Chapter 13 - Viktor Krum

~~~~~Power of Ancestral Magics~~~~~

Hogwarts, Scotland

Monday morning after breakfast, Harry went to his morning classes as usual, when it came time for his third class of the day, he, Draco, Neville and several of Harry's other friends headed to DADA. Upon entering the classroom instead of taking their seat everyone one of them pulled out the paperwork withdrawing themselves from the regular Dada class, and notification of their acceptance of the option of taking a tutor on for this class. Umbridge was not happy and ordered the remaining class to read the next chapter of the defense book. While she escorted the group to the headmaster's office ranting the entire way about insufferable children that needed a proper lashing as punishment for daring to defy her.

Upon entry to the headmaster's office they were quickly able to see that the headmaster had previously been in a meeting with several individuals. Lord Sirius Black, the Minister, Lucius Malfoy and Viktor Krum along with three other people Harry did not know.

"Delores, as far as I am aware your fifth year class just started, what have these students done that they needed escorted to my office. I have just started a meeting with these fine gentlemen?" Asked Dumbledore.

"These insolent students have tried unsuccessfully I might add, to trick me into letting them skip my class, and have drawn in several Slytherin's in as well. This is outrageous Dumbledore I demand that they all be placed in detention with me, immediately, especially the Potter boy as he no doubt masterminded the whole prank." Umbridge screeched out.

"Now Madam Umbridge, students will be students, having to deal with pranks is all just a part of the teaching experience. However," the headmaster said turning to the boys, "skipping class is not a pranking matter, and I am very disappointed in you all." Turning back to Umbridge, Dumbledore gave her a sympathetic smile. "If I might see this prank, Madame Umbridge, then I can give out correct punishments." Nodding Umbridge handed over the stack of papers containing all the boy's paperwork they had given her moments ago. Looking at the papers he almost choked on the lemon drop in his mouth. "Children I understand that Professor Umbridge teaches rather differently than defense teachers of the past however, that is not grounds for you to withdraw from the class, as such I will be forced to deny your request for the use of full tutors, if you wish to call in part-time tutors that is acceptable, I understand your belief that this was a prank Delores however, these would be the correct papers to remove a student from regular class and attend full time tutoring as such no punishment will be given." Dumbledore scolding said with his eyes twinkling.

Harry closed his eyes to count to ten preparing to have this argument with the headmaster, when Sirius spoke up before he could. "Albus I am completely amazed that you managed to hold onto your position as head of the Wizengamot considering you seem bound and determined that the rights and honors of the elder titled houses do not exist. I wonder if you are merely going senile or simply being obtuse."

"Sirius my boy I…" Interrupted Dumbledore.

"I am not your boy Dumbledore, and you would not have served as head of the Wizengamot for over a decade and a half if you did not know the basic laws prescribing the rights and privileges of the upper nobility and their vassals especially when it comes to the heirs."

"An heir is allowed to withdraw from a class at any time for any reason, in exchange for a full-time tutor in that subject at any time of their choosing with or without their parent's permission. As such Lord Longbottom, heir Potter, and heir Malfoy are all in the right to request a withdraw from Madame Umbridge's Defense class with the proviso that they have a tutor prepared for the class. As the other students in the room are children of vassal lines of either House Potter, or of House Longbottom, they are allowed to follow in their liege's steps with permission from the head of house. As I am sure Lord Longbottom has given it, and I have both given and located a proper tutor for both DADA and for Potions." Sirius snapped interrupting Dumbledore before he could begin.

"Donavan Krum has agreed to use his sabbatical from his usual training of ICW hit wizard recruits to train these fine young men and women, along with the other Potter and Longbottom vassals in other years, his great nephew Viktor Krum has recently graduated from Durmstrang and has agreed to aid him in his teaching. Aries Dagworth-Granger has agreed to teach them all in potions, your only responsibility to them Dumbledore, is to ensure that their tutors have quarters here in the castle and that they have access to a suitable classroom at the times required. Unless of course you have decided that the rights of heirs and vassals no longer apply to Hogwarts, then I feel I must appeal to the Wizengamot, demanding a refund for the tuitions paid and remove my godson from Hogwarts."

"I see" Dumbledore said his eyes showing his fury at being undermined in front of all those present. "Well than I will see to it that the tutors have proper accommodations for the duration of their stay here. Now Delores I believe you have a class to teach, and you students I suppose have a break until a room can be found."

"I believe a visit to the library would be in order, after dinner tomorrow night we will be having our first session." Stated Donavan Krum.

The boys responded positively before retreating to the library for a joint study session, leaving the adults to argue.

~~~~~Power of Ancestral Magics~~~~~

Great Hall, Hogwarts, Scotland

The evening of September 18th saw the great hall of Hogwarts packed full, with every student in attendance. Up at the teachers table in addition to the teachers sat the new tutors, Sirius Black, Lucius Malfoy, Cantankerous Nott, and the Minister of Magic, who were all in a heated discussion with the headmaster.

Students sat around their house tables asking questions of other students about the new fund. Though the High Inquisitor had cut off discussion that morning about it stating that it would be annulled, all the students had seen the entrance of the goblins right before dinner and the sour face of the Minister and some of his entourage. Dumbledore also looked as if his lemon drops were especially sour today.

"So, you never answered the question this morning, how does a house become a protectorate and what's the protectorates job Harry?" asked Hermione. Most of Gryffindor table went quiet at her question wanting to hear his answer. As Harry spoke this silence would spread to the other tables.

"Well, let's start with what a protectorate house does. In the muggle or mundane world your parents are automatically your primary guardians at birth, unless of course in extenuating circumstances. Your parents have final say in what you do, your treatment, raising, etcetera, etcetera. That's not true in the magical world. In some cases, like the Weasley family, Arthur and Molly are the final authority for the care of their children. However, that is because of other circumstances, and primarily their status as blood traitors, no Hermione I'm not trying to make fun of Ron it's just a social, and political fact."

"However, Seamus for example is different and has the more normal circumstances with his Mum not having final say as her head of house still lives. Her father…"

"Grandfather" interrupts Neville nodding towards Harry.

"or Grandfather, whoever is the head of house, would have final authority over his care and education" Harry continues with a nod towards Neville. "It's partly political, partly traditional. I won't go into too much detail as it will no doubt be covered in culture class, but it ties into the ways families and clans are elevated and develop for the most part."

"As a family grows and develops certain family rules are developed. These are individual for the family and are written in the grimoire. It is the responsibility of the eldest in the family to ensure that those rules are not broken and that in time the heir can govern the family according to those rules when the time comes for them to take the mantle. However, as in any society, a family member can be influenced by outsiders and either disregard the family rules and values, or merely not pass said rules and values onto the child. Recard Selwyn, was one such well known person who disregarded his family's rules and guidelines, he chose to ignore the family rules and was eventually cast out of the family and disinherited. This disinheriting did not extend to his four children already born to him. With the death of his brother Recard's son Arman was named heir. He and his siblings however were raised with a certain disregard for the family's rules, and guidelines. Eventually Recard's son Arman became head of house and removed the family rules and values from the Selwyn house, instating new ones, an act that shocked and caused many families to remove themselves from the family's acquaintance. To help ensure it never happened again, that a child was turned from it's house, the King of the time forged a law, ruling that the final guardianship of the children of a family belonged to that family's head of house, and that at any point in time that families head of house could reclaim guardianship of said children with just cause and raise the child as their own. Heirs especially where guarded by this law to defend them as well from enemies they may have from inside the house. The law even crosses between allies and such, it's very convoluted and slightly confusing at times. But one of the things that came from the law was the establishing of a magical guardian for all children without a magical parent, or without a proper head of house as established by the bloodline tests."

"Eventually the bloodline tests became rarer and less performed as the ministry added special taxes to the test as did the Goblins, eventually few could understand taking the full quartet of four bloodline tests at fifty galleons each, with no guarantee of receiving anything of value. As the test became less common, it became customary that where the custody of a first gen like yourself had previously been given to the head of the strongest house on your bloodline test, to now simply assign a single guardian in the form of a shared custody between your school head of house/headmaster and the ministry of magic, so called the magical guardian. This guardian has final say in who you marry, where you go to school, who you associate with, what jobs you can take, and a whole lot more, and unlike in the muggle world that doesn't exactly stop at maturity. Maturity only means you are an adult and now eligible for marriage, to use specific magics, and a few other things. It does not mean a removal of the guardianship, except in the case of an orphaned heir, who merely steps into the position of head of house." Harry finished taking a drink of water from the glass in front of him.

"Ok, so why was it necessary for you to add specific guardian clauses to the fund?" asked a first-generation fourth year from down the table.

"I assume you intend to have the test's performed tonight?" at the girl's nod Neville continued, before Harry could answer. "Imagine if tonight your tests showed you to be heiress of 2 minor dead houses and to be a non-heir member of either the Nott or Goyle lines, and you had a major dead house as well. Your new guardians would be the Nott house as they have the stronger political stance at the moment than the Goyle house. They could then forbid you from ever going home, remove you from Hogwarts, and numerous other things including a marriage contract with someone of their choosing not just for you but for several generations down the line. They could make five different marriage contracts that end up in your two times great granddaughter marrying the then heir Nott enabling said heir to claim all three title's you inherited. Now say you didn't come up with any house ties that currently have a head, as you have no main guardian other than your magical guardian you still fall under the ministry's custody and full custody at that come graduation. The ministry then has the same power, and the ability to award your guardianship to whomever it so pleases, in this case more than likely to the highest bidder. Something you must remember as well is that polygamy is not outlawed in the magical world, so that marriage contract could see you becoming just one in a number of wives. Harry gave you protection by forcing the houses that wish to take on these guardianships to be of a certain caliber and to disavow their absolute control of your life. It also prohibits the ministry from claiming a house to be unfit for guardianship and merely gifting it to any other, it has to be another house that has been accepted by the funds contract and guidelines." Neville finished saying.

"Wise words, if only they were correct the house of potter has no case to do so however." Says a new man as he emerges from the back of the room. "The house of Potter has overstepped its grounds only a house of Albion may make such a fund, as Harry Potter is a mere half-blood his house is no longer an Albion house, as such the fund will now be confiscated by the ministries, and the house of Potter shall be reprimanded in the next ICW meeting."

"Point to me the place in Albion law, not ministry law, Albion law where blood purity comes into this Lord Fermar, and I will concede the point that the house of Potter is not thought to be an Albion House?" Answered Harry.

"How dare you, you impertinent little…"

"He did not ask to be insulted Lord Fermar, he asked you to point out the place where blood purity has any precedence in Albion law and the answer as you are well aware is nowhere, as you well know, blood purity does not matter in Albion laws. Your simple brain merely can't see that this boy has outmaneuvered you and so many others' hard work at keeping power to yourselves." Madame Delacour says as she enters from the back. "You nor the ministries can do anything to cite the house of Potter for this fund, they are merely ensuring their job of protecting the people is fulfilled to the best of their ability. The magical guardian set up has been broken for some time, seeing something broken they have endeavored to fix it.

"Thank you Madam Delacour for that explanation, you look astounding as usual. I assume you have brought the WWN as well with you to explain the requirements to be a protectorate house?" Harry asked.

"Of course, now how about you students finish eating as I explain the other safety measures in place." With that Madame Delacour went through step by step the document that outlined the fund and the usages of the fund.

~~~~~Power of Ancestral Magics~~~~~

"Sirius, I've been looking for you," Harry said as he caught up to Sirius later that night as he too had arrived to help oversee the testing. "How is it looking?

"Very well, from all reports I've received from around Albion, very well indeed. A few unexpected surprises one of which I need to speak to you about." Sirius answers.

"What about?" Harry asked puzzled.

Sirius casts a few severe privacy spells before handing Harry a copy of several tests, before continuing. "As you are aware this evening the Goblins did tests for a few of the hedge schools as well, but earlier this afternoon. A few have stood out and been immediately taken into the care of house Potter. In your hands is 7 such tests. Tyler Allen has been discovered to be the spare heir of house Slytherin, he is a muggleborn that was denied entry into Hogwarts. Andrew Silas, it seems has several inheritances, again he's a muggleborn that was denied entry into Hogwarts they all are. The interesting thing about him is that he's heir of two of Albions Utmost houses that went missing before the kings fall. Jason and Eliza Aarons are heirs of 2 lines apiece and coheirs of a third being twins. All five are Most Ancient status, only needing a few requirements to become Utmost Noble. Andros Mathews is the heir of two Ancient and Most Noble lines, one of which is Gryffindor. He's best friends with Andrew Silas. Kyle Sanders is the heir of Hufflepuff. Marcus Marron is the odd one, he's the heir of one line but the secondary heir to several lines and is best friends with Tyler Allen. Take a look at his paper." Harry looked down at Marcus's papers. Only his occlumency shields kept him from showing his shock. Marcus was not just a secondary heir to several powerful lines, he was secondary to two of Harry's own lines, Potter, and Pendragon. "Tyler and Marcus were in pretty bad situations and are going to certainly need some TLC from the house. I have already removed them from their previous guardians, and they are currently resting at Potter Manor recovery from some severe abuse." Sirius stated

"We will speak of them later. How goes the search for protectorate houses?" Harry asked as Sirius pulled down the secrecy spells. Not a moment too soon as Harry saw several different people trying to cast spells to cancel out the spells.

"Not as well as the testing, but well none the less. It is very interesting how many people overlooked, the requirement of being a fully upstanding citizen, and clear by right of veritiserum of all high crimes, such as being an accused follower of a dark lord/lady. It seems people saw the word Voldemort instead of the word dark lord/lady and thought that Grindelwald and the one or two others we've had didn't count."

"One or two others?" Harry asked.

"People are trying to figure out if Miranda Bradley could be classified as one or not." Sirius responded. "She did practice the darker arts; she did break the law and was declared a dark lady by the ICW. However, she never left her home country and as such people are wondering if she can truly be counted."

"I wasn't aware, Tom had left the UK either." Harry stated confused.

"Exactly," Sirius answered. "That is the argument quite a few are putting up. In my mind and in the accords of house Potter they both count so it's moot point any way, but they won't know that until it comes time for final review."

"Indeed, well I am certainly glad my Grandfather went through all the trouble of ensuring his name was cleared from the whole Grindelwald mess, though how people thought he was a supporter of the man, who killed both his father and his two older brothers I have no idea." Viktor Krum said coming up from behind them. "My grandfather received our confirmation of protectorate standing this morning, we were among the first. Father wanted me to return to Bulgaria in the light of said news but, due to other reasons I sought the permission of my grandfather to stay, going as far as to finally quit the national quidditch team for a time to achieve some of my own dreams rather than my father's expectations."

"Good to see you again Viktor, sad to hear about the quidditch thing but if it's not your dream it's not your dream." Harry responded. "What brings you to England, I mean aiding my allies and I in learning adequate defense skills is admirable but hardly warrants the attentions of the heir of one of the strongest Bulgarian Albion houses."

"Well, I wish to see you improve but no I wish to achieve the rank of Knight for my family's honor once more. Rumors abound throughout Albion already of the sorting hats warning that our king returns, if that is so then I wish for the house of Krum to be well placed to sit as a Knight in the Kings court, perhaps if I train hard enough I could place even among the twelve inner knights of Albion." At this Sirius and Harry exchange a look. "I would give you warning as well though, Heir Potter. There are those that see your house and that of your brothers as week and that in that, they can claim a higher rank for their own houses."

"Not your house?" Sirius asked with raised eyebrows.

"No, I seek to forge alliances, not to make enemies." Viktor responds. "Is it true that the rumors surrounding the house of Potter? They have four bearers in the tower?"

"Yes, it is true, what of it, Viktor," Sirius confirms, his eyes full of suspicion as Harry's eyes also harden with suspicion.

"I mean no harm, but there are those that do, and seek to use Britain's bearers' laws to bind both you and the others, I am rather surprised Britains houses have not yet influenced the minister to do exactly that. No, I seek," He hesitates, before turning to Harry pulling a box from underneath his robes. Turning to Harry he hands it to him. "I seek permission to court, last year you showed the bravery of the lions my house seeks in our mates. You showed cunning against the dragon, a willingness to persist in the face of overwhelming adversity. Yet you treat those who have wronged you with a merciful hand. Will you Harry James Potter permit me to give courtship to you and to yours?"

Opening the box Harry found a beautiful armband inscribed with runes and gems littering its surface. Harry looked up at Sirius, who nodded, Harry looked at him in confusion.

"A courtship is not final, it is more of a time of testing, to see if the two of you are compatible, he learns of your house, you learn of his. Usually a courtship comes before the betrothal, it's sort of like dating but more heavily monitored and more publicly announced. Though it usually also comes with a period of magnanimity or exclusiveness as you are a bearer that would not be expected of you." Sirius answers Harry unsaid question.

"You understand that as a bearer, I am expected to have more than one consort?" Harry asked, at Viktor's nod Harry continues. "I Haldris James Potter due hereby accept your request of courtship. May our houses learn much of each other." Harry then pulling up his sleeve extends his arm to a now kneeling Viktor who takes the armband from Harry and places it on his upper arm. Gently pulling his sleeve back down Harry blushes as a camera goes off.

"Rita Skeeter I should have known."

"Oh, hush a courtship between the elder families is always front-page news. The editor would have sent you to me regardless. A picture now with that blush looks so much more realistic and tradition honoring then the two of them sitting exactly six inches apart, and all that later on." Rita snaps interrupting Sirius. "Besides you at least know that I'm not going to paint your boy in a much worse light that some would. That blush right there will silence any critics saying that Viktor was seduced or some such nonsense. It will also put a stop to any of the ministers plans of selling the boy off to the highest bidder for the moment anyways. Now you boys give me a quick interview and I'll make sure to leave you alone for a little while to get used to your courtship a bit."

After the impromptu interview with Rita Seeker, Viktor asked Harry out on a date scheduled for the next Hogsmeade weekend which was in two weeks the first weekend in October. Sirius and Donavan Krum both noticed the glare that Draco sent Viktor's way at the end of the night, as Viktor escorted Harry to the dorms.

~~~~~Power of Ancestral Magics~~~~~

Defense Tutor Classroom, Hogwarts

"I am Donavan Krum you all my call Professor Krum. You are all my fifth through seventh year students. Because of scheduling conflicts all of you were forced to give a usually scheduled free period for this class as such we will be having the 5th through 7th year tutoring session Tuesday through Thursday during the last period of the day. I will not be altering or changing my curriculum between your grades, I will be training you all the same, as such all of you will be able to sit your NEWT not by time May comes but by Yule break hits, for one simple reason. Can any of you guess."

A few tried before Draco raised his hand. "The trails of knighthood are at the Winter solstice, and the Summer solstice. If you can pass the trials, you automatically receive a mastery in Defense against the Dark Arts."

"Correct now, look at the floor below you, yes for you fluent in runes that is a time flow rune cluster, what this specific set does is speed time up for this room so that every minute is a five minute increment inside the room. Therefor you will be having approximately fifteen hours of class time a week. As such I will not be giving you traditional assignments, your true assignments will be coming up with linking spell chains, absolute mastery of your spell work etcetera, etcetera. I will be teaching on Tuesday and Thursday, Wednesday will be independent study time, bring any books you may wish to reference to class as I will not be allowing you to leave the classroom. The first and last hour of study will not be wand or theory work but blade work. Now up against the far wall are practice blades grab your blade find your name on the floor and stand there. I understand that some of you will wish to use family blades, however at this time I will say no, as I do not yet know your experience levels with a blade, eventually you may be permitted your personal or family blades. Now I have three and a half months to get your blade work up to par let's begin."

~~~~~Power of Ancestral Magics~~~~~

Potions Tutoring Classroom, Dungeons, Hogwarts

"Sit down, do not reach for your cauldrons we will not be brewing anything for several weeks as I have years to cover that, that numbskull in the basements has not seen fit to teach you. I will teach you to stopper death and to brew glory, but I will also teach it to you the right way. Firstly, take out your prep boards, yes beneath your feet is also a time rune cluster, you've already seen one, it's not a big deal. This one is just like the other one once we get to actual brewing, we will not be using it, but while I reteach you the basics, I find it paramount for this to be used. Now enough dawdling let's begin"

~~~~~Power of Ancestral Magics~~~~~

Hogwarts, Scotland

Tuesday morning found Harry going over the paperwork that Sirius had given him last night, along with the rest of the paperwork for the other children now under the protectorate of house Potter. The first matter of business for Harry had been removing all of them from the hedge schools and enrolling them into the proper full bodied, educational boarding schools across Europe. The 7 Sirius had spoken of last night were to arrive here at Hogwarts tonight. Though Harry planned one being there for every child, he understood that Marcus and Tyler would need more attention. They had come from the worst hedge school of them all, and furthermore had both been orphans in abusive families.

Harry had every intention of being an older brother to the two boys. Furthermore, he could feel his own house magic be pleased at the idea of protecting Marcus. Marcus who now sat as his heir, would be announced as the Cardemon heir tonight. Harry's magic recoiled at that saying that it should be Potter, but Harry settled it, and clamed himself before settling in for a day of classes and work.

Tuesday night saw Harry enveloping two scared thirteen year old boys into hugs, and just holding them, letting them draw strength from his magics. Artemis had gasped seeing Marcus, understanding dawning within as to what he was. Harry had only motioned for silence from his house. The boys had finally settled, into Gryffindor and Harry had retired for the night.

~~~~~Power of Ancestral Magics~~~~~

Hogwarts, Scotland

The next two weeks were a blur for Harry. Between defense classes, Potions classes, History of Magic, the Culture class, the Daily Prophet articles, and Marcus and Tyler. Harry felt that the world had constantly been spinning.

In defense they had been moved into three groups for bladed work. Beginner, Intermediate, and Trained. The Beginner group had all been given dream bracelets and instructed on how to use them to join nightly dreams with their partners to practice, as time did not run fluidly in dreams, they gain precious extra hours doing this. All the students had been happy to gain this needed tool. Of the nearly fifty students in the combined class about 20 where in this group, all were returning Hogwarts students.

Another 20 had been placed in the Intermediate group as they had, previously had some form of tutelage, and had some level with experience with a blade. They too had been given the bracelets but were only required to use them three times a week rather than nightly.

Harry had been expecting to be placed in the Beginner or Experienced groups but after a few duels with his classmates and accidently disarming Viktor, he had been placed in the Trained category. After tutoring that night Harry had approached professor Krum and asked him "Why did you place me in the trained group I've never been trained to use a blade, disarming Viktor was a fluke."

"It wasn't a fluke and you know it. The idea behind the dream bracelets for practicing blade work is not solely used by me. Dragons Moor is well known for using dreams to train their chosen few. The move with which you disarmed Viktor is one I have only ever seen their graduates use. It tells me you were dream trained there, it is only now my job to pull those subconscious teachings with a blade out, making them more easily accessible. Your muscles are already familiar with them now it is time to make your conscious mind aware of them as well."

After a minimum of 12 physical hours of blade training a week, Harry was starting to see the truth in this as he was rapidly improving beyond even Draco's level, who had a had a professional tutor every summer since he was 8. Despite that Draco still loved to spar with him, which was starting to confuse Harry. Draco had once acted as if he hated getting bested by people in anything. Now he seemed to take it as a personal challenge to get better. When Harry asked about it, he only answered: "Before I had my dad looking over my shoulder on everything, I had to be the best or I was punished for not being the best. Now I don't have him looking over my shoulder all the time I can let someone else be my equal without it being a bad thing or being punished for it."

In Potions they had finished mastering the basics and were covering some theory before their first expected fifth year brewing class at the end of October. It was slightly boring, but he was finally understanding why so many of his potions had exploded before.

In both History of Magic, and Culture classes they had finally reached the point where they had begun more solid group projects. For history of Magic they had been divided as a class into 48 different groups and were to explain the statute of secrecy, its official title and when and why it had gone into effect, for their assigned congress or empire. Harry's group surprisingly had the hardest and earliest group the Egyptian magical empire. Finding why was proving to be difficult until Harry had discovered that it had been declared a state secret and was only now known to the royal family of Egypt and been for the past about 2,500 years. The teacher had been fine with them putting that in as long as they didn't share the answer with the other groups. They presented this next week though.

In Culture class they had all been assigned groups of eight or nine. With every two groups being assigned the same social tier. They were then to choose four Albion families from that tier to research and discuss when, how, and why they ascended to the rank they had. This of course excluded the upper four tiers; the utmost two tiers, the ancestral tier, and the royal tier as those tiers where either currently empty, or only had one or three in them for Albion, at which point they were instructed to choose from the international rankings, and explain why no house had the title in Albion. For the ancestral houses all of which were currently empty they were instructed to explain who they were, what the ancestral houses where, and what they did. Harry looked forward to hearing those presentations as they would happen in a joint History of Magic and Culture class, as well as it being a joint 5th, 6th and 7th year class.

Harry had been even more impressed to have the goblins inform him that the at the end of October, construction on the casino would be finished at the Great Square in London. Harry had been pleased to hear the news and had already seen the advertisements in the Daily Prophet for the new business venture.

Last Saturday Rita had finally released his and Viktor's interviews and Harry had taken to spelling the part of his sleeve that cover the armband invisible simply so people would stop asking about it.

Marcus and Tyler had been a trial at first as well. With Tyler resisting Harry's guidance before finding a sort of older brother in Draco and a sort of uncle, mentor bond between him and Harry. Marcus and Harry however had clicked. With even Neville commenting that the fluid ease at which Marcus and Harry fell into a sibling bond was surprising.

However, it had been Sunday's article that frightened Harry to the core.

Break-Out at Azkaban!

Late last Wednesday the DMLE was informed of alarms going off high and low at Azkaban Prison. The once thought to be impenetrable fortress suffered a massive breakout last night that saw 10 Aurors dead and another 10 suffering in the critical spell damage ward, at St. Mungo's hospital. Of the almost three thousand five hundred prisoners in Azkaban serving various sentences. Over half of them have been officially declared kissed as of this morning. See page 59 for list of the dead. Others remain at large, such as Rodulphus, and his wife Bellatrix and his brother Rebastan Lestrange remain at large. See an updating list of those that are still at large on page 72. Among the guards of Azkaban, the dementors where missing from their posts and the ministry has advised that you call the Auror's office immediately if you see either the escaped convicts or feel a sudden flash chill as that is the chief signal dementors approaching.

Many wonder if this could be the work of the recently declared innocent Sirius Black, but we at the prophet have been informed that it was impossible that this was done by him as he was seen by no less than a dozen business associates attending a party showcasing some of the many attractions Potter Industries newest venture will showcase. Others wonder if this gives some credence to the Potter heirs claims that the feared Dark Lord He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has truly returned.

The article went on, to explain what the damage was and why it had not been reported on until now but Harry could only think of how bad this was Voldemort finally had his inner circle back and it seemed he now also had an Army to do his bidding as well.