A big MEA CULPA. I m sorry for the lack of author's notes on the last chapter. I having trouble with my spell checker/editor. I posted it in error but then couldn't do anything with it anyway so reposted it- again Sorry for the errors. Please not still having issues with it.
Thank you to sfjoellen - wonderful suggestion - you will see that used soon.
Thank you to daithi4377 and to retired10. Your input keeps me typing.
I keep vacillating whether this should be rated M or not. I don't plan on being any more explicit than I have been. As a writer I would rather leave things up to your imagination, rather than spell them out in detail. Let me know what you folks think.
A shout out to Jimi Hendrix and "purple haze," also not owned by me. Thanks for your music Jimi.
An apology to Mr. Beta - because of aforementioned issues - he didn't get a crack to fix my typos - so all my fault. (Blaming the pc is useless. I'm the guy pushing the buttons).
Finally, I haven't done this recently and will once more review the rules - to be on the safe side however- I DO NOT OWN IN WHOLE OR IN PART ANY PART OF HARRY POTTER FRANCHISE; IT'S CHARACTERS MEMORABILIA, OR BUSINESSES.
That should be fairly clear.
thanx B.
He couldn't even hold his toast down. The pumpkin juice just made his stomach burn more. The girls put on a brave front. "Champions. Come with me please." To everyone else McGonagall said, " The first event will begin in 30 minutes time. Please make your way to the quidditch pitch."
All of the champions were tight lipped. It was no comfort but even Krum looked as nervous as he felt. None of the four chosen spoke. The rest of the students had enough sense to keep away. It was almost eerily silent as they approached the tent for the champions.
One lady garishly dressed with big glasses an a large green quill, broke the silence. "You look scared Lord Potter. Are you still happy you cheated your way into the tournament?" Her photographer, introduced as Bebop, Bodo, or Bozo or something like that, kept snapping picture after picture.
"Wha..? I didn't ... Why are you bothering me and not anyone else?
It didn't take too long before Bagman kicked her out. Harry was almost certain he didn't say anything wrong.
The four girls and Neville waited before going over to the pitch. After a few minutes a tall blonde guy in Ravenclaw colors approached them. "May your enemies die at your hand Bloodbringer."
"May their gold flow into your coffers Lord Longbottom. I had hoped to fool you for at least a minute."
Neville smiled, "Anyone other than us would have been. I'm glad you could make it to the first event."
"Lord Ragnok was kind enough to allow me to attend. I will have to share my memory of this with him."
Luna, being Luna couldn't wait. With a squeal of happiness, she ran over and hugged and kissed the Ravenclaw. Who actually managed to blush. A few passing students looked on surprise. Everyone, even the other schools knew who Lord Potter and his ladies were. The Goblin whispered not unkindly, "I told you before Lady Luna, goblins do not hug and kiss."
"I heard," she replied in her sing songy voice, "but you are family. And in our family we hug and kiss!" She punctuated it with another peck to his cheek.
"Especially Luna," the 3 girls said almost in stereo.
It was pretty quiet in the tent. With the exception of the instructions none of the champions felt like talking. They drew for the order and for the animal they were to face. True to his luck, Harry drew the fourth spot and the meanest of the dragons.
He saw Fleur wince when she looked at the miniature of his dragon. Even the little toy was aggressive and tried to nip him. He managed to smile and wish all of his opponents "good luck," as they left the tent. It was not really comfortable listening to the roars, screams and even the applause made him nervous. That only meant that he was just a little closer to having to go out there.
"There are four dragons, a Swedish Short-snout, a Common Welsh Green, A Chinese Fireball, and a Hungarian Horntail," Neville told the hidden goblin.
"Which one do you think Lord Potter will get?"
"Oh, it will be the Horntail," Hermione said. She hadn't said much that day. When she said that it was almost a curse.
"You sound certain of that, I was informed this was to be a random draw."
"Of course it is," Neville said with a chuckle. "But this is Harry. And with Harry you can always expect the fiercest enemy and the worst possible positioning."
"So that means..."
"That means my Harry will go last and will get the meanest dragon." She said it very matter of factly.
"Did you see this Lady Luna?"
"Oh no. We just know our Harry."
After an hour plus, the applause sounded and Harry heard his name called. After a deep breath he stepped into the light and waited for a moment for his eyes to adjust. The dragon eyed him, and he moved slowly forward and stopped when both eyes fixed on him. The susurrus of conversations were at a minimum, while everyone wondered what the youngest of the competitors was going to do.
He held up both hands, and showed her he was unarmed. "I'm not going to hurt you," he said in parseltongue.
The dragon growled, "You are but a child. A youngling. Go away and leave me and my clutch alone."
He breathed a bit easier, at least he got her talking. "One of those in with your clutch is not a dragon egg. It is instead man made. It is what I seek. I promise I mean no harm to you are your babies."
"Silly human. Do you think we dragonkind are stupid?" Her voice was deeper, more menacing. "It is gold. Did your elders not tell you? We line our nests with gold and jewels. The brightness entertains our young. Your kind knows nothing. I was ripped from my home and finally given some gold. I'll not give it up just because you ask."
"I need it."
"Then take it, if you dare." This was said at such a volume that a few of the first years were frightened at the accompanying roar.
"Fine. If I must, but remember this dragon. I did ask you."
"Bold child, foolish child." She punctuated the remark with a burst of flame.
Harry danced back, wary. Wanting to see the distance of her flame. "So much for plan A. Hermione did warn me she was liable to be too cranky for that. Let's flow into to plan B."
"Lady dragon. I am sorry to have bothered you. Let me at least gift you with a meal."
"I heard the others used your puny magics to make rocks into animals. That is disgusting."
"I agree. Let me show you." Finally pulling his wand he pointed to the tent. "Accio sheep."
They were just a few feet away. Harry had Dobby purchase 25 sheep earlier in the week just for this purpose. Each sheep was numbered, and Harry quickly forced the first five near the dragon. "Check them anyway you want. I don't know if you have magic or not but they are real sheep."
The crowd was getting antsy. The other competitors by this time had cast spells and were running for their lives. Now they saw Harry Potter sitting on the ground, first summoning and then levitating the sheep closer to the dragon. They appeared to be jumping into her mouth Harry though about transfiguring a fence for them to "leap over". She was hesitant at first, then went quicker. By the twelfth sheep she was unconcerned. The human hadn't made a move towards her. She told him how hungry she was. They had increased the number of dragons, but no one allocated more food for them. So all four dragons were cranky from short rations. He seemed content to levitate sheep. By sheep number 12 he would levitate it directly into her mouth.
Every so often she would growl at him and tell him he was still not getting her gold.
At sheep number 15 When her pupils got huge and her tongue began to hang out of her mouth, Harry signaled Neville who set up some speakers unseen by the dragon. Casting a charm on the wireless, he turned it up full blast so the music was heard by everyone.
The she dragon tried to pay attention, really she did. Her belly was so full and she was so comfortable. The human sat and didn't move except to feed her even more sheep. She felt strange, she wasn't hungry but she felt like eating anyway, (the munchies). The strange sounds improving her experience as she thought she could see the music as a multicolored wave eddying to and fro.
Harry would just nod and answer, "That's fine." He conjured an eddying purple haze-cloud behind him.
She then heard a human singing about kissing the sky and someone 'putting a spell on him,' She could almost visualize this happening in the swirling smoke behind the young human. Soon it was to hard to keep her head up she fell over on her side and began to laugh. Strangely enough, it sounded almost like a human laugh. "That is the best sheep I have ever had human. Such a great gift. Not only can I see the purple haze the magician sang of, I can taste it as well."
"Get some sleep. Jimi sends his best. When you wake up remember that I did ask you nicely."
He was answered with a dragon snore. Standing, he calmly walked to the clutch and took the golden egg. Before he walked out he cast one final spell. "Accio sheep number 25."
The last sheep with a huge pink bow around it, also had a sign on ether side. "A gift for the goat molester."
The twins invited everyone to Gryffindor for a party. "I don't think Harry or Neville will show up." Hermione answered. Except for you two and Ginny, no one has bothered to try to talk to them. No one has apologized. You didn't think that Harry was unaware of the things that were said, do you?"
Luna took over, the girls were very protective of Harry. "We all love you three. I know Neville feels the same way. But you may want to talk to the other lions, if they are supposed to be family. Then they are near as bad as the Dursley's in Harry's eyes."
Daphne, The ice princess, moved between the two red heads and took their hands and held them in hers. "But you grab Ginny and come to see us. We're going to have a pizza party!"
"Sounds great!"
"One question."
"What's a pizza?"
"Then Dumbles cancelled the sonorous so that no one except the competitors could hear. Long story made short, he said since I didn't challenge the dragon, and I poisoned her, I didn't deserve but minimum points. And Karkarov was quick to agree with him."
"So Cedric is first, followed by Krum and then Delacour and then you."
"Yeah, with 26 points. Since I didn't enter this contest willingly, I'm okay with that."
"But your headmaster acted without honor. He is an embarrassment to all of you." The goblin still in guise of a ravenclaw 7th year, could not get enough of the pizza. The kids were quick to determine what he liked and didn't like, and the rest of his race in general. The goblins are omnivores but preferred meat. Any kind. He absolutely flipped for the butterscotch and basilisk pizza. They made him a second after the elves and him devoured the first so quickly, they even added anchovies to the second one which he liked even better.
Business talk waited until the twins and Ginny left. "You say muggles have this pizza?"
"Almost everywhere in the world. It's a favorite."
"I can see why. Why do you show me this?"
Harry let the rest of them do the talking. Hermione already had a rough draft of their business proposal. Neville and the other girls had spoken about businesses that would work well with the pizza. Neville answered, "Cutting right to the chase. You know our finances, you know we can do this without a loan or anything." Seeing Bloodbringer nod he continued. "We are looking for a partner in this."
"Indeed. Why?"
"Several reasons," Hermione took over. "One, you know the paperwork required by the ministry for a business to operate. Two, based on your reaction to the pizza. We want to market this to goblins as well. There are a host of others as well, but..."
Harry butted in, "The bottom line is the bottom line. If you partner with us, when you make gold,"
"We make gold," all of the kids said including Dobby.
Bloodbringer did take note of the elves. They did most of the work making the pizza, but everyone pitched in as well. They sat as equals with the humans and were free to join in the conversation or not. The male elf spoke more then the 2 females, but they were listened to just as much as either of the two lords there. Bloodbringer saw the three redheaded humans eyebrows raised as the elves sat in, but they got used to the elves quickly. "I will need to leave and report to my lord soon. He will be expecting me. Is there anything else?"
"Well since you mentioned it" the female named Daphne answered, "Yes Lady Greengrass?"
"Please Bloodbringer. Luna already told you we're family. We save that for occasions that require it."
"I'm sorry Daphne. This is new to me. It has been a long time since a goblin has been considered kin to a wizard."
"Too late to back out now, no matter what your decision is on the business," Trace added. "We have that basilisk we need to sell. Obviously we will keep a lot for pizza under a preservation spell. Then there's the selling of the individual parts. None of us have any background in that."
"I had heard about that, we heard rumors of Lord Po... Harry killing it. But just rumors and humans aren't always the most honest of creatures. Tell me Harry, how big was it?"
Normally Harry was reticent about this kind of thing. But the girls were right. This was family. "I don't know. Fifty, sixty feet?"
"Harry, the largest recorded Basilisk was 32 feet long."
"Oh no, this is much larger than that. My arms outstretched now is about the width of it. And it is still taller than I am. To be honest, I spent a good amount of the time running from it. And then afterwards I had Riddle to contend with. But I would take an oath that it is at least fifty feet in length."
"When we have more time I would like to see your memory of your adventures." Changing gears he said, "So we are looking a two pizza places, one in Hogsmeade and one in Diagon alley. A skating facility combined into the hogsmeade with various muggle games. Special floo windows marketed through the pizza places at shoulder height to allow pizza deliveries and facilitate ordering without kneeling on the floor, and basilisk rendering. Have I missed anything?"
Hermione asked, "The muggles have laws that trademark devices, logos etc and copyright laws to prevent people from stealing recipes and books and things. Is there anything in the magical world for that?"
"Not today. But that will be a priority. The hardest part will be to get the Wizengamot to vote on these, but we have some influence there as well. I must be leaving before curfew hits here and your headmaster detects me."
In her special voice Luna said, "you can't go yet." She had the look of a predator. The other girls caught the scent as well. It was another two minutes before he had been kissed and hugged enough to let him leave. He wondered why the humans hadn't tried this before. There was no goblin alive that could stand up to the hugs and kisses of pretty girls.
"They're going to ruin magical society. They are all blood traitors and need to be dealt with," The older voice said.
A young feminine voice suggested, "They are all supposed to be powerful."
He snorted in contempt, "Rumors. They hide behind rumors and bluff. Anyone who faces them would soon see the level of power they have has been exaggerated. Besides they will never even see you, let alone face you. This is what I want the two of you to practice. Get it right and you will be rewarded. I will let you know when and where to attack."
In another part of the same dank dungeon. "Malfoy's father has expressly forbidden Draco from attacking anyone of them. Besides, he has always burst into them without any cunning what so ever. We are going to brew a potion and when the time is right all we will have to do is throw it at Potter, he won't even see us. Problem solved and we will be rewarded for doing the dark lord's will."
Two of the four followed, they just did whatever anyone told them to go. One girl in the groups curled her hair around her fingers incessantly and her nasally voice whined with every word. But now was not the time, she had already been punished for asking, "why."
It had been a good week. The ball was coming soon and the girls especially were looking forward to it. The Longbottom's-Davis'-Greengrass' were planning on finalizing details over the holidays. It was something all three families and especially the three in question were looking forward to.
It was one of the few times when Harry had been alone. He followed behind the other triad, not excluded, he knew he was family. But they needed their time together just as the girls and he had earlier. Luna was in class with the greasy bat and Hermione was finishing up a meeting with transfiguration professor. He almost felt guilty for missing the class, but all five of them were the top of the year and could test out for OWLs right this second.
They were near the entrance where the grand staircase over looked the entranceway that had another four exits besides the stairs. At meal times this was the busiest place right now though it was sparsely populated.
Both he and Neville routinely had their magic extended in all directions, but this time the people were hidden in alcoves and had been too close to sense their spell and someone near the grand staircase would be a routine occurrence anyway.
"Look out!" Harry cried pushing the three away with his hands and body getting them out of the path of the two mini fireballs coming. No one saw the liquid being thrown down at the exact same moment. The fireballs missed their intended victims, unfortunately the liquid hit its victim as well as the fire.
As soon as they had been shoved, the three put up shields. It was a good thing they had. The mini fireballs were fed with the potion and the entranceway exploded sending them flying a dozen feet down the corridor.
In two separate locations both several hundred feet from the explosion two girls Screamed "Harry!"
It was almost time for the class to end. Snape was still an ass. More so towards her because of her association. But she was able to deflect most of his ire with her dreamy gaze and fanciful expressions. Very few realized that when she was talking about Blibbering Humdingers being particularly powerful, she was referring to people like Snape who was being an even bigger ass the normal. At this point in time, there was no brewing performed, it was all lecture. So Snape could not blame Luna for making an error. She screamed Harry's name and every eye in the room, saw her skin blister, some of her hair burn away as if on fire. Her alabaster skin was suddenly burnt red with blisters.
Hermione had been happy. She had just been discussing their plans for the ball. It had been a little bit of an argument for the three of them to go together. It was Hermione's argument that finally had resolved it in their favor. "If magic has determined the three of us need to be together, who at the school or ministry is wise enough to contend with it?"
Once Minerva saw it from that perspective she bought into it whole cloth. She hadn't been so much against the idea, it was just another place at the table really, but she needed to present a reasonable argument for Dumbledore and the minister who she was certain to comment through one of his growing number of toadies.
The girls who a moment ago had a smile as the bright as the morning now had tears. Minerva saw her skin turn red and and smelled the awful acrid odor of burnt hair as she screamed her love's name.
Neville was scared, and furious. The conflagration brought people running. But they stopped when they saw Neville flanked by his ladies. All three of the had an aura that was visible. He was angry over the attack and scared that his brother might be dead. He stood watch while the girls quickly checked their savior. "He lives, but just barely.
"Hogwarts! Give me an elf!" He commanded.
The students looked at the carnage. The stairs, although stone were scarred from the blast. As well as the walls and tile floor. Several paintings were damaged beyond repair and a suit of armor lay mangled. Tracy wondered how a suit of iron could be so torn asunder while Harry still breathed.
As soon as Neville had spoken an elf appeared. "Take my Lord Potter to the hospital wing."
A snap of her fingers and Harry was gone. "Daph, Trace we need to tell Luna and Hermione."
"No need to do that Lord Longbottom." Minerva hurried up out of breath. "Lady Hermione was affected as well and I had an elf take her to Poppy already. We need to find out if Lady Luna was similarly affected."
He turned his head and silently asked Hogwarts. "Yes she was," he answered a bit distant. Then angry once more. "Damn that bat!" He looked at the professor. "When Lady Luna fell, he bound her and cast a mobilus corpus on her and had tasked some 2nd years to get her to the hospital wing. In their excitement the two got lost. She's there now though. Come ladies, we need to check on them."
The headmaster chose that moment to interrupt. Using his friendly grandfather voice he said, "I'm afraid that will be impossible. The three of you have classes. Poppy is more than able to help your three friends without you."
Once he knew the three were in the hospital wing he had calmed a tad. Now his ire flared again. "No headmaster. My place is with my brother. We will be there to ward him."
"You risk detentions and more Lord Longbottom. I could suspend or even expel anyone one of you. I am the headmaster and I will be obeyed!" Albus had let his power flare. Becoming visible for all. The student's and even Minerva unconsciously took a step back at the sight of it.
"You do your damndest old man. Your threats and your power are meaningless. Even if you could expel me, did you forget my Grandmother sits on the schoolboard? Beyond that, if anyone of the three leave then all six of us will. How will you fare once the wizarding world finds out it was Albus Dumbledore that let Harry Potter move away to France or America?"
He turned to walk away ignoring Dumbledore's silent raving. But he stopped and turned back, "Should my brother die, the person responsible will die immediately following." Since he was holding the Sword of Gryffindor, (he didn't remember calling for it), and it was glowing and pointing directly at the headmaster. The point was clear.
Neville and his ladies had a meeting with the three elves behind the privacy curtain a short time later. "I am not bluffing. We need to find out about the other schools over the holidays. But of more import, we need to ward Harry and the girls since they cannot do so themselves. Someone went through a lot of trouble to set that up."
"And it shows everything that Flitwick had been saying all along," Daph interjected. "Anyone can be brought down by anyone else if attacked at the right time in the right manner."
Dobby and Winky hadn't stopped crying since they felt their bond to their master and mistresses start to fail. "Master Nevy, Dobby and Winky cant's ask the great Harry Potter, can we punish ourselves?"
Tracy grabbed them first. "No you can't. You two did nothing wrong. I'll tell you what. When we find out who did this, you can help us take them apart."
The tears dried and sly smiles appeared. Winky answered, "That's a-okay! Dobby and Winky looking forward to bad mans punishment."
The division of labor decided the three waited until Poppy had finished her examination. "He really should go to St. Mungo's."
"Can you not treat him here?"
"I can Lord Longbottom, but there are three of them and if anyone else should need treatment, then I would be too busy to give them what they need."
"We understand, but that is not an issue. One of us will always be here to assist you. Once Harry is stable the girls next to him will help him recover."
Minerva interrupted. "Lord Longbottom. Neville. You can't keep missing classes. the headmaster has a point. Besides they are completely safe here."
"Completely safe?" His voice rose in sudden anger. "I thought Harry made his point clear our second day here, when Lady Luna was completely safe! Do you know how many times they have cheated death here? I keep hearing the safest and best school in Europe. Prove it!"
She wanted to argue with him. She knew she was going to need another bottle tonight also. But he continued. "I have just made a decision. I hope my ladies are not too angry with me. And I know I have Harry's full authorization to speak for him and his ladies; as he does for me and mine. This summer the 6 of us will be sitting for our OWLS. We will then determine our next schooling following those results."
"Owls? Even Lady Luna?"
The girls laughed, "Except for one or two classes Luna is in the top three. She keeps beating Harry and Neville in everything except defense."
Daphne took over. "What do you think we are doing there? Yeah we have a lot of fun, but all of us take our studying seriously. The bond amplifies your best traits, and since all four of us girls are what Hermione call genius level, we all excel."
"But the headmaster."
Neville cut her off. "Once more you need to remember, who has control of the wards? Who has control over every golem, every painting, every suit if armor? There are few secrets in this castle that the headmaster doesn't know. And if he was the so called 'Leader of the light', he isn't anymore."
"And that's you two?"
He snorted, "No. It should never be just one or two individuals. Bringing about a bright future is everyone's responsibility and everyone needs to play a part."
"I know you would not lie as far as your studies are concerned, but I am going to need a bit of proof anyways."
"Fine," he sighed. It was not a good day. "I trust you two to keep this in the strictest confidentiality?" Seeing them nod he asked, "Madam Pomphrey, are you done with the treatments?"
"Yes, for now. They need rest."
"Fine but they need each other also." Wandlessly, silently with either finger he pointed to the beds that Luna and Hermione lay on. Without any seeming effort the two beds rose and moved next to Harry's bed. With a snap of his fingers the three beds became one large bed. "Ladies?"
"They still need contact however, and the more skin to skin contact they have the better. Daphne and Tracey snapped their fingers and Luna and Hermione were dressed in their underwear. Each of them pointed at a girl and they floated and gently landed next to their love. It did not go unnoticed that as soon as they were able to feel Harry's broken body next to theirs a hint of a smile appeared on their face.
Minerva just stared goggle eyed at the feat the youngsters performed. Silently, wandlessly. "How... how many spells can you do like that?"
"Almost all of them. We use the wands in school because we must. We have a huge advantage. As I said, this is a secret that must not be revealed."
"But Albus has eyes in here too!"
"Not for the last hour he hasn't. We have ways of taking care of that as well."
"What is their prognosis?"
"The girls are unconscious because their partner is gravely ill. Their strength will help mend him. He is out of immediate danger. The most severe damage was to his lungs. We will know more in the morning."
"Are you going to be here all night?"
"I will have someone here. They will be unseen. But make no mistake anyone other than the matron that approaches the bed risks injury. We will be here part of the time, but it has been pointed out to me by my brain trust that an appearance at dinner time is mandatory. Otherwise someone will think they have a victory."
Minerva was in her office, hitting the bottle as she prophesied. Filus came in with his own. "Rough day Minnie." It wasn't a question.
"Tell me about it."
"Albus was furious when Lord Longbottom came in and spoke to the school."
"You're right he was. Most of the school had been downcast, horrified by the event. Did you see Slytherin? They were almost having a celebration."
"Snape was actually smiling."
She snorted, "He was until Longbottom spoke. That took the wind out of their sails."
FLASHBACK
His wand in hand, each of the girls had theirs as well. This time the trio all stood back to back. It was a silent message but one that only the blind missed. For the short term, everyone was considered an enemy. They stood silent waiting for the susurrus of conversation to die on its own. When it did, he spoke loud and clear. "Today a serious mistake was made."
A few of the more stupid snorted, but he continued, "Lord Potter and the ladies Hermione and Luna will be fine. The mistake that was made though is even now unrealized by the fools that participated in this attack."
His eyes swept back and forth, it had been a long time since the shy, introverted Neville Longbottom was seen, but some few were just now realizing just how much had changed with the young man. "My house and the House of Potter had always had a policy of forgiving trespasses against us, treating our enemies as friends once they repented. That has just gone away. Lord Potter is also the scion of House Black. We are now following the dictates of house Black."
More than just one or two individuals sudden intake of breath at that announcement was heard. For those that didn't know what that meant, they could see the fear on more than one face after the gasp.
"I have been in contact with Lord Black, Matron Longbottom, Lords Lovegood, Davis and Greengrass. Notification at the next Wizengamot will be made formally as proscribed. But nevertheless, we are not waiting for some meeting of old men and women. Our allied houses declare blood feud on those that attacked us."
That broke the silence. Dumbledore was on his feet yelling, but Neville still had the floor. He was staring at the Slytherin house. The jocularity of the table was now absent, more than one face was white in fear.
"The mistake you made was when you attacked, you left an enemy alive afterwards. Lord Potter and myself will not make that same mistake. Before you get comfortable in thinking that we will never know. I want to remind you what Harry and I have repeatedly said. We're the heirs of Godric Gryffindor. The castle itself speaks to us. It is angry over the attack and we will learn who you are."
To punctuate his remarks, the great doors opened and slammed several times, the tables, including the head table rose and fell violently.
"Enjoy your lives, what little there is left of it."
FLASHBACK END
"How did they get word to all of the heads of house so quick?"
"I imagine they used a floo or even the Hogwarts elves. They owe more allegiance to them than the headmaster. Especially if there is a divergence of ideals."
"Yeah," she said already lit by the firewhiskey. "Albus was so angry when he couldn't cast his cannon spell. Did you see Snape's face though?"
"I'll never forget it. He always says that Potter is a no talent, just barely above, squib. He face belied his tale though. He turned white with the word blood feud."
"What was the goblin's take on this?"
"Bloodbringer was beyond angry. I didn't know this until I spoke to him earlier via floo; but the kids had entered into a business arrangement with him."
"If it costs him gold then his clan at least may get involved."
"That's not the half of it. The timing couldn't be worse. Clan Gravel cannot work their shifts as tellers or as soldiers, physicians, teachers etc. Their flatulence continues. For the first time in goblin history there is not a shortage for dragon waste removal. Apparently, the dragons enjoy the sound and the smell. The whole goblin culture though has lost a third of its workforce. They can't get a hold of the Potter elves..."
"Because the elves are guarding their master."
"Did you still think this was just a simple schoolboy prank?"
"No longer. Did I tell you the six plan on testing out their owls this summer?"
"Really?"
"Even Luna. According to the Longbottom's she's ahead of Harry and Neville in a few areas. "I'll tell you in confidence Filius. I saw Longbottom do spells wandlessly and silently. Except for that group, I'm not sure anyone in the castle could have done with such verve." Her demeanor changed. "Enough of this shit. Take me to bed Filius."
"I've been waiting for you to ask."
It was not such a curious thing that every single school owl had been pressed into service, or suddenly unavailable. Many faces blanched white with the thought of Black/Potter/Longbottom/Davis/Lovegood/Greengrass alliance. Not all of those names were as powerful as others. But there were more than one type of power as the wizarding world would soon know.
More than one Durmstang family had been approached as tentative feelers went forth looking for alliance at the expected return of the dark lord. Longbottom blew those alliances right out of the water. Staying neutral in this British affair cost them nothing. Allying to some smaller houses against the house of Black? That was suicide, even in Bulgaria.
The tapping had continued unabated for 10 minutes. Eventually Emma found Hedwig at the kitchen window. "This is unusual. I didn't expect anything from the kids for another few days. Is everything alright?"
Hedwig shook her head no and once more presented her foot. Even her bark sounded urgent.
"Dan. Dan come here. Right now!"
They read and reread the letter together. Of course they knew all about the six, all of their names and what they were like. Hermione wrote most often but Luna had written letters as well. It was understood that even if Harry would write no one would be able to read his chicken scratch except the girls.
"Well Tracey said they're not in danger anyway. But I feel so helpless!"
"Do you want to go there? We can call in to the service. Tomorrow wasn't too heavy anyway. And then we would have the whole weekend."
"Hermione had told us that we couldn't go there remember? Muggles couldn't see the castle."
He shrugged, "I don't know that was her first year. Maybe something changed since then. Do you want to try?"
She thought for a moment. "Damn it! I want to be a part of my children's life. Let's try."
Dan knew she would, he called the service while she called too. "Winky!"
"What can Winky be doing for Miss Mony's parents?"
"How are the kids?"
"They still be sleeping. Dobby be guarding them now. No one will get to Winky's family."
"Thank you Winky," Dan joined the conversation. "We want to see them. Can you take us to them?"
"Winky be sorry. I can takes you to Hogywarts, but I cannot get you past wards." Her face scrunched up sad and thinking at the same time. She tugged on her ears mulling it over. A thought crossed her mind. "You be waiting! Winky has idea!"
Disappearing, it wasn't another minute before she came back. "Lord Nevy be bringing you into wards. Headmaster Goatface will not be liking this but Nevy mad at him. Lord Nevy suggesting 8:00 AM but girls yell at him. He used a lot of magic and very tired- So Winky and Dobby be here at 10:00 when Misty and Nevy guarding Lord Harry and girls."
They thanked her and hugged and kissed her cheek. She blushed as she left them and wondered why she ever thought those other people were family. Families are those that love one another.
He awoke, and thought to himself, "Maybe waking isn't really what I'm doing." He was naked and everything around him was blank. If you had to give it a color white would have to do, but that wasn't exactly right either. It just was. Now if he could figure out where he was. He remembered all of a sudden pushing Neville and the girls, not too gently either; and then pain. A lot of it.
In this barren featureless plain he called out, "Hello?"
Nothing, not even an echo. So thinking about it. He was unconcerned, at least for now. He tried again and added his own echo. "Hello lo lo lo o."
"Harry?"
"That worked?" Let's try again. "I'm here, ere ere."
"Why are you talking like that?"
Suddenly she was beside him. "My brown eyed girl.' I don't know. I was just messing around and realized I was alone without even an echo when I called out. I tried again, adding my own echo and there you were."
"Harry." Her amused smirk warmed his heart. "I'm sure that's not how it works."
"I don't know," he shrugged. "I know it worked though. By the way, you're naked."
"So are you." She smiled. It felt so good to be with him. "Where's our love?"
"I don't know. I was just going to call her." He put his special Harry Potter prank smile on. "Luna, una, una a."
She came skipping out from nowhere. Pure Luna, he was afraid that if he asked her where she was or had been, she would actually tell him. "What, aht? Why eye eye are you speaking like this iss iss?"
There are not many things more attractive than a naked girly girl skipping. None of the three were the least bit shy with their lack of clothes. As part of their bond they realized this is who they were, and they were complete. "Never mind my Luna. We were just having fun. We missed you."
"I missed you also. Catch us up Harry. What happened?"
There wasn't much to tell. They all felt his pain. It was something that was part and parcel of the bond. You not only felt the love, enjoyed the combined health, strength, but you shared in the pain. Harry no longer had to guess when it was the wrong time for the girls, he knew just from feeling their discomfort. He never really cared, if it helped them feel even a bit better, that was a good thing. This though, he was angry with himself that he brought them here. Where ever here is.
"Stop that Harry." Luna commanded.
"We can't ask you to share our pain and not expect us to share yours."
"But..."
"Shut up. she's right."
"But," A kiss from both finally stopped him.
"Besides," Luna interrupted. "We have another issue first." Pointing at, for lack of a better term was the wall. "That is not right."
Looking at it, the three saw the spot she pointed at looked like a brownish stain on the otherwise featureless "wall". The closer they got to it, the more "wrong" it felt.
"What is it?"
"Not us," Luna answered. "And if it's not us then its not good."
"Could it be one of the others?" Hermione didn't think so. None of the others felt as bad as that.
It took Harry a minute. His mouth became a thin line, suddenly firm in resolve. "I've felt that before. That's Voldemort."
"Voldemort? How did he get here? Was that part of what attacked you?"
Again he had to stop and try to remember, especially since the only thing he really remembered was pain. "I don't think so. I seem to remember a couple of small fireballs, but that doesn't answer that. I think that's always been there."
This was Luna's strength. "No Harry not always, but for a long time." She ran her hands along the "wall" and felt the entity. "No this is Voldemort and it was just as injured as Harry. Since it is weak, we can evict it from Harry. It is a leach and survives off of our Harry."
"Then it needs to be evicted."
Now this was Hermione's area. Spirit says it needs to go. Mind determines how to effect that, then heart will make it happen. The two girls spoke back and forth learning what they could. There wasn't a lot to go on. Harry provided information as needed and then let them work it out.
"Okay Harry, best guess. This is a part of Voldy probably from when you were injured as a baby. That is most likely what resides under your scar left there when you 'killed' him." She said making little quotation marks in the air. "Luna says it was hurt. This is the best time to get rid of him."
"How?"
"We will push him out."
"Just like that?"
"In effect, yes. For us it will be just like that. Pushing on the wall, while thinking of evicting him."
"What happens when we push him out? Would he be able to attack someone else? Can I assume that you two are right near me? Would he be able to attack you?"
Another quick conversation revealed it was possible. "Is it possible to kill it once it's out?"
"Lord Nevy." Dobby's anxious voice cut through his dream.
"What Dobby? Is Harry okay?"
The girls woke up beside him. They were sharing a dream of the three of them on the beach in the south of France and suddenly their lifeguard wasn't there.
"The great Harry Potter's wives ask for you. They say they need you right now."
"They're awake?" Tracey asked. "They weren't supposed to wake before tomorrow. I mean later this morning."
"They're not really awake, but they told me to get you."
Another couple of minutes later saw the three of them in the medical wing. They noise of them arriving woke Poppy. She was not the nicest in the early morning. After casting a tempus spell, "It's not 3 am what won't wait?"
"Harry said he needed us now."
"How can he even communicate. He is almost in suspension, his sleep is so deep." She was still incredulous when it came to things about Harry Potter. Some day she would learn.
"This is Harry," Daffy said. "You have no idea, what these guys are capable of."
Not really meaning to punctuate Daffy's statement, Neville did it anyway. A casual wave of one hand while not even paying attention brought every light on.
"I really don't see how Harry could want anything."
Neville sat on the edge of the bed. As soon as he did. Luna on the far side of him spoke in an even more dreamily voice than normal. "Harry needs sword."
"Okay Luna. I have the sword what do I with it? Do I give it to Harry?"
Poppy looked and indeed he held a bright shining sword. She decided to keep her mouth shut and not disbelieve anything else for awhile.
Hermione spoke in the same sleep time voice as Luna. "Harry evicting Voldmort. Kill him with the sword."
"Where is Voldemort girls. Where can I find him?"
They said together, "scar."
With the first mention of Voldemort's name both girls had wands out. If Neville hadn't lit the lamps previously, the magic he was channeling through the sword would have split the night asunder. As it was Poppy shielded her eyes.
"Girls, help me here. What do you think they are talking about? Do I prick the scar with the sword? Won't that kill Harry and then the girls? If Voldemort comes out then what will he look like, any ideas?"
"Harry told us he killed the basilisk with that sword stabbing it through the venom sack into the brain. If you even nick him with it, he could die."
"If the sword acquired the basilisk venom as its legend suggests then it would kill him. No doubt about it." Poppy tried to help.
"You forget again, this is Harry. It is probable that he is immune to basilisk venom."
"Of course he is," she thought. Once again Poppy admonished herself to "shut up." Obviously these kids knew a lot more of what was happening around here than she.
Daphne finished her original thought. "He trusts you. They trust you. We trust you. You'll know what to do when the time is right."
"Did you get through?"
"Think so. I think Nev, the girls, and Poppy there." Luna was chewing her hair as she stared at the wall getting ready for the next phase of 'Operation Cleanup'. She wondered why Hermione had to label everything.
"As soon as I mentioned the sword. It was in his hand lit up like a Christmas tree." She started chewing on her bottom lip. Harry saw her and couldn't help but kiss her. He loved the way she always did that.
He answered Luna's thought. "It's the way she thinks, she files everything like that, it helps her to remember things quicker that way. And neither of you has anything to fear. I love you the way your whether you chew on your bottom lip, or try to eat your own hair," he said pulling it out of her mouth, and kissing her soundly. "Let's get rid of this hitchhiker. I think as part of my Christmas present to you two, I think we need to bring our relationship to the next step."
Each girl just had to have one more kiss before they started.
"They're getting ready to start." Tracy volunteered.
"How do you know?" Neville asked.
She was watching them carefully. She noticed what others missed. "Watch. Harry just said something salacious."
The sheet had been pulled back, and just as she predicted. Both girls bodies had a typical female reaction when stimulated. Despite their burnt bodies, that were magically, mercifully almost completely healed. Despite the serious circumstances, it was very cute. First one girl and then the other pursed their lips while receiving a kiss from their love. Despite the deepness of their sleep they smiled and snuggled in closer to their Harry.
"I wonder what happened?" Daphne asked.
Neville knew her curiosity level was off the charts. "Daphne my love. When you find out. And I know you will find out. Do me one favor."
"What's that Love?"
"Don't tell me. Ever."
The two girls and matron giggled at the typical male reaction.
"I'll need your help with this. Ready?"
They both nodded. In the mindscape, or that blank nothingness, what ever you wanted to call it. The three put their "hands" on the "wall" and "pushed." If truth be told, it was three wills bearing down on a fourth entity that was not welcome. They strained for an undermined amount of time. But will is what this was about. None of the three were "wimps", but when it came to "heart" that was Harry's strong suit. Others may have quit but Harry really didn't know anything about it. Obviously, he knew about it intellectually, but to him it was anathema. Why put up with something that was not desired. And if not desired then why stop until you were victorious. There were no half measures.
The entity that was, had no self awareness. Had there been the difficult struggle would have been even more so. But life, or half life if you would, despite how tenuous, always strives to survive. It was a titanic battle, but eventually the three felt their pushing having some effect. The "brown stain" on the wall that heretofore had bulged a bit, was now receding. Their "pushing" was having effect. Redoubling their efforts, it became easier and easier.
"Look Nevy." Tracey pointed at Harry's scar.
The scar opened further and black ichor began to ooze from the open wound.
"Quick. Nevy, put the flat of the blade on his skin so the ichor has to flow over it. The magic of the blade and venom should be enough to kill it." Asking the matron for a jar, she let the ichor drip into the jar. It took another 5 minutes before all of it oozed out, before she sealed the jar.
Neville thanked the sword and the castle, while letting it fade to return to where ever it held itself these days. While Pomphrey checked the trio and especially Harry's scar for residual issues. "You know I'm going to have words with Luna about the Nevy stuff."
"Oh you love it Nevy," Daph said kissing him.
"Especially when you get to spend special time with us. Isn't that right Nevy?" Kissing him also.
Once more getting assurances from Poppy they were going to be fine for the rest of the night. Daph said. "I'm not tired anymore. Let's go to bed!"
"Good! We can guess what Harry told the girls."
Neville groaned. He was both excited about spending time with the girls, but afraid what they were going to teach him. He thought Marion had opened his eyes. It wasn't until recently that he really understood the complexities of the adult relationship. He groaned. "Okay, but no one tells Harry that he won this round."
Tracey laughed. "Funny how he can only win when he doesn't know he's playing."
At 1 minute to 10. Dobby and Winky appeared. Both had smiles on their face. "Good news I hope?" Emma asked.
Dobby was vibrating with happiness. If he could he would be screaming for joy and hopping all across Great Britain. "Yes'm. Miss Moany and Miss Lovey are awake early. They say the Great Harry Potter just won again against Lord Fraidtodie."
"Lord Fraidtodie?"
"Yes sir Captain Dan sir!" Winky answered. "That's what Master Harry calls the dark lord."
"And by the way Winky. Who told you about the movie? Everyone has been calling me Captain Dan."
Both elves looked confused. They looked at each other and shrugged, "What's a movie?"
"Never mind."
In a moment's time they were at the gates of what was obviously a ruined castle. Standing outside the ruins was Neville and his girls. Handshakes and hugs were followed by some quick words. "Grab ahold of either arm. Once you are inside you will be able to let go. Any sooner and you would wander around before the wards would usher you outside the gates again.
"Will my wife be safe here?"
"No worries Dan. At no time will there not be a set of elf eyes on you. And I mean at no time. Unfortunately that is a safety measure I am forced to take. But we will speak more of this when we are with your girls."
They were given the mini tour while they were on their way to the infirmary. When they were spied by the deputy headmistress. "Lord Longbottom. Was there something you wanted to tell me?" She asked pointedly indicating Hermione's parents.
He colored for a moment. "I am very sorry professor. In all of the excitement of the last couple days, I completely forgot. A complete over sight I assure you."
She smiled in spite of herself. "Quite alright. This going to be a good thing for all three of them. But a question, I thought the headmaster was the only one who could bring in people into the wards?"
"Normally. But Hogwart's is removing many of the wards from the headmaster. I did not exaggerate the other day. She is very upset with him. Lord Potter and I hold most of them jointly."
"Part of that is accessing the ward stone. Even I don't know where it is."
"That's okay ma'am. Harry and I have known for a long time where it is."
"Mum! Dad! Why are you here?"
Emma ran over and hugged her daughter who sat up dressed only in her bra and panties heedless of who was about. She shouldn't have been, but was just as surprised when Luna did the same thing. In fact Luna hung on a little longer. So Emma decided to sit next to Luna hug her some more while Dan did the same to Hermione. The girls skin had healed to the point where it only resembled a bad sunburn. Harry however, his skin had many areas where the skin had burnt off. His hair was gone in spots. She had told herself all night she was going to be brave for the girls, but she teared up in spite of her own admonishment.
"Girls I'm not an old fuddy duddy and I am not making a judgement, but why the underwear?"
"That's for Harry Daddy."
"Harry needs as much skin to skin contact as we can provide in order to promote healing." Luna explained. "We would be naked, but Madam Pomphrey wouldn't let us."
"That extra bit of skin would not make that much of a difference and you know it," She chided. She wanted to win one argument with this group.
"Yeah but if Harry knew we were naked, he would want to get better quicker."
"Makes sense to me," Dan chuckled.
"Yipee!" Luna reached behind her with each hand to undo her bra, but Emma stopped her.
"Shut up Dan." "Luna an extra hour from that extra skin isn't worth it. Beside would you embarrass poor Neville like that?"
"Nevy?" Luna asked a little hurt. "Do I embarass you?"
"Luna love. I stopped being embarrassed around you four months ago. But you listen to Mother Emma."
Deflated, "Yes Nevy."
The girls wanted to keep physical approximation with Harry, but wanted to be with family as well. Hermione positioned herself so Harry's legs straddled her while she was able to hold Dan's hand. While Emma just hopped on the bed and snuggled into Luna. "Okay catch us up to date."
Dan watched Neville carefully. Young man, rich, powerful. Already two beautiful young ladies who would soon be his wives. He listened as he told his story. Dan noted like his last meeting with Harry. he didn't think the boy embellished at all. He could also tell, here was a powder keg ready to go off. "Ladies," Dan said interrupting. "Neville and I have something to do. You'll be alright here?"
"Yes Dan. Winky and Misty are here as well, you just can't see them."
"Great. This is guy time. Dobby is more than welcome to join us."
"Daddy? Where are you going?"
"We are going out for a pint. You ladies are all wonderful and brilliant. But If I have to listen to your incessant babbling for five more minutes, I may be unconscious next to Harry."
"If you don't watch your tone mister I'll make that happen."
The three girls had been surprised at the almost hurtful words for a moment until they saw the twinkle in his eye and his surreptiouos wink. Emma's smirk also told them the words were a smoke screen.
"Go on honey. I know what you're about. The girls and I will be fine."
"Dobby can you take Neville and I to his room?"
A moment later the three were in the suite.
"Mum? Is Dad alright?"
"He's fine girls. I am going to let you in a well known secret. Girls need girl time. And though they don't always admit it, guys need guy time. Neville been under a lot of pressure, yeah?"
"Loads." Daphne answered. "Already some of the minor houses are sending messages about the blood feud. No one wants to be caught in the middle of that."
"And there's that other thing too."
"What's that Trace?" Emma felt right at home with all of the girls as a mum and an aunt.
She was almost whispering, "Neville feels responsible for Harry's injury. He thinks he should have prevented it."
"But from your description there was nothing anyone could have done."
"Hermione," Emma counseled. "We all know that. But you also know that guilt doesn't care. Justified or not, it attacks whomever it wants and it can be a bitch to get it to let go. And Dan is going to fix that."
"Nice place. Whose is whose?"
"That's mine and Trace and Daph's. The other is Harry and your girls."
Dan and Emma had never considered the kids sleeping together. "This isn't an inquisition. You don't need that shit right now. But what's to prevent any of the girls from getting pregnant?"
Neville smiled. "That's an easy one. We're all virgins. When we say we're sleeping together. That's what we do. I won't lie to you and say we don't act like every other teenager in the world, but Harry and I respect the girls too much to hurt them this way."
Dan sat down Dobby near him Neville in one of the arm chairs. Dan had asked for a pint and that wonderful finger snap made it appear, at just the right temperature.
"Neville, this is a special occasion. I don't want you to do this often, in fact only around a responsible adult, but why don't you try one?" Neville shrugged and another snap and there was another in front of him. He took a sip, it wasn't awful and it was nice and cold.
"Dobby? You're an adult right?"
"Yes Mister Dan, but house elfs can't be drinking that. I will have a butter beer though. Butterbeer does to house elf's what that does to humans."
They talked of inconsequential things for awhile, Neville was a bit more relaxed, but Dan hadn't gotten him to open up. The drinks were half done, Neville had been sipping, still not willing to put his burden down.
"Nev. I need to tell you a story." Dan said it quietly. Neville was drawn to the kind man's eyes. "I'll be the first to say I know squat about Lords and Ladies and Houses. I make no judgements. You've been trained for this since you were an infant and my Hermione told me Harry trusts you with his life and according to him, what's even more important to him the lives of his two girls. That's a heavy burden for a young man."
"It is," he whispered into his pint.
Dan motioned to Dobby to fill Neville's up. Silently he did so. "But your experience isn't limited solely to the magical world. Us muggles have devised all kinds of interesting ways to kill each other. I don't know if Hermione told you. There are many countries with the technology to kill every one on the planet many times over. But that shit's for governments. All you and I can control is the actions of ourselves and those we are responsible for. A young man I know well was thrust into a controversy between two countries over some stupid islands that no one had ever heard of. To my knowledge they weren't even in an important location or anything. Still though, you have lords and we have generals. We were ordered to take the island. Each unit had objectives. This particular unit had to take a group of buildings and then hold it until relieved. Taking the buildings was easy. We had beaten the enemy to this supposedly strategic village and the civilians had all left. We were ordered to hold it at all costs." Dan paused to drain his pint and silently asked Dobby to fill it again. Taking a sip of the fresh pint, the three heard the fire pop as wood exploded from the heat inside. "It wasn't too long though that the enemy decided to take the village in force. Now it was 30 against at least 100 and they were reinforced."
"Reinforced?"
"Heavier weapons. Tanks, armored personnel carriers. Think muggle buses and trucks with surrounded by steel. Takes more than just a rifle to penetrate."
"What did you do?"
"I followed orders, I requested help and hung on just as long as possible. They kept coming and I had to leave some behind to cover our retreat." He took a deep pull and remembered the sights, sounds, and even the smells. It was a minute before he could talk again. A silent minute while he sat staring into his drink.
"There's a poem called the road not taken. It's all about choices. Choose the road you think best, Nev. Harry made his choice. The bottom line, the thing you need to decide for yourself and only you can make it. Your wonderful girls can help, but the final decision about you has to be yours. When you look at the fella in the mirror in the morning, will you respect his choices? Did you do everything you could think of at the time? Did you act with honor? If you can answer yes, then you have nothing to be ashamed of, no guilt to carry. Everyone has shit in their life, this just some of yours to carry. Carry what shit you have to, don't carry one drop more or another man's shit. And at the end of the day, you can look at all the shit you've dealt with and realize- it's nothing but shit."
"Dobby did that make sense to you friend?"
"Mr. Dan is a wise man. House elfs had to carry wizards shit because they're too stupid or to lazy to carry their own. The great Harry Potter shows me he can carry his own shit and I don't have to carry anyone elses. Then he makes me his friend and we carry our shit together."
"That's what being a brother is all about Dobby," he said clinking his glass with Dobby's bottle.
"How's that burden Nev?"
Nev had only that one pint. He never noticed that he never reached the bottom. By this time he was loving the taste. This lesson that Dan had been teaching him became a lot clearer. "The burden? Oh it's nothing but shit. I'm going to put it down for a bit, it will be there when I get up, but even as I bear it I'll remember this Dan. It ain't nothing but shit."
"You got it Nev. Schools out. How about you go lay down and I'll have a couple of pretty girls go in and kiss you awhile?"
"That's the best idea I've heard all day."
-
The girls had been "popped out" by Misty. "Were you able to help him?" Emma asked.
"I think so."
Hermione sniffed, "By getting him drunk?"
"Don't try to give me a lesson little girl. I'm still your Dad."
"What did you tell him?"
"I'm not in the mood to give the long version again. Here's the short version. In life there are only two rules you have to remember in order to be happy. Rule number one: Don't sweat the small shit."
"What's rule number 2?" Luna asked after Dan had paused too long.
"Oh. Rule number 2: Everything is small shit. Now you two snuggle in with your man and take a nap. Mum and I will be right here when you wake up."
Beta Note: Yes, he got a fucking dragon high. Remember the magical cocaine from chapter 1 that Diggle kept using the gemino spell on? Yup. Cocaine covered sheep.
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