Sorry for the long delay. My phone company decided that I didn't want their internet services anymore. Since I had that email for over a decade, and it was used for many things (and tied to this account), I tried to get it back. But that was a lost cause. Anyway I'm back and am already working on the next chapter of this.
The way this story is developing, the six would have very little reason to come back. They can all pass their OWLS and are wealthy enough to hire tutors for their NEWTS. But what fun is that? I am looking forward to all of the interactions between Dumbles, Harry, and everyone's favorite bad guy- Deloris. But that's a ways off-
Once more thanks for your comments. Please keep them coming.
b.
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The mares were excited to bring the food out to the stallions and the dames of the herd, but especially the stallions. Ron muttered, "Mental," a couple of times seeing the females almost pant at the names of a few of the stallions. The girls were all looking to serve their favorite, and Aria was final arbitrator if there was an argument. Being the daughter of Magorian, she and the other females in his family ruled all of the mares. The mares had been raised knowing this, and Aria's friendship of Ron went a long way to a grudging acceptance of him.
"Here Ronnie. Bring this to Magorian. Put it on the table in front of him and bow politely before you return here for more food or drink.
Ron stumbled a bit as he brought the large plate over to the table where Magorian and the favored of the herd were. He turned red and angry and wanted to spit words back at the stallion that had used his clumsiness to embarrass him further. But he remembered Aria's stringent warnings to rein his temper in. Earlier, some of the other mare's had, since the communal bathing in the lake had said some very unkind things about him and humans in general, some of which he had understood.
"You are to be a bridge between our races. Is this not the truth?"
"I guess so."
"There is no guess about it Ronnie. Everyone here knows you are a male. But if the stars say you are to be a mare; if my father," she raised her voice so the other mares couldn't possibly miss what she said, "says that the herd is to consider you a mare. Then you should strive to look and act like a mare. And we will treat you like one."
She looked directly over his shoulder to some other young females and continued, "Unless you are more powerful than my father and decide to challenge him?"
The others quickly moved off, knowing better to challenge. Their sires or dames would quickly punish them over a silly matter, especially one of potential import. Ron showed once again that he was able to learn, he smiled shyly "Thanks, I am trying."
"We know. Just act as we do and you'll be fine."
Instead of getting angry at the rude stallion though, he smiled, "Maybe four legs are better than two."
Magorian modulated his tone for the human, normally he his voice was loud and gruff. He softened it as he would for any foal, "Ronnie the Roan, do the other mares treat you well?"
"They do my lord. Especially Aria, she has been very kind and ensures I am treated as any other."
"Good. We will watch through several moons and see what the stars tell us of you."
He bowed again, "My lord is kind to one undeserving." He surprised himself, his lessons with Aunt Muriel and his father hadn't been a complete waste. He turned and with a confidence he didn't know he had, walked back to get the head table the rest of the food and drink. He marveled slightly, "Maybe I can learn."
Later Aria would tell him, "Your attitude has further helped your cause. My father has confirmed that you will take all of the classes that we do. Tonight, if the skies are clear you will begin to learn how we read the stars."
Something must have crossed his face because she took his hand and her voice dropped an octave, "Ronnie. This is an honor. No human has been shown how to read the stars as we."
His hand tingled when she had held it. "I won't let you down."
Immediately her eyes twinkled and her voice regained the tonal quality whence she got her name. "I know that Ronnie, you gave your word already that you will be the best mare you can be."
Later Ron reflected, which also was something new for him, "Maybe this wouldn't be so bad. Yeah, I'll have to act like a girl and let my nails get colored, but I'll be alive. And not a pawn of that damned Potter or Longbottom. Plus I've got a few months before they try to do THAT to me," he shuddered at the thought. "I can always run again."
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The short squat woman knocked on the minister's door before entering. She liked working for Cornelius. Morals changed depending on who had the most gold, and good and bad only existed as a matter of political expediency.
He welcomed her, his breakfast tea already in his hand. He, for his part welcomed her political astuteness and realized she was loyal only as long as his star continued to shine brightly. "Good morning Deloris. I'm not here 10 minutes and already a crisis?"
She sighed thinking that once again he wore his green outfit that clashed so badly with her pink, "Why wouldn't he take her hint?" She thought. "We have a couple of unusual requests. But I am inclined to approve them, subject to your approval of course minister."
"Okay, I'm intrigued what is it?"
"Two actually minister. One is for you as minister to perform a marriage ceremony, and the other is a name change following the marriage."
He looked back at her confused, "While this is short notice, I don't think we have any other pressing engagements today, I don't see how this is all that unusual." He was almost disappointed that she after all this time needed him to approve this instead of just adding it to his calendar for the day.
"That's the unusual part minister. I would just add this to your to-do list, but Weasley wants to be married and change his name to the woman's and take her name of Clearwater."
Fudge was not stupid, but anything outside of the norm was confusing to him. "Weasley, Weasley, Weasley? Sounds familiar Deloris, but I'm coming up blank. I can't picture her." He had been looking at the ceiling repeating the name trying to find the answer.
"Not her minister. Him. You and Crouch call him Weatherbe."
His eyebrows rose and face lit up as comprehension took hold. "Weatherbe wants to take the bride's name? That is unusual." He thought for a moment trying to puzzle it out. "Giving up he asked, "Tell me Deloris. Does that make him the bride and her the groom? Does that mean he's a she and she's a he?"
Just sounding it out was making it worse. "I'm not sure we can do this. This is very upsetting and confusing."
She was glad that he said that. "That was my reaction also. But upon further consideration, it strikes me as being a good move for you."
"How so?"
"Weasley is a pure blood, that by itself would also make me want to say no, losing a pureblood son to this. But think of the gains. Arthur Weasley's opinion carries some weight and you know it. Everyone knows he's a muggle lover. Doing this for one of his sons will not be lost on those in his sphere of influence. Then too are the half-bloods and muggle-born; I understand this is done all the time for muggles. So this shows that we are reaching out to them and embracing new ideas," her fingers putting quotes on "new ideas".
He thought while sipping his tea. "And the pureblood faction will see this as it is, a political move." He looked at her smiling about this, "You are right. I'm glad you brought this to me. I don't see the downside of this."
She shook her head, "I can't either. And if there is something that comes of this later, you can wave it away saying you were helping the son of a favored noble family."
"Indeed," he said nodding. "Anything else?"
"Just that Mr. Clearwater, Mrs. Clearwater... Damn it, "We'll have to get that straight," she said yelling at no one. "Just that he wants his salary to go to her Gringott's account."
"Really? That's unusual."
She shook her head disagreeing, "Not in the muggle world. Wives often have their money deposited into a joint account. From what I understand, the extra gold goes a long way to help with large purchases like homes and such."
"And the wives are okay with that?"
"Apparently minister."
"Hmmm, okay it's his, I mean her money. And that answers the other question as well. From now on, he will be referred to as Mrs. Clearwater." The minister paused and sat forward. A thought suddenly coming to the fore. "This isn't some elaborate prank or hoax is it?"
"Cornelius, once more we're thinking alike. Look," she said, putting the forms in front of him. "These are all the forms, filled out perfectly, and they're all signed in the right places, and he used a blood quill."
Fudge waved his wand over the signatures, and just as stated, the signatures carried Percy's magical essence. "I know everyone made fun of Weatherbe, I mean Mrs. Clearwater for signing every little thing with a blood quill, but there's no confusion now is there."
"No minister, none at all. I'll have the ladies in administration finish everything up. I'll invite them to the ceremony. I understand they are looking forward to it. I'll even floo-call his fiancé Penelope. She'll be glad to hear it has been approved."
Thank you, Deloris. Top notch work as always."
She was about to leave when a further word stopped her. "Deloris, I'm confused. What loo would Mrs. Clearwater use?"
She stood there for a protracted moment, her eyes unfocused. "I'm not sure minister. We'll work it out. We may have to make a third loo and call it something different. But there are stalls in any case."
"Thank you, Deloris."
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If you had asked Penny a day or two ago if she wanted to get married, there would have been some hesitation there, which is an answer in and of itself. However as soon as Tonks called and then visited her, she loved the idea more and more.
She carefully applied "her face". This was her day after all. Tonks and she had more than one drink and quickly became quite drunk and new found friends with the prank. She loved Percy. She loved him to a distraction. But his views on his and her roles almost cost them their relationship. She definitely didn't like the "macho" Percy. But when he acceded to her wishes, as they did when they were just dating, he was sweet and caring. That sweet man was the one she wanted to spend her life with. If this was the only way to make that happen, so be it.
Her mother hadn't been happy with the news first thing this morning when she called her on her cell phone. The suddenness of her impending nuptials had her mother starting the same old harangue. But when she told her that he was going to take the Clearwater name and his salary was going to go into her account, that he had no access to; it mollified her mother and father immediately.
"He's not. The minister's assistant checked that this morning. No imperius spell. Percy signed the forms himself."
Her mother and father told her no matter what they would stand behind their "little girl" and for her sake give Percy another chance.
As she continued her preparations she realized that Arthur and Molly needed the word. Rushing over to the fireplace she threw the floo powder in, "Hello the Burrow. Molly are you in?" While waiting for Molly, she wondered if there was a way the twins and Ginny could come. She would talk to Molly and determined to call Minerva next. It was fitting to get as much of the family as possible together for this.
As Molly answered wither her normal, "Hello Penny dear. What can I do for you?" She realized, "This is my wedding! I'm getting married today!"
The brightest smile of her life lit her face. "Molly! Great news!"
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"Go through the list again."
"Hermione! We've done it a dozen times. I know everything I need to bring." Even to Harry that sounded petulant.
"Then another time won't matter," Luna ganged up on him.
He sighed, he seldom won an argument, and never when it was two on one. "Okay. The three of us all wear wetsuits, the both of you will don yours the night before. Each of us will have knives. Yours on the inner thighs, mine on the outer right. The three of us will have Gillyweed secreted in the wet suit's pocket."
"Good, what else?"
He stopped for a moment, "What, what else?" But then answered himself. "Oh! I'll have your wands strapped to my arms and charmed invisible. Whichever one of you is in the stands will get hers before we begin."
"And Sirius has everything locked on?"
He nodded, "I just got off the mirror with him an hour ago. Everything will be where we need it when we need it."
"And Neville knows his part?"
A little testy from the other couch came, "Yes, Neville knows his part. Enough Hermione. You're going to go spare if you keep going through everything. Set your burden down."
She looked at him, sharply turning her head that sounded very familiar. "When did you start sounding like my father?"
He smiled a, "I know something you don't smile." "That's something you'll have to get from him. Of course, it could just be a guy thing."
Outwardly she grumped about boys being difficult, but inwardly, she was mollified, knowing her father still played a part in her life as she rearranged everyone on "their" couch and for once straddled the two of them so they could 'love' her.
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The administration department was not his primary responsibility, but as an intern, everyone had to start with the paperwork. He had spent a lot of time there learning everything in an effort to become invaluable; especially recently. And the ladies there had been increasingly annoying him. Needing his assistance for every little matter, even though they had been performing those tasks unaided for years, and in some cases decades, still he couldn't get out of their midst.
He saw that "Tonks person," and was going to kick her out. All of her final dismissal paperwork he was sure had been completed; but every time he moved to do that, another "issue" arose.
Finally done with all of the distractions, he was going to remove her personally from the office when he heard behind him, "Mrs. Clearwater." Then again, "Mrs. Clearwater."
Thinking, "Is Penny's mom here?" He turned to see a smiling Ms. Umbridge.
She didn't give him a chance, "Too early?" Once more her smile found him. It was disconcerting, to say the least. But one doesn't not smile when your boss is smiling at you. (Page one of the sycophant's essential handbook). So Percy smiled his brightest, suck up smile, although he would have never called it thus.
He heard the girls of the office titter behind him.
"Oi Percy!" Tonks spoke to him directly. "Big day huh? Are you nervous? It's okay to feel that way."
The old "deer in the headlight" saw was particularly appropriate. He was going to respond when he heard Ms. Umbridge declare, "The minister has authorized the office to close for the rest of the day to celebrate the big event."
Percy's head whipped around when all of the ladies of the office let out cheers and wolf whistles. He wanted to ask, "What big event?" When his mother walked in with... Ginny?"
"Percy, I am so happy for you."
"It's a big day, Perce. Are you happy?"
Thinking his promotion came in from intern to full-time employee, "I didn't know everyone would want to celebrate..."
"Of course we would silly."
"Percy. Your father and I couldn't be happier for you."
"But you and Dad..."
"Percy." She said seriously. "I know you disagree with your father over some things. But don't you realize how important family is? I've already lost one son, I'm not going to lose another, no matter what he calls himself, he'll still be my son."
The mention of Ron had Percy seeing red, "It's Potter's fau.."
"Stop!" Ginny commanded. "Not today Perce. Today is all about family. Ron did what Ron did and we don't need to bring that up today." She changed tact, "Do you love Mum Perce?"
"Did she just say "Priss?"
But she didn't give him a chance and continued, "What about Dad?" Once again she didn't give him a chance to respond. As she grabbed him by the hand leading him out of the office. Surprisingly Tonks was following, holding something.
They were in the hallway now still walking. Molly asked, "Do you love Penny?"
The way she said it made him pause. This question required an answer. "Yes, Mum. I do. She drives me crazy sometimes, but I do."
Molly smiled, "I imagine everyone feels this way."
Ginny led them to the ladies loo and opened the door. Molly still held Percy's hand and led him in, again followed by Tonks.
It took a minute before he realized where they were. "I can't be in here. What if someone sees?"
Ginny waved it away, "That's a load of tosh, and you know it. This room has been set aside for you. The men, as well as Penny, will be waiting for at the atrium, we need to clean up a little here."
He turned seeing Tonks there just smiling, "How could someone who had just been fired be so happy?" "What are you doing here?" His voice was anything but kind.
"Penny asked me to be your attendant. She's a new friend, I like her, and if she asks me for this I am happy to help. Is it okay that I help?"
"I guess. Help with what?"
"Silly Perce," Ginny said. "C'mon get your robe off. Mum has another for you."
"Wait, did she say Perce, or Priss again," he thought, but said "What? What robe?"
"Don't be silly. That's a very fine robe. But you can't be married in that."
"What married?" But Ginny had pulled his robe off of him and some of that was muffled in doing so. Most purebloods only wore underwear beneath their robes, and sometimes not even that. The future bride was distracted enough that the thought of being in his underwear in front of a near stranger didn't even register.
"Percy," Tonks said making sure the almost nude guy was facing her and that mirror she held at such an odd angle to get his face and as much of his torso that she could. "For the record. You do love Penny, and want to spend the rest of your life with her?"
Percy was anything but dumb, but overly pedantic. "There are forms..."
"Yes, Percy you filled out the forms. Penny gave me copies of all of them that you submitted." Tonks had the forms in her robe and pulled them out one handed while the mirror continued to show, and at the other end, record every moment of the event.
"I submitted?" He said looking at the forms. They were of course in order.
"Yes, you submitted. Do you still love Penny Percy?"
The whole world paused while Percy thought it through. If he said, "No." It could very well be over permanently. "Very well, Let's do this."
Molly let go a breath she didn't know she was holding. "Before we put the other robes on we need to clean you up a little." Pulling her wand, she transfigured a little seat for Percy. "Sit down dear. We need to do something with your hands and with your face." She couldn't stop the excitement from creeping in her voice, "Today my baby is getting married!"
"You're not going to put makeup on me mother. I don't want to look like a clown." He was suddenly nervous.
She stopped everything. "Look at me," His eyes found hers. "I love you and would never embarrass you. Penny loves you and feels the same. She suggested we do this, this morning. Ginny and Nymphadora only want to help."
Her "Don't call me..." Died on her lips, "What the hell, it's their wedding. If he can live with her name, surely she could give him this one," she thought all of that to herself, but added, "but it counts as a wedding present."
"We're just going to make you a bit more presentable. Here Ginny, you do his nails, and I'll sort out theses awful eyebrows." Percy dear, watch in the mirror how we do this charm. Penny will want you to look good for her all the time."
He watched his mother and despite what she said, he was afraid she was going to thin his eyebrows down to almost nothing. But he had to hand it to her, they did look neater.
"Watch how I do this Perce," Ginny got his attention. One hand was already finished. "This is something you can learn for her. You can do your nails without the color, but this is the charm to color hers for her. Something I'm sure she would appreciate."
The hand that Ginny had completed, did look neater. No color except for a very thin line of white near the end. He could handle that. He must have let something show because she whispered, "I love you Perce, and would never embarrass you intentionally. This is Penny's day and your day. Enjoy it, and just go with it."
The robes he wore daily were black. Many wore a variety of colors, and several older members seemed to try to one-up each other with the most garish colors, the most outlandish combination, seemed to get noticed in some sort of unacknowledged pool. He hadn't quite figured out the rules, all of the contestants, or even the prize, but he was taking notes.
These robes were the opposite of the severe black. When he was feeling flighty, he would put a charm on the robe and make it a depressing slate gray. The robes presented to him today were a pearl white. The first thing he looked for was the style. The cut was not overly feminine, but it was not something he would normally don.
Molly's voice suddenly had a hitch in it as she started to cry. "The first of my babies to get married! Oh Perciville it's so pretty. You are going to look lovely."
Ginny too had tears glistening in her eyes. "Perce, this is what Mum has been waiting for; one of her babies to get married. You are going to be such a pretty bride."
"But I'm not a..."
"Shh," she whispered urgently in his ear. Aloud she continued, "We spoke of this, Dad said, 'It doesn't matter which side you stand on. All that matters is that you stand and declare your love for the other person."
"Dad said that?"
She nodded, "and the twins agreed. We couldn't get up with Charlie or Bill, but I'm certain they feel the same."
Reaching a decision somewhere in his mind, "Those are nice looking robes."
"Penny brought them with her. She said they're a wedding present, but she didn't say who from."
A short time later, a suddenly nervous Percy looked anxiously in the mirror. Fresh tears fell from both of the female Weasleys. Tonks smile would not leave her face. Percy was used to her now, but couldn't figure out why she just continued to hold the mirror. Wondering if it was some obscure custom that he had no knowledge of.
Seeing his eyes on her she tried to calm him, "You look lovely. As pretty as a bride." She was thinking, "Let Sirius top this prank. Getting a guy to be a bride, and liking it!" But aloud she said, "Come. We're short on time. The minister is waiting."
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The morning had been a confusing wonderful whirlwind of events. Confusing at times, almost debilitating if he stopped to take stock of it long enough, but exciting and ultimately what he wanted. It came so fast that when it was over Percy couldn't believe it. He balked when he hear the minister was there, but once again was calmed by the girls around him.
"Don't trip on your pretty robes," Tonks said. Which made Percy pause a moment. Was there an undercurrent there, that he didn't quite catch? But he complied and picked up the robes which really were just a tad too long. It wouldn't look dignified if he was to trip at the most inopportune moment.
He remembered as he entered the area known as "The Atrium," the entire personnel office, as well as people from many others were there. Ginny had been providing support for him the entire time whispering encouragements. Molly had been on his other side. One hand holding his elbow, the other a handkerchief her tears of joy continuing to fall at the worst possible time.
He didn't even remember the words, only the promises that his beautiful loving Penny spoke, "cherishing and loving."
The minister's assistant, the ubiquitous Ms. Umbridge had a smile both warming and genuine. Percy never realized the difference until he had seen a real one from her. She had to get into the action, Warlocks and witches, I give you Ms. and Mrs. Clearwater!"
He heard it, but he didn't. Too many thoughts and emotions. Too many people rushing up and hugging, congratulating the both of them.
"A couple of announcements!" Tonks said to the crowd. Everyone is welcome to attend the cafeteria. Lord Black has rented the entire cafeteria for the next three hours. Everyone is welcome. The wedding reception and all food and drinks provided by house Black." Tonks "panned" the crowd, the mirror still in her hand. Exclaims of delight and applause rose from ever quarter.
"Further, He has generously donated 1500 galleons to the happy couple for their honeymoon. Lord Potter and his ladies have authorized the use of his villa in Southern Italy and Lord Longbottom and his ladies has done the same for the south of France for as long as the couple needs them."
The minister applauded as well. "Very generous gifts. The ministry can do no less. Mrs. Clearwater, you will be granted two weeks of unpaid vacation!"
More applause and some sounds of confusion but Deloris added, "But you must first fill in for Mr. Crouch, who is still ill. The event is tomorrow so that shan't be too odious." She waggled a stubby finger at him, "Make sure you show no favoritism to Lord Potter."
"That prat! I'll..."
An elbow from Penny stopped that diatribe before it even started. He had the good grace to look abashed.
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He woke suddenly, early. The sky was still dark, but he was too keyed up to sleep. His sleep was fitful and he knew it was beyond his ability to sleep more anyway. It took a moment, but he realized that both sides of the bed were empty. He normally slept in the middle loved waking up embracing one girl or the other.
Last night a seventh year prefect from Hufflepuff had knocked on their door requesting the presence of both of the girls. It wasn't too concerning last night. They had predicted the head would do that. It wasn't ever particularly worrisome that neither of the girls came down before he fell asleep. That too had been anticipated. But now. in the early morning when he reached for them physically and couldn't find them that was disturbing. Even more so when he "reached" for them in his mind; they weren't there either.
"Dobby, Winky."
The two dutiful elves "popped" in. "Where are Hermione or Luna? Can you find them?"
The two elves closed their eyes, and then almost simultaneously scrunched their eyes harder. Then each took the other's hand. "We's can't find them Lord Potter!" Winky said in obvious distress. Dobby "popped" out without a word. "Dobby bees looking round Hogywarts. Dobby's find them you'll see."
Winky led him to the couch and made tea for her master.
Inspiration struck and Harry placed his palm on the wall. "Where are my ladies?" He demanded.
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An hour later Harry was sitting with his feet on the couch his hands wrapped around his knees rocking back and forth. His eyes open staring, yet seeing nothing.
Daphne stood directly in front of her friend. Dressed in shorty shorts and an almost see through top, it would at other times elicit at the very least an eye waggle from him. She would slap his arm, appreciating the compliment, knowing she was safe no matter how dressed or undressed she was with him. She turned and woke her bond mates. "Nev get up. Harry needs us."
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"Hogwarts said she doesn't know," Neville answered Trace's question. They disappeared last night from the infirmary. She can't find them anywhere in the wards."
Misty volunteered, "Dobby and Winky be looking everywhere for the two misses. They can't find them either."
Tracey succinctly summed it up, "Well shit."
The two girls hugged him and told him it would be okay.
"No that's not the way. Not today. Today he needs to be Lord Potter." He bent over and stage whispered into Harry's ear, "Harry. Never let the bastards see you sweat. You can feel like shit on the inside but to everyone else, it must appear that it doesn't mean a thing. Got it?"
Harry's eyes refocused. After a moment he said, "I've got to get ready. We're running low on time. Plus I want to make an appearance in the hall."
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No one could tell as he laughed and joked with Nev and the girls that anything was amiss. His eyes narrowed and his fingers flexed at some of the comments made around him. He longed to pull his wand, but he kept himself under control. The idiotic comments weren't limited to Slytherin either. He didn't want to, but his ears picked up comments from every table. The girls kept him distracted and forced him to eat.
"Good afternoon. Gentle Witches and Wizards. This afternoon it is Hogwarts distinct pleasure to host the second task in the Triwizard Tournament."
Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling brightly as he continued his Sonorus. "The judges for today's event are Wizard Ludo Bagman. The heads of the three schools, Madam Maxime and Wizard Karkaroff and myself and filling in for Wizard Crouch of the ministry is Mrs... ahem," he interrupted himself appearing as if he had choked on something. "And Percy Clearwater!"
There seemed to be some confusion at the name but he continued to explain the event and the current point standings glossing over the name completely. Cedric Diggory followed closely by Viktor Crum and immediately followed by Fleur. Distantly behind them with minimum points was Harry Potter. His name elicited more than a few boos. Which had the headmaster's eyes twinkling even more and his smile was brighter.
"Champions. Are you ready?"
Diggory looked over, disdain clear on his face. "Potter you stay out of my way."
"Don't worry about it Diggory. I plan on doing this in record time. Just keep clear of the giant squid."
The headmaster was about to signal the beginning. Where each Champion was to dive off of a platform into the deep water when a voice from the crowd interrupted. "Headmaster. Are we supposed to sit here and watch the top of the lake for an hour?"
Clearly irritated, he turned to the second most hated voice in his life and then turned to the ministry's representatives, Mr. Bagman and Mrs. Clearwater. He allowed himself to be distracted a moment as he waited for some kind of answer from them. "How the hell did he become Mrs. Clearwater? How can I use this?" He thought to himself.
"That's okay Headmaster." Lord Longbottom's "brain trust" had anticipated this. "Lord Potter and I decided while we wait that we will at least have some visual display. "Please continue Headmaster. Everyone will see presently."
"Without further ado, Begin!" His wand giving a canon blast starting the event. The other three champions cast the spells and started. Harry had to say something. "They had best be okay old man."
"Are you threatening me Lord Potter?"
"No headmaster. I am promising you. No one authorized my ladies participation in this event. They have been effectively kidnapped. I will seek every redress available to me Albus Dumbledore."
Harry wanted to continue, but Neville decided to move things along. From his magical boombox once more plugged into some speakers placed there the day before by the helpful elves, Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries" began to play.
Harry raised his wand overhead and green sparks flew high into the air. He stood still there for more than 30 seconds. The sparks giving at least some visual stimulus as the sound of the third act of the opera started.
People looked left and right, the lake confusing the sounds location.
"There!" A voice called and arm pointed to the right. Then several more joined in looking at the strange black beast flying in making a "Chopping" sound as it drew near.
Several started to cry out in fear, but the muggle-born and the half-bloods already knew that it was a machine and laughed- at the pureblood's ignorance.
"Relax," Neville demanded. "It's just a helicopter. A muggle machine used to transport people and goods. Lord Potter has hired it for today."
The people stood but now no one screamed in terror seeing they were being made fun of. But they all stood.
Harry turned to look at his nemesis, his face was filled with wrath, but he dare not interfere.
The black helo hovered over the lake facing the stands and then slowly and deliberately turned itself around facing away. The rear hatch opened, and a large dark mass and water fell from the back of the craft. Its heavy burden gone, the aircraft rose in the air suddenly and closed its doors. It flew away without further demonstration.
When the rear opened Harry "accio'd" a rowboat that he had stashed nearby. Sitting in the boat, he threw the line forward all 20 feet of the line lay in the water. He had to hold himself steady as the boat suddenly jerked forward.
He was nervous and excited and waited impatiently. He hoped the giant squid lived up to its part of the deal. It had been given the magical signature of both girls. It was to bring them up to the top of the water which ever it detected as soon as it got his mate. Apparently, life was lonely for the squid. Good thing Dobby as a magical creature could help interpret both man and squid needs to the other. An equitable deal for both.
The little boat was pulled to almost the exact center of the lake. Its one arm gesticulated trying to talk to him while two other appendages rose and fell continuously into the water.
"Damn it Dumbledore. What did you do now?" Something was wrong, and sitting in the little rowboat wasn't going to solve anything. Quickly he reached into his pocket and took his first dose of Gillyweed. Silently thanking Neville for his foresight. He fell backward off the side of the boat as it became uncomfortable to breathe.
In the water he didn't have to swim down, the tentacles grabbed his arm and pulled him down to the bottom. Arriving at the bottom he saw five hostages there. "Shit!" He cussed underwater. Both Luna and "Mione were there. They were tied like the others to a stake, however both of them were tied from nose to foot around the pillars. The other hostages wafted to and fro in the eddies tied with a single line, but his girls were fixed. Their eyes closed, he could only offer silent prayers for their health. The nearer to him was Hermione, so he cut her bonds with a cutting spell and handed her to the waiting tentacle. As he did so He saw a shark draw near, but relaxed as he realized it was Krum, only his head and chest were shark like. But Krum was unable to cleanly cut his hostages bonds. Rather than risk injury to the pretty hostage, Harry tapped the champion's back and cut her free for him before moving to Luna. He saw Cedric using a bubblehead charm at this time out of the corner of his eye but didn't pay any attention to him. Before the Mermen had stayed away and let him do as he needed. But when he moved to Luna several came forward with their tridents waving them threateningly.
"I have had enough of this shit today." He said it aloud even though it was unintelligible. Pointing his wand at a nearby rock, he silently cast a bombarda just to pass a message along.
On top of the lake, the assembled crowd saw a large mass of water rise and then rain down, Everyone spoke back and forth and wondered what had happened. Daffy turned to her loves, "Harry's causing trouble again."
The other two snorted, "Obviously. Life is never dull around Potter."
The loud detonation hurt his ears and the ears of the Mermen. But the large boulder being turned into many small rocks was a visual that was ever more disturbing. His intent clear they backed off and let him take his Luna. As he rose, he looked into the murky distance trying to spy Fleur. The little girl left alone floating as all of the Mermen gathered around her. Breaking above the water, he had to duck down to cover his gills at least until the Gillyweed wore off.
Hermione leaned over, her smile lightening his heart for the first time today. "C'mon Harry get in. I've got Luna. See she's waking up already."
He shook his head no. "I can't. Fleur's hostage is down there alone. Besides that, I still have gills for another 30 minutes."
"Roger is down there?"
"No. It's some little girl."
Luna's head appeared over the side. "Get her Harry," She commanded. "I'll explain later."
He smiled, "Your will is..." He disappeared once more taking hold of the waving tentacle.
Once more it drew him rapidly to the bottom. This time the Mermen and now a few Merwomen swam around the little girl in a circle. Several tridents lay on the bottom near her feet. She had several cuts along her arms and torso staining the water near her red.
Not thinking it through, he yelled, "No!" Before the squid let him glide the rest of the way on his own.
Surprised, but not for long, many of the Mermen threw their weapons at him, as others attacked trying to stab and slash with their very pointed weapon.
He didn't want this, no one even dreamed that he would have to fight the Mermen. The deal with the squid was supposed to be fast and almost effortless. With his wand he cast wide area stunners and with his wandless hand the cast individual stunners. Since everything was silent, and everything was about intent, he didn't need to worry about wand movements. The Mermen were experts in the water, and more than one had gotten too close. He now had more than one cut and stab and bled even more than the little girl. But he was able to free her even as they stabbed him from afar. One braver than the rest stabbed him deeply just as the girl was freed by his knife.
Grabbing the tentacle that hovered nearby it lifted him to the top.
SMARTARSE SMARTARSE SMARTARSE SMARTARSE
Harry woke up laying on the platform. He head was in Luna's lap as Hermione poured a blood replenishing potion down his throat.
"Am I that ugly that pretty women cry every time they look on me?"
Hermione and Luna wiped their tears away as did others surreptitiously. "Yeah Potter. We'll have to work on that. Maybe get a mask or a bag for your head."
"Mr. Potter. How are you feeling now?"
"Poppy. We've got to stop meeting like this. My girls are beginning to get suspicious."
"Mr. Potter, I keep telling you, there are no frequent flyer miles for the infirmary. You're going to have to find some other witch to bother." She smiled in spite of herself. The guy was near death the trident stab just missing a hepatic artery and the kidney. He very well could have bled out if not for the two girls that cradled him. And was teasing her like it was an illicit liaison.
The girls giggled even as they continued to cry. This time tears of joy.
More serious, Madam Pomphrey added, "There was one stab that could prove dangerous. I'm afraid you'll have to spend the night in the ward again. I've already placed a placard there. Designating it as your bed."
"Can I at least sit up?"
Several voices yelled, "No!"
Snorting his disagreement, but knowing he wasn't going to win, "Fine."
"Just stay there Mr. Potter. I need to check on Miss Delacour."
Harry was upset with himself. He had forgotten about her. "Is she okay. How is Fleur?"
"They'll be fine Harry. Here drink this. It's to calm you. When you wake up you'll be feeling better and we'll tell you everything."
He dutifully drank to potion, the fast acting elixir hit him almost immediately, but he heard Tracey's voice, "Don't tell him ..."
SMARTARSE SMARTARSE SMARTARSE SMARTARSE
It must have been the next morning. He had remembered waking up at other times but immediately ordered to drink some more vile tasting concoctions and falling back asleep. He felt to either side of him ensuring his girls were within reach.
"They're there Master Harry. And I'm here as well. I won't leave anything to chance. Beard face goatman hid them from Dobby and Winky once. Will not happen again."
Harry whispered, not wanting to wake the girls up. It was still very early. "Not your fault Dobby. He's very powerful and no one would ever think that he would put both of them at the bottom of the lake."
He sat up. He was stiff and sore and more than a little angry. His movement and sudden irritation woke both girls. "Let it go for a little bit Harry. It's not even daybreak yet." Hermione sail sleepily.
"'Mione's right. Relax at least until the Sun Phoenix lays the egg that hatches and becomes a new day."
Harry knew she said these things to distract him. Invariably they did, no matter how outlandish.
"Sun Phoenix? Lays an egg? Really Luna love?"
"Hey it's early and I'm tired. Give me a break. Tell you what. I bet I can get someone to believe it."
"Usual stakes?"
"Yep. A back and foot rub. Now let me sleep. I need to think who I can get to believe it."
"It can't be a firstie."
She snorted, "No firstie in their right mind would believe that. I'm going for a professor if you make it for a full week."
"A professor? You're on. I am so going to win this."
"Hermione mumbled before turning over. "I want some of that. I'm with Luna."
Luna's tactic had worked, "I am so looking forward to two weeks worth of massages. You're going to have a hard time convincing Trelawney of this. She's not so gullible now that she is in a triad."
"You're right Harry love. Trelawney is much too smart." Hermione joined in and they said in stereo, "Burbage."
SMARTARSE SMARTARSE SMARTARSE SMARTARSE
The meeting was held in the Great hall that same morning immediately prior to lunch. Present were all of the judges, except for Mrs. Clearwater, (Harry chuckled every time he heard that. The girls elbowed him but they too had a smile about it.) All of the contestants, the hostages, the families of the contestants, and other interested parties.
Albus wore rose-colored robes contrasted with bright canary yellow slippers. Not for the first time Harry wondered how much of the headmaster was there, and how much of this was affect.
"The points were awarded yesterday, and we will repeat the awarding today, for those who were unable to attend that portion of yesterday's event."
Dumbles was looking directly at Harry. As did almost everyone else. Including Cedric who did so with the standard superior sneer. "But first we need to find out why Mr. Potter decided to alienate the Merpeople in the lake. I need to preface my remarks with acknowledging that Hogwarts has had good relations with the Merpeople for the past 100 plus years that they have been denizens of the lake."
Cedric stage-whispered to what could only have been his father next to him, "Snape was right. Potter in nothing but a glory hound. Always has to be the center of attention."
Dumbles cleared his throat interrupting the soliloquy.
"Well, Mr. Potter? Care to enlighten us?" He interrupted himself, "and by the way, We don't need to hear about some silly fantasy of a war between Merpeople and other races. You may begin Mr. Potter."
There were more people in the hall now than when the meeting started. Which most likely was Bumbles main reason for having it here and now.
Harry sighed, the majority of the faces still held contempt, while he expected it, you never did get "used" to it. Looking across the hall if there wasn't contempt, the other faces were masked hiding their feelings. "First of all Headmaster, I have never heard of any kind of war between the Merpeople and anyone else. Perhaps I should have done some research into that, or maybe it should have been included as part of the briefing for the second task. Next I want to apologize to Mademoiselle Delacour. It was not my intent to interfere with your task."
Fleur interrupted, "I was waylaid by zee Grindylows. I could not reach ma souer. Harry, Tu es mon chevalier!" The little girl sitting next to her smiled brightly and nodded her head, He heard a girlish, "Moi aussi."
"Yes, yes, thank Misses Delacour. But this is more about why Mr. Potter decided to attack the Merpeople when his hostage had been released. And why he decided to cheat, upset the ecosystem of the lake, and expose the castle to the muggles!"
More than one person "boo"ed at Harry.
He shrugged, "You've already decided. So why should I say anything in my defense? I didn't want to be in this tournament in the first place. Or did you forget?"
Several voices exclaimed, insulted at his rudeness to the Headmaster and other associated personages. He moved to leave the hall, not caring anymore when both of his wrists were held tightly by his ladies.
"Tell them, Harry. They have a right to know." Luna insisted.
"Harry, the Delacour's at least should know. And everyone else needs to learn what happened."
"Fine." He wasn't happy, but he trusted the girls. "Why do you suppose I was stabbed? Why was the little girl also covered in cuts?"
Once again Fleur interrupted, "Elle s'appelle Gabrielle."
Harry didn't realize he answered her in kind, "Merci." Then he continued to everyone, "I was content to leave after rescuing BOTH of my hostages. But Luna impressed on me the importance of getting Gabrielle out of there."
"By the way headmaster, did you want to comment on why I had two hostages to rescue? And why they were bound differently? Every other hostage was tethered by one vine to an ankle and floating with the currents. Both of my ladies were bound from ankle to their nose and tethered to the bottom of the lake. After I rescued one, the Mermen insisted that I leave the other."
When an answer wasn't forthcoming he asked, "Well Headmaster?"
"That is something that will need to be investigated, Mr. Potter. We need to focus on your cheating."
"My cheating?" His voice rose in anger, "My cheating! You take both of my ladies, both of them protectorees of House Potter and subject them to dangers not faced by the other hostages without my or their consent, and you call me a cheater. Very well Headmaster," he spit the word out like it was an epithet.
"After Luna told me to rescue Gabrielle Delacour I went back down to find she was surrounded by the entire tribe. They were poking their tridents and spears at her. Drawing blood. I went to rescue her and they attacked me. Had I left the girl down there I am certain she would not have survived."
Some gasps were heard, but overriding that came Cedric's voice, "Yeah Potter. Tell us another one. Everything was fine when I was there."
"Well you were first, weren't you? Did you even notice there was an extra hostage down there?"
He was suddenly unsure of himself. But this time it was Viktor's voice that was heard, "Da! Yes. He is right. There five hostages there. I didn't remember. He cut my hostage's bonds and I left."
"I have already said, that will be investigated. We still need to answer the questions about attacking the Mermen, and the ecosystem. You have already commented clearly on the sanctity of the tournament."
Hermione was a wordsmith, she hated it when the language was abused, especially when it was someone who should know better. This was beyond the pale for her. "Sanctity of the tournament? Have you slipped into your dotage old man? There is nothing holy about this tournament."
Luna took over, "You obviously haven't consulted with Hagrid. Any competent Care of Magical Creatures Professor would tell you that having one squid in the water for 50 years or more is bad. Can you imagine how lonely he was? And to correct you headmaster, you are right there is no war between Veela and Mermen. That ended over 150 years ago. Do you remember headmaster how the last war between the two races began?"
She didn't give him a chance to continue, "It was an event similar to this one. A veela became a hostage to a group of Merpeople. Only they didn't have my Harry to rescue her. She was sacrificed in a ritual. Tell me headmaster, to a quasi-primitive race such as the Merpeople are, the introduction of a creature of fire would be too tempting to resist, a sacrifice to their gods. It could have started a new Vella-Mer war."
Dumbledore was thinking furiously, but he was interrupted, " Tell me little girl. How is it you know this when no one else does?" Monsieur Alaric Delacour, current head of House Delacour and Le Gendarmerie de Magique.
"I have been studying this since I was a little girl at my father's knee. I've accompanied him almost every year in his research during the summer breaks."
His accent was almost nonexistent, "And who is your father?"
More than one audience member snorted and rudely interrupted, "Looney Lovegood."
Harry's ice cold stare quickly silenced them.
"Your father is Xenophile's Lovegood?"
"He is Monsieur."
"He is well respected. I understand you British are too insular and dismiss him as being déséquilibré, umm.. not right mentally. The rest of the world does not consider him so."
Luna curtseyed, "Merci Monsieur Delacour."
He continued, directing some ire to the headmasters. "Why is it a student had to tell of these dangers? And who is it that authorized my Gabrielle to be used in the first place? I was going to overlook it until I found out how much danger she was in."
"Mr. Delacour I assure you..."
"You can not assure me that the sun will come up tomorrow." He was beginning to heat up now.
Hermione jumped in, "I wouldn't be so hard on any of the visiting headmasters or the COMC Professors. I am certain that the," she made quotations in the air with her fingers, "will find that only one wanker, I mean person is responsible."
Albus needed to salvage part of this. "Lord Potter. I find your charges to be very rude. Very unbecoming for two ladies of high station. I demand that you remonstrate with them most severely."
Harry stood up and half bowed to the headmaster, "I will have words for them fitting their deeds this day," He said in all seriousness.
Luna jumped up and started to run for their quarters. "Ooh. I call parselmouth!"
Hermione followed after her "yelling" to her back. "It is more correctly called parseltongue, and you can't 'call it.' Harry will speak to both of us."
Albus was seriously confused, "Lord Potter. The second events notwithstanding. I am not sure your ladies have the right attitude. They should have some regret for their actions!"
"I promise you headmaster, the words I speak to my ladies will have them screaming. They are going to get everything they deserve, and more."
Harry caught Fleur's face, she started to laugh and blush at the same time, covering her mouth with her hand. Gabrielle looked around in confusion, as Fleur leaned over and whispered in her ear to calm her down. Harry caught her eye and winked at her.
Fully half of the people in the Great Hall looked around in confusion as the other half snickered behind their hands.
The headmaster turned to Minerva, "Is he going to be too severe? I don't understand the reaction."
"Relax Albus, he's going to give them exactly what they deserve. I'll deliver the scores and current standing ... later.:" She dismissed him with, "Don't you have an investigation to begin?"
