After the First Task
By: Sheltie
I don't own Harry Potter at all
Chapter 11
Penelope Clearwater was working in one of the many cubicles in the office of the Daily Prophet. She got a job there as soon as she graduated from Hogwarts. She got the position thanks to one of her friend's father who had an inside track. But her position was quite low on the totem pole. She knew that she wouldn't be getting anything that would be considered big, as this was lowly grunge work. Her boyfriend Percy though would keep going on about his job of working so close to the Minister that she got fed up with him and broke up with him just two weeks ago. She now only had her job to keep her busy and that wasn't a great safety net.
"Miss Clearwater?"
Penelope looked up to see one of the editors looking at her.
"Yes sir?" she said.
"Come with me" the editor said.
Penelope followed the editor through the maze of cubicles with everyone one looking out of their mini-prisons to see what was going on. Once Penelope was in the editor's office she sat down praying she won't be fired.
"You have been given a special assignment" the editor said.
Penelope's jaw dropped.
"I have."
"Yes, they specifically asked for you" the editor said.
Penelope was still shocked.
"This new assignment will be long term and you'll be paid a generous wage along with expanse account" the editor said.
"Can I ask who it was?" Penelope asked.
"The new owners of the paper" the editor said gruffly.
Penelope didn't know that the paper was under new management, but already liked whoever was in charge.
"I'll take it" she said.
"They thought you would. Now you are asked to meet here. Here's the address" the editor said handing a slip of parchment.
Penelope took it and read it. She was surprised that the address for a muggle restaurant. Whoever this person was that would meet her was definitely not a pureblood she thought. After the meeting the editor led her to her new office. It was ten times bigger than her cubicle. She moved her stuff immediately and happily planned what she'd add to her office for the rest of the day.
/Scene Break/
Harry and Hermione were sitting in the common room late at night working over their homework.
"So is the meeting all set up for tomorrow?" Harry asked.
"Yup, we're to meet Penelope tomorrow at noon" Hermione said as she looked up from her book.
"Great, I'm glad Dumbledore gave me permission to do this" Harry said.
"Well it is the weekend and besides, I think he's doing everything we can to make-up for all he's done" Hermione said.
"He has a lot to make up for, but this is a good start" Harry said.
Hermione nodded.
"Good, now what are we going to be telling her?" Harry asked.
Hermione pulled out a journal that she carried around with her and began to skim through it. The two planned out how the meeting was going to play out and made sure to plan for every kind of thing that could happen.
/Scene Break/
Penelope was dressed in a muggle business suit as she entered the restaurant. It was more of a upscale restaurant than she was used to, but thanks to the expense account she got with her new position she was able to get something presentable.
"Um, excuse me, I'm Penelope Clearwater I'm here to meet someone" Penelope said to the maître'd.
"Yes of course, they are already here. Please follow me" the maître'd said.
Penelope did and she weaved passed a few tables to the back where she suspected the private rooms were held.
"In here miss" the maître'd said.
"Thank you" Penelope said.
Penelope took a deep breath and opened the door to find two people she least expected.
"Hello Miss Clearwater" Hermione said.
"Harry Potter, Hermione Granger" Penelope said shocked.
"Yes, now come on in and sit" Harry said smiling.
Penelope did as she was told, though she was quite shocked. Once she sat down she had regained her senses.
"You own the paper?" she asked still in shock.
"Well, actually I own part of the paper" Harry said.
Penelope had a look of confusion on her face.
"Hermione, she has the same confused look you do when you don't understand" Harry said smirking.
"Oh hush Harry" Hermione said as she smacked her boyfriend on the shoulder.
"What's going on here?" Penelope asked.
"Well Miss Clearwater, you are here for an exclusive interview with Harry Potter" Hermione said.
Penelope's jaw dropped.
"You bought the paper," she said not knowing that she had already said this.
"Well helped buy the paper, I and some others did" Harry said, "come Miss Clearwater, lets get this rolling."
Penelope did as she was told. She pulled a stack of blank parchment and a quill.
"That isn't a Quick-Quote-Quill is it?" Harry asked.
"No, this is a Dicta-Quill, I've heard too many bad things about Quick Quills that I went with one that is more reliable" Penelope said.
"That's good" Harry said with relief.
This began what Penelope found to be probably the biggest article ever. She took a lot of notes from both Harry and Hermione about what had happened during their time at Hogwarts. From the couple's first adventure to what happened during the tournament. They included everything they could that was related to Voldemort. When Penelope was finished she used all her parchment that she had brought and had to borrow some from Hermione.
"This is amazing Mr. Potter" Penelope said.
"Please call me Harry, I'm sure we're going to know each other quite well" Harry said smiling.
Penelope smiled right back.
"Then you can call me Penny" she said.
Harry nodded.
/Scene Break/
The Daily Prophet's headline the next day was quite shocking.
Harry Potter Speaks
The article was quite long and had to be put into it's own section because its length. Penny was credited with the whole article.
Harry spilled everything that had happened to him during his time at Hogwarts. He didn't leave anything out, not even that Lucius Malfoy was probably the one who slipped the diary that caused the terror in the school. He, of course didn't mention that it was Ginny who was the student who had the diary. What made the article more impressive was the fact that there was pictures to go with it as well. Thanks to a Pensieve, Penny was able to take pictures of the Basilisk and of Quirrell when Harry faced him. That and the pictures of Voldemort's resurrection too.
As everyone read the Prophet Harry smiled. If this didn't move the masses to their cause then he didn't know what would.
Dumbledore read the article and smiled. Harry was doing quite well and knew that Harry was having help from Sirius and the other Ancient and Noble houses. Yes he knew about the alliance. He wasn't told, but he was saw the signs. Harry, Neville, Daphne, and Susan hanging out together was a big sign. He also now knew what was keeping Sirius busy and decided to see if he could lend a hand.
/Scene Break/
"Well Harry, this article is very good. I think we better start gathering more allies," Neville said as he read the article.
"I agree" Luna said reading over her boyfriend's shoulder.
The group was sitting at the Gryffindor table.
"Alright, Susan, you seek out Hufflepuffs that want to help. Luna, you do the same in Ravenclaw. Daphne, you handle Slytherin, but be careful and if you feel any danger let me know" Harry said.
The three nodded.
"I'll help Luna" Neville said.
"I'm sure you will" Fred said smirking.
Neville blushed at this while the others laughed.
/Scene Break/
Luna walked into the Ravenclaw common room with Neville by her side. She cleared her throat hoping to get the room's attention, but nothing happened she tried a few more time, which all failed. That is until Neville let off a few noise-making spells that startle the Ravenclaws.
"Thank you Neville" Luna said pleasantly.
Neville nodded
"You have all read the article in the Prophet and now I have a question for you. Are ready to join?" Luna said in a serious tone.
"Potter could be lying" Anthony Goldstein shouted.
Neville's eyes narrowed.
"Harry Potter never lies, especially when it comes to what he's faced in his life," he said.
"How do you know?" Michael Corner asked.
"The Longbottoms and Potters have an alliance with one another that dates back hundreds of years. We Longbottoms have always stood by a Potter. We do, because the Potters are some of the most trustworthy families in Britain" Neville said.
There were a few mumbles heard.
Padma Patil was the first to step forward.
"I'll join" she said.
Other Ravenclaws stepped forward too now, following Padma's lead. The other Ravenclaws trusted and respected Padma a great deal and knew she wouldn't blindly rush into anything.
"Alright, please sign this parchment here" Luna said as she took out the roll of parchment that she got from Hermione before.
The first, second, and third years weren't able to sign since they were too young, but would still get training.
/Scene Break/
Susan walked into the Hufflepuff common room and without any other way to try and get the room's attention she used the same noise-making spell that Neville had used to get the Ravenclaws attention.
"Alright, here's the deal. If you're with Harry sign this parchment. If not then that's okay" Susan said.
"Susan, is it true what is said in the article?" Hannah asked.
"Yes it is, I heard it straight from Harry himself this summer" Susan said.
"How do we know Potter isn't doing this to gain power?" Ernie asked.
Susan glared at her fellow Puff, who cowered in fear.
"Harry is nothing of the sort. He is more loyal than some Puffs here. But he was put in Gryffindor because he has courage in spades" Susan said.
"Cedric did say that he'd trust Harry with his life" another Hufflepuff said.
"I'm in" Hannah said and went to sign the parchment.
Justin shrugged and followed, soon others did the same. Susan was quite happy with this.
Again like the in Ravenclaws the first, second, and third years weren't able to sign since they were too young, but would still get training.
/Scene Break/
Harry and Hermione entered the Gryffindor common room and gathered all their housemates.
"Right, now you all know the truth. Now it is time for you to decided what to do. Will you pick to do what is right or what is easy?" Harry said.
Hermione took out a roll of parchment that already had Fred, George, and Ginny's names on it.
"You mean to decided to join your little fan club?" Ron retorted.
Harry sighed.
"Ron, I'm not going to get in to it with you. You're not worth my time. I have more important things to do with my time" he said.
Ron was about to fire back, but was hit with a silencing spell by one of the twins.
"I'll sign Harry" Katie Bell said.
Alicia and Angelina followed suit. Seamus and Dean next followed by Lavender and Parvati. Other Gryffindors followed showing house unity. The Gryffindors that sided with Ron changed sides by signing the parchment. The only one who didn't sign it was Ron.
Like the other two previous houses the first, second, and third years weren't able to sign since they were too young, but would still get training.
"Alright, the first meeting will be in the Great Hall Saturday night" Harry said as Hermione rolled up the parchment.
/Scene Break/
Daphne walked into the Slytherin common room wearing a blank look.
"What do you want blood traitor?" Malfoy sneered.
"To see if any of you feel like changing their destiny," Daphne said.
"You've lost it Greengrass. How dare you betray your house" Malfoy shouted.
"So no one wants to sign up for defense lessons?" Daphne asked curiously.
There was a few slight movements by many Slytherins, but none moved forward. They were all trying to figure out what kind of benefits there was to sign up.
"Look, it's simple. All you have to do is sign this and Harry will train you to defend yourself," Daphne said showing off the piece of parchment.
"I'll not be a part of Scarhead's little group. You know he's delusional," Malfoy said.
"Please Malfoy, that's old news. Haven't you read the Prophet recently?" Daphne asked.
Shut it blood traitor" Malfoy sneered.
"You don't scare me Malfoy. You don't have your daddy anymore" Daphne said smirking.
Daphne was right without Malfoy having his dad as back him up he was powerless. The blond boy didn't have any power or fear he could use to back up his threat.
"It's time for the Slytherin house to stand up for something honorable. For something that will make future Slytherins proud to be in this once noble house" Daphne said.
"What is going on here?"
Snape entered the common room with his cloak billowing.
"Greengrass is trying to make us sign up for Potter's little club" Malfoy said.
"Miss Greengrass I will not have you cause a rift in my house" Snape said.
"I'm not trying to cause any rift professor, all I'm trying to do is bring back the honorable name of Salazaar Slytherin" Daphne said.
"She's just trying to cause trouble on Potter's orders" Malfoy said.
Snape's eyes narrowed, just hearing Potter's name made the potion master's blood boil.
"I will not have any of my house affiliated with that brat" Snape said keeping his temper in check.
He took the parchment from Daphne and burned it up.
"If I ever hear you ever causing any more disturbances like this again I will have you in detention" the potion master said.
Malfoy was wearing a triumphant smirk on his face.
"Really professor, you'd rather your house die."
Every Slytherin spun around to find Harry Potter in the entrance of the Slytherin common room.
"Potter, how'd you get here?" Snape asked glaring at the boy.
"A friend called me for help" Harry said.
Snape glared at Harry, but Harry was unfazed by it as he walked further into the Snake den. He stopped by Daphne.
"Did he threaten you?" he asked.
"No, but I called you as a precaution" Daphne said.
Harry nodded.
"Potter, what is the meaning of this?" Snape shouted.
"Like I said sir, a friend called me for help. So I came. Daphne's family and mine have an alliance with one another. I take these alliances seriously" Harry said.
Snape's glare intensified at this. How dare this Potter brat sully one of his own.
Malfoy, on the other hand couldn't believe that the Greengrasses would sully their name like that. To be allied with the Potters. Yes, he saw Daphne with Potter, but didn't think it was anything more. Of course that fact that his brain was the size of a Knut could also play a part in it. The others Slytherins hearing this all had to wonder what could this all mean. The Potter and Greengrass families allied with one another, what will be next?
"Blood traitor" Malfoy shouted.
A curse flew from Malfoy's wand, but Harry put a shield up and the curse bounced off it and hit Malfoy.
"Fifty points from Gryffindor for hexing a student" Snape said with a triumphant smirk.
"I do believe that I was defending my friend from an attack" Harry said.
"That's not what I saw Potter" Snape said.
"Then lets see what the headmaster has to say" Harry said.
Snape glared at Harry.
/Scene Break/
Dumbledore sat back as he was finished watching the Pensieve memory that he was just shown. McGonagall was also there since this situation involved one of her lions.
"Mr. Malfoy fired off the curse and Harry put up a simply shield charm to defend himself" the headmaster said.
McGonagall agreed with the headmaster conclusion.
"Potter did that knowing that it would bounce off" Snape accused.
"Really Severus, Mr. Malfoy had a chance to move out of the way of his own curse, but chose not to" McGonagall said.
"I had no idea what curse Malfoy was using and did what I thought was best, besides he was aiming towards Daphne and I didn't want it to hurt her," Harry said.
Dumbledore nodded.
"Fifty-five points for Mr. Potter for defending his friend" he said.
Snape glared at Harry.
"He injured one of my students, I demand some kind of punishment" the greasy git said.
"Mr. Potter did nothing, but defend himself and his friend. No spell came out of his wand to cause harm. Mr. Malfoy was hit by his own curse" Dumbledore said.
Snape saw that he was going to win this one so he stormed out of the headmaster's office with his robes billowing.
"Excellent job Harry" Dumbledore said.
"For what sir?" Harry asked.
"For doing the impossible. You united the five Ancient and Noble houses. Never has that been done" Dumbledore said.
"Thank you sir" Harry said.
"I have contacted Sirius to offer my support and counsel though he has yet to reply to my request. I'm willing to help you and the others in any way possible" Dumbledore said.
"We'll think about sir" Harry said.
"That's all I can hope for" Dumbledore said.
When Harry left McGonagall turned to her old friend.
"I hope you know what you're doing Albus" she said.
"I do Minerva, I do" Dumbledore said.
End of chapter
A/N: that's the end of this chap. Will Harry and his group accept Dumbledore's help? What will Snape do to get revenge on Harry? Will it cost him his job? Find out next time. Thanks for reading and please review.