Hey everyone,
So, I just want to let you all know that Venquine's Mind will no longer on my list of stories that need a chapter posted at the end of the month, cause my mind has been making lots and lots of new stories and I would rather just get their previews out of the way when I can, where I can, so you can expect many of them to show up.
Also, I just want you all to know that, even though I won't mention it in the story, Albus and the Heads won't be making an appearance in this chapter as, in the time it takes for Arthur to get to the room, the room itself will vanish the portrait through which Albus and his three colleagues can contact those in the room.
Okay, enjoy,

Venquine1990

Chapter 24
The Truth Comes Out

Arthur's POV

Over the course of the last 24 hours things have been very hectic. It all started with Harry finally returning to the world in which I know he feels most at home, a more or less battle for dominance between Molly and Sirius – which has been going on all summer – and now more and more people disappearing over the last day.
And while Molly has been worried like crazy every time a new person just vanished – especially when Ron vanished earlier on – do I know that the disappearance of Kingsley, Remus, Bill and Charlie helped the woman feel a little more confident, though why she can't see that things are just fine with Sirius there is just beyond me.
"Why? Why does my wife feel like she must fight for dominance when it comes to Sirius? Why is she so determined to believe that Sirius is nothing more than a teen stuck in an escaped prisoner's body? Why can't she see that he is a man with experience and a caring heart? And why doesn't she want to care for him like a mother?"

These questions run through my mind as I lie awake in bed, looking up at the ceiling and hoping that, when I wake up the next morning, I won't be missing anyone important to me as I am kind of wondering whether or not Molly will be able to handle that. Then my beloved proves why I love her as she mutters:
"You need your sleep, dear." And I want to turn her way to give her a reassuring smile, yet instead of that do my eyes widen and do I hear Molly yelp my name as a bright light surrounds me and while I feel my nightwear gets changed for some simple robes, do I also feel some kind of PortKey activate and pull me from my bed.
"This magic actually even works in the middle of the night? How on earth are they going to respond to that when I arrive there?" I ask myself, but when I arrive in the room, do I suddenly realize why it is that I have been dressed by the magic that took me here as none of those in the room with me look as if they are at all sleepy.

"DAD!" I then hear three voices shout and I happily smile at my three sons as they happily see me arrive and Harry confuses me as he asks: "Early morning on the eight?" And I answer: "Half an hour past twelve, why?" And the boy shocks me as he smiles and says: "It's more or less early morning on the ninth for us."
I look at the boy and he says: "We are in a room created by the Greek Goddess of Magic and she allowed time to go much faster in here than in the real world to make sure we can commit to the task she set us without losing too much of our actual lives in the world she took us from." And at this I nod, while feeling white.
White, because as loving as Molly is, she is actually diagnosed to be for 85% infertile and it had only been thanks to my own family being greatly dependent and honorable to the Ancient Greek Gods that several of them allowed Molly to become pregnant, but only if each of our offspring would live their lives as a Champion to the Gods.
Yet because of a curse that my family discovered was laid upon England that made the Greek Gods forget their visits to our shores once they cross the pond, did I only try to raise my sons with a good sense of devotion to the God or Goddess that allowed for their birth to be a reality, yet never really as if they were theirs.

"And now the Gods have found us again. Are Molly and I going to be punished for being more or less unfaithful? Are we going to lose our kids? Are they going to hurt our kids for our mistakes in life?" These questions really worry me as they rush through my mind and then Harry asks: "Are – are you alright, Mr. Weasley?"
And I sigh as I look at my sons and say: "I – I need to tell you something. Something I should have told you each when you were old enough to understand this, but – well, information came to us that made your mother and me feel as if – and I feel really stupid for this – as if we had a loophole to a rule we were ordered to follow."

This confuses my kids and I say: "Your mother – Molly – she is – she's actually for 85% - infertile." And everyone in the room who knows my wife looks absolutely shocked before Ron asks: "Wait, did – did having all of us – did that make her?" But I shake my head and say: "She was diagnosed this way – three years before Bill came."
"Then how on earth did she get to have all of us? How on – Oh, Di Immortales, who am I kidding?" Ron shocks me in the end and I ask: "You – you know?" And the boy nods before I turn to both of my other sons, yet while Bill also nods, do I feel both relieved and kind of awkward when I see Charlie shaking his head.
At this I sigh and then say: "Charlie, you, your brothers and your sister – we were blessed with all of you – if we promised that each of you would become a Champion to several of the Gods of the Olympians." And both my second eldest as well as everyone else turns wide eyed at hearing this before I say:
"Charlie, you and your sister are the Champions of Ares, the God of War, Battle and Strive, your brother Percy is the son of Athena, Goddess of Wisdom and Battle Strategy – yes, I know – your twin brothers are sons of Hermes, the God of Travelers and Messengers and, as your can see, your brothers already know their Guardians."
At which Charlie turns to both of my other sons and Ron turns a little red as he says: "Aphrodite, Goddess of Love and Romance, also known as a Titan." And yet Bill looks greatly proud, proving he has known for a long while, as he says: "Hecate, Goddess of Magic and reason I chose Curse Breaker as my preferred profession."

Yet then I see Harry looking thoughtful and when I ask him about this, does he say: "There was a prophesy I heard Lady Hecate speak when I arrived here. This information reminds me of some of the lines as they now actually makes sense." And while I try my hardest not to glance at other Order members, does Harry mutter:
"Only through Reading Can Families Unite. Only through Peace Can Olympus Remember." And this instantly takes away my fear that the Olympians will punish my wife and me for not fully raising our kids as the Champions the Gods wanted them to be, yet then Harry asks: "Does that mean – are more of us – Champions?"
And instantly I share shocked looks with those around before Harry asks: "Or – maybe even – well – like me?" And this confuses me before Sirius shocks me as he says: "I am actually, sort of, related to the twins, Arthur. Remy here is a Champion to Lady Hera and Harry got the best out of it all; he's the son of the Big Guy himself."

And instantly everything that I always found amazing and incredible about the boy – such as his leadership and some of his incredible skills, not to mention why he constantly got into so much trouble – make so much more sense and thanks to all these shocks, can I only ask: "Does – does – does Albus – does he know of this?"
And Harry nods as he says: "I told him mostly everything on our first night here, half an hour after your last Order meeting. He knows most of it, though I did ask him to keep things like my actual heritage a secret for the time being. As well as the actual reason as to why we were all brought here in the first place."
This instantly peaks my interest and then – mostly thanks to the many times a stuck-up Pureblood tried to curse me in the back – do I quickly manage to catch a simple looking book, a few of those in the room looking slightly impressed with my skill before I ask: "So, we're reading?" And Harry answers: "Two more chapters."
Which makes me remember only one thing; my youngest son experiencing a week of nightmares that made him scream the names of his friends at least every other nights and I instantly go to sit with the boy in question, Ron cuddling up against me in a sign of wanting to comfort me before I take a deep breath and start to read.

Through the Trapdoor

This seems to worry everyone else and I look up as Sirius says: "Albus had been hiding something on the Third Floor and the only way to access it was a trapdoor that was guarded by a Cerberus, though we have already confirmed that it is not the one from the Myths." Which both concerns and relieves me before I read on.

In years … any moment.

This worries me, mostly because it reminds me of how shocked I had felt when I heard that Voldemort had managed to get inside Hogwarts through a diary my daughter had been given by some random stranger and the idea that Voldemort had actually managed this even the year before this makes me read on with great concern.

Yet the … Anti-Cheating spell.

"Do those even work if you're a son of Hermes? No offense, Sirius." Harry quickly says, but the man shakes his head and I say: "If I recall correctly, the first versions of this were made when the Gods temporarily resided in England and their magical kids were known to attend Hogwarts.""When did this happen?"
Hermione asks and I answer: "It was just before the American Revolution. America was, after all, under English control, but after America won its Independence, the Gods moved there. I don't believe they ever moved back after that." And while a few of my kids and several of the others look at me amazed, do I read on.

They had … in it.

This really makes many of the kids as well as Fleur, Oliver and myself shudder, yet Sirius, Bill, Remus and Charlie seem slightly more unaffected and I can only imagine that it's their own experiences that make them capable of not being scared by this and while I see Sirius pull Harry closer against him, do I read on.

Maybe it … the rest.

"So wait, he doesn't care whether students fall asleep in his class or not and he constantly forgets names of students even if they recently introduced themselves, yet he does take exams seriously? What is with that ghost?" Hermione suddenly asks and we all look at each other, none of us ever really noticing before I read on.

"That was … the Eager."

Here Remus shakes his head and says: "Umbridge actually uses that Code of Conduct to get most of her biased laws through. England was almost utopia for weres back then, but the way she twists its beneficiary effects to the people of that time for her own selfish beliefs – it really is just sickening and makes us wish it never existed."
"Was it really that good?" Fleur asks and Remus answers: "According to the Code, as long as werewolves reported to a single spot every full moon, as long as they report their desires for why they want education and as long as they report it the minute they found their mates – werewolves could go and be wherever they wanted to."

"That sounds – restricting." Hermione says, but Remus shakes his head and says: "Not at all, the former did cause some of the weres to go pretty broke pretty quick due to having to travel quite far every month, but else, they only needed to report to the Ministry twice and then they were free to go. Like I said, Utopia."
"And now, all that freedom is being taken from them, one restriction at a time. Why Umbridge thinks that restriction equals total control is beyond me, but if she keeps this up, the chance for the weres of this time to revolt and attack is just rising with every restricting rule she sets up." And with these thoughts, do I read on.

Hermione always … danger's coming..."

This makes me look at Harry with great concern and I say: "Harry, it's not supposed to be your scar that warns you of impending danger. Demigods, especially those born of the Big Three, are supposed to have a sixth sense that tells them, not a magical wound." And Harry looks worried at this as well before he says:
"Then, could it be that my scar is somehow blocking my heritage?" Yet Sirius shakes his head and says: "Maybe at most your natural inner warning system. You are too good a flyer and fighter for all of your skills to be blocked by this magic." And everyone else nods in agreement with this, making the boy smile as I read on.

Ron couldn't … Dumbledore down."

This makes Augusta glare at my son, yet Neville stops her and says: "I was purposely keeping my skills at an all-time low and kept to myself, Gran. Ron never saw my acting, so he had perfectly good reason to underestimate me like that. And besides, teens always insult other teens like that." And the woman nods as I read on.

Harry nodded … that one."

"Hermione dear, you are just a born Ravenclaw in that. I know this, because, in my time, I was part of an Inter-House Study Club and I was well acquittanced with several Gryffindors, yet none of them ever felt like that; it was always my own House and the Ravens who were like that." Andromeda tells the girl, who blushes as Harry asks:
"What happened to that club?" And the woman rolls her eyes as she says: "This is going to sound really stupid, but the Inter-House Study club, as well as other clubs, can only exist if the Lords and Ladies of the four Houses desire them to exist – and neither Lucius, Severus or James cared to keep them up in their times."
The teens look shocked at this and Andromeda says: "Yes, Lucius was known as the King of Snakes and so was Severus after him and your father was King of the Lion Pride and now – that role has befallen you, while Draco has taken over where his father left off." This makes the boy roll his eyes and he says:
"Then I guess there won't be any clubs being revived any time soon. If Malfoy hears I want to revive any club he will butt heads just to spite me." And I want to object to this, but then see in the eyes of the other kids that they all agree with him, which makes me share a worried look with the other adults before reading on.

Harry was … his feet.

This shocks me and then Augusta says: "There is no way Hagrid would do anything to inconvenience Dumbledore." But Harry, who I know has an intense loyalty to Hagrid, shakes his head and says: "Hagrid is loyal to a fault, I do agree, but he also has a looser tongue than is good for him." At which I have to agree as I read on.

"Where're you … it before?"

And instantly all of us look at each other shocked, me shocked over the fact that Hagrid actually got his hands on a dragon and the others seeming to feel stupid for not realizing this themselves, yet the looks on Harry, Ron and Hermione's faces really worry me as they prove that the adventure is about to begin, making me read on worried.

"What are … hood up."

"Dragon dealers are ordered to wear specific cloths when at work and they are forbidden from wearing their hoods up when dealing with a client. Only when handling the dragon and getting it into the transport crate can the hood be up. And I know I told Hagrid that long before this happened." Charlie growls concerned and I read on.

Harry sank … gamekeeper here...

"Merlin's beard! That alone should have alerted Hagrid that something was heavily wrong. No one in England doesn't know Hagrid and seeing his love for Magical Creatures, there is no way he doesn't have a reputation among the trader world of beasts." Charlie exclaims in shock and we all sit up a little more in concern as I read on.

He asked … me drinks...

"This was a set-up. This guy pretends not to know what Hagrid does for a living, but he does know that feeding Hagrid drunk is a good way to get things done that this stranger wants to accomplish? Hagrid really needs to try being more like Moody, even if just a bit." And we all nod in agreement as I read on.

Let's see … be easy..."

"Hagrid! It's one thing to tell more than is safe to a bunch of eleven year old kids you can keep an eye on, but why the heck did you tell such a secret beast to someone you never met before?" Charlie groans and then Andromeda shocks us as she says: "It's because of the owner of the pub." We all look at her and she says:
"The owner is Aberforth Dumbledore, Albus' brother, and Hagrid – in the simple way that he thinks about things – believes that Aberforth can be trusted to keep dangerous people out of his life as much as Albus tries. So, even though the Hog's Head answers to shady patrons, Hagrid still trust Aberforth and thus becomes loose lipped."
"But that doesn't make sense! If Hagrid knows the customers are shady, why would he still trust Aberforth that much?" Hermione asks and Andromeda answers: "Because during the war – it was Aberforth that kept Death Eaters out of Hogsmeade. And to Hagrid, Death Eaters are the only ones truly untrustworthy."
"Sorry to ask this, Andromeda, but how do you know all this?" Kingsley asks, yet Andromeda shrugs and says: "Ted also loves going there for a drink. He just knows to ask Aberforth whether or not there are any Pureblood Supremacists or other idiots in his pub before he comes over." And the Auror nods at her as I continue the chapter.

"And did … around Hogwarts?

"Ehm Arthur, please tell me you did not just read even around Hogwarts." Sirius asks with a very forced kind tone of voice and I myself feel my body tense with utter concern as I say: "I did, Sirius. Harry, please make sure Albus knows of this so he can investigate it before Hogwarts reopens." The boy nods and I read on.

So I … ter sleep—"

"That is it! The minute Hagrid comes back, Moody is training him in the art of bleeding common sense and self-bloody-preservation! DI IMMORTALES!" And everyone looks at Sirius shocked before Harry asks: "Getting into that divine sense of life, are you?" And the man seems to realize what he means as I read on.

Hagrid suddenly … Dumbledore's office?"

"Wait, Percy never took you on a tour around the school to show you where to find what teacher in case of emergency?" I ask shocked and the kids shake their heads as Sirius says: "Sorry Arthur, but it seems that kid is way more bark than he ever is bite when it comes to his duties." And this makes me read on feeling truly disappointed.

They looked … do."Why?"

"What is her problem?" I ask utterly confused with what I just read and Sirius answers: "Minerva is being a hypocrite. She wants Harry to be like James, but she doesn't want him to be a prankster and thinks he pulled a prank only a few weeks previous. Though she really has no reason to distrust either Hermione and definitely not Ron."
"Why me more than Hermione?" Ron asks and Sirius sighs as he says: "Because, in Minerva's eyes, Hermione betrayed everything she believed she knew of the girl with the prank and you didn't, because you weren't there." And while Ron growls: "What a load of bull." Do I look troubled at all this myself as I read on.

Harry swallowed … his time—"

"And none of them should be more important than his headmaster duties. Surely Albus was seeing the same signs a bunch of eleven year olds were able to find, right?" Augusta asks and I notice Harry, Ron and Hermione share a look before Hermione says: "Wait till the end of the book, you won't like it." Making me read on worried.

"But this … Magic, Potter?"

"At the current moment, even a House-elf makes statements more important than Fudge's." I think, yet for the sake of my son Percy and because Molly really wants the other boys to keep their belief in the Ministry – which to me is just not realistic at this point in time – do I not voice these thoughts and do I instead continue reading.

"Look," said … well protected."

"Did you get that quote from Gringotts, which had the Vault it was in broken into or from Hagrid, who just can't keep his mouth shut to save his life?" Sirius snarls at the book in my hands and while I really wish I had been brought it way before now and feel as if I am missing essential parts of this incredible tale, do I continue reading.

"But Professor—" … the sunshine."

Here I see Sirius looking up at Remus and he asks: "Is this really her, Remus? Is this really the same woman as who we had as Head of House all those years ago? Were we, as teenagers, really that blind to her arrogance and her biased beliefs?" And while Harry hugs the man in comfort, does his friend sigh in defeat as I read on.

But they … standing there.

Sirius groans at this as he raises his eyes to the sky and says: "I can't believe I am the one saying this, but – seeing Minerva and her treatment of her own House – Snape, please prove yourself the better Head of House and take these kids seriously." And while everyone looks at the man seriously astonished, do I continue reading.

"Good afternoon," … the staffroom.

"THAT NO GOOD BASTARD!" Sirius shouts, jumping out of his seat and starting to stomp around the circular fireplace in a blazing fury as he shouts: "HE KNEW! HE KNEW THAT THE THIEF WAS STRIKING THAT VERY NIGHT AND INSTEAD OF DOING HIS JOB, HE BAITS HARRY INTO DOING IT INSTEAD!"
"Yes, I did." Everyone looks shocked as they hear this silky voice speak from between two of the doors in the north-east section of the circular room and when we turn there, we see the man calmly lean against the wall between the two doors. "YOU ACTUALLY ADMIT IT?" Sirius shouts in rage and the man answers:
"Yes, I do. It was the orders given to me." And instantly the anger in the man before me, who is standing in front of Harry out of utter rage vanishes and Harry asks: "Orders? My father's?" And just the way he says it makes me know he means the Big Guy and not James Potter, but Snape shakes his head at this and says:

"Not the one you mean, Potter. No, there is a curse upon England. It lures the Greek Gods to it – thanks to the American Revolution and the English still being salty over this – yet once they have come and bonded with a mortal of their choice, they leave and the curse makes them utterly forget that they even arrived at the shores."
This shocks everyone, even me though it also makes me feel relieved over my decision to only partially raise my kids as the Champions they are and then Snape says: "However, in England, the Gods usually bond with married partners and then name the spouse as Keeper of their future offspring – only not this time."
This confuses me and Snape says: "This time, while Potter had been chosen by the Big Guy as Potter Junior's Keeper – the one meant to keep him safe and train him in his Divine Gifts – did something happen that changed that; something even I never saw coming." This instantly makes everyone look at him intrigued and he says:

"When Potter junior beat the Dark Lord for the first time, I entered the house as I felt false hope for the chance that he had saved both himself as well as either or – if possible – even both of his parents. Yet upon seeing – upon seeing her dead body, I knew this was not the case – yet I never got the chance to truly grieve."
This makes Sirius glare at the man as Snape makes it sound as if he was the only one to suffer this fate, yet Snape ignores this as he says: "I – I still don't know how it happened, but – Lily's spirit, in a case of golden lights – appeared before me – and she partially passed on Potter Senior's role as Keeper onto me – and partially onto Black."
The man sneers at the end, yet here Harry himself takes a furious stand in front of his godfather and snarls: "And who was the one who suffered 12 years Azkaban, because the life of a fugitive is not the life of a child? Who ate rats to be there for his charge? Who suffers his past traumas to remain safe? Who is the better Keeper?"

Yet while I am amazed that Harry is actually baiting Snape like that, does Snape only tense the hold he has on his crossed arms before he says: "My only role, Potter, was to see you through the challenges that Lady Fate would put on your path. I never had to care for more than that and I never did." And with that the man vanishes.
"I'm telling Dumbledore. He has been terrified of Snape finding me this entire time and he would love to hear this confession of the man. Sure wonder how he will feel when he hears that Snape's treatment of me was part of his role as a Keeper." Harry states and I feel amazed at how responsible the teen sounds before Sirius snorts and says:
"Do make sure you add his little lie to that report, pup. False hope that you saved your father's life? Yeah right, he saw that I would attack him at a moment's notice so he tried saving his own skin by trying to sweet talk me. Obviously not his strongest point now, is it?" And while this makes my youngest snort, do I read on.

Out on … Harry said.

"And here comes exactly what Snape wanted to see done, though I doubt Lily was happy with the way he handled stuff. Yes, he probably did get hired by her to be your Keeper – I can definitely see Lily doing such a thing – but I doubt she wanted him to just bait you into those challenges. More like she wanted him to guide you through them."
"Something I will happily point out to Dumbledore so he can make Snape realize how stupid he's been, failing the only task my mother ever gave him." Harry smirks and I wonder if he knows that Snape and his mother used to be friends before the differences of how they grew up broke them apart and I decide to ask later as I read on.

The other … be expelled!"

"That I used to put so much importance behind being expelled or not." Hermione shakes her head at her own younger self and then Harry hums and mutters: "I wonder." And we all see him looking at the other two series as he says: "I wonder if either this Percy or these heroes can – maybe – train me better than Hogwarts can teach me magic."
Yet here I see Hermione and Ron share a look with each other and then Hermione shocks me as she says: "Harry, if I have to be honest, I don't think that's really a challenge. I mean, seeing the simple-minded, childlike level of spells that they allowed us to learn for the Third Task – and considering what happened then –."
Here the girl stops, not just to prove her point, but also because it is still quite unsure whether or not Harry has gotten past Cedric's death – even though the spirit of the boy himself is here right now – and Harry, who is still looking at the other two series, nods and mutters: "Good point there." Making me grimace as I read on.

"SO WHAT?" … parents, remember?"

"I sure wish people would remember that when it matters and not just when it is convenient to them." Cedric grumbles, having obviously decided to stop remaining as silent as he has been since I came here and then suddenly Harry looks up shocked and he mutters: "He wouldn't. There – there is no way. He – he wouldn't dare."
We all look at each other confused and Hermione asks: "Harry?" Yet Harry seems to be on the verge of convincing himself that, whoever he is talking about, they would indeed dare to do whatever he fears as he looks up with his eyes closed in pain and mutters: "Charlie, if you please?" And my son nods in apparent understanding.
The two then move over and past where we saw Snape and move a little more south through a door that actually leads into some kind of arena and just seeing the construction within it shocks me greatly before the door closes behind them and Sirius says: "Don't worry, Harry rules that thing." Making me read on a little more relieved.

He glared … go alone?"

"Hey, I may not always like being a Champion of the Goddess of Love, but other than when my Fatal Flaw takes over from my common sense, I do know how to bring honor to the fact that I was one of the last of my family to be born and why Lady Love chose to honor my birth with her blessing." Ron preens and I smile at him as I read on.

"Of course … something useful..."

"You actually thought you could find useful information in first year books?" Oliver asks shocked, but then he sees the dead-panned look on Hermione's face and she asks: "Would you believe me when I say that I actually found several useful facts in there?" And the former Quidditch captain looks at her shocked as I read on.

"But if … after that."

"Sorry sweetie, but considering that you are a Muggleborn in a world practically controlled by Purebloods – those scores would have meant nothing to them. If they see a chance to knock another – sorry – Mudblood out of their world, they take it." Andromeda tells the girl, her voice filled with disgust over this as I read on.

After dinner … after all.

"Wait, surely Fred and George talked to you?" I can't help but ask, but my own youngest shakes his head and says: "They did treat Harry normally in practice after a few weeks, but whenever we were in the common room they would just move them into their dorm." And while this behavior of my sons shocks me do I read on.

This was … an idiot—"

"I hate my Fatal Flaw." I hear Ron grumble and then Hermione asks: "What is that, anyway? A Fatal Flaw?" And Ron sighs as he says: "It's pretty much exactly what its name says. It's a part of a Demigod's character that, if left unattended, it can indeed become fatal to said Demigod." His friend looks shocked and I read on.

"Don't you … invisibility cloak.

"We actually explained it to him the next morning and at the end of the year he got evidence that we all did the right thing, even him. Which really was something that our tale made him doubt about himself. Seriously, I really hope Neville outgrows that natural shyness of his." Hermione mutters to herself and I read on as I agree with her.

But leaving … being invisible."

Here Ron shakes his head and says: "The only thing he actually did all year and Harry remembers it a whole year later and makes use of it. Percy, your uselessness actually makes you bloody useful. And yes, I know who I'm talking about here." He then snaps at the end, proving he is still cross with his older brother as I read on.

Peeves almost … down and—

"And though I never told you guys, it almost felt as if I was going slower the lower I was falling." Harry suddenly tells us as he walks back into the room, Charlie and him both looking slightly battered, yet Harry's tone also suggests that he hasn't really let go off whatever angered him earlier on and Hermione asks:
"Harry?" But the boy shakes his head and says: "I – I'd just rather not think about it. It – it's just that, if I'm right, someone we all look up to is behaving like an utter hypocrite and, considering what that hypocrisy is currently causing us, I'd rather not think about him like that." And while this concerns us all, does Hermione nod as I read on.

FLUMP. With … on, Hermione!"

"Would the teachers really want to create an obstacle meant to keep thieves from breaking their necks or something?" I can't help but ask and Cedric shrugs as he says: "Professor Sprout would, she would probably expect students to take Dumbledore's warning as a challenge and want to protect them." At which I read on, agreeing with him.

The distant … you both!"

"And we go from the first challenge straight into the second one." Ron sighs, his voice proving he feels disappointed with how easily he got tricked into a sense of security back then and I can't help but ask: "How many are there?" To which my son answers: "Five more, this one included." Making me read on in great concern.

She leapt … the damp—"

"It sure is strange that they first use a challenge that can only be overcome with a special kind of challenge and then go over into a challenge that gets covered in the very first year of Hogwarts." Andromeda mutters to herself, yet then Kingsley shakes his head and says: "No, it's actually quite the smart strategy, Lady Tonks."
And we all look at him as he says: "It's either because of what Cedric said, that there could be students who wanted to try all of this stuff as some kind of challenge or because Dumbledore believed that, whoever the thief was, they would be old enough to have long since forgotten those lessons." And we all look thoughtful as I read on.

"So light … wood,' honestly."

Here Harry snorts before he looks up and says: "You know, I always thought that to be quite the odd quirk about myself. The crazier the situation, the clearer my head becomes." Yet here Ron answers: "That's because you suffer a minor case of ADD. Being able to move like crazy or going on a quest helps you control that."
"Wait, I have ADD? How did you know that, Ron?" Harry asks and Ron shrugs as he says: "All Demigods have it; that and Dyslexia. Their minds are set to Ancient Greek language, which makes it hard for them to read regular books." And while this seems to shock his friends, does Hermione then turn to Harry and say:
"That has to be it then. I just remembered that we discussed this when we read of your last few days with the Muggles. You admitted to your Dyslexia back then and – well, do all Demigods have it? If so, why don't you guys suffer from it?" Yet to this Ron shrugs and asks Harry: "How did you describe the feeling back then?"
And the boy shrugs as he says: "That the text of all these books looks like gibberish at first, but that the letters change into something that isn't English, but actually readable the longer I look at even just the first page." At this Ron nods and says: "Yeah, that happens to all Demigods, really." Making Harry smile as I read on.

"This way," … of Gringotts.

Here Harry shudders and Ron winces as he says: "You are so lucky not to be a Hufflepuff or Slytherin. Being the son of the Rich One's greatest rival would have – wait, how the heck did you even stay sane while down in that chamber the year after?" Ron suddenly asks in utter concern and here Harry almost turns whiter than snow as he shudders.
"Harry! For Merlin's sake! That place is around the same debt down the earth as the Underworld itself! How on earth did you get anything done down there? How in Hades did you –?" And I mutter: "It must be his ignorance of his actual heritage. They do say Ignorance is Bliss." And my son nods in slight relief as I read on.

With an … wooden door.

"You have no idea how relieved I felt to be in a room that bright and strong in height. It felt like I had jumped from a basement straight into the Astronomy Tower or something." Harry mutters and Ron whispers: "Di Immortales, thank the Big Guy for that one." Making everyone smile at the young royal Demigod as I read on.

"Do you … people didn't.

"That was mostly because the brooms helped me forget I was somewhere underground, though I doubt I would have felt the same had I been somewhere like in the Underworld or the Mythical Labyrinth." Harry mutters, a shudder of feared revulsion going through him at the thought and while Sirius hugs him a bit closer, do I read on.

After a … door open.

"Three challenges down, four left to go. Though it is kind of odd that, so far, all these challenges seem either based on those knowing Hagrid, having been through their first or having a good skill in flying and observation." Kingsley mutters and Hermione repeats her warning of the end of next chapter before I continue reading.

The next … no faces.

"Okay, just forget it. There is no way McGonagall didn't devise that challenge after Ron!" Charlie rants, but then Cedric says: "No, that's not possible.""How is it not possible?" Charlie asks and Cedric answers: "These challenges have been here since before the Opening Feast. McGonagall couldn't have known of Ron's talent back then."
And everyone looks at the Hufflepuff in shock before Andromeda says: "Actually, Pomona loves to combine Devil's Snare with more gentle based plants in her garden, Hagrid loves Fang above all else and Minerva was the first Chess Master of Gryffindor this century. It could just all be one big, dumb coincidence based on shared interests."
"How is that our luck?" Harry, Ron and Hermione suddenly ask and none of us have the answer before Sirius says: "At least you guys only share those interest. Considering Hagrid's loose lips and McGonagall's decreasing ability as a House, I am glad you guys don't share more in common." And we all nod before I read on.

"Now what … at chess—"

"You know, dad, I still don't get how I got to be this good in chess in the first place. I know you suck at it and – well –." I hear Ron mutter in the end and I smile as I ask: "Ever heard the term all is fair in love and war? Cause the whole reason behind that statement – is their similarity in requiring strategy." And my son smiles as I read on.

"We're not … two squares.

Yet here I see Bill turn white and when I look at him, he says: "This is McGonagall's challenge. Based on how confident she was earlier that no one would even dare get past Fluffy, she probably held nothing back in her creation of this challenge. Those three could be in some real danger here." And this makes me read on concerned.

Ron started … Hermione shouted.

And in that one word I express my own utter fear for my son's health, yet the boy instantly comes to sit with me and says: "I was out of the Hospital Wing within the hour." Making me sigh in relief along with his brothers and while I hug the boy close and smile at him in grateful pride for his quick act of comfort, do I then continue reading.

"That's chess!" … you've won."

Yet while Ron had been very quick with his act of comforting me, do I now seem to feel him losing the strength with which he moved earlier and the boy shrinks in on himself the more I read, making me stop and look at him in utter confusion before he seems to notice what I have done and his voice sounds crazy timid as he asks:
"Can I be honest with you guys?" We all nod and he mutters: "I – I may have had another strategy. One that – that didn't knock me out that night." This shocks the others and he mutters: "Sorry, Chess gave me courage, but – I was terrified of what could come next. Sorry I cowarded out." Yet I shake my head and Hermione says:
"Ron, we thought we were dealing with someone who already made an attempt on our friend's life, you had just been attacked by Devil's Snare and we were eleven. Had you gone into that crazy thing fearless, I would have called you madder than Rita does Dumbledore." And while my son snorts at hearing this, do I then read on.

He stepped … can't breathe."

"Hold on a second. So we're not dealing with Snape, but we are dealing with someone who would willingly kill off a magical beast? And who has enough magical strength to get through the thick skin of a Troll enough to actually kill it? That is so not a good sign." Charlie says with fear lingering in his voice before I shudder and read on.

He pulled … were trapped.

"Ehm, correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Snape supposed to guide Harry through these challenges? And if so, why would he not just create regular fire? Did he really think he needed two different versions of BLOODY FIENDFYRE just to keep up protective appearances?" Sirius rages in utter fury and I read on, furious myself.

"Look!" Hermione … at firstsight.

"Either Snape is more of a hypocrite than he thinks he is or he is actually trying to get your mother's side to show itself. I'm pretty sure Lily would have that riddle fixed within half an hour or so.""Even if he is, it's a bit late to show off that desire, don't you think?" Harry asks the contemplative Sirius and the man nods as I continue reading.

Hermione let … a minute."

"No offense, Harry, but you don't sound very clear-headed there." Neville says, yet Ron answers: "It's the fires. They're dangerous, but also restricting and the room itself is very much underground. The restrictions are one thing, but the fact that the flames show he's underground work detrimental to his usual Demigod skills."
This makes the other youngster cringe and Sirius asks: "Hey Ron, seeing you know so much about this, do you know if there is a cure to this natural fear of the underground and deep waters?" Yet Ron shakes his head and says: "Only permission from the two Lords can help here, sorry." And my fellow guardian sighs as I read on.

Hermione read … one swallow."

Yet at this Harry suddenly looks up and asks: "Ehm, did we get hit with a stupidity spell or something?" Here everyone looks at the lad and he says: "That bottle was the only one with evidence that it had been used. Why didn't we see that right from the first moment?" And while Hermione hits herself on the head, do I read on.

They looked … lucky again."

"Plus, the room was really getting to me and I could almost hear a breeze coming from the door with the black fire so I was hoping I could find another exit there in case necessary." Harry mutters to himself and then I notice it; while the lad still has Sirius' worried arms wrapped tightly around him, is the boy actually floating.
"Giving into your urges again?" Hermione asks with a soft snicker, while I myself am shocked to see the boy control the Windstream around him so flawlessly and Harry snaps back: "As if you don't wish you were in the library right now." Making the girl cringe before she giggles, admitting her friend to be right as I continue reading.

Hermione's lip … even Voldemort.

This both shocks and relieves me, yet the ending there makes me glare up at Harry and mutter: "You are one mean little bastard." Yet the boy retorts: "Hey, Lady Hecate wrote and send these books, not me." Making me roll my eyes before I ask: "So, should I read on?" But everyone shakes their heads and Hermione says:
"The next reader is probably already underway. Lupin? Why don't you show Mr. Weasley the room you'll be sharing while we wait for the next person. And Harry, maybe now you can write that letter to Dumbledore about Snape?" But the boy shakes his head and says: "No Hermione, the ending comes first." And the girl nods.

Hey everyone,
So I will admit – I was not feeling this chapter. I have needed AN ENTIRE DAY just to get all of the responses done and I almost reread my entire story up to this point – just for the whole Dyslexia part. Needless to say, I am not too proud of this chapter, but I do think I put up a few very good, unexpected points here and there.
You guys agree,

Venquine1990
PS. Who saw that Snape-Keeper thing coming? When I started this chapter, I sure as bleeding heck didn't.
I love my crazy mind sometimes.