AN: Thanks again to Jaybird for the beta. Some sad news to report, I may be pulling my stories down from . Why? They apparently support plagiarizing Bobmin's wonderful stories. If my stories are pulled down you can check at my yahoogroup (located on my profile as my website) or at ficwad where I also go by the same penname. Thank you to all who have reviewed and put my story on their alerts or favs lists. Enjoy the early posting.
It looked like Hermione had come through for him yet again. A sharp looking owl had delivered to him a letter from Viktor Krum, international Quidditch star. Pansy was busy feeding the owl bits of her toast while Harry read over the short note.
"This is better than I expected," Harry glanced up at his wife. "He's arranged for me to meet with Oliver Wood later today along with himself."
"You have to go!" Pansy said at once.
"But I had plans to spend the day with you," Harry protested weakly.
"I can keep myself entertained without you," She stated calmly. "Luna invited me to write an article for the Quibbler and I think I'll take her up on it."
"What sort of article?" Harry asked uncertain he really wanted to know.
"On what it's like being married to you, and how you are in and out of bed," Pansy smirked as Harry flushed. "At least, that's what Witch Weekly asked me about. Luna wants me to write about the prejudice a Slytherin faces at Hogwarts."
Harry breathed a sigh of relief, "I thought you were serious about the marriage article."
"Of course not," She huffed. "As if I would ever stoop so low to fuel other girls fantasies."
Harry merely shook his head and wrote a quick reply confirming that he would meet up with Viktor in an hour. He took his wife by the hand and pulled her away from the table towards the bedroom.
Forty-five minutes later Harry called to Fawkes who flashed directly in front of him making Harry jump back in surprise, wand at the ready. The phoenix trilled and snapped its beak as though laughing at him and Harry figured he probably was. Fawkes happily flashed him to the small pub near the Puddlemere United practice field that Viktor had booked a small dining room at.
The Bulgarian wizard had just as quick a draw as his own, Harry noted, when Viktor's wand came to rest between his eyes. Fawkes flew to the back of a chair and preened for the other two people present in the room. Harry instantly recognized them as Angelina Johnson who was with the Holyhead Harpies and Alicia Spinnet with the Pride of Portree.
"Ach, sorry Harry," Viktor's English sounded much better. "You surprised me."
"It's no problem, it was probably Fawkes idea of a joke," Harry muttered looking at the phoenix who was basking in the attention being heaped on him by the two women. "He enjoys startling me. Hey Angelina, Alicia how are you two?"
"We can't complain," Angelina grinned. "Our teams are treating us well. Next year I might transfer to the Pride of Portree though."
"Are they offering a better deal?" Harry asked, more than willing to discuss Quidditch.
"I miss playing with Alicia and Katie, but Katie's still in school," Angelina shrugged. "Portree might have a spot available next year, one of their Chasers might be moved down to one of the local clubs because of her age and injuries. The Harpies won't have any slots open for Alicia to transfer."
"You three worked well together," Harry's thoughts were on the three chasers seamless passing. "What do you think Katie's chances are of going pro?"
The two girls shared a look before Alicia answered, "Didn't Katie tell you? She's thinking of becoming an Auror instead of going pro. She wants to fight against the Death Eaters."
"I vas considering same thing," Viktor jumped into the conversation. "Becoming dark vizard catcher, but I think Harry might have better idea."
"That I do," Harry agreed. "But I'll wait until Ollie gets here before telling you. Thanks for being here Angelina and Alicia. I wasn't expecting you two."
"How could we not Harry?" Alicia shook her head. "We're playing Quidditch while all our friends seem to be in the middle of a war. The Twins are even being serious about whatever it is you have them doing and all the upper classmen at Hogwarts seem to be working hard to learn to defend themselves and others. Here we are, living the high life and being invited to parties and public appearances like there aren't any problems."
"We were on the same team," Angelina cut in. "And granted, Ollie, Alicia and I graduated but we were a closer team than most. Katie, Alicia and I kept quiet a few overzealous girls out of the boys changing rooms to keep them from sneaking a peek at you changing Harry and the Twins count you as a brother and Ollie always goes on about you being the best Seeker he's ever worked with."
"Damn straight Angelina!" Oliver said loudly. "Don't you agree Krum?"
"Harry flies vell," Viktor nodded in agreement. "I vould like a chance to play against him, but enough Quidditch, now is time for Harry to talk."
Even Oliver who always had something to say fell silent and turned his attention on Harry. Harry fought to control his embarrassment and largely succeeded, having had Pansy working with him on his public speaking had been a good idea. He explained the group he had started and why he had stopped following Dumbledore. There was little that needed to be explained about the Ministry as all of them knew how Fudge and fumbled and all of them had gotten reports on Umbridge and her disastrous rule at Hogwarts.
"The Twins mentioned your Order," Oliver said when Harry paused in his explanation. "They were right pleased over your coup at the school."
"It needed to be done," Harry felt self-conscious. "Dumbledore was controlling and not doing enough to protect the students and fight against Voldemort."
"Aye, that's true enough," Oliver spoke gruffly. "I had an older brother who died in a raid on Diagon Alley during the first war. My parents never recovered from it."
"My family never lost anyone," Angelina gave Oliver a sympathetic look. "But that doesn't mean I want to sit on the sidelines through this fight. I have cousins who live in the Muggle world and have to put up with racial prejudice, this is just a different type but its prejudice all the same."
Harry had heard Marcus Flint call Angelina racial slurs before and looking at her he couldn't see that she looked any darker skinned than Viktor or even himself.
Angelina must have read his mind, "My grandfather is a Jamaican wizard, like Lee's family, but otherwise I'm Irish and Welsh."
"So what's the plan Harry?" Alicia leaned forward.
"I want to start up a flying squad," Harry drew in a deep breath as he glanced at each of their faces. "When we start taking the fight back to the Death Eaters or defending places like Hogwarts I want scouts and fighters in the air."
"It is good thinking," Viktor approved. "On a broom you see far and go far."
"We'll need to find a way to be protected against curses and work on dodging," Angelina drummed her fingers against the table. "This won't be like dodging Bludgers."
"No it won't," Harry grew serious. "It will be life and death. Voldemort's people will have no problem shooting you out of the sky. I'm not asking you to stun them, I'm asking you to send cutting and bone breaking curses at them, for you to drop Fred and George's lethal concoctions on them. But you're right, it will be harder than just dodging and occasionally taking shots at them.
"I plan to make sure each flyer has body armor and the best brooms that can be found and designed. I will make sure each flyer knows how to disillusion themselves and their brooms or blend in against the sky. I won't force any of you to do this. I want each of you to think long and hard if you want to be in the sky against the Death Eaters. It's going to be deadly and risky as all hell, but I think it will help us win."
"And that's why I'm going to do it!" Oliver slammed his fist on the table. "Sign me up Potter!"
Harry shook his head, "Not now Oliver. I want to make sure you think about what you're getting in to. Viktor can arrange another meeting, anyone you think is trustworthy and who might be interested bring them here. I'll question them and decide if we can use them, and even if you want to be in the fight against the Death Eaters or not I could use your help training some of the students who plan to fight."
Oliver had a stubborn look on his face, "You won't take my answer now, but it's not going to change, Harry. How long do we have until you set up another meeting to hear our answers?"
"Is this coming Sunday ok?" Harry sat back.
"I have game Friday," Viktor replied. "Sunday is very gut."
"We don't have a game until next week," Angelina and Alicia responded at the same time.
"We have a Saturday game but I'll be here," Oliver promised.
"Same time?" Harry asked.
Everyone nodded.
"Then lets have some food," Harry grinned as Oliver and Viktor gave excited cries.
The two men stood and promised to bring back burgers and chips for everyone along with some milk, water and butterbeers. Harry was surprised at how friendly Oliver and Viktor were, he hadn't known they were such good friends.
"So Harry, we heard you got married," Alicia smirked.
"Yeah, and you didn't invite us," Angelina pouted.
"Well, it was sort of sudden," Harry flushed, "and we tried to keep things quiet for a while."
The girls nodded and Alicia asked the question that both of them wanted to know, "Why did you marry Pansy Parkinson of all people?"
"It's complicated," He sighed. "She switched sides this year, along with several other Slytherins. Most of the upper years at Hogwarts get along now, believe it or not. Pansy was attacked a few weeks ago and we got married to protect her from the outcome of the attack."
"Oh Merlin, she's pregnant isn't she?" Angelina gasped. "That's why you married so quickly isn't it?"
Harry's eyes flashed and he nodded, "You can't tell anyone else about this, not outside Oliver or Viktor, although I think Viktor already knows."
"What about inheritance though?" Alicia asked. "The baby isn't yours, so can it still inherit?"
"Pansy is Mrs. Black," Harry explained quickly. "Children I have by her will inherit from the Black vaults and properties. Snape brewed a potion that changed the baby's father to me, so blood wise it's my kid, but I'd have loved it regardless."
"We know Harry," Alicia assured him.
"What about the bastards who hurt her?" Angelina growled.
"They can't hurt anyone ever again," He said simply.
"Good," she said with a feral smile.
Oliver and Viktor returned with enough food for eight people but the two explained that they planned to take some of it home so they would have cooked food at their flats. The girls shook their heads at the male's hopelessness in the kitchen and said so. Harry valiantly protested that he knew perfectly well how to cook and that he shouldn't be stuck in the same category as Oliver and Viktor. The two Quidditch pros pretended to be offended but were too busy stuffing their faces to pull off a convincing act.
At the end of the meal Oliver offered to escort Angelina and Alicia to their homes, Viktor however hung back and promised to contact them each in a few days. Alicia dragged Oliver away before he could complain.
"So Harry, how is Hermione?" Viktor asked, paying the bill with a Gringotts card.
"You say her name properly now," Harry was a bit surprised.
"I learned," The Bulgarian shrugged. "How is she?"
"Very busy," Harry answered honestly. "And confused about her relationship with Ron, I'm not really sure what's going on between them anymore."
"She write and tell me," He said. "She is sad and wants to stay friends vit him, but he has big temper."
"Ron does have a temper, but he's grown up a lot this year," Harry admitted. "I think they could stay friends if they worked at it. I promised to help her when she goes to talk with him."
"That is gut," Viktor smiled. "You are a gut friend."
"I need to stop by Gringotts today," Harry told the professional Seeker.
"I vill go vit you," Viktor announced. "Ve have other things to talk of."
Harry agreed and asked Fawkes to take them to Diagon Alley. The phoenix did so without any of his usual tricks. Harry thanked the phoenix who flashed away rather than stick around.
"How vill you get back to castle?" Viktor wondered.
"I can call Fawkes and he'll come if I need to," Harry explained as they entered the bank.
"'Arry, Viktor, what are you doing here?" The pretty Veela curse breaker had spotted them from across the lobby and came over to say hello. "Eet is good to see you both."
"Hello Fleur," Harry gave her a brief hug. "I needed to stop by the bank and Viktor decided to keep hanging around with me."
"Hello, Mademoiselle Fleur," Viktor preformed a brief bow. "It is gut to see you again."
"I will wait 'ere with Viktor until you come back 'Arry," Fleur decided. "Then we can all catch up."
Hammertoe was available to meet with Harry. The young man quickly outlined what he wanted, to invest in the Daily Prophet and gain a substantial controlling interest in the business. The goblin gave a predatory smirk and suggested that Harry accept Gringotts as a partner in the investment, with the majority of the shares going to Harry as goblins were not allowed to own Wizarding businesses.
Harry quickly agreed to the offer. He still had trouble believing just how much help the goblins were giving him. Hammertoe directly pointed out that it was just good business to follow along beside or directly behind Harry. He likened the young wizard to being a force of nature: you bent with it, stood against it and took damage or broke. The goblins preferred the course of bending with the strongest element rather than taking damages or going broke.
"There is another matter," The beady eyed goblin cleared his throat. "The Goblin council has offered you the option of renting some battle squads for a very reasonable price."
"What's the price?" Harry's brow furrowed.
"A few different things," Hammertoe began. "First that you act as Goblin liaison to the Wizengamot and Minister, second that you help obtain five Basilisks for Gringotts to guard the vaults, third that you attempt to get us wand rights and a flat fee of three hundred Galleons a month per squad."
"Why would you ever want Basilisks?" Harry asked. "I've had to kill one before and they are deadly with just their eyes."
"A Basilisk stare only stuns Goblins," Hammertoe revealed something no human had ever learned. "We wish to have the Basilisks patrolling at night when the bank is closed to humans and to act as attack forces should someone attempt to rob the bank. We will have no trouble controlling or training the Basilisks."
Harry nodded his agreement, "Sure, I'll help you get them. Actually, Hagrid at Hogwarts might be able to breed them for you."
"Yes we know of Hagrid," Hammertoe said. "We have a potential seller already though, but he wishes to speak with another Parselmouth before selling the Basilisks to us."
"There are more Parseltongues?" Harry had never thought to ask before.
"Indeed," The Goblin replied. "There are perhaps only as many as seven or eight in Europe. Worldwide there are roughly over one hundred snake speakers."
"And what would it mean to be a Goblin liaison mean when I already have a seat on the Wizengamot?" He asked.
"You would not be able to cast a vote on the Wizengamot and be a Goblin ambassador-liaison but you should be able to find someone who could cast your vote for you," Hammertoe explained the role in a bit more detail. "If you find the idea of sitting out of the voting body distasteful we are willing to accept that."
"No, I'll do it," Harry decided. "I have a few people I could ask to cast my votes. Will we be able to discuss this more in depth later on?"
"Certainly," Hammertoe quickly agreed. "I will set up a meeting later on this month for us to meet with Ragnok the chief of Gringotts here."
"Thanks Hammertoe that would be a big help," Harry gave a tiny smile.
"I will not keep you longer from your waiting companions," Hammertoes stood, signaling the meeting was at its close. "We will meet later."
Harry preceded the old Goblin out of his office and rejoined Fleur and Viktor in the lobby of the bank. He had his Gringotts card ready for some shopping. Viktor and Fleur accompanied him around the Alley where he spoke with several of the merchants, usually buying something or asking where to find certain items they didn't carry or sell but might know where to find.
Fleur finally dragged them to Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor and made them order something so she was not the only one eating, which she said would be bad manners for her to enjoy something whilst they had nothing.
"I remember thinking you were a leetle boy during ze Triwizard Tournament," Fleur reminisced. "Zo much changed after zat Tournament."
"Cedric was a gut man Harry," Viktor noted the sadness and regret in Harry's eyes. "It vas a trap, even best men can be fooled."
"He was more than a spare," Harry said hoarsely. "That's what Voldemort called him you know, a spare."
"'E was no spare!" Fleur agreed fervently. "'E was good and honorable. We will not forget 'is sacrifice. 'E will be always with us."
"You vere amazing in the Tournament," Viktor recalled. "You are a gut fighter."
"Gabrielle always mentions 'ow you saved 'er," Fleur added. "My parents wanted to meet you but your 'eadmaster kept zem away."
"My parents vish to meet the great Harry Potter as vell," Viktor grinned as Harry blushed.
"I would enjoy meeting both your parents, but Pansy would want to be there as well," Harry said feeling a bit self-conscious.
"My Papa and Mama would be 'appy to 'ost a party at zer 'ouse," Fleur looked excited. "We 'ave plenty of room and Bill can finally meet my parents. Every time we try and go see zem it never works."
"That must annoying," Viktor shook his head. "Ven will party be?"
"Ze summer, the last week-end in June?" Fleur suggested. "Eet can also be a party to celebrate my engagement."
"Congratulations," Both men said.
"Zank you," The pretty witch blushed.
"Bill is a good man," Harry told her.
"Oui, he is," Fleur agreed. "You are ze only two men I 'ave told because you are ze only two who do not fall to ze Veela charm."
"But it seemed like Beaubaxtons supported you during the Tournament," Harry could scarcely believe her words. "A lot of them seemed to be spending time with you or trying to help you figure out the tasks."
"Many of zem were pulled in by ze Veela charm," Fleur hung her head sadly. "And ze others wanted Beaubaxtons to win. I went with your Head Boy because I 'eard 'e was smart but ze entire night he drooled!"
"It is same vay for me vit Quidditch," Viktor awkwardly patted the Veela on her shoulder. "Many pretty girls follow me but I do not like them. There boyfriends get jealous but I have gut Quidditch friends now."
"I'm the Boy-Who-Lived," Harry muttered with disgust. "That should be enough of an explanation."
"You are more zan zat!" Fleur objected.
"To some," He agreed.
"Then I think ve should be friends and stay in touch no matter vat," Viktor announced. "Ve have been in Tournament together and deal vit stupid people."
A brilliant smile lit up Fleur's face, "I would like zat."
"You'll get no complaints from me," Harry said.
"I will write my parents about ze party," Fleur looked happier and more alive. "Merde! My shift 'as almost started!"
Viktor and Harry paid for the ice cream and escorted Fleur back to the bank, receiving many jealous looks from the wizards and witches they passed in the Alley. Viktor chose to return with Harry to Hogwarts where he and the youngest Seeker at Hogwarts in a century met with the Flying Instructor, Madame Hooch. The Bulgarian Quidditch player spent quiet some time going over different Quidditch moves which might be adapted to aerial combat.
Harry hardly batted an eye when he saw first hand just how intelligent Viktor Krum really was. He knew that Hermione wouldn't stand to write to a professional Quidditch player, no matter how popular they were, if they didn't have something interesting to talk about. He knew what Hermione's definition of 'interesting' was so Viktor had to be pretty smart.
The two spent several hours with the Flying Instructor detailing the difference between scouts and combat flyers. The scouts would only need to get information on things like troop size, ground conditions, weather conditions and obstacles in attacker's paths. They primarily would need to be able to take evasive action and know how to hide in cloud cover or turn themselves and their equipment invisible along with knowing communication and photograph charms. The combat flyers would need to be able to fight while flying and take evasive actions to avoid curses and hexes aimed at them. Madame Hooch's eyes were gleaming with possibilities of things she could have her students learn and of having guests like Krum and Wood come in to teach a few lessons.
Viktor left telling him to go enjoy a meal with his wife. The Quidditch Player promised to stop by in the next few days to discuss the combat flying and so he and Harry could fly.
"So, did things go well?" Pansy sat in his lap and gave him a one-armed hug once he had settled into a chair in their quarters.
"They did," Harry sighed and leaned into her touch. "I'm meeting with them again this coming Sunday. And Fleur is going to plan a little get together for the first weekend in May. Her parents and Viktor's want to meet me, but you're invited too."
"I'd better be," Pansy pretended to be offended. "I don't want Fleur's little sister to steal you away from me."
She laughed when Harry blushed and tried to deny that Gabrielle Delacour did not have a crush on him.