Chapter 25-Let the fun commence
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Severus Snape tried to live up to every nasty name he had ever been called. Being a double spy and THE Potion Master had its perks. Snape only wanted to be on the winning side and alive when all this was finished. Normally he missed out on most of the punishments the Dark Lord handed out because "HIS" Potion Master needed a steady hand. Dumbledore kept him from going to Azkaban and kept him here at the school. Dumbledore ensured that he had all the potion ingredients he needed so that discrete brewing of illegal potions could be done in his spare time at great profit. One such potion he was brewing for the headmaster would be completed this very day. Of course with a few vials slipped into Snape's pocket for sale later. After two weeks of constant monitoring one final ingredient and a couple of stirs and the controlling potion for the brat Potter was finished. After the final stir Snape walked toward his desk when he heard, "Thump!"…"BOOM!". Snape awoke in the hospital wing.
/Scene Break/
Mister Edgar's minions have been scurrying around taking care of more than one thing. All my robes had shown up with the Order of the Thistle clearly embroidered in the center. It seems that my past actions with Voldemort had finally brought some favorable response. I thought the whole crest looked really brill. Another thing they were taking care of was the securing of Gryffindor's quarters through the Deputy Headmistress.
Since Mister Edgar's minions have been scurrying around taking care of all those things something came to my mind. Supposedly I had real parents and real people wrote letters and maintain diaries and had pictures taken of themselves. I was sure there was some rules that I couldn't take any money out I had asked Mister Edgar's minions if they would get the letters, diaries and pictures for me. I was quite impressed by the trunk full that was delivered.
"Harry aren't you supposed to be at Hogwarts the teacher's preschool briefing?" Daphne inquired.
"Normally yes but it appears the Dumbledore is running around trying to persuade the Goblins, the Minister and the Wizengamot of something or other and is not at Hogwarts. Professor McGonagall canceled the meeting. I think she's a bit ticked off at Dumbledore dumping everything on her back."
"So the next question is do we take the train or just walk to Hogsmeade station and catch the carriages to Hogwarts?"
"Oh the Bumtwangers are all upset about us taking the train, we definitely need to take the Scatshisa advice and go straight for the carriages."
"Okay Luna what's got you spouting off all that twaddle?" After all the almost clear advice we been getting from her recently and she suddenly has to go all weird.
"Well I'm just practicing when we get back to Hogwarts. You don't want them to pay me any attention, do you?"
"So why do we take the carriages and not the train? I asked being curious.
"Silly, don't you expect Dumbledore to have someone meet you on the train? I don't think Dumbledore expects Lucius to bring some of his old friends along to get even with you for Draco."
"That's it! Luna call Mister Edgar's and tell him I need to chat with him about three more bracelets."
"Thank you Harry, it's nice to know you care." Luna gave me one of those smiles that if I didn't watch out I'd be choosing between whipped cream and chocolate syrup.
/Scene Break/
Tinky stated that the Hogwarts elves had the Gryffindor quarters modernized and cleaned before she popped away with our trunks and the rest of our odds and ends. At least we would have hot water but I wasn't getting my hopes up as the quarters had not have been occupied for hundreds of years, not to mention the magical world idea of modern.
"As we were having lunch at The Three Broomsticks we saw Hagrid arrive and pick up a large parcel from Madam Rosmerta. As he walked by our table he took a look in our direction and stuck his nose in the air, grunted and left.
Madam Rosmerta wandered over by our table as she watched Hagrid leaving and said, "What did you all do to get him so mad at you?"
"Well I for one don't even remember talking to him ever." I commented.
"Same here Harry." Natalie added.
"Don't look at me." Daphne shrugged
"He's always been friendly with me when he's found me in the Forbidden Forest." Since we were in a public place we were not going to ask why Luna was in the forest. Madam Rosmerta must felt the same way as she shook her head and wandered off.
/Scene Break/
We un-shrunk our robes put them on and had quiet carriage ride to Hogwarts with the rest of the students. Luna joined her respective table as Natalie, Daphne and I headed up to the teachers table. I sat at the table next to Professor Sinatra with Natalie on my left with Daphne on hers and with the hope of keeping the seating arrangement. I also hoped that the empty chair next to Snape was Lucius's. I also noticed that Dumbledore had a smile so large on his face that it appeared he was going to kiss someone at any minute. I did not like the direction he was looking.
While I was contemplating ripping his beard off and strangling his scrawny neck with it I got an unexpected surprise. Justin Finch Fletchley caught my ear when he stopped walking by, turned and said, "Salutations honorable Knight of the Order" and performed a respectable bow. My memory remembered him as a little snot but his father was a Muggle English or Scottish Lord. Not being schooled in the proper etiquette I provided a reply which he seemed happy with. I nodded and said, "Thank you Justin Finch Fletchley, please give my regards to Lord Fletchley."
"What are you going on about Justin?" Someone yelled from the Hufflepuff table.
"The Queen of England has made him a knight, the symbol in the middle of his crest indicates he has the Order of the Thistle." This of course drew all the Muggle born or Muggle raised attention to my crest which brought about another shout…"Hey that crest also says he's a MacDonald of Sleat and an Armiger.
Dumbledore leapt up and started, "Now leave our new flight instructor Mister Potter alone…"
Trying to hold in my temper I turned to the old goat and stated, "That's Lord Gryffindor you old fool, at least that's what this school hired to be your new flight instructor."
A flash of anger crossed Dumbledore's face before he changed the subject to the sorting and put his godfather smile in place.
/Scene Break/
I was lucky in who got to be our guide when the feast was done. I collected my wives and we followed Professor McGonagall to Gryffindor quarters in a separate wing of the castle. This was great as I wanted to have a word with Professor McGonagall, I just needed the right moment. As Lord Gryffindor I could have any elf in the castle pop us to our quarters.
Professor McGonagall opened the conversation, "Lord Gryffindor might I inquire as to your disrespect of the Headmaster in the Great Hall?"
"Professor as a Deputy Headmistress I need to explain myself and my possible future actions. I have no wish to be here but there is a long list of people who say I must be here. Whether you wish to believe me or not, this of course is your business but I wish to assure you Dumbledore is a Dark Lord. He's using the same techniques to stay alive as Voldemort was using. Regardless what the old goat may profess I fulfilled the prophecy and ended Voldemort, he shall never return thanks to the Goblins and with little help from myself. Please do not insert yourself between Dumbledore and me because as the murder of my last two wives I joyfully await his next attack. Whether you consider him still the guiding light, misguided or insane he is extremely dangerous and will throw your life away without a second thought. Be aware of who you follow and where you let him guide you. But enough of the gloom and doom please come in and meet my family. I must insist you join us for some tea and a wee bit of some hundred-year-old Scottish whiskey." By this time I think McGonagall was ready to run but a wee bit of Scottish whiskey persuader her to enter Gryffindor quarters.
As I held the door open my three wives rushed in with enthusiasm and was followed by Professor McGonagall. It didn't take long before Professor McGonagall shouted, "What in the devil's name is going on here."
I must admit if you stood back and watched it was quite the sight. Luna, Daphne and Natalie flung themselves on the large couch and the fun began. Hedwig swooped in and landed on Daphne's shoulder to get a bit of feathering. Luna had no sooner hit the couch when Fawkes flashed in dropping the sorting hat on her head and swooping back landed on Natalie's lap. Meanwhile Lippy and Tinky were sitting on either side on the back of the couch. When Skippy charged in for a hug and a nuzzle, it appeared to be enough for Professor McGonagall as she collapsed in an overstuffed chair.
"Lippy could you be so kind as to get us a tea service and Tinky could you bring a bottle that hundred years Scottish whiskey? "Yes Master Harry" They said in unison. POP, POP
I wandered over and gave Skippy a bit of neck patting and an ear scratching. Professor McGonagall found her voice…" Explain, NOW!"
"Professor what do you want me to explain?"
"That's Professor Dumbledore's Phoenix not to mention the sorting hat."
"Sorry Professor but Fawkes bonded with me after Dumbledore became a dark wizard. The sorting hat is bored so it likes to come down and talk with me." Luna answered as Fawkes nuzzled Natalie's cheek.
"Lord Gryffindor That's a pint size unicorn you're scratching behind the ear, unicorns don't like males." McGonagall did not seem finished trying to chastise the lot of us.
"I'll have you know Skippy is a full grown unicorn and thinks Harry is one of the nicest boys, and very pure of heart." Natalie expounded.
"Besides what are you doing ordering around Hogwarts bonded elves?" McGonagall wasn't giving up easily.
"Be sure to ask the elf that brings you your tea or whiskey and I think you'll find that I am bonded to every elf in this castle. In other words this castle has no elves." When Lippy return McGonagall did indeed asked her. Ignoring the tea she did fill her teacup from Tinky's bottle several times.
/Scene Break/
The next morning the girls went to their respective classes while I pretended to be busy in my office. As far as I could see the job required two classes for each of the houses in flight training for their first years. After that it was strictly scheduling Quidditch practice for the four teams that were to utilize the Quidditch pitch. Other than that there was only refereeing a number of Quidditch matches. So in my free time I got to do my exercises and put in a lot of flying time. That and keeping an eye on Natalie and Daphne even though they spend most of their time in our quarters.
/Scene Break/
"Natalie how was your classes today?
"Luna you wouldn't believe it if I told you. The reference books are from the 18th century along with what the purebloods have been taught about Muggles, its a royal mess. One of the Hufflepuffs who has a Muggle background is trying to take an easy class and was laughing so hard I thought he might need to be taken to the hospital. One of the purebloods asked why Muggle horse-drawn carriages could be compare to our superior magical carriages we have here at Hogwarts in transporting people. Zabini quit laughing long enough to ask when the last time a magical had gone to the moon. That argument and some disbelief of my slides consisted of my entire class time with the purebloods arguing and trying to disprove Muggle accomplishments."
I was only listening with half an ear as I was thinking about Dumbledore. I was waiting for Dumbledore to react in some way while I kept close watch on Natalie and Daphne. Fawkes had assured me that Luna was under his protection. I was watching out for Dumbledore, Snape, and a Malfoy attack on the girls way too much and was not watching my own back.
/Scene Break/
I just finished a first-year class in broom flying and etiquette without any disasters. I was trudging up to the Muggle study classroom to escort Natalie down to the Great Hall to have lunch with Luna. That's when I heard … "Avada Kedavra" in a recognizable voice. I could almost feel the curse rushing in my back, but then I was no longer in Hogwarts.
"What brings you here Harry?" Mister Edgars asked with a smirk.
"I guess I must thank you for the bracelet Mister Edgar as Lucius Malfoy's killing curse almost got me in the back. You wouldn't have those three bracelets for my wives finished would you?"
"Do come along Harry, we must check the instruments and see what we find."
I fell in step with Mister Edgar as I had no idea what he was talking about but kept my mouth shut rather than to appear completely ignorant.
"Harry this machine registers a number of illegal curses and who casts them and it showed nothing. It appears that there are wards at Hogwarts blocking our monitoring these curses and who cast them."
"I'm sure by this time Lucius has cleared his wand of any illegal spells that he has cast."
"Well we had the best getting you back to Hogwarts, care for a portkey?"
/Scene Break/
Albus Dumbledore was still silent, Snape was still Snape but Lucius had upped his standing to almost the top of my kill list. It was about then when two students started to act weirder the normal.
"Luna do you see anything in the future happening concerning Ron and Vincent Crabbe ?" I asked my residence seer. Ron, Crabbe and Goyle hadn't developed enough brainpower and were still trying to graduate Hogwarts.
"The Nangals are not very talkative right now Harry."
"Well if that Ron Weasley doesn't quit breathing down my back every time I turn around I'm going to start hexing the git." Natalie growled.
"The reason I'm asking is that Crabbe is paying an awful lot attention to you Luna. And while you're pretty and attractive the thought of you and Vincent being friendly is highly disturbing."
"If this is bothering you Harry why don't you put the elves to work and let them monitor a few people. Lord Gryffindor is in charge around here is he?" Daphne giggled at the part about me being in charge.
The idea was a great one and I set the elves on rotating duty to report on Dumbledore, Snape and Malfoy. It was not long before the reports started coming in to start me to really worrying.
Snape was making the potions to give to Dumbledore who gave them to Malfoy who somehow or other slipped it to Vincent Crabbe and Ron Weasley drinks.
Lippy also reported that the elves had stopped a few potions headed in our direction.
"Harry calm down, we need to tackle this calmly." Natalie slipped into my lap and started running her hands through my hair.
"The Barbuncles say that reverse role-playing will confuse the Diplipseys."
"Luna what would I do without you?" I roared in laughter.
By the end of the week it was hysterically funny to watch. I had directed the elves that no portions were to be delivered to me and my ladies. However, they were to at random passed the potions around to a very select list.
Apparently there were loyalty potions, controlling potions, love potions and a few more. The Great Hall got to see some very unusual reactions to mixing extremely potent potions, I did have the elves of Hogwarts to help me decide who got what and when. There were times when Ron Weasley fell on his knees and proposed to Albus Dumbledore or when Lucius Malfoy professed his undying love for Snivelus Snape. Many in the hall wondered how long it would take Professor McGonagall to lose her cool and curse Crabbe for following her around the school and professing his undying love. Dumbledore finally called an end to Snape's brewing and thus canceling the students' potion entertainment but Peeves continued to fill the boredom hours.
It was only a guess on our part that Dumbledore was attempting to cause strife between me and my wives. The dufus must have never been married before. I got the fun of having not one but three wives. While Natalie and I are talking about our feelings and Daphne snugly on my chest we had Luna running around with her can of whipped cream. Dumbledore should be around sometimes to see the discussion we have on deciding where were going to have dinner on a given night or whether it was the opera or the film on cinema tonight.
Peeves still maintained his barrage on his provided list but had gotten into a dedicated enjoyment in harassing Lucius Malfoy. Lucius was convinced that I was responsible for Draco's death and the destruction of Malfoy Manor. Just because he was a Death Eater did not make all of this opinions wrong. With the Dark Lord gone alone with the Malfoy power base Peeves was causing him further aggravation and a shorter temper.
"Come on girls it's the weekend let us head off to the cottage and see what trouble we can get into this weekend."
/Scene Break/
In an attempt to escape Hogwarts we soon found that we need to escape the boring cottage in Hogsmeade village. "So what's on the agenda for this day my ladies?"
Once again the harmony of marriage life arose its head by my asking that wrong question. Each wife had an agenda of how they would like to spend their day. Luckily the choice of shops were limited in the village. Luna took off for Scrivenshaft's while Natalie headed for Gladrags. Rather than cooling my heels in either shop or in the middle of the street I decided to head with Daphne to Zonko's and re-supply Peeves. I just shrunk and tucked away my purchases when I heard some screams and spell fire from the street. I raced out of Zonko's just in time to see five people dressed as Death Eaters 'apperate' away. I did see one of them carrying every distinctive wand. The silver snake head which normally sat upon a cane of dark wood was hard to miss, Lucius Malfoy was one of the five.
"Harry! The Nargals were a bit slow today but they just tried to kidnap Natalie."
My brain was now running to the point of exploding. Malfoy tried? I've got to find Natalie, where would they take her? I started to race into Gladrags but Luna was hanging on me and yelling, "Harry she's not in there, she safe."
As I turned to Luna to ask her to explain a half dozen Aurors popped to the street. Being the only two left standing in the street we got their attention and all their questions. Before I could get away from them or have them organize a search for Natalie she came huffing and puffin down the street. She finally caught her breath enough to be able to put more than two words together between gasps of breath.
"I was just looking at this beautiful strapless blue dress that would be just perfect for…"
"Lady Gryffindor please, did you recognize anybody, what did they want?" The lead Auror asked.
"No they were all dressed in black with white facemasks. The guy who seemed in charge said they wanted to kidnap me. He had a wand with a silver snake head as its grip…"
"I saw that wand when he was throwing curses around just as they were leaving. It was Lucius Malfoy…" I was interrupted by the Auror.
"Jenkins, get an arrest warrant for Lucius Malfoy, last known address Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry. Please continue miss."
"He said he wanted to kidnap me so Harry would be forced to do as he was told but didn't say what Harry had to do. That's when I activated my portkey to our home."
After all the statements we headed to Rosa Lee Teabag shop to calm down over a cup of tea.
"Any hints what's going on Luna?" I was hoping she could see something in the future. Luna just shook her head.
"I wondered what they wanted you to get done. If they wanted somebody killed they would just do it themselves."
"Natalie I wouldn't be a bit surprised if one of those other Death Eaters wasn't Snape. Dumbledore always has had a tendency to collect Death Eaters or let them go free from punishment. If Dumbledore was involved it was probably for me to have the starring role in his latest plan to defeat Voldemort when he returns. If it was a Lucius's crazy idea that I could bring back Riddle that would give the Death Eaters incentive. Lucius was part of Riddle's inner circle and might know of soul jars.
"Didn't you say he will never return ever again because all the soul jars were gone?" Natalie already knew the whole story was probably asking for peace of mind.
"That my dear wife is the crux of the matter. Dumbledore and Malfoy both believe there is a soul jar out there with Voldemort's essence. Since Dumbledore believes he's infallible, and believes that prophecy will direct Riddle directly at me. Dumbledore is Cuckoo crazy house nuts, he will always have a plan for me."
We returned to the castle Sunday for dinner so we could be seen by the students. Some students actually did seek help from a professor in pursuit of an education.
Dumbledore was gone from the castle and we were making odds between ourselves if he was trying to bail out Malfoy. We retired early as tomorrow would be a very long day.