AN: Check the first chapter for disclaimers
Helen was sitting in the head armchair in the oval. She was wearing an ivory cashmere sweater that came down to cover her upper thighs, while the neck of the sweater was loose enough that it had slid over one of her shoulders, showing that she wasn't wearing a bra. Helen had her legs folded with her knees tucked under her chin, as she listened to the reports from her followers.
They had completed their task which Helen had given them at the beginning of the year about finding out the reactions of various groups on the ministry's decision of placing Dementors at Hogwarts. Predictably the student body was wary and afraid, as was visible in their demeanor every day. Mandy, Morag and Micheal, who had been given the task to feel the school's general nerve, told her about the specific cases who were especially affected. They also informed her about the opinion of the staff, which was in general outraged and annoyed.
Anthony and Terry, who had been tasked to know about Wizengamot's stance as well as those of noble families, told her that the opinion there was divided, and not along the traditional lines. All the families who had children in Hogwarts were annoyed with the Minister, to varying degrees, as they were not even consulted before the decision was taken, while the rest were supportive of his decisive action. Since placing the Dementors was within the executive power of the minister, the Wizengamot had reluctantly complied.
Within the ministry, there was majority support for Fudge, especially from most of the head of the department. Surprisingly, even Amelia supported the decision, but after considering her estranged relations with her niece as well as her authoritarian stance, Helen concluded that it wasn't out of the ordinary.
Internationally, the scene was almost a complete reverse of the ministry. The rest of the world, who already disliked the use of Dementors by the British to guard their prison, were simply outraged by the decision to expose children to the Dementors. However, since that was all that they could do as they had no authority to interfere, the minister had completely ignored the various ambassadors, straining the relations with other magical nations.
While Helen could have found out all these details quite easily on her own, she wanted to integrate her followers into various circles. Anthony and Terry would end up in Wizengamot so it was important to start making contacts there. Padma could easily end up as a Healer in St. Mungo. Lisa and Sue could fit perfectly within the ministry and Helen could help get them in influential departments and positions. Mandy and Micheal would be perfect media representatives within her followers, with Mandy going into print and Helen could hire Micheal for GWC. Morag would obviously become a Quidditch star, she had a mind for strategies and the skill to execute them perfectly. Helen could see Cedric and Hermione handling the Diggory and Potter seats in Wizengamot or join ministry or do both simultaneously, while Colin would be a perfect fit within the Auror corp. She couldn't envision Blaise in any such roles. He was a rogue and as such these positions didn't seem to suit him at all, but the pull of his mother was more than worth maintaining the relationship.
Just as Sue was finishing her report, Luna entered the oval and informed Helen that she had visitors waiting outside the entrance. Curious about who it could be, Helen stepped out to the common room and approached the entrance. On opening the door, she was surprised to find the Weasley twins waiting patiently outside.
"Good evening, gentlemen. What can I do for you?" she asked pleasantly.
They looked at each other and surprisingly only Fred replied, "We wanted to talk to you about something and ask your advice." George nodded as well showing it was not just Fred's idea.
Helen did a quick scan of their thoughts and realized what this was about. Recognizing the opportunity she replied "Very well, come along. We'll talk in my room."
She led them through the common room and her oval into her rooms. They looked around curiously in the common room and slightly enviously at the oval. However, they were blown away by her big, richly decorated room.
Helen sat in the center of the couch, crossing her right leg over her left, subtly forcing them to take the armchairs in front of her, which had a side table in between them.
Unaware of her divide and conquer manipulations, they occupied the chairs with George taking the one on her right and Fred on left. They looked at her nervously, unconsciously aware of who was superior between them. When they didn't start immediately, Helen gave them a look and George immediately started talking.
"So, during the last Hogsmeade visit, we took the opportunity to go to your store. We didn't get an opportunity to visit your store in Diagon as we arrived from our vacation very late in the break and were short of time."
Fred took over, "We had expected it to be a small shop with only a few racks of clothes. Instead, we found ourselves in a gigantic space, neat and orderly, with everything sorted and sectioned. We were impressed."
Their expressions told Helen that it was an understatement. They were overwhelmed by the organization and the effort that went in managing a shop, let alone a chain of them.
George continued, "We were concerned too." They looked at her expecting her to be annoyed about their words. Instead, she just raised an eyebrow, prompting them to explain, despite already being aware of their dilemma.
He picked up again, "You see, we have dreamed of owning and running a joke shop for years. We planned for it, chose subjects based on what will help our dream the most, and have dedicated all our efforts towards our dream. We had planned to open a shop similar to Zonko's and slowly run him out of business and take him over."
As he stopped for a breath, Fred took over again, "However, once we visited your shop, we realized that if we want to make it big, we need to look at the bigger picture and have much better planning, like you. We want to open a store like yours and want your advice and suggestions in this regard."
Helen looked at them for a while without changing her neutral expression, making them sweat a bit. Once satisfied with their nervousness level, she started speaking, "I can help you. And not only can I help you plan for the shop, I can also provide you with initial capital to kick-start your project. And when the time is right, I'll also help in getting you a place for the shop and setting it up."
The twin's eyes widened and they got up from their seats to begin celebrating. However, before they could begin, Helen continued as if there were no interruptions, "but I'll only do it if I become a partner in your business."
They paused halfway out of their chairs to stare at her. Simultaneously, they sat back down and leaned over the side-table to have a hushed discussion, occasionally glancing towards her. A few minutes later, they came to a conclusion and turned back to her.
"Agreed." both spoke together before Fred continued, "we'll be equal partners. 50-50%"
'Idiots!' Helen thought, but she could work with this, "Actually it would be beneficial for you if all three of us are equal partners. One-third each, instead of 50-50. That way the two of you combined will have the majority."
As understanding dawned on their faces, she continued, "we will be 50-50 partners at the start though, until the time you pay back my investment, with no interest since I consider you my friends."
They looked flabbergasted at the generous offer and thanked her profusely in their typical overenthusiastic manner.
Helen then added the cherry on the top, "You can also use that area," she said pointing at her office space, "for your research, analysis and paperwork. Just keep your experiments in Fluffy's room."
They looked at each other and simultaneously rushed forward to kneel at her feet, prostrating themselves in front of her. Helen laughed at their antics and gave each a pat on their head. They got up and pulled her to her feet, giving her a hug from either side. Helen rather enjoyed the sandwich, thinking about potential side benefits of this partnership.
Once they were seated again, this time on the couch with Helen in between, they hammered out the details of their arrangement as well as the contract which they would sign later. After business was done, they hung around for a while.
"You know our parents never supported the idea of us opening a joke shop. In fact, our mother is very against it. You're the first person to seriously support and help us to achieve our dream. We owe you big time."
"Then I'm sorry to say, your parents are being stupid and they don't understand you. It's obvious you have got talent for this and you're obviously dedicated towards your dream. If you need any kind of help, you can always come to me, I'll always help. After all, I care about you guys." Helen said, placing a hand each on their arm. They appreciated her words and sentiment, and soon left after thanking her once again.
As they left Helen smirked while thinking of an extra clause in the contract that would bind them to her without them being any wiser.
XXXXX
Hermione's birthday party was held in the oval, with only close friends attending. Helen had gotten her a beautiful diamond necklace as a public gift. Her real gift was to start training Hermione in Occlumency.
Once the party wound down, Helen dragged the birthday girl to her room. Once inside she told the brunette to go and change for the night in the walk-in closet, where her nightclothes were already waiting for her.
Five minutes later a blushing Hermione emerged wearing a skimpy two-piece string and lace teddy, which barely covered anything and left nothing to imagination. Helen enjoyed the view from the bed where she was lounging in her lingerie having already disrobed. Her undressed state, Hermione's nightdress as well as the lust in her eyes made it clear what she wanted to do next. Till now she had denied Hermione's requests to progress their physical relations but tonight she wanted them to go all the way.
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Hermione, who was somewhat used to Helen's schedule, was fresher and more awake at this very early hour. Cedric, on the other hand, was still yawning frequently, having never risen this early. Helen had brought both of them to the room of requirement an hour before the rest arrived in order to formally introduce them to each other as well as to start their training.
"I know you already know about each other despite never having been introduced, so I'll keep this short. Cedric, meet Hermione, my girlfriend. Hermione, meet Cedric, my boyfriend." Helen spoke with slight amusement at the situation and their expressions.
They awkwardly shook hands after mumbling 'hi' to each other, having no precedent about meeting your partner's other significant partner to rely on. Helen rolled her eyes at their antics and stepped up to them, taking their hand and forcing them to face each other. "It's unlikely that we'll be a ménage à trois as Cedric fantasizes, because Hermione only prefers girls unfortunately, but we are still going to be a family as I love and care about both of you very much."
Cedric blushed at her wordings, embarrassed a bit, having his fantasies being laid out in the open. However, his embarrassment turned into delight at Hermione's shyly spoken next words "I wouldn't mind boys if they are good looking and respectful. But only when Helen's with me."
Delighted herself, Helen continued "So, why don't you guys give each other a hug, hmm. You are practically family now."
They looked at each other and tentatively reached out to wrap their arms around each other's shoulder/waist. They let go after a few seconds, blushing and smiling shyly. Helen rolled her eyes again before stepping back and started speaking.
"The two of you are the most important person in my life. That also means that you'll likely be targeted by my enemies. I can't bear the thought of either of you getting hurt in any form, so starting today I'm going to train you in two disciplines. Mind arts and fighting."
"In mind arts I'm going to focus on occlumency first, which is the branch that protects and organizes your mind, making you invernurable against mental attacks, provides significant defense against mind altering spells and potions as well as gives you an almost perfect memory recall."
Hermione perked up at the last statement, knowing the significance of such a boon.
Helen continued, "I'll also teach you how to fight, both magically and non magically. You will learn all kinds of spells, both light and dark, yes dark magic as well" she said when Cedric's eyes widened, "and will undergo rituals too."
Both looked nervous at her words, but determined as well, aware that this was important to Helen.
Seeing their determination, Helen spoke with an evil glint in her eyes. "Today we'll start with an hour of occlumency training and then later you'll join the rest in physical and magical training."
Both looked nervous and a bit scared at her look, wondering what they just signed up for.
Three hours later they had an answer. Hell.
XXXXX
Since yesterday, Hermione and Cedric had joined the ever growing group that trained early in the morning with Helen. To facilitate easy travel, Helen had started creating passageways using the room, which would appear close to each house's entrance for a few minutes every morning so that everyone could quickly join her, without the risk of being caught out of bounds.
So far only Colin, Blaise and Padma were regularly coming, with sometimes a few Ravenclaws tagging along. Now, Cedric and Hermione would join daily as well. Right now, they were meditating in a separate section of the room, while Colin and Padma were practicing bludgeoning spells at the shooting range, leaving Blaise and Helen alone for their sword practice.
Adrastia had Blaise trained in fencing from a very young age and he was quite proficient with a rapier. Right now he was poised alert in attention, with his sword pointed at Helen, who had her katana in a cross body form.
Since both were very different styles of swords, with the katana primarily being used for slicing and rapier for stabbing, their fighting styles and stands were very different as well. The katana Helen was using was not a proper Japanese blade, but something she had gotten forged for her style. It was longer and thinner and the curvature was less than that of a real katana. The swordsmith was reluctant to forge the sword, saying that it would be useless as it was too thin and would break easily. Since he was a muggle, he hadn't obviously known about unbreakable charms. Blaise was using an Italian rapier which was just shy of six feet in length. It was also extremely thin with the width of the blade being less than an inch. However, it wasn't that different from normal rapiers as all rapiers were thin as their primary purpose was to stab through chinks in the armor and not to block the opponent's weapon. They had been going at each other for a while now, both showing signs of wear, with bruises all over their bodies.
Blaise had started using his usual tactic of taunting his opponent into making a mistake, and Helen had initially fallen for it, earning her a deep bruise on the small of her back.
"Giving up already, Potter. I thought this was supposed to be a competition. I guess being a girl makes you weak. Shouldn't have expected much from you," Blaise mocked at her sweaty bruised state.
Helen, now used to his style, didn't fall for it and replied with her own taunt, "As if you're one to talk, getting hit by a girl multiple times. I think Adrastia would be disappointed. Are you sure you're her son? She couldn't possibly have borne such a weakling?"
Blaise fell for it and angrily lunged forward pointing his sword at her abdomen. Helen neatly sidestepped his attack and knocked his feet from under him, making him stumble. Quickly taking advantage of the situation, she kicked him in the back, dropping him down and sat on his back with her blade placed on his neck. She knocked off the sword from his hand and leaned over to speak in his ear, "Yield?"
He tried struggling but Helen had ritually enhanced strength and kept him down easily. For an additional measure, she pressed her sword more firmly against his neck and he finally conceded "I yield! I yield!"
Giving him a peck on cheek, she got up and sprang back, aware that he might still attack deceitfully. He didn't, however, and got up slowly, gingerly, his bruises finally catching up to him.
Seeing that he was not going to attack, Helen too lowered herself to the floor, sitting beside him. She could feel her bruises already healing, not that they were visible before, covered by a full sleeved body hugging black top and tight stretchable exercise trousers.
The rest arrived soon after and asked if they were alright after seeing them on the floor. They replied they were fine, though Blaise mumbled about needing a bruise cream. Padma removed a jar of it from her bag, handing it over and left with Hermione, Colin and Cedric, leaving them alone.
Blaise untucked his top and groaned while removing it. Helen ended up helping him and withheld a gasp on seeing his torso. His muscular upper body was covered in crisscrossed welts and bruises ranging from light red to deep purple. Apparently, Helen hadn't restrained her strength enough. Thankfully, nowhere was his skin penetrated because their blades were spelled dull, however, the force with which they hit was still the same and thus left such marks on his skin.
Helen started gently applying the cream into his skin, drawing relieved sighs from him. Soon, she had covered all his upper body and Blaise commented with a smirk, "You know I have bruises below my belt as well."
Helen returned his smirk and replied cheekily, "I know, I gave them to you, remember," making him grumble. His grumbling abruptly stopped when Helen reached for his trousers and unbuckled it. He raised up his hips to help her remove it, leaving him only in his briefs. Helen started applying the cream over his calves and moved up to his thighs and had them covered soon.
By the time she was done, his underpants were tenting, implying his obvious enjoyment. However, Helen left him high and dry and sat back with a smirk on her face. "All done."
"You sure, I think I have a few more here." Blaise said, waving his hand in the general direction of his crotch.
"I'm sure I've covered all of them," Helen replied unaffected by his attempt.
Blaise sighed in mock disappointment. They sat discussing their duel while waiting for the cream to be absorbed completely. Once that was done, Helen got up to leave, but Blaise summoned a hottub in a last ditch effort to tempt her. "Why don't you join me for a soak? It'll help relax your aches."
Helen had to appreciate his persistence and gave in with a mock sigh, despite her aches already being gone. Blaise got in and sat in the water watching her undress hungrily. After removing her clothes casually, Helen transfigured her training bra and boyshorts into a bikini and stepped into the warm water.
Blaise immediately scooted over and put his arm around her shoulders. Helen gave him the eye, but he remained there nonchalant and leaned even closer. Helen shrugged mentally and relaxed against him.
His fingers didn't remain ideal for long though and started playing on the skin of her shoulder. When she didn't object for a minute, his free hand landed on her thigh under the water, lightly stroking it. Helen closed her eyes, deciding to let go and enjoy his fingers playing on her skin.
But Blaise was the kind of a man to whom if you gave an inch, he would take a yard and Helen knew it. Thus she wasn't surprised when very soon his lips touched her ear and laid a trail of kisses down to her neck. Relishing the sensation, Helen sighed and unconsciously tilted her head giving him further access. He laid fleeting kisses over her neck and shoulder and gently sucked on her pulse, drawing a moan from her. Encouraged by her sound cue, he held her cheek and firmly turned her around, pressing his lips on hers.
Helen laid her hand on his neck and kissed back. His tongue pushed against her lips and she let him enter her mouth, his tongue seeking hers to dance with. She touched his tongue with hers and started playing with it while his hands roamed exploring her body.
Blaise pulled her on top of him so that she was straddling him and they continued making out for a while. Helen decided to let him do whatever he wanted to do, surrendering control to him completely, enjoying the brief moment when she wasn't incharge, making decisions.
Blaise sucked at her tongue making her moan as his hands fondled her bikini-covered breasts. He broke the kiss only to start licking, sucking and nibbling his way from her lips, over her neck, shoulder, collarbone and finally to her breasts. His warm mouth left wet trails between the valley of her breasts and nibbled at all the soft flesh available. For next several minutes he traced all of her exposed body with his hands, focusing heavily on her almost bare bum while his mouth returned to lock lips with her. Once his hands unhooked her bikini top, however, Helen pulled back, giving him one last kiss and looked into his eyes.
"This is nice Blaise, however, I've to go now," Helen said kindly, letting him down easily, gently removing his hands and redid her bikini top.
"Oh well, no problem. Next time maybe." Blaise replied unperturbed, earning a smirk from her.
Helen shook her head at his persistence and after another kiss, stood up, giving him a view of her bikini clad bottom. As she turned back on him, his hand gave her arse one last squeeze, drawing a chuckle from her. She stepped out, dried herself with a wave of her wand and undid the transfiguration on her underwear. Once dressed, she made her way out of the room, making one last wish to the room. As she closed the door, she heard a surprised yelp behind her, as the water in the hottub suddenly turned icy cold, and she skipped out with a laugh.
XXXXX
Months and seasons turned and soon it was Halloween. Over that period, Helen continued training herself and her followers in combat and normal magic, while those closer to her got extra training in other fields as well. Both Cedric and Hermione went through the same rituals that Colin and Padma had gone through while Helen herself completed another ritual, one which connected her to her animagus form closer. Now, she could change into her form with just a thought and the transition from one form to the other was instantaneous. She could also hold basic communication with normal ravens and her presence tended to increase the intelligence level of those ravens who communicated with her.
However, she had taken on some of the characteristics of the largest bird from the corvid family. Like them, she now also loved to fly, which she already enjoyed before but now unsupported flight was something very special to her. Also, as if it was needed, her libido further increased and she now preferred engaging with more partners. Besides Hermione and Cedric, Chester, Robert and Arya were regulars in her bedroom now. She had refrained from engaging with Colin, Blaise and Micheal for now, but knew that it wouldn't be long before she picked them up as well. She also had started liking jewelry much more, and over the course of the month had mail ordered a huge collection of shiny accessories.
As the matchday got closer, the quidditch training intensified as well, taking more and more of her free time. Most of the teams had intensified their training as well, especially as the presence of the dementors had brought permanent heavy clouds at Hogwarts, making visibility poor.
Slytherin, however, were using their special brand of strategy to avoid the bad weather for as long as possible. Malfoy, who was their seeker, had gotten a scratch during the latest CoMC class. He had tried to get the hippogriff executed and Hagrid fired, but had failed on both accounts due to the presence of numerous eyewitnesses who verified that it was his own mistake because of which he got injured.
Left humiliated and frustrated, he played up his injury and succeeded in rescheduling Slytherin's first quidditch match. Now the Hufflepuffs would play the Gryffindors for the season opener while the Ravenclaws would face the house of green and silver in their first match.
It didn't change much for their team's practice sessions as they had been practicing their own strategies till now. Now that the Ravens knew they would be facing the snakes, they started practicing counter-strategies for the expected plays the team in green would make. This was their standard procedure, to practice their own moves first and counters for the opposition around a couple of weeks before the match.
XXXXX
On Halloween morning, Helen and other regulars were in the room of requirement early in the morning as usual, finishing up their daily workouts. Everyone was making significant progress. On the physical side, all the boys had made gains while Padma and Hermione had toned their bodies from all the aerobics and swimming. Magically as well all were leaps and bounds ahead of where they were before. Hermione and Cedric now also had basic mental shields that would make them aware of any mental probes sent their way. They still wouldn't hold against any proper attack but it was still progress.
Helen had decided to use the Hogsmeade trip as a test run for her throuple and was going to take Cedric and Hermione out on a date together. Polyamory was a concept not widely known to the magical populace, so they would try to not openly display their affections but they wouldn't refrain from it either.
Everyone left to get ready and soon were finishing off their breakfast in the great hall. A quarter of an hour later Helen was sitting in between her partners on a carriage to the village. Since the weather was cold due to the presence of dementors, they had all broken into the winter collection of clothes they had gotten from Helen's store, Spark. Both Helen and Hermione were wearing close-fitting pants which were spelled to maintain the body temperature. Hermione was wearing a full sleeved skin hugging top and a short jacket while Helen had a tank top with an open long coat over it, as the cold didn't bother her. Both had left their hair down. Helen had added a matching pair of diamond earrings and a pendant to her outfit. Cedric was wearing a sharp knee length coat with a simple T-shirt under it and snug black jeans.
And speaking of Spark, Madam Malkin and Helen had recently purchased a property in Hogsmeade to open another outlet here. This was their third overall, after Diagon Alley and Liverpool's magical district. They were working on opening another one in Montmartre in Paris before Christmas.
The carriage stopped at the edge of the village where they disembarked and entered the village together. They spent most of the time exploring the iconic village, checking out various shops and famous places. Hermione and Helen bought some sweets from Honeydukes, not too many though considering they were eating clean these days. Helen got some things for Colin and Luna too as they weren't allowed to come to the village till third year. She also stocked up some chocolate for dementor related emergencies.
Next, they went to the latest Spark store to check the progress. The outlet had a similar design as that in London and was jam-packed with customers, mostly Hogwarts students, browsing and purchasing their latest winter collection. They quickly exited the shop, not wanting to make a commotion and made their way to Three Broomsticks and enjoyed foaming mugs of hot butterbeer.
Much later, they returned to Hogwarts, having enjoyed each other's company. It was also clear to Helen that they would become a sort of ménage à trois with her as a central pivot. Hermione was agreeable to be with Cedric, she would only do so when Helen was present and never alone. For now, Helen thought with an internal smirk.
They reached the entrance hall and crossed into the Great Hall. It had been decorated with hundreds and hundreds of candle-filled pumpkins, a cloud of fluttering live bats, and many flaming orange streamers, which were swimming lazily across the stormy ceiling like brilliant watersnakes.
After consuming the delicious food, they separated and made their way to their respective dorms. Helen and the rest of Ravens had just changed into their night clothes when they heard Prof Flitwick's voice reverberating through the walls, immediately calling everyone to the common room. Once they arrived there, he told everyone to swiftly make their way to the Great Hall as there was an emergency.
On arriving they found the rest of the student population already present, most in a similar state of dress, apart from the Gryffindors. Helen waved Hermione over after spotting her and she told them what had happened. Sirius Black had tried to enter the Gryffindor common room and when the Fat Lady had refused, he attacked the portrait, damaging it, causing the guardian of Gryffindor entrance to flee, sealing the place.
Dumbledore soon arrived at the scene.
"The teachers and I need to conduct a thorough search of the castle," he told them as Professors McGonagall and Flitwick closed all doors into the hall. "I am afraid that, for your own safety, you will have to spend the night here. I want the prefects to stand guard over the entrances to the hall and I am leaving the Head Boy and Girl in charge. Any disturbance should be reported to me immediately," he added to them. "Send word with one of the ghosts."
Dumbledore paused, about to leave the hall, and said, "Oh, yes, you'll be needing…"
One casual wave of his wand and the long tables flew to the edges of the hall and stood themselves against the walls; another wave, and the floor was covered with hundreds of squashy bright orange sleeping bags, matching the Halloween theme.
"Sleep well," said Professor Dumbledore, closing the door behind him. 'Impressive' Helen thought to herself. Conjuring so many items, even though they were copies, was no mean feat. She reckoned that she was likely the only one in Hogwarts who could match the feat, as McGonagall and Flitwick lacked the strength and Severus lacked the skill. No one else was even close. Now if only Dumbledore had some color sense and had conjured something that wasn't such an eyesore.
The hall immediately began to buzz excitedly; the Gryffindors were telling the rest of the school what had just happened.
Her followers and friends all gravitated towards her and the whole group settled together murmuring softly. Soon, they were in the sleeping bags with Hermione next to Helen. Since she wasn't able to change her clothes, Helen subtly transfigured them once she was inside her bag.
Once everyone was asleep, Helen pondered on why would Black want to enter the Gryffindor tower. There was no one of significance there and Helen was in Ravenclaw. Unless he didn't know that and assumed like everybody else that she followed her parents to Gryffindor. Based on the glances she had received once the story broke out, she guessed that most thought the same.
But that reasoning brought another question, one which she had pondered before as well. Why would he come to her? He was no death eater. So why risk his life just to meet her?
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