Hey everyone,
So this chapter is NOT going to be about the Yule Ball. Instead I feel I should use this chapter to alleviate the concerns of one of my most dedicated readers who leaves a review on almost every chapter – and no I am not expecting them to leave one on every chapter, that'd be crazy. This chapter, Dark Serpent Cat, is especially for you. Hope you enjoy it lots and lots.
Also, I am aware that Article 13 has been accepted by the European Parliament - or whatever - but I do not care, at least not yet. This whole act is not going to count for us for another two years, so until then I am going to continue posting updates every month. At least until as many of these stories are completed. Though I am hesitant to start new stories because of this as well, sorry.
Hope you understand,

Venquine1990
Shout-Outs To:
Shadow Wolf 15846
Gleefan2009
Dark Serpent Cat
ThunderClaw03
Lilly-flower15

Chapter 25
Law and Contract – Day 01

20th of December 1994
Sirius' Chambers, Hogwarts
Jillian's POV

It's been a few days since the Announcement Party and the news that Cedric, one of the Champions, is part of my new Threesome contract spread through Hogwarts faster than any bit of news of gossip that has ever been known to the grapevine. And considering the stuff I have gone through and the ways that some of my adventures and mistakes have spread through the school, do I consider this quite the incredible achievement, one that awes me.
After this did Fleur and Krum want to decide to just go and take to the Ball together – while Cedric promised me he would open the Ball with Angelina and that he would spread the rest of the dance night between the two of us, which I thought was cuter than should be considered right – yet their decision actually met some really surprising resistance.
While most of the Durmstrang and Beauxbattons students were, more or less, 100% okay with this alongside Madam Maxime, did Karkaroff actually forbid Krum from doing so, constantly harping on the fact that they were Champions and calling Fleur the competition. And to the annoyance of practically everyone present, did the man just turn deaf when Krum and others tried to tell him that the Tournament was meant to strengthen bonds between the schools.

I too felt greatly annoyed at this and asked: "What, was he against the idea of the four of us going as friends, too?" And while Krum confessed that he actually hadn't asked the man, had it come as no surprise that the man was indeed against this and glad that it was no longer possible. Yet the fact that he was so stubborn in his need to win, even outside of the tasks, annoyed me and I decided to embrace a side of me I know only some would expect.
I had approached the Bulgarian students, making sure that Karkaroff didn't see me by using my dad's cloak, and asked them who of them spoke French. I was pleasantly surprised to hear it was all of them as they had all studied the language after being granted the right to come along. And it felt even better to hear that Karkaroff had not joined his students in this endeavor.
"Well, there you have it. Your way of getting back at him for being so – sorry to say it – stupidly stubborn. Personally I think Fleur and Krum would do great together at the Yule Ball and that it would do them, their countries and the Tournament a lot of good for them to be seen together. So let's prove to Karkaroff how close-minded he is. Next time you are around him and the French witches come around, engage them in conversation and make sure to speak French."
I had told this to the older students, who had actually gaped at me and I winked at them and say: "Hey, that's what you get when you mix the daughter and goddaughter of the two greatest pranksters Hogwarts had ever seen with the future owners of the best joke-shop in Magical England. Though if anyone asks, I will deny it to the day I die, so don't bother."

And before they could argue, had I just swished my cloak around my form and disappeared, making sure to be even more quiet than when I approached them as I had to pass Karkaroff. Yet I had seen the Bulgarian students take to my idea right the same day and everyone had laughed like mad at seeing the Durmstrang Headmaster gape at his own students, yet the Beauxbattons witches had just enjoyed the conversations too much to join in.
This happened several times more and finally the man had yelled: "kakvo v imeto na magiyata se sluchva s teb, mnogo sŭzhalyavash." Which Krum later told me was the man asking: "What in the name of magic is going on with you sorry lot?" And because of this did I not feel an ounce of pity for the man when his students – especially his star student – laid into him in the same language.
Yet the best of it all was that, later that night, I actually spotted Fleur and Krum meeting in secret, Krum telling Fleur that he had his school mates keeping Karkaroff away from the castle before he asked her. And because he had been talking French, a language I have been learning as that is something my dad would have taught me, had I understood every word.
"Fleur, tu es une sorcière incroyable, puissante et capable, qui a du talent et qui cherche à complimenter tout cela. Ma mère ne me regarde peut-être pas, mais si je peux être aussi audacieuse, je crois que mon talent sur un balai correspond au tien avec une baguette. Seriez-vous ma date, peut-être?" And my heart had melted as my mind translated the words:
"Fleur, you are an incredible, powerful and able witch, who has talent and looks to compliment all of that. I may not have my looks from my mother, but, if I may be so bold, I do believe my talent on a broom matches yours with a wand. Would you be my date, perhaps?" I had snuck away from the two, just as Fleur happily accepted, and silently hoped that either Cedric or Angelina would do something similar either before or during the Ball. And that night my dreams had been filled with possibilities.

Sirius' POV

"Amos, Lorraine, thank you both for coming? Are Nella and Marcus inconvenienced, perhaps?" I ask as the two, one after the other, enter my rooms, me having hired Bill the other night to further strengthen all of the protective and privacy-aimed charms, enchantments and wards and the two smile at me as they dust themselves off as Amos says:
"I'm afraid that my Nella has been dealing with a bit of a head cold these past few days and, unfortunately, there seems to be something wrong with our heating charms. She took a bath the other night, but fell asleep and the water cooled down. Hence, she is now in bed, fighting a really bad fever, the poor dear. She feels awful that she can't be here, but her health comes first, you know."
I nod at the man and Lorraine says: "And my Marcus is abroad in the Middle East. There is a new company that is starting to become a pretty good rival to one of the companies he has shares in over there and the last time we let our company men handle a situation like that – it almost caused a civil war in that country. Marcus felt compelled to go as he wanted to prevent that." This makes me wince and I think: "Wow, thank goodness for Lily. She really knew how to do business."

"So, where are our sports?" Amos then asks and I answer: "I just send a House Elf to collect Cedric and Angelina and my Jillian is over there in her room. Oh and Lorraine, she asked me to send the ladies into her room. She wouldn't tell me why and I didn't ask. You know kids, they love to have at least some level of privacy and I do know my Jillian, she is quite the private person."
"Really? You think so, Sirius? It's just, you wouldn't have said so with how she held herself during her Announcement Party." Amos tells me and I smile at him and say: "Something you will learn soon enough, Amos my friend. How to spot the small signs on my goddaughter's face that she is, in fact, acting. Jillian, truth be told, doesn't do well in large crowds, which I think was a little obvious as she constantly avoided the larger groups and tables."
The man seems to think back to the night itself and then his eyes widen as he says: "By Merlin, you're right. I hadn't even noticed that. Wow, that girl is a natural. Just like her mother and grandmother, am I right?" At this I nod, even though the mention of Dorea does still sting as my memories of the lovely, kind and caring elder woman, even with my sessions with my Mind Healer, are still vague at best.

I notice that Lorraine has already gone and left for Jillian's room and guide Amos over for the six-seated table that I set in the center of the chambers, making sure to clear the space around the table just for this meeting. The man then notices the open window through which a small gust of wind with flecks of snow is blowing in and actually shudders before he asks:
"Sirius, wouldn't it be better to keep your windows closed?" But I shake my head, actually grimacing this time and say: "I can't do that, Amos, sorry. It's an after-effect from my time spent in Azkaban. I can't stay in a room where windows are closed. I can't even stay in the Great Hall for more than half a meal, simply because the windows can't open. It makes me feel as if the walls close in on me."
The man winces and says: "Right, sorry. Forget I asked. On another note, why was it so hard to get into your chambers?""Two reasons. One, I naturally have a lot of protective enchantments on my chambers, because of Pettigrew and I had them strengthened for this meeting. I don't want anything or anyone keeping us from what we can accomplish today.""What I can accomplish today." I think to myself, but I don't voice this.
The man nods and I move a hand around the room as I say: "There are anti-Animagus charms, a charm to make it so that the strongest element of each season reach only into the room at the width of the windows, anti-portkey and floo-charms, a charm to accommodate each bit of the room in regards to temperature to whatever someone who is on a surface, such as a chair, needs it and a few others. I hired Bill to set the whole set. Told him to just get creative."

The man nods, looking impressed and I say: "A perfect way to feel comfortable, have the windows open without either freezing in winter or sweating my wand out of my pocket in summer and not have to worry about rats sneaking in or someone throwing a portkey at me through the window. Yes, I know that we are up pretty high, but I also know that brooms are a thing. I may sound like Alastor, but my goddaughter spends a lot of her time here and I am not taking any risks for it."
"And that's why I love spending time here." Jillian says, her and Lorraine exiting her room and the girl looking absolutely stunning in a gorgeous pink dress that looks to be from somewhere around the seventeenth or eighteenth century and which has a gorgeous pink rose embroidered on the front and of which the neckline is circular and made of fine, white silk.
"That – is stunning." Amos mutters and the girl smiles and curtsies perfectly as she says: "Thank you, Lord Diggory. It's kind of a Muggle thing, to them meeting the parents of your boy/girlfriend for the first time is – kind of a big thing." And this is further amplified and proven by Angelina, who walks in along with Cedric and who is also wearing a gorgeous dress, while Cedric himself looks incredibly fine in the set of dress robes he wore for the party.

"Sorry, father, I had no idea dressing to a t was expected here." The young lad says, looking a bit ashamed, but his father shakes his head and says: "Don't worry about it, my boy. Apparently it's a Muggle thing. Though if I may be so bold to ask, Heiress Johnson, how did you know about it?" And the girl answers: "My friend and dorm mate, Katie Belle, told me about it." The man nods and then turns to me as he says: "Oh Sirius, I almost forgot."
And this sudden change from formal to informal throws me off course a bit, but I try not to let it show as I just turn to the man. "The day after the party, the Wizengamot held a public vote among the shoppers and shopkeepers of Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade and other spots. There were a few among them who all asked a very significant question. And this morning, after your very impressive article was released, did we take that and the votes to a Wizengamot meeting."
This really worries me, but for the sake of those around me, especially Jillian who seems to, instinctively, seek reassurance with Lorraine – which I consider a good thing – do I just try to keep calm, putting one of my hands, which is shaking quite bad, in my pocket. The man then slaps a hand on my shoulder and grabs my other hand, shaking it as he says:
"The question those, very intelligent, people asked was why haven't we just cleared your name yet? Well Sirius my friend, I am happy to say that many in the Wizengamot agreed with that, 86% even. Congratulations, your probation is over and your name has, by official decision of the Wizengamot, been cleared of all charges. You are a free man once more, 100% this time." It takes a solid minute for my mind to clear from the fright and register what the man just said.

Jillian's POV

"You are a free man, 100% this time." Those eight words make me lose all decorum and make me gape at the two men standing before me. My heart and mind then both catch up with what has just been told and, while I had really wanted to leave a proper impression with the two, do I decide to just screw the whole Muggle thing. I squeal in exuberance and dash for Sirius, crashing into his back and screaming all kinds of happy exclamations, all about the man and his new freedom.
This seems to pull the man from his own daze and he happily, somehow, turns himself around while in my grasp, takes me in his arms and actually lifts me up, making me squeal again as he turns me around in circles around the room, laughing loudly as he does until he suddenly trips. And I actually land on top of him as he does, the two of us still laughing and me even crying softly, I feel that happy.
Sirius is the first to regain himself and when he sees that I have too and that I am just calming down on his chest, does he start to run his hand through my hair and say: "Guess we'll have to make a visit to Gringotts tomorrow." Which just confuses me. The man smiles and says: "Did you forget, Jillian? I promised, didn't I? While you were still in the Hospital wing, recovering from the attack. The minute I get freed, I'd adopt you. I promised you that, remember?"

But because of everything that has happened did I indeed forget this and so I just look at the man awestruck, needing another minute before my brain catches up with what I have just been told before I repeat my earlier reaction. The man laughs, even as he falls back onto the carpet with me and my rambling this time is mostly aimed at thanking him and asking him if he really means it.
"Yes, Jillian, I really honestly and sincerely mean it. You are already my Goddaughter and my Heiress and I just want to make it one level more official. I know for a fact that Lucius has been planning something, the way he was looking the last time I met him when Draco was indeed forced into the Hyena House just outright proved that, but that is not my main reason. My main reason is, quite simply, because you deserve it, little one. You deserve a home."
"Sirius, sorry to interrupt, but was this before or after the party?" Amos asks and his son answers: "Before. But that doesn't matter, dad, trust me. Lucius obviously met with Draco after. And I say obviously because the Slytherins and the Hufflepuffs have their common rooms quite close to each other and I saw the lad try to mask a smirk of supreme arrogance every time he left the dungeons for the Great Hall or classes. They're up to something."
"And whatever it is, I won't let them get their way. Draco got into the Hyena House because he has been caught perverting after several of his own House and the fact that Lucius was one of the people willing to try and trick me into a contract between Draco and Jillian the weekend after she left the Hospital Wing says enough. I will not give them any kind of chance like that." And just all of this talk about the two blondes makes me shudder something horrible.

"We'll leave for Gringotts first thing after this meeting, little one. I promise. Plus, the Black Account Manager is ordered to keep an eye on the Malfoy one, considering Lucius has been trying to get things from the Black vaults that the Malfoy House has no rights of claim to, and he has assured me he will contact me should Balrog try even a single thing, regardless of what it might be." These calming words coming from my godfather reassure me and I decide to get up.
Angelina instantly comes over, not just to give me a reassuring hug, but to wave her wand over my dress and work out any possible creases, making me smile at her while Mr. Diggory helps Sirius up and the former of the two says: "And now that our families are contracted – or soon to be contracted – I will happily set my Account manager on the same."
Mrs. Johnson nods and says: "The time that Lucius Malfoy thinks that he is the powerhouse around here is over. The things that man has been trying to get away with, even after that whole fiasco with the Imperius curse and all that crap." The woman shakes her head and says: "I just have no words for it." Which once again makes me feel frightened about the vile man.
"Then let's not. We came here to discuss our contract, not some monster of a wizard and his failure of a son." Cedric suddenly says and we all nod at him, me feeling a little better thanks to the strong determination in his tone. He and Angelina take me between them and I happily, gratefully, let them lead me to the chair in the center on the left of the table, Sirius sitting opposite of me and each parent sitting opposite their respective son and daughter as well.

Sirius' POV

I take a deep breath and say: "Alright, onto the main point of this meeting. I'm going to assume that you were already expecting this, but Jillian and I made a few rules for the sake of this contract and how we would like this meeting to commence. However, there are also a few facts and warnings I must share with you all before I go into those rules.
First of all, as Angelina, Jillian and I already know, were there certain facts withheld from the article that described the attack on Jillian back on Halloween. This to protect the other members of the Weasley family as otherwise even calling a Blood feud on Ronald and Ginerva would not have saved them from losing everything they live for by the pressure of the public. However, if either Jillian or I find out that any of you snitched this information – the contract is voided on the spot."

The two adults look shocked at this and then Lorraine raises one hand and puts the other on her chest as she says: "I, Lorraine Jolanda Johnson, hereby swear upon my magic that I will not share any information given to me by either Sirius Orion Black or Jillian Forge Potter unless in only the vicinity of these two or when given express and official permission by either party. So I swear, so mote it be." And to my immense relief do Amos and Cedric quickly quote the same oath for themselves.
I nod and share a quick look with Jillian, who again looks frightened and I nod at her, telling her silently that I will take this one. Angelina takes the girl's hand in hers and I say: "Let me be very clear on this. Jillian, even when she was Harry, was a very private person. She has never ever showered with another person in the same room, not even in Quidditch."
Angelina nods to confirm this, slightly shocking Amos and I look at him, knowing Jillian will not be able to handle this if I look at her as I say: "Because of this – and because the most she ever saw of her dorm mates was them switching a shirt – did she never, even when still a boy, see another man naked from the waist down. And while he knew this, did Ron push Harry on his knees, unzip his own pants and try to force his manhood – into Harry's mouth."

All three of the oldest members here gape at me, their eyes wide while Angelina has now moved her own chair as close to Jillian's as possible, but she is also looking at Cedric, telling him silently to not do a thing as we both know that Jillian, while trying to fight off the mental anguish she feels of hearing about that night, can't handle any male contact. This was something that was found out during a joined sessions with her Mind Healer between her, the Healer and me.
I grimace as I try to ignore that very memory and I say: "After this, did the girls, Angelina and her friends, become a mayor help to Jillian. They helped her not only learn about the differences between being male and being female, they also helped her appreciate her own body. However, they also warned her about other perverts like Ronald. That is how so many of them are now Hyenas.
Angelina was also the one to come up with the idea of the Announcement Party and she was the one to, when Jillian still had her arms in casts and healing, wrote up the contract Jillian wanted for her and her partner. However, Jillian is willing to adept that contract to a certain extent, not just to accommodate the fact that it is now a threesome, but to respect all three parties, Jillian, Angelina and Cedric each." Which makes both of the other two teens smile.

"However, there are two rules to this and one fact you all need to understand. The contract we are about to write up – is only temporary. It will be a base of the contract that we will sign when Jillian is seventeen as her Mind Healer believes that she will have been healed at that point and there are certain lines in this one that are simply there because of her traumatic experience, to help her get closure with what happened that night."
The group nods in understanding at this, Angelina having moved her chair back as Jillian has stopped shaking and has obviously won the battle against her memories, something that makes me really proud of her. "Now onto the rules. One, something can only be changed, added or detracted if we all vote on it and the majority votes in favor of this. Two, if we want to change, add or detract something that Jillian put in for her own closure, she has the right to veto this decision."
"That sounds fair. And we can add any suggestions?" Lorraine asks and I answer: "Any – as long as they benefit either all of our Houses, one House which, long-term, can benefit the others, or either of these two scenarios for the three before us. However, if I find that any decision is solely for the benefit of one single individual and might disadvantage the others, I will have Jillian veto against it." The woman nods and I can see in her eyes that she doesn't take offense to this.

I smile at her and say: "Okay, so I've laid copies of the contract, the base, from which we will work for our current one. Why don't you all – bar Angelina and Jillian, who quoted and wrote it, of course – read it through and if you have any questions or suggestions, please let me know." The three nod and take the scrolls that I made sure to put in front of their seats before asking Dobby to fetch Angelina and Cedric and giving the password for the floo-access.
"Okay, I don't want to be rude, but just this first line here confuses me. Rule #1, what I wear and how I dress myself is my choice and only my choice. My spouse can advise me, but nothing more." Amos then says, quoting one of the lines that made me so proud of my little girl after I heard what she and Angelina worked on after my day of teaching and Jillian sighs as she says:
"That one is kind of created by a combination of things. Before I was changed, when I was still Harry, I always felt I only had my eyes to be proud of, that the rest of me was just – bland, every day, simple and common. I never even tried to look anything other than acceptable for public view, but also tried to – hide certain – after effect. Sorry, I – I just can't." Amos nods and Lorraine gently coaxes the girl to continue, smiling at her invitingly. Jillian smiles back and says:
"Well, when I changed and realized that I actually looked better than the girl I, as Harry, had a crush on, I felt I finally had more of myself, of my looks, to be proud of. But then I started hearing how being pretty, dressing pretty, was almost considered dangerous for some girls, then I learned of those perverts. And when I learned of the contract, I just wanted two things; the chance to be able to dress nice for my partner – without enticing those bastards.

So I had Angelina write up this rule. By being the only one allowed to decide how I dress, I can assure both my own pride and my own safety. I just – I want Angelina and Cedric to give me advice and tips when they think I am taking it too far, though at the same time I just don't think that will ever happen. That night and those lessons probably traumatized me against that, at least in public."
At this my smile turns into a grin and Angelina asks: "Jillian, did you just hear yourself. You said in public. That proves that you're not entirely against it, that it didn't scar you as badly as you just said. You're really healing." Jillian smiles at her and then proves the bond between the two as she calmly says: "Why should I want to hide what, one day, might rightfully be yours to look at? I know neither of you would ever abuse that right like Ron, so – yeah."

And while I shortly think back to Ronald, who I happily met with the day after the Party, who I talked with and from who I learned that he had actually been invited back to Gryffindor. "But I can't, Sirius. I am around Jillian around for now, just seeing her during meals. If I go back to Gryffindor, I'll see her in classes and the common room as well and – that might worsen the illness again. I am learning to control it, I don't want to risk that, not for her or myself."
The boy had told me and I had proudly, while fighting back tears, told him: "I felt that you were like me when we first met, Ronald, but thought you had become like Wormtail when you turned on Harry last Halloween. I – I cannot tell you how happy I am to see that other side of you come back." At which the boy had smiled back and said: "Let's not risk that filthy rat coming back, Sirius. I – I don't think I'll be able to live with myself if – if that happens." And I had agreed with him.

"Sirius, you okay?" Jillian asks me and I blush a little as I say: "Yes sweetie, I just thought of Ron. I met him the day after the party and he told me that he could actually come back to Gryffindor." The girl nods, which intrigues me as it seems to shock Cedric and she says: "Angelina told me the same. She has a – a former friend in the Hyenas who overheard him, Granger and Ginerva talking on the night you announced the party."
This makes me wonder if this former friend might not have the same connection with Hogwarts as Ron has recently been privileged with, but I ignore it for now. "Alright, I think I know a way we can change this little something so that Jillian can still keep her safety net and we can continue to enjoy it even after she heals. Make it something she will want to put in the contract that we will put up when she comes off age." Lorraine says and we all turn to her in interest.

"As the future Lady of the House, it will be expected of her to, at least in a way, go with today's fashion. Now if she ends up seeing the summer fashion of 1995 and she thinks the fashion of summer 1994 is more to her taste, no one will look or down from that, half the female magical community is like that on a yearly basis, but she does need to at least keep up with the fashion of each present year or that of the previous one. Same with Nella, Angelina and I."
We all nod, while I wonder why the woman is explaining this as I doubt it is just to teach Jillian something new about her role as future Lady of the House of Potter and then the woman smiles at the other two girls in the room and says: "So, how about this. Every summer and Christmas break, the four of us go on a shopping spree – and then give our lucky men the honor to be the first to see us in our newest purchases in an all-out fashion show?"
At this I notice Amos grimace and I quickly give him a subtle elbow in the side to stop him before any of the girls notice and Angelina says: "That's brilliant. It will be something we girls can all bond over, it will be brilliant for people to see Jillian behave like just your everyday Heiress of a powerful House and it will give our men the chance to learn what we bought for the public and what we bought for – say – private time in the bedroom?" And instantly Amos perks up, making me smirk at him.

"I love it, though I will have to ask if it can have one small thing added to it. Could we make it so that the shopping takes place in both worlds? You know, the Muggle and the Magical?" This seems to confuse Amos and he asks: "Why would you want that?" To which the girl asks: "What do you think of my dress?" And the man asks: "Is that modern time Muggle style?"
But Jillian shakes her head and says: "No, it's more from the 17th or 18th century. I just prefer them over the Magical style, because they are more – well, sorry to say this, but there is more variety in styles, fabrics, fits, sizes and whatnot in the Muggle world. Plus, it doesn't move around the same way like robes do, though robes do hide subtle moves better."
And while I wonder if this is the girl telling me without words that she spotted me elbowing Amos, do I just ignore it. "I have to say, I do like that addition. Dad, you remember commenting on some of the dresses worn by the Heiresses at the party? They were all either Half-Bloods or Purebloods who have a lot of Muggleborn friends. They were all Muggle-style dresses. And I got to say, they appealed to me a lot more than the dresses worn by Purebloods like Greengrass, Chang and Bones."
Cedric then comments and I ask: "Very well then, all those in favor of the following sentence: Jillian Forge Potter will remain the sole person responsible for her choice of outfit, but she will join Lorraine and Angelina Johnson and Nella Diggory every summer and winter break on a shopping spree in both worlds before giving Sirius Orion Black, Amos Diggory and Marcus Melvis Johnson a sneak preview and/or full fashion show of their newest purchases."

And to my and Jillian's delight do all six hands raise up. Yet then suddenly Jillian's smile leaves her face and she takes a deep breath, looking as if she is gathering herself for something important. "There – there is – there is something else." She speaks, saying at a hesitant but normal tone at first, but mumbling almost incoherently at the end, which really worries me.
Yet before I can inquire if she is feeling alright, do I suddenly notice something from the corner of my eye. Instantly my wand is in my hand and my chair is on the floor, yet I am not the only one. And while, out of nowhere, Rita Skeeter pops up from the windowsill of the open window, do both Cedric, Jillian and Angelina react as well, all three of them drawing their own wands.
"EXPELLIARMUS!""PROTEGO!" Cedric and Angelina actually beat both Jillian and I to the punch and Cedric's curse disarms the crazy reporter witch while Angelina's charm conjures a bright shield to cover both her and my goddaughter, making me smile at her gratefully. I then notice that Skeeter actually has a notepad and her usual quill out of her bag and I instantly swish my own wand, causing for an extra ward that I hadn't told Amos about to activate.

And while the woman slams against the wall due to Cedric's spell, do her eyes widen and does her jaw drop as she sees her notepad and quill go up in smoke before she shouts: "HOW DARE YOU! YOU WILL PAY FOR THAT! I DEMAND RETRIBUTION RIGHT THIS –!" But the woman, stupid as she is, seems smart enough to suddenly notice how we are all glaring at her in revulsion.
She shudders and draws back against the wall before I snarl: "The only thing I did, Mss. Skeeter, is activate a ward on these chambers that protect me and mine against anything Hogwarts considers a threat. And considering the level with which Hogwarts desires to protect my Heiress, I find it almost laughable that you think you can try something like this. Also, it looks like you either only just arrived or weren't listening in well enough earlier.
I, after all, upon his entrance told Amos that I have an Anti-Animagus charm on these rooms and that this, among other charms, has been strengthened only last night. And your presence here right now make me very glad that I decided on that. You might not be my reason for having that charm, but I am most certainly glad that it's currently active." I then scoff as the woman tried to look attractive and before she can start any kind of spiel, do I say:
"And you can forget even trying to convince me into giving you an interview. I am following on where Lily and James left off when they signed a contract between Gringotts and the Daily Prophet, accepting interviews on their work for the Order as long as the truth was being written and no Quick-Quoting Quill was in action during their interviews. And we both know what kind of quill was just identified by the ward I just told you about. I am the Regent of House Potter and I will not – no, I refuse to – break the contract set up by the previous Lord."

"Well then, perhaps your Heiress is willing to share a few words?" The woman tries, making me glare at her furiously, only to get shocked when Jillian smirks and says: "A few, only." Everyone gapes at her, but the girl only continues to match her grin with Skeeter's smirk, the woman herself at least smart enough to grab a new notepad and a regular quill. She seems to ink it with her tongue, which makes me wonder what is on that appendage and then lets loose:
"Mss. – no, Heiress – Potter, there are just so many questions that have been flying around about you since your transformation, so I will just jump right in. Is it true that you wanted the gender change so that you could die and allow the Wizarding World to continue believing in your Legend after your passing? How painful was the transformation? Did you see anything when you were about to die? Did you perhaps get a chance to meet your actual parents?
And about them, how do you think they feel about you now? Do you think they'd be proud of your decision or disappointed that you couldn't continue to please the masses? And what about this decision to join a threesome? Do you think that these two are the ones Lord and Lady Potter would have chosen for you? Or do you think they would have wanted you to follow in their footsteps and just fall in love in your final year? How do you feel about the night they died?"

By now it takes everything within me not to jump the woman, who has actually had the guts to conjure a chair that is face to face with my daughter and all that goes through my mind is: "I just got cleared. I can't give the Wizengamot reason to throw me back. Jillian needs me. I can't make her suddenly rely on Angelina and the others full-time. I can't give her the belief that she will be sent back to those Muggles. WHY IS SHE STILL GRINNING LIKE THAT?"
I screech silently to myself, letting out an inward screech that makes Lorraine look at me weirdly, proving she only slightly picked up on it and then Skeeter actually asks that same question. At this Jillian starts to grin even wider, now showing her teeth and looking almost like a lioness that just hit a weak bit of prey before she says: "No comments." And she actually turns her chair on the woman, turning to me as I gape at her.
Skeeter splutters and asks: "WAIT, WHAT?" And while her back is still to the woman, does Jillian lock gazes with me, making it look as if she is explaining this to me and not the woman and she says: "No comments. A statement often used by famous movie stars, singers, actors and other people in high positions when they know an interview with a reporter is inevitable, but have nothing to share. Also there is the Rights to Freedom of Speech and my speech is just that: no comments."

And while she temporarily turns her head around the chair as she says this last bit, does she then turn back to me, only for me to suddenly sense something else worrying. "That was me, Sirius. Mss. Skeeter, this is an official meeting between Heads of Ancient and Noble Houses, a meeting that, by law, is protected for its sense of privacy. You have invaded upon that privacy, using an illegal Animagus form to fly in through an open window on the sixth floor of a tower.
Because of this have I called on my boss, Madam Bones of the DMLE and she is currently asking Lord Black for permission to enter through the Floo." And instantly I happily allow the woman access, the Head of the House of Bones stepping through the fireplace a moment later and using her wand to clean herself off before instantly aiming it at the reporter.

"You – you – you can't do this! If – if you – the public deserve their answers! They deserve to hear about Jillian Potter and her Announcement party!" Skeeter screeches, but this just makes me scoff and say: "Wow, I guess you really did fly in late. I gave an interview to a reporter who I know follows the guidelines of Lily and James' contract the morning after the party. The article with that interview was this morning's headline. I guess you don't read your coworker's articles, do you?"
"HOW DARE YOU! I HAVE EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS TO ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING TO DO WITH THE TOURNAMENT! THAT BASTARD WAS IN VIOLATION!" The woman screams, but I coldly retort: "No, he wasn't. He was given a private interview with the Head of Black and the Regent of Potter. There was nothing Tournament related in the entire interview." But when Skeeter dares to point a finger at Cedric, do I smirk and say:
"He is a person, Skeeter, a human being. His personal life is not, in any way or form, connected to the Tournament and this is a part of just the former, not the latter. Therefore, even if I mentioned him, I did so as Heir Diggory, nothing else. I constantly evaded using that title, but gave permission to for the reporter to change any titles he saw fit, as long as the replacement remained respectful." And while I silently think: "Say those last three words ten times fast." Do I watch the woman rage.

"THERE IS NO WAY ANYONE WILL TAKE THAT RAG SERIOUSLY IF I DON'T WRITE THE ARTICLES!" The woman shouts, but this time it's Amos who retorts: "On the contrary, Mss. Skeeter, it was that very article, alongside the party, Lord Black's excellent teacher and the lengths he has been going through to be there for his goddaughter that made the Wizengamot clear his name. That article was the final piece of the puzzle, so to say."
The woman gapes at the man and I say: "And I will be having another interview with this same reporter later today, to let him know that I have been cleared, to thank him for his contribution to this and to announce my – you know what, no. You obviously weren't present when I decided this and I have no interest in sharing this with you. Therefore I will, from this point on, follow in Heiress Potter's example."
And as I tell the woman: "No comments." Do I almost laugh as Lorraine, Amos, Angelina and Cedric all join me, making Amelia smirk and making the woman rage at me. She then tries to grab for something only for her eyes to widen and for Cedric to ask: "Did you forget something, Mss. Skeeter?" And he holds up her wand, pulling away when she tries to reach for it. And right before she can try again, does another shield appear between them.

Cedric smiles at Angelina over this and then suddenly Skeeter screeches: "YOU IMPUDENT LITTLE FREAK! THIS IS ALL YOUR BLOODY FAULT!" And to my disgusted horror does she try to strike at my little girl, Jillian freezing up as I remember her telling the Mind-Healer about the two things the Dursleys were known for; blaming her and calling her a freak. Yet before the woman can take more than three steps, does a cage suddenly surround her.
This shocks us all and then I remember; the ward to protect me and mine is still very much active. Yet then I remember something else and while I'm sure she will hate me over this later, do I glare at Amelia and snarl: "What are you waiting for? For me to file a complaint with the DMLE or the Minister?" And the woman does indeed turn to glare at me. I even feel her using passive Legilimency and allow it, lowering my shields just enough for a conversation to occur.
"Are you an Auror or not?" The woman mentally asks and I angrily snarl back: "Not anymore. I lost that position when I was thrown in Azkaban, something you as Head did nothing to rectify or even investigate years ago, Amelia Susan. And while I may have been an Auror, that is now your job and you even lead it. So do your job before my daughter starts thinking she needs to do it for you – like other adults have been making her believe in the past."

At this the woman winces, pulling back and turning to the scene in question. "Rita Skeeter, you have infiltrated a private meeting between Ancient Houses. You are an illegal Animagus who is unregistered, even among the Auror force like Lord Black, who used this force to report his form during his years employed, just like the Late Lord Potter. You also drew your wand and attempted an attack on minor Heiress Potter. And you verbally abused said Heiress.
You have, with this, broken three Ancient Laws, of which each the sentence is a certain amount of time spent in Azkaban. I would also like to inform you that, through a donation given to the DMLE by Lord Black, Azkaban is now warded against Animagus transformations. So if you think your indebt report on what it's like inside Azkaban prison will only be for 24-hours, you are quite mistaken." And after this she starts the usual Auror spiel, casting spells all the while.
And each summoning spell that is supposed to disarm suspects of potential escape methods and/or weapons feeds my raging anger as I spot various objects, some of them glowing with the magic of the protective ward that is still strong and active, fly from various points all over the woman's body, the woman herself having already been silenced and cuffs having been charmed over her wrists, which are now tied behind her back. Yet I instantly notice a problem and call Amelia out.

The woman turns to me, her face proving she still isn't happy with the fact that I won the mental fight, but I summon a pair of cuffs of my own and hand them to her. "Here, these are different. I had Fred and George Weasley especially design these, though they were actually meant for Pettigrew, who is a Rat Animagus. They may not suppress as much magic, but they have a special feature when it comes to Animagus. If she tries to transform, just press this button here."
Amelia's eyes widen at this and Jillian grins widely at me along with her friends and new partners as I show the button off for the others to see, the button itself on the very center of the chain that connects the two cuffs. Amelia then takes the cuffs from me, her face now showing a grateful look and she quickly switches the cuffs in her hand for the ones around Skeeter's wrists. But then Skeeter actually tries to transform just as Amelia seems to get the ward to lower the cage.
This infuriates me, but then Jillian turns around, rushes for and presses the button just before the cuffs fall from the shrinking woman's wrists. And instantly the magic activates and the cuffs change, moving to surround the transforming woman as they change and landing on the floor, an ugly beetle inside them and their form now resembling that of a plastic jar with small holes in the lid. "Those two are geniuses." I hear Amos mutter and I mutter: "I didn't pay them enough for those."
Amelia then recovers, a lot faster this time in my opinion and picks up the jar before turning to me and saying: "Tell Arthur that I hereby officially hire his sons and that I am placing an order with them. I want a total of 5 dozen of those for my men in the field by the end of their year. I don't know what you paid them, Sirius, but tell them I will pay them triple and that I won't take no for an answer. Lorraine, make sure to be with Sirius when this happens, so you can emphasize."

The woman nods and a few minutes later is everything back to normal, yet I still feel my heart beating with every emotion it went through in the last couple of minutes. "Can we – perhaps – continue?" Jillian then asks, shocking me and Cedric asks: "Are you sure? We can come back tomorrow. Wouldn't you rather calm down and then go with Sirius to get adopted?" At this the girl rubs the back of her head and asks: "You – you guys wouldn't mind? I mean, I know a part of this contract that might us help relieve some tension."
But we all shake our heads and Lorraine says: "It's better if you get changed to something more – publicly neutral and then head for Gringotts with Sirius, Amos goes back to the Hufflepuff common room with Cedric and that Angelina and I go talk to the twins and then later Arthur. Don't worry, child, Amelia won't mind who tells them as long as they get told. Besides, I feel like focusing on this task is the only thing that is going to keep me from ripping that witch a new one." Jillian winces and then winces again when she sees the rest of us nod in agreement.
"Okay." She whimpers. Instantly I realize what is going on and, ignoring all decorum and whatnot, I jump and climb over the table to take the poor girl in a tight and warm embrace, Jillian clinging to me and proving she too has been trying to keep up a brave face as she starts to bawl: "I'm not a freak." And this startles and shocks everyone bar Angelina.

Poor Jillian.
But yeah, while this chapter didn't go into too much detail about the contract, do I still think it covered the basis of it enough that you can see that, while I do take Jillian's trauma into account and her need to heal, that I also want to have this bit of the story focus on both Cedric and Angelina as well as Jillian. And I plan to emphasize on this fact even more in the next chapter. Which is why this chapter has the "day 01" added to the chapter.
Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about Voldemort. He will actually be the one who will play a role in the Second Task. And remember it WON'T be Jillian who will be down there – at first. No, there won't be any Port Keys taking her there, I assure you. I have other plans for our darkest of Lords and sweetest of girls, plans that might stir this story even further away from GoF canon.
Care to guess,

Venquine1990