P.I.S.S.O.F.F.
Ch 8
[Translated]
$parseltongue$
121
"Done. That Leaves House Black."
A knocking on the Door, as it opened and a Oiled Haired Goblin in a Emerald Green silk suit with a double breasted coat entered. [Ah, Barchoke, How is Heir Potter doing today?]
[Ashrack. We just finished House Potter accounts, and were ready to send for you.] Barchoke closed the Folder, and set it under his desk. [Did you Bring the whole File, or just for Heir Black?]
[The Full File.] the green garbed goblin grinned, [Lord Black has instructed me that he wished to Pass the Headship on to his Heir, once the whelp has taken up his ring.]
"That Dog!" Harry roared, startling the adults. "He had better be sick in bed, when We get back, or I will be sending him to Poppy for an extended stay!" the young lord snarled.
"Cub?" the Werewolf asked.
"Padfoot is passing Black to me, just as soon as I take the Ring." the lad's face was a twisted sneer, "It was bad enough that He was making me Take up the Ring, just to relieve the pressure of his producing an Heir of his own… but to duck out completely?"
"How did you know what we were talking about?" the Verdant Vested Varlet inquired.
"My Seer, one Luna Lovegood, advised that I know the 'Banker's Tongue' and we spent the last two months learning." Harry collapsed, yet again into his Chair. "My speech is that of a Child, but my understanding… is good enough to know that my Dogfather is so going to be threatened with a Neutering."
Moony snorted, as he tried to contain his laughter.
121
Black was downing a Potion, most vile, when he felt a sudden chill. 'Pup must have just learned of my latest Gift to him.'
121
Corban Yaxley glided silently along the halls of the Detention Block of the Ministry. A tap of his wand, caused the door to the cell slide open.
The Witch in the cell snarled, "What took you so long?"
"I had to wait until Bones was Busy with her other duties." the Master Auror sneered back. "What did you do that caused her to toss you in here?"
"My Job." the Witch stood, and swept past the wizard, "Assemble a Squad. I know where Black is. Summon a Dementor."
"No can do." The magical cop smiled at the Toad faced witch. "Everybody, is busy with Bones' orders. The only reason that you were not bound to a chair, and pumped full of veritaserum, is that Bones is too busy hunting down Black's transcripts." He followed her to the lifts, "Oh, Word has trickled down to us, that Potter and the Wolf are at the Bank. We can deal with Black, once his support System is … gone."
The Toad froze. "And just what do you suggest we do about it?" she punched the Button to call the cage.
"Not WE." the Auror handed the woman her wand. "You. There is concern that you are not able to follow through with some of your … tasks. The Faction has asked that you prove your devotion to the Cause. Are you going to allow a Wolf to disrespect Our way of Life?" He grinned as the cage opened behind her. "Handle the boy and his watcher, then we can … talk about removing Black." he turned and walked into the shadows.
"Only Good Wolf," the toad face witch stepped into the lift, "is a dead Wolf."
121
The Headmaster's Office.
The Old Wizard looked about at the mess, he found. He had just finished a delightful Breakfast.
[flashback]
Watched the Malfoy Heir pass out Buttons to half of the School, and his Agent bad mouth the Potter Boy. The White Robed students hexed the Weasley scion, bought two badges, and talked to Heir Longbottom, Granger, and Jordan. When the Bell sounded for Classes, the Twins followed the blond girl out, and up to the Medical ward, as the Rest of the Student body marched off to their classes.
"Heady Whiskers." An Elf stood at his elbow, "Office damaged. Bird dead. WEs need you to advise on clean up."
Albus sighed as he climbed to his feet, and began the long walk to his office.
[flashback end]
The 'Potter' Shelf was all but empty, as only the 'Blood Tracker' and the "Blood Reader' were still in play, let alone working. His Familiar was now a chick, and crying it's destress over it's unexpected rebirth. All about the room bits and pieces of silver slag Shrapnel sprayed about and skewered much of his surroundings. Now and forever useless, they were.
"Gather the silver pieces. Repair what you can, I will take care of the rest." The old man sighed, as he moved to his chair, only to freeze as a cooing arose from the 'Tracker' as the 'Reader' whistled. He spun to stare, as the Mithral devices began to melt. 'Merlin Boy, What have you done?' he waved a hand at the elf, "Avoid the melting metal at this time. I fear it will harm your magic…"
The Floo behind him bloomed green, as the Squib from Surrey stumbled out. "Headmaster! The Wards on #4 crashed…" she panted out, "Shattered is closer to what really happened."
Turning to the Elf at his knee, "And just where is Mister Potter?"
The Elf frowned, "Not on the Castle. Last seen, Medical Ward. Walking Doggy and Wolfy."
Albus grunted, and stumbled to his chair. 'This just got worse…'
121
Bones's Office.
She was looking at the slim folder in front of her. She cast her mind back over the last forty-eight hours.
[Flashback]
10/30/94
She had just gotten a note from her niece;
Aunty,
I fear something fishy is going down. Potter has been acting strange these last two weeks. I have told you how everytime in the last three years I tried to talk to him, his watchdog, Weasley would chase me off. I do believe that he has no idea what is going on, but rumors have reached my ears that little Ginny might be angling for a outside contract.
These last two months, the only time Potter and Weasley are truly together, is during Quiditch Practice. As you know, at the beginning of the Year, Quidditch had been canceled. Potter tricked Malfoy into writing to his Father to reinstate the season. Potter was named Team Captain, and put the Team through their paces. Diggory is happy that he gets to go out Playing.
But as of Today, I caught Potter whispering, with Lovegood and Granger, about something big. I heard the name Black in passing, and the way they were talking, it is going down All Hallows Eve.
The Weasley Twins are not up their usual games. Infact, if I did know better, I would think that they are trying to out Perfect Prefect their older Brother, who graduated last year. It is a bit funny to watch them shepherding their firsties around. They are always helping the younger years with Classes, Homework, and general School life. Because they are doing the Prefect thing, no Pranks have been played on the school. Snape is getting a bit twitchy, as Flitwick and Sprout are enjoying the Calm that they say is before the Storm. A Storm, that the 'Seers' say is going to hit on the night of the 31st. Potter's Luck will see to it.
I thought that with Tournament in play, You and Shacklebolt might want to be here to keep things quiet… as they can be during Halloween with Potter here.
Love,
Sue.
Amelia Bones wrote out the orders for a squad aurors to accompany her to Hogwarts the next night. She asked that Kingsley be able to join her as her personal detail.
[the night of the 31st]
Suddenly the flames resurged from the cup, Hellish Crimson shading and foreshadowing the Death awaiting those chosen. A scrap of parchment fluttered down for Albus to catch.
"For Durmstrang, Victor Krum!"
"Heavily chosen, Those who bet for Krum, get only double." Fred called out, as George marked the Board, their Hogwarts cloaks pulled tight about them.
Krum stood from the Slytherin table, and strode to the ante room off the Head table…
A second red flare, a second scrap of parchment fluttered into the headmaster's grasp.
"For Beauxbatons, Fleur DeLacour!"
"Not as heavily favored, as most of us who knew her, were left agog at her beauty. The payout is triple." a few cheers went up, mostly younger students.
The walking sex dream stood and drifted after Krum.
And the Third flare… the Last slip of parchment…
"Hogwarts… Cedric Diggory!"
As the pretty boy stood and waited for the twins…
"Heavily favored, double what was bet on either of his fellow chosen… tied with our Dear Angela… second only to…" Fred looked at Albus "Harry Potter."
Director Bones snorted, as did Kingsley.
When the Goblet flared a fourth time.
Everyone froze. Albus barely caught the slip in time…
Then the goblet truly died out, and the Candles around the Hall flaired to life.
"Harry Potter!"
Bones drew her wand, Sue had said something about something going down tonight, and it looked like she was on her game.
Harry stood, having sat with his back to the Center isle, so he now was the center of attention, at the center of the Hall. Raising his wand in his right hand, "I, Harry James Potter, do by swear on my Magic, I did not enter, nor ask anyone to enter my name for selection, by my will, so mote it be." a flare of Azure, flashed as Magic sealed the Oath, 'Expecto Patronum'
A silver Stag burst from his wand, flinging it's biblical rack in the air, as it pranced about the Hall. As it stepped before it's Caster, it bowed it's head, before raring on it's hind legs… and exploding. In its place stood a skeletal horse with batlike wings. This new form 'nuzzled' Potter, before fading away.
"Seeing as I did not enter, Do I have to compete?" Harry asked the Hall at Large.
"The Goblet chose you." Barty Crouch spoke up. "You are a Champion."
"Now just a bloody minute here!" Igor Karkaroff bellowed, "How does Hogwarts get two Champions?"
"She doesn't." Harry before the other Adults. "Headmistress McGonagall, I have bad news, I am afraid. I was warned that this might happen, and so I took steps." Harry approached the Head Table, pulling a pack of forms from inside his Cloak. "This is my notice that I am no longer a student of Hogwarts, as the Rules clearly state 'One Champion per School'. He handed her the folded parchment. Once it was in her Hand, he shrugged off the black cloak, revealing his white robes, the snowy owl perched on a crystal ball, surrounded by the words
POTTER INSTITUTE of SPELLS AND SORCERY
OCCULTISM FAMILIARS and FOCI
Of course the back of his robes got a Roar from the Table of the Brave, a Gasp from the Table of the Loyal, a snort from the Table of the Curious, and a hiss from the 'Cunning'
P.I.S.S. O.F.F.
Pulling the next packet from his pocket, "Now Headmistress, My School will be needing accommodations. I was told that the old 'Lord's Wing' will do, There are only three… no, there are four of us tonight."
"Harry, My boy…" Albus closed on Harry's left hand side, "...you are talking nonsense. You will of course remain with your housemates in the tower."
"Albus, my host…" Harry grinned at the Headmaster, as the old wizard flinched at the greeting. "Would love to, but the Student rulebook states that only members of a House may stay in said House without permission of the Headmaster."
"And I am giving it to you." Albus was Piety itself.
"Ah, yes, but You are no longer my Headmaster." The boy was on a roll. She remembered when the Lad's father ran these Halls...
"And just who is…" Albus was interrupted by the Great Hall Doors being flung open, as Sirius Black and Remus Lupin strutted into the Great Hall.
"BLACK!
Kingsley choked on his laughter, as he fumbled for his Wand.
John was quick on the draw, as was the rest of the Squad.
"That is Headmaster Black to you!" the fugitive grinned as he picked at his Robes, before frowning and turning to Lupin, "Did we have to wear these, they do nothing for my complection."
"Only during Ceremonial occasions." Lupin slouched two feet away, hands in his pockets. "You can take them off when we get to our rooms. And only put them on, for Official Potter Institute Business."
"Okay." Looking about, his grin never leaving his face, "So, is this the Word of the Great Albus W.P.B. Dumbledor is worth, now?" He held his hands up, empty, "I was under the impression that Headmasters were Asylumed until the Turny was complete."
"Properly accredited Headmasters." Director Bones hissed, as she had moved to next to the number one most wanted wizard in Britain.
"Ah, that is if I was a teacher." Black swung his hands to behind his back, "As an administer of the School, and Friend of the School's Founder, James Potter, I just have to prove that the books are in order...to our Government." He turned his roguish smile on Bones, "Now Ami, I know I was a bad dog, leaving our date like that, but I thought you atleast would ask questions before firing curses at me, or are you part of my assassination plan?"
"There is no Assassination Plan!" screamed Umbridge, "Just good people trying to protect Society from the likes of you!"
"What did he do?" Harry asked, "What did he do, that warranted him being denied a trial, and sent to that Hellhole?" Turning to glare at Bones, "Have You found anything?"
The Director shook her head, 'But then I have been blocked by Fudge, Umbridge, and Dumbledor!' she grinned interially, as her face turned to stone, 'Now I have reason to ignore Their 'Requests' to drop it, and bring my full power into Play.'
Harry pulled a scroll from otherside inside pocket. Handing it to Bones. "Potter Institute is a real school, with two campuses, one this side of the Triangle, and one in Greenland. While listening to Lupin talk about my Father, I noticed that He and the Headmaster taught many of the underclassmen about things most Wizards take for granted. Things that I knew nothing about until my third year." Harry shrugged, "besides, due to a meddling old fool, I can not even access my House Accounts until I am of age."
Bones unrolled the scroll, to see that notes were taken, confessing that while he had no idea if what he was saying, everything else he was told had come true, so should the Estates for his school. All would be in place by the weighing of the wands, and that Potter had hoped that she would be there for that too. 'McGonagall knows more than she is saying. Is her Silence out of Loyalty or Coercion. Please find out.' HJPotter.
"So how do you have…" Fudge began to ask.
"Inheritances from old men, Willing them to me, to avoid them going to Family or the Ministry." Harry pulled a pockwatch from his pocket, Ami noticed that it had a very distinct crest, A triangle, around a circle, bisected with a line. The Mark of the Hallows, a Crest of a Dead House, and the Banner of a former Dark Lord. "I even hold the line to six noble Houses, just to keep them from those who would abuse them.
"Aurors, stand down." Bones sheathed her wand, "Headmaster Black, you are bound by Law and Magic, to remain on Hogwarts Grounds, any attempt to leave, breaks your Sanctuary, but I ask that you Defend this Castle as you would your Institute." The rogue nodded, slight, but it was there for those who knew him
"No!" Umbridge snarled, "Kill him and the bloody wolf. We do not need their kind here!" Her pudgy fist pounding the table, "Remove them and their abominations from our…"
'Stupify.' The squeaky voice of the Charms Master cut off the Pink Horror. "Sorry, but Hogwarts Sanctuary is above Ministry Law, and given the … woman's views, something had to give."
"Noted." Bones smirked, "Dawlish, escort the Undersecitaury back to the Ministry. Room three, I believe. Her reactions to Black, and this 'Assassination Plan' sits wrong in my craw." Turning to look at Dawlish, "Oh, and John, if she is not there when I get there, you will face my ...displeasure."
"Now see here!" Fudge moved to defend his minion… until the glare Bones' Eye turned in his direction.
"Now, Minster, you would not be interfering with a DMLE investigation, would you?" Her face was like carved stone, hiding the grin fighting to show itself. "That would put you in the chair next to her…"
"Not at this time." Fudge backed away.
'Next time then.' the Director of Law Enforcement thought to herself, 'I have your Toad, and she will squeal just to save her wrinkled arse.'
As the Lad was led from the Hall, Albus quickly called everyone to order, and sent the Students to their dorms, before inviting the Ministry Staff and Headmasters to his office. As she Followed the Huge Headmistress from Beauxbatons, she thought about how hard it would be to convince Sue and Hannah to change schools. She knew that she would have to include Hannah if there was any chance of her niece leaving these Haunted Halls.
In the Headmaster's Office, the former Hit-witch was warming her bones by the Fire, when; The Door blew open as McGonagall stormed in, Completely ignoring the others, as she stomped to the Desk. "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 Muggle Aunt's…"
"Potter is With Petunia?" Snape Roared. "You said he was…" The Potion Master cut off suddenly. "I will no longer be your Bludger. Do your own dirty work." He hissed before 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. As the office door boomed shut behind her, the stairs delivered her into the presence of her detail, King and Tonks, as she hurried after the Deputy Headmistress. Not surprising that they ended up in the Witch's Office where the Woman was pouring two glasses half full of her 'home-brew' from a clay jar. As Bones entered, the Scot handed her one of the glasses, before waving to a chair.
"So, Minnie. What can you tell me?"
Minerva sighed, "It all started thirteen years ago, tonight. I was asked to watch over a house in Surrey, no real idea why, but Albus asked, and so I spent the day lounging on the brick wall between the targeted house, and the next. Just after sun down, revelers were out and about, waving wands, firing off sparklers and noise makers. Seeing as Muggles have items that can do the same, I just crouched down, and ignored them. The Family I was watching was of three, the Husband was heavier, with a full mustache, that I knew I had seen before, just no idea where. The Wife too was somewhat familiar to me. The Child, just over a year old, was massive, spoiled, and I dreaded what was to become of him."
She sipped her drink, "Just about Midnight, Albus showed up, Darkened the whole street, and approached the house. I quickly headed him off, just as Hagrid dropped from the sky on that Bike of Blacks." she smiled at Bones, "You know the one I mean, you were on the back of it more often than a Broom those last few years."
Ami snorted, "What ever happened to it?"
"I think Hagrid has it." the Witch looked into the fire as she picked up the story, "Albus left the wee bairn on the stoop like a bottle of milk, with naught but a warming charm, and a note. No Matter what I said, he waved off my concerns, patted Hagrid on the back, and faded into the night. I stayed to watch the child through the night, but that was all I could do. I fear that I was bound by charm or Oath." Looking back at the younger witch, "Over the years, I went back, and watched, but was unable to do anything." Taking up her quill, she scratched out an address, "Have one of your half-bloods check out this house, and you will see what I mean. I also asked the Headmaster how the laddy was doing, and all I got was 'He's doing fine.' And I know for a fact that he never went back to that place, but he did send a squib to watch over the boy from a far."
[flashback end]
The night ended after few more glasses, the Director handed off the slip of parchment to King, and called it a night. This morning she allowed Umbridge to be put in a cell, as the department was busy running down leads on Black's case file (not finding it,) Potter's Home life, (Wishing they had not found it) and routing through every scrap of paper that Umbridge had touched since she came to work for the Ministry.