Chapter 14 – – Lose one idiot find another
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Lucius Malfoy was elected as the new Minister Magic a few days later in a landslide election. Daphne and I wondered how many Galleons that cost him.
Well it would be nice to be able to say that my feet were propped up on his desk and I was reading the Dailey profit. In actuality Rōshi had taken over my training and all I could say is that he is a mean old man! I was still failing to walk on water which caused Rōshi to assign additional training as punishment. I call it punishment he called it incentive. The additional training of course was with Rōshi. For someone who must be 1000 years old he stomped, bent, slammed and threw me like I had never received any training in my life. And while I had no time to read the Dailey Profit Rōshi had taken up the reading of the paper. This could only cause trouble.
In the middle of one of our training sessions, "Little Dragon your honor has been soiled so you will be returning to Hogwarts as Lord Potter." This was stated in his kindly way that any fool could understand. Actually you were a fool if you didn't realize that it was an order of compliance.
"Rōshi if I do that I will be recognize as Harrison Black and thrown back into Azkaban. Rōshi, glamour charms are easily removed so I would be in big trouble should I return to Hogwarts." THUMP was my answer as I hit the floor.
"You are indeed the poor student that cast doubts on my abilities." My slam down was now changed into a flying lesson which ended in the far wall.
"What about Daphne? She will never give you a moment's rest." I tried to assert a women's wrath as I dodged four throwing knives.
"Your wife will join you, also under my poor inept glamour charms." Rōshi turned and left the room as I peeled myself off the floor once again.
/Scene break/
"Harry this is absolutely stupid! Why don't we just go to American and enroll in the Salem Institutes College program? I can't believe I let you talk me into this!" Daphne grouched.
"You just don't like your new hair color." I stated and ducked a slap to the rear of my head. This was not turning into a painless week.
Daphne continued but I was only half listening. In a way she was right and we were only beginning to see what changes that had been assigned to us by Rōshi. Rōshi great glamour charms started off with the Muggle dying my hair to blonde and Daphne's to red with a little magic thrown in. Our earrings carried what little glamour charms that he had applied. My famous scar not being one of them. As long as the earrings stayed on so did the charm and a 'Finite Incantatem' would not affect our glamour charms. Of course that tanning solution did make us look like we've been in the sun for about 300 years. These were but a few of the more subtle changes that had taken place since our last entry onto platform 9 ¾. I expected to be arrested the minute we showed at Kings Cross.
We practiced the entire summer on using our new names but as soon as we walked onto the platform Daphne almost called me Harrison at the shocking scene we observed.
"Harri... Harry, what the hell's going on here half of those people in Auror robes are Death Eaters."
All I could think of was since the new Minister of Magic is Lucius Malfoy he had rounded up all the remaining Death Eater buddies and added them to the Auror force. A good many of them lined the walls of the Kings Cross platform. We just hurried and obtained a compartment so we didn't draw any attention. I wasn't sure that the Death Eaters would hold a grudge against Harry Potter or was their currant priority Harrison Black. I wasn't interested in finding out their opinion on the matter.
Good part of the summer was used to determine Daphne's new name. Daphne was not happy with any of the names we came up with but finally she settled on Debbie Potter. I personally I just called her darling or love to avoid her look of disdain. Our paper work from the Goblins showed we were transfer students attending our last year of schooling.
We had been expecting troubles but we were more worried about being found out and of course being back under Dumbledore's thumb as Harry Potter and wife. Something we had not even thought about opened the compartment door and..." Hi, I'm Hermione Granger and this is Ron Weasley do you mind if we join you? Déjà vu on the creepy side I thought. Hogwarts chief interrogator had just entered our compartment. While Debbie and I were trying to make our minds to function Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood charged in and took seats like the compartment was full of old friends. Then we got deluged with questions of who we were, etc., our cover story is pretty much ignored the minute I said, "I'm Harry Potter this is my wife Debbie Potter..."
"Come on let's see your scar already." Ron asked being his usual tactful self.
"Ronald! That is not a polite thing to ask." Hermione chastised.
"Well what did you expect with him sitting there with blonde hair, no scar or glasses and calling himself Harry Potter? All the books Ginny reads showed him as a bespectacled raven haired dork with a scar."
"Well Mr. Weasley since you asked nicely I'll return the favor by saying it's none of your business." I growled.
"You will have to excuse Ronald his brains are full of BumSuckels, even the Nargles won't approach him."
"We'll Dumbledore said there was a prophecy that only Harry Potter could kill You–Know–Who and Potter had that thingy in his scar." Ron never knew when to stop running his mouth.
"Well since I don't have a scar and Harry Potter didn't kill Voldemort that must mean your Dumbledore is a righteous old fraud."
"You can't talk about Dumbledore that way!" Ron yelled and jumped up. "Mom says he's the greatest wizard that has ever lived."
As I looked over to Hermione I stated,"Your friend isn't into logical thinking is he or is it just that he never thinks before he opens his mouth."
Apparently Ron had gotten even more hostile but he stopped his charge at me as he found I had stood and was holding a throwing knife at his throat. "Just have a seat Mr. Weasley and do us a favor and keep your yap shut."
Things are just settling down in the compartment when the door slid open and Draco Malfoy stuck his ferret face into the compartment." Oh! Crab look, it's the losers compartment and apparently they have gathered two more losers added to their club." Draco sneered.
"I turned Neville and asked,"Is this school of yours full of loud mouth losers and what's that about him having crabs?"
"How dare you infer that I am a loser, my father is the Minister of Magic and I'll have you for that comment..."
"That would not be THE Lucius Malfoy that was trying to protect Voldemort when your cousin Harrison Black off'ed the Half-blood Dark Lord? I taunted.
"Crab, teach this Mudblood a lesson and make it painful!"
Crab squeezed passed Draco and looked like he was going to pound me into the floorboard until he noticed my Wakizashi against his neck. I was carrying it as it was a shorter sword than my more recognizable Katana which was in my trunk.
Again things settle down as Draco and his ilk departed and conversation drifted to classes and if there were going to be any new teachers at Hogwarts. This was of course after the inquisitor asked "Do you always walk around armed? Where do you hide those weapons? As Head Girl I don't think you should be carrying..." Some of our prearranged story about our backgrounds finally got released later in the trip.
The Carriage ride to Hogwarts was uneventful but we were surprised to find a number of Aurors along the walls in the Great Hall. Then came the sorting which included Daphne and myself.
I'm sure that Daphne was expecting to be sorted into Slytherin as was I but when the sorting hat was put on Daphne's head time seemed to stop and we waited and waited. Finally the hat yelled, "GRYFFINDOR!" I was in a slight daze as I walked up and sat on the stool. The hat barely touch my head when it yelled, "GRYFFINDOR!" I had half a mind to walk up to the head table and punch Dumbledore right in his crooked nose as I smelled a rat. I sat next to Daphne instead as she whispered ..."The hat and I had quite a conversation. It appears that our new friends Ron and Hermione are directed by Dumbledore to make friends with the new Potter's. Being we were the only new transfer students on the train we were easily located. Dumbledore also did something to the hat to force it to put us all into Gryffindor."
"That my dear wife is going to be his problem. Riddle is dead so I can't see why he would need to manipulate us."
The students were returning after the holidays where many had some of their family members killed by Death Eaters or were in Death Eaters families. Many of the students were misguided by the Order of the Phoenix types, Death Eaters types, or just believe that the sun shined out of Dumbledore's rear. So discussions at the table was a mixed bag of loss, depression or happiness to made it back to Hogwarts. As the students were released to their common rooms we heard the all-too-familiar saying with a different name being called, "Mr. Potter please report to my office immediately."
/Scene break/
Waiting in Dumbledore's office was Lucius Malfoy, Snape and several other professors. We had just entered the office when Minister Malfoy sprang from his seat and demanded, "What family was hiding you during the time that you were missing and why did you not contact the Ministry of Magic or attended Hogwarts?"
"I was provided private tutors for my education. As for the rest of your questions, I really don't see that that is any of your business." I raised my hand so they could see was Potter House ring. We figured this discussion would head in a certain direction, of their choosing, so it was best to let them get to the point.
"Well you see, you are a National Treasure since the Prophecy states that only you can kill the Dark Lord, we are extremely interested in your safety as we are convinced that the Dark Lord will be returning." Dumbledore twinkled. "So you will be under the Ministry's protection while I provide you training to kill Voldemort."
"Might my wife and I inquire as to what Prophecy you are referring to? I thought that Lord Black killed the Dark Lord, also can I get some of the stuff your smoking?" I asked while I wanted to jump up and yell, "fooled you!"
"It is not widely known that there was a prophecy made concerning you and Voldemort. The Prophecy states that only you can kill Voldemort or Voldemort will kill you. What is being kept secret is that Voldemort made himself immortal by the construction of soul jars. We have a eliminated most of those soul jars but it is my unfortunate duty tell you that your scar on your forehead is a soul jar. So as long as you live..."
"I am afraid headmaster, you are under some misconception and what scar are you referring to?" Dumbledore stopped in shock as I raised the fringe of my blonde hair exposing my entire forehead.
"What have you done? The raven haired baby I left on the Dursley's doorstep had a scar on his forehead and the only way to remove that scar was to die." Dumbledore whipped out his wand and yelled, "Finite Incautatem!"
The look on his face when none of my appearances changed was priceless. It appeared that the glamour charm ear rings Rōshi had made were indeed working properly. Not that I would admit that to him.
"Oh! The Muggle doctors in America must've been right when he said that I stopped living for a few seconds after my accident. Lucky me!" I did lie to him with a smile.
"Oh my God! It seems that Harrison Black actually did kill the Dark Lord." Professor McGonagall exclaimed.
"I wouldn't go as far as believing a Potter, his father was a lying brat so I would expect nothing less from his son." Snape sneered.
"Well regardless of your opinion of my veracity I would recommend that you read the Sacramento Sentinel. Harrison Black did an interview about Voldemort's death, and his being railroaded into Azkaban. Oh! I almost forgot, he also mentioned all the broken promises about getting Sirius Black a trial since he never had one and that he's actually innocent of all charges." It appeared that our prearranged story was all coming out in basically one session directly to the people it was made-up for.
"It appears Dumbledore that the fabled Prophesy that got everyone killed has a few flaws in it. Potter is of no interest now that we know the Dark Lord cannot come back. I for one am going to return back to the Ministry."
"If you would Lucius I need to have a word after everyone is gone." Dumbledore stated as he peared over his glasses to the different people in the room. Dumbledore obviously wanted the room emptied immediately.
"I'm afraid I don't have the time Dumbledore as I have more important matters to attend to than a Dead Dark Lord returning to take back what I now control."
We had spent our time in Japan and had not paid much attention to the infighting in Magical England. There appeared to be something going on that we were not aware of as Lucius Malfoy appeared to be in a disparate hurry to leave. He tossed a handful of 'floe' powder into the fireplace and almost dived in head first.
Dumbledore leapt from his chair and raced to follow Malfoy through the 'floe'. Those of us left in the room only to look at each other in a confused manner. Professor McGonagall finally broke the silence..." Lord Potter if you and Lady Potter are ready I will show you to the Lords quarters."
As we followed Professor McGonagall Daphne asked what I was dying to ask Professor McGonagall, "What was going on between Minister Malfoy and Headmaster Dumbledore?"
"I'm sorry dear but you know as much as I do about what took place."
"Any words of wisdom for us the students, Professor McGonagall?" I pushed for an answer.
"As you probably noticed the Aurors that were in the great Hall. I do not know the full story but apparently there is some strife between the Minister Malfoy and Professor Dumbledore. I'm afraid to say it appears to be a power struggle."
"One might say that considering half of the Aurors are Death Eaters not to mention the Minister of Magic carries the Dark Mark." I said but was asking myself, was the new Minister taking over as a new Dark Lord? I wondered but then was Dumbledore vying for the position? I needed more information but it appeared there was fun times approaching England. The only bright side of all this was Malfoy seemed to have no interest in Harry Potter
/Scene break/
The next morning Daphne and I were expecting a normal breakfast. We were still discussing how our isolation in Japan was leading to a few surprises on what had been happening in England. While I was going to research into what had taken place in the Headmasters Office last night, Daphne had other plans for the evening. I of course had no objection to her taking my mind off of people doing power manipulations. Daphne's idea of manipulation kept my mind occupied the greater part of the night.
We barely sat down for breakfast when the Dailey Profit arrived with a big article over the duel between Lucius Malfoy and Dumbledore in the Ministry of Magic. Dumbledore was apparently driven off by a number of Auras which were waiting for him in the Ministry. We had hardly started asking questions of what the article inferred when the Great Hall's doors burst open with the Minister of Magic Malfoy with a ton of Aurors streamed in behind him.
"Nothing like a grand entrance among friends is there Harry?" Daphne giggled.
"I hope you're being facetious because being here has just turned unbearable if I'm not mistaken."
"I think I know what you're feeling about this time. Just remember Harry that graduating Hogwarts will carry the prestige you will need to stand as an English Wizengamot Lord and not some foreign usurper of the Potter title. We need to remain inconspicuous until the next Wizengamot assembly."
While of age, I still had to present myself to the Wizengamot for acceptance but since there was no scheduled meeting for a year, Hogwarts was going to be fun. Rōshi had not given any real instructions other that ordering me here to Hogwarts.
At the nod of Lucius Malfoy's one of the Auras races to the head table and fired off a cannon blasting sound and yelled, "Quiet by order the Minister Magic".
"As your Minister of Magic I am installing Augustus Rookwood as your new Headmaster here at Hogwarts. I assure you will follow his directions as you would mind..." As Minister Malfoy continued I leaned over and whispered to Daphne...
"This gives me the feeling of just stepping off of la la land and into the twilight zone of insanity?"
/Scene break/
It didn't take but a few days to notice that Hogwarts had acquired a large contingency of Aurors. It did take but a couple of weeks for everyone figured out why such a large group of Aurors were really necessary. One of the students had a death in their family and attempted to leave Hogwarts only to find out that the students were being held hostage to ensure that their parents conformed to the new Ministerial orders. This of course did not set well with a number of students. The unrest was quickly quelled by the Aurors using a liberal application of the 'Cruciatus' Curse on any disgruntled student.
Within a short period of time a number of now illegal activities by the students were in progress. Different groups of the students were attempting to leave the school and find their families. This led to the formation of the "Student Brigade" by the new Headmaster. Loyal students such as Draco Malfoy led this Student Brigades to quell the disruptive students by acting as spies and turning in any one who disagreed with the new order. This of course only produced small groups of dedicated students to end this tyranny of the Student Brigrade. Weeks later the first student died.
Little Dragon was about to make his first appearance at Hogwarts.