Hermione Granger: I see you have come around t updating this tale. I must ask, was it necessary to traumatize me with Ronald's death?
Scott the Wanderer: Well, would you prefer to be the one to fuel Harry's recovery of his powers?
Hermione: As much as I would like to have the moral high ground, no I rather enjoy living. Though Ron seems to be enjoying whatever he is.
Scott: Caught on to that, have you.
Hermione: Well, I am very well read. Ron seems to possess some of the powers of a Poltergeist. And he seems to enjoy normal food, something the other ghosts don't.
Scott: Well, just don't give it away. I like building a bit of suspense.
Hermione: Alright, now in this story will I be getting a boyfriend?
Scott: Yes, I promise you will be very happy.
Hermione: Well, I am exceedingly happy in No Good Deed Goes Unpunished and despite being blind Undead Slayer. I will trust you. Scott the Wanderer does not own Harry Potter, DC Comics, or Smallville.
Scott: Thank you, Miss Granger.
Smokeing chapter 3 . May 20 : Thank you, I am hoping to make this an epic saga
Cateagle chapter 3 . May 20: Yeah, I got the feeling Madam Pomfrey would seriously violate her Hippocratic Oath if she didn't know the rapists would be dealt with. As for Draco, I am trying not to go one dimensional with him. He will probably never be a nice guy, but he doesn't have to be a stupid villain either
Guest chapter 3 . May 19: Thank you
Zeus795 chapter 3 . May 19: Always glad to make people laugh
Lycan chapter 3 . May 18: And more is on the way
mattcun chapter 3 . May 17: Of course, I cannot disappoint my readers
Joe Lawyer chapter 3 . May 16: Actually, the problem with the concept of the people dealing with the Death Eaters is that really most of the people who could, were killed. And the ones left who could are firmly under Albus "Give them another chance" Dumbledore
Well, the thing with that is the Challenger and I agree that Megamatt as a corner on the Harry/Kara stories. There are many, many of them. Besides, I think it would be funnier to have Cougar Kara and one of Harry's Sons in the epilogue
Oh yeah, plus part of the reason Smallville Clark couldn't fly was his wish to be a normal person like his parents. Harry at the moment is being conditioned by Tonks and Hermione to think different is good
geetac chapter 3 . May 16: Thank you so much. I am trying to blend the styles of Harry Potter, Smallville, and Lois and Clark a bit have it serious, whimsical, and some comedy at the same time. Hopefully it will work.
The chapters were so very good.
DalkonCledwin chapter 3 . May 16:
Yeah, hormones do strange things to Krytonians, lol
Oh that is just wrong, just wrong I tell you. "Cause of death: Hypersonic half digested Treacle Tart."
Draco, was puffing it up a bit to seem even more important.
Yeah, though if Draco become a semi-good guy he could make a motion in Wizengamot that rapist have to be subjected to pensieve memories of the rape.
Yeah, that will cause problems later. Might need a rule reworking.
You'll see in this chapter
Konp chapter 3 . May 16: Hermione is not quite normal either. She has access to information that she doesn't even know she knows. She is not a seer nor is Luna, but they know things. As for Harry and other girls, well yeah it is gonna happen, he's hot, famous, and nice. More than one girl is gonna drag him to a Broom Closet. Luckily I do not prescribe to the whole Hancock and sex thing…lol
lordamnesia chapter 3 . May 16: Thank you, hopefully I can keep it that way.
Seth Clearwater chapter 3 . May 16: Glad you did
Penny is wise chapter 3 . May 16: Yes, Tonks humor strike again.
frankieu chapter 3 . May 16: Hermione, like a certain blonde Ravenclaw, knows things, but it's pretty random. And Harry will likely start his own team, if only to handle just the things targeting those he loves.
TenchiSolutionsForAll chapter 3 . May 16: Spitting up the Snitch was pure brilliance on JKR's part and it begged to be put in there.
A Superman villain will likely make an appearance in this story, but not until after Voldie
Well, two out three epics ain't bad and I might have a fourth as a challenge I made will not leave my head. As for what Hermione knows, she has access to knowledge even she doesn't know. I will say she is one hundred percent Earthling and has had no Alien influences at all. Same with a certain spacey Blonde who will be a first year Ravenclaw next year.
"Harry, what's wrong?" Hermione asked as she saw the slight dazed look in Harry's eyes. Normally, at breakfast he was quite alert and focused, ready to take on the day.
"I, uh, broke my bed." Harry murmured as he dished himself up a bowl of oatmeal and grabbed a few rashers of bacon because he knew Hedwig would come for her treat soon.
"I told you to quit jumping on it. You've put on another five stone; though how, I am not sure." Hermione huffed as she turned back to her eggs and sausage. "You'll just have to apologize to Professor McGonagall so she'll fix it."
"I didn't jump on it. Last time I did, I accidentally cracked the plaster on the ceiling. Don't worry I reparo'd the ceiling." Harry said cutting off Hermione before she could ask. "According to Neville I was floating six feet above my bed while I was asleep. When I woke up, I fell on the bed and broke it. McGonagall already repaired it and transfigured it into steel for me after Neville told her it wasn't really my fault."
"You were floating above your bed?" Hermione gawped for a moment then a serene look passed over her face. "That is only natural I suppose. You do have extraordinary powers over how gravity affects you."
"What?"
"What?" Hermione shook herself out of her seeming trance. "It only makes sense. Despite the fact you now weigh twenty five stone, the practice brooms behave as if you only weigh ten at the most. When you took your nose dive off your Nimbus you were falling faster than free fall. It might just be part of your powers."
"Great, just more to set me apart." Harry mumbled looking down into oatmeal feeling more than a twinge of self pity. "So, what is on the docket today?"
"Well, it's your favorite." Hermione replied sarcastically. "Double Potions and Defense."
"Joy." Harry deadpanned. "Tell me we have something fun lined up afterwards."
"Well, I have formed a study group with several other girls. I am certain I could invite you." Hermione offered with a shrug. "It might make the potions essay more bearable if we all did it together."
"Potter, I will need to see you after class." Severus Snape ground out between clenched teeth as he saw the absolutely perfect potion that Harry had turned in. While he wished he could be a vindictive ass and mark it as a Troll, he had long ago vowed to grade all potions fairly. With a grimace he added an O to the books, one of three earned by the Gryffindors that day. Though, how Miss Brown managed it was beyond him. "Miss Granger can stay if you desire a witness."
"I think I should be safe enough." Harry said after a moment and nodded to Hermione who had been waiting by the door for him. After she left he turned his attention back to Snape. "I hope you're not wondering why I am suddenly doing better in class, because it is rather embarrassing."
"While I did find myself curious as to your sudden improvement it occurred to me that you were no longer holding yourself back to placate the late Mr. Weasley." Severus stood up as he motioned to his personal supply closet. "I merely wished to return your broom to you. Unlike most of the faculty I had noticed that someone had bewitched it in what was obviously futile attempt to murder you. While I was struggling with the counter curse you made your rather controversial Snitch capture. I would have returned it to you sooner, but I wanted to be thorough in making certain there were no other Dark Magicks impeding its function."
"T-thank you, Professor." Harry half stuttered over the words as he took the broom back. He had been practicing on a Comet 240 as he had no idea where his Nimbus was. After inspecting it for a moment he could not help the curiosity.
"Sir, I was under the impression you hated me. Why try to save my life?"
"Ah, you are suffering from a misconception. I hated your father. Your mother was a dear friend until I foolishly ruined that in a fit of anger." Severus sighed. "Despite the hatred between myself and James Potter, your father saved my life and for that I owed him a life debt, one that transferred to you. Even if that was not the case, I would not have let Lily's child die if I could help it. You may go."
"Thank you, sir." Harry said before he turned to leave.
"Oh, and Mr. Potter; I was asked by the Carrow Twins to inform you that Mr. Carrow has passed away through no fault of yours." Snape added as Harry was at the door. "They mentioned something about wishing they could properly thank you for keeping their cousin from reproducing."
Snape smirked to himself as he saw the son of his hated rival stiffen a bit. Oh, Severus knew the Carrow twins only meant their message in the best of ways, but he had to have his fun somehow. Making Potter sweat about possible retribution made him smile.
"Tonks, can we talk a moment?" Hestia Jones, sixth year Ravenclaw, had finally cornered her mentor in all things boy related. Unlike most Hogwarts students, she had been forced to start at eight years old thanks to a rare condition that accelerated the maturity of her core. Thus she really had nothing in common with her year mates. The only friend she had in the whole school was Tonks. "You've been spending a lot of time with Harry Potter. There are rumors going around that you and Hermione Granger formed some sort of coven around him." Hestia wilted a bit as she saw Tonks' annoyed glare. "I told them that was preposterous, he's too young for your rule on dating. I mean you're a legal adult and well Harry's eleven even if he looks a very yummy thirteen."
"Perving on a first year, Hestia?" Tonks' featured softened as she teased her friend.
"No. No! No. Absolutely not!...Yes." Hestia was a terrible liar and as she went through her denials she realized just how pathetically obvious she was. "He was so adorable getting sorted and then, well whatever happened when he killed that Troll and then he saved you. Oh my, he is a little hottie. But he's a firsty! I shouldn't be thinking about him like that."
"Hestia, your fourteen, if not for that weird fluke you'd be a third year." Nymphadora shrugged. "In the sliding Marauder Dating Rule, he's within your age range by the skin of those perfect white teeth of his. Is it terrible that I am a bit jealous?"
"No, not really. I heard a few of the seventh year Gryffindor girls wishing they were you or Granger." Hestia chuckled as she tucked a stray hair behind her ear. "He isn't into Granger, is he?"
"No, he's very intent on being the overprotective Little Brother to Hermione and me." Tonks chuckled as she reviewed the situation in her mind. At the time she had not been thrilled that Harry glowered at Connor Finnegan until the Irish flirt had fled in fear, but looking back and seeing he had done similar to McLaggan when the braggart was talking up Hermione had made the gesture sweet and a little funny. "So you're all clear to pursue the Boy-Who-Lived."
"Pfft, I'll pass on the whole Boy-Who-Lived and settle for getting to know the guy who saved my Big Sis." Hestia chuckled. "So, it's cool with you if I hang out with you guys?"
"I'm pretty sure it will be, Hestia." Tonks grinned. "Once I introduce you as the top student in your year, well Hermione will likely try to pick your brain clean. That girl has a serious thirst for knowledge and smarter than half her year put together. Shame her common sense seems to be lacking."
"Ladies, I wanted to warn you. I invited Harry Potter to join our study group." Hermione looked to the other girls. She still wasn't too sure how this study group started. Originally it had just been Hermione getting a classroom to herself, then Padma and Su Li butted in. After that, there seemed to be new girls every time they met for a while. Now the group was rather large and they had actually formed a rule: Invitation only. So far there had been no boys invited, well unless you counted Ron who popped in once in a while to warn them if Peeves was coming their way. "He's actually improved to our level of academics, so I think he'll be a good addition."
"Harry Potter is going to be studying with us?" Susan Bones barely managed to keep her inner fangirl from freaking out. Oh, it wasn't the Boy-Who-Lived that the redheaded Hufflepuff found appealing. It was the boy who killed a troll and saved Tonks that had her interested. That he was cute was icing on the cake. Still she maintained her cool, or so she told herself. "Merlin, I am going to need something special to wear."
"Yes, because Potter is going to care." Daphne Greengrass rolled her eyes at the antics of Susan fretting over outfits. "He's coming to study. I doubt he will be scoping out future girlfriends for at least a year."
"Oh pull the claws in Daphne, Susan just wants to make a good impression." Padma shot to the defense of her neighbor. "Besides, I've seen what you wear on the weekends when you walk by the Gryffindor table. You've been trying to catch someone's eye."
"Not just someone, my betrothed if you must know." Daphne stuck out her tongue for a moment in a display of her maturity. "I'm hoping he gets the nerve to talk to me. The House divide is making it difficult to get to know him."
"Betrothed? Like marriage contracts?" Hermione quirked an eyebrow. "You mean they weren't jokes?"
"What weren't jokes?" Su Li looked up from her book for a moment. She always read before DADA. Mostly so she could meditate on what she read when the useless teacher stumbled through the lessons.
"A few days ago, Harry received a slew of Marriage Contract Offers in the Owl Post." Hermione shook her head as she remembered the twenty envelopes. "I thought they were jokes the way the Twins were laughing. I mean Pansy Parkinson? Really, while she is tolerable away from Malfoy she and Harry get on like oil and water."
"Well, the Parkinson's are a very wealthy family, and Ancient House. However, they don't have the influence of the Potters. Combining the Parkinson wealth with the Potter name would create a Power Bloc in the Wizengamot." Susan mulled it over in her head. "Her family should have seen if their Heiress played well with Harry before submitting a contract. Though it is possible Pansy's behavior towards Harry is because she is attracted to him."
"Oh, it is. Pansy is a lot like boys in that respect. She's doing the equivalent of hairpulling." Daphne chuckled. "That and it's how her mother treats her father."
"Please tell me that Draco is not hounding me for the same reasons." Hermione begged as a sudden dreadful thought occurred to her. If Pansy was insulting to Harry for that reason and she was like boys...the thought didn't bear repeating as it would make her vomit.
"Pfft, No. Malfoy is a prick, but he's very open with his actual feelings." Padma replied shaking her head. "He honestly thinks you are beneath him. He suffers from delusions of adequacy, let alone grandeur."
Harry managed to squeeze through the door to the joint DADA class just in the nick of time. If it had taken him one more second for him to return his broom to Professor McGonagall's office he would have been late. Already having been responsible for a loss of five points for such an occurrence he did not want it to happen again. Of course being so late left only a few possible seats for him. One was between the Carrow twins and the other was next to Parkinson. Harry briefly wondered just what he had done to deserve this. Neither prospect filled him with any sort of joy. Especially the way the Twins were just smiling at him. While he was largely invulnerable to harm, many spells still hurt. Without much preamble he sat next to Parkinson and prayed the girl was in a good mood.
"Look Potter, just because my family sent you a contract offer does not mean I want you around. Go bother the Carrow twins." Pansy Parkinson was not in the best mood. Potions had been brutal because she was mildly allergic to half the ingredients in that lesson. She had a massive headache and wanted desperately to eat some chocolate, crawl into bed and just sleep until lunch the next day. "Oh, they look like someone kicked their puppy."
Harry did catch the expression of the two girls drop as he sat next to Pansy. That more than anything told him he'd made the wise choice in seating. However another part of her comment caught his attention. "You mean that wasn't a prank?"
"Prank? What do you mean...oh yes, you are friends with the Twin Terrors." Pansy rolled her eyes as she figured out just why Potter would assume that. "No, it wasn't a prank. My Father was of the opinion that an alliance between our two lines would be beneficial. Parkinson's have the money and Potters have the influence. I informed him you were largely uneducated about Pureblood customs, but I doubt he listened."
"So this is something you don't want?"
"No offense to you, Potter. You're cute, sweet, and I can tell you'd treat me well, but I wish to remain unattached for now." Pansy replied with a sniff. "I have dreams of attaining a Mastery in Runes. I can't see that happening if I get married and have to pop out kids under some stupid contract. So, I'm a royal bitch to everyone but Draco since there is no chance in hell my family will contract with his. Break my cover and I will find a way to break you. Capische?"
"Yeah, I got it." Harry nodded. "So how do I go about refusing the contracts?"
"Well, just not signing them is enough in most cases. If the contract offer is open ended. then you might need to carefully word a refusal letter." Pansy shrugged. "Get Neville to help you. His Grandmother taught him all that stuff and if he can't do either, one of his betrothed can."
"Alright." Harry jotted himself a note to take care of that. "Wait. Neville has two betrothed? Isn't that illegal?"
"Nope, as long as the families agree it's perfectly legal. Rare as hen's teeth, but legal." Pansy began massaging her temples. "Now please be quiet, my head feels like it is splitting open and every sound out of you makes me want to kill someone."
The rest of DADA class was not in any way better than his short conversation with Pansy. Since Halloween, Harry had become more sensitive to the stench of garlic and incense in the classroom. There was also the faint aroma of rotting tomato that was souring his stomach. Combine that with the headaches that resulted from trying to decipher Professor Quirrell's stutter and Harry was suffering by the end. Once everyone was dismissed, Harry was out the door almost faster than people could blink, literally. Luckily nobody was really looking in his direction. When Hermione finally caught up with him, Harry was down the Hallway his head between his knees because the blood flowing to his head was easing the ache in his brain.
"Another headache, Harry?" Hermione asked sympathetically as she rubbed her friend's back reassuringly. Before the change, Harry shied away from physical contact. Now that he was invulnerable he did not seem to much. "Have you spoken to Madam Pomfrey?"
"Yes. Twice. The first time she gave me pain relievers, the second she tried an in depth scan to see why I got the headaches." Harry was still taking deep breaths, still bent double."Near as she can tell my senses of smell and taste are improving as are my vision and hearing. So, basically that overpowering garlic stench mixed with that bit of rotten tomato is making me wish I was dead."
"Have you tried an air freshening charm?" Hermione asked, just curious about how far Harry had experimented. Seeing him stand up fully in less than a blink of an eye had been a little shocking. The look of awed wonder on his face told her that Harry had indeed not attempted such a charm. "I'll have Lavender teach you one. She knows dozens of variations; the only one I know smells of Murphy's Oil Soap."
Harry scrunched up his nose. His aunt had gotten that particular soap for all the wood surfaces in the house. It worked wonders and the wood was gorgeous, but the scent was not Harry's favorite. Mainly because he was forced to wash the wood weekly while the Dursley's were at church. He could only imagine how much more intense the scent would be now that his sense of smell was improved.
"Yeah, I think I'll pass on learning that variant." Harry shook his head. "So how long until study group?"
"About five minutes. Luckily we use an empty classroom that is just around the corner." Hermione grinned and waited for Harry to offer his arm like a gentleman. When he did, she started leading the way. "Now I want to warn you there are ladies from each of the houses there, so no Slytherin bashing allowed."
"So, I would be the only bloke?"
"Well, perhaps. I'm not sure if the girls have invited any guys." Hermione hemmed her response. She had a feeling that only one other male would be welcome among the ladies of the study group, and only because he was betrothed to two of them. "Don't worry, it's only firsties, so you're not likely to get humped on."
"I should have never told you what the Twins were joking about." Harry playfully admonished his best friend. "And are you saying I am not cute enough for my year mates?"
"Not at all, just us firsties aren't quite as hormonal as the third years."
"Blech! I hate that potion." The silver-blonde's face contorted into a grimace of distaste and loathing for the liquid she had just choked down. Setting the vial down on the tray she sighed as she could feel the elixir taking effect. Her strength was fading already, soon she would only be only three times as strong as a human woman. She could feel her flesh weaken to the same frailty as the other girls. Worst of all her senses were dulling. "I cannot wait until the summer hols so I can let it purge from my system."
"You really should not allow even that, Fleur." The light reprimand came from a slightly older woman who had just entered the room, her hair was the same silver-blonde and the facial features clearly marked her as a blood relative. "Allowing your Veela nature to be unfettered will make having to adjust to a human husband nearly impossible. Do you wish to be like your Great Aunt, literally screwing men to death in order to sate your urges?"
"Maman!" Fleur glared at her mother as she offered her own reprimand. "I trust Grandmere. She told me I would find a mate that I would not need the potions to be with and that our daughters would be powerful Veela. She has never been wrong."
"I would like to believe that, Fleur." Apolline Delacour sighed heavily. She loved her mother-in-law as much as her own mother, but did not believe she had the Sight. Still, she would not voice that opinion and break Fleur's heart. The potion was a necessary evil for Veela, otherwise the powerful women would tear their human lovers apart. Oh sure they could take Giants, Goblins, Minotaurs, and Ogres as lovers and have them survive, but coupling with those races produced no Veela. Hell, they produced no females at all. "Are you ready for the next part of the ceremony?"
Fleur let out a long sigh and looked to her mother. There had been frequent arguments about the ceremony of the Three Goddesses. As a silver-haired Veela, Fleur was assumed to be one of Aphrodite's chosen. As such she was supposedly prone to promiscuity, taking a main Lover but laying with many men. The problem was that Fleur had none of the early indicators of such tendencies. She was not boy-crazy nor did she enjoy the attentions of the men affected by her allure. In fact she was usually repulsed by such fawning, at least when it came from males.
"Maman, I do not wish my first time to be with anyone but my chosen Lover." Fleur saw her mother about to protest and raised her hand. "I will still participate in every other aspect of the ceremony, but I will not offer my virtue at this time. Even the High Priestesses could not command me to, so please respect my decision."
Apolline frowned but nodded her head. While she thought her baby was making a terrible decision, it was indeed hers to make. Swallowing her objection she offered her hand. "As you wish, my daughter. There are others who need his services tonight anyways."
Dumbledore sat at his desk looking over the reports his informants around the world had made. While the majority of attention was on Wizarding Britain, he was still conscious of his desire to spread the Greater Good over the globe. Of course he would have to help people forget that Grindelwald had used that very same slogan in the beginnings of his campaign. There was a very valid reason he stalled any attempt to replace Binns as the history professor, without new Historians eventually Dumbledore could completely rewrite all of history to suit his goals. He just needed a few key people to die. Unlike other despots he was quite willing to let them expire of old age. After all, he currently had the Flamel's Philosopher's stone in his possession. With that he would certainly live long enough to see his grand vision become reality, and guide Wizard kind into many millennia of peaceful rule over muggles.
"Ah, let us see what the elves have to say about young Mr. Potter." Dumbledore spoke mostly to himself, In times of old he would have also been speaking to Flopsy and Fawkes, but when they had started disagreeing with him, he just ignored them. Reading house-elf writing was little different than listening to them speak, even the most educated of them was barely capable of grammar. What he deciphered was more than a little disturbing. "He can lift fifty tons without a wand? Impossible." Dumbledore exclaimed out loud. When he saw that the elf meant with his hands, Dumbledore reached for his firewhiskey. "I might need to revise the plan."
Albus poured himself a shot of the flaming alcohol and threw it down his gullet, savouring the burn as smoke curled out his nostrils. His original plan had been to make Voldemort target Potter and use the Dark Wizard's obsessive personality against him. While Voldemort would expend every effort in killing Harry Potter, Dumbledore planned to slowly weaken the sole threat to his own dominance in the Wizarding world. In the end Voldemort would die just after he defeated Potter. The Light would have a Martyr and turn to Dumbledore to lead them. At least this had been the basis of everything Albus had done since Trelawny uttered that prophecy.
With Harry so physically powerful, Dumbledore had to reevaluate his plan. There was a chance that Voldemort could be killed before the man uttered a spell in a duel. Wizards were more durable than muggles, but this type of strength was more akin to what Giants exhibited. If he is as physically resistant...how would he be made into the Martyr the Greater Good needs?
"I will just have to research ways of killing him and pass the information along." Dumbledore concluded after nearly a half hour of contemplation.
Unknowing of the fate that the Headmaster had planned for him, Harry Potter was at the moment wondering how he had allowed himself to be convinced to join a study group that he was only one of two males present. Neville Longbottom was firmly ensconced between Hannah Abbot and Tracey Davis looking almost intimidated by the two cute strawberry blondes. However, this meant Harry was left without any sort of male buffer between himself and the multitude of other girls. It was only sheer luck that Hermione seized one side and the already taken Daphne Greengrass the other. Otherwise he was quite sure from the blushing and furtive glances he was getting, he would be mobbed.
"Wow, Harry, your essay is better than the book." Susan Bones had volunteered to be second proofreader for Harry. Well, there had been others, but the fiery redheaded Puff had glared them down. "I had no idea the Jelly Legs jinx could be this versatile. It's mostly a prank spell."
"Thank you, Susan. I wish I could claim credit for uses to protect people in falls, but that was Tonks and the Twins discovering that one." Harry smiled as he took the essay back and saw that Susan was a bigger stickler for grammar and punctuation than Hermione. "Tonks just told me about it. And the blood clot removal comes directly from Madam Pomfrey. Would you believe Muggles have to use anticoagulant and blood thinners. Five minutes under the jelly legs and apply the reversal, the blood clot is dissolved."
"I wonder if it could be used to prevent broken bones from severing important arteries." Hermione mused for a moment. "Not that you ever have to worry about that Harry."
"Yeah safe to say I won't be suffering any broken bones." Harry replied automatically. "Even from the skillet."
"Skillet?" Daphne had been half paying attention to how her best friend was subtly teasing Longbottom when she heard Harry's statement. "Why would a skillet cause broken bones?"
"Well, if I burn the bacon or eggs I usually get hit with it." Harry blurted out, then went wide-eyed as he realized just what he said. "I really shouldn't have said that. Why did I say that?"
"Wait a minute, your guardians make you do the cooking and they beat you?" Lavendar Brown was not the sharpest knife in the drawer. She would admit that. However, she was blessed in that she was nearly impossible to shock. While the other girls were slack jawed at what they heard, she pressed on.
"I do a majority of the cooking and cleaning. I am punished when I make a mistake or if I do something freakish." Harry responded automatically, cursing whatever was making him do this. "Can we not talk about it? I probably deserved it."
"Deserved getting beat with a skillet?" Daphne asked incredulously as she looked at Harry, her eyes wide with horror at the very thought. "What could you have done to deserve that? Kill a busload of muggles?"
To his own horror, Harry Potter began telling of his treatment by the Dursleys. Hermione affirmed that before Halloween his powers had been non-existent. She then described the scars he used to have on his back and legs. Harry could only confirm it, wishing for all the world he could lie again.
"That was very Slytherin of you, Mr. Weasley." The Bloody Baron floated next to Ronald Weasley as the latter floated away from the study group.
"I am sure I have not a single clue what you mean, Lord Baron." Ron may not have practiced his pureblood manners, but that did not mean he did know them.
"Veritaserum in the snacks given to Mr. Potter." The Baron just chuckled darkly. "His darkest secret out in front of many lovely ladies who will do their best to make sure he never goes back there. Merlin would be proud."
"Really, is that what I did?" Ron asked in faux innocence. "And here I was hoping he'd share embarrassing stories."
"You are not fooling me, Mr. Weasley and I doubt you would fool Miss Granger." The Baron shook his head. "If you can inform me as to why, I might be able to help you."
"When I passed I spoke to his parents, five out of six of them." Ron responded. "What I learned made me choose to stay. I cannot tell him what I know. I cannot tell you even a fraction of what I know. I can say this, Harry Potter is going to do great things. Things that will make Merlin and the Founders pale in comparison. I will not risk those things becoming Dark and Terrible because of those Muggles."