A/N- This is probably the longest chapter I have ever published. 13.7k words. I have not a single word written past this chapter, so do not expect a chapter for quite a bit. This covers Harry's birthday all the way through the Quidditch World Cup.
Just a few things- the title of this story came about because I thought to myself, "How funny would it be if Hermione was a Veela who can cast allure and Harry was a werewolf who was excessively possessive and jealous?" So the title became the beginning of a joke.
I have the intention of focusing on Harry's perspective (and his wolf too) up until Hermione hits 15 and the Veela awakens. Then I think/plan to switch and focus more on Hermione's perspective. But you know what they say about plans and fanfiction. The characters revolt. So if that doesn't happen, blame my muse and the characters.
I rewrote some canon because yay AU! Love it when I can just change things because I want to.
Some people think Harry turned three times, I only had him turn once more (twice total). Perhaps my wording was off so if that's the case my apologies.
Well, that's it. Thanks for enjoying this story and I promise more will come. Just not as big of a chapter and not within three days :-)
The morning of his birthday Emma made him breakfast before they got ready, swimsuits on underneath their clothes, and headed to the waterpark. Harry's excitement had been building ever since he'd transformed into a wolf and not harmed Hermione. A real birthday party. With friends. Dean and Seamus had pretty much always been roommates, nothing more. But without Ron trying to monopolize him Harry had finally been able to get to know them and he quite liked them. They were both comfortable with Harry dating Hermione and they weren't rude to her like Ron could be and while he knew neither one loved books like Hermione did they certainly weren't going to act like she was crazy for wanting to learn or enjoying classes. Most of Gryffindor treated Hermione that way, actually. They all might not share her passions but they all understood that she was singlehandedly responsible for half their house points.
Harry had over the summer begun to think that there were just some things that magic couldn't duplicate. Food had been his first observation. His second was seeing his girlfriend in her bikini when she and Emma and Seamus' mum Mona exited the changing rooms at the water park. He'd seen her in her underwear before when she'd had to prove to him that he hadn't bit her or harmed her at all but that had felt…well, almost like he was doing something wrong. Hermione hadn't necessarily wanted to show him so much skin, but given that she'd seen him in his underwear had probably considered it fair. This time knowing that Hermione had recently bought the swimsuit (presumably for his viewing pleasure) had Harry really appreciating her beauty. And made him wonder about what magicals did for swimsuits. When they were in private Harry asked Mona just that. Seamus' mother was quite happy to answer any questions he or the Grangers had about anything magical they didn't understand. "Mrs. Finnigan? What do purebloods wear to swim?"
"Nothing like we're wearing," she answered, "and call me Mona, Harry. Mrs. Finnigan is my mother-in-law." Harry nodded and she continued, "They have swimsuits that aren't as tight as wetsuits but are similar in that they completely cover everything. They're usually quite garish. Not unlike the dress robes they have."
"That's not good to learn," Harry frowned. They'd just received their lists a few days ago and they called for dress robes. Hermione had said that it seemed likely that they were going to go to a ball. That meant Harry needed to learn to dance and so Hermione had promised to teach him. Harry was relieved. Embarrassing himself at a dance did not appeal to him and embarrassing Hermione by being unable to was a horrifying thought.
Mona smirked, "I was thinking we could all go for your school things together after the Cup. I know of some places that are a bit more modern than Madame Malkin." Harry and Hermione visibly looked relieved, as did Dean and Seamus.
Harry'd never been on water slides before but he had a fantastic time that day. It was without a doubt his best birthday ever. And on the werewolf front, he was excited. He hadn't been jealous at all when Dean or Seamus had talked to Hermione or touched her. While it was true neither boy was flirting with Hermione (which he was certain the wolf wouldn't like), he was over the moon that the wolf wasn't so jealous that any boy who talked to or touched Hermione was an enemy. Obviously it recognized Dean and Seamus as friends or part of its pack (which he presumed it saw Hermione and Dan and Emma as) and for Harry that was a major relief. He didn't want to be so jealous and possessive that he'd push Hermione away. He'd never felt love before but through the wolf he'd begun to experience new and different emotions, especially with Hermione.
Hermione was of the opinion that the scar had seriously hampered Harry emotionally and mentally. The wolf within him was obviously not one to do so and thus it had eliminated the danger. It was a theory that seemed quite sound. Harry's headaches from his scar had vanished and his nightmares had ceased after the first transformation. The wolf's natural instincts were also able to make him understand his emotions, and that was a godsend. Harry had been utterly clueless before but as time had gone on since the transformation he was able to not just feel emotions that had previously been foreign to him but identify them without asking Hermione. Harry wasn't super well-adjusted or anything but he felt like he had a better grasp of his feelings, especially regarding Hermione, and that was a massive improvement.
After the day at the waterpark they all changed into their dry clothes and the Grangers took all four teens back to their home. The two boys would be staying with them until Mona came to get them for the World Cup in a week and a half. There was a portkey point not all that far from the Granger home, not surprising given their isolated location, that Mona had reserved for them.
Once they were home Dan and Emma recruited all of them to make Harry's birthday dinner, pizza. After they ate Harry was finally allowed to open his presents. Harry opened the one from the Grangers first. Inside was a Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). "Wow," Harry breathed.
"It comes with Super Mario World but we also bought you another game," Dan said, watching Hermione hand him the other package. Harry opened it to reveal Battle Toads & Double Dragon.
"This is from me," Hermione said, handing Harry a box. He opened it to find Dungeon Master, Super Star Wars, and Super Mario Kart. "I will beat you at Mario Kart."
"We'll see about that," he grinned, kissing her, "thanks Hermione." He put the boxes on the table in front of him and got up and hugged Emma and Dan, the Grangers both surprised but pleased at his response.
"I'm challenging you to Mario Kart too," Dan said.
Harry chuckled. Dean and Seamus handed over their presents to reveal Super Mario All-Stars, which Dean said was really good, and The Legend of Zelda- A Link to the Past which Seamus said was great fun. Harry loved his presents but felt a bit overwhelmed with all the gifts and warm feelings of the day. He was getting used to it having Hermione as his girlfriend and the Grangers being there for him for anything and everything he needed, but that the entire day was devoted to him and then he was given presents to enjoy was almost too much. Seeing this Hermione pulled him into a hug and Harry buried his head in her neck, "Thank you," he whispered.
"Get used to celebrating your birthday Harry. It always will be celebrated from now on," she said. Dean and Seamus nodded in agreement. The Dursley trial had been front page news but through letters from Hermione they knew a bit more than the papers reported and they understood that he was probably overwhelmed with all the fun and happiness the day had entailed.
"How about we get the cake and ice cream then?" Emma asked. "You lot can set up the game system afterwards. Just come get me if Dan tries to hog the controller."
They all laughed at that, even Harry who still hadn't emerged from Hermione's neck. The other four people in the room left to give the couple privacy and Hermione whispered soothing words of adoration to Harry to calm him down. "Thank you Hermione," he said finally.
"I'm always here to remind you you deserve to be loved," she smiled.
"Not just that," he said, kissing her, "but I think I need to tell other people some stuff too, not just you." With that Harry took Hermione's hand and pulled her into the dining room.
Sitting with his very own birthday cake in front of him Harry took a deep breath, "Hermione would probably say I don't have to thank her or anyone for doing the right thing but growing up and being told I was worthless and that I should have died when my parents did because I was just a burden…" he took a deep breath, "I guess I just appreciate these things more because they've never happened to me. This year has been brilliant. I met my godfather, even if he's on the run because he was falsely imprisoned, and I got a girlfriend who I would probably have never even believed I'd be worthy of; and I just…I want to thank you Dan for standing up for me and on my behalf even though we'd only met once briefly. Thank you for getting the Dursleys to let me stay here. And thank you both for opening your home and hearts to me. I finally feel like a part of a family and that's something I've always wanted," he felt the tears coming but blinked them back, "As for you, Hermione…I don't think I can ever express enough gratitude for you being in my life." He looked at Seamus and Dean, "I think it's only fair that you two know. That scar you saw on my torso wasn't from a dog bite. It was from Lupin when he'd turned. I got bit throwing myself on top of Hermione to protect her."
Seamus and Dean's eyes grew wide. Harry continued, "Hermione healed me when it happened and my first thought was that I was now a monster. But Hermione being Hermione reassured me I'd be okay and that werewolves aren't inherently bad; the Wolfsbane potion makes them unstable." He looked back at his girlfriend, "You said you'd be my girlfriend and ended up comforting me as I feared I'd hurt you or worse. Only you could do that Hermione. And in typical Hermione fashion you planned out what we would do next. Research werewolves, keep it a secret to avoid me being labeled as a 'dark creature' and forced to ingest a poison to make me unstable, and get me to your parents house." Harry looked at Emma, "You should have been horrified and kicked me out of the house or called aurors when you saw me turn into a wolf; instead you trusted us. Thank you for that."
Seamus' eyes were still wide but he had to ask, "You turned into a full wolf?"
Hermione smiled, "He does. He recognizes people he knows and he's already turned twice and we're all unharmed. I have books you can read to learn more."
Seamus nodded and Harry smiled. Hermione's answers didn't always come from a book, but she trusted them to at least give the information needed. He looked at his friends, "Obviously we need you two to keep it quiet. We don't want people to freak out."
"Malfoy would try to have you expelled," Dean said.
"He would," Hermione nodded.
"I won't tell," Seamus promised. Dean followed suit.
Harry smiled. "I feel really lucky. I have Hermione, Dan and Emma, and I've come to know you two and really become friends with you. Thanks for being there for me. And all the presents and the special day. This is my first really celebrated birthday and it's without a doubt the best."
Emma lit the candles, "Make a wish and blow out the candles Harry."
"And try not to spit on the cake," Dan added, earning him a smack on the back of the head from Emma. "What?"
"Daddy you're ridiculous," Hermione said, smiling as Harry blew out his candles. Emma served up the cake and ice cream and they all settled in to eat.
While the two boys did learn more about werewolves during their time at the Granger house, most of their time was spent having fun. Dean and Seamus had also finished all their homework before Harry's birthday, so other than Hermione looking over it for them and the two of them correcting the things she'd pointed out they just had fun and got to know one another.
Dean and Hermione actually connected well; Harry learned that much like Hermione Dean had been bullied in his youth because of his love of art and drawing. And then Hermione surprised even Harry with her admission regarding her intellect, "You're a genius?!" Dean half-asked, half-exclaimed.
"Well that's the technical term," Hermione nodded.
"But you're in our year," Seamus frowned.
"The magical world doesn't really have a program for people of my intellect," she explained, "about two weeks into our first year Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall came to my parents to say that I was obviously very smart. They had to work out what to do so they agreed to see if they could come up with some sort of special curriculum for me. They even offered to place me above our year group and put me into third year instead of first but then Halloween happened and you became my friend Harry," she squeezed her boyfriend's hand, "I had never had a friend before, even at my special school for high IQ's, and I didn't want to give that up. So instead the headmasters decided to give me special projects that were outside our year group's abilities. Sometimes well outside, like the Polyjuice second year," she added.
Harry's eyes widened, "So I didn't need to steal those ingredients?"
"Professor Dumbledore thought it was quite funny that you did that just for me," she smiled. "But he had a house elf replace them before Snape would notice."
"Why would Professor Dumbledore even know?" Seamus asked. "I mean, Snape is the potions professor."
Hermione nodded, "True but Professor Dumbledore only trusted some professors. He knows Snape would never teach me extra lessons without complaining loudly about it. And then people like Malfoy would be demanding I cease getting 'special' treatment or that they deserve such treatment and I don't. So Snape and Hagrid are not options."
"Hagrid definitely can't keep a secret," Harry nodded. "He means well but he just can't help himself."
"Exactly," Hermione smiled. "Back to your question, Seamus, Professor Dumbledore is my potions instructor for my extra-curricular lessons and projects. Each subject offers up extra projects for me and the professors give me different tasks. The only issues were Potions and DADA, so Professor Dumbledore took on Potions and along with Professors Flitwick and Vector he teaches me DADA."
"Professor Vector? Your Arithmancy professor?"
"She's also a former curse-breaker at Gringotts. She's so young compared to the others because the previous Arithmancy professor retired suddenly and Professor Dumbledore contacted Gringotts asking if they had any curse-breakers that could take over the role and Professor Vector volunteered. During the summer she does some work for Gringotts still so the goblins aren't too upset about losing her. I guess she's one of their best."
Harry took everything in. If she'd told him about this last year he'd have been angry. Angry because she put him over her education and a little, Harry could admit, because she hadn't told him sooner. But that was before he'd become a werewolf and had to make decisions. Decisions like where Ron stood in his life and taking courses that could help him instead of just to get an easy grade. Harry had a new perspective now and he could certainly understand her keeping this secret until now.
It also changed his perception of Dumbledore. Harry had begun over the summer to view the man as an enemy. He'd left Harry at the Dursleys. He'd employed a Voldemort possessed professor. He'd hired a charlatan. He'd accepted a dangerous professor into their school. And he'd let Harry face Voldemort twice since he was eleven. But here was a Dumbledore so invested in his students' education he was teaching Hermione privately. Dumbledore might not be such a light wizard, but he certainly wasn't as dark as Harry had been envisioning recently. He was gray. And Harry had always liked Gandalf the Gray in the Lord of the Rings. Maybe he could give the old man a chance.
"I would appreciate it if you could keep this quiet. I don't need Malfoy being a prick about it."
"Yeah sure Hermione," Dean nodded. Seamus nodded his agreement.
She looked at Harry, who smiled at her, "I can understand keeping it quiet. I can't blame you for that. Although I'd love to gloat that I have the most brilliant person to ever grace Hogwarts as my girlfriend, I can keep it quiet."
She kissed him, "Thank you Harry. I wanted to tell you but I was a little nervous about how you'd react."
"Yeah I can see that," he nodded. "I'm glad you can trust in me more now," he smiled, pulling her into a hug, "I always want to support you."
"You're doing a good job of it so far," she kissed his cheek. "Now then, how about we start dancing class? I took classes with my dad when I was younger so I can help out three boys. But if you step on my feet too much I'll hurt you," she added, giving each boy a glare.
"That sounds fair," Harry said.
They didn't have much time to practice before the World Cup arrived but they'd at least be able to use magic at the Cup, according to Mona, and Emma and Dan had helped them learn too with Emma being a dance partner and Dan giving the boys tips. When Mona arrived she had with her four Ireland national team jerseys, "We're in the Irish section. Do not wear red there," she warned.
Harry and Hermione had already been warned that by Seamus and they were glad. They each accepted the jersey, which was actually quite similar to a footy jersey, and Mona cast spells on their backpacks to properly accommodate all of their things. "Are you sure they won't need sleeping bags?"
"The tents I have are a bit special," Mona said, "they're like mini-houses. The boys' tent is a bit bigger so that they each have a bedroom. The girls' tent has two bedrooms and both have kitchens and bathrooms although we'll probably cook most of our food around a campfire."
"I'd love to see that," Dan said.
"When we come back from the cup I'll let you look around. Right now we have a time schedule. Thanks for letting me keep my car here. I'd hate to leave it abandoned for a week."
"You two have fun," Emma hugged Harry and Hermione both, "and behave yourselves."
"We will Mum," Hermione promised.
"Thanks for letting us stay here," Dean said.
"It was a pleasure. And it's always good to meet Hermione's friends. I feel better about her being up at that school knowing she has three male protectors," Dan said, earning him a glare from his daughter. "Not that you need them, princess."
"Good save there Daddy," she said, kissing his cheek. "You two behave yourselves without us here to keep you in line okay?"
Dan stuck his tongue out at his daughter. "You have fun. We'll see you in a week or so." Harry got a hug from Dan, "Have fun son."
The 'son' remark had Harry needing to fight back tears. He hid his feelings well, though, since no one seemed to notice. Mona led them all off on their trek to the portkey and Hermione took his hand. "You okay Harry?" Leave it to Hermione to notice any change in his emotions.
"Yeah I just…no one's ever called me son before. It's…well it's really nice."
Hermione tightened her grip on his hand, "I think that's something else you'll have to get used to Harry."
"I know," he smiled at her, "your parents really treat me like a son and I think having your dad validate it by calling me son just sent me over the edge a bit."
"Maybe we should put the Weasley twins on the Dursleys' case," Seamus said. "They'd love to prank people like that."
"I think Gringotts is far more frightening than the Weasley twins," Mona said, "and I can assure you Harry that Gringotts has been following the case closely and gathering their own evidence."
"What can they do?" Hermione asked.
"A great deal actually. As Harry is underage and can't come into the full Potter fortune until his eighteenth birthday he is a ward of Gringotts since his godfather is allegedly a criminal. They can't deal with Harry's personal well-being but they guard his fortune, fame, and reputation for him with a fierce vengeance. It was a deal the ministry had to make during the last goblin war because they were being beaten so thoroughly. At the time they didn't see the harm. But the goblins are vicious when it comes to attacks on their wards, by wizard or non-magical, and many purebloods have suffered under the rule."
"How? I mean if the ward is a pureblood aren't they protected by the goblins? That's how they treat Harry right?" Dean asked.
"Because the attacks were by distant relatives wanting to claim trusts left by parents who had died. All the pureblood families are inter-related. The Malfoys, Blacks, Weasleys, the Potters, and so many more. Harry's fortune was immediately under attack by the Malfoys and other death eaters and even people with seemingly more honest motives like the Weasleys after his parents died. They all claimed the Potter fortune and guardianship of you."
"The Malfoys would have killed me," Harry whispered.
Mona nodded, "That was what Dumbledore thought too. He was certain that the Dursleys, being a direct blood relation through your aunt, would be far more receptive and at the very least they couldn't kill you because of wards he put on the house after he dropped you off. You were practically immortal in those four walls. When he learned about the abuse the first time he was horrified and promptly sent your aunt a threatening howler. The first of several," she added.
"That must be why he was happy about Harry staying with us," Hermione said. Harry looked at her, "I told him at one of my lessons with him that you were staying with me for the summer. He looked positively delighted."
"How do you know all this Mona?" Harry asked.
"Dumbledore testified at Gringotts regarding your situation a few weeks ago and as the mother of a friend of yours I was permitted to sit in," she answered. "He's been fined for the suffering you went through. Enough for you to go to Hogwarts for free the next four years."
"That's alot of money," Dean said.
"It could have been more but it was hard to argue he wasn't trying to do what was best for Harry. A direct blood relation was the best way to force the claims of rightful inheritance silent. He kept him away from those that would have killed him for his fortune or wanted him just for his riches and he had a woman on your street, Mrs. Figg, who was able to look after you and slip you potions to heal you from the worst of the abuse."
"Mrs. Figg knew?"
"She's a squib," Mona answered. Harry took all of that in. Dumbledore had known about the abuse. And tried to help him without being obvious about it. That nasty tasting tea and whatnot that she'd given him must have been the potions.
"The potions Mrs. Figg gave me had to have been made by him then right?"
"They were," she nodded. "It's probably why while you were obviously small for your age you didn't look malnourished."
"It's weird how so many people were looking out for me yet I never knew about any of them," Harry said. "Things aren't going to be the same now that the Dursleys are out of the picture are they?"
"No but Sirius Black has officially been given a trial date and he is currently in hiding until that date arrives. And since the Grangers filed in the non-magical world and became your guardian, at your request, none of those fortune hunters can come forward. Gringotts recognizes non-magical law even if the Ministry of Magic doesn't so they can't touch your money."
"Huh," Harry said. "We were being sneaky without even knowing it." Hermione and the boys laughed.
Mona stopped in a clearing and looked around. "The portkey will look like a random piece of litter. Let's spread out and look for it." They did, and after five minutes Dean found an old, dirty hula hoop. Mona cast a quick charm over it to verify it was the one and then gave them advice for their landing and told them to make sure they didn't let go. Everyone grabbed hold with both hands and a few minutes later they vanished.
Harry was amazed at the feeling and when Mona yelled, "NOW!" He bent his knees and jumped (a weird thing to do when you're falling in mid-air). They all landed on their feet looking quite disheveled.
"Come forward, come forward," a man in a policeman's uniform said, waving them over. "Got a group coming in right behind you." They hurried over and he took the hula hoop, "Names?"
"Mona Finnigan, my son Seamus, and his friends Dean, Harry, and Hermione," Mona answered.
"Finnigan, Finnigan," he said, looking at the board and flipping the page, "Ireland section then?"
"Of course," Mona nodded.
He pulled out some papers for her to fill out and she took out a pen, "Those Bulgarians have their section looking like the bloody Gryffindor common room it's so red. The Irish are trying to out-green the Slytherin one. Feels like I'm back in Hogwarts." He glanced at the kids, "I was a Hufflepuff."
"We're all Gryffindors," Seamus said.
"You lot have Harry Potter in your house," he said. "Heard the Minister arranged for some family to have tickets because they were going to invite Harry Potter. Weasley I think the name was," he said. "Some new kid who works for Crouch. Poor bastard."
"Crouch?" Harry asked.
"Nah the Weasley. Kid's stuck with the meanest old man you'll ever meet. Worse than Filch. Crouch's son was a death eater, got caught after Potter took out the Dark Lord. Crouch blamed everyone but himself for the kid's crimes. Arrogant bastard."
"What happened to his son?" Hermione asked.
"Azkaban. The situation ruined Crouch. Shuffled to the department of Game & Sport. Used to head the DMLE. Amazed he even stayed." He continued on, "Knew James Potter. We went through auror training together. Remember how excited he was that he and his wife were expecting. Guy could be a right git but he certainly pulled himself together for his son. Wanted to become a good role model, he said. Shame that never came to be."
Harry spoke, "You're the third auror I've met who knew my dad. Did you know Sirius Black too?"
The auror stared at Harry before laughing, "Should have known you were that Harry. Been so busy I didn't even put the name to the face. Aye, I knew Sirius Black. Great auror. Never did believe Crouch when he said he was guilty. The man would have died before he betrayed your parents. 'Course, no one ever asked any of their friends or colleagues. Just sent him off to Azkaban. Pity that was." Mona handed the man back the papers and he nodded, "Go straight then take a left. When you get to the sea of green ask for Kurt. He'll take you to your spot. As for you kids," he pulled a brochure out of his pocket, "there's loads of activities for the week leading up to the game. You lot should have fun."
Dean took the brochure, "Thank you."
The man smiled at them, "If you have any trouble you just tell them to come to Big Sam. I'll straighten them out for you."
"Thanks Sam," Harry said, shaking the man's hand. "Maybe you could not mention that I'm here to the minister? I just want to have fun with my friends and girlfriend. Not be dragged into some sort of photo op for him."
Sam laughed, "You know Fudge well then. I will keep it to myself lad. Pleasure meetin' you."
Harry was pretty pleased that he'd changed enough he wasn't obviously Harry Potter to most people. Maybe it was the eye color change. The green was still there but there were more yellow flecks in them. He thought they looked really cool. His physique had changed a bit. He was taller, sure, but he was also a little broader. And he'd had his hair cut to be more of a muggle style. It was a Mohawk that covered his hand's width going along the top of his head and tapered down the back to a point. It could cover his scar if he wore it down, which he was that day. Hermione liked it, as had Dean and Seamus when they'd seen him.
Their section was certainly covered in green. "Wow," Harry said. "This is cool." They found their plot and with a group effort they got both tents up. Inside was unlike anything Harry had ever seen. It was an entire house.
They all toured both tents before they exited again and got a good look at their surroundings. "There's a well for water. How about you all go find it? I'll unpack our groceries and whatnot."
"Sure Mum," Seamus said, looking at the map they'd been given.
They walked through the Ireland area to get to the well, looking around. There were plenty of people who looked to have just arrived and were setting up their tents. They stopped in surprise. Struggling to put up a tent not far from their own tents and looking quite ridiculous dressed from head to toe in green (in muggle clothing no less), was Albus Dumbledore. "Professor Dumbledore?" Harry asked.
The man turned and it was definitely their headmaster, "Ah, Misters Finnigan, Potter, Thomas, and Miss Granger. I hope you're having a delightful summer."
"It's been great," Harry said, "uh, would you like some help? We helped Seamus' mum put up our tents."
"I would hate to impose children," the man with the bright blue eyes and ridiculously long beard said. "I am just surprised at how dependent I have become on magic. Perhaps living at Hogwarts has spoiled me."
Dean coughed but was obviously trying to avoid laughing. Hermione smiled, "Sir we could get this tent together pretty quickly. It's no trouble."
Dumbledore looked at his tent and back at the teens, "I would very much appreciate it if you could assist me."
Having put up two already, the headmaster's tent was soon up and stable. The old man gazed at their work, "A very splendid job if I do say so myself. Thank you for your help."
"You're welcome," Seamus said. "Your tent's like our tents. They're more modern and non-magical in outside appearance than the others."
Dumbledore nodded as he sat in the muggle fold-up chair he'd purchased for the event, "Yes as a half-blood I do quite like to embrace my non-magical roots. I will never understand why so many look down on them."
"Reckon they've just not seen bikinis or waterparks," Harry said, making Hermione blush and smack him on the back of the head. "What? You looked amazing in it."
"Don't reckon she wants you declaring that to the headmaster," Dean said.
"Oh, sorry Hermione," he said.
"I suppose I can forgive you," she said, squeezing his hand. "You are a clueless boy after all."
"That I definitely am," Harry nodded. "Fortunately I have you to make up for that."
"Harry don't make me puke," Seamus said, feigning nausea. Harry stuck his tongue out at him in response.
Dumbledore watched them interact feeling delighted. Harry might not be perfect but he obviously had good friends to support him. Hermione was good for him. One of Dumbledore's biggest fears after the fall of Voldemort had been that Harry would be unable to be normal because of the subsequent myth built upon his name. That he obviously could was quite wonderful.
Dean seemed to have recovered well from trying not to laugh at their headmaster, "It's kind of surprising to see you here sir, in a tent like most people."
"I have always enjoyed being below the radar," Dumbledore said. "You must understand that Mr. Potter. Your hair is strategically placed to hide that scar."
Harry blushed, "Yeah. Hermione can do alot with potions and salves. Healing my scar though doesn't seem to be one of them."
"Perhaps some extra research into it at Hogwarts would benefit you Miss Granger," Dumbledore said.
"Harry and the boys know Professor," Hermione said. "It felt unfair to not tell them."
He smiled, "Yes I can imagine it would be difficult to hide for so long. I have certainly never thought you'd keep it from your Mr. Potter so long."
"I just had to be sure he wouldn't tell anyone who would make sure the whole school knew," she said.
"A wise decision my dear," the old wizard nodded. "Are you all looking forward to the game?"
"I'm more excited about all the activities and events leading up to it," Harry said. "The game could be over in five minutes but there's loads of things to do before it."
"Very true," Dumbledore chuckled, "Well I should let you all get on your way."
"We're just off to get some water from the well for my mum," Seamus said.
"Ah indeed? If I could trouble you to fill my own pail I will pay you for your help with the tent and of course fetching my water."
They tried to refuse the money but Dumbledore was more stubborn than he appeared. They headed on toward the well. A few little kids ran around playing but they saw no one their own age. "More people will arrive as the week goes on," Hermione said.
"Yeah," Harry nodded. "I wonder if we'll see other professors?"
"Definitely not Snape," Seamus said. "I don't think Flitwick has ever been interested in the game that much."
"McGonagall would be here if it was Scotland playing," Harry said. "She's quidditch-mad when it comes to Gryffindor and Scotland."
"It's kind of weird but cool to see the headmaster wearing muggle clothes and being just another bloke on vacation," Dean said.
"Yeah. His outfit is as ridiculous when he's not in robes as it is when he is though," Seamus laughed.
Hermione gazed at Harry as they walked together holding hands, "How do you feel about it? You've been quiet."
"He's done some not so good things, true, but he's done lots of good. They don't cancel each other out or anything but he obviously made efforts to look out for me over the years," he looked at her, "Nobody's perfect right?"
"That's the saying," she nodded.
"I have to at least give him another chance," Harry said. "At least he protected me from the death eaters who would have killed me."
"True," Hermione nodded.
"And he helps you and you're the most important person in my life so that helps him alot," he smiled at her.
"I might be the genius but you're very smart Harry," she leaned into him.
"Thanks. Coming from you that means more." They gathered two pails of water and dropped his off, receiving a galleon each before they headed back to their tents.
With Mona supplying tents and beds and whatnot the Grangers had sent them off with lots of food. It was a virtual treasure trove. Steak, hot dogs, sausages, whole chickens, and plenty of bread, marshmallows, crisps, potatoes, and more. Mona was surprised that Dumbledore was there and promptly sent Seamus and Harry back to invite him to dinner. They weren't to take no for an answer. It was a sheepish headmaster who returned with the boys. Harry was pretty sure that eating roasted chicken around a campfire with the headmaster was not something he could ever have imagined doing. "What are those?" Dumbledore asked, pointing at the bag of marshamallows.
"Marshmallows. We're going to roast them later," Hermione answered.
"They're delicious melted. All gooey and sweet with that texture on the outside," Dean said.
"Hermione likes hers blackened," Harry said.
"They're good that way."
"Brown is better," he argued.
"Harry you have good taste in girls but bad taste in marshmallows," she retorted. Seamus cracked up and Dean high-fived her. Dumbledore chuckled. Throughout dinner (roasted chicken and baked potatoes), he'd witnessed the banter between the teens and he found it quite delightful. As headmaster he felt quite removed from his students; running the school was a full-time job. When Hermione had opted to stay in her year but have extra lessons he'd been elated. He could finally teach again. And she was a good student. The quickest he'd ever had. She wasn't always the most imaginative, but that didn't surprise him. She was a linear thinker.
Her boyfriend was the imaginative one. It was a very interesting pairing, but a good one. And he owed Harry a very long overdue apology. "Harry I'm sorry for your childhood. I made a split-second decision and abandoned the responsibility to check on you."
Harry had known at some point this conversation would happen. He'd only learned the details that morning but having seen Dumbledore he knew it would happen sooner rather than later. The man didn't seem to be a procrastinator. Harry collected his thoughts carefully before he spoke, "You weren't the first person to fail me sir. My godfather chose vengeance over my safety. Their other best friend never showed up to see me and only conceded he even knew my parents at the end of the last school year when he was forced to. Sirius went to Azkaban and so I can't hold his failure over him. And as for you," Harry took a deep, calming breath, "Mona explained how things were at the time. I understand your only legal choice was the Dursley house. And I know that you gave Mrs. Figg potions to heal me and keep me healthy. I still have reservations regarding the whole 'Voldemort and Death Eaters teaching at Hogwarts' thing and the basilisk that nearly killed Hermione but she says you're a great teacher to her." Harry looked him in the eye, "You're not light but you're not dark. You're gray. So if it's my forgiveness you want, sir, you have it. You had an impossible situation and chose the least of the evils."
"You are very wise for your age Harry," Dumbledore said, gazing at him appreciatively. "No doubt a result of hanging around with Miss Granger," he added with a wink.
Harry grinned and leaned into his girlfriend who squeezed his arm. "That goes without saying sir; she's a genius and I'm just her arm candy." Hermione shoved him and everyone laughed.
Later as the others fell asleep Harry and Hermione stayed up, talking about what they'd learned that day about Dumbledore and what Big Sam the auror had said about Fudge arranging for tickets for a 'Weasley' to invite Harry Potter. "Do you think he meant Percy or Mr. Weasley?"
"Probably Mr. Weasley. Ron said his dad 'might' get tickets, right?"
"So he asked and possibly mentioned my name to someone in that department who told Fudge who saw a photo opportunity," Harry said. "Fantastic. Do you think they still got the tickets?"
"I'd like to say no given that there are two parties involved attempting to cash in on your fame but Fudge probably couldn't just take them back," she said, snuggled into him on the couch in her tent. "Is what you said to Dumbledore how you really feel?"
Harry was silent for a moment as he replayed the conversation in his mind. "Yeah. The Dursleys were horrible but going to the Malfoys or various other Death Eaters…even the Weasleys…it wouldn't have been pleasant and would quite probably be even worse. And it's really gross that I'm related to the Weasleys but their daughter has a crush on me." Hermione shivered and he tightened his hold, "I think the Weasleys would have held me up as a god basically and Molly would go on and on about how 'generous' they were being to take me in and how they should be rewarded. She's more cunning than people give her credit for; like when she told you about potioning Mr. Weasley to make him fall in love with her. There's just something untrustworthy there. I think she'd do anything to get what she wanted. Her two eldest left home as soon as they graduated from school. That's not a coincidence."
"Agreed," Hermione nodded. "There are different kinds of abuse. Unfortunately I think nothing short of Sirius not being an idiot would have saved you."
"I definitely agree with that. And I don't blame him so how can I blame Dumbledore? He had a choice between two evils and chose the lesser one. He did take an interest in my well-being, at least. He scared the Dursleys and got potions to me to take care of the worst damage. He came clean and didn't hide what he'd done. He was punished for it and accepted his punishment. I guess now I need to decide what to do with all that money."
"I'd suggest a scholarship but you don't have enough for that," Hermione said.
"Part of me says to save it. I mean, who knows what will happen when what," he leaned in to whisper, "we are comes to light."
"That's true," Hermione nodded. "We should prepare for that possibility. I might be more accepted but where you go I go. If you're kicked out of society I'm going with."
"Best girlfriend ever," he smiled, kissing her.
That kiss gave way to a snogging session. Mona entered the room, "Hands where I can see them."
Harry raised his hands, glad they were still upright or else he'd have crushed Hermione. Hermione broke the kiss, "We were behaving."
Mona's tone was stern but her smile proved she wasn't upset, "Nevertheless, it is time for bed you two. Off to your tent Harry."
Harry nodded, getting up off the couch after untangling their legs. Hermione stood and kissed him good night, giving him one last hug before they parted and went their separate ways. He felt good. Talking to Hermione helped him organize his thoughts and that had hastened their learning of Occlumency. He probably wouldn't be able to ward off mental attacks but he had the wolf to do that; he felt his role was to keep his mind focused and his emotions under control. Talking things out with Hermione always helped that. He fell asleep that night feeling pretty good about things.
The next day they explored the grounds and went to the vendor section to look around the different booths. There were people that sold little action figures of the players and player jerseys not unlike the ones that Mona had given them all. They stopped and looked at everything. They had Exploding Snap cards with each team's players on them, gobstone sets in Ireland and Bulgaria's national colors, wizard chess sets in the same colors…those things they weren't as interested in. The things made specifically for the event were more interesting, like the Irish rosettes, green oversized hats covered in shamrocks, and omnioculars. They were like binoculars but they recorded what was happening and permitted you to zoom in on some of the action while still being able to see the rest. Hermione was interested in the magic put into them and the vendor answered a few of her questions before offering them some advice, "I'd recommend buying things like the omnioculars sooner rather than later. Walking vendors will charge more the day before and the day of the game."
"How much are they?" Harry asked.
"Usually I charge around 8 galleons but if you buy four I'll only charge you 5 galleons each."
Harry didn't have to ask his friends. Five galleons were all Dean had as his father was a milkman and his mum worked in a restaurant. They weren't impoverished but they weren't as well off as the Finnigans or the Grangers. Seamus' parents were pretty well off, probably comparable to the Grangers, but Harry didn't want any embarrassment on Dean's part. Harry had always intended to buy Hermione whatever she wanted at the cup because he knew she was there just because he wanted to see it. His girlfriend would rather curl up under a tree with a book than sit at a quidditch match and he appreciated that she took an interest just to make him happy. Harry counted out twenty galleons and paid for the omnioculars, which the vendor showed them how to work before Hermione put them in the bottomless bag Harry had already bought her earlier that morning. "Thank you Harry," she said, kissing him.
He grinned, "You're welcome Hermione."
"Thanks Harry," Dean said.
"Yeah, thanks. That's an expensive purchase."
Harry shrugged, "I can afford it. Besides buying four was only slightly more expensive than buying two. Can't go wrong with that can you?"
"I'd wager they'll be 10 galleons the day of the game," Hermione said.
"See? So we did better than the lot that shows up the day of the game," Harry grinned. Dean smirked. Harry wasn't one to flaunt his wealth unless it would stop people from refusing a gift. It was hard to be mad at him or even jealous.
They didn't buy anything else that day other than some food. The next day there were several activities for some of the younger kids as well as those their age. Dean and Seamus entered an Exploding Snap tournament, Harry content to sit and watch them as Hermione sat between his legs using him as something to lean on as she read her book. They did run across some other people from Hogwarts, including Angelina Johnson, and Alicia Spinnet from the Gryffindor quidditch team and the recently graduated Oliver Wood.
Their third day there was a quidditch trivia game in which people had to be teams of four. Harry's puppy dog eyes had Hermione agreeing to participate and his pleading paid off. To everyone's surprise the team of three boys and one girl won with the lone female supplying many of the winning answers. They won a trophy, four medals, and several boxes of chocolate frogs. Harry and Dean carried Hermione back to their tent on their shoulders with Seamus carrying their winnings, the boys singing about Hermione being their queen and leading them to victory.
Mona laughed when she saw them. At dinner that evening the boys dramatically recreated their win to her amusement. Part of their winnings was a private meet-and-greet with the Irish national team. Harry was excited for that. They got their jerseys signed and photos with the team. Mona got to go with them as their guardian and Harry could see just how excited she was.
They saw a few other Hogwarts students in the days leading up to the game, and Dumbledore was a regular dinner guest at their tent. One morning as they walked the grounds they came upon a very different section. Hermione looked at the map Sam had given them and then around the area, "This must be the section for the people who are arriving today and tomorrow."
"So they don't get to choose Ireland or Bulgaria?" Seamus asked.
"I guess they're more like neutrals," Dean said.
"That tent says the Salem Witch Academy on it," Harry said. "That's in the USA isn't it?"
"Yes," Hermione nodded, "I think Dean's right. These are just people who want to see the game and don't necessarily have a team they want to win."
The obstacle course event begins in 15 minutes! Please make your way to the stadium to watch amateurs fly through an obstacle course set up by the Firebolt Broom Company. First prize is a Firebolt Broomstick signed by both teams! Harry looked at the others, "That'd be sweet to win."
"You're going to make me hurt Dean and Seamus' hands aren't you," Hermione said knowingly.
"Please?" He asked.
"If you get hurt I will inflict further damage on you," she warned.
"That's as good as a yes!" Harry pumped the air with his fist before pulling her to him and kissing her, "Thank you."
"At least this time you didn't give me that kicked puppy face," she said, smiling at his excitement. "We better hurry."
"Think they'll freak out about 'Harry Potter' being in the competition?" Seamus asked. It was understandable. Most people heard Harry's name and stared at him. But in the time they'd been at the campgrounds it seemed as though Harry was just seen as another kid after initial surprise. They'd seen it during other events and whatnot. Most people would just give him a smile or thank him for stopping You-Know-Who. No one asked for autographs and they'd met a surprising number of people who either knew his parents or had gone to school with them. They would share memories of them with him but what was very apparent to Hermione and the boys was that the more Harry was in the magical public the more the 'Boy-Who-Lived' was starting to vanish. Harry's visibility was ending the mystique. Professor Dumbledore had said that it was only logical that would happen when they'd talked about it after they won the trivia contest.
"I think it will be fine. It's a contest of ability and Harry's the best flyer most people have ever seen," Hermione said.
"That's true. If it was a random drawing it'd be suspicious but it's not," Dean nodded. "Harry's the best flyer in school. He has a good shot of winning."
The obstacle course didn't look particularly scary. It was full of hoops, twists, dives and turns but no dangerous objects that could impale Harry. That set Hermione at ease. The entrance fee was a galleon. She filled out the paperwork since chickens could write more legibly than Harry could and he paid it. Once she finished Hermione gave him a kiss for good luck before sitting between their friends. "He's all signed up," she said.
"You nervous?"
"It's just him and the course. No bludgers flying at him. So for me this is easier to deal with," she answered. They nodded in understanding.
Harry's competition was mostly teenagers and a few adults. The age limit was no one below thirteen so he wasn't the youngest. Each person got three tries and the fastest was the one that would count. Harry's first run was the fastest time of the first attempts. The second round everyone improved and Harry's score was beaten. His second attempt he also improved, taking eight seconds off of his first time and restoring his first place position. Two people on their third try beat Harry but taking his third he settled against the broom and took an additional seven seconds off of his time, making him the winner. The individuals who came in second and third were both Bulgarian and walked over to him as Hermione, Dean and Seamus came down from the stands, "You fly vell," one said. "Maybe better than Krum."
"The seeker of the Bulgarian team?" Harry asked.
"Da," the other nodded, "He goes to Durmstrang wid us. Is best flyer in our school."
"We hoped to win because the broom is so good but you were much better than us," the first one said, shaking his hand.
Harry looked at the organizers, "Can they meet the teams with me? They flew really well and it was a close race."
The organizers huddled together for a few moments before the spokesperson from the company approached, "We certainly admire your generosity Mr. Potter."
"Well I already have a Firebolt. I just wanted to compete to see how I measured up to everyone else," Harry shrugged.
The man gave Harry an appraising look, "How about a deal then? Our company does some work with an orphanage who would love some Harry Potter signed broomsticks. You sign a few of our Firebolt Juniors for them and we give both these young men Firebolts."
"Okay but I want a contract and my friend's mom to read it. She works for Gringotts."
The man laughed, "You have a deal Mr. Potter."
Mona was paged and soon had joined them. Harry slid his arms around Hermione, "Do you think I'm doing the right thing?"
"Doing something for orphans to gift your competitors Firebolt broomsticks? I think that's a pretty good definition of 'the right thing' Harry," she said, kissing his cheek. "I'm proud of you for doing this."
He felt a little taller having her say that. He looked at the two boys, "I'm Harry Potter and this is my girlfriend Hermione Granger. These are our friends Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas."
"I'm Marko Ivanov," the boy who got second place said, shaking the hands of Hermione and the two boys.
"I'm Anton Petrov," the second boy said, "is pleasure to meet you," he smiled at them. Harry felt his wolf bristle at the boy's eyes on Hermione but he pulled up a memory of him and Hermione snuggled up by the fire after his first transformation to soothe the beast. He'd certainly felt jealous before and he'd learned quickly that the wolf responded best to not just physical affection from Hermione (which concerned Harry because he wanted them to be in control of their relationship and not the wolf or Veela) but to memories of physical affection. And he and Hermione had created a handful of memories. Snuggling and some snogging was it for them so far and the wolf seemed satisfied with that. Harry sensed the wolf knew the Veela was about to bloom and he dreaded what would occur between them when that happened. Not that he didn't think about being with Hermione sexually; he did. But he wanted it to be their decision and not the wolf or the Veela making it for them.
Mona read the contract before affirming that Harry was signing specific brooms (three of them), and his signature could not be duplicated or copied and the brooms would be presented to Gringotts to verify such things before they were taken to the orphanage. They needed someone to notarize the contract, where Dumbledore came in handy. The old wizard continued to be impressed by the young man. Two strangers would be gifted the most expensive broom in the world because Harry was just kind.
After it was signed and Harry had autographed the brooms Harry, his girlfriend and his friends, Mona, and the two Bulgarians were led into a special room. The two teams soon entered, the Irish shaking his hand and the Bulgarian team following suit. Harry introduced the two Bulgarians, "This is Marko and Anton. They got second and third place and were really great." Both boys were congratulated by the teams before they began signing the broomsticks for them. The meeting was short but Harry didn't mind. The game was the next day and they probably had training sessions.
Marko and Anton both talked with them for a bit before leaving for their tents, and they all headed back for dinner. The boys set the fire while Mona and Hermione got out the hot dogs to cook over the fire. Dumbledore arrived with the newspaper, "I was forwarded this this morning," he said, handing the paper to Hermione.
Hermione read aloud:
Weasley Daughter Found Culpable in Basilisk Incident at Hogwarts!
By Jonathan Lightning
Ginevra Molly Weasley, aged twelve, was taken into custody by aurors late yesterday evening. Two years ago this fall the girl, then a first year at Hogwarts, released into the school a basilisk, known as the King of Serpents. Its stare is lethal and it is through the grace of the gods and sheer luck that no one was killed.
From there, it is thought the story would end. The girl should be expelled, her wand snapped, and she should be locked in Azkaban. However the story is not over. Fifty years previously, the chamber was also opened. A young girl died. The person responsible was a boy who came to be known as You-Know-Who. His real name, it has been revealed, was Tom Marvolo Riddle.
But how could Ginevra Weasley release the same serpent released by Tom Marvolo Riddle? And why has no one previously known about this? Well that is complicated. Riddle was verifiably the individual who released the basilisk but he laid the blame at the feet of another student. Rubeus Hagrid, a half-blood, was accused of the crime and expelled, his wand snapped. Upon the second release of the serpent he was arrested by our very own Minister of Magic. While the first time it stopped the attacks, the second time it did not.
The basilisk was fortunately stopped and killed by young Harry Potter, whose best friend Hermione Granger had been attacked by the basilisk. According to Headmaster Dumbledore, who at the time was suspended from the school, Miss Granger had deduced the creature was a basilisk through the evidence available to her, including Mr. Potter's Parselmouth ability, and managed to avoid certain death along with another student. She had, as an insurance policy, written down all of the information on a piece of paper she held tightly in her fist. Mr. Potter found it, deduced what had happened, and went to the now disgraced Gilderoy Lockhart whose reprehensible actions to attempt to obliviate Mr. Potter and leave him to die forced the young man to go alone. Mr. Potter confronted a shade of You-Know-Who and after defeating the basilisk with Godric Gryffindor's sword destroyed the shade's vessel, a diary that Ginevra Weasley had been writing in the whole year.
The diary has been attributed to You-Know-Who, and a sudden raid earlier today based on information from anonymous sources presented to the DMLE a cache of items belonging to You-Know-Who. Lucius Malfoy and his wife Narcissa were subsequently arrested and taken into auror custody.
Mr. Potter and Miss Granger were both given special awards to the school for their services and the situation was silenced. When asked why the headmaster had refused to act on what had happened Albus Dumbledore pointed out that he had in fact not been in charge and while the board of governors had removed him from his position (only officially re-instating him after summer break had begun), they had not in fact appointed a replacement. He also expressed his desire to heal those students who had been harmed by the basilisk and of course the wounds of Mr. Potter, who had nearly died trying to stop that which had harmed his friend. He also pointed out that Miss Weasley claimed to be under the power of You-Know-Who, and it was ministry policy to not punish those who had been under You-Know-Who's control.
The DMLE has changed this policy and sent the girl to St. Mungo's for an evaluation. There is obvious mental damage to the girl, including an obsession regarding Mr. Potter, and she will be held until she is deemed fit to stand trial. It is believed her sentence will not be too severe but her future at Hogwarts? Professor Dumbledore had this to say, "Hogwarts will of course accept any advice regarding Miss Weasley's Hogwarts future that Madame Bones can offer. We will also be in contact with the mental healers regarding any danger Miss Weasley might present to the student body. She will most certainly be suspended but expulsion will depend on just how much she was involved with the attacks."
Some have said the headmaster played favorites with the Weasley family. The headmaster concedes he wanted to protect them from embarrassment, though he insisted on mental health counseling for the girl which he was informed she received. In truth she did not receive any such thing.
It's important to note that even if he had acted, there was little he could do. His only option as a citizen was to insist on mental health counseling which the girl's mother deemed unnecessary. It is worth noting that due to draconian laws on the books a pureblood student's punishment for causing the death or nearly causing the death of another student is not even expulsion but a censure and the loss of house points. A half-blood or muggleborn, on the other hand, would be expelled and charged with the crime. It is also not permitted for any school officials to get involved in the affairs of a pureblood family even in obvious situations of abuse. According to Professor Dumbledore legislation will soon be presented within the Wizengamot to fix these gross instances of bigotry and we at Worldwide Wizarding News are eager to see these laws changed to include all individuals and not play favorites as well as protect pureblood youth from abusive parents.
For more on Tom Marvolo Riddle's past, see Page 2. For more on Rubeus Hagrid's exoneration and the scholarship gifted to him to continue and complete his schooling, see Page 3. For more about the upcoming legislative session for the Wizengamot see page 4. For more about the basilisk, see page 5.
Hermione looked at the headmaster, "Were you playing favorites with the Weasley family? Ron had Scabbers the rat and before him Percy had it. And the situation was hushed."
"An oversight of mine," Dumbledore nodded. "I am fallible," he conceded. "I've certainly made mistakes with you, Harry, and with the Weasleys. But Molly did assure me that Ginny had received treatment. I was quite horrified to find out she had not. For the rat, the rules of Hogwarts have always been biased toward purebloods and with Lucius Malfoy and his ilk on the board there was no hope of me or anyone else overturning them. The rule was that any pureblood may bring any pet they desire to the school. Non-purebloods were of course not given the same options. Most people typically brought owls, cats, and toads but the rule is there for anything to be covered. However with all of this coming to light we now can initiate change."
"So what will happen to Hagrid?" Dean asked.
"Hagrid is going to be taking private lessons with the teachers of Hogwarts and then once he has graduated properly he will be taking a course on teaching so that he can be a proper teacher. I already took him myself to Mr. Ollivander, who found a wand perfect for him. Hagrid was quite delighted."
They could all imagine the large, loud man's 'delight' being quite thunderous, "How big was the mess?" Seamus asked.
"Mr. Ollivander believed that by hand it would take him about six weeks to properly organize the shop again. Fortunately he had magic to speed the process along," Dumbledore answered, his eyes twinkling in merriment as the teens all laughed.
"So we'll have a new Care of Magical Creatures professor then?"
"Gringotts has graciously offered us a dragon trainer to assist with teaching the course for the year, which we certainly accepted. I think it will be an interesting course and Hagrid is eager to learn from him."
The next morning the feeling around the camp was different from every other morning they'd been there. There was excitement and nervousness in the air as it was the morning of the game and they ate breakfast saying good morning to their neighbors as they exited their tents. Everyone was dressed in green. "What else was in that newspaper Hermione?"
They'd decided it was probably faster to have Hermione read the articles and then summarize them to the boys. "There was a section talking about the Malfoys being arrested and that Draco would be taken to other relatives. They also said that Sirius Black's trial is today," Hermione smiled, "I think that's because Fudge and Crouch won't be at the ministry since it's the World Cup."
"That's clever," Dean said. "Very Slytherin."
"I think Rufus was a Slytherin," Harry said, "maybe it was his idea." He might have only met him once but Rufus Scrimgeour frequently corresponded with Harry, even sending him an auror badge with the man's number on it. If he had any problems outside of Hogwarts with aurors or ministry officials or criminals he simply had to pull out the badge and tap his wand on it to signal the auror that he needed help. "So Sirius might be free by dinnertime then," Harry grinned, "that's fantastic."
Hermione nodded, "And if he is the paper pointed out that he'd probably be first choice for guardian of Draco Malfoy since Narcissa's maiden name is Black."
That earned chuckles. Hermione continued. "There wasn't anything new about Hagrid that the headmaster hadn't told us already but the Tom Riddle section was interesting. They did some investigating on his past. Maybe Voldemort will lose his power as more people learn about who he really is."
"Kind of like Harry busting the 'Boy-Who-Lived' myth," Dean said. Harry thought that sounded great. Maybe if Voldemort did come back he wouldn't have the power he held before.
After breakfast they went for a walk through their section to see some vendors. Seamus bought all of them one of the Irish rosettes that called out the players' names and Hermione spent some of her own spending money on programs for the game. Dean bought shamrock hats for himself and Seamus, Harry and Hermione opting not to get that. Harry's quip that the hat would 'mess up his hair' had them laughing.
They looked at the other things, buying some candy and snacks. They slipped them into Hermione's bottomless bag after buying them. Harry thought the bag was one of his best purchases. It had been 10 galleons but to him it was worth every knut. It looked like a small purse but it held pretty much anything. They'd put the Firebolt he'd won inside of it. Hermione had accepted the gift in part because of the potential it offered them. They could always have his invisibility cloak and broomsticks on them for protection and escape. Given how trouble seemed to find them that was a comfort. Rufus had sent Harry two wand holsters for his birthday, one for him and one for Hermione. Harry thought they were brilliant. And it seemed much safer than sticking a stick that could explode in your back pocket.
The grounds got much more crowded and after lunch they made their way to the stadium. Their section was covered in green and Harry felt his excitement grow. Hermione passed the omnioculars out; Mona had bought her own pair earlier in the week. Their seats were quite nice. "The Irish mascots are leprechauns and the Bulgarian ones are Veela," Seamus read. "Aren't Veela women?"
"Yes," Mona answered. "They're more found on the continent and abroad; not so much in Britain so little is known about them. But they are human females."
Harry held Hermione's hand as she offered up her own tidbit of information, "Veela are manifestations of the Muses on Earth, chosen by Apollo."
"But they're human females?" Dean asked. Hermione nodded. "So are they like werewolves where they turn once or twice a month or is it like being a vampire where it's a permanent condition?"
"Veela come into their powers in their teens after puberty begins," she said. "They can turn into harpy-like creatures to defend themselves but they're not actually dangerous. Certainly no more than any wizard or witch."
"Leave it to my Hermione to find information about something that there's little written about," Harry said, grinning at her. She blushed.
"But why are they mascots if they're just humans with some extra powers?" Seamus asked.
"The allure," Mona answered. "Veela can release an allure that entices men. You can resist it but most men can't. They flaunt their masculinity and try to impress the Veela, looking like fools."
"How do you resist it then?" Harry asked.
"True love," Hermione answered. "On the continent, some people have even hired Veela to cast the allure on their boyfriend or fiancé to determine if their love is true or not."
"Well then Harry's safe," Dean said.
Hermione squeezed Harry's hand and he smiled at her, "Most definitely." Mona smiled at the pair and Seamus sat next to his mum while Dean sat next to Harry so that they could keep both boys under control.
Dumbledore looked utterly ridiculous to the four teens when they saw him sit down in his seat a few rows down from them. He had braided shamrocks in his beard and was covered in green from head to toe. "Our headmaster is pretty cool but totally bizarre at the same time," Harry said. He liked getting to know the old man in a new way. He certainly understood Dumbledore better since they'd been having dinner with him every night.
"I think the shamrocks are a nice touch," Hermione chuckled.
The stadium didn't take long to fill. After some announcements alerting those stragglers to find their seats the referee entered the stadium with a box that Harry recognized as the box that contained the balls for the game. He mounted his broom and as he kicked off the ground the stadium rose off the ground as well. Harry felt Hermione's hand tighten as they were lifted off the ground, though she relaxed when the stadium stopped moving. "You okay?" He asked.
"Yeah I just never get over that feeling when it happens."
"Even at my quidditch games?" Harry asked, surprised. She nodded. "Then why do you go?"
"Because you're my best friend and I want to support you."
Harry smiled. That was very Hermione to do. "Well thank you for facing your fears for me."
"You're worth it," she winked, making him laugh and slip an arm around her to pull her into a partial hug. "Just don't let it get to your head Harry."
"I'll try," he grinned.
The mascots came out soon. First up was Bulgaria and their Veela on a floating stage. Using his omnioculars Harry got a good look at them, curious about what exactly awaited Hermione. There was no denying their beauty. Around their necks was a familiar sight for him. It was the same pendant Hermione wore; a lyre. The women had various hair colors; most were brunette but there were a few blondes. They didn't all look identical or anything like that. It seemed some features were just enhanced. Their faces were very symmetrical or close to it. As they danced Harry noticed they kept gazing upward. Hermione leaned in, "When Veela dance like that it's to praise Apollo," she whispered. Harry nodded. That made sense. He felt the blast of the allure a few seconds later. Harry felt the wolf growl in his mind and he took Hermione's hand, setting the wolf at ease. "You okay?"
"My furry friend does not like the allure," he whispered. "I think he thought I might stray from you because of it. But I didn't feel anything."
"Seamus and Dean do," she said. Harry turned to see Dean and Seamus both obviously reacting to the allure. Harry yanked Dean back into his seat.
"But Harry I have to get to them!"
"You should wait," Harry said. "You don't want to look desperate."
"That's a good point," Dean said and he relaxed into his seat. Seamus was pretty easily dissuaded too.
"That wasn't too bad," Harry said to Hermione.
"They have stronger minds than others," she said, pointing to some men in the neutral section who were brawling with each other. "It figures Apollo would mock those with weak minds," she muttered under her breath. Harry laughed.
After the Veela left the stage they had to bring order to the stadium. Harry used his omnioculars to look around. There were some very angry women and embarrassed looking men. One woman hit the man she was with with her purse. It took ten minutes to restore order. Then the leprachauns took to the stage. It rained gold down upon the stadium as they flew around it in formation. Harry didn't know very much about leprechauns but he remembered the phrase 'fool's gold' often being applied to anything a leprechaun gave you in muggle culture. "Is the gold fake?" Harry asked Hermione.
"It's real gold," she said. "But it vanishes after a few hours." Dean and Harry laughed at that.
The teams came out, the referee unleashed the bludgers and the snitch, and the game began. No national anthems were heard, which surprised the four teens. Harry felt himself drawn to the seekers. Krum was an excellent flyer. He was the exact opposite build of what Oliver Wood had told Harry was the 'perfect build' for a seeker. Krum was tall, bulky, and broad shouldered but he moved through the air like a hot knife through butter. "Krum's really good," Harry said aloud.
"It's weird to think he's still in school," Hermione said.
"He seems pretty calm," Seamus observed.
"Harry is when he flies too," Dean pointed out. "Maybe it's a seeker thing."
For Harry, the game was a bit one-sided. Ireland's chasers were outstanding and Bulgaria's were good but had a hard time getting past Ireland's keeper. The Irish seeker, though, wasn't particularly good. Krum pulled a fantastic Wronski Feint that saw the Irish seeker crash into the ground. Harry cringed and from the strength of Hermione's grip he knew she was imagining one of the many times she'd seen him fall off his broom. "If you ever try that trick I might have to murder you," Hermione warned him.
"I promise I will only ever perform it in a life or death situation," he said.
"I'm holding you to that Potter."
Harry had faked out other seekers before so he knew the difference between faking you'd seen the snitch and actually seeing it. Krum obviously saw it. If you blinked you'd have missed it. Krum held up the Snitch and Ireland won the game. The section they were sitting in exploded in victory. Harry knew without a doubt that their section would be partying long into the night.
Exiting the stadium took a very long time but once they were back at their tent the celebrations were just kicking off. Dinner that night was served as a community, their tent being the station for roasting hot dogs, sausages, and marshmallows while others roasted pigs, boar, chickens, and more. Butterbeer, Firewhiskey, muggle drinks and more were served as people sang and danced. It was the most fun Harry had had celebrating a quidditch game victory. The party went long into the night and eventually they retired to their tents to sleep.
Harry was pretty pleased when he was abruptly awakened by whispers from Hermione. Until he realized that unlike his dream, she was telling him to put clothes on. "What's going on?"
"Death Eaters," she answered. "They're attacking and all wearing masks."
"Good thing we have Professor Dumbledore here," Harry said, making sure his wand was in its holster as he slipped on his trainers. He stood and exited the room, meeting Dean in the hall as they all swiftly exited the tent.
Harry had expected to enter into utter chaos when they left the tents. Instead they witnessed Albus Dumbledore living up to the oft-touted 'only wizard Voldemort was ever afraid of' label. The gentle, kind old man he'd come to know over the past week was suddenly a dangerous looking wizard. A very dangerous looking wizard. And he looked angrier than Harry could ever have imagined him looking as the Death Eaters that were approaching their section had muggles that they were torturing in the air. Dumbledore saw them, "Mona if you would be so kind as to assist me? And perhaps you children could use the levitation charm to save those innocent people from being dropped to the ground?"
He asked them but it felt more like an order. Harry had his hand yanked by Hermione and he grabbed Dean who grabbed Seamus as Hermione moved them into the shadows. "We have to stay quiet and hidden," she said to the boys. "Harry's really strong I think he should focus on lifting the man."
"There's two kids Seamus and I can keep them elevated," Dean said.
"I'm okay with helping that woman," Hermione nodded. "Okay so focus on your person but remember the power of your spell comes from your wand movement and focus, not from the volume of your voice. We don't want to be seen."
The boys nodded and the four moved into proper locations to see their targets. From his vantage point Harry was in awe as Dumbledore struck the Death Eaters down. Then he felt the cold shiver down his back and a screech he'd only heard once before. He turned to see Dementors charging at their camp. Before he could even think his wand was out, "Expecto Patronum!" A familiar large, silvery wolf leaped into action and it immediately lunged at the Dementors. His wolf was joined by the biggest raven he'd ever seen, just as silvery and just as vicious as his patronus. It soared through the air, pecking the Dementors and even diving into their hoods to attack whatever their faces looked like. Harry couldn't stare too long, though, as he heard Dumbledore cast a spell in a tongue he didn't recognize and Harry flicked his wand, "Wingardium Leviosa!" The muggle family all stayed up and Dumbledore transfigured a large mattress out of nothing that they dropped the family gently onto.
He turned back to see the wolf and raven continuing to tear apart the Dementors. "That's cool," he heard Seamus say.
"Wicked brilliant," Dean added.
Harry was more curious about who the raven was. Hermione's hand slid into his and he pulled her into a hug. As soon as she slid into his arms he knew. The raven was a symbol of Apollo. "Nice patronus love," he said.
"I have a wealth of happy memories to choose from now," she smiled. "I think that's the hardest part of the spell."
Harry nodded in agreement. The Dementors fled and he took great pride that they'd twice chased them off. "Is that the first time you've cast that spell?" He asked.
"Professor Dumbledore taught me how to during the school year but that's the first time my patronus has been corporeal."
"Because of me?"
"I like to think so," she smiled. "More romantic that way." Harry chuckled.
Aurors arrived within minutes, including Big Sam, and he smiled when he saw the teens. "Hello you lot. Got the boss coming in a bit. Did you all use your wands?"
"Professor Dumbledore asked us to catch those muggles that the Death Eaters were attacking," Dean said.
"Then Harry and I saw the Dementors and we both cast the patronus charm," Hermione added.
"The Patronus eh? That's a hard one. Loads of aurors can't cast it," Sam said, "If you lot don't mind I just need to cast a spell to see the last spell you cast. Standard procedure to prove you aren't Death Eaters."
One at a time they handed their wands to Sam, who cast a recall spell to verify that they had cast the spells indicated, "Alright then that's taken care of. Good work you four. Dementors are nasty business. Never liked them. Ministry claims to have control but then something like this happens and they just shrug and say there must have been some mistake. I'll say there was. Employing the damn things in the first place."
Harry smirked. Sam was pretty entertaining. He'd met many people that summer that he quite liked. Although he hadn't expected to have this kind of excitement. "Are those people we helped going to be okay Sam?"
"Aye they will be. Obliviate them of the memory and give them potions and heal them up real nice. They won't remember this at all."
"That's good," Hermione said.
Soon Rufus Scrimgeour arrived and he took their statements before delivering news Harry had nearly forgotten about with everything that had happened that day. "Mr. Potter, Harry, your godfather has been formally cleared of all charges."
"That's fantastic!" Harry grinned.
The auror nodded, "It is. You can't see him just yet though. He has many health problems from Azkaban which St. Mungo's and Gringotts are formulating a treatment plan to fix. He decided he wanted to get all fixed up before finally seeing you again. He wants to make a good impression, he says. Doesn't want to embarrass you in front of your girlfriend's parents."
Harry's grin grew. He could understand that. It had been obvious when they'd met that Sirius wasn't well. A regimen to fix him up and take care of him was a good idea. That he at least had a sense of humor about it was a good sign. He wanted to get to know Sirius. Really get to know him. Rufus spoke to Mona and Dumbledore before saying goodbye to them.
They made their way back to their tents and went inside, though sleep seemed impossible. Harry lay in bed, thinking about all that had happened so far that summer. He felt pretty lucky. So much could have gone wrong. Hermione's parents could have been horrified he was a werewolf and turned him in. Madame Bones and Rufus could have been corrupt and buried the basilisk and Sirius' innocence. Dumbledore could have stopped him from going to Hermione's home or tried to protect the Dursleys in court. He could have been a very dangerous enemy. Instead what he'd found was two surrogate parents who were protective and supportive of him. Allies that shined a light on the truth and fought for justice. A powerful wizard who could admit his failings and worked to correct the mistakes he had made. At the beginning of the summer Harry had been quite disillusioned with the magical world. But he was full of hope for the future and not even the fact that soon his girlfriend would come into her Veela powers and the wolf was eagerly anticipating that day could dent that hope.