HOGWARTS OVEREXPOSED - SALAZAR'S RETURN
In one quick movement, Nora raised her arms and jumped forward and off the platform. As she raised her arms, both breasts burst out of her costume. Nora screamed and brought her arms down to clutch her chest. This had the affect of turning her prone lunge into a forward roll. She was headed toward the ground headfirst. Dick who was in the front position this jump panicked to get out of the way and in so doing knocked Kim and Jeff both off balance.
Nora's head, neck and shoulders hit the ground simultaneously with a loud crack. She just lay there lifeless.
Chapter Sixteen
The Spider's Web
At first no one stirred, then as one everybody seemed to rush toward Nora's motionless body.
"Don't touch her!" Harry shouted, his voice filled with trepidation. "She may have broken her neck." He jumped to the ground and hurried to Nora's side. "Caitlin, are you able to diagnose her with just simple contact, without moving her?"
"I'm sure I can," Caitlin said confidently.
"Jamie, will you and the team help me make a circle around them and keep everyone else back?" Harry asked. "And please try to block those photographers from getting any more pictures of her."
Caitlin got down on her knees next to Nora and gently placed a hand on each of the older girl's arms. Within seconds they were as one. Then as rapidly as she had gone into a trance, it ended and Caitlin smiled.
"Just a broken shoulder and minor concussion," she said with a grin.
"Can you put it right?" Harry asked.
"It's already mended," Caitlin said. "She won't even know that it was broken. I'll bring her around as soon as I make her more respectable." Caitlin hesitantly adjusted Nora's costume so that both her breasts were once again covered, and then prodded the girl lightly until she opened her eyes.
"What happened?" Nora asked, looking around anxiously.
"You gave us a fright," Caitlin answered, "but you're fine now."
"My breasts!" Nora cried, looking down at her chest. "I felt them burst out of the costume. Did people see them?"
Caitlin didn't lie. "I tucked you back together. Nora, it's not that big a deal. I spent most of the summer totally nude. What's important is that you're okay."
Nora looked questioningly at Caitlin who was still holding her hand. "You do realize that I can actually see you as you really are?" she asked.
"I'm sorry," Caitlin said, letting go of Nora's hand. "I didn't mean to embarrass you."
"It didn't make me uncomfortable to see you nude; I'd only be distressed if you saw me that way," Nora explained.
Caitlin shrugged her shoulders. "There was a time I felt like that," Caitlin said, but before she could elaborate, they were besieged by well-wishers.
* * * * * *
"You were brilliant," Matt said, as he rushed up to Caitlin at the conclusion of the practice session.
"It's amazing how you can heal someone simply by touching them."
Caitlin reddened. "I'm still having difficulty comprehending it myself," she said. "The strangest part is that it happens almost mechanically now; I don't even have to think about it any longer. When I touched Nora, I was immediately aware of her injuries; then straight away they were healed."
"Do you think that if we held hands, the rift between us could be healed as easily?" Matt asked.
"We could try," Caitlin answered sweetly, reaching out for Matt's hands, "but mental wounds to the heart are usually much harder to heal than those of the flesh."
"I've missed you," Matt said truthfully. "Why is it that you don't realize how important… how precious someone is to you until you've lost them? Can you ever forgive me for being so possessive and intrusive? I swear that I won't be domineering ever again, if you'll just give me another chance."
"I've missed you, too," Caitlin responded, her eyes watering. "I thought we had something special, something that would last forever."
"Maybe it will. if we give it another try and this time work harder at not hurting each other," Matt said. "Can we please try again?"
Caitlin nodded her head. Then she leaned forward and kissed Matt on the cheek. Matt returned her kiss, but on the lips, then embraced her closely.
"I love the feel of your body in my arms," Matt said. "I was afraid that I'd never get to hold you again."
Caitlin likewise liked the feeling of being in Matt's arms once more. She didn't want the embrace to end, but it did when Kim called out to her. "Did you forget that we're supposed to be meeting Emily?"
"I'm sorry, Matt," Caitlin said. "I forgot that Emily, Kim and I had plans for this afternoon. Can we talk more this evening?"
"It's okay," Matt said, a wide smile on his face. "Nothing can mess up this day."
As Matt departed for the castle, Caitlin ran over to join Kim. "Obviously you and Matt have mended fences," Kim squealed as Caitlin reached her.
"Not completely," Caitlin said, with a smile "but I think we will. We're going to talk some more tonight."
"I'm glad," Kim said earnestly. "You two make such an adorable couple. I have to admit though that I feel sorry for little Evan. He worships you and was greatly looking forward to going to the Yule Ball with you."
Suddenly Caitlin's face turned pallid. "I forgot all about the Ball," she said, her voice trembling. "You're right though. Matt will expect me to go with him now, but I can't hurt Evan like that. What am I going to do?"
* * * * * *
Rishard Simone walked down the main street past Zonko's Joke Shop, past the post office and turned up a side
street. Finally at the top of the hill he reached his destination, a small inn called the Hog's Head. He had been
here before and hated the filthy atmosphere of the dirty pub. Rishard would much rather imbibe in the warmth and
cleanliness of The Three Broomsticks, but Eric had suggested the Hog's Head. Eric was Rishard's only contact
with his backers. Eric spoke for them and Rishard knew better than to question their orders.
Rishard felt like he was entering a stable rather than a bar. The floor was filthy and the room smelled strongly of something quite like goats. He gave the bartender his order and then slowly approached the corner table where Eric was seated.
"Sit down," Eric ordered. "The situation isn't as dire as we originally thought. Actually the instant ratings were quite good considering that it was only a practice session."
"I don't understand," Richard said, looking cynically at the drink the bartender had just placed before him. He wasn't at all sure he wanted to rest his lips against the grubby glass. "There was minimal nudity today. I expected the viewers to turn us out."
"We underestimated the female viewers' love of angst," Eric replied. "There was just enough tit and arse to keep the males watching, but that near fatal fall grabbed the interest of the women. That Caitlin Potter girl is an instant superstar. The viewers want to see more of her in action."
Rishard gave Eric a very confused look. "I don't understand," he said. "Our concentration has always been on 'accidental' exposure, has that changed?"
"No! The public will never get tired of seeing a pair of attractive bare tits," Eric assured Rishard. "Plus, there are those that always get a thrill over a glimpse of an exposed snatch or dick. But we've been overlooking a large segment of our audience. Our viewers want to see these kids in real danger. They want to see them actually get hurt, maybe even occasionally one or two killed."
"You can't be serious," Rishard said. "It was one thing for you to ask me to put the competitors in erotic costumes, having their privates publicly exposed doesn't physically hurt them. But do you actually expect me to rig the contests so that there is a good chance of someone actually being hurt?"
"Only if you want to continue living in the luxurious life style to which you have become accustomed," Eric warned. "You're quirky, Rishard, but I like you. I'd hate to see you just disappear."
Rishard stared nervously at Eric. He was aware that he'd been given his one and only warning. "What do you want me to do?" he asked fearfully.
"Surprise me," Eric answered. "Just make sure it's good, or else."
* * * * * *
"Evan, can I talk to you?" Caitlin asked shyly.
"Sure," Evan said, plopping himself down next to Caitlin on the Chesterfield.
"Not here," she said, looking around the busy common room. "Can we take a walk?"
Evan's eyes widened. "You're naked," he said, pointing out the obvious. "You can't leave the common room like that."
Caitlin laughed. "No, I can't wander about the castle, but my dorm is empty. We can go up there for some privacy."
"I didn't think the castle would permit boys to enter the girls' dorms?" Evan questioned.
"It won't until you've first been escorted," Caitlin explained. "After that it will allow you to enter on your own as long as your intentions remain honorable."
"The castle can read someone's mind?" Evan asked in awe.
"Not exactly the castle," Caitlin explained. "The protective wards on the stairway to the dorms act similar to those on a wizard home. The owners must grant first time visitors access. After that they are allowed automatic admission as long as they don't intend the owners any harm and their authorization to access hasn't been revoked." Caitlin gave Evan a shy smile. "You don't have any dishonorable intentions or plan me any harm, do you?"
"I could never hurt you," Evan said truthfully.
Caitlin bit her lip. Evan might not be able to hurt her, but what she was about to do would definitely hurt him. "We need to maintain physical contact the first time you go up the stairs," she said, taking his hand in hers.
From across the room Matt watched jealously. Caitlin had advised him that she wanted to talk to Evan privately and explain about the two of them getting back together. She hadn't, however, told Matt that she was going to have the conversation in her bedroom while totally naked.
"You're sure I won't get expelled for being in here?" Evan asked nervously as they entered the empty dorm.
"You won't get expelled," Caitlin answered reassuringly. "Alex is in the seventh year girls' dorm all the time. It only becomes a problem if the other girls complain or if we do something prohibited."
Evan nodded his head as Caitlin guided him to her bed and indicated for him to take a seat. He nervously did as instructed and then shivered as Caitlin sat down very close to him. She took his hand in hers, and then looked around the room as if searching for words.
"I think I know why you want to talk to me," Evan said quietly. "I waited for you after the practice session today, thinking maybe we could take a walk around the lake. You and Matt were talking, so I didn't bother you. You two are getting back together, aren't you?"
"I think so," Caitlin answered softly. She felt terrible, as if she were stabbing Evan in the heart. "I'm sorry, Evan. Please don't hate me."
"I could never hate you," he said. Although he tried desperately to hide them, there were tears in his eyes. "You and I… It was a little boy's dream. If you put your mind to it, you can have any guy in the school. Why would you ever want to settle for me?"
"It wouldn't be settling, Evan. Don't sell yourself short," Caitlin insisted. "The girl that eventually winds up with you will be very fortunate. It's just that Matt and I… Well, we had a special relationship. I can't just toss it aside without giving it another chance."
"I assume you'll be wanting to go to the Yule Ball with him? Evan asked.
She didn't answer, but instead bit her lip and nodded her head uncomfortably.
"Can we at least still be friends?" Evan asked. "I know you'll want to spend a lot of time with Matt, but can we still sit and talk occasionally?"
"Of course," Caitlin answered. "I enjoy your company. Hopefully we can remain great friends."
* * * * * *
"I'm so glad you're back," Ginny cried, flinging her arms around Draco. Her eyes were blood shot and
her face stained with tears. "I was so worried. What did Nott have to say?"
"It's all a game to him. He's having a ball threatening people and ruining their lives." Draco shook his head disgustedly. "On the other hand, he thinks that Slytherin will be impressed with my credentials and me. I feel like I'm applying for a position in a blossoming firm."
"Then you didn't actually meet Lord Slytherin?" Ginny asked.
"No! Nott says it might be months before I actually meet him," Draco informed her. "In point of fact that's probably for the best. Potter claims that this Occlumency stuff that Severus is going to teach me is extremely difficult to learn."
Ginny looked at Draco, concern etched in her face. "Whatever it takes, you must learn to shut down your feelings and memories," she pleaded. "Otherwise, Slytherin will be able to delve into your mind and know that you are lying to him."
"I know," Draco said, sighing deeply. "Nott already warned me against lying to Slytherin, even about what I might consider inconsequential stuff. Nott says that he doesn't put up with anyone being even faintly untruthful to him. I think that is one of the reasons Potter and Snape advised me to own up to being a member of the Order. There was too much chance of him eventually finding out."
"But you still need to convince him that you will be loyal to his objectives and spy on the Order," Ginny said with concern.
"I don't think I'll have any difficulty convincing him of that," Draco answered, as he carefully avoided looking directly at Ginny.
* * * * * *
"Ron! Don't do that," Sam shrieked crossly. "What if Timmy sees you?"
"He's not paying any attention to us," Ron answered defensively. "Can I help it if you running around the house nude all the time makes me randy? I can't control myself."
"Well, you better learn how," Sam said, impatiently. "I'm not going to be the one to explain to Timmy why his father is sucking on my nipple."
"Because, my dear, you have extremely tasty nipples that top off sumptuous breasts on the very gorgeous body of the most wonderful woman in the world," Ron said appreciatively.
"Flattery will get you everywhere, Ronald, but not until Timmy is sound asleep in bed. He already knows quite enough about sex for a little boy his age," Sam admonished. "I prefer that he continue to think of breasts only as a mothers' way to supply nourishment to her child. He has plenty of time to become obsessed with them as playthings."
"Are you calling me obsessed?" Ron asked.
"If the shoe fits, wear it," Sam replied with a laugh. "Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, but I don't think you can go ten minutes without fondling me in some way or another."
"Guilty as charged," Ron said, pulling Sam into an embrace and at the same time squeezing her bum.
"What am I going to do with you?" Sam asked, pulling away from Ron.
"Keep me and love me, I hope," he replied.
"Guaranteed," Sam said. "Ron, I love you so much. I'm so glad we found each other."
"Me too!" Ron replied. "Me too!" He squeezed her tightly.
* * * * * *
"Where is Caitlin?" Matt asked angrily as Evan reached the bottom of the stairs and entered the common
room.
"She'll be down shortly," Evan answered glumly. "She had to make a quick stop at the loo." Evan reached out his hand. "Congratulations! I understand you two are getting back together. You're a very lucky guy."
Matt nodded his head, but avoided shaking Evan's hand. "We would have gotten back together a lot sooner if you hadn't stuck your nose into our affairs," Matt barked. "I want you to stay away from her. If I see you within ten feet of Caitlin, you'll need Madam Pomfrey to re-grow every bone in your body."
"You don't have any right to tell me I can't be friends with Caitlin," the small boy shouted boldly. "You may be her boyfriend again, but that doesn't give you the authority to determine who can or can't be her friend."
"I didn't say you couldn't be her friend," Matt said smartly. "That would be practically the same as trying to control her. I've learned my lesson concerning that. You can be her friend; just stay away from her."
"You haven't learned anything, have you?" Matt turned toward the voice to find Caitlin staring angrily at him, tears in her eyes.
"I thought you said you changed," she cried. "You're still trying to manipulate me and my life. Matt, I'm not even sure I want to be your friend any longer." She turned, tears streaming down her face, and ran back up to her dorm.
Evan looked intently at Matt. "You must be the biggest idiot on earth. You're supposed to learn from your mistakes."
"Shut up, Runt," Matt roared angrily, hitting Evan with a punch that sent the youngster flailing to the floor. Matt then exited through the portrait hole, leaving Evan on the floor holding his bleeding nose.
* * * * * *
"Do you really think it will be that bad?" Hermione asked. "It's not nearly as headline generating
as killing Voldemort."
"Mark my word," Harry declared. "The Daily Prophet and the wizarding world thrive on sensationalism and they've been through an extended period of drought. A Hyperempath with powers such as Caitlin is only born every few hundred years. The story will make headlines. Fortunately we live at Hogwarts or we'd have reporters camped out on our doorstep."
"If it isn't one thing, it's something else," Hermione said with a sigh. "What they should be reporting is the return of Salazar Slytherin."
"I'm wondering just how much longer Percy will be able to cover up all the signs. Even someone as arrogant as him has to wake up to reality sooner or later," Harry said.
"That would require him to admit that he was wrong," Hermione replied. "Percy, as you well know, has a serious problem doing that."
"But even Fudge eventually admitted that Voldemort was back," Harry pointed out.
"Only when he saw Voldemort with his own eyes. Somehow, I don't even think that would sway Percy," Hermione said. "He is even worse than Fudge when it comes to being power hungry and loving being Minister of Magic. If it weren't for the red hair, I'd think he was switched at birth. He is nothing like the other Weasley boys."
* * * * * *
Caitlin had thrown herself on the bed in frustration trying to smother her rage by burying her head in the pillow. She
thought Matt had changed. Or in truth had she just wanted to believe he had changed? What had made her so desperate to
rekindle their relationship?
She anguished for what seemed like hours, desperate to escape reality and enter the world of dreams, but sleep evaded her. One by one, through her hangings, she heard the voices of her roommates enter the dorm. Finally the room was once again quiet, but still sleep eluded her.
"Are you okay?" asked a high-pitched nervous voice she recognized as Evan's.
"Evan! What are you doing here?" she asked, drawing open her hangings.
"I was worried about you," he said shyly. "You never came back down to the common room. I wanted to make sure you were all right."
Caitlin looked nervously about the dorm, fearful that one or more of her mates might still be awake. "Hurry and climb in here before anyone sees you," she whispered.
"In your bed?" Evan asked, taken aback by the very suggestion.
"Yes," Caitlin insisted. "If any of the others see you, they might mistakenly sound an alarm in panic."
She wiggled to one side of the bed to make room for Evan. "Evan, there is blood on your face," she said, alarm evident in her voice.
"I'm okay," Evan insisted. "I just got too close to Matt when he reacted to my remark."
"What remark was that?" Caitlin asked.
"I told him that he was a stupid git for losing you a second time," Evan said. "I can state for a fact that the truth hurts."
Caitlin leaned into Evan and kissed him gently on the nose. "Are you sure it's not broken? You should have gone to see Madam Pomfrey."
"I don't think it's serious," Evan said without conviction. "Besides, I didn't want to get in trouble for fighting." Evan looked apprehensively at the vision lying next to him. "I better go before I get us both in trouble. I just wanted to check on you."
Caitlin smiled. "You're a rarity. I hope you never change." She placed her hand gently on his nose.
"Does that feel better?" she asked.
He smiled, but didn't answer. Instead he just continued to stare at her adoringly.
Caitlin hesitated a moment and then asked, "Evan would you do me a favor before you go? Would you just put your arm around me and hold me for a short time."
"Sure!" Evan answered excitedly as Caitlin nuzzled close to him. He placed his arm around her and trembled as his hand touched her soft bare skin.
_ _ _ _ _ _
Caitlin was awakened from a deep sleep by a voice calling out, "Are you going to sleep all day, Potter? We're
going down to breakfast. You better get a move on if you don't want to starve."
Caitlin sighed as she contentedly, slowly opened her eyes. She froze. She wasn't alone. Evan was still lying next to her, his arm draped innocently across her chest, his palm gently touching her breast. For a few minutes she just watched him peacefully sleep. It felt reassuring to have him nestled next to her. She placed her hand on top of his and then, reluctantly moved it off her chest. She continued to hold Evan's hand as she gently kissed his lips. He didn't stir until she tried to part his lips with her tongue and then he woke with a start.
He looked around, terror filling his eyes. "We both fell asleep," he said, guilt and panic both rushing through his body. "I've got to somehow get out of here before anyone finds out I spent the entire night here."
"Relax," Caitlin said reassuringly. "Most of the house is down at breakfast. I know for sure my roommates are." She opened her drapes slightly and peered about the empty room. "Let me quickly check the staircase and common room." Caitlin scampered out the door and returned in a few moments.
"Hurry," she said. "The common room is empty. If you scurry down now, no one will be any the wiser." Evan quickly followed Caitlin down the stairs and safely to the common room. "Evan, I'm going to take a quick shower and slip on some clothes. Will you wait and go to breakfast with me? There is something important I want to talk to you about."
Evan nodded and then they both ran off in separate directions to shower and get dressed. He was the first to return to the common room and was surprised when Caitlin entered still nude except now wearing her socks and trainers.
"I wait until the last possible moment before putting these on," she said with a laugh, indicating the top and skirt she was carrying. "Sometimes I think I'm getting just about as shocking as Emily."
"What do you mean by that?" Evan asked.
"Emily literally loathes clothing. Sometimes she pushes the limit when it comes to being naked," Caitlin explained. "She'd never wear clothes anywhere if she had her way and I think I'm getting to be more and more like her."
"I think it should be an individual's choice," Evan said. "I mean, no one should ever be forced to go devoid of clothes, but on the other hand… what does it matter if you want to run around in the buff?"
"Evan, can I ask you a question; and please answer it honestly?" Caitlin said. "If I were your girlfriend, would it bother you for other boys to see me nude?"
"Probably a little," Evan answered truthfully. "Not the seeing you nude so much as the nasty feelings they might have. But I guess clothes don't even stop wicked thoughts." Evan blushed. "The neat thing about being your boyfriend would be that I might some day actually get to do some of those things that they'd only get to dream about."
"And just what might those things be, Mr. Creevey?" Caitlin asked, her face turning bright red.
"Just kissing and holding," Evan answered, also turning crimson. "I really liked waking up next to you this morning."
"I'm afraid we can't do much of that," Caitlin said, "but I liked sleeping with you, too. You have a way of making me feel secure and very special. "
"That's because you are special," Evan insisted.
Caitlin didn't answer verbally. Instead she leaned in and gave Evan a kiss on the cheek. After Caitlin slipped on her clothes, they headed off to breakfast. Somewhere between the Gryffindor common room and the Great Hall a decision was reached because when Caitlin and Evan walked into the Great Hall, it was hand in hand.
* * * * * *
Thursday, November 24, 2005
"What's going on?" Emily asked. "Why the decorations and the feast? Has someone declared a new
holiday?"
"It's Thanksgiving," Kim said. "It's an American holiday. I imagine that we're celebrating it because of our guests."
"The more holidays, the better," Emily said, filling her plate. "I love roast turkey and cranberry sauce."
"You do appreciate that there is more significance to holidays than food, don't you?" Kim asked brusquely.
"I'm sure that you're about to acquaint me with the unabridged history of Thanksgiving," Emily said, a frown on her face. "I just hope you don't mind if I eat while you talk; this food is too delicious to let get cool."
"I don't know where you put it all," Kim said, seemingly impressed. "If I ate as much as you do, I'd be as big as a house. You, on the other hand, never seem to gain an ounce, except where it counts."
"Then it's not just my imagination," Emily said elatedly, her face displaying a rare blush.
"No, they've grown significantly since this summer," Kim confirmed. "It's quite evident, especially when you wear tighter fitting clothes. You'd unquestionably be accused of stuffing your bra, except everybody knows you never wear one."
"I hope my dress for the Yule Ball still fits," Emily said apprehensively. "Roger told me to measure myself very precisely. I didn't allow at all for any growth."
Kim laughed. "Growth in the hips and waist can be a problem with most dresses, especially if they're tight fitting. The bust isn't normally as big a problem; there is usually room for a little spill over. By the way, when are you getting this one of a kind original?
"Roger wrote that I should receive it before the first of December," Emily answered. "So I expect it will arrive any day now. I can't wait to see it."
"Neither can I," Kim said. But her voice contained a concern that wasn't evident in Emily's.
Snape got to his feet and a sudden silence fell over the hall.
"Excellent feast, isn't it?" he asked. The students responded with applause. "I think I'll need to check whether there are any other American holidays we can celebrate."
"There is an announcement I wanted to make before anyone left the hall, although you'll be making a great mistake if you do so before enjoying dessert. I saw some delicious looking pumpkin pies in the kitchen earlier today. Anyway, back to business." Snape cleared his throat. "Mr. Simone has asked me to announce that the first event of the competition will take place this Saturday at noon. Teams should assemble in the Quidditch lockers rooms at eleven."
Everyone stared at Snape waiting for more information, but he appeared finished with his announcement. "I'm sorry," he said, "I'm not allowed to divulge any further information except that the event is referred to as the Spider's Web. Enjoy your dessert."
As Snape sat down, the students looked questioningly at one another. Then it seemed everyone started talking at once.
* * * * * *
Saturday, November 26, 2005
The morning was very sunny, although quite cold. The Great Hall was full of the delicious aroma of bacon and eggs and
the excited babble of everyone looking forward to the first task.
"Aren't you going to eat some breakfast, Caitlin?"
"I'm not hungry."
"At least some toast," coaxed Jamie.
"I don't want anything," Caitlin insisted. "Besides, I don't see you eating."
"I had a huge dinner yesterday evening," Jamie fibbed.
"You should both try to eat something," Alex said encouragingly. "You're going to need your strength for whatever lies ahead of you."
"I don't want the smell of food on my breath," Caitlin said nervously. "It might attract the spiders."
"Just because the event is called 'the spiders web' doesn't mean that there are any actual spiders involved," Alex said, hopefully.
"I wish I shared your optimism," Jamie replied.
By eleven o'clock the whole school was packed in the stands around the Quidditch pitch along with thousands of other spectators. Camera crews from the WBS (Wizard Broadcasting System) were poised, ready to send live coverage throughout the wizarding world.
Meanwhile in the locker room, Kim and the rest of the Hogwarts team paced the room nervously.
"Everyone is here and healthy," Nora declared. "That means that the subs in all probability won't be needed."
"Not necessarily," Lee said. "Depending on the rules of this event, you or I might be required to enter the contest if one of the starters can't continue to compete."
Most of the others mumbled their agreement.
Nora fretfully chewed on her fingernails, and then burst into tears. "My Mum and Dad are in the stands and all our friends and family are watching. I can't have myself exposed to the world; it's humiliating enough to be forced to appear in this degrading costume."
Nora looked at Jamie, desperation unmistakable in her eyes. "Please, will you do the concealment charm on me?"
"Certainly," Jaime agreed. "I think you're making the correct decision. Now you understand that you'll actually be taking off the uniform after the charm is complete. To anyone that doesn't touch you, you'll appear to still have it on, but you'll actually be totally nude."
Nora nodded her head nervously. "The important thing is that I won't be exposed to the whole wizarding world."
"You'll be fine!" Jamie said reassuringly. "You'll see yourself as you really are, but to everyone else it will look like you still have the costume on. Just be sure you're alone or put something on before you cancel the charm."
Jamie demonstrated once again how to perform the charm and then watched as Nora completed it.
"Now comes the hard part," Jamie said, giving Nora an encouraging smile. "You must undress and have faith that the charm is concealing you."
"Is there any way I can be sure it's working?" Nora asked.
"No," Jamie answered. "Your own eyes won't be fooled by the charm, neither will mirrors. You have to trust others to tell you truthfully that you appear dressed."
Nora's hands trembled as she started to remove the costume. "You'll stop me if something has gone awry?"
Nora closed her eyes as she fretfully removed the decadent piece of clothing.
"Trust me Nora, and don't panic," Jamie said calmly. "To everyone in this room you appear to still have your competition uniform on, but when you look down at yourself, you're going to see a naked girl."
Nora gasped as she surveyed her body. She couldn't believe that she was standing in a group of mixed company completely nude. "This is so weird," she said anxiously.
"It takes some getting used to," Jamie agreed.
"That's the signal," Jeff called. "They're ready for us."
As they left the locker room, they were met by the American contingent and both teams marched out toward the Quidditch pitch.
"Here come our contenders," Rishard Simone announced in his magically magnified voice. The crowd burst into cheers as the two teams entered the pitch and then lined up on either side of Rishard.
In the middle of the pitch were two identical structures separated by about fifty feet. The buildings could best be described as looking like two very large garages, minus both their rollup doors and roofs.
"This game is called the spider's web," Rishard announced. "Since both teams are at their full strength, I think we'll allow the alternates to play as well."
Rishard made this sound like he was playing Santa Claus by giving out special treats, but Nora didn't look at all pleased.
"We have to participate too?" she moaned quietly, seemingly horrified at the prospect. "I thought we'd only take part in the events if one of the regulars were sick."
"Now, then," Rishard continued. "The rules are rather straightforward. Once the teams have entered the corrals, the entrances will each be covered with a web. The web itself is about ten feet across and six feet high. . There is no way around the web; the only way out of the enclosure is through it.
"The web will be a classic spider's web with large holes on the sides and spiraling smaller toward the center. Each person on the team must pass through a hole of the web. The challenge is the order of the people going though, as well as not touching the web while being passed though. If the web is touched, that section will close up and the player will be trapped. They will then need to be pulled free and try a different hole; pushing them forward is not an option. Trying to force a person through a sealed hole will only cause more holes to give way.
"A person also cannot be thrown through a hole. This will merely make the web shake and more holes collapse. Also, if a person puts a hand or any other body part through a hole and pulls it back the hole will close. As each hole collapses, there are less and less holes to go though. If you start running out of holes large enough for a person to pass though, two people can be passed through the same hole as long as they hold hands during the entire procedure. Both teams must get all their members through. Points will be awarded to the winning team based on the difference in time needed to complete the task."
"We're going to have to think this out carefully before we start," Jamie said to the group in general. "We'll have to figure out who should go first and last and in what order we should use the holes."
"Typical Zacherley philosophy," Dick Bancroft barked. "Make a simple task complicated so that she can take charge and play Miss Intelligent."
"I'm not trying to…" Jamie started, but she was drowned out by the amplified voice of Rishard.
"Now if the teams will please proceed to the enclosures, we will get started," he advised. "Coaches, you stay here with me. We wouldn't want you giving your lovely teams any extra aid."
"I'm certainly glad I'm not involved with this event," Ron said. He and Sam were sitting in the stands with Hermione. "I hate anything to do with spiders."
"As we all well know," Hermione said with a laugh. "Spider's Web is only the name of the task. I'm sure they are using a synthetic web and I doubt we'll see any real spiders."
"I wouldn't bet on that," Sam said. "They look awfully real to me."
As soon as the teams had entered the enclosures, two gigantic spiders had appeared out of the shadows and were now quickly spinning webs to close the entrances to each corral, thus trapping the teams within.
"What the hell is going on here?" Snape yelled as he rushed toward Rishard. "You said nothing about using real spiders in this event."
"I thought it would be an entertaining surprise," he answered. "Don't you think it makes for a fabulously more thrilling event having a bona fide web and the hideous maker lurking threateningly just off to the side?"
"Have you ever dealt with these monsters before?" Harry asked angrily.
"No," answered Rishard. "This is my first time, but these two seemed extremely eager to participate."
"Have you ever considered that they might be planning on lunching on the competitors?" Harry asked.
"Now Harry! You mustn't be so fast to misjudge our fellow magical creatures," Simone contended. "I understand that outwardly they may look gruesome, but they are actually quite docile and very misunderstood creatures."
"Like hell they are," Harry barked. "I've dealt with Aragog's children up close and personal. They are anything, but docile and I did not get the wrong end of the stick. They tried to kill and eat both Ron and I."
"How many years ago was that? People change, so do spiders," Rishard insisted. "These two are working for a side of beef each. The students are perfectly safe."
Harry and Severus exchanged meaningful looks. Neither man seemed to share Rishard's confidence.
"Did you know there would be gigantic spiders involved with this competition?" Kim asked.
"No!" Caitlin answered. "And if their facial expressions are any indication, it looks like one and all were surprised by their being here. It sure makes a person hesitant about going anywhere near the web with that huge ugly thing sitting up there in the corner watching your every move with its eight eyes."
"You're a bunch of hopeless cowards," Dick shouted. I doubt that's even a genuine spider. Probably just some transfigured toy." He walked over toward the web and stuck his hand through one of the larger holes; then pulled it back out. "See, the great hairy beast didn't even budge."
"You brainless git," Lee yelled. "The spider may not have stirred, but look what you've done to the web." As if an opaque window had closed, the hole was now covered with dense stringy webbing. "Didn't you pay any attention when Rishard was explaining the rules about the webs."
"I have better things to do than listen to a talking fruit bowl," Dick spewed. "Incidentally, have you losers taken notice that the Americans already have one person through the web? I imagine they're more interested in winning this stupid game than they are in gawking at a revolting fake spider. At the rate they're going, the Americans will have all their players through the web before you people even get your grand strategy session started."
"You people can sit and plan a line of attack if you like, but I'm fully capable of going through a hole without first having a family meeting." Before anyone had time to respond, Dick ran toward the web and lunged.
It will never be known for certain whether or not he touched the web, but something caused the hole to close instantly around him, trapping and holding him midway through.
"I don't believe him," Jamie cried out in frustration. "Not only has he caused us to lose two of the best holes, but now we have to waste even more time pulling him free."
"I don't think so," Kim said, pointing nervously toward the web where the gigantic spider was moving swiftly toward Dick, its pincers clicking excitedly.
End of Chapter 16
As always, I would like to thank those of you who took the time to review the previous chapter.
Thank you also to my wonderful betas for this chapter: Alison, Amber, Don, Dove, Ken, Lucy and Peter.
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