Harry Potter's Secret Weapon
**OO**
A/N: Thanks to my wonderful Beta, LtsHrIt4ThBoyz.
NPGs are a registered trademark of the Black Consortium; not to be used without Lord Black's express permission. He will, he will, prank you.
New Pureblood Graftees - formerly muggleborn or half-blood magical people that are getting a new lease on life after being drafted into a new family. A cleansing and renewal of the gene pool.
The Sacred Twenty Eight is soon going to have all of their seats in the 'Mot filled for the first time since the Grindelwald war…
**OO**
Chapter 22 That Wasn't What I went Fishing For
Slughorn was indeed delighted with the finding of the plant essential to the Blood Cleanser Potion, and asked permission to come over to Blackmoor Hall. He admired the plant and bowed to the fairies attending it. He knew how crucial these magical beings were to the plant's ongoing welfare and prosperity.
While he personally had seen few plants so guarded, the ones that were…well, those were truly unique.
Neville promised to return to the glen to look for more plants, as the potion master had originally misunderstood how many of the petals were needed. He now knew that he needed far fewer, but still. More plants to cultivate would be very wise.
Slughorn, with great gratitude, took the three petals that the fairies offered after harvesting. "Being picked this way will increase their potency, young sir! Just you watch!"
Neville didn't, as he wanted to stay here. But Penny asked permission to go to Slughorn's house. He was thrilled, and again offered to be HER mentor should she ever need a change.
"Actually, sir, I would really like that."
Slughorn offered her his hand, and they would talk about appropriate journeymanship parchmentwork later.
"But I'm an apprentice!" Penny was shocked. Never had someone advanced so quickly.
"You've been mentored by our brilliant Severus for years, what a talent he has, and you've done so much research on your own. You are near your mastery already, my dear. You have a singular talent for this work. Now, let us carefully brew this blood cleanser.
"I know that you already know much of this, but I am going to outline my process. The first thing is to review the directions thoroughly, making note of stirs and temperature. Next we…"
**OO**
Tuesday, July 26th Blackmoor Hall
Darlene was driving herself crazy, driving the elves around her crazy. Harry and Winky were hiding in the library. He had DADA lessons later that afternoon, and planned on just staying there for the next few days if his godmother couldn't calm down!
It was just a birthday party. Well, a joint one for him and Neville.
Since Lily Potter was Neville's godmother, something that had been really brought out again on Saturday, in the Wizengamot, Darlene had decided to embrace the role herself. After all, Neville spent many hours a day there as it was; going to lessons with Harry, working with Karr in the greenhouse or grounds, or just hanging out in the pool when Harry was ejected from the library.
Now, she was enacting her plans for the overnight party. The invitations were already sent, along with the portkeys that Harry made with Sirius' careful supervision (he was working on a prank in the same room as Harry).
Neville had only had family parties with old stuffy relatives that didn't even play games.
The game room was supposed to be finished before the party. Shuffleboard, darts, a billiard table, several tabletop games and a special cupboard to store them. Sirius had also found a foosball table that could have up to four players on a side. An air hockey table was also going to be squeezed in there somehow.
Lots of two seat tables around the edges with high stools. The tables were painted with a checkerboard. Pieces for chess, checkers, wizard's chess, and some other magical game that Harry had not seen played, were stored in the drawers that were part of the small tables.
There was a bright, shiny jukebox in the corner full of both magical and muggle music. Harry noted that most of the muggle music was from when Sirius was a teen. His rebellious streak was showing again.
Sirius had discussed having a small bowling alley. Harry had never done it and knew it was one of Dumbledore's favorite games so declined. For now.
Padfoot planned on taking Harry, Neville, and the twins and seeing if Harry actually liked the game before trying again.
Oh, and he had solved the ekletricy connection issue two weeks prior. They couldn't hide from the muggles and still buy power. So, Dan had suggested a generator. Going to a huge home improvement store with the muggle had been eye opening for Sirius, as later related to his curious wife.
Harry and Neville had gone, and they wound up buying up flats and flats of plants per Neville's request.
Now the magically powered generator was silently churning away, ready to run the lights, electronics or whatever they wanted. Dan had been most impressed, and had temporarily borrowed the generator to show some co-workers. He promised to return it before the building needed it. And was doing so later today.
Darlene was fussing over each room, each activity, each menu. Everything had to be perfect!
Then she got a personal floo call from Mrs O'Neal in Hogsmeade. Little Seanie was sick; could she please help.
The household let out a joint sigh of relief.
Never before had a group prayed for a plague to land somewhere just to keep the lady of the house away and busy! It was not as though Clarice and her competent helpers couldn't handle the job!
**OO**
Tuesday Afternoon, after DADA
Neville left, teasingly promising Harry to see Hermione safely to Blackmoor Hall. They were taking the floo. She had an idea to research and was going to ask Clarice for help.
Hermione was concerned about Umbridge 'saving' dementors. She wanted to come up with an illusion or something so that Harry could kill the real ones, and Umbridge be on the other side of the world with a fake letter and saving fake dementors. That was part one.
The other was something that had been niggling her brain since Paris.
Hermione wanted to figure out how to make a portable version of the runic containment circle that Madame Flamel had created. Hermione was picturing an expandable flying disk, only with the middle taken out. A flying ring…
"I can't believe that you are going to that horrible place! You will be careful won't you?" Hermione begged.
Harry held his betrothed's hands, "We are not entering the wards that keep the things in. We are doing a fly over to get an estimate of how many are housed there. Plain and simple. I have the equipment that your dad got me, Moody has his eye, Tonks has some kind of billiard ball that Aunt Calladora gave her, we're just looking! Intel mission.
"Hermione, don't be shy about asking Sirius for help. He's a great enchanter, and would likely be interested in getting a little payback." Giving the side-eye to Neville, who at least had the courtesy to blush!
**OO**
Blackmoor Hall
After arriving back at Blackmoor, Hermione went to find her mother. At this point, the only ones who weren't officially read into the program were Clarice and the teens.
Trying to do a top level security clearance on someone who didn't have a muggle background at all was hard. Remus and all of the Marauders got their muggle bonafides from Lily, way back. All of the private security personnel had at least good forgeries and were in the system as 'special inspectors' of an obscure branch dealing with domestic terrorism. Which was more or less correct.
"Mum, do you think that any of your coworkers would be able to help me? I want to figure out a safe way to deploy resizable runic containers for the dementors."
Emma hid her feelings of an ice cube being slipped down her back.
"Mum. Honestly." The eye roll was all teen. "I am not stupid. I haven't blabbed to anyone. Not about the extra weapons in the house or your unusual travel. Did you know that you sometimes use the wrong passport? The interpol badge is very distinctive. But I have said nothing, and made sure that I don't think about anything besides what a prat Draco is around the Headmaster or Professor Snape."
"Because they could read your thoughts. Oh dear. No! This isn't possible!"
"I have known since I was eight." Hermione confessed, "The hand-to-hand that you teach me –since I was six– isn't the normal sort of mother-daughter bonding, is it? I mean, I prefer it over cosmetics or any other kind of shopping."
Emma sat down and put her hands over her eyes, "Next year, when you are sixteen, I was going to tell you; have you read in so you can at least know. Officially. Some things. Be a research assistant. I keep forgetting how smart you are. Can you please keep this secret? For another year?"
"Of course Mum, and I haven't said anything to Harry. He just thinks that you and Dad are dentists to some very special people. Now, he's going out to count dementors with part of his team, but I had an idea of how to make their disposal a bit easier on them. Hundreds swarming him all at once is a recurring daymare for me."
"Daymare? Oh, like daydream only with the scary thoughts…You were with him when he faced these monsters."
"I was. I would have been dead without him saving my life. Ginny must have asked me that story so many times, you would think it was her he saved. She acts like it. Anyways, I have an idea."
"And you came to me for help. Let's get Clarice, and you can tell us both."
**OO**
A simple fishing trip, Near Azkaban…
The plan was simple. The boat was rented and ready, a stock of chocolate on board. Stop well outside the wards; Get out the brooms; Do a quick fly over, being careful to not hit any of the wards. Period. That was something that Moody's eye could see very well.
Alastor was paranoid though. Yes, they needed to get an estimate of how many dementors were already at Azkaban. And make a plan for dealing with them.
And a plan for containing any new dementors that Umbridge tried to bring in. But that was being worked on by the boffins in the MMI6 basement thanks to his contacts through the Grangers.
Moody was leading this scouting trip with Tonks and Shack. Along with a dozen patroni-wielding security of the finest caliber who could keep a secret. And Marius Greengrass with a comprehensive potions kit in case someone got a splinter or a fish bit them (or a flobberworm bite that they were using for bait). There should be no need for him.
As the boat approached the warning buoys –well away from the wards–, Harry felt it. The despair wafted over them like rolling fog. Unwanted, dense, cold, eerie.
Before they even had a chance to break out the brooms, Harry started to hear his mother screaming for mercy…
"Charlie! Turn around, get us out of here. The rest of you. Cast! Cast! Keep those things off of us!" Moody shouted. "Potter! Yer little miss loves ye, you know! Let these things know it! Get to it!"
Dementors, unbidden, had swarmed the boat, causing the captain to jump down a hatch and pull it closed behind him, completely ignoring Moody's calls for help.
Harry got his head back into the game and started casting. The Grim was furious and voracious. It went after dementor after dementor until, after about fifteen minutes, Harry suddenly fainted.
"Get that Captain back up here! We need to retreat! Marius, we're dead without Potter! Take care of him!"
One of the other aurors knew a bit about boats, and went to the wheel himself.
Healer Marius Greengrass had volunteered for this mission, trying to build bridges with Alastor Moody. He attempted to keep his butterfly patronus going but couldn't as he took his emergency kit out and expanded it.
"Not dittany, where is it! Nausea, no! Strengthening!"
He spelled the dose directly into Harry's stomach, knowing that this potion could handle the magic of it.
He readied vials of Pepper-up for the rest of the aurors, and went around knowing that the loss of another couple of people could be disastrous for them all.
Shacklebolt threw open the first storage chest, and started throwing chocolate bars at everyone. "Healer! Make sure that Potter gets some!"
Harry choked down chocolate, and revived enough to cast a regular patronus. With his off hand, he quickly ate another couple of bars, and took another potion that Healer Marius shoved at him.
The grim kept the dementors at bay but wasn't killing right now. Harry's magical energy had temporarily risen, and he eagerly quaffed another of the strengthening potions of Penny's brewing. But it was the new formula, well, old formula that had been lost to time, that really helped him.
Now he was back to killing dementors. And Marius' butterfly was back in business, helping to keep the onslaught at least partially contained.
Soon, they were backing away, far enough that the rest of the dementors left off.
All of them were exhausted, sitting on the deck now. Or lying on it. Marius Greengrass began again passing out Pepper-ups and chocolate bars and cleaned up nose bleeds, though he himself looked grey.
Tonks took one of the Pepper-ups and made Marius drink it. In another life, she could see herself dating this man. She then quaffed her own. She was nearly done in.
The captain, sensing that the danger had passed, tried to come back up on deck. Mad-eye shouted, "Ye worthless piece o' dragon dung! Ye were paid to take us out here, and claimed tae ha'e experience! Ye coulda gotten us all killed with yer cowardice! Fortunately for ye, there was a teenager aboard!" Alastor decided on payback, and decked him –it was his charter after all– dogging the hatch after he fell back. The substitute captain merely continued at his post with nary a raised eyebrow at Moody's action.
If the others had had enough energy, that's what they would have done after all.
"There has to be two hundred or more cloaks out there." Tonks claimed. Black cloaks floated on the water in clumps like demonic seaweed; greasy black stains.
Two of the recovered aurors opened one of the now empty food storage bins and started summoning cloaks. Tonks started counting, unable to help more than that.
Two hundred ninety-seven? No wonder the boy was exhausted! Without the magical rejuvenation potion, something from the book that Harry was working on, Marius knew they would have all been exhausted earlier.
And the things hadn't let up until the team had retreated well away from the initial warning buoys. They hadn't even hit the wards. They were clearly not designed to keep the things IN! And wasn't that a horrifying discovery.
Oh no! It was almost like they knew that Harry Potter was out to destroy them. The demons had tried to take him down before he could finish his work.
"The wards on Azkaban are down! The wards are down! Recall any personnel immediately if you can!" Moody warned through his mirror to Amelia. He too was drinking Penny's special blend, glad that Lord Black hadn't pranked him with the seaweed one for the goblins.
"Moody! You're grey! What happened?" Bones demanded.
"I'll give you the full report later. There can't be more than two hundred dementors left at Azkaban, and we need to make a safe plan to take out the rest before Umbridge sabotages our efforts again. But she's clearly warned them. We were swarmed on a little fishing trip. Well away from the wards."
"You took Harry Potter fishing? With a dozen of our best security, all proven capable of casting a patronus? Pull the other one, it's got bells on it."
"Well, that's the cover…anyway, I'll tell you more. After a little nap."
Amelia could see that he was near collapse, and let it be, but never had she seen him look so tired.
They would have to work together to formulate a plan later. Unlike some, he at least kept her abreast of what was going on; she sometimes felt alone and in the dark in the DMLE.
The Director went to take care of the people left alive, if any, that were worthy of saving. A part of her heart wished that Bellatrix Lestrange and the worst of the Death Eaters would be killed but they were behind warded locked doors; it was the guards who were in danger.
More than once, Moody had petitioned the Wizengamot for their deaths as being people too dangerous to allow to live.
**OO**
Blackmoor Hall
Sirius and Dan were working in the Pranking Parlor. Dan had not only returned the borrowed generator, he brought over a small generator for Sirius to look at. It was the model that agents used in the field, and MMI6 wanted a huge order of them converted from petrol to magic.
"Do you see this rune set? It's a magic collector. We can get you a map of the ley lines in Britain. If you don't have a wand to charge them, it can tap into that. Once fully charged, if it's close to a magical source, it will go for some time, if not forever, as the collectors do get magic from the area in general." Sirius explained.
The generator was designed to be quiet already but was now whisper soft. More than enough to power a field tent. Would it work in a magical one? Yes, but the statute would be broken distributing magical tents to everyday field agents. The generator alone could be passed off as new technology.
"You'll be issued a patent. Expect an order for about five hundred of these things. That won't hurt the Black coffers."
"But it's so easy to enchant that a child could…"
They both looked at each other.
"I sense another business opportunity for you, Lord Black. Oh, the request will be paid in Pounds sterling, I'm afraid. They know you'll need the standard currency to buy the generators. I've taken the liberty of ordering them for you since no one store is going to have that many. The perks of being a traveling dentist. We need to take our clinics on the road." Dan shared. "If I may make a suggestion? Let your assistants do a repeat of the work you have already figured out."
"Oh yeah. I'll get Dharma Briokz on it. I want some very tight employment contracts and oaths. This will be a perfect business for a few foreign NPG's as there aren't any other enchanters in Britain right now. In fact the last one I remember was Mrs Lovegood. Selene? Selena? Anyway, they will be made welcome."
Dan shook his hand and patted his shoulder. Sirius would rather be working on pranks or new inventions. Something like this? Doing the same thing over and over? He would never be willing to do it, but was happy to turn it over to others to do. And that would be good for everyone.
Livy popped in, tears in her eyes, pulling her ears. "Master Sirius, can you be comings to the house, please?"
Dan and Sirius shared a look. What now?
They turned to walk to the house together.
**OO**
"You are grounded for a YEAR young man! How could you? You LIED to us! LIED! Field trip! Going to Azkaban? A field trip is a museum. In Moody's case, perhaps an old Military one, or retired armaments or something. NOT AZKABAN! YOUR GODFATHER WAS TORTURED THERE!"
If it wasn't for all of the competing magical drugs in Harry's system, he would have been a quivering mess on the floor. As it was, he could barely restrain himself from covering his head in fear. He was breathing hard, and on his feet, partially due to Tonks' support.
Kingsley, on Harry's other side, tried to appease the irate mother, "Lady Black, clearly this is my fault, I was the adult…"
"Don't worry, Mr Shacklebolt. When I get done with Harry, there will be plenty of blame left to go around." The woman turned back to Harry.
Moody had a rule about mothers, and wasn't entering the fray. He went to see if he could track down Remus Lupin, and went up to the library.
However, Harry had had enough, and for the first time ever, backchatted his guardian, "Don't you think that Iknow that Sirius was tortured there? Kept away from you, me, your baby…"
"Baby? What baby?"
Harry pointed to her midriff. "YOUR baby. New life. She's going to be a strong witch. I just wanted to make sure that if any of the good guys got sent there again without a trial, like Sirius, Hagrid, and who knows how many others, that they will NOT be tortured."
"Baby? I am going to have a baby?" Darlene asked in wonder, all anger forgotten.
"You're a healer? Didn't you know?" Harry accused in the snottiest tone that anyone there had ever heard him use. But it had been a terrible day. He then realized that his specialized glasses might be helping him see too much, and he took them off.
"No, I didn't. I…I…I need to find Padfoot. Right now." Darlene stated in a small voice.
Harry pulled out his mirror, interrupting pranking business in the outbuilding.
"Harry! You're home! I'll be right in." Sirius was heard twice; once on the mirror, the other, his voice down the hall.
"I'm in trouble, deep trouble. Just wanted to let you know. I'll be heading to my cupboard now."
"Well, it's about time! You've hardly pulled any pranks. Is Hermione mad?" The image jostled. Clearly Sirius was in motion, and hadn't listened well.
"Please come, Hermione's in the library and she doesn't…"
Hermione interrupted from the stairs. "Hermione doesn't what?"
"Sirius? You know when you ran away to someplace safe? Can you take me there for a while? Until everything blows over?" Harry begged.
"What should blow over?" Sirius asked in person, no longer on the bouncing mirror. Dan, right behind him.
Kingsley and Tonks shared guilty looks, Moody was looking grim. Harry looked very grey.
"Congratulations, Sirius. I'm going before part II starts. Skipping dinner will likely be the least of my punishments."
"You'll never be punished by missing a meal!" Darlene defended, but Harry was already gone. Popped away by an unseen elf.
Winky to the rescue.
Darlene called out, "Winky, please? Make sure Harry gets something to eat right away. Dessert too."
Padfoot surveyed the people in a semicircle, looking tired and unhappy.
"Can someone please tell me what is going on?" Lord Black complained.
**OO**
Tuesday, July 26th Harry's room
Clarice snuck into Harry's room. Her sensitive ears had heard the yelling. She was a third year when this young man saved them all. And she still felt that admiration for the boy. She had no idea what had made Lady Black so angry.
She took the plate Winky had brought, that Harry refused to eat, and asked Winky to bring her a small plate for herself. She could feel that the food was still warm. Thank goodness for warming and cooling charms!
"Good evening, Heir Black. You missed dinner, so we kept some warm for ye. Oh, you're lookin' mighty peaky. Grey even. You smell of the sea, and fear. And death. I don't know what happened. But I am willing to listen or just eat with ye."
Harry had been laying down on his bed, facing the wall with the windows, but not seeing out into their blackened space. The curtains were still pulled back for the day.
Winky returned with a plate that contained a small bit of everything that Harry had on his plate.
"Please? You wouldn't let a lady eat alone, would ye?"
Harry, wiping his eyes surreptitiously, looked over his shoulder and sighed resignedly. He sat up, swiveled around, and took the plate. In truth, he was hungry. But everytime he had gotten into trouble in the past, he had been locked away someplace and not gotten food. Sometimes he missed out on one meal. Sometimes a week of no food.
He expected it now. And this time, unlike all of the rest, he had deserved the punishment!
Clarice shared, "Jam and Winky are fine cooks. Winky honored me by asking how to make proper Scottish shortbread. I thought I was gonna cry for a minute. She's made me feel so welcome here. Like a part of the family."
Harry couldn't help himself. He reached out his hand. "That's because you are. Welcome. And a part of the family."
Clarice ate, and Harry mimicked her motions, eating far more than he normally would at dinner. Of course, they tried to dance after dinner several nights a week. They just liked it.
"Do ye… want to talk about it?'
Harry nodded, "I didn't mean to lie exactly. I mean, I knew that Darlene would never let me go if she knew where I was going. But we had to! There's this lady at the Ministry who's trying to save the Dementors. 'Save the Whales'? Sure! Everyone likes them. Dementors? Is she insane?
"Grindelwald made them or summoned them to be big bad meanies to try and take over the WORLD! How can they be good? She has a plan to get them all on Azkaban to keep them 'safe' or something."
Clarice nodded, but now was not the time to share what she had been researching with Hermione, "So you went there to…?"
"See how many there were. Make a safe plan on dealing with them. I am so tired. And we weren't even near the wards. Which is good I guess, 'cause falling off the broom into the ocean would have been awful. I'd have drowned."
"I imagine so. So, you were trying to save us again, and now you're in trouble?"
"That's typical. Dumbledore didn't want it known that I killed a basilisk. Or faced Vold..sorry. Moldy. Today was supposed to be" yawn "strictly recognizance. I wasn't supposed to fight them. Not today! We hadn't even gotten on the brooms yet! We weren't that close." He yawned so big and didn't even cover his mouth, he was just that tired.
Harry's plate was empty, and he was falling asleep in it. He hadn't noticed that Winky had been adding more food as Harry ate, to make sure that he got all that he wanted.
Pulling out a good-sized bar of 'Honeydukes Best', Clarice held it out to the boy, "Why don't you eat this before bed? Before you brush yer teeth?"
Harry nodded, and gobbled it down as though he hadn't just eaten dinner. Winky had brought him a fresh brownie that he also quickly ate.
Then Harry stumbled to the loo and came back to bed still in his dirty clothes from the trip. Clarice could tell, the child was practically sleepwalking.
Winky came when Clarice called and with a snap he was pyjama clad and ready for slumber. Clarice had to help him back up on the mattress!
Clarice kissed his forehead, "I love you so much, Harry Potter. You don't know how much little people like me do."
And he felt it. A bit of the older-sister love like Penny, but there was also care there. A kind heart. Comfort. Peace.
"You're not a 'little person'!" He slurred. "Clarice, you are very important. You," Yawn. "Winky, Remus. People look down on you, but why? You are amazing. Thank you for making me feel better." And a soft snore was the next thing that issued from his mouth.
Clarice took her leave quietly, shutting the door. The boy was clearly asleep.
Just minutes later, Sirius came in and unknowingly, added a kiss next to the one that she had planted. Harry roused at his godfather's touch.
"Goodnight pup." Sirius whispered, "You're not in trouble. Your godmother's hormones are off due to her happy condition. We'll talk about this, calmly, as a family. But I as Lord Black am rescinding her grounding. I love you. Rest well. Call for hot chocolate in the middle of the night if you wake. And call me on the mirror if you want to talk."
Harry sleep-mumbled an affirmative and then snored, making Sirius grin and feel warmed.
Sirius called for Karr to go fetch a case of Honeydukes chocolate bars, and wake the owner if needed as the animagus tucked Harry in.
**OO**
Clarice would keep a watchful eye out for the boy. She'd half a mind to tell off Lady Black for yelling at him. It was Harry Potter! The story books were nothing compared to what the boy really did!
And Clarice was helping with his Astoria Project.
She made her way out to the grounds. It wasn't that late, and Fairfax Flint would still be up.
"Mr PR person? The family has a situation that I think would be wise to prepare for. And unlike Lady Black who was defended in the Wizengamot, we may have to pay for an ad.
And Clarice proceeded to inform the man just what Harry had done.
**OO**
Lord Black had finally been allowed by the goblins to enter the Family Vault for Charlus Potter's notes. After the Solstice Ball, there had been a push from Dumbledore to gain Harry's custody back. Part of his strategy was to claim that Black was stealing from the family vault.
That initiated an audit. Not just any audit, but High Auditors got involved. A very unwise thing to do was to lie. The proof that Sirius had just as much right as Harry to the information in the vaults was clear.
Now, after the audit on Dumbledore, Sirius had been able to retrieve the trunks of notes.
Sirius went to the library, summoning Winky and asking her to request Clarice come see him when she returned to the house.
Clarice wasn't long and Sirius sat them both down.
Sirius informed them, "I can't cast a patronus, yet. Have either of you, in your research, run across anything that emulated a patronus? Or kept a dementor at bay?"
Winky spoke up, "Master Crouch used to have to go to bad prison. He has a medallion. Master Percy works in that office. Maybe he could borrow it for us to be seeing? I mean, see?"
Clarice patted her arm, "Yer doin' fine. I thin' that's a grand idee. I'd mirror him, but Miss Black escorted him home for a minute."
Winky nodded, "For cuddle time!" she shared happily. "When she back, I will let you know 'tis safe to call hims. Him!" She corrected herself.
Lord Black nodded at the two females. He left to go find his wife who was with Healer Marius.
For some reason, Moody himself had asked the healer there that night. As Sirius walked down the stairs, he saw Marius leaving Harry's room.
"How is he?" Sirius worriedly inquired.
Marius shared, "Magically exhausted. He saved us all ye know. At least the food can be portkeyed to the prisoners as well as the staff. But after today? Amelia Bones would be mad to send any new guards to Azkaban. I think the guards already there are going to be recalled. If they still have their souls."
"To make the dementors invaluable? Oh yeah. We've had previous experience with Miss Um...person." Sirius stopped himself from swearing. Good habits were important around teens. And babies. After all, children wanted to repeat things we shouldn't haven't said in the first place.
Marius chuckled. "I'll come back in the morning before I go to bed to check on both your lady and your Heir."
He plopped down a couple of memory vials. "I don't recommend watching. Not without a gallon of calming draught. I would call this another assassination attempt: It was too concentrated on your lad."
Sirius nodded. He didn't want the nightmare fuel, and had Jam store them safely away after making copies for Director Bones.
"Oh, and just in case you'd like to know, the final count was 302."
**OO**
Darlene was in the garden. Karr had built a very nice permanent arbor where they had taken their vows. The roses were the wedding colors of peach, creams, and gold.
This was her first trial as a mother, and she had made a total hash of it! On a day… at the moment that she found out that she was with child. Marius had confirmed it.
She was going to have a little witch due in April. April 1st to be exact. Of course, what other day would a prankster's child be due?
The twins would be ecstatic.
How could she have yelled at Harry like that?
How could Harry be so irresponsible like that?!
Darlene paced around the garden a bit.
How could three supposedly intelligent people, dedicated to keeping Harry alive, do that to him? Four if she counted Marius! They still had their magic, so clearly it was unintentional that he had nearly been killed. Swarmed by dementors?! It was Padfoot's secret nightmare that he had escaped only to be caught and fed upon.
Again and again and again.
Why? Why did Harry worry them like this? And Kingsley! The handsome man was popular in France! He had been invited to the Solstice ball on his own, as a civilian before he took up with the Black family. He had been considered a very eligible bachelor. How could this reasonable, intelligent man allow HER SON to get so close to Azkaban?
Tonks! Tonks! What could she do about a family member?
What would happen when the press got ahold of this mess?
Sirius came out to the garden, and hugged his wife then held her close while they talked.
When he took her into his arms, she burst into tears!
Darlene gushed, "I'm so sorry about tonight. I should have asked more questions. I trusted…"
The tearful witch sobbed, "I'm so sorry I yelled. What was I thinking? Harry's going to hate me now. Did you see him? He told you, 'I'll go to my cupboard now.' He expects no food for a month! I did that!"
"Hush, now." Sirius stated soothingly as he wiped her face with a conjured hanky, "Harry was drugged to the gills, you were overwrought. I'm glad that you're calmer. That was some news we got tonight! A new baby."
Darlene nodded, "I need to go to Paris soon, and tell my family in person. My mother will be buying half of Paris' baby stores out."
"And Aunt Calladora the other half." Sirius chuckled, "We do seem to get news in mixed lots, don't we?"
Darlene nodded, "You know that he felt that he HAD to do this? For you. For Hagrid. For his next friend to be thrown into that place without litigation."
"And that is why I am rescinding the year's grounding." Sirius stated.
"I'm sorry, I overreacted. I know that it is important to give punishment when one is not angry. Consequences, preferably natural ones, are preferred. I know these things, and yet, at the critical moment, I failed!"
"You were scared. The only reason I didn't react as you did is because Healer Marius forced down a super-sized calming draught. Wish he had done that to you."
"No, he didn't. Why not? There in every…He was worried I was pregnant! Him too! Do I have a sign on my back or something?"
"No, but you, my beautiful wife, will likely have something that shows that you are making a new life. And I couldn't be happier about that. Come, let us sleep and get this day behind us."
Darlene took his offered arm, and they strolled back to their rooms.
Darlene was promising herself that she would take a safe calming draught before discussing this topic any more with Harry.
**OO**
Darlene tossed and turned all night, finally getting up and sneaking into Harry's room as the full blackness of the night was just starting to lighten. She used the light from her wand to guide her way down the hall. Noxing it at the door.
The elves had forgotten the drapes in Harry's room, giving her enough of the pre-dawn light to slip to the chair that was by his bed. She didn't remember it being there.
That was because Clarice had moved it there.
A quick wave of her wand, and it was a more comfortable recliner. She sat, careful not to wake the boy, then closed the curtains with another wave. Setting the focus down on the bedside table, she settled in to sleep. A blanket appeared over her.
Before long, her hand was soon on his bed near Harry's own, and she finally fell into a decent slumber.
**OO**
Wednesday, July 27th, Daily Prophet
After getting Sirius' approval, and meeting with Barnabus Cuff late the night before, Fairfax' piece was going to run this morning.
Flint had reminded the editor of the slaughter piece brought against Lady Black, and how easy it would be to sue him.
The man folded quickly, and sent Skeeter on an important new assignment in Spain. Thousands injured by an out of control erumpent. Never mind he had made it up minutes before sending her.
'Disaster Averted!
'While on a celebratory fishing trip with a few friends, a sailing vessel was suddenly attacked by dementors. The location was confirmed later - the boat was nowhere near Azkaban.
'Nearly the entire population of dementors stationed at Azkaban came swarming the fishing boat. Thankfully, the brave witches and wizards aboard were all able and willing to cast patroni. But that was not all.
'Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived, who had chartered the boat as a thank you to his fellow teammates, was not about to allow his comrades to fall! He led the charge, his massive protector flying into the sky to destroy demon after demon.
'We include a few pictures that are password protected. Only look at them if you dare! The images are quite disturbing!
'Fighting exhaustion, our hero fought on and on as the captain of the boat had been incapacitated in the initial onslaught.
'Our heroes managed to escape, souls intact and magically exhausted. Thank you, Harry Potter, for rescuing these innocents.
'The Ministry of Magic has been informed of this unprecedented and unprovoked attack. What happened to the wards that kept the dementors confined to the prison? What happens if a muggle ship drifts too close?
'All sailors should be aware of this situation. There are buoy markers, but as you can see, the ship had not gotten close to the wards of Azkaban. We will offer further news as more information comes in.
'Independent Reporter, Fairfax Flint.'
**OO**
Wednesday, July 27th, Blackmoor Hall
Lord Black took reports from Moody, Tonks and Shacklebolt. The previous night was not the time.
The draughts he had taken helped him maintain an even expression, even while feeling odd, as though he was hearing about a weather report. Nothing upsetting.
They were in his office, three visitors in chairs in front of his desk. Sirius shared what he had been thinking about after Hermione and Clarice had asked him enchanting questions.
"Perenelle Flamel's runic circles. They work, and WE had all been told that a version of it was around Azkaban. But someone clearly broke it when dementors were sent out after me. And Fudge has used them as a sort of personal assassin.
"It needs to be restored around the island. If the counts are correct, with what Harry has destroyed so far in France, Japan, Guatemala, and other places around the world, including yesterday, there are less than four hundred left. The few pending requests that we have are smaller – no more than twenty five individuals each. Some places have only a pair. The problem is going to be Azkaban, especially if that PERSON moved all she could there.
"Hermione had an idea of a flying disk that is tossed, lands and has a timed delay that activates. Or perhaps enlarges as it flies? One moment, it is a foot wide, the next large enough to contain several of these monsters or even re-establish the wards.
"I don't know how we can get them there safely or how to deploy them. But we did get the flying disks working with the timed delay to enlarge. I figured that the specific rune chains could be repeated by just about anyone."
Shacklebolt was looking very impressed. Of course, Lord Black had personal, prolonged experience with these things, and therefore, was very motivated.
"I'd be happy to take one with me to do the runes, my lord. It's the least I could do after the disaster of yesterday." Kinglsey offered.
"The Lestrange family tapestry shows that all three of the prisoners are still alive." Sirius shared, "so that gives me some hope that the dementors are not completely out of control out there."
And wasn't that a shock to discover that HE was the beneficiary of the Lestrange family's assets. Of course, he planned to redistribute them to the NPGs including the title.
Sirius stood and looked at them. "I want to be very clear here. The next time you escort my son anywhere, I want to know when, where, and what time you plan to return. Yesterday could have been fatal for each of you, for the House of Potter, and for our family a tragedy that we would never recover from. I trust each of you so much. I beg you to have more care in future."
With that he pulled out small bags of gold, "I want you to go celebrate sometime, clearly not today. But your team has wiped out more than half of the world's dementors. That is an accomplishment to be celebrated. You weren't expecting what happened. I get that. And you survived. Harry survived because of your care. Thank you."
Tonks ran over to Sirius and hugged him, "I'm really sorry about messing up. I promise to do better."
He hugged her back, and shook the men's hands. What else could be said? A mistake was made, they survived, they would go on.
He had an appointment later with one of the NPGs who was interested in enchanting.
After five hundred of the same thing? He likely wouldn't be anymore, but that was up to the man who was coming.
**OO**
Kevin, previously Smith, now Rosier, enjoyed the tour of the Pranking Parlor, and was pleased to hear that Lord Black wasn't afraid to invest some money into the enchanting business he was being recruited for.
Kevin wanted to work in the magical world in a position above being a clerk or custodian in the Ministry. And he had ideas on automating the enchanting process. Especially the toric rings that Miss Granger and her team were working on.
"With runes, sir, precision is vital. Now, take the printing press. Only apply it to runes. We set up everything in the computer, then print and test. Then engrave. All sorts of metals take well to engraving. You've already done the hard part of figuring out the enchanting program. Much like a computer program.
"It's going to be a pleasure working with you sir."
Sirius had understood little of what the man said. The sir there, that was clear. Everything else? Not so much.
But Kevin was going shopping to price things, in muggle money! Lily had some investments that she had made and left to her sister for her child's care if they ever had to hide with her.
It would be more than enough to buy Kevin a few toys.
And Sirius hoped that maybe, eventually, he would understand all of it.
**OO**
At least Darlene had a nice distraction of the party. The invitations had been sent out previously. Today was about decorating. At least she had something to focus on rather than worrying about her teen.
How many other parents had to worry about their children getting in trouble from playing with dementors!
Life wasn't fair - she had spent years wanting to be this boy's parent and now that she was here, she sometimes wished she was back in France putting up with her sister's petty dramas.
They never involved dementors or dark lords or dangerous criminals!
**OO**
Wednesday, July 27th, Paris, Fenwich home
Juliette was surprised to see her daughter so soon. They had gotten the invites to the birthday party. Sofia was on strict orders to make up with Ginny Weasley or she would have to stay home.
Darlene's mother was delighted with the news that her daughter was going to have a baby!
"Our fortieth wedding anniversary is August 15th, as you know. You said you were planning on being in France during that time to visit the Delacours. You will come to our party?"
"Of course, maman! And we can make plans to go shopping. I just wanted to tell you the news in person."
Darlene would drop by her father's store later, and check with her grandfather to give them the good news.
Darlene asked, "How is Sofia taking the news regarding Harry's betrothal? She needs to get over her crush! Harry and Hermione, well, I have never seen such an adult relationship so young."
"What?" Juliette hadn't told Sofia, and the news in the paper wasn't shared at home. The mother still had hopes, now that the children hadn't been raised together, that they might yet grow close someday. After all, this other girl, while a heroine, had not been raised in the magical world. Sofia…needed…someone like Harry.
"Oh, nothing like that. I mean, they love each other, and treat each other with respect. They have relied on one another for the last several years. Fought monsters together. Their relationship is beyond love."
Juliette had a Molly-like blindness to the truth on offer. And ignored her oldest daughter's declaration. She was, however, concerned with how her younger daughter behaved in public.
Aloud she stated, "She will either promise to behave or she will not be going. If she had caused that kind of scene in Paris, she'd never recover socially. Especially now."
Darlene continued, "Sofia is still very young. I've thought of including my sister in other activities just to let her get to know him as a person, but he is so busy! Lessons, this translation project. Not to mention dementor removal…"
Darlene burst into tears, suddenly. The horror of yesterday collapsing the fragile walls of her composure. Telling the story in fragments, she explained what happened the day before. It was clear to Juliette what was going on.
"Fallow! Get François! Tell him to come home immediately! Darlene needs her papa!"
Again, Juliette used English as a 'code'. It actually helped Darlene regain her composure.
"Maman, you and Papa are going to have to use a new language in Britain. Although just speaking French is enough for a lot of them. Do you know that Hogwarts dropped French as a course the year before Harry started school?"
"That is no coincidence!" Juliette exclaimed.
François came home to wonderful news. The parents did take their daughter shopping for some baby things.
"We'll soon have a reason to take the nursery out of stasis. I do hope that you and Sirius will visit often."
"We will. Sirius is meeting with the team that has been fighting dementors with Harry to show them this flying circle. They want to test it on one of the small groups of dementors that are left. Someone has estimated that there are less than two hundred dementors left at Azkaban, not counting those various 'pockets' that the requests are for. But I don't want Harry risking himself on a maybe. What if Grindelwald conjured more than a thousand? What if they breed somehow?"
Darlene visibly shuddered.
Her father spoke, "Shush now, it is time for shopping and joy. Put this aside for now. And where is our grandson? We barely were introduced and have hardly seen him."
"He's here in Paris, but still very tired from yesterday. Let me mirror him, and see if he feels up to shopping. I wanted him to come."
Darlene got out her mirror, "Harry? Would you like to do a bit of baby clothes shopping followed by lunch with my parents?"
"Yes please! Wait, is it just your parents? No other family?"
Juliette's heart fell at the clear indication that Harry had no interest even being in the same company. Baby steps, and indicated to her daughter that Sofia could stay home with her nanny-come-tutor.
"It will be just us, Harry. Sofia has other commitments."
Harry beamed, "Tell François and Juliette I look forward to seeing them."
Darlene laughed as Harry eagerly offered, "Can I bring the carriage there?"
His eyes were twinking with mirth.
"Only if you swear to keep it on the ground, Grandson!" Juliette demanded, peeking over the mirror.
"Oui, Grandmere!"
Aunt Calladora was of course invited, and the group went to several shops together. Not actually buying much, but planning on 'the decor'.
Harry did see a cute witch's costume in black and purple that was sized for eighteen months and had to purchase it. And the matching hat and accessories.
It was a good outing, with them stopping by the jewelry store so Darlene could say hello to longtime employees.
"Harry Potter, pleased to meet you." Harry shook hands all around.
He was thanked for removing the demons from the cathedral. Apparently, everyone of a certain age had a fear that they would suddenly attack Paris. Not surprising really.
Harry had had nightmares of being on Privet Drive and having those things attack him there. And him with no wand.
Aunt Calladora, as predicted, had to buy at least a few baby things.
A group of students walked in front of Fenwich Jewelers, just as the family exited. They were clearly coming from some kind of advanced lessons, strolling by just as they came out the doors.
Harry couldn't understand the cutting and catty remarks, but recognized the tone. Calladora and the rest did. The girls were saying something mean about someone. Juliette's eyes tightened, but no one said anything, and the tense moment passed.
**OO**
A quick stop to her grandfather's wand shop was disappointing. He refused to promise to come to Blackmoor Hall. The special wand wasn't finished yet; it had been a difficult project.
"No one cares about that, Papa!" Juliette reassured, "Please. You hid behind the tables at the Solstice Ball. You haven't met Harry yet, well, not properly. Please come with us."
Calladora offered, "We could take my carriage. It's so lovely, Guierre. The Abraxans would love to fly us all."
Juliette paled at that suggestion.
"Certainly Madame. If my daughter will fly with us, I will happily attend."
"The English crowd is too unsophisticated for an intellectual like you, Papa. I will visit you at your home when we return."
Imperiously, Juliette led their little group out of the shop. They had mostly spoken in English for Harry's benefit, but other than brightening a bit at Darlene's good news, the man seemed to retreat into himself.
Harry looked around, "Where is your pet eagle?"
"She flew out the minute you came in. She's like that. You do understand why I prefer to not come, don't you, Harry?"
Harry nodded, "I do, grand-père. I hope to spend some quiet time with you in a few weeks when we visit? Darlene is making me go to her parents' anniversary. If you are going to be working, can I hide in here with you? Please?"
"Certainement!" The wandmaker exclaimed, with Lord and Lady Black returning to the shop to retrieve the missing boy. Darlene got him to promise to at least come for 'a short time' on Harry's birthday itself.
The family spent a nice day shopping, but Harry was relieved when they returned home without having dinner with any extra guests.
**OO**
Thursday, July 28th, Paradise Spa, Hogsmeade
The new spa that opened was owned by an old family, but being run by its young Heiress. A woman raised in Japan of all places, but clearly of European looks.
The spa was based on the type found in Japan, except that here only women were the clients. The lovely showers and bath were followed by a warm soak in a communal tub. Then they were given luxurious massages that left them puddles of melted goo.
While Darlene and Hermione were still soaking in the bath-warm water, the healer dared to ask a question that had been on her mind for some time.
"Hermione? I know that you and Harry are very close. And that you took the potion to see your animal form, but you decided not to pursue it. I think I know why."
Hermione's eyes narrowed just a bit before she turned away. Her cheeks were already red from the warmth of the water, but her blush showed through. She looked down, biting her lip.
"I really don't want to talk about it." Hermione sniffed.
"What if I told you that I could make it so that you no longer feared your form?"
"How would you do that? It's irrational! Do you know how many times I have been in an aeroplane and I'm fine! Just fine! But put me on a broom, or even the stands like what we had to do at the World Cup! If Penny hadn't given me…oops. I wasn't supposed to say." Penny had given her an experimental potion based on one of the ones in Harry's book.
A potion that helped overcome fear for a time. It used to be used in combat, or duels, or even asking a lady to marry.
"Here is the piece that you are missing, sweet one. Once you achieve your form, you can never fall again. Bad guy drops you off a building? Someone decides to defenestrate you? Poof! Even if they took your wand, you could save yourself!
"Your parents taught you hand to hand because there are crazies out there who would have tried to kidnap you as a royal just because. Or hurt you because you were a child, a girl. There is no sane reason for insanity. They protected you by giving you tools to protect yourself. It's the same reason that I allow Harry to go to Moody's. Not to learn how to kill, but to escape, evade and live.
"Your form will give you that. And I'll tell you a secret. Once you transform and fly for the first time? You'll be a different person! You'll feel free not just from the fear but free from life's cares. That's why Harry needs to fly."
Hermione nodded, understanding Harry's need to fly. She'd seen him transform from a careworn, unhappy and bullied student to someone completely full of joy. Every quidditch practice, no matter how long, late, muddy or rainy, he came in happy.
And Darlene was promising this to her too.
Hermione made a decision right then. Part of it was self-preservation. Being tossed off the World Cup towers would have seen her bounce off the ground's protections, but had still terrified her. Lynch wore some kind of runes that allowed him to fly into the ground, so that he could try the Wronski Feint without bouncing. That same fall somewhere else, especially without her wand would be fatal.
Darlene was right. Self-preservation was the stick; the carrot was experiencing joy.
Hermione agreed, and right there, in the soaking bath, Darlene taught her the Proper way to meditate.
**OO**
'Hi Sofia,
'Sorry I was a brat before. Fred just told me that unless I really made up with you, I was going to be left at home. And you were too. With your nanny. You must be younger than I thought.
'Neither of us wants that. Look, we both want to dance. If Hermione twisted her ankle, she'd be out of commission for a bit. Looking at me, at you, at us dancing with Harry rather than her. As she doesn't like quidditch, he would rather be with someone else. I am sure of it.
'Interesting to note, my brothers play quidditch. They are beaters.
'I expect half of the dances if you distract her.
'Ginny
**OO**
'Dear Ginny
'Sorry for being morveuse to you. As long as I get half of the dances, I will help.
'Do you need a dress? I have several that you could borrow. Let us be friends.
'Looking forward to us greeting HER together.
'Sofia
**OO**
A/N: Recommended Story: your story recommendation here!
Reboot by kallanit(?) Harry, Hermione and Snape all die during the Battle of Hogwarts. They plan and Snape is sent back to change it all. Lily is not his soulmate but he does have one.
ƺ parseltongue
₲ galleons
₰ sickles
ķ knuts
Ɠ Goblin language