CHAPTER FOUR: WEIGHING OF THE WANDS, PLANS COMING ALIVE AND THE START OF SOMETHING GREAT.
Headmaster Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore sat in his office Sunday evening pondering the enigma that was Elphaba Hardbroom and the Trial that was Harry Potter. Having spent most of the weekend combing the castle for both of them Albus finally gave up and decided that if they didn't turn up for lessons on Monday Albus would send a letter to the aurors and proclaim them dangers to the wizarding world. Albus thought over his treatment of Harry himself and revealed in the fact he had silently encouraged the darker Slytherins mistreatment of Harry to keep him in line with the side of 'light'. Albus chuckled to himself as he thought to all the people he had manipulated over the years to keep himself in a position of absolute power. A lot of the wizarding public believed the Minister position to be the height of power but they were wrong. Albus used the fact he was the 'defeater' of Grindlewort to gain the position of Headmaster of Hogwarts and an order of Merlin first class, as well as chief warlock in the wizgenmort and being head of the ICW and representation for Britain in said ICW. What bugged him more than Harrys supposed defection from the intended plan was that Elphaba Hardbroom was no typical Slytherin and was considered to be an outcast to Slytherin house despite being found in the company of many neutral Slytherins and the occasional student from the other houses. Albus had a feeling in the back of his mind that much of Harrys preparedness in the tests he had set at the end of the past three years had come from Elphaba and not the youngest Weasley male and the problem child Granger. He was surprised that the youngest Weasleys and Hermione Granger hadn't disappeared alongside Harry. He knew from Severus Snape that Elphaba never slept in the Slytherin dorms and often stayed in a private dorm due to problems with her year mates and often wandered the castle at the weekends missing meals and ignoring everyone. Albus sighed again and pushed the thought of Harry Potter and Elphaba Hardbroom out of his mind for the night and reached for some sherbet lemons. He'd deal with his problem students later.
# # # # #
Monday morning had Harry and his allies back at Hogwarts in the Great Hall sitting at the end of the Gryffindor table early for breakfast. It had been agreed by everyone including Sirius and Gaby that they were to stick together at Hogwarts and never be alone in twos if at all possible. Harry expressed concern over Susan and Luna, since the majority of Harrys lessons he was at least with Neville, Daphne or Elphaba. Susan chuckled and reminded Harry the only two lessons she'd be away from the cabal as they called it was Potions and Charms but the rest of her lessons was with Gryffindor or Slytherin anyway. Luna smiled and reminded Harry that thanks to him and her running around with the Maurauders map last year during the Hogsmede weekends Harry didn't sneak out on Luna now knew 90-95% of the shortcuts and passageways around the castle so she would never be far away. Sirius provided everyone Sunday night with a set of magical mirrors either attached to the one he gave Gaby or the one he had himself. They were to keep either of them informed of anything minuscule happening in between lessons that anyone tried on them including teachers. Thanks to Gabys eidetic memory the Cabal now owned copies of the tournament rules which Gaby had written down and multiplied thanks to a copier. Harry was livid when he found out about the 24 hour rule to decline the position of Champion and now despite everything Harry began planning extra bouts of hell with surprising help from Neville and Susan. Daphne, Luna and Elphaba had been heard muttering about plans of their own as well especially for Crouch and Bagman.
Harry had informed Dobby, Winky and the potter elves that he would offer them positions as post carriers between the Cabal, Burchoke, Madame Bones and Lady Longbottom. The house elves offered to jump them between the apartment and Hogwarts every morning and evening as well as swapping their books and notes between classes and bringing any items they required. Susan had hugged Winkey when she brought Susan a letter from Madame Bones stating she would be there at the first task irrigardless of what the headmaster desired alongside Lady Longbottom and Burchoke. Gaby had surprised the group further by providing them the paperwork for three dual schools abroad, Two in America and one in Canada. Everyone jumped at the chance to go to school elsewhere that Gaby promised to look into dual citizenships. As such Elphaba now held the paperwork in everyones protective folders in an enlarged pocket in her school robes.
Harry felt the eyes of everyone coming into the hall watch the group warily. Ron Weasley gave them a Hellish look whilst Hermione Granger seemed conflicted but still annoyed at Harry who didn't seem to mind due to the fact the group was now looking over the building plans for the first hotel in their company Pheonix lights Incorperated, everyone was chipping in around munching on breakfast. Harry was happy that the ten year business lease came through last night and they were well on their way to securing a site for the new hotel near the River Thames in London. Harry saw Elphaba and Daphne tense ever so slightly as a shadow came over his part of the plans. One look at Neville and Harry knew instantly it was Professor Snape.
"Professor Snape" Harry said evenly turning around to see him "What can I do for you sir?"
"What is this drivel Potter?" Snape asked in reply frowning over the plans "I hope it's not you planning your burial"
"Not at all Professor" Harry said trying to keep enough anger down to keep his voice even "Last year Miss Lovegood and I came across Miss Greengrass and Elphaba discussing a possible business venture after Hogwarts... a luxury hotel combining both the Mundane and Magical worlds in an unusual way" Harry knew he had an audience in the surrounding students and the teachers "We ended up brainstorming and It sounded so interesting we four decided to do it together. We asked for Neville and Miss Bones here in September for some opinions on what constitutes a Wizarding hotel and now they are in on it too."
"But what is this crap potter?" Snape asked prodding the building plans as they self updated with everyones suggestions
"We are merely finalising the ...building plans and the... designs for the hotel...sir" Neville stumbled slightly and crumbled under Snapes Gaze
"We want everything to be up to regulations sir in both the magical and mundane worlds before we take it to anyone sir" Susan continued a brave glint in her eye "My Aunt and Nevilles Grandmother know and they approve of it"
"As does my grandfather" Elphaba added quietly knowing Snape hated her grandfather Baron Ebenezer Hardbroom "He thought it was a good business idea and has told me he would buy a share to assist us in setting it up"
"Twenty points from each house for lying" Snape said angrily thinking of the Baron Hardbroom
"Thirty points to Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff" McGonagoll called out walking up to the table "And Sixty points to both Slytherin and Gryffindor For inter-house co-operation and a fine sounding idea"
"Thank you Professor" The cabal said at once surprise in their faces and voices
"And Mr Potter I have received letter from your new lawyer Ms Cilantro stating your desire to skip certain lessons with your friends to train for the tournament since all the paperwork is here and I see no discrepancies I have signed them to allow it" Professor McGonagoll said a small smile on her lips as Snape fumed on the spot before storming back up to the staff table.
"Thank you again Professor" Harry said taking back the copies of the documents they had painstakingly found "We've decided that two others would help me at a time so no-one misses every single lesson"
"That way when we do train altogether we can cover what everyone misses" Daphne continued with a smile
"We thought it would promote inter-house unity to the other schools" Luna finished grinning a genuine smile.
"Take another Ten points for promoting Hogwarts" McGonagoll said before walking back to the Teachers table.
Minerva McGonagoll had taken the weekend to think on the whole situation surrounding Harry Potter and the headmasters unhealthy interest in him, Minerva had decided not to tell the Headmaster of the new development of Harrys friends yet. Let the old man find out for himself.
# # # # #
Harry and his friends quickly settled into an unusual routine after breakfast. They would arrive early, eat and talk to the students who believed Harry before disappearing off to class, although Elphaba and Harry spent half their time dodging Snape, and Dumbledore in between lessons. They couldn't ignore Snape in potions though. Professor McGonagoll held them behind on Wednesdays Transfiguration lesson to ask where they would train and offered concealed help. Harry told her he had sought help from outside the school which he had spent the weekend doing. Harry also informed her that Madame Bones had provided them with signed notes from Barty Crouch for Elphaba and Daphne to be Harrys aides during any Extra Meetings and the weighing of the wands. Amelia Bones alongside Lady Longbottom and Sirius had risen to the challenge of support alongside Harrys new best friend Bank Account Manager Burchoke and several Goblins. That shut her up until Harry told her that 'If Aunt Minnie could regale a spell or two once in a while with a story of his parents' then Harry was gratefully all for it. McGonagoll almost began crying with joy as Harry and Elphaba joined Neville and Luna for a spell searching session in the Library. Once the group got their different lessons and training sessions out the way they varied the trip home each day by either leaving straight after dinner in the great hall or leaving half way through citing they had finished.
Tuesday was the only day so far they had left before hand when Dumbledore tried to push his will onto Harry. It was done in front of Professors McGonagoll and Sprout where Both Elphaba, Luna and Harry himself expressed their disgust that the Headmaster AND Crouch had failed to tell him of the 24 hour window to decline the position. Harry stated Crouch had corrected his mistake by offering aide passes for Daphne and Elphaba, WHAT was Dumbledore going to do? Harry Luna and Elphaba giggled all the way down the hall as Sprout and McGonagoll ripped Dumbledore a new one. What surprised the Cabal was the fact that several students from all four houses came up to Harry and Elphaba during this time and offered to spend time with them as well as their services to help train if they wanted it. Harry was particularly surprised when Lavender Brown walked up to him in the great hall without Pavarti and said in lowered tones that she would keep an eye on Hermione and Ron for him alongside the Weasley twins and Colin and Dennis Creevey in case they stepped out of turn. Harry took her up on her offer by asking her to keep both of them out of trouble at least when Malfoy was around.
Harry was standing outside the potions classroom on Friday afternoon looking over a small spell book Elphabas mother Constance had sent him. But he wasn't getting into it, he sighed and rubbed his eyes thinking of Gaby and all the paperwork that had been signed for their new businesses, Harry hoped that the finished hotel plans in their new chain would receive building agreement with the English mundane and magical governments soon. Harry looked up to see the trailing Gryffindor arriving alongside Draco Malfoy and his merry band of Slytherin followers. Daphne, Susan and Neville had noted that half the students from Ravenclaw, Gryffindor and Slytherin still believed Harry put his name in the Goblet of Fire willingly. The other half had believed him but openly supported Cedric Diggory which Harry actively encouraged often stating 'If you don't want to support me, then support Cedric. HE'S the Hogwarts Champion.' Susan said that saying that earned Harry brownie points with Hufflepuff, through the occasional Student from the house of badgers openly berated him.
"Well boys it's the champion" Malfoy sneered catching sight of Harry and turning to Crabbe and Goyle. "Where's your friends Potter? The Weasel and the Mud blood. Shouldn't they be licking your boots right now?"
"Shut up Malfoy you're a worthless piece of scum" Ron called out from further down the line.
"I wasn't talking to you Weasel" Malfoy called back "Do you like my new badges Potter?"
Harry raised an eyebrow at the Badges on several Slytherin robes and quite a few Gryffindors stating 'SUPPORT CEDRIC DIGGORY THE REAL HOGWARTS CHAMPION' Harry felt a bit impressed with the spell work involved and Malfoys supposed change of heart.
"Look at what else they can do" Malfoy stated smugly pressing them and the badges legend changed to 'POTTER STINKS' Harry chuckled as Daphne stepped to his side.
"Well you got them half right didn't you Malfoy" Daphne interjected with a smile as Elphaba appeared at Harrys other side "Cedric Diggory IS the Hogwarts champion"
"What did I miss?" Elphaba asked with a tilt of the head
"Malfoy thinks I smell" Harry replied still chuckling "Too bad I took a shower this morning"
Several of the surrounding students chuckled as Malfoy frowned slightly at the failed provocation before turning to Hermione who was standing nearby
"Hey Mud blood want one" He asked smirking cruelly "Only don't touch my hand you see I've just washed it"
"Ron No" Hermione Protested as Ron pulled out his wand and stood beside her. Both Ron and Malfoy stared at each other before firing Curses
"Furnunculus" Ron cried loudly
"Densaugeo" Malfoy called out
Harry watched alongside the others as the spells bounced off each other and struck Hermione and Goyle in the face. Harry, Daphne and Elphaba stepped in between Ron and Malfoy alongside Dean and Seamus as Crabbe checked Goyle out and Lavender Brown pulled Hermione out of the way to give her some space.
"Guys not cool" Harry said icily frowning at both Ron and Malfoy as Professor Snape appeared the hallway.
"What happened?" He asked in an angry tone, when several students began telling him at once what happened he barked "STOP! Greengrass you tell me"
"Malfoy and Weasley began trading Barbs and Spells as is their usual desire sir" Daphne replied with the truth.
"Weasley struck Goyle" Malfoy piped up eyeing his bodyguard friend with a strange look in his eyes.
"Take him to the hospital wing then foolish boy" Snape hissed at him with a frown.
"Malfoy got Hermione Professor" Lavender called out gently coaxing Hermione to show Snape as Crabbe led the disfigured Goyle away. Snape peered at Hermione and her growing teeth
"I see no difference" He snarled as Ron, and the Gryffindors against harry jumped to her defence and Hermione left in tears. Lavender and Harry shared a look before Lavender followed Hermione. "So fifty points from Gryffindor for the five of you and Detention tonight for you Weasley now get in unless you want it to be all week"
Elphaba placed a hand on Harrys shoulder as he gave the corridor another glance and followed everyone as they filed into the classroom. Harry could tell Professor Snape was fighting an internal battle with himself especially when Daphne and Elphaba sat down with him at a table near the back of the room. It was then they knew that McGonagoll had passed on the information of their lesson jumping but Snape had been furious about it.
Severus Snape kept an eye on Harry and his friends as he shot a revealing spell at the board. Harry watched as Malfoy flashed his badge at him behind Snapes back.
"Now Antidotes" Snape called out to the class as he folded his arms "I hope you've all finalised your recopies, I want you to brew them carefully and we will choose someone to test one..."
Harry felt Snapes eyes flash over him menacingly despite Snapes internal battle over his Slytherins Snape still hated him and was willing to poison Harry irrigardless of anyones antidote worked. Harry was saved by a knock on the potions classroom door.
"ENTER" Snape called out and the door opened Colin Creevey came in with a smile flashed in Harrys direction.
Colin approached Snapes desk his smile still in place.
"Well Mr Creevey what is it?" Snape said curtly
"Professor" Colin began "Harry Potter is needed upstairs with the other champions alongside his aides Daphne Greengrass and Elphaba Hardbroom"
"Potter, Greengrass and Hardbroom have another hour of potions Creevey" Snape sneered coldly surprise in his eyes at the mention of his Slytherins. "They can go upstairs after they have finished this class"
"Sir...Sir Mr Bagman wants him" Colin admitted sheepishly pink "All the champions have to go...McGonagoll said Greengrass and Hardbroom had to turn up too...I think they want photographs"
Harry almost groaned and slumped his head on the table at Collins words.
"Fine" Snape growled "You three go though I want you back here later to test your antidotes"
"They'll need their stuff with them professor" Colin began with a squeak "All the champions..."
"ALRIGHT" Snape yelled "The three of you get out of my sight"
"Yes professor Snape" Harry, Daphne and Elphaba echoed quickly packing up and leaving the room with Colin in tow.
"I'll bring you copies of my notes" Neville told them as they passed
It took ten minutes to get to the classroom they were needed at with Colin blubbering consistently that he was at Harrys side in this whole mess.
"We accept your belief Colin" Harry began trying to sound even
"But it's best you go back to class" Daphne jumped in suddenly sounding concerned for Colin
"We don't want you to get into trouble" Elphaba said taking hold of Colins shoulder for a moment and walking him away from Harry
"You ok?" Daphne asked Harry straightening the robes over his uniform absent-mindedly Harry felt a faint thrill where Daphnes hands brushed his body.
"I will be when this farce is over" Harry awncered truthfully as Elphaba sent Colin on his merry way with a promise to discuss a possible apprenticeship with a photographer she knew for the summer.
"That boy is a little intense" Elphaba muttered earning a chuckle from both Harry and Daphne
"Let us get this over with" Harry said he stepped forward opened the door and the three of them entered the classroom. Ludo Bagman sat off to one side talking to a blonde haired woman wearing magenta robes and a man with a smoking camera. The other Champions stood on the other side of the room. Fleur and Cedric talking almost happily, Victor Krum sat there silent and looking gloomy
"Ah Mr Potter, your here" Ludo Bagman called out scurrying over with the magenta wearing witch. He stopped and frowned at Daphne and Elphaba before smiling "Who are your lovely friends?"
"Mr Bagman" Harry said holding in a mental sigh "This is my sworn ally and best friend Heiress Elphaba Hardbroom and my ally and friend Daphne Greengrass of House Greengrass"
"Hello to the both of you" Ludo said with a forced smile "But I must ask why they are here? This is the weighing of the wands it's just for..."
"The champions yes" Elphaba finished with a barely concealed scowl at the woman "But since we have these" she pulled out the signed notes from Crouch "we are confirmed aides to Harry and therefore we are required by the tournament rules to be around for the extras"
"Well the judges will be here in a moment" Ludo said as he turned to the woman beside him "This is Rita Skeeter she is doing a small piece for the tournement"
"Well not that small" Rita said eyeing the trio with a hungry gleam in her eye. "May I have a few words with the youngest champion? To add a bit of colour"
"Any and all Pictures and Quotes are to be confirmed by Mr Potter and either myself or Miss Hardbroom here Ms Skeeter" Daphne said with a superior air around her "One photo and one quote for this session will be fine alongside the other Champions of course"
Rita Skeeter suppressed a huff and shook herself before smiling and walking off alongside Ludo and the photographer.
"So what's the weighing of the wands ceremony again?" Harry asked as Elphaba pulled out her copy of the rules.
"Basically they get a wand maker to check the wands of the champions see that everything is in order" Elphaba said reading the passage aloud
Harry checked his wand and noticed it was looking a bit grubby. Daphne pulled out a cleaning rag shot it with a cleaning spell and handed it to harry.
"Thanks" Harry muttered and began cleaning his wand
"Harry" Cedric said approaching him with Victor Krum on one side and Fleur Delacour on the other "We just wanted to say we accept your proposal"
"Really?" Harry asked surprised nearly dropping his wand
"Oui" Fleur awncered with a smile "Since everyone is at some disadvantage we decided taking you up on your offer was the best idea"
"Plus" Krum grunted "We get to meet more people outside our schools"
The weighing of the wands commenced the moment Mr Crouch, Dumbledore, Karkeroff, and Madame Maxine entered the room with Ollivander the wand maker and sat down at the judges table. Harry felt a little vulnerable as Daphne and Elphaba sat at the back out of the way alongside Rita Skeeter and her photographer friend as the wand weighing took place. Fleur went first and Ollivander pronounced her Nine and a half inches inflexible rosewood and Veela hair wand had passed with flying colours (Harry made a note to pass on the information of Fleurs unusual heretage to Ron somehow) and produced a bunch of flowers from them after saying 'Orchideous'. Cedric went next stating he had polished his twelve and a quarter inch oak and Unicorn hair wand last night. Harry felt a little better he had cleaned his not long before. Cedric sat down after Ollivander produced smoke rings from the wand and stated its passing the test. Victor handed his Hornbeam and dragon heartstring over without fuss and waited quietly. Ollivander stated it was an unusual Gregorovitch creation which produced a fine flock of small birds when Ollivander said 'Avis'. Harry let Victor sit down before he got up. A nervous twitch came over him as he handed his Holly and Pheonix feather wand over to its creator.
"Ah Mr Potter" Ollivander said with a grin after examining it quietly for a few minutes "your wand is in perfect condition" Ollivander conjured a cup and poured wine out of it "It has passed, the wand seems very happy with you"
Harry felt a flash of relief overcome him as Ollivander handed it back with a grin before sitting down with the other champions.
"Now this is over" Dumbledore began "May we...Yes Miss Skeeter"
"May we take photos and get a quote from each of them?" She asked almost giddily
"Of Course" Dumbledore replied frowning slightly as Harry gave one quote to Rita and stated the one photo of his would be with the other Champions. The main photo was taken and Harry, Daphne and Elphaba fled the room and waited down the corridor for the other Champions. After twenty painful minutes of waiting, the others turned up looking slightly harassed.
"So" Fleur began with her French accented English "where is this training room of yours?"
Harry and his friends smiled and led the other champions up to the seventh floor and to their friends waiting for them.
AUTHORS NOTE:
THANK YOU FOR READING CHAPTER FOUR OF THE HOGWARTS CABAL.
CHAPTER FIVE UP SOON.
CONSTRUCTIVE REVIEWS WELOME ALL FLAIMERS WILL BE SENT TO FRANK IN HELL.
ALL READERS AND REVIEWERS KEEP DOING WHAT YOU DOING.
Since this story has NO BETA it will have spelling mistakes the spell-check or I will miss so bare with me.
Vi38: Pal/Bro/Dude/Babe I love the fact your reading my story but I need more than just Very Good for each chapter.
