Book One of the Heritage Series:
Harry Potter and the Return of Heritage
Chapter Twenty-Five
Beetle in your Pocket
With the new information in mind he was up before most at Hogwarts and ducked into the library just as it opened. He has spent an hour combing the shelves for books that he hoped would at least give him some idea of what divisions were in the DOM but true it its name it continued to be a mystery.
He met up with Hermione and Ron in the Great Hall and assured them he would speak to them later regarding his talk with Sirius; he started to read a book he had found in the library about defensive duelling, or more specifically the method of chaining spells together to overpower shields.
He was in the middle of a chapter regarding the use of applying curses, charms and transfiguration to accomplish an individual duelling style when the post owls arrived which he ignored as he was not expecting any post. He was however pulled from his reading by a large intake of breath by Hermione.
"What is it?" Harry and Ron said together, they had both seen her horrified look.
She spread the paper in front of the three of them so that they could all read it, the moment Harry saw the pictures his entire body went cold.
There were ten black and white images of nine wizards and one witch. They all looked menacing and did not seem to care that they had been sent to Azkaban. Five of the names jumped out at Harry.
Bellatrix Lestrange, convicted of the torture and permanent incapacitation of Auror's Frank and Alice Longbottom. Bellatrix was born into the House of Black.
Rodolphus Lestrange, convicted of the torture and permanent incapacitation of Auror's Frank and Alice Longbottom, also Husband of Bellatrix Lestrange, and brother of Rebastan.
Rebastan Lestrange, convicted of the torture and permanent incapacitation of Auror's Frank and Alice Longbottom.
Antonin Dolohov, convicted for the brutal murders of Gideon and Fabian Prewett, was a member of the large group who attacked the twins but was proven to have been the one who murdered them.
Augustus Rookwood, convicted of leaking classified information from the Department of Mysteries, where he was an Unspeakable, to He Who Must Not be named.
Harry nudged Hermione and Ron and pointed to Rookwood's caption. Again it was pointing to the DOM, and if he worked there, he could pass a lot of information to Voldemort now. He wondered for a moment why the names of the death Eaters were being printed when he read the headline.
MASS BREAKOUT FROM AZKABAN
MINISTRY FEARS THAT THIS IS THE WORK OF AN UNAMED EX PRISONER
WHO IS RECRUITING OLD DEATH EATERS TO HIS CAUSE.
"They are talking about Sirius." Harry said quietly, but he was incredibly angry, magic was escaping from his control, glass jugs of juice exploded and the plates rattled on the table.
"Harry you need to calm down." Hermione said urgently.
He took a deep calming breath and went through an Occlumency exercise which helped him gain control of himself, he summoned his wand and with a swish the shards of glass reformed into jugs, which were then refilled by elf magic, he then cast a drying charm at the mess he had caused.
"Where is the full article?" He asked Hermione, she gave him a searching look, as if she was wondering if he should read it, but she turned to the correct page and Harry read it.
The Ministry of Magic announced late last night that there has been a mass breakout from Azkaban.
Speaking to reporters in his private office, Cornelius Fudge, Minister for Magic, confirmed that ten high-security prisoners escaped in the early hours of yesterday evening, and that he has already informed the muggle Prime Minister of the dangerous nature of these individuals.
"We find ourselves, most unfortunately, in the same position we were two and a half years ago when the acquitted murderer Sirius Black escaped," said Fudge last night. "It is highly suspect that ten high security prisoners were able to escape. An escape of this magnitude suggests outside help, and we are looking into Sirius Black, as the first person ever to break out of Azkaban, he would have the knowledge of how to stage an attack on the fortress of Azkaban.
Lord Black has been unavailable for comment, but one of the escapees is Blacks own cousin, Bellatrix Lestrange. We believe it very likely that she will seek the sanctuary for her birth House, and we are petitioning to have the Black Properties searched.
We are, however, doing all we can to round up the criminals and beg the magical community to remain alert and cautious. On no account should any of these individuals be approached."
Harry growled. "This is not good, Fudge knows that Sirius is gaining support and is trying to prevent it. I notice that he had not had printed that Bellatrix has been thrown from the House of Black in disgrace, and that she should be addressed as Bellatrix No-name; as Sirius annulled her marriage to Lestrange."
"I would imagine it would not reflect the image of Sirius that Fudge is trying to create." Hermione said, "Can Fudge have all of his properties searched?"
"He will have to have a warrant signed by the heads of the DMLE and DOM, but will also need approval of the Wizengamot, but it is possible that he could force Sirius to allow it." Harry considered it carefully remembering all he could regarding the law, "Black House is obviously not going to be searched, but they can search the house Sirius bought in Essex after he left school and the Black Country Estate in Norfolk, both they will find are empty."
"I think we know that they will want to access Black House" Hermione said knowing he was talking about Number Twelve, "There will be a record of the property in the ministry, even if the charm protects it, they will know there is a London townhouse and they may force their entry."
"Well they won't get far." Harry said shrugging not sure, "Dumbledore is secret keeper and they won't get it from him, and Sirius has control of the wards and will bar their entry."
He began to look around the Hall and he saw that nearly all of the students were staring at their own newspapers; he noticed that the majority of them looked troubled and would give him looks of confusion; he saw that the DA all had long dark looks and they were not happy with the article.
"We should leave mate, you are getting looks from the students." Ron said standing up but saw that both Hermione and Harry hadn't moved, Hermione was still staring at the article but looked like she was planning to head to the library.
"I will meet you two later, I have had an Idea, I am the only one who can get her, not that she will have a choice." Hermione said and she picked up her bag and practically ran out of the hall.
"She will tell us when she needs too. Shall we go?" Ron said looking at Hermione fondly.
Harry nodded, but he held his head high as they left, and if anyone dared meet his eyes he would glare back at them. He and Sirius had done nothing wrong. As they reached the doors to the Great Hall they had to wait for a long queue of Ravenclaw's to come through the door, but they also met Hagrid who was leaving at the same time.
"All righ' you two?" Hagrid said with an attempted smile.
"Not really." Harry said, but he saw that Hagrid was wincing slightly as they walked and he had blood on the back of his head in his hair. "Are you Ok Hagrid?"
"Gotta get back to my cabin, lessons to prepare you know. Salamanders needing treatment and I am on probation." He mumbled.
Harry's stomach sank, he couldn't believe it, Care of Magical creatures had been going well, and Hagrid's teaching had definitely improved.
"You're on probation?" Ron said in a small horrified voice.
"Yeah." Hagrid said miserably, "Should have expected, not sure you know but she doesn't like me ter tell the truth. Think it's because I'm 'alf giant."
"That is discrimination!" Harry exclaimed, "I will help you with your lessons Hagrid as will Hermione."
"You're not to get involved," Hagrid said in a defeated voice, "neither is Hermione, it will only make it worse, but thanks for the offer."
"Well if you won't accept my help, I must insist that you let me heal you." Harry said in a determined voice.
"Nuffin' wrong with me." Hagrid grumbled as he walked down the lawns, but Harry would have none of it.
"I don't care what is doing this to you Hagrid and I am not going to ask." Harry said as he pushed his way into his cabin. "But you are going to take a seat and you are going to let me heal you."
"I am a professor and you will do as you are told" Hagrid said sternly.
Harry raised his eyebrow. "I am sure by now you know I will not do as I am told." He said stubbornly, "Or would you prefer that Umbridge asks you about these injuries?"
Hagrid started to protest again, so Harry flicked out his wand and with a twitch of it he summoned the heavy arm chair to crash into Hagrid's knees making the Half-giant stagger ever so slightly, and with another spell he hit him with a powerful force of magic that forced him to sit down. "Not another word Hagrid!"
Hagrid went to stand up, but Harry had quickly cast a sticking charm on the armchair. He pointed his wand at Hagrid's face.
"You are my friend and I am not going to take no for an answer, now sit still and stop making a fuss." He said told him firmly daring him to protest.
Hagrid stared at him for a moment and then relented. "Yeh remind me of your mother when you talk like that 'arry."
Harry began to perform the diagnostic charms whilst Ron started applying chilli powder to the salamanders on Hagrid's table, as he was not needed with the healing. "How so?"
"She would never take no for an answer when she was trying to help someone'." Hagrid said with a look of nostalgia. "I remember a time when Remus was in a great deal of pain after he 'ad transformed after Hogwarts and refused to see a healer, well Lily would 'ave none of it, she ended up placing a strong stunning spell on him and healed him, once she was done she screamed something awful to him I can tell yeh."
"Well it would seem that both me and my mother are as stubborn as each other." Harry said, although he was concentrating on the spells he was performing, it made him smile, everyone said she had such a great heart and was full of compassion, but she still had an awful temper. He then took a step back from Hagrid and cancelled his binding spells. "Right I am done, I would say be careful but I know you will ignore me. So I will say this, if you get injured again and it is obvious, you are to owl me and I will heal it, am I understood?"
"Fine," Hagrid said begrudgingly but seemed to be please that he was no longer pained when he walked, "and thanks for that, both of you, Ron you did a good job with the salamanders. Both of you should get back up to the school."
Both of them left wondering what was managing to injure Hagrid like that, and they hoped that it wouldn't get in trouble.
The following week had been difficult, he still had not found any books relating the DOM, and neither Hermione nor Ron knew any more than he did. On top of that the Prophet was publishing more stories about the death eaters including in depth stories of what the individuals had done. However this caused many problems in the school, as many students were related to families that had been attacked by them.
Neville had been the worst affected at first, many students asking him about the attacks on his parents, however he had managed to send away all of those who were looking for information, the quite passive boy that he had been previously had gone, here was a young man who was not afraid to stare down the rumour-mongers.
He had also cursed Draco Malfoy something awful when he had been talking loudly about how great his Aunt had been when he was younger. Harry had been shocked when Neville had done it but had soon realised just how much power was behind the curse, it would seem that he had been right about the wand, his new one was much better suited to him.
Susan Bones had also seen a form of gruesome fame when it had been printed that her parents, uncles and cousins had all been murdered by the Death Eaters, she had approached him after dinner the day the story had ran, she could now understand what his fame felt like.
"I don't know how you can stand it, people thinking you're a celebrity for something you had no control over." She said bluntly, "And I can tell you that Auntie Amelia is livid, she will have called a meeting of the Ancient Houses."
Harry had agreed, since Sirius had confirmed it, Amelia was on the war path, but she had the remainder of the Bones family move into the family's Ancestral manor and they were fortifying it, and placing it under a Fidelius charm, as were many of the old families.
The student population was afloat with whispers, none knew what to quite believe of the ministry story in the Prophet, they had highlighted Sirius as the person behind it but there was no proof and they had got nowhere in getting a warrant for the search of their properties.
Harry could feel a lot of fear radiating from the castle, the student may not believe that Voldemort had returned but they knew that the Death Eaters had. However it had soon gone through Hogwarts that they had all been in Voldemort's inner circle and the most powerful of his followers.
Many students would now whisper with their friends, and look at Harry, not with fear and suspicion, but with wonder and confusion. Teachers had also been affected by the news, Harry, Ron and Hermione had come across teachers meeting in corridors and classrooms in large groups to talk in hushed whispers.
"I would imagine that they cannot talk freely in the staff room any longer." Hermione said in a dark low voice as they passed, McGonagall, Flitwick, Sprout and Babbling conversing in a small dark enclave near the charms classroom.
"Umbridge would listen to them and would not approve of them talking about it." Ron said.
"I also wouldn't put it past her to have placed listening charms in there so she doesn't even have to be there." Harry said, "I heard that was how the last decree had been passed; Umbridge heard Sprout talking about the breakouts with a number of frightened first years who were hysterical."
BY ORDER OF THE HIGH INQUISITOR OF HOGWARTS
Teachers are hereby banned from giving students any information that is not strictly related to the subjects that they are paid to teach.
The above is in accordance with Educational Decree Number Twenty-six.
Signed: Delores Jane Umbridge. High Inquisitor.
The latest Decree had been taken to be quite the motivator to misbehave; the Twins had walked into Umbridge's Class room wearing their newest product, the Headless Hat that would render the persons head invisible whilst they wore a hat very similar to the hat that Nearly Headless Nick wore.
She tried to put them in detention. But Lee Jordan pointed out that she couldn't as they would be a breach of Educational Decree Twenty-Six, as Headless Hats had nothing to do with Defence against the Dark Arts.
The next time that Harry has seen Lee was the day after he has spent five hours writing lines, he had his left hand banged because Harry assumed he had injured his hand by writing so many lines.
Umbridge did not apparently seem abashed by the break out under the ministries nose; she however seemed to have her mind set on making sure that Hogwarts was fully under her control. Divination and Care Of Magical Creatures were now conducted with her presence and her ever present clipboard, Ron told him that Trelawney was hysterical and smelt of cooking sherry. Hagrid was sticking to a teaching syllabus that Hermione had made him and forced him to take, and not a single animal he showed was dangerous and was age appropriate, however Umbridge still could be see making definite 'x's on her clipboard during the lessons but Hagrid was determined to ignore her.
The highlight of the first month was the improvement that he had seen in the DA, the breakout had shown them how close they were to all-out war and they were pushing themselves, Neville had been the most prominent, he was mastering spells sometimes quicker than Hermione, and during their mock duels he would also be on par with some of the sixth years. Daphne had told him that Slytherin was now very turbulent and many were not happy with the death eater's escape.
Harry began to push his own magical skills further, he was now always in the top five of students across all of his subjects, he had motivated Ron to improve beyond what he had already that year by betting him twenty galleons that if he pushed himself he too could come near the top of the class and he had taken the bet and was not going to let himself fail as he didn't have twenty galleons to pay him if he failed. Hermione continued to take Harry's new academics in stride and they would now compete for the top spots, neither minded when the other beat them but they would never let them have it easily. Neville had soon joined them and they would help him with the lessons he had fallen behind on over the years but he was far more advanced that they were in Herbology and he helped them with that.
Harry had also managed to prevent Snape from gaining entry into his memories for the last three sessions, whilst Snape would still get into his mind he would hit his barriers but Harry could force him out. However Snape would now spring the spell on him nonverbally around the castle. It was not as powerful, but it could be more subtle and if Harry didn't notice he could see his surface thoughts. He found it a challenge especially if Snape performed it during Potions, but he found it less of a strain to push him out this way, it was just noticing the small touch of the professor's mind.
On the Fourteenth of February, came the first Hogsmeade visit of the year, Harry has looking forward to it as he was going to be spending it with Katie Bell, although he wasn't sure what they would do. He had dressed in plain black robes with a white shirt and grey trousers, and his favourite dragon hide boots. He didn't touch his hair as he thought Katie would be used to it being messy as she knew him from Quidditch.
He made his way down to the Common Room where he met her and she too had dressed quite smartly in a light blue robe.
He smiled as she saw him.
"Hi" he said lamely.
"Hey Harry" she said with the slightest hint of a blush.
"Well shall we join the masses and get in line to go to Hogsmeade?" He asked gesturing to the portrait hole.
"Of course," She said and she led the way. They got just to the portal when he heard his name being shouted.
"Harry!" He saw Hermione running over with Ron tagging behind her and she was holding a letter in her hand.
"What is it Hermione?" He asked with a frown.
"I know you are both going to Hogsmeade together but please could you get to the Three Broomstick by midday?" She asked.
Harry frowned, "Why?"
"I have set up an interview for you, you need to tell your version of events," she said breathlessly.
"You set it up for me!?" Harry exclaimed, "Why?"
"Because of the rubbish being printed by the Prophet, you need to get the truth out to the masses Harry." Hermione said earnestly.
"Fine I will be there." He said reluctantly. He then walked passed her down the corridor with Katie walking next to him.
"She may have gone about it the wrong way, but she is right." Katie said quietly.
"I know but she knows I do not like the press, they have done a number on me over the years and I detest them." He said, "I am sure you had seen the articles last year?"
Katie laughed heartily, "Well if you mean the rubbish about you being Hermione's girlfriend then yes I did, however Rita Skeeter has not known you since you were eleven. All of the Gryffindors know who Hermione likes other than the boy in question, and I think it is the same in reverse."
Harry laughed, "Is it really common knowledge in the house?"
"Oh yes," she replied with a smile, "the twins started a betting pool two years ago, from what they have said they even have some of the teachers involved."
Harry shook his head, and smiled. He had had a similar conversation with Neville about his two best friends and he had said something very similar. Why was it that a boy who could see everything on chess board before his opponent and one of the brightest witches in the school could not see that they liked each other?
They managed to beat most of the students to the grounds by using the passages that Harry knew over the castle.
"How is it you know those passages?" Katie asked with interest.
"You could say that I was taught by people who knew how the castle better than anyone," Harry said vaguely "I believe they had more reason to avoid teachers than I often do."
"That's what the Twins always say when I ask them, and you know you have quite the reputation in the house." She said with a look out of the corner of her eye, "The entire house knows that the chairs in front of the fire belong to the Golden Trio and when you huddle together we get ready for something unexpected or a great loss of points."
"Golden Trio?" Harry choked out.
"That's what the three of you are called, by most of the school, it's because of the colour of the collar of our robes, the Gryffindor gold is what can been seen when you huddle."
Harry laughed uncomfortably, he had never heard them being called that, "You should know that you to have quite the reputation, that if a boy asks you out you hex them."
Katie gave him a small smile, "That was just one boy, and that boy happened to be McLaggen."
"Ah no explanation needed." Harry said they reached the edge of the village. They decided just to walk around the small village as neither of them needed anything, they talked about their expectations after Hogwarts, Harry told her his three choices and she told him about her healing training, she hoped to be able to become the Hogwarts medi-witch so she could come back to the castle.
They talked about the Quidditch team for a while, she told him that Ron was definitely improving and whilst it was a shame that he wasn't on the team still, it had allowed Ginny Weasley a chance to get on the team and the chasers had been very impressed. She was apparently an excellent flier.
They found themselves up the lonely lane where the shrieking shack stood, Harry felt his ring alert him to the presence of his land. Katie looked at the old house and shivered "This place gives me the creeps."
"Why?" He asked surprised.
"It's the most haunted place in Britain." She said matter of factly.
Harry laughed, "The land has never been haunted." She gave him a confused look, "That house was only built in 1971, the land itself had been in my family for centuries."
"You own that house?" She asked looking scandalised.
He shook his head, "Only the land but it is leased to Hogwarts, it was built for a student back in the seventies who was a werewolf."
Katie looked out at the house for a moment, "So the crashing, banging and screams the villagers heard? Were made by a werewolf?"
He nodded, "it is said that the werewolf would be snuck into the passageway by madam Pomfrey and she would collect him after the moon waned."
"He?" She asked with a puzzled look, and then a look of realisation hit her. "Professor Lupin?"
"The one and only." He smiled, "My father or I should say fathers and the traitorous piece of filth Peter Pettigrew used to create more noise to cover for Remus, they would sneak out of the school on regular days and create the haunting noises."
"I boggles the mind that the man everyone thought was a mass murderer and was trying to break into the tower was not only your godfather but also now your father." She said.
"Well to give him some credit," Harry said with a smirk, "he wasn't in his right mind, he had been in the presence of Dementors for all of those years and they did a number on him."
She then checked the time. "Well thank you for an enjoyable morning Harry, but it is twelve now so you better not keep the reporter waiting." She then smiled evilly and kissed him on the lips and then with a flick of her hair she walked into the three broomsticks.
Harry stood routed to the spot for a few moments, but then shook his head as if to clear it of thought, then pushed his way up to the bar where he ordered himself a butter beer. He caught sight of Katie siting with Angelina, Leanne and Alicia and she was bright red but he didn't walk over, as he had also seen Hermione sitting with Sirius and Luna Lovegood.
He walked over to the booth that they were sitting in and saw that the last reporter he ever expected sitting there: Rita Skeeter.
"You're on time." Hermione said beaming and she moved around to allow more room next to Sirius for Harry to sit down.
Sirius smiled at him but his eyes were hard and focused on the reporter in front of him, who at that moment was avoiding his gaze.
"Well then shall we get started." Sirius said in a tone full of authority.
Harry shook his head and he soon traced a number of privacy wards around them to prevent people eavesdropping. "Now we can begin."
"Little Miss Perfect here was about to tell me why I am here before you arrived." Said Rita staring at Hermione over the rim of her glass, "I take it I am allowed to speak to him?"
"Oh yes that is the purpose of this meeting Rita, but you can keep that foul green quill in your bag." Hermione said coolly.
Harry looked Skeeter over, he could tell that being unemployed did not suit her at all, her hair was no long in its pristine curls, nor were her nails which were chipped and rough. Her jewelled glasses were missing many of their gems also.
"So what is this deal you have for me then?" She said.
"You are to write two stories one for Harrison and one for Lord Black," Hermione said, "detailing exactly what happened the night that Voldemort returned."
Rita gave an involuntary jump and spilt her drink down herself. Hermione threw a napkin at her, "Get hold of yourself woman." Rita then looked intrigued by Harry, she then went to pull out her evil green quill and parchment "I can see the headline now, Black-Potter Names Death Eaters, disturbed teenage –"
Sirius cleared his throat loudly, which had the effect of stopping Rita mid flow and held out an expensive looking quill.
"You will write the article with this quill, and the article will be written with only what Harrison tells you, you cannot add facts, nor can you retract them. You tell it precisely as he tells you." He said in a formal commanding tone.
"The Daily Prophet will not -"
"The prophet will not print ts because the ministry will not let them." Sirius interrupted, "Miss Lovegood here has spoken to her father and who will print the article for us."
"And tell me what rag does he print?" Rita snapped back and took a deep gulp of her remaining drink.
"The Quibbler." Luna said in a dreamy voice as she swirled an onion in her gillywater.
"That rancid pile of manure? Not a single witch or wizard will take it seriously if it is printed in that rag!" Rita exclaim with a smug look.
"It's readership is of no concern to you Miss Skeeter," Hermione said, "you will write this story for us today, and it will be printed in the Quibbler, and that is the end of this discussion."
Rita gazed levelly at the four of them, "And what of my fee?"
"Daddy doesn't pay people to write for the magazine, he says it should be enough to see their names in print" Luna said dreamily.
Harry laughed to himself, he actually agreed with her father on that score.
"You will not get paid for his article, you have no choice unless you wish for my young friend here to report you for being an unregistered animagus." Sirius said menacingly.
"Well I do not have a choice do I?" She said unhappily. She then pulled out a roll of parchment and took the quill Sirius had offered her, "So what is the story you want me to write Lord Black?"
Sirius then pulled out a bag which jangled with coins, "I am hiring you to write the article for me, it too with be truthful and I get the final read before it goes to print. One hundred galleons for the piece."
Rita nodded. "Then you will be writing the story of what I have been up to since I was exonerated and how the minister is leaning on the prophet to print malicious lies." He said simply. But they all knew that it would not be that simple.
"Very well" she said and gazed at Harry. "Shall we start with you?"
Harry nodded and launched into his story.
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