Beta: None
Original Release Date: 6/26/16
Disclaimer: I do not own anything in the canon Harry Potter universe or any other universe.
Author note: I'm hoping to finish out the third book or so with this chapter, just as a warning.
Chapter 51 – End of Third Year Part Two
"Director, there still isn't a sign of Pettigrew" reports Kingsley crossing his arms.
Sighing, Amelia answers as she scrolls through virtual pages on her WorkFlow, "Thank you Kingsley. And you're sure that we've followed up on every lead, no matter how credible or not the source is, correct?"
"That is correct. Previously known residences and even his parents who denied any contact with Pettigrew" states Kingsley.
"Hmmm. That puts us in a tricky situation. We have to either see if any foreign ministries will cooperate with us without any formal talks through the minister, as Fudge will never admit that we need assistance, or keep going over the same old locations in hopes that Pettigrew just slips up and stays in a location long enough for us to catch him" Amelia muses aloud.
"Excuse me director, but do you think it is possible that Pettigrew is searching for Voldemort? Or some form of remnants to begin the Death Eaters again?" offers Kingsley.
"Kingsley, keep what I am about to tell you between you and I" instructs Amelia as she directs her wand towards the door, closing it and adding a few privacy charms, "A few of us believe that Voldemort has created a few Horcruxes, in which Voldemort has placed pieces of his soul, which allows him to some how obtain another body and resume his crusade of chaos. So what you are suggesting is, unfortunately, quite a possibility. Part of our problem is not having an idea of where to look exactly, or even what kind of items would be Horcruxes."
"Director, do you think there is a way to get into Pettigrew's thought process and try to do things like he would?"
"I suppose it wouldn't hurt to. However it would more than likely have to rely on people volunteering such information. We could catch a lot of flak from the minister if this gets out, despite our good intentions" remarks Amelia with a trace of disappointment.
"Thank you Director. I believe that I am out of ideas" remarks Kingsley.
"No, thank you for such diligence and assistance on this matter" answers Amelia before removing the charms on the door, allowing Kingsley to exit.
Making another note on the document on her WorkFlow, Amelia sighs before getting up from her desk and fetching a fresh cup of coffee.
/*day before the Quidditch Final at Hogwarts*/
Arriving back from Quidditch practice, Harry takes a seat in a chintzy armchair as the rest of the team enters the common room, the mood very heavy. The winner of the cup would be decided the following day.
"Harry…I have some bad news" remarks Hermione sitting down on the couch adjacent to Harry before breaking into tears.
"Hagrid and Buckbeak lost their case at the ministry" adds Neville as he sits beside of Hermione, his arm around her shoulders.
"I…I don't know how. I skimmed over the seven page document that you two wrote and it seemed like an easy case. That is…disappointing" remarks Harry sadly.
"Hagrid remarked something about a potential appeal in a week, at sundown, so there is still a possibility for Buckbeak to live" states Neville rubbing Hermione's shoulders as she bursts into another round of tears.
"Thanks for letting me know" remarks Harry, thinking deeply.
The next morning, Harry and the rest of the Quidditch team gather in the Great Hall early, somewhat eager to avoid most of the crowd. Several minutes later as the Slytherin team enters the room, Wood states firmly, "Locker room now."
Quickly grabbing three more slices of toast with jam on them, Harry follows the rest of the team out and down towards the Quidditch pitch.
"Clear skies, minimal cloud cover, slow but steady breeze, and nearly perfect temperature. The only drawback I see is that the sun might be a tad too bright" remarks Wood pacing back and forth in the front of the others.
"Wood, lay off it mate. You always nitpick on everything that isn't just perfect. For the rest of us however, the conditions are spectactular" calls out Fred from the back.
"I'll agree with the wonderfully good looking individual that just said that" calls out George sitting beside Fred, smirks on both of their faces.
Rolling his eyes despite a small smile on his face, Wood remarks, "Then let's go show Slytherin that money can't buy skill, which this team is full of."
Stepping out onto the luscious green grass of the pitch, the two teams make simultaneous appearances, obtaining cheers and boos from fans of both teams. Shaking hands, Wood and Flint attempt to crush the opposing captain's hand. Hearing the whistle blow, the fourteen players kick off from the ground and into the air.
"And Gryffindor takes possession of the quaffle" announces Lee to mostly cheers with some slight booing being heard.
Clearing his mind, Harry thinks back to the practice they had the previous night, "Remember Potter, only catch the snitch when we have sixty or more points."
Looking around and waiting for the announcement of Gryffindor being sixty points ahead, Harry becomes rigid as Lee announces somewhat dishearteningly, "And penalty shot to Slytherin."
Several minutes later and handful more penalty shots to both teams, Harry spots a glint of gold across the field, with a familiar blond haired individual flying halfway between Harry and the snitch. Hearing the announcement seconds later of Gryffindor finally being ahead by the needed sixty points, Harry smiles before noticing Draco had flown off towards the general direction of the snitch. Getting as close to his broom as he can, Harry urges the broom to go as fast as it can, not wanting to hear what three fourths of the crowd would say if Slytherin won the match.
Coming neck and neck with Draco as the twist and turn through the other players, Harry zooms ahead finally, grasping the snitch just out of Draco's reach. The deafening roar of the crowd was music to his ears as he and the rest of the Gryffindor team lands, chanting 'Potter'.
As the days elapse, most of the student body gives Harry a quick smile or a thumbs up when passing him in the hallway. Arriving at the Saturday in the early evening just after dinner, Harry sits in a corner of the common room studying when Hermione comes up to him quietly and sits down beside him for a few moments before speaking, "Hagrid's appeal is in a bit. I'd like to watch, but we aren't allowed out of the castle after sunset."
"Hermione, if this is that important to you, that you'd break the rules, you and I can take my Invisibility Cloak down and watch from there" answers Harry closing his History of Magic book.
"I would like that Harry" answers Hermione quietly.
Standing up, Harry reaches into a robe pocket and withdraws the folded cloak, leading Hermione to the portrait hole when it opens in front of him and Remus steps in.
"Just who I wanted to see. Harry, I've developed a modified version of your headphones, allowing the wearer to switch between the ability to close off the world around them and to be able to listen to whomever they are speaking with, in addition to anything else around them. If you don't mind, please give them a test" remarks Remus looking down to the still visible Invisibility Cloak in Harry's hand before giving him and Hermione a wink and exiting through the portrait hole.
Quickly consulting the nearby Weasley twins, Harry once again leads the way out of the common room and through a few hallways to an unused classroom. "Shall I lead the way?" inquiries Harry unfolding the cloak.
"Please" answers Hermione as Harry puts the cloak over them, before slowly but steadily leading the way to the Entrance Hall. Minutes later the duo that no one would ever suspect exits the castle and begins to make their way to Hagrid's, the sun still above the horizon.
Stopping suddenly, Hermione bumps into Harry who quickly holds his hand up for quiet.
"Should be a fun thing shortly. Never slain a Hippogriff before" remarks a black hooded individual with a giant axe, sharpening the blade with a whetstone.
Tip toeing past the individual with the axe, Harry and Hermione quickly make the rest of the way to Hagrid's hut in record time. Knocking on the door, Harry calls out loud enough to be heard, "Hagrid, let us in please."
Opening the door, Hagrid appears confused until Harry pulls off his cloak of he and Hermione, who quickly step inside to not be seen.
"You two shouldn' be out" remarks Hagrid before sniffling.
"Hagrid, we couldn't bear it if you were all alone on such an evening" answers Hermione soothingly.
"Thanks" mutters Hagrid before shakily grabbing a tea pot and three wooden goblets and placing them on the table, slopping some tea on the table.
"I suppose you already know about the executioner" remarks Harry.
"Yes" answers Hagrid dejectedly.
"It's a shame that they've already made their minds up" states Harry sadly.
"Git! They're coming!" instructs Hagrid quickly shooing the two twins towards the back door while Harry pulls out the Invisibility Cloak and putting it around he and Hermione as they exit.
Walking slowly as to not spook the tethered Buckbeak or to draw attention to themselves from the oncoming group of four descending the way to Hagrid's hut.
"Even Dumbledore is attending?" mutters Harry as he and Hermione enter a nearby stand of trees.
Pausing, Dumbledore reaches out and rubs Buckbeak's head, eliciting a humming sound from the tethered Hippogriff, before continuing with Fudge, and the two committee members into Hagrid's hut.
"We shall now read the execution notice and then sign" announces Fudge from the hut,
"We have to save Buckbeak Harry!" whispers Hermione intently in Harry's ear.
Mind racing with thoughts, Harry wordlessly pulls off his PRT, stealthily slips out from under the cloak and over to Buckbeak before attaching the PRT at the thinnest portion of Buckbeak's front leg, pressing his thumb for a few seconds before Buckbeak disappears from view. Quickly but quietly Harry makes it back to Hermione and under the cloak, his heart racing.
"Thanks Harry" whispers Hermione thankfully, before they disappear from the area, not wanting to be caught outside. A minute or two later as they are still ascending the pathway back to the castle, an anguished cry and the sound of wood being repeatedly split by a sharp object rings out into the cooling air.
/*elsewhere*/
Sitting in a comfortable armchair reading the newspaper, Sirius hears something odd and looks over the newspaper to see an orange eyed Hippogriff standing in the middle of his living room. Shrugging his shoulders, Sirius resumes reading for a few more seconds before lowering the newspaper to see the Hippogriff still standing and glaring at him.
"Amelia dear, when did we get a…I'm not certain what it is, but when did we get a new family member?" calls out Sirius confused.
"A new family member? What are you talking about?" inquiries Amelia entering the room before dropping the glass of Pumpkin Juice in her hand.
"Sirius, why is there a Hippogriff in our living room? Wait, this Hippogriff looks a lot like the one that Hagrid had in the ministry a while back. But how would it get here, especially through the wards?" inquiries Amelia without moving from the spot she had entered the room from.
Looking Buckbeak right in the eyes before receiving a bow, Sirius slowly nears Buckbeak before spotting a black wristband on the front leg.
"It was Harry. Harry placed his PRT and activated it, so the Hippogriff would arrive here. James, your son is not only the spitting image of you, but has your capability for jokes" announces Sirius, laughing.
"Hmph" remarks Amelia cleaning up the broken glass.
"So I bet this is Buckbeak that Harry has been writing home about. So, are you going to allow us to keep him, or are you going to turn him to the ministry?" inquiries Sirius stroking Buckbeak.
Turning around before giving her answer, Amelia says, "I don't see anything wrong until someone gets hurt. But we need to speak with Harry about this. And Buckbeak isn't staying inside the house."
"Great! Then I'll build him a mini house in the backyard!" announces Sirius with a smile, giving Amelia a quick kiss on the cheek.
Sighing, Amelia pours herself another drink before sitting down in the now vacated living room.
/*back at Hogwarts*/
"Before we begin, I believe there are a few things to be taken care of. First, the Quidditch Cup has been won by Gryffindor. Second of all, the house standings. In fourth at three hundred and seventy five points is Hufflepuff, inn third is Ravenclaw at four hundred and ten points, in second is Slytherin at four hundred and forty points, and in first is Gryffindor at four hundred and fifty points. Now feast!" announces Dumbledore before clapping his hands and the serving platters filling with food.
Eating their fill, the students trudge off happily to bed, despite the realization that some students wouldn't be returning the following year. The next morning as everyone boards the train after their final meal, Harry, Ron, Neville, and Hermione snag their own compartment before the train lurches to life.
"I did well, but I was hoping to have done better" remarks Hermione wistfully about her final marks.
Snorting, Neville remarks, "Hermione, out of the top five students of our class, you, Harry, and I made up three of them. That's nothing to be ashamed of."
"I suppose you are right" answers Hermione.
"So Harry, doing anything for the Quidditch World Cup this summer?" inquiries Ron curiously.
"Yeah, I'm helping set up the facility for video streaming. Other than that, I'm not really certain. How about you?" remarks Harry.
"Dad's trying to get tickets for us, and were trying to get a count, since England is finally hosting in a long time" answers Ron.
"I'll ask Sirius and Remus to see what we are doing for the actual match and get back to you, alright?" states Harry.
"Thanks" answers Ron with a smile.
Author note: Thanks for bearing with my somewhat erratic writing and release schedule. I've just been so busy with work, cleaning/organizing my apartment, etc, that I just haven't really had the time to write nearly as much as I've been wanting to. Hopefully everyone has enjoyed this bit, since it didn't really hold up with original. But it flows with my plan, so I think it is worth it (personally).
-Blackangel150 – I figured that he needed some more of his Quidditch fanaticism, so he dragged Harry to the match (I'm guessing at this is what you were referring to, but correct me if I am wrong).
Edit: Thank you, guest, for your review. I have read the books, and know that Ron was written as Harry's best friend. And I am not trying to say they shouldn't be bestfriends in this fanfic. I will honestly admit that I do overlook many things, which is why I am trying to correct things as I go along and receive feedback. Thank you for your feedback and you have helped me improve on this fanfic moving forward. That is, unless a majority of people reviewing wish for me to rewrite this chapter into more detail and change how things go, of which I would be fine with (just know it would take more time for a revised version). :)