Dear readers: I want to say do to the Holidays that my writing is going to slow down. It can't be helped. Work is picking up (this is good) and my family is starting to demand more from me. These things will take away from my writing. Also, my husband Grandfather is in a Nursing home and isn't doing well. I'm afraid this might be Jason's last holiday with him. So, we spend as much time as we can with him. The ones of you that read my other stories this affects them the most. I don't have time to work on several stories at once. This is why I'm only working on this one. I can't say when that will change. I hope everyone understands and please know this. I never give up on a story at least as long as I have a copy of it. The only ones that I let die away are the ones that were lost in crashes.
Thanks for your time and the great replies to all the stories….
Happy Thanksgiving….
Marti
Chapter Twenty-One
The Arrival of the Schools!
Harry realized one thing about his new school. It was full of students like Hermione! The only thing any of them cared about was showing off how much they knew. After the first few days of class, he was over loaded with school work. He spent most of his time trying to keep up. He knew Neville and Susan were having the same trouble. If it wasn't for "their own Hermione" they all would have been in trouble. She was helping them keep up.
The only class that Harry wasn't behind in was Defense Against the Dark Arts or just Defense as it was known by here at Beauxbaton. Harry was happy that Remus was their Professor again this year. Tonks was going to fill in for him during the full moon. Harry was sure that it wasn't one subject that he wouldn't struggle to keep caught up with.
To be fair, the magic wasn't hard for Harry now that the blocks were gone. He found that he didn't have to fight to do a spell. It was all the written work itself that got to Harry. He just hated spending hours on end sitting trying to put his thoughts on paper.
Harry found out that Neville wasn't as bad at magic as he led on to be. Neville admitted to everyone shortly after school started that his Gran told him to play dumb. She allowed him to be good at one subject, but the rest he had to act like he was struggling. It was why he used his father's wand. It wasn't an exact match to him like his real wand was and he had to fight to do magic. His Gran explained to him this summer the reason why. She knew Dumbledore was up to something but never knew exactly what. He was a bit too interested in Neville as a baby and it worried her.
She said he was the same way with Frank. It turned out that even before the truth came out about Dumbledore, Augusta blamed Dumbledore for the attack on Frank and Alice. She didn't want the same thing to happen to Neville. Therefore, she asked Neville not to live up to his potential at school. Neville was normally home schooled during the summer to keep up with the others.
No one could blame Neville's grandmother for feeling that way. They were shocked though at how good Neville was in potions. Neville could even brew potions better then Hermione. Neville said failing potions was easy because he was scared of Professor Snape. The man made him so jumpy that he couldn't think straight long enough to brew a potion right.
Harry had to admit that even he was better in potions without Professor Snape. He had always liked cooking even though he never exactly followed directions to the letter. He always fudged a bit here and there. Scarlett had taken the time to explain things to Harry on why he couldn't do it in potions. She even gave the Hogwarts students extra lessons to help them catch up with the others. She was shocked on how little they knew about why you stirred one potion one way and another one another way. She knew Snape was considered a Master, but to her he was a bad teacher and shouldn't be allowed to teach anyone anything! She was planning on telling him that once she met him. She was going to get that chance for this evening the other schools arrived!
Harry, Hermione, Susan and Neville were standing with the other students on one of many balconies' that ran around the school. They were watching as both Durmstrang and Hogwarts arrived.
Harry and Neville both felt it was fitting that the carriage containing the Hogwarts students looked like death's arrival. Everyone else thought it showed how desperate Hogwarts was for money. The carriages were old and run down. They looked like they were ready to fall a part. One almost did as it landed on the green grass of Beauxbaton's lawn. You could hear the kids screaming as it came to a rolling halt.
Hermione and Susan were both thankful that they weren't going to Hogwarts this year. Harry wasn't so sure. He looked at the carriages one more time before turning away. "I don't know," he said. "Nothing could ever beat Hogwarts!"
The kids walked into the dinning room and stood behind their chairs. They realized by now they weren't allowed to sit down until Madame Maxime sat down. The wood nymphs were playing the dinner music as the lights started to dim. Harry rolled his eyes as Madam Maxime took center stage to introduce the schools.
She tapped her wine glass to get everyone's attention. "Quiet!" she said in her formal sounding voice. "I'm please to introduce the two schools that will be joining us in participating in the Tri-Wizard Tournament. The first school I would like to introduce is Durmstrang."
At this students from Drumstrange arrived with their walking sticks banging them on the marble floor as they walked. It was then that Harry spotted Victor Krum. He learned about him from watching the magical version of ESPN at the Potter Estate. Harry wondered why the Weasley family didn't have it and learned only the rich pure bloods had it. Harry thought it was rotten that only the rich had it in England but secretly he did enjoy watching replay of the Cup. It was because of the replay that Harry found he wanted to meet Victor. Victor was a Seeker like him and he would love to learn some of this tricks.
Harry was so busy thinking about the best way to approach Victor that he missed the introduction of Hogwarts. Hermione gave him a shove and said in a low voice, "They brought the entire school."
"I heard they had no choice because the school is broke," Susan said in the same hush tones.
Harry didn't say a word. He just watched his old school mates walk in behind Professor McGonagall. She had her head held high. She was wearing a nice but not flashy dress robes. As were most of the other teachers, the only one that didn't change what he had on was Professor Snape, he walked in behind Gryffindor House and at the Head of Slytherin House dressed in the same black robes he taught in. He had his nose in the air and his robes were flowing behind him. "He looks like a vampire," said one girl beside Harry.
"He's worse then a vampire," Harry muttered.
The kids giggled until Madam Maxime glanced their way. They quickly quieted down as the schools found their way to their tables. Everyone stood standing but Ron Weasley. He pulled out his chair and sat down. Neville and Harry had to fight their laugher as Professor Snape yanked the boy to his feet and forced him to stand behind his chair. Ron looked like he was about to say something but one look from Snape quickly changed his mind.
Madam Maxime finally nodded her head and sat down. The others followed suite. She waved her wand and the food appeared before them. "I hope our guests enjoy this grand feast the House Elves have provided for their arrival," she said.
Everyone just smiled as the food appeared and the meal began. Hermione couldn't help but look behind her as she ate. "I sort of feel sorry for Ron. He has to sit beside Professor Snape," she said.
Harry turned looked at his so-called best friend and said, "I don't."
"Have you noticed that there is gap between him and the rest of Gryffindors?" Neville said as he turned to look.
"Yeah, and he is sitting with the first years not the others fourth years," Susan replied.
"It is very impolite to stare," Professor Scarlett Sherwood said from her spot at the head of the table. She was like the kids Head of House. It was her job to keep everyone in line and lend an ear when it was needed.
"Sorry," the Hogwarts four said together as they turned around and finished their meal.
Across the ocean, Sirius Black was walking down the streets of London. He was heading to his favorite muggle restaurant. His mind was on the last Wizengamot meeting. Things were finally starting to pick up. They were going to hold Umbridge's and the other attacker's hearings in a few days. Dumbledore and his cohorts trial was going to start soon after.
The thing he was most happy about was the taking Head Warlock away from Malfoy. The elections were finally held and everyone thought that Sirius was the best person to take over the job. He knew the Pureblood view point but he also understood the others view point. Everyone was hoping that he would see their side of things. The only part that made Sirius happy about the job was that he took something from Lucius. He always hated the guy.
Sirius stopped at a cross way and stepped into the empty street. It was at that moment, a muggle car came sliding towards him. Thankfully, no one was around and it gave him a chance to change into Padfoot and leap over the car. The car crashed into the lamp pole knocking it to the ground.
Sirius was about to change back into his human form when two men dressed in black robes came running up the street. "Where did he go?" one man said.
"I don't know. I swear he was there," the other man said.
Sirius knew right away who the men were. It was Crabbe and Goyle Sr. the two dumbest Death Eaters there were. Padfoot just stood there in the streets shaking his head. 'How dumb can you get?' he thought to himself.
Sirius was about to show himself and demand to know what in h*ll was going on, but two muggles policemen appeared. "Are you gentlemen having trouble?" one policeman asked.
"No, we just arrived," Crabbe said.
'The mindless fool can lie? Who would have thought?' Sirius thought as he sat in the middle of the street watching in amusement.
"You didn't see this happen?" his partner asked.
"No," Goyle and Crabbe said together.
The two officers looked at each other with a hint of doubt on their faces, but since they had no proof they were forced to send Crabbe and Goyle on their way. Padfoot decided it was best that he get lost as well. He'd spent time in a muggle pound before because someone thought he was a stray. He didn't want to do it again.
The moment he was out of sight of the muggles. He changed back into his human form. "Now, what hell was that about?" he asked himself. Sirius after a time figured Lucius was behind the attack. He wanted get rid him so Lucius could take over as Head Warlock. Sirius would just have to keep an eye on the guy for now. There was no need to report it to Madam Bones.
Harry, Susan, Hermione, and Neville were heading towards their dorm rooms after dinner. Suddenly a voice called out behind them, "Hey, Harry! Guys wait up," called a female voice.
The group turned around and saw Ginny and the twins walking towards them. "Hi," Harry said as the three Weasleys approached.
"Hi," the three replied.
"How was the trip?" Neville asked.
"Bumpy," Fred replied.
"Very bumpy," George added.
"I hope sleeping won't be as bad, but I have a feeling it is going to be," Ginny said sadly. She was hoping to hook up with some of the other girls to sleep in one of the tents. Several mix blood and pure bloods found out how they were sleeping and decided to make other arrangements. They had written home to their parents and had them send their family tents. The twins were staying with Lee and other boys their age from Gryffindor house. Ginny thought she had a place to stay but she wasn't sure yet.
"This isn't what we wanted to talk to you about. Harry-- Ginny, George and I want to say we are sorry about how our brother and mother treated you. We had nothing to do with any of it," Fred said.
"I know. I never blamed you for their actions," Harry said.
"Then why did you ignore our letters?" Ginny asked.
"I thought you blamed me for your parents divorce," Harry said looking down at his feet.
"Harry, you had nothing to do what that. It was our mother's fault and Ron's!" George said. Ginny, Fred and George gave a quick explanation on how Arthur found out about his wife's affair.
Before Harry or his friends had a chance to reply, Professor McGonagall appeared and informed the Gryffindors that it was time to head back to the carriages. The kids promised to meet up later and said quick good byes.
As they walked back to their rooms, Harry asked Neville, "What was that spell that Arthur did to Molly?"
"It is old spell that proves a wife has cheated or not. In the old days, Molly could have been put to death for cheating on her husband," Neville said.
"You said wife? Doesn't it count for Arthur as well?" Hermione asked.
"No, by law, Arthur could have had a lover on the side and Molly couldn't have done anything about it. My Uncle has several lovers over the years," Neville said.
"His wife allows it?" Hermione said shocked.
"She has no choice, but they haven't shared a bedroom together in years. She stays on her side of their family home and he sleeps on his side. They are only seen together in public," Neville said.
"That's just wrong," Hermione said.
"I think it is nuts," Harry said.
"Nuts?" Susan said.
"Yes, I have enough trouble thinking about asking on girl out. How could I have two girl friends?" Harry said and he went off to bed.
Susan and Hermione looked at each other and sighed. Hermione had admitted to Susan that she liked Harry. Unfortunately, she didn't know if Harry liked her. Susan told Hermione that Harry wasn't ready to ask a girl out. He might notice 'them' but he just couldn't find the courage to ask them out. Harry's last statement was proof enough of that. The girls had a plan though to slowly guide the Gryffindor Heir in the right direction.