The Apprentice Piece
by Jardyn39
Part One of "The Apprentice Piece"
Chapter 21: Halloween
The next morning, Harry woke in some considerable pain. He hadn't slept well despite Madam Pomfrey's potions and rather regretted hitting himself with that rock.
Slowly he opened his eyes, wondering what hour it was.
Harry sat up with a shot. He regretted this almost at once and immediately grabbed his head, wishing the room would stop moving.
Surrounding his bed was a small group of house-elves.
"Good morning, Harry Potter, Sir!" shrieked one of them. Harry wondered how long they had been waiting for him to wake up.
"Morning," Harry croaked, "how can I help you?"
The elves looked at each other tentatively.
"We asked Miss Hermione if we house elves could draw up the S.P.E.W. charter of aims a while ago, Harry Potter."
"And what did she say?" asked Harry smiling.
"She said Yes, Harry Potter," confirmed another house elf.
"Well that's good, isn't it?"
None of the elves answered, so Harry asked, "Okay, what's the problem?"
"She gave us her draft and told us to re-write it as we wanted," and he handed Harry a scroll with Hermione's neat handwriting. Harry took the scroll and read it. After only a few lines, he frowned and looked up again.
"Er, I'm sorry, but I don't really understand what this is saying."
"Neither do we, Harry Potter. We are afraid Miss Hermione will be very disappointed in us."
"Don't be draft!" Harry laughed. "That's the last thing she would be. It's just that Hermione has been a little over efficient, that's all. She's tried to write a legal definition before she's established what she wants everyone to agree to."
"I will speak to her if you want, but it would be much better coming from you. Be honest with her. Tell her you don't understand this and ask for her help but be sure to tell her you don't want her help to write it. You just need her to help draft out and prioritise your ideas."
"She won't be angry?"
"I can't believe she would ever be angry with you."
The elves looked at each other for a moment, then shrugged and nodded.
"Thank you, Harry Potter!" called one before they all disappeared leaving Harry alone.
He quickly grabbed a piece of parchment, opened an ink bottle and wrote a quick note to Hermione.
He just finished when Hedwig tapped gently on the window.
Hermione,
Hope you are feeling better. Everyone is missing you.
Just had a visit from the house elves. You will be proud! They just need a bit of help drafting the charter in plain English. Just list out all their ideas (even if they sound irrelevant) and then perhaps suggest a priority. Let them discuss what is important and don't impose your ideas.
When you meet the delegation, insist that you serve them drinks. It's important.
Hedwig just arrived, she obviously knew I was thinking of you.
Harry
PS Sorry handwriting is shaky, just woke up and I hit my head with a rock yesterday!
*
Just before seven o'clock in the evening Harry was waiting outside the girl's bathroom on the Third floor staring down at his feet. He was far too early but had wanted to get away from Gryffindor tower as soon as possible. He had felt awkward around people all day.
He reached into a pocket in his dress robes and with drew a sealed envelope that Professor McGonagall had handed to him earlier, telling him to read it in private. Harry opened the envelope and unfolded a small note.
Harry,
Expect to be told off for not waiting for us to speak to you.
Thank you for our daughter's life.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
I think I know a little what it cost you.
The note was signed by Hermione's mother. Harry allowed himself a small smile as he put the note and envelope back in his pocket.
Hermione had returned to school a little tired but otherwise completely well. She had no idea of Harry's involvement and the others at St Mungos had their memories modified. Only Mr and Mrs Granger and the nurse remembered everything.
Harry had tried to see Hermione's aura again but hadn't been able to do it again. Unfortunately she had also caught him staring at her while he'd been trying, and he had completely failed to think of an excuse.
At that moment the Grey Lady drifted through the door.
"Hello, Harry. You are nice and early. Go in, Myrtle is ready early too," she said smiling. "I'll see you later. Have a good time." And then she wandered off down the corridor.
Harry straightened his dress robes one last time, knocked on the door and entered.
Standing in the middle of the room looking at herself in a full length mirror was Myrtle. She was wearing an elaborate silver ball gown and looked radiant. Ghostly jewels sparkled in her hair.
"Wow, Myrtle, you look great."
"Thanks," she said smiling and she seemed to blush silver.
"The Grey Lady told me you had invited someone else before I changed my mind."
He was wondering how he was going to break it to her.
"I'm sorry Myrtle."
"It's okay, I understand. Shall we go?"
Harry felt relief wash over him. He made a mental note to thank the Grey Lady, who had obviously realised how upset Myrtle could get. It was strange, Harry thought, Myrtle's happiness had been the last thing on his mind when he asked her. Now it meant so much to him.
He held his arm out and she glided over. Her smile widened as she threaded her arm through. When the touched a cold sensation ran through Harry's arm. He tried not to flinch.
"Dam, I forgot," she said. "Harry, see that small bottle the Grey Lady left over there. Bring it over and open it please."
Confused, he did so. As he broke the seal on the bottle a cloud of vapour enveloped them both. It smelled of fresh air and quickly dissipated.
"Thanks. Let's see if it worked."
She reached out and touched his face. He felt her touch him. She was solid and no longer felt cold at all. She still looked as translucent as ever though.
"Terrific!" Harry said. "How long will it last?"
"Not long. Just one dance, but that'll be enough," she said grinning at him. Then he saw that her smile faltered as she turned towards the door.
"What is it, Myrtle?"
"I just remembered something the Grey Lady said. She was just teasing."
Harry didn't move. "Tell me," he demanded quietly.
*
When Harry entered the hall with Myrtle on his arm the entire hall stopped and applauded. He walked her out to the centre of the dance area and they waited for the first dance to start.
Myrtle had silver tears in her eyes but was smiling at everyone. As the music started they danced slowly. Her dress seemed to be the brightest thing in the room.
As the music ended they stood in the middle.
"Thank you, Harry," she whispered and kissed him gently on the cheek. At that moment he felt the charm end. As she drew away he lost her touch.
"May I have the pleasure of the next dance?"
They turned to see Sir Nicholas smiling at them.
"Would you mind, Harry?" she asked hesitantly.
"Of course not."
*
Harry walked to the entrance doors and turned back to see Myrtle dancing with a wide smile on her face. Sir Nicholas had assured him that she would be dancing all night and would have the best time she could remember.
He turned and hurried to pick up his next guest.
He met Susan halfway to the Hufflepuff common room. She was chatting to the Fat Friar who had been stationed to keep her company.
"Well I must be off," the Friar said in his usual jolly manner.
They watched him drift off before turning to each other. Susan was wearing a shimmering green gown.
"You look wonderful," he said and extended out his arm.
She took it and said, "Thanks. How's the schedule? Should we hurry?"
He smiled. "The only hurry was for me to get here."
*
Harry led Susan into the hall. More people were dancing now and he could see Myrtle laughing with the Fat Friar.
They were greeted by a smiling Professor McGonagall who said, "Susan, you look lovely."
Harry brought Susan over to the dance area and they waited for the music to begin.
As the music ended Harry lent towards her and whispered, "Thanks."
"M.. May I have the next dance?"
Harry stared blankly at Neville. It wasn't supposed to be Neville. Neville was supposed to be Ron. Where was Ron?
"Harry?"
"Hm?" Harry managed to mumble, turning back to Susan.
"I asked if you minded?" she said with a small laugh.
"Sorry, Susan. No, of course I don't mind."
*
As he left the hall Harry was intercepted by Ron.
"Where were you?"
"Neville beat me to you."
"Well you'd better cut in if she decks him."
Ron wasn't paying any attention to him though. Harry turned to see Luna wander into the hall. She was an extraordinary sight. Clearly deciding not to go with convention, instead of a gown she was wearing a long, thin bright-red sparkling dress that somehow even seemed to rival Myrtle's dress for brightness.
"Luna, I was just coming to get you ..." began Harry.
She was ignoring him completely and just staring at Ron who was staring back.
"I'd like to dance now," she said dreamily and walked closely past Ron. Ron couldn't take his eyes off her as he followed her to the dance floor as if on an invisible leash.
Great, Harry thought to himself.
Harry became aware that he must have looked pretty stupid standing and staring off into the dance area and turned to leave when he realised he was standing next to Pansy Parkinson. She turned to him and smiled warmly. Harry returned her smile and was about to ask her to dance when Malfoy shrugged past him and took her arm, pulling her away.
She looked back with a "sorry" expression and Harry nodded.
He thought about getting himself a drink and turned and just stopped. On the other side of the hall sat Hermione alone. She was smiling, looking at the couples dancing and tapping one foot in time to the music.
Harry went straight over.
"Hello," she said smiling as he sat down next to her.
"Hermione, I'm sorry."
"What for?"
"Ron, he …" At that moment Ron and Luna danced by.
Hermione smiled at Harry and lent forward. "I had a feeling they would get together."
Harry found he was momentarily paralysed as he inhaled her scent. His blank expression must have been misinterpreted though because she continued "It's okay, Harry, honestly. So did you loose all your dates?"
"Yes, it looks like it." They both laughed as Neville and Susan waltzed past.
Harry looked at Hermione. She was looking quite as beautiful as she had been at the Yule Ball. He couldn't look away from her.
"Are you okay Harry?"
"Yes. No. Yes. I will be."
She raised her eyebrows.
"Dance with me?"