Hey everyone,
So I am currently working on editing this story as this is basically my #2 of all the stories I am currently writing – To Read and To View being my #1 – but I am afraid that the editing will run into April as I also have the other stories that still need writing – at this point I only am a week away from the update date and still need to finish writing Destiny's Saying.
Still, I plan to have, at least, some fun with this chapter and the start of it is definitely something I look forward to, though the effects of that will probably be mixed into the next chapter, together with Ron training to overcome that fear of failure of his that he is so known for in both the Quidditch chapters of OotP and HBP. And trust me, it's going to be good.
Also please remember that historical release dates for Disney Movies – such as Mulan from 1998 – DON'T count in this story. Just imagine that all Disney movies that have been released up till this point – March 2019 – have been released on video/DVD (roll with it) in this universe and that it will continue to expand depending on future chapters.
Also, I am aware that Article 13 has been accepted by the European Parliament - or whatever - but I do not care, at least not yet. This whole act is not going to count for us for another two years, so until then I am going to continue posting updates every month. At least until as many of these stories are completed. Though I am hesitant to start new stories because of this as well, sorry.
Just roll with it,
Venquine1990
Shout-Out to:
V.L. Crawford
Wishfull-star
Chapter 50
Justice At Last
15th of August 1995
The Arena, Potter Place
James' POV
I made a quick stop in the rooms I share with Sirius before returning here, already determined to make full use of what I just found out and make sure that the Alliance, once more, has something to stand behind, namely the truth. Yet this time I also feel determined to hit two Pixies with one Stunner and hopefully get a few new people interested in joining the Alliance in the process.
"I have good news, Albus, Sirius. Harry no longer blames himself for Cedric's death. He was a first person witness of his own memory and was able to spot something he couldn't back in June, because the presence of Voldemort was causing him so much pain. And I have the evidence of that – right here." And I hold up a set of newly takes photographs, which I took after putting the memory I took from the Room into the Family Pensieve.
Everyone looks at the pictures in shock and I turn to Albus as I say: "I will give these to you first, Albus, so you can give them to Cedric's Head of House, but only if you can promise me that she will make copy for her own use and that she will hand the original over to Amos and Nella Diggory afterwards. And Augusta, if you'd be so kind as to tell Amos what he can do with those pictures, that'd be much appreciated." The woman nods, but Albus asks:
"James, what exactly are you planning with these?""To negate any and all accusations against my son for being Cedric's killer. If you take a close look at these two, you will see Cedric standing in front of someone who obviously aims his wand at him. You can also clearly see Harry crouched down next to Cedric, in pain, and Cedric turning to Harry as if to protect him.
And on this one, which was a little harder to take, you will see exactly what killed Cedric. Look closely." And I make sure to use my wand to enlarge the picture just enough that everyone can see it and Neville is the first to gasp as he shouts: "HE TRIPPED! HIS FOOT GOT STUCK UNDER THAT BRANCH OVER THERE JUST AS HE TURNED AND THE SPELL HIT HIM AFTER! But – how is it that the caster's aim was off that badly?"
"That was because the caster, one Peter Pettigrew as many adults will be able to see and recognize when they see this picture, also had the infantile form of Lord Voldemort in his arms, weighing him down." Albus says and I elaborate: "And, according to the memory I saw, Pettigrew had also just pulled some heavy cauldron their way. It was both the weight and his own exhaustion."
"So it was just a dumb accident? Cedric just got – unlucky?" Hermione asks horrified, but I shake my head and say: "No, he got lucky. If he hadn't tripped and Voldemort had realized that the spell had missed, he would have tortured Cedric endlessly just to see Harry suffer. And if Cedric had stayed behind, Junior would have killed him and made it look like the maze did it."
The girl, as well as all of Sora's friends, turn white and then suddenly Erik turns to his wife and snarls: "Why? Why did you want to come here? This world is way too dangerous! A single spell can kill both you and our daughter! I can't risk you like that! Damn it, we're stuck here! We're in the past! We – we only just got married in this timeline! I –!" But then Ariel gently tells him:
"Erik, it's okay. Sora helped me on the sidelines for most of the adventure that brought us together and now I'm okay with doing the same, to just give Sora small gifts to keep him encouraged and to stay on the sidelines as he and his friends and the other adults fight the battles. Not to mention our baby is months away and we are already more than halfway through the first book.
We'll most assuredly finish the whole series by the end of summer and probably have Voldemort beat by Halloween, if not Christmas, long before our baby will be born. And until then I will stay here or travel to any other safe-house that might become available. I won't do anything on the frontline. I want our baby girl to be born healthy and safe just as much as you." And these words calm down her husband, making him smile at her.
"If it's any consolation, I actually got to see two of your three movies, Ariel. Both the one that showed how you met and fell in love with Erik and the one where you had a daughter. And you three ended up very happy – after a minor misstep or two where you became so protective, you went a little overboard. Even more than your father, I'd have to say. But it worked out in the end."
Hermione tries to consolidate, her words losing a bit of its meaning and power as she becomes honest about what she saw and making most of us smile at her in appreciation for her effort in the end. "Thank you, Hermione. I needed to hear that. Did the movie have a name for our daughter?" The girl nods and answers: "Melody. She was named Melody." Making both future parents smile yet again as Ariel whispers: "I love it."
I then notice Luna turning to me and she says: "And you're going to love the upcoming chapter, Mr. Potter." Making me smile at her as I retake my seat next to Sirius, the man actually whispering in my ear: "If Harry didn't need us as much as he does, I might have been tempted to have you replicate Ariel's current state of health, just so you know." And it takes everything I have not to react to this, feel glad our sons aren't here for this and I start to read.
Seen and Unforeseen … Crumple-Horned Snorkacks.
This makes a couple of those around me look at Luna with discomfort, but the girl just calmly shrugs and says: "Everyone deserves to have an opinion. It's the whole reason the Quibbler exists in the first place. To give a voice to the opinions of those who no one really wants to listen to." And while this makes a lot of those in our group look at her in awe, do I smile at her and read on.
But the … it worked…
"I just hope that it had the same effect as seeing Cedric trip." Hermione whimpers and I smile at her as I say: "Like I said, Hermione, considering the situation and the circumstances, your idea really was the best possible option. I personally would have preferred somewhere more private, but that would have alerted Umbridge, so I am happy with what you did." She smiles at me and I continue reading.
"Can't wait … to him.
"Thank heavens!" The twins yell, but Lea smirks at them and says: "You do remember what our precious one said, right? That this whole subject will probably be covered a few more times, as in whenever they might meet for the DA." And the twins send their mate filthy and annoyed looks at which he laughs and goes to sit between them. "Love you both."
He says and this is followed by loving kisses to both of their cheeks, Fred on his left and George on his right. But this is replied by the twins starting to smirk at him and they chorus: "Oh no, not like that." And while George presses his lips firmly upon Lea's, does Fred attach his own to Lea's neck. And while I notice a growing smile of pleasure on my future son-by-bond's face, do I read on.
"Oh, I … on Saturday."
"We'll work on that after this chapter." Angelina gently tells the now downtrodden boy, who smiles at her before Ienzo says: "And you can always just do try-outs for a reserve team. That will not only make sure you have players in case one of you fall ill or get in an accident, but it will also give Ron another couple of players to train with; not to mention a rival to compete with."
This seems to really intrigue most of the Gryffindors who are interested in Quidditch and even Hermione, who I believe only likes the sport for the sake of her friends, and yet then she turns to Ron and asks: "That reminds me. Have we ever seen Harry fall ill? You know, with a fever or something?" This makes Ron turn thoughtful and yet it's Neville who answers:
"No, you definitely had that bad case of a really heavy flu back in Third that knocked you out for three days and Ron and Ginny had their fevers back in Second and needed Madam Pomfrey's Pepper Up, but Harry has never fallen ill." This really concerns me as Potter's usually fall ill once a year during their teens. And while I decide to study this sometime later, do I continue reading.
He got … to it."
And while I personally think it brilliant how that horrible act of Umbridge created a stroke of brilliance with the twins, do I still turn to them and say: "You know, as your future mother-by-bond, if not mother-in-law, I do expect you boys to stay at Hogwarts until your final NEWT, just so you know. And I don't care if you make full marks or only half, but if you do the latter, you better break some records with each of the marks you do make, capish?"
And to the astonishment of Hermione and Arthur do the twins nod vigorously, their eyes proving that they are going to put their all into their studies, making me smile at them before I say: "And before you ask, from what I've seen and heard so far has Arthur never really put much focus on test results. That was only Molly, so over time it just lost meaning to these two." Hermione nods and I read on.
George yawned … goalkeeping ability."
"No, it sounds like it depends on your friends constantly understanding and agreeing with you." Luna says, sounding both offhanded and having a tone of annoyance hidden underneath her airy voice. Hermione cringes at this, but then Andy says: "They did just have dinner, remember that." The airy blonde nods, smiles at Hermione and I read on, feeling for both of them.
And though … gloating smile.
"That woman needs to get over herself." Hermione snarls, yet I smirk at both Neville and Augusta, who nod at me and Neville says: "Don't worry, Hermione. Even if that woman, somehow, finds a way into Hogwarts or Harry's life, the Alliance will back him all the way every time she might try something. They owe it to him." The girl calms down, but turns to his grandmother.
"Trust me, I am far from done with them, though I will admit it at the same time, I am just as guilty. When James went missing and was presumed dead, I should have taken the lead of the Alliance as it was originally formed between the Potters and the Longbottoms and instead I just decided to wait until Harry was off age and took over. That was entirely my mistake and I plan to make up for it." At which I read on, smiling at the woman quite gratefully.
The memory … another minute.
At this I turn to Albus, who is indeed looking incredibly grim, just like I expected and I mutter at him: "That's why Harry's not here right now, remember? To help Riku train him against the chance of this happening. They are preventing this from happening as we speak." The man's usual calm posture returns, replacing the grim look on his face and he nods at me before I read on.
They entered … from readers."
Yet here I stop as suddenly a strange thought strikes me and I mutter: "Wait a minute." And Even says: "You realized it to, I see." I look at him and the man says: "Your son is famous, or better said, infamous at the point of this story. So why is this the first time he is receiving any kind of fan mail? Who is receiving all of the letters people are probably desiring to send him over those articles that are still being printed about him?"
At this I can't help but turn to Albus, not because I suspect him, but because I know he is in control of the wards and will therefore have an answer. The man seems to recognize this in my gaze yet he shakes his head and says: "I truly do not understand either, James. I never questioned it, because in my eyes it gave Harry some chance at a normal life, but I truly do not know why this is the first time." Yet at this Augusta says:
"Well, it looks like I might have to make a visit to both the Ministry and the Alliance sometime soon." We all turn to her and she says: "I'm going to go and check with the Department of Magical transport. I know they mostly cover Floo and Port Key travel, but there is also an office, almost as small as Arthur's, that covers post owl transport between the Magical and Muggle world. And seeing where Harry spent most of his youth, I believe the answer lies there." I nod at this logical idea and read on.
"That's what … High Inquisitor
"Not even just detention, but all-out expulsion? Is she serious?" I can't help but ask and then notice it again. Luna is at the top step of the arena and her eyes are glazed over as her hair is blown to the side of her face and a grin of humorous delight is slowly growing on her face. "Oh, that is just too funny." She squeals in the end before rejoining Belle and Ariel and giggling.
"What? What did the wind tell you?" Hermione asks and the girl answers: "Hogwarts got emptied. Over forty students from all Houses purposely took Quibbler issues with them to DADA and Umbridge expelled them all. They were so done with her, they used her own words to escape her. Though apparently the Headmaster will take them back the year after." This makes Albus smile and the other kids also laugh at this as I read on.
For some … them convinced!"
Yet while this whole part is nothing but brilliant to read, do I slowly but surely notice Lea turning grim as the last bit is read. "What's wrong?" The twins ask him and he says: "I am happy that we have a solution for all of this, don't get me wrong, I just hate that it had to be something so official. These students have been sharing a school with Harry for years and this convinces them?
What does that say about their actual opinion of him? Or even the strength of their conviction? And who's to say that a few more articles from Fudge won't undo all of this, make this whole attempt bloody pointless.""Sheesh, do you need to be so negative?" Fred asks and Lea answers: "I'm just voicing my honest opinion on these students, nothing more." The two shrug and nod and while I find myself agreeing with the ginger, do I read on.
Meanwhile, Professor … twelve children.
This makes everyone who has the class burst out laughing, yet it also makes Albus and me smirk and we share a look and a single thought as if we are reading each other's surface thoughts or sharing a mind: "She just signed her own death contract by doing that in front of Umbridge. This is why Luna wanted us to read this." And while this thought really excites me, do I read on.
But what … me mam."
Everyone smiles at the boy over this and then Dean shrugs and says: "Ah, I'm sure he would have come around sooner or later. The article just sped the whole thing up a bit.""How long do you think it would have taken me?" His friend asks and Dean shrugs again as he says: "Another month, maybe? Two at the max, I'd say." Making his friend smile at him again as I read on.
If anything … being punished.
All of this, combined with the dark looks on the faces of Albus, Lea, Sirius and Luna makes me turn to the first of the four and I say: "Albus, I am meeting with Unspeakables at the end of this book. Look at Luna, Albus, and try to stop me." The man turns from me to his student, who is actually silently begging him with her eyes to comply, the look on her face one of pure anguish.
The man sighs and says: "James, you can't. Not because I don't want you, but because of what Rookwood just told Voldemort. It can't be you.""Then Dilan, Aeleus and I will go with him." Ienzo states and while I expect the Order Leader to correct him, does Albus turn thoughtful and mutter: "Yes, perhaps – the fact that you're not from this world – that might just work." Ienzo nods at my old friend and I read on, feeling relieved with this potential plan.
Harry and … at Harry.
"And that told Malfoy he had to try something else with Bode, so he used both an Imperius on Bode and something else to get the door open. Only the weapon, like Professor Dumbledore just said, is protected so that only certain people can touch it and so – well, we're really just recapping now, aren't we?" Hermione asks and the twins chorus: "Yeah, and you're scary when you do it."
This makes the girl glare at them, but then Luna says: "It's not scary, it's a matter of values. To most teenagers, things like fashion, boys – or girls – Quidditch and studies are the most valuable ways for them to spent their time, so they focus on that and develop their minds around it. Harry, Ron and Hermione just have other beliefs that they consider just as valuable, just as important." The twins nod in understanding, Hermione smiles at Luna and I read on, both proud and concerned.
"And now … bad one.
"But that's just stupid!" The girl suddenly shrieks, but Luna is again the one to speak up. "No, it's not. Harry's not angry at you for reprimanding him, but for the fact that you reprimand him – just like everyone else – but don't add anything to it, no advice, tips or anything. You're just ordering him without taking his feelings or efforts into account." The girl grimaces at this and mutters: "Didn't think of it like that." As I read on, glad that she understands.
When people … you had?"
"There really is a difference between lessons and training. Lessons is where you learn something new or a new bit of information about something big or vital. Training is where you practice something you already know. Snape might call this lessons, but he really is just trying to train Harry in something he hasn't even properly taught him to do yet. It's just doomed to fail." Luna states, sounding deeply depressed in the end and I read on, grimacing as I agree with her.
"Just that … wand. "Protego!"
I whisper this last bit as I feel sheer awe growing within me and Luna says: "I stand thoroughly corrected." I notice Remus smiling widely and he says: "I have to be honest, these bits of text actually remind me of me teaching Harry the Patronus charm. I did try to teach Harry a little something new every so often, but he mostly focused on our first lesson and he, eventually, mastered the spell. And even on the very day he just remembered, no less."
At this a lot of us smile and then Hermione asks: "So now all Harry has to do is learn how to do that Protego thing with his mind instead of his voice, right? And then he'll be one step closer to learning and mastering this craft, right?" Yet as she says this, do I realize something and I sigh as I say: "Yes, though that will be impossible to learn in time. That is almost similar to Non-verbal magic and that is a branch of magic that is entirely its own, and just as difficult."
The girl cringes at this and Sirius sighs as he says: "It could have worked – if Harry had been studying both at the same time. Though why no one advised him – well, who would have done that? I was out of reach, Ron and Hermione know as much about the subject as Harry does and Snape is just too stubborn to even try that." And while my mate sighs and leans back, do I glance up at where I know my sons and Riku are probably still practicing before I read on.
Snape staggered … to take –?
"How did that happen!?" Hermione shrieks, sounding horrified and Albus answers gravely: "Severus' attack was so strong and so severe it went straight past Harry's mind and into the connection. It made the – I guess you could say – the rope that is between their minds so short, their minds were one with Voldemort, due to his magical prowess and core strength, overpowering Harry who was not even ready or able to fight back Severus' attack."
He then turns to me and says: "I will not let this happen. Harry cannot learn Occlumency this way. Even with the connection now broken, it is much too dangerous for him to learn it through this method. There are just too many risks connected to it all." Yet I smile at him in a reassuring manner and motion for my manor home, the man smiling when he sees this before I read on.
"POTTER!" Harry … the stairs.
And instantly all of Albus' concerns and fears seem to vanish off his aging face, a large smile of happy relief and pride showing on his face and I can't help but quip: "Guess you beat that ugly toad to the punch, huh Al?" The man nods, the pride on his face even becoming more pronounced as he does and then Kingsley says: "I almost forgot. Another reason we had to schedule Umbridge's trial for later was Trelawney's. Hers is probably happening as we speak."
And this makes the both of us even happier and I whisper: "You're finally getting your revenge, Lily. It took fourteen years and a bunch of books, but you're finally getting your revenge. Rest in peace, little sister. I got this." And as I read on, do I smile as I notice a hue of red energy going over the surface of the gem in the center of the arena.
"No!" she … each other.
"You know what? I think the next time Kairi brings in new guests, we should complete this little picture. You know, get Parvati and Lavender to come to complete our year and all." Hermione then suggests and we all nod in happy agreement to this and Augusta says: "I will make sure to invite Pardeshi next time I see him at the Alliance." Making us adults smile at her before I return my and their focus back onto the book.
Then he … get, Sibyll…"
"She was about to break. Damnit, she was about to reveal exactly what –." Alastor growls, but to this Riku says: "Only better that she didn't." And we all turn to him shocked, but he says: "Because of Umbridge. She would have used that against the Headmaster for sure. Accuse him of housing a conspirator to murder and whatnot. It was better that she didn't." Moody grimaces, but nods in agreement and I read on.
Professor Sprout … him suitable."
"Albus, I don't know whether to shake your hand for a prank well-pulled or curse your lights out for such a blatant and open insult towards Umbridge and her beliefs, if not the challenge she will surely see within it. This is only going to further fuel her fire to see you out of Hogwarts. No, old friend, I don't hold this against you, it's just the way this fight seems to run."
I make sure to reassure the man, only for Riku to frown again and he mutters: "Wait a – wait a minute. Could we have been overlooking something this entire time?" We all look at him and he turns to me as he asks: "When you met with Fudge to discuss Mr. Diggory and gran's new positions, did you mention that curse?" I nod and he goes on: "How did she react?" And while confused as to where he could be going, do I answer:
"She whitened, proving that she had probably spotted the spell on Harry during his trial and that she had already cursed his school book." The boy nods and says: "Exactly. Like No-Name, she is able to see – see and control – that curse; one that Mrs. Tonks already told us is on more than just Harry. That it's on the Headmaster as well. Why wouldn't someone as foul as her want to take control of that?" And just this question floors me.
Holy CRAP!
I am going to be honest with you guys, I don't know why, but my inner Moody seems to come out every time I write this story. I have plans for it and I really hope to have this whole thing edited sometime soon – I started recently – but for now my mind is actually more focused on future chapters rather than the ones already written.
I have plans for several stories – Jillian Forge Potter, The Moving Of The Light, Son of Chaos, this one (to an extend), To Read and To View – and am already trying to see how far these plans will reach, that is to say whether any of these stories will be finished this year, next year or sometime in 2021. And so far Son looks like it will be finished sometime this year, others next.
Let's move on, shall we,
Venquine1990
