The Night Parade comes to Hogwarts
Ch 6
[translate]
$parseltongue$
121
Hari Stopped at the table on his way out of the Hall. "Black, Lupin, Granger, and Longbottom. I invite you to join us, as we settle in." He Looked to the Twins, "We have not gotten to know one another yet, so I will say…'Let's do Lunch.'"
"Smashing!"
"Spot on!"
McGonagall, with a pinched look about her mouth. "This way Lord Potter." As the 'Parade' vacated the Hall, whispers rose across all four tables, and six robe colours. Albus sat back, fuming as he listened to his snooping charm.
As the Headmistress climbed the stairs, the group followed on her heels.
Black leaned over the young Lords shoulder, "How did you do that attack thing?"
"Shun-po." Hari answered, "A flash step. Line of Sight, straight line." He looked back over his shoulder, "While I do not have Fear as the rest of my Parade does, I have learned to mimic it through my magic."
"You just handed over your sword?" Neville asked from his other side.
"Yes and no." Hari answered. "He needed to feel and be seen as having a bit of power over me. A paper snake is a small price to pay. I am keeping the wand though." he drew the Wand, "Even in Japan, we have heard of the Death Stick. Taking it from Dumbledore's hand means it is mine. Had he not gone for the Wand, I would just have been showing off." the wand went back up his sleeve. "But that was not my only Shikigami of that form." he drew another paper snake from his sleeve, before putting it back. "I always keep two origami foci for my Shikigami, and it only takes an hour or two make more." He flicked his wrist, fanning a sheaf of papers with asian ruins on them. "Not like Ofuda, that take a hour or so each. But each Ofuda is a spell in of itself." the fan too vanished up his sleeve.
"So do you use that Sceptre at all?" Granger asked from where she trailed in their wake, Nala had looped and arm through her left arm, purring quietly as they followed the Wizards up the stairs.
Hari looked over his shoulder at the Witchling, "For My Combat Spells, if I should need to bring up a wall or down a gate. It is more of a Force Magnifier than a focus. Now that I have the Elder Wand, I can spin a tighter spell-weave, and increase my reach. Most of my spell work is by Ofuda or ring focus." he flashed a small pearl ring on his right pinky.
121
Albus cursed under his breath. The Boy knew that he now held the Elder Wand, and it's Loyalty. The Boy also was not defanged by the handing over of this paper snake. He twirled the twisted and folded snake by it's tail. Minnie had a crink in her tail, and the longer he let her stew, the bigger the blow out was going to be. But it also was possible that she might be completely thrown off by chasing this rabbit down its hole, that she would forget to ream him at all.
His eyes flashed across his Domain, spotting the Bones Girl, chatting with her friends… 'Just hope that she has not called her Aunt in to this, as it would be the Last thing I need right now.'
At the Ravenclaw table the spacy, silver bug-eyed blonde smiled serinely at him, before waving. 'Bugger, that Bint is going to Royally Centaur me, if her Father ever finds out.'
The twins were whispering, and judging by the thoughts he could 'read', they were planning on a prank war with Black and Lupin, as a test of their Pranking skills.
The Beauxbatons 'Bints' and Dumstrum 'Duds' were clueless, and he hoped to keep them that way. Most of the Slytherin were too busy with their internal politics to worry about, Malfoy being the 'thorn in the paw' and with Potter and Snape leading this Dance… 'This could be my chance to wedge a toe in the door, so to speak.'
Then he heard something that drew his attention back to Black…
121
"Excuse me Harry," Lupin called from his place in the cue, "I do not mean to be rude, but some of your friends smell rather odd, and none of them smell … human."
"That is because of those of us from Japan, I am the only Human. The rest of my Parade are yokai sworn to my service as I am sworn to my brother's." Hari had turned to look at the old wolf. "We are operating under 'guest rights' here. Treat us with respect, and we will return it ten fold."
"The Headmaster…" McGonagall started to say.
"Treated me like a child under his care, not a warrior here to do battle." Hari turned to her. " Japan might not be a member of the ICW, but we know of Albus Dumbledor, and his true legacy. It is not that he is a bad man, he is just an old man, one who has gotten use to having everyone do as he says, not as he does, and he expects everyone to obey. He cannot comprehend someone one telling him 'No'."
"And when he tried to have you sorted…" McGonagall nodded to herself, "He tried to force you down a path he saw you taking, not the road you were walking."
"Malfoy and Snape tried to tell you how things were done according to English views, when you are Handling Black affairs." Neville smiled, "Malfoy should have known better, but his thought that you taking away his inheritance caused him to overreact and over reach his station."
McGonagall led them down a hallway, to be met by an elf, dressed in her tartan colours.
"Ah, Tocky. I was hoping to see you. It seems we are needing the whole wing."
"Yes, Mistress Kitty." the Tama snorted, "I have already seen to it. Young Sir, Elder, and Smelly here in first room." he waved to the first door on his left, as it swung open, Hari, Nurarihyon and Kotto Kozu stepped into the doorway, Neville joining them. "Kitties here, Gets great light." the Waved hand opened a Door to the Right, as the Tama surged forward, Nala dragging Hermione along in her wake. "Turtles were harder, but we just flood bath." A wave at the second left handed door. "Monkey and Dog, Here." the second on the right, "Behave." He waved at the third door, on the right, "Ladies here. Room gets cold in morning, but the bed is heat-charmed."
"Blessed Be" the pale girl in a white and baby blue snowflake Kimono cried as she bussled passed the elf.
"My own Den?" the Vulpine Vixen in a black and orange Kimono pranced in on her heels, heading straight for the bed.
From the Kappa's room the sound of splashing as the two 'turtle men' rehidraytrated. The Monkey man had shed all pretense of being human, and was climbing the curtains, to hang a hammock, as the Tanuki was piling the pillows in the corner, as he made himself comfortable.
Hari Stepped out and Bowed, from the waist, including the head, to the Headmistress. "Milady. You are welcome to Call on us at your Fancy. We will do Tea."
Hermione sucked in her breath through her teeth, as the young Lord return to his room to unpack.
"What?" the Matron Witch demanded of her prize student.
"He not only respects you, the low bow from waist, but his head too is a sign that he trusts you with his life, and the life of his Companions." The bushy haired witchling spoke softly, "He only offered a head nod to Professor Dumbledor, and that was as his Host. He greeted Professor Flitwick as a fellow warrior, and Professor Snape with the respect of his mastery, only. "You, he offers full honors, and tea. He will probably do the same to Madam Pomfrey, so if you want to invite her along with you when you come for tea, she will no doubt be welcome."
Suddenly Nala was wrapping her arms about the witchling shoulders. "Why does the Elf call you 'Kitty'?" Nala Tama rubbed her head along Hermione's.
McGonagall straighten, looking away. "I have no idea what you are talking about."
Nala Tama squinted her eyes at the older woman. Hermione sighed, "As near as I can tell, most Elfs nickname us humans. I am Miss Bushy or Miss Chippy, to most. The Professor here is Kitty because she can shift her form, to that of a tabby. As a Master of her Art of Transmutation, she of course embraced the highest form of the Art, the changing of self."
"The ability to fully become a Neko?" Nala Tama hissed in pleasure, "Oh Kami-Sama!"
"Why are you hanging on Granger like that?" McGonagall glared at the 'cat girl'.
"Um." the Witchling swallowed, "Second Year Potions accident."
The Scot frowned, before the memory clicked, "Oh. Are you going to share that with them?"
"I am leaning that way." The girl looked out the side of her eye at the furry limpet hugging her, "I do know that they will not drive me away. Infact, they will welcome me, no matter what, just on the Origin of my issue alone."
The two male Tama also poked their heads out the door, "So, what is the rules on Tomcatting around?"
"You need to be back in this Hallway by bell strike, Nine O'Clock, each night. And no roaming until Six the next morning." the Witch glared at the males. "I have enough trouble with my 'Boys', I do not need you two added to the mix."
"Yes Ma'am!" the two males chorsed.
"Harry, Are you Ready to Go?" Lord Black asked from where he stood. "The Bank will take an hour or two… plus any shopping you will want to do afterwards."
"Okay, Padfoot." Hari patted the Lord on the shoulder, "Nala Tama, you are in charge. Keep the others in line. Headmistress, Grandfather can be appeased by feeding him sweets and tea. Just assign an Elf, to keep him fed and he will only trouble you if the Parade is threatened." He Bowed Low again, and followed the Lord out, the Foo on his heels.
121
Albus sighed, it looked like the Major Issues were not directed at him this morning…
The Great Doors slammed open as Dowager Longbottom, Strode into the Hall.
'Shite! Spoke too soon. Was not out of here Fast enough.' Albus mentally cringed. "Lady Longbottom." Although Her son had assumed the title, making Alice 'Lady Longbottom', With their Hospitalization, and her being Regent, it was just easier to call her 'Lady Longbottom' until Neville took up the ring, or Frank regained his mind. 'Like that is going to happen!' Albus put on a grand smile, "What brings you to our Hallowed Halls?"
"I Received Word that Heir Longbottom was endangered, once again, and the Great Dumbledor, did nothing to Protect Him!" the Prickly Witch Snarled. The sarcasm in her tone, indicating that Word did not come from Staff or the Press, and that Albus was as Powerless as Arthur Weasley in a Dark Artifacts raid on Malfoy. "Now Why am I hearing Hearing about this from my Grandson's owl, and not you or McGonagall?" She tapped her cane on the floor.
"Ah,Yes, Lady Longbottom. Last Night, your Heir was not the only Heir to be selected for this Tournament, that was a complete surprise. Heir Potter also was called, and returned."
A cough from Sprout, "Headmaster has misspoke, Gus. Lord Potter has been called. We now have five Chosen, for a three Champion game." She smiled, "Neville was chosen as 'Fate's Bitch."
The Vulture wearing Witch snorted. "That Boy. There are Days that I wish he had not followed his father, but was sorted to your House, Poma." the Dowager sagged, dropping her 'Cloak of War', as she turned back to Albus. "I do hope that you were planning on writing me this morning, I warned you last year what would happen if you failed in your care of Any of your students. I count this as a Failure."
"I put up an Age Line, I had Alastor Moody as a Security Consultant. I told everybody at the first of Term, and again two nights ago, that this was for of Age Wizards, and not to be entered into lightly." Albus countered.
"Did I hear you right? Of Age Wizards only?" Gus stood up straight, suddenly very interested in what Albus was saying.
"Yes." the wizard frowned at what the Witch was asking,
"Poma, where is my Heir?" the Witch had switched from one warpath to another. "Neville and I have House Business to take care of."
The doors behind her creaked open, "Oh Gran. I was hoping to be here when you arrived." the Stalwart voice of her grandson carried over the nearly silent Hall.
"Come Neville, We have have House Business to see to." she bustled by the bulky boy, as the great doors swung open, rather then be smashed. Neville just shrugged as he grinned at the two Hufflepuff Honeys he hoped to chat up, before following his Gran' out of the Hall.
Gus was moving so quickly, that they caught up with Lord Black and Hari Naru at the Gates. "Lord Black."
"Lady Longbottom." he bowed his head to the witch, "May I introduce my Heir, Lord Potter, Hari Naru."
"Not Potter?" the Dowager asked.
"No Ma'am," Hari bobbed his head, "I was adopted by the Nura clan in Japan, before I took up my heir ring for Potter, at the age of six. My Father died shortly after that. It was what caused me to learn to Harness my Power so quickly… so deeply."
"Ah Hari. Your… pet." Neville tugged on his own right sleeve.
"Kutama." Hari smiled at one he hoped to call 'Friend'. "He got it down, and now will sleep for a couple of days. Main reason I am keeping Yawa at my side." he scratched the Foo behind the ears. "Don't worry, I know most countries and nations on this side of the World are not comfortable with that subject."
"Something I should be aware of?" Gus asked.
"No Gran." the bulky boy blushed, "It would just upset you."
The Witch snorted. "Floo?"
"No." Black answered, "Hari's first time. Odds of him ending up in Knockturn Alley are too high. Then I have to find him before he burns that place out…" He shook his head, "Promised Bones that I would not be the cause of any trouble."
"And Malfoy?" Neville grinned at the older wizard.
"Not my fault." Black grinned back. "Scion Malfoy had no right to challenge at this time. Any trouble resulting from that falls at House Malfoy's feet."
"This I want to hear." Gus' eyes sparkled.
"This Morning at breakfast, Scion Malfoy came to insult me as he does on a weekly basis. Lord Black introduced Lord Potter as his Heir. Heir Malfoy took affront to an outsider claiming something that was promised as his, and challenged." Neville snorted, "Lord Potter offered Heir Malfoy three options, Right Compatince, Skill, or Butt-hurt. He was willing to talk out Compatince, Face Malfoy in a Duel for Skill, but for the third, Lord Potter suggested that Scions Goyle and Crabbe could help Heir Malfoy by, and I quote, 'Rub it and make it better'."
Gus snorted. "I will be wanting that memory for the House collection."
"Okay Hari." Black stepped through the wards, "Release Yawa, You can re-summon him in Diagon Alley." As the Foo popped into smoke, and Hari caught the paper dog, He stepped into the Wards. The Dome over the Castle and Grounds shimmered as a Gong rang out.
Black dropped his left hand on the lad's shoulder. "Relax. Don't fight me, it is going to be bad enough as it is." And twisted into the either. The Longbottoms a step behind.