“You’re funny! So, I signed up for tutoring in Potions. Professor Lynch said you’re my new tutor.” Luke shot her a half smile. His mind was preoccupied with other things, namely Drew and who this new boyfriend of hers was.

“Yeah, it’s one of my duties as a Prefect. Did your Mum put you up to this Lily?”

“Put me up to what?” Lily said confused.

“Nevermind.” Luke was reading an advanced arithmancy book before Lily had entered the compartment. He had read the same page three times, unable to concentrate as HER face was burned into everything he looked at. He glanced up from his book when Lily was hovering over him.

“What are you doing?” Luke said to Lily.

“Trying to get this bloody window down. It’s stuffy in here.” Lily smiled again, smacking her gum in her mouth. Luke felt flustered all of a sudden, which was his normal reaction when he was around an attractive girl.

“If I could just get this, ruddy thing to budge I could almost lift it…” Lily was cut off as she pried at the window, when the train hit a rut in the tracks and Lily fell backwards into Luke’s arms. He caught her under the arms and legs and now she was smiling up at him and laughing.

“Good catch, Luke Malfoy!” She wriggled up onto her knees as straddled him. Her perfectly rounded breasts were in Luke’s face now, as she continued to struggle with the window. “Sorry Luke, but I can get to the window better from this potion. I almost got it.” Luke’s heart was racing. He could smell the soap she had used to bathe with and it smelled like sweet vanilla. He could see her belly button from the way her shirt was hiking up, with her arms stretched high above her head. She started to lose her balance again as she struggled and pulled at the window of the train. Luke had to steady her with his hands. As he held her firmly by the waist, he found himself losing his mind. She was hot and he had just noticed it. He lifted her up and stood her back down on the floor of the compartment, needing to get himself out of this position as quickly as possible. He banged on the window once and then popped it open. Lily clapped and smiled.

“Thank you! Sorry for climbing on ya a bit. I just get claustrophobic in enclosed places. I know, I’m mental, she laughed. Dad doesn’t like small places either. Says it’s cause he used to sleep in a cupboard.” Luke watched as Lily stuck her arms out the window. He was entranced by the way the sleeves of her opened robes, flapped in the breeze. He pretended to be reading his book again, but he could careless about arithmancy, watching Lily Potter was for more entertaining. She was a popular girl and rightfully so. She was a bit wild and crazy, but also friendly to just about everyone. She was Drew’s cousin and while Drew, always painted Lily out to be an attention hog, Luke somehow thought that maybe Drew was slightly jealous, because she seemed to be genuinely nice.

“Come here. Try this, you’ll love it!” With that, Lily leaned her head out the window. He watched as her auburn hair flayed in the breeze. Her eyes were closed and for a moment, she looked like an angel. She ducked her head back in and held her hand to Luke. “Come on, you really have to try this!”

“No, that’s okay. I have to finish this chapter before we arrive at Hogwarts.”

“Books, schmooks. Come on Luke! This is exhilarating.” Luke reluctantly stood up. He towered over the five foot four girl. He leaned out a bit with his head and immediately felt the cold air hit him in the face. He pulled his head back in.

“No, no. You have to lean out farther and stretch your arms out. Feels like flying. It’s really cool. Try it!” Lily did it again and this time Luke let his arms extend outwards, leaning farther then the the last time. Lily was right, this was exhilarating. He could hear the constant hum of the Hogwarts Express and the rhythmic clicking of the train on the tracks. Lily reached and clasped her fingers in his hand. They held hands, with their faces to the morning sun and the wind in their hair and Luke for the first time in a year, felt alive.

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Review!?

For the life of me, this morning I can’t remember which frigging year Luke and Scorpius and the others should be in. I think Scorpius should be in his sixth year and Persephone in her fifth. Luke in his fourth year, Drew in her fifth year and Lily in her fourth year. If anyone knows for sure, let me know lol Just remember, this is a year after Big Apple story, so that has to be accounted for too. I suck at math and word problems lol Sad I can’t remember what I’ve written in my own stories. Don’t kill yourself though trying to figure it out, but I will change it if I find out I’m wrong. One of my awesome reviewers wanted to see a Luna/Blaise pairing so I am doing just that! I was probably going to do a Ron/Luna pairing instead, but I like Blaise better then Ron anyways, so it works better anyhow.

Note about my story Dark Fire..One reviewer suggested I make a series out of Scorpions Kiss/ Dark Fire. I actually have over 450 reviews for the story Scorpion Kiss/Dark Fire over at harrypotterfanfiction and loads of people asking for me to continue the story, so they can see what happens to Isis’s lovelife. I might do it in the future. I love Dark Fire too..That was such a fun story to write, so thank you!