Chapter 7 Of Dances and Punches
Harry held Hermione in his arms, leaning against an old oak that had become 'their' spot. They had decided to spend some time together down by the lake that night. The moon was shining brightly in the night sky, the reflections of the stars on the surface of the lake looked like glittering diamonds had been thrown randomly about. The lights from the Durmstrang ship and the castle added to the already beautiful evening.
"How are you doing?" asked Hermione with concern.
"If I'm honest with myself, probably better than I thought I'd be doing,. The surprises of the last few nights have been mind blowing in their implication." he dropped his head so it rested on her shoulder. He reveled in the warmth of her. "Just the fact that Snape, Uncle Severus, had his life torn from him like that makes me want to run up to the Headmasters office and obliterate him. Add to that what he did to Neville, and Luna, and Daphne…what he did to us."
"Do you love me?" she asked seriously.
"Totally, completely, and utterly!" he replied earnestly.
"Then know that I love you as well. I am hopelessly in love with you. The memories I got back, those memories of us…Harry, I have loved you since we met on the Express. I have no doubt about your feelings for me; I have never had any doubts about your love for me. I forgot how you kissed me before you went after the stone, I forgot how we spent the nights cuddled up in front of the fireplace in Gryffindor common, and I forgot the first time you held my hand as we walked along this very lake. But I remember it all too. I remember the first time that I kissed you, I remember how scared I was your first quidditch match, I remember running into your arms after I was de-petrified. I remember. I remember us. And I have you here, now, with me. And try though he might in the future, I doubt Dumbledore will be able to keep us separated ever again." she said with determination in her voice. She stood, walking towards the lake. She picked up a stone and skipped it on the glassy surface. "What frightens me Harry is that he'll get violent towards us. That he'll hurt us. That Mom and Dad might get caught in the crossfire."
Harry leaned back against the tree, marveling at the beautiful girl standing before him; a beautiful girl that loved him. "I will never let anything happen to us, love. If it means walking out of Hogwarts, grabbing your parents, and disappearing from Britain then so be it. We take our friends, we take their families, and we get out."
She strode purposefully towards her love and kneeled in front of him, her heart was in her eyes as she stared into his. She placed a tender kiss on his lips, "Let's keep that as an option. I know you'd have a boatload of guilt if we just up and left Britain. But if it means we'd be alive, that our family would be safe, it's something I would gladly do."
"It sucks that I have to participate in this damn tournament! I have this feeling 'Mione that there are things going on behind the scenes that will put me and the other competitors in danger. It's been two hundred years since the last tournament, what possible reason could there be to resurrect an event that saw students killed or hurt?"
"What are you thinking? That Dumbledore got the tournament to Hogwarts with the specific intent of having you compete?"
He nodded, "I think that I could have been on another planet and my name would have still come out of that cup. All I'm saying is that there has got to be a reason I'm forced to compete. Something that the gossiping girls of Pendragon can ponder some night." he grinned at her.
"You could do worse than the Lady Dragons, Potter. Did you know that Tracy, Daphne, and I are all at the top of our year? And that Luna is top of her year? She runs rings around those 'smart' Ravenclaws!"
"Oh yeah, well the boy Dragons….the boy Dragons…they can lift really heavy stuff!" he said trying to keep a straight face.
She laughed at that, and leaned her head into his chest. There was just something magical about being in his embrace and hearing the beating of his heart. She yawned deeply, and slightly embarrassed, hugged him harder. "Don't wanna go! I'm perfectly comfortable where I am."
"Come on, love, I think we both could use a good night's sleep," he reached under her legs and brought her up to his chest gently, her head still pressed in to his chest. She smiled up at him, placed a kiss on his cheek and with a grin said, "Take me home James!" Chuckling at her, he popped them away.
ooOOooOOoo
"Harry, Hermione, welcome back. I hope the night was pleasant for you both?" asked Godric with a cup of Earl Grey in his hand.
"It really was, Godric. It is really beautiful out there tonight. This land must have been quite stunning when you got here." noted Hermione.
"It really, truly was! Once the castle started going up, Rowena and I would do like you both just did and take a walk by the lakeside." He sighed, remembering his times alongside Rowena. "I urge you both to take time for each other. The road ahead will be difficult for us all; I don't want to see you two lose sight of each other and what you have. You are stronger together, always remember that, okay?"
Harry held on tighter to Hermione. "My life without her is not one I want to imagine, it is not one I would be able to endure." Hermione kissed him, nodding in agreement.
Godric could see their bond growing in strength. Where a few days ago it was just the faintest of glows, the bond now looked almost alive. It wouldn't be too long until the bond was fully realized. He smiled at them, knowing that their love of each other would to the light be its greatest hope of victory.
"Harry, Sirius would like you to go back to Gringotts sometime soon, we need your parents will. It could help us prove, legally at least, that Dumbledore took great liberties with your placement with the muggles. He seems to think that you were, for all intents and purposes, kidnapped that night. If that were true…" said Godric.
Hermione quickly went through the implications of Godric's statement. Kidnapping, even in the wizarding world, was a major crime. Kidnapping the last heir of the Potters, well, that was something even worse. That that same heir was then placed with muggles that heaped abuse on him would see whoever caused that to happen to have a cell in Azkaban held especially for them.
"I suppose we can go Friday afternoon after class. 'Mione, why don't you write your parents and have them join us at Gringotts? I can take a trip down to the vault, and then all four of us can come back here. I'll have Dobby set a room up for them." She thanked him with a kiss before heading off to her room to grab parchment and quill.
"You are indeed a brave lad, Harry! Having the in-laws over for the weekend is something even the bravest warrior would have problems doing"
Harry thought about that for a minute before replying, "Hermione will be my wife, of that I have no doubt. If I can win her parents over earlier rather than later…" Godric laughed heartily at that.
"I have something called a 'wand weighing' ceremony tomorrow, any ideas what that is about, Godric?"
"Hmm, that's new to me also Harry. Let's ask Remus in the morning. I will have Sirius accompany you. Chances are people from the ministry will be there, and I'm sure he'd like to give them the shock of their lives!
"Can I borrow Hedwig again, Harry? I've got the letter ready and I'd like to get it to them soon so that they can make plans to stay here a couple of extra days."
"I'm almost positive that if you call her she'll come to you 'Mione. By the way, where has Crookshanks been? You've called him haven't you?" asked Harry.
She got a little red in the face at the question, "Well, yes I did call him, only…"
"Only…?"
"He came and went right to my room. It wasn't until later that I discovered his displeasure at having been left behind. Harry, he tore up my bed! He turned it into confetti! And there were feathers floating in the air. Plus, he was giving me this self-satisfied grin that told me not to try anything that foolish ever again. Oh, and we'll have to stop and get him a new bed because apparently the old one isn't good enough for him anymore."
Harry had another pillow flung at his face, mostly because he couldn't contain his laughter. It shouldn't have surprised Godric he received a pillow to the head as well, but he just couldn't help laughing along with Harry.
ooOOooOOoo
Classes had just ended for the day when Sirius came up to Harry in the great hall. "Ready pup? We've got that ridiculous ceremony to attend?"
"Sure, just let me grab my things." he stood before planting a kiss on Hermione's forehead. "I will see you in a bit, love." She nodded at him, "Be careful Harry, Dumbledore is sure to be there."
"Did Godric ask you to go to Gringotts this weekend Harry? I think Amelia will really want to have access to it pretty soon." asked Sirius as he and Harry headed to the wand weighing ceremony. It was then that Harry noticed how Sirius' face would light up at the mention of Amelia's name, and also noted the look of abject sorrow that followed. "Tell me about Amelia, Sirius?"
Sirius whipped his hear around to stare at Harry. "What do you mean, pup?"
"Come on Sirius, every time you mention her name I expect you to either jump for joy or curl up in a ball and cry your eyes out. So give, what's the deal between you two?"
Sirius sighed. Only his brothers really knew the story, and only after regaining them thanks to Godric's potion. "I loved her, Harry. And she loved me. We got engaged a couple of months after graduation, we even had the party at your parents' house. She is, was, my Hermione. Godric gave her the potion yesterday, but I don't know if she'll take it or not. It's causing me a bit of anxiety. You know how we met?" he asked with a smirk. Harry shook his head.
"She punched me. Really, really hard too!" he chuckled at the memory. "I'd set a prank for Sev that would turn his hair pink. The problem though is that Lily and he decided to forego their usual table at the library and spend some time in the potions lab. Amelia sat at the table in Severus' spot! So, the charm activated and turned her gorgeous red hair pink. I don't know how she found out it was me, but find me she did. And she laid me flat out on my ass when she found me. Lily and James thought it was the most hilarious thing they'd ever seen. Severus and Remus ragged on me non-stop for months! Sirius Black, king of the serial daters, had fallen in love with a girl that beat the crap out of him."
"It turned out though that we had a lot of things in common. We were both eyeing taking the Auror entrance exam. And hopefully help clean out wizarding Britain of the infection that the Death Eaters were becoming. Slowly, and I mean really slowly, I won her over." his face took on a happier expression. "She was my everything. I finally got up the nerve to propose. It was the day we'd both been accepted into the Auror Academy, I had it all planned out, too. I had roses, champagne, and the most beautiful ring I could afford at the time. Personally, I thought it was the most romantic thing I'd ever done. Amelia though, thought it was the most clichéd thing she'd ever seen! She wailed and cried at how amazingly unromantic I was. She waxed eloquent on my lack of love for her. For an entire hour she harangued me. And just as I was about to go out and impale myself on a sword, I saw her smile. It was the most evil smile I had ever seen. 'Do you think I've let it go on long enough?' she asked. Lily and my brothers stepped in from the other room, trying hard not to laugh. She pranked me! The evil woman who I loved pranked ME! I was well and truly pissed off at this point, more so because everyone was pissing themselves laughing. It was then that she took my face in her hands and planting the most loving kiss on my lips said 'yes, dear, I will marry you.' I started blubbering like a baby, but was finally able to place the ring in her finger. We were embraced by my family and champagne flowed the rest of the night as we spent it together as an engaged couple. When you were born and I was made godfather is when things changed. It had to have been sometime after your christening that we began to drift apart. Dumbledore wasn't subtle about it either. We simply forgot about each other."
"She'll take the potion, Pads, and she will remember. It happened to 'Mione and me. It will happen for you two as well." asserted Harry. Sirius looked at his godson and wondered when he'd grown up so much.
"Ah, Harry, glad you could come. I see you've brought your Head of House." said Dumbledore in full grandfather mode. Albus caught the look of disgust that Harry was aiming his way. He'd have to remedy that soon.
"Headmaster, as Mr. Potters Head of House, I will be present for each and every meeting you have with him from here on out. Your only contact with him will be with me standing by his side."
The twinkle had left the Headmasters eyes and was replaced by a look of contempt that lasted a fraction of a second. When the twinkle returned, Albus said "Of course Lord Black, far be it for me to step on any toes. We have the wand weighing ceremony starting momentarily, followed by interviews with Harry and the other champions."
"Who is conducting the interviews, Headmaster?" asked Sirius.
"A reporter from the Prophet, a Ms. Skeeter I believe." he replied.
Sirius' face clouded at that. "Harry will not be giving any interviews to that woman, Headmaster," a little louder he added, "and I would advise the other champions to not give any interviews as well. Ms. Skeeter likes to play fast and loose with the truth."
"But they must, for the tournament, the public should get to know the champions!" declared Dumbledore.
"They don't have to do anything except show up for the tasks and participate." retorted Sirius. "Come on Harry, we don't have to be here for this, I think I'd rather go back to the common room and have a cup of tea with Godric!"
As they were headed out to the great hall, professor Mcgonagall asked them for a word. "Sirius, good to see you again. Would you mind if I have a word with Harry for a moment?" Sirius frowned at his former Head before nodding in agreement.
"Forgive him please, professor? We just had a rather unpleasant run in with the Headmaster. What can I do for you?" asked Harry.
"Two things, if you would please? Firstly, would you mind informing Lord Godric that the meeting he wanted is set up for this evening in my quarters? Secondly, do you know about the Yule Ball? No? Well, it will take place on Christmas night. Champions are required to attend. Champions are also required to bring a date as they will open the Ball with a dance. I hope you'll find someone suitable, Mr. Potter?"
The thought of Hermione in a ball gown almost melted his insides. He nodded, "Of course professor, I will happily attend. I also have the perfect date for the ball."
"Very well Mr. Potter. Carry on." she nodded at Sirius as she wandered back to her classroom.
"What did she want?" asked a curious Sirius.
"To make sure I had a 'suitable' date for the Yule Ball on Christmas. Also, she asked me to tell Godric about some meeting going on tonight in her quarters. What do you think that's about?"
"My guess, Godric is recruiting professors to our side. I'm sure the meeting will have one or two of the other professors. I think Severus and I should invite ourselves as well, although I'm sure Godric will ask us both to attend. Remus too, come to think of it. Shall we head back to Pendragon?"
Harry searched for Hermione in his mind. She was indeed in the common room already, and she was worried about him. "'Mione is there already, so yeah, let's go."
ooOOooOOoo
Harry was thankful the carpets on the common room floor were thick, because being tackled by Hermione, while pleasant, could really, really hurt. "How'd it go?" she asked.
"Don't know actually," he said as he climbed to his feet and helped her up, "Sirius and I left before the ceremony even began. Dumbledore had arranged an interview with a reporter from the Prophet and that's when Sirius got really angry and pulled us out of there. I don't even know if the ceremony took place."
"A reporter? What's a reporter?" asked Godric.
"Uhm, Hermione…?"
"A reporter is similar to a town crier, Godric. Journalists gather information about a particular story and then report about it in newspapers. Newspapers are like the written version of what a town crier would talk about. "
"Ah, so someone who takes creative license with the truth. I understand."
"And the Daily Prophet is the leader when it takes creative license with the truth." added Harry.
"I knew Rita Skeeter in school, there never has been nor will there ever be a gossip as big as her. Even then she didn't need to know the truth, she only wanted to hear the gossip and spread the rumors." said Sirius as he ran his fingers through his hair. "Your mom got really angry at her when she and your dad got engaged. The way Rita 'reported' it, you would have thought that James was ruining the Potter name and bringing down magical Britain singlehandedly for marrying a witch with muggle parents. A witch, I might add, that was just a gold-digging whore! Your father sued her into silence, forcing her to retract her story and issue a formal apology on the front cover of the Prophet."
"Mom and Dad sued the Prophet? That's awesome! We might have to keep that as an alternative when she or the Prophet comes after me. If they so much as mention Hermione in anything other than a positive light, I will hire the best goblin lawyers to destroy them!" Harry said a hotly.
"Down, Harry!" said Hermione gently. "Let them say anything they want, so long as they print the truth. If they don't, that's when you get your friend Ragnok to sic his lawyers on them." Harry grinned at that, reminding himself how brilliant his girl was.
"Sirius, has Godric mentioned at all what you're going to be teaching come Monday?" said Hermione changing subjects.
"Now that you mention it, no he hasn't! My Lord, I hope you gave me something relatively easy to teach. I have, after all, been in prison for the better part of twelve years. I can't think of anything that I could teach with any degree of confidence."
Godric chuckled, "Sirius, we have set up a class for you that has not been taught here at Hogwarts in a very long time: Dance!
Three completely confused faces stared back at him. "I'm sorry; did you say dance? Because I'm almost certain that that was what you said." said Sirius when he finally got his voice back.
"Calm down Sirius. I am certain that that subject was drilled into you since you were old enough to be taught. There is a Yule Ball happening during the Christmas holiday that Harry and the other champions are obligated to go to. Fourth years and above may attend. How many of those students do you think can actually dance? Teaching dance will also be a way to break down some of the barriers that the Houses have between them. Hogwarts will need to stand united against the upcoming threat that will be Voldemort and his kind. He, and his Death Eaters, will be coming, that is a certainty. What is less certain is whether we can change the minds of the students who will undoubtedly follow in their Death Eater parents footsteps."
The light finally turned on in Sirius' mind. Here was a chance to show the bigots just how wrong they are about life outside their little 'kingdom.' By showing them that those they look down upon are really not that much different than they are. He'd run away from home to live with Harry's dad when he was sixteen, unable to deal with the outright hatred and bigotry that his family was spewing. From the history books on his family that he'd read in the Black library, he was astonished to find that the Blacks had not always been dark. They'd been champions of the light for centuries, but that all changed when his grandparents were young. They'd been drawn to the dark in an effort to increase their power, both magical and political. This need for dark knowledge was passed down to his parents, and from then to his brothers and most of his cousins. It was only him and his cousin Andromeda that were able to break away. And with most of the Blacks currently dead or incarcerated, it was an ideal time to get his family back on the right path. He'd have to contact her soon, see if Andi wouldn't mind being his co-professor.
"I understand. I will do my best, Godric. The kids won't know what hit 'em! They'll arrive at the Ball ready to have a fun night with their dates. I will include some lessons on good manners and etiquette to make sure that everyone behaves themselves in a respectable manner."
"That's the spirit, Sirius!" said Godric slapping him on the back.
Hermione winked at Sirius and turning to Harry with a scowl on her face she said, "Harry, love, did you forget to ask me something?"
"Did I? What do you mean, 'Mione?" he happened to catch the look that Sirius was giving him, a look that said to him 'danger, danger!' And then it dawned on him…
"My Queen, love of my life, you who walk in beauty like the night, will you grant me my fondest wish and consent to accompany me, your most humble servant, to the upcoming Ball this Christmas Eve?" he said as he got down on one knee, took hold of one of her hands, and gazed into those lovely brown eyes.
"Oh, nice save there, Pronglet!" said a laughing Sirius as he clapped softly.
"I think our little brother is a bit whipped, don't you George?"
"Yup, totally whipped, although this has given me an idea on how to ask our girls to the dance." answered Fred.
Daphne, Tracy, and Luna all had looks of longing on their faces. Neville noticed the look on Luna's face, and gathering up some of the courage that he'd forgotten about, grabbed Luna's hand and asked, "Luna, I'd be honored if you'd let me take you to the Ball, would you please accompany me?"
Luna's eyebrows seemed to disappear into her hair line as she looked at him with her soft eyes. A smile played at the corner of her lips as she answered, "Neville, I would love to go to the dance with you!"
Hermione was still looking into Harry's eyes. She got down on her knees in front of him, and planted a kiss on his lips that was their most passionate to date. "I love you Harry James; and it would be a wish come true to go with you to the ball," and giving the twins an angry look added "and Harry is not whipped, he just knows the value of having a happy girlfriend, something you two would do well to remember when you ask Angelina and Alicia to the Ball!"
Both of them grinning, they gave Hermione a florid bow, "We live but to obey the orders of our Pendragon Princess!" they said in unison.
The nine sat together in front of the fireplace, together, as family should be. Godric gave Sirius a small wave, which had Sirius leave his place on the couch next to Harry and Hermione. "My Lord?" he asked.
"Let's go get Severus and Remus; I believe that they should accompany us to a meeting I have set up with some of the professors this evening. I think we should let them know about Hogwarts wishes, and let them know why there will be a marked difference in the behavior of their potions instructor." Sirius nodded at that as they both popped away to find his brothers.
ooOOooOOoo
It was a few months before he boarded the Express that Ron found himself talking to a man his parents held in very high esteem. Albus Dumbledore was a great man, they'd said, but he just didn't see it. Oh sure, he was probably very magically powerful, but of what good was that if you didn't use that magic to get more stuff! Dumbledore could probably change sickles into galleons, after all, why would he stick around and run a stupid school when he could be living in huge mansion somewhere?
Dumbledore looked at young Ron, surprised at the apparent lack of intelligence behind his eyes. He was not very Weasley, he thought. What he was, however, was a shallow person with a selfishness that was most definitely un-Weasley like. A short burst of power into the young lads mind had given him all the answers he needed.
"How would you like to earn some money, Mr. Weasley?" this was going to be too easy, thought Albus.
"Money?" asked Ron wide eyed with greed, "what do I have to do, and how much will you pay me?"
"The task itself is rather simple. I ask that when you get on the Express you do your utmost to ingratiate yourself with Harry Potter."
"Ingratiate? Wuzzat mean?" asked a confused Ron. Albus sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose with his fingers.
"It means, Ronald, that I want you to become best friends with Harry Potter. You will be my spy, informing me of everything that he's up to, friends he makes, places he goes, people he talks to, that sort of thing?
"I get to be friends with Harry Potter? Hah, Ginny will never believe me, and she'll be jealous too! And I do this for you, you'll pay me? How much?"
"What do you think of two hundred galleons a semester? Mind you, I will only pay as long as I get the information that I require and that you stay friends with him, understood?"
Two hundred galleons! That was a bloody fortune, for that much Ron would do practically anything. He hurriedly agreed to the Headmasters request, accepting from him a small bag of galleons. "Consider this a small token of my gratitude, Ronald. Do with it what you will."
He'd arrived at the platform, waiting to catch a glimpse of his intended target, kind of angered at himself for having paid more attention to the street vendor selling food than to the task Dumbledore had set for him. With the Express ready to leave, Ron could only hope to find his target in one of the compartments. He'd found Harry rather quickly, but he was talking to a mudblood. He definitely had to put a stop to that!
"You must be Harry! I'm Ron, Ron Weasley! You know you shouldn't be talking to this mudblood here; everyone will get a bad impression of you right from the start. Run along now, mudblood, no one wants you here!" they young girl had looked at him with tears in her eyes, while Harry Potter glared at him with those frightening green eyes.
That Harry had stood and sat next to the girl had really irked him. To be dismissed so casually by bloody Prince Potter had really pissed him off. He mumbled to himself as he went looking for a compartment he could sit in. Now what was he going to do?
To have been partnered with the annoying bookworm in their charms class was really getting on his nerves. That she'd mastered the simple charm before he could really irritated him. That she then tried to correct him, a pureblood, was the last straw as far as he was concerned. He'd left the class in a huff, determined to take his revenge on the young witch.
He couldn't believe his luck! He'd run into her as she was walking to dinner in the great hall, a look of fear in her eyes. "Please, Weasley, Harry is waiting for me at dinner. Could you please stand aside so I may pass?"
The next thing he knew, his fist had connected with her nose with a most satisfying crunch. She'd gone down, holding her bloody nose, crying for him to leave her alone. He was rather enjoying the power he had over her. And so he lifted his foot and kicked her as hard as he could. And he kept kicking her until he was forcibly pulled of her by an angered headmaster. "What the hell do you think you're doing, Ronald? You could've killed her!" yelled an angered Dumbledore.
"What? She's just a mudblood that's interfering with my plans to get close to Potter! If I kill her she'll be out of my way and I can get close to him." said the raging redhead.
Dumbledore agreed with Ron, although perhaps not with his methods. Much better to lure her to her death than act personally, and for the greater good, the interfering mudblood would have to be sacrificed. So with a quick flick of his wand, he had the girl under the imperius. Tom had arranged for a troll to be wandering the halls while he searched for Nicholas' stone. All he had to do was make sure the girl got in the way, and the troll would take care of the rest. But as always with hastily made plans, it all came apart. Potter had noticed his missing friend and had gone in search of her, and finding her in the girls' bathroom had actually defeated a troll singlehandedly. He'd arrived at the bathroom accompanied by Severus and Minerva, noticing immediately the destruction the troll had caused. Catching sight of the mudblood wrapped in Harry's arms was a revelation in itself: they were glowing! Somehow, that damned girl and his weapon were bonding! He panicked, knowing that such a thing could never be allowed to happen. He'd walked them both to the infirmary, allowing Poppy to treat the young girl. But he'd obliviated the three of them. He'd made Poppy forget that he'd been there. He made Hermione and Harry forget that they'd ever been friends, implanting instead the memory of a Good Samaritan helping a fellow student from a rampaging troll. A few house points later, and the whole thing was forgotten.
Ron had been incensed by the status of hero that had been thrust upon Harry. That he'd chosen that squib Neville to be his best friend infuriated him all the more. That Harry had then rekindled his friendship with Hermione was more than he could bear. But Dumbledore said he had a plan that would have Ron taking the place of the stupid squib.
And that's how the second year had begun. Ron and Harry were best friends. He was even starting to see some usefulness in the mudblood; she was good for homework and helped him keep his grades above failing. She was also irritating as hell, but for the amount of money he was promised, he would shoulder just about anything. If it got too bad, he'd just eliminate her like he had wanted to from the beginning. Potter would never be able to save her from a knife in the back!
He thought Harry was crazy. Really, really crazy. Who the hell puts themselves in front of danger if it could be avoided? So what if it was his sister, he wanted to live long enough to enjoy the fruits of his labor. But he'd been goaded into accompanying Harry into the Chamber of Secrets, all to rescue a silly girl who he just happened to share blood with. He thanked all the gods whose names he could think of for the cave-in. It looked bad from where Harry was standing, but Ron could see that it wouldn't take much to get through the hole and get to Ginny. He paled knowing that his friend would want him to come with him, but in a brilliant bit if acting, Ron actually convinced Harry to continue without him.
How that little shit had killed the beast was beyond him. The thing was enormous, the carcass filling up half the atrium in which he and Harry were in. Ginny had started to come around after Harry had banished Tom, and she'd run to her big brother for comfort. He'd patted her back in an imitation of caring, while feeling sick to his stomach inside. His parents thought he was a hero for helping to rescue Ginny, a feeling he quite liked. But he also knew from the looks that they were giving him that they didn't quite believe that it had happened.
All seemed to be going well for him throughout third year and the beginning of fourth year. He'd enjoyed himself immensely at the world cup, getting to see his hero fly was pure joy. That Krum had come to Hogwarts meant that he could maybe talk to him, even become friends with him. It was almost a certainty the Krum would get selected for the tournament, and Ron thought it would be so cool if he could become champion as well. Him and Krum, fighting for the honor of their schools in an epic battle of courage and magic. But it wasn't meant to be. That Potter's name had come out of the damned cup had Ron in a state of utter rage. He smiled a bit when the school turned against his 'friend,' shouts of cheater and liar being thrown about. The look that Potter had given him frightened him a bit, that green stare somehow able to penetrate his soul and see the darkness he kept well hidden. When his twin brothers and the rest of Pendragon had disappeared, he thought for sure that there was somehow a mistake. He was brave. He was intelligent and loyal. Okay, he might not be the brightest of the bunch, but he made up for that in ambition and cunning.
George and Fred had stopped Ron one night as he headed back to Gryffindor tower and dragged him into one of the empty classrooms. The looks they were giving him could hardly be classified as brotherly.
"So, Ronniekins do you want to tell us why you abandoned your sister down in the Chamber?" asked Fred.
"What are you on about, Fred? I didn't abandon Ginny, me and Harry rescued her!"
"Oh, really? So do you want to tell me how that supposed cave-in stopped you from going with Harry into the Chamber? How could you let her, your sister, be left to the tender mercies of Voldemort and a basilisk?"
Ron started backing away from the twins. He could see the hate in their eyes. They knew! "I'm sorry, I was just scared. I was twelve years old, how was I supposed to fight a basilisk?"
"Harry did! He went after someone because he knew she was our family! He risked his life to save her, while you cowered in an empty cave with a moronic professor. You abandoned her." the disgust in the twins' eyes were evident.
"Do you want to give me a good reason why I shouldn't tell Harry that you beat Hermione bloody in first year? Give me one good reason why I shouldn't?" asked George.
"She was getting in my way! I was supposed to be Harry's friend from the beginning, and she got in the way. I didn't mean to hurt her so bad, but she was in the way…" he whimpered.
"It was Dumbledore, wasn't it? He told you to hit her, didn't he?"
"What? NO! He just showed up and imperius…" he went silent.
"He cursed Hermione? I'm guessing it was he that placed her in the bathroom for the troll to kill?"
"No he didn't, she went to clean herself after I beat her!"
The twins looked at each other, a silent conversation happening between them. Fred's shoulders sagged a bit, but he nodded in agreement. "You may be our brother by blood Ronald, but Fred and I cast you from ever being our family. When Dad and Mom hear about this I hope they cast you out. Harry and Hermione are more Weasley than you ever were!" George spat at Ron.
"Don't tell Mom and Dad, please? I will do whatever you guys want, just please don't tell them!" Ron pleaded.
"Actions have consequences, Ron. You made your bed, now have some courage and lie in it. You're supposed to be a Gryffindor after all." And with that the twins turned and left.
Ron lay on the hard floor, tears streaming down his face. He wondered where all his plans had gone wrong. He'd have to go see the Headmaster. He would know what to do to rectify the situation. He stood and dusted himself off, his hands wiping the tears from his eyes, and he strode purposefully out of the classroom towards the office of his benefactor.
ooOOooOOoo
"What are we doing here tonight, Minerva? It's late, and I have papers to grade and classes to prepare for. Surely whatever is going on could be handled at the weekend?" asked an annoyed professor Flitwick.
"Master Flitwick, please forgive Minerva, it was I who asked her to set up this meeting so that we get to know each other a bit more." stated Godric as he stepped from the shadows.
"Lord Godric," said an astonished Filius, "to what do we owe this great pleasure?"
"Professor Flitwick, Professor Sprout, Minerva, we will all be discussing the future of Hogwarts, of course. We are just waiting on the Marauder's to make an appearance before we begin."
"The Marauder's are back in Hogwarts?" asked Sprout.
"Pomona, darling, so good to see you again! Come give us a hug!" said a grinning Sirius as he popped in.
"Sirius Black!" she said drawing her wand, "get back, and leave this school. I will not having you hurt any of my students!"
"Relax, professor, Sirius Black is innocent of the charges leveled against him. We will offer you proof, of course, but please put away your wand." added Remus as he popped in behind Sirius.
"Remus? What…what…just what exactly is going on here, My Lord" asked a flabbergasted Minerva.
Godric chuckled a little, "just wait for it, Madam, as we are expecting one more guest. All questions will be answered, I assure you."
And with that, Severus Snape popped in behind the two Marauders. The usual sneer on his face had been replaced by a gentle and genuine smile. He may look the same, but his demeanor and bearing were polar opposite of the man they had known just a week ago.
"Severus? Just what are you doing here?" asked Filius.
"A long story, my friend," Filius looked taken aback by that statement, "but one which we will fill you in on.
Godric conjured up some comfortable chairs for them all, "Dobby?"
"Yes, My Lord sir, how may I help?"
"Could you get us some tea, and see if Luna and Hermione left any of those wonderful 'brownies' Harry made today?" Dobby bowed deeply before popping away. A tea service along with a generous plate of Harry's brownies appeared.
"Shall we begin, and please try the brownies as they are heavenly?" Godric asked as he scanned the professors. "The castle, Hogwarts herself, has made me intimately aware of the lack of standards that the current curriculum has. We've become the laughing stock of the rest of the world, when it should be Hogwarts that is the inspiration to the other schools. We are the oldest magical school in the world, and as such we should be far ahead of the others in producing masters in all subjects. When was the last mastery given out in Charms, Master Filius? When was the last mastery in Transfiguration, Herbology, Potions, or Defense given?"
"Our plan going forward is simple. We raise the educational standards of the school. It is also the wish of Hogwarts to see a new campus constructed that would see the establishment of a new school, a school for advanced training in all our given subjects where masteries can be obtained. I believe the non-magical worlds call these universities?" he asked.
Minerva, Pomona, and Filius sat in stunned silence. "I think you broke them, Godric!" sniggered Sirius. Remus cuffed him in the back of the head, "Can you please be serious for once?"
Sirius raised his hand as if to say something, but catching the look on Remus' eye thought better of it, instead he said, "Godric, if I may? If we are going to establish a university, might we might not also establish schooling for those younger than First years?" he asked.
Godric stroked his chin, considering the suggestion. "In times past, during my time I suppose, magical education started at an early age. Most of our students began their schooling at around age eight. It was at this age that they were able to control, albeit poorly, their magic. Schooling for them was split up by age group, with the ten year olds moving onto being First years and being sorted into Houses. By this time their control over their magic was pretty good. They went into schooling with a basic understanding of the principles of magic. That's a very good idea, Sirius! But what should we do about the muggleborn's?"
Minerva thought about this long and hard, the concentration on the look of her colleagues was also obvious. "You know, Godric, it is one of my duties as Deputy Headmistress to initiate muggleborn's into our school. It is I who go to visit their homes and make them and their parents understand about magic. If we could do this a year or two earlier, it might help them assimilate a bit better with their peers. They do come to us with a better general education of the world around us than we have, but little understanding of the magical world itself. As capable as Ms. Granger is now, imagine if she'd had an extra one or two years or study in magic. Her grasp of magical theory is far better than anyone I've ever met, and I include Lily Potter in that comparison. With the additional magical education, I believe her practical side would have been just as impressive. Only Mr. Potter, Harry, has an innate ability that is greater than hers."
Remus, Sirius, and Severus looked at each other before bursting into laughter. They were laughing so hard that they were propping each other up to keep from falling over. It surprised Minerva that Godric had joined them as well. "And what, pray tell, is so amusing, My Lord?"
"Forgive us, Minerva, but we found your 'innate ability' regarding Harry to be a bit understated. Harry, in my personal estimation, will surpass Albus in magical ability before he turns fifteen. Imagine the power he will have when he reaches majority."
"He's right Min; Harry is in a class all by himself. It may take him a while to get a spell right, but when he does, not even Ms. Granger could do what he can. His Patronus charm is more powerful by far than anyone else's. His Wingardium spell put the feather through the ceiling!" added Filius.
"People, we are getting a bit far afield here, we'll have plenty of time to discuss Harry at a later date. For now, what can we do to help improve the current standards of education here at Hogwarts?" said Godric a bit sternly.
Everyone blushed a bit at that, being smacked down by one of the Founders was not something they wanted. Pomona was the first to speak, "My Lord…Godric, I think that getting rid of many of the professors currently teaching would be a good start. History, for example, is being taught by a ghost! And I've heard through the grapevine Severus that you have changed, but is it enough to restore the Potions class?"
"I know I've been a pain in everyone's ass for far too many years. I have been terribly behaved towards all my students who weren't Slytherin, and have done nothing to actually teach that which I have been tasked to teach. Would a vow to you, to all of you, that I will change the current situation in Potions and will have the students achieving better marks than at any time during my tenure here suffice?" asked Severus. "I also promise to turn out at least two Potions Masters within four years." Sirius leaned into him and asked, "Fred and George?" The smile from Severus was remarkable, if only for the fact that Pomona couldn't remember the stern professor ever smile before. She nodded her head in agreement.
"We're going to have a problem with the ministry, you all know that don't you?" asked Filius.
"No we won't. The Hogwarts charter is very, very explicit when it comes to its relationship with the government. It has none! The ministry has no say in how we run our school or who we select to teach. The board of governors will be dissolved. Their decisions will no longer affect us, as we will merely ignore them. We will also ignore the ministry. Remember that Hogwarts was established way before the ministry ever was. They can't even set foot at this school unless Hogwarts allows it. However, we must select a Headmaster at some point. I know Minerva is next in line, but she and I will be far too busy to have adequate time to run the school properly.
"A new Headmaster, why, what's wrong with Albus?" asked Pomona.
"Our current Headmaster is…well let's just say that he hasn't had the best interest of his students in a very long while. We will explain all to you in due course, but for now suffice it to say that Hogwarts wishes him removed from office immediately, to be replaced by someone she trusts."
Minerva's eyes went wide at that, as the perfect candidate came to her mind. Godric noticed her look, "Min, you have a suggestion?"
"Yes, Godric, I do indeed. Augusta Longbottom!" she said with a grin.
"Neville's grandmother, really? And why is she a good candidate Minerva?"
"Did you know she was a professor here at school before any of you here were students? She was really loved by both students and staff. She's fair and impartial, and had quite a few run-ins with Albus' predecessor regarding the falling standard of education. Yes, she is the perfect choice!" she said.
"Very well, will you approach her soon please? I would want her to start before the New Year. With a strong and capable Headmaster, Hogwarts will be on the correct path towards our goals. Now, House Pendragon made a discovery recently that gave me the idea for the establishment of a university. I will require a magical vow from you that this will not be discussed with anyone outside this room or my children in Pendragon." said Godric seriously.
The three looked at each other, but also noticed the wide smirks coming from the Marauder's and Godric. Their huddle broke up as they each took out their wands and uttered their promise, the glowing pulse of magic accepting their pledge.
"While exploring the Chamber of Secrets, Harry and the Pendragons made a discovery that will rock the magical world to its foundations. You may not know that my friend Salazar was a passionate book lover. He bought everything he could put his hands on, travelling the world at the mere mention of some lost or forgotten tome. At some point he must have made a discovery that he brought back with him to Hogwarts. What we have discovered is his Library. Simply stated, it is enormous, and Remus' and I believe that it contains a great portion of the lost Library at Alexandria." Filius fainted. Pomona was dumbstruck. Minerva started laughing hysterically.
"Only Harry," she said trying to catch her breath "could kill a basilisk and in the same room find something like that!" Everyone, except for poor Filius, started laughing at that.
"I've only had a couple of days exploring and cataloguing down there, but I can tell you that some of the things I have found are astonishing! It will take me years to sort out the mess. But when it is finally completed, the Hogwarts Library, will be a wonder to behold. Harry had the idea of opening it up to the general public at some point, and we all agree with that. And with Godric's idea of a university, it will be a place of learning unparalleled in our world at the moment." stated Remus.
"Shall we go and see it?" asked Godric. It was no surprise to any of them that Filius got up from a dead faint and nodded his head vigorously.
"Oh, and Godric, before I forget," started Minerva, "ask George and Fred to tell you about their brother Charlie. It may give you and Harry a clue about the upcoming Task."
ooOOooOOoo
Amelia Bones awoke the next morning with a pounding headache. She was rather ashamed at herself for taking a sick day yesterday, as in twelve years as an Auror she'd never done such a thing. But she had needed the time to sort through the memories that had come slowly bubbling into her consciousness. She had loved Sirius Black. No, she did love Sirius Black. The headache was replaced by anger, and then longing. She needed to see him, to hold him, to be sure of the emotions she was feeling.
She showered under the scalding water, hoping that it would help alleviate some of the tension she was feeling. She dressed slowly, taking time to choose her clothing with care. She called the office next, "Tonks, you there?"
"Boss, you need something this morning? Are you feeling better?" asked the eager Auror.
"Would you mind accompanying me to Hogwarts this morning? Tell Kingsley to fill in for me for a few hours, please?"
"Sure thing boss, give me five minutes to tell Shack and I'll meet you at Hogsmeade." she responded.
Amelia sighed, hoping that her courage didn't abandon her when she saw him again. It was unbelievable to her to think that for twelve long years she had forgotten him. That he had spent the same amount of time as an innocent man in that hellhole that was Azkaban.
She'd been deliberately closed off with Sirius as they'd gotten to know each other. She was tremendously attracted to the man, his fun-loving nature a stark contrast to her more disciplined bearing. But he'd won her over, as she'd allowed herself to finally fall in love with him. He was a kind and affectionate man, even though he could anger her like no other person alive could. She had filled for him the void that was left when he'd run away from his family. He'd been for her the anchor that kept her tethered to the world, so that the criminal and malevolent behavior she witnessed didn't dehumanize her.
It was Lily that pointed out the fact that Sirius had changed in the last few days before he proposed. He'd become nervous and anxious around her. She had originally thought the stupid man was going to break up with her. "Oh, please, don't be daft!" said Lily one night over a glass of wine, "that man is so in love with you that the only thing that could make him this nervous is that he was thinking of asking you to marry him." Unfortunately, James had overheard that last remark. It took him a lot of convincing, but he finally managed to get her to agree to prank Sirius. Well, she did owe him for the pink hair incident after all, so she agreed to go along with his plan.
Their happiness had lasted almost six months. She couldn't remember exactly, but she thought she had narrowed it down to the party after the baptism of Harry that her drink had been spiked. Overnight, she had no recollection of her time with Sirius.
She flooed into the Hog's Head and found Tonks waiting for her. "You sure you're okay, boss, you still look a little green?"
She nodded at her, "I just need to have a word with your cousin, is all. I'll be fine."
They walked in silence up to the castle, as memories as long walks by the lakeshore came unbidden into her mind. A lone tear finally managed to escape.
"Boss…Amelia, are you really alright?" asked a concerned Tonks.
"I'll be fine, Nym. I just really need to see Sirius!" Tonks nodded her head, aware that Amelia only used her families' nickname for her when she had a particularly difficult decision to make. Arriving at the great hall, she noticed Pendragon missing from breakfast. How was she going to talk to him now if she couldn't even get a hold of him? She started to redden in anger.
"Auntie Amelia? Are you alright? Can I help you with anything?" said a concerned Susan as she approached her Aunt.
"Susan, I'm alright, but is there a way for me to get a hold of Godric, Sirius, or one of the Pendragons?"
Susan shook her head, not knowing the answer to that. "Boss, call Dobby, he's Harry's house-elf and should be able to direct us to someone who could help us."
"Dobby?" said a skeptical Amelia.
"Mistress Bones calling Dobby? How may Dobby help Mistress?"
"Could you get word to Godric that I need to speak to him, please?" asked Amelia.
Dobby appeared in Pendragon, hearing the laughter coming from the breakfast table always made him happy. Sirius was regaling them about the time the Marauders had transformed the colors in the Slytherin dorm into the Gryffindor colors. Dobby made his way to Godric and whispered in his ear. He gave Dobby a short nod, and the elf headed back to Mistress Bones.
"Mistress Bones, Missy Tonks, if you please take my hand I will take you to Pendragon."
The first thing Amelia heard when they arrived at Pendragon was that laugh. His laugh. It had annoyed her to no end in the beginning, thinking it sounded somewhat like a cross between a hyena and a constipated bear. But that had changed as they'd grown closer, in that his laugh had gone from annoying to comforting. As long as she could hear his laughter, all was right in her world.
"Madam Bones, Tonks," said Harry as he stood to greet them, "would you care to join us for breakfast?"
Sirius turned in his seat and stared at her, slowly rising from his seat. He nodded at Tonks, "hey Nym, alright there?" Tonks grinned at him, nodding her head happily.
Sirius turned to Amelia and stared into her eyes, a questioning look in his eyes and a smile on his face.
"Goddamn you Sirius Black!" she yelled as she knocked him out cold with a right-hook.
A/N
So, another one for the books. Again, please forgive mistakes. I recommend the story "A Crack in the Glass, Shatters the Past" by CelticPagan-3. An after Hogwarts story I enjoyed you guys may have noticed by my writing, I am in no way shape or form British. The closest I have ever come to Britain is the occasional plate of fish and chips I get from our local pub. So for those of you that are British, I hope you'll pardon the use of 'Americanisms'' rather than 'Britishisms.' The word 'arse' just doesn't roll off the tongue to us from this side of the pond, or to me at least. BTW, I'm a chef by trade, which is one of the reasons I gave Harry a love for cooking. Living in Phoenix and working in a hot kitchen gets old really fast. I mean come on, it almost the end of October and it is still close to 100 degrees out here (38 C for you over there people!) Sorry, had to rant a little. Thank you one and all for reading, and keep your eyes peeled for the next chapter.
