Harry Potter & the Honeychurch Institute of Magic
By Darkmoore
"That's going to put a damper on our mischief making then." Said Will with a smile.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Chapter Fourteen: The Secret & Most Ancient Tomb of the Rites of the Marauders
"Oh Sirius?" sang out Harry in a sing song voice designed to frighten his godfather.
"Yeah, Harry what do you want?" Sirius answered not sure to be afraid or not.
"Other than blasting a hole in your canvas?" he replied with a smirk. "No actually, I want you to help me do something."
"What would that be, oh beloved godson of mine."
"I want you to tell me how to create a Marauder's Map."
"Is that all?" Sirius asked. "That's easy enough to do. Go down to the restricted section of the library, get by Madame Pince and look up three books."
"Umm, Sirius, we're not at Hogwarts."
"In that case, Harry, it might be a little more difficult."
* * * * *
Later that morning Harry made his into the library to look for the books Sirius mentioned, he had no idea if those books even existed outside of the Hogwarts library. However, with Fronia and Parker gone to visit their children and grandchildren for the holiday, Harry felt secure that he could look to his leisure for the needed texts.
"What are you doing in here young man?" asked the ghost of a former librarian who was very protective of her books as she liked to think of them.
"Madame Whitbrook," Harry gasped, "you scared me to death." (1)
"You should try it from my point of view then. Also I repeat, what are you doing in here?" persisted the ghostly librarian.
"I'm doing research for my Defense Against the Dark Arts classes. I wanted my students to be ready for their upcoming N.E.W.T.'s and I wanted to make sure I had my facts verified." said Harry in a half truth.
"You don't look old enough to be a teacher here." the former librarian started, but was halted by giggling.
"Oh trust me, he's old enough, I've seen him. Up in his private quarters in the West Tower that is." said Chloe with a wicked look in her eye.
"Well, I see. What texts are you looking for young man?" asked Madame Whitbrook. Once he told her the names, she helped him find the books and left him to his research.
* * * * *
Later Harry found his wayward charges having lunch in the dining hall with Mrs. Beagle, Madame Klump, Professor Smallwood and Professor Whitlock. Most of the other staff members left yesterday or earlier that morning to where ever they go at Christmas time.
"Where have you been Potter?" asked Taryn.
"Doing some research in the library for a special project I have cooked up." replied Harry dismissively.
Then the two boys groaned and Will said, "That always means more homework for us."
Mrs. Beagle and the staff members laughed.
Through out lunch they all had a wonderful time, Mrs. Beagle asked more questions than even she knew she had about the castle, about magic, about the ghosts, about paintings that moved and spoke, about the strange animals in the paddocks, about why she had spots in her eyes when she saw the castle for the first time and so on and so forth she went. As best they could the four staff member answered her questions before they broke up with Madame Klump taking their guest on a tour of the castle and the grounds.
The boys quickly took advantage of their chaperone's disappearance to explore the more hidden parts of the castle and Harry returned to his quarters to discuss with Sirius who to create the map from the information he had acquired that morning.
Soon Harry was settled in his quarters with the notes from his library research, his father's old journal (which he found in the main vault in Gringott's along with his mother's journal as well) and Sirius to guild him, he began the process of creating a new map.
"You're going to need an accomplice in this effort Harry," Sirius advised, "it takes two people to do the wand work. One to create the mist that defines the parameters of the room being mapped and another to capture said mist onto the parchment to create the map."
"Could Dobby aid me with this?" Harry asked not really wanting to involve anyone else in this plan of his.
"Possibly, I would suggest a trial run in your quarters to see if it works or not. In fact if it does work, then you should probably have two house elves do the whole thing, they could have it done in a fraction of the time being able to pop all over the castle."
Harry thought for a moment, either he was going to need Winky or Dobby would have to pick a very trust worthy elf to help.
* * * * *
A few days later Harry awoke on Christmas morning to the smell of crisp clean wintery air and opened his bed hangings and walked to the window to discover a fresh layer of snow had fallen during the night. Smiling, Harry went to his bathroom to get ready for the morning party down in the dining hall. Madame Klump had decided that everyone would in the morning party with all the gifts placed under winning tree from the contest. Harry was happy to say that it was his firsties who won that contest. In fact he was quite smug about it.
As he emerged from his bath, dressed some very nice muggle clothes, which he had taken to wearing while Mrs. Beagle was in the castle to make her feel more welcome and found a small package on his bed and Hedwig hooting from her cage on his dresser.
"Hey girl, I was wondering when you were coming back." Harry said to his beloved owl as he gave her an owl treat and presented her with a fresh vole as a Christmas gift.
"I'm expected in the dining hall for the morning party, but I expect I'll be seeing you later." and then he turned to the portrait of his godfather, "Happy Christmas, you dirty old dog."
"Old? Who are you calling old? I'll have you know that I have a very nice lady painting chasing after me just last night."
"Get lucky?" asked Harry with a grin.
"Gentlemen do not kiss and tell."
"That must mean 'no' because your no gentleman." Then Sirius did the mature thing and stuck his tongue out at his godson and with that Harry was his way to breakfast.
A few minutes later Harry found two very excited 11-year-olds having to wait for everyone to arrive in order to open their gifts. Harry laughed and thought, 'they remind me of Ron when we were that young.' He sat down at the table picked up his mug of coffee, took a drink and said, "Good morning gentlemen, morning Edwina, Taryn."
"Morning." they chorused each other while neither let their eyes part from the tree or rather what lay underneath making Madame Klump and Professor Whitlock laugh. A few more minutes Mrs. Beagle and Professor Smallwood entered the dining hall after having a brief tour of the Herbology greenhouses.
"Finally," Will breathed, "now we can open presents."
"William Beagle," his mother said, "please show some proper respect to your elders."
"Sorry." Will said sheepishly, but obviously still wanting to attack the tree.
"Hey Xander, why don't you and Will go pass out the gifts to everyone here, that way you can do something with those idle hands of yours." laughed Harry at the boys as they jumped up to do it.
Soon everyone had a small pile of gifts beside them, except for the boys, who seemed to have a large pile. Then everyone began to open their gifts, not much paying attention to one another.
"Xander, is that what I think it is?" asked Will in awe.
"I think so," replied his best friend, "it's a brand new Firebolt Millennium."
"A what?" asked a confused Charlotte Beagle. To her it was a just a common ordinary broom and nothing to be excited over.
"It's one of the best racing brooms in the world Mum, Quidditch Weekly rated it as one of the best racing brooms of the year." said Will in a hurried breath as he then returned to admire it. "Who gave it to you?"
"It's from Draco, my half-brother." said a disbelieving Xander Malfoy. "There's a note with it." which he read out load.
Xander~
I heard from mother that you made your house Quidditch team. Good for you, you managed to beat me by a year. I made seeker in my second year at Hogwarts. I thought this might come in handy the next time you have a game. Catch a snitch for me.
Love Draco~
'Love Draco' thought Harry, 'when did he grow a heart?'
"You would get that right before you played my team Mr. Malfoy." Said Madame Klump in lock frustration, before she smiled and started laughing at herself.
Harry began opening his own gifts with relish now, knowing that the boys had something to occupy themselves with, namely a brand new racing broom, they may not be seen again now. He opened his annual Weasley jumper, which had the Honeychurch crest knitted on the front of it and a tin of homemade fudge from Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.
Then he found a pair of woolen socks from Dumbledore (it had become a running gag between them ever since Harry was in his first year at the Auror Training Academy to give each other socks).
Ron has sent him a small box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, Harry's favorite candy.
Remus present was a snow globe with a stag, a wolf, a large black dog and a black panther jumping around in the snow, playing together around a large white lily. Harry just held it for a moment and stared at the scene with wetness in his eyes.
From Hermione he received a brand new quill set with a variety of different colored inks and a book about how to bring out your inner teacher. Was she trying to tell him something?
Tonks sent him the autobiography of Severus Snape, 'I Was a Death-Eater Spy for All the Right Reasons and Let Me Tell You about Them.' Harry made a mental note to hurt that woman some day for that.
As usual, Hagrid had sent him a gift which was a hand carved panther he had whittled out of a piece of wood. Harry remembered Hagrid doing that before and still had the flute he had made him in his first year.
Ginny had sent him a whole box full of pictures drawn by the orphaned children of the facility of themselves riding on the toy and junior broom sticks he had sent to them, which no doubt he hung on his office walls very shortly. She herself sent him a small glass lily with a shatterproof charm on it.
Harry was almost afraid of the box that came from Fred and George. However, his Gryffindor bravery won out and he opened to find a collection of new and experimental creations they were working on. He immediately offered one to Madame Klump who took it. A few moments later steam poured out her ears and she gulped down a whole pitcher of water.
From his loyal house elf, Harry received a blank piece of parchment, which puzzled him, until he realized what it might be. Luckily no one was watching him at that moment and he pointed his wand at it and whispered, "I solemnly swear I am up to no good." Suddenly black lines started to appear from where he had touched the map with his wand and he knew exactly what it was as he saw seven labeled dots appear on the map with names attached to them. He grinned at his new present and glanced around and whispered, "Mischief managed" and the lines went away again.
Of all the gifts Harry received, it was a slim Muggle children's book from Charlotte, called 'Wizard's Hall' by Jane Yolen (2) that confused him the most. 'Why did she get me this?' he asked in utter bewilderment.
Sensing his confusion, she spoke, "Well Professor, when I was in Diagon Alley doing my Christmas shopping for Will, I ran into Madame Malkin again and asked her about you. Why you had helped us that day. At first she wouldn't tell me anything, but finally said there was someone better in the alley to explain it to me and took me to a little joke shop run by three men with the reddest hair I had ever seen." (3)
Harry smiled at the thought and she continued, "Anyway, after she explained to them what I was asking about, she left and they began to tell me the tallest tale I ever heard about the 'Boy Who Lived.' However, they swore every word they said was true and even had me ask other shop keepers and clerks to verify it if necessary. Which I did, by the way, they just were too mischievous looking to be believed. Anyway, the story they told reminded me of a children's book I read to Will when he was younger, about a boy named Henry, who was small and skinny and had messy hair, green eyes and no friends. Who suddenly found himself in a school for wizards and witches and two best friends, a tall red headed boy and a know-it-all girl. So I got online and ordered you that copy, I thought you might enjoy reading about the poor boy."
Harry was taken aback; he didn't know what to say. He had no idea that his life could either parallel that of a Muggle book or someone had written a fiction based on his life. Both prospects were disturbing in the weirdest ways.
Later after the group had breakfast and the boys went out to try out that brand new racing broom, Terentia Smallwood began a discussion about animagi, as she had heard the tale of Harry being one, but had yet to see it for herself.
"A what?" Charlotte asked, "what is that?"
"An animagi is a witch or a wizard who can turn themselves into an animal at will." explained Edwina to their guest.
"Like a changeling? I've read about those, are they real as well?" asked Charlotte with a small amount of excitement that she might actually be able to hold her own in a magical conversation.
"Not quite like a changeling and they are extra dimensional demons not humans after all. No they are humans like your self, who after quite a bit of extensive training have the ability to assume the shape of one specific animal."
"Oh wait, your having me on aren't you?" Charlotte said as she suddenly switched to disbelieving, causing Edwina to give a knowing look to Harry.
So Harry got out of his chair as if to throw away some of the Christmas wrapping paper and shifted into his animagus form of 'Shadow,' jumped up onto the table silently and crept up behind Charlotte and Terentia. Then he pounced and started licking the Muggle woman in the face causing the others to roar with laughter.
Just as Harry did that Will and Xander had walked back into the dining hall to try and talk their favorite teacher into flying with them making Will's eyes become as large as dinner plates.
"Professor, what are your intentions with my Mum?"
(1) Madame Whitbrook is named after one of my reviewers of the same name. I had originally named this character "the Dark Lady" but fell in deep like with stolen name. If you insist, I will take the chapter down and rename her.
(2) The Jane Yolen book, Wizard's Hall, is indeed a real book that I am currently reading. It's printed by Magic Carpet Books, Harcourt Brace & Co. Copyright 1991, ISBN 0-15-202085-3
(3) See an upcoming chapter in the Will Beagle side story for this reference.
To Be Continued…
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Author's Note: To everyone who reviewed, thanks again...
athenakitty wrote Will Harry have a nice chat with Stahl and Gerard? Will Mrs Beagle get a charm that allows her to visit Diagon Alley? Harry's going to stay longer than seven years? Will Harry have more visitors? Will Harry gain custody of Xander?
Answer - Chet & Michael are interesting aren't they, they'll be back, trust me. Charlotte couldn't find the entrance to Diagon Alley because she's a Muggle. The entrance to the Leaky Cauldron is usually ignored by Muggles and its just a small door in between two small muggle shops on Charing Cross Road. As for Harry's visitors, well I don't know, I know for a fact one of the Weasleys will be coming to the school. As for Xander, well, that would put Harry in direct line of sight of Draco Malfoy, which is something he has been dreading. :)
saitan wrote Good story, you have a attractive writing style, frequent updates and a nice storyline sofar. Even though it's probably not the main goal of your story, try and put some suspense in it as well ( doesn't have to be fighting or anything ). Please finish it!
Answer - It should be finished unless I drop dead along the way. At the rate I'm going it should be sometime soon. :)
TuxedoMac wrote I liked the last 2 chapters becuse they showed a normal type of life. The Halloween idea with the story telling and all was really nice, and then here with the whole thing of Wills mom showing up that was a nice idea as well. Will Harry see any of his friends for Christmas?
Answer - Harry is stuck at Honeychurch, low man on the totem pole as it were. As for any friends coming to see him, maybe they will, but they are used to him not being home with them on Christmas, as the Auror Training Academy doesn't let you leave very often. Glad you liked it.
Ferdia wrote Wow so many chapter in such a short time. I'm truly enjoying reading this fanfic. But I do have one small complaint, you are skipping loads of time and haven't deepened any of the character's Will, Malfoy are still very shallow and I feel cheated that there is no simmering treat of Draco infection with Harry i.e. Malfoy jr., will he won't he tell his brother. but the slight complaint is immaterial, I still look forward to read your next installment.
Answer - Unforetunely I am not a better write than what I am, or else chapters would be much longer than what they are. I spent more time in the first week than I had originally intended to and thus skipped a bit here and there to move the story along, but in all honesty, JKR does it also. However, she has more drama going on than I do as well. :) Also you must remember this is written from Harry's point of view, just the same as in JKR's book. If he doesn't witness it, we don't see it. As for Draco, you never can tell what may go on there. Plus the boys are going to have a little adventure over Christmas holidays. Harry made them promise.
Bill wrote This might be amusing. We have three women (Fitzie, Vesta and Charlotte), two of whom are certainly interested in Harry, and the third is widowed, and favorably inclined to him. All three are staying in a nearly-empty castle with him over the Christmas holidays...
Answer - Who said anything about Fitzy and Vesta staying at the castle over the holidays? I don't remember saying that I only said that two first years were staying, thus freeing the fourth year and fifth year sponsors from being forced into it.
By Darkmoore
"That's going to put a damper on our mischief making then." Said Will with a smile.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Chapter Fourteen: The Secret & Most Ancient Tomb of the Rites of the Marauders
"Oh Sirius?" sang out Harry in a sing song voice designed to frighten his godfather.
"Yeah, Harry what do you want?" Sirius answered not sure to be afraid or not.
"Other than blasting a hole in your canvas?" he replied with a smirk. "No actually, I want you to help me do something."
"What would that be, oh beloved godson of mine."
"I want you to tell me how to create a Marauder's Map."
"Is that all?" Sirius asked. "That's easy enough to do. Go down to the restricted section of the library, get by Madame Pince and look up three books."
"Umm, Sirius, we're not at Hogwarts."
"In that case, Harry, it might be a little more difficult."
* * * * *
Later that morning Harry made his into the library to look for the books Sirius mentioned, he had no idea if those books even existed outside of the Hogwarts library. However, with Fronia and Parker gone to visit their children and grandchildren for the holiday, Harry felt secure that he could look to his leisure for the needed texts.
"What are you doing in here young man?" asked the ghost of a former librarian who was very protective of her books as she liked to think of them.
"Madame Whitbrook," Harry gasped, "you scared me to death." (1)
"You should try it from my point of view then. Also I repeat, what are you doing in here?" persisted the ghostly librarian.
"I'm doing research for my Defense Against the Dark Arts classes. I wanted my students to be ready for their upcoming N.E.W.T.'s and I wanted to make sure I had my facts verified." said Harry in a half truth.
"You don't look old enough to be a teacher here." the former librarian started, but was halted by giggling.
"Oh trust me, he's old enough, I've seen him. Up in his private quarters in the West Tower that is." said Chloe with a wicked look in her eye.
"Well, I see. What texts are you looking for young man?" asked Madame Whitbrook. Once he told her the names, she helped him find the books and left him to his research.
* * * * *
Later Harry found his wayward charges having lunch in the dining hall with Mrs. Beagle, Madame Klump, Professor Smallwood and Professor Whitlock. Most of the other staff members left yesterday or earlier that morning to where ever they go at Christmas time.
"Where have you been Potter?" asked Taryn.
"Doing some research in the library for a special project I have cooked up." replied Harry dismissively.
Then the two boys groaned and Will said, "That always means more homework for us."
Mrs. Beagle and the staff members laughed.
Through out lunch they all had a wonderful time, Mrs. Beagle asked more questions than even she knew she had about the castle, about magic, about the ghosts, about paintings that moved and spoke, about the strange animals in the paddocks, about why she had spots in her eyes when she saw the castle for the first time and so on and so forth she went. As best they could the four staff member answered her questions before they broke up with Madame Klump taking their guest on a tour of the castle and the grounds.
The boys quickly took advantage of their chaperone's disappearance to explore the more hidden parts of the castle and Harry returned to his quarters to discuss with Sirius who to create the map from the information he had acquired that morning.
Soon Harry was settled in his quarters with the notes from his library research, his father's old journal (which he found in the main vault in Gringott's along with his mother's journal as well) and Sirius to guild him, he began the process of creating a new map.
"You're going to need an accomplice in this effort Harry," Sirius advised, "it takes two people to do the wand work. One to create the mist that defines the parameters of the room being mapped and another to capture said mist onto the parchment to create the map."
"Could Dobby aid me with this?" Harry asked not really wanting to involve anyone else in this plan of his.
"Possibly, I would suggest a trial run in your quarters to see if it works or not. In fact if it does work, then you should probably have two house elves do the whole thing, they could have it done in a fraction of the time being able to pop all over the castle."
Harry thought for a moment, either he was going to need Winky or Dobby would have to pick a very trust worthy elf to help.
* * * * *
A few days later Harry awoke on Christmas morning to the smell of crisp clean wintery air and opened his bed hangings and walked to the window to discover a fresh layer of snow had fallen during the night. Smiling, Harry went to his bathroom to get ready for the morning party down in the dining hall. Madame Klump had decided that everyone would in the morning party with all the gifts placed under winning tree from the contest. Harry was happy to say that it was his firsties who won that contest. In fact he was quite smug about it.
As he emerged from his bath, dressed some very nice muggle clothes, which he had taken to wearing while Mrs. Beagle was in the castle to make her feel more welcome and found a small package on his bed and Hedwig hooting from her cage on his dresser.
"Hey girl, I was wondering when you were coming back." Harry said to his beloved owl as he gave her an owl treat and presented her with a fresh vole as a Christmas gift.
"I'm expected in the dining hall for the morning party, but I expect I'll be seeing you later." and then he turned to the portrait of his godfather, "Happy Christmas, you dirty old dog."
"Old? Who are you calling old? I'll have you know that I have a very nice lady painting chasing after me just last night."
"Get lucky?" asked Harry with a grin.
"Gentlemen do not kiss and tell."
"That must mean 'no' because your no gentleman." Then Sirius did the mature thing and stuck his tongue out at his godson and with that Harry was his way to breakfast.
A few minutes later Harry found two very excited 11-year-olds having to wait for everyone to arrive in order to open their gifts. Harry laughed and thought, 'they remind me of Ron when we were that young.' He sat down at the table picked up his mug of coffee, took a drink and said, "Good morning gentlemen, morning Edwina, Taryn."
"Morning." they chorused each other while neither let their eyes part from the tree or rather what lay underneath making Madame Klump and Professor Whitlock laugh. A few more minutes Mrs. Beagle and Professor Smallwood entered the dining hall after having a brief tour of the Herbology greenhouses.
"Finally," Will breathed, "now we can open presents."
"William Beagle," his mother said, "please show some proper respect to your elders."
"Sorry." Will said sheepishly, but obviously still wanting to attack the tree.
"Hey Xander, why don't you and Will go pass out the gifts to everyone here, that way you can do something with those idle hands of yours." laughed Harry at the boys as they jumped up to do it.
Soon everyone had a small pile of gifts beside them, except for the boys, who seemed to have a large pile. Then everyone began to open their gifts, not much paying attention to one another.
"Xander, is that what I think it is?" asked Will in awe.
"I think so," replied his best friend, "it's a brand new Firebolt Millennium."
"A what?" asked a confused Charlotte Beagle. To her it was a just a common ordinary broom and nothing to be excited over.
"It's one of the best racing brooms in the world Mum, Quidditch Weekly rated it as one of the best racing brooms of the year." said Will in a hurried breath as he then returned to admire it. "Who gave it to you?"
"It's from Draco, my half-brother." said a disbelieving Xander Malfoy. "There's a note with it." which he read out load.
Xander~
I heard from mother that you made your house Quidditch team. Good for you, you managed to beat me by a year. I made seeker in my second year at Hogwarts. I thought this might come in handy the next time you have a game. Catch a snitch for me.
Love Draco~
'Love Draco' thought Harry, 'when did he grow a heart?'
"You would get that right before you played my team Mr. Malfoy." Said Madame Klump in lock frustration, before she smiled and started laughing at herself.
Harry began opening his own gifts with relish now, knowing that the boys had something to occupy themselves with, namely a brand new racing broom, they may not be seen again now. He opened his annual Weasley jumper, which had the Honeychurch crest knitted on the front of it and a tin of homemade fudge from Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.
Then he found a pair of woolen socks from Dumbledore (it had become a running gag between them ever since Harry was in his first year at the Auror Training Academy to give each other socks).
Ron has sent him a small box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, Harry's favorite candy.
Remus present was a snow globe with a stag, a wolf, a large black dog and a black panther jumping around in the snow, playing together around a large white lily. Harry just held it for a moment and stared at the scene with wetness in his eyes.
From Hermione he received a brand new quill set with a variety of different colored inks and a book about how to bring out your inner teacher. Was she trying to tell him something?
Tonks sent him the autobiography of Severus Snape, 'I Was a Death-Eater Spy for All the Right Reasons and Let Me Tell You about Them.' Harry made a mental note to hurt that woman some day for that.
As usual, Hagrid had sent him a gift which was a hand carved panther he had whittled out of a piece of wood. Harry remembered Hagrid doing that before and still had the flute he had made him in his first year.
Ginny had sent him a whole box full of pictures drawn by the orphaned children of the facility of themselves riding on the toy and junior broom sticks he had sent to them, which no doubt he hung on his office walls very shortly. She herself sent him a small glass lily with a shatterproof charm on it.
Harry was almost afraid of the box that came from Fred and George. However, his Gryffindor bravery won out and he opened to find a collection of new and experimental creations they were working on. He immediately offered one to Madame Klump who took it. A few moments later steam poured out her ears and she gulped down a whole pitcher of water.
From his loyal house elf, Harry received a blank piece of parchment, which puzzled him, until he realized what it might be. Luckily no one was watching him at that moment and he pointed his wand at it and whispered, "I solemnly swear I am up to no good." Suddenly black lines started to appear from where he had touched the map with his wand and he knew exactly what it was as he saw seven labeled dots appear on the map with names attached to them. He grinned at his new present and glanced around and whispered, "Mischief managed" and the lines went away again.
Of all the gifts Harry received, it was a slim Muggle children's book from Charlotte, called 'Wizard's Hall' by Jane Yolen (2) that confused him the most. 'Why did she get me this?' he asked in utter bewilderment.
Sensing his confusion, she spoke, "Well Professor, when I was in Diagon Alley doing my Christmas shopping for Will, I ran into Madame Malkin again and asked her about you. Why you had helped us that day. At first she wouldn't tell me anything, but finally said there was someone better in the alley to explain it to me and took me to a little joke shop run by three men with the reddest hair I had ever seen." (3)
Harry smiled at the thought and she continued, "Anyway, after she explained to them what I was asking about, she left and they began to tell me the tallest tale I ever heard about the 'Boy Who Lived.' However, they swore every word they said was true and even had me ask other shop keepers and clerks to verify it if necessary. Which I did, by the way, they just were too mischievous looking to be believed. Anyway, the story they told reminded me of a children's book I read to Will when he was younger, about a boy named Henry, who was small and skinny and had messy hair, green eyes and no friends. Who suddenly found himself in a school for wizards and witches and two best friends, a tall red headed boy and a know-it-all girl. So I got online and ordered you that copy, I thought you might enjoy reading about the poor boy."
Harry was taken aback; he didn't know what to say. He had no idea that his life could either parallel that of a Muggle book or someone had written a fiction based on his life. Both prospects were disturbing in the weirdest ways.
Later after the group had breakfast and the boys went out to try out that brand new racing broom, Terentia Smallwood began a discussion about animagi, as she had heard the tale of Harry being one, but had yet to see it for herself.
"A what?" Charlotte asked, "what is that?"
"An animagi is a witch or a wizard who can turn themselves into an animal at will." explained Edwina to their guest.
"Like a changeling? I've read about those, are they real as well?" asked Charlotte with a small amount of excitement that she might actually be able to hold her own in a magical conversation.
"Not quite like a changeling and they are extra dimensional demons not humans after all. No they are humans like your self, who after quite a bit of extensive training have the ability to assume the shape of one specific animal."
"Oh wait, your having me on aren't you?" Charlotte said as she suddenly switched to disbelieving, causing Edwina to give a knowing look to Harry.
So Harry got out of his chair as if to throw away some of the Christmas wrapping paper and shifted into his animagus form of 'Shadow,' jumped up onto the table silently and crept up behind Charlotte and Terentia. Then he pounced and started licking the Muggle woman in the face causing the others to roar with laughter.
Just as Harry did that Will and Xander had walked back into the dining hall to try and talk their favorite teacher into flying with them making Will's eyes become as large as dinner plates.
"Professor, what are your intentions with my Mum?"
(1) Madame Whitbrook is named after one of my reviewers of the same name. I had originally named this character "the Dark Lady" but fell in deep like with stolen name. If you insist, I will take the chapter down and rename her.
(2) The Jane Yolen book, Wizard's Hall, is indeed a real book that I am currently reading. It's printed by Magic Carpet Books, Harcourt Brace & Co. Copyright 1991, ISBN 0-15-202085-3
(3) See an upcoming chapter in the Will Beagle side story for this reference.
To Be Continued…
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Author's Note: To everyone who reviewed, thanks again...
athenakitty wrote Will Harry have a nice chat with Stahl and Gerard? Will Mrs Beagle get a charm that allows her to visit Diagon Alley? Harry's going to stay longer than seven years? Will Harry have more visitors? Will Harry gain custody of Xander?
Answer - Chet & Michael are interesting aren't they, they'll be back, trust me. Charlotte couldn't find the entrance to Diagon Alley because she's a Muggle. The entrance to the Leaky Cauldron is usually ignored by Muggles and its just a small door in between two small muggle shops on Charing Cross Road. As for Harry's visitors, well I don't know, I know for a fact one of the Weasleys will be coming to the school. As for Xander, well, that would put Harry in direct line of sight of Draco Malfoy, which is something he has been dreading. :)
saitan wrote Good story, you have a attractive writing style, frequent updates and a nice storyline sofar. Even though it's probably not the main goal of your story, try and put some suspense in it as well ( doesn't have to be fighting or anything ). Please finish it!
Answer - It should be finished unless I drop dead along the way. At the rate I'm going it should be sometime soon. :)
TuxedoMac wrote I liked the last 2 chapters becuse they showed a normal type of life. The Halloween idea with the story telling and all was really nice, and then here with the whole thing of Wills mom showing up that was a nice idea as well. Will Harry see any of his friends for Christmas?
Answer - Harry is stuck at Honeychurch, low man on the totem pole as it were. As for any friends coming to see him, maybe they will, but they are used to him not being home with them on Christmas, as the Auror Training Academy doesn't let you leave very often. Glad you liked it.
Ferdia wrote Wow so many chapter in such a short time. I'm truly enjoying reading this fanfic. But I do have one small complaint, you are skipping loads of time and haven't deepened any of the character's Will, Malfoy are still very shallow and I feel cheated that there is no simmering treat of Draco infection with Harry i.e. Malfoy jr., will he won't he tell his brother. but the slight complaint is immaterial, I still look forward to read your next installment.
Answer - Unforetunely I am not a better write than what I am, or else chapters would be much longer than what they are. I spent more time in the first week than I had originally intended to and thus skipped a bit here and there to move the story along, but in all honesty, JKR does it also. However, she has more drama going on than I do as well. :) Also you must remember this is written from Harry's point of view, just the same as in JKR's book. If he doesn't witness it, we don't see it. As for Draco, you never can tell what may go on there. Plus the boys are going to have a little adventure over Christmas holidays. Harry made them promise.
Bill wrote This might be amusing. We have three women (Fitzie, Vesta and Charlotte), two of whom are certainly interested in Harry, and the third is widowed, and favorably inclined to him. All three are staying in a nearly-empty castle with him over the Christmas holidays...
Answer - Who said anything about Fitzy and Vesta staying at the castle over the holidays? I don't remember saying that I only said that two first years were staying, thus freeing the fourth year and fifth year sponsors from being forced into it.