The Yule Ball and More
Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
WARNING: These Chapters have not and will not be sent to a Beta they are simply what they are.
THIS STORY DOES NOT FOLLOW CANON AND MAY BASH SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE CHARACTERS!
A Continuation of: The First Task and Beyond
The Yule Ball and More
28 November 1994
Harry and the GAM crew arrived in the Great Hall at 0645h. Harry left the others at their table and went to the head table and sat in the center seat. His coffee appeared already fixed as he liked it hot, strong, and black. Harry only drank coffee the first thing in the morning after that it was tea with one lump of sugar and a splash of milk or cream. When Professor Sprout came in he told her why he was sitting in the Head Chair, and she agreed.
At 0700h, the Great Hall doors closed, and Harry stood. "Good morning I am Harry the future Earl of Gryffonsmoor the owner of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I'll try to keep this relatively short while keeping the rumor mill at a minimum. On Saturday, I fired Dumbledore for endangering students more specifically the four champions. He had ordered nesting mothers not to be fed to the point they were starving. Last evening the former Headmistress and his wife Professor McGonagall-Dumbledore thought that type behavior was alright. I disagreed and fired her, and then had her arrested for child endangerment."
After taking a sip of his coffee Harry continued. "In not sure what the students of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang were told, but I assume it was what we were told. The Triwizard Tournament is held not only as a contest but as a way for the three schools to meet fellow students from different backgrounds. This is not happening here. I would like to see that change starting today. Now I've been as guilty as everyone else because I've been trying to catch up and stay alive in a tournament that I'm too young to have entered. That stopped Saturday and the students of the Goblin Academy of Magic will take most of their meals here with you from this day forwards."
Harry took another sip of his coffee and thanked the elves for keeping it hot. "I'm sure there are rumors that I sent Professor Karkaroff packing. This is true, but I did so to save his life. He is a marked Death Eater, and Saturday evening at 1800h wards were activated that would kill a Death Eater who was outside of this castle. The wards are keyed to the mark, so being reformed was no help to him, or anyone marked. I had nothing against the man as I did not know him. The second rumor is that I placed the Black Lake off-limits for the tournament, and this is true."
After another sip, Harry continued, "It is also true I said no one not selected as a champion can participate directly in the tournament including being someone needing rescued. Therefore, the eggs we rescued have no meaning since the riddle was in Mermish. Before I turn you over to our new Headmistress, Professor Sprout, the Forbidden Forest now contains a clutch of dragons so keep the hell out of there lest you get eaten. While they are eating the Acromantula, they might enjoy a change of meat. Thank you for listening to me, Professor Sprout, they're all yours Ma'am."
Harry was surprised when Cedric, followed by Victor and then Fleur stood and clapped. Then the others joined in including some Slytherins. Pomona introduced the new Professors and the subjects they were teaching. Then she announced the Yule Ball for fourth years and above saying the younger students could go home a week early. After a quick meal, Harry walked over to Victor and introduced himself and chatted a bit about the dragons. Victor went white when Harry said they were planning to eat the champions then turn to the crowd.
Fleur and Cedric heard the last part of the conversation and introduced themselves. Since they were at the Slytherin table Victor introduced his friends. That started a trickle of Hogwarts students introducing themselves to the other students, including fellow students at Hogwarts, they didn't know. Daphne joined him, and Harry introduced her as his fiancé which surprised everyone. They decided to split up and meet later. Harry and Daphne went to the Ravenclaw table and met some of the French and Ravens. Cho was a big help by providing introductions. The French girls were amazed how quickly Harry and Daphne switched between French and English.
Harry steered Daphne toward the Puffs and Susan introduced them before Cedric and Cho arrived to handle the introductions of the upper years. Harry was asked several times about the dragons crapping on the judges' stand. Harry finally announced that he did not suggest they do that to the judges. He did add that he talked Molly out of setting them on fire since he thought most of the judges didn't know what Dumbledore did. When he asked about Ragnok and Madam Bones sitting with the Goblin Academy of Magic, Susan answered that saying it was Ragnok's idea since he sponsored the school and its champion.
Ron asked if Harry knew what the dragons were going to do. Harry replied, "After their first pass, I heard Molly's stomach rumble and thought it might happen. Keep in mind they were nearly starved then gorged themselves on I don't know how many of the Acromantulas. Having lived on two slices bread and two glasses of water a day for two weeks then getting an egg and a slice of bacon I know what it does to my stomach. That's why I eat so little the first couple of weeks here. I have to adjust to getting food because the Dursleys damn sure didn't feed me thanks to Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore."
The Great Hall went quiet, so Harry added. "It took four goblin healers, one of which is Ragnok's personal healer, to get me straight. That was with twelve months in time compression while I was in stasis. They literally regrew my skin from the shoulders down to get rid of my scars. Every bone in my body, including my skull has been regrown. While I don't hate the Dursleys or Dumbledore, I will demand justice. Leader of the light my ass, Dumbledore is as dark as Voldemort and as liberal with memory charms as Voldemort is with the Cruciatus spell."
A horrified Ron said, "God Harry, I'm sorry I asked."
"Ron it's not your fault that I went on a rant. But Dumbledore has fooled so many and I didn't mention how much the bastard stole from me. The goblin that gave him the key to my vault was fed to a dragon because Sharpaxe found out he did it, which made him a thief in Gringotts eyes." Harry retorted.
Lavender Brown asked, "Why weren't more of us selected to go to the new school?"
Harry smiled as he had been waiting for that question. "Did you support me when everyone was calling me the heir of Slytherin? Are you in the top fifteen percent of your year? Are you ready to attend class eight hours a day and study another six? Are you ready to lift weights and run a minimum of two miles every day, including weekends?"
She shook her head and said, "No."
Parvati said, "That's only part of what we do Lav. In fact, Harry only told you the easy part."
That shut most of the others down from asking how they could transfer. The GAM crew excused themselves saying it was class time. They jogged in step on the way back to the Annex while listening to Hermione gripe about the Hogwarts library being so disorganized.
"Neville will be sleeping on the floor after they get married because Hermione will have to have two hundred books on her bed, just so she can sleep." Harry chided.
"Well if he does things right I'll be too tired to read," she shot back at Harry.
Harry shut her up asking, "And you know this how? Oh yes, you read a romance novel all about it. Try the Kama Sutra Hermione it's better than romance novels."
"And you know this how?" Hermione replied.
"Because I have the wizards' version, and the pictures move as you read the words Hermione. I plan on making Daphne a very happy lady on our wedding night without us practicing beforehand….much." Harry retorted and blew her a raspberry while Daphne turned red and smacked the back of his head hard.
He whispered something in her ear and the only thing the others thought they heard was 'parseltongue'. However, it must have been good as she gave him a toe curling kiss that left him goofy looking much like a gander that had been hit on the head. The bets on their wedding date increased as the dates came closer to next year.
They decided to do three days of time compression per normal week, so they could take their OWLs before Christmas break. Neville was going to escort Luna into the Yule Ball as Harry's second date and anyone who didn't like it could piss off. Luna had moved to Harry's left side for meals, and that was the way it would be since Daphne agreed.
At 1600h, 19 December 1994, Sharpaxe and seven members of the Department of Education at the ICW went into time compression to proctor the OWLs for the students of the Goblin Academy of Magic. On the fifth day, in the afternoon, the ICW people passed out their scores and International Apparation licenses.
At 1700h, the same day, the time compression ended and the Goblin Academy of Magic students prepared to go for dinner in the Great Hall. They were shocked to see Ragnok and the ICW Evaluators sitting at the head table.
Pomona stood and waited for quiet, which was almost instant. "Our guests are members of the ICW Team that recently gave the students of the Goblin Academy of Magic their OWL examinations. The team is led by Mr. Warren Bolton of the USA. Mr. Bolton has a few words to say."
Mr. Bolton stood and looked over the Great Hall. "My team and have evaluated classes of five to one hundred twenty throughout Europe, Asia, and the Americas for over fifteen years. However, we have never had a class like the first class at the Goblin Academy of Magic. There was only one Outstanding, and it was in Potions. However, there were several records set for scores. The average score was an Outstanding with distinction and every subject we tested now has a new highest score. The twenty three students not only all have their OWLs but passed their International Apparation license, including side-along. We, the team, raise our cup to you the students of the Goblin Academy of Magic as the best it has been our pleasure to test."
After taking a sip from his goblet Mr. Bolton added, "For those interested in such things, each of the students has twenty six or more of a possible thirty OWLs. We would like to congratulate Chief Ragnok and Sharpaxe for starting such a fine school. The facility is second to none. The Professors are Masters of their fields, and their teaching methods allow them to pass their knowledge to their students. The hospitality you showed us has us waiting to return to test your NEWT students. We thank you for this opportunity."
It took about thirty seconds for his words to sink in, and the fact that he had sat down before Pomona started clapping. You would have had to have been blind to have missed Fleur and Victor leap to their feet and look at the GAM table as they clapped. They were soon joined by their fellow students who knew just how had those exams were. The Hogwarts students were getting a taste of what teaching to the ICW standard meant. People like Crabbe, Goyle, Parkinson, and others were set back to first year. Ron barely kept from going back to third and was now hitting the books hard with Sally-Ann Perks.
Harry stood after thing quieted down, "Just so there is no misunderstanding here it was me who got the lowest score in potions. My Pepper Up potion was too strong and therefore, not Medical Grade. Madam Pomfrey we have twenty-three vials of Blood Replenishing, and Skelgrow potions, but only twenty-two of Pepper Up potions for you."
Poppy stood, "Thank you Mr. Potter. I suppose you were thinking about Quidditch when you brewed the Pepper Up potion. Many profession players have it brewed a bit strong, which makes them take more chance than they should because they really needed to rest."
Harry blushed and said, "Actually I was thinking of my lovely fiancé and lost count of an ingredient."
"That's right Potter, blame your future wife. We'll have words later," Daphne retorted.
Harry looked horrified and managed, "Yes dear," then sat down to the laughter in the Great Hall. Daphne took the sting of her words out of the situation by kissing Harry on the cheek.
Harry and Daphne had a meeting with the champions and their significant others after breakfast in the Annex.
Flashback to 7 December
Harry left the Annex in formal clothes to meet with the Triwizard Tournament Committee. This group consisted of the School Heads and representatives of the three Ministries plus Harry as the owner of Hogwarts. Bulgaria was represented by Hans Heigher, the Deputy Minister, and Ivan Mastoff the new Durmstrang Headmaster. France had André Delacour and Madame Maxime as their representatives. Madam Bones and Headmistress Sprout represented Hogwarts.
After the introductions, Harry started the meeting. "We need to come up with a new second task since the Black Lake is off limits. Dumbledore planned to kidnap Gabrielle Delacour, Cho Chang, my fiancé, and whomever Victor took to the Ball as hostages for us to rescue from the Merpeople Village. As the owner of Hogwarts I could not and would not let that happen."
While letting that sink in André asked, "What do you propose in its place?"
Harry smiled and nodded at the Frenchman. "I propose a duel between the champions and Auror training dummies. They'll be programed by Gringotts with the same spells but used in different order by each dummy. There will be nothing dangerous but will have the appearance of things like cutting curses and blasting curses as well as the normal disarming spells. If you're hit you're marked by the color of the curse. If a champion is hit in the neck with a cutting curse, they're out. A bone breaker will render the arm or leg inactive. This will allow the judges to score as the duel progresses."
"How will the dummies be secured Lord Potter?" Mr. Heigher questioned.
"They will stay at Gringotts until the day of the task. Once here they will be secured by Hawkclaw and ten goblins under wards," Harry answered.
All six committee members agree to the task.
End Flashback
Harry and Daphne led Cedric, Cho, Victor, Inga Romanov, Fleur, and Marie DuPont into the lounge. Winky served them tea and pastry as Harry told them about the second task. He also told them about Dumbledore's grand plan.
"Harry let me be sure I understand what the old man had planned. Our hostages were to be secured in the Black Lake, so we had to rescue them. While that was going on, the audience would sit in the cold for an hour or more looking at the surface of the lake." Cedric questioned.
"Yes, really exciting for the audience. Meanwhile, we would have Grindylows, the Giant Squid, and who knows what else to fight. Of course, there's the problem of Fleur being Veela and water robbing her of part of her powers. Then just how safe are the hostages? While most of the British wizard world may worship that old man's arse, I wouldn't believe him if we were outside on a clear day, and he said the sun was shining." Harry replied.
Harry paused and continued, "The third task is to be a maze made of fifteen to twenty feet tall hedges. Well, we'll do that but it won't be the real task. It's a set up to kidnap me. Once you leave here you'll forget this until that part is over. Voldemort is trying to come back and wants my blood for a ritual. So a week before the real final task we'll do this fake one which I'll win. If all goes as planned Voldemort and Peter Pettigrew will walk into our trap, and I'll kill the bastard for real this time."
Once the shock wore off Cedric asked, "What about his Death Eaters?"
"Well it turns out that mark they are so proud of lets him draw magic and his or her life force from them. We highly suspect that he will kill them while trying to keep himself alive. Fleur please translate vol-de-mort into English." Harry explained.
"Flight from death Harry, as well you know," Fleur said with a smile.
"Exactly, Voldemort is really Tom Marvolo Riddle, a half blood born of a near squib mother and muggle squire's son. He was born 31 December 1926 and attended Hogwarts. He is what Dumbledore made him with the help of Horace Slughorn. Dumbledore could have stopped his lover, Gellert Grindlewald, early in that war but wanted to be the big hero and use that as a stepping stone to rule the wizard world. However, he didn't think the time was right so he needed another dark lord." Harry confided, and paused to sip his tea.
He continued, "Dumbledore and Grindlewald wanted to rule the world for the Greater Good but disagreed on the method to reach that goal. Gellert was open and wanted to sit on a throne while Dumbledore wanted to remain in the background until the time was right. Grindlewald is in Nuremberg prison having been shot in the back after sex with his lover, Dumbledore. I spent about three hours with him last August, and he asked me to take Dumbledore and Tom down. I said I would do my best. This will all come out at Dumbledore's trial on the twenty-ninth. That and how much that old goat raper stole from me, including my parents and childhood."
The others watched as Daphne hugged him tight and sobbed. Daphne really wanted to hex Dumbledore into oblivion. That ended the conversation, so they showed their guests the facility. Once outside the wards the guests knew they had a pleasant conversation and about the third task. Their conversation about Voldemort and Dumbledore was packaged and would be released when Voldemort was dead.
The GAM students went home for the week and would return for the Yule Ball on the twenty-third. However, Harry and Daphne had meetings to attend and things to do including finishing their shopping.
000-000
Harry, the Greengrasses, Lovegoods, Sirius, and Remus were all staying at Potter Manor for Christmas. Sirius, Adrian, Xeno, Luna, Harry, and Daphne spent the evening of the twentieth negotiating the betrothal of Luna Lovegood to Harry James Black-Potter. Sirius and Hestia were getting married on 31 December, and neither could have children so Harry was being named Lord Black on New Year's Day. Luna would become the next Lady Black.
They signed the contract at Gringotts on the twenty-first and Harry took Luna to the Black vault to choose her betrothal ring. It was platinum with alternating diamonds and emeralds matching their eyes. Harry gave her a kiss that left them both breathless and goofy smiles. It was her first kiss on the lips from anyone except her parents. She would say later it was definitely worth the wait.
Only Harry, Daphne, Luna, and Sharpaxe knew that the three teens were meeting Fleur at the Annex every morning before breakfast. They were spending 15 time compression days training with her and getting to know each other better.
Fleur came off as a spoilt princess to keep unwanted males and others away. However, she was a powerful smart witch that happened to be a Veela which the three teens paid no attention to. During their down times, they watched movies and danced with Harry. Fleur taught them various ballroom dances that they didn't know. They rotated dancing with Harry since he was the only boy at the Annex. They also talked a lot about their past and what classes they liked or didn't like.
The Yule Ball
The GAM crew arrived in the Great Hall on the twenty-third just before lunch. Of course when Harry entered holding hands with Daphne and Luna tongues started wagging.
Harry immediately put a stop to it by announcing, "All right you lot, for those that don't know. The last head of an Ancient and Most Noble House can legally have two wives. In some cases, the family magic forces it in order to ensure the house survives. Daphne is my fiancé and Luna is my betrothed. Now there is one more thing I want to stop, and that's rumors as to why some people were not included in the initial class at the Goblin Academy of Magic. Ragnok and Sharpaxe looked not only at grades but potential and the ability to fit in harmoniously with others who supported me over the previous three years, period end of discussion."
After a pause to let his words sink in Harry continued. "The Goblin Academy of Magic will continue. It will offer Masteries in several subjects. It will also offer a pre-school for magicals beginning at the age of six. One thing it will not accept is bigotry in any form. If you can't stand Muggles, goblins, elves, or centaurs you'll never make it past the initial interview. It's the same if you don't have the drive to be the best in a chosen field. With that said, the GAM will limit their classes to twenty-six students per year so don't think Hogwarts will close. Hogwarts has begun teaching to the ICW standard which is forcing the other five schools in the United Kingdom to do the same."
Someone yelled, "Twenty-six is a large class in some subjects."
Harry laughed while replying, "Not if you split it into thirteen taking Potions while the other thirteen take Charms and add that each class has a minimum of two professors teaching or helping. The Weasley twins study as much or more than Hermione."
They yelled, "That's because she spends so much time snogging Neville goofy."
Harry sniggered, "True, but you two spend as much time snogging each other."
"Hey, we kiss Angelina and Katie not each other." They shot back.
Luna interjected, "It's true Harry, but if you look at them, you would only see one person since they try to merge their bodies so it just looks like the boys are kissing."
Fred looked at George saying, "That's true."
After lunch the GAM crew portkeyed back to the Annex rather than bother the elves that were moving the snow to make a path.
They overheard Parvati tell Padma, "Well, I've wasted all the time I'm willing to on Lavender. I have to assume her gossiping is in her blood or magic. Apparently, she would rather read Teen Witch Weekly than study, yet wonders why she barely scrapes an Acceptable."
Padma told her sister, "Don't beat yourself up, you tried, which is all you can do. She is more interested in fashion and finding a husband than classes. I'm just glad you got away from her."
The twins hugged and went to get ready for the Ball. Winky let the girls know she would be doing their hair, and that they would keep it right. Harry fell off the sofa he was on while laughing when Winky started shaking her little finger at witches twice or three times her size, and they were agreeing with her.
The elves placed elven constant temperature charms on their clothes. They also added charms to keep the clothes clean and wrinkle free. A spilled drink would simply run of and not leave a wet spot or stain.
They arrived in the Great Hall entryway early. Harry, Daphne, and Luna remained there while the rest of the crew went to find tables. Harry left his ladies to talk to the band. They had agreed that he would start the first dance with Daphne and halfway through she would switch with Luna. Every other slow dance would be with Luna, and they would dance the fast ones together.
About five minutes after being joined by the other champions and their dates, they entered the Great Hall. Fleur and Marie led, followed by Victor and Inga, then Cedric and Cho. Last were Harry, Daphne, and Luna with Harry in the middle.
Professor Flitwick announced the couples. When it came to Harry, he announced, "Harry Potter, his fiancé the future Lady Gryffindor and Lady Potter now known as Miss Daphne Greengrass. Lord Potter's betrothed and the future Lady Black-Potter now known as Miss Luna Lovegood."
They had to join the head table for dinner, and until the first dance was over. Dinner was a pick your meal from a menu that featured British, French, and Bulgarian foods.
After the meal and discussion about mundane things the dance started with a waltz. Harry danced the first half with Daphne and during a turn the girls switched, and he finished it with Luna. They said good evening to those at the head table and went to join their friends. They would dance six or so dances then rest for two or three and start over again. They did manage at least one dance with their friends.
While dancing with Hermione, Harry asked, "When are you two getting betrothed?"
"Harry not that it's your business, but I'm still thinking about it," Hermione huffed.
"You do understand that in the current political climate that the first of January some pureblood git like Goyle could claim you as a Muggleborn, right?" Harry stressed his point.
"You're serious?" she asked the fear was shown in her voice.
"Definitely, they would have a harder time with Luna because she is a pureblood. However, someone from a major house could claim her." Harry confessed. "Amelia and Madam Longbottom have been shot down in the Wizengamot for suggesting a change in the laws. While Luna would be a wife, you would be a consort which is basically a high priced word for whore. Oh they couldn't take money directly for passing you around but what happens under the table stays there."
"Why didn't Neville explain this?" Hermione asked.
"Come on Hermione, how do tell the girl you love something like this when she's considering becoming your betrothed. There is no way without you and your parents thinking that he was trying to push to into agreeing. Logically, you may know he would never even think about that, but like the rest of us, you would always wonder. It's just another thing purebloods know that they try to keep others from knowing. If you choose not to go the betrothal way, then I suggest you leave Great Britain no later than the end of this December." Harry explained and the dance was over.
He watched as Hermione led Neville to the garden outside for a talk. Harry thought he had a fifty-fifty chance of not having Neville kick his ass for interfering. However, when they came back smiling, he figured that his chances were better. Now all he had to do was convince his ladies, he did the right thing.
After the dance, the GAM crew went to the Annex for their good-byes and gift exchange. Neville pulled Harry aside and thanked him for telling Hermione the truth and more so for why he couldn't. Harry smiled until Neville smacked him on the back of his head.
"That's from Hermione for not telling her earlier," Neville said while sniggering.
"Bloody hell, Nev I only found out the twenty-first," Harry retorted.
Harry kissed his ladies good night at 0112h on Christmas Eve morning and went to his room. He woke up with two warm and very naked bodies both with blonde heads. He thought he had died and gone to heaven. While there was no sex but a lot of kissing and touching as they learned about each other's bodies.
Yep, Harry thought. This is one hell of a lot better than studying anatomy in class. When he asked Sharpaxe about the door being closed and the wall not being transparent Sharpaxe replied that he was and adult and either engaged or betrothed to the girls. Harry guessed there was some kind of logic in Sharpaxe's reply but he couldn't find it.
At 0800h, 24 December 1994, Harry, Daphne, Luna, and Astoria appeared in the atrium of Potter Manor in good moods just in time for breakfast. They recognized the leavings of hangover potions in front of the adults.
Harry smirked, "We must have missed one hell of a party."
Sirius mumbled, "We celebrated a bit since Remus, and Dora got engaged. They're probably still shagging like bunnies. They decided to do an engagement binding, and the Druid married them instead. At least, that's what the glow indicated. That was followed by a copy of their marriage license appearing."
Harry being totally sober, "Ahha Remus is worried about supporting her. So we move his employment as our business manager forward no big deal."
They heard, "What business manager?"
"Potter-Black Imports. I'm in school. Sirius is fighting the Wizengamot with Amy and Aunt Gus. They snuck through a rider on the DMLE budget that allows importation of charmed muggle devices. We managed to be the only supplier in the United Kingdom. We need a manager and the pay is 10,000₲ plus five percent of the net profit." Harry answered.
"You have the experience with the devices and know squibs that you can hire to sell and train the users. The fact you get furry once a month means nothing in retail, and we all know that. Add in that you'll only interface with customers when you want or absolutely have to. The suppliers are all from werewolf friendly countries. It's a win-win situation for you and us." Sirius added.
"Besides you're not afraid of hard work, Mooney. But I have to be honest here as I'm pissed that my ladies and I weren't invited to the wedding." Harry confessed.
The Lupin's response was interrupted by the delivery of the Daily Prophet.
Dumbledore is Declared a Dark Lord by Gringotts
By Rita Skeeter
Ragnok, Chief of the Goblin Nation, held his first ever press conference on 23 December. He passed out two pages of charges against Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. They range from kidnapping the heir of an Ancient and Most Noble House, and theft from the same House in amount that exceeds 150,000₲. Also cited are charges of child endangerment in excess of 900 cases. Other charges include use of illegal memory charms on more than two hundred wizards and witches.
His wife, the former Minerva McGonagall, is charged as an accessory in the majority of these charges. During the Hogwarts 1992-93 school year, it was only luck that kept four students from being killed. The Dumbledores knew a basilisk was roaming the halls of Hogwarts let out by a student possessed by Voldemort. Before you fault the girl, she was eleven at the time, and had no chance against Voldemort. Fortunately, for us Lord Potter slayed the basilisk, which turned out to be seventy four feet and eight inches long. This is the largest basilisk ever heard of and was hatched and raised by Salazar Slytherin himself.
The story went on to tell how it was Dumbledore who suggested the Dementors to Fudge, then publicly decried them being at Hogwarts. It told how Dumbledore, at McGonagall's suggestion, had Sirius Black imprisoned while knowing he was innocent. Dumbledore gave Sirius to Crouch in exchange for freeing Snape. The surprise for Harry was that his aunt and uncle had been spelled to make him weak. While they weren't the nicest people, they also weren't evil, the paper said. Between the compulsion charms on the letter Dumbledore left, and the wards the Dursleys never stood a chance.
The Dumbledores wanted Harry Potter dead, so they could have his fortune. They went so far as to fake a prophecy and setup James and Lily to be killed by Voldemort. While McGonagall railed against Snape publicly he was their accomplice and intentionally sabotaging the British wizard world by how he taught Potions. Snape's real agenda was to help Voldemort take over the world. He was a spy, but for Voldemort not Dumbledore. After taking his memories in certified goblin crystals Severus Snape was held to be fed to a dragon later. The Daily Prophet said the two Dumbledores would be tried on 28 December by the Goblin High Council.
They sat at the table shocked into silence until Harry mumbled, "Like it or not, at least we now have some answers Padfoot. We can't let that old son of a bitch ruin another Christmas for us. Like you, I want to piss on his and Minerva's graves, but we can see them get justice. Hopefully, Tom is also reading this and now knows we were both set up. And Remus you need to take Dora to the Black vault for her rings."
Sirius jumped in saying, "Harry's right. They'll enhance her magic and help protect her. Mooney your wedding ring will not only show you as a pureblood member of the family but will allow you to apparate to each other through Black wards. Both wedding bands provide protection against most curses, short of the three unforgivables."
Remus didn't hesitate to agree since it would help protect his new wife.
-000-
Tom Marvolo Riddle also known as Lord Voldemort was indeed reading the Daily Prophet. He was pissed about several things all of them centered on Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Slughorn. He was also pissed that he couldn't Crucio Wormtail since Peter was keeping him alive. His other servant was stuck in Hogwarts, and would die if he tried to leave the castle unless Tom could take the wards down. He really wanted to get his wand on Malfoy since Peter told him what happened to the basilisk and the diary.
He would have the Malfoy bitch, and her stupid son passed around to his men and possibly a troll or two while Lucius watched and then received the same treatment. Tom could not care less their marriage was dissolved. He did care about the lost money as you needed money to run a war. Tom still wanted Potter's blood for the ritual since it had his mother's protection in it.
"Wormtail feed me!"
"Yes My Lord."
To be continued in: Merry Christmas
A/N: This chapter marks the half-way point in this short story. The others are written and under review and will be posted hopefully soon.
To all of you who have reviewed, are following this story, made it a favorite, or added me to favorites, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I do not beg or hold up a story for reviews. Like all others who write out here I definitely appreciate the time you take to review my stories.
My profile says I don't write angst and why. The current news tells me there is far too much angst in real life for me to add to it in Fan Fiction.
My family and I wish each of you a Merry Christmas and hope 2013 is better for you, and yours, than 2012 was. May your guardian angel watch over you and your and keep you safe.
MSgt SilverDollar