(a/n): Thanx all for reviewing. Even critics as long as they meet the courtesy standards of FFN. And I don't object at all. I might not agree. I would for example disagree with calling Harry a whiner. He was a 14 year old imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit.
Why's Harry at Hogwarts? A question I've pondered. My thought is lack of options. And even at its worst a vast improvement over the Dursleys. If you really want one where Harry dishes it out to all (there's a particularly clever Hermione punishment)::: Do Not Meddle In The Affairs Of Wizards by Corwalch::: is a good read, just finished it.
I gave the relationship a shake. And in the end they came out stronger for it. Harry gave her a pass on that based on prior good deeds.
Dumbledore, I think, comes from the "children should be seen, not heard" philosophy. Of course, the Harry/Snape hostility is Snape's fault. Right from that 1st day in class, he set the tone. That's the root of the FFs that have a girl!HArry or just him with red hair being a Snape favorite. Harry did nothing to antagonize Snape except appearing, all he sees is James. But the adult is always right. McGonagall too, really ex:Harry's detentions with Umbridge.
BJH has some food for thought. Summed up being, do as I say because I'm Dumbledore but don't blame me when things go wrong, you just didn't follow orders right. That's probably why historical royal families have so much bloodletting. Dumbledore is like that because of his age. Pity Prince Charles, retirement age and still don't have the Job. Wonder if matricide's crossed his mind.
Keeping me honest on Conflict of Interest - I've never been in a judge's chambers when its come up(or ever). Just have Law & Order (a US program that has crime investigations/trials and is considered fairly accurate) to go by. It comes up occasionally when the prosecution or defense will ask a judge to recuse him/herself. If the judge doesn't they can appeal. Dumbledore's ruling to dismiss the case against Snape was more legally correct than not. In the end it's just another hole in Harry's opinion of Dumbledore.
Enough from me! Luna's 1st appearance!
12 – Hogsmeade
Saturday morning got off to a lousy start for Susan Bones. Oh, the day itself was pleasant. It was one of those late winter days. It snowed late Thursday night, heavily in fact. But the entire weekend was warm, well above freezing. So there were piles of snow everywhere. She held up two tops "This, Han? Or, this?"
"Still going with him?" the blond girl queried "Then I don't much care."
The redhead threw both on the bed and sobbed "Dammit Hannah! We've been friends for twelve years!"
"I'm convinced he didn't kill Cedric when we saw it." Hannah replied "But that doesn't prove anything about before then. And remember what you found out about that Pettigrew guy? Dead since '81? And You-Know-Who?"
Susan sighed, he'd sworn her to secrecy "Don't believe The Prophet. Believe me."
"It's that it sounds crazy. Like the stuff in Loony's paper." Hannah countered. "And I don't like that you're keeping stuff from me."
Susan answered "He told me because he trusts me. Probably more than I would. And it's almost not a good thing."
"Then why don't you trust me?" asked Hannah.
"You know better than that." Susan complained "Look, I'm going on a first date to Hogsmeade. Cute boy and everything. Why can't it just be about that?"
Reluctantly, almost sullenly, Hannah replied "Oh…fine, I guess. Hold up the tops again."
"Thanks Hannah." She grinned, it wasn't an apology. But it told Susan that she valued their friendship most.
Hannah smiled back and asked "So, is he a boob guy? If so, the green one. If not, the black."
"What guy isn't?" Susan quipped "Green it is. And it matches his eyes." *sigh*
Hannah repeated mockingly "…matches his eyes."
"How many buttons should I leave open?" asked Susan.
Here, the blond girl insisted on getting in a dig "Right up to your neck if I had my way." She grumbled.
"Four, then?" the redhead retorted.
Hannah shook her head and lectured "The idea is to show a bit of cleavage. A preview. Four is practically the whole book. Might as well plop it in his mouth. Two?"
x x x x x
"You look nice, Susan, real nice." Harry greeted her with, and a brief kiss. He tried – and failed – to keep his eyes solely on her face.
She noted his struggle, actually found it pleasing and gave him a warm hug "Thank you, Harry. Wore this just for you." As she broke it, she allowed her chest to drag against his momentarily. Who enjoyed it more, she couldn't say.
"Potter." Hannah greeted him, coldly.
Harry replied in the same tone "Abbott. Well, this is going to be fun. You and Granger can talk me down all day."
"Hannah isn't going to do that. Are you?" promised Susan "And she'll be meeting up with Zac Smith for lunch. Shall we get started, then?" And, as she did so added "Need just a minute with Ginny, if you don't mind?"
The female Weasley had found herself content with the outcome of her little visit to the Hufflepuff dorms. Happy, that would be an exaggeration. Dean was easy on the eyes, but she didn't know if she would get serious about him. As her date moved up to walk with Harry, she asked casually "What's on your mind, Bones?"
"The mind" replied Susan, a little cryptically "Is an interesting thing, is it not?"
Ginny almost knew she was caught out, but didn't know how "Sure, Sue, sure." She replied.
"I remember every detail of your visit last night." Whispered Susan.
Ginny gulped nervously and asked "What are you gonna do?"
"Seems a positive result" replied Susan "So, nothing. Just don't repeat it."
Ginny allowed a little relief to show, and nodded "One question?" she asked "How?"
"Wanna tell me how you got in?" countered Susan.
Ginny shook her head and answered "Not really."
"Then live with the mystery." Susan retorted, gave her a grin and added "Meanwhile, what say we catch up with our dates?"
x x x x x
Honeydukes and The Post Office were the pre-lunch stops for the group. Harry was mildly relieved when Hannah split off. Entering The Three Broomsticks with him were Susan, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Dean. "What was that?" he asked of Susan when she kissed him.
"For at least trying with Hannah." She answered.
Harry glared at the departing Hufflepuff's back and said "We'll never get anywhere as long as she thinks I killed Cedric."
"I know." She sighed.
The owner of the place stepped up and asked "What'll it be, kids?"
"Hi Madam Rosmerta." Replied Harry "A round of butterbeers, please, on me."
Susan glanced at him asking "What happened to my treat?"
"Lavender Brown said I should put you through your paces as she called it." He replied with a shrug "Told me exactly how she would act on a date. She had her way, you'd'a spent maybe a hundred Galleons or so in Quality Qudditch and buying me flowers in Puddifoot's."
Everyone at the table chuckled. "I think you'd look pretty with a daisy in your hair." Dean offered.
"Look at the Mudbloods and blood traitors." Declared the hostile voice of Draco Malfoy.
Harry had learned some things from his association with Susan's aunt "What, Hermione, is the dictionary definition of blood traitors?" he asked.
"A person, or persons, who betray the principles of his or her family. Usually, but not necessarily, for personal gain." She answered, with something of a grin on her face caused by Harry's request.
He acknowledged her with a nod, then glared at his nemesis "Seems reasonable. Wouldn't you say, Malfoy? Anyway, except for Hermione and Dean, everyone of us had someone murdered Voldemort. Supporting that bastard would make me a blood traitor."
"You'll get yours, Potter!" declared Draco.
Harry shrugged "Is that a threat? At this moment, our Houses are relatively peaceful. Should I inform my regent that has changed?"
"I shall inform my father of this." The Malfoy heir backed down, knowing he himself had no such power within his Family.
Harry, took a long drink of his butterbeer, chuckled and replied "You always do. Was there something else?"
"Not as fun as punching him in the nose would be." Ron commented, winking at Hermione. To which she giggled.
Susan hugged Harry's arm and said "Maybe. But what Harry just did was much more insulting. Draco both insulted and threatened him. Where he replied politely. Oh, for the record Harry, I'm pretty sure the Regent of House Bones would support whatever decision yours makes."
"But that's …" Ron began, then "ohhhhhh I get it."
Dean punched his arm and said "Lookie the bulb over his head!"
x x x x x
After lunch, the group found Neville Longbottom escorting Natalie McDonald. The pair were also helping Colin Creevey show his younger brother Dennis around the town. The groups merged to head for the newest major attraction in Hogsmeade. It was nothing but a tiny storefront, a door, one window and three people. Ron's brothers were demonstrating some of their wares and a young, but out of school, witch taking orders.
"Ahh… young Mister Potter!" Fred announced with outstretched arms.
George bowed grandly and said "A round of applause for him, his lady friend and whats-his-name with the red hair!"
"Shove it!" growled Ron.
Only reluctantly did the couple step forward "Nothing nasty, right?" Harry queried.
"Trust us." George whispered
Fred pinned a large pink flower just above Susan's breast and whispered in her ear. "Now just smell the flower Harry." he ordered
When he did his face instantly became soaking wet. And that without any water coming out of the flower itself. He coughed and spluttered, spinning around blindly. Once he could see, he glared at the twins.
"Boy's a great sport, in't he?" George played up to the crowd.
Harry had little choice but to smile and wave to the clapping, laughing audience.
"Of course, turnabout is fair play." Fred said grandly. He plucked the trick flower from Susan's robe and pinned it on Harry. "If you would, Miss Bones!"
Susan stepped forward gamely and said "Sure, I can take it as well as dish it out." Expecting to be sprayed was a little hard to walk into. But, she copied Harry's earlier actions and sniffed the flower. But it was Harry that got drenched again. She couldn't help laughing, but she caught him and helped push the water out of his eyes "Ohhh…oh..haha…heehee Harry. I didn't think that would happen!"
"Are we done picking on Harry?" he growled at George.
Fred patted his shoulders and whispered "We wouldn't do it if we didn't love ya mate. And don't forget, you're part owner."
"Can't have a gentleman soaking a lady! Now can we?" George went on with the presentation "A round of applause for our demonstration assistants, folks! Please! Naturally my favorite is the lovely Miss Bones!" There were whistles and catcalls from males right down to Third Years among the spectators.
The day might have been warm, especially in the afternoon, for a winter day. But still "No sense in getting a cold." Offered Fred as he fired a drying charm, then a warming one, at Harry.
"You can't use magic!" Hermione hissed "You're still in school!"
George rapped a knuckle on her forehead and cheerily pointed out "We're over 17! Even the baby over there!"
"BABY!" Fred cried dramatically "I'm the older, and MUCH handsomer, one!" The one witch they had taking down orders was completely overwhelmed. The twins rushed to help.
The three couples wandered about for a while. Sometimes in differing combinations. Harry accompanied Ginny and Ron into Quality Quidditch while Dean, Hermione and Susan visited Gladrags. It was a little surprising to Harry that it was allowable for a date to include time without your date. Susan insisted on buying flowers at Madam Puddifoot's gift shoppe, one specifically for the purpose of putting in his hair. "If Dean kisses me" he said, sourly "I'm going to get very mad at you. Bet Ginny will, too."
"I'll protect you from the Dark Gryffindor." She promised with a laugh.
Harry threw an arm over her shoulders and laughed as well. Dean had, by the time they reunited again, forgotten about it anyway. The group was passing a small dark alley when they heard a scuffle. A small blond girl was being pushed around between several bullies. Harry released Susan's hand, pulled his wand and yelled "HEY! LEAVE HER ALONE!"
"Sod off Potter!" ordered a Seventh Year boy. "Ravenclaw business!"
Harry recognized him as the current Head Boy "Anyone being picked on is my business, Bradley!" he countered, and fired a relatively benign "Rictusempra!"
"What a joke!" Bradley sneered "Protego! Expelliarmus!"
In the middle of pulling her wand, Susan wanted to know "Does he always do this?"
"If he didn't, I'd be dead." Ginny snapped, and yelled "Protego!" Her shield spell leapt forward to block the attack on Harry.
There were four Ravenclaws picking on the fifth against Harry's group of six. The whole alley was alight with spells for a couple of minutes, then it was over. "Get this snake off me!" a panicky Cho Chang was screaming. A foot long reptile had dug its fangs into her leg just above her ankle.
He hissed at it, and it pulled out its fangs and wriggled away. "She said you didn't taste good, anyway" Harry chuckled as he translated the snake's remark.
"Kind of forgot about that." Susan commented meekly.
Ron laughed and exclaimed "Wicked!"
"Is she alright?" asked Harry.
The initial victim stood and said "Hello Harry Potter. Indeed, quite unharmed. They really couldn't harm me. Seems the only real casualty is my sneakers."
"You can't walk around like that." He said, mildly distressed.
Ginny pulled Cho to her feet, and growled into her face "Give her yours!"
"Stop them!" Dean bellowed as the other three Ravenclaws ran.
Hermione blocked both boys and said "It doesn't matter. Harry, we should let her go too. GINNY!"
"Socks, too." Ordered Ginny, after backhanding the Chinese girl. She merely smirked at Hermione's protest.
Harry collected all the fallen wands and crouched down beside her "What's your name?" he asked.
"Luna Lovegood." She replied "and it is really quite alright, Harry. They steal my shoes and socks all the time. I am more than used to it. My feet do not get cold anymore."
He pushed Cho's appropriated footwear into her hands and asked "Which wand is yours?" She claimed hers. Harry got up, walked over to where Ginny was still holding Cho and deliberately, right in front of her face, snapped all the others.
"Freeze! Freeze! Freeze! Freeze!" came shouts as Aurors charged in. Senior Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt led them, and it included an old friend of Harry's. She complained "Can't you stay out of trouble?"
He glared hatefully at her and growled "Up yours Tonks!"
"Respect for Aurors, boy." Shacklebolt ordered.
Harry looked up at the imposing figure of the black Auror and sniffed "Sure, like Thicknesse. You another of Diggory's pets, like her?"
"Amos Diggory is a good man." said Shacklebolt stiffly.
Every one of Harry's group could see an eruption coming. And, there was simply no good end for it. Susan stepped in. There wasn't a high ranking Auror that did not know her. She took Harry's hand. "Excuse me, please" she said "but let's just deal with what's happening now."
"I WANT HIM AND HER ARRESTED!" shrieked Cho Chang. She'd pointed first at Harry, then at Ginny.
Shacklebolt brushed past Harry and knelt beside her "What happened, girl?" he asked.
"They" she indicated with an inclusive arm wave "attacked us and pushed us down this filthy alley!"
Harry rolled his eyes and expressed his opinion in one word "Bullshit!"
"Auror, sir, if I might." Luna offered dreamily "Harry Potter and his friends saved me from being attacked by Cho Chang and hers."
Cho looked offended and countered "Hmpf! That's just Loony Lovegood. And he broke my wand! AGAIN! My family will insist that full charges be pressed."
"You know, Auror, that my Aunt Amelia is Harry's Regent?" asked Susan "With …ahh… different points of view, wouldn't it be best to interview everyone before making things official."
It was really the first time the Senior Auror recognized exactly who he was dealing with. Not only his boss's boss's niece, but a wrongfully convicted national hero. He backed down some, saying "This isn't really an appropriate place to take statements, of course. Would you all consent to coming to our local station? Just a mile down, on High Street?"
"I want them arrested!" Cho still demanded. Susan had nodded indicating that was reasonable.
Shacklebolt put an arm around the Chinese girl's shoulder and said "When we know enough. I cannot really arrest someone without knowing precisely what to accuse them of, after all. Now, please."
x x x x x
"…And, that's it." Harry concluded his story. He then answered his interrogator's questions minimally. He wouldn't use six words when two would do. And when the questions stopped, he demanded tersely "We done?"
Nymphadora Tonks sighed "Yes I have all I need for the official report. I would like to discuss what happened in Azkaban."
"The way I see it, you didn't do much more than get me the food I was supposed to get anyway." He ground out between clenched teeth.
Conscious of their surroundings, she said "Padfoot asked me to go there to help you."
"And you abandoned me the first chance you got!" he retorted bitterly "I didn't eat anything not hidden in that hole of a cell for a month!"
She sagged some, but still showed frustration "I told you that wasn't my doing. It's not my fault."
"Yeah, the way I figure it you owe that to me." He accused "Diggory must've paid someone to get it to Madam Bones. And with my money."
Tonks took that as a low blow, barely repressing the urge to slap him "You want to talk about owing?" she sneered "How about what you owe Remus Lu-"
"You're kidding, right?" he cut her off with a growl "Owe him? How about the kick in the head he gave me. I'm done here!"
She grabbed his arm and demanded "You at least owe him the common courtesy of a response to his letters."
"Don't read'em. But, you can tell him I use them to wipe my arse." Harry sneered. Then he yanked his arm free and stormed out. He heard her trip and fall, but didn't bother looking back. He did not even think of the oddness of the Auror Station being almost completely empty.
Outside what had been a considerable crowd was in the last stages of being dispersed. Number One Auror herself was shifting from bullying tactics to soothing ones. Susan was the only exception to all students being chased off. She joked "Auntie said something about you causing her extra work, but she looks pretty happy."
"Don't go looking for trouble." He groused "Just seems to find me."
Amelia shouted some last orders to her people "You four can return to London and you two back to Glasgow. You can all expect letters in your Service Jackets." She walked over with a noticeable bounce in her step.
"See what'd I tell you!" asked Susan, brightly.
Amelia's wand vanished up her sleeve as she said "You hush, young lady. For the record, as Head of the DLME, I must formally request that any time you see a disturbance you should report it to the nearest Auror. Kingsley! Have you a spare room?"
"Of course, Director." He replied instantly "I'll be out with the patrols for a while. Use my office."
In the privacy of the Watch Commander's office, she added "Off the record, Harry, and don't quote me … Nicely done. My life has become a bit busier since you came into it."
"Sorry, Madam Bones." He said sheepishly.
Amelia grinned at him and waved him into a chair "Pish. Now, we discussed this, Kingsley and I. Also your girlfriend here." She enjoyed the blushing silence before continuing "At any rate – Official notice, The Ministry is contemplating no charges against Harry Potter or Ginevra Weasley for an alleged assault against Cho Chang. The Ministry will require your testimony in Miss Chang's alleged assault against Luna Lovegood."
"See, Harry, the system does work." Susan pointed out.
To which he shrugged, just barely allowing "I guess."
"Fine" said Amelia "Hate to give you homework, Harry. But tomorrow we are settling the Diggory feud. I included the previous; it was a Treaty of Eternal Peace and Friendship. Amos, in my opinion voided that. It shall be replaced with a simple Peace Agreement. There is a section for the secret protocol."
Susan asked "What about the involvement of House Bones?"
"Entirely neutral." Amelia answered "Your Family will not side with either. If asked, feel free to say you are aware of the terms. But it is entirely between the Potters and the Diggories."
x x x x x
Severus Snape, once again Potion Master of Hogwarts, scowled as the latest bunch rushed through the gates. The last minutes of the 7PM curfew were ticking down. His lip curled in what could either be a sneer or a smirk. Regardless, the failure of Potter to return on time would make his day. He finally appeared "Well, well, even Weasley manages to keep proper time. Almost forty minutes late. That will be a week's detention for each of you. Forty points from Gryffindor and forty points from Hufflepuff. Get in!"
"We intend to protest your punishment, Professor." Susan stated, emotionlessly "You did not offer an opportunity for explanation and we were delayed at the Auror station."
He glared at her "Potter causing trouble as usual."
"Still throwing babies in the street?" Harry sneered.
Neville was just around the corner, looking ready to burst "Thought only Gryffindors were-"
"I was not in any way crazily brave, Mr. Longbottom." Susan cut him off, intentionally sounding pompous "It was better than a full scale war."
Neville nodded to her "Thank you for saving points for my house. But, I did enjoy listening in."
"He is a difficult pupil." Susan complained, sparing Harry a teasing smile. "But, Auntie and I do what we can."
Harry tugged on a lock of her hair, then brushed her lips with a kiss. "Yes, if it wasn't for a little Hufflepuff, Snivellus would get his!"
"So what's next for the mighty Harry Potter?" asked Neville in a mocking tone.
There wasn't an opportunity to answer as Luna Lovegood came out a corridor they were passing and nearly tackled him. She didn't move, she didn't speak. The blond Ravenclaw just stood there with her arms locked around his neck.
"Ah-hem!" Susan coughed impatiently. She didn't especially mind at first. And since she knew exactly the circumstances, and seen the beginning of the hug, she couldn't exactly feel jealous. But at about the fourth minute it was becoming enough.
Professor Moody step-clomped by just then and shouted "CONSTANT VIGILANCE! Anything can mask an attack, Potter! ANYTHING!" He gave a malicious grin to the startled students and departed.
"Thank you, Harry Potter." Luna finally said "The shoes you got me do not quite fit perfectly. Though the socks do make them comfortable. I shall keep them." She kissed his cheek then skipped away.