JK Rowling Owns Harry Potter
FASA Owns Earthdawn
Harry's fourth year will alternate between having 'summary' sections and detailed sections focusing more on where divergence from canon occurs. I do not want to re-tell what most readers already know, but I will spotlight where significant divergence occurs. I also want to cut back on the angst and advance the story. I find that stories with 300K+ words can be hard to get through. In this regard, summaries keep the word count under control. Year five will be a full split and this is where I would rather focus the detail.
Fleur and Bill are now in a solid relationship. I like them as a couple and didn't want to wait. Ginny made her move and the timing was right. I'll now make this a pairing. They are still very young, so don't expect this to be anything other than crush and puppy love. Fleur called it right when she gave Harry advice. For you Ginny haters – Casting shadows starts with a break up. The first crush shouldn't be the last. Sorry to Hinny fans. But hey, you can enjoy it here. And this Ginny will diverge from Cannon in Harry's seventh year in a big way.
I decided Bill would most likely trust Harry enough to tell him that the scar was a piece of Voldemort. At fourteen years old, he is young, but keeping it from him would ruin any trust. Bill is not Dumbledore. He likes to work above the board with his friends and family. Harry is a trained curse-breaker, and has likely had to learn quite a bit of rather awful information about curses. He can handle the truth…
Harry is now living in a hastily constructed hut near Hagrid's. Bill and Remus are his roommates. Between the two adult wizards, there is almost always a corporeal patronus around and about. Harry practices casting the patronus charm every night until he is too exhausted to continue. He then performs his Occlumency exercises until he falls asleep. All of these factors add up to the Horcrux losing a bit of ground. When Harry sleeps under a partonus, he occasionally is able to reach his dreamscape and visit his mother's incarnation.
Sirius has set up and moved to Switzerland. He is quietly negotiating a trial through the Black family lawyers. The legal team is in a holding pattern and will strike at the next opportunity, determined when Dumbledore has some huge event that throws him off balance. Like a natural disaster.
Worth noting, without Harry being in the castle, the other students are no longer affected by the Horcrux. His means they are realizing how badly they behaved. Most will just rationalize it to some degree or another, but the attacks will be cut way back. The Gryffindor house was the most affected by the Horcrux, so those students have the most to reflect on. As does their head of house. I'd rather not focus too much here as the Angst is tiring (and yes – my own fault).
Fleur and Bill are now in a solid relationship. I like them as a couple and didn't want to wait. Ginny made her move and the timing was right. I'll now make this a pairing. They are still very young, so don't expect this to be anything other than crush and puppy love. Fleur called it right when she gave Harry advice. For you Ginny haters – Casting shadows starts with a break up. The first crush shouldn't be the last. Sorry to Hinny fans. But hey, you can enjoy it here. And this Ginny will diverge from Cannon in Harry's seventh year in a big way.
Parseltongue is designated with the § symbol and italic script. For example: § "Parseltongue" §
—Dance of Death—
Hogsmeade
March, 1995
Harry went to Hogsmeade with Ginny. He wasn't ready for a real date yet, so he invited Hermione, Neville, and Gabrielle. Hermione had already made plans and Neville was suffering from an infection brought on by one of the plants he was ending in the Greenhouse. Fleur stepped in and told Gabrielle she needed to stay in the castle. Harry suspected she was running interference. It is crazy how he went from hating Fleur for calling him a 'leetle boy' to now really liking her. She and Bill are so good together.
They walked around the village and purchased an impressive amount of treats at Honeydukes. Harry made sure Ginny had tons of chocolate. He also mailed off a letter to Dudley. He tried to write the boy ever couple of weeks. Hopefully, they could get along after the school year like they had started before he went off for school. They went into Zonkos and just clowned around. Harry knew that as long as he didn't stay in one place too long, his scar was less likely to flare up.
Harry was impressed. Where was that shy girl that had been too afraid to speak to him? He really liked Ginny. She was fun and witty. She had all the confidence Ron lacked. Making a stop at Spintwitches Sporting Needs, they started talking about quidditch. Harry missed playing, but as long as he could fly, he could be happy. Ginny was frustrated because she was a top notch Chaser, but until Angelina or Alicia graduate, she would be stuck as a seeker. She just didn't have the right instincts.
They finally went into the Three Broomsticks for butterbeer and chips. This was by far the most fun he had had in a very long time. Then he saw Ron with Seamus and Dean. They looked over a few times, but that was all. They all seemed uncomfortable. Good. Let them stew in their own misery. Hermione stopped by with Victor. Soon the table had the four of them laughing and just having fun. Victor was not an easy person to have a conversation with, but he was nice. He did make of point of thanking Harry for loaning him the penknife in the second task.
Cedric and Cho came into the restaurant, but Cho started crying after a few minutes. She kept looking at Harry while Cedric fidgeted uncomfortably. Harry had refused to acknowledge any letters or personal pleas of apology. He gave her credit for trying, but he just didn't need that right now. She was a person that just needed to be 'liked'. He might be able to look the other way and get past what she did, but he was never going to 'like' her. At least she treated Luna decently, unlike most of her house. Cedric and Cho left rather soon and went to Madam Puddifoot's. Good riddance. Harry half expected to see Bill and Fleur, but he also knew they would have the hut to themselves for most of the day. Yeah, he knew what that meant. He didn't expect them to leave the hut for quite some time.
After about an hour of good fun, Victor insisted on collecting the check and the group went their separate ways. Hermione and Victor went into 'Tomes and Scrolls' while Harry took Ginny to 'Gladrags'. Ginny eagerly shopped and tried on various outfits. She left with a pair of crazy looking socks. Harry bought a matching pair and promised to wear them during the tournament. They both laughed at the idea of Harry competing in rainbow striped socks. Not exactly Gringotts dress code.
They decided to walk back to Hogwarts as opposed to a carriage ride. Harry worked up his courage and decided now or never. Time to make his move. He ever so slowly reached out and took her hand. She immediately grasped his in a warm and tight clasp. Fingers interwoven. She just smiled at him. Harry walked back in absolute joy. Then he heard something.
§ "Kill you! Almost there… Almost." §
Looking around, Harry saw movement in the grass. "Ginny, don't move." He crept forward just in time to see an adder striking at a lizard. He knew Adders were native to Scotland and posed little danger.
§ "Hello, Adder. I trust you have no objection with my friend and I passing through." §
The snake stared at Harry before nodding his head. §"You honor me, speaker. Would you like my meal?"§
Harry smiled. Snakes were very simple creatures. §"You enjoy it, if you get bored, come and visit me some time."§
The Adder swallowed his meal and nodded. § "I'd like that, speaker. It is still very cold at night. Do you have some place warm I can stay?"§
Why not. The Adder seemed polite and friendly. § "Sure, follow me."§
Ginny had slowly approached Harry. "Harry, is it safe?"
"Quite. He was just having dinner. It'll be nice to have him around, he's very polite. I think I'll name him 'Franklin'."
Ginny wasn't thrilled that Harry had a new pet snake, but she held her tongue. Harry needed to have someone he could talk to from time to time. She worried he would get lonely in the hut with just adults to talk to. It would be OK… Just as long as she didn't have to touch it.
—Dance of Death—
Hogwarts
April, 1995
Harry and Franklin had been getting along well. Franklin liked having a warm place and Harry liked that Franklin would regularly ride on his shoulders and warn him that people were approaching. Harry realized that when Franklin was with him, he always had someone watching his back.
Franklin occasionally gave him advice when they would talk, but it was usually along the lines of "Wait until he walks by and bite him!" or "You'll feel better if you eat a mouse." Still, it was someone to talk to. He frequently would walk around the grounds with Franklin just to stretch his legs.
On a bright Saturday morning, he made plans to meet Ginny by the lake. While walking along, thinking about different topics to share with Ginny, Franklin suddenly tensed up.
§"Be careful, speaker. Three approach."§
Harry turned and immediately heard "Stupefy!"
He twisted out of the way and drew his wand.
Three older Slytherins approached and spread out. One sinister looking girl and two boys.
Harry was having a good day, now this. "I don't want any trouble."
The Girl was obviously the ringleader. She smirked and said, "Well, sometimes you get what you don't want, Potter."
Harry assumed a dueling stance like Professor Flitwick had showed him. He slowly lowered Franklin to the ground where he slithered off. Harry flicked his wrist and his wand shot out and into his hand.
One of the boys, the one in the middle of the trio, laughed, "Are you planning to put up a fight, Potter? Very optimistic of you." While the boy was talking, Harry noted movement to his left.
A silently cast spell of some sort was heading his way, he volleyed the spell at the boy on the right. Obviously, the boy wasn't ready and was struck on the chest. He began screaming as his robes seemed to dissolve.
Now it was on. The malicious girl began casting repeatedly with a spell chain that was really quite impressive. The boy still standing stuck to the basics. Cutting curses, piercing charms, and stunners. Harry really wanted to launch a spear at them, but he knew it would only work against him. He decided to fight fire with its own heat, just as he did to the first boy.
Harry increased his perceptions to that of an owl and began just volleying spells. Since the nastiest spells were coming from the witch, he focused on her primarily. She fired a bone breaker at him, and he parried it at the remaining boy. It caught him in the hip and he dropped immediately, gasping in pain. He then volleyed a 'blueish' spell he didn't recognize at him for good measure, which resulted in a high pitched scream. Whoever this witch is, she knows her curses. He finally managed to volley one back at her that got through her shield. The curse he knocked back at her matched the first curse she had cast and she fell to the ground screaming just like the first boy had. Harry could definitely smell burning hair and flesh. It was disgusting.
The fight was over, and he had won with only accurate spell volleys. He had to admit, Professor Flitwick had trained him well. He noted that his wand seemed extremely attached to him. This wand seemed to sing when he was using it to protect and defend.
While he was standing there, catching his breath and trying to decide what to do, Franklin returned and Harry lifted him up. He put away his wand decided to go to find Hagrid. Then, he felt an odd 'prickling' sensation. Turning, he glimpsed a red light coming straight at him. It could only be a Stunning spell. Had he been holding his wand, he would have managed a 'protego' shield. He barely managed to dodge it when a second one struck home.
—Dance of Death—
When Harry awoke, he was in the hospital wing. Damn, back in the castle. This can't be good. Dumbledore, Moody, Snape, and Madame Pomfrey were crowded around him. He also saw Professor Flitwick standing beside McGonagall off to the side. He had a nasty headache, but glancing around, he noticed the three other Slytherins seemed to be in excruciating pain.
Snape sneered, "He awakes." There was an extra amount of animosity in that statement.
Dumbledore looked very grim. "Harry, you need to tell us what happened." Madam Pomfrey seemed especially irritated.
Harry took a deep breath. "Well, those three Snakes decided to ambush me. I managed to volley their spells back at them and then some Sniveling coward struck me before I could get help." Harry suspected it was Snape who cast the stunner that took him down. He likely waited until he put his wand away. Coward.
Snape roared at that, "How dare you! You attacked three of my students and dare to act like a victim? Headmaster, he MUST be expelled!"
Moody laughed out loud. "Simmer down Turncoat, let's check the wands!" Seeing Snape pause, he added, "What's the matter Deatheater, afraid we'll find out your snakes are guilty?"
Dumbledore silenced Moody with a very stern gaze. "Harry, those spells were especially dark. Had Severus not arrived when he did, the other three students likely would have perished." Letting that sink in, he added, "I need to know if there is anything you'd like to say, before we check the wands."
"Yes, sir. As a matter of fact, there is." Harry noted Snape looked smug, Dumbledore looked disappointed, and Moody just gave him a curious stare. Professor Flitwick was watching and seemed concerned. "I'd like the Aurors called in. That was a lethal assault on the heir of an Ancient and Most Noble house."
Snape suddenly went pale. Dumbledore tried to look calm, but failed. He knew the reputation of the school had taken a serious hit with Harry being constantly attacked. Things had gotten much better in recent weeks, but this would open fresh wounds.
"Harry, I don't think that is necessary." But his eyes weren't twinkling.
"Headmaster, if you don't call the Aurors in, I will be forced to contact them and Director Ragnok myself. I will also make a point of determining if Hogwarts is breaking the law by refusing to bring in the authorities."
After a long pause, Dumbledore just said, "Very well. No one is allowed to touch the wands."
Harry suddenly realized what was missing. "Oh, and I'd like my friend back now." Seeing their confused faces, he added, "My adder. His name is Franklin. I'd like him returned."
Albus tried to hide it, but he was glad Harry had a friend, even if it was a snake. Being a parselmouth meant Harry would have a pet he could really open up with. He could use a friend in these difficult times. The Declaration of Eiectio was a horrible thing for the boy to go through, having a confidant might make it more bearable.
Dumbledore took a deep breath. "You may keep him on the grounds, but not inside the castle." Turning to Snape, he said, "Severus, please see to it that Franklin, Mr. Potter's snake, is returned."
Severus seemed to look bored and malicious at the same time. "I'm afraid that won't be possible. I used 'Franklin' to restock my potion ingredients." The greasy man showed a very faint grin. Ever so slight. "I had no idea 'it' was to be… returned." He said it the way someone might ask you to 'pass the potatoes'.
Moody yelled at the man, "You knew perfectly well what you were doing, you Greasy Turncoat Bastard!"
Albus just stared at Snape in stunned disbelief. "Severus…"
Professor Flitwick stepped forward and put his hand on Harry's shoulder and said, "I'm sorry, Harry. I didn't know…"
But Harry was too stunned to hear him. As far as he was concerned, Snape was a murderer. No, he wasn't as close to Franklin as he was to Hedwig, but he liked the quirky little fellow. Harry stared at the man. He actually felt his magic radiating outward. It was like that splinter of Voldemort in his scar wanted him to lash out. "Mark my words, Deatheater. One day, I'll make you into potion ingredients!"
The teachers were suddenly shocked. Harry reached up to run his hand through his hair and Severus, misinterpreting, rapidly drew his wand and sent a stunner at Harry. Fortunately, Professor Flitwick deflected it. For easily twenty seconds, no one made a single sound. Harry just stared, stunned beyond belief.
Madam Pomfrey broke the silence. "Get that man out of my hospital! Albus, he just discharged an offensive curse inside a hospital wing at an unarmed student!" The woman was livid.
Severus turned and left. He was officially scared. The brat's eyes were glowing again, only brighter. The power had been rolling off him. It was like he was in the presence of the dark lord again. Soon, the Aurors would be here. He had been so sure Potter had cast those lethal spells, he failed to cleanse his student's wands. They could go to Azkaban for this. Potter was a menace, why couldn't Albus see that?
He went down stairs into his office and tried to calm his nerves. Was he at risk for angering a new dark lord? One that Albus refuses to acknowledge? Why did his students have to accost the boy? Now what was he to do about this? The boys were not from a noble house, but the girl was a Selwyn. This could get ugly. He cast that last stunner out of reflex. At the heir of House Black… What would the Aurors do?
—Dance of Death—
Hogwarts Grounds
At Harry's Hut
That Night
Amelia Bones took Harry's statement. She knew Harry resented her for failing to adequately investigate the last major attack on him. She also knew he was aware that she had tricked him into ending their alliance. After reviewing the terms of the alliance, she realized how badly she had screwed up. As the head of the Bones family, she was now fully responsible for Harry's wellbeing. Her own magic required her to protect and nurture the boy. He had been released from the alliance, but the Bones line was now required to honor the alliance to a degree that was near punitive. On top of that, her own magic was constantly pressuring her to make amends.
Harry frostily asked, "So, Lady Bones. What happens now? Or do I need to sign away any other alliances before you will do your job."
She winced as his comment had cut. She had apologized numerous times and offered a formal rapprochement. Harry had declined and said he wasn't interested in anything the Bones family could offer. In truth, she didn't blame him.
Amelia looked appraisingly at the boy. He was still being attacked, and she felt such a longing to aid him. It was nearly overpowering in its intensity. His animosity only made it worse.
Best to ignore the insults and keep it professional. "Mr. Potter, the wands clearly showed lethal curses had been used by the female. One of the boys had not cast a single spell. The other boy had cast dangerous, but not 'inherently lethal' charms. The girl was actually seventeen and would be arrested. The boy who never cast any spells was free to go, but will receive a stern warning. Based on the pensieve memories provided, he was there looking for trouble. We are recommending punitive action on the part of the school. The boy who cast the dangerous, but not illegal charms and curses will likely be expelled. However, he had completed his owls, so he wouldn't have his wand snapped. Being sixteen means his parents will have to complete his schooling if expelled." She suspected Albus would merely assign detention.
Harry nodded. "What about Snape?"
"Well, Severus Snape is the trickier subject. He attacked you from behind after the fight and after you had put your wand away. However, he only used a stunning curse. He will likely claim to have believed you were threatening and attacking the other students. Complicating the matter is the fact that he also tried to stun you in the infirmary while you were unarmed." She didn't add that it happened right after callously saying he had killed Harry's pet.
Harry waited. He sensed there was more.
"Mr. Potter, you are an Heir to an Ancient and Most Noble house. While the attack on you after the fight could be called a 'misunderstanding', the attack in the infirmary was clearly illegal. The spell he cast was non-lethal, but you were unarmed and in a hospital bed. The real question is, how far do you want to take it?"
Harry considered this for a minute. Normally, he'd just say 'screw it' and move on, but then he thought about Franklin… "Lady Bones, I'd like the man to be arrested and locked away. He intentionally attacked me and maliciously killed my pet. He even had the gall to mock me about it. Talk to Professor Flitwick and Madame Pomfrey if you have doubts." Harry suddenly had a glazed look on his face. "And ask Snape if he was responsible for Marlene McKinnon's death."
Amelia nodded. This would pit her against Dumbledore. The headmaster actually wanted her to ignore the lethal attack on Harry. What was wrong with him? Snape was a different matter. Amelia knew he had to have committed an unspeakable crime to be given the mark, but he never had to pay for that crime. There were a number of Aurors that felt he got off too easy. Still, to have a fourteen year old boy give her a lead on a cold case…
"Mr. Potter, is there something about Professor Snape that we should know?" She knew the horrific fate that befell the McKinnon family. How on earth did Harry know? That was before he was even born.
Harry's eyes came back into focus. "My mother always suspected him of murdering Marlene McKinnon, one of her closest friends. If you can get Snape removed from Hogwarts and investigated for the deaths of the McKinnon family, I will accept your rapprochement."
Amelia was so happy she could dance. The possibility of a rapprochement made her ecstatic. She knew it was just her magic influencing her, but it was still a relief to know she might stop feeling the constant pressure and guilt of her actions. Her magic would cease punishing her. All she had to do, was punish a marked deatheater.
"I'll see what I can do."
—Dance of Death—
Hogwarts
Dumbledore's Office
Heads of House Meeting
Albus Dumbledore called an emergency meeting of his Heads of House to discuss the latest scandalous attack on Harry Potter. He knew rumors would start circulating and he wanted to ensure it was not exaggerated within the student body. He stopped inviting Alastor Moody due to the mans divisive behavior and childish name calling. After covering the factual account of the attack, the other heads of house were outraged at how Severus had behaved.
Filius Flitwick was rarely angry, but today he was furious. "Why did you kill his pet? Then you attacked him! What the hell were you thinking?"
Severus was in no mood to mince words, "That was a venomous adder and had to be destroyed for the good of the school. I struck out because he made a threatening gesture."
Pomona Sprout had heard enough, "Bollocks! It was a simple adder and its bite is not lethal except to small children and the infirm. You did it to hurt the boy."
Albus was having to step in for the umpteenth time. "Enough! What's done is done and we need to focus on weathering this new storm. Amelia Bones has arrested one of the perpetrators and has asked us to expel another. The third has been recommended for disciplinary action. Severus, have any of the attackers shared their reason for seeking out Mr. Potter?"
Minerva McGonagall chimed in before Severus could, "Reasons? How about they are vicious little thugs who have no place here?"
Severus glared at Minerva, "They behaved no different than your 'lions'. Harry Potter is a menace and the school would be better off without him. You've said as much yourself, Minerva."
Albus Dumbledore shook his head, "No, Severus. I'm afraid the fault lies entirely with the Slytherin students who accosted him. Young Timothy may not have cast any spells, but I suspect that was only because he was the first to fall. Matthew needs to be disciplined. Rather than expulsion, I'd say a month's detention. Wilhelmina will be expelled and stand trial for attacking and using lethal curses against the Heir of House Black."
Severus waited for a pause and asked, "What of me? Apparently, Madam Bones wants to arrest me and subject me to extensive questioning."
Albus looked saddened. "I have already contacted minister Fudge. He was not happy, but Lucius Malfoy had already spoken to him as well and he will ensure that all charges are dropped." Albus didn't add the fact that Fudge was threatening to place a ministry employee on site. Apparently, he feels that the school is a breeding ground of violence and mayhem.
Filius lost his cool, "You should be deeply ashamed, Severus! I can't believe you attacked a fourteen year old boy while he was unarmed and in a hospital bed. That so called 'threatening gesture' was no more than Harry running his hand through his hair. He does that whenever he feels uncomfortable." He decided to go for blood, "I heard the rumors Severus. Did you kill the McKinnon girl? Are you the one who did all those unspeakable things?"
The rest of the staff gasped. Apparently, Filius was the only one Harry had talked to. Minerva looked ready to burst into tears. Pomona just gaped and gasped, looking like she was having a panic attack. They all knew the fate of the McKinnon family and they all knew Snape was a reformed deatheater. This brought it home and made it personal.
Albus Dumbledore stood up, "Enough Filius! Not. Another. Word!" After a tense moment, Albus dismissed the teachers.
Severus knew his life at Hogwarts was changing, and not for the better. Albus had hidden his initiation crimes against Marlene and her family, but it was now coming to light. Marlene McKinnon. The girl who was always telling Lily she was too good for him. The stuck up little bitch who caught and reported him whenever he had planned some mischief or prank against muggleborn students. The girl who steered Lily into the arms of James Potter. As much as he despised her, he still had nightmares about what he had done. But he had to go through with it or he would have suffered a similar fate. He hated the girl, but he still avoided thinking about it. The whole family had been wiped out. Even the infants and toddlers. It was a message to the rest of the wizarding families. Get on board or get out of the way.
He knew that no one would treat him well now that they suspected. He would be a pariah. Hated and despised.
All because of Potter!
—Dance of Death—
The next month was quiet and allowed Harry time to prepare for the final task. The students in Slytherin house kept their distance from Harry. The rumor mill had it that Harry had easily bested three sixth years and they had been horrifically injured. With Dumbledore's help, Snape managed to avoid prosecution, but it was on record and he was told any further offenses and he would be put on trial.
Severus refused to admit or deny the accusation of murdering Marlene McKinnon, so his peers assumed the worst. They made a point of avoiding Severus, always having an excuse for wanting nothing to do with him. Minerva McGonagall was especially vile toward him as Marlene had been a favorite of hers. She knew how badly the young lady had been tortured before she was killed. Bad enough to murder one so young and full of life, but to take away her dignity and draw out her death…
Rita Skeeter printed a story about Harry being dangerous and deranged. Malfoy and his cronies had been quoted extensively. It drew attention. To his friendship with a 'dangerous werewolf' and 'giants', as well as his Parseltongue ability. Malfoy even claimed Harry had set a snake on another student and hinted that he was behind the Basilisk attacks. That infuriated Harry since Draco summoned the snake and Lucius was behind the attacks.
Apparently, bad press might hurt Harry's ability to divorce himself from Dumbledore, so Sirius set the Black attorneys on the Prophet and Rita Skeeter. They were so vicious and aggressive, the Prophet printed a retraction with a description of Harry saving students by single handedly killing a Basilisk with a sword. Rita Skeeter sent a personal apology as well and asked Harry to call back the lawyers that were after her home. Harry decided to let it play out after what she printed about Hagrid.
Harry spent much of his free time with Ginny, Luna, Hermione, Neville, and Colin. A few Gryffindor students tried to approach him, but he always rebuffed their attempts at reestablishing any semblance of camaraderie. Ron and the twins had tried, but failed, to mend fences. Harry had decided months ago that he had all the friends he needed. The only teachers he bothered spending time with were Professors Flitwick, Sprout, and Hagrid. Bill stepped up the training and they covered defense against the dark arts, ancient runes and advanced arithmancy. Harry felt like he was already very good at these topics, so it was very specific to obscure arcana, curse breaking and unusual runic combinations. Professor Flitwick continued with Harry's dueling training.
The small professor had been very impressed with how Harry had handled the slytherin attackers and he really stepped up the training. He could be quite the task master. He was training Harry the way he would a professional duelist. Bill knew quite a few dirty tricks and tactics, but he fought clean with Harry. Because of this, Bill was no longer a match for Harry in a one on one duel, Harry was just too fast for Bill to beat in a 'clean fight'.
Bill was slowly showing Harry a few 'dirty tricks' that would make him much more dangerous in a real fight. As a curse-breaker, Harry will be in quite a few dangerous locales and knowing how to fight dirty will help keep him alive. The books Harry had read on Battle magic had already proven useful against multiple attackers and ambush scenarios. Knowing a few of Bill's dirty tricks was dovetailing nicely into his training.
—Dance of Death—
Hogwarts Grounds
Harry's Hut
June 23rd
Harry and Ginny grew had grown closer over the last month and Harry decided he was ready to ask her to be his girlfriend. After having asked Hermione and been gently turned down, he was nervous. Bill gave him the big brother talk weeks ago, so he could check that off. He had a private talk with Fleur and she bolstered his confidence. She seemed to enjoy giving advice to a boy who wasn't overcome by her Allure. She and Bill had gotten really close, but she also had begun to see Harry as a young friend as well.
Fleur and Harry planned out the day before where he would ask Ginny. He had spent so much time over the last month preparing for the third task that he needed one last day to just relax and be Harry. Tomorrow was the task and he intended to win it. But first, Ginny.
He met Ginny by the lake and they took a nice walk, hand in hand. Dobby had prepared a picnic for the couple. A blanket was spread on the ground and a basket of food and drinks was in the center of it. As they came over the small hill in front of the picnic area, Dobby vanished. Harry took Ginny over to the picnic basket and sat down on the blanket.
Ginny looked around nervously, "Harry, we shouldn't be here. We don't know whose picnic is this."
Harry smiled mischievously, "It looks like it's ours now." With that, he pulled out a fried chicken drumstick and took a bite. Seeing his date squirm about nervously he laughed and confessed, "I had Dobby prepare it."
Ginny started laughing and smacked the back of his head. "I'll get you, Harry Potter! Just you wait… Rascal." She then dove into the food and remarked on how good a cook Dobby was.
"So, Harry, are you nervous about tomorrow?"
Harry thought about it for a minute, "Yeah, but I'm pretty well prepared. The maze they've built should be full of dangerous creatures and some kind of riddle or puzzle to decipher."
Ginny just looked curiously at him, "What makes you say that?"
"Hermione researched the past tournaments, and there is a pattern. Then, I figured that Hagrid was breeding those crazy blast end skrewts and it all made sense." Thinking for a moment, he added, "I just hope there aren't any more dragons."
Ginny paled at that idea. Shaking off the thought of dragons and danger, she picked up the treacle tart. "Care for a slice Harry?"
Harry grinned broadly and asked, "When have I ever passed up treacle tart?" They both laughed at that. Harry loved Treacle tart more than anyone Ginny had ever met.
Getting serious, Harry looked her in the eye, "Hey, Gin… Listen, I thought maybe we could hang out a bit more during the summer. And next year."
She just nodded, "Like we are now, right. I'd like that."
Harry decided to just go for it, "No, Ginny. I mean I want to be your boyfriend. You know, go on dates and stuff. I like you a lot and I'd like to be with you." He just watched and waited. Well, at least he had the courage to ask. Fleur would be proud.
Ginny beamed, "I'd like that Harry!" and she gave him a pec on the cheek. She had waited so long for him to say something like this. She had almost given up. Luna had told her to just be patient, she had said Harry was quite shy but would come around. Her patience had paid off.
She suddenly grew serious, "Of course, we have to set some ground rules…" She noticed Harry straightened up immediately. "First and foremost, No getting yourself hurt tomorrow. That would be totally unacceptable!" She said it jokingly, but she really meant it. "And keep the death defying stunts to a minimal!"
Harry just smiled. Ear to ear. "I'll see what I can do!" He then handed her a tiny box.
She opened the tiny box and found one of his Gringotts curse-breaker buttons and a tie pin with the Gringotts curse-breaker motif. The Brass button was one of the larger ones that go on his Double-Breasted suit coat. She held it and looked up at him.
Harry shrugged, "It's a curse-breaker tradition. Whenever they go out on a dig or an assignment, they leave a button or a tie pin with someone they care about. It guarantees they come back safe." Pausing a moment he added, "Dobby can sew it on your robes if you'd like. Or you can wear it around your neck."
Ginny had heard Bill say something similar when he left for Egypt and gave their mum one of his tie pins. She had also noted that Fleur was wearing one of Bill's Gold Buttons now. "Harry, I don't know what to say."
"Say you'll wear them. And when I pass my Journeyman exam, we'll switch it out for a silver one." At that, Ginny launched herself at him and planted a big kiss on him. His first kiss. When they broke apart, they were both blushing. She then attached the tie pin to her Gryffindor uniform necktie and pocketed the box with the button.
They talked and held hands until the sun began to drop. Tomorrow was the final task, then he would be able to relax and focus on important things. Like Ginny. And Curse-breaking. Hopefully he could take his owls early and just skip ahead and follow up with his Newts. He'd ace them, of that he was sure.
Once done with Hogwarts, he and Bill could go on a few more digs. All he needed to do was divorce himself from Dumbledore. They just had to wait for something big to distract Dumbledore. Soon, everything would be better. He'd win the damn tournament, find the person who attacked him before Halloween, break away from Dumbledore, Get rid of the piece of Voldemort inside his scar, and be free.
As Harry thought about all he had to do, he sarcastically wondered, 'What could go wrong?'
—Dance of Death—
Next Chapter: The Final Task
Notes:
This chapter was not as long as some, but a good stopping point. If I went further, I'd be in the fourth task and that would push me out a week to finish it up in an acceptable way. The third task will be similar to the one in canon, just with a few differences. Just like every chapter thus far. After the third task, we are completely out of the Canon world and into the AU. Big divergences will begin.
So, I liked the idea that Harry would adopt a snake as a friend. I used the adder, because they are native to Scotland and would just be coming out of hibernation. Think of it as a shade of the future and a nod to casting shadows. Harry is fond of Franklin, but not attached the way he is to Hedwig or his Runespoor in Casting Shadows. Still, he was shocked and saddened that his pet was so callously killed. He also knew it was directed at him personally. No more Mr. Nice guy where Snape is concerned. He will not even pretend to be civil. Open Hostility from this point forward.
Yes, Snape maliciously killed his Pet. In his mind, he was taking out his frustrations over what he saw as Harry harming three of his students. It was only when he calmed down that he realized he overreacted and Harry likely wasn't the instigator. He never dreamed Harry had gotten so good at volleying curses. If he had suspected, he would have cleared the Slytherin wands and punished the students privately for disobeying him.
Snape's attack on Harry in the hospital may seem unrealistic, but I don't see it that way. Snape has survived horrible experiences and Harry flaring up with power and making threats so suddenly triggered a 'fight or flight' action on his part. It was purely fear inspired and a reflexive action. The man is a mess. In many ways, he is similar to Harry in Casting Shadows. The difference is that he is a rat bastard and Harry is not.
Moody reacted very strongly against Snape for killing Harry's pet, but it was just to ingratiate himself to Harry. He couldn't care less, but Harry's distance is bothering him. He had expected Harry to be trusting and dependent on him by now. He has a mission to complete and he wants to control Harry.
Harry was briefly back in the castle, but the Horcrux lost ground over the last few weeks and the stay was not long enough to change that. Still, he has to avoid being inside the castle at all costs in the future.
In the books, Hermione came under fire in a Witch Weekly article written by Rita Skeeter. But in this story, Harry was clearly with Ginny after the second task. That killed the 'Love Triangle' aspect of Rita Skeeter's article. Without having that to go off of, Rita had no story.
Ginny and Harry are getting together sooner, rather than later. I am trying to portray Ginny in a way that is closer to Canon, just sooner than in the books. I credit the 'Mind Healing' aka, Counseling, for helping Ginny get past her shyness and be herself. Harry is no longer distracted by Ron or Hermione or Cho… so, here we go.
The next chapter is obviously an important one. It also marks the end of the 'Angsty' part of the story and begins Harry on the path that leads to who he is in Casting Shadows.
Till next time.