Sorry about the wait everyone, but good fics take time to make & I can't go about running myself ragged from work, home, life, & fanfiction.
Now for the questions in the last chapter, they shall be answered here. I can tell you now, it'll be good and it's going to be good for a while. I do have some other ideas for the fic, but you'll see them at the end of this chapter & I'll let you vote.
Written by myself and my sister author AnnaBoleyna1536, and we don't own Harry Potter.
Enjoy!
European Oracle office:
CRACK! One loud noise echoed through the room of the most informational/nosiest place in all of Europe, Charlotte Prewett dressed in long black robes appeared before a large oak desk overseeing many others with piles of paper and quills everywhere. All eyes were focused on her, but she ignored most of them.
"Oh…Lady Prewett what a surprise." Charlotte had come to the Oracle office, much to the shock of the many reporters there. She had come to speak with the chief editor, and he obviously was very surprised to see her. "What can I do for you today?"
"I need to know which of your reporters was at the Ministry Ball last Saturday." she was angry, it was very obvious to everyone. The outcome of the paper being published tomorrow morning would go very badly for Harry if she didn't stop it.
"Well…we only had two there that night Mr. Borden and Ms. Flores." he motioned for the two to step forward, a man with huge black glasses and no hair, and a woman with red graying hair tied up in a loose bun with a hideous purple dress on; from the nervous looks on their faces they had an idea of why she was there.
"Which of you took a picture of my son and Mr. Krum?" the chief editor stared at them. They all knew Charlotte was a seer, and she saw the picture being published with complications along the way.
"What?" It was clear they hadn't had a chance to show the article for review, and then it would've been published by the afternoon edition.
"One of you took a picture of my son with Mr. Krum at the ball, I want it destroyed and all copies plus the articles included." she had on her hard stare. The Oracle was worse than the Prophet back in Britain, it had faster speed at traveling around Europe and if word got back to London it would put Harry in danger and jeopardy with Viktor. Charlotte had seen what would've happened if the article was published, Harry would've been found and there'd be a fight on the way which would've scarred the child more.
"L-Lady Prewett, this is something the public has a right to know…" Ms. Flores spoke up.
"The public will harass my son, and I won't have it. He has been through enough as it is, and I won't have his new start tarnished by your garbage." the Prewett name had a lot of influence over the Oracle, and Charlotte wasn't one to mess with everyone knew that. Ignatius once owned part of it, but when he died Charlotte sold it to another wizard who promised her full access to the articles if she smelled foul play.
"Lady Prewett I assure you if I had known I wouldn't have let it be published, considering the last scandal we had here." he glared at the two. In her vision Charlotte saw them sneak the article past him, but it might've cost them their spots on the Oracle.
"That matters not, just make sure this article and anything associated with it is destroyed. My son is finally settling into his new home, and I am not going to have his name plastered all over Europe." Ms. Flores handed over the photo, and Charlotte incendioed it. "Is that all?"
"No but we will destroy the articles." Chief Editor Roman Hagans would see it through. "I'm deeply sorry for this miss." Charlotte straightened up her jacket.
"You I don't blame, but your employees had best keep an eye out next time they try to slander my son or me. Good day everyone." she disapparated out of the office, and ended up back outside the gates of Prewett Castle. When she made her way back to best living room, she opened a curtain that covered another portrait of Ignatius.
"That was fast."
"Almost not fast enough, it's too soon for people to know where Harry is." she threw her coat off and sat on the couch with a heavy sigh.
"Something troubles you Charlotte, and I don't believe it's just the boy's safety."
"You love showing off that skill don't you uncle?" Charlotte smirked. "I've been watching Hogwarts." Ignatius frowned.
"I assume nothing has changed?" Charlotte shook her head.
"The old fool believes if he finds Harry and explains his actions he'll forgive him, and of course his deputy headmistress is the smart one in telling him to leave things alone until Harry is ready to return."
"Minerva McGonagall, a remarkable woman she is. Tell me does she feel regret?"
"She does, sorry that she didn't help Harry when he needed her and sorry that she has the two sniveling runts and the wiseacre cunt in her house. They are nothing but trouble now, constantly complaining though little Ginny seems to be quieting down." normally Charlotte didn't use vulgar words, but she truly despised that Granger girl. The problem with Muggleborns was that most of them got so big-headed they believed they had rights over everything magical and muggle. In some cases it was true, but their egos were their turning points.
"And what of Snape?"
"He is not much better, I can see his remorse, but he cannot expect Harry to come back after all he's done. It's up to Harry to decide for his life, not some pathetic serpent."
"Charlotte, you know it may come." she sighed again.
"Yes, but Harry will not forgive easily. He has been through hell and back already, though that may change unless I can configure a way to prevent Voldemort from returning." Ignatius stared.
"You believe you can do so?"
"With Black and Lupin's help I believe so. While I cannot see when it will take place, I know it will be towards the end of the next year. It will be some sort of ritual, but as for what type I can't fully tell. Either way if Harry is hurt or taken, I will be there to help as will Black and Lupin."
"The tournament…are you going to have him compete?" Charlotte frowned.
"I don't know, when I mention it to Harry it'll be up to him. I don't want him to be at risk, and I know the consequences that may follow…but Harry has to decide for himself. Either way if he competes he'll have me and his godfathers to back him up."
"What about the others?"
"If you mean the Weasleys…you know I haven't checked on them in years."
"Charlotte I know you've been watching over William and Charles, they were your favorites after all."
"My only favorites, although I have to admit I do miss Percy and part of me does wish I could've known the twins." she couldn't help but chuckle, in her visions the twins were absolutely hilarious…despite the trouble they made they were smart and fun to be around. They were almost like her father and uncle had been as teenagers based on stories Ignatius had told her, though they were more serious in their time as adults.
"You will have that chance, but that is for another time. Tell me is Harry going to be honest with his friends?"
"Yes." she nodded.
"And will they accept him?" Charlotte looked directly at her uncle, and gave a small smile.
"We'll find out soon enough, I expect a letter by tomorrow evening at the latest. Now, I'm in the mood for a good book and some tea…I think you should go visit Amarelle."
"I shall, and Charlotte…try not to seek into the visions too much. You know it could twist your mind if you rely on them too much."
"I know." Charlotte got up and left to her own private study. She summoned a book on her favorite stories, and leaned back to give herself some relaxation knowing that later on today Harry was going to have quite a show.
Durmstrang, later that day:
"I'm not sure about this Viktor."
"It'll be fine Harry, I promise you the others will understand if you just explain. It's not like Durmstrang is filled with hateful people, but you don't want them to find out from someone else do you?" Harry had to admit Viktor was right, he had gone on long enough without telling his friends the truth and it wasn't as if he lied about who he was, they knew he was adopted and had a rough life, they just didn't know all of the details.
"But what if they get angry? I'm not exactly the best…"
"That won't matter, I know these boys they'll understand. I've known most of them longer than you, and they'll keep their word if you want it to be a secret from the rest of the school." After a lot of thinking and consideration on his part, Harry figured now was the best time to tell his friends the truth about who he really was.
"Okay…but wait until after dinner that way I can try and sleep better if they get it."
"Harry no one will get it, because they aren't you but they will be respectful."
"Viktor I trust you and I believe I can trust them, it's just that if word gets out about me being the Boy-Who-Lived from England people there will come looking for me."
"Your mum won't let that happen, and neither will I." Viktor hugged him close. "You don't need to worry, it'll just be Devon, Max, Nick, and Gerard. You have nothing to worry about." one kiss to Harry's head and Harry began to relax.
"Alright…but if anything goes amiss I'll Obliviate them." they laughed. Dinner would be in a few minutes but the first thing Harry had to do was get his friends into his room without any suspicions. He didn't have much to worry about with the other boys but Jean had been giving him and Viktor odd looks since the ball ended the previous night.
Word had it Jean's mother was going to speak with the Krums, but Viktor had already written to his mother explaining that he didn't want anything from Jean and asked that they ignore any request she may bring forward. He also knew that Charlotte would keep the woman at bay with her power, but Harry couldn't help he still worried.
Dinner went by quietly for Harry, though many of the boys asked him about the ball he just responded by saying it was nice. He didn't have any details to spare, none that he wanted spared at least though he was surprised Jean had been quiet so far.
"Hey guys, come to my room tonight eh?"
"Sure Harry, after dinner good?"
"Yeah." they didn't ask questions, no doubt they believed Harry did have some details from the ball. They likely suspected Harry and Viktor were together, but then again a lot of the boys here were gay or bi. Either way it would all come out tonight, he just hoped it went well.
"Jean's staring at us again." Devon pointed at the next table. Jean had a dulled look in his eyes, but it wasn't anger or sadness.
"Leave him be, he won't do anything." Viktor sipped his drink. "Shall we?" the group nodded and stood, following out of the hall and up to their dorms. Once they made it to Harry's room, they waited until they got inside to bomb him with questions.
"So how was the ball?"
"Did you meet the Minister?"
"Did anything happen?"
"C'mon Harry tell us did you get to meet some of the politicians?"
"Guys!" Harry held up his hands. "One at a time please, can't exactly answer them all at once y'know." he took a breath. "For starters, the ball was great and I had some fun, but there was some trouble with an old lord that drank a lot…Kessler." they all rolled their eyes.
"No surprise there." Gerard laughed. "I remember once he drank so much he actually hexed the Minister with boils, but that got him suspended for two years."
"Next, yes I met the Minister and he's better than the one in London I can tell you that. Yeah I did meet some of the ladies and lords, and they all seem alright. Mum was popular, but I spent most of my time with Viktor." they shared a look, but that seemed all necessary when the other boys high-fived each other.
"I knew it!" Devon clapped his hands. "I knew you were together I just needed proof."
"Guys…?" Harry hadn't told them anything; of course they caught on faster than expected.
"Hey as long as you two take it slow because of your age difference it's fine with us, but Jean…" Nikolai looked at Viktor.
"He knows, and I believe he won't bother us again. In all honesty his mother was the one who wanted me as his boyfriend, and I think he lied to himself for a while but…he'll need time to get over it." they all agreed, Jean had been obsessed with Viktor for a while but everyone knew how his mother had been with her husbands. She was pushy and self-absorbed, sometimes they wondered if she even cared for Jean but at the very least Jean wasn't unhappy, just quiet with her.
"So you both know the rules around here?" Gerard pointed between the two of them. "Harry has to be fifteen for you to bed if it gets that far and…"
"Yes we know!" Harry went red. "He explained it to me, so we are going slow. Now…there's something else you should know about me. I'm not sure how you'll take it, but please…don't interrupt me."
"Hey mate we won't, just get it all out." Devon sat down.
"Is anything wrong?" Nikolai stared.
"No, not exactly but it does involve my life back in London."
"Mate we already know about your other relatives and why you left, or why your mum left what else is there?" Viktor just touched Harry's hand, and Harry sat down on his bed to try and relax.
"Well you all do know the story of why I came here in the first place, you know how, and you know what it was to make me leave England but there's more to it than you think." he paused. "Remember our first day in Montclair's class, when she mentioned the three unforgivable curses?" they nodded. "That story she said about only one person who survived the killing curse…" he breathed in. "That was me."
"You?" all the boys stared. "You were the…mate are you serious?"
"He is." Viktor nodded.
"My birth name is Harold James Potter, I was the boy who survived against the Dark Lord Voldemort." their eyes widened. "I know it sounds sketchy, but it's the truth. My parents both died to protect me because he was out killing innocent people. My mum's magic protected me…that's how I survived. I wouldn't have wanted it, but what more does mothers do for their children?" he moved his bangs, showing his scar which Charlotte had hidden with a glamour spell.
"That mark…that's the proof." Devon stared in awe. "You're the boy-who-lived, you lived through that curse."
"Not something I'm proud of, my mum gave her life for mine that's how I survived. Old magic my adopted mum told me, sacrificing your life to save another…it's powerful but it's mostly forgotten in this world until now."
"That makes sense, what more can mothers do?" Gerard slumped.
"Your dad…he knew though right?" Harry shook his head.
"He didn't." Harry went silent, so far there were no outbursts. They seemed to be thinking this over a little better than he hoped.
"So why did…?"
"I keep this a secret? Because if word gets out about my former identity people in London will come looking for me and though my mum's got powerful connections I wouldn't be able to handle it."
"What about your birth dad though? I mean we all know what he did to you, but…"
"He was a servant of Voldemort." they all gasped. "In his own stupidity and blindness he joined the monster who tried to kill me. I doubt he regrets it, seeing as even before he knew I was his he treated me like garbage." Harry's eyes darkened in a glare. "He is nothing to me now, I have my mum and my godfathers plus Viktor…I don't need him."
"Amen to that!" Nikolai clapped his shoulder. "Honestly mate…this is a shock to us all…"
"I'm surprised you aren't jumping off the walls after what I just told you. Plus you aren't asking for proof other than my scar…" Nikolai walked up and clapped Harry on the back.
"Harry…we're taught a lot of things before we reach the age of 11, probably more than Hogwarts students know after they start. We kind of have to grow up at that age, but the point is…well while we can't exactly understand what you've gone through, we can accept you for you. You basically had a rough life due to a madman dark wizard, your relatives weren't real and hated magic, your birth dad's an arsehole, but your adopted mum and godfathers love you no less. Hell I have an adopted sister and my parents rescued her from an abusive home."
"Really?" Harry stared.
"Really, it's a long story but my family took her in when she was three. I love her no less than a blood sister…so I have some idea of what you went through."
"Yeah mate…we don't care and your secret's safe with us." Gerard clapped his leg. "Who knows? Maybe if we get to visit London one day we can teach your ex-friends and classmates real lessons in friendship." he cracked his knuckles.
"Whoa now no need to get hostile." Harry laughed. "So you won't tell a soul?" they all gave him a salute.
"Durmstrang student's honor!" they chanted.
"See Harry, I told you they'd understand." Viktor hugged him. "Alright guys, we have your word on this to keep quiet?" they all nodded.
"I think I need a shower." Harry rubbed his eyes. "I'm exhausted now and I think I'll sleep better tonight."
"I'm in need of a shower as well, long day with Quidditch practice." Viktor stood. "Anyone else?"
"I'll go." Devon and Nikolai stood.
"Nah, I already showered before dinner and I have to finish up my DADA essay. I'll see you guys in the morning." they all went to leave, Harry said he would catch up but he needed to do something first. Viktor promised to wait for him, and kissed Harry before leaving.
'I can trust them, I can.' Harry felt it in his magic the boys he had come to know in half a year were true friends to him. He feared they would reject him, but Viktor was right…Durmstrang students care for their own and take care of each other. Hogwarts had nothing on him now…and speaking of which Harry summoned his old photo album, the one Hagrid gave him in his first year.
He first looked at the picture of his parents with him as a baby, seeing his mother's smiling face and James holding him up like a proud father. He kissed the photo, how he wished they had lived but he would know forever that they gave their lives so he could live…and he would not throw that away again. He turned the next page, and saw the picture taken from his first year with Ron and Hermione…or Weasley and Granger as he would address them if they ever met again.
'I thought we were friends, guess it wasn't real for you as it was for me.' he pulled the picture out of the album and turned to the fire going in his room. 'We will never be friends again.' he tossed the photo into the fire, and watched as it burned into ash almost immediately.
'I have a new life now, I don't need you anymore.' with that thought in mind Harry quickly grabbed his towel and soaps before going to follow his friends into the showers.
My sincere apologies for the long wait, but fear not updates will come continuously. I can't say it'll be quick for the next one, because I do have other fics to worry about. I will however keep checking in to be sure this fic goes as it should.
Next chapter is the ending of Harry's year in Durmstrang, a start off to his first summer with Charlotte and his godfathers. He and Viktor will have a moment before the break comes, and their relationship will continue. Might even hint a little surprise for Harry's birthday, not sure on that just yet; but before I bid you adieu, I have a little question for all of you.
Harry is going to be involved in the Tri-wizard tournament, but if there's anything you'd like me to add in please tell me in a review. I do have a few ideas myself, but they have to be sorted out first. If you want me to include anything you want to see in the tournament or before Voldemort is brought back please say so.
R&R
Later!
