Woah that was sooooooooooo long! :O but it was brilliant! took me a while to read though :L
And Miss E? haha i like it (:
Aww it's sad you can't seem to be able to end the FF, hmmm.
pamspams

Eviee <33

Hey ~Otty. How fantastic! I loved every bit of both new posts. I've had this song in my head now since Thursday thank you very much. Good thing I like it so much. And what a perfect song to fit this ff at the moment. I must say, you always have the best posts for us, accompanied by the best songs to put us in a mind set for the story at that moment. I know, I know... there have been a couple without songs, but look we survived. I do enjoy them though. I've always wanted to find a way to use this word, but couldn't come up with a really good time to use it. Fits perfect here I think. I knew there was a method to his madness, a reason for his rhyme, and anything else that could define Ottery doing what he's best at. Living on the edge. Defending justice for all requires one to live that way, or they aren't strong enough to live up to the challenge presented. Ottery and his gang are up for the challenge and I can't wait to find out what Ottery has in his reserves. Wondering who this is. And NO, just because Harry is my hero, I know it's not him.) I do have an idea, but I will have to wait. Bravo! Loved this! ^ Go Diego, Go! (Do I have to give credit to some cartoon for saying that?) Can't wait till their paths cross. But, they are on the same side right? Just agendas of their own. They'll get their come upens.

~Otty, from this point on, I was no longer cheering the gang on, and pumping my fists at the bad guys as though I was really helping. From here on I was holding my breath, and so scared for Ottery! Super writing to take us to light hearted quips from our heros, but getting the serious fighting going on, to the desperate situation that time really might be running out for our wonderful Ottery. And how dare Evangeline slap Ottery not just once either! And honestly ~Otty... this nearly made me cry. I'm serious! Thank you for this. I was nearly over the edge with grief and despair. Love it!
And I loved all the rest of the chapter too. But, I don't know how much these windows allow. So, I won't highlight anymore of the ff. Just this: Be nice. I'm looking for a great ending appropriate for the greatness of the story. But I'm not wanting ~Otty to die doing it. You have the strength to carry on. Does it help to know that you bring so much enjoyment and pleasure to those of us who read this? Cause you really do with your heart and soal you pour into it. I'll be watching for your next post. Great work ~Otty

"The walls start breathing
My mind's unweaving
Maybe it's best you leave me alone.
A weight is lifted
On this evening
I give the final blow.

When darkness turns to light
It ends tonight,
It ends tonight.
Just a little insight won't make this right"
~All American Rejects, It ends tonight


And just like that it was done ... Ottery could feel the fire in his blood as it went cold with death's death. A cold so frigid it burned. This had never really been a part of his plan. There was no cure for being a vampire, you merely were or you were dead, there was no chance at redemption or humanity once the line was crossed. He hadn't meant to taste the blood. He fell to the floor deaf to the chaos all around him ... not dead but soon wishing he would be, and knowing he never truly could be.

"Serious drama-queen. Get up Ottery!" Tiffany screamed as she pulled him to his feet and ran him out of the hallway.

Meanwhile back in Europe, Freddie awoke with a gasp, Madison lying asleep on his stomach as he sat up. He gasped hard for sweet breath as the spell broke. The girl woke up, and realizing her lover awake threw her arms around him in a passionate embrace. Freddie was still struggling to breathe.

"Madison ... please!" the boy exclaimed, "You're going to kill me."

The girl let go of him and slapped him, hard across the face.

"How dare you. You careless stupid boy," she said tears streaming down her face. Her mask of cold indifference like the night, and Freddie's spell now gone.

The boy winced at that and grabbed his cheek, "What the devil was that for? I didn't throw myself in front of a spell you know."

"I'm just so glad you're safe," she said. "But we've got to get out of here ... Ottery is going to need the antidote."

"Don't worry about that love, if I'm alright that means he's alright."

Madison looked at the boy oddly. "What are you talking about?"

"Ottery and I were sharing my lifeforce. Its a complicated little spell but essentially Ottery was using my life energy to stave off the effects of the drug and the spell breaks off when Ottery gets better or ..."

Another hard slap. "Then you're not here because of your injury? You almost died because you're an idiot?"

Freddie gave her a sheepish smile, then as she made to slap him he grabbed her arm by the wrist and pulled her onto the bed over him and kissed her, hard and long and passionately. When the kiss was over he still got a slap but it was a lot less intense for all its swiftness.



Stop me if you've heard this one before. An otter, a spirit guide and a witch girl walked into a bar. By the time they'd made their way to the back of the place, the fight had already broken out and people and chairs were being flung about.

"Nice place you've picked," Hermione said.

"I'm surprised they let me in," Silver Wind remarked.

"This is a dream you guys, seriously, if I wanted too, this could be Care-a-lot. Now pay attention," the little otter said.

"Care-a-lot?" Hermione asked.

The young man next to her shrugged his shoulders.

"You don't belong here Hermione. But you're trapped here for a reason. There's something you're trying to avoid and something you've got to know before you go back."

"I'm not avoiding anything," the girl said defensively. "I'm behind Harry and this stupid war. He needs me and ..."

The little otter put up a webbed paw to shush her.

"For the sake of brevity I'll hint you this one and tell you the other. You're avoiding love or love's truth," and here he winked at her. "As to what you have to know, its simple. Hate cannot conquer where love lives. Whatever you choose to do, do not do it out of spite. Now this is important kid, pay attention. You can only win if you let yourself lose."

"I hate riddles," Silver Wind remarked.

"You should listen to yourself sometime," Hermione muttered under her breath at him. They laughed. Then sighing she turned to the little creature. "I still don't know what you mean."

"Of course not, you're still asleep. Mull it over when you're awake. Let's have a root beer and then you can get out of this coma."

"It isn't that simple." Hermione remarked.

"It is if you want it," the otter replied snapping his fingers. Hermione heard him say as she started to wake, "Wait? Aren't you having a drink at least?"

Hermione woke up to the sun shinning in through the window of her hospital room. It was a private room, white and sparse except for flowers and some chocolates piled in a corner. She felt a familiar pressure on her hand and turned with a smile expecting to see him. A tear rolled down her cheek as Harry squeezed her hand and said, "Welcome back." They were alone in the room. No one else there.

She would tell Harry it was the sun in her eyes that made her cry.

Brilliant chapter! (:
I do love reading your posts.
Is it really over? *thinks*

Eviee <33

Very nice Otty

Hey ~Otty. I tried giving this some time before I commented because I seriously did cry as soon as I read this: So, now here I sit thinking I could come back and comment on your wonderful chapter. I've already read it, I can do this cause I know what's going to happen. WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! By the time I finished the first sentence I was blubbering like a baby, and my eyes won't stop leaking. I can't see trough my water filled lashes, and I need a box of tissues. So, does Tiffany know something we don't know? Is there hope yet for Ottery?

OK, I'm pulling myself together here. I think this next part was brilliant and I can't tell you how much I really enjoyed reading it. Only your brilliant creative mind could have thought of that. It's wonderful, and best yet it works great in the story. I can really see that happening between the boys. I'm not fond of uncommon things coming up at the last minute to save the hero, UNLESS it is plausible like you wrote this. Super great ~Otty. Surely there isn't prejudice in the spirit world.

Ok, so I can't say everything I want to from here on out, because I'm afraid I might spoil the milk if I say something. I love all your writing with Hermione in this spirit world. Her conversations with Silver Wind was fantastic and very entertaining. And I think I understand what the otter told her. I hope she figures it out. I can't wait till you write your next chapter. And the way you ended it was wonderful! It was sweet of Harry to be there for Hermione while Ron is trying to hit bottom by becoming a lush, before he straightens himself out. Maybe he will go into a stuper and the otter can give him some words of wisdom.

Anyway ~Otty, it was a great chapter, and like I said before, I can't wait till you post your next chapter. And I'm sure hopeing Ottery is ok and not really dead, or undead not living, but alive... I don't know how to say what I'm wanting to say. If I'm going to be crying when I read your next chapter, send me a warning please. Teasing.

I am in misery
There ain't no other
Who can comfort me
Why won't you answer me?
The silence is slowly killing me
Girl you really got me bad
You really got me bad
~Darren Chris doing Maroon 5's Misery

AN: I've decided to refocus my life on my fiction since all the people in my life are being real *Teddy breaks into song*



There were twinkling lights in the darkness. Ottery was seeing butterflies or no, they were actually fireflies. In the darkness that pervaded all of the hallways and rooms of the floating fortress castle the dark haired boy was seeing glowing little lights wherever he turned his eyes. He wondered why his life wasn't flashing before his eyes. Teddy's gruff voice which seemed to come from everywhere at once, explained, "You're not dying you idiot, you're becoming undead."

Ottery wanted to say something to that, it didn't seem fair. Why was Teddy always being unfair? "But I don't want to undie, I haven't even died yet."

Tiffany slapped the boy across the face, and the fireflies were gone and he could see the girl's pretty face, done up in her usual, "What the devil have you boys been up to, now?" look that she always shot Teddy and Otty when they walked into the office every morning with a new adventure.

"What did I do now?" the boy asked. Wasn't it always his fault? All the girls in his life always ever seemed to make him feel that way. The boys in his life tended to be more fun because they didn't care, and most weren't busy trying to be all motherly toward him. Maybe if he didn't try so hard to be such a pain most times ... or if he could just make people stop caring about him Ottery could get on with his crazy adventures. But the prospect of no one caring about him made him sad. Like someone holding up a wall against the tides of evil protecting nothing.

"Ottery sweetie, I need you to stay with me. Don't fall asleep okay?"

"I don't think I can, my blood is burning ..." the boy replied as he doubled over in pain.

"That's because its freezing dear. He bit you and you took some of his blood. You're becoming a vampire and I don't know how to stop it."

"On the bright side, I'm no longer poisoned," the boy replied then fell to the ground in excruciating pain.

The sound of clacking boots on the marble floor got Tiffany's attention. She pointed her wand, "Lumos!" A dark cloaked boy was walking towards them. "Stay where you are vampire or die."

"I'm not a vampire, girl. I'm here to give Ottery this," he said holding out a vial. In the vial Tiffany could see the stem and leaves of the plant they were looking for.

"Thanks but ... I don't need it ... any ... more," Ottery groaned.

"Dumbledore sent me to give you the antidote. He knew you'd get into trouble and ... well I don't think he really expected you to get into so much trouble, honestly. I was supposed to intercept you before you made it here to Castle Dracul but ... well your friends decide to blow up Azkaban and get you out. I was disguised as one of the prison guards."

"A likely story," Tiffany said. "Who are you really?"

"I'm Hector, and I'm ... I'm Dumbledore's man, he told me to tell you that, and you'd believe me. Look I got the antidote."

"Which we don't need anymore, thank you." Tiffany exclaimed. "Ottery's been turned into a vampire ..."

"I'm ... turning ... into ... one, not ... one ... yet," the boy exclaimed through gritted teeth.

"Same difference," Tiffany continued, "the point is, he's cured because of the vampire blood but he's going to be undead in a few minutes and I can't do anything about it." Tiffany wracked her brain to think of a spell or a potion to reverse vampirism, but nothing readily came to mind. If only ... not any archaic treasure, no stone, even phoenix tears could not ... oh why hadn't Ottery just asked Dumbledore for some Phoenix tears to cure his stupid poisoning?

"Better a werewolf than a vampire, no?" the boy asked.

Ottery looked up at him, "Yeah," and in seconds the boy had transformed. His clothes tearing off his muscles began to transform, and his body became covered in fur. Hector let out an all mighty howl that reverberated through the halls the force of which knocked Tiffany over. Before she could do anything the werewolf had bitten Ottery by the neck and shoulder. The boy cried out in pain.

"He's transforming ... and now, the mixture of curses is killing him. What have you done?" Tiffany cried out.

She blasted the wolf with a stunning spell that sent him crashing into the wall where he knocked out and fell. Ottery fell to the floor bleeding silver blood that burned the floor.

"Seriously ... my death could have gone ... better." The dark haired boy said and shuddered his last breath.

The End

An: Will edit with more ... so don't look for a new post look at this old post. Done editing I updated this completely ... its still nice to see you here K'lari and Miss Evie, and nice of you to drop in Conners and don't worry I haven't forgotten the other characters. All in due course ... this will be ending ... eventually. LOL

eeeeeeep! you've written a lot since i've last been here!

from what I can remember:

-spirit guide from the first post...FTW!
-lol at the Otter(the actual otter Hermione meets not Ottery)
-ZOMCGEE OTTY'S A VAMP?!?!?
-oh, coolie, a life-exchange spell! or something like it
-YAY Hr/R is winning
-aw, poor Hermione
-Otty's seriously becoming a vamp? o_O
-Freddie! You're alive!
-haha, poor Madison and Tiffany. I always confuse them for some reason

*i must remember to check ^post*

*edits*

an Otty hybrid eh? eh? *wiggles eyebrows* :hides:

Haii Brillient! (:
I don't want this to end!
But i can't wait to read the rest.
Would you send me a VM when you've undated please? Thanks

Eviee <33

Edit; LOVED IT!
Really well written!

Hey ~Otty. On the edge of my seat. Can't stand the thought of Ottery being undead.
This next part tore at my heart. Where's the little Dutch Boy holding up the Dike? We could get him to take Ottery's place. Why can't people care for him and have crazy adventures too? I mean... it's not like they mother him and tell him things are to dangerous. (I would if I was there, but I'm not so... Ottery should be able to have his caring person (people) and have his adventures too.
There is hope yet! ^ There has to be a fell safe in Ottery's master plan. I'll put my hope in that.

Great chapter Ottery. I'll be watching for your edit.

Hehe someone please reboot my life is the title of my life sometimes

But... WHAT HAS HE DONE!?!?!?!?!?!??!??! Sense it's not over I will still have hope for Ottery. Wasn't the Ministry trying to uncover something about Ottery? I seem to remember that ... I'll be watching for your next chapter ~Otty. You write suspense so well, and I need to find out more.
Seriously, great chapter ~Otty,the original and the edited version.

Everyone I edited this a while ago so, enjoy!

But aside from that, The Golden Goblins voting are now open ... I don't know if you all read fics other than mine but if you do I suggest you girls go vote for them please. SS has awesome authors and they're all really nice and they put their best into this some of us pour our hearts and bad grammar into our stories out of a love of writing and a love of Harry Potter and these awards, which might seem silly to some of y'all, really do mean something to those who get nominated.

I can't tell you who to vote for, but if I can suggest the stories of our own Connie, who is nominated for a few things and if you've read In the fire forged by my better half ... its a cute romance year 7 you might want to show them some love. And I'm sure there are stories by a bunch of other talented people here on SS who could use your support.

Democracy only works when the people speak by voting and what better thing to say than, "We love your stories SS writers," by voting. C'mon y'all ... check all the categories for stories you've read on SS and then just vote for the ones you love and good luck to all the writers here on SS ...

As for me ... I'll be updating soon ... promise. I started on the sequel to this already but ... erm ... yeah, that's waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy off. LOL Let's finish this one first, no?

I'm just posting here so that Ottery can post his update and not double post and therefore get in trouble.

Mirando al cielo buscando
a un amigo pasado
que se marcho sin aviso
se lo llevo el destino.

Que cortas eran las horas
cuando el estaba a mi lado
y ahora se hacen eternas
su corazón se ha dormido.

No me digas por favor
que no vuelvo a verte,
pues para mí
la vida no es vida
si tu no estas junto a mi.

translated by Otty, though you should all learn Spanish

Looking at the sky
looking for a friend gone by
who left without saying
taken away by Destiny.

How short were the hours
when he was by my side
and now they become eternal
his heart has gone to sleep.

Don't tell me 'please'
That I won't ever see you again
well, for me
life is not life
if you're not next to me ...

~Oyeme (Hear me) by Monica Naranjo transl. by Otty


Hogwarts, Dumbledore's Office

The mood was somber, and with good reason. The four of them stood before the headmaster all of them students before a teacher, regardless of how long they had known the headmaster, as with Teddy who had met him in his youth. The Headmaster was standing, not sitting behind his desk, all the other usually sleeping headmasters not even pretending to be asleep eager to hear the news that was even now spreading throughout the wizarding world.

"Would you all care to tell me EXACTLY what happened, and where is Ottery now?"

Who's holding donna now-YouTube *

Rather than four voices trying to vie for attention the headmaster was greeted with the sound of silence. It was Tiffany who stood up from where she was sitting and placed the crystal in front of the headmaster's desk.

"Would you care to explain this?" he asked.

Diego and Harry sighed. Teddy took out a cigar and started out of the room, "I need a smoke." The headmaster knew better than to object. Now was not the time to be getting into fight with the boy when there were so many rumors flying around right now. He needed to get to the truth.

"Don't leave, Theodore!" The headmaster exclaimed. "Wait for me outside my office, I still want to talk to you."

Teddy nodded but said nothing. He walked out of the office.

"I really don't know why I'm here Professor," Harry said, "This is something to do with Ottery's death. Is it true then?" The boy asked the others in the room.

The latest news in the wizarding world said that Ottery was the latest casualty in the war against the Death Eaters. Rumors and lies had trickled in, the newspapers reporting nothing but suppositions and innuendos everything from Ottery and Elvis sightings to Ottery breaking up Marigold Fairweather and Lance Banx's magical romance (they being the two most popular wizarding world music stars).

"It was like this ... you see," Tiffany started then sat down, she couldn't face Harry or the headmaster for the tears in her eyes. Normally quiet, Diego began:

"This is what happened." His voice breaking through the silence.

"We've got to get you out of here master," the vampire said, grabbing the vampire lord's arm. With a sweep of his hand it was no longer attached to the vampire who had dared to accost the Dark Lord Dracul.

"Fool! Vlad does not flee from a fight. Bring on your dragons, your fool Death Eaters and whatever other monsters you think can bring me down! I have lived centuries I will not be undone by such as these!" He screamed.

"Forget spells, these are vampires," Teddy said and transformed his wand into a sword and started slashing at the monsters left and right. There was not a one that stood near him long enough to touch him or whisper so much as a threat as his blade danced in the moonlight. "Angel, wake the hel up boy, we need you here."

Storm Wind flew swiftly, but try as it might to reach the vampire Dracula it was met and shunned by bodies of vampires, and other swords, and pikes. Whatever the Dark Lord might say his minions would not let their leader taint his hands fighting. This angered Diego, which in turn made him sloppy, which he normally wasn't.

"You're weakening little wizard," her taunts rang in his ear. She had the swift movements of her kind, and was always just out of reach as mist. Evangeline was not so young as her beautiful looks, nor was she a fool. Evangeline had grown to live as long because she was smart, and wily, and whenever possible allowed others to do all the fighting for her.

The dragon was simply happy to be free to let his anger out. He spat fire down a hallway where none of his friends were and set fire to the army of oncoming goblins and vampires. He laughed and slammed his body against the roof of the main hall causing the pillars to fall.
Angel opened his eyes in time to see Tiffany dragging Ottery away from the fight. He stood up somewhat dizzily. But he was awakened suddenly by the feel of a knife stabbing him. He turned to look at who had done it. A young boy about his age stood there nervously holding the knife he had just pulled out of Angel's body covered in his blood. His hand trembled and the blade fell to the floor clattering.

The thief put his hand to his wound. It was blood soaked. Wincing he said a small prayer and followed it with a spell, it would stop the bleeding but not the pain.

"It'll have to do ... until, a ... doctor can ... see it, no?"

Angel punched the human kid and sent him sprawling to the ground. A group of vampires surrounded him.

"Nice of you to join the party!" Teddy complained. "Do you need some clothes?"

It was then Angel noticed he was standing very naked in front of his enemies. Teddy threw him his wand. He caught it in his hand and with a swift wave he was dressed all in black. He put his wand away and closed his eyes.

Teddy kept trying to make his way towards Diego Cerberus and the crowd protecting Dracula. Who knew what the devil that fool boy was up to. Letting Tiffany turn him into a werewolf, especially with a potion that was still in the testing phases. Teddy liked the girl a lot, but he was not a guinea pig.

"Enough you fools," Dracula exclaimed. "Let me to the beast," and with a wave of his hand he caused everyone before him to fall down with a strong gust of wind. Suddenly, he was standing there and across from him the great red beast with smoke curling from its large serpentine nostrils. "You think you can destroy my home? Come beast, I've fought chimaeras, gargoyles, and slain sphinxes and gryphons, do you think to best me?"

The light reflected suddenly from the headmaster's spectacles. Harry sat at the edge of his seat, Diego stood in the center telling his tale, as Tiffany wiped the tears away. So many things had happened so suddenly. She had not been there to help them. Not any of them, not even Ottery.

"And what happened then," the Headmaster asked.

"Well ... Victor, you know ... the dragon. He was angry, locked up and watched and he did not like being in the caverns of the flying fortress under the castle so ... he ate him."

Harry asked, "What?"

Turning, Diego replied, "He ate him. He opened up his jaws and ate Dracula."


*Only you should be wondering who's holding Otty now. *sniffles*


AN: Clearly we've been concluding for a while now ... LOL but I know where this is going ... I might add an epilogue but yeah, it's all over now. Time to put this puppy to bed. Goodbye Ottery ...

Goodbye Otty *waves* I'll miss you!
Is it really over?
It was a really good chapter You wrote it really well.
Can't wait to read any other stories by you

Eviee <3

This is actually the 1st part of the last chapter Miss Evi3e, I finally figured out how to finish the story. Its almost done. I think I will leave off on the epilogue. We still have to find out who dies, and what ultimately happens to Ottery, where Teddy went, and what that crystal on Dumbledore's desk is ... not that you should all have noticed any of these things

Oh right sorry, i was wondering that but as i read it it felt like the end. Sorry.
Look forward to reading the last bit of the story, although it's sad....

is it just me or is the idea of Dracula being eaten by a dragon HILARIOUS??

But Otty can't be dead...he's a vamp now isn't he?

*sigh* I will wait for the next post

Hey ~Otty. Thank you dear ~Otty. Your sweetness overwhelms me, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I bet Teddy has a few things to say to Dumbledore too. I love your character, 'Diego' I think I've mentioned that before, but he just shines at the right moment. He's so full of himself. I think it will be his downfall though. I LOVE IT! So...If vampires never die or they're undead forever... Does this mean Victor will always have a meal in his belly?
I think I know. NO!!!!!! I refuse to even think Ottery is gone from us!

Great chapter ~Otty. I hope the next is up soon. I'll be watching.

~Otty, I truly love this story, and your original Human Nature story. I'm really hoping this gets a Golden Goblin Award. You are deserving of it in so many ways. I hope if anyone hasn't voted yet, they will concider this as a choice to vote for.

I'm working on the last post now, so expect it sooner rather than later. I'm sorry everyone I've taken so long to update but I am working on giving this story the ending it deserves and has been a long time in coming. I don't believe in rushing things so that's why the end wasn't just a quick fight and death for everyone.

Look at that I won ... yay me, and thank you all who supported me. Also congrats to our dear Connie who won as well ... your writing is aces Conners, I'm not surprised you won.

Love you all and I will finish this story Promise. I do not leave my readers hanging ... for long times anyways. The next story I promise will update more often and likely not have Ottery but be more focused on a few characters ... in an epic fashion cuz that's what I do. LOL Maybe a series of shorts or something ... but whatever I do, you know it'll be EPIC. Hope you're there. And I'll be back with a last post soon ... c y'all.

♥

Per Ottery:

Hey ~Otty. Congratulations on winning the Golden Goblin Award!!!!!!!!! I knew you would. I'm sorry I've been gone for so long. We had a Memorial Service to go to in Ohio. Home now, and getting caught up on everything. First off if I may I'd like to say I love your new siggy. TOO CUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What was your inspiration? Don Quackote, oops I mean Don Quixote? Seriously though, I do love it. You could write and illustrate children books. Anyway ... Great! I'll keep watching. Appreciate that. Yea ~Otty! I'm happy to support you. And thank you for those kind words on my account. Thank you. You better know that I'll be there! I'll keep watching.

Congrats on WINNING!!! haha

Thank you Conners, thanks for the congratulations and liking my avvie and siggy. I didn't actually draw the pictures, not that I couldn't if you've seen my account on DA you'd see I'm great at drawing. Its the coloring part that always stumps me. We shall see.

Neways, thanks for being a sweet friend Conners, and being so loyal to this story. I wish I could do the same for you ... but I never get to read much less write so ... I hope you understand.

You're too cute Lari But I wouldn't have won if y'all hadn't voted. Cuz I know everyone else was voting for someone else. LOL

So anyways, we're at the end of a very long road, lemme start by saying I'm sorry it took so long to get here. I hope you all will take the time to reread the story someday and see that it wasn't all just a silly joke. But rather a tale of woe and sadness and mirth or something.

That said, on with the show.



Poets often use many words
To say a simple thing
But it takes thought and time and rhyme
To make a poem sing

With music and words I'll be playin'
For you, I have written a song
To be sure that you know what I'm sayin'
I'll translate as I go along ...
(Utada Hikaru~Fly Me To The Moon)



Like all stories, this story had a beginning, though farther back than most remember. It too had a middle road where it diverged into many paths following a group of characters one way as another group’s adventures still await their telling, and like all stories too this one has an end, though it has been long in the making and longer in the arriving. So let us pick up now, where we last left off our intrepid heroes, in the office of the Headmaster recounting their own version of this tale’s end.


The light glinted from the headmaster’s glasses as he leaned forward. “I’m sorry, did I hear right?” Dumbledore asked the boy. “Your dragon companion ate Dracula, the father of vampires?” There was no sign of incredulity in the headmaster’s voice, there was much happening in the wizarding world at the moment and news from other countries traveled slow since the war had begun.

“Yes, headmaster,” Diego replied. “It wasn’t for long though, as he spat him out in a fireball because he tasted so bad.” Guacala, Diego thought to himself, why anyone would want undead flesh … still it had happened in the heat of battle so he could forgive his dragon friend from trying to eat a vampire.

“Please go on,” the headmaster prodded politely. The story really was just getting interesting.

“Yeah, please,” Harry added, moving towards the edge of his seat.

And so the story continues …

The battle in Dracula’s floating castle raged on. Teddy slashed his way through countless vampires and trolls making his way towards his friend Ottery, but still more and more would come like an endless sea of monsters. His swordwand slashed, the hilt slamming into monster’s faces, kicking, punching and occasionally dropping a bomb or two. But still Ottery, lay an ocean away from him with Tiffany and some other cloaked figure. In the heat of the battle he could scarcely spare a second to look carefully.

Meanwhile the burning ball of vampire slammed into a wall to file on the ground a seething pile of burning flesh and smelling like death. Vampires rushed to extinguish their Dark Lord, removing him against his wishes. Dracula threw a stream of curses, invectives and obscenities at our intrepid heroes, as he could do nothing else in his present skinless deformed state. Storm Wind the dragon continued his rampage. Slamming things with his tail, gutting creatures with his long sharp claws and biting when he wasn’t spewing fire, but being in the center of the hallway he blocked the way to where Tiffany and Ottery were preventing his enemies and his allies in his thoughtless rage from reaching their companion, Ottery.

And our dearly departed intrepid hero? He found himself not quite dead. Tiffany faced the prone form of Hector. Berating herself for trusting the boy she rifled his pockets, even as Ottery groaned behind her.

“Stop being such a … oh what the hel is the politically correct thing to say?!” Tiffany yelled exasperated. She couldn’t very well call Ottery a girl.

“Baby, I think baby’s still okay … cuz they … can’t … complain, and really … all they do … is whine.”

“You stupid silly a—” Tiffany turned around and felt her wand fly out of her hand. Her back slammed against the wall next to where Hector had fallen, knocked out, and there was suddenly a hand at her throat. “What?”

“Leave her alone … Evangeline …” Ottery exclaimed from where he writhed on the ground.

“I don’t think so,” The vampiress said turning to the boy with a smirk that could boil water as easily as infuriate his powerlessness.

“Please,” the boy cried, crawling towards her.

Evangeline showed the boy her hand, her nails growing like claws, and before he could say anything she stabbed Tiffany, and then stabbed her again, and again. The chocolate curls haired girl coughed up blood. Ottery screamed.

“I do so love making people suffer. Its one of the few joys I have in life … you know living a long time can … well … make some experiences boring you’d think right? But the truth is no. Living is about change and as long as things change they’re fun. And even when they don’t I mean do you really ever get tired of eating vanilla ice cream? I just have a love for pain. It’s become my hobby through the ages.”

“Then you’ll love this,” Tiffany remarked slamming a cross on the girl’s face.

“Aaaaaaaaaaaah,” Evangeline screamed, dropping the curly haired girl. “You witch!”

Tiffany did not waste time, roundhouse kicking her to the floor. Before she could stand up, Ottery grabbed her hair to stop her standing up and Tiffany slammed her heel into the girl’s windpipe. “Stay down vamp or I’ll sever your head. My friend is dying I don’t have time for this.”

Ottery managed to get to his feet and smiled at the girl with the chocolate curls. Tiffany was holding her bleeding stomach but still she smiled. He swayed suddenly dizzy.

“Ottery!”

The boy held his hand out. “Don’t! If you get distracted she’ll …” but Evangeline was already knocking Tiffany off her feet. The vampiress ran towards the dark haired boy who smiled as he looked up at her his darkened eyes cold as ice. She flew back as she slammed into a magical shield he had created around himself. “You’re getting angry, angry makes you sloppy, and you’re boring me Evangeline. Go away and let me die in peace,” the boy objected.

Of course on the other side of the dragon things were becoming increasingly more difficult. Surrounded by vampires who seemed to come out of every crack and crevice of the floating castle Angel, Teddy and Diego found themselves with less room to fight, their backs up against their dragon friend, Storm Wind.

“This is ridiculous, I don’t have enough room for a blight spell,” Angel complained.

“I could throw a bomb, but I don’t know if you two could survive the blast,” Teddy complained.

“…” Diego said nothing in his usual way.

“Obviously, this is going to have to be a one man rescue, boys,” Teddy remarked.

“Finally we agree on something,” Angel replied.

“And since the dragon won’t go with me anywhere, Diego you’re out.” Teddy continued.

“And since you’re out cold, you have to go,” Angel said, stunning the boy. He turned to Diego, “Look I got wings, that’s why I’m Angel. Just get Teddy out of here, okay? I can fly Otty and me out of here. Just get you, the dragon and Teddy out of here.”

“And then what did you do?” Harry asked.

“I did as he asked,” Diego replied quietly. “I flew out of there with Storm Wind. He crashed through the castle walls, as I tried taking Teddy but when I got him on the dragon’s back he jumped off.”

“So how did Teddy get out?” Harry asked.

Diego said nothing.

And here Tiffany took over the story. “I guess it’s my turn now.”

With the dragon out of the way that left only Angel against a whole room of vampires. They were easily stunned with a sun blast and the boy ran down the hallway to where Tiffany and Ottery were. Evangeline bound in iron couldn’t escape.

“Let’s get out of here,” Angel exclaimed as he showed up. Ottery explained everything. “So? We can figure this out later.”

“I can’t leave the way I am, and you know why,” the dark haired boy replied.

“No I don’t. Look we don’t have time Ottery this story is already …” but before the boy could finish Ottery cut him off.

“I’m a slave of the master. Dracula was my maker … werewolf blood or not if he were to … he can control me. I can’t be trusted. I don’t trust that I can … fight his power,” the boy confessed reluctantly.

“So what are you saying? We’re supposed to kill you?” Angel said. “Because that’s out of the question.”

“Angel, I know this is difficult,” Tiffany started.

“No it isn’t. He comes with us. End of story. Now come with us or I’m dragging you out of here.”

“No, you’re taking Tiffany and we’ll meet you at the rendezvous,” the voice of Teddy remarked as a light appeared out of the shadows and the boy lit a cigar.

“I thought I took care of you,” Angel said aiming his wand at the boy.

“Your stunning spells suck,” Teddy replied. “Now take the girl and let Otty and me handle this.”

Angel was reluctant to leave but Tiffany looked at him and shook her head. The boys had made up their mind. Trying to deter them would be foolish.

“Ottery I … I love you,” Angel said. The dark haired boy blushed as the gray haired boy kissed him on the cheek. “Don’t die!”

Before the boy could walk away, Ottery grabbed his arm and hugged him, whispering in his ear, “Every problem has a solution Angel. Sometimes … we just … don’t like the answer.” He hugged the boy closely and let him go. Tiffany walked up to Ottery next and slapped him. “I guess I had that coming.”

“I love you too you idiot, come back soon,” Tiffany said.

“I will,” the boy smiled with warmth and innocence and Tiffany could see the boyish lie of it all.

“Of course Ottery could not be trusted with the secrets he knows and being close to Harry and Dracula and the Dark Lord possibly becoming allies … so …” and here Tiffany began to cry, as she placed a crystal on the headmaster’s table. “So Ottery trapped himself in this crystal. Like a genie in a bottle. Along with Evangeline, because she’s annoying, Teddy said.”

The headmaster made to pick up the long green crystal. He eyed it carefully, and a smirk slipped across his face. “Diego, Harry, call Teddy in, please,” the headmaster said, and both boys jumped at the headmaster’s request.

It was Harry who turned around and said to the headmaster, “He’s gone sir. Nothing but a cigar butt and this note.”

Dearest DD,

As I’m sure you guessed the second you saw the crystal, I’m not in it. Yeah, I know I can probably fight off Dracula’s influence, and yeah, I know life is funny, but what are you going to do about it? I think it’s about time I disappeared for a while. Take my show traveling and underground where I can probably do more to help Harry than if I hang around him and paint a whole other big target by simply being around him.
There’s stuff going on that I can’t tell you about. I can’t trust that this and anything else I send you won’t be intercepted. There are traitors in Hogwarts and no I don’t just mean Snape, though I would watch out for him, Professor Dumbledore. He always gives me shifty looks in class. And he never believes my dog ate my homework excuses … *sighs* of course they’re not always true, but that one time with the hydra, I wasn’t lying … I swear.
Anyways, I’ll be around headmaster. No, I’m not dead, and yes, I am a werevampire or werepire or whatever you call them. At least for right now, but I’m sure a yogi friend of mine in India can take care of that. It’s a small world, after all.
I will continue to fight the good fight, but every dog (or otter in this case) needs a mouse in his corner (or in my case a bear). Don’t hate me cuz I’m underhanded.

Yours or rather Ron’s always,

~Ottery St.

The Headmaster broke out in a loud laugh as he showed the others the letter. Tiffany of course screamed, Diego shook his head, and Harry smiled. The dark haired boy was a mystery to him and to everyone … always had been and always would be. But he was a tried and true friend wherever out there in the wizarding world he might be.



Epilogue:


Quoted from a story I wrote years earlier in one of my shorts thread, revised here because I just can’t leave my stuff alone:

Workers of the world UNITE!!!!!! Viva la revolucion!!!!!!1111111

One last time before we turn out the lights! *fires the cannons*

Goodbye & Farewell ...
By Ottery St. Catchpole

The train station was empty for afternoon, but there was only one train pulling into the little town and there would only be one passenger and he had no one waiting with him by the platform.

The dark haired boy sighed, and sat down on his trunk dejected and alone. He'd finally managed to do it. Pushed everyone so far away they wouldn't come back, and now to end it, he was going away forever.

He was sure it had to be that way, it was how God meant it to be. Dumbledore had been kind enough to help him with the train ticket. All the way to South America. Well not the train exactly, it couldn't go over water, just to Spain and there he would board a boat to Buenos Aires. Like the name said, good airs. He needed good air; something new to breathe the old world had been suffocating him.

Still he would miss some of them in his heart ♥, he knew. But it was best.

The train came into the station, all steam, flourish and gears turning and wheels grinding against iron rails, and his eyes started to water. The old fool had sent the Hogwarts Express ... the Old Hogwarts Express. Ottery could still remember boarding that train with Alejandro and Ruben ... back in ... what was it? 1916 ... but how time had flown.

He took up his trunk and the porter took it. Once on the train there was no coming back. He put one foot on the first step and looked away at the mountains outside of town. Running down the platform through the steam was a red headed figure, and he had his trunk with him. The dark haired boy smiled, and the tears fell down without pause.

He broke out into laughter as he saw behind Ronald Weasley, Harry, Hermione, Ginny, Alejandro, Cerberus, Damocles, Melissa, all the old members of Ottery's Love Brigade and they were all packing ... trunks for a long trip and wands for long fights ... because anywhere they went they could count on evil. And he smiled and he cried and they boarded the train ... even Teddy who Ginny had locked up in Pig's cage.

And they had many more adventures and they lived happily ever after ... at least between Ron and Hermione's fights, and Harry's temper tantrums, Ottery's moments of supreme emoness, and Teddy's incessant cannon firing.

So I guess then this really isn’t...

Fini

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Thank you all for reading my stories, without readers they're just words on a page. I've been very honored by y'all's patronage and friendship. I love SS and I love you all. *bows*

*walks off the stage, the curtain falls, and turns off the lights*