Chapter 10 -A Prank for you
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Sirius led me through the secret passageway to a passage behind a mirror on the fourth floor. It was the closest to Filch who had in a dingy and windowless office. An office containing filing cabinets with detailed records of all the students Filch had disciplined and all items he had confiscated.
The girls finally conceded to let us go on a pranking war as long as we were never seen or got into a face to face conflict with anyone. We thought they were going to exstact a magical oath, they were quite determined.
Sirius and I had an argument over breaking into Filche's office over a map that was rumored to be with the Weasley twins. Sirius argued that the twins had the parchment map not the updated hard cover version which Filch had also confiscated. At least Filch lived elsewhere in the castle and as a squib could not ward his office. We found the updated map as a shim to un-even wabbly table and that got Sirius upset.
"How dare he use such a valuable object as trash!"
"Sirius keep it down, do you want to get caught?"
Sirius was somewhat mollified as we spray painted the highly polished collection of chains and manacles that hung on the wall behind Filch's desk a shocking pink.
Sirius was covered by my invisibility cloak and I was sporting my Harry Potter 'glamour' charm as I wanted to be seen. The pranks were childish in some cases but Marauder proud in others.
We spray painted outside of Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, "Beware the Heir of Slytherin has returned".
In the Great Hall Sirius put a magical rocket under the Headmasters chair guaranteed to lift him to the roof before exploding in sparks.
Dumbledore's gargoyle was glued shut with a muggle glue and then magically strengthened.
Benches and chairs in the Great Hall had their legs weakened so as to collapse when the rocket went off.
Sissy helped by getting a flatulent potion into the breakfast food.
To add to all this invitations were sent out inviting Minister Fudge, Madam Bones along with the Greengrass and Davis families under Dumbledore's stationary. The latter three were told not to eat or sit but watch the fun. The parents wanted to give Dumbledore hell and could safely do that under Madam Bone's watchful eye.
We figured Dumbledore would be delayed by the gargoyle so the hall would be full of unaware students. He flashed into the Great Hall with Fawke's help and found irate parents. Parents screaming of his and Snape's treatment of their daughters.
Dumbledore was further accosted that morning as Filch was again begging Headmaster Albus Dumbledore to let him suspend students by their ankles from the ceiling, his pink cat appeared in support of the idea.
Daphne said that her father was still laughing as he told the story but did think the confetti going off all over the hall was a bit over the top. Tracey' mother said that the sign "The Marauders have returned" brought back fond memories.
We had not forgotten about Snape but I was going to personally take pride in what he got.
/Scene Break/
An important looking owl arrived from SharpKnife stating that Dumbledore and the Ministry would be in his office a ten am the next day and extended an invitation to view the meeting. We arrived to find that the Goblins had a viewing room that had one-way windows, err, stone wall. We could see and hear what was going on as we sat in comfort.
"Now see here SharpKnife!" huffed Fudge as he stormed into the conference room followed by Dumbledore and two Aurors.
"That's Account Manager SharpKnife Minister Fudge" growled SharpKnife.
"Yes, well, what's the delay we have provided the paperwork confiscating the vaults of a life-term convicted prisoner one Harry Potter."
"You of course can have the vaults, are you planning to take over the vault maintenance fee's?"
"Of course not just have the gold transferred to the ministry's vault and sell the remaining goods." Fudge was trying to keep up a forceful front.
"Oh I am sorry Minister Fudge but those vaults contain no gold or goods" grinned SharpKnife.
Fudge started a rant..."WHAT! I demand…" SharpKnife cut him off by saying, "You demand nothing here Minister this is Goblin soil. The gold you seek was removed my Lord Potter before you submitted your paperwork.
"I might have an answer for our problem Minister as I have submitted a document signed by Mr. Potter giving me authority over all his holdings. So SharpKnife might I ask you to recover and return all of Mr. Potter's gold to his vaults." Dumbledore twinkled.
"Thank you Mr. Dumbledore for officially submitting forged documents to the Goblin bank to get gold. The council has stated the penalty for this is forfeiture of your life."
Dumbledore called for his phoenix and flashed out as Goblin warriors rushed in to seize him.
"Minister do tell Mr. Dumbledore that his vaults have been confiscated and if he is caught on Goblin soil his life will be forfeited. Is there anything else Minster Fudge or would you like to see the empty vaults?"
Fudge left and the four of us were not sure whether we should be laughing or feel bad about what happened. Laughing won out.
Sirius and I thanked Sharpknife and assured him my gold would return when all of this was cleared up. Sirius, with 'glamor' charms, followed Jimmy Johnson with two gorgeous girls on his arms into Knockturn alley for the purchase of new wands. Sirius was surprised how many people waved at Jim while others avoided him.
After obtaining our wands we headed to the Dragons Breath for a fabulous steak dinner before heading to our muggle apartment. Sirius again got a shock or pranked if you will as our apartment as we called it was really a penthouse and muggle plush. Bit of a shock to expect an apartment and find a place with a sun-deck and Jacuzzi above the crowd.
/Scene Break/
Meanwhile in the secret hideaway of Lord Voldemort, called Riddle Manor, a confrontation was brewing. The Goblins had finally gotten around to appraising the property that would be up for sale when they ran into a series of wards. Not being deterred they brought in ward breakers. The assessment team and ward breakers arrived but ran off in fear for their lives by Voldemorts Deatheaters.
Voldemort now had a battalion of Goblin warriors along with around thirty Aurors awaiting the fall of the wards by the best ward breakers Gringotts had. Voldemort decided that a vacation to Malfoy Manor was desirable and left the mundane to squabble over property rights.
/Scene Break/
About this time one Sirius Black, who had never received a trial and was never convicted, was reviewing his assets. He found that Lucius Malfoy had violated his marriage contract so Lord Black voided the marriage. This caused a recalling of the bride price which was in gold and Black Manor which was now called Malfoy Manor. Voldemort was not having a good day and would soon be seeing Goblin assayer visiting once more.
/Scene Break/
We decided to have a war council, this was no way to live a life and all agreed England was going to be history. So the next morning we were obtaining a suite of hotel rooms in France under the name of Harold Jimmy Johnson. Sirius and I were wanted men and could be extradited from France. I had the luck of not having to wear a 'glamour' charm but Sirius still did if he went to get out and about.
IronFist was overjoyed to make more fees and the Goblins cared less our legal status within their doors. With all the legal paperwork under H.J. Johnson we commissioned a search for a magical residency in a secluded area of France. Looking at it from the Goblins point of view the more we spent that two percent fee looked profitable. We ended up the next day being shown places that suited our needs. The first place let me know I need to be more specific in describing what I wanted as I was standing in front of a castle with at least twenty towers. Being used to the English flat-topped towers the French pointy topped towers looked odd. The one hundred bedrooms covered more area in its six-story majesty than I cared to walk every morning for breakfast.
By the third place I was about ready to stop this insanity. The third place was my choice by order of the girls. This medieval castle or châteaux was in the middle of a forest with a winding paved road that led to an old horse carriage garage which had been modernized into a car garage.
The place was only two stories high but encircled a garden. The garden got the girls into the oohs and aahs as it was a small park of trimmed and sculptured bushes, plants and flowers with walking paths and sitting benches throughout. It even had a water fountain in the Quittage field size park. The glass enclosed swimming pool was out back Who ever lived here made the interior quite modern and comfortable with a view of the park from almost every window.
The Goblins stated that the wards were quite up to date. A visitor alarm was around the exterior of the grounds which were about a mile square and helped keep the poachers from the wild life. The house and pool was where the wards got nasty. The place was of course unplottable and had eight elves to maintain the place. The Goblins made a good commission that day for the sale.
/Scene Break/
Lord Voldemort was unhappy as he tapped his fingers on his magnificent throne like chair. He needed to get his hands on the troublesome brat and thorn in his side Harry Potter. Every plan and action always let Potter thwart him and then there was the blasted prophesy. The last he had heard of Potter was some rumor about him being in or going to France. He indeed needed a plan to lay his hands on the brat. He was now relegated to the dungeons of Crab Manor. Manor is what Crab Sr. called his hovel of a dump.
/Scene Break/
Albus Dumbledore was unhappy as he tapped his fingers on his magnificent throne like chair. He needed to get his hands on the troublesome brat and thorn in his side Harry Potter. Every plan and action always let Potter thwart him and then there was the blasted prophesy. The last he had heard of Potter was some rumor about him being in or going to France. He indeed needed a plan to lay his hands on the brat. Then the cobwebs cleared and Albus the Great had the perfect plan.
Further down the table Severus Snape was unhappy while he ground his teeth. The Master was unhappy, Albus was unhappy and I am being caught in the middle all because of that miserable brat. If I ever see the miserable four-eyed brat I will kill him myself. I will just claim it was an accident or someone else did the deed. Then a pleasant thought crossed his mind, 'I may never see the brat again'
/Scene Break/
"Madame Maxime I assure you its in the fine print of the contract" Dumbledore twinkled.
"Dumbleeydorr I will not allow a fiasco like you ran to be held at this school."
"I am sorry if you feel that way as the Headmaster at Durmstrang Institute has already agreed. If you fail to abide by the contract the consequences could be considerable."
So the next morning all the French papers and the English Dailey Profit had the headlines:
…^…^… Tri-Wizard Tournament to be held in France…^…Dailey Profit Exclusive…
In a surprise move the Tri-Wizard Tournament was again activated. This time the tournament will be held at Beauxbatons Academy of Magic which is located in the Palace of Beauxbatons near the city of Cannes in southern France.
For you die-hard fans Beauxbatons is Unplottable so no muggles or even wizards can find it on a map. We are sure it is disguised so unless you have a friend that has been there before this appears to be a private affair. (See Page 2 for information on the last tournament and the winner) See page 3 for information on the fugitive Harry Potter).
Dailey Profit reporter
Dan Fulofit
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/Scene Break/
November 1st the three schools had their students arrive by port-key. Madame Maxime welcomed Albus Dumbledore as Headmaster of Hogwarts with his twenty students plus one. The Headmaster from Durmstrang Institute arrived with his twenty students plus one. Madam Maxime was already not liking this as both of the other Headmasters were already adding people to bring to the tournament.
Ron Weasley was there with Dumbledore as a student monitor. Any questions about him to the Hogwarts students got answers like "poor student", "failed his NEWTs, and "given his job as Hogwart's flying instructor". It seemed his big dream in life to play Professional Quittage was dashed as no team would consider him. His dislike for one Harry Potter had only increased over the years.
Victor Krum had given up Professional Quittage for some unknown reason but had been pressed into becoming the Headmaster of Durmstrang without much formal training. He arrived with his students and his girlfriend Hermione Granger. Madame Maxime had a very bad feeling about this tournament and two weeks later it was confirmed.
/Scene Break/
On All Hollows night the Goblet of fire was again lit but this time was officiated by Madam Maxine. She had put multiple wards around the Goblet as it waited for the students to enter their names. As the name came out she wondered if there was much more to do than read the names as they came out and pray that no disaster occurred. The Goblet of fire lit and the first name was called.
"The Champion for Hogwarts is Gary Fawcett." The Goblet lit again.
"The Champion for Durmstrang Institute is Ivan Poliakoff."
"The Champion for Beauxbatons Academy is Alexandrie Duvall."
The Goblet lit again and so did Madame Maxime in a string of curse words that were only under stood by French speakers.
The Champion for St Brutes School for the criminally insane is Harry Potter."
/Scene Break/
I was unhappy over the newspaper article, the tournament and my entry. What I was not aware of was the yelling and screaming that would be happening and the plans over Harry Potter from every quarter imaginable. That was until I was called to IronFist's office.
"Harry, good to see you. I have a couple of things that will be of interest to you and your entry into the Tri-Wizard tournament."
"My only interest is getting out of the stupid thing. They are going to be waiting for me to show so they can arrest me and I will lose my magic, if I don't go I will lose my magic."
"I have some good news in that area for you. While you can't get out of the tournament you cannot be touched legally by any law enforcement agency" IronFist grinned.
"How is this miracle being arranged?"
"Seems your slow-witted Minister Fudge had sent over a team of Aurors in an attempt to search for you here in France. That upset the French government. Then Fudge applied for your extradition as an escaped prisoner from Azkaban"
"So when do they come for me?" I knew this was too good to last.
"Don't be so negative. The French government had at least one person who didn't just rubber stamp the request and looked up your status here in France."
"AND?"
"Apparently he looked for your entry permits but found you are a French citizen. That made a big difference. The French Government then requested the trial transcripts and any documents of your escape and how many you injured or killed or laws broken."
"Well that was a short read unless they forged some documents." I laughed.
"Indeed it was and not looked on very favorably in their railroading a French Citizen for killing nonhuman creachers. I think some lower ministry worker just sent it out when the request came in and never notified the English Minister."
"So where does this leave me?"
"Free as a bird, France has no reason to bother you in fact here is a port-key to Beauxbatons Academy main ball room. The port-key is multi use but only one way and that is to the Academy. You may bring your wives of course and the Headmistress will be awaiting your arrival."
"I am going to have a problem, the Harry Potter you see is the real me but not the one I want them to see. Anyone using a 'finite' on me will see the real me. Is there anything you could come up with to help hide my face?"
"Want a pretty face or do you care? IronFist grinned.
"I don't care as long as it hides my true face until after the tournament." I replied and again had to kick myself for not defining what I wanted to the Goblins."
/Scene Break/
Daphne, Tracey and I arrived at the Beauxbatons Academy main ball room to find it was also the dinning facilities. The school Coat of Arms of two golden wands crossed over one another, each shooting three stars hung on the wall behind the head table. The champions had a separate table. I almost laughed out loud when I found Ron and Hermione hobnobbing with the teachers at the Head table.
"Lord Potter so nice that you could join us, I hear you have had quite the adventure getting here." Laughed Beauxbaton's Headmistress as I formaly greeted her with a bow and kiss to the hand. With her heighth it was more of a head nod.
"Yes indeed Headmistress, might I introduce my ladies? This lovely lady is Lady Daphne Potter and this pretty lady is Lady Tracey Slytherin."
"We here at Beauxbaton's welcome you, please have a seat at the champions table and join in the dining. I think you will find the food much lighter than the food served at Hogwarts. When you're finished I invite you to join my staff for a chat."
"Thank you Headmistress we would be delighted."
Daphne, Tracey and I sat at the champions table and as quickly as it was polite I informed the other champions that I was not here to compete. While I had to go through the motions I was not going to attempt to win, I just didn't want to lose my magic.
Later as we joined the staff for a chat I got the question I was expecting, "Mr. Potter you look exactly like you did those many years ago. Is it a 'glamour' charm or have you found the secret to eternal youth?"
"A 'glamour' charm of course. I cannot walk the streets looking like this without getting mobbed or attacked. My true looks are quite unknown by the public thus making it quite pleasurable to walk down the street as an unknown individual."
"Yes our boy is quite shy and as his wives do not crave the publicity so 'glamor' charms are used quite liberally." Tracey added.
"We would have demanded you remove the 'glamour' charm if it wasn't for the Potter Head of House ring. The ring clearly identifies you as Lord Potter." Madam Maxine stated.
"Thank you for being observant and your hospitality is appreciated."
"Now will you and your wife be requiring quarters here at the school?"
"No Madam we have that covered." I don't want to expose ourselves to anymore trouble than necessary.
"Well in the interest of international coöperation we would like it if you could join us as often as possible."
We agreed and later left for home after an evening of polite conversations.
/Scene Break/
I really hated the Goblin disguise as it was a pain to put on and take off, but it was a necessity if my identity was to stay hidden. The girls could use 'glamor' charms as well when we went out together in places like Diagon alley and now at the school. No one ever looked twice at us when we got to be normal people, well they did look at the girls but few looked at their faces.
We decided to spend the day at Madam Maxine's house of Veela. As we port-keyed in I fell on my back-side as usual. I cannot for the life of me not fall when I 'floe' or port-key, that is why I love my ability to 'slide'. Phoenix travel is a real joy but is not something I want to advertise.
As I looked around I found that this schools restricted location had been slightly compromised. There must have been ten reporters and twenty big wigs. As I picked myself off the floor I heard, 'Finite Incantatem' coming from Dumbledore at the head table.
My 'glamore' charm fell and exposed my rubber mask that completely encompassed my head, I turned to Dumbledore and yelled, "BOO!" The room went silent until Daphne said, "Isn't he just adorable?" and both girls kissed my cheeks. Dumbledore stormed off amid the laughter in the room.
To put on the rubber mask I had to pull it over my entire head, it had long pointy ears, a bald head, and a large nose. You could best describe my looks as being a Goblin. While the entire room was snickering or all out laughing I sent a dozen hexes at Dumbledore retreating posterior. I then replaced the 'glamor' charm showing Harry Potter.
The girls were tired of the 'glamor' charms they had to wear. They only hoped that being in Slytherin that most professors didn't remember who they were or what they looked like. Of course using 'glamor' charms hopefully reinforced what the two girls looked like that hung out with Harry Potter. Growing older should haze most people's memories. The fewer people that could recognize us ment a little easier life style.
In a very short time the place was crawling with reporters for the tournament and to cover the boy who lived or Victor Krum or just to make a pain in the rear of themselves. everyone's photos were plastered on each addition of their newspaper.
/Scene Break/
It wasn't long before Krum had given a friendly challenge to start-up a Quittage game. I had made the mistake of talking to Hermione which drew Gary Fawcett from Hogwarts in to talk Quittage. That had gotten Krum to issue the challenge.
The Tri-Wizard Tournament was not the only thing going on in the school besides studies. Their Quittage pitch was not being used for any of the tasks, which led to a number of pick-up games in addition to the "The Challenge of Beauxbatons". The challenge drew quite a lot of spectators and reporters to see Krum flying against Harry Potter. The dueling pitch also provided an excellent challenge to train in casting spells and dueling matches.
"Hay Victor when are you going to duel the boy who lived?" said an obnoxious reporter. Krum was just one of the people who enjoyed watching people make fools of themselves in dueling matches. He also was more interested in snuggling with Hermione in the viewers stand than take part in any of the matches.
"Not with Mr. Potter, he is too good for me" Victor was obviously trying to get out of any spell casting.
The spectators and the reporters were not going to let him out of facing me. They finally agreed on a four on one duel. Victor along with one of the Beauxbatons teachers joined another seventh year student. The loud mouth reporter was forced into the friendly duel.
Victor was actually pretty good but I hit him with an 'Expelliarmus' and got my normal shock. I try to refrain from using that spell in a duel as it can cause me to be distracted. The best was the teacher who turned out to be the DADA professor. They all fell in the end and I returned their wands or helped them up. It was actually a fun duel, at least for me.
The Beauxbatons Academy actually had some good players so the Quittage games started. These games made the papers due to reporter boredom and my beating Victor in the first match. Now we had more reporters and a ton of the public for the return matches. Beauxbatons location was now common knowledge and the stands were full.
/Scene Break/
You can't give the magical credit for inventiveness the first task was a dangerous magical creature. We would not know until the last minute what it was.
Today was the first task and it was a Chimaera. The thing would look stupid with the head of a lion, wings and tail of a dragon and a middle of a goat but it breathed hot fire and had very sharp claws.
The thing was chained in the middle of a pitch and we had to get a box it was guarding. Alexandrie got in first and was first to be clawed up badly by the beast. Gary got burnt badly while Ivan got both burnt and clawed.
ME?
I sashayed to the left and did a sequence of gliding or sidesteps found in square dancing. I had spent some time in America and had picked up some of the culture and dances. The Chimaera was not having this and let out a blast of hot fire. I think it got peeved when I started a ceremonial dance performed before going into battle by the North American Indians like you see on TV. I flounce gracefully away always attracting its attention, which did nothing for its temperament. When it got too close I 'slid' out of its way. I had no intention of getting that box; I was just running out the clock on the task. In the end I got twenty points for my dance routine which gave me fourth place.
/Scene Break/
December rolled around so a variation of the Yule ball was held. The students at Beauxbatons were serenaded while they dine by choirs of wood nymphs. At Christmas time the dining hall was adorned with great, non-melting ice sculptures. Dancing was enjoyed by most. Ron still couldn't get a date in a girl's school. We think his purpose there was to keep an eye on me because the great leader of the light had a school to run among other positions in his illustrious life.
Just prior to the second task the Great leader of the light Albus Dumbledore strolled into the ball room as we were eating lunch at the champion's table.
"Daphne suddenly started, "five…four…three…two…one…"
"Mr. Potter please see me in my, err, room immediately."
"Dam", said Tracey as she handed over a sickle to Daphne. "Suckers bet but he's got to be senile to keep demanding that when he already knows the answer."
/Scene Break/
Second Task or a stroll through the woods:
The box that everyone was supposed to retrieve in the first task was kept from me as well as the information inside. The information was what creatures lurked in the woods that we had to go through. We had to arrive at the judge's stand which was through the woods and near the cliffs. I had obstacles not included in the box, Dumbledore had his whole Turkey club in the woods all attempting to kidnap little old me.
Those rooms at the Department of Mysteries seemed to impart a lot of knowledge and some very weird capabilities. Being a black phoenix was odd enough but my sight and senses were a lot clearer and I was quicker. I have no idea how much the book of knowledge imparted but it all seemed to gel with my wand touching ability. No, I could not run at Olympic speed and jump buildings in a single bound but my transition to my phoenix form was almost instantaneous. Once in that magical form I could flash to a tree top or across the country in an instant. Now put me in a dark forest and I think you see how much trouble Dumbledork's club members were in, although MadEye's eye did give me some trouble. He got so dizzy trying to follow my movements that I was finally able to stunned him. Most were searching the grounds for Harry Potter and not watching the tree tops for a phoenix.
When they were in the right position I would become human, stun them and change to my phoenix mode, swoop down and flash them to the judge's tables. After dumping the stunned individual I would flash back for the next victim. I had to do something to kill time while in the task. I finally stumbled out of the forest just before they were sending a search party to look for me, I pretended to be exhausted. I again got low score for the task, the time set for the task had exspired.