The silence between the two Potters was thick enough to cut with a diffindo. After telling his son that the next time he used the trump card of his family, he would either chain himself to a Rule, or die any good humor was gone from James' face. His son looked at him with smoldering green eyes, and voiced a question that James dreaded.
"What was your Rule dad?" Harry asked. His dad looked uncomfortable after he asked. It couldn't be a bad thing right?
With a sigh, James started to speak after squirming in his seat for a few minutes. "You gotta understand, Harry. The Crowning reflects your soul. Padfoot jokingly labeled it the Jester Prince… My mask was-actually, it would be easier to show you." James flicked his fingers, and the table that the two were sitting at transfigured fluidly into a wooden replica of James' mask.
A large mouth stretched into a grin, with fangs jutting out over the bottom lip. The eye holes were slanted so that they formed slits, as if the eyes were closed mid-smile. The top was stylized with a three-pointed crest, similar to the hat a Jester would wear in the presence of a king.
"Wow. You transfigured the whole table with a flick of your fingers." Harry took in the mask and realized how it came to be in less than a few seconds.
James burst out laughing. "Kid your old man was the youngest Transfiguration master in the last 40 years!" He started to talk about his mastery classes with Minerva, and how in a year he had to "sit" his final exam. "And I go into the room, and there sat Professor Dumbledore. For my final, to get my mastery signed off, he just wanted to play a game. A game! Can you believe that Harry?"
Harry shook himself from his staring. When James spoke, he spoke with his whole body. His hands illustrated things like the Twins did, he went on small tangents like Hermione, and laughed at his own jokes like Ron. The energy behind each word was palpable, and you could tell he loved this story. Harry took it all in as he listened to his father talk. "Sorry dad, what did you say?"
James smiled softly. He should have known better. "Sorry kid. I didn't answer your question. Ask Dumbledore sometime about our game of catch. You asked about my Rule didn't you?" At Harry's nod, he sighed. "My rule was stupid. I made it when I was fifteen, and the war wasn't as serious to me. When I told your grandfather my rule, he was furious. His was "All acts protective." Mine was "Laugh in the Face of adversity."
Harry's brow scrounged up. He thought about how he could use that information. "Your rule handy capped you didn't it?" As soon as he thought that aloud, Harry knew the truth. It was written in James' face.
"Yea son. It did. I could block any attack that Voldemort threw, baring a killing curse, which I could counter with simple transfiguration and conjuring. But I could never hit harder than he was. I could never win, because you can't laugh in the face of an adversary that doesn't exist anymore. Voldemort figured that out swiftly, and after the first time, when I dueled him and Rosier together, he never fought your mother and I with others."
"You killed Rosier didn't you?" Harry asked. His voice had no emotion, no inflection but his eyes were sad.
"Yes, I did. I blasted him apart and laughed at Voldemort's face. I used his chunks to block killing curses and banished the blood at Voldemort. I even transfigured it to acid to further the message. That is part of the way the Mask is so dangerous, why Crowning is such a last resort. Once you Crown, there is no more Harry James Potter. There is only the Crowned Potter. A magical freak of nature, with no limits, no morals, and only restrained by the Rule and the power of the Potter's body. There are stories of the Crowned Potter… deep in the Grimoire. You will probably read about the horrors that our family committed. In fact, were I and your mother alive, this summer we would have told you about some."
"Tell me. Tell me what I am doing when I Crown dad. Please." Harry's firm voiced shocked his father. James had known his son was growing up fast, too fast in his opinion. But sitting across from him was a man. A Potter.
"I'm sure you heard of the Veralic War right?" At Harry's headshake, James mumbled about Binns being a terrible story. "Well the Veralic War was a family dispute between the Potters, the Blacks, The Bones and the Longbottoms against the Veralic Families of Russia. Those families were the Balics, Rervals, and Herashs. It all went down in 1763 to 1765. Basically we were fighting for a few stupid reasons, but the biggest one was that the Veralic Families killed a few family members of the Potters Blacks Bones and Longbottom families in an attack on a Dark Lord in the area. It was a quiet "War" if you could call it that. It wasn't until 1765 that a member of our alliance met a Veralic family member in person. It was a Black, who Imperio'd the cousin of the Herash family, got the location of each of the members of that family, and passed it along. The Bones and Longbottoms at the time had a great ward business, and during a party in Moscow, they put up wards around the location. The kids were at the manor as was custom at the time, with only house elves watching them." Harry's eyes widened when he realized where this was going. "Yea son, the head of the Potter family at the time, Doric and the head of the Black family Silva, Slaughtered the children of the family. Doric had crowned, and tore through the wards of the manor that the three families shared, and proceeded to hunt down all 13 children." James looked sickened by the story.
"Why? Why would our family do that dad?" Harry asked as tears pulled in his eyes. He could imagine the hell that those families experienced. To not be able to save their children.
"The Veralics killed Doric's son, and his wife. It was only in his later years that he found a wife and was able to have another child. In Doric's eyes, the Veralics killed the Potter family's future. So he returned the favor." Harry struggled to understand how Doric felt. He couldn't imagine it truly. And that confusion was evident to James.
"Harry, imagine someone killed Hermione, Ron and all their families… would that person live?" James asked softly.
"No. They wouldn't last a month. I would hunt them down, and slaughter them-oh. That's how he felt isn't it?" Harry vowed when the realization crossed his mind. James smiled and nodded. Both sat in silence for a short while, both thinking of the story, and the Potter family.
"Tell me more stories dad. About our family. About your time as a student. About… about mom." Harry asked as the chairs they sat in morphed to more comfortable easy chairs. Then the elder Potter talked for several hours.
"Now Albus, I am the Minister of Magic. I understand that you feel you are doing right, but the law is on my side!" A short man in a bowler hat that didn't hide his thinning hair shook his finger at Albus Dumbledore. Standing in front of the headmaster's desk, the man dictated to the man who sat behind the desk.
"Cornelius, do stop. The case is closed. As my right as Chief Warlock, I have already interrogated Mr. Black and found him innocent in accordance to his Unbreakable Vow to be Harry Potter's Godfather." The gentle tones of the Headmaster had a hint of iron behind them.
"I don't care Albus! As Minister of Magic, I say he is guilty!" Fudge yelled across the desk, only to be met by a wand held by the person the two were speaking about. Sirius Black, who had been leaning against the display cabinet holding the Sword of Gryffindor smiled a fiendish grin.
"Minister, sadly, if you attempt to arrest me, I will be forced to fight back. It doesn't help either that your Magical Law Enforcement Head signed the dotted line as well. So, please back away from the headmaster, before I, or worse the Goblet of Fire, think you are interfering." The short man bristled at the dismissive tone.
"How dare you threaten me. Amelia, I want him arrested. Now." He spoke to the final person in the room. As Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Amelia Bones was arguably the strongest woman in Britain. One of the few Departments that were unable to be influenced at all by the Minister, Amelia was largely independent, and showed that streak here.
"Cornelius, you have been at this for the last hour. I have read the parchment work, I watched the interrogation, from three different perspectives, and it is all legal. If you keep this up, I will have to arrest you." Madam Bones stared at the Minister until he looked away.
"You can't do that now Amelia. Be reasonable. I'm the Minister, and the public would-" Fudge said before Albus cut him off.
"Actually Cornelius, Amelia is more than within her rights here. It is only because you are talking right now and not acting that she hasn't arrested you on charges of abuse of power, or worse." Albus reached out slowly to pet Fawkes, who had swooped down from his perch. The phoenix trilled happily at the headmaster, butting his hand softly with his beak.
"Worse? Surely you jest Dumbledore," the Minister laughed.
"I am the heir apparent to the Black Family. You touch me, Amelia will bury you for attempted Line Killing." Sirius spoke from his leaning place, having moved back there after the Minister had backed off the Headmaster.
Fudge swore before grabbing a quill from the Headmaster's desk and rereading the parchment. "You just require my signature correct?"
"Yes Cornelius, just sign here. This is merely showing that you know what occurred." Albus directed the man through the three things he had to sign. By the time it was over, Fudge gave a forced smile to Albus and Sirius. "There you go. Now, I am headed back to my office. Albus, do call if you need anything else. Mr. Black, the ministry apologizes for your treatment in this manner. Good day." With a flash of green fire, he was gone.
Amelia walked up to the desk and grabbed the paperwork. Putting it inside her robes she stared dispassionately at the Headmaster. "You burned a lot of good will doing it this way Albus."
"I know. But it was the fastest and safest method. If we held off, it would have killed Sirius, which could have been taken by the Goblet as an attack on the Tournament depending on how Harry took it. And that blasted cup will take any excuse it can to murder us all." The Headmaster spat those words with more hatred than either party left in the building ever heard from him.
"I see. Well congratulations Mr. Black. You are a free man. Do ensure I don't have to come after you myself next time. Goodnight Headmaster. Pass my regards to my niece." The Head of Magical Law walked to the fireplace, and floo'd away.
Sirius walked back to the front of the office, pattng Fawkes on the way. The bird crowed softly at the man's touch, and brought a smile to every face in the office. With a deep sigh he dropped into the chair across from Albus' desk.
"She was distant and cold Albus. It felt weird." Sirius met the deep blue eyes of the headmaster.
"Being the Head of Magical Law comes with responsibilities that we cannot comprehend. She is the prosecutor, and the executioner. She is the sole person in the Magical Government who is permitted to grant Killing Rights and is the only person in the Government who has them naturally." Albus sighed. He stroked his phoenix friend and refused to give in to his urge to fire curses. It didn't help that Sirius pointed his wand at Dumbledore's forehead.
"I feel angry when in the castle Albus. I spent 12 years in Azkaban. I know when my emotions are being messed with. Explain. Now." The Heir Apparent to the Blacks kept his wand on his former headmaster. While he doubted that this emotional manipulation was done by Albus, he knew that Albus was aware of what was doing it.
"The Goblet. It has been releasing an aura of anger as it shifts the tasks. We aren't the only ones affected. 121 fights, curses and altercations have been reported by my staff, and that doesn't include the 54 that Poppy suspects based on injuries she has treated. Control yourself. The Goblet will utilize any excuse to call the tournament as interfered with and slaughter all of us. Please." For the first time in Sirius' life, he heard the pleading tones of Albus Dumbledore. With a twirl, Sirius put his wand away with a sheepish grin.
"Sorry Professor. But you make it sound like the Goblet is sentient."
"It is fine m'boy. I understand how you feel. After Azkaban, you want nothing to do with emotional manipulation." The professor spoke calmly. Both made no mention that he ignored the question.
"I don't want manipulation in general. Fawkes excluded of course." Sirius smiled widely at the firebird. He was glared at in response, making a chuckle come from the Headmaster.
"Fawkes, he wasn't saying you manipulate him… but you must admit your song brings great joy my friend." To Sirius' surprise, the phoenix nodded as if it understood. It then sang a few notes, making Dumbledore and Sirius feel absolute joy before he flashed away.
"So… where can I find a phoenix Dumbledore? 'Cause that felt amazing." Sirius grinned roguishly at Albus who's deep laughter filled the office.
The next morning showed a sunny day, which, while cold, was marvelous to look at from the castle windows. Classes continued as normal, and Poppy awoke at her standard time of 6:45am, and was surprised to find one of her patients leaning against the window at the end of the Wing.
"Harry Potter! What the blazes are you doing out of your bed?!" The matron of the wing stormed toward her patient, who turned and looked at her with tired but fully alert eyes. He spoke before he turned back to the window.
"Sorry Madam Pomfrey. Before you usher me back just look."
The matron stopped at the window and humored him. After all, a good sunrise never hurt anyone. She was not prepared however for the view got. The sun rose against the mountains that framed the Forbidden Forest on this end, the light reflecting off the snow caps. But even more brilliant was the soft song of the phoenix that flew marvelous designs into the sky. Trailing small flames from its wing tips, the phoenix swooped dived and soared through the sky as the sun made its way up. As soon as half the sun had crested the mountains, the song of the phoenix, barely audible by the window, started to blast out of the creature. The whole castle could hear and feel the happiness and joy the phoenix felt as it danced in the air. The song rumbled through the castle, undistorted by the stone walls. The entire grounds heard the bird sing its song of pure joy.
It was only late in the morning, when the sun had risen beyond the mountains that phoenix flashed away, leaving the halls barren of the sound of its song.
"Why?" Madame Pomfrey asked quietly.
"Because Fawkes was happy the First Task was over, that the sun had risen again. His song earlier was sad. He was sad that the dragons died I think. But when the sun got higher, he sorta switched his tone so to speak." Harry said as he started to turn to head back to bed.
"Well said Harry. That is exactly right." The gentle voice of the Headmaster brought a smile to the young Chosen's face.
"Hello Professor. Sorry for the scare." The young man made it into bed before the Headmaster could respond.
"Don't worry about it Harry. I am here to tell you good news and better news. The first, is the least important in my opinion, but maybe better in yours. You won the task yesterday with a score of 43. You were not given a perfect score because your solution was not perfect. You did not consider the toll on your body thus, did not walk out of the arena." Harry nodded as he heard the score. "Finally, the best news. As of last night at 8:13pm your Godfather Sirius Black was cleared of all charges. He is free Harry."
Harry's eyes sparkled, and he laughed. His laughter was so great he shook the bed and scared Madame Pomfrey, who immediately started to check him for shock.
"Mr. Potter! What is the matter with you?! Albus, if you used a cheering charm on my patient I will glue your beard to your chest!"
"No Madame Pomfrey, he just told me something that was funny. Well… not funny, so much as the circumstances were. You see professor, I met-" Harry calmed down enough to explain, still chuckling.
"Harry, don't. Stop. There are people here who can't hear what you are about to say." The deep voice of Sirius Black cut through his godson's words. He had arrived from his freshening up just in time it appeared. His charge was about to make a mistake, especially if he was right. He turned to the Matron of the ward.
"Is he healed Poppy?"
"Yes, but I want-" The matron answered Sirius' question before being told firmly.
"Then as of now, I am formally discharging my Godson from your care. Thank you very much, and as of now, and for all of time, his injuries from the First Task are categorized under Familial Wounds." Sirius spoke swiftly but clearly, as he eyed the clearly awake Chosen of the other schools.
"Albus! He can't do this!" Poppy protested, her mouth agape over the swift discharge of the patient.
"Poppy, he can. He is Harry's legal guardian as of last night. The paperwork was signed by myself, Madame Bones, and the Minister himself. As for the other portion of his request, that is also within his power. Other than Harry, Sirius knows the most about Potter Family Magic, and if he says that it is to be sealed as Familial Wounds, you know the procedure." Albus spoke softly but firmly to his Matron.
"Fine, Mr. Potter, you are released. Your chart," with a swift flick, the chart vanished and the fireplace, with a roaring fire, rose higher. "Your record will be modified to read only to my eyes, and the knowledge of your wounds shall be locked away in my mind for eternity. " The Matron raised her wand to her temple and her head shined with a yellow light.
"Thank you, Poppy. I'm sorry I had to insist on that, but its for Harry." Sirius apologized to the Mediwitch. His answer was a glare and a turned back before the Mediwitch spoke in a voice that could freeze the lake,"Get the hell out of my ward Sirius Black."
Without a word, all three males left the Ward as Madam Pomfrey tended to Viktor Krum.
Harry Potter was silent as the trio walked to the Headmaster's office. As soon as the gargoyle jumped back into place, and the trio was seated in the office, he exploded.
"Sirius, what the hell was that?!" His anger shocked Dumbledore into silence.
"That Harry was me implementing the Familial Magical Support law of 1341. A law your family and mine agreed on. The Familial Wounds prevision stops your healer from sharing or utilizing the wounds that you had due to your family magic to recreate it." Sirius spoke softly as he lounged in the chair. Harry glared at him before snapping, "It wasn't necessary. She couldn't have even if she wanted to, and you know it."
"I am aware, but your opponents didn't. All they knew was that some how you killed two dragons, after a massive explosion, and you slept it off. Your chart would detail every amount of injury you sustained, and how the nurse suspected you received the damage. There was no way they were going to let that advantage go. And if by some miracle they did figure out how to mimic or copy it, the Potter Grimoire would not be happy. With you or them. It happened to the Black family in 1339, and is what led to the law in the first place." Sirius met Harry's glare with his own. His temper flared and he snapped back.
"What the hell were you thinking anyway? When I said I didn't care if you slaughtered them all, I didn't mean to try to kill yourself attempting it!"
"Well sorry Godfather! I did the only thing that would allow me to live! Forgive me if it wasn't to your liking." Harry sarcastically replied. Then in a more serious voice," I already had that conversation anyway."
"What are you talking about Harry?" Albus cut through the argument with his question. Both of them looked to him and it was in union that they spoke.
"It doesn't matter." Came from Sirius.
"Family magic showed me my dad." Harry's sentence, since it was longer, caught the most attention.
With a sigh, Sirius scratched his cheek. "Harry, did your dad, did James tell you everything that you need to know about what you did?"
"Yea, he explained everything. He even told me that to do it again I have to… well I have to do a few things." Harry glanced at Albus who was still listening.
"I see. James still being a great man even from the grave. Fuck Prongs. How can I top that?" Sirius muttered to the room. Both of the other occupants made no mention of his language, because they saw the tear that rolled down his face. When he got his composure, Dumbledore spoke.
"I am sorry to say, I am lost boys."
"Basically, this is family magic. It showed Harry a shade of James' magic. Probably from when he last Crowned. Which is what Harry did yesterday. It likely happened because Harry pushed the magic too far, formed a partial mask without following all the rules. That magic allowed it is absolutely astounding." Sirius explained swiftly.
Albus nodded thoughtfully as he listened. "Can you do it again Harry or no?"
"According to dad… the next time I Crown, I will automatically do a full Crowning." Harry answered the question, not adding anything more to the process.
"And if you didn't follow the rules?" Albus asked.
"The mask will kill him and likely every single person in a mile radius with the backlash." Sirius breathed out. Albus was horrified when Harry nodded.
"What is that power Harry? To be able to kill everyone in a mile radius is something not even the Goblet can do." Albus spoke, and his voice shook.
"I can't answer that Headmaster." Harry folded his arms and leaned back in to the arm chair he sat in.
"I see. What do you plan on doing if you can't use it?" Albus asked a follow up, before stating," Because as of now, unless you can follow your rules, then I am banning your Crowning ability from Hogwarts." When magic draped over Harry, confirming the order, Harry growled.
"How dare you. Stopping me from preforming my family magic is an offense!"
"Harry, shut up." Sirius' order cut through his godson's anger. "He is right. You need to follow the rules with your Crowning."
"Fine. But as soon as my Rule is made, I want you to release that order." Harry demanded.
"I will think about it Harry. Now both of you seem like you need to talk, so Sirius, the room you used last night is yours for the rest of the year. Harry can stay there until tomorrow night, which he will have to spend his nights in his dormitory." The Headmaster gave an unspoken dismissal as he finished his sentence, and the two obeyed.
When they reached Sirius' rooms, the tension between the two was palpable. As soon as the door was shut behind Harry, Sirius pulled Harry into a firm hug.
"I'm sorry if I offended you by agreeing with Albus. But he was right Harry." Harry nodded into his godfather's chest. He knew what Sirius meant, but that doesn't mean he had to like it.
When the two separated Harry looked around. The room they were in wasn't large, with a four poster in a corner, and small sitting area. A door was nestled in the corner opposite the bed, and a fireplace, complete with fire, mantle and portrait of a woman in her late fifties above the mantle between the bed and the door.
"Like the digs?" Sirius spun in a circle, his arms flared out, as he saw in a movie once. To this day he didn't remember what movie it was, only that he agreed with it fully. When he stopped spinning, he saw Harry laying on the couch. "Sure, make yourself at home." He muttered before sitting on the chair across from the door.
As soon as he sat, Harry started talking. Sirius just listened as his Godson spoke on and on about James and the time they spent together. He talked about the stories he was told, the facts he had, and how he felt when it was time to wake up.
"The mist started to get brighter, and he smiled at me, but it was sad ya' know Sirius? He said, "It's time for me to go son. I'm sorry. Before you wake up, remember to make your Rule, and to ask Sirius two questions."
"What were those questions kiddo?" Sirius asked. He was expecting to be asked questions concerning Lily, since James focused on him and the Potters. He did not expect the question he was asked.
"Why did I grow up in the muggle world Sirius, and where the hell are the Potter cousins?"
Sirius sighed before he got up and grabbed a bottle from under the bed. Coming back to the sitting area, he popped the cork and took a long drink. "They are all dead Harry."
"How?" Harry asked stunned. 34 cousins still lived when his parents went into hiding. He could understand if 5 or maybe even 10 died, but all them?
"I don't know. 32 of them, according to the DMLE records are still open murder cases. Another 3 are labeled missing. If I was a betting man, I would say they were all killed off. Much like what happened to the Longbottoms." Sirius took long swigs from the bottle as he spoke.
Harry looked down, before asking,"Why? What did they do?"
"Kiddo, that time was some of the worst in history. We didn't know who were Death Eaters and who weren't, because those damn masks. We didn't know who a sympathizer was, or who was being blackmailed. That's why so many Death Eaters walked free Harry. The rich ones screamed Imperius, the well-off ones screamed blackmail, and the stupid ones screamed that they did it. But even for those we put on trial, Dumbledore and Moody thought that there were probably 1 or 2 that we never caught. Shite Harry, I bet that there are at least 4 death eaters that no one would have ever suspected." Sirius explained the history of the last War. " When Voldemort vanished, the disappearances didn't stop. Not for another 3 months. In those three months, the Potter family was attacked. The Longbottoms were attacked. Godric Hollow was attacked, though that wasn't a large one. But we don't know if it was Death Eaters or not, because at the same time, the muggle attacks, the auror baiting still continued."
"So either it was the Death Eaters, or someone used the Death Eaters to kill the Potters in the chaos." Harry growled at his godfather.
"Basically Kiddo. Tell me what the other question was. I don't wanna talk anymore about this." Sirius eyed the bottle before chucking it to the bed. It landed on the bed, and Sirius winked at Harry, who grinned in response.
"Dad asked you to give me his Green book. His exact words were "Not the black one Padfoot, the green one". Something about teaching me everything I needed to know about Transfiguration and Defense." Harry asked with a smile.
"Ah, that one. Yeah that's in my vault at Gringotts. Ill grab it before dinner. I have to do a Goblin run anyway. Though, I could teach ya defense better than your dad if we are being honest. He wasn't a slouch, but Remus and I got O+s on our NEWTS while he only got an O." Sirius smiled at Harry. At Harry's nod Sirius smiled again. "Let's call a house elf for food and talk kid. I got stories to tell, you got ears to listen."
The two spent the next several hours talking, laughing, and being family.
Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley were sitting in class, specifically the lecture-based portion of Potions. During these classes, both Gryffindors had to admit that Severus Snape knew his trade well. Hermione had already filled two rolls of parchment, and Ron was on his second. Severus was teaching about the properties of Lunar Stones, which were a grouping of stones such as quartz, diamond, pearl, and opal.
"As we can see, due to Hestin's survey, many Lunar Stones have the same properties, especially when crushed similarly. However Diamond is different from the others in that its value is not in being crushed, but powdered. It should be noted that powdered diamond is extremely rare due to the hardness of the mineral, and it is more common to cut it yourself and then powder the portions. This is also better as there are three levels of powder that potions utilize and 5 that are possible. A coarse powdered form is most useful for those potions with corrosive properties. Why is that?" Severus stopped his lecture, and looked around the class. As the students continued their notes he called on one of the Griffindors. "Patil, answer."
"Umm, is it because of the size of the particles?" Parvati read over her notes from the chapter, hoping the answer was correct.
"Correct . A little too vague for your notes however. The reason is purely a reactionary basis. Any Lunar Stone would work in a corrosive potion due to their abilities to neutralize such properties. Diamond is best due to its structure being so uniform. However, when crushing diamond, you are removing the structural advantage. That is why powdered diamond is better for corrosive potions, and why the level of powdering matters!
Now, that I have filled your heads with the information that is required for this next potion, You will begin practicing powdering your diamond. I warn you now, that the gems cannot leave this room, and you will not be utilizing your own tools. You will be using the schools, and this is purely an educational exercise. Since powdered diamond is essential to certain potions to make them safe for the next ingredients, we shall not be using any of your attempts. I do not wish to die due to your errors. You will find your equipment in the back, begin." Snape barked at the students.
Hermione and Ron got up and quickly got the equipment, which were special grinding mortar and pestles enchanted with a grinding charm, and got to work. As they pounded and churned the mortar and pestles, Ron asked Hermione.
"Have you seen Harry today? He wasn't in his bed this morning and he missed breakfast."
"I don't know Ron. I haven't seen him since the task two days ago. I went by the Hospital Wing and Madame Pomfrey told me that he was discharged." Hermione whispered back as Snape crossed three rows behind them.
"I don't know how he could have been discharged. He killed two dragons Hermione." Ron's whispered reply was filled with awe.
"I don't see the big deal Ron, they were just giant lizards." Hermione gave her mortar a solid pound to emphasize the point.
"Is there a reason you two are talking instead of working? Hmm? I think it will be 10 points each from Gryffindor." Snape's silky tones interrupted Ron's reply. "If I catch you again, it will be detention."
Hermione's comment about dragons went unchallenged until Herbology. Ron would have mentioned it sooner, but after Potions was lunch, and food was much more important than correcting Hermione.
"So Hermione. Earlier you mentioned how dragons were just giant lizards right?" Ron brought the topic up again as they were repotting some Menacing Mint. Much like normal mint, the only real difference were the poisonous thorns on the leaf edges. It was an easy job, and was given to them due to the nature of the mint and that the third years would be using them in three weeks.
"They are just overgrown lizards Ron. Sure they can do great things, but they are just lizards." Hermione replied.
"I couldn't help but over hear you. Hermione, do you really believe that dragons are just lizards?" Susan Bones, a sweet redhead, who was seated at the table to the right of the two. She was working with Neville.
"They are!" Hermione snapped as the mint she was moving nearly stabbed her with its thorns as it wiggled in her hand.
"Hermione, they aren't lizards. Dragons are extremely magical. The only things that are more magical than dragons are Giants and even that is debatable. Dragons are the apex magical predators. There are literally only 4 things on earth that can hunt dragons." Susan explained as she gently potted another piece of mint.
"Four? I thought that only Mountain Rocs could hunt a dragon." Ron said from Hermione's other side.
"On the reserves that is probably right. Remember they are nearly always in the mountains and the Roc is the biggest predator in the area." Neville jumped in as he handed a mint to Susan to repot.
"Okay, what is a mountain roc?" Hermione asked, getting shocked responses from each of the others.
"Mountain rocs are massive birds. They are really similar to eagles I think." Ron got over his shock at Hermione not knowing something first.
"Massive is an understatement. Rocs are capable of snatching dragons. The largest one ever recorded was over 100 feet long, from crest to tail feathers, with a wing span of close to 100 yards. It snatched an Ironbelly in 1987, and the wind from its wing flaps was strong enough to uproot the trees in the area. Rocs are no joke." Neville explained.
"Okay, those sound terrifying. But why are dragons not just lizards?" Hermione asked curiously.
"Dragons are highly magical. There are few creatures with as much magic in their very existence than dragons. Their predators are the few and there are two that don't prey on them." Susan was the one to answer.
"What are the predators? Other than roc anyway?" Ron asked.
"Nundu, historically can prey on dragons. I really don't want to see that though, since Nundu breath is apparently like the Vilispa's. Giants can do it too, though the reservations for both are separated by miles now. Finally, are basilisks. A cockatrice can kill a dragon, but only in certain situations, as some dragons are immune to their glares. But basilisk venom will kill a dragon, and there were stories of basilisks eating dragons whole." Susan spouted off the information mechanically.
"Okay, so Nundu, I've read about. Same with Giants. But there aren't any more Basilisks, right?" Neville asked. Lord knew more snakes were not what were needed in the world.
"Gods I hope not. Basilisks are the most dangerous creatures ever made. They are weapons of war, and dangerous beyond belief. They are outlawed in every single magical country on earth. To make one is considered an act of war in and of itself." Susan said.
"Their stares cause death if you meet their eyes, petrification if you manage to not look straight at it. Their venom has only a single cure, in phoenix tears, and they are extremely intelligent. They are capable of planning, restraining themselves, and even retreating. Acromantula intelligence is the only beast that is comparable." Hermione said as she stopped potting. Her hands were shaking, and she kept talking. "Their scales are impenetrable to magic, anything they are hit with they absorb. Even a killing curse doesn't kill a Basilisk. They are engineered as killing machines. Harpo the Foul himself said that he created a monster that should not have been created."
Ron stopped potting and pulled his friend into a hug just before she started to cry. "Shhh its okay." His comforting whispers went unheard by everyone else, as Professor Sprout rushed over.
"Mr. Weasley, take to the Hospital Wing. 10 points for helping her out too."
As soon as the two left, and the class continued, Neville asked Susan," Why do I think there is more to that than we know?"
"Because there is Neville. Because there is." Susan's response was final as she forcefully potted another Menacing Mint.
Over the next several days, the school went back to normal. It was the following week after the task that the fourth years learned anything that was related to the Task. Oddly, it was in transfiguration and not defense against the dark arts, where Moody had them write an essay on how each champion should have gone about completing the task.
"Attention class, today we will be studying Transmodification. A precise form of transfiguration, transmodication is what Mr. Potter and Mr. Krum used to create chains and spires in the First Task. While extensive, magically speaking, it is not as exhausting as conjuration, which you will learn the basics of next year, nor as daunting as complete transfiguration as we have learned before."
Within the next hour, Minerva had explained the limitations of the branch, and the expectations he held for the students. "By the end of the term, you will be able to form chains made of stone from a pebble, be able to turn a twig into a table, and more. However, next class I want 2 feet of parchment on the uses of transmodification and its advantages and disadvantages over transfiguration as we have learned thus."
As soon as the excited students walked out, Minerva spoke to the corner by the door. "You can come out now."
With a swirl, Sirius Black appeared in the darkened corner. He confidently strode over to the desk and perched on the edge facing the class room. Ever since he was freed, his clothing were dark tones of black, red, and the occasional blue. Hiding the identification tattoo on his right forearm were long sleeves.
"How may I help you Sirius? And Where pray tell is ?" The two were inseperable the last week, and the joy on the face of her lion had stopped Minerva from interfering.
"He is with Cedric. That Diggory kid is good. We had some fun last night, and he could be an Auror right now." Sirius laughed at Minerva's frown. "C'mon Professor. You know I'm right."
"You are a grown man. Dueling with students shouldn't be permitted." Minerva's lips twitched as Sirius pouted.
"Anyway, I came here to ask you to watch over Harry for the night. Ever since the Task, he doesn't sleep much, and instead wonders the halls. I need to run to Gringotts and pick something up for him." Minerva frowned.
"I am on duty tonight, I can teach him some things. I saw him yesterday with a certain book."
"Great. If he absorbs things like James did, I won't be able to teach him much in Transfiguration. We all know James was the best in that." Sirius had a far away smile on his face.
"Sirius, you weren't far behind." Minerva said softly.
"Maybe, but my talent always had been in Defense." Sirius gave the aging Transfiguration professor a wink before transforming into Padfoot. As soon as the transformation was complete the door to the classroom opened with Cedric Diggory and Harry Potter in the door way.
That was until Harry was tackled by the massive dog form of Padfoot. "Padfoot!" Harry's laughter danced off the halls, reminding Minerva why Sirius was always a favorite student.
Professor Flitwick smiled at the Hufflepuff that was in front of him. When Cedric asked to stay after class to talk, the Head of Ravenclaw eagerly said yes.
"How may I help you Cedric?" The smaller wizard asked the tall youth infront of him.
"Professor, honestly I don't know if you can help. Recently, I have been losing duels, and well, you are a dueling champion." Cedric asked awkwardly. Really he had only lost 2 duels in the last month, but they were defeats never the less. And who losses to Sirius Black anyway?
"Mr. Diggory, I would love to teach you, but you must understand that my schedule does not permit me to teach individuals often. Why should I teach you? Why don't you ask Professor Sprout. She isn't a slouch with a wand." Flitwick suggested. While what he said was true, there were at best two people in the school who could consistently beat Flitwick, and only one of them were employed there.
"I already asked Professor." Cedric replied. It was true as well. Cedric had asked during a random meeting, and was told bluntly that "Cedric dear, you would wipe the floor with me. I'd ask either Professors Moody or Flitwick."
"I see. Why me? Why not Professor Snape, Professor Moody or Professor McGonagall? All of them are extremely formidable." Flitwick fingered his wand and awaited the answer from the Hufflepuff.
"Professor Moody isn't going to say to a person throwing curses as him, unless his job requires it. Professor Snape would love to hit me with some curses but that isn't what I need. Professor McGonagall's dueling style revolves around transfiguration and a few curses, while mine revolves around charms, applications, and counters. In an open setting, I have the advantage, and in confined quarters I am at a disadvantage. Our styles are opposite." Cedric counted his points off, extremely careful not to insult any of the professors mentioned.
"And you forgot to answer the true question Mr. Diggory." Flitwick's eyes narrowed.
"You use charms. You don't just use them, you play with them, tweak them, shift their purpose and utilize them in combat. A shaving charm becomes a weapon. Not to mention your body modification charms Professor." Cedric swiftly stopped talking when the wand of his professor pressed into his chin.
"You will tell no one about those. That is forbidden knowledge." The voice of the half-goblin professor hissed out. Cedric trembled as the normal blue eyes of the Charms professor were yellow and slitted, and the professor had an air of malice around him. "Who else knows?"
Cedric didn't say a word as the wand ground into his cheek. Flitwick stopped his pressure when he felt a tap on his stomach. Glancing down he found Cedric's wand pointed firmly at his sternum.
"Back up, or I blow a hole through you." Cedric's furious words caused more alarm in Flitwick than even the wand pointed at him.
With a sigh, Flitwick sheathed his wand, and sat on his chair. "My apologies Mr. Diggory. In Goblin Culture, the mention of my enhancements results in death. For all those involved. If the Goblin Nation discovered that you knew, they would declare war on wizard kind assuming you tortured the information out of me."
"So you reacted with violence Professor?" Cedric bit out. His response was another sigh.
"My body enhancement does cause issues. I am faster, stronger, and nimbler. But I am also more vicious and bloodthirsty. It was the reason I left dueling. But I am still impressed by you. Most would have been terrified by my wand in their face." Flitwick explained with a sad smile.
"Impressed? Why the hell are you impressed when I could have died?!" Cedric exploded.
"Died? You silly boy, I was merely going to obliviate the knowledge of our conversation and my body enhancements from you. While I was angry and worried I would never harm a student!" Flitwick gasped.
Cedric sighed and let the tension in his muscles go. "So what is your answer professor?"
"Meet me here every Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday evening. I will make sure you are a force to be reckoned with." Flitwick smiled.
"Thanks professor." Cedric grabbed his bag and started to walk out. He stopped at the door and turned before he left. "By the way professor. Next time you point a wand at me without permission, be ready to fight."
The feral smile on Flitwick's face was testament to his feelings about the matter.
AN: Welp, work was hell this weekend, so I didn't get a chance to work on this. Luckily we had a snow day today so yay! You all may thank the Ohio Weather Gods for the effort. Now, we have the beginnings of the next major portion of this story, and peeks at three major character's views. Four if you count another view that isn't as major but still important. The next chapter will be worked on this weekend, so I should be on time with a monday posting.