AUTHOR NOTE: This was one that could have taken off and been its own story but I wanted to keep it within the shorts boundaries. Hermione turns out to be the daughter of Sirius Black. Not all of the changes are physical.
Flopple: Thank you
Iodine Compress: Yeah she did. She is a bit of a naughty woman. One of the things I love about her. LOL.
Moral Conundrum: True it could be expanded out into something like that. The search for the portal to the perfect glade where Cerunnos the head of the Satyrs lives. (He'd be the one to talk to first then Gaia who is the whole biosphere). To petition for her to be restored to her humanity. Which she may not want or desire as she has let her satyr side take over, but her human mind wants back in control. That story would be one I would read. Unfortunately it also would not fit within the 10k word limit for these shorts.
Ricfule: Yeah. I had so much fun killing the Dursleys I did it twice. Oops. LOL. We'll go with the explanation you gave to resolve that. (Btw another marvel noprize for you to put on the shelf. ;-) ) I am going with the Sept 1 to June 30 school year that seems to be pretty common in the fanficverses. Universal for all schools unless plot points require a difference. As I'm not familiar with the English school calendars it works out. I use the Harry Potter Lexicon website for most of my references and then what they don't have (or I don't like) I either go with the established fanfic conventions (Dan and Emma, blood oaths, magic oaths etc...) or just make stuff up out of my own imagination.
Aaaaaaaaaaaa: (I Hope I spelled your name correctly.) Thank you for pointing that out to me. You are quite correct.
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September 1st 1994
Harry and Ron were chatting waiting for their friend Hermione to show up. She was running late and would miss the train if she didn't show up soon. Ginny had already boarded talking to Luna.
A tall good looking teen girl with long silky black hair done in a plait wearing expensive clothes that highlighted her athletic yet curvy build. The long ivory dress was somewhat Victorian in style with pearl buttons done up to her neck, a choker around her neck held a cameo with a heraldic symbol on it. She smiled at the two boys as they admired her looks when she walked up to them.
"Can I help you?" Harry asked politely.
"Well yes Harry I think you can. You certainly have been over the last few years." She said with a smile showing off perfect pearlescent teeth that hid behind full ruby lips. Small diamond earrings glittered in her earlobes. She was staring at him with light brown eyes twinkling in amusement.
"Do I know you?" Ron asked in confusion.
"Well you should. I've done enough of your homework. But we'd better board the train before they leave without us." She turned and started walking to the train. Her heart shaped backside moving in a way that Harry did not mind following. Ron was confused and curious so he fell in beside Harry following the girl.
She sat in a compartment poised and properly. Waiting for the two boys to settle themselves she smiled again at Harry. "You really don't recognize me?"
Harry studied her face carefully. The contours of the cheeks and chin were familiar as were the brows. She looked like their friend but couldn't be. "Hermione?"
"Yeah. I was getting a bit worried you wouldn't recognize me."
"Well the way you look of course not. You look a lot...different." Ron said with only a pause when she turned those light brown eyes on him in a glare. "Yeah that glare I recognize." Ron weakly said.
"So what happened?" Harry asked in amazement.
"Well its a rather long story and somewhat upsetting so I should probably introduce myself by my real name first. Hello, I am Hermione Jean Black, Daughter of Sirius Black and Helen Granger." She held a slender manicured hand out to Harry. There was a small silver ring with the same symbol as the choker on it. He froze for a second then taking it leaned forward and kissed the back of it.
"I saw that in a movie once." He said with a grin. "Sirius' daughter? For real?"
Sighing deeply she nodded, "Yeah it's no prank. The stupid immature man-child is my father."
"But How. I mean your mom is a muggle. You looked different before. What?" Ron repeated himself.
"Well let me explain. I was studying my potions book when I came across the name of Hector Dagworth-Granger. He is a big deal in the wizarding world and I was curious if I might be related. So I went to Gringotts and had them do a genealogy search. Well imagine my surprise when it came back that Sirius Black is my father."
"How did your parents take it?"
"I'll get to that Harry. Okay?"
"okay." Harry said with some concern as her tone of voice was slightly sad.
"Well the goblins contacted him and he showed up. We went back and they did the test again and the Familia Paternis and yeah it was confirmed. He was excited and happy and said he wanted to claim me as his daughter. Mom and dad left the decision up to me. I agreed and he performed the ritual right there. When it was done I began to physically change into this. Apparently the bloodline magic of the Blacks prevents any illegitimate children from looking like their father, just their mother, until they are claimed."
"Wow that must have been a shock. Didn't Sirius warn you?"
"He claims he forgot. I think he just thought it would be funny. As the next thing I know I'm standing there in tight clothes bursting out of my jeans. He transfigured them into a nice dress and all but yeah. Here I am. I've spent the last month and half bouncing back and forth between mom and dad's and father's homes."
"Wow how's that working out?" Ron asked.
She sighed again. "Well not very good. Dad said I could still call him dad, and mom agreed that was good. Sirius I call father. But mom and dad are having some difficulties as it dug up a lot of dirt from the past."
"Really. Ya think it wouldn't?" Ron asked. "Sirius must have been what 17?"
"He was 20 years old when he and mother had the one night stand. Okay."
"He knocked up your mom then ran?" Ron exclaimed in shock.
"Ron I have spent the last month studying the Black family library and Grimoire especially. You really do not want to irritate me."
Ron started to say something then shut his mouth. "Sorry but I mean how did they get together?"
"Mom and dad were having some difficulties. A lot of stress. Mom had gone off and was at a bar. Dad was at a different one. Sirius ran into her and thought she looked good. So he seduced her took, her back to the place he was staying in. They had sex and she wound up pregnant. That caused her and dad to work things out and here I am. Although after this they did test him and he's shooting blanks so that's why I don't have any siblings."
None of them had anything to say about that so they fell silent for a few miles.
Harry looked at her then asked, "What's a Grimoire?"
"Think of it as a family spellbook. Only someone who is directly related by blood or married to one can even touch these books without getting hurt. You should have one in your vaults."
"Wow okay."
"Yeah."
"So anyhow. I am now a half-blood daughter of one of the oldest families in the wizarding world. Sirius was wanting to give me the entire keys to the kingdom but since I'm a girl he could only make sure I had a good dowry and a well padded trust vault and the rest he would give to his heir. Who he also arranged a betrothal contract with."
"What you agreed to one of those? You must have changed more than I figured. Malfoy tried to get one of those with Ginny and dad told him to bugger off."
"Language Ron. Yes I know. And if it had been anyone other than the one he chose I would have probably inherited a lot sooner." She gave a little chuckle.
"So the guy you're betrothed to? Is he nice? Have you met him?"
"Well yeah I've met him. I know him very closely. And he is very nice. Very sweet and charming and nice. I realized I love him and that I think he loves me."
Harry sighed as he stared at the floor, "Oh."
"Harry Sirius got Dumbledore to agree to one between us. Didn't he tell you?"
Harry looked up in surprise and happiness, "No. Nobody told me anything."
"Well that's odd. Sirius and I dragged him into Gringott's to sign the paperwork. I witnessed it myself. Here I have a copy of it." She said digging in a ivory leather purse she had over her shoulder.
Pulling out a small binder she handed it to Harry. "I went over it very carefully to make sure that father didn't put anything stupid or too onerous in there. We have until we're 20 to get married. We have seven years after that to produce an heir. Plus you'll see my dowry is not insubstantial."
"Yeah so I can see. Wow. And you're good with this?"
"I am aren't you?" She asked worried.
"Yeah just a bit sudden. I wish Dumbledore would have told me. I would have liked to know about this."
"It is rather troubling that he didn't say anything." Hermione frowned.
There was a small knock at the door which caused everyone to turn. Draco Malfoy was standing there looking in.
"What do you wish Scion Malfoy?" Hermione asked.
"My apologies Lady Black. I was paying my respects to you and wish to apologize for the treatment I gave you before I was aware of your lineage."
She sighed then nodded gracefully, "Your apology is accepted Scion Malfoy. Have you met my betrothed?" She asked with a smile.
Malfoy looked like he was eating slugs but he smiled and said, "Hello." And held his hand out. Harry looked at it before Hermione elbowed him. "Hello" Harry said shaking the hand.
"Congratulations on your betrothal and I wish you much happiness." He tersely said then with a nod from Hermione he turned and left.
"What was that all about?"
"The betrothal was published in the papers. Including my being named heiress. So that was etiquette among the pure-bloods. Father gave me a crash course in what I would need to know."
"Wow. Okay. And now you're going to give me a crash course too?"
"Something like that Harry because he also published that he named you his heir to the title and majority of the wealth."
"How can he do this as a criminal on the run?"
"The Goblins are working as intermediaries and they are bound by treaty to be impartial and not tell the Ministry or assist them in any way. Think Swiss Bank on steroids."
"Wicked." Ron gushed. "This is so wild."
"Yes it is." Hermione sadly said with a snort at the end.
"What. I mean you have a major social upgrade and get to stick it to Malfoy. Both of you do."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"That he was going to inherit the Black wealth and title before this." Ron grinned as Hermione explained to Harry the position he was in.
"Oh wonderful. So another thing he can resent me for." Harry snarked back.
"Hey I didn't say it was perfect."
"So did Sirius say anything else?"
"Only that since I'm his daughter he's going to be taking a lot closer interest in things."
"Great. Hopefully not too close."
There was a buzzing coming from Hermione. She pulled a compact out of her pocket then flipped it open to show a mirror that expanded to several inches across.
"Hey girl. How's it going? Harry excited yet?"
"He's taking it rather well father. Draco visited and paid his respects."
"Cool so he nearby?"
She turned the mirror to show Harry. "Hey bud how ya doing?"
"Okay I think. Hermione has been trying to explain what happened."
"You mean Al hasn't told you anything?"
"No he hasn't"
"Well that's disturbing."
"You think?"
"Well I'll see what I can do on my end. The Goblins are quite happy to help now that I'm moving gold again."
"Just be careful father.
"Okay Little Miss. I'll be fine. Don't worry. You father wants to be here to hold those grandchildren you tow are going to produce. They are going to be amazing."
"Yes well that will be several years and one dead dark-lord away."
"I know. More motivation to get him good and dead." Sirius was grinning like a fool.
"Yes I know any ideas on that?"
"Well I think I figured out what those two items we found were. Kreacher told me he had been trying for the last decade to destroy the one. Which in the library there was a book on soul magic and I found it like you said. He did them. Soul anchors. You were right."
She gave a him a smug look.
"Okay okay miss smarty knickers. Don't cocky kid. I swear Harry she is so much like Lily its scary. You're going to be in for one helluva life with her."
"Okay focus father. Back on what we were talking about."
"Oh yeah. Well I took the basilisk venom idea and splat. There they went. This hideous black smoke issued from the things screaming all sorts of obscenities and such foul smells I cannot even describe. Made me reminisce about Azkaban to be honest." He got a far away look.
"Father." Hermione said in her warning tone that made Ron cringe as she usually used it on him when he was pushing too hard to get her to do his homework.
"Yeah yeah I know. Okay two destroyed here, 1 already destroyed, probably one in Harry's head. That would leave three if your theory is correct."
"Well I suppose we should push the Headmaster on that too. I'm already going to be questioning him as to why he didn't tell Harry anything about this."
"Okay well love you. Both of you guys."
"Well love you too. Father." Hermione said while Harry nodded with a smile. Too choked up at two words he rarely heard.
The mirror shimmered to silver and she put it back in her purse after it shrunk. She pulled out another one.
"This is for you. To use it tap the rune sequence on the right side to initiate or end any communication. If you're initiating just say the name of the person you want to talk to. Right now its just myself and Sirius."
"Uh thank you. Hermione if I'm his heir and you're his daughter doesn't that get a bit close relatively speaking?"
"Harry my grandparents were second cousins. How do you think the family has stayed so pure for so long?"
"Yeah but." he started to say before she put her fingers over his mouth.
"Shh Harry its fine. Socially and legally there is nothing wrong with this." She stared at him before he nodded.
"Hunh you've adapted fast." Ron pointed out.
"Yes well when Sirius claimed me that magically awoke my blood. I am of the blood now. Mentally, magically, and physically. I'm still me but I'm the me that I would have been had Mother and Sirius been married. You're not going to think any less of me are you Ron?"
"I don't think so but I mean you are acting like one of the snobby pure-bloods a bit."
"Harry? Do you think I'm acting snobby?"
"No not really. I guess. I'm still trying to figure all of this out ok? I'll get there though and I want to get there with you so yeah." Harry said smiling at her taking her hand which caused her to smile back.
The rest of the journey was a quick lesson in what Harry would need to know as the heir of House black and her betrothed. She also gave him a card to read which then burned into ashes. She also said that he should call Dobby and bond with him. She had learned quite a bit about House Elves while studying in her family library.
====xxx-xxx===
The way the pure-bloods treated Harry and Hermione was something Harry had not been expecting. Lavender squealed and acted like a fan girl meeting a celebrity or the queen when Hermione walked by. Several others paid their respects to them as they made their way to the carriages in a lot more respectful tone. Hermione simply smiled and nodded to most of them. Occasionally talking to one or another briefly. Harry's head was swimming as they got to the carriages.
Finding one Harry held the door for Hermione then followed her in. Ron coming behind him. Neville and a petite blonde girl were sitting in there. Neville just sitting back down.
"Greetings Heir Black and Lady Black." He formally said.
Harry sighed, "Not you too?"
"Hey what about me?" Ron grumped.
"Harry its socially required. You're not just Harry anymore. And oh yeah hi Ron." Neville said like he just noticed that Ron was there.
"When have I ever been just Harry?" He sighed.
"I have always considered you just Harry." A petite blonde girl said with a smile.
"Uh thanks.."
"Luna. My name is Luna Lovegood. Though you can call me Luna."
"Oh uh thanks." Harry said with a confused amusement.
Hermione raised her eyebrow with a sly smile. "So Neville Thank you for the greeting and I'm sorry for my betrothed's lack of graces."
"It is understood Lady Black."
"There now that formality has been satisfied please Neville don't treat me any different than before. I've been Lady Blacked to death by the stupid Ministry and everyone else. Its Hermione still."
"Oh okay. Thanks. Gramma has hammered that formal etiquette into me since I was young. Its like breathing now." Neville shrugged.
"I do not have any such hang ups. You're still the same people you were to me." Luna smiled.
"Thanks. I guess."
"Well I am a pure-blood but we do not bother with the social graces."
Harry chuckled but was in amusement. "I like her. She's nice."
"Thank you Harry. I try to be. Unless people cross certain lines then I can be very unpleasant and rude."
Hermione pulled the file that Harry recognized as the betrothal agreement out of her purse and started flipping through it.
"Okay. Luna do you have a boyfriend?" Hermione asked as she turned pages and read through them rapidly.
"No I suppose it might be interesting to have one someday. I'm not entirely certain I even have friends in general."
Ron and Neville both looked uncomfortably out the window as Harry looked at Hermione in confusion.
"What do you mean you don't have friends?"
"Well I live across the woods from Ronald and his sister. She is somewhat nice to me, as we are both girls she talks to me about things she cannot talk to her brothers about. However Ronald is rather dismissive and impolite to me. Calling me Loony as if it was a pet nickname. And Ginny ignores my desire to talk about things that interest me."
"Well it is. I don't mean anything by it but you are a bit loony. And those weird creatures are just not real."
"Ron up until a month ago I thought I was a muggle-born. Up until 4 years ago I didn't believe magic was real."
"Really Ron. Just cause you grew up in this world doesn't mean you know everything."
"Harry, Hermione look its. I just." Ron couldn't explain it so he just stopped talking when both of his friends stared at him in annoyance.
"What about school? Don't you have any other friends here?" Harry asked.
"The Nargles keep pushing them away. That's okay though I don't mind being alone. It gives me time to think."
Hermione slapped the agreement folder shut and smiled, "Luna how would you like to be my friend as well as Harry's?"
"That would be very nice. Although since you were looking at your betrothal agreement I take it you were confirming one of the particulars?"
"Uh yeah. I get to have final say over who Harry gets to have a as mistress and since no doubt all kinds of pure-blood girls are going to be jostling for that position I might as well start with someone who seems nice and get to know them."
"Thank you. I will attempt to be worthy of your betrothed's attention."
"I'll just be happy if you're one of our friends okay?" Hermione said taking the girl's hand and squeezing it gently.
====xxxx====xxxx====
Arriving at the castle they entered the Great Hall to encounter Dumbledore, "Lady Black could we please speak?"
"Is this in regards to the articles that were published in the social pages?" She haughtily asked.
"Well yes. And how they could affect things with Harry's life."
"Of course. I believe I can spare a few minutes after the dinner as it is now is not a good time Mr Dumbledore."
"Lady Black I am the headmaster."
"And if this was a school related matter then I would be more than willing to speak with you in regards to any issues that came up, as this is a social matter I will speak with you at my convenience. Come Harry." She said holding her arm out as other students paused to watch them.
Harry took her arm and glided past the headmaster who watched them walk.
Seating themselves at the table Harry and Hermione both were the center of polite attention. Mainly people figuring out how their social dynamic was changing. If they were going to remain themselves or what. As Harry and Hermione still spoke like themselves people began to relax. Gryffindor not being stuffy about blood purity also helped.
====xxxx=====
After Dinner and announcements especially of the Tournament Hermione was not happy but graciously permitted the Headmaster to lead her to his office, although she did request their Head of House to come as well.
"Lady Black I was rather disappointed that Sirius went ahead and had that published after we had discussed that this would not be very beneficial."
"Yes that's why he published them. To ensure that you would no longer be able to hide things or keep secrets. Speaking of which father destroyed two of Voldemort's seven horcrux."
` Dumbledore had been sucking on a lemon drop when she said that and suddenly started choking. Minerva took her wand and cast something on him which dislodged the drop. After coughing and gasping for air for a few moments he managed to ask, "How did you find out about those?"
"I spent the last month living with my father getting to know him and taking a crash course in what it means to be a member of the House of Black. The library there is very very well stocked. We discussed how Voldemort could have remained in existence and determined it must have been some sort of soul anchor. Once that was determined it was a simple process of elimination to eliminate the various sorts of anchors that fit the evidence we already have. Further as seven is one of the magically powerful numbers as well as the maximum number of times the soul can be split according to the books I read. It is only logical he made seven of them. Including the one in Harry's head."
Dumbledore looked grimly at Hermione. "Miss, Lady Black. I cannot stress enough that this information must be kept secret."
She gave him a sarcastic look. "Sir. I understand that completely. I want my betrothed to live a very long and happy life with myself. That is why Sirius is researching methods of getting that out of Harry's head safely. I am very motivated to save Harry's life."
"There are none."
"That you are aware of. You do not know everything." She stared at him.
"Hermione.."
"Lady Black to you sir. I do not give you permission to be familiar."
Sighing in exasperation Dumbledore looked to his professor who merely sat complacently staring back at him.
"Very well Lady Black. Speaking to outsiders of this will place Harry's life at risk."
"Not any more than it already has been, or did you forget about Quirrel, the Basilisk, The Dementors, and while no fault of his own Professor Lupin."
"Yes well aside from that the death eaters."
"Are no doubt already aware of Harry's special status as well as the fact that their dark lord wanted to kill him. So they will try to kill him again and again."
"You will continue to ignore and undermine my actions will you?"
"I've already put plans in motion to prevent Harry's return to the Dursleys. Muggle legal forces were contacted and evidence given to them. They will wind up going to prison for several years, by the time they get out it will be too late. If you attempt to protect them I will activate the old magics and contacts of the Black family and remove the Dursleys from the planet. I was not joking that I am incredibly motivated to ensure Harry's life is safe."
"And where will he go if he cannot be with the Dursley's?" Dumbledore asked superciliously
He will be with Sirius and I. His family. Sirius is his godfather and Harry is his Heir. He will be the next Lord Black. Therefore he will be at the Black family home."
"Yes but." Dumbledore's mouth worked but nothing came out. "I used to know the location."
"Yes you used to know. The Fidelius is quite an interesting spell isn't it. You will not be given the information either. Harry has already been given that information. Now I need to know more about Voldemort, or as he used to be called Riddle. I can work on getting this information from Draco or one of the other Death Eater families. I am rather motivated and will work with the devil to defeat Voldemort."
Dumbledore frowned. "Give me a few days to gather the information."
"You have one week. I will contact father and give him the information. Good evening Mister Dumbledore, Ma'am." She said nodding and seeing herself out.
"I knew it was a mistake when I found out he had claimed her. Her personality coupled with the wealth, power and magic of her blood. She has learned very quickly the ways of power."
"Then perhaps you should work with them instead of against them. I have no doubt that she loves Harry enough to tear this castle down stone by stone if there is any more threats to him."
"I have no doubt."
=====xxxxx=====
Dumbledore gathered the information within the week. He brought Hermione and Harry to his office to review it which took most of an afternoon as Hermione cut through the various irrelevant minutia.
"Okay he had a fascination, almost obsession with the founders. He had a great desire to remain at the school. You do realize that with the right handling you could have prevented the entire rise of Voldemort in the first place?"
"I did the best I could and what I thought was appropriate."
"Yes well too late now for recriminations. Okay. I will contact Sirius and we will develop a way to deal with that."
====xxxx====
Luna, Harry, and Hermione were sitting in the library researching the founders
"Luna do you know of anything from Rowena Ravenclaw that might be an artifact still in existence."
"Well there is the lost Diadem of Ravenclaw. But it is lost no one alive knows where it is."
"Well that could pose a problem."
"No not really Hermione. As I said there is no one alive who knows where it is. The Gray Lady knows though."
"The ghost of Ravenclaw tower."
"Yes."
=====xxxx====
A short discussion later with Luna's help and they were aware that the diadem had been taken by Voldemort and brought to the castle. Where in the castle the ghost could not say. Dobby though knew of a room that would come and go and held all sorts of things.
They spent several evenings looking for the diadem before they finally found it. Taking it to the headmaster it was soon destroyed with a swipe of the sword.
The headmaster went away for an afternoon and returned weak and spent but with the halves of a ring. He declared that there was but Harry and one more if the theory of seven held true.
=====xxxx====
Harry's name came out of the Goblet which did not make anyone happy. What did make Hermione happy was when Sirius called her one afternoon to inform her that he had found an ancient Akaddian ritual that would destroy all the soul anchors of an enemy. All souls that were linked to that soul. It would be dangerous and had to be done at a ley line nexus, on a night of the full moon at midnight by a coven of three witches. Which Hermione did frown at. She wondered which two she would be willing to form a coven with and then she realized the answer had been in her face all along.
She made plans and discussed the ritual with Luna and Ginny the two witches agreed to help her destroy the Horcrux.
=====xxxx====
She and the two girl had been given permission to take Harry to a nearby hilltop that was the nexus of three lines. There was already a small circle of standing stones.
"Do you understand your role in this Harry?"
"I pretty much get naked lie in the middle of the circle while you and the girls chant that stuff you guys have been rehearsing for the last two weeks and then boom I'm clean and if everything goes well he's dead and all of his anchors go with him."
"Yeah pretty much it. You've got the easy bit."
"Aside from the risk of having my soul yanked out or exploding."
"Which shouldn't happen." Hermione smiled.
"Its unfortunate we had to remain virginal for this task." Luna sighed.
"Well there is always the celebration afterwards." Ginny suggested.
"Okay its almost midnight lets get ready."
Harry stripped and laid in the middle of the circle. They oiled and prepared him ritually. Drawing runes on his flesh and the ground around him. They changed their clothes and oiled and drew runes on each other as well. Harry closed his eyes while they did that as he didn't want to cause more distractions even if the three of them were joking and laughing.
Soon they began the ritual and Harry felt a strange energy building up around him. A pressure inside his skull began to form and he wanted to scream but could not. His body and his mind seemed to not be speaking to each other.
Hermione began her chant then a beat later Ginny began hers followed by Luna. Soon Harry began to glow with the Runes on his body burning and an energy pulsating between the stones as an explosion rocked the night.
=====xxxxx=====
Harry groaned and rolled over. He was still naked but in a endless white area. He had no idea where here was though. He heard someone laughing from behind him and struggled ot his feet wishing he had some pants on at least. As soon as he thought that he was covered.
He saw his dad walking out of the glowing air followed by his mother.
"Hey sport. Good job."
"Yes who knew Sirius' rutting like a wild dog would turn out to be useful."
"Yeah. Wow. SO what happened did I die? Did we win?"
"For a few minutes. Don't worry you'll get better as its not your time yet."
"Oh. What about the girls?"
"Hey they're good. Don't worry. We can't tell you anything about what happens from here on out but I have a feeling that you're going to enjoy your life."
Lily hugged him, "Have a good life my son. And I don't want to see you back here again for a very long time young man. Understand?"
"Yes mother. I understand." He said hugging her tightly.
=====xxxxx=====
Across the land a snake glowed the burst into flames. A small ugly strange doll like creature exploded as well as the round faced thin nosed man taking care of it. People had a brief sensation of their left arm itching before they exploded into flames burning and melting. A full third of the Wizengamut would need to be replaced business leaders, pillars of the community all turned into a pile of ashes in a matter of seconds.
====xxxx====
Hermione picked herself up off the ground. Her clothes had been singed and she felt very very achy. Looking to her left she saw Luna sitting there blinking at her. "Whoa that was a major rush." Looking to her right Ginny was picking herself up and trying to find her top which as she had been blasted a good 20 feet downhill had apparently come off. Unable to find it she shrugged and trudged back up the hill to find Hermione holding Harry in her lap as he groaned his way back into consciousness.
"Hey Harry. How do you feel?"
"Cold. I feel very cold. Let's go find a warm bed and celebrate."
====xxxxx====
The tournament finished without anyone dying. Harry let Cedric win as he had no desire to upstage him. Cedric and Cho became a husband and wife Quidditch league stars after graduation.
A ministry investigation found the remains of Pettigrew and the fact that Sirius Black had not had a fair trial. So with Dumbledore's help he was soon exonerated. Harry not upset to not be lord Black for a few more decades. Especially as he discovered when he was finally told of his parent's will that he was wealthy and had his own seat on the Wizengamut waiting for after graduation.
Harry and Hermione were wed and it was only 8 months later an 8 pound 7 ounce preemie was born. Luna and Ginny along for the ride as Harry's mistresses. Harry decided that helping people would be better and went into law so that people like Sirius would never get a raw deal. Hermione, Luna and Ginny still worked together as curse breakers, healers and caretakers of a magic creature preserve.
Helen Granger and Charles did eventually divorce and she married Sirius. Charles remained in his daughter's life still as a good friend that she still cared about.
