Harry Potter and the Headmaster of Witchworld          
	By Alexis Potter, aka DrellNCo                                                      
	
	It was a lovely Saturday morning. The clouds were moving in thick 
clumps across the unblemished, blue sky, and a gentle breeze was blowing. 
Harry Potter, however, was unaware of the charming weather outside. He 
was still fast asleep in his four-poster bed in the Gryffindor dormitory.
	"Wake up, Harry!" Someone threw a pillow at him. Harry groaned 
sleepily and pulled his scarlet covers over his head.
	"Harry!"
	Rolling over, Harry looked up into the face of Hermione Granger, 
usually pleasant, but right now looking grumpy.
	"What is it?" Harry yawned, shoving his glasses on and stretching 
his arms up to the ceiling.
	"Well, for one thing, it's 11:30," she replied sharply. "And for 
another, I thought you'd want to smarten yourself up for those-- those 
people that are coming today."
	"Who cares what time it is?" said Harry, beginning to feel irritated. 
"And you're not even supposed to be in here."
	Hermione gave an exasperated sigh and started down the stairs, back 
to the common room. Harry pulled on his black robes, smoothed his lumpy 
bedspread, and went after Hermione. 
	As soon as he entered the Common Room, he knew something was different. 
Then, it hit him. Instead of tons of students robed in black, scattered like 
ants across the ruby red carpet, there were many of his classmates dressed 
in dress robes of different colors. His mouth hung momentarily, but he 
somehow managed to trudge over to Ron and Hermione, who, by the looks on 
their faces, had just had an argument.
	''What's with the..." Harry pointed to Ron's robes.
	"He's just being stupid like everyone else," Hermione snapped, throwing 
down a fat book she was reading. 
	"It's only polite, Hermione, and if you had any sense on how to 
welcome guests, you'd put on dress robes too!" Ron, who was looking very 
smart in brand-new, orange dress robes, snapped back.
	"Oh really?" Hermione shrieked, standing up so quickly she scattered 
some books on the floor. "Maybe I just don't feel like impressing some 
pretty girl and some stupid ruler with my dress robes that are for special 
occasions!" She stalked off back into the girl's dormitory.
	Ron shook his head. "You'd think I'd threatened to curse Crookshanks."
	"What is this all about-- a pretty girl? And what ruler?"
	"You know, the 'guests' McGonagall has been talking about for the 
last ten years." Ron rolled his eyes. "I reckon she thinks she'll marry 
this king fellow or whatever he is." Ron winked.
	Laughing, Harry said, "Come off it, McGonagall and a prince?"
	Ron began to laugh too, but at that moment, Hermione marched past, her 
nose high in the air. Harry glanced at his watch. It read 12:00.
	"Let's go," he whispered, and he and Ron started out the portrait hole 
to the Great Hall.

					* * *

	Apprehension was thick in the air as all the Hogwarts students congregated 
at their house tables. Ron and Hermione had finally started speaking to each 
other, and Hermione, Harry, and Ron were hissing to each other in whispers.
	"What do you reckon this wizard fellow is like?"
	"Who is this girl he's bring?"
	"Hope she's pretty."
	"Ron!"
	"Come on, Hermione, he was only joking."
	"Well, it's not funny, not funny at all... I reckon--"
	But Professor Dumbledore held up his hands for silence before Hermione 
could finish. His eyes twinkled as he stared at his students, who looked as 
if they were sure he were about to spring a pop quiz on them.
	"Ladies and gentlemen," he announced in a painfully slow fashion 
(painful for the students, that is) "I am pleased to welcome our new 
Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Mr. Drell Trickman. Mr. Trickman 
is also the ruler of Witchworld. He has the title of headmaster, which 
does not refrain to school, of course," Dumbledore smiled at all of them, 
"but is the highest rank of government on Witchworld, a large, though 
uncharted planet that is only able to be found by members of Witchworld. 
By that I mean magic folk." He paused.
	Ron was gaping at Dumbledore, as were many. However, most of the 
girls either had their hands over their face or were giggling insanely.
	"So he'll be our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher!" Hermione 
whispered. "It's about time! I wondered why he was coming here!"
	It was about time, Harry thought to himself. No one wanted to take 
the job because they feared it was cursed, and the school year had started 
without a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. 
	"Mr. Trickman, if you would stand please," Dumbledore directed.
	Drell stood. He was tall and muscular, with long, curly hair, which 
was light brown with streaks hinted of blonde. His deep eyes were a friendly 
coffee brown, set perfectly beside his straight nose on his tan face. Smiling 
at them with glittering teeth, he waved. Harry was vaguely reminded of a 
previous professor, an outrageously stuck-up man by the name of Gilderoy 
Lockheart.
	When Drell sat down, a black-haired girl at the Hufflepuff table was 
so overtaken with abashed giggles that she nearly fell off her chair. Ron 
rolled his eyes at Harry.
	"Oh really," said Hermione haughtily, "He is handsome, but we'll see 
what kind of teacher he is."
	Excited chatter began to fill the hall again, but Dumbledore held up 
his hands once more for quiet.
	"Accompanying Professor Trickman is Miss Adelaide Demulcere, also of 
Witchworld--"
	"Originally from the U.S.," said a tall, blonde girl who suddenly stood 
up next to Dumbledore.
	Harry was sure that Hermione felt a very strong urge to slap Ron. He 
was staring at this girl, Adelaide, with glazed eyes. Looking around the hall, 
he saw most of the boys were sharing an appearance with Ron. Even Draco Malfoy, 
who usually scoffed at everything was watching Adelaide intently. His normally 
pale cheeks were flushed. As Harry turned his eyes back to Adelaide, he felt 
himself blush as well.
	"Indeed... the Muggle United States, that is, correct? Miss Demulcere 
currently resides in Witchworld in the Palace. She holds the title of Princess 
of Witchworld." Dumbledore nodded at Adelaide. "She will be spending some 
time here and studying here at Hogwarts while Mr. Trickman fufills his teaching 
duties. Thank you, Professor Trickman, Miss Demulcere."
	There was thunderous applause as all the guests and Dumbledore at the 
High Table sat.
	"A princess!" exclaimed Ron in a hoarse voice. "Could you-- I can't-- 
a princess!"
	Hermione tutted and poured herself some pumpkin juice.
	"Do you reckon she's a veela?" Seamus Finnigan whispered, seeming
still in awe.
	"She doesn't really look like a veela... I mean, she seems normal." 
Harry helped himself to some potatoes, even though his eyes kept flicking 
back to the High Table.
	"They don't even have veela in Witchworld," Parvati Patil snapped 
at Seamus. She's gotten over the giggle fit that had afflicted her when 
Drell was introduced, and was now looking quite put off at the boys' 
behavior towards Adelaide. "It's a totally different planet."
	"Why do they live so far away, I wonder?" Ron said.
	"They don't believe in Old Magic," Hermione explained, with a look 
of knowledge on her face-- a look all the school knew only too well. 
"They're very technologically advanced. They believe in a modern world 
with modern magic. Fascinating, really," she added as an afterthought.
	"We believe in a modern world," grumbled Ron, looking disgruntled. 
"Look at the advances made in broomsticks--"
	"Hey Potter!"
	Harry glanced up to see his enemy, Draco Malfoy, with his two 
dull sidekicks Crabbe and Goyle at his side. 
	"Got a problem, Malfoy?" spat Ron.
	"What, Weasley, d'you think you've got a chance with the princess? 
Heard she's loaded-- doubt she'd go for a beggar."
	Ron was out of his chair in a flash. Thrusting his hand into his 
robes, he whipped out his wand and pointed it at Malfoy.
	"Ron, no!" squealed Hermione. 
	Breathing heavily, Ron, after what seemed an eternity, straightened 
his robes and sat down just as quickly as he had rose. Suddenly, his 
just red face went very pale. He looked as if he were going to be sick. 
	"What is it?" Harry asked in a panicky voice. Had Malfoy cursed 
him somehow?
	"Look-- Harry-- Look--" he choked, turning his eyes into his lap.
	Adelaide, the princess, was watching Harry interestedly. Harry 
sputtered and spit out a mouthful of pumpkin juice. Malfoy froze beside 
him, and Ron still looked as if he were going to vomit. Hermione, 
however, tutted again and muttered, "Boys."
	Seeing that Harry had caught her staring, Adelaide looked away. 
Only a few minutes later, though, she said something to Drell and rose 
from the High Table. The princess was hurrying past the other tables 
to the Gryffindor table. Ron made a strangled noise in the back of his 
throat.
	"Are you Harry Potter?" asked Adelaide in a breathy voice.
	"Er-- yeah, I'm Harry-- Harry Potter," Harry somehow managed to 
answer.
	"Wow," Adelaide said softly. "I've read all about you." Her eyes 
wandered to his forehead.
	"You've read about Harry?" Hermione asked suddenly, with an air 
of great surprise.
	"Yes," Adelaide replied, beaming. "When I heard I was coming 
here, I read up about Old World magic. Do you have a-- a wand?"
	"Yeah," Harry said, "why?"
	Adelaide giggled. "I must say, I've never seen one of those." 
Reading the confused look on the Gryffindor's faces, she explained, 
"Finger magic. We don't use wands at all in Witchworld. A lot more 
convenient, really."
	"Must be," said someone in a strangely high voice behind Harry.
	Harry jumped and whirled around, only to realize Malfoy was 
still behind him.
	"What's your name?" Adelaide asked Malfoy, smiling warmly and 
edging closer to him.
	"Draco Malfoy," Malfoy said, seeming to regain some of his 
old swagger.
	"Got any room at the Slytherin table for me?" she asked casually,
a small smile on her face.
	Hermione's jaw dropped open, as did Harry. Adelaide couldn't 
possibly-- did she-- she had taken to Malfoy? Harry's head spun with 
bewilderment and jealousy.
	"I reckon so," Malfoy said, a grin forming on his face.
	"Sounds good." Adelaide grinned also. "It was nice meeting you, 
Harry." And she walked off with Malfoy. 
	"It was nice meeting you!" cried Hermione, outraged, when 
Adelaide had left. "She certainly warmed up to him pretty quick!"
	"Who really cares," Ron sneered. "Bet she thinks she's too good 
for us, being a princess and all."
	Hermione nodded fervently, but Harry simply stared dully after 
Adelaide. He couldn't help but feel disappointed...

					* * *

	It was late that night and Harry was beginning to think about 
turning in for the night when someone stumbled through the portrait 
hole. Harry glanced up as he could hear the Fat Lady complaining about 
late night visitors. Ron and Hermione, who had been discussing the 
differences between Witchworld and Earth, looked up also.
	"Well, I've just been sorted."
	Adelaide Demulcere was standing at the portrait hole. Her golden 
hair was disheveled and all over her face. She looked breathless and 
rather excited. 
	"Sorted?" said Ron incredeously, forgetting his bashfulness for 
a moment.
	"Yep!" Adelaide flopped on the couch near Harry. "They dug out 
the Sorting Hat for me. I'm in Gryffindor! Wanted to put me in Slytherin, 
but I thought that was a little too nasty."
	"It did?" Harry spoke suddenly.
	"Yeah," Adelaide said, staring at Harry.
	Harry shrugged. Only a few people knew how the Sorting Hat had 
tried to put him in Slytherin. He wasn't about to disclose his whole 
story with Adelaide, however. He merely yawned and nodded.
	"Wouldn't you want to be in Slytherin with Malfoy?" asked Ron, 
a touch of sarcasm in his voice. 
	"Oh... him," Adelaide said, smiling as if recalling a fond memory. 
"I like him all right, but I would shudder if I was in Slytherin."
	"I can't believe you like Malfoy," snapped Hermione, breaking 
the silence that had settled over them.
	Adelaide turned her stare to Hermione. Ron was looking at Hermioine 
as if she were scandalous. Harry simply kept quiet while glancing 
between Hermione and Adelaide.
	"Why?" asked Adelaide, looking affronted. "I think he's wonderful!"
	"Wonderful, if you like slimy gits," Harry said, unable to 
restrain himself.
	To his surprise, Adelaide giggled. "I get it, you don't like 
Draco. But I do, so don't make fun of him in front of me."
	When no one spoke, Adelaide said, "I suppose I should go to 
bed." She stood up and strode to the girl's dormitory.
	"Adelaide, wait!" Harry called without thinking.
	"Yes, Harry?" Adelaide turned her sweet blue eyes on him.
	"Would you-- well, I've got-- Quidditch Match," stuttered 
Harry.
	"Oh, I'd love to come!" cried Adelaide. "I can't wait! Well, 
goodnight."
	Ron turned to Harry and said, "Slytherin against Gryffindor. 
This should be interesting!"
	Grinning, Harry said, "It certainly will be..."

						* * *

	Harry was in a pleasant dream in which thousand of golden 
Snitches were buzzing at his ears when he awoke with a start.
	Adelaide Demulcere was staring at him while he slept.
	"What in the world d'you think you're doing?" hollered Harry, 
flattening himself on his bed. His chest heaved as he put on his glasses.
	"Quidditch," whispered Adelaide. "You've got to teach me. 
Teach me, won't you Harry?"
	Harry was about to complain loudly about not getting
proper sleep, but thought better of it. Adelaide's
soft, grayish-blue eyes were soft and pleading; he
could hardly resist. Her face was, yes, bright and
cheery, but her eyes were full of want, of longing...
	Harry reached up and put his hand on her face,
stroking it gently. He was surprised at his sudden
impulse, but didn't pull away. Adelaide, however,
didn't care for his affection. Almost as soon as his
hand rested on her cheek, she jerked her head away.
	"Quit that," she said, not angrily, but firmly.
	"Sorry," Harry mumbled.	
	Adelaide didn't reply; she pulled him up out of bed.
As she was flicking her finger at him, he watched as a
shot of glittery-- something was released. Looking
down, he was magically dressed in Gryffindor Quidditch
robes.
	"How-- how--" gasped Harry.
	"Finger magic." Adelaide grinned and dragged him out
of the boy's dormitory.
	They passed Professor Snape as they walked (Adelaide
clutching Harry's arm) out to the Quidditch field. His
sallow skin seemed to brighten as he laid eyes on
Adelaide. 
	"Miss Demulcere!" he cried, greeting her like an old
friend. "How lovely to see you this morning."
	"Likewise," Adelaide replied, curtsying. 
	"Have you seen Master Malfoy this morning?"
	"No, sir. Not yet."
	"Perhaps you'd better run along and wait for him in
Slytherin. I'm sure he'll be eager to see you."
	"I'm not in Slytherin, though."
	Snape's head jerked towards Harry, as if noticing him
for the first time. He stared at him with deepest
loathing. Harry glared defiantly back. For a moment,
Harry thought Snape would make a snide remark about
Gryffindor, but he simply bowed to Adelaide
courteously and hurried off.
	"Nice fellow, isn't he?" Adelaide smiled as he left.
	"Nice?" snorted Harry. "You've got a lot to learn,
Adelaide..."
	Harry took two Shooting Stars from the broom shed (as
he had forgotten his Firebolt, and Adelaide didn't
have a broomstick). They were horribly slow and didn't
fly right, but they were something.
	Adelaide watched in fascination as Harry explained
the goals, Bludgers, Quaffle and positions of
Quidditch players. Finally, he pulled out the Snitch.
	"This is the Golden Snitch," Harry explained, "And a
Quidditch match ends only when it's caught. It's the
seeker's job to catch it."
	Adelaide smiled. Their brooms bumped against one
another, and Adelaide nearly fell off her Shooting
Star. Laughing, Harry helped her climb back on it.
Their heads tilted inwards, and Harry could hear the
blood pounding in his ears. Their lips weren't far
apart... only a little closer and...
	"Adelaide?"
	Adelaide snapped back into an upright position,
looking abashed. She glanced at Harry, who was now
pretending to be very interested in his broomstick.
Adelaide then flew gracefully back to the ground,
where Draco Malfoy was standing. Harry felt his mouth
go dry in a mixture of anger and jealousy.
	"Hey Draco," said Adelaide, brushing some gold hair
out of her face, "What's up?"
	"Snape told me you were coming out here with Potter,"
Malfoy said, his voice hinted with jealousy. "What're
you doing with him?"
	"Learning Quidditch!" Adelaide said brightly. 
	"I'd watch out for Potter, he can be really--"
	"I know, Draco, and I'm grateful for you caring,"
Adelaide said softly.
	Harry was behind Malfoy, looking at Adelaide with a
confused and hurt expression. Her eyes locked with
his, and her ruby red lips began to mouth something.
Malfoy started to turn his head, but suddenly Adelaide
grabbed his face and kissed him hastily.
	Harry backed away, horrified. Dropping his broom, he
sprinted back to the castle as Malfoy and Adelaide
became lost in each other's arms.
	Harry's head was a wild slur of thoughts. Does she
like him? Or does she like me? Why did she lean so
close to me? Was that kiss just a way to distract
Malfoy from me, or real?
	Harry was so lost in thoughts he didn't bother to say
hello to Hermione and Ron as he passed them on the way
to the Gryffindor dorm.
					* * *
	"Good luck, Draco," called Adelaide as he walked out
onto the Quidditch field, robed in green.
	Draco Malfoy was currently feeling on top of the
world. He had snagged the prettiest, and most famous
girl in school. For once, he didn't only get dislike
from the Gryffindors, but he got terribly envy as
well. He loved it.
	Frowning as he rolled his broomstick in his hands, he
thought of Harry Potter. He had loved the was Adelaide
had kissed him in front of Potter that morning, but he
couldn't help but feel Harry was a source of
competition. He was after all, famous, and quite
rich... and Draco could see Adelaide falling for
Harry.
	I'll just have to prevent that then! thought Malfoy,
determined. He had to beat Potter... he had to! What
if he didn't? What would Adelaide say?
	He could just see it happening... Harry would catch
the Snitch, and with a yell, jump off his broomstick,
waving his arms in triumph... Draco would walk to his
teammates, feeling delated... and Adelaide, his prized
Adelaide, would bound to Harry with shining eyes,
congratulate him, and then, holding his hands, close
her eyes and...
	No. It couldn't be that way. He had to win, no matter
what!
	Harry Potter, who was still in the Gryffindor robes
Adelaide had magicked on him, looked up into the
crowds. There she was-- the princess. She wasn't in
robes of black like the rest of the school; she wore
lovely sapphire silk robes on her body.
	Seeing that Harry was looking in her direction, she
jumped up and began waving wildly. He gave her a small
smile and a short wave. Her teeth seemed to glitter
like stars as she beamed at him. He felt slightly
better about the kissing incident that had occurred
that morning.
	"Mount your brooms," Madam Hooch's voice came,
shattering his thoughts. 
	The whistle sounded, and they were off. Lee Jordan
was commentaring.
	"And they're off... ladies and gentlemen, this will
be my last commentary for a Slytherin-Gryffindor game,
so if you would all rise for a moment of silence..."
	"Jordan!" burst out Professor McGonagall irritably.
	"Er-- perhaps not... and look at Angelina Johnson go!
This will be her last Quidditch season as well... a
pity... uh oh, Slytherin in possession... C'mon,
c'mon, save it! Oh no, Slytherins score..."
	Harry looked into the stands at Adelaide. She looked
terribly torn. Harry actually laughed to see she had
both a Gryffindor and Slytherin flag in her hands.
	"Harry! Behind you!" bellowed Fred Weasley, swinging
his bat at a Bludger.
	The Golden Snitch, its wings beating furious, was
zooming towards the ground. Harry took off in pursuit
of the Snitch.
	Malfoy turned when he heard a fellow teammate yell
something about the Snitch. There was Potter,
streaking to the ground, the Snitch dancing a few
inches away from his hands. Malfoy felt sick. He went
off after the Snitch, but knew it was too late... 
	The crowd erupted as Harry's hands closed over the
tiny Snitch. Malfoy fought the urge to take a dive off
his broomstick as he watched his princess rush out
onto the field. 
	"Good job, Harry!" squealed Adelaide, nearly knocking
him over as she dove on Harry with a tight hug.
	"Well-- thanks, Adelaide," Harry choked, blushing
like mad.
	Malfoy didn't run towards her and scold her. He had
lost her, and there was no one to blame but himself.
He had lost, lost again to the good, great Harry
Potter.
	"Draco!" a familiar voice called.
	"Ade- Adelaide," Malfoy stammered. "W-What're you--"
	"Nice try, ole boy!" Adelaide grinned, slapping him
on the back. "I'm sure you'll catch it next time.
C'mon now, dinner in the Hall--"  She dragged him
across the field back to the castle.
	"Adelaide," he said seriously, "Can you-- could you--
meet me tonight? Outside... on the Quidditch field...
midnight."
	Adelaide looked quite taken aback. "But-- why--"
Reading the look on Draco's face, she said, "Yes,
fine, of course. But how will you sneak out?"
	Malfoy shrugged. He hadn't thought of it yet.
	"Here," said Adelaide. She twirled her finger and it
emitted a puff of smoke. Out of the smoke came two
red, sparkling shoes. Draco wrinkled his nose. They
were very feminine. "Invisibility. Put them on, and
only people you want to see you can see you."
	"What about you?" he asked.
	"I'll think of something." She played with a lock of
his silvery blonde hair. 
	"Adelaide! Party in Gryffindor!" hollered Ron
Weasley, jogging past with Hermione panting at his
side.
	"Gotta go," whispered Adelaide, her face flushing.
"See you tonight."
	And in a flash, his princess was gone.
					* * *
	Drell Trickman sat alone in his office. Everything
was silent. He had been going over student essays
("Explain the only way Kappas can be destroyed") but
he found it hard to concentrate.
	He picked up a picture of Adelaide that was resting
on his desk. She was so terribly beautiful. Drell knew
he loved her beyond words. To him, she was his
daughter, his sister, and his wife all in one. He
protected and guarded her like a father, confided in
her like a sister, and was as loyal to her as a
husband. 
	Sighing to himself, he wondered why he wasn't
happier. He had a wonderful job at a place he loved,
and he had never seen Adelaide more joyful. She was
thriving in Hogwarts, among more people her own age,
and she was finally with the crowd. She's not alone
anymore, thought Drell, a faint smile curving on his
lips. But what about me?
	He opened his desk drawer, pulling out a faded
photograph. A lovely woman was smiling at him.
	"Madeline," he said softly. 
	She was gone, he knew. Dean had seen to that. But
that didn't stop him from loving her. 	
	Sighing again, he opened up a copy of a magazine
called Witchworld Today. Even if he was away from
home, that didn't mean he shouldn't keep up with the
news.
					* * *
	The party in Gryffindor was still going strong at
11:45, the time at which Adelaide began to become
nervous. There had been an urgency in Draco's voice
that pained her, and she simply couldn't miss their
meeting tonight. Perhaps if she just... yes, no one
would notice. With a small pop she disappeared.
Invisible, she moved along the wall and snuck out
through the portrait.
	She was so preoccupied with thoughts about what Draco
needed to talk about she walked right into Drell as
they passed in the corriders.
	"Who's there?" said Drell hotly, pointing his finger
blindly around like a gun.
	"It's only me," Adelaide breathed, relieved to see it
was only Drell. With another small pop she reappeared.
	"Hey, Ade," Drell greeted her, smiling. "What are you
up to this hour of the night?"
	"A little midnight stroll," replied Adelaide
dreamily.
	Drell laughed. "You're lucky you didn't run into any
of the other professors." Then, thinking for a moment,
he said, "Should I oversee this midnight walk? I don't
want--"
	"Anything to happen to me." Adelaide rolled her eyes.
"What, do you reckon Draco's a murderer?"
	"Of course not. I was only asking."
	Adelaide impulsively wrapped her arms around Drell.
He was so tall, so strong... and he was her rock, her
stronghold. Without him, she would be nowhere.
	"I love you," she murmured, resting her head against
his chest.
	Drell's heart raced. Of course he loved her too, but
how to explain exactly how he felt? He was so afraid
to lose her. She was the only thing he had left in the
world. The only time he felt she was safe was when she
was right in front of his eyes.
	"Oh no!" cried Adelaide. "I'm going to be late!
Goodbye, and good night, Drell." She hurried off.
	Drell watched her go, wishing life and love were much
less complicated...
						* * *
	Draco was pacing the corner of the Quidditch field.
She was late. Had she forgotten? Or had she
disregarded her promise to meet him that night?
	Looking up from his pacing, he saw a tall figure
moving through the shadows. She had come. 
	"Draco..."
	"Sit, Ade, we need to talk."
	Adelaide sat on a bit of grass and turned her eyes
toward him, full of fear.
	"I just want you to know that if you love stinking
Potter you should go off with him and stop playing me
for a fool."
	"Draco-- no! I love you, Draco," Adelaide sputtered,
tears pouring down her cheeks.
	Draco stared at her. He hadn't expected such an
outburst of emotion, and the last words she said rung
in his head. I love you, Draco.
	Adelaide sat with her eyes staring down at her lap,
tears silently pouring down her cheeks. Draco tilted
her chin upwards and pressed his lips on hers.
Adelaide sobbed and kissed him harder, entwining her
arms around his neck.
	"Wish Potter could see us now," sneered Draco as
Adelaide pulled her face away from his.
	"What am I, a toy to make Harry jealous?" demanded
Adelaide, her cheeks turning pink.
	"No, but I love to see him suffer."
	With a harsh cry, Adelaide shoved Malfoy to the
grass. He watched in horror as Adelaide ran back to
the castle, gasping for breath while sobbing.
	"No!" he yelled, jumping up and waving his arms. "I
didn't mean it that way..."
	But his princess-- he beloved princess-- was gone.
						* * *
	The rumors about Draco Malfoy and Adelaide Demulcere
were spreading like a wildfire. Adelaide hadn't told
anyone they'd broken up after their two-day fling
except Hermione. She had spilled everything to
Hermione that night when she returned, still crying
hysterically over what Draco had said to her. She was
crushed... even though it wasn't the first time. 
	"I went away from Witchworld to escape all that...
everyone out for my money, my fame, my power... and
look what happened! It's exactly the same!" Adelaide
had sobbed to Hermione the night before.
	Hermione hugged Adelaide and comforted her. She had
finally given into Adelaide's charm, and decided to
give her a fair chance at a friendship. After what had
happened, Adelaide seemed more human and not as
perfect as she appeared. Hermione was actually quite
excited, after all, she finally had a girl friend. She
was usually surrounded by boys as her friends, and for
once she had a girl to be her friend, to confide in,
and have girly pillow fights and other such things.
	Even though Hermione hadn't breathed a word to anyone
about what happened (not even Ron and Harry) the whole
school seemed to know by lunchtime. Adelaide suspected
Draco had told the whole Slytherin common room that
morning in anger, and now the Slytherins were hissing
like the snakes they were to every ear that was open.
	"Why won't they let me alone?" whimpered Adelaide as
a giggling group of Slytherins passed, glaring at her
while they walked by. "I didn't do anything to them."
	"I suspect Malfoy isn't pleased about what happened.
And you know what happens when you get involved with
Malfoy," Hermione said in a cold voice. "I told you to
stay away from him."
	"You did not!" cried Adelaide indignantly. "You just
said you couldn't believe how I liked him. I can't
believe I liked him either," she added angrily.
Adelaide suddenly went into a fresh onslaught of
tears. "What am I saying? Of course I liked him. I
loved him! But he was the one playing me for a fool."
	Hermione sighed. True, she loved having Adelaide as
her new friend, but she wished she'd move on with her
life. The brief romance was only a few days, after
all.
	"We heard, Adelaide," Ron said solemnly at lunch.
	Adelaide shot him a look of pure venom. Ron crumpled
in his chair, and then became interested in what was
on his plate.
	"Hasn't everyone heard?" she said loudly.
	"C'mon now, Ade," Hermione said softly.
	"I've got studying to do." Adelaide ran out of the
Great Hall to take refuge in the library.
					* * *
	"Do watch where you're going, headmaster!"
	Drell's head snapped up. He had accidentally plowed
into Minerva McGonagall. As was usual, he had been
lost in thought. There had been "evil sightings" as he
called them outside the Palace in Wtichworld, and
Drell was wondering if he should return to Witchworld
for a short time.
	"My apologies, Minerva," he mumbled.
	"It-- It's nothing," she muttered.
	Drell was shocked to see Minerva blushing. He guessed
she was just another woman that was taken with him.
GOD knew there were plenty of them.
	"Minerva, would you like to have a cup of tea in my
office?" Drell asked.
	"Well... I-- I've got quite a bit of work to do--"
	"Take a break, Minerva."
	To his surprise, Minerva McGonagall smiled quite
prettily and nodded.
	"I suppose I could take a break."
	"A well deserved one." Drell beamed and motioned for
her to follow him.
	Minerva sat down at the chipped wooden table and
waited. Drell wiggled his finger and two large mugs of
steaming tea were on the table. Drell sat across from
Minerva and sipped his nonchalantly.
	"I swear, Mr. Trickman-- I have never met someone so
magically gifted!" gasped Professor McGonagall. "I
suppose that's how you became Headmaster of
Witchworld."
	"Naw, I was born into that, really. I exhibited high
magical powers at birth and was proclaimed 'chosen'.
Same thing with my older brother, except he's an
angel. He's the Headmaster of Angels."
	"Was your father the headmaster as well?" Minerva
questioned politely, sipping her tea as well.
	For some reason, a dark look fell across Drell's
face. "Yes, but the headmaster wasn't as powerful
those days. The most powerful person was the king, who
was my grandfather. My mother was the princess."	
	"Interesting!" Minerva said brightly. "I wasn't aware
of Witchworld's history. Now headmaster is the highest
ranking?"
	"Yes... after what happened with my father." Seeing
the confused expression on her face, he said, "My
father was-- no other word for it-- evil.
Power-hungry. And he brought my twin brother down with
him."
	"You've a twin!" breathed Minerva.
	Drell nodded. "My father considered my angelic
brother, Droll, and myself failures. Dean, however,
was his prized son--"
	"Dean? As in the student?"
	"Name coincidence," Drell said airily. "Dean was dark
and he was instantly in on the plan to overthrow the
king-- my grandfather-- and to destroy the royal
family. Except themselves, of course." Drell's face
twisted into a bitter grin.
	"Then didn't... succeed, did they?" whispered
Minerva.
	"Nearly... but there were glitches in the plan. They
succeeded in destroying the king, yes... Droll fled
once he caught word of their plan. He fled to Heaven
with his angelic wife. He begged me to come, but I
couldn't leave my mother unprotected. She refused to
believe the rumors..." Minerva fancied she saw tears
in Drell's eyes.
	"They burst into our house one day, with their
terrible band of creatures... indeed, they killed my
mother. The princess. But they forgot that as soon as
a witch or wizard dies in Witchworld, their magical
power is transferred to the first person to touch
them. If their power is not absorbed soon, though, it
leaks out into the ground and air. I ran to aid my
mother when they attacked her. I absorbed her magic.
	"I was already powerful as it was, and absorbing my
mother's power made me almost unbeatable. I-- I had to
kill my father--" choked Drell, "Something I still
regret, thought I was obligated to since he was too
powerful, and too mad... but when the time came, I
could not kill my brother. He was my other half. I
felt like I was murdering myself. So I cursed him to
imprisonment in a dark place beneath the soil.
	"After this... this mass murder... I was granted the
position of Headmaster, as had been promised to me in
my early life. It was made the most powerful
position... though the Magical Council reckoned it was
a position they could control. The rules were if I
married, I would have a Headmistress to help me rule.
I could grant royalty to my trusted ones. But I never
did until I met Adelaide."
	"Drell," whimpered Minerva. "I never knew of this--
this hardship-- you seem like the perfect man. I
thought your life was-- was perfect."
	"No one's life is perfect," whispered Drell. "Least
of which mine."
	"I'm sorry," Minerva said shortly.
	There was a moment of thick silence. The two
professors simply stared at one another. 
	"I--" started Professor McGonagall, but she didn't
finish.
	"May I be rude and ask how old you are?" Minerva
said, seeming to find her voice.
	"Certainly. I am 998 years old."
	"Don't joke, professor, and simply say you don't want
to share," grumbled Minerva.
	"I'm not joking. I'm 998 years old."
	"But... You're such a young man!" cried Minerva.
	"Age is rather disregarded in Witchworld," explained
Drell, "Since we live so very long. It wouldn't be
unusual, let's say, for a man my age to fancy a woman
your age."
	Professor McGonagall's face turned a deep shade of
red. Drell leaned across the table, shaking a few
loose hairs out of his eyes. He leaned his head closer
to Minerva. Their lips were almost touching-- 
	Professor McGonagall leaped out of her chair. Her
face was extremely red.
	"It's late," she said in a voice unlike her own. "I
should be going."
	"Er-- of course," Drell agreed, standing up also.
	"It was lovely talking to you."
	Minerva McGonagall swept up her books and papers and
exited Drell's office, leaving Drell more confused
than ever.
					* * *
	The rumors about Adelaide and Draco died down through
the months, though Adelaide still remained a figure of
interest in the school. The Yule Ball, which was a new
tradition to the school since the last Triwizard
Tournament, was approaching quickly. In fact, it was
approaching quicker than many of the boys would have
liked it to.
	Harry dearly wanted to ask Adelaide to go with him,
but the memory of Cho Chang's refusal lingered in his
mind. He knew that he had to act soon, though, or she
would be taken. Many people had already asked her, but
she turned them all down. Harry wondered who she was
waiting for.
	"That's the third one this day!" cried Adelaide,
outraged during Charms. She's just been asked by a
huge, tough-looking seventh year. 
	"Who do you feel like asking, Harry?" Hermione asked
him quietly one evening.
	Harry looked over to where Adelaide was. Ron and
Adelaide were in another corner of the room. Ron was
trying to teach Adelaide how to play chess, but she
kept getting frustrated and shooting the little chess
pieces with fire out of the tip of her finger. Both
were looking very harassed.
	Hermione followed Harry's stare. "Why don't you just
ask her, Harry? I know she likes you."
	"Did she tell you that?" Harry asked sharply.
	"Well, no, but--"
	"See, she didn't tell you anything. She's probably
going with a prince or something anyway."
	Hermione gave him a cold look, but the look faded as
she saw Harry's glum expression.
	"How 'bout you, Herm?"
	Hermione's face flushed. "It's not like I like him or
anything, but it'd be a whole lot less embarrassing
for the both of us, really-- then we wouldn't have to
find real dates..." Hermione bit her lip thoughtfully.
	"Ron?" Harry guessed.
	Hermione didn't say anything.
					* * *
	It was a day before the Yule Ball and Harry thought
he was going to burst with nerves. He had no date. 
	"Ask her or I'll curse you!" bellowed Ron when Harry
told him of his woes. "I'm sick of hearing about it!
Go on!"
	Ron pointed his wand at Harry. He had no choice. So,
he strode to where Hermione and Adelaide were sitting,
quizzing each other on Charms. It turned out Adelaide
was just as smart as Hermione, and loved reading just
as much.
	Harry stumbled the last few feet to reach them and
mumbled, "Want to go to the Yule Ball with me?" He
looked at Hermione, begging for a shred of courage in
her eyes.
	"Well, if you-- if you want to, Harry," Hermione said
in a shocked voice.
	Harry looked bewildered. "No-- Hermione-- but-- I--"
	"Don't worry, I don't mind," she said. "I'm... er...
glad you asked me, I suppose."
	Harry trudged back to Ron while Adelaide began
hissing at Hermione.
	"What'd he ask you for?"
	"I don't know!"
	"I-- I guess he doesn't... I shouldn't have thought
anything. That was dumb of me." Tears filled
Adelaide's eyes.
	"He does like you, Ade!"
	"Why didn't he ask me, then?"
	"He's too shy!"
	"Not too shy to ask you though?" Adelaide cried. She
buried her head in her arms and kept muttering, "Dumb.
So dumb."
	"Oh, Ade..." was all Hermione could say.
	"You did WHAT?" yelled Ron when Harry returned.
	"It was an accident!" exclaimed Harry. "Hermione
thought I was talking to her, and I didn't have the
heart to--"
	"Who am I going to go with?!  She's the only one I
had a chance with!" Ron was looking severely
disgruntled.
	Harry suddenly grabbed Ron's sleeve. "I know! Ask
Adelaide!"
	"Are you crazy?" moaned Ron. "It'll be a Fleur
incident all over again."
	"But we'll switch dates at the ball!"
	"I haven't got a chance, Harry, this is nuts!" Ron's
ears began to redden.
	"Just go!" hissed Harry.
	Ron did a strange sort of limp-walk to the two girls.
	"Adelaide--" choked Ron.
	"Yes, Ron?" Adelaide prompted him politely.
	"Want to-- er-- how shall I say this..."
	Harry slapped his hand to his forehead as he watched
Ron make a fool of himself.
	"Want to go to the ball with me?" Adelaide asked him.
	"Oh--yes--well then--I mean, yes, I would," Ron
replied, flustered.
	"Cool. See you there." Adelaide's face lit up with a
smile that said "Well, at least I've got someone."
	"She has more guts than you do," Harry said, rolling
his eyes.
						* * *
	No girl could be seen the day of the Yule Ball. All
of them were holing up in their dormitories preparing
themselves. All the boys did was exchange nervous
glances and discuss their inability to dance.
	Twenty minutes before the momentous event, Harry and
Ron changed into their dress robes and tried to make
their hair look nice (which was a real waste of time
for Harry.) Some Gryffindor girls had already started
congregating downstairs. Everyone was looking very
fancy.
	Hermione came down first. Her hair was long and
sleek, freely hanging at her shoulders. She had large,
silver hoop earrings on that were cheerfully jangling
at her ears. All in all, she looked stunning.
	"You look great, Hermione," Harry complimented her, a
sense of relief in his voice. Even though he was
disappointed to be not going to the ball with
Adelaide, he had to admit he was a lot less nervous
with Hermione.
	"Thanks, Harry," Hermione said, smiling.	
	They chatted comfortably for a few minutes until
Adelaide came down.
	Adelaide seemed to float down the staircase. She was
wearing satin robes of baby pink that were laying on
her body perfectly. Her hair was curled slightly and
shining like the moon, in a half-up, half-down
position. The princess' lips were like roses, and her
ocean-colored eyes shone as she spotted Ron.
	"Let's go!" she cried excitedly, grabbing Ron's arm.
"Can you dance, Ron?"
	"No," he replied in a strangled voice.
	Harry wondered if Ron was thinking what he was-- that
Adelaide looked like an angel.
	"I'll just have to teach you then," Adelaide giggled.
She seemed quite giddy.
	Both girls were keen on dancing the night away, but
Ron and Harry were able to escape outside when
Hermione and Adelaide went for drinks. Outside, hiding
in the rosebushes, were many couples. Harry and Ron
didn't greet any of them, however-- they all looked
too busy to talk.
	"--I want to dance, Draco! You said you'd dance with
me!"
	"Adelaide would never had made me dance."
	"Always Adelaide! Quit comparing me to her!"
	Harry and Ron paused as they saw  Blaise Zabini and
Draco Malfoy arguing in their own private rosebush.
	"Move along there, Potter," snapped Malfoy when he
spotted them.
	They kept watching, but glanced behind their
shoulders to see Draco Malfoy stalk away from Blaise
back into the Great Hall.
						* * *
	"Dance with me," Draco ordered, staring at Adelaide.
	"But-- Draco--" sputtered Adelaide.
	"Please," he whispered.
	Hermione watched with a burning face as Adelaide and
Draco waltzed onto the dance floor. She knew he was up
to something, because he always was. Fingering her
wand, she decided to keep it handy, just in case.
	Draco carefully put his hand on Adelaide's waist and
began dancing, careful not to step on her feet. He
caught Pansy Parkinson's evil grin as he looked over
Adelaide's shoulder. Thirty seconds... twenty
seconds... ten seconds... Now. He smiled warmly at
Adelaide, whose eyes were half-open, half-closed as
she melted into his arms.
	Pansy came up behind Adelaide, quietly, quietly,
whispered something quickly, and suddenly, Adelaide's
robes were on fire.
	It took a few moments for her to notice it. In fact,
if it weren't for Seamus Finnigan squirting a large
amount of water on her with his wand, she might have
not noticed for a while. When she realized she was on
fire, she gave a yelp and ran out of the room.
	Hermione was yelling and struggling to get through to
Adelaide, but Millicent Bulstrode was holding her arms
behind her back. Though she feared getting in trouble,
Hermione went to desperate measures and cursed
Millicent. After cursing her, she dashed off after
Adelaide.
	Adelaide knocked into someone small and skinny as she
was fleeing from the Great Hall. Sobbing, she didn't
bother to excuse herself and started to take off
again, but someone grabbed her arm.
	"Adelaide, what's wrong?" Harry cried, alarmed.
	"Nothing," she replied, trying to compose herself.
	"Don't lie to me, Ade. What is it?"
	Harry's eyes were so innocent and so caring that
Adelaide burst into fresh tears at the sight of his
face.
	"Malfoy," she mumbled.
	Harry's mouth hung momentarily. Adelaide took this
oppertunity to run past him, blasting bushes out of
her path.
	"That git!" said Ron through clenched teeth. "I'll
take his head and do this--" Ron made a violent
gesture in the air-- "and this--"
	Harry thought that last year's Yule Ball would be the
worst one he'd ever gone to... after all, how could a
terrible night get worse? Well, Harry thought to
himself, this night's Yule Ball has been even worse
than the first one...
					* * *
	Professor McGonagall looked into her mirror as she
took down her hair for the night. Professor Trickman
hadn't asked her to dance... Not that it mattered, of
course. What was she thinking? He was the Headmaster
of Witchworld. He could never lover someone like
her...
					* * *
	The school year went on at Hogwarts without much more
unusual happenings. No one really mentioned what
happened at the Yule Ball. Draco Malfoy even
apologized for planning the fire incident, but
Adelaide was sure that a teacher had made him do so.
Finals were approaching steadily, and during spring
vacation everyone was poring over books.
	"Adelaide, shouldn't you be studying?" Hermione said
to Adelaide, who was stretching out on a scarlet couch
and reading a fat book named The Secrets and Inside
Thoughts of Drell Trickman. 
	"I don't need to study. I studied already, and plus,
I know everything," she replied, closing the book, but
not before marking her place. 
	It was true, Adelaide was competing with Hermione to
be at the top of their class. It wasn't that Adelaide
was so much smarter than Hermione that finals were
easy for her, but she knew most of everything they had
learned that year, except for some of the History of
Magic. She was, also, practically as gifted as Drell
Trickman himself in the art of magic.
	Hermione pursed her lips and didn't reply to
Adelaide. Harry had the feeling that Hermione was
intensely jealous at Adelaide for being so smart, and
so good at magic. Hermione didn't really have any
other competitors before Adelaide came, and now she
wasn't sure if she was going to be number one in the
grade. Now, while Hermione was beating her brain with
the year's studies, Adelaide was relaxing with an
interesting book. 
	No one talked or looked up for a while (they were too
busy studying) until Drell Trickman entered through
the portrait hole. He was looking ruffled and his
usually perfectly curled hair was disheveled.
	"Could I speak to you, Adelaide?" he said in a hoarse
voice.
	"Er-- of course, Drell," Adelaide replied, looking
puzzled. She followed him through the portrait hole.
	"What was that about?" Ron said once they had left.
	"I could find out..." Harry said softly, as if not
daring to say it.
	Hermione shot him a sharp look. "If you mean with
that horrid cloak of yours--"
	"Excellent!" exclaimed Ron in glee, "Go get your
cloak, Harry!"
	"They went away for privacy!" burst out Hermione
angrily. "Not to be followed by--"
	"Go on, get your cloak, Harry," Ron said excitedly.
	Harry dashed upstairs and threw his long, silvery
invisibility cloak over his shoulders. He felt around
in the pockets and found one of his most powerful
weapons, his Maurader's Map. He knew he'd need it to
find out where Adelaide and Drell were. Glancing down
at the map, Harry saw they were in the trophy room.
	Harry edged along the wall so not to bump into
anyone. He laughed when he saw that Hermione and Ron
were still bickering about Harry's expedition.
Grinning to himself, he climbed through the portrait
hole and went on his way to the trophy room.
	"I have to go back, Adelaide, you've read it in the
news, you can't deny it's not happening--"
	"It could be all hearsay, Drell!"
	Harry heard someone bang their fist on the table as
he peeked into the dark trophy room. He could just
make out two figures, one of which was pacing and the
other stationary. He slid easily into the room, trying
not to touch the door as he entered. 
	"It's not hearsay. It's the truth. They know it...
he's been waiting for something like this to happen."
	"Like what to happen?" Adelaide said in confusion.
	"For me to leave, darnit!" he cried in frustration.
"I've got to go back, Adelaide, I'm so sorry, but I
must."
	"I'm not letting you leave me here!" Adelaide cried,
sounding near hysterics.
	"I don't want to pull you away from here!" he
exclaimed. "You love it here, don't deny it."
	"I won't deny it, but I have to come with you, Drell,
I can't stay here on my own..." she whispered, tears
rolling down her cheeks.
	"Then you will come. But it's your decision,
Adelaide, and I will leave it up to you."
	Adelaide let out a small whimper and looked at her
hands, which were trembling in her lap. Drell walked
slowly over to her and kissed her on both cheeks.
Then, he put his arms around her and hugged her like a
father hugs a daughter. Harry felt himself choke up as
Adelaide sobbed silently in Drell's arms. Perhaps he'd
better leave, yes... he didn't understand what was
going on, but he still thought that he knew enough...
He didn't really want to hear anymore.
	He slipped past them easily, but hit the door as he
was exiting. It swung open as if possessed by a sort
of ghost. Harry froze, waiting for the reaction of
Drell and Adelaide.
	"Who's there?" Drell demanded, holding out his finger
before him like a wand.
	Adelaide conjured a candle and lit it with some fire
from the end of her finger. Swinging it around the
room, she said, "I don't see anyone. Was it the wind?"
	"No, someone is here. I could sense their presence
beforehand, but didn't want to alarm you in any way."
Closing his eyes, Drell said in an eerie tone,
"Invisibility, reveal yourself to me." 
	Suddenly, Harry felt as if an irresistible force was
tugging his invisibility cloak off him. Unseen hands
tore at the cloak and brought it swishing down. He
stood in shock, staring at Adelaide and Drell with the
cloak around his ankles. Blinking, he picked up his
cloak and slung it over his arm, ready for reprimands
from Drell.
	"What are you doing here?" Drell asked him calmly,
pulling Harry into the room and closing the door
behind him.
	"I was-- I just--" sputtered Harry, not quite sure
how to answer.
	"Spying?" Adelaide sneered. 
	Harry didn't reply. He didn't want to admit what was
true, because he didn't want Adelaide to think lowly
of him.
	"How much do you know?" Drell tossed back his
magnificent mane of curls and continued watching Harry
very intently.
	"Not much-- I only just came in," he replied
nervously.
	"Just tell him, won't you?" Adelaide said pleadingly
to Drell.
	Drell didn't reply. 
	"I won't tell anyone, sir," Harry said bravely.
	"I don't want to trouble your head with it," Drell
said shortly. "You have enough to worry about, with
your Voldemort and all."
	Harry raised his eyebrows. He wondered how Drell knew
about him and Voldemort-- though he supposed a teacher
or someone had told him. Or maybe Drell had even read
about it in a book. Still, he didn't understand why
Voldemort was relevant when it came to what they had
just been talking about.
	"Please sir, I don't understand--"
	"Nor do I wish you to understand. It's becoming late,
Adelaide, do escort Mr. Potter back to his common
room. You'll give me your decision tomorrow, then?"
	"I have made up my mind already, Drell." Adelaide had
a determined look on her face.
	"Fine. I would suggest you begin packing tonight, for
we will be leaving at once." Glancing at Harry's
puzzled face, he added in a soft voice, "And tell no
one of what you know. Including your friends."
	Adelaide nodded as Harry became more confused than
ever. 
	"Let's go," Adelaide said in a wavering voice, as if
she were about to cry again. She grabbed his arm and
practically dragged him down the hall back to the
Gryffindor common room.
	"Adelaide, what was--"
	"Nothing!" she whispered fiercely, eyeing Hermione
and Ron who were both looking very sleepy. "Don't say
anything about what you heard. Nothing!" She gave him
a poke with her magic finger to emphasize this.
	"I won't, Adelaide..." Harry mumbled, looking up at
her beautiful face, which was so terribly mournful it
could make one's heart break. 
	Adelaide let out a sob and fled from the room,
leaving Harry not only dazed but feeling as if his
world was crashing down upon him.
				 	* * *
	"Have you seen Adelaide?" Hermione asked Harry the
next morning, holding a large stack of books in her
arms. "She forgot her book--"
	"You haven't seen her?" Harry exclaimed, jumping to
his feet so suddenly that Hermione backed away from
him, as if scared he would burst.
	"No, I haven't. Have you?" Hermione watched him
curiously.
	"She must be gone," Harry moaned. "And I didn't get
to say goodbye."
	"Gone?" cried Hermione. "What are you talking
about?!"
	"When I spied on Adelaide and Drell, Drell was
talking about going back to Witchworld. Something
about 'he's been waiting for something like this to
happen. For me to leave'. Adelaide was crying and said
that she couldn't stay behind and had to go back to
Witchworld with him."
	"Back to Witchworld!" gasped Hermione, dropping a
load of books. "B-but... she can't-- she can't
possibly!"
	"She's probably gone already," Harry said glumly.
"You'd think she'd of said goodbye."
	"It probably would have been hard for her," Hermione
said softly, brushing a tear from her eye. "It's hard
to say goodbye."
	Harry didn't reply. Finally, after a long period of
silence, he said heavily, "We might as well go to the
Great Hall and get something to eat."
	Hermione nodded and followed Harry through the
portrait hole. There was a heaviness in the air that
could only be described by the gloomy expressions on
the trio's faces as Hermione and Harry explained what
had happened to Adelaide to Ron. When the daily mail
arrived, Harry didn't even look up to see if Hedwig
had brought him anything, which was really rather
stupid. Because Hegwig happened to have a letter for
him today, one that was very important, and when Harry
didn't look up as she tapped him with her beak, she
became very annoyed. Hedwig didn't like to be ignored,
so she gave him a nasty scratch with her talon, which
got Harry's attention right away.
	"Ouch-- What is your problem, Hedwig-- Oh!" Harry
quickly untied the letter from her leg and tore it
open, ignoring Hedwig further (which made her even
more annoyed, so she decided to help herself to
Harry's breakfast.)
	"It's from Adelaide!" he exclaimed. 
	Hermione and Ron jumped in their seats and leaned
over to read what the letter had to say. It was
written hastily and in messy handwriting, but it had
very important information.
	Harry, Hermione, Ron, or whoever else cares:
	I'm sorry I didn't say goodbye to you all, but I had
to go to Witchworld early this morning and I didn't
want to wake any of you. I thought I'd write you this
letter, though I wasn't very sure how to send it.
Drell says he'll take care of it in some way or
another, so I hope you get it. 
	I know you all have your magical devices in your
world, like Harry's Marauder's Map-- and us in
Witchworld have some of our own as well. Consider this
a gift from me. It's called a Locater, and it will
help you find me wherever I am. That is, unless I make
myself Unchartable, which I rarely do because it's
very silly to make yourself Unchartable because then
you can't get any help if you need it. Anyway, just
look at the map and say aloud, "Find ------" or
whoever you want to find. Like if you wanted to find
me, say, "Find Adelaide." And it will show you a map
of the country, city or whatever I'm in. It only works
in Witchworld, so don't try to use it on your friends.
Or enemies.
	Just be careful with it, though. If it falls into
enemy's hands... well, there could be some trouble.
These things are pretty rare, you know, and they're
manufactured right in the palace. Also, don't do
anything stupid, like try to come to Witchworld. It's
possible to go to the place the Locater is showing
you, but I never want you to do that unless it's an
emergency. If it is an emergency, well, stare hard
into the exact place you're trying to go, lean
forward, and eventually, if you concentrate hard
enough, you'll suddenly be tipped forward into the map
and you'll find yourself right next to me. But
remember, ONLY IN EMERGENCIES!
	I'll miss you all a whole ton. Maybe we'll meet
again, though the chances are slim.
	Love always,
	   Miss Adelaide Demulcere
	"Let's go see her!" Ron declared, looking extremely
excited.
	"It's only for emergencies, Ron, you read it!"
snapped Hermione. "A great show we would make, all
three of us showing up in Witchworld for no reason."
	Harry was feeling very strange and said nothing as he
unfolded the second piece of paper. It was completely
blank except for a small arrow that read "N". Any
second, any second... he could see Adelaide. But she
had said for emergencies could he use it to see her.
Folding the Locater in half again, he slipped it into
his pocket. 
				      * * *
	Minerva McGonagall hurried past swarms of students as
she strode to the staff room for a meeting. She was
mentally scolding herself for making herself so
terribly late that she had to fight the traffic of the
students. Professor McGonagall was not one to be late,
but she had taken an unusually long amount of time in
her room getting ready for the meeting. Though they
didn't just disappear, she tried to cover up the
wrinkles that had come with her age with magical
powder (WrinkleBgone! You won't be able to keep a
straight face at these results!) and combed her hair
for an atypically long time. 
	Smiling slightly, she couldn't help but feel cheered
to think she'd be seeing Professor Trickman in only a
matter of thirty seconds. When she arrived at the
staff room, she straightened her back, smiled
pleasantly, and pushed the door open, trying to keep a
positive air of confidence. Her act immediately fell
when she saw that Professor Trickman's chair was
empty. Late, she thought, slightly annoyed. 
	However, all through the meeting, Drell didn't show
up. No one said anything about his absence, though she
noticed Dumbledore glancing at the empty chair every
few minutes. Her curiosity was struck, but she was
also feeling very irritated that she had done herself
up for nothing. I swear, I must be the most idiotic
woman in all of Britain, she told herself bitterly, To
think such a man has nothing better to do but look at
me. 
	As she spotted Severus Snape stalking away from the
staff room at the closure of the meeting, she had a
sudden idea.
	"Severus! I do say, Severus!" 
	"Yes, Minerva?" Snape turned around and curled his
lips into what was supposed to be a smile.
	"Have you seen Professor Trickman? I mean, do you
know where he is?" 
	"He left, didn't he?" Snape snapped cruelly. 
	"Left?" cried Minerva, her heart sinking horribly.
	"Went back to Witchworld. Pressing matters,"
explained Snape coldly. "Some evil going around or
something."
	"Evil!" Minerva almost shouted. "You don't mean-- you
don't mean-- not Dean?"
	"What are you talking about?" 
	"Never mind, Severus. Thank you," she said hastily,
scurrying off to her room, forgetting that she had
classes to teach.
					* * *
	"You never know, it could be an emergency--" 
	"Oh come on, Ron, you just want an excuse to check
out Witchworld!"
	"I do not! I just think that--"
	"Weasley, Granger, Potter! What is going on?"
Professor McGonagall snapped, peering over her
spectacles at them.
	"Nothing, Professor," Harry muttered.
	"Well, be quiet then while I'm teaching," she said
irritably. "Now, as you see, the techniques in which
the book is transfigured into a shape similar to its
original shape are--"
	"C'mon, Herm, we've got to. She might be in trouble!
She needs our help!"
	"Ron, she's right, I doubt Adelaide is in any mortal
danger--"
	"I say!" Professor McGonagall stopped in the middle
of her lecture for the second time. "Potter, by that
window. Weasley, come up to this desk in front of me.
And Granger, you stay there."
	Hermione's cheeks burned. She hated to get in trouble
in front of the whole class like that. Ron was looking
very furious with both Harry, Hermione and Professor
McGonagall. Harry simply stared out the window, not
daring to look back at the Locater. Most of the class
was watching him very curiously. 
	As he stared out the window, he noticed two dark,
menacing figures making their way across the grounds.
He propped himself up on his chair and squinted hard
at the two figures, trying to make out who they were.
One was a tall, skinny figure and the other was also a
tall figure, but less bony and of impressive stature. 
	"Remember that when flicking your wand, you want to
carefully grip your wand not too hard but not too
loose either. Make sure you--"
	"Professor?"
	"What is it now, Potter?" Professor McGonagall said
in exasperation.
	"May I visit the facilities?"
	"Oh go on! But do hurry back!" She launched back into
her lecture about complicated transfiguration.
	Harry sprinted down the corrider into the entrance
hall. He wasn't sure what he was about to do, but he
knew he had to do something-- something about those
dark figures that were walking across the grounds.
They were intruders, he could tell, and something
about them made him uneasy. Harry whipped out his wand
and got ready for anything that he might encounter.
	As he was cautiously wandering around the grounds,
looking for the trail of the intruders (which he had
lost). The hair on the back of his neck was standing
straight up. Suddenly, a terrible pain shot through
his forehead and sent him down on his knees. Rubbing
his head as the pain dulled, he saw Drell walking in
front of him with a long, black robe on. He smiled at
him. He was dragging something behind him-- no, wait,
it was someone.  
	He let out a cry as he realized that Drell was
dragging Draco Malfoy, apparently unconcious-- or
perhaps, well, dead-- behind him. His blonde hair was
all over his face and he looked even paler than usual.

	Harry made a movement towards Drell-- to save Draco,
to do something-- but someone bashed him over the head
with something hard and heavy. He swayed for a moment,
but then fell and knew no more.
	
				* * *
	Harry blinked. Something very strange had happened to
him, though he wasn't quite sure what. Last thing he
knew, he had been in Transfiguration, and then he had
left after seeing two dark figures on the grounds.
Groaning, he tried to get up, but found that he was
bound in rope. His arms were pressed tightly to his
side. 
	Looking around him, he saw three people. One was
Draco Malfoy, awake at last, and looking very
terrified. As if forgetting their enmity towards each
other, Draco began mouthing wordlessly at Harry,
asking for some sort of assurance. Harry nodded at him
bravely to tell him things would work out, that he
would see to it. Draco gave a short whimper and rolled
over on his side (for he also was bound in rope).
	The second figure was undoubtedly Drell-- or was it?
Drell had said he was going back to Witchworld, but
yet here he was, his face shadowed by a hood over his
head. The robe he had on looked a few sizes too big,
and his hands were scratched and dirty. Harry stared
at him in wonder. What could he be doing here? There
was something dangerous in his eyes that chilled
Harry. Something that spoke of death, of revenge...
	Finally, the third figure Harry turned his eyes on
was the last person he wanted to see. It was no one
else but Lord Voldemort, in his regained body. His
skin was paler than any ghost's, and his eyes were
meerly slits-- red, evil, and threatening. When
Voldemort caught Harry looking at him, he snorted and
reached for his wand.
	"No!" shouted Drell. "You mustn't. They'll both be
useful for bargaining later on. After I get the
Princess, we will be able to take Drell. Then, with
these two, we'll be able to take Dumbledore."
	Harry's mouth continually opened and closed. Finally,
after mustering up his strength, he said in a small
voice: "Professor Trickman, what do you mean you're
'taking' Drell? You're taking yourself?"
	"Silence!" roared Voldemort, his fingers twitching as
if dearly wanting his wand in his hands. 
	Drell put up his hand to calm Voldemort. "The boy is
mad, obviously. How hard did you hit him?"
	"Not too hard," Voldemort snickered, smiling evilly. 
	"I'm not crazy," Harry sneered. "You must be, turning
on Adelaide like this. And turning on me! I thought
you were my friend!"
	"Undoubtedly mad," Drell said, laughing loudly and
bending down to examine Harry's forehead. "My Lord...
here, here is the mark, the mark they all speak of..."
He ran his finger down Harry's scar.
	Voldemort glanced over at Drell and Harry. 
	"They call that boy my downfall," he chuckled. "But
we will see who's downfall it is." Looking around the
woods (the two evils had dragged Harry and Draco into
the Forbidden Forest) he suddenly demanded in a
high-pitched voice, "Dean! My wand!"
	Dean? Harry thought. They're right, I've turned mad.
I didn' t just hear him call Drell Dean, unless it's
some sort of nickname or something...
	"Drell, why'd you do this to us?" Harry blurted out,
unable to hold himself in. "I thought you were a good
wizard. I didn't think you were evil."
	"Why do you keep calling me Drell?" the man said,
fingering Voldemort's wand. "It isn't possible-- you
couldn't think--"
	"Dean! My wand!"
	"Of course, my Lord." He bowed down and presented
Voldemort his wand as if it were a sword from battle.
	"Now, it's time, my boy," Voldemort breathed. "It's
time."
	"Drell, please, save me, don't let him kill me!"
	"I'm not Drell!" screamed the man Voldemort was
calling Dean. "I am Dean, the most powerful wizard of
all Witchworld! Oh, so many years I have layed,
banished, in my hole of death, but no more! I say, no
more, for I will soon rule over all of Witchworld! And
I will have Drell's head on a plate!"
	Harry's eyes widened as the madman named Dean panted
from his passionate speech. All of a sudden, he pulled
himself together and smiled pleasantly at Harry as if
he was a businessman trying to sell something to his
costumer. 
	"Well, if you'll excuse me, I have some business to
attend to." His eyes sparkled maliciously. "I need to
go take care of a royal pain!"
	"Adelaide?" Harry whispered. 
	"I don't think you'll be seeing Adelaide much
anymore. After I capture her," Dean rolled up his
sleeves in satisfaction, "and get Drell to give
himself up for her, she'll die. As will Drell die in
his time."  Dean stopped for a moment. "Unless I
decided to keep Adelaide as a pet."
	Harry thrashed in the ropes that was binding him in
rage. How dare he talk about Adelaide like that! Dean
laughed at Harry's anger, a cold, cruel laugh, but
Voldemort seemed to be getting annoyed. 
	"Go on, Dean, get it over with," he sneered.
	"Goodbye, my Lord," Dean whispered. 
	In a flash of light and a puff of smoke, Dean had
disappeared and left Harry and Draco with Lord
Voldemort.
	"Ready for some fun, Harry?" Voldemort said softly. 
	Harry's scar burned horribly. He turned his head back
and forth, as if trying to shake the pain away.
Voldemort seemed to enjoy this very much, but not as
much as he enjoyed what followed after he uttered a
simple but devastating word:
	"Crucio!"
				* * *
	Adelaide put a pen to her lips, pausing in the letter
she was writing. Her head was a mixture of thoughts,
but most of them were about the same. She couldn't
stop thinking about Ron, or Hermione-- but she
especially couldn't stop thinking about Harry.
	She sighed and pushed her pen and paper away from
her. The look on Harry's face when she had ran up to
the girl's dormitory was one she'd never forget. Not
only was it horribly sad, but it was devastation--
simply devastation scrawled across the beautiful face
of the boy that she... Adelaide shut her eyes. She
hated to admit it to herself, but it was true. He was
the boy she loved. 
	"Are you almost done with that letter to the Prince
of Aquandi?" Drell peeked in on her as she thought of
Harry.
	"What?" Adelaide asked in a high voice, still lost in
a daydream.
	"Are you almost done with that letter to the Prince
of Aquandi? It has to go out today, so won't you hurry
up?" Drell said impatiently.
	"Oh, yes, of course Drell," she sighed, pulling her
paper and pen back towards her and beginning to write
again.
	Drell exited after looking his beloved Princess over
for one more time. She looked worried, anxious, and
tired; there were bags under her eyes and, speaking of
her eyes, there was no sparkle. Her lips were dry and
rarely curled into a smile. He was disturbed, all
right, by Adelaide's sudden change in appearance.
Usually she was like a star in the sky, but currently
she was looking a few years older and very burdened.
	She bent her head over her work and sighed for what
seemed the thousandth time. What she needed was a
good, long rest...
	Someone sneaked up behind Adelaide while she was in
this moment and laughed to themselves. Adelaide's eyes
widened as she heard a sudden snicker behind her.
Before she could turn around, however, someone had
bashed her over the head with something heavy and hard
and she blacked out, her beautiful hair laying on the
ground like a carefully woven rug.
				* * *
	"More, Harry?" Voldemort said lazily.
	Harry was still bound in rope, but incredibly less
comfortable than he had been a short while ago. His
head was about to burst with pain, and his bones were
feeling like they were all shattered. Voldemort had
refused to stop the Cructaious curse for about twenty
minutes straight, and Harry was sure that one more
dose of pain would kill him off for good. He wanted to
die, and was almost willing to do whatever Voldemort
wanted him to as long as he died sooner.
	"We'll take a break, okay?" Voldemort said kindly,
taking out a knife. "We'll play a different game so
you don't get tuckered out."
	Voldemort took the knife and slashed the ropes around
Harry so that he was free. 
	"Now... where was I? Oh, yes... Imperio!" 
	Harry got the wonderful floating sensation that he
knew only too well. It was a delightful feeling, but
it usually spelled trouble. 
	Worship me... go on, bow down, worship me... Worship
me... 
	No, I won't, I won't do it, I won't worship you,
you're evil, you're foul--
	Bow down! Bow! Get on your knees, bow!
	NO! I WON'T DO IT!
	Harry felt the Imperio curse lifted from him. He fell
to his knees, doubled over and gasped for air. He
looked over at Draco Malfoy only to see that he had
once again fainted, from fear no doubt. Harry rubbed
his forehead and got to his feet shakily when he had a
sudden idea.
	"You're brave, indeed," Voldemort was saying. "Brave,
but not wise... Wisdom should always become before
bravery, because if you were wiser you wouldn't be
about to die--"
	Harry pulled out the Locater in his pocket and
whispered, "Find Adelaide." As he stared down at the
map, he saw that Adelaide was in a place called Dean's
Lair-- and Harry deduced that this was not a good
place to be. Even the map knew so, all over the area
which was labled Dean's Lair there were the words
stamped: FORBIDDEN! KEEP OUT! FORBIDDEN! KEEP OUT!
Adelaide had to be in grave danger, and so did Drell.
Harry knew it was the only way to escape, and the only
way he could save Adelaide--
	"-- and if you're dead, how do you expect to save
your friends? I'm afraid that you're too late to mend
your ways, which is a shame, after I just told you how
to stay on Lord Voldemort's good side-- I say, what is
that?" Voldemort stopped speaking abruptly, staring at
the Locater in Harry's hand.
	"N-nothing," Harry stuttered.
	"I know it's something, boy! Give it to me!" 
	Harry dashed towards Draco and grabbed his arm. He
couldn't leave Malfoy here, even if he was his worst
enemy. Harry stared into the Locater hard and deep,
concentrating, wishing to be next to Adelaide--
	"Stop! Stop!" he could hear Voldemort shreiking, but
before Harry could even control it, he and Draco
toppled forward into the map and landed on hard soil.
				* * *
	Harry felt himself on cold dirt after being thrown
into the Locater. Malfoy was still unconscious, and
Harry figured it would be better to leave him lying
there than drag him along. So, taking his wand out, he
left Malfoy behind and started down the tunnel to the
main part of Dean's Lair. As he stumbled out into a
large room that seemed to stretch on forever, a
magnificent spectacle met his eyes.
	Dean and Adelaide were dueling, but it was unlike any
duel he had ever seen before. They were holding their
hands straight out in front of them and large beams of
light were shooting out from underneath their fingers.
Both of their faces were contorted in concentration as
they sent shots of magic towards each other. At one
point, their magic came to a standstill-- it had met
in midair and had nowhere to go. Dean's magic, which
was colored a very ugly green, was pressing against
Adelaide's magic, which was a bright red. 
	Harry stood there, not quite sure what to do. He
wanted to help Adelaide, but it seemed she was doing
pretty well on her own. Her stream of magic was
pressing hard against Dean's, and Dean had backed
against a stone wall from the force. It looked like he
was ready to give up. That is, until some other
factors came into play.
	Harry never really thought about what had happened to
the Locater. He was too busy thinking about escaping
Voldemort and getting to Adelaide to care, truthfully.
However, it is a very foolish thing to leave a Locater
behind when someone especially mad and dangerous can
use it. In fact, it's better to use a Locater when
you're in a private area and no one can pick it up
when you're finished with it. Unfortunately, at the
time Harry used his Locater, Voldemort was standing
right there and, being smart, he quickly picked up the
idea on how to use the Locater. Before long, he
appeared next to an unconscious Draco Malfoy and went
to help his partner in crime, Dean Trickman.
	Breathing heavily and sweating in the struggle, Dean
knew that he would soon have to give up. That is,
until he spotted his Lord coming up behind Adelaide.
Then he knew he was saved. Harry Potter, however, had
also spotted Voldemort coming up behind Adelaide, and
knew he had to do something, even though he wasn't
sure what. 
	"Stupefy!" Harry yelled, waving his wand.
	Voldemort caught the spell in his shoulder. He
staggered for a moment, and then fell over. He was
stunned. Adelaide turned around in shock to see that
Harry had stunned the great Lord Voldemort, but this
was a big mistake. Dean took this oppertunity to shoot
her with an especially hard and dangerous curse, one
which few lived through. After this last bit of magic,
Dean, covered in perspiration, fainted and fell with a
loud thud on the floor. 
	Adelaide was watching Harry with a buzzing head. His
face went in and out of focus. For a moment, she
swayed back and forth, then fell sharply on her back. 
	"Adelaide!" Harry cried, running to her. He put his
hand on her face and picked up her head. She
couldn't-- not now, she couldn't die-- 
	"Harry," choked Adelaide. "Tell Drell-- tell him--
Tell him I love him--" 
	"C'mon Adelaide, you're going to live, you're going
to live--"
	"And Harry," she said in a faint voice, "I've
always-- I've-- I've always loved you."
	"Me?" Harry gasped. "But I didn't think-- I wasn't
sure--"
	"Yeah," Adelaide said, grinning and falling back, "I
love you a whole lot, Harry, I really do..."
	"Oh Adelaide, you know I--"
	But at that moment, Princess Adelaide Demulcere's
eyes closed and she went slack in Harry's arms. Harry
immediately pressed his hand to the side of her neck,
trying to find a pulse. He couldn't find any-- but
perhaps he was just arrogant in the ways in which you
find a pulse. It seemed that Adelaide was-- but no,
she couldn't be, she just couldn't be...
	"Move aside." For a moment, Harry thought it was Dean
again, but Dean was still laying against the wall,
unconscious. It had to be Drell, though Harry didn't
understand how Drell knew that they were all down
here.
	Drell ran a caressing finger along Adelaide's jaw.
Closing his eyes, he laid his hands on her shoulders
and muttered a few words. 
	"She'll be fine," he said in an unusually high voice.
"Simple spell-- Wonderful for those who are still
hanging onto life by a last thread-- If you'll excuse
me..." Drell exited quickly through a trapdoor on the
ceiling that Harry had never noticed, and a long,
silvery ladder extended from the ceiling to the floor.
Harry was very sure that Drell was on the verge of
tears.
	It seemed like forever, but in only a matter of
minutes, color came back into Adelaide's cheeks and
she drew in a sharp, shuddering breath. She blinked a
couple of times, but when she saw it was Harry, she
closed her eyes shut very hard.
	"Oh no, not you," she muttered.
	"What do you mean?" Harry asked, slightly hurt.
	"I don't want to wake up, I'll stay unconscious,
thank you." 
	"Have you gone mad, Adelaide? Do wake up!" Harry
shook her shoulders.
	Adelaide opened one eye and peered up at him. "I
don't think I want to wake up. I made my deathbed
confession, and here Drell comes along and wakes me up
again."
	"What deathbed confession?" Harry asked, puzzled.
	Adelaide laughed. The sound was beautiful, and it
rang through the dark hole they were in. 
	"I love you, Harry," she gasped between laughs. 
	Harry grinned suddenly. He felt as if a burden that
had been layed on his shoulders in the beginning of
the year when Adelaide had first come to Hogwarts was
lifted.
	"You know I love you too, don't you?" Harry said,
helping her to her feet.
	"Me?" Adelaide said incredulously. "But I'm so--
so--"
	"Perfect?" Harry whispered.
	"Maybe," she whispered back.
	For once, Harry didn't feel embarassed or abashed as
he put his arms around her waist and drew Adelaide
close. As Adelaide put her arms around his neck and
shoulders, she felt as if this was something she'd
been meaning to do for a very long time. Their heads
bent inwards, and as their lips came closer and
closer, and their breaths taken more sharply, they
held each other tighter and tighter. At the last
moment, as if she couldn't wait any longer, Adelaide
pushed her lips onto his quickly but oh, so gently.
That kiss was full of so much urgency and wanting,
because it was something that they'd both wanted since
they'd first met.
	As they broke apart, both were red and quite giggly,
but also very happy for what had passed. They held
hands as they began climbing back up the ladder until
Harry suddenly yelled,
	"Draco!"
	"Oh no!" Adelaide moaned, scurrying back into the
dark hole. A few minutes later she appeared, dragging
Malfoy and panting with the labor. 
	"Here, let me help," Harry said, helping her pull
Malfoy through the trapdoor. 
	"Close the door, it will seal automatically, and I
doubt we will see much of Dean or Voldemort," Drell
said. He was looking very odd as he sat on a
green-colored bed. "I commend both of you for your
bravery, though I think you're both mad." He gave them
a lopsided grin.
	"It wasn't my fault, I didn't go after Dean, he came
to me," Adelaide said. 
	Both Drell and Adelaide looked at Harry accusingly.
He began to laugh and said, "So, I went after
Voldemort and Dean, I'll admit it. But I knew
something was going on, because you wouldn't just
leave Hogwarts like that, Mr. Trickman, and you,
Adelaide."
	"What was Draco doing down there?" Adelaide said,
looking scornfully down at his pale face.
	"Warring," Malfoy mumbled, stirring. 
	"What?" Adelaide and Harry said together.
	"Warning," Malfoy said clearer, though still sounding
weak. "My father told me about the plan, in a letter.
He's going to kill me when I get home, but I couldn't
let you be killed, Adelaide, I couldn't." Malfoy
smiled weakly up at her. "You're the only Gryffindor
who showed any decency towards me. And anyway, you're
the Princess."
	"Well, thank you, Malfoy!" Adelaide said, sounding
very gratified and also very surprised. "You risked
your life for me! Though I don't quite know what this
plan was." She leaned over and planted a kiss on his
pale cheek.
	"From what it sounded, they wanted you in order to
get Drell and kill him, and they wanted some Hogwarts
students in order to use us as hostages to persuade
Dumbledore," Harry explained, brushing some dirt off
his robes. 
	"Regular scheming of Dean Trickman," Drell said,
shaking his head. 
	"Professor Trickman-- there's a few things I don't
understand," Harry said slowly. "First of all, I
haven't an idea who Dean is, really-- and why does he
look just like you? And--"
	"You'll tell him, won't you?" Adelaide turned her
blue eyes on Drell.
	"Yes, I believe it is time." He cleared his throat.
"It started out with my father, who was, well let's
just say--"
	"Before we start this story, could someone please
untie me?" snapped Malfoy. 
	Adelaide and Harry burst into laughter as Drell
leaned down to cut Malfoy free. After that, they had
discussions late into the night about the history of
Witchworld and Dean's rise to power, though Malfoy was
more keen on falling asleep in Drell's bed.
					* * *
	Early the next day, Drell, Adelaide, Harry and Draco
set off back to Hogwarts. Dumbledore had apparently
recieved word of this, because as they entered the
school gates in a carriage, what looked like the whole
school was spread across the grounds, awaiting their
arrival. Adelaide and Harry grinned at each other
nervously, wondering what the school would say as they
arrived. 
	When they stepped out of the carriage, what event
transpired next surprised all the students at Hogwarts
even more than hearing that Harry, Adelaide and Draco
had been attacked by two dangerous wizards. Drell was
skimming the crowd as if looking for a certain
someone, but his face fell when he didn't see her. He
didn't have long to wait, though.
	Minerva McGonagall was shooting through the crowd
like a bullet, apologizing to the students she was
trampling as she went through the crowd, desperate to
get to Drell. The students finally realized it was
better just to leave a thin path for her to go
through. Minerva took this oppertunity to run as fast
as she could in her age, and unable to stop, she dove
on Drell Trickman and caught him in a hug.
	"Oh Drell, everyone was saying that you were
attacked, I thought you were going to die, and I--"
	Drell's eyes sparkled. He grabbed Minerva around the
waist and swooped in for a long, passionate kiss in
which Minerva melted into.
	She was shaking as they broke apart, and seemed to
regain some of her old self back. "That was highly
inappropriate, Professor, in front of the students, I
can hardly think of a time when I have been more
humiliated--"
	"And you think I care?" Drell laughed softly. 
	Minerva could only smile as Drell held her closer and
kissed her deeper and with more passion than any man
she had known. One could say it was the perfect
moment-- even though Adelaide and Harry were doubled
over and pretending to be violently ill at the
prospect of their two professors being in love.
				       * * *
	Exams came and went, and before long it was time to
pack up all their belonging's and get ready to go back
to their homes. Adelaide and Hermione were better
friends than ever, especially because they had tied
for the top of their class. Ron and Hermione admitted
no feelings towards each other, but remained friends--
though Adelaide and Harry did get the feeling that the
private conversations they had were more than just
discussions of how their exams had gone. Adelaide and
Harry, of course, were closer than they had ever
been-- for not only were they best friends, they were
also very much in love and cared about each other very
much. Even if Hermione and Ron scoffed at them when
Adelaide and Harry shared a beautiful moment together,
both Adelaide and Harry knew that Ron and Hermione
were relieved to see that the two had finally gotten
together.	
	As for Drell Trickman and Minerva McGongall-- well,
the truth is... well, as Ronald Weasley of Gryffindor
put it, "Sickening. Do you see the way they look at
each other when they're in the corriders? Like they're
both puppies or something. And did you hear that
McGonagall is going to Witchworld to stay with Drell?
It's just gross." Adelaide found it very amusing that
Drell had finally found his match, though she would
never had imagined it would be her extremely strict
Transfiguration teacher. 
	Draco Malfoy and Adelaide Demulcere never confessed
feelings towards each other again, though Draco
continued to fancy Adelaide quite a bit. They, instead
of being lovers, became very good friends (much to
Harry and Ron's dismay) and could often be seen
together. 
	Dean and Voldemort were both banished to Dean's Lair,
which was probably the most unpleasant place in all
Witchworld. One could say that Dean definitely got his
communpance when Voldemort awoke and realized he was
going to have to find his way out of the dark, damp
hole Drell had banished them both to. 
	"You've got to come stay in Witchworld with me,
Harry," Adelaide said to Harry as they stepped off the
train at Platform 9 and 3/4. "You too, Ron, Hermione."
	"I'd love to!" Ron exclaimed. "I heard Witchworld is
loaded with money--"
	"Oh, but it must have its very own interesting
history! I'd love to read more about Drell's
involvment with Witchworld's development--"
	"I'd just like to see you," Harry said softly,
putting his hand under Adelaide's chin.
	"Oh, please," muttered Ron, turning back to Hermione
for a last word.
	"You can come any time you want, Harry," Adelaide
said, smiling. "I'm still allowed to use magic...
special allowances by Hogwarts since I have to
'fulfill my royal duties.'"
	Harry smiled back at her and lifted her face towards
his. They were in their own private world (so private
they didn't hear the argument Hermione and Ron were
having about whether they should hug each other
goodbye in public) and nothing else mattered.
Nothing...
	As the couple became lost in a kiss that described
all the love they held for each other, Ron and
Hermione finally hugged each other goodbye.
					THE END