Squib Summer
a Harry Potter fan-fic
by Ozma and Jelsemium
a sequel to Squib Caretaker
Chapter Five: The Trial of Harry Potter
All recognizable characters copyrighted by J.K. Rowling.
The less recognizable ones might be under your bed.
I'd be careful next time I vacuumed if I were you.
"You see, my colleagues, how I have been denied my rightful prey?" the
Grey Woman exclaimed dramatically. "The child's guardian clearly said
that anyone who wished could take the child. This broken wizard claims
that the family sent him as their champion. I claim that, as an
abandoned child, Harry Potter is my rightful prey. This… thing… would
deny me. He would break our ancient law and deny all of us our
livelihood."
"If it's a challenge to the law, then it's a test they need to be
taking," the Banshee hissed like speaking in less than an ear splitting
scream was difficult.
The gaunt faced woman swooped around the hall, black hair trailing
behind her. Her body seemed solid enough around the shoulders, but from
the waist down it faded until her legs were indistinguishable from her
hair. She emitted a faint, greenish glow that illuminated the crowd
below her.
Harry's stomach did a slow tuck and roll as he caught glimpses of the
things that surrounded them. He swallowed and reminded himself that
hysterics would only get them killed, or worse.
"Yesssss…" Nagini agreed. "We'll set them tests, then." The snake woman
looked around with a smirk. "So, Devourer, who should set the first
test?"
The Grey Woman frowned. "The woman of the sidhe made the suggestion. It
is her right to go first."
The Banshee grimaced. "Very well, the man came to set the boy free. The
first test should be easy. The boy must set the man free."
Harry had been thinking about trying to pick the lock with the rusty old
screwdriver in his hand. Now was his chance. He took a deep breath. "If
you will allow me, sir," he said politely, as if merely opening a door
that Filch could have opened for himself. He sat on the floor and pulled
the manacle onto his lap. He focused his attention on the task at hand,
desperately trying to block out the whispering of the audience and the
obscene comments by the Harpy, much of which he only vaguely
comprehended anyway.
The lock was stubborn. Each time Harry thought he'd had it open, it
somehow managed to relock itself. Harry scowled as he realized it would
take more than a pick to open this. He needed some magic. "Finite
Incantatem," he snarled under his breath as he worked.
The lock clicked and the manacle fell to the ground, freed both from
Filch's arm and from the ring that had held it to the floor. Harry's
stomach gave a sudden lurch and he felt so nauseated that if he'd had
any food in his stomach, it would surely have come up. He was also glad
he'd been sitting down. He took a deep breath and looked up at the
Banshee. "Done," he managed. He wasn't sure how, but this was no time to
look gift blessings in the mouth.
"So it is," the Banshee agreed. She settled down in a corner,
illuminating for a moment the creatures that had been sitting there. Not
for very long, though. The things moved away quickly, apparently not
able to tolerate even the faint light that emanated from the fairy
woman.
"Not so fast," snarled the Grey Woman. She turned to the shadows.
"Rebind the man… and do something about that dreadful beast!" she added
in a shriek as Mrs. Norris darted over and took a swipe at her already
bleeding ankles.
The Grey Woman kicked at Mrs. Norris, which any student of Hogwarts
would have told her was a bad idea. Mrs. Norris dodged handily, causing
the Grey Woman to over balance and almost fall to the ground. The
Devourer of Children staggered for a few steps, then glared as she
realized that nobody from the crowd was coming forward to bind anybody.
"What's the matter with you!?" she howled.
There were a lot of mutterings from the crowd about not interfering with
the judges and how they were there as witnesses rather than
participants. Apparently, none of the monsters wanted to admit they'd
been coerced by a child into staying away from the caretaker and his
cat. Harry was just as happy they weren't inclined to mention this fact.
*******
"My turn now…" the Harpy said, flaring her wings. She strode forward
into the light that surrounded Potter, Mrs. Norris and me.
"And your turn as well, Broken Wizard," she said. "Your task is to
answer three of my questions, truthfully."
"Ask," I said, gruffly, trying not to show how frightened I was. It was
all too easy to imagine her sharp talons tearing us to pieces and her
brassy wings splattered red with our blood.
"You caught my eye in the Leaky Cauldron this morning," the Harpy said,
almost coyly. "I think you knew that the boy was in danger. Tell me,
what did you sense?"
The Grey Woman and the other Judges all looked at me. I broke into a
cold sweat, my heart beating like an ensnared rabbit's. Did these
creatures know about the perceptive abilities of Squibs? If they did,
then I didn't dare lie. But I didn't dare describe the powerful spell
that protected Potter, either.
"I felt the stirrings of an ancient magic," I said, trying to weave a
plausible description out of strands of half-truths. "Wild magic. Very
strong."
Looking at the Grey Woman, I shuddered. Please, Merlin, let her think
that I was describing her, as she'd stalked Potter. Please, let her be
that arrogant…The Grey Woman grinned toothily, as I gave her what she
considered to be her proper due. The Naga eyed me, speculatively.
"Yesss, Squibsss have always had their usess…" the snake-woman remarked.
"Either whole, or in piecesss." Her eyes glittered.
The Harpy was already asking her next question. "The Devourer's Binding
Spell… were you able to feel it weakening, before you freed the boy?"
At the moment all I could feel was myself being backed into a corner. It
was a simple `yes' or 'no' question, with no room to maneuver. And I
didn't dare lie.
"Yes," I said, very softly.
The intent expression on the Naga's face when she looked at me made my
skin crawl.
"The boy was able to free you without the use of a wand," the Harpy
said, as I turned away from the Naga. "All of us saw it. Use your senses
now and tell me, Broken Wizard. Does the boy have enough strength
remaining to duplicate that impressive feat?"
I looked at Potter. The poor boy's exhaustion was palpable. Announcing
this fact did not seem like a very wise idea. I hesitated.
"A silent reply, yet so eloquent!" the Harpy said. "Thank you."
I frowned at her. "But, Madam, I haven't answered you yet! I don't know
what to say! In all honesty, predicting what this boy does or doesn't
have the strength to do is always a risky business… Potter NEVER does
quite what anyone expects of him."
The Harpy glared at me, but she couldn't deny that I'd spoken the truth.
"No more questions," the Sphinx reminded the glowering Harpy. "He has
successfully completed the second task."
*******
The Grey Woman snarled at the judges. "Which one of you is ready to set
the third task?" she demanded.
The phrase caused Harry to feel sick. It reminded him horribly of the
Third Task of the Tri-Wizard Tournament and Cedric Diggory's death. For
the first time he appreciated what other people felt when he said
Voldemort's name aloud.
His thoughts were diverted when he noticed some emotion flickering
across the Sphinx's face. Something that looked very much like… sorrow?
Could he be reading her emotions correctly? If so, then what could have
upset her? She didn't have an evil memory of the Third Task, did she?
Nagini glared at the Sphinx. The Sphinx, her face now apparently under
strict control, merely smiled enigmatically. "By all means, my reptilian
sister, take your turn."
Nagini chuckled and slithered closer. "How about an old classic?" she
said. "I'll give you three chances to guess my name," she smirked. "One
guess for each of you." She reached out as if to touch Harry's face.
Mrs. Norris took exception. She spat and swiped at the snake woman.
Nagini recoiled, then grinned. "Wrong," she said. She looked at Harry.
"Your turn, boy."
Harry hesitated. He didn't want to reveal that he knew the name of
Voldemort's servant, but he couldn't think of anyway around it. To not
answer would be death. "Nagini," he said at last.
Nagini let out a hiss to rival the Hogwarts Express. "Foul child! You
cheat!"
"And yet he fulfilled your challenge," the Sphinx said, striding
forward.
Now that the Maze from the Tri-Wizard Tournament had been brought to
Harry's mind, he thought that the Sphinx sounded familiar. He could be
fooling himself, he realized, but he thought that this was the same
Sphinx. He wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not, however. He
hoped that whatever she had in mind would be to their advantage.
"In order to make sure this court gives the correct judgment, Devourer,
I need to know what it was that the boy's guardian said that gave him
into your power." The Sphinx bared her teeth at Harry. "Boy, what did
she say?"
Harry blinked rapidly, trying to remember what his Aunt Petunia had
said. "She said that anybody was welcome to take me, if they thought
they could make me mind my manners."
The Grey Woman smirked. "She said, and I quote: 'I can't do a thing with
this brat. You're welcome to take him, see if you can do a better job of
making him behave.'"
The Sphinx smiled. "And have you been able to make the boy behave?" she
asked the Grey Woman.
*******
I couldn't help the wry laugh that escaped me.
"Her?!" I snorted, looking at the Grey Woman. "Of course she hasn't!
Better people have tried. And failed, miserably, I might add."
The Sphinx turned her almond eyes on me then, her expression both grave
and amused.
"Have you accomplished this feat?" she asked me.
It was Potter who answered the Sphinx.
"Yes, he has. It's part of his job, isn't it? He always makes me wipe my
feet when I come in to the Castle, covered with mud. He walks the
corridors most of the night to make sure that all of us stay in our
beds. And just now, he told me off for speaking disrespectfully about
one of my Professors."
The expression on the Sphinx's face was stern as she turned to the Grey
Devourer.
"All four tasks have been successfully accomplished," the Sphinx said.
"And, furthermore, this Wizard has met the challenge put forth by the
boy's guardian. Greyling, my judgment is that your claim on the boy is
non-existent."
"I agree," the Harpy said, almost sweetly.
"As do I," The Banshee rasped.
"It is time now to consider *other* claims on both the boy and the
Squib," hissed Nagini.
The Grey Woman wasn't about to give up her prey. "You may take the
Broken Wizard for all I care. And his wretched cat, too! But the boy is
MINE!"
"NO!" Nagini shrieked. "You had your chance, now it's my turn. I claim
these humans for my master, Voldemort!"
To Be Continued...
Authors' Notes:
Alla: Thank you!! Congratulations on your graduation from law school!
-Ozma
Yep, the Grey Stalker probably would have gotten top marks in law
school. (Slytherin, or maybe Ravenclaw...) -Jelsemium
aurendel: Thank you!! "The Devil and Dan'l Webster' is one of my
favorite stories! -Ozma
There may be something like the Predator's Court in folklore. I love
folklore and I was trying for something that felt like it was from
folklore. -Jelsemium
Spark-Chick: Thank you!! Four hours of driving? You have my sympathy...
I hate to drive. The thingies all say "Hi!" -Ozma
Thanks, I liked the thingies, too. No fun in having the hero win out
against incredible odds if there aren't any witnesses to spread the word
in the right quarters. ("You don't want to mess with that Potter kid!")
-Jelsemium
Larania: Thank you!! The Grey Stalker would say that there are far too
many abandoned magical children in the world, and that she's providing a
valuable service. (If she could be content with Tom's Shepherd's Pie,
she wouldn't be having such troubles...) -Ozma
Yes, the Grey Stalker needs to eat. However, there are probably other
things she could hunt besides children in order to get magic to eat. But
what's the fun of stalking magic mirrors or somebody's old Shooting
Star? -Jelsemium
Shadowycat: Thank you!! Snape will definitely appreciate the apology
from Filch, since the Potions Master knew that he was right all along.
What Snape really wants is for Filch to tell Dumbledore that allowing
Harry to keep the Invisibility Cloak is both wrong and unfair. (Not that
Snape is really expecting Dumbledore to change his mind about the Cloak,
but he wants all the support he can get.) Yes, lesser evils flee before
Voldemort, like goblins running from a Balrog!
Nagini always does her best to look out for her Master's interests.
-Ozma
I'd like to see Snape apologize to a few people. Neville, for one. Also,
James Potter risked a lot to save Snape's life, and Snape 'repaid' him
by accusing him of trying to kill him and chickening out at the last
minute. Dumbledore took him in when no one else would trust a former
Death Eater, but Snape never displays any gratitude. Someday, I hope
that Snape will learn to be grateful to the people who are kind to him.
Nope, Nagini won't be unbiased, ever. -Jelsemium
minnowgirl: Thank you!! Filch would say that he's just doing what has to
be done because there's no one else to do it. He's not a bit reckless.
Really, he's not! -Ozma
Thanks! Yes, I loved how Harry was pleased to be compared to Sirius.
(That's Ozma's doing!) Also loved how Filch has turned this whole legal
business to his advantage. (Also Ozma's doing.) -Jelsemium
Ice Lupus: Thank you!! Where would Voldemort fit into something like a
Predators' Court? Interesting question. He'd probably consider himself
above the law, even ancient laws. Tommy-boy thinks he's a law unto
himself.
The little flapping horrors don't want to touch Harry because, legends
aside, the boy is a powerful wizard while they're basically scavengers
and bottom-feeders. Also Harry has been marked by the Dark Lord and
Voldemort is *way* out of those little guys' league. -Ozma
There's no real connection between Nagini and the Greyling. They do know
each other, slightly, because they run in the same circles. The Greyling
sensed the other predators earlier so when she wanted judges she went to
collect them, figuring that they would rule in her favor. -Jelsemium
Ariana Deralte: Thank you!! Yes, that wonderful paragraph (it's
Jelsemium's) made me want to hug Harry too, poor sweet baby!
Snape would never admit that he's hurt when he's not believed, but that
bit at the end of Prisoner of Azkaban (when Snape was RIGHT about Harry,
Ron and Hermione having been up to something and the poor man was
hysterical and going over the edge and Fudge thought he was cracking up)
made me feel sorry for him. Snape needs to be believed, vindicated and
apologized to about *something* in order to restore the Great Cosmic
Balance. Thanks for the kind comments on the author's note!
Jelsemium and I both like Nagini as a character too! -Ozma
Thanks, I'm glad that you liked the paragraph where Harry tells Argus
that he doesn't want people to know how he's treated. A lot of abused
children are ashamed of how they're treated, like it's their own fault.
I rather like Nagini as a villain. I've liked Nagas ever since I ran
across those snake people in Hindu mythology (I've always liked snakes)
and they're especially fun in the Potterverse because of Harry's talent
for talking to snakes. (Not that Nagas can't talk human talk.)
-Jelsemium
The Amazing Maurice: Thank you!! I'm not sure that being able to talk to
snakes invariably means that the Parselmouth can control the snake.
Harry probably still has to rely on his own persuasive abilities and
good manners. I think Nagini is firmly loyal to Voldemort. -Ozma
I don't think Harry could control a Naga any more than he can control a
person just by talking to him. He might have been able to control the
basilisk if he'd met it alone since it was used to being ordered around.
Anyway, I threw in Nagini because I wanted to use Harry's parseltongue
for something. -Jelsemium
emma: Thank you!! -Ozma
Thanks, I like to give readers a little hint of what's coming up.
-Jelsemium
Persephone Kore: Thank you!! The little flapping horrors wouldn't have a
go at eating Harry unless he was injured carrion. The Banshee, Harpy,
Sphinx and Nagini all have interests in Harry that go beyond eating him.
Poor Harry! -Ozma
Thanks for the kind words, I'm rather pleased with the Court of
Predators too. I like the idea that the intelligent monsters out there
have some sort of culture.
I guess most of the predators there figured that Harry wouldn't be very
edible. He's bound to disagree with their digestions.
I loved it when Harry quoted Filch's comment back at him. (Ozma's doing,
by the way.) -Jelsemium
A. Lee: Thank you!! You're right, the Council of Predators isn't
concerned with being fair. But a group of Predators hardly ever decides
in favor of the "Prey," so the Grey Woman feels like she has a good
chance of winning her case. She wants to consume Harry's magic, and she
doesn't much care what happens to what's left of the boy's body when
she's done. The other predators can have it for all she cares. Good
question about the Sphinx! -Ozma
No, you wouldn't think that a Predator's Court would be very fair-
minded, would you?
Oh, Nagini doesn't want Harry dead, I believe that Voldemort wants him
alive. -Jelsemium
a Harry Potter fan-fic
by Ozma and Jelsemium
a sequel to Squib Caretaker
Chapter Five: The Trial of Harry Potter
All recognizable characters copyrighted by J.K. Rowling.
The less recognizable ones might be under your bed.
I'd be careful next time I vacuumed if I were you.
"You see, my colleagues, how I have been denied my rightful prey?" the
Grey Woman exclaimed dramatically. "The child's guardian clearly said
that anyone who wished could take the child. This broken wizard claims
that the family sent him as their champion. I claim that, as an
abandoned child, Harry Potter is my rightful prey. This… thing… would
deny me. He would break our ancient law and deny all of us our
livelihood."
"If it's a challenge to the law, then it's a test they need to be
taking," the Banshee hissed like speaking in less than an ear splitting
scream was difficult.
The gaunt faced woman swooped around the hall, black hair trailing
behind her. Her body seemed solid enough around the shoulders, but from
the waist down it faded until her legs were indistinguishable from her
hair. She emitted a faint, greenish glow that illuminated the crowd
below her.
Harry's stomach did a slow tuck and roll as he caught glimpses of the
things that surrounded them. He swallowed and reminded himself that
hysterics would only get them killed, or worse.
"Yesssss…" Nagini agreed. "We'll set them tests, then." The snake woman
looked around with a smirk. "So, Devourer, who should set the first
test?"
The Grey Woman frowned. "The woman of the sidhe made the suggestion. It
is her right to go first."
The Banshee grimaced. "Very well, the man came to set the boy free. The
first test should be easy. The boy must set the man free."
Harry had been thinking about trying to pick the lock with the rusty old
screwdriver in his hand. Now was his chance. He took a deep breath. "If
you will allow me, sir," he said politely, as if merely opening a door
that Filch could have opened for himself. He sat on the floor and pulled
the manacle onto his lap. He focused his attention on the task at hand,
desperately trying to block out the whispering of the audience and the
obscene comments by the Harpy, much of which he only vaguely
comprehended anyway.
The lock was stubborn. Each time Harry thought he'd had it open, it
somehow managed to relock itself. Harry scowled as he realized it would
take more than a pick to open this. He needed some magic. "Finite
Incantatem," he snarled under his breath as he worked.
The lock clicked and the manacle fell to the ground, freed both from
Filch's arm and from the ring that had held it to the floor. Harry's
stomach gave a sudden lurch and he felt so nauseated that if he'd had
any food in his stomach, it would surely have come up. He was also glad
he'd been sitting down. He took a deep breath and looked up at the
Banshee. "Done," he managed. He wasn't sure how, but this was no time to
look gift blessings in the mouth.
"So it is," the Banshee agreed. She settled down in a corner,
illuminating for a moment the creatures that had been sitting there. Not
for very long, though. The things moved away quickly, apparently not
able to tolerate even the faint light that emanated from the fairy
woman.
"Not so fast," snarled the Grey Woman. She turned to the shadows.
"Rebind the man… and do something about that dreadful beast!" she added
in a shriek as Mrs. Norris darted over and took a swipe at her already
bleeding ankles.
The Grey Woman kicked at Mrs. Norris, which any student of Hogwarts
would have told her was a bad idea. Mrs. Norris dodged handily, causing
the Grey Woman to over balance and almost fall to the ground. The
Devourer of Children staggered for a few steps, then glared as she
realized that nobody from the crowd was coming forward to bind anybody.
"What's the matter with you!?" she howled.
There were a lot of mutterings from the crowd about not interfering with
the judges and how they were there as witnesses rather than
participants. Apparently, none of the monsters wanted to admit they'd
been coerced by a child into staying away from the caretaker and his
cat. Harry was just as happy they weren't inclined to mention this fact.
*******
"My turn now…" the Harpy said, flaring her wings. She strode forward
into the light that surrounded Potter, Mrs. Norris and me.
"And your turn as well, Broken Wizard," she said. "Your task is to
answer three of my questions, truthfully."
"Ask," I said, gruffly, trying not to show how frightened I was. It was
all too easy to imagine her sharp talons tearing us to pieces and her
brassy wings splattered red with our blood.
"You caught my eye in the Leaky Cauldron this morning," the Harpy said,
almost coyly. "I think you knew that the boy was in danger. Tell me,
what did you sense?"
The Grey Woman and the other Judges all looked at me. I broke into a
cold sweat, my heart beating like an ensnared rabbit's. Did these
creatures know about the perceptive abilities of Squibs? If they did,
then I didn't dare lie. But I didn't dare describe the powerful spell
that protected Potter, either.
"I felt the stirrings of an ancient magic," I said, trying to weave a
plausible description out of strands of half-truths. "Wild magic. Very
strong."
Looking at the Grey Woman, I shuddered. Please, Merlin, let her think
that I was describing her, as she'd stalked Potter. Please, let her be
that arrogant…The Grey Woman grinned toothily, as I gave her what she
considered to be her proper due. The Naga eyed me, speculatively.
"Yesss, Squibsss have always had their usess…" the snake-woman remarked.
"Either whole, or in piecesss." Her eyes glittered.
The Harpy was already asking her next question. "The Devourer's Binding
Spell… were you able to feel it weakening, before you freed the boy?"
At the moment all I could feel was myself being backed into a corner. It
was a simple `yes' or 'no' question, with no room to maneuver. And I
didn't dare lie.
"Yes," I said, very softly.
The intent expression on the Naga's face when she looked at me made my
skin crawl.
"The boy was able to free you without the use of a wand," the Harpy
said, as I turned away from the Naga. "All of us saw it. Use your senses
now and tell me, Broken Wizard. Does the boy have enough strength
remaining to duplicate that impressive feat?"
I looked at Potter. The poor boy's exhaustion was palpable. Announcing
this fact did not seem like a very wise idea. I hesitated.
"A silent reply, yet so eloquent!" the Harpy said. "Thank you."
I frowned at her. "But, Madam, I haven't answered you yet! I don't know
what to say! In all honesty, predicting what this boy does or doesn't
have the strength to do is always a risky business… Potter NEVER does
quite what anyone expects of him."
The Harpy glared at me, but she couldn't deny that I'd spoken the truth.
"No more questions," the Sphinx reminded the glowering Harpy. "He has
successfully completed the second task."
*******
The Grey Woman snarled at the judges. "Which one of you is ready to set
the third task?" she demanded.
The phrase caused Harry to feel sick. It reminded him horribly of the
Third Task of the Tri-Wizard Tournament and Cedric Diggory's death. For
the first time he appreciated what other people felt when he said
Voldemort's name aloud.
His thoughts were diverted when he noticed some emotion flickering
across the Sphinx's face. Something that looked very much like… sorrow?
Could he be reading her emotions correctly? If so, then what could have
upset her? She didn't have an evil memory of the Third Task, did she?
Nagini glared at the Sphinx. The Sphinx, her face now apparently under
strict control, merely smiled enigmatically. "By all means, my reptilian
sister, take your turn."
Nagini chuckled and slithered closer. "How about an old classic?" she
said. "I'll give you three chances to guess my name," she smirked. "One
guess for each of you." She reached out as if to touch Harry's face.
Mrs. Norris took exception. She spat and swiped at the snake woman.
Nagini recoiled, then grinned. "Wrong," she said. She looked at Harry.
"Your turn, boy."
Harry hesitated. He didn't want to reveal that he knew the name of
Voldemort's servant, but he couldn't think of anyway around it. To not
answer would be death. "Nagini," he said at last.
Nagini let out a hiss to rival the Hogwarts Express. "Foul child! You
cheat!"
"And yet he fulfilled your challenge," the Sphinx said, striding
forward.
Now that the Maze from the Tri-Wizard Tournament had been brought to
Harry's mind, he thought that the Sphinx sounded familiar. He could be
fooling himself, he realized, but he thought that this was the same
Sphinx. He wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not, however. He
hoped that whatever she had in mind would be to their advantage.
"In order to make sure this court gives the correct judgment, Devourer,
I need to know what it was that the boy's guardian said that gave him
into your power." The Sphinx bared her teeth at Harry. "Boy, what did
she say?"
Harry blinked rapidly, trying to remember what his Aunt Petunia had
said. "She said that anybody was welcome to take me, if they thought
they could make me mind my manners."
The Grey Woman smirked. "She said, and I quote: 'I can't do a thing with
this brat. You're welcome to take him, see if you can do a better job of
making him behave.'"
The Sphinx smiled. "And have you been able to make the boy behave?" she
asked the Grey Woman.
*******
I couldn't help the wry laugh that escaped me.
"Her?!" I snorted, looking at the Grey Woman. "Of course she hasn't!
Better people have tried. And failed, miserably, I might add."
The Sphinx turned her almond eyes on me then, her expression both grave
and amused.
"Have you accomplished this feat?" she asked me.
It was Potter who answered the Sphinx.
"Yes, he has. It's part of his job, isn't it? He always makes me wipe my
feet when I come in to the Castle, covered with mud. He walks the
corridors most of the night to make sure that all of us stay in our
beds. And just now, he told me off for speaking disrespectfully about
one of my Professors."
The expression on the Sphinx's face was stern as she turned to the Grey
Devourer.
"All four tasks have been successfully accomplished," the Sphinx said.
"And, furthermore, this Wizard has met the challenge put forth by the
boy's guardian. Greyling, my judgment is that your claim on the boy is
non-existent."
"I agree," the Harpy said, almost sweetly.
"As do I," The Banshee rasped.
"It is time now to consider *other* claims on both the boy and the
Squib," hissed Nagini.
The Grey Woman wasn't about to give up her prey. "You may take the
Broken Wizard for all I care. And his wretched cat, too! But the boy is
MINE!"
"NO!" Nagini shrieked. "You had your chance, now it's my turn. I claim
these humans for my master, Voldemort!"
To Be Continued...
Authors' Notes:
Alla: Thank you!! Congratulations on your graduation from law school!
-Ozma
Yep, the Grey Stalker probably would have gotten top marks in law
school. (Slytherin, or maybe Ravenclaw...) -Jelsemium
aurendel: Thank you!! "The Devil and Dan'l Webster' is one of my
favorite stories! -Ozma
There may be something like the Predator's Court in folklore. I love
folklore and I was trying for something that felt like it was from
folklore. -Jelsemium
Spark-Chick: Thank you!! Four hours of driving? You have my sympathy...
I hate to drive. The thingies all say "Hi!" -Ozma
Thanks, I liked the thingies, too. No fun in having the hero win out
against incredible odds if there aren't any witnesses to spread the word
in the right quarters. ("You don't want to mess with that Potter kid!")
-Jelsemium
Larania: Thank you!! The Grey Stalker would say that there are far too
many abandoned magical children in the world, and that she's providing a
valuable service. (If she could be content with Tom's Shepherd's Pie,
she wouldn't be having such troubles...) -Ozma
Yes, the Grey Stalker needs to eat. However, there are probably other
things she could hunt besides children in order to get magic to eat. But
what's the fun of stalking magic mirrors or somebody's old Shooting
Star? -Jelsemium
Shadowycat: Thank you!! Snape will definitely appreciate the apology
from Filch, since the Potions Master knew that he was right all along.
What Snape really wants is for Filch to tell Dumbledore that allowing
Harry to keep the Invisibility Cloak is both wrong and unfair. (Not that
Snape is really expecting Dumbledore to change his mind about the Cloak,
but he wants all the support he can get.) Yes, lesser evils flee before
Voldemort, like goblins running from a Balrog!
Nagini always does her best to look out for her Master's interests.
-Ozma
I'd like to see Snape apologize to a few people. Neville, for one. Also,
James Potter risked a lot to save Snape's life, and Snape 'repaid' him
by accusing him of trying to kill him and chickening out at the last
minute. Dumbledore took him in when no one else would trust a former
Death Eater, but Snape never displays any gratitude. Someday, I hope
that Snape will learn to be grateful to the people who are kind to him.
Nope, Nagini won't be unbiased, ever. -Jelsemium
minnowgirl: Thank you!! Filch would say that he's just doing what has to
be done because there's no one else to do it. He's not a bit reckless.
Really, he's not! -Ozma
Thanks! Yes, I loved how Harry was pleased to be compared to Sirius.
(That's Ozma's doing!) Also loved how Filch has turned this whole legal
business to his advantage. (Also Ozma's doing.) -Jelsemium
Ice Lupus: Thank you!! Where would Voldemort fit into something like a
Predators' Court? Interesting question. He'd probably consider himself
above the law, even ancient laws. Tommy-boy thinks he's a law unto
himself.
The little flapping horrors don't want to touch Harry because, legends
aside, the boy is a powerful wizard while they're basically scavengers
and bottom-feeders. Also Harry has been marked by the Dark Lord and
Voldemort is *way* out of those little guys' league. -Ozma
There's no real connection between Nagini and the Greyling. They do know
each other, slightly, because they run in the same circles. The Greyling
sensed the other predators earlier so when she wanted judges she went to
collect them, figuring that they would rule in her favor. -Jelsemium
Ariana Deralte: Thank you!! Yes, that wonderful paragraph (it's
Jelsemium's) made me want to hug Harry too, poor sweet baby!
Snape would never admit that he's hurt when he's not believed, but that
bit at the end of Prisoner of Azkaban (when Snape was RIGHT about Harry,
Ron and Hermione having been up to something and the poor man was
hysterical and going over the edge and Fudge thought he was cracking up)
made me feel sorry for him. Snape needs to be believed, vindicated and
apologized to about *something* in order to restore the Great Cosmic
Balance. Thanks for the kind comments on the author's note!
Jelsemium and I both like Nagini as a character too! -Ozma
Thanks, I'm glad that you liked the paragraph where Harry tells Argus
that he doesn't want people to know how he's treated. A lot of abused
children are ashamed of how they're treated, like it's their own fault.
I rather like Nagini as a villain. I've liked Nagas ever since I ran
across those snake people in Hindu mythology (I've always liked snakes)
and they're especially fun in the Potterverse because of Harry's talent
for talking to snakes. (Not that Nagas can't talk human talk.)
-Jelsemium
The Amazing Maurice: Thank you!! I'm not sure that being able to talk to
snakes invariably means that the Parselmouth can control the snake.
Harry probably still has to rely on his own persuasive abilities and
good manners. I think Nagini is firmly loyal to Voldemort. -Ozma
I don't think Harry could control a Naga any more than he can control a
person just by talking to him. He might have been able to control the
basilisk if he'd met it alone since it was used to being ordered around.
Anyway, I threw in Nagini because I wanted to use Harry's parseltongue
for something. -Jelsemium
emma: Thank you!! -Ozma
Thanks, I like to give readers a little hint of what's coming up.
-Jelsemium
Persephone Kore: Thank you!! The little flapping horrors wouldn't have a
go at eating Harry unless he was injured carrion. The Banshee, Harpy,
Sphinx and Nagini all have interests in Harry that go beyond eating him.
Poor Harry! -Ozma
Thanks for the kind words, I'm rather pleased with the Court of
Predators too. I like the idea that the intelligent monsters out there
have some sort of culture.
I guess most of the predators there figured that Harry wouldn't be very
edible. He's bound to disagree with their digestions.
I loved it when Harry quoted Filch's comment back at him. (Ozma's doing,
by the way.) -Jelsemium
A. Lee: Thank you!! You're right, the Council of Predators isn't
concerned with being fair. But a group of Predators hardly ever decides
in favor of the "Prey," so the Grey Woman feels like she has a good
chance of winning her case. She wants to consume Harry's magic, and she
doesn't much care what happens to what's left of the boy's body when
she's done. The other predators can have it for all she cares. Good
question about the Sphinx! -Ozma
No, you wouldn't think that a Predator's Court would be very fair-
minded, would you?
Oh, Nagini doesn't want Harry dead, I believe that Voldemort wants him
alive. -Jelsemium