Hey everyone,
Well, here it is. The chapter that wasn't part of the original. It just isn't the first as that was the intervention that came up after the end of the fourth book and things like that will definitely be popping up more and more as the chapters progress. After all, we are talking about a Great Hall full of different people.
So this chapter will give Hermione a bit more history of the Pureblood club lessons – yes, House Elves will be the topic – it will probably contain both Viktor giving Harry his first gift and Blaise doing the same to Sirius to prove his worth as a courting candidate and it will concern the local and foreign school staff.
Have fun,

Venquine1990


Chapter 33
Lessons And Staff

28th of June 1995
Hogwarts Grounds
Hermione's POV

I joined Harry and his family as they left the Great Hall for the grounds as Narcissa had invited me to learn a bit more about things that – in her words – should have been taught to me in the very first week of my classes and while I hate how some of these things sound so medieval, do I hate the fact that I don't know them even more.
And the fact that me not knowing it could make me make a mistake that could cost me my future or that someone else could use the knowledge I don't have against me is a prospect I don't like to imagine, so in that case, I do understand and appreciate how all these things were created and upheld just for the protection of youth.
Sure, the Muggles are becoming more and more independent at younger age and even everything I have done with Harry has made me quite independent myself, but it's like Harry said: "There's nothing wrong with someone older wanting to look out for you and your future." And Sirius obviously enjoys doing exactly that.

Yet now that I am here, sitting with the woman who's husband first introduced me to the concept of House Elves and who actually actively abused his own, I can't help but see my chance and take it and so, while Mrs. Tonks, Mrs. Malfoy, Remus and I are all seated on an uphill rock on the grounds, do I turn from Harry and say:
"Mrs. Malfoy, there is one thing about Pureblood ways of life that I – well, I find them absolutely atrocious and – and I've been working all year to get it reversed." The woman looks at me intrigued and asks: "Have you, dearie? And what would that be?" And while I wonder if I'm not making a mistake right now, do I say:
"House Elves. To be exact, the slavery under which they suffer." The woman looks shocked and I ask: "Did you know that your husband abused his? Dobby had to actually hurt himself to the point he could have a concussion if he even said that your husband was a bad man. And even now that he's a free elf, he's still suffering from that.

It's just not right. And then I'm not even talking about –." But then the woman shocks me as she says: "Hermione, why do you think Dobby is a free Elf? There is no such thing. It's magically impossible." This shocks me and I ask: "What do you mean? Harry freed Dobby in his second." To which the woman smiles and says:
"After which Dobby saved Harry's life and created an incomplete bond between them; one based on a life-debt that can evolve into a full bond between wizard and House Elf whenever Harry so desires it." "But Harry would never want to own a slave!" I snap and the woman looks shocked and asks: "That's what you think it is? Slavery?"
And her honest shock and confusion startle me out of my fury over the entire situation and I weakly say: "Yes. Yes, of course. I – I mean, what – what else could you call it?" And Mrs. Tonks shocks me as she says: "A safety net for beings that are stronger than their own forms can handle?" And I look at her as I ask: "Wait, what?"

"Hermione, you know how humans and animals have blood running through the veins in their bodies and how, according to legend, gods used to have what is known as Ichor?" I nod and Mrs. Malfoy says: "The same counts for House-elves, only with them it's pure magic that runs through them. No blood, no blood cells, just magic.
And many centuries ago, a Dark Lord managed to harness that pure magic to not just increase his own magical strength, but also overpower and overrun the entire European continent before, to make sure his most loyal subjects could never turn on him, he cursed them so that their bodies would never grow enough to sustain that power.
So, these days, witches and wizards bind House Elves to them, so that House Elves can have another being's core – that of their master – to ground their own overpowered magic on and to keep their bodies well-sustained. It's all about keeping House Elves alive and keeping them safe; something they themselves can no longer do."

This shocks me and I ask: "So then why did your husband abuse Dobby so? And – and if this is all true, why not just search out that spell and counter it?" But here the woman shakes her head and says: "The wizard was very clever, Hermione, and he saw such a possibility coming so he used Fiendfyre on all the notes of his creation.
The research had been done in secret and had been destroyed and just before his death, the wizard cast an overpowered Obliviation on himself to keep the victorious wizards from ever finding the information of the spell and possible countercurse through him. So you see, the information is truly, utterly lost in time."

This utterly shocks and devastates me and then the woman pulls a warm arm around my shoulder as she says: "As for why my husband abused Dobby the way he did. Heh, there are good and bad witches and wizards, Hermione. And some bad ones just think so high of themselves, they see anything potentially stronger as a threat.
And Lucius definitely falls under that category. He knew this tale, he knew the truth behind it and so he did the only thing he ever knew he could; he dominated Dobby. Was it the right thing to do? No, not ever. Did it make him a better man that he did it? No. Should you hate him for doing it? Absolutely, you definitely should.
Will I hate you for hating my husband for the horrible mistake he made? Absolutely not. Is there an even more important lesson you can take out of this? Absolutely." Here I look at her, feeling confused that she is so calm about this and she says: "Instead of going against the slavery you think you see, you should fight the abuse.
The abuse Dobby suffered, the abuse other House Elves suffered, the abuse of witches and wizards who know of this tale and thus see it and House Elves as a threat. There is just one other thing you need to know before you start this new campaign of yours." Here I look at her and she calmly smiles as she tells me:

"The magic that courses through House Elf bodies – enforces, increases and empowers the beliefs and kind of character that they have. So even if you see a House Elf being abused, but their behavior is worse than the abuse – then you're better off just leaving that House Elves be. Like wise snakes always say: Know your battles."
And while I don't like the idea of leaving any creatures to being abused and while part of me also has some trouble accepting the statements of the House that has done nothing but hurt me, do I then shake my head at this last part and think: "Everything I just learned came from a snake, so surely a single statement isn't that bad."
And this makes me sigh as I lean back against the rock formation we are sitting on, looking out over the small field below us where Harry, Sora, Riku, Kairi and Sirius are and where Harry is doing some exercises to get Harry back some of his energy and help him learn to walk again and think: "He sure is ambitious." Which makes me smile.

Riku's POV

"Harry wants too much." Goes through my mind as I see Harry trying exercises that I am not sure his body is ready for just yet, not as closely after he starting going through the healing period like he did, yet there just doesn't seem to be anything capable of stopping the boy as he seems determined to heal as quickly as possible.
"He reminds me of you." Sora then suddenly says and I look at him as he says: "You wanted to get rid of the Darkness inside of you much faster than you could possibly manage, but in the end, you did manage it." And I sigh as I have to give the sweet and caring brunette right before I ask: "Any ideas on how to stop him?"
"Yeah, I do." Sora shocks me as he says before he moves over and says: "Hey Harry, enough of that." And before the boy can do more than say: "No, I –." Does Sora stop him and say: "It's time you get your own Keyblade, you know? You ready?" And the boy looks shocked before he smiles and says: "Give me a minute."
And while I sigh and shake my head at how it obviously tires the boy out to get on his feet and walk over to his wheelchair, do I still feel glad that Sora managed that so flawlessly and think: "In that aspect, Harry is just like Sora. The best way to make him stop is by making him focus on something that is better and healthier."

Sora then turns his blade around and says: "In your hand, take this key. So long as you have the makings, then through this simple act of taking, its wielder you shall one day be. And you will find me, friend. No ocean will contain you then. No more borders around or below or above. So long as you champion the ones you love."
And while part of me can't help but feel nine years old again, standing on the beach of Destiny Island with Terra in front of me instead of this scene here, do I focus as Harry takes the Keyblade from Sora, the light in his eyes shining just a hint brighter for no more than a second, yet long enough for me to smile as I spot it happening.
"Go on then. Focus on the power within your heart. It will make this Keyblade disappear and your own Keyblade appear." Sora says, tapping his heart with his fist as he speaks and Harry nods before he turns his face back to the blade in his hand, his eyes turning hard with the focus he seems to wield and with positive results.

The Keyblade in his hand starts to shine before it vanishes in a burst of light and stars, yet the light and stars turn even brighter before another burst of light creates a new blade. Yet unlike Sora's Harry's blade resembles a sword way more, with a dark grey hilt, a roaring lion at the tip and a fleur-de-lis as the teeth of the blade.
"The Sleeping Lion. A powerful blade, but definitely one belonging to someone with a troubled past." I can't help but mutter, but while this makes Harry look down, do I then see Erika move over and say: "Don't worry, I'm sure you'll get access to more positive blades after a few sessions with me and Andromeda, you'll see."
And the boy smiles at her, while the way that she has a hold on his shoulders proves her care for him and then Harry aims his blade at his own legs, but then Sora says: "The basic form is just Cure." And Harry nods before he says: "Cure." And just like with Sora, do small leafs and flower petals leave the lion's head of the blade.

The leafs and petals get soaked up by Harry's legs and when the spell finishes, does Harry take another deep breath before he opens his hand, making his blade vanish before he grips the arms of his wheelchair with both hands and while Erika keeps the chair in place does Harry yet again try to stand up on his own two feet.
And while I can tell that it comes much easier to the boy this time and while that makes me feel slightly better as it proves that my theory of Hogwarts accepting our method of magic, do I still try to hide my great concern for the boy as he slowly walks around the ground and think: "He still wants too much too quickly."

The teachers' Lounge
Minerva's POV

"This is most certainly not the ending to the Tri-Wizard Tournament that we were expecting." I can't help but say and those around me, both the Hogwarts teachers as well as the heads of Durmstrang and Beauxbattons nod in agreement before Igor Karkaroff says: "I studied the spell that Potter used on the 24th a little more."
We all nod at him as that had been what we asked him to do last night after the reading ended and he sighs as he says: "It doesn't seem as if either Olympe or I or even our students will be able to return home anytime in the next fortnight to longer. If we don't stay for the next 18 days, the boy will suffer the consequences."
This makes me cringe in concern and then the man goes on: "To make things worse, ending the reading is definitely not an option as it will actually drain the caster of his magic, just like the Goblet of Fire does to any Champion that doesn't compete. And as powerful as Potter is, even he would not survive that."

"So what can we do?" Olympe asks and Igor says: "I read the texts I could find – including the book Potter apparently used – to the best of my ability and I found a few loopholes. So far, Filch, Dumbledore and Bagman have been taken out of the reading, yet Mss. Fiana, Erika and that Wood boy have replaced them.
Next to that are there no rules of where everyone should be in the three days between each reading, they just need to be back in the room in question preferably one half an hour before the reading restarts. However, if someone gets taken out, someone close to the caster needs to instantly call on someone to replace them.
If the spell itself is supposed to do that, it will take an extra bit of magic from the caster at the end of a book; not much luckily, just the same amount as a small sip of water. And finally, constant contact with at least one loved one through at least three quarter of each reading improves the magical chances of the caster in regards to health."

"And what of those two boys and that young girl that came with Mss. Erika yesterday? They are apparently not even of this world and I am sure they will want to return there at some time. What can we do about them?" Pomona asks and I sigh before I say: "I'm more curious if there is a way we can travel to their world or not."
Here everyone looks at me and I say: "You are right with what you said, Pomona, but there is one issue with this whole reading plan. We are dealing with teenagers. Beings that have short attention spam and often have their interest taken away by their own interests or hormones. How do we keep all those entertained with reading?"

"You think traveling to that other world is the solution?" Filius asks, but I shake my head and say: "No, I don't think it's anymore than a possibility. However, I do have another idea that might work. Olympe, Igor, if you two could please confer with my coworkers on how you teach their subjects at your schools.
I don't mean to steal your topics from you, but if you could set up a schedule with them all, we could, perhaps, between chapters hold small demonstrations of different forms of magic. It won't just teach the new guests something about our world, it will help first and second years with their electives and keep all students entertained."
At this everyone nods and I say: "Also Filius, if possible try and forge some time-based Port Keys together with Batsheda and Septima. Preferably for just Igor and Olympe so they can keep their countries and the parents of our foreign guests comforted, but if you could make enough for all students, that'd be great."
Here Filius looks thoughtful and then says: "I think I can make the first two before this break is over, but for the rest of them I will definitely need all the time the next book will give me. Should be a good first example of those demonstrations though." At which I nod and turn to the staff as I say: "Alright, we have a plan."


Hey everyone,
Okay, so there wasn't any Tonks in this, but I personally think I am just going to leave it with this first day. Part of me does want to do the whole gifts between Harry and Krum thing, but I feel like that is better of just sumarized in the next chapter where everyone gets back to the Great Hall and where the reading restarts.
Now I know that the explanation behind the House Elves history has been changed, but to be honest, I find this explanation a bit better as it teaches Hermione an important lesson; one that will definitely give her food for thought as we go through the second, fourth and – most importantly – the fifth book in the series.
Merry Christmas,

Venquine1990