Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter; J.K. Rowling does. I do, however, own this story's plot!
Chapter 18
The Malfoy Summer Solstice Masquerade Ball
It has been "seven weeks" since Harry's birthday and magical inheritance, but really it was just seven days. Though the group still did not know what sort of creature the teen wizard turned into, they knew he was now a Greek God, along with Draco and Blaise who had joined into his transformation.
Since the Malfoys had already been planning for the Summer Solstice Ball, all the decorations, preparations and food had been prepared on the day of. Because the teens had sped through the second year course load even quicker than the first year course load, the 'tutors' deemed it alright for them to have the rest of the time finding outfits for the ball. However, Tom, Lucius, Remus, Sirius and Severus strongly persuaded them to study the third year's course work on their own time – no matter how easy it was; they insisted they would need all the knowledge they could get. Then again, with Tom's blazing red eyes pinned on each and every one of them, it was kind of hard to say no.
Not to mention the fact that considering Harry, Draco and Blaise were now Greek Gods, the three wizards had to undergo more strenuous and copious amounts of training headed by the four guardians. They were not pleased; however, the guardians were. Egidio, Alandair, Macaire and Tesia were given a non-spoken goal from the Mother and they were going to accomplish it with the highest possible results. With this kind of set mind frame, Harry, Draco and Blaise were pushed to their limits and then some, every single day.
And if they were to complain, the Guardians would make their training even harder for them to finish. But because all three wizards were stubborn, they refused to give up and give in – and so, they accomplished every task that was given to them.
The guardians were surprised with their results – mainly because they did not believe they would be able to finish them with such outstanding outcomes. With the data and results at hand, they were unable to deny the three young wizards' training potential and so it gave them a sense of accomplishment.
On the day of the ball, house elves were running around preparing for everything. The small and intermixed family was lucky to have a normal quiet breakfast together in the other smaller dining room.
"So when does this ball start?" Harry asked.
"Six sharp." Lucius answered.
"We start preparing at five. The decorations and the entertainment should be ready and fixed by fifteen after five. The food will be done ten to six; the guests should be flooing in or apparating with their invitations starting at five forty-five. So I suggest you get everything ready ten minutes before six. Lateness is not appreciated, but whoever said it wasn't exciting?"
"No, we are never late. Everyone else is simply early." Harry quipped, laughing at Snape's scowl.
"We will be having an early lunch and a light teatime. Please embrace your manners and etiquette. Or do we have to go over them again?" Lucius asked, his eyes trailing over each and every one of the Gryffindors, including Luna.
Ron paled when Lucius's silver-grey eyes landed on him a lot longer than it did for the others. He mentally reminded himself to eat slowly and neatly instead of the usual hand grabbing of the food and gorging himself with it. Shaking his head, Lucius looked away at his answer and continued with his breakfast.
Lunchtime came and went and teatime soon followed shortly after. For lunch, because it was such a large occasion for the day, there was probably about two thirds of the food they usually ate set up on the dining table. And for teatime, only a handful of biscuits were placed on everyone's plate.
As hours past, it was time for everyone to get into his or her outfits for the ball. With Ron silently complaining about the lack of food during the day, Harry and Neville patted him on the back for comfort – whispering in his ears that because it was a ball, there were probably more diversity in food and more amounts of food that he's ever seen compared to the meals in the Great Hall. With that in mind, Ron happily trailed to his room to prepare for the night.
Soon it was ten to six and all the teens met up at the top of the grand staircase leading to the foyer that they would eventually walk through in order to enter the grand ballroom.
Harry wore a black velvet tuxedo jacket with a deep green tie, set with a dark green handkerchief in his breast pocket. Draco and Blaise had managed to style his messy hair nicely and had set it into position with some hair gel, though there was a strand that refused to cooperate and so they let it hang from Harry's head as it curved from his crown.
The rest of the males wore the same thing except for the color of their ties and handkerchief. Draco had a silver tie and silver handkerchief. Blaise had on a deep maroon tie and handkerchief. Ron was surprised with the actual normal looking evening outfit his mother had sent him, but nonetheless his was a royal blue. Neville had a dark hazel tie and handkerchief whilst Dudley had on a burgundy tie, accompanied with a similar colored handkerchief. Fred and George had on the same blood red colored tie with a handkerchief. Theo had a corn yellow colored tie and a handkerchief. Crabbe and Goyle wore a red plaid and blue plaid tie accompanied with the same handkerchief respectively. Tom went with a crimson red, Lucius with a deep lavender, Sirius with a dark slate grey, Remus with the traditional black and Severus with a white tie.
The girls, however, as per usual, wore something that blew the minds of the male population of the group.
Petunia had on a black sleeveless crewneck floor-sweeping gown. Its sheer fabric inserts enhanced the peplum at her waistline and the pleated A-line skirt. Though it seemed to be rough looking, it's embroidery with lace-blocking solid trim made it soft to the touch. With her blonde hair styled in a tight bun, emphasizing the diamond stud earrings, fair makeup and light jewelry, Petunia seemed to be excited for the party to begin as she held her mask tightly against her chest.
Ginny wore a sleeveless v-neckline, plunging v-back slightly sheer draped silk crepe colored dress with black lace trim. Adorning several pearl accessories, she had on a pearly hairclip that was clipped in her half-pony tail hairstyle. She also glamoured her wand holster to her arm and twirled around to give the boys a good look at her dress, preening at all the compliments that were thrown her way.
Hermione wore a white sleeveless round neck, floor sweeping dress. With a bandage-style bodice, tonal bandaged skirt and sheer chiffon overlay, the dress accented her womanly figure. She glowed and became bashful at the compliments – normally used to be complimented on her smarts rather than her looks. Wearing dangling diamond earrings, necklace and bracelet further complimented her attire. Like Ginny, she also had her wand holster glamoured.
Pansy wore a fiery red plunging v-neckline, sleeveless gown with cutouts with horizontal straps at the bodice, complete with a golden waistband. Her hair settled just above the open back and the A-line skirt with floor length hemline just barely brushed against the floor whilst she was in her high heels. She wore a black rose broach and a black velvet lace choker. Her blood red lipstick offset the fair makeup she had on, though she did make a striking picture.
Crystal wore a light lavender sleeveless, round neckline dress, which surprised everyone considering she wasn't the type to wear anything that screamed girly. The scalloped-edge lace panels at the front and back of the bodice and banded waistline showed her perfect hourglass figure. The A-line sunburst pleated skirt just hovered an inch above the ground while the female Slytherin wore her lavender heels. "It was the simplest one out of the catalogue." She shrugged, before walking past the guys.
Luna wore a gull grey sleeveless princess seamed sequined gown that had a sheer-knit yoke, sequin detailed upon the floral lace and a mermaid skirt. Like her outfit from Harry's birthday party at The Temple of the Sea, Luna donned a sheer peachy grey wrap that floated behind her. She seemed to be eerily glowing a soft white aura, though once even rubbed their eyes and blinked several times, the aura seemed to disappear, leaving the blonde Ravenclaw to giggle in their midst.
Tesia had chosen to wear something more 'mortal styled' as she called it and so she wore a raspberry pink sleeveless layered lace gown. The allover lace construction with a plunging neckline and a tiered pleated chiffon skirt showed Tesia's elegance – which most people would forget considering she wore battle gear most of the time.
Egidio, Alandair and Macaire decided on robes. Egidio had on black robes with a white sash; Alandair had navy blue with a grey sash and Macaire had a magenta robe with a red sash.
"Shall we?" Lucius asked. "Oh, and I forgot to mention. It would be best not to mention who is who, though I'm quite certain everyone would know who we are."
"Andy is going to be here isn't she?" whispered Sirius in Remus's ear.
"Yes, her and Teddy. I thought I'd like to get this talk over with as soon as possible. Letting this situation linger on for too long will have dire consequences, and I really don't want anything to happen to either Andy or Teddy when Dumbledore finds out I've gone against him."
"Smart choice." Tom nodded before he strolled down the stairs and headed towards the ballroom – followed by the rest of the group.
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Before they entered, they adjusted their masks and moved in small groups of three into the crowd – knowing their mission was to weasel out all if any information on the Ministry as well as any private and personal information on the guests themselves. They congregated back into their group – careful to make sure no one thought it suspicious a large group was talking with each other.
Soon Lucius walked onto the dais and silently gained everyone's attention when the orchestra quieted.
"Friends, family, colleagues and guests. I, Lucius Abraxas Malfoy, would like to thank you all for coming to this joyous summer event. I hope the music and food is to your liking. However, we have gathered here not only for relaxation and idle chatter but for a momentous occasion."
The guests stared at him with rapt attention.
Lucius signaled Sirius to come up to him and took Sirius's hand in his. "I would like you all to know, that I have become engaged to none other than Sirius Orion Black, Lord of the Most Honorable Black Family."
Whispers broke out within the audience and the reporters that were invited pushed up to the front, stopping just before the steps leading to the dais. Lights flashed and questions were shouted to the engaged couple. But Lucius silenced them with a raised hand.
"Our engagement has been decided not long ago and I have agreed to marry Lord Black, as we once again join the Prestigious Malfoy and Black family together. Invitations will be sent out as soon as possible for any further information. That is all."
The press swarmed closer to the couple as Lucius ended his speech.
"Mister Malfoy! What is the reason for the sudden news?!"
"How do you feel Lady Malfoy will feel about this?!"
"She –" Lucius began, "has and is of no importance in my happy news. We have settled our differences as civil adults before my engagement to Lord Black. There will be no further questions."
"Mister Malfoy! Is it true your engagement is the cause of your divorce with Narcissa Malfoy?!"
"It is not. And you will refer to her as Narcissa – she has no relations to the Malfoy family name any more."
"Lord Malfoy! How do you explain your sudden engagement with the sudden divorce of Narcissa Black?"
"She is also not in relation to the Honorable Black Family name." Sirius cut in. The stunned look on the reporters face almost had Sirius bursting into fits of laughter, before their quills rushed furiously across their notepads.
"Mister Malfoy! Mister Malfoy!"
Lucius brushed past the reporters with Sirius leading the way. They walked out of the ballroom with the press in tow, thanking guests who wished them well and wished them a happy marriage and soon the music started up once more. But rather than idle gossip, the news about Lucius and Sirius's engagement erupted from everyone's lips.
"I for one, am glad for Sirius." Hermione stated. "He deserves this after being stuck in Azkaban as an innocent man."
Everyone nodded their heads in agreement.
"So how did you manage to prove he was innocent?" Pansy asked, turning to Harry.
The green-eyed boy grinned a broad grin and turned to look at Tom; he would've gotten Sirius to explain, but the man was busy fending off the crazed and frenzied reporters.
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"Tom! Tom!" Harry burst through the doors leading to Tom's study, calling for the Dark Lord two more times.
It was the fifth day of the last 'week' during their second year schooling. The teens had already finished their exams and workload the first four weeks and now were on their 'break'. But it seems Harry had other ideas in mind.
"What is it?" The Dark Lord groused, rubbing his face tiredly. "And could you turn off that blasted light?"
"Sorry." Harry laughed, as he glamoured his blue aura. "I want Pettigrew. Sirius's innocence can no longer be pushed off any further."
Those ruby red eyes flashed before returning to the glamoured brown. With a sigh, Tom closed his door, threw on his robes and stepped out of his room.
"Really Harry. Couldn't you have done this when I wasn't taking a short nap?"
Harry cocked his head to the side before tilting it towards the other. "Nope." He responded, popping the p.
Tom sighed exasperatedly, motioning for Harry to follow him to the dungeons. With every step they took, the air got colder and soon they reached the front of Pettigrew's cell.
"Hello Peter." Harry grinned evilly. "We're going to take a nice trip today."
The man whimpered pitifully before scrambling backwards as if he would be able to fuse together with the stone wall behind him. With a flick of the wrist, Tom forced Peter into his animagus form and with a quick "Petrificus", the Dark Lord had Peter within a small cage and handed him to Harry.
"I'll be back soon." Harry chirped, swinging the cage back and forth, laughing as he heard Peter's rat body slamming harshly against the cage with each motion.
"Take someone with you!" Tom quickly called out.
Harry froze at the bottom step and thought, "I'll take Lucius with me!" and he skipped up the stairs as he bobbed the cage up and down like a yo-yo toy.
"Lucius!" Harry shouted, calling for the blonde.
"Yes Harry?"
"I want a meeting with Kingsley now please."
Lucius raised a pale eyebrow. "Auror Kingsley is busy with other matters. Perhaps we can call for him another time? Is there something urgent you need from him?"
"I have a surprise for him!" Harry giggled, further shaking the cage around. Lucius eyed the cage curiously before leading the boy away towards the floo.
They soon arrived at the Ministry; Lucius lead them towards the Auror Department, earning a numerous amount of curious stares. What was the Golden Boy doing with a Malfoy? And why does he look so happy?
Lucius rapped sharply on the door three times before Kingsley answered behind the door with a tired and agitated, "Come in."
"Hello Kingsley!" Harry waved, wiggling the cage about, even though he had a free arm.
"Harry!" Kingsley was surprised. "What brings you to the Ministry? Much less the Auror Department?"
"I have a gift for you!" Harry set the cage down onto the table and closed the Auror's office door behind him. Nodding to Lucius, the blonde enlarged the cage with a quick "Engorgio", leaving whatever was inside untouched by the spell.
"What is this Harry?" Kingsley asked once more, moving his papers away when the cage took up a majority of his desk.
"Shhhh!" Harry shushed him. "Revert the rat back to its human form!"
"Rat…?" Kingsley asked slowly. Realization dawned in both Lucius's and Kingsley's eyes when they registered where this situation was heading.
"Not to worry!" Harry whispered, giggling. "Lucius packed the cage with countless charms. He won't be able to break out of it."
Kingsley looked to Lucius to confirm what the Gryffindor had admitted but was met with a cool look. The Head Auror shook his head - always that Malfoy mask.
Waving his wand, the rat reverted back to its human form – Peter Pettigrew. Once the rat was spelled into its human form, the man inside the cage began to scuttle around the limited amount of space – still with the rat's engrained movements lingering behind.
When Peter's eyes landed on Harry, his eyes grew wide with terror at the smirk and the promise of sweet, sweet revenge in those Avada Kedavra green eyes. The eyes moved towards Harry's left and saw Lucius, whimpering when the blonde threw a deathly cold glare at him. Turning his head, his eyes finally landed on the Auror who looked on with shock, which quickly turned into a sharp gaze.
"Peter Pettigrew." Auror Kingsley stated, whipping his wand around the office, files pertaining to Sirius's Azkaban sentence and the murder of Peter Pettigrew flew into his open hand.
He ruffled through the files, quickly reading over the information to refresh his mind and quickly flicked his wand to scan the man in the cage before him. His dark brown eyes landed on the hands that gripped the bars of the cage, noticing that a finger was missing on one hand.
"Then it's true." Kingsley began. "Sirius Black is innocent."
"Yes well. I knew that." Harry blurted, arms folding across his chest and his foot tapping impatiently on the floor. His face was set in a frown when he saw the animagus looking at all three occupants in the room.
"Can we hurry this along? I'm sure the news of Sirius's innocence and lack of trial, Peter's betrayal would be the perfect story to sell to the Daily Prophet – and the perfect story to get Fudge kicked from the Minster's position." Harry boldly stated, ruffling his robes and combing through the bangs that kept falling into his face.
"Now, now Harry." Lucius chided. "One must not speak badly about the Minister in such a place – especially where he works."
Harry threw Lucius a look that spoke of how he felt. Really?
Lucius had to keep from smiling, though the smallest twitching at the edge of his mouth did please Harry.
Kingsley watched the exchange before coughing to interrupt their moment. "I'll be sure to have Peter locked away. He won't be getting away anytime soon."
"Good, because if he does… Well, I wouldn't want anything to happen now would we?" Harry smiled sweetly.
Kingsley took no offense to the threat lingering in the Gryffindor's words. He knew how much the boy adored his godfather, and to be able to bring Peter Pettigrew, alive, to the Ministry rather than dealing revenge on the wizard brought a smile to Kingsley's face.
The black Auror called for several other Aurors and they quickly had Pettigrew apprehended, yet had the wizard locked in the cage before them. None of the Aurors could believe that Pettigrew was actually still alive; nonetheless, they did their job and the team of Aurors strolled through the Ministry and took Pettigrew away.
"Is that all Harry?" Kingsley asked, as the door closed behind them.
"Of course not. Just a heads up Kingsley, I'll be telling the media how much of a hero you were in fulfilling the objective of capturing Pettigrew even though the case has gone cold for a good decade and a half or so." Harry smiled.
"Alright, what do you want kid?" The Auror laughed. It was never a dull day when Harry was around.
"I want you to join us. Simple as that." Harry stated.
"Join you? In what might I ask?"
"I have some… evidence – a couple of memories if you will, to show you."
"And what do they pertain to?"
"The true face of one Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore." The teen grinned.
"True face?"
"Yes. The whole entire grandfatherly act, the caring and understanding Headmaster of Hogwarts, the political leader of the light side, also known as the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot and the all power and wise wizard of all time bar Merlin is all just a farce."
Kingsley took a minute to compose himself as he sat across from Harry. He motioned the two wizards to sit and they did. He wracked through the information that's been thrown at him through a span of just twenty minutes, or was it thirty?, since Harry and Lucius entered his office. Finally, he settled for the most obvious question.
"Do you have any proof?"
Harry grinned. "The best proof there is Kingsley – our memories to be viewed in a pensieve."
"Memories can be fabricated."
"Yes." Lucius drawled. "But a wizard who knows of such a thing happening can tell when a memory is fabricated or not."
"And you have some experience in this field of expertise?"
Lucius smiled. "Merlin forbid, no. I am not indicating that I am an expert in such an area of knowledge – however, it is just a basic knowledge every wizard should know when dealing with memory. After all, are memory charms not a branch of this field of knowledge?"
Kingsley folded his hands and thought, his eyes flickering back and forth between Harry's emerald green eyes and Lucius's steely silvery-grey eyes.
"Very well. Let's have at the evidence. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty."
"But Dumbledore is already guilty. He shall never be proven innocent." Harry firmly stated, pulling all the memories he had of Dumbledore to the forefront of his mind.
Kingsley took out a small container and poured all of Harry's memories into it. He watched as the container filled all the way up before closing the lid on and twisting it tightly, spelling the jar to be unbreakable and to be charmed to never leave his side – even if it were to be summoned from his person.
"I'm surprised Harry. I did not think you would have …"
"Such much dirt on the wizard that put me in such a situation?" Harry cheekily finished his sentence.
Kingsley narrowed his eyes before chuckling. Lucius shook his head – he really needed to teach Harry how not to interrupt when talking to superiors or to his betters.
"Come now Lucius. It is fine for Harry to speak with me in such an informal way. I truly believe Harry can help us – not in the way Albus believes that the fate of the entire Wizarding World sitting on the poor lad's shoulders. But, you know what I mean."
"When will this case be started?" Harry asked, slightly bouncing in his seat with glee.
"I'll review the memories. Not to worry Harry, we'll have this court case open to the Wizengamot as soon as possible."
"I'll find more evidence by then! Just tell me when the date is." Harry promised.
"Of course, but off you go now. I'm sure Lucius has some errands to run. Merlin save him from accruing more money than he already needs."
"My, Auror Shacklebolt. I did not know you could crack jokes like that." The briefest twitch of Lucius's lips indicated his surprise.
"If you tried to do more than just act as Fudge's advisor, you would come to know that people are much more than they seem." The Auror answered, with no heat behind his words.
"Yes, I've come to know that – what with Harry being in my care this summer and all."
"That reminds me, what are you doing with Lucius, Harry? Were you not with your muggle relatives?"
Harry narrowed his eyes at the mention of his relatives. "Oh not to worry. I'm with two thirds of them right now. If you look through the memories, you'll understand why I'm with Lucius this summer. I look forward to seeing you at the Malfoy Masquerade Ball though, Kingsley. We'll leave you to your job now."
"Shall I see you out?"
"No, not at all. We'll show ourselves out." Harry smiled. And with that, Kingsley watched as Harry bounced out of the room, quickly chattering and gesturing wildly with his arms and hands to a smiling Lucius, which stunned everyone that walked past them or even turned their heads to look at the odd pairing.
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The day after Harry and Lucius visited the Ministry, owls flew into every witch and wizard's home delivering the shocking and startling news.
Sirius Black – Acquitted Of All Crimes?!
In a shocking turn of events, Sirius Black, Lord of the Oldest, Most Honorable House of Black (see picture to the right) has been deemed not guilty of the murder of Peter Pettigrew nearly a decade and a half ago! As Minster Fudge, the British Minister of Magic, ordered for Lord Black to receive the kiss not two years ago and have the innocent Lord sent to Azkaban fifteen years ago– how will he save face now?
Minister Fudge was the one to announce and read off all the crimes Lord Black had "committed". He pushed strongly for Lord Black to receive the Dementor's Kiss but the majority of the Wizengamot ruled for the sentence for life in Azkaban. Lord Black had been silenced with a spell during his case – unable to speak up about her innocence. Minister Fudge was actually the one to spell the Lord silent when he could no longer take Lord Black's cries and his so-called lies about being innocent and "pinning" everything on the "dead" wizard Peter Pettigrew. After the sentence, Lord Black was stunned to prevent from overpowering the Aurors who took him to the Azkaban prison – and soon, the case was decidedly closed.
Nonetheless Head Auror, Kingsley Shacklebolt, (see picture on the left) was the one who blew this case wide open when he found Peter Pettigrew. Locking the Animagus away in the cage used, undoubtedly, to catch Peter's Animagus form – a rat (see both pictures to the right)– Auror Shacklebolt was able to apprehend You-Know-Who's follower, along with several Aurors from his team.
Questioned under Veritaserum, the criminal admitted to revealing the home of James and Lily Potter, which was under the Fidelius Charm, to You-Know-Who. For all those readers that have never heard of the Fidelius Charm, it is used to hide information within the Secret Keeper and is irretrievable unless willingly revealed by the Secret Keeper his or herself. To invoke such a powerful spell is to have complete trust and faith in the person who has been nominated as the Secret Keeper. To break that trust was to shatter the bonds and the magic that kept them together.
As you all know, Pettigrew was guilty of such charges. It would not be surprising to find out that these charges also include the murder of several Muggleborns that Halloween night. Pinning his murders and his "supposed" death on the innocent Lord Black, Pettigrew hid as his animagus form as the family pet to the Weasley family. The rat was finally passed off to Ronald Bilius Weasley, best friend to Mister Harry Potter, who eventually found out the rat's true form, thanks to Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Severus Snape, Potions Professor at Hogwarts, and Remus Lupin, the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor during the children's third year.
If a free criminal was running around Hogwarts during the children's entire third year, can we safely say Albus Dumbledore - Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, is the best person to protect Hogwarts? To protect our children? If the all powerful, all knowing wizard is unable to detect a criminal that was living amongst the innocent and defenseless children, is he really worthy of being the Headmaster?
It is revealed that Pettigrew has had a hand in the resurrection of You-Know-Who during the Tri-Wizarding Tournament, held at Hogwarts the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Not only did Pettigrew revive You-Know-Who, but he was also the man whom killed the young Cedric Diggory.
Because of all his crimes, Pettigrew fled into the night, once again escaping capture. However, Auror Shacklebolt has finally caught the scoundrel who dared to commit more dastardly deeds.
All my readers should know that if Pettigrew were caught fifteen years ago, Sirius Black would have been Harry James Potter's magical guardian. But what was worse was the fact that one Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Grand Sorcerer, Supreme Mugwump and Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, knew about this all along, yet he did NOT do anything to keep Lord Black from being sent to Azkaban.
Evidence has proven in the case of Pettigrew's arrest that James Potter, Lily Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew himself had asked for the wizard to take witness at the bonding that would make Pettigrew their Secret Keeper.
Was this an attempt to keep Lord Black unfit to be young Harry's guardian? Did the Headmaster of Hogwarts and the Minister of Magic plan this knowingly? I, for one, would like some clear, cut answers.
Rita Skeeter, from The Daily Prophet
For information on Peter Pettigrew's court case, see page 8 and 9
For information on Lord Sirius Black's innocence, see page 10
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"Bravo Harry. Great job Lucius." Rounds of applause erupted in the dining room when everyone finished reading the paper.
"It was nothing." Harry shrugged. "I didn't want people to think my godfather was a murderer. I think we brushed the issue off long enough – so I thought it was time to do so. You know, considering Sirius is getting engaged to Lucius."
"Why thank you for your concern." Lucius smiled.
"Thanks pup." Sirius beamed, throwing his arms around the teen and pulling him into a bear hug.
The others looked on with tender smiles before everyone busied themselves with breakfast – because nothing was more important than food.
"Did you see the pictures they put up on the news?" Ron laughed.
"Especially Fudge's?" Theo smirked.
"I've never seen someone sweat so much in my life." Dudley exclaimed, watching as the moving picture of the Minster of Magic dab at his face quickly and furiously with the amount of sheen sweat accumulating.
"Yeah well, he's mostly like that." Fred piped up.
"I'm surprised his statues aren't of him dabbing away at his sweat." George snickered.
"This will begin the fall from his position. It is the first step to preventing his new campaign from successfully happening when he goes for his reelection."
"If he thinks he'll be reelected with this scarring incident, he's crazy." George said.
"Or desperate." His twin added.
"Sorry Ron." Harry apologized.
"Whatever for mate?"
"The comment about you being my best friend rather than you know – "
"Nah. That's alright. Not to worry." Ron brushed it off. "Besides, I think it worked the best in this situation. After all, the report made us more innocent looking in the public's eye and put the blame on Sirius's arrest and Azkaban sentence on Fudge and Dumbledore. What could possibly make it better?"
"Ron's right Harry. It's best to start of painting the children as innocent students and have the adults as the ones that were supposed to be the guardians, the ones to lead and protect the Wizarding World." Pansy explained.
"In other words, being unfit to do their jobs." Crystal summarized.
"Now, I think it's the start of a good day, so we best finish our breakfast and make today as good as it was yesterday."
"Do not forget to pack. We are to leave tonight." Remus reminded them.
"Yes Remus." The teens chimed and they continued with their meal.
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"So that's it?" Pansy asked.
"Yes. That's it. What more did you think would happen?" Harry asked confused.
"I thought it would be more juicier. More details! More action! The papers didn't really go into it that much." Crystal exclaimed.
"My, aren't you kids excited?"
"Mother!" Blaise exclaimed.
Gwendolyn Zabini was a tall, cocoa-colored skinned woman and had amethyst colored eyes. Seeing such a beautiful woman before them, the group of Slytherins and Gryffindors could hardly believe of the rumors surrounding her - having heard of the rumors that her partners would mysteriously die within a year of their relationship.
"We were just talking is all Lady Zabini." Draco said, bowing to the woman.
"You should go out and mingle. There are many young ladies out there that would love to dance with you all."
"Mother, I'd rather dance with Harry." Blaise said, pulling Harry up front.
"Oh? Is this the young Harry Potter that I've heard so much about?"
"It's nice to meet you Lady Zabini." Harry greeted.
Blaise's mother gave Harry a stern look over before smiling widely. "I approve." She nodded at Blaise, who beamed a large smile in return.
"Now, is your father here Draco? I'd like to speak with him."
"The last I've seen of him was father leaving with Sirius with a trailing mob of reporters."
"Well alright then. I'll go walk around and see if I can catch him."
"Have fun at the party mother." Blaise exclaimed.
"Go dance with Harry." Lady Zabini cooed.
"No, none of that. Oh look! There's Kingsley and his wife. Come now Draco, Blaise! Let's go say hi." Harry exclaimed, quickly dragging the blonde and brunette by their intertwined hands towards the married couple. If the nosy guests were surprised with the sudden act, no one dared voice their opinions at the Malfoys' ball.
The gang watched the trio slip away from the beginning of an interrogation, sighing.
"Now we'll never get the details." Ginny complained.
"Come now. This is a ball. No whining or crying or bawling about in such pretty masks and dresses. Go have fun." Theo said, tilting his head to the dance floor, which had trickled down to a handful of couples who were dancing to classical music.
"Theodore is right. You all should have fun." Lady Zabini smiled before walking away.
"I suppose you're right." Crystal sighed, picking up a glass of sparkling grape juice and downing it. "Come on then Theo. Let's dance."
The Slytherin offered his arm to Crystal and they were soon whisked away towards the middle of the dance floor. One by one, the teens either broke off into pairs and headed towards the dance floor or stayed by the buffet table picking off the magically refilling hors d'oeurves.
On the other side of the ballroom was Remus and Sirius having a serious yet somewhat strained conversation about what to do with Teddy now that Tonks was 'occupied'. The two wizards had ushered Andromeda into the corner of the ballroom, quickly throwing up spells, charms and even wards before starting the conversation.
After all the protection was set, Remus quickly blurted everything out. He just couldn't keep it in – he needed the witch to understand what was happening, what was going on, what he needed to do, what he wanted to do and whose side he was on. He held his breath after the confession, staring at Andy warily as she bumped Teddy further up onto her shoulder. He could almost see the clogs turning in her head as she processed all the information that was thrown at her face.
"On a less somber note, I'm finally a free man!" Sirius jumped in, trying to diffuse the somewhat awkward tension. But Andy wasn't having any of it – she flashed Sirius a quick glare and turned back to Remus - keeping her eyes pinned on the werewolf before her, only turning her head to look at her grandson when Teddy took to cooing at the sparkling chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
Minutes passed and Andy finally moved Teddy to her other shoulder before speaking.
"You mean to say Albus has been manipulating every follower on the Light side – but because Harry has shown and proven to you what has happened, you've changed sides? Now you're with his… friend, who just so happens to be doing the right thing? And now because you cannot convince Nymphadora about all of this, you've decided to come to me in case something were to happen and so have custody over Teddy? My grandson?"
"That's a better way of putting it." Remus nodded.
Silence blanketed the small group before Andy sighed. "I knew I should have prevented Nymphadora from joining the Order." She shook her head sadly.
"Y- I'm sorry Andy."
"None of that nonsense Remus. There is nothing you need to apologize for. It is all Albus's doing. But I agree with you."
"But you do know, if Tonks continues to resist us, we can't guarantee her safety. Her life is literally in the palm of ... a certain someone's hands…" Sirius cut in.
Andromeda's eyes dimmed once more. And Sirius understood why. The concept of family itself ran strong within pureblood families. Anything and everything was completely second to a family member.
She took a deep wavering breath and looked straight into Sirius's eyes, "I have no qualms about it. If Nymphadora understands what is best for her and understands where you're coming from, she will be safe. I know for what cause you are all doing this for – do not think I am that ignorant Sirius. But if it comes down to taking Nymphadora," she sighed, "Teddy will stay with you Remus, as he should be – with his father."
"You're not going to keep Teddy from me?" Remus asked relieved.
"Should I?"
"Well, you are Teddy's grandmother…"
"Did you think I would say no just because you've captured my daughter and locked her up somewhere?" Andromeda continued to ask.
"Well – no, but – "
"Did you think I am the type of person to be close minded?"
"No." Remus shook his head.
"What kind of grandmother would I be if I did?"
"But… Tonks said the Ministry wouldn't allow me to get custody of Teddy because I am a werewolf – a dark creature."
"Oh if I had any trouble with you being a dark creature, I would have never allowed for you to marry into the family. Do not worry Remus. I see the good in you and if other people think otherwise, then they are just judging you based on stereotypes and their own fears that prevent them from seeing who you truly are. Nymphadora should be ashamed that she even dared to mention that fact. Albus must have manipulated her opinion of dark creatures – not all dark creatures are deemed evil. That line of thinking certainly did not come from her parents. I am not embarrassed that a werewolf married into the family – in fact, as you know, I have no intentions of following pureblood traditions." She laughed.
Teddy cooed and gave his grandmother's cheek a pat before pointing at Remus. He gurgled a few times, waving his arms in Remus's direction, his hair and eyes changing back to normal to match the werewolf's.
"Now, I think Teddy wants his father," she turned the child in her arms to face Remus and wrinkled her nose, "and I think his father needs to change someone's dirty nappy."
Andy handed Teddy over into Remus's arms and smiled. "I'll come by to visit frequently. After all, he is my grandson. You all are living with Lucius now correct?" Remus and Sirius nodded. "Good. And cousin, I'm quite that you're free – did you expect anything else? I do read the news." She smiled before heading off in search of a waiter.
Remus and Sirius watched as Andy walked away, her dress trailing behind her in a long but elegant train. Teddy whined and wiggled in Remus's arms, alerting the werewolf that his son needed to change.
"I'll help you Moony. Not to worry, we're here for you. I'm sure Harry would like to meet his godson." Sirius gave the wizard's shoulder a pat before leading the father and son into an unoccupied bathroom.
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"Is that… Is Remus holding a baby?" Harry asked, when his eyes strayed from Draco's. Currently the pair was waltzing around on the dance floor. Harry, aware of eyes pinning on his and Draco's form, was quite nervous at having to dance so openly; after the fiasco during the Yule Ball fourth year, he didn't think he would be dancing in public again. But Draco had laid out his hand to him, promising to be the one to lead, smirking at Harry all the while making his request to have him as his dance partner. Harry couldn't exactly say no when he knew Draco would do so, and so here they were, dancing around the ballroom floor – flowing seamlessly through the other couples.
Draco spun Harry, turning his head a fraction of the way in the direction Harry had been looking before his eyes widened slightly in surprise. "I believe that is Remus and a baby." He answered, pulling Harry back into his arms before gliding him across the dance floor.
"What is he doing with a baby?" Harry tried his best to track the werewolf's destination.
"I'm not sure, but after your dance with Blaise, you can ask." Draco replied, feeling slightly jealous that his boyfriend's attention was taken away from their small moment together.
Harry's head whipped back to look at Draco in shock. He had to dance again? Harry had thought one dance would suffice for the rest of the night. But he breathed out. He supposed dancing with Blaise would count as another "one" dance. However, he had no doubt that between the two Slytherins, Harry would dance away the night – even perhaps socializing with other pureblood families whenever they would come up to the two. Draco and Lucius were, perhaps, the only two people every guest could recognize. And after their dance, Harry was definitely sure everyone would wonder who the dark-haired teen was in Draco's arms.
And soon the dance ended with the customary bow or curtsy towards each other's partner. Draco felt a tap on his shoulder and made way for Blaise to take his place as Harry's partner. This small exchange certainly did not go by unnoticed by the guests and the murmurs began to grow louder when Harry took Blaise's hand and Blaise's hand drifted to Harry's waist.
"Do not worry about them." Blaise whispered, flashing a smile.
"But I'm unused to all this, especially the spotlight." Harry grimaced.
"Just look only at me and don't bother about those gossipmongers."
"Easier said than done."
Blaise pulled Harry tight against himself, feeling the shorter teen's body mold against his own. Harry let out a gasp, noticing the closer proximity.
"There, nothing to worry about. Just look at me."
Harry met Blaise's soft gaze and the pair moved to the music once it started playing – drifting off into their own little world, unaware that the murmurs had grown even louder than before.
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"Ah Lucius, what a man Draco's grown up to be."
Lucius raised an eyebrow at the kiss-up comment coming from the parent of one of many witches hoping to marry into the Malfoy family.
"Oh yes," another cooed. "He's grown into a great young man. You must be so proud of him."
"That I am." Lucius admitted, sipping the champagne to hide the disgusted look on his face when he could practically see the parents salivating at the chance to raise their social standing through the means of marriage.
"Oh, and let's not forget about the young Zabini Heir. He's such a graceful dancer isn't he?" Lady Blackwood commended. Several other mothers murmured in agreement – their daughters tittering in giggles as their eyes raked over Blaise's and Draco's form.
"Don't you think they're old enough for marriage?" Lord Reynerson hummed, sipping the champagne.
"My, what to talk about in such a place." Lucius took a long sip before turning to face Reynerson. "Am I to believe that you are wanting my son to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage and to sign a marriage contract between them?"
Lord Reynerson chuckled. "My Lydia is of age and has been brought up to be a respectable woman. I am sure there are no qualms with having the Reynerson and Malfoy family come together in a matrimonial union."
Hearing that Lord Reynerson had started on his propaganda on getting his daughter to marry into the Malfoy family, other parents started onto Lucius, trying to subtly get their own daughters into Lucius's grace.
"My, are you having a hard time Lucius?"
The blond was grateful to hear the voice of his savior and turned to speak. "I hope you're enjoying the ball Gwendolyn."
"Of course. Each year the ball becomes more and more glamorous." Lady Zabini smiled before turning to look at the crowd around them. "And… they are?"
"They want our sons to sign marriage contracts with their daughters." Lucius explained.
Gwendolyn Zabini's smile turned cold and her smiling eyes narrowed in annoyance.
"I believe our sons can decide whom they want to marry for themselves." She replied coolly.
"Surely you don't mean that. After all, he's the heir of the Zabini line." Lord William protested.
"Are you saying my son cannot make such an important decision? One that will affect the rest of his life?" Gwendolyn retorted.
"O-Of course not." Lord William stammered.
"Then what exactly did you mean?"
"W-Well I – W-What I was trying to say was – "
"Please excuse me. My son requires my presence." Lucius interrupted, once he saw Draco becoming angry just a couple of feet away. He excused himself and walked off, leaving the crowd to the dangerous "Black Widow", but not before hearing Gwendolyn bite out "My son will not be choosing your daughter if it's the last thing he ever does! He will marry the person of his own choosing and none of you will interfere!"
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"Who is that?" A teenage girl asked jealously.
"Someone who definitely knows the young Malfoy heir and the young Zabini heir." Another sniffed.
"Did you see how both of them wanted to dance with him? A male?" Another looked on scandalously.
"What does he have that we don't?"
"More importantly, why would they want to dance with him rather than us? Ugh, I bet he is more than just a simple dance partner. "
A majority of the female teenage guests were looking on as Harry and Blaise danced to the song. Many of them were green with envy, looking on at the pair with jealous eyes. Some believed the shorter dark-haired teen had done something to get Draco and Blaise to dance with him. However, a handful of them, being much older, could not deny the fact that the young man in the arms of the Zabini heir looked perfect at his side, as he did in the Malfoy heir's arms.
"I did not think the McVoy heiress, the Dubois heiress, the Prideux heiress, the Accardi heiress and the Roseland heiress would be susceptible to becoming gossipmongers, much less speaking badly about my son, his best friend and their guest." A cool voice came from behind the teenage girls.
The girls whipped around facing the speaker, their dresses flowing back into place. Their mouths gaped wide open, eyes as wide as saucers and face beet red from embarrassment. The crowd had turned to watch the girls that had been named to see what would happen next – no doubt getting ready for juicy gossip that pertained to the Lord and heir Malfoy making demeaning remarks about the upbringing of those rich, but foolishly stupid girls.
"Well Father, you know what they say. Only the uneducated would stoop so low to speak badly about others they know nothing about."
The girls fled in distress and embarrassment. They had spoken badly about the Zabini heir, the Malfoy heir and in turn, spoken badly about the Head of the Malfoy family. They did not doubt that this would cause a rift between their families. The crowd had moved out of the way, allowing the girls to flee from the ballroom – no doubt running to their parents to be excused to return home and cry all night long in their bedroom.
"I wonder what that was all about." Harry mused, catching the girls dashing across the room as if their dresses had been lit on fire.
"If I can see correctly," Blaise started, pulling his eyes away from the scene, "Draco and Mister Malfoy has stopped a bunch of girls from talking poorly about us."
"Whatever for? We did nothing wrong." Harry asked innocently.
"Ah Harry. Please stay forever innocent." Blaise smiled, dipping his head to drop a kiss upon Harry's lips. His smile grew broader as Harry's face lit up like a light, the smaller teen ducking his head to prevent the dark-skinned teen from looking any further.
Soon the song ended and Blaise led Harry off the dance floor and towards the rest of the group.
"Spill Harry!" Ginny prodded.
Harry sighed. "Do I have to?"
"Yes!" The group chorused.
Harry sighed once more. "Fine, but stop harassing me after this, promise?"
Pansy grinned. "No promises."
"Tell us how you got Skeeter to write it that way."
"And tell us how the Daily Prophet allowed it to be written like that."
"I can't believe they'd allow such slander to be written like that." Theo wrinkled his nose as if he had smelled something bad, but then he laughed. "No wait, actually I can."
The rest of the adults soon joined them; Lucius and Sirius were able to leave the reporters to their own gossip, after promising that anything they see that were not the spoken truth would have a large lawsuit against them – one from Lord Malfoy and the other from Lord Black.
Remus looked quite nervous, holding up a baby in his arms, as he walked up to Harry. He licked his lips with an anxious look on his face before opening his mouth.
"Harry, this is Teddy. He's … he's your godson."
Harry stared at Remus before dropping his eyes to look at the baby in the werewolf's arms. He repeated that process until the wiring in his brain helped catch him up to this moment and organized his thoughts.
"H-He's my godson?"
"Remus, when did you – "
"Last year - with Tonks. He's about four months old now."
Harry bristled with anger, his magic spiked in the air and the static charge around him seemed to amplify. His emerald eyes flashed an even deadly green as Harry gritted his teeth to contain his temper. The drinks in each of the waiters' serving tray seem to shake as if the entire manor was in an earthquake.
"You got married and didn't tell me? You had a son and didn't tell me until you saw fit this summer?" He hissed, clenching his fists.
Remus wilted under Harry's glare. Sirius stood before him.
"Now Harry, Remus and I understand you hate secrets. You hate having people telling you lies. But it's for –"
"I swear to Merlin if you say 'it's for your own good', I will blow up." Harry snarled, his green irises dilating and contracting at a rapid pace.
Sirius gulped before rethinking his words. However, Lucius stepped in before he could speak.
"Harry, it is not respectable to lose face in a public setting. You must understand where Remus is coming from. As a werewolf, a Ministry labeled dark creature, did you think he would have been able to have a fancy, newsworthy wedding? Did you think the Ministry would not have liked to take young Theodore as a test subject and subject the poor infant to hundreds of experiments to see if a child born of a bitten victim would earn his bearer's genes? Or what about testing to see if the child would bear the metamorphmagus genes? I can assure you the Ministry officials would like nothing more than to take him apart piece by piece."
Harry closed his eyes and felt Draco and Blaise's hand on his shoulder. He breathed out, blowing against his bangs – a small rippling static charge jumping across his body.
"I'm sorry Remus. I apologize for not letting you explain yourself before jumping to conclusions."
Remus straightened out some more before smiling at the teen. "It's alright Harry. It is not your fault. I'm sorry for not telling you about this in the first place. Sirius didn't even know until the day of – thought you should know." He chuckled weakly.
"And I didn't let him get away with it either." Sirius grinned, a grin full of promises that he had gotten the werewolf back for not inviting him in the first place.
"Well," Remus licked his lips in a nervous gesture, "would you like to hold Teddy?"
"I think I might drop him." Harry murmured, stretching his arms out for the child.
"It's alright. I thought I would too when I first carried him in my arms." Remus smiled, gently placing the child in Harry's arms and telling him how to adjust his position to keep Teddy's head up, yet on a respectable incline so Teddy could rest whenever it got too heavy to pick his head up.
"H-He's so precious." Harry whispered, as if his normal volume of speaking would frighten Teddy.
Remus only smiled as an answer, basking in the glow that was his godson and son. Then Harry's head shot up; his eyes widened with realization.
"Oh! I have to get him something! Something for a first present as his godfather. And we need to have a room set up for him at the manor, and all the clothes and the toys and the protection charms – "
Remus stood there stunned as Harry rattled off item after item, amazed that the Gryffindor had come to accept his position as the Godfather so easily, and so readily. He was most surprised when Harry easily forgave him – forgave him for hiding Teddy away, for hiding his relationship with Tonks – which he would soon have to tell the boy and his friends that the young Auror was down in the dungeons.
But that could wait another time. Remus smiled, watching as Harry's eyes glowed with happiness when Teddy had changed his looks to match his own.
"He's glamoured; not to worry Harry." Sirius assured the teen when he realized everyone in the group could see the change.
"Harry, let's be reasonable. I'm not trying to drag you off your high, but we've got revision and I'm pretty certain Professor Snape would want us to retake our O.W.L.S. and start preparing for our N.E.W.T.S I doubt Mister Malfoy would disagree with us testing ahead a year earlier." Hermione frowned. "How are we going to take care of Teddy?"
"Always the voice of reason, aren't you?" Theo asked a little snidely.
Hermione frowned at him. It wasn't like she wanted to bring Harry's hopes down; she was just trying to get him to think logically and reasonably.
"Teddy's got all of us to help Hermione. Besides, when we all get O's on our O.W.L.S. and N.E.W.T.S, Severus, father, Tom, Remus and Sirius won't have anything else to say to us, other than to keep our heads in our books during our last year. We can relax and just study up on the exams that will be given by the Professors. We just happen to have fewer exams that need to be taken at the end of the year before we graduate. That's all." Draco responded.
Hermione's frown deepened. She did not believe that just because they will finished their education a year earlier, two for Ginny and Luna, that they should just slack off. "Constant vigilance!" she remembered Mad-eye Moody stressed, and constant vigilance was what they all would need for their last year at Hogwarts if Dumbledore was still sitting in his Headmaster position.
"Draco's right. With there being twenty-six of us," Blaise said, "Yes, twenty-six – I'm counting you four too." He replied, looking pointedly at the four Guardians. "There's enough of Teddy's care to go around. And we'll have the house elves to assist us."
Hermione sighed when she heard that last bit. She still had not gotten anyone that mattered to petition against the usage of the house elves.
"But I don't think –"
"Hermione, there's twenty six of us and one child. How much trouble can one child be?" Ron shrugged. His mother had taken care of seven children all on her own; twenty six people to take care of one child didn't seem like any trouble at all. And how hard could it really be if his mother was able to do it by herself?
"Don't be such a worrywart Hermione." Ginny piped up. "With the adults around us, I don't think Teddy would be better protected. He's even under strong wards and protection spells at the manor. It'll be fine. What could happen?"
The Golden Trio winced as one. There was that foreboding phrase. What could happen? They knew though; if anything horrible could happen, it would happen.
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Hey all! Sorry about the LONG and OVERDUE update, but school comes first and foremost! That does not mean that I am abandoning my story. I REPEAT! NOT ABANDONING MY STORY. I've just got a lot of stuff to do, so updates will vary.
Also, I'm not quite satisfied with how I've written this chapter. There's something in me nagging that this chapter hasn't got enough action and drama in it. So I might rewrite this chapter at a later date. I'll be sure to keep you all updated should I attempt to do so. Thanks!