[a/n]With Umbridge dead, life can begin to go on.
Year 5 [pt11]
Ernie McMillan was there, face blotched with burnmarks and lipstick. He rolled over and pinned a squealing Hannah Abbott on the floor. Susan's hair was a disorganized shambles. She threw her pigmy puff Percy, which squeaked as he bounced off. Hearing a yell, she spun and squeaked "Oh! Harry! This isn't what it looks like!"
"Looks like exploding snap to me." He observed, stalking up to his girlfriend "Though those two have got into wrestling. Wanna go for tag teams?"
She squealed, tried to run and was caught round the waist "Now, Harry!" she panted "Be reasonable about this!" Then she was moaning into his mouth. A bit later, lips red and puffy, she was grinning "Well, you're back…huh? But I sense a little annoyance behind some of that."
"You know, I was right pissed when I got here. I still am, kind of, anyway." He replied with a shrug "Snogging really has a"
Ernie interrupted "-therapeutic effect." Hannah swatted his shoulder then giggled.
"Yeah, I'll need to thank Dobby for that." Harry nodded.
To which Hannah quipped "Hmm, I guess that's legal. Though I'd seek my significant other's approval."
"Moving on!" Harry overrode the groaning "Seems I violated the Order of the Barbequed Chicken's chain of command." The other three teens' expressions were simply too good. He giggled "But, let me clarify. Seems the first thing Dumbledore and crew wanted to do was tell me how he's their boss and I can't do anything without his permission. This includes the wife of the man we saved."
Susan, of course, had plenty of time to fill her closest friends in. Though leaving out precisely where he'd obtained his information "Odd that Auntie doesn't seem do be in their command structure. I'm glad that Tonks was on our side, good call there, Harry. I bet wolfie is too."
"She refers to Professor Lupin." Harry answered the other couple's raised eyebrows "I think they kissed over a piece of raw Nagini. Hey, some people like Madam Puddifoots. Speaking of Auntie, I have a few names for her. Yeah, people were real unhappy they weren't involved in my reckless endeavor that endangered lives without their St. Dumbledore's approval. And…..Madam Bones is right behind me."
The referred witch asked, somewhat nonchalantly "Whatever told you that?"
"Mostly because I have this crazy urge to say this isn't what it looks like." He answered with calm acceptance "I'd probably be safer if I was Ernie. Y'know caught with my hand on the niece's bum. I did say her name too. What're the chances I can get someone else in so much trouble you'll forget about me?"
The response was delivered so deadpan that everyone burst out laughing "Well, Harry, it depends on who and exactly what trouble you're talking about." Amelia answered with a chuckle "Though, I would appreciate you unhanding Susan's rear."
"The Order of the Phoenix wanted to give me a piece of their minds. Heh. What little they have to spare." Harry commented, while making sure Susan was balanced and complying with her Aunt's order "In attendance were Nymphadora Tonks, but you knew that, Rufus Scrimgeour, Alastor Moody, Emmeline Vance and Hestia Jones."
Madam Bones nodded "I can see a little discipline in order. Harry, I think I will need your assistance tomorrow. My office 0800. Slip a word to Miss Tonks, if you can, to roll with it until the end. I plan to speak to her privately afterward. Prior to that, I expect you to not say a word. Susan, males out of here by 2200."
"Luna…I'll miss her" said Ernie, sadly "I don't think there was anyone like her. Somehow, I don't know if she would've approved of what you and Neville did, I personally don't. I can understand it but I don't agree with it."
Harry didn't react angrily as might be expected. He did cock an eyebrow at the other boy and retort "Dumbledore didn't like it, either. You're my friend and entitled to an opinion, Ernie, but I've already heard all the arguments. I want you to consider if we hadn't, she'd already be back teaching…..No, don't say anything else, I'm not talking about it anymore. Period."
"That's not especially polite." Hannah sided in with her boyfriend.
He looked at her emotionlessly and asked "So? Sue, can we either go to another room or send them? I'd like some privacy."
"Think it's unreasonable to answer a few questions?" asked Hannah, a little coldly.
Harry's irritation grew, but outwardly, he spoke easily "Would you like a fully gory detailed description what it felt like? Is that what you want? Umbridge clawed at my hands, I could feel the flesh tearing off. It hurt like hell, about like what a Blood Quill feels like, but not what like Luna went through. Or maybe you're interested in that sickening crack I heard and felt when Umbridge's windpipe snapped. Good mood killer there, Abbott. Guess I'll head home early."
"No you won't." Susan declared, rubbing his shoulder "Go in there and sit on the loveseat. I'll be right along. Now, you two…."
Harry flipped himself into a couch and waited, then when she arrived, demanded bluntly "Why are you still with me, Sue?"
"Well, you're an above average kisser." She offered in a flippant tone, sat on his lap and pressed their lips together. And after a few minutes of …well, lackluster is the best word, snogging… she leaned back and played with his chest a bit "In all seriousness…please don't bother with the pun…that is quite good. You're a kind, considerate boy, who will be a fine man. We have a lot of fun, most of the time. The last month hasn't been, but Luna's dea-murder has been hard on anyone who was her friend. Seems to me, it hit you the worst, even moreso than Neville. I know they were enjoying each other, but I didn't know they were that serious."
Harry's expression went unchanged "The Diary told me about Luna right before I was sorted. She was in Ravenclaw before and they treated her horrible. It told me to get her in Gryffindor where I could protect her. Pisses me off that I had to, even there, but once I did they behaved themselves."
"What were they doing? What did you do?" she asked.
There was no reason to keep it secret anymore, in fact he might tell Professor McGonagall "I was already on the Quidditch team, so I told our Chasers Katie, Alicia and Angelina to convince the other girls it would be in their best interest to be nice to her."
"You threatened almost sixty girls!" gasped Susan "ALL… well almost all… older than you? Did you give ANY thought as to how you were going to carry that out? You DO know about the sex wards, don't you?"
He shrugged "I didn't then, but I do now and…Sue…they're NOT unbreakable."
"You were just a Second Year then. You didn't know then. Did you?" she argued logically.
Harry visibly withdrew and pointed out "Intimidation. Not many Second Years have blood on their hands."
"Ahh…so that's what this is about." No one could accuse Susan Bones of being stupid "Harry, you're powerful, that alone makes you near irresistible. I, like some others, don't like what you did with Umbridge, but I understand it. Even, after we've talked, I can agree with your point of view. You bend over backwards when wielding it. And I know how much Luna's death hurts, you still can't think of her without the pain. You're lucky I'm not the jealous type."
He frowned "That's only halfway there, Sue. I got a trail of blood starting in 81 and it's not stopping. How can you bear my gory paws on you?"
"About like this." She answered seductively, taking one hand and resting it on her hip. The other, she kissed and cuddled into her cheek "Harry, it would be one thing if you had the killer instinct, but you don't. From that troll in First Year up to and including Umbridge. Between the Old Man and that bloody prophecy, I'm sure you will kill again. I'd kill to defend Hannah and Auntie would die to protect me…or you. You don't enjoy killing, like Vo-voldemort and crew. Do you remember what you said when I asked about Umbridge? Just after the duel?"
He nodded "And I told you I wasn't happy because it didn't bring Luna back."
"So what really made you and Neville go after her?" asked Susan.
Harry breathed a few times before answering "It was bad enough she killed Luna. I'll never forgive myself for letting that happen. But, how could I suffer letting her kill anyone else?"
"Seems there's more to that." Susan offered "If you want to tell me, I'll listen, but I'm not asking. For that, for putting your life on the line for others, I honor you. More important, Harry, other things have managed to get in the way lately, but I love you. I've known it for some time, surprised me a bit at first. I do. Truly. Love you that is."
His look was indecipherable, for what seemed like an eternity. "I know how I'm supposed to answer that." He said, bitterly, sadly "The truth is, Sue, I don't even know what that word means. I could quote Webster's on it, but that's it. I can't imagine my life without you in it, please believe that. I'm sorry that hurts. But even more than I'd never want to hurt you, I'd never lie to you, not about this."
"You stay right here Harry James Potter! I mean it!" she shifted her weight, slight as it was, to prevent him from slipping out from under her "Now, hear what I'm telling you, my personal mission in life is to teach you what love means. Don't think lust isn't a part, just happens to be a particularly FUN part. A whole lot of people love you, Harry."
He smiled at the blunt flirt, but responded to the end "I guess, I mean I think so. Oh, I don't know." He fell silent and the couple just sat together. When it was time to leave, Susan again said she loved him. All he could reply with was a Thank you.
Abcij
Arriving at Grimmauld Pl. in about the same outward mood in which he left it. Susan loved him, but he really did not know what that meant. He'd seen the hurt in her face at his reply, and hated himself for it. He made his way from the darkened living room to the kitchen, which was active day or night.
"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!?" complained Mrs. Weasley furiously slapping a dish on the table.
Harry about jumped out of his skin. After his heart got back in his chest he shot back "Who put you in charge?"
"None of that backtalk, boy." She snapped at him, waving a large wooden spoon at him "You will account for yourself."
He flashed back to the duel with Umbridge, lashed out, disarmed…well, de-spooned…her, and slapped her down. In little more than an eyeblink Harry was standing over her, glaring down and pointing the spoon. Feeling a little silly, he dropped it and answered "I haven't let anyone since Dursley call me boy. Fuck off, woman."
"How DARE you!" raged Mrs. Weasley, as the spoon bounced off her chest.
The entire house was alerted when wards set off alarms that a fight was occurring. Basically the entire population of Grimmauld Pl. saw the ending, which was Harry yanking Mrs. Weasley to her feet, pushing her against the wall, slapping her face and growling "Let's understand each other. I'm not a child. I'm certainly NOT your child! I don't answer to you!" He concluded with another slap. None of them especially hurt, other than her pride. Her hair was disheveled, her cheeks all reddened and just a trickle of blood coming from her mouth.
"That is enough!" declared Sirius in a tone that demanded obedience, though he had to banish the Weasleys across the room. He'd decided allowing them to separate Harry from their Mother was wise. The first punch, however, was more than enough "Everyone, settle down. Kreacher! Whip up some tea please."
The House Elf appeared and bowed "Yes, Master."
"And, now that we're all civilized, even at this Unmerlinly hour… what the bloody hell is going on?" Sirius demanded, looking at his Godson.
Harry succinctly answered "Bitchy thinks she's in charge."
"Watch yer mouth, Harry!" Ron happened to be loudest "That's my Mum!"
Mrs. Weasley hissed "I will not have such defiance under my roof!"
"Need I remind you, Molly, this happens to be my home." Sirius pointed out "And given a choice, I'd throw you out over Harry. Don't doubt it for a second. But we need to live with each other, especially given our latest guest, don't you agree? … I said, don't you agree? All of you? Right, now that's cleared up, what happened here?"
Harry answered "I got back from Susan's, decided on a little pumpkin juice and she attacked me."
"Hardly!" sniffed Mrs. Weasley, offended "The boy—"
Harry cut in "Say it again, that's another black eye I owe you."
"Settle it." Ordered Sirius.
Mrs. Weasley chose to continue "seems to think he is not answerable to anyone. Professor Dumbledore expected to see him tonight and no one even knew where he was."
"Untrue Molly." Answered Sirius "I knew full well he was with his girlfriend. An excellent choice given his mood when he left. Though, apparently you did nothing for it. If Albus needs to speak with Harry, he may inform me of his needs. If you have a problem with Harry, take it up with me."
Mr. Weasley added "Likewise I do not expect to see my wife getting hit again, Harry."
"You might remember, I saved your life, Arthur." Said Harry "And she got off light. Remember Umbridge. Don't swing on me again. Clear? I'm going to bed."
He, in return, scolded "The correct way to address me is Mr. Weasley. And children ask for leave to depart."
"Ah, there's gratitude for you." Harry countered, glaring at the man "When addressing nobles, commoners use Sire, or m'Lord. Also correct is Noble Born though that is used for formal occasions."
To that Ron snarled "No way I'm kissing your ass, mate."
"You've never been a great friend, mate." Countered Harry "I don't know where you're sitting on the Express, but find a different compartment from me. The lot of you best remember this, keep your mouths shut about something some of you've been let in on. That is if you care about Voldemort not winning this war." But essentially, his friendships with the Weasleys ended that night in Grimmauld Pl.
Abcij
The one occupant of Grimmauld Pl. who had no input to last night's argument was the most recent addition. Said individual regally approached him immediately prior to returning to school "You will pass my message to my son, yes?" she asked.
"I gave my word that Draco, personally, is safe Madam Malfoy." Replied Harry in a tight tone "That is as long as he does not harm my friends and allies. I'll stand aside for a prank war, but don't expect my problems with the Weasleys to cause me to act foolishly. Don't expect your husband, or House Malfoy, to survive."
Narcissa nodded "My blood is Black. I believe in the Purebloodism of my House's heritage for centuries back to the founding of Hogwarts. House Malfoy has a chance with Draco, the same one Sirius has with the Black Family. You would benefit from publicizing your knowledge about the Dark Lord. Some, but not all, of his support would fall away just by revealing his bloodline."
"I'll be doing that and a lot more." Harry confirmed "Sirius will be bringing home a Quibbler in the next few days that'll be my declaration of war." He gets to the Hogwarts Express at 10:30, sits with Hermione until Susan and Hannah show about ten minutes later, and board the train together.
Abcij
"I understand you, Mr. Potter, have something interesting from the Muggle world?" Professor Sinistra announced. The time was near 1AM during the first week back from Christmas vacation.
Draco Malfoy sneered from his telescope, of course it was top of the line "What could Muggles possibly tell us about the sky?"
"You'd be surprised, Draco." Harry offered, outwardly polite, but his smile was full of contempt "I have a place… outside of any city… so it's a beautiful night sky. I always loved space even before I knew to call it that. I subscribe to Astronomy magazines that tell about the latest discoveries. Muggles have long written about people from other worlds, without even knowing other worlds existed."
Millicent was if anything more derisive "Father's right, they're barely intelligent."
"Oh? Why?" countered Harry, automatically rejecting Pureblood philosophy "Goblins? Centaurs? Sphinxes? Anyway, the Muggle astronomers confirmed planets around other stars. Planets as real as Mars, Mercury and Uranus. Around huge red giants like Canopus and around pulsars. The first, orbiting a small binary system. Second, a pair of worlds in impossible places where life like us couldn't possibly exist. Next, a world larger than Jupiter around a star like old Sol."
The Astronomy Professor nodded thoughtfully at one of her favorites "Twenty points to Gryffindor, Potter. Whether true or false, these claims give us ever more to discuss. And the more we learn about what's out there, the more and more we know how much more there is to learn."
"Skrewt droppings!" cursed Draco "We know all there is to know with the five cardinal solids and the five planets and the four elements."
Sinistra offered her Slytherin an almost intolerant look then "Tonight, class, we can observe the conjunction of the Moon, Jupiter and Venus. I want detailed descriptions of the sky. Get to it people." At 3AM class was finishing and she addressed the one interruption of the evening "Now, Mr. Potter, you may see to the correspondence your owl delivered. I will see everyone next Friday evening."
"So, Hedwig?" Harry offered an arm, which the owl eagerly landed on "Wha'cha got fer me?"
The snowy was less than delighted with the person who summoned her to deliver to her human, but such is the duty of her kind. She gave her leg a flick dislodging the letter from it.
Harry read, nodded and praised "Thank you Hedwig, I know this task isn't fun. Don't like them, huh? Sorry. It'll probably get worse before it gets better. I'll get you a bath as soon as I come back, how's that?"
Hedwig squawked pleasurably and nodded her approval.
Abcij
"Showing up alone takes guts, boy." The unsavory type puffed on a cigar.
Harry hated the term, but this wasn't worth the energy "I trust you're not wasting my time?"
"Three marked Death Eaters." Came with a self-satisfied smile "Tell me, Potter, if you're so impressive; and I saw the Umbridge duel; why Bounty Hunters?"
To which he shrugged "No reason to go it alone, or risk friends and family, if I don't have to. Better to whittle them down by ones and twos rather than some huge battle that half destroys Hogwarts, don't you think."
"If you'd been in Slytherin, it'd be obvious we're expendable too." The cigar was crushed and flicked onto a body.
Harry was internally disgusted, but said "Not at all. I hope you survive this war too. This is a good start, nobody really important, but good." He withdrew a small bag of gems from his school robes and handed it over. "You didn't specify a favorite, so I gave an assortment. Rubies, emeralds, diamonds, sapphires."
"Nice." The bounty hunter was well satisfied, took out another cigar, twirled it in his fingers, bit off the tip, struck a match and puffed several times "For this much, I'll throw in another. You, sir, will be a pleasure doing business with!"
Harry snorted "In future, sir is preferable to boy. Am I clear? Anyway, get some friends to join in. They'll find me as generous. And if you're pleased with this, just think what someone like Lucius might be worth. I wouldn't be opposed to paying out for Voldemort himself."
"Ambitious!" he smirked around a puff "Let's see how a few more go, huh? You want the bodies?"
Harry shook his head, hiding disgust he answered "And have someone else try to collect on your work? Destroy them…..Good. And good luck on your next bounty. My owl will know when she needs to come."
Abcij
"Come with me, Harry. I have a tough time keeping them in line." His best friend pleaded "You're just what they need."
Finally relenting, the pair went to their Head of House "Professor McGonagall, Family business requires Neville's attention and he's asked me to join him. Off campus."
"I hope this doesn't involve bloodshed, Mr. Potter?" she asked, clearly expecting a no.
Neville answered "I don't think so, ma'am. Probably not."
"Very well, leave approved." She decided "Be back for curfew."
The pair marched into the corporate offices of The Quibbler, that description being a bit on the grandiose side. By far, the largest division of this building on Diagon Alley was given over to printing presses. The company had expanded rapidly over the last couple years; from a joke to a credible challenge to the dominance of The Daily Prophet. Now though, The Quibbler was leaderless. No, the fact was without Xenophilius Lovegood everyone thought they were in charge, from the witch heading the newsroom to the wizard who poured ink into the ever thirsty presse
"Hello all, I am Neville Longbottom." The young man introduced himself to all the employees "With me are my Grandmother, Augusta, she is Regent of my Ancient and Noble House; and Harry Potter. I still mourn Luna and Xeno, I still cry nights. Not to speak ill of the dead, but Xeno's will was sloppy, let's be honest. If it wasn't for me, or more precisely, my Regent Augusta, there would be a quick sale of everything and poof! The Quibbler would be like St. Mungo's to Muggles."
A decidedly disgruntled witch spoke sarcastically "And we're all so grateful. Now? Care to explain why we should continue working for YOUR newspaper?"
"Attitudes like that will not be productive." Said Augusta "Or…frankly…welcome."
This brought a round of sullen grumbling.
"Let's get to it." Neville overrode them all "All of you are thinking that I'm a punk kid who has no business running a business. You're half right; I'm only taking OWLs this year. But, come 1998 I'll be taking control of an Ancient and Noble House, I better know something about how to earn a Knut. I doubt anyone can replace Mr. Lovegood's unique style, but someone has to take over, or The Quibbler goes under taking your jobs with it. I'm here to hopefully prevent that. Why? I owe it to Luna to try."
One of the reporters, mainly a photographer, stood and said "I took this job mainly because of Xeno. He was an oddball, but somehow always managed to land on his feet…if you get my meaning. I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say what you two did to that murderer is well and good. I knew Xeno, I don't know you, I have a little boy getting ready to start Hogwarts and triplet girls coming up fast. Not to seem greedy, but I've got to pay my bills."
"Valid points all." Neville acknowledged with a nod "Your friend and boss has been quite generous in sharing his good fortune, hasn't he?"
The employees all nodded, from newest to most senior.
"Rather excessively in my view." Madam Longbottom put in with a tone that had people bowing their heads. Before the expressions became noises of rebellion, she went on "My Grandson has been most insistent in the case of your little paper. While handing out largess thither and yon, Mr. Lovegood also borrowed heavily to fund the considerable expansion you have all seen the last few years. Those bills are like a Sword of Damocles over all your necks."
It was the first time Harry spoke "She does come off a bit overbearing, don't she?"
"But, once in a while, she can bend… Lord Potter." Augusta inclined her head his way "Like when she meets an equal force. To continue, my Grandson commanded…mind you, commanded…me to acquire all of The Quibbler's outstanding debt."
Neville took over again "Like I said, I can't run a business while at Hogwarts, but in addition to her duties with the Wizengamot and as my Regent, my Grandmother is now CEO of The Quibbler."
"You just come in, take over, like you own the place?" a disgruntled executive complained.
Neville had learned a lot from Severus Snape over the years, for example, the fine art of the nasty smirk "The fact is, sir, I DO own the place. Now, here are the broad plans I and my advisors have worked out. In the short term, put the company back in the black, we have three strategies for that. First, and the reason Harry Potter is here, I called on his friendship with Luna to extend the agreement to keep The Quibbler as his only authorized news outlet. You all know how much that is worth. Lord Potter will receive part of our subscription revenue. Second, all payments of Quibbler debt to House Longbottom are suspended for a year. After that, we'll see. Third, Mr. Lovegood's gifts which were random, are ended. You can expect your usual salaries, backed by House Longbottom."
"I can live with that." One supervisor offered.
Neville favored the witch with a nod "Instead of random gifts, we'll have a system of bonuses that will depend on a person's performance and The Quibbler's profitability. Longer term, assuming this works well, say five years out I want The Quibbler to go public. With generous stock grants to each of you."
"How much? When?" there was a faction more loyal to their pocketbook than the business, or the new owner.
Harry stood and leaned over menacingly "You do know they've barely been dead a month." He snarled.
"Sit please." Madam Longbottom told him, firmly "No, people, every detail has yet to be nit-picked. As, and when, a formal deal is reached it will be put before you before being finalized. Everyone will have a voice, but whether you are happy with it is ultimately for you to decide. Naturally, if you find something completely unacceptable, The Quibbler will accept your resignation and provide a reference based on your job performance."
There was an undercurrent of grumbling.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it's up to me to give the last word." Said Neville "I'm doing this for Luna, first and foremost. When I see her I want to be able to look her in the eye and tell her I did my best. Ask yourself if you want The Quibbler to succeed. Then ask why. I don't care if you have selfish reasons. But it's going to take some time to turn it around."
A small minority took that opportunity to walk out.
Harry gave a death glare to an old wizard who walked right by him and sneered "Good riddance to bad rubbish."
"Lord Potter is more emotional at the moment than is good for business." Said the new CEO "I know news is a 24 hour business and I will be living that. Morning, noon, and night I will be in the office. For at least this first week, in fact, I will be making a general nuisance of myself…sleeping little and learning much. Anyone can approach me anytime. Thank you for your attention."