I have to say I was amazed at the warm reception of the last chapter. It really didn't feel like my best work yet you all seemed to love it so I thought I would give you a gift. This 8,717 chapter is actually what I took off the end of previous one. Yep, you would have had an almost 20K chapter otherwise!
I promise you won't have to wait another 12 chapters before Harry takes the potion but he does need a little time to get used to the idea. Initially it was planned for the end of the year yet he refused to play ball and demanded I let him take it sooner.
For those wondering about the name. Melania Cassiopeia Lilith Black translates as The Dark Star in the Black Night. Melania (Black/Dark), Cassiopeia the constellation, Lilith from Lilitu (of the Night). The name was picked by Lily and Sirius accepted it because of how nice it sounded.
desireejones99 - Here's the answer about the Sheep. Hope it doesn't disappoint.
Raesicle - Glad to hear I've got you into a Fem!Harry story.
Drithligh - Thanks for pointing out that "1996" typo. I changed it ages ago but forgot to update the actual chapter. As for the difference in Sirius, I see the end of book 3 as the defining point in his post-Azkaban life. Cannon sees him sneak off and focus on himself, letting others take care of Harry. Here he has decided to stick around and in doing so, grows a stronger backbone. I enjoyed reading your chapter reviews, thank you.
Master and Apprentice
It is said that the great Merlin, Prince of Enchanters, came to the School of Hogwarts to learn from and teach the Four Founders. The truth is much darker.
Merlin's greatest enemy was Morgana Le Fay. She, of our blood, was born Morgan of the Raven's Claw and it was to her sister that Merlin came to study. He came as a predator hunting a potential prey and found a pack willing to defend one of its own.
For one of the other Founders was also of the blood. Once more the bonds between the two Families stood firm and Merlin became yet one more name to fall beneath the Legacy of Gwydion.
The Prince of Enchanters was forced to depart with his tail between his legs, unable to turn sister from sister. With the strength of the School and Salazar's honour as a shield, Rowena stayed safe. That is until she felt the last moments of her sister's life.
The pain Rowena experienced at the loss of Family brought eventual death to the fair lady. Merlin's hubris had brought about the downfall of both sisters and, in that moment, Salazar Slytherin swore vengeance upon the Light Wizard and all who followed his ways.
For those who dare strike down one of us who are of the blood shall know the wrath of all of us who are of the blood. So it has always been, so it shall always be.
[ Extract from the Potter Book ]
31st October, 1994
Dobby was still suspiciously absent and so it fell to Kreacher to take Harry back to the Honeydukes tunnel. The Boy-Who-Lived, and Girl-In-Secret, was too lost inside his own mind to question his missing friend.
"Kreacher's Half-blood will be fine." The grouchy elf told him once they were surrounded by dark walls.
Harry looked down at the now youthful member of House Black and sighed.
"Are you going to tell me that it doesn't matter?" He asked in a voice that clearly told his real opinion on that attitude. "That whatever body I'm in, I'm still me?"
"Course not, silly Half-blood." Kreacher scoffed as though it was the dumbest suggestion he'd ever heard. "Kreacher knows secret. Kreacher knows truth."
"What truth, Kreacher?" Harry felt a connection to the elf in that moment. The small being was telling him what he thought, not what he felt Harry wanted to hear.
"Kreacher's Half-blood wears mask." The elf grinned evilly, enjoying being able to pass on his observations. "Since Kreacher got younger, Kreacher be watching Half-blood. Kreacher sees the mask, Kreacher watches the lies in Half-blood's eyes when he be with the others. Kreacher's Half-blood only show truth to mistress 'Dromada's hidden spawn."
"Wait, you know it's Tonks?" This wasn't good news. It was essential she remained a secret.
"Silly Half-blood." Kreacher shook his head in mock sadness at how little Harry knew. "Kreacher feels hidden spawn's Black blood. Can't hide a Black from a Black elf like Kreacher."
"And you're saying that I'm hiding myself?"
"Kreacher knows. Kreacher sees. Potter mask hurts Kreacher's Half-blood. Potter mask forces Kreacher's Half-blood into acting behind mask. But Kreacher sees real Half-blood, sees the truth. So Kreacher not worried." The elf shrugged and then released a cackle that made Harry shiver in unease. "When Half-blood ready, Half-blood get rid of mask and take House Black to where it should be. Kreacher knows, Kreacher help in honour of Kreacher's lost masters and mistresses. Oh yes, Kreacher help make all those who hurt House Black sorry for what they did to Kreacher's masters and mistresses."
The elf popped away leaving Harry with more questions than answers and a sense of confusion. Kreacher had seemed far too sure of himself for an ancient, half-crazed house-elf, and Harry was both comforted and horrified at what he had listened to.
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Slytherin Common Room.
"That Mudblood lover has done it now." Malfoy sneered happily, leaning back in his personal chair to survey his 'domain'. "Potter won't get away with putting his name in the Goblet and I'm sure father will talking to the other governors soon to get him expelled."
"What are you day-dreaming about now, Malfoy?" Daphne Greengrass demanded in her most Ice Queen voice.
The Slytherin's were split since Harry's chance in attitude towards the green and silver House. Those who had befriended the Potter Scion stood proud while Malfoy and his band of blockheads wanted to turn everyone against them. The biggest group looked on with each clash, assessing and planning what was best for them if the Golden Boy really was open to a Slytherin alliance.
"Potter." Malfoy chuckled, completely unaware how little his opinion was shared after the events in the Great Hall. "I don't know how the blood traitor convinced someone to put his name in the Goblet but he's in trouble now."
"You're an idiot." Tracey stated. "He was pretty pissed off that his name came out and you can't fake that oath of his."
"He faked it." Malfoy demanded with a glare. "My father will get to the bottom of it and make sure he's brought to justice."
"Speaking of your father." The quiet voice of Theodore Nott said, cutting across the chatter. Nott wasn't one to throw his opinions out lightly within the Snake Pit so when he did, students listened. "I heard something interesting."
"What?" Draco's eyes narrowed and the corner of his mouth twitched with nerves. "What are you mumbling about?"
"I heard Potter is looking to bring back the Old Ways and put your father on notice for his attitude."
"Don't you dare!" Draco rose from his 'throne' to face down the other boy. The younger Malfoy's fingers twitched as though preparing to reach for his wand. "That Mudblood lover has no say over my father!"
"You really believe that, don't you?" Daphne looked at the blond in amazement. Everyone knew of the old bonds between the Potter and Black Houses. "You really think that little dressing-down at the World Cup meant nothing?"
"How did you know about that?!" Draco screeched, his Pure-blood facade breaking as he felt his hold over Slytherin House crumbling. "It doesn't mean anything! It was nothing but bluster and arrogance."
Greg Goyle and Vincent Crabbe stood dumbfounded behind their leader. They were used to controlling others with their bulk and physical threats, leaving the political stuff to Malfoy. That the entire Slytherin House seemed to be turning against him was something new to consider and they shared a thoughtful look. Slowly, so not to attract the attention of their once leader, they stepped away and out of his shadow for the first time.
The elder Slytherin duo of Adrian Pucey and Carl Montague observed as all true Slytherins were trained to. They had been impressed by the magic Potter had shown during the meal and had their interest caught by the obvious discord between the Golden Boy and Headmaster. The change in Professor Snape's attitude towards the Gryffindor had not gone unnoticed by his House, and the two boys hid identical smirks at how little Malfoy understood the changing tides.
"It means everything, Malfoy." Nott answered. "If Potter is calling you and your father up on your behaviour, it means he's looking to rebuild the Grey Alliance. Most of our families have history with them."
"And your families ran like cowards when the Dark Lord rose!" Draco snarled, pointing an aristocratic finger at each other them. "Greengrass, Davis, Zabini. Your Families abandoned that Alliance when the Dark Lord told you to and you'd better remember that when he returns. He won't forgive any of you for becoming Blood Traitors."
"Perhaps not, Draco." Daphne turned her nose up at him and gave a smirk that caused many males in the room to cross their legs in protection. "But the Malfoys won't be here to see that day if you don't learn to leave Scion Potter be."
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Ravenclaw Tower
"I can't believe that little shit!" Shrieked Cho Chang as the Ravenclaws filed into their Common Room. "After he gets us all in trouble, he has the nerve to find a way of entering himself in the Tournament."
"Whatcha on 'bout, girl?" Morag McDougal asked in her heavy Scottish accent. "Me mam always said to own up to me own faults and so should you. We got in trouble 'cause we shouldna been bullying little Luna an' Potter was right t' take her under his wing t' stop us."
Roger Davis looked around at his fellow Ravenclaws and felt a sinking feeling in his stomach at how split they seemed to be. He remembered too well how badly his House had treated Harry when everyone suspected he was Slytherin's heir. It had never sat right with him but he'd left it go, too afraid of being isolated the way Harry had been if he spoke up. That his House had been found to once again been bullying a student, one of their own no less, sickened him and he refused to let it happen for a third time.
"Are you Ravenclaws or are you not?" He demanded, his strong voice silencing all as they turned to listen. "This House is supposed to be of the Wise yet all I see are bullies and cowards. Harry gave a magical oath out there that it wasn't him, are you saying he found a way to lie to magic itself?"
"At last. A Ravenclaw who looks for the truth." Professor Flitwick spoke up from the door. The students all turned, various looks of shock on their faces as they realised they'd forgotten about their Head of House. "Mister Potter has spoken to me numerous times since the start of term and expressed his worry that someone would put his name in the Goblet. He gave an oath that it wasn't him. To show you all how silly any arguments are against him, I expect every Ravenclaw here to write me an essay on exactly what it means to give a magical oath and what happens if one is broken."
Chang hung her head in anger and embarrassment. She'd been shamed by her treatment of Luna and the declaration of the strange girl as being a Potter vassal. When Potter's name had come out as a fourth Champion she'd seen it as a way of getting back at the goodie two shoes. Now even that avenue had been taken away from her.
"I will not accept this House mistreating fellow students." Flitwick's words brokered no argument and gone was their fun-loving Head of House. "If I find anyone mistreating Mister Potter for this unfortunate situation then I will make the rest of your time at Hogwarts so bad you'll be begging your parents to place you elsewhere. Have I made myself clear?"
"Yes, Professor!" Every student answered. In that moment they really were the House of the Wise.
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Hufflepuff Common Room
The Puffs were in a mixed mood when Cedric entered the Common Room. He didn't really mind, it matched his confused state.
He'd been so excited when his name had been called out. Cedric knew how proud his father would be at his becoming the Hogwarts Champion, and on a personal note felt it would bring something to his often ignored House. And then Harry had walked in declaring that he was the fourth name out of the Goblet! Talk about once more pushing the noble Hufflepuffs into the background.
If Harry had simply been his quiet self from previous years then Cedric would have felt only anger and disappointment at the Gryffindor Golden Boy for stealing the spotlight. But this new Harry had been venomous in his denials, facing off against even Dumbledore in refusing to be recognised as a Hogwarts Champion. Harry had even said he was rooting for him!
So it was that Cedric's anger had no place to go. He didn't want to believe Harry's denials, it would be easier if he didn't, but he really did.
The moment he walked through the entrance he was enveloped in a huge hug from Professor Sprout. She was beaming at him, a proud smile that only made Cedric's confusion worse.
"Congratulations, Mister Diggory!" His Head of House exclaimed. She stepped away from him so that the others could give their own words of encouragement though it was somewhat muted from the joyous noise when his name had been called.
"I'm proud of you, Cedric." Susan Bones said with an honest smile. Cedric frowned at the cute redhead.
"I thought you'd be cheering on Harry."
"I'm cheering him on so he gets through it." She explained and Hannah nodded enthusiastically next to her. "But he wouldn't want me to abandon my House-mate when the 'Puffs have something to cheer about."
"Exactly, my dear." Sprout agreed, giving the rest of the House a searching look. "Remember what I told you all. Mister Potter may very well be a fourth Champion but he is doing it under protest. He would not want to take anything away from us Hufflepuffs and in return we won't be making him feel bad about this unfortunate situation he is in. If you must, treat it as you would a Quidditch rivalry, but no more. We will not have a repeat of two years ago!"
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Gryffindor Tower
The Lions were silent for a good while once they returned to their den. Some wanted to celebrate that one of their own had slipped into the Tournament, whether he wanted to be in it or not wasn't important, while others understood that something bigger was at play.
"It was a good thing we didn't take him up on that bet, brother of mine." Fred said, breaking the stillness of the room.
"Absolutely, dear brother." George agreed with a sigh. "Though I'd much rather we had..."
"...and he'd been wrong. Indeed." Fred nodded, sharing the sadness his twin felt for their younger friend. "Someone really has it in for our ickle Harrikins."
"What?" Ron exclaimed in disbelief from his attempts at building a tower of exploding cards. No one had wanted to play him at chess and he was bored and angry at Harry getting all the attention. "You can't seriously believe all that?"
"What are you saying?" Katie Bell demanded in a tone that clearly stated the youngest male Weasley needed to be careful. Her slender arms wrapped around her waist to keep herself from throttling the annoying boy.
"Isn't it obvious?" McLaggen answered for Ron. "Potter put his name in the Goblet and is covering his arse."
"Exactly!" Ron stood to move into the middle of the room. As all eyes fell on him he felt himself growing at the attention. This was more like it. He thought as he waved towards McLaggen as though the arrogant snob had come out with a genius piece of intellect. "Harry wasn't even using his wand when he said the vow!"
"I don't care." Neville's surprisingly hard voice brokered now arguments from the intellectually endowed. The Longbottom Scion stood and glared down Ron and McLaggen, drawing the battle lines between those who would stand with Harry and those who wouldn't. "I know, Harry and he wouldn't do this. He didn't want this."
"Of course he does!" Ron screamed. "I'm his best mate..."
One bushy-haired and one hidden metamorph witch both scoffed at that declaration.
"I know him better than anyone and he didn't even tell me he was doing this! He's all about being the famous 'Boy-Who-Lived'. It's all about being in the spotlight for him."
The room exploded in noise at Ron's words, with a surprising number of misguided few agreeing with him while those who knew Harry roared their disgust at the characterisation.
A sharp, painful to the ears whistle, cut through the shouting and had everyone turn to its source. An exhausted looking Harry Potter stood at portrait entrance and to Tonks, he seemed to have aged years since she'd last seen him.
"No, it's all about what the Boy-Who-Lived does for you, Weasley." Harry's cold voice seeped into their bodies and caused many to shiver at the sound. "You want what you think I have and hate it when none of it comes your way."
"Harry..." Neville tried to say only to drift off as the boy in question stalked forward. There was something primal to Harry in that moment. A wild and lost air that scared those who he passed on his way towards his nervous target.
"You want what I have so badly?" Harry continued without acknowledging anyone else. "Go into hiding. Your entire family on the run and put your faith in the wrong friend. Have your family betrayed and then killed in front of you. Ginny, George, Fred, Percy, cut down in an instant. Bill and Charlie slaughtered as they tried to help your parents escape."
Ron cringed and took a step back at each name, the emotional blows hitting him hard but it was not enough to quell the fire of his jealousy and anger.
The twins shared a painful look and glanced over to Ginny, the duo all too easily imagining the pain of losing their girl. Harry pushed on, driven by the need to purge himself after everything he had suffered through.
"Listen as your dad stays behind. One last line of defence to keep you and your mum alive." The tears began to fall for Neville as he knew that this was what his friend had been forced to relive so often last year with the Dementors. Tonks and Hermione weren't far behind in their reactions.
"You want to be the Boy-Who-Lived, Ronald? Sit and watch as your mum stands before Voldemort." The shiver of fear at the terrible name did nothing to dispel the pain that many of the students felt as they came to realise what Harry's life was actually like. "She stands there with nothing but her love for you as a shield, begging not for her life but yours. Watch her die, Weasley."
Harry had come to a stop in front of his ex-friend and raised a single finger. Ron watched it with fear, as though it was an Acromantula come to feast on him.
"Then take that exact same curse that kills her only to be left surviving. Take the curse that ends your entire family. Right. Here."
Harry's finger poked at the spot on Ron's forehead that the famous lightning scar resided on his own.
It's said that the slightly physical touch can send an argument from salvageable to deadly in seconds. Harry's poke caused Ron to explode and he lashed out with an attempted punch. Harry's reflexes were quicker and he had been expecting the reaction.
He blocked the weak swing and slammed a fist hard into Ron's stomach. The boy doubled over and Harry caught his ex-friend's robes.
"That's how you become the Boy-Who-Lived." Harry's voice never changed from its cold, emotionless tone as he pulled Ron up into his face. The room was silent as they watched the utter disintegration of the Gold Trio. "Be jealous of that, you prat, the next time you spend time with your family."
Harry released Ron, who collapsed to his knees in a desperate attempt for breath. "But you would have known all of that if you had actually decided to get know me."
"I know who you are." Ron wheezed as Harry turned towards the dorm stairs. "You're the boy who cries out at night for his mummy. A boy who hates small spaces and..."
Whatever Ron was about to add no one knew. Harry completely snapped and in one fluid move turned he turned and kicked the redhead hard in the jaw. People winced as they all heard the loud crack of a broken bone at the impact. Ron's cry of pain was silenced by Harry's foot being driven over and over into the exposed traitor's side.
"That's because I was abused, you fucking bastard!" Harry roared as he pummelled Ron. "Ten years in a fucking cupboard while you enjoyed the countryside with your fucking family!"
Ron tried desperately to curl into the fetal position to save himself but the kicks were coming too quickly. Harry had taken enough beatings from his cousin Dudley that he knew the timing was as important as the impacts in keeping the prey down.
The twins snapped out of their shock and quickly pulled Harry away from their useless brother, frantically whispering in their friend's ears.
"Easy, Harry..."
"We'll take care of our idiot brother..."
"You get some rest..."
Their words eventually broke through Harry's fury and he nodded that he was under control. The twins slowly released his arms and Harry stormed, back straight, up to his dorm without a look back. To their word, the twins picked up their damaged brother and headed towards the portrait opening. By the look on their face no one expect Ron to be heading straight to Pomfrey.
"And in case anyone decides to get vocal..." Fred told the stunned audience.
"...If that last part ever leaves this room..."
"..Then my brother and I will not rest until we find out who spoke out..."
"..And we will make your life hell."
No one doubted them. The look of fury on their faces was not something many Gryffindors had seen aimed their way but they knew what it meant. No one was foolish enough to go up against them and Harry bloody Potter.
The twins took out the trash and Neville headed immediately up to the dorm, his concern for his brother in all but blood evident in every hurried step. Soon enough the buzz of conversation built up and Tonks took the opportunity to lean into Hermione.
"Why didn't you defend Harry?"
"What do you mean?" Hermione looked at her in confusion and Tonks could only sigh.
"You didn't say anything in his defence before Harry turned up."
"Neither did you." Hermione accused and Tonks shook her head at the girl.
"I've not been his friend for more than three years." She argued, heading to her own room. There was an emergency message that needed to be sent to her boss immediately. The shit was hitting the fan and poor Harry was in the middle of it.
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1st November, 1994
Harry decided to skip his run. Bleary eyed and physically spent after everything he had been through, he needed some time alone and went to a place he hadn't been to since his first year.
The tree overlooked the Black Lake and before the Halloween that had brought together the Golden Trio, Harry had spent most of his free time sitting beneath it with Hedwig. He had felt lost at sea during those early days, and the quiet time with his owl had allowed him a sense of peace that he was in desperate need for.
Dobby was happy to make Harry a small picnic breakfast and get things ready for an irate Hedwig. With her perch standing on the moist grass he released a low, trilling whistle that took Dobby's breath away. The sound made the house-elf feel as though he had been given the most precious gift, filling him with a sense of wonder and awe at the power inside the Great Harry Potter sir.
The majestic form of a snowy white owl swooped down from the skies to land on her familiar perch. She glared at her pet and hooted angrily at him.
"I know girl, I'm sorry." Harry apologised immediately. "I should have come to you sooner."
Hedwig turned her head around in annoyance and Harry sighed, leaning his head against the bark. He knew she wouldn't make it easy for him.
"Things have happened girl." He tried explaining. "I know I've been changing lately but something major's come up and I need my Hed."
Hedwig slowly turned her head back to face him, her brilliant eyes narrowed but Harry felt it was a good beginning. She was at least listening to him.
"I found out I might not really be me." He confessed, waving a hand over his body. "That this is all a lie."
She hooted with annoyance and Harry had to smile.
"You love me no matter what I looked like, huh?" At her enthusiastic bobble, Harry's smile widened. "I don't know what I would do without you girl."
She fluffed her feathers up in pride and swooped onto his waiting shoulder to nuzzle into his hair. In her own unique way she was telling him that he was being silly. Harry bathed in her silent, unquestionable love and it soothed some of his aches.
"I have something for you." He told her. When she hooted in question, he nodded to Dobby.
"Super crispy baconness for Master Harry Potter sirs Royal Owlness!" Dobby proclaimed with a snap of his fingers.
The perch vanished back to its storage in his trunk and was replaced with a plate filled with bacon. The pile would have made Ron Weasley proud and Hedwig took one look at it and hooted excitedly. She hopped down to the grass and looked up at Harry, love and forgiveness clear in her eyes, before beginning to devour the delicious food.
Hedwig was only half way through the pile when Harry saw Tonks making her way towards him. He found he had some type of smile for her though he wasn't sure where it came from.
"Morning, Nat." He greeted her, making sure to still her her undercover name. "Surprised to see you here without the others."
"Uh.." Tonks stared at the bacon devouring feathered goddess and only had one thought. Only Harry. "They're looking for you in the Room of Requirement."
"So how did you know where to find me?" He waved at the grass for her to sit and she did so after conjuring a warm rug to relax on.
"Auror level tracking spell on that wonderful map of yours." She confessed. At his raised eyebrow Tonks lowered her eyes in embarrassment. "I'm your unofficial bodyguard, Harry. I need to know where you are in case something happens."
Harry thought it over. The two sat in relative silence while Hedwig finished off her bacon orgy and slowly and carefully fluttered her way up to a branch so that she could sleep the banquet off. As he watched his first friend, Harry realised that he didn't mind Tonks keeping an eye on him.
"So why'd you send the others off to the Room?" He asked in a tone suggesting he didn't mind her deception.
"I'm worried, Harry." She confessed, sounding much more like someone of Harry's age than an auror. "About all of this."
"Me too."
Not for the first time that morning he pulled out the vial from his inner pocket and stared at the glowing liquid. A few times he had been tempted but he was still unable to bring himself to take the plunge.
"Something I might have to arrest you for, hot stuff?" Tonks quipped as she stretched out on the blanket, leaning back on her elbows to observe the Lake. Harry actually found himself smiling at her attempt at humour.
"This?" He held the vial up to show her. "Did you know the Blacks have a way of keeping naughty little metamorphs in line?"
"Morgana." Tonks went white as she stared at the vial. "Mum used to threaten me with it, said I should be thankful she didn't know the recipe."
"She brews? I thought she was a nurse." He thought he remembered Sirius telling him about Andromeda working in St. Mungo's.
"She did it all at the hospital. Now that she's one of the administrators, she knows exactly what the different departments really needs."
Harry nodded. It sounded like the focused girl of Sirius' stories.
"This isn't that." He explained, twirling the vial between his fingers. "This is how to unblock someone who was given that and can't change."
Nymphadora's jaw dropped and she looked between Harry and the vial. She tried asking the question but nothing would come out and eventually he took pity on her.
"It's all true." He answered and then took his time to explain what he had learned about his birth.
Tonks frowned, questions running wild in her mind to be thought over when she had the time. Instead she had a friend to help.
"What are you going to do?"
"I don't know." He admitted, and for the first time he looked like a scared fourteen year-old boy rather than the powerful wizard she had seen the night before. "Kreacher says that I've been hiding from myself and everyone else as Harry."
"Kreacher?" She laughed, memories of childhood stories coming back to her. "Mum told me all about that crazy elf."
Their conversation was interrupted when Harry noticed a shape heading towards them. It turned out to be a paper plane, charmed to fly and avoid everyone until it reached its destination.
"They use them in the Ministry." Tonks explained with a frown as Harry carefully opened the letter. To their surprise it was a note from Professor Flitwick inviting him to a morning meeting.
The two friends looked at each other and shrugged in unison. Best to see what it was about rather than guessing.
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Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore was not having a good day.
The inclusion of Harry into the Tri-Wizard Tournament hadn't exactly been planned but it wasn't a complete surprise to the Headmaster of Hogwarts. As much as he didn't like Harry bringing it up, the boy really was being systematically tested against dangerous events.
Albus Dumbledore had never been worried. The prophecy was clear; Harry and Tom would fight to the death so really there was never any true danger to the boy. It was a way for Harry to learn and grow, to see his friends in danger and act, without any true harm possibly coming his way.
So no. While he hadn't planned on Harry being entered into the Tournament, Dumbledore wasn't concerned for the boy's safety. What did concern him was the change in attitude and power that Harry had showed since the start of the new school year.
Dumbledore had managed to scan the famous scar since September First and was positive the Horcrux was still present and dormant. This put his fears that Tom's power was somehow influencing Harry to rest yet that then brought up a different worry. If Harry continued his current growth then he could very well be capable of meeting Tom on an equal...ish..footing when the latter found a new body. Albus Dumbledore knew that if Harry was ever to win then he would have to kill the poor boy in order to destroy the last fragment of Tom's soul.
No, better that Harry tragically died, weakening Tom in the process, and was able to meet his parents in the next great adventure.
The way Harry had fought back against both his name coming out of the Goblet and the pre-emptive strike at the students to stop them turning on him scared Dumbledore. It was the sign of a strong boy with plenty to live for. He wasn't sure if that meant Harry would be less likely in wanting to face Tom or if it was possible to light Harry's quest for revenge and use the new attitude as a means to a happy end for everyone.
Unfortunately for Dumbledore he couldn't think over these important things that morning. Amelia Bones had come to visit.
Madam Bones, Head of the DMLE, sat in her chair with military precision and stared at Dumbledore through her damned charmed monocle that blocked all attempts at Legilimency. He attempted to give her his most grandfatherly smile and knew it was wasted by her answering scowl.
"What can I do for you, Amelia?"
"You can explain how a fourteen year-old boy has been entered into a tournament that everyone agreed would only accept consenting adults." She snapped, hating how the infuriating man used her first name. "And what's being done to protect Scion Potter."
Dumbledore winced at the title. It was another thing he had to curse Sirius for. After all, why tell the boy about his family when he was destined to die anyway?
"Now, Amelia." Dumbledore attempted to placate her with his soft tone and smooth smile. "Hogwarts is investigating. It's a tragic event but I'm positive everything will sort itself out in the end."
Amelia scoffed at that. She had never liked the power Dumbledore wielded and her distaste had only grown through what she'd learned from Tonks' undercover work.
"Did you tell Scion Potter that he didn't have to agree?" She pushed on, ignoring his platitudes. Dumbledore felt himself go white at her words. "Or that his magical guardian, which I was surprised to find out was you, could have refused his entry?"
"Ah... Well you see..."
"You didn't, did you?" Her eyes narrowed. "I bet you only told him it was a magically binding contract."
Dumbledore had nothing he could say to the accusation. Amelia knew she was right and it twisted her guts to know that the boy had been manipulated that way. She pushed on, changing subjects while she had the great Chief Warlock on the ropes.
"And while I'm here, you can tell me all about the painful death of a teacher, a rampaging basilisk and why Scion Potter was forced to fight over a hundred Dementors on his own."
It took until lunch for Albus Dumbledore to eventually get the rampaging Bones to leave. He had no idea where she had got her information from but it was far too accurate for his comfort. He was sure Harry hadn't had a chance to talk to her over the summer as his contacts in the Ministry would have warned him about such a meeting. So how had she become such a champion for young Harry's cause? And how did she find out so many things he had kept hidden from the outside world?
She had threatened an Auror presence throughout the year with extra security measures for each of the three trials. Dumbledore didn't think he would be able to stop her bringing the measures into place, not without putting himself at risk of losing political strength. Given Tom's imminent resurgence, that was the last thing he needed.
"Perhaps I can convince Barty that it's all my idea?" He mused as he pinched the bridge of his nose. There was a painful headache building behind his eyes and he wondered if a trip to Madam Pomfrey wasn't in order.
And then Remus Lupin came to visit.
The werewolf was irate, eyes a blazing amber and there was a consistent growl to his words.
"What the hell is this, Albus?" Remus demanded. He stood, ignoring the offered chair, and stared down at Dumbledore who had leaned back with an attempted air of control. "I thought the whole idea was for Harry to be safe here?"
"I'm working on that, Remus." He said in a calm, easy voice. Okay so he laced it with a bit of magic in the hope of calming the wolf but who could blame him?
Apparently Remus did.
"Don't try that crap with me!" Remus snarled, his fingers curling to keep from launching himself over the desk. "You're trying? Like you tried to keep James and Lily safe?"
"Now, my boy. I did all I could for them."
"But what about Harry?" Remus' eyes narrowed and inside he was crowing with glee at being able to manipulate the conversation to where he and Sirius had wanted it. "Did you do all you could for him? Voldemort was after him, wasn't he?"
Dumbledore's thoughts froze and he could only blink up at Remus. It was one thing for Harry to throw that accusation at him but Remus? This meant that Sirius knew as well and Dumbledore worried what the Black would do. Especially if it was actually proven true.
"We all thought it was James and Lily but it was Harry as well. Was it the same with the Longbottoms? Why, in Merlin's name, would children be targeted? Answer me!"
Dumbledore always had backup plans and he had an emergency story in case this ever came out. He only hoped that they hadn't found out about the prophecy. And that the wolf wouldn't feel the compulsion that would be intertwined in his words. Dumbledore was about to use his gambit when something extraordinary happened.
Severus Snape came to visit.
"This isn't over." Remus promised when he saw who had opened the door. The werewolf nodded to Snape and was about to leave when he was stopped by the Potions Master.
"Wolf." Snape's familiar sneer was missing and Remus gave the other man his full attention. "Tell the mutt...tell Black...that your apology...both of them...are accepted. For her. For her, they're accepted."
Remus blinked in surprise. Sirius had told him of their school rival's change in attitude towards Harry yet to see how his cub had affected Snape in others ways was truly magical.
He nodded to Snape, sent Dumbledore another death glare that promised a return to the conversation, and left. Severus' sneer appeared in full force and, with the venom his House animal was famous for, spoke up.
"We need to talk, Headmaster. Now."
No, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore was not having a good day at all.
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oOoOo
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Harry and Tonks found Professor Flitwick in his office. She decided to wait outside for Harry so he could see what the Ravenclaw Head wanted.
"Good bodyguard." He chuckled with his trademark lopsided grin, slipping into the office before she could land the smack he knew his comment deserved.
"It's good to see you smiling, Mister Potter." The diminutive Professor said with his own smile. "Especially after last night."
Harry nodded and took the offered chair. The office was small but comfortable with Flitwick's desk along one wall while the others were filled with books on a fantastic number of subjects. The visitor's chair was alongside the wall so that any conversation was more casual than what it would be separated by a desk.
"I spoke to Minerva last night once all the commotion was over with." The Charms Master began, getting straight down to business. "She told me what you said in the side chamber and I'd like to know if that's still your plan?"
Harry frowned and tried to replay the event in order to find out what Professor Flitwick was talking about. His mind too obsessed with the events that followed to bring up what the man was talking about.
"I'm sorry, sir." He said with true regret. "It was a very long night and I'm afraid I don't quite remember everything I said."
Flitwick nodded understandably and leaned back in his chair, bringing the fingertips together and tapping them against his lips.
"You told the room that you refused to participate in the Tournament as a student of Hogwarts. From what I understand, you believe Mister Diggory is the true Hogwarts Champion."
"He is." Harry emphatically said. The passion at his belief colouring the words. "Cedric put his name in and he was chosen. He deserves everything that comes with being a Tri-Wizard Champion for this school."
"Mister Potter." Flitwick broke out into a teeth-filled grin at the mini-rant. "You've impressed me a lot since your return from the summer and what you've just said confirms my thoughts. I agree with you and I applaud your attitude. As such I'd like to offer my services."
"Sir?" Harry's thoughts were derailed. This was not what he had been expecting.
"I want to take you on as a protégé, Mister Potter." Flitwick told the gob-smacked Harry. "Not as a Charms Master but under my old Duelling Champion hat. I will teach you everything you need to know to survive this Tournament and whatever comes beyond."
"Pro...Professor..." Harry stammered, unable to believe what he was hearing. "I don't really know what to say."
"A 'yes' if you're interested." Flitwick chuckled and Harry frantically nodded his head.
"Yes, yes, of course. But sir, I have to ask."
"You want to know why?" Harry nodded to the question. The teacher he had come to respect above all sighed, staring off into the distance as he explained his thinking. "You've gone through a lot in your life, Mister Potter. More so since you came to this school. This year I have seen you do your best to rise above it all to become something better.
"We've spoken the past few weeks about your self-training and we both know you're preparing yourself for something evil." Flitwick looked Harry in the eyes and Harry saw a sadness in the white-haired man. "I want to do my best to aid you so that you survive and continue growing into the person I've come to respect."
"I...I mean...thank you, Professor." Harry's throat was tight at what he had heard.
It was the first time he had truly had someone wanting to do what was best for him outside of Sirius. Tonks didn't really count, she was ordered to by Madam Bones, and Remus was only recently around. Harry couldn't describe what he was feeling but he liked it.
Flitwick nodded as though understanding the truth depth of Harry's words.
"The Champions are able to take classes off for training." The Professor explained. "I suggest you pick some of yours to do so for the rest of the year. You can always do the homework but you'll need the extra hours for your training."
Harry could see the sense in the suggestion. He didn't want to skip Arithmancy nor Ancient Runes, not after only recently switching to the classes, and leaving Potions seemed like a recipe for disaster as far as he was concerned. Harry explained his thinking and was pleased when the Professor agreed.
"Nicely reasoned. Transfiguration, History of Magic, Herbology and, of course, my own Charms class will give you plenty of extra time. I will speak to Professors McGonagall and Sprout later today and explain what is happening and we will begin your training tomorrow."
"Thank you, Professor." Harry gushed as he stood to leave. Even a Muggle-raised like he understood what being taken on as an apprentice meant. "I hope I don't disappoint."
"I doubt you will, Mister Potter, and I'll finally get to see where you've been using my advice these past weeks."
Harry laughed at the image of the excitable Professor exploring the talents of the Room of Requirement. He was about to open the door when Flitwick called his name.
"I understand you helped sneak a dragon out of the school in your first year." Harry looked at the man curiously and nodded. "Fascinating creatures, dragons. You should read up on them and learn what you had the fortune of being near. I understand they can be very challenging."
Harry froze and felt the colour leave his face at the emphasis. Professor Flitwick nodded once when he saw the message had been received and waved him goodbye.
Harry stumbled out of the office and straight into Professor McGonagall, not realising who it was until they had pulled apart.
"Potter, just the person I wanted to see." She glared at him and he winced, guessing that it was about the previous night. "What do you think you were doing fighting in the Common Room like a ruffian. Not just fighting but a brutal assault on another student. Do you have anything to say to me?"
"Professor..." Tonks tried to support him but the irate Scotswoman was having none of it.
"Quiet, Miss Columbus." McGonagall snapped, refusing to look away from her prey. "I want to hear what Potter has to say. Well? I'm waiting?"
Harry fought back his instinctive answer and looked up at his Head of House. This confrontation had been coming for a while and he held his tongue.
"I lost my temper, Professor." He calmly told her, all the while the far too familiar anger burned and boiled inside at how she was so willing to stand up to Weasley but not for him. "Words were said, painful and hurtful words, and instead of walking away I lost control. There's no excuse."
Tonks watched Harry face up to McGonagall and could feel his magic straining as he forced himself to remain calm. In that moment she loathed the Gryffindor Head for the wishy-washy way she treated him. The woman in question pinched her nose and sighed.
"What am I going to do with you, Harry?" She asked as though there was anything that needed to be done with him. Tonks scowled at the woman and reminded herself she wasn't allowed to curse the teacher. "You're getting out of control, throwing your magic and status around far too much, attacking fellow Gryffindors. This is a school, not the Wizengamot or a fighting establishment in Knockturn Alley."
Harry refused to comment and stood at parade rest and the entire scene gave Tonks flashbacks to her Auror training when an instructor seemed to take out a bad day on their recruits. She knew first hand that sometimes all you could do was take the criticism and prove them wrong when you had the chance.
"You're one of this school's Champions." McGonagall stated and ignored Harry's scoff. "That means you're set to a higher standard now."
What's new? Harry thought.
"I'm giving you two months detention and taking fifty points from Gryffindor for fighting with one of your own. You'll serve the detentions with me after dinner."
"Yes, Professor." Harry answered and McGonagall flinched at how hollow his voice had become. "But you'll need to explain this to my Master."
"Your...Master?" She repeated carefully and Tonks stared at Harry in confusion. Both women caught the slight twinkle of mischief that was such a prominent sight for the Marauders.
"I've been taken on as a duelling apprentice by Master Flitwick." Harry said, unable to hold back his wicked grin at their shocked faces. "He wanted to see you today so I'm sure he'd be happy to hear all about this."
McGonagall pulled herself together with a death glare at Harry and stormed past him, throwing open Flitwick's door without a knock. The confused and angry woman closed it behind her and Harry managed to hold back the laughter until he heard the click of a lock.
Tonks didn't know what to think. She grabbed the giggling hyena that was Harry and dragged him down the corridor in order to get her answers. He laughed the entire way.
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oOoOo
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"Dragons?" Hermione screeched later that day. "What are they thinking of? Dragons?"
The large group had taken up their usual spot within the Room of Requirement and it had given Harry a chance to tell them about Flitwick's hint. As expected, everyone was horrified at the idea.
"Well, it's simple." Daphne said as though discussing the weather. "We simply research everything about the things and you learn the best way of staying alive."
"Preferably without getting cooked like an overdone Sunday Roast." Harry grumbled.
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oOoOo
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2nd November, 1994
It didn't take long for the news of Harry being Flitwick's apprentice to spread like wildfire around Hogwarts. The school had not had one in three centuries and many had rushed off to study what it meant for the school, themselves and the two involved.
McGonagall learned that she had lost the ability to discipline her lion. Any complaints about Harry now had to go directly to Flitwick who would then decided whether punishment was deserved and what that would entail.
A calm conversation between Master and Apprentice detailing the events between Harry and Ron had Flitwick assign Harry meditative detentions with the order to increase his Occlumency and Animagus mind exercises. The Charms Master was certain that Harry had touched upon his animal and its primal nature was pushing his mood swings.
When Dumbledore found out about it all he cursed the names Bones, Lupin and even Snape for keeping him busy and out of the loop. The rules of Master-Apprentice relationships were clear and he was now barred from speaking to Harry alone unless given Flitwick's approval. Something he was certainly not going to be asking for.
Those closest to Harry were excited over the development but the joy was tempered by the fear and worry over the first task. At Harry's insistence, a message would be passed through the grapevine for Cedric so that the Hufflepuff would learn of the mutual fate in time.
The first lesson found Flitwick in awe of the Room of Requirement and he gave an approved nod at seeing Harry's set up.
"I like it, Apprentice." He told Harry as he easily hopped onto the high duelling platform. "You've adapted it from my stories, I see."
"Yes, Sir." Harry joined his teacher on the platform. They had both changed into duelling robes; outfits that clung tight to the body in order to streamline movements. Harry was thankful that there were no girls around.
"I understand that you've decided to remain in Gryffindor Tower. I approve." Flitwick chuckled at Harry's look of surprise. "You're showing them that you don't hold Weasley's disgusting behaviour against the rest of them. You never want to alienate a group because of the actions of an individual, that way leads to ruin."
"Like the goblin wars that started with small attacks from bandits." Harry said, showing his understanding, and Flitwick raised an eyebrow.
"I was expecting an example of anti Muggle-born attitudes but that works as well." The Professor's wand shot out of his sleeve and he took a professional duelling stance. "Now, firstly I need to know your level before I can begin the improvements. You know how to cast a Protego, I assume?"
"Yes, sir." It had been the one of the first Sirius had taught Harry and the only that they could practice in the Shack without attracting attention.
"Good. You're only allowed two spells, Apprentice; the Protego, or a variant, and the Expelliarmus spell. Your goal is to survive as long as you can while I curse you and if you happen to be lucky, you might even attempt to disarm me."
The two shared a grin and then the exercise began in earnest. Flitwick wasted no time and sent a string of curses at Harry that caused him to duck and roll away from the multi-coloured streams. He had no idea what half the spells were that the tiny warrior cast at him and didn't feel like finding out.
Harry knew from Sirius that most wizards and witches tended to stay in one place, relying on their shields first and their ability to move second. He had taken on the opposite style and bobbed and weaved around the spells, using a Protego only if he couldn't move fast enough.
Five minutes in and Harry had yet to get of even an attempt at disarming Flitwick. Harry's heart was pumping wildly and he felt alive but frustrated. The spells seemed to be coming faster and even with all his cardio work, he was finding himself slowing down.
"Protego Maxima!" Harry roared, his wand slashing up to create a powerful shield charm that repelled the oncoming storm. He took the moment's peace to begin his own offensive by spraying Expelliarmus spells towards his mentor.
Flitwick released a laugh of delight and began his own twisted dance. The small man spun in the air and moved almost faster than Harry could see but he refused to quit. Harry sent the disarming spell directly at Flitwick and off to the sides where he guessed the Professor would dive. At least twice Flitwick was forced to raise his own Protego to deflect the attack.
Harry was grinning wildly, the thrill of battle causing his deep Black blood to sing with passion, and he was so caught up in the offence that he didn't notice his shield was beginning to weaken. Flitwick did.
With speed that Harry had not seen before, the Duelling Master proved his credentials by raising his own Maxima shield and then sending powerful hexes at the corners of Harry's protection. The impact of each spell caused the shield to flash brightly, blinding Harry for an instant, and he never saw the Expelliarmus that smashed through the centre of his shield to send him flying off the platform.
Harry landed hard, his breath leaving in a loud groan of explosion. As he struggled to sit up, Flitwick only had one response.
"Again, Apprentice."
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oOoOo