P.I.S.S.O.F.F.
Ch 6
ISDH
Albus sat back in his cushy desk chair. As he gathered his thoughts, his eyes swept over those that assembled to talk about tonight's events. The Minster and Director Bones were standing by the floo, as Moody and Snape stood at his shoulder. Karkaroff paced back and forth in front of the desk as Madam Maxine loomed in the background. Flitwick and Sprout sat in front of the Bookshelves to the right of the desk.
'The boy saved my ass by his stunt, but removed himself from my Control. Will have to fix that, quickly. As Black is protected by the Blanket Sanctuary, I can not remove him that way...Will need to …'
The Door blew open as McGonagall stormed in, Completely ignoring the others, "What the Hell is Harry Potter doing, Contacting Black for this Plan of his? Lupin I understand, they bonded over the last year, But Black? You said that Black Betrayed James and Lily, and while I did not believe it possible, I trusted You! Like I trusted you that the bairn would be safe at his Aunt's…"
"Potter is With Petunia?" Snape Roared. "You said he was…" The Potion Master cut off as his Oath kicked in. "I will no longer be your Bludger. Do your own dirty work." He stormed from the Room.
"What was that about?" Fudge asked, confused.
"Just Owls coming home to roost." Snarled McGonagall, "For Years Albus has telling everyone that Potter was being well cared for, but in truth, the Boy has been treated like a House Elf in the care of some of our Darker Houses." She drew herself to her full height, "If it would not leave the Students at your mercy, small that it is, I would follow the boy right out of Hogwarts. One more gross misstep, I will bring charges to the Board that not only are you Not fulfilling your Duties to the School, but you are actively endangering the Students!" here the pissed Scot turned and mimicked her younger colleague, storming from the office. "We are Not done with this, but I need to go, or I will hex you until you are completely useless!"
"Minnie, wait up." Bones was right on her tail.
Karkaroff thumped his fists on the Desk, "I was promised that Hogwarts would only have one Champain…"
"And we only have one. Diggory." Albus smiled benignly at the scrawny Headmaster. "While yes, Potter was a student here, his slip never said Hogwarts. When his Slip was read, naming him a Champain, he changed schools, including finding a Headmaster. Now how was he able to do it? Ask Miss Lovegood, but I warn you, do it nicely. Potter protects his friends. He has already faced a Cebris and a Basilisk, and drove off a pack Dementors, for his friends."
"And the reason 'e is not a contender for 'Ogwarts' position?" the Giantess rumbled.
"Too young, and he wanted a normal year." Albus popped a lemon drop into his mouth, before offering the dish about the room. All declined. "Either reason, I fully support, and truly wish His Name had not come from the Goblet." He rattled the hard candy about his teeth, 'Just not for the reasons you think.'
"What does this mean for Us?" Fudge sounded a bit panicky.
"The Question should be 'How did the brat put his name in?'" Igor ranted.
"Easy." Moody grunted, as he shifted his staff so he could lean in to Igor, "Potter didn't enter his own name. His Oath before the Great Hall saw to that. More likely someone is trying to kill the Lad." Moody's eye swiveled about to look at Igor from a second angle. "All it would need was a overpowered confundus charm, to change the number of Schools, drop in a slip of parchment from his home work…" Moody grinned at the former Death Eater, "Instant Death threat turns into an assassination attempt. Now all you need to do is figure out who entered his name." He straightened up, "These old bones need their rest. G'Night all." he 'stumped' from the office.
"Come Pomona," Flitwick squeaked, "Let's go congratulate your boy. Hogwarts is depending on him." the half goblin tottered from the office, the hedge witch on his heels. "We will visit Potter tomorrow, when cooler heads are in the game." the door boomed on their heels.
"I have to get back, my students are wanting to toast our Champion." snarled Karkaroff, as he turned from Albus's desk. "Don't want them to get too wild."
"Mhh." Maxine shifted to follow, "Need to see that my students are taking their loss in stride. Poor Fleur 'as not the best of relations with 'er classmates."
Soon it was Just Fudge, and Albus.
"Albus, Why would Potter call in Black of all people?"
"Remember last year?" Albus smiled benignly at the rotund minister, "They told you Black was innocent. I do believe that they had a hand in providing him with an escape plan and method."
"I will have them arrested!" the green bowler hat bounced as it was thrown to the desk.
"Yes, do that." Albus smiled as he stroked his beard, "Then you can explain to Bones, the Profit, and the Public why you arrested the Boy-Who-Lived, tried to murder his sworn Godfather, and refused all evidence that Black was innocent."
Fudge choked. Whatever he was going to say, dieing on his tongue, before passing his lips. 'Luci is not paying me enough to go against Potter right now. We spent too much time and money building the boy to be a hero.' Unfortunately, as Fudge was thinking this, he was in eye contact with Albus… and the Headmaster 'saw and heard' everything.
"Should you not get back to the Office, Minister?" the kindly Headmaster asked, "Umbridge is going to be pumped for every drop on information Bones can squeeze from her. You will need to… protect yourself from the fallout."
"Merlin!" the pinstripe wearing fool, dove into the green flames calling out his private floo address.
"Let's see. Headmasters handled, Potter's move cover my ass on that one." Albus tapped the desk with a finger, "But slipped his leash. Will need Weasley to rein him in… With Black here, and given time, Bones is going to learn the truth… but nothing I can about that tonight. The weekend would be best. Fudge is going to be busy covering his ass with Umbridge, and Bones is going to be busy wringing her dry… oh to be a fly on that wall." Albus looked at his lemon drops, "Severus is going to be a pain, but his Oaths will keep him in line… for now."
Up above him, the portraits of former Headmasters twitched. Albus had developed the 'bad' habit of talking about his plans out loud, and while the dead could advise and did so at times, many felt the Old man was pushing the edge of 'Right and Proper'. One of the more sour faced Wizards quietly stood and slipped from his frame.
121
All of the White Robed students had checked their room's, adjusted their clothing, and Returned to the 'Headmaster's Quarters'. There they met the Elves that would be caring for them; Dobby, Winky, Cuppi and Ticky. Dobby was wearing a faded Gryffindor pillowcase and mismatched socks. Winky was wearing what Crouch had given her. She had tried to throw them off, but Hermione had the Elf to wear them, with pride, as Crouch had given them to her for many years of good service. Cuppi(cup-pee) wore a faded blue pillowcase, and looked like a featherless owl. Ticky wore a toga/ kilt like his Father...Tocky.
"Okay. As your Headmaster…" Black began, " I got nothing. I am going to leave most of the Teaching to Lupin, with the exception of House Law, Dueling, and the Animagus Transformation. Most of your study work is going to be self-study, and if what I hear about Granger…"
"I would have thought that your GrandFather would have taught you better Security, Boy!" the empty frame over the fireplace now had a sour faced Wizard with salt and peppered hair, and slate grey eyes.
"Uncle Phiney." Sirius barked as he stood to peer at the former Headmaster. "I would like you to meet my Heir, Harry Potter." Black's hand landed on Harry's shoulder. "My Godson, and third cousin, by way of Dorea Potter, nee Black."
"Have you taken up the Ring?"
"No, Sir. GrandFather was alive when they threw me into Azkaban without a trail, though he died soon after. When I escaped, my first thought was the Pup here, then killing the Rat that put me in that cage." Black spit, "For the time being, I am a prisoner here, but this cage is of My choosing."
"Dum-dum plots against you, and the boy."
"Luna, sorry to do this, but can you... " Harry turned to the blond.
"Ask, Harry."
"Luna, what is the old bastard plotting against me and mine? How can I stop him?"
"Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore is planning to regain control of his Weapon, Harry James Potter. Plans include, but not limited to, Blackmail, Charms, and Loyalty Potions. He needs his Weapon to strike down the Dark Lord Riddle, then Die, so He can claim Victory, and live another Century as the Leader of the Light." the blonde's dreamy voice took on an ethereal quality. "Best option to fight back, Listen to Luna Selene Lovegood, Live a long life, and Love many Witches."
Lupin cocked his head to the side as he looked at the little witch.
Phineas Black snorted, "In the Morning, take the Lad to Gringotts. Dum-dum held many of the meetings for this little game in his Office here. Being chosen for an 'Of Age Only' competition, and being recognized as chosen by so many People of Position, has altered the Lad's standing in our Society."
"Okay. Moony. You take Harry to Diagon Alley, hit the bank, do some shopping, Be Seen. It is a School Function." Sirius grinned at his raggedy friend, "That means White Robes and everything. I will…"
"See Poppy." Harry spoke softly, "Twelve years in hell, a year and a half on the run. You are getting a check up. You either go on your own, or I will stun you, and tie you to the bed that is normally reserved for me."
The students quickly called it a night.
121
The Morning came cold and blurry.
Harry and Remus walked a sleepy Sirius into Poppy's Domain. While they were wearing their P.I. robes, Black was in his pj's, fuzzy slippers(black dog /grim heads), and bathrobe. A mug of Winky's mocha in hand, he stumbled along as the two in white ghosted at his heels. As he leaned on the door to open it, he noticed something across the Ward.
One of the beds, three from the Matron's Office had a bronze plaque.
Harry J. Potter
was here
Bed reserved for him
Black barked a laugh, and quick stepped to the bed. "You know, I think this was Prong's bed too!" In an act of childishness, he dropped on to the bed, and waited for the Mediwitch.
"Boys." the sturn witch spoke from her office.
"Morning Poppy." Harry grinned at the 'Nurse'. "Black needs a full medical run through. The closest he has had was the care of a very motivated House Elf trying to prove that she is a good elf, caring for her family."
"If you have any students…" Lupin grinned, "Let them use this old dog to test their skills. He is going to be here for a bit. An Alibi if you will."
Poppy raised an eyebrow, "What will you be doing that he needs an alibi?"
"We were hoping to use your Floo." Lupin looked completely angelic, "The cub and I have some business to handle in Diagon Alley. Business old Headmasters might not approve of."
"Go. Bring me a Pint of Fudge Brownie Mint!" the mediwitch called after them. "As for you Mister Black…"
"That's Headmaster Black." padfoot retorted.
"Not when you are in my beds," a flick of her wand had a sticking charm holding him in place. "Lets see what you have here."
121
At the Gryffindor table, the whole Quiditch Team was sitting around whispering about their plans for the season, when Ron stomped up, throwing himself into place by Colin.
"Has Prince Harry said anything about the Team, now that he no longer goes to Hogwarts?" he spewed his vile.
"Oh Ronniekins…" the twins had arrived, the white robes not the best colour for them, but enjoying the message along their shoulders;
P.I.S.S.O.F.F.
"Harry will explain everything tonight…"
"... after dinner…"
"...in the Common room." They sat between the chasers, g/b/g/b/g, and begin making their breakfasts.
"So Lord Potter is just going to show up and what? Buy his way back into the Tower? Back onto the Team?" Ron sneared.
Angela paused to look at Ron, just before he stuffed a fistfull of bacon into his gob. "One more comment like that, and I will go to McGonagall and challenge your placement on the team, Captain, Keeper, or even Towel-boy. Get me?"
"Same here"
"Ditto."
Ron huffed, and force fed himself.
121
In the House of Cunning, not all was as calm as it looked.
Malfoy was seething. Black was here. Meaning that Scarhead was in the running for the Black Heirship. 'Father has not been able to secure me the title...I wonder if I will need to take steps.'
Other end of the Table, a blonde and brunette sat whispering with a couple of twins.