A/N: Hey guys I'm back and it's been way too long. I do plan on finishing this series, I just got stuck and more stuck with how to open the story. I also lost my interest a bit but it's back and I'll be trying to post regularly as writing this chapter has helped me relax.
"This place is," Harry paused for a moment looking around Gimmauld Place, Sirius' childhood home, "shite." Sirius, Wayne, and Dawn all cracked up laughing while Aurora and Cyril looked amused.
Remus chuckled, "And this is cleaned up."
Suddenly the curtains on the wall burst open revealing a portrait of an older women with gray hair. Her features were distorted with rage, "Filth! Half-breeds! Blood Traitors!" She shouted at them.
"Shut up you old hag," Sirius yelled back and slammed the curtains shut muffling the shouts.
Harry and Wayne looked wide eyed at the now covered portrait, "Who in the nine Hells was that?" Wayne asked.
Sirius frowned, "My mother." Harry, Wayne, Dawn and Aurora looked at him with varying degrees of sympathy. This was their first time 'meeting' the woman.
"Charming," Dawn quipped.
"Isn't she?" Sirius asked sarcastically. "Right well we finished the bottom floor with the kitchen. It's all redone." Cyril, Dawn, and Remus had been at the house helping to first clean it and then redecorate the home. Dawn helped to give the Sirius tips on how to redecorate the home to his tastes. Giving it a much needed women's touch, to keep it from being a total bachelor's pad. Cyril and Remus were landing a hand with transfiguration and charms to change furniture and fixtures that were salvageable. They also would go out to Diagon Alley to purchase new items. Sirius avoided the Alley if he could; too many people either screamed at his appearance or pelted him with a series of unending questions about the Potters and Azkaban.
"How do you want us to help?" Aurora asked. Sirius had been staying with the Sinistras while they worked on Grimmauld place. They were a month into the summer break and Susan was abroad with Izzy while Neville was with his uncle. His uncle Algie was responsible for managing the Longbottom Greenhouses in Plymouth. As Neville showed his improvement in school his uncle had started to take more positive role in teaching Neville. Algie also relaized he would be much better off in the greenhouses given Neville's talents. Neville's uncle wanted him to get more familiar with the business, so three days a week Neville went with him to work.
"If you could take the boys and start on cleaning the next floor up and sorting things for us to look at. Anything that's junk just vanish."
"Let's go boys," Aurora said and waved them to the stairs. Harry and Wayne started up but were stopped by Sirius's voice.
"Oh and watch out for Kreacher." Sirius said off offhandedly.
"Kreacher?" Aurora asked as she stepped up the stairs.
"He's my insane house elf." Sirius said as the four adults left the entry way.
"Was he kidding?" Aurora asked the boys.
"It would be kinda fittin' with this place," Wayne said as they came up to the first landing. The walls were peeling with dark purple wallpaper, nearly black in color it was so deep. Aurora waved her wand and the hallway lit up with much more light.
"I think that makes it worse," Harry said. He went to the first door which opened up to a drawing room. One wall was completely dominated by an ornate family tree. The branches held portraits of the members of House Black with their names and dates.
"Woah." Wayne said going up to look at it. "That's a lot of people."
Aurora and Harry joined him, "The Blacks are one of the oldest wizarding families in Britain." Aurora said placing a hand a Wayne's shoulder.
"What are these burn marks?" Harry asked running his hand over the spots.
Aurora studied it noticing the names of Sirius and Andromeda, "I think they were disowned."
A pop was heard and they turned and saw an old house elf. He had white hair growing out his ears with a large nose that took of most of his face. He was hunched over with a dirty pillowcase for his clothes. "Worthless dog brought blood traitors into my mistress's house."
"I take it you're Kreacher?" Aurora questioned.
Kreacher ignored her and turned to Harry, "The brat who brought the Dark Lord down. My poor mistress."
Aurora growled at the elf and drew her wand, "Leave now."
Kreacher disappeared with a pop, "Well that was pleasant," Harry said. They moved away from the tapestry. Harry and Wayne started using the scouring charm liberally across the room. Aurora went about categorizing items in the room. She was just going by a grandfather clock when it chimed and shot a bolt out from the timepiece.
"Ahh!" She screamed as it embedded itself in the wall. The boys turned with their wands up ready to fire a spell. They saw Aurora staring at the clock. "Who in Merlin's name needs a clock that can kill!"
"That came out of the clock," Harry asked. Staring at the bolt and his eyes widened as it disappeared.
Aurora vanished the whole clock, "Damn Blacks." She muttered going back to look over items.
A few minutes later she heard Harry,"well that's just nasty."
"Is that blood?" Wayne asked. That got Aurora's attention and she walked over to where the boys were standing. On a table was a crystal decanter filled with a thick red liquid.
"Yeah." Harry said familiar with the substance from all his injuries. Aurora tapped the decanter with her wand and the blood vanished from it. She conjured a tag and wrote on it, was filled with blood.
"We'll just leave that for Sirius." Aurora said. They finished with the room quickly after that and moved on to two guest bedrooms. A bathroom that was filled with mold and a ghoul that charged at the three. "Reducto," Aurora sent the curse at the ghoul's legs and they splattered into nothing leaving only the top half. It still tried to crawl its way to them, growling all the while. Aurora finished it with another redactor curse. It left behind a greenish brown liquid. Aurora transfigured an old tooth brush into a potions vial and put some of the liquid into it before vanishing the rest. "Slughorn will be able to use this."
Harry and Wayne made faces, "That's just wrong." Harry said and Wayne nodded.
"Right I'm going to teach you the bubble-head charm before we tackle this," She gestured to the possible plague ridden bathroom. "The wand movement is just a tap to your mouth and circle up to your nose. And the incantation is Ebublio." She demonstrated and they watched as a bubble encase her mouth and nose. She walked into the bathroom without the smell or mold inhibiting her. Harry and Wayne both attempted the spell.
"Ebublio," Harry muttered circling his wand tightly around his mouth and nose. The bubble stretched around the area. Harry grinned at his mum. "Cool." He said and it was slightly distorted.
"You suck," Wayne muttered as he kept attempting the spell.
"Wayne try to control the circle your wand makes more," Aurora said patiently. "Focus and slow your breathing. You're not getting tested on this."
Wayne nodded and took a deep calming breath before attempting the spell, "Ebublio." He encircled his mouth and nose and this time with a bubble. "Yes." Wayne cheered and punched his fist at the air.
"Now get in here and help us sterilize this pit," Aurora said playfully.
Wayne snapped a salute, "Yes ma'am." The three took to liberally using any cleaning charm they knew over every square inch of the bathroom. Aurora vanished all of the leftover soaps and shampoos and make up in the bathroom. As they finished all that was left was a plain shower, bath, toilet, and sink, everything else needing to be destroyed. They moved on to the final doors in the hallway. They were double doors made from a dark ebony wood with the Black Crest on them.
"Stand back a bit boys," Aurora said. She ran her wand over the doors and dispelled a rather old locking ward. She recognized it from her father's office. The doors open into a small library with a study off to one side. "We're going to leave this to Sirius and my father, if Sirius wants the help." Harry looked at her curiously. "The Blacks are thought to have some of the darkest tomes in wizarding Britain and that is the Lord's study."
"So should we go to the next floor?" Wayne asked.
He was interrupted by a small pop, "Worthless Master Sirius says lunch is ready for bloodtraitors and mudbloods." Kreacher announced before popping away.
"He's just delightful ain't he?" Wayne quipped.
"I think he's been alone with dear Walburga too long," Aurora said. Harry sniggered at Sirius's mum's name.
"Can't we get Sirius another elf?" Harry asked quietly.
Aurora shook her head, "There are not many unbound house elves."
"Why?" Wayne asked as they made their way down the creaky stairs. Aurora sent a spell at them and the squeaking stopped.
"House elves have symbiotic relationship with wizarding magic. They need it to remain strong and healthy."
"You think that's part of Kreacher's problem?" Harry asked.
Aurora paused and looked thoughtful, "It very well could be. The only person he was bound to these last years was Sirius. The dementors were feeding on Sirius's magic at the time, so yes, it could have impacted Kreacher. Well-reasoned Harry." She said giving his shoulder a squeeze. Harry had grown once again sprouting up a few more inches as had Wayne. The two boys had also put on more muscle this summer with Sirius and Remus showing them muggle exercises to work on strength. Both boys were eager to train for Quidditch, as the front runners for beaters from other houses were all older then the two again.
They entered the kitchen and were greeted by the smells of roast chicken and vegetables. Sirius and the other adults grinned at them when they entered. "Well at least he can cook." Wayne said looking at the food.
"Already checked for poison so dig in," Sirius said with a laugh. Nobody was sure whether he was joking or not.
"Cheers," Remus said wryly. The boys shrugged and took that to heart and started devouring their food. The adults shared a look before chuckling softly. Continuous magic use did have a tendency to make growing wizards and witches hungry.
"So how come yer' home is in the middle of a muggle area?" Wayne asked before talking a swig of butterbeer.
"My great however many times grandfather," Sirius waved his hand in a matter of fact movement, "Licorus Black moved us here." Sirius sat back in his chair rocking back on it so two legs were up in the front. "The Black Castle was in need of repair and was a drafty old place apparently and too well known for his taste. He sold it to the goblins for quite a profit."
"He sold it to the goblins?" Aurora asked with a look of bemusement, she hadn't known that. What she did know was that the Black's notoriously detested all other sentient beings.
Sirius smirked, "Yep. There was a mine on the property we still make thirty percent of what the goblins' mine from it. He was a paranoid bastard and figured muggle London was perfect to hide in, not to mention the Fidelius charm he used."
"Worked rather well," Cyril said with a faint grin. "I do not think anyone would believe this is where the Black ancestral home now lays."
"What about the other Blacks that have been here, wouldn't they know?" Harry asked.
"We only allowed them in by port-key." Sirius shrugged. His bored gaze turned into a smirk when Harry and Wayne finished their butterbeers. Cyril and Remus snorted while Aurora openly laughed and Dawn tried to hide her snickers.
"Wha'?" Wayne and Harry both asked and turned to look at each other. Their months dropped open. "Your hair."
"Your hair," Harry said back pointing. Wayne was currently sporting snakes coming out of his head rather like medusa while Harry's hair had turned Weasley red and stuck straight out in two braids tied with powder blue bows.
"Oi! You're dead!" The boys shouted as Sirius transformed into Padfoot and took off out of the kitchen. The boys gave chase bounding around the house trying to curse the large dog.
The four remaining occupants of the kitchen burst out into laughter until the sound of crashing glass was heard. Dawn groaned, "They better not have broken anything we just spent hours fixing."
"Harry! This is not fuunny!" Izzy's shout rang through the whole MacDougal Keep, quite the feat. The MacDougal Keep was located on an Isle in the Scottish Highlands. The keep was nearly as old as Hogwarts or so the MacDougal family history states. The MacDougals of old had made their money through fisheries and falconers. The current MacDougals were still accomplished hunters. Izzy's second brother Duncan took over the hawking business for his father.
Izzy marched out to the pit where her third eldest brother Craig was teaching Harry, Wayne, and Neville to wrestle, more so the first two. Craig was on the shorter side but had the strength of a bear. Wayne looked up away from Craig at Izzy's shout and Craig took advantage and pinned him to the ground.
"Ah! Bugger, I give!" Wayne called only to laugh as Izzy came into sight. Her favorite Pride of Portree jersey was no longer pristine purple but had in dark gray letters emblazoned on the front spelling Falmouth and on the back in white Falcons.
"It won't come out!" Izzy shouted her voice taking a high-pitched hysterical tone. "Mum and Pa both tried! Do you know how hard it is to find a Malky jersey!" Wayne was rolling on the sand pit laughing while Neville was doubled over in laughter at the tone of her voice and when she stomped her foot. Susan was behind her snickering quietly.
Harry had an absolutely deviant smirk on his face and his eyes twinkled, "That's for my shoes."
Izzy spluttered her golden brown eyes wide with disbelief, "That was almost four years ago!" At this point Craig started laughing as well. "Ugh!" She threw her hands up and turned to storm back into the Keep. "Traitor," She growled at the giggling Susan. Susan just grinned following Izzy with a wink at Harry. A loud boom sounded around the isle letting everyone know that dinner was ready.
"Let's go lads," Craig said waving the boys into the Keep. "You all picked those moves up quickly. Even you Neville."
Neville gave a grin, "Be nice to pop Malfoy one." Craig let out a booming laugh as they came into the dining hall of Castle Scáthlán. The dining hall was used for all MacDougal meals as all but Fearghas lived at their ancestral home. It was also common for Izzy's two MacDougal uncles and their families to stop by. Today though it seemed only Isobel's immediate family was in attendance, her father and eldest brother had flooed home for the meal. Izzy's father owned a large fishing company and her eldest brother Ian worked with him. Also present was Isobel's closet sibling in age, the youngest brother Lennox.
"Ox what are you doing home?" Craig asked as he helped himself to a large turkey sandwich. Lennox looked a bit unsure as he started to gather his plate. Everyone looked to him in confusion. Lennox despite being the smallest and of a more weedy build then his brothers had probably the most boisterous personality of Clan MacDougal.
"I have some news," Lennox stated adjusting his silver circular rimmed glasses. Lennox worked at the Ministry of Magic in the Department of Magical Games and Sports. He worked in the offices responsible for overseeing Quidditch Stadiums. He was helping with the World Cup stadium.
"And?" Gregor MacDougal, Izzy's father prompted.
Lennox shot Harry an apologetic look, "Dumbledore took the open post of Director of International Magical Cooperation. It will be announced in tomorrow's prophet. I only know because Director Bagman can't keep a secret to save his life." Lennox sighed in relief when Harry just shrugged and looked curious. Harry's reaction helping to stave off both his sister's and mother's protest. Iona MacDougal had become very fond of the three boys her daughter was close to.
"It's not all that surprising," Ian surmised. "Dumbledore is the most influential wizard, still."
"That doesn't bother me," Harry said in his quiet voice that still managed to silence the large gathering. "I can still ignore his existence no matter where he's at."
"That might be harder than you think," Lennox said adjusting his glasses again. Everyone at the table looked at him again, this time with narrowed eyes. He was growing more uncomfortable, a new feeling for him. "Fudge in an attempt to save face and redirect attention away from everything that has happened the past year is reinstating the Tri-Wizard Tournament."
"Bloody hell." The curse came from both MacDougal parents, Ian, and Duncan. Craig and the other youngsters looked confused, Harry and Wayne the most.
"Wha' is this tourney?" Wayne asked. Craig, Neville, and Harry nodded with his question in agreement. Harry shot Susan a look.
Susan looked at Izzy before shooting Harry a somewhat bewildered look, "I've only heard the name," Susan said.
Iona spoke with her eyes narrowed in annoyance, "The Tri-Wizard Tournament is a magical competition between the three oldest magic schools in Europe. Hogwarts, Beauxbatons Academy of Magic in France, and Durmstrang Institute in Eastern Europe."
Gregor picked up, "One competitor from each school is chosen to compete in a number of tasks which have in the past turned deadly."
"Deadly?" Wayne asked his with surprise. Harry merely took everything in with silence.
"Yes deadly, the tournament was cancelled indefinitely after a cockatrice went on a rampage and killed two competitors and injured all three Headmasters as well as one other judge." Gregor was frowning and his words were clipped.
"Why would Dumbledore agree to this?" Craig asked with disbelief.
"He didn't have a choice," Lennox grimaced, "It was already planned and paid for before he took up office. If we pull out now it will be an insult to both the French and the Bulgarians. He did manage to get them to agree to an age limit, only those who have reached adulthood will be able to compete."
"I'll be back," Harry said quietly and pushed away from the table. Iona made to stand but Izzy spoke up.
"We got this," She and her friends stood leaving the table. Wayne took his plateful of sandwiches with him. They heard Gregor tell Lennox he needed to find a way to be at Hogwarts during the tournament. Harry found his feet moving of their own violation and they carried him to the large room he shared with Neville and Wayne while at MacDougal Keep. The room was larger than their dorms at Hogwarts and had a balcony overlooking the Loch. He stared out over the Loch watching the gentle sway of the water. Susan came up next to him and leaned over the balcony with her shoulder touching his. Harry looked to her and gave a slight smile. They turned back to their other friends. Izzy looked uncomfortable while Wayne seemed to be more carefree. He sat in a chair with his legs thrown over the arm. Neville stood leaning against the door frame. He had had a bit of a growth spurt and was still a bit awkward from it and nearly knocked over a table as he moved to take a seat. Harry shot him a smirk to which he replied with a one finger salute. Some of the tension broke and laughter was heard.
"All right, Harry?" Neville asked.
Harry unfolded his arms and placed them behind him on the stonework. "Yeah I'm good."
"Really?" Izzy said skeptically.
Harry smirked, "Really. I'm more worried about what mum or Sirius might do to the man." Wayne laughed loudly while Susan snorted with derision. Neville though looked thoughtful. "Nev?"
"Dumbledore still has a lot of support if he was able to get the job this fast and quietly." Neville replied. "I know Gran while, angry with him over not checking on you, still supports his endeavors with the ICW." He looked remorsefully at Harry.
"Don't worry about it Neville," Harry said quietly. "I was mad, completely bloody pissed." Harry said a heavy street accent coming through his emotions. He took some deep breaths and Susan placed her hand on his arm. The other three looked at that with little smirks but refrained from saying anything, not wanting to derail Harry. He sighed, "Now I would just like to know why he told people I was fine. I know he's done good things and kept scores of people from dying but I want to know why."
Neville looked at his friends with a sly grin which never would have graced his face had he been friends with anyone else, "Well if he's going to be at Hogwarts we can corner him and prank him until he tells you." The girls giggled while Harry cackled loudly with Wayne.
"Well nice to see you're feeling better," Lennox said with bright grin as he walked onto the balcony.
"Thanks for the warning Lennox," Harry said when he stopped laughing.
"Anytime. I thought you guys might want to know more about the tournament, I studied up on it when Bagman leaked it." They nodded and Lennox transfigured a chair for himself from a twig.
"Well this bloody well sucks," Harry said looking at the book list in his hand. "Ancient Runes has two texts. And one of the is all in hieroglyphs," Harry groaned.
Izzy tried to look around Harry but the tall boy was blocking her from the book shelf. "Move you big oaf," She pushed at him. Harry snickered but moved her and gabbed another book for her to see. Izzy huffed, "If the title's in English the book should be in English." Sirius and Remus both chuckled from a bit away. The two men were supervising the quintet of fourteen-year-olds for their school shopping. Originally it was going to be just Sirius but Director Bones, Madam Longbottom, and Aurora protested, lamenting they would need to be bailed out of the ministry holding cells if Sirius was the only 'adult' supervision.
Remus had resigned his post only a few weeks ago. Someone had let slip to Rita Skeeter that Remus was a werewolf and howlers had flooded the Headmistress' office. Aunt Minnie had told Remus over a family dinner that the board could stuff it, but Remus decided against it. He reasoned that some prejudiced student would be looking for a reason to report him. Instead of teaching Remus was going to be staying with Sirius over the year as an advisor. Sirius having decided to take up the mantle of Lord Black at Andromeda's urging. Remus had always been the more level headed one of the Marauders and agreed that someone would need to keep Sirius from cursing half the Wizengamot.
"If the title wasn't in English we wouldn't know what book to get," Susan reasoned as Harry handed her a copy of the text. "Thanks," blushed a bit. Wayne and Izzy shared an amused look with Sirius and Remus.
"Oof." Wayne groaned and rubbed his stomach where Harry elbowed him. Susan gave him a confused look. "Nothing." He stammered out.
"Stop complaining you two don't have to carry this," Izzy dropped a book bigger than the bibles Harry used to see at the orphanage into Wayne's arms.
"Bloody Hell woman!" Wayne cursed, "Little warnin' next time." Remus and Sirius snickered, Remus casting a feather weight charm on the books.
Neville grinned a wicked grin for a Gryffindor, "Glad I took Divination for once," he lifted his new course text book that looked as slim as a magazine. All four Hufflepuffs turned and simultaneously gave him the bird. Causing the growing teen to laugh out loud.
"Hurry it up we still need to get to Madam Malkin's before we hit Harrods," Sirius said checking his pocket watch. It was made from gold with the Potter family coat of arms carved on to the back. Harry had wondered at it the first time Sirius had pulled it out. Sirius had been surprised it had survived along with his wand at Azkaban. It had a traditional medieval English shield divided by a bend going from the top left to the bottom right. The left portion of the shield when in done in color was gold and the right half in blue, Sirius had explained to him. Emblazoned on the gold half was a tower and on the blue was a stag.
"Dear Sirius still slumming are you?" Came a sneering yet delicate voice from behind Harry. Harry saw Remus stiffen and his eyes darken almost to amber. On Sirius the only tell of something was wrong was a hardening of his eyes which made them appear to be granite. Harry and Wayne turned. Wayne slid slightly in front of Izzy while Harry moved in front of Susan's wand arm disguising that she had indeed pulled her wand. Sirius spun the pocket watch around before placing it back in his pocket.
Harry's eyes hardened on the sight before him. Draco Malfoy the blond ponce who had been suspended for the rest of last year stood glaring at both Sirius and Harry. Although Harry noticed the glare at Sirius was directed at the hand that flashed Sirius's Black family's head of house ring.
Sirius spoke in a patronizing but silky tone, "My dear cousin Cissy and you must be the spawn of House Malfoy," Sirius grinned and added, "You look nothing like a Black but then Cissy never did either." Draco's mother, or whom Harry rightly assumed was his mother bristled at the words. Draco stupidly pulled his wand and stepped forward only to be jerked back by his mother. "Oh look he has Lucy's brain to. Trying to attack one of your Heads of House, the superior one at that." Sirius said causing the teens to smile widely. Then Sirius hit the ponce where it hurt, "Keep that up and I'll disinherit you." Draco snapped his mouth shut with an audible click while Lady Malfoy looked ready to turn into a harpy.
Remus suddenly sported a wolfish grin reminding his good friend just why he was a willing Marauder, "Oh Padfoot weren't you just saying something about inheritances?"
Sirius grinned back, "Too right my furry friend. I almost forgot. Kreacher," Sirius yelled sternly.
The grumpy old house elf of the Black family appeared. He gave a lazy bow while rolling his eyes, "Disgraceful Master Black." Sirius narrowed his eyes at the elf while Harry and his friends tried to repress giggles. Remus looked amused at the whole situation and shot the teens a wink.
"Batty old elf," Sirius shot back. Kreacher opened his mouth but Harry cleared his throat and nodded to the two Malfoys. Sirius and Kreacher looked back and forth between Harry and the Malfoys. They both stopped arguing and just as Lady Malfoy seemed ready to greet Kreacher Sirius spoke, "The inheritance papers," Sirius snarked only to be stopped by Harry's nudge. "Please." Sirius added petulantly.
Kreacher seemed to take pleasure in Sirius's misery and bowed to Harry before snapping his fingers and practically shoving papers at Sirius before disappearing.
"You two need to bond over something other than pranking me," Sirius muttered to Harry. The laughter everyone had been suppressing came out in a fit of giggles. "Wankers," Sirius said.
He was brought back to the situation at hand when Lady Malfoy curtly cut in, "We are waiting." Both she and Draco had identical sneers on their faces and Narcissa had started to tap her heeled boot in annoyance.
"Oh still here?" Sirius grinned, "Ah that's right inheritance." He handed over two letters with the names Draconis Lucius Malfoy on one and the other Narcissa Ursa Malfoy nee Black. As soon as Narcissa and Draco took the letters a flash red came over the parchment. Draco yelped at the shock the red burst gave off while Narcissa paled to the point where she looked more pale than the bloody Barron. She torn open the envelope and the teens could see that the address no longer said Black.
"You bastard!" Narcissa shrieked in anger. Draco rushed to collect his note and nearly tore it in half when he ripped it open.
"You can't do this! My father,"
He was interrupted by the five Reavers droning, "Will hear about this!"
"You filthy blood traitors," Draco shouted pulling his wand. All five whipped their wands out at him but Remus and Sirius both stepped in front of them. Narcissa finally snapped out of her stupor and placed a hand on Draco's wrist rather tightly. She nodded to the gathering crowd, one that held multiple reporters. Draco glared but lowered his wand.
"Come Draco," She pushed him a long and then glared at Sirius. "This is not over." She stalked off. Izzy discreetly sent a tripping jinx at the regal woman. Narcissa's feet tangled and the woman was sent into a display of secondhand robes. The letter Sirius had given her went fluttering along. Sirius chuckled and high fived Izzy discreetly. Remus and Sirius led the group of teens out of the Alley without knowing the letter had made it into a spritely reporter's hands. The next day the headline of the Daily Prophet read Lady Malfoy and scion Malfoy disinherited from the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black.
"Have fun and stay out of trouble," Cyril said while his wife hugged and kissed Harry, Wayne, and Susan goodbye. The boys looked innocently at Cyril while Susan rolled her eyes. Cyril sighed and looked to Susan, "Make sure they don't get arrested." The boys looked mock offended while Susan giggled. Cyril and Dawn had decided to stay home and skip seeing the World Cup final live. Cyril was not a fan of crowds and Dawn did not feel like braving the horror of wizards trying to camp while to pretending to be muggles.
Cyril pulled Aurora into a hug, "Have fun sweetheart. Try to make Fudge squirm." Aurora laughed and gave her mother hug before turning to the three teens.
"Alright boys and girl hold on," Aurora grinned at the teens and holding out an old leather glove. They all frowned but grabbed a hold as it flashed blue. Harry felt the jerking around his naval as the portkey sent them om their way in what felt like a twister.
"Shite!" Wayne groaned as he rubbed his ankle. They had slammed into the ground with force. Aurora landed a bit wobbly but managed to keep herself and Susan standing. Harry landed hard but rolled out of it.
"Let me see," Aurora said while she snickered seeing Harry shake his head to clear it. He looked like a confused puppy.
Wayne shook his head, "It's nothin' just rolled it." He took her hand and pulled himself up. She cocked an eyebrow at him. Wayne did a spiffy bow, "On my honor Madam," and bowed.
"Right let's go find the mangy mutt," Aurora said once the younger three were all on their feet. They smirked at her description for Sirius. They made it over to the entrance where a middle age man was taking tickets. "Well you at least look normal," he said taking their tickets. All four of them were dressed in jeans with Irish team t-shirts or sweaters on. "Strange day," he nodded as a wizard in bathrobe was trying to pay in galleons.
Susan's eyes widened as they realized the man was a muggle, "Er, it's tradition for some of the supporters to dress ridiculously beforehand, makes the mood lighter." Her words caused the nearby obliviater to step back from where he was advancing on the muggle.
The man just shook his head, "bit of a queer thing to do. Anyway, you're at plot 56 and 57, almost near that weird stadium." He pointed his towards the massive structure.
"Thank you, sir," Aurora said and led the teens along. "What in the hell is wrong with them using a muggle for tickets. Bloody idiots are probably going to cause permanent damage with all their obliviating."
"You know this place really screws with people sometimes," Harry said referring to the wizarding world at large. "That tent has friggin' chimney."
"Yes, well, wizards always like to show off when they get together," Aurora sighed as they started the long trek to find their plot. The crowd seemed to never end as they passed more and more wizards. "I don't think so," Aurora snapped off a spell when she saw Wayne and Harry trying to slip off to a sea of tents that were decked out in red, green, and black flags that had a haze surrounding them.
"Oi!" They both yelped rubbing there their arms where a pinching hex hit. They turned back to Aurora who merely raised an aristocratic eyebrow at them. They both sheepishly looked to the ground and Susan giggled. Aurora pointed at them to resume walking and they trudged on only to regain their spirits when they passed a Dutch section where three young wizards were racing their brooms giving off orange smoke trails. Aurora shook her head at them while a wall shot up in front of the races who abruptly stopped only to be grounded by four aurors working security detail. A large boo went up from the crowd as the boys were given tickets.
Susan and the boys laughed as Tonks flipped the crowd off and then waved to the group of four. "Wotcher guys!" Tonks said bouncing over to give them a quick hello. "Ready for an Irish win?" She asked pulling Susan in for hug and then Aurora, she gave the boys both a fist bump.
"Hell yeah!" Wayne shouted and did a little jig much to the laughter of the others.
"Tonks let's go!" A more senior auror shouted over to her. Tonks grinned and waved again before taking off with her fellow auror in the direction of fireworks.
"So much for statute of secrecy," Aurora muttered. The three teens chuckled as they moved on. They started to get closer to what seemed like the more familiar territory. They passed the Irish section where they saw Seamus Finnegan and Ronald Weasley hanging out. Seamus was decked head to toe in green, white, and orange while Ronald had on an oversized Leprechaun top hat. Further on they came upon the Bulgarian camp where nearly every tent seemed to be paying homage to Viktor Krum, the Bulgarian seeker.
Wayne whistled low, "They really like Krum."
Susan nodded as they passed a tent that showed a moving image of Krum catching a snitch, "Not to show my disinterest but why?" Susan asked. Wayne just stared stupidly at her. She rolled her eyes, "I know he's their seeker, but this is crazy?"
Harry chuckled, "He's the youngest seeker to ever play in a Cup final and the only reason they've won must of their matches." As he finished they moved into what was decidedly the English area, the smell of fish and chips prominent along with English flags and more Ireland supporters.
"Over there," Aurora said pointing to an unremarkable group of tents compared to most others. The only odd feature being how large they were. The three tents were gathered around a roaring fire pit. Sitting around the pit was the complete MacDougal clan. The MacDougal clan all gave simultaneous chorus of hellos as Izzy came up to hug Susan and the boys. The booming Scottish voices startling some of those around their campsite. At the chorus of voices Neville, Sirius, and Remus came strolling out of the tent on the far right. It was a plain nondescript canvas tent while the two next to it were decked in the Scottish flag but other than that they seemed perfectly normal.
"Pups!" Sirius shouted upon seeing Harry and the others it was followed by, "and pup-etes. Ow! Damn woman what was that for!" Sirius shouted rubbing his shoulder and glaring at Aurora.
"Refer to me or any woman as any kind of dog again and I'll do far worse," Aurora said with a menacing look.
Sirius paled, "I meant fine ladies."
"Better," Aurora deadpanned as Remus and Neville snickered behind him. Harry grinned as he jogged over and was pulled into a bear hug by Sirius and Remus. Wayne and Neville greeted each other with a high five.
"Well now that you're all here how about we wander around the merchandise?" Remus asked the teens. He had Sirius had volunteered to take them around before the match would start. The other adults seemed to think Remus would keep them all out of trouble and nodded.
"Just put your stuff away first," Aurora said and motioned to the Black tent that Sirius, Remus, and Neville came out of. The three teens ducked into the tent with Harry and Wayne stopping short.
"Shite," Wayne mumbled "this is nicer than my house." Harry shared a look with him then moved around the full sized living quarters that were spelled into a tent. There was a kitchen where currently Kreacher was walking around mumbling and drinking what looked like a cup of tea.
"Master Harry," Kreacher straightend up and walked from the kitchen into the greatroom that was furnished with fine ebony wood furniture and had a large wizarding radio on a hearth above an unlit fireplace.
"Kreacher," Harry grinned, "How'd he take being a fish?" Harry and Wayne with the help of Isobel managed to brew a potion that turned Sirius into a fish for two days. Nobody seemed inclined to change Sirius back so he stayed in a small fishbowl for the past couple of days.
Kreacher chuckled it seemed that the more Sirius recovered and with bringing the Tonks family back into the Black family Kreacher was recovering some of his own magic growing stronger and saner. Well at sane at least to Harry and the other Reavers, even Wayne. "Blissful quietness." The teens chuckled. "Mistress Bones is with Mistress Sinistra through there," He pointed to a door painted silver off to the left. Then gestured to another door that was painted in red, "Masters Harry and Wayne are through that door. Susan went to check out the room she was sharing with Aurora while Harry and Wayne disappeared into the other. The room was set up with three large four post beds one with a green bedspread had been claimed by Neville. Harry tossed his pack on the bed with the blue bedspread and Wayne tossed his onto the remaining bed which was silver. The room had a large window cut out spelled to show the outside of the tent but not the inside. Off to another side was a door that held a full bathroom.
Harry checked it out, "I love magic," he murmured.
Wayne chuckled, "Init bloody awesome. Wonder if Sirius' would let me borrow it?"
A knock sounded on the open door and they turned and saw Susan grinning at them, "Izzy's starting to bounce in place." The two boys laughed and joined Susan stepping back out the tent. Neville was standing with a hand on Isobel's shoulder somewhat holding her in place much to amusement of everyone else around the camp.
"Remus keep them away from the Caribbean camp," Aurora called as they left. Remus grinned and nodded. The group of five teens and two adults started to make their way through the crowds.
"Where to first?" Remus asked the troop.
"Have you guys seen the Weasely's? We told the twins we stop by?" Harry spoke.
"I think I saw a troop of Weasely red-heads over that way," Sirius said and cocked his thumb to the side. They moved through the tents and smaller camp sites for a good ten minutes before they heard a loud shout of "Fred and George!" Sirius snickered, "found them." The Weasley twins had come by with the others at Grimmuald place, under the guise of helping out Sirius, but really learning from the last two true Mauraders and planning with the other Reavers. They found that despite being younger than the Weasley Patriarch and Matriarch, both Remus and Sirius fought with them during the war. Arthur Weasley had been one of the first to stop by and visit Sirius on a social call. They had even had a large dinner gathering with Sirius, the Reavers, Aurora, Remus, and the rest of the Weasley's, whom were at Hogwarts.
Molly Weasley everyone agreed could cook like nobody's business and had even managed to work with Kreacher. During one supper the Reavers found out that Molly Weasley was a member of the Prewett family. The Prewett family were a solidly light family of the 'sacred-twenty eight'. The very old and very pure-blooded families of the Wizarding world. Molly and her aunt were the only two left. Molly's older twin brothers Fabian and Gideon were killed in the war. Harry, Susan, and Neville had sat down and spoken to Molly about her brothers and she in turn told them stories of their parents that the two Prewett males had related to her. Molly had even babysat the three along with her brood occasionally during the war. After that dinner Molly and Arthur had adopted the three orphaned wizards into their family offering them their support if the three teens ever needed it.
They came to a campsite where a modest tent was set up and a roaring fire was still sparking various colors and a bit widely. Arthur was shaking his head at the twins while Percy looked murderous though it was damped by the fact that he was missing one eyebrow and covered in soot. The newcomers had to hide their laughter as Percy ranted about having to meet Dumbledore.
"Well are you" Fred said followed by George, "a wizard or not?" Percy glared at them and waved his wand cleaning himself up but that did nothing to regrow his eyebrow. He jammed a hat on his had covering it and stalked off. Once he was gone the whole camp site broke into chuckles. Arthur had a long suffering look on his face.
"Was that really necessary?" He asked the twins but was answered by two more deeper voices and a more feminine one.
"Yes!" The voice's synced together. The Reavers looked and saw Ginny standing between two older Weasley boys. One was tall and lithe handsome young man with his long flame red hair pulled back into a low ponytail with a leather band that had the Weasley family crest on it. Dangling from one ear was a what looked like a dragon fang earring. The other elder Weasley had slightly shorter but jagged cut red hair. He was stocky like the twins and had on a muscle shirt that displayed impressive arms, he was covered in freckles and the occasional burn scars.
"Come on Dad he was being a prat," The eldest, whom from the twins' descriptions, was Bill spoke.
Arthur just shook his head. He turned and saw the others and smiled waving them over, "Remus, Sirius come meet my oldest sons. Hello boys and girls," He gave them all a handshake. "Bill, Charlie meet Lord Sirius Black and Remus Lupin." They all exchanged handshakes and then Arthur gestured to the teens. "Then we have Susan, Isobel, Wayne, Neville, and Harry," Arthur reeled of the names with the ease of a practiced father of many. "Friends of your brothers," the twins preened as Bill and Charlie now looked slightly worried at the mention of them, it only increased when the Reavers smirked.
"Right well at least we live in a separate country," Bill said exchanging handshakes and giving first Isobel and then Susan's offered hands a kiss. Both girls blushed, Harry unknowingly narrowed his eyes at Bill causing Sirius, Remus, and Arthur to share grins.
"Aye, George and Fred told us about Snape's prank. Well done!" Charlie said grinning. "Bloody bat should be fed to dragons." He murmured.
"We can't feed him to any of your dragons, they get indigestion," Bill quipped.
"True though that damn Horntail could do with a bit of discomfort." Charlie said rubbing a recent burn on his arm.
"Damn," Wayne whistled lowly at the burn. It looked recent and still painful.
Charlie grinned at the boy's disgusted yet impressed look, "Aye it's breeding season. Never thought being at World Cup could get even better. But being away from a hormonal pregnant Hungarian Horntail who's about to clutch is a plus."
"How many dragons on the reserve are being bred?" Remus asked.
"Five this time. Plus the Hungarian Horntail, we have a Chinese Firebolt, Swedish Short-Snout, Common Welsh Green, and a Peruvian Vipertooth."
"That's some dangerous breeds." Remus replied with wide eyes.
"Don't I bloody know it. Idiot Ministry," Charlie was cutoff by his father elbowing him in the stomach. Charlie rubbed the back of his head, "right never mind," he said noticing the look from his father. The twins looked sharply at the three elder Weasleys.
Bill chuckled and smiled winningly, "Right we told some of the old chums we meet with them so bye," he steered Charlie away from the campsite and the twins.
The twins turned to their younger friends, "They won't tell us something," Fred said.
George added, "But so far we've gotten Charlie to sleep outside," he grinned. The Reavers chuckled but it faded as Mr. Weasley fixed all the pranksters with a look.
"Which is exactly why you're not allowed to leave the campsite." Arthur stated. The twins grumbled and Ginny looked put out also. The Reavers had come to know that Ginny Weasley had just as big of a mischievous streak as her brothers and apparently was the only member of the family Bill and Charlie would not prank back. Ginny had snickered when Ron complained loudly at family dinner saying it was her perk for having to live with all the boys. Isobel crowed with her over that.
"You all can't leave the site?" Wayne asked.
"Nope we're grounded," Ginny huffed sitting next to the fire. Arthur didn't look to be the least bi slightly sorry and shared a smile with Remus and Sirius.
"You guys want us to bring you anything or get you anything?" Neville asked. "We were headed to the concessions?" The twins and Ginny looked at their dad with pleading eyes.
"Fine, one thing only!" Arthur said and the three whooped and took off into the tent. They came back with three different Gringotts bags.
"Can you get me one of those commemorative programs for the Irish?" Ginny said bouncing over to Isobel taking out some coins. Izzy nodded and pocketed the coin.
The twins were pooling their coins and seemed to be having one of their more silent conversations before they separated out a pile of coins. "Get us one of those Quigley and Connolly figurines. You know the ones that show them doing their moves." Fred and George spoke together.
"Sure mates, we'll be back in a bit." Wayne said taking the money carefully. They all said their goodbyes and the three remaining Weasley kids started to help their dad with the campsite.
"If you spot the Chasers tell 'em we said hi," Fred called out.
The fourth years and their guardians for the day left the Weasley's with a promise to drop their stuff off on the way back to their own campsite. They trekked through the rest of the English camp and made their way closer to the massive stadium. It loomed in the background of the stands. It was massive and easily dwarfed the largest buildings Harry had seen in London growing up. It was still quite a ways from the merchandise stands but a golden light seemed to emit from the stadium even during the day making it seem like a beacon.
"Wow," Isobel whispered in a bit of awe. "That's got to be the biggest pitch ever."
"They've been building it for a year now," Remus mentioned to the teens. "All the games are played in here during the tourney, so it needs to be able to hold a massive number of wizards and witches." He added. Wayne and Harry looked nodded at him thinking on how much larger it was then some of the sporting arenas in the muggle world.
As they crossed into the merchandise area the noise increased almost five-fold. There were stands everywhere selling everything from pumpkin juice to autographed racing brooms. The sellers were plying their wares in various languages as nearly every team was represented by at least one booth. Of course the majority of booths were decked out in the Irish gear followed by the Bulgarian booths.
"Programs! Get yer' programs!" A man dressed in robes bearing the Irish flag was shouting and had sparks of fireworks going off around him. He was competing with a Bulgarian seller who was decked out in red and black and had a flag featuring Viktor Krum suspended behind him.
Izzy bounced over to the Irish seller with Susan following at a more sedate pace. "Three programs," Izzy said handing over the coins as the Irish seller sent up another firecracker this one took the appearance of a leprechaun that danced a jig and stuck it's tongue out at the Bulgarian seller. Much to the amusement of the Irish fans.
"Does she ever stop bouncing," Wayne muttered to Harry and Neville.
The boys chuckled, "Nope and now she's hit the Honeydukes stand," Neville groaned.
"Right I'll go limit that," Remus said and jogged over to the two girls while the boys went in search of something to buy. The first thing they did was to pick up the figurines for Fred and George and handed them off to Sirius to hold on to.
"China look at that," Wayne said as they stepped into a tent selling in game equipment. "That's Moran's broom from the league champion win against Bellycastle four years ago. She broke the record for single game goals." The Nimbus 2000 that was on display featuring her signature had a picture of her hoisting the league trophy.
"Damn she's hot, even with Quidditch robes on," Harry admired the poster.
"Yeah," Wayne and Neville agreed.
"Pigs," They heard and turned to see Isobel and Susan standing next to them. Both girls looked annoyed at the boys. Wayne just grinned at them.
"Hey foam fingers," Harry said pointing out a vendor nearby and took off hoping to get away from Susan's annoyed look. Neville decided that was in his best interest too as Wayne set off to antagonize Izzy. Susan made a retreat as well. Harry and Neville both got foam fingers for the Irish while Harry bought himself and Susan an overlarge felt top hat in Ireland colors with leprechauns dancing on them. Neville bought himself a flashing shamrock necklace.
"Oi! Love birds get over here," Harry yelled out to Wayne and Isobel who abruptly stopped and moved five feet apart from each other.
"Arsebiscuit," Wayne chirped as the two came over. Isobel made similar purchases before the five went past some golden omnioculars. They were advertised as the latest model.
"You can replay action ... slow everything down ... and they flash up a play-by-play breakdown if you need it. Bargain - ten Galleons each." The vendor said as the teens stopped in front of them. They all looked interested but did not want to seem to spring for them especially Wayne.
"Nah I'm good," Wayne said a bit dejectedly.
Izzy pouted, "I spent my allowance already." The other four teens looked a bit worried at that.
"We noticed," Harry snarked.
"You three have any?" Sirius asked the other three. They shook their heads in the negative. "Well in that case we'll take five," Sirius said watching the expressions on the teens faces change to smiles. The vendor handed them over to the teens as Sirius paid. "Why don't we get back to the tent."
A/N:
So there you have it the opening chapter of 4th year. I don't own anything and this has not been beta'ed. Hope you enjoy