Hey everyone,
So last chapter was a lot of negativity and a lot of insults thrown at our favorite heroes by our, at the time, current reader. And while I loved the knowledge that I could write a character that negative, do I also feel very glad with who is going to be the reader for this chapter as he is just jolly, excited and all round like a little kid.
This will be fun,
Venquine1990
Chapter 31
Meeting The Muggles
3rd of November 1993
Great Hall, Hogwarts
Ludo's POV
The knowledge that I could have lost my almost perfect – if sometimes a little too uptight – assistant to her summer holiday is something that would have actually punctured the happy balloon attitude that I always try to portray to the world. But the fact that it was saved by friends of the famous Harry Potter makes everything right.
And while some of what Amelia told me makes it hard to keep up my happy-go-lucky persona, do I just love the room I am in. The Great Hall has always been a place of happy atmospheres and positive energy, though that was more often than not thanks to all the wonderful food made by the House Elves working in the kitchens.
Still, there is currently so much more to be happy about. The Potters are alive, Sirius Black was never their betrayer, Harry Potter is an orphan no more, we get to learn how to perfection both the World Cup and the Tri Wizard Tournament and we've learned that Elementals aren't as extinct in Britain as we always believed.
"The Great Hall, a messenger of positive news and information." I think as I wait for my assistant to get to her seat and while I am still ever so grateful to Dolores for letting me hire her adopted daughter, does it just not seem as if I can get through the girl's inbred negative persona as much as I was able with others who I hired.
Yes, for years now I have made it a personal goal and tradition of mine to hire those with a negative view on the world and to show them the positive side of life. Yet Bertha seems to just ignore everything I say if it's not work-related or something that can help her advance. Yet I don't feel she's ready to advance just yet.
"She's too set in her ways. It will only lead Magical England down a dark and dreary path if I let her work any closer with her mother. Thank Merlin that Department Heads can decide who Heads of other Departments work with when it comes to the employees of their own Departments. I just hope Bertha won't hate me in the long run."
This is a thought that has been going through my mind for as long as the young woman has been striving to advance in her station, yet for just as long have I been keeping her as my assistant as I can only fear to imagine what she will be like if she gets to work together with people who are more negative like or than her.
"She doesn't deserve that and the world doesn't need that. I doubt she will ever forgive me for keeping her in a position beneath her ability and strengths, but she's just not ready." I think to myself, but then realize that people are actually starting to wait for me to start reading. This makes me feel silly and I hurriedly start to read.
The Invitation
"The invitation? To the World Cup? Does this mean we get to hear about the World Cup already? Wait, when do you think this is, Mr. Potter?" I ask the boy excitedly, but then Minerva says: "Ludo, this is the future. If you want your answers, you will have to read further than the title." And I excitedly do as she suggests.
By the … horse-like teeth.
"They sound – pleasant." I mutter and then one of the Muggles that came with Albus says: "Sir, if I have to believe what my sons told me about those Muggles, they actually give Pureblood Supremacists a good reason to hate our kind." At which I think: "And Harry Potter grew up with Muggles like that." Making me read on bewildered.
Dudley looked … by himself.
"Even you two don't take in that much space." Draco Malfoy tells his friends in shock and one of them grunts: "Which is just incredible." And the other goes on: "Cause we do love eating ever so much." At which I catch the Muggleborn girl and Harry Potter share a look that really interests me, yet I ignore it after and read on.
When Aunt … end-of-year report.
"That little pig finally got what he deserved?" One of the new kids asks shocked and then the new twins scream: "THE WORLD IS ENDING!" To which Molly Weasley seems to want to start ranting at them, but then the Muggleborn girl's father asks: "Did you forget that I got the two of them arrested just earlier on?"
Yet this seems to be the wrong thing for him to do as the twins actually moves from one side of the table to the other and then start to crouch down and they chorus: "All hail the arrest-god. All hail the arrest-god. All hail the arrest god!" But then the eldest of the group says: "Alright, enough already, both of you."
And only a minute later the two are actually back in their seats. This makes a lot of those around them shake their heads confused and Percy Weasley, who I know wants to start working for the Ministry asks: "What just happened?" To which the elder teen says: "Just forget it. You'll get used to it." Which makes me snicker and read on.
Uncle Vernon … a fly!"
"Tell that to my broken arm when I was nine." One of the kids growls and another goes on: "And my split spleen when I was seven.""And my sprained ankles in every single gym class.""And my –." But then the Muggle says: "Okay, I get it, I should have done worse than get them arrested." Yet this instantly gets responded to.
"ARE YOU CRAZY?" Both of the two groups scream at the man and Harry Potter is the one to speak this time as he says: "You have no idea how long we have been begging for someone to finally accept the word of someone other than those two bleeding Muggles – no offense. Them getting arrested is like a gift from heaven.
And trust me, now that Petunia is on her own in defending them, there will be plenty of others – kids who didn't get turned into outcasts like my friends and me – who will finally report to their parents and get those parents to file in reports. They're finally getting their just deserts." And while shocked that he believes this, do I read on.
Aunt Petunia … him anymore.
"Wait, he grew fat enough that the outfitters of a private school couldn't stock clothes big enough for his size? I mean, I met him, but – wow, he is going to get into a lot of health problems in the coming months, isn't he?" The Muggle asks and Harry growls: "Just as many as he caused us." And his friends nod as I read on.
The school … killer whale.
"That is like the both of you put together!" Draco Malfoy tells his friends shocked and they seem just as amazed, but then Harry asks: "Why do you think their size doesn't scare me anymore? I saw it coming that Dudley would turn out like that all the way into last summer." And while the three Snakes look astounded, do I read on.
So – after … "rabbit food."
"They never actually had any vegetables in their fridge? Like, at all?" The male Muggle asks shocked and then his wife looks at the two groups who come from this neighborhood in shock, but before she can do anything, does Harry say: "The School nurse of our Primary School took care of us." And the woman nods before I read on.
To make … than Harry.
"Has that woman lost all sense of rational thinking? Harry is practically the polar opposite of size and weight to her own son. Does she actually condone starving her only nephew just to get her son to work on a diet?" Molly Weasley rants, but then she notices something and she asks: "Why – why aren't you as pissed about this as me?"
And her youngest son shrugs as he says: "Because we already knew she was like this.""Because Harry always hinted just enough about her to make us expect this." One of her twin sons says and his twin then finishes: "And because we're sure we won't let such a fact slide." And this calms the woman down and I read on in excitement.
But Aunt … sugar-free snacks.
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but – if I knew the situation was this bad and realized what you and Dudley are like, in size comparison – I might have actually added one or two sugar-filled snacks in there. Though only one or two, at most." The woman then tells the hero and he nods at her gratefully before I continue reading.
(Hermione's parents … Hagrid's cooking.)
"I'm not sure that's entirely true. I think it's more likely that I first send it to my friends to make it more – no offense – edible or something." Harry tells the new Care of Magical Creatures teacher and the giant asks: "How would you do that?" To which one of the girls says: "I have no doubt I would have done that."
At this I feel curious as to why the girl seems so confident about this, yet I also wonder why she has a Ravenclaw girl sitting next to her at the Gryffindor table. "Yeah, probably you and Edena, if I have to venture a guess. Have it soaked in steaming hot water before eating them." Harry says and I feel intrigued before I read on.
Mrs. Weasley … and Sirius.
"How the heck did you get your hands on a birthday cake?" Harry asks shocked and Sirius shrugs as he says: "If I have to venture a guess, I can only imagine that I went to stay at Remus' after my escape and that we got it done together before I send it off." But to this Harry shakes his head in confusion and tells the man:
"That doesn't add up. According to the book, you're currently somewhere far away." To which Sirius laughs and asks: "What do you think preservation charms are for?" To which Harry hums and he says: "Either that – or you transfigure the owls to throw off potential pursuers." At which the man hums: "Huh, fair point." Before I read on.
Harry still … answering curtly.
"That just can't be good news." The new boy sitting with the Muggles mumbles and his older-self nods as he says: "Someone making Vernon answer them curtly when he is already forced into something he doesn't even believe in, that just can't end well." And while all of the new kids look at Harry worried, do I read on.
Then the … room. Now."
"Wait, he's not blaming my son for the mailman ruining his mood further, is he?" James Potter asks shocked and Harry answers: "One reason I am glad to be rid of those Muggles. It means I can forget about the All that goes wrong is the freak's fault rule they used to live with." Only for his parents to turn to him and ask:
"What did you just call yourself?" Yet to their shock, does the boy shrug and say: "What they called me. I don't see myself that way, I'm just telling you what life was like under their roof, is all." And the fact that a boy as amazing – especially in his looks and gifts – can sound so callous over something so wrong, has me read on bewildered.
Bewildered, wondering … politely puzzled.
"Why would you even do that?" Someone in the crowd then asks and another goes on: "Yeah, it doesn't sound like they deserve it or anything?" Yet Harry shrugs and says: "It just makes staying under their roof for as long as I need to more bearable, really. That's all." And the speakers seem to accept this as I read on.
"This just … the postman?
At this the Muggles actually turn to the boy, but then their daughter says: "Mum, dad, forget it. There is no way I would send anything to Harry through anything other than Hedwig. I know how fierce she is in doing her job and I know of the bad blood between Harry and those Muggles." At this her parents nod and I read on.
Uncle Vernon … son Ron.
And instantly all of the four youngest kids groan in disappointment and the youngest male moans: "Mum! Mum, why? Why on earth would you even think to write Harry's uncle about him?" Yet it's their father that answers and he asks: "How do you know that it's your mother and not me writing the man, Ronald?"
And the boy answers: "Because you would have started that letter completely differently. You would have probably been too hyped over the knowledge that you got to write to Muggles, called them such and started your letter with a dozen questions about their kind of life and world." And the man turns red, but laughs as I read on.
As Harry … lifetime opportunity;
"Mum, I don't know why you were making it sound as if Harry had a similar relation with his uncle as you do with the rest of my siblings, but – did you have to mention so many magical things in the letter? If you wanted to do things the Muggle way, why didn't you try and look up Muggle equivalents to Quidditch and stuff?"
One of the new girls, who is apparently Molly's daughter, asks and the woman answers: "I can only imagine that I knew Ronald was going to send Harry a letter and wanted to give his relatives a warning ahead of time. To be honest, the letter really was probably just a formality." Which makes her daughter smirk as I read on.
Britain hasn't … stamps on.
"I think we just found out why the postman was laughing when he delivered the letter." One of the new kids says and the youngest of them rubs his hands as he smirks: "This is going to be good." But then the Weasley girl says: "Maybe not for Harry though." And the whole group of new kids grimace as I continue reading.
Uncle Vernon … minute writing.
"Is that wrong?" Someone asks and Harry answers: "It is. So many stamps are usually only used on heavy or large packages that need to be transported internationally. Simple letters that only need to move from one part of the country to another need, at max, three to four." And while this really intrigues me, do I read on.
PS. I … Mrs. Weasley.
"Thank my ancestors that THAT is no longer the case. Oh, before I forget, can I be the one to tell the Muggles this?" Harry asks, but then Lily Lupin – formerly known as Potter – says: "Only if you'll take your parents and my husband with you, young man. I know Vernon, after all." And Harry nods at her as I continue reading.
Uncle Vernon … he asked.
"As if we were going to take no for an answer." The Weasley twins chorus, but then Arthur says: "Boys, we have to –." But then Harry says: "Mr. Weasley, trust me, I would sooner listen to Professor Snape than to any of those three unless I really have no other choice." And while the man looks astounded, does the boy say:
"Also, sorry for using you for an example, Professor. I meant it more in the sense of how I felt before we found out about all this." And while Snape had been glowering at the boy before, does he now seem amazed that the boy actually offered an apology and he nods at his nephew by bond before they focus back on my reading.
A slight … thirteen years.
"Don't we know it." The two groups of new kids chorus, yet I can easily notice that a few of the kids from the future group seem a lot more furious about this than the ones from the present and when everyone looks at them, one of the girls says: "It'll probably be in the next book, sorry." At which we all nod before I read on.
On the … growled finally.
"Says the human walrus." The new Weasley girl growls and then her older self says: "That reminds me, how on earth is it that the English Government hasn't taken him in for experimentation yet? Is that because he knows of magic and can't be left with the Muggles or something?" Yet no one seems to have the answer and so I read on.
"Load of … the glass.
"Puh-lease! Thanks to Petunia, the entire neighborhood knows not to spy on them, less she does the same on them, digs up their dirty laundry and leaves it out for the whole community to know about. Not that she doesn't do that regardless, but still." The youngest of the kids groans with his arms crossed and someone asks:
"How do you know that?" To which the boy groans and says: "When my powers were in their beginning stages, I could actually hear everything everyone said because their voices would carry on the wind at all times. Gave me migraines for three solid weeks." And this makes most of those around him cringe before I read on.
"How many … baggy jeans.
At this his parents look at him and to my shock does the boy actually wear his robes, while it's obvious that classes won't be coming back for a while. Sirius then turns to his family and says: "Narcissa, please make an appointment with the tailor for our next break." And the woman nods, but then Harry wants to object.
"Harry, you are the Primary Heir to the Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter. A legacy of 962 years of ancestors flows through your blood. For you to only have either school robes or baggy clothes can do some serious damage to your – and with that the family's – reputation." James then tells him and the boy frowns at this.
James then pulls him close and says: "I'm not telling you to attend social functions, hold balls and parties or to be part of the Wizengamot, that is still my role, but you need to think of your future as well as your past, at least to such a degree that your teenage hormones won't ruin potential chances for what you can still do.
Yes, our family and its reputation – not to mention your fame – will open many doors, but your reputation – especially in the eyes of those who look at the fashion-side of the Ancient Lines – could close those doors just as quick. Just make sure you listen to some of our lessons and enjoy yourself at all other times, okay?"
At this Harry seems to feel better and he nods, but then Lucius says: "Excuse me, James." But James frowns at him and says: "Harry still has at least four years of his life left before he becomes an official adult and I am still in the ability to take on any role or responsibility that he might one day have to face when he is older.
I understand that you take pride and reputation more serious than I do, Lucius, but I also know that, with his Muggle upbringing, I need to take his lessons at a slow pace and that, after all these years of not being part of his life, I can't just jump in and take over on everything. I need patience and Harry deserves at least some youth.
Trust me, there is nothing wrong with combining youth with responsibility." And while the blonde seems conflicted about this, does he then grunt and ask: "Didn't you – tell me that once before?" And James smirks as he says: "When we first became friends, yeah." Making the blonde smirk at the Potter Lord as I read on.
"I will … my godfather."
And instantly half the hall is in stitches as they seem to realize exactly what Harry just did and James says: "You are so your uncle." Making Regulus Black smirk in clear pride at his nephew, but then Harry asks: "Wait, you – you don't mind that –." And when James laughs: "Of course not, I bonded into one, didn't I?"
Does Sirius groan and raise a hand to his temples. And instantly I get to see something amazing as three of the girls from the future rush for the man and one of them pulls water from a jug, while another causes for the bench the man is sitting on to sprout flowers and the last one seems to heat up her hands at the same time.
And the three of them seem to work in perfect sync to use their incredible Elemental powers to heal the man of his pain before Sirius groans: "You – you helped me accept that. The – the night before we actually bonded, you – you convinced me that such a thing was a positive, not a negative." At this James hugs him and whispers:
"Yes, yes I did. And you worked your ass off all night to ensure that members of your family who weren't on Voldemort's side could be there for our bonding. Merlin, I loved you so much when I realized you had done that." Sirius smiles at the man for this and the two actually share a kiss of deep, intense love as I read on.
He had … these words.
"How? How is it my cousin is being a better snake than I am?" Draco then moans and this makes quite a few of those around him look at him shocked. Yet then the eldest of the new kids says: "That's easy. Aunt Rosie left your sister as our sitter one time too many." Making the blonde smirk at his sister in joyous pride as I read on.
He could … you're going."
"Anyone up for a family trip to wherever the Cup will be held?" Sirius suddenly asks and while Lucius and Severus seem hesitant, does Regulus say: "I'm definitely in. The more I can go out in the coming months, the better. No offense, but I'm sick of staying stuck in one place." Making others nod in understanding at this.
Yet then the girl that has the Ravenclaw girl sitting by her side says: "Trust me, you're not alone in that feeling. Your family feels the same way." And she looks up as she says: "I don't think Harry meant for you to be the one to have said that, but he did make this note for when Harry would be the one to say such a thing."
"So, I'm going to be stuck in one place at one time?" Harry asks and the girl reads the note. Yet this makes her grimace and she says: "I forgot. You felt that way in the summer after this book – and trust me, you had every right to feel that way. You actually told us later what had happened." And Harry nods at her as I read on.
"Okay then … don't you?"
"Harry really, that was just unnecessary." The Muggleborn girl admonishes her friend, but then her brother says: "Trust me, sis, that is tame compared to what those Muggles threw at him for years. Then again, Harry's never been all that hard on them, even when he got the chance." Harry shrugs at this and I continue reading.
Laughing at … Pig anyway.
"Pig?" Rings through the hall in shock and many faces turn to the boy in question, but he holds up his hands and says: "Hey, this is the future, remember? I have no idea why the me of – eight months from now, I think – named that owl that." And this makes some students nod and others turn red in slight embarrassment as I read on.
Harry stared … soon Ron
This makes one Weasley glare at the other, but Ron shrugs and says: "You just take on a really boring tone when you want to explain something. Like I'm in one of Binns' classes, that's what you sound like. I'm sure the job is great, you just don't have the voice to prove that." His older brother grumbles at this and I continue reading.
"Calm down … wait. Harry
"Harry dear, do you think there is any chance that your future self will tell Arthur or me about the contents of last chapter?" Molly Weasley then asks, but Harry instantly says: "Sorry Mrs. Weasley, but there is no chance for that. I will believe it will just ruin my stay with you guys and won't want to cause such a thing."
"But dear, you know you can come to us about anything. I mean, yes, you have your parents now, but – well, just know that there is always a second pair of ears willing to listen whenever you feel you need it. A pair of people who might have opinions different from your parents'." At this Harry sighs, but then Sirius says:
"Molly, I appreciate what you're saying, but there's one thing you need to realize. You've never lived life the way Harry has. You've always had at least one person in your life who you could trust in growing up. Harry didn't have that until he first came here at age eleven. Learning to show that kind of trust – that takes time."
This seems to really upset the woman, but then Sirius hugs Harry and says: "Just make sure you keep reminding and assuring my little boy of that, the same way Jamie and I will, and those wrong lessons of life and upbringing will dissipate over time. They did for me, they just needed time." Molly nods at this, Harry smiles and I read on.
He folded … World Cup!
"I can only imagine how I must have felt reading that bit." Sirius says with a whistful smile and James moves over to sit on his other side, as he sat next to Harry before moving, and says: "You must have felt both so happy that he got to go as well as so sad that you couldn't take him yourself." At which his mate nods as I read on.
The letter … Lord Voldemort.
"Yet now, Voldemort's not even our most prominent concern. Pettigrew and the ability he has with Mind Magic and knowing how to mess with the mind is. And if he actually reunites with Voldemort – the prophesy will have to come true." The Harry here in the room mutters, not looking even half as thrilled as his book-self.
Yet while I have no idea what the prophesy is that he is talking about, do I not plan to leave this chapter on a sad note and so I say: "Still, you now know exactly what Pettigrew can do, you have an entire army of powerful people standing beside you, you have the support of the DMLE and you get to have a preview into his plans."
And I hold up the book to emphasize my words, while I have no doubt that some of the adults around the kid are worried that I mean the Elemental kids, but I mean them, the adults as well. And the way that Harry smiles at me gratefully and how James says: "You said it, Ludo." Make me happily pass on the book to the next reader.
Hey everyone,
So this chapter didn't have all that much positivity as I expected, but I am still very happy with it. Also, I have an important question to ask you all. WOULD YOU RATHER get a rewritten version of Reading for Life this year or two new stories this year and a rewritten version of Reading For Life and The Myth next year?
Personally, I would love the chance to just give you both the two new stories as well as the rewritten version of Reading For Life, but I can't say for sure that even the next four months will be enough to work on both projects, so if you'd rather have the two new stories – with plenty of chapters – I will reward you for it next year.
Let me know what you'd prefer,
Venquine1990
