Chapter 11 – Painting in the Dark
Another lighter chapter, this, but one with quite a few loose ends being tied up, such as what Remus and Tonks did to annoy Harry, the issue of the Marauder's Map, and what Harry did with Pansy's knickers *snigger*. I should probably state, the rest of this story won't be this light, and we're currently just in the calm before the storm.
Thanks, as always, to Arnel for being wonderful.
"You worry too much, Harry. Trust me, everything will be fine," Sirius said while crouching in a rough patch of grass.
"You don't worry enough," Harry retorted nervously.
"Cub, this is Remus we're talking about. He won't let me down," the older man said confidently.
"Then why arrange this meeting here?" Harry demanded. "Why this abandoned warehouse? This smells like a trap."
"Remus wouldn't do that to me. He promised to hear me out and I trust him," Sirius said firmly.
"Yeah? Well, why in that case didn't you tell Gellert we were coming here today? Why all this cloak and dagger stuff?" Harry asked while staring accusingly at his godfather.
"Because Gelli is an old stick-in-the-mud and just about the most paranoid person I've ever met," Sirius retorted. "Anyway, we're here now. We might as well go in."
"Okay, but the same plan as before, remember? I'll stay a few yards behind you, Disillusioned. If we get into trouble, we've both got Portkeys," Harry reminded him.
"Yes, yes. Just come along, Harry. I can't wait to see my old friend again," Sirius announced and stood up. He then began to casually walk towards the large, run-down building in front of him. Although they were in a busy part of East London, no signs of life were to be seen anywhere.
With a bad feeling in his gut, Harry cast the Disillusionment Charm on himself and began to follow his godfather. He was kicking himself that he hadn't told Gellert about the secret correspondence that Sirius had entered into with his old friend, Remus Lupin. Although Remus had seemed willing to listen to Sirius's pleas of innocence, Harry knew the man was a fierce supporter of Albus Dumbledore, and that made him worried. The old wizard had seemingly done everything his power to prevent Sirius from looking after him following the death of his parents; what would the old man do if he became aware of this clandestine meeting?
They soon crossed the empty concrete loading-bay, and entered the actual warehouse. Inside, the building was completely bare apart from the odd pile of accumulated rubbish scattered here and there. Large parts of the roof had caved in, allowing sunlight to stream in. Sirius walked confidently towards the centre of the room, with Harry following hesitantly behind, his eyes darting this way and that.
The sound of a door opening caused Harry to stop. There, at the far end of the warehouse, two figures had entered. Sirius had also stopped where he was, and patiently waited for the pair to approach. Once they got closer, Harry recognised them as being Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks, Sirius's cousin. Worryingly, Harry knew Tonks was an Auror and also a member of Dumbledore's Order of the Phoenix. Why was she here?
"Remus, my old friend, I'm so glad to see you," Sirius said in an emotional voice as they approached.
"Whether I'm pleased to see you remains to be seen," Remus replied sternly. "For the sake of our friendship I'm prepared to hear you out, but this better be bloody convincing, Sirius."
"It is, believe me," Sirius insisted. "Dora, I'm surprised you're here. Not that I'm anything but delighted to see you, of course. You were just a little girl when I last saw you."
"Yeah, well, I'm a big girl now, and ready to hex you into the middle of next week unless you can convince me that you're innocent," she snorted.
"I could have done that a long time ago if I'd been given a proper trial," Sirius said in disgust. "Look, I swear, I wasn't James and Lily's Secret-Keeper, and I didn't kill those Muggles. It was all Peter's doing! We swopped Keepers at the last minute because we thought no one would suspect him. After You-Know-Who killed James and Lily, I chased after Pettigrew seeking revenge. He was the one who blew up that gas main, before cutting his own finger off to make it look like he'd been blown up, too. He then changed into his Animagus form before I could stop him, and vanished."
"It's a good story," Remus acknowledged, "but I've yet to see any proof."
"Look, I've got a copy of James and Lily's will with me. It clearly states that Pettigrew was the Secret-Keeper," Sirius insisted as he started to reach into his robes.
Sirius was distracted, so failed to notice the grim looks that came over the faces of Lupin and Tonks at the mention of the will, but Harry did. Unfortunately, he was just a little too slow to prevent what happened next.
"Petrificus Totalus!" Tonks cried, her wand unexpectedly in her hand. Sirius instantly went rigid and toppled to the floor.
"You can all come out now," Remus called and half-a-dozen figures in the distinctive red robes of Aurors suddenly appeared out of thin air. Harry cursed that they hadn't thought to cast a Homenum Revelio Charm before entering the building. By now, the pair of turncoats had approached the still body of Sirius and were standing over him threateningly.
"Dumbledore said you'd probably pull a stupid stunt like producing a fake will," Remus snarled. "I should kill you right here and now."
"Don't, love," Tonks said, placing a restraining hand on his arm. "We'll let the Dementors have him. That's a fitting reward for a traitorous bastard like him."
Harry had heard enough. He started to move forward stealthily, hoping that no one would notice the blurring effect that moving while Disillusioned created. He wasn't that lucky.
"Hey!" cried one of the Aurors. "There's someone Disillusioned there! Finite Incantatem!"
As soon as he heard the counter spell, Harry began to sprint forward. He saw the startled looks on the faces of Lupin and Tonks and he hurtled towards them. Tonks raised her wand again, but she was too late. Harry flung himself forward and landed on top of his godfather. The second he made contact, he activated the Portkey that he'd had in his hand. Without even having time to yell an insult at the two backstabbers, he and Sirius were whisked away.
Seconds later, they landed heavily in the back room of the house at Godric's Hollow. Harry was just climbing tenderly to his feet when Gellert entered the room.
"Back from you little trip, I see. Things not go too well, then?" he said with a hint of amusement in his voice.
"I might have known you'd figure out what we were up to," Harry growled before removing the Full Body-Bind from his godfather. Sirius, however, remained still on the floor.
"Sirius?" Harry said in concern.
A faint weeping was his only reply. A second later, this turned into heaving sobs and howls of anguish. Harry fell to his knees and hugged his godfather tightly.
"They didn't believe me," Sirius wailed. "They think I was trying to trick them! The will was my only real evidence that I'm innocent, too."
"Sirius, we can…" Harry began.
"No! I'm not wasting my time with them, any longer," Sirius spat, his grief turning to anger in a moment. "Screw the lot of them."
"Am I to take it that Sirius's friends believed he faked your parents' wills, Harry?" Gellert asked soberly.
"Yeah, and guess who gave them that idea. Albus bloody Dumbledore, that's who!" Harry yelled in a rage.
"Sirius, I'm afraid this is a most serious turn of events. If Dumbledore has already managed to discredit the Potters' will, then you will find it impossible to clear your name, not now that Pettigrew is dead," the old wizard told him.
"So, that's it? I'm going to be hunted as a criminal for the rest of my life, am I? I can look forward to a Dementor's Kiss in the near future, can I?" Sirius spat bitterly.
"My friend, it's time for you leave this country, I think," Gellert told him earnestly.
"What, and leave Harry with all this going on? Never!" Sirius protested.
"Think for a moment, Black; what possible use to him are you here? As soon as you show your face you'll have every wizard in the country hunting for you. No, if you really want to help your godson, I have a much more useful task for you," Gellert smiled.
"What?" Sirius asked curiously.
"Everyone needs a back-up plan," Gellert grinned mysteriously.
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"No one said a word about me being away," Ginevra told him airily as they relaxed in the Room of Requirement. "I guess they're use to me vanishing for long periods of time."
Harry nodded. "I've been pretty lucky, too," he admitted. "I was fully expecting Dumbledore to corner me as soon as I walked back in, but I've not seen him, at all. I did see McGonagall and Flitwick running around with a look of panic on their faces, so I'm guessing Snape's absence has been noticed."
"Nothing to tie it in with us," Ginevra shrugged.
"No, indeed," he agreed. "Anyway, now we've got some time to ourselves, I thought I'd give you another little present. I mentioned that I had a spare set of robes with an Undetectable Extension Charm on them that I intended to give you, and I've brought them with me."
Harry handed over a set of bundled robes. Ginevra unfolded them, and looked at them critically.
"Bit long, aren't they?" she noted. "Not all of us are lanky gits, you know."
"Don't you know how to transfigure them?" Harry asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Actually, no," she admitted sadly. "Tracy did that kind of stuff for me. I concentrated on the nasty curses and hexes."
Without a word, Harry pulled out his new wand and shortened the robes for her. He then stepped forward and put a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"You two really were close, weren't you?" he noted.
"She was my only friend in this whole stinking place. If one of us was in trouble, the other one would help them out," Ginevra said bitterly. "When are we going to take out that little shit Draco, Harry? It boils my blood to see him strutting around here without a care in the world."
"Soon, Ginevra, soon," Harry promised. "We just need the things to settle down a bit before we strike. If he vanishes now, Dumbledore will almost certainly know it was us, and I don't trust that old bastard. I swear, Voldemort himself could walk into Hogwarts and as long as he said he was sorry and promised not to be bad again, Dumbledore would welcome him with open arms."
"As long as we don't wait too long. Remember, Malfoy's trying to kill you, and I'm sure my name is on his to-do list, now," she told him firmly.
"Very true. We might need to remind him that we're not to be messed with," Harry pondered. "Putting one or two of his little friends in the hospital wing for a while should make him a bit more cautious," he suggested.
"Good idea, I call either Nott or Parkinson. I hate both of those little toe-rags," Ginevra spat.
"We'll see," he laughed.
"Well, while we're sharing things, perhaps now's the time for me to tell you how I managed to follow you about so easily, and how I knew you'd vanished from the school," Ginevra said, pulling a piece of parchment from her robes. "Believe it or not, this is a map that shows every single part of Hogwarts and the exact location of everyone in it. It's called…"
"The Marauder's Map!" Harry exclaimed. "Where did you get it?"
"Eh? How the hell do you know about the map?" Ginevra demanded.
"Would it help if I explained that my father was Prongs and my godfather was Padfoot?" Harry smirked.
"Bloody hell!" Ginevra gasped, her jaw quite literally dropping. "Who were Moony and Wormtail?"
"Wormtail is the traitorous bastard who sold-out my parents to Voldemort and Moony is the backstabbing git who nearly sold-out my godfather to the Ministry," Harry snarled. "I'll tell you the full story some other time. But this is great! I can't believe you have the map. It did cross my mind to create something like it when I first got here, but I would have had to spend hours casting Mapping Spells, so it just didn't seem worth it. With the original in our hands, I can just copy most of it: Padfoot gave me the magical passcodes to it, you see, just in case I ever came across it some time."
"You can make a duplicate? That's great!" Ginevra grinned. "With these, we can keep track of each other while we're attending different classes. It will be a lot harder for Malfoy and his lackeys to catch one of us unawares, now."
"I'll start the Duplication Spell immediately," Harry promised, "but where did you find the map?"
"Oh, my brothers Fred and George found it in Filch's office. I saw them using it once, and blackmailed them into handing it over. They were none too pleased, as you can imagine," she replied, not sounding particularly concerned.
"So Filch found it in the end, did he? Padfoot was never sure what happened to it," Harry mused.
"Yeah, I've been in his office a few times, but I never found anything as useful as this map," she admitted. "So, what do you want to do while we're waiting for your spell to create a second map?"
"Feel up to a bit of duelling?" he asked with a smirk. "Or did all that booze last night slow you down?"
"Ha! You wish. I'm going to wipe the floor with you now I've got this new wand. How about a little bet on the outcome? If I win the best out of three, I want a case of those alcopop things," she challenged.
"Very well, and if I win, I want you to flash your boobs at me," he grinned evilly. "For at least ten seconds, too."
"Potter!" she shrieked, putting her hands on her hips and glaring at him.
"What's the matter; chicken, or something?" he taunted.
Ginevra pulled out her wand. "No way, git, I'm going to put you down, and I'll be laughing at you as I get pissed on your booze!"
Harry also drew his wand and shoved off his robes. This was one duel he was going to go all out to win…
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Next morning, as had now become the norm, Harry and Ginevra made their way down to breakfast together.
"Will you wipe that stupid grin off your face, Potter," Ginevra snapped as they headed up the stairs.
"Why would I want to do that?" Harry asked in mock surprise. "After all, the sun is shining, the birds are singing, and last night I got to see a fabulous pair of…"
"Complete that sentence and die!" Ginevra snarled, her eyes flashing in a manner Harry found oddly arousing and yet simultaneously terrifying. He decided that perhaps not saying anything else would be the best option, although even his happy humming seemed to be annoying his red-haired friend this morning.
Harry's happy mood was abruptly interrupted by the presence of a slim, blond-haired young man standing in the main corridor, accompanied by his two bulky bodyguards and his Doberman-faced girlfriend.
"Still with us, Potter? Make the most of it, your days are numbered. Those of your little, red-haired whore, too," Draco snarled as soon as he caught sight of them.
Harry didn't pause, and walked straight up to Malfoy, stopping close enough that he was invading the boy's personal space.
"I know it was you that put Greengrass up to handing me that Portkey, just as I know it was you who offered Zabini a bag of gold to poison me," Harry whispered ominously. "Your little puppets may have fled, but you're still here within my grasp. Vengeance is coming, Draco, and it will hit you when you least expect it."
"You don't frighten me," Draco spat, taking a fearful step back.
"Snape's gone and so has Zabini, and those two were your best line of defence. I wouldn't trust those two knuckleheads to do much apart from standing there looking vacant, and the lovely Miss Parkinson is more practiced in spreading her legs than fighting. You're vulnerable, Draco, and I'm going to make you pay," Harry taunted. "Actually, now I think about it, it might be more fun to take out your remaining supporters, one by one. Who should we get rid of next, Ginevra?"
"Oh, I think that disgusting little sneak-thief Nott," Ginevra practically purred. "Although, it looks like he had the good sense to hide from us, just like the cowardly rat he is. I guess if we can't flush him out of his hidey-hole, then Parkinson should be next to go."
"What? Piss off, you midget!" Parkinson raged.
"Ooh, what rapier-sharp wit," Harry laughed. "Tell me, Pansy, did you ever find your knickers?"
"Eh? Bastard! I knew it was you that took them! What else did you do to me, you pervert?" she yelled, attracting the attention of many of her fellow Slytherins who happened to be passing by.
"Oh, nothing at all, my dear," Harry assured her with a charming smile. "In fact, once I'd removed the garment in question, I was hit by such a revolting stench that I nearly passed out. Really, Draco, you're braver than I thought, going down on that every night…"
"You bastard!" Draco screamed, reaching for his wand. "I'm going to make you pay! I'm going to…"
"Mr Malfoy, what on earth do you think you're doing?" a sharp voice demanded.
Draco spun round to find himself looking at the intimidating sight of Professor McGonagall glaring at him.
"Oh… uh… Professor, I was just…" Draco stuttered.
"Morning, Professor McGonagall," Harry said cheerfully. "Don't mind us. I'm afraid I'm just having a little joke at Draco's expense. You see, something fell out of his pocket, and I was refusing to hand it back. Just a silly little game, really."
"Mr Potter, I expect better of you!" McGonagall said sharply. "Whatever it is of Mr Malfoy's you have, give it back to him at once."
"Certainly, Professor," Harry replied cheerily, pulling Pansy's knickers from his pocket and openly displaying them. In truth, he'd held onto them hoping for just such an occasion. Letting them dangle between his finger and thumb, he offered them to the horrified Malfoy.
"Potter! I hardly think THOSE are Mr Malfoy's," McGonagall screeched in outrage.
"Well, of course not, Professor," Ginevra said, clearly eager to get in on the fun. "I rather think they belong to someone else, don't they, Pansy? Harry and I were just enquiring of Draco how they ended up being in his pocket."
"That's a lie!" Draco bellowed. "They're probably Weasley's."
"Oh, no, they're much too large for me; they'd probably slide straight down my legs. Besides, those are real silk and frightfully expensive. I could never afford anything that luxurious. As you've pointed out to me on many occasions, Draco, my family are very poor," Ginevra explained with her best 'butter wouldn't melt' expression on her face.
McGonagall strode forward purposely and snatched the offending garment from Harry's fingers. She then turned venomously towards Draco.
"We will be having words about this later, Mr Malfoy. You too, Miss Parkinson," she growled. "For the moment, you are to make your way to the Great Hall immediately. The Headmaster has an important announcement to make, and one that affects your House greatly."
Draco stood for a moment in impotent rage before he turned and stomped off, with his lackeys close on his heels. Harry and Ginevra just managed to keep their laughter in until they vanished out of sight.
"Oh, that was too funny," Ginevra giggled. "Have you really been carrying Pansy's knickers around all this time?"
"Yeah, did make sure I gave them a good wash first, though. I wonder what that girl thinks happened to her that day?" Harry mused.
"She probably thinks you gave her one. Not that she'd mind too much, I imagine. You'd just be another notch on her bedpost," Ginevra advised him sagely.
"Oh, and now I've gone and messed up her count! She probably doesn't know if she's shagged three hundred and twelve boys or three hundred and thirteen, now," he chortled.
"Yeah, well, she was probably already a bit confused as to whether farmyard animals counted, anyway," Ginevra chuckled evilly. "Come on, McGonagall will have our guts for garters if we're late."
"Definitely, besides, I want to know what this 'important announcement' that Dumbledore is supposed to be making is about," Harry agreed.
They quickly made their way to the Great Hall, taking their usual places at the end of the table. Harry noticed there was some heated conversation between Malfoy and Parkinson taking place further down the table, much to his amusement.
"Good morning, everyone," Dumbledore announced, rising to his feet and capturing everyone's attention. "Before we tuck in to what I'm sure will be a delicious breakfast, I have an announcement to make. It's with deep regret that I must announce that Professor Snape has had to unexpectedly resign his position here at Hogwarts. I understand that a family crisis was the cause of his unexpected departure, and I'm sure we will all wish him the best of luck in the future."
Dumbledore began to clap and the rest of the teaching staff immediately joined in. The pupils, no matter what house they were in, were rather more reluctant and a very half-hearted round of applause followed, which quickly ground to a halt.
"Well, that's one way of spinning it," Ginevra whispered in his ear.
"Yeah, it's kind of nice seeing Dumbledore having to make up that crap, just because he hasn't got a clue what really happened to Snape," Harry grinned. "Still, Draco seems a bit put out by the announcement."
Malfoy was indeed sneering at the Headmaster, his anger barely supressed. No doubt he was the one that would have to carry the news that Snape had gone back to Voldemort. That information was unlikely to go down well.
"Unfortunately, I have yet to be able to obtain the services of a replacement Potions teacher, so both Professor Sprout and I will cover lessons in the short term," The Headmaster continued. "To replace Professor Snape as Head of Slytherin House, however, I'm delighted to announce that our own Professor Trelawney has agreed to step into the post. She will take over the role immediately."
There was stunned silence for a moment, before the whole room burst into noise. Reactions were very mixed, however, with the Slytherins displaying almost universal anger and contempt, while the rest of the school appeared to be enjoying the news immensely. Many of the Gryffindors, particularly, were hooting with laughter.
"Trelawney?" Ginevra gasped. "That dingbat? What the hell is Dumbledore playing at by appointing her?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Harry said, the annoyance clear in his voice. "The Headmaster is continuing his policy of divide and rule. Do you seriously think for one moment that Trelawney will stand a chance at keeping this lot in check? No, the Slytherins will be on the rampage now, and they don't even have the disapproval of Snape to worry about."
"But why now?" Ginevra demanded. "I can just see what's going to happen. The rest of the school are going to start taking the piss about our new Head of House, and our mild-mannered, good-natured Housemates are going to start chucking hexes about and, before we know it, there will be a war! Surely Dumbledore doesn't want that?"
"Unless he thinks the conflict with Voldemort is coming to a head, and wants to make sure that the other three Houses are firmly in his pocket. I'll lay odds that this is all going to escalate pretty quickly, and Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff will all be united against us Slytherins, just like that cunning old bastard wants," Harry explained ominously.
"War's coming, then?" she asked nervously.
"Of course," he replied, "but I'm going to make sure that we're going to be the winning side."
Ginevra nodded and reached for a plate of bacon. "Nothing like a bit of optimism," she noted sourly, "Just as long as it doesn't get us killed."
"Trust me," Harry said firmly, hoping that he was telling the truth.
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Several days later, they were walking along a quiet corridor when a hissing sound attracted their attention. Looking around, Harry saw Michelle Chambers beckoning to him from a deserted alcove. They went over and joined her.
"Harry, we need to talk," she said before glaring at Ginevra. "Can we trust HER?"
Rather than being offended, Ginevra seemed quite amused by the smaller girl's attitude.
"Yes, I think we can trust her, Michelle," Harry assured the Hufflepuff. "Have you met my friend Ginevra Weasley, at all?"
"Hello, Minx," Ginevra said with a grin. "Harry's told me a lot about you."
"He has? Oh," Michelle replied, looking a bit confused by Ginevra's friendly attitude. "Why did you just call me 'Minx'?"
"Because that's what you are," Ginevra told her. "I understand you hexed one of your fellow Housemates just because she was badmouthing Harry here; an older girl, too. I've got to say, I love your attitude, short stuff."
"Short stuff? I'm only a few inches shorter than you," Michelle huffed indignantly.
"Yeah, but I've had to put up with short jokes all my life. Imagine how pleased I am to actually find someone smaller than I am, even if that will change in a few years," Ginevra laughed, clearly enjoying herself.
"What did you need to talk to me about?" Harry asked the young girl gently.
"Oh, I wanted to warn you, Harry, those gossiping cows are at it again. Sprout may have warned her about it, but Susan Bones and her friends are starting to spread lies about you once more. They're just being a bit more careful about it, and making sure no teachers are about when they talk about you. Oh, they're talking about her, too," Michelle explained, looking at Ginevra pointedly.
"Really? What are they saying about me?" Ginevra asked interestedly.
"I'm not sure I should say. It's not very nice," Michelle said, suddenly looking embarrassed.
"I'm sure I've heard worst things said about me, I am a Slytherin, after all," Ginevra assured her.
"Well, basically, Bones has started calling you 'Potter's whore' and saying that you'll sleep with anyone for a few Galleons. She claims that Harry's been hiring you out, and acting as your… err, what did she call it? Umm, pimp, was it?" Michelle said with a frown.
"Wow, think of the money I could make," Harry laughed in delight.
"How stupid," Ginevra noted in disgust. "I mean, of all the girls within Slytherin, I'm just about the only one you couldn't call a whore. How come Parkinson doesn't have to put up with this crap or Gertrude Meads in the fifth year; she actually does do blowjobs for a few Galleons."
"Great, now you tell me," Harry moaned unconvincingly before turning back to Michelle. "What are they saying about me, sweetheart?"
"The same sort of things as before," Michelle replied, blushing brightly. "You know, you're a Dark wizard, you're evil, you killed that Zabini bloke and hid the body…"
"Oh, that's a new one," Harry noted, glancing briefly at Ginevra, who remained impassive.
"I don't know where they get this rubbish from," Michelle moaned, "but most of the school seems to lap it up. All the Gryffindors think you should be expelled."
"Oh, probably, but only for his unsanitary personal habits and his appalling school work," Ginevra grinned.
"Hey! I'll have you know I wash at least once a month," Harry replied indignantly. "Here, Michelle, sniff me and tell me what you think."
Michelle just laughed. "I don't know, Harry, you are a bit whiffy," she giggled.
"Oh, great, so you two are starting to gang up on me now, are you?" he groaned theatrically.
"Us girls do have to stick together, you know," Ginevra said, winking at Michelle.
"So, what are you going to do about this, Harry? I'd tell Bones to keep her mouth shut, but Professor Sprout already threatened to expel me if I got in trouble again," Michelle told him nervously.
"I don't want you to do anything, sweetheart, I'll take care of this," Harry said firmly. "I've been thinking for a while that I'm going to have to make an example of one or two of your fellow Hufflepuffs, and I guess the time has come."
"You shouldn't go after Bones directly, though, she's too well connected," Ginevra advised. "Tell me, Michelle, who are Bones's closest friends?"
"Hannah Abbott and Ernie Macmillan," the young girl replied without hesitation. "They've been spreading these rumours since the beginning."
"Then we just need a pretence to teach those two a lesson," Harry decided. "Hopefully, we can catch them gossiping about us and challenge them in public. Even if they immediately back down and apologise, they'll lose face and no one will take them seriously again."
"That Abbott girl is a right cow," Ginevra said grimly. "You take Macmillan, Harry, and I'll deal with that blond bitch."
"You won't get into trouble over this, will you?" Michelle asked nervously.
"Don't worry, us Slytherins are skilled in underhand tactics and generally despicable behaviour," Harry grinned. "We won't get into any trouble, I promise."
"Good," she replied, before shyly looking up at Ginevra. "Are you Harry's girlfriend, now?"
Before Harry had a chance to say a word, Ginevra burst out laughing.
"Girlfriend? Oh, like he would be so lucky. Come on, Minx, do you really think a git like him could get a hot girl like me? Nah, actually we're both completely out of his league," Ginevra chortled. "Millicent Bulstrode is probably more his speed, or what's the name of that girl with all the acne? Oh, yeah, Eloise Midgen! You should ask her out, Harry. Make sure you take a bath before you do, though."
Michelle stared at Ginevra open mouthed for a second, before she burst out laughing.
"Yeah, Harry, you should totally snog Midgen! It would help clear up her spots in no time," Michelle giggled.
"Well, maybe I will!" Harry snorted indignantly. "I'm sure the poor girl would be more appreciative of my charms then you two. Beauty and intelligence isn't everything, you know."
Harry stuck his nose in the air and folded his arms in front of him, doing his best to look mortally offended. Sadly, this only amused the two girls more.
"We'd better get going," Ginevra declared. "Thanks for the heads-up, Minx, if you get any more problems with your Housemates you let us know, okay?"
"Yeah, I will. Let me know if he pulls with Midgen or Bulstrode, alright?" Michelle replied, her eyes shining with amusement.
"You can count on it," Ginevra laughed. "See ya, Minx."
Harry and Ginevra continued their way back along the corridor, heading towards their own common room. It wasn't until they were well out of earshot of the young Hufflepuff that Harry turned to his friend.
"That was really nice, the way you put Michelle at ease like that," he commented.
"I like her," Ginevra admitted. "She's got spunk and fire in her belly. Most of the Hufflepuffs are right wimps, but she's different. I can see why the two of you got on so well. So, when she turns seventeen, do you think you'll be getting together with her?"
"Nah," Harry said dismissively. "By the time she's seventeen, she'll have boys queuing around the block waiting to ask her out. She's going to be a real heartbreaker in a few years, and poor, broken-down me will have no chance. Besides, now you've drawn attention to my personal cleanliness, I think she'll have gone off me."
"Bad luck, Harry, you should have jumped in there while you had the chance," Ginevra joked.
"Of course, if I had some help, I'm sure I could improve my personal hygiene. I don't suppose you'd consider hopping in the bath with me and scrubbing my back?" he asked alluringly.
"In your dreams, Potter," she smirked.
"Always, Ginevra, always," he grinned.
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"Honestly, no one is safe with Potter still here at the school. He should have been kicked out months ago," Ernie Macmillan said, addressing the small group assembled in the Quad. "The bloke's bloody dangerous."
"Yeah, I've heard rumours that he's actually working for You-Know-Who," Hannah Abbott added.
"But why did the Minister say all those nice things about him in the Daily Prophet?" a third year Ravenclaw boy asked.
"Well, the rumours I've heard suggest that the Minister has been put under the Imperius Curse," Ernie advised in a conspiratory tone. "Potter apparently spoke to Scrimgeour in private for a long time back in the summer, and ever since then the Minister has been spouting this bullshit about how great Potter is and how much he's contributed to the fight against the Dark Lord. What crap!"
"Yeah, what was the first thing Potter did when he got here? He beat up a load of his Housemates so he could take over Slytherin. Slytherin! Have you ever heard of any decent, respectable wizard coming out of that house?" Hannah demanded.
"Wasn't Merlin in Slytherin?" a different Ravenclaw asked.
"That was centuries ago," Hannah snapped. "I mean in recent years. Ever since You-Know-Who emerged, Slytherin has been a breeding ground for his supporters. If Potter was truly fighting against him, he wouldn't have been Sorted into Slytherin, would he?"
"Yeah, Potter's a Dark wizard, and you should all watch your backs when he's around. He's just a murdering low-life who should have been thrown in Azkaban years ago," Ernie declared adamantly.
"Really? And why should I be imprisoned, Mr Macmillan? What crimes have I committed?" Harry asked, appearing seemingly out of thin air with Ginevra right behind him.
"Shit!" Macmillan cursed. "Where the hell did you spring from?"
"Never mind that, just answer the question," Harry demanded in a low voice.
"I, err… everyone knows you're a Dark wizard!" Ernie bellowed defiantly.
"Do they now? So, where is your evidence? What crimes have I allegedly committed," Harry asked again.
"Don't give us that crap, Potter," Hannah shouted, leaping to her friends defence. "Do you deny that you beat-up a load of your Housemates on your first night here? You're bloody dangerous!"
"Actually, Abbott, I was merely defending myself. The group that attacked me was led by Draco Malfoy, whose Death Eater father I helped arrest. Sorry, did you forget that bit? That I actually took down one of Voldemort's loyalist supporters and had him thrown in Azkaban? That kind of goes against your assertion that I'm on the Dark Lord's side, doesn't it?" Harry said firmly.
"Bollocks, it was probably all arranged just so you could gain access to the Minister," Ernie spat. "I bet you did put him under the Imperious Curse, didn't you? I bet you know all the Unforgivables, don't you?"
Harry grinned and stepped forward.
"Ernie Macmillan, you have publicly made slanderous and damaging allegations against me, Harry James Potter, head of the Ancient House of Potter, without evidence or forethought. I refute these allegations completely and demand satisfaction from you. I challenge you to a duel," Harry said in a loud, clear voice.
A gasp was heard from the group of third years that had been watching the events keenly. Others had also gathered upon hearing the raised voices, so around fifteen pupils had heard Harry's challenge.
"What? A duel? Are you mad?" Ernie spat.
"You will either issue a formal apology, which I want delivered in front of the entire school at dinner tonight, or we will duel. You're over seventeen, correct?" Harry demanded.
"Yeah, but…" Ernie stuttered.
"Then the choice is yours. Either a public apology or we fight. If you refuse to do either, I will take the matter to the Wizengamot and demand that you are sanctioned for your actions and publicly declared a coward," Harry told the angry Hufflepuff.
"A coward? You bastard! Screw giving you an apology, I'm going to kick your arse, you arrogant git. Remember, in a formal duel you won't be able to use any Unforgivables, which means we'll be evenly matched," Ernie yelled, causing Ginevra to laugh at his words.
"What are you laughing at, bitch?" Hannah snarled. "Who cares what a whore like you thinks, anyway?"
"Oh, Ginevra, it looks like we're going to have two duels, not just one," Harry smirked. "Hannah Abbott, you have insulted my friend who, as she is under the age of seventeen, cannot directly challenge you. On her behalf, therefore, I also challenge you to a duel. I name Ginevra Weasley as my second, however, and, in accordance with the ancient codes of duelling, I will allow her to stand as my proxy in the duel. She's going to smear you all over the walls of this school, Abbott."
"That doesn't make sense!" Hannah protested. "If Weasley's underage and can't challenge me, how the hell can you nominate her to fight me?"
"You really are an idiot, aren't you?" Ginevra butted in. "Harry is the head of an Ancient House. As long as I accept his request to be his second, which I do, he has the legal right to nominate whoever he likes to fight. It's a fairly well known loophole in Wizarding law, and one that I'm surprised you don't know about. I've heard what you've been saying about me, Abbott, and I'm going to make you wish you'd never been born."
"Wait! I… I'll apologise," Ernie said, a note of panic in his voice.
"Not accepted. You had your chance and you didn't take it. Now I want satisfaction, and I'm going to have that once they scrape your twisted, broken body off the duelling room floor. As I've issued the challenge, you have the right to decide the date and location of the duel. When and where are we to fight?" Harry demanded.
"I…um…" Ernie mumbled, looking like he was starting to panic.
"They don't have to decide immediately!" came a new voice. Harry looked round to see Susan Bones hurrying forward.
"That's true, Bones, but I will require a decision within twenty-four hours," Harry said coldly.
"I'm aware of that," Susan snapped.
"Good, I'll wait to hear from both of you," Harry said, addressing the pale-looking Macmillan and Abbott. He turned and marched out of the quad, with Ginevra at his heels, and an evil grin on his face.
HPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHP
"Mr Potter, I must insist that you withdraw this challenge immediately," Dumbledore demanded in a harsh voice.
Predictably, within twenty minutes of him challenging Macmillan and Abbott to the duel, he and Ginevra had received a summons to the Headmaster's office. Already in attendance were Professors Sprout and Trelawney, the later looking totally lost.
"Absolutely not," Harry said firmly. "Slanderous allegations were made against me and Miss Weasley and they were not withdrawn when the chance to do so was presented. I warned you this would happen, Headmaster, but you and Professor Sprout have obviously failed to stem the tide of unfounded gossip that has been plaguing me ever since I arrived at Hogwarts. By issuing this duel I am insuring that people will think twice in future about spreading lies about us."
Sprout glared at him with barely disguised hatred.
"Come, come, Mr Potter, this is being blown out of all proportion. I hardly think that some schoolyard gossip is sufficient reason to start arranging formal duels. I demand that you withdraw your challenge, this instant!" Dumbledore said loudly, as close to losing his cool as Harry had ever seen.
"I will not. I would also remind you that I'm acting entirely within Wizarding law and any attempt to coerce either Miss Weasley or myself into withdrawing the challenge would be illegal. I'm sure the Minister wouldn't take kindly to any such activities, eh, Headmaster?" Harry said blandly.
"Miss Weasley cannot take part in this farce; she's underage," Dumbledore announced, changing tack.
"Professor Dumbledore, I understand that you are the Chief Warlock of Wizengamot, and as such I would have hoped that you were at least aware of our laws," Harry sighed. "As long as Miss Weasley accepts my request to be my second, and there are no age restrictions on that, remember, I can nominate her to be my proxy in the second duel. Please feel free to look up the laws of duelling if you have forgotten."
"I wonder what your parents would make of your involvement, Miss Weasley," Dumbledore said, glaring at the young woman. "Perhaps I should ask them to join in this discussion?"
"I very much doubt that my parents would care," Ginevra shrugged. "If they did, I would just point out that Abbott publicly said I was a whore and, as such, insulted the good name of Weasley. I very much doubt that my mother would take kindly to that."
"Maybe she would be interested to learn what her daughter had been up to," Sprout snarled.
"Oh, you think I'm a whore too, do you? Would you like me to give a Magical Oath that I have never had sex with a boy?" Ginevra asked acidly. Harry was particularly pleased about her wording. No one would ever think to ask Ginevra if she'd ever had sex with a wolf, after all.
"Pomona, please! No one here is questioning Miss Weasley's morals. This is just some mean-spirited playground chatter that has been allowed to get out-of-hand. Mr Potter, while I'm fully aware that you are well within your rights legally to issue this challenge, I would ask you to show a little common sense. This is all totally unnecessary; Mr Macmillan has already offered to apologise in public, and I would urge you to accept his offer," Dumbledore said, this time trying logic rather than intimidation to change Harry's mind.
"I'm sorry, Headmaster, but I feel that this has to happen. Despite both you and Professor Sprout warning those within Hufflepuff House to stop spreading these foul lies, they have continued without remorse. A formal duel appears the only way that I can get my message across," Harry said firmly.
"Very well. I must inform you that I will not permit this foolish duel to occur on school grounds, however," the old man replied in a disappointed voice.
"That is your prerogative, Headmaster, although I must say it's a pity. We can, of course, stage the duel in Hogsmeade, but it will attract a lot of attention there. Indeed, I wouldn't be surprised if the press don't turn up to cover it. Holding it in the school would also have allowed decent medical facilities to be on hand, as well, not to mention allowing one of the teachers to act as the arbitrator during the duel. Oh well, I guess we'll just have to slug it out in public, and hope that someone is on hand to Apparate anyone who is injured to St Mungo's," Harry said tragically.
Dumbledore stared at him with impotent fury in his eyes. "You make some valid points, Mr Potter," he said in a quiet, controlled voice. "I will agree to the duels being fought here at Hogwarts. I believe a date has yet to be set?"
"Both my pupils have requested the full month allowed in order to prepare," Sprout announced loudly.
"That's acceptable," Harry agreed coolly. "After all, that means it will only be a couple of weeks before the Christmas break when the duel occurs. That will give Macmillan and Abbott all the holiday period to recover."
"Rather sure of yourself, aren't you, Mr Potter?" Sprout retorted. "Well, if there's one thing we Hufflepuffs are known for, it's loyalty. I'm sure all of Ernie and Hannah's friends will rally around them and help them train. Both of them are excellent pupils, and I suspect that by the time you face them, you'll find that they aren't the pushovers that you seem to think they will be."
"Excellent, I like a challenge," Harry noted, "although I do find it amusing that you talk about House loyalty, even though your little Hufflepuffs are supporting a pair of malicious gossips who got called out. Loyalty is an admirable quality, Professor Sprout, but only when it's given to those worthy of it."
"And you think you're worthy, do you? Why, you're nothing but an arrogant bully, sent here by the Ministry to stick its nose into the Headmaster's affairs," Sprout barked.
"Careful, Professor," Harry said ominously. "I warned you once before about making unfounded accusations against me. Right now, you're not only slandering me, but the Minister for Magic, himself. I'm sure you wouldn't want to find yourself standing in front of him having to explain yourself."
"Enough!" Dumbledore yelled. "This bickering is pointless. Mr Potter, let me remind you that your true enemy is outside these castle walls, and making threats to my staff and your fellow pupils does nothing to help the situation."
"Maybe you should have thought about that earlier," Harry retorted. "I consider this situation a direct result of your staff failing to keep a tight rein on the gossip-mongers and slanderers that infest this place. Perhaps in future you will remember that and act accordingly."
Without waiting for a reply, Harry turned and stormed out of the office, with Ginevra close behind. As soon as the door to Dumbledore's office slammed shut, he heard Sprout starting to berate him loudly. He shook his head in disgust, and made his way down the stairs.
"Ernie and Hannah are both excellent pupils," Ginevra mimicked in a passable impression of Professor Sprout. "That's a load of bollocks, right there."
"What are they like?" Harry asked. "They won't give us any problems, will they?"
"Nah, Macmillan barely knows which end of his wand to hold, and Abbott is thick as two short planks. I foresee a rewarding career for her as a barmaid, or something," Ginevra snorted.
"Still, I think we can expect that pair to be getting some help between now and December. Don't forget that Susan Bones was keen to get involved, I'll bet she's contacted her aunt already about all this," Harry pondered.
"Do you think Madam Bones will try and stop the duel?" she asked.
"Nope, but I wouldn't be surprised if our current Head of Magical Law Enforcement arranges for a bit of training for those cretins. Think, if I should lose to Macmillan, that will be a major blow to my reputation. Indirectly, that would undermine the support I gave to Scrimgeour. Bones would just love that," he pointed out.
"So, I guess we'd better make sure we train hard, too," Ginevra suggested. "I'm confident that I could take Abbott down with one hand tied behind my back and my knickers pulled over my eyes, but there's no harm in getting in a bit of extra practice."
"Absolutely, and if you need any help in removing your knickers and placing them on your head, please do let me know," Harry winked.
"You really are a total pervert, aren't you, Potter?" she laughed.
"What can I say? You seem to bring that side out of me," Harry smirked, and they headed down to the Great Hall for dinner together.
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"Hello, Mr Potter, I wonder if you could spare me a minute or two," came a voice from behind him.
Harry spun around and found himself face to face with Albus Dumbledore. Silently, he cursed that he had not smelt the old man's approach. The old wizard had obviously spoken to Professor McGonagall at some point, and knew to mask his scent when approaching him.
"Of course, Headmaster," Harry replied politely. He casually glanced around him, and noticed that the corridor they were in was completely deserted; no doubt the reason why Dumbledore had chosen to waylay him at this point.
He'd been on his way to meet Ginevra after lessons had finished. As she had been in Herbology, he had chosen to meet her halfway rather than just head straight to the Great Hall for dinner. Sadly, his route had taken him off the beaten track. He had to admit that he didn't feel comfortable being alone with Dumbledore. He wouldn't put it past the old man to launch an all-out Legilimency attack against him, and then try to Obliviate him to cover it up. Who knew what the old bastard would justify doing if he believed he was acting for the greater good. Hopefully, Ginevra would have seen what was happening on her copy of the Marauder's Map and would be hurrying to this spot.
"I wonder if I might ask you to reconsider this duel, Mr Potter," Dumbledore began. "As I said previously, fighting amongst ourselves only benefits Voldemort, and Mr Macmillan has clearly stated his willingness to apologise."
"An apology that is worthless in my eyes," Harry replied dispassionately. "He and the Abbott girl were instructed to stop spreading their slanderous lies by Professor Sprout, to no avail. I'm afraid they've had their chance to end this in a sensible manner, and now they have to be taught a lesson. I'm sure you understand the need for discipline in a school, Headmaster."
"As long as that discipline is apportioned appropriately and the lesson being taught is beneficial," Dumbledore replied sternly. "Unfortunately, in this instance I have my doubts."
"We're all entitled to our own opinions," Harry noted coldly.
"I rather think that my opinions hold rather more importance, Mr Potter," the old man replied in an equally frosty tone.
"And I rather think that I have the law on my side," Harry pointed out, a trace of anger creeping into his voice.
"You do, indeed," Dumbledore acknowledged, backing off slightly. "They do say that justice is blind, but I cannot interfere if you are truly set on this cause of action. I just hope that you don't live to regret the results of this little confrontation."
"I'm sure it won't be me regretting anything," Harry replied firmly.
"Perhaps," Dumbledore nodded. "Now, while I have you here, I've been meaning to ask you something for a while. As I'm sure you know, Professor Snape has vanished and we are becoming extremely concerned as to his safety. I'm aware that you and he engaged in conversation before he disappeared, and I wondered if he might have said anything that would give a clue as to his whereabouts."
"No, he never once said where he was going," Harry answered truthfully. "All I know was that after rescuing me from that kidnapping attempt, staged in this school by a fellow pupil, I may add, he was extremely concerned about his safety. The Dark Lord has a very long arm and I know Severus felt that even Hogwarts wasn't a safe place for him."
"Really? He didn't convey any such concerns to me," Dumbledore noted. "I can't imagine any place that would be more secure for him than this school."
"Are you serious?" Harry gasped, stunned by the man's arrogance. "Can I remind you that just a short while ago, a pupil was poisoned within this very school? I was handed a Portkey that took me straight to Voldemort and that demented bitch Lestrange here, too. I fail to see how Professor Snape could possibly feel safe here with those two events so fresh in his mind."
"You think these events persuaded Severus that running was his only option?" Dumbledore asked seriously.
"Yes, I do," Harry confirmed.
"And yet you remain here, Mr Potter. One would think that you would be as much a target for Voldemort's retribution as Severus. Tell me, why have you chosen not to flee as your former Professor has?"
"The food's good and the place is full of pretty girls," Harry said flippantly.
Dumbledore actually chuckled. "I can't argue with that assertion, Mr Potter. Indeed, if I'm not mistaken, one particular girl seems to have caught your eye. You've been spending rather a lot of time with young Miss Weasley, have you not?"
"Well, I am captivating," said a smug voice from behind the Headmaster.
Dumbledore actually jumped, and, just for a second, Harry thought he saw a look of panic on the old man's face, before his normally calm exterior was resumed.
"Miss Weasley," Dumbledore greeted the red-haired witch. "I didn't hear you coming."
"I'm small and can move quite stealthily when I want to, sir," Ginevra replied calmly. "Sorry if I startled you."
"Not at all, my dear," the Headmaster smiled benignly. "No doubt that little shock I received was fitting punishment for discussing you behind your back. I take it you're here to meet Mr Potter?"
"That's right, sir. Potter owes me money and I like to keep an eye on him in case he tries to skip town. You really can't be too careful these days," she said blandly.
Harry managed to suppress a snigger.
"Ah, I see," the old man nodded. "Really, Mr Potter, prompt payment of debts is the mark of a gentleman. You really shouldn't deny Miss Weasley what she is due."
"It was just a foolish bet, sir," Harry explained with a perfectly straight face. "I never expected her to run halfway round Hogsmeade completely naked."
Ginevra's eyes flashed dangerously.
"I must confess that I accepted some foolish bets in my youth," Dumbledore nodded sagely. "Although, I hardly think it's the weather to be out and about au naturel, Miss Weasley. May I suggest that next time you retain a nice warm vest, at least."
"Of course, sir," Weasley replied, her voice as cold as a Siberian winter.
"Well, I can see that you both have things to discuss, so I'll be on my way," the Headmaster said cheerfully, and promptly headed back down the corridor.
They waited until he was completely out of sight, before they turned to face each other.
"Do I get a head start?" Harry asked.
"You get three seconds," she snarled. "One… two…"
Harry was already running away from her, as fast as his legs would carry him.