Disclaimer: I own nothing but my mistakes.
Chapter 8: How to beat a cockatrice
Harry sat alone in the champion's tent. Daniel had just stepped out to face his dragon, a Hungarian Horntail, and the oppressive silence pressed down on Harry. The tent was charmed so the no noise could get in, they didn't want a champion copying another one's ideas, or maybe freaking out if one of the others was killed.
The officials hadn't listened to his complaints that it was unfair that he was the only champion who had to face a cockatrice. They didn't care when he pointed out that it was such a dangerous creature that it was why the tournament had been canceled for two hundred years.
They just said it was his fault for picking it and that they hadn't been able to get enough dragons. Daniel seemed unconcerned about his own dragon and spent most of the time until he was called mocking Harry. Growing more upset as Harry ignored him.
While Daniel was making a fool of himself in front of the other champions, who found it somewhat amusing, Harry was reviewing everything he knew about cockatrices. It didn't take him long to realize that he had actually lucked out.
His main plan had been to conjure large snakes to distract the dragon and another to retrieve his egg. That might still work with the cockatrice but it hopefully wouldn't be needed. Back at Wandwood when they had been covering the tournament in history class their professor had asked them what they might have done to deal with it. One of the other students lived on a farm and had suggested several methods used to deal with angry roosters.
As Harry thought about her suggestions he knew exactly what spell to use, one his dad had told him about years ago. He would still need a distraction though; cockatrices were very protective of eggs. Like dragons they could also breath fire so he needed distance, though his suit would protect him from the worst of it. They were also fast so Harry knew he would only get one shot. They were even faster than dragons and a single cockatrice would go head-to-head with a dragon thanks to its speed and agility, cutting the dragon to ribbons with its sharp claws.
But it also had a weakness compared to dragons, its size, which Harry would take full advantage of. On average they were only twelve feet tall and weighed only a fraction of what a fully grown dragon did.
The tent flap opened and one of the handlers poked their head in. "Got yours all set up, good luck."
Harry stepped out into the stadium that had been built for the first event. He knew the cockatrice would be with the eggs so he wasn't worried about being set upon by it right away. Carefully he made his way towards the center of the arena using the rocks as cover.
Sure enough there was the cockatrice with several eggs, it's head jerking from side to side as it attempted to keep an eye on everyone at once. The poor thing was probably going crazy.
Harry cast a partial transfiguration on a rock to turn it into a snake while allowing it to keep the stones color and texture. In class the results would have been a poor grade, but here it was just what he needed.
The stone snake made its way around to the side of the cockatrices nest, perfectly camouflaged and able to get very close to it. By the time the cockatrice saw it the snake was almost close enough to strike. The cockatrice reacted to defend the eggs and lunged at the rock snake; it was easily quick enough to overcome the transfigured stone but the snake had served its purpose. Harry knew his best shot would be just as the cockatrice struck
Harry cast his jinx just as the cockatrice fell upon the snake, it's talons sinking through the stone flesh. Suddenly its feet were yanked out from under it and the cockatrice found itself suspended in the air, hanging from its ankles, or whatever similar part it had.
Its cry was horrible, it flapped its wings and blew fire but Harry maintained the jinx. He could already feel the strain of keeping the creature contained with the same jinx his dad said they used once on Snape. As he moved to the nest and collected the egg, he wondered how Snape would react to seeing that particular spell again.
Harry didn't release the spell until he reached the tent and ducked back in, without his magic actively sustaining the jinx the cockatrice broke free within moments.
He had barely stepped in before Andy set upon him and checked for any injury. She didn't listen to his protest that he was fine and hadn't gotten near the cockatrice. By the time she was satisfied that he was indeed fine Hermione had made it to the tent and rushed in. Sharra was just behind her as they tackled Harry to the ground, doing their own inspection while Hermione ranted about them using a cockatrice.
The adults came in a moment later, Tonks and Wendy had similar feelings to Hermione about the idiocy of Hogwarts while Sirius thought it was a great prank to use that spell to win the first task.
They were still congratulating Harry when Dean Horsefeather came in with his scores. He had done well, but both Dumbledore and Igor had given him dismal scores supposedly for his poor transfiguration and what Dumbledore claimed was insensitivity. Currently Harry sat in the middle of the five champions, behind Cedric in first and Daniel in second but ahead of Fleur in fourth and Krum in last place.
The champions were gathered together after the task to be told that the egg was their clue and the date of the second task. That night there was a large party on the airship to celebrate Harry's performance in the first task.
Part way through the party Harry noticed Hermione slip away, clearly unhappy. He excused himself to follow her and the ended up on the observation desk on top of the ship. Someone had set up a few lawn chairs.
Harry came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. "What's wrong?"
"You could have died. Cockatrice are one of the few creatures considered more viscous than a dragon! How could they have you fight that?" Hermione asked with unshed tears in her eyes. Hogwarts had been such a horrible place for her and now it was trying to take Harry away.
"Hermione, I promised you that if it got too dangerous, I would forfeit. Staying with you is more important than my magic." Harry moved to one of the lawn chairs and pulled Hermione onto his lap. She curled up against him. They stayed like until well after the party finished.
0-Q-0
The following morning the Daily Prophet proclaimed that Daniel was clearly the best champion, followed by Cedric. They spent several articles saying how wonderful Daniel's strategy was and how amazing he was. Cedric got a bit of praise for a good attempt. Fleur was basically called a silly little girl for trying to put her dragon to sleep. Krum was a brute and Harry was called an insensitive coward who won only by luck.
However, Harry had also taken subscriptions to other papers, the French magical paper praised Fleur for her method and called it cheating that Bagman's loud screaming had woken the dragon before she had managed to get away. Harry was inclined to agree. To his surprise the paper also complimented his use of a simple jinx to deal with such a dangerous creature.
The paper he was most interested in though was from North America. It highlighted the positives of each champion's methods and stuck it to the organizers for blatant favoritism. A few other international papers took the same approach. The tournament was costing both the English Ministry and Hogwarts a good deal of credibility.
One of the papers also had an interview with a specialist on dangerous animals who praised Harry's method and said that he would add it to his own list of spells. As it was similar to, but simpler, than his current version, and that half a second could mean his life.
They were just finishing breakfast in the great hall when Spleanslayer walked in, flanked on either side by a guard. Harry actually saw Dumbledore's eye twitching as he stood to greet the new guests. "To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit Spleanslayer?"
"I have come to inform you that Hogwarts and the Ministry of Magic has been found in violation of the contract for the Tri-wizard Tournament and have one month to make agreements to pay the fines from this violation before they are confiscated from your vaults." Spleanslayer said loud enough for everyone to easily hear him.
"What violation?" Dumbledore demanded.
"In accordance with the contract you and the ministry are to provide as fair of a playing field as possible for the champions. Having all but one fight a dragon was a clear violation of this. Though not enough to strip you of your magic." Spleanslayer explained. Sadly, the judges had more protection than the actual students.
Snape sneered at the small creature. "And now we are expected to pay Black?"
"Unless Hogwarts or the Ministry wish to challenge the decision, in which case they may pay the fine to the other four champions instead. The choice matters little to us."
"Perhaps we should retire to my office to discuss this?" Dumbledore suggested.
"I see no reason to." Spleanslayer said. "And to stop any arguments, Gringotts contacted the dragon preserve from which you acquired the four dragons. They informed us that they had another three nesting mothers that could have been used but you only requested one extra. If you have the time and money to spend to track down a cockatrice, I see no reason for you not to pay the fine. Good day." Spleanslayer had his guards left the stunned great hall.
Harry and Hermione quickly ducked out before anyone ire could be focused on them.
0-Q-0
Hermione was walking near the greenhouses, working on a comparison of the plants grown at Hogwarts and those at Wandwood, when she heard mocking laughter from around the corner. She peeked around the green house to find three older students standing over a fourth on the ground. All of them were girls in Ravenclaw robes.
She only had to listen a moment to hear the cruel taunts from the older students.
Wand out Hermione stepped around the corner. "That's enough."
The older students spun. The one who seemed to be in charge sneered at her. "If it isn't Granger, the coward who ran away. The weird little girl with no friends."
Hermione ignored their taunts; they were a lot more pathetic than she remembered. "Leave her alone."
"We don't have to listen to you." One of the other ones said. She raised her wand and shot a curse at Hermione.
A shield snapped up and Hermione deflected the curse back at the girl. She toppled over and began to clutch at her robes and whimper. Hermione gave her a disappointed look. "The wedgie jinx? Really? What are you five? You two take your friend and leave or I'll show you what a real curse looks like."
The other two girls picked up the third by her arms and half carried, half dragged her away. Hermione went over to check on the girl that they had been bullying. She found a small waif of a girl around Sharra's age with blonde hair. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, thank you." The girl said as Hermione helped her up and summoned her items that had been scattered across the dirt path.
"I'm Hermione Granger." Hermione said politely once her things were back in her pack.
"Hello Hermione Granger, I'm Luna Lovegood." Luna said just as politely.
"It's nice to meet you. Does that happen often." Hermione asked.
Luna looked off to the side. "More than I would prefer but it's normally just my things disappearing, or the guardian to the common room charmed so that I can't get in, or my plate charmed so I miss a meal."
"That's awful! Why haven't the professors stopped this?" Hermione demanded.
"A lack of proof." Luna said with a shrug. "If I complain worse things happen and there is never enough proof for more than a detention. I could tell professor Flitwick what just happened but it would be my word against theirs."
Hermione could tell from Luna's tone that she had clearly tried before and the results had been far from satisfactory. "Well, I'm not sure what we can do about most of that yet but if they try to force you to skip a meal just come to the airship and eat there."
"I can do that?" Luna asked, her large eyes blinked in an owl-like manner.
"Of course, in fact would you like to come have dinner with us tonight? It will be served soon." Hermione said. There was something about Luna that reminded her of herself. Was this what would have happened to her if she had remained at Hogwarts?
"If you're sure that I wouldn't be an inconvenience." Luna said shyly.
"Not at all. So long as you don't mind my little sister, she's a bundle of energy." Hermione said brightly. The apprentices had needed to work double-time to child proof the airship when Cordelia began to demonstrate how much trouble she could get into. Thankfully the captain and house elves could normally track her down if she managed to get away.
"I'm sure I won't." Luna said happily as they walked towards the airship. She was overwhelmed as soon as they stepped onto the airship as Hermione introduced her to a number of people, including Harry Black, his younger sister Sharra and her own sister Cordelia as well as their parents.
Luna was amazed at how she was just accepted by them, even when she mentioned her father published the Quibbler. That had ended any chance she had of friends in Ravenclaw, but the students from Wandwood barely batted an eye. One of them even began to ask actual questions rather than the mocking ones that she had become used to.
At Luna's shocked expression the older girl explained. "I might not believe everything your family writes but some of the theories are incredible."
Throughout the meal Cordelia continued to reach over and grab Luna's hair while Sharra joined in questioning Luna about the Quibbler. It was the best meal Luna had since she came to Hogwarts, the fact that it wasn't with the Hogwarts students or in the school wasn't lost on her.
It was with great reluctance that Luna left the airship to return to Hogwarts. She cheered up when she received an open invitation to come back anytime she wanted, even if the other students were eating in the great hall.
Luna took full advantage the offer and quickly became a regular fixture among the Wandwood students. It was during dinner several days later when Luna was finally able to repay their kindness. Wendy was giving them an update on the golden egg; Luna was amazed that they trusted her enough to be there. She didn't know that they hadn't even considered her as a possible leak since they planned to spread the information once the egg was solved anyways.
"We still haven't figured out what the screeching is but we've made progress on breaking the wards and charms on the egg to prevent tampering. We don't know if it'll help but it's our best idea right now." Wendy said. They'd already worked through a dozen different theories for the egg, including that it was some type of language or code. Various attempts to decipher it had proven pointless. To date their closest attempt to success was placing a bubble head charm around the egg which changed the shirking to what sounded like angry gerbils. Another idea was that the noise was from some type of animal that Harry would have to fight come the second task.
"It's mermish." Luna said at a lull in the conversation.
"It's what?" Wendy asked.
"Mermish, the language of merpeople. There's a village of them in the lake. I've talked with them before but it's quite tiresome as I can't understand them above water so to properly hear them, I have to stick my head into the lake. And because I can't talk underwater, they'd have to break the surface to hear my response." Luna explained.
Immediately two of the apprentices made a large floating ball of water. Wendy took the golden egg and placed it inside before she opened it. The sound was muted but no less comprehensible. She stuck her head into the water and stayed there until she ran out of breath. "It works! Luna you are a genius!"
Luna was caught off guard by the sudden respect they were given her. She had no idea who to react when Sharra basically attached herself to her arm in minor hero worship. It was overwhelming for the young girl but she felt pride swell within her chest.
She was caught off guard when after he listened to the clue harry wrapped her in a hug, more so when Hermione joined in as well.
Luna was still on cloud nine when she returned to the Ravenclaw common room. Many of her house mates watched with confusion as she skipped up to her dorm.
0-Q-0
Harry pulled Hermione aside as they walked towards their next class. In a very serious tone he said. "Hermione the Dean just told me that there is going to be a Christmas ball and as champion I have to go. Would you do me the honor of being my date for the evening?"
"I'd be delighted to Mr. Black." Hermione said with a formal bow before she burst of in a fit of giggles. "I'm actually surprised to didn't try to make some grand gesture to ask me."
"Well, I was going to paint your invitation on the side of the airship, I even made a special magical paint that changes color. But it's really hard to clean. Even the house elves couldn't get it off and I really didn't want to see what the Dean would do to me if I used it on the airship. Or the captain, you know I've caught his whispering sweet nothings to it before?"
"Harry, that's one of those things I don't need to know." Hermione shuddered at what else the captain might get up to with the ship.
0-Q-0
Dumbledore was not pleased with the way things had gone. As Fudge was pacing in front of his desk Dumbledore assumed that the minister was as well. "How did this happen! We can't afford to pay such a large fine, and to Black of all people! It'll eat up most of the profits from the task!"
"I have tried to appeal to the goblins but they are determined to uphold their ruling. They do not care that a Cockatrice is basically the same as a dragon." Not true, but most people were willing to believe it. It was a shame the goblins wouldn't.
"Albus, we have to do something! I thought you said slipping that chicken lizard in would throw him for a loop, embarrass him! Not just let him walk through the task! We would have been better off with a dragon!" Fudge ranted.
"I am afraid that there is nothing that we can do but pay the fine and move on. The Goblins will see the money taken even if we refuse." Dumbledore said.
"We need more tasks, something everyone will want to see but that doesn't cost us much to put on." Fudge said pleadingly.
"We can not simply add a task, the contract was only for three tasks. Even if we were to add one the champions would not be required to participate." Dumbledore explained.
"There must be a way, something that we can offer them, or threaten them with." Fudge continued to pace before the desk. "There has to be a way."
Dumbledore considered the idea, if he could figure out a way to accomplish it there was promise. "I will see what can be arranged, but I can not make any promises."
He would hold off on any definite plans until he figured out a way to embarrass Black. While the Prophet had spun the story as he wanted other newspapers had not done the same. He was well aware that among the world Hogwarts was looking very foolish.
"Just… do what you can. I'll try and weasel some extra money out of the muggles." Fudge was resigned to a great deal of work to survive this mess. He just didn't seem to be able to catch a break.
0-Q-0
The Muggle Prime Minister would have laughed had things not been so serious. He had taken a number of international magical papers to keep abreast of what was happening. He was disappointed to find the quality of the British paper was barely at the level that he would expect from a school paper. He found the international newspapers much more informative.
The results of the first task were fascinating, if worrying.
Then there were the files that Fudge had provided them, he had been informed that there were several charms on them to confuse the reader, once those were removed the numbers were even more worrying. Hopefully they could be used make some progress in the magical world.
Or at least keep things from detreating further. The North Americans weren't happy that their champion was given a different animal than the others, one that was widely considered more deadly.
0-Q-0
Harry entered the war room to find his dad with a wide smile as he looked over a stack of papers. "Hey pup, good news. The trial for the Daily Prophet is set to start in two weeks. They've pushed it through pretty fast."
"Well, that should be interesting." Harry really didn't care about the trial, yes, he wanted the Prophet punished for the lies that they had printed about him but he wasn't very excited about a going to court. He was more excited about working on his underwater swimming. The gillyweed they had suggested sounded fun, and Hermione had promised to try it with him, which meant she'd be in a bathing suit again.
"So how have your classes been?" Sirius asked.
"Boring, we've covered most of this stuff before, a few of the professors are willing to advance us but Dumbledore is dragging his feet on approving it. I guess he doesn't want it to look like we're better than Hogwarts students." Harry replied.
"Sounds like the old man." Sirius made a mental note to speak with Dumbledore. He knew the Wandwood students were having to do a great deal of self-studying to keep up with where they should be, wasting time in a class where they already knew the material wasn't going to help them.
0-Q-0
"Severus, I need you to check young Mr. Black's mind during his next potion lesson. We need to find a way to control him. Either something he wants or does not want known." Dumbledore said.
Snape smiled; he had been waiting for a chance to get into the brat's mind. With a little luck he could manage to do some serious damage as well. Of course, it would be in such a way that it didn't show for months. Some blackmail material would also do. He had been touched, reluctantly, by Black's gesture but his hatred had slowly eroded that until nothing but contempt was left. Why should Black have so much and he so little.
"It will be done Headmaster." Snape said.
"Excellent. I doubt he will have more than the most rudimentary shields but still be careful. We do not know the full results of what dark magic Black has used on his son." Dumbledore warned. He had been tempted to make the attempt himself but Severus had more experience with dark magic and stood a better chance of dealing with whatever he might find in Harry's mind.
0-Q-0
Harry was woken from a rather pleasant dream about Hermione by a frantic knocking at his cabin door. He grumbled as he got up and opened it, only to question if he was still dreaming. Luna stood in the hall in nothing but a thin nightgown, when she saw Harry she epp'd and he saw a blush spread down her chest before he managed to turn around.
"I'm sorry…. I thought this was Hermione room." Luna choked out through her embarrassment.
"Why… never mind get in here I'll go get Hermione." Harry said. "and uh, find something to wear, please."
Harry stepped out of his room and walked down to Hermione's; she opened the door after several moments. "Harry?"
"Luna just showed up at my door in a nightgown looking for you." It wasn't until he spoke that he realized how odd it sounded.
"Are you sure this wasn't just one of those dreams?" Hermione asked, not that she would be happy about him having such a dream that wasn't about her.
Harry shook his head. "If it was, you'd have been there. Just come see alright?"
"Fine." Hermione followed Harry back to his room and found Luna on his bed, wearing one of his shirts. Thankfully she was small enough that it concealed her modesty. Her face still red in embarrassment. "Luna?"
"I'm so sorry. I thought this was your room, I was panicked and ..." Luna began to babble before Hermione cut her off.
"Luna, breath. Just tell us what happened." Hermione sat next to her and put a comforting arm around her shoulder.
"I went to bed this evening but then I woke up in the corridor. The knocker for our common room wouldn't let me back in and I didn't know what else to do." Luna was close to tears.
Hermione pulled the younger girl into a hug. "It's alright, you didn't do anything wrong. You're freezing!"
Harry frowned as something accrued to him. "You walked all the way from your common room to my room, across the lawn, in early December?"
"Yes." Luna said.
"No wonder you're freezing." Hermione took her wand and cast several warming charms on the shirt and Harry's pillow that she shoved into Luna's arms.
"How did you get past the guards?" Harry asked.
"What guards?" Luna asked.
"The ones guarding the ship, at the ramp?" Harry's stomach felt like it had fallen through the floor, something was wrong.
"There weren't any." Luna said.
"Hermione watch Luna, I need to go tell my dad and the Dean." Harry hurried from his room.
The whole ship was quickly woken and a search was carried out, both for the guards and anyone else that might have snuck on board. The guards were quickly found drinking on the far side of the airship. They were split over what was worse, the Dean's angry rant at them or Tonk's. The ship was cleared not long after.
Afterwards the Dean called a number of them to her office. She had been tempted to contact Luna's head of house or Dumbledore but decided it would be better to go straight to Luna's father. A temporary floo connection had been set up on the ship and the Dean placed a call to Mr. Lovegood.
0-Q-0
Xeno Lovegood was woken by his floo alarm, he grumbled as he made his way downstairs wondering who would be calling so late, or was it already early? "Yes?"
"Good morning Mr. Lovegood. I am Dean Horsefeather. Your daughter is fine but there was an incident this evening that we thought should be brought to your attention." She explained.
"Why isn't Hogwarts contacting me?" Xeno asked confused.
"We thought that it was best to contact you directly. Would it be possible for you to step through and speak with us?" The Dean asked.
"Of course, I'll be right over." Xeno threw on his robes and stepped into the floo. As soon as he arrived in the Dean's office and stepped over to Luna. "You're alright?"
Luna threw her arms around his neck. "I am." She assured him.
It was only then that Xeno took notice of the numerous other people in the room, some of them were easily recognizable such as Sirius Black and his son Harry who looked almost identical to Daniel Potter. Most though he could not put a name to. "What exactly is going on?"
He listened in shock and horror at how his daughter had ended up on the airship and why she was there. The feelings only grew as he learned that this wasn't the first time such things had happened to her. Before he could storm into Hogwarts and begin issuing dueling challenges for the way they had treated his daughter the Dean stopped him.
"Mr. Lovegood. I would like to offer Luna a place at Wandwood, she already has a number of friends among our students and solved the clue for the second task for us. We are in her debt and would be delighted for her to join our school." The Dean said.
Xeno only needed one look at his daughter's pleading eyes to agree. As soon as he said if she wanted to Luna threw herself at him in an enormous hug. "Thank you!"
The Dean attempted to keep a straight face but her lips twitched. "Wonderful, now you may either reside on the airship with us or go to Wandwoods proper campus in North America."
"I'd like to stay here please." Luna said brightly.
"Excellent choice. As for you room, there are a number of options. You can have a private cabin or both Miss Black and Miss Granger have offered to allow you to bunk with them." The Dean said. She wondered if it would be possible to pocket any other students from Hogwarts. Yes, she had offered Luna a place because the girl needed help but it seemed fitting that they try and steal away a few other bright students.
Luna was overwhelmed that they actually wanted to share a room with her, she looked to Hermione and Sharra who both wore large smiles. "I would like to bunk with Hermione, if that's alright."
Hermione leaned over to hug the small girl while Sharra flopped back in her chair with a good-natured groan and a mumbled 'lucky'.
Not long after the children were sent from the office. Officially to get Luna settled into her new room though her things wouldn't be there until they had presented the transfer papers to Hogwarts in the morning.
As soon as they left Xeno tried to thank the other adults once again for helping his daughter. They waved office his thanks with the explanation that Luna was a friend of their children which basically made her family.
"I'm just glad you agreed to let Luna enroll in Wandwood." Sirius said.
"Why is that?" Xeno asked.
"Because if you'd kept her in Hogwarts there would have been trouble. Harry Hermione and Sharra all consider her a sister. Plus, a number of the older students think she is adorable. If Luna had been forced to stay at Hogwarts, they would have done whatever they felt they needed to for her protection. They're all magically powerful, Harry and Sharra have the cleverness of pranksters, Hermione has the biggest brain I've seen outside of one of those cheesy monster movies and the older students have a lot of experience. They would have destroyed anyone who went after Luna. Not to mention Harry is aware of just how much immunity the tournament rules provide him. Heck I wouldn't be surprised to see him dueling people over how they treated your daughter." Sirius explained.
That was when Xeno was sure that he had made the correct choice.
0-Q-0
During breakfast the next morning most of the Wandwood students were in the great hall, more than normal as word had quietly spread about what was to happen. Everyone wanted to see the show and make sure they had their friends covered with a few extra wands if needed.
Just after the post arrived Xeno strolled into the great hall and made his way towards the headtable. Dumbledore watched him curiously, parents often didn't show up unexpected, and hardly ever at meals. "Mr. Lovegood. To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?"
"I am withdrawing my daughter from Hogwarts." Xeno said as he handed over the copies of the forms to Dumbledore and Professor Flitwick. He was angered by the cheers from the Ravenclaw table. He wondered if perhaps he should track down a few slimesluggers and help them find their way into the Ravenclaw common room.
Their cheers turned to confusion though when Xeno handed another stack of parchment to Dean Horsefeather. She gave them a quick glance but she knew they were all in order. "Thank you, Mr. Lovegood, Wandwood welcomes your daughter."
Dumbledore did not like that at all. It wasn't that he had lost the Lovegood girl, she had little value to any plans. But it was the clear power play that had just been made in his great hall. Publicly transferring the girl to a rival school sent a strong message and was just rude. "Mr. Lovegood, I am surprised that you do not wish for your daughter to receive the best education that she can."
"I do, which is why I removed her from Hogwarts, I have found your school severely, lacking." Xeno said loud enough for everyone to hear him.
"I can not allow such an accusation to stand. Hogwarts is the premier magical school in Europe." Dumbledore ignored the displeased looks from the other schools.
"I won't speculate on whether or not that is true, though I find it hard to believe. However, I have seen the evidence myself. You school has failed these students, I won't allow it to fail my daughter anymore." Xeno turned and went to speak with Luna, who had joined Harry, Hermione and Sharra at the Hufflepuff table that morning.
Dumbledore had no easy comeback. He could read the crowd well enough to see that arguments would only weaken his position. He needed a way to prove his point beyond words. He had to find a way to push through the dueling tournament he thought of after Fudge's last visit, Daniel trouncing Harry would prove that Hogwarts was the best.
0-Q-0
Snape actually smiled as he walked into his class, most of the students who noticed were worried. Even among his house Snape wasn't known to show signs of joy. Or well any type of positive emotion. He had thought about Black's apology, it had dominated his mind for several months before he came to the conclusion that it really didn't matter.
How were a few words and a favor supposed to make up for the torment that Potter and Black had put him through? The short answer was that it couldn't. Severus had been limited in what he could do to Potter though, but now Dumbledore had given him permission to enter the mind of Black's son, and better yet that child was born a Potter. Oh, he doubted that Potter would care if Harry was hurt somehow but the thought gave him the wonderful warm feeling and sent a pleasant shiver down his back.
He started the class as he normally would and stalked among the students' desks, snapping out insults and generally doing his best to hamper anyone not in his house. The Gryffindor's had long ago become accustomed to his attitude, but today was different. It felt like a wolf was among the sheep and they were all on edge.
Before Snape judged that it was time to act there had already been three melted cauldrons and a number of detentions issued. Oh yes it was a good day and about to get better.
Snape liked to think that he was a master of mental magic, and to some extent he was correct. Though his methods would have been considered crude by any true master. Still, he believed that he was among the best and refused to believe that a child of Potter raised by Black could be anything but an open book to him. His intrusion into Harry's mind was far from what he expected.
Instead of having full access it felt as though he was trying to run through syrup. Yes, he was making headway but at a much slower pace than he wanted and with considerable effort. He'd make it through in a few moments but it enraged him that the brat had any type of mental shields. Snape didn't consider that shields strong enough to slow him down also meant that Harry would be aware of his intrusion.
Harry felt Snape the moment the Potion Master entered his mind and immediately turned his head to break eye contact. That was enough to force Snape out.
The sensation of being thrown from someone's mind was always disorienting, when it is a result of a loss of eye contact that disorientation is worse because it is unexpected. Snape stumbled backwards and for a moment was overcome with a wave of vertigo as his mind settled back into his body.
By comparison the sensation Harry experienced was one of relief as the external presence was removed. He grabbed Hermione's hand and pulled her towards the door. "We have to leave."
Snape raised his wand. "You aren't going anywhere!" He struggled to cast a spell at the door that would force it closed and lock it. He wasn't going to let the little bastard escape.
Harry, not recognizing the spell moved between it and Hermione. He raised a shield just in time to reflect it back at Snape, who thanks to the disorientation only partially managed to move out of the way. His own spell clipped his shoulder and threw him back into the blackboard. He slammed through it and rolled into the wall. Chalk dust and bits of wood fell on Snape's prone figure.
It was several moments before any of the shocked students began to move, but instead of informing a professor about what had happened the Slytherins and Gryffindor's began to yell at each other. By the time someone thought to get help Harry and Hermione were back on the airship and informing their parents and the Dean what had happened.
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No one aboard the Artic Gale was very surprised when Dumbledore arrived and demanded to speak with them. He was shown into the Deans office where the only seat still available was noticeably smaller than the other. He attempted to transfigure it only to find that he couldn't.
Dumbledore quickly realized that this was intentional and instead chose to stand as he addressed Harry. "Mr. Black, attacking a professor is a serious crime. You face a great deal of trouble and I assure you that Professor Snape will pressure this matter to the full extent of the law. I may be able to talk him out of that course of action but it would require something on your part."
"And what would that be?" Harry asked calmly. He knew that he was in the clear seven ways to Sunday but he was interested in what Dumbledore hoped to get out of him.
"The Ministry is interested in adding another task to the tournament. A dueling competition between the champions. If you agree to participate than I feel sure that the Minister and I would be able to deter Severus from causing any trouble over your assault of him." Dumbledore said with his grandfatherly smile. This had been an unexpected boon and he hoped the first step in putting many of his plans back on track.
"No thanks." Harry said.
"I beg your pardon?" Dumbledore was sure that he must have heard incorrectly.
"I said no, let Snape try to press charges. I know that I am. He attacked my mind and then fired an unknown spell at me. All I did was cast a shield. The law is clear that he is in the wrong." Harry explained.
"It is only your word against his." Dumbledore pointed out. "I have the upmost confidence in Severus. He is a Potion Master, Professor of Hogwarts and a very gifted individual. Also, as he is a member of Hogwarts this matter would be decided in our courts."
"So? That doesn't mean I can't drag his name through the mud. Not that there is much honor or anything that he could lose." Harry said.
Before Dumbledore could retort the office door opened and Madam Bones stepped in. "Ah Headmaster, excellent. I was hoping to find you. This is official notice that Severus Snape has been arrested on numerous charges. Among them assaulting a minor."
"You can't! you have no right to come here and arrest my professors!" Dumbledore turned on the woman. Anger flashed across his eyes.
Dean Horsefeather chuckled. "Actually, she does. According to the contract with the Goblet of Fire we all have certain rights, which include assurances that we will not be harmed while here. Snape violated the agreement and has been arrested. As you pointed out this will go to your court, but until such time your Ministry has ever right and reason to secure him."
Dumbledore desperately wanted to argue but he knew that they were correct. He also knew that neither Madam Bones nor anyone else in a position to free Severus would be inclined to do so. It would appear that the best he could do for his spy was to ensure that the trial was held as soon as possible. "If you will excuse me."
Madam Bones stepped to the side and allowed the headmaster to leave. "Mr. Black I will need you to give a statement."
"Of course, would now be acceptable?" Harry asked.
"It would." Madam Bones took out a dictaquill and set it on the desk.
"We were in potions class and I felt Snape attack my mind and attempt to enter it so I immediately broke eye contact." Harry began.
"How do you know that your mind was under attack and that it was Professor Snape?" Madam Bones asked. She didn't doubt that it was true but she needed to make sure there were no holes for Snape to use.
The Dean drew her attention. "All Wandwood students are taught occlumency in their first year. We find that it helps with their studies as well as reduces the amount of accidental magic that occurs."
"I knew it was Snape because as soon as I looked away, he staggered back and appeared disorientated. My first concern was to get myself and Hermione out of the classroom. We were almost at the door when Snape began to yelling at us and cast an unknown spell. I cast a shield and Snape's spell reflected back at him. It clipped his shoulder and sent him into the chalkboard. We didn't stick around to see what happened next." Harry said.
"That's consistent with the injuries that he sustained." At their curious looks she explained. "He had a broken shoulder from the spell that was reflected back at him, a number of bruises and several lacerations. At this time, I can say that it was purely self-defense on your part but I would still like to check you wand."
Harry handed her his wand and she recorded the results before she handed it back. "I believe that is everything. I'll contact you as soon as a court date has been set."
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While Snape was in custody potion classes were canceled, not that it mattered to the students of Wandwood as they had all been pulled from the class. Much to their relief. A new Potion Master arrived shortly after from North America to pick up their studies.
Madam Bones arrived one evening a few days later to inform them that Snapes trial had been set for the same day as the trial for the Prophet back in North America. No one thought that it was an accident.
They spoke at length about the trial but had to agree that there wasn't much that they could do about it. As they left the Dean's office a shrill giggle sounded behind them. Cordelia came running down the hall wet and as naked as they day she was born.
On instinct Madam Bones bent down and scooped up the running toddler. A moment later Emma rushed around the corner. "Thank you, I don't know when she got so fast."
Madam Bones handed the still giggling child back to her mother. "My niece Susan was the same way after her bath. I had to have a house elf on standby to catch her when she made a break for it."
"I might need to do that; I swear she's getting faster every day." Emma began to chat with Madam Bones about children. Many of her auroras would have not believed that the stern head of the DMLE could so fondly recount stores of her niece as a baby.
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Harry stepped into the courtroom with Violet; Sirius had stayed behind in England. The representatives from the Prophet were already there. Things began quickly and it was soon apparent that the Prophet's only defense was that they had been lying for so long it was just accepted now. Though they used different words.
When that failed, they tried to blame their reporters, again it was quickly pointed out that as they printed it, they were legally responsible.
While this was going on Harry felt the mirror in his pocket vibrate, he pulled it out to see his dads face. "We were right, they moved Snape's trial up, it's in half an hour."
"Alright, I'll be right there." Harry said.
He had not actually been needed at the Prophet trial but they had decided that it was best for him to go and try to trip up whatever plans Dumbledore undoubtedly had. Madam Bones had been a large help by providing a portkey that would take Harry straight to the Ministry. Sirius had stayed behind to keep an eye on things and call should something such as a change in time occur.
Harry hugged Violet before he hurried from the court room and outside the wards. In a flash he was gone, back to England and to face the trial of Snape.
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(A/N: I hope everyone enjoyed that chapter, until the next time.)