A/N: None here.
Disclaimer: Harry doesn't belong to me, blah, blah, blah. I only own Amelia, Ebony-Crested Dragon snakes, Silecia, and any and all Dark Woods harps. Oh, and I do use some of the same techniques Rowling uses with some fun lines I always enjoyed, so please don't sue me! I need all the money I can get for my student ambassador trip!
Parseltongue will be "~...~"
Chapter 18: Commotion at Diagon Alley
-----------------------------------------------
A large bang like a cannon sounded, and in a moment the street in front of the bloody Harry was filled with a huge, triple-decker, purple bus. A young man stepped off, who seemed to just be getting a few pimples, and began into his speech.
"Welcome to the Knight Bus-"
And then the youth seemed to realize the wizard in front of him was covered in blood and that a large bonfire was blazing where a house used to be. Harry took it that the guy was a little slow on the uptake.
"Wha' happened?" he voiced, and Harry boarded the bus with the help of the youth, who said his name was Stan Shunpike, and sat down at a small couch inside. Stan sat Harry's trunk next to the boy. The driver directed Stan to go and get a towel to clean Harry up with, and they sat motionless on Privet Drive until Stan got back. The few passengers currently riding the Knight Bus pressed their faces to the window, gaping and whispering about the huge fire and watching the few Muggle firefighter crews showing up to put out the blaze.
"Here 'ya go," said Stan, pushing a wet towel into Harry's hand. "We can go, Ern."
"Arr," said Ern, and with a huge jolt that sent unsuspecting passengers flying, the bus was off.
Harry was now cleaning his face, smiling at how his plan to get on the bus free had worked. He had no wizarding money on him; Tom had taken the extra from shopping. However, as he cleaned off his face and forehead, Stan now stared on at him.
"What? Is there something new on my face?" asked Harry. Stan shook his head and stepped over to where Ern sat and said a bit loudly, "Ern! Ern! It's the boy we read about in the paper! That 'arry Potter!"
"How do you know me?" asked Harry, though rather uncomfortably as he noticed the entire population of the bus was looking at him. "I've never even ridden this bus before! A paper? Why would I be in the paper?"
"You've been in the Daily Prophet since 'ogwarts term started last year! The boy thought to be dead alive again! Is it true you were raised by You-Know-Who?"
Harry threw up his arms in frustration and sneered, "What's up with you Light supporters? Can't stand to say Lord Voldemort, can you?" He grinned nastily as everyone on the bus flinched at the name.
"B-But your p-parents," stammered a man riding across from Harry, "They w-were great supporters o-of the L-Light s-side."
"Voldemort is far better of a person than they ever were! He still is!" shouted Harry. At this, Ern jerked the wheel hard to the right, making an entire London block jump out of his way before stopping at the Leaky Cauldron where several passengers were getting off. Harry grabbed his trunk and hauled it out of the bus behind him, following the nervous group of wizards and witches as they entered the Leaky Cauldron.
The inside of the pub was dimly lit and very crowded as Harry tried to press his way up to the bartender and manager. He set down his trunk and got the bald man's attention.
"Excuse me, but can I get a room?"
The man smiled down at him, and Harry thought that the man obviously wasn't recognizing him because of the dim lighting. However, the passengers of the bus that had entered the pub were quickly speaking to their barmates and an odd hush was running around the place.
"Surely, son. My name's Tom," said the bartender and motioned him towards a flight of stairs while charming Harry's trunk to follow him.
"Just follow me," said Tom, and he guided Harry up the stairs and down a long hallway as he continued speaking, "Now, I expect no money right now. You just pay when you go to Gringott's, alright? Schoolchildren coming here alone never have money before going down Diagon Alley. Here ya are, young sir."
Tom guided Harry into a small but comfortably decorated room, and Harry delighted in the magic the room was giving off. He had missed that the entire time at the Dursley's. Harry looked around the room and back at the patient man who had placed Harry's trunk at the foot of the queensized bed.
"Is there anything else you will be needing or want?" asked the old man.
"I'm fine. I'm going to go to Diagon Alley, however, and get all of my school shopping done now. I'll be paying you as soon as I get back for the extension of the summer before I have to go back to Hogwarts. I would appreciate if you didn't tell anyone I was in this room. Everyone seems to be going crazy over me for some odd reason."
Tom and Harry walked down the stairs again, and this time Tom did notice everyone watching the young man beside him. However, he just turned his head down at Harry, smiled, and said, "Alright, I'll go and set up your account for staying here. I'll even throw in some Privacy charms so these people won't bother you. Is that fine?"
Harry smiled at the older man and said, "That's fine, and thanks for the charms, too. I'll be off." He walked to the door and shouted over his shoulder to Tom, "Just put it under Harry Potter, Tom. Thank you."
And Harry walked into the little alley behind the Leaky Cauldron, not noticing the largespread muttering he had caused, because he had pulled out his wand and was opening the gateway to Diagon Alley.
-------------------------------------
"There you go, Mr Potter," said the goblin as the two stepped out of the doorway into the main Gringott's building from the mine carts. "Is there anything else I can do for you?"
"No, that will be all. Thank you," said Harry, and he walked with his full moneybag outside into the hustle and bustle on Diagon Alley. Harry looked at the large clock outside of the Apothecary shop, which said that it was about noon.
"Good, Draco should be here by now. Let's see, this way should lead to-"
"Mum! Mum! It's him! It's Harry!"
Harry turned at the sound of his name along with several other people. He groaned inwardly, and approached the area where the small voice had originated from. The dark-haired boy came upon a large group of redheads, the Weasley's. They seemed to be waiting for something, too. He continued forward, and Molly Weasley, who had been directed by a small girl next to her, was smiling down at him now. Harry could just see Ron sulking off to the corner.
"Harry, dear, how nice to see you again," Molly said. "You gave me such a start on the platform last year! I've heard several conflicting pieces of information about you, but I think a certain Gryffindor is just biased against Slytherins." She winked at Harry, and Ron glared that Harry had gotten his mother's favour.
Harry now turned towards the girl he had seen earlier, which surely had to be the youngest Weasley child and the one who had called his name.
"Oh, of course, you wouldn't know Ginny, now would you?" said their mother, and she pushed the redhead out in front of her. "Harry, this is Ginny. She's going to start Hogwarts next year."
Thinking it would be wise to keep on the good side of this family, he smiled at Ginny and said, "Hope to see you there, Ginny. Don't trust Ron's opinion of me. He's just jealous of the great Slytherins and angry he can't be in such a cool House."
Ginny and Molly giggled while Ron was held back by Percy Weasley who also looked disapproving of the comment.
"Well, I have to be off. I'm meeting one of my friends over at Fortesque's Ice Cream Parlour. Goodbye," said Harry, and he left the Weasley's, walking down the street to the meeting location. It wasn't long before he spotted Draco and Lucius there, and he jumped on Draco, grinning ear to ear, though his midsection was an assortment of hisses and mini roars. Still laughing, he sat down next to Draco. The blonde boy faced his fellow Slytherin, and the said Slytherin broke into new peals of laughing; it seemed when Harry jumped on Draco, he had sent his friend face first into his ice cream.
"That's probably the first time I've laughed like that the entire summer," spoke Harry, wiping the tears from his eyes with his robe sleeve. "Thanks for the dragon, Draco. Above and beyond, truly, my friend."
Draco had finished wiping the mess off his face and arched an eyebrow at his green-eyed friend. "From what I've heard you haven't had much to laugh at lately."
Harry sighed, good mood flitted away, and said, "Yeah, really. First the Muggles, then Blaise in the hospital, not to mention last night. I expect everything was taken care of, Lucius?"
Lucius turned to Harry and tilted his head slightly in respect, "Of course. Everything to your specifications."
Harry smiled and got up along with his companions. "Good. We'll just shop a little first before the next step, then."
The three went about their school supplies, picking up new ink and quills. They ran to the Apothecary for Potions refills and to lunch where Harry and the other two had to escape from a crowd that had apparently come to see if the rumours about Harry Potter really being therre were true. He noticed as they moved through the crowds that eyes followed and heads turned as he passed. While he was used to the attention of staring eyes from standing next to Tom at Deatheater meetings, this had a different feeling. He wasn't quite sure he liked it.
"Okay," said Lucius, as the trio stopped in the large square in front of Gringott's, pretending to look like they were simply trying to decide where to go next, "Now, Draco, get behind Harry. Whenever you're ready, young master," he whispered, taking the space at Harry's left. Harry checked his right side for any passerby. No one was there, and so with a quick flick of his wand, he shot the anti- Concealing spell right at the center of the overhang of Gringott's, deleted the spell from his wand, and slipped it back under his robes.
Pandemonium had broken out in the meantime, once the spell had found its target. People ran screaming all over the square from the sight. The body of Harling was still hanging from the rope from last night, which was now attached to the building. Its skin was terribly white, lips and fingernails blue, the same being true of the two hands sticking out of either robe pocket. The Deatheater mask, which hung loosely around the corpse's neck, had a message written on it.
"I am all seeing of your actions
Here is your proof
Traitors, watch your necks."
Harry and the two Malfoy's began rapidly jogging out of the square with the other crowds, but a couple of Aurors appeared as if from nowhere and grabbed all three. Harry and Draco glared at the men holding the other, while Lucius spoke, "Really, gentlemen, is this really necessary?"
"We have reason to suspect that you three were the cause of that spectacle," spoke the man with the scrubby beard, whom Lucius indentified as Amos Diggory. "Especially that one right there," he added, pointing at Harry.
"Honestly, Diggory, do use some common sense," said Lucius, shaking off the man holding him and straightening his robes. The boys were reluctantly let go under the man's gaze, and the boys followed Lucius' example.
"What do you mean, Malfoy?" asked another man with short sandy-brown hair and blue eyes.
"What I mean, Longbottom," said Lucius, adopting the patented 'Snape silky voice', "is that these boys couldn't possibly have done it."
"And why not?" asked Diggory, crossing his arms and puffing out slightly.
"Because they are underaged, and as such, they cannot use magic outside of school without registering under the underage wards. If they had any connection with that spectacle, surely they would have gotten an owl from the Ministry by now, wouldn't they?"
"I still doubt all three of you."
"Fine. Check our wands, then. They'll support us. Then the large crowd that seems to enjoy this little rendevous will see what incompetent fools the Ministry has working for them."
Lucius pulled his wand from his robes, Draco from his pocket, and Harry from his arm holder. Longbottom, Diggory, and their fellow Auror all held their own wands touching tip to tip with the suspected wands and muttered "Priori Incantato!". Harry thanked Draco with a small wink for always remembering to delete his spells that he had done over the summer. From what the boys' wands told, they hadn't been used since their Hogwarts exams. Lucius' wand seemed to be used last in order to summon a quill. The crowd gathered muttered and a few chuckled while the embarassed Aurors gave back the wands to their owners and went to take down the body to examine back at the Aurors headquarters.
"Well, that was not expected, but was certainly entertaining," spoke Lucius, allowing a small smirk to appear on his face as the three walked down the street again. "All we have to pick up now are your books. There seems to be quite a line outside. Something must be happening. Come on, get in line, now."
They all got in line, and looked up at the sign outside of the book shop that stated in large letters "GILDEROY LOCKHART HERE TODAY!"
-----------------------------------------------
A/N: Sorry for the delay again! My family had all the days up to Christmas and the few days after it booked, and I couldn't get any writing done! No joke! Anyway, I'm happy to present the new chapter to you. Reading your reviews really helped. Whenever I got in a dull spot or was simply out of an idea to get to the next spot, I'd read the couple of reviews which had been newly sent, and off I was again. Thanks again, to all my reviewers! You make it happen!
Oh, before I get comments about Frank Longbottom being alive and well, let me explain. In the actual books, Frank and his wife Alice were tortured for information on Voldemort's wherabouts by a small group of Deatheaters. However, this was after Tom's fall. Therefore, since Tom didn't fall from power, the Longbottoms weren't hurt. They're just little nuisances like the Ministry.
Review responses:
SilverKnight7- Sorry it took so long to update. Blaise in the books has only been mentioned a few times as a passing character, and a gender has never been asssigned, which is always quite useful.
ReflectionsOfReality- No offense meant. I simply knew you had a keen eye to the sneakier aspects like that in my story. Ah, yes, the human body is such a fragile thing. Actually, that part could have been much worse if the circumtances had been different, such as if Harry was older, his magic far more advanced, and they were in a hidden location where a continuous line of agony could be delivered over a period of days. However, it couldn't be that way. I thoroughly laughed when you wrote that you imagined Amelia swallowing Hogwarts or Aragog whole. Amelia really doesn't need to grow at all to hunt, because if she's not eating Sickles, she can easily go for something like a rat... or a houseelf....
hermionegreen- Ah, yes, I did enjoy how Harry seperated the loyals from the actual traitors. As far as the note Lucius got from Harry, they concerned meeting Draco and Lucius at Diagon Alley and Harry's plan, yes. We'll be seeing more of Blaise next chapter when they go back to school hopefully.
bitchkitten- You just found out what Harry did next!
Nicoletta- Did Harry leave the black book behind? No. That was one of the items Amelia pointed out which Harry had overlooked. The boy hasn't even given the thing a passing glance yet. Thanks for liking the torture. Yes, I've heard about the wet rawhide. I personally love the aspect of it, but I'll leave it for you to use. Magic is just far too much fun!
eriee- Yeah, doubts anyone had of Harry growing to like the Dursley's was kinda squashed, wasn't it? We weren't cheering for them, anyway.
Celtic Warrior- Thanks for liking the story thus far. Yeah, Harry's still a bit young to be liking anyone. Then again, I think it's also been because of everything that's always happening to him.
Sea-Turtles- I'm glad you like Mithra, and I'm also glad you just had a cold. Yeah, my state also ran out of the flu vaccine. Unfortunately, I don't have connections at the hospital like you ;) . Man, I had the flu last year, and I haven't been the same since. Honestly, I think that bout permanently affected me somehow or another. Gods know what would happen to me if I got it again.
Solaris Isa- Such a bubbly little bugger. Glad you like my story.
ER- Thanks for the compliment!
Silver Queen- Love that phrasing of Harry as the "mean little prick"! Made me laugh! Yes, he definitely has what it takes to be a Dark Heir! Harry bloodied himself up so he would distract the bus people enough to be able to get on without the question of payment for traveling coming up. A diversion, quite simply.
RaistlinofMetallica- Glad you like Harry's evil side and that you thought the example was perfect.
rayvern- I think that the reason the Deatheaters didn't fight Harry is this: you can plan and plot all you want, but when you face up to what you have to do and the person you're doing it to, those kind of people lose their nerve. Sure, a lot of Deatheaters probably hate serving Lord Voldemort and make up plots to kill him, but when they Apparate to his side and see what they're facing, they revert back to mindless servant mode. I always enjoy the fact that Harry can switch between evil and friendly depending on the people and the situation.
Falafal- Yes, Harry's years with Tom really are showing! I'm honoured that you find my 'evil Harry' version to be the best out there! *bows*
Maxx77- Glad you like my story!
Shorty- Hey, how's it going? Did you have a fun holiday? I did get a lap harp for Christmas! I just need someone to help me tune it, and I'll be all set! Bwahahahaha! I know that right there you proabaly said,"Oh no." like you usually do! Of course you know I can be that evil!
Rogue1615- Regarding the problem you have with the DE's, check the response to rayvern above. Yes, year two has always been my favourite. I've always wanted to be able to use the CoS as a meeting place because it's just too perfect! Besides, the Chamber of Secrets has got to have more than just the secret of the basilisk, right? If it was just that one, wouldn't it be called Chamber of the Secret? Something much deeper is going on...
(December 22-27, 2003)
Disclaimer: Harry doesn't belong to me, blah, blah, blah. I only own Amelia, Ebony-Crested Dragon snakes, Silecia, and any and all Dark Woods harps. Oh, and I do use some of the same techniques Rowling uses with some fun lines I always enjoyed, so please don't sue me! I need all the money I can get for my student ambassador trip!
Parseltongue will be "~...~"
Chapter 18: Commotion at Diagon Alley
-----------------------------------------------
A large bang like a cannon sounded, and in a moment the street in front of the bloody Harry was filled with a huge, triple-decker, purple bus. A young man stepped off, who seemed to just be getting a few pimples, and began into his speech.
"Welcome to the Knight Bus-"
And then the youth seemed to realize the wizard in front of him was covered in blood and that a large bonfire was blazing where a house used to be. Harry took it that the guy was a little slow on the uptake.
"Wha' happened?" he voiced, and Harry boarded the bus with the help of the youth, who said his name was Stan Shunpike, and sat down at a small couch inside. Stan sat Harry's trunk next to the boy. The driver directed Stan to go and get a towel to clean Harry up with, and they sat motionless on Privet Drive until Stan got back. The few passengers currently riding the Knight Bus pressed their faces to the window, gaping and whispering about the huge fire and watching the few Muggle firefighter crews showing up to put out the blaze.
"Here 'ya go," said Stan, pushing a wet towel into Harry's hand. "We can go, Ern."
"Arr," said Ern, and with a huge jolt that sent unsuspecting passengers flying, the bus was off.
Harry was now cleaning his face, smiling at how his plan to get on the bus free had worked. He had no wizarding money on him; Tom had taken the extra from shopping. However, as he cleaned off his face and forehead, Stan now stared on at him.
"What? Is there something new on my face?" asked Harry. Stan shook his head and stepped over to where Ern sat and said a bit loudly, "Ern! Ern! It's the boy we read about in the paper! That 'arry Potter!"
"How do you know me?" asked Harry, though rather uncomfortably as he noticed the entire population of the bus was looking at him. "I've never even ridden this bus before! A paper? Why would I be in the paper?"
"You've been in the Daily Prophet since 'ogwarts term started last year! The boy thought to be dead alive again! Is it true you were raised by You-Know-Who?"
Harry threw up his arms in frustration and sneered, "What's up with you Light supporters? Can't stand to say Lord Voldemort, can you?" He grinned nastily as everyone on the bus flinched at the name.
"B-But your p-parents," stammered a man riding across from Harry, "They w-were great supporters o-of the L-Light s-side."
"Voldemort is far better of a person than they ever were! He still is!" shouted Harry. At this, Ern jerked the wheel hard to the right, making an entire London block jump out of his way before stopping at the Leaky Cauldron where several passengers were getting off. Harry grabbed his trunk and hauled it out of the bus behind him, following the nervous group of wizards and witches as they entered the Leaky Cauldron.
The inside of the pub was dimly lit and very crowded as Harry tried to press his way up to the bartender and manager. He set down his trunk and got the bald man's attention.
"Excuse me, but can I get a room?"
The man smiled down at him, and Harry thought that the man obviously wasn't recognizing him because of the dim lighting. However, the passengers of the bus that had entered the pub were quickly speaking to their barmates and an odd hush was running around the place.
"Surely, son. My name's Tom," said the bartender and motioned him towards a flight of stairs while charming Harry's trunk to follow him.
"Just follow me," said Tom, and he guided Harry up the stairs and down a long hallway as he continued speaking, "Now, I expect no money right now. You just pay when you go to Gringott's, alright? Schoolchildren coming here alone never have money before going down Diagon Alley. Here ya are, young sir."
Tom guided Harry into a small but comfortably decorated room, and Harry delighted in the magic the room was giving off. He had missed that the entire time at the Dursley's. Harry looked around the room and back at the patient man who had placed Harry's trunk at the foot of the queensized bed.
"Is there anything else you will be needing or want?" asked the old man.
"I'm fine. I'm going to go to Diagon Alley, however, and get all of my school shopping done now. I'll be paying you as soon as I get back for the extension of the summer before I have to go back to Hogwarts. I would appreciate if you didn't tell anyone I was in this room. Everyone seems to be going crazy over me for some odd reason."
Tom and Harry walked down the stairs again, and this time Tom did notice everyone watching the young man beside him. However, he just turned his head down at Harry, smiled, and said, "Alright, I'll go and set up your account for staying here. I'll even throw in some Privacy charms so these people won't bother you. Is that fine?"
Harry smiled at the older man and said, "That's fine, and thanks for the charms, too. I'll be off." He walked to the door and shouted over his shoulder to Tom, "Just put it under Harry Potter, Tom. Thank you."
And Harry walked into the little alley behind the Leaky Cauldron, not noticing the largespread muttering he had caused, because he had pulled out his wand and was opening the gateway to Diagon Alley.
-------------------------------------
"There you go, Mr Potter," said the goblin as the two stepped out of the doorway into the main Gringott's building from the mine carts. "Is there anything else I can do for you?"
"No, that will be all. Thank you," said Harry, and he walked with his full moneybag outside into the hustle and bustle on Diagon Alley. Harry looked at the large clock outside of the Apothecary shop, which said that it was about noon.
"Good, Draco should be here by now. Let's see, this way should lead to-"
"Mum! Mum! It's him! It's Harry!"
Harry turned at the sound of his name along with several other people. He groaned inwardly, and approached the area where the small voice had originated from. The dark-haired boy came upon a large group of redheads, the Weasley's. They seemed to be waiting for something, too. He continued forward, and Molly Weasley, who had been directed by a small girl next to her, was smiling down at him now. Harry could just see Ron sulking off to the corner.
"Harry, dear, how nice to see you again," Molly said. "You gave me such a start on the platform last year! I've heard several conflicting pieces of information about you, but I think a certain Gryffindor is just biased against Slytherins." She winked at Harry, and Ron glared that Harry had gotten his mother's favour.
Harry now turned towards the girl he had seen earlier, which surely had to be the youngest Weasley child and the one who had called his name.
"Oh, of course, you wouldn't know Ginny, now would you?" said their mother, and she pushed the redhead out in front of her. "Harry, this is Ginny. She's going to start Hogwarts next year."
Thinking it would be wise to keep on the good side of this family, he smiled at Ginny and said, "Hope to see you there, Ginny. Don't trust Ron's opinion of me. He's just jealous of the great Slytherins and angry he can't be in such a cool House."
Ginny and Molly giggled while Ron was held back by Percy Weasley who also looked disapproving of the comment.
"Well, I have to be off. I'm meeting one of my friends over at Fortesque's Ice Cream Parlour. Goodbye," said Harry, and he left the Weasley's, walking down the street to the meeting location. It wasn't long before he spotted Draco and Lucius there, and he jumped on Draco, grinning ear to ear, though his midsection was an assortment of hisses and mini roars. Still laughing, he sat down next to Draco. The blonde boy faced his fellow Slytherin, and the said Slytherin broke into new peals of laughing; it seemed when Harry jumped on Draco, he had sent his friend face first into his ice cream.
"That's probably the first time I've laughed like that the entire summer," spoke Harry, wiping the tears from his eyes with his robe sleeve. "Thanks for the dragon, Draco. Above and beyond, truly, my friend."
Draco had finished wiping the mess off his face and arched an eyebrow at his green-eyed friend. "From what I've heard you haven't had much to laugh at lately."
Harry sighed, good mood flitted away, and said, "Yeah, really. First the Muggles, then Blaise in the hospital, not to mention last night. I expect everything was taken care of, Lucius?"
Lucius turned to Harry and tilted his head slightly in respect, "Of course. Everything to your specifications."
Harry smiled and got up along with his companions. "Good. We'll just shop a little first before the next step, then."
The three went about their school supplies, picking up new ink and quills. They ran to the Apothecary for Potions refills and to lunch where Harry and the other two had to escape from a crowd that had apparently come to see if the rumours about Harry Potter really being therre were true. He noticed as they moved through the crowds that eyes followed and heads turned as he passed. While he was used to the attention of staring eyes from standing next to Tom at Deatheater meetings, this had a different feeling. He wasn't quite sure he liked it.
"Okay," said Lucius, as the trio stopped in the large square in front of Gringott's, pretending to look like they were simply trying to decide where to go next, "Now, Draco, get behind Harry. Whenever you're ready, young master," he whispered, taking the space at Harry's left. Harry checked his right side for any passerby. No one was there, and so with a quick flick of his wand, he shot the anti- Concealing spell right at the center of the overhang of Gringott's, deleted the spell from his wand, and slipped it back under his robes.
Pandemonium had broken out in the meantime, once the spell had found its target. People ran screaming all over the square from the sight. The body of Harling was still hanging from the rope from last night, which was now attached to the building. Its skin was terribly white, lips and fingernails blue, the same being true of the two hands sticking out of either robe pocket. The Deatheater mask, which hung loosely around the corpse's neck, had a message written on it.
"I am all seeing of your actions
Here is your proof
Traitors, watch your necks."
Harry and the two Malfoy's began rapidly jogging out of the square with the other crowds, but a couple of Aurors appeared as if from nowhere and grabbed all three. Harry and Draco glared at the men holding the other, while Lucius spoke, "Really, gentlemen, is this really necessary?"
"We have reason to suspect that you three were the cause of that spectacle," spoke the man with the scrubby beard, whom Lucius indentified as Amos Diggory. "Especially that one right there," he added, pointing at Harry.
"Honestly, Diggory, do use some common sense," said Lucius, shaking off the man holding him and straightening his robes. The boys were reluctantly let go under the man's gaze, and the boys followed Lucius' example.
"What do you mean, Malfoy?" asked another man with short sandy-brown hair and blue eyes.
"What I mean, Longbottom," said Lucius, adopting the patented 'Snape silky voice', "is that these boys couldn't possibly have done it."
"And why not?" asked Diggory, crossing his arms and puffing out slightly.
"Because they are underaged, and as such, they cannot use magic outside of school without registering under the underage wards. If they had any connection with that spectacle, surely they would have gotten an owl from the Ministry by now, wouldn't they?"
"I still doubt all three of you."
"Fine. Check our wands, then. They'll support us. Then the large crowd that seems to enjoy this little rendevous will see what incompetent fools the Ministry has working for them."
Lucius pulled his wand from his robes, Draco from his pocket, and Harry from his arm holder. Longbottom, Diggory, and their fellow Auror all held their own wands touching tip to tip with the suspected wands and muttered "Priori Incantato!". Harry thanked Draco with a small wink for always remembering to delete his spells that he had done over the summer. From what the boys' wands told, they hadn't been used since their Hogwarts exams. Lucius' wand seemed to be used last in order to summon a quill. The crowd gathered muttered and a few chuckled while the embarassed Aurors gave back the wands to their owners and went to take down the body to examine back at the Aurors headquarters.
"Well, that was not expected, but was certainly entertaining," spoke Lucius, allowing a small smirk to appear on his face as the three walked down the street again. "All we have to pick up now are your books. There seems to be quite a line outside. Something must be happening. Come on, get in line, now."
They all got in line, and looked up at the sign outside of the book shop that stated in large letters "GILDEROY LOCKHART HERE TODAY!"
-----------------------------------------------
A/N: Sorry for the delay again! My family had all the days up to Christmas and the few days after it booked, and I couldn't get any writing done! No joke! Anyway, I'm happy to present the new chapter to you. Reading your reviews really helped. Whenever I got in a dull spot or was simply out of an idea to get to the next spot, I'd read the couple of reviews which had been newly sent, and off I was again. Thanks again, to all my reviewers! You make it happen!
Oh, before I get comments about Frank Longbottom being alive and well, let me explain. In the actual books, Frank and his wife Alice were tortured for information on Voldemort's wherabouts by a small group of Deatheaters. However, this was after Tom's fall. Therefore, since Tom didn't fall from power, the Longbottoms weren't hurt. They're just little nuisances like the Ministry.
Review responses:
SilverKnight7- Sorry it took so long to update. Blaise in the books has only been mentioned a few times as a passing character, and a gender has never been asssigned, which is always quite useful.
ReflectionsOfReality- No offense meant. I simply knew you had a keen eye to the sneakier aspects like that in my story. Ah, yes, the human body is such a fragile thing. Actually, that part could have been much worse if the circumtances had been different, such as if Harry was older, his magic far more advanced, and they were in a hidden location where a continuous line of agony could be delivered over a period of days. However, it couldn't be that way. I thoroughly laughed when you wrote that you imagined Amelia swallowing Hogwarts or Aragog whole. Amelia really doesn't need to grow at all to hunt, because if she's not eating Sickles, she can easily go for something like a rat... or a houseelf....
hermionegreen- Ah, yes, I did enjoy how Harry seperated the loyals from the actual traitors. As far as the note Lucius got from Harry, they concerned meeting Draco and Lucius at Diagon Alley and Harry's plan, yes. We'll be seeing more of Blaise next chapter when they go back to school hopefully.
bitchkitten- You just found out what Harry did next!
Nicoletta- Did Harry leave the black book behind? No. That was one of the items Amelia pointed out which Harry had overlooked. The boy hasn't even given the thing a passing glance yet. Thanks for liking the torture. Yes, I've heard about the wet rawhide. I personally love the aspect of it, but I'll leave it for you to use. Magic is just far too much fun!
eriee- Yeah, doubts anyone had of Harry growing to like the Dursley's was kinda squashed, wasn't it? We weren't cheering for them, anyway.
Celtic Warrior- Thanks for liking the story thus far. Yeah, Harry's still a bit young to be liking anyone. Then again, I think it's also been because of everything that's always happening to him.
Sea-Turtles- I'm glad you like Mithra, and I'm also glad you just had a cold. Yeah, my state also ran out of the flu vaccine. Unfortunately, I don't have connections at the hospital like you ;) . Man, I had the flu last year, and I haven't been the same since. Honestly, I think that bout permanently affected me somehow or another. Gods know what would happen to me if I got it again.
Solaris Isa- Such a bubbly little bugger. Glad you like my story.
ER- Thanks for the compliment!
Silver Queen- Love that phrasing of Harry as the "mean little prick"! Made me laugh! Yes, he definitely has what it takes to be a Dark Heir! Harry bloodied himself up so he would distract the bus people enough to be able to get on without the question of payment for traveling coming up. A diversion, quite simply.
RaistlinofMetallica- Glad you like Harry's evil side and that you thought the example was perfect.
rayvern- I think that the reason the Deatheaters didn't fight Harry is this: you can plan and plot all you want, but when you face up to what you have to do and the person you're doing it to, those kind of people lose their nerve. Sure, a lot of Deatheaters probably hate serving Lord Voldemort and make up plots to kill him, but when they Apparate to his side and see what they're facing, they revert back to mindless servant mode. I always enjoy the fact that Harry can switch between evil and friendly depending on the people and the situation.
Falafal- Yes, Harry's years with Tom really are showing! I'm honoured that you find my 'evil Harry' version to be the best out there! *bows*
Maxx77- Glad you like my story!
Shorty- Hey, how's it going? Did you have a fun holiday? I did get a lap harp for Christmas! I just need someone to help me tune it, and I'll be all set! Bwahahahaha! I know that right there you proabaly said,"Oh no." like you usually do! Of course you know I can be that evil!
Rogue1615- Regarding the problem you have with the DE's, check the response to rayvern above. Yes, year two has always been my favourite. I've always wanted to be able to use the CoS as a meeting place because it's just too perfect! Besides, the Chamber of Secrets has got to have more than just the secret of the basilisk, right? If it was just that one, wouldn't it be called Chamber of the Secret? Something much deeper is going on...
(December 22-27, 2003)