Hey everyone,
So I thought this was going to be one of the first chapters of GoF that made me feel that it just doesn't deserve the hype it sometimes gets from other fans, but luckily enough, I believed this story to be further down GoF than we actually were. No, that is going to be next chapter, so I still have a bit of a reprieve.
Also, I was a little worried on who was going to read that chapter – the one about the Twins and their dream for their futures – but thanks to this chapter not being the one I thought it was, I don't have to worry about that. In fact, the topic of this GoF chapter allows me to go three on three in regards to the new arrivals.
Win-win, right?
Venquine1990
Chapter 32
Leaving the Muggles
3rd of November 1993
Great Hall, Hogwarts
Frank Bryce's POV
I have been born during the First World War of Germany against my home country and fought in the second World War against that horrid bastard Adolf Hitler and I actually got to have personal experience with his methods against those that his men caught after winning a battle, which has really left mental scars on me.
Yet while being back home has both helped and harmed me over the years, have I always secretly been grateful for how the villagers of Little Hangleton never told their kids off for annoying me or causing damage to the Riddle Manor as it allowed me to relive the better days of the war and gave me a reason to keep living.
But now I am in the most majestic castle I have ever seen, one the Riddles – had they still lived – would have never been able to afford – and have I found out that someone, who my future self would consider to be one of the village boys, would actually undo everything I have worked so hard to keep doing over the last two decades.
And what the ancient man and the two dentists told me made me feel horrible as apparently even my constantly honed war skills wouldn't be able to save me against this form of magic that instantly takes a life the minute it hits its target. Because of that am I very grateful for the fact that they were willing to come save me.
Yet at the same time there was one thing about what they told me that actually cleared up a few of the things that I've been wondering about for years. Not just what actually happened to the Riddles, but also something I saw happen a few times when I was a war prisoner of the Nazis back during the Second World War.
When I was an attendee to Sobibor, I had met a couple of other attendees who had been more resilient and stubborn than the Nazis would like them and this often made said attendees be allowed the privilege of meeting with a special commander. They never returned and yet, when I found their bodies, they never looked injured.
There had been tests performed on a few of them, but the results proved that they hadn't been gassed, shot, poisoned, drugged, experimented on or any other method that the Nazis were known to use. Yet now, I finally have answers to these mysteries and so, on my way here, I thought: "Those poor bastards. They never stood a chance."
And while this had actually been the case for the majority of the Sobibor prisoners, did some of them still manage to escape in ways that I never understood until now. And while I actually managed to escape just before the legendary break-out that happened in 1943, did I also hear rumors of how some escapees vanished in thin air.
I had asked the two dentists and the old man about this and the man had explained that it was probably something called Apparation. And going by the description, did I feel like it was a lot like Teleportation, but I didn't comment on this. Instead of that did I voice something else I felt quite curious about in regards to the war.
"Tell me, could it have been possible that some of the Nazis were wizards?" And while I had been shocked to hear that the old man never heard of the term Nazi, did he also give me a good reason as to why as, apparently, the Wizarding World was facing their own World-wide war against a tyrant named Gellert Grindelwald at the same time.
Yet because of what the old man told me about this Grindelwald person, do I have no doubt that he probably worked together with Hitler and the dentists had agreed with me, yet we didn't tell the old man why as I wasn't sure he could handle hearing what Hitler did with those he led Nazi Germany to believe should be eradicated.
Still, so far I have heard quite a bit of a young man that actually reminds me of my younger self, even if his powers are abilities I would never be able to control or even desire and the fact that he has someone as mad as Hitler on his neck really bugs me. And because two other new arrivals have read so far, do I feel it is my turn now.
And so, while I had gone to sit next to an actual ghost and a severe looking woman, do I now get up, grateful to the woman when she hands me my walking stick and I move over to the man with the large belly that read the last chapter while it was his assistant that read the chapter before him and I take the book over from him.
The man then conjures me a comfortable looking chair and I think: "I can really get used to this whole magic thing." And while the elder man did tell me that, usually people like me – Muggles – aren't supposed to know about magic, did he also tell me that my circumstances are special and thus allow for me to be here.
"And hopefully, I can stay here. Either that or maybe I can get some of these wizards to come to my place from time to time to keep me company." I think, which is a first for me as the War left me with a great dislike for large crowds and loud noises. Yet there is something about this castle that makes me start reading with a calm smile.
Back to the Burrow
This intrigues me and I ask: "What is the Burrow?" And the red-haired family that has almost as many members as I used to have team members in the war smile as the eldest of them says: "It's our home." And this makes me page through my chapter and the fact that the whole journey there takes 10 pages makes me read on intrigued.
By twelve … last year.
"You know, I think I should give my cloak to Jeffrey." The boy in question suddenly says and his mother – who is actually a man – asks: "Why would you say that?" And with a self-confident smile does the boy actually seem to vanish while it was obvious he didn't have this interesting sounding cloak anywhere near him.
Only after I shake my head to rethink what I saw, do I realize I didn't see him vanish from where he sat, but more see him melt into the shadow that is under the long wooden table he is sitting at and I think: "That genius little Elemental is using his ability to hide in the shadows." And this makes me read on, feeling proud.
He had … to Hogwarts.
"How do you know when someone doesn't like to be somewhere?" One of the students at the table with the blue trim asks and a friend of hers answers: "When they start crossing off the days to when they can leave on the first day they arrive there." And while my heart, yet again, goes out to the young fellow, do I read on.
The atmosphere … that's all."
"To be honest, that is one thing that I never really could understand. I mean, Mr. Weasley works for one of the Departments that works with Muggles the most, yet you seem to be as backwards with the times in regard to Muggle fashion as all other witches and wizards. I mean, what's up with that?" Harry asks and the man sighs as he says:
"I guess it has to do with the fact that the most important part of my job is to Obliviate the Muggles I work with. That makes me feel as if dressing up in present day Muggle Fashion isn't exactly necessary." Yet this makes quite a few of the students share concerned looks and then one of the girls without a robe asks:
"But what if Harry had lived somewhere where magic would be more accepted by the family and you'd be invited over for dinner from time to time? Wouldn't that be a good reason to keep up with today's fashion? And isn't that something all wizards who's kids are friends with Muggleborns should care and/or worry about?"
This makes quite a few of the adults share a look and then I notice the Potter mother smirk and he says: "You know, Rosaline. That is actually exactly what my dad put Siri and me to after Lily officially joined our group." And his partner's brother says: "Hah, I remember that. Mother sent Siri and me a Howler over that idea."
And the two adults shake their heads while I can tell that some of the others look troubled, proving they really want to remember this. And while this father of the Potter Lord sounds like someone I would really respect, do I feel like I would really hate and fight with the Black lady, yet I just focus back on reading.
Harry felt … of wizards.
"Harry, why did you even think we would care?" One of the twin boys with the red hair asks and Harry shrugs as he says: "I don't know why my future-self believed that. I guess it's just something that I worried about because I cared more about you than I did about them." And while I definitely agree with the lad, do I read on.
Uncle Vernon … and intimidating.
"Didn't we just confirm that both Vernon and his son resemble fat kinds of animals? How could he possibly think he could look intimidating if his looks are so – horrifying in weight?" A girl on the table with the green trims asks and Harry answers: "He could, because the way he thinks is twisted." At which I nod, yet then he wonders:
"Though I kind of wonder if some of his behavior couldn't be influenced by the MMB." But the woman who he shared an eye color with for some time shakes her head and says: "It isn't, Harry. Trust me, I know. His behavior that we read about is too similar to my memories of him." The boy nods and I continue reading.
Dudley, on … in London.
"Wait!""Hold on!""What?""How did that happen?""When did that happen?""Who caused that?" "What did Dudley do to cause that?""Who do you think he pissed off to cause that?" These questions as well as others are asked all throughout the hall, yet they are also masking how a certain group is now laughing quite madly.
The three youngest males of the red-haired family and the two eldest females are all laughing along with the kids that don't wear robes and Harry is laughing alongside his friends. And all of them are ignoring how the mother of the redheads is glaring at them, yet then Lily says: "Molly, don't bother, he probably deserved it."
"How can you say that? You weren't even –.""I may not have been there, but Dudley's not the first boy I know about that turned out the way Dudley did. I met someone who could practically be his twin, were it not for the fact that this person was a year older than me when he became friends with Petunia at age nine."
Now the woman looks shocked and the rest of the Hall looks intrigued and Lily says: "I know it was this boy, this now grown up man, who led Petunia to Vernon and I know that Petunia has, the longer she got to know this guy, grew respect for the way his parents raised him. That's why Dudley has been raised the way he was.
And I remember very well what that now grown man was like as he – heh, he scared, threatened and bullied me out of my home several times over both summer and Christmas holidays during my years at Hogwarts. If anything, his bullying led me into Remus' arms. So yes, Molly, I am willing to claim that Dudley deserved it.
Because I have no doubt that Dudley is no better than that bastard who bullied me so horribly much when I was the age he is now." And while Molly looks at her shocked, does her partner then pull her closely against him and he whispers: "I forgot. I forgot it was bullying that brought you to me." And Lily cuddles close as I read on.
It wasn't … him up?
"What about that Ford Anglia that we gave you guys for your wedding?" The adult twins chorus only for Harry to shout: "That you two what?" And his best friend asks: "Why didn't you ever – wait, did the MMB make you forget that too?" And his parents seem to grunt in mental pain, confirming this theory as I cringe and read on.
They didn't … same today?
"How did that happen?" One of the adult twins ask in shock and Harry answers: "That story involves a diary, your niece and an overachieving House-Elf. So sorry, but it's not really – entirely – my story to tell." And after this does the boy send the youngest redhead a sympathetic smile at which she slightly blanches before I read on.
"I think … a Ferrari.
"What's that?" Arthur asks and Harry answers: "One of the most expensive brands of cars. I'm pretty sure the cheapest of that brand gets sold at something around 20 to 25,000 pounds. And those usually cost the most in maintenance anyway." And this makes a lot of the wizards around me look amazed before I continue reading.
Harry spent … or something."
"You really thought we were going to use a Ministerial car or something, didn't you?" Ron asks confused and yet it's his own sister who answers as she retorts: "Wouldn't you if you just spend the better part of the summer in a Muggle home?" And her twin brother thinks before he seems to agree with her as I read on.
Ten past … hanging around.
"Do they ever use your name? Like, at all?" Hermione asks and Harry seems to think before he says: "Let me put it this way. If I were to write a report of every time he called me by my name and a report on every time he called me something else, I'd be done sooner with the former than the latter." And this makes me read on, frowning.
That's if … broken d – AAAAAAARRRRRGH!"
And as this is written in the book, do I actually think back to how I felt a few times when I was practicing crazy stunts in boot camp and I use my voice the same way I first did when I practiced jumping out of a helicopter into enemy territory. And the way that the Hall screams in fright makes me cringe in slight guilt before I read on.
Harry jumped … of it.
"Wait, what is going on here?" The blonde that seems to have come from High society asks and his apparent wife asks: "Why would anyone want to board up their fireplace?" To which Hermione answers: "Because Muggles managed to generate heat out of metal and electricity, instead of fire, which is actually much safer."
This shocks the blonds and then the girl's brother says: "Hermione, leave this to me." And he grabs a bunch of goblets before he moves his hands over them, actually bending them into several thin bars and pipes, one bar put into the thinnest pipe, which is then put into a pipe that is a few inches wider and so on for three more pipes.
He then hands the set of pipes to one of the eldest red-haired girls as he says: "Now imagine half of these pipes actually being this huge metal box and the other ones just being pipes and that one bar. The box is meant to keep the owners of their heater from burning themselves while the pipes within get heated up. Look like this."
And with that does the girl seem to use her own powers to heat up the pipes within and after a few minutes she says: "Here, now hold your hands just slightly above the pipes. You can feel the heat, right?" And the two blondes look skeptical, but turn shocked when they actually do as the girl advises them to and the woman says:
"That – is incredible." She then turns to Harry and asks: "And your – those Muggles, had a box with similar functions in front of their fireplace?" And Harry nods, while Hermione seems to be looking at her brother in awe at how he managed to explain this simple Muggle thing to those clueless to all this before I continue reading.
"What is … back, Harry."
"Wait, you're planning to use magic around me? But what about my record? I still have that one case on it that was caused by a House-Elf and last time was only accepted because of dad. Won't this get me in trouble?" Harry suddenly asks and Arthur says: "No, I'm pretty sure I will be using my work wand when casting."
"Wait, you have a work wand? Is that even possible? I thought each wizard can only have one wand." Harry says shocked, but his dad says: "Actually, a lot of witches and wizards try to get their second wand either after their fifth year or after graduation, though that really depends on the career they choose to proceed with."
"But how does that affect Fifth year?" Harry asks and Hermione answers: "I know how. It's because Fifth year is OWL year. You know, Outstanding Wizarding Levels. And because OWLS.""Hermione, may I?" Sirius suddenly asks and when the girl nods he says: "You get career advice in fifth." And Harry nods before I read on.
Harry retreated … last freckle.
"Wait, you can't really be entirely identical, right?" One of the twins sitting near Lily asks and said Weasley twins chorus: "Well, we can't all be recognized by a single hair strand, now can we?" But then the other twin sitting with Lily asks: "But surely you have different likings? Like classes, foods, drinks, books and stuff like that?"
At this the Weasley twins actually look startled and then they shrug and one of them says: "Yeah, I guess we do." And the other said: "We just thought you meant physically identical." Yet at this the other pair of twins shake their heads and say: "We thought as much, identical likings. That's just weird." And I read on, grinning.
"That's better … I Disapparate."
By now I feel quite confused, even if, thanks to the old man and the story I now understand what floo and Apparation are. Yet the kids that apparently grew up there seem to find great amusement in the knowledge that this must all be so confusing to the Muggles we are reading about. And so I read on, quite agreeing with them.
Harry was … the room.
"What are you two up to?" Molly Weasley turns on her sons with a furious glare already on her face, but then her daughter says what I silently think and she snaps: "No less than what those Muggles deserve. Don't forget what that little whale tried when Rosaline was just 9 years old, after all." And her mother frowns at this.
But then Harry says: "Mrs. Weasley, I understand. Grandpa has always assured you that I was in the right hands and he lived the last 12 years in the belief that family equals instant love and care. But just because Muggles can't access Dark magic, doesn't make them any less capable of hurting each other, family or not.
And yes, I can understand why you would never be able to understand that. Because you care for me as much as you do, you want to believe I grew up the same way you were, loved and cared for. Anyone would want to believe that about those they care about. But beliefs aren't always truths." And at this, do I read on, agreeing.
They knew … of night.
"That's right, we never got to thank you for that one." The eldest of the robeless kids then suddenly says, only for Molly to shriek: "Thank them? They broke the Statute of Secrecy. They flew an illegal car. They –." But then the kid glares at her and snaps: "They were willing to prove that they cared and worried for him. They took action."
The woman is shocked and the boy says: "I know exactly what happened that summer. I know that something happened to keep the mail between him and his friends blocked and the twins were the only ones willing to do anything to find out why that was happening. They actually did something." And then the whole group choruses:
"Nothing is ever too much to show you care for those that matter. Not when you have no one else doing so." And with that does the whole group of robeless teens turn to the Weasley twins with looks of gratitude on their faces while the adults sitting around them grimace with looks of guilt on their own faces and I read on.
Harry suspected … from Harry.
"And I doubt that any of it was any good." Harry mutters and then his younger brother says: "Harry, the day that you start complimenting Dudley is the day that Petunia wins the Miss America Award." And while most of those around them seem confused, do the two boys and their friends laugh at this as I continue the chapter.
"Well," said … video recorder.
This makes Lily smile at the man and she says: "Don't worry, Arthur. Remy – being the self-doubting dolt that he is – bought me my own small apartment back when we were dating for three years and I made sure to put up an account with the local bank there to make sure they would keep paying my rent and keep it under my name.
It may not have any protective charms on it, but that means I can fill it up with all kinds of electrical appliances for you to study. Just make sure you warn me ahead of time, so I can close the curtains and keep potential neighbors from seeing you use magic." And while the red-haired man now looks elated like no other, do I read on.
"They run … conceal Dudley.
"The kid is actually fatter than his father? I didn't think that was even possible. And how is that even possible if the kid's on a bloody diet? Or is the diet actually working better on the father than it is on the son?" One of the robeless kids asks and then another asks: "Does it even matter?" And as the first shakes his head, do I read on.
"Ah, this … said kindly.
"Mr. Weasley, that was actually a well-placed attempt, but trust me, it was still a wasted one. This kind of behavior has been drilled into both Harry and Dudley since Harry arrived at that place. You're fighting a losing battle, as noble as your intentions may be." Hermione's brother assures the man and I read on, agreeing with him.
Dudley whimpered … evil grins.
This makes their mother instantly glare at them warningly, but then her eldest daughter lies a hand on her arm and says: "Mum, just let them. No, hear me out. Just let them do this, don't reprimand them for it and then the Gang and I will tell you all he did to us over the years, alright?" And Molly nods, but I can tell she is hesitant as I read on.
"Ah, right … colored wrappers.
"Charmed sweets from Zonko's?" One of the twins sitting with Lily asks but one of the Weasley twins says: "No, I think this is probably one of our own created sweets." And instantly Sirius asks: "You make your own charmed sweets?" And the other twin nods as he says: "We want to open our own Joke shop when we graduate."
And before Molly can comment on this, her face proving how much she disapproves of this, do I ask: "Is that joke shop, by chance, planned to be called Weasley Wizarding Wheezes? Cause that is the title of the next chapter.""Great, then let's read on hurriedly. I want to know more about this." Sirius says and I quickly comply.
Fred scrambled … and disappeared.
"You probably knew what your brothers were up to, didn't you?" One of the robeless lads asks and while this seems to upset his mother, does Ron then say: "I can give you one better. I'm willing to bet I told them exactly what inspired them to plan this. And no mum, I don't regret it if that's the case." At which I read on, feeling proud.
Now Harry … the Dursleys.
"You actually said goodbye? Wow Harry, you're being polite with them. I didn't expect that after the last chapter." One of his friends says and Harry shrugs as he says: "If my future self is anything like how I feel now, then I was probably just doing it to not disappoint Mr. Weasley." At this his friend nods in understanding and I read on.
They didn't … say good-bye?"
And while I can see that there are still plenty of others around the hall that are of the same belief, do I say: "No offense, but he is a Muggle like me and even I doubt he would do such a thing. In fact, I'd say he's the kind of Muggle that would make me understand why some of you hate my kind." Before I read on, others looking shocked.
Uncle Vernon's … before him.
Here I stop for just a second to comprehend what I just read and then I turn to the lads and ask: "Why didn't you just do that to his dad? I mean, it sounds like the brat needed something like that just as much if your friends are to be believed, but why just him?" And this actually stops their mother from ranting at them as one of the twins says:
"Probably out of security precaution." And the other says: "Yeah, we probably knew from Harry that his cousin was a right coward, but we'd probably not believe that such a tongue would stop his uncle from lashing out or hurting either our dad or Harry.""And we'd never want to cause that." At this I nod and I continue reading.
Aunt Petunia … Mr. Weasley.
"Should I consider that an insult, considering I only just started believing that Lily had been my mum and that she had tried to sacrifice herself to save me? Or even because it's Mr. Weasley who she believes to be like Voldemort?" Harry asks, but then the eldest teen says: "Don't waste your breath." And Harry nods as I read on.
"No, really … blasted fireplace.
"See, that's what we believed would happen much sooner and way worse if we would try this on the older Muggle." One of the twins says and the other goes on: "And we know dad, so we probably feared he wouldn't try to duck in his need to help the guy." And while this makes Arthur nod begrudgingly do I read on.
"Now really … emerald-green flames.
"And with that we leave those sorry excuses of human waste behind. Great Mother Maria, God bless the queen that that's over with." I think to myself, but I don't voice this. Instead I turn to the Potter lad and decide to prove in another – less vulgar-like vocal – way that I'd rather never see him back there with those bastards again.
And so I get out of my chair and move over to where he sits before I ask his friend: "Got an old man some writing stuff, lass?" And while she does have some parchment for me, do I happily accept a pen from her mother instead of her quill and ink pot. And while grunting at the slight pain in my back, do I write a little something down.
I then rip off the written bit off the rest of the parchment roll and hand the lad the bit as I say: "If you ever - ever – find yourself anywhere near these – these villagers again, make sure you call this number right away. You got that lad. And then lock yourself in your room until I get there to set them straight and get you out of there."
And while the boy looks shocked, does his father say: "Don't worry, he'll never go back there again." And while Lily herself nods in agreement to this, do I look at them both and say: "You can never be too careful. Take it, lad, just in case." And the young Shadow Elemental nods at me gratefully as he takes the small note.
Well done, Frank.
Also, what do you think of the way I merged the Second World War and the Wizarding War against Grindelwald together? Personally, considering the fact that he was willing to use an Obscurus, I can really see Grindelwald appreciate the disgusting stuff that the Nazis used to do to the Jews, so I decided on this approach.
Now, like I already mentioned, next chapter is definitely not in my Top 5 Favorite GoF chapters. However, I think that whole thing with the Gang and the Squad telling Molly about what Dudley did to have deserved what the Twins did to him makes me feel I will have an easier time getting through that blasted chapter.
Let's hope I'm right,
Venquine1990
