Hey everyone,
Just wanted to let you all know that this chapter has been lengthened quite a bit as I added our four new OC's; Andrew, Connor, Ralph and Leona. I also added a bit of text to the first POV and finally added the bit of Harry being checked for Magical Blocks as well as his mother being tested for fertility by Madam Pomfrey.
Okay enjoy,
Venquine1990
Chapter 50
A Divine Break
Neville's POV
The last hour or so I have trained with Hercules and Harry and we both are amazed at how much the Hero trains in a day. I had to stop halfway through the hour for a few minutes to catch my breath and Hercules didn't mock me at all. Instead he slapped my back and gave me some Herculade, which really gave me a new boost of energy.
Harry had also asked Axel to bring back Draco, but only after asking Snape and the Malfoys if they would allow him back without shouting at him. They had agreed to this, but Harry had to accept that they would still shout if his comments after Dumbledore's expulsion were as bad as the boy had, earlier on, predicted.
Draco had returned and had sighed in relief when he heard the conditions. Axel had then been chosen as his sitter until that time and the red-head had, while wanting to spend time with Roxas, accepted this and had let Draco meditate, telling him it could help him find his inner weapon, like the Chakram was Axel's inner weapon.
This had interested me and Harry and we had agreed, with just a single glance, that we would do this ourselves right next break. Milicent Bullstrode had also come to train and, mostly to spare her, had Hercules let her hit barrels at various platforms and different heights, with the task set that she had to break them all in a certain limit of time.
Professor Snape had helped along with this and had charmed the barrels to repair themselves if she had hit them in such a way she could do more damage if she hit them differently. It was still keeping her busy and she has yet to break all of the barrels, but I can tell that the gigantic 14 year old is really learning from this.
Then Sirius takes Harry apart and tells him: "We'll tell you all about the bond between James, Severus and our group once we have reached the chapter of truth in Third book, alright?" Harry obviously does not like being reminded of it, but nods in agreement and continues with the moves and fighting kata's that Hercules is teaching us.
The boy himself is definitely having some trouble with some of the moves and when Hercules showed us one move, Harry had to grudgingly admit that, because his body was still healing from years of abuse suddenly being treated, he was unable to do this one without hurting himself or angering his parents for overworking himself.
Hercules had definitely been shocked to hear this and Harry had explained how, during the reading of the First book, Harry had admitted to have been hiding years of injuries and how he was now going through a healing process that made it so that he was currently more vulnerable than he had ever been and thus couldn't do the move.
Hercules had understood this, yet when he had asked Harry why he was even doing the excercises if he was healing and if he wouldn't rather just sit back and relax, he had gotten the Furious Harry stare as well as the boy snapping at him: "Working out gets me my muscles back, so no thank you." And instantly Herc agreed.
Phill is sitting right behind Hercules and by his angry glare can I tell that he is critically observing the Hero's way of teaching us and I raise a questioning eyebrow at Hercules, motioning with my eyes for the creature when he notices it. He laughs and says: "Just forget him, this is your training, not mine and he doesn't like that very much."
I laugh and then try the 40 push-ups Hercules told me to try and finish my training with. So far I haven't gone higher than 27, but the other things I do when I've caught my breath again really do help me get stronger. Personally, I love these stamina excercises and I know I will return home a new man, once the readings are over.
Wondering how my gran will react to seeing me, no longer chubby and changed by all I have so far heard, I don't notice myself pushing past the 40 push-ups until Hercules says: "Wo-hoh, alright Neville! Fifty Push-ups! I knew you could do it!" I look shocked, not at all noticing, but then smile at the Hero.
Harry seems to also have pushed himself to the end of his own limits and he has gone back to lovingly sit in Viktor's lap near Remus and Sirius and kiss him, making me smile as Harry was never really one for showing affection openly. This reminds me of his treatment by the Muggles and I suppress my inner rage at it once again.
Instead I sit down on one of the more distant platforms and keep my eye out on everyone around me. Hermione seems in yet another heavy discussion with Blaise, one he sometimes interrupts by kissing her cheek, Ron is talking with his twin brothers and Percy, obviously reuniting and Sirius and Remus are watching over Harry and Viktor.
I then look at the Hufflepuffs and see the ones in our year talking softly, but not soft enough and I hear the words that will surely help him fall from Hannah's lips. They then all look at Harry wonderingly and I raise an eyebrow at them, wondering if their plans will, this time, have a positive or a negative effect on my friend.
The Ravenclaws, on the other side of the Lobby, seem busy on all kinds of reports and spellwork, making me shake my head as I wonder what they even think the words taking a break means. But then I see some of them smiling and laughing and I raise myself up just high enough to see that one of their papers has a hangman drawn on them.
I shake my head and hold back a snicker before turning to the Bulgarians. They seem engaged in an important discussion with their Headmaster and the man seems to agree with some of his students and disagree with others, yet he doesn't raise his voice or shout at them like I heard him do on the day of their arrival.
The French seem to be divided and while a few are doing the same as the Bulgarian, talking with their Headmisstress, are others either braiding each other's hair or writing down something, of which I see the title named list of actions for after reading ends. Smiling at the intelligence and wondering how long this list is, I take another glance around.
The Snakes are the last I put my notice on and they all seem quite divided in several groups, but all seem to be either vocally fighting with each other or just discussing matters. Deciding not to go and find out as at least each group has some elder years in them, I have to smile at the general picture of everyone relaxing in their own ways.
Axel's POV
"This was not how I planned to spend this break." I mumble angrily as I keep an eye on the peaceful picture that seems to be Draco Malfoy. I can't really understand how the lad can want a fellow student dead, let alone wanting so at age 12, but decide not to be bothered with it as the lad seems to really regret saying this.
Still, I don't like having to sit him and wonder why that Auron fellow or Leon weren't chosen to sit the upturned brat as all I now want is to spend some time with Roxas – something Lucius and Narcissa should have realized seeing how they were there when I showed Roxas my love by kissing him back after he demerged from Sora.
Luckily does the beautiful blonde want the same and so, to compensate for me spending time with him and still letting me watch Draco, has the delicious little Nobody sat himself in my lap with his arms wrapped around my neck and his head on my shoulder. He apparently hears me and I moan as he nuzzles my neck.
I smile and tilt my head to look at him and say: "Now that's how I want to spend this break." He laughs and taps me on the nose with his finger before he ruins my good mood and says: "Maybe next break. For now, keep an eye on your subject. I think he's about to get his weapon." I moan and focus back on Draco.
The boy has been sitting perfectly still for the last 20 minutes and if it weren't for his moving shoulders, I would have presumed he got himself either killed or in a coma. I look at the lad, feeling his power grow as I shortly connected my own heart to his, but then he does something I never even could have expected.
His entire body changes with a quick pop and where a young, fourteen year old blonde was sitting moments before, is now a tawny colored foxlike creature with large blonde colored ears and black legs and parts to the pointed face, that looks quite like the boy's own pointy face, along with the silver eyes and small nose.
Everyone looks at the creature shocked and I mumble: "That – was not supposed to happen." Then Narcissa Malfoy and Sirius Black run over and before Narcissa can lift up the poor little creature that seems to have a lot of trouble staying standing on four legs instead of two, has the black-haired man raised his wand.
The ears of the creature move themselves to the neck in fear, but a blue light erupts from the wand and seconds later the blonde is back where he was sitting minutes ago. Sirius then turns to me and I say: "He was supposed to find his inner weapon, not turn into some fox." The man nods and Narcissa hugs her son, obviously shocked.
The man then says: "Animagus Transformation does indeed go easier when you do it through Meditation. It also allows you a choice of your own concerning your personality and creature. The other way, the way I myself used, was through Potions. That makes the Potion chose an animal best suited for you when you drink it."
I nod and say: "A fascinating form of magic, I'll give you that. Did it take you long?" And Sirius shudders as he says: "Almost 2 years of continuously drinking one potion after another." Making me shudder as well. Then I see Riku drinking from the potion the matron gave him after his return from Hell and Narcissa says:
"I think it's better if we continue reading soon." Sirius nods at her and says: "I checked the book. We still have about four chapters left. Minerva and I agreed we would return home after the next break so we can read the last chapter in the Great Hall." The woman nods and takes her son back to where they had been sitting earlier.
Draco's POV
The meditation had been amazing, even with all the distractions of people talking, laughing and walking past. Axel had made sure there was a large circle around me where the other students weren't allowed to come and this made it easier for me to get into trance, yet I barely remember what happened afterwards.
Yet the shock of suddenly having fur all over, of being only 55 centimeters long and having ears almost half the size of my own length was quite great for me and to hear yips escape my shortened throat instead of calls for help – even though they sounded like calls for help to my ears – was something I still can't believe.
I'm now back to being human, slightly disorientated and am being helped back to the seat I shared with my parents before my transport to Destiny Islands. Mother seems overly concerned for me, more than I have ever seen her and still part of me can't really understand why that is or what has just happened to me.
I sit down with father, who looks at mother inquiringly and she shocks us both, making me realize the truth as she says: "Axel's training made him an Animagus. He became a Cape Fox without even noticing it himself. Sirius just changed him back." My father nods, his eyes still wide, but I can barely believe what I just heard.
To have been changed into a Ferret by force a few months ago made me believe that was my Animagus form, but to hear that I now changed into a Cape Fox makes me wonder how that can be. Deciding to discuss this with people I trust that saw what Crouch Junior did later, I sit down with my parents and just try to relax.
Sirius' POV
"Draco is a Cape Fox. Draco is a Cape Fox! DRACO IS A CAPE FOX!" Goes through my head like a broken record and I dazedly walk back to Remus, who had been very shocked when I suddenly ran away from him. But I had agreed with Narcissa to look after Draco and had seen him suddenly shrink within seconds.
This had worried me, but that my cousin is an Animagus and that his Find your inner weapon training helped him become one shocks me to the core. It also makes me wonder what kind of animal my son could become and while sitting back next to Remus, do I wonder if our adoption will influence his choice of creature.
I then feel Remus nuzzling my neck and he asks: "What happened? Is something wrong? You're so tense." And I mutter: "Draco just changed into an Animagus. A Cape Fox." The man stops nuzzling my neck, making me whimper as it made me relax slightly and he asks: "Are you sure?" I nod and sigh as I say:
"I'm just wondering what kind of animal our boy will become. I really think we should let him do it through meditation, the potion might be influenced by the Adoption." The Werewolf nods, his head still in my neck and I moan happily as he says: "Let's allow the kids that want to start this once the third book is read."
Then Madam Pomfrey walks over and I take a deep breath, remembering that we were planning to check Harry for Magical Blocks and we move over to where Harry and Viktor are seated, Harry himself slightly clinging to Viktor in concern as he sees us approach with the Matron and this really tears at my heart.
Yet so does everything else that I have read and heard of so far that is wrong with my son's past and present and while I already know that I am quite protective of my son, do I still wonder if I won't be too overprotective of any child I could one day have myself and then remember that Poppy will also be checking my fertility.
And instantly I reach out to my mate and grab his hand in personal fear over my fertility being non-existant, yet then hear something that makes me feel slightly better: "You are definitely getting better, Mr. Potter. In fact, I think you will be back to full health once the next three day break has come and gone if my readings are right."
This relieves us all, yet then Poppy says: "However, I do notice a few blocks on you, blocks that seem to be influenced by Lady Hogwarts as she seems to have been trying to weaken them just as much as old Dumbles has been trying to keep them full power. And it also seems that the TR Spell is affecting you, though I can't see how."
And instantly all the relief we all felt over Harry and his growing health gets taken from us, yet then the woman smiles and says: "However, when it comes to the blocks, I personally don't see any link between them and the affect the TR spell has on you and, without him, I do think Lady Hogwarts will remove those blocks soon enough."
And we all lean back against our cloud couches in utter relief before Poppy makes me tense in concern for a third time all over again as she says: "And now for you, Sirius. Also, I would like to give you a full physical once we get back and time starts running again, if you don't mind. Considering your time in Azkaban and all."
And while just the thought of Azkaban has taken me my chance to give Harry siblings and Remus cubs is enough to make my body tense in fear is the thought that Azkaban did even more enough to make me glad that Remus is hugging me as I have no doubt I would have fled my family out of fear had he not been holding me.
Yet just because I know that one can't stay in Azkaban for over a decade and not get affected, do I still close my eyes tightly, not wanting to see the results or the disappointment in my family's eyes. "Ah, it does seem as if Remus was right. You are still as able to have kids as you were as a teen. Congratulations, Sirius."
And while it takes me a few seconds to realize what Poppy has told me, do I then sag down against Remus' form, allowing for a few of my tears of relief to drip down my eyes and Harry and Viktor move their clouds closer to mine as they, together with Remus, shower me with compliments and happy notions of reassurance.
Andrew's POV
"I do hope you will get a chance to interact with people like Herc as well when we move onto the next world, Ced." I tell my friend and Cedric nods before he says: "Good, it looks like he's keeping his limits in mind." And I shake my head as I know that he is focused less on Hercules' training and more on one of his trainee's.
"That kid has really grown on you, hasn't he?" I ask and Cedric asks: "He hasn't on you?" To which I shrug and say: "I know now that it was never Potter who was behind all of those rumors or who was feeding the rumor mill in the first place, but it's still hard to see him as anything other than someone soaking up all the attention."
"That's because, even though you never believed the press, books and lies, you did believe what everyone else did; that Harry believed what the books and press wrote about him and bathed in the attention it got him. Even you fell for that trick, regardless of the fact that you were trying to be different from everyone else."
Cedric tells me and I sigh as I know he's right before I ask: "What about you? When did you stop seeing him like that?" And Cedric shudders as he says: "When I saw him fall. Andrew, you don't watch a 13 year old fall hundreds of feet and not change everything you ever thought you knew of him, you know?"
At this I can only nod as I remember the three weeks that Cedric suffered from nightmares where Harry did indeed fall off his broom – only without the safe landing ever following this fall. It had been horrible for me to see my friend like this and for a short amount of days my hormones had made me resent Harry, of all people, for it.
At this memory I sigh again and ask: "Why is it so easy to blame him for everything?" And yet it isn't Cedric who answers, but his mother, who comes to sit with us and says: "Because we have just as easily done the opposite for years; build expectations the size of this here Collisseum." And I hate having to agree with her.
Connor's POV
"Looks like I might have a few more potential patients that I can add to my hopeful list." Goes through my mind as I observe the two factors I currently find most important in all this; Harry and his family as well as the Gates to Hell. The former interests me because of Sirius Black and the latter because of the mysterious Arriana Dumbledore.
It is obvious that the former Azkaban escapee is just as frightened to disappoint his family and loved ones as his son, yet I can only imagine how much help Arriana is going to need once Lord Zeus has returned her from the Pit of Death. And then there is the third and final group of potential subjects that kind of has me worried.
Those that had been friends with Crabbe and Goyle and who were just as shocked to see their true natures come to reveal themselves as the rest; not to mention their two nearly abducted hostages, Hermione and Blaise. Yet about the latter I know I don't have to worry as both of them are quite resilient and are very independent.
"Not to mention that their Courting can really help them comfort each other and this might turn from a disruption of the period to a chance to see the Courting be taken a step further. And if you combine that with all of the support they can probably get from all of their friends and friends' families, I'm sure those two will be just fine."
"Mr. Ellersby, there you are." I suddenly hear a kind, but firm voice say and I look up from my musings as I see Madam Pomfrey stand near me, the woman smiling at me as she sees me turn my head her way. "Can I – help you, Ma'am?" I ask her, having always held an insane amount of respect for the one-man Healing Army.
The woman nods and says: "Yes, you can, young man. You see, I've noticed that you like to observe those that need help and I managed to convince someone to be your first patient, though she won't come to you just yet. I just wanted to let you know and inform you that you can probably expect her at the end of the reading."
At this I nod, feeling excited that a woman like Pomfrey is helping me potentially living out my dream job and I ask: "I understand. Thanks Madam Pomfrey. Who is it?" And the woman turns somber and even seems to feel slightly guilty as she softly tells me: "The last victim of the events we are reading of; young Ginerva Molly Weasley."
This shocks me senseless and I ask: "Wait. You mean – you mean to tell me –." And Madam Pomfrey says: "The Headmaster and her mother overruled me and Arthur said he was sure that he just didn't make enough income to get his daughter through the entire set of sessions. He was just terrified that it would do more harm than good."
Yet this confuses me and I ask: "But I thought Hogwarts had a special funds for students suffering emotional trauma such as rape, bad marriage contracts and near-death experiences." And the woman looks at me shocked before she wails and says: "How on earth did I forget about that?" Yet I already know the answer and say:
"Either Lockhart or Dumbledore, no doubt." And the woman looks at me as I say: "I hate saying this, Madam Pomfrey, but I don't think Potter was the only victim of Lockhart's disgusting desires. I just think he was the only one smart enough to notice and fight them." And the woman looks greatly concerned as she nods at me.
Ralph Copius
"And people thought the Tri-Wizard Tournament was going to be exciting. Am I right or am I right?" I ask my best friend as we are leaning on a windowsill on the front right of the entrance courtyard and the boy answers: "We are just reading. Or is this more about your crazy hype with Potter?" But I shake my head and ask:
"Did the Tri-Wizard Tournament involve tropical islands? Did it involve an ancient Greek myth? Did it involve a phoenix turning into a Nobody who is also a Fire Elemental? Did it involve a blonde guy coming out of a brunette? Did it involve a near kidnap – wait, never mind. Anyway, did it involve us losing two horrible bullies?"
And my best friend shudders as he had been Crabbe and Goyle's bully victim several times whenever Malfoy didn't want them around to bully Harry and the last few times had made the boy abuse the Healer-Patient Confidentially Clause because they had threatened to do worse to me if he even so much as hinted at their involvement.
"You know, it really scares me. The idea that they are now being trained by Lord Hades of all people. They were bad before, but – but what do you think they'll be like when they come out?" Yet this whole situation had actually reminded me of the Disney representation and so I say: "You mean, if they come out."
And my best friend looks at me shocked before I say: "And this is where you say; if. If sounds good. That's what the two lackeys of Hades said when Hercules punched him into the Pit of Death and he got flushed through thanks to the condemned souls there." And my friend smiles at me as he says: "If. If sounds good."
And instantly I happy wrap an arm around his shoulder as we take one last look outside, even though there is nothing to see past the clouds that surround all of the arena and the courtyard and then we return back to where we had been sitting before the break started and join our other second year dorm mates there.
Yet while I do, do I look from the doors to Hell over to Harry Potter himself and when the boy shortly turns my way, do I motion for the doors with my eyes and soundlessly say: "Dead, but still deadly." And Harry nods, making me smile at him before I sit down and think: "Even if they train to death, down there that means nothing."
Leona's POV
"What is it with English wizards and just accusing each other left right and center?" I can't help but as as the ending of last chapter is mostly on my mind, yet then Fleur says: "It's not just the English, Leona. When I first discovered that Harry was to be Champion, I underestimated him and even called him a little boy.
Needless to say that I really regret that right now." My friend mutters to herself and I smile at her as I say: "Just admit it, Fleur. The only reason you did that was because, like every other girl that came to Hogwarts for the tournament, you didn't do it to be in the Tournament; you did it because you thought you could become Lady Potter."
And my best friend turns red, while some of our French sisters who overheard us turn to glare at me and I raise an eyebrow at them as I ask: "Am I wrong?" And all of them start to grumble to themselves as they turn away, making me laugh as they obviously have to admit defeat, yet then Fleur laughs as well and says:
"And yet, in the end, Harry himself might just turn out to take that title when this is all over. Though I doubt Viktor would ever make him do that if Harry finds such a thing degrading." At this I nod as Harry is obviously turning out to be the submissive of the couple and I ask: "Do you think he will? Take the Lady Title, I mean?"
And while I hear some of the girls that had been grumbling before start to snicker in disbelief now, does Fleur turn thoughtful as she gazes at the topic of our conversation before she starts to slowly smile peacefully as she says: "Going by what I know of Harry, he just might – if only to honor his late mother, Lady Lily Potter."
And this makes the snickering stop instantly and I nod before I ask a question I know all the girls are wondering to themselves and with each other before I ask: "So, now that Harry is officially off the market, who's the #1 Perfect Husband Material now?" And instantly my sisters and I dive into our favorite hobby; gossip of boys.
Hey everyone,
So, three extra pages and a total of around 2500 extra words have been added and I personally like this new version of the chapter much more. It has better editing, the paragraphs are better put together and we have a bit more backstory for our new OC's, who I will try and put into the story more and more as we progress.
Hope you enjoy,
Venquine1990
