I can see clearer now
With his new link to Hogwarts and the vast knowledge accumulated by the castle, plus his invisibility cloak, it must have been easy for Harry to leave the castle. Only that he had chose the passage to the Shrieking Shack, which means passing near the Whomping Willow, who had take a dislike for the boy after his suddenly arrival last year in a flying car. In the end, it was a good workout for him and his magically enhanced body to pass unharmed. Then, and only then, the castle told him about a knot on the trunk of the tree to immobilize it.
He found Amelia and Susan comfortably sharing a bench in the square near the end of the village. After greeting the women he sat at the other side of Amelia: "Has Susan already told you anything?"
"No, not yet. We were just catching up. Now, with no more delays, why don't you tell me why I'm here having a good time in a square in North Scotland instead of annoying me with the usual incompetence of the Ministry?"
"What about Peter Pettigrew being alive and hiding at Hogwarts' under his animagus form of a common brow rat?"
Susan knew of the existence of an illegal animagus at Hogwarts by what Harry had revealed before, but not who he was, so she made company to her Auntie in incredulously stare at the boy for a full minute before regaining their capacity to speak. Unfortunately he didn't know about the hows and whys behind the story, but he was able to convince both that he was certain of the fact.
"This is incredible. I'm just believing it because I had already found some very strange facts in all this mess" said Amelia after Harry had finished his tale. "I searched the records for Sirius Black's case, and discovered that he was never put on trial. He was sent direct to Azkaban and there isn't even a testimony, a confession or an order for the transfer. Nothing! And all that was found of Pettigrew was a single finger! How could that be? At least his shoes must have survived as proof of his death!"
They discussed the case for half an hour, and speculated about the possibility of Sirius being innocent and searching for Peter instead of Harry, and several other wild possibilities. They needed more facts to proceed, but Amelia was sure that some nasty business was hidden under all this mess and she must be cautious to not alert the thugs, who probably were high people in the Ministry, that their machinations were in peril of being revealed.
Next they discussed Harry's life so far, for great embarrassment of the boy. He was really grateful to Susan for changing place coming to his side to hug him while he told them about the Dursleys. The contact helped a lot, which amazed him. Old Harry wasn't much into it, but New Harry was slowing learning to make use and accept the benefits of true friends. He didn't want to talk about the Dursleys, but he recognized that Amelia could be a great ally and needed to know in order to be able to help him.
As soon as possible Harry changed the topic to Hogwarts' wards. So many problems could have been avoided if they were active! Perilous creatures like Fluffy, trolls and basilisks. Dark people like Voldemort, Snape and Pettigrew!
"And you know how to take control of the wards, Harry?"
"Yes, but I… I was expecting to wait a little more… to not alert the headmaster so soon about the new magic and..."
"Wait! What new magic? Susan didn't tell me anything about new magic."
"She couldn't! Please, don't be hard on her. She made a vow to keep it all secret. Hum, that reminds me… Susan, would you like to test how good you are with your occlumency?"
"You mean, asking Auntie to test me?"
"Yes. You trust her, don't you? It is perfect!"
Amelia tried legilimency on Susan and was astonished. Occlumency was usually hard and slow to learn, but here was her niece able to fully block her while just starting her third year at Hogwarts.
"Susan, when you started learning occlumency? You didn't tell me anything!"
"Well, Harry started to teach me his new way of magic around mid-August, by letters, but occlumency specifically, only last week."
"What more you can do with this new magic? Can anyone be taught?"
Amelia's first reaction was shock when they told her she must give a vow to have access to that information. She hid her indignation, mistrust and revolt closing her eyes and calming down. Then she looked at their faces, and saw the silent plea in their eyes. She remembered what she had discovered through them: that Voldemort was still around, that the most famous convicted of Britain's magical world was possibly innocent, that her niece suddenly developed perfect defences against legilimency, that terrible and dangerous things had occurred at Hogwarts and others could still occur. Worst of all, that she was uncertain of what adults can be trusted or not. That corruption in the Ministry and prejudice and concerns were growing again in their society after the little fall after Voldemort's disappearance.
"I have some questions before I can agree with this. First, if I accept to give you this oath, will you keep me updated on everything you are doing? Second, if I found necessary to include more people in the secret, who also will give you their oaths, will you consider it? Finally, if I consider it beneficial for the whole of our society to reveal some specific points, like Voldemort still be around, can we at least discuss it?"
Harry looked deep in Susan's eyes, and saw only hope and trust, so he answered Amelia with "Yes, to all your points".
Amelia felt a warm filling her heart at seeing the way the boy had silently searched for her niece's opinion, the way they implicit trust each other. But she put the wedding preparations at side to give her oath and discover what her niece was in with this amazing boy.
The little couple led her into the small forest, out of view. Then, her never too athletic niece amazed her with more-than-human fast and strong deeds, running, jumping and lifting weights in ways that Amelia could never do, even at the pick of her form as an auror.
Her niece asking the boy "That rock, Harry?" brought her back to present affairs. She laughed when the boy looked back at Susan and answered with "What? Couldn't found any one bigger?"
In fact, the rock was large, its visible part protruding from the floor easil 1.5 metres. "If I tired too much you will be responsible to bring me back to Hogwarts" Harry said to Susan before pointing his wand to the rock. What rock? A flash of light came out the boy's wand and the rock was gone, substituted by fine sand! And he didn't vocalize any spell! And she couldn't think of any spell able to do more than a dent in such large rock! No dull moment around these kids!
.o0o.
In the meantime, in The Room, it was time for the younger girls to receive a special version of The Talk, specially focused on what they would consider proper or not to do with a certain special boy for the next few months. At the start, as was expected, the older girls were wishing to approve some rules of conduct, which would be stricter for the young ones than themselves. Also, as was expected, they were soon rebuffed. Still, at the end they reached agreement at some points, valid at least until Yule break, when they would review the points agreed: 1) no exclusivity of any kind; 2) no emotional blackmails on the poor boy; 3) no jealousy; 4) no loss of virginity; 5) no public displays to avoid unwanted attention on Harry and the group.
.o0o.
"Dumbledore is not your legal guardian, Harry. He was so appointed in a session of the Wizengamot, and have been using this to back up his claims over you, but he wasn't able to register himself as your guardian in the Book of Records, so you aren't obliged to follow any orders he give you."
"But, then, am I on my own? Don't I need a guardian until I come to age?"
"I'm sure you have one, but I don't know who. I'm checking on this, but it is been hard because the Will of your parents were sealed in the same session that approved Albus as your guardian. My next step will be checking at St. Mungos for your Birth Register. It must tell me who were appointed as your godparents. It must be them together, or just one of them, your current legal guardian. The other option is to take you to Gringotts so you can unseal the Will."
"I would like it very much. Is Gringotts open on weekends?"
"Yes, but it is too late to do it today, and I have a lot of things to take care if I'm to arrest Pettigrew tomorrow. But there is one last thing I'd want to talk to you. It is about the wards, Harry. I'm really worried about how much vulnerable Hogwarts is right now. If you take control of them, would Dumbledore knows it was you? And, can he take the control back?"
Harry closed his eyes trying to remember everything he learned about the wards before answering "No, he would know that someone took control but wouldn't know who nor would he be able to take back the control. He still would be receiving all kinds of notifications, and would be able to do and change some things, if I don't deny him the power to do so."
"Is it only you who has this power?"
Harry thought for a moment before replying: "Please, I'd like to keep this to a need-to-know basis, ok?". Receiving a nod from each Bones woman, he explained: "This summer I took control of my life in a way I never had before. The castle noted this and recognized me as its owner. The Potters are the last descendants of Godric Gryffindor, the sole owner of the castle. The land where Hogwarts was built was owned by the Gryffindors alone. The matter that the other three Founders helped to build the castle didn't change the ownership. Godric thought in changing this, but never act on it, because in his time mutual ownership of property wasn't established yet, much less the concept of a Company, a Trust or an Association."
"Wow. You own Hogwarts! Harry, this is amazing!"
"Yes, Susan, it was a shock to me, too. But, please, keep it a secret. I want to be know by what I do and am, not by what others in my family did. Like The-Boy-Who-Lived. It wasn't me for sure. It was something my mother did, maybe with my father's help, but sure not a 15-months baby."
.o0o.
Hermione saw Ginny alone at one table in their Common Room, doing her homework, and took the chance.
"We need to talk."
Ginny sighed annoyed. She was half expecting something like this. Resting her quill on the table, she adopted a more erect posture and answered: "No, we don't need to talk. It is you that think we need."
Not a good beginning, but Hermione decided to ignore the signals and go forward.
"Ginny, what is happening around Harry isn't normal, and you must know it! After last year, I would expect you to be more careful, not throwing yourself in whatever ill-conceived adventure he is embarking on this time!"
"I am being careful, there is no ill-conceived plan, Harry isn't going dark as you have suggested so many times this last week and the girls around him really care for him and aren't doing more than be the best friends they could be. Also, you must stop with this nonsense of trying to dictate how other persons live their lives. By the way, who put you in charge of my life? Get out and let me work in peace!"
"Ginny! How could you! I'm trying to open your eyes because I care for you!"
"No, you don't. You never asked how I am or how I'm feeling about everything that happened to me last year. You don't talk about me at all! All you want to talk about is Harry, and how he has changed and how he didn't listen to you any more and how he has been keeping secrets from you!"
"Well, he changed a lot, and what he has been doing isn't normal! And the magic he has been showing, silently and even wandless! It can be normal! And he always told me everything!"
"Yes, he changed, and for the better! He saw how you and my brother were keeping him down, my brother with his laziness and lack of effort to do better, and you with your constantly interference, worship of authorities and want to dictate how others must live their lives! I warn you, and you better listen: leave Harry alone! He is better without you."
Hermione suddenly realized that their voices had raised during their discussion, and Ginny was now surrounded by many other girls who were looking at Hermione aggressively. She wanted to scream at the red-haired how ungrateful and wrong she was, but she decided to just turn on her heels and go back to her own homework, which had been accumulating to insane levels.
"Ginny, let's go The Room. You are in no way able to continue homework here now. I think it would be good for you to vent a little of this anger" said her dorm-mate Beth, and so they went, and found a merry group of witches there, celebrating a new achievement.
"We did it! Harry's new magic protect us against all kinds of mind-altering charms. We didn't test the Imperius, obviously, nor potions yet, but even obliviations can be shielded away with our magic! Isn't amazing?"
.o0o.
After Amelia had returned home, Susan and Harry took some time to walk around the village hand-in-hand. As a thank you for her help with Amelia, Harry bought Susan a bouquet of flowers and some sweets, plus some sweets for himself, and a lot more to gift to the other girls, and then some extra for any emergency, and the old couple who owns Honeydukes were really happy with their visit. Luckily Dobby didn't mind taking all of it back to the castle, or their tour would have ended there.
They went to the Shack, where Harry showed Susan the recent marks on the furniture and walls, musing if it was been used by professor Lupin in his monthly indisposition. When Harry asked if Susan was ready to go back to Hogwarts, the girl decided to reunite all her courage and ask for yet another gift from the boy who already did so much for her.
"Hum, Harry, I was thinking… This was such an amazing day… I'm so happy… Our walk… The gifts… I was thinking… maybe just one more thing to end our date with something really special… You see… It would be something really special for me… Maybe for you, too… I think it could really be good for both of us… And there is no one else I would think of asking… I'm babbling, am I not?… I mean… I want my first kiss to be with you."
Harry waited patiently to know what Susan wants so badly. Suddenly she was so shy! When she finally asked for a kiss, he look at her gobsmacked. He never before saw himself as desirable. He was just Harry! He take a good look at her. Her beautiful red hair coming down in waves to the middle of her back. Her breasts, already acquiring a good size and shape. Her large hips and small waist, giving her the form of an hourglass. Her lips, so red and appearing to be so soft. He fixed on her lips, and took a step forward, then another, then she also came to him, a step of hers meeting a step of his until they found themselves hugging each other, their lips finally glueing together, them their magic intertwining. And when they finished sharing their first kiss, they went to their second, and third, and soon they lost count of how many more.
When they finally rested, foreheads touching, it was Harry's time to use his courage.
"Susan, would you be my girlfriend?"
.o0o.
One of the few things Filius Flitwick dislike at Hogwarts was the staff reunions. This one in special, the first of the term, was the worst, because things were still foggy. They need some more time before they could evaluate the students. But Albus liked them, so Albus had them.
Filius wasn't expecting nothing new. Severus would say that, except for a few of his favourite Slytherins, the students were all dunderheads with no capacity of brew the simpler potions, and that Potter must be expelled. Minerva would recommend some changes that would be listened but not acted upon. She would also condemn Severus' behaviour. Albus would ask him to improve, Severus would agree but do nothing. Then Albus would listen to each teacher praise their better students, condemn the laziness or stupidity of their worst students, and nod his head sagely, as if he just had understood the exactly progress of each one of the kids. And wouldn't ask for anything to improve the conditions of those being left behind, as always.
Next would be Argus, asking for more severe punishments that would be denied, followed by Poppy summarizing her work so far. And then they will discuss Potter. This was a recent addition to the agenda, but since the boy had started his education at Hogwarts, he was a favourite subject of the headmaster.
Filius didn't know why, at least for the last two years. Until recently the boy seemed to be merely average. Now Filius was uncertain. What he discovered of him during Miss Lovegood's bullying episode, and a few glances at the boy in his classes, revealed some strange possibilities. But he will not be the one to tell Albus about it. Filius will observe with special attention, but will respect the privacy of the boy.
.o0o.
Ginny came back to the Common Room exhausted but happy with the improvements in her magic. Happy until her brother roughly took her to a corner, demanding to know what kind of business she had with the treacherous Potter.
"Why are you trying to interfere with my life? Get lost! Where were you last year when I had problems?"
Ron's temper was the worst of all Weasleys. He was always the first to lose control, the worst in understanding special circumstances and subtle nuances, the last to forgive and the one to never ask forgiveness or to say he was sorrow. He had lost contact with his two best friends and was just tolerated by Finnegan and Thomas, who didn't like his obsession with the Cannons or his ragged and dirty appearance or his eating habits. Seeing his little sister challenging his dominance was too much. He was older and a male, she had to obey! So, in his rage, he raise his hand threatening.
Next moment he was on the other side of the Common Room, upside-down. His body hurts everywhere. He could feel at least two broken bones. He was dazed. His head and shoulders were in pain of being sustaining the rest of his weight. He was in need to sleep all discomfort away. He wanted his mum.
.o0o.
Hermione saw everything from her corner in the room. When had that little girl become so strong and vicious? Could it be Dark Magic? Could she be learning it from Harry? How far had that boy gone in such evil path? Was it fear of the mass-murderer Sirius Black that took him to look for Dark Magic as a way to protect himself? But then, why teach it to a bunch of little girls? What was happening with him? Or was it all Ginny by herself? Could some residue of her possession last year have remained and was now taking control of her again? How could she discover what was happening with these two?
.o0o.
"I need you to seat down and listen carefully, Harry. Please."
Harry was almost in panic. What had he did wrong? It was all so good so far.
He took a breathe and look around, then used his wand to transform the ruins of a sofa in a comfortable and brand new love-seat. Instead of letting the panic wins, he tried to study his situation with calm. He sat and look expectantly at Susan. He need more information before he could do something to fix whatever he had botched up.
Susan sat the farthest away from him she could, a bad signal, but was smiling all the time, seeming really happy, which was a good signal. Mix signals, wonderful, just what a guy needs to be totally confused.
"Susan, what I did wrong?"
"Nothing at all, Harry, and I'm really happy that we kissed, and that you asked me to be your girlfriend. And I really wanted to be your girlfriend, but you need to know some things we, I mean the girls in our group, discussed but didn't have time to tell you. You know, with so many girls wanting to be with you and to learn from you, we realized that soon some of us would start to… hum, to make advancements trying to enter in a more… hum, intimate relationship with you. I think you can see how this could destroy the group, can't you?"
"Well, I think I understand how this can be disruptive, but what had you decided? That I couldn't have a relationship with any of you?"
"No, surely not. That would be terrible. That would be like dying of thirsty two steps before reaching a fountain! What we decided is that we would allow, even insist with you, that you don't limit yourself to just one of us."
"What? But that isn't how it is usually done! Why did you agree with such a thing?"
"Several reasons in fact. The first is the unity and survival of the group, which is very important for us. Other is that it's unusual to romance at our age to last too long, or be too serious, so why put strict limits so early in the game?"
"But… but… you're too many! How could I be dating all of you at the same time? I would not have enough time, and I could easily mess things, all kind of things, like birthdays, preferences, and… and anything!"
"Oh, Harry, only you! Every boy would be jumping at such an opportunity, thinking only in their own pleasure, and here is you, worrying about the poor girls who would have to endure your little mistakes while you try to find a way to keep all of us happy!"
"Well, it is the right thing to do, isn't?"
"Yes, it is. And that is the reason so many of us are expecting to try things with a boy like you instead to submit to the not so tender cares of the Hogwarts' average boy. Can you understand this?"
"Ah… I think I can if you don't expect me to agree that I'm somewhat special in any way."
"No! Harry, no matter what you think of yourself, it's really important that you fully understand how much special you are for us. You are teaching us magic of a kind never seen before, you have being a better friend and more respectful to us than any other boy, and you can… you will be a better boyfriend for us than any other boy we know, no matter how many of us were there to divide your attention. Please, accept this."
Harry kept his head down during Susan's little speech. Then she saw it, a single teardrop rolling down his right cheek. Next second she was hugging him with all the tenderness she had for him. They shared a long and soft kiss before he finally said: "You girls are too much for me. I'll never be able to pay back the debt of gratitude I have for you all. Now, let us see how much I understood of all this, okay?"
After she nod he started, and wait for a nod or a correction after each statement: "So, you can be my girlfriend and wanted it, right?". She noded.
"Other girls also wanted to be my girlfriend, at the same time, and are okay with sharing?". Another nod.
"You also are okay with sharing me with other girls?" A nod and a huge grin. Harry was expecting some reluctance of her part here, but found none. How to understand girls?
"I'm required to be a boyfriend to all the girls in the group?"
Here Susan felt the need to elaborate: "Harry, in no way are we trying to cut out your independence, your right to chose how to be and what to do. We started discussing this topic not to impose our will over yours, but to assure we will, at least for a while, not being fighting over you between ourselves. What we would like is that you keep your options open for a while, and take some time to know each of us before making a decision. What we would like you to do, but will not demand in any way, is that you feel comfortable when any of us approach you searching for some contact, from a little tenderness to a lustful session of… sex, if we ever reach that stage. I don't know the wishes and limits of each girl, this you'll need to find by yourself, and we can respect any limits of yours, if you are consistent in applying them to all of us, but while you respect each of us, you can ask any of us to a date whenever you like. All we expect is that you don't consistently refuse the advances of one of us if possible, or explain to us why you are doing it otherwise, so none of us fill neglected or rejected. Do you think you can manage it this way?"
"I think so, but I really would want to start slowly. Hey, what people would say seeing me with a different girl each day? They will think the worst of you!"
"Well, we were thinking in restricting public displays to a minimum… What you think?"
"Don't know if it would really be doable, but I'm willing to try."
.o0o.
Returning home, Amelia started planning how to put both Albus and Fudge out of her way. The discussion about wards with Potter gave her the idea she needed. She floo-called Fudge and he immediately accepted it. He even accepted to be the one to convince Dumbledore.
Twenty minutes later Fudge called her back, saying that, after an initial resistance, Dumbledore had agreed to meet him and a group of selected reporters to check and ensure the magical population that, whatever means Black had used to escape, it had not compromised the security of Azkaban and there was no reason to fear for new prison escapes. They would be there 7am sharp to not compromise their previously agenda too much.
With Dumb and Dumber occupied elsewhere, Amelia needed to decide how to proceed with Pettigrew. A meeting of the Wizengamot was out of quest, as there wasn't time to summon one and, even if possible, she was sure Dumbledore would request the reallocation of the visit to Azkaban to avoid the conflict of schedule. But giving Pettigrew a trial was not her main concern. What she really needed was a way to extract the maximum of information from the guy and ensure it reached the Press before anyone could try to put it under the rug.
Fudge had said he would make sure that Albus would explain every step of the check-up of the wards, and this could easily take two hours, maybe three. With the addition of some questions & answers session, three hours minimum was a good guess.
The peak of breakfast for a Monday at Hogwarts would be around 7:30 am. She could collect Pettigrew then, in front of all students and staff. At 8:00am she could start the interrogation, in front of her own selected group of reporters. At 8:30am she hopeful would have finished, the reports would be returning to their offices with the full story, whatever it was, and no one would be able to conceal it. 8:30am would also be the perfect time for Harry to take control of the wards, ensuring that Albus would immediately return to Hogwarts instead of accompanying Fudge to the Ministry. Oh, what a day would be tomorrow!
.o0o.
The twins had taken their less smarter brother to the Infirmary and were chatting on their back to their Common Room.
"George, I think I don't want to ask our little and sweet sister how she destroyed the walking garbage bin we call a brother so easily. To be honest, I think I'm a little scared of her after what I saw her doing to him."
"Well, she always had a temper, now she seems to also be having the strength to back it."
"Yes, but I'm glad to see that Ginny recuperated from her ordeal last year and is happy again. I don't think little Harrykins is a Dark wizard, no matter what arguments the resident bookworm throws at me, and I don't think our sister is a Dark witch either."
"Yes, I agree. So, what you reckon the situation asks of us? Would only a distant accompaniment be enough?"
"I think so. Until we find some real reason to worry, I say live and let live."
"What about all the secrecy over what Harry and half the girls of school are doing? Remember all the secrecy around the Diary?"
"Not the same, bro. Last year Ginny was constantly sad and alone, looking ill. Now she is the usual happy spitfire we knew since her birth. She is learning something from Harry, I'm sure, but she only used it once, to protect herself, and I'm glad to see her able to defend herself."
.o0o.
Filius was sadly proved right on his guess about the staff meeting. Just one fact was out of his predictions, and it came about when was the time of the teachers of the elective disciplines to give their appreciations. It all started when professor Babbling praised Harry Potter as one of their best students. That visibly surprised Albus. When professor Vector did the same at her time, the headmaster stop everything to check with Minerva about Mr. Potter choices of electives.
For a moment Dumbledore showed a mix of fear and surprise, soon replaced by rage, then followed by his usually serene face. That convinced Filius about the strange nature of Albus' interest in Harry Potter, setting his resolve in not offer any information to him unnecessarily.
"I wasn't informed of this change in Harry's electives. When it happened?"
Minerva answered that "He owled me asking for the changes in the first week of August. I thought it was a trivial matter so didn't inform you. Is something wrong?"
"It is important that Mr. Potter receives some instruction in Divination. It was probably my fault not stressing this point with him, but after informed of his choices at the end of the year, I didn't see the need to personally inform him. I'll rectify this talking with him tomorrow."
Several looks were exchanged between the staff. Why would Albus interfere with Mr. Potter's electives? And, of all disciplines, Divination? Curious.
.o0o.
With the total darkness inside the tunnel to Hogwarts, Harry and Susan had many chances to play hide and seek and other silly games, just for the fun of it. It was a wanted changed from the seriousness of their previous discussions during the day.
Reaching the ladder to climb back to the whomping willow, Harry, always the gentleman, signalled for her to climb first. Susan, as a girl in a short skirt, was about to refuse but then decided that her boyfriend deserves a little show. She thanked silently her Auntie's knowledge of the muggle world as Susan remembered she was using a nice styled thong instead of the cotton knickers privileged by the retrograde magical society, which resembles more a boy's boxer than a teen girl's piece.
Harry reciprocate giving her butt all the attention it deserved. He was trying to memorize every detail of that artistic masterpiece. He noted that, with pussies being such a risk, and boobs such a sensible topic, he was developing a profound appreciation for girls' backsides.
Author's note:
1. As always, I'd appreciate to hear your comments.
2. We are now reaching the point of why this story is classified for Mature Audience (even if I consider teenaged a more appropriate term). A bunch of teenagers away from their parents' sight in a huge castle under limited adult supervision would do things… lots of things. Some erotic scenes would become common thing, but I'll not enter into too detailed descriptions, just enough to convey the mood and the spirit of what happens.
3. Chapter 4 was re-uploaded with a minor correction. I made use of the term 'horcrux' in a situation where Harry still didn't know about it. Thanks to scyfly for pointing the mistake.