A/N: I wished I owned Harry Potter. Alas, I do not. Ms. Rowling, I'd be happy to take it off your hands.
A/N: What do you think? Did enough happen to merit its own day? I am also very aware my updating has gone from regular to all over the place, and I'm sorry for that. While my schedule shifts around in real life, I will promise to do at least one chapter a week, and maybe two if I have a soft week.
Chapter 25: Consequences
November, 1994
Harry slowly woke, his body aching a little as he regretfully swung his feet to the edge of the bed. He had managed all the action last night fine, but when he had finally gotten out of the party and made his way to bed at a little past midnight, his body added up a day worth of damage and gave him the bill. He eventually had to put a quieting spell on his bed's curtains so that his roommates could get back to sleep as he groaned his way through the pain.
It had been an odd night, even after the meeting with all the champions. After reaching the Gryffindor common room and finding a party in full swing, Fred and George had dragged him up to a table in the middle of the room for people to cheer for him. The rest of the quidditch team had been quick to apologize, and Harry was as quick to forgive. Charlie was happy to congratulate him, and also promised they would be chatting about what had happened after the dragon got loose which Harry reluctantly agreed to.
Ron and Seamus's apology was a little harder to accept, but Harry saw Hermione's pleading eyes and he agreed. He wasn't sure he wanted the two boys at their study group sessions, but it didn't hurt him to give Hermione a chance to get one of her closest friends back. Besides, anything was better than the constant griping Ron had aimed at him.
He had managed to slink into a corner of the common room and was insulated from the majority of the partiers by Dean, Neville, and Lavender. Dean had apparently seen Daphne crying as she ran back to the dungeons, and Harry admitted that he and Daphne had broken up. Neville and Dean tried to cheer him up at first, but soon all three of them were focused on cheering up Lavender who had broken down into uncontrollable tears at the news.
Eventually Harry made his way to bed, and now as he woke up he peered at his watch. He almost levitated out the bed as he jumped in surprise. It was 4:00 pm! Akira was going to murder him. Then his mind cleared and he took a deep breath. Akira had said he would get a day off after yesterday. He got dressed slowly even as his muscles protested. He was extremely hungry, so he resolved to go to the great hall. Maybe he could still get some food. Harry hesitated at the door to his room.
He didn't really want to talk to anyone right now. So he sat at the door for a few minutes, sure that the 4:00pm class period had started. Eventually he made his way down to the great hall, the hallways totally silent and empty much to Harry's relief. As he sat, he saw all the food was cleared.
"Well, how should I go about getting some food?" Harry said to himself. He looked around to make sure he was alone. "Kaito Suru," he said with a flourish of his wand. A small black hole appeared next to Harry. He smiled as he fished out a small white box. He popped the top off and grabbed a fork, digging into the chicken in the box.
Harry had learned quite a few useful Japanese spells from Akira and his father the last few days of summer. No real combat spells, but Kaito Suru directly translated as unzip. His space was small compared to his master's but it was a tiny pocket dimension where Harry could store things in suspension. He was under direct orders to make sure no one knew he could practice Japanese magic, but Harry was starving.
The only sound in the great hall was Harry eating. He quickly finished, and debating taking a little more food, but decided he was better served waiting until dinner. He could catch up with Hermione then, as he had barely had a chance to talk to her yesterday. Maybe she was done being mad. Besides, while he was not upset, he was curious to figure out if she was really getting closer to Cedric. The fact she had told him about Prongs suggested she was, and Harry was not about to miss the chance to tease Hermione about Cedric.
Harry didn't particularly feel like showing up in Astronomy after the insanity of the last 48 hours. So he stayed at the Gryffindor table and took out Charlie's letters. It would be nice if Charlie could stay for a few days, and his comment last night suggested he would be around at least until the weekend. Maybe Charlie would have a suggestion for next time. Harry laughed aloud as he realized his thought process had led to him believing he would have another encounter with a dragon. Though knowing his luck, it was more than likely. Maybe next time it would be 2. Eventually he moved on to his runes textbook.
Time seemed to pass fairly quickly, and soon Harry looked up to see the door to the great hall swing open. The first few people to walk in were familiar faces, and Harry almost smiled to see Draco and his goons. Draco sported a bandage over his nose, Goyle had a brace around his chest, and Nott had a cast on his right arm. Harry frowned about the cast. He couldn't remember hitting Nott on the arm, certainly not hard enough to him to break it.
"Potter," Draco snarled, heading straight for him.
"Nott, I didn't break your arm," Harry stated. "You fall down or something?"
"Yeah," Nott said, although he wouldn't meet Harry's eyes. Harry rolled his eyes. It really didn't matter to him. If he didn't break it, he couldn't care less.
"What the hell was that yesterday?" Draco demanded.
"I thought it was pretty clear," Harry said. He turned back to his letters but he heard Draco draw his wand and he prepared to dive out of the way.
"Draw your wand on a student who isn't looking!" Harry heard someone yell, and he looked up as Draco flew back. Cedric stood in the entrance to the great hall, Jason next to him with his wand out. Crabbe reached for his wand but Jason pointed his wand at him. "Don't even think about it. Pick up your fearless leader and slither back over to that cesspool you call a table. The three standing Slytherin hurried away after picking up Draco and Jason plopped down across Harry as Cedric sat next to him. "Harry, you shouldn't be so careless." Harry smiled and opened his right hand showing his wand hidden in his palm
"The second he said a word he'd be regretting it," Harry said. "Nevertheless, thanks for the help."
"Eh, any excuse to stun that moron is more than appreciated," Jason said. Cedric and Harry looked at each other, and then started laughing. "Something funny about that?"
"No, sorry," Harry said. "I think I said something very similar yesterday."
"You were the one who gave him that nasty nose?" Jason asked. Harry nodded. "Well done," Jason said. "What did you do?"
"Pretty sure I broke it with a backhand," Harry said. "No, was a palm strike, not a backhand. I got Goyle side of the head with the backhand."
"Harry, I know you kicked my ass when we fought but Fleur told us you took down four guys in a few seconds, all who had their wands out and then you literally broke a guy's face," Cedric said. "I think your skills are cool, but combine all of that and your actions two nights ago, and you seem to be getting pretty vicious."
"Draco and co might have really hurt Susan," Harry said. "What would you have done? If you have the power to do something, and other people get hurt, then it's kind of your fault. I can stop it. So I did. Besides, it was bullying, and you know what I do to bullies. I have a no tolerance policy."
"Yeah, I heard all about that craziness," Jason added. "Who was being bullied?"
"It was me," Luna said, sitting down on the other side of Harry, looking at Jason. "Hello Cedric," Luna said, looking across Harry. "I see you have a nasty case of Wrackspurts. If you like, I can try and get rid of them for you."
"It's Luna, right?" Cedric asked. Luna nodded. Someone plopped down next to Jason and Harry saw Krum nod at him. Harry was a little surprised. Krum had sat at the Slytherin table every previous meal to his recollection. "Hey Krum. New table?"
"Those four have been trying to talk to me every meal," Krum said, jerking his head over the table at the Slytherins. "After yesterday I don't think I could be civil, and I figured that fighting in the great hall would be frowned upon. The hall slowly filled up and Harry's surprise grew as he saw Charlie sitting next to Dumbledore and Professor . The biggest surprise was when Fleur walked right past the Ravenclaw table and sat down next to Luna, who was happy to explain all about Wrackspurts as well as Nargels, a creature that hid in mistletoe.
Slowly the table started to fill up with the normal Gryffindors but none of the surprise dinner guests showed any sign of moving as food began to circulate the table.
"Mr. Diggory," Harry heard from behind him as dinner was winding down. Although he had skipped most of his classes and had not been bothered since that first day, of course Severus Snape was on hand to ruin his day. "Might I ask what you are doing at the table?"
"Eating," Cedric said.
"Perhaps you would be more comfortable sitting with your housemates," Snape said, a sneer on his face.
"Nah, I think we are good here," Jason added.
"It was not a request," Snape said, the sneer turning into a frown.
"There is actually no rule against people eating at another houses table," Hermione said. Snape turned to her his eyes blazing. Cedric was sitting next to Hermione and he nudged her out of the way so Snape's burning gaze bore into the 6th year seeker instead.
"We will revisit this another time," Snape said. "Mr. Potter, if you could come with me?"
"Why?" Neville asked. "Harry was going to come back and help with homework. What do you need him for?" Harry put a hand across Neville's chest as he rose.
"It's ok Nev. I'm guessing this is about the fight in Ravenclaw. I hope it's just detentions," Harry said with a forced smile.
"Well, I hope the first task was exciting to you all," Dumbledore said, rising and silencing the hall. "Dragons were certainly exciting to me!" The twinkle was evident as he looked towards Harry and Cedric. "Unfortunately we could not give Mr. Potter a score at the time, but the judges have conferred, and after his impressive display and knowledge of dragons, Harry will be awarded 47 out of 50 points." The Gryffindor table exploded in cheers and although Harry was sure he about to be led off and given more detention than he had ever been given before, he couldn't keep a smile off his face.
"Smashing!" Dean said, giving Harry a hi-five.
"That puts Mr. Potter in first place, while Mr. Diggory is 2nd, with Mr. Krum and Ms. Delacour right behind him in that order," Dumbledore continued. "We noticed with the students that there was increased interest in the creatures known as dragons from the tournament. Dragons are fascinating creatures, and while our resident care of magical creatures professor, Hagrid knows some things about them, after discussion, we have decided to expand our knowledge of the creatures."
"No way!" Fred and George said in concert, looking at each other.
"What?" Neville asked.
"We will be offering an optional weekend seminar on dragons, taught by an expert who has agreed to stay on our staff for a few months. Many of you know him, as he was the ex-seeker of the Gryffindor house." The hall seemed to hold its breath. "I hope you will give a warm Hogwarts welcome to Professor Charlie Weasley!" Charlie rose and gave a small wave and the Gryffindor table broke into even louder cheers. "More information about his class will be given out this weekend, when he will hold the first class."
"Come along Potter," Snape said, grabbing him on the arm and hauling him out of the hall. Harry shook his arm loose with a glare and followed Snape towards the potion classroom.
"Professor Snape." Harry turned and saw his grandmother right behind him. "Might I ask where you are taking Mr. Potter?"
"We are going to my office to discuss his punishment for his acts in the Ravenclaw common room a few nights ago, as well as his assault on my students" Snape said, his voice harsh and grating like nails on a chalkboard.
"I believe the headmaster said that we would all gather in his office to discuss the issue, since it did seem to be an important issue," Professor McGonagall said. Snape sneered, but McGonagall took Harry and gently led him to the gargoyle that led to Dumbledore's office. "Professor, why don't you go ahead? Mr. Potter and I will be in soon." Another sneer was on his face, but Snape turned to the Gargoyle without a word.
"Chocolate frogs." The Gargoyle swung open, and Snape walked into the headmaster's office.
"Now, Harry," his grandmother said. Then she gave him a tight hug. "I just wanted to say I'm proud of you for the dragon. I heard you helped Professor Hayashi subdue it."
"Thanks, Grandma Minnie," Harry said.
"But the accusations Severus has brought against you are serious. There is also the injuring of 5 students in the common room is no small thing. Filius may be able to help if it true that bullying was involved, but you still should not have attacked them."
"I know," Harry said. "I'll take any punishment related to it."
"I won't be able to say much against it," McGonagall said. "It would go against my reputation as a disciplinarian, though I'll try and convince Dumbledore to give some of the detentions to me so we can study for the next task." Harry nodded. "What I don't understand is what possessed you to attack 4 Slytherin students and a Beauxbatons student without provocation. Your aggression is starting to worry me and your brother."
"Without provocation?" Harry sputtered. "That's what those snakes said? Unbelievable!"
"Draco and the French boy were not telling the truth?" McGonagall asked.
"They were attacking the French champion!" Harry declared, his face flushed. "Susan was there too. You can ask her."
"Susan Bones?" Harry nodded. "Wait here. Don't go into Dumbledore's office until I get back, even if Akira gets here." His grandmother walked away, and Harry leaned against a banister, closing his eyes a little. Soon he heard footsteps, accompanied by the sound of wood striking the floor. He saw Professor Moody heading towards him.
"Potter. Heard you have been on a bit of a rampage."
"Might seem like it," Harry said.
"Well, up into Dumbledore's office," Moody said, his wooden leg clacking along with his staff. Harry stood still, and Moody whirled to face him. "You coming, Potter?"
"In a bit," Harry said.
"I've got stuff to do tonight," Moody snapped, taking a drink from his flask. "Let's get this over with."
"I'm waiting for someone," Harry said.
"We are all waiting for you," Moody said. "So come one!"
"Professor Moody!" Harry smiled in relief as Akira appeared at the end of the corner. "I didn't know you were called in for this meeting."
"Not by choice," Moody snapped. "I hear you are doing a decent job with my class."
"I try," Akira said with a sideways smile at Harry. He would have more than one ally in this meeting. "Let's head up into the headmaster's office. I'm sure he'll have a few words for us before Harry comes in." He guided Alastor past the gargoyle, leaving Harry alone on the stairs. It was quit for a few minutes, and Harry closed his eyes again to do some self reflection.
It had been stupid to attack the Ravenclaw students, but it had been a reaction and not a conscious thought. He didn't know Luna, even if she seemed interesting in their first interactions. He wanted to know more about Wrackspurts and Nargles, while Fleur and especially Krum seemed fascinated in the creatures at dinner tonight. Harry didn't know what would come of his actions, but he knew that if he had the power to stop the bullying and he didn't, it would eat him up.
The actions against the Slytherins he didn't regret in the slightest. Breaking the jaw of the French boy was unintentional, but very satisfying. Regardless of whether or not his actions were justified, Harry realized McGonagall was right. He tended to clench his fists or reach for his wand first and try and talk after he put his enemies down. Harry didn't know if that was really a part of himself he could, or even wanted to change. But it was something to think about.
"Harry!" Susan called, running down the corridor towards him. "Professor McGonagall said that Draco and the other Slytherins are saying you attacked them unprovoked?" McGonagall was right behind her with Fleur in tow. "That's ridiculous."
"Ms. Delacour was willing to add to your defense," his grandmother said. "Let's head into Dumbledore's office. This should be more than enough to give Draco and his crew some form of punishment."
"Madame Maxime was quite upset you broke Maxwell's jaw," Fleur said right before they headed in. "I thought it was, how do you say it Susan, brilliant?"
"Something like that," Susan said. All four walked in to Dumbledore's office, which had the two Defense against the Dark Arts teachers, the 3 other heads of house, Madame Maxine, and of course the headmaster of Hogwarts. Dumbledore looked a little surprised when he saw the two students accompanying Harry.
"Why is there need of an audience?" Snape asked. "Isn't it clear what Mr. Potter has done?"
"Apparently not," McGonagall said. "Ms. Bones and Ms. Delacour seemed to have a different recollection of the events last evening. Ms. Delacour?"
"Susan and I were talking about the task outside," Fleur said, "when Maxwell and the four other students came out. He insulted me, and then he and the other students attacked me. The spells they used were dangerous. Maxwell used a cutting spell, and two of the four Hogwarts students threw dangerous spells as well. If Harry had not come when he did, they could have killed me." Susan nodded in agreement.
"How dare they!" Maxime said. "Fleur, why did you not tell me this? I will send Maxwell home immediately! Dumbledore, you must punish your students as well!"
"How do we know that she isn't lying to protect Mr. Potter?" Professor Sprout the herbology professor and head of Hufflepuff house asked. "We only have her word and it seems that the champions seem to have become friends in the face of common danger."
"Yes, we will speak more about the closeness of the champions later but it does seem that the only thing we know is that Mr. Potter put multiple students in the hospital ward," Snape snapped. McGonagall looked around but no other professor said anything.
"Harry didn't lie," Susan said.
"Excuse me, but I will be willing to submit to legilimency or submit my memory to a pensieve if you have one. I understand they are quite rare," Fleur said, breaking the sulence
"Legilimency would solve the issue," Dumbledore said.
"You will do no such thing!" the French Headmistress claimed. "Legilimency is no way to find evidence."
"You are correct," Dumbledore said. "If used improperly legilimency could cause serious damage." He stroked his beard as his eyes bore into Fleur. "as it so happens, I do happen to have a pensieve. Ms. Delacour, how is it you know about such a rare device?"
"My father was head of the French aurors," Fleur said. Harry looked at her curiously. "He instructed me on many magical devises as a child."
"If you would be so good as to provide your memory?" Dumbledore asked. Fleur nodded and brought her wand to her temple. Harry was about to move forward but McGonagall grabbed him. A look of concentration crossed Fleur's face, but then a silver wisp emerged from her head. Dumbledore gestured and a rocky bowl with no bottom appeared on his desk. Harry watched in fascination as Fleur placed her wand on the object, and the hole in the center of the object seemed to ripple with a watery substance appearing.
"There," Fleur said.
"Madamxe Maxim, Severus, Minerva, this concerns your students," Dumbledore said. "Would you like to join me?" The two professors and two headmasters all hung their heads over the bowl and then went silent and motionless.
"What is going on?" Susan asked.
"I provided a memory of the attack, and now the professors can view my memory," Fleur said.
"We are lucky Dumbledore has a pensieve," Akira said. "By my understanding the knowledge of how to construct them has been lost. Most have been lost. I wonder how Dumbledore got this one."
"I believe it was given to him by the Flammels years ago," the diminutive professor Flitwick said. Harry knew he would need Flitwick's support, since it was members of his house Harry had attacked in the other instance.
All four people yanked their heads up at once. Snape's sneer was gone, while McGonagall bore a smile. Dumbledore's eyes had a small twinkle, and Madame Maxime was clearly furious. She walked over to Fleur and whispered something in her ear. Fleur nodded, and the two French witches walked out of the office.
"It would seem Ms. Delacour and Ms. Bones were correct," Dumbledore said. "Severus, the conduct of your students was quite concerning."
"They are my students, so I will discipline them personally," Severus said. "Now to the matter of the Ravenclaws."
"Severus," Dumbledore said, the humor gone from his voice. "The only thing you should be doing is going back to your house and dealing with the four people we just saw. Their behaviour was beyond the pale. I do not believe your presence is required for the second matter."
"But-"
"That will be all, Severus." Dumbledore pointed at the door. Severus stared daggers at Harry, who chose to ignore him. The potions professor whirled and walked out the door, cloak billowing behind him. "Professor Sprout, perhaps you could escort Ms. Bones back to the dorm. Alastor, I would appreciate it if you could speak to Maxime and figure out what her recommendations are, and to pass them along to Severus. Professr Hayashi, please go with Severus to make sure the punishments are fair." Soon the office was clear, and only his grandmother, Professor Flitwick, and the headmaster were with Harry.
"Mr. Potter, after a display like that, I think that awarding you 25 points is the only fair response," McGonagall said.
"Yes, but it did seem like your final blow was excessive," Dumbledore said, a twinkle in his eye. "In the future, please try and avoid tricking someone into attacking them so that you can counter them. As for Slytherin, attacking a guest is quite a serious offense. I think taking 25 points from each of them would be a fair response. I suspect Severus might not agree, but I will be quite firm in that regard." Harry nodded. Dumbledore had just ensured Slytherin would be harshly punished and that he would not even get a detention. All the frustration Harry had towards the elderly wizard abated. Dumbledore was still in his corner, which was something Harry didn't even realize he missed until the moment he knew he had not lost it.
"All of that seems fair," Professor McGonagall said.
"Now, we must turn to an event in which there is no disputing. Your attack in the Ravenclaw dormitory 2 nights hence," Dumbledore said.
"Headmaster, it is only fair I know who accused me," Harry said.
"I do not think I can do that," Dumbledore said.
"I can," Professor Flitwick said. "Although I understand you threatened my students if they came forward, in fact it was Miss Lovegood who came to me."
"What?" Harry was poleaxed.
"Yes, but she would still like to be your friend," Flitwick said with a smile. "She did not come forward to accuse you, but rather to try and plead for me to lessen your sentence. When she realized that I did not know she was devastated. I hope that you will not cut her off as a result of this. She has had a hard childhood and I think that with the right support she could become a brilliant witch."
"Of course I won't cut her off," Harry said, incredibly relieved. When Flitwick had told him Luna had told on him, Harry had been worried. Although he had known her for less than a week, he sensed something unusual with Luna, and genuinely wanted to know more about her. It looked that while she did not know a lot about the world, she had no issue accepting his aid. There was something about her that made her feel like a kindred spirit. "Though to be honest, I don't know what a Wrackspurt is. Maybe I'll look it up after I'm done serving detentions."
"Harry, I need you to be honest," Dumbledore said. "Is there really a bullying problem in Ravenclaw?"
"Problem, professor?" Dumbledore nodded. "I don't know. I wouldn't want to generalize about the whole house." Flitwick nodded happily. "But Luna was being bullied, and rather viciously. She was not allowed in the common room without being teased. The nicknames were far from nice either, and it seemed she got them from everyone. I'm 100% it is worse, but I'm not sure how bad. They are stealing her stuff too. It's a problem with Luna, and in my experience bullies don't usually stick to one victim."
"Dumbledore, that sounds serious enough to require intervention," Flitwick admitted. "If anything, I should be thanking for Harry for exposing this problem. But we cannot condone violence."
"Might I propose a solution?" Dumbledore said. "Harry, you will lose the 25 points you gained before and spend an unspecified amount of time in detention with Professor Flitwick. Specifically, you can do some research around your Patronus charm, perhaps with the people you have been teaching?" Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. "I understand you undertook the burden of teaching you fellow students."
"Yeah, Akira suggested it would be a good way to expand my social circle," Harry said.
"Curious, isn't it?" Dumbledore said. "A year where you are once again embroiled in controversy, yet you seem to have more friends than ever, even friends who have only known you a few months. Harry, you never cease to amaze me."
"Mr. Potter, I will go deal with the bullies, and see what is going on. I will expect you at my office tomorrow after dinner. Could you provide me with a list of people who you have been teaching tomorrow in class? Feel free to invite anyone you want, and we will exclude the rest. I will retain discretion to add a few myself."
"Of course," Harry said, nodding respectfully at the half goblin professor as he left the room.
"Before you go," Dumbledore said, "Our new professor has something to say." Charlie walked into the room, patting Harry on the back.
"Harry, I looked into the first task with the other senior handler. Someone had tampered with the chain we had the dragon tied to."
"Yeah, I'm not surprised."
"Well, that wasn't all. Someone had slipped an aggression pill into its food. Thank god for Professor Hayashi. Normal methods would not have been able to contain it with that level of aggression," Charlie explained. "Harry, someone is trying to make sure you don't survive this tournament."
"Oh, I know," Harry said. He said it with such a relaxed tone that all three remaining teachers were startled. "I'm not sure who but…" He trailed off, unsure if he should share his growing suspicion.
"Harry?" Dumbledore asked. Harry sighed, but after Dumbledore's clever manoeuvring to get him out of serious trouble, he suspected he could trust the headmaster again.
"Well, after the first DADA class, someone has been trying to break my mental shield. Snape tried it the first day with passive legilimency and let's just say it didn't work out well for him. But this attack isn't as powerful as an active attack. It's weird too. Sometimes it happens when I am alone, or with other students. It's a sharp stabbing pain, but it feels like legilimency even if it isn't. Sir, only one person has ever tried to break into my mind before."
"What's he talking about?" Charlie asked.
"Charlie, the only person who has made my head like this was Professor Quirrell, and he was possessed by Voldemort at the time." Charlie was the only one who inhaled sharply at the name. "If he is the one who got me into the tournament, it suggests he has some kind of control on someone here."
"I'll look into Barty Crouch," McGonagall said. "Charlie, can you investigate Ludo Bagman?"
"Easy," Charlie said. "But there are four other suspects."
"What do you mean?" Dumbledore asked.
"Headmaster, you hired two new professors this year."
"Akira is above suspicion, and Alastor put away more death eaters than the rest of his department," McGonagall refuted hotly. Charlie looked suspicious, but he held his hands up in surrender.
"Fine. However, I would keep an eye on Headmaster Karakoff and Madame Maxime." Charlie said.
"I will keep an eye on them," Dumbledore said. "Though I am sure they have nothing to do with it."
"Well, I guess I better go design a curriculum," Charlie said with a laugh. "Never thought I'd say that."
"I'll fund any books you need," Dumbledore said to Charlie as he departed. "One last thing before you leave with, Minnie, is it?" Harry glanced at his grandmother, who shook her head. "Oh, secrets have a way of getting into my hands. Don't worry, I have no interest in sharing that secret. I just wanted to confirm it myself." Dumbledore waved his wand and Harry saw the faint blue glow around him and his transfiguration professor. "Fascinating. I had no idea that Lily was adopted."
"None of us did," McGonagall said. "Now we should get Harry back to his common room." Dumbledore nodded, although Harry could tell his thoughts were elsewhere. McGonagall led Harry out of the common room and gave him a quick hug before sending him on his way.