Title: Wisdom From The Dark 17
Author: Jyrnn
Spoilers: All four books. Wait, can't say that now can I? Okay, PS, CS, PoA, and GoF. I'll probably pilfer whatever bits I can from The Order of The Phoenix. Incidently some of it can fit. Thank you J. K Rowling. Well except the part about Sirius.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter nor any of its characters. They are the sole intellectual property of J. K. Rowling and Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. I gain no monetary reward for this exercise and do not intend any copyright infringement.
Summery: A child has suffered enough, an intruder encounters unexpected resistance, and the careless words of Voldemort have the most unexpected results. Harry Potter is about to take a stand.
*...* Direct thoughts
Chapter 17: Interlude
As she was apt to do, Hermione was up early trying to get some school work done. She had completed the first draft of her Potions essay and was currently making a half hearted effort at her Transfiguration paper. The news of Harry's exile had hit her hard. Before Hogwarts she had very few friends. Her scholastic acumen had driven off potential pals and earned her the scorn suffered by every bookworm in the world. She had lived hearing insults like nerd and geek directed at her at every opportunity. The teasing had bestowed upon her a detached indifferent towards people. She excelled in everything but social settings and paid little attention towards others. That was until the tall, rude Ron and small, withdrawn Harry had broken through her barriers. They were all friends but the pair was hopelessly lazy. To think she would not hear them fabricate Divination homework ever again. She sniffed loudly and got up from her desk. Slowly she walked downstairs to get a glass of juice. Halfway to her destination Percy's owl Hermes greeted here.
The bird dropped an envelope a few steps down and swooped out the open kitchen window. *Odd, I wasn't expecting any mail. Wonder who it is from?" Stooping to pick up the letter she immediately saw that it had just her name written on it. Idly she opened it as she strode towards the fridge. Then she stopped and read the contents of the letter carefully.
Dear Hermione
I have been banished. Thought I'd get that out of the way first. It's such an irksome little fact but important nonetheless. I wish to congratulate you making prefect (Going on faith here. I just assume that you have.) The one good thing about that pesky exile is you won't have to dock me house points. Seriously though, I am going to miss you. Hogwarts was more a home to me than that place in Surrey and you and Ron were mostly responsible for that sentiment. I'm making a concerted effort at my studies now and am enrolled in Durmstrang. Beauxbatons wouldn't take me.
On a lighter note I've used some newly acquired clout to assure Sirius' freedom. He'll be staying in France at a place I own while he works on his case to re-enter British society. There is not much say really. I am gone and won't be back for at least a year. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. Be lenient with Ron when he inevitably screws up.
Be well.
Harry
Hermione dropped to the floor in a heap with the letter resting in here lap. She read it numerous times as she tried to understand the nameless emotions that it caused her.
***
Ron Weasley fell out of bed. The thump his large body made as it impacted with the hard wooden floor was both painful to hear and see. He grumpily stood up and rubbed the cheek his fall had mushed against the floor that made up his sister's ceiling. It had been her startled shout that had awaken him from his blissful slumber. Stomping his foot he yelled for her silence. This only precipitated a even louder shout from below and cacophony of clanging pips from the ghoul above. Ron didn't even try to go back to bed, he merely trudged down the stairs past the door of his inexplicably loud sister and to the kitchen.
Blearily he ambled around the table to take his customary seat. Idly he ran a hand through his vibrant red hair and tried to cure it of its unkempt state. Eyes half-closed it was five minutes before he rubbed the sleep out his eyes. Finally he settled his face into his hands and waited with eyes closed for his brunch. It was the smell of smoke that first tipped him off. His mother was an excellent cook and rarely burnt a meal. Looking to his right he saw his father sitting motionless at the head of the table reading a piece of paper with singular interest. *Must some Muggle thing* thought Ron. Looking over he saw his Mother frying up what appeared to scorched patties of sausage. She too was reading a piece of paper with undivided attention and with tearing eyes. *Okay. Wonder what this is all about." He was just abut to ask when his tiny sister came barreling down the staircase waving piece of paper. Ginny stopped, looked, and took a deep breath. Smiling at thin air she let out another excited shriek and all but plowed through the door. *Barking mad she is.* With this sought he finally realized that the singing he had been subconsciously hearing was, in fact, not the Wireless but the sound of his twin brothers. With an incredulous expression he turned to look out the kitchen window. Fred and George seemed to prancing and dancing around one another, jumping up and down in elation as they spouted incomprehensible verses. They too were holding letters. His vision of them was obscured as his sister flashed past the window doing cartwheels towards Fred and George.
"Did I miss something?" Without so much as a glance his fathered pushed an envelope across the table. Dubiously Ron opened it to reveal a piece of parchment similar to the ones he had seen flashed around by his family. It was from Harry.
Ron
I've gotten the boot from England. The chance of my return is slim and a year from now at the earliest. I'll miss you mate, but its out of my control. Don't let Malfoy goad you, he's probably composing a taunt for you as you read this. Watch out for yourself and try not to rag on Hermione too much. Without me there is no one to play peacemaker in your rows and your liable to push her away. You'll both need to be each others friends, times well be hard but you both can manage if you stick together. Even as I write this I feel a pain of loneliness for the friendship you offered me.
Cheer up though, Sirius is safe and free to walk about any other country but home. Kind of like me huh? Owl him if your curious how I'm doing. Your owls can't find me, and Hedwig can't find you. It's an exile thing. I hope your seating down because here it comes: I'm going to Durmstrang. I know, I know. I can imagine you seating at the table in the Burrow scowling at me consorting with those dark wizards, trying to become like "Vicky" Krum. Truth is, I need to go to a place that will teach me a way to defend myself. Sure I could do that in America or in one of the lesser schools here in Europe, but I've done some research. Durmstrang has one of the most martial programs of all the wizarding schools. I need that with Tom Riddle out there.
Look out for Neville. He's had a hard time of it, almost as bad as me. The Sytherins will be absolutely reeking with malice this year and he's an easy target. Look out for Ginny and every other Gryffindor. They are all part of my family and I don't want anything to happen to them. Most of all look out for YOU. You're my best friend and, despite our differences, I want you to be okay.
Harry
Ron had known Harry had been exiled. It was in the Prophet yesterday. Harry's letter seemed to make the nebulous idea into reality. *He's gone, he's really gone.* Curious he asked his father, "Dad, what are Fred, George, and Ginny so happy about?"
"What? Oh. Harry invested some money in their company and he asked that Ginny be employed to look after his share." Arthur Weasley stated while reading his own letter.
"What's your message say, Dad?"
"That Harry has paid off all our debts and deposited a half-million galleons into our vault. If we refuse he says his lawyers well make sure it is given to Lucius Malfoy." Arthur said with a hint of anger. "He says it's his way of helping us since he won't be here himself. If it wouldn't go to Malfoy I swear I'd give it up."
Ron smiled for once at his friends generosity. It was done in such a crafty way. "Blighter should have been in Sytherins."
***
End 17/ Interlude 1
Author Notes:
This brief chapter exists because some of you have wondered what was in the rest of Harry's letters. I had planned on flashing to these letters during Harry's long train ride from Frnace but that proved unmanigable. I have no other interlude planned but I may write some to answer any of the questions that might plague you. From here on out, barring any outpouring of questions, the remainder of the story well involve solely the experiences of Harry at Durmstrang until the big *scene*.
To my reviewers I must bow and offer my most profuse thanks. That means you all: Nighttime Sunshine, peeweepotter Relle, AJaKe, cricket, sil, Zaln, Lady FoxFire, Them Girl, fan, Otaku Freak, Saiyan Seker88, bostonian, ADJ, Webster, Star Mage, Lilybee2003, ZeonReborn, gallandro-83, Paul, pablo5280, Imaginaryfriend, Destruxion, kapies, rosie. Bill Weasly, Myrddin Ambrosius Jr.book worm, litine, clingon87,Siri Kat, pan, potter-man, DaBear, Potatoes, PheonixMan,GREENDAY 9829, Elessar, Jason Gregory, Ides of March, Orion, I)ark/-)ngel, keebler-elmo, Angelis, lollipozz, Sophie W., Sarah Rochester, azntgr01, Facade, Klover, Renee Fay and Rachel A. Prongs. You feedback is greatly appreciated and if I have missed anyone you have my apologies. I consider all of you suggestions and you support makes me want to write more. Later
Author: Jyrnn
Spoilers: All four books. Wait, can't say that now can I? Okay, PS, CS, PoA, and GoF. I'll probably pilfer whatever bits I can from The Order of The Phoenix. Incidently some of it can fit. Thank you J. K Rowling. Well except the part about Sirius.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter nor any of its characters. They are the sole intellectual property of J. K. Rowling and Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. I gain no monetary reward for this exercise and do not intend any copyright infringement.
Summery: A child has suffered enough, an intruder encounters unexpected resistance, and the careless words of Voldemort have the most unexpected results. Harry Potter is about to take a stand.
*...* Direct thoughts
Chapter 17: Interlude
As she was apt to do, Hermione was up early trying to get some school work done. She had completed the first draft of her Potions essay and was currently making a half hearted effort at her Transfiguration paper. The news of Harry's exile had hit her hard. Before Hogwarts she had very few friends. Her scholastic acumen had driven off potential pals and earned her the scorn suffered by every bookworm in the world. She had lived hearing insults like nerd and geek directed at her at every opportunity. The teasing had bestowed upon her a detached indifferent towards people. She excelled in everything but social settings and paid little attention towards others. That was until the tall, rude Ron and small, withdrawn Harry had broken through her barriers. They were all friends but the pair was hopelessly lazy. To think she would not hear them fabricate Divination homework ever again. She sniffed loudly and got up from her desk. Slowly she walked downstairs to get a glass of juice. Halfway to her destination Percy's owl Hermes greeted here.
The bird dropped an envelope a few steps down and swooped out the open kitchen window. *Odd, I wasn't expecting any mail. Wonder who it is from?" Stooping to pick up the letter she immediately saw that it had just her name written on it. Idly she opened it as she strode towards the fridge. Then she stopped and read the contents of the letter carefully.
Dear Hermione
I have been banished. Thought I'd get that out of the way first. It's such an irksome little fact but important nonetheless. I wish to congratulate you making prefect (Going on faith here. I just assume that you have.) The one good thing about that pesky exile is you won't have to dock me house points. Seriously though, I am going to miss you. Hogwarts was more a home to me than that place in Surrey and you and Ron were mostly responsible for that sentiment. I'm making a concerted effort at my studies now and am enrolled in Durmstrang. Beauxbatons wouldn't take me.
On a lighter note I've used some newly acquired clout to assure Sirius' freedom. He'll be staying in France at a place I own while he works on his case to re-enter British society. There is not much say really. I am gone and won't be back for at least a year. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. Be lenient with Ron when he inevitably screws up.
Be well.
Harry
Hermione dropped to the floor in a heap with the letter resting in here lap. She read it numerous times as she tried to understand the nameless emotions that it caused her.
***
Ron Weasley fell out of bed. The thump his large body made as it impacted with the hard wooden floor was both painful to hear and see. He grumpily stood up and rubbed the cheek his fall had mushed against the floor that made up his sister's ceiling. It had been her startled shout that had awaken him from his blissful slumber. Stomping his foot he yelled for her silence. This only precipitated a even louder shout from below and cacophony of clanging pips from the ghoul above. Ron didn't even try to go back to bed, he merely trudged down the stairs past the door of his inexplicably loud sister and to the kitchen.
Blearily he ambled around the table to take his customary seat. Idly he ran a hand through his vibrant red hair and tried to cure it of its unkempt state. Eyes half-closed it was five minutes before he rubbed the sleep out his eyes. Finally he settled his face into his hands and waited with eyes closed for his brunch. It was the smell of smoke that first tipped him off. His mother was an excellent cook and rarely burnt a meal. Looking to his right he saw his father sitting motionless at the head of the table reading a piece of paper with singular interest. *Must some Muggle thing* thought Ron. Looking over he saw his Mother frying up what appeared to scorched patties of sausage. She too was reading a piece of paper with undivided attention and with tearing eyes. *Okay. Wonder what this is all about." He was just abut to ask when his tiny sister came barreling down the staircase waving piece of paper. Ginny stopped, looked, and took a deep breath. Smiling at thin air she let out another excited shriek and all but plowed through the door. *Barking mad she is.* With this sought he finally realized that the singing he had been subconsciously hearing was, in fact, not the Wireless but the sound of his twin brothers. With an incredulous expression he turned to look out the kitchen window. Fred and George seemed to prancing and dancing around one another, jumping up and down in elation as they spouted incomprehensible verses. They too were holding letters. His vision of them was obscured as his sister flashed past the window doing cartwheels towards Fred and George.
"Did I miss something?" Without so much as a glance his fathered pushed an envelope across the table. Dubiously Ron opened it to reveal a piece of parchment similar to the ones he had seen flashed around by his family. It was from Harry.
Ron
I've gotten the boot from England. The chance of my return is slim and a year from now at the earliest. I'll miss you mate, but its out of my control. Don't let Malfoy goad you, he's probably composing a taunt for you as you read this. Watch out for yourself and try not to rag on Hermione too much. Without me there is no one to play peacemaker in your rows and your liable to push her away. You'll both need to be each others friends, times well be hard but you both can manage if you stick together. Even as I write this I feel a pain of loneliness for the friendship you offered me.
Cheer up though, Sirius is safe and free to walk about any other country but home. Kind of like me huh? Owl him if your curious how I'm doing. Your owls can't find me, and Hedwig can't find you. It's an exile thing. I hope your seating down because here it comes: I'm going to Durmstrang. I know, I know. I can imagine you seating at the table in the Burrow scowling at me consorting with those dark wizards, trying to become like "Vicky" Krum. Truth is, I need to go to a place that will teach me a way to defend myself. Sure I could do that in America or in one of the lesser schools here in Europe, but I've done some research. Durmstrang has one of the most martial programs of all the wizarding schools. I need that with Tom Riddle out there.
Look out for Neville. He's had a hard time of it, almost as bad as me. The Sytherins will be absolutely reeking with malice this year and he's an easy target. Look out for Ginny and every other Gryffindor. They are all part of my family and I don't want anything to happen to them. Most of all look out for YOU. You're my best friend and, despite our differences, I want you to be okay.
Harry
Ron had known Harry had been exiled. It was in the Prophet yesterday. Harry's letter seemed to make the nebulous idea into reality. *He's gone, he's really gone.* Curious he asked his father, "Dad, what are Fred, George, and Ginny so happy about?"
"What? Oh. Harry invested some money in their company and he asked that Ginny be employed to look after his share." Arthur Weasley stated while reading his own letter.
"What's your message say, Dad?"
"That Harry has paid off all our debts and deposited a half-million galleons into our vault. If we refuse he says his lawyers well make sure it is given to Lucius Malfoy." Arthur said with a hint of anger. "He says it's his way of helping us since he won't be here himself. If it wouldn't go to Malfoy I swear I'd give it up."
Ron smiled for once at his friends generosity. It was done in such a crafty way. "Blighter should have been in Sytherins."
***
End 17/ Interlude 1
Author Notes:
This brief chapter exists because some of you have wondered what was in the rest of Harry's letters. I had planned on flashing to these letters during Harry's long train ride from Frnace but that proved unmanigable. I have no other interlude planned but I may write some to answer any of the questions that might plague you. From here on out, barring any outpouring of questions, the remainder of the story well involve solely the experiences of Harry at Durmstrang until the big *scene*.
To my reviewers I must bow and offer my most profuse thanks. That means you all: Nighttime Sunshine, peeweepotter Relle, AJaKe, cricket, sil, Zaln, Lady FoxFire, Them Girl, fan, Otaku Freak, Saiyan Seker88, bostonian, ADJ, Webster, Star Mage, Lilybee2003, ZeonReborn, gallandro-83, Paul, pablo5280, Imaginaryfriend, Destruxion, kapies, rosie. Bill Weasly, Myrddin Ambrosius Jr.book worm, litine, clingon87,Siri Kat, pan, potter-man, DaBear, Potatoes, PheonixMan,GREENDAY 9829, Elessar, Jason Gregory, Ides of March, Orion, I)ark/-)ngel, keebler-elmo, Angelis, lollipozz, Sophie W., Sarah Rochester, azntgr01, Facade, Klover, Renee Fay and Rachel A. Prongs. You feedback is greatly appreciated and if I have missed anyone you have my apologies. I consider all of you suggestions and you support makes me want to write more. Later