Second Time's the Charm
A homicidal house elf, the sudden discovery of a new dialect, and a guardian for a professor could only spell trouble for Harry's second year. AU Sequel to First Sign of trouble.
Disclaimer: My initials are not JKR, so I do not own Harry Potter.
Chapter One: Warning by Cake
It was with a very loud, very unwelcome knock that Harry Potter was aroused on the morning of his twelfth birthday. In the lazy summer days since term had ended Harry had developed the habit of sleeping until noon and then heading outdoors until dinner, something which irritated his legal guardians Remus Lupin and Sirius Black to no end as they rarely saw him these days.
At 12:10, which was the time the knock came Remus and Sirius would have been at work for hours and so it fell on Harry to answer the door.
Grudgingly, as though it took great pain, Harry swung his legs over the edge of his bed, pulled on a bathrobe and shuffled down the stairs to the front door.
"Hiya Harry, did I wake you?" Stevie Jones smiled broadly at Harry. "Why are you still in bed at noon?"
"Because I'm tired. What's up?" Harry leaned against the door frame and smothered a yawn.
Stevie Jones was the only other wizardy being in the sleepy little village Harry lived in, his aunt was Hestia Jones, a witch who had been on-again, off-again dating Remus for the last few months. Stevie and his father were both squibs, fully content to live as muggles but well aware of the wizarding world.
"Asher's getting together a pickup game in the park and wanted to know if you were up for it." Stevie bounced a football off the door and caught it again with skilled hands. He was the only keeper in the village.
"Course, give me a minute to get dressed. Do you mind waiting?" Harry turned to go inside, leaving the door open for Stevie to follow.
"Not if I can get some chocolate frogs while I wait." Stevie closed the door behind him and wandered into the kitchen, knowing where Remus kept the chocolate.
Moments later the two boys were out the door and headed for the park, semi-dressed in football gear. Both wore boots and high socks, but no shin guards, as well as t-shirts and shorts. Stevie had his keeper gloves tucked under one arm while he and Harry tossed the ball at each other from opposite sides of the street.
At this time of the day, there were very few people out on the streets and no cars. Stevie and Harry bounded through the lanes and across the sidewalks with no reserve.
"I forgot to wish you a happy birthday. Happy birthday." Stevie said, saving a ball that would have smashed through Patterson's Groceries front window otherwise.
"Thanks, I'm having dinner with Sirius and Remus tonight when they get back from the Ministry for the occasion." Harry juggled the ball for a second and passed it back. "That's quite a crowd Asher's drummed up."
They had reached the park, a small patch of green within the downtown portion of the village with some rag-tag swing sets and a football field tossed in with a dozen or so benches scattered helter-skelter around the area.
"Hey Potter! You're late!" Gordon Andrews, undoubtedly the jolliest, most welcoming boy Harry knew waved at them from the half-way mark where he and Asher were divvying up teams. Asher Patterson was a small, spry boy with an unnatural gift for football and shaggy blonde hair, held back today by a sweatband. They were Harry's oldest friends.
"He needed his beauty sleep." Stevie called back and trotted off to join the throng of boys gathered by the bleachers.
Harry jogged over to Gordon and Asher. "Sorry we don't all rise with the sun." He winked and smiled at Asher, who rose at 7:00 each morning to help his dad open their store.
Asher smirked. "We don't all leave our hair to nature's whims either." Harry snorted. His hair did look more disheveled and spiky than usual. There was nothing he could do about it though.
"Happy birthday mate." Gordon swung an arm around Harry's shoulders and grinned broadly.
"Yeah, happy birthday." Asher agreed. "Which team do you want?"
"Thanks, and you know I want yours." Harry shrugged Gordon's arm off and took the football from Asher's hands, already heading for the field.
"My team could win you know. Gordon shouted after him. "Some people like rooting for the underdogs."
"Not when they have eyes they don't." Asher retorted and then ran after Harry.
"So, what are your plans for your final month of freedom before heading back to your fancy private school?" Gordon asked as he, Harry, and Asher walked home. The three were coated in a fine layer of dust and sweat that glistened in the late afternoon sun. The faint gleam of fireflies could already be seen under trees' shadows.
"I'm heading to my friend Ron's for the last two weeks of August." Harry replied distractedly, balancing on the curb.
"Oh yeah, he's the one who goes to school with you. The one with the red hair." Gordon shoved Harry lightly, forcing him off the curb. Harry had had Sirius freeze some wizard photos of him, Ron, and Hermione to show to his muggle friends at the beginning of the summer.
Asher coughed lightly and looked away. "Is ah, is your Hermione friend going to be there?"
Harry stared at Asher. "Probably, why?"
"Asher fancies your Hermione mate." Gordon joked.
Asher shoved Gordon. "Do not!"
"Then why are you blushing?"
"I'm not!" Asher's hands flew to his face to hide his scarlet cheeks.
"He is." Gordon whispered to Harry.
"I think Harry fancies her is all." Asher defended himself.
Harry snorted. "Hermione, no way. She's like a sister to me. That'd be so weird."
"I think you're just trying to draw attention away from your own infatuations." Gordon retaliated.
Asher hunched his shoulders and didn't say another word until the trio had reached his father's store. He shook Harry's hand and offered up a rare bright smile. "Well, you know my dad's gonna cart me off for our annual family vacation at the shore tomorrow so we'll have to say good-bye now."
Harry pulled Asher into a one-armed hug. "I'll see you at Christmas break then, yeah?"
"Course, Remus has already pre-ordered a goose." Asher waved to Gordon and then disappeared into the store.
Gordon walked with Harry to the next intersection. He lived on the east side of town by the river while Harry lived further to the north, almost in the forest that bordered the village. "I'll still see you around this week right mate?"
"Yeah, want to have your dad drive us into Birmingham on Saturday? Maybe we could catch a City game?" Harry had already started walking backwards away from Gordon.
"Maybe, I'll call you." Gordon shouted and then began walking home.
Harry turned and climbed a low wall before precariously making his own way home. Remus would be home by now, he was always earlier than Sirius, and the house would smell like roast something and mashed deliciousness. Harry hurried.
"Remus! I'm back!" Harry threw his boots into the hall closet and walked into the kitchen.
Remus smiled at him over his shoulder. "There's the birthday boy. I was starting to think you didn't exist, what with your mounting pile of dirty laundry being the only indication of your living here."
Harry rolled his eyes. "I'll bring down the laundry tomorrow." He looked over Remus' shoulder at whatever he was cooking. "Smells good, what are we having?"
"Mashed potatoes, lamb chops, and for dessert," Remus jerked his head towards the fridge.
Harry opened the door and grinned. "Pumpkin pie, my favorite."
"There's also a chocolate cake, because a birthday isn't a birthday without a birthday cake." Remus stirred the potatoes and then put the lid on the pot.
"Or chocolate." Harry added knowingly.
Remus smiled. "Well yes. But still, birthday pie just doesn't have the same ring to it."
"When's Sirius getting home?"
"He was talking to Kingsley when I left. He won't be late tonight." Remus and Sirius both worked as aurors at the Ministry of Magic. They were the law enforcement of the wizarding world and as such, their hours ranged widely, but somehow they always managed to have at least one of them home at five each day to look after Harry. "Would you mind setting the table?"
Harry grabbed plates and utensils, setting the table with himself at the head.
"What did you do today?" Remus asked, flicking his wand so that pumpkin juice filled the glasses. Normally, because Harry couldn't use magic during the summer, Sirius and Remus refrained from using magic around the house out of solidarity.
"You must be tired." Harry commented, noting the magic.
"Yeah, some Scottish con artist had been apparating all over the United Kingdom today. Finally caught the little bugger as he was trying to hop over to France." Remus put his wand back in his pocket.
"I played some football with the guys, nothing special. I'm going to go change." Harry headed for his room.
One shower and a quick wardrobe change later, Harry was back downstairs watching television while Remus took his shower.
Sirius came in through the front door and ruffled Harry's hair as he passed. "Happy birthday Hare, the big one-two."
"Twelve is not one of the birthday you get all that excited about. Thirteen, yes. Seventeen, oh yeah. Twelve, not so much." Harry got up and hugged Sirius. "Did you bring me a present?"
Sirius laughed. "Yes I did." A little furrow appeared between Sirius' eyes that Harry just barely noticed.
"What's wrong?"
Sirius sighed. "Look, I know your birthday dinner is special and all, but my senior boss, Gawain Robards, is in town this week and I invited him over for dinner tonight."
Harry felt the smile slip from his face. Sirius attempted a comforting smile and failed miserably.
"Can't you have him over another night?" Harry protested.
"I tried that, don't think I didn't. Robards lives in Italy and manages the department via floo. He only comes to the offices twice a year, and he's booked solid every day for dinner and outings and the like. I'm lucky to have gotten him at all on such short notice." Sirius explained.
Disbelief now turned to anger, Harry's green eyes flashed dangerously. "But this is the one night that we all get to be together!"
Sirius sighed again and distractedly ran a hand through his hair. "I know, and I'm sorry. But getting in good with Robards could mean a big promotion for me."
"Oh good, so I'd see you even less." Harry crossed his arms and frowned.
"Don't be like this Harry. We can celebrate your birthday tomorrow. I'll take the day off work and we can go into Diagon Alley." Sirius sounded tired, as though he had rehearsed this conversation in his mind on the way home and it was going exactly as he hadn't wanted it too.
"But tomorrow's not my birthday." Harry whined.
At this, Sirius frowned. "Don't be a brat about this. I thought we could handle the situation like adults. Robards is coming over dinner and you will be respectful and polite while he is here. If you want to argue some more, you can just wait until after he's gone."
"What's going on?" Remus walked out of his room, shirt half-buttoned and hair still damp. "Why are you two fighting?"
"Sirius has taken over my birthday dinner!" Harry exclaimed. "I'm all for his having dinner with his boss, but does it have to be tonight?"
"So Robards said yes?" Remus looked at Sirius.
Sirius nodded. "Yeah, said something about my future being very promising at the department."
"Sounds good."
"That's what I thought."
"You knew about this?" Harry asked Remus.
"We do work together." Remus pointed out.
"What will it take for this to be okay? It is your birthday and I know we've always made a big deal out of birthday dinners." Harry didn't answer Sirius. "Listen Harry, if all goes well tonight then I could be made Vice-Head Auror. That means I would only answer to Kingsley and if he were ever to step down, I would become Head Auror. It's a big deal."
"I suppose it's not the end of the world." Harry muttered finally.
"There's a boy." Remus squeezed Harry's shoulder approvingly.
"We'll have a huge celebration tomorrow, scout's honor." Sirius crossed his heart.
Harry laughed. "You were never a Wizard Scout."
Sirius grinned and waggled an eyebrow. "Doesn't mean I can't have the spirit of one."
"Maybe we'll invite the Weasley's over tomorrow too." Remus suggested.
Harry whirled around to face him. "Are you serious?"
"No, I am." Sirius pointed confusedly at himself. Remus snorted.
Harry punched his godfather playfully in the arm. "That joke does get old you know."
"Hello Sirius, your home is so…" Gawain Robards searched for the right word as he handed his coat to Sirius. "…homey." He decided finally. Robards was a large man, having clearly enjoyed the high life, but a large smile was always on his jolly face and he was very hospitable.
Sirius laughed. "Well thanks sir, we do try. The table's this way." Sirius led his boss into the kitchen where Remus was placing the last dish onto the table.
"Good evening Mr. Robards." Remus nodded.
"Remus, a pleasure as always." Robards shook Remus' hand.
"Harry, our guest is here." Sirius called up the stairs, hanging Robards' coat in the closet.
"Coming!" Harry called down.
"It's Harry's birthday today you know." Remus told Robards.
"Is it?"
Harry bounded into the kitchen, smiling and holding out his hand. "Pleasure to meet me you Mr. Robards."
Robards stood and shook Harry's hand, enclosing it in a huge fist. "I can say the pleasure is all mine. Remus tells me it's your birthday, many happy returns."
"Thanks." Harry sat at the table and the adults joined him.
Dinner went smoothly. Robards dropped even more not-so-subtle hints that Vice-Head Auror could be coming Sirius' way. Sirius looked very pleased with himself.
When most of the food had been devoured and there was a warm, sleepy feeling mingling with the lazy conversation, Remus suggested they all move to the living room for dessert.
Remus pulled Harry aside. "Do you want to serve the cake or the pie. We don't have to do both, whichever you would rather keep for tomorrow we can."
Harry counted himself lucky to have two guardians who cared so much about something that he cared so much about they would ask him about dessert options. "The cake, it is my birthday today after all." Remus smiled and went back to the kitchen to get it. Harry sauntered into the living room after Sirius.
"So this is a television eh?" Robards was bent over the set, fiddling with on of the knobs curiously. "You say that moving pictures come on this screen and tell a story, like a book?"
"Yeah, exactly sir." Sirius handed his boss the remote. "Press the red button."
Robards did and laughed with delight when the screen lit up. It was only a news program but Robards studied the images with a childlike fascination. "Incredible. I'm telling you muggles can do extraordinary things without magic."
Harry and Sirius agreed, exchanging small smiles behind Robards' back.
"Here we are, Sirius give me a hand." Remus staggered into the room with plates and forks in one hand and the cake in the other.
Sirius gave him a standing ovation. Remus frowned.
"Fine, here." Sirius took the cake from his friend and put it down on the coffee table. "What happened to you sense of humor Moon?"
"Some jokes lose their hilarity with age Pad." Remus said flatly.
Robards turned from the television. "Ah, a birthday cake with twelve candles for a remarkable twelve year old." He smiled at Harry who returned the grin.
With a flick of his wrist, all the candles were lit. Robards pocketed his wand and settled on the couch, patting the seat beside him for Harry to take. Sirius and Remus sat on the other side. Robards led the group in a boisterous rendition of 'Happy Birthday' with Sirius and Remus both struggling to contain their laughter. Robards might have been an opera singer in another life.
"I forgot the knife." Remus jumped up to go back to the kitchen.
"I'll come with you Moony." Sirius left Harry and Robards alone in the living room.
"So you return to Hogwarts soon eh?" Robards smiled, his face redder than usual from the singing and the drink.
Harry nodded.
"I miss old Hogwarts. Finest years of my life." Robards looked around the room. "I miss England too, but the missus loves Italy and I can run the department from there well enough. Weather is certainly more pleasant." Robards chuckled quietly to himself.
Harry nodded again, a polite smile fixed on his face, not sure what to add to the conversation.
Robards got up from the couch, making the springs creak, and wandered over to the mantle. "Are these your parents?"
He was looking at a framed photograph of Lily and James Potter. It had been an autumn day in the center of London, shopping for wedding invitations. Sirius had taken the picture. James was spinning Lily around as red and gold leaves danced around them and they were both laughing.
"Yes." Harry loved that photo.
"I never knew them, but I've heard what wonderful people they were." Robards moved to next photo, one of Harry with Remus at Florean Fortescue's ice cream shop in Diagon Alley many years ago. Harry had just placed a dollop of ice cream on Remus' nose and it was dribbling down his face. Remus was hugging Harry tightly and smiling, although later that day he had complained about being sticky while they shopped.
Harry looked away from Robards and noticed a flash of movement out of the corner of his eye. Harry got up quietly and looked around the back of the couch. Huddled near the far end was a creature with enormous pointy ears and wearing only what appeared to be a dirty sack.
Harry took another step towards the creature and it sensed his presence. The creature turned and Harry got a look at its face. Huge tennis-ball sized green eyes stared mournfully at him and then it snapped its fingers. The chocolate cake rose form the table and began moving towards Robards.
Making a grab for the creature, Harry lunged at it. It snapped its fingers again and vanished. Harry scrambled to his feet and ran at Robards, hoping to intercept the cake before it got to him.
He was a step too short. The cake upended itself over Robards' head. Spluttering and looking angry for the first time, Robards spun and saw Harry, arms outstretched, not more than a step behind him.
"You…why…BLACK!"
There was crash in the kitchen followed by cursing and Sirius sprinted into the living room, Remus right on his heels. "S-sir?" Sirius stuttered, the sight of his boss covered head to toe in chocolate cake uttering him speechless.
Robards pointed at Harry, who lowered his arms feeling foolish.
"Harry, you didn't." Remus found words first.
"I didn't." Harry reiterated.
"Then who else?" Robards chocked out. His face was turning an odd shade of purple.
"Let me get you a towel." Sirius turned to dash to the bathroom.
Robards raised his hand to stop him. "No need." I have suffered quite enough humiliation for one night. I'm afraid I'm going have to bring this up with Shacklebolt. Your standing in the office may have to be reconsidered, the both of you." Robards glared at Sirius and Remus. "If you can't control a twelve-year-old, what chance do you have of controlling the department?"
Sirius' gray eyes flashed, Harry didn't know if he was angry at Robards or at him.
"I can only offer my sincerest apologies sir." Sirius said finally.
Remus nodded. "Mine as well. This has never happened before and," he glanced at Harry, "it will never happen again."
"I should hope not. Good night." Robards fetched his own coat and left. A few moments after the door slammed, the crack of apparition was heard.
Sirius collapsed on the couch with a groan and covered his face.
"Harry…" Remus began.
"I didn't do it!" Harry shouted.
"Well then who did? I know you're upset that we cancelled your birthday dinner for this but really, dumping cake on our boss?" Remus gestured wildly like he did when he was confused.
Harry frowned and bit back the tears that had crawled into the corners of his eyes. "It wasn't me, there was a…a thing."
"You're going to have to be a little more specific Hare." Sirius mumbled.
"It was behind the couch." Harry pointed. "It was smaller than me." He indicated with his hand that it was about waist-height before continuing. "It had pointy ears and big eyes and snapped its fingers to do magic."
Remus' brow furrowed in confusion but Sirius sat up, staring at Harry intently. "What was it wearing?"
"A sack I think."
Sirius nodded. "Sounds like a house elf."
Remus turned to Sirius. "What would a house elf be doing here?" Sirius shrugged.
"Does that mean you believe me? I really didn't want to ruin your promotion for you." Harry looked at Sirius.
"I believe you, I always believe you." Sirius smiled and opened his arms. Harry ran to the hug and discreetly wiped his eyes on Sirius shoulder so no one would see.
"What about me? I didn't have a promotion at stake but I still want a hug." Harry laughed and gave Remus a hug too.
"Don't worry Hare, we'll sort this out with Robards tomorrow." Sirius promised.
Remus nodded. "why don't you go write Ron and ask if e wants to come over tomorrow or your dinner, anyone who can come is welcome."
Harry nodded and ran to his room, glad that the evening's unpleasantness was already fading.
Author's Note:
Yay! Sequelsequelsequelsequelsequel! I finally got off my lazy butt and wrote again. That was quite the hiatus, sorry. I really did mean to write this sooner. I'll update sooner than half a year next time, scout's honor. Hope you guys' like the inauguarl chapter for the third story in a series. You could go back and read the other two if you want...hint hint.
PLEASE REVIEW and I hope you enjoy it.
FHGVZEhyde