//------------------------------// // Chapter 4: A Day In Paradise // Story: Equestrian Vacation // by Dragonboy111 //------------------------------// "Hey everypony, Harry's back!" Twilight's voice rose over a hill, alerting the five ponies gathered on a red and white picnic cloth. All five sprang up and looked toward the source of the voice. Harry and Twilight had crested the top of the hill and were now in sight of the gathered ponies. In the blink of an eye, Harry was tackled into a hug by a blue blur, otherwise known as Rainbow Dash. "How're you doing Harry? It's awesome to see you back in Ponyville! We're going to have so much fun!" The two separated as Rainbow flew circles around Harry's head, causing him to get a tad dizzy. He was briefly stabilized when Applejack gave him a firm pat on the back. "Well howdy, Harry. When Twilight told us you were coming back, Apple bloom was jumping for joy." Said the apple farmer with her trademark honesty. "The same could be said for Sweetie Bell. I'm guessing Scootaloo's the same." A posh British accent said. Rarity, the other unicorn of the group, said to no pony in particular. "You know how they enjoy their unofficial crusader." "Hi," a small voice whispered. Fluttershy quietly waved at Harry, causing him to smile and return the gesture. "So," said a jubilant Harry, "where's Pink" He was cut off by a pink ball of energy, colloquially known as Pinkie Pie, bowling over him. Shaking the dust out of her mane, Pinkie looked down at the pony she had just tackled. "Oh my goodness! Hey everypony, I found Harry!" she proclaimed with pride. Everypony giggled. "Thanks, Pinkie," Twilight said with a hint of well-intended sarcasm. "You're welcome!" After Harry managed to dislodge Pinkie Pie, he and the others sat down on the picnic blanket. Rarity and Twilight began distributing everypony's lunch, with each person having brought something different. "So, Twilight told us you passed the first trial. Mind telling us what happened? Heard you went for a flight," Rainbow Dash asked. Harry smiled to himself. If he wasn't a unicorn, Harry would've wanted to be a pegasus, flying unrestricted through the sky. "Well, it started when Professor Moody—" "The crazy guy with the freaky eye?" Pinkie Pie interrupted. Harry nodded. "Yes, that guy. Anyways, it started with him giving me an idea on how to get past the dragons..." Harry started retelling the story of the first task, sparing no details as he summarized his daring tale. The Equestrians laughed, gasped in terror, and listened as time passed without notice. "And that brings us to today," Harry finished. The was a moment of silence as Harry's words sunk in. Everypony held various looks on their faces, from contemplative to excited. Finally, Applejack spoke up. "Harry, I'm gonna be honest here. This whole Tri-whatever Tournament is—" "Awesome!" yelled Rainbow Dash, zigzagging above the group. "You get to fight dragons, and who knows what else, in front of your entire school! How many ponies get to—" "Rainbow! Stop that!" Yelled Applejack. She pulled the pegasus back to sitting down, then pointed a hoof at Harry. "You can't go and say something like that Rainbow! This Tournament could get Harry hurt, or worse! He wanted to be here 'cause the whole thing's tearing up his friendships!" "Sorry, Harry." Rainbow looked at the ground shamefully. "You apologized, that's all that matters." The two shared a small smile. Rarity fake coughed. "Not that this isn't a lovely conversation, but I believed Harry said something about a 'Yule Ball'? Do tell, darling." She said in a voice that reminded Harry of the girls gossiping in the halls. Harry stammered helplessly. "Well, it's an event held on Christmas, December 25th, and is supposedly a tradition they did during every Triwizard Tournament in the past. Each of the three, or four, champions are supposed to bring a partner for the dances." "So, who's the lucky gal?" "I, uh, I haven't asked one yet." Harry waited for Rarity to go into a freakout but was surprised when she took a sip of tea, her face still shockingly neutral. "Have a lady in mind?" asked Rarity, a knowing smirk on her face. Harry thought back for a few seconds before shaking his head. No, he didn't know who to ask. Well, there was Cho, but Harry still hadn't overcome his anxieties. There weren't many other options. Harry didn't exactly have many female friends. Most of the girls just wanted to go with the fourth Champion, the Boy Who Lived, not Harry Potter. "What about that girl, Hermione?" Applejack tried. "I think Ron wants to go with her. Not that he's asked, neither of us is brave enough." Harry shook his head. Sounds of indignation rose up from the group. "Not brave enough? Harry, you've had more adventure in three school years than most people have had in their whole lives." Twilight protested. "You might be one of the bravest ponies—" "People." "—people in your school. There's got to be somepony you can take." After Twilight was done talking Rainbow Dash let out a snort. "You know, I seem to recall another unicorn who had a very similar situation not too long ago," she said in a taunting voice. Twilight and Rarity shuddered. "You mean the Galloping Gala in Canterlot? I heard all about that one," Harry said. "Did she tell you about how everypony wanted to be her plus one? It was hilarious! Everypony was doing favors, giving gifts, and kissing up to—" "So were you, Rainbow!" Pinkie Pie said irritably. "You were giving her exclusively good weather that day." "Seriously?" asked Harry. That story certainly hadn't been mentioned before. It must have been very embarrassing for Twilight to not mention it. "Yup," The entire group said in perfect sync. "Well, that doesn't solve my problem. I still have to pick." "Oh, oh! I know! I know! I know!" Pinkie jumped up and down. She shook Harry with her hooves. "Why don't you take one of us with you?" Harry was stunned. At a loss for good words, only one managed to make it out. "What?" "I'm not so sure about that Pink. Our last fancy adventure was like trying to lasso a dragon," Applejack answered nervously. "Yeah, I don't think 'fancy' and 'Rainbow Dash' are two words that go together, unless we're talking about my fancy flying," Rainbow Dash added. "I'm still not good with crowds," Fluttershy said meekly. "So that just leaves Rarity and Twilight. The Gala was super boring!" finished Pinkie Pie, but Harry was quick to intercede. "Wait a second, everypony hold your horses. I don't want you going out of pity for me," Harry said. "Harry, this ain't pity," said Applejack. "This is a friend looking out for their friend. Nothing to pity there." "Applejack's right." Twilight took a step closer to Harry. "Although I'm not sure if we even can visit your... dimension." "We can worry about that later. It does us no good to spend time obsessing over the future," Harry said with confidence, earning a laugh from the group. "What?" "We'll tell you later." "...Okay?" "Come on everypony, let's have some fun in the sun!" Pinkie Pie held out a pink frisbee. Everypony jumped up for a game of catch. "You're first Harry!" The disk was launched at the colt, and Harry focused on his magic. His horn glowed an emerald shade, which soon enveloped the frisbee. The disk started to slow as it approached him. Harry smirked, confident in his magical focus. "Hey, I think I got it— Woah!" In a brief lapse of concentration, his magic flung the projectile toward Applejack. "Watch out!" Harry closed his eyes, then peaked one open. "You know, you need to get that magic of yours under control," said Applejack. Her hat had been taken clean off by the frisbee, which now sat perched in its place on her head. "You missed my mane by the skin of an apple!" "Sorry." "Just keep practicing, you'll get it right, sure as sugar you will." Harry beamed at Applejack. "Now catch!" And the disk came right back at him. Today was going to be a great day.