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Z2010Deadmeat
The school hosts the tournament plus its a lot of work to set something like that without Muggles noticing but the school grounds are already set up to keep Muggles away.
Warsage.
Hermione joins the harem in the next chapter. I figured the Yule Ball was when she would let her down, so to speak, and also try some vodka.
The First Gothic. Book One. A Wizard In Training. Part 32.
Hogwarts School Grounds. Audience Stands. The Wizarding World.
As soon as Luna and I found the other Outcast we moved a short distance away from the rest of the audience without a word being spoken, it was second nature for us and I didn't even have to think about applying the privacy charm it was all automatic.
Once all five of us had sat down on the at the end of the least used of the stands Neville asked me a question.
"Having a nice birthday, Damien?".
I'd plain forgotten the date so it took me a moment to process what Nev was asking.
"Actually it was" I replied while grinning like an idiot "I brought a house".
Among doing other things.
"How can you have brought a house?" questioned Hermione whose attention was mostly focused on her friend's aerial acrobatics "your under-age".
My focus was also on the display above as the First Task was based on the element of air. The task was more complex than a mere broom race, although that was part of what was going on, it was sort of an obstacle course as well.
The champions had fly between hoops and avoid spells meant to knock them off course. If a champion missed a hoop they slowed down as the hoops seemed to cause brooms to sped up, but it wasn't just about who went the fastest as the hoops formed a sort of race track that was curved so the flyers had to fly fast and keep themselves on course while at the same trying to avoid mid-air collisions with each other and the odd spell thrown their way.
"Not in Skyrim I'm not" I explained "its mostly a medieval society and so the idea of a teenager doesn't exist there, you got from child to young adult at thirteen with nothing in between".
Granger was a bright girl but all of her advanced learning was based around the Magic world not the Muggle world. I however had a more well rounded eduction including in sociology. Knowing this I explained some more hoping that a small lecture would help her grasp what I was taking about.
"Before the start of the 20th teenagers didn't really exist. There were young people between the ages of thirteen and nineteen, but there was nothing to set them apart from children or adults no social identity, so you were either a child or an adult the idea that you could be in-between just didn't register because there was no need".
Aside from myself and my Muggleborn friend the rest of the Outcasts had been home schooled, so they didn't have the same understanding of the Muggle world's history that Hermione and I did, but this didn't stop them from listening to everything I was saying.
"It wasn't until education became wide spread that people began to see how children in different age groups acted in large numbers over time. Some children did go to school but once they could work they worked and most education children got was either from tutors if they were rich or the odd church run school if they were middle class"
Sociology had never been my best subject during my second year at college so I didn't think I was explaining myself very well
"Poor kids got the least education but once the law said they had to go to school and so schools had to be built. Once they started building High Schools, and Hogwarts is a lot like a Muggle High School in some ways, people started to noticed teenagers and that they weren't really children or adults".
Part of the reason was also marketing. Businesses that relied on things like fashions and music trends to make money had noticed that teenagers had a culture of their own, and that this new culture wanted things. It also helped that teenagers had more money to spend that younger children this made it more worth while to try and sell things marketed to teenagers.
I wasn't to explain that part as Wizards didn't have a consumer culture, at least not in the way Muggles did, but only because they didn't have the population for it.
"But they don't have schools in Skyrim" realised Neville who had despite his lack of Muggle education grasped where I was going with all this talk "I remember because you explained about apprenticeships and higher eduction".
Nice to know my lectures weren't falling on deaf ears.
"So if you don't have schools like Hogwarts you don't have teenagers" summarised Ginny "your a kid until you get a job".
It was more complex than that but the creation of High Schools was the single most important factor in the creation of teenagers. Skyrim and England up until the industrial revaluation weren't really that different. Nord culture was one built around a life that was both harsh and short. You simply had to get married and start making babies at thirteen otherwise you wouldn't be around to see your grandchildren born, and that only happened if you were lucky.
"Which is about the age of thirteen" I explain further "kids do work with their parents before that but in Skyrim at thirteen they become adults. Then they learn a trade from someone else, join a ship's crew or even the army".
Not even the Stormcloaks would go as far as to ask a child to fight but armies needed a lot support staff in order to keep them going and child soldiers are more common than people think.
"That's not what I meant" corrected Granger "you could buy a house in the Wizarding World if you wanted but you can't get at the money until your seventeen".
I felt a little silly now as my lecture had been pointless. Because I felt foolish my answer was both short and a little angry sounding.
"I applied for a mortgage".
The Purebloods around me looked totally confused, so I softly sighed and explained myself yet again while somewhat regretting that I had cultivated followers who actually expressed their opinions and questioned me.
"A mortgage is like borrowing money, someone who has money gives it to you and you use it buy a house. Then you pay the person you borrowed the money from back a little bit at a time plus a bit extra it to make worth while for whoever loaned you the money".
If only taking out a loan really was that simple.
"What happens if you can't pay the money back?" asked Ginny.
"Whatever you brought with the money becomes the property of whoever gave you the loan and they get to keep any money you did pay back".
Well that was how it worked in Skyrim but the Nords were simple folk who wouldn't go for a complex economic system.
"Maybe you should give out mortgages" suggested Neville "not for houses but people need to borrow money and if they have to pay the loan back with a little extra your family fortunes would increase".
"Could I do that?" I asked my best friend.
"Course you can" he replied "your a Mason"
Hermione as she sometimes did gave a more complete answer either because she wanted to be helpful or because she simply wanted to show off how much knowledge she had.
"Like many of the old Pureblood families the Mason family specialised in certain businesses which are the bases of their family fortunes".
"My families were weapon merchants" said Nevilee.
I'd of called them magical gunrunners myself.
"Mine did farming" supplied Ginny "but we lost them".
I didn't know how someone lost a farm and I had no desire to ask.
"Love potions" was Luna's.
Not surprising given the name.
"The Potters were craftsmen. The Malfoys were land owners," said the Muggleborn Witch after she was interrupted "which is your business now, but you also have your family businesses which was construction".
The Purebloods had been about to say something when the stands came alive with cheers. Fleur had dropped out of the race ,in the literal sense, but she'd been caught by some sort air cushion so she was fine. Oddly everyone seem disappointed by that.
"Still is really" informed Neville "but what your family is most famous for is being inventors. The Masons got most of their wealth while the Statue of Secrecy was being set up as they did stuff like help build the Ministry and moved lots of Wizard homes away from Muggles. But after that the Masons didn't get much work so they became inventors".
"I knew that last part" I told the group "I just don't much care about my family history".
"You should" argued Luna "especially now".
Yes she was right I now had a family again. Luna was technically a Mason now and would be on this world as well in just a few years.
Also as she was Xeno's only heir that meant that anything that was Lovegood would be partly mine legally. Well at least it would be once Xeno was dead or retired, then Luna would oversee the Quibbler and the side business which really just a small amount of paperwork needed to allow businesses to sell potions the Lovegoods had invented.
However because Luna wanted to be oppressed by her Dark Lord she considered herself and anything she owned to be mine so one day, assuming all went well, I'd have control over three family fortunes.
"The Mason family invents things" enforced Granger "its a tradition and those are as important as laws in the Wizarding World. Your the one person in the country who can introduce new things without having to worry much about getting approval".
"Its my Dad's department at works handles that" informed Ginny "its part of his job to approve new products that are based on Muggle ideas".
This was why flying carpets had been banned by his department.
Not that it really had anything to do with flying carpets being Muggle artefacts it was about protecting broom manufacturers who were needed because broom sales were heavily taxed and the Ministry needed that money. Also Wizarding Britain didn't have the population to fully fund the Ministry so it relied heavily on taxing exports. British brooms were one of things that everyone in Magical Europe brought so it was understandable why they pressured the ICW to ban Magic Carpets across Europe.
For me this meant that if I did introduce Wizarding versions of Muggle products I'd have to get approval from the Ministry or to be more percise Ginny's Dad so that my family inventions didn't threaten the existing economical set up.
"Its also why the Gillyweed potion had to be our invention" reminded Nev "if I'd tried to sell it myself I would have had to register the potion with the Ministry but the Mason name gets around that, its only stuff based on Muggle inventions that you have to worry about".
"Which they don't care much about because what your family came up with was mostly fads" added Hermione.
I burst out laughing as I realised what this meant. I could deal in trends or even start them introducing Muggle ideas and passing them off as my own. But it wasn't all good news.
"So my idea about House Elf Parcel Force might get shot down because it threatens the Owl Order Service, but it doesn't matter because I could start up my loan agency and no one would do a thing about it by the time the Ministry figures it out the Purebloods won't be able to stop me!"
One of the differences between this Wizarding World and the cannon one was that Hermione Granger didn't seem to care one bit about House Elves. I had no idea why this was and I didn't want question it case it led to her starting up SPEW so I hadn't expected her to kick up a fuss but I'd of thought that she was realise what sort of power loaning money would give me. Then I remembered that was she fifteen and that all her money came from her parents.
"Guys, I could get the Muggleborns both in debt to me and get them into Wizard homes. The Malfoys owned lots of land and that's now mine I can rent that land to whoever I want and hire the Dwarves to build houses on it. Then the Muggleborns can get mortgages from me. It would take years for them to pay for the houses but once they do they can pass them on to their children. Then no Muggleborn would have to marry a Pureblood just so they can live in the Wizarding World full time".
They still didn't quite get what this all meant so I kept going and got louder since it looked like Cedric Diggory was getting tired of flying his broom. This was stirring up the audience as there was a chance he might fall to his death soon.
"Hermione you could never buy a home in the Wizarding World because no Pureblood with land to develop would ever sell one to you, and couldn't anyway as you don't have the money, but if I could give you a mortgage you could buy a house that's both connected to the Floo network and it would no where near any Muggles so you practice magic freely".
Luna who by now must of seen this possible future chimed in.
"The Purebloods would never borrow money from Damien as he's a Halfblood and even the ones who don't care that he's not one of them would be too proud to do that sort of thing anyway, but a few Halfbloods and Muggleborns would if given the chance want to buy a nice house so they can live away from Muggles".
"Mum's always wanted a bigger house" mentioned Ginny "but we can't afford one unless we could sell ours and the land we own".
"Your family has land?" I asked.
Ginny nodded and was about to say something when Cedric came in for a controlled landing. Much to disappointment of the crowd.
That left only Krum and Harry left and neither were slowing down. The flyer one that kept going the longest would get the most points so it was a matter of endurance now not just skill and given that Krum was a professional flyer and that Harry might as well have been born with wings they could both be up there for a while. Cedric had lasted a while but just hadn't been good enough.
When the crowd quietened Ginny answered finally answered my question.
"Yes and if my Dad could sell it we could pay for a bigger home to be built but no one wants it, there's no demand for land. Even with have an orchid left over from when the family were farmers but the Malfoys were the only family with a reason to buy an orchid".
Even putting aside the rivalry between the two families there was no reason for the Malfoy's to buy that land. With no population growth why would there be, but I could find a use for that land. There were bound to be Muggleborns out there who would love an orchid for a back garden.
Also the Borrow was really too small for a large family but from what I'd been told it was odd looking but also it was a nice, quiet place to live in far from other people but not too far. It would be much more suitable to say a couple of newly married Muggleborns looking for their first home.
"Ginny tell your Dad that once I'm seventeen I'll buy the land and house from the him ,or he can use them as collateral".
Naturally Ginny had no understanding of secured loans so I offered an explanation.
"A secured loan is a loan in which the borrower pledges some sort of asset, say like a car, a house or even land as collateral for the loan. This means that if he can't repay the loan I'd get the land but only the land not the house so I'd either have to buy the house or just let him skip payments until he has the money".
"But he couldn't afford it if he could he would of gotten a loan from Gringotts".
So Gringotts did give out loans. I hadn't known that or at least I didn't remember hearing about it.
"Yes but I won't charge him interest or take the house if your Dad didn't pay me back. Since I'd be giving the loan out of my own money he can pay me back only as much as he can afford to. I'd be in no rush to get the money back".
Ginny seemed to realise that this was a favour to her and she looked grateful for the offer at least, still she had concerns.
"I'm not sure anyone would buy the Burrow" she pointed out "its not exactly a mansion".
"I'll also tell him about subletting a property".
Or would I be the one subletting the property? Not that it really mattered as I'd be making the rules.
"That all very generous" remarked Hermione who wasn't as naïve about money as I'd thought "you wouldn't make any money but Mr Weasly would own you a big favour".
"If he approves my loan agency and then takes a loan then it will generate interest" I pointed out "you can't pay for word of mouth advertising and its the best form of advertising I could ask for since no one watches television in the Wizarding World".
Well there was the wireless but I had no connections to whoever ran that. Which was a same because there was a Muggleborn market out there who would love to her some Muggle music now and again.
"Dad would tell everyone in the Ministry" assured Ginny "they wouldn't get as good of a deal but a few people would inquire and they'd tell other people".
"Still I can't see you making much money out of this" remarked Granger.
Of course it wouldn't but that had never been the point. She'd figure out and tell everyone so there was no point in hiding it.
"As I said before if I give mortgages to Muggleborns they will be in debt to me," I reminded "so if they missed a payment I can demand something from them. It wouldn't allow me to make them rebels like us but I could have them do something like turn up at a protest, boycott certain products cancel their subscription to the Daily Prophet and buy one for the Quibbler, make them read the Outcast newsletter, sign petitions or even just let them pay me back with some work I need doing. Nothing illegal but I might need help with future projects".
Hermione actually stopped watching her friend flying and turned to me.
"That might work you could heavily influence the government using your money in a lot of ways".
Bribes worked wonders.
"But can you afford it?" asked Neville "I mean my families rich but you need more money than anyone has to buy up all the unused land and houses. The Goblins won't give up what little property they have".
"The Malfoys have the land I need and the Goblins are greedy they will sell if I can pay and with two family fortunes I can".
My term plans involved getting rid of the Goblins and putting the Dwarves in their place, but that was years away. I still needed to get a Dwarf clan to follow me and that would take some work.
Plus with access to other worlds I could make a killing in the trading business. Magical Nord relics for rich Purebloods. Muggle luxury for the Imperials of Nirn. There were many fortunes to made.
"Anyway" I said to all the Outcasts "this is all years away we have other concerns at the moment".
"Like getting Harry through this tournament" said Hermione with firmness in her voice.
"Yes" I agreed "we got lucky with this air race thing. Air is Potter's element for sure, but next time we might actually need to get involved".
Thankfully I knew what the other tasks were going to be so I could scheme and plot to my heart's content.
The next task would also be quite easy to plan for as it was the Water Task and the same as cannon so that meant the Black Lake and hostages. Potter just needed a few Gillyweed potions some spells that worked well underwater and luck. That last one he had in spades.
His hostage would be Ginny I was sure for that as they were at the stage me and Luna were at until we'd openly started dating. Harry and Ginny were the only people who didn't know they were a couple.
The Earth Task worried me a little and the details I'd gotten from Fudge about the Fire Task were rather vague as the event wasn't fully prepared for yet.
Luna gave me a look and then sort of nudged me towards Hermione before saying.
"Don't forget the Yule Ball. We'll all need to be there with Harry".
Wait was I suppose to invite Hermione? I couldn't go to a ball with her I was married now having arm candy for fancy parties was what Purebloods wives were for, well that and supplying heirs.
At times like this I really wished that Wizards could read minds but even I did know Legilimency it wouldn't help because Luna's mind was far too complex.
I'd just have to wing it.
"Right so I'll be going with Luna naturally. Ginny can go with Harry and play bodyguard. Neville can go with...".
"I'm going with Hannah and Susan" Neville informed "well with Hannah, Susan and her date".
For a second there I mused on the idea of two dates but Hermione threw a spanner into the works.
"Victor Krum, already asked me"
Oh hell no. My future concubine was not going to the Yule ball with fricking Krum.
"You can't your on team Harry" the youngest Weasly argued saving me the effort "going with Krum is like saying you want him to win".
"I want Harry to survive and I don't care if he wins" Granger countered
"Luna tell Herm about the vision you had about Krum".
Luna took a second to catch on but she knew what I meant.
"He's going to attack Cedric in the last task he'll use the Torture Curse".
Possibly because a Death Eater will make him do it but a half truth served better here.
"But he's nice" protested the Muggleborn girl.
"Cheating is a traditional part of the Tournament" I told the teen "he might only of asked you to the Ball get information about Harry".
For a second I'd thought I might of gone to far but it was just far enough until Neville said.
"He goes to a school that actually teaches the Dark Arts and they don't accept Muggleborns, he wouldn't take a Muggleborn to the ball unless it was to get some some sort of advantage".
Hermione looked to be on the verge of tears and I couldn't blame her because no one else would ask her because of the ratio between boys and girls at the school had shifted to favour the girls and she'd never shown boys other than Ron and Harry much notice.
"All the Durmstrang boys are Purebloods elitists" I explained to the upset teen not caring that Krum might be an exception "that's why they sit at the Slytherin table when in the great hall".
"The whole school is like if Hogwarts only had Slytherin house" said Ginny throwing in her two cents.
"You could be Damien's other date" offered Luna who had been thinking about this the whole time "two girls on his arm would be quite nice for him, he might not be the only one since there's a lack of boys in the school".
That would let me show off. Two dates take that anyone who doubts my manhood. Mwahahahaahhaha.
"Its that or maybe a third year" suggested Ginny who suddenly found herself in pain as Luna stepped on her foot.
"Would that even be allowed?" asked Hermione who seemed to like the idea judging by the smile she was giving me.
"The only rule about dates is that you can invite someone in third year to the Ball if they're your date" I replied "besides were rebels were met to break rules and upset the establishment. Its like our job".
That seemed to cheer Granger up, she was quite the rebel once you stripped of her affection for authority figures and I'd managed to bring it out of her without Umbridge being around.
That reminded me I did still needed to kill that horrid toad woman sometime soon and it had to be more than a simple death. Maybe I'd feed her to a Vampire or tie to a tree during in the forest during on a night with a full moon.
"Okay" agreed the teenage Witch "I'll be the third wheel but I get you all to myself for the first dance".
It weren't for the fact that I couldn't dance I'd agree to that term.
"I want a dance too" demanded Luna "so that means you need to learn to dance. I'll enchant your dress robes extra agility on the shoes and charisma on the robes. You'll look great".
Extra charisma on top of my enhanced charisma that could end up with me in bed with both girls at the end of the night. Which might be Luna's plan come to think of it.
"Fine but someone will have to teach me dance, and I'll need booze lots of booze".
Vodka I had to get my hands on some vodka.
The crowd roared as Potter and Krum rammed into each other at incredible speeds and then went crashing down into the crowd. My oath compelled me to take action but I never got the chance to do more than stand up and reach for my wand before air cushions caught them both. Comically Krum slipped off his invisible air cushion and then fell the ground face first.
"It worked" whispered Neville.
I pulled him aside and asked.
"What worked?".
Neville was smiling like a fool.
"I remembered that you wanted Krum to look bad so I coated malaclaw venom on my stinging cactus, just a little bit so that it wasn't noticeable and then I got Ginny to give it to him to hold while she looked for a quill so he could sign one of her books. The cactus stung him. Its my birthday present to you, mate".
Malaclaw venom once it made contact with human skin gave that person bad luck, it was rarely fatal but it made accidents more likely and if something could go badly wrong it would more often than not.
"Oh Neville your first solo prank, I'm so proud" I said while patting him on the back "you've really made this a good birthday".
It didn't compared to taking a girl virginity, but still it was awesome to see Krum's blooded face.
"Bet your glad your not going to the Ball with him now" said Gin to Herm.
Granger had nothing to say in reply.