Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the intellectual property associated with Harry Potter.
Hi all,
Here's the next chapter. The first edition of the brand-new newspaper is here, and there is a time skip to move the story along.
Patrons get access to advanced chapters for all of my stories. Read my profile for information on how to join if you are interested.
Chapter 31
29th November
Over the next few days, Harry couldn't shake the feeling that his grandparents were observing his every move with intense scrutiny. After the latest incident, it seemed like they had lost confidence in his ability to stay out of trouble.
Terry remained at St Mungo's, but he would be released in a few days. The Mind Healers insisted on ensuring his complete recovery from the lingering effects of the possession. Healing mental trauma was no trivial matter and required immense skill and patience. One wrong move could irreversibly harm the patient's mind.
He frequently spotted his godfather and Remus around the castle, diligently searching for Peter Pettigrew. Despite their efforts, they had yet to yield any results. Harry didn't believe capturing him would be a simple task, as the cunning rat appeared to always be one step ahead of everyone else.
Harry conducted several experiments with his new Assimilate Runes skill. Although it seemed impressive initially, it had limited practical application at its current level. Nevertheless, he was able to extract several Basic Arrays from objects he obtained from the Room of Hidden Things. They were destroyed in the process, but he learned a number of new sequences. Additionally, his overall understanding of Basic Arrays deepened and he gained insight into the underlying principles behind their functionality.
There were no announcements from the Headmaster regarding the changes to the Enchanted Wall, which made him question if it was truly a cause for concern. He decided to spend some time in the library researching Sapient Arrays, hoping to find some useful information. However, his search yielded no results. It occurred to him that if the information on them were readily available, Master Karlsson might have already made some headway in unravelling the mysteries of the Enchanted Wall.
His curiosity brought him back to Professor Babblings' classroom once the classes had ended for the day. Even though he didn't anticipate her having any valuable knowledge, he still desired to discuss and exchange ideas with her.
As Harry approached the door, he caught the sound of voices coming from inside. Curiosity piqued, he cracked open the door slightly and found Professor Babbling engaged in conversation with Master Karlsson. The two were leaning over her desk and examining something with great interest.
Professor Babbling glanced up and noticed his presence, offering him a warm smile. Swiftly, she gathered the parchment they had been studying and rolled it up.
"Harry, please come inside instead of just standing there," she said.
Karlsson turned to observe Harry as he entered the room. The man's eyes were bloodshot, and his robes appeared wrinkled and unwashed. It looked like he had stayed up all night. Was he becoming too obsessed with the mystery of the Enchanted Wall?
"Hello, Mr Potter," Karlsson greeted him. "Even though we haven't formally met, I feel like I already know you. Bethesda has been showering me with praise for your accomplishments in enchanting."
"She's definitely exaggerating," Harry shrugged.
Babbling laughed. "There's no need to be modest, Harry."
"She has been telling me about your spell cards," Karlsson said. "It's an intriguing path you are pursuing. Have you begun implementing Inscription Layering yet?"
"Not yet. I still need to look into it, but I haven't had the time. If I want to create more complex and powerful cards, I will need to eventually."
Karlsson nodded his understanding. "It can be a challenging technique to master, especially considering its volatility. It would be wise to take necessary precautions before diving into learning it. By the way, are you currently working on any projects?"
"I'm currently in the process of designing my very first Artifact," Harry answered. "Considering how ambitious it is, I'm unsure about how long it would take to finish it."
"Impressive. I would like to see it when it's finished."
"Harry, is there anything I can help you with?" Babbling interrupted their discussion.
"I overheard a conversation among professors discussing the Enchanted Wall," Harry lied, maintaining a composed expression. "I'm curious, is it true that the wall is expanding beyond its original dimensions?"
Babbling let out a sigh of exasperation. "That's not something you should be worried about. Which professors were careless enough to allow a student to overhear their conversation?"
"Er, it doesn't really matter," Harry replied. "But the conversation got me thinking about the Enchanted Wall. Got any theories?"
"Harry-" Babbling looked ready to scold him.
"It's fine," Karlsson interrupted her. "The cat's already out of the bag, as the Muggles would say. My primary theory revolves around the existence of arrays that have been embedded into the castle walls, remaining dormant until now. Some triggering events caused them to activate again, although not all at once. It is difficult to determine when I am unable to break the Obscuring Array. The thing is always changing and adapting to thwart my efforts."
That was news to Harry, but not unexpected. The array appeared to possess sentience based on its name alone, enabling it to actively defend against anyone who tried to tamper with it.
Harry paused, debating with himself on whether he should reveal the name of the array. Although he was eager to solve it on his own, he recognised that it might be more efficient to share his knowledge with the experts and let them unravel the puzzle. He was still uncertain about whether the array posed a threat to the castle's inhabitants. Quirrell's obsession with it was evident, as he was willing to commit murder for it.
"What if it was something else entirely?" Harry said, finally making up his mind. "When I first heard the professors talking about it, the first thing that popped into my head was…"
Karlsson leaned forward with anticipation and asked, "What is it?"
"There is a term that I have come across before, but I can't recall where I heard it from. Have you ever heard of a Sapient Array?"
Babbling pondered for a moment. "I can't seem to remember ever hearing about an array like that. However, the name implies that it possesses sentience. How is such a thing even possible?"
The mention of the name triggered a thought in Karlsson's mind, causing him to mutter quietly and stare into the distance. Without warning, he swiftly turned and headed towards the exit.
"Is everything alright, Master Karlsson?" Babbling called after him.
"Excuse me," Karlsson spoke over his shoulder. "but I must return to Headquarters and look up something in the archives."
Harry watched him leave, then turned his attention back to Professor Babbling. "Do you think he'll be able to find time to take a wash while he's away?"
"Don't be mean, Harry."
30th November
Harry and the rest of the club were seated comfortably in cushioned chairs in the Room of Requirement, the first edition of the brand-new newspaper spread across the table before them. It was a momentous event, considering it had been decades since a new newspaper had emerged in Magical Britain.
"The Veritaserum," Harry glanced at the newspaper's name. He had to concede that it was quite catchy, although he still believed his suggestion was better. The subheading was also attention-grabbing. "The only news we'll dispense is the truth. Really? Is that title truly any more appealing than my suggestion?"
"It's much better," Daphne assured him.
"There's no comparison," Hermione added.
The rest of the group voiced their agreement.
"Whatever," Harry said, rolling his eyes. "Let's read the main article and find out who Lauren has targeted?"
Putting an End to a Generation of Sheep
Greetings readers,
I would like to begin by introducing myself. My name is Lauren Raleigh, an American reporter who has recently made Britain her home. The reason for creating this newspaper is to shed light on the widespread misinformation that is being spread by the Daily Prophet and the Ministry.
You heard correctly, ladies and gentlemen. I won't be holding back, and my words may be offensive, but the truth can sometimes be the most painful thing to hear. In all honesty, the Ministry has created a generation of passive citizens, who willingly accept the lies and corruption that is prevalent within its ageing bureaucracy. And it is the Daily Prophet who plays a crucial role in shaping the thoughts of the citizens, guiding them like shepherds following their master's orders.
The days of tolerating these lies are over. Introducing the Veritaserum, a newspaper that challenges you to face the truth. I refuse to serve as a puppet for the Ministry; instead, I strive to craft thought-provoking articles that enlighten and expand the reader's worldview.
So, to all the Sheep out there, all I ask is that you take this journey with me.
I can imagine all of you reading this article, may feel offended and be bleating angrily at me. However, at the same time, you will be nodding your woolly head, thinking, 'I am indeed a sheep'. After all, if the newspaper claims it to be true, it must surely be credible, right?
Food for thought
Lauren Raleigh
The first edition was certainly explosive. Lauren had just painted a target on her back with her comments. Harry was certain that nobody would enjoy being compared to sheep. Although he was sure that the people would still buy the newspaper. If they were able to tolerate Rita Skeeter, then they could tolerate anything.
"Merlin, she went after everyone in Magical Britain. She showed some incredible courage," Daphne exclaimed, full of admiration.
"I feel like cheering," Harry grinned."She certainly has style, it must be said. What an impressive way to kickstart a newspaper."
Hermione read through the article once more, her eyebrows furrowed in concern. "Do you think she went too far? How is she supposed to gain subscribers when she offends all her readers from the get-go?"
"They are likely to call her an upstart American, with no sense of decorum," Padma's face twisted in disgust as she spoke. "I know how close-minded and bigoted Magical Britain is to foreigners."
"What do you mean, Padma?" Susan asked.
"My father is a merchant, but he wasn't able to cultivate enough business in India to attain success. As a result, we relocated to England. Nevertheless, starting afresh in a foreign country presents its challenges. Our financial situation is still manageable, but my father is encountering difficulties in establishing a business in Magical Britain, largely due to the closed-mindedness of the magical community here. The derogatory comments made by certain purebloods were so offensive that my father was tempted to pull his wand on them"
"I am not surprised," Daphne said."But prejudice is not the only factor at play here. The purebloods are adamant about protecting their profits and ensuring that no one else gets a slice of the pie. It's important to remember that the wizarding world is limited in size, so profits are limited."
"That's incredibly unfair," Susan exclaimed as she angrily kicked her chair.
"We must help her father; after all, she is one of our own," Hannah said.
Harry pondered the dilemma briefly before suggesting, "Perhaps we should arrange a meeting between your father and my grandfather. After all, he is the unofficial leader of our alliance. We could certainly benefit from having more businessmen on board."
"Thank you, everyone," Padma expressed, "but I didn't divulge this information with the intention of taking advantage of your sympathy."
"It's just an introduction," Daphne dismissed her concerns. "Lord Potter is not easily swayed, so your father will have his work cut out for him."
Padma smiled and nodded.
They carried on their discussion about the impact of the newspaper and also brainstormed ideas to provide Lauren with material for future articles. Abruptly, Terry emerged in the doorway, prompting everyone to rise and welcome him.
Harry noticed that Hermione embraced Terry for the longest duration. He didn't think it was due to a romantic interest, but rather because she liked to hug. There was also the fact that Terry was the person outside of their Gryffindor circle whom Hermione was closest to. They were similar in personalities and interests, although Terry's nature was not as aggressive as Hermione's.
"If I am going to get this welcome every time, then I should get injured a lot more," Terry joked.
"Not funny," Hermione scowled.
"You look like you went two rounds with a Hippogriff," Harry told him.
His friend appeared utterly worn out, as though he had been subjected to a great deal of physical and emotional strain. There was a pallor to his face, and he appeared to have lost some weight.
Terry winced and said. "I'll take that. It could have been much worse if not for you."
"Well, it was rather foolish of me to grab the Diadem like that, but thankfully it all worked out in the end," Harry said. "I suffered from some truly dreadful nightmares. I can only imagine that your experiences were even more unbearable."
"They are absolutely terrifying," Terry admitted. "Ever since the incident, I haven't been able to get a good night's sleep. The Healers suggested that I try the Dreamless Sleep Potion, but I didn't want to become too dependent on it. They can be highly addictive."
"Then you'll need to continue your Occlumency training to help sort out your memories," Daphne said apologetically. "I'm afraid it's going to be hard considering your recent trauma."
"I can imagine," Terry replied with a sigh.
"I will help you, Terry," Hermione offered with a determined expression.
"You better make a run for it, Terry," Susan advised with a smirk.
It was too late. Hermione had already taken hold of Terry's arm and was leading him towards the sofa. Harry caught a fleeting glimpse of anger crossing Terry's face. But it vanished so quickly that he wondered if he had imagined it.
5th December
Daphne approached Professor Snape's quarters with a sense of apprehension. He wasn't known for being easy to get along with at the best of times, and she was about to ask him for something that was likely to annoy him. She wanted to find out if he would take her on as an apprentice. Considering the significant investment of his time and resources, he was unlikely to accept.
Thankfully, she possessed a bargaining chip in the form of a bag containing a few unicorn horns and a few vials of their blood. They were bestowed upon Harry by the herd of unicorns living near Hagrid's cabin. He confided in her about his plan to relocate them, and she couldn't help but shake her head at his inability to mind his own business.
Then again, one of the reasons she was attracted to him was because of his ability to always be in the midst of significant events. Being with Harry meant a life filled with excitement and unpredictability. While it had its risks, she was not a fragile person incapable of taking care of herself.
Daphne knocked on the door and waited. She employed her Occlumency to calm herself down. If she had the choice, she wouldn't have chosen Snape, but her father insisted that it had to be him. He was the foremost Master Potioneer in Britain. Although her parents were good at Potions, considering their business was in selling potion ingredients, their skills couldn't compare to his.
Her father had sent her a letter inquiring about the progress of her task, so she could not delay it any further. Fortunately, she didn't mind too much since she had a strong interest in potions and was the top student in her year. At least her father was not like other traditional pureblood patriarchs who pressured their daughters into finding a suitable husband.
The door swung open, revealing Snape standing there with an irritated expression. Seeing him in his customary black robes, she couldn't help but wonder if he had any other clothing options in his wardrobe. He must have been busy at his cauldron, as he exuded a strong odour of herbal ingredients.
"May I help you with anything, Miss Greengrass?" Snape drawled.
"I have something to ask of you, professor. May I come in?"
Snape nodded and gestured for her to enter. Daphne was taken aback when she saw his living room. Contrary to her expectations, the room was surprisingly cosy and welcoming. The decor consisted of a harmonious blend of reds, blues, and greens. Several strategically placed plants further enhanced the ambience. Why had she imagined a dark dungeon? Maybe it was Harry's influence on her.
"Have a seat," Snape said, and Daphne obliged by sitting on the sofa. "May I know the purpose of disturbing my day of rest?
Daphne sat down and clasped her hands together. "I'm here to ask if you would consider taking me on as an apprentice."
Snape scrutinised her, lost in contemplation. At least she didn't receive an immediate refusal.
"Did your father put you up to this?" He eventually asked.
"Yes," Daphne said, "I would have preferred to wait until after Hogwarts before starting an apprenticeship. However, I had already decided to pursue mastery in Potions after graduating from Hogwarts, so it's not totally unwelcome."
"Why is Lord Greengrass in such a hurry?"
It was a pertinent question. Apprenticeships typically didn't begin until after Hogwarts, although there were instances where students displayed enough talent for professors to offer them sooner. This allowed apprentices to receive personalised guidance. In some cases, that meant earning a mastery before graduating from Hogwarts. Although there was a lot of extra work involved, Daphne would benefit from securing an apprenticeship in her first year.
"Our business has been experiencing a gradual decline over the years," Daphne explained. "Father is interested in expanding his investments into the potion industry, rather than solely focusing on the sale of ingredients. As the Greengrass Heir, I bear the responsibility of safeguarding our family's long-term prosperity. A mastery in potions will help me do that."
What she didn't mention was that the loss of the family magic was likely the cause. Their ingredients had always been exceptional because of it, but now that was no longer the case. Even though they were the leading supplier in Britain, their profits were being eroded by new competitors in the market.
"And what will I gain in return for investing so much of my time?" Snape asked, crossing his arms.
"A lifetime's supply of ingredients at cost," Daphne stated. "My father also asked me to inquire if you would be interested in partnering with him to develop and market any potions you invent."
It wasn't the way she desired to secure an apprenticeship, as she was fully confident in her abilities. However, Snape wasn't one to base his decision on sentiment alone, such as a desire to pass on his knowledge to the next generation.
Snape commented, "The initial proposition is indeed intriguing. I shall need to consider your proposal further. By the way, may I inquire about the contents of the bag you are holding?"
"Another bribe," Daphne said, handing it over. "Harry gave me some valuable ingredients that he got from the herd of unicorns."
"How the hell did that brat get his hands on them?" Snape questioned, looking through the bag. "Is this unicorn blood? Of course, he easily convinced them to give up their blood."
"Professor?"
Snape quietly muttered something under his breath, and Daphne was certain she caught him saying something about the Potters being able to charm a Hag into removing her clothes. That was incredibly repulsive. She pretended as if she hadn't heard anything.
He closed the bag, but he didn't give it back."Come see me tomorrow afternoon in my classroom. Given your outstanding performance in my class, it is evident that you possess advanced skills beyond those of a typical first-year student. Before proceeding with your apprenticeship, I would like to assess your abilities through a test."
Daphne thanked him and rose to her feet. As she headed back to the common room, she thought about how she would tell her boyfriend about her apprenticeship if she got it. She hadn't told him why she needed the ingredients, but he handed them over without hesitation.
She had to teach him about being more responsible with his valuable items, given how freely he would give things away. However, she couldn't be too critical of him. Despite having had nothing before, he hadn't turned selfish after becoming wealthy; in fact, he had become the complete opposite.
23rd December
Over the following weeks, the school regained its sense of normalcy. With no new incidents, students started to forget about the previous disturbances and began to relax. The Christmas holidays, or the Yule holidays as some called them, were fast approaching. Everyone was filled with anticipation about returning home. Though the atmosphere at Hogwarts had settled, only a handful of students chose to stay at Hogwarts during the two-week break.
Master Karlsson returned to the castle, having been away for a few days. However, Harry didn't hear anything from him. It could be possible that Master Karlsson had not found what he was looking for during his absence.
Sirius and Remus were unable to apprehend Peter Pettigrew, a fact that did not come as a surprise to Harry. The rat was maintaining a low profile. Despite feeling uneasy about Pettigrew's intentions, Harry found himself preoccupied with various tasks that served as a distraction.
Ever since being attacked by the Diadem with Legilimency, he has been diligently practising Occlumency on a daily basis. In fact, he had surpassed Daphne and Susan significantly, despite them having a head start. Before the incident, he had barely achieved the status of a Level 2 Occlumens.
The second stage of level two enabled him to achieve two things. He could now delve into his subconscious mind, although it was limited. The second thing was that he could reinforce his shields to safeguard his surface thoughts from any unwanted intrusions. Unlike the subsequent levels that required constructing shields to protect the subconscious mind, this process was relatively simpler. The surface mind, being less intricate, didn't necessitate anything too elaborate.
Since his surface mind had transformed into a tangible entity, he managed to create a rudimentary shield to protect it. Unfortunately, the Diadem effortlessly shattered it. Granted, he couldn't fault himself entirely, as he was aware that the object had powerful dark magic.
Since that time, he bolstered the barrier with multiple layers, ensuring that his surface thoughts would be shielded from all but the most skilled Legilimens.
The Bo-staff, his first real Artifact, was another major project he was working on. As he delved into the research for the required runes, he soon realised the immense task he had taken on. Replicating its abilities would require much more time than he had initially anticipated. Nonetheless, his aim remained to complete it before the end of his first year. On a positive note, he had already finalised the physical design of the Bo-staff.
He also didn't neglect his spell cards, but he only made an improvement on a preexisting card. Specifically, he enhanced the Interceptor spell card, which now had the capability to activate a small shield with a greater surface area to block incoming spells. He was absolutely confident that it could even stop a Killing Curse.
Another task he focused on involved recreating the appraisal scroll. This endeavour proved to be more intricate than any previous inscriptions he had attempted, and he hadn't achieved any results so far. Additionally, he grinded for experience by fixing various items found in the Room of Hidden Things. It required quite a bit of grinding to reach level ten. Still, he was incredibly close to achieving his goal, with only two thousand more experience points needed.
"Do you think we will learn anything interesting today?" Hermione asked as they approached the classroom.
"A little birdy told me that we are going to be learning a spell," Harry replied.
"That's fantastic," Hermione exclaimed with a wide smile.
It was the final class of Defence Against the Arts before the start of the Winter Holidays. Harry joined the other students as they made their way into the classroom, their excitement palpable as they discussed their holiday plans. It would be challenging for them to concentrate on the class due to being distracted.
Charlus slammed a book on his desk, instantly capturing the attention of the students. In a hurry, they scrambled to find their seats. Harry settled down alongside Daphne, Hermione, and Tracy near the front of the class. Since they shared the class with Ravenclaw, Terry and Padma took their places directly behind them.
"You may put away your books," Charlus announced after completing the roll call. "Today, I will be introducing a new spell for you to learn."
The students exchanged excited looks. So far, the professor has focused on teaching them footwork and how to use the environment to their advantage. They couldn't really voice any complaints since it wasn't typically included in the curriculum, and it was beneficial. However, they were hoping to acquire practical spells that would be applicable in real combat situations.
"Stand up," Charlus ordered. After the students got up from their seats, he waved his wand, causing the desks and chairs to arrange themselves neatly against the walls."Please find a partner and position yourselves facing one another. Harry, come up here so I can provide a demonstration for the class."
Harry walked up to the front of the class and positioned himself directly across from his grandfather.
"I will be teaching you the Disarming Charm," he informed the class. "The charm forces an opponent to release whatever object they are holding. It is an extremely effective method of depriving a witch or wizard of their wand. Now, you are not supposed to learn this until your fifth or sixth year, but I find that complete nonsense. It only takes a bit of effort to learn."
Charlus turned his attention towards his grandson, brandishing his wand in his direction. "The incantation is Expelliarmus, and the wand movement is a downward swipe followed by a small spiral."
He cast the spell, unleashing a vibrant red beam towards Harry. It made direct contact with his wand, forcibly yanking it from his grasp.
Charlus addressed the class, providing additional information. "To successfully disarm your opponent, a certain level of precision is required. You can either target their wand directly or aim for the hand holding it. It's essential to back up your spell with genuine intent. You must truly desire to disarm your opponent. Now, let's have each of you take turns attempting to disarm your partner."
Harry joined Daphne, who smirked as she looked at him, casually twirling her wand. "Potter, be careful. I wouldn't want to hurt you too much."
"Do I really need to remind you who the top student in this class is?" Harry asked in an arrogant manner.
He had recently surpassed Susan to become the number one student in Defence Against the Dark Arts. However, she had become extremely competitive in her attempts to reclaim her position.
"Ladies first," Harry said, gripping his wand tightly. There was no way he would let her disarm him on the first try.
"Expelliarmus," Daphne cast the spell towards him and managed to hit him. Nevertheless, the spell proved to be too feeble, resulting in just a slight jolt to his arm.
"It looked a lot weaker than the professor's Disarming Charm," she complained.
"My turn," Harry said with a grin.
His spell had a greater force behind it as it collided with her wand. Although her arm jerked in response, it failed to disarm her.
Harry's attention was drawn by the piercing sound of a girl's scream, causing him to quickly turn his head towards its source. Across the room, Padma could be seen lying on the floor, evidently affected by Terry's Disarming Charm.
"Padma, I'm sorry," Terry hurriedly stepped forward to assist her.
"You put too much power into the spell," Charlus said, approaching them. "Are you trying to hurt your partner?"
Terry lowered his head in shame, but Padma dismissively shrugged it off, offering him a smile to reassure him that she was all right.
Harry shook his head in concern. It had become apparent ever since Terry's return that he had undergone subtle changes in his personality, the most noticeable one being his newfound temper which could easily be triggered. While Madam Pomfrey had assured them that Terry showed no lingering signs of possession, it was clear that the experience had left a lasting impact on him, one that would accompany him for the remainder of his days.
When the class ended, his grandfather asked him to stay behind. Chalus waited for all the students to leave before speaking to his grandson.
"I won't be coming back home with you tomorrow," Charlus informed him. "The Headmaster requires my assistance on something."
"Does it have to do with the Enchanted Wall?" Harry guessed.
"It's really not your concern," Charlus replied. "I will see you on Christmas morning. Considering that the Greengrass family is graciously hosting us, I do hope you will exercise good manners and behave accordingly."
"I should be offended that you even had to mention it," Harry grumbled.
"Don't give me that attitude," Charlus smirked. "I remember being young too, and I understand the temptation of having both your girlfriends under one roof. But sneaking out to join them in their room is not going to work."
"I'm not sure," Harry quipped, his tone snarky. "Having the ability to transform into an invisible creature certainly comes in handy for sneaking around."
"Leave, you scoundrel," Charlus said, pointing toward the door.
Harry exited the classroom, where everyone else had been patiently waiting for him. They made their way down to the Great Hall. Tomorrow, he will be returning home for a two-week holiday. His family, along with Gabrielle's, would be spending part of the holidays with the Greengrass family. They were going to be celebrating the traditional Yule holiday rather than Christmas. Harry didn't mind because he hadn't really celebrated Christmas before, so he didn't feel like he was missing out on anything.
Besides spending time with friends and family, he had ambitious plans for the Workshop. His goal was to set up the Smithy, allowing him to craft a Bo-staff. Although the enchanting aspect of the project was going to take longer, he was still excited to use something similar to Gambit's staff.
Should he consider learning Bojutsu?
So, what do you think? I am sure that I got the idea to name the newspaper Veritaserum from some other fanfic, but I can't recall the name. Oh well, I will just give out a blanket statement of thanks to credit to any ideas I may borrow.
Thanks for reading.