Hello, so I've been going through a tough time with the whole Covid thing and a few personal issues, I apologize in advance if these chapters aren't 100% up to scratch or if there are any major mistakes or typos in them.
Other than that, please enjoy.
Last Time on Black and White:
Harry paused his brow twisting once more, he had never asked himself that question before, he had obviously never given much stock in the belief of blood status, as it always seemed rather... prejudice and unimportant to him, but being brothers, he just naturally assumed Andrew was a Half-blood like himself, but as Ron pointed out they weren't related by blood. Which just swung everything back to one question;
Who were Andrew's parents?
Book 4 – Chapter 22: Plans
Andrew walked briskly through the school to have a letter sent to Mrs Li, Su ran up beside him and placed a hand on his arm.
Breaking out of his anger trance, Andrew noticed Su looking slightly out of breath. He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly as he realised that he had been so completely lost in his world he had failed to notice Su next to him.
"I'm sorry, I'm just upset. This is beyond stupid." he said with a small shake of his head.
"No, I get it. I mean if someone had done that to Luna, I would be in your shoes right now." Su responded with a small shrug. "Now, before we do anything, I think the first person we should tell this to should be Headmaster Dumbledore, then ask he contact the correct people involved."
Andrew paused and blinked at that. He had been friendlier to the Headmaster, after he had reprimanded the boy for his lack of decorum when the names of the champions were announced, and Andrew had to admit, nothing had gone wrong so far, so...
"Alright, yeah you're right. We should probably go see him." Andrew agreed with a nod.
With that the two teens made their way to the Gargoyle which guarded the entrance to Dumbledore's office. They shared a look and remembered that neither knew what the password was. With a groan, they went off in search of a teacher to assist them.
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Harry asked Hermione if she was alright, the girl smiled and nodded her head before telling them, that just because she was in the hospital wing, it didn't give them an excuse to cut class and to move their behinds.
As Ron and Harry made their way to Divination they were surprised by an owl landing on Harry's shoulder.
"Oh, hello. I assume that's for me?" The owl stuck it's leg out as a response to his question.
"Well, I don't have a treat for you right now, but if you'd like, you can swing around at lunch time and I'll give you something."
The owl hooted before taking off and leaving the boy with a letter in his hand.
"Who's it from?" Ron asked curiously.
Harry looked at the handwriting and immediately recognised it.
"Tonks, probably just an update on her Auror training, I'll read it later." the boy responded, ignoring the fluttering he felt in his stomach.
Ron was silent for a moment observing his friend before smiling slightly and nodded.
"Alright, but we'd better hurry before Trelawney starts her whole routine."
Harry agreed and the two continued on their way to Divinations. As per usual, the class consisted of their erratic teacher going on about someone being in danger. Harry barely paid any attention to it, thinking rather about what Dumbledore had told him about Andrew. A curse, centuries old, he sighed as he thought of what this could mean for their future, and with a confirmed Death Eater being discovered this year, Harry had a bad feeling about what was to come.
The rest of the lesson went by uneventfully and Harry and Ron found themselves in Potions along with the rest of their year, of course Draco Malfoy wouldn't keep his mouth shut about what had happened to Hermione, but the two boys ignored him, much to their annoyance, Snape would be way too pleased to take more points off of Gryffindor for any type of retaliation.
Lunch came much too late in the boys opinion, having to deal with all of the crap in their classes, they had noticed that Su had been in the Great Hall but Andrew and Dumbledore had not. Harry decided to pull the letter out and read it now, seeing as he might not have a chance later on.
Wotcher Harry!
Sorry for the lack of letters, it's been, really hectic, we've been given a short break. So now I have a chance to write you this. I heard about Andrew's win from Sirius and of course it was wild, crazy and dangerous, I swear, it's like he wants to hurt himself.
But how are you doing? Classes going alright? I really can't wait to catch up with you guys again it feels like forever, when really it's only been a couple of months.
I read the article Skeeter put in the Prophet, bunch of speculation and accusation, as usual, and as usual, people are eating it up. I've always hated that gossiping little cow. Anyway, I hope Hermione's okay, I know this must be rather tough on her and Andrew, but if you want my advice, just ignore it. It'll blow over in a few days, a week and a half tops.
Well, I hope to hear from you soon.
Love
Tonks
Harry read the letter and smiled, Tonks was a glass half full type of girl and he was glad the rigorous Auror Training hadn't diminished her optimistic world view. He made a mental note to write her a response tonight after his meeting with Dumbledore. Harry had told Ron that they, Hermione and Andrew needed to have a talk. He wanted his brother there so that they were all on the same page, he wanted to make sure, whatever this curse was, that they had everyone they trusted behind them, just in case.
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Andrew and Su made it to the gargoyle guarding the Headmaster's office and were stuck. Andrew was sure he had been in this very scenario before, he should really ask what the password would be before he just attempted to enter. But luckily for them the gargoyle shifted and revealed the staircase behind it.
Just then, Snape exited and momentarily halted as he frowned at the two students.
"Ah, Potter 2, what do you want?"
Andrew felt his anger spike, damn consequences, he was not in the mood for this.
"None of your business, see if this had applied to you, I would be at your door." he replied shortly.
"Ten points for your cheek!"
"Whatever, move. I have to speak to Dumbledore." Andrew said pushing past the potions master and making his way onto the staircase.
Su stared at the two nervously, before politely excusing herself from Snape's presence. She followed the braided haired boy up the steps until they were in front of Dumbledore's door and knocked.
"Enter."
When they pushed open the door they saw Dumbledore sitting at his desk and looking at the two with a slight frown.
"Ah, Andrew, Ms Li. What can I do for you this morning?"
"Sir, I came to inform you of what happened this morning." Andrew said.
"I assume this is about, Ms Granger?" At Andrew's frown, Dumbledore elaborated. "Madam Pomfrey was kind enough to inform me of her condition."
"Right, makes sense." Andrew said with a small nod.
"Hmm, Ms Li, perhaps it would be best if Andrew and I spoke of this alone. If I believe you're mother should be called I will of course call for you."
Su looked between Dumbledore and Andrew for a moment before nodding her head and grabbing Andrew's hand, giving it a comforting squeeze before she turned and left the office, to attend her classes.
Andrew turned back to Dumbledore who gestured to a chair, inviting Andrew to sit.
"Now, Andrew, I am aware of the seriousness of the situation, but I feel as though I should tell you, if you move against Miss Skeeter, you will be placing a larger target on your back." Dumbledore said seriously.
Andrew frowned. "Sir, she went after one of my friends, and not only that, Luna explained that since I'm one of the Boys-Who-Lived the public wouldn't be targeting me as much as those around me, Hermione specifically, seeing as how she's seen as 'just a muggleborn'. So I think if we can't target Rita we can at least target her reading audience."
"Interesting... What did you have in mind?"
"Suing the one who sent the letter that gave her those boils, I mean that has to be some sort of harassment or even assault, right?"
"True, it would be a form of harassment, I don't believe you would be looking at a large cash payout though." Dumbledore said with a small nod of his head.
"I wasn't thinking about money, just sending a message, letting others who are looking to target a fourteen year old girl - for something that isn't proven, by the way – know that the Potters do not appreciate their brand of support."
"So I assume, you'd like to speak to Mrs Li then?"
"Yes, sir."
Dumbledore regarded Andrew for a moment, if this had happened before his attacking of Staff and fellow students a few days ago, the young boy would have all the support of the other houses, except perhaps Slytherin. But, now, the other houses viewed him as unstable, not fully knowing the reason for his sudden attack. But the Headmaster had heard that Ravenclaw seemed to think it was some sort of breakdown due to the pressure of the first task, while some Hufflepuffs thought he had just lost his mind.
The aged professor glanced back to Andrew when a thought popped into his head.
"Andrew, before we commit to this, might I make a suggestion? Think of it as a few wise words from a man who has been around longer than he would care to admit."
Andrew seemed to consider Dumbledore's words before nodding.
"Well, in my vast experience, with Miss Skeeter, I have found her... difficult at best, and a pure nightmare at worst. But Andrew I ask you, what do you think gives Rita her power?"
"A lazy boss, who doesn't require her to fact check or be truthful?" Andrew responded deadpanned.
Dumbledore chuckled. "Very true, but I was thinking her audience. You want to dethrone a tyrant? Turn their subjects against them."
Andrew's eyes widened as he understood what Dumbledore meant.
"But, sir how do we do that? I mean, unless we give her a one on one interview which gives her the chance to again turn my words against me, or even make my friends lives even more hellish."
"In this case I think, your brother would be the best option for this, and we contact the Daily Prophet and perhaps a few other establishments and have Harry tell them, how Miss Skeeter's article has negatively affected not only your life but also those of your friends."
Andrew seemed to see the point in the plan.
"Harry is more likeable than myself, he has better people skills as well." Andrew agreed.
"Excellent, I will contact Miss Li's mother and run the idea by her, and I will leave telling Harry up to you."
Andrew nodded, as he stood to leave he turned back to Dumbledore. "Thank you for your help, sir." he said in a sincere tone before leaving the room.
Dumbledore sat back in his seat and contemplated what had happened these past few years in his office, specifically, Andrew's change these past few months. It would seem that he was calming down, his attitude towards himself and the other professors seems to have improved as well. Honestly, Dumbledore was surprised, Minerva hadn't hung the boy by his ears for his attitude towards most of the other staff.
Either way, it would seem as though the tournament was indeed helping him mature more, and the Headmaster had no qualms about that. He reached for a spare piece of paper and a quill, he then began jotting a note down for Mrs Li. As he wrote, a small smile spread across his face, it had been too long since he had felt this childish glee at getting back at someone.
"Perhaps," Dumbledore mumbled to himself. "I should get myself involved in student affairs more often, one does tend to grow bored when they do not change their routine every now and again."
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When Andrew finally joined the others he joined them in Transfiguration, happy about the fact that his meeting with Dumbledore managed to drag on through lunch, he had missed Snape and honestly he was not in the mood for Runes.
Today was purely theory, Professor McGonagall, had given out a surprise test. He finished his paper and stretched his arms out above his head, imagining Hermione's look of disappointment when she discovered that she would miss a test. When the period was over, their Professor told them they would have their results in a few days time, when they left Su caught up to Andrew who explained what the Headmaster had said, she nodded and seemed to regard him with an odd look before shrugging and leaving for her next class, Arithmancy.
Care of Magical Creatures came next and of course they were still busy with the bloody Screwts, which were ridiculously big now. Andrew turned to Daphne and the two shared a look.
"Well?" he asked while gesturing to the leash.
"Well, what?"
"Go on."
"Are you mad? Why don't you grab it?!"
"Cause I'm sick of being dragged across the floor." As he said that, a Blast-Ended Screwt blew past them with Dean Thomas following, holding on to the leash for dear life as Seamus Finnegan laughed uproariously off to the side. "Case in point!"
"And you would let me? A young damsel potentially get dragged?"
"If it prevents me from going through it then, yes!"
"What type of a man are you?" she asked with narrowed eyes and a look of disgust.
"The type that believes in equality, now come on, Min's looking quite eager today?"
Daphne shot him a look of loathing before snatching the leash and began walking their Screwt.
"Don' go lettin' go when they shoot off like tha', bes' ta hold on, tight!" Hagrid's voice echoed over the class when someone in Hufflepuff thought letting go of the leash was a smart idea and wound up dislocating their shoulder.
Daphne turned back to Andrew, "I hate you." she said with a sneer. Andrew simply responded with a bright smile.
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When the day came to an end, Harry managed to gather all of his friends, including Su, Luna and Hermione who had been let out of the Hospital Wing later that day and the group decided to meet in the library where he began explaining the situation.
"A curse? Bloody hell, what does it do?" Ron asked with a frown.
"I'm not sure, it seemed as though Dumbledore wasn't sure either, he just said it had a history of affecting Andrew's family."
"But why would he tell you this and not me?" Andrew asked with a frown.
"Perhaps he thought it would be better hearing it from your brother, rather than himself? Or maybe he didn't want to worry you, but make sure Harry knew the situation?" Su provided.
"Perhaps..." Andrew agreed, though reluctantly.
"Either way, this is the situation as it is, he told me that he would be providing me with lessons, while Andrew continues his with Professor Flitwick. In case anything goes wrong." Harry told them.
"Makes sense, so what do you want us to do?" Hermione asked.
"Well, I was thinking, perhaps, you could try and find something about this curse? I don't know why but it feels as though this is tied to the Potter family somehow, and Andrew and I suspect our families are more connected than we originally thought, also, I think we should start something like a Defence club, learn more spells together." Harry instructed.
"Yes, now that you've told us, it would be more beneficial if we all worked together in this, also it could be beneficial to Andrew with the tournament and all." Luna added airily. "I'll start looking for a place somewhere in the castle where we can start practising."
"I'll focus on the Potter family, my mother has been an attorney for years, she should be able to find any public familial records, and possibly some sealed ones, it should help paint a larger picture for your family connection." Su offered with a nod.
"I'll also talk to the twins, they may be the biggest jokers in the school, but their wicked smart and have an unmatched ability to use spells and potions in creative ways, maybe we can even get some help from them." Ron chipped in.
"I'll work on getting together a list of useful and practical spells, that way I can work on a schedule." Hermione said as she already started jotting down some notes on a scrap piece of parchment.
Harry nodded along to everyone's plans and turned to look at his brother who was oddly quiet. Andrew seemed to be in a world of his own, staring off into space and lost in thought.
"Hey? Everything good?"
"Hmm?" Andrew snapped out of his musing and turned to look at his brother. "Yeah, sorry just... thinking. This whole curse thing is just a lot."
Harry nodded his head, he could understand. He had no idea how he would handle being told that his family had a curse placed on them, many years ago.
"Oh, one more thing, I spoke to Dumbledore about the Skeeter problem. We might have come up with a good solution." Andrew told the others.
"Alright, let's hear it." Harry responded while the others nodded.
Andrew then conveyed the idea, including the fact that Harry would give an exclusive interview to the press about the negative publicity Skeeter's articles have caused, and how he was disappointed that people would attack a child on her word, rather than any evidence.
"That might work, but Skeeter's got a loyal fan base, how do we know they won't just take her side?" Su asked with a small frown.
"Harry's got a better personality than Andrew, no offence." Ron provided while shooting Andrew a small shrug, the braided boy simply waved off the comment.
"Ron's right, I just lose my patience too quickly, they'd be calling me an emotionally unstable boy by the end of the day." Andrew responded agreeing with the red head.
"Plus, after the Great Hall incident, not many people are too keen on hearing about Andrew's problems. What you did in there didn't really help your cause." Luna provided.
"But, I don't know, wouldn't it be better if Hermione were the one who talked to the press?" Harry asked frowning at the idea of having to speak publicly.
"No, you'll have to do it, Hermione is a muggleborn, they won't take her seriously, I'm marked as unstable, Ron's family are seen as 'Blood Traitors', Su's mum is our attorney and Luna... well, she's too eccentric to be taken seriously by the press. You're the only one whose message will reach the larger audience." Andrew explained.
Harry sighed, he knew that they were right, and he hated it, but if it would help lessen the load on Andrew and his friends he was willing to do it.
With everything set the group decided to get going, Hermione offered to stay behind and start looking at some spells, when the others left the library she was approached by Viktor Krum.
"Oh, hello Viktor." she greeted with a smile as she got up to look for some books.
"Hello, Herminny."
She smiled at his attempt and decided to let it pass, she was well aware her name was not an easy one to remember especially for non English speakers.
"Vot are you looking for?"
"Oh, just some spell books." she said with a small shrug.
"Vell, I insist I help you. I know some spells vhich are very helpful, yes?"
She seemed to pause and think on it for a moment before smiling and accepting his help. Once they had gathered a few books, and returned to their table, Viktor looked back up to Hermione and smiled softly.
When the girl looked back up at him and smiled slightly she furrowed her brows and shook her head a bit.
"What is it?"
"You are very beautiful, you know this?"
Hermione ducked her head as she felt her cheeks flush at the compliment.
"Please, I am sure you know prettier girls."
"I vas not speaking on just your looks, I also mean who you are, but also you are more pretty than you give yourself credit. I'm sorry if you 'ave not heard this enough." Krum shot back while reaching across the table and softly rubbing her hand.
Hermione ducked her head once more as the blood once again found its way to her face.
"Herminny, I 'ave somezing I must request of you..."
Hermione looked up at the older boy, her eyes shining with curiosity and her blush still prevalent on her face.
