Fairy of my Heart
Ch 05
Isdh
121
"Your Word?" the Scottish Witch sneered, snape style.
"On my Dear Mother's Grave." Black kept both hands raised.
"I remember how much you loved your Mother." McGonagall stepped to the side, as she read the papers in her Hand.
"So, you know how much I love her Grave." Black gave the teacher his trademark smile.
"Aurors! Wands Down!"
The Law had arrived.
"Mister Black. You are bound by Law. Surrender any wands, Portkeys, and relics." a pink haired witch in a red dragon hide coat spoke loudly.
Black dressed in a darker red than the lawmen, snorted as he turned to face the wands pointed at his Face. "Well, Hello cousin. Your Mother must be proud. It is Lord Black, or as pertains here, Headmaster Black."
"No!" roared two voices from the table of the Cunning. "Yes!" hissed a voice from there as well.
"Headmaster." Harry spoke as the twins continued to cast spells on his person. "So glad you and your Deputy were able to receive my missive, and arrive in so timely a manner." He fought to hide his smile, "I do believe it was mentioned that our School Robes were to be of Silk and Dark Colours. Scarlet is a good choice for our Head…" he frowned as he took in the sea-green. "But Sea-Foam?"
Lupin gritted his teeth. "Bridesmaid."
Three seconds of Silence before Bones, Tonks, Hammer and McGonagall snorted and broke down laughing.
Shaklebolt stepped forward, "All right 'Headmaster Black', you were ordered to do something. Do it."
"Ah, Senior Auror Shaklebolt, you see, there is where we hit the rub. The Great and all knowing Albus has granted me Sanctuary until either June, the night of the third task, or until I violate the Charter of the Triwizard Tournament." Black folded his Hands before him, as he Grinned. "Now, should I voluntarily leave the grounds before then, I will concede that I am fair game. But the only way off these grounds for me is if I am summoned to trial for the crimes I am accused of; including but not limited to, betraying the Potters, killing Petigrew, or being a Death Eater, or I am pardoned of all crimes to this day."
Hammer, a greying blond witch, glared, "Why a trial?"
"Never got one thirteen years ago." He smiled at the pinkette, "I was handed a glass of water, the next thing I know, I am in 'paradise'." his words thick with sarcasm.
Bones glared at the man, "Shack, Tonks. You will ride herd on this man until we return. He is not to leave this Castle unless it is in my personal company." both she and Rufus turned and left. Dawlish looked back and forth, before jogging after his boss. Hammer rounded the grinning Headmaster to see what fascinated these two witches with this young wizard.
"Okay girls. Half those spells you have been casting on the boy don't do anything to living tissue. What has you two so focused?"
"He has been showing signs of cryptid magi-zoology." the one infront of Harry spoke.
"As best as we can determine, it was a Dullahan." the one behind Harry, before she raised his arms to the sides.
"No, Luna, no sign of Nargles!" they choursed.
"Oh Poo!" a blond Ravenclaw cried, before joining them, "Of course if it evolved from a nargle…" her wand joined the scanning…
The twins stepped aside as they watched the gryff humor the 'birdbrain'. They fell into whispering, as Luna spat something, and three ghostly orbs exploded from his chest.
"Three?!" Luna shouted. "You're holding three 'Nargles'?"
One of the turned white, one green, and one black, like ink in water.
The Green one sunk back into his chest, unchanged.
The White one unfolded to look like a two foot tall rabbit in a grey three piece suit… minus the pants. The Rabbit was floating three feet in the air before vanishing.
The Black one unfolded into a massive horse and rider. The Rider was headless. The Horse reared, before shattering like glass, and fading into nothing.
"A Dullahan! The twins chirped.
"A Pooka." Hammer looked about, slightly worried.
"And one not ready to show itself." Luna sighed. "It's still a nargle!"
"Lupin, Black." Kingsley sensing a shift in the tide of the Hall, "Have you been assigned rooms yet?"
McGonagall flicked her eyes over the Hall, "No. the Five of you come with me, we will correct that now." she led the way out of the Hall. The Three Aurors and Black and Lupin trailing after.
Harry sensing a need to hedge bets, 'called' his 'cane' to his hand, as Granger gasped, and followed the adults out. "Sorry Granger, you can handle my shaft more later! Ladies, the Library, an hour before dinner?" a swirl of his robes in a blend of Malfoy and Snape. "Longbottom! Our Headmaster awaits!"
Neville sighed, as his head hit the table of the Humble. "Ladies. I will return." Bones and Abbot giggled, as he jogged to catch up with the smaller lord.
"Sorry to pull you away from such lovely company, but our Headmasters will need to know certain things." Harry patted the bigger lad's shoulder.
121
Ron woke up in the clothes he had worn when Potter had shown up in his Silks. His Stomach growled. On the small table beside the cot he was on; a bowl of congealed mush, a note, and a book on the expected behavior of students of Hogwarts. He almost threw to bowl of mush, but the note caught his eye.
He was being punished. He would stay in this cell until he learned his lesson, or his Mother decided to remove him from Hogwarts. He would only receive one bowl of mush in the morning, and one bowl of soup at night. He had two buckets. One full of cold water...ever full. The other ever empty.
He was to spend his days, reading the book, and filling the ever empty bucket.
THIS WAS ALL POTTER'S FAULT!
121
Dawlish wandered on to the first floor. He poured himself a cup of their coffee, before lazily following the pictures of Fudge to the Minister's office. As he stopped before the witch doing her nails out his Boss's Boss's office, he sipped his coffee. "Tell Fudge, we found Black."
The witch froze, before turning and sticking her head into the office behind her. A short muffled conversation later, "Go on in."
Dawlish entered, to find Umbridge and Malfoy seated about the office. "Good, you both are here." he sipped his coffee again, before taking the minister's whiskey, and pouring a splash into his coffee. "He just arrived at Hogwarts."
"Then go get him!" demanded Umbridge.
Dawlish grinned, "Bones tried that. It Seems that Lord Black is the Headmaster of the Forth School."
"What do you mean, 'Lord Black'?" hissed Malfoy.
"He had the Ring. The One his Grandfather wore." Dawlish sipped, enjoying the Drama in the room just a bit better than his coffee.
"Impossible!" Luci exploded to his feet, throwing his glass against the far wall. "He was disinherited!"
But Fudge was frowning, "No. He was Disowned. Cast out by his Mother, countersigned by his Father, and all that. But old Arcturus outlived both Walburga and Orion. The old Lord Black never declared an heir publicly. With ole Reggi gone missing and Sirius in Azkaban… it was only assumed that the Ring would fall to your son."
"I will get a Dementor, go to Hogwarts, and settle this personally." Umbridge struggled to her pudgy feet.
"And Bone will have you up on charges for killing a Ringed Lord of the Realm." John smothered his grin in his mug. "Would not want to set a precedent where the Minister or his staff could off a Ringed Lord for any reason."
"No!" Fudge paled, "We do not want that...the circus alone…"
"Then what are we going to do?" the witch wailed.
"Black claimed he never got a trial, thirteen years ago." John dropped the last bomb on them. "That's why Bones and I am back here. To look into the truth of the matter. No trial, an innocent man was incarcerated for over a decade. A guilty verdict will not see the Ring fall little Draco, but to Black's heir." He turned to leave, "Im just on a coffee break." one more sipp. "Damn good coffee." and he was gone.
121
Red and Seafoam are easy to track, especially if you are trained to hunt small golden flying golf balls. Harry and Neville caught up with their Headmaster and Professor just as they arrived in the unused 'Lords Quarters'.
"Headmaster Black." Harry huffed as he fell into pace beside his Godfather. "I made a deal last night. I promised the current 'Lords of Mischief' that I would introduce them to their Heros, 'the Marauders', this winter holis. They have to prove that they are more than prankers and playboys, and that they know when to prank, and when to buckle down. Headmistress McGonagall is the final say on this."
Black arched an eyebrow at the lad. "What does this have to do with me?"
"They were the ones who gave me the Map." Harry used the cane to keep up with the longer legs he was walking with, "Yes, that Map. It was how I learned Peter was alive. When I handed it to Lupin, last year, I told him about it. Now I may have slipped up, just before making the Deal, but the twins are too focused on meeting you, that they might be too distracted to put two and two together, let alone come up with five."
Black grinned, as he clapped the Lad on the shoulder. "Ok, what do you need?"
"Avoid the nicknames as long as you can." he noticed Neville trying to keep up, "We also need a Potions Master."
"Why?" Lupin asked.
"On the oversized chance that South London does not Survive until next September, Nev and I need to have near perfect potion abilities." Harry sneered. "We do not agree with the resident Potion Master's … teaching methods."
Black frowned, before Lupin explained in one word. "Snape."
"Here we are." McGonagall turned down the North Wing of the Fourth Floor. "Ah, Chippi." an Elf, wearing a dress that fell out of style in the 80's… the 1880's, stood waiting for the humans. "I had hoped you were listening in."
"Yes Heady-Mistress." the elf bounced on her toes, her ears flapping in joy. "On the right," a sweep of her arm pointing to a set of double doors. "The Fourth Heady, and his pet. Will they be getting Luggy-age?" she cocked her head at Black and Lupin.
Remus swallowed. "Ah, about that. This Evening, just before Dinner, Tylorius Tatting of Twilfitt and Tatting will be coming to take our measure. Of course, we would welcome anything the Elves of Hogwarts could find to fill out our Wardrobes."
Chippi nodded. "On the Left. Suite for Miss Hammer and student." a sweep of her other arm, "Understanding that Red-coats will need to retrieve items… just bring into grounds, Elves do the rest." the Elf turned and walked ten feet further into the Wing, "On Left again, Red-coat. Again suite, with two rooms… thinking another might be joining?"
Kingsley chuckled, "Bones might, if only to keep an eye on Black and her niece. Thank you, little one."
Chippi waved to the double doors on her right, "Suite made up for Fourth Champion and Companion. Togger thinks that Champion will move out by end of winter breaky."
"Thank you, Chippi." Harry smiled at the Elf, "My friends call me Harry." he offered his hand, only for the Elf to squeal and back peddle away from him.
"No! Chippi is a good Elf! Chippi not want to go!"
Harry frowned, before it clicked in his head. He drew himself up. "Chippi! Is this how Hogwart Elves comport themselves?"
The Whailing stopped. "Sir not wanting Chippi?"
"Only as a friend." He knelt on one knee. "I have no present need for an Elf. I have no work for you either."
"Another." Chippi sniffled, "Sir already has Elf." she sniffed, "Dobby tells how Sir took him from his Dark Family."
Harry frowned, "Dobby?" a soft pop behind Harry drew every eye to the dagger nosed elf in a faded red pillowcase. "Dobby." Harry stood, laying a hand on the second elf's head. "We need to talk. Tonight, after dinner."
"Great Wizard Harry Potter mad at Dobby?" the green eyes peered up at him.
"No. I am not mad. I just had no clue." he patted the bald head, "Tonight we talk. Right now, we need lunch."
Chippi chirped, happy again to be of service. "End of Hall, dining area! Chippi and Dobby get Lunch." the elves popped away.
"Headmistress McGonagall." Black went all snooty, "Join us, please. Between our travels, and becoming Headmaster of our own school, We have fallen behind in many subjects. The biggest of course is our Godson and Champion. You simply must tell us everything!" he tucked his right arm through her left, dragging her to the Dining area.
Lupin looked the the others over, before taking Tonk's right arm. "Always the Diva, he is. And I get stuck as the Bridesmaid. We had best keep them company. Potter, Longbottom, return to the Great Hall. After all we are South London, and we are in dire need of Students, if we are to survive until next September."
Connie Hammer looked the boy over. "Library, an hour before Dinner you said?" She smiled kindly, "See you then." She and Kingsley followed Black off to lunch.
"What you think, Neville?"
"Of two minds, Potter." Longbottom put on Malfoy's airs, "The stories being told at the End of this Hallway are going to be gold in blackmail." He turned to look towards the Great Hall, "But the witches downstairs…"
"When put that way." Potter adjusted his robes and cloak. "Ladies, here we come."
121
Albus was listening with half an ear to the noise in the Great Hall. 'Okay, have to do something about Black's trial now. Bones is going to demand veritaserum, if only because of the Damage done to his mind. The potion would help focus him.
Of course Skeeter was around somewhere. She had not left after the weighing of the wands Friday night, but for some reason, Albus could not find her. She had sent in the story about the three Primary Champions, Keeping the story of Potter's Burned Out Wand for this morning's paper. He knew that She caught the pre-lunch show, and come morning there would be a big story on the front page.
Malfoy was Boasting how his Father would reclaim the title of Lord Black for him, as Pansy was sipping water, with her eyes wide with shock. 'Not a good look for the poor girl.' and the Greengrass girls were whispering plans on how to cash out, now that Malfoy had no control of Black…
'Something tells me that I could lose a few students.' Albus sipped his Lemonade...hard Lemonade. 'I will just have to pass a law come the new year.'
The doors opened, and in strutted Potter and Longbottom. A fist bump, and Neville returned to the Table of the Loyal. Potter was walking towards Granger, when the Blond 'claw glomped him.
"Lord Potter!" the blond squealled, causing Albus and many others to stiffen. "I know we have an appointment to talk about your … nargle issue. I was Wondering if you had a few minutes to talk about Stubby Boardman and SLUT?"
"Please, Luna was it? Do not call us Slut. We are the South London University of…"
"Yes, but SLUT just grabbes you the way nothing else does… Correct Miss Cho?" the blond turned her silver eyes to an asain 'claw, who snarled back at her.
"POTTER!" Malfoy had arrived to collect his pound of flesh. "Something tells me you are behind this!"
"Walk away Malfoy." Potter sighed. "Or do you want to try Goyle's Trousers again?"
The Blond froze. "Just what are you implying?" he hissed.
"Imply nothing." Harry turned to face his schoolyard revival. "Walk away now, and do not annoy me until after my second cuppa tomorrow, or I will shove you, headfirst into Goyle's trousers."
The troll twins, who had followed their boss across the Hall, clapped hands on his shoulders and drug him back to the table.
"Get your hands off me! Why are you so scared?"
Goyle rumbled an answer, "Ferret bad enough. Potter not know how to turn you in Ferret this time."
Draco let himself be drug away as what his lackey had grunted sank in.
"Now, Luna." Harry turned back to the witch clutching him. "Join me for Dinner. I was thinking about eating with my Headmaster. Now if you will excuse me, there is a rather intense witch wanting to handle my magic stick. I am eager, I will admit, to get her hands on it."
"So…" Luna pulled away, looking at the young wizard, "Instead of talking to perky blond, you rushing to an older woman, so she can … what? Polish your Rod?"
"No." Harry looked scandalized, "I do my own polishing." then he smirked, "I just have a thing about witches handling my staff. It's more than just 'first come, first served'." He tapped his 'cane' on the flag stones, "Besides, I am expecting to spend most of the evening with you, and you are welcome to bring up my pole, anytime tonight."
Luna just looked at him, before nodding. "Okay, but don't you have a Caucus tonight, with the Carrow twins?"
"Yes, and with Auror Hammer. I thought you were going to be part of this cabal…" He stepped back, "Or was it just a chance to get your hands on my Nargles?"
"Mister Potter." the frumpy hedge witch that Headed the House of Hufflepuff, closed on him from the direction of the head table. "Must you use such language?" Her face lacking its customary smile.
"Ah, Nurseryman Sprout." Harry turned to her, "I congratulate you on Shepherding a Champion to such heights. I truly believed that House, so often overlooked, held some impressive diamond in the ruff. I just hoped that the rest were not such Sheep. The Scion of my House, my Clan, has been assaulted these last few weeks, and the faculty of this fine School turned their eyes from these insults to my reputation. Now I have never claimed to desire the fame and adulation. In Fact; I would prefer to sit in the shadowed corner, and let the Blooming Bud that is Diggory truly shine." Harry nodded at the flushed lad he had just met that summer, though they had clashed a few times in the skies over Hogwarts.
"I never entered my name, and when I am told by three Headmasters and two Directors that I am bound to compete, I believed them. As Scion Potter, Griffondor, I took the insults, I accepted that the few 'Puffs brave enough to bring wands against me, were 'trying to help me prepare'. But this weekend, I took my Heir Ring. I can no longer be driven by sheep. If your Flock draws wands on me again, I shall treat them like I treat Malfoy."
"Are you threatening my students?" the witch drew herself up.
"No, Nurseryman. I am warning the Shepherdess that her Flock of Sheep are now off the map. Here there be Dragons." the hand holding his cane shimmered, as his Lord's Ring phased in. A band of gold showing a dragon encircling a shield with cauldron embossed on it. There was a staff behind the shield with two wands crossing it.
Sprout saw the ring. It was no Heirs ring! She looked at the young wizard. "How…"
"For those who are of Age, only." Potter hissed, "And I am forced to compete. Diggory is one I will face in the Arena, one I will drink to in Celebration, no matter who wins. He is a Brother in Arms, a fellow Champion. In these Halls, he is one of the few I respect. That Said; the rest of your Flock…" Harry snorted. "Besides, there is a witch itching to handle my rod, and I would like to eat before my next class." He stepped around the pale witch, and continued to where Granger was sitting.
121