HOGWARTS OVEREXPOSED - SALAZAR'S RETURN
Evan was beside himself. He didn't know what to do. He had actually gotten fairly comfortable being undressed in the company of just Emily and Caitlin, but Jamie's presences made him extremely tense. She was so much older than the other girls and her body was magnificent. Plus he was extremely leery of sitting to lunch with two of his professor's in his present state of undress.
Caitlin kissed his cheek and then grabbed his hand. "You did great for a first time being nude around other people," she said. "I'm proud of you. Would you like to put your clothes back on before my parents return?"
"What about Emily and Jamie?" Evan asked. "Will it bother them that I'm dressed while they're still nude?"
Caitlin smiled. "Not in the least. It's all about being comfortable and right now I sense you'd feel much better with your clothes on."
Chapter Nineteen
The Second Task
Jamie was exceedingly thankful when Evan, Emily and Caitlin all decided to go outside and entertain themselves in the snow after lunch. She wanted to be able to talk privately with Harry and Hermione without being too obvious about it.
Jamie watched distractedly as Hermione fed Ben. She wondered if all wizard parents pretended that the spoon was a broomstick flying toward their child's mouth. Jamie remembered her own mother playing a similar charade when she fed a then baby Emily. That seemed like it had been a lifetime ago.
"Jamie, what's bothering you?" Hermione asked.
"Nothing," Jamie lied. "I'm fine!"
"No you're not," said Harry emphatically. "You're not yourself. You barely touched your lunch and now you seem lost in thought."
"Professor Flitwick told us that he finally discussed the position with you," Hermione confided softly.
"Finally!" Jamie cried, startled by Hermione's declaration. "How long have the two of you known that he was considering me?"
"He never really thought seriously about anyone else," Hermione admitted. "Harry and I didn't think it was in our place to say anything before he personally talked to you. Besides, we didn't wish to raise your expectations in case either the Headmaster or the Board of Governors withheld their approval."
Jamie nodded her head in understanding. "Has the Board approved my selection?"
"Yes," Hermione answered. "I'd be lying if I said it was undisputed. There was some dissension based primarily on your age and lack of experience, but Severus can be very persuasive when he puts his mind to it. There will be a chair waiting for you at the head table next autumn if you decide to accept the position."
Again Jamie nodded, but she continued to stare impassively at the wall.
"It's Alex; isn't it?" Harry asked. "You two have intentions to train together as Aurors. You're concerned how he'll react if you change those plans."
"I can't lose him," Jamie cried, bursting into tears. "I love him so much. Yet this is a dream come true and I don't, if truth were told, think I'm actually cut out to be an Auror. What am I going to do?"
"Trust Alex," Harry said. He placed his arm around Jamie as she buried her tear filled face in his shoulder.
Hermione also wanted to comfort Jamie, but tending to Ben had her at present occupied. "Harry is right," she said caringly. "If he truly loves you, he'll understand. He'll want what is best for you and what will make you happy."
"But I love him," Jamie pleaded. "What if during three years away from each other, he finds someone else?"
"Then it wasn't meant to be and it's best you find out now rather than be miserable together," Harry replied. "If your love for each other is genuine, it with survive both time and distance. You need to have faith in both him and your feelings for each other."
"Harry and I didn't see each other for five years," Hermione interposed. "In school we were delusional enough to think we loved others. For us it took time and separation to realize that we wanted to be much more than platonic friends. Fortunately, we both realized, before it was too late, that our school relationships would not survive the test of time."
Harry chuckled. "You and Ron would have ended up killing each other if you had gotten married."
"We weren't married and I wanted to kill him when I found out about all the girls he was sleeping with," Hermione retorted. "But he's changed. Sam and Ron have a wonderful relationship." Hermione looked at the floor and shook her head as if trying to shake out unhappy memories from the past.
"But we're not talking about Harry and my past mistakes," she said. "We're talking about you and Alex. When I look at you two, I see Harry and I and the way we feel about each other now. We took some wrong turns on the way to find true love. You and Alex took the straight route and I believe your love will withstand the worst of times."
"Jamie, you can't keep secrets from someone you love and you can't lie to them either," Harry said. "You have to go to Alex. You have to tell him how you feel about him, how you feel about being an Auror and about the opportunity you have been presented with. Have faith in him and his love for you."
Jamie hugged Harry, and then moved to embrace Hermione. She knew that they were both right. She had to tell Alex. But she was frightened; more scared than she had ever been in her entire life.
* * * * * *
"Does that mean that you and Tyler are officially a couple again?" Kim asked.
"Not publicly, thus far," Emily answered. "I mean, I'm willing and I'm sure we will be. We just haven't actually committed to it verbally."
"Then have you given up on the idea of him having to prove that he trusts you?"
"I guess," Emily replied. "I'm not even sure what he could actually have done to prove that."
"Yeah, that would be kind of hard," Kim agreed.
"What about you and Randy?" Emily asked.
"We haven't formally broken up, but I imagine it's just a matter of time," she answered sadly. "He just doesn't understand how I can have feelings for another boy and still claim to care for him. Honestly, I can't explain it to him because I'm not even sure I understand my own feelings. Sometimes I feel like I'm just being selfish."
"I think I understand how you feel," Emily said. "But I can also sympathize with Randy. You're attracted to Brian and want to explore a relationship with him, but at the same time you still like Randy and don't want to lose him if things don't work out with Brian."
"Yeah," Kim agreed. "I don't know what to do. I'm afraid that ultimately I may lose them both."
Emily didn't respond verbally, but nodded her head in concurrence.
"Here comes Tyler," Kim said, hurriedly changing the subject. "He certainly looks keyed up about something."
"I finally figured it out," Tyler said breathlessly as he reached Emily and Kim. "I know what I can do to prove that I trust you. Then we can get back together." He gave Emily a hopeful, nervous smile.
"You don't have…" Kim started to say, but Emily quickly interrupted her.
"You actually thought of a way," Emily said, sounding amazed. It was obvious that she was both impressed and interested. "What is it?"
"I have to show you," Tyler said, his voice sounding extremely anxious.
"Okay! Then show me!" Emily said, her voice on tenterhooks.
"Not here!" Tyler protested, looking around in near panic. "It has to be someplace where no one can watch us. Maybe an empty classroom?"
"I know where we can go," Emily blurted excitedly. "There is a room that Jamie and Alex use whenever they want some privacy. We won't need to be concerned about anyone walking in on us by chance."
Emily hesitated and then studied Tyler warily. "Why do we have to be alone?"
"Now who doesn't trust who?" Tyler snapped.
"It's not as much a case of trust as it is experience," Emily explained. "The last time you got me alone in a deserted room, you talked me into posing for nude pictures."
"Won't you ever forget that," Tyler begged. "I've apologized a million times. That wasn't me; that was a scared little boy that was frightened of his bother's threats. I've changed. I'll never hurt you again."
"Then you don't mind if Kim accompanies us?" Emily asked.
Tyler's face turned pallid. "I can't do it in front of her," he pleaded. "I'm not even sure I have the nerve to go through with it with only you in the room."
"Tyler, I'm not forcing you to do anything you don't fancy doing." Emily turned to Kim. "Let's go to the library. We might have time to finish that Potions essay for Professor Malfoy before dinner."
"Wait!" Tyler cried, panic etching his voice. "Okay, she can come, but she has to swear an oath of silence."
"No she doesn't," Emily declared. "Kim is my best friend. I'd trust her with my life. If you trust me, you trust her."
Tyler nodded his head in defeat as Kim whispered to Emily. "I thought you weren't going to make him prove his trust in you?"
"I wasn't," Emily answered softly, "but I have to see what he's come up with. Even if it's something lame, I'm going to get back together with him."
Kim just shook her head. "You know, sometimes you're extremely evil."
Emily laughed. "It's the Slytherin in me."
Tyler hadn't even noticed Emily and Kim whispering between them. His mind was miles away thinking about what he was planning to do. It would have been difficult enough in front of Emily, but now he was faced with doing it in front of both girls. He was simultaneously sweating and shivering at the thought.
The trip through the corridors and up the sundry staircases to the Room of Requirements was made in near silence. Tyler felt like a condemned man being led to the death camber. The only difference being that he had volunteered for this trip. When they reached the stretch of blank wall opposite the huge tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy, Emily paused.
"This is the place," she commented. "We need to walk past this bit of wall three times concentrating hard on what we need." She glanced at Tyler. "Is there anything special you require?"
Tyler wanted to shout out 'an enormous bottle of nerve potion', but merely shook his head no.
They concentrated, turning at the window just beyond the blank wall, then again at the large vase on its other side. After their third walk past, a highly polished door appeared in the wall. Emily seized the handle and pulled open the door. The room was brightly lighted and looked much like a Muggle photographer's studio.
Emily stared crossly at Tyler. "Did you ask for this type room? You can't possibly think that I'm going to pose for additional pictures; not after what happened the last time."
Tyler reached into his rucksack, removed a camera and handed it to Emily. "You're not going to be the subject this time," he said, his voice quavering. "I am."
Without further comment Tyler slipped off his trainers, and then removed his socks. He didn't look at either girl, but rather stared at the ceiling tensely as he unbuttoned his shirt and removed it.
"Is he going to take off everything?" Kim asked, uneasily. "Maybe it would be best if I left."
"Don't be silly," Emily replied. "You saw plenty of nude boys and men on the cruise. It's no big deal. Besides it gives Tyler the opportunity to show that he truly trusts us both. Here, you can take the pictures." She handed the camera to Kim.
Kim just stood frozen in amazement. Emily was correct in saying that she had seen hundreds of people nude on the cruise, but this was somehow quite different. This time she was fully dressed and the viewing was semi private. Plus, Tyler was a good friend.
Kim wasn't the only one unmoving. Tyler had stripped down to his boxers and now stood petrified in front of the girls.
"I imagine that's the hardest item to remove for someone who has never been openly nude," Emily said understandingly. "Would you like me to help?"
Before Tyler's mind had fully processed this question or he had the opportunity to say no, Emily was leaning directly in front of him with her hands on the leg openings of his boxers. The next second the boxers were at his ankles and Emily was on her feet, a startled look on her face. She hadn't realized how close her face was to Tyler or that he was keyed up. She had actually been poked in the nose.
Tyler's first reaction was to cover himself with his hands. "Don't be embarrassed," Emily said with uncharacteristic sensitivity. "It's normal to be excited under such circumstances. Would you feel more comfortable if Kim and I got undressed, too?"
Kim gave Emily a wide-eyed look.
"I doubt that would mitigate my excitement any," Tyler answered with a nervous laugh.
Emily giggled. "No, I imagine it wouldn't. If it helps any, I like seeing it that way. My sister thinks I'm weird, but I like them. Jamie says I should have been born a boy so that I'd have one of my own."
Tyler began to relax slightly. "If you were a boy, I guarantee I wouldn't be standing here like this," he said, forcing a laugh. "Could you please take the pictures so that we can get this over with so that I can get my clothes back on?"
Emily nodded and began to advise Tyler how to pose. A few times he hesitated getting into the suggested position, but she reminded him that he had situated her in exactly the same manner. Kim snapped away happily. Finally, when they finished, Tyler joyfully got dressed.
When he completed dressing, Emily smiled. "You actually do finally trust me." She hugged him, and then kissed his lips lightly. "Kim and I have to decide what to do with these pictures. Why don't you go ahead and we'll see you later at dinner?"
Tyler gave Emily a concerned look, but then he turned to leave,
"Oh! By the way, Tyler! If you're still interested, I'd like very much to be your girlfriend again," Emily called out.
Tyler turned back and flung his arms around Emily, literally lifting her off her feet. After they kissed, this time much more aggressively, Tyler departed leaving Kim and Emily alone to determine the fate of the just taken pictures.
"What are you going to do with them?" Kim asked impatiently. "You'll have to keep them somewhere where no one but you or I can see them."
"I'm going to do exactly what Tyler trusts me to do," Emily exclaimed. "I'm going to destroy them."
"What?" Kim said in disbelief. "Can't I have at least one? He has the cutest arse."
"And you already have two boyfriends," Emily reminded her. "I'll thank you to keep your eyes and hands off Tyler's butt. Let's hurry down to dinner. I can't wait to tell Caitlin that Tyler and I are a couple again.
"I can't wait to see the expression on Denise's face when she finds out," Kim said.
* * * * * *
"Nott, I detect concern in your voice," Slytherin noted. "Recruitment seems to be progressing smoothly
and the Ministry is still ignoring my existence. Why the concern?"
Knott studied Slytherin, not certain if he dared to answer frankly. Although Slytherin at times treated him almost as an equal, he knew his master possessed the power to kill him with no more than a mere thought. He hesitated to upset his master.
"Honesty is always the best policy when dealing with someone highly proficient in Legilmency," Slytherin said, a hint of irritation evident in his voice.
"I'm sorry, Lord Slytherin. It's Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," Knott admitted fretfully. "Although the Ministry continues to refute your very existence, the Order has been successful in convincing many. Their numbers have grown evenly with ours and…" Knott took a deep breath. "I fear that the loyalty of their membership to their cause is greater than that of many of our constituents."
Slytherin nodded his head. On the surface he didn't appear troubled by Knott's comments. "You are not the first to voice concern over the commitment of many of our number. Keane has voiced similar worry. He suggests that perhaps it is time I reveal myself to the wizarding world with an impressive show of strength. I take it you concur with his thoughts."
"I would never be so bold as to question your judgment, Great Lord, but perhaps now would be a good time to give our world a demonstration of your great power," Knott said, trembling.
"I'm inclined to agree with you both," Slytherin said, much to Knott's surprise. "But as long as the Ministry refuses to acknowledge my return, there is no need to rush into anything haphazardly. If we time this properly, we might be able to eliminate Harry Potter at the same time. Without their leader, the Order of the Phoenix will crumble into ashes."
"Do you have a plan?" Knott asked, uncertainly.
"Eric has given me a suggestion that has great merit. It will involve the gratuitous killing of a number of students, but sometimes sacrifices must be made for the sake of advancement. I prefer not to go into further detail until all preparations have been finalized."
Slytherin abruptly changed the subject. "Have you contacted Malfoy concerning the Mudblood?"
"Yes, My Lord. He informs me that she infrequently leaves the castle and when she does it is more often than not in the company of Potter. Draco, however, pledges to be vigilant and inform us at once if she leaves unaccompanied."
"He had better," Slytherin replied, impatiently. "I am quite eager to discover what it is about that woman that has this body and mind that I occupy so entranced."
* * * * * *
"Jamie, what's the matter?" Alex asked concernedly.
"Nothing, I'm just tired," she lied.
"It's more than that," he argued. "You just seem to be going through the motions tonight. I'm making love to your body, but your mind seems to be miles away. You're not thinking of anyone else are you?"
"No, Alex! Never! I love you and only you." She hugged Alex, pulling their bare bodies so tightly together it felt like they were about to mesh. "I could never feel about anyone else the way I feel about you." She started to cry. "I can't stand the thought of losing you."
"You're not going to ever lose me," Alex insisted. He kissed her passionately. "We'll be together the next three years for Auror training and then shortly after we graduate we'll be married. I intend to spend the rest of my life making love to you."
Jamie knew this was the moment of truth. She couldn't put off telling him any longer. She took a deep breath as her body shivered uncontrollably. "Alex, I'm not cut out to be an Auror."
"Not cut out to be an Auror," Alex repeated with a laugh. "You're top of our class in every subject not to mention that you are the gutsiest girl I've ever met. You'll undoubtedly finish top of our Auror class, too."
"I can't go," she cried. "I don't want to spend the remainder of my life constantly in 'kill or be killed' situations."
"But it was your idea," Alex replied, shock evident on his face. "Ever since we were first years, you've talked of becoming an Auror. It was you who swayed me. We were going to do it together."
Jamie couldn't look directly at Alex. She didn't want to see the disappointed that she knew must be etched on his face. "I know," she answered glumly. "The job always seemed so vital, so glamorous." She forced a laugh. "I pictured myself saving the world, you by my side." Jamie shook her head forlornly. "Then I actually had to kill someone."
"Alex, it was horrible," Jamie cried. She had experienced the event over and over a thousand times in her mind.
Caitlin and Emily watched nervously as Hooch hustled about the dungeon making preparations. Neither of the girls had ever seen the witch look so happy, yet so frightening at the same time.
Jamie had just finished nursing Ben and was now giving nourishment to Timmy, their captors having not fed any of them since breakfast. Because of Timmy, Jamie didn't speak, but both Emily and Caitlin could read the expression on her face.
"Jamie doesn't think they'll get here in time," Emily said despondently. "Neither do I."
"We can't give up hope," Caitlin said encouragingly. But the words were barely out of her mouth when Hooch approached her.
"The Great Lord Slytherin told me to be swift, but it is difficult to hurriedly extricate revenge that I have waited so long to realize. My only regret is that I won't be present to actually witness the demise of two of you.
"My lovely Caitlin," Hooch said nastily. "I imagine you expect me to torture you unmercifully. Admittedly, it would give me great pleasure to turn you into a human shish kebab, but it will give me even more pleasure to know that you have died at the hands of your rescuers."
"Do you see that crossbow?" Hooch asked sadistically. "It is aimed directly for your heart and the arrow it holds has been soaked in a deadly poison. Can you imagine Hermione's grief when the opening of the dungeon door sets it off? I can only hope that she will be the one to actually open the door."
"But that is only the beginning," Hooch cackled. "In your hand you will be holding the rope that will suspend Jamie Zacherley above the Pyramid of Death. When the arrow pierces your heart, your hand will go limp and Miss Zacherley will become four nicely separated pieces."
"What about me?" Emily inquired, not actually knowing what possessed her to ask such a question.
"You, my dear, are what they refer to as a warm up act," Hooch laughed. "That is why I haven't secured your sister in her harness yet, nor suspended her above the pyramid. I want both her and Caitlin to have a good view as I first mutilate and then kill you. Their deaths will come so fast that they won't get to suffer. Through you they can experience how brutal and horrible death can be."
"I was hoping you didn't intend to leave me out of all the fun," Emily said bravely. Her words sounded plucky, but Emily was scared to death.
"You sound so spirited," Hooch bellowed as she reached for the breast ripper. "We'll see how brave you sound after I've reduced your tits to a proper size. And that's only for openers. After that we'll see how long you can survive the pear."
"Leave her alone," Jamie pleaded, lying Timmy on the cold floor next to Ben. "She hasn't done anything to harm you. If you must torture someone, torture me."
"You don't understand at all, do you?" Hooch cried. "You're just like Granger. Torturing you wouldn't have the desired affects. It hurts you more to have someone you love harmed than it does to be tortured yourself. Watch, you'll soon understand what I mean."
Emily closed her eyes as Hooch approached. She had never been so frightened or felt so helpless in her entire life.
"Stop, don't you touch her!" Jamie screamed.
But when Hooch turned to sneer at Jamie, instead of a naked girl, she found herself facing a beautiful pure white unicorn. Caitlin had witnessed the almost instant transformation. Jamie was not only now in her Animagus form, but she was also free, the aged leather on her ankle bindings having burst due to pressure of the transformation.
Hooch dropped the breast ripper and reached for her wand as the unicorn, Jamie, lowered its head to charge.
"Avada Keda…" Hooch screamed. But before she could complete the curse, the unicorn's horn had entered her chest and was protruding out of her back.
Jamie gave another shudder as Alex held her firmly. "When I transformed back, my hair and face were covered with blood, her blood."
"But she was going to torture Emily and then kill all three of you," Alex argued.
"I know," Jamie agreed, hanging her head. "She was an awful woman. I keep telling myself that she deserved to die and that I had no choice."
"You didn't," Alex insisted.
"I know and at the time I didn't even hesitate," Jamie cried, "but I still have nightmares and wake up trying to wipe her blood off my face. Alex, I'm not sure if I could ever kill again. What if I should falter and my delay caused the death of another Auror? What if that Auror was you? I couldn't live with myself."
* * * * * *
"Caitlin, are you sure we won't get in trouble," Evan asked, looking nervously around the dorm room.
"I told you before; boys are allowed in the girls' dorms with permission," Caitlin reminded him. "Besides, it's not like we're going to do anything wrong. I just get tired of everyone staring at us in the common room."
"I guess you can't really blame them," Evan answered innocently. "You're so beautiful, plus you're naked. I like to look at you, too."
"And I like you looking at me like you do," Caitlin said, blushing slightly. "But I think the others watch us hoping that they'll catch you touching me or us kissing."
"I'd never do that," Evan said, sounding offended.
"You know, not all touching is bad," Caitlin said, shyly. "For instance, girls like to have their hands held."
"How does a boy know what parts of a girl he's allowed and not allowed to touch?" Evan asked timidly.
"That's a hard question. It sort of depends on the girl and how far the relationship has progressed," Caitlin answered. "Even grabbing the hand of a girl you don't know could get your face slapped."
"I'd never do that," Evan swore.
"I know you wouldn't," Caitlin said, her voice sounding a little gloomy. "Except for when we danced at the Yule Ball, you've never even held my hand."
"I didn't want to be fresh or too forward," he explained.
"I imagine it's difficult for a boy," she said. "Reading a girl's mind and trying to figure out what is expected and what is forbidden." Caitlin couldn't help but notice that Evan's eyes were looking longingly at her breasts.
"Why can't a girl just come right out and tell a guy what he can and can't do?" Evan asked with a tone of frustration.
"Because we sometimes aren't sure ourselves," Caitlin admitted. "I'll never slap you though as long as you listen if I say no or stop."
"Can't you at least give me some guidelines," Evan beseeched.
Caitlin gave Evan a big hug. "Okay," she said with a laugh. "Picture me in a swimming costume. At this point in our relationship, if it's covered it's off limits. If it's exposed, you can touch it."
"Is it a one piece or two piece swim costume?" Evan asked quite seriously.
"Two piece," Caitlin said, laughing and shaking her head.
"A big old-lady type two-piece or a tiny bikini?"
Caitlin face broke into a big grin. "How can someone as sweet and innocent as you have such a tainted mind?" she asked, with a giggle.
"You didn't answer my question," Evan persisted.
"Okay, if you insist! The tiniest bikini you can possibly imagine with two miniscule triangles for a top and a practically nonexistent thong for a bottom," she joked.
"Wow! I bet you'd look super in that," Evan said, keenly.
"I'm glad you think so," Caitlin said throwing her arms around Evan. Shyly he placed his hands on her back and shivered as he made contact with her soft smooth bare skin.
"Would you like me to scratch your back?" he asked bashfully.
"Would I?!" Caitlin cried excitedly. "I love having my back scratched. Do you really want to do it?"
"Yeah, if it's okay with you," he replied.
"It's more than okay," she said ushering him to the end of her bed and then flopping herself down and using his lap as a pillow. "I'll warn you though that I never get tired of having my back scratched. You might regret ever offering to do this."
"I don't think so," Evan said, gazing at Caitlin's form adoringly.
For the next hour, Caitlin felt like she was in heaven. She prayed that none of her roommates returned to the dorm early because she didn't want anything to cause Evan to stop. His hands were so soft and gentle as they tenderly caressed her back from her shoulders to just below her waist. Occasionally he would caress her side causing her to break out in goose bumps. He never touched the sides of her breasts; she was glad, but at the same time disappointed. Like she had said, sometimes a girl isn't sure what she really wants. The only thing she was sure of was that she didn't want their relationship to end.
"I better be getting back to my dorm soon," Evan said, resting his hand briefly on the small of Caitlin's back. "I'll do this every night if you like. I love holding and caressing you."
"I love being spoiled," Caitlin purred. "How about every other night? You deserve some spoiling, too."
"Making you feel good makes me feel good," Evan answered. Then he started caressing Caitlin again, but this time his hand didn't move up her back, it remained near her waist, just above the point where her cheeks separated.
"Did you say that the bathing suit had a practically nonexistent thong for a bottom? he asked, mischievously.
Caitlin froze. Why was Evan asking this? Was he just joking around or did he actually intend to caress her bum. She was kidding when she said the bottom of the suit was a tiny thong. How would she react if he stroked her there? She didn't want him to touch her there, at least not yet, but a part of her body was excited by the thought.
Suddenly the door to the dorm opened. Caitlin sighed in both relief and disappointment.
* * * * * *
"But being an Auror is all you've ever talked about, all you've ever planned for," Alex argued.
"What will you make of your life?"
"I've been offered a position," she responded warily. "You can't whisper a word to anyone, but Professor Flitwick wants me to be his replacement."
"You! The Charms Professor!" Alex shouted.
"It's something I never dared dream of happening, but it's not worth losing you over," Jamie declared. I can't bear to lose you or not see you for the next three years. I don't have any choice but to turn down the position and go into training with you."
"No way are you turning down a teaching position," Alex declared. "You'll be brilliant at it."
"But we planned to train together; to be together." She embraced Alex. "I've been miserable every summer while we've been apart. I'll go crazy if we're apart three years."
"We won't be apart three years," he affirmed. "I'm not going to train to be an Auror."
"But it's all we've talked about," Jamie pleaded. "You can't give up your dream because of me."
"I won't be," Alex said guiltily. "I love you Jamie. I think I have from the first day we met; I just wouldn't admit it to myself for fear of destroying our friendship. I've never really wanted to be an Auror; I've wanted to be with you."
"But why didn't you tell me," Jamie pleaded. "I would have understood."
"I know you would have," Alex agreed, "but I couldn't bear not being with you for three years either. It seems we both were willing to give up our aspirations to be with each other."
"What do you really want to do after you finish Hogwarts?" Jamie asked.
Alex looked at her lovingly. "I want to marry you. However, since you're going to be a Hogwarts Professor, I probably should get myself a decent job first. I've always wanted to be a lawyer, one that looks out for the underdog. I really enjoyed locking horns with Rishard."
"You were good, too," Jamie said adoringly. "You'll be a wonderful barrister."
"The best part is that we won't have to be apart. We can get a place in Hogsmeade and I can Apparate to London for classes."
"I'll have my own quarters here at Hogwarts," Jamie suggested "Maybe the headmaster will allow us to cohabit." Jamie started to cry uncontrollably.
"What's the matter love?" Alex asked apprehensively. "You should be happy. Everything is going to work out fine."
"I know," she sobbed. "That's why I'm so happy."
* * * * * *
"What would you have done if he had actually started rubbing your bum?" Emily asked.
"I honestly don't know," Caitlin said. "I think he was just teasing, but just the thought of it got me all excited."
"What do you mean by excited?" Emily asked, a grin on her face.
"You know very well what I mean," Caitlin answered, annoyance evident in her voice. "It was like when you and I experimented, I got all moist down there."
"You actually love that little guy, don't you?" Emily asked.
"I don't know," Caitlin confessed. "There are so many different kinds of love. I love Mum and Dad and Jamie in one way. I love you in another and I think I love Evan. But I thought I loved Matt and look how horribly wrong that turned out." Caitlin just shook her head with consternation. "Do you realize how close I came to making a horrible mistake with Matt? I could have been taken away from Mum and Dad."
"I think you're just oversexed," Emily said.
"Just what do you mean by that?" Caitlin asked, irritation evident in her voice.
"Well, maybe that isn't the right way to put it," Emily apologized. "I think it has a lot to do with you being a Hyperempath. You're more easily aroused and have a lot of difficulty not surrendering to you desires."
"Are you claiming that you wouldn't get aroused if Tyler started caressing you?" Caitlin asked heatedly.
"Of course, I would," Emily admitted. "The difference between you and I is that I could enjoy it and then put my brain back in gear and know when to say stop. You get lost in ecstasy and forget the consequences."
Caitlin hated to admit it, but Emily was right.
"But what do I do?" Caitlin asked. "Can't I ever kiss him or allow him to even lightly pet me? I like how it feels when he touches me."
"How much do you trust him?" Emily asked.
"I think he genuinely cares for me," Caitlin answered. "I don't think he'd ever take advantage of me or purposely hurt me."
"Then I think you're going to have to put both your fates in his hands. Most boys rely on the girl to set limitations and say no," Emily explained. "You're going to have to explain to him that because of your unique circumstances, you might not be capable of saying no and that he is going to have to look out for both of you."
"I can't believe I'm looking to my younger sister for advice," Caitlin observed, "or that I'm basically going to end up trusting my fate to a first year. Mum must know how my abilities affect my hormones. I'm surprised she even lets me date."
"I'm sure she worries a lot about us both, but how successful do you think she'd be at preventing either of us from dating?" Emily asked.
"We'd just do it behind her back. At least this way she can watch out for us," Caitlin replied.
"I think we should watch out for each other, too," Emily suggested. "We both have a long time to go before we reach fifteen."
"Too long," Caitlin added.
* * * * * *
Friday, February 17, 2006
"Do you want to head to the library and finish that charms essay for Flitwick?" Emily asked as she and Kim
departed the Great Hall after finishing dinner.
"I can't," Kim replied. "Remember, I have that meeting tonight about the second task." Kim checked her watch. "Actually I'd better hurry. I'm supposed to be meeting the others at the Quidditch Pitch in ten minutes."
"See you later," Emily said as Kim rush off. "Good Luck!"
It was just a meeting; Kim certainly hoped she wouldn't be in need of any luck tonight, but with Rishard Simone running the events one could never be certain. She reached the door just as the remainder of the team was ready to depart.
"It's about time," Jamie scolded in a kidding way. "You had Nora quite worried. She thought you were going to chicken out and that she would be required to take your place tomorrow."
"She still might have to participate," Kim said. "Simone doesn't seem to like anyone to sit out."
"Yeah!" Nora agreed. "I think he just figures that the more of us running around in his scanty costumes the better the chance of one of us exposing ourselves."
"Well, unless someone knows some excellent warming charms, we're going to be colder than a witch's tit tomorrow," Nora declared.
Several of the boys and all the girls just stared at Nora.
"It's just an expression," she said contritely. "Oh Come on now. Don't pretend you've never heard it before. I've often heard Muggles use it."
"That's not all that will ice up tomorrow," Dick commented. "The temperature is supposed to be well below freezing all day with little if any sun."
The Hogwarts team arrived at the Pitch to find the American team already assembled and looking rather forlorn. It didn't take long to figure out their dejection; it appeared that the challenge involved water and no one was looking forward to getting wet in sub freezing temperatures.
Before the teams had a chance to exchange comments, Rishard arrived along with Harry and the American coach. Rishard seemed to have regained his nauseatingly bubbly personality.
"It's so good to see all your happy little faces again," Rishard said in his little singsong way. "Although I'm disappointed that you didn't wear your uniforms tonight. You all look so adorable in them."
"He'd look cute with my fist in his face," Dick mumbled.
Jamie and Kim, although neither fans of Dick's, both giggled at his comment.
"Please be sure that you dress appropriately tomorrow, I don't want to see any of you gorgeous people out of uniform tomorrow," Rishard warned.
"The hell he doesn't," Caitlin cursed. "He'd piss his pants if a couple of us ended up partially exposed, the fruity pervert."
"Caitlin! You're starting to sound more and more like Emily," Jamie scolded. "I think she's becoming a bad influence on you. You're right though. He is a pervert."
"Now then," Simone started. "Tomorrow's task is rather straightforward; it is called 'Bridging the Gap'. As you can see we have two small ponds, one for each team. The ponds are ten foot deep at all points. There is a platform secured in the middle of each pond. The distance from land to the platform is approximately seven feet.
"Each team must traverse across the two expanses. You will have only two boards with which to make a bridge. The two boards are four and five foot in length and quite inflexible. Also, only three people may occupy the center platform at one time."
"Are their any questions so far?" Rishard asked.
"Yeah!" Dick yelled out. "What about that water? With the temperature as low as it is someone could freeze to death if they fell in."
"Very good question," Simone said, putting his arm around Dick's shoulder. "Do you notice anything peculiar about the pond water?"
"No," answered Dick, shrugging his shoulders.
"Does anyone?"
Quite a few of the students raised their hands, but Rishard seemed to show preference to calling on the boys. "Yes, you handsome devil," he said indicating one of the American boys.
"I don't believe that is water sir," the student answered. "Water would be frozen with the temperatures being as low as they've been the last few weeks."
"Very good," Rishard said reaching out and patting the boy's arse. "The ponds do not contain water. Although it closely resembles water this fluid is actually Petrificus Potion."
Jamie gasped causing the other students to stare in her direction.
"I take it you are familiar with Petrificus Potion?" Rishard asked.
"Yes! It is the potion equivalent of the Petrificus Totalus spell," she replied. "Any part of the body that comes in contact with the solution becomes rigid."
"Quite correct. If I were your professor, I'd award your house ten points for that correct answer," Simone giggled. "Touch it with your fingers and you will lose their use. Submerge an arm or a leg and they will become incapacitated. Fall completely in the potion and you will become dead weight for your team, only your eyes will move for the next hour. Remember all member of the team are required to finish the task, even any that are debilitated."
"There will be a few additional challenges to make the task slightly more difficult, but I don't want to ruin the fun by discussing them just yet. I'd rather they be a surprise in the morning. Now unless there are any further questions I suggest you all get a good nights sleep. Before you leave please see your coach who will give you a bottle of a specially prepared potion that you should immediately drink. It will help take your mind off the cold tomorrow."
"What is it Harry," Jamie asked as he handed her a sealed flask.
"I haven't the slightest idea," Harry answered. "Mister Simone refused to divulge the actual contents, but he assured everyone that it is harmless and that the effects only last eighteen hours from the time of ingestion."
"Must we drink it?" Caitlin asked.
"Yes!" Harry confirmed. "Rishard insists that I make sure that everyone completely downs their bottle. He says it would be an unfair advantage if one of the players were slighted." Harry watched as each player finished his or her drink. By the comments, it sounded like there were three different beverages each with their own unique taste.
Once the teams separated, Jamie called her group into a huddle.
"This doesn't seem like that difficult a challenge," she said. "We just need to work together as a team and take care that no one falls into that potion."
"That's for sure," Dick agreed. "I certainly don't intend to be burdened with carrying anyone through the entire contest."
This type of attitude from Dick seemed to surprise no one.
"Okay, call me stupid if you must," Nora said, "but I don't understand how this is possible. Neither of the boards is long enough to reach for land to the platform."
"You're not stupid," Kim assured Nora. "It took me awhile to figure it out myself. What we have to do is lay out the first board with enough weight supporting so that someone can walk out on it sort of like a diving board. That person carries the second board with them and lays it from the end of the first board to the platform and then walks across. The tricky part is that we can't have more than three people on the platform at a time. That means we have to keep communicating and shifting the boards around so that no one gets stranded."
"It's going to be another circumstance of making sure we have people of proper strength and weight at the correct position at the right time," Jamie said. "I'll try and figure out a strategy tonight," she said resisting yawning. "Assuming I can stay awake. Suddenly I can barely keep my eyes open."
"Me, too," said Kim and many of the others yawned in agreement. "I wonder if those drinks had a sleeping draft in them so that we couldn't stay awake to make plans."
"It's possible," Jamie said. "We better all hurry back to our dorms before we fall asleep out her and freeze to death."
Once inside the castle, everyone separated and then scurried toward their common rooms and then into their dorms. Dick and Kim were silent as they hurried to the Slytherin common room only exchanging yawns as they head toward their separate dorm wings.
"What happened? What's the second event?" Emily asked excitedly as Kim sat down on her four-pollster bed.
Kim opened her mouth to speak, but instead yawned and then collapsed in a motionless heap.
Emily just shook her head and smiled. The strain of trying to juggle two boyfriends was obviously taking its toll on her best friend. She didn't even try to wake Kim, but instead removed her best friend's clothes and then tucked her in for the night. She knew Kim had a hard day ahead of her.
* * * * * *
Saturday, February 18, 2006
The loud talking of Janice and Denise awakened Emily. They had no respect for anyone else. If they were sleeping, they
expected everyone to walk around on tiptoes, but it they were awake then everyone else should be too.
Emily checked her watch. It was good that Janice and Denise were so rude. If she and Kim didn't hurry they'd miss breakfast. Emily stuck her hand through the drapes of Kim's bed and gave her a gentle shake. "Time to get up sleeping beauty or we'll miss breakfast."
Kim stretched and then rubbed her eyes before slowly opening them. "Emily why are you waking me in the middle of the night? Its pitch dark."
"What are you going on about," Emily retorted, pulling Kim draperies open. "It's the middle of the morning. Open your eyes and get out of bed, lazy."
Kim didn't answer Emily; instead she screamed and then started crying uncontrollably. Her eyes were open. She was blind.
End of Chapter 19
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