Title: Strings of Fate
Author: Knife Hand
Feedback: Constructive feedback appreciated, flames unappreciated
Spoilers: Nothing Specific, general for first few books.
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I do not own Hermione, or Luna, or Ginny, or Cho, or... I would buy them all but I am broke.
Summary: Being raised only by his Aunt, Harry comes to Hogwarts not only knowing about the Wizarding World, but with a kind of training no one at the school is expecting.
A/N: I had some reviews in regards to the nickname count. Harry does not consider 'Chaos and Mayhem' to be nicknames for the Weasley Twins, that was a joke that Tonks made, and Harry's nickname does not count. So far the nick names are as follows: Harry is Ambassador, Hannah is Sunset, Neville is Dragon, Hermione is Wells and Tonks is Indy. Susan, Padma, Pavarti, Daphne, Fred and George still need nicknames.
"One hundred and seventeen?" Harry asked in shock.
He was sitting in the lounge room of Number 4 Privet Drive, dressed in a decent suit with the jacket thrown over the back of the couch and staring at his Agent in shock. It was Christmas Eve afternoon and the family was scheduled to leave for Bones Manor in half an hour for a party with all his friends, minus the Weasley Twins who had prior commitments with their family. He was simply glad that his raise to public attention had come too late for all of the official parties and functions over the Christmas and New Year period.
His Agent, Terrance Marshal, had come over with a summary and a few examples of the requests for interviews from the press. Petunia was sitting in on the proceedings, dressed in an elegant gown that complemented her slender frame, just to make sure Harry was not getting out of his depth.
"Yes. Although a lot of them are individual reporters from the same Paper each sending their own request. Forty five are from the Daily Prophet alone. Most are like this one." Terrance said, handing over one of the letters, written in acid green ink, for Harry to read.
Dear Harry.
I am writing to confirm our interview as agreed on Platform 9 ¾. Please indicate which of the attached list of dates and locations you will be attending.
Sincerely
Rita Skeeter
Special Correspondent
The Daily Prophet
Attached to the note was a list of dates, times and locations. It seemed obvious that Miss Skeeter intended to have the interview over dinner at one of the most expensive restaurants around, and probably expected Harry to pay.
"Bit arrogant." Harry noted. "Are there any decent requests?"
"Just two." Terrance replied. "One is from a Miss Jessica Worth of the Daily Prophet. She just graduated from Hogwarts last year and is an intern reporter. Very polite, does not seem to think she has much of chance, but wants to do the interview from the focus of the younger generation. How you are finding Hogwarts, your first trip to Diagon Alley, that sort of thing. More a puff piece than anything else really, but it could do a good job showing that you can relate to the common Witch or Wizard on the street. She left the time and place up to you."
"That could be helpful. She's in. Organise a time after Christmas but before New Years. Twenty-eighth maybe." Harry replied.
"Good call." Terrance replied. "This is the other one I would recommend doing."
He handed Harry another letter, but this was very different to the first. This one was written on fine quality paper instead of thick parchment and the script itself was elegant.
Dear Mister Potter,
While we did not have any of our reporters present during the deplorable incident at your return from Hogwarts for your holiday break, word of your actions has naturally come to our attention.
We would be honoured if you would consent to an interview with one of our reporters at your convenience. I have taken the liberty of including a list of our staff currently in the United Kingdom who would be available for the interview. Should you prefer a specific reporter that is not on the list, we will endeavour to facilitate such a request, but several of our staff are currently on assignments that would preclude them from being available.
Regardless, we wish you well with your continuing education and hope you enjoy your holiday.
Regards,
Julia de Tennon
Magical Editor in Chief
Al Jazeera
Harry whistled at the letter and handed it across to his Aunt, whose eyebrows rose as she read. She was well aware of the stellar reputation of Al Jazeera, there were times when the BBC would run reports directly from Al Jazeera reporters rather than send in their own reporters. It was also the only news organisation that reported on both the Magical and non-Magical sides of the fence.
"Wow." Harry said after a moment. "Yeah, I'll do an interview with them as well. It should be interesting. Book them for the same day as Miss Worth, but schedule her first. We don't want her intimidated by following the big boys. And let Al Jazeera know that any reporter they send will be fine."
"Very well." Terrance said. "I will inform Miss Worth and Madam de Tennon, and send declining responses to the rest."
Terrance quickly gathered up his paperwork and Petunia showed him out. When she returned Dudley was on her heels, also dressed in a decent suit, but he was wearing his jacket.
"Wow, you're really playing with the big boys now." Dudley teased.
"Yeah, I guess. I got no idea what a big news organisation like that would want to ask me though. I mean I get the Prophet, that's local propaganda, but Al Jazeera?" Harry replied.
"I never payed that much attention, but dad always did have good connections with the foreign press." Petunia said. "That may be a reason. Or it could be a piece on the last surviving Lord Potter. Or possibly because you are the first child of Magical and non-Magical nobility in god knows how long. Just keep it honest and you'll be fine. And I'll be there in any case."
"We can deal with it later. It's time to go." Harry said, donning his suit's jacket in a single smooth move.
"Petunia, Harry, Dudley, come in." Amelia said as she answered the door.
"Amelia. Thanks for inviting us." Petunia replied.
They entered the reception hall of Bones Mansion where Susan appeared to take Petunia's coat.
"The Patils, the Longbottoms and the Abbots have arrived, but we are still waiting on the Tonks." Amelia said. "They are waiting in the parlour."
"May I have a word before we go in?" Harry asked.
"Of course." Amelia replied.
"Aunt, I will take the Evans' into the parlour." Susan said.
"Of course dear." Amelia said.
"I'll see you in a few minutes, Aunt." Harry said.
Once the others left, Amelia looked over at Harry.
"I assume this relates to Sirius Black." She said with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes, Ma'am." Harry replied. "It is just that it has been so long with so little progress."
"That is the nature of this kind of case." Amelia replied with a sigh. "There has been some complications in the case for both sides."
"What kind of complications?" Harry asked.
"Well, firstly Sirius' wand was snapped, so no test can be run to verify what spells he cast on that day. All of the eyewitnesses agree that Peter accused Sirius and then there was an explosion. The physical evidence is contradictory however." Amelia replied. "Both the Prosecution and Defence have been scrambling to find enough evidence to formulate a case."
"Apart from Peter's accusation, why was Sirius even suspected of being my parent's Secret Keeper?" Harry asked.
"Well it was well known how close Sirius was to James. Dumbledore was recorded as saying that he believed Sirius was the Secret Keeper and no one bothered to check." Amelia replied.
"Actually would make the perfect decoy." Harry replied. "Everyone would expect him to be the Secret Keeper. Why don't they just use a Pensive or a Truth Potion?"
"They are not admissible in court." Amelia replied. "Memories can be modified and Truth Potion makes the person tell what they believe to be true, wether it is or not. They are good for finding leads in interrogations but not in court. Also the defence is claiming that Peter Pettigrew was an unregistered Animagus, but the Prosecution is claiming that this is a lie due to the fact that there is no record of him being one."
"But if he is unregistered…" Harry began. "Sorry, I forgot how stupid some people can be. So what's the next stage?"
"Both sides are still trying to collect evidence and expert testimony." She replied. "Till the trial Sirius is still under house arrest but it is fairly lax. He has a twenty-four hour Auror guard and is not allowed out of the house without a guard. He has a tendency to flirt with all the female guards, so I assign only female Aurors who will not be offended. So he is having the time of his life."
"Thank you, Madam Bones." Harry said.
Amelia smiled as the door bell rang. Amelia opened the door to reveal Tonks and her parents Andromeda and Ted.
"Indy. You look good." Harry said, seeing Tonks in a powder blue dress with hair to match.
"You too, Ambassador." Indy replied, giving Harry a hug.
Harry, Amelia and the Tonks finally entered the parlour, where Harry was almost immediately mobbed for hug by Hermione, Hannah and the Patil twins. Half a second later a grinning Susan and Tonks joined in the group hug, making Harry blush, while Neville and Dudley watched with amused grins.
TBC…