Chapter 10: I said no!!
AN: And welcome back. Thank you for all the reviews, but now as we say... On with the show!
Disclaimer: I don't own... J.K Rowling does.
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Two voices echoed in unison. One, the headmaster's, the other, the dragon bound to the cup.
"Harry Potter"
Harry felt as though a bucket of ice had just been dumped down his spine. He was ramrod straight, and his face was paler than normal. He stood up, shakily, Hermione's chocolate eyes watching him with every step. The hall was silent, as every eye watched Harry walk up, into the gap between the tables, then into the aisle facing the cup. He stopped halfway to the teachers table, and then took a step back, shaking his head.
"No" That one word rang clearly throughout the hall.
Dumbledore stood "What do you mean no?"
Harry shook his head once more "No. I don't want this and I didn't put my name in the goblet. I don't want this..."
Dumbledore frowned, his grandfatherly twinkle fading. This could play into his hands... "My boy, this is a magical contract, you cannot simply say no to it, unless you wish to forfeit your life"
Harry shook his head, his temper fraying "I did not enter my name into that goblet sir. Somebody has cast a spell on that goblet, because only three names are supposed to come out. Mine was the fourth. I'll repeat myself... sir. I did not place my name in the cup."
"Harry" The headmaster began "you must compete. Your name has been entered, the contract has begun. There is nothing you can do about it"
Harry snarled. "Sir, with all respect, you mean someone can just write my name on a piece of paper, throw it into the goblet, and that means I've got a contract? That's insane! I DON'T WANT IT!"
The headmaster appeared to sigh deeply, whilst he was fuming. The boy had a case, but Albus was damned if he was going to let this opportunity slip from under his fingers. "Well I'm deeply sorry Harry, but you must've placed your name into the cup"
"Upon my magic, I Harry James Potter, swear to you, and the whole school, that I did not place my name in the goblet of fire!" A blue flash signalled the truth of the statement and the whole school gasped, Sirius swearing under his breath at his son's rashness.
Albus hastily tried to backtrack but Harry beat him to the punch. "And even if I must compete, I'll give you a warning. I'm an omen feeler, or a doom prophet if you prefer, and one person who's name came out from the goblet, will die by the end of the tournament." The school gasped.
Dumbledore turned to Jasmine. "Is this true Ms. Wingthrift?"
Jasmine sighed "Yes. I've tested all of my classes, and Mr. Potter here was a doom prophet. If his interpretation of what he's feeling is correct... then yes, one of the champions will die." More mutters ran around the waiting schools, hurried whispers and gasps of shock.
"I'll say this once more sir. I do not want to be a champion" Harry said slowly and he turned and began to walk back to his house table, Hermione waiting for him with a smile.
"But Mr. Potter..."
Harry whirled in a blur, screaming "I SAID NO!" A crescent pulse of crimson magic screamed from Harry as he swung his arm in frustration. The crescent spun in the air, screaming towards it's target. The goblet. The magic scythed through the cup, like a hot knife through butter. There was silence for a moment, as the goblet stood whole, before slowly toppling in two. Harry panted his eyes wide, Dumbledore looked furious at the destruction of such a priceless object.
A roar shattered the silence. A blue form soared from the ruins of the goblet, blue flames whirling and spinning, forming into a long, sinuous, serpentine shape. The dragon from the goblet was freed! It bellowed again, it's roar rattling the rafters of the great hall. Harry froze in fear. The flames rose higher and higher, surrounding the dragon as it looked down at the school and Harry. It opened it's mouth and thinking on her feet, Jaziz quickly cast a translation spell. She didn't want Harry revealing all his talents just yet.
"Boy..." The dragon's voice rumbled from the rafters, dust billowing into sparkling motes in the dying sun. "My bindings are broken... I am free!"
The school was in shock, Dumbledore, Velvet and Tonks, reaching for their wands. "Don't" Jaziz said, holding Velvet's hand down "This is an ancient spirit. It would squash all of you like bugs." The wands went down and the school watched rapt with attention as the dragon looked down at Harry.
"I... have been trapped for too long little one. I must admit, I am now fully aware of why you can sense me, young seer." Everyone started, Dumbledore cursing and muttered gasps ran around the hall. Jaziz, or Jasmine frowned. The spirit was lying. It had sensed Harry's heritage but had lied about it? Why? Realization dawned. It knew someone wanted to harm Harry and was keeping his powers under wraps. That was a powerful spirit.
"Thank you" Harry said, his voice small. "Must I compete in this tournament? I... am aware of the risks... I can sense it"
The dragon looked down, the flames becoming smaller "Indeed little one, you are correct. One of the champions will die. I too can sense it. But alas, I selected you, little one for a reason. You are destined for great things little one, great and terrible burdens have been placed on you, and I have only added to them. You must compete"
The dragon's rumbling voice bowed Harry with the force of it's will, his anger rapidly diminishing. "Why?" He asked.
The dragon paused and seemed to sag, drifting down closer to Harry, it's voice lowering until only Harry could hear it's voice "You, heir have a long and arduous path ahead" The dragon smiled, a toothy and slightly disturbing smile at the stunned look on Harry's face.
"What does that mean?" Harry whispered. "I've heard others call me it, especially the dragoness who saved me, but I don't know what it means!"
The dragon rumbled once more, it's voice vibrating in Harry's ear "It means, little one, that you are the recipient of the powers of the ancients and the darkness, and with it, you bear the command of the beings bound to it. Dragons, snakes, phoenixes and the dementors, all alike will come to your call. You are the chosen one, bound to purge the world of both influences. Dark lords will come and go but without both influences in the world, they will be nothing. I can sense your powers heir, and I will lend you my aid. But there is a price"
Harry twigged on what it wanted. "The price is competing in the tournament. Your a wish dragon aren't you?" The dragon nodded once. "Then the tournament is to judge me?" He said slowly, thinking logically. Hermione had been a good influence on him.
"Bravo heir, you are quick. Yes, it is to judge you and should you pass, you shall be able to summon me twice for your aid, and all your descendants after you, be it your children or your great-great-great-great grandchildren shall be able to summon me once for aid as long as Potter blood runs through their veins. The price for my aid is to complete this tournament and win. If it is any consolation young heir, then I would have chosen you anyway, as someone tried to cast a compulsion spell on me. Someone who knew the bindings of this cup... intimately. Do we have a bargain young one?" The dragon drew back into the air and regarded Harry.
Harry swallowed, and nodded raising his voice, the knowledge of how to summon the wish dragon implanted in his brain. "Then our bargain is complete. I shall compete, even at the risk of my own death"
The dragon reared to it's full height the blue flames roaring into an inferno, and it's mighty voice shook the hall "Then little seer we have a bargain! Compete and win with honour and my aid shall be yours!" With a final crackle and whirl of flames, the dragon spun in on itself and vanished amidst a torrent of flames and sparks. The hall stood silent, the school, teachers and students alike stunned into silence.
Dumbledore quickly regained control, sending the students back to their dorms, whilst summoning out the rest of the champions and their representative. "What is the problem Dumbledore" Karkaroff demanded curtly. "We heard shouting and roaring, but the door was locked. What. Is. Going. On."
Dumbledore sighed. This was rapidly turning into a political fiasco. "It appears the goblet has been tampered with Igor" There were mutters and cries of disbelief, as Dumbledore raised a hand and continued "Mr. Potter was selected as the fourth champion by the goblet"
"Zis is unacceptable Dumbleydore! Iz Hog'warts attempting to 'ave two bites of ze apple?" Madam Maxine cried, drawing herself up to her full height.
"I demand a re-vote! This is unacceptable!" Karkaroff cried, waving his hands.
"That won't be possible" Harry said softly as every face turned to him.
Karkaroff snarled and moved forwards right into Harry's face "And why is that Potter?"
Harry's emerald eyes narrowed "One because the goblet would not re-light for another year and two, because I destroyed the goblet"
Silence reigned and eye turned towards where the goblet stood, cleaved in two on the teachers table. "Vat about the contracts?" Krum said, glowering at Harry, who returned the gesture.
"They are activated and the tournament can and must continue" Bartemus Crouch said dryly, from the corner "The goblet dies once all the names have been chosen and it continues anyway. The contract is binding" There were nods all round and mutterings as people relaxed in the knowledge that the tournament was going on.
Harry snorted under his breath "I don't see why you're all glad"
"Harry..." Dumbledore said a note of warning in his voice.
Harry whirled, eyes glinting in anger "Don't you think headmaster" He spat "That they have a right to know?"
"A right to know what?" Cedric said, shifting nervously. The headmaster sighed and looked wearily around, sighing in defeat.
"I'm a doom prophet, or an omen feeler" Harry said bluntly, to muttered gasps. "Professor Wingthrift here tested me and we're having lessons to reign in my other talent." He said softly, continuing the small lie the dragon spirit had began. "I know the feeling I got from the cup. The reaper. One of use will die by the end of the tournament. One of the champions will die" The grim finality of the words slammed home on the champions and the reactions varied from shock, to disbelief.
"I do not believe you, you silly little, attention seeking -"
"Shut up" Those two words were softly spoken, and silky dangerous. Sirius Black walked into the room and glared at Karkaroff. "Watch how you address my son death eater" He said flatly, fingering his wand.
"Don't attempt a duel in my presence Sirius" Velvet said, eyeing his wand hand.
Sirius flashed her his 'knickers melting' grin as James had once called it, and said "Or what you'll arrest me?" his voice full of mischief.
Harry was shocked. "Dad... this is not the time for flirting. Especially not in front of me. Do I need to re-teach you the silencing charm again?" He said sarcastically.
There was a beat of silence "Family meeting?" Sirius said, his eyes twinkling in amusement.
Harry nodded "Family meeting" he said and the pair left at a rapid lick. Silence followed in their wake, Velvet feeling rather mortified.
"I suggest" Dumbledore began "That we re-convene in the morning, when a good nights sleep has cleared our heads. Good night all" Murmurs of agreement came from all involved and they left to go their separate ways, some to make sure they had a will, others to ponder what had been said and some... to deliver messages.
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Sirius plopped down in the chair in front of the fire and looked on as his son paced in front of the fire. "Is Hermione around?" Harry asked.
A small cough drew his attention, and he looked over, past the fire. Hermione was dressed in some casual pyjamas a nice crimson colour, nearly matching the house colours. Harry however was more drawn by the small expanse of creamy skin showing around her waist, as the top was a little short. "I'm here Harry" She said softly, wrapping him in a hug. "Are you all right Harry?" She asked, her face buried in his shoulder.
Harry wrapped his arms around her and whispered to her "I was so scared Hermione, so, so scared. I thought it was going to kill me and even now... I still risk death. I'm in the tournament Hermione. I'm the fourth champion" There was a tremor of fear in his voice, the fear every man, woman and child has of the reaper since the dawn of time. We all fear death and we cannot avoid it. Harry knew this better than most, but it still scared him that he could have everything he had ripped away in an instant.
Hermione sighed and wrapped her arms around Harry even tighter, the pair never even noticing Sirius leaving quietly. He'd talk to Harry in the morning. "Why Harry?" she said softly, a quiet sob threatening to escape her. "Why must it always be you?"
"Because I've been chosen Hermione. By powers beyond our comprehension and by fate. I'm the one to defeat Voldemort, Hermione. He's coming back. I can feel it, sense it."
Hermione looked at him, her cinnamon eyes wide. "You mean a prophecy. Oh Harry..." she said placing her head on his chest. The pair stayed like that for some time, just lost in each other. "Harry" Hermione said softly, looking at him, a slight blush creeping into her features. "I don't want to go back to the dorms tonight"
"Neither do I" Harry said "All that gossip. No, I'll stay here tonight, dad will be fine with that" he said, his voice muffled by Hermione's hair.
"C-c-can I stay with you tonight?" Hermione said, blushing a lovely shade of scarlet.
Harry frowned "Why?"
Hermione looked ashamed almost "I have nightmares. About you... dying... I wont be able to sleep tonight unless I know you're safe" She shuffled her feet, only to feel Harry pulling her into his room.
"Get comfy" Harry said, as he grabbed a clean pair of boxers and a white and green pyjama top. Hermione sat on the bed, as Harry went into the adjoining bathroom and changed. Although he wouldn't say it, he was nervous. Hermione had scared him and having her in the same bed as him... well, he didn't want to go that far, not yet, but being a teenage boy, the thought was still alluring to him, and more than enough to make him nervous. Walking back into his little bedroom, in Sirius's guest quarters, Harry saw Hermione laying back on the bed, looking up at the roof, her arms crossed under her breasts as she la there, her eyes unfocused. Slipping into bed besides her, Harry wrapped his arms around her waist and whispered, "Let's get some sleep. Tomorrow and the rest of the week will test our patience I feel" Hearing Hermione's sigh, she turned on her side, her bum wriggling into him as she settled down, Harry wrapping his arm more firmly around her as they both drifted off into sleep, a far more comfortable sleep than any they'd had for a long, long while.
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The next morning
Sirius found them, curled together, Harry holding her from behind, with his arms firmly wrapped around her. He looked at the pair and sighed. They were still clothed so that was one less thing to worry about. Still, Sirius didn't like how fast their relationship was moving. He might approve of them, but not the speed. Setting down a small rune stone, Sirius tapped it with his wand and left.
Thirty seconds later all hell broke loose.
KABOOM! A noise like a cannon going off, especially in such small confines is enough to wake the living dead. Harry and Hermione shot bolt upright, eyes dazed but still reaching for wands. Harry blinked once and then cursed seeing the stone. "Noise-maker charm" Harry muttered, eyeing the stone darkly. He wasn't a morning person. Especially since Sirius loved pulling that one on him. Hermione rubbed her eyes blearily beside him as she shook the last of the sleep from her system.
"Ten minutes to get changed you two. We need to have words" Sirius's voice came from the small stone and the couple looked at each other, a blush gracing their faces.
"You wash first Hermione. I'll get go talk with Sirius" Harry said, and left the bedroom and came into the living room. Sirius was sitting in the big chair that he favoured facing the embers of the fire, his back to Harry. Harry cleared his throat "You know I hate those noise maker charms Dad" Harry said, coming around in front of the chair.
Sirius turned his dark eyes on Harry "You are my son Harry, and I'm worried about..."
"Me and Hermione?" Harry said, taking another chair. "I know. She couldn't sleep, nightmares about me Dad. About me dying. Nothing happened apart from sleep"
Sirius stood, his frame tense "You don't think I know that? Hell I have nightmares about you kiddo! But you're bonded Harry and sometimes the bond can force you into doing things you shouldn't be doing yet. I looked back into my research, and it turns out Lily helped me with it. The more intimate you two are, the closer and closer you will become until the magic forces you to complete the bond. Sleeping together like that, will only quicken the bond to completion and I want both of you, for the first time to be in complete control of yourselves." His words were low but sharp and stung Harry, his already short temper rising.
Harry stood "And you'd know all about that wouldn't you Dad? I've heard some of the tales and you were a real womaniser when you were just a bit older than me. I love her Dad, she's not a one night thing, she never will be."
Sirius's eyes blazed and he snarled, almost like a wolf "Son don't cross that line. I know what I did when I was younger was wrong but..."
"THEN DON'T LECTURE ME ON IT!" Harry blasted out, his fists clamped by his sides. Sirius stared at Harry, as it was the first time Harry had raised his voice at Sirius and Sirius could feel his anger, like a living thing pulsing with Harry's heartbeat. "I love her Dad. I want to marry her eventually. Did you know she's the first person I remember telling me 'I love you'" Harry paused "No, I didn't think you did. And you're just as bad with Velvet Dad. Until you can convince me you're not just going to bed her and then leave her, don't even breach the topic of me and Hermione. Just don't" Harry's last two words were flat and he turned heading back to his room.
"Don't turn your back on me Harry. We haven't finished here yet" Sirius said softly.
Harry turned, his posture softening. "Dad... please don't make me fight you on this. I love you, but please, please don't push me on this. I'd die for her and kill for her, so don't push it. When you marry Velvet then you can lecture me all you want, but until then don't. Please" Harry's voice was soft and Sirius felt his will crumble at the tone of voice.
"Fine" Sirius sighed "But we aren't done with this topic yet. Am I clear?"
"Crystal" Harry said walking back into his room. He got the shock of his life and was immensely glad he had shut the door. Hermione was standing there, in just her bra and knickers and was looking very self concious. "Hermione..." Harry breathed his mind still befuddled by his hormones. He snapped out of it. "Oh god, I'm sorry Hermione...I -"
"Don't" Hermione said. "Am I that unattractive?" she said, a note of uncertainty in her voice.
Harry's mouth opened and "Hell no!" leapt out. Foot meet mouth, mouth meet foot. Harry blushed bright red, his eyes trailing over Hermione. She was wearing emerald green and the bra cupped her breasts high on her body and the knickers were well normal knickers, but to Harry they looked like fine lace. "God... you're beautiful..." Harry breathed and took a step forward. Then stopped, the conversation he'd had moments before stopping him in his tracks.
Hermione took this as rejection and sniffed. Harry was there in an instant, his arms around her. "I don't find you ugly Hermione, you're stunning. Others might say not, but beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and to me, you outshine the stars."
"Then why did you stop?" Hermione asked, her cinnamon eyes glimmering with tears.
Harry swallowed, his blood flowing south and struggled with his answer. "The quicker we go, the more the magic will force us. I want to bond Hermione, I want you to be mine, but I want to do it at your pace and mine. I don't want to be forced into anything... because I don't want to hurt you Hermione. I love you so much...you know I'd die for you" Harry's gaze locked with hers and his resolve shattered at the sheer love in her eyes. Gathering her more to him, Harry claimed her lips with his, whilst being passionate but gentle. He could feel her creamy, soft and oh so delicate skin rubbing against him in delicious friction, and she could feel his reaction rubbing against her thigh. Tongues duelled and passions soared as the pair held each other closer, Harry's hand trailing across her stomach, eliciting a moan from her. Harry pulled his lips back from hers and looked at her, her mouth flushed from the force of his kiss and then his eyes locked with hers. A light danced between the pair as something flickered between them, and heat flushed their skin and sparked across their nerve endings.
Hermione was first to break the silence. "Wow" She said... looking at Harry "That was..."
"Intense" Harry said finishing her sentence. They looked at each other with astonishment and Harry grinned feeling Hermione's sense of disbelief. "The bond's deepened Hermione... I can feel your 'oh my god, what the hell was that' feeling you've got going"
Hermione laughed, a high pure note and hugged Harry once more, beginning to dress as she moved away. "Come on smoky" she said 'We've got..."
"Breakfast, I know" Harry said, winking at her as he moved into the bathroom.
And that was the only good point for the rest of the week.
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The great hall, just over one week later
The past week had not been good for Harry. He and Sirius had been icy towards each other and the rest of the school was in uproar about Harry's warning, the fact he was a champion and the dragon coming out of the cup.
The twins were impressed he'd managed to destroy an ancient and irreplaceable artefact and asked if was going to destroy any more. Harry just asked them to go prank Ron...which they did with great glee and abandon. Ron had been insufferable over the week, being hexed twice by Hermione and nearly punched by Harry. The rest of his house hadn't exactly been pleasant either, apart from the twins, who had taken to hanging around with a strange blond Ravenclaw, two years beneath them. The twins had been good to Harry and he had pointed them to Sirius, who had taken them under his pranking wing, teaching them all the marauder tricks he knew and remembered. He'd also promised to introduce them to the other remaining member of the marauder's, Remus Lupin, at a later date.
Still, the week had been grating on Harry's already frayed nerves. His temper, ever since that incident with Hermione in his bedroom, had become a lot calmer, whilst Hermione seemed to have got some of his own spark. Harry always knew she had a secret burning passion inside her and know he saw it in her, now shorter temper, and he relished it, seeing her eyes spark in battle, ready to fight or say something in defence. It was good to see Hermione so fiery. A certain Durmstrang student had already been on the end of her tongue and wand... a certain Mr. Krum and he wasn't happy about it.
That said, Harry was looking forward to hexing him. It was the first duelling club meeting that Velvet was holding and the first thing she did was to have a four way duel. She was going to pick names from a hat, and Hermione and the twins, sensing Harry's need to vent had thought this was a good and safe way for him to vent, had charmed the paper to only read like certain names.
Names that needed a good hexing.
Looking down at the slightly blurred paper, Velvet smelled a rat but ploughed ahead, reading out the names. "Draco Malfoy" The blonde came up the platform that was in the middle of the hall, a large round shape, and he fingered his wand, twirling it casually in his hand.
"Ronald Weasely" Ron came onto the stage, smiling darkly at Draco, as he too held his wand at ready.
"Harry Potter" Harry strolled onto the stage, his face set in a mask, his wand in his left hand, eyeing the other two with obvious distaste.
The last name "Viktor Krum" The Durmstrang student came up, looking haughty and confident, after all he was older and knew more spells than these three. It should be an easy win.
The four all shared glowers of mutual hatred as Velvet stepped into the middle of the stage. "Now, this is a four-way duel. I want it clean, nothing nasty or dark curses. Borderline is fine, but no lethal curses. Shields are up to reduce damage. Physical contact is allowed and you lose when you are disarmed, removed from the stage, or surrender. Are we clear?" she said firmly, her dark eyes promising pain if they didn't listen. Four nods greeted her watchful eye and she stepped back to the side of the platform. "Then bow..." the four did, eyes promising pain and she raised her wand. "At the sound of the wand..." A crack like a gun went off "Begin!"
Harry's wand was already out, a charm on his lips. His favourite. "Depulso!" The banishing charm hit Ron like a brick, who'd managed to raise a weak shield, which shattered like glass and the remaining force of Harry's charm, lifted him straight out of the ring. It had taken less than five seconds, and the other reaming two, looked warily at Harry.
Krum was the first to cast another spell, trying to circle the remaining pair and take them out. "Conjuctivo!" The conjunctivitis curse sped from his wand aiming for Harry, who responded with a quick shield, making it ricochet into the ceiling.
Curses and hexes came thick and fast, all three throwing into the fight, not caring who they cast at.
"Reducto!"
"Abrumpo!"
"Conflagrus!" A bat of the wand and the fire spell hit the shield, and Harry laughed "Fire spells against me? Try harder Krum!"
The Dumstrang student looked sideways at Draco and caught his eye. Draco gave him a nod and the pair as one, turned their wands on Harry. "Two on one?" Harry sighed and dived out of the way as a volley of curses impacted on the spot where he used to be. Waving his wand he transfigured piece of paper in his pocket into a small wall and ducked behind it, as spells bit into it. Time for a bit of distraction work. Harry shot up, wand aimed high. "SOLARIS MAXIMUS!" A bright flare of light shot from his wand, blinding Draco, who hadn't been quick enough to look away. A banishing charm hit him, sending him to the floor, but not out of the fight. Turning to Krum, Harry ducked a nasty looking purple spell. "Word of warning Krum... don't go near Hermione..."
"I vill do as I please Potter" Krum spat back, his wand bucking as he conjured a shield, reflecting the stunner that Harry had sent. He started to raise his wand, an offensive curse on his lips, when Harry began to run. Straight at him.
Dodging hexes and curses, Harry threw a piece of paper at him, and as it landed at his feet a small and quick piece of transfiguration turned it into a writhing mass of greenery, distracting Krum as it tangled his feet. Harry stopped raised his wand "DETONATUS!" an orange ball of light spat from his wand, aiming at Krums feet, the Dumstrang students eyes widening as he hastily cast a shield. Too little, too late. The ball his the floor, just at the base of his shield and in a burst of light and sound Krum went flying. He hit the shield on the side, staggered and before he could right himself, a bludgeon charm hit him in the stomach, bending him over, a cutting curse grazed his wand arm, before a disarming spell hit him, his wand clattering to the floor as the hall looked on in silence. Harry looked on, his eyes hard. "That was a warning Krum" Harry said, as the Bulgarian left the stage.
Draco had managed to stand, clearing away the spots of light that danced behind his eyes. He looked up, only to find Potter, running straight at him, a curse forming on the end of his lips. WHAM! Only to find Harry's right fist buried in his gut. Bent over, vomiting his dinner over Potter's shoes, he was pushed to the ground and found himself staring at the end of Harry's wand. "Surrender Malfoy" Harry said flatly his wand tip, pointing between Malfoy's eyes.
Malfoys wand hit the floor with a small clatter. "Bravo Mr. Potter. Some impressive spell work there" Velvet said, coming up on stage. Harry had turned and began to walk of stage, when Malfoy rose from the floor, his robes covered in vomit, and his pride smashed to pieces. Harry turned at Draco's snarled spell, but it was too little, too late.
"Shrederrus!" The shredding curse, a borderline dark arts spell, shredded the victims, skin, clothes and anything else that was in the way. Harry didn't have time to raise a shield and he acted on instinct, raising his right arm, like he did in practice with Sirius, to take the blow. The spell rocked him back, the curse shredding his bandages and before his eyes they flaked off, falling to the floor of the hall in wispy white shreds.
Time stood still as the hall looked on as Harry's arm was revealed. Fire burned behind his eyes as he took in Draco's pale countenance. "Backstabbing..." Harry raised his wand to curse Draco, but Velvet beat him to it. There was a bang, like a car back firing, and a pure white ferret stood where Draco had been.
"You, lousy, foul, sneaky son of a death eater! You do not curse people behind their backs, just because you lost, you stupid little boy!" The ferret was tap dancing now, it's squeaks of panic becoming more frantic and desperate as Velvet began bouncing it off the floor.
"Miss Velvet, I heard rumours of a... is that a student?" Professor McGonnagal, asked, shock in her voice.
Velvet raised an eyebrow "Hmmm? Yes, it is. Just teaching him a lesson in humility."
Minerva ran forward and with a flick of her wand, Draco lay on the floor, his hair messed up, and pale and sweating, looking up at Velvet with loathing in his eyes "When my father..."
Velvet's eyes narrowed "And when your Daddy comes here, I'll curse the death eating bastard into a cell, where he belongs." Draco paled and scurried off, leaving the irate transfiguration teacher confronting Velvet.
Her Scottish burr, made her voice even thicker as she addressed the auror. "We do not use transfiguration to punish students Velvet, surely Albus told you that?"
Velvet shook her head "He didn't mention it, besides he'd cursed Harry with a borderline dark arts spell. I think a little humiliation was a good lesson for him."
Harry's head of house turned concern in her eyes. "Are you hurt Mr. Potter..." Her voice trailed off as her gaze fixed on Harry's right arm. She looked up at Harry and he snarled and turned away.
"I don't need your pity professor" He said, as he and Hermione began to leave the hall, through the sea of silent students. Minerva was deathly pale, as was Tonks and Velvet. Minerva rushed out, past Sirius who came in grinning like a loon. "Am I late?" He took in the silent hall and asked "Did I miss something?"
"Did you know about Harry's arm?" Velvet asked. Sirius's faces fell... oh dear... nothing good was going to come from this.
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Romania, Dragon caverns:
"Arise Jaziz, there is no need for such formality between us" The heiress said, as Jaziz bowed before her.
The little dragon cocked her head in embarrassment and muttered a quick "Thank you" under her breath. "You wanted to see me Heiress?"
The large Horntail, chuckled and spoke softly "How is your mission proceeding Jaziz?"
"It's progressing smoothly. I'm currently working on getting Thalron into the school. It'll ease my nerves if we have another agent nearby. Harry trusts me and his power is growing daily. I'm concerned he might start having visions soon."
One eye-ridge raised "Hmm, another agent in place would be handy, and Thalron's talents are useful. I'm assuming you have a plan?"
Jaziz nodded "I do. There is another thing though. Harry destroyed the goblet of fire. He released the wish dragon's spirit in the cup."
"He... what?" The heiress appeared stunned and said nothing for several moments. "He released the spirit of a wish dragon?"
"Yes" Jaziz nodded "And it struck a bargain with him. If Harry completes the tournament, then he can call it for aid, twice, and all his ancestors can call it once."
"A useful and powerful ally then" The heiress mused, her head dipping in thought. "and the Drakka? How does she fare?"
Jaziz grinned, "She's becoming more powerful as each day passes by. The bond between her and the heir is strengthening, and they're becoming nigh on inseparable."
"And the manipulator?"
Jaziz frowned "He is unsure of me, but I've found rumours that he's restarting an old group he used to run. I'm expecting an invitation by the end of the school year"
The larger dragon smiled "And your work? Are you enjoying it?"
Jaziz grinned "Very much so heiress! It's a little hard keeping up the façade but it's worth it. I've already identified several students with dragon's blood running through their veins and in time, I'll approach them. How is Zariss faring?"
"I'm fine thank you very much! Don't leave me like that again!" The occamy complained, mock glaring at Jaziz. "I'm fine Jazz, just dealing with politics and it gets me annoyed." The snake sighed and curled himself up, his wings just sticking out besides his head. "Can I come with you Jazz... I'm really not needed here. Besides I can help keep an eye on the heir... please!"
The heiress nodded. "We need all the eyes and ears we can. Go well Jaziz, I'm pleased with your progress. I'm sure your mother would be pleased." With a small sad grin, Jaziz vanished, back to the outskirts of the school, and flew to her room in the astronomy tower.
Placing Zariss on the floor she chuckled at the occamys interest in everything. "Go on" she hissed "Go find the heir, I mean Harry" Chuckling under his breath the magical serpent left via the window and went to find Harry. Shifting back into her human form, and still naked, Jaziz flipped open her mirror.
"Cynder... are you busy?"
No, no he wasn't busy... especially not for her.
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And that's that for another chapter.
Remus will appear at Christmas time, don't you people worry.
Next chapter: Reactions to the arm, Harry gets a new friend, Hogsmede, Occlumencly and the lead up to the first task.