Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the other characters. I am not making money off of them nor do I intend to do so. I am only borrowing them for a brief time.
A/N: "Spoken English", 'Thoughts', {Gobbledegook}, [Parseltongue]
A/N 2: The second year will be much shorter than the 1st was simply because the majority of the events in the 2nd year will go a different direction since they already know about the Horcux.
A/N 3: A Portion of this chapter is a reformatted and slightly changed potion directly from the 4th chapter of 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets', while I have added my own slight changes to make the portion work with my fanfiction, I in no way claim the work as my own.
Chapter Eight
Harry arrived at platform 9 ¾ and quickly said good bye to his friend. They had each already been sent a message through Gringotts about a meeting scheduled there, with the cover story that the meeting was about winning a previously fictitious scholarship for their excellent grades, to bring their parents in on that fact that they were also studying toward graduation in the Muggle world, while also being the way that each of them would momentarily disappear and take that time in compressed time, then return minutes later to rejoin their parents.
Harry's time on the other hand would begin moments after arriving at Gringotts with a 50:1 time compression where he would have several surprises.
50:1 (12 years, 5months, 2 weeks and 3 days)
Harry was met on his first day of the compression not by his family, but by a grizzled old Goblin warrior and a person that resembled a man outwardly, but did not feel human. The Goblin was introduced as High General Axeblinder and the 'man' was introduced as attendant Nightflyer. Harry knew that Nightflyer was not human regardless of his appearance, but was unsure what exactly he was in truth.
Harry knew that High General Axeblinder was second in command only to the Royal family and in all things military had the King and Queen's ear and trust. He explained that Harry was going to go through an advanced military and battle training session. It was also explained that if Harry passed the training at a level that the General accepted he would be given an amazing gift at the end of the compressed time, though he was not told what that gift would be.
Nightflyer on the other hand was very secretive not only about himself, but his reasons for being there. The only explanation given was that he was not there to train Harry but to observe him for possible future reasons. Harry did not like the secrecy but something in the power of the man forced Harry to remain silent but also continue to be weary. What he did not know was that was a good thing in Nightflyer's eyes.
The first thing Axeblinder had Harry do was show the elder Goblin his unmodified daily routine and then explain how that it differed from his routine when he could expand his time with extra hours during his 'normal time'. Axeblinder grunted in acceptance, but in reality was extremely happy with the boy's dedication. The routine was extensive and all-inclusive, after all. They then discussed the additions and modifications that Axeblinder could offer in his daily exercise routine and his timing.
Overall Harry's daily exercise took four hours; Axeblinder was able to help Harry refine it down to three without losing any skill or power and allowing Harry the extra hour for other things. Harry would be spending an additional six hours in advanced training. Harry would then be allowed an additional three for Wizard magical training. This schedule increased his physical training to an extreme, but likewise cut his magical training from an average of six to eight hours a day to almost nothing.
Over the time spent in time compression Harry's physical body at the age of fourteen was the best that it could have been with tight and hard muscles and quick hard to see speed and agility. He gained the respect of Axeblinder who secretly considered Harry a worthy student and successor. Finally at the end of twelve years of time compression, the elderly Goblin came to Harry and reveal the other reason for his presence during the time compression as well as why his parents had not joined them.
The daily exercise had finished and Harry was going through his cool down exercises. He was enjoying the cool moss under his toes as he went through the different stretches. He was fully aware when the Goblin approached. Harry gave him a respectful bow and waited for his teacher to speak.
{Young Stormbrow, I now must tell you the reasons for our training and give you a choice,} Axeblinder said with soft rumbling voice. {Your general training with our people as you know is for the full destruction of the Dark Wizard Voldemort as well as fulfilling the prophecies in which you are named.}
Harry nodded and quickly sat down at the feet of the elder Goblin.
{I am sure you have wondered why your Goblin parents did not meet you here, but you have wisely chosen not to ask,} He continued. {They were not allowed to join you during this time compression on the orders of the King, so that you might make your own decision on what is about to be offer to you.}
Harry silently nodded that he understood.
{I was informed that you have the ritual ability of Power Grafting, is this true?" Axeblinder asked.
{Yes, General it is true.} Harry responded.
{My life time is growing very short,} the Goblin explained. {Once we finish this time compression I have little more than a month before this old body will give out on me} He then huffed in frustration, the request he was about to make was harder than he thought. The idea of a Goblin dying of old age and not in battle was hard for any of them to accept.
{I have been training you not only to fight the evil that the Wizards have name Voldemort, but in hopes that one day you will be my military successor and take my place as our military leader. I offer you not only the opportunity, but I also offer you my power.}
Harry was shocked, not only was he being offered the chance to advance in the future of the Goblin military, but he was also being offered the magical power of a Goblin. Not only would he have to ability to use Goblin magic, like he did presently, but he would gain the magical core of a Goblin, allowing him even greater range of power, as well as greater ease at using that magic. Harry blinked twice quickly and then asked, {May I think about it over night?}
The elderly Goblin smiled and nodded. He was well pleased.
What Harry did not know was that Nightflyer was observing them nearby and invisibly. He too was well pleased with the young one, but he saw something that concerned him deeply and would concern his charge even more so. There was an unresolved stress hovering over the young Hero, that not only would his charge have to be made aware of but also young Harry as well.
A few minutes later, both Nightflyer and Axeblinder were having a short conference.
"What is your opinion my old friend?" Axeblinder asked in a language that they both understood but Harry could not.
"You have chosen well, he considers your gift wisely, but we both know he will accept it" Nightflyer responded.
Axeblinder began to laugh in a deep rumble and shook his head, "That was not my question and you know it."
"True, but the answer is the same for both, he is well chosen," Nightflyer admitted. "My only concern is that time may become a detriment before it can become a benefit. The boy is showing signs of un-resolving stress and that may cause trouble in the future."
"What do you think your charge will think of young Stormbrow?" Axeblinder asked changing the subject slightly, hoping for a new opening that would allow them to fix the problem without interfering too much.
Nightflyer smirked, his mind already following the Goblin's thoughts and was in agreement. "My nephew will find him interesting, compelling and extremely attractive. I am sure that once this time compression is over I will be able to talk to your people and be able to go back a month or so. That way I may report to my brother and possibly bring them together before the summer's end."
They both sat there and smiled for several minutes. They looked it their idea and plan as a way to aid in fulfilling a prophetic warning before the stress grew to be too much. It was also suggested that during the 30:1 time compression it would be best for Stormbrow to be with not only his Wizard friends but his parents and Goblin friends. That way it would help stave off the stress caused by such a drastic difference in compressed time and real time. After all the boy would be roughly sixteen years old physically with the mind of someone several years if not decades older by the end of the summer.
The next morning after his early morning exercise routine and just before his advanced training classes Stormbrow came and bowed before Axeblinder. {High General Axeblinder, I accept your offer of the grafting with gratitude and great hope for the future.}
In that moment, Stormbrow became not only Axeblinder's student, protégé and replacement, but he also became the Goblin equivalent of his grandson, to share not only the ancient Goblin's military legacy, but also his gold and possessions. {I know you will Stormbrow Deatheyes and with our combined power you will make our enemies quake in their sleep}
The next day would be the last full day of the time compression and the day that the grafting would be done. Because of the energy required Stormeye's schedule was reduced to allow him to have the extra energy for the ritual.
The ritual rooms in the individual time compression chambers were designated in Gobbledegook by size: small, medium, large and transport sizes. The only size ritual room that Stormbrow never had any dealings with the transport size. Which was as large as the holds in a Muggle cargo ship, and rightly so as that was what they were used for, moving cargo and supplies long distances. The Room he and Axeblinder on the other hand was the small size, which was slightly misnamed as it was 21 feet by 21 feet in dimensions.
The room had no surface that was not etched in protective and empowering runes and symbols. Harry would have liked to remain in the room just to examine the etchings themselves. In the center of the room was a circle inside a circle etched with Goblin Runes, which in turn was inside another circle that had an ornate symbol at each of the four directions and the same halfway between.
Harry was led to the center of the inner most circle by a cloaked and hooded Goblin. He was placed with his head pointing North, His feet South and each arm pointing East and West. Axeblinder was then led in from the opposite direction and placed in the circle in the opposing direction that Harry was. Their hands touched and then the attendants placed Harry's hand below Axeblinder's in such a way that they grasped each other's wrists.
Harry uncomfortably tried to watch as a group of hooded Goblins entered the room, each taking a spot at the compass points and halfway between. They began chanting and that was the last thing Harry remembered.
What Harry missed by being unconscious was the sight of Axeblinder's core being gently removed from his body and it merging with Harry's. The rust colored core began leaking out of the elder Goblin's body as a fine mist, that as the ritual continued grew into a dark rust cloud in perpetual movement and finally as the core came fully out of Axeblinder's body it took on the form of a quasar and slowly moved over to Harry's body and began to reverse the process, adding itself to Harry.
The act of grafting the magical core of one being to another is not without pain, adjustment or other risks. Harry would have felt his own core reacting violently and painfully, if he had been awake. The term grafting was actually incorrect but it was the closest to accurate that the ancient Goblins and Wizards could agree upon. In truth the new core was placed in the body alongside the original core with small to medium sized tendrils connecting each core to the other. Each core could not only easily cast spells specific to their own separate and individual races but could also act as an emergency back-up for the power of the other core. For all intents the amount of power was increase only by fifty percent but the overall ability to access magic was doubled.
Harry woke an hour later to find himself in his private rooms. The room now was filled with not only his own personal items but items that had been bequeathed to him by Axeblinder. It was at that moment he knew that the Goblin he had studied with for the last twelve years was no more, and he mourned.
Harry was now physically just short of his 15th year, mentally he was nearly 40 and emotionally in his early 20's.
~o0o~
Nightflyer had returned to the beginning of June and spent three days enjoying a quick vacation as he waited for time to catch up with itself. The day his three day vacation ended was the day after he had left on his mission to England and the Goblins. He knew that he would not be faulted for taking a quick vacation as his leaders knew the stresses that time travel and time compression could put on a person physically but also mentally and emotionally.
The castle was large and black with the stones being constructed out of the lava stones that had been common in the area. It was constructed to stand intense heat while remaining cool inside and was easily defended. Unlike most human castles, castle Draconus did not have a massive main gate that allowed for travelers to enter with wagons and supplies. Instead the castle had a system of hidden and obvious doors, most of the obvious doors were in fact traps or confusion gates, which teleported the individual entering them to one of a dozen random locations with a strong 'Confundus' charm placed on them.
Nightflyer concentrated with his eyes closed. As the seconds passed, the man grew a pair of leathery wings that when fully extended were more than twice his height in length. With a slight hop he was airborne; a lazy flap of his massive wings forced him higher and higher. A few moments later, he landed lightly on the nearest tower's walkway.
The man was met almost immediately by a vibrant Quetzalcoatl or flying serpent. The winged and feathered snake was approximately fourteen foot long, with tri-toned green scaled skin with emerald, jade, ruby and burnt orange colored feathers, each feather with a jade tip. The serpent's eye showed its great intelligence and guile. [You have returned so quickly, did you complete your task with the Goblins and Wizards?] The serpentine creature asked in the hissing language of snakes.
Nightflyer did his best not to smile at the excitement that was clearly in the Quetzalcoatl's voice. [Yes, young one and things look very promising, but I must report quickly to King and Lady Draconus.] He then noticed the slight drop of the serpent's head and he smiled. [I will tell you all about everything when I am done, okay?]
The Quetzalcoatl's nodded in a slightly sad way [Ok I understand].
An hour later the King had been informed of what Nightflyer had learned and a plan to introduce Prince Quetz to the Goblin's world of finance, combat and spell casting, plus possibly allow the young man the chance to meet Stormbrow Deatheyes, his potential mate. He left the king and met up with the teenage prince to fulfill his promise.
30:1 (7 years, 6 months, 2 weeks and 1 day)
A grieving Harry was silently transferred to the next time compression chamber by a group of Goblins and House Elves. The young man just followed the Goblins and did not even notice the change of location until he saw the concerned faces of Sharpmaw, Stoneater, Hermione and Ron. With a weak smile he greeted his Goblin family and his friends. A few moments later, he explained what had happened and his feelings.
After Harry calmed and seemed to be more relaxed the bossy nature of Hermione kicked in and she began describing and revealing all the lists and plans she had created for the seven and a half years that they would be in compressed time. She was shocked when Harry began to laugh and actually fell out of his chair trying to regain control.
A frustrated Hermione finally demanded, "What is so funny Harry James Potter?"
A still giggling Harry responded, "Our time here has already been mapped out by my parents and the teachers, they know what each of us needs to learn before the next time compression and even more so before we return to Hogwarts."
Hermione blushed at the realization that things had been planned out well in advance and the adults did not need her input or interference. Ron took that moment though to ask a question that had been on his mind since the school year ended, "Why do we have to go back to Hogwarts if we will already be fully trained?"
Harry cocked his head to the side in a move that showed everyone else that he was thinking of a proper way to explain his plan so that Ron would fully understand. His eyes slowly filled with light as he came to a decision and then he smiled, he would use a chess analogue. "Consider it a combination of strategy and tactics that will affect not only the Magical world, the school world of Hogwarts but our own personal lives as well."
When Ron's eyes did not show any understanding, Harry decided to break it down for the pre-teen. "We are looking at a war that was not only predicted by a witch, but also a Centaur and Goblin Seer. We already know that we cannot trust Dumbledore to be any real help, so we need to build an army of our own."
"If we are fully and properly trained when we go back, we can have our core group each recruit people from the year above and below them as well as their own year. With the exception of the 7th years, we have every year covered and a heavy dose from those in the 3rd through 5th years." Harry continued.
"If each of us recruits just two students from each of the grades surrounding us, the eleven members of our core group would increase to sixty-six next year and those sixty-six would be three hundred and ninety six the year after." Harry finished.
Hermione then interject, "Harry that is almost all the students at Hogwarts and what about the people that graduate or are in 7th year, the math does not follow."
"Oliver Wood is our oldest member and he will graduate at the end of our 3rd year." Harry began to explain. "By that time he will have friends who will have already graduated, who as adults can help us from outside of Hogwarts." Harry paused when he saw the look of understanding in both Hermione and Ron's faces.
"Once they are adults, their focus will be on recruiting from specific areas in the Wizarding world, like Aurors and Healers, but by simply leaving the goal at recruiting two new people a year for the adults, we will have a force to be reckoned with by the time the Prophecies start to happen." Harry explained. He then considered, "Even if we each only recruit two a year total, by the time 5th year rolls around we will have three-quarters of Hogwarts helping."
Harry then altered the conversation, "Once we have the recruits, it will help that we are fully trained in the Hogwarts subjects, so that we can in turn train the new people." He again paused to make sure that they were following his thoughts. "That covers the Hogwarts side and part of the World in general, what you need to think about is with this training you will be able to be in either the Muggle or Magical world and not have any problems getting work, living and making friends. With the amount of training and contacts we will have you could basically have any job you wanted and the skills to back it up."
Hermione then asked a question that had been on her mind since the very beginning of their acceptance into the time compression caverns, "Harry, I understand why they are helping you but, from everything that I have read, Goblins rarely if ever willingly help humans and it is unheard of them ever allowing us into their private world, why are they doing this for us?"
Harry smiled and tried not to laugh at the question, it was so typical Hermione. Just as he was about to answer the question it was taken from him by the arrival of Lady Seer Blindsight.
Without preamble the blind Goblin began speaking in English, "The Prophecy Child shall slow after he is joined by the Tawny Owl, Great Brown Bear, the young Lion, the Crow pair, the Loon and the Wolverine. Knowledge is gained to the detriment of the mind, Strength is gained to the detriment of the body," She paused before continuing, "Time is spent to the detriment of the heart, once he is joined by the cat, the grim and the cursed one." She then paused a second time and finished the prophecy, "The learned half-breed and the gentle goliath shall be of an aid, but none shall help as the Great Dragon, the Prophecy Childs mate. Great is he that is the mate of the Prophecy Child."
She then smiled as she turned her unseeing eyes toward Hermione and softly said, "The first of the three parts is presently nearly fulfilled, all that remains is the Loon and the Wolverine. We of the Goblin nation have a duty to help the Prophecy child and those who stand with him as ordered by the prophecies themselves."
Hermione nodded in understanding and after a moment her face showed the pride she felt in being part of such an undertaking.
The time that was shared by Harry and his friends was divided up between individualized training, physical and martial arts training, school training, research and regular amounts of fun. Ron and Hermione each finished their Muggle education and began the groundwork that would led them to their first Masteries, Ron's in Charms and Hermione's in Transfigurations. Harry on the other hand spent his time focusing on learning from a small group of elderly House Elves.
By the end of the first year, Harry had a deep friendship with an ancient female House Elf named Noxy. The tiny creature was barely a foot and a half tall, but her eyes were sharp and so was her tongue. Even though the elf was nearly three hundred years old and deferred to any wizard as had been her training, she did not see Harry as a Wizard but as a "Gobbly boy" and a "Magic Boy", both of which got her true respect. Even with that respect the tiny elf would allow her tongue its sharpness.
When they began to have private talks and training sessions Harry realized what the old elf was planning on doing. Part of him did not want to lose her, but another realized that she was dying, even though her magic was still strong, her physical body was worn out. At that realization Harry began showing the elder elf his love with regular hugs and tiny kisses on her wrinkled brow. It was decided that they would do the grafting at the end of the second year, allowing Harry time to grieve and grow into his even greater power.
Harry was now physically part way though his 15th year, mentally he was nearly 46 and emotionally in his late 20's.
20:1 (4 years, 11 months, 3 weeks and 5 days)
Anyone who knew Harry could see that the death of both the Goblin general and the ancient House Elf weighed heavily on his heart and mind. He truthfully felt that their deaths were a waste. While he did realize that they would have died anyway, but to willingly accept death to help him was something Harry could not fathom, even with all of his Goblin military training. Even without understanding it, Harry honored their sacrifice with all of his heart.
The rest of the Gryffindor Quidditch team and Neville joined Harry, Hermione and Ron for this time compression. The team would return home after this time compression, but were excited to be part of the time with Harry. Each of the three friends helped the others either finish or nearly finish their Muggle Education and advance in their Magical training. They even were allowed to have time for extensive Quidditch training and simulated games with golems which acted as professional Quidditch players from historical Quidditch matches, much to Oliver and Ron's delight. That training brought the team together as a whole and allowed Neville and Hermione the time needed to be comfortable riding on a broom.
During their regular relaxation times at night, Harry explained his plan to build an army to the others, which the others expanded upon and only made minor changes. One of the changes was that they were going to be friendly with all of the incoming 1st years, regardless of house, even to the point of offering them tutoring. Even with Harry's thoughts and plans the teens and pre-teens would have never guessed at the massive turnout they would have in the future.
By the time that the compression was over the Gryffindor team was as good as any professional Quidditch team and all of the participants were in prime physical condition. Ron and Hermione now both were in their middle 20's at least mentally. Harry was now physically 16th years old, mentally he was 50 and emotionally in his 30's. Each of the teens commented to either Sharpmaw or Stoneater about the stress and haggard look that was now obvious in Harry's face and his actions. If it had not been for a message that Sharpmaw had received, the goblin couple would have attempted to stop the time compression and given Harry time to unwind and come to grips on the changes that had happened in his life.
10:1 (2 years, 5months, 3 weeks and 6 days)
Quetz Draconus was nervous and a bit fearful, as the crowned prince that made him feel confused and disconcerted. He knew as he stepped into the massive cavern that not only was he going to be learning finance, battle stratagem and racial magic from the Goblins, but he was also going to be meeting the young man that might one day become his mate. While the idea of the Goblins made him nervous, the idea of meeting his mate caused him immeasurable amounts of fear.
Harry watched the cavern portal with interest; He had been informed that the son of a foreign dignitary was going to join them so that he could learn finance and Goblin battle techniques. What Harry saw come through both intrigued him and put him on edge.
The older boy stood just over 6 feet tall with a deep rich tan showing not only his Central American heritage, but the fact that he enjoyed being out in the sun. His eyes are emerald color with a ring of jade on the outside and a starburst of light orange around the center. His body was muscular, like that of a swimmer and Harry could tell through his tight pale blue shirt and tan Dockers pants that the muscles were not overly exaggerated or distended. Even wear the already mentioned shirt, Harry could see that the boy had abs that formed an eight pack instead of the usual six pack. His hair is raven black with just the slightest hue of burnt orange and red. He had an easy smile as he had smiled several times as he spoke with those who had brought him to the cavern.
Quetz noticed a well built teen with black hair and gem-like green eyes, who was sitting on a small rock, just inside the cavern. His attention was drawn to the young man's ears and upper chest. He then thought it was a strange combination to attract his attention and then he noticed why. The teen who appeared for all and intents human had pointed ears, much like his own, but it was the tiniest movement of the ears that was the reason for his attention. The boy's ears moved instinctually to follow sound, like a feline or canine, but the movement was so subtle and the moves so small that it was almost missed by his own perceptive eyes. His chest on the other hand was muscled perfection and it drew him to it in a completely hormonal fashion.
Harry liked what he saw. Quetz liked what he saw. The problem was that they both knew that they were potential mates and they did not want to possibly mess up their future by revealing their hand too quickly. Before they could either think of the idea on how to try to avoid each other, they found that their instructors had other ideas and learned that they would have several classes together each day, including the morning exercise.
Ron, Neville and Hermione again joined Harry in the time compression and were all surprised that the twins, Fred and George also decided to return. Neville and the twins divided their time between creating new potions, Herbology studies and completing the weak areas in their individual educations. By this point in time each of them had not only perfected their Animagus transformation, but were able to do their physical training as individual training, without an instructor, though the occasional instructor came by to spar on occasion.
Harry had completed his Mastery in the Dark Arts and it's opposite the Defense of the Dark Arts. In his heart, mind and magic he was not dark, nor was he light, he was grey. It was during this time that he perfected the use of wandless magic to the point that even with a multi-core wand, his magic threatened to burn out the core. It was decided that he would use the wand blank from that point on and return the multi-core wand to its maker, so that someone else in the future might be able to use it.
Harry and Quetz were always civil to one another and the mutual attraction was obvious to everyone around them, but they still refused to let things evolve beyond a calm and arms-length friendship. By the end of the time compression Ron and Hermione now both were in their early 30's at least mentally and had agreed to date, even after having to deal with Fred and George and their teasing. Harry was now physically part way through his 16th year, mentally he was almost 54 and emotionally in his late 30's.
With the unresolved stress still being a factor, it was decided that they would not go into another time compression but would, return to the past once again, restarting the summer months. The time would allow Harry the time he needed to relax. It was also decided that Quetz would remain with the Goblins until the time for everything to realign and only then return home. Harry was happy to show the slightly older boy around Britain, both Muggle and Magical.
After Harry and Quetz spent their time together, Quetz would return home and Harry would meet up with the others moments after they left Normal time originally. This would allow Harry's action to remain hidden from Dumbledore and his people.
Normal Time (3 months)
Sharpmaw and Stoneater forcefully encouraged their adopted child to take time and visit several Wizard and Muggle attractions around Great Britain. Their reasoning was both truthful and deceptive at the same time, 'Stormbrow Deatheyes had been working too hard for too long and needed time to just be a youth'. While that was true, they also hid the fact that they wanted him to get to know Quetz in a relaxed setting.
It was decided that they would alternate between strictly Muggle, strictly Magical and mixed excursions. Alton Towers theme park was the first Muggle attraction they visited, they planned on only spending the day, but ended up spending three days. Fairy Den in Ireland was the first Magical location that they visited, both Harry and a surprised Quetz left with crowns of magical flowers weaved in their hair. No one told the youths that they crowns were identical in everyway. Stonehenge was decided as the first mixed location. What surprised Harry was that the ruins did not appear as ruins once a magical person passed a specific border.
Harry and Quetz enjoyed the next three weeks as they examined Great Britain. They became good friends and talked about their hopes, dreams and plans for the future. Quetz was the only person outside the core group of Harry's friends that knew what Harry and the Goblins had planned. By the time that Quetz had to return to his own home, he had agreed to help Harry if he needed it and they both agreed to correspond over the next year.
Harry watched as the Weasley's left the bank, he was excited to see the younger Weasleys later on that night. It had been decided that the twins and Ron would 'borrow' their family car and help Harry escape his nasty Muggle relatives, or at least that was the story that they would tell the adults.
As was expected Molly Weasley 'caught' the boys as they returned from their daring rescue. They were promptly yelled at and after eating a large breakfast, the Weasley boys were sentenced to de-Gnoming the garden. Harry was excused from it, being that he was a guest and not responsible, but he instead helped out, learning to do the job and about Gnomes in the process.
Over the next month Harry enjoyed his time at the Burrow, talked to his Goblin parents daily before the house became active and used his trunk so that he and his friends could continue to practice and advance. He enjoyed the not only working toward his goals, but also just being a kid.
Mrs. Weasley was shocked but equally ecstatic when her house was regularly invaded by not only the Gryffindor Quidditch team, but also several first years including Neville Longbottom and Hermione Granger. At first the overprotective woman was suspicious that they were up to something, which they were, but they were able to fool her by spreading across the chaotic house in what appeared to be study groups, not only doing the summer homework, but also working on potions.
Molly was concerned when she noticed that her twins tended to gravitate toward the potions more than any of the other areas, but she fell silent when they showed her their completed summer homework and after reading it, showed that it was completed properly. She finally changed and went into full hostess mode.
What Molly did not see was the small groups disappearing and entering one of two trunks that Harry had brought with him. Everyone of them spent a regular day in compressed time in each of the trunks and the same amount of time in regular time, equaling just over one month of time per week for the next month.
Finally the day to go the Diagon Alley to get the next years supplies arrived. It was a chaotic morning and they decided that it would be quickest and safest to travel by the Floo network, instead of driving. As the guest, Harry was allowed to go first. The explosive exit he made was only matched by the equally explosive exit he made at the 'Leaky Cauldron'. Harry rolled like a cannonball into a table halfway across the room.
Harry and the table had been set to rights by Tom the owner just in time for the next person to arrive, who just happened to be Ron, who was laughing as he arrived.
"Blimey Harry you blow Percy and Mum off their feet with the backwash you made." Ron said with a laugh, his face as red as his hair as he laughed.
Harry just grumbled softly and looked very embarrassed as his 'Floo Allergy' seemed to have gotten worse instead of better.
Finally fifteen minutes later everyone of the Weasley's had arrived and were filing into Diagon Alley. Once they were all in the alley, they turned to Mrs. Weasley for their marching orders.
"We'll all meet at Flourish and Blotts in an hour to buy your schoolbooks," said Mrs. Weasley, then setting off with Ginny toward Madame Malkin's. "And not one step down Knockturn Alley!" she shouted at the twins' retreating backs, who appeared to be heading toward Gambol and Japes. Harry, Ron, and Hermione strolled off along the winding, cobbled street.
The bag of gold, silver, and bronze he had Sharpmaw retrieve from his vaults was jangling cheerfully in Harry's pocket clamoring to be spent, so he bought three large strawberry-and-peanut-butter ice creams, which they slurped happily as they wandered up the alley, examining the fascinating shop windows. Ron gazed longingly at a full set of Chudley Cannon robes in the windows of Quality Quidditch Supplies until Hermione dragged them off to buy ink and parchment next door. Harry made a mental note to himself to buy the robes for Ron's Christmas present.
In Gambol and Japes Wizarding Joke Shop, they met Fred, George, and Lee Jordan, who were stocking up on Dr. Filibuster's Fabulous Wet-Start, No-Heat Fireworks, and in a tiny junk shop full of broken wands, lopsided brass scales, and old cloaks covered in potion stains they found Percy, deeply immersed in a small and deeply boring book called Prefects Who Gained Power.
"A study of Hogwarts prefects and their later careers, " Ron read aloud off the back cover. "That sounds fascinating . . . ."
"Go away," Percy snapped.
"Course, he's very ambitious, Percy, he's got it all planned out ... He wants to be Minister of Magic. . . "Ron told Harry and Hermione in an undertone as they left Percy to it.
An hour later, they headed for Flourish and Blotts. They were by no means the only ones making their way to the bookshop. They actually had no need for the books, but it was to keep up appearances. As they approached it, they saw to their surprise a large crowd jostling outside the doors, trying to get in. The reason for this was proclaimed by a large banner stretched across the upper windows: GILDEROY LOCKHART will be signing copies of his autobiography MAGICAL ME today 12:30 P.m. to 4:30 P.m.
Hermione and Harry groaned. Hermione originally had a crush on the man, but after Harry's prodding had done a complete timeline of the man's books and found several places in time that what he wrote was impossible, so they decided he was a complete and utter fraud.
"I can't believe, he's written almost the whole booklist, it is scandalous!" Hermione complained.
The crowd seemed to be made up mostly of witches around Mrs. Weasley's age. A harassed-looking wizard stood at the door, saying, "Calmly, please, ladies ... Don't push, there ... mind the books, now . . ."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione squeezed inside. A long line wound right to the back of the shop, where Gilderoy Lockhart was signing his books. They each grabbed a copy of The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 2 and sneaked up the line to where the rest of the Weasleys were standing with Mr. and Mrs. Granger, just so they could tell Mrs. Weasley that they had arrived.
"Oh, there you are, good," said Mrs. Weasley. She sounded breathless and kept patting her hair. "We'll be able to see him in a minute."
Hermione, Harry and Ron glared as Gilderoy Lockhart came slowly into view, seated at a table surrounded by large pictures of his own face, all winking and flashing dazzlingly white teeth at the crowd. The real Lockhart was wearing robes of forget-me-not blue that exactly matched his eyes; his pointed wizard's hat was set at a jaunty angle on his wavy hair.
A short, irritable-looking man was dancing around taking photographs with a large black camera that emitted puffs of purple smoke with every blinding flash.
"Out of the way, there," he snarled at Ron, moving back to get a better shot. "This is for the Daily Prophet -"
"Big deal," said Ron, rubbing his foot where the photographer had stepped on it.
Gilderoy Lockhart heard him. He looked up. He saw Ron and then he saw Harry. He stared. Then he leapt to his feet and positively shouted, "It can't be Harry Potter." The crowd parted, whispering excitedly; Lockhart dived forward, seized Harry's arm, and pulled him to the front. The crowd burst into applause.
Harry's face burned as Lockhart shook his hand for the photographer, who was clicking away madly, wafting thick smoke over the Weasleys.
"Nice big smile, Harry," said Lockhart, through his own gleaming teeth. "Together, you and I are worth the front page." When he finally let go of Harry's hand, Harry could hardly feel his fingers.
He tried to sidle back over to the Weasleys, but Lockhart threw an arm around his shoulders and clamped him tightly to his side. "Ladies and gentlemen," he said loudly, waving for quiet. "What an extraordinary moment this is! The perfect moment for me to make a little announcement I've been sitting on for some time! "When young Harry here stepped into Flourish and Blotts today, he only wanted to buy my autobiography -which I shall be happy to present him now, free of charge-"
The crowd applauded again. "He had no idea," Lockhart continued, giving Harry a little shake that made his glasses slip to the end of his nose, "that he would shortly be getting much, much more than my book, Magical Me. He and his schoolmates will, in fact, be getting the real magical me. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I have great pleasure and pride in announcing that this September; I will be taking up the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!" The crowd cheered and clapped and Harry found himself being presented with the entire works of Gilderoy Lockhart. Staggering slightly under their weight, he managed to make his way out of the limelight to the edge of the room, where Ginny was standing next to her new cauldron.
"You have these," Harry mumbled to her, tipping all of his books into the cauldron. "I'll buy my own -"
"Bet you loved that, didn't you, Potter." said a voice Harry had no trouble recognizing. He straightened up and found himself face-to-face with Draco Malfoy, who was wearing his usual sneer.
"Famous Harry Potter," said Malfoy, "Can't even go into a bookshop without making the front page."
"Leave him alone, he didn't want all that!" said Ginny. It was the first time she had spoken in front of Harry. She was glaring at Malfoy.
"Potter, you've got yourself a girlfriend!" drawled Malfoy. Not noticing the heated look he was getting from Quetz, who had just arrived, while at the same time Ginny went scarlet and Ron and Hermione fought their way over, both clutching stacks of Lockhart's books.
"Oh, it's you," said Ron, looking at Malfoy as if he were something unpleasant on the sole of his shoe. "Bet you're surprised to see Harry here, eh."
"Not as surprised as I am to see you in a shop, Weasley," retorted Malfoy. "I suppose your parents will go hungry for a month to pay for all those." Ron went as red as Ginny. He dropped his books into the cauldron, too, and started toward Malfoy, but Harry and Hermione grabbed the back of his jacket.
"Ron!" said Mr. Weasley, struggling over with Fred and George.
"What are you doing? It's too crowded in here, let's go outside."
"Well, well, well - Arthur Weasley." It was Mr. Malfoy. He stood with his hand on Draco's shoulder, sneering in just the same way.
"Lucius," said Mr. Weasley, nodding coldly.
"Busy time at the Ministry, I hear," said Mr. Malfoy. "All those raids ... I hope they're paying you overtime." He reached into Ginny's cauldron and extracted, from amid the glossy Lockhart books, a very old, very battered copy of A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration.
"Obviously not," Mr. Malfoy said. "Dear me, what's the use of being a disgrace to the name of wizard if they don't even pay you well for it." Mr. Weasley flushed darker than either Ron or Ginny.
"We have a very different idea of what disgraces the name of wizard, Malfoy," he said.
"Clearly," said Mr. Malfoy, his pale eyes straying to Mr. and Mrs. Granger, who were watching apprehensively. "The company you keep, Weasley ... and I thought your family could sink no lower" There was a thud of metal as Ginny's cauldron went flying;
Mr. Weasley had thrown himself at Mr. Malfoy, knocking him backward into a bookshelf. Dozens of heavy spellbooks came thundering down on all their heads.
There was a yell of, "Get him, Dad!" from Fred or George; Mrs. Weasley was shrieking, "No, Arthur, no!"
The crowd stampeded backward, knocking more shelves over; "Gentlemen, please - please!" cried the assistant, and then, louder than all "Break it up, there, gents, break it up -" Hagrid was wading toward them through the sea of books. In an instant he had pulled Mr. Weasley and Mr. Malfoy apart. Mr. Weasley had a cut lip and Mr. Malfoy had been hit in the eye by an Encyclopedia of Toadstools. He was still holding Ginny's old Transfiguration book. He thrust it at her, his eyes glittering with malice.
"Here, girl - take your book - it's the best your father can give you -" Pulling himself out of Hagrid's grip he beckoned to Draco and swept from the shop.
"Yeh should've ignored him, Arthur," said Hagrid, almost lifting Mr. Weasley off his feet as he straightened his robes. "Rotten ta' the core, the whole family, everyone knows that - no Malfoy's worth listenin' ter - bad blood, that's what it is - come on now - let's get outta here." The assistant looked as though he wanted to stop them leaving, but he barely came up to Hagrid's waist and seemed to think better of it. They hurried up the street, the Grangers shaking with fright and Mrs. Weasley beside herself with fury.
"A fine example to set for your children . . . brawling in public . . . what Gilderoy Lockhart must've thought -" She bellowed at her husband, creating just as big of a scene herself.
"He was pleased," said Fred. "Didn't you hear him as we were leaving. He was asking that bloke from the Daily Prophet if he'd be able to work the fight into his report - said it was all publicity."
Quetz had arrived in the hopes of surprising Harry but instead was surprised by what he had seen. He made the quick decision to have the Malfoy family investigated, watched and when the time came, they would be financially destroyed. He had been pushed back as the crowd swelled and the fight broke out but now he moved quickly to be near his mate.
Harry was aware of Quetz presence and was happy to see him, but his focus was on Ginny's cauldron, something in it had changed and it felt 'familiar'. He decided quickly that the Goblin's were the only ones to help and being that they were also the closest, he hatched a plan to get the family into their protection.
"Mrs. Weasley, I need to go back to Gringotts, I forgot I had an appointment and begins in five minutes." Harry said with his eyes projecting innocence.
"Well my dear if you hurry," She responded.
Harry saw that she intended for her family to wait elsewhere and that just would not do for Harry's plan. "I might be awhile and I might need some advice." Harry said in a tone that was almost begging.
Moments later they were headed toward the bank. Harry was holding Ginny's hand and leading the whole group, including Hermione and her parents. Ron and Hermione both realized something had happened and Harry was leading them to the bank for protection, Ron was rightly afraid that it had something to do with Ginny, his baby sister.
Harry glanced at the Goblin guards at the door and with silent set of body language instruction told them to follow and seal the doors of the bank. Once the Weasleys, Grangers and the Goblins were in the bank, Harry yelled out, {Nos Develus, KREE!}
