A/N: I do apologize for the time this took to write, but as you can see, it's a lot longer. I've had a lot on my plate, but here it is.
Harry is starting to mature and i think this chapter shows some of that, along with his changes in demeanour and speech. It's more slang than when he was younger.
Chapter 21: Year 3
"Did she mean to kiss me? Or was it just a drunken thing? She could barely walk." I say to Sirius as we walk through Kings Cross. "Maybe she was aiming for my cheek or something. I don't know if she feels that way about me."
"Have you spoken to her about it?" Sirius asks, dodging a rude woman talking loudly into her mobile phone about bad signal.
"No, I don't even know if she remembers." I sigh.
"Do you want it to have been a drunken thing, or something more serious?"
"I … don't know." We encounter a lost looking family by the entrance to Platform 9 and ¾. "More for 'Nine and three quarters'?" I enquire, the mother looks at me in shock. "Straight through this wall." I shove Sirius through it. "Take a run if you're nervous. If he can do it, you can do it." I grin at them as I back through the portal. "I've entertained the idea of me and Tonks, but I wouldn't want to screw things up, y'know?" Sirius nods sagely.
"The age old problem."
"But me with a girl like Tonks?" I shake my head. "It's impossible."
"That's what we told James about Lily." Sirius laughs. "I think he was the most surprised when she finally said yes to him."
"I'll talk to her when I'm back for Christmas." I pat my pockets to ensure I've not forgotten anything.
"Doesn't your you-know-what let you remember if you've packed?" Sirius asks.
"It doesn't work like that." Wand. Ring. Shrunken trunk. "That's everything." I look up at the train. "I still can't believe Moony is teaching this year. Those new laws passed earlier in the year cutting back-"
"Sshshh." He looks around. "Let's keep the details to ourselves?"
"Suppose it's 'Professor Lupin' now." I smirk. "Can't go around calling him any nicknames to do with certain afflictions." Moony is still less inventive than calling my wolf 'Scar'. The whistle blows loudly.
"Alright, come here." Sirius hugs me and smiles. "Now don't go turning Hogwarts into gold or something … not all of it anyway."
"Just my room maybe?" I step up onto the carriage. "Or transmuting the stones I tread on into gold, that'd draw some looks." I laugh. "I'll write to you later." I wave as I enter the train, not wishing to obstruct the door any longer. A camera flashes at me as I walk past a cabin containing Colin Creevey. I hold up my middle finger as the second flash comes before continuing my walk. It only takes a minute to find Hermione … and Draco. There was an altercation outside the compartment before Draco had entered.
"Why are you going in there, Malfoy?" The whisper of 'Pike' sneers.
"Obviously to sit, as I'd rather do so than stand for hours on end as you might wish to." Draco's whisper shoots back.
"Why with that Mudblood?" Pike looks into the compartment.
"Careful, Pike." He spits the name. "That was dangerously close to insulting a friend of mine." Draco turns to the boy. "Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, you don't posses the brain power to actually formulate a proper insult." Pike goes for his wand, but freezes as Draco's appears pressed into his throat. "Walk away from this one, Pike." The boy steps back. "And if you breath a word of this to anyone, your entire family will feel the repercussions." Hermione's whisper opens the door and the scene dissolves.
"Harry? Why are you just standing there?" The real Hermione Granger hugs me.
"I was just eavesdropping." I say as she releases me. "Something about fishing for pike." I grin at Draco.
"That doesn't sound worthy of eavesdropping." Hermione frowns.
"Maybe it's a euphemism for something that doesn't concern him." Draco glares at me.
"Is it true that you bought mithril from Gringotts?" Draco asks me as we climb onto the threstral drawn carriages.
"Been reading the Prophet, Have you?" I reply.
"So you didn't?"
"Oh, no. I did." I flick my middle finger up at him, giving him a view of the silvery band. "They were extremely apologetic that a whistle-blower read the logs and leaked it. I don't think they wanted to lose me as a customer."
"And will they?" He asks.
"Nah, they think they're hanging onto me, when really I need them much more. It's not like I can dump a load of gold coins at the RBS." (Royal Bank of Scotland) Hermione looks amused, Draco only frowns, not really understanding.
"So you can't even buy something without making the front page?" He smirks.
"Apparently everyone's lives are so boring at the Prophet that what I do is considered news." I shrug. "At least they don't dig into my private affairs too much or follow me around. That'd get real boring.
"Vane, Romilda." McGonagall calls out the final name. This is the girl whose family were confused about the entrance earlier today.
"A bad case of Wrackspurts." Luna comments from beside me. She often talks of odd creatures, and she reminds me of an odd creature somewhat. Always looking a little bit lost. She is, of course, the victim of some bullying, but I only ever see it second-hand as I pass over the spot. She also lacks shoes often, but whether this is by choice or simply because someone has stolen them, I'm not sure.
"Perhaps the Wrackspurts have a bad case of Vane?" I suggest. Luna makes no outward sign that she hears me.
"Gryffindor!" The hat calls out. Romilda hurries over to the table. The applause dies down as Albus introduces himself and welcomes us back.
"...And joining us this year is Professor Lupin." He gestures to Remus. "Who will be our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher." Snape glares at him with the utmost contempt. I clap loudly along with the hall.
"You know, Harry, Ancient Runes isn't a wand based subject, so you won't be able to 'cheat' in this one." Hermione says smugly as we travel to Professor Babbling's class on our second day.
"I'm sure something will come up."
"And here are the standard issue engraving sets." Professor Babbling levitates a small box to each student in the class. "They are a bit old, but students use these all the way through their NEWTs." She explains. I look at Hermione with a big shit-eating grin. She scowls at me.
"It's not as glamorous as you're making it out to be." I explain as we walk to Care of Magical Creatures. "I still have to sift through all of the bad habits and misdrawn runes too. More mistakes have been made with those things than correctly drawn runes."
"And after you've 'sifted'?" Hermione glares at me. "You will have a huge range of knowledge that takes years for anyone else to accumulate." She is still sulking.
"How about I set aside time to relay everything to you. In the most mind numbing way for me." I suggest as we descend the grassy steps.
"Everything?"
"Sure. It'll help me understand it better too." She engulfs me in a hug as she … squeals?
"All four years, and don't leave anything out." She says sternly.
"What in fucks name?" I step away from her, looking over her intensely. Some thing's not right here. She looks startled. "You … what?" I glance around for anyone before stepping closer to her. "You're a time traveller?" I whisper. Her eyes fly wide open. "That's how you're going to take all these classes?" I smile spreads over my face. "What is it? Are you friends with a pixie? Or … A time turner!"
"Shhhh!" She looks around in a panicked manner. "Harry! You can't tell anyone!" She grips my arm tightly. I mimic the action, touching her sleeve experimentally.
"Woah." It's like she twisted into nothingness and reappeared at a different point in time.
"Harry!" She pleads.
"Yeah, yeah." I say distractedly. It's so twisted and strange, but completely fascinating. "Can I touch it?"
"No!"
"Please?" I pout. "Just for a second?"
"No!" She stresses.
"Can I see it at least?"
"No, Harry." She says sternly. "Professor McGonagall said to not tell anyone." She starts to walk again.
"Come on! Just one little peek, pleeeeease?" I beg. "Just for a second?"
"Potter, What are you talking about?" Draco appears with Crabbe and Goyle. I look over at Hermione, who is now sporting a faint blush.
"Oh, nothing of note." I say with a grin. "Come on, We'll be late for Care." Hermione slaps my arm. "Pressed for time and all that." She stamps on my foot.
"Harry!"
"Hagrid, Exactly what is that?" Ron Weasley asks as the Hippogriff saunters into the clearing.
"It's a Hippogriff." I say, watching as the magnificent animal prance around a bit. Well, magnificent in it's own four-legged bird sort of way.
"Right you are, Harry. 5 points for Ravenclaw!" Hagrid says happily, throwing a ferret into the air, which is deftly caught and devoured in one bite. "Say hello to 'Buckbeak'. Now, the first thing you need ta know about Hippogriffs is that they are very proud creatures. Very easily offended. If you do offend one, well it might just be the last thing you ever do." Hagrid looks at us seriously for a moment. "Who'd like to come and pet him?" He beams under his shaggy beard. I look back at the wide eyed faces of my classmates and hop the fence.
"Don't mind if I do." I mutter as Buckbeak looks over at me.
"Well done, Harry!" Hagrid starts clapping in deep booms as Buckbeak returns us to the ground after the flight around the grounds. I slide off his back and pat the side of his neck before he catches another treat from Hagrid. "How do yeh think I'm doing?" I look up to see Hagrid peering down at me nervously. I give him a grin.
"Brilliantly, Professor Hagrid." He beams at me, looking very pleased with himself, but the smile quickly vanishes as Draco stalks past us towards Buckbeak. Obviously he's paid no mind to 'The first thing you need to know about Hippogriffs'. I dash forward as Buckbeak rears up and give Draco a sharp shove, pushing him aside as the hoof comes down onto my forearm. Hagrid gets between us and pushes the hippogriff backwards.
"Go on ye great brute." He flicks the last ferret to sate Buckbeak's appetite. "The second thing you need to know about Hippogriffs, is to pay attention to the first thing." Hagrid says, mostly to Draco as he dusts himself off. He scowls as the class laughs.
"How's my favourite time traveller?" Hermione jumps as I drop heavily onto the Gryffindor bench at breakfast. She looks around in panic.
"Harry! Someone will hear you!" She hisses at me.
"Oh relax, if someone had – You could just spin backwards and give me a good slap before I got here. Remember that I'm in the loop with all this now." Hedwig hops up from the bench to the table. "So, How are you doing? You're looking a bit stressed." I wave my hand to the parchment and books sprawled across the table. I pick up a few pieces. "Runes, Arithmancy. We don't even have homework for Care and you're doing an essay. Hermione." She looks at me. "You've made a mathematical error in your Arithmancy work." Hedwig snatches Hermione's quill.
"Hey!" Hermione tries to stop her, but she flies up and sits on a window sill high above the tables.
"It's not even a month into school, and it's a Sunday. Hermione, you'll burn yourself out. Come on, We'll go see Hagrid."
"I'm fine, Harry." She protests. Ignoring her, I sweep her work into her bag and sling it over my shoulder. I stand patiently, with my hands on my hips, waiting for her to stand. "Fine." She rolls her eyes dramatically as she stands up. "Can I at least have my bag?"
"Nope. Can't risk you digging into it now, Can I?" I readjust the feminine bag on my shoulder.
"Nice bag, Potter." Draco says with a smirk as we pass him at the door.
"I wonder when he will start calling you 'Harry'." Hermione says as we exit the castle.
"Probably when he stops seeing me as a Potter, and as a single person."
"So never?" Hermione ventures, to which I laugh. "I think he's got a few screws loose still."
"Seems like most people in this society do." I throw my arm over her shoulders. "Me and you against a world of idiots."
"I think idiots is a bit harsh." She laughs.
"Morons? Imbeciles? They all seem quite fitting." As I lift my arm, I spot the chain that can only be attached to the time turner. "Hah!" Hermione jumps. "I touched it!"
"Harry!" She steps away from me. "What did you do?!"
"It shouldn't be possible." I laugh. "Oh, it's genius."
"What? And keep your voice down!" She looks around warily.
"Hundreds of tiny runes, they have to build the frame, then they expand it, carve the runes, then return it to it's original size! That doesn't normally work, but with time turners it does."
"You said you couldn't find out how things were made. 'Before it's timeline' were your exact words." She frowns as my smile broadens.
"That's the beauty of it, Hermione! Before it's timeline." I say enthusiastically. "They have to test them after it's made, to see if they work, and it picked up it's own history when it did so. They have a special team and the secrets on how they are made are heavily guarded. If it ever got out that I knew how to make one, I'd be destroyed. Literally destroyed."
"Why are you smiling, Harry? This is awful!"
"Hey, stop frowning. This is supposed to be your stress-free day." I beckon her on, heading down the steps. "Let's just not mention any of this to Hagrid – He probably couldn't keep what was on the menu for dinner a secret."
"Harry, Isn't this dangerous?" She says seriously after a few steps.
"Well they are a bit wet, you could walk on the grass if you're worried." She slaps the back of my head.
"I mean about the time turner." She says quietly, looking around in a shady manner.
"Nah." I wave my hand dismissively. "Well probably, but nobody needs to know. And another thing, the whole formula on which the time turner runs shouldn't be able to work. It's against some of the fundamental rules of temporal magic, But there it looks like crushed pixie wings act as a catalyst for the reaction – Their magic works differently to ours. The runes sort of … instruct the magic on how it should act … How can I explain this?" I bit my lip as I try to think. Hermione is listening in rapt attention. "Imagine me trying to tell a French person how to build a table. I can't speak French, and he can't speak English. So we would eventually we might work out a rough system of gestures to communicate."
"Like human magic instructing pixie magic?"
"Exactly!"
"But how do you know all of this?"
"I haven't the foggiest." I shrug with a smile. "The time turner knows, along with it's creator, so I know."
"Just like that?"
"Just like that." I wriggle my fingers towards her. "Poor pixies."
"Their wings?" She gasps.
"What? No. They shed their wings when they get too big. They were tricked into helping with the creation by a bloke named Zaldimar. Pixies aren't very smart, so they gathered all their greatest minds to help and donated a large collection of shed wings and Zaldimar stole it and probably sent the pixies packing." I point to Hermione's chest. "Stolen pixie wings make up the sand inside."
"That's horrific!" She looks completely aghast. "We have to do something!"
"Do something? And let them know that we know?" I shake my head. "We'd get obliterated in a best case scenario and dropped into a volcano in most others."
"What about the pixies? We can give it back to them?"
"They probably wouldn't have any use for it and I doubt they'd really care about one being given back. If we gave them every single one and possibly murder everyone that knows how to make them, they might thank us. They don't really care about gestures like humans do."
"What do they care about? Food? Land?" I think Hermione would probably try and rehouse dementors in a care home if they had some abused history.
"Gold." I shrug. "Pixie gold to be precise, Like the time turners are made of. They can't make it themselves, so it's even more precious to them. I doubt they have many, if any, links to humans to get new gold. Your time turner is made from gold transmuted by Flamel himself, it's … Oh wow."
"What is it?" She almost walks into me as I stop walking suddenly.
"It's like déjà vu touching the metal. I can remember when Nicolas used his stone to make it." I itch my forehead. "It's kind of a purification process from normal gold. Removes the impurities of the Earth and all that's left is the Pixie Gold."
"Do you think you could make it? I've read about pixie gold, of course, and it's incredibly valuable because it's assumed to be a finite resource used by the pixies. It's assumed to be mined in secret caverns, not created like you said. Relations between humans and pixies have been dire for hundreds of years, it might be to do with this Zaldimar." She says the name much the same as she would when talking about Crabbe or Goyle. "
"Calling them beasts probably doesn't help things." I interject.
"Harry, if you're right, and pixies really care about their gold, you could repair the inter-species relations single-handedly!"
"I said I knew how it was made, not that I could do it. Unless you've got a philosophers stone in this bag of your." I pat the satchel.
"Well how is it made?"
"For now, we'll use Nick's formula. It's incredibly simple because of how pixie magic aligns with the alchemical instructions. Now it's more like me trying to interact with someone from Newcastle, rather than France." She laughs at the comparison. "The flux is crushed pixie wings and the catalyst will also be pixie wings. It's crucial to have the catalyst too or the whole thing would destabilize and go off like a bomb – It is still fairy magic after all. Thankfully Nick already figured that part out. And then, the only things that's left, is power."
"And Nicolas Flamel used his stone?"
"Yep, and sadly I don't have that in my possession anymore. So unless you've got a better idea than Hedwig, I can't really make any."
"Hedwig?" She frowns.
"She recommends the lake, but she's thinking of power like the Queen holds, not magical power. She doesn't really understand that part yet."
"Could you use the castle? You've said that it's full of magic." Hermione suggests as we approach Hagrid's hut.
"Like filling a swimming pool a bucket at a time."
"Would anyone like to take a guess as to what the cupboard contains?" Moony asks the class as the wardrobe shakes violently.
"That's a boggart." Somebody says behind me. The rest of the class collectively jump as the wardrobe almost hops into the air.
"Excellent – Have 5 points for Gryffindor. Now, Can anyone tell me what a Boggart looks like?"
"A Boggart has no known form." Hermione seems to appear out of thin air.
"In the nick of time." I say quietly, she treads on my foot.
"And why is this?"
"Because they are shape-shifters, They transform into whatever frightens us the most." Hermione recites.
"Sounds like Tonks." Hermione has to stop herself from laughing.
"Very good. Mr Longbottom, when I open that door, here's what I want you to do." Moon- Professor Lupin leans in to whisper in Neville's ear.
"Turned up on time, I see." She lets out an exasperated sigh.
"You're going to get us caught one day." She whispers back.
"Just spin back and stop me if I ever do." I grin cheekily. "Did you find that book?"
"Pixies: A history." She nods, watching Remus and Neville. That has to be the single most generic name for a book ever.
"The charm is what repels the Boggart." He announces to the class. "But it is the laughter that truly finishes it off. Now, form a line and give Mr Longbottom some space, then I shall call each of you forward for your turn."
"Better watch out for a Hippogriff." I smirk at Draco. That one dose of Skelegrow was totally worth it for the amount of taunting I've given him over the incident with Buckbeak.
"Stuff it, Potter." He scowls at me, shoving his way into the queue.
"I would like you all to take a moment to think about what you find most frightening and think of a way to make it comical." Bugger. What scares me? Another basilisk maybe? McGonagall when Fred and George do something? I look up at Boggart-Snape, now sporting a big red handbag and a vulture topped hat, The class roars with laughter as the music starts. "To the back, move along!" The class stumbles forward as the next person is set against the Boggart. Each transformation appears and is quickly dealt with.
"I see you've forgone the Mad-Time Traveller look." I say to Hermione, looking up at her hair, pulled back today. "You look nice." She looks startled for a moment before she is pushed towards the Boggart. It shifts on the spot and turns into a giant blue pixie … with a very big golden sword.
"Riddikulus!" Hermione squeaks. The pixie is reduced to the size typical of a normal pixie, it looks down at it's body and stamps it's tiny feet furiously. She sighs in relief and hurries to the back of the line. I step forward and the tiny pixie turns to look at me. In a blur, it transforms into a grey robe and fires a spell at me, I deflect it in a flash. Was that a real spell? Hopefully Boggarts don't hold that power. This is the robe worn by Unspeakables. I've always been scared of the possibility of them finding out what I could do. I'd though the Boggart would turn into Tonks or Hermione injured in some way due to my actions. I suppose this is a far more selfish response.
"Riddikulus!" The Boggart staggers as the robe sprout flowers all over as the fabric turns pink. Perhaps Albus has something similar in his wardrobe. I back up and head to the back. I'll tell Hermione what I thought it'd be after the lesson.
"Assume no cover is safe when duelling a transfiguration master." Albus says as I pant, leaning on a pillar. We've been duelling for the past 20 minutes – Perhaps duelling isn't the right term for him hurling spells at me whilst I try and dodge, run, shield and try and shoot back. I push myself away from the pillar as it turns into spikes and I blast a pair of his damned stone lions as they pounce at me. I flick my wand to some splinters of what was once a wooden chair and return with three large wolves, I set them on fire just to be sure. The smoke might work in my favour.
"Inventive." Albus' voice sounds amused. He hasn't moved much from the centre of the oval room, but when I fire anything at him, he dodges it with far too much grace for a man of his age. He's only had to raise a shield twice this whole time, which is one for than I normally manage.
There's no doubt that he is better than me in a fight, and he seems to be able to predict any of the tricks that James used to come up with, I suppose Albus has seen him in combat enough to know what he does. It's tricky to stick with my own methods when I have a whole set of finely honed tactics from James and Lily. Lily – That's it! Nobody would know about her little trick. I stop running and point my wand at Albus.
It's almost like a trance. My vision darkens from the outside as the spells start to pour off of my wand. Lily had worked long hours on this stance, giving her the ability to launch spells a far superior rate than I've seen Flitwick, a renowned speed caster, achieve. Stupefy. Expelliarmus. Flipendo. Aguamenti. Anything to keep him on his toes. I faintly notice him resort to holding a shield up as the flurry of spells spiral and twist from the tip of my wand. There is a dull crack as the shield buckles. I shake my head as I drop my arm, returning to my senses. I instinctively hold up my hand as his wand flies to my hand. "Hah!" I manage to say. I've disarmed Albus Dumbledore! MY fingers close around the wood. "Fuck."
Antioch Peverell. The fabled Elder Wand. The Deathstick. The Deathly Hallow. October 31st 1250. The same day the cloak was created, but it's past was previously hidden. The Three Brothers were, in fact, enchanters. Perhaps the most skilled enchanters to ever walk the Earth. The bloody history of the wand is more than just the murders that cause it to change hands, but the swathes of people butchered when foul people wield it. Gellert's rein of terror is just as clear as the day it happened. The experiments conducted on the wand by Mykew Gregorovitch in various attempts to replicate the wands supposed unbeatable properties.
"Harry."
Elder, 15 inches and two tail hairs from a thestral. Antioch spent a combined 189 hours of labour on the wand's completion, spanning the period of 3 months. The information on my cloak clears up as the dates unfold. Ignotus and Antioch had both finished their masterpieces on the same day, I would venture a guess that Cadmus probably did too. The wand itself is more than just a powerful wand, it almost … subverts general magic to always 'win' or be unbeatable.
"Harry." I look up at Albus. At some point I'd fallen over. I make no attempt to sit up yet.
"I should've known." I laugh dryly. "I couldn't never quite place where I'd seen the colour around the wand before – Peverell purple." So much death. "The wand is supposed to only care about strength. It bonds with the strongest person it can, but whether that is raw power, or something else, I don't know." I hold the wand up for him. "I might have shaken it, but it still considers you it's Master." He looks very surprised as he accepts his wand. "I think I need a good lie down now, preferably on something that isn't stone."
743 years to the day. The Deathly Hallows. Rather than go to the feast, I've decided to wander the castle tonight. After a while I'd found Lily and James at a window, just staring outside. I've had a lot of information to sift through regarding the two Peverell heirlooms. One of the most prevalent and relevant is that Zaldimar one wielded the Elder Wand, using to to trick and slaughter pixies. I've not told anything to Hermione yet, mostly because if word got out that Albus had the Elder Wand, that would be incredibly bad. Not that Hermione would ever tell anyone, but there are other ways to steal secrets.
"Harry." Speak of the devil. I turn to Hermione. "Are you ok?" I nod, gesturing to Lily and James, invisible to her.
"I found my parents here." I explain. "The anniversary of it all. It almost makes me feel like I'm part of a family." I watch as their images dissolve.
"Sorry … The Aurors are looking for you." She says quietly. Aurors?
"Me? What's happened?" I turn to her, suddenly alert.
"Nobody knows." She says. "Professor Dumbledore came in with a man and a woman, Susan's aunt, and they were looking for you."
"That doesn't sound good at all." Very similar to the incident in my first year. We start to walk quickly. "How'd you find me?"
"Lee Jordan told me you were up here an hour ago." She seems to have no problem in keeping up with my gait. God bless all the stairs she walks. "Have you been up here this whole time?" She asks. I suppose I have.
"They didn't say anything?" I ask, dodging the question. She shakes her head. "Were looking to invite me for tea, or was is more serious?"
"The atmosphere wasn't particularly jolly." She says sarcastically. "You don't think there's been another attack, do you? Like last time?" They wouldn't come to me unless it wasn't possible for them.
"If Scrimgeour's gotten attacked again, I'll ring the man's neck. Who was with Madam Bones? The man."
"Er, long-ish dark hair. Tall and imposing..."
"A suit and looks like he's ready to be attacked at any moment?"
"Yes, but-"
"Scrimgeour is fine then." I scratch my chin as we approach the Great Hall.
"Be safe." Hermione kisses my cheek as we round the corner. Scrimgeour, Madam Bones and Albus walk through the hall towards us.
"Thank you, Miss Granger." Albus smiles at Hermione as she retakes her seat.
"It's been a while, Auror Scrimgeour." I say as they reach me. "I assume the circumstances are not good?" He briefly looks at Madam Bones. Neither of them look happy.
"Perhaps we can explain as we walk." Albus says diplomatically. The two of them nod and we exit the hall."
"Earlier this evening, A man was brutally beaten in the alleyway beside Ollivanders' wand shop." Scrimgeour explains to me as we walk. "The man's name is Charles Spritz, he works in a sub-division of the Department for the Regulation and control of Magical Creatures. Specifically, the Goblin Liaison Office."
"And I assume that a Goblin did it? Or is thought to have?" I query. He probably would have told me his post in such a way if it didn't matter. "Which is it?"
"Currently the DMLE are not releasing that information." Madam Bones says curtly.
"Ah." I smile. "You don't know." Albus looks at me disapprovingly, but smiles. "Well, if you can't tell me that yet, What's the scene like?"
"The Aurors are keeping everyone out, the crime scene is currently on lock down, even for the press." Scrimgeour tells me.
"Crawling with Aurors." I nod slowly. "And any witnesses? Suspects?" This is all quite exciting. Unless it was a Goblin, then the economy might collapse … We'll get to that later.
"There are 3 Goblins being held on site for questioning, they were found beside the man when the Aurors arrived." Scrimgeour sounds almost irritated as we arrive at Albus' office.
"Blood pops."
"And they claim to be innocent. Each says that they came across the man and tried to help." Madam Bones adds as we enter the large office.
"The Leaky Cauldron." Albus ignites his fireplace. It seems we are in a hurry. The two Ministry officials exit the room into the floo. "All set?" He asks me. I grin as I walk into the fire. After somehow managing not to smash my face on the floor, a flurry of cameras snap my way. Diagon Alley might be off limits, but the pub isn't.
"Mister Potter! Mister Potter!" They seem to call as one. I try not to scowl too much as I follow Rufus past the Aurors and into the Alley. As I'd joked before, crawling with Aurors turns out to be an apt description. Witnesses being questioned, Goblins arguing with each other. Gringotts Goblins look to be trying to talk to Aurors and Goblin Liaison officers.
"This is a fucking mess." I mutter. Clearly Gringotts hasn't taken lightly to what I'm sure have been plentiful accusations.
"Higgins." Scrimgeour waves an Auror over. A tall, overly muscled man comes over to us, towering above me. He must be about 7 feet tall. "Please introduce Mister Potter here to the Goblin Diplomat."
"Yes, Sir." He glances at me for a second and motions for me to follow him. "Try not to piss him off." He says to me.
"I'll endeavour not to." A few people frown as I walk through the Alley, or just stare.
"This is Mister ..." Higgins presents a very pissed off Goblin.
"Christ, Higgins." I sigh. "That was awful. You … Jesus. You don't introduce somebody and not know their name." I pinch the bridge of my nose. Tip of the spear indeed. "Just … go over there." I make a shooing motion, he seems oddly pleased to comply. I turn to the white haired Goblin. "Sorry about him." I hold my hand out. "Harry Potter."
"Grognak." He shakes me hand, he looks like he was going to snatch his hand away from my ring. His eyes narrow.
"Ah, you noticed." I hold my hand up, showing my ring. "I think Steelclaw out did himself." I smile happily. "Now, onto business. I'm not with these guys, not the Auror age y'see. I'm going to go and find out what happened to Charles, then we'll see if we can avoid a war." He grins, apparently appreciating the joke. "If it turns out that one of your guys did whack this bloke, then we're going to be deep in shit." I say seriously and quietly. "Do you know what occurred here? I need to know if we're going to settle this peacefully." He seems to debate with himself for a moment. He leans in closer to me.
"All I know is that my three had been enjoying a drink. They told me that they came across Charles lying in a pool of his own blood." He sighs heavily. "It doesn't make any sense. No Goblin that knows who Charles Spritz is would dare lay a finger on him. He has fought for equal rights for the past 20 years, even being heckled by his own Government for some of his more outrageous movements." He looks around at the nearby Aurors. "Usually I would be dealing with Charles with this kind of situation, he is a good man, but as he is currently laying in a hospital bed, I am forced to deal with these people."
"But there is a chance that the suspects could have had a few too many and roughed him up?" I ask carefully. "Being intoxicated might have lowered their inhibitions."
"It is possible." He says begrudgingly. I nod slowly. They will be executed if they did, they might be either way, but maybe I can shimmy us out of a war and not undo decades of Goblin relations work.
"Right, thanks for talking to me, I'll have a look around." He nods and I wander off towards the crime scene. I see Kingsley Shacklebolt blocking most of the entrance to the alleyway in question.
"I've been told to let you look." He says, his face is like stone. He turns and I follow him a short way to some bloodied cobblestones. I pace around the spot, nudging the odd spot with my toe.
"Have you met Tonks yet?" I ask him as I watch the ghosts.
"Tonks?" He nods once. "When she fully graduates the academy, she will be my partner."
"Oh?" I look over at him. He doesn't look like he's going to say any more. I think Kingsley is supposed to be one of the best, Nobody better to watch Tonks' back. I worry about her. "Well, It looks like we won't be having a war." I say. "Well, not with the Goblins anyway."
"Why is that?" Scrimgeour is now here alongside Albus.
"Just in the nick of time, Chief." I straighten up. "So, Michael McGregor comes out of the Cauldron and recognises Charles." I explain, waving my hand to the empty alley. "Now, being the racist and belligerent man he is, Mister McGregor decides to give Charles a beating. If he weren't drunk, he might of not done it. I suppose we're lucky he didn't draw his wand on him." The relief is evident is Albus' eyes. He accepts my word far before anyone else.
"Where do the suspects factor into this?" Scrimgeour asks, frowning heavily.
"They came in from the other end of the alley." I point down the road, the opposite way from the main Diagon Alley street. "They saw him and the Aurors turned up moments later. I'm not sure if they recognised him or not, they didn't have a lot of time."
"Do you have any proof of Mister McGregor's actions?" Scrimgeour asks me.
"With such delicate matters as a war or the collapse of the economy, I'd say pulling him in for interrogation. I'd recommend a drop of veritaserum, but I guess it's a matter of how quickly you want results." I finish with a smile.
"Not bad, eh Crookshanks?" I scratch the cat's head as he lazes on the Hufflepuff table at breakfast the next morning. Albus and I had left the alley quite swiftly after the decision was made to find McGregor, I didn't want to be photographed when they found out that the crisis had been defused. I suppose he had been drinking to celebrate Voldemort's downfall, a national holiday – My least favourite. So I can blame his drunk state on Voldemort. Fucking Voldemort.
"War averted, economy saved." Hermione sits down beside me with the Daily Prophet.
"I think they're exaggerating a bit personally." Crookshanks playfully swats at my fingers.
"Are you ok, Harry?" I meet her concerned eyes. "You've been … quieter lately."
"Don't miss a thing, do you?" I smile and return my attention to Crookshanks. "I disarmed Albus in a duel." I say quietly. "I caught his wand without thinking." Hermione rests her hand on my arm. "He hasn't been the only wielder, it happens sometimes."
"It's rare, but not unheard of." She nods.
"Let's just say that the previous owners were … not nice people, so now I have a very intimate knowledge of some pretty dark things. But, as Albus said, it's what I do with the knowledge that is important. From it, I know several ways to undo or repair any damage done by them. It's amazing really; Some of this stuff isn't even in medical journals that I've read."
"Will you tell anyone?"
"I'll probably get dragged along somewhere that my new found skills in healing will be useful." I laugh. "I also know of a way to bend a ley line. Oh, and 1 way to kill yourself whilst trying to bend a ley line."
"A ley line?"
"You don't know what a ley line is?" That's actually really surprising. She scoffs.
"What do you take me for? Ley lines form a web across the entire planet, they are said to converge beneath Hogwarts, which is why the site was picked."
"For it's magical hotspot. The wards can draw a huge amount of power from the ley lines and keep it almost impenetrable." I finish her recital of the book. "And what little project of ours will need a huge amount of power?" I watch as her brain kicks in to thinking mode.
"The fairy gold?!" She whispers as she leans closer. "You think you can use the ley lines? They say only masters of their fields can interact with a ley line. It's dangerous." She stresses.
"No more dangerous than trying to fucking bend one, I'll tell you that for nothing." I grin.
"Language." She scolds as Crookshanks scratch my finger.
"You're looking at the newest master in the art." I say smugly. "I might've taken a few short cuts, but it's all up here." I tap my index finger on the side of my head.
"You seriously think you can use a ley line to make fairy gold?" She glances down the table to the closest person, Cedric, to confirm he didn't hear.
"With a little work."
"With a little work." She nods. "You've managed to alter the formula to accept something other than the stone?"
"Not exactly. I had to build from scratch, this way I won't be working with Nick's formula, but with my own – Which means I'll understand it better. So if anything goes wrong, I can fix it."
"You worked out a new transmutation formula for fair gold all by yourself?" She sounds surprised.
"Have a little faith. A philosophers stone and a time turner, it's not like I just looked at them. I did absorb a hell of a lot from them." She rolls her eyes.
"Are you going to tell me anything more?" She asks impatiently.
"I'll give you it in riddles? Or maybe just in questions … Do you know where ley lines are?" I ask.
"Where they are? In regards to Hogwarts?" I nod. "Underground?"
"It's hard to feel them through the ground, even with my abilites. Ley lines are like lengths of rope, they go deep into the Earth's crust, but they aren't all at the same depth – That way, they can still deliver to hot spots on the top of mountains."
"The ley lines are inside the mountains?"
"Exactly! They aren't flat, they can be deep or shallow. There is a spike just under Hagrid's pumpkin patch, so if you want to do a ritual or something, go there." I grin.
"So that's why they grow so well?"
"Probably. Anyway – The point is, most ley lines are far too deep to be reached -"
"What if somebody digs down to them?" She cuts me off.
"The line can feel that it's being breached and it retracts itself a bit. A raw ley line would be incredibly dangerous, and I think the planet knows that too, so it pulls them back a bit. Now, they aren't like a plug socket with massive voltage, unless you are really close to them." I explain. "Can you think of somewhere near here that might get us close to them?" She frowns as the cogs in her brain churn.
"The dungeons?"
"Deeper."
"But ..." She bites her lip as her frown becomes more pronounced. It's really distracting. "The Chamber of Secrets!" She gasps.
"Bingo." She's fantastic. "I was down there the other night with Crookshanks, we-"
"Crookshanks?"
"I ran into him on my way there, I thought you'd turn up actually." Crookshanks rolls onto his back, exposing his belly to my fingers. "Anyway, we went down into the Chamber. I haven't been down there since Albus and I saved Ginny, I'd managed to fight off going down there and touching every inch of the dirty floor. Salazar carved out huge swathes of earth and rock to make his little hidey hole. There is a large circular room that he built when all of the ley lines converge."
"The perfect place for … whatever he wants?"
"You remember that conversation I told you about? With the snakes?" She scrunches her nose. Snakes just get to people. "I think that the snakes are under the impression that their 'World snake', the giant serpent, is actually the ley lines. 'Gripping' the planet." Comprehension dawns on her face. "I don't know why, but the ley lines didn't retreat from Salazar. He built his den on raw ley lines, They are touching the stones he used for the floor. I'm not sure if another site like it exists in all of Britain – Maybe even the whole planet."
"But Hogwarts is built on seven major lines. You're saying that there is a spot where all seven converge? And they are barely an inch deeper than the floor?" She glances around again.
"A perfect place for powering a gold transmutation. So, power – What's next?"
"Obviously it needs gold to transmute." She says. "Where can you get some gold? It's expensive."
"Look under your goblet." I take a drink from my own to cover my smile. I'd slipped a galleon under that goblet when I'd sat down, just in case she asked that question. She picks up the coin.
"Why was there a galleon under my cup? Did you plan out this whole conversation?"
"Bits and pieces." I laugh. "Go on, Power and gold, what else?"
"Two measures of crushed pixie wings. One for the imbuement and the other to act as a catalyst." Her face drops slightly.
"The problem is finding them. The small amounts in circulation are highly regulated, and we can't just bust into the Ministry and nick all their time turners. The security would be impassable." I rest my elbows on the table. "I'd done some research in using fairy wings, but then that would yield Fairy gold, which is where fairies draw their power from." I shake my head. "Highly illegal to give to a fairy, not what we're after. So, there are 2 realistic ways to get pixie wings. I can either smash your time turner with the hopes of not creating a time rift and destroying all of Northern Scotland ..."
"Harry!"
"Or we can convince a pixie to help us out."
"A pixie?" She says incredulously. "How are you going to 'convince' a pixie to just hand over it's wings?"
"Promise it a cut of the gold obviously." I drum my fingers on the table. "That's the easy part, we still have to find one. I've only come up with one or two solid ideas so far, Hedwig is convinced she could hunt one down."
"Alive?"
"She said hunt, so probably not. My less good idea involves a letter to Mr Diggory, which would no doubt put me a huge number of watch lists. Maybe arrested."
"Not such a good idea." She agrees. "And the other idea?"
"The Forbidden Forest." I grin. "I'm sure you know 'Hogwarts: A History' word for word. 'The forest plays host to many creatures, both indigenous and foreign species'." I recite. "So I'm pretty sure there will be at least one pixie that wants some fresh pixie gold. They could be very well off with even a small amount. I think that they have a sort of currency system going on and use gold dust due to the lack of gold in circulation."
"Is any of that relevant?"
"Kinda, The thing to take away is that I'm going to head into the forest tonight to look for one."
"You're going to do what?!" She looks completely aghast. "Ignoring, just for a moment, how dangerous and that you would be breaking so many rules, you do realise what the current stage of the moon cycle is?" A grin spreads across my face.
"Hermione, you are without a doubt, the most intelligent, quick witted, beautiful girl-" She smiles. "-sitting opposite me." and rolls her eyes as I finish. "You even have the moon cycle ticking away in you head." She really is brilliant. "It's a full moon tonight..."
"Which is exactly why you picked it." She sighs and nods. "Of course you pick the worst day for it. Why wouldn't you?" She says, mostly to herself.
"It's the best day really. The forest will be buzzing with life – The perfect time to forge an alliance." I smile widely. I'm sure it'll be fine."
"I'm going with you." She says firmly.
"Are you sure? It's not exactly going to be safe. Full moon n'all that."
"Then why are you going?" She frowns.
"I don't have any other ideas." I shrug nonchalantly.
"What if something attacks you? Us?" Crookshanks decides that he's had enough of me and climbs off the table.
"Hedwig's looking for you." I tell him. "Something about a rat." Crookshanks seems delighted.
"You would be the most dangerous thing in the forest." Hermione says. "Harry, What did you learn from Dumbledore's wand?" She looks worried.
"A great many things, not all good nor legal. If push came to shove, I wouldn't fear for my safety."
"What if there's a werewolf? It's a full moon and werewolves are class 5 beasts."
"I suppose I'd have to fight it."
"You're not talking about ..."
"The forest plays host to many animals." I grin.
"We should have spoken to Hagrid." Hermione says as she trails behind me through the closely packed trees.
"And then Albus would have known, then dissuaded me of trying for pixie gold." I duck my head under a low branch. "Mind your head." I say as Hermione gets a face full of leaves. Hopefully we don't run into Remus. He'd be in the Shrieking Shack tonight anyway.
"What exactly are we looking for?" Hermione huffs. It had only taken her tripping over twice to become more irritated than scared.
"A pixie ... Ah!" I rub my arm after a particularly vicious swipe at my arm. I look over my shoulder to see her glaring at me. "I don't know. A uh ... circle of mushrooms, strange rifts. Hey, if your time turner starts to buzz, let me know." Something growls nearby.
"What was that?" Hermione grips my arm as I raise my wand, lighting the area.
"A dog or something." I shrug and lower my wand. Probably best not to tell her what I this. "So, enjoying yourself?" I ask as we start to walk again.
"No." She keeps my arm entangled with mine, tightening it as a wolf's howl resounds around us.
"Should I answer?"
"That's not funny." She looks around us. "Can we just find a pixie and leave?"
"Don't be scared, it's just a little pooch." We stroll into a clearing beside a pond. "If you were a pixie, where would you hide?"
"Somewhere comfortable and not in the forbidden forest." Hermione now has her wand out.
"Well I suppose you wouldn't make a very good pixie then." I mutter as I look around the clearing. The pond isn't very deep, probably a watering hole for the fauna.
"Harry." Hermione's sharp whisper draws my attention to a herd of Thestrals approaching the pond. "Something's under the water."
"Oh, Hermione." I smile. "If only it were that simple." The Threstrals carry on drinking as if we weren't here. "There is a herd of Threstrals drinking just over there, you can't see them?"
"No."
"So!" I say abruptly, causing Hermione to jump. "Ideas? We've a pixie to find." I flick my wand and cast a detection spell aimed at pixies. "No pixies."
"Do you know anyone that might know one? I can never tell if you're joking when you say you are 'well travelled'."
"Well." I let out a breath. "Steelclaw, the goblin, is probably a sworn enemy of pixies."
"Because of the clan?"
"Maybe. I'll write to him sometime, find out for certain. There's Hedwig." I see her silhouette fly above us. "But she doesn't really get along with food sized things." I laugh. "Dobby?"
"Harry Potter, sir!" Dobby appears about an inch from the water.
"Dobby!" I grin. The tiny beams up at me. I crouch down to be level with him. "How've you been keeping? Still working the kitchens?"
"The great Harry Potter knows Dobby's jobs!" He's shaking with excitement.
"OK, big question for you, Done." He eagerly nods. "I'm looming to make friends with a pixie, I'm wondering if, by chance, you happen to know one."
"Pixies? What does Mister Harry Potter want pixies for?" He asks inquisitively.
"I want to strike a deal with them, their wings for pixie gold. I think any pixie would jump on the idea."
"Harry, Could we do this somewhere else?" Hermione asks anxiously. "As thrilling as this discussion conversation is, it might not be the best place for it." A rustling of leaves catches accentuates her point.
"Dobby, get out of here." I straighten up quickly. Not needing to be told twice, he vanishes with a pop.
"Harry?"
"We are in sooo much trouble." I mutter.
"Harry?" Hermione whispers as she stands closely behind me.
"Fuck, fuck, fuckity fuck." I watch as a large grey-brown wolf comes out of the treeline. A werewolf.
"Harry." She digs her fingers into my arm. The werewolf growls. Moony.
"I think our little trip is done." I take Hermione's hand and gently pull her along. I turn back for a moment. "This was my idea, not Hermione's." Moony growls again. "OK, OK, OK." We start to walk again.
"What's going on? What about the werewolf?"
" What were you thinking!" Remus shouts at me. "The Forbidden Forest! At night! On a full moon." He stresses. "You could have been hurt, killed or worse. You. Could. Have. Been. Bitten. I'm not the only wolf in that forest, Harry." He stares at me over his desk. He had called me into his office calmly after the class, then proceeded to explode. I think he's more angry about what he could have done.
"I admit that it was reckless to bring Hermione with me. I suppose it's lucky it was you so nobody was hurt."
"Hermione?! What about you?"
"I'd have been fine, it's Hermione that I would have been concerned for. Watching me fighting, or using my wand. She would never look at me the same again." If anyone was in danger, it was Moony. I'd do anything to keep Hermione safe.
"Ok then, Dobby. What's his name?" I ask the house elf as we sit by the lake. After Hermione and I let a few days pass after Remus, whom Hermione still doesn't know about, we reconvened and Dobby does have a pixie he knows.
"Baxter." He squeaks.
"Baxter?" Hermione stops her anxious pacing.
"A good name." I smile. I'd expected something more ... Mystical. "And when is Baxter going to show?"
"Baxters be being here soon." Dobby slaps his palms on his crossed knees as he sits excitedly beside me.
"Did you tell him anything?"
"Dobby bes telling Baxter to bring wingses, as Harry Potter sir asked Dobby to."
"Wonderful. Maybe Hermione will stop pacing about." I lay back on the sand.
"For what seem to be the hundredth time, Dobby, please explain to Baxter that we will split this coin." I hold the galleon between my thumb and finger. "In half once we convert it. I'm not trying to shaft him, this is just fair." For the past 10 minutes, Dobby and Baxter have been squeaking at each other whilst trying to negotiate. Baxter's doesn't speak English, but Dobby can speak pixie.
"Baxter be wanting less, as it is your goblin gold." Dobby finally makes sense of it all. "40%"
"Brilliant." I sigh in exasperation. "Ask if he wants to be there. Oh, and remind him that we will be in the snake chamber." Dobby nods and addresses the blue skinned pixie floating an inch above the ground. Baxter suddenly looks terrified and shakes his head vigorously. "A resounding 'No.' Then. I'll do the transmute and you can take Baxter's portion to him?"
"Harry! It's huge!" Hermione looks terrified and clamps her hands over her mouth as I start to laugh. "I didn't mean that and you know it!"
"My basilisk is huge, you said it first." I take a step away from her as she tried to hit me. "We've work to do, no more of this dirty talk." She looks even more flustered. I turn away from her and face the complex chalk patterns I meticulously planned out on the floor last night. They draw power from the potent ley lines and feeds the reaction steadily.
"Are you sure this will work? You haven't tested drawing power from the ley lines yet."
"Salazar could actually draw raw power from this location. He had this locket that could store the power for later use. I've got a fairly solid idea about mimicking the transfer into the formula rather than the locket. Basic stuff." I rub my hands together. "Oh, his office is down that pipe. Don't bother with any books that have a snake on the cover."
"Salazar Slytherin's office? Through this pipe?" She looks like Dobby.
"Yep. It'll probably be more interesting for you..." She's already rushed off. I toss the galleon into the centre of the room. The air is already humming as I skirt around the edge, ready to set off the reaction. I snuck in a few transfiguration strings to deface the coin into a blank disc once it's transmuted. I crouch down and hold my ring just above the chalk line. The 'On switch', which is extended outwards as I don't want to have pixie wings fused to my optic nerve or something stupid. "Excelsior." I mumble as I lower my hand.
"Did you know that the Daily Prophet sometimes call you 'Albus "Dumb-as-a-door" Dumbledore'?"
"I have read the term once or twice." He nods.
"Ungrateful bastards." I comment, leaning the armchair back on two legs.
"How so?"
"Whether you admit it or not, You've shaped this society greatly. Were it not for you, these people would be living in darkness. Many killed, imprisoned or, at best, prosecuted just because of who they were born. The laws you have helped pass, your unwavering stance that constantly benefits huge groups of the community, and that doesn't even count your position here as headmaster or the ah ... lost souls You've done battle with. They could be living under the sick rule of Voldemort or Gellert. But 'dumb as a door' saved them." I laugh. "Gratitude at it's finest." I look up at Albus' smile. "Of course it all sounds very glamorous when it's said like that. All the sacrifices that got us here." I gesture to the room. "Thank you."
"I don't think anyone has ever thanked me." He watches me for a few seconds. "None of my actions were for the attention of course, merely what I thought was best."
"For the greater good?"
"For the greater good." He smiles and nods.
"What will you do with it?" Hermione asks as I roll three fiths of a galleon across my knuckles. She has her latest potions essay spread out on the floor of the library, reviewing the final version as I laze beside her on my back.
"Sell it?" I suggest.
"Who would buy it?" She asks, not seeking to be paying attention.
"Gringotts. Steelclaw would love to get his grubby mitts on this." I smile at the thought of his greedy eyes bulging out. "I could give it to Baxter, tell him that I wish to give it as a gift to the pixies."
"They might start trusting humans again ... Or you at least." She muses.
"I'll add that to the 'maybe' list." I close my fist around the cut coin and look at Hermione. She's nibbling the end of her quill as her eyes dart over the various pieces of parchment.
"Hermione?"
"Hmm?"
"Never mind."
"Weasley Weasley." The twins whirl around and hide the piece large piece of parchment. "I think you, you and I have a discussion to have."
"How'd you sneak up on us?" Fred frowns ever so slightly behind the curious smile.
"How else could you prank the prankers?" I smile. "Prongs added a back door to the tracking so he could sneak up on Padfoot and the head girl." I shake my head fondly. "Anyway, I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." I take a low, mocking bow. "Ronald has upset Hermione, Ginny said that the two of you would ah 'Set him right'." I smile widely as they adopt matching grins. "She said to just leave you to it so I don't hinder you. Oh, and imagine my surprise when I see you with a family heirloom." My smile widens their faces adopt a look somewhere between awe, fear and shock.
"I can't believe you told them to do that!" Hermione tries not to laugh as much as Ginny and I.
"I did no such thing ." I say innocently. "They got wind of what he said."
"And who told them?" She arches an eyebrow.
"Uh, That lights been me." I recline on my chair. I'm surprised Pince hasn't chucked us out.
"When will the tail go?" Ginny asks between bouts of giggling.
"Fred said he just has to apologise, George reckons it'll run out in about a week." This sets Hermione off.
"So here it is merry Christmas, everybody's having fun!" Tonks, Sirius, Ted and I sing at 'Merry x-mas everybody' as loud as we can in the living room of Grimmauld Place on Christmas day. Presents, music, dancing and drinking – All in all it's been fun. The other Tonkses joined us yesterday; A time for togetherness they'd said. With Ted's parents gone, leaving no grandparents for Tonks ... My Tonks that is, and everyone but Sirius dead on the Black's side, it's just us five. I think I prefer the small group anyway, it's a ... family? A slightly odd one albeit, but it feels right.
"So, what do you think of them?" Tonks asks me in the kitchen, them being her parents.
"I think your Dad and Sirius were made for each other." I laugh. "I pictured him more ..."
"Boring?"
"You did say he was pencil pusher in the Ministry."
"Yeah, well you put a few drinks in him and he opens up." She lifts herself up to rest on the counter as I open the fridge. "And Mum?"
"She looks a lot like Draco's Mum." Tonks wrinkles her nose. "I think she's the kind of person that names her daughter 'Nymphadora'." Tonks grimaces and accepts the butterbeer from me.
"She can be overbearing sometimes, but I love her all the same." I open my bottle and hop up onto the side with her.
"'Can't pick you family' or so they say. "
"'They' sound like an idiot." Tonks snorts, raising her bottle. "To the idiots."
"Idiots." I clink my bottle against hers and take a sip. "Spose You've heard about the Tri-Wizard tournament next year, haven't you?" I ask.
"It's sposed to be top secret, how'd you find out?" She looks at me curiously.
"Fudge was arguing with Albus about 3 weeks ago, I think interrupted them and Fudge left."
"Then 5 seconds later, you had the whole conversation?"
"Yep. Albus wants a minimum age on the whole thing, which he argues quite well, but Fudge ... Well you know what he's like."
"A twat?"
"Speaking ill of the boss, Miss Auror?" She snorts.
"Doesn't mean I have to like him just cuz he pays me. I think there's an unwritten rule about never liking your boss."
"Enjoying it?" She let's out a sigh, resting her head in my shoulder.
"Bloody hard work. The eye isn't the only mad thing about bloody Moody either."
"Have you ever seen him in a huge fire fight?" I ask, she shakes her head slightly. "I saw him in action in Diagon Alley in the 70s. Mad fits him very well."
"Voldemort?"
"Fucking Voldemort." I raise my bottle with a very grin.
"Fucking Voldemort." She joins my toast. "That's the sort of thing i want to help stop."
"I think you'll be make a great Auror." I wrap my arm around her shoulders. "Might wanna veto those stealth missions though." She laughs. A twinkling sounds above us, we tilt our heads back to see.
"Mistletoe." Tonks whispers.
"Probably infested with nargles." I say, looking back down to Tonks.
"With what?" She tucks a stray lock of green hair behind her ear.
"Nevermind." I lean forward to meet her, setting my drink behind me. I lift my hand up to her cheek as the kiss continues. A tiny noise escapes Tonks' throat, I'm doing the something right at least. I pull my head back, or try to before Tonks draws me back in.
"I'm not done yet." The product of intoxication or not, that's one of the best things I've ever heard. Bless you mistletoe.
My brain slowly starts as I wake up, shaking the cobwebs off as I blink rapidly. Not human, but in bed all the same. I think this is the room Tonks uses ... I move my head slightly to confirm that Tonks is asleep on me.
"Stop wriggling." She mumbles, rubbing her face on my fur. I remember kissing in the kitchen for a while and heading upstairs, at Tonks' request, so we wouldn't get caught. After a while we'd gone to sleep, I've not slept as a human for a single night since I had the alternative. "You're not the strangest thing I've woken up to after a night of drinking." She laughs, patting my head. "C'mon, change back so we can talk." I change back with a bit more care than I usually would, Tonks comes to a rest with her chin resting on her hands in the middle of my chest, looking up at me. I can't help but smile back.
"Do you want to put some clothes on or something?" I suggest.
"I'm sure you've seen me walking around nude at home before." I smile and drop my head back against the pillow. "Do you always sleep with clothes on?"
"It's not like I'm wearing them as a wolf." I point out. She laughs, shaking on top of me.
"Down to the serious stuff though." She says. "What's going on with us?"
"I don't know really." I wrap my arms around her. "I like you, Tonks. More than just friends, but I don't really know what I'm supposed to do with feelings." I run my fingers along her spine. "I know how to fight and cast spells. I could beat the average wizard in a fight using only a wooden sword. But people? There's no short cut for that." She squeezes her arms underneath me, hugging herself to my chest.
"I thought you watched those ghosts a lot."
"Those are different people. I don't want to be anyone else, I'll use their skills, sure – but I like being me. I'd probably be like a miniature Albus by now."
"I like you as you too." She smiles up at me.
"And this naked thing?"
"A bit more than friends." She crawls forward and kisses me again.
"You slept with Tonks?!" Hermione, Luna and Ginny sit opposite me in our compartment in the train.
"Just sleeping." I say defensively.
"But you kissed her!" Hermione continues.
"There was mistletoe." I object weakly. I shouldn't be objecting if course, as it was brilliant, but an angry Hermione is never good. "Lots of people kiss under mistletoe."
"Were there nargles?" Luna asks, kicking her legs.
"I'd say yes, but that's only a guess."
Hermione doesn't say anything to me for the rest of the ride.
"Hermione, please talk to me." We've now been back at school for six days and outside of curt replies in lessons, Hermione has barely spoken to me. I lean against the bookshelf as she returns her books to their rightful places, ignoring me as she does so. "Hermione, I'm sorry. I know I've done something, but if you don't give me any feedback I can't apologize properly." I tilt my head back and close my eyes. "I've barely slept or eaten, I just- oof!" The wind gets knocked out of me as Hermione squeezes me.
"Oh, Harry! You should have said something!" I encircle my arms around her and rest my chin on her head. God I've missed this. "Ginny said to make you squirm for a few days, I didn't think this would happen."
"Make me squirm?" Hermione pulls back and looks up at me.
"I was upset. I don't know why; Jealously or envy – I was confused." She looks down. "I was angry with Tonks and … I thought I'd lost you. It sounds so stupid to say."
"It does." I hug her again. "You'd not lose me even if you wanted to." She laughs.
"Thanks, Harry."
"And besides, if something did happen between Tonks and I, I'm sure she'd be willing to share with you." Hermione lets out a very unladylike snort. I've missed her so much.
"Ah, Valentines day." I lean on the table. "Got your eye on anyone, Draco?" I watch the couples from the Slytherin table.
"I wouldn't tell you even if I did." He says, scowling slightly.
"So there is someone." I look away from him. "So, who is it? What are you after?"
"Potter."
"Long legs? Dark hair? Big tits?" He angrily eats his toast. "Yeah, I see what you mean."
"You are impossible. Do you know that?"
"Nothing is impossible. Why, I sometimes I'd believe as many as six impossible things before breakfast." My eyes follow Hedwig as she enters the hall with a letter. "A galleon says it's for me."
"I'm not taking that bet."
"Spoil sport." Hedwig gracefully lands on the table and I take the letter. I open the envelope, which contains a single piece of folded card.
'Happy Valentines day'
I open the card and taped to the inside is a magical photograph of a smiling blonde laying on a bed with her legs resting just above her buttocks, very fine buttocks barely concealed under the night dress. The writing on the top half of the card reads:
'I charmed the photo to be repel water.
Or any other liquids'
"I thought you said you set up a jinx to reroute valentines post to your room?" Draco drawls. "Something got through?"
"I did, and nothing is wrong with it. Don't you recognise your own cousin?" I hold the photo for him to see.
"How can you tell? It looks nothing like she did."
"That's because she's laying in my bed. I know what my own bed looks like." I look at the photo as it winks at me. Very much a photo of Tonks. "I'll show Hermione."
"Do I even want to know why you said that?"
"I'm sure she'll get a kick out of it … You'll understand when you're older." I grin. He pointedly ignores me. I stand up and head over to the Gryffindor table. "Mornin', Ginny. Happy Singles day." I drop down onto the bench and pass the card to Hermione opposite. "Letter from Tonks." She opens it and immediately blushes.
"That's not funny."
"No, it's really from Tonks." I say as she tries to give it back to me.
"'Or other liquids'? What does she mean?" Hermione asks after inspecting the card again. Ginny has now turned a brilliant shade of red.
"I don't think I'm the right person to tell you." I laugh.
"Albus, Albus, Albus." I sigh as I drop into the armchair opposite him.
"Good evening, Harry." He doesn't look up from the paperwork.
"I don't want to interrupt you, but this is really fucking bad." I remove my glasses and lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees.
"Is something the matter?"
"I just watched the single most horrific thing I have ever encountered. I won't beat around the bush, I've vomited three times already and I've really not got the energy left for this. I witnessed the death of Myrtle Warren and wished, not for the first time, that someone had strangled Tom Riddle as a child." I let out a deep breath again, feeling the bile rise again. "He used that murder to create a horcrux. I will just assume by your face you know exactly what that is. It was the diary, Albus." I look him straight in the eye as I put my glasses back on. "I never touched it, remember? Neither of us did. You levitated it to the basilisk and used the venom to destroy it, damn near the only thing capable of doing it."
"Harry..." He doesn't say anything else. This is one of the few times he has ever cried in front of my, or probably anyone.
"You can't go on like this, Hermione. You look like you haven't slept in weeks, This isn't healthy." I've just taken Hermione's quill as she was writing so she has to pay attention to me. "There's a reason that we only have 24 hours in the day, it's because your brain can only handle that many. You're under too much stress and you'll crash and burn, for what? A few more electives? Higher grades? You'll do perfectly anyway, unless you carry on messing with time."
"It's not worth it." She says, barely above a whisper.
"Are you doing to do this every year?"
"Do what?" I rock back on my chair.
"Revise." Hermione turns back to her notes. "Even Draco is." She points at the blonde boy. He's blocking us out with a charm, apparently my incessant babbling was off putting.
"I probably will."
'Werewolf at Hogwarts'
Today's Daily Prophet headline is thanks to our very own Severus Snape.
"How did he find out?" Hermione limply holds the paper in her hands. "You said he was so careful when he was at school here."
"Not enough, obviously." I take the paper from her and walk towards Albus at the head table, ignoring the staring. "Factual?" He looks back at me with an odd expression. Sorrow?
"Yes." He says softly. I drop the paper onto the table and head out of the hall. Maybe Moony is still here.
"Lost your pet, Potter?" Snape. I turn round to face the smirking man. The things I could do to this bastard.
"I suppose you think you've been so clever, don't you? Revealed the 'great secret'. You're a joke, Severus. Just a sour, petty, vile little man who cannot let go of the smallest grudge. Upset that he scared you in school? Tricked by the likes of Sirius Black? Lost the girl to that swine James Potter?" His hands are balled into fists as he shakes. "Even Wormtail was more important to your precious master than you."
"Silence." He draws his wand on me. I spread my arms wide and smirk.
"Go on, do it. If you think you're on top today. Do it!" He continues to glare at me with all the malice he can muster. "What is it? Performance issues? Wand not aiming right? It affects a lot of men your age, perhaps you should see Madam Pomfrey." The tip of his wand glows. "Pitiful." I turn and walk, spinning around to swat the spell away with my hand. "Good effort, but you've just embarrassed yourself."
"I've found no evidence that he made any more of them." I explain to Albus. "But also nothing to suggest that he didn't. "The man, if he can be called that any more, was completely insane. It's a sick thing to do, but he may very well have another."
"Thank you for searching." He removes his half moon spectacles and rubs his eyes wearily. "The … incident with Professor Snape."
"You mean where he attacked me?" Albus nods his head slowly. "Illegal, of course, but I don't think he deserves the attention that comes with being fired. Although I would take great satisfaction in reporting that stupid twat-"
"Harry."
"-to the governors, I won't. You have some misguided use for him."
"Thank you." He looks amused. "Please refrain from goading him to such actions in future?"
"Cross my heart." I say, drawing an 'X' over my chest. He sighs in exasperation as I raise my hand from behind the chair with crossed fingers and a big grin.
A/N: Hopefully this is as fun and interesting to read as it was to write, let me know what you think. Enjoy!