Disclaimer: See chapter 1. Please remember this is a crossover and an AU. This story was planned out long before tDH came out. So therefore, it isn't HBP and tDH compatible. Reviews are welcomed, flames aren't --GF and the Frau

Chapter 22: Language, Mr. Potter

Harry sat in his alcove. The night held a feeling of dread. It was getting close to Hallowe'en. Uncle Snuffles had been no help with gift ideas for Sir Nick. Mother had written to the Headmaster about his concerns about that fool Lockhart but he hadn't heard the outcome of that yet.

He couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was going to happen. It hung in the air like a fog. Looking down at his crystal, he sighed. It was full, again. More and more, he was finding himself sneaking out of the dorm to empty it. One of these nights, he was going to get caught. Murphy's Law and all that.

Tonight, he was playing a banjo. He was in a 'Kermit the Frog' sort of mood. The song, "The Rainbow Connection," just seemed to fit.

0o0o0o0

Harry stared at the destroyed diary, clutching his wounded arm. Ginny was starting to stir. Finally, it was over with. He had destroyed the basilisk that had been roaming the halls most of the year. The soul that had inhabited the diary was gone . He shuddered briefly as icy cold shivers raced through his body from the basilisk venom. He didn't notice the gold and red flash of Fawkes arrival nor the white and grey flutter of an owl.

He was only half conscious as Fawkes leaned over, crying into his wound and two strong arms cradled him from behind. Dazed, Harry stared up into familiar mismatched eyes.

"Father." He breathed.

"Harry? Who?" Ginny asked, groggily as she started to revive.

With a wave of his gloved hand, Jareth caused Ginny to fall into a healing slumber. "Don't worry about her, my son. She'll be fine. As you will be soon. I am very proud of you," the Goblin King said, giving both children a concerned look. "You fought the beast and won . That's all that matters."

Harry looked down at his healed arm. It was all over with. Summer hols would be starting soon. Since Christmas he had been pounding into the heads of any who would listen that he wasn't the Slytherin Heir. Maybe they'll listen now. "For now, Father," he agreed. "You know Dumbledore will once again try to block my talents."

"Let him try, my son," Jareth sneered.

As the Fae helped him to his feet, Harry's thoughts went back to just before the Christmas Break. . . .

The Great Hall had been buzzing with speculation on what happened the night before during the Dueling Club Meeting. The Christmas Hols would be starting soon and frankly, Harry just couldn't wait. Between the nitwit for a DADA instructor and hearing a whispering voice in the walls was starting to wear on him.

Breakfast was just starting when Harry made his way to the Gryffindor table. An eerie silence fell when the other students noticed his arrival.

Setting his guitar case down beside him, Harry reached for some toast. A couple his fellow Gryffindors flinched away. Feeling his ire rising, he stood. What followed was a series of snarls, growls, grunts and hisses that seemed to echo through the dead silence.

There was a strangled gasp from the Head Table. "MR. POTTER! WE DO NOT TOLERATE SUCH LANGUAGE IN THIS SCHOOL!" shouted Professor Flitwick.

Harry looked a bit abashed at being understood. He had burst out in a venomous stream in Gobbledygook and Trollic. He had forgotten that the tiny professor was half goblin. Oops!

"25 points from Gryffindor for language unbecoming of a student, Mr. Potter. Care to explain why you felt it necessary?" the tiny professor asked, standing on his chair and leaning over the Head Table.

Harry sighed, rubbing his forehead. "My words fly up, my thoughts remain below: Words without thoughts never to heaven go. " He noted the fear and disgust in many of his fellow students and knew he had to defuse the situation. 'Well, once into the breach as it were. Personally, I'd rather kiss a wookie than deal with this right now,' he thought.

Pasting a contrite expression on his face, Harry took a deep breath, bowed to the elder half-goblin and said in high Gobbledygook, "Forgive me esteemed elder. I had forgotten that there was one here that could understand this noble language. However, it should be noted that few humans would understand my usage and therefore my frustration. Trollic and Gobbledygook lends itself so well to swearing, don't you agree, esteemed elder?"

"That is as it may be, Mr. Potter," Prof. Flitwick replied in Gobbledygook trying to be stern. However in English, he continued, "Nevertheless, it is inappropriate language for this school."

"Harry," Hermione cut in. "Just how many languages do you speak?"

Harry laughed as he started to think out loud. "Let's see. I can speak Gobbledygook as well as some Trollic which is great for swearing, then there's High Elvish, common elvish, I can read druidic better then I can speak it. Of course, Welsh and Gaelic," Harry ticked off each language on his fingers. "I also can speak five human languages, English, French, Spanish, Latin and German. I do know a bit of Japanese but I'm still working on it."

"Blimey mate!" Ron piped in.

Harry shrugged. "So I guess I now have to add Parsel-tongue to the list. I honestly don't see the reason for being upset about it. It's just another language."

"Just another language! But. . . it's snake . . . " Ron sputtered.

Harry sighed as he came out of the memory. 'Just another language. Who would've thought that beast speaking would be frown on in the Wizarding World,' he thought as leaned against his father.

Now that he had killed the great monster and the diary that was the real culprit, maybe things would get back to normal. Well, normal for him.

"I want to go home but I can't yet, can I?" He looked hopefully up at his father.

"No my son. You must finish the term. And it's no use wishing. I would not grant it," Jareth said, with a slight smirk. His hands tightened a bit on Harry's arm.

'Frack!"

"What have I told you about swearing?"

"Sorry?"

0o0o0o0

Sorry for the delay. Summer is such a busy time for Frau and me. Hopefully, with it almost over, we can get back to writing and completing several stories. We do try to make longer chapters but we let the story tell us when it's time to end the chapter. It's just how it is. We decided to try something a bit different this time. We hope it works.

As for the reviews, you people are awesome. As for Dumbledore finding out, you'll just have to wait and see.

We do try to keep the story moving and as canon as possible, but it isn't always easy. Our Harry is so much different than the one in the books.

Until next time. --GF and The Frau