And of course there are lovely compliments in this chapter, so here are the translations:
ми малко любов Is Bulgarian For My Little Love


Chapter 38
The First Step Taken

Harry's POV

I hate having to give my friends the wrong impression about Lockhart. I don't fear the man, nor his actions – I fear how the others will react to it. The man did, after all, try to get into my pants and to hear that another person tried that is something I want to prevent when it comes to Viktor, not wanting to lose him to my defilement.
But right after taking me into the side room and seating us on a comfortable high-backed chair, one that allows me to almost disappear in the closeness of his embrace, does Viktor tilt my head and while gazing deeply into my eyes with his own, does he ask: "Does Lockheart really scare you that much, ми малко любов?"
And I shake my head, knowing I can't lie to him, but fearing how he'll react to what I'm about to say. I pull my chin out of his grasp and push my face in his shoulder, not wanting to see his expression as I say: "Uncle Vernon always used that ball-string on me, but Lockheart always, whenever he was around me, tried to get in my pants too.
He tried that when he was shaking my hand and holding that stupid speech about him going to be teacher at Hogwarts, he tried it several times during my time at Hogwarts and he even tried it when Ginny was in danger. I don't fear him – I – I fear you hating me because I've been defiled and touched by several men."

Yet then, while I had easily been able to sense his body tensing in anger as I told him this, does the boy seem to try more than his hardest to keep his anger at bay and this makes me actually shiver and I whisper: "Please. Just punish me. Just get it over with. Let's just move past this hurdle. Just do whatever you want, I can take it."
"It's not you I want to hurt." He then suddenly growls and I look up at him as I had been looking past him the entire time I spoke and just by the look in his eyes do I gasp. Gasp as I can see the truth in his gaze; the truth that he really doesn't want to hurt me, that he wants to hurt Vernon and Lockhart for causing me so much pain.
I look from one of his eyes to the other, trying to find the deception I can only imagine he is trying to trick me with, yet the truth in his gaze is so intense, I can easily see that the anger I see lingering behind this isn't meant to be aimed my way and when Viktor asks: "Do you believe me?" Do I nod at him, feeling relieved and loved.

Viktor smiles at me and then helps me lean back against him, my face again leaning against the crevice between his neck and shoulder and the warm arm that is wrapped around my waist allows me to feel his protectiveness of me while the hand rubbing my arm makes me feel even more loved than the gaze in his eyes did.
"I won't deny that I want to do much more than just hold you like this, my gorgeous, but I would never go as far as those bastards tried. They speak greatly, but they are lower than the mud that is made on Quidditch pitches after a heavy rain storm. They are not worth anything and definitely not someone like you."
Viktor softly tells me as he lies his head aside against mine and his voice is so soft and caring that I feel my eyes closing, something I don't do easily as, even in the Great Hall, I sometimes feel afraid of a potential attack, yet then my instincts get proven that closing my eyes is a bad idea as another voice says: "I fully agree."

And thanks to how terrified and tense I felt before and because I had my eyes closed earlier, do I now react out of instinct and shout: "EXPELLIARMUS!" Yet my startled mind doesn't register who it is I am attacking until I hear the same voice shout: "Merlin! PROTEGO!" And instantly I cringe and see mum deflecting my curse.
"Pup, what's wrong? Why the sudden curse?" He asks and I shrink down on myself as I say: "Sorry mum, this – these books. I – I knew what I was sacrificing when I initiated the spell for them, but – but I didn't realize just how much I cared about you guys; how scared I was about your responses to my deepest secrets.
And – and with – with Lockhart and – and the chance that – that this could be it. That this could be the straw that broke the camel's back – I've just had a lot more trouble than usual not to – to let my inner Moody, so to say, take over and – and I usually respond really violently when something disturbs that what allows me to calm down."

Here the man cringes and says: "I can get that. Sorry pup, I just really agreed with what Viktor said and felt you could use a bit of care. And just so you know, pup; you are not the one who wanted to partake in those actions and you never did anything to entice them to do so." And thanks to Viktor's earlier words, do I believe him.

Sirius' POV

I really should have realized that the last chapter had brought out the abused, scared little child within my son, the baby that wanted ,yet feared to be loved and who was naturally distrustful of everything and anything it couldn't see and silently curse myself for not realizing this when I approached them as Viktor spoke to my son.
Yet while I really did want to voice my own love for the lad and convince him that what the others wanted to do to him wouldn't change how I felt about him, did I also speak up because I knew I had to keep up my role as a chaperone and while I truly believe that Viktor is the perfect gentleman in every way, do I still interrupt them.

To then have Harry respond to that interruption with a shouted cursed had shocked me into defending myself, yet because I still remember who had cast the curse, had I not let my experience as a member of the Order take over and the explanation Harry had given me as to why he had responded like that had made me feel rightfully stupid.
Yet I also feel relieved as, when I made my own attempt to help Harry past his sense of guilt, the boy had seemed to really believe me, which I thought would take some time thanks to his years of abuse and I smile in gratitude at Viktor, not doubting for a second that he wasn't responsible for helping me heal Harry in this stage.
We then all leave back for the Great Hall, Harry leaning on the both of us as his energy levels again depleted after he regained his composure and over my son's head, do I say: "I will be coming with next time, okay?" And Viktor nods before he says: "Sorry I broke tradition. Your lovely son just felt like he needed me."
I nod at this and then, while Harry turns a little red at hearing all this, do we move through the door into the Great Hall and sit down, before Ron says: "Professor Sprout, I think you can best read the next chapter." And instantly Harry seems to understand why his best friend said so, if his body stiffening is anything to go by.

Pomona's POV

I already have a good feeling of knowing why Ronald Weasley told me I could be best to take the next chapter and sharing a look with Severus and Minerva makes me know they both realize the same thing. This is obviously the chapter where the boys flew a car to Hogwarts and hit the Whomping Willow in the process.
Of course have we teachers always wondered where the boys found the flying car as Minerva told us that Potter never mentioned this, but after hearing about Harry's rescue do I feel stupid, because I could have known that it was Arthur that bewitched the car and I curse myself before walking over to the Owl Stand and starting the next chapter.

The Whomping Willow
The end … Privet Drive.
There was sure to be a beating he could expect, to say the least. And he also knew he could count his lucky stars if it stayed with only one beating, seeing this was another case of magic that would surely work on Uncle Vernon's nerves – maybe even his last.
On their … treacle pudding.
Harry later blushed as he had almost stabbed Ron's hand when the boy wanted to get a large piece of the pudding, but Ron had only laughed and said, 'You and your treacle, honestly mate.' But Mrs. Weasley had not even reprimanded him for his greed and Harry's suspicions on her terrible mothering were enlarged.
Fred and … and bed.
As Harry lay in bed that night, he triple checked all of his injuries and even his stomach seemed back to the same size it was after about a month or two of meals at Hogwarts and no longer aching if he bended down to tie his shoes or something.

This makes most of the hall smile in relief and Sirius says: "And from now on you will never more be that badly hurt, son, and definitely not by us. We love you too much for that." Harry smiles this mother at this and I too feel relieved that Harry now has a family where he can feel at home before I continue reading.

He turned around and with a happy smile he fell asleep, assured he would arrive at Hogwarts completely healthy and ready to further heal and grow.
It took … had added.

"Good thing she isn't here now. I really don't want to think of the rant she would have given, hearing this." Bill mutters and all Weasleys nod, while I feel terrible that such a heart-warming family was torn apart by such a cruel, domineering woman. I shake my head, hating how Molly had deceived us all and read on.

"Not a … fitted easily.
Harry of course easily swore he wouldn't tell a thing to Mrs. Weasley as he really despised the way she tried to control every single action the Weasley children took, but throughout the last month he had found two new reasons to be disgusted with the woman.
The first was during a night two weeks after his arrival, when he was thirsty and went down to the kitchen for a glass of water. He had just passed the floor housing the bedrooms of Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and Bill when he heard her mutter, 'Good, he's fast asleep.'
He stopped, not wanting to take another step on the creaking stairs as he had believed everyone to be asleep and as he held his left leg up in the air above the next step, did he hear Mrs. Weasley start to mutter things, some of them too soft to hear, but most of the time he heard the same thing, 'Those rotten twins – those blasted brats – those brainless kids of mine.' It had not been hard to figure out who she was talking about and Harry could barely believe what he was hearing.
Her shouting at the twins when they did something wrong, on the night they saved him, and not praising them for caring about him was one thing, but actually continuing her anger at them weeks later went too far in his book. He turned around and, had it not been for the sleeping Mr. Weasley, he would have stormed back up the stairs to make the woman realize she had been overheard.
The other was something he clearly saw over the month. Ginny might be extremely shy and accident-prone around Harry, but whenever the boys wanted to let Ginny join in something, the woman would shout, 'Not with my little girl, you don't!' As if being raised together with six boisterous boys would not make her tough enough to play Quidditch or even a daring game of Exploding Snap. And to make things worse was Mrs. Weasley constantly fussing over Ginny's jeans and pants, complaining how they should be dresses and skirts and then contradicting herself with the words that Ginny was too young for such things.
The woman was domineering, self-contradicting, hallucinating when it came to her own daughter and on top of it all she disbelieved and shouted about the opinion of everyone about everything; as if others – even her own husband and his Muggle loving hobby – were wrong, she was right and they could only live by listening to her. It was maddening and disgusting and Harry was glad to help Mr. Weasley keep his love for Muggles a secret if it could make the man happy and help them all get to Hogwarts.

Arthur turns to Harry and asks: "Harry, did she do that more often? Complain about my sons when I was asleep?" Harry sighs and shrugs and says: "I don't know, Mr. Weasley. That was the one and only time I went to get a glass of water at night. I didn't want to find out if she did." The man nods and I read, hating the woman more and more.

When at … Mr. Weasley looked at Harry through his backside mirror and winked, Harry happily winking back and sending a quick, evil, victorious smile at Mrs. Weasley without her seeing it, before the man started up … Filibuster fireworks. This time Harry's evil glare did reach Mrs. Weasley and it actually shut her up before she could protest. He believed that Mr. Weasley was driving the car and thus allowed to decide whether they would go back or not.
Five minutes … broad daylight —"

Harry could not believe how stupid and domineering Mrs. Weasley was being and was silently urging Mr. Weasley on from the backseat, looking at him through the rearview mirror, but Mr. Weasley didn't look and instead just drove; the sad look on his face hurting Harry.
They reached … were gone.

"That's madness! Is she really that irresponsible?" Leon asks and Harry answers: "Irresponsible, thick-headed, old-fashioned, manipulative; do you want more?" The man smiles at the young boy, who looks at the Weasley family worried, but Ron says: "Couldn't have said it better myself, buddy." Making Harry smile as I read on.

"Let's go … the barrier. He felt perfectly confident; this wasn't nearly as uncomfortable as using Floo powder and the fear he felt the other time he did this was now driven away by the fact he had done just fine the last time around. Both of … and – CRASH.

"Excuse me?" Some of the teachers shout, while Sirius hugs Harry close and Remus grasps his hand in concern and Narcissa shouts: "Are you saying the gate closed off? That's not supposed to happen until all Muggleborn parents have left the platform!" To which Ron asks: "So it does close off?" The woman nods and says:
"It always closes off right after the last parent has left, mostly after the people working there are sure that all Muggleborn parents are gone. And then it stays closed off until the night before the train returns from Hogwarts, to make sure wizarding kids unknown of Hogwarts don't accidentally disappear through it."
Ron nods and then starts waving his hand as he says: "Well then, that can only mean one thing, can't it?" And the woman says: "Some outside force closed it off. And seeing that our old House-elf is trying to keep Harry from Hogwarts, he seems the #1 suspect for it." Harry and Ron share a look and then Harry says:
"Exactly true, Aunt Narcissa." The woman smiles at being named aunt, but then Harry goes on and says: "Yeah well, we weren't exactly innocent in this chapter either. We were stupid, pretty rash in our acting and didn't think. But then again were we also twelve and panicking about the train and reaching Hogwarts, so can you blame us?"
The teachers and I smile, already seeing how the boy is trying to sweet-talk his trip with the car and I shake my head, before McGonagall says: "Nicely tried, Mr. Potter, but you already talked yourself out of trouble, remember?" The boy shrugs, a guilty smile on his face and I again shake my head at his behavior before I read on.

Both trolleys … got up.

"Were you badly hurt, mate?" Ron asks worried and Harry says: "No, just some old aches coming back up. I was just a little stiff, is all." Ron nods, but Viktor still holds onto Harry tightly and I can tell that, whatever they did, it got them closer together. Smiling at this fact, as Harry truly deserves all the happiness in the world, do I read on.

Ron ran … to Ron, while taking over Hedwig and purposely stroking her where he knew she liked best.
"I dunno —" … watching them; the people who had been talking about animal cruelty were now smiling at Harry and nodding before walking off.
"We're going … sealed itself —"

"Neither do I, unless our old House-Elf really has something to do with it." Narcissa says and Harry taunts her playfully as he says: "You'll just have to wait. My next meeting with him was after my first Quidditch match." The woman sighs, but sends a mock-glare at the boy to which he responds with an innocent smile, making me laugh as I read on.

Harry looked … six years."
He had been wanting to say more, but was too public for his liking to do so. Of course, the Dursleys never gave him pocket money. The only money he ever got was money to buy groceries for things he had to cook on his aunt's orders. Thank goodness for the pride he always felt when he saw that whale and pig in human cloths enjoy his work or he would have had nothing – except gardening every now and then – to keep his mind stable and his need to be his own person strong.

"Harry likes cooking?" Sirius asks and then suddenly the Weasley children all laugh and Ron says: "It's the only thing Harry openly argues with her about. Who gets to cook breakfast, lunch and dinner. Harry won most of the time last summer, but that was because he let us vote and he can actually give her a run for her money."
To this I look shocked as Molly had been aiding the House-Elves in the kitchens during her time as a student and had left most of her recipes afterwards, thus being an aid to the meals the students fed on these days. That anyone, let alone Harry, can actually give her a run for her money is something I never thought I would experience.
Then Ron goes on with a shrug and says: "Of course I – or I think we all – had two reasons for wanting Harry to cook." His siblings nod and one of the twins says: "One, because he could really rival with her cooking." And the other goes on: "And two because we wanted to get one on her badly." And while the others nod, do I read on.

Ron pressed … continuing screeches.
Harry hurried back to his owl and stuck his fingers through the bars, touching her all over and suddenly noticing how her wing was against her body lower than normal. Worried she had a broken wing, he cursed the fact he couldn't perform magic and wished more than ever he had something to help her heal, even if it was only a spell to calm her down. He also cursed himself for flushing all of his hard work concerning his potions, but he had been terrified it would be spotted by Slytherins or used to further infuriate his family.

Severus and many other students that can pride themselves to be skilled Potions brewers look furious at the fact that such a talented child had to flush all his hard work out of fear. I then see that Severus seems to have come with a solution to this, if the sudden uprising of his head and widened eyes are anything to go by.
The man then speaks, his words confirming my thoughts as he says: "Mr. Potter, assigned or not, I would like a sample vial of all your work from now on. Seeing what you were forced to do before, I would prefer not to let talent go to waste any longer. You have your mother, Lily's, gift and it is your good right to show this."
Harry smiles at the man and so do I, quite a few teachers and all the students that had been furious before, some of the elder years even nodding in agreement and then Sirius, seemingly still a little wary of the man, asks: "And what are you going to do with it then, Snape?" And Severus shocks both him and Harry as he says:
"Use them to replace the decorations in my office and classroom. That way, I can return my ingredients to my Private Storage, both students and Potter can be inspired by the examples to work harder and none of his talent will go to waste any longer." All the previously glaring students are now nodding in agreement and I read on.

"I think … to Hogwarts!"

"I knew it wasn't Harry's idea!" Hermione shouts and Ron asks: "You actually believed all this time it was my idea?" And Hermione, who sounds a bit careless in her casual response, says: "Of course, Harry cared too much for your father to do something like that." And Ron retorts: "Oh, so I don't care for my dad?"
And like so many times before do the two start squabbling. I look at them and then at Harry, who was not only often in the middle of those squabbles, but also knew exactly how to stop the squabbling from running out of hand and feel kind of silly that I am, again, relying on a child to do my job for me. But the boy waves me off and says:
"Just let them blow off steam. It's the best way for them and it has been over a week since their last squabble. I'm surprised they lasted this long seeing all the tense chapters and all." I nod at the boy, believing his words and while droning out the raising voices, do I read on. Never noticing the bright light at the Head Table.

"But I … to excitement. Hogwarts was the best place for him to escape from the Dursleys and their influence and if he flew to Hogwarts, he would prove he could fly away from them whenever he wanted – especially if the family would walk by now, which Harry wouldn't doubt about seeing Petunia's love to shop in September.
"Can you … the front.

"Using magic while underage, Mr. Weasley?" A high, shrill voice asks and when we all look at the Head Table we see that wicked woman named Umbridge again, her hands clasped on the table and her smirk proving she feels proud to have returned. The whole hall groans and Dean Thomas says: "I thought we were rid of you."
The woman sniffs highly and with an arrogance I don't even think Lucius can manage says: "A high member of the Ministry is not someone you can just, as you say, get rid of, young man. It's someone you show respect to." And to my luck, Leon says: "Yeah, if they earned it." The woman glares at the man and asks:

"I'm sorry, who are you?" And Leon says: "The name's Leon. That's all someone like you needs to know." And I hide my face in the book to hide the satisfied smile bursting on my lips. The woman sputters and rages silently and I take this as my cue to quickly read on. But then stop, shocked that the woman actually got me curious and ask:
"Mr. Weasley, did you use magic to open up the car?" And Ron answers: "No Professor Sprout, dad taught us all how to use the car in case of emergency. He never believed the Dark side was completely destroyed so if left-over Death Eaters attacked, we'd be ready to quickly evacuate, no matter who reaches the car first."

I nod at the boy, while smiling in pride at his father and then purse my lips together as Umbridge speaks up again and says: "Very touching, but useless. You-Know-Who is dead and the Ministry took care of all his followers. And with the Ministry, I mean those who have high and responsible jobs." She ends with a sickening sweet smile at Arthur.
This makes me fume in anger and Leon luckily enough saves me from throwing the book at her as he says: "Respectable jobs are given to those liked at all places. Arthur Weasley is probably liked at the Ministry and I can tell he is liked a lot here. Unlike you." The woman stands up at this, but Fudge pulls her down and I read on.

"Check that … parked cars.

Now Leon smiles, his arms crossed, his back to the table and his head on his chest as he says: "You sure have quite the interesting imagination and ways of description, kid. Will really help you study the powers of that Keyblade of yours." And this actually stops the few students who had started snickering and makes them look at Harry intrigued.
Harry looks shocked and asks: "How did you know I have a Keyblade?" Leon smiles at him and then unfolds his arms, raising his right high above him with his hand open and out of that a silver blade with black handle and of which the part that attaches the blade to the handle looks a little like a part of what Muggles call a gun.

Umbridge shrieks as she sees this, almost pushing her chair far enough to make it fall over and while I cover my ears against her horrible high pitch of sound, does she shout: "Such weapons are illegal at Hogwarts." But Leon says: "That may be, but no power can ever take a Wielder his Keyblade – or in my case – his Gunblade."
He then aims said blade at Harry and says: "Some Keyblades can sense the power of other Keyblades when those are nearby. Other Wielders – such as myself –." The man halts and smiles, before he says: "Are told by their friends." And with his eyes he motions for Sora. Harry groans and says: "I should have known." Before I read on.

"Let's go," … Ron reappeared.

"Wait, my Invisibility Booster doesn't work?" Arthur asks and Ron shakes his head as Harry says: "It must be an overload. If a car has too much gasoline it can't function or if a tire is pumped up too much it explodes. The same must be for all the forms of magic you put on the car. The Booster must have been one thing too much, Mr. Weasley."
The man nods and Hermione says: "Wow Harry, have you always been that smart?" And Harry says: "I don't really call it smart, Hermione, more trying to analyze whatever a person can analyze and remember it." The girl nods and I smile at him, having a feeling this comes mostly from his cooking and gardening as I read on.

"Uh-oh," … scarlet snake.

I see Harry, Ron and Hermione share a shocked look and Sirius asks: "What? Is something wrong?" Harry shakes his head, calming the worried group of parents around the hall and says: "No, I just got the feeling that my observation skills just got us a clue to the rest of the book and Ron and Hermione agreed with me, is all."
The man nods, but I can tell that all the parents, the 1st and 2nd years and all of the foreign students are deeply confused. I too feel slight confusion as Minerva never told anyone of what transpired in her office that made Dumbledore award Harry and Ron with those Special Services to the school awards. Feeling curious, I read on.

"Due north," … white sun.

"Talk about a beautiful picture." Luna comments and I nod, being a picture thinker and able to see it before me as I speak. Shaking my head at the beautiful picture I see, I smile at the boy, glad he's having fun even if he is in a dangerous situation as the books have proven he has just way too little of those before I read on.

"All we've … said Ron.

"You actually know about those?" Hermione asks and Ron answers: "Please, I went on rides with Fred and George more than she deserves to know. I was told everything during those trips. Loved them." The girl smiles, but then Ron asks: "Why the question? Don't think I know my Muggle items, or something?"
The girl groans and so do I as they start squabbling again. But this time Harry sighs, stands up with a groan and suddenly, Ron and Hermione have his Keyblade between them, shocking them out of their argument. Then Harry says: "Blowing off steam is one thing, guys, but keep the constant squabbling to a minimum, will you?"
The two blush, Harry sits back down and groans before he actually aims his Keyblade at himself and mutters: "Cure." And just the sight of the green leafs and soft pink flower petals make me feel relieved that the boy is on the right path to healing from the injuries he has been suffering from for so long, making me read the chapter in relief.

They looked … Hogwarts castle.

"Mate! You jinxed it!" Ron shouts and Harry, who had closed his eyes in relief after casting the healing spell, looks up and retorts: "How did I jinx anything?" And Ron answers: "Every time you think something will go smoothly, it goes heavily wrong!" Harry huffs, while students laugh at the quarrel and I read on.

They made … to whine.

"What? It never did that before! Not on our rides!" One of the twins shouts and the other says: "Well, we never rode it for more than two to three hours. This lasts from eleven to – I don't know – six, maybe six thirty? That must take a lot more gasoline and all.""NOT HELPING!" All his siblings shout and I read on, really worried now.

Harry and … dashboard nervously.

"You do know it's a car, right? Not a living pet?" Hermione asks Ron, but then Arthur turns red and says: "Sirius, remember what you said about Harry and your motorcycle?" Sirius nods and shows how much he enjoys remembering this as Arthur nods at Ron, caringly muttering: "Same, engine underneath the front hood."
Ron turns red and Sirius asks: "Really?" Arthur nods and says: "Would only fall asleep if we put him in a blanket, on the heated up hood on the front of the car and then let the engine run. Would be asleep in seconds if we did. Drove her mad and was the official start of my need to understand Muggles and how they use their equipment."
And one of the twins go on: "Which drove her even more mad." Making everyone laugh, while Ron is now being held by Percy as if the young adult is trying to hide his embarrassed brother from public view. I smile at the returning strength of the family and their union and read on, wishing for them to get closer than Hogwarts is strong.

When they … "Straight ahead!"

"I really don't know how you saw that, mate. I just don't." Ron says, apparently brave enough in facing public humiliation to make the comment and Harry says: "Easy, the candles in the Great Hall were already shining and I saw them. The shape made me know it was Hogwarts." Ron hits himself on the head and I read on.

Silhouetted on … mile below. He really wanted to trust Ron, but he feared for his life; unless the Giant Squid would save them or they would fall out of the car into a boat, he would drown, seeing the Dursleys never taught him how to swim. Ron's knuckles … wobbled again.

"You actually thought that would happen?" Ron asks his friend, his tone only slightly betraying how he felt hurt over his friend's mistrust in his ability to fly the car and Harry says: "Ron, by then I would have even accepted a whole hour of hero worship if it meant I hadn't fallen into the lake and drowned. I was that scared."
Ron looks wide eyed in shock and I turn back to the book, while I can tell that most of the Hall is shocked that Harry Potter was actually scared. This makes me shake my head and I think: "If there is one thing I hope this book will do is make those people realize Harry is only a teen and a human being." And with that I read on.

"Come on," … foot down – Harry quickly wiped away a single tear of relief, faking to wipe his forehead.
There was … toward them —

"That didn't work either?" Arthur asks, now shocked and scared and Harry comments: "It's probably because the action required the engine to work. Because it had died out, the magic didn't have anything to get a response from. Not that that really helped us." And just reading the next line makes me agree with him as I read on.

"WATCH OUT … late – CRUNCH.

"Please tell me, right here, right now, that both of you were okay!" Sirius moans and Harry says: "We didn't have to go to the Hospital Wing." The man sighs and says: "Well, at least that's something." But he still grabs Harry and holds him tightly – Percy doing the same with Ron as he was closest to the boy – as I read on.

With an … few splinters.

"WHAT!" Arthur shouts as Sirius and Remus start to softly pet Harry's body for a sign of old possible injuries and he turns to Ron, his wild movement actually making Percy move his body in a protective move, pushing Ron under his chin and holding him with both hands as if to shield him with his own body, but then Arthur asks:
"Your wand broke at the beginning of the year? Why didn't you write home? It wasn't even really yours!" Ron pushes his head under Percy's arms and says: "I know. She prevented me." And Arthur spats: "How?" But Ron hides back in his hug with Percy and I see this as a sign he won't tell more, thus making me decide to read on.

Harry opened … another branch. And seeing that Harry was still halfway in his lap was that a really weird way to be tangled up.
"We're done … backward look. Harry didn't really care for the fact she seemed angry at him, the fact she was flying meant she wasn't too badly hurt and that mattered most to him.
Then, dented, scratched, and steaming thus pulling Harry's attention back to it, the car … kill me!"

"I wouldn't, Ron. You know that you need to do something truly Unforgiveable to this family for me to get angry." Arthur tells his son calmly and Ron says: "I know, I just didn't want to think of what she would do to me." The man nods and I read on, hating how the two boys have such different home lives, and yet have this in common.

But the … the Weasleys.

Suddenly Harry speaks up and says: "Slytherin might have the most, but Gryffindor held the worst of all Dark wizards. At least in my book." Everyone looks shocked and he says: "Just wait for next book. You'll understand." All students nod, but I can tell they're exceedingly curious and I read on, my interest piqued as well.

Last term … of aquamarine. He suppressed a shudder as the faint memory of those strokes went over his back.
And there … his goblet. The sight of the gentle giant set Harry's fear at ease.
"Hang on…" … favorite teacher – although Lockhart was already fighting for a close second. Harry also … taught Potions.

"And apparently my hatred for other Houses has made me lose sight of true Mastery and thus made me lose the possibility of training an excellent Potions Brewer." Severus moans and then he asks: "Is there even one book where I do something good?" And to my shock do I see Harry wanting to open his mouth, but hesitating.
Then Sirius shrugs and says: "Who knows? Maybe in the future books?" Severus moans and says: "Well, I certainly blew it this and last year, I know that. I do not want to know how that looked to Potter's POV." Sirius shrugs painfully, as if ashamed he can't do anything to help and I read on, hoping he's right about the future books.

"Maybe he's … job again!"

"Knowing I had to work with that fool made the chance of resigning quite tempting, but I knew I had several duties at the school I couldn't drop." Severus says silkily and some of the students – obviously the girls still thinking high of Lockhart – glare at the man, but he ignores them and I do the same as I continue the chapter.

"Or he … said Snape.

"The silent treatment." One of the twins says, both of them wincing and the other goes on: "One of the worst ways of punishing students. Not letting them know how badly they are in trouble, thus worrying them and making them fear the worst." This makes Severus smirk in triumph and I shake my head at him as I read on.

Not daring … the dungeons.

"Okay, that went a little far, Severus. You could have at least made a small detour past the kitchens or something." Remus says and Severus comments: "You have to remember that I thought Potter spoiled and that he had stacked the car with the most expensive candy. I was only thinking of punishing them and of nothing else."
Remus nods and then an arrogant Gryffindor Fifth year asks: "And if they were Slytherins, Snape?" And all teachers shout: "Professor Snape, Mr. McLaggen!" But the boy doesn't seem fazed and just keeps looking at Severus, who glares at him. McLaggen keeps his challenging look for a few more seconds and then bows down, to which I read on.

"In!" he … the moment.

Now Severus smiles and almost gets a dreamy expression on his face as he says: "I can't wait to see how good his talents really are. If they're as good as yours were, the draughts will be a prize worthy of your memory, my late friend." This shocks Harry, but I smile at Severus and read on, Harry muttering: "I keep forgetting he knew mum."

The fireplace … Cross, it —"

"Severus! Really, I learned from my mistake and had to pay for it, but I really thought you would, at the least, hear them out. And how could a Potions Master like yourself not notice Mr. Weasley's cut over his eye?" Minerva asks and Severus lowers his head, back from where it was looking at the ceiling and down to his feet as he says:
"I was so – so stuck in memory lane – in the time where Potter and his friends could get me in the Hospital Wing and not get any punishment whatsoever because they said I started it – I just wanted payback so badly I was blind to the truth." The woman nods, but I notice something peculiar from the corner of my eye.
Harry is glaring at his parents, who seem to fidget under his intense scrutiny and he hisses: "That better not mean what I think it means." To this Sirius jokes: "Shouldn't we be the ones giving the threats?" But his lame joke intensifies the glare and makes him wince as I read on, really not wanting Harry to know the truth.

"Silence!" said … own son…"

"Okay, that one was below belt, even for me and even then." Severus is now almost shrinking in his own chair as he says this, but then Harry says: "To be honest was Malfoy worse that year. But your comments last year were the absolute worst." The man sighs and nods and then Harry turns to his parents and says:
"And what Professor Snape said earlier is really something I want clarification on next break." The two sigh and Sirius says: "Let's just keep it at the fact that we didn't have your sense of responsibility at your age." The boy nods, but I can tell he wants to know more and isn't happy with this information either as I read on.

Harry felt … extremely strict. And seeing last year, he had no believes his chances of being expelled had lessened any. But this time, he would tell his story; whether she believed him or not, he no longer cared.
Ten minutes … both flinched and Harry held back a whimper as all his believes from the start of last year were coming back, but she … suddenly erupted.

Again Minerva has her head in her hands and her elbows on the Head Table, but Harry says: "It's not really your fault, Professor McGonagall. I tend to over think and overreact when I believe myself in trouble. It's all because of those Muggles." The woman nods and shows him a small grateful smile as I read on.

"Sit," she … had shouted.

"Yeah, if someone shouts, you know they're angry at you, but if they just speak and demand things of you, you know they're disappointed in you and that's way worse." The twins chorus and Ron comments: "Except for when she does it. Then we wouldn't care a single bit." All siblings nod or shrug carelessly and I read on.

Harry hated … his knees.

"Only better, Potter. Dumbledore was after all the one who taught me Occlumency and Legilimency. He's an expert Mind-reader and seeing his need to control you, I do not want to know what he would have done had you two had eye-contact." Snape spats and Harry gulps: "Thanks for the tip." Before I read on, determined to follow his advice.

He told … been canceled.

"I really thought he would punish Potter's son and I would finally get my revenge. Should have known better though. He never did a thing about Potter senior so why did I even believe he would do something then. No offence to you, Potter." Snape ends and Harry nods, but I can tell the words do not please him a bit as I read on.

He cleared … to sample —"

"He was always the only one who ate that disgusting tart. I like all kinds of tarts, but that one just never got accepted by my taste buds. Bastard was lying it on pretty hard that he won't listen to me concerning Potter right there and then. Ugh, how that made me feel as if I was back in my teens again, just unbelievable it was."
Snape grumbles, the look on his face actually scaring even a few of my own Badgers and Harry asks: "Professor Snape, are you going to be the lead-complainer about Dumbledore and his actions?" The man glares and spats: "No, I believed that your job, Potter, but since you're not doing it, I just took the job on me for you."
The boy nods in thanks, even if I had easily seen the way he had cringed in fear at first, while Sirius, Remus, several students and the twins look at Snape as if he's grown an extra head and Sirius says: "Was that an insult – or did Snape just tell a joke?" And Remus comments: "No idea, love." To which I giggle and read on.

Snape shot … her anxiously.

"Lost cause, little pup. I tried that time after time after time. Never worked. If Minnie wants to take points, she takes points." Sirius says lounging back, completely ignoring how Minerva is now glaring daggers his way, but then I hear students whisper: "So why wasn't Gryffindor in the negatives then?" And I read on.

Professor McGonagall … lightened considerably.

"EXCUSE ME!" Sirius shouts, looking from his son to the book and Minerva in utter shock and he turns to Remus and asks: "Can you believe her? She never believed a word I said, and three of the six times it was even the truth. Even that time with the bleeding rat and all that candy we had. She always took points so why not with pup?"
Remus lies a comforting hand on Sirius' shoulder – while Harry looks mock-insulted – and while I can easily spot his hidden smirk, does the man say: "Because, my love, your words were often true, but your excuses were crap." The man pouts and Harry asks: "Um, excuse me, am I supposed to believe you wanted me to lose points?"
But this seems to be the wrong thing to say as Sirius turns stern and says: "No Harry, but neither do I want you to continue thinking you can do the most foolish and dangerous of things when the situation doesn't look too good. And if losing points for Gryffindor helps to cure you of that, so be it." Harry sighs and I read on.

"But you will both get a detention."

Sirius shrugs to this and says: "Good, at least he gets some punishment." And Minerva comments: "Sirius, I had all summer to over think all of my actions concerning your son and seeing what happened at the end of the year, I had all reason to. I saw my mistakes and vowed to right them." Sirius smiles with a nod and I read on.

It was … saw them."

This makes many other students send the boy incredulous looks before the twins distract them. "We always flew around the house and the outskirt fields of Ottery St. Catchpole. The closest thing we ever flew by was an interesting looking house shaped like a Chess piece." One of the twins explains and then Luna laughs and says:
"That's my and daddy's house. It's shaped like a Rook to keep Snugglebums away. They're always playful and eccentric, but they hate the game of chess." All of Ravenclaw looks at the girl as if she's an embarrassment to their House and I quickly look at Filius, glad to see he noticed the same meaning behind the looks before I read on.

He swallowed … flying car."

"Glad to know my message was received, Mr. Weasley." Minerva says and I see Arthur smiling at his son in pride. Ron smiles back, finally no longer being smothered and held by Percy as if the young adult wants to protect him from what is written in the book and while Ron now leans against the side of his older brother, do I read on.

When they … was over. Harry felt bad for missing the feast, but was glad he had at the same time; it meant he had a little longer before the gawking and whispering would start again.

The students who had made themselves guilty of this – everyone but most of the Slytherins and the students of Beauxbattons and Durmstrang – all look down with guilty smiles on their faces and I shake my head at their obvious hero-worship of a single student and hating that I let it run this wild even in my own House.
But then I notice how some of my Hufflepuffs have their heads even lower and don't have guilty grins, but frowns on their faces and wonder what's on their – and especially Ernie MacMillan's – minds as the boy is actually moaning with his arms crossed over his head while laid down on the table. I shake my head and read on.

They walked … silk dress.

"Honestly, Harry is kind to one and all, especially those he likes, but with these descriptions he's a right nightmare." Ron snickers and all the students laugh, but then Ron asks: "What are you all laughing about? Your descriptions still have to come." And the students holding silent abruptly makes me giggle before I read on.

"Password?" she … toward them.

"Mss. Granger, where were you exactly to come running at the portrait after them?" Minerva asks and while I feel as if the girl would be a wonderful addition to my own House, does Hermione worriedly answer: "I had waited all train ride for those two to show up and after they didn't at the feast I knew something was wrong.
Then a Student received the Evening Prophet and when I heard the headline, I just had to go and find them. I was worried it had been true, but even more worried they had crashed somewhere. I wanted to hear it from them themselves." The woman nods and I smile at the girl and her worry for her friends before I read on.

"There you … the point —"

Remus smiles and shakes his head while pulling Sirius close and he says: "Hermione, Hermione, Hermione, you really need to learn how to keep your boys under control. Giving into such simple requests can ruin your entire idea of keeping them in line. Isn't that right, my lovely mutt?" He then asks Sirius, who asks:
"Should I feel insulted?" Making Harry and Viktor laugh, while Remus comfortingly pets him on the cheek and caresses his hair, saying: "No, no. Of course not, love. Just reassured your Dominant won't get you back in trouble with the authorities again." Sirius grumbles and mutters:

"Stop treating me like an infant puppy dog, will you?" But then Remus shocks the entire hall as he pushes Sirius onto the stone floor under him, straggling his legs and holding his hands above his head with a single hand of his own. Everyone looks at the calm and ever-collected man as if he's gone insane and the man says:
"Minerva, get me a long and high curtain, some pillows and a Silencing spell cast by all of the teachers. We're going to need it." Instantly the woman – and I myself – realize what is going on and with small blushes appearing on her cheeks, she conjures the material, casting a long-lasting float spell to keep the high curtain up.
I then personally aim my wand at the curtain, together with all other teachers and adults and we all cast the spell; the last thing we hear before the spell takes effect, the ripping of cloths – violently. This seems to make all the near adult-teenagers realize what was going on and the boys smirk, while the girls blush.
Harry also blushes and hides his face in Viktor's chest, the Bulgarian lad grumbling something about traditions and courting time while Erica and Mss. Crenson take the places of Remus and Sirius in the bowl, Mss. Crenson shaking her head as she looks at the curtain as if disgusted with the man, but her playful smile proves different.

Lucius then sighs, reminding me of his actions as a teen and his care for the two as he says: "Must be the whole new mate thing. Because Lupin has been keeping back on marking his mate, his werewolf side must now be wanting all the affection and love he can get as proof of their bond." Students nods and then Hagrid says:
"You're right there, Malfoy. Werewolves are indeed known that, if they don't mark their mate before their 20th birthday, they can easily get in a – as the experts have called it since around 1968 – their NTC-mood." Some students look shocked that Hagrid actually knows this and Ron asks: "NTC, Hagrid?" And the man answers:
"The Need To Claim mood. It makes the werewolf in question use even the slightest incentive – such as Sirius' latest tease – as a reason to bond with his mate and – if the claiming isn't done before the 30th birthday – it can even last for a month. It also has one other aspect attached to it if the mating isn't done before then."

Instantly Hermione and many other animal lovers are interested and Charlie asks: "It's the Fertility of the Mate, isn't it Hagrid? The mate becomes three times more fertile than normally in that month if the werewolf doesn't bond to his mate before his or his mate's 30th birthday." Hagrid nods and says: "Couldn't have said it better myself."
Harry looks back at the curtain wrapped around the two lovers and asks: "So, after this month, I can expect mum to be – pretty stiff, right?" And apparently what Narcissa tells him next shocks him senseless as she says: "Not just stiff, dear, maybe even pregnant." Harry looks at her with wide eyes and asks: "Males can get pregnant?"

The woman nods and Blaise, who has Charlie and Bill seated between him and Hermione, answers: "Back in the 1200's there was such a shortage of women, some of the strongest Sorcerers in the High families started conversing and one of them was even gross enough to dig up bodies of a few of his male ancestors.
He studied the bodies and did various tests on them, first to find out if it was because of his own family that witches were now dying out. But one experiment shocked him, because it formed a strong base of life-providing magic at the end of the ass hole of an ancestor of his. Sorry, I didn't know how to bring it less grossed-out."
Everyone nods, while some girls do look as if they're about to be sick and Severus seems prepared for this as he levitates some Stomach Relief Potions over to the girls before Blaise tells on: "Well, the man, who was actually a Warlock, worked on his other ancestors and even on a few orphans, who were offered a home in return for the tests.
By the time the other families discovered the use of the boys, the man – a Lestrange to be precise, if I recall the story correctly – had created a perfect spell to help men be fertile and pregnant. Unfortunately did that also make the man insane and he tested the pregnancy – by raping the boys he offered shelter.
That story has two endings. One, it reveals how the recent Lestranges are as crazy as they are as that crazy gene has apparently been passing down generations ever since then. And two, it explains how men are able to be fertile." Everyone nods, while I noticed Neville shiver when the name Lestrange was mentioned.

Then Lucius goes on and says: "You are quite right, Mr. Zabini, but you are forgetting one thing. As punishment for what he did to the boys, the other Warlocks – under leadership of Alpharus Potter and Acedimus Malfoy – took all his hard work and research, wiped his memory and studied it until they could change the spellwork.
They kept the spell like it was until there was 1 witch for every wizard. This was a wish they placed onto their children and that went on for four generations. In the end of the 1200's the Heirs of Alpharus and Acedimus knew they could never get a single witch for every wizard, but there was 1 witch for every 3 wizards and that was enough for them.
They changed the spell according to the notes their ancestors left them as back then they cared greatly for magical creatures and believed such bonds deserved a proper reward and over the next four to five generations afterwards did the wizards lose their ability to be fertile and did fertility come with being a Magical Creature.
Legend does, of course say, that the two heirs to Alpharus and Acedimus also changed the spell to keep Warlocks fertile, but that was proven false in 1888 when Joseph Nicolas Black studied hard enough to be a Warlock and was granted the honor of marrying a woman and a man. He got children out of the woman, but never the man."

Everyone's shocked by the story they were just told and Hermione says: "So witches and Magical creatures like werewolves and vampires are now the only ones able to be pregnant?" And Lucius nods, but then Ron comments: "And then to think this was all because Remus commented on how book-Hermione went lenient on us."
And everyone realizes how far we strayed off. Severus then quickly casts a spell on the curtain and he says: "There, now unless something happens that breaks our spells we will no longer notice that curtain." I smile at his idea and hope Remus will soon be satisfied claiming Sirius as his mate again as I continue the story.

Her words … for years —"

"And that they do." Lee says with a large grin on their face and one of the twins says: "Yeah, it's a yearly debate." The other then says: "Whether or not.""To tell the story." The first continues and the second ends: "To the next row of First years." All three then shrug and say: "Never were able to convince the Head Boy or Girl of it, really."
I shake my head and the current Head Boy, David Boorman, says: "Because we don't think it appropriate to make First years believe they should do something like that." But Lee says: "We don't want to use to inspire First years to do stuff like that, but to prove that everyone sorted into Gryffindor can be brave."
And to my shock Angelina goes on and says: "Yeah, we even have this whole speech set. We worked on it for months." The Head Boy looks disbelieving and says: "Let's hear it then." And Angelina glares at him, clearly disgusted by his arrogance and disbelief after sharing a glance with her fellow Chasers she speaks:

"You might not see it anymore, but the Whomping Willow had gone through a really tough fight to protect its property some time ago. That was when Harry Potter and Ron Weasley were brave enough to face the Ministry and whatever else, just to get to their home, Hogwarts. It inspires us to do what we are sorted in for and we should be proud to be here."

The Head Boy is now shocked and Katie Bell says: "We use the Whomping Willow as sign that the students shouldn't try this themselves. But First years never truly believe themselves to be brave, cunning, smart or loyal. Our speech is just to help them feel at home and make them believe they really can be brave."
The boy nods and says: "I'll make sure my successor hears you out too. That might not be as much of a bad idea as I first thought. Sorry that I doubted you three. It was because of the twins, really" Katie nods and Alicia says: "And in return we'll make sure the First years don't do stupid stuff like that." The boy nods and I read on.

"Good for … them off.

"Part of me did want that." Percy admits and he goes on: "But when I saw you standing in the Portrait hole with Hermione, I knew you were already reprimanded and just wanted to make sure you guys were alright and all." Ron and Harry nod gratefully and Percy softly strokes his brother's hair as I continue the chapter.

Harry nudged … YEARS. They wanted to enter, but Percy ran at them and said, "Ron, go on in. Harry, can I talk to you." Harry motioned Ron to listen and waited for the boy, who glared at Harry. But Harry had seen Snape, Voldemort and Uncle Vernon glare at him and he could tell Percy needed help on how to properly glare. But the boy's words shocked him as he said,
"I know you would not have done this if you believed you had another option. Just – don't get near that tree again, alright? And keep Ron away from such danger too. You seemed better at it last year than me, so – I trust you with that, alright?"
Harry shook his head and said, "Sure, Ron's my friend. I didn't even want him to go with me through that trapdoor and all." Percy smiled and said, "Figured. Goodnight, Harry. And don't let this idiocy get to your head, okay?"
Harry nodded and stayed on the staircase as he watched Percy go up higher, disappearing around the corner before he himself entered … their beds.

Everyone looks shocked and then I notice Percy blushing. But Ron smiles and slaps his brother on the shoulder, saying: "You take just fine care of me, Perce. Always have, always will." Percy smiles and says: "Thanks, but that's not what I'm blushing over." Ron looks confused, but Percy holds quiet and I read on, still feeling touched.

Ron grinned … grinned, too.

This makes most of the older years shake their heads and Ron says: "As if you wouldn't at that age." Making all of them nod grudgingly and the snickering younger years start laughing. I shake my head at this and ask: "Think those two are done yet?" But Harry moans, hiding his face again and mutters: "I don't even want to know."


There we go,
Okay, so part of me wanted to take the whole thing with Sirius and Remus out, but I felt the lesson was well worth it and I also wanted to establish that not all bonds will be like Harry and Viktor as Sirius and Remus – while one is Head of a Family – are still more likely to give into primal instincts they long since tried to bury.
Anyway, this is all going along quite nicely and personally, I actually like the revised start, where Sirius doesn't get embarrassed by seeing his son kiss, but instead gets to help his son recover from the emotional pain, a lot better, though that is mostly because I would kill if I could have a story dedicated to a Harry-Sirius family bond.

Anyway, Merry Christmas,

Venquine1990