Chapter 7: the weighing of the wands
It was the Monday after Sirius was declared innocent and The tree Potters were peacefully eating breakfast. Unfortunately peace was not to last and a certain blond Slytherin came swaggering over to their table.
He wore a familiar looking badge Harry had almost forgotten about. Of course he was followed by his group of 'friends', they too wore badges.
He briefly glanced over the hall. Last time the worst were the Hufflepuffs and the Slytherins. It seems the Hufflepuffs appreciated the gesture of fair play he made with the contract because he saw only one or two with a badge. The Slytherins however were a surprise. Last time each and every one wore one. Even Daphne wore one since she had nothing to gain from not going against the majority of the house. But now at most half of them wore them. And those that wore them were for the most part in the younger years.
As Malfroy had almost reached him, Harry decided to teach the ferret that he shouldn't try this on someone for who the charms on the badge are Childs play.
He quickly pulled his wand out of holster and made some silent spells bellow the table.
''Potty's, hey Potty's, Look at this. Do you like them?'' Draco said while pointing at the badge he wore which said 'Support Cedric Diggory Hogwarts true champions' .
''Actually, yes I do.'' Harry said much to the group of Slytherins surprise . '' I have to admit ferret, I hadn't expect you of all people to show school spirit like that. You don't have three of them for us do you? Or do you want one too Hermione?'' He asked the witch sitting next to him.
Before Hermione could answer Lucy asked ''Can I get one too daddy, and why does he calls us Potty's.''
Harry gave her a serious look and said. ''If you want one you have to ask nicely to Mr. ferret there. And he calls us Potty's because he still finds it hard to pronounce certain words. Don't worry maybe one day he learn to speak as good as you do.''
Malfroy had enough of people speaking of him like that and tapped his badge with his wand. He said while looking expectedly at the Potters, ''You like them huh Potty, how about now?''
''I can't say I do Ferret,'' Harry said in a neutral tone. ''Trough I must admit it is very brave of you to come out like that. Defiantly a Gryffindor trait.''
''What are you talking about Potty?'' He asked in confused tone. He then noticed that his badge wasn't green with the text Potter stinks, instead it was pink and it read I LOVE SNAPE. Horrified he pressed his wand on it again to change it back, but nothing happened. He then tried to take it off, but it remained stuck on his robes.
By now a large portion of the Gryffindor started pointing and laughing at the young Malfroy. He himself was about to storm off until he heard something that was the last straw for him. ''Mr. Ferret may I please have one of those badges too.'' Lucy asked politely like she had been taught.
Malfroy saw red and pulled his wand and fired a blue looking spell at Lucy. Several people shouted things, but the spell ran its course and impacted just before Lucy on a solid shield.
Harry and Daphne hadn't been stupid enough to leave Lucy completely unprotected. She like her parents wore clothing that was heavily reinforced. But more importantly she wore a necklace filled with protective runes. The necklace had saved her life once already and whatever Malfroy fired was not nearly on the same level as the other attack. In fact the attack rebounded on the shield and hit Malfroy.
Instantly large red boils appeared on the young Malfroy's face. ''He looks weird,'' Lucy exclaimed not even looking fazed that she was nearly cursed.
Draco touched his face and felt the boils. ''You bitch!'' He exclaimed while levelling his wand on Lucy again.
'' Stupefy.'' Harry said calmly. The red beam of light that came out of Harry's wand hit Malfroy before he could fire another curse on Lucy. He could have cast silently, but he wanted the hall know what he used. It wouldn't have been good for his reputation if the entire hall saw him cast something and they didn't know what it was. For the same reason he didn't use a more satisfying curse.
''Tammy'' Harry said while he conjured a vial and filled it with the memory of the last couple of minutes.
With a pop the elf appeared. ''How can Tammy help you master?''
He handed the vial over to the elf and said. ''Please give this to Madam Bones at her office in the department of magical law enforcement. Tell her that I wish to press charges against Draco Malfroy for assault on the heiress of the most Ancient and Noble house of Potter.''
The elf bowed, ''Tammy will do that. Good day master, mistress, young mistress.'' With that she disappeared with a pop.
By this time a group of teachers had arrived. ''Potter!'' Snape bellowed.
''Choose your word carefully, Snape. I already warned you once, you will not get a second warning.'' Harry said in a threatening tone.
''My boy, you shouldn't talk to your professors like that.'' Dumbledore said. ''And did you really have to stun young Mr. Malfroy. I understand you want to protect your daughter, but you could have at least waited for a teacher.''
Harry thought it was way too early to start a argument with the man about something that as far as he was concerned was completely ridicules so he just said. ''I will keep it in mind the next time is stupid enough to fire a curse at my daughter. Now if you excuse me it is almost time for class.''
''Of course my boy, move along now.''
Harry bit back a comment about calling him his boy and left the hall with the two other Potters.
''Had you planned that?'' Daphne asked after they were out of earshot and walking towards their room.
Harry shook his head. ''I had completely forgot about those badges until I saw them on Malfroy and his followers. When I saw the badge I quickly used a spell to change what it would change into and that it cannot be reversed. After that I put a permanent sticking charm to the Badge. The rest of the conversation was improvised. ''
''You know the charges will never stick since she wasn't injured, right?''
Harry shrugged, ''At the very least his reputation will take another hit when the newspaper finds out he attacked a five year unarmed girl.''
Daphne nodded in agreement to his assessment.
When they reached their room they left Lucy there under supervision of one of their elves. After that they made their way over to the dungeons for their potions class.
When they arrived they noticed that none of the Slytherins wore the badges. Even Malfroy's followers weren't wearing them anymore, apparently the are able to lean. Malfroy himself was no were to be seen.
' Wait a minute' Harry thought. 'Didn't I have that duel with Malfroy now last time.'
''Hey Daph, '' Harry said. ''Didn't Malfroy curse Hermione on this time the last time around.''
''Not sure,'' She replied. ''It has been a while, but I believe last time he confronted you with those badges here instead of the hall. And your resulting argument escalated in a dual where she was hit in the crossfire.''
''What was I hit with?'' Hermione asked from her spot next to the pair.
''A teeth engrossing curse.'' Daphne answered. After seeing her horrified look she reassured. ''Don't worry it was healer very quickly. You let her shrink them even a bit further than they originally were.''
''They can do that?'' Hermione asked surprised. She had always disliked her large front teethes, but she didn't know they could shrunken like that.''
''There are a few things magic can't do.'' Harry said. ''Shrinking tooth isn't all too hard. Both Daphne and I can do it for you if you want it.''
''Really?'' She asked enthusiastically. ''Can you do it now?''
Slightly taken by her enthusiasm he said. ''Uh ... sure. Do you have a mirror with you?''
''Eh, no. I don't usual carry a minor with me.'' She confessed.
''You can use this one.'' offered Tracey who had also joined their small group.
''Thanks Tracey.'' Harry said.
He accepted the offered hand mirror and held it in front of Hermione's mound. ''Okay open up and just say when I have to stop.''
She did as instructed and after a couple of minutes of carful shrinking she told him to stop. After Harry stopped, Hermione admired her smile in the mirror now with smaller front teeth.
Harry chuckled and said. ''With a smile like that I am sure you won't find it difficult to find a date for the Yule ball.''
'' Yule ball!'' Tracey exclaimed.
''I don't believe that was announced yet.'' Daphne commented.
''Oops, never mind then. You can forgot it for now.'' Harry said.
Tracey glared at Harry. ''You just told me a Yule ball is coming and you expect me to forget about it.''
''Yes.''
Tracey glare intensified at the simple answer and was about to start on a tirade on why he should share such vital information. Unfortunately for her she was interrupted by Snape opening the door and telling them to enter.
''We will talk about this later.'' Tracey hissed and she walked into the open door.
''Don't worry,'' Daphne said. ''I put up a privacy ward around yourself the moment you pulled your wand on Hermione. I am sure we would have had a bigger audience if we hadn't. No one saw or heard anything. Now we only have to talk Hermione and Tracey in to not telling anyone about it before it is time. I am sure McGonagall will greatly annoyed with us if we tell everyone before she announces it. And we have already have more than enough people who don't like us, no need to add more.''
When the lesson began Harry and Daphne were listening to Snape ramble about antidotes. Harry had to admit it was almost impressive how Snape managed to talk for nearly fifteen minutes without actually giving information about how to make the antidotes. He spend nearly the entire time saying that he doubted that most of the class could actually make them and threatening he was going to test it on them at the end of the lesson.
Snape's 'interesting teachings' were interrupted when someone knocked on the door and Colin Creevey entered the room. Harry was surprised that this was the first time he saw the kid since he came back. If he remembered correctly the kid had some pretty fan-boyish tendencies back then, taking every chance available to make a picture of him. He supposed he had a bit more of intimidating presence now then back then.
Colin walked up to Snape's desk at the front of the room. "Please, sir, I'm supposed to take Harry Potter and Daphne Potter upstairs."
"They have another hour of Potions to complete," Snape said coldly. "They will come upstairs when this class is finished."
"Sir - sir, Mr. Bagman wants them," Creevey said nervously. "All the champions have got to go, I think they want to take photographs…"
'Right,' Harry thought, 'That was today too.'
''Very well,'' Snape began and while he was tempted to finish with a rude remark, he clearly remembered the warning given to him. ''Potters, get out my sight.''
Harry and Daphne packed their stuff and follow Colin out of the room.
''Hey Harry,'' Colin began excitedly.
Harry inwardly groaned, maybe the kid wasn't intimidated after all.
''Yes Colin?''
''I know the article in the newspaper said you weren't allowed to say anything, but isn't there anything you are allowed to say. Small things like what happened to me after Hogwarts. You said you were twenty four so I must have been graduated for a while by then.''
Daphne snorted when she heard the third year ask the question. She wondered how the kid would respond if they told him the truth. The truth was that a significant number of Muggle-born and their families were killed during the summer where Voldemort came back openly, Creevey was one of them .
''I am sorry but we aren't allowed to say anything.'' Harry said neutrally.
Colin shrugged. ''That is too bad. Anyway we are here. Good luck you two!''
Harry nodded his thanks and knocked on the door before entering.
Daphne took in the room. As far as she could see it was the exact same room as Harry had described how the room looked like where the weighting had taken place last time.
It was just a regular classroom. The only real difference was that almost all the tables were pushed aside to make room in the middle. There were only a couple of tables left standings. Those were positioned next to each other. Behind the tables were chairs. Presumably reserved for the judges. She doubted they were considered enough to give the students chairs, that and Bagman was sitting on one of the chairs.
She noticed the other three champions were already there. Fleur and Cedric were talking and Krum was standing alone in the corner looking moodily.
Bagman suddenly spotted them. He got up quickly, and bounded toward them.
"Ah, there they are! Champions numbers four and five! In you come, Harry, Daphne… there nothing to worry about, it's just the wand weighing ceremony, But I assume you already know what it is, the rest of the judges will be here in a moment."
''Yes, we are here to check if our wands are in working order.'' Harry confirmed.
''Completely right Harry, and after that we are going to have a little photo shoot.'' Bagman said. He then gestured to a witch in magenta robes. "She's will also be doing a small piece on the tournament for the Daily Prophet…"
''Maybe not so small, Ludo.'' Skeeter said, looking at the Potters almost hungrily.
"I wonder if I could have a little word with the two of them before we start?" she said to Bagman, but still gazing at the Potters. "After all, the circumstancing regarding their entry were very interesting were they not ?"
"Certainly!" cried Bagman. "That is - if they have no objection?"
''Actually,'' Daphne began. ''I think it is best if we perform the weighting of the wands first. Some important guest are here after all. We don't want to have them waiting on us wile you interview us.'' Skeeter looked like she wanted to object, but Daphne had already continued talking. ''However if you still want a interview with the two of us, then you are welcome to have the interview in our room with a cup of tea.''
Skeeter looked like she won the jackpot and said. ''Thank you, Daphne dear, that would be lovely.''
Just then the door opened again and the three heads of the participating schools entered, also entering were Crouch Sr. and Garrick Ollivander.
''Ah it seems everyone is already here.'' Dumbledore said after he had checked out the room. "May I introduce Mr. Ollivander?" He said to the champions after all the judges had taken their places in their seat leaving besides the champions only Ollivander standing. He will be checking your wands to ensure that they are in good condition before the tournament."
"Mademoiselle Delacour, could we have you first, please?" Ollivander said from his place in the middle of the room.
Rita seeing that it was beginning settled in the corner of the room and immediately pulled out one of her Quick-Quotes Quill and put it on a piece of parchment that she had laid on her knee.
Fleur Delacour swept over to Mr. Ollivander and handed him her wand.
"Hmm…" he said.
He twirled the wand between his long fingers like a baton and it emitted a number of pink and gold sparks. Then he held it chose to his eyes and examined it carefully.
"Yes," he said quietly, "nine and a half inches… inflexible… rosewood… and containing… dear me…"
"A hair from the head of a Veela," Fleur said. "One of my grandmother."
"Yes," said Ollivander, "yes, I've never used veela hair myself, of course. I find it makes for rather temperamental wands… however, to each his own, and if this suits you…"
The wand maker ran his fingers along the wand, apparently checking for scratches or bumps, then he muttered, "Orchideous!" and a bunch of flowers burst from the wand tip.
"Very well, very well, it's in fine working order," Ollivander said, scooping up the flowers and handing them to Fleur with her wand. "Mr. Diggory, you are next." Fleur glided back to her seat, smiling at Cedric as he passed her.
"Ah, now, this is one of mine, isn't it?" said Mr. Ollivander, with much more enthusiasm, as Cedric handed over his wand. "Yes, I remember this one very well. Containing a single hair from the tail of a particularly fine male unicorn…; nearly gored me with his horn after I plucked his tail. Twelve and a quarter inches… ash… pleasantly springy. It's in fine condition… You treat it regularly?"
"Polished it last night," said Cedric, grinning.
Harry had to suppress a grin when he heard that statement. Such statements could be taken completely wrong especially if a reporter is in the room. He had long learned his lesson what to say in the presence of a reporter. He knew if he had been the one to make that statement then Skeeter would have gladly wrote an entire story about it, speculating.
Ollivander meanwhile produced a stream of silver smoke rings with Cedric's wand, sending them across the room. Looking satisfied, he handed the wand back and said. ''Mr. Krum, if you please.''
"Hmm," said Mr. Ollivander, "this is a Gregorovitch creation, unless I'm much mistaken? A fine wand-maker, though the styling is never quite what I… however…"
He lifted the wand and examined it minutely, turning it over and over before his eyes.
"Yes… hornbeam and dragon heartstring?" he shot at Krum, who nodded. "Rather thicker than one usually sees… quite rigid… ten and a quarter inches… Avis!"
The hornbeam wand let off a blast hike a gun, and a number of small, twittering birds flew out of the end and through the open window into the watery sunlight.
"Good," Ollivander said, handing Krum back his wand. ''Next is, Mr. Potter.''
Harry walked to the wand maker, he pulled his wand out of his wand holster and handled it over to the man.
"Aaaah, yes," Ollivander said, his pale eyes suddenly gleaming. "Yes, yes, yes. How well I remember."
Harry of course remembered it too, the time he bought his wand on his first visit to Diagon Alley. Looking back, Harry really thought the wand maker should work a bit on his people skills, especially if you consider that a large portion of his customers are eleven year olds..He doesn't really act what you really could call normal.
He spend a much longer time examining the wand then he did the others. ''Holly….Phoenix feather….eleven inches long….nice and supple. '' He continued examining the wand. ''There are runes engraved on it, but those aren't my work. From what I can see, they serve as security, if my guess is correct then that means that I can't use this wand.''
Harry nodded, ''The runes make sure that no one, but me can use my wand, except those of my blood.''
''Mmm…. well your wand is in perfect condition as far I can see. Please fire a spell to make sure so we can sure I am correct.'' He said before handing the wand back to Harry.
Harry accepted the wand and conjured a bench behind the champions large enough for all five of them to sit comfortably. Daphne grinned at him and immediately sat down, slowly followed by the others.
''Excellent Mr. Potter, now what about your other wand?''
Harry looked slightly startled at hearing this. His reserve wand was holstered in a holster, that was strapped on his left arm. The holster was hidden by a pretty strong disillusionment charm and he had yet had the need to use his spare wand. So as far as he knew only he and Daphne knew that they carried second wands.
''Excuse me?'' Harry asked.
''The wand, that is strapped around your left arm. It is yours is it not?''
''How did you….''
Understanding the question, the wand maker said. ''Wands have just as much of a magical presence as witches and wizards, Mr. Potter. Not many people can sense this however.''
Harry nodded. He put his first wand back in his right holster before putting out his reserve from his holster. ''This is my reserve. I don't plan on using it in the tournament so I didn't think I had to show it here.''
Ollivander didn't respond because he was busy examining the wand. ''Another wand I made.'' He commented. ''hawthorn ….unicorn hair …. Ten inches and reasonably springy.'' After he was finished he created a fountain of wine. ''It's not as well cared for as your holy wand, but it is still in good working condition.''
Harry accepted his wand back and sat with the other champions. Meanwhile at the judges table it was discussed of the carrying of two wands was allowed. Eventually it was decided that it was allowed, except for tasks where you are specifically allowed to carry certain things.
''And finally Mrs. Potter.''
Daphne's turn was considerably shorter the Harry's. The wand maker remarked how her primary wand had similar runes on it as Harry's wand and that both of her wands were in good working condition.
After the last wand was checked, Dumbledore said. You may go back to your lessons now - or perhaps it would be quicker just to go down to dinner, as they are about to end-"
"Photos, Dumbledore, photos!" Bagman interjected excitedly. "All the judges and champions, what do you think, Rita?"
"Er - yes, let's do those first," Skeeter said, while her eyes found the Potters again. "And then perhaps some individual shots."
Making the photographs took quite a while. Rita Skeeter, whose eyes were upon Harry again. "And then perhaps some individual shots."
The photographs took a long time. Madame Maxime cast everyone else into shadow wherever she stood, and the photographer couldn't stand far enough back to get her into the frame. The photographer and Rita spend some time discussing who should be in the front of the pictures; Fleur or the Potters. Eventually the group photo was made and the individual photo's were to be made. Luckily this did not take half as long as making the group picture. Finally Skeeter was adamant about having a picture made of Harry and Daphne together.
After all the pictures were made Dumbledore stood up and told them they were free to leave.
But before they left, Harry spoke up. ''Actually now that we are all gather here, I have something to tell you all on behalf of the newly reinstated lord Black.''
Chapter 8: Thoughts
Harry Potter was sitting in a chair in his shared common room. Today in his opinion had gone relatively well. The judges reacted as had Sirius predicted when he passed his message on to them. The meeting with Skeeter, although tiring was a success. She had told them that she would write something interesting for tomorrows paper as 'celebration' for the new partnership. He wasn't really at ease with the way she grinned when she said that, but at the very least it wouldn't be harmful for them, they had made sure of that.
He was also glad that the few that really mattered to him now accepted him and Daphne together. Of course he hadn't really reacquainted with everyone that he was friends with in the future, but that was mostly because his past self didn't know them and he could hardly walk up to them and say, ''Hi we were friends in the future and you died fighting in a war that hasn't even happened yet.'' Looking back he had a rather pathetic social life. No wonder he accepted Ron back so easily after the first task, it made his number of friends double.
Daphne Potter sat opposite of her husband. She saw him looking pensive, no doubt thinking about everything happened today. Seeing him like that she herself started reflecting over their actions since they came here. Telling everyone that they came from the future is still one of the things she is still unsure off of it was a good idea. On one hand both Crouch Jr. and Voldemort will be more on guard now, on the other hand anyone with some common sense could get to the conclusion themselves seeing their appearance and Lucy's appearance. And then there were the ministry record which would no doubt leak out to the press. No, it was probably for the best that the world knew this part of the truth. By not telling everyone that Voldemort is back they also most likely seeded some paranoia in the enemies head. After all when Voldemort heard they came back, she was sure he expected them to immediately spread the news that he would come back. Since they did not he would probably think that he failed to come back. Hopefully he would turn on his own servants thinking the failure was there fault.
On a more personal front she had been a lot more happier then that she had been in years. It was not as if she was unhappy before, but to live without constantly worrying about dying was a nice change of pace. It had been hard seeing certain people again. So many people had she seen since coming back that she had seen die, some as allies, some who she had killed herself. For the later part it had been difficult to restrain the urge to do it again. She and Harry had discussed it before going back. They wouldn't permanently harm someone who hadn't committed any crimes yet. Of course all the 'innocent' death eaters from the first war were free game. Hopefully Sirius's proposal would result in some stress relieve.
Albus Dumbledore sat in his chair in his office, his thoughts, like many time before, drifted off to a certain Gryffindor. His sudden arrival, two weeks ago, was to say the least unexpected. The following confrontation proved that this Harry was definitely different from the Harry he knew. At first he thought it might have been a imposter, but a imposter wouldn't have been able to undo his status as proxy. To be sure he used his contacts within the ministry to confirm their married status. At the same time he heard that he indeed visited Madam Bones. He was unable to find out what they talked about. He assumed about Black, but they probably talked about more since the meeting took a considerable amount of time.
But what could they possibly have to share with Bones that they couldn't tell him. When he first said that they came from the future, Albus immediately thought that Voldemort had come back as he suspected he would and that they came back because they couldn't beat him. When they hadn't immediately told him of that fact, he was confused. Maybe he didn't come back after all. After all if he had come back then they surely would have told them. After all he lead the fight until Voldemort was defeated by young Harry.
Then there was what Severus told him. The boy knew the prophecy or at least part of it. How could he know about it? He honestly doubted his future self would give the information up willingly and a seer never remembers her prophecy's. So that only leaves two possibilities, He either received part of it from a future Snape or he saw the recording at the ministry. The former he honestly doubted. If the boy heard it from Severus then he would most likely dismiss it considering their attitude toward each other. The later was more likely, but at the same time more troublesome. If he saw it in the hall of prophecies then there is a good chance that Harry removed it while he was in the ministry. After all it is never a good idea to leave information like that for the picking. If that was the case then one of his many plans was made impossible.
Then there was the news Minerva told him. Harry knew that at the very least she was there the night he was left in the care of the Dursleys and if he knew that then he probably also know that he was there. Maybe that was the reason why Harry disliked him a little. Unfortunately that wasn't the only surprising thing that happened that was related to the Dursleys. Last week, suddenly one of his instruments that monitored the wards around Harry's home, alerted him that they had fallen. Unfortunately he had been in a meeting at the time and he couldn't leave immediately. When he did manage to go, he saw that no one was home, but that didn't really matter. His first priority was to find out what happened to the wards. It didn't take long to find out what happened. After only a couple of minutes he found that the ward stone had been removed which obviously resulted in the failure of the wards. He was unsure who had removed the stone, but he suspected Harry for some reason. He didn't want to confront him about it since right now it wasn't a priory and his last couple of confrontation with the boy didn't exactly go well.
Finally there was the issue of Daphne and Lucy Potter. He was unsure about the girl. She managed to stay low on his radar this was remarkable especially considering her family status. Maybe she stayed low because she had to accomplish something and she didn't want to gather attention on it. But what, and does Harry know about it or is she simple using the boy for his status? The child could be a problem too. The prophecy demanded the boy to die before Voldemort could be defeated by someone. If the boy were to die without any magical family nor a will then the ministry is allowed to seize all his assets. He honestly doubted that the boy would write out a will himself, at his age, and he could hardly tell him to make one because that would lead to some questions he really didn't want to answer. That is why he arranged a marriage contract between the boy and the Weasley girl. If Harry were to die after they were married then Ms. Weasley as the new Mrs. Potter would stand to inherit the Potter fortune, keeping it with the light families. But a heiress has more right to claim the fortune then the wife especially the second wife that she would be now. Second wife's didn't have too much rights that's why the practice is almost never used anymore. Unfortunately for his second objective of the contract it may be necessary. Some sacrifices have to be made for the greater good.
Molly Weasley was not a happy person. The reason for that is that her 'concerned letters' to her Harry were being ignored. She was sure that the Slytherin had something to do with it. She probably hid the letters from the poor dear. Thinking about that girl made her bad mood even worse. It was obviously that she somehow poisoned the boy's mind into believing they were married. She was probably knocked up by someone like some scarlet woman and used some dark art to make Harry believe that he married her to hide the shame. After all the two of them can't be married. Her Harry is going to marry Ginny. Albus Dumbledore himself arranged it.
To say that Ron Weasley wasn't happy either would be a vast understatement. His supposed best friend had to do something again to get him even more famous and now he even dared to ignore him. But after thinking about it for a while he realized it might not have been his friends fault. It was probably that filthy snake's fault. She must have used some really dark magic so that Harry would act like this. After all Harry was his best friend so why would he be ignoring him. There must be some kind of mind controlling magic that affects his actions. But when he tried to tell people his logical conclusion, almost no one listened to him. Ron didn't understand why no one believed him. After all she was a Slytherin, wasn't it obvious that she was up to something no good.
For Ginny Weasley the last couple of weeks had been very confusing. Of course her most confusing feeling originated from the arrival of the future Potters. Her Harry appeared in the middle of the hall looking older and having a wife and a child with him! At first she had been angry with the woman for stealing her man, but after observing the three of them she came to a startling conclusion, he looked truly happy when they were together. How could she resent the woman when she made Harry happy. But how could a Slytherin make him happy? She was always taught they were evil and that she would be the one to marry Harry. She needed more time to think about this.
For Hermione Granger the year had been hectic. This was the year that her little sister joined her at Hogwarts. She wanted to look after her, but she was also busy with her own course load and making sure her only two friends didn't slack off. Then the tournament was announced and she just knew that Harry would be involved somehow, that boy was a magnet for problems. In a sense she had been right; his name came out of the goblet. Only it wasn't exactly in the way she expected. The day before he was chosen he did something she thought was impossible even in the magical world. Sure she had time traveled before, but she thought it was impossible to do so in the way he did. Then there was another shocker. At some point her friend had married a Slytherin and they had a kid together. She wasn't as biased in believing that the Slytherin house was evil, but from what she observed the Harry she knew did. So she wondered what changed.
Then there was his new attitude. No longer was he insecure with only little knowledge on the magical world. Before she always had all the answers, but now Harry knew more than her. Did that mean he didn't need her as a friend anymore? She was pretty sure Harry wasn't her friend for her knowledge, but she couldn't help but doubt. He was one of the few friends she had. And with him avoiding Ron for some reason, he couldn't mediate like he use to with their frequently incising fights. It was also frustrating that he wouldn't share much about what happened in the future as long her mind wasn't properly protected so she started learning occlumency. Unfortunately the art was extremely difficult and she hadn't made much progress, even with all the time she invested in it.
Emma Granger had found the first few months on her new school very exciting. She finally got to go to the school her big sister had been going for the past three years. Everything had been great until two weeks ago. She was learning a lot of new things and the school had a big library! Unfortunately she didn't see her sister as much as she liked too and she only met her two friends once and some of the people weren't very nice to her, but still everything was relatively fine. That changed with the sudden appearance of one of her sisters friends in the middle of the great hall. She knew her sister had a meeting with the man that evening and ever since then she spend even more time in the library than normal. She was getting worried for her. Maybe she should talk to her sisters friend. He seemed nice enough and maybe he can help her.
A/N 2:
What did you guys think? Since this is a Harry centric fic, I thought a chapter describing some peoples thoughts about the whole situation would be a nice change. Did you guys like it? should I write something similar later on in the story? Oh and for those who forgot, Emma is Hermione's little sister, she appeared in chapter 1 and is a obvious OC.
Chapter 9: Team Athena
Malfoy scion attacks defenseless five year old girl unprovoked
By Rita Skeeter
Yesterday I visited Hogwarts to attend the weighting of the wands, a customary ceremony of the Tri-wizard tournament (for more information on the weighting of the wands and interviews with the champions see page 2 ).When I arrived there I heard some shocking rumors. According to the rumors Draco Malfoy, son of lord Malfoy attempted to curse the heiress of the Potter family, Lucy Potter (age 5)
Of course I immediately investigated these rumors and the rumors turned out to be. After I had spoken with several eyewitnesses I managed to find out exactly what happened. During breakfast Mr. Malfoy with several other people walked from the Slytherin over to the Gryffindor table and asked lord Potter and his friends of he was interested in a badge that showed their support for the Hogwarts champions. Lord Potter agreed to have one and complimented Mr. Malfoy on his show of house unity by supporting the Hufflepuff champion.
Only it turned out that house-unity wasn't what Mr. Malfoy was after when he started to wear the badge. It turned out that a second message appeared on the badge the moment you tapped your wand on it. Mr. Malfoy used this function to make a rather bold statement. After lord Potter had told Mr. Malfoy he wouldn't mind wearing one, he tapped his badge and the message 'I LOVE SNAPE'. After the new message appeared lord Potter said he didn't want the badge anymore, but he congratulated Mr. Malfoy for showing his hidden Gryffindor traits.
Ms. Potter however seemed to like the original badges and asked Mr. Malfoy politely if she may have one. For some reason Mr. Malfoy didn't take the request well even though he was the one who offered it when he first arrived in the first plan and fired a unknown curse at young Ms. Potter. Luckily for the young heiress someone nearby, probably one of her parents managed to erect a shield on time. The curse rebounded and hit Mr. Malfoy instead, resulting in facial disfigurement. Before Mr. Malfoy could fire another curse he was taken down by lord Potter trough a stunner.
When researching further I managed to find out that Mr. Malfoy won't suffer any disciplinary action from the school. One has to wonder if his 'relationship' with professor Snape had anything to do with him going unpunished for attacking the young girl.
Harry folded the paper after reading the article on the front page. He had to admit it was pretty good. It damaged the Malfoy name, Snape and it showed the unfairness of him not getting punished.
Suddenly there was a knock on the portrait that guarded the entrance. Harry stood up and walked up to the portrait to open it up.
Standing in the doorway was Emma Granger looking very nervous. Harry looked down on her for a moment. ''Hey Hermione,'' He plastered a look of surprise on his face,'' I know I am now taller then you, but did you got even shorter?''
The girl looked bewildered for a moment. Knowing her she probably had already thought up the entire conversation she wanted to have in her head and hadn't considered him to greet her like that.
Harry chuckled at her reaction and said. ''Just kidding Emma, you were looking so nervous I couldn't help it. Do you want something?''
Regaining her bearings she politely stated. ''I want to talk you about my sister, Mr. Potter.''
''Sure come in,'' Harry said, while standing back to let her in. ''And it is Harry, you don't have to call me Mr. Potter.''
Offering her a seat and sitting down himself he said. ''Now what was that about Hermione?''
Emma told him her concerns about how her sister spend more and more time in the library and that she is worried about her.
''And you want me to talk to her about it?'' Harry asked, feeling slightly guilty that he hadn't noticed her behavior. In his defense the Hermione he knew before she died also spent large amounts of time researching, far more than she did in school.
''Please, Mr. Pott- eh Harry.'' Emma pleaded.
''Sure, why don't we go right now?''
While they were walking towards the library, Harry broke the silence between the two by asking, ''So, do you like Hogwarts thus far?''
''It's great! I have read all of Hermione's books already, but the actual lessons are even better.'' She began excitedly. Her exited face then turned in a frown. '' However, some of the ghosts are a bit creepy and there is that one that I really don't like.''
Harry was about to ask which one when he noticed that she stopped moving and was starring at a point in front of them. ''What's wrong?'' He asked.
Emma looked a bit white and answered with pointing her finger to where she had been staring. ''There he is.'' She said in a scarred tone.
Harry looked towards where she is pointing and saw what had scarred the first year. Floating in the middle of the corridor, doing some weird dance in midair was Peeves.
Harry sighted, ''What did he do to you?''
Emma turned her gaze away from the Poltergeist and looked up to Harry. ''He dropped a bag filled with tarantulas where I was studying with some of my classmates.''
Harry groaned, this was exactly something Peeves would do. If he remember correctly he had seen him do something similar in his fifth year. He patted Emma on the shoulder and said in the most reassuring tone he could. ''Don't worry about him he won't bother you anymore after this, just watch.''
Having said that Harry gently put a hand on her back to have her start moving again. Emma looked uncertain for a moment, but then started walking again.
Peeves who by now was hanging upside down for some reason had noticed them and happily exclaimed. ''Ooh a ickle firstie! What fun!'' He then noticed who was walking next to the first year and nearly fell down in shock. Turning back around he hurriedly said. ''Peeves is sorry Mr. Potter. Peeves didn't know that Mr. Potter was here. Is there anything Peeves can do for Mr. Potter?''
Emma looked on in bewilderment, from what she heard the Poltergeist had no respect for anyone expect for that scary looking ghost and yet she was witnessing this. Then again from all the things that her sister told her about the man standing next to her, something like this was wasn't completely unexpected.
''Remember our last talk, Peeves?'' Harry asked, knowing full well he remembered.
After Peeves had zealously nodded his head, Harry gestured to the youngest Granger and said. ''This is Emma Granger.''
Emma had to admit she had no idea what was going on, but it was funny to see the thing she had been afraid of getting a complete shocked look on his face.
''Peeves is sorry Ms. Granger. Please forgive poor Peeves. Peeves didn't know that ickle firstie was Ms. Granger, Peeves will never bother you anymore.'' Peeves said in a pleading tone.
Emma looked from the pleading Peeves to the satisfied looking Harry and turned back to the Poltergeist. ''It's okay?'' She said hesitantly. She may be dislike him, but she was unsure what else to say when he was looking like that.
''Thank you! Thank you!'' Peeves happily exclaimed before flying off.
''See? Nothing to worry about.'' Harry said nonchalantly while starting to walk toward the library again.
Emma stared at his retreating back in shock for a moment before coming out of it and she ran after him. When she caught up to him she gave Harry a look that he had often seen on her older sister. A look that basically demanded information. ''What was that all about.'' She exclaimed.
''Do you named a ghost named Myrtle?'' Harry asked.
Emma wasn't sure what the question had to do with anything, but she answered regardless. ''I have never seen her, but Hermione warned me about her. She told me she haunts the second floor girls bathroom and that she is a bit emotional.''
'That is a bit of a understatement.' Harry thought.
''So what has that have to do with anything?'' Emma questioned.
Harry smiled and said. ''Let's just say that if Peeves bothers certain people then he will be permanently bound to that bathroom.''
Emma looked shocked at him after his explanation. ''Are you saying that he won't be able to leave that bathroom? Is that possible?''
''It's is possible to bind a sprit to a certain place all right.'' Harry assured. ''No idea if I can do it, but the threat to spend a eternity with Myrtle was enough for even Peeves to comply.''
''And I am one of those people?'' Emma asked. ''Is that why he reacted like that when he heard my name?''
Harry nodded and Emma looked happy that someone else was watching out for her even if it was most likely only because she was a friends sister.
''Can I ask something else?''
Harry nodded for her to go ahead.
''Hermione told me allot of stories about her time in Hogwarts and in a lot of her stories were her two friends, you and a other guy.''
Harry patiently waiting for her to go on.
''So what happened to the other guy?'' Emma asked. ''The one with the horrible table manners? Hermione had introduced me to you two during the train ride.
Harry grinned at her despite the question. ''Do I look like how she described me then?'' Seeing her annoyed look he answered. ''I am not sure why Hermione doesn't spend time with Weasley, you have to ask her if you want to know, trough I can guess why. And I don't spend time with him because he has some personally traits that I can't really stand right now.''
Harry was silent for a moment waiting if she had another question. When she didn't Harry asked her. ''Did they make the announcement during breakfast?''
''Uh, yes.'' She said.
''Do you already have a team?'' He questioned.
Emma looked down at hearing the question. ''I don't think anyone wants me in their team. I probably will be sorted in a team when the deadline is up with the others who don't have a team.'' She mumbled.
''You can join my team if you want. I am afraid that the team pretty much exist out only me for now, but if you join then I am sure we can win.''
''Really?'' Emma asked hopefully. ''But why me? What about your friends?''
''As you know, to keep it fair, only one adult per team is allowed.'' Harry said. ''Therefore Daphne decided to team up with her sister and Tracey for old time sake and I am not that close to many people, so I hoped that you could join my team, maybe Hermione too.''
Emma didn't have time to respond because they had reached the library and she already learned the hard lesson to be silent there.
It took a moment, but Harry eventually spotted Hermione sitting behind a table hidden from view behind several stacks of books. He and Emma walked over to the table and took a seat at the table.
''Hey Hermione.'' Harry greeted the witch who had been obvious that two people had seated next to her.
Hermione looked up startled by the sudden greeting and noticed that Harry and her little sister had joined her at the table. ''Hey Harry, Emma, Were are Daphne and Lucy?''
''Lucy is with her aunt and Daphne has some things to discuss with professor Moody.'' Harry answered. ''But that is not why I am here.''
She looked confused for a moment, then her confusion turned to worry and she asked. ''Did something bad happen?''
Deciding to be blunt Harry said. ''Hermione, people are worried about you. You spend more and more time in the library. Is there something wrong?''
Hermione shrugged. ''I am fine.''
''Right,'' Harry drawled.'' I wonder why I don't believe you. I am your friend right? If so you can tell me what is going on. Or do you want to worry Emma even more?''
Hermione looked conflicted, she glanced to were Emma was sitting and saw her pleading look. Eventual she caved in. ''I just need some more time to study this year. I want to know what happened in the future and you said my mind needed to be protected for that so I have been studying Occlumency, but I am just not making process so I need to spend more time on it. Then there are my grades! I am no longer first in most of the classes. In several classes I am lowered to third place. And you and Daphne have been entered in the tournament and I am trying to find spells that can help you and then there is the S.P.E.W. and…''
Harry noticed she started ranting so he said. ''Hermione calm down.'' Seeing that he had her attention he countered. '' Firstly Occlumency is a skill that takes years to learn, Hermione, you have been at it for a week, maybe two. If you really want to know then there might be a solution. As for your grades, no offence, but isn't it obvious that me and Daphne would score a bit higher than the average fourth year, it is like asking you to go back to elementary school and find a student with more knowledge then you. As for the tournament, I survived it as a fourteen year old, how do you think I will do with nearly a decade extra experience? Not to mention that I highly doubt that they will change the task to much at this points, preparation like that takes way too much time. And again no offence, but you should really reconsider SPEW.''
For once Hermione was silent, even though it was only for a moment and she said. ''Okay maybe you are right about my classes and the tournament. But what did you mean with a solution for Occlumency and why should I reconsider SPEW? Those poor elves deserves there rights! And it is S.P.E.W. not SPEW.''
''What do you know about house elves besides what you have observed?'' Harry asked. ''Do you even know why the house elves serve wizards and witches? Believe me they are powerful in their own right, this is not a matter of a simple oppression.''
''I know that they can be freed if they are given cloths. That is why I have been making them to leave in the common room.''
''You do realize that with freeing them you are killing them?'' Harry asked bluntly.
''What!'' She exclaimed.
''Don't worry,'' Harry assured her. ''Only the owner frees an elf by given him cloths you haven't freed a single elf.''
''But-but how can they die if they are free.''
''The elves are a cursed race. The exact reason has been lost, but at some point there was a war between humans and elves. Not much can be found on this war except that at the end the elves lost and a group of mages used a special ritual to enslave the elves, taking away their true power, but most importantly making them dependent on another magical being. House elves live of magic, but unlike their elf ancestors their body doesn't generate any of its own. Instead they have symbiotic relationship with wizards and witches. They work for them and in exchange a small part of their bonded magic is relegated tot them. That is why all elves truly fear to be set free.''
''But, what about Dobby? He wants to be free.'' Hermione countered.
''There are worse things than dead. That is why he wanted to be free, to hopefully find a master that would treat him better.'' Harry commented. ''To say he wasn't treated right would be an vast understatement. Most elves are treated similar as how a butler would be treated in a Muggle household. You just happened to have seen some of the worst examples out there. I can ask one of my elves to come here if you want to talk with them. Just don't insult their ways.''
Harry paused for a moment and said. ''I mean it when I say that you have to respect their ways, Hermione. Magical creatures have their own norms and values and most find it rather insulting if you try to instill our human norms on them. For example Goblins also never take a day of. If you had started a campaign to get them to have more free days then they would probably seen it as a insult towards their honor and believe me you don't want to meet a goblin you have insulted.''
Hermione was in deep thought for a moment having trouble comprehending everything she heard. Finally she said. ''I will think about what you have said and maybe I talk to one of them if I know what I want to ask them. Now what was that you talked about a solution for my Occlumency problem.''
''It is not really a solution, since there is no easy way to instantly learn the art. If there was such a way then everyone would be a Occlumens. What I am talking about is a Guardian. A Guardian is placed in someone else mind by a Legilimens there task is to guard a specific set of memories at any cost.''
''What do you mean with 'at any cost'?'' Hermione asked.
''The guardian will try to kick the intruder out and will often be successful if you process in your Occlumency training you will understand why that is. But on the other side if it loses then it will do the next best thing. He will erase all the memories he is protecting permanently.''
''That is not bad right? Even if you lose the memory can't you just be told again?''
''As if it is ever that easy.'' Harry muttered. ''Memories are connected to each other until you have sorted them out during Occlumency training. The guardian will also erase all memories that are connected to the one he protects. For example if I place one in you that protects everything related to professor McGonagall and someone forces him to erase that memory then the chance is high that you forget almost everything that happened the last couple of years. Since she is the one that introduced you to magic and almost all your memories are related to that.''
''And if I allow you to place this guardian in my mind then you will answer my questions?''
''Yes, if you understand the risk and still want to go ahead with it then I will.''
''Now as you are thinking about that lets move on to lighter things.'' Harry said. ''I take it you have heard the announcement this morning.''
''Yes, I can't believe it that they made it mandatory for everyone to participate, even the teachers will join.'' Hermione complained. ''Luckily the head of schools wont since they are the judges, but still. Have you already assembled a team?''
''Of course,'' Harry assured her. ''After all I am sitting with my two teammates right now aren't I?''
Hermione gaze went from Harry to the silent Emma and back to Harry again before she realized what he meant. ''What!''
Harry grinned at her shocked face and asked. ''Something wrong?'' Turning he grin into a pout.'' Or don't you want to be on our team?''
''Yeah sis don't you want to be on our team?'' Emma parroted.
''When exactly have you recruited my little sister when the announcement was only this morning and you weren't there as far as I could see.''
''Somewhere between getting you to slow down with your studies and threatening Peeves to bind him to Myrtle's bathroom, why?''
Hermione gave him a look that basically stated 'do I even want to know'. Deciding it was worth the additional headache. ''Fine then. I will join the team.''
''Great,'' Harry exclaimed before realizing where he was and suddenly he felt someone standing behind him. Turning his head around he saw something that would make even Voldemort take a step back in fear. ''Hello madam Prince, how nice too..''
That was as far as he got before a very irritated looking librarian shouted. ''OUT!''
The two Grangers and one Potter didn't want to test her patience and quickly made their way out of the library.
''Well she hasn't changed from what I remembered.'' Harry mumbled. ''Besides she throws us out for making noise will she herself was way louder.''
''Harry!'' Hermione chastised. ''You got us thrown out of the library, now Madam Prince will be difficult the next time I want to enter.''
Harry shrugged, ''She will always be difficult. But she will let you in anyway.''
''And if she won't.'' Hermione asked worriedly. She may have said that she will spend less time there, but that doesn't mean none at all.
''If she won't let you in then I can have one of my elves get the book that you want from the library in Potter manor. The elves have standing orders to use the money from the family vault to keep it as up to date as possible, so I highly doubt that it won't have the books you want.''
Harry didn't notice the glint Hermione got when she heard Harry mention the library. Emma however did and easily recognized the look on her sister face.
"Really?'' Hermione questioned excitedly.
''Sure.'' Harry assured her. ''If you want you can even visit the manor during one of the holidays and spend a day in the library.''
''That is great.'' She said. ''Guess I can forgive you for dragging me and my sister in your team without questioning. Guess we should go to professor McGonagall to register, I don't believe she isn't teaching any class right now.''
''Sure lets go.''
With that they left for McGonagall's office. While they were walking Emma asked. ''What is going to be our teams name?''
''What do you mean?'' Harry questioned.
''When they announced it this morning they said that when you registered you had to have a team name. Didn't you know this?''
''Eh no.'' Harry replied. ''Why don't you come up with a team name?''
Emma looked pensive for a moment and then exclaimed. ''Team Athena .''
''Team who?'' Harry questioned truly not knowing what the name meant.
Hermione tried to hid her grin, Harry might have more magical knowledge, but at least there were still some subject he didn't have any knowledge off.
Emma huffed, ''Athena, she is among other things the old Greek goddess of wisdom and courage. I thought it fits Gryffindor who like to study.''
Harry shrugged, not sure how he got grouped in the 'like to study group', but he didn't mind the name so he said, ''I don't mind the name, do you Hermione?''
Hermione said she didn't mind either and shortly after that they reach the office of McGonagall's. They knocked on the door and entered after given permission.
McGonagall looked up from the papers she had been grading and greeted the trio. ''Good morning Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger, Ms. Granger, can I help you with something?''
''Good morning professor,'' Hermione greeted. ''Me, my sister and Harry are here to register as a team for the tournament.''
The professor frowned when she heard that and said. ''Ms. Granger, you and Mr. Potter are already registered.'' She picked up one of the parchment lying on her desk. ''Here you are,'' She said while pointing to a group of names on the list.
Hermione looked at where the professor was pointing and read; team name: lions pride, members: Ron Weasley, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, team captain: Ron Weasley.
Harry who had been reading over Hermione's shoulder had to suppress a snort in amusement. He didn't know what was more unlikely being teammates with Weasley or following him as captain.
''I can assure you, professor, I have no intention to be part of a team with Weasley in it.'' Harry commented.
The professor sighted, she had a suspicion that when Mr. Weasley had entered her office this morning he hadn't been truthful when he said that he, Mr. Potter and Ms. Granger would form a team, but she had hoped she had been wrong. She like almost everyone in the castle had noticed that what some in the castle called 'the golden trio' hadn't been seen much together since Mr. Potter had arrived from the future. She had hoped that when Mr. Weasley came by this morning that it meant that the trio had resolved their problems, but it looks like that didn't happen.
''I see,'' She said neutrally.
She wanted to know what happened to the three of them, but decided it really wasn't her place to ask, so she said. ''Very well I will inform Mr. Weasley that he must have misunderstood and that you two are already in a team with the youngest Ms. Granger.
The conversation after that had to be kept short since it was almost time for McGonagall to teach a class. It was decided that Hermione would be the captain since Harry was already busy with being champions and they were told that details would be given when the tournament officially started.
After leaving the room Harry said goodbye to the two Grangers for now and left for his own room.
Harry upon entered his common room and saw that his wife was already there. She was sitting in one of the chairs looking troubled.
''Were there problems?'' Harry questioned.
Daphne looked up when she heard Harry and replied in a slightly annoyed tone. ''Snape broke the security charms on the door, entered the room and saw me Obliviate Crouch just after I was done with him.''
Harry sighted, for once couldn't things go without any problems. ''What did you do?''
''I made the best of the situation and moved our plans for Malfoy and Umbridge up considerable.''
''I see.'' Harry said thoughtfully. ''When?''
''Tomorrow.''