(A/N All Harry Potter characters belong to JKR I'm just having fun with them.)
Wow what a delay, I have rewritten this countless times, changing and adding to the next few chapters to flow into the sequel. Sorry for the wait. Enjoy!)
Chapter 23
Bill watched as Harry's wand light grew smaller, and finally disappeared around a bend in the tunnel. He worried, should they all take a break, and come back in the morning better prepared and healed up?
"He is an incredible young wizard Bill; you did quite well in choosing him as your Helper," Ian stated.
"It was mostly circumstance, though it seems to be just what he needed: a chance to experience new things and develop a larger sense of self." Bill replied quietly, he would keep what had happened to Harry to himself.
"Why don't we return to the top and regroup, take another run at it tomorrow?" Bill continued, as he rubbed his face, smearing dirt and grime around in his sweat.
"Didn't you recognize the type of curse that hit Annalisa?" Ian asked his voice a little harsh.
"A Coma-Curse, but-"
"Didn't you check the runes? Even from the ones you left I could tell its effect won't break until the power source has been deactivated." Ian paced, his worry playing across his face.
"Then let us move on, there's a passage over here." Xo broke into the conversation, his lit wand up and gesturing to a small passage.
They moved forward cautiously, Bill in the lead with Xo right behind. The smell of the sea increased as they moved. They came into a dark room; the sand underfoot was crunchy, seashells littering the ground. Light flared brightly as Ian cast his light to stick to the roof again. Bill stared into the lit cavern with his jaw open, never had he seen something like this. Words failed him, as an inarticulate grunt escaped his lips.
Before them was the ocean, the blue water held back by a wall of magic. From floor to ceiling, nearly thirty feet high and twice that across, was a clear wall like a Bubble-Head Charm, but massive!
"Don't move," Ian's voice was calm, "there will be no second chance on this one, let's just go slowly."
Bill could only nod. You could fight skeletons, block curses, and avoid other types of traps, but once unleashed this would be unstoppable. Suddenly he was glad Harry was on his way back, and not here.
They advanced slowly; across the room was a battered wooden chest sitting in plain sight, yet they weren't foolish enough to rush up to it. They could see a Proximity Alert surrounding it tied right to the wall. The magic was impressive; the wall between the chest and the Bubble-Wall was covered in runes. Ian stood a few feet away, reading the schemes carved into the stone.
"Quite clever really to tie the runes all together like this; and the cave is so deep into the island that Detection Charms near the cliffs wouldn't pick it up, unless they were cast with a lot of power behind it." Ian said, as he peered into the water looking at the runes that powered the whole thing.
"How do we get to the treasure, without getting wet?" Xo asked of the two Cursebreakers.
Ian startled them all by laughing, drawing incredulous looks.
"Look here," Ian began, "here is the control rune for the skeletons, and a ward to induce fear, here is the Coma-Curse, and others we haven't even seen. The man who cast these wards was quite bright, very well learned in Norse runes, most likely from his trips to the Irish coast."
"You sound as if you know him?" Bill asked.
"Know of him, yes. I spent three years researching this Island, and the Warder. I have tried twice before to get past the fog surrounding this place." He turned suddenly to the wall, a questioning look on his face; his fingers were tracing out lines, reading the runes.
"Look at this! How he married the rune for water into the runes for confusion and obscurity. Not quite as I expected, but still it worked. I'm surprised my spell to get past the mist worked, perhaps that's why we had to all cast it, rather than just me." Ian looked thoughtful as he studied the wall, trying to remember every detail.
Bill's eyes had tracked everything Ian pointed out; he knew they could not destroy the control runes without a huge magical backlash. What he didn't understand, was how they tied to the traps they had encountered.
"How do they tie into all the traps, I see no lines of energy?" Bill asked, for some reason he just wanted to be done with this one.
"Through the very stone, I've seen it before in Iceland…" Ian trailed off.
"Well," Xo asked, "we can't just walk away, so how do we do this?"
Ian turned, recognizing the impatience in his friends tone. He was tired and hurt, and unfortunately this would take awhile.
"Xo, why don't you conjure a cot and take a rest? Bill and I have to test our warding skills."
Bill's mind went blank for a moment, before he groaned in realization, his palm slapping his forehead.
"Quite." Ian said, "We build a new charging rune scheme, and tie it into the Bubble Wall. At the exact same time, we dismantle the old one, and all the control runes except the wall, will then fall."
HPCS~HPCS~HPCS
"Minister! I'm quite sure it would be in the boy's best interest to have a guardian in our world, one that could guide him and teach him the proper ways to conduct ones self." Lucius said his tone sharp, showing a little of his frustration.
"I agree, he does need a guardian," Fudge replied, already he was red faced, "but I'm sure you can realize that if I was to place Potter as your ward, I would be out of my job before the day was done. Dumbledore would have a vote of No-Confidence pushed through before the sun had set!"
"I could make it worth your while…"
"I-"
The doors of Fudge's office opened quickly, sweeping the plush carpet as they swung. His bouncy receptionist shuffled in quickly, her high heeled shoes making her wobbly on the soft floor, looking over her shoulder as Albus Dumbledore followed at her heels.
"The Chief Warlock is here to see you sir," she blurted out, before grabbing the doors and pulling them shut.
"Albus, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Fudge asked in a flustered tone, not noticing Dumbledore's slight nod to the painting in the corner.
"Ah, Cornelius... Lucius, what a pleasant day we're having. I had wanted to discuss Mr. Potter's legal status. It seems he is in need of a guardian." His eyes twinkled as he spoke, not surprised in the slightest at their shocked reactions.
"Oh well, ah, yes of course. Who did you have in mind?" Fudge asked, not liking his being caught between the two political opponents, yet becoming angry at them each trying to gain control of the Boy Who Lived. It would give quite a bit of political clout to the one he became a ward of. Albus didn't need Legilimency to know Fudge was dead set against either of them gaining the status of the guardianship.
"Funny enough Dumbledore, that's just what we were discussing. I feel he needs a true role model, someone who could teach him the ins and outs of our society, someone… pure of blood." Lucius stated, now knowing he had no chance of getting the position himself. "Perhaps, someone like Lord Parkinson?"
Fudge looked at Lucius funnily for a moment, before looking to see Albus' reaction.
"Oh, well I had thought that it could be someone he was familiar with, and had a positive connection to."
"Yes, that would be better…but whom?" Fudge asked, knowing that Albus would name someone within his own camp, just as Lucius had.
"Perhaps Arthur Weasley, he is a pure blood Lucius, so he could teach Harry all about our society, and Harry already spends his summers with the family."
"Yes, of course. He did go with the older Weasley chap Cursebreaking didn't he? That will work, I'll have the papers drawn up and-" Fudge was rushing.
"As it happens, I have them here all signed and ready for your approval, Minister."
HPCS~HPCS~HPCS
The wind whipped his hair as he flew spinning and looping, looking down to see if she noticed.
Ron pulled up to a stop and sighed, looking down at Hermione as she read. Why did she have to read so much? There were other things to do. How can I get her to have some fun? Without Harry around, things seemed so boring. He flew on, practicing stopping and turning. The Keeper spot would be open this year, maybe he could get it, maybe when Harry got back he could help him practice. It was not like he had much else to do. Well, they would have to finish homework, but Hermione would help. It was getting late, and his Dad would be home soon. Better head down for dinner, he was hungry.
"You know, reading all day can't be good for your eyes, but reading without good light is definitely not good." Ron spoke, startling Hermione.
"Oh, I didn't even notice. We should head in, were you flying all this time?" She asked, looking at his sweat-soaked shirt with a slight grimace.
"Yeah, I want to try out for Keeper this year," he replied, heading up the worn wooden stairs of the back porch.
"Oh, there you two are, I was just about to send Ginny out to find you." Molly said as they came in. She turned to look at them, holding a spoon and tucking her wand into her pink apron. "Ronald, hurry up and go wash up, I'll not have you at the table like that."
"Can I help Mrs. Weasley?"
"Thank you, Hermione dear, could you set the table?"
Dinner was a loud affair, all the chairs full, with all of the Weasley's but Bill present. Arthur looked down the table, pride filling him as it did every time he looked at his family. He raised his glass, tapping a spoon against it, the clinking noise catching everyone's attention.
"I have a couple of announcements to make Weasley's, and Hermione. First the good news: as of today, Harry Potter is officially a ward of House Weasley, meaning he will live here until his majority."
Loud murmurs and confused voices filled the room.
"So, now he is my brother?" Ron asked in glee.
Ginny paled and squeaked looking up at her dad, dreading a positive answer.
"No, he is still a Potter, and always will be. All this means, is he is now in my care."
"How did it happen? I mean, it's a good thing, but why now?" Hermione asked, before anyone else had a chance. Everyone stilled to hear the answer.
"Well, his Uncle and Aunt have left," he said this with repressed anger in his tone, "and the Minister was talking with Lucius Malfoy about guardianship, when Dumbledore came and asked if I would be willing. I didn't have much time, as he needed to interrupt their meeting, so I agreed. I didn't think anyone would object." He met his wife's eye, satisfied that she was indeed happy.
"Ughh, Malfoy. Can you imagine if Harry had to live with that git?" Ron blurted.
"I can, I suspect Harry wouldn't enjoy that at all." Arthur added, looking grim. He dreaded the next part.
"Also, it seems that Fudge has brought back an old law…the Heir Test will take place on September first, in the Great Hall of Hogwarts. All fourteen year olds will be given a blood test to determine if any are Heir to other houses." Arthur looked up, surprised no one was speaking, just looking at him.
"Why fourteen year olds? Why now? I mean, this is mentioned as a practice that fell out of use in 'Hogwarts a History', so why now?" Hermione asked in a breathless rush.
"Well traditionally," Arthur began, "families would name an Heir at his fourteenth birthday. It's not always a first born son. You see, at fourteen years old a young wizard's magic begins to stabilize, and his potential can be measured; it's usually the most powerful son in the bloodline that becomes Heir. The Heir can then have a stable magical signature, thus allowing him to sign the Family Charter."
Molly huffed loudly, "I suspect that the timing is not coincidence, being that Lucius' son is now fourteen."
"So, what exactly does that mean for us then?" Fred asked, with a spoonful of mashed potatoes suspended halfway between his plate and mouth.
"Well, not much for you, George, or Percy. Nor you Charlie." Arthur paused, his eyes meeting Ron and Ginny's. "Ron, since you are the one that will be tested, you will probably be named as Heir to House Prewett which-"
"What! Does that mean I won't be a Weasley anymore?" Ron asked loudly, sounding on the verge of panic.
"Yes- I mean no, you will always be a Weasley." Molly interjected, trying to calm her son. "What this does mean, is that you will be the Head of House Prewett upon your seventeenth birthday, while being a Weasley always."
"Oh good, so it won't change anything, except maybe adding Prewett to my name then?" Ron said, calming down and taking another bite.
"No, if it does happen, your name for example would be: Ronald Bilius Prewett-Weasley; the name of the birth house is always last. You would gain access to the Prewett family vault, and be required by law to sign the Prewett Family Charter."
"What's that? Ron asked, already overwhelmed.
"It is the code of conduct that is required as the Head of House. Requirements for the use of family money, rules on the family seat in the Wizengamot, and what you would be required to do in regards to any Contracts that you would have to uphold." Arthur's voice was quiet.
"Do you mean, Marriage Contracts?" Hermione asked, sounding disgusted by the idea.
"Yes." Molly replied.
"WHAT! That's not fair, why do I have to be the one who does this?" Ron bellowed.
"It's not only you, Harry will have to deal with House Potter; a lot of your mates are going to have to deal with this. Look son, we can't stop this. It is already signed into law, all we can do is make the best of it."
"Ron, it's a big honor to be Head of House, and even a bigger honor to be Head of one of the High Seats. Just think about it, you will have a say in the governing of our Ministry." Percy was looking a little jealous, yet angry Ron seemed against the idea.
"If you think that, why don't you do it? All I want to do is play Quidditch, not sit in some stuffy room listening to a bunch of old duffers talk without making sense."
"I would if I could." Percy stated in a huff.
"Well, actually if you feel that way Percy, we could always arrange to have the Goblins do an Heir Test early. I mean, now that it is made a law, we can have you do it before September first. If that is something you want Percy?"
"Of course Father, but don't they cost a lot?"
"No not really, the question is: will the goblins do it? They have refused to do it in the past unless mandated by the Wizengamot."
"Why would they not do it?" Charlie asked.
"Well, after a house is declared extinct, the goblins are allowed half of the gold in the vault, if they preserve the Heirlooms. It takes 100 years of no heirs before it can be considered extinct. Just to be clear, an Heir is a son who signs the Family Charter or is accepted by the family Signet Ring, if there is no current Head of House."
"Then I bet they will do it," Charlie said thoughtfully, "from what Bill says, they are focused on making Galleons. They will have to do it for free soon by order of the Wizengamot, so if we were to pay them to do it for Percy, then they would be making money and thinking of us as fools to have them do it."
Everyone was quiet, taking a moment to think and eat; only Ginny was not eating, she was staring at the table, her cheeks red as apples.
"Daddy," Ginny asked in a soft voice, "Do I have a contract?"
"No Ginny," Arthur explained gently, "there have been no daughters born to house Weasley for 300 years before you, so no contracts are valid. Besides, this will affect the Weasley's very little, as we are not a Noble or Ancient House."
"What about Harry?" She asked, willing herself not to sound like a little girl with a crush. Hermione looked up quickly, intently looking at Arthur.
"I don't know for sure, I suspect he will. The Potters are both a Noble and an Ancient House."
"Oh, excuse me please." Ginny was already out of her chair and halfway up the stairs before Arthur nodded. Molly got up to follow Ginny, while everyone else remained quiet. Even the twins could not find it in themselves to tease Ginny about her reaction.
"What does it mean to be a Noble or Ancient House?"
"Ancient Houses can trace their history back to before the Founders. Noble Houses are houses that have one of the 22 High Seats in the Wizengamot," Percy responded, already planning what he would do with a High Seat. "To be considered a pureblood house, you need to prove 100 years of history."
Hermione sat back, thinking this year would be very eventful, and people would be given new roles to fill. For once she was thankful she was a Muggleborn, some people would be forced together, what a nightmare! Little did she know, that it would be all that and more.
HPCS~HPCS~HPCS
Harry lay on his side, the burns and scrapes on his body already healed as he slept. He was brought back by broomstick along with Barns by Owen and Lone Feather after his distress call, it seemed the shaft he climbed out of led to the top of the highest cliff on the island. Belle sat and watched him, as he lay in the bed right next to her sister. Barns lay in another bed on the far side, and in far worse condition. The wounds on his neck were healing, but his loss of blood and the long wait before he was able to get a Blood Replenisher potion, had left him weak. It would be days before he was back to normal.
In her hand was a slightly crumpled letter from her intended, sent weeks ago, yet just arriving by a worn out owl. It seemed events were changing. Her wedding was going to be a quiet family affair, then off on the Honeymoon. Now, her soon to be father-in-law was the youngest ever Supreme Mugwump of the IWC, so the wedding was now the social event of the year. All the plans she had made with her mom and mother-in-law were scrapped. She would have a mere three days to be home before the wedding. It couldn't interfere with the Quidditch World Cup, so it had to be moved up.
A sigh escaped her lips, as her eyes studied Harry, so handsome and kind. What lucky woman would get this man? She knew now that her planned fling with him would have to be stopped. If even the slightest rumor escaped, it would make the front page worldwide, particularly so if it also involved the British hero. She stood suddenly to leave, only a rustle of her robes disturbing the early morning. Pausing, she turned back to give his lips one more kiss, a farewell of sorts. Harry for his part slept on, unknowing. Neither noticed the slightly open eyes of Annalisa, free of her curse.
Bill stumbled as the bright near midday sun hit his eyes, after so long in the dark. They Levitated the chest between them as they made their way back to camp. Ian was in the lead, just now extinguishing his light, breathing deeply in an effort to clear the musty air from his lungs. Xo trudged along, ready for a long sleep and some burn cream.
Harry woke feeling refreshed, and surprisingly, only slightly sore. After clearing it with Alessandra, he left the Big tent to go back into Bill's, it seemed extra quiet after having three guys in it. A long shower and a fresh change of clothes went a long way to making him feel better. After his climb, he now wanted nothing more than to complete his Animagus transformation. The idea of being able to fly out of that chasm instead of climb, made getting on with his transformation incredibly appealing. Selecting a book about advanced Transfiguration, he made his way outside to wait for the rest to get back.
A conjured chair, complete with foot rest, and he was content to read and wait. It wasn't long before the temperature climbed and his shirt was off again. This time though, he left it close by, not intending to be without if he needed it. Time slid by slowly, as every few pages he would look up. It didn't help that the book was quite advanced, and hard to understand.
"Aunt Min will be pleased you're applying yourself, but I have to say that book is quite dull." Owen said drawing up his own chair, then pointing at the book. "What gives?"
"Oh, I realized that if I had been able to complete my transformation, I could have just flown up and out, and then maybe Barns would be in better shape." Harry replied.
"Well, I know for a fact that book doesn't talk much about the transformation. Have you picked your animal yet?"
"What do you mean picked? I did a little ritual with Lone Feather to see my inner animal."
"Harry," Owen said slightly surprised, "clearly you haven't done much reading about Animagi then. What Lone Feather does is completely different, he is a Shapeshifter, it is more spiritual magic than Transfiguration. What Aunt Min does is all Self Transfiguration, you find a compatible animal form by potion, then study it and observe all you can, and then will your body to transform. You can practice by turning your limbs into different animal parts, like this."
Owen's arm changed, it grew shorter and thinner, fur and claws sprouting on it.
"Wow! Are you an Animagus too?"
"Yep, you didn't think my Aunt wouldn't teach me did you?"
"No, I just thought that it was real hard to do?"
"It's a tricky piece of magic, but with the right resources, all it takes is a firm will and a high tolerance for pain."
"Pain?"
"Yeah, your whole body changes. Your bones reshape, feels like they're melting, then the skin stretches and contracts, it's really odd. The first few times is hell, but the more you transform, the less it hurts, although those first ten to fifteen times are awful. The Ministry suppresses the information, and requires registration. Not too many of us want to deal with that, also some look down on it. They think that they are too good to be an animal, you know. "
"Could you show me?"
"Sure, watch close."
Harry focused as Owen Transformed, surprised he actually felt the magic as Owen's body reduced, drawing in on itself, and grew spotted tawny fur. Where Owen had stood, was now a bobcat. It went running fast up the beach, spinning around into almost a blur, before jumping Harry and landing in the chair Owen had made. Another moment and a panting Owen sat in the chair.
"Wow, that was awesome!" Harry exclaimed, laughing aloud.
"It is fun, but a real workout," Owen chuckled at Harry, "I have a book you can read, just give it back before we pack up camp, so I can stow it away please. It's a McGonagall heirloom.
"Thanks Owen."
Owen only nodded, as he shaded his eyes looking past Harry. Harry turned to look as well, although he didn't need to shade his eyes thanks to the contacts, walking down the hill were Bill, Ian, and Xo.
"Harry, go tell Alessandra that they made it, I'll help them with the trunk."
Harry took off in a run to the Big tent, happy that they were back. Owen jogged out to meet them, and noticing how exhausted they were, he easily took over the Levitation spell on the trunk.
"Tough one then?" Owen asked.
"Yeah, we weren't quite prepared for that one. A lesson learned." Bill said grinning, despite being dead tired.
"A lesson remembered indeed," Ian said, "all I want is a bed and some brandy."
They made it as far as the Big tent, before they were herded into the medical side, stripped and put into bed. The Cooling charms kept it comfortable, and Dobby supplied them with a quick meal before they were give a few potions and were out like lights. No brandy was forthcoming.
Harry sat on the beach that evening, it was peaceful, but not quiet, as the surf rolled in waves, washing up and down the sand, but relaxing in a way he could get quite used to.
"Hey Harry." Belle said as she walked up, her small toes wiggling into the sand.
"Hey yourself." Harry replied.
"I want to talk about the other day, when I kissed you." Her voice was soft.
"Ok…"
"Things have changed; I got a letter from Jean. I just wanted to say I'm sorry for leading you on, but I have to stop."
Harry felt a sinking feeling in his gut, and nodded. "Alright, we knew it couldn't last anyway."
"I wish it could, or… look things are complicated now. My whole wedding has been changed, it's all political now. I hate it, it's like I have no control."
"I can understand that, have a seat and let's talk about it. We can still be friends can't we?" Harry said, patting the sand next to him.
"Ok. Look at you, already putting things we girls taught you to use, such a charmer." Belle sat with a laugh, and talk they did. About her future marriage and what worries she had, about his soon to be status, and how he would never be just one of the guys, each opening up to the other and feeling unburdened by the sharing. How he hated his fame, but now realized he couldn't get rid of it, so he had to earn it. They talked of hopefully coming to love their intended partners, and then for a while they just sat still, enjoying the last of their summer trip, a friendship salvaged.
The chest was a surprise to Harry when Bill showed it to him the next day; it was full of broken jewelry: smashed crowns, folded up crosses, the gemstones pried out of their mounts and placed in a small sack, broken necklaces and odd bits of gold or silver.
"It's a horde Harry, stolen loot. That's why it's all crushed; they just went after the valuable bits."
"Oh, so what now?"
"Now we relax, enjoy ourselves." Bill said, as he lay down in the sun, one arm over his eyes to nap the day away. Harry wandered back to the tent, getting out his Penseive; now that he could be alone, he wanted to look at some more memories. It didn't take him long to get frustrated though, he could take these memories with him, what he should be doing was going out and spending his time enjoying the beach and making his own memories. So the Penseive was packed back away, and Harry was out the door in his swim trunks.
That night they threw a party, a celebration of a successful expedition, bonfires were lit casting a warm glow to the evening. Annalisa cast a charm into the air, and music started playing songs she had heard before, playing from memory. They danced and sang, and ate Firecrab legs that Lone Feather had harvested, and everyone had a good time. Barns sat in a chair, only occasionally dancing, Bill made the rounds, and even Lone Feather danced a song or two. Granted he was terrible at it, yet grumbled good naturedly while doing it. Harry learned the charm to cast music into the air, and danced with the girls until his legs were sore. In the morning they would pack up camp and set sail for home, and to Harry it was just a little bittersweet.