A/N: What's up y'all! I've felt so empty over the past month or so and I'll tell you why: I've haven't posted to this story. I consider this story my baby and it pains me not to see it grow. It's the holidays however so most of my attention has been drawn to my family. I hope you all had an amazing Christmas with those you loved and depending on when this chapter comes out, I hope you have a great new year! Make 2020 your best yet!
Dolores stomped through the halls of the Ministry, employees wisely clearing a path for her. At first glance the short plump witch might not have looked dangerous but the last three people that had made the mistake of crossing her had come to regret it.
Cornelius had called her to his office posthaste and she knew the reason why. She didn't need her aide to brief her on the situation.
How had this happened?! After all these years Black's imprisonment had never been an issue. Why now had the Prophet take such an interest in the situation? And who was this person who had owled them in the first place? A rebel rouser no doubt who wanted to see their administration fall. They would have to find the perpetrator and deal with them. Immediately.
"Madam Undersecretary the Mini-"The Minister's receptionist began to say as Dolores barged into the waiting area.
Dolores ignored the girl. She was just fresh out of Hogwarts. Penelope was her name if Dolores remembered correctly. It didn't matter. The girl was nothing more than a Mudblood. Not worth Dolores' time.
"What took you so long Dolores?" Cornelius snapped at her as soon as she walked through the door. At his side was their biggest ally in the Wizengamot, Lucius Malfoy. The man was a Pure blood through and through. Not many people had managed to gain her respect. Not even Cornelius at times. But Lord Malfoy was not a man to be trifled with. "Never mind. Sit."
"I take it you know why you are here Dolores?" Lucius asked as he sipped on his tea.
"Of course, Lord Malfoy." She responded. "That vile edition in the Dailey Prophet no doubt."
"That bloody bastard Cuffee double crossed me." Cornelius spat. For years the two of them had an arrangement of sorts. Cuffee would always print only favorable articles about Fudge and the Ministry and in return a "donation" would be given to the Prophet. Totally off the books of course. "That little shit. I'll string him up from the ramparts."
"We must tread carefully here Cornelius." Lucius said taking another sip. "You're right. Cuffee allowed this swill to be printed for the public but there's nothing we can do about that."
"We can bring him to trial." Dolores said. "Let the whole world see his lies for what they are. Him and that Muggle-born Hoover." While it was true that Cuffee was a known blood purist he had been forced to allow Sean Hoover into the Prophet after several Blood Traitor groups had threatened to level a lawsuit against the paper. Cuffee knew that despite the saying not all publicity was good publicity.
"Only if he prints lies." Lucius sighed. "When the court goes through and sees that Black was never given a trial, and they will, it will harm our position even more."
"Bloody hell." Cornelius groaned. That bloody fool Bagnold had gotten them into this situation. This had taken place before he had even been in line to succeed the bint in the first place. She was really getting her laughs from beyond the grave. She had gone and croaked just a year into her retirement. Some people liked to think it was just an accident but the DMLE had their suspicions that former Death Eaters were involved.
"We don't have many options Minister." Lucius admitted. "We could just say this was an unfortunate situation that carried over from the previous administration. But they won't let us off the hook that easily."
"Why?" Dolores asked. "We could just blame it all on Bagnold!"
Lucius shook his head. "Questions will still be raised. Except for a few positions, most of what the Ministry is today is still what was made up during Bagnold's time. People will wonder why the Minister didn't vet these individuals who made the clear oversight in not giving Black a trial. The Minster will be just as guilty in their eyes as Bagnold was."
"What would you suggest then Lucius?" Dolores snapped.
"Deflect." Lucius said simply. "Find another situation and make it the next headliner. It'll at the very least give us some time."
"Do it." Cornelius nodded before Dolores could give her two cents. "Do whatever you have to do just get those idiots talking about something else."
"Minister I really think we sho-" Dolores started.
"Dolores!" Cornelius turned to his Senior Undersecrectary. "I have a job for you."
She gave Lucius one last look before nodding at Cornelius. Shouldn't they at least discuss this a bit further. Deflection couldn't be their only option could it?
"Find whoever did this." Cornelius said simply.
"Minister?" She said confused.
"Please don't be naïve Dolores." He sighed. "This Hoover man said he received a letter telling him to start his bloody investigation. I would bet my damn office that someone in the Ministry is involved."
"Who would ever do this to you Cornelius?" Dolores asked even though the suspects were numerous. Fudge had one of the most unpopular regimes in living memory. You could line a list of culprits from here to the gates of Hogwarts.
"Start with Crouch." Fudge spat. "The bastard has always been envious of me. No doubt he's still looking for a way to supplant me as Minister. HAH. His chances for that went down the toilet when that Death Eater son of his was executed for treason."
"As you wish Minister." Dolores nodded.
"You may leave us Dolores." Fudge waved her off.
"Cornelius?" She noticed that Lucius looked all too comfortable in his seat and was making no move to leave.
Fudge raised an eyebrow. "That will be all." He said with an air of finality.
"As you wish Minister." She nodded and left. She had people to contact.
"Do you suspect her?" Lucius asked as soon as Umbridge left the office. While he respected the woman to a certain extent for her ruthlessness, he still trusted her as far as he could throw her.
"At this moment everyone is a suspect." Cornelius said giving the man a look which said everyone meant everyone. "But Dolores has been loyal to me so far. I've never had a reason to doubt her loyalty so far."
"I would be wary of her Cornelius." Lucius cautioned. "The woman is power hungry. I saw it in her the first time I met her."
"And you Lord Malfoy?"
"Me?" Lucius asked.
"Are you not also desiring power?"
Lucius scoffed. "While it is true that I strive to be the very best I fear I would make a very poor Minister. I am perfectly fine with keeping the Malfoy potions business on top. It has worked well for me so far. Why change that?"
Fudge nodded but still didn't look like he fully believed the man. "What did you have in mind for another story for the Daily Prophet to spin? It can't be about some murder in Knockturn Alley. It has to be something scandalous."
"Dumbledore perhaps?" Lucius offered.
"Hmmm…but what? The man has had his scandals in the past, but we need something recent." Cornelius said folding his arms in exasperation. His troubles with the Headmaster were well known. If anyone must suffer for this regime to survive why not Albus?
"Leave that to me." Lucius said rising from his chair. "I will contact my son. See if he can shed a bit of light on our situation. He may be able to see things we cannot."
Cornelius nodded. "Come to me as soon as you find out what we need. I want to move as quickly as possible. We must dispel this story."
"As you wish Minister." Lucius nodded before letting himself out.
"Fool." He muttered.
"Did you say something sir?" Fudge's intern asked him.
"No." Lucius said simple before waltzing out.
The fact that Fudge was so eager to listen to his council would make this so much easier. He didn't know who sent in that letter to the Daily Prophet, but they had all but finished Fudge. The man would be of no use to Lucius now.
Best to move on and look for his successor. Crouch perhaps. The man wasn't as neutered as Fudge thought. He still had some influence among the people and with Lucius backing him, why couldn't he become Minister?
Lord Malfoy had a lot of work to do. Change was in the air.
Susan looked around at her group of friends. If at the beginning of the year someone would've told her she'd be friends with Harry Potter and dating a Slytherin, she'd have called them crazy.
And not just any Slytherin she reminded herself. This Slytherin was always a true gentleman and treated her with nothing short of respect . She didn't know how he hadn't been snatched by at least another member of his own house. His only real options in their year was Daphne and Tracey, who were two of his closest friends. Millicent Bullstrode seemed nice but apparently, she was dating a boy that went to some school in Russia, and then there was Pansy Parkinson who had started dating Dean Thomas. An unlikely pair but then again so were her and Blaise.
Others in her house didn't see Blaise as she saw him, however. Her best friend of over ten years had stopped speaking to her after she told her about herself and Blaise. She should've been surprised but part of her wasn't. Hannah was like Susan in how her childhood went. Her parents had been attacked the same night as Susan's but had held the Death Eaters off long enough for the Aurors to arrive. Many in Hannah's family weren't so lucky. She had lost over a dozen uncles, aunts, cousins to You-Know-Who during the war. Her grandfather had even ended up in St. Mungos because Bellatrix Lestrange put him there.
Hannah had equated Blaise as nothing better than a Death Eater. His mother had believed in the Pure-blood bigotry but didn't trust the Death Eaters according to Blaise. Hannah didn't see it that way. Either you hated Pure-blood extremists, or you were one of them. There was no in between for her. And Slytherins were honestly nothing more than Death Eaters in training.
It was only after when Susan told her she was acting like a female Ron Weasley did Hannah snap. How dare her best friend compare her to that arse Weasley! All she had been trying to do was look out for her friend and this was how she thanked her? She could keep the fucking snakes Hannah was done with her.
Ever since then the only person in Hufflepuff who even wanted to be around her anymore was Ernie and honestly, he was being given the cold shoulder by a few of his friends as well. Not for being gay. It was because he was shagging Miles Bletchley and wasn't ashamed of it. Perks of dating a snake she guessed. You were happy with them, but your friends would want nothing to do with you. A true doubled edged sword.
"You okay Sue?" Blaise asked his girlfriend.
She nodded. "Just have a lot on my mind is all."
He smiled at her and kissed her temple. She smiled at him.
Across the hall though Blaise noticed a Badger giving them a strange look. He had wanted nothing more than to give that Abbot girl a piece of his damn mind after he found out how she had been treating his girlfriend, but Sue had begged him not to say anything. It would only piss her off more. Hannah just needed time was all.
"Needs a good snog is what she needs." Blaise had muttered. His girlfriend had hit him in the shoulder but his anger at her former group of friends hadn't wilted.
The look that Hannah was giving them though surprised him. He would've expected hatred maybe even suspicion. But this was more like…sadness?
He waved it off. He would talk to Sue about it when their friends weren't around. He doubted she would want her business just spread around like that.
"So how is Tori doing Daphne?" Tracey asked as they ate their breakfast.
"Tori is Tori." Daphne sighed. "She's going stir crazy at home. She keeps asking Mother when she can come back to school." Daphne hated the fact Tori had to be at home right now, but she was honestly safer there than at Hogwarts right now. At least until her attacker was caught.
"Are there any new leads?" Neville asked looking over at Harry. Their group knew by now that Daphne's father had asked him to help out in the investigation. If anyone would know more Harry would.
Harry sighed and shook his head. "Has John been of any help?" Daphne asked.
"I haven't really seen him lately, so I don't know if he's making more progress than I am." Harry responded a touch of anger creeping into his voice. Daniel had instructed them both to keep in touch with each other which Harry was more than happy to do but he guessed John wasn't. The Irish boy was little more than a ghost lately and whenever Harry did spot him, John just breezed right by him and didn't say a word no matter how hard Harry tried to get his attention.
Hermione wasn't doing much better. After she had left them a few days ago in the CG Room to find John, he had been a ghost. She had only seen him in the classes they shared with the Slytherins and he had been sitting with Theodore Nott lately. Whenever McGongal or Snape hadn't been looking, Harry noticed the two Slytherins in deep conversation about something.
"I'm sure he'll reach out to you soon." Daphne offered. "He's probably following up on a lead or something." Even she didn't sound as if she believed herself.
"Don't take it personally Harry." Blaise said. "He hasn't really been sleeping in the dorms, so I haven't seen him a whole lot lately either."
This got all their attention. "What do you mean he hasn't been sleeping in the dorms?" Susan asked her boyfriend.
Blaise shrugged. "I go to bed. He's not there. I wake up. He's not there. I've asked Nott about it and it's the same response from him."
"Maybe Crabbe and Goyle have seen him coming and going?" Tracey suggested.
Daphne snorted. "Unless my cousin had roast beef on him, I doubt those idiots have bother paying attention."
"He'll turn up Harry." Blaise said. "He can't stay hidden forever."
Harry nodded but otherwise didn't say anything.
"Are you prepped for the game against the French tomorrow?" Susan asked.
"Forget the French." Daphne interjected before Harry could anything. "He should be concentrating on the Second Task. It's three days from now."
"I'm worried about both thank you very much." Harry wanted to glare at his girlfriend but stopped himself.
"I didn't say you had to worry about it. I just think that out of everything the Second Task should be higher on your list than a Quidditch match." Daphne responded not showing any shame. "You're going into the Black Lake, Harry. I'm not trying to frighten you, but you could die if you're not careful down there."
"Wait…" Susan said slowly. "Did you say you're going into the fucking Black Lake."
"Language Susan!"
"Sorry Auntie." Susan said automatically. "Wait. Auntie?"
She looked towards the sound of the voice and sure enough there was the woman who had raised her. "What are you doing here?"
"Nice to see you too." Amelia rolled her eyes.
"Sorry." Susan apologized and then got up from her seat and hugged her Aunt. She had always been close to her Aunt even when she couldn't remember it. There were pictures of her as a baby being held by Amelia with Susan looking up at her aunt with nothing but adoration. It was like Susan knew that the woman holding her would be a mother to her growing up.
"I missed you at Christmas." Amelia told her niece. It had been a lonely holiday this year, but she understood that Susan had other obligations. "How was the Ball? In your letter it sounded like you had a marvelous time."
"It was." Susan responded then sensed someone shifting uncomfortably by her side. "Auntie Amelia, this is Blaise." She said looking over at her boyfriend who rose to his feet. "My boyfriend."
"A pleasure to meet you ma'am." Blaise said nervously as he extended his hand. He had girlfriends before, but they were only a short fling. Never before had he been forced to go through the whole meet the parent's phase. Or in this case Aunt.
"And you as well, Blaise." Amelia shook his hand. "Your mother is Helena Zabini?"
"Yes Ma'am."
"A shrewd woman." Amelia said honestly. "But a respectable one." The Zabini family had been a big donator to the DMLE over the years. They had more than a few donations come from Helena and it had made the difference when it came down to life and death for some of her troopers and for that Helena had her thanks.
"Thank you, ma'am." Blaise said after a brief hesitation. His mother had been loving to him during his childhood. Firm but fair. He understood however why others didn't feel the same way. "What brings you to Hogwarts?"
"Business I'm afraid." Amelia said nodding towards the doors. Posted around them was a squad of wizards that could only be Aurors. Most of them looked to be hardened veterans who had seen a thing or two. Susan spotted a man missing an ear with black hair with streaks of grey in it. Captain Talbot. A strict man but he had always a soft spot for her.
"Auntie? Who is that?" Susan asked nodding towards the only odd member of her Aunt's group. She was a girl that barely seemed older than any of them. She had short bubblegum pink hair and twinkling eyes that could shine in the dark.
"A new recruit." Amelia answered. "Nymphadora Tonks."
"Isn't she a bit young to be an Auror?" Neville asked.
"Don't let her fool you Mr. Longbottom." Amelia looked over at him and noticed his surprise. "I knew your parents. You look just like your father did at our age."
Neville looked down at his place when his parents were mentioned. Tracey squeezed his hand giving him a smile which he returned.
"Tonks is one of the most promising recruits that we've had in years." Amelia added.
As if the universe conjured a response the sound of crashing china rang through the Hall. "I'm so sorry!" Tonks cried out.
"Watch where you're going!" Weasley barked. He had been moving towards the door with probably his third helping of dinner that day when the older witch bumped into him.
"Here! Let me fix it!" Tonks whipped out her wand and muttered a spell. The pieces of the plate began flying back together as did the food. Seconds later the plate looked good as new. Except for one small detail…
"THE CENTER OF IT IS GONE!" Weasley roared as his gravy poured through the small hole in the plate.
"I'm sorry!" Tonks said sincerely as she pointed her wand at the plate. "Let m-"
"Tonks!" Amelia called over to her subordinate. "Maybe you should tell Phineas take care of this."
Talbot nodded and the mistake was rectified in seconds. There appeared to be even more food on it than last time if that was even possible.
"There you go lad." Talbot said as he pocketed his wand in his robes where he most likely kept his holster.
"And what about my food that I lost?" Ron glared at the man.
"Look at the plate son. There's more than enough for a growing boy like you." Talbot responded. "If not then there's a table full of it only a few steps away."
"But I-" Weasley started to respond.
"Move along boy." Phineas said with no room to argue in his tone.
Weasley, with only a lick of sense in his head, glared at the man but otherwise didn't press the issue. He moved past the group of Aurors and disappeared into the castle to finish stuffing his belly.
"That was entertaining." Daphne said and most of the Hall probably would've agreed with her. They had all fallen silent as they took in the spectacle and not many had looked like they had sided with Weasley. Ever since he had split from Harry, people had come to the agreement that Harry's friends shared. The boy was a cunt.
"If you don't mind Madam Bones, could I ask why you and the Aurors are here?" Harry asked. He hadn't been able to help the grin that came to his face when Weasley got put in his place, but it didn't satiate his curiosity at the situation.
"We're just here to talk to Headmaster Dumbledore." Madam Bones said vaguely. Harry didn't really expect any other answer so all he could do is nod. "I'm sorry to be so abrupt children but I must leave you. Susan I'll speak to you before I leave."
Susan nodded at her and Amelia began walking away. It had been strange seeing her niece at the Gryffindor table. She had been scanning the Hall for at least five minutes before she spotted her. Susan had written and told Amelia that her and Hannah were having a disagreement, but she now assumed there was more to it than that.
"I'm sorry Madam Bones!" Tonks said as soon as Amelia rejoined the group. "I didn't see the boy before I bumped into him!"
"It's okay Tonks." Amelia responded as their group began walking towards the Head Table. "The Weasley boy didn't have to react the way he did. It was an honest mistake."
"Weasley… as in Charlie Weasley's family?" Tonks asked incredulously. She had a monster crush on the boy back when they were at Hogwarts together not that he ever noticed. Was that boy really his relative?
"Most likely." Phineas chimed in. "Arthur mentioned to me that he had three sons and a daughter at Hogwarts."
"Let's get back on track." Amelia reminded her squad. "We're here for a purpose."
"Yes ma'am." They all chimed as a unit as they arrived at the Head Table just in front of the Headmaster.
"Madam Bones! So good to see you. It has been so long." Albus said in his best grandfatherly voice. What were they doing here? Aurors in his school? They could only be here for one purpose.
"Headmaster." Amelia nodded respectfully. "I'd like to speak with you."
"For what reason?" He asked raising an eyebrow.
"It'd be best to talk about this in private." Amelia responded.
Dumbledore sighed but nodded. "Very well." He said as he got up from his seat. "If you'll follow me to my study."
Amelia nodded before turning to her squad. "Go to the Entrance Hall. Await me there."
"Now Madam Bones is that necessary?" Dumbledore sighed. "Should they really be here in the first place?"
"Yes." Amelia replied simply. "You were about to lead me to your office?"
He shook his head. It was pointless arguing with this woman. Even if he ordered her and her squad off the grounds, he knew she would cite some ancient law so they would stay. "This way." He said and began to walk towards the exit with her behind him.
"This should be interesting." Harry said to himself more than anyone else.
At the now Headmasterless Head Table were more than a few confused Professors. All of them in fact except one.
The Deputy Headmistress has a contended smile on her face.
"Can I ask for the reason for your visit Madam Bones?" Dumbledore asked as he took his seat at his desk. Madam Bones didn't take the offered seat.
"I think you know." Amelia replied.
"The situation with Astoria Greengrass I presume?" He sighed. "I fear that you have wasted your own time. I am handling the situation internally."
"That's good. You'll be able to provide my team with the information that you've gathered so far then." Amelia responded. "You have discovered new information have you not? The attack happened over a week ago."
"I cannot release such information to you unless you have permission from the Board of Governors. You understand of course?"
"No, I do not." She put both hands on his desk and leaned forward. "It's a problem Albus when the Head of the DMLE gets an owl in the middle of the night stating that there had been an assault at Hogwarts a week before. It's even more troubling to the said Head when her niece attends said school. So, unless you'd like me arrest you for failure to report a crime I'd advise you to share what information you have on this case!"
"As I said I cannot." Dumbledore hadn't even flinched during her tirade. He had faced down far more dangerous than her. "Unless you have special permission from the Board of Governors, I cannot share information from an internal investigation from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy, Page fifty-four, paragraph seven, line eight of the laws passed by the Wizengamot in the spring of 1904." He should've known better than anyone else. He had helped write that particular law.
"Page fifty-four, Paragraph Seven, Line Nine." A voice rang out as she entered the office. "Special permission may also be given by the Deputy Headmaster/Headmistress at the time."
"As Deputy Headmistress." Minerva McGongal countered as she came to stand at Amelia's side. "I give this permission."
"M-Minerva?" Dumbledore stuttered. "You've betrayed me?"
"I've betrayed no one except the students themselves if I hadn't reported this Albus." Minerva responded with a touch of sadness in her voice. "I'm sorry it had to come to this, but I did what I had to."
"So you see Headmaster." Amelia continued. "I do in fact have permission to be here."
Dumbledore sighed. "So you do. Go forth however knowing you have my strongest disagreements though."
"I'll keep that in mind Headmaster." Amelia resisted the urge to roll her eyes. The man was lucky she didn't drag him out in chains for failure to report a crime of this level. "We will begin our investigation immediately."
"Allow me to assist you Madam Bones." Minerva offered her former student. "I may be of some help."
"We would greatly appreciate it Professor." Amelia smiled at her former teacher.
"Headmaster." She nodded at the man before taking her leave.
"Minerva." He said softly to his number two. "I fear this may bring only trouble for Hogwarts. This will leak to the Pro-"
"Forget the Prophet, Albus!" She snapped. "We shouldn't have to worry about what the media thinks about us to teach our students especially when it places them in danger."
"What happened Albus? I remember when that would've meant something to you? Now you're so frightened of losing your position you're willing to let others stop you from doing that right thing."
With that she whirled around and left the office after Madam Bones, the door slamming shut behind her.
Albus shook his head sadly. They had really lost total faith in him. First Harry, then Lord Greengrass, now Minerva. He wished he could tell them this was all for the Greater Good, but they wouldn't listen at this point. They were so deep in what they thought was right and wrong they wouldn't listen to any other viewpoint. It was horrifying to him.
He would have to press forward alone. He could let this small hitch stop from his plan that spanned decades. He still held an amount of influence where this would all be possible.
This would work out. He would make sure of it.
"I'll tell you again Malfoy they bloody know." Ron repeated for probably the twentieth time.
Draco rolled his eyes. The idiot Weasley had come stumbling into their usual meeting spot with a plate full of food. They had a meetup scheduled yes but it wasn't because of the Aurors showing up. Draco called that merely a bad coincidence. "Will you calm down Weasley?"
"DON'T TELL ME TO FUCKING CALM DOWN! THAT PINK HAIRED BITCH WAS INCHES AWAY FROM ME, SHE COULD'VE TAKEN ME IN IF SHE WANTED TO." This whole situation had been more trouble than it was worth. Sure, Ron wanted Potter to pay but he didn't see how brutalizing the Greengrass girl would solve that. Honestly, he really didn't know what he had been thinking going along with all that. He had participated but it had felt like he had been outside his own body when it happened. Like he wasn't himself. It felt like some demon in his skin had committed the action. Now he just felt sick to his stomach just thinking about it.
"Calm. Down." Draco said firmly. "Don't bloody freak out on me Weasley."
"How can I not?" Weasley glared at the boy. "I regret even agreeing to this in the first place you bloody cunt. What the hell is wrong with you? Hurting an innocent girl?!"
"If I recall correctly you were there as well Weasel." Draco shrugged. Was it that big a deal? It was means to an end. "Though you can't be totally at fault."
"What are you on about?" Weasley asked. "I was there Malfoy. What we did to Astoria was criminal."
"We both committed the action Weasley. But that potion I slipped you sure helped."
"W-What? What potion?" Ron sputtered.
"As you know my family is quite wealthy." Draco reminded him. "The ways we've accrued that wealth are numerous, but the main reason is simple: potions."
"The Malfoy family is the owner and operator of the biggest potions company in this hemisphere of the world. We supply seventy five percent of the potions used by eighty percent of the shops in the isles including all the shops in London."
"I am an heir to that company. As such I was brought up knowing the ins and outs of the family business. And as such I know a substantial bit more about how certain potions."
"One of these potions is simple. It only takes a day or two to brew and it involves cheap ingredients. What does this potion do you might ask?"
"The answer is simple. It could never force you to act against your own wishes. If you secretly didn't want to jump off a cliff this potion couldn't make you. All it does it encourages you to act upon your impulses. Including the darker ones."
"You wanted to hurt the Greengrass bitch. You wanted to keep kicking her until she passed out. My potion just made you act on it."
"You drugged me?" Weasley finally found a response.
"Slipped a potion into your pumpkin juice." Draco shrugged. That's what the idiot deserved. He knew Weasel would bring some sort of beverage from the Great Hall along before their scheduled meetup the day they ambushed Greengrass. It wasn't his own fault that the boy was a slob.
"You're a bloody monster." Ron took a step back while his hand inched towards his wand.
"We're monsters Weasel." Draco corrected him. "Like I said that potion will never make you do something you wouldn't want to do in the first place."
"You piece of shit." Ron growled at the boy. "I won't let you get away with this. I don't care if I go down too." The fucking arse had slipped a potion in his drink?! Even if he had to go to Azkaban, he would make sure Malfoy was in the cell next to him.
This entire time Draco had been talking to the Weasel he had been turned away. Now he turned towards him and Weasley blanched. Pointed at him now was Draco's wand.
"That'll be tough considering you won't be there to testify against me." Draco said emotionlessly. "It's true I can't kill you. Too much heat. But I can make sure you won't remember any of this."
"What are you-"
"OBLIVAITE!" Draco uttered and with a flourish of his wand a white streak shot out of the piece of wood and impacted into Weasley.
After a brief hesitation Weasley finally spoke. "What the hell do you want, Malfoy?" Why was he in this room with Draco Malfoy. He hated the piece of dragon dung.
"What do you want, Weasley?" Draco raised an eyebrow. "You followed me in here? You want round two or something?"
Ron turned red. "Piss off! I don't know why…well what happened, happened in the first place but I can tell you it won't bloody happen again."
"Whatever you say Weasley." Draco scoffed and began walking towards the door. "If you don't mind, I'll take my leave. I don't want your stench on me."
"Piss off!" Weasley cried after him as he left the classroom with a smirk on his face.
Lord Duffy would be pleased when he met with him that night. One less loose end.
Joseph looked around the bar again. Where the bloody hell was this boy? He had been very insistent when he said for the Malfoy heir to be here at eight o clock. How he would get out of the castle was his own problem. That was no excuse for tardiness.
A man came into the bar just then. He was tall with blonde hair and searing blue eyes. After a quick scan of the bar he locked eyes on Joseph and made his way towards him.
"Can I help you?" Madam Rosmerta asked the man as he sat down.
"I'll have whatever he's having." The man nodded towards Joseph. Rosmerta's eyes flicked towards the Irishman and treated him with disgust. Joseph Duffy had always been one of her least favorite students at Hogwarts. How he had ever ended up with someone like Hannah she would never so.
"Alright." She replied simply before pouring another glass of whiskey for the newcomer.
The man threw down a couple Sickles which Rosmerta took and walked off clearly glad to be rid of Joseph's company.
"Nice night." The man remarked taking a sip of the whiskey.
"No time for small talk. Is that you boy?" Duffy asked moving to the stool next to him.
Draco nodded. "Polyjuice Potion."
"Clearly." Duffy rolled his eyes. "I already knew you weren't in your bloody thirties."
"You came alone?" Duffy looked around as if the boy would pull one of his little cronies out of his pocket.
"As agreed."
"Thought you'd at least bring the other boy. The Weasley." Duffy took another sip of his drink.
"He won't be a factor anymore." Draco said simply.
"You didn't kill him did you, you bloody idiot?" Joseph hissed at him.
"Please. Give me some credit." Malfoy snorted. "I'm no fool. Dumbledore would rip the school apart if one of his pet Blood Traitors turned up dead."
"Didn't do anything for my niece now did he?" Duffy chimed in. "No respect for the Sacred Twenty-Eight anymore. I know if there was any other person in charge of that damn school, they would've ripped the school apart to find the perpetrator. Lucky for us Dumbledore is willing to do nothing."
"But really. You didn't kill the Weasley boy, did you?" Duffy asked again.
"No." Draco replied. "I wiped his memory. He won't remember anything. Yet."
"What do you mean yet?" Duffy asked.
"The memories of what he did to the Greengrass bitch will remain locked away until a certain point. Then everything will come back clear as day. He'll be able to remember everything."
"You idiot." Duffy snapped at him. "What's to stop him blabbing about you and by fucking association, ME?!"
"I took care of it." Draco glared at the older man. Did he think him some kind of fool? "Weasley will remember everything. Which he'll remember everything about how he acted alone because he hated Potter and wanted to hurt him and his girlfriend by attacking the sister. He won't remember a thing about you or me, not that he ever put a name to your face anyway."
"It's risky boy." Joseph grumbled to him. "We'd be better off just wiping his damn memories period."
"We need someone to take the fall. Once they have their man the investigation will end."
"Hmm." Duffy said softly.
"What?"
"You impress me boy." Duffy said finally. "Your father should be proud."
"You have my appreciation Lord Duffy." Draco nodded at the man. The man was a bastion of Pure blood pride. How he fathered a son like his own Draco had no idea.
"And what about you?" Duffy asked finishing his drink.
"What about me?"
"What about your part in this? You think you won't be one of the main suspects? Your hatred of Potter is well known. Aurors will be coming after you first most likely." He had heard about how Madam Bones had arrived at the school that day with her squad. "I know I told you about that alibi that I told you to give but they might still question you. How are you going to beat them?"
"That does remind me." Draco furrowed his brow. "How did you manage to get Mad Eye Moody to go along with all of this? For one you'd seem like the last person he'd consort with."
"What with me being who I am and all?" Draco nodded. "Not important boy. Just know that Moody is on our side in this situation. I'll ask again though. How are you going to lie to the Aurors if you're questioned? If they get permission to question their suspects with Veritaserium or knowing Talbot who'll do it without permission, you won't last long."
"With this." Draco retrieved a small vial from his pocket. It contained a clear blue liquid.
"What is "this"?" Duffy raised an eyebrow.
"Quoniam Tempus Ut Obliviscatur." Draco said as if it should be obvious.
"Quno- just tell me what it does." Duffy tried to pronounce it, but he had never been good with Latin.
"It'll basically lock away the memories behind an iron clad vault in your mind. Even Dumbledore would have difficulty in penetrating it and I'm sure it'll keep out any of those damn Aurors."
"But the memories will still be with you?" Joseph raised an eyebrow. "Why not just wipe them. I can do it right now." He said fingering for his wand discreetly.
Not discreetly enough. "Don't even think about it." Draco's eyes narrowed. "No way in hell are you pointing that wand at me."
"Your choice boy. Just hope that vault is as impenetrable as you think it is." Duffy shrugged. He meant what he said about respecting the boy but if his memories put Joseph in danger because he was too frightened of a simple obliviation spell, then Duffy Sr would put him down and wouldn't think twice about it. Lucius and his wife were still young they could pump out another heir. "How did you get out of the castle anyway?"
"There's more than a few passages in and out of that prison that few know about." Draco was surprised that the old fool didn't have those passages guarded or at least cordoned off. Such a mistake could be his undoing if the school was ever attacked by those who knew about them.
"And what about Potter?" Duffy asked suddenly.
"What about him?"
"Does he know about these passages?" Joseph asked looking towards the door.
"I hav- "Suddenly, Draco picked up what Joseph was trying to say. He turned in his seat to look towards the door and there walking in was bloody Potter. He wouldn't recognize him though. The Polyjuice potion would take care of that. It wouldn't do anything to disguise his voice, however. "Dammit." Draco muttered. "He must've followed me here."
"When did you take that potion?" Duffy asked his eyes not leaving Potter.
"Just before I entered the passage."
"He can't be following you then. If you took it when you said you did, he wouldn't know what to look for. No, the boy is here of his own accord."
"Here's what is about to happen." Joseph continued. "I'm going to get up, thank you for the drink and I'm going to walk out that door. In a few minutes you do the same." Draco nodded. "Thanks for the drink." Joseph said, not overly loud but definitely more than what fit the tone of the room. "We'll meet soon." He whispered to the Malfoy boy as he left.
"Potter." He said as he approached the door. "Have they changed the rules since I was a student where you can't be out after dark? Come to think of it I thought that students were only allowed to visit Hogsmeade on certain weekends or have they changed that rule too."
"Mr. Duffy." Harry all but spat at the man. "No, you're right they haven't changed the rule."
"Then what pray tell brings you here."
"I don't think that's any of your business, Joseph." A voice seethed from the doorway. Joseph looked up and grimaced.
"Daniel. Didn't see you there." Joseph said. It wasn't that he was afraid of his former brother in law but the way the man was looking at him made him take a step back.
"Leaving?" Daniel glared at the man. "I was hoping we could have a chance to talk."
"Abo-?"
"Let me make one thing perfectly clear." Daniel took a step closer to the man, so he was only inches away from him. They were around the same height, but Daniel was much more muscular. "If you ever attempt to come near my nephew or my family again, I'll kill you where you stand."
"Your nephew? Or my son?" Joseph was able to muster up. "You'd really stop me from talking to my own child?"
"He's no son of yours remember? You cast him out of your bloody family." Daniel spat.
"It was good to see you, Daniel." Joseph shrugged as he made to move by Daniel.
Daniel stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. "Heed my words. Stay away."
Joseph shrugged off the hand and glared at the Greengrass before walking off into the night.
"Well done sir." Harry complemented Daniel. "I think I saw a trail running down his leg."
"Don't repeat this to anyone Harry, but if I had my way, he'd be lying dead in the street right now."
"I didn't hear a thing sir." Harry said and began looking around the bar for his Godfather. It had been after the Aurors had left the hall when he got the letter. It had been from an unspecified person to meet at the Three Broomsticks, but it had clearly been from his Godfather. The untidy scrawl across the pages could only be from Sirius. The letters contents told him to await in the Entrance Hall after dinner and Daniel would escort him down to the village.
"He said meet here correct…you're absolutely sure?" Daniel asked as he joined Harry in searching the room. "Last place we met him was the Hogs Head."
"Maybe he had to move?" Harry phrased it as an open-ended question more than anything. Why were they meeting here and not in the Hogs Head? Sure, Madam Rosmerta was a friendly witch but the Three Broomsticks was more populated than the Hogs Head. There was a much greater chance of his Godfather being spotted.
"Oi!" They both turned to look and saw Hannah staring back at them waving a hand towards herself. "Well don't just stand there and look at me like that. Come on."
Harry and Daniel both looked at each other and back at Hannah before they joined her. "Where are you taking us Hannah?" Daniel asked his sister as they ascended the stairs.
"You already know the answer to your question dear brother." Hannah responded simply. "Now come on."
She led them to the top of the stairs and to the end of the hallway. She knocked twice, waited a moment, then knocked again. The door came open and the three of them went inside.
"Glad to see you two could make it." Sirius said from the bed. "Sorry for such short notice."
"No problem…any reason that you're both in-" Daniel began before he was silenced by a glare from his sister.
"Pup." Sirius smiled at his godson. Harry returned it and took Padfoot into a hug.
"Is everything okay?" Harry drew back and looked up at him. "Why'd you call this meeting?"
"Because we needed to speak." Sirius replied. "Before we do however, I just wanted to tell you Daniel." He turned to look at the man. "I am sorry to hear of your daughter's attack. I hope the culprit burns in hell."
Daniel nodded at his friend. "Thank you, Sirius. The Aurors arrived today to begin their investigation."
"Your doing?" Sirius raised an eyebrow. He knew that Dumbledore would never allow those Aurors into Hogwarts. It just wasn't who he was.
Daniel shook his head. "I have no idea who called them in, but they have my gratitude. My personal investigation will continue however."
Sirius nodded. "I hope this is an open and shut case. They can't run long."
"Down to business though." Sirius continued. "I read the article in the Prophet. It was well done."
"Sean Hoover is an old friend of mine from school." Hannah smirked. "I was the one who wrote the letter for him to investigate. He's always willing to take my owls."
"I won't ask why." Sirius grumbled.
"You're so cute when you're jealous." Hannah teased.
"Anyway." Daniel cleared his throat. "I think we've put enough doubt into the minds of the population where we can call for a trial. I'll have one of my colleagues in the Wizengamot push for one and I'll will second it. We can't have it as early as next month."
"Can't I call for one sir?" Harry asked. "I do have a seat because of my family."
"I'm afraid not Harry." Daniel sighed. "You won't be able to take the seat until you come of age at seventeen. You can however appoint a proxy if you so wish."
"In that case I select you sir."
"Me?" Daniel blinked. "I'm flattered Harry, but it should be someone you know. Someone you trust."
"I know and trust you Lord Greengrass. You know the ins and outs of that landscape. I don't. The only other person I could think of is Sirius and he's not exactly able to do it right now."
Daniel smiled at the boy. His daughter had picked a good one. "I would be honored then to accept Harry. I will come to the school tomorrow after the match and help you write the Ministry. There's some paperwork they need to send over if I'm to be your proxy."
Harry nodded and looked at Sirius. "When you're cleared, I want you to be my proxy. It's ju-"
"Don't say anything more Pup." Sirius shook his head. "It's true I was brought up on all that mumbo jumbo growing up me being an heir to an Ancient Family and all but like you said Daniel knows the ins and outs of all that. I'd advise you to stick with him even if I get cleared."
"WHEN you get cleared." Hannah corrected.
"I agree with Hannah." Daniel nodded. He didn't like how close his sister was standing to Sirius. She was his only sister he felt a duty to look out for her. But she was a grown woman she could make her own choices. "It's settled then. I'll push for the vote in the Wizengamot at the session this coming Saturday. With ours and the Potter's votes it'll be pushed through."
Sirius beamed and stuck his hand out. "Thank you, Daniel. You don't know how much I appreciate this."
Daniel shook his hand firmly. "Don't think twice on it. You're innocent Sirius and intend to make the world see that too."
"You have my gratitude as well sir." Harry smiled at the man.
"Don't mention it Harry. Just worry about keeping my daughter safe and happy."
"Absolutely sir."
"We best get you back to the castle. You have a game to play tomorrow."
"I'm sorry I won't be able to be there Pup." Sirius said sadly.
"Don't worry Sirius." Harry took him into a hug. "You can come to the next one when you're cleared."
"And I'll tell you all about it when I come back after the match." Hannah smiled at Sirius.
"Coming back?" Daniel asked slowly. He looked around the room and suddenly took in a couple of its contents. There were lady garments where Sirius had been sitting on the bed. Padfoot noticed the man looking but instantly sat down on said garments his face burning red. "Hannah are y-"
"Don't ask questions you'd rather not have answered Dan." She interrupted and gave him a sweet smile. "Just get this nice young man back to the castle."
They all quickly said their goodbyes with another embrace of Harry and Sirius.
As they were walking down the hallways to the stairs Harry noticed some motion out of the corner of his eye. He looked over and saw Daniel shaking his head. "Those two are going to be the death of me Harry."
"Alright you lot!" Angelina called out to her squad. "To the pitch we go!"
"You ready Potter?" Miles asked Harry as they stood up from the table. They all had risen several hours before everyone else to get their breakfast out of the way. The sun wasn't even supposed to be up for another hour or so. He doubted even the French were up by now. That's what Angie said gave them the upper hand on them. Early bird got the worm.
"Ready as I ever will be." Harry responded as they left the Hall.
"Oh, come on Harry." Katie walked up and slapped him on the back. "We'll be fine. Just focus on catching the Snitch."
He smiled and nodded at her. He had been overjoyed when Angie had told him Smith was out for the foreseeable future. The only real reason he had been the starter in the first place was because he was a southpaw just like John, but Angie had decided that even if he was healthy Katie should start over him. Plus, his behavior at their last few practices had been a deciding factor as well. His constant complaining had even driven away Cedric who told him to shut his mouth and just concentrate on the upcoming game. Apparently the two hadn't spoken since and that had been over a week ago.
Honestly, they might have to keep Katie in the starting lineup even after Duffy's return depending how well her, him, and Angie meshed together. Davies was a solid player but the only reason he was the Captain of the Ravenclaw team was because he was the best out of the scrubs. Besides him and Cho they really didn't have anyone to write home about or who could possibly play at the next level and even then the two would have to play in a second tier league if they ever wanted even a hope of coming off the bench. That wasn't a knock against them it was just a fact.
"Alright let's go over the game plan one more time." Angie called out to their group as they walked to the pitch. "The only real threat is their Captain, Francis Dubois. The boy is six foot five and looks like he wrestles cave trolls for a living. He's always the substitute Beater for the French National Team."
"We can take him Ang. We'll knock that snail loving shit off his broom." The Twins chimed as a pair to the shouts of agreements of their teammates.
"That's great to hear, and no offense to either of you but you can't." Angie replied simply. "He'll snap you both like a twig and we'll be screwed. Just do your best to keep him away from Harry."
The twins looked like they wanted to argue but only grumbled in acceptance. "The rest of you lot. Run the score on the bastards. And Harry." She turned to look at him.
"Catch the Snitch." He finished her sentence for her.
"I know they may not look like much judging by how badly the Americans beat them but that's only because Ilvermorny is a well-rounded team not because Beauxbatons isn't." Angie looked around at their team. "Be wary of them or else they utilize that over confidence as our weakness. Understood?"
The whole squad chimed their affirmation but none of them really believed it. Like their Captain had said the French only had one good player. The rest were just sort of there.
"You okay Harry?" Katie asked falling in at his side.
He nodded. "Just have a lot on my mind." That was the understatement of the century. With everything that had been happening, the attack on Astoria, his Godfather's trial, the Quidditch match, and now the Second Task was only days away he had a lot going on.
"I bet." Katie nodded. To her shame, she had been one of the people who been among those who thought Harry had put his own name in the Goblet. She hadn't been alone but that was no excuse. She liked to think she knew Harry better than some people, so she should've taken him at his word right off the bat that he hadn't put his name in the Goblet. "I'm here if you want to talk about it."
"I appreciate it Katie." He smiled at her. "Did you have a good time at the Ball? I don't remember seeing you that night." It had been so long since he had gotten to talk to Katie one on one.
"It was fine." She grumbled. She had gone with Cormac McClaggen who had made numerous attempts to grope her that night before she had gave him a knee to his genitals for his troubles. Honestly, she had waited too long so she had finally to settle for someone because all the good dates had been taken by that point. She had been holding out for someone to ask her or maybe even work up the courage to ask him herself.
"How are you and Greengrass?" She asked as if she was merely asking about the weather.
"We're great actually." Harry said. "What about you are you dating anyone right now?"
"A couple dates here and there." Katie replied shrugging, her heart dropping to her stomach. "Not really interested in a lot of guys in my year."
"Oh." Harry said. "Well I know you'll find a great guy. You deserve it."
She nodded sadly. "Thanks Harry." Honestly the only guy she really wanted was walking right next to her. He had always been so sweet to her ever since they first joined the team when they had been the only newcomers. He had really filled out since then as well. The scrawny boy had become a muscular young man. She wasn't one for just looks in a person, but they certainly helped. She was surprised that nobody had gone after Harry before Greengrass.
However, she really didn't want to mess up his relationship if everything was going great. She wasn't that type of girl. She didn't want someone else to make a pass at her boyfriend if she had one, so why would she do that to someone else?
"Come on!" Angie called out to her team. "We're almost there!" Sure enough there was the stadium rising above the trees. And with a game with the French that awaited them.
"Let's sit here." Susan said. They basically had the pick of the stadium except for the front section surrounding the field. Most of the school was still coming from breakfast and wouldn't be there for a while. Perks of waking up early.
"Should we save a spot for Hermione?" Neville asked. Duffy couldn't come until his suspension was up that was a given but maybe their friend might join them.
Daphne shook her head. "Not likely. She told me yesterday she wasn't feeling well and probably wouldn't make it." That had been the first time Daphne had seen her in days. She had been apparently been arriving early at meals and eating somewhere else. She didn't really want to speak to anyone except the one person she couldn't and who was also apparently avoiding her. And his friends as well it seemed.
"How badly do you think Hogwarts will beat them today?" Blaise asked nobody in particular.
"I say by two hundred." Tracey responded. "It'll be close."
Blaise snorted. "Please. I say by five hundred. Even with John not playing they won't be able to stop our Chasers."
Daphne groaned as the two divulged into a debate. Ever since first year the two had been at each other's throats about Quidditch. Both their favorite teams were rivals, so they gave each other the business every chance they got. It had always made her want to throttle them.
"Can you two come off it?" Susan glared at them both. From Tracey's side Neville nodded his agreement. The four of them had studied together in the library and only fifteen minutes into it they had to leave because the two Slytherins wouldn't stop arguing about who was going to win the League cup that year. Madam Prince looked like she wanted to curse them and probably would've if there weren't laws against it.
"But babe-" Blaise started to argue.
"Yes Blaise?" She raised an eyebrow as if to tell him to choose his next words carefully.
He sighed. "Nothing." He said forlornly.
"Oh, to be young again." Claudius remarked. He was with the Greengrass family. They all took seats by the group of friends. "Remind you of anyone you know Daniel?"
"Why should it?" Daniel raised an eyebrow.
"Come on now." Claudius snorted. "If I remember correctly you were exactly like the boy back in our day. Jane would crack the whip and you would follow behin-"
"Choose your next words carefully, Trevels." Daniel glared at the man. His wife was back at the manor caring for their daughter, but he knew that she probably would've hexed their school chum by now. "And besides there's a difference between being a servant to your girlfriend and being loving, respectful, an-" Claudius began to dry heave. "Maybe this is why you're still bloody single."
"And damn proud of it. No one to give me the business. This summer if I want to go on a vacation to the Outback of Australia, I have no one to tell me no. I can just go." Cladius said proudly.
"No one to come home to though." Hannah pointed out.
"Life can get lonely without someone to share it with." Daphne remarked.
"Not everyone can be lucky like you and Potter." He smiled at her. "Some people are just destined to be alone. Me? I'm okay with that. I like my freedom."
"I don't believe that sir." Daphne responded. "I think there's someone out there for everyone, Magic or Muggle. Nobody deserves to be alone forever. To have no one there to weep for them when they finally leave."
Trevels was about to retort but stopped. "You have a point." He shrugged. "But I don't plan on dying for a very long time. We'll get to that when we come to it." He turned to his attention to the field and Daphne sensed that the conversation was over and done with.
She felt someone squeeze her shoulder and looked over to see her father give her a proud nod and smile at her which she returned.
"WELCOME EVERYONE TO THE THIRD MATCH IN THE INTER-SCHOOL TOURNAMENT." Mario Burgos' familiar voice filled the arena. "INTRODUCING FIRST FROM ACROSS THE ENGLISH CHANNEL WE HAVE BEAUXBATONS SCHOOL OF MAGIC!"
There was polite clapping for the French as they raced out unto the field. After the complete and utter domination, they suffered at the hands of Ilvermorny nobody was really looking forward to this match.
"ANNNNNNNNNNNDDDDDDDDDD NOW!" Mario called out in his best Bruce Buffer voice. "FROM THE HOME SCHOOL WE HAVE HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITHCRAFT AND WIZARDY!"
The entire stadium erupted into cheers as Hogwarts flew out unto the pitch.
"The Beauxbatons team is led by Captain, Francis Dubois while the Hogwarts team is led by Angelina Johnson with her Assistant Captain, Harry Potter."
"Did they change the name of the tournament?" Neville wondered aloud as the trio met in the middle of the pitch.
"What do you mean?" Susan asked.
"First match it was Inter-Continental Tournament and then last match they started it calling the Inter-School Tournament." He looked around at his friends who treated him with blank stares. "Am I really the only one who noticed?"
"You're just going crazy I think, Nev." Tracey said kissing him on the cheek.
"Then I am too I guess." Trevels cut in. "The teams got a notice from the Headmaster saying that the name changed. Something along the lines of fostering unity between the four teams."
"Like what?" Blaise asked. "Reminding us all that we all attend a school? Dumbledore could've at least made a better name."
"I agree son, but it was out of our hands." Trevels sighed. He didn't like it how Dumbledore just went up and changed something without consulting the heads of all those involved.
"Shh." Tracey said shushing everyone. "It's about to start."
"LET'S GET TO IT GRED!" Twin one called out to his fellow as they took to the air.
"I'M WITH YOU FEORGE!" His brother called back.
Within seconds the Hogwarts team had grabbed the Quaffle. "PLAN ALPHA!" Harry barely heard Angie call above the wind. She passed the ball out to Davies who passed it right back to her as she narrowly avoided a Bludger sent her way by a Beauxbatons girl. Angie shot closer and closer to the hoops before she careened up and grabbed the Keeper's attention. What the boy didn't notice was the Quaffle that had dropped back down to Katie while Angie shot upward. Katie reared her arm back and the ball went the center hoop.
"AND HOGWARTS DRAWS FIRST BLOOD. The goal was scored by Katie Bell who is filling in for John Duffy."
Harry wished one of the Bludgers would find its way into the man's shoulder. Who cared if she was filling in for John? She was here and deserved to be recognized as a player not just substitute.
"Keep an eye out Harry!" Bletchley called over to him. "Last thing we need is for Dubois to take your head off because you're not paying attention."
"Just focus on keeping those hoops covered Miles!" Harry responded.
"They're not getting anything pas- SHIT!" Miles barely managed to deflect a Quaffle away from the left hoop. Angie grabbed it out of the air and treated him with a glare before passing it back out to Davies.
"Enough of the damn chit chat!" She ordered. "Concentrate on the damn game or I'm having Weasley come in and take your spot."
"Yes captain." Miles responded gulping. He didn't really think that she would bench him for that scrub Weasley, but he didn't want to test her and find out.
Harry would've snorted if not for what caught his attention next. There it was! The Snitch next to one of the towers. He shot towards it and just like his shadow the French Seeker came too. She shot from the center of the field in only seconds. Whoever this girl was she could fly. That Cleansweep wasn't old but it definitely wasn't one of the newer models.
As he got closer and closer everything around him suddenly didn't mean a thing. He had tunnel vison. The Snitch was getting closer and closer. It seemed to be following Katie. Just trying to make itself harder to catch. He was so close now he could almost taste it. If he wanted to, he could reach out and touch Katie he was so close to the thing.
"WATCH OUT!"
Harry reared back his broom at the sound, and it might've saved his life. Moments later a Bludger was launched into the space his head would've been in. Katie however wasn't so lucky.
The Bludger cracked into her arm almost sending her tumbling off the side of her broom. She howled in pain as she slumped over her broom clutching her arm.
A whistle was blown as both teams went to the ground. Med wizards ran over to Katie who being helping off her broom by Angelina.
"Over here." One of them said a tall dark-haired wizard that looked to be a new graduate of Hogwarts. Harry didn't recognize him. "In the tent."
"YOU FRENCH BASTARD!" Everyone's eyes were drawn towards the commotion of at the center of the pitch where Fred and George were in Dubois' face.
"That's Quidditch, Englishman." He snarled pushing one of the twins away from him. "What am I supposed to do not do my job?"
"You could wipe that shit eating grin off your face, you snail eating cunt!" One of the twins roared. "Bet you got off on that! You could've broken her arm."
"I think I did." Dubois replied simply and sure enough that grin was still on his face.
"FRED! GEORGE!" Angie cried out. "OVER HERE NOW!"
The twins looked like they severely wanted to argue but grudgingly came back to their teammates.
"How bad is it?" Angelina asked the wizards. "Can it be healed?"
"Yes." The wizard from before said. "But I don't advise she play."
"Why not?" Harry asked. "You can just mend it can't you? Madam Pomphrey said she could mend bones in a second."
"Do you know what this is Potter?" The wizard showed him a piece of parchment. The man had tapped his wand on it and words began appearing on it. "It's her diagnostic and according to it, that wasn't a clean break. The bones exploded outwards and now she's bleeding internally. We have to get her to the Hospital Wing."
"Bollocks." Katie snapped and tried to rise but couldn't. "Get me back on the damn broom. I'm good."
"No, you're not!" Angie said. "Get her to Madam Pomphrey."
"Angeli-" Katie started to argue.
"Now." Angie snapped and the wizards began handling Katie with care as they put her on a stretcher and levitated her off the field to the clapping of the Hogwarts crowd. "Shit."
"What are we going to do?" Harry asked. "We have to find somebody to replace her. Smith is still a no go because of his injury and Alicia is out with the flu."
"Merlin." Angela shook her head. "We have to get Weasley."
"Weasley?" Harry said confused. "What does he have to do with any of this? He's a Keeper."
"Wrong Weasley, Potter." Angela replied.
"Is that Ginny Weasley coming out?" Tracey remarked. It had been over a half hour since the horrifying incident with Katie Bell. The announcer had come on shortly after and said that she would not be returning to the game.
"Couldn't be." Blaise responded. "Could it? Where's Spinnet? Weasley really couldn't play over her, could she?"
"Out with the flu." Neville said. "I heard Katie mention it somebody last night."
"Weasley is really their only option." As much as it pained Daphne to say that, she knew it was true. She hated the Weasel sister with a passion, but the girl knew her way around a pitch.
"And now coming in for the injured Katie Bell at Chaser, we have Ginny Weasley!"
Within seconds the match was back on again. "And there's Johnson with the Quaffle. She passes it back to Davies who shoots towards the goal but THEN HE MAKES A NO LOOK PASS TO WEASLEY WHO SCORES! ONE HUNDRED TO TEN HOGWARTS!"
"Little bint can play I'll give her that." Tracey muttered.
"Is that really necessary, Tracey?" Hannah inquired. "I'm sure the girl is a lovely individual."
"She's not Auntie." Daphne responded for her best friend. "She's one of the most distasteful people I've ever had the "pleasure" of meeting."
Hannah frowned but didn't say anything. She didn't like judging people before she met them, but her niece usually had a good judge of character.
"And here comes Weasley streaking up the field. She's taking it all the way by herself despite Johnson being open to her right. She shoots and it bounces off the hoop, but JOHNSON RECOVERS AND POUNDS IT BACK IN! ONE HUNDRED AND TEN TO TEN HOGWARTS!"
"And I can't tell exactly but it appears that Johnson is now berating Weasley for failing to pass out the Quaffle. So much drive in these two young women but so much more respect I'm sure."
"Listen here Weasley! You're not as talented as you think you are and even if you were, pass the damn Quaffle out if one of your teammates is wide open!"
"I thought I had it." Ginny retorted.
"You thought?! Well clearly you didn't have it!" Angie growled. "In the future. Pass it out."
"Okay." Ginny bit back before taking off. "I'll keep that in mind." Harry thought he heard her mutter.
"If it wasn't illegal to curse your own players…it's not is it?" Angie asked almost hopefully.
"Pretty sure it is." Harry replied. "Let's just get out there and win this thing."
"Catch the damn Snitch then!" She slapped him on the shoulder before flying back into play.
"I'll get right on that." He muttered.
"Weasley is trying to get her nose broken." Blaise commented and nobody disagreed.
"Come on Harry." Daphne whispered to herself.
It looked like Harry was scanning the pitch high above the action for the Snitch. She had seen him do it almost a dozen times before but not she just wanted him to finish it. His teammates were getting hurt out there and she didn't want him to be next.
"And it looks like Potter has spotted the Snitch. He is shooting off towards the Beauxbatons Keeper who looks to be shifting uncomfortably. It's as if he knows that if he doesn't move and Potter hasn't caught the Snitch by the time he gets there, Potter- HAS CAUGHT THE SNITCH! HOGWARTS WIN! THIS GAME IS OVER!"
"ATTA BOY POTTER!" Trevels yelled even though he could almost guarantee the boy couldn't hear him.
"Daphne where are you going?" Daniel called after his daughter as she shot out of the stands.
"I think I have an idea." Hannah said with a smirk.
"WAY TO PLAY TEAM!" Angelina called out to her fellow students as they hooted and hollered in the locker rooms. "YOU ALL REALLY STUCK IT TO THOSE FRENCH BASTARDS!"
"Way to catching the fuckin Snitch, Potter!" Miles wrapped his teammate in a bear hug and raised him off the ground.
"Bletchley." Harry wheezed.
"Sorry mate." Miles grinned but set the other boy down.
"Should I tell Ernie that you're interested in another, Bletchley?" Cedric called over.
"Piss off, Diggory." Miles responded with no venom.
"Way to play, Harry!" Cedric grinned at him slapping him on the back. "The Keeper looked like he was about to shit himself."
Harry shrugged. "Should've gotten out of my way." He said nonchalantly.
"He really should've." Cedric laughed.
"Harry!"
Harry turned. "Daphne?" Coming towards him at full throttle was his girlfriend who launched into his arms. She took him into a bone crushing hug that would've given Hermione a run for her money.
"Hey." He wrapped his arms around her. "You okay?"
"No." She responded as she buried her head into his chest.
"Hey Bletchley." Cedric said suddenly. "We should go see Fred and George."
"Yeah you're right." Miles coughed awkwardly. "See you lot later."
"Later." Harry said briefly before turning his attention back to his girlfriend. "What's wrong?"
"I was worried about you." She said. It was obvious that she had ran all the way here. Sweat glistened her forehead and she was still heaving in breaths of precious air.
"I'm fine love." He smiled at her. "I really am."
Did he really just call her-
"I was still worried, Harry." She looked up at him and it was only then that he saw the tears that were beginning to well up in her eyes. "With Bell going down like she did, I-"
"Hey." He kissed her tears that were starting to flow. "I'm fine. Katie is going to be fine. It's okay."
"You still have me worried half the time, Potter." Despite herself she rolled her eyes. "You don't have a really good track record on being the safest person."
"Those damn Dementors had it coming, love." He rolled his eyes right back. "What?" He said noticing the look she was giving him.
"That's the second time you've called me that." She replied.
"Oh I can sto-" He was silenced when her lips captured his.
"Don't you dare." She whispered into his ear.
Harry smiled down at her but then felt a sensation. As if someone was staring daggers into his back. He turned and that's exactly what it was.
"Greengrass." Ginny hissed. "I don't think you should be in the locker room."
"Why don't you piss off, Weasley?" She spat back at her. This little girl had been getting on her last nerve. Time to take her down a peg. "Harry wants me here."
"It doesn't matter what Harry wants." Ginny glared. "This is for players only."
"And where does it say that dear sister?" One of the Twins said putting a hand on her shoulder. It must've been Fred. George would never have confronted about all this especially in front of all these people. "Miss Greengrass isn't hurting anyone by being here and it's not a posted rule that only teammates can come in the locker room."
"But Fred-"
"Come on." Fred interrupted ushering towards his twin. "I know Mum will want a picture of us to hang on the wall or something."
Ginny turned her head and glared at Daphne one last time as Fred led her away. Daphne simply responded by giving her the two fingered salute.
"You really shouldn't antagonize her." Harry said half-heartedly.
"If she doesn't give me a reason then I won't." Daphne shrugged. "Plus, I don't like the way she was looking at you."
Harry laughed but Daphne only put on a fake smile. The Weaselette was drawing close to the sun.
Icarus had made the same mistake once.
A/N: Hope y'all enjoyed it! Except updates more frequently from now on!