Yes," Hermione said meekly. "Thank you, Harry. Sometimes I just scare myself when I think about the future. Of how far I want to go, how far I might be able to go. You see, I could poke around the Hogwarts attendance issue, easily, and I could help write those articles, but I promised my parents not to be reckless. And I also don't want to be afraid all the time and jump at shadows."
"Thinking about the future and what you can do is the best feeling in the world," Harry said decisively. "After I learned that I'd be leaving the Dursleys, I was so happy. I was afraid, too, but mostly I just wanted to go out and explore everything. I still do. Only now, I have people I can share the adventures with. If you want to poke the headmaster and the Ministry, you can do it. I'll tell all my elves to protect you. They'll be glad to have something to do."
"I really love how you get me," Hermione confessed. "Thank you, Harry." She leaned forward and kissed him, just a long, intense press of lips.
Harry felt a little faint as something travelled between them, a tiny touch of understanding, of connection. It was heady and sweet, yet fresh and vibrant, and he definitely wanted more of it.
"And here's your main course ... oh dear, don't mind me," Madam Rosmerta laughed when they guiltily jerked apart. "Pork strips with mushroom cream and rashers for you, and game pie for you. Enjoy!"
As quickly as she'd come, Rosmerta was gone again, leaving the two teenagers in embarrassed silence.
It didn't last long, couldn't really, when both felt the urge to smile shyly at each other and their stomachs growled in anticipation. Ingoring the salads, they fell on their Dobby-approved food, muttering appreciatively about the taste.
Halfway through their meals they began to trade morsels, their conversation picking back up, this time about school work and their study plans for the evening. Dessert was excellent and just as romantic as promised. Even the espresso was something of a sensory feast for Harry, who hadn't even drunk much regular coffee, unlike Hermione.
"It's super bitter but ..." He thoughtfully smacked his lips, chasing the nuances. "It's also kind of nice. With sugar, though."
"The panna cotta complements it nicely," Hermione said with a smile. "I had no idea a British pub could produce something like this. It's very authentic."
"We'll have to try a different dessert next time," Harry suggested. "And we should probably share. This is a lot. I was already full after lunch."
"Madam Rosmerta probably meant well, and I'll eat it all." Grinning impishly, Hermione spooned another bite of the dessert into her mouth. "We'll be good again tomorrow."
"You are a terrible influence on me," Harry informed her without any heat.
They finished their treat, Hermione quite proudly paying the bill, and then they left the Three Broomsticks at a sedate pace. Harry felt all four of the self-appointed security elves around them and once he even saw Betty from the corner of his eyes. She winked happily before becoming invisible again. He'd have to ask later whether there had been any problems - he certainly hadn't noticed anything so far.
"It's weird having bodyguards," Hermione said when they reached their pick-up spot between Derwish and Banges and the apothecary.
In the next moment, she and Harry where whisked away by Dobby and deposited in a sun-lit living room a second later.
"Brady," Harry said upon spying the healer and stepped into a short but tight embrace. "It's good to see you."
"Hi, Harry, Hermione," Healer Williams replied. "Welcome to my new home away from home."
"What?" Harry goggled at him. "You bought a house in Hogsmeade?" He took a quick look around, taking in the light walls and sparse, dark furniture and many potted plants. A large painting depicting a beach with huge waves adorned the far wall.
"Not me, personally. Your father arranged for it. He wanted me to have a place close to you, just in case. The Three Broomsticks would have been fine for one quick consultation, but since I expect to meet you often, this is much better. I have my own security installed and your father's lawyer will cast the Fidelius Charm this evening. The close proximity to Hogwarts will also prohibit Dumbledore from arguing against my presence by pretending to care about the inconvenience to me." Healer Williams smiled then. "I'd also like to introduce you to someone. Naddy, please come here for a moment."
A small, female elf popped up next to Williams, her large, adoring eyes flicking from him to Harry and Hermione in an instant.
"This is Naddy, the new addition to my family," Williams said. "Sirius found her for me and she has agreed to work for me professionally and privately. I'm very happy about the match. She's very talented with medicinal plants and has a deft hand with potions, too."
Naddy's light green ears trembled. "Naddy be very happy, too, Master Brady." She curtseyed prettily. "Naddy be delighted to meet Master Brady's Harry Potter sir and Miss Daggy-Grangy."
"Hello Naddy," Hermione said warmly. "It's nice to meet you. I like your little uniform dress! It's adorable."
"You look like a proper medi-elf," Harry agreed. "Are there many of you out there?"
"Not very many," Naddy answered readily. "Most doctors not be trusting elves too much with medicines. Naddy be looking forward to working with Master Brady!"
"I had to offer my own vow on that before she consented to the bond," Healer Williams said wryly. "I knew then that she'd be perfect."
"Naddy not be working so hard for nothing," the little elf squeaked. "Naddy be a good, responsible elf. Naddy's speciality be nursing sick witchies and wizards."
"Er, I don't want to offend you, but why did you bond with her?" Harry asked the man.
"It's a good question. I hadn't need for a house elf until now, but after taking you on as a patient, that has changed," Williams replied. "Magical agendas and reminders are all well and good, but I tend to get lost in my work. My superior at Gringotts noticed, of course. I was on a short break when Healer Spleenbash asked me to apply as Harry's healer, and it was supposed to be a relatively easy job with just him to tend to, but it quickly became overwhelming anyway. You both know why."
"You're also spending time with Sirius," Harry said, noting with interest the little flush on Williams' face.
"Yes, that too. He has his own healers, of course, but he finds talking to me ... soothing." Williams cleared his throat. "Anyway, shall we begin our consultation? Hermione, do you want to go first? Harry will leave the room if that's your wish, of course."
"I'd prefer it," Hermione murmured, blushing. "I'm sorry, Harry."
"I'm not!" Harry exclaimed, blushing as well.
"Naddy be having tea and cookies for delicate Harry Potter sir," Naddy said. "Come."
Grateful, Harry let himself be led to a large, sunny kitchen, where Naddy plied him with tea. To occupy himself, Harry cracked open the book on snake care he'd bought in the bookstore. It was good reading and only a few pages in he already felt reassured that he wouldn't do Blue lasting harm.
Fifteen minutes later, Naddy's ears perked up and she said, "Consultation be over. Harry Potter sir can go back in to his Miss Daggy-Grangy. I be bringing more tea."
Back in the sunlit living room, Hermione turned and flung herself into Harry's arms.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Harry asked as he held her.
"Nothing. I just feel really safe for the first time, ever," Hermione said. She loosened the hold and stepped back. "The spell felt a little strange at first, but it's already settling, and Healer Williams will make me a list of spells I can learn to manage my, uh, girl stuff, and a potion to counter any nutritional issues due to us doing so much exercise."
"Okay," Harry said, nearly laughing at her obvious excitement.
"And he already asked around and found a female parsel doctor who's willing to take me on as a patient," Hermione continued. "She'll see me in the summer, and Healer Williams said that she could even be brought here in an emergency."
"Can the Grangers afford that?" Harry asked Healer Williams. "This doctor must be super good if you recommended her, and that means it'll cost a lot of money."
"Her fees are on the higher side," Williams admitted, "but her services are worth the expense. The Grangers were of course fully informed and consented to everything."
"Apparently they said that my health management is far more affordable than my Hogwarts tuition," Hermione said, a touch humourously. "Hector's legacy has freed up a lot of ressources and they're happy to do this for me. Especially my dad is glad that all is well in hand now on the safety front."
"Alright then." Harry felt himself flushing uncomfortably under Williams' knowing gaze. "So, er, what's new?"
"Half the world is waiting for the Hogwarts Herald to come out tomorrow, of course," Healer Williams said, smirking slightly. "Gringotts as a whole is rubbing its hands with glee. They're anticipating quite a few offers for the articles. Walker, Stone & Finch will be very busy fielding inquiries and requests for court appearances, but Sirius told me to assure you that they have enough lawyers on board now to keep things going smoothly."
"I remember him mentioning a second law firm," Harry said.
"Douglas & Spencer, yes. They're the best at asset management. Taking on Lord Black, even while still a fugitive, is a huge boon to their office - the Black fortune is infamous even outside of Britain's borders. It became necessary to engage asset managers due to the rapidly increasing workload both Lord Black and yourself are generating. It frees up Walker, Stone & Finch, who're busy with Lord Black's trial and other assorted legal issues."
"I'm sorry," Harry mumbled. "It's all happened accidentally."
Healer Williams laughed. "I know. It's also a political statement. Magical Britain will probably experience a period of economic unrest in the near future as Douglas & Spencer's other clients react to this development. If a law firm of their renown acknowledges Lord Black's integrity, it's another nail in the Ministry's coffin." He idly flicked his wand and let a diagnostic charm wash over Harry. "It goes without saying that your father has also employed an Italian law firm, Harry. He's set his heart on acquiring the Italian citizenship, and a home to go with it. The office over there is working on it as we speak, and the Italian Ministry seems quite invested in making it happen."
"Why are the Italians so eager?" Hermione asked. "The trial is still a couple of months away, and the ICW might have something to say about that."
"They might, but that's actually irrelevant to Lord Black's case," Williams said. He hummed. "Your diagnostic is looking pretty good, Harry. Your bones are recovering very nicely and you've built some more muscle. Keep doing your exercise as is, there's no need to up that just yet. The potions Healer Spleenbash has prescribed are still doing you good, so you can keep taking them as ordered. In the new year, you'll have caught up to your year mates, growthwise."
"That's great, Harry!" Hermione cried.
"It is," Harry said with feeling. He stared at her. "I really like being taller than you. You fit so well when we hug."
Hermione's cheeks coloured. "Harry." She hastily turned to the grinning healer. "Can you explain? Why is the Ministry's protest regarding Harry's dad's citicenship irrelevant? I thought British law prohibits the acquisition of another citicenship while someone is subject to a trial? I don't think the Brits particularly care that Sirius wasn't lawfully imprisioned."
"The ICW, however, does, and since the trial will take place on their turf, the British Ministry will just have to suck it up. By the way, your article last month about Lord Black's case number had a couple of judges laughing all the way to the meeting with the British representatives. I hope you received Magister Danica Tulse's letter of thanks, your deconstruction of the forgery was spot on."
Hermione coloured. "My parents framed it and displayed it at home." To Harry she said, "Magister Tulse is the ICW's General Attorney, a very impressive woman. Proving the forgery wasn't exactly rocket science, though. Some idiot in the archives tried to shuffle Sirius' made-up case file between two other cases of the era, but since an official case number is only generated after a legal judgement has taken place and the register is old magic and very hard to tamper with besides, they only managed to copy another case number and put an addendum to Sirius' number. It was actually pathetic. All I needed was another case number from that era to compare them and the case was clear."
"Wait a minute, if they wanted to hush the whole thing up, why didn't they put in a better effort?" Harry asked, confused. "What's more, why didn't they do it as soon as Sirius was put behind bars?"
"Because people are stupid and lazy," Hermione answered, her pleased glow vanishing and a scowl taking over her face. "They thought they could shut up a silly school girl with that ridiculous letter and never thought to consider that more people than myself might be interested after the mass hysteria they caused after your dad's breakout."
"Yes, that was very fortuitous for Harry's father," Healer Williams said. "When the public scepticism and Sirius' flight to Italy became headline news, they had someone from the Unspeakables create a better case number, but by then it was too late, obviously. The ICW dismissed the whole case and its files, both old and new, due to the Ministry's early letter to Hermione. The ICW judge then called for a completely new trial. It will all come out tomorrow, so I'll shut up now and not and steal any more of Hermione's thunder."
"I will read every word in the Herald," Harry promised, heartbeat quickening a little in excitement. "It sounds like a thriller."
"I can only imagine how many writers are already working on fictionalized recounts," Hermione said with a shake of her head. "Your dad will have his work cut out for him to pick the best."
"Lord Black has an eye for business opportunities," Healer Williams said, and there was a definite hint of laughter in his voice now. "Harry, before you go back to your date, would you mind demonstrating your Patronus? I confess that I'm more than a little curious."
"Sure, not a problem." Harry drew his wand, closed his eyes for a moment to sink into the lovely, warm feeling of his family magic's embrace, and called, "Expecto Patronum!"
The silver stag burst from the tip of his wand and galloped around the spacious living room once.
"Hey there, friend," Healer Williams greeted it and bowed. "It's nice to meet you formally." With an elegant wave of his hand, he called, "Expecto Patronum."
In a flush of silver light, a large dingo appeared, its ears perked and the tongue lolling out of its grinning mouth.
The stag eyed both the wizard and the Patronus and then inclined its regal head as if deciding that their acquaintance could be promising.
"Thanks for visiting," Harry told it when the Patronus' attention settled on him. "Keep taking care of Sirius, yeah? And remember, you can visit whenever you're getting bored."
With an inaudible blow of its nostrils, the stag nudged Harry's shoulder and vanished in a gentle whirl of magic.
"You cast in parseltongue," Hermione whispered. "He looked so real."
"He's an unusually autonomous soul friend," Williams agreed. His dingo Patronus danced for a bit under his petting fingers before also vanishing. "He often visits Lord Black to cheer him up. I've seen him a couple of times, but it never felt quite right interacting with him. Now that he's formally met me, it'll be better, I hope."
"Why would you need his approval?" Hermione asked. "Isn't he sort of a manifestation of Harry's magic?"
"He is, and isn't." Healer Williams smiled at her. "The short of it is that we don't fully understand the Patronus yet, and maybe we never will. They are born of our own magic, but some of them develop very distinctive traits and behaviours one could almost label as a personality. Those could be suppressed traits of their witches or wizards, true, but at the moment the accepted consensus is that they aren't, due to the inherent positivity of the apparition. Positivity does not lend itself easily to deception or concealment; it'll always shine through."
"What is your theory?" Hermione asked, hanging on his every word.
Williams looked at Harry and, after receiving a little shrug, said, "Personally, I believe that whatever traits our soul friends might have are a gift from Magic itself. I can only speculate why some of our soul friends gain a personality. It might simply be a need, or an honest wish to be closer to Magic." He smiled at Hermione. "Once you're able to call your own Patronus, you might find out what their presence means to you, but of course what's true for you doesn't have to be true for the rest of the world."
"Well, your theory seems quite sound, considering that Harry apparently sends his ... soul friend to his dad," Hermione murmured. "I read about them, of course, but nowhere did the books say that they could do that. Just appear when they're needed, I mean, or come and go as they please."
"It might be best to keep that to ourselves," Williams said. "Harry made some people rather curious already, we shouldn't exacerbate that unduly."
"No, of course not," she agreed immediately.
"Now, you'd best show your faces outside again. There's still an hour to visit the shops before you have to go back. You should make use of it. That butterbeer will keep for another time." Healer Williams winked. "By the way, Lord Black sends his regards. He's put you on credit at Zonko's, Harry, and asks that you go absolutely wild in there. He'll be severely disappointed if you don't."
"I can't decide whether that's emotional blackmail or not," Hermione mused.
Harry overcame his shyness and shuffled forward for a goodbye hug. "If it's that important to him, we'll go there, but we'll also make time for Honeydukes. It's only fair."
Healer Williams readily hugged the boy and bowed charmingly over Hermione's hand. "Stay safe and contact me if you need something. You too, Hermione, if it's something I can help with."
"Thank you, Healer Williams. Have a nice afternoon."
"Bye, Brady."
Dobby popped up between them, grabbed a hand each, and popped Hermione and Harry into a dark corner somewhere in Hogsmeade.
"Zonko's be down that way," the elf squeaked. "Dobby be visiting again soon!"
As soon as Dobby had vanished again, Hermione tugged Harry by the hand, making a bit of a production of leading him to Zonko's. Across the street, several students waved at them, and not a few smirked knowingly, obviously guessing that they'd gone off for a bit of a snog.
In the packed shop, Harry rediscovered his inner little boy and did go a little wild. He bought at least one of everything, letting Mr. Zonko explain the more obscure items in detail. Hermione bore it with very good grace and only put up a token protest when Harry insisted on treating her to Honeydukes' finest chocolates afterwards.
"Did you see Fred and George's faces?" Hermione giggled. "I thought their eyes would pop out when Mr. Zonko rang up your purchase."
"Yeah, I think I can expect them to call soon," Harry said wrily. He held the door to the carriage for Hermione and climbed in after her. In the waiting crowd of students he could see the twins' flaming hair, but the boys made no move to join them. "And likey everybody else, too."
"You know that you don't have to share," Hermione said softly. She relaxed as the carriage began to move. "You don't owe anybody anything."
"To be honest, I think I do. The newspaper tomorrow ... it'll make people nervous, right? And probably rather angry. I can give the others something to take their minds off the dementors and Snape, at least for a little while. Snape'll be a right beast, I'm sure."
"Don't forget the four extra pages about Sirius," Hermione sighed. "The newspaper tomorrow really will be a bomb going off in Magical Britain. You're a good guy, thinking of the others when so much of it concerns you. It didn't even cross my mind."
"It's because you want people to focus on the bad stuff so they'll make it better," Harry said. "In Professor Lupin's class you said you're a problem solver, remember? It's true. You see something bad and immediately want to make it better. The others just wanna know stuff, but they don't wanna have it in their face, threatening them. Heck, even I don't wanna have evil stuff in my face."
"You don't have a choice, but they do," Hermione murmured. "That's very generous of you."
"I just hope I'll know when not to spare them," Harry replied, slumping in his seat. "I mean, I can't do everything for them, can I?"
"No, and neither should you." Hermione snuggled into Harry's side. "Can you imagine what Magical Britain will be like, after the Herald's come out?"
"Can you?"
Hermione hummed quietly and shook her head. "I tried to think of everything, but there's too much I don't know. There are too many people involved and I have no idea how they'll react."
"Then you'll have to wait just like the rest of us," Harry said. "It's a bit inconvenient, but we largely get by just fine."
Snorting, Hermione said, "Shut up, Harry James. We both know that's a lie."
oOo
Seven o'clock on Monday morning saw the Great Hall completely full with students and professors, with the notable exception of Professor Snape. Even Tuva Stone and Mr. Irvine were present. And for once everybody was impatiently waiting not for food, but the newspaper, which was set to arrive at any moment now. Even the Slytherins seemed to be waiting with baited breath for whatever news would be dropped on Magical Britain.
Then, with a single quiet pop, editions of the Hogwarts Herald appeared in front of every single student and teacher.
At any other time, it might have been comical to witness how passionately everybody attacked their paper. Already there were exclamations over the Snape scorching headlines. Pages rustled, some even ripped, and still it was so very quiet in the normally lively Great Hall.
Harry's insides clenched a little, and Hermione's knuckles were turning white from squeezing his hand so tightly.
"Open it," she whispered. "The four extra pages are inside."
"I thought I'd be raving to read them, but now that the Herald is actually out ..."
"Ssssh," Lavender hissed angrily, waving her hand irritably.
Hermione reached over and awkwardly unfolded Harry's paper. All too soon, she had found the Sirius Black extra and sat back to let Harry read in peace.
MINISTRY FORGES BLACK CASE FILES - ICW DISMISSES BRITAIN'S BLACK CASE WITH PREJUDICE - NEW TRIAL FOR LORD SIRIUS BLACK - SIRIUS BLACK: SUSPECT AND CROWN WITNESS - ALL HAIL THE NEW LORD BLACK - THE SECRET LIFE OF PETER PETTIGREW - SOMETHING FISHY'S GOING ON: THE CURIOUS CASE OF HARRY POTTER'S GUARDIANSHIP -ITALY SET TO APPROVING LORD BLACK'S CITIZENSHIP PETITION - GRINGOTTS ITALY KEEN ON WORKING WITH BLACK FORTUNE
Harry stared at the many headlines of Hermione's articles, had to swallow around a lump in his throat at some of them. Gratefully, he accepted the cup of tea Hermione's pushed into his hand and began to read.
oOo
It didn't take all that long for most of the students to go through the paper. As pages were turned and incredulous shouts echoed, the house elves served tea, coffee, and breakfast foods. As an extra service, they also protected the papers from spilled food and drinks. The longer people lingered over the many blood pressure-rising articles, the worse the noise became, until Harry was forced to cast a silencing charm around himself to be able to finish in peace. By and by, students from other houses crowded around him, filling the Gryffindor table to capacity and standing around, the newspaper still in their hands.
"I can't believe this," Harry finally said half an hour later, disabling the spell. The murmurs of agreement all around him both soothed and riled him. "All of this ... people should have known this for ages. My dad was in Azkaban for twelve years just because the Ministry-"
"Yes. I know." Hermione put her own paper down and carefully rubbed his shoulder. "I'm so sorry. This is a lot to take in all at once."
"That bit about Pettigrew was new, alright," Harry said, not knowing whether to feel bitter or not about Sirius' secrecy. "To think that the rat was with the goblins all this time ..."
"He is your dad's single most important witness," Hermione said softly. "I understand why he's kept it under wraps. Just look at the Weasleys ... they all look like they're going to puke any second now. I bet they'd liked to have never known about it. I can't imagine how Mr. and Mrs. Weasley must be feeling right now."
"Damn right!" Fred shouted.
"That perverted rat lived in our dorm for ages," Harry hissed. He swallowed against the dryness in his throat. "I might have a vomit or two later, myself."
"You're entitled to as many vomits as you feel are needed," Hermione agreed.
"I'll join you," Dean called over the ruckus. "Hermione! How did you get all this?"
"Fudge will be livid, not to mention the ICW," Oliver Wood added. "This is some super sensitive information! Are you sure you won't get into trouble?"
"The ICW can go yell at Dumbledore," Hermione retorted, "since he started the whole mud fight. Lord Black's lawyers assured me that me writing those articles is perfectly legal ... and I'm a minor anyways, so there's not a lot they can do about it."
"Wow, I didn't really think it was true ... Sirius Black still being your godfather," Ron admitted, to the fierce protests of those around him. He looked rather green around the gills, just like Ginny, who was breathing into a handkerchief. "It's true! We've literally seen how much someone's able to bury if they want, haven't we! But Black's even your dad in magic, Harry! Bloody hell. Fudge will have one hell of a time trying to malign him now. No wonder the Italians will likely give him their citizenship; it'd be negligent to send him back here after the trial."
"They'd better not even try," Hermione answered tartly. "Since Fudge's already in hot water with the ICW for trying to forge Lord Black's case file."
"You did a really good job trying to break the legal stuff down so everyone can understand what's going on, Hermione," Lavender said. "Even the biggest idiot in Great Britain will have to admit that the Ministry was in the wrong back then ... and that they have to call back the dementors now or regret it forever."
"Do you think they will?" Harry asked.
"Fudge will try to save face, of course," Lavender said, folding her newspaper and carefully putting it into her book bag. Around them, the Quidditch fans were huffing loudly. "He'll argue that he didn't know that Pettigrew has left Britain. He might try to bring up other undiscovered death eaters to justify the dementors' continued presence."
"I wish him luck," Percy said and sniffed. "No, really. Whatever helps him dig himself a deeper hole."
"Percival," Fred cried, clutching his chest. "Such words from your mouth!"
"Our parents will keel over in shock!" George continued the wail.
Percy looked quite smug as he sipped his tea.
"Can we talk about the bat in the room?" Seamus asked loudly to be heard over the laughter. He shook his paper and stabbed a finger at the frontpage. "Snape'll be furious!"
"I'd be surprised if he weren't," Alicia said scornfully. "The whole school all but outed him as a terrible human being, him perving on underage girls included. I hope he gets fired soon. My mum's already lobbying for it with the parents who're being wilfully thick."
"Professor McGonagall was so angry when she was helping us sort through all the witness reports," Parvati piped up. "There were literally thousands of them. I have no proof, but I think she reported him to the DMLE herself after that one evening."
"As a matter of fact, she did, after the talk she had with Penny and the other girls," Percy said. "She asked that the Herald won't print it to protect the case."
"Wow, really?" a fifth year girl from Ravenclaw asked into the stunned silence. "That's ... I never thought this would happen." Her eyes suddenly teared up and she sniffed. "Sorry, he was just so terrible to me."
"Snape should never have been hired in the first place," Cormag McLaggen said. "All my grades are good, but Potions has been a disaster from year one. At least I'm not a girl; if the articles in the paper are true, I might've killed him already if I were."
"The board of govenors won't have a choice now, especially when the DMLE is involved now," George said with satisfaction. He curled his arm around Katie's shoulder. "That greasy git's as good as gone. Can I ask you out now?"
Katie blushed under everyone's amused scrutiny and nodded. "You can."
"Would you do me the immense honour and accompany me on the next Hogsmeade weekend?" George asked gallantly. "Lunch is my treat, and I solemnly swear to keep our time at Zonko's short, half an hour, max. With a certain inducement, I might even be persuaded to brave Madam Puddifoot's establishment."
Grinning, Katie agreed to the terms and their audience cheered loudly.
There was more animated talk and Harry noticed with satisfaction that several people praised the Creevey brothers for their photos, and that there was already some talk of them shooting pictures of other students for the families at home.
The bell calling everyone to class was almost a relief for Harry. It couldn't be helped that he was at the center of the uproar, but actually all the authors of the Herald were enjoying a lot of attention, and rightly so. Dean and Seamus' continued work on Buckbeak's case had been very good, and everyone's efforts regarding the Snape situation were almost surprisingly professional, despite the anger. Harry was pretty sure that all of them would find some sort of mention internationally, not just Hermione, and was glad for it.
Care of Magical Creatures outside was a welcome distraction for Harry's class. The cold air and misty rain as well as a handful of cheeky bowtruckles quickly took everyone's mind off a probably raging Snape and a fuming Ministry of Magic. The bowtruckles' indignation of not being able to break into Harry or Hermione's bags even caused some laughter.
Ancient Runes afterwards was pretty quiet compared to that, and afterwards Professor Babbling asked Harry to stay behind for a minute.
"I won't keep you long, I just wanted to keep you in the loop regarding my hearing," she said. "The DMLE sent an auror to question me, of course, but your statement and your healer's report convinced the aurors to let me off with a warning."
"I'm glad, Professor," Harry said.
"Yes, me too," Professor Babbling admitted. "I just wanted to let you know, in case you wanted to leave my class. I wouldn't hold it against you at all."
"I don't want to leave," Harry answered quickly. "It really wasn't your fault and I like Ancient Runes. My healer told me to always end my spells now, so that's what I'll do. I promise I won't get you into trouble again."
"Oh, you," Professor Babbling said, her voice wavering a little. "That's terribly kind of you. I've learned my lesson at well and will cancel any projects going forward, if a student forgets."
"That's a god deal," Harry offered. He held out his hand. "Are we alright?"
Professor Babbling smiled tremolously. "We're alright. Thank you, Mr. Potter."
Hermione, who had been waiting for Harry, steered them into the bathroom next to the Great Hall and handed Harry a vitamin potion.
"Just in case, it's really strengthening potion day. Here it is," she said. Together they drank their potions. "I really needed that. Phew, do you feel as relieved as I do?"
"I think so, but I also think that Snape might be a problem," Harry replied. "Thank god the house elves will have an eye on him. It'd probably be very bad if he tried to ambush one of you."
Hermione paused in her rummaging inside her bag. "Do you think he will?"
"Well, he's got a temper," Harry said. "And he was already pissed after that first edition of the Herald. I have no idea what's been going on since then, whether the aurors will already have talked to him or what." He shrugged a little. "I mean, the articles about him were already pretty damning, weren't they?"
"Maybe Susan Bones can tell us more," Hermione said thoughtfully. "It won't hurt to ask."
"I'd much rather know when the aurors are coming to get Snape," Harry murmured. "Everything else'll just be a letdown."
"You're not wrong," Hermione smirked. "Shall we?"
"Yeah, we should, before Ron eats all the food." Harry held the door for her. "I swear his appetite has grown again. His stomach must be a pocket dimension or something."
"Or ..." Hermione paled a little. "Or his magic needs it because of the many spells he keeps getting hit with. You said that he's working through them rather quickly ... that'd use up a lot of energy. If he's eating more, that must mean that the spells are getting stronger."
"Bloody hell, really?"
"Of course, that's why Healer Williams told us to eat a lot, but not sweets, to give our bodies what they need to grow and heal. Our bodies and magic are working hard, and who knows what our magic is throwing off every day with all the ambient magic all around us."
Harry sighed. "Alright then, yet another thing I can tell Brady, although he probably won't be surprised."
"No, probably not. Is there anything he can do?" Hermione asked anxiously. "Ron's parents don't seem to care. Professor Mcgonagall must have written half a dozen letters by now, and the twins said that they've told them something's wrong as well."
"Brady's following a lead, but I can't talk about it," Harry admitted. "He and Sirius have an eye on the situation and they take it seriously. Ron really is the least of our problems right now."
"Right." Resolutely, Hermione finally stepped through the door. "Your word in the Lord of Magic's ear, as the magicals are so fond of saying."
Harry hoped that they wouldn't need Malijar's help to get through whatever storm the Hogwarts Herald was about to unleash.
End of part 20