Playing by the Rules
A/N I said at the start of this I was aiming for something different for me. Normally I would write scenes where we see what's happening from different characters' POV. This one is deliberately very Harry centric, hence the time jumps. Writing Harry as a muggle would just have confused everyone, and not helped the story. Won't know until I write Chapter 5 just how long this story will be but still on course to finish by the weekend.
Chapter 3 - Just Desserts
Hermione reckoned they would have walked back to the castle together after the first task, that didn't happen. Neither of them expected to be doing so after the second task, funny how things work out. No one spoke to them, no one dared even approach them. Harry led his girlfriend straight to the Room of Requirements, wishing for a nice cozy den where they could spend the rest of the day and wouldn't be disturbed.
Before they could flop down on the comfy looking couch, Winky popped in with a change of clothes for both of them. The room instantly provided a couple of changing rooms and the freshly dressed teens returned to find a table groaning with the amount of snacks and drinks placed upon it.
Helping themselves to some nibbles before getting comfortable, Hermione asked the question that was foremost in her mind. "What happens now, Harry? Will they come for you again?"
Thinking things over, Harry then gave the nervous witch his best guess. "I don't know but I doubt they'll come after me again. Almost three quarters of what I now know was the Wizengamot voted for me to have my magic bound and my memories wiped. That bitch who challenged us today originally pushed for the dementor's kiss. All those people that voted had their magic stripped today, and I think a lot of it was transferred to me. Suddenly I have power to burn, and a load of new knowledge on how to use that power too - hurt like a bitch when it happened. Seeing the vote was easily going to pass, that sly bastard Fudge didn't bother to cast his vote."
"So, since they can't take their position without magic, you're saying the Wizengamot is almost wiped out?"
"Yip, there were some Departmental Heads of the Ministry in that chamber too who voted in favour. That stupid fucking bitch has just done untold damage to the country, and I'm on official court records telling them exactly what would happen if they did. They wheeled out the Goblet of Fire, thinking it was some fancy trinket to add a bit of razzmatazz to a dull event. They had no idea what they were dealing with, and wouldn't listen when I tried to tell them. They sat in the very heart of government, they thought nothing could touch them. Magic judged every single on of those stupid bastards, I just happened to be piggy-in-the-middle for this whole thing."
As they snuggled in, Hermione had a request. "I want to try and forget the last couple of months. Can we not talk about it?"
"As long as you tell me any threats we need to look out for, or anyone I need to deal with due to their behaviour."
Hermione didn't hesitate. "You thought Slytherins hated you before, that hatred just moved up to an entire new level. Malfoy is also one you really need to watch. He lost his father and wand arm to that horntail. He's only been back a couple of weeks but it's easy to see he's looking for trouble. The blond ponce has obviously been getting some training to cast with his other hand, and he's now a vicious bastard to boot."
"If you're looking for trouble, you've come to the right place. If you're looking for trouble, just look in my face..."
Hermione buckled with laughter at Harry's absolutely terrible Elvis impersonation. The more Hermione laughed, the more the tension of the last few awful months faded away. Whatever was in front of them they'd face together. To the reunited couple, that was the most important thing.
-oOoOo-
As they headed toward Gryffindor tower before curfew, the young couple found McGonagall and Dumbledore waiting on them at the fat lady's portrait.
"Mister Potter, it's good to have you back at Hogwarts."
Replying to his former head of house, Harry's displeasure was clear for both McGonagall and Dumbledore to hear. "Thank you, Professor, but I'm not sure of my status yet - or Hermione's. How did a student in your care end up at the bottom of the Black Lake - against her will I might add? My elf, tasked with protecting Hermione, was also attacked and seriously injured. Hogwarts has repeatedly failed both of us, and neither Hermione nor I can see that changing any time soon."
Rather than allowing Minerva to answer those accusations, Dumbledore deliberately changed the subject. "Harry, I've had the Minster of Magic on the floo, asking if anything can be done about the situation?"
No one was fooled by his ploy. Using the old wizard's tactics back on him, Harry gave an answer Dumbledore wasn't expecting. "I was ripped from the muggle school I was attending, and they - unlike here - care for their students. They will certainly have contacted the authorities and there will probably already be a manhunt underway. The story will also have made the muggle media. A student disappearing into thin air right in front of witnesses will certainly feature on the tv news - they'll eat that right up. The Ministry will have to do a lot of work if the story is to be explained, it's far too late to have it contained."
Shaking her head at Albus' attempt at misdirection, Minerva tried to answer Harry's original accusation. "I'm sorry, Mister Potter. I was helpless to protect Miss Granger..."
Minerva found herself dealing with a different Harry Potter than the one she had been used to, also one who wasn't in a forgiving mood.
"Then why are you still here, Professor? You're Hermione's Head of House and Deputy Headmistress - yet you couldn't protect her - or me. Like you, Hogwarts and the Ministry of Magic have failed both of us on numerous occasions. If we could be obliviated to forget about magic, but still remember what we mean to each other, then that is an option we would gladly choose."
Discovering that she had failed the son of James and Lily to the extent Harry would renounce magic if he could had an instant yet life-changing effect on Minerva. If she was to retain any degree of self-respect, the proud Scotswoman felt there was really only one course of action left open to her.
"You are of course correct, Mister Potter. I would like to unreservedly apologise for the multiple occasions I've failed both you and Miss Granger in your time here." With tears in her eyes, she then addressed her boss.
"Albus, I'm tendering my immediate resignation. I will write out the required parchment and place it on your desk before I leave tonight."
"Minerva, you're being rash here. I beg you to reconsider this sudden decision. The Ministry is in utter turmoil, even the obliviators who worked on Harry here have found themselves stripped of their magic. I will be needed at the Ministry in these trying days and weeks ahead."
"Then either resign as Headmaster, or give up your positions outwith the school. You clearly can't manage all of them."
The determination radiating from one of his oldest friends clearly informed Albus this was one argument he couldn't win. With the Ministry in total disarray, and Cornelius in full panic mode, Albus needed to be the one the Minister of Magic listened too as some form of order began to be restored. He couldn't possibly do that and run Hogwarts without Minerva's help - and she knew this better than anyone else.
"If I resign, will you stay?"
Minerva nodded, but also added a proviso. "Only if I get to run Hogwarts the way I want, without any interference from you or anyone else."
A defeated Albus could only nod, before turning his attention back to the teens. "Are you satisfied now, Harry?"
"Why should I be satisfied? You're still trying to blame someone else for your mistakes. Were any of the parents of the people you basically kidnapped and stuck at the bottom of the lake asked for their permission? Since Fleur's sister is still a child I'm assuming that would be a no. No sane parent would allow their child to be used like that. I wonder what that says about a Headmaster who didn't even hesitate to do so. You're very lucky the little girl emerged from the lake unharmed, but a right shit for the hell you put her sister through. Fleur was distraught, and you had invited an audience along to watch and revel in that."
Not giving Dumbledore time to come up with another of his excuses, Harry addressed Hogwarts new Headmistress. "We have already established Hogwarts has failed both of us. Hermione and I intend to withdraw from classes, follow a self-study programme and we'll sit our OWL's this summer. If Hogwarts can't accommodate this, please let us know. We'll still have time to speak with Madam Maxime and see if she could help us with our problem."
Dumbledore was ready to object when Minerva held her hand up for Albus to be quiet. Both understood that students who gained their owls could leave Hogwarts without any repercussions from the Ministry.
She focused her attention on Hermione. "Is this what you want too, Miss Granger?" Minerva hadn't expected such an emphatic yes from her star student but couldn't fault her reasoning.
"I'm spending most of my time in class watching my back, I just don't trust the staff to do that for me. Snape actually leads the ridiculing in his potions class. He read out loud the entire Prophet article about Viktor to my classmates, while I was sitting there, with the sole intention of embarrassing me. How is that in any way, shape or form professional behaviour from a Hogwarts professor?"
While Minerva was trying to get her head around that event, Harry told her the reason they were getting ready to enter Gryffindor house.
"I've been told by Hermione that my belongings have been looted. I had two family heirlooms, a very expensive broom and my money sack in my trunk. if those items aren't there, I'd like to know what action you intend to take?"
McGonagall's jaw squared and her Scottish brogue became a lot more pronounced. "A canny abide a thief. They'll be takin' a wee visit hame, an mibby no commin back."
Knowing exactly who Harry was talking about, and also what Minerva's reaction would be if he attempted to interfere, Albus tried to strike a middle ground. "Stealing is such a strong word..."
Harry was now making a habit of interrupting Dumbledore. "Fair enough. The entire castle now knows I'm back in Hogwarts. If my stuff has been returned, I'll say no more about it. I can't help but wonder where this sense of justice was when the entire school was calling me a cheat and a liar, while walking around wearing badges that declared 'Potter Stinks'."
With that, Hermione gave the password and she entered through the portrait hole on Harry's arm. McGonagall and Dumbledore followed, while the Fat Lady immediately left her portrait to spread all the juicy gossip she'd just heard amongst the other portraits.
News of McGonagall and Dumbledore's presence spread like wildfire and soon saw the common room filling with Gryffindor students. Hermione accompanied Harry up to his old dorm, just in case any trouble started. They were back down a minute later, Harry shaking his head had McGonagall ready to explode. She'd been scanning the faces but couldn't find the one she was looking for. "Has anyone seen Mister Ronald Weasley?"
The entire house knew what was about to go down now, Neville was the only one who answered. "No one has seen him since the second task. He even missed dinner. Eh, great to see you back, Harry."
By way of an answer, Harry drew his wand - and everyone took a step back. Casting a summoning charm for his cloak resulted in a girly shriek as it flew into Harry's hand - leaving a now visible Ron standing where he'd jammed himself into a corner. Before there was any time to react, Harry summoned his map too. It flew out of Ron's pocket.
"I don't see my Firebolt, Weasley. What have you done with it?"
Harry's intense gaze demanded an answer. "There's no Quidditch, so I sent it home..." The audible gasps from everyone listening saw Ron quickly embellish his story. "I didn't want it damaged - I was protecting it for you...mate"
That last word almost saw Harry lose his temper. Instead, he knew a better way to get back at their former best friend. Harry summoned his money pouch, and the entire house saw it shoot from Ron's pocket into Harry's hand. Bouncing it up and down a few times, exaggerating guessing the weight of coins in the bag, Harry then held it up high and spilled the contents onto the floor.
"I had almost fifty galleons in that bag."
All of Gryffindor and both professors saw there was no gold left in the bag, just a few sickles and about a dozen knuts. While Ron's face was red with rage, his siblings matched their brother's colour but with embarrassment.
Ginny couldn't look at anyone as she spoke. "The mystery of those hideous new robes you wore to the ball is beginning to make sense. You stole from Harry to buy them..."
"Harry didn't need that money, you can't use galleons in the Muggle world..." It was only after angrily screaming at his sister that Ron realised he'd basically just admitted to everything - in front of McGonagall and Dumbledore too.
Fred asked why he just didn't borrow Harry's dress robes but Ron had an answer for that as well. "I gave them to Seamus. They were Harry's robes - second hand. For once in my life I wanted something new."
Seamus didn't want drawn into this so made his position clear. "I did borrow Harry's dress robes to wear to the ball, they were returned the following day."
Nodding to Seamus, Harry indicated he had no problem with that. "I had a discussion with the professors before coming in here. People borrowing my stuff is fine, just helping themselves and treating it as theirs is a different matter..."
Harry found himself being interrupted by a tearful but raging Parvati, and a loud slap as she whacked Ron one on the jaw. "How dare you steal from Harry and then use his gold to buy me a Christmas present. Don't ever speak to me again, Ronald Weasley." She took off a gold necklace and flung it at him before running away crying - with Lavender hot on her heels.
It was Harry who broke the silence that followed those revelations. "With no proof whatsoever, you loudly branded me a liar and a cheat to the entire school. I don't have to say a word, everyone here can see you're nothing but a thief. That's a label that will stick with you for the rest of your life, I hope you think spending my gold was worth what it will cost you."
With an angry roar, Ron drew his wand - only for it to dart from his grip and fly straight to McGonagall. "Ronald Weasley, you will be heading home tonight. Whether you're ever allowed to return will depend on the discussion I have with your parents."
Still seeing red, Ron didn't care who he was shouting at - or what he was saying. Ron was more concerned with ensuring he got his point of view across. "Potter comes back and demands I get kicked out of Hogwarts - so everyone just goes along with it. Poor Ron is shat upon again as Potter gets everything he wants handed to him."
Harry instantly dispelled that myth. "Gryffindor house has made it plain Hermione and I are not welcome amongst you, so much for being family. We intend to honour your opinions and won't stay where we're not wanted. We will not take classes with you, eat with you or live in the tower. Given those facts, Weasley's rantings make about as much sense as usual - none."
Having just had a student shout at her in front of her entire house, Minerva wasn't in a forgiving mood either. "You stand there, admitting stealing two Potter family heirlooms, the most expensive broom in Britain and a not inconsiderable amount of gold from Mister Potter, yet seem to think you are the victim here. Your total lack of any remorse whatsoever for your actions has made my mind up. Ronald Billius Weasley, you will be immediately expelled from Hogwarts."
Terrified, mortified, in floods of tears - all possible reactions to a student hearing that news. Standing there and answering with a smug smile on your face was certainly not the correct response to McGonagall's declaration.
"Only the Headmaster can expel a student, and Dumbledore says I'll make prefect next year."
Not giving McGonagall time to dig any further into that statement, Albus abandoned Ron to Minerva's not so tender mercies. "I told Mister Weasley he 'could' make prefect next year, and I have just resigned as Headmaster. The crises at the Ministry means that's where I'm needed most at the moment."
Realisation hit Ron like the Hogwarts Express under a full head of steam. "You can't do that, old McGonagall will expel me."
Her expression now grim, Minerva explained his new circumstances to Ron using words that left no room for any doubt to their meaning. "Old McGonagall just did, Ronald Weasley. Toby."
A tiny elf appeared beside Minerva and she gave him explicit instructions. "Pack all of Ronald Weasley's things - and only those things you know belongs to him - then bring his trunk to the Headmistress's office. Mister Weasley, you will follow me now. Mister Potter, how will I be able to contact you? We need to have a further discussion about this accommodation issue."
"Call Dobby or Winky, they will always be able to get a message to us. You are the one with classes to teach and a school to run, we will gladly meet at a time that suits your schedule."
With a nod to the pair, McGonagall then directed her grade one glare at Ronald Weasley. "Only hours into the job and I'm going to have to contact your parents and tell them their youngest son has disgraced the Weasley name. Start moving, so I can get you out of my school as quickly as possible."
Minerva noticed young Ginny was in floods of tears. Whether those tears were for her brother, or the fact Harry wouldn't be returning to Gryffindor, she wouldn't like to place any money on.
As she left, and before Dumbledore could interfere, the twins approached Harry and Hermione. It was indicative of how upset they were, they didn't even engage their usual 'twinspeak' mode.
"We want to apologise for Ron. He's always had a temper - and been a jealous little prick - but we can't believe how far he's went with this."
Knowing Dumbledore was listening to every word, as was the rest of Gryffindor, Harry didn't hold back. "Ron sees himself as poor, and classes me as rich. When I look at your family, only having Hermione by my side would stop me exchanging my life for his. Please let your mum and dad know I don't blame them in any way for Ron's behaviour. He certainly didn't learn it at the Burrow, Molly's wand would soon have been spitting stinging hexes at his arse if Ron tried to pull the same shit he got away with in the castle."
While all three Weasleys shuddered at that thought, it was Fred who put those thoughts into words. "Our mother will kill him, and then pass his body onto dad. Anyone disgracing the Weasley name will catch hell from dad. That happened to us once, once was enough..."
Realising he wasn't going to be given a chance to talk with Harry alone, Albus left the Gryffindor common room. He had a letter of resignation to write, and add his personal endorsement for offering Minerva the post.
With Dumbledore leaving, Harry and Hermione escaped soon after. Harry needed to go and visit Hedwig, and explain to his owl why she couldn't find him since November.
-oOoOo-
Turmoil was a good description of the Ministry of Magic after what became known as 'Judgement Day'. Since the entire dark faction of the Wizengamot voted against Harry, all those families lost their 'Heads of House' too. People were far too busy trying to cope with their own problems, leaving no spare time in their now hectic schedules to cast their eyes northwards in the direction of Hogwarts.
A Hogwarts with McGonagall in charge was slowly but surely transfiguring itself into an entirely different beast. The only two students unaffected by these changes were Harry and Hermione. Apart from short meetings five times a week with the Headmistress to basically check-in, they played no part in the day to day life of Hogwarts.
The couple spent their time studying and training in the room of requirements, which also became their dining room and living quarters as was needed. McGonagall was in awe of the room and, after approving of both teens staying there, was already thinking of ways it could be used as a teaching aid for next year.
Hermione had used Hedwig to contact her parents, asking if they could monitor the 'disappearing student' from the muggle side. The beautiful owl delivering a copy of the 'Daily Mail' was responsible for their first serious argument as a couple.
It was probably fairer to say the picture of Becca Thompson on the front cover, crying over her disappearing 'boyfriend' that caused the argument. Harry had to copy Snape's tactics and read the article out loud to a crying Hermione, the 'boyfriend' headline alone being enough to have her in tears.
Harry had explained basically being stalked by Becca, and that stalking reaching a whole different level after she personally handed him a Valentine's card. "When I realised what she'd handed me, I looked up from the card and she moved to kiss me - I ran off down the corridor as fast as I could. I spent the next ten days hiding from her, mostly in the library. I wondered why I felt safe there, now I know. Even after being obliviated, I was left with a bit of your influence on me. Hermione, listen to this crap..."
Seeing how much Harry hated reading Becca's words aloud was helping to convince her this was a load of twaddle. According to this Becca, Harry had apparently declared to her that destiny had brought them together - which left both magical teens wanting to vomit.
"Hermione, does that sound like something I would spout? We both know the Daily Mail makes the Prophet seem like a serious newspaper. I'm also questioning the motives of whichever of your parents sent us that. To be perfectly honest with you, the only person I trust in the world is sitting across from me - and I hate that you're crying over this."
Moving over beside Harry, Hermione cuddled into her boyfriend while trying to get her tears under control. "I'm sorry, Harry. I've had a terrible time since you left Hogwarts. Just the thought of you enjoying yourself with another girl was too much to take. I lay awake many nights, thinking exactly that - because you couldn't remember me. I really broke down about it when I was home for Christmas, which is probably why my parents sent that. They were worried about me being hurt. This Becca might look like Millicent Bulstrode but she acts a lot more like Lavender Brown." The words had no sooner left her lips when Hermione let out a loud sob. "Listen to me, sounding like a right bitch too."
"At least you didn't hit her with a wave of water. Hearing Viktor had asked you to the ball instantly turned me into a jealous prat." Hearing that eventually stopped Hermione crying.
Harry lifting her chin and lovingly kissing his girlfriend finally chased all those 'Harry and Becca' fears away for good. There wasn't too much more studying done that day. To be fair to Hermione's parents, when people who knew Harry from the same school came forward to say Becca's story was nothing more than pure fantasy on her part, they sent those papers along to Hogwarts too.
With Harry's acquired knowledge, a room that would supply them with any materials they required or provide training areas too - both were happy at the rate their studies were advancing. Hermione was now confident she would do well in the rapidly approaching O.W.L.'s
