(Another chapter is here for you. I try to update twice a week...as long as the current chapter comes easily to me. Most times it don't. I know people are reading this -and I've gotten 4 reviews when 1100 visitors (this month) have read this. and yes I am aware this is defintely NOT Beta'd. I try to find my own mistakes after I write the chapter and before I post them. As always: I don't own it! Enjoy!)
Hogwarts, Manipulations, Board of Governors Meeting,….
ProngsPOV
Hermione, Ron and I were sitting outside enjoying the rare moment of warm weather that accompanied April. The sun was actually shining and there was several more groups of students that occupied the grassy grounds. Some were at the Black Lake watching the Giant Squid swim lazy laps.
Hermione was curled into a book and Ron had his deck of chocolate frog cards. He was sitting and swapping them with Dean and Neville. Alyssa was nowhere to be found. Of course she had been quite secretive lately. Since the last Quidditch match, she had crawled away from us. Always locking herself in the library with a stack of books that she wouldn't allow anyone to read.
When I asked her what they were she just mumbled "family related stuff" I wanted to argue with her that I was family too but the look she gave me could scare even Voldemort. Whatever it was, was personal and she didn't want anyone to know what was going on. Today, I knew she was buried in the library again researching some kind of magics.
Looking up, I spotted a black owl flying back toward the castle. Poe was flying against with more letters. The poor owl was exhausted. I had offered Hedwig to help him with his load of parchments that were constantly sent back and forth from Alyssa to whomever she was corresponding to.
One would think she was studying for her upcoming NEWTS. It was something that all the seventh year students were stressing out about. If they were that bad, I was sure I would be just like that when my seventh year came about. If my seventh year came. The fifth years weren't have too much fun either. Ron said that the twins were notoriously happy blokes were moody and sour when they were bothered.
She got off lucky, she said. She could have taken them at the beginning of the year, but she declined.
Prof Lupin had returned to class looking worse than he did before he left. I wasn't sure what was wrong but I could sense that Alyssa knew but wasn't telling me. The chapter on werewolves had me thinking but it was like I was looking at a puzzle a few pieces were missing. And I didn't like the mystery. I wanted the knowledge handed to me upfront.
Class resumed like normal. He, like Alyssa, seemed disturbed that we would go over werewolves when Snape was our substitute. Foregoing the homework, he said he would count that as extra credit. Which was a relief to some of us-with Hermione being the exception. Maybe that's why hers was three scrolls long instead of the two that Snape had ordered.
As for my other classes, I stayed on top of them as best I could. With Quidditch being for the season, I had plenty of time to get caught up. Ron constantly complained that I was becoming too much like Hermione. I studied too much instead of having fun. I didn't think it was such a bad thing to find Hermione and I hiding in the back of the library. Sometimes studying. Sometimes snogging.
As she and I became closer, the harder it became to hide our relationship. We constantly wanted to be like every other couple that we saw but our decision to hid this from Ron was starting to wear on us. Don't get me wrong, I wish I could tell him, but we both knew how it would end. He always seemed jealous of me. I had money...money...and houses and whatever I could lay my hands on. What he didn't realize that I had to give up the two most important people of my life to gain those treasures.
What Alyssa and I would do to get dad and mum back. To gain back the life that we both had been denied from the moment Voldemort threw that curse at them. I knew Alyssa still woke up from nightmares from that night. She didn't tell me anything about it but I knew.
On more than one occasion, Alyssa had caught Hermione in a...compromising position. In the back of the library, which my sister liked to use as well, she found us snogging. That was probably the most embarrassing moment of my life and I knew that, from the gleam in her eye, that she wouldn't say anything but she would do something to 'help' steer me in the right direction. She said she couldn't because she was female.
I had a choice. Talk to Sirius or talk to Harry. I wasn't sure if I wanted to talk to either of them. I mean, I heard things from the other blokes in my dorm about girls, but did I want to endure the embarrassment of talking to Sirius or Harry about it. Harry was bonded to my sister and Sirius had been in Azkaban for over a decade. Not much I had to go on.
Though, Harry would probably be easier. He was just a few years older than me and didn't spend a decade of his existence out of touch with society. Things had changed since Sirius had been in school and on the dating scene.
Looking back at Hermione, I caught her eye. I wanted to lean over and kiss her mouth and taste those lips that I had barely touched in two days. Getting alone with her seemed to be impossible unless we were in the library. And there were only so many times you could use the library as an excuse. Alyssa had offered to lend me the Marauders Map to sneak around, but Hermione declined while I secretly pocketed it.
The Headmaster had been unofficially quiet for a while now. HE hadn't spoken much to me or Alyssa since the beginning of the second term. Or at least that's what she told me. Like her, I believed that he wouldn't be able to keep himself quiet for too much longer. Something was going to happen or something had already happened and he was waiting for his moment. Good luck to him to force me to go back to the Dursleys this summer. It wasn't my home. It would never be my home. Whatever his excuse to keep me there was no longer going to work.
This summer, I was worried. I was going to the camp in America. America, can you believe it? I never thought I would be able to go anywhere outside the United Kingdom. Would there be other kids there at my age? Alyss told me that ninety percent of campers were American. American had a different way of teaching their students. She said they may be a bit more advanced than I was but never to fear. There were the other ten percent that came from other countries. Supposedly you had to admit your application when the child showed magical abilities and then wait until they were fourteen before they could be admitted.
I wasn't sure how Alyssa got in but she said she pulled strings to get me in. I was ready for this, but I would be missing half of my summer in America. And next summer I would be missing it too. She said camp was only for two summers. She would be the one to teach me the basics of Occlumency. Myles Harris, would be my official mentor.
Just then Alyssa stepped out of the castle looking much better than she had in a few days. Everyone around her was studying and she was standing there with no book in her hands. The smile on her face didn't reach her eyes like it hadn't for days now. In our weekly get-together, she told that Sirius had been by to see our lawyer for the Penesive. But she hadn't said anything about what transpired from it.
Taking a seat, she laid back onto the ground and sighed happily. This wasn't Ilvermorny but I don't think she cared. Hermione peeked up at her, but said nothing. Ron completely ignored her like he normally did. There was something between them that neither Hermione and I could figure out. She guessed it was how immature Ronald seemed to Alyssa.
But the one thing that we hadn't hear about was the trial of Buckbeak. Hagrid had yet to return to the castle. I'm assuming he was still fighting for Buckbeak's cause. In my heart, I hoped that Buckbeak would be forgiven. Given the circumstances of what transpired that day. Malfoy intentionally provoked him causing harm to himself. Not the other way around. I would be happy to testify if Hagrid needed me too.
Prof Grubby-Plank was a decent teacher from what remaining limbs he possessed. I know his job wasn't easy working with dangerous creatures all the time. The class wasn't boring but it wasn't Hagrid.
It had been another few day since that warm April day when Alyssa took a seat beside me at the Great Hall. The rain had come to Hogwarts and by Merlin it wasn't letting up. It had gotten so bad that we weren't even allowed to have Creatures. So Prof Grubby-Plank was forced to do it all inside in an empty classroom. The whole of the grounds were flooded and everyone was fretting that the Hogsmeade trip would be cancelled for flooding. Even I was worried.
As she took a seat, Dobby popped in and handed her a small bag. I gave her a curious look when she thanked him and opened the bag. When she pulled the contents out, I shook my head. It was food.
"I blame Harry for spoiling me…." she muttered to no one in particular. Even though I was sitting right beside her.
"What's that?" I asked startling her. She must have known I was beside her but didn't think I would be paying attention.
"Turkey and tomato panini." she said before unwrapping it. "It's my favorite sandwich. Harry makes a point to have Dobby set me up with one occasionally."
Shaking my head, I turned back to my homework. I was wrist deep in ink and parchment when I heard a familiar crying. Looking up, my seeker reflexes caught a crying Hermione. This was bad. Hermione crying was very very bad. Grabbing her, I tried pulling her to me. She tried fighting me until she realized it was me.
"Oh Harry!" she cried and threw herself at me. The whole of the student body stared at us in a mix of amusement and worry. Everyone knew that Hermione wasn't the type of girl to cry over nothing. Alyssa shot me an amused, but pitying look before she set her sandwich down. I watched her close her eyes and shudder.
I knew what this meant. I had to get Hermione out of the Great Hall. Taking thing weeping form of my girlfriend by the arm, I gently led her down the aisle to the doors that led out of the Hall. As we left, we heard a loud mocking crying howl come from the Slytherin table. She wobbled every few steps. I knew she was blind because of her tears so I helped steer her to an empty classroom.
Leading her in, she took a seat. Her tears making my heart ache for her. What could be so wrong? With a wave of my wand, I used the Potter locking charm and turned back to her. I took a step toward her when she flung herself into my arms. Her sobs echoed around the empty classroom and I weaved my arms around her waist to hold her up.
Tears soaked through my robes and I let her cry herself out. I was like any other male with a crying girl in his arms. I was awkward about it, but I wanted to comfort her. I surely hope I was doing a half decent job-given the circumstances.
Finally, after several long minutes, Hermione cried herself out. Those alligator tears turned into sniffles and she grasped me with a death grip. Not that I minded, you know. I didn't dare breathe a word. I knew that when she was ready, she would tell me. Hermione always did. That was one of the things I loved about our relationship.
Yes, I said love.
"Harry…." she whispered.
"Yes, Hermione?"
"I talked to Hagrid. It's not good, Harry." she sniffled again. "They found Buckbeak guilty and he's going to be executed."
Her words shot a hole in my chest. The creature didn't do anything but what was in its nature to do. He defended himself against a threat. "When?" my voice was strangled.
"I don't know, but Hagrid's torn to pieces about it. He feels like he's failed somehow." her voice was far too in pain for my taste.
"We need to go see him. Find Ron and we'll go see him." I said. She nodded at me and I looked into her tear-stained eyes and leaned down to kiss her softly. Taking her hand a minute later, I unlocked the door to look for Ron. We found him a few minutes later sitting in the Great Hall. A mound of food around him.
"Ron, we need to go see Hagrid." I said nudging him from his mountain.
"Wus fur?" he asked mouth full of food. Alyssa and Hermione both made a disgusted face. I ignored it and glared at him. He swallowed quickly, "OK, OK...I'm coming."
He followed me and Hermione out the Great Hall and toward the outside. The rain had finally slowed to a drizzle, but we knew it wouldn't last long. We had to make this quick. We didn't talk until we got closer to Hagrid's hut. Stopping he stood his ground and stared at us."I want to know why it's urgent we see Hagrid."
"Because he's gonna need us…" I started.
"Buckbeak's trial failed. He's going to be executed, Ronald." Hermione interrupted.
Ron paled and nodded his head somberly. He had been quite a help, though he complained several times, but he helped out. He was just as involved as Hermione and I were. Taking the steps down the pathway, we made it to Hagrid's hut. We stood before the hut and no one wanted to knock on the door, but I finally did. When it did open, Fang stood there and looked us over. Hagrid, looked worse for wear. He must have been crying because his face was all splotchy.
"Com in ye three…" he said lowly. Moving aside, we all entered the hut and took a seat around the table. No one said anything yet, but Hermione moved quickly to give him a hug.
"'Spect 'Ermione's told yeh two about Beaky?" he asked taking a seat as well. Both Ron and I nodded. I didn't with for this to happen, but it did.
"What happened Hagrid?" I asked.
"Dey usual. Ole Malfoy skerd the panel to judge Beaky wrong." he sighed and took a sip of something. Something I was sure wasn't tea.
"Can anything else be done about it?" Ron asked finally voicing his words.
"Nah, been tryin for days now. Can't get nuffin off these people. Dey says he's a dang'rous creature. Beaky dint do nuffin' wrong!" The tears arrived after that statement. Hermione was close to tears again but refrained for Hagrid's sake.
We sat there for a few minutes longer before we remembered we still had two more classes to go. Potions and Charms. I groaned inwardly about Potions, but at least Charms was tolerable. I preferred Prof Flitwick over Snape anyday. Leaving and promising that we would be back soon, we hurried up the steps to the castle to avoid the heavy rain that threatened to unleash upon us. Entering the Hall, we grabbed our things and ignored the stare from Alyssa. I would tell her later.
Potions was unbearable, resulting in nearly twenty point loss for Gryffindor. I listened and did well. I had gotten better at Potions since Alyssa taught me how to really study for this class. Hermione, on the other hand, was purely genius. Ron, this time was mostly his fault. He added the wrong ingredient and his cauldron melted but before it did it exploded like fireworks.
I would have laughed, but the glare Hermione shot me was deadly. She was having a hard time coping from the news of Buckbeak and I can't say that I blame her. I hated that he was going to be executed, but there was nothing we could do about it now. We would have to wait until it was time to be there for Hagrid.
Charms was much easier, we were learning the Cheering Charm which I thought was oddly appropriate for what was going on today. It helped lift the moods of the bad weather we were having. As we exited the class an hour later, everyone was sporting a huge smile on their faces and the older students snickered as we walked by them. Alyssa suppressed a healthy laugh but managed to give me a slight pitying smile. She frowned hearing about Buckbeak, but like the rest of us, knew we were out of options to help him.
"Cheering charm?" she asked covering her mouth. Her eyes twinkling.
"Yes, it's quite enlightening...would you like to be shown?" I threatened pulling my wand at her.
"Oh, no thank you good sir. I sported several of those in my second year. Thanks to a misfire. My jaw was sore for three days afterwards." she chuckled lightly.
Alyssa, would have worse news when I saw her later today and this time it would be me on the chopping block.
Alyssa POV
The morning that Hermione had burst into the Great Hall crying, I had received a letter-OK, well I intercepted a letter from Hedwig for Prongs. It was from the Board of Governors. And it wasn't good news. Lucius Malfoy had complained about Prongs casting a spell on his son and he wanted Prongs to pay. I groaned in frustration. On top of everything I had going on this was going to be thrown into?
My list of problems consisted like this:
Magical Suppression-still researching.
NEWTS-I wasn't worried but I still needed to study
Preparing for my Auror training
Prongs leaving for America
Locating Uncle Siriy's wand
Educating myself about the Potter inheritance
And now this. I couldn't escape. I needed Harry. I needed his strength to keep me from hexing everyone in sight. Watching Prongs led a very tearful and highly emotional Hermione out of the Great Hall, I knew something bad had happened. I just didn't know what. But when they came back demanded that Ron follow them to Hagrid's hut. I connected the dots. The Buckbeak trial didn't go in Hagrid's favor and I'm sure the hippogriff was going to have a date with an axe.
I don't mean to sound hateful-I'm not but the law here were irritating to say the least. If it were America, there would a Penesive admitted to the hearing. Not just by word of mouth, but like I've said before. Money rules with an iron fist in Magical Britain. They returned shortly before the rain began again. I wasn't aware that Scotland rained so much but from what several seventh years told me that it never rained like this in all their time at Hogwarts. I had half a mind to think it was a spell.
I realize, even now, that when Prongs had tried to get me to talk these past few weeks, I had shut him out. I was too busy keeping my anger in check. The more I learned about the Magical Suppression, the angrier I became. I wasn't sure if it was just me that was affected or maybe Prongs too. In between homework, I researched. There had to be a spell somewhere that I could cast on Prongs to see if he was affected as I.
So, when my fruitless research finally bloomed into something, I nearly cheered with joy. In an old healer text, I found a spell that I could cast almost silently on the victim to see if their magical core or traits had been suppressed. It was a tad lengthy spell that had to be cast when the victim was alone, but willing to know. Unfortunately for me, I couldn't cast it on myself. I had to have someone do it for me. And no one in the seventh year class, I could trust to do it without asking questions. I was left in a quandary. That left me asking Uncle Siriy, Uncle Moony or Harry. Uncle Siriy was out of the question. Until he was exonerated, his flea bitten ass couldn't leave Potter Manor. Harry was traveling again. Trust me, I know. I felt him leave. This time with our souls being bonded less than a month ago, the pain that ripped through me was excruciating. No one, not even Prongs, knew what happened.
So I had Uncle Moony to do it. He was my last resort.
Two hours before curfew a few nights later, just only days before the Board of Governors meeting. I was standing in front of Uncle Moony's office. I was nervous as hell and I wasn't sure if he would be willing to listen long enough to help me. I know he owed a lot to Albus for offering him a job. And while I was grateful for it too, family meant more than a job. If things became bad for Uncle Moony, the House of Potter would always help him.
I just hope he knew that.
Shuffling my book in my arms, I knocked twice and waited. He may not even be in his office, but I needed this done. I waited for a few minutes before I knocked. This time I was rewarded for my patience. The door slowly creaked open and a weary Uncle Moony stared back at me. I could feel his curiosity pouring off him. It wasn't unusual for me to stop by and take tea with him, but showing up unannounced sparked it. Opening the door further open, he stepped aside and let me in.
"Now, what can I do for you Alyssa?" he asked closing the door. "It's quite unusual for you to be here on a random weekday night…"
"I need your help with a spell…" I spoke quickly.
He looked at me warily and sighed taking a seat on his desk, "Alyssa, you know as well as I do, you never need help with any spells. I'm not even sure what I can teach you in class."
I smirked and took a seat in a nearby chair and looked at him expectantly. "I know this isn't the norm, but I can't cast this spell on myself by myself. I need someone to do it for me."
Now I piqued his interest. His green eyes penetrated mine and it was the look of not an Uncle but a Professor. Between him and Uncle Siriy, he was the more serious minded one. It was something I looked up too. While Prongs looked to Uncle Siriy for his youthfulness, I looked up to Uncle Moony for his wisdom.
"And what spell do you wish me to cast?" he asked with full interest.
"It's to see if there's been a magical suppression spell cast on me." I explained slowly hoping he would understand.
"What makes you think there's a magical suppression spell on you?"
"I've been reading through the Book of Potter Abilities and I noticed that Prongs and I are supposed to inherit a few…."
"Alyssa, that book is vast. How in Merlin's name do you know if you're going to inherit anymore?" Uncle Moony interrupted.
"...Because if I was supposed to, I would inherit them by my seventeenth birthday. Uncle Moony," I paused and looked at him, "my birthday was last August. I've been seventeen for nearly a year now."
His eyes widened and he nodded in affirmation. He believed me. "You know as well as I do, that if there are abilities, they are received by the seventeenth birthday." I continued.
"Yes, I am aware Alyssa. How did you find this spell?"
I blushed and picked at my nails. He knew about my empathic ability so his curiosity was controlled. "I've spent the past few weeks in deep research."
"What about your NEWTS? They're coming up and I know they're going to be important for you if you want to go to Healer school." He asked coming to his feet and looking down at me.
"I've got that covered. Don't worry Uncle Moony." I assured him. "I found it in an old Healer text. Can you please check for me? I've had a serious sense of foreboding since I read about this last year."
"I can. Don't get your hopes up if there's nothing." he warned me. GIving him a grateful smile, I handed him the sheet of paper that had the spell on it. He glanced at me in confusion. It was in High Latin, but I wasn't fully sure about the translation. "What if there is a magical suppression on your gifts? What is the indicator?"
"The text said I would glow purple and the traits that are suppressed would float above me in a bubble." I explained flipping to the right page.
He pulled his wand out, reading over the spell, he begun casting. "Revelabit virtutes latentes venit ad lucem, Qualis est absconditus"
I wanted to close my eyes, but I was too scared too. When the spell hit me, I glowed a deep purple. The color covered my entire being as if it was tapping into my magical core. Above me, a shimmery bubble hovered. Uncle Moony reached for a quill and parchment and wrote down what he saw. Cancelling the spell once he made sure his copy was correct, he sighed and sat down on his desk again.
"Well you were right. There is a magical suppression on your magic." He confirmed my worst fear. That fear turned to anger and I felt it grow. It started at the base of my spine and weaved its way through each vertebra until it reached my mind and all I saw was that same purple glow that had tapped into my magical core. An invisible wind whipped around me making my robes billow slightly.
"Alyssa, you need to calm down. Getting angry will not help make things better." he cautioned.
If I had the suppression, then I know Prongs had it now. I'm just curious why I had my Empathic abilities if the suppression was to control all the abilities?
"The list says there are several abilities that are suppressed:
Presentence (which is the ability to sense events instead of seeing them),
Elemental powers but based on the Zodiac sign.
Ward Manipulation.
Spell creation
Enhanced Smell
Empath
"This is quite a list, Alyssa. What worries me was that it picked up something else. It says that your magical core is cut by 25%. That's also why you can't use your Empathic ability to full power." he explained with confusion in his voice. "What I don't understand is if your abilities are suppressed then why can you use your Empathic ability?
My hands trembled as I took the parchment from him. I read over it as well. These were some of the abilities I figured Prongs and I could have inherited. "Do you think it has something to do when I went to the Academy?"
"If they ran test on your to determine your HMI, sure." he nodded his head at me. "Your Healer or Trainer could have forced a break in the suppression. If it's cracked then it will be easy to tear down. Or, if not then the Empathic ability is something you can't fully suppress. Didn't you say that Harry can pick up emotions already?"
"Yea, but what if his are suppressed like mine, just much more severe? I just assume when he turns fifteen he'll be able to use the Empathic ability like I can. It's when…." I railed off thinking furiously. "It's when I was at camp and I got sick. The Healer said something about suppression. I was down and out so I thought I had made it up."
"There you have it." I could tell he was getting angry. The wolf in him snarled and I felt it backlash on me. I eyed him and he began to pace around the room. A caged animal who was trying to get out. Be free and kill without remorse.
"I need to cast the spell on Prongs, you know that right?" I asked with caution. His head snapped but he nodded warily.
"We can't tonight. There's not enough time to explain it to him without him exploding. He will take it a lot worse than you. You already suspected something was wrong, but when he finds out, it's going to be Hell. Everyone knows how susceptible he is when he's told something that will anger him."
"It's not his fault." I protested.
"No, it's not but he's going to have to learn to control it. Much like I have too or you do. That strictly comes from the Potter side. Even your Grandfather had a mean temper when he was angry."
I nodded and grabbed my book and parchment. I charmed it quickly that no one could see it but me. Now that I knew what was being suppressed, I could finally start to lean how to break the suppression. I already had a feeling who did it. But it was only a suspicion.
"Did it say who was the caster?" I asked before I left the room.
Uncle Moony didn't look at me, but sighed. "No, it didn't."
I nodded and left the room. I knew he was lying. If he was lying there was a good reason why he was lying to me. He knew who did it and whoever it was, he was protecting. He was trying to protect the caster from the likes of Prongs and I when we found out.
Entering the Common Room, Prongs was waiting on me. He didn't look real happy to see me. No, scratch that-he was angry. I could feel it as soon as I pushed the portrait open. Stalking up to me, he held a piece of parchment in his hands.
"You! You knew about this and didn't tell me!" he shook the parchment in my face. I backed up a bit before he could smack me in the face with it.
I sighed. I already knew what it was. "If you would sit down and stop yelling at me I was going to tell you tonight. I just had something important that came up."
He was still angry but from the fact that he was going to give me a chance to explain myself meant that he cared more than he let on. Taking a seat by the fireplace, he turned to me and handed me the parchment. "What does this mean?"
"It means you're going to be questioned by the Board of Governors about the Patronus Charm you set against Draco Malfoy at the Ravenclaw game. I overheard Lucius Malfoy tearing into the Headmaster about it. And when he asked who did it; the headmaster told him you did it." I braced myself for the assault that was about to hit me. He was already angry that I read his mail but to find out that the Headmaster turned him over to his enemy.
"HE. DID. WHAT?" he shouted loudly. I cast a Silencing and Privacy Charm in quick succession. No one needed to hear what Prongs was about to say.
"That sodding bastard turned me over. I was defending myself! I can't believe he would betray me like that. I didn't do ANYTHING! If anything, Malfoy should be expelled for this. What he did was stupid and dangerous!" he howled at no one in particular. I sat there on the couch and watched him pace back forth in front of the fireplace. I winced when the flames crawled higher into the chimney. His eyes were blazing a bright emerald and I was forced to shut my Empathic link down harshly. I was going to have a huge headache later for it. The anger tendrils flicked at me but I could finally see his magic flicker around him.
"Prongs, you need to calm down. I am going to have to be there for it. Dumbledore can't say anything about it. I'm your guardian. I will try to do what I can to keep you from having your wand snapped." His head shot up at my words.
"You really think they would do that?" his face paled and he sat down heavily. The anger that he had been building bleed off quickly.
"Not if you have a Penesive of what happened. Lucky for you, Xander Draven is meeting us us the Three Broomsticks to get it. He's not going to let Lucius Malfoy win. We'll be going tomorrow afternoon after classes. I am done around 2pm and you're done just shortly after, right?"
He nodded at me and I wrapped him in my arms. He took a shuddering breath and I sighed into his hair. "What would I do without you here to protect me?" he mumbled.
I softly snorted. "I'm here to love you and take care of you. Don't worry Prongs, I've got you covered."
Shooing him off to bed, I soon crawled in mine. The next day, Prongs was strung tighter than a tightrope. He radiated a bad mood for the first part of the day until lunch when I told him to snap out of it. Then he became nervous. There wasn't anything I could do but ease him. Hermione and Ron, who were informed sometime that morning, were incensed that the Headmaster could do such a thing and snitch on Prongs.
Hermione was in a far worse mood than Ronald was because she was Prong's girlfriend and knew he was innocent. Everyone was right when they said he didn't know they weren't Dementors, but humans underneath the cloaks. News travelled fast and when I was summoned to the Headmaster's office, I was already agitated beyond measure.
Entering his office, I was prepared for a fight. Reaching out with my senses, I felt only a few emotion from him. He might be a damn good Occlumens, but you can't suppress emotions.
Arrogance
Deceit
Mistrust
"Miss Potter, I have regretfully been informed by the Board of Governors that they wish to interrogate Mr Potter about the false Dementor attack."
Yea, right. You ratted my brother out. I thought with a touch of anger.
"Yes, Harry has received the same letter."
"I'm sure he is distraught over it. Might I ask how he learned the Patronus Charm?" he asked eyeing me with a deathly twinkle in his eye.
"You'd have to ask him. What special training he learns outside my instruction is his own business." I replied narrowing my eyes at him.
He looked taken aback by my tone. Guess he figured he would find me just as distraught and ready to run for help. Not this girl.
"Miss Potter, he very well may have his wand snapped. We can't have that, can we?"
"No, we can't. Never fear Headmaster, I got this."
"What do you mean?" he asked trying to probe my mind again. Wouldn't this bastard ever learn not to probe. He knew I was an accomplished Occlumens.
"Don't you worry about it.." I assured him vaguely.
"If you're planning on leaving the grounds, I forbid it." he snapped finally losing his patience with me.
"I'm Harry's guardian. This is a school related issue. He will be advised by the best on how to properly handle a situation like this." I said trying to keep my temper in check.
"And who is 'properly advising him'?" he asked throwing my words back at him.
"Like I said. Don't worry. Now Headmaster, if you'll excuse me, I have to get to more class." I grabbed my bag and nodded to him as I left. Dismissing myself. I really didn't have another class and he couldn't do anything about me leaving. I had already cleared it with Prof McGonagall and she gave permission to leave the grounds. We had two hours to get what we needed done. Dumbledore won't like who my lawyer was when he found out in a few days.
Finding Prongs a while later after I had visited the Infirmary for a Pain relief potion, I told him to ditch his bags and dress in his best robes. I hurried to my dorm and changed into my Potter robes and met him downstairs. Good thing it was finally warming up and the rain had finally stopped or we'd be cold and soaked to the bone.
Hermione and Ron were waiting with him-I suppose giving him reassurance when I arrived. Giving him a pained smile, I led him out of the castle as quietly and less noticeable as I could. We didn't need to attract attention but I knew we would have some whispers follow us. That was fine with me. Hermione and Ron said they would dispel any rumors for us.
He followed me down the path that led to Hogsmeade. Seeing the Three Broomsticks, we walked in during the day hours and instantly found Xander Draven waiting on us. He was dressed in silvery blue robes with a Muggle suit underneath it. Very chic. Getting to his feet, he nodded his head at the both of us.
"Lady Potter, Mr Potter. Let's have a seat, shall we?" he said motioning for us to sit down.
We did and I could feel Prong's nerves flare up again. Settling in himself, he grabbed a folder and opened it. "Now, I have received the copy of the letter sent to you Mr Potter by the Board and I have reviewed it. I will ask this, did you do this with malice intent?"
"No-No...I didn't. I thought they were Dementors. At forty feet up, they looked just like them. I wasn't aware it was humans underneath!" he sputtered his explanation. I gave him a wryly smile and turned back to the amused expression of Mr Draven.
"So this was in full self defense?"
"Something like that. I mean a Dementor around a huge gathering of students, I suppose you can say I was defending them." Prongs replied with a little more confidence.
Mr Draven beamed at his mature answer. "Good. Good. Now to help make your case solid, we're going to need the Penesive from that day.." he reached down in his bag of tricks and pulled out a pocket Penesive. "This is a standard courtroom Penesive. Do you know how to do it?"
"No, not really I don't." Prongs said looking at me.
"Ah, just take your wand. Placing against your temple and think of the memory. I need the whole memory-mind you and pull very gently from your temple and place the memory in the Penesive." He explained as he enlarged his pocket Penesive. Prongs did as instructed and soon there was a silver floating whisp coming from his temple.
He did it on the first try. Didn't even need help. I beamed inwardly. Placing the memory in the Penesive, he sat back and pocketed his wand.
"Now, we have everything we need. Lady Potter, once I review this, I will owl you. Hmm?" he said looking at me. Nodding my head, he gathered his things and proceeded to leave.
Turning back to Prongs, he sighed and closed his eyes. "Do we really need our lawyer for this?"
"Probably not, but Xander Draven is one of the best lawyers out there. Imagine the uproar when he shows up next week for the meeting." I chuckled lightly. This was by far the better idea I've had in a few weeks.
He gave a soft laugh and we realized we had to leave. Leading him out the Three Broomsticks, we headed back to the castle where I would retreat to my journal-I desperately missed Harry and I hoped I could convince him to show up next week. He already knew about the meeting and wasn't pleased by how Prongs was being treated. Prongs would take to his friends and sneak off with Hermione later.
Prongs POV
The morning of the meeting, I was in a dreadful state. Not being able to sleep that night didn't help. It only increased the fear that I might have my wand snapped and where would I be then? I was too young to learn wandless magic, but if it was snapped then I would be kicked out of Hogwarts.
Powerless.
This is why I had to have trust in Mr. Xander. He had owled Alyssa saying that the Penesive had been reviewed and it showed I was in full self defense-given the circumstances. This was little relief but I was still terrified. She seemed optimistic, but I didn't. Nothing ever went my way, so why start being optimistic now?
Rolling out of bed, I opted to skip my morning run with Alyssa. Trudging to the showers, I shwered quickly and as quietly as I could. I didn't want to disturb anyone. Returning to the dorm, I hunted in my trunk for my nicest school robes. But what I found was different. They were a shimmering dark blue robes. Holding them up, I looked at them closely. There was a crest above the left breast. Peering at it, I gasped and looked around before looking back at it.
These were the Potter family robes.
Alyssa must have had Dobby put them with my things. Shaking my head, I got dress and slipped the robes on. They were soft, quite unlike my school robes. Leaving my dorm with everyone just now starting to rise, I walked down the stairs to find Alyssa and Hermione sitting by the fire. They must have heard me coming down the steps because they turned to greet me. Only Hermione stood up to come to me.
Pushing an errant strand of hair behind her ear, I looked around seeing the Common Room empty and placed a light kiss on her lips. She sighed into my kiss and I knew she wished we could find a quiet place. Taking her hand, we took a seat beside Alyssa who had turned back to the fire and her journal. It was amazing how it could appear without warning.
She was scribbling away while Hermione leaned into me. Her body soft and warm beside mine, I cast a glance down to her and smiled. It felt like I was in heaven. "Since when did you get the Potter robes?" she asked quietly.
"Since I had them ordered for him. I figured he needed his own…" Alyssa spoke up closing her journal. "They don't show his rank like mine do, since he's not old enough, but they show which family he belongs too."
"Good enough explanation for me. Let's head down to eat before everyone gets up." I suggested. Taking Hermione's hand I led her out of the Common Room with Alyssa trailing. Taking a seat in the Great Hall, I didn't have much of an appetite, so I ate like my sister. After a while if sitting in comfortable silence the Great Hall started to fill up with the noise of students. This was a Saturday, so there wouldn't be any classes.
Our housemates looked at Alyssa and I warily as they sat down. The color coordinated robes must have thrown them. Only Ron, who after filling his plate, was the bravest one to speak up. "Where did you get the robes, Harry?"
"Alyssa." I simply said sipping on tea.
"Yea….what's going on today?" Ginny spoke up taking a seat beside her brother.
"We have the Governor's Board Meeting today."
Her eyes widened at us. "That's today?"
"Yea, I know. I'm not looking around to it." I muttered. Hermione squeezed my hand under the table.
"It's starts at nine, so we need to get a move on." Alyssa spoke up checking her watch. I nodded and Hermione squeezed my hand again for luck. Everyone waved goodbye and good luck. Following my sister out of the Great Hall, we ran into Prof McGonagall.
"I see you two are ready to go...Shall we?" she motioned toward the Entrance. None of us talked as we walked toward Hogsmeade. The closer we got the more my feet felt like lead. I was dreading this. Alyssa turned her head slightly to look at me, concern written all over her face. She gave me a tight smile and I knew she knew what I was feeling.
Stopping, McGonagall looked at us, "The meeting has been moved to The Leaky Cauldron. Miss Potter, I know you can apparate. Are you side-long apparating with Mr. Potter or do I need to make a portkey?"
"I can apparate us. It might take me two trips, but I can do it." Alyssa reassured out Head of House.
"Nevertheless, I will not have splinching yourself for this." McGonagall muttered and pulled out a bit of rope. "Take this.." We both grabbed it and I felt a jerk at my navel. Flying through the air, we landed a few minutes later. Alyssa had managed to grab my arm to steady my from falling on my ass.
Seeing the inner workings of Diagon Alley, we followed McGonagall toward the entrance that would lead us back to Muggle London. Tapping the bricks, it opened up to reveal the Leaky Cauldron. That lead ball in my stomach grew to epic proportions. Ushering me in, we followed McGonagall toward a meeting room after speaking with Tom.
Entering the room, there was a long table with chairs behind it. An assortment of chairs were in front it like it was a classroom setting instead of a meeting. Turning around, I noticed Alyssa wasn't with us. Excusing myself, I went to look for her.
Finding her in the arms of Harry wasn't all that surprisingly. What surprised me was that he was here. The instant change that took place between them was intense. You could see a golden glow surround them as they snogged. Breaking the kiss a minute later, he held her close but spotted me.
"How ya feeling Prongs?" he asked nodding at me.
"Like I'd rather fall off my broom and smack the ground." I grumbled.
"Well when Mr. Draven gets here we'll talk, so don't worry." Alyssa reassured me. As soon as she said it, our lawyer stepped through the door. Seeing us, he motioned for us to take a seat. His back away from the door so that no one would know it was him. I sat beside him while Alyssa and Harry took the seats across from us.
"Now, from what I know this is a simple questioning. I will ask you what happened, where you learned the Charm and if you knew they were humans, not Dementors. All you have to is answer the questions. Now, they might ask you to be put under Veritaserum. If you don't, I warn you, it could go bad."
I nodded and gulped. "I thought we had a Penesive?"
"Oh, we do. Don't you worry about that. That's in case things get hinky." He assured me quickly. "Hopefully we won't have to use it."
"Ahem-hem." we heard. Our heads turned in the direction of Prof McGonagall. "If you are ready, we need to do this."
We nodded and stood up. Alyssa's hand clenched tightly in Harry's, and her other hand looking for mine. Finding it, she grasped it and held tightly. Maybe she was much more worried than she let on. Then again, I didn't feel as nervous as I had earlier. That lead ball seemed to shrink. My eyes widened as I realized she was suppressing my emotions. Harry let go of her hand and opened the door for everyone. I tried to tug my hand away from Alyssa but he shot me a look and I quit trying to release myself.
Sitting down, I gulped seeing several people already sitting in the seats that were once unoccupied. Across the row from us were Lucius Malfoy and Draco. Surprisingly, Snape wasn't here. After everyone was settled, the door opened and Albus walked in and smiled benignly at the table. His face paled a little seeing our lawyer with us. I hid my smirk and turned back to the Board members.
"Today is April 24, 2004 and we are hear to question, one Harry James Potter, for use of a spell against Draco Malfoy. Can everyone please state their names."
"Draco Malfoy, I was asked here by the Board."
"Lord Lucius Malfoy, I am Draco's father. I was asked here as well."
It was my turn, "Harry Potter, I was asked here by the Board."
"Lady Alyssa Potter, I am Harry's sister. I was asked here by the Board."
"Xander Draven, I represent Mr. Potter." our lawyer said. I caught a look at the Malfoys. Both looked like they swallowed something sour.
This went on for the Headmaster and McGonagall. When everyone was named present, excluding Harry, the proceedings begin.
"Mr Potter, can you please have a seat and we'll begin the questioning." said the third member who was almost as old as McGonagall. I nodded and stood up. Taking a seat in front of the Board, our lawyer stood to addressed the questions.
"Mr Potter, can you tell us what happened?"
"I was in the middle of the Ravenclaw game when I saw three hooded figures come onto the Pitch. I knew that Dementors could be dangerous to the student population and I felt I needed to defend us. So I cast the Patronus Charm."
There was a hushed murmuring from the Board members. Not many adults, let alone student can perform that spell.
"And where did you learn this Charm?" he asked intrigued.
"I had asked my sister but she said no. Prof Lupin volunteered to teach me." I said.
"Did you know they were humans, and not Dementors?" he asked giving a look toward the Board.
"No, I didn't. I later found out through Miss Granger and Miss Weasley that it was Draco and his friends up to a prank."
"Thank you Mr. Potter. That will be all from me." Xander said giving me a benign smile.
"This is nonsense! He cast a spell on my son. I want his wand snapped!" Lucius bellowed. "He could be lying!"
I cast a glance at Alyssa whose glare could burn metal. If it wasn't for Harry holding her hand, she would have hexed Lucius.
"Lord Lucius you will wait till you're called." Board member number two said with agitation. "However he is right. Mr Potter could be lying to us. Is there any proof that this is true?"
"Ah, yes there is." Xander said pulling the Penesive from his pocket. "This is a courtroom Penesive and I had the pleasure of getting the memory from Mr Potter last week. May I?"
"You may…."
"Thank you." he said as he set up the Penesive. Putting it on 'Presentation Mode' the lights dimmed in the room and my memory showed up.
Everyone watched as I was flying around to catch the Snitch when the dark looming figure emerged onto the Pitch. It did look like a Dementor from my viewpoint. They watched as I pulled my wand and cast Expecto Patronum and the shot of silvery roped spell hurdled at them. Then the memory ended.
"Very nicely done, Prongs." Harry leaned over whispering. I gave him a tight smile and turned back to the Board who were discussing.
"In light of a Penesive, which we know cannot be altered, we see that Mr Potter did nothing wrong except to attempt to protect himself and the students."
"But-But! He used a spell on a student!" Lucius exploded.
'Yes, we are aware of that Lord Malfoy; however if the situation was resolved within the grounds of the school and under the Headmaster's oversee then there isn't anything we can do about it." Board member number one stated clearly.
I sagged in my chair. I wasn't going to have my wand snapped! I was going to be able to keep practicing magic and go to Hogwarts. With that everyone was dismissed. Alyssa grabbed me and Harry and pulled us from the room quickly. Entering back into the tavern half of the Leaky Cauldron, she collapsed in a chair. Harry sat down beside her and she rested her head on his shoulder.
Casting a Privacy Charm, he looked around the room. "Now, will you release my emotions!" I shot angrily at her.
She sighed and moved her head slightly toward the left. "You're good to go. I needed to do that. You were a freakin' train wreck! If I didn't do something, you were going to drive me mad. Then lose your temper..."
"She's right Prongs. My hand is still sore." he flexed his fingers but gave her a soft smile. Kissing the top of her head, she closed her eyes. " I don't like when she does it either. She's done it to me before. It makes you feel like a zombie."
"The closest to zombies we have is Inferi." she muttered sleepily. I hadn't a clue what they were so I kept my mouth shut.
We watched as everyone with the exception of Prof McGonagall left. Neither Lucius, Draco or the Headmaster looked extremely pleased. Draco shot me a death glare that I gladly returned. McGonagall offered to let us sit and break for lunch but when she saw Alyssa start to doze off, she shot me a questioningly look.
"She was suppressing Pron-I mean Harry's emotions during the meeting. It tires her out." Harry explained.
"If she's too tired, we can always portkey back to the castle." McGonagall offered.
"I'm good. I'm just resting my eyes." Alyssa mumbled. Everyone chuckled but laughed when she stuck her tongue out.
"Well, then if that's the case, Miss Potter you will need to sit up and eat. No one likes to hear snoring during lunch." McGonagall said motioning for Tom.
After lunch, McGonagall port key'd us back to Hogwarts while Alyssa said goodbye to Harry. McGonagall didn't like that she was leaving behind a student, but said student was with an adult wizard. So she couldn't complain too much. The last thing I saw before the portkey jerked me away was Harry giving Alyssa a longing kiss.
Later that day, she returned a little glum but she told that she didn't experience the pain like she normally did. She thinks it has something to do with how they separated. I shrugged but kept a close eye on her. She yawned and excused herself to take a nap. Which confused my friends. I explained to them what she had done for me during the meeting and they nodded in understanding. Hermione and Ron were ecstatic that my wand wasn't snapped and that my memory had knocked Draco down a few pegs. I seriously didn't see it like that.
Sometimes when you think things are going well for you, something bad always seems to happen. And this time when it happened, I would fully feel the full effects of being betrayed.