The solstice curse 13/25
Dec. 13th, 2012 05:29 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
herumtreiberAuthor:
herumtreiberWord Count: 920
Rating: PG-13
Prompt: Day 13 traditional - Oxford Street
Warning: None
Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns them, not me. This is for mischief's sake, not profit.
Author's Notes: This is for
slythindor100 's Christmas challenge picture prompts. Sequel of Part one, Part two, Part three, Part four, Part five, Part six, Part seven, Part eight, Part nine, Part ten, Part eleven & Part twelve"This doesn't help us, I'm afraid." Hermione tapped her fingernail against the tome before handing it to Ron.
Ron hefted the book, glancing at the title. He could make neither heads nor tails of it so he stood up, ready to put it back on the shelf. "What exactly are we looking for?"
"Information related to the solstice." She sighed, gazing at the lamp. "There's a wealth of books about the solstice that I've stumbled upon in my job. Muggles have a fascination with astronomy and…"
"I remember hearing something about it," said Ron wonderingly.
"You did?" Hermione raised an eyebrow.
"Years ago. It was when we went to the Ministry to rescue Sirius, when Voldemort tricked Harry." Ron shrugged and put the book on the shelf. "The Prophecies broke, remember?"
"What did you hear?"
"I heard the voice of this old bloke saying: '… at the solstice will come a new…'" Ron shrugged. "There was another prophecy which might have something to do with it." He shrugged. "Can't remember exactly what it said."
"… and none will come after," said Luna, walking up to them. She twirled her wand before tucking it behind her ear. "I remember Bellatrix shouting whilst the balls broke, the witch sounded like a very obnoxious fwooper."
Seeing Hermione's sceptical look, Luna hastened to add, "We can consult my memories in the Pensieve, if you want."
"But where we will get one?" said Ron.
"I have one at the office," Luna said in a dreamy voice. "Comes handy when I want to note down the times I've seen nargles."
Luna opened her mouth to say more but Hermione huffed dismissively, "Sure, Luna."
The Ravenclaw shrugged. "As you wish."
"Where's Harry?" said Ron. "For that matter, where's Malfoy?"
"They were in Ravenclaw when I left them." Luna sat on the chair next to Hermione. "The poor boys were tired. I reckon they're having breakfast."
She exchanged a sharp glance with Hermione, who blushed. The two witches glanced sideways at Ron, who seemed intent on finding Quidditch through the ages.
"I know they did the dirty deed," said Ron, glancing at the two witches over his shoulders.
"You do?" said Hermione, raising her eyebrows.
Ron brushed his fringe and put the book he was holding back on the shelf, giving up his search for the elusive Quidditch book. "Sure, Mione. I can read between the lines, you know. I've known something like this would happen since I met Malfoy near Marylebone."
"You haven't told me, Ron," said Hermione admonishingly.
"Well, I forgot is all." Ron shrugged. "It was…"
"It was near Christmas Eve," drawled Draco, sauntering towards the group, Harry by his side.
Hermione took at a glance Harry and Draco's slightly dishevelled state. The rumpled cloaks and slightly askew collar shirts hinted at a snog or two in the corridors. She smiled at Harry, happy to see his cheeks glowing with a healthy blush.
Draco squeezed Harry's shoulder and pushed him gently towards the chair in front of Ron. Then he hooked his foot around the leg of the chipped chair next to it and pulled it towards the pile of books in front of Hermione. He sat down and glanced at them, lifting his eyebrow at the title of the topmost book.
"Funny that you're researching Irish myths and Cúchulainn," said Draco, fingering the leather-bound tome. "I was looking for something similar."
"Let me guess, the geis?" said Hermione.
"Exactly," Draco said, crossing his legs. "There was this haunted treasure near Dublin, and Gringotts believed there was a geis placed upon the family."
"What is that?" said Harry, nudging his glasses with his thumb.
Draco leaned towards him and grinned briefly. "It's a magical obligation that you have to follow on pain of death. The conditions are quite difficult to match and so, the hero who's been placed under a geis may die."
"That's awful," said Harry in a small voice.
"Indeed. That day Weasley was talking about, I was walking along the street," said Draco. "Looking for the bookstore Terry Boot recommended, and I met him."
Ron smiled fondly. "It was a cold day, let me tell you! I was strolling along Oxford Street, searching for a Muggle gift for Dad - Christmas was a day or two away - and I saw Malfoy's hair, just as bright as the Christmas lights in the middle of the street. He was near these lights which formed a big box." Ron spread his arms widely to indicate the huge lights. "Had an umbrella inside, if I remember correctly. Anyway, he was gazing up at them like they were a dragon or something."
Draco scowled at Ron. "I was unused to those Muggle lights, Weasley. They seemed like fairy lights."
"Anyway, to make a long story short," said Ron. "I invited him over for dinner." He smiled fondly at Hermione. "You were visiting your parents in Australia, remember."
"Yes, I do." Hermione glanced at Draco, curious about why the Slytherin had agreed to have dinner with his former enemy.
Seeing her sceptical expression, Draco explained. "At the time, Mother and Father were abroad, and I lacked company." He sighed. "It got lonely in the Manor, especially during the longest night of the year."
"I know what you mean, Draco," said Ron, gazing at the windows of the Library, white because of the snow falling outside. "Nights seem to last forever, don't they?"
"Will you have Christmas dinner with me?" blurted Harry.
"Of course," said Draco, patting lightly Harry's arm.
Part fourteen
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Date: 2012-12-14 12:22 pm (UTC)You're welcome, and thanks! ♥
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Date: 2012-12-14 09:23 am (UTC)no subject
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Date: 2012-12-15 02:28 am (UTC)I hope they can hear the whole prophesy in the Pensieve.
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Date: 2012-12-15 02:52 am (UTC)They might hear that.
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Date: 2012-12-18 03:31 am (UTC):D
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Date: 2012-12-18 03:37 am (UTC)