Chapter 34
The Good Kind Of Paranoid
Wednesday, November 25th, 1994
Harry was sitting on one of the couches in the House Potter Tent, reading through some pages in a notebook, when he heard the giggle and discussion of girls passing by the tent. The notebook he was reading had a list of various Detection Charms when it came to different Potions and other dangers. This included, but was not limited to Love Potions, Lust Potions, Loyalty Draughts, and even Portkeys. Each topic had ways of detecting the dangers with and without the use of magic. In addition, it also had ways to detect when someone was under the influence the certain Potions, and other mind control magic, including Imperio and Confundus Charms.
The notebook had been created by Lily, back during the Great War, when dangers and threats of mind control ran rampant every single day.
"Paranoia can be a good or bad thing, Harry," Lily had said, giving him the notebook after more than an hour of detecting Love Potions in all kinds of food and drink. "Alastor Moody will tell you he is the good kind of paranoid, because he checks all food and drink – even things he made – with Detection Charms. It is okay to be paranoid if you can respect how to handle it."
Sirius had even run down to Hogsmeade as Padfoot during lunch, and had come back with a bag full of stuff from the candy shop. Harry was then instructed how to detect Potions in various candy.
"Chocolate Frogs, Cauldron Cakes, anything with hollow centers – all could be injected with Potions," Lily had said, "Sometimes it is easy as breaking open a Chocolate Frog, and liquid pours out. Unless it is soaked into the candy. When soaked in, the Detection Charms will work."
So Harry spent from the end of the lesson, to right up until he heard the girls come back, reading the notebook. When he had finished it, he had started reading it again. He was halfway through the reread, when he heard the girls.
"Going in to speak to the girls," Harry said, to Lily, Sirius and Remus, after he slapped the notebook onto the coffee table for later reading.
"Good luck," Lily said, "And behave."
"Mom!" Harry whined, "Tonks will be in there."
"That just makes it worse," Sirius said, grinning.
Lily glared at Sirius, as she spoke to Harry. "Remember to bring Hermione back with you."
"I will," Harry said.
He walked out of the tent, then walked over to the tent of Tonks and the Hogwarts Five. He inhaled and exhaled.
"It is Harry," Harry said, "May I come in?"
"Yes!" six voices said.
Harry stepped into the tent. Astoria, Hermione and Luna were sitting at the dining room table doing homework. Daphne and Tracey were cuddled up on a couch. Tonks was lounging in a chair.
"Tonks," Harry said, "You should have met me outside the tent before I walked inside. I might not have been Harry. Or maybe I was under an Imperius Curse. Or... any other thing that could be done with mind-magic."
Tonks snorted. "You sound like Mad-Eye Moody."
"Mad-Eye Moody is paranoid, and that is not a bad thing," Harry said.
All six girls stared at him, with different expressions.
Harry shrugged. "Spent the morning and afternoon learning how to detect various types of mind-control magic and Potions."
"Uh... why?" Hermione asked.
"I'll explain that in a while," Harry said, "I just want to hang out with all of you. Or are you too occupied by homework?"
He sat down in a chair. Hermione glanced at her homework, then Harry. She put her homework in her knapsack, stood up and walked over to Harry. Then she sat down on his lap, and pressed her lips into his for a kiss. Before he could kiss her back, she backed away.
"What were you learning?" Hermione asked him. "I want to learn it too."
"You've been learning all day," Harry said, "Right now is 'Harry' time. And 'Harry spending quality time with friends' time. Or was it not you who said I needed to do that?"
Hermione sighed. "Fine."
Harry kissed her. By the time Hermione backed away, Luna and Astoria were sitting on the other sofa.
"What do you want to talk about?" Daphne said.
"Whatever," Harry said, shrugging. "When was the last time we hung out just talking? It was before that moment last Friday when Sirius came into my tent screaming about Dragons. Even close to what we're doing now, is after I revealed my Animagus Secret."
"And that was talking about Dragons," Tracey said, "And not us focusing on something that wasn't the First Task or the Tournament."
"Exactly," Harry said. "No Tournament talk. Anything else. Except for what I learned, Hermione. That will come soon."
Hermione pouted, and relaxed her body onto his lap. Harry had to focus on his Occlumency so Hermione wasn't feeling anything she should feel so early in their relationship.
"Hermione told us she told you about the Thanksgiving Feast announcement," Tonks said, "You excited for that?"
Harry snorted. He wasn't too eager to discuss Albus Dumbledore.
"I don't know," Harry said, "What do you know about American Thanksgiving?"
This was a Hermione question. "History tell us that it started because of a Feast between Pilgrims who came in on the ships, looking to find life in the new world, and Puritans – religious folk from Europe – who were already there. Others believe it wasn't Puritans, but actually Native Americans. Anyway, whether it be the Puritans or Natives, they found the Pilgrims about a week after the Pilgrims arrived. The Pilgrims were finding it hard to keep their bellies full. So their visitors put together a big feast. The Pilgrim gave their thanks. Thanksgiving."
"What were the Pilgrims, Hermione?" Harry asked.
"Immigrants from Europe mostly," Hermione said.
"What was I thirteen years ago?" Harry asked, "What was my family?"
"Immigrants from Europe," Tonks muttered. "Merlin – celebrating it in Britain must feel insulting. It is literally saying 'enjoy our Feast – remember where you came from, much like American ancestors did!'"
"Even more insulting when I have a reason to believe Albus Dumbledore wants to keep me in Great Britain," Harry said.
"Because you're Lord of multiple Houses?" Daphne asked.
Harry shrugged. "Why would it? One meeting with my Account Manager, and all of my House Vaults could be transferred to the Gringotts branch in Boston. The Houses may be British-born, but does that mean I am required to raise the family of my Houses in Britain?"
"I am Betrothed to you, Harry," Daphne said, "Tracey's as good as family to you. We're British."
"I'm probably going to be in America when Sirius goes, Daphne," Tracey said.
Daphne bristled. Obviously not an easy topic for her.
"And so could you, Daphne, if we go with the agreement we discussed the day before we penned the Betrothal Contract," Harry said.
"Required, as your Betrothed, to attend the same school as you," Daphne said.
Harry nodded. "Your family may be here, but you could move with me to America, and see your family during vacations."
"So why are you so concerned with the Loophole and all that?" Daphne asked.
"Because of what laws could be passed in the future," Harry said. "Family of British-born Houses could become illegal to be raised outside Britain. That is just a possibility."
"Bugger," Tracey said.
"I don't think so, Harry," Luna said, "If the British Ministry tried that, the American MACUSA could set them straight. You are an American citizen, Harry. They would help you if you needed it."
"Yeah," Tonks said, "My father help you with that."
"Why is the MACUSA a problem for the Ministry?" Tracey asked.
"America and Britain are ICW Allies," Tonks said. "However, if what Harry is saying, and he ends up becoming something of a prisoner to Great Britain, because of laws that prevent his Houses from being raised elsewhere – which could happen because of his Betrothal Contract to Daphne – America won't like it. They could start a war with magical Britain. And let me tell you something. American Auror forces? At least five times greater than Britain."
"Bugger," Tracey said.
"For the Ministry perhaps," Tonks said, snorting.
"Would they really go to war for a few American citizens?" Astoria asked.
"Yes," Harry said. "The No-Maj half of their army has done it before just to rescue prisoners of war. Americans do not negotiate with terrorists. If the Ministry is threatening an American citizen, that is an attack on an American citizen, and an attack on America. As one of my fellow school-mates said earlier this month... 'The Americans are coming'!"
"Ooh boy," Hermione said, "That would be... interesting."
"Dolores Umbridge tried to have me arrested for being an Animagus – she thought I was unregistered," Harry said. "She ignored the warnings of MACUSA granted Diplomatic Immunity. According to my mother, she will work with Tonks' father to stop Umbridge from bothering me ever again. Even if it means informing the MACUSA that an advisor to the British Minister of Magic attempted to cripple American-British Magical Cooperation by trying to arrest the Ilvermorny Champion."
Daphne whistled. "That would be fun to watch. So... if not because of all that, then why does the Headmaster want you to remain in Great Britain?"
"All I know are theories my mother and Uncles came up with," Harry said, "Did Hermione and Luna tell all of you about the Philosopher's Stone incident? Neville Longbottom's part?"
"We talked about it the day after Neville and the three Weasleys visited your tent," Hermione said, nodding.
"Vol – sorry, I'll use the other – You-Know-Who told Neville that night that Neville was destined to kill him," Harry said, "Dumbledore said You-Know-Who was lying. When I first heard the story, I thought Dumbledore was lying. I was half-right, it was a white lie. That is where the theory begins. Before Halloween 1981, You-Know-Who appeared to be under the impression that one of two children were destined to kill him. Then came Halloween. You-Know-Who survived – how I cannot say -"
"Cannot or will not?" Hermione asked.
"Remember how I was worried if Neville told Ginny about the Dragons?" Harry asked, "One-hundred times worse."
"Translation?" Tonks asked.
"If that information gets out," Hermione said, "It could cause trouble."
"What I am willing to tell you could cause trouble too," Harry said, "But not as much as that – even though these are simple theories until confirmed. You-Know-Who survived, and rumors spread of my death that Halloween night. Everyone in Wizarding Britain, but a few people, and the Goblins, thought I was dead. You-Know-Who would found out this later somehow. Nearly a week after that Halloween, Neville Longbottom and his parents were attacked by Death Eaters. Neville survived unscathed, aside from what happened to his parents. So... Neville's alive, I'm dead as far as You-Know-Who knows."
"And You-Know-Who tells Neville he is destined to kill him," Tracey said.
"It isn't Neville," Daphne said, "It is you, Harry. That is why You-Know-Who attacked your family that night."
'Is there is a Prophecy, Harry?" Luna asked. Hermione snorted. "Don't mind her, she doesn't believe in Prophecy nor other Divination practices. She had a rough time in Divination, so it has turned her against the subject."
"There may be a Prophecy that says either I, or Neville, have to defeat You-Know-Who," Harry said, "It is a real possibility, because if it exists, You-Know-Who, and Dumbledore, both seemed to know parts or all of what the Prophecy says."
"Dumbledore wants you to stay in Britain to defeat You-Know-Who," Tonks said.
"That's the theory anyway," Harry said.
"Do you believe all these attempts," Hermione said, "at trying to keep your Houses and Lordships and future when it comes to marriage – including changing the law to 'Pureblood Only' – may have something to do with the Headmaster?"
"No idea," Harry said, "But if it is him, he won't reveal that. Someone else will bring up the bill for vote – it may or may not come from Dumbledore's mouth. Whether he is the Leader of the Light, or it is a mask is the question – if it is a mask, he needs to keep it on."
The girls exchanged looks at each other. Harry wasn't sure which revelation had shocked them more.
"Like I said," Harry said, "These are all just theories until proven."
Hermione inhaled and exhaled. "So... you will have to remain in Britain, if your theory is right?"
Harry shrugged. "I said it earlier today – either I will have to stay in Britain if the theory is right – or I will go to America – and be forced to come back here somehow. If I am destined to defeat Voldemort."
"Why do you have to come back?" Daphne asked. "Merlin, Harry. Even if there is a Prophecy, those things are so open-ended, and so... well, here it is. Are you saying You-Know-Who can't die unless he is only killed by you or Neville Longbottom? How is that possible? So if I do a killing blow at him, he won't die? That doesn't seem plausible. So why does it have to be you?"
Harry snorted. "'Hello, my name is Harry Potter. You killed my father. Prepare to die.'"
Hermione, and even Tonks, snickered. The other girls looked confused.
"Muggle reference," Hermione said.
"You-Know-Who is alive, and my father is dead," Harry said. "My Betrothed, her sister, her future Wife's Consort, my girlfriend, and some friends are living in Britain. He comes back, he'll be threatening Britain all over again. If You-Know-Who knows I am alive, he'll come after me and my family. To finish the job he started thirteen years ago."
"So you want to kill him if it means he is threatening those you love," Tracey said.
"Yes," Harry said. "Either I'll stay in Britain, or I'll go back to America only to be pulled back in."
"If your theory is correct," Tonks said.
"Oh, come on," Hermione said, "Would Harry be telling us all of this if he believed his theory wasn't correct?"
"No"s and "Probably not"s were heard from the girls.
"So there you go," Harry said, "You-Know-Who will come back – maybe sooner rather than later. I likely have a huge target on my back. If you want to run from me to protect your -"
Hermione silenced him with a kiss. Then she backed away. "Shut up, Harry. We're not going anywhere."
The other girls nodded. Hermione laid her head back on Harry's chest. Harry inhaled and exhaled. He could smell Hermione's shampoo, and it reminded him of what he smelled in the Amortentia. It was time to begin the reason he was here.
"Good," Harry said, "Because I need to tell you something else."
"Something worse than You-Know-Who returning, and targeting you?" Tonks asked.
"My mother says you were all there in the Entrance Hall last night," he said, "When Neville informed her of a threat to me."
"Yes!" Hermione said, lifting her head from his chest, and looking at him, "She told us all to take Rose and come back here. What was that all about?"
"A second-year Gryffindor with a father in the Neutral or Dark Alliance said something off-color," Harry said. "Vane – I think Mom said that is what Neville told her."
"Victor Vane's daughter," Daphne said, with a snort. "Neutral Lord who votes with the Dark Alliance most of the time."
"Vane tried to accuse you, Hermione, of dosing me with Love Potions," Harry said; he placed a finger on Hermione's mouth when she opened it. "Let me finish. So Mom told me that I need to start being careful about Love Potions from girls who want me to be their date for the Yule Ball."
"I'm starting to understand your mention of paranoia and mind-control magic," Tonks said.
Harry grimaced. "So Mom spent all morning and afternoon teaching me about Detecting illegal Potions - including Love Potions - and mind-controlling magic. Spent a couple hours detecting Amortentia in drinks and food. The first thing I did was with a mug of coffee. Mom put a hair in the Potion, so it would key to her. Before I did my first Detection Charm on three mugs of coffee to find one dosed mug, I picked one of them to see which one I'd pick if I didn't know the drink had a dose in it. Guess which one I picked?"
"The dosed one," Daphne said.
"Like Sirius said, after pointing to my mother," Harry said, "'Congratulations, now kiss your new girlfriend!"
That the six girls groaned instead of laugh meant a lot to Harry. It meant they were disgusted by Love Potions.
"Do you know what would happen with that Charm I did?" Harry asked, "It shot a beam of color from the dosed drink – and if the person was in the room, who added their hair into the Potion making it illegal – the beam would shoot into the person's chest -"
Loud gasps erupted from each girl. They were horrified.
"- harmlessly," Harry finished, "Thank you girls. You just told me you have never and would never do that. You were scared of what it could do, but none of you were scared because I'd discover your secret."
Hermione frowned and stared at him. "You... thought we'd dose you?"
"So would Alastor Moody," Harry said, shrugging, "Right, Tonks?"
"Yep," Tonks said, "Because if he doesn't suspect you, he'd be underestimating you."
"Good kind of paranoia," Harry said. "Former American No-Maj President Ronald Reagan once said to the former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, translating a Russian proverb, 'Trust but verify'. I trust all of you."
"You just needed to know," Hermione said. "To verify it."
"Do you know what Amortentia is used for aside from being a Love Potion?" Harry asked, "What anyone can use it as without even taking a sip? What anyone who makes it will automatically use it as – unless they were preventing it in a specific way."
"Smelling it," Daphne said, "They would smell it unless they... plugged up their nose."
"And what happens when you smell Amortentia?" Harry asked.
"You smell things... or people... you love," Luna said. "I am sure it is a very pleasant and lovely scent."
"What did you smell, Harry?" Hermione asked, looking into his eyes.
"The smell of salty ocean air in Boston," Harry said, "The flower bed outside my home in Boston. And..."
"And...?" Hermione asked.
Harry took a curl of her hair in his fingers.
Hermione blushed, and took the curl of hair back. "M-my hair?"
"Your shampoo," Harry whispered.
"M-Muggle shampoo," Hermione said, "Mum orders it from... magazines. And sends it to me in care packages."
"So I wouldn't have smelled it otherwise?" Harry asked.
Hermione shook her head. "I don't think so, unless your family orders from British magazines, or they stole my shampoo."
"Improbable," Harry said.
Hermione nodded. "S-so... y-you -"
"Yes," Harry said, already knowing what she was going to say, "I think so anyway. Mom, Sirius and Remus want to talk to you and I. About us. They're worried we're discussing our relationship in a too permanent sense, even though we've only been together for less than a month. 'Destined to be doomed ', is what Mom said. I think... because of a long-distance relationship in the future."
Hermione was still holding the lock of her hair in her hand, as she stared at him. Then she kissed him.
"We'll be back, girls," Hermione said, when she backed away some moments later, "Come on, Harry."
Hermione stood, and pulled Harry up. Then they left the tent.
"Before we go in there," Hermione said, stopping long before they got to the House Potter Tent "I think we need to talk about exactly what we want to say."
"A fine idea," Harry said, "And what do we want to say?"
Harry listened to her ideas. He was surprised – beyond surprised – at some ideas, but he also gave his own. The discussion took ten minutes before they had come to an agreement. Then they stepped into the House Potter tent.
. Lily, Sirius and Remus were sitting in the living room – Lily on a sofa, Remus and Sirius in chairs. Harry and Hermione sat down together on the empty sofa.
"I assume you already know why you're here, Hermione?" Lily asked.
"Yes," Hermione said.
"You are aware Voldemort is still alive, I know this," Lily said. "What you may not know is that there are signs he will likely return to the threat he once was, in less than a year. Wizarding Great Britain will be in the middle of another war, much like the last."
"And either Harry or Neville is destined to kill him," Hermione said, "That's the theory anyway – plausible or not."
Lily, Sirius and Remus stared in shock at Hermione, before looking at Harry.
"You told her?" Sirius asked.
"I told all of them," Harry said. "I didn't tell them everything. Now let me tell you why. We already know I am likely either going to be staying here in Great Britain until Voldemort's gone, or I will be going back to America, and getting pulled back here somehow. I told this to Hermione and the girls."
"He tried to tell us to run away from him," Hermione said, "And we basically told him to shut up. We're here to talk about relationships, and how temporary or permanent they will be, right?"
Lily, Sirius and Remus nodded.
"I want to know something first," Hermione said. "Do you believe Harry and I are too young to discuss the possibility of a permanent future?"
Lily glanced at Sirius and Remus, then back to Harry and Hermione. "We simply think you're taking this a bit fast."
"What do you mean?" Harry asked. "We haven't gone beyond snogging. Can you say that, Sirius? We've been together three weeks, and three days. Have I come anywhere close to how far you went with a girl at my age?"
Remus sighed. "Maybe Sirius isn't the best -"
"He's got a point, Moony," Sirius said, "And no, Harry. What you two have is quite normal for any normal relationship."
"Where are you going with this, Harry?" Lily asked.
"We don't think you believe Harry's too young for this," Hermione said.
"Why not?" Lily asked.
"What happened in Hogsmeade early this month?" Hermione asked. "If Harry is too young, why is he in a Betrothal Contract?"
"That was not our choice," Lily said.
"Oh, sorry," Hermione said, "I meant – why is he in an active Betrothal Contract? Why didn't you postpone the meeting until Harry was sixteen or seventeen? Why did you accept Harry's Lordship? Augusta Longbottom didn't. Neville's waiting at least until next summer. Why is Tracey contracted as Daphne's Wife's Consort, and basically Harry's Wife in the future? Do you now want to tell us Harry is too young?"
Lily, Sirius, and Remus stared at each other in silence. Their jaws were slightly dropped.
"Is Hermione too young?" Harry asked. "She's fifteen, you know. Older than me. Older than Daphne and Tracey. Snogging at three weeks, three days isn't as fast as getting Betrothed and having a future Wife's Consort."
"You agreed to all of that!" Sirius argued.
Remus groaned. "Good job, Padfoot. Prove his point."
"Yes, and so did you, Sirius," Harry said, "So did Mom. So did Remus. Why?"
"What's your point, Harry?" Remus asked, then he groaned again, "You're not – please don't tell us you two want to get engaged, or – or Betrothed or whatever."
"No," Harry and Hermione said, in unison.
"Not yet at least," Harry said.
"Young man," Lily began.
"Seven months from now the Triwizard Tournament will be over," Harry interrupted his mother. Seven months seems like a pretty good span of time for me and Hermione to see where our relationship has gone between now and then. A relationship where we're just boyfriend and girlfriend. No expectations aside from what is going to happen in the present day. Not where we're going to be seven months from now, or three years from now."
"A month from now if the Wizengamot makes it so," Hermione said, "None of it will matter anyway. It could be illegal for me to even date Harry."
"I'm fourteen," Harry said, "I'm not looking for wife material right now. I want a girlfriend. Who I can date, snog, and spend as much free time with as I can get. Hermione has said she is going nowhere, even after I told her our theory about Voldemort. I want to see if that is true in seven months."
"So what happens one day after the Tournament is over?" Remus asked. "That is seven months from now, right? Pretty specific day."
"Hermione and I sit down and talk," Harry said, "If we're still together, that is. We discuss our relationship – where we are in it, and where we want to be in the future. We discuss whether or not we can handle long-distance, or we cannot."
"And what if you cannot?" Lily asked.
"Then we won't," Harry said. "Whether that is because we're both in Great Britain, or we're both in America, and Hermione is transferred to Ilvermorny."
"And what if your parents don't approve of those plans, Hermione?" Lily asked.
"I will go down a route that you seem to already approve of," Hermione said. "Arguing about the route would be hypocritical. First, I'd disown myself from my parents, if necessary. Then I'd get myself Emancipated – explain to whoever it is I need to, that I am Protected under the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter. I am a Muggleborn, whose parents know next to nothing about my world – who basically did nothing when I was hurt, threatened, or nearly killed while at Hogwarts in my first two years here. They didn't pull me out -"
"Did you tell them what happened?" Lily asked.
"No," Hermione said, "But that's not the point, is it? They're supposed to take care of me. They're supposed to find out from responsible adults what happened to me. They're supposed to see the signs that I was hurt. Do you know what happened in the three weeks I was Petrified? Five letters. The last four asked me why I hadn't replied yet. What would you have done in your position?"
"If I couldn't get to the school," Lily said, "I would have... contacted a Professor."
"Professor McGonagall," Hermione said. "She met my parents. She didn't tell them about me being Petrified, and they never contacted her. The Wizengamot would approve, because – well, I'm speaking for a good percentage of the British Wizarding population – they'd approve because filthy Muggles didn't care for a witch, even if she is Muggleborn."
"Young lady," Lily said, "You shouldn't -"
"She isn't," Sirius said, "She's speaking about Pureblood supremacists who hate Muggles more than Muggleborn witches. At least she's a witch."
"I would get Emancipated," Hermione said, "And then I could make my own decision without parental approval. Harry's a Lord. So could he."
Harry kept calm while Lily, Sirius and Remus looked at him.
"And what decision is that?" Lily asked.
"Seven months from today," Harry said, "If we are satisfied where we are in our relationship, we would discuss a Betrothal Contract, and the ramifications of it. As I am her Lord, and she my Protected – we can legally pen a Betrothal Contract without parental permission."
"Well, I can't see an argument with that point," Sirius said. "Aside from the... parental disapproval. But – both of you seem to have figured it out for yourself. Go over the heads of parental approval."
"Perhaps," Harry said, shrugging; he was aware his mother was rather angry at him, "But at least we'd have taken seven months to think about it. That is – if I remember the story correctly – about how long it took Mom and Dad to get engaged."
Lily frowned. "We were eighteen -"
"Betrothal, Wife's Consort, Lordship," Hermione said. "At fourteen."
Lily stopped talking because her jaw had dropped.
"Age has nothing to do with it – according to you," Hermione said. "Anything else and you'd be rightfully called a hypocrite."
Remus chuckled. "I cannot argue with that."
"We're not saying right here, right now 'Yes! We're going to get Betrothed!'" Harry said. "We're saying we're going to be a couple – boyfriend and girlfriend – for seven months – if our relationship survives that long. And then we'll discuss it."
Lily stared at both Harry and Hermione. Silence reigned from all for a good minute.
"Damn it," Lily muttered. "This is what I get for being the smartest witch of my age, and marrying a smart, headstrong husband who knows how to argue. We create a combination of us, and then he goes and falls in love with somebody who is absolutely perfect for him."
"Merlin, they're another Prongs and Tiger-Lily!" Sirius said, "I couldn't argue with Prongs and Tiger-Lily when they worked together! I don't have the ability!"
Harry and Hermione blushed and chuckled.
"I suppose what they're saying – is you two make very good points," Remus said. "No, we can't argue with them without sounding like hypocrites. I suppose the only thing we can say is – good luck in the next seven months."
"If your relationship is where mine was with James," Lily said, "disregarding age, and how long James and I knew each other before we started dating -"
"You barely knew each other at all!" Sirius argued.
"I will support any plan you decide," Lily said, "If I like where your relationship is in seven months."
"Thank you, Lily," Hermione said, "I'm sorry we were so forceful."
"You discussed this before coming in here, didn't you?" Remus asked; Harry and Hermione nodded. "Then it seems we never stood a chance. You two do work very well together. I will be interested to see what you are like in seven months."
"Is this discussion over?" Hermione asked.
"I suppose so," Lily said. "I think I speak for Sirius and Remus when I say we have nothing else to say really."
Remus and Sirius nodded.
"Alright," Hermione said, "Because I want you to give me a crash course in everything you taught Harry about detecting Love Potions and mind-control magic. I want to help him if there is a threat to him involving that. And I want to do it before the Feast tomorrow."
"Why the Feast?" Remus asked.
"Because I don't want either of us to have meals in the Great Hall until then," Hermione said, "Just in case."
Thursday, November 26th, 1994 – Thanksgiving
Most who walked into the Great Hall in the minutes before the Thanksgiving Feast didn't know what to think they were seeing. Not even most of the the Muggleborn students didn't know what all the decorations were about. There were paper creations that resembled turkeys; black hats – why did the hats have belts and buckles on them? Most were perplexed at that! – that definitely weren't witches' hats (a few students still wore them, though, including most of the Ilvermorny students); and something known as horns o' plenty, which had bunches of fruit coming out of the end of it. Where were the floating candles, and the entertainment from the ghosts, and the live bats – or maybe turkeys, perhaps? This wasn't like any normal holiday feast they were used in the autumn months!
Poor Harry and the rest of the Americans were forced to explain everything, as they sat at the Ravenclaw table. Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs from the nearest neighboring tables were trying to listen in and figure out what was going on.
"Mostly the holiday is about food," Sebastian – one of the Ilvermorny seventh years commented – "Loads and loads of food. If you aren't filled to burst, or vomiting, by the end, it is seen as rude. If your elves did as good as Ilvermorny elves do during the Feast – for those who stay during the holiday – the feast should be pretty good. I just wish the food would get here already!"
"You get this time of year off?" a Ravenclaw student asked; then to the reply of 'about a week', "No fair!"
"First-Gens and No-Majes – er – Muggleborn and Muggles, sorry - like watching football all day," a First-Gen Ilvermorny sixth year said, "Oh, right, English! Ah – American football. Pigskins! Powerful men in jerseys and helmets running around knocking the hell out of each other, just so they can carry the ball down to the other end of the field."
"Carry the ball?" another Ravenclaw asked, "Why is it called football then?"
"I'm not sure even Americans could tell you that," Harry said, grinning.
Hermione and her tent-mates around Harry chuckled.
"Those football fanatics – most don't even eat their dinner with their family around the table," the same First-Gen said, "They sit in front of the – er – how should I put this in British wizarding language? – moving picture screens, and gorge themselves while watching football, and forgetting about original traditions."
After the final students, and staff from all three schools – made their way into the Great Hall and had taken seats, Minerva McGonagall tapped her spoon three times against her glass. Albus Dumbledore stood up.
"Before I began this feast with my planned speech," Dumbledore said, "I have an announcement to make. On Christmas Day, here in the Great Hall – fourth years and above – and perhaps those younger if you are invited by an older student as a date – are invited to attend a traditional social event held during Triwizard Tournaments – the Yule Ball!"
Most of the Hall cheered, and applauded, but only a quarter of the students seemed surprised at the news. Word had obviously gotten around about the Ball.
"For those who do not want to attend, are too young to attend without an older date, or wish to spend Christmas Break and the holidays with family," Dumbledore said, "The Hogwarts Express will be available to take those home a few days prior. For those in the categories above who remain at Hogwarts and do not attend the Ball, a Christmas Feast will be available two hours earlier than usual, so the Great Hall can be ready in time for the Ball. The Ball will begin with a Feast, and there will be a live music band – it will be a famous wizard-rock band, but I cannot say who at this moment, as discussions and decisions are being finalized. I'm sure all who attend will show off their best dancing skills, and will enjoy themselves."
Minerva cleared her throat.
"And I do hope everyone who attends will also behave themselves that evening," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling.
Harry and several students around him grinned and snickered. It was obvious that part wasn't in his original speech.
"Now!" Dumbledore continued, "To current events. As I explained two evenings ago, tonight we celebrate a tradition held by Americans on this day every year for several centuries now. Without fail – even though there has been a history of war and tragedy involving Americans going on during this time of the year – the tradition still is held every year. As we are hosting American guests, we celebrate with them on this fine American holiday.
"Thanksgiving. A time of eating, a time of spending with friends and family, and a time in which all who take part in the tradition say what they are thankful for. I am thankful for this show of International Magical Cooperation we have in front of us tonight. A united force of wizards and witches from all around the world, here to celebrate together. I do hope these relations can continue after the Tournament is over. Enough talk from me! Let the Feast begin!"
All along each table in the Hall, large carved turkeys appeared at portions of the table. The usual sides and trimmings, and desserts appeared too. Jugs of beverages appeared as well.
As most around Harry started to dine, Harry, Hermione and her tent-mates didn't start right away. Harry was staring at a jug in front of him. Something was off. Harry could already tell. All along the table, jugs were placed at various sections of the table. In fact they were lined up perfectly with each table. Except the one in front of him. No other jugs appeared in that exact spot at the other tables that he could see.
The phrase "The Good Kind of Paranoid" played in Harry's mind.
"Pass that jug, why don't you, Harry?" Padma asked.
"I can't," Harry said.
"Why?" Padma asked, raising her eyebrows.
"Because it wasn't delivered by House-Elves," Harry said.
Several around him stopped eating.
"What?" Padma asked.
"Look at the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables," Harry said, "Look at this spot, at the other tables. Then look at the other jugs along each table."
Padma and other students did so.
"Uh..." Padma said, "That's... odd."
Harry looked around the Hall, then looked down Ravenclaw table at the "usual suspects". One particular Ravenclaw was staring at him with wide eyes. He grinned, then removed his wand from his robes, and tapped the jug.
"Amore Deprehensio Arcus!"
He had not stopped looking at the Ravenclaw in question. A rainbow arc shot from the jug, and sped down the table. Then it hit the Ravenclaw.
Cho Chang fell backwards off her seat with a shriek, as the rainbow beam hit her. Laughter roared for those who saw her. Confusion and a few screams for those who did not.
"What is going on here?!" Dumbledore roared, standing up.
Lily was looking at Harry, with a grin on her face. Then she narrowed her eyes at Cho, who was sprawled out on the floor, looking shocked.
"Sonorous," Lily said, "The Charm my son just did on the jug in front of him, was known as an Illegal Potion Detection Charm. This specific Charm detected Amortentia. Illegal Amortentia. The Charm would detect the hair placed in the Potion – and would then shoot a colored beam – Harry chose Rainbow, because the color isn't in many drinks or foods – at the suspect whose hair was in the Amortentia, making it an Illegal Love Potion. The beam of color would then hit the guilty party in the chest, for easy detection. I believe we know who did it."
"Rubbish!" Cho Chang screamed, still sitting on the floor, "Potter attacked me!"
"Are you injured, Miss Chang?" Professor Flitwick asked. "Did the spell hurt you?"
"I fell out of my chair!" Cho exclaimed.
"From shock, Miss Chang," Flitwick said, "The Charm did not harm you, did it?"
"Potter attacked me!" Cho exclaimed.
"Aye, and he was right to have done, lassie!" The scarred, disfigured, former Auror, and current Defense Professor Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody said. "I will be teaching all of you in the coming days and weeks about what you just saw here! Lord Potter did the right thing! Constant Vigilance! Good job, laddie!"
Moody started clapping. There were cheers and applause from several in the Hall.
"Are you all mad?!" Cho exclaimed. "You're applauding the boy who attacked me!"
"Even if Harry did attack you," Lily said, "It is self-defense. You attempted to ensnare my son with a Love Potion. Do the words 'Line Theft' mean anything to you, Miss Chang? How about 'thrice'? As in 'three times the Line Theft'?"
Cho stood up. But before she could run out of the hall, a red beam from Lily's wand hit her, and she fell to the ground, Stunned.
"Sirius, please go and contact Madam Bones," Lily said. "She needs to be notified of this. Remus? Please take Miss Chang somewhere where she won't get away."
Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Perhaps we should -"
"No, Albus," Lily said. "We should not. We should let the DMLE take care of this. We should let everyone else enjoy their feast."
Harry glared at Dumbledore, and the man wilted.
"Professor Flitwick, would you please go with Mr. Lupin and your student?" Dumbledore asked.
"I would be most happy to!" Flitwick exclaimed.
Soon the Stunned Chang was revived, and taken out of the Great Hall, kicking and screaming by Remus, and Flitwick. Sirius followed, after collecting a sample of the dosed beverage for evidence.
Harry vanished the jug with his wand.
And the Great Hall erupted in applause.
"And that," Harry said to Hermione, below the din of applause, "is the good kind of paranoid."
Yep. The Thanksgiving Feast was only done so I could get somebody with the Love Potion Detection Charm. It was either going to be Cho Chang or Marietta Edgecombe. Cho Chang seemed better, given her recent rant about Harry and Hermione.
This chapter gave me a whole lot of hell. I had to write and modify the latter half of the "Hogwarts Five" discussion three times to get it right. And the talk with Harry and Hermione and the adults... it took me three times to figure out what I wanted to write. The other two attempts will probably be in deleted scenes. Which I might put up one of these days.
I hope you liked my final decision for Harry and Hermione's talk with the adults. Because it gave me hell to figure out how to get it right in a way that didn't make it sound unbelievable.
What should the Patronuses be for Hermione, Daphne and Tracey? Luna's is going to be a Crumple-Horned Snorcack.
Next Chapter: A short time-skip detailing noted scenes, including the aftermath of Thanksgiving. Patronus lesson with Remus, Hermione, Daphne, Tracey, Luna, and Harry as a guest Professor. Mandy Brocklehurst returns. And the discussion which decides the Second Task.