Title: Code of the Griffin
Author: Knife Hand
Feedback: Constructive feedback appreciated, flames unappreciated
Spoilers: Nothing Specific, general for first few books.
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I do not own Hermione, or Luna, or Ginny, or Cho, or... I would buy them all but I am broke.
Summary: From a war ravaged future, someone is sent back in time to change the course of the war.
A/N: Another chapter with a lot of dialogue
Kate West-Potter sat in the compartment of the Hogwarts Express as it travelled back to London, looking across at her now official brother. The Express was only half full, a lot of students staying at Hogwarts for the rest of the holidays rather than head home for a short break. They had forgone trunks for this journey, their gear instead stowed in Duffle Bags under their seats, and Harry had sent Hedwig on ahead.
The scenery outside the window had changed from rolling countryside to the urban sprawl around London. Harry had spent the entire trip in silence, as had Kate. Most people think that nothing is communicated by silence, but they are wrong. In fact, on occasion, more can be conveyed through silence that through speech and Kate was an expert on reading Harry's silences. An expertise born out of shared suffering. She knew his contemplative silences, his hurt and in need of comfort silences and even his 'I need you to just sit with me' silences. This however was an 'I am confused and need to think' silence combined with an 'I just don't know what to do' silence. Hers was a simple 'I'm here when you need me' silence.
The train pulled in and they disembarked, their duffle's thrown over one shoulder as they made their way through the crowd. Even though they were dressed in Muggle civilian clothing, the crowd parted to let them through as everyone on the train knew who they were, and even the Slytherins did not object due to self preservation instincts and the absence of inflammatory personalities like Malfoy.
They emerged into the Muggle side of Kings Cross station, walking calmly along the platform. They saw an SAS Private who had been on the mission with them, waiting for a train with a bunch of his buddies who were in different units, some SAS, some not. The Private saw them and promptly snapped to attention and saluted. The returned the salute without breaking stride and the Private's mates gathered around asking who they were.
Harry hailed a cab which took them back to his Apartment. The apartment had a large living/dining room, a fully stocked kitchen, a bathroom and three bedrooms.
"This is you." Harry said, indicating to the second bedroom, the one Hermione had not been in when she had been injured. "You can use this place whenever you like, or if you prefer any of the other properties."
Het turned to leave, to let her unpack.
"You ready to talk yet?" she asked, barely audible.
"Not just yet. And when I am I want Sirius there too." Harry replied, not turning to face her.
After a heartbeat's pause he continued out of the room and Kate turned to unpack.
"Are you all fucking stupid?!" Hermione screamed at the four Wizards and one Witch sitting around the table.
Madam Maxime and Headmaster Karkaroff sat down one side of the table. Crouch and Bagman down the other, while Hermione, in full formal Order Uniform with sword and pistol at her waist, and Dumbledore sat at the ends of the table.
"Now I don't think…." Dumbledore began before being interrupted.
"Shut the hell up, or I'll fire your bony ass." Hermione cut him off. "The first task was bad enough, importing Nesting Dragon mothers onto MY School without my permission, but at least the crowd was able to see the task. Why the hell are you having the spectators staring at the Black Lake for an hour? They will be bored out of their minds. As for having Hostages, whose hair brained idea was that? Especially Gabrielle Delacour. Vela are Fire Elementals. It's bad enough putting Champion Delacour in the lake for an hour, but a ten year old Vela, particularly in the hands of the Mermaids. You'd be lucky if she was still alive, and if she was she probably would be driven insane."
"We can't change it now. They have the clue." Bagman said.
"Sure you can, just tell them the clues no longer apply and give them a new clue. There would be no unfair advantage." Hermione replied.
"I suggest we adjourn for now." Crouch said. "I have a meeting back at the Ministry. I suggest we all consider a possible alternative task before the next meeting."
Everyone stood up and left except for Hermione and Dumbledore. With a follow me gesture, the Grand Marshall left the conference room and led the Headmaster back to his office, where all of the other staff were assembled. With a quick wave of her wand, she conjured a throne like chair and sat down.
"We are here to discuss some changes in staffing and Curriculum for next year." Hermione announced. "These changes are going to improve the school and are not negotiable."
Dumbledore sat down in his chair behind his desk with a carefully neutral face. Snape lurked in a corner, McGonagall stood with one elbow resiting on the mantelpiece over the fireplace. The other teachers were scatter around the room, some seated on conjured chairs and others standing.
"Firstly, Professor Snape." Hermione said, earning a glare from the greasy haired man. "I am scaling back your teaching responsibility. As of next year, you will only be teaching fifth to seventh year. Of the fifth years, you will only be teaching those students who are looking to go for NEWTS in Potions. Another Potions master will be brought in to teach first to fourth years and the remaining fifth years. You will also be the resident Potions Master, as Madam Pomfrey has been complaining how the Potion supplies for the Hospital Wing have been getting more expensive."
Snape nodded his head, for once without a scowl or sneer on his face. Madam Pomfrey looked relieved as well.
"Madam Pomfrey, you will also start teaching duties as well. I have selected three Order Members and you will consult with Professors Snape and Flitwick to select a few students to undergo medic training. It will not be full Healer training but basic fist aid." Hermione continued.
"Are you expecting some kind of war?" Professor Vector asked.
"Always." Hermione replied. "Next is Muggle Studies."
"I am taking an early retirement." The Muggle Studies teacher said. "I am shamed to admit that I know next to nothing about the current Muggle world."
"I am restructuring the Muggle Studies course and introducing a new course. Both Muggle Studies and the new course, Wizarding Culture, will now be required courses." Hermione announced.
"Muggle studies for the Purebloods and Wizarding Culture for the Muggle-Borns?" McGonagall asked.
"No. Both will be compulsory to all students." Hermione replied. "Like I said, I am restructuring the Muggle Studies course. A toaster will no longer be the subject of an entire week's lesson. It will now be what Muggles learn in school. Maths, Science, History, English. This will allow Wizards and Witches to blend into Muggle culture when they go into the Muggle World. It is unacceptable that the current Ministry Muggle expert does not know the difference between a Double A Battery and a Shotgun shell."
"And the Wizarding Culture class?" Dumbledore asked. "Why do the Purebloods have to take this course? They grew up in the Culture."
"So that is why Draco Malfoy and Susan Bones are the best of friends? Or Angelina Johnson and Luna Lovegood?" Hermione replied sarcastically. "Most of them don't know about the origins and evolution of Wizarding Culture. Most of them are either entitled brats who expect everything on a silver platter or think Wizarding culture is made up of solely of Diagon Alley and Hogwarts."
Next Hermione turned to the Astronomy curriculum and the meeting continued for several hours.
"Kate!" Harry said, as he lifted the lid off the pasta sauce, gave it a stir and then tapped the spoon on the rim and replaced the lid.
Almost a week of doing almost nothing had been a great boon for Harry and had allowed him to both unwind and begin to process his feelings over what had happened.
"Kate!" Harry repeated, moving out of the kitchen and into the hallway.
"What?" Kate asked, emerging from the bathroom naked, drying her hair with a towel.
"They're going to be here in a few minutes." Harry replied. "Move your ass."
He gave her a playful swat on her naked ass as he passed, getting her moving into her room. The door bell rang.
"They're here." He called through her now closed door.
He opened the front door to Sirius and Mary, who both gave him a hug.
"Happy New Years Eve, Pup." Sirius said.
"Come on in." Harry replied. "Welcome to my humble abode Miss Williams."
"Harry, please. Call me Mary." She replied.
"So, where's that sister of yours?" Sirius asked with a sly grin.
"She's still getting dressed." Harry replied.
"Here I am." Kate said, emerging in casual pair of jeans and a blouse.
The next hour was taken up with small talk, nibbles and then dinner. After dinner, they moved into the lounge room, with Sirius and Mary sitting on the couch, while Harry and Kate took the recliners.
"So… you said you wanted to talk?" Sirius said, sipping on an after dinner coffee.
"Yes." Harry said, running a hand through his hair. "I'm confused, a bit angry and hurt and I'm not really sure why."
Kate leaned forward on her chair, offering him some silent support.
"It all started on Christmas Day." Harry began, explaining the argument he had with Hermione.
"So, she finally told you." Sirius said, leaning back in his chair.
"You knew?!" Harry said angrily.
"Yes, Hermione told me last Christmas when were at her parents' place." Sirius replied.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Harry shot back.
"Because it was said in confidence. And I happened to agree with why she did not tell you." His Godfather replied. "The reason she did not tell you until you admitted your feeling is because she did not want you to get hurt, or feel forced into a relationship with her because of what happened last time around. She loved you so much that she placed your happiness before her own. It is a hard thing to do."
"How do you know?" Harry said, concerned and confused.
"Because I did it." Sirius replied. "But she is lucky. You love her too. I was not so lucky."
Marry put her arm around Sirius' shoulders in comfort.
"She reject you?" Kate asked
"No. She never even noticed me. She fell in love with my best friend, then I failed to protect her and she died." Sirius admitted, a tear running down his cheek.
Silence fell over the room for a few minutes.
"It was my mum, wasn't it?" Harry asked, quietly.
Sirius just nodded.
"I have loved two women in my life." The older man said. "I failed the first. I won't make the same mistake again."
"That," Mary added, "Is my loveable mutts' way of saying that we are getting married."
"Congratulations." Kate said.
Harry was still confused, but he felt less angry at Hermione. He still had to think, but for the first time he also dared to hope.
TBC…