Chapter 63 – The Repercussions
Harry had absolutely no idea of how he had exited the Great Hall. He thought he had seen a split second of Fawkes flashing in and grabbing him but he wasn't positive of that. It might have been Vika responding to his fatigue and his desire to leave. He actually wasn't sure; all he knew was that one second he was in the Great Hall and then in the blink of an eye he was outside the Room of Requirement.
Harry collapsed to the corridor floor as the form of Robb Loxley disappeared. He lay exhausted on the floor and wondered if anyone would mind him taking a quick napright there. He heard a door opening close by and rolled onto his back and raised his head to see Vika beckoning to him from the open doorway. Harry labored to get to his feet and sent a mental message to Hermione that he was going into the Room of Requirement and would appreciate some company later.
Vika lent Harry a hand getting into the room and onto a large daybed. Harry struggled to remove his shoes but Vika just shook her head and the boys' shoes, socks and shirt were magically removed to form a small pile near the edge of the daybed. Harry said "Thanks" and was asleep just about as soon as his head hit the pillow. Vika smiled down at the small form and carefully drew a sheet to cover Harry. The magical representation of Hogwarts School took a few steps away and faded out of sight.
Meanwhile, back downstairs, Hermione and 'Harry' walked into the first empty classroom that they came to and Tonks had assumed her normal form. Hermione gave the auror a hug and asked her to relay a message to Professor McGonagall for her. When Tonks nodded Hermione said that she and Harry would be recovering from the magical strain and would try to get back to the dorm before curfew but couldn't be sure that they would make it.
Tonks nodded as she had seen how much energy Harry had used between the magical performance and the transformation. She warned Hermione that Harry might need to rest for a couple of days before attempting another transformation. Hermione suspected that and was going to caution Harry anyway but it was nice to have some official guidance. The two girls separated and hurried along to their destinations. Tonks was headed to the infirmary to help Amelia Bones with the young witches. She suspected a number of Hogwarts owls were soon to be launched out to the girls' parents about the situation and she wanted to help the Head Auror with her investigation.
Hermione headed as fast as she could up the stairs and through the corridors toward the Room of Requirement. She almost jogged through the pacing in front of the blank wall and ran inside quickly once the door opened. Hermione stopped when she saw the daybed and that Harry was fast asleep on it. She checked to see that he was just sleeping normally and then let go a big yawn that surprised her. Hermione realized that she had gotten tired herself and decided for a bit of indulgence. She took off her robe and shoes and then got undressed; she slipped under the sheet and cuddled up to the boy that had transfixed the entire school and the Minister of Magic with a mix of bravado and foolishness.
It was many hours later the Harry awoke to find a very comfortable weight on his chest. He didn't even have to wonder about where he was or who was with him. The only question he could think of was what time it had gotten to. Considering how tired he was when he arrived, Harry wouldn't have been surprised to discover that it was morning again and that they had slept the night away.
Hermione stirred in her sleep and Harry realized that Hermione had decided to get very comfortable when she joined him in the daybed. She was topless and Harry thought that he could feel her nipples form hot little points against his bare skin. That thought quickly brought some other factors into play that changed Harry's decision about not moving in the slightest. He tried slipping sideways on the bed to escape from Hermione's hug but her arm just moved from around his neck to his waist. Harry heard a small giggle from a few feet away.
Harry carefully turned his neck to see that Vika was sitting on a chair a few feet away and just observing the two of them. Harry groaned mentally at being caught but then suddenly realized that Vika may have already seen everything that Harry and Hermione had ever done in the Room of Requirement. Harry's sudden blush caused Vika to sit up straighter and start a mental conversation with the wizard.
"I would never intrude on your privacy that way Harry. Whatever you or Hermione have arranged for yourself is not my business. I leave other couples alone for their private interactions."
"Thank you for that. Are you ok Vika? That was a lot of magic we accomplished this afternoon? Or is it yesterday now? What time is it?"
"A little past midnight so you and Hermione have slept for almost 9 hours. I should be the one asking if you're ok? You and she did a lot of that magic on your own."
"I don't think we could have ever apparated all those girls from the Great Hall to the Infirmary without your help. Thank you for making the charade believable."
Hermione must have become aware of the mental conversation going on around her and she stretched out and then realized that wherever she was – she wasn't alone. Her eyes opened in surprise but then she saw that Harry was looking down at her with a cautious grin. Hermione reached up her hand to cup the back of Harry's head and stretched herself up to give him a solid kiss on the lips. Harry lost himself in the feeling for a long number of seconds but then remembered the other person in the room.
'Nonnie, I wish we could continue this but we actually aren't alone in here. Vika's right beside us!'
Hermione squeaked into Harry's mouth and then drew the sheets around her quickly before looking around. Vika smiled at Hermione's bit of panic but just waved her hand and both piles of their clothes floated up to the bed. "You two are a beautiful couple. I'll leave you so that you might have some privacy. I think I can converse with the both of you now so if you have any questions or comments just think about me and I'll be there."
Vika started to fade away but Hermione's sudden call of her name cause Vika to reform. Hermione, despite being topless, came off of the daybed and went over to hug Vika and thank her for all the help. It was obvious that Vika had never gotten a hug before but she relaxed after a few seconds and then hugged Hermione back. "That was new" Vika said. "But nice."
Harry felt that he needed to do the same and asked Vika if she minded if she received another one. When she nodded hopefully, Harry got out of the bed himself and walked over and gave Vika a quick hug. Vika giggled a little and Harry felt a little warm wave of magic enter his skin where Vika had her arms around him. Harry stood up and he and Hermione wished Vika a nice morning and told her that they would always be available if she wanted to talk to them. Vika nodded and the young woman faded out into thin air as they watched.
Hermione turned back and continued her hug and snog with her boyfriend. Harry was getting a little dizzy at the intensity of the kiss but the loud groan that came from his stomach put a stop to any further romantic thoughts. The two quickly broke out laughing but reached for their clothes to start dressing. They talked about the happenings in the Great Hall and Harry and Hermione traded laughs about their observations about the students, the Board of Governors, and Minister Fudge.
It was a matter of minutes before Harry and Hermione began making their way to the Hogwarts kitchens for a midnight snack. The stayed under Harry's invisibility cloak until Harry tickled the pear at the entrance portrait. The few house elves that were still up at the time of night were very happy to see the pair and provided them with an entire tray of food and drinks and apparated them to the Gryffindor common room to keep them from having to wake up Winnie.
The two sat up for a while eating and talking quietly about what effect that 'Lord Gryffindor' would have on the school.
"I think the Board and the Minister of Magic will take Robb Loxley seriously from now on and I think the students certainly enjoyed the 'personality'. Robb may have to wear a wedding band the next time or all the 'private audience' requests from the witches though all four houses will keep you busy for days."
Harry made a face at that particular thought and Hermione giggled. "And that joke you ended with was horrible; Frosty the Snowman?"
Grinning, Harry pleaded tiredness for that particular remark. "But you have to admit, for a change it left the pure-blooded students totally without a clue. They'll have to consult the muggle born or witches and wizards from mixed parents if they want to find out anything. That's seems like a nice bit of poetic justice after the way that lot treated the people who haven't been exposed to magic before they got to Hogwarts."
Harry yawned again and apologized to his companion. "I still have some reading to do and as much as I'd like to just stay here and cuddle up with you, I should make an appearance in my dorm room before too many questions are asked."
"Me too but I'm just going to have to try and answer all the questions from Lavender and Parvati in the morning about what I think about our new 'hero'.
"Good night then Hermione. Pleasant dreams. I'll meet you down her for breakfast"
"Good morning then Robb, Jamie, Harry. I'll have to start a list of all your aliases soon." Harry laughed but bent down to give Hermione a quick kiss before he headed up to his dorm room. Hermione yawned herself after he disappeared and climbed the stairway to her bed.
Xxxx xxxx
The fallout from Lord Gryffindor's visit to Hogwarts began the next morning. Harry and Hermione walked down for breakfast just in time for the morning owl deliveries. Everyone seemed to receive a copy of the Daily Prophet and some of the students received more than one copy. Harry and Hermione sat down but they were instantly told by a number of fellow Gryffindors that Harry's picture was in the paper. Harry nodded his head as he remembered that a number of photos were snapped while Fudge was in the Hall but then started as he caught the statement properly. 'Harry Potter has his picture in the paper?'
Neville was kind enough to toss a paper over to the pair as his grandmother had sent three copies to him. Harry pushed his breakfast plate away and unfolded the paper to read the headline.
'A New Lord Gryffindor!' ran the headline and the subtitle read "Minister of Magic meets with Founders' Heir' in slightly smaller print. Harry and Hermione looked at each other in shock before they focused on the two large pictures that took up the top half of the front page. One showed Lord Gryffindor in the little meeting with Dumbledore, Madame Bones and Cornelius Fudge near the end of his visit and the other showed Lord Gryffindor shaking Harry's Potter's hand over the shoulder over an astonished looking Ronald Weasley.
The first picture was labeled 'A New Power Player Joins Minister Fudge' while the second simply stated 'The Lord of the School shakes hands with the Boy-Who-Lived'. 'This is unexpected, Hermione.'
'Remus told us that Minister Fudge is always looking for some good publicity. The way this is presented makes it look like he's counseling you!'
Harry shook his head. "That is so wrong! But at least there was a settlement of some problems."
Hermione read the rest of the first page. 'Most of the paper concerns your meeting with the Minister and what you said. There's articles on a number of different pages.'
Harry put the paper down and reached for his breakfast plate again. But he stopped at a quick thought and then smiled. "Can I borrow a quill, Hermione?"
Hermione dug into her ever present bookbag and dug out one of her self-inking quills. Harry took in carefully and then stood and walked down the table. Tapping a certain person on the shoulder, Harry held out the paper and the quill. "Before the line gets too long, I'd like to get your autograph Ron." Ron Weasley turned a surprised eye to his friend but then grinned. "Anything for you Mr. Potter; it's the least I can do."
Harry held out his hand as a way of congratulating Ron about appearing on the front page of the Prophet but Luna stood up from beside Ron and pushed the two together with absolutely no subtlety. Harry laughed but gave Ron a quick hug before getting his autograph on the picture and going back to resume his breakfast with Hermione.
"That was a nice idea Harry."
"I thought Ron wouldn't mind getting a little good attention for a change." Hermione nudged Harry and pointed down the table where a few of the first years from different houses were standing in line with their own papers for Ron to sign. Harry chuckled at Ron's happy look and hoped he enjoyed his little slice of fame.
The two returned to the Gryffindor common room and finished reading the very detailed report about Robb Loxley's visit with the Hogwarts governors and the Minister of Magic. Hermione got upset because the actual reporting led one to believe that it was the Minister soliciting Lord Gryffindor for the funds for the secretary for Dumbledore. Harry didn't actually care how it was written as long as the point was made that the position was long overdue and would be filled at the earliest opportunity.
There was no word in the paper about the last little bits of 'business' that Robb Loxley had undertaken other than a mention that a small number of witches had been overcome by the excitement of seeing the new lord and had gone to the Hogwarts infirmary 'just as a precaution'. "I guess that's a little better than telling everyone that a number of witches got taken advantage of" Harry said.
"I hope Madame Bones could retrieve their memories one way or the other. I would hope the guilty parties were caught and properly punished."
Although they asked Dumbledore about the investigation, Harry and Hermione were never told about the specifics but a lot of hints came forward in the next week or so about the whole situation.
The witches that had been removed from the Great Hall were all absent from the school for about a week. The story that went around when they returned was that each had gone to the Ministry of Magic for some type of special counseling and treatment from trained metal healers. They would never tell anyone the specific reasons that they took a week off.
Eight wizards and two witches withdrew from Hogwarts and transferred their schooling to the Durmstrang Institute in the week after Lord Gryffindor's visit. The Wesley twins were especially happy that half of those wizards were members of the Slytherin Quidditch team; the Slytherin wins against the other houses were vacated despite Professor Snape's heavy protests. That a wizard from Hufflepuff and a witch from Ravenclaw were included in those transfers brought a certain sense of embarrassment to those houses.
The matter of Crabbe, Goyle and Draco Malfoy was never discussed by anyone. Draco Malfoy officially went home to recover from 'emotional and physical stress' and was rumored not to be able to return until the next fall. Harry was amazed to see that Crabbe and Goyle seemed to flourish without their leader. Goyle was actually seen to eat salads from time to time and took some long walks around the castle and Crabbe actually had a female companion or two sit and talk to him during mealtimes. Harry was actually glad that the two seemed to be doing well away from the somewhat questionable companionship of Draco Malfoy. He never held either of them responsible for their previous actions or attitudes.
The tension in the school seemed to lessen by a significant decree after that Friday visit. Hermione credited Lord Gryffindor for the change but Harry volunteered the idea that Vika and Hogwarts had seen a sense of fairness and justice reestablished and that everyone felt better because of it.
Xxxx xxxx
The first Tuesday of the month had a special meaning for a certain group of individuals at Hogwarts. The sixth of April was no different than the other six first Tuesdays that these individuals had managed to meet and discuss a certain topic among themselves. But this Tuesday was going to be a little different for these people and it would form a basis for a number of similar meetings for many years at Hogwarts.
A knock came at the door to the abandoned classroom came about 10 minutes after the meeting had started. Used to latecomers, the person in front of the others just nodded as he continued speaking to the others. "The topic for discussion tonight is whether the adoption of Harry Potter is a matter that should be proposed to Lord Gryffindor, Robb Loxley."
"Professor Flitwick?" All eyes turned to the doorway to see a highly surprised Hermione Granger standing in the doorway with Myrtle Beechwood looking over her shoulder. "You're in charge of the Harry Potter Fan Club?"
"In charge is such an uncertain term. Let's just say I've been pressed into service as a facilitator keeping the common interest of these people into some coherence."
"I don't mean to complain but if everyone here really thinks that they know Harry Potter, they should also know he doesn't like displays or people talking about him much."
"We aren't really doing anyone some harm here Miss Granger. It's just that we all have a quiet admiration for the lad as an individual and as a wizard. Talking about him is our way of seeing if we could possibly do some good for Harry."
A very familiar but annoyed voice spoke up. "But what if Harry thinks you could be better spending your time. And I am absolutely positive that Lord Gryffindor will never adopt me." All the occupants of the room switched their gaze from a slightly smiling Hermione to the unanticipated presence of Harry Potter. He had appeared out of seemingly thin air from slightly behind Professor Flitwick; only Hermione and Ron understood the Harry had just stepped out from under his invisibility cloak. The rest of the fan club just murmured to themselves as yet another magical proof that Harry was much more than he seemed to be.
Harry took a good long look around the room to see the members of his fan club. Professor Flitwick seemed the most embarrassed to have been caught with this group but Harry couldn't bring himself to hold any anger at the Charms professor. The other twenty some Hogwarts students in the room returned Harry's stare with a variety of different attitudes, ranging in degree from outright amusement to nervousness and, with a few of the younger members, a touch of apparent fear.
That there were a number of Weasleys here was no surprise to Harry. The twins waved back boldly when Harry turned to look at them and Harry was hard pressed to keep a smile off his face. Ron was sitting with Luna Lovegood who held up their joined hands and winked at Harry. He gazed around the room to see a number of different Gryffindors like Neville, Parvati, Angelina Johnson and Oliver Wood. People he considered close friends and that he had considerable interactions with at one time or another.
The people from the other three Houses were more of a surprise to Harry as he looked around the room. He thought Susan Bones would keep Neville Longbottom company as they were pretty much in an exclusive relationship already. That she thought enough of Harry to actually belong to his fan club was a little surprise. That surprise carried over to the other people that he saw. Rose Zellar who he suddenly recognized as having a Governor as a father was sitting between Mandy Brocklehurst and Terry Boot. Josie Kellar, Ginny's close friend, was sitting with a curious Cho Chang.
In the back of the room, closest to Hermione, were three Slytherins sitting together. It was Blaise Zambini that had opened the door to admit Hermione and he had regained his seat next to Daphne Greengrass and Tracey Davis. The fact that Harry had some fans or potential friends in the Slytherin House was encouraging. 'Hermione could you sit with Blaise, Daphne, and Tracey? I'd really like to get to know them better before we leave here tonight.'
'Sure Harry. What are you going to say to everybody?'
'Merlin knows. But here goes nothing.'
Harry let everyone squirm a little as he kept glancing at the people in the room. He remembered the words that Dumbledore had said to him back after the card he had received on Valentine's Day. He waited until Hermione had found a seat next to the Slytherins before he began talking.
"I'm not sure how I should address the little meeting. I am slightly embarrassed at the attention but I would be lying if I said that I didn't feel honored and humbled that you all think enough of me to be a part of this group. Some of you know that I'm already happy to call you close friends. I am especially relieved that Fred and George are putting their efforts into a group that doesn't want to outright embarrass and prank me."
"Don't think we haven't tried to talk the others into that" said Fred. That Harry laughed easily with everyone else made the twins relax a little; they were a little nervous that Harry would be angry and turn on them.
Harry continued on after the chuckles subsided. "For those of you that I don't know very well, I'd like to correct that in the time we have left in this school year. You are invited to have meals with Hermione and me, or if you'd prefer, I could sit at your house table and talk to you. For anybody that has any possible romantic interest in me, you are definitely going to be disappointed; Hermione has already captured my heart and will probably never willingly let it go. That leaves me with the dilemma of what I should do with this group of bright but misguided wizards and witches. I have thought of a proposal for you all but it hinges on whether you will allow Hermione and I to join you."
Any numbers of voices were raised at that statement but Harry saw that a couple of hands were raised also. Harry turned to Professor Flitwick but he just indicated Harry had the floor for the foreseeable future. Harry didn't really want to take on the role of a leader or professor but he picked one hand to answer the many questions that had suddenly arisen.
"Daphne, you have a question?"
"Yes, as you are proposing joining us, does that mean your aren't going to insist or demand that we disband?"
"No, I am not going to insist on anything. I'm flattered and embarrassed you are all here but it's still a free country and a free school and I for one am not going to try imposing my will on anyone else. We've already seen too many examples of that and how ideas like that turn out. I will ask that everybody here call me Harry or I will demonstrate a particularly effective hot-foot spell that I've learned from the headmaster."
That got a few grins from people and Harry pointed to another raised hand. Josie's face got red when Harry actually recognized her but she bravely stood and asked her question. "If you want to do something different with us students than a fan club, what exactly do you want us to do Harry?"
"That's an excellent question Josie and I'm glad you asked. How many people here know that Professor Flitwick here is a certified grandmaster of Dueling?" Three or four hands went up and Harry saw that it was mostly the upperclassmen that responded. "And how many people here could guess that Susan over there has a detailed working knowledge of how the Ministry of Magic operates?" Again the number of hands raised was very few and far between.
Harry started pacing in fron tof the group as he talked. "If there's one thing I've learned over the last year and a half is that almost everybody has a particular knowledge or talent that very few other people know about. We've got two months left in this year and some of you are facing Owls or worse. If you people would allow it, Hermione and I can teach you a few of the spells we've learned that nobody knows. We might impose on Professor Flitwick to give a lecture on real dueling strategies instead of what I suspect we're getting in DADA. I'm sure everyone can share some knowledge that is theirs alone."
"So we'll all have to take a turn?"
"Only if you want to Parvati. I'm not going to force anybody to try and do something they don't want to do. I'm kind of curious how Indian magic or the Indian magical society is different than the British but we never seem to have time to sit down and talk about that. You're an expert on something and you didn't even suspect that did you?"
Parvati shook her head but the smiled at the notion that she knew something about magic that even Harry Potter didn't know. She thought that maybe she could talk to the others about that subject but only if she could include her twin sister in the presentation.
Harry and Professor Flitwick were looking around at all the thoughtful faces in the room. "Do you have any problems with what I'm proposing Professor?"
"I think no teacher would object to having their students trading knowledge. I think it would be a much better use of all our times. You might even get formal recognition for this type of active study group Mr. Potter."
"I hardly think a bunch of friends meeting together for mutual study would qualify for special status."
"I think any endeavor you get interested in Harry Potter would qualify as being special." Professor Flitwick said as he turned to the people in the classroom. "I think we've discussed this long enough. All those interested in abandoning the Harry Potter fan club in favor of forming… What are we calling this then?"
Harry looked to the back of the room to see if Hermione had any suggestions. Her mental suggestion had Harry nodding in agreement.
"How about we call it the Diverse Aptitudes club or DA for short? We all come from different areas and know different things. Our willingness to share our various knowledges will be something unique, I hope."
"Very well, all those in favor of forming the Hogwarts DA club please signify by raising their hands. So carried and decided. Congratulations Mr. Potter, you now have a new group."
Harry protested but everyone applauded for him and he blushed when Hermione came forward and to give him a brief hug. Hermione then turned to address the group. "Ok, tonight's lesson will be a few spells that Harry discovered from a very old book that Professor McGonagall had in her personal collection."
Harry cast a frantic glance at his girlfriend and wondered how he come to become an instructor so suddenly. Hermione winked at him but Harry cleared his throat and started describing some of the privacy and shield spells he had learned.