Chapter Twenty-Six
Choosing Champions
Harry and Tonks arrived in Madam Maxime's office to find the Minster of France, Minister Diggory and several other guests. Tonks moved in front of Harry with her wand out to protect him. Minister Diggory approached said to the pair with a warm smile on his face, "Auror Tonks, please put your wand down. We mean no harm to the young Lord."
Amos reached around Tonks pulled Harry forward and introduced him to everyone in the room. Harry tried to smile but it was difficult. He was never used to this kind of attention. He just wanted to join his friends and show them the gifts his father had given him. It didn't happen though. He was forced to stand there as he was introduced to everyone in the room.
The only person that Harry was glad to see was Arthur Weasley. The man didn't look at Harry at first, but Harry searched him out. He finally pulled free from Minister Diggory for a moment. He walked over to Arthur and inquired, "How are you doing, Mr. Weasley?"
"I'm fine Harry. Ginny wrote to me and explained that you don't hold what Molly did against our family. I'm thankful for that," Arthur acknowledged. "I hate that you thought badly of every Weasley just because of Molly's mistakes."
"I can't hate you or your family. You made me feel welcome when no one else did. I know to your wife it was an act, but I realize it wasn't to you. I'm thankful for everything you did for me," Harry said offering his hand in friendship to Arthur.
"You welcome son and I hope you come over for a visit during the summer," Arthur answered as he took Harry's hand. Harry didn't know this but this gesture meant a lot to Arthur and put many of the man's fears to rest.
"You'll have to write my parents and ask them. It is up to them," Harry said.
"I'll do that," Arthur promised, shocked but happy that Harry saw the Tonks as his family. He figured it was time that the boy found a place in this world where he was wanted.
Harry didn't get away from the Headmistress' office until dinnertime. He barely had enough time to change. Therefore, the first time he saw his friends it was at dinner. In fact, he arrived at dinner after everyone was seated and the politicians had been introduced.
"Harry, where have you been?" Neville asked as Harry slipped into the empty chair next to him.
"I was waylaid by visiting politicians. I just managed to get away from them," Harry said shaking his head.
"The problems of being a future Lord of the Wizengamot. I know. I had to put up with them during my summers at functions. It sucks," Neville grumbled.
"Tell me about it," Harry said sighing. He looked over at Hermione who wasn't talking and asked, "How was your first transformation?"
"Fine," Hermione muttered looking up at Harry for a moment then turned her attention back to her plate.
Harry looked at Susan and Neville questionable. They both just shrugged as Neville whispered in Harry's ear. "She has been like that since she returned. We have tried to get her to talk to us but she won't." Harry watched for a moment and knew something was wrong. He knew now wasn't the time or place to get the truth from her. He would wait until later and then he would get the answers he wanted. In the mean time, Harry forced himself to sit there, try to enjoy the meal, and the events afterwards.
It was finally time for the selections of the champions. Madam Maxime stood walked to stand by the cup and gave a speech. "I want to welcome our honor guests Minister Pierre' from our own fine government, Minister Diggory from England and Minister Anastasiya from Bulgaria." The three men smiled waving their hands together. They might look different but they were still politicians. They knew the press was watching them and they made best of it. Madam Maxime ignored them and went on. She introduced the other guests and then got down to picking the champions.
Everyone sat waiting with anticipation. The first name out of the cup was the champion from Hogwarts. Minister Diggory stood and cheered with other members of Hogwarts as his son's name was called. Cedric gave his father a small, embarrassed wave as he went to wait in the holding room for the others. The next name came out was Viktor Krum from Durmstrang. The Minister from his government, not to be out done by Amos, stood and cheered Viktor as the boy went into the holding room. Madam Maxime shook her head and then the last name came out. It was Fleur Delacour. The girl soon properly walked from the room. The French Minister cheered for her as did others from the school but you could see the disappointment in their eyes that they weren't the ones chosen.
Madam Maxime was about to thank everyone for trying out and go join the champions when the cup came to life again and another name flew from it. She caught it and read the paper out loud. "Ronald Dumbledore."
The room was stunned. Harry, Hermione, Neville and Susan all turned in their seats to look towards the Hogwarts table. They watched as a smug Ron stood up waving at everyone.
"I knew it would work," he bragged for everyone to hear. He walked past his brothers and said, "I did something the two of you couldn't do!" Fred and George ducked under the table. They didn't want anyone to know they knew him. He ignored them and walked on. He walked past the head table smiling. He looked Amos Diggory and said, "There are two Hogwarts champions, but I'm going to win the cup!"
The moment Ron vanished through the door it was as though everything erupted. People cursed and cried cheater. The Ministers from Bulgaria and France were threatening to call everything off. Amos was trying to assure them that he had nothing to do with this. He didn't even know the boy. The boy was just the mad son of the infidel that tried to destroy their world. Arthur Weasley sat in his chair shaking his head. He couldn't believe how foolish Ron was. How could he have done such a thing? Minerva McGonagall threw her napkin on the table and stood up. She marched towards the door where the other champions were waiting. She was going to her hands on Ron and strangle him.
Harry and his fiends' watched all of this. Neville leaned close to Harry and stated, "Professor McGonagall is going to kill Ron!"
"I know," Harry agreed.
"She won't kill him even thought he earned it but I hate to be him," Susan told the boys.
Hermione nodded sadly, "Yeah, me too,"
Harry forgot all about Ron at that moment and turned his attention to Hermione. He stood up walked to her seat and said, "Come on, let's go talk."
"Not now," Hermione said trying to brush Harry away.
"Now," Harry said firmly gently taking her by the arm and guiding her out of the room and into the hallway to talk. Neville and Susan stayed behind. They were going to leave Hermione to Harry. If anyone could get to the bottom of things, it was he.
Ron stormed from dining room. The adults had just finished chewing him out. People hadn't had acted the way he thought they would. They weren't proud of what he did. They were angry with him. They had said it was foolish and stupid.
Ron didn't care what they thought or what anyone else thought. He was going to prove them all wrong. He could win this tournament. He had the Elder Wand and it gave him a power that none of the others hand.
Ron stopped by the double doors fingering the wand with a half smile on his face. There he spotted Harry and Hermione talking. Harry finally managed to get Hermione to tell him what was going on and he was comforting her. Ron anger grew at the sight of Harry with Hermione. He believed if it was Harry's name that came out of the cup, then everyone would have cheered for him, not called him stupid.
Without thinking Ron marched over to where the pair was standing and snarled, "I bet it really excites you knowing she is caged up all night. I know it does me! It is perfect for a mud blood like her."
Harry's face turned red as he turned to look at Ron. Hermione felt the magic in Harry build and tried to say something to calm him down. "Harry, please," she pleaded.
Her word came too late, for seconds later Harry's fist hit Ron right the jaw. The older boy went down but he didn't stay down long. Ron jumped to his feet pulling his father's wand from his robes. The boy shot a nasty spell towards Harry. This spell he found in the school library and was working on perfecting it for the tournament. He didn't care that the spell was considered Dark. It just seemed like a perfect spell to learn for the tri-wizard tournament.
Just as the spell shot from Ron's wand, Harry shoved Hermione out of the way raising a hand, his left hand with the Potter family ring on it out of reflex. The ring's magic went into effect and a shield appeared in front of the pair just moments before the spell was to hit them.
The spell shot off Harry's shield and blasted a hole in the ceiling sending chunks of marble to the ground. Hermione raised her hands over her head to protect her head from the falling marble as Harry pulled his wand and sent is own spell towards Ron. The two were soon fighting. Hermione tried to get them to stop but neither would listen. They were beyond listening. Ron wanted to prove that he was better then Harry and Harry, well, he was just angry. He was sick of Ron and was going to knock the prat down a few pegs.
The fight had caught the attention of the others in the dinning hall and people came out to check things out. Kids saw who was fighting and everyone started to cheer Harry on. This just mad Ron madder and he sent more nasty spells towards Harry. Harry ducked and dodged them.
He sent his own spells towards Ron. They weren't as dark but he put everything he had into them. And, because he was a Blood Lord, he out classed Ron magically, but Ron just didn't realize it at that moment. The only thing he thought of was showing to the world that he was better than Harry Potter. He didn't realize that he was endangered of being harmed by Harry. It wasn't until a few of Harry's spells got closer than Ron's like that he realized that he might be out matched. Harry's eyes were glowing by this time and you could feel the magic coming off him.
Ron started to back up his mind racing on how to get out of this mess when a woman's voice with a thick French accent called out. "What is going on here?" Madam Maxime demanded. She and others had heard the fighting and came out to see what was going on. Standing beside her was the Minister of France, members of the press and the other visitors. Behind them were the students and professors from all the schools.
Ron turned towards the woman as Harry shot another spell towards the boy knocking him off his feet. Ron shook his head and started to sit up moments later just as Harry reached him. Harry's foot came slamming down hard on Ron's wand hand breaking Dumbledore's wand in the process. Ron cried out in pain and shock as he looked at his busted wand.
He started to curse Harry until he noticed Harry's wand aiming right at his head. Harry leaned over shoving his wand into Ron's face and demanded, "Apologize!"
"You broke my wand!" Ron cried.
Harry twisted his heal grinding Ron's hand into marble floor. Ron cried and tried free his hand from under Harry's foot. The adults had tried to do something but the magic rolling off of Harry prevented it. "I said apologize to Hermione!" Harry damaged again.
Ron nodded in obvious pain as he cried out, "Alright, I'm sorry."
Harry backed off and let Ron stand. The boy stood up looking at his broken wand in shock. Harry didn't even blink as he promised, "You ever talk to her in that manner again. If you do, a slug won't find you attractive, do you understand me? Mr. Dumbledore?"
Ron nodded, gripping his broken hand with his left. He was about to leave when he noticed the others standing around them. It was then that Madam Maxime asked again, "Mr. Potter, what do you have to say for yourself?"
Harry looked at her forgetting all about Ron and thinking of what Hermione had just told him. So, he answered her in a very sarcastically sounding tone of voice, "You really want to know what I have to say? Well, I'll say that I think your government is just as bad as ours. You claim that you're open to werewolves, but you treat two members of my family like dirt during their transformation. I also think it is your government's fault that Hermione was bitten in the first place. They didn't think about her when the set the trap for those hunters. They didn't even think about Remus' safety. They only cared about getting those hunters. He could have been killed. He is like an uncle to me. He is also Sirius Black's best friend. I know he wasn't happy to find out what happened. I wasn't happy with what happed either. I'm starting to think it is mistake to stay at this school. It might be better off if we both leave. I'll pay for Hermione's home school education. It has to be better then learning anything from the likes of you."
Neville was the only one out of Harry's friends that understood Harry's words. He could see the panic in the French Minister's eyes. Harry was a future member of the Wizengamot and he had a lot of political power. The boy's godfather had more and he knew from reports that Remus was best friends with Sirius Black. This could be a political disaster if Harry walked out of the school.
Therefore, Minister Pierre' decided to calm things down before it out of hand, he walked forward and said to Madam Maxime, "It seems this was just a duel of honor. It was held at a wrong moment and place, but our rules allow duels of this kind to be held. I will suggest that Lord Potter is taught the proper procedures of duels but no punishment should be handed down for his lack knowledge. As for my government's mistakes in the matter with Ms. Granger and Mr. Lupin, I promise to look into it. I am very sorry that it had happened. Please, Lord Potter forgive me." The man then offered his hand to Harry.
Neville moved forward and whispered in Harry's ear. "Take it."
Harry took the man's hand and shook it. The Minister then bowed to Hermione kissed her hand and said, "I'm sorry my dear for the pain that you suffered. Why don't you, Mr. Lupin and I go talk about this matter in private. I wish to get to the bottom of this matter quickly."
"I…" Hermione didn't know what to say. She was shocked this was happening.
Harry looked at him. "I'm coming as well."
"Of course, young Lord, I would never dream of leaving you out," Minister Pierre' said and the two of them went looking for Remus.
Ron stood there his face red. "He destroyed my wand!" Ron yelled.
"You're luck that is the only thing that was destroyed. You fool! Potter could have killed you! I just might," Snape growled adding the last part under his breath.
"Severus," Minerva said in a warning tone. Snape just growled and said, "Thankfully, he is one of yours." The Potion Master muttered then walked from the school with his cloak flying behind him.
Minerva shook her head and looked down at Ron. "I should expel you!"
"No," Arthur said panic taking over.
"I know, Arthur. I know what would happen. So, I'm not going to do it. I am going to confine Ron to the carriage for the rest of our stay here. He is going to be allowed to leave for the contests and classes and that is it. You won't leave for any other reason," Minerva said grabbing Ron by the shoulder and walking him towards the door.
"I'm not competing. I can't. I no longer have my father's wand," Ron said shaking his head. Minerva ignored him for now. She just thought it was talk and that Ron really didn't mean it. He was a pure blood after all. He knew what was at stake if he didn't compete.
Minister Pierre', Harry and Hermione found Remus. Remus had heard what happened and he wasn't happy with Harry. He covered his emotions well as he showed the Minister into his room for their talk. Once tea was severed Minister Pierre' got down to business. He asked Remus and Hermione to explain what happened to them.
The two reluctantly started to explain what happened. Minister Pierre' was sadden by this and Harry was just mad. He did stay quiet and watched the Minister closely. The Minister knew this and tried to think of a way to cool things down. "Um, this potion you take? Did it work?"
"Yes," Remus said.
"The transformation was easy. It didn't hurt. I could also control the wolf's emotions. The men were lucky. I don't think I could have done it other wise. Moony would have got to them if I had let him and not even those bars would have held him," Remus explained.
"Moony?" Minister Pierre' asked.
Remus smiled and said, "It is what I call the werewolf inside me. He is me, but he is more. The potion was the first time I felt like one. It is hard to explain," Remus said.
"I felt like myself as well. I mean I knew I wasn't but it wasn't like Remus said it was going to be like," Hermione said.
Minister Pierre' nodded and thought a bit more. "I know why they separated you. I might not approve of what happened after but I do understand the first part. We approve of the potion that the others take. We don't this one." Harry looked like he was going to say something but the Minister cut him off. "I'm not saying it didn't work. In fact, I think it has possibilities. The trouble is the potion laws are tight. It will take a Master to dissect the potion to clear every part of it before it is widely accepted. I believe there is a potion master as this school. If he gives his approval, I will sign papers that accept it to be given in our country. Until then, I will allow the two of you to be housed in another safe location. You just need to have one set up for your next full moon."
Remus was shocked to hear this and muttered, "Thank you."
"You welcome and tell Lord Black that I am very sorry for what has happened," Minister Pierre' said.
It suddenly dawned on Remus why the Minister was treating them like this. It had nothing to do with them, but Sirius and of course Harry but he wasn't about to show any disrespect towards the man and stood offering the man his hand. "I will and thanks again."
"No trouble," Minister Pierre' said. He said his good byes to Harry and Hermione then left. He had other business to take care off.
The moment he was gone. Remus turned and looked at Harry. "Do you realize what just happened here?"
"He agreed to help out," Harry said.
"Only because you and Sirius are Lords, he didn't do it for any other reason. You could have caused us a lot of problems other wise," Remus said.
"So, I am a Lord," Harry said.
Remus shook his head. "Harry…" he started to say but gave up. He had this conversation once with Sirius. It didn't work then and he feeling it wouldn't work now. "Go to bed," he finally said.
"Good night," Harry said smiling at Remus as he offered his hand to Hermione. "You want to walk with me back to our dorms?"
Hermione was shocked. This wasn't the Harry she remembered but she was pleased to see him. She took his head waved at Remus and they left. Remus shook his head and smiled. He couldn't stay mad at Harry. He knew the kid meant well beside it worked out.
Remus went to his desk to think things over. He was tapping on the mirror that Sirius had sent to him earlier that day by owl. Remus was thinking about contacting Sirius when voice filled the room. "Hey, Moony--."
Remus looked down to see Sirius face looking back at him. "Hi, Sirius," Remus said.
"What's wrong?" Sirius asked, hearing something in Remus voice that he didn't like.
Remus sighed and explained everything. He explained about Ron, what happened after and about what happened during the transformation. When Remus finished, he looked down to see the mirror empty. He was puzzled by this until a figure burst through his bedroom door. A very angry Sirius Black came through. "Why didn't you contact me? Where is this Minister at? I have a few things to say to him," Sirius demanded.
Remus walked over placed a hand on Sirius shoulder and said trying to calm his friend down. "Easy, Sirius, Harry took care of things for you."
"He did?" Sirius said looking shocked.
"Yes, and if you heard me out, you would have realized it. Come on let's talk," Remus said. He poured drinks and they sat down to talk.
Sirius laughed as he heard about Harry and Ron's fight. "That's my godson."
"You godson is lucky he didn't get expelled," Remus said.
"I would have just sent him to another school," Sirius said.
"I'm sure Andi and Ted would like to hear that," Remus said.
"Andi? Oh, yeah, right," Sirius said, realizing that Harry might get off with the school but not his new mother. The kid was in trouble and he knew it. "Well, I'm still proud of him." Sirius stated.
"So, am I," Remus admitted.
Remus was playing with his drink thinking. "What's wrong?" Sirius asked.
"I'm thinking about those guards. I know the Minister of France is taking care of things but I feel like I'm letting them off too easy. I think they should pay for what they did," Remus said.
Sirius eyebrow went up. "Mr. Moony have an idea?" he asked.
"Yes, Mr. Padfoot, Mr. Moony has an idea. Does Mr. Padfoot want to help Mr. Moony?"
"Mr. Padfoot would love to help Mr. Moony," Sirius said smiling. The pair tapped the glasses together and then sat there plotting their revenge. The two men that hurt Remus and Hermione would soon learn that it was not wise to tick off a Marauder.
(Note, how Sirius got to Remus room so fast is by long distant apparition. I think I spelled it right…. Oh, well, the only thing you need to know is that there is something wrong with the school wards. It will cause trouble for later on in the story…;)