Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or its character, those belong to J.K. Rowling.
Rated M For safe, and mature themes - Unsure let if will contain 'lemons' since I'd rather not have my story removed. Nor do I know the final pairings let but have good set of ideas
"Out loud"
'Thoughts' / internal thinking
Author Notes: Thanks for some great reviews, currently rewriting chapters 5 and 6, and hopefully they will be posted in the near future. Beta has them, so just up to him now, =) so yes, I do read feedback and reviews.
Story update: just finished chapter 24, needs to be beta ect... and got a chapter plan for 25, Harry returns to Hogwarts in chapter 23, so the summer is almost over =) From my plan, I expected the second year to go up to chapter 34/35, don't know yet, depends if I break any chapters in half due to their length.
The Midnight Gold - Chapter 21: Terms and Conditions, Sign here...
Revised by BuckeyeForLife
Posted– 30th Oct 2012
"Good evening Headmaster," Harry greeted, putting on a display of calm even though his insides were erupting in nerves at being caught in the open, before the portkey to his home popped into mind.
"Harry my boy, I've been trying to find you all summer," Dumbledore said.
"Well sir, you know how to find me. In my letter, I left instructions for any communications to be sent to my account manager Bloodmoon. I am well aware you know him sir," he stated in factual manner, raising his barriers around his mind, while making sure his portkey was ready to go.
"I thought it be best for us to have a little chat. Plus I need to know where your living for school documents and administration, since you and your relatives are no longer at the residence where I placed you a decade ago."
Now that got him angry, but on outside he kept the image of being calm. It was sickening that the old man thought, he could just walk up to him and play nice and think they were on first name terms.
"Well, I have nothing to say on either point. First, I have the right to privacy and the goblins act as a mail filter, just like your letter was charmed so you could find me. And I'm not your boy, despite whatever relationship you think you had with my parents and any business you want to discuss should be done in private, not in middle of café. Secondly, at Gringotts I would have my own representative to protect my legal rights."
"Harry my boy, I'm sorry you feel that way, but I am your magical guardian. I need to know where you live; therefore I must insist we talk."
"Insist all you want, but you're only my magical guardian due to my parent's will being blocked. I have nothing to say to you." Harry rose from his seat, intentionally ignoring the Headmaster, and breaking eye contact because he could feel his ring heating up.
"Penny, it was wonderful seeing you again," he said to his friend, noticing some collage documents in her handbag, before turning back to the Headmaster. "I will see you at the meeting. Here, keep your cursed letter and if you try following me I'll contact the Aurors and have you arrested for harassment," causing a sharp intake of breath from the onlookers.
"Harry, there is no need for that. I just wish to talk, besides I am your magical guardian, I am well within my rights for answers," he said sternly, as if talking down to a naughty child.
"Then talk to my account manager rather than wasting my time and ruining my day!" he said before taking another calming breath and cutting off the Headmaster.
"You know what the funny thing is? There is nothing you can do about it. After all, there is no place like home," causing the headmaster to frown, in confusion, before Harry said the activation phase to his portkey, "Home Sweet Home," and felt the all familiar pull.
The Midnight Gold
Over the next couple of days in the run up to his meeting with the Hogwarts staff, he'd been extremely busy. He had visited a number of his investments, such as 'Terra-Green,' that he had brought the previous year and he had found out about what processes they used in their cultivation of plants, which was carefully explained by the manager as he escorted Harry around the greenhouses.
First, if there was low residual magic in the area, one had to start with lower magical plant life. Over time, this would increase the residual magic of the area enough to support higher magical plant life. They would also introduce supporting magical wildlife, to help ensure balance and keep magical pests down. The manager explained to get the land to a point where it could start to be farmed took close to half a decade, and several decades before higher level magical ingredients could be produced to a respectable quality and volume.
He spoke with the manger for quite some time, about the current staff and their hiring standards, and found most of them were hired due to family connections. Rather than knowledge, and this knowledge was built up during their working experience within the company. This was reasonable, as long as the master growers and harvesters were knowledgeable and skilled, but he was tempted to try and include some of his own people, who had qualifications in the field. This would ensure the standard of skill stayed high, rather than people being recruited due to their parents happening to be on the staff. Also, it would be easier to monitor the business if he had an agent or two on the inside, to give feedback on any issues that could be hidden from his knowledge, until he was sure the workforce was honest and hard working.
He also noted that the process was in ineffective and inefficient. In short, it reminded him of a rural farm back in 17th century, where everything was watered by hand. This was not really surprising when he thought about magical sociality, so he was tempted to try to introduce some mundane concepts of mass production. Also, he wanted to ask Bloodmoon to see if it was possible to buy several fields around the cottage he owned.
He was already planning it out. The cottage could be converted into offices and storage rooms, if he ended up buying the land. Then, he could hire some recently graduated first-generation witches and wizards who happen to have a talent and passion for magical plant life and cultivation. These people could be found by discreetly asking Professor Sprout, and then get them to study mundane techniques and see if better results could be achieved. Sure it was a test; a very expensive and time consuming one, but if it worked a decade or so from now, it could give him a massive advantage over his rivals. If the experiment failed, he had at least tried, and the farm could then be converted to the currently practiced style, just like Terra-Green used.
If the situation ever arose where he brought another high quality farm, which was rare from what he been told, since they were so valuable due to the residual magic and their produce, meant owners were rather unwilling to sell them unless as a last resort. He was tempted to try converting it into a series of greenhouses and different environmental condition domes, a bit like the Eden project he'd seen on T.V. After all, exotic plants wielded higher profits due to their imported nature.
Rune schemes could be used to make the necessary weather conditions. For example fog wards used to hide islands or houses were just a mixture of water and heat after all, so why couldn't the concept be applied to growing magical plants. Sure the use of greenhouses wasn't new; Hogwarts was a key example of greenhouses being heated all year round so plant life could be grown, but from what he seen at his agriculture holdings the concept of micro climates could be new, or at least a well-kept secret.
Then he had visited one of Potter holdings, which has been giving him trouble with inaccurate reports, an Inn he owned called 'Pleasurable Nights,' in Shadowless Alley. He had immediately put down the law, his law, and fired the manager after he was rude. Also, he summoned the staff for a meeting. In short, it rapidly underwent new management. He didn't care personally if hookers did their trade in the place, if they didn't they would just do it on street. As long as they didn't create trouble, nor was it against the law. As long as the person wasn't a slave or bewitched, and it was of their own free will, the Ministry didn't care one way or enough... after all, Ministry officers often used such services...
Ultimately, he ended up promoting the bar mistress to run the place, on a trial basis, giving her free room and board all as perks of the job. If she did a good job, then it would be permanent with a bonus.
He also authorized the needed cash to redecorate the place, since the last manager made no effort, and the place was rather run down. He also had Bloodmoon authorize new wards, since it was clear from his limited understanding that wards were in the process of failing. In one year, two tops they would degrade completely. Also, he hired two additional bouncers to keep order, bringing their total up to six, two in the day, and four in evening.
Many would ask why, when two could do the job. The short version is a drunken wizard can do a lot of damage, and could easily destroy the place. Hence the additional muscle to simply overpower drunken magicals before they did too much damage, beyond what could be repaired by 'repairo' charms. Plus a show of force often prevented such things occurring in first place. Far better to play an additional eight thousand galleons a year, rather having to fork out twice that number in repairs bills even if the cost could be later reclaimed in courts. It just wasn't worth the time and possible lost profits if the building burnt down.
One of the new bouncers turned out to be a werewolf. He made it clear, that as long as he did his job and didn't cause trouble, he didn't care if he was. Plus it would help keep order, since the man was stronger and faster, and clearly intimidating. In short just what you needed for a bouncer.
At the end of the day, with all the work and the new hires, it would cost close to sixty thousand galleons. This was mostly because 'Pleasurable Nights' hadn't been maintained properly since his parent's deaths. At least the staff seemed to be happy with the knowledge of having an active proper owner who cared. And so did the other local business who considered the place to be an eye-sore in its run down state, which was affecting their own business, since it was attracting the wrong folks. So he won some good will from the neighbours.
He very much planned to make the place a respectful inn once again, with a proud and happy staff, leading to better profits, since the place had been making less than ten thousand galleons a year. If everything went well, hopefully it would be back to the annual figures prior to bad management. Either way, he asked Bloodmoon to keep eye on the place, to ensure it stayed golden after all the work was completed, and did not become brown from the incompetence of the staff again, anytime soon.
So now his financial base was secure, he could start to expand into the already cornered markets. Which of course would take time, since many were controlled by old families such as his own, but he had plenty of time after all, he was only just turning 12.
Now he had a birthday party to attend, something he was nervous about for several reasons. First and foremost, he had never been to one before, and also he simply didn't know anyone. He would be an outsider looking in once again. Now he was really regretting agreeing to this plan, because it also meant that he had to get gift for Susan, which proved to be a nightmare. What does one get second year girl?
The party (Wednesday)
Knocking on the front door, he had gone casual with jeans, he was greeted by an elf before being escorted out into the back garden, where the party was already under way. Looking over the unfolding party, he saw that it looked like most of first year Puffs were attending and a few others he didn't recognised. Probably second years or distant family members who been invited out of habit and tradition, rather than actually being friends.
Walking towards the crowd, waiting to be notice, this didn't take long due to him being an unfamiliar face. Thankfully he didn't have to introduce himself in most cases since most of the kids from Hogwarts recognised him easily enough. After all, he was considered a top student and shared about sixty percent of his classes with the Puffs, with a twenty/ twenty spilt with the other two houses.
Which did seem odd, but he dismissed it. It was better to work with Puffs rather than Griffs, because at least Puffs didn't plank in lessons, or cause trouble. They just sat their quietly listening respectfully to the professor.
Putting on a charming smile...
Sometime later
"Harry, are you enjoying the party?" Madam Bones probed.
"Indeed," he answered truthfully, surprised that he actually was.
"Arrangements have been made for the court case to be held two weeks from Thursday; Sirius is currently in a safe house. The case itself should be simple enough. All evidence shows that Sirius was set up," she explained with a sad smile.
"Will there be any problems, or anything I can do?" he asked seriously.
"No, I've taken care of it. Problems should only occur if the court is rigged, but that shouldn't happen. I'll be overseeing the cases that day."
"What do you mean?" he probed.
"Well as you know for rest of this month the Ministry is effectively on auto, and so is the Wizengamot due to the ministry elections. Candidates have been selected to take up three of the spots on the panel of adjudicators. I or my deputy will act in the place of the Chief Warlock, and another ministry official will act in place of the minister, making up a judging panel of five. The Chief Warlock will probably get three maybe four people into this group of candidates to be selected as judges, the same for the Pure-Blood Elitists under Malfoy. The rest of the possible candidates to act as judges will come from secondary houses, and factions, who will wish to gain some prestige by sitting on the panel, or secondary heirs to families wishing to build their own position. The only thing we have to worry about is if for some reason three of Malfoy's allies somehow get selected to the panel, but it's unlikely that this will happen. From there it's clear cut case," she explained, before taking a slice of cake from the table.
"Any questions?" she asked.
"Will the court be open to the public? I'd like to be there to see the process and I want to bring along a few friends," thinking of Tonks and her family, as well the press, since it would be front page news. He already had an image of Lucius drinking his morning tea and choking on it when he saw the headline.
"Of course, ministers past and present have liked to be seen doing things, nothing better than being seen handing out fair justice, so it's open to public," she explained.
"Do you know when and where it is being held?"
"Yes, 10am, court room 3," she stated, before having a bite of birthday cake. "It's good, have you tried some let?" she asked, gesturing towards the cake.
"No madam," Harry said before taking a slice of cake, enjoying the taste of strawberries.
"Well enjoy the party, and by the way, the headmaster is looking for you."
"I know."
"Well I suggest you keep a low profile for bit, or at least until Sirius is released, and takes up your guardianship."
That evening
Collapsing on his bed, thinking damn that was good party, he had to give the first year Puffs credit, and they knew how to make someone feel welcome, even if they were an outsider to the group. He really had to re-examine the concept of the Puffs, since he had fallen into the trap of seeing them as a house of losers, with some exceptions, but after spending time with them, he could see they had far most positive traits. They were just over shadowed by the rest of the houses. After all, you had his own house winning academic achievements most of time, while Slytherin and Gryffindor were in constant state of rivalry, bordering on state of war considering how vicious their pranks got, especially when you had individuals encouraging such competition.
This included the head of Slytherin himself, and characters such as Ron, Neville, the twins, and Malfoy. No wonder the Puffs were overlooked and disregarded, they simply were just trying to get along and not cause trouble. Not causing trouble just became the expected norm by the staff and students, and it wasn't rewarded as a whole. After all, why reward a house for behaving when they do it automatically without need for encouragement? When other houses needed encouragement, i.e., the carrot and stick approach.
This was disappointing really, but couldn't be changed easily without a whole top down process. Making his own mental note on the issue, to give Puffs more credit, he moved them up in his own mental house ranking system, to above Gryffindor for the time being, but under Slytherin.
He doubted he could ever be anything more than friends or associates or maybe allies with them, simply due to the differences in values and morals between them. Slipping into his codex, he began to rearrange the memories, updating his analysis of people and their values, and just doing the needed up keep for the day to ensure his mind stayed clear and sharp.
Things were looking up. Everything was going as he planned, no set backs of any sorts, but how long would that last? Feeling a renewed sense of energy, he decided to get some archery practise in since he wouldn't be falling to sleep for a while, and it was far better to do something productive.
Pushing himself off his bed and quickly changing into something more suitable for training, he headed out onto the range. The bow he was using was a rather simple short bow, nothing fancy, just a training tool. In time, as his skilled developed and his physical power grew he would be able to handle more powerful bows, but for the moment, he had to start at the bottom.
Drawing the bow string back, he looked down the line of sight onto the target no more than 75 feet ways, close by archery standards, but almost double the length of most wizard duels. Releasing the arrow, hearing the spring of the bowstring as the energy was unleashed, just to see the arrow impact maybe an inch above the bull-eyes zone. Repeating the process readjusting his aim, taking into account the wind speed, and other factors such as decreasing levels of light, he unleashed his second arrow, just to see it land in the gold zone, but not bull-eyes. Like most skills, to get that instinctual understanding, where one did not have to think, you could just act on impulse required time and training.
Slowly he slipped into a world of his own.
Gringotts bank meeting room 5 (Friday)
'It's funny really, how much time I've been spending at the bank, they should give me a discount,' Harry thought... but that wasn't likely to happen, unless the Goblins saw a means to achieve a bigger profit by doing so. Besides, it was only a temporary solution until he had his own meeting place, and was strong enough to physically protect himself against an adult wizard or two. Until then he would have to rely on the hired muscle of the goblin guards.
Oh well, there was nothing he could do until he got get a proxy he trusted to act on his behalf. Hopefully his soon to be free godfather would be capable of looking after his interests, and being his representative, since he found a lot of people just dismissed him due to his age.
It would be interesting seeing what was going to happen. He had no doubt the headmaster would turn up, even if it was just for a chance to question him again. Several minutes passed making Harry wonder if they were ever going to turn up. Looking to his side he could see Bloodmoon was getting increasingly annoyed at their lateness. Not that he could blame him, it was rudeness, and very much a power play unfolding. Of course, he expected an excuse or reason which they would be forced to accept, such as emergency ministry business, so there was nothing they could do but wait.
So they started discussing little things just to pass the time.
About twenty minutes later, they heard a knock on the door before it opened, revealing several Hogwarts staff members, Professor McGonagall, Flitwick, and Snape, but no Headmaster, which was surprising since the man had been trying to find him all summer.
"Sorry for our lateness, emergency business came up in the Ministry preventing the Headmaster from attending, which led to him sending me in his place, to handle the situation for him," Professor McGonagall explained, before taking a seat at the table followed by the other staff members.
"Professors, you have seen the evidence to support my case. I do not wish to cause trouble, but I find Severus Snape's behaviour towards me over the last year unacceptable, hence the reason we're gathered here today," Harry stated seriously.
"Indeed," stated the deputy headmistress, looking rather stern.
"Now I understand that my father, as well his friends, did bully Professor Snape with their pranking during their youth. But he is dead, and frankly it time to move on because it is childish. I've heard you multiple times comparing me to my father, but I have no memories of him, only know bits and pieces about him, from what others have told me. I don't even have a picture of the man. All I know is that I look like him, because everyone has said I look like my father, but he is dead. So this feud can either be ended today like civilized people, or I take this to the papers and the Ministry, and you will probably end up with a cell next to my traitorous godfather," he spat, keeping up the impression that he believed his godfather had betrayed his parents. "I've already got several allies who are more than willing to make the case of my half, so not even the Headmaster acting as my guardian and proxy will be able to drop the case," he said sternly and emotionlessly, making it clear that he had planned ahead.
Looking around seriously, seeing he still had their attention he continued, "Now, in this hand I have the terms I offered at the end of the last school year." Holding out an official scroll, "I'll list the terms in case you have forgotten. First, Severus Snape does not use any form of mind arts on me again, unless I willingly grant permission. Second, I don't have to attend any classes led by the professor and that I will self-study the material instead. Finally, any points reductions or detentions have to be approved by either my head of house," gesturing to the charms master, "Or by one of the other heads of house," waving his hand towards the two women. "Then, for the next six years we can try to ignore each other," Harry said seriously while looking at Snape, picking up no emotions with his empathy.
"Or," he said, dragging out the word as he revealed another scroll, imagining this was the feeling the Roman ambassador had when addressing Carthage's rulers at the outbreak of the Second Punic War, when demanding the arrest of Hannibal, before saying "War." This got a look of surprise from the two women at his words, along a classic sneer from the potions master. "This is a lawsuit from the House of Potter, against one SeverusSnape on the charges of illegal use of mind arts on a minor, let alone on the heir to an Ancient and Noble Household. Verbal abuse and abuse of power and position, and finally slander against the Potter name," he ended, with a cold glare at the potions master. "Your choice, peace and settlement," holding out the document, "Or war in the courts, where we both know the odds are in my favour, even if you have the Chief Warlock and Lucius Malfoy in your corner."
"So it's your choice," holding out a scroll in each hand, looking at the staff waiting for them to get their wits together, since he had thrown them with his little bit of drama. Bloodmoon himself looked on emotionlessly, but one could see hint of amusement in his eyes at his antics.
"How do I know you aren't bluffing you arrogant brat," the potion master demanded, finally speaking for first time while rest of the staff seemed to just look at man, wondering what in hell he was doing.
"You don't, but do you think I would waste my time here and my account managers if I wasn't serious? Or pay for this meeting room, as well as two dozen goblin guards, if I wasn't serious? I could easily ruin you." This got him a sneer at his statement, which he ignored, privately hoping the man would do as Rita did and pull his wand on him so the goblins could have him.
"Severus Snape, we're here to prevent Hogwarts reputation from being ruined by your actions. The headmaster gave us instructions to sign the agreement if terms are reasonable, and they are! Mr Potter is right, it's time to end this nonsense," Professor Sprout stated.
"Indeed, I haven't given my whole adult life to teaching at Hogwarts just so you can ruin the school's prestige due to your ego. And may I reminded you Severus, you often provoked arguments and fights just as much has James and Sirius did," the deputy headmistress added, giving the man her best disappointed look.
"Let me remind you Severus that this will get political very fast. Soon the school board will start calling for your resignation again. And I doubt even Lord Malfoy will be able to prevent that. Especially considering that you have often insulted the board's own children, and they have already been calling for your replacement for years, and now they have a pretext," said his head of house, adding his part to Severus's unofficial council.
"Fine," he spat, cursing under his breath as he skimmed over the document, not even brothering to read it properly before signing at the bottom and throwing the blood quill on the table towards Professor McGonagall. Then the rest of the staff signed the witness boxes and then Harry himself, causing the document to flash along with Professor Snape and himself. The document itself then divided into two magical copies.
"That was magically blinding document," Professor Snape stated, his eyes lighting up angrily in realization.
"Indeed, you should have read the document more closely. It clearly stated in the third line down that it was a magically binding agreement, but you didn't read it. I personally expected you to notice that and negotiate the terms of the agreement, as well get just a standard magical document rather than a magically binding one, but you didn't. Next time I suggest you actually read the document," he explained while stressing the word read.
"Otherwise, you may very well be signing way all your rights." Harry stated, making his disappointment known to room that he expected better from a man who was meant to be the head of Slytherin house, before he turned to deputy headmistress, who seem a bit flushed.
"The document itself Headmistress has no magical consequences for you personally, however as the overseer of the document you are required to handle any issues that occur, or disagreements not stated in the document. You will know when Professor Snape breaches the terms," he explained.
"What about you? Are there are no consequences for you?" Snape asked in a near whisper, looking up from document deathly pale.
"Like I said, you should have negotiated the document. As long as I don't go to press with this incident; the agreement is valid. However, let me point out that even if for whatever reason the terms are broken on my part, you still can't use any form of mind arts on me, or any individuals under my protection unless with my permission, or theirs. That can mean my friends, allies, or family such as my kids and this agreement is valid for life unless I state otherwise, and release you from this magical agreement," Harry said, while looking over the shocked staff as they reviewed the document they had all blindly signed.
"Now, if you excuse me, I'll leave you to look over the document," he stated, leaving the room with his account manager. As soon as the doors shut his face broke out into a grin. The meeting had gone far better than he had imagined, before turning to his account manager, who seem to be grinning evilly at the stunt Harry had just pulled. He was more than willing to admit, he felt kind of sorry for the deputy headmistress and the potion master, since the document had been written by his account manager and was iron-clad, no loopholes, no escape clauses. It had been ruthless, just as goblins themselves were when dealing with business and enemies.
"Thank you for your assistance with this. Even if you weren't needed to renegotiate the contract, it was good to have the show of support of how serious I was," he expressed, happy with how the meeting had gone, and how Snape had effectively been neutralized for the next six years.
"You're most welcome Lord Potter. It may not have been the most profitable meeting, however it was most amusing. One would expect better from wizard and witches of their standing," Bloodmoon said, shaking his head in disapproval.
"Indeed, I am sure the next time they ever have to sign anything, they will at least read it." An idea suddenly occurred, deciding he needed to go in a hurry if he wanted to gain some additional information, using his ace in the hole that he had carried into the meeting.
"Do you require anything else from me today?" Bloodmoon probed.
"No thank you, all my business is concluded for today," Harry replied, before saying the traditional Goblin goodbye and leaving the bank quickly as possible. As soon as he was outside he headed across the street to a small restaurant, which was half empty and slipped into the men's toilets.
Quickly checking the washroom over to find it was empty and casting a locking charm at the door, before saying to no one but himself, "You may come out now."
This resulted in a green beetle emerging from the folds of his robes before it started shifting shape, revealing Rita. She quickly looked around the empty washroom herself before saying, "Is this a hint my lord, of my next task I can do for you," as she walked around him, her heels clicking on the floor sharply as one her hands ran over his shoulders, stroking them.
"You can if you wish, my dear. But I have a better use of your talents rather than wasting you on your knees," he said sternly, ignoring Rita's playfulness and her suggestion. He was getting a bit annoyed with her continuous flirting; it was like she forgot that he was only just becoming 12 years old. Not that he minded most of time, since he considered it rather good practise, but times like this when he wanted something done he found it most annoying.
"Did you hear the whole meeting?" he asked his newest asset.
"Indeed my Lord, I have to say I'm most impressed by your cunning and how you got around that agreement by having me hidden within your robes," the blonde stated before sitting on the edge of the sink, causing her knee length skirt to hike up, revealing a good part of her leg. "I too, am a bit disappointed that the head of Slytherin house didn't even bother to read the contract, its quiet sad how far my former house has fallen, if he is their role model."
"Good, we will talk more about it more later," he stated, not wanting to get bogged down in a chit chat about Snape's failings. "I want you to hang back outside Gringotts, and try to slip onto one of the staff members robes. Preferably the Head Mistress or Snape, and follow them back to Hogwarts, because as soon as the staff has collected themselves they are going to go straight to the Headmaster and report about the meeting," he said, looking over seeing Rita nod, following where he was going.
"I want you to spy on that meeting and try to find out what came up, which prevented the Headmaster from attending. Because frankly, it must be important otherwise he would have been here today. He's been trying to get hold of me all summer, and I would never have managed to slip that document past them, if the headmaster had been there overseeing the whole thing."
"Anything else?" she asked, looking at him hungrily.
"No, but if in doubt stay with Snape, he's under the Headmaster's protection for a reason and is his unofficial assistant. I want to know why that is." he explained to Rita, who nodded in understanding at the instruction.
"Whatever you do, don't get caught, and remember the Headmaster's office is filled with portraits. Also his familiar could be there, and the phoenix will see you for what you are, no matter how well you act the part of a bug," he said stressing the word will. "So as soon as that bird turns up, you get out of there immediately," he stated seriously, seeing Rita face had taken on a serious expression.
"Where will you be then? Are you going to wait around here for me to return?" Rita questioned, pushing herself off the sink, flatting her skirt and hiking her hand bag back over her shoulder.
"No, I'll go shopping for next hour or so. Then I'll return to your apartment to wait for your return," he stated, seeing Rita nod in understanding. She had accepted the knowledge that he could come and go as he pleased from her residence, since the wards had been changed to allow him access whenever he wanted.
"Ok, let's go" he said, moving towards the door.
"My Lord, do me favour and open the doors for me, it makes it much easier," she asked, before shifting into a beetle and taking to the air.
Leaving the bathroom, noticing Rita had hitched a ride on his shoulder, he moved faster as he headed towards the bank, before she took off into the air once again and started to circle around, waiting for her intended targets.
The Midnight Gold
Rita's residence
Harry made himself at home and very comfortable before picking up one of the articles Rita had been working on for the next edition of Witch Weekly. It was about a wizard called Gilderoy Lockhart and his adventures across the world, and how rumours within the Ministry suggested he was going to get the Order of Merlin. The article also mentioned that the man was going to be new DADA professor for the upcoming school year, which interested him greatly. After all, the guy would be one of his teachers for next year.
He wondered why such a rising star would want to teach DADA at Hogwarts, because it seemed foolish that the man would challenge the so called 'curse'. Wouldn't the man have better things to do than teach, like another adventure or something? Thinking it over, it could possibly be something to add to the list of things he had done. A bit like adding Hogwarts name to his C.V, just to say he had done it, to add to his growing reputation. He hoped the man would be more capable that Professor Quirrell, if half the things said about him was true.
Not that it mattered, he had all but finished second year DADA spells, to the point he could cast them perfectly and silently. Either way he was well into third years spells, his stunner was all but silent now and he was getting quicker at casting it. Just goes to show how much of an advantage mind arts were when it came to learning. Being able to recall each experience perfectly, allowing you to just remember that moment, that feeling of casting the spell was a great advantage. Also the fact that he had learnt one of the main factors behind ones magic, one's will and discipline of the mind early on, worked in his favour. It was why silent casting was easy for him to learn and Tonks found it difficult. It was psychological, she had five years of school where she had learnt to cast spells aloud before moving on to silent casting, while he had been using both all along. First using the incantations, to the point where he could feel it and recall it by memory, rather than just shouting it.
Then again, he was hardly a normal first year. His relatives saw to that, and had shaped him into being more mature and colder than most of his peers.
Getting up and heading over into the kitchen where he made a coffee, and sandwich, before casting several household charms around the kitchen causing the dishes to start washing themselves, then being dried by a tea cloth, and finally floating into the nearby cupboards just like he did at his own house. Originally, he would of only been able to cast one spell at time, however due to practise he had got to point he could do three. He just had to visualize it within his mind.
The animation charms were the hardest he had encountered so far, because it required focus and being able to visualize multiple actions and movements, such as a tea towel wiping a plate and then depositing it on the shelf. Maybe the reasons why these three spell were so easy was he had done the same motions at his relatives since he was old enough to wash up.
All too soon the kitchen was tidy, just the way he liked it.
Setting himself down to wait, he hoped that it hadn't been foolish sending Rita into the lion's den per say, on the spur of the moment. But then again it had been a calculated risk, who would think a bug was an animagus? He had only found out her secret by chance. Then again, Hogwarts was meant to be one of the safest places in Britain, but that could be debated since the castle wasn't in siege lock down, just basic day to day running wards. Even then, buildings designed to combat sieges weren't designed to counter one lone infiltrator with a rare skill.
Sighing, he just hoped that Rita was ok, after all the women may be annoying, but she was in his services and he had responsibility to be concerned over her welfare. He decided that he would have to scout out Hogwarts a bit more and find out what defences it had, just incased he decided to send Rita into the castle again.
...
Eventually there was a chime sound, announcing an incoming floo traveller. Looking over at the fireplace, which had changed to magical green flames, Rita stepped out of the magical fire with a smirk on her features, a bit like a cat that had caught a bird.
Harry allowed himself a mental sigh of relief before asking evenly, "How did it go?"
"Most well my Lord, you were right," she stated, moving to the kitchen. "You tidied up?"
"Yes, I don't like messy kitchens, plus it helped kill some time," he explained. "What did you find out?"
"One of the headmaster's spies reported to him today that Lord Malfoy plans to use an artefact given to him by his old master, You-Know-Who, to reopen the Chamber of Secrets hidden beneath Hogwarts. The artefact will unleash a beast which will hunt down any muggleborns," she explained, before sitting down opposite Harry.
"During this, Lucius will question the Headmaster's leadership and ability to protect the school, pointing out the events of the last school year. Eventually the death toll will rise enough that the board of governors will have to step in, forcing the headmaster to step down. Lucius will then step in and recover the artefact he planted, saving the day and hence be seen as the hero," she ended with a wicked smirk at the story she just got.
"How did you find this out?" he questioned, already trying to think of ways to fuck up Lucius plans. After all, nothing good would come from Voldemort's second in command being the headmaster of Hogwarts, and frankly Draco would become even bigger bigot if his father was in charge as well.
"I overheard him talking to Professor Snape about it, and tasking the professor to uncover any additional information, under the pretext of protecting his godson," Rita stated.
"Interesting," he responded, his head filling with different scenarios of ways to use this information to cripple the Malfoy family, as well as to stop the attacks quickly, before anyone could be killed. After all, he had several friends who were first generation magicals.
Rita snapped his attention back to her by saying, "My lord, there is more."
"Do tell," he probed, wanting to hear more.
"The meeting that prevented the Headmaster from attending was called by Ludo Bagman, head of the Department for Magical Games and Sports. He wanted to discuss England's bid to win the rights to host the upcoming Quidditch World Cup for the summer just after your third year, since he needs the Chief Warlocks help to win support. From what I heard, the meeting should be taking place a week before you return to school to discuss the arrangements for the bid. However, there is more. Bagman put forth an idea to bring back the Tri-Wizard Tournament for your fourth year, just after the World Cup. This was supported by Barty Crouch senior," Rita said, which resulted in Harry releasing a snarl at the man's name.
"Something wrong?"
"Barty Crouch Snr. was the one who put my godfather away without a trial," he stated angrily, seeing Rita nod in understanding.
"Well, both of them are pushing for the Tri-Wizard Tournament, but they need the Headmaster's approval since Hogwarts will host events."
"What is this tournament exactly, and why does the Headmaster need to approve of it?" wondering what so important about it, since he hadn't read of it.
"Well, the Tri-Wizard Tournament is a competition hosted between the three leading magical schools of Europe, Hogwarts, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. Students will be selected from each school to compete in three tasks, for the pride of their school. Also, several other events traditionally go on as well, like duelling, Quidditch, brewing tournaments, etc. The tournament is almost as big as the world cup."
"Now that's interesting. Any ideas why they want to bring it back? I assume the tournament was cancelled for some reason, otherwise they wouldn't be asking the Headmaster and I would have heard of it before today," he expressed, watching Rita take on an expression he had long came to associate with gossip rather than facts.
"Well," she said dragging out the word, adding suspense, "Both department heads were rising stars before the war, and fell out of favour in the aftermath. They were transferred to lesser departments, where they have stayed in the shadows. Ludo Bagman was rumoured to be a Death Eater or at least a supporter, but was never proven and he was cleared. While Barty Crouch Senior lost favour due to the fact his son turned out to be a Death Eater. He was Head of the Department of Law Enforcement at the time, and next in line to be minister. As you can guess that didn't go down well. My personal guess is both of them want to step out of the shadows and have some line-light for a change, since their names have all but been forgotten in political circles. It wouldn't surprise me if this is a bid to get back into higher office, if they can pull both events off successfully. Also, the fact that Bagman is rumoured to have increasing debts and by being an organizer of both events, he can rake in the needed gold to pay off his debtors, through the bribes he will receive from families wanting to win contracts. Whereas Barty Crouch has no remaining family, his line is good as dead unless he has another son, and is quick about it. He probably sees this as his chance to restart a historical event and get his name into the history books. So even if his line dies, at least the family name will live on in the history of the tournament."
"Most impressive, I didn't know you knew that all off the top of your head," he praised, once again confirming he had made the right decision with Rita's forced recruitment.
"Thank you, you know I like my gossip," she smirked playfully.
"Indeed, I would like you to research the Tri-Wizard Tournament and produce a report on it for my inspection by Christmas. Also, I want you keep your ear to floor to see if you can find out if it is going ahead or not. If it's cancelled don't bother with the report. I also want a report on the World Cup and its organizers. However, I want you investigate into Chamber of Secrets when you're not working, because that is the immediate concern," he stated seriously, making it clear that it was an order, not a request like the other tasks.
"Yes my lord," Rita responded.
"Good, by the way make sure your free tomorrow, we're going shopping because your efforts should be rewarded," he stated, seeing Rita looking rather pleased. He added, "We also have to get a new image for you, at the moment it is suitable for a common gossip journalist," he said with disapproval. "But frankly it isn't serious enough for the new you and isn't good enough for my family reporter. I want you be taken seriously and first step in that is changing your look."
"My lord is that really necessary?" she said in a concerned manner.
"Yes, it is," he stated sternly, because he wanted to rebuild Skeeter's reputation up by reporting facts, rather than gossip. Nothing said a new start better than a new image, and frankly he hated that green outfit. Plus, how could she be a spy for him if she stood out from a mile away.
End of Chapter
Author Note: I studied roman history, and classics, so I wanted to pay tribute to that famous scene what started the second war, between Cathrage and Rome.