Hey everyone,
Okay, when it comes to this story, I have one promise I want to make you all: I will TRY not to bash this story's current book or voice my displeasure over it as much as I did last year. I can't say I "Won't" be, because we still have the chapters in the DoM to deal with and I just HATE those, but the others, I will try to be more lenient with and not voice my displeasure over that much.
You all happy? Good,
Venquine1990
Shout-out To:
V.L. Crawford
Wishfull-Star
Chapter 48
New Goals In Sight
15th of August 1995
The Arena, Potter Place
Dilan's POV
I'm not entirely happy with the fact that I have been taken away from my duty as a guard of the castle of Radiant Garden – again – but take solace in the fact that, once we are back to our own time, I can just continue where I left off with only perhaps a few minutes between when my departure and my return. And the task ahead also helps with this.
Master Yen Sid had already told us various times that this journey would be quite something, that there would be many shocking and horrifying discoveries to be made and that those I would be with would more than likely have their lives turned on its head with many of these discoveries and yet I still find myself thrown off course from time to time through the reading of the last few chapters.
By now I am done being shocked by the reading of others and, for some reason, the cliff hanger at the end of the last chapter really speaks to me. Because of this do I accept the book without even a word when Aeleus hands it to me and do I instantly continue the reading by starting to read myself.
The Beetle at Bay
This confuses practically everyone in the group, except for Ron and Harry, who turn to Hermione in shock and Harry mutters: "You – you didn't. Do you really think – actually, it just might. You think you can do that here, Hermione?" None of this makes any sense to me, but apparently it does to the girl as she shrugs and asks: "Let's just see, shall we?" And I take this as my que to continue.
Harry's question … to Azkaban.
"Azkaban?" I ask and Sirius answers: "Our prison. Seems that Harry felt Voldemort at his most joyous, because the monster broke out his most loyal and disturbing followers." I share an angry and determined glance with Aeleus over this and then tell the man: "Leave it to us. We'll make sure that that doesn't happen this time around."
"Thank you, but are you certain that you will be able to do that?" The Headmaster asks and I would have been offended if I didn't remember the fact that the man doesn't know me or what I do for a living. Luckily, Sora does as he says: "Don't you worry, Headmaster. Riku, Aeleus and Dilan are in my Top 3 people I would want as my bodyguard, should I ever need one. With Riku as #1, of course." The man laughs at this and I smirk at the lad as I read on.
Antonin Dolohov, … Alice Longbottom.
"That won't be true for much longer." Riku growls angrily and I look at him. He turns to me and says: "Those are my parents. Like Sora, I was taken from them on the day I was born. But now that I know that my ability to enter and cure hearts worked on Harry, it's sure to work on my parents as well." I nod at the boy, who gets beamed on by his family as I read on.
Hermione nudged … DEATH EATERS
This shocks a lot of those around me, but Sirius snorts and says: "Bad move, Fudge. You're about to lose a lot of credibility with that one.""What makes you say that?" Sora asks and yet Harry seems to get it and says: "Dad hasn't been in the news in ages. Using my ridiculous claims would have made for a better incentive for these guys to escape.
Mass Breakout from Azkaban! Ministry believes claims of Boy-Who-Lied on You-Know-Who is 'rallying point' for old Death Eaters. It will make the public believe I'm as crazy as those that they imprisoned years ago and even give them a reason to try and get me out of Hogwarts, out of concern for the mental welfare of the other students." The boy says mockingly in the end, yet I notice that several of the others are staring at him with various levels of amazement.
"How – how did you do that? You just described an entire scenario of what could have happened if Fudge had used you instead of your dad." Mss. Finnegan asks and Harry sighs as he says: "I grew up learning how to read my opponent. Not sure why I'm not showing that off here in the books, but I guess I can blame that spell for that." The woman nods and I read on.
"Black?" said … hasn't he?"
"Well actually, if he had admitted to it, perhaps not in the words you used but others, it could have spared some of his reputation. By not doing so, he will surely be kicked out once those guys start attacking, killing, torturing and kidnapping folks. Especially if they – well, never mind." Ienzo suddenly interrupts himself and this really doesn't suit him, making me worried.
"Especially if they go after someone close to Harry, like Arthur or one of the other Weasleys. Even attempting an attack on Percy will be seen as them trying to indirectly hurt Harry emotionally. It will gather support for what we have been saying this entire time." Sirius growls darkly and while Harry goes to sit closer to him in fear, does Ienzo nod and I read on, determined to prevent this.
Hermione ripped … Voldemort's ranks.
"Did you – Harry Potter – just actually put Quidditch in the same sentence as rubbish?" Angelina asks Harry shocked and yet the boy glares at her and asks: "Have you not been listening to the last few chapters? Why should I care for things that others just want to take away from me? Wouldn't it be easier for me if I just gave up on them?"
The girl gapes at Harry, shocked and horrified at her words, but then Lea pulls the boy close and darkly whispers: "I will never let you give up on the things you love. And even if others try to, I will help you find new things to enjoy, I promise." To this Sora looks up and says: "I almost forgot. We can help you learn how to wield the Keyblade. Wait – summon it again."
Harry looks at him weirdly and raises his arm, causing for bits of light and stars to shine in his hand and the air around it before a Keyblade appears. And the sight of it makes Sora, Riku and Kairi sigh in relief, confusing me. "We didn't realize it at first, because we just thought it was because Sora and Harry are brothers, but – he wielded the Kingdom Key D. The Keyblade of Darkness."
Everyone gasps in shock at this and Harry looks down as he says: "That – that was proof then. Proof of how much darkness there really was within my heart.""Darkness that was put there by others, remember? We told you so ourselves." Riku seems to remind him and Harry nods as he stars, almost blandly, at the new Keyblade in his hand.
A handguard that looks like it's made out of stained glass, a blade which is made of a purple material with a rose design of which the stem goes all the way up to the end with the bloom of the rose serving as the blade's teeth. The rainguard between the two resembles the thorny leafs of a rose bush and the chain at the end has another rose as its token.
"What a change." Harry whispers and Lea nods as he says: "Sure is. And it represents you a lot better now. You're as gorgeous to us as the rose is to almost everyone who considers flowers to be beautiful, but the thorns that are shown all over represent the pain that you've been through. Inner beauty, developed by hardships and struggles. Heh, I like it." The others all nod and I read on.
He glanced … so intently.
"I don't mean this offensively, but why did they pick Sprout alongside the rest? Was it because she was reading the paper as well?" Alicia asks, but Neville shakes his head and says: "It's symbolism. All these bastards, or at least most of them, are murderers and her House was the first to lose someone in this war." Alicia turns red and nods in understanding as I continue reading.
'Oh my –' … come forward."
"I just realized something. And Augusta, you're not going to like what it is." Sirius tells the woman, a grimace of frightened concern on his face. "That one line whose health was improving steadily prior to this tragic incident. That makes this attack on him all the worst. It proves that, even before the plant got there, someone was aware of that fact. Augusta, someone is spying on that ward."
The woman gasps in horror and Neville asks: "Wait, what does that say about mum and dad?" And before anyone can answer, Dumbledore being one of them, does Riku growl: "It means I will make sure that mum and dad get healed long before this happens." And Zexion goes on: "And I will use my powers to cloak and protect them if Riku does fail, which I personally doubt."
"How well can you cloak someone?" Augusta asks and Riku smirks as he says: "Well enough I mistook him for Sora before I fully accepted the powers within me and he even managed to create an illusion of light for me to fade into. Trust me, there is no one better at hiding stuff than the former Cloaked Schemer." His family nods at him and I continue reading, smirking in pride.
"Bode…" said … did it?"
"And there is more to this whole story than meets the eye. There's a link here, a link to everything else that is going on. I just wish I knew what it was. Bode is being mentioned too many times for it not to be a coincidence. The near break-in, him appearing in the ward, the whole death thing just as he was recovering – it's all linked." Sirius mutters darkly and I read on, agreeing with him.
"I know it." Harry mutters and we all turn to him. "It's the weapon. Bode was trying to get into the Department of Mysteries, probably on Imperius cursed orders from Voldemort or one of his, in order to get the weapon. And he's killed before he can recover, because the defenses of the Department messed with the Imperius curse. If he heals, he'll talk. And Voldemort doesn't want that."
Everyone looks at the boy and then Even says: "Thank the Keyblades that Sora was the one who was sent to our universe. If it were Harry none of our plans would have – wait, is that really a good thing or a bad thing?""Depends on how you look at it. And I know you want to defend him, Riku, but I'd rather be beaten by Harry than by Sora. I have my reasons." I tell the group as I read on.
Harry was … who can."
Instantly the three start to smile and Sora asks: "What is going on? How do you guys understand any of this?" Harry shrugs and says: "It's in the title, really.""But that title was utterly vague.""For those not in the know. Though considering that these books are about my last three years, I'm sure there could have been books about my previous four as well.
And the whole explanation would have been in the end of my fourth. Alright, alright, keep your blades straight, will you? Here's a hint, though I'm sorry, it will only make sense to some of you. When that No-Name hugged me in the Hospital Wing, Hermione slammed a glass onto the bedside table. That and my parents. Sorry, no more, just read." I comply, hoping this mystery will clear up soon.
"I hate … he mumbled.
"Well, he got lucky." Riku mutters annoyed and Ron asks: "Lucky? What do you mean?""This is Umbridge we're talking about, remember? And she absolutely hates half-breeds like Hagrid. I bet the only reason she couldn't outright fire him is because the Department surveying her reports wouldn't accept her reasonings. So yeah, he got lucky." Ron grimaces and I read on.
"You're on … Harry… Ron…"
Harry frowns at this and mutters: "What is Hagrid's problem? Does he – does he really think I won't care for this? That I'd think those salamanders more important than losing my first ever friend?" Yet to this Dumbledore says: "Don't you worry, Harry. Hagrid has already returned, with some help from your mate, and I have spoken with him about multiple things."
This makes Ron grimace and Harry turn confused and the man smiles as he says: "I'd tell you, my boy, but – heh, I just don't want to be like my book-self and give you a reason to want to leave Hogwarts." At this Harry wants to object, but then Ron says: "Harry, trust me, this will drive you from Hogwarts." Harry looks at his best friend shocked and then Dumbledore says:
"Harry, I promise you, once I see evidence that this is no longer going on, I will let you know what it is. And please understand that this is a decision supported by everyone here." At this Harry turns to his father and the man whispers one word: "Pettigrew." Making Harry whiten and he nods at Dumbledore, making the old man smile at him as I read on.
He trudged … could stand.
"To be honest, Harry. I – I'm surprised you've been able to handle this much. I mean, the Tournament last year, Cedric, his return, the slandering, Umbridge – I'm not even halfway through and I'm feeling overwhelmed." Alicia tells her friend and Harry sighs as he mutters: "There's a reason. I'm just not used to any different. Being happy, before Hogwarts, was a rarity to me."
Yet before anyone can object or argue this, does Harry smile up and say: "I meant the me in the book. Trust me, ever since Sora returned, I've had more and more reasons to be happy. I have my family back, I'm growing closer to my friends, I got to get together with the two boys I've been silently crushing after for a while and even got one more mate who is everything I love about the other two and more.
Yeah, the books hurt, but – everything else lessens that hurt." This makes all those who wanted to object to their friend's words smile at him instead and he summons the Keyblade again as he says: "Trust me, I'm sure that once the books have been read and their problems solved, my Keyblade will change again and become even more Light-based." At this I read on, silently agreeing.
The fact … once done.
At this Sirius snorts loudly and he asks: "Now they suspect the Shrieking Shack to be a Death Eater hiding spot, but when I was using it, they just let it be? Are they actually for real here?" Remus and Dumbledore sigh and Zexion says: "If you want, I will place an illusion there of a giant Heartless, to keep them out." Dumbledore smiles at him for this and I read on.
Those who … in discomfort.
"People really don't care for the plight of others – until it happens to them as well. I don't mean you lot, I mean all of these students who just act like sheep following the herd." Lea mutters in annoyance and then Even laughs: "Which is really ironic, if you take into account that all of this is happening in a school where people are supposed to think and learn." I snort at this myself as I read on.
It was … previous year.
"That really is just sad." Luna mutters and Sirius smiles at her as he says: "Don't worry, dear, by the end of summer everyone will believe the truth." At which my friends and I share a look as we know this will mean that the war will start earlier than in the book and I know we all think the same. "We will fight." And with that determined thought, do I read on.
It was … High Inquisitor
I notice Hermione trembling as she hears this and she turns to look at Katie as she asks: "You know what this reminds me of?" And the older girl actually seems to as she nods and mutters: "The persecution of the Jews, back during the Second World war." Hermione nods and gets hugged in comfort by Belle as I continue reading, determined to learn more of this later.
This latest … of Murtlap.
"Are you two crazy or something? Why did you do that with her? You should have done that with Sprout or Flitwick or even McGonagall. It would have shown them moral support. This isn't standing up for your rights, this is outright antagonizing the enemy." Lea angrily snaps at his mates, who have the decency to look down in shame and mutter apologies as I read on.
Harry had … went first.
"She will not have to concern herself with that any longer." Dumbledore growls, making me wonder what part of this paragraph angered him so, yet then Augusta smiles and says: "Albus please, don't let your anger forget what good we have already done. The woman won't even get the chance." This calms the man down and he smiles at her as I continue to read.
Every single … the strain.
"I sincerely doubt that." Dumbledore growls and yet again I feel confused as so far the man has given me an impression that he is quite like Ansem the Wise, my former master and someone who was very hard to anger. "Maybe not the pressure of Umbridge, Albus, but definitely the pressure of the entire situation." James tells the man, who nods again as I read on.
Several times … and Quidditch.
This seems to stoke Lea's determination and he turns Harry to him as he whispers: "I will make sure that you have various interests that she won't be able to take from you, no matter if she joins the Hogwarts staff or not." But Harry smiles and says: "I already do; you." Making his mate smile and reward him with a soft peck on the lips as I read on.
He took … than Neville.
"I'll do what I can." Neville says, glaring at the wand in his hand as he says this, but then James leans back and says: "Oh, I'm sure you will. And I'm sure you'll be able to make this progress a whole lot faster – with a better wand, Augusta." And he is actually glaring at the woman, who glares back at him as if angry that he dares to challenge her like this.
"Do not give me that look, Augusta. You know what it's like when a Longbottom uses a wand that is not his own. You know Neville can consider himself lucky he managed to get this far with Frank's wand. The fact that he is using a wand not his own should have meant that he ended up in St. Mungos with them, because his core gave up on him – and you know IT!"
The woman grimaces, obviously not liking the fact that James is pressing these facts under her nose so publicly and the man growls: "Sora and Riku need wands of their own. When they go get those, Neville will get his. And I don't care what you think about honoring Frank, Augusta, seeing as how Riku plans to heal him soon anyway. That argument is mute."
The woman frowns and then Sora asks: "Besides, how does Neville using his father's wand honor the man if it just makes things harder for him? How does that work?" And Riku, who is frowning at his grandmother in the same fashion he was earlier, growls: "It doesn't. If anything, it does the complete opposite. Though the same certainly can't be said about you, Neville."
His brother looks at him and he says: "You heard James, you should have been in the Hospital by now with a core that no longer works. The fact that you're not proves your strength as well as your talent. It proves you worthy of the name. Your strength, not your wand." Neville turns deeply red at this and while I wonder about Augusta's grimace at the boys, do I read on.
Harry would … black door.
"We already know that this can no longer happen, due to the connection having been shattered, but if you want, we can start your training right now." Riku tells Harry, but the boy shakes his head and says: "I'd rather start next chapter. I want to get to the reason behind the chapter title first. I just know I'll enjoy it." His brother's mate nods at him and I continue reading.
"Maybe it's … you know!"
"Great, now I'm showing the same carelessness as the students into Harry's plight." Hermione moans, yet Sirius says: "Maybe, but at least you have a better reason than they do. You trust Snape and Albus to know and do what's right, they're just careless teens. Not that I want you to be like this, just that I understand why." The girl smiles at him and I nod before reading on.
"Maybe…" said … for You-Know –"
"That's not it, trust me. Snape is just a one-method kind of guy and that methods just doesn't work for Harry, so we're getting the opposite results to what we want. It's a huge problem, I don't deny that, I just want you to understand why it's happening. The real reason." Remus tells us all and we all nod, Harry grimacing in concern over the problem part as I read on.
"Shut up … trust anyone."
"That is not true, Mss. Granger. If you can't rely on adults like myself, you should just trust and rely on your friends. And personally, I find that statement quite confusing, seeing as how the DA was mostly your idea and you've already seen how well Harry works with it." Dumbledore reassures the girl, who nods in pride of her friend, Harry himself turning red as I read on.
With so … her company.
"Wait a second." Harry mumbles and he seems to think something through real fast before he whispers: "There is no way she would – not with – HERMIONE, THANK YOU!" The girl looks startled and Harry turns to the twins and Lea as he says: "Trust me, you're going to love this." His mates nod at him, smiling in excitement as I continue reading.
On the … Harry irritably.
"I think we should make an agreement here. Next chapter, Riku will teach Harry a bit of what he needs to learn to get started with developing Occlumency shields and after that, the girls and I will get started with training Ron, so he can work on those insecurity issues of his." Angelina says and everyone nods at this, Harry and Ron smiling at her as I continue reading.
He found … talk about.
"You don't belong together. And I'm not just saying this because of that damned way that she keeps trying to get your attention. The fact that you get nervous even before meeting with her and that you can't relax around her just proves that. You shouldn't be with people if you can't relax around them." James advises his son and Sora nods in emphatic agreement to this as I read on.
She was … "Oh - yes…"
"You know what, I know a way that we can still enjoy this horrible little bit. Let's just ignore that this is about Cho and read this for what it is; Harry's first date ever. And maybe some of us can even see if we can see similarities between this one and our own first date. Anyone in?" James asks and many of those around me nod in excitement, making me read on with a grin.
They joined … that right?"
"I know what we just agreed to, but I have to mention it. Pride of Portree is one of the worst teams and her thinking that Wood would go play for that not only proves how little she knows about Harry's friends and teammates and how low she thinks of them as well. I mean, surely everyone else on the other teams knew this." Kingsley states and the twins nod as I read on.
"Nah, it … good-looking!"
At this Sirius snorts and he says: "Unless that girl is engaged to young Draco – oh wait, she was addressing Chang, not Harry. Damn, that was a smart move.""Why?" Harry asks and Sirius answers: "The Potters exceed the Parkinsons in ranking. Pansy doesn't have the right to talk to you like that. I'll explain more later." His sons nod at this and I continue reading.
The girls … Dementors anywhere…"
"What exactly are Dementors?" Aeleus asks and Sirius and Harry both shudder, Sora, Lea and James pulling them close against their forms as Remus answers: "They are the original guards of Azkaban, yet they are creatures of the dark, so the chance of them having joined Voldemort alongside the Death Eaters is very much likely."
"Excuse me, but why would you let dark people be guarded by dark creatures? The logic just escapes me on that one.""It's because of their powers. They are able to draw out the darkest emotions and memories within a witch or wizard and overwhelm that person with those, making them a prisoner of their own mind. Though a few, like Sirius, are slightly able to resist them."
"I was only able to, because I knew I was innocent. The others, like the ones that have been broken out, only managed it because they were already 80% insane when they came in there. Their insanity protected the rest of their mind from falling to the Dementors." Sirius mumbles, a really dark tone sounding through his voice and Even hums as he says:
"So we will have to find ourselves a way to defend ourselves against these Dementors, if we wish any chance of making sure that Voldemort won't break out his most faithful. A challenge, I like it. Though I mean no offense to the hardship you have undergone, Sirius, I assure you." The man hurriedly adds after seeing Harry glare at him and I sigh at the man before reading on.
"Yeah," said … Umbridge's office.
"That is just wrong." Lea growls and he goes on: "Even with how little she has interacted with him, she should know him well enough to know he would never be comfortable there. She –." Yet then suddenly the teen stops and after another minute he starts to smirk and states: "She's sick of him. Him not realizing what date Hogsmeade was scheduled on ticked her off."
This makes the twins turn to Harry, who is leaning back as he says: "I guess everything else making me oblivious to stuff like that just worked to my advantage. Though there is still one downside to it all.""What's that?" The twins ask confused and Harry mutters: "The amount of times this book has mentioned my crush on her. I doubt that's going to lessen when we break up."
And while he puts annotations at the last two words, do his mates still scowl and Harry shrugs as he says: "Sorry, but I'm sure it's true. I'm sure that our broken relationship and my annoyance with how this date went are going to be brought up a few more times. I don't like it, but I'm sure it'll happen." To which I think: "Then let's get this over with." And I read on.
"Cute, isn't … said Cho.
"Do you even drink coffee?" James asks his son and Harry grimaces as he says: "Only when I'm really sleepy and have a long day ahead of me. If I feel uncomfortable or grumpy, like I'm sure I will in the book, it will taste like mud. Though I will probably drink it to do her a favor." James shakes his head at his son and mutters: "Too polite. Just too polite." As I continue the chapter.
In the … Granger? Today?"
"Wait a second. Quick question. How many girls are in the DA?" Hermione suddenly asks and this confuses me, yet Katie snorts and Alicia whispers: "That's just sad. Harry's the leader of the DA. Such things mean nothing.""Yeah, to her." Angelina laughs and I notice all of the other guys share confused glances and looks with each other before we shrug as one and I just read on, nonplussed.
"Yeah. Well, … down, though."
"She's lying." Luna says and she goes on: "Roger is really nice and very courteous. He keeps to protocol and doesn't go to the stage he and that girl are on until they have been steady for at least half a year to longer. And there is no way Roger would ask someone else if he is already going steady." At this I think: "Wow, that girl is pathetic." As I read on.
Harry, who … their heads.
Again the girls snort and Harry asks: "Okay, what am I missing here?" And while some of the girls shake their heads at him as Luna says: "Harry, she's trying to make you jealous." Yet at this Harry shrugs and says: "And the book is proving that it doesn't work, because it's finally admitting I don't care about her and just use her." The girls look astounded at this and I read on, snorting myself.
Cho's voice … after Hermione?"
"Okay, I do think she needs help to move past what happened to Cedric, especially when you take into account that it's been more than half a year now, but I do not like how easily she gets jealous or the fact that she tries to get me jealous in return. That's just a horrible character trait." Harry growls angrily and many of those around him nod in agreement as I read on.
"It's not … the door.
"I'm confused." Fred says and George goes on: "Yeah, you don't care one bit about Cho.""So why are you going after her?" To which Lea shakes his head and counts down on his fingers: "One, she is still a part of the DA and two, Harry is just caring for others like that. He doesn't need to crush for someone to care for them." The twins nod, rubbing the back of their heads as I read on.
It was … human hosepipe?"
"I might not agree with that comparison, but I do agree with you on the question as to why she would be wanting that. It would indicate that neither her parents or even Professors Sprout or Flitwick would have tried helping her with this and I just can't understand why they wouldn't want to." Mss. Finnegan mutters to herself and the other adults nod in agreement with her as I read on.
He turned … diff'rent, eh?"
"Though to be honest, I'm not sure if you would have been all that different, in character, I mean." James actually tells his son, yet Sirius hums and says: "I don't entirely agree on that. I do believe that Harry would grow up just as caring and noble as he obviously is, but I don't think he'd be this closed off or afraid to burden others with how he feels."
"Surely he would still end up with us, right?" The twins asks fearfully and the parents just send them disbelieving looks. "Tell me something. Is it his noble character or the fact that he wants to depend on us from time to time that makes you like Harry so much?" Lea asks and yet again the twins turn red. And while I wonder what is going on with the two, do I read on.
"Yeah… I s'pose," … the world.
Harry, Ron and Hermione grin at this and yet Neville asks: "Wait, why are you smiling over this? She's been trying to make Harry's life a public hell last year. Heck, her articles is what Fudge has been using this last month to denigrate Harry." But Harry just smirks and says: "Just remember my hint and listen. I'm sure it'll come up." And instantly I read on, wanting answers.
"You're early!" … does want."
This seems to shock everyone who is, obviously aware of what this woman does and what she is like and they gape at the girl in question. "Not going to happen." James states and he turns to Harry as he says: "You can ditch that memory in the special room I mentioned. Then I will arrange a meeting with a reputable reporter and we will do this that way. However."
The man starts to smirk and says: "I do approve of the method, but only because of the situation in the book. You are obviously not aware of Harry's actual financial situation, how he has both Law-Wizards and actual reporters working for his line and family and rely on the popularity of this witch. But seeing everything else, yes – yes, I do approve."
Hermione beams at the man, but Harry is gaping at Dumbledore, which confuses me. The man sighs and says: "Rita demanded singular rights to reporting the Tournament and all of the events that would enfold around it. That and, because James was still alive, was I not allowed access to these reporters or these Law-Wizards. I would have, if I did." Harry nods in understanding and I read on.
Rita stared … the truth!"
At this Harry sighs and says: "I know this is partially my own fault, but – I don't like this, Hermione. I don't like the – the idea that it will be to Skeeter that I will speak my mind and relive these events for the first time since I did it in the office of the Headmaster. And like I said, that is partially my own fault." The girl nods in emphatic understanding to this and James hugs his son close.
"And that is what that room is for. To make sure you don't have to do that. To give you a chance to relive that stuff without having to actually talk about it. To free yourself of the burden that it obviously still is for you." Harry smiles and whispers: "I – I'd like to do that before I start my training with Riku." Both James and Riku nod in acceptance to this and I continue reading.
"There's no … said coldly.
"Ooooh really?" James suddenly asks and the devious smirk that is on his face actually reminds me of Vexen when he is about to take on an opponent he knows he can wipe the floor with. "What? What is it?""The Prophet – is having financial issues. It wouldn't resort to such a desperate method of reporting if it didn't. And I think I know what caused it too."
"What?" Harry and his friends and mates all ask in excitement. "The Potters. I'm willing to bet that my family's Financial Advisor hasn't changed since my father's passing and he knows exactly how to handle our finances in favor of our beliefs and family motto. And the Prophet, with Skeeter's kind of articles, goes against that, so I'm sure the Advisor pulled funding away from them.
And trust me, starting three years before the war ended, the Prophet did start needing our family funding their production and their reporters. Though that makes the state that Skeeter is currently in all the more ironic." The man laughs and Sirius laughs as he says:
"You're right. She unemployed because she won't write crap about Harry anymore, but I'm sure Hermione's not the first to give her a job offer like this. No doubt that the Advisor did so after noticing this himself and that she just kept refusing out of her own stubborn pride. Oh, that poor, poor, delusional woman." And a lot of others also laugh as I read on.
"My dad … in print."
And this, because of what we just discovered, makes many of the kids burst out laughing, the twins actually pushing Harry into Lea's lap as they fall over each other while laughing. James is also snickering, but he says: "Luna, you filthy little liar. The Quibbler normally never pays their reporters – except for exclusive interviews."
And this fact makes the group laugh even harder and also makes several others laugh. Ron even falls off his seat and Even quickly conjures a layer of ice as the boy falls even further down and probably would have hurt himself if the man hadn't. The boy safely rolls down the floor and ends up next to the platform in the center and it takes him a while before he stops laughing.
The twins, at this point, also notice that Harry is no longer sitting near them and turn to the boy in question. And to my amusement does it seem as if Lea has taken advantage of the two pushing his mate in his lap as he is now quite busy showing his love to his mate, Harry in his arms and their lips sealed together in a loving kiss. I shake my head at the two and read on.
Rita Skeeter … in Azkaban."
Ron and Hermione smirk at each other over this as Harry is still busy enjoying the kiss he shares with Lea and then Sirius laughs as he says: "The glass on the side table. Now I get it. Skeeter was there that night, hidden in that form of hers, and you caught her. That's utterly brilliant." Yet his mate doesn't seem to agree with him as he sighs and says:
"I both agree on this, Sirius love, and don't." Everyone turns to him and he turns to Hermione as he says: "I won't blame you for this, Hermione. You're Muggle-raised and you obviously don't know anything about the rules that, usually, protect the Heirs to Ancient families. And considering everything that's happened, you definitely did a good job.
I mean, anyone who knows Skeeter, knows she would have made all of that slander only ten times worse if you hadn't forced her hand. However, if you had reported her, it would have instantly forced the Prophet to consider and declare all of her articles – and any articles with information based on hers – null and void. It would have prevented the slander from being possible.
Not even Fudge would have been able to fight this, though I'm sure Umbridge would have used the fact that none of you knew this against you in a heartbeat." The girl is gaping at him and then Ron says: "Right, Harry learns Occlumency, I learn to control my nerves, Hermione takes more Pureblood security lessons." Everyone, even Harry and Lea who have separated, nod at this and I read on.
Rita looked … her glass.
And with that do I end the chapter, feeling quite accomplished as I got myself a new job, one that will make me feel equally as satisfied as guarding the Master's Tower usually does. "Thank goodness. This chapter ends a lot more positive than the last one did. Anyone want to bet on whether or not the next one will as well?" George asks, yet I notice her move as he does.
The wind blows in her hair and a grin grows on her face as she does. She turns to the group at large and says: "Harry should read next, but he can't be the one to finish reading. That must be the Headmaster. Either him or Lord Potter." Everyone looks at the girl, but then Harry says: "I can't, Luna. My lessons, remember?"
The girl looks up and says: "Oh right. Then your mother should read in your place. He will love it all, trust me.""Yes, another happy ending!" George cheers and then Fred laughs and says: "Too bad, pretty bro. You could have made some money out of that." Though to this Sirius says: "Sorry boys, no betting on my son's future." And for a third time in a row, do the two turn red.
Nice going, you two.
Well, I got to admit, this chapter wasn't all that easy to write. But at the same time am I quite proud of this chapter and the future content it created. And I also want to make one thing clear. The next couple of chapters are going to be back-and-forth. There will be one chapter focusing on Harry, one on the readers, one on Ron, one on the readers and finally Hermione, then the readers.
So yeah, I actually have this story planned out all the way into July; something that hasn't happened since – I think the first couple of chapters, because – to be honest – after the gang moved to Potter Place, I just went with what I felt like and tried to keep with the storyline of the previous chapters. Due to this a couple of things fell between the cracks and some characters might have personality changes from time to time.
But I plan to fix those mistakes sometime this year. For now, though, I just want to focus on one thing and one thing only: KINGDOM HEARTS III! At the point of me writing this, the game is only a few more days away and I am actually sometimes experiencing a moment where I start to shake, because I am getting just that impatient. These next couple of days are going to be HORRID, just HORRID!
Let them pass,
Venquine1990
