A big thanks to all my reviewers!!!
The winners of the voting are – H/G Hr/R Lu/N!!!
Sorry for the delay, I've had a bit of writer's block, and then I had 2 teeth out, including a wisdom tooth, so I was swollen up (it looked like I had a quaffle in my mouth) but it's down a bit and now only looks like a snitch, thanks to the Evil-tasting anti-biotics and the nice tasting painkillers!
Also, I am going on holiday tomorrow for 3 weeks, so I won't be able to start writing for that length of time. Just to let you know.
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Harry arrived yet again in the Advanced Magic Training room that night, and while waiting for his mentors to come, he focused on his "Heir" robes.
He went and looked at himself in a nearby mirror and looked on in shock.
His robes, once pure white, now had gold and red mixed in, his symbol still sitting proudly on it. His staff was the same, and Harry had to admit, both of these together made him look even more powerful than before, and that was saying a lot.
"I'm guessing you like the change?" Merlin asked, while Godric and Albus stood in the background.
"Yeah, it's simply amazing." He breathed out.
"Well, we wanted you to be recognised as both Lord Gryffindor and the Heir of the Legends at the same time, so we went for this." Godric explained.
"I suppose. Good idea, but my morpher will still be just my Gryffindor robe?" Harry asked.
"Yes Harry, and then you just concentrate on these new robes for the Heir and Gryffindor robe." Merlin said.
"Ok. So, what about we practice?
The others agreed.
After about 5 hours worth of going over hexes, curses, the wandless versions of these, and even elements, which could be used to gain a large advantage over the opponent, they then worked on Harry's endurance skills.
"Harry, we want you to run around this track," Merlin pointed to one that had just materialised, "as long as you can. We can then see how your stamina is going."
They had expected Harry to argue over this, but in fact, he only said one thing.
"I will if you will." He said seriously.
His mentors burst out laughing, soon finding themselves unable to speak or stand.
After a while, when Albus gained his composure, (Godric and Merlin were still in hysterics) he said, "I suppose that I could. I myself would like to surprise Tom with my agility next time."
Harry nodded, smiling at the thought of what Tom's face would be like.
They didn't wait for Merlin and Godric, who would probably not do it anyway, and set off around the track.
Harry had to say, his Grandfather had brilliant stamina. It was his 12th time around the track, in time keeping with Harry, and he still wasn't tired. For someone of his age, that was amazing.
After a few hours, they both stopped, after Merlin and Godric started shooting spells at them, to see if they could dodge.
They could, and it soon turned into a 2 on 2 duel. Albus and Harry versus Godric and Merlin.
It was an hour later, and Albus and Harry had won. A dejected, but happy looking Merlin and Godric congratulated them, telling Harry, "If you don't win this Duelling Tournament, then we will kill you. Got it?"
Harry laughed, but something they said registered.
"Duelling Tournament? What are you talking about?"
"Well Harry, it was supposed to be a surprise," Albus looked at Merlin and Godric, who looked anywhere but at him, "but we are holding a Duelling Competition tomorrow. Classes are going to be cancelled, and it is going to be held in the Great Hall. The winner will be the school's Duelling Captain."
"Good idea, but let me ask, why did you not give us any warning about it?"
"Well, we wanted to see how good your skills were on a day were you had not crammed in a lot of revision for it, as many would. It shows the person's real abilities, and it will show how a person would cope if they had to duel with Death Eaters."
"I suppose. It makes sense." Harry replied, quite looking forward to it.
"Also Harry, do not mention it to anyone, people may think that you've had an advantage."
"Yeah, some people are quite sad like that. People like Malfoy for example."
Albus chuckled.
They would have continued talking, but the room started to dim, so Harry said his goodbyes and he was suddenly in his bed, his watch telling him that it was "6.58am" and so he went and got ready.
About 20 minutes or so later, Harry entered the Great Hall dressed in black combat trousers, a red, tight-fitting t-shirt and a pair of gold trainers, and ignoring the hungry looks he got from many of the girls (and some of the guys), he sat down, grabbing a piece of toast, waiting for the day's Daily Prophet to come.
As if called, an owl suddenly came down bearing Harry's newspaper, and after paying it with the necessary few knuts, he opened it out, a grin playing across his face.
"Sirius Black innocent but dead. Peter Pettigrew in custody", was the main title. Also underneath, it said, "Minister under vote of No-Confidence".
These stories went on to explain all about Sirius' innocence, and how he died. Also about how, because of this, Fudge was practically gone, and that a new Minister would hopefully be chosen soon.
However, one paragraph, near the end of Sirius' said, "As Black is now officially dead, Harry Potter now has no magical guardian, and shall be called upon soon to make a formal decision on the matter."
Harry understood this and wondered what the reaction of the public would be to this. Many would probably try and adopt him. However, he already asked someone.
The other night, when Albus explained what would happen, Harry had automatically asked him if he would take it, along with Minerva, and of he of course agreed fairly quickly. There would be a few problems of course. What would they tell the Wizarding public?
They finally decided to tell only close friends about it, such as Ginny, Ron, Neville, Luna and Hermione, whenever it was official. Others would just be told that Albus had adopted him, as both men agreed that they wouldn't put Minerva in more danger if they could help it.
Harry was halfway through his breakfast whenever his friends walked in, and with a grin on his face, showed them the newspaper.
"Harry, that's brilliant, but what does it mean about your-"Hermione asked, but was cut off as Albus had stood up and the Hall had fallen silent.
"As you all know, Lord Voldemort is back."
Most of the students winced at the name.
"Therefore, we have decided to hold a duelling competition in the Great Hall today, after breakfast. Only students in fourth year and above can enter, and the winner shall be named Hogwarts Duelling Captain. For those participating, you are allowed to wear whatever robes you desire. There shall be a list placed at the bottom of each house table for those who wish to enter. Good Luck everyone, and it shall be beginning in half an hour."
There was an excited chatter amongst the students, all the fourth years and above hurrying to sign the parchment, Harry and his friends were 5 of them.
After, Harry excused himself and went to Gryffindor Tower, going into his dormitory. He then came a small problem. Would he wear his 'Gryffindor' robes or would he wear ordinary battle robes?
His mentors gave him an answer.
"Harry, listen to us. These people need to know that there is someone willing to fight for them, to protect themselves and their families, and even though most see you like this already, perhaps your 'Gryffindor' robes will help this."
As much as Harry wanted to disagree, he couldn't argue with their logic, and so took out his morpher, and with the words ""Power of the Phoenix, the Lightning Bolt and the Griffin," he was transformed into his 'Gryffindor' robes, and now carried his golden staff with the green gem on top.
He looked around before apparating to the Great Hall, which was luckily only filled by two teachers. His Grandparents.
"Ah Harry, I'm glad to see you took their advice." Albus commented, seeing Harry in his robes.
Minerva was looking shell-shocked.
"Gran-Professor, what's wrong?" Harry asked, a little concerned at the way she was looking at him.
She seemed to snap out of her trance before saying, "Sorry Harry. It's just that I realised what robes you are wearing. Imagine what the other Gryffindors will say?"
Harry laughed.
"Well, I'm going to pull the bottom part of this up, so all they can see are my eyes, and then I'll give them a scare."
While Albus and Minerva chuckled, several other teachers entered the hall, and upon seeing the unknown warrior, (Harry had now pulled the bottom half of his hood up) they stood staring.
Flitwick seemed to snap out of it first and said, "Minerva, Albus, is that..."
"Yes." Albus said, cutting the man off. "This is Lord Gryffindor."
Tonks and Severus however were hitting their heads with their hands. None of them ever thought that he might be Lord Gryffindor, even though they had seen the robes, and Tonks even knew about Harry.
"So you finally made the connection?" Albus asked Tonks with a chuckle.
"I should have thought about that before, I guess I just realised, as has Sevie."
"Don't call me Sevie!" Snape exclaimed in indignation.
Dumbledore, sensing a fight, cut them off.
"Well, I guess we can give our teachers a sneak peak, can't we? Take off your hood for a second."
Harry obliged, and the teachers looked at him in shock, before he pulled it back up.
Trying to break the stares, Harry said, "Oh, by the way, please don't call me My Lord. Just call me by my name. I would say, but there are a couple of stunned students standing behind me."
The guilty looking students, who turned out to be Ron and Hermione, jumped and faced him.
They looked at each other and slightly bowed towards Harry.
They missed the smile that was under his material covered face.
"Don't bow to me, for I do not need people to bow. Everyone is equal. Why should I be different?"
They came back up to normal stance and Hermione had that thinking look on her face.
"I'm busted." He thought to himself.
Hermione made to speak, but Harry cast a wandless silencing charm on her and told her to come over to him for a second.
Ron, who had not made any connection yet ran off, most likely to point him out to Gryffindor table, but he didn't need to do that, they already were looking at him in amazement, not one knowing who it was.
Hermione and Harry went through to the chambers behind the Teacher's desk and sat down. Harry took off his hood after casting a complex locking spell on the door, and Hermione went to say "I knew it!" but she still had the silencing charm on her.
Harry took it off.
"I knew it!" She finally was able to say, and pulled him into a hug.
"Well, I guess you should know. After all, you've been my best friend for 6 years, so sit yourself down. This is going to be a long story."
After Harry put up some wards, he explained all about being the Heir of the Legends, Lord Gryffindor, his Mentors, and even about his Great- Grandparents.
Whenever he finished, she sat still for a minute, in shock probably.
He snapped his fingers in front of her face, but that didn't work.
He shouted in her ear, but she still didn't move.
He threw water over her, and that didn't even work.
So, he was stuck with a shocked Hermione, and he had only one insane idea in his head.
"Hermione, someone's burning all the Library's Hogwarts a History's outside." Harry said in calm tone.
She jumped up with a panicked look on her face.
Harry burst out laughing at the look on her face.
"Harry James Potter! How dare you-"
"Hermione." He cut her off. "It was the only way to get you to talk."
Hermione looked mad, but her eyes twinkled. She then burst out laughing.
"Sorry Harry," she said after they calmed down. "It's just a little shocking. I mean, I've read all about the Heir of the Legends, and I suppose you having the trunk makes sense."
"True. Wise words, wise words." Harry said in a mock-Hermione tone.
She slapped his arm and a knock came on the door.
It was his Great-Grandparents.
"Harry, Hermione, the Tournament is about to start and-Hermione, are you alright?" Albus said, his voice then changing to concern.
Hermione's face was red with laughter, and when she looked up, and then looked at Harry, pure and complete recognition came to her, even more so than it done before.
Harry seeing that she was incapable of answering, answered, "Oh, she's a little shocked. I just told her."
Albus smiled while Minerva frowned.
"I believe that you owe me 20 galleons." Dumbledore said with a smile.
Minerva, grumbling about insane husbands, handed over the money, and then smiled at them.
They looked at each other, and as one, raised their eyebrows at the two teachers.
"Well, we had a small bet on who you would tell first." Minerva said, a little guiltily.
"Who did you bet on?" Harry asked with laughter in his voice.
"Ron." She said with a smile.
"Ah, it was a 33% chance really. Anyway, let's go to the Tournament, I want to shock a couple of people with this get-up."
After a small laugh, they went back into the Great Hall, where practically all of the people inside stared at this unknown Lord Gryffindor, Lord of the Light.
Sitting down beside Ron, Luna, Neville and Ginny, they looked up expectantly at the front of the Hall, where Dumbledore rose out of his chair and the Hall fell quiet.
"Welcome to our Hogwarts Duelling Tournament. As you can see, there are four duelling areas around this Hall. These shall be split up into years. The winner from each year shall the battle a champion from another year. This will be fourth versus fifth year and sixth versus seventh year, the winners of which shall then duel each other. Anything goes, however use of illegal spells will result in immediate expulsion from the event. So, that was all I had to say. So Good Luck everybody."
There was an excited chatter as everybody went to their own duelling area and all the other years but sixth looking relieved that Lord Gryffindor wasn't in their own area.
The teacher at their area was Tonks.
"Wotcher everyone. Now, there shall be a maximum of 15 minutes for each duel. Whenever I call your name out, stand in the area, and I shall call out when to begin. Now first up, we have Ron Weasley and Susan Bones."
Ron won that quite easily, and so progressed through to the next round.
(AN: I am only going to describe Harry's duels, as I am not the best at doing others)
After a few duels, Tonks then called out "Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy."
Malfoy strutted forward, a smirk on his face, well, that was until he saw Lord Gryffindor step out of the crowd.
Malfoy, regained some composure shouted, "Oi Lord Gryffi! Where's Potter? Too scared to fight me, is he?"
Harry was smiling as he took off the material that covered his face.
The other gasped.
"We should have known!" He heard Ron laugh.
Malfoy went pale.
Tonks, who was silently laughing, said, "Ok guys, let's duel!"
Harry strode forward, knowing that practically everyone in the Hall was watching this, and pulled out his staff.
Ignoring another shocked gasp from the crowd, Harry got into his fighting stance, and Tonks sent up sparks, signalling the beginning of the duel.
Malfoy started firing some curses and hexes at Harry, who just jumped out of the way of them.
Harry, getting a little bored, produced a water bow and shot some water darts at Malfoy, who soon became dripping wet and very angry.
While Malfoy was still shooting spells at him, Harry had a very ingenious idea.
He waved his hand, changing Malfoy into a red and gold tutu, complete with gold shoes. Suddenly, Swan Lake music came on, and Malfoy started doing some pretty impressive moves, such as a triple spin, standing on his tiptoes and standing up straight, and he even pulled his leg right up past his face, which made most of the men squirm.
After, Malfoy changed back, but was suddenly changed again.
He was suddenly changed into a Lion suit, and started singing "In the Jungle."
"In the jungle, the mighty jungle. The lion sleeps tonight"
Suddenly, Pansy Parkinson joined in from the crowd. "In the jungle, the mighty jungle. The lion sleeps tonight."
Suddenly the other people from Malfoy's dorm started singing the part of "Imbube, Imbube, Imbube, Imbube."
(This continues throughout the whole song and is the chorus.)
Malfoy and Pansy continued:
"Near the village, the peaceful village
The lion sleeps tonight
Near the village, the peaceful village
The lion sleeps tonight
Imbube, Imbube, Imbube, Imbube.
Hush, my darling, don't fear, my darling
The lion sleeps tonight
Hush, my darling, don't fear, my darling
The lion sleeps tonight
Imbube, Imbube, Imbube, Imbube.
Near the village, the peaceful village
The lion sleeps tonight
Near the village, the peaceful village
The lion sleeps tonight
Imbube, Imbube, Imbube, Imbube.
My little darling
Don't fear, my little darling
My little darling
Don't fear, my little darling"
All of the other students laughed as they realised what they had just done, running out the door before seeing Harry put up a sign in flashing lights saying: "The Marauder's have come back to Hogwarts. Courtesy of Gryffin. Recordings on sale from H. Potter."
The crowd laughed, most of which got out their money out for afterwards.
After a thunderous applause, people could be seen trying to bribe Tonks so as not to duel Harry, scared after what they had just seen. Tonks soon declared Harry the winner by default, as no one wanted to face him.
(Please, no flames for this, but I'm sure a lot of people may have been very intimidated by this, I know I would've been.)
Tonks came up to Harry with a grin on her face.
"Harry, thank you SO much!" She grinned.
"For what?" Harry asked, quite confused.
"For what? People gave me so much stuff to not duel with you, I can barely carry it!"
This was true.
She was carrying sweets, money, and someone even gave her a Leprechaun hat. (He figured that must have been from Seamus.)
"Here, put a finger on my arm." Harry offered.
She obliged, struggling to carry her pile without it falling over.
Harry apparated them to her room, where she drop her stuff on a sofa.
"Thanks Harry. I don't know how I would've made it otherwise."
"No problems my dear tutor."
Tonks grinned.
"Also, that was quite a show afterwards. That's when people seriously started flocking in, scared of being embarrassed like that. Even Ron gave me a bog bar of Honeyduke's chocolate. It's that one over there." She said, pointing at a large stack of chocolate bars.
Harry just laughed, and Tonks touched his arm, Harry taking them back to the Great Hall.
People jumped, and Albus and Minerva came over to him.
"Well done Harry. That duel was excellent" while putting an excess strain on the singular term.
"Thanks, it's all in a day's work!" Harry grinned.
"I'm afraid that I'm going to have to take points." Minerva said.
"Yep, yep!" Harry replied cheerfully.
"20 points off Gryffindor."
"Not too bad."
"Also,"
"Ok, I don't like the sound of this."
"I want an advanced copy of that recording." Minerva smiled.
Albus and Harry looked at each other.
"Are you ok? Is your head hot?" Harry put his hand against her forehead in a concerned way. "No, it isn't. Ok, but seriously, this is a little freaky."
"Worse than a little, Harry."
Harry grinned.
"Excuse me, I am here you know."
"We know." They replied together.
Harry laughed and said his goodbyes and walked off, finding out who his competition would be for his next match.
To his surprise, this turned out to be Cho Chang, and before she could even approach Dumbledore to appeal, he announced that no one could back out of duels anymore.
Harry laughed at the expression on her face, and whenever he stepped up to duel her, he was still laughing, and he was pleased to see that she was irritated.
He found it hard to believe that he used to have a crush on her. The events of the last year had changed him so much from his old self, he saw things differently, and this was one of those times.
Stepping up onto the platform and bowing, they began.
Cho moved quite quickly, probably from her Quidditch skills, but Harry was quicker.
He swatted away all of her spells with the flick of his hand.
She became very frustrated and began shooting spells at him, missing him by at least a foot.
"Come on, you can do better than that." Harry said with a grin.
After a few minutes of dodging her quite limited supply of hexes, Harry decided to end this with style, and with one flick of his hand, Cho was standing in a Gryffindor school robe which said, "Gryffindor Lions have roared", red and gold face paint and also her wand now had a little Gryffindor flag protruding from it, and if that wasn't enough, she started singing "Blame it on the boogie" (released 1978 by the Jacksons) complete with backing music and singers (who were some very gossipy Ravenclaw friends of hers) and also a little dance routine.
Harry looked around at the response. The students were roaring with laughter, even the Ravenclaws who thought that their gossiping ways should be changed. The teacher's reactions were ones that would be remembered for a while.
Professor Dumbledore had tears streaming out of his eyes and he was laughing like there was no tomorrow. Professor McGonagall was banging the table, laughing like her husband. The other teachers were like this, even Professor Flitwick, Head of Ravenclaw house, was in hysterics.
After their song, the crowd laughed while they clapped, and Cho and her friends looked around, now remembering what had happened, and turned to Harry, looking at him with glares.
Harry laughed again at the looks on their faces, pointing up towards the ceiling, where another sign was flashing.
"You can get this one as well!"
The crowd laughed at the bluntness, and the girls raised their wands threateningly.
Harry turned to them and said, "If you so much as try, I will make you do another performance."
The girls looked at each other before running out of the Hall, cheers and laughter following them, and Harry bowed, receiving thunderous applause from the audience.
After the clapping, cheers and laughter had died down, the final duel was announced.
"And now for the final. Harry Potter versus Ginny Weasley."
Harry's eyes opened wide.
"Damn." He muttered under his breath.
He knew that this was going to be hard, but not in the physical sense. He didn't want to hurt her. Maybe he could take it easy on her.
He had no time left to ponder this as he was called onto the Duelling Area where Ginny was waiting, the same look on her face as he had.
"Well, at least I'm not alone," Harry thought.
Tonks then started them with some sparks from her wand.
After a minute or so of fast, furious hexes, Harry managed to get her wand with a silent "Expellieramus" (A/N – SP?) spell. He then went up and kissed Ginny congratulations.
"Done well there Gin." Harry said with a grin.
"You too Har." Ginny joked back.
They stepped down, instantly being swarmed by well done's, hard luck's and well, remind me never to get on your bad side's.
This died down after a few minutes when the crowd were finally convinced that they had congratulated them enough.
Dumbledore then stood up.
"Ladies, Gentlemen and students, I would like to introduce to you the new Hogwarts Duelling Captain, Harry Potter."
The roar was deafening, the boos and hisses from the Slytherins completely drowned out, and Harry smiled modestly at them all, before Albus gave Harry a gleaming gold badge with 2 wands crossed over and the Hogwarts crest in the background, silver writing highlighted the words saying "Hogwarts Duelling Captain."
Harry shook his hand, smiled once more, and said, "The recordings are 5 galleons."
He then went and sat down with his friends, at the now replaced Gryffindor table, and ate the food which had now appeared on it. The house-elves had really outdone themselves.
"'awwy, 'at 'as 'oody 'illa' 'ate." Ron said with his mouth full of steak and kidney pie.
"RONALD! DON'T TALK WITH YOUR MOUTH FULL!" Hermione snapped at Ron.
"Relax you guys," intervened Harry, "Anyway, I'm going to meet some people, do some things, and then I want to talk to you and Ginny," he said to Ron. They all nodded, Hermione understanding what he was talking about, and headed to his trunk, where he changed into normal clothes again and drew.
This had been a hobby of his from when he was little. He wasn't very good, but it wasn't like he had been encouraged much anyway, and drew the first thing that came into his head, his Great-Grandparents.
After a while, he set down his completed sketch that, in his own opinion, didn't look that bad, and then went out to meet his Grandparents, who he knew would be in Albus' office.
He apparated outside, knocked on the door and was greeted with he usual, "Come in Harry" from his Grandfather, and surprising, his Grandmother.
He entered with a grin on his face.
"Since when do you two do that?" Harry asked.
"Well," Albus replied, "We don't actually know." Finished Minerva.
Harry looked between the two.
"Freaky" was all that he said.
"Anyway Harry, what brings you here?" Albus asked.
"Just to visit really, and to bring you to my trunk, to get something to eat, as I had the weirdest notion that you were hungry." Harry replied shyly.
"That would be brilliant Harry." Minerva replied, and both herself and Albus put a hand on one of Harry's shoulders so that they could enter.
However, they found themselves in the Gryffindor Common Room.
"What are we doing here Harry?" Albus asked.
"I just need to pick a couple of people up," was all that Harry replied.
There was silence in the Common Room, only the three young friends sat there, Ron, Hermione and Ginny.
"When did Harry say he would be back here?" Rona asked, obviously a little impatient.
"I'm here now." Harry replied, making them jump.
"But Harry, we were looking at the portrait. You didn't enter." Ginny replied, a little suspiciously.
"BLOODY HELL, HARRY!" Ron shouted finally, a hand over his heart, "Are you trying to give me a teenage heart attack?"
"Watch your language, Mr Weasley." Minerva said, trying to act like her 'class' self until everything was explained.
Ron slowly turned his head, face horrified.
"Oh, um, sorry Professor." Ron mumbled, his face now the famous Weasley red.
"Professor, Headmaster, what are you doing here? How come we didn't see you come in with Har-" Hermione said, when she suddenly stopped, recognition once again dawning on her face.
"Took you long enough 'Mione." Harry joked.
She just gave him a dirty look.
"Well, why don't we leave Harry?" Albus said, interrupting the silence.
"Sure. OK everybody, touch my arm or shoulder or something."
Ginny and Ron looked at Harry as if he was crazy, but they did so, and once everybody had a grip, Harry transported them into the trunk.
"Been a while since we were in here Harry." Ron said.
"Yeah, you're going to have to come in here more often, now, I'm going to go over to the Kitchen and make some food and things, so you can do whatever you want in the trunk for a while."
Saying that, Hermione, Minerva and Albus automatically went to the Library, and Ron and Ginny automatically headed to the Quidditch Simulators.
"Always the same," Harry thought in amusement, and headed off to the Kitchen to whip up some food.
After about an hour and a half, Harry called out on the Loudspeaker system that Dinner was ready.
The door from the Quidditch Pitch opened quickly after that, with Ron charging in, his nose smelling for food. Ginny followed in after him, rolling her eyes.
The Library Lovers were next, Albus, Minerva and Hermione all coming in calmly, met by Ron's expectant look at Harry, expecting the food Harry denied him until the others had arrived.
Harry waved a hand and all the food was sitting on the table.
In a few minutes, they were all sitting at the table; Ron eating like there was no tomorrow, while the others managed to eat with a little more dignity. Just a little bit/
"Harry, um, why do you have pictures of the Professors on your wall?" Ron asked while eating a hot dog.
They all looked at him.
"Ron, Harry answered that question a few minutes ago." Ginny answered.
"Oh yeah, just testing. Ha ha." Ron tried to cover it up as the table burst out into laughter.
"Only kidding mate." Harry said in between short bursts of hysterical laughter, "Anyway, here's what happened..."
For the next hour or so, Harry explained everything.
This was met by total silence from Ron and Ginny.
"Wow" was all they could say.
Harry laughed at their responses.
"Harry, is this yours?" Albus asked, holding up Harry's sketchpad.
"Oh, um, yeah." Harry mumbled embarrassed.
"Can I have a look?" Albus asked.
"If you like," he shrugged, "They're not brilliant or anything, but go ahead."
Albus opened it up and gasped.
There was a picture of himself and Minerva sitting in his Office. Fawkes was even sitting in the background. It was shaded and looked life-like. He flipped over the page and saw a picture of Ron and Hermione, then of Harry and Ginny, then of Lily and James and so on. The pictures were in great detail and seemed to jump out at you, but the picture on the last page was amazing. It was Ginny, sitting outside the Burrow. Harry had used colour for it, making her hair shine in the sunlight. In the background, it showed Ron and Hermione shouting at each other.
"Harry, these are amazing, and I've seen a lot of art in my time."
"Thanks." Harry grinned shyly.
"That won't do!" James shouted, appearing out of nowhere, and ignoring Harry's friends' shocked faces, he proceeded to speak at Harry.
"We need to work on your charm! There's no way you can continue the Famous Potter Charm like that. Wait, SIRIUS. COME HERE!" James shouted.
Sirius then appeared out of nowhere, shocking the other poor teenagers more.
"Yeah James, I know. Whenever you disappear in the middle of planning a prank, I know something's wrong. So Harry, we really need to work on that, but we'll do so whenever you're finished here." Sirius chuckled.
"As long as you do nothing really bad." Lily said, appearing out of nowhere.
"Aw Lily, all we were going to do was improve the charm, and maybe you know, start a new generation of Marauders with these fine people. But Gran, you can't punish them without proof." James whined.
To everyone's surprise, Lily laughed.
"Ah well, the children deserve to have fun while they can." Lily sighed.
"True, true. Anyway, Harry has already started" Albus said.
"What!? And you didn't tell us!" Sirius gave Harry the puppy dog eyes.
"Pretty much, but I'll give you a recording later."
"Ok, and don't worry. At least Sirius isn't doing it." James said.
"Aw Prongs, you know no one could do it without my brilliance." Sirius whined, just like James previously had.
"Anyway," Harry interrupted, "These are my friends, Ron, Hermione, and my girlfriend Ginny."
"Harry's got a girlfriend, Harry's got a girlfriend." James and Sirius chanted, only to put silent by a glare from Lily.
"How do you do that Lily?" Minerva asked with interest.
"Well, I don't know, must be a secret power or something." Lily laughed.
"Mrs Potter, is it true that you liked to read?" Hermione piped up.
"Please, just call me Lily, and yes, I did, and still do. I was like you in school, you know. Muggleborn, teacher's pet, Prefect and definite Cert for Head Girl."
Hermione laughed nervously, "I suppose."
They continued talking about their favourite books and subjects while the others just stared at the enthusiastic reading women.
"If they were Superheroes, they would have little book signs, and quoting books would be their special power." Sirius joked.
The other burst out laughing, and while Minerva and Ginny went to join the ladies present, the men gathered together for the "Updated Charming Class – Potter style." (I mentioned in Chapter 13 that they done this, this is just THEIR updated version).
James and Sirius suddenly changed into suits, bringing out some diagrams and things, which scared Harry a little bit.
"Ok Harry, let's get started." James directed Harry into a chair.
"Now, elementary charming. You are a 'Golden Boy' Charming and polite. You don't get nervous, you always have a comeback, and you can definitely make the women go weak at the knees. Now, let's hear a sexy chuckle."
Harry caught Ron's eye and they both burst out laughing.
"Concentrate Harry, concentrate." Sirius urged.
Harry, finally getting over the hysterical laughing, chuckled.
"Good Harry, good." James congratulated.
They spent the rest of this highly unusual time going over chat-up lines, charming lines, chat-up lines, anything in that area, and things you do and don't do, and also, his confidence.
"Now Harry, you got it all down, but remember, no blushing, polite, charming, good comebacks – practically everything we have done today. Now, go off, and we shall have a surprise test soon."
"You sound so much like your Grandmother there James." Albus chuckled.
"That's good." James smiled goofily, changing his expression so that he looked like his Grandmother.
They all laughed hysterically, Ron leaning on a hysterical Harry for support.
This attracted the attention of the women, and James quickly changed his expression.
They looked suspiciously at them.
The men gulped nervously as one.
"Harry, um, what did you want to tell me before?" Ron asked.
"What-Oh yeah, perhaps not here." Harry answered.
This was a complete lie, but they wanted to escape without being killed, and this was the first plan that came to Ron.
They left under the desperate looks of the men and bolted it out of the door, arriving at Quidditch Pitch.
"That was close, mate." Ron said, looking over his shoulder.
"I know, anyway, there is actually something I want to talk about. I don't want to play Seeker anymore."
"WHAT! ARE YOU CRAZY?" Ron shouted.
"No, but I think that I would do better as Chaser."
"Well, if there is a practise soon, you should see how you do, before you make any rash decisions."
"Um, Ron, there is one TONIGHT." Harry chuckled.
"Oh." Ron laughed. "Anyway, I shall follow my Captain on his Chaser journeys!" He mock saluted.
Harry grinned.
"Thanks mate. Anyway, let's go back and see what's left of the others."
They walked back to the Apartment, there finding relative peace, which shocked them.
"No bloodshed, no blood, no fights, what's wrong with you people?" Harry joked.
"Well, we couldn't find out what was so funny, so we couldn't find a good excuse to kill them." Lily explained.
"Ah, oh and Ginny, Ron thinks that it is a good idea, so we'll try it out the plan tonight, see how we go. Of course, I'll give the Marissa, Julie and Dean Firebolts."
"You'll GIVE them Firebolts?" Ron asked in shock.
"Yeah. I have an unlimited supply here anyway, in the store, so why not let them have them, to improve the team."
Ron couldn't reply. It WAS a pretty good idea.
"Sorry, what is going on here?" Minerva asked.
"Well, I'm going to change my position to Chaser, and Ginny will take my Seeker position, and I'll give the others some of the spare Firebolts."
"Spare Firebolts?" Minerva said with a smile.
"Well, the store here has hundreds. So why not give some to the team? Oh, and Ginny, we're going to have to rename your broom to the...Seeker Streaker." Harry said thoughtfully.
"Ok, ok." Ginny laughed.
"How good are you at Chaser, Harry? I hope this move won't affect the team." Minerva asked. She was obviously used to have the Quidditch Cup in her cabinet now.
"Well, why don't you all come and see." Harry said.
There was a murmur of agreement, and they walked there, Harry talking to James.
"You know, I did the same when I was in school. Scared the opposition to see me play Chaser. Seeker was relieved until my replacement came."
"Cool. How do you think I'll do?" Harry asked.
"Well, what the highest level you can put the simulators at?"
"Veteran."
"Well, put it on that, and see how you do."
"Oklies."
"Oklies?" James relied, obviously amused.
"Yeah, it's a fun phrase!" Harry protested.
James just chuckled and they continued with some small talk, soon arriving at the simulators.
Harry grabbed his broomstick from the broom cupboard while the others settled themselves in the stands, and Harry walked in, dressed in his Gryffindor robes.
He came in and talked with the referee, who changed the level of play in it, and told Harry to shake hands with the other Captain.
The Commentary suddenly came on.
"I'm your Commentator Jeff Baker, and welcome to another gruelling match in the Potter Games!"
Ginny giggled at the title.
"Hey," Harry shouted down from the pitch, "I couldn't come up with anything else. I'm not that creative you know."
"We do." Shouted the others.
Harry just shook his head with silent laughter.
"Ok, now I want a clean game." The referee said.
Harry and the other Captain nodded at each other.
"Ok, 3,2,1, PHEET!"
The match had started.
Harry pushed off really well, grabbing a hold on the quaffle immediately, rushing towards the goal.
"THERE'S POTTER, HE FAKES TO THE LEFT, PASSES TO BEST ON THE RIGHT. SHE'S SHOOTING FOR GOAL, NO WAIT! POTTER HAS GOT IT. E SHOOTS FROM 25 FEET! AND HE SCORES!"
The others cheered.
The game continued, Harry showing skills with the Quaffle, and the broom, that they never knew he had.
Suddenly, the opposing Seeker caught sight of the Snitch, chasing after it, Harry's Seeker was not going to be able to catch him up, and if he caught it, it would be a draw.
Harry saw this and charged forward with the Quaffle, dodging a Bludger and shot...
"AND POTTER SCORES, JUST AS THE SNITCH IS CAUGHT. THE GOLD TEAM WINS! CAPTAIN POTTER SHOOTS A MAGNIFICENT LOB!"
The others cheered and ran down to speak to Harry.
"So, what did you think?" He asked.
"Bloody brilliant, mate! I never thought I'd say this, but stick as the Chaser. You were spectacular mate!"
Hermione didn't even scold for his language.
"Harry, that was wow."
"So I see that our endurance did help a bit then." A voice commented jokingly.
Merlin and Godric stood there, a amused glint in their eyes.
"Harry, why are you over there? Wait, you're here, who's over there, what- ?"
"Ron, don't give yourself a headache mate. This is Godric and Merlin."
There was silence from Ron.
"Ron, hello?"
Harry found Ron, sprawled on the floor.
"Lovely to see we have that effect on people, isn't it Big Merl?"
"It is, it is. Wait, did you just call me Big Merl?"
"Yep." Godric said in amusement.
"How many times do I have to tell you to NOT CALL ME THAT?"
"A million times, Big Merl, a million times."
"ARGH! You are so frustrating!"
"I know. Fun, isn't it?"
"Albus, please help me out here, will you."
"I would, but there is a teenager in shock here, so perhaps you could save this for later."
They reluctantly nodded.
"Ok, now, Harry, conjure some water in a bucket, without your wand, or the incantation."
"Right-eo."
Five minutes later, Ron woke up spluttering, after being drenched by water.
"What was that for?"
"Well, you collapsed." Godric said with a grin.
"You're-you're-you're-MERLIN'S BEARD!"
Harry, Godric and Albus all turned to look at Merlin.
"WHY DO THEY KEEP SAYING THAT?" Merlin exclaimed.
"Well, it shows your popularity." Harry explained.
"Oh, well, that's not AS bad then."
"Gullible man." Godric muttered under his breath.
Harry bit his tongue to stop himself from laughing, but let out a little snort.
"Anyway," Albus quickly said, covering for Harry's little slip, "Dinner is going to start in about 20 minutes, so we have to leave."
"Ok Albus, but that is outside time, so that gives us about 2 and a half hours. Anyway, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, take this." Sirius said, thrusting a Potion at them.
They looked at each other before downing them in one gulp.
The others looked proudly on at the forms of the three untrained Animagus.
Ron, with his love of flying, his speed, and his protectiveness, was a Falcon.
Hermione, with his wisdom and knowledge, and her loyalty, was an Owl.
Ginny, with her fierce temper, her speed and her ability to protect, was a Tabby Cat.
They changed back, asking what Animals they could now train to be.
Minerva looked proud of Ginny, probably because she was a cat, like herself.
"Harry, what are you, mate?" Ron asked.
"Well, um..." Harry hadn't told them yet, about his 'extra' skills.
"I'm a multi-Animagus."
The others looked at each other and burst out laughing.
"Good one Harry." Hermione laughed, but looking at him, saw that was actually being serious, and stopped laughing.
"Harry, just a test then, to prove to the non-believers." Hermione said, signalling over to a hysteric Ron and Ginny.
"Ok," he said with a shrug, "Sit down everybody, and give me some requests."
The others sat, and Sirius started by shouting out "Phoenix."
Harry instantly became a Phoenix similar to Lily.
"Pink Panther." Hermione shouted.
The others stopped and stared at her.
"Muggle TV show," she muttered.
Harry happily obliged, and so he got a lot of response out of the excited group.
He went through others such as a Lion, a Dragon, even a spider, causing Ron to scream like a little girl as Harry jumped on him.
Eventually, they stopped about 20 minutes after they began, and settled themselves down.
"Any more surprises Harry?" Ginny asked. "Say, you're a Metamorphamagus, or, you can make perfect weapons with one wave of your hand." She giggled, as did Ron and Hermione.
"Well..." Harry replied.
"You can, can't you mate?" Ron asked, clearly finding it all amusing.
"Pretty much." Harry replied.
"Well, what can't you do?" Hermione asked.
"Well...I can't dance." Harry said.
"Easily fixed Harry. I'm sure Tonks would love to help you. Go at your usual time. She is a brilliant dancer." Replied Sirius.
"Anyway, I hear from a Little Lion that there is a Masquerade Ball at Christmas this year." Harry said, with a pointed glare over at Godric, who turned away whistling.
"Can I not keep ANYTHING a secret with you?" Albus said, slightly exasperated.
"Apparently not." James said, laughing at his Grandfather's face.
"Well, I might as well tell you. We are also having students perform songs. So if you get a band together, play a song, it will be good. All you would need to do would be to figure out a name."
They looked at each other, deciding to discuss it later.
"Anyway, what about Marauder names?" James asked.
"Well, I am Gryffin, as you probably know." Harry said, grinning.
"Well, I guess I'll be Hunter." Ron said, also grinning.
"I'll be...Tellect." Hermione said.
"I wonder why?" Ron muttered, illustrating a 'Hermione' face.
"Then I guess I'll be Tabby." Ginny decided.
"We knight thee the New Generation of Marauders. May you bring laughter, joy and pranks to Hogwarts and beyond." Sirius said, smiling.
"Thanks, anyway, dinner's soon, isn't it?" Ron said with a hungry expression on his face.
"Yeah, so, why don't we get out of here and get down there?" Harry said, the same look gracing his face.
"We get the hint." Minerva said with a smile.
"We know." Ron and Harry replied together, innocent expressions lighting up their faces.
"They have a point Minerva." Albus said. Minerva just shot him a dirty look.
"Ok everybody, hold on to me." Harry said, sticking out his arm. After saying goodbye to everyone, they arrived back in Albus' office, and leaving Albus and Minerva off, Harry took his friends back into the trunk.
"Ok Harry, why did you bring us back here?" Hermione asked sounding exasperated.
"Well, I was thinking about a little prank, you know, to show that Marauders are back and better than ever."
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They walked into dinner soon after, trying to hide the grins that played on their faces.
Harry caught Albus' eye and grinned.
They sat down as dinner was already started and just as they made to get some food, Harry waved his hand.
The prank had started.
Shouts and screams were suddenly heard across the Hall.
People had been turned into different foods, from chicken legs to a pea. Roars of laughter came from those who had not been affected, and someone shouted across the Hall. "Look at Snape!"
True enough, the Potions Master was now an onion.
Well, it might have been him, who knew?
The other Professors were similar, even Albus was piece of steak, Minerva a sausage.
A sign suddenly came into the air.
A Golden 'M' with a Tabby Cat, an Owl, a Falcon and a Gryffin with a Phoenix on it's back surrounding it. Golden handwriting came up.
"The Marauders are back and better than ever. Beware. Messrs Gryffin, Hunter, Tabby and Tellect."
(AN – I know Hermione and Ginny are girls, but it looks cool this way.)
People looked at each other in fear, they had ALL heard of the Marauders, and now they were back and better than ever? Merlin help them.
Teachers and students alike all looked around.
Only 4 certain students and 2 Professors had any idea who it was. They wouldn't tell the others...yet.
Soon after, Albus had changed the students (and teachers) back into themselves and dinner had finished, many students walking up to their Common Rooms, talking about their experiences as a vegetable or piece of meat alike.
"Potter. A word if you please." Minerva shouted over the hustle and bustle of the crowd.
Harry pushed his way through the wave of people, promising Ron to meet him at the Quidditch Pitch for their practice in an hour, and eventually managed to reach Minerva after about a minute or so.
"Follow me." She said calmly.
Wondering how he would be killed for turning her into a sausage, he walked calmly. As his father had said, never show weakness.
They soon reached Albus' Office and entered. After the door was shut, Minerva smiled and sat him down, Albus appearing after about a minute.
"Ah Harry, my boy. How did you ever get people to change into the food they were eating? That is highly advanced Transfiguration."
Minerva smiled proudly at this.
"Well, it was a made up spell. It is sort of like the Animagus transformation, but people become the food. I was thinking of transfiguring some people into knifes and forks, to chase them round a bit, but I thought that would be a little extreme."
Albus chuckled.
"I myself was a Transfiguration Professor, but I have never seen anyone do that to such an extent before."
"Well, it was just like Grandmother's Chess Set."
"Yes, that was impressive, wasn't it?"
"Very." Harry said, chuckling at the blush creeping unto Minerva's cheeks.
"Blushing Minerva? I haven't seen you blush for many years. Well, apart from the time that the original Marauders..."
"I'm cutting you off right there. That had to be one of the most embarrassing moments of my life. One that I would not like to relive."
"Well, you really don't have to. Harry could of course view it in my Pensieve. Would you prefer him to see or hear it?"
"Hear." She replied grudgingly.
"Well, it was one Sunday Lunchtime about 15 years ago. Minerva was sitting eating her lunch as usual until there was a sudden rush of boys running at her from all of the Houses, all but the Marauders of course, all declaring her love and asking her to choose themselves to love.
Minerva, even after threatening detentions couldn't get them to back off, as they said they would love to spend extra time with her, so in the end she ran into the back chambers and barricaded the doors."
Harry burst out laughing at this.
"If that was all, they all sang out together, "WE LOVE MINNIE!" The only way to get them to back off was to convince the Marauders to take off the spell. In the end, all the boys ran off, bright red, and when Minerva finally came out, she was blushed red herself."
Harry couldn't help himself now and burst out laughing hysterically, holding onto a just as hysterical Albus for support.
"Stop laughing, that was NOT funny." Minerva shouted over the hysterical men, but this just made them laugh harder.
Some 20 minutes later, Albus and Harry had calmed down enough to sit properly without falling off the chair. Albus telling Harry (using Mind Speech) that he would show it to him in his Pensieve that night.
"Well, there was one advantage." Minerva said, surprising them both. "They all sat quietly in my lessons for weeks after, not daring to look me in the eye."
Albus warmly chuckled, Harry joining him.
"Well, as much as I would love to continue listening to this all, I have to go to Quidditch Practice. We've got to do some plays, and also, I want to start working with Julie and Marissa, so we can get our teamwork sorted, so I'm going to get their brooms and I'll see you later."
"That's very generous, Harry." Albus said, the twinkle in his eye ever brighter.
"Well, we want to win, and this shall help. They can keep them if they want." Harry said, shrugging off the compliment.
"Goodbye." Harry said, pressing the button to take him to his Quidditch Pitch.
After collecting his broom and the three Firebolts from the store, Harry left the trunk, appearing on the Pitch itself.
Seeing as the rest of the team should be arriving in half an hour, Harry decided to fly about.
As he pushed off and took into the air, all of the troubles that plagued him in his everyday life left him.
The rest of the team soon arrived, and before they noticed the other brooms Harry had, he came over to them.
"Hi guys, welcome to Quidditch Practice. Now, before we begin, I have something for three of our new recruits. You see, Ron, Hermione and Ginny all have their own brilliant brooms," Harry started.
"Which Harry made for us," Ron cut in.
"Yes, which I made for them, however, I also have something for you Dean, Julie and Marissa. Hold on a second."
Harry left the three anxious teenagers for a second and walked over, grabbing the wrapped broomsticks, and walked back, handing one to each of the three.
"Here you go." Harry said, signalling for them to open them.
Harry waited a second before the girls' excited screams became the girls' excited Harry hugs.
"You got us FIREBOLTS?" Seamus shouted.
"Yep, you all deserve them, and before you mention it, money was not a problem.
"I know." Ron grinned.
"Anyway, shall we get ready?" Harry asked, and as they nodded.
"Everybody up in the air, just passing the Quaffle around." He said, still finding it unusual that he was Captain.
After an hour or so, Harry called it a night, and grabbing Ron's arm, took them into their dorm.
"Ok Ron, you go into the Apartment, I'll get the girls."
Ron nodded and climbed down the ladder while Harry got the two girls.
Twenty minutes later, the four were sitting in Harry's Apartment.
"So Harry, what do you want to talk to us about?" Hermione asked.
"Well, this Masquerade Ball. They need bands, and I was thinking..."
"We know what you are thinking Harry. Now the question is, can anyone play an instrument and/or sing? I mean, I can sing ok, and I can play the keyboard."
"Well, I can play the base guitar, and I can sing as well." Hermione said.
"Drums, and yes, I can sing." Ron said, grinning.
"Well, I can play the guitar, and I guess I can sing as well." Harry said.
"How did you learn to play Harry?" Ginny asked.
"Well, Dudley had a little phase where he wanted to play one, but he found he couldn't, so he gave it up. They dumped it in my room, and also the book, so I taught myself."
"Wicked, mate!" Ron said, grinning.
"Where would we get the instruments, and costumes?" Hermione asked.
"Room of Requirement." Harry answered.
"What about a name?"
"What about Phoenix Flame?" Ron suggested.
The others looked at him, shocked.
"What?" He asked nervously.
"You had a GOOD idea? Somebody call a Healer!" Ginny said, pretending to be concerned.
"Ah guys, I can pull through sometimes." He said with a shrug, causing the others to laugh.
"Wow, that was an amazingly quick band creation." Harry commented.
"I know. But we have to choose songs. I think we should do four, one for each of us." Hermione suggested.
"Good idea. We'll have to think it through, then get the music."
"Ok. Well, what about heading to bed? I am tired, and I also want to see this thing..."
"What thing, Harry?" Hermione asked.
"I'll show you tomorrow." He promised, and after leaving the girls back in the Common Room, he fell into bed, asleep a few minutes after his head touching the pillow.
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Next chapter will include – Minerva lovers - the viewing and another gift for Harry!