Hey everyone,
This chapter might be a little more fun than the last. It is going to focus further on Harry and Sirius as well as introduce a few more characters. However, while I might bring Fleur in from France, I won't bring Krum in. I love him in Preventing Trouble, but in this one I am going to bash him and go further in on that comment he made at Bill and Fleur's wedding in DH.
Let's do this,
Venquine1990
Shoutouts to:
V.L. Crawford
Kirsty21
Lilly-flower21
Wishfull-star
Chapter 46
Family and Fame
3rd of November 1993
Great Hall, Hogwarts
Angelina's POV
"I'd like to read next, Headmaster." I say, having silently enjoyed what was being read so far, even if there were plenty of moments where I worried as well. Yet while he may not have said much, has Oliver proven himself quite the boyfriend. Where he is normally outgoing and vocal, has he now just been a silent support to Harry the entire time, in the background but present.
And the whole time that Harry was sleeping, was Oliver actually leaning against the tent he was in, proving to have taken the role of silent guard upon himself. And while I definitely spotted him sending looks of envy to the Gang and the Squad from time to time, especially when they used their abilities, is there no mistaking the bond that slowly grows between the two.
Because of this am I a little curious and amazed that Lord Potter and Black haven't contacted Oliver's parents to discuss a potential contract binding the two yet, but I decide not to comment on that as contracts like that are usually not spoken about around Muggleborns, due to how most of them respond even before they learn the whole story behind them.
And while part of me wonders if the Gang and Squad will behave the same or if they will take more after their actual born heritage, do I accept the book that is levitated over to me, Katie and Alicia on either of my side and Katie whispering: "You lucky little witch." As she is the first to spot the title upon me opening the book on the right page. I smirk at her and read.
Beauxbatons and Durmstrang
Instantly excitement fills the hall and students start to mutter and converse with each other about what kind of students the other schools could have. I spot my friends giving me looks of faked jealousy and Irma just puts the icing on the cake as she turns to the Weasleys and says: "Your first daughter-in-law approaches."Making the Weasley parents share an excited look as I read.
Early next … all night.
"That is never a good thing." James Potter says shaking his head and he tells his son: "When that happened to me as a Third year, I thought up a prank that almost got us expelled it went wrong that badly. When one of our ancestors had that happen to him, he invented something that almost got one of our own companies to go bankrupt." My favorite Seeker winces and I read on.
He got … normal. Harry
"Thank goodness your plan is just family related." James moans in relief and Sirius shakes his head as he says: "There is still absolutely no way I would ever believe a letter like that. MMB or not. Just the timing alone would make me know not to believe it. But book-me will probably also appreciate the meaning behind the gesture. I sure do." Father and son share a smile as I read on.
He then … increasing them.
"I sure hope that any future letters won't have the same effect then." Sirius quips, but Harry actually glares at him and says: "They would if you were still a wanted criminal." And Jeffrey hits him over the back of his head as he says: "Book-you is the only family we have left, remember?" Making their father mumble a guilty apology at them both before I read on.
"That was … training session.
At this I spot Harry rubbing the back of his head, just as Oliver states: "Exactly." But he too spots it and Harry mumbles: "Actually, it really is just the flying itself that relaxes me. I always thought it weird, cause it takes me away from the ground and with that the shadows, but for some reason it always did, being up there I mean." Yet no one really seems to care and I just read on.
On the … its effects.
"Of course he would, filthy no-good – urgh! I hate this book!" Alice Longbottom, whose behavior during the last chapter really confused me and she asks: "When will he be revealed?" Making Irma wince and she mumbles: "One of the final chapters." Making Alice groan even harder. Yet while she also apologizes and reassures the girl, do I continue reading.
"But – but … you go."
"He must have used the MMB to make me agree to that." Professor Dumbledore growls and while we have read of a lot of scary things and while I have seen a lot of the others angry, does his furious visage scare me the most as it is so unlike his usual happy and kind grandfather like behavior. The man slowly but surely calms down and once he has, do I read on.
He pointed … said, "Imperio!"
"I really don't know how to feel about this." Madam Bones mutters and she goes on: "On one hand do I think it horrible that anyone would even think of using this kind of magic on teenagers. On the other hand does this book finally provide me with an answer I have been wanting since the end of the war. What does the Imperius curse feel like." And with that question, do I read on.
It was … to double.
"What do you think, Irma?" Jeremy asks his Water Elemental and the older girl looks at the book quite intently before she says: "It – it could be one of two things, really. Either it's Harry's Shadow ability as that represents just how different and strong he really is – or it's the side of him that is being subdued by the MMB. I just – I can't be sure." Jeremy nods at this and I read on, intrigued.
"Look at … drawing closer –"
"And that means that the students need to be properly prepared, so why are you talking about this, but haven't we heard a single thing about teachers actually helping or offering homework classes? What happened to study clubs? Where are the times where Madam Pince would set aside a library desk for students having trouble with one class or another?"
Lily Potter – or I guess Lupin – asks and yet the last person she mentions actually looks affronted with the idea, just like I expected that she would. Yet then her husband sighs and says: "I can only imagine that this is another thing that the MMB changed, dear. Please don't keep asking it like that. It sounds like you're accusing us teachers." His partner apologizes for this and I read on.
"We don't … with herself.
Yet here James is the one to turn to McGonagall with a frown on his face and he says: "I know what Remus just said and I agree with it, but I don't agree with your method just now, Minerva. That is just accusing a student of doing something wrong, while explaining something important no less, and then not explaining him what he did wrong or why.
No student learns that way. It will either embarrass them and make them try to work harder for all the wrong reasons or it will make them just want to give up on the class and not believe themselves good enough to even warrant trying." The woman nods at this, but then James smirks and says: "Though it really isn't all that different from your old method."
The woman looks up shocked and he rolls his eyes as he says: "You used to make a public joke of the mistake your students made. Still a class-wide thing, but everyone – even the student making the mistake – was able to laugh because of how you worded the mistake. So that shouldn't be too hard for you to fight and get back to." My Head of House smiles and nods as I read on.
Harry and … antidote worked.
"Don't!" Harry actually snaps, shocking everyone and he goes on: "Just forget it. The MMB has changed him and turned him against everyone I care about in the books. There's no point getting angry over this, not if we can so clearly see that the man in here disagrees with his book-self's methods. When he does, then it's fair game." The man himself glares at him over this and I read on, giggling.
Professor Flitwick … ferret, Malfoy."
Lucius Malfoy glares at the man in question over this, but then Elena asks Elisa: "How much do you want to bet that the man just wants to get back at our dear brother for trying to get his pet killed?" And Elisa says: "He sure looks like the kind of person who knows how to hold a grudge, especially if you think of his role in the whole Sirius thing." This placates their father and I read on.
The Gryffindors … previous year.
"Even the book agrees with us!" The girls shout, throwing up their arms in excitement and while Mrs. Malfoy says: "Mind your manners, girls." Does Harry smile at them and say: "What can I say? Even after all these years, there are no people who know me better than you girls – except Jessie here, that is." And while his younger brother's face starts to shine with glee, do I happily read on.
When they … like "Lockhart!"
The girl turns red at this as her parents look at her weirdly, yet Isaac and Joshua seem to already be aware and they look at her in concern as Joshua hugs her close and whispers: "Please promise me you will try and be more careful around men like that, sis. Trust me, they're bad news." And others in the Gang and Squad actually nod in agreement to this, making me read on feeling concerned.
The appearance … a cactus.
"That doesn't even make any sense!" Rosaline snaps at the woman in question and she goes on: "Surely the others aren't going to arrive to some big show and even if they were, surely you would practice beforehand and actually help those having trouble with the performance in the first place." The woman winces, but doesn't answer and so I just read on.
When they … us forever."
"What is going on with you two?" Mrs. Weasley asks, yet it's Irma that answers and she reads: "Something that will, through Harry, give them the chance they should not have needed him to get. Though if you ask me if I would do it again, I would instantly answer a heartfelt yes. That last bit obviously refers to our old Harry." She ends and I read on, feeling intrigued.
"Who's avoiding … their noses.
"That's not going to do anything, dear. If anything, it will make people do the same that Harry and Ron did, only to then throw away their badges or try and take back the money you asked of them. If anything, you might even risk some of them to pay you with leprechaun gold, which vanishes after a few hours." Regulus kindly tells the girl, who turns red and I read on, feeling for her.
"You do … post owls.
"And now you're making it even worse. First you call them beings with rights and the ability to think and decide for themselves and now you say they're brainwashed? Hermione, you have your heart in the right place, but if you can't even make up your own mind, you won't get anywhere. Not with this or anything else you might one day want to achieve."
Alice gently tells the girl and then Sirius sighs and says: "Yes, and I think we all know exactly what is causing this." Yet the man seems to be the only one actually onto this core problem and he rolls his eyes as he says: "It's her use of the Time turner, of course. She used it so extensively, it messed up her hormones. She's a 16 maybe even 17 year old girl in the body of a 15 year old."
The girl looks shocked at this and then snaps: "But that Time turner saved your life!" At which, to her and my shock, Dumbledore says: "Yes, but it shouldn't have had to in the first place, Mss. Granger. Sirius is right. You were given a tool that someone, anyone, of your age should never be allowed to have, simply to preserve the sake of your own health."
"But – but what – what if there are –." The girl tries, but her mother says: "That's what Independent studies, clubs and special courses are for, honey. They're meant to be in place for those, like you, who want to study that little bit more, to give you a hobby besides your study. But no study or subject should ever dominate one's life." Her daughter reluctantly nods at this and I read on.
Harry looked … he wrote.
Sirius looks at his son at this and it's quite clear that he still feels guilty over how he made fun of his book-self's state earlier. Harry sighs and says: "I get it. You're happy that we're back together and that our family is whole once again and all. But that's not the case in the book and –." Sirius nods and Harry smiles at him, grateful for his understanding as I read on.
"Thanks, Hedwig … her plait.
"Not the one grandma gave you for Christmas last year, right? Why would you put that thing in your hair? You made a whole fuss about it, even though you knew that grandmother always buys the both of us one real gift and one gag gift." Padma says, but then suddenly Edena asks: "Can we please remember that this is the future we're reading?" And Padma turns red as I read on.
"Follow me … Hermione impatiently.
"You guys started to purposely ask stupid questions because you knew she would answer anyway, didn't you?" Isaac suddenly asks and the two boys either shrug or turn red as Ron asks: "How did you know?" And while Hermione looks at the two shocked and affronted, does Joshua answer: "We know Harry and his antics." Making Harry turn red as well as I read on, laughing.
They scanned … Dennis Creevey.
A lot of students look at the boy's older brother at this as if they think he's as crazy as the statement, but then Joshua asks: "If you were to hear a random summary of the things that electricity allowed Muggles to do, create light, power up half of their household appliances, stuff like that, would you not get the same wide imagination about it?" And the students turn away as I read on.
Dennis's guess … fifth year's foot,
And while a few snicker at this, does Irma receive another note. She reads it quietly first and then actually glares at what I can only assume is the student in question. "That was just uncalled for." She snaps and actually hands the note to Snape, obviously over the fact that he's the boy's Head of House. The man reads the note, his lips thin, yet he does no more and so I read on.
the horses' … their heads.
Instantly Mrs. Weasley turns to Irma in anticipation and the girl nods before she says: "She was among them – and she will really prove herself, though she will have her flaws as well." The woman nods, yet I wonder if the girl says this with an ulterior motive or something. And because I do know Molly Weasley a little, do I suspect it to be the latter as I continue the chapter.
From what … and Hermione.
Harry starts to smile widely at this and everyone easily notices it as he turns to Irma, who smiles back at him before she says: "It was a bit of a tradition of ours. Every year, on a day two months from our own birthday – which we did just to confound our guardians – one of us would use the full extend of our powers to the benefit of the birthday boy or girl in question.
And when Harry turned ten, I was chosen as the one to do so and so I used this secluded part of a large trench that goes past Little Winging to give him the experience as if he was on a luxurious cruise. Heck, afterwards, he even told me he felt as if he had been out on the middle of the ocean it felt that good." Yet then I notice Mss. Rosie smirk and she mutters:
"I've actually been keeping this to myself for all these years, but – I used a bit of magic on the trench's banks to make them look much further away than they were – as well as a light Cheering charm to make sure Harry wouldn't question it." The two kids look at her with gaping mouths, while the other parents burst out laughing at her guilty smile and I read on, feeling amazed myself.
Slowly, magnificently … it's Krum!"
And while this causes gasps, yelps and exclamations of shock, elation and amazement, do I remember Irma's earlier words about this guy, about how Hermione's original assessment of his character was quite correct. I turn from the older girl to the younger one and then think: "Are Harry and his grandfather really the only two celebrities who aren't trouble?"
And my look seems to make Alicia falter as she wants to hiss: "I really hate you –." But then spots the look of concern and annoyance in my eyes and even notices where I'm looking. She grimaces at this herself, but then she whispers: "Their statements may be dark, but their presence brings light to our future." And I nod, smiling thankfully at one of my best friends.
Well said, Alicia.
And to be honest, this chapter was REALLY hard. I actually didn't get to it until the 29th of this month (November 2018, just for future records). Heck, to be honest, this entire month I, for some strange reason, kept trying to postpone the time where I would start writing and kept doing other stuff, until suddenly the end of the month came to hit me over the head.
Still, I hope to get an early start on December and feel kind of glad that A Guardian's Life last month and Fate's Finale this month got finished. It makes my workload a little less, though that might be why I postponed my need to work on all this stuff. I guess if I don't have enough stories to write, I get lazy or something like that.
Ah well, see yah,
Venquine1990
