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The Shadow of the Wizarding World
By: Jamnaz79
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Note: I do not own Harry Potter for the book, movies, etc etc etc. Nor do I claim to. I also don't own Disney (well I own stock in them but I don't own the rights to things like pirates of the Caribbean)
The raven haired teenager walked away from the Slytherin table accidently bumping into Draco. The bump caused the blonde haired youth to glare at his in-school rival, "Potter so distressed you can't even walk straight. I should have Greengrass make a fool of you more often."
Harry rolled his eyes at the boy with a smirk, "Like you would have better luck Malfoy."
The teenager quickly walked back towards his own table leaving the letter from Sirius behind in Draco's palm. The blonde would read it later on when breakfast was finished. A few hours later the five students would be picked up an armed escort a half hour before the other students would leave for the train.
~~~ SOTWW ~~~
Andromeda Tonks nee Black sat at her desk exhausted. It had been a long few weeks topped off by a horrible day. The official representative to the Wizengamot of the Black Family interests Andromeda held the Black seat and Potter seat in proxy. Since the mysterious death of the Minister of Magic she had been working endlessly to try to get the interests of the Black, Malfoy, and Potter families and JP Foundation into a stronger position.
Everything had been going well, the family had been courted for positions for the new Minister of Magic by a number of sources from the Progressive (Light) to the Traditionalist (Pureblood) factions. The fact that they controlled a number of votes and a large block of power made them a large target to help decide the new Minister of Magic. They had been able to press for advantages and accomplish the passing of more than a few important bills.
They were able to manipulate the Wizengamot to name the JP Foundation as the magical guardians for all British muggleborns till they reached seventeen years of age. This typically would be provided by the Head of the school that they would attend. Further the school was given five new buses much like the Knight bus for use to have children attend schooling. They had been given permission to start a school which would become mandatory for schooling prior to Hogwarts. All magical children would be eligible to attend the Lily Potter School which would teach the basics of the magical world. The school would start up in five years once a curriculum could be settle on and prepared. Two buildings in Diagon Alley had been given to the JP Foundation next door to each other. They would be used for the Orphanage and the school.
The Foundation had also acquired a contract for the upcoming Tri-Wizard Tournament to provide a visual system for the crowd to watch the events. They had already been working on a possible system that could be used at Quidditch events and gained a contract to put it into play next season. So the Tri-Wizard Tournament would be a perfect opportunity.
Despite these successes for the business and cultural changes that they were looking for there was a major setup. Andromeda had misinterpreted the possibility of a Minister of Magic from the Traditionalist or Pureblood faction. The beautiful woman picked up a glass of wine to sip from and try to calm her nerves as he remembered her recent meeting.
~~~ SOTWW ~~~
Andromeda had walked out of the Wizengamot meeting a few hours before and was heading towards her office to prepare some files before leaving for the night. She passed that the office Undersecretary maintained for Wizengamot use. It had been a surprised when Arthur Weasley was put up by many of the Progressive or Light families as their candidate for the Minister of Magic. It had been more of a surprise when he went past the man passed the first two votes in a strong position. The Black-Potter family had supported Amelia Bones for the position of Minister. She had a good head on her shoulders and she would be useful in the upcoming battle if war was to return as they believed. By the third voting there was only four candidates left Arthur Weasley, Amelia Bones, Stephen Nott, and Elphias Dodge.
In the election for a Minister of Magic normally the candidates will be voted on in rounds. When the election takes place if there is not a winner in that round the Chief Warlock would stand up and offer if any of the candidates would want to give up their position and endorse another. By tradition when that takes place all of the votes in that individual would then be transferred to whomever they bequeath their votes. Amelia with the backing of the neutrals had a strong position with a lead in the votes. Elphias supported by Dumbledore had split his group with Arthur. Arthur had strangely picked up a few of the traditionalist family and even a couple of neutrals. Stephen Nott had the support of the Traditionalist families. So it was a surprise when the third round came to a finish and Arthur Weasley announced that he would give up his votes to Stephen Nott. These transferred votes translated in Nott getting elected as the Minister of Magic by exactly two votes.
Andromeda could not understand why. So when she saw the door to the Undersecretary slightly open and Arthur inside working she let her curiosity get the better of her. She knocked on the doorway and spoke up, "Arthur may I speak with you?"
The red head patriarch of the Weasley family looked up from his word and offered a forced smile that didn't meet his eyes, "Please come in Ms. Tonks."
The difference in Arthur struck her at once. Gone was the funny suits and fold fashion clothing, instead he wore fine robes that were tailor made of expensive exotic silks. Gone was the light hearted smile, the wonder of the world around him and in particular muggles. Replacing that light hearted man was instead a man that had found hardness and a determination that seemed to settle on him. Arthur since the loss of his sixth child had become a hard man, a determined man to work for the betterment of the world. He would champion causes that both sides of the isle would like. A position actually much like the Black family was holding with the United or neutral party.
Andromeda settled down into the chair across from the man after he motioned to it. She stared at him in silence, which he allowed to linger. It was Arthur that cracked first and spoke up, "I know why you are here. You just missed your ally Dumbledore leaving after he repeatedly stated his opinion on my decision."
That was a statement that threw the woman for a circle. She blinked repeatedly at him in surprise the Black calm breaking from her face. She shook her head quickly once then frowned, "I don't understand what you mean Arthur."
"Just what I said Andromeda, I do not appreciate having multiple members of his faction trying to decide my choices for me. I felt that having a stability and check for his power in office would be better than having another follower of his will in office. After Fudge's seeming ability to decide the issue he stood for on the advice of the old man and the money going his way we needed respectability back to the office. I am not saying that Amelia will take a bribe but I cannot risk someone under his control in that office." Arthur stared at her as he made this statement. The stress of his life was plain to see where there was grey mixing into his vibrant red-orange hair. That hair was starting to thin as lines were creasing his expanding forehead and around his eyes. He looked like he had aged thirty years in this one year's time.
"You are mistaken. The House of Black has nothing to do with the interests of Albus Dumbledore. We have made multiple suits against him actually. We stand for changes needed for society and traditions of our people that need to be protected. You have seen the bills we have put forward over the past year and the hopeful changes they will make." The woman stated firmly as she stared back at him a frown still on her lips.
"Yes House Black is not currently but what of House Potter? We both know that Harry Potter thinks the world of Albus Dumbledore. Even after my son was killed the boy according to my children has stayed by the old man in his decisions. It is a disgrace to the member of Ronald that the young man follows the will of that manipulative bastard. That man even tried to put up a painting of my son acting like he was doing it for my families benefit. The Weasley's are done being the servants of Albus too many names Dumbledore and I suggest you teach the young man that lesson too." Arthur finished his rant which had again made Andromeda started by how wrong he had his facts. The man's voice raised and fell during his harsh condemnation of the Chief Warlock. It was obvious that the loss of Ronald Weasley had severed the relationship of the former chief supporters of Albus' order of the Stuffed Turkey.
"Arthur, who told you that Harry, was supportive of Albus still?" Andromeda asked calmly towards the man.
"My children, Percy and the twins both explained everything to us." The man frowned at the question as if the answer would be obvious.
"I am sorry to say but you have been strongly misled. Harry has not only been less than friendly with Albus Dumbledore this year but they were close to coming to blows more than a few times. He has gone so far as to already take his OWLS to leave school and the man's influence as quickly as possible. He is considering transferring to another school Salem, Imperium, and Beauxbatons have all been discussed. That painting that Harry had personally gotten commissioned was a memorial for his best friend. It was Harry that went to every person in the school to get memories of Ron. It was Harry that paid the extremely expensive costs for runic and artwork to be done. It was Harry that used his influence on the Board of Hogwarts to get Ronald named the new protector of Gryffindor. None of this was Albus doing, this was Harry trying to remember his friend and hopefully ease the suffering of your family. Have you considered the fact that Percy has an extreme dislike of Harry and the twins may have been playing a prank on you?" She folded her hands together into his lap as she watched the man carefully. A frown definitely settled on the face of the noble lady.
Arthur looked stunned as if he had not considered any of this. He blinked a few time and leaned back into his chair with a grimace. His eyes were downcast for a long moment before he glanced up, "Harry doesn't follow Dumbledore's wishes?"
"Not even closely. He actually is forcing the hand of the Board of Directors of Hogwarts to fire Snape." The woman stated plainly as she frowned.
A slight twist of his lips came over the edges of the man almost as if a smile at the idea, "I feel I owe your charge an apology."
"I am sure you can in the future." Andromeda stated perhaps too kindly considering how she currently was feeling about the Weasley Patriarch. "Arthur, we have a former Death Eater as the Minister of Magic now."
"He was under the Imperius Andromeda. We can't hold the man responsible for things he did when he wasn't in control of himself can we? Do you hold your sister responsible for her actions when she was living under Lord Malfoy's house and domain?" The man stated simply as if he believed that Nott was a good man. He had been one of the first Death Eaters according to reports.
Andromeda grimaced again at the statement of the man and chose not to press the issue. It seemed Arthur had been taken in under the wishes of the Traditionalist party. She would get very little assistance there in fighting against his new allies tonight. She had her answer she was looking for at least. Arthur Weasley seemed to be out for the destruction of Albus Dumbledore politically at least for what happened to his child. "I should not be keeping you further Arthur. I hope that at least our discussion cleared up something. The interests in House Black and Potter are currently mainly wrapped up in the idea of making a better future. We want to protect witches and wizards from what happened to Harry as a child. Hopefully we can help make a better wizarding world one child at a time. I am sure a family man like you can understand that. Children are our most important legacy."
Sadness filled the eyes of the man. For a moment to the gaze of the woman he almost looked hallow but he nodded his head in agreement of her statement, "I agree Andromeda. You will find far less resistance from myself and others that choose to stand behind me now that I know where you stand on the Dumbledore issue. Please tell Harry I said I am sorry for how my family acted."
"I will. Please when you feel ready, visit the painting that Harry commissioned. I am sure it might help." The woman turned and walked from the room and to her office where she immediately opened a bottle of wine.
~~~ SOTWW ~~~
Harry woke up to the word enervate being spoken as the spell struck his body. He shivered as he felt the energy run flush over his form waking him up. Immediately afterwards a groan escaped his lips as he felt the price of his earlier work out taking over the aches of his muscles.
Since the end of the semester Harry had joined up for extreme training secessions with the Shadows. He had been put in an advanced training regime where he spent fourteen hours a day getting drilled in magical knowledge, physical training, warfare tactics, politics, dueling, history, business management, muggle weaponry including guns and swords, and anything else that they could fit in. Harry woke before the crack of dawn and besides meal breaks he never had a moment of free time. To say it was exhausting would be an understatement.
Sirius had to admit he was proud of his pup. The young man had taken to his training like a kneazle after a rat. He never complained, instead only asking for more work. The boy seemed to have a determination to cram every piece of knowledge into his head that he could during this summer. A part of Sirius was sad because despite getting to spend a lot of time with the boy he didn't get a chance to enjoy their time. While Sirius knew it was very important work, they were hoping to lay the groundwork for a new magical world. Someday this island could become the first magical city if all went according to plan. Nevertheless he really wished he could spend some time goofing off, having fun with Harry. The teen needed to remember he was just that, a teen. Yes, it was his war too that was believed to be on the horizon but that didn't mean he couldn't enjoy life a little bit. If one doesn't live they won't know what they are fighting for!
Sirius sat at the edge of the bed raising his wand and enervated the young man. He watched Harry get knocked out while training in sparring against two of the Shadows. While the boy had lasted an impressive amount of time against the two former Hit Wizards eventually he had been defeated and stunned. So Sirius had swept in and levitated the boy back to his room for some rest. A few hours of quiet and peace would do the boy well. As the teenager now started to wake up Sirius spoke up, "Good afternoon sleepyhead."
Harry groaned as he reached pup to massage his forehead. His emeralds glanced out of the window and saw the setting sun. Memories of the pitched spar came back to him as he turned to swing his legs over the side of the bed. He was stopped first by Sirius before he could get up.
"I didn't bring you here just for you to rush off again and try to continue to kill yourself. You are pushing yourself too hard Harry. You need to rest a bit." Sirius stated firmly as he held the youth from getting up off of the bed.
"I only have a few months and there is too much for me to do to sit around Sirius. I need to keep at it till I am forced back to Hogwarts." Harry countered quickly with a frown of frustration. Ever since the Minister's death he had been obsessed with the expectation that the war was going to start up again. He had pledged himself to do anything he could to protect those precious to him.
The Black Lord stood up with a frown as he too glanced out of the window. He could see the setting sun over the waves. It was a beautiful sight that always brought a smile to his lips when he was younger. Now there was no smile to be found, instead he turned his pale grey eyes back to his godson, "Who says you have to go back to Hogwarts Harry?"
"Why wouldn't I have to go back to Hogwarts?" Harry asked a bit confused.
"Because you have taken your OWLS already Pup. You are only legally required to attend schooling till after the OWLS have been completed. That doesn't mean you can't still get your NEWTS. But, we have plenty o private tutors that can assist you to get them done by the end of the year. I am sure I can get your private potions master here, Mooney, and a few other specialists from their field would all spend a few hours a week with you." Sirius stated firmly as his eyes narrowed at his godson. For the moment he looked completely serious with the current topic.
"There is something else you are not telling me." Harry stated blandly as he considered the offer of his godfather.
"Around a century and a half ago there was a tournament that used to be held between the three top schools of Europe of the time. The Tri-Wizard tournament was a dangerous but highly prestigious tournament. They stopped that tournament because there were too many deaths. It seemed more often than not the only school that won was the school that had anyone left alive! In the final year nobody survived so they decided not to continue the tournament." Sirius paused a moment to let his words sink in with a frown on his lips. "Albus in his heavenly wisdom has brought back the tournament. With the track record he has with you being involved in his plans and plots every year. I don't think it is a good idea for you to go back Harry."
"My Friends…." Harry started up to question.
"Will be able to be visited on Hogsmeade weekends, plus you could also visit your friends in France too." Sirius offered with a waggle of his eyebrows.
When Harry rolled his eyes the Lord of Castle Black stood up with a smile, "Just think it over. I know of a pretty metamorphmagus that might enjoy seeing you around here all year long too."
Sirius quickly slipped out of the room before a stinging hex hit him. He left the young Potter Lord alone in his thoughts to consider what he had been told and offered. It was a tough decision and not something to decide lightly, but the potential was interesting for the amount of training he might learn.
~~~ SOTWW ~~~
It was a Friday morning and Harry was peacefully sleeping since the sun was not yet up. It had been a month since the talk with Sirius about his possible future and Harry had continued to force himself to be thrown into his work. It was a surprise wakeup call when a duffle bag hit the sleeping young man full in the face. Harry's instincts took over as the young man rolled to the far side of the bed with the wand pulled in the direction of the doorway. His eyes darted towards all of the possible hiding places of the room while making a mental note of the pink haired woman dressed in tight muggle clothing.
When his brain calmed down Harry noticed that Nymph was in his room and had on a pair of tight designer blue jeans, a Sex Pistols tee shirt and black boots. She smiled at the young man and winked, "Much better reflexes there. You might be getting good enough to catch up to me someday before you hit thirty."
Harry rolled his eyes and gave his best grin while raising his wand upwards, "Want to see how close I am to beating you now?"
Nymph rolled her eyes then locked them back onto Harry's chest. It was an impressive sight when the boy was only wearing a pair of workout shorts to sleep. The year of quidditch now mixed with a good bit of working out and exercises daily had done the teen well with a nice six-pack and layer of muscle over his chest and arms. Harry was turning into a hunk before her eyes. She unconsciously licked her lips slowly before she spoke up, "Not today lover-boy. Get dressed in some of your new muggle clothing. We are going to be taking a weekend trip for your upcoming birthday treat."
"I have too much work to do Nymph to leave off now." Harry shook his head slowly back and forth with a frown.
Nymph rolled her eyes at the teen as Sirius had warned her before and she had seen over the summer his obsession of getting better. She stepped forward and pulled out a collared shirt and pair of jeans from the closet before tossing them onto the bed before Harry. She then leaned forward towards him as she spoke up, "No you don't all of your trainers have been reassigned for the weekend with their own leave. I won't be here for your birthday due to a training mission Harry. I want to spend some time with you and treat you."
Harry's eyes had a moment of their own decision as they looked downwards towards where the opened top two buttons of Nymph's shirt was showing a lot more cleavage then he was used to. Now all of a sudden the thought of going away with the beautiful, sexy Auror seemed much more appealing than doing any type of studying or learning. He leaned forward till his emerald eyes looked deeply into her dark gaze with a smile, "And where are you taking me? Do I dare hope for a lover's weekend away?"
"Not till you get a few more hairs on that rippled chest of yours Harry." She reached forward and gave his left bicep a small squeeze. Nymph turned around again to walk from the room as she called back towards him, "Just pack for a bit of fun somewhere warm. We will return Sunday night."
Harry watched her walk off with a smile on his lips at the swaying of her pert backside. Not for the first time he wondered how amazing an effect a pair of high heeled boots had on the backside of a woman. Then again with Nymph she could just make herself look like anything she wanted so perhaps it wasn't the heels this time. Either way the teen packed in record time and was ready to go downstairs. The two of them met up and took an international portkey away.
~~~ SOTWW ~~~
They appeared on the Caribbean Island that House Black owned. It was a beautiful, hot summer day with a strong breeze out of the southeast from the gulfstream that pushed the palms to the Northwest. The waters were clear as crystal and the beaches were beautiful as he remembered from break. A smile spread across his lips as he felt the heat on his back. Harry turned towards Nymph and smiled, "A deserted island weekend. I never took you for a romantic Nymph."
The pink haired beauty rolled her eyes and gave a smile, "You don't know the half of me or this little trip. Today is the start with some fun in the sun. Let's go to the house and get dressed."
"Or undressed perhaps in this case since we will be getting into bathing suits?" Harry couldn't help but smile at the idea of seeing Nymph in a bikini. That thought actually slowed him down before he realized her swaying hips was far ahead of him.
Harry followed close behind her. They reached the manor house on the Black Island and quickly changed. The day was one of the best in his life as Harry and Nymph swam, played in the surfed and just laid out in the sun. They relaxed and talked while enjoying life. The weather was beautiful, the food was plentiful and life was perfect.
That night a dinner was prepared on the deck overlooking the ocean with a beautiful view of the stars. Harry came down from his room to meet his dinner date and stopped at the doorway. For too long to count he stood there in the doorway to the deck simply watching the silhouette of Nymphadora under the stars with the sea waves crashing in the background. The view was gorgeous but it was overshadowed by the sight of the beautiful young woman. Harry felt strange feelings entering his chest that he had not considered before as he watched her. Playful banter or teasing they might always have. Hell even lust sometimes creeping into his teenage emotions but this was something different, something he wouldn't understand perhaps for years to come fully but it was lingering there already.
The young man stepped forward and over to the rail which Nymph leaned against taking a spot next to her. He too looked out over the waters for a long time just enjoying the peaceful breeze, beautiful sight and quiet lapping of the waves. It was a strange feeling to be so at peace for Harry. His life had always been hardship or it would quickly shift to times of trouble and terror. This was different, he was relaxed.
Perhaps it was the smile on his face or just the sense that lingered over both of them of quiet enjoyment, but he wasn't started when the delicate hand of Nymph slipped into his own hand to give a squeeze. His emeralds turned away from the sea and glanced at his companion. She returned a smile back to him and spoke up, "Let's eat. A nice dinner tonight together will cap off the beginning of your weekend."
"Thank you Nymph. I really enjoyed today more than I ever thought I would." Harry said gently as they walked over to the table. He slowly pulled out her chair to sit and assisted her into it. Then he settled into his chair across from her.
"Oh? You didn't expect to have fun with me? I remember a young man that had a lot of fun with me last summer. Have I turned into an old crone since then?" Nymph teased as she poured two glasses of wine for them.
"No. I didn't mean that." Harry sputtered at once trying to forestall her as he realized everything was definitely not coming out right! He frowned a moment covering it up with a sip of the wine, something he rarely drank even if he was allowed to due to pureblood customs. He smiled at a thought, "I would say after seeing you today in that bikini you are definitely not an old crone."
Nymph coughed into her own wine glass in surprise at his teasing words. She too took a moment to calm herself wiping off the crimson from her cheeks before she returned a quip, "I am glad you find me not too ancient."
"Now you are fishing for compliments." Harry teased as they started to enjoy dinner. The meal was grilled local caught kingfish steaks with broiled potatoes. It was extremely delicious. A glance around the manor had a thought pop into his head. "Nymph where is the Revenge?"
Nymph looked at Harry in confusion with a frown. The young teen shook his head and spoke up, "The ship? The large warship from the 1700s that was anchored with the other one there, it is missing."
"Oh yes. Sirius gave Kreacher some type of mission to put it to use. Most likely he is just taking it over to Castle Black." Nymph offered up as she bit into a potato.
Harry considered that idea then shrugged. He was certain most likely what was going on. After all how much trouble could a few house elves get into on ancient ship. Hell, he was surprised that the thing was barely seaworthy with how many modern advances there were no a days. Besides he had more important things on his mind like the beautiful young woman across from him who had doe-like brown eyes turned on him at the moment. He offered a bright smile, "So what is your planned weekend of kidnapping me?"
"Oh I need to kidnap you to get your attention now Harry?" Nymph teased at once. A part of her wondered why it always seemed so easy with Harry to tease and flirt. Normally at her work and training with the Auror Corps she never did anything like this. But when it came to Harry it always came on so easily and naturally.
"No, you always get my attention. But, I don't mind getting kidnapped away from my studies with you." Harry smiled before taking a sip of his wine.
"Speaking of your studies have you given any thoughts to Sirius offer?" Nymph asked curiously of the dark haired teen.
"I am not certain what I want to do. I rather not get near that bloody tournament. But, I would miss my friends." Harry spoke up quietly.
"Well there is one advantage that Sirius didn't offer before." Nymph spoke more calmly then she felt. She looked into his emerald eyes and smiled as she offered, "I would be able to spend more time with you."
"Yes, that is definitely a positive. Perhaps a trip to this island together every few weeks might be enjoyable." Harry replied not fully understanding the offer he was making to the young metamorphmagus.
"Enough of that serious talk for now Harry," Nymph placed down his napkin unaware of the pun of her cousin's name she committed. She stood up from the table. She offered a hand towards the Gryffindor. "Care to take a night stroll along the beach?"
"I would love to." Harry took hold of her hand as they walked down the stairs into the sand.
Slowly they walked along the edge of the waters were the waves gently brushed against their toes in the moist sand. Neither commented that night about the fact that their hands may have been a little sweaty, nor did they mention any glances that might have taken place back and forth. Instead they merely walked and talked and enjoyed each other's company. It truly was one of the best nights in Harry's life.
Author Note: I know it has been ages since I updated this. I am sorry about that and I will start again. I have gone through a few of the older chapters and I am still working on more of them. I want to hopefully clean up all of those chapters eventually. I also got a little side tracked with His Own Man. That story should have another chapter up soon. As for Shadow, I have updated my outline and plans for how I want the story to continue. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter a little bit. I will have 2 more chapters for the summer most likely before 4th year starts up. Will Harry go back to Hogwarts? Hell should he go back to Hogwarts? Thank you for all of the readers and reviewers out there. I am glad so many like the story so far. I hope folks enjoyed a bit of the Honks date that wasn't a date. Next chapter will have the other day of the "kidnapping" and perhaps a little Dobby/Kreacher pirate mischief for those that enjoy that bit of comedy.