Fan Fiction ❯ The Weaver Telarius ❯ Beginnings and Endings ( Chapter 6 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

I won't bore you with the particulars of the next few weeks, but only give out the highlights of each. Of course, I submitted my name into the Goblet of Fire, which accepted it with no reaction. I was most pleased with myself for that, though I had no idea what I was getting myself into. That particular notion excited me beyond belief.

Xorlempt became a trusted companion, as well as a unique trademark for myself. I continued to work with Hermione and with Cordelia. Their affections for me continued to become more and more intense as a result of this. To that end, my plans were working out perfectly. Upon reflection, a few scenes from that time period, while not really being pertinent to the matter at hand, still add to the dramatics, and make this all the more interesting for the listeners.

===

I must admit to a certain amount of worry as I sat with my classmates at the Slytherin table in the Great Hall. I was concious of a light perspiration on my forehead, and my hands weren't as steady as they should have been. I had no idea as to what might happen. I might get penalized, since I did not appear to be of the proper age. Still, I calmed and reminded myself that I needed the money to continue school, should that become necessary. And so I waited for what seemed an eternity for Dumbledore to make his announcement concerning the Goblet of Fire.

The other schools had arrived several nights before, and now the students of Durmstrang were around me almost everywhere I went, asking me questions about my origins and my psyche. Xorlempt seemed to want to lash out at them from time to time, but I calmed him with soothing words and promises of more subtle, devious ways to keep them from pestering me. Those ways worked when put into action, and Xorlempt had learned to trust me on those accounts. I had yet to encounter anyone from Durmstrang who truly piqued my interests. Most of them seemed rather false, and the rest concerned only with their own agendas. Such a crowd was not useful to me, nor did I seek to entertain their company.

And now the moment had arrived. Dumbledore reached into the Goblet, and pulled from it a slip of paper. The first name was read slowly, that we all might hear it. "Meriam Wintersky, Durmstrang."

There were many cheers from the Durmstrang table as I attempted to get a look at the first champion, who was walking up to the front of the hall. I caught her back, and she seemed quite well formed, with hair like a mixture of sky blue and ice. The Drumstrang outfit seemed only to conceal her better features, and as she turned, I saw that her eyes were a faint pink in colour. Her hair had some sparkle to it. She was breathtakingly beautiful, and the sight of her stirred something up from deep within me. I suddenly felt as a young boy could not possibly feel. It was peculiar. And then she made eye contact.

I knew her, and yet I didn't. I searched within the depths of my mind to try and place who she was, and, more importantly, why someone from this world would seem familiar to me. I even had Xorlempt assist me in my stroll through the synaptic pathways. What we found did not help me understand what was happening. She was in this world, yet I knew her from mine. In my world, she was a little younger than I, but in this she seemed far older. Still as filled out, though, if not moreso...

Damn! The connection was there, alright. Xorlempt and myself together had deduced that the reason these feelings were registering as they were was because she was really from my world. I was Telarius seeing Meriam, and, at the same time, I was myself from my world seeing her. And so, her appearance in his world was affecting my true self.

At any rate, while I was distracted by her, the applause had died down. As Dumbledore reached his hand into the goblet once more, I knew that she knew me as well. We had been acquaintances and eventually friends of a sort during the high school years. I had found it difficult to get in touch with her since graduation. Perhaps this was why. I would have to approach her later, but cautiously. For all I knew, someone could have slipped something wierd into my drink. I took another sip.

"Phillip Kennistence, Beauxbatons," Dumbledore read off from the little slip. I remember another roar of applause before it happened again. I knew this man, too. Once again, he was far older than I in appearance, but in my world, he was my peer. He was of a different type of relationship though. Comradity, trust, integrity... the second being the most important. I do not trust many, believe me. This particular gentleman was someone I would almost consider dying in the defense of. Almost, that is. I'm not stupid, and have someone who loves me who would be hurt too much to make such an action worthwhile.

As I took another sip of my drink, I set myself to pondering the new developments. The Hogwarts champion turned out to be a fellow by the name of Vincent Malivore. I sensed nothing great from him. As everything was about to proceed, I saw Dumbledore react in surprise to a slip of paper jumping out of the goblet into his hand. He paused a moment and stared at it, and then read, calmly, "Telarius Shade, SUNY Fredonia."

I forced myself not to choke at the humour of those four words. I stood to applause from the Slytherin table and confused murmors which lead to shouts of displeasure. I walked up to the front of the Great Hall, no longer worried about anything. I was rather pleased with myself, and Xorlempt hissed at any who tried to stop my progress towards the front. As I reached the front, I bowed to Dumbledore, then turned to face the student body, petting Xorlempt with my right hand as he rested on that shoulder.

"Enough!" boomed Dumbledore, almost causing me to jump through the ceiling. It was quite loud. "The teachers and the champions will convene for a brief discussion. Please, enjoy your dinner."

I was lead into a conference room, of sorts, and was among my fellow champions. I pondered the headache I was giving those involved by my presence. This caused me to smile ever so slightly. "It is not right!" shouted the representative of the Durmstrang school, "Hogwarts cannot have two champions!"

It may have been out of line, but I decided to speak anyway. "I'm not a champion for Hogwarts, sir."

He looked at me a moment, almost in anger, then back to Dumbledore. "He can't be allowed to participate! Even if he isn't representing Hogwarts... if he wins, then none of our three schools gets the Triwizard cup!"

I paused at that. Of course, I had every intention of giving the cup to Hogwarts for their generosity if I won, but if I spoke to that effect, it would sound as if I was championing Hogwarts. "Then, if Telarius should win, let the first runner up take the cup home with them," Dumbledore proposed.

This calmed the Durmstrang Headmaster momentarily, but the Headmistress of Beauxbatons was quick to pick up the arguing. "But he's too young!" she cried, "He's well under the age limit. How in the world did he even get his name into the goblet?"

Dumbledore looked to me, as if to ask that same question. When the Beauxbatons Headmistress followed suit, I smirked. "I'm older than I look, madam," was the only reply I would give her to that.

While it satisfied Dumbledore, she still seemed a bit preturbed. Ah well. Let her be preturbed. After that question was asked, the Durmstrang Headmaster seemed to renew his attack. "If he's a champion, then he'll share everything he knows with your Hogwarts Champion. They'll both be sure to win!"

"Please," Dumbledore spoke, winking at me with such subtlety that I could have hugged the man, "A third year? Telling a student like Mr. Malivore anything at all? If you ask me, Telarius will be no help to him at all."

"You have a point there," and the Durmstrang Headmaster turned to me, "Why did you wish to enter the tournament?"

"To be honest," I answered, "I need the money. With no holdings, no employment, and little knowledge about the wizarding world, I will need money to continue my education here at Hogwarts. This seemed the best way to get it."

"Do you know all that you'll be up against? It's potentially dangerous. You could be seriously hurt."

I was about to seriously hurt him, but I held back. "Danger? There is no danger that I cannot face, Mr...?" and I paused, for I was unaware of his name.

"Levisky. Warner Levisky," I thought his name sounded rather Russian in pronounciation. My apologies for doing it no credit. "No danger you cannot face, eh?"

"Telarius is student teaching under Remus Lupin, our Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor," Dumbledore informed Levisky.

I winced slightly, but attempted to not show this gesture. Dumbledore could have just made a grand mistake on my behalf. By informing Levisky and Mrs. Whoever-she-is of my current position as both faculty and student, I could be disqualified from the championship. After attaining a chance at surviving, I was almost upset with Dumbledore for potentially throwing it away. If I didn't know that he would pay me back if his gamble didn't work, I would have been irritated.

"Student teaching?" Levisky looked at Dumbledore, his expression changing, "Is he to be an Auror? So young?"

"The ones that start young become the greatest, you know," Dumbledore replied, still smiling.

I knew not what an Auror was, but Levisky now regarded me with an expression that seemed an awful lot like fear. I gave him a long, smirking glare. I knew not what I was doing that for, but it seemed like a good idea at the time. He actually withdrew his gaze in a timely fashion, and gave a swift nod of approval. His approval seemed to sway the Headmistress over to the side of letting me have my chance.

"Now that you are all informed, the first challenge will be in December. We will give you the specific date as it approaches. Until then, please enjoy yourselves here at Hogwarts," and with that statement, Dumbledore dismissed us.

I mentally counted in my head, until I realized that I would have two months to rest and do other things. I was quite content in that knowledge, and the rest of the night seemed much nicer. There was a party in House Slytherin. As far as they were concerned, if I won, Slytherin won. It was that night that I spoke with the Team Captain for Slytherin's Quidditch team. He was more than happy to give me the position of Beater, since they needed one before the season started anyway.

===

I spent the next several weeks perfecting my studies as well as my skills as a Beater. The field position was the one I knew I would enjoy the best and do the best. Theoretically, the beater's job is to defend the Chasers, Seekers, and Keeper from the Bludgers through the usage of a small club. While this duty is necessary, the Beater can use his tools for an even better purpose. After all, there is nothing saying that one cannot deflect the Bludger towards an opposing team member. After perfecting the interception of the Bludgers (which didn't take long, as soon as I got the hang of broom flight), I started practicing my aim. After three weeks, I possessed pinpoint accuracy, and was ready to bring the Quidditch cup to Slytherin.

Of course, I had to get acquainted with the rest of the team. I was considered the quiet one, but ruthless in practice. While I never actually hit anyone, I never failed to give them a scare as I sent a Bludger wizzing just past their ears or nose. I would always laugh afterwards, and we all went to Hogsmeade after every practice for a little fun. I found I almost liked them all. They seemed the more honest, straightforward members of our House. Compared to them, I was devious, conniving, sinister, and clever. Perhaps that's why I enjoyed their company so much. I doubt I'll ever know, now.

The leaves had all fallen, but the snow was waiting for something more to occur. The bitter cold winds were in force, and the dementors were given a shelter. I don't know why, for it seemed futile to show them compassion, but I suppose that it was a nice gesture.

It was during this, the month of October, that my plans for the Hermione-Cordelia situation would be thrown into chaos. I had been preparing for this endeavor for quite some time, but I never expected such abruptness on either of their parts.

I woke up on a Friday morning to find myself as tired as I usually am at that hour. I staggered out of bed and properly prepared myself for that inconsequential meal otherwise known as breakfast. The Great Hall was filled with Halloween decorations, and I was rather amused by the floating Jack-o-lanterns. They actually appeared to be smirking evilly, as if they were enchanted to do so. They probably were, too.

I took my usual seat across from Cordelia at the table. She was there, of course, waiting patiently with a winning smile on her face. Not being a morning person, I said nothing. The first words out of my mouth would probably not have been pleasant, anyway. I can be quite grouchy when I haven't slept.

I consumed my sunny side-up eggs and pumpernickel bread with legendary zeal. It never failed to amaze me that Dumbledore always conjured exactly what I wished to have for breakfast on any given morning. Cordelia hadn't touched her food, yet. She seemed rather preoccupied. I was tempted to bring out my glasses, but Xorlempt advised me against it. He was smart like that. In a moment, the reason for her preoccupation became clear.

"Telarius, would you consider going out on a date with me?"

Losing my orange juice would not have been pleasurable, though having it travel through my sinuses was no better, I assure you. Certainly it was mild enough not to cause too much irritation, but I still needed to wipe my nose with a napkin, pretending as if I had just sneezed, to avoid any misconceptions. It wasn't an easy question to be asked. My heart belonged to someone else, and so I truly would never consider going out on a date with her. However, things being as they were, I saw a way out of my current predicament, if I played my cards right.

"Of course I would," I said, as casually as possible, so that I could continue to confuse her and thus appear to be acting normally.

She stared at me for probably longer than the standard Cordelia stunned pause. I expected as much, though, and lifted my head to greet her with a smile. Another moment and she spoke once more. "Well... now that you've said that you'll consider it..." she paused, and bit her lower lip, sheepishly, "Do you want to go with me to Hogsmeade tonight, after classes are done with?"

I kept reminding myself that it was the intention behind the action that mattered, not the action itself. "Certainly so. Eight, then? You realize that I'll have to cancel my study session with Hermione, not that she couldn't use a break..."

"Oh... could you not mention this to her?" Cordelia sounded almost victorious. I did not like that at all.

Another crooked smile from me, and a quick nod of my head. "I'll simply tell her that I have another engagement. Where should we meet?"

"Out by the lake?"

"Works perfectly for me."

She smiled. "Thank you," and she squeezed my hand, then stood to go to her first class.

The school day drudged on, and on the way to Potions, I walked with Hermione as normal. I had to be careful about what happened next. "I won't be able to study with you tonight, Hermione."

That made her stop dead in her tracks, and she turned to face me, looking quite adorable, as she had a way of doing. "What do you mean? Why?"

"I've a date with Cordelia, milady, and it falls upon our usual studying time," I explained, in a plain tone.

An upset look confirmed my suspicions on her end. I tilted my head, as if to inquire toward that end, and she looked me in the eyes. She seemed rather hurt. "But Telarius... I thought that... that we... well..." she seemed about ready to cry.

My expression was an apologetic one. "Oh! It isn't meant like that, Hermione. She's just a friend. If it will make you happy, I'll blow her off tonight and go with you. Anywhere you want to go. My treat."

That turned her expression around in an awful hurry. I was quite pleased with myself to that effect. "You would do that for me?" she asked, almost pleadingly.

I waved my hand. "'Tis of no bother at all. Just meet me by the lake at five after eight, and we'll sneak away from her. I'll explain to her later the situation. She'll just have to get over it."

Hermione was beaming, and she leaned forward to kiss me. I took a step back, swaying my head just out of her reach. "Not now, milady. We're in public, for one, and waiting makes it all the better."

With a wink, we continued our trek to Potions, where I saw both Hermione and Cordelia looking quite pleased at the same time when I was around. It was absolutely perfect.

When Xorlempt asked me what I had planned next, I told him. It all made sense to him. Pardon? Please, allow me my luxury. In order to tell this tale properly, I must present it as best I can. Patience. Everything in its time and place.

The school day dwindled, and it was eight before I knew it. I was dressed to the nines for the occassion in black, silver, and green. I waited. When ten after eight rolled around, I strolled out of my room, out of the Slytherin House, and so forth, my final desitination being the lake.

Hermione was there, dressed in a bright blue, rather poofy dress, and Cordelia in a more silken green. They both looked quite lovely, save for the angry expressions on their faces. They were arguing, and getting louder by the second. I cleared my throat as quietly as possible, and walked to up greet them both. "Ladies, is there a problem?" I said, being as suave and debonair as possible. It was quite difficult to manipulate my voice like that. I felt dirty.

They both turned to glare at me, and I was almost taken back by the amount of anger in each of them. "You have a lot of explaining to do!" shouted Hermione, as if she were talking to her eight year old son.

"I thought you said that you were gonna cancel your study session to go out with me tonight!" Cordelia was fuming.

"You said you were gonna blow her off!"

"You made me think you liked me."

"What's going on here?"

Their intent stares ordered that an answer be given. I spread my arms, then held my hands up. "I confess. I attempted to take both of you on a date at the same time, and ended up making the meeting place the same and overlapping the time."

They were baffled for a moment because of the audacity of my statement. "Which one of us do you care for, then?" Cordelia asked.

I looked them both in the eyes, lowered my arms, and shook my head. "Neither."

I should have expected that their reaction would turn physical. It was a sad state of affairs, really. I never told either one that I couldn't swim. I'd never really learned how to keep myself afloat. So there I was, slowly sinking in the lake. I had taken the split second before I contacted the water to get a good breath, and I now removed my wand with the intent of using that breath. "Accio floatation device," my voice sounded funny underwater.

Yeah, I wasn't picky. I wanted the nearest thing that would help me to the surface, and I got it, too. Turned out to be a bouy, and I managed to propel myself to the shoreline. I crawled onto land, coughing up water and dripping all over the place. As soon as my lungs agreed that oxygen was the dominant medium, I sat down on a stone to assess the situation. I had just lost two friends forever, and they had almost killed me. My dress clothes were soaked, I had nothing to do for the night, and I've got to explain to the faculty why there is a bouy in the lake. Taking all of this into account, I was in pretty sorry shape.

I tilted back my head and laughed with such joy that I fear I might have destroyed the dementors then and there, just with the pleasure I felt.

===

After that night, my life at Hogwarts changed a bit. I seemed liked by neither Slytherin or Gryffindor, and Hufflepuff weren't too pleased with me either, after I won my first Quidditch game on my team against them. At least I still got along with the team okay, so that was something. I no longer had a study partner of any sort for any subject. That was okay, though. I really didn't think I needed one, after all.

Cordelia and Hermione became close friends in a short period of time. It was impressive to witness two people from houses with such bitter rivalry coming together. As a side effect, their friends all had an intense dislike of me. Harry Potter, in particular, began to do everything but openly defy me at every turn. Inconveniences were not set up by him, but he was beginning to become a thorn in my side. And as long as Harry Potter hated me, all of Gryffindor House hated me as well, including the wonderful Transfiguration professor. Certainly made that class more enjoyable.

The greatest loss, though, was Hagrid. I enjoyed the man's company, but the relationship had turned more formal. He was taking care of Riposte and nothing more than that. It was upsetting to me, but I bore with it. Such were the consequences for my actions.

Our next Quidditch match was against Ravenclaw. After beating Hufflepuff, the team was certain that we would be able to win. I was told that their new Keeper was Deanne Ember... the other "mysterious appearance" at Hogwarts. I would have to get a glimpse of her, to see if there is any kind of familiarity.

I couldn't think about this now. I had to focus. I took the field with a mind perfectly clear. When the game began, I set off to do my job. Bludgers seemed to want to go after every one of my team mates, and none of the Ravenclaws. I knew that this wasn't the case, but keeping the things away seemed harder today. Maybe it was because I was fighting an internal battle as well. Loneliness? Yes, that was it.

I had no personal grudge against the Ravenclaw team, so I aimed Bludgers at non-vital areas when I deflected them towards their numbers. Every once in a while, I would check the score. We were up by thirty, and had the Quaffle. The Seekers were looking around for their mark, but apparently neither had caught sight of the Snitch just yet. It was just as well.

The running commentary was quite annoying, but I attempted to tune it out. I admit that it distracted me for a moment, and in that moment, my fellow beater suffered a Bludger the back of his head. He was saved by Madam Hooch, and the game played on, but now I had to defend everyone of my team mates on the field. From this point on, there was no hesitation at all. I wailed the Bludgers anywhere that wasn't toward a team mate. I flew around like a flea on crack, and my club hit the Bludgers with the sound of thunder.

That was, until I was about to deflect a Bludger from our Seeker, who was after the Snitch. I moved myself inbetween the Seeker and the Bludger, and looked at my aiming point before I swung. And in there was a moment of hesistation, for I saw this Deanne Ember. And I knew her, more than I knew any of those I had seen selected as champions. We made eye contact, and I smiled a genuine smile and exhaled with joy. It was my love! I didn't know how or why, but my love was here with me! I wasn't alone.

The Bludger hit me in the left shoulder, and I felt my bones break in that area. The pain was almost numbing, but I was also aware that I was no longer on my broom, but falling. The force of the Bludger had knocked me around and off. As I plummeted, I saw a flash of colour, and suddenly I was flying again.

I turned to look at my savior, and found a loving face gazing into mine. "I like your real form better, but this will do for now," she spoke, softly.

I nodded. "Thank you for that. I never really did care much for hitting dirt at high velocities."

She smiled. "I missed you."

"Later, darling. There is a game to be played, if I'm not mistaken."

A sharp nod from her, and I was back on my broom. Madam Pomfrey was throwing a fit, but I insisted that Madam Hooch keep me in the game. Even with the intense pain and only the use of one arm, I felt empowered. I felt alive again, and it was a good feeling. The lady I loved was with me, here. I would not be alone in this world, even if I were stuck here for the rest of my life.

The game was an epic one, but the Ravenclaw Seeker got the better of ours and Ravenclaw walked away with the victory. Let them have it. Slytherin can always win the next game. I was immediately taken to the hospital wing, were Deanne stayed by my bedside through the night and into the morning. We caught up on what we could, and I learned that we had arrived here at about the same time. I informed her of the others, but she wouldn't have recognized either of them. She did not know them as I did. We revelled in each other's love until the wee hours of the morning, when I finally felt sleep taking it's hold over me. She rested her head on my chest, refusing to leave my side. I imagine that would have made quite a picture.

===

"So, you're saying that you know what's going to happen?"

She pursed her lips a moment, then shook her head. "No, not really. You see, I read the books, but things aren't happening the way they did in the books."

"How do you mean?"

"Well, for example, the Triwizard Tournament was held when Harry and them were in the fourth year here, and they did not hold the intramural Quidditch championship because of it. Now, Remus Lupin is supposed to be here, but you being a student teacher... well, you're obviously not in the books."

I smirked. "Obviously."

She smiled and kissed me for no other reason than I was there. "Events just aren't happening as normal. I think it's because of our prescense, and the prescenses of those other two you mentioned."

I nodded. "Yes, I agree with that assessment."

She nuzzled. "I told you that you should have read the books."

I grinned. "I was starting to. I kinda got absorbed into them, as it were..."

Her laugh echoed throughout the hospital wing. "So what do we do now?"

"Well, there has got to be a way home. We simply have to find it. I think we may be able to get more answers by contacting the other two."

"That should be easy for you to do. They're your fellow champions."

I nodded. "What can you tell me about the Triwizard Tournament challenges?"

"Well, in the fourth book, there were three of note. The first was to obtain a golden egg which contained a clue for the next challenge. The egg was guarded by a dragon."

"Lovely. Do go on."

"The next was rescuing someone that they cared about from underwater. They needed to find a way to breathe underwater, then untie the bonds of their friend."

"And finally?"

"The maze. The Triwizard cup was at the center of an intricate and dangerous maze."

"Oh goody. And what happened when the champion got to the cup?"

"Theoretically? They won that challenge."

"Theoretically? What actually happened?"

She paused for a moment. "They were transported to a place were Voldemort was being brought back to power."

"Wonderful," I sighed, "Why do I get the feeling like I've signed myself up for a death sentence just to get money to go to a school that I'll be leaving at my earliest possible convenience?"

She stroked my hair. "Because you did."

"Yes. It was one of the rare occassions where I acted before I fully thought my situation out."

Her grin was sly. "What do you mean, 'rare'?"

I attacked her with a torrent of tickles, and was pleased to find her body in this world ticklish in many areas. When Madam Pomfrey was convinced that I was healthy (mostly due to my reflexes being back to normal, shown by the tickling), we were sent on our way to our classes. It was afternoon, so I'd have to figure out what I missed in the morning. No big deal, though. My mission that night was to seek an audience with Phillip and Meriam and see if they will be of any help.

And that, ladies and gentleman, is where the real plot begins to unfold.