Chapter 2: The Catalyst
AN: Thanks to my betas, poisonivy9675, PJO-Is-Amazing1234 and thaliatheawesome, for looking this over. Thanks darrelldeam for looking this over when you didn't have too. All mistakes are my own.
AN: Remember this is a wish verse things are going to happen without reason or explanation.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
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Harry looked at the now vacant spot the demon had disappeared from. 'Dammit, I was hoping to ask her what she did.' He looked around and didn't see of feel anything different. He got up and was headed back to Hogwarts, when he noticed a younger blond girl in Ravenclaw robes, headed his way.
"Hello, Harry Potter, I see the Nargles have finally left you alone," she said in a dreamy voice looking at a spot on the side of his head. She was a slight girl, with a sundress under her open robes, which was bizarre as it was almost winter in Scotland. She wore mismatched sock in dress shoes. There were radishes hanging from her ears and what looked to be butterbeer corks in a necklace around her neck. All in all she was a strange sight.
"Ummm, what?" was his confused reply.
"Never mind… I have something to talk with you about. Can we go to the rock you just came from," she asked in a serious voice, her grey-blue eyes looking into his.
"Ummm, yeah, sure," he said rubbing the back of his neck, hoping he wasn't making a mistake. He turned and headed back to the boulder and when they reached it, he helped the slight girl up and sat next to her. "So, who are you? And what did you need to talk to me about?"
"Oh, I'm sorry; I forgot you don't know me. I am Luna Lovegood, though most call me Looney, I don't' mind. It's the wrackspurts that make them that way," she said looking out at the lake. She turned to him eventually and said, "I just had a memory of my father telling me to interview you for the Quibbler. The funny thing is I also have one of him telling me I was too young to do that. Odd, isn't it?" She tilted her head to the side, causing her long hair to cascade over her slender shoulders. The radish earrings swung with the motion.
"Oh, yeah, odd," Harry replied, nervously running his hands through his hair. He wondered if this girl could read minds or see the future.
"Don't worry, Harry, I won't tell. I have a feeling that it will all work out. Too bad the Scoobies won't fare as well as you will. The Dale is going to be hurting for that week. Cordelia should be more careful with her wish, and then maybe things won't be so bad," she said vacantly staring off into the sky. She shook her head and hummed a little tune as she looked at the boy in front of her, waiting for his decision.
Harry looked at the weird girl and wondered if she was completely sane. 'Cordelia? Nargles? Wrackspurts? Scoobies? The Dale? What is she talking about?' The confused black haired teen shifted suddenly uncomfortable. He wondered whether he should let this strange girl interview him. Well, it wasn't like he had a good running with the press, and he had never heard of the Quibbler. Harry was still debating when Luna interrupted his thoughts.
"Well, let's get started then. What can you tell me, Harry Potter, about your childhood?" She conjured a parchment and writing utensils, not waiting any longer for the boy to make up his mind. She knew what was needed for him to be free of the ridicule that haunted these halls.
"How did you do that? That's fifth year stuff," Harry asked slightly awed.
"I'm a Ravenclaw. It's one of the first spells we learn," she answered, and then glared at him. "You're avoiding the question. If you want people to treat you fairly then you need to tell the truth." She punctuated her point by jabbing him in the chest.
The messy haired boy rubbed the spot, sighed and thought about it. It was something Hermione had also mentioned in the past. Maybe they were right… maybe he needed to get it out there and then people would know he wasn't some glory hound.
So he settled more comfortably on the boulder, leaning back on his elbows and stared at the twinkling stars. He didn't look at Luna; he just started talking.
He told her all about his childhood. The cupboard, the verbal abuse, the lack of food, thinking his parents were drunks on the dole and died in a car accident, the too big hand-me-down clothes and even all about Harry Hunting. It took a good hour to get it all out, but he felt better for it. He explained about the previous three summers with his, 'oh so loving' relatives. She laughed when he told about his Aunt Marge.
Luna cast a warming charm on both of them. "I'm sorry to hear your childhood was so bad, Harry," the dreamy eyed blonde said placing a hand on the foot nearer her. "So… Now tell me about the years since you've come back to the magical world." Her hand poised to take more notes. This would put the Quibbler on the map. Her father would be proud, even if he really didn't tell her to do the interview.
Harry took a deep breath and shifted to a cross-legged position. He began to tell her about the fiasco of what happened when he first set foot in the Leaky Cauldron. He told her about the way people treated him his first weeks of Hogwarts, and how it made him feel. He went on about the threat to his life during the Quidditch match, the mystery he and his friends solved, the traps, Quirrell and how it felt to be the cause of the man's death. He left out the Mirror of Erised, the dragon and his Invisibility Cloak, feeling like he didn't really want those facts broadcast to the wizarding world, but he spoke of his frustration with how the headmaster had shaken off his question as to why Voldemort was after him.
He shifted again and looked Luna in the eye and didn't see pity, just someone who wanted to know. So Harry spoke of second year. How he still held a grudge against most of the student body for dubbing him the Heir of Slytherin. He expressed his anger over what happened to Hagrid. He told about his time in the Chamber and what Tom had told him—and done to Ginny. He spoke about Dobby and what the little elf had tried to do to save his life. His eyes became gentle when he spoke about his overly energetic friend. He did vent his frustration over Malfoy Sr. getting way with what he did and how he had tried to kill him.
His voice took on a furious tone when he talked about his third year. He mentioned his extreme reaction to the Dementors and what they made him remember. He ranted some more when he spoke of Sirius and how he was his innocent godfather, not a mass murderer, and the anger that he felt when the real criminal —Peter Pettigrew— got away. He expressed his disappointment at the adults for not listening to him and his friends. He left out the time turner and the escape.
He concluded his story with what had happened in the last few months. How in the beginning he was happy that maybe this year his life wouldn't be in jeopardy, and how frustrated and angry he felt when that wasn't the case. He finished off with how sometimes he felt the magical world was maybe not for him.
Luna nodded and finished her notes. "I'll write this up and get it to my father tonight. There should be a special edition tomorrow. Your story will be heard," she stated firmly and then she jumped off the boulder and headed to the castle.
Harry sat for a little while longer, hope in his heart for the first time since his name came out of the Goblet. He knew he should get up, it was way past curfew, but he wanted to dwell for awhile.
After about a half an hour basking in the light feeling his head held, he got up and went to the castle, ready to face the consequences of his wish. He made it to the Gryffindor common room unmolested. When he got there he was overtaken by his ex-friend, Ron Weasley; a tall, gangly redhead, who was brandishing a letter.
"Look what I've got," the redhead said smugly. "I finally made it rich. This is a letter telling me I've won a sweepstake." Then the boy rubbed his nose and got a confused look on his face. "I don't remember entering, but I won. So now I am the Boy Who Won… prefer it to your title." He pushed his former friend in the shoulder, gloating on his new found fame.
"Good for you," Harry deadpanned. Then shoved the taller boy out of his way and headed to his bed. He was suddenly tired and wanted to put the day behind him, including the bragging Weasley.
"Jealous?" Ron taunted. "Can't share the glory?"
"I sure hope your fame brings you everything it ever brought me," Harry said over his shoulder as he walked up the stairs. He just made it to his bed and flopped down, not even undressing, and was quickly asleep.
The next day more and more students were saying 'hi' to him and clapping him on the back stating they believed in him. It was at lunch when a huge flock of owls descended on the Hall, all of them had a copy of the Quibbler, with the headline 'Harry Potter Tells All' splashed across the front. Harry took his copy and had to admit, after he read the front page article, that it was well done. The only thing he regretted was that he was still dubbed the Boy Who Lived, but at least now people would admire him for what he had done and not some fluke.
Ron scowled at him; angry that Harry was getting the attention once more, until a copy of the Daily Prophet was also distributed and the story of his winning were published within. He didn't seem to notice that his family was glaring at him.
"Oi, Potter, how does it feel to be second best? You had to get your story heard in a second rate paper, while I made the front page of the Prophet," Ron yelled above the crowd around him.
"Feels pretty damn good," Harry said with a real smile.
"Whatever," Ron scoffed, turning back to the students gathered around him. All congratulating him and asking him how he cheated. His twin brothers being the loudest to ask that question. "What? I didn't even enter let alone cheat!" he yelled, red-faced.
After classes Harry went back to his spot at the lake and sat enjoying the quiet. This was promptly disturbed by an overenthusiastic house elf. Who looked laughable, in his too large jumper, his mismatched socks and his tower of hats. Harry figured this must be where all Hermione's knitting went.
"Harry Potter, sir, Dobby has done a wonderful thing. Yes, Dobby has. Dobby has gotten back at the bad master for Harry Potter," the little elf said as he bounced up and down making his big ears flop around his large head, hats swaying from side to side. His eyes were wide with joy and wonder over what he had accomplished.
"Whoa, slow down, Dobby, breathe and try and calm down, then tell me what you did," Harry said gently grabbing the bouncing elf by his shoulders.
When the hyper elf calmed he started telling Harry what he had done. "Dobby was reading in the Quibbler that Harry Potter was mad that the bad master was not being punished for his crime. So Dobby is being sneaky-sneaky and he is going to the Wheezys and telling them what he is knowing. Dobby told Mr. Wheezy where the bad master would hide the bad book and Mr. Wheezy said he would take it from there. They says they is going to sue the bad master," the little elf said as he started bouncing again. "Dobby is being more sneaky by finding the bad book in Headmaster Twinkly Eyes office and putting it in the bad master's house. He is having a secret room that Dobby is being knowing."
"That was very smart of you, Dobby. You're a good friend," Harry said and then immediately regretted it when those bulbous eyes started watering. "No, no, Dobby, please don't cry," he said frantically.
"Dobby is just so happy that Harry Potter would call him a friend," Dobby wailed into the dusk.
"Please stop," Harry begged looking around to make sure they were alone. He thought on how he could subdue the hyper elf. "Dobby, are you happy working for Hogwarts?" he asked grabbing the first thing that came to his mind.
"Dobby is happy to be a free elf, but Dobby's biggest wish is to be working for Harry Potter," the elf said with big pleading eyes.
"I could use someone to run errands for me," Harry said thoughtfully remembering all the times he was locked up and couldn't get any news from the wizarding world. Having a house elf get him newspapers and such would be beneficial. "Okay, Dobby, whatever you are making here I'll double it."
"Oh, no Harry Potter, sir. Dobby will not work for more than two Knuts a week," Dobby said with a firm nod of his head.
"Two Knuts? That's literally nuts, you can't even buy yarn for that. Two Galleons," was the rebuttal.
They argued for around ten minutes and finally settled on five Sickles a week and one day off a month. Dobby was a hard bargainer. As the two bizarre friends finished their negotiations another house elf popped in, this one was wearing a tea towel with the Hogwarts symbol on the front.
"Tilly is having a message from Headmaster Twinkle Eyes," the female elf said handing over the piece of parchment she had in her spindly hand.
"Ummm, thanks Tilly," Harry said. He looked at the note and saw that the Headmaster wanted to talk to him. The password was 'Bonbons'. He huffed and got up. "I have to go and see Dumbledore, Dobby. Why don't you go… and…ummm, see about straightening the mess that is my trunk, that will give you something to do," he suggested, going over in his mind what he could do to keep his new hire busy.
"Yes, sir, Harry Potter, sir. Dobby will get it all clean and neat for Harry Potter." And with smart salute and a pop the little elf was gone. Seconds later the Hogwarts elf popped away as well.
Harry just shook his head at Dobby's antics and went to see what Dumbledore wanted. He made his way through the castle and to the gargoyle that guarded the stairs to the headmaster's office. "Bonbons" he stated and the statue moved aside. He went up the winding stairs and knocked politely on the door. When the Headmaster bid him enter, he opened the door and said, "You wanted to see me, Professor."
"Come in, Harry, come in. Have a seat. Would you like a lemon drop?" the twinkly eyed elder man asked as he waved the teenage boy to the chair in front of his desk. Even seated the man seemed to tower over Harry. He was looking down at the boy over his crooked nose. He wore wizarding robes of purple and orange, though most of his attire was covered by his long white beard and hair.
"No, thanks," was the reply. Harry sat in the chair and waited.
"I have some disheartening news for you, my boy," Dumbledore's face took on a sad look. "It seems your relatives have fallen to misfortune."
"Oh," Harry said nonplussed, he wasn't going to give away how happy that made him feel.
"Alas, it seems you uncle lost his job and the bank… foreclosed, I believe is the term, on the house. So they had to relocate to a smaller residence. This means there is no room for an extra person. We will have to endeavor in finding you a place to stay for the summer," Dumbledore sat back in his throne like chair and waited for the emotional outburst.
"Oh," Harry repeated. That was quick it usually takes months to foreclose a house, thank Merlin for Hallie. He folded his arms across his chest and asked, "Why are you involved? I mean, you are only my headmaster."
"I have always taken it upon myself to make sure you are safe, Harry," the professor replied confused at the dispassionate way the boy was taking the news. He thought there would be crying or anger, not this blank-faced questioning his motives.
"I still don't see how that is any of your business, sir. I don't see you doing that for anyone else. I'm sure there are loads of orphans from the last war— Susan Bones comes to mind."
"Yes, however, young Miss Bones had her aunt to take her in."
"And I have a godfather," he said angrily. It was because of this man that he wasn't with Sirius. He had done some thinking about it over the summer. Dumbledore was in a high enough position in the government that he could get Sirius a trial. It made Harry mad that nothing was done to free the innocent man.
Dumbledore wasn't sure how to reply to that. He knew he could get Sirius off and now that the Dursleys were too hard-pressed to take Harry back it might be a good idea. It might hurt him politically, but he was sure he could weather a small storm. Little did he know that motions were already in the works to get the man off, thanks to the article in the Quibbler.
"What has been done to get me out of the Tournament?" Harry asked changing the subject since it appeared he was getting no further in this vein.
"We have not found who entered you as of yet, so thus far you are still obligated to compete," Dumbledore answered his grandfather appearance put in to use. He looked over his half-moon spectacles and rubbed his long white beard thoughtfully.
"Right, well, if we're done, I have homework," Harry said evenly, not in the least put out. He knew his wish would eventually get him out of the competition. He got up and left, the Headmaster too flabbergasted to stop him.
Harry made his way back to the Gryffindor tower with a whistle in his breath and a hop in his step. If he read the signs correctly then his wish would soon come true. He went to his bed and closed the curtains. "Dobby," he called.
"What can Dobby be doing for the Great Harry Potter?"
"I want you to do some spying. Can you do that for me?" Harry asked in a soft whisper.
"Dobby, can do that," the house elf whispered back.
"Great, I need you to find the Dursleys and tell me what is going on in their lives right now. Don't let yourself be seen, just look around and listen for a few days and then report back to me," Harry gently ordered. He wanted to see what comeuppance they got.
"Dobby will do what Harry Potter asks," the little elf was giddy about getting such a wonderful order. He would help his master anyway he could. And with another salute he again popped away.
Harry hoped those relatives of his got everything they deserved.
Now all he had to do was wait to see what else his wish would turn up. Unlike the usual wishes from vengeance demons this one seemed to be a buildup, usually they were all at once and mostly with blood and gore. Maybe it was his wording and that they had to feel the good before they felt the loss. He just shrugged his shoulders and didn't look at it too closely— as long as he got his wish he would be happy. He got his backpack and went down to the common room to do his homework.
After finishing his homework for the week, Harry packed up and went to his dorm room. When he entered he saw the other four boys relaxing in their beds, well he thought that was what they were doing, until he heard Ron groan.
"What's the matter with him?" Harry asked Neville, the only boy in the dorm that supported him.
"The twins are giving him a hard time. They chased him all over the castle and pranked him all day. They say he cheated at that sweepstakes and they want him to tell them how," Neville explained with a smirk. Served the boy right, in his books.
"They just won't listen," Ron grumbled, "I've tried to tell them over and over I didn't do it, but they don't believe me." He put his pillow over his face and groaned again.
"Oh, the irony," Harry retorted and then noticed the other boy didn't get it at all. He looked to Neville and saw that he at least understood and with a nod of his head to the other boy. He went to his trunk and got out his nightclothes and went to the bathroom to prepare for bed. Soon after the lights were out and snores filled the air. Harry's last thought before Morpheus took him was 'Tomorrow will take care of itself.'
