Disclaimer: The Harry Potter universe belongs to the proverbial Duchess of Magic, JK Rowling, Scholastic, Bloomsbury, Warner Bros and some other high falutin' companies. No matter how much I whine about not owning anything related to the HP universe, other than a few fanfic plots, I do not profess to own - and would never dream of making any money off - JKR's wonderful world... Damn it!
A/N: Sorry for not updating last Wednesday, folks. I've gotten back into the writing groove with Daft Morons and updating this completely slipped my mind. And, no; I won't tell you just yet when I'll be updating that story. I want it properly finished before I do, so this break does not happen again.
Chapter Twenty - An Old Friend Learns a Truth
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―==(oIo)==―
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Standing on the doorstep while her parents hung back at the ward line, with her voice practically a growl, Hermione Granger demanded "Where... is... he?"
Sirius just grinned wider.
Ignoring her question he looked past her and said, "Marc... Sandi... come on up."
When they reached the stoop, Sirius said, "I, Lord Sirius Orion Black the Third, Lord of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, offer you and yours safe haven in my home and bid you welcome."
Marc, as the actual 'head' of House Granger, replied, "I, Marcade Daniel Granger, on behalf of House Granger accept your offer of safe haven and thank you for your welcome."
Then he grinned and asked, "Did I say it right?"
Sirius smiled back and said, "Spot on."
Then he stepped to the side to allow passage past him and said, "Come in."
Hermione gave a huff and stomped inside.
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―==(oIo)==―
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Harry was in the middle of discussing how he was now focusing on getting his NEWTs with Tonks and Remus, 'because his girlfriend and godfather said he should', when Sirius walked back into the room.
"Who―" Harry started to ask before he saw who then stepped into the room next. "Hermione?" he squeaked.
With an unreadable expression on her face, Harry watched as his once best friend strode across the room towards him as he rapidly climbed to his feet.
He didn't even get to say anything before she firmly placed a hand on his chest and pushed him backwards until his back was against the wall.
"Errr..." he started.
"Don't start, Harry James Potter," she snarled at him.
"But―" he tried, before she simply rode right over the top of him.
"I thought you'd died, you prat!" she snarled at him. "Everyone did. You've got some explaining to do and I want answers! And none of that nonsense about you being on a different planet, either.
"The whole concept of being on a different planet, what with the distances involved―"
He quickly cut in, "Eight point six light years."
"I know how far Sirius A and B are, Harry," she snapped. "It's slightly more than fifty trillion miles away. And how you can expect anyone with a lick of sense to believe you could have possibly been on a planet half the galaxy away―"
"Our next nearest star, Hermione," he tried.
"I know that!" she again snapped. "It's still such a phenomenal distance no one could possibly believe―"
Having had enough of her diatribe, Harry finally reached forth with both hands, cupped her cheeks between then, leaned forward and kissed her hard on the lips.
He didn't hold it long, just long enough to shut the girl up. When she stopped trying to talk around his lips, he pulled back again.
"Stop!" he firmly commanded.
After the shock of the kiss and when she began to regain her senses and frown at him, he firmly said, "Hermione Granger, I am well prepared to make a binding vow on my magic as to the truth of what I said about me being on another planet. I was on a different planet; I was on a planet that had two suns and two moons that I know of; and I was rescued from that planet by a team of US Air Force personnel."
Before she could again say anything, Sirius said, "There's no need for that, Harry. I can simply get my pensieve and you can show her the memory of your first night on the planet."
Surprised, Harry released his hold on who he still considered his best female friend, now after Luna, and said, "Actually, that's a good idea."
Sirius gave a nod and called, "Dobby."
The little elf arrived and Sirius immediately asked him, "Can you get my pensieve out and bring it in here for me, please?"
"Yes, Master Paddyfoots," replied Dobby before he popped away to do exactly that.
"Sirius," Hermione grumbled and glared at the man. However before she could expand on that one word, Dobby was back.
He popped the pensieve onto the kitchen table and popped away again.
"Did you forget what I told you about house elves, Hermione?" he asked.
She didn't say another word; only looked a little miffed.
Harry didn't know what was going on there, but at least it distracted the young woman from pressing matters concerning him. Though it did seem as if Sirius had, at one time, talked to the young woman about the issues around house elves. He'd ask later.
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―==(oIo)==―
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After Harry dropped his memories of waking up on the planet, his activating the Chappa'ai and his first night into the pensieve, Sirius activated it in projector mode. That is, he activated it to play the memory in the air above the surface of the pensieve, rather than everyone dropping into the memory to interact with it.
When the three played out, one after the other, Harry looked to Hermione and asked, "Do you now accept my word; or am I going to have to make that vow, after all?"
Caught between being ashamed she doubted him and amazed at what she saw, she replied, "Sorry, Harry." Then rallied and added, "But, you must admit, it seems pretty far-fetched."
Luna piped up and said, "Harry, can you show us the memory of the day the United States' military personnel rescued you?"
Harry gave a nod back, focused on the memory and drew it from his mind. Then he dropped the mass into the 'waters' of the pensieve.
"Sirius?" he asked, gesturing to the bowl.
Sirius gave a nod, stepped forward and activated the new memory, before then stepping back again.
While it played and those watching got their first look at SG-1, Harry heard Marc and Sandi give small gasps of surprise.
Then, once the memory played through, Harry looked to them and asked, "You recognised them?"
Both nodded, but it was Marc who replied, "Two of those people, the woman and the older man, paid us a visit early last month. They came to our home in Massachusetts asking questions about you."
"Ah!" smirked Harry. "They were looking for me. If it was after the second of November it would have been after I'd left their company. However, they really didn't want me to leave, if you get my drift."
"They had you in custody?" asked Hermione.
Harry grinned and replied, "Think about it, Hermione. Have you heard anything... at all... about a highly sensitive US military unit that sends soldiers off to other planets through a wormhole?
"They don't want word of that secret being made public. They understand the panic it would cause.
"As such, they were holding me until they could figure out some way to slot me back into the real world without everyone who knew me asking questions that I couldn't answer without speaking about that arch, the wormhole I went through and how the US Government military are using one located in the US to send people, as they call it, off-world through regular trips.
"What I was worried about is that they'd have forced me into... what's it called?... protective custody, that's it. And not let me go back to my own life. So, I escaped their clutches and snuck back into England."
"They wouldn't do that," Hermione disagreed.
"Yes, they would," her father quickly cut in and disagreed. "They might have even killed Harry to protect that secret. It's not as if it's something countries haven't done before."
"Exactly," Harry nodded. "Oh, I knew they'd have not been able to kill me. That didn't mean they wouldn't try, though. It would have also meant I'd likely have had to breach the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy to escape getting killed. Then, as they're members of a highly secret government military unit, getting in to obliviate them - if there would even be any point to that, considering all the security cameras I saw - would be both difficult and probably pointless.
"As such, I had to get out of there before it became an even worse issue that it already was. That's why they obviously visited you, because they were looking for me to take me back into 'custody'."
With a frown, Marcade asked, "Are we safe to go back to the US?"
"Yes," replied Luna. "They visited you to see if you or Hermione had any idea as to where they could find Harry. They now believe you have no idea he's even alive and actually believe him to be dead. They won't be bothering you."
Hermione frowned at her and demanded, "And how would you be knowing that?"
Before Luna's gift could be discussed, Harry replied, "Sirius has some contact with a proven Seer. And that Seer's assistance has been paramount in providing intelligence that, for a start, helped me finally 'off' Tom Riddle for good."
Turning her frown on Harry, she asked, "For a start? What else has he or she informed you of?"
"Hermione," called Sirius in a firm voice. "Mind your place."
When she turned to him he was lightly scowling at her. "You, Miss Granger, are both a muggle-born and a guest in my house. Mind your tone when you speak with two Lords of Noble and Ancient Houses."
"She can simply mind her tone," said Marc. He then looked to Hermione and firmly said, "You will watch what you say and how you say it, little missy. You might now be twenty years old, but I am still your father and you will not disrespect anyone in my presence."
Hermione slightly pinked from embarrassment, but still looked somewhat resolute. The short staring contest she tried to win against both her father and Sirius, she lost.
Dropping her eyes she quietly said, "Sorry."
A moment later, first making sure the rebuke took, Harry said, "Hermione."
When she looked to him again, he said, "You are currently back in magical Britain and Sirius and I are both Lords of Noble and Ancient Houses. Actually, I'm Lord of two such Houses.
"You, are a muggle-born with very little rights... as you well remember. Your demanding tone and voice would have already insulted anyone else, but is now starting to insult Sirius's hospitality.
"You're lucky that Sirius and I are somewhat forgiving of your actions. Many wouldn't be. Now calm down."
When it looked like his words had taken effect, he said, "Now, we know you want information. However, none one here is in any way obligated to give you that information. Unless you start being a lot more polite and respectful, you won't be getting it. And, even then, there are matters none of us will share with you, whether you like it or not."
Now almost in tears, she again looked up to Harry, "Sorry."
"Accepted," he said, "This time. You are no longer a child where your behaviour can be excused due to your age. You're now an adult and are expected to be aware of your obligations and responsibilities. You can no longer be protected from consequences."
She nodded and again said, "Sorry, Harry."
"And what about everyone else?" he demanded.
She lightly flinched, but looked around the room. "My... apologies... I was being rude. I didn't mean to be."
It was a long moment before Sirius said, "Now. To your question about what else that Seer told us, it would be a lot. However, unless a matter is raised that specifically applies, what we learned from them is something we're not willing to share."
She nodded back and softly said, "Thank you."
Sirius nodded back, stood up a little straighter and said, "Now that's out of the way, take a seat." And gestured to the chairs around the table. "You obviously have questions and we'll see what we can do to answer some of them."
The tense atmosphere that arose began to dissipate again as people began to sit, or resit in the cases of Harry and Sirius.
"Wow! Intense!" declared Tonks.
Once everyone was seated, Sirius said, "Introductions are in order, I think."
Starting from his left, he introduced everyone. He knew Hermione knew who they all were, but the Granger parents didn't and only he and Harry knew who the Granger parents were.
Dobby had popped back in and prepared a large serving of tea and cakes for everyone, even though breakfast had only just finished.
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―==(oIo)==―
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"Law, eh?" asked Harry, after Hermione told them what she was studying in Massachusetts.
"Yes," she nodded. "I'm studying both an undergraduate degree in muggle law and studying magical law under a Master of the subject, Master Blackstone, through trying to hold down an apprenticeship under him."
"Sounds like you're terribly busy," said Harry. "How'd you find time to come here?"
"I sat the end of my first year exams at university two weeks early and last week," she replied. "And Master Blackstone was kind enough to give me the time off to allow me to visit.
"He claims not much happens after the first week of December until things pick up again after New Years. As such, he could afford to do without my assistance for that time."
Harry caught the subtle smirk Sirius directed his way and almost casually indicated himself. That told Harry Sirius had something to do with that.
"The important question," said Harry. "Is it something you enjoy doing?"
"Oh, yes," she firmly returned with a grin.
"Good," he just as firmly said right back. "I always thought you had a head for law."
"And what about your studies, Harry?" she asked.
"With Luna's help I'm currently studying to take my NEWTs," he shrugged. "However, she's insisting I study both Arithmancy and Ancient Runes to go along with that."
Hermione turned a grateful look to the blonde and quietly said, "Thank you. Though I don't know how you convinced him to study those two, I'm grateful you did."
"I used my feminine wiles," smirked Luna.
Hermione seemed to know what she meant from the young woman's expression and almost immediately blushed.
Harry, wanting to quickly change the subject before Hermione - or, worse still, Sirius - could say anything, said, "I've also dropped Divination and will delay doing anything about Care of Magical Creatures until after I've got my NEWTs. Therefore, I'm studying Charms, Transfiguration, Potions, Herbology, Defence Against the Dark Arts, History, Muggle Studies, Arithmancy and Ancient Runes.
"With my Occlumency skills now at a high level, almost all of what I'm undertaking will be the practical components, as I've developed a near photographic memory of everything I read."
"Hard work," she nodded. "Are you sure you're going to be able to handle such a load?"
She never saw the annoyed frowns both Luna and Sirius directed towards her. Her parents did, though.
"I'm sure," he confidently replied. "With the dark magic behind my scar gone... and the compulsion and temperament alteration charms Dumbledore placed upon me also gone... I'm finding it far easier to concentrate and figure things out. I'm now back and beyond the skills and figuring things out levels I was at when I was in primary school."
With a scowl back, she said, "I still can't believe Dumbledore did all that to you, Harry."
Not offended, Harry lightly smiled back and said, "The people at the ICW found out the depth of what Dumbledore had done to me before they executed him for his crimes, Hermione. Trust me, I wasn't surprised by what they'd found out."
With her scowl still in place, she half-growled, "To think I once actually trusted that man."
"Live and learn, Hermione," he said. "Just... be careful of whom you place your trust in, in future."
"Truer words couldn't be said," said Marc.
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―==(oIo)==―
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Hermione and her family were staying in magical Britain right through to just beyond Christmas. After that, they were returning to the US the day after Boxing Day to be back in the US in plenty of time before New Years. They already had plans for that day, spending it with American friends.
That meant they'd be here for Harry's award ceremony, at least. That was something they didn't know about until they'd arrived.
Hermione then spent the better part of two days being annoyed at Harry for going through the Veil; being angry at Sirius for hiding that he had access to a Seer and that s/he'd told him Harry was, at the time, safe; and at Harry for not immediately letting her know he was back when he got back.
At the end of the second day, after yet another of her bitchy whines, Harry grabbed her and dragged her into the library.
As soon as he was in, he slammed the door closed and pushed her onto a couch.
Shocked, she barely had any hope of stopping him.
Finally wheeling on her, he angrily barked, "Right! That will be enough!"
Before she could utter a word, he barked, "You stupid little bitch! You yet do not have any naffing idea about just why you were kept in the dark about what was going on.
"You were kept in the dark because that Seer you now know of Saw what would have happened if you'd been told!
"You were kept in the dark to naffing protect you and to protect the secret!"
"W-wha―?" she stuttered, after cringing back from Harry's rage.
"You, Miss Granger, are just too naffing trusting of people in authority," he snapped. "If you had been told anything about what was going on before you were informed yesterday morning, had a future where you would have likely ended up becoming the personal sex slave of RONALD NAFFING WEASLEY!"
As Hermione began to cry in the face of Harry's palpable anger, Harry calmed down a fair bit. Making her cry was not his intent.
With a sigh and in a quieter voice he explained. "If you had been told what was going on back shortly after I had gone through the Chappa'ai... what we now know to be more properly called the Astra Porta... you would not have kept it a secret. Further, as you weren't an accomplished Occlumens, you'd have been unable to keep Dumbledore out of your head and spying on your thoughts.
"Further, Ronald Weasley would have been given potions by his mother to enslave you. Molly Weasley saw you as the counter to Ronald's slackness and lack of self-promotion. She'd have used you to push her son into accomplishing something with his life. Those potions would then make you Ronald's sex slave, good for nothing but pumping out the next generation of Weasleys and being the bread-winner of your home. That's because she knew damned well Ronald wouldn't amount to anything without you there to push him. And... guess what?... she was right!
"If you were instead told I was back as soon as, or soon after, I got back... before I was able to take both Riddle and Dumbledore out... then you wouldn't have been able to suppress your illogical need to trust that white-whiskered wanker and would have gone to him and told him everything!
"That would have probably... again... led you to becoming a sex slave for Ronald Weasley; but, worse still, me being again enslaved... by potions, this time... by that naffer into again becoming his personal naffing weapon!"
With a roar, he added, "It would have led to my death!"
As Hermione began to sob - in heartbreak, this time - again Harry sighed and tried to suppress his anger at the young woman.
"You were told as soon as it was safe for you to be told, Miss Granger," he said. "And you will stop with the ill-concealed anger and whining about how you were left out of the loop. If you are unable to get that bullshit under control... then go pack. You'll be leaving before the sun sets this evening. I, for one, have had more than enough of tolerating it."
With that, Harry stormed to the door and wrenched it open.
On the other side stood Sirius, Luna and Sandi - Marc and Remus weren't there.
Harry looked at the three before looking at Sandi. He quietly said, "Sorry. But, I'd had enough."
Then, without another word, he went to the stairs and headed up to his room.
Watching him go, Sirius looked at Luna for a moment. She nodded back and said, "I'll take care of him. You take care of her."
Sirius gave a firm nod back.
As Luna headed to the stairs to calm her boyfriend down, Sirius turned to Sandi; only to find she'd already entered the room and was sitting on the couch, allowing her sobbing daughter to cuddle in.
He walked in and went to the armchair sitting opposite and waited.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
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Up in his room, Harry was sitting on the side of his bed feeling all sorts of emotions. He was angrily upset with himself for losing his temper; disgusted with himself for treating a woman, one he'd once considered his closest friend, as horribly as he just did; disappointingly upset with her for doing as she was warned not to and trying to verbally bully everyone for the information she demanded; the same upset with her for not simply accepting what she was told; and again with Sirius for not slapping her down enough, right from the start, about her behaviour; and, generally, upset with the entire situation.
When the door opened and Luna walked in, he quietly said, "I don't want to talk about it."
As she headed to walk around to the other side of the bed, she replied, "I know."
Then she climbed onto the bed from her side before knee-walking across to his side and wrapping him in a hug from behind.
As Harry sighed and slumped back into her hug, she said, "What happened in the library is something that had to happen, Harry."
After a moment he asked, "What do you mean?"
"Hermione's constant demands for information she is not entitled to would have eventually got her... possibly... killed," she replied. "Your... verbally slapping her down for it... from someone she actually respects a great deal... means that possible future is now terminated. And the talk Sirius will now give her will cement that.
"She will learn from this and become a better person because of it. Do not fear she will not."
"I... hate myself for doing it," he mumbled.
"Don't," she firmly said. "What you did was a good thing... trust me."
With a sigh, he said, "I do. That doesn't mean I don't feel like a heel for doing it."
"Then gain strength from knowing you likely saved her life by doing it," she reasonably returned.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
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Down in the library, Sirius had calmly sat on the armchair while he watched 'mother' calm 'daughter'. Sandi was making all the right noises, but Sirius could see she was just making those noises because it was what was expected. He could see that she knew the yelling was going to happen sooner or later, too; and that the yelling was somewhat justified.
As such, Sirius didn't need to worry about what the Granger parents were going to want to do to his godson when Sandi calmed her daughter down. Moreover, he was kind of expecting Sandi to agree with what Harry had said, just not with all the yelling and bad language.
It took a little while, but Hermione finally calmed down enough to notice Sirius quietly sitting opposite.
"Why?" she plaintively asked. "Why did he say those things to me?"
"He said a fair bit, Hermione," replied Sirius. "You're going to need to be a bit more specific."
"What about him saying Ron was going to turn me into a sex slave?" she whined. "He wouldn't have done that, would he?"
"Accord to... the person I know to be a Seer - they've been one hundred percent accurate in everything they've told me - one of the things they told me was that Ronald Weasley, if I hadn't arranged things to get you out of the country, was going to potion you to the gills to make you both fall in love with him and remain utterly loyal to him.
"They also told me that, eventually, he would have killed you. But that would not have occurred until you'd birthed two children for him; Rose and Hugo Weasley and in that order.
"It was a promise to that person for their help that I visited you and your parents that day that got you to agree to move to the United States of America."
"But why didn't you tell me about Harry? Why did you lie to me?" she demanded.
"Careful, Miss Granger," he scolded her. "You're starting to try demanding answers again."
When she cowered a little, he said, "The goblins told me that Harry was still alive because the life-stone they hold for him that shows the life status of all their vault holders still glowed, even if it was quite dimly. It wouldn't have done that if he was dead.
"The Seer told me that Harry would return in a few years time, once others found him and brought him back. However, if I tried to go and get him, I would fail and die in the process. If I, instead, simply waited; then he would return safely in due time. Which is what happened.
"Further, the Seer told me... which I happen to agree with... that if you knew Harry was still alive you wouldn't have gone to the US. Or, if your parents had still managed to drag you there, you'd have found some way to sneak back.
"Believing that Harry was dead was what kept you from doing that.
"And, if you had come back, Dumbledore would have again got his claws into you. You'd have then been reporting everything to him again, which is what he wanted you for, but including your knowledge about Harry being believed alive... and, if by some small chance you didn't tell him about Harry, being used by him to keep an eye on young Neville Longbottom; just as he had Ronald doing and tried to get Miss Lovegood to do, after you left.
"That would have again led to you becoming a sex slave of Ronald Weasley... and being murdered by him in a few years after you'd first pumped out two sprogs to continue the Weasley line through him.
"That's why I had you promise not to try and contact anyone back here, except myself, but especially any of the Weasleys or Dumbledore."
"You did it to save her from that life," said Sandi.
Sirius nodded, "Yes. I promised that Seer I'd do that. I was going to do it anyway, simply because of how much support Hermione gave Harry right up until that night at the Ministry. The Seer just made it more important and more... overt."
He then leaned forward and stared intensely at the younger woman. "And, Miss Granger, if you decide to disobey me and contact any of the Weasleys anyway, I might not be able to move fast enough to kill Ronald Weasley first. I've no doubt that Harry is likely to beat me to the honour duel challenge he'd challenge the young man with... and kill him first.
"You've not seen how fast Harry has become with a wand. However, there is no doubt in my mind that Harry is faster than Riddle ever was. It was why he was able to kill the man... and his entire Inner Circle... all together and while he was alone.
"While on the planet he calls Hadrian, he had to fight against an army of soldier-slaves of a being that declared himself to be a god. He both defeated that army and killed that being; again, all on his lonesome.
"While he was away, Harry came to an epiphany about magic and the way it is used. He developed a whole new way of using it and then used that way to defeat that army before he came back. Then, once back here, he used that way to defeat Riddle and his Inner Circle minions."
He then thought about it and said, "Once Harry calms down, ask him if he wouldn't mind showing you a memory of him fighting the Jaffa, the slave-warriors he fought on Hadrian."
Hermione nodded.
Sirius only mentioned it because he'd also noticed she'd calmed right down again.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
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It wasn't until the next morning and at breakfast that Hermione felt Harry had calmed down enough to both properly apologise and ask... politely... if she could see a memory of him fighting the Jaffa on Hadrian.
Harry accepted the apology and also offered his own. He apologised for upsetting her as badly as he did.
That then had the pensieve brought back out and Harry then thinking of a suitable memory. In the end he chose two. The first was when he first met the Goa'uld and Jaffa, where the Goa'uld almost immediately ordered the Jaffa to kill him. The second was after he developed his speed ability and was in a fight against almost thirty of the Jaffa - and won.
After dropping both in, he said, "I must warn you, there's a lot of violence in these. Be aware, you will see bodies blown up and other bodies utterly mangled. If you don't think you can handle that, then I suggest you don't go in to watch."
Once he saw that they'd all heard, he then called Dobby to provide stomach-settling potions for those who would need them when they came out.
"I'll stay out, thank you," Sandi immediately stated.
"Wise choice," said Harry. "I, too, will not be going in. I lived through the actuality of them both; I do not need to re-live either, even through a memory."
That had Sirius, Remus, Marc, Luna and Hermione all gather to drop into the pensieve.
As soon as they'd gone, Harry again called Dobby. "I think you just might need to also supply vomit buckets, Dobs."
The little elf gave a nod and said, "Yes, Master Harry."
A snap of his fingers later and there were four buckets arranged around the pensieve, but not in the way of any of those within coming back out again.
When the five came out almost fifteen minutes later, there were a lot of pale faces, but no one threw up. Even the chance they would was quickly quashed when Harry made sure those who needed them - Hermione and Luna - all took the stomach settling potions. Marc surprised Harry by seemingly quite stoic about the experience.
That was when he saw the man had that 'thousand yard stare' he knew combat veterans developed.
It took him a bit to figure out why before he thought he understood. He quietly asked the man, "The Falklands?"
Marc turned that expression on him, hesitated a long moment and finally gave a single nod back. He never said a word.
Finally, Hermione said, "That... whatever he was... what was it he said that had those other men in armour attack you?"
"Two words," replied Harry. "Kill him."
"He didn't care about his people, at all," she said.
"Nope," he replied. "They were slaves. He considered them nothing more than tools to be used and, when finished with them, simply disposed of."
"But, why?" she near-whined.
"Because they're the galaxy's big evil," he said. "For me to tell you everything I learned about them would take me many months. And I won't do it because it's pointless. It's not as if you ever have to worry about them. The Americans will take care of them."
Harry already knew from one of Luna's visions that the Americans, combined with many people from other NATO countries, would eventually eradicate the Goa'uld and free the slaves. But it was a few years away.
"Alright," she sighed, now knowing not to push it. "What about how fast you were moving? Did you perform some rituals or something?"
"No," he replied. "I learned how to use my magic to speed myself up. I've been assured it's time dilation magic, similar to what house elves use."
"Down to the duelling room?" asked Remus.
Harry turned to him with a thankful smile. "I think that's a good idea." Turning back to Hermione, he said, "Come on. We're going down to the warded duelling room in basement."
Sirius said, "Follow me." Turned, and walked out of the kitchen. Everyone followed.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
In the duelling room, Harry first had Dobby bring him his kara kesh and he donned it as he stepped through the wards into the area opposite the duelling dummies.
Indicating it as he donned it, he said, "I took one of these off the Goa'uld one of the times I captured him. It's of a technology that's many many thousands of years old." He actually took one off the Goa'uld both times he captured him.
Once on, he looked to Sirius and asked, "The wards are up?"
"Yep," replied his godfather.
Harry then drew his wand and looked to the dummies. Then barked out the command to activate them. "Level five! Activate!"
As the four duelling dummies immediately began casting, Harry was nimbly dodging. However, just as when he was demonstrating this for the other four residents of Grimmauld, he didn't cast back.
He gave that about fifteen seconds before he activated the kara kesh and, while holding the shield in place, stopped and looked to the audience. "That was some of what I've developed with speed. And this..." he indicated the kara kesh with his wand, "... is how the kara kesh works."
While he'd been talking, spell-fire was simply 'hammering' at the shield for no effect and dissipating
"Now for going offensive," he said, turning back to look at the dummies.
He then shifted his stance, waited for the opportune moment to drop the shield, dropped it and began casting back. It only took four seconds to drop all four.
Once all four went down, he barked, "Halt! Terminate!" And all four dummies simply reset into their deactivated stances.
"Back to the kitchen," he said, walking back through the wards. "I have one more memory to show you how effective this type of combat is against wizards and witches."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Once back in the kitchen, Harry dropped the memory of his first contact with Dumbledore and members of the Order in the Alley into the pensieve.
"Go ahead," he said, "There's no blood and guts in this one. This is just me giving Dumbledore and his minions a very public spanking."
This time, they all went in.
When they came out, Marc said, "Something I noticed downstairs and saw again in the memory, the spell fire moves quite a bit slower than the bolts of energy that came from those staves the... Jaffa... were using."
"Yes," nodded Harry. "Trust me; I noticed, too. It threw off my reflexes a little when I faced Dumbledore and his minions in that supposed battle you just saw. It was the first time someone had cast magic at me since June 1996 and I was used to the energy bolts moving a great deal faster."
Hermione had come out, quite shocked. And took her a while to regain her inner equilibrium. Finally, she said, "That... was... amazing!"
In a flat voice he said, "That's what happens when luck is on your side and you're involved in a one man war against an entire race of beings that want nothing less than for you to die; preferably, horribly. I was in a fight for my very survival."
"Can you teach anyone to fight like that?" she asked.
Harry was a moment before he said, "Probably. However, I don't think it's a good idea."
Before Hermione could automatically go into one of her rants about the sharing of knowledge, he looked her dead in the eye and said, "I won't, because I need the advantage against those who want to see me dead. I just got through killing a supposed dark lord whose actions would have led, in about two decades, to the entire eradication of Earth.
"Many of his unMarked... and even a few of his Marked... supporters are still roaming free. I cannot take the even tiny risk that my teaching anyone else how to fight like that is eventually learned by yet another wannabe dark lord. The risk is too great. And a lot of that has to do with your belief that information must be shared.
"So no, Hermione. I will not teach you how to do it. And don't even think of trying to convince me otherwise. The decision has already been made and I will not change my mind. However, I also won't stop you trying to figure it out and accomplishing it yourself. After all, that's how I learned.
"You're a bright young lady. Now that you've seen it can be done, you won't be rushing into it with the belief it can't be and that you're on some fool's quest."
Though she first appeared as if she was going to argue the point, it was a quietly but firmly stated, "Hermione Jean Granger," from her mother than had her sigh and slump in defeat. Then she sadly nodded in acceptance.
As the day was starting to 'get on' and the award ceremony was the next night, Luna suggested they have lunch before then taking the afternoon to visit Diagon Alley to pick up formal robes for the ceremony.
It was a welcome suggestion.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After lunch and letting it settle for a bit, the household flooed to the Leaky Cauldron before immediately moving into the Alley.
Marc and Sandi asked if it was worth it for them to go and pick up robes as they were muggles. To which Sirius replied, "You're my guests and under my protection. As soon as anyone hears that, no one is going to object to your presence at the ceremony.
"I've already informed Minister Bones of the numbers attending as part of 'Harry's personally honoured guests'. You three were included in those numbers."
Remus added, "Don't worry about whether or not anyone's going to object about you being there, Marc. No one, right now, wants to upset Harry. If he says you're to attend; then attend, you will."
"I say," Harry firmly cut in.
That put paid to any concerns the Grangers had about being in the midst of magical Britain's supposed 'elite'.
That's also when they reached the door of Madam Malkin's and went inside. No one was going to be mentioning how the Granger parents were muggles in the presence of anyone else. It would just invite problems that were easily avoided.
When it was his turn to be fitted, Harry was quite happy to go with basic black again. However, Luna once again put her foot down - again with the support of the ladies in the room - and Harry ended up with formal robes of a deep blue with silver trim. They first wanted to trim him in crimson with gold edging, but Harry flatly refused that colour combination.
"Stop trying to dress me as a bloody Gryffindor!" he lowly, but firmly, stated. "If necessary, I'll wear the deep red, but highlight it with something else."
That then led to the deep blue instead of the crimson and then trimming it in fine silver piping and thread.
"Better," muttered Luna. "It suits you, even with your emerald coloured eyes."
Sirius then got away with flat black with gloss black trim; as did Remus. And Marc was fitted in the deep crimson Harry wouldn't wear, but it was trimmed in a slightly lighter red. It surprisingly went well with his brown hair and eyes.
For the ladies, Luna was fitted in a pale blue that matched Harry's deep blue, but had deep blue trim of the same colour as Harry's robes. It showed, without doubt, that Luna was Harry's partner.
Hermione went with a cream with brown trim that also matched her complexion and colouring; and Sandi wore a deep red, but not as deep as Marc's, with the same colour trim as her husband's; again showing they were together.
During a pause during fitting, Hermione asked, "What about Tonks?"
Remus replied, "As an active auror, she'll be attending in formal auror robes. It's required."
Once everyone's outfits were organised, Sirius rubbed his hands together and said, "Madam Malkin, we'll need swatches of the ladies' outfits. It's time to get complementary jewellery."
Malkin didn't even bat an eye at that. It was something she was used to. "Of course, My Lord," she simply returned, before organising the swatches.
As Malkin headed off to get the swatches, Marc quietly said, "There's no need―"
"Yes, there is," Sirius cut in. "You're attending as part of the guest of honour's retinue. It's no shave off my wand to supply suitable jewellery for the ladies to wear while attending."
"And if there's nothing in the Black vaults that suit," said Harry. "I'm sure there'll be something in the Potter vaults that will."
With swatches finally in hand, the party then headed down to Gringotts.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
The award ceremony would be followed, only twenty minutes later, by the formal dinner. That meant the award ceremony was being held early in the evening, at 6.00pm. It gave time for those who worked to quickly change into suitable attire before attending; for those 'honoured' with an invitation.
As such and expecting it, Harry was unsurprised when the ladies all disappeared the next afternoon at about 3.00pm to start getting ready. It was also when Tonks turned up, sent home for the remainder of the day by Director Hammer and with a 'bagged' set of robes hanging over her arm, that the ladies took their leave.
That left the menfolk waiting.
None of them had any intention of starting to get ready until about 5.00pm. Then, once they did, they were still ready before the ladies were.
The only part of his outfit Harry hadn't yet donned was the hair ribbon to tie his hair back. It was something Luna preferred to do for him and knew she'd be disappointed with him if he had Dobby do it. The elf, of course, was more than capable to do so.
It was when Harry was starting to get worried he was going to be late to his own award ceremony when Dobby popped in and said, "The ladies be waitings upstairs to be escorted down. Dobby was ordered to tells you to go up."
When Harry walked into the ladies' parlour one floor up with the other menfolk, he stopped in shock at what he saw.
The ladies were absolutely gorgeously attired. However, he mainly only had eyes for Luna.
She grinned back, did a slow twirl and asked, "You like?"
Not able to voice a response, he only and rapidly nodded back.
Then she frowned at him and indicated a chair. "Sit!"
As he moved to comply, she asked, "Where's the ribbon?"
Silently, he handed it to her.
As he sat on the chair and she magically brushed in the Sleek-Ezy, he was able to look around a bit better.
He noticed, of course, how nice the rest of the ladies looked. Even Tonks had allowed her base form to better show through her normal morph, but that was mainly because she had her hair the natural black of a daughter of Black.
As Luna worked on his hair, he'd managed to recover enough from seeing Luna so gorgeously attired to ask, "Why not the pink, Tonks?"
"It's not allowed while wearing formals, Harry," she simply replied. "However, I refused to allow myself to be in my natural form, other than my hair."
Harry understood, as he knew her natural form was a near spitting image of her aunt, Bellatrix LeStrange.
Once his hair was properly tied back, Luna tapped him on the shoulder and firmly said, "Done."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Because of the soot from the floo system, the household weren't taking the floo to the Ministry. They were offered a portkey due to the 'muggles' that would be with them so, under disillusionment charms, they trooped out to the backyard and slightly beyond the wards. And activated it from there.
It deposited them in the auror portkey arrivals room within the DMLE, just off the main room of the auror's bullpen. A Master Auror, wearing his own formal robes, was waiting for them.
As soon as their party 'landed' he looked directly to Harry and said, "Lord Peverell-Potter, Lord Black and retinue, please follow me. The Minister would like a quick word."
"By all means," said Harry, as it was to him that the auror addressed his 'request'. And they followed him out.
In Bones's office and into which they were directly led, Madam Bones and her Senior Undersecretary stood from their chairs as soon as they walked in. Both were also wearing formal robes.
"Ah!" she said. "Welcome, Lord Peverell-Potter and guests."
Then she indicated the array of chairs that sat before her desk and said, "Please, take a seat."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After a quick five minute chat, with Bones again going over the procedure of the awards ceremony, she handed off a small closed flat case to Luna.
"That holds the Order medal," she said. "Please look after it and don't open it until I call for it on the stage."
Harry had already been informed they saw no point in him being awarded three separate Orders of Merlin, First Class. Instead, they'd combined the medals into a medal with two 'bars', signifying the awarding of the Order twice more. It was based on the Order being award twice to another wizard about three centuries earlier.
"I'll be careful with it," Luna said, placing the closed case on her lap.
Then Bones drew her wand and held it in the recognised oath position. "I, Amelia Pauline Bones, Minister of Magic for magical Britain, swear on my magics there are no harmful magics cast, whether active or not, on the Order of Merlin soon to be awarded to Lord Peverell-Potter this very day currently held by Miss Luna Selene Lovegood. As I say, so I swear, so let me be judged by Lady Magic herself."
There was the tell-tale flash of magic and Bones then immediately cast the Lumos charm, followed by its cancelling Nox charm.
"Thank you," nodded Harry.
"Just in case," said Bones. "Like me, I know you to be paranoid enough to worry."
Harry smirked back and said, "I was."
"Now," said Bones, gesturing to rise, "I believe there's a whole auditorium of wizards and witches waiting on us to turn up. Ready to go, or do you have other questions?"
"No, just a demand," he said.
When Bones aborted standing and re-sat with a frown, she asked, "Oh?"
"Keep the Weasleys away from me," he said. "Except, if necessary, Arthur."
Surprised, she asked, "Why?"
"I don't want to get into it except to say Ronald Bloody Weasley is definitely no friend of mine. And Molly Weasley and Ginevra Weasley have, in the past, had the unhealthy determination for me to marry Ginevra. That will never happen; and I don't want that fishmonger wife's shrill screeching voice in my ear about how I'm supposed to marry the girl.
"Keep them away from me or, I promise you, I'll simply and immediately walk out; no matter where we are during the ceremony or the dinner."
"Ah," she quietly said. "I take it there's something going on that I'd have to act upon in an official capacity if it came to light."
"Something Director Connie Hammer would have to act upon, yes," he replied.
"I'll make sure the aurors are informed to keep them away from you and yours," she promised. "Anything else?"
"No; we're fine," said Harry, standing.
"Just so you know," she said, also standing. "Molly Weasley has been trying to demand access to you. She even went so far as to let slip she does, indeed, expect you to marry her daughter."
"As I said," he firmly said. "It's not going to happen. Actually, I'm simply waiting for Xenophilius Lovegood to return to wizarding Britain to ask him for permission to betroth to Luna, here."
Bones didn't seem all that surprised, but Hermione was. Thankfully, she didn't press for further information.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
When he entered the auditorium through an entrance near the stage, Harry was shocked by how many people were there. Of course, he only had about two seconds of seeing across the hall before he had flashes of wizarding cameras going off i his face, dazzling his vision pretty quickly.
He was just thankful that Hammer's aurors were making sure that none of them, or any of the public who were lucky enough to get in to watch, got anywhere near close to him or his.
With the exception of Luna, the rest of the party were shown to seats in the front row of the audience, while he and Luna were taken to the stairs leading up onto the low stage.
Once they were both sitting, Bones moved to the narrow podium with its built in Sonorous
"Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen," she began. "Today, I have the distinct honour of presenting the Order of Merlin, First Class, to our world's latest and once again hero, Lord Hardwin James Peverell-Potter."
While her own speech went on for about half an hour, covering exactly why Harry was being awarded a 'triple' Order of Merlin, First Class - complete with projected... edited... enlarged memories of the relevant events above a solicitor's pensieve - Harry almost groaned out loud when others also were called forth to give their speeches. They included the Chief Warlock, Miles Ogden, in Chief Warlock Wizengamot robes; the Head of the Unspeakables, 'Croaker', also in supposedly formal Unspeakable robes; and the latest Supreme Mugwump of the ICW, some woman from New Zealand who couldn't seem to correctly pronounce her vowels, who was there to confirm the ICWs support in the awarding of all three Orders.
Finally, Harry and Luna were called forward by the Minister.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Of course, there was a short break from the award ceremony before the dinner was due to start. And the Ministry's house elves needed time to reconfigure the auditorium into an over-sized dining hall cum ballroom.
For the break, Bones had already offered Harry and his retinue to rejoin her in the Minister's office suite. The offer had also already been accepted.
So, from the auditorium the party was gathered together by the aurors and, accompanying Bones and her Senior Undersecretary Diggory again, made their way through the same back way they took to get to the hall back to her offices.
As they were walking, Luna, who was walking alongside him, asked her boyfriend, "Did you see the Weasleys sitting up near the back?"
"Yes," he admitted. "It was hard to miss them; what with Molly wildly waving her hand to get my attention. As soon as I saw who it was I promptly ignored her for the rest of the ceremony."
She smirked and said, "You missed when she'd hopped out of her seat, soon after we ascended the stage, and tried to rush forward. She was blocked by two big male aurors and had to be practically dragged back to her seat."
Harry sighed and turned to Bones, "Are the Weasleys on the guest list for the dinner?"
"No," frowned Bones. "She did try to demand, through Arthur, she be invited though. Arthur's not high enough in the Ministry to get an invitation."
"Good," he firmly returned. "That she's not on the guest list; not that she tried to demand an invitation, I mean."
"Understood," she quietly said. "Though I was worried it would have been an issue regarding their not being invited until Lord Black informed me not to."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
The dinner, while the food was scrumptious, was otherwise a boring affair.
Harry and Luna sat at the head table with Bones, Ogden and his wife, the Supreme Mugwump and her husband, a somewhat mostly recovered Connie Hammer and her male 'partner' and others at the wings of whom Harry only knew in passing.
Sirius had been offered a seat 'plus one' at the table, but had earlier declined it to sit with Remus, Tonks and the Grangers at a table close-by. Harry kept an eye on what was happening at that table, somewhat worried about how the Grangers would be treated by their other table-mates. He was pleased to see that there was apparently no ire.
After the dinner portion of the evening, the tables were cleared and the dancing began.
Harry was rather sparing of how much time he was on the floor, as he remembered his poor showing at the Tri-Wizard Tournament Yule Ball. However, he did manage a couple of dances with Luna and even one with Hermione.
Most of the time he was being escorted by Bones with a couple of attending aurors from table to table; being introduced to so many people that, if he wasn't so skilled in Occlumency, he would have promptly forgotten all their names.
He was interested when introduced to Barnaby Cuffe, the Editor of the Daily Prophet, and his wife. He'd noticed a little water beetle he recognised sitting in the wife's hair.
With a direct glance to the beetle while talking to Cuffe, he said, "I'm thankful that Rita Skeeter's poisonous quill is not here, tonight. I daresay the witch would succumb to the desire to want to slander me in your newspaper. That would, of course, have resulted in my later dealing with the woman, you understand, in a permanent fashion."
Cuffe blanched.
"I hope you'll pass on the message from me that my threat to her, just because Riddle is dead, has not lessened."
"O-of course, My L-Lord," Cuffe stuttered. "I-I'll make sure she r-remembers that."
Harry just gave a stern nod back and allowed Bones to drag him off to the next person.
Once they were away from the table and moving to the next, Bones quietly asked, "Making friends, Lord Potter?"
"Ensuring enemies are not made, Minister," he just as quietly replied.
She quietly snickered.
Thankfully and as the guest of honour, Harry was expected to be the first to leave. He hung about long enough to get those dances in and having been introduced to every table before then making the decision to go.
However, even then, it was still a late night.
After giving a quiet word to Sirius that he and Luna were leaving, the two quickly escaped the night's festivities and left via floo back to Grimmauld.
"Whew!" he said, stepping away from the floo in Grimmauld. "Thank Merlin that's done with."
They were joined only ten minutes later by the others, including Tonks.
Once he was sure everyone had made it back safely, he said, "Well, I'm for bed. I'll see you folks in the morning."
"Me too," said Luna, quickly joining him.
Before he could leave, though, Hermione called, "Harry?"
When he turned to her, she softly smiled and quietly said, "Thank you for inviting us."
He grinned back and said, "You're welcome. It was nice having you there, Hermione. Thank you for sharing it with me."
And he and Luna were finally able to make their escape.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ