209
Chapter 24 – The Pitch
The following day, Harry Apparated to Hogsmeade and made his way to Hogwarts. He was about fifteen minutes early so he went to see Professor McGonagall.
"Oh, Harry, it is good to see you. Come in, come in." She turned to her students. "Class, we are very lucky to have a visitor today. This is Harry Potter."
He nodded his head to the students. Then he noticed Regie Parkhurst. His smile was genuine. "Hello Reg. How are you today?"
The boy beamed as if he were a first year, then pretended to smirk at Harry. He sauntered up to Harry until he was close enough to talk without being heard. "Mr. Potter, may I have a word with you after class?"
Harry understood that the young man had a reputation to uphold so he wasn't surprised by his behavior. He answered him in a low whisper. "Well, Reg, I have a meeting with the Headmaster in about five minutes. Let's catch up during lunch. I'll meet you in the Great Hall."
"Thank you, sir." He then stepped away and sneered and looked him up and down, then turned to his cronies. "Probably expects us to bow and scrape to him. Well not us, right?"
Several of the students came up to flank him. "Right, Regie." The small group made its way to the door, but Professor McGonagall gasped. "Mr. Parkhurst, that is not acceptable behavior from a student in my class. Ten points from Slytherin."
He turned and glared at the Professor. Then he spoke to his group, "Let's go."
Harry looked at the class just as the bell rang. "I'm sorry to have to leave you but, like I said, I have a meeting. Sorry for the interruption Professor. I just wanted to say hello."
"Not at all, Harry."
Harry left the room and made his way to the gargoyle and whispered the password. "Lemon Custard," And went to the Headmasters office.
He knocked at the door and it was yanked open by a smiling Albus Dumbledore. "Ahh, Harry, thank you for coming. Please have a seat."
After he did, he looked at the old man. "You made quite an impression on my son, Albus."
"And he made quite an impression on me as well. He is very intelligent, you know."
"I know. Sometimes it's like having a full grown adult in a child's body."
Well, Harry, I asked you to come back for a reason. I wanted to talk to you about what I found out. Miki is a Shaman as you know. But his particular abilities are a bit different. Like most Shamen, he can heal, but if the impressions I got are real, he can also summon the elements. I am far from being an expert on the subject, but I did some detection spells on Mikeal yesterday. What I found was very interesting in deed."
"Interesting in what way?"
"Well, you know he is a seer, but did you know that he can see into the past as well as into the future?"
"The past?"
"That's right. He can understand any language that is spoken to him. Now, there is something I would like to ask you. Have you noticed that there are some people that he takes too immediately and some that he hangs back from?"
"Yes, he seems to be a very good judge of character. Why."
"That's because, he can detect the true nature of a person. If a person is inherently evil, he shies away from them, but if they have a good nature, then he takes to them right away."
Harry thought about this for a moment and smiled. "Well, that's a good thing. I wouldn't want him to be around people that are not good."
"He also can control animals. In fact, I wouldn't be at all surprised to find out that he is an animagus." The Headmaster shook his head in wonder then sighed. "If there are other talents, I didn't detect them, but admittedly, I don't know the full extent of Shamanism."
"I had no idea, Albus. I didn't notice any of those talents, but I haven't exactly put him in situations that would make him show them either." Harry leaned back in deep thought. "Hmm, well now that's something." Then Harry laughed. "You know that you have quite a fan there, grandpa."
Albus laughed. "Yes, well the feeling is mutual, Harry. Your son is quite a remarkable young man in his own right, even without his powers."
Harry studied the Professor for a moment then laughed. "Albus, what exactly did you tell Miki about coming to school here?"
The old man looked a bit sad. "I told him that it wouldn't be possible; that he wouldn't be able to participate in the classes."
"Well, that's what I thought. However, that young man is bound and determined that he is going to come to school at Hogwarts and no amount of reason is swaying him."
"I see. Well, we have six years to find him something more suitable."
"You don't understand, Albus. He is absolutely determined to get his way in this. In fact he said 'If I am a saw man then I need to understand all the magic in the world.'
"All the magic in the world, hmm. He has set quite a task for himself."
The proud father shook his head. "He is beginning to act like Hermione did. The only difference is that he can barely read. In fact, he cajoled Ginny into taking him to Flourish and Blotts today to get magic books."
"Well, my advice to you, Harry, is to continue to introduce him to different aspects of magic. Don't discourage him. Maybe when the time comes we can think of something."
"I'll do that." Harry stood up and stuck a hand out to the Professor. "Albus, thank you for your time. We will be leaving tomorrow and I'm not certain when we will return. But you do know that you are welcome at our home anytime. In fact, come and spend some time after school is out. You'll love Hawaii."
"I just may do that, my boy. If circumstances allow that is."
They shook hands and Harry left Dumbledore's office. As he stepped through the opening past the gargoyle, he saw Regie Parkhurst waiting there. He quickly looked to see if his followers were around. Seeing that Reg was alone, he smiled. "Hello again, Reg."
"Hello Mr. Pot…"
Harry held up a hand. "Harry."
The seventeen year old nodded. "Harry then. Harry, can we go for a walk? I would really like to talk to you about what you said yesterday."
"Sure. Do you have class now?"
"No, this is my free period."
"Good, let's go."
The two left through the front doors and out onto the grounds."
"Where to, Reg?"
"Quidditch Pitch?"
"All right, let's go."
The two walked in silence for a while. Harry allowed the boy to gather his thoughts as they headed to one of Harry's favorite places in Hogwarts.
"Harry, you said some things yesterday that really made me think. I think that it must be the first time in my life that I have really done that."
"Hey, don't sell yourself short, Reg. There are a lot of people that never think for themselves. You are to be congratulated."
"Yeah, but now I have to face my father. He's going to hate me. He'll probably disinherit me, but that is not what worries me."
"What is it that worries you?"
"My mother. She will be heartbroken."
"Standing on your own two feet is never easy. But I think you may be selling your folks short, Reg. Now, I don't know them at all, but if they love you, they may listen to your reasons."
Reg huffed. "You're right. You don't know my parents. They have been friendly with Lucius Malfoy for years."
"Well, that is indeed a concern. I've dealt with Malfoy recently. It's not pleasant. But it also isn't an impossible task. If it were, I wouldn't be here. Let me ask you something Reg. You are going to be leaving Hogwarts in a few months, am I right?"
The boy nodded. "Yes, just over three."
"What are you planning to do when you leave here?"
Harry noticed that the boy looked embarrassed. "Well, this is the first time my future has ever been called into question. But now that I am not sure about what my father is going to do, I wish that I had put more effort into making that decision."
"Well, its not too late you know. You are already in Professor Snape's advanced potions and Professor McGonagall's advanced transfiguration class. What other classes are you taking.?"
"Charms, Herbology, Care of Magical Creature's, Defense Against the Dark Arts and Arithmancy."
Harry looked at the boy with raised eyebrows. "You are taking all of those advanced classes and you are worried about what you are going to do? Reg, you could do anything. What are your grades like?"
"O's mostly."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Reg, I think the biggest problem for you is that you will have a list about a mile long to choose from. If you would like, I can put a good word in for you at the Ministry. They are always looking for Auror's."
"Me? An Auror?"
"Why not?"
Reg looked at the ground in thought. "An Auror! But, I'm Slytherin. They will never let me be an Auror!"
Harry laughed. "Hey, I happen to know that your house affiliations during school have nothing what so ever to do with getting an appointment as an Auror. In fact I know someone who happened to be in the exact same shoes that you find yourself in and was appointed. In fact he was my partner."
"Who was it?"
"You ever hear of Draco Malfoy?"
The boy looked at Harry in disbelief. "Are you telling me that the Ministry actually appointed Lucius Malfoy's son to be an Auror?"
"Yes, they did. He is my best mate. In fact he and his wife are living in Hawaii with me and my family."
"Merlin! Well then, maybe there is a chance for me."
"If you want me to, I will stop by the Ministry before I leave tomorrow and talk to Davis Millson."
The boy looked at Harry in amazement. "You'd do that?"
"Of course I would. In fact, and this is up to you, talk to Davis before you say anything to your parents. I would also talk to the Headmaster. He will be able to direct you. As far as Mr. Millson is concerned, I'll write you a letter of introduction if you like."
"Thank you, Harry. I appreciate it."
Harry put a companionable arm around the boy. "Any time, Reg." Harry looked around and saw the school broom shed. "Hey, Reg, do you fly?"
The boy smirked. "Slytherin seeker."
"All right, now you've done it." Harry opened the broom shed and picked out one of the school's Nimbus 2000's and examined it. "In my day, the stock brooms were clean sweeps, and this…" He held up the broom in question. "…was the latest arrival. "Do you feel like playing a one on one?"
"A one on one with Harry Potter? I'll wipe the boards with you."
"Well, that's always a possibility I suppose. But let's see what you've got." Harry got a snitch from the chest and let it go. He smirked at Regie and took off into the air lazily circling the pitch looking for the flying gold ball.
Reg was mimicking Harry's every move so Harry decided to lead him off the track. Harry had seen the snitch but he dived in the opposite direction pulling up just inches from the ground, twirling at the last second in a graceful arc then sped toward the other end of the field.
Reg didn't fare as well. He didn't pull up in time and ended up tumbling off his broom in a somersault and lying on his back. He looked up at a smirking Harry, who hovered above him with the snitch in hand.
"Ah, Reg, your broom is over there. Whatcha doin' down there?"
"Bloody Gryffindor!"
Harry released the ball and they were off again. This time Reg caught it but not by much. Harry was with him side by side until Reg sped up just enough and cut across in front of his opponent, causing Harry to pull up to avoid a mid air collision. Reg easily snatched the snitch out of the air. Held it up and smirked at Harry. That's one to one, Gryffindor."
They played that way for over an hour not noticing the small crowd gathering to watch. By the time they called it quits, the two flyers had put on quite a show for the gathered throng of students.
Some of the group, were Slytherin. They began yelling at him as a traitor. "What do you think you are doing, Parkhurst. Why are you fraternizing with, Harry Potter?"
He rolled his eyes so that only Harry could see and whispered. "And so it starts, sorry, Harry."
Harry whispered. "Bring it on, Parkhurst."
Regie walked over to his fellow housemates. "What do you mean fraternizing, Benson? I cleaned his clock. Come on, let's get out of here. Being this close to Gryffindor scum is making me ill."
They all turned as one and Harry smiled as he watched them go. He returned the broom to the shed and began walking toward the gates as the crowd of students dispersed.
Once off the grounds, he Apparated back to The Burrow and was greeted with an arm full of five year old."
"I'm glad you're back, daddy. Come see what mum bought me today."
Harry looked through the books and smiled. "A bit advanced don't you think, Gin?"
"I tried to convince him that he wanted books that he could read all by himself. He said, "I don't know how to read now, but I will soon. And I don't want to be bored."
The next morning, Harry kissed Ginny goodbye and headed off to the Ministry to talk to Davis about Regie Parkhurst and set up a meeting between the two. He then Apparated back to The Burrow and Flooed Dumbledore to give Reg the details.
Once that was done, the little family said their goodbyes and left for home.