Disclaimer: I own nothing but my mistakes.
Chapter Seven: It's all the same, right?
Dumbledore hurried down the corridor along with several professors. He had just been informed that the Wandwood delegation had arrived, several hours ahead of schedule. Didn't they have any manners. Dozens of students were already on the lawn as they watched the large blimp land and several house elves appear outside to secure The Artic Gale's lines.
Irritation filtered across Dumbledore's mind, Wandwood's method of travel was certainly impressive, longer than the Durmstrangs ship, bigger then the Beauxbatons carriage. It spoke of an elegance the others lacked. He didn't like that they were there at all, to have outshined the other participating schools was a grave insult. Still, he had to play nice, all while wondering how much Hogwarts would have to pay for them to have such extravagance.
One of the airships doors opened and the Dean stepped out, followed by the rest of the school and staff. "Headmaster Dumbledore."
"Dean Horsefeather, we were not expecting you till this evening." Dumbledore let a hint of his irritation filter into his voice.
"We had good winds and saw no reason to wait."
"I can't help but notice that you have brought more than just students with you."
"Yes, the Ministry felt that we needed extra security. Don't worry they are paying for the guards. We have also brought our own faculty to help watch after our students since we have such a large range in attendance." The Dean had forced Dumbledore to cave on the matter of bringing more than just seventh year students. As she pointed out Harry wasn't a seventh year and should his friends decide to come, she wouldn't stop them.
"I assure you that wasn't necessary, Hogwarts will keep your students safe."
The Dean burst out laughing. "Either you are delusional or a liar. But we don't have long enough to decide which right now."
Dumbledore wanted to refute her claim but he certainly didn't need the school's dirty laundry aired in front of the students. "Well, I am afraid that you have missed lunch, and dinner will not be for some hours."
"That's fine, it will give us a chance to speak with the other school heads while my students familiarize themselves with your school." The Dean said.
0-Q-0
Remus Lupin considered himself fortunate, not that he had been bitten and turned into a werewolf but that thanks to his friends, the Potters, he was able to still make something of himself. Years before a law had been passed that stated all werewolves needed ministry permission and approval to work. Each requiring a different department to approve.
Without his close association with the Potters, he would never have been able to find any work, for the last three and a half years he had been hired to work as security for Hogwarts. When Daniel's name had come out of the Goblet of Fire, he had been a suspect as a dark creature. Until James had pointed out that his godfather oath to Daniel would have prevent his involvement.
He knew well the struggle werewolves faced, he could understand taking risks to try and get by. But as he watched Wandwood arrive he was horrified to discover that several members of their security were in fact werewolves. One of the side effects of the curse was that you could always tell when another was nearby. A few of them even gave him a polite nod.
He had to tell Dumbledore right away, he was comfortable working around children because of the wolfbane potion. And he knew outside of the ICW they did not use the potion to control werewolves.
0-Q-0
While Hermione was leading her family and the Blacks on a tour of the school Andromeda Tonks made her way to the hospital wing to speak with Poppy, she had completed part of her healer training under the med witch and had trouble believe that she wouldn't have healed Hermione's leg. Now she had the chance to satisfy her curiosity.
She stepped into the hospital wing and found Poppy just finishing up with one of the students. Andy waited until Poppy had finished before she made her way over. "It's been a while."
"Andromeda Tonks, it has. We were all so worried when your family disappeared. What are you doing back?" Poppy said.
"I got a wonderful offer to work in America. It has been amazing; I've learned a great deal. Currently I am acting as the official healer for Wandwood while they are here. You know I actually saw one of your former patients." Andy said as they walked to Poppy's office.
"Really? Who?" Poppy was understandable curious as to her knowledge few former students ever left the country. She called an elf for some tea as they sat down.
"Hermione Granger." Andy took a sip of her tea and watched her former mentor for a reaction.
Poppy's shoulders drooped and she sighed. "That poor girl. First the broom accident and then attacked by a troll. We had to send her straight to St. Mungo's but even they couldn't fully heal her. I can certainly understand why her parents sent her to another country."
"So, you never had a chance to examine her after the troll?" Andy tried to keep the hope from her voice. She had a great deal of respect for the older healer and the thought that Poppy had knowingly left a student injured ate at her.
"No, she never returned to Hogwarts after that night." Poppy hesitated before she asked. "How is she doing? How has she adjusted to her injury?"
"Miss Granger was fully healed in just a few days." Andy paused at Poppy's surprised gasp. "Any first year apprentice could have healed her leg properly. She told a friend what happened and they recognized that her injury should not have resulted in such complications and referred her to me."
"But the healers at St. Mungos…"
"Either lied or are idiots, I don't know which. Personally, we believe that they left Hermione with a limp because she is a muggle born. But regardless she made a full recovery and is actually part of the Wandwood group that just arrived." Andy explained.
"Yes, I saw the… blimp?" Poppy asked unsure what to call the large flying craft.
"We've been calling it an airship; the caption thinks it sounds more impressive that way. But back to the point. Outside of life-threatening emergency's I will be handling all medical issues for the Wandwood group." Andy held up her hand as Poppy bristled and began to protest. "I know you are an exceptional healer however after everything that has happened Wandwood doesn't trust Hogwarts."
"And what about you." Poppy demanded. "You graduated Hogwarts. Do they know that and still trust you?"
"They trust me to be professional on such matters." Andy let a chill creep into her voice to remind Poppy that they were both fully accredited healers and should not bicker like children.
"Very well, the hospital wing is available to you if you need to make use of it." Poppy said with a resigned sigh.
"Thank you but hopefully nothing serious enough for me to need to take you up on the offer will happen. Also, the airship as a fully stocked infirmary. You're more than welcome to stop by so that we can trade tricks." Andy offered.
"Thank you, it would be interesting to see the American method of healing." Poppy answered politely.
0-Q-0
The Grangers and Blacks walked through Hogwarts as Hermione and Sirius pointed out areas of interest. Though Harry and Hermione could have done without Sirius and his running commentary of the best places to snog. Harry was sure Hermione's parents wouldn't like that but they seemed more amused than anything. That might have been because of his obvious discomfort though.
They were walking down a corridor on their way to the library when an unwelcome voice interrupted them. "Ug, a mudblood and blood traitors. Someone should tell the squib Flitch to exterminate the vermin in the castle."
Sirius stepped towards Malfoy. "Let's see, weasel like face and some strange belief that you are better than everyone else. You must be a Malfoy."
"And you are that sorry excuse the former Lord Black. Who betrayed his noble blood to associate with such scum and… are those muggles?" Draco's face scrunched up in disgust. "When my father hears of this, they'll be killed for daring to befoul these noble halls with their filth!"
"Malfoy!" Sirius shouted in a deep voice. Harry winced, he only heard that tone when he really really messed up. "You speak without knowledge. The Blacks may have been stripped of our seat in the government and a few knuts I left in Gringotts but they did not take away the Black's standing.
"So, tell me what is the punishment for a lesser house such as the Malfoy's insulting both an Ancient and Noble house as well as those under its protection and calling for their death?" Sirius hid a smirk as Malfoy paled further. "I see you do know what that means. I will speak with Lord Malfoy about your actions."
Malfoy wisely kept his mouth shut and stormed off. Dan and Emma glanced at each other. "Alright, that stuff you said to the rude kid sounded important. Can you explain what just happened?"
"That was Malfoy, he was a bully, almost as bad as Potter and Weasley." Hermione told her parents.
"His father was a Death Eater who bribed his way out of his crimes. He is a coward but he liked to throw his money around and pretend it makes him cunning. Apparently, he hasn't even taught his kid how to do that. What I so kindly pointed out to him was that despite what the Ministry did they wouldn't dare take rights away from the old families because they are to paranoid that someone would do the same to them. And despite what the Malfoy's like to think they aren't one of the old families.
"My family is one of the few that can back up calling him out for such disrespect. It'll cost him a bit of political influence with some of the other old families. Most of them aren't to forgiving to upstarts. Plus, it'll make sure everyone knows that all of you are under the protection of the House of Black." Sirius explained.
"So, you used your enemy to spread information for you, my that is very Slytherin of you." Hermione commented.
"Now there was no need to be insulting, I thought you liked me." Sirius acted as though she had hit him.
"No, that's your son." Hermione latched onto Harry's arm.
Violet moved to hug her husband. "It's alright dear. I still like you."
"I'll take that!" Sirius spun and kissed her.
Cordelia clapped from her mother's arms. Sharra made several gagging noises until they stopped.
0-Q-0
That evening a very tired Dumbledore sat at the head table and looked out over the sea of students, both those from Hogwarts and the visiting schools. "I would like to welcome our newest guests from Wandwood. I am sure you will all make them feel welcome while they are here."
While the other two visiting schools kept to their own group the students from Wandwood spread out to the four tables which seemed to confuse the Hogwarts students. Harry and Hermione moved to sit at the Hufflepuff table.
As they began to put the food on their plates one of the older years leaned forward. "Why are you sitting here? Trying to steal our glory?"
Harry gave him a quizzical look. "Well, Slytherin was out from the start. Gryffindor has Weasley and Potter so we don't want to sit there, and both those houses along with Ravenclaw gave Hermione a bad time when she was here. So Hufflepuff was the only one that hadn't caused one of us problems yet. As for your glory, I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Lay off." Another voice said from further down the table. The speaker rose and moved closer to them. "Sorry about Matty, he got the idea into his head that this is all a big conspiracy to embarrass Hufflepuff. I'm Cedric."
"The Hogwarts Champion." Harry said.
"Well one of them." Cedric admitted.
"The only one there was supposed to be, the one who actually got chosen." Harry pointed out and won a few points with the house of hard work and loyalty. "I'm Harry Black, unwilling competitor."
"I heard, does that mean you won't really be competing? Just show up and forfeit?" Cedric asked. There had been a great deal of speculation about what both Potter and Black would do since both claimed to not want to compete.
Harry shook his head. "I wish I could but the contract says I have to at least make an attempt and wording says it has to be decent. Since we don't know what the Goblet of Fire would consider decent, I have to do my best or risk breaking the contract."
"Though luck." Cedric felt sorry for the two young champions, there were being seriously disadvantaged.
"Yeah, but nothing I can do about it." Harry actually thought he might have a chance when Hermione had pointed out a key fact. English wizards were silly at best in most cases. They hoped that what he had learned would be different enough that Harry would see a hole in the tasks that the organizers had over looked.
Dinner continued on much the same as it had begun, with questions exchanged between the students from Wandwood and the other schools. Afterwards they returned to the airship and several moved to what had been nicknamed the war room.
When it was confirmed that Harry had to compete Sirius had put his Slytherin and Marauder sides to good use. The contract said no staff of the school or Ministry could help a champion. It didn't cover family or hired help, so long as that help wasn't on the payroll of the school or Ministry. So, while several people were there to help Wandwood such as the Grangers, because they didn't work for the school, they were free to help Harry. Not to mention the students themselves.
Sirius looked over the groups. "How did it go?"
"Gryffindor outright threatened us." One said and the two other students who had been at the table nodded.
"Slytherin was hostel until we told them we were old purebloods." Another student, who also happened to actually be a muggle born said. "It didn't help to much as they still treated us more as an oddity than people. I think a couple of them are stupid enough to give up information if they get any though."
"Ravenclaw acted as if we were idiots, no help there."
"Hufflepuff was friendly enough." Harry said. "I think they'll be our best bet of information, but it'll be tricky with the whole fair play thing."
Sirius nodded; it was mostly as he had expected. "Anything else?"
There were a number of shaken heads, not that it surprised him as they had only been there a few hours. "Right then, keep your eyes and ears open. Dismissed."
As the group was about to leave another student rushed in. "Anyone want to see a show?"
"What's going on?" Harry asked.
"Apparently that English Minister just showed up with a bunch of people. Looks like they're going to try and arrest someone." He said.
Sirius barked out a laugh. "Pay up."
Grumbling Harry pulled a pouch of coins from his pocket and handed it to Sirius. At Hermione's quizzical looked he said. "I figured he'd at least wait until breakfast."
The group hurried to the windows that offered a view of the show being put on outside.
0-Q-0
One of the ship's house elves had warned the Dean of the approaching group so she had stepped out to meet them. She was disgusted by the look of glee on that idiot Fudge's face. As he hurried over, he waved a piece of parchment in the air. "Not even here a day and already causing trouble. I knew you savages were up to something. Bringing dark creatures to a school!"
Dumbledore, as well as several members of the Hogwarts's staff had followed the group towards the ship. The headmaster reached out and lay a hand on the ministers should. "I believe we should all calm ourselves. Remus if you could please explain the situation, we don't need wands drawn."
Remus nodded and stepped forward. "You know I'm like you. I understand how desperate you are but you are endangering children by being here. You have to see reason, money is not worth the damage you could cause, the lives you could ruin. I truly do understand how bad things must be for you without the wolfsbane potion but this is wrong."
The guards were unmoved by his disturbingly impassioned speech. "We'll you are a werewolf." One of them admitted. "So let me ask you what makes you so much safer than us?"
"I take the wolfsbane potion and am locked away when I change." Remus said with a hint of pride. He thought that he could show them another way.
"We'll do you one better; on the night of the full moon, we won't even be here. We already have prior commitments." The same guard said.
Fudge wasn't happy, this was taking too long and he wanted some good publicity already! "You are dark creatures that require the ministry's consent to work which you do not have! There for you have broken the law, arrest them!"
To most of the groups surprise the guards just chuckled. Fudge felt his eye twitch. "Are you laughing at me?"
"Yeah, you look so funny, all angry with your little bowler hat on. I guess that's British humor for you." The guard said.
"Now see here-" Fudge began.
"Enough." The Dean's sharp tone cut through the group. "You may consider them dark creatures but we consider them highly skill people who do their jobs as well as can be asked for. While your ministry may demand they have consent to work our Ministry does not and as they are our citizens you have no authority to impose you bigoted laws upon any member of this ship. Under the contract with the Goblet of Fire we have, what our lawyers were only able to describe as 'A staggering and confusing mix of diplomatic immunity and independence from the English ministry.'"
Fudge leaned towards Dumbledore. "What does all that mean?"
Before Dumbledore could answer the Dean did so. "It means that we may hire whoever we want and you can't do a thing about it. I believe most of that bit came about because Dumbledore wanted to invite another Death Eater into his school."
Dumbledore hated to admit it but she was correct, he had just hoped that they hadn't bothered to read too far into the contract. The others hadn't, why couldn't these people play by the proper rules? "I am afraid she is correct, so long as they do no harm, we have no authority to arrest them."
"But…" Fudge stammered out. This wasn't how he wanted it to happen, he was supposed to be seen as a hero. Leading the charge to arrest several dark creatures these foreign savages had brought into their cultured country. It was supposed to put the people behind him again. Stop all that nasty talk about a vote of no confidence. Now he had to slink away with his tail between his legs.
The Dean watched them leave before she turned around and walked back into the ship. She was truly coming to hate dealing with the English.
0-Q-0
The next morning the Wandwood students ate breakfast in the great hall, though they were also free to take their meals on the ship they all needed to pick up their class schedules. Even some of the older ones who were just there to work on the airship and finish their apprenticeship had opted to take a few classes and hopefully learn a new style.
They were once again at the Hufflepuff table when Professor McGonigal handed them their schedules. Hermione looked them over and groaned. "They stuck us with Gryffindor for our classes."
"We could ask to be switched." Harry suggested.
"No, I won't run away from them. I'm better than I was." Hermione stated. She'd have to face them at some point and she refused to let them think that they still frightened her.
"You've always been the best." Harry threw his arm around her shoulder.
During the meal the Daily Prophet arrived, Hermione had insisted on getting a copy to try and keep track of what the local crowd was thinking. The bold headline proclaiming that Wandwood school had brought a host of dangerous dark creatures to Hogwarts startled a number of people and left many of the Wandwood students on unsure footing as they explained what actually happened.
Susan Bones was the first at the Hufflepuff table to work up the courage to do more than give them dirty looks. She sounded both frightened and angry when she asked. "Why did you bring a pack of werewolves to Hogwarts?"
"Security." Hermione stated. "They can't pass the curse on unless it is a full moon and they have transformed. The rest of the time they're just people. People with better reflexes, who are stronger and more perceptive than normal. In North America they are praised as some of the best security there is."
"But what if they escape during the full moon? We could all be killed!" Another Hufflepuff said.
"They won't even be here for the full moon." Harry resisted rolling his eyes and he answered. "They all have prior commitments. Back across the pond."
"What if one of them goes crazy, you said it yourself they're stronger than normal, they could just rip us apart." The same Hufflepuff said.
"And what if you go crazy? You're carrying a deadly weapon." Hermione pointed out.
"No I'm not!" the Hufflepuff shouted.
"You have a wand, don't you?" Harry asked and drew his own. "We had an instructor who once said 'It can kill or heal, learn the damn difference!' if you snapped one well-placed curse could do at least as much damage as an untransformed werewolf."
Several of the Hufflepuffs looked down at their own wands. The rest of the meal was spent discussing the different way werewolves were treated between England and North America. After breakfast they gathered their bags and Hermione lead them to their first class, Transfiguration. Before they reached the class however, they heard yet another unwelcome voice.
"Dead man walking." Harry and Hermione found Ron Weasley, Daniel Potter and a girl with the same red hair as Ron's that they guessed was his siter leaning against a nearby wall. "How's it feel to know that you're going to die Black? After all you only have that second-rate foreign education while Daniel's got all sorts of special tutors."
Harry resisted the urge to punch the redheaded boy, not for what he was saying but his part in what happened to Hermione. But he had promised her that he would do his best to keep his temper in check and not attack them. Or at least not be the one to start things. "You do realize that from my perspective you three are the ones with the second-rate foreign education, right?"
"No! you're the dirty foreigners so you're the ones with the foreign education, this is our home so we have the best educations, it's…" Ron searched for the right word. "De… dem… something."
"Domestic?" Hermione offered.
"Ew no that's what girls do when they get married." Ron made a disgusted face. Though his sister didn't seem too happy about that.
"Well while you think of the word, we'll just head to class." Hermione took Harry's hand and pulled him down the corridor.
0-Q-0
Harry and Hermione found seats in the back of the classroom, just as the bell sounded Daniel and Ron rushed in and took their own seats. Professor McGonagall looked the class over. "Good morning class, as you can see, we have been joined by two new students and… Miss Granger, Mr. P…Black what are those?"
They looked down at their desks. "Pens and note books." Hermione answered.
McGonigal stalked down the row of desks towards them. "I am afraid that here at Hogwarts we only use Quill and parchment."
"Why?" Hermione asked.
"Because that is the way that it has always been done." She informed them.
"Well, that's hardly a good reason." Hermione stated. The class fell deathly quiet. No one dared to breath in case it suddenly attracted the professor attention.
McGonagall was speechless. She remembered when Miss Granger had first started Hogwarts, so bright and polite. "It appears that your time away from our shores has made you forget your manners, Miss Granger."
"No ma'am, it just taught me not to blindly follow people anymore." Hermione said politely. She was sure Harry had rubbed off on her because she was actually enjoying riling up her former head of house. Then again, she had never been able to do much to stop the bullying that Hermione had experienced and Hermione found that she was still a bit upset about it.
"Ten points from…" McGonigal trailed off. She couldn't take points from them as they weren't part of Hogwarts, likewise she was unsure if she could assign detentions to them either. "I will be speaking with your dean about your disrespect."
"I could contact her." Harry offered. "And see if she can meet with us when this class lets out."
"And how would you do that?" McGonagall asked.
Harry tore a page from his notebook and scribbled on it. then tapped it with his wand. The paper folded itself into a paper airplane and flew out the window. He looked back at McGonagall and was alarmed to see how pale she had become. "What?"
"Where did you learn that spell? The Ministry has forbidden it for anyone not employed by them." McGonigal said.
Hermione snorted as Harry tried to wrap his head around that. "Your ministry has forbidden the paper airplane charm? Why? It's one of the first charms we ever learned. We used to have paper airplane races in class to learn it."
"Be that as it may you are not to use it again." McGonigal ordered.
"Fine, I won't use that charm again while in your class." Harry's tone left it clear that he planned to continue to use it outside her class.
She was disappointed as they began that day's lesson as both of them continued to use the pen and notebooks. She was even less pleased when they actually managed to complete their assignment that day, switching the flowers from one plant to another, on their third try. Right behind Daniel Potter. What really put her over the edge though was that by the end of class they were doing so silently!
Harry and Hermione had spent most of the class working on the spell as they did at Wandwood. North America had taken the approach that the best way to keep magic secret was to draw as little attention to it as possible. Shouting a spell was a big no-no so children were taught the incantation and then kept at the spell until they could do it silently.
Magic was like a great many things in that practice made it easier. A spell that was difficult to cast the tenth time would be very easy the thousandth. To cast a spell silently only required more will and focus than saying the incantation out loud.
Ron spent most of the class glaring at them. He had been shocked to see that Granger actually looked decent, well better than decent really. Her crazy hair was now wavy and he wouldn't mind snogging her. If he had known how good she would turn out he would have called dibs back in first year. Maybe he should have, she was desperate for friends, they could have used her to do their homework. Not that it really mattered since Dumbledore wouldn't let them fail.
But what to do now? As Daniel Potter's best mate Ron had enjoyed a number of privileges, one of which he had only begun to take advantage of earlier that year. Girl wanted to get close to Daniel, for a bit of snogging he could make that happen. As a result, he'd had several late night get togethers with as many girls. So, to his mind the situation was no different, he'd tell Granger she could have the honor of accompanying him to Hogsmeade and she go with him. A done deal.
0-Q-0
When the class let out McGonagall was pleased to see the Dean waiting outside. Harry and Hermione remained in their seats as the Dean stepped in. "Mr. Black has informed me that you have a complaint of some type."
"Yes, your students were being disrespectful and disruptive during class." McGonigal explained what had happened, confident that the stern woman would understand and take the appropriate actions.
"I agree that was unacceptable. Please reframe from wasting my students time with such worthless ideas as using a quill and parchment." The Dean said to her complete shock.
"Wasting their time? How could you suggest that?" She demanded.
"Outside of the ICW countries few magic users bother with anything like a quill. There is no need when pens and paper are faster, cheaper and easier, offering comparable results. Why should my students waste their time learning to use such instruments when they won't need to ever do so again?" The Dean asked in a stern voice that mimicked the one McGonagall used with her own students. It was not pleasant to be on the other end of.
She tried to answer but she really couldn't, true every year several muggle born tried to bring such writing tools to Hogwarts but were discouraged. Telling them that all assignments had to be done in quill and parchment helped as well. But her normal methods wouldn't work as she had no real authority over them. Not to mention it did sound like a waste of time if they would never use it again. It took most muggle born until well into their second year before they were able to properly write with a quill without making too great a mess. "Very well there is also the issue of Mr. Black using a forbidden spell while in class."
The Dean turned and gave Harry a quizzical but disapproving look. He just shrugged. "The paper airplane charm I used to send you the note is apparently forbidden here."
The Dean couldn't help it, she burst out laughing. That was just too much. "Is it really?"
"Yes, only those who work for the ministry are allowed to use it." McGonigal stated, not at all pleased with the way the conversation was going.
"Why?"
"I do not know." She reluctantly admitted.
"Very well, if that is all I believe these two have another class to get to." The dean said.
McGonagall reluctantly dismissed them. Harry and Hermione hurried to charms; however, they had barely arrived when a student came in and said that Daniel Potter and Harry Black were needed for the weighing of the wands.
Hermione said that she would see him at lunch as Harry left with Daniel and the student. They were the last to arrive and a woman immediately set upon Daniel and pulled him into a broom closet. Harry watched with a bit of concern. "Should someone help him?"
The other champions shook their heads. "Better him than us."
When the school heads arrived Dumbledore extracted Daniel and the English wandmaker set to work testing their wands. Harry watched closely, every student at Wandwood was taught the basics of wandcraft as it was believed some of the best results came from making it yourself. In fact, Harry's current wand was the one he had finished just the month before and worked as well as the one he had bought. As a point of pride, he used it.
Harry was the last to go after the others had all had their wands checked and approved, though Daniel was scolded for not taking better care of his wand. Harry proudly presented his wand, eager for a true wandmaker's opinion.
Ollivander took Harry's wand with a smile. "And our last champion, Mr. Black of Wandwood. Such a wonderful place. Many of my best wands were made from wood I was lucky enough to gather there." He couched and hid his smile. "Though the very best wands are always made from local material. Still a lovely place."
Harry tried not to grin, he understood the old man couldn't just come out and say some of the best wand wood in the world came from there, the English wouldn't like that. "It is a lovely place."
The wand maker waved Harry's wand and cast several charms, more than with anyone else's. "Tell me, this wand you made it didn't you?"
"Yes sir." Harry said nervously.
"Well, it is a fine creation, you have a talent for wands it would seem. But unfortunately, the rules state all wands must be made by a master wandmaker so I must reluctantly fail it. Though personally I think it is up to the job." Ollivander handed the wand back to harry.
Dumbledore stepped into the conversation with the grace of an alley cat. "Perhaps you would be able to provide Mr. Black with a suitable wand?"
"Or I could just go get my other wand from my room." Harry offered.
"If you have another wand, why did you bot bring it?" Madam Maxi asked.
Harry shrugged. "I didn't know that I'd need it."
The French champion scoffed at him. "Why are you even playing with that toy little boy? Or is it all you can handle."
A glance toward the Dean told Harry that she wasn't going to stop him so he taking her down a few pegs. "I can see that the French are as rude as the English. I used this wand because I made it, it is a point of pride to us to be able to make something like a wand."
"And an excellent wand it is." Ollivander added. "If it wasn't for the rules, I'd have cleared his wand to compete. Take pride in it Mr. Black, and do show me what else you come up with sometime."
"I will sir." Harry left the room to head back to the airship, he actually carried his old wand on him but he didn't want them to know that. Let them assume he only had the one at any time.
When Harry returned, his wand was cleared to compete. The champions were gathered together for a group picture before the same woman that had pulled Daniel into the broom closet earlier made a grab for him. "Mr. Black, you don't mind if I call you that do you? Wonderful. How would you like to give an exclusive interview? I guaranty it'll get it's own page in the Prophet."
The way she spoke made it clear to Harry that she expected him to jump all over the chance to appear in a newspaper. "Where I come from there are laws about old women dragging underage boys into broom closets, good day."
0-Q-0
Ron saw his chance when Harry hadn't returned by the end of class. As Hermione walked out of the classroom Ron stepped in front of her and blocked her way. He gave what he considered his best smile that made witches hearts melt. "Well, it's hard to believe but you can actually clean up nice. Tell you what why don't I let you come with me to Hogsmeade, I'm sure you like to do that."
Hermione resisted the urge to curse him. "I didn't think it was possible but you seem to have actually gotten stupider since our first year. Why, after the living hell you put me through would I want to go out with you?"
"Because no one else will ever ask you." Ron pointed out.
When Hermione began to smile, he incorrectly thought that he had won. Her laughter confused him a bit. "Like I said you're an idiot. Now leave me alone."
Hermione sidestepped the confused boy and walked down the corridor towards the great hall. Ron stood there and tried to figure out what had happened, girls just didn't tell him no.
0-Q-0
The next morning there was a long article about the champions, though it focused on Harry and Daniel. Daniel was portrayed as the young champion forced to compete against his will but bravely facing the challenge for the glory of the British Ministry.
Harry on the other hand was actually called a foreign devil who had snuck his way into the tournament because the North American Ministry hadn't been invited to participate. The article also claimed that he had given an interview in which he had insulted Hogwarts, the Ministry and the other champions. Needless to say, a majority of students believed the article and dirty looks followed them around for the rest of breakfast.
Both were too excited about runes though to care. They were sorely disappointed though when they discovered that the fourth-year runes class was only up to what they completed in first year. After the class they spoke to the professor about their concerns and she promised that would speak with their Dean.
Finally, it was time for the class that Harry had been dreading. Potions. He enjoyed the subject but his dad had warned him that the professor might hold a grudge against him because of some school yard bullying. The stories that they had heard from the other students weren't encouraging.
What little optimism Harry had was crushed when Snape swept into the room and began barking questions at him. Thankfully they were things that had already been covered at Wandwood. Snape grew more and more enraged with each correct answer until he took twenty points from Daniel for not taking notes. But his glare clearly suggested that he wanted to take them and more from Harry.
Once again, the class was a repeat of what Harry and Hermione already knew but this time when they attempted to speak to Professor Snape about it he yelled for them to leave and 'accidently' smashed their work for the day.
0-Q-0
Sirius strolled into the offices of the Daily Prophet. He followed the helpful sign in the lobby up to the chief editor's office. The receptionist barely glanced at him. "Do you have an appointment?"
"Yes, Lord Black." Sirius said.
The receptionist went to speak with her boss then showed Sirius into the plush office. The editor was a large man with a cigar crushed between his teeth. "Time is money, what cha want?"
Sirius wondered if the editor had actually tried to make himself look like a stereotypical editor from cartoons. "I just thought it would be polit to inform you that I will be pressing charges for the lies your paper printed about my son this morning."
The editor laughed. "You think the Ministry would let something like that happen? You're an idiot. We have an open invitation to trash you and your brat for as long as we want. Go ahead and try to sue, the court will never rule in your favor."
With a smile Sirius pulled a piece of parchment from his robes and set it on the desk. "I am afraid the Ministry doesn't have a say in it. You see under the contract the ministry agreed to if a representative of one of the visiting schools, in this case Harry, suffers an attack by a local party unrelated to the tournament then the dispute will be taken to the complainant countries courts. In case you didn't understand we're suing you in the North American magical courts."
"You can't!" The editor snatched up the parchment, he'd have to get legal on this at once.
"We can, the ministry agreed to it when they signed the contract. And since it was filed with Gringotts the goblins will uphold the verdict. I suggest you get some good lawyers." Sirius stood and walked from the building. He still had trouble believing how convoluted the contract was. While it allowed matters between the visiting schools and people unrelated to the tournament to be handled out of country if the issue resulted from a teacher or another student then the British Ministry decided. Bloody hell it didn't matter if Hogwarts wasn't involved in any way. If such an issue did come up though he already had a plan to deal with it, and hopefully piss off a few people too.
The editor waddled as fast as he could to the papers legal department, three tired wizards stuffed into an old closet.
0-Q-0
After the students from Wandwood had been at Hogwarts for a week Dumbledore called a faculty meeting to discuss their progress and how far behind they were. He anticipated that several of them would need to be moved back to a lower year. He was shocked to hear just the opposite from many of the professors.
"Albus, we have a serious problem, not only are the Wandwood students ahead of our own they learn the spells faster and are able to cast them silently!" McGonagall exclaimed. She was at her wits end with them. it looked as if their only solution was to place most of them in the next years class. "And there is also a problem with Mr. Black and Miss Granger."
Dumbledore perked up. This was what he was looking for. "And what would that be? Nothing serious I trust?"
"They are very argumentative, they use muggle writing interments and refuse to stop. Their Dean refuses to help either." She explained.
"I don't see why what they write with matters." Flitwick said. he personally found them both to be enjoyable and quick learners. Though he agreed that they could be moved up a year with little trouble. In fact, their six and seventh years were at or above NEWT level.
Dumbledore wasn't happy as he listened to more praise for the Wandwood students. Hogwarts was supposed to be the best school, it wouldn't do for their own students to be showed up. The skill Harry was showing was also worrying, Daniel couldn't cast silently yet so to Dumbledore's mind Harry shouldn't be able to either. It was yet more confirmation that Sirius had used dark magic on him. And apparently Miss Granger as well. Perhaps she was the key to getting to Harry?
As the meeting drew to a close Dumbledore decided to keep the visiting students where they were for now and to continue to see how they intergraded into the school population.
0-Q-0
Dean Horsefeather was sure it had to be lead in the water. There had to be some outside cause, there was just no way an entire population could be this stupid without trying. "You want to have children fight a dragon, one on one?"
"Correct." Dumbledore said.
"Are you insane, no I already know you are. But you two, how could you agree to put your students in such danger?" The Dean demanded.
Igor shrugged. "It will be a good show."
"We were assured proper precautions would be taken." The Madam defended herself.
"This is unacceptable. It takes a fully trained team of dragon handlers to subdue a dragon. There is no way students are capable of the same feat." She couldn't believe them.
"I am afraid that the task is already set. There is nothing that can be done about it now." Dumbledore said. Though he had made sure proper training was available to Daniel, he had written a loophole into the rules just so he could assure the Hogwarts champion won, with the addition of Daniel he had only needed to shift those plans to the younger champion.
The meeting was one of the least productive that the Dean had ever attended, her concerns were largely ignored and no extra safety measures would be added. The only good thing was a full list of what the schools were not allowed to do for their champions. And what they could.
They could provide an official uniform for their champions but no protective enchantments, and there was a list of materials that were not allowed as it was felt that they might offer the champions to much protection. Among them were dragon hide and other magical materials.
She had to smile though; they had missed a rather large hole. North American dragon handlers wore clothes made out of a material known as dragon skin because it was impervious to fire, like dragon hide, but offered better protection from other dangers such as blunt force trauma.
She was sure she could arrange a suit for Harry before the first task.
0-Q-0
Fudge smiled as he looked over the financial reports that he would give to the muggle Prime Minister, it had taken a bit of creative charm work to hide some of his more questionable deductions but what would a muggle know of it.
Soon they'd have more gold from the muggles and they had sold out the extra tickets for the first task. Adding those extra seats had really paid off. Furthering his good mood was a message from Dumbledore who had said everything had arrived.
Yes, things were finally looking up for him.
0-Q-0
"Dragons!" Several people jumped as two of the enchanting apprentices rushed into the war room. "We were looking through the forest for wand components and we stumbled upon the cages they'd set up for them."
Sirius slammed his hand onto the table. "Are they insane!"
"Got a nasty one too." The other apprentice said. "Three of the cages already had blackout clothes over them but they were trying to put one over the cage with a Hungarian Horntail. It kept snagging the fabric and pulling into the cage to rip apart. The Chinese fireball seemed nice."
With a deep breath Sirius focused himself. "Right, everyone listen up! Find the biggest gossips in Hogwarts and spread the news. The other champions need fair warning about this death trap of a tournament. I'm going to go make some calls."
0-Q-0
Dumbledore was not at all pleased. Somehow word had gotten out about the dragons and now all the champions had time to prepare. He suspected Dean Horsefeather but had no proof. This was not at all how he had planned things. Well at least everything was set for Black and the knowledge of the dragons wouldn't help him, no, in fact it would just do him more harm.
0-Q-0
Harry put on the uniform that he had been provided for the first task. A form fitting suit made of some type of black rubbery substance. It came with gloves and a hood sown on to protect his head. Wendy Tonks and Sirius had drilled him on the plans for the dragon until he could perform them flawlessly, against an imaginary dragon. But it was the best that they could do.
When he stepped out of his room Hermione caught him in a crushing hug. He returned the gesture as much for himself as her. The only things keeping him from completely panicking was if he freaked out it would freak out Hermione.
Cordelia seemed to know that something was going to happen because she waddled over to join the hug and attached herself to Harry's leg. Hermione's mother managed to pry the child off after a few moments.
Harry was numb as people wished him luck or gave him last minute advice. Sirius saw his son having trouble with everything and cleared everyone out except for Hermione. She pulled back just enough to see his eyes. "Remember if the plan doesn't work don't take any risks. Even if it means the Goblet takes your magic, we'd rather have you alive than anything else."
"But I'd have to leave Wandwood, Hermione I don't want to leave you." Harry choked out.
Hermione kissed him slowly. "Silly, do you think I'd stay without you. I'd get tutors for magic and go to muggle school with you. We won't be split up I promise."
That, more than anything helped settle Harry until it was time for him to make his way towards the champion's tent. Hermione kept a strong hold on his until they reached the tent and they were forced to separate. Sharra and Violet took Hermione to the stand where Sirius was saving them seats. Hermione's father would also be with them however her mother had decided to stay back on the airship with Cordelia. None of them wanted the young child to witness the first task.
Harry stepped into the tent to find that he was the last champion to arrive. Daniel took one look at him and burst out laughing. "What are you wearing?"
"Clothes." Harry said flatly. He didn't think Daniel had any room to talk as he was in bright red robes with gold trim. At least Harry's suit had patch variations in dark colors to help him hide. Not that it would help much against a dragon but every little bit and that.
The group waited in an uncomfortable silence until the tent flap finally opened and two of the ministry official stepped in. Bagman gave them a large smile. "Well now is everyone ready for the first task? Good good, now for the task you will need to get past a magical creature and retrieve a golden egg that contains a clue for the second task. In this bag are models of the creatures we have. You'll reach in and pull one out to see what you'll have to deal with. The number around its neck will tell you the order in which you will go."
The French champion shoved her way to the front. "Ladies first."
Harry reframed from commenting that despite her appearance she didn't seem to be much of a lady. The other champions began to shove each other to draw their own number. Harry stepped back and let them fight it out. Once the others had drawn their dragons he stepped forward and reached into the bag and pulled out the last figure. However, when he opened his hand there was no miniature dragon, instead a tiny cockatrice strutted across his palm.
(A/N: I hope everyone enjoyed and thank you for reading. Until the next chapter be well.)