Harry Listens
A/N: Thanks to my wonderful Beta, LtsHrIt4ThBoyz.
**OO**
Chapter 6 - Learning with Friends
**OO**
Friday, January 22nd
Juniper was livid! And more than a little scared. The Headmaster had commanded her to find Harry Potter and bring him back to Hogwarts.
While willing to do the first part, she couldn't fulfill the second. She summoned the other Potter elves to her.
"Livy? Sculls? Juniper being ordered to find Master Harry. You needs to stop me from doing anything bad to master after that."
Livy tilted her head. "Livy feel Master Sirius! Hims being free!" She quickly covered her mouth.
Sculls growled low in his throat before Livy hit him on the back of his head. "Stop being stupid! If Master Sirius hurt Master James or Harry, hims losing his magic. Being dead from oaths."
Sculls rubbed his head, though it hadn't been a hard hit.
"You being right," Sculls admitted.
Juniper talked to the Head Elf of Hogwarts. She explained her orders, and how she planned to evade them.
The Head Elf tipped her head to listen to Hogwarts.
"You belong to Harry Potter. Get him to touch you as soon as you are there, and the Old Whisker's false binds will release."
Juniper waved goodbye to everyone, and the trio of elves popped away.
**OO**
Augusta Longbottom took the rooms on the ground floor in the East wing with the view of the overgrown garden.
"How I wish your mother was here with us, Neville. She would have this place worthy of a palace in no time. She was that talented."
Neville smiled. His gran was trying. He didn't know that she and Sirius had talked about Frank, Neville's father. Or about James, Neville's godfather.
All of the men in the household were doing their best to step up, and give Neville, and Harry as well, the paternal mentoring that neither boy had enjoyed previously in their lives.
Dumbledore had claimed that right, then abused it.
Augusta would be traveling back and forth to the Ministry of Magic, but she was determined to make sure that Neville knew that SHE loved him.
Even if it was difficult using those exact words.
**OO**
Dobby and Serena were working in the kitchen of the nice manor house that faced the sea when they heard and felt the popping in of elves.
Juniper was trying to put Harry's hand on her head, but he was resisting.
"Master needs to allow it or she will obey Nasty Head Whiskers," Livy warned.
Dobby gave Harry some needed advice. "Master Harry? These be Potter elves under false bonds to Headmaster. Please hurry, or they will have to obey him. You cans free them."
Harry asked how, but then remembered what he did with Dobby, and repeated that trick. It seemed to work, as Juniper glowed and there was an audible snapping sound. He repeatedly put his hand on each elf until they were all free from Dumbledore.
"You all look healthy. Have you been treated alright? Been fed?" Harry asked worriedly.
Juniper nodded. "We have had enough food. You needs to know, Master Harry, that Hogwarts no longer paying House Potter. Just having elves grow food on land in Wales where castle used to be."
"I have been told that Dumbledore is dying, and I really don't want to let him catch me. Let's wait until he is safely dead, and we can talk to Minerva McGonagall about this. I personally have enough gold for a lifetime and am learning an art form that can earn our family another fortune. Let's see if the people at Hogwarts start paying once he is gone or not. After all, I want to keep that land, but have no desire to live in Great Britain right now." Harry suggested.
The trio of elves now reunited with Dobby and Serena, who they seemed to know well. It was a happy reunion.
Harry went to Sirius and Remus with all that he learned from the elves. After all, they were getting ready to do a campaign to ruin Dumbledore's reputation. And this was just the sort of fuel they needed.
**OO**
Monday, January 25th
Rita Skeeter was summoned into Barnabas Cuff's office. He pointed at a chair with a scowl.
"I have a very difficult question for you, Skeeter. You're one of my best. But, you do have a slight reputation for skewing the facts as you see them.
"On this assignment, we are being asked to present the truth and nothing but. The payment here is huge. A ten thousand galleon bonus. So, are you willing to swear a magical oath for a project?
"If not, I'll get someone less experienced and more honest on this job," Cuff assured.
"You haven't said who this is about?" Rita pointed out.
Barnabas paced. "Yeah, I guess this one bit won't hurt. One name. Albus. Interested?"
"I won't do anything to build that person up! In fact, I have been putting together a file of all of his 'mistakes'." The reporter stated slyly. Complete with air quotes when she said "mistakes".
Barnabas let her read the letter. Her eyes widened in glee and greed.
"Oh yes. For this? I'll take the oath. And the clues?"
"This first one is already slightly public. Potter was attending Beauxbatons until Dear Albus tried to kidnap Harry. The details are in this letter. Then Dumbledore's growing food on Potter lands using Potter resources without so much as a by-your-leave from his guardians, much less the normal land lease.
"Then we have proof that Sirius Black never had a real trial; just a 'dog and pony' show without any defense allowed and a pre-paid 'guilty' verdict. All overseen by the current Chief Warlock! Are these enough to get started on a new weekly column?"
"The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore. Has a ring, doesn't it?" The reporter purred.
"Like a cash register, Rita. Get started. But before you go, that oath please?"
Rita hoped to get away without it, but took it with good grace. This was going to be HUGE!
**OO**
Harry and Hermione were having breakfast when Dobby made a note to get more eggs soon. And some fruits.
Eggs would be safe in a cushioned knapsack. Harry wanted the excuse to go biking. It was almost as good as flying, and Hermione liked it a ton better.
Luna picked up biking very quickly, but Neville was still a bit wobbly. The four friends made their way to the village together.
One part of the path took them to an overlook of the bay. Not far off, there was a pod of local dolphins fishing.
They sensed Harry's presence.
"Harry! Harry! Harry!" They chittered. "Come fish! Good Fish!"
Harry laughed. "No thanks, I just had breakfast. We'll swim with you later."
Harry's fitness had taken off. With near-daily swims, only skipping during bad thunderstorms, and biking, and running and everything else, they were all getting into very good shape.
Which helped their magic.
Harry waved to the small group of magical skinks, all bright orange and clearly ready to cheer the Cannons.
Hedwig did not understand her boy's squeamishness in regards to eating them, but refrained from hunting them. Besides, they might be poisonous. Many things that were bright in color were toxic after all.
They made their way to the village. The middle-aged witch greeted Hedwig like a long-lost friend as always, and gave her a home-made owl treat. The Snowy preked her thanks, no translation needed.
Buying eggs there was not a problem, and Harry had them safely stored in his pack. The others had picked out their favorite fruits. Hedwig and they were soon on the way home. A large sea turtle was seen swimming in the bay as they passed the lookout point. They stopped for a moment to admire it then raced home to change.
Harry couldn't wait to go swimming.
Could he talk underwater? Oh! He needed a Pensieve that displayed images so that he could sketch his memory of it and paint it. Luna in particular couldn't wait to see the giant terrapin up close.
**OO**
Remus didn't even bother asking permission of Sirius at Harry's request in passing for the magical memory viewer. Just made a note to check with Gringotts first to see if one was owned by the Blacks, Potters or Peverells already.
With as many adventurers, aurors, and artists in the Potter family, Remus thought that the family might already own such a device.
He went to talk to Juniper, and soon, the Potter pensieve was ready for Harry to use for his artwork.
**OO**
Neville had never challenged Harry to a chess match before. Remus pulled out a set that he had tried to send Harry for his eighth birthday. It had been returned with a nonsensical note that hurt Remus' feelings at the time and made him shy away from sending more things.
Which had been the point after all.
Now knowing that his godson did love him and want him in his life had Remus remembering the gift he'd saved up for.
And it was beautiful.
Harry kept shifting his shoulders back and forth, and Hedwig was tired of getting discommoded. She finally perched on top of the fine nest of Harry's hair and settled to watch. She promised herself that she wouldn't kibitz. Well, not too much.
Neville had not noticed. His entire being was focused on the game at hand.
Hedwig blinked and turned her head downwards towards Harry. She had wanted to question that move. Neville startled badly, falling out of his chair.
It appeared that he had finally noticed the beauty and her perch. He climbed back into his seat, shaking his head.
"I'm so used to playing Gran. Well, you've seen her hat. I thought it had come alive somehow, you know, with your post owl perched like that and all."*
The look on Hedwig's face!
Luna rushed over to pet and cuddle the bird. "Neville! You just compared Miss Snowy Owl with a…a…Vulture!"
Neville blinked, his eyes growing large and alarmed at the twin pairs of eyes that were gazing at him.
"Death glares?" Harry asked.
"Times two."
Harry smiled and patted Hedwig awkwardly from his seated position with her perched on his head. "He meant the pose, not your looks, beautiful girl. Relax."
Neville was still wary of Hedwig for a few days. Being Harry's familiar, and the fact that Harry seemed to be able to talk with her showed that she had secret hidden powers.
The owl treats and the frog he'd found while planting did not seem to be working on her warming up to Neville at all either.
He'd continue to try to get back into her good graces.
**OO**
Saturday, January 30th
The art teacher at the Italian magical school heard what happened in regards to Harry Potter's attempted kidnap. No one had seen the boy at the younger school (theirs was divided by younger and older years) but the art instructor had been one of the few contacted when his guardians were trying to set up individual training for the boy.
Copies of some of Harry's most recent paintings were now in his hands. The boy had real talent that was begging to be nurtured. What an apprentice he would make.
After a few letters back and forth between the artist, Emma and Sirius, he committed to spending Friday through Sundays with the family wherever they were.
Giovanni Tiziano Vecelli Titian had added Titian as a last name for professional reasons. He was a descendant of the famous artist, and was proud of his ancestry. He of course asked all of the adults to call him Giovanni. He was at first a bit pompous, but calmed as he painted and taught.
He was taken on a tour of the manor and grounds, and was very, very impressed by the beauty here. He was offered a bungalow to stay in when he visited that would be for his use any time. He would have the most wonderful backdrop to paint from, and he would become a welcome guest during the holidays there.
Master Titian was very pleased with the opportunity to come to this private island. Especially when meeting a special girl, Miss Nymphadora Tonks, when she was visiting her parents.
She might hate her name, but the artist longed to paint her, and repeated her name in his mind if not aloud. Nym-pha-dor-a. As if savoring each syllable.
This opportunity would change Giovanni's life.
**OO**
Sirius had part of the ballroom's floors covered in drop clothes, had tables, chairs, and one professional quality easel brought in. He figured that the art instructor would want to choose the rest on his own. The posable dummies were there with their stands, and a small clothing rack of dress robes, gowns and such were ready to hand.
Master Giovanni was very impressed with the room. The lighting would need to be improved, and Remus was ready to take notes for what else might be needed.
The projection pensieve was already on the side table, and the painting of the sea turtle that Harry had done was on the easel. The instructor nodded approval.
Seeing the boy's paints and brushes had the man scowling.
This instructor was about to change Harry's life.
**OO**
Knowing that eventually the children would be spending most of their school time on the island had given the recruited adults time to look at the standard curriculum books assigned at Hogwarts, as well as looking into other classes.
They were ready with a plan, especially with the help of Beauxbatons instructors who sent third and fourth-year syllabi for all of the classes offered at their magical school.
Master Titian did not speak French, and Harry took off the bracelet that his grandfather had created. Yes! There was more than one set of runes, and the runes for French had been engaged by the goblin helping him. Harry tapped his wand on the inner runes for French, and they stopped glowing. Then he tapped the rune sequence for Italian.
Now, Harry could understand and speak Italian. Perfect!
Master Giovanni's English was so accented that people had trouble understanding him, and now Harry could at least understand his instructions. If not the meaning.
That was going to take time, practice, and apparently all new tools.
"Who sold you this garbage? This is for small, little children to paint stick figures! Not for genius wizards to paint real art! No, no! We go to Florence and get you some real tools. The non-magicals make some very, very good brushes. We make our own later, at least for the specialty work. Paints too. We start with the purchased ones for now."
Remus had a letter from Goldrub mentioning pigments and all purchased, and showed him what the family already had access to. That made him smile. These were the very best in the business! Good. They would wait to use them when Harry was ready for that level. For now, they had some new tools to get. Dan was first to volunteer to go with them.
Dan Granger had gone through the hoops to become a registered bodyguard in France, Italy and Germany. He wasn't taking any chances with his little girl, even if she did carry a wand. Dan wasn't as interested in art as his wife, but he was going along as security.
Remus wanted to go as an additional bodyguard just in case of magical trouble. Dobby was invited, but he stated honestly that he had no interest in art, but would go if asked.
Harry and Giovanni planned for the trip with the input of everyone. Hermione and Luna wanted to go to one of the museums there, one that was in a converted palace with a fine garden. Neville approved of that. They wound up doing both shopping and a field trip. But the orders had to be placed first.
The Italian magical art store was fascinating! Emma was worried she would have to give Harry a limit of how much he could spend, but he was still shy and hesitant on that score. Master Giovanni was obviously a well-known and respected client. He soon had not one but three clerks waiting on him. It would take time to get everything ready, so they would return to pick up the order after the museum visit.
Emma saw Harry's hand stray to different supplies more than once, and then pull back as though he might get stung. Remus saw too, and put a reassuring arm around his godson.
The two of them made a circuit of the store without Master Giovanni and Remus picked out several things that Harry expressed interest in. Master Titian only objected once, and that was to insist on the better quality paper.
Harry missed the looks of amazement (and perhaps a bit of envy) from the clerks aimed his way in gaining such a mentor so young.
The young people got to see a magical museum for the first time that included some of the wizard Leonardo da Vinci's work. Emma was so very impressed.
Da Vinci was born before the Statute of Secrecy after all, even if no one remembered his inventions as being magical in nature. Even Mage-level magic could last only so long without renewal.
**OO**
Emma and Dan talked that night. With magic able to take them anywhere, they wanted to make sure their daughter was well exposed to art, science, and the history of the non-magical world.
Exposing Harry to part of that culture was something that both Sirius and Remus supported. Especially as Harry's mother's parents were non-magical, and with Sirius' escape from prison still a secret, he couldn't openly travel without risk.
Dan came up with a solution to that problem. The Northern Italians had quite the Germanic influence in their hair and eye color. A trip to a salon, and now the former Lord Black sported a honey-blond hairstyle in a military cut and no facial hair at all.
Now Sirius looked like any other Italian from the region and could come along with them on their frequent school outings.
The children quickly adopted a uniform from one of the local private schools in order to 'blend in' and not be questioned about why they were at a museum or historical place during the school day.
Harry soaked up knowledge like a sponge. Remus had done a good job of integrating history lessons with these trips. Andi had taken them out looking for wild potions ingredients.
Their learning didn't just mean sitting in the manor's schoolroom or reading. Though they did have that as well.
And Dan insisted on good kinesthetic activities that included early morning jogs, bicycling to the local village and of course, a bit of flying. Sirius loved to fly, as did Harry, and they would play tag with anyone at home willing to fly.
Neville and Hermione eventually were able to fly to the village and back with the group, but they never played tag. Flying was not in their blood.
Though the sticking charms helped a lot in terms of flying at all.
**OO**
February 2
'This new column is based on provable truth. Not accusations that this reporter often hears. Seeing the memories of a Dark Lord teaching at Hogwarts chilled this reporter to the bone. But why would the Great Albus Dumbledore allow it? Why allow a possessed teacher to attack his supposed apprentice?
'Well, gentle readers, I have shocking proof. Proof that includes memories and letters from Harry Potter and several others.
'I quote Mr Potter. "I have never been nor ever will be Albus Dumbledore's apprentice. He set me up for abuse, and I got away. If he ever catches me, he said he would kill me. I sent proof of that to the DMLE."
'Shocking? Oh yes. Harry Potter, who rid our world of a Dark Lord, and now rid us of another one lurking at Hogwarts has to run away and live in hiding due to Albus Dumbledore's threats.
'Why? I have opinions from different people. His own brother, Aberforth, says that Albus is jealous of Harry Potter's fame, wealth, and talents. Such a shame.
'I have proof that Harry Potter now is an official apprentice. For his safety and the safety of his teacher, I will not reveal who. Only that the Ministry of Magic only allows one such relationship at a time.
'The conclusion is certain. If Harry Potter is someone else's apprentice, he is not Albus Dumbledore's apprentice, and we have been lied to yet again.
'Revealing the lies of Albus Dumbledore is my quest. If you have a story to share that you can prove, I invite you to floo or owl me. Pensieve memories and oath of veracity, please.'
'Rita Skeeter.'
**OO**
February 3
Records were checked by the Minister's clerk. Indeed, no registry for Albus Dumbledore taking an apprentice. Not one in fifty years that these records were recorded. They had to check back further to see if he ever had a recorded apprentice. No one remembered. Was McGonagall his apprentice back in the 1920's or 30's?
No one could remember, and no one wanted to go to the stacks.
Harry Potter's apprenticeship was on file with the DMLE. Unusual, but private. He was a minor and was under constant attack. He deserved the extra security.
Besides, if they did break-in, all that they would find was an address in Spain that was just an owl post redirect.
**OO**
After delivering Dobby safely to the ground, they walked into the kitchen to start dinner. Livy and Sculls had returned to Hogwarts as spies at Sirius' request. He wanted to know if Dumbledore started making any more plans against Harry or Neville.
Juniper was already in the kitchen.
"Hey Juniper! How are you today?"
Juniper scowled at Dobby, but said nothing in front of Master Harry.
"What's wrong? Did I do something wrong? And please, speak proper English if you know how."
Juniper nodded and took a breath. "Master Harry's grandparents would never treat a house-elf like a friend."
Dobby looked guilty, and nodded at the truth of that statement.
Harry took Juniper over to the small round table that Dobby and Harry used for snacks, and meal preparation.
"Please sit down." Harry asked, and looked into her eyes.
"You never tried to talk to me at Hogwarts. I was there for a year. You didn't save me from the Dursleys. Dobby did. I'm not saying that we can't be friendly with one another, but I want you to understand. I thought that Vernon was going to kill me. He didn't want anything to do with a wizard BEFORE I went to school. Afterwards, he was terrified of me!"
Harry took a drink of water that Dobby brought over, sensing his master's thirst, no. His friend's thirst. Harry smiled his thanks.
Harry didn't have anything but pity for the Dursleys. They never wanted him, and never had a choice. They were terrified of magic!
Harry knew who was to blame. And that man was the one responsible for the whole mess.
Dumbledore.
Harry took a breath and settled his anger.
"Please understand. Dobby saved my life. Without his help, I would be dead. Hermione and her family would all be dead. Voldemort would have a new body. Who knows what death and mayhem that would bring to all of England in those circumstances. He rescued me. Gave me food, brought me to a safe place, and then was vital in the rescue of my best friend Hermione.
"So. Yeah. I admire Dobby. I like Dobby. Dobby is my friend. You have now been told the circumstances. He risked his life, his magic, to rescue me. And you want me to do what? Treat him like a servant?
"Dobby is free to work where he wants to work. If he wants to work with me in the kitchen, making good food for friends and family, how is that wrong? You are worried about maintaining the slave caste system that has kept your people and mine from being friends. Well, I hope that one day we can destroy it."
Harry beamed at Dobby who was still cringing a bit as he washed the outside skins of the potatoes that they would be using as part of dinner.
"Do you have any questions for me?" Harry asked.
Juniper examined her very cute and comfortable shoes. She said nothing.
"Please stop with the judgements. Please stop being unkind to Dobby. If you can't, then go work elsewhere. I won't let him be abused by you or anyone else."
Juniper looked up sharply at that. Master Harry was right with everything he said, but she didn't want to be sent away. It was warm here, and beautiful. The herb and vegetable gardens she started with Master Neville were going to be wonderful.
"Juniper is very sorry, Master Harry. I will tries…try to do better. Please don't send me away."
Harry looked at Dobby and looked back and nodded.
Dobby stood straighter as Harry came over to start the rub on the roast.
"So, what did you think of that new maneuver on the broom?" Harry asked.
"Dobby likes it very much. Calling it the 'Dobby Squeal Special.'"
Harry laughed and got out the garlic that Juniper had already peeled and prepped.
"Good one."
Juniper stopped glaring, and realized that Master Harry was not the wizard he would have been if raised by Mistress Dorea. Or even by Mistress Lily.
He was a very unique mage. Very kind. She'd be watching him.
**OO**
February 15
'Did Albus Dumbledore try to make another Dark Lord of Harry Potter?
'By Rita Skeeter
'I have been sharing memory after memory of child abuse - muggleborn, half-blood, and even pureblood children who had approached Albus Dumbledore for protection. Records of these poor children being hurt to the point of damaging their magic. Some were even killed by the so-called family that Dumbledore forced them to return to.
'Harry Potter begged Headmaster Dumbledore to stay in the castle. Begged him to protect him from his muggle relatives.
'Hospital records show that doctors (muggle healers) had to fix broken bones more than once for the Potter boy. He was nearly killed after going back in the summer at the end of the last school year.
'And what did Albus Dumbledore want to do when it was discovered that Harry Potter was no longer with said muggle family?
'HE WANTED TO REUNITE THEM! Would Harry Potter have lived last summer if Dumbledore had gotten his way?'
'If you think that this is an isolated incident, you are sadly mistaken.
'I have been sent Pensieve memories, letters, and journals of those unfortunates that are no longer with us. Pleas for help that were never heard or were dismissed by Albus Dumbledore; Transfiguration teacher, Deputy Headmaster, and Headmaster.
'This evidence goes beyond naivete. This is criminal. He turned his back on children who were being abused. Children, some of whom wound up dead from abuse!
'Albus Dumbledore shouldn't be allowed within miles of a magical child, or squib for that matter.
'There is a Pensieve on display under guard in the main lobby of the Daily Prophet with a sampling of these memories on constant repeat. The sound is only turned on for visitors with the privacy shield in place for the comfort of our staff. You are invited to see the proof.
'If you can stomach it.
'Thank you.'
**OO**
Molly Weasley was furious. How dare Rita Skeeter imply that Harry Potter was abused! Ron would have said something!
He met the boy on the train to Hogwarts. Ron said the boy was kind and caring. They shared food together! That meant something in the wizarding world.
She sent a howler that let Rita know all of her feelings in detail. The letter back, written by Barnabas Cuff's secretary, had her really steamed.
'Mrs Weasley. Your howler of February 15th was sent to the DMLE. Continued harassment of employees of the Daily Prophet will see you in court.
'You were told that we had proof. I had to move offices because I had to watch the memories time and again. They've finally moved it into my old office to prevent us from being upset.
'Come and see. And then tell me how great Dumbledore is.
'This is your only warning before litigation. Expensive litigation.
'Marigold Berkley, secretary.'
Molly turned off the stove. Normally, she'd start stew about this time. Well, food could wait. She needed to stew over this!
She stormed to the newspaper's office and got an eyeful.
And a huge blow to her hero worship.
She returned home, wrote a letter without the name at the time, and then copied it four times. Once for each boy still at Hogwarts. Ginny was left out as she had never met Harry.
Questions about his initial appearance at school, did he wear rags? Questions about his relatives, the castle he lived in.
Was he really skinny?
Fred and George's answers hurt the worst, as they played quidditch with the lad. Very skinny, no wizarding casual clothes, only muggle ones worse than anything they owned at home. Holey, oversized, shoes held together with duck tape, though it didn't quack.
Molly wrote an apology to Rita Skeeter for her howler and promised she'd never do it again.
She collected up every book loaned, every object that Dumbledore had ever given them and put it in a box.
She and Arthur would take it up to Hogwarts and give it to Professor McGonagall. They floo'd several parents and started a campaign to remove the man from Hogwarts.
One of his most loyal minions had truly turned on Dumbledore. Her daily howlers to the Headmaster became legendary.
And she would haunt him until he died.
**OO**
March 7
Algie Longbottom, following a tip from a certain underworld figure, came to the muggle barn. His friends had sadly already taken care of the family, so he missed out on that fun.
There it was, and was indeed beautiful. And huge. The biggest snake that he had ever seen, and it certainly wasn't native to Britain.
Carefully levitating the huge being onto a wooden platform, he debated where to take it. Hmm.
Creating portkeys was illegal without a permit. One of the reasons why is that it was a way for the toffs to earn money. They had to be registered and all. Well, he had snuck in when his brother was getting those lessons, and knew how.
And sold them underground at ten times the legal rate - no questions asked. And provided them for other Death Eaters.
Algie just didn't have the peerage for the license. Too bad they were so untraceable.
Best take this beauty home and inform the others. Something this big?
It just had to be related to their Master. The Dark Lord.
**OO**
Wednesday, March 31
Hedwig dived bombed towards the water. She almost had it this time! "Soon, little fishy, you WILL be mine." The owl promised.
"Hed? If you want a fish, I'll get you one."
Surprised, she watched her boy summon the finger length little fish into his hand.
"You? Understand me?"
"Of course, I do! I've been talking to you for months now. You just don't usually respond."
"Well, of course, I can understand YOU! You're MY boy! But YOU understanding ME? That's, that's…"
"Yeah, unheard of. Call it Potter luck. I don't know. You're a great friend Hedwig. So, now that you're talking to me, is there anything that you need? Better roost? Better food? Anything?"
Hedwig flew to his shoulder and rubbed her face into his cheek. "More cuddles. I love you, my sweet little chick. I really do."
"Well, I'll make sure you get some every day, but I need to draw, paint, plan, and do schoolwork too."
Hedwig admired the latest painting of her diving towards the sea.
"You are very good at that." Hedwig admired. "Thank you."
Harry kissed her on the top of her head and grabbed his brush. He was going to add some fishes to it.
"Thanks, Hedwig. I love being free."
"Me too, chickeedoo. Me too."
**OO**
Through his open window, the sounds of the afternoon call came in. How did dolphins tell time? It was 3:00, and time for their swim.
"Harry! Harry! Harry!" The chittering call came in. Hermione, ahead of him in preparation, was running down the hall with Luna, hand-in-hand.
Harry quickly changed and was joined by a more reluctant Neville.
"What's wrong, Nev?"
"I know that we have adults that are here to help. But I still…"
"Then stay on the beach and look for interesting shells. Or plants!" Harry suggested.
Neville nodded.
His uncle Algie had finally been arrested for attempted murder after several aurors had seen the memories of Algie's interactions with Neville when he was younger. The news had him regressing. Badly.
Sirius was going to get him to a mind-healer, but in the meantime, it was just about watching over him and being there.
No one was rushing him into the water, and just by walking barefoot and beachcombing, the panic he felt was abating.
They all had been reading the Daily Prophet's articles, and Neville decided to send in a doozy.
When Neville was four. Being tossed off a pier in Blackpool. A drop of at least five meters. In early spring.
Then when he was eight. How his uncle held him out the window in front of Dumbledore and dropped him when distracted, and all of the relatives were happy when Neville bounced.
If he had been a squib, he would have been murdered in front of Dumbledore and the old man never once heeded Neville's pleas for help. Not once.
Rita Skeeter had sent Neville a rare plant in thanks. She didn't have to tweak the story much at all. The truth brought tears to many eyes.
And much gold to Rita's pockets.
Only a few knew why Algie had tried to kill the boy. And they weren't sharing.
The number of members of a certain tattoo club were dwindling away, but the few that remained were very loyal to the cause.
**OO**
Friday, April 2
The few remaining Death Eaters had decided to bring Voldemort back. They had to do something fast. Something was draining their magic from them. If they didn't, they were going to die!
Or worse, lose their magic.
Algie's arrest had spurred them to action. They had to do something! And now, they lost their portkey maker!
Algie Longbottom had found a giant snake in brumation (hibernating) a few weeks before his arrest. He transported it to his home, and shared the news with his colleagues. They jumped to a conclusion. They had decided that this HAD to be their master and wanted to resurrect him to a proper body.
A parseltongue wizard, Kanha Patil, from India was contracted to speak to the giant thing to confirm it was the Dark Lord. And confirm the ritual they had to bring him back to power.
The wizard hired was surprised, but the job had been contracted through several layers. Padma Patil's great uncle was very aware that Harry Potter had left Hogwarts after only one year due to feeling unsafe.
A boy, Neville Longbottom, that she liked, quiet and kind, had left at the winter holidays earlier this year. Along with another student. Rumors were rife that some monster had killed them both.
Bringing back a dark lord was something that Ramrao Patil's uncle wanted nothing to do with. While thinking very fast, he decided to at least question this huge non-native snake.
ƺ "Good morning great one. I have food for you, and some questions if you don't mind." ƺ Kanha asked.
ƺ "Speaker! This makes two that I have met. I am fortunate. I smell food but do not see it." ƺ
ƺ "It is near. Where did you meet another speaker? Was he evil?" ƺ
ƺ "What? NO! That young man was very nice. Freed me from a place of captivity. I tried to find my way home but became lost. Can you help me find Brazil?" ƺ
ƺ "Brazil? That is far away, and on another continent. Would you like to come to my home? It's warm there, and you are magnificent." ƺ
ƺ "Do you have prey there?" ƺ
ƺ "Oh yes. Many rats and other vermin. You would help us and have a good place to live." ƺ Mr Patil assured.
'We need to make a plan, or we are both going to die.' Kahna thought and thought fast. Purebloods, wealthy, sneaky. Deadly.
What was he going to do?
**OO**
*Thanks to ArcVal for the thought. Bless you.
A/N: Story Recommendations: Marcus Kyle : Story of the week.
Lily Leaves by monbade. Lilly had made contingency plans that didn't include an old whiskered wanker in it. She took Harry and bailed out.
**OO**
Ɠ—Ɠ = Goblin language
%-% = Phoenix speech
ʥ—ʥ = DragonTongue
ƺ"."ƺ parseltongue
₲ galleons
₰ sickles
ķ knuts