Whispers in the Night
Disclaimer: I'm just playing in JKR's sandbox and make no money from this. Please enjoy the story and feel free to leave comments and critiques, it's the only way to get better at this. I'm writing this story for my own enjoyment.
Content Warning: This story will contain mentions of abuse and scenes containing but not limited to swearing, violence, smut and other Adult Content.
Author's Note: 1. Apparently I was too lenient in my last chapter when it came to the Slytherins and somehow I was too harsh on Harry for what he did. In light of this, a few days ago I changed the punishment to something more suitable all around, as well as reactions from a few characters. I also altered the fight scene just a bit to be a touch more realistic.
2. As always, thank you for taking the time to read this story, make it a favorite, or follow it. A special thank you to helpful/constructive/supportive reviewers that make me rethink things so I can give us all a better story. 3. Huge milestones have been reached and I can't thank you enough! Over 1,500 reviews, 3,000 favorites, and 4,000 followers. I never imagined this story for my own reading pleasure would have such a following. Thank you all so very much for this.
4. As for a recommendation this chapter: A Fateful Walk by Shygui is turning out quite interesting so far and provides readers with some good wizarding culture to explore. Go on and give it a shot!
5. As always, enjoy the story and let me know what you think!
Oh my…
Chapter Thirty-Four: Weighing of the Wands
"One galleon on Fleur," Harry announced quietly as he waited with his two companions. "She's the punctual sort... I think."
"I think Cedric is going to be first."
Harry smirked and peered at the girl beside him. "You just want him here so you can ogle him without Cho around."
"Oh I can still appreciate Cedric even with her around. You wouldn't happen to be jealous, would you Harry?" Luna responded easily as she raised an eyebrow at the dark-haired boy next to her.
"I'll take 'jaded and roguish' over 'intelligent and pretty' any day, Luna," the teen wizard answered with a chuckle.
"What a perfect opportunity to get another article out then," Luna mused with something a little more than a dreamy grin. "Newest headline for Teen Witch Weekly; Harry Potter: Rebel Champion! Special exclusive interview about Harry's bad boy vigilante image!"
For a moment, just a moment, Harry wondered where in the world the dreamy, artistic young woman he had met had disappeared to. Then he remembered that Luna was just as devious as anyone else and her dreamy demeanor was sometimes a defense mechanism. She protected herself by distancing herself from others, a quirk she enjoyed and indulged in. The tricky girl next to him was still Luna, she just liked to mess with him on occasion.
"Don't even joke about selling that story to them, let alone even writing something like that," Harry pleaded as Nym snickered in her place across the room. "I already got enough hell about vigilantism and its place in law enforcement, or rather its difficulties and dangers, from auntie the morning after I beat the hell out of Malfoy's lot. How much to keep this quiet?
"Two galleons," the dreamy blonde said with a wide smile.
"I'm going to end up just filling your vault someday, I just know it," Harry replied as he handed over the gold coins with a playful flick. "You're spending too much time around Daphne and not nearly enough around Hermione to keep you from these ideas. You should hang around Susan more often, she ought to get you back on the straight and narrow, relatively."
"Susan is just as devious in her own way. Besides, you enjoy it," Luna said in her dreamy voice again.
"Oh he does, and he admits it plenty whether anyone's watching or not," Tonks chimed in sultry amusement from her position in an armchair across the room.
Harry shook his head, unwilling to continue debating the point with either young woman. Ever since finding Luna that night in Ravenclaw Tower she had been a firm supporter of his, a friend even. The fact that she drove Hermione up the wall with her odd creatures and stories was just a bonus. Blaise of all people enjoyed having her around just so he could calm Hermione down after the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw finished one of their debates.
Of course after everything that had happened with Mafloy's group of slytherins, the entire school had been wary of Harry Potter. No insults were tossed his way and no-one dared try anything on him or his friends. Even the most outspoken of Harry's detractors had gone quiet, choosing to keep their limbs instead of aggravate the teen, as some wizards and witches often exaggerated. Harry was hardly effected by the rules set in place for him, and instead continued on as if life was nothing but normal, for a time at least.
Barely ten days away from the First Task, the Weighing of the Wands had finally come. Harry had arrived to the prepared room early to make sure he was on time and settled in. It was one of the rooms made to offer a place of comfort, an impromptu common room for the visitors to use if they wished to spend time with some Hogwarts students. Now, however, it was to be the stage for the weighing of the wands.
Amelia had informed Harry that reporters would be there, and that Ludo Bagman had arranged for Rita Skeeter to cover the tournament. Harry had read enough of the woman's work to know he wanted to avoid her as much as possible. In light of that, Harry had gone to Luna and asked her if her father would like to cover the tournament as well. Luna had been thrilled at the proposition and had instantly signed on to be the journalist reporting for the Quibbler at the ceremony
As the door opened, both teens looked to the door to see just who had entered only for Harry to groan. Luna had been right and with another flick of a coin from Harry, Luna swiped up her winnings. Cedric was in his Hogwarts best, just as Luna was though the girl's tie was loosened, and Harry was dressed in his best slacks, shirt, and black robes with his satchel strapped across his body as it sat on his left hip, an outfit that might seem simple if that same simplicity hadn't lent a certain elegance to Harry's appearance as an apprentice healer. Tonks was in her auror robes, as professional and collected as she had ever been in them as she wore slacks and a blouse beneath them. Cedric, having witnessed the exchange between the two students, raised an eyebrow before he figured out what had taken place and shook his head in amusement. The older Hufflepuff quickly took the seat on Luna's other side on the couch and sighed in relief.
"Betting on me?" Cedric asked.
"Not on you per se. More on which champion would arrive first. I should learn to bet on you more often," Harry chided himself with a chuckle as Luna smiled.
"Maybe you should. I do intend to win the tournament and beat Viktor to the snitch in our match." Cedric grinned at the pair, though his curiosity finally got the better of him as his gaze finally settled fully on the blonde next to him "Alright, I have to ask. Why are you here, Luna?"
"Harry thinks whoever the Daily Prophet sends will be infested with Wrackspurts," she said simply. After a few moments of scrutiny beneath Cedric's gaze she lost her dreamy expression and smiled at him. "And I thought I'd get some time with you and the other champions."
"Uh-huh," Cedric replied with a grin. "I'm flattered Luna. I didn't think your father was running stories on the tournament."
"Daddy would have run stories from anything I told him about the tournament anyways, but this way we get an even better story out of it all." Luna sat up a little straighter and Harry noticed now that her blouse was slightly undone beneath her slightly askew tie, providing Cedric with a glimpse of the girl's growing assets as she smiled sweetly at him. "Would you mind an exclusive interview in private sometime?"
Cedric's grin turned into a genuine smile as he pat the girl's knee companionably for a moment as he leaned back to relax. "Possibly. What do you think, Harry? Should we give Luna some exclusives?"
"That was my plan from the start," replied the younger wizard. "I don't trust the Prophet or the media in general, but I do trust Luna to be honest."
"That's sweet, Harry," Luna told him before turning back to Cedric as she picked up her camera off of her lap. "Do you think I could get a few nude shots of you? Purely in the interest of thorough journalism, of course."
Harry and Tonks fell into coughing fits of laughter as Cedric's eyes went as wide as saucers. Luna's sweet, hopeful expression was too much for Harry and every time he looked to her he couldn't help but laugh even louder as Cedric remained stunned into silence. Eventually the Hufflepuff Champion cleared his throat and regained his senses enough to answer.
"Erm… Ah, I'll pass on that for now, Luna," Cedric let her down gently. "Thanks for... An interesting afternoon conversation. I will give you that exclusive interview though. It's the least I could do for a friend from home."
Luna pouted at the older boy even as Fleur and Maxime walked in. The sight of Harry, Tonks and Cedric in the room didn't seem to surprise them at all, though Fleur raised a curious eyebrow at the blonde Ravenclaw between the two boys before she took a seat in a nearby armchair. Karkaroff and Viktor were next to enter, followed almost immediately by Ludo Bagman and Bertha Jorkins, all of them dressed to impress in their organization's best for the coming press coverage. All of them looked surprised at Luna's attendance thus far, especially since she had not been invited by any of them.
Before they could ask about Luna, however, Poppy arrived in a similarly simple outfit as Harry. Her robes, however, bore the markings of a fully trained healer, a medal around her neck for her service during World War II, and a commemorative pin for having been a working Healer for fifty years at least. Harry still marveled that magical people in their seventies or eighties could still look in their fifties or even forties. He figured it had something to do with that whole aging well and natural beauty thing the girls had discussed on Halloween last year.
"Excellent, you did retrieve Miss Lovegood," Poppy said with a smile as she took the armchair nearest Harry. "Apologies for not coming with you immediately but Fred came in with a bloody nose that wouldn't stop just as I was about to leave. Sometimes it is best to go directly to healing herbs and ingredients instead of spells or potions for the best solution, Harry. I swabbed his nose with a swab covered in murtlap essence and it cleared right up. He recovered fully after a small dose of blood replenishing potion and thanked me for helping him develop a future product... I'm not sure that's a good thing."
"Yeah," Harry snorted with amusement. "That sounds like Fred alright. Though it's good to be reminded the best course isn't always a spell or potion."
"Take my word for it, if you remember this advice it will save you ages of headaches in the future," she said as she conjured herself a glass and filled it with water to refresh herself.
Quick, light applause and a bright flash concluded the moment in an instant. Everyone in the room turned to look at the new arrivals, with varying degrees of welcome. Harry looked less than pleased to see the thin woman with tightly curled blonde hair and a suit that tried to flatter her features but only made her appear less than reputable. The woman, however, had quite the opposite reaction to their countenance.
"Excellent! A candid moment between Master and Apprentice if I ever saw one!" The woman stepped forward and offered her hand to Harry. "Rita Skeeter, journalist for the Daily Prophet."
Harry shook her hand slowly but said nothing. The moment Ludo welcomed Rita and drew her aside, Harry quickly conjured a handkerchief to wipe his hand clean of any trace of the woman and incinerated it with a muttered spell, much to the amusement of Luna, Poppy and the other champions. When Fleur's amused smirk and raised eyebrow caught his gaze, Harry rolled his eyes at the witch and checked his watch. It was nearly time for the ceremony and Dumbledore and Ollivander were nowhere to be seen.
"Should we start with a few one on one interviews?" Rita asked the room as her photographer eyed Fleur more and more by the moment. "Perhaps our youngest champion has something to say!"
"I arranged an exclusive interview with Miss Luna Lovegood of the Quibbler," Harry stated instantly to head the woman off. "No offense, but after the Daily Prophet called me an aspiring Dark Lord for standing up to bullies last week I'd rather not associate with the publication."
"The Quibbler? You must be joking! It's a rag for conspiracy theorists and lunatics," Rita nearly cried as she looked from Harry to Luna. "Don't you want to set the record straight? Only a respected publisher like the Daily Prophet can do that!"
"I'll take my chances," Harry replied more coolly before he looked to Cedric. "How about you, Cedric?"
"I'm inclined to agree with Harry, after everything I've heard from my father about Ms. Skeeter." The Hogwarts champion turned his gaze to Fleur and Viktor. "And you? Who would you trust with an exclusive interview?"
"I believe Miss Lovegood will do nicely," the Bulgarian responded with a small grin, glad to keep a proper interview out of the hands of a miserable bitch like Skeeter who had once called him an 'oaf with a broomstick fixation' among other things.
"Oui, she will do just fine," Fleur said more slowly, less certain of how a girl younger than herself would be able to present an objective article and interview in a somewhat questionable magazine like the Quibbler.
"Ludo! Ludo dear," Rita pleaded with a salacious grin as she approached the Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports. "You did say I would be able to cover the tournament for the Prophet. I can't do that if a... fanciful excuse for a publication steals exclusive interviews from me!" Rita proclaimed in a voice so sweet Harry wanted to be sick.
"Well, Rita, I'm sure you can cover the tournament... As for the interviews, well, that's up to the champions," Bagman answered a little uneasily. "Are you all certain that you wouldn't rather have the Daily Prophet handle interviews?"
The Champions all gave their assent, Fleur more slowly than the others given her reservations about Luna's competency. Before Rita could say another word the door opened to reveal Dumbledore and Ollivander. Anything she might have said instantly was tossed aside as the two men stepped in with smiles on their faces. When Dumbledore caught sight of Luna, however, he seemed to slow out of genuine curiosity. Ollivander on the other hand stepped forward with a bright smile on his face.
"Ahh! Miss Lovegood! Such a charming young lady," Ollivander greeted her as the two shook hands. "Would you mind terribly if I certified my skill as a wandmaker for these fine individuals using your wand, my dear?"
"Not at all Mr. Ollivander, it's good to see you again." Luna quickly plucked her wand from behind her ear and handed it over while she took out her notebook and dicta-quill. Rita, unwilling to leave with nothing, took out her quick quotes quill which instantly began to write things down for her in the paired notebook she had for it. "Was the dirigible plum jam we sent you to your liking?"
"A most excellent treat, you will have to let me purchase some more from you someday," Ollivander replied kindly.
"Before we begin, I would like to know why Miss Lovegood is here," Dumbledore interrupted as politely as possible.
"Madame Pomfrey and Harry invited me to cover the ceremony and tournament for the Quibbler," Luna said with a charming smile. "They wanted someone who could provide an objective view on the participation of all champions."
"What a splendid idea," the headmaster commented jovially as he ignored the sour face Rita made behind him. "Perhaps at the next set of interviews a wider variety of media officials could be present. This way we leave no-one out of anything potentially important."
"A fair compromise, Headmaster," Poppy agreed, followed by intrigued nods from the other officials and adults in the room. "The more press, the more fair an assessment can be made by those reading about the tournament. I would suggest youth and sports publications, as well as Healer's Monthly considering my apprentice's participation."
"We shall draw up a list, then, and perhaps include some foreign journalists to get a homegrown view next time?" Bertha commented to even more nods of agreement, especially from the Fleur, Viktor, Maxime and Karkaroff, though Harry hid his reluctance well at the thought of even more press. "Excellent. Then we shall proceed as planned. Mr. Ollivander? The floor is yours."
"Thank you, Ms. Jorkins! To certify my skill I shall examine a non-competitors wand. This is the wand of Miss Luna Lovegood," Ollivander stated as he examined the wand between his hands with care. "I remember making this wand some time ago. Nine inches exactly, pleasantly bendy, pear wood with a unicorn tail hair core. This wand is eager for experience and a great companion for a creative mind, excellent for artistic endeavors and charms."
The wand-maker conjured a wooden tablet and with nary a flick of the wand colored it with a picture of the whomping willow. "It is in most excellent condition, Miss Lovegood. Thank you." The man handed Luna her wand as well as the tablet before he turned to Fleur. "Now for the champions. Ladies first?" Fleur stood and handed over her wand, though was reluctant to do so.
"Nine and a half inches, rigid, rosewood with... Veela hair? Very intriguing. A unique wand, Miss Delacour, suited to enchantment and combat equally. Your connection to it is as close as I have ever seen and it positively thrums with warm energy," Ollivander stated as he conjured a bouquet of flowers. "Might I ask after the donor?"
"My grandmother, she is very well thank you," the young woman said with a bow as she took her wand back and Ollivander gave her the flowers.
"Would you, perhaps, mind donating a few strands of your own hair before you leave Britain? I would very much like to experiment with a few wands made from your hair, fair lady," Ollivander charmed the young witch.
Fleur, however, was not be charmed so easily. As she resumed her seat, the young woman offered her answer. "I am afraid not, Monsieur Ollivander. Veela only give hair to those they cherish as a sign of good faith, and my grandmamma had only one wand made from her hair to see if any of her children or grandchildren might carry such a wand."
"I understand, mademoiselle, no harm done. You have my apologies for presuming," the wandmaker answered her. Fleur offered a clipped nod before she caressed the flowers gently and set them aside as Viktor stepped forward to offer his wand.
"A Gregorovitch creation! My, my, quite nice to see one of these again," the wandmaker said cheerfully. "Hornbeam and dragon heartstring, very firm, ten and a quarter inches. A powerful wand indeed. You pursue your craft with determination and enjoy a challenge. You are a man destined for greatness, though some has found its way to you already." Six birds fluttered away from the wand after a quick jab and the wand-maker smiled. "Excellent!"
Harry couldn't help but note that with each wand described he learned a bit more about each person. It might mean nothing, but Ollivander's assessment offered a little insight anyway. Harry took his own mental notes of the traits described and he was certain everyone else was too. Luna's dicta quill took down an honest, accurate account of the events and Harry smiled at what he read. He had made the right choice in bringing her along so far. As Cedric stepped up, Harry listened closely once again.
"One of my own creations and well taken care of too by the evidence of a recent polish! Twelve and a quarter inches, ash and unicorn hair, excellent for transfiguration," Ollivander rattled off as he transfigured a plain-looking chair off to the side into a grand throne, complete with fur cushions. "Oh and it's got a powerful will, determined to succeed and improve upon itself. Quite an extraordinary bond you have with your wand, Mr. Diggory. Now, our youngest champion."
Cedric took his wand back and returned to Luna's side with hardly a blink. Harry stood up, a mote of fear in his gut as he thought of what might just be revealed. Ollivander took the longest with his wand when the young healer finally handed it over. Harry remembered the history his wand shared with another and no doubt the wandmaker did as well. The man even began to hum a tune Harry could swear he had heard before.
"A most difficult match to find for both wand and wielder. I have attempted to pair this wadn with many bright wizards and witches in the past, though it found its true bearer in the most fitting hands," Ollivander noted with a smile as he indulged in such a momentous memory. "I remember the day well. It took two hours and six minutes to pair you together, to be precise. You went through hundreds of wands and of all in my shop you found a most surprising companion, Mr. Potter. Holly and Phoenix feather, eleven inches, rigid... A wand meant for all sorts of magic, powerful and compassionate. You have taken great care of it, both physically and magically as I see it has a fine sheen, both on the wand's polish and its aura. The healing and magic you have done with this wand resonates so very clearly..."
A light stream of sparks left Harry's wand as Ollivander swept it in a slow arc beside him and everyone could swear they heard the happy trill of a Phoenix. Almost as if in answer, fire flared to life right beside Harry and Fawkes let out a sweet song in response. Harry, Ollivander and Dumbledore all smiled, glad to see the phoenix taking an interest as the wand-maker continued to sweep the wand to and fro like a conductor. The sparks that left the wand sang beautifully as Fawkes followed along.
"Remarkable…" Bagman barely breathed, which broke the room from its entranced state as everyone listened intently to the impromptu duet.
"Yes, a most remarkable wand for an equally remarkable young man," Ollivander answered solemnly. "We can expect great things from you, Mr. Potter."
Fawkes trilled happily and hopped over to Harry's shoulder. Harry, not unused to it from his prior experiences with the phoenix, smiled and gently stroked the phoenix's feathers. "You'll get me in trouble with Hedwig if you keep using me as your perch, you know."
The phoenix seemed to let out a playfully defiant trill before it swooped over and perched on the table between Dumbledore and Poppy to get attention from the Healer and the Headmaster. Ollivander conjured a tray and wine glasses before filling each with an appropriate measure of wine. He offered a glass to each person in the room, and as each sipped they found the world a little brighter than moments before.
"Excellent, absolutely excellent," the wandmaker murmured as he experienced such a magical vintage.
Harry received his wand with a smile and slipped it away quickly once Ollivander had offered it back. He finished his wine with another sip and as soon it was gone the glass vanished, as Ollivander no doubt intended. Harry chuckled at the feeling of the glass vanishing and the wine gently settling inside him as he watched everyone else appreciate the moment, even Rita Skeeter seemed more relaxed among them all. That wasn't to last, however. The moment Ollivander announced the weighing complete she and her photographer leaped up when everyone had finished their wine.
"Let's not be hasty!" Rita spouted quickly as she approached the champions. "We need plenty of photos and interviews to complete the event! Every professional article about such a prestigious event like this needs them."
Harry rolled his eyes at that and was glad to see Viktor do the same. Fleur echoed the sentiment more subtly as her lips twitched into the briefest frown before she stood, a perfect façade of pleasant understanding upon her features. Luna happily stepped away from the champions and officials and took pictures alongside the photographer. Harry joked that Luna should have hired Colin Creevy to help her next time, which Luna instantly agreed to and made Harry wonder just what he had gotten himself into.
At one point Rita had tried to get Poppy out of a group picture only for both Harry and the healer to stare the woman down. When Rita tried to put them next to Viktor, Karakaroff, Cedric and Dumbledore, Harry politely moved to the other side of the group picture with Poppy at his side to present a more even photo. Fleur, at first, thought it was because of her, since Harry stood directly to her right, but when she noted Harry smirking at the disappointed Rita and Department Heads she hid her amusement well.
Eventually they did get a picture of the British champions and their master and Headmaster respectively standing together. Harry immediately knew which one the prophet would put out to capitalize on a British win, if Rita decided to go that direction. Harry, however, insisted that the champions get a picture together on their own without the officials and teachers.
"Why would you want this?" Fleur asked, a little annoyed with the suggestion. "It seems pointless."
"Have you ever watched something grow right before your very eyes before you can barely remember what it used to look like? In an instant everything could be over, but in an album it's preserved. Some moments are worth remembering, even if they hurt…" Harry said in a soft tone as he gazed out of the window before he looked directly at the French girl. "We're all just getting to know each other, except for Cedric and I, but by the end of this tournament we will have shed blood, sweat and tears at each-other's sides, in league or in competition with one another. Let's see what it's like before and after, hmm?"
Viktor was the first to smile as his hand clapped on Harry's shoulder enthusiastically. "Well said. I too would like to look back and see what we were and what we become."
"I'm in, it seems like a good idea," Cedric added with a smile before he turned his gaze on Fleur. "This is supposed to be one of the most exciting years of our lives. It would be a shame not to remember it so clearly."
"I suppose I can agree with that," Fleur said as they lined up along the wall. Harry and Cedric put an arm around each-other, their friendship more than strong enough to keep them together as they stood beside their competition. Fleur stood at poised attention, her hands clasped behind her back as she smiled indulgently for the camera. Viktor took up the space between Fleur and the British champions, his arms crossed casually as he leaned against the wall, a confident grin on his face.
With a flash from the cameras of both journalists, Luna quickly paired the champions off and got as many combinations of them all as she could, with Bozo following suit at Rita's urging to keep up with the girl that seemed to be in competition with them. Eventually Luna pulled Harry and the champions aside as the officials continued to mingle beyond the edge of a privacy ward the young girl set up as the interviews began.
"First off, I would like to purchase a subscription for each champion and another for their families, plus everyone on this list," Harry said as he handed a list to Luna. When she gave him the price he quickly handed a bank draft for the specified amount over before he relaxed and prepared himself for what was to come. "Alright, fire away."
It was everything Harry had expected it to be, along with a few surprises. Luna was direct and to the point with her questions, each serving a purpose not only to spread the truth surrounding the tournament and his involvement, but also to humanize him in the eyes of the masses. The pair briefly discussed his life adoption and place with the Bones family, his relationships with Susan and Daphne which he answered as respectfully and vaguely as possible to maintain his privacy, among some of his hobbies. When it came to it, they discussed how he intended to remain an apprentice until he was a true Healer, and he gave some opinions on the other champions, being fair, courteous, and even uplifting them in his replies.
The interview finished with a last series of questions, including a few about some of Luna's creatures and the conspiracies her father followed up on. While he knew only so much, he did his best to play along and admitted his curiosity in learning more. Eventually Luna let him go and called Cedric over. Harry, however, noted that Rita was now hounding their teachers, Ollivander, and the officials for information that she couldn't get because of the exclusivity of the champions' interviews with Luna.
As soon as Harry crossed Luna's privacy ward, he found himself among Rita's targets. His silent abstinence seemed to irk the woman and the longer he kept it up, the more outrageous her questions got. It was better to say nothing at all, was what Amelia advised him, and he did just that. His expressions, however, became increasingly less pleased as Rita delved into darker territory with her questions.
"Finished!" Luna said some time later as she dissolved the ward around her and Fleur.
With a sigh of relief, Harry looked to Poppy. The moment she gave him a nod to dismiss him for the day he headed for the door. Right as he reached it, however, Rita suddenly grasped his arm and held him there.
"Not just yet, Mr. Potter!" Rita simpered far too sweetly. "There are allegations leveled against you that with your new mark you are a dark wizard, styling yourself after you-know-who and preparing to take the world by storm. There are also reports of a classified investigation into your life before you rejoined the magical world in your first year. Are these events connected? What dark secrets are you hiding? How deep does your corruption go? What measures are you taking to seduce the Bones and Greengrass heiresses into supporting your new dark power?"
Harry noted not only Fawkes' tail shimmering with heat as Dumbledore, Tonks and Poppy went for their wands, but Cedric going for his wand as well. With a minute gesture from Harry they all halted midway as the other officials and champions observed the scene. Silence reigned for a few moments as Harry took a breath to collect himself before his stormy green gaze fell upon the reporter.
"Ms. Skeeter, I appreciate your desire to get a story," Harry began almost cordially as his magic flourished around him and focused on her quill and notebook. "However, I have already given an exclusive interview and I'm not willing to divulge personal details about my life." Suddenly the last page of her notebook and quick quotes quill had burst into flames, causing Rita to leap out of her skin as she released Harry suddenly. "A shame that. There must have been too much magic in the area for your materials to handle. You should make sure your next set is warded against magical overload just to be safe. You wouldn't want to be caught in an even bigger explosion next time, would you?"
"I… I most certainly will," Rita nearly gasped, clearly aware of the power Harry was now exuding as he stared at her with supreme and stoic confidence that he could make her life hell if push came to shove.
Harry offered the room a devious, crooked grin and gave Rita a mocking bow of his head before he looked to the others. Harry winked at Fleur, which she rolled her eyes at, before Tonks followed him out of the room entirely. Harry didn't bother waiting for Poppy, Luna or Cedric to catch up to him. Poppy had dismissed him for the rest of the day as it was and the others could always catch up with him at the tent later. Right then he needed to blow off steam and the faster he did it the better he would feel. His friends and family would understand, they always did. As he went down the hall, however, he was found by another person that cared about him.
"Harry! We were beginning to wonder what was taking so long," Susan said as she fell into step beside him and Tonks. Instantly she picked up on something wrong and without waiting for an answer pulled him into one of the rooms that had been fitted for dueling practice. With a glance at Nym, the redhead got the message across and the auror took up a casual position outside the room to give them some space. As soon as Susan and Harry were completely inside she locked the door, cast the usual privacy charms and turned back to him. "What's wrong? What happened?"
"Nothing just... I need to blow off some steam before I get into it, Sue," Harry replied with some frustration.
"Alright then, up on the platform," Susan said instantly as she tossed off her satchel and robe, took off her tie, undid the top two buttons of her shirt and marched up the steps of the platform.
"What?!" Harry asked suddenly. "Sue what in the world are you doing?"
"Helping you blow off steam. You promised to let us help you and that's what I'm doing. You're not going to chop wood or blow up stumps to practice your spells. You're going to duel me and you're going to duel me now," Susan ordered with an air of impunity.
If there was one thing Harry really liked about a riled Susan Bones, it was the aggressive and commanding tone of voice she inherited from being raised by Amelia. On the plus side, she really did manage to help him more often than not when this sort of thing happened. With a slow nod Harry turned around and tried not to think how hot Susan was to him at that very moment as he threw down his robes and satchel and prepared his wardrobe for a duel.
"Remind me to thank Tonks for getting me new shoes," Harry said as he mounted the stairs in black boots that were comfortable, professional, and suitable for almost any situation. "Never thought I'd like boots but I they're definitely made for every occasion, including kicking your pretty little ass.
"Oh I'll remind you when I wake you up after I win," Susan teased him. "And my pretty little ass will be all you see on my way out after I've finished with you. Come on, Harry, let's start. I'll even give you the first spell."
The moment they finished their shared salute the pair was off. Harry's spells smashed against a hasty shield from Susan as she dodged away, playing it safe as she took on her favorite counter attack style. For every spell she dodged, another was returned. Her fitness and training with both Amelia and Flitwick paid off as she rarely had to shield. When she did, however, she always timed it just right to send the spell right back at Harry.
Harry, meanwhile, let his aggression push to the forefront of his style. While usually he was much like Susan and took a counter-attack style, when he wasn't attempting new dueling methods with his growing knowledge, he was also quite proficient with overwhelming barrages and powerful shields. Of course, Susan matched him in the shielding department. Even his hardest hitting stunners and mild hexes bounced right back at him, accompanied by a quick trio of spells meant to capture him quickly.
Both of them liked a direct approach but even they knew to use their surroundings. Harry was the first to break the ground around them and send a pair of transfigured wolves to distract her. Of course, when she had a bear she transfigured from the same rubble crush them and charge at him, Harry quickly returned to the direct route. The bear was obliterated and in the carnage that followed, Harry flung the remains at Susan followed by a quick series of stunners. When Susan stumbled over the rubble trying to avoid the dead bear, she was summarily knocked out by Harry's spells.
"Ugh, I need to watch my footing," Susan grumbled as she stood up with Harry's help after he revived her. "Dammit, I almost had you."
"No kidding. When the hell did you learn to transfigure a fucking bear?!" Harry asked as he eyed the corpse before it shifted back into useless rubble.
"Two nights ago after mastering Arma," Susan declared proudly, using the nickname Harry had given the unique shield spell. "A little faster on the change and I think I would have had you."
"That and watching where your feet are," Harry said with a grin as they repaired the dueling ring.
"Don't remind me," she grumbled playfully as they stepped down and sat on the couch. Both of them summoned water bottles from the table the elves kept stocked with them and took long drinks after their brief but vigorous workout. After a few moments, Susan spoke again. "So, are you ready to talk about it?"
Harry sighed as he thought over what had just happened. "Yeah, I guess I am. I knew Luna might ask a few hard questions just to get my side of the story out but that wasn't what caused my frustration. It made me a little tense yeah but this is really my first time going public with the press on my own. After Luna and I finished talking, Rita Skeeter kept badgering me for answers. I swear she probably would have started stripping bare to get my attention and answers if she thought it would work. Sleazy journalist looked the type to sell herself for a story."
Susan giggled at that as Harry took a moment to drink some more water. "When we were allowed to leave she grabbed me like some abusive bitch I used to know and demanded even more answers to ridiculous questions," the teen continued as he ground his teeth slightly. "Allegations of going dark and connecting it to my past. Notions of corruption and styling myself after Voldemort as a dark lord. Bloody hell, she even asked me what measures I was taking to seduce you and Daphne into supporting my 'dark power' as if it was nothing and you were just pawns."
Harry ran his hands through his hair only for them to be replaced by one of Susan's own as she played with the lengthening black locks that hung around his face. "It was just too much bullshit too fast. Guess I just need to work a little harder on not giving a damn what people think... Especially when they start targeting you."
"Rita is known for riling people up Harry, you did very well," Susan said as she dragged her fingers through his hair more slowly. "Daphne and I can take care of ourselves. You know that for a fact since you've lost duels to us during training from time to time. Daphne is the ice queen for a reason, she won't let other people's opinions get to her. As for me? I'm just the sort of strong woman that can deal with it."
Harry let out a breath and felt the anxiety of possibly harming Susan and Daphne in the papers fade away with each stroke of Susan's fingers through his hair. "I know. I need to remember you two have been dealing with this sort of thing longer than me. You can handle yourselves." The wizard managed a smile as he set their water bottles aside. "Thanks Sue."
"You're welcome," she said before she smoothly straddled his lap on the couch and let him adjust beneath her before they settled in. "But who's to say we aren't seducing you into darkness Harry?"
Susan's lips met his and Harry breathed in her scent as he responded in kind. His hands slowly slid up her thighs to trail along the curve of her ass as she deepened the kiss. Their tongues met and Harry let the woman atop him take control as he fell into the blissful passion and emotions he shared with her. When they parted for breath, Harry could only offer Susan a crooked grin of appreciation.
"Then I'd say you're doing a damn good job of it..." he murmured against her lips as he stole another kiss and squeezed her ass, making her moan appreciatively at the attention. Her hands rushed through his hair and with each moment that went by Harry felt his frustration fading away.
"Well then," Susan breathed across his lips as she leaned back a little. "Let's really start seducing you..."
The redhead bit her lip in anticipation as she untucked her shirt and undid the rest of the buttons. Slow, methodical fingers trailed down her shirt and Harry was entranced with their movement the lower they went. When the last was undone, Susan pulled her shirt open to let it hang casually off of her shoulders and let Harry gaze upon her bra clad chest. Tender hands took Harry's own and led them up and around her body.
She guided him in peeling the bra further away from her bosom until his hands cupped her breasts. When Harry began to rub and massage, to knead Susan with all of his care and affection Susan's hands slid down her body and onto his, undoing his pants and slowly easing his manhood out as she slipped her panties aside so they could share an intimate moment together. Susan planted a searing kiss on Harry's lips but when her folds began to envelop him, their moans thrummed through their bodies as they began a slow, gentle rut.
"Go on," she urged hungrily in his ear as she bit her lip. "Let it all out."
As Susan rode her love, pumped and worked him ever deeper into her core, Harry gave her his all. Small gasps and quiet moans escaped Susan as she let Harry have his way with her breasts. Every time he teased her nipples she tensed even more in pleasure. Finally, Harry took the plunge she had wanted all along as hot, moist lips wrapped around one of her perky nipples. Susan arched into it, her moan of pleasure loud until it hitched with a gasp that sent shivers down her spine as she bucked and rut with Harry on the couch, bouncing atop him as each time she took him in even deeper.
It was everything either of them had hoped for. Sharing this moment, this sort of intimacy together only made their relationship stronger as they expressed themselves and worked out their emotions in such a passionate embrace. Susan let out another moan as he switched nipples, enjoying the attention she got from one of her soul mates more and more as she increased their pace, riding Harry for all he was worth, soon impaling herself on his long, meaty shaft. Possessive hands wrapped around her globes and squeezed as Harry got more and more into it, all the while listening, taking cues from the girl on top of him as they shared themselves with one another.
"Oh, Harry," Susan gasped as he licked her nipple while sucking on it. Further and further down the rabbit hole they went. She ground her body to his and her hands opened his shirt, feeling the muscles of his chest just as he explored her own. Higher and higher the tension in the redhead rose until she knew the end was coming. Her tender breasts and sensitive nipples being loved so perfectly by Harry was driving her of the edge as she rode him hard.
"Harry..."
The boy seemed not to hear her, but even then she didn't mind. His every touch and attention just felt so good.
"Harry I'm..."
Harry's lips captured hers and Susan nearly melted in his warm, needy embraxe. She barely kept herself in check as his tongue invaded her mouth while his hands kneaded and massaged her breasts, rubbing and pressing on her nipples at every opportunity as they bucked and rut in heady desire to satisfy one another. When he let her up for air she buried her face into his neck, bit down on the collar of his shirt and let out a long, low moan, hitching with gasps as her entire body convulsed in pleasure, Harry exploded with her flooded her with the love and warmth she knew he possessed. His gentle attentions continued to work her through their peak, his lips on her neck until she panted in his ear.
"Mmm... Harry... We should stop..." murmured breathlessly as her grinding slowed to a halt. "Feel better?"
"Beyond better," Harry breathed in her ear as he bucked, his rod still firm and ready for more. A moan escaped Susan before she giggled and backed up, still perched on him as she looked upon her love's almost awed expression as he looked upon her. After all this time, Harry still gazed upon her as if it was the first time, as if every time was fresh and new and filling him with feelings he could only dream of. He was no stranger to expressing his emotions physically, never that, but speaking them aloud was another story.
"Mmm that face..." Susan hummed as she stroked his chin. "I love seeing that face… It makes me feel everything for you… And everything you feel for me."
"Hopefully soon I'll be able to tell you as much as you think I show you," Harry murmured, fully aware of how Susan and Daphne felt about this particular issue.
"Well maybe I should try a little harder," Susan answered him with a challenging grin as she slowly eased herself off of him and onto the floor. "Let's really weigh your wand, Mr. Potter."
Harry raised his eyebrows as she spread his knees and placed herself between them. Susan slowly wrapped her full, rich, heaving breasts around his girth and Susan couldn't help but admire that expression of awed desire brighten even more, laced with endless intrigue. As she wrapped his manhood tight within her bosom and began to pump, Harry groaned in pleasure even before she let her mouth work in tandem with her breasts.
Harry's head fell back as he practically gasped her name. The love and affection she showed him laced with a playful dominance at that moment as she had her wizard at her mercy. Her pace slowly and her mouth gently popped off his tip to draw his attention.
"Eyes on me, Harry…" Susan told him with a smirk as she lowered her lips to the shaft she pumped between her breasts once again.
Looking him in the eye and giving his wand a superb polish was everything. It kept them entranced with one another, locked into a unique sort of embrace they shared in that moment. Knowing that he was putty in her hands, Susan changed it up, altered her pace and suction from time to time, finding that perfect technique that absolutely turned Harry on until she felt him becoming undone as he let out a loud gasp of her name. She felt his seed spill past her lips and she quickly drank him down, suckling upon his seed as if it were her daily milk before she eased back with a mischievous grin.
"You've never tried that before," Harry gasped as he panted in heady desire and affection for her.
"I've always wanted to try it," Susan countered after swallowing before she slowly cleaned him off with magic, put his rod back in his pants and teasingly zipped him back up. "I think I'll have to again if it gets you to cry out for me like that."
"I bet… But I'll have to return the favor later somehow," Harry mourned aloud as he glanced at the time. Susan reluctantly agreed as she stood up and cleaned herself with a few more charms. Harry helped her get dressed, though whether turning her on even more as he practically massaged her clothes back into their proper place was considered helping her was in question. She glared lightly at him only to get a cheeky, crooked grin in return as they finished getting properly dressed and ready as they gathered their things.
"Thanks Sue," he murmured in her ear right before she reached the door. "For being so patient with me and showing me what it can feel like."
"Always Harry," she hummed, both pleased and amused he would thank her for something she felt was natural, something she knew they all shared as she straightened herself out and opened the door.
"Good duel?" Tonks asked of them as she pushed herself off the wall.
"Very expressive," Susan answered with a grin as Harry rolled his eyes.
"Someday we'll have to give that a shot, Harry," the auror teased with a wink before she glanced to Susan. "Or maybe I'll have to challenge you to one first, hmm?"
Susan blushed lightly at the idea, clearly aware of Tonks' suggestive nature. The purple-haired auror laughed and asked for a play by play of the actual duel, which the teens gladly gave her. Nym pointed out that Susan should practice her footwork and situational awareness more, which the redhead agreed wholeheartedly. The auror then asked them how they might have done things differently as they walked toward the Raven's Redoubt, as Harry's tent and the surrounding encampment had come to be called at his suggestion.
It wasn't long at all before they were beyond the main doors, though what they saw from there surprised them. Bill Weasley and two other curse breakers were marking spots in the ground with coloring charms while another wizard watched curiously. It was only as they closed the distance that Harry discerned the last wizard was Ollivander and the curse breakers were the team Bill most often worked with in tombs, who Harry had met only briefly in Diagon Alley once or twice.
"What's going on, Bill?" Harry asked curiously as he and Susan stepped up to the curse breaker and wandmaker.
"We finished your wards last night. My team and I are just making final calculations before laying down the boundary anchors," Bill explained as he gestured to the long canvas bag set up on the ground next to him.
Harry was about to kneel down and check them out when Bill did it first and took one out for them to see. For a moment Harry wasn't sure what to think until he realized they were more like spears than quarterstaffs or sign posts as he had suspected. One end would be stabbed into the ground for stability and the rest of the shaft would remain in sight. The spears were made of a black wood but were covered in runes filled with silver. The sheer craftsmanship of the design astounded Harry and he was almost reluctant to touch it as Bill handed the spear to him.
"Ohh, ebony and silver, a very intriguing combination," Ollivander noted as he passed a hand along the spear Harry held in his hands. "I'm curious, but why not use rowan? Rowan is perhaps the wood most known for defensive magic and best channels such intent in wands."
"I only know a bit of wand lore, but it's not far off from some of my experience with wards bound in wood," Bill explained academically with the older and more experienced wizard. "While Rowan is great for a defensive wands and wards in general, ebony stands out in this particular case. You see we're going to use six of these spears and place them in a circular pattern around the encampment here," the curse breaker continued enthusiastically.
"The ebony allows each pole to stand on its own. The wood's individuality and particularly powerful conductive strength lets even one of these spears create a strong ward or shield on its own with enough magic channeled into them. Including them into a scheme of seven, with six spears on the outside and the main anchor inside Harry's tent increases the potential defenses exponentially. The silver binds it with some permanency but also grants durability and efficiency, allowing each spear to actually store extra magic that builds up creating even stronger effects over time, as well as allowing the wards to last even longer."
Ollivander nodded along, his understanding complete as he eyed the spear appreciatively. "Impressive, very impressive. I hadn't thought about the power of seven applied to such a concept as portable permanent wards before. Ebony, as you described, would stand well alone, but when combined toward a single minded focus amongst seven would certainly produce fantastic results. Very well done, William. I see that a twelve inch wand of pine and chimaera tail hair worked splendidly for you with such creativity and ingenuity."
"It's treated me well and we have had plenty of adventures together. Finding new ways around ancient and future problems has been a passion my wand shares with me," Bill answered as he took the spear from Harry and picked up the others. "Sorry, but I've got to get this set up soon. On the seventh second, of the seventh minute of the seventh hour will produce the best result."
Harry and Susan gave Bill a set of quick hugs before the man left them. Ollivander, however, turned to the two teens as if expecting a question. "Something on your mind, Miss Bones?"
"You always said the wand chooses the witch or wizard that wields it," Susan reminded them all curiously. "But you rarely say what a particular wand means until meeting the same person a second time. Why?"
"Expectation," Ollivander answered vaguely with a grin. "If I gave you an expectation of what your wand was capable of you might only ever focus on that idea, you might limit yourself personally, emotionally, even magically because you think you can only be good in those specific fields or hold yourself to a certain ideal. It is best to let the wand and its wielder grow together naturally, like two friends meeting, or lovers courting. You never know what you might learn about one another or yourselves."
Susan and Harry blushed at that as Ollivander seemed to give them a knowing smile and Tonks snickered behind them. "Susan, Bones, rowan with an ivory hilt, rigid, dragon heartstring, nine and a half inches," the wandmaker continued when Susan's fingers trailed across the handle of her wand. "A wand of passion and compassion equally. You are ambitious but you are protective of others and fierce in your emotions and combat. Your shields are no doubt exceptional and your charms highly effective, but only because you yourself are intuitive in their use, yes?"
"They are," Susan said with a bit of pride. "I'm part of the school dueling team with Daphne and one of the top in our year at charms. I was thinking about going into experimental magic or teaching in general... But I hadn't settled on anything permanently as of yet. I have to admit, I'm quite interested in wand lore now that you bring it up. The fact that you help people find their magic, even themselves in a way, without ever saying a word otherwise is comforting."
Ollivander smiled and after a moment's deliberation reached into his pocket to take out a small shrunken-down chest. "Inside is a book on wand lore, another on wand making, and finally a few blocks of wood. If you're serious about pursuing wand making, make some from these blocks and whatever cores you manage to find. When you're finished with these fives wands, find me at my shop sometime this coming summer. Think of this like... an entrance exam if you will. You are still young of course, but if you have the time, passion, and dedication, perhaps something will come of it, hmm?"
Susan's eyes widened as she took the chest from Ollivander. To get such a gift, even if it was an introductory wand-maker's kit, was a surprise. "Thank you, sir. But I'm not even sure if I will be any good. I'm not the greatest artist even if I have learned how to carve things, like my wand's hilt, though I do play the violin if you consider it an art."
"Hmm, I wouldn't worry about that. Each wand is unique, special, even as they are molded in the hands of the novice or the master. But you also have such wonderful pastime and a beautiful art in itself. Music is a magic all its own, especially when resonating from such strings on a violin," Ollivander said with the same musical hum from earlier that Harry began to recognize.
"Scheherazade," Susan said as she looked to the wand maker as she too recognized the tune. "That's one of my favorites to play. You listen to the arts."
"Listen? Most certainly. I play as well, after all," the eccentric old man replied with a grin. "Every wand is a new tale to tell and none should be wasted if we are to find love and life, as Scheherezade, whether by design or coincidence, taught the emperor she found herself married to. Wandmaking is similar, in its own way, as each wand has its own tale. It is so easy to fall in love with such stories we can create."
"Too true," Amelia agreed as she approached from the Raven's Redoubt tent proper with Daphne. "It's good to see you again Garrick," she said as she greeted the wand maker. "How is your nephew?"
"Off in South America exploring to his heart's content. It is good to see you as well, my Lady." The man looked fondly upon Amelia before his eyes fell to the wand at her waist. "Amelia Bones, aspen with an ivory hilt, a particularly silver luster to the wood, ten and a half inches, Phoenix feather, a wand of unmatched martial prowess and wisdom. I was proud to bestow such a wand so long ago. It has kept you safe and strong in hard times, and inspires others to greatness, just as you do."
"Yes, it's kept me well for a long time," Amelia stated kindly as she caressed the hilt she had carved for her wand. "I knew you were here for the weighing of the wands but didn't expect a personal visit."
"I saw young William near the tents and sensed strong magic about to take place. Curiosity got the better of me," the wand maker informed them with a chuckle before his gaze turned to Daphne. "Daphne Greengrass, nine and a half inches, red oak and demiguise hair, rigid, a clever, cunning wand with a quick wit and quicker spells, though its subtlety and beauty cannot be denied just like its owner I hear. It has kept you distant from strangers but always in the best of company, hasn't it?"
"Of course," Daphne said curiously as she glanced down her side to her wand then to Ollivander. "You're going to have to tell me how you do that one day, sir."
"Oh, I may not even have to," he said with a wink to them all. "And finally Miss Tonks," the wand-maker said as he turned to the auror. "Nine and a half inches, also a rigid wand, made of ebony and thunderbird tail-feather. Wand and wielder are convicted and courageous, unafraid to be themselves or stand for their ideals, a warrior's wand like your mentors', Amelia and Alastor's wands respectively. You are comfortable being unique, outside the norm, and you can transform yourself and your world to find the way forward. Transfiguration is your art of choice, but your heart always remains its own."
"Yes sir," Tonks responded with a light, gracious smile. "I am my own, but I'm not afraid to explore what others have to share with me among an ever changing world."
"Indeed, a good lesson to learn and hold close," Ollivander advised them all. For a moment his gaze seemed to shift around, as if searching for yet one more person before he seemed as if struck by epiphany. "Ah, I believe William is about to start!"
"Amy, can you get Shacklebolt to help us?" Bill asked as he approached them all. "I need three more people to give these wards the best effect, and I'll need you, Tonks and Kingsley. If the spears are put into the ground without using magic it will bind better."
Amelia nodded and quickly sent off a patronus as she took a spear and eyed it curiously. She had seen them before but they were still a marvel to her. Once Kingsley arrived Bill handed him and Tonks their spears and his team guided them to the spots necessary. Bill then turned to Harry. "I need you to place your hands on the main anchor and give it the initial charge. We'll do the same by plunging these into the ground at the same time. Remember these wards have seven points, seven people, and our timing, got it?"
Harry nodded and glanced to his watch. With a smile to Ollivander and the girls he quickly made his way into his tent and found the ward anchor at the very back between his and Amelia's rooms. The large cylinder of ebony could have been its own side table if it wasn't inlaid with silvered runes and designs. Harry appreciated the artistry and subtlety of the craft before him and told himself he would need to learn more someday. With his eye on his watch Harry waited until the precise moment Bill had describe to let his magic flow into the anchor.
Blue energy cascaded all around him and soon enough it crashed to the base of the pedestal before rising high through the very top of the tent. Harry might not have seen it all, but he could feel the magic as it linked with each anchor and spread out, becoming stronger and stronger until the magic fell in an ethereal dome around the encampment and faded into invisibility shortly after.
Harry breathed a sigh of relief when he felt the pedestal release his magic. A quick walk took the teen right back outside where Ollivander was politely clapping as Susan and Daphne's hands trailed along the edge of the wards, the invisible shield glowing briefly at their touch. Tonks' laughter chimed from behind one of the tents and Harry saw Bill and Amelia come around the other none the worse for wear.
"That was perfect Harry!" Bill praised him as he caught the teen in a quick hug before releasing him. "I didn't expect them to be so strong so quickly but this is phenomenal. Since you were at the primary anchor, can you sense what's inside the wards and who's touching it?"
Harry blinked in surprise for a moment before he closed his eyes, with some focus he could feel the warders testing the boundaries, Tonks pushing Kingsley along one side, and Susan and Daphne touching the boundary in curiosity. "Yeah, I can. How does that work? What does it mean?"
"It means you're in control of the wards, only those you invite can enter and you can even banish people from inside should something happen. You have to really mean that part though, just like magical intent." Harry nodded at Bill's explanation and when he thought of welcoming Susan and Daphne in the girls fell through the boundary in a heap. Bill laughed as Amelia let herself snicker as the girls straightened themselves out.
"That wasn't funny, Harry!" Susan shouted from where she was helping Daphne up.
"I thought it was," he muttered to the pair of chuckling adults next to him. "Well, it works!"
"These wards ought to protect you and if you really want privacy it will make everything inside invisible and increase the barrier strength. Should it come under attack, well, it's no stinging jinx but a wave of power will banish them away and warn you of any danger," Bill informed them all as everyone grouped together.
"Thank you, William," Amelia said before giving him a brief kiss.
Harry couldn't help but smile at the scene before him. To know they cared about each other so much warmed his heart as Daphne and Susan took his hands. When Ollivander gave the ward a brief tap, Harry allowed the man entrance along with a few other people he thought might stop by eventually. Hagrid had arrived just in time to see it and eased through the wards with a grin as he felt the tingle of the magic.
"Quite impressive, William," Ollivander complimented as he shook the young man's hands. "Your team did an excellent job. Why I doubt some families' homes are warded so well."
"Well we spared no expense on making sure everything worked," the redheaded cursebreaker answered with a pleased grin as he shook the wandmaker's hand. "We had quite the task and we wouldn't have left it unfinished until it was perfect."
"Indeed, and speaking of unfinished tasks…" Ollivander suddenly turned to face Hagrid and the half-giant blinked in surprise. "We both know, Mr. Hagrid, that you have been using something that you oughtn't, as wielding a partially mended wand is dangerous. However, you are no longer responsible for past events and the ministry can no longer keep you from what you deserve. I'd be honored to complete a task long in the making and have you be chosen by another wand."
Hagrid seemed worried and uncertain at first, but as the Wandmaker continued a look of longing crossed the half-giant's face. "Ye mean I can… I can get another wand?"
"That you can, old friend," Ollivander responded graciously. "It is high time magic return to you completely, and I would be remiss if I did not see it done soon. Come by my shop as soon as you are able and we will get you sorted out once again."
"Thank you!" Hagrid bellowed as he pulled the elder gentleman in for a gigantic hug before he quickly set the man down, afraid he had harmed the wandmaker. Ollivander, however, smiled genially again and shook the rotund professor's hand once again. "Thank you so much, Mr. Ollivander! I'll come straight away tomorrow!"
Eventually Amelia was able to call everyone inside for dinner, with Hagrid and Ollivander joining them. There they all discussed their wands and what they were most effective with, while Susan's eyes glittered with anticipation every time she glanced toward the small chest Ollivander had given her. Harry looked over to Daphne and when he saw her smiling at Susan, he knew the elderly man had done far more good for his redheaded soul mate than he realized, or perhaps exactly as much as he realized. With the future ahead changing, Harry couldn't help but hope it was all for the better.
Though one could never tell what lurked beyond tomorrow…