Dear Reader's
I am very proud of myself right now.
It's my GCSE year, I started it four days ago and I managed to post a chapter.
Anyway the next chapter isgonnafocuson the main plot a lot more. This one had hints of it but the next one... You'll understand when you read it!
Founder's Phoenix
Chapter 14: Quidditch and Quarrels
8th September 1989, 8:30pm
Mae Manor.
At Domus Alba, it was starting to get back to normal for the Pendragon-Potter's. They were starting to get used to having six children in the house rather than eight and they had all just completed their first week back at school. Hence the reason behind them all being in bed by eight on a Friday.
The parents of Mae Manor had grasped at the chance and we're having some quiet time in their separate houses, which didn't happen very often for any of them.
Lily and James were lying on their sofa in their living room, so they were near the children, discussing the one subject Prongs had been trying to avoid.
"James, I miss my babies. The house feels empty without them." Lily said, cuddling closer to him on the sofa.
"They lived in the annexe." James replied not taking the bait but still holding her.
"That doesn't mean we didn't see them everyday. We won't see them until Christmas now." She carried on.
"They're having fun. Acing all the spells first time because of who their mother is, causing mischief because of who their father is..." Complimenting his love, trying to send her off track.
"James, what about a other one?" She asked suddenly sitting up.
"Last time we said one more, we got four. I'm not risking it. We couldn't handle twelve children Lilypad and you know it." James pulled her back to lay on him again.
"Your right. We should be worrying about the children we already have, not thinking about more."
"Your talking about Harry, aren't you?"
"We need to talk about it at some point. His powers may have stopped growing but they are still extraordinary and we haven't told him the reason. When they put that sorting hat on his head something is going to happen and we have to prepare him for that. It's unfair not to." They sat in silence for a bit, both considering their options.
"He's only nine. Why not wait until his eleventh birthday? Then he has plenty of time to process it and consider his options before he actually starts at Hogwarts." Suggested Lily.
"His options for what?"
"Whether he wants it public knowledge or kept quiet. It's a big change for him and there is no doubt that Hermione will do what ever he does. We need to talk to Emma and Blackstar before anything is final." She added.
"How much do you think he knows?"
"He knows he has magic that none of the others except Hermione has. You'd expect something similar but more controlled of a mature adult witch or wizard but he could beat them. He told Dumbledore that he could defeat him. He could put up a fight but Dumbledore would have won in the end."
"He's not just gonna stop at this ability. Ragnok said that he and Hermione would have a mentor when they arrived at Hogwarts. Why they need one is above me. They seem to know enough." Questioned James.
"They need to learn control and to not use it at every turn. We can try but it isn't going to work as long as it's only us. If he's getting a mentor there has to be a bigger reason for it than just learning to get food out of the fridge than conjuring it out of thin air."
"Maybe it's something to do with what happened eight years ago. We still don't know if it actually destroyed him and Dumbledore knows something or he wouldn't keep trying to take Harry from us."
"There is no point speculating when we won't know anything until they actually get their mentor. The sorting hat might not reveal anything." Said Lily, ending the conversation and positioning herself on James' stomach.
"We really need to find more things to do in the day. We spend most of it just sunbathing with the people who aren't working. I always have so much energy left at the end of the day." He said stroking his wife's head, affectionately.
"That's what you do. I wash all the clothes, prepare food, tend to the garden, clean the pool, which by the way, was going to be your job when I agreed we could have a pool. All with the elves on my back, trying to get me to do what you, Remus, Sirius and Gideon do which is nothing." Her hands had started moving around, showing her frustration."Even Lunette and Evie go to Romania and Egypt during the day and actually do some work. Marley's helping out Mia as her secretary at the moment and Diana...well Diana can't be seen but she goes and visits Louis at the hospital everyday, especially when Emma and Dan are there and helps by handing out lunch. So really it's only you and the other three who need to find something to do. I would suggest something academic but..."
"Alright, alright. I get it. We're lazy dads but that academic thing sounds good. I could get a mastery in something? I was always good with transfiguration." He thought aloud.
"Just bring along Gideon and Sirius with you. I know Evie and Marley don't really appreciate their weight gain and neither do I for that matter."
"Who are you calling fat?" He said in a faux-offended voice.
"Well what would you call this?" Laughed Lily, tapping his stomach.
"That's it, I'm going back to the gym." He announced.
"It's just extra comfy, like a pillow."
"Well this pillow still has some moves left in him." He quickly flipped them over so he was on top, looking down into Lily's surprised eyes.
"It seems you do, Mr Potter. I have to say, from this angle, your biceps looking incredibly strong." She said, twisting her arms under the back of his shirt.
"Well, Miss Evans, your neck also looks particularly inviting, maybe I should get a little closer..."
11th September 1989, 9:30am
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Potions classroom.
Slytherin and Gryffindor first years had been given the Monday morning potions lesson periodically since Severus Snape started teaching at Hogwarts. Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff didn't get out of it though. They were given Friday afternoons.
Dori had heard things about Professor Snape from older students. Most, if not all, of Slytherin liked him because of his blunt favouritism towards them but she had had a different experience on her first lesson.
She had bumped into Charlie as he was going into the Great Hall after his Potions lesson on the previous Friday. His friends were around him trying to calm him down. Snape had deducted points from him and given him detention for not knowing the answer to a question so he was understandably angry. He had gotten his father's temper connected to mis-justice. Cedric had said it was at least OWL level if not higher anyway.
They had both been warned about the likelihood that some of the teachers may be slightly biased, not naming names of course, but both now knew who they meant from what students had said, along with their owns concerns about the headmaster.
The strange thing was that Dori sat unnoticed in her first Potions lesson. She wasn't sure if it was just because the Weasley twins were enough of a distraction but she received no points like the rest of her house mates and no point reductions like most of the Gryffindors. She just sat there. Rather enjoying the entertainment coming from Fred and George with Dee.
It had once again resurfaced. The dreaded Monday morning when school started back even if it wasn't as bad as she first anticipated. She had been quietly taking notes during the first half an hour of the two hour lesson but she was so intent on writing down everything she heard, it looked like she had completely ignored the teachers question.
The whole room seemed to take a deep breath. They had seen how Charlie wasn't happy about his encounter but got on with his punishment. Now it was Dori's turn to face the music.
"Your Highness, I repeat the question to you. Do you know the effects of different cauldrons while brewing a potion or did you inherit your father's brain, not your mother's?" He haughtily walked around the desks until he was directly in front of the young princess's.
Dori really wanted to reply that his father was a lot smarter than he was and list off his achievements in transfiguration but resolved to just put him in his place by answering the question perfectly.
"Cauldrons of different metals cause the potion to be brewed at different speeds. More intricate potions require slower, more unreactive metals for their cauldrons to be made in but routine potions can be brewed in most cauldrons." She placed her quill down half way through her explanation of cauldrons, having finished the notes and looked the professor in the eye and crossed her arms, daring him to take points away from her.
"It seems you are your mother's daughter, Miss Pendragon." And that was all the praise she got. He turned his back to walk back to the front of the classroom and Dori smirked at Dee, Toria, Fred and George who were either side of her.
"We praise the high princess, for doing..." Started Fred
"...the unthinkable, in the face of a Snape." Ended George, with the both bowing on their desks towards her and getting most of the room, minus a few Slytherin's, to laugh at their antics.
"20 points each from Gryffindor, Mr's Weasley and please refrain from such comments or you'll find yourself in detention for a month with Mr Filch. I'm sure he would appreciate the help." He got back to the lesson as quickly as possible which mainly just involved the class, observing him make a potion and take notes on the things he said. He wasn't a terrible teacher if you actually listened, which Dori did. The twins had inherited their mothers thrill for learning about the wizarding world even if they did grow up in it.
One thing that Dori did notice was that Snape had referred to her as Miss Pendragon and not Potter, which is what most of the other teachers did. Except the ones who went by your Highness which Dori hated. She definitely wanted to ask her parents about that in the letter that Dori and Charlie wrote to their parents in their free period on Friday morning. This had been dedicated to twin time when they found out they had a free period and they were incidentally at the same time while Gryffindor and Ravenclaw had their Astronomy review from their lesson the previous night.
She knew there was a story somewhere in this. The few times she had heard the name Snape in her childhood it was accompanied by Snivelius by Uncle Sirius and her Dad but her Mum always complained about the way they behaved years after their school days. It seemed like she was the only one who thought this though. Dori and Charlie often just listened to the adults conversations and on this topic, Lily was the only one that actually cared about Snape in anyway.
"Hey! Dori, wait up!" She heard Charlie coming down the corridor weaving through the throng of students in front of them to the small group of girls making their way to the Great Hall after swapping their books for Herbology.
"Hey Charles. What you doing? Foods in the other direction." She questioned, smiling at him.
"Looking for you! All the Gryffindors are talking about it. You beat Snape. Dad and Uncle Sirius will be so proud." He said stepping in line with the three girls.
"It's only a case of brains over what ever you did." She smirked.
"I came to congratulate you and you treat me like this!"he replied, pretending to be hurt. Dori looked around to see Dee and Toria talking between themselves and spoke quietly to her brother.
"Fine. Do you want to go and find a few brooms later and fly for a bit. These lot don't know how to and I need someone who can keep up with me?" She whispered, leaning into him
"Are you sure we're allowed to do that? First years aren't even allowed to bring brooms." He said, nervously. He wanted to fly. He missed it. He'd flown nearly everyday since he was seven.
"We have been flying for a lot longer than some third years on the school teams and the pitch will be free. None of the schools teams start tryouts until later on in September." She said trying to persuade him.
"Okay but if we get caught I'm saying it was your idea." He agreed making her smile.
"It was my idea?"
"You know what I mean! I'll see you later then. I have Muggle studies after lunch so I will meet you in the locker room at quarter past three?"
"See you then." He walked further ahead, meaning to catch up with his friends.
One thing about being the children of the brightest witch of her generation, leaving homework even a day after receiving it makes you anxious so both were all caught up and only had pieces from their first lessons of the week which would be completed after dinner that evening. They had a surprising amount of free time. Enough to make them consider bringing some muggle school work to do.
After a boring afternoon for both parties. Looking at plants for two hours wasn't Dori idea of fun and learning about how muggles write using squid ink just infuriated Charlie, the muggleborns and some half-bloods in his class.
They both quickly retreated their classes, making their excuses and reminding their friends of the astronomy essay due the next day that few had completed, leaving Dori and Charlie free of their friends with a few hours to just fly.
Dori was already picking out the two best brooms in the store cupboard when Charlie arrived.
"We really should have brought a quaffle with us from home. It says we're not allowed to bring brooms but nothing about anything else to do with quidditch. I found this one, it's a bit battered but it should do nicely just for passing if we wanted to. This pitch is a bit smaller than the one at home but we can make do. I need to practise my aim so I was hoping you'd keep for a while. We both need to practise our seeker skills. Harry is just too good. When he gets here were gonna have trouble keeping up with him. Also passes are essential. I think my beater skills are up to pare at the moment but we couldn't practise that with the equipment we've got anyway. Here's your broom. Where do you want to start?" She turned around already without her cloak and just in her jumper and skirt ready to fly, quaffle under one arm and brooms in the other.
"You are literally Dad when quidditch comes up. I mean it's eerie how much I can see James Potter in you right now." He replied taking the broom from a smiling Dori. She liked being compared to her parents sometimes as long as it was something good.
"Let's start with passing at high speeds. The brooms at home have a max speed so this should be fun." Suggested Charlie getting on his broom and flying on to the pitch.
"And you say I'm like Dad." Dori shouted after him, getting on her broom and flying after him.
"I just want to show off my chaser abilities before the beater in you comes out and thrashes me." He called.
"Maybe quidditch is just a Potter thing." Laughed Dori.
They were soon flying and laughing with each other. One would drop the quaffle and the other would chase it to the ground and bring it back up. They raced along the pitch multiple times with a different winner each time. They swapped keeping for each other with Charlie getting a few more through the goals than Dori. Both had accuracy but Charlie was the chaser out of the two of them. That didn't stop Dori aiming the quaffle at him once or twice though.
Unknowingly to the to first years, a third year had chosen the stands of the pitch to get some homework done in peace and quiet and was watching the pair in shock. She had never seen two first years fly so well or have the nerve to actually fly on the school brooms so confidently. The Ravenclaw quickly packed up her things and quietly rushed back to her common room to tell her friends about the new talent at the school but before she reached the entrance hall she saw the headmaster and Professor Snape heading in her direction.
"Miss Madley, I would prefer if you didn't tell any of your classmates that the Prince and Princess were flying on the pitch. We don't want other, less experienced first years to be hurting themselves would we?" Connie stood stock still as Dumbledore looked her right in the eye as he spoke to her. She nodded and walked away, completely forgetting about what she was going to tell her friends.
Dumbledore and Snape continued walking until they were on the pitch, waiting for the twins to notice they were there.
"Dori! Dumbledore!" Charlie shouted, only loud enough for her to hear.
"It would only be Snape if we were getting told off for flying." She replied flying up along side him.
"What do we do?" He said looking down at them.
"Your Highness's. I only wish to speak to you." Dumbledore called up, using a sonorous charm.
"We are not allowed to speak to you unless our parents are present." Dori shouted back down.
"I'm sure that is unnec..." All of a sudden Lily and James were both standing on the pitch in front of Dumbledore and Snape. Lily beckoned to the twins to come down, frowning at them for even being up there.
"How did you do that? Breaching this schools wards is a prison-serving crime and also impossible!" Cried Snape, annoyed at seeing his high school nemesis appear right in front of him.
James just ignored him and let Lily speak to Dumbledore as the twins reached the ground.
"You can speak to them now and if this is just about them flying. It says no where in the school rules that first years can't fly on the school brooms outside of lessons and this isn't the kind of thing a normal headmaster would talk to his students about. We're not happy that we had to leave our home to come here. Especially if it is a case one of the other teachers could have taken care of."
"I'm sorry to call you away from your home. I only wished to speak to Charlus and Dorea in a relaxed setting. I wanted to apologise to them as I couldn't contact you but you are here now. I meant Harry no harm at your coronation. I was only doing what I thought was best at the time, which I realise wasn't the wisest move. Although I still think Harry should come with me for a few years. I now understand that that isn't possible and there are forces that will not allow that to happen." Explained Dumbledore, smiling the whole time a the Potters. As soon as he had said the last sentence, James and Lily knew that he had figured something about Harry and Hermione out but without giving anything away, they couldn't ask.
"Well...I'm glad you've finally realised he's our son. If you ever take a step towards my children, we will be right in front of you within seconds, Dumbledore, so be warned. While we're here we would like to speak with the deputy headmistress, so we will be leaving you. Dori, Charlie. Put the brooms away and let's go." James said quite harshly. He wasn't in the mood for messing around with anyone.
The two rushed away, nearly throwing the brooms into the store cupboard and picking up there pets, who had been watching them on the sidelines, quite obediently. Once they were back on the pitch, it was only their parents standing there with no teachers in sight. They stood very closely to each other discussing matters when they spotted the twins.
"Come here." Lily cried running up to them, hugging them both at the same time. "How are you both? Do you still like your houses? Are the older students being nice? Are the Slytherin's nice to you Dori? Is Severus as bad as the other students say? Are you happy? Do you miss home? If you miss home, you can come straight back. Between everyone, I think we could teach you..."
"Mum!" Shouted Charlie.
"We're fine!" Continued Dori.
"We love our houses and most of the older students are really nice, even if it is sometimes a little fake."
"Most of the Slytherin's don't care I'm a half-blood. The Princess title helps. Snape is a better teacher than they say but a bit harsh on all the houses except Slytherin."
"And we are not coming home. It's amazing here!"
"That's excellent but we really do need to go and see Minerva. We need to make it back to Mae Manor by five so dinners not late for the quartet, so let's walk and talk." Ushered James, trying to lead the way towards the castle.
They continued their conversation on their way up to the castle passing a few students sitting on the ground, catching the last of the summer sun, who turned in the families direction as they talked animatedly.
They reached the transfiguration classroom as Professor McGonagall was leaving for dinner and closing the door behind her and locking it with her wand.
She nearly ran into them before James coughed, smiling.
"James Potter and Lily Evans. How long has it been? These two were only two and Harry had just been born I think. How they've made an impression on this school in the small amount of time they've been here. You would both be proud. Walk with me." She continued walking as they went down the corridor with Dori and Charlie trailing behind. "They were both ahead on the first assignment I gave them and I have heard similar from the rest of the teachers. They have surrounded themselves with good people. Mr Diggory and Miss Zabini especially, I can't say that the Weasley twins are a particularly good influence but they haven't gotten them into trouble yet."
"They were always my favourite members of that family." Mumbled James, smiling.
"You would like them. Anyway, why do I have the pleasure of this visit?"
"I'm afraid we have a matter to discuss about Professor Dumbledore and to a smaller extent Severus." Said Lily, in a grave tone.
"We don't want Professor Dumbledore to see Dori and Charlie on their own. So when ever they are requested to see him, we would prefer that you were also present. This would mean that we don't have to keep coming to Hogwarts when their mischief starts."
"I'm offended you think so low of us father." Said Dori, with Charlie acting offended by his statement.
"Your the child of a marauder and have grown up around the other five so yes, I do think at some point you will get involved in the other twins pranks."
"We are also mum's children so our side project is our focus more so at the moment." Commented Charlie
"Are we allowed to know what that is?" Lily just got a look from her eldest children. "I should have guessed. Not until it's finished and perfected, just like what I do."
"Maybe we should get back to what you were saying. I'm sure your other children are waiting for you at home?" Requested Minerva, now standing outside of the Gryffindors common room.
"Those six are quite happy at their friends various houses but you also have things to do it seems." He said smiling until he saw that she was waiting to go into her common room.
"All we ask is that you inform the Headmaster of our decision and ask that he respects it. He already knows what will happen if he doesn't do as we ask. If it happens again, we are taking the twins out of the school..."
"Mum!" Cried Dori.
"No!" Continued Charlie.
"I'm sure that wouldn't be necessary Lily..." Said McGonagall, looking worried.
"Please inform Dumbledore that we are deadly serious and none of our children will be coming here if this happens as well as our friend's children. This isn't just about us not liking him. It has gotten much further than that now."
"I respect your decision James and you don't owe me an explanation but..."
"He's tried to take our son one too many times for us to trust him around our children alone. It's his own fault. If he doesn't abide by the rules we have set out he will lose a big proportion of the students that come here and more if it gets out the reason behind it. We have warned him."
"Minerva we have no grudge against you but Dumbledore hasn't sat well for us for nearly nine years now. We aren't going to trust him just because our children want to go to his school."
"I will inform the Headmaster as soon as I have spoken to my prefects. Dorea, Charlus if you are asked to go see Professor Dumbledore at any time you must come and find me straight away even if I'm busy, to inform me so I can be there. If I can't, you have my permission to ignore who ever told you to go and see him. Any detentions that result from ignoring said person will be served with me and you will be allowed to work on your project. Is that everything, Lily, James?" Finished Mcgongall.
"Thank you Minerva. We'd better be going anyway. The children need their dinner." Smiled Lily.
"I hope to see you soon in better circumstances. I'll leave you to say goodbye." She replied, discreetly saying the password for the common room and entering.
"So this is where the Gryffindor common room is. Interesting." Said, Dori, thinking.
"This is not the time to be getting into mischief, you two. You've only just started learning the basics." She instructed as Prongs spoke to himself.
"Pity neither of you were Gryffindor's." James mumbled.
"Don't worry, Dad. Harry's next and we all know he will be a Gryffindor..." Charlie said, patting him on the back.
"How do you know that!" Lily shouted, startled that they knew about Harry's lineage.
"I meant, he was the bravest of all of us. Nothing else." Said Charlie taking a step back.
"Sorry Charlie. I didn't mean to shout." She said quickly, rushing forwards and bringing him into a hug.
"We need to get going now, kids. Your brothers and sisters are all waiting for us at home and you need to eat as well." James smiled pulling Lily off of Charlie, walking backwards, loudly whispering to them. "Your mum's gone a bit mad she'll be alright at Christmas. I promise."
"Excuse me, Mr Potter but who's the one who turned up to a wizarding mastery course, in muggle clothes? It certainly wasn't me..."
"Bye Mum!"
"Bye Dad!" The twins called after their parents who were going in the opposite direction. They had to change before dinner because no one wore school uniform at dinner.
"I wonder what that was about?" Charlie asked as they walked side by side towards the dungeons.
"I know! I am not leaving, we've only just..."
"No, the thing with Harry. Or was that just me. I thought it was a bit odd, is all." Charlie continued.
"I know what you mean but there's nothing we can do about it until they tell us or Harry. There is no point dwelling on something that is completely out of our control." Reassured Dori.
"Your right." He replied as they reached the Hufflepuff common room. "I'll see you later. Do you want to go to the library after dinner and do our homework from today. I don't feel like hanging with Ced or the Weasley twins."
"Yeah, I'll bring our project as well. See ya later." Dori smiled, walking to the Slytherin common room.
"Hey! Door! Chair! Wait!" They both turned to see Fred and George running towards them.
"I should probably keep walking as you just called me Door. Really Weasley's?" Said Dori, walking back towards Charlie, who was standing over a panting pair of red heads.
"No, we have something to show you." Started Fred.
"Look at this!" George brought out a loose but a dirty parchment and handed it to Dori.
"What's so interesting about an old piece of parchment?" Asked Charlie, looking over his sister's shoulder.
"Just you wait." Replied George.
"Try and open it!" Challenged Fred.
Dori went to open it up and inside words started to appear.
Child, give this to Prongs or Padfoot. Actually, yes, Padfoot - Padfoot.
Don't do that Dorea. Prongs is sufficient - Moony
Yes Please do that and inform me of where you found it - Prongs
(Keep it!) - Blackstar
How dare you, Blackstar! You traitor. You would rather a child have it - Prongs
Lily is now telling me that none of my future children should be allowed near it - Prongs.
In other words. Return it at the closest opportunity - Moony
"It did the same to us but more abruptly telling us to return it to Moony, Blackstar, Padfoot and Prongs." Began Fred
"We think something's hidden inside and you are the smartest people we know and from what this says you are the children of Prongs." Added George
"So you'll help?" They finished together.
"This must be an earlier version of the Marauder's Map, Charlie." Gasped Dori, holding more carefully.
"But Dad said they lost it in their final year of school. Something about Padfoot leaving it out and the elves thinking it was rubbish if I remember correctly. They always blame him anyway." Said Charlie looking at his sister in shock.
"Where did you find this?" Dori asked, suddenly looking up at the two boys.
"Snape ended up giving us that detention with Filch." Replied George, begrudgingly.
"He made the mistake of leaving us in the confiscated items room, alone." Smirked Fred
"This was the only thing that was remotely interesting to take." Shrugged George.
"So we swiped it to show you." Finished Fred
"Okay boys. Can you keep a secret?" Sighed Charlie.
They both nod vigorously.
"This belongs to legend in our family. The first ever Marauder's Map that has been lost for nearly fifteen years. There are more now but not of Hogwarts. There wasn't enough time left to document the whole castle again, once it had gone missing, to make another. Each map has a different pass...phrase. You just have to guess the purpose of the map to have any chance of getting into it." Explained Dori.
"Our Dad does talk a lot? I'm not sure we're supposed to know most of this. Especially the pass phrase part." Charlie thought aloud.
"He was rubbish at making up nap time stories for the quartet and us I suppose so he just relays past experiences. They are funny though." Smiled Dori, giggling to herself.
"So what's so special about this map?"
"There are maps of the school in books in the library."
Dori and Charlie looked at each other and back to the other twins.
"This shows places that are hidden and where everyone is in the castle. Especially helpful for causing mischief and finding quick escape routes." Smirked Dori.
"All of the secret passage ways. All of the people who don't want to be found. A Marauder's number one weapon."
They could see Fred and George's minds working together and thinking of the possibilities that were available with the device.
"Please help us!"
"You're experts!" They cried.
"Ced and Dee are gonna wanna help, right?" Asked Dori.
"Definitely!"
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Founder's Phoenix