DISCLAIMER! This Harry Potter story was written for fun. All rights belong to the wonderful lady (JK Rowling) who gave the world Harry Potter to read and enjoy. New Movie is coming in April! Hurrah! Yeah, for Fanfiction – a great place to stretch your imagination and enjoy someone else's creativity too! The is the sequel to The Potter Cartouche.
The effects of Harry's demonstration begin.
Chapter 21 Good News and LamentationsThe news of Harry's success spread around Hogwarts that afternoon. Professor Tofty and Professor Smithers returned to the ministry to register the grades and prepare a press release. Professor Babbling returned to her quarters to rest for an hour and after downing a calming potion, the witch began to consider everything she'd seen…and what it meant. Madam Marchbanks used a temporary floo connection to return to her home and drink heavily that afternoon before going to bed very early.
Anticipating the reaction of the outside world to the news, Headmaster Bennet took several precautions and increased the power of the mail wards to screen Howlers, and divert letters with portkeys, poisons, compulsions, and potions into a chamber in the dungeons where the elves would banish them. All 'gifts' would be directed to another chamber in the dungeons where the elves would sort, catalogue, and check every item for more portkeys, poisons, compulsions, and potions.
Deputy Headmistress Longbottom spoke briefly with Heir Potter and then informed the headmaster that Lady Longbottom, magical guardian for Heir Potter asked that every letter or gift with 'ill-intent' be forwarded to the DMLE where the Aurors would arrest and prosecute every wizard and witch who sent such items to her 'grandson'.
The wards were strengthened regarding all visitors as well with Headmaster Bennet locking the gate and the front door of the castle. Following a talk with the elves, ghosts, and portraits, he had them all on duty to watch visitors to the castle and any who acted suspiciously or too interested in Heir Potter were to be kicked out of the castle with prejudice or locked in a dungeon until Bennet had time to deal with them.
Unknown to Bennet, Dobby Potter Elf instructed the elves in the use of cleavers and butcher knives to deal with wizards and witches who might harm his 'Mr Harry Freshgold Potter, Heir Potter, Master of Runes'. None of the elves wanted to anger the elf who had tales of dancing, naked goblins, magical deer that slaughtered Dementors, or a giant basilisk.
At dinner, Headmaster Bennet stood before the meal to make an announcement and captured everyone's attention with a large smile on his face.
"Students and faculty, I must report a most unusual occurrence here at Hogwarts this afternoon. Our purpose here is to educate witches and wizards, and direct them into becoming useful, productive members of Magical British society. Today, one of our own has exceeded all expectations for advancement and shattered the set laws of magic."
Tracy Davis whispered to Daphne Greengrass, "What did you do in Runes? I thought it was just a test!"
"It's Potter," Greengrass replied, just a bit too loud and the other Slytherin students spread the word. At the staff table, there were whispers exchanged by several professors but Longbottom, Flitwick and Babbling remained silent though Flitwick looked as if he would burst with excitement.
"Potter's done something again," the Slytherins whispered to each other and to the Ravenclaws. Luna Lovegood smiled and slipped from her chair to sit at the Gryffindor table. She would score an exclusive interview for the Quibbler this evening. The Hufflepuffs picked up the whispers and spread the news to the few Gryffindor students at the table. Finally, through the open doors of the Great Hall, Professor Carter herded Harry Potter and his cadre of Gryffindor students inside, everyone late for supper.
Headmaster Bennet called out, "Mr Potter if you will remain standing, please."
Already seated and starving, Ron Weasley asked, "What's Potter done now?"
Uncertain what to expect, Harry remained standing at the end of the table, with Professor Carter at his side, Colin Creevey taking photographs at Luna's request, and his friends taking their usual seats.
"This afternoon, in the Runes classroom, Mr Potter demonstrated new magics to several professors from Hogwarts as well as experts summoned from the Ministry for Magic. Under strict magical agreements for confidentiality, Mr Potter demonstrated for these experts and Professor Babbling that a six-layer runic array is possible. And I understand he created the six-layer brother array in under ten minutes."
"For some of you…myself included, this may not mean much. But if you speak to the older students studying Runes for the OWLs and NEWTs, they'll tell you this is impossible. Professor Babbling can testify that not only is it possible, but she also witnessed it."
"And in just ten minutes…I checked two reference guides and both books stated that a basic four-layer runic array cannot be completed in less than two hours from start to finish.
"This is impossible!" called out a seventh year Ravenclaw student.
Headmaster Bennet nodded his head and said, "Before today, no one would believe it possible. But Rune Master Tofty and Rune Master Smithers, both professors with the Ministry Examination Board declared that Harry Potter is a Rune Master. In a non-traditional journeyman graduation examination, he created a new six-layer runic array, provided a work-around for runes that do not work together and refined the requirements with distinction."
"What does that mean?" Seamus asked Fred and George Weasley.
The Weasley twins stared at each other for a moment before grinning and replying, "Harry Potter kicked the dragon in the butt…"
"…and when he woke up and saw who it was, the dangerous, powerful dragon flew away as fast as he could."
"Potter is so great, that the dragons, hippogriffs, centaurs, unicorns, and nifflers will make him King of Magical Britain."
Grumbling under his breath, Ron said, "Not likely with all that mud in his blood."
With Harry standing at the end of the table and blushing, Headmaster Bennet began applauding. He was joined by Professor Flitwick who stood on top of the table, and Bathsheba Babbling who stood and clapped while tears rolled down her cheeks, finally admitting that one of her students had changed magic forever. Sprout, Silvestre, and Clark led their houses in applause. Even Professor Lupin joined in the applause.
Headmaster Emeritus Dumbledore did not rise and applaud. His mind was lost thinking about the possibility that Potter was going dark but then he remembered the demonstration of the young wizard's power for good with the impossible shield. 'Of course, he can do things with runes that no one else can. His power lets him force the runes to do what he wants. This is a glamour charm that looks promising today but will only be a spoiled potion tomorrow.'
The following morning, the Daily Prophet carried a large article on page 2 about Professors Tofty and Smithers making an unsubstantiated claim of a Master of Runes being at Hogwarts. Madam Marchbanks was not available for comment and the paper promised to properly investigate the rumour. In time for lunch, a special edition of the Quibbler was released with extra copies delivered to every tavern and restaurant in Magical Britain as well as to the atrium of the Ministry for Magic. Delivery owls were busy the whole of the day across the islands and a stack of the magazines was available in the Great Hall in time for supper. Harry was asked for his autograph a few times and Dobby took copies of the magazine into the kitchens for the other elves to read and see the photos of his wizard.
CHANGE SCENERY: The Reaction of Tom RiddleThat fateful morning, Barty Crouch, Sr. was seated at his breakfast table drinking some strong tea while his son sat across from him and read the Daily Prophet. The Dark Lord entered the room and sat down for tea, toast, and his own copy of the Daily Prophet.
Barty Jr. mentioned the article on page 2 and the Dark Lord turned to it and began asking some questions. Crouch, Sr. explained that Professor Tofty was more of a theorist than a practical wizard with runes, but Smithers regularly worked in maintenance of the runes that powered the Ministry for Magic.
"Go the ministry and see what you can find out," the Dark Lord commanded Barty Crouch, Sr. "Return at lunch and report on your discoveries."
Once Crouch, Sr. departed, Barty, Jr. noticed the platter of bacon on the table at Dark Lord's place and how bare it was. Knowing that bacon was a mainstay in the Dark Lord's diet, Crouch, Jr. called Winky into the dining room and instructed her to make a grocery list that included extra bacon.
"Once you put the BLTs on the table for lunch, go to the Tesco and get the squib to purchase our groceries," Barty Jr. instructed the elf.
"Yes, Mr Barty," the elf replied, perfectly content with her life as the indispensable elf for the son of her deceased mistress. The two wizards spent the morning plotting how to get their hands on the potions needed for the resurrection, the missing ingredients, and the needed blood of an enemy.
"How do I get to Potter now with a competent headmaster running the school?"
Winky sat a large platter of Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato sandwiches on the dining room table along with plates of pickles and crisps, and a large pot of hot tea. Then she popped out with the money pouch on her belt to do the shopping at Tesco. (An enterprising squib provided shopping services for wizards and witches who were busy with their careers or children.)
The flames in the floo flared as Barty Crouch, Sr. returned from the ministry with a copy of the Quibbler in hand. Barty, Jr. took the magazine from his father and once he'd read the headlines and stared at the photo for a moment, he glanced up to meet the wizard's eyes. Despite the imperious, Junior saw a twinkle in his father's eyes.
"My lord, you should read this," Barty Jr. said, handing the Quibbler to the Dark Lord.
Sitting at his place at the table again, the Dark Lord quickly read the interview in the Quibbler about Harry Potter being named a Master of Runes at fourteen and inventing the magic to create a six-layer runic array.
"Impossible! Someone is drinking spoiled potions at Hogwarts for certain! Since they killed Snape, there's no telling what they're drinking," declared Lord Voldemort before he went back and read the headline, stared at the picture, and read the article slower the second time. About that time, Barty, Jr. groaned and brought the Dark Lord's attention to the meal – Barty, Sr. had eaten the bacon out of the dozen sandwiches on the platter. Now, the Dark Lord only had a messy salad of lettuce, tomatoes and mayonnaise mixed with bread, for his lunch.
Angered at the theft of his bacon and at the impossible news that Potter was a Master of Runes, Tom drew his wand and cast Avada Kedavra on Barty Crouch, Sr. who stared amused by the scene in front of him. Less than a second later, the entire house exploded in a fireball, which incinerated all three bodies, their wands and the contents of the house.
At the Tesco, Winky collapsed and wailed with grief for almost five minutes. The squib – with payment in hand – ran off and for almost ten minutes, the humans working at the store searched in the backroom for a dog that was stuck or injured. Then, the house-elf felt a pull on her magic, and she popped into Gringotts, with a load of groceries in her pocket.
Rising from the flames and smoke of the Crouch home, the shard of Tom Riddle's soul rose into the afternoon sky and withered in pain once again. He cast about for a wizard to possess but there were only muggles fighting the fire. Reaching out, he felt the pull of his treasures – for some reason they were in three locations in London – the Ministry for Magic, Gringotts Bank, a magical residence, hidden from muggle eyes by strong wards.
Flying through the air, Tom Riddle slipped through the wards easily and found only one old house-elf present, he moved to his treasure and slipped inside. There Tom Riddle's ragged soul began fighting with another piece of his soul for command of Slytherin's locket.
End of Chapter