Harry Potter's Secret Weapon
**OO**
A/N: Thanks to my wonderful Beta, LtsHrIt4ThBoyz.
**OO**
Chapter 33 On the Wing of Eagles
Saturday, August 27th, Riddle Manor, Little Hangleton
The Dark Lord screamed in frustration. "I want Alastor Moody disposed of! I know it has to be him killing my people! It has to be!"
Barty Jr was actually in attendance that morning, having slipped out to get some supplies, "My lord? I assure you that Moody is quite contained. It couldn't have been him."
The dark one's eyes glowed red but made a motion for Barty to continue.
"This happened at the quidditch practice last night. Everyone said that it was an accident. The bludger hit him unexpectedly when his broom just stopped mid-air and started to fall. I don't know why he didn't apparate…Maybe he was trying to get the broom under control. The Cannons sent a nice note, and free tickets for the family…"
The crucio wasn't unexpected, and taught him what not to say. Especially with MacNair in the room.
"People! Think! Anti-apparition wards so that people don't just pop into games without buying a ticket! I want to know who was responsible for sabotaging that broom!" With the tiny hands waving, the Dark Lord looked like he was throwing a tantrum and needed a time-out.
"No one, my lord. This is not the first time that model of broom has had a problem. The company is asking for everyone who bought them to send them back for a free 'upgrade'."
'Probably going to send out last year's with a new coat of paint.' Thought several people, but no one was brave enough to speak.
"Send out a warning that no one is to buy experimental brooms in the future! This was an unnecessary death! Who was his heir? Are they marked? If not, are they approachable?"
Marius bowed and approached unhappily. He was tired! "My lord. I heard gossip at the hospital that the nephew is a French pureblood."
"Good, good. He will join us or die."
Narcissa saw the wince. "No, don't tell us, he's under oath?"
"Reginald Yaxley is a healer at Saint Martíns. He's a specialist of dark curses, my lord." Marius stated, waiting for the pain to start.
"Go to bed, healer, you look awful! And don't come to me looking like this again! People will think that I am torturing your kind!" The Dark Lord was clearly cranky and up past naptime.
"Thank you, my lord." Marius bowed, and left.
Oh, and he was a specialist in pediatric medicine, and had already been recruited for the barely started Charlus and Dorea Potter Memorial Hospital.
Healer Yaxley had helped Harry (and his team) with the numbers of what it cost to run a hospital, and promptly offered his services.
The now no longer muggleborn wanted to work in Britain, back at home.
**OO**
Saturday, August 27th, MacMillan Clan Farm
Lord MacMillan was not a man to put on airs. Well, perhaps when he was younger, and could still win at the better wrestling matches. He was too old for that nonsense, but not too old to keep a weather eye on his cows, the dairy production, or monitoring the butter color.
That perfect gold color going out insured the family gold coming in.
Reading about the quidditch disaster had him acting. Broom failures were rare, but he'd had a bad feeling and acted on it.
This was all his own fault. He had not done as he should have. He admitted it. When he was paired with the English girl by his grandfather, it was supposed to be a good match. The witch was said to be intelligent, hardworking, and had a good head for numbers.
And she had borne him a fine son. His son, that he grieved every day. A son who was not just allowed but encouraged to marry for love. It was his daughter-in-law who was daily the laughter and light of his life.
Robert rarely gave orders to his wife, but when he did, he expected them to be followed. The broom purchased was one he had specifically forbidden for safety reasons. Ernie was never going to get that broom. The boy's actions towards his sister had given the man the perfect excuse without having to work at it.
The article in the newspaper though meant that he had to now.
He had two of the younger men of the extended clan disillusioned and in the back. Her parents weren't goin' to like this, but they weren't Death Eaters.
Grace objected to being summoned, "Robert? What is this about? School is starting soon, and I have dozens of…"
The article was placed in her hands, but she clearly already had read about the accident. "I saw. Well, it's a good thing that we took his broom away."
"Two things: You bought it, and you disagreed with me about taking it away. I know for a fact that you tried to buy it again, behind my back, specifically asking for this broom back.
"I ain't asked fer much in me life. And I ain't asking now. Get out of me house. Pack what is yours. I'll move Siobhan and the boy back here. Easier for him to get to work after school helping with the cows and such. And that's where he'll be. I want ye to keep yer distance. Now, I have given ye very clear directions. If ye have questions, write 'em down, and I'll look at 'em. Later. I ain't ne'er hit ye. If ye speak to me today, I will be tempted ta take a cudgel ta ye; as I was advised to by me da as he got ta know ye.
"Now, out of here. We both have work."
"You can't do this…." Grace objected.
"That boy tried to kill his sister! If he hadn't, then he'd be the one dead, or his friends when they borrowed his broom! A broom I told ye was too new to trust!"
"The Hogwarts Quidditch pitch has charms to protect students. Look at Harry Potter! He bounced…"
"I am not arguing. I'm done with arguing. Ye should hae been a barrister rather than a cook, Grace…"
"Baker! I'm a baker!" she argued.
"Fine. I'll let the Ministry know that Grace Baker has moved into the shop. Yer parents ain't happy with me, but I am separating. A year and a day of peace for me."
"And then we have to reconcile!" The woman looked triumphant.
"Don't be so quick to assume I'll just surrender and let ye resume the same path ye been on. And remember that all will be watchin' ya. Ye hae ne'er tried to make anyone happy 'cept yourself and that spoilt lad. I ne'er asked for much, but I tried to show love in the wrong way by lettin' ye have yer way. That ends now. 'Cause of ye, I lost my Clarice. She has easily forgiven me, and we talk everyday again. If ye want to reconcile, then things will have to, have to change."
With that, he called the elves. She'd have one for a personal servant, the one she brought to the marriage, and she'd be given the shop. He'd assign one of the trust vaults to her. She'd be angry about being cut off from the MacMillan treasure and whatnot, but he could hae lost his grandson.
The lad might not be the heir, but he carried the family name. And if Clarice couldn't hae bairns of her own, his children might be the future lord or lady of the House.
The thought of losing either of his precious grandchildren had him reaching for sword and wand. Grace would mind her step in future. Or else.
**OO**
Saturday, August 27th, Gringotts, London
Harry Potter was looking around the 'OOTP' Gringotts vault his father had started back in the day that James had put spending limits on. Winky had told him the 'secret' key to getting into the vault, and Harry was mesmerized. His father, James had started this vault for the good of British magicals.
Harry intended to use it just for that purpose to honor his father.
There were antique toys, exclusive, one-of-a-kind collectibles, and the most expensive of Harry's stolen gifts. How hateful of the old man to not even offer to return any of these presents to him.
Clearly, anything 'common' had been sold ages ago. These things were kept in stasis to sell later. An investment with very high rewards for just a bit of time.
Harry admired the hippogriff toy that activated upon his touch. It looked just like one of Buckbeak's babies, pure black, and beautiful. Sirius saw him hesitate, so he picked it up for Harry's room.
There were shrunken trunks with Wills here - Wills that Gringotts had not seen! Spurnik, who was with them to help do an inventory growled at those, but Harry patted his arm.
"Please sir. The less said the better. Another opportunity for Moonsgate, and our pool cleaning project." Harry was referring of course to the gene pool. Too many pureblood cousins and even siblings had married one another. Harry almost felt sorry for Merope Gaunt, and would have if she hadn't potioned Tom Riddle Sr. She was supposed to marry her very ugly and very evil brother. Calladora had filled Harry in on her research into Tom Marvolo Riddle. He continued, "You know what a boon that could be for the goblins."
Spurnik cut off the grumbling, but collected up those parchment. He was here at his own request and helping. Goblins were immune to compulsions, and this vault had been held for years by a master manipulator. He was here to protect the lad if possible which is why HE found a letter that was hidden to the rest of the hu-mons.
"Lord and Heir Black? I have something peculiar here. An intercepted letter addressed to a young Harry Potter.
**OO**
A golden eagle was embossed in faint gold tones on the background of the once creme colored vellum; now yellowing with age. The seal was also of an eagle. The letter was dated February 14, 1985
'My Darling Great-Grandson Harry, yes, even though you are Darlene's godson, we think of you as ours, and so I address you as such, as I have said in previous letters.
'I leave for the ICW. Calladora Black has entreated me to stay and go out to dinner here in Paris. But I have to try once again. I just found out that Albus Dumbledore is allowing your businesses to fall into debt, and I suspect I know why.
'My darling boy, I just want you to know that I am trying to get you back. We are trying to get you back. I have written to several people in Britain, but I think something or someone is interfering with me, as each one contacted claims to not know me or your godmother.'
'We will not give up. We didn't stop contending against Grindelwald, and we will always stand up for what is right. Your father and grandfather were Gryffindors for a reason. My husband's family heraldry includes a rampant lion. So like a lioness, I will fight for you.
'Though my animagus form is a golden eagle, (shh, don't tell your school mates, hehe) something that has been used in MY family line as part of the heraldry. I'll tell you more when you are older. But like a raptor, your enemies should fear me.
'Sending you my love, dear boy.
'Your loving gran. (I'm too young to be a great-grandmother.)'
Béatrice Beauharnais
Harry called for Nobby.
"Nobby? Remember you told me you received a letter for Lord Malfoy from a strange bird. One that was sad, and you haven't seen it since. Please, please. This is very important. Do you know who that letter was from?"
Nobby nodded, he remembered! "It was sealed with the heraldry from the House of Orléans."
Sirius nearly fell, "Harry, you don't think…"
"Why not? Look at Darlene's form. We have to try. I wasn't paying attention, but his eagle left every time I entered. Every time! That has got to be an enchantment."
Sirius nodded, "But Nobby got close!"
"I think… that very carefully, and very temporarily, she needs to be given a sleeping draught so we don't kill her. I don't know the spell to reverse an animagus transformation. Do you?"
Sirius pondered. "Yes, I do. But I think this is something more."
Padfoot continued. "I think the smartest thing is to bring her to Gringotts Paris and hire a curse-breaker. Harry, I don't say it often enough. You're a genius."
The wizards looked at Spurnik, "I didn't understand anything, but you want a curse-breaker to come to Gringotts? I can arrange that, anywhere in the world," the account manager averred.
"Paris, sir. Now, please? We could arrange for a carriage. Nobby, we need a cage large enough for the bird please. Oh dear. If this is a prank, it's a mean one. If it isn't, this is criminal, and going to impact several people." Sirius opined.
Harry nodded, and sent Nobby to the wandmaker with an urgent request the minute that the appointment was confirmed.
**OO**
Saturday, August 27th, ICW, Paris
Arthur was an affable man who ran a tight meeting. The first thing voted on was the timing of the tournament.
Ralph, Bertha's husband, and Molly along with others at the resort hotel that Penny arranged, were going on a bus tour of Paris this morning while Bertha and Arthur met with the heads of the school to plan the tournament. They intended to meet up for lunch with everyone later on.
Everyone agreed that the Yule ball, held Saturday December 17th, the weekend before Yule was the perfect ending of the tournament; they would have a nice late lunch the day after on Sunday, December 18th, say farewells and return home. Parfait!
Antonin wanted archery - it was still a skill taught, and would prefer to have it while mounted, but recognized that Britain did not teach it. A quick mirror call, and horses were arranged for, with an agreement that students new to equines would be given lessons, and have the option to compete in the tournament on foot. He was very pleased. No live targets, and all other targets well away from any students.
Maxime wanted an obstacle course, over shallow water, which needed to use transfiguration, charms, and conjuring to make it through. No monsters to face, just times, with penalties for getting wet. She provided a diagram and scoring matrix. They all quickly accepted that. They decided to add prank potions along with helpful potions as a mix (becoming lighter or suddenly much heavier).
Minerva suggested a round where control of an object was key; like transfiguring a small animal and having it run through a maze that people could actually see - use omnioculars like they did at the World Cup or something. Bertha handed her a diagram of something similar used in Spain for hedgehog racing, and adaptations were quickly made. Scoring in two parts; one for the conjuration/transfiguration, and another set for control and speed getting out.
Arthur cleared his throat, "I hope that you will support some of Bertha's other ideas for the 'international cooperation' component. We also didn't consider it to be a true meeting of 'allied' schools, to limit this part of the Tournament to only those chosen by the Cup. For example, several of Beauxbatons' students are studying dance…"
"As are mine!" Dolohov interjected.
Arthur made notes and nodded, "And while we have no formal classes, some of our students are very talented in the arts."
"And singing!" Bertha added.
"That too. What does everyone think of having an opening ceremony with our champions doing a display - no points, or perhaps a few students from each school?"
Another international event with teams from the schools was potions - given ingredients, come up with a potion.
Those both were quickly agreed to as well. Minerva talked about the quidditch season being canceled, and all voted to have some kind of inter-school competition.
They had three tasks, and three cooperative tasks; art, potions, and quidditch. Though quidditch would take more than one day.
Dumbledore never did show up. Minerva would give him the copy of the minutes later. If she remembered. They all signed their contracts together after a hired specialist (Minerva winked at Dharma Briokz in greeting) explained them, and showed that there were no hidden caveats.
They signed, shook hands, and agreed to meet at Hogwarts in less than a month.
The TriWizard tournament was a go!
**OO**
Guierre was not in the habit of putting his familiar in a cage. But the note was so intensely written, and he did trust the source. He recognized Harry's handwriting.
Taking his golden eagle, he hooded her first, something he sometimes did when they traveled, and she complained not at all.
It wasn't until the door shut and locked that the eagle squawked at her treatment.
"It's only for a short carriage ride, my beauty. We've done this before."
The footman was familiar; Ah. Calladora's coach; the short ride was fraught with emotion.
The curse-breaker met them in a conference room. One spell, and Guierre had an inkling of what was going on.
"What? What!?"The duke demanded.
"Take him out of here! These bracers are evil; I need time alone, gentlemen."
Sirius and Harry were inside, but they were silenced and de-scented, but they immediately felt compelled to leave. Sirius just had time to thrust a pair of protection bracelets into the curse-breaker's hand as they were all hustled out of the room. Harry felt it; he was not to be near that bird. Not now, not ever. Harry had a feeling that Sirius was also one of the people that weren't allowed near the bird.
The duke had tears in his eyes as the letter was forced into his hands. The man clearly hadn't understood the situation, but reading the letter had him shocked.
"This is…This is the date that my wife died at the ICW in Bern."
Sirius put a gentle hand on the man's shoulder. "We suspect sir, that she was never killed. But forced into that form. Why? Several reasons come to mind. You were one of the most powerful politicians in France at the time; you had the gold to muster armies. You would have kept looking for Harry and would not let up."
"So he took away my raison d'etre." The duke breathed. "He took away my wife. He took away my very life from me."
A few minutes later, an assistant came to escort them to the hospital wing. Another opened the door and gestured the three males into the room. Inside, was a familiar curse-breaker, Bill Weasley, and a couple of goblin healers.
There was a woman on a hospital bed in the otherwise stark room. Still in the robes that she had worn that terrible day in Switzerland, the witch was nearly a decade older, She opened up her arms weakly to her love; the man that she had never left, never stopped loving. His constant companion all this time.
The duke approached the bed, collapsed to the side of it, weeping. He held her hand, kissing it over and over and weeping ysilently. She was really there; Warm. Alive. It was her eyes. Her face. It was a miracle.
The man stood with the aid of the young curse-breaker, and he leaned over to gently kiss his wife's lips.
"Giurre! My love!"
"Béatrice! My heart!"
The man crawled up onto the bed, suddenly wider as Harry used his wand without permission. No one in the room noticed or complained.
The rest of the people shuffled out of the room shedding tears, sharing hugs.
Sirius pulled out his mirror and called his wife, and had her call her mother. "Get everyone here, I have a feeling that we're going to need some time in Saint Martín's, you are not going to believe what we found in the vault."
**OO**
Begin Flashback of Beatrice's attack
Years of trying, and feeling weaker after every time she did try. Wrung out. But this time was different. The main Potter business, something that had been a vital and going concern since before the Battle of Hastings, was folding.
The agitated great-grandmother immediately sent a draft to a trusted educator to purchase as much as she could and had gold transferred to her. But she had to try once more.
"Dumbledore! Potter's Pottery! How could you allow this to happen! I'm giving you one chance in private to make this right, or I'm going in there to tell everyone what you have been up to!"
"My dear girl, you look quite peaked." He stated with calculation; not concern.
Beatrice suddenly felt weak, one of her 'dizzy spells' and Dumbledore, acting solicitous, guided her to a runic-decorated chair that only he could see the magic of.
As the runes were touched by his hidden wand, an eagle appeared in the chair with a distressed cry, and the chair was converted to a perch.
Another set of sickly golden runes was quickly etched on the still dazed bird, producing a tether that locked around the eagle's neck. It held the animagus in place as he placed the runic bracers on her extended forelegs. The magnificent golden bird wept, its tears of despair rolling down her beak and horror in her anomalous blue-green eyes The same she had as the elder stateswoman a moment before.
"If I killed you, there would be consequences. No, I leave you alive. Here, take this letter to your husband. He needs to be informed of your 'death'.
"I warned you to leave Harry Potter alone, and leave this be. You would not listen. This is on your head, not mine. Harry has a destiny."
The letter would obliviate every one who read it of what Béatrice had been up to. Yes. He would have to deal with Guierre separately.
End Flashback
**OO**
Saturday, August 27th, Riddle Manor Library
The baby-like thing was propped up in a chair, and using magic to read a very dark and nasty tome from the Nott library. Narcissa came in and curtseyed.
"Ah, my dear. Are you in much pain?"
"No my lord. Your concern is noted."
Lucius had been told to leave Narcissa alone. She was his, not Lucius' anymore. He might have to marry a royal out of necessity, but this woman held his interests.
"I have a plan to refill your weak core. Restore you. You will be adopted into House Pucey in a ritual. A House that will give you strong magic."
"Thank you my master!" Narcissa fell to her knees and kissed his robe.
"I want you to study this ritual to restore me to a body. I will recruit more followers soon. They will aid me in my quest to take over the world, and set things right."
The entity pointed to a book, and immediately Narcissa was engrossed in her task.
With Bella out of Azkaban, she was free to marry who she liked now. They would be a family, her, the Dark Lord and herself. With Bella torturing the little mudblood by the fire for Yule.
It would be glorious!
**OO**
Saturday, August 27th, ICW
The High Council had already approved the Triwizard Tournament, and everyone wanted to keep an eye on it after learning that dragons had been ordered for the supposedly 'secret' event. Arthur Weasley and his assistant Bertha Jorkins had both taken oaths that morning that they would do everything possible to ensure the safety of all students.
The Heads of all of the schools were meeting there in the new building. Dumbledore was going to be kept in magical suppression cuffs and have a minder his entire time there. He wouldn't be allowed anywhere alone, not even to use the loo.
Dumbledore showed up an hour after the meeting had started, but he had to still go through the safety protocols. The Sargent d'Arms Anderson wanted to question the old wizard about the old building!
Anderson had the most vociferous of arguments with the Supreme Mugwump. He did not get permission for veritaserum questioning, but wanted his memories used of the visit to allow it!
It was rather funny: Albus` portkeying to Bern to see the ruins of the building that his lover had desecrated with his desire for world domination. But even there, Dumbledore was not alone.
The old man's face said it all, but they were not allowed to question him. And he was rather annoyed at how he was being treated. He had no idea that he was in for an interesting day.
"I have never seen a man try to start a war with his foot in his mouth. Most impressive, Dumbledore." The new ICW Supreme Mugwump stated.
Of course, Bagman wasn't the only one to lose a post recently.
Albus refused to swear on his magic that he had nothing to do with the control runes in the old ICW building. Worse, he refused to take the oath of office that was now required of all delegates and members to even enter the new ICW building.
Without that oath, he couldn't act as the British liaison, much less hold another office like Supreme Mugwump. Or even ICW janitor. Or attend the Triward Tournament meeting. Something he was supposed to be doing that morning!
Nor had he paid for a new elf after dismissing a perfectly serviceable one without going through the normal protocols. The man was a menace, and acted as though he was magical royalty!
Albus had his own opinion of himself; that HE had a great responsibility to the Wizarding World! He couldn't take an oath that had him restricted from acting as HE saw fit. He couldn't risk losing his magic.
It was such a harsh penalty for something so minor.
Arggh!
Because of his refusal to cooperate, Albus missed out on the Triwizard meeting; and missed out on the activities planned for everyone afterwards.
Too bad, as the group had a lot of fun.
**OO**
Fortunately for Albus, he had left the building just minutes before one of the Black security team came with a message regarding charges that were about to be filed against the wizard who fell just short of a dark lord. Charges for his attack on Duchess and ICW member Béatrice Beauharnais back in February of 1985.
The news was shared with the new Supreme Mugwump. Albus did what? Of course he did.
Dumbledore was going to be up on charges. Locking a woman in her animagus form to stop her from taking Harry Potter away? She was attacked in the ICW building!
"The Duke must be livid! He is filing charges at the Ministry?" The clerk working at security questioned.
"Yes, but look at what happened with Malfoy. And that man is a marked Death Eater. Was recorded casting an AK at unconscious aurors in long term care. Dumbledore is treated as the de facto king in England. Those in charge in Britain will act to protect its pureblood citizens. And no one else it seems." The newest recruit for House Black shared.
"Well, this needs to be turned over to my boss for certain. But for myself, if I see Dumbleodre in this building again, I will have him detained. He can't get away with this!"
**OO**
Gringotts Hospital, Paris
The family didn't know what to do; stay in France or return to Britain. Aunt Calladora was staying with them at Blackmoor, and Harry had school starting soon.
Guierre left his recovering wife's side long enough to talk to Sirius and Darlene, and of course Harry.
"Without your help, we would never have known. I know you want to blame yourself for not finding this earlier. But how many times did you think to go before you actually went?"
"It was after I got my new bracers done. Harry and I were both wearing them." Sirius mused.
"It was likely something that we might never find now, subtly trying to keep you away from that vault. Béatrice is going to need treatment and be in the hospital for a couple of weeks. Juliette will be beside herself. Getting Sofia ready for Beauxbatons, and now this news.
"Short visits are all they are allowing right now, Darleeng. So, please, return after Harry is safely back in school?" Guierre requested.
Harry gave his grandfather a hug. Best leave now before Sofia was brought here to visit by her mother. Harry was feeling angry and didn't want accidental magic blowing her up when this time, she hadn't done anything wrong.
Well, not yet!
**OO**
Monday, August 29th, MoM
NPG Araminta Carrow, (Graduated Alicia Davis, Gryffindor class of '88) was now the head of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts. The House of Carrow could be headed by a witch or wizard like the House of Bones, and she would be taking her seat soon in the Wizengamot.
The Carrow twins, Alecto and Amycus, had lost the House due to their convictions even though they had been released years before. The House had no vault, no money to speak of. Just a name from the Sacred twenty-eight. And a broken shack on a bit of sparse land that not even Neville could get to produce crops. She had let them stay; taking pity upon their pleas with all goodwill.
They met in person in Gringotts with Araminta's account manager, and a guard present.
The only conditions to keeping their windy, cold, drafty hut on the sea were 1) they were to never raise a wand against her in anger. And 2) they had to see a mind-healer at least three times each. When Amycus Carrow heard that Araminta wanted him to see Healer Aiden Lynch, he froze.
"No, no, no. I don't think so. No. No." Amycus refused to say why, but he would rather go back to Azkaban.
"Well then, go to who you like, but you need to see a counselor and talk about the violence issues!" Araminta insisted.
Amycus tried to hit the woman, but the goblin guard objected to that and pushed him back into his chair. At least the twins had been disarmed.
"Amycus! Behave! She could legally take everything! I accept the conditions." Alecto swore the oath, trying not to glare at Araminta. The sister left the bank, getting her checked wand back, after telling her brother, "I'm going to the market and getting ingredients for a nice stew. You do what you like!"
Alecto clearly wanted to crucio this shirt-tale relative, but was smarter than the average death eater and did the arithmancy. Playing nice now allowed her to keep her home, as sad as it was. She could figure out how to get around the oaths later.
Amycus churned.
Without dementors, Azkaban would merely be unpleasant. He had no desire to lose his magic, which is what would happen when he attacked and killed a healer in frustration. Mind-healing? There was nothing WRONG with him. Or his sister.
Araminta had debated getting them to take an oath against serving the Dark Lord, but Lord Black had a devious plan in the works and promised that in a couple of months it would be taken care of.
"I'll swear but I don't like it." Amycus stood. He then turned to the goblin. "You are strong in here, but one day, we'll meet outside, where I'll be armed."
Sage just smirked, "Outside the bank, I will still be just as strong, just as armed, humon pig. Begone from this place. Oh. And have a nice day."
Araminta snapped around to look at the goblin, but Sage was completely unrepentant.
**OO**
Miss Carrow returned to her desk in the Ministry. Director of Misuse of Muggle artifacts. It bothered her that she was made the director when Mr Perkins had seniority. But she talked to him, and he didn't want to have to go to meetings. He had been offered, but declined the promotion. That made her feel better.
She didn't want this job; she wanted to enchant things, but had been bribed by Lord Black. She had been learning from the same obscure books that were Harry's only source of information at the moment. And this job was dealing with a lot of random and sometimes outright vicious enchantments, charms and transfigurations.
She'd be helping with Some Enchanted Evening, the new business, as a designer. Like Sirius, she had no desire to reproduce the same thing over and over. That was Kevin Rosier's job. Her tasks would be more to her liking - the actual figuring out how to get the magic to work. But there were dues to be paid for being taught this most obscure magic.
Sirius would give her lessons if she was Department Head. One lesson a week for a year, for as long as she hung in there. Arthur wanted the Games Director job for as long as that stupid tournament was around in order to protect his and the other children at Hogwarts!
After the first week, she knew that she was going to love her job, and felt like a bit of a fraud. She knew she wouldn't quit for as long as Arthur wanted to work as Director for Games and Sports.
But she didn't stop going to lessons either.
**OO**
Wednesday, August 31st, Blackmoor Hall
Harry was packed and ready to go. He had read through some of Charlus Potter's notes on the device, but it was more guesses of where the device might be, and places he had looked. None of the books were actually healing books. Disappointing. Chaz did make some amazing finds in Egypt, some with his best mate Alastor. There were even pictures of the two of them. Odd seeing Mad-eye so young and so whole.
The family 'party' tonight was like many nights in their home. They ate dinner, did a little dancing. Played some games, including a charades game that was popular in France. Aunt Calladora was very good at guessing for some reason, even when it was a modern subject. Harry liked teaming up with her.
Remus and Clarice were talking with him in low tones, "Harry, I know that ye didn't know we were going to be healed. I also know that you weren't directly involved in the healing process. But without ye, we'd still be pariahs. Now, we don't know if we can have children of our own, but we could now legally adopt. Thank ye, Heir Potter, for giving us our home, our new life. Our new hope for the future. We wanted ye to have a little gift for yer dorm room."
Harry was given one of the pranking tins. Harry opened it carefully. Inside was homemade biscuits. Wait, there were the sesame seeds. No worm bits. No cockroach legs sticking out (even though it was just toffee and chocolate, Harry couldn't eat those. They twitched.).
"What's wrong with them?" Harry asked, clearly dubious.
"That's the best part! Yer dorm mates will leave them be! Everyone will think they're pranked, and you'll be eating them when YOU want a treat."
"Brilliant. Just brilliant. Thank you."
Clarice had shared all of her baking secrets with a small horde of free elves. Elves that were using Winky's Welcome to come up with new treats for the Pranking Parlor.
Hugs were shared, and Darlene and Sirius let Harry get ready for bed without them in the room, but they went in for one last story before tucking Harry in.
It was how many sleeps until Yule?
**OO**
Thursday, September 1st, Hogwarts Express Farewell, King's Cross Rail Station
Aunt Calladora had stayed with them in Wiltshire for the last few days before school.
She refused to allow Sirius and Darlene to accompany them to King's Cross –no matter how many additional hardened Black security personnel were there–, so Harry had to say his goodbyes at home. He was taking a portkey straight to the station.
Umbridge was on the loose, and Sirius still couldn't conjure a patronus. Death Eaters were supposedly about, including the psycho Bellatrix, and the adults just wanted to move Harry to a different school.
He wisely pointed out that another school wouldn't have Death Eater children in attendance, giving them even more reason to attack. At least at Hogwarts, the unmarked supporters would be a deterrent for any direct attack.
Hermione had spent the last several days mostly with her parents. So at least he had something to look forward to in being back with her. The Grangers arrived in time for breakfast. Her parents were moving to the manor until Yule. Unless called in for a job.
Harry and Hermione's reunion hug was long and warm.
Sirius handed over a basket of food packed by Jam and a nice sized bag of sickles that Harry put in his pocket.
"My mum refused to allow me a decent meal or any treats on the train. Make sure that your friends know that I insisted."
"Thank you, Lord Black. I am sure that my companions will enjoy your generosity very much." Harry bowed, the epitome of the proud Heir of the House. Aunt Calladora had to have a variety of pictures taken for her mantle. Darlene was trying to smile, but in reality, she was fighting tears.
This summer had at least one or two days that were a taste of the life she had dreamed of, and now Harry was going back to school! Percy had earned an O in Divination - both OWL and NEWT scores. He had predicted it. And despite their honest efforts, it was still a school that held Albus Dumbledore.
And despite the oaths and the contracts, it was still going to be dangerous for Harry and Hermione. But that was true for them even at a party at home. So the parents couldn't just keep them there to keep them safe.
Darlene reassured Harry that Neville had different security coming from Cherry Hill for himself and his gran. Not that many were brave enough to face Dowager Lady Longbottom.
With final hugs, Harry and Hermione left to catch the train to Hogwarts, Kingsley and Tonks accompanying them, and both wearing the private security battle robes with the House Black sigil.
**OO**
Thursday, September 1st, London
After seeing their brood off to school, Molly returned home but Arthur wanted to get some more stamps before returning to work.
Bertha Jorkins' husband was a philatelist, and had gotten Arthur completely hooked. At least it was all easily replaceable stamps that he had first started collecting - he had licked them and stuck them on the page!
The avid collector had visibly shuddered, and showed him how to properly mount the replacements. Arthur turned beet red in embarrassment whenever he thought of that moment –which was every time he opened his collection. And likely would, at least until a bit of time had passed.
The random batch of stamps he got were bright and colorful. One of the people behind him saw the page he'd just purchased, and stepped out of the queue. "I'll give you a hundred pounds for that sheet there."
Arthur was not stupid, and shook his head. He quickly returned to the office, and told Bertha about it. She immediately invited him and Molly over for dinner.
What the eagle-eyed man spotted was something that Arthur did not.
Of the three batches that he purchased, two had a printing flaw, a misprint. He quickly gave Ralph Jorkins the other flawed sheet.
"This could be a nice retirement for us both if there aren't many of these!" Ralph proclaimed.
After the redheads left, her husband asked Bertha, "Why would Arthur just give me this? It's clearly already worth about ten thousand, and might be a lot more in the future."
"You taught him the joy of this hobby. Much better than collecting electrical plugs and rubber ducks!" Which had them both stop for a chuckle. "He's a good man. Do you know what a perfect gift would be? Doing what we do when we travel. Get him a nice array of local stamps. He'll be thrilled."
Ralph smiled. While the Mrs clearly had reservations about being in a muggle home, Arthur did not. And Molly had promised to have them over to the Burrow, though warned them it was a bit more rustic than the chic townhome the Jorkins owned.
With the tasks needing finalization, Molly and Ralph were both aware that there were evening meetings in their future. At least, unlike some spouses, they could actually participate in this and their voices would be heard.
**OO**
Hogwarts Express
Adrian Pucey had inside information about the express. He found the right compartment, hit the hidden rune, and suddenly there was a huge room! Not quite as big as the game room, but there were seats and tables aplenty.
Tonks escorted Harry and Hermione, bowing them in. "Yer Graces! Pleased to welcome ye aboard. We are not worthy."
"Where's my bag of pranked coins when I need them?" Harry asked Hermione. He allowed her first choice of seats, plunking down next to her. His well-warded trunk was shrunken and in Tonks' pocket.
Let Draco or one of his goons try and get into it there! His old school trunk, pranked to the brim, was floated to the storage area. Yes, that should do.
Neville came up the corridor just then, flanked by more security people. He was greeted by Harry's guards with nods, then the two sets of guards all folded arms and looked vicious at each other for a moment. Harry conjured sunglasses for everyone. Where was that camera? Then they all shook hands and laughed. Shacklebolt moved aside from his position in the doorway as Adrian was acting as director in waving their friends to the train carriage.
Luna Lovegood shyly asked if she could come in and was warmly welcome. Others from the summer parties were supposed to be here soon, before the train actually left.
"Harry!" Astoria ran and gave Harry a hug before remembering that they were supposed to act distant to each other in front of others.
"Hey, Astoria. It's great to see you. Is Daphne coming in?" Harry asked.
Tonks did a quick scan of her trunk before putting it on a convenient shelf in an open closet. The other open door, opposite, was a private loo! Where was this carriage when she was in school?
Evelyn waved Astoria to a seat near her next to a window. Astoria nodded, but wanted to ask Harry a question before sitting down.
"Did you hear about the new quidditch team coming? The Blackmoor Basilisks. That's the same name as your home, isn't it?" Astoria burbled.
"New quidditch?" Ron was at the door, frowning. He wasn't being let in, but Adrian and Daphne squeezed past. "Why are there snakes in our carriage?"
Neville had stood to help Adrian with Daphne's trunk and allow the ladies to choose seating preferences. He gave Ron a concerned look before asking a question.
"Ron? Did you forget your protection bracers?" They were an advanced bracelet that had anti-summoning charms.
"What are you talking about?" Ron showed the man's watch. Kevin Rosier had come up with a manufacturing process that allowed for one rune set to be duplicated and etched on just about anything.
Ron was protected, so no, he was just being a prat. Again. He clearly wanted to demand that anyone with a snake on their robes to leave, so dithered by the doorway. Neville gave him a very exasperated look.
When Blaise Zabini, Tracey Davis, Millicent Bulstrode, and Michael Corner showed up and were allowed in, he left without saying anything more.
Harry sighed. A part of him missed his first friend. But Healer Lynch had helped him see that he saw more good in Ron than was there because he represented an image, an icon, that Harry had always wanted to have. A real friend.
If Ron came back and minded his manners, he'd be welcome. But if not, oh, well.
Cedric sent word, via Susan and Hanna, that he was meeting Cho and they hadn't seen each other all summer, so would see them at the end of the ride.
Hermione got out the cards for the magical version of Scattergories that she'd found in France. Fortunately, it was both in English and French.
"Does anyone want to play in French?" Hermione asked cautiously.
There were several ayes, and she blushed, taking out cards. Astoria teamed up with her sister and Evelyn, while Blaise teamed up with Millie and Tracey.
Luna offered to partner with Harry since they both were still learning, and Hermione was fluent. With his betrothed's nod of approval, he accepted.
Harry was very happy that there were no glares or cold glances from Tracey anymore. In fact, everyone was getting along just fine.
There was a picnic basket for luncheon, a bag of sickles for treats later when the cart came by. And more friends kept popping in and out to play games, chat or say hello.
It was the best ride to school in memory for a lot of the students.
**OO**
Thursday, September 1st, Beauxbatons
Colin Creevy was enjoying his first day inside the palace of Beauxbatons. The palace only had three levels compared to the many many of Hogwarts, but was wider.
At least all of his classes seemed to be clustered together.
Finally! There she was!
He'd kept an eye open for her. Fred and George had written to him to be sure to say 'hello' to Sofia Fenwich. As in Harry's godsister.
They said it so casually. Harry Potter, Colin's patron, had a godsister?! And she went to this school! They might even take classes together as they were the same age!
Seeing the beautiful witch in a float chair, Colin approached cautiously.
He bowed, "Mademoiselle Fenwich? Bonjour. I am Colin Creevy. I just wanted to say hello. I'm sorry you were hurt. If I can help you in any way I will be happy to. I am just so excited to meet you. In person."
Just who was this boy?
"What? Who are you?" Sofia demanded in a harsh tone.
"I'm here only because Harry Potter thinks my pictures are great, and he's going to start a photography studio and hire me to take pictures! So I have to learn all I can about art, but that wasn't going to happen at Hogwarts. They don't offer classes like that. Wow! It's so exciting to meet you! I hope that we can become good friends!"
Sofia had no idea who this little boy was. And then she found out that they were going to be taking at least one class together! Ugh!
This pest was just annoying and asking to be swatted.
**OO**
Thursday, September 1st, Queen Vicky's
Queen Vicky's was unusually quiet after the last few weeks since the letters came out. During the summer, several girls were disappointed that they couldn't buy 'ready-made' designer dresses. Adrian had bowed and come up with the perfect statement, "You are so unique, my lady, that we need to ask our designer to come up with something just as unique as you. You'll get them delivered to you at Hogwarts, with a final fitting, all while being served tea and our famous private label shortbread. Imagine the envy of your classmates as YOU are called down to be waited upon."
The 'designer' fees were high, and Madam Malkin's was selling 'boring' dresses for much less.
The wonder of magical fitting. The seamstresses would be busy, busy for a time, but the Yule ball wasn't until, well, the weekend before Yule. One of the former Prewitt elves had a great talent at clothes making and was hired to sew there.
Eva's friend Lolly, not only sewed for the shop, she was teaching other rescued elves how to do so in her free time. So once they were ready to be free, they would know that they had a talent that could be used to earn a real wage.
Several of the workers had gone to wave off Adrian, Evelyn, Lavender, and Parvati on the train back to Hogwarts. They got back, some hiding tears as Silvia was, and the industry of the shop returned to normal.
Heir Black had even sent over a gift basket for lunch, telling Sylvia that Adrian and Evelyn were lucky to have a brilliant mum like her. How kind, and on a day her heart was hurting!
The tinkling of the bell really shouldn't have sounded so happy; it should have sounded like a death knell. The door was suddenly full of angry wizard, wand in hand, and casting before demanding anything.
The front mannequin, displaying a delightful confection of lavender and lace was now in pieces; the dummy exploded into bits; the shrapnel, some on fire, whizzing around the room. Flames and smoke caused panic.
"You! All of you ezept my wife, leaff now, or die!" Marcus Pucey drunkenly screamed; waving his wand around.
Her pendant! Her pendant! She had taken it off when she was working on the hat, and left it at her millinery station!
The frightened elves popped friends and valuable materials away, but they didn't go far. Before Silvia had a chance to get to her pendant to call for help, Lolly popped close to the bank, and was soon running the short distance from the bottom step to the door of the goblin bank.
No one was rude enough to pop into Gringotts without an appointment or permission.
Running to the desk where magicals could hire Security Trolls, she yelled for help. The troll scratched its head in confusion, but BloodRage pulled out his mirror.
"Finally! Attack in Diagon! I claim first blow!"
Sage, exploding from the stairs a moment later saw Lolly in tears trying to hire help at the guard station.
"Forget the Trolls, elf! Go to Lord Black, and tell him what is going on!"
Lolly stopped pulling her ears and popped to Winky.
By the time the House could rally, the fight was over.
**OO**
A meaty hand was on Silvia's arm. She herself was in a very plain work tunic with a pocketed smock over it. Hat-making was her talent, and it was a messy occupation. Which is why she had removed the pendant to begin with - she didn't want to ruin it!
Silvia was screaming for aid from nearby neighbors.
"Youse commit to my new home, now! Yer MY wife. And ahm closin' yer shop. Permanly!"
The front window exploded outwards in a spray of dangerously sharp projectiles, that was followed up by a thrown object that started a fire in the back that grew quickly.
A goblin came in just then, "Get away from the witch!"
"You dare! You beasht! You innerferin' with MY bidnuss. Begone…"
Silvia had been trying to reach for the pendant and calling for help, when suddenly, the hand holding her was gone from her arm.
It was also gone from her husband's arm, and BloodRage had new splatters for his armor.
The goblin dragged the marked Death Eater outside. No reason to mess up the shop more than necessary. And it was a good lesson to the magicals groveling behind their doors. Cowards! Didn't they hear the woman shouting for help? All of them were armed, and not one came to help.
"Lemme go! Lemme go! Youse got no righsh to toushin' me, animalsh!"
The next objection was stopped before it could start as the goblin warrior cleanly took off the man's head.
Silvia fainted to the floor just as Sage got there. BloodRage pulled the witch out of the burning shop. He'd seen elves packing but now waved them out of danger.
Lord and Lady Black, Remus, Percy, and Karr had all popped in just as the aurors managed to finally rally. Darlene ran to Silvia, arm clearly bruised, and tried to ignore the decapitated corpse.
She shouted at a nearby auror that had been on patrol. He had already been summoned by the sounds, "Do something! There are women and children here that do not need to see that!"
Proudfoot nodded, and set up a screen, but until it was released, wouldn't do anything else.
The fire suppression squad finally got there.
"Took long enough! What is wrong with you people?" The auror shouted.
Dawlish drawled, "Leave off Proudfoot! Not everyone has everything ready to hand. This wasn't expected!"
"Isn't that the point of a squad like yours? How do you…" Darlene was silenced by her husband who had come up to her side quietly enough that he hadn't been noticed by anyone yet.
"Sorry, my love, but not all aurors can be trusted. Step lightly. And do let us retreat soon. I don't like how long it took them either. Very suspicious."
Help arrived too late for the shop, but the goblins had done their job. Sage tried to cheer up her husband.
"No fair! Only one death eater! Well, my mate. You need to learn how to share better."
"It's not my fault that he has no friends to help him attack an innocent. Where's the daughter? Where is she!" BloodRage looked around. He knew the elves would have taken the girl first before materials and such. He worried the girl had been hurt.
"She's on the Express. Her birthday is the 8th, and Lord Black petitioned for early admittance since she's so smart." Seeing the shop being tended to, Sage tried to further distract her mate." She'll be in Miss Lovegood's house." Sage informed.
"She won't. She's a snake. How'd you like a little wager?" BloodRage leaned in. "But it won't be for gold."
He waggled his eyebrows.
Sage's look turned sultry. "You, fresh from battle, want to wager with me? I'll take that bet."
Of course, seeing the beheaded corpse on the ground and the fainted witch in front of the burning shop, being attended to by Lolly and Darlene, they did the logical thing. Auror Dawlish arrested Sirius Black.
Lady Greengrass, who had watched the entire event from the upper story of her offices, and was one of the people who had floo'd the aurors for help, wanted to facepalm. Or slap the auror.
Sonorus engaged, Lady Greengrass took a moment to state, "I saw the whole thing! Look at the attacker's arm! He's a Death Eater! He attacked a shop! Of course Lord Black is going to protect his people! I'll attend you presently!"
Cordelia clearly thought that the goblins had been hired by Black to 'take care of the issue.' Nothing left to do now other than send servants to clean up the mess.
While Lord Black stood there arguing with the red-robed aurors and questioning everything about them, from their hygiene to their circumstances of birth, Remus got the full story from BloodRage and Sage. They clearly had other places to be, so the wolf snuck them away. Percy handed over a bag of coins.
"Thank you for your service to House Black." The Weasley boy stated, running to catch up to them at the bank steps.
BloodRage pushed the bag back at Percy, and gave the Steward a small bag of his own. "Please give this to Madam Pucey with my compliments. I've been wanting to do that since meeting that waste of flesh. Dragons aren't particular if you want us to handle cleanup. Only a small fee for a friend." The guard finished conspiratorily in his native tongue.
**OO**
Earlier
Once the goblins were headed towards the shop to help, Lolly, shaking in her boots, went to see Miss Elvenhouse and explain about the attack. She had to be careful, because no one in the Ministry could know that Miss Elvenhouse was Winky the house-elf.
"Madam Burke? I need to leave with Lolly for a few minutes and arrange a mess cleanup. I'll return in fifteen minutes."
"Take your time. You can have the rest of the afternoon off if you want." Mrs Cattermole-Burke offered. "A lot of people are taking the day to see children off to school."
"I'll send a note if I'm delayed. Thank you, ma'am."
Lolly popped 'Wilhemina' away. She left Winky at Blackmoor to organize, while returning with Darlene to treat Silvia.
Once the elves were ready to deploy, Winky, wearing her disguise bracelet, floo'd back to the Ministry.
A quick consult with Lord Black had the plan be to move everything to one of the new shops in Moonsgate. This way she could live and work under much stronger wards. And do that carriage thing that Adrian suggested. Of course he was looking for excuses to drive.
**OO**
Sirius, with the help of Barrister Greengrass paid a minor fine for 'disturbing the peace' by having one of his personal armsmen kill a wizard. The system was insane.
But who got blamed for the mess? The boy at the top of Fudge's 'naughty' list for not returning to the Ministry and allowing HIM the fame of being a great mentor.
**OO**
The twins had noticed that Skeeter's Quick Quotes Quill never spelled anyone's name quite right, and for some reason, the editing staff never caught it. They so wanted to replace that evil quill with one of their mis-quote and misspelling quills. Soon. Someday soon. For now, they would just read what vile rubbish the woman was spouting now against their patrons and mentors.
Thursday, September 1st, Daily Prophet Evening Edition
There were not one but two articles in the paper against the House.
'Today in Diagon Alley, a citizen was attacked and killed on the orders of power-hungry social-climber Percee Weatherby.
'Not content with turning the International Cooperation Office into a shambles, and Thank you Miss Merryweather-Berk for coming in and solving that issue at least. No, this boy fresh from Hogwarts wants to flaunt the law.
'A man, having a shopping disagreement with his wife, (and how many times has that sort of thing happened to any of us) was rudely and brutally murdered by attack goblins. The same goblins who have been allowed in and out of the Ministry all summer like they were…people!
'The victim was so brutally mutilated, we cannot, as a family publication, display his face. Murcius Pucey's wife, son and daughter will now go hungry without him to provide for them.
'Where was the mercy that was shown to Mr Weatherbee when he failed in his duty to return to the Ministry in their 'desperate' need? Even though his poor beleaguered boss, Madam Dolores Footbridge, begged him for weeks! The Minister himself refused to sign the arrest warrant against him when Amelia Bones begged him to be arrested for Dereliction of Duty to the Ministry of Magic!
'Where is justice? No one was arrested. Not for the murder, and not for failing to perform his duties.
'Rita Skeeter, International Reporter.'
'Beware, good citizens, and stay ever vigilant against Perceevil Brian Whetherby!'
Percy choked when the PR person showed him that and let him know that he was on the case. He was working on an appropriate response for both of the articles. Another one?
Lord Black then read out to the family:
'Harry Potter is up to his old tricks again. Not satisfied with slaughtering ministry workers, he is now dosing innocent royal witches to have his wicked way with them.
'Indeed, the House of Black announced that Harry Potter was now betrothed to Duchess Hermy Dogworth-Granger. She is the magical girl closest to the throne, and was reputed to have a relationship with the younger muggle Prince William where they were seen kissing at a summer tea held for the muggle queen.
The grainy picture did indeed show Hermione helping a young Prince Harry with a mallet in a croquet game. They were certainly not kissing! Prince William was nowhere in the picture.
'Isn't it time that the Potter brat be taken to heel? First killing workers, now potioning young girls. When is it going to end?
'Rita Skeeter, Investigating Reporter'
Lord Black was…unamused. His look towards Fairfax said it all.
**OO**
A/N: Recommended Story: Your story recommendation here!
Recommended by Sandra is Dobby's Deceit by La Morraine. I have not read this WIP, not updated since 2020, but I have read 'You Should See Me in a Crown. Short Sweet' by the same author. Love it. Short, sweet, Weasley bashing. Just warning.
New Pureblood Graftees - NPGs - formerly muggleborn or half-blood magical people that are getting a new lease on life after being drafted into a new family. A cleansing and renewal of the gene pool.
Thanks Old-Crow for this wise suggestion. Here are the NPGs planned and current for replacement of ICW seats:
Avery - NPG Healer and Surgeon Greyson Avery
Burke - DE in prison, NPG Mary Cattermole Burke
Carrow, DE had been in prison, NPG Araminta Carrow, (Graduated Alicia Morgan, Gryffindor class of '88)
Crouch - Neville inherits, is renting out the house at the beach to use to help others, and plans to have another take the name eventually.
Flint - NPG Fairfax Flint, PR for Pranking Parlor; is in place for when that family is all convicted.
Gaunt - NPG needs to be a brave adult knowing what they are getting into. Plans in place, but not happening until You-know-who is gone
Lestrange, NPG Ralph Gentry is ready and in the wings. He will be known as Aristotle Lestrange, works for an American candy maker
Malfoy - House Black is waiting on this.
Nott - Teddy is a good guy and needs a business to run; plans to hire Colin Creevy for photos and will likely put up with him through liberal calming and silencing charms.
Parkinson - Johannes Jonker is taking over the Parkinson seat
Prewitt - is confiscated as punishment for illegal contract and is given to House Weasley. Fred and George take on the mantle, Eva Prewitt-Weasley, Angelina's older sister, is the Heiress.
Rosier - NPG Kevin will soon be known as Merchem
Rowle - NPG, Healer Radagast Rowle
Yaxley - NPG Reginald Yaxley
NPGs of other than Sacred Twenty-eight
Sally Fortescue - formally Sally Smith
ƺ parseltongue
₲ galleons
₰ sickles
ķ knuts
Ɠ Goblin language