Swords clashed in the crisp morning air. The woman of the pair tried to keep control of the pace of the fight but she overreached slightly on a low swing. The young man immediately exploited the mistake and his parry sent the blade skittering against the ground. The woman tried to step away and defend herself but the young man was faster.
"Point to me I think." Harry noted as he held the tip of his weapon over Mia's heart. "Yes." Mia agreed as Harry's sword withdrew. "I think I cannot exploit that little weakness of yours any longer." she noted with a smile. "It took me long enough to learn. I am surprised I was able to walk back to the castle sometimes." Harry agreed amiably. "Better some bruises today then running on stumps tomorrow." Mia quoted one of her less formal teachers.
Harry shuddered as he remembered the Death Eater in disguise, but still the same as the real Auror with the peg leg. "I'd rather not walk on a pair of stumps." "Hermione would still love you even if you didn't have any legs to stand on." Mia assured him. "I wouldn't go easy on you though. I'd be cutting you down like a tree during practice."
"Geez. I'd remember that when you get a stump to stomp around with." Harry returned with a grin. The easy banter made him smile as they got in position again for another round.
"I'd be interested to learn if Campione can regenerate their flesh like they do with most of their wounds. As far as I am aware none of the current Campione have an artificial limb. Which is surprising considering their rather dangerous occupation." Dumbledore noted with genuine curiosity. He seemed to be unaware or uncaring that he had startled both fighters.
"Headmaster. I was not aware you were here." Harry blurted out as he recovered. Glad he had not accidently done more than jump in surprise. 'How did he sneak up on us?' the young Campione wondered.
"It is in my experience that two youngsters like yourself tend to have only their eyes and awareness on the other." the old wizard noted amusedly. Harry and Mia blinked in sync that he was actually teasing them. "We will work on our awareness." Mia decided to answer diplomatically. "A valuable skill to keep sharp." Dumbledore agreed with a twinkle in his eye. "I am afraid I am interrupting your rendezvous for a less than pleasant reason however."
"Last night Tom returned to his corporeal form. I am afraid I can not tell you much more than that." The headmaster laid out plainly before either teen could process the innuendo. "That was quick." Harry admitted after a moment of surprise. "It has been faster than I expected. However since it is clear he had his most trusted with him he must have made the right preparations for them to return him as soon as possible." Dumbledore agreed somberly.
"The hasty evacuation of their compound. So we are back to waiting on Voldemort to make his next move." Harry concluded with some annoyance. "Indeed. We can only find relief that his first plan failed. This means he either forfeits his pursuit to become a Campione or risks defeat once more to attempt to become one. Three defeats in a row will shake his following even if he is returned to the flesh again." Dumbledore said, trying to find a bright spot in the situation.
"Three…?" Mia asked confused. "A baby headbutting the killing curse back to him." Harry tried to answer with some humor, but it only came out grim. Aside from Malfoy potentially knowing what he did they would not know of Voldemort's defeat in the Chamber of Secrets or Harry's first conscious victory over Voldemort as he defeated the possessed teacher.
"Quite. As always I will keep an ear to the ground. Perhaps he will return homeward to rally more resources. Furthermore if he keeps his followers abroad much longer people will start to ask questions as well. It will also make identifying those with him quite easy." Dumbledore explained calmly.
"Don't you have a list of suspects already?" Harry asked, surprised that he did not do so already. "I do. But so far there is nothing I can act on. Only Malfoy Senior has run into legal trouble as he is wanted for questioning." The old wizard noted, his hand going through his beard in a thoughtful notion.
Harry looked surprised at Dumbledore that the Malfoy's had a turn of bad luck. "Why is he wanted?" "Well. You certainly did not hear this from me. But it appears the Goblin's were uncharastically fast with handing over Fudge's financial records. These had been requested after accusations of corruption following the what they call now 'Black Incident'" Dumbledore replied, leaning forward slightly like he was sharing a prime piece of gossip.
Harry was impressed with the showmanship the headmaster put up. The man looked completely like an innocent old man as he continued. "A certain well meaning citizen then pointed out some interesting coincidences. The rest is history as they say." "I am grateful for this citizen's actions." Harry noted in a tone dry enough to dessicate the grass around them.
"I hope your words will reach them." Dumbledore agreed. "Have a nice day mister Potter, miss Develd." With that the headmaster set off looking all the like of an old man taking an early morning stroll. "Right… So another round or do we head back so that the headmaster cannot gossip that you are cheating on Hermione with me?" Mia asked with far too much enthusiasm for Harry's taste. He decided he'd best whack it out of her. He did not want the mental image of Dumbledore gossiping like Lavender with his fellow professors.
It was entirely too possible for the old wizard to do that if he thought it was amusing. And he was becoming aware that other girls were trying to catch his attention lately as well and he had no desire for any misunderstandings to form.
"So what's the healer's opinion Sirius?" Remus asked as the latter stomped his way into the greeting hall of Saint Mungo's. "Another 'checkup' in a month." Sirius growled with clear annoyance. "It is to be expected, Sirius. At the worst you can use the results to put a final end to those rumors you have a bastard child running around." Remus gently reminded his friend even as he showed some schadenfreude at the persistent rumor going around.
As he had hoped it brought an amused scoff from the Black lord. "I get upset about Harry leaving for Hogwarts and the next thing we know everyone assumes I send more than my godson on the way." a small grin made its appearance. "For some reason it's logical I have 'daughter' who I immediately set up with Harry."
"It's still hard to believe that for some time they assumed it had to be Mia or Cressida before 'correcting' themselves." Remus noted with a grin, happy that the conversation was taking Sirius's mind off the list of health problems that even took magic time to fix. A long term stay in Azkaban was bad for one's health.
"Pff, I can't help but think it's some ploy of the purebloods to try to set up Harry with a 'proper' pureblood girl since my 'daughter' suddenly is one as well." Sirius groused and Remus was well aware of the polite suggestions he had received from the Lords and Ladies in Harry's age group. As far as they could tell from the letters they got from Harry he was continuing his steady relationship with Hermione and was either willfully ignoring the other signals the witches were throwing at him. Or he was utterly ignorant. A thing a Potter with eyes on a certain girl was very good at.
They had seen how all the other girls had effectively bounced off James when he decided Lily was the girl it was going to be. The men exchanged glances and came to the same conclusion. "Like father, like son." Remus concluded with a sigh that was joined by one from Sirius.
"He picked the smartest girl he could find as well didn't he?" Sirius noted with a reminiscing grin. "If Minerva is to be believed he even shoved his wand up a troll's nose for her." The men shook their heads in disbelief. Unaware a pair of reports were sneaking up to them to overhear their conversation as they strolled out of Saint Mungo's. "I do hope the first daughter that comes around has Lily's red hair. It would be a shame if that vibrant red is lost." Sirius mused out loud.
"A bit early for statements like that don't you think?" Sirius gave an uncaring shrug although he shot Remus a puzzled grin when the said werewolf suddenly grinned. "Although a boy with that red hair but with Harry's untamable hairstyle…." "The poor kid would never get a moment of peace. He'll either grow it out or go bald." Sirius agreed with a bark of laughter.
The two men jossed a bit longer on the unfortunate hairstyles a child of Harry Potter would suffer under. They were oblivious to the two reporters who eagerly took notes and took the completely wrong ideas which made perfect sense to them.
Harry read the Daily Prophet with a flabbergasted expression. He glanced at Cressida who was reading the same with an highly amused smirk. He lowered the newspaper and looked Hermione right in the eye before lowering his gaze. "So when is the baby expected?" he asked, completely serious. Hermione sputtered in disbelief and demanded the newspaper with an outstretched hand. Harry obediently handed it over even as the twins burst out in laughter further down the table.
A few more Gryffindors who knew that Hermione never stayed for the night down at what they called 'Harry room' could find the humor in the newest set of rumor mongering the Daily Prophet indulged in. "I am more impressed you managed to both knock up Hermione and this mysterious Black daughter." Cressida said in a tone that held way too much approval for Harry's liking. "Although I wonder how you managed to avoid us noticing while indulging in that debauchery."
"I bet you are jealous as well." Mia agreed as she glanced at the copy of her neighbour. "Well I am a bit insulted that this mysterious girl can pop up and have fun while we stick around all day long and we don't even get an amorous glance." "Do you want me to give you an 'amorous glance'?" Harry asked Mia while baffled at the idea, Then he felt like an idiot at the deadpan look Hermione gave him halfway through the question.
"Well I don't mind." Cressida said with a smile that made her look innocent. "But I believe you have a girlfriend." Hermione was torn between giving Cressida a look Harry could not identify and glaring at him for reasons he did not understand, but suspected it was about the mere suggestion of looking beyond her. "Well you are not getting it." Harry said curtly in the hopes to mend bridges before they burned down.
An owl with a smoking letter winged its way to Harry. It took Harry a moment to recognize the creature. "Is that Sirius's owl?" he asked in dread. Harry knew with Sirius living in London it meant that he received the Daily Prophet before the inhabitants of Hogwarts did. And Sirius was witty enough to react immediately to this situation with a bad joke if Remus wasn't around to moderate him. And he was stupid enough to think it was funny.
The owl tore the letter free and flew away for all it was worth. "He wouldn't." Harry declared as the letter opened itself while floating a couple of meters above the table. "Harry James Potter!" Sirius' voice bouldered through the great hall. Drawing everyone's attention. "He would." Harry groaned as he went for his wand to destroy the blasted bellowing letter.
"You dared to knock up my princess. Then you better dare to take care of her. And if it's a boy his name better be Regulus!" There was a very loud imperial sniff that the letter perfectly mimicked as it's paper twitched the right way. "And I suggest either Dorea or Sage if it is a girl." he added in a fairly loud, but more conversational tone. Harry, his wand half aimed at the letter was stunned in disbelief Sirius would do this.
"My beloved girl!" The letter bellowed to the great hall again. "Daddy shall make sure you have the prettiest pink wedding dress possible. Love from papa." With that final statement the letter burned itself to ashes. "If you excuse me. I am going to get a new godfather. This one seems to be broken." Harry stated mechanically into the stunned silence as he rose from his seat. "Oh Harry." Hermione groaned as Mia made to follow Harry instead of doing the sensible thing and stopping him.
"Mister Potter." Professor McGonagall called out as she hurried over in the hopes of stopping the incoming trainwreck. Hermione let out a sigh of relief in the hopes that her head of house could sort things out without Sirius losing his head. Although in her opinion it was something he clearly could do without. "It won't be long, professor. I will be back before transfiguration." Harry assured his transfiguration professor.
"It is not that mister Potter." and Harry paused at the doors as she seemed almost embarrassed. "Just for the safety of the school rules…" Harry blinked as his memory provided just which set of obsolete rules could apply in this situation. "I am going to bring him to the vet first and get him fixed." he growled out. "I assure you professor. I have not done that with any girl in Hogwarts."
The last thing he wanted was a girl realising it was the perfect moment to snag the boy-who-turned-Campione. In order to prevent any conflicts any girl who managed to get pregnant despite the numerous protections to prevent it in Hogwarts, would be immediately wed to the man who got her knocked up so as to prevent any conflicts. Harry knew from his forced studies in the few cases it happened, it didn't work that way. But history had a funny thing of twisting how events truly went.
He supposed the headmaster who wrote it down meant well. Or it was his solution when it happened on his watch and it worked in that case. It brought another option to mind however since everyone suspected he knocked up Hermione as well. "If you do not believe me. You could always ask Madam Pomfrey to cast the requisite spells on Hermione." He tried to give professor Mcgonagall an innocent boyish smile while he was well aware he was actually throwing her a grenade with the pin pulled.
The stern look he received in return made it absolutely clear the good professor was not fooled. "That will not be needed mister Potter. I advise you that you deal with your godfather through a letter of your own. It would not do to have your studies disrupted any further." She spun on her heels and marched away.
Harry considered the advice for a moment. Kicking Sirius's ass was still a very inviting option. Then a good idea came to mind. The timing problem could be solved by talking to Hedwig. His loyal owl would understand what wanted to ask of her. With a grin that spelled out trouble for anyone unfortunate enough to garner his ire he set off to his common room.
He was completely unaware that some rushed out through the other exits to spread the news of what they thought was a confirmation. The Slytherin section especially paid close attention to the 'In Hogwarts' part of his denial. Lists were made mentally who most likely the Black heiress in disguise was and more than one Slytherin cursed that they had not paid close attention to the more talented muggleborns as half-bloods.
Sirius did his best to look interested as one of the Wizengamot members talked to him about some issue he could not muster any interest for. He instead wondered if his family had turned 'dark' when they indulged in the constant ache to hex the idiots until they started to make sense. The session in the Wizengamot had been utterly unproductive. 'And the lout beside me thinks I should have done something. I should have asked the doctors in Saint Mungo's to declare I was not yet ready for this. Did dad go crazy because of this nonsense?'
To his relief he spotted Remus waiting for him in the distance. Sirius first felt a bit offended that his friend was constantly chaperoning him. After the first reporter ambush however, having a known werewolf acting as a repellent was a godsend. "Remus!" He called out over the crowds ignoring the few looks his shout had gotten. It was then that he noticed movement higher up.
Owl's usually did not come into the main landing hall. Harry's distinctive white owl however soon drew attention as she homed in on Sirius with a smoldering letter in her claws. Despite knowing full well what was about to happen Sirius grinned like he was the one pulling off a prank. "Oh Merlin. What did you do Sirius?" Remus groaned as he came into earshot. The yammering Wizengamot member had already made his unheard exit.
"I might have sent a howler right after I received the morning news." Sirius replied as Hedwig released her payload and made a hasty exit herself. "Sirius. You idiot." Remus declared before Harry's thunderous voice shouted over him. "Sirius Orion Black!" "Ooh, my full name." Sirius said apprictivily, wondering where Harry learned it. "What I do with a girl is my business! And her name will be Lily after my mother!" Harry declared and Sirius gave his godson a mental thumbs up for staying vague.
"And there won't be a pink marriage. She hates pink you dolt." The crowds had stopped moving to stare at the howeler and Sirius who looked decidedly unchastised. "And we agreed the first boy will be called Charles after my grandfather. After him we'll consider dipping into the Black family's way of naming their children. Although I am going to do my best to convince my girl not to. They are stupid." One could almost hear the childish upturned nose of that declaration.
Sirius chortled at the final childish insult. "If you want a baby boy Regulus you need to knock up your own lady friend. Or can't you get it up anymore old man?" Harry's howler insulted back. "That raging little ragdoll." Sirius growled as he shook his fist at the letter. "Since she is nearby I might as well say it now. Tie that mutt down already before he does a runner at the thought of responsibility!" With that final order the letter burned to ashes.
Remus kept in a groan as he dragged away Sirius who was muttering vile plans of retaliation. He needed to send his own normal letter to one Hermione Granger to rein in the idiot on her side before the prank went out of hand and turned into a national scandal. Or with Harry's luck, international.