A/N: Hello, people!
I don't own Harry Potter. Quotes from the movie aren't mine.
I have no beta.
ENJOY!
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This chapter was revised on July 18th 2015.
Originally- 5,923 words.
Now- 6,613 words.
Dear pup,
I can understand that you are upset, but I did write you a letter. I sent it on the second, because you would have learned about the tournament the night before. You should have gotten the letter the next day. If you didn't, I'm sorry, but that isn't my fault. Though I am pissed that the idiot headmaster of yours, or even your Head of House didn't bother to make sure you knew you had permission.
Sorry that you have to go through this, pup. But I did send you a letter.
Remus says, 'hi and behave', which means get into as much trouble as you can.
Love you, pup!
P.S. If you need help, don't hesitate to ask!
So Sirius actually told him. But he never got the letter. Someone was tampering with his mail.
It was like another Dobby situation all over again.
Harry looked to Hedwig, who was busy staring at him.
"Has someone been messing with you, girl?"
She gave a low bark, her wings lifting a bit.
Hmmm.
The champions were forced into outfits - hideous and all too form fitting - that were designed for the tournament. Harry's outfit was black and green, which he had requested because he loved green. They had wanted red, because of Gryffindor, but he denied their demands and stated that he was the champion and not them. Therefore, his demands were more important. If he was going to be forced into this, he was going to be comfortable and as happy as he could be when his life was in danger. If they didn't like it, he couldn't care any less.
Fleur was forced to wear silver and midnight blue. She liked her outfit though. Viktor did not like his orange and tan outfit. He didn't like orange, or so he told Harry. Not that Harry blamed him, the color combination was atrocious. Both found out that Karkaroff was the one to choose the colors. It explained so much.
The first task was to be held in an extremely large stadium that was pretty far from Hogwarts. Dumbledore leveled an entire area on the mountain, off and set to constructing a large stadium for the task. It was large enough to hold all of the combined students and professors.
The champions were gathered in a tent outside the stadium, where they had to wait. Finally, the Heads plus Bagma and Crouch, appeared. The champions were each told to pick something from a brown bag. Fleur ended up with a green mini dragon with a number one on its necklace. Viktor got a Chinese Fireball with a number two, which left Harry with the Horntail and last place.
Ludo Bagman grinned and told them about the task after that. "Now, we have set up a large obstacle course. Filled with all sorts of creatures. The dragons you are holding, are guarding a golden egg that you have to get. That's it. Once you have your egg, it's over."
Harry raised a hand, gaining the man's attention. "Is there anything that we can't do? That would get points removed or break the rules?"
"No, no. Everything is legal. We've protected the stands so nothing can happen to the viewers. You just have to get the egg."
Harry nodded.
Did they know what they did by making it so open? They made it so everything was legal. Even Dark Arts. Harry could use Parselmagic without getting into trouble, since there were no rules and everything was legal. He kind of wanted to do it, just to annoy and terrify people. But he already had a plan in place. There was an even easier way for him to get this over with than having to use too much power in a Parselmagic spell. And he was going to do it.
Fleur was sent out first, while Viktor and Harry just sat in the tent, waiting for their turns. They could hear the screams and explosions and could only wonder what Fleur was going through.
Bagman's voice echoed through the air, his color commentating not as amazing as it was at the Quidditch World Cup. He probably didn't know about anything but Quidditch.
Viktor gave Harry a pat on the back, "Yoo vill do fine."
Harry shrugged, "To be honest, I'm not as worried as I was before. I have a solid strategy and if it doesn't work, then I have a few backups to work with."
Liking summoning a magical basilisk with his Parselmagic and having it attack the dragon.
Or lighting himself on fire so that the dragon fire couldn't affect him.
"Good."
They waited for another half hour as the cheers and screams of the crowd filled their heads.
Finally, it was announced that Fleur had gotten her egg and that it would soon be Viktor's turn.
Harry gave him a smile, "Good luck, you big Bulgarian."
"Thank yoo."
Five minutes later, Viktor stepped out of the tent and Harry was left alone. Harry spent his time in the tent, messing with his mini dragon. He turned it green and then purple. And when it spouted fire at him, he blew a puff of black fire in its face and it proceeded to cough and try to get away from the dark cloud of hot air.
A loud assortment of cheers reached his ears and he heard Bagman announce that Viktor had gotten his egg. A lot faster than Fleur did. In fact, it was only about ten minutes. He'd try for quicker.
A few moments later, Harry walked out of the tent and down the long corridor that led to the stadium. Once he stepped out, everything went quiet.
He noticed the scoreboard. Fleur at forty-two and Viktor at forty-five. Their times were displayed beside their points. Apparently, time counted in the point system as well.
Looking at the arena, he could see a large assortment of rocks and even a mud pit. There were holes and even things that looked camouflaged. Within a circle several feet above the floor, floated Dementors, that seemed to be held back a bit. There was a chained dragon on the other side of the stadium, crouched over a golden egg. It roared at him.
"Mr. Potter, step forward and you may begin," Mr. Bagman's voice echoed through the arena.
He took a few steps forward and the Dementors charged.
All he wanted to know, was why they would put Dementors in this task if there was a possibility of fourth years, who most assuredly wouldn't know the Patronus Charm, could compete?
He saw Karkaroff grinning, his disgusting, yellowed teeth showing. The man thought that Harry was weak because he was only a fourth year while Viktor and Fleur were seventh years. Well, he'd show that bastard. Do not underestimate anyone, ever.
Raising his wand and thinking of being with Sirius and being away from the muggles, he yelled, "Expecto Patronum!"
An enormous silvery Basilisk shot out of his wand and immediately surrounded him, circling him and pulsing to keep the Dementors away.
He raised his wand once more and said, "Accio golden egg!"
The large egg was ripped from underneath the dragon and soared across the wide expanse of the arena and landed in his arms. The Basilisk unwound from him and moved forward, pushing the Dementors back as Harry turned around and ran back to the opening of the stadium.
He thrust the egg above his head and yelled, "I got the egg!"
Except for the dragon's infernal wailing, there was silence in the stadium.
Finally, there was noise. And it wasn't positive.
"HE CHEATED!"
"THAT"S NOT FAIR!"
"MAKE HIM REDO IT!"
Harry turned to look up at Mr. Bagman, who was gaping at him. The professors and Headmasters and Headmistress were also looking at him in shock. Snape wasn't gaping like the others, but there was a lightness to his eyes that spoke of his surprise. He also looked faintly amused.
Harry lifted his wand to his neck and said, "Sonorus!"
He turned to the crowd and his amplified voice rang through the stadium. "We were told that there was an obstacle course full of dangerous creatures. We were also told that there were no rules and everything was legal. Finally, our only objective was to get the egg and everything would be over once we had our egg. I won by using logic. They did not say we had to get the egg, by going through the obstacle course. Therefore, I won fair and square. Deal with it."
He removed his wand and said, "Quietus."
There was another moment of silence before Mr. Bagman turned to the professors and they began conferring.
Harry shrugged. He didn't have to do anything really. It may get him a lesser score, but he didn't care. He didn't even want to be in the tournament.
Finally they returned to their positions and gave their points.
Dumb-as-a-door, Maxime, Bagman and Crouch all gave him tens. Karkaroff gave him a five. He was tied with Viktor and he hadn't even done anything remotely interesting.
Still, he was escorted to Madam Pomfrey by Professor Moody.
Viktor greeted him and the opening of the medical tent. Fleur was on a cot, leg being healed by the medi-witch.
Karkaroff entered a moment later, followed by the other two heads and Bagman and Crouch.
"Alright champions! Inside your eggs, is a clue to the next task. You have until February 24th in order to figure it out. Good job out there today. Mr. Krum and Mr. Potter are tied for first place. We cannot wait to see how you perform in the next task!" Mr. Bagman announced, grinning.
With a look at Viktor, Harry rolled his eyes.
Karkaroff moved in front of him, cutting off their view of one another. Viktor glared at the man and Harry hissed quite loudly, drawing the attention of everyone in the tent.
Moody looked shocked, Karkaroff looked terrified and everyone else was a mix of confusion and slight fear.
Cowards.
Staring down at the man before him. Voldemort demanded, "Report!"
"My lord," Barty started breathlessly. "So much as happened since I last came to you."
"Expound," the Dark Lord pressed, wanting to know what it was that made his servant so excited.
"Potter seemed to already know Viktor Krum. He's the star Seeker for the Bulgarian Quidditch team. Very famous. He's also Durmstrang's champion. They knew each other so well, Krum went against Karkaroff's orders to remain at the Slytheirn table and sat with Potter. This spurred many other students of his to move to other Houses.
Potter did not intend to enter the tournament. In fact, he was against the idea. Especially about letting younger years compete. Black apparently sent in a permission slip and Potter never knew, so when I entered him, he was chosen to be the Hogwarts champion. And he was not happy. Something strange happened."
Voldemort frowned, "Strange how?"
"Well, I don't know exactly what happened, all I saw, was this black fire suddenly appear. He was covered in it! But it didn't burn his clothing or him at all. And the angrier he became, the more the temperature would drop. It was freezing by the time he left the hall. He was enraged to learn that he had been given permission and was never informed by either the headmaster, the professors, or his godfather. And when he claimed he didn't want to enter or represent the school, the Malfoy heir scoffed at him.
I've never seen Potter look so vindictive and ferocious. Not only did he point out that no one knows who the previous winners of the tournament were, he claimed that he didn't need that supposed fame and glory and the Galleons offered as prizes. The reason being, he already has it all and for a reason that actually benefited the wizarding world.
He called the tournament a little contest that wasn't anything special. And as he stomped from the room, he told Malfoy to get used to never being first and always being below him, because he'd never be good enough to get anywhere else."
Voldemort watched as a twisted smirk worked its way over Barty's lips. He seemed to particularly enjoy that part. A lot.
"I have a difficult time believing that Harry Potter, Savior of the wizarding world and Dumbledore's Golden Boy, would say something like that, even to someone he hated," he said with disbelief. It was just implausible.
"But you remember my lord, he is not under the headmaster's thumb any longer and hates the man. And I remember exactly what he said to Malfoy. He said, 'And just so we're clear Malfoy, you will never even match a tenth of my power or position. Get used to being below me, because that's where you'll always be.'.
And I interrupted a fight between the two. Potter broke the little Malfoy brat's nose with a single punch! He does not like the boy and to be honest, my lord, neither do I. He's a pathetic excuse of a pureblood. Lucius favored him far too much and did not rear him correctly."
The Dark Lord sat back and contemplated these revelations. Had the brat somehow changed over the summer? Was this how he would have been, if he hadn't been with muggles when growing up? Because he had been terribly unimpressed with the brat when he was a first year.
His prophesied vanquisher was a pathetic little boy with enormous glasses and an anxiety complex so large, one wondered how he got anything done. The boy had doubted everything and had such similarities to Longbottom of all people, it was horrid. How he ended up in Gryffindor was beyond Voldemort's comprehension.
But, people could change. Yes, people always changed. So maybe the brat was finally maturing. Maybe this was how he should have been all along, if those muggles hadn't ruined his childhood.
"Continue, Barty."
"My lord," he nodded. "The Wand Weighing Ceremony was interesting. Potter put the reporter in her place and refused to give a private interview. He even vowed on his magic that he would never give her an interview pertaining to his life. Krum followed his lead and did the same. Potter also threatened to send the Goblins after her if she tried anything he deemed wrong. She ended up having to do a full interview with all the champions at once, She wasn't happy.
Ollivander was the one to check over the wands and Potter's wand, was most interesting of them all."
When Barty paused, Voldemort look down to see him pulling a piece of paper out of his pocket and clearing his throat.
"Yes, his original wand was eleven inches, Holly with a Phoenix Feather core."
Original wand?
"Something must have happened, because he had to go back to Ollivander last year and have it re-made. His wand is now, eleven inches, Yew, Phoenix Feather and Basilisk Fang core that has been bonded with his own blood."
Two cores? And Ollivander actually used the brat's blood to bond them?
"The most interesting thing though, is that Ollivander said that Potter's wand is a brother to your wand, my lord."
Brother wands meant that the wands cores came from the same place. The Phoenix Feather came from the same Phoneix. Interesting, how the one prophesied to vanquish him would possess a wand that could not harm him and vice versa. How was he supposed to kill the brat if Priori Incantatem got in the way? Use another wand?
He shuddered. No one elses wand ever felt the same. Using other people's wands felt disgusting, because he had to reign in his power in order to be able to use the foreign wood. His own wand conducted his magic just fine, but others couldn't handle his almighty power. They were weak .
Potter possessed the brother to his wand. There was something wrong with that. He didn't like the thought.
"Barty, you may continue," he said to the still kneeling man.
"Yes, my lord. Potter used logic to pass the first task. He did so in under a minute. All he did was use his Basilisk Patronus to keep the Dementors away, and then summoned the egg. He claimed that it said nowhere in the rules that he had to actually go through the obstacle course full of deadly creatures, in order to get the egg. And he was correct. Anything was allowed, even Dark Arts. He did it the easiest and least amazing way of the three and still managed to tie for first place with Krum.
Potter swore that he wasn't going to try very hard, because he wants Krum to win, but Krum made him promise to try because he didn't want an easy win."
Voldemort was indeed, surprised. A Gryffindor actually paid attention and used their common sense? It was unheard of. Most witches and wizards wouldn't know logic if it bit them in the arse. What had happened to Potter over the summer? Why was he suddenly smarter? He sounded more like a Slytherin than the Malfoy brat did.
He was actually showing intelligence and skill. Something that he would expect from the Chosen One. Curious. It seemed the boy was finally living up to his title.
"Also, my lord," Barty said, calling to his attention once more.
"Yes?"
"Karkaroff seems to have it out for Potter and the boy has returned his rudeness. Potter owns a snake. It's green with silver eyes and he called it Isabella. Imagine my surprise when he speaks to it in Parseltongue and hisses at Karkaroff whenever he's around. Karkaroff is terrified of him and even went to Snape, claiming that Potter was evil because of it."
Though he was learning to not be as shocked by the things the boy did, he was still astounded. He was supposed to be the last living Parselmouth in the world. And he was positive that the Potter line was free of Parselmouths. It shouldn't be possible!
No! It wasn't, it couldn't be!
"It's impossible for him to be a true Parselmouth, Barty."
"My lord, I thought so at first as well, but the magical eye even sees through walls and reads lips. It has allowed me to watch him closely. He's taken to using portraits to get through the castle. He hisses something, they open and he either goes up a flight of hidden stairs, or goes down a hidden slide. He uses them to save time."
His heart stopped. He found Slytherin's passageways? And he willingly used something created by Slytherin?
But how? How could he be a Parselmouth? How could they be so similar?
Both forced to grow up with abusive muggles. Both Parselmouths. Both Halfbloods. They had brother wands. How could two people who were so much alike, be prophesied enemies?
Harry sat up quickly.
It all made sense now! Moody wasn't who he said he was. He was Barty Crouch Jr.! That's how he knew everything perfectly. But now came the question, how was he pretending to be someone so well? Even Dumb-as-a-door would noticed a glamour. And he apparently had Moody's wand, staff, eye, and leg.
Unless he attacked the regularly Moody, but he'd have to have a really good spell of potion to transform... into... someone... else.
Polyjuice! That was the only kind of potion that could change appearances. And with Barty taking sips from a flask every hour, it made sense.
He reached beneath his pillow and pulled out the map. Opening it, he cast a silent Lumos and said the phrase, then looked. There! Crouch was right beside Moody! The map wasn't fooled by anything, so it would show the original person, even if they were Polyjuiced.
Barty Crouch Jr. had the real Alastor Moody on hand so he could continue to make the potion. That was why he had the flask all the time! So he could continue to take the potion and keep up his disguise. Ingenious.
Okay. He managed to flush out how Barty was keeping tabs on him. One less thing to worry about. Now, he had to think about what Voldemort was thinking about.
What was that whole thing about Harry being prophesied to vanquish him? If there was a prophecy about Harry and Voldemort, it would explain why Voldemort came after his family personally. But how would he learn about this supposed prophecy? Maybe Voldemort would think about it more.
Next he thought about all the similarities between he and Voldemort, including brother wands. There were so many. Language, blood, similar upbringing. If what he had heard was true, then Voldemort grew up with abusive muggles too. That would explain his hatred for them. Both were the heirs of famous lines and were the only ones left. They had similar looks. He remembered Tom Riddle's green eyes. Not as green as Harry's, but the pale skin and black hair made up for it.
He had a good point. If there was a prophecy saying Harry had to kill him, why would such similar people be made to destroy one another? He didn't like thinking of Voldemort as a person. He was okay with seeing the man as a monster, but unfortunately, his ideas were good. And he was so similar to Harry, he was sure the older wizard could relate to him sometimes. That was scary!
To know that the only person who could understand you, was the murderer of your parents who had been after your life since you were a baby, was unnerving!
But he wasn't the only one confused over everything. Voldemort seemed to dislike the idea of having to kill someone who was so much like him.
Ugh! He was like Voldemort! Was that why he would have done well in Slytherin? Because he was like Tom Riddle, who had already gone through school?
He even had a pet snake, just like the self-proclaimed Dark Lord!
Why? Why did it have to be Voldemort of all people?
And what about the Chosen One thing? What was that about? Was he referring to Harry as the Chosen One? The Chosen One for what, though? To vanquish him?
Harry may be a good duelist and have all these amazing extra abilities now, but he was pretty certain that he wasn't powerful enough to kill Voldemort. Whatever happened that night several years ago, happened. But he was positive that in order to defeat an all-powerful Dark Lord like Voldemort, he'd need years of experience. Something that he didn't have.
"Mischief Managed," he whispered.
Once the map was safely under his pillow again, he lay back and pondered. What to do about Barty? Should he let the man continue to infiltrate the school?
If he told a professor, it would have to be Snape. But then he'd have to explain how he found out and he didn't want to give up his secrets. Besides, if Dumbles couldn't notice when his 'old friend' wasn't really who he thought he was, why should he interfere? He wasn't an Auror. He wasn't a professor. He was just a student. It wasn't his job. And besides, nothing remotely beneficial would happen to him if he ratted the man out.
Even if Barty was caught, Voldemort was still far away in an unknown location. Losing one servant didn't seem like much of a loss for Voldemort. Even if he considered him his 'most faithful'.
Harry would just wait it out and act when something remotely beneficial occurred. Only then would he tell Snape what was going on.
Somehow, he was really hoping he wouldn't have to.
Hogsmeade was a great place to be, when you had permission and didn't have to hide under a hot cloak.
And Harry made good use of his freedom. Leaving Ron and Hermione at the Three Broomsticks, he ventured around the small village, looking at all the different shops. It was the beginning of December and he had Christmas shopping to do. And a lot of it! He'd best get it over with now so that he didn't have to worry ahead of time.
His first order of business, was getting gifts for his friends.
For Neville, he went into the Herbology shop, Dogweed and Deathcap and purchased something that was considered rare. Some plant with odd leaves that could do strange things. He didn't know what, but the instruction booklet for proper care came with it, so Neville should be just fine.
For Hermione, he braved Tomes and Scrolls, though he actually ended up buying a lot of books for himself along the way. For her, he bought books on House Elves, because she was still so sure that they were slaves and she needed to see the big picture.
Ron was easy. All he had to do was buy an assortment of candy in Honeydukes. Harry conveniently bought himself some candy as well. And by some, that meant that he bought a lot.
In Zonko's, Harry purchased a few things for Fred and George, before getting a basket to put it in and filling the basket with Galleons and Sickles that were hidden in tiny little boxes that were wrapped in red and gold. One touch from either twin and the box would disintegrate, leaving only the money inside behind.
Harry bought Sirius a silver switch blade that he found in Pishposh and Greer's. And Remus was going to get a years supply of Honeydukes chocolate. It made sense since he always had the sweet with him, no matter where he went.
For Viktor, Harry purchased him a set of Sugar Quills, from Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop. Like Harry, Viktor had the tendency to bite his quills.
And finally, Harry purchased a golden cauldron as well as a golden stirring rod and a golden ladle, from Potage's Cauldron shop. They were for Snape. Yes. Snape.
The man had helped him a lot during that last year and a half. He felt that his begrudging kindness should be paid back. Snape never got anything positive ever, so Harry was going to be the one to give him something nice for once.
Harry knew that only certain potions could be brewed in a silver cauldron, or in a gold one. This would surely shock the hell out of the snarky git.
Once he had his purchases all situated, he shrunk them down and placed them in his pocket. Easier than carrying them around for the rest of the day.
He met up with Hermione and Ron just as they were leaving the Three Broomsticks and joined them on the way back to the castle.
It was the second week in December, when Harry called Winky and had her show he, Hermione, and Ron, to the kitchens.
She happily escorted them down past the Great Hall and toward the Hufflepuff Basement. She had them stop in front of a large painting of a bowl of fruit and told Harry to tickle the pear.
It giggled and squirmed and then transformed into a green door knob.
Inside, was a large room with a high ceiling. There were five large tables situated in a way that made him think of the Great Hall. There was even a large brick fireplace on the other side of the room. Pots, pans, and pretty much any kind of cooking utensil one could think of, lined the wall.
Winky let loose a delighted squeal and threw her arms around another Elf. Upon closer inspection, Harry realized that it was Dobby!
"Winky bes bringing Master Harry to see Dobby!"
Dobby's ears began flapping and he turned to look at Harry. The Boy-Who-Lived only had a second to prepare himself, before his arms were full of sobbing Elf.
"The great Harry Potter visits Dobby! Dobby is happy!"
"Hi, Dobby! I wanted to see how you were doing."
The enthusiastic Elf jumped down and smiled, "Dobby is doing well! He works with the Elves of Hogwarts and is paid five Knuts every month! He helps the potions master often."
He was helping Snape?
"Are you okay though? Winky told me unbonded Elves lose their magic and die. You're not feeling sick?"
Big blue eyes became watery. "Harry Potter is so kind. Dobby did not know when to tell him. Dobby bonded to Harry Potter when he freed Dobby. That's why Dobby remained in Hogwarts. But Dobby didn't know if Harry Potter would be happy to be a master of an Elf, so Dobby didn't say anything."
Winky's ears were flapping and Harry was gaping. "So, I'm bound to two Elves?" he asked after a moment of thinking.
They nodded.
"Oh."
"Harry Potter is not angry with Dobby?" the Elf asked, fiddling with his pillowcase.
"No, not at all. I'm just shocked. But also glad that you're doing well."
Looking around the large room, Harry could see Elves everywhere. One glance at Hermione, showed that she was not happy about it at all.
He looked back at Dobby for a moment, "Do you think it'd be okay if I talked to the other Elves, or are they too busy?"
His question was answered when they were suddenly surrounded by every Elf in the kitchens.
Well then, that worked.
He looked them over and gave a small ave. "Hi, I'm Harry Potter to my right are my friends Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley. It's nice to meet you all and thank you for working so hard in making the food and doing the cleaning."
Their ears started to flap and he was happy to see smiles. They liked being thanked. That was good.
"My friend Hermione," he said, motioning to her, "has a bit of a problem and I wanted to ask your opinions. To understand her problem though, I have to tell you a small story."
Kneeling beside Dobby, Harry began. "Most of you have probably met Dobby and thought him a little strange, correct?"
Most of them nodded.
"Well, Dobby's former master, was a cruel, evil man. Is it true that masters are not supposed to hit their Elves?"
They nodded again.
"Dobby's former master hit him. I even saw him kick Dobby across a room. I did not like this. For Dobby, cooking and cleaning for this master, was not fun. He did not enjoy it. He was abused.
I grew up in a muggle family that knew I was magical and hated me for it. I was forced to cook and clean for them. I was refused food when I didn't meet their standards. I was beaten with sticks, slammed into walls, and kicked across rooms. And finally, I was locked in a small cupboard under the stairs and was starved for days. So with my history being so similar to Dobby's, I tricked his old master into freeing him.
It isn't that Dobby wanted to be a free unbound Elf. He wanted a better master. Do you understand?"
They all nodded and some even looked at he and Dobby with large teary eyes.
"I told my friend Hermione about Dobby and how he was treated, and she became worried that all masters are like Dobby's former master. And that all Elves are slaves who are forced to work without pay. That they are all abused. I wanted to ask you some questions, in order to help appease her mind. She wants to start a House Elf Liberation Front, and I need to make her see that it wouldn't be very helpful to you all, if you were freed."
The Elves were looking at Hermione now. Some of them inched away from her, looking worried.
"Is it true that House Elves cannot be confounded, controlled, or Imperiused?" Harry asked.
They all nodded quickly.
"And is it true that an Elf who is unbound will lose their magic and eventually pass on without the magic of a master to stabilize them?"
More nods.
"Is it true that House Elves like working and become offended when others try to do their work for them?"
"Yes!" they all nodded, eyes wide.
Harry turned back to Hermione, "Look, I know you mean well. It's kind of you to want to help them and give them equal rights. I think they deserve equal rights as well. But freeing them, will not help them in the long run. You have to look at the situation from other angles. Especially them, since your movement will affect them most of all."
Hermione sniffed as her eyes teared up. "I just want them to be happy."
Harry sighed and hugged his friend. "I know, Mione. But they are happy. If you want to help magical creatures, help ban the restrictions against them."
"Hm?" she mumbled, stepping back and wiping her eyes.
"There is a woman in the Ministry, who hates magical creatures. Her name is Dolores Umbridge. When Fudge was Minister, she proposed a bill that was passed, that banned Goblins from being allowed to use wands. In retaliation, the Goblins refuse to divulge the secrets of their magic to the wizarding populace. The same woman, is trying to label House Elves as Dark creatures. She'd doing the same for Goblins as well. Do you think Goblins and House Elves are Dark?"
She shook her head. "No!"
"Exactly, but that's the Ministry. They began labeling other creatures as Dark, when they realized that these creäture are born with different magic. They have other abilities. Like how House Elves can Apparate anywhere, even through wards. A lot of people become jealous or fearful of such things, and so they moved to ban them. To take away their rights as citizens. To make it impossible for them to live at all. This has been going on for the last century and picked up speed when Fudge became Minister. You know Remus is a werewolf. But do you think he's evil?"
She shook her head again.
"No, he isn't. But the Ministry has labeled him as evil. That's not fair and it isn't right. If you want to fight for something, fight for people like Remus or the Goblins. You're a genius, Mione. Upon leaving Hogwarts, you will be able to get a job in the Ministry without a problem. And with the right people on your side, you can change things. It can be done. But it will take work, which I know you aren't afraid of. Are you willing to put your energy toward a more worthy cause and to respect the Elves and their decisions?"
She nodded. "Yes. I'll try my best., Thanks, Harry," she smiled.
"No problem." He turned to look at the Elves. "And thank you for helping us out!"
Their ears started flapping again. One Elf stepped forward. "Would yous be liking anything before yous leave?" he asked.
Harry flushed, but asked, "Do you have an treacle tart?"
A platter of mini tarts appeared before him and he grinned, taking several. "Thank you!"
Handing Ron a few, they left. Winky and Dobby following behind.
"Dobby will be telling Headmaster that he no longer needs a job. And Dobby will be waiting for Master Harry in his dorm."
Dobby snapped his fingers and vanished without a sound.
Hermione was deep in thought. Ron was stuffing his face and Harry felt lighter. Okay. Hermione was better informed. This was good.
He'd make sure to tell Dobby to continue helping Snape though. The man needed help.
Harry, along with the other fourth year boys, gaped at the Transfiguration professor. How? Why?
Harry didn't know how to dance! And how was he supposed to get a date, if he didn't like any girls?
He stopped outside the Great Hall and rested his head against the cold of the wall. The champions had to open the ball with a dance. But he didn't know how to! Or how to ask someone to a ball!
Something light touched his left shoulder and he jumped, spinning around, hand clutching the place over his heart.
It was Fleur Delacour. He sighed, heart rate decreasing.
"'ello 'arry. I wanted to ask you a question."
Though he was confused, he nodded. He never made a point to talk to her before, so he didn't know what she wanted.
"Will you go to the ball wiz me?"
His jaw dropped.
"You want to go to the ball with me?"
She nodded, blonde hair bouncing a bit. "Yes. All ze ozzer boys cannot talk to me like normal. Because I am quarter Veela, zey feel ze allure. But you don't. You are kind and respectful and I know zat I would have a fun time wiz you. Will you go wiz me?"
Not wanting to look a gift Hippogriff in the mouth, Harry nodded.
She beamed and leaned forward to kiss his cheek. "Zank you, 'arry! We'll talk more about details later!"
She then skipped into the Great Hall.
Harry stood there for another moment, before following.
He sat down in front of Ron and Hermione. Viktor was already on his left side.
"Are you okay, Harry?" Hermione asked, reaching out to touch his forehead.
"Uh... yeah. Fleur just asked me to the ball and I said yes."
Ron choked on his food, "F-f-f-f-f-f-"
"Again, Ron? Really?"
"F-f-f-f-f-f-f-"
Harry casting a silencing charm on him... again.
Viktor was looking ill. "She asked and yoo said yes?" he repeated.
Harry nodded.
Hermione frowned, "How very, Sadie Hawkins of her."
Harry snorted and laughed, "I know!"
They tried to ignore the odd looks they were being given as they laughed themselves silly.
"American muggles hold dances called Sadie Hawkins Dances. And the girls have to ask the blokes to the dance. It was based on some comic, I think," Harry told them.
Viktor and Ron just stared and Harry gave up on trying to make them understand.
Hermione shrugged. It was sad when only they got muggle jokes.
On the brighter side of things, Harry got a date and he didn't even have to do anything!
All he had to do now, was learn how to dance.
Oh dear.
A/N: Another one done!
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