Chapter 7: Of Wands And Swords
Harry was still deep into his negotiation with Luna in the library when Sirius found him.
"There you are pup." Sirius greets his godson who looks up in slight surprise.
"Sirius. What are you doing here?" Harry asks.
"Why looking for you of course." The ex-convict answers before frowning. "Apparently, the tournament committee wants me to fetch you for their wand weighing ceremony."
Harry blinks at this. "I'm sorry, what? Did you just say a WAND weighing ceremony? What does that have to do with ME?"
"The wand weighing ceremony is a tradition in the Tri-Wizard Tournament where the Champions have their wands measured, weighed and tested by a certified expert." Hermione helpfully informs him.
Harry stares blankly at Hermione as he spoke. "That's nice for them Hermione but I'll ask again. What does it have to do with ME?"
Hermione looked annoyed at this and was about to answer before Neville cuts her off. "I think what she means mate is that since you're a champion, you're required to attend."
Harry sighs in annoyance at what he perceived to be the ridiculousness of the situation before making a show of patting his pockets as if looking for something. "Sorry. No wand here. Does that mean I'm disqualified?" He asks hopefully.
Sirius chuckles at his Godson's antics. "Not quite that simple pup. They'll still want you there anyways if only to show you off to the resident buzza... I mean reporters of the Daily Prophet."
"The Daily Prophet." Harry repeats in a deadpan voice. "The same Daily Prophet that's been bustin' my chops about my participation in the tournament. What the hell makes them think I want anything to do with their damned lying asses?"
"The Daily Prophet's covering the tournament. I really don't see any way you can get out of talking to them pup." Sirius said before taking note of the sudden feral smile Harry was giving him and the bemused looks of the table's other occupants. "Or maybe you do." He ammended warily.
"Funny you should mention that Sirius." Harry said before gesturing towards Luna. "I'd like you to meet Luna Lovegood. Daughter of Xenophilius Lovegood who runs the Quibbler. She and I have been talking and we've now got an... arrangement so to speak."
Sirius found himself matching Harry's feral grin as he realized what his godson's intent was. "Is that right? By all means, please tell me more about this arrangement you have with her."
...
Harry, accompanied by Sirius and Luna, arrives at the wand weighing ceremony twenty minutes later. There he sees that the other champions are already present together with Dumbledore, Bagman, a creepy looking old man with oddly bright eyes, a toady lady wearing the ugliest and pinkest looking cardigan he has ever seen accompanied by a lanky redhead who looked vaguely familiar as well as a group of witches and wizards with cameras and quills huddled together in the corner whom he assumed was the Wizarding World's version of the press corps. Upon his entrance, he was accosted by the pink toady lady and a member of the wizarding press corps who was a bespectacled blonde woman. But whatever good looks she may have had was ruined by the horrid amount of makeup and perfume she wore not to mention a colorful mess of a dress which quite possibly eclipsed anything Dumbledore ever wore.
"Hem hem... It's about time you got here Mister Potter. Haven't you been taught that its bad manners making people wait like this?" The pink toad said with a sickenly sweet and entirely false looking smile and a high pitched voice which grated at Harry's nerves. But it was her next words which sealed the deal for him that this... Woman was someone he had to keep a close eye on. "But being raised in the muggle world, I don't really expect you to have learned enough."
"Oh I don't really know about that. You'd be surprised at what I HAVE learned in the mundane world Miss..." Harry prompted.
"Dolores Jane Umbridge. Undersecretary to the Minister Of Magic Cornelius Fudge and Barty Crouch's replacement in the tournament since he has taken ill." She identifies herself smugly.
"Thank you Miss Umbridge. Besides, I think you'll also agree with me that entering somebody against their will in a potentially life threatening tournament is also the height of bad manners, don't you think so?"
Umbridge's fake smile faltered a bit but she stilled pressed on. "That is not the issue here Mister Potter. You were chosen by the Goblet therefore you are required to participate in all activities relating to the tournament."
"In DIRECT relation to the tournament Miss Umbridge. There's a BIG difference Miss Umbridge." Harry corrected before adding. "This 'wand weighing' ceremony probably qualifies since you DO have to check the wands for any signs of tampering or if there's anything illegal in it. Though I don't really see the point of me being here since I don't have a wand."
"Wait... You're a squib?" The garish looking female reporter asks suddenly, a sickly green quill floating behind her automatically starts jotting down notes in a floating parchment in front of it. Sirius was about to say something but Harry stops him with a raised hand before turning his gaze towards the woman with a frown on his face.
"Err... No. If I were a squib, would I be standing here participating in this blasted tournament and talking to you? And while we're at it, who the hell are you?" Harry asks.
"I'm sorry. Where are MY manners. I am Rita Skeeter and I represent the Daily Prophet." She said with what she hoped was a seductive smile which, to everyone else present, came out looking disturbing. "I was hoping to have a few minutes of your time to ask a few questions regarding your participation in the tournament for our readers." Without waiting for his response, Rita grabbed his arm and attempted to pull him away somewhere else.
The keyword is attempted. When Harry refused to budge, Rita looks over at him in surprise while Harry's two companion looked amused.
"Sorry, but if I have to go by what you guys in the Daily Prophet wrote about me these past few days, I think I'll pass on that interview." Harry stated, shaking himself loose from Skeeter's surprisingly strong grip. "There's no telling what sort of shit you guys ARE going to write about me if I DO give that interview. But don't quote me on that... Seriously though, don't quote me on ANYTHING I say because you'd be in all kinds of trouble because another publication owns exclusive rights to my name."
At this point, Umbridge cuts in. "Hem hem... That's nonsense. The only official publication of the Ministry Of Magic is the Daily Prophet."
"That's nice for you and the Ministry Dolores but Harry is right. Somebody else has exclusive rights and it's NOT the Daily Prophet. You're not the ONLY newspaper of the Wizarding World after all." Sirius spoke up with a beatific smile before looking towards the other champions. "As a matter of fact, the Daily Prophet does not own exclusive rights to the other champions either. Not if they don't want them to have it."
At this, the Bulgarian and French contingent started whispering amongst themselves while the Hogwarts representative spoke with his Head Of House. Umbridge and Skeeter looked upset at Sirius's revelation while Dumbledore's eyes twinkled in amusement though he was careful not to let his approval of the move show in his face.
"Then praytell, how will we report on the tournament. And who DOES have exclusive rights to the 'Boy-Who-Lived'?" Skeeter asks venomously.
"You can still report on the general FACTS and happenings in the tournament Miss Skeeter." Harry said. "You're just not reporting ANYTHING about me specifically or any of the other champions for that matter if they grant exclusivity to any other publications of their choice."
"And if we find that you have written something in the Daily Prophet about Harry specifically without express permission, then my barrister WILL be paying a visit to your good offices." Sirius said placing a hand in Luna's shoulder and adding. "As for who DOES have exclusivity to Harry, I think it should be obvious since Miss Luna Lovegood is together with us. It is the Quibbler."
Umbridge and Skeeter's expressions turned murderous at this revelation before attempting to outshout each other.
"THIS IS PREPOSTEROUS!"
"THEY'RE NOT EVEN A PROPER PUBLICATION!"
"YOU CANNOT DO THIS!"
"THE QUIBBLER IS A MASSIVE JOKE!"
"HEADMASTER!" Umbridge screeched, rounding towards Dumbledore who was conferring with Bagman. "Surely you cannot allow this... Outsider to dictate the terms in a prestigous and noble tournament such as this."
"Of course not." Dumbledore actually agreed amiably. "But there is NOTHING in the tournament charter which says that only the Daily Prophet have exclusive rights to its champions. Who they pick to represent them is entirely their prerogative." Dumbledore declares.
"And personally, I don't really get why you persist on calling this a prestigious and noble tournament seeing as the basic rules have already been violated." Harry quipped.
"As fun as this discussion is becoming, I think we should really get down to the reason why we were called here." Sirius said before looking at the creepy old man with the oddly bright eyes. "Mister Ollivander. My godson has already mentioned that he does not own a wand. But is he allowed any other medium to channel his magic?"
"Sirius Black. Bloodwood with Manticore hair core. Perfect for offensive magic." Olivander murmured before turning his disconcerting gaze at Harry. "According to the rules, it is allowed so long as it is able to effectively channel his magic."
Sirius glances at Harry who nods and brings out what looks like a quill from his jacket. With a flick of his wrist, the quill turns into a wicked looking, feather shaped curved sword which he tests with a few practice swings.
"Swords are NOT allowed in the tournament!" Umbridge declared pompously. "How dare you even consider that monstrosity a magical medium!"
Harry raises an eyebrow before flicking the sword towards one of the room's candlestand. A green crescent of energy lashes out and cuts the candlestand in two. "Well it channels MY magic well enough so what seems to be the problem here?" He asks casually.
"That sword is a deadly weapon!" Umbridge insisted. "It can't be allowed in the tournament."
"In the hands of any witch or wizard, wands can also be considered as deadly weapons." Harry reasoned. "What makes my sword any different?"
"Because... Because..." Umbridge stammered, furiously trying to think of a reason.
"I think Harry has proven his point well enough." Dumbledore said, looking at Kakkaroff and Maxime. "If my fellow headmasters have no objections..."
"Nyet. An opponent competing with a handicap is not worth defeating." The Durmstrang headmaster said with Krum agreeing with a curt nod.
"I am confident our champion will overcome any obstacles. Let him hav hiz leetle blade." The french giantess declared after speaking with her ward.
"Then it's settled." Dumbledore said with a clap of his hands, looking at an angry Umbridge. "The Champion of the Pantheon Harry Potter shall be allowed his sword."
Unable to come up with any counter argument, Umbridge opted to simply leave followed closely behind by the redheaded lackey while Skeeter moved off to try and interview the other champions but was flatly refused by the bulgarian and french contingent. Being the nice guy that he was, the Hogwarts champion Cedric Diggory briefly entertained Skeeter before being called away for his turn with Ollivander.
The wand weighing ceremony itself had been incident free. And despite his rather disconserting appearance, Ollivander turned out to be not just a master wandmaker but a craftsman of considerable skill as well and impressed Harry with his knowledge of the type of steel his sword was made of since it wasn't really known even in the wizarding world. After allowing Ollivander to inspect his sword, Harry was approached by the other champions.
"If we may 'ave a moment of your time Monsieur Potter?" The french champion, Fleur Delacour if Harry remembered her name correctly, greets him as she walks up with Krum and Diggory.
"Certainly Miss Delacour, Mister Krum and Mister Diggory." Harry said amiably. "What can I do for all of you today?"
Cedric clears his throat nervously before speaking. "We feel that we should thank you for participating in the tournament despite having all the right and reason not to. We owe our lives and..." Harry cuts him off with a raised hand.
"Mister Diggory. As I told you giys back in that room during the aftermath of the selection process, I did that not because I wanted to be thanked for my actions but because it was the right thing to do. It wouldn't have been fair to any of you if you had to forfeit your magic just because I didn't participate in this tournament." Harry said before adding in a grim voice. "But I WILL admit that my motives are not entirely selfish either. My participation here is also going to lure out the one responsible for the deaths of my parents and when he comes out of his hidey hole, he's a dead man."
Victor raises an eyebrow skeptically. "Yo DO realize that Voldemort is probably the single greatest threat to the magical world since Grindelwald, do you not? An immortal monster whom only Dumbledore has a chance in beating."
Harry snorts derisively at this. "I think my great uncle may have something to say about the immortality bit. Voldemort HAS been evading his influence all this time after all and he's chomping at the bit to get his hands on him. And as for how that's going to happen, well let's just say that I have a way of ensuring he makes his way to Tartarus without even touching him."
"You are referring to ze strange powers you displayed back then, yes? The powers granted to you by ze Pantheon?" Fleur asks curiously. "I 'ave to admit zat it was ze first time I've seen such a display of power."
"No. That was the big three of the Pantheon making a point. I'm just the offspring of a member of the Pantheon so MY abilities don't cover those." Harry said. "Though it doesn't hurt that me and my dad have a working relationship with the rest of them and given who he is, it's only natural."
"So it's really true? You're the son of Hermes? Then that makes you..." Cedric's voice trailed off as he realized the implications.
"A demigod? Yeah. That sounds about right." Harry finished. "Though in all honesty, every witches, wizards and magical creatures in the world are descended from the gods. I'm just a couple of steps above and I'm not the only one of my sort who exists."
"Bloody hell. There's more of you?" Cedric asks incredulously.
"Yup. And if my buddies back in the camp could see me now, I'll never hear the end of it." Harry answers.
"Vat about vat you said to that reporter?" Victor asks suddenly. "You are certain whoever gets our exclusive iz our prerogative?"
"Absolutely. The ministry may not want to admit it but you've got a choice." Harry replies with a snort. "You KNOW they're just gonna use this tournament to toot their own damned horn and I'm not about to add to their charade."
"Zat iz a very good point. Ze english ministry and their publication 'ave always been intolerant of what they deem to be 'lesser beings' and as a half veela, I cannot, in good conscience, condone to zat." Fleur said thoughtfully.
"The press can be vultures and parasites who care little of what you feel. Even more so if you are foreigners to their land." Krum opined bluntly, crossing his arms over his chest. "I for one, am glad I do not have to tolerate Skeeter and her ilk while I compete in the tournament."
"Well it IS true that the Daily Prophet tends to... Exaggerate on a lot of things. But as you've pointed out earlier Harry, they're not the only publication here in Magical Britain so I'm actually rather thankful we have other options." Cedric said diplomatically. "Still, you DO know that they won't let it end like this, right?"
"They can hem and haw all they like but in the end, we're following the TOURNAMENT and not theirs. If they try anything, they'll be accused of blatant favoritism. You really think they'll want that?"
"Victor. We're leaving."
"Let us go Fleur."
"Time to get back to class Cedric."
"Well I guess this is it for now." Harry said with a chuckle. "Time flies when you're having fun and all that."
"Well then. I vill see you in the battlefield, da?" Victor said, offering his hand which Harry shook.
"Da." Harry parroted, earning him a nod of respect from the older boy before leaving with his headmaster while ignoring Skeeter who was, once again, trying in vain to interview him.
Fleur steps forward next and offers her own hand which Harry takes before softly kissing her knuckles and making the part Veela blush.
"Thank you for the pleasure of your company Miss Delacour. Good luck, ok?" Harry said.
"Do not think that zis changes ze fact that I intend to win Monsieur Potter." Fleur said mischievously.
"I should hope not Miss Delacour. It will be a very borimg tournament otherwise." Harry sniped back. Fleur was then led away by her gargantuan headmistress and also ignoring Skeeter, much to the reporter's irritation leaving him with the Hogwarts champion.
"Well then. Let's have a good one, yeah?" Cedric said in a friendly manner as he shook Harry's hand.
"Right-o Mister Diggory. And lord please let's all not screw up." Harry quipped.
Cedric chuckles at this. "You're all right Mister Potter. And call me Cedric. See you around." Cedric said as he follows his head of house back to class. After watching Cedric leave, he himself goes off to meet up with Sirius and Luna to begin his own preparations.
...
Later that night, Harry had been called by Firenze to the Forbidden Forest for what he said was an urgent matter. But exactly what it was is still a mystery to him.
"I really hope you didn't call me down here on a coldass night just to sightsee Firenze." Harry grumbles as he wraps himself tighter with his jacket.
"I wouldn't be doing that if it wasn't important." Firenze answers. "You'd be interested to know that members of my herd have told me of some unusual activity in the Forbidden Forest which may relate to the first test of the tournament."
"That actually sounds really useful." Harry said with a raised eyebrow. "But why are you telling me this? Wouldn't it be like cheating or something?"
"I am only telling you what I am told and so long as it is not anything specific, it is not against the rules." Firenze said. "You are free to investigate and draw your own conclusions. We are here now."
Harry looks at the direction where Firenze was pointing at. And judging from the light and noise emanating from over there, there DOES seem to be a lot of unusual activity. Sneaking in closer for a better look, what he saw chilled him to the bone.
"What the hell?! The first test involves fucking DRAGONS?!"
Author's Notes: New chappie for you guys. R&R pls.