Disclaimer: The characters used within this are mostly the property of others. I have a few originals, but the vast majority are not original. Everything here is fiction. This is for entertainment only and not for profit.
-=oOo=-
To Green Angel Tower - Chapter 1
-=oOo=-
Author's Note: I haven't given up on my other stories, but I decided to try to do something a bit shorter. This is complete at fourteen chapters, and I have no plans to change that.
Some say magic enforces contracts, but really, that is just silly. If magic was sentient like that, then wouldn't it have better things to do? Some say that there is no cure for the darkness, and yet, there is light. This is a story about fighting for the light with logic, reason, and a bit of engineering as their allies. This is a story about how Green Angel Tower came to be.
On a final note, there is a story by Tad Williams with the same name. The title is the only thing that is the same. I do, however, remember the trilogy being a good one.
-=oOo=-
Fleur was surprised when the younger wizard came into where the Tri-Wizard chosen were gathering. He looked so nervous she withheld her normal public personality and asked simply, "Is there a problem?"
"Kinda. I didn't do it, but my name came out of the cup."
"That is impossible. You would not have been able to cross the age line. Sure, perhaps there is a weakness, but, nothing personal, I doubt someone not even half trained could have found it."
"I tend to agree," said Victor Krum.
"Ditto," added Cedric.
The Headmaster and several others came in in a rush. He stalked towards Harry staring him right in the eyes. His eyes twinkled. "Did you put your name in the goblet? Did you put your name in the goblet Harry? Did you?" At the end he was holding him.
Harry moved back trying to get away.
"Typical Potter. So how did you do it?" asked Snape.
"I didn't."
Victor and Fleur stared at the headmaster in surprise. The headmaster's eyes started towards them. They both turned away.
"I don't particularly are about the details. His name came out. He is in. It's in the rules and the contract," stated Ludo Bagman.
"Ludo, a moment of patience please," asked the Headmaster.
"Come on. I know Hermione says that Wizards have no common sense, but, really, how can me not putting my name in mean I have to compete?"
Fleur smiled a small amused smile at his words.
"The rules say there is a magical contract. The goblet of fire will take his magic if he doesn't!" declared Ludo.
Fleur snorted.
"You disagree?"
"Magical contracts are nonsense. Magic is not some law enforcement to tell if someone is not obeying the rules. Such is errant nonsense. At best you can convince a person that it is true enough and their own magic might harm them," said Fleur.
"My dad would agree. It's part of the reason I entered this. If it looks bad, I'm leaving," said Krum.
"Are you sure?" asked Harry uncertainly.
"Yes, this is why wards are not all they are cracked up to be in the stories. It's not like you can say, 'Keep out evil'. At best you can setup a list of those you want and those you don't want, or better yet, deny all, and allow a chosen set. When you start trying to trigger them to characteristics and such they are unreliable," said Fleur.
"I need to talk to Harry," said the Headmaster.
"Can I um, ask, Fleur and the others to be there?"
"Fine. Come to my office. Severus, I'll talk to them alone."
-=oOo=-
"They are right Harry, but I had somewhat hoped once I confirmed you didn't enter to use your entry to flush out who entered you," said the Headmaster.
"You used legilemency on a minor," said Krum.
"True."
"What?" exclaimed Harry.
"He used his magic to read your current thoughts. That is why he kept feeding you the topic he wanted to read. It was the only way to be reasonably sure you would focus on what you knew," said Fleur.
"Harry I need you to compete," said the Headmaster.
"Why should I?"
"If you compete you will be easier to protect. If you don't, whoever did this will try something else."
"I'm not sure I believe that," said Cedric.
"There is also the fact if you compete you can skip classes and learn at your own pace."
"I'll help," said Fleur.
"I may help some. We shall see," said Krum.
"The same I guess. I'm really not sure. Are you sure we shouldn't just end all this?" asked Cedric.
"I believe this is important," said the Headmaster.
"I don't like any of this. Is there any defense against this stuff? I bet Snape is doing it too."
"Harry."
"Am I wrong? A lot suddenly makes sense."
"I'll talk to him, but you can't tell people. I need to be able to find troublemakers, particularly those that risk lives."
"You weren't using it like that," said Fleur.
"Really? Harry's life is in danger now. I'd say that justified it."
"You can learn. I know a little," said Cedric.
"I have books. They are in French of course. I can get others," said Fleur.
"Really, I'll pay of course."
"You would need an expert to teach you Harry. Professor Snape..."
"The guy that hates my guts? You want him to practice what reading minds with me? Um, no. No. No NO!"
"I'll help. I am certainly a better choice than someone who hates him," said Fleur.
"Miss Delacour, I am curious, why are you being so helpful?" asked Albus.
Fleur turned to Harry. "Do you mind if I well try one small thing? I promise no one will be harmed."
"Um, okay. I owe you that much at least for your help so far."
Fleur removed the ribbon that held her hair in a pony tail and then started moving slowly towards Harry, her hair and whole body seemed to glow with light. Cedric and Krum went slack jawed with expressions of adoration on her face.
"Yes, I know you are very beautiful, but was there something else? What is the glow?" asked Harry curiously.
"I see," said the Headmaster.
"See what?"
"You just resisted a decent effort by a Veela to ensnare you with her Allure. Don't worry it is temporary, but it was directed right at you, and even so Cedric and Victor were caught by it," said the Headmaster.
"But not you?"
"That is a topic for another time."
"To answer your question Harry, I do not have many true friends. Women get jealous and the men usually act like idiots. They can't help it. Cedric and Victor have remarkable control. You, on the other hand, appear totally immune. This interests me, so yes I would like to get to know you."
"Really?" blushed Harry.
"Not like that, well anything is possible one day I guess, but just as friends, I hope?" asked Fleur.
"Alright. Friends." Harry held out his hand. She shook it. Cedric and Krum did as well.
"I'll announce that Harry did not enter himself, but that someone stole one of his papers, which is likely what happened, and because of the rules he still has to compete. Can I count on the rest of you not to mention anything that would make things harder?"
"Fine," said Harry.
"Agreed," added Fleur.
"I'll still bailing if it means my life is at serious risk. A thousand galleons is nothing compared to my career," said Victor.
"Also agreed, with both Victor and the rest," said Cedric.
"That will do. You may go."
-=oOo=-
Hermione caught up with him on the way to the dorm.
"Harry they are all mad at you."
"For what?"
"They say you cheated to enter."
"The headmaster figured out it wasn't me. Someone used part of one of my essays he thinks. He is going to announce it."
"Then you are out of the tournament?" she asked hopefully.
"Nope, the rules are crazy. There is more, but later, alright?"
Hermione looked hesitant. "Okay."
Harry gave the password to the lady, only to find it had changed. Hermione opened the door. Ron was right there.
"We voted you out of the dorm. No cheater can be a Gryffindor."
Harry glared, and then said in obvious anger, "Really Ron? Then maybe you should march right down to Slytherin."
"What are you talking about you cheater?"
The others were gathering around as they argued.
"First off, I didn't enter. Someone used one of my old essays. The headmaster is looking into it. Unfortunately, the Goblet is stupid, so I'm stuck. Second, and maybe I shouldn't respond in anger, but damn it to hell, you are the biggest damn cheat I ever met. Draco I think cheats less than you. If it wasn't for Hermione doing all your damn homework and simplifying everything so you got it through your thick head you'd have flunked out by now!"
"Harry," said Hermione softly.
"She wanted to do it," responded Ron.
"Not particularly," said Hermione.
"Fine, I'll do it myself, but your still gone," said Ron.
"Not so fast. You and a few others agreed to this. The bulk of Gryffindor did not. Ignore him Harry," added Angelina.
"Thank you."
Ron stalked off.
Parvati walked up to Hermione. "If your um not hanging out with, um, him, maybe we could be better friends? I promise not to bug you about my homework too much."
"I don't mind helping, but he doesn't want help," said Hermione exasperated.
"We know. We couldn't quite figure out why you liked him. If you want someone to argue theory with all day, well I can introduce you to my sister. She is very smart."
"Your twins. You likely have very similar intellects," said Hermione.
"Don't tell my mom that or I'll never hear the end of it," complained Parvati.
Hermione smiled. "I won't."
"So are we good here, I guess?" asked Harry.
"We are. If you need help preparing, come talk to us," said Angelina.
-=oOo=-
Hermione and Harry began to eat breakfast, mostly alone, but the others joined in as well, except for Ron, who was at the far end of the table. Part way through Fleur stood by them.
"Can I have this seat?" she asked.
Harry glanced at Hermione who said, "Sure," perhaps a touch quickly.
Harry was finishing his waffles when he noticed a bit of a glazed look on Hermione's face and a slightly irritated look on Fleur's.
Harry shook Hermione lightly.
"I don't know what came over me spacing out like that."
"I shall send a note to my father to order two sets of books," said Fleur.
"Please."
"Books?" asked Hermione suddenly interested.
"We have a whole new area of magic to study Hermione. You will love it."
"What is it about?" she asked curiously as she started to go through her day planner.
"We will tell you later."
"Well, we had better get to class," said Hermione.
"I'm not going, or at least I hope I am not. Fleur, didn't you want to practice?"
"I did, and I'm skipping too."
"You can't do that! There are grades at stake!" half shouted a scandalized Hermione.
"Hermione, has no one given you the correct understanding of the value of newts and owls?" asked Fleur softly.
"What? You need good newts to get a good job."
"Non."
"What?" exclaimed Hermione drawing more attention to the conversation.
"Newts from Hogwarts mean very little to get a job. Yes, the new Headmistress has improved things considerably, but as a muggle born, you could have all the Newts of say Dumbledore, and the odds of getting a decent job are pretty slim in this country. In other countries, well, it is going to take a long time for Hogwarts to earn its reputation back. Your better off just to take the international standard Newts or the American one if you want. The Newts here will then be ignored. Really all you have to get from here is your owls, and your what a year out from the test? You seem a bright young woman. What rank would you put yourself?"
"She is in the top two of her year. Daphne sometimes beats her," said Harry.
"You remembered."
"Oh yes, I remember greatly all the complaints about your nemesis in academic excellence," said Harry drolly.
Hermione blushed furiously.
"If you are that good, I'd bet you could go take the international owls now and pass. Sure your score would not be great a year early, but then you could transfer to Beauxbatons, or really any accredited school, or self study. Do well, get your international Newts, then you can get jobs in other countries."
"But not here?" asked Hermione.
"I'm not saying it is impossible, but your going to need someone to sponsor you. Harry could probably use his reputation to get you a job..."
"No!"
"Hermione," said Harry softly.
"It's nothing against you. I will do it on my own."
Daphne stood at the Slytherin table and addressed the deputy headmistress. "Is what she says correct?"
Minerva sighed. "I've done everything I could, and so have so many more. Those that finish Hogwarts with high levels of Newts will be in a decent, though not ideal place to take your International Newts. Your a pureblood of course, so yes, you will find employment here much easier. I'm sorry. I obviously can't change everything. Hogwarts is now about a forth of the way between where we were and where we need to be. For those that think our curriculum is too hard, the simple answer is it is not hard enough. I'd like to add an additional year of post graduate work, and find the teachers and resources for that, but the money isn't currently there. Such a thing should make up the difference that remains for now."
Daphne turned to Hermione, Harry, and Fleur. "You are self studying right?"
"Just things for the tournament I thought," said Harry.
"The tournament can require any bit of knowledge. I wasn't planning on slacking anywhere," said Fleur.
"I want to try studying with them," said Daphne.
"You can't," said Draco.
"Why not?" asked Daphne archly.
"Your a Slytherin."
Daphne blinked. "Isn't that the point? I'm a Slytherin. I will accept nothing less than the best I can be. Classes, other than the mildly amusing competition with Hermione, are not that. Perhaps I need to get my owls and get tutors, but I will not go through life and expect everything to work just because of who my parents are."
The Headmaster stood. "I will allow both Hermione and Daphne, plus the top student from fifth, sixth, and seventh year to self study, provided they submit to regular tests from either me, Minerva, Filus, Septima, or Madam Pomfrey. None of them have to agree to donate their time, not even me, so ask nicely, or the deal is off."
"Why not professor Snape?" asked Daphne.
"I don't want anyone's head of house doing the testing, so he would be fine, but not for you."
Daphne nodded.
"Well, if we are done eating, why don't the four of us find a spot outside to work?" asked Fleur.
"I. I guess," started Hermione. She then turned to Harry. "Why do you always have to make things so complicated?"
Harry smiled and said, "Sorry."
"I'm going, but I may change my mind!" said Hermione.
-=oOo=-
They met out by the lake.
"Now that everyone is here. Harry, the rumor is you've been in adventures. Do you think you can take us all down, with stunners?" asked Fleur.
"Hermione was in a lot of them too."
"Don't admit that," complained Hermione.
Fleur pulled out her wand and took aim.
Harry dodged behind a big rock avoiding her stunner and shot one back.
Fleur parried his with the the tip of her wand, before she returned fire.
Harry ducked behind the rock, and then shot at Hermione, who went down. He was then tagged by Daphne, and he went down.
"Well so much for the legend. I suppose we have quite a bit of work to do," said Daphne dryly.
"I suspect part of the reason this terrorist of yours got so far, was that many here were not trained to fight back," said Fleur seriously.
"I'm pretty sure your right. I was taught to fight as soon as I was able. Being neutral is not always a healthy position. Sometimes they leave you alone, and sometimes they don't."
Daphne and Fleur woke them up and began again, and again, and again. They were soon teaching tactics. At the end of a very long day Hermione came up to Daphne and said, "You are clearly currently number one in our class. This difference where it matters makes it so. I do not intend to give up. You'd better improve fast, or I will pass you!"
Daphne smiled and grinned.
"Harry, you also did well, but I'm surprised Hogwarts hasn't taught better here, particularly given your nations recent history," said Fleur.
"Harry is better than most," said Hermione.
"I'm not saying he isn't. I'm saying it isn't good enough, not for any real threat. It takes a heartbeat to be dead. I think we need to focus on defense and offense for awhile before branching," said Fleur.
"Um, how is this helping you?" asked Harry.
"Once you get a bit better you will start double and triple teaming me. Believe me. It will help."
"There are two things I'm curious about," added Daphne.
"Oh?" asked Fleur.
"Harry's non reaction to you. I'm reasonably certain he likes girls. He has been trying to observe all of us without being obvious about it all day."
"I don't get that one either, but he is immune."
"My other question is whether Hermione realizes she is perhaps a bit flexible romantically," said Daphne.
"What?" asked Hermione in surprise.
"You also admired, well everyone here. I do pay attention to these things, plus I think I saw you entranced by Fleur earlier."
Hermione blushed furiously. "Stupid hormones."
"I'm not interested in a relationship with another woman, but I'm not concerned about it. Some purebloods do find it offensive, probably because the concept that a witch may not need a wizard to be happy annoys them," added Daphne.
Fleur laughed. "The Veela have known this for a long time."
Hermione turned to Fleur. "Um, if I behave like an idiot, smack me or something?"
"Your natural resistance is decent. Once we get you some occlumency training you will be fine. I'm surprised that Daphne is the only one who clearly has training that I've met."
"Occlumency?" asked Hermione in question.
"It is the art of organizing and defending the mind. Without it, you would probably be in the lead again," said Daphne.
"What? There is a way to improve how we learn and we are not taught it?" exclaimed Hermione in irritation.
Daphne laughed.
"I need books."
"I've already ordered them, well technically I've only asked for one set. I will correct that later today," said Fleur.
"Mine can't be moved from the manor, but I suppose I can teach the basics as well," added Daphne.
"Teach me now," demanded Hermione.
"Not when your tired. Occlumency is hard, particularly to begin. Tomorrow?" asked Daphne.
"I'll be there, and I'll pay you back for it somehow."
"Just continue to improve, and encourage us all to do so. I'll no doubt get harassed about this in Slytherin. I intend to improve fast enough to crush anyone who annoys me."
"If you need help," offered Harry.
"I fight my own battles. If it becomes more than one on one, or if they bring in the upperclassmen, or do not obey the rules, then maybe, otherwise, no."
"Rules?" asked Harry.
"You don't think a Slytherin can attack another Slytherin without consequences? There are rules. We present a united front. If we behave poorly in private Snape comes down hard."
"Well then, it is all the better we are getting better at protecting ourselves," said Harry.
"I see you ditched the useless," said Daphne.
"I don't know what came over me. All the times I held my temper and didn't point out Ron's crap. When he accused me of cheating and said I was kicked out of Gryffindor, I kind of just lost it."
"Harry I had a rant saved up ten times that long. Ron has been useful at times, but he is annoying as hell. Do you think we would be having a conversation calmly with Daphne like this, with him along?" asked Hermione.
"No."
"Ron is more or less very similar to Draco. Swap them at birth, change the coloring of eyes, hair, and skin, and they would have probably grown up to be very similar," added Daphne.
"So are there any Slytherin males that are actually decent?" asked Fleur curiously.
"Blaise is fine to hang around with. Never take him or his flirting seriously. A few of the older ones are okay. Tracy is my friend and is fine, but if she hung out with us her half blood status would cause her grief. Milli similarly couldn't withstand the criticism. Pansy was actually someone I liked before she started going after Draco. I can't stand her now."
"Who are we going to get to test us?" asked Hermione thoughfully.
"I think I'll ask Flitwick. I recommend we all do actually," said Daphne.
"Why?" asked Hermione.
"He is an ex duelist. As long as it is a plausibly academic question we might get some good information from him," said Daphne.
"So perhaps we can ask him to oversee one of our sessions and accomplish that at the same time?" asked Fleur.
Daphne nodded.
"Sounds good," said Harry.
-=oOo=-
A week later Filius agreed to observe one of their practice sessions, which was now being held quite far away from the school to stay private. It was early on a Saturday morning and they were very near the Forbidden Forest.
"What exactly have you been learning?" asked Filius.
"We can show you. I believe today was to be one of the everyone against Fleur days," added Daphne.
"Oh?" asked Filius interested.
Fleur dashed behind a tree and vanished. The other three vanished as well. Filius observed from his position on top of a stump.
Stunners started flying all over, but none hit. He saw the shimmer of the disillusionment spells. The attacks were close. He could see some of the dodging.
He absently cast a mage sight spell on his eyes to gain more detail. It wasn't quite enough to cut through the invisibility, but it helped. Five minutes in Hermione went down. Her invisibility broke due to the stunner and her concentration loss. He walked over and woke her up.
"She got me, again," said Hermione in irritation.
"You did very well. The rest of them are continuing."
"That shimmer around your eyes?" asked Hermione.
"A mage sight spell. It doesn't pierce invisibility, but it gives hints."
"Can you teach it?"
"Perhaps. It is a quite advanced spell and it is used on your eyes. There are several other spells normally learned before."
"We will take what we can get. You pick the order."
He nodded.
A bar of red light shot out from beside the tree causing the tree it hit to shatter.
"Reign it in Harry!" yelled Fleur.
"I agree. Harry is out," said Flitwick.
"Sorry, got irritated and overpowered it."
"Your sorry. Now I have to fight her alone," muttered Daphne, who quickly relocated after talking.
They fought another ten minutes before they took each other out.
Filius woke them up. "You tied."
"Really?" asked Daphne hopefully.
"You really did. That is an impressive achievement."
Filius turned to Harry. "I'm glad to see that your able to begin to pull on the power most of us has sensed within you, but while this is a passing grade for you for now, in a few weeks I will call it a failing grade. Get it together. Use the correct strength every time, or practice could result in someone being in the hospital, or worse. I assume you are learning occlumency."
"We are."
"I want Harry to stop focusing on combat and focus there. I want your control improved. A stunner by most people is just that. A very few manage to reach Sorcerer level. Dumbledore of course. Minerva is almost there. Voldemort of course, and probably you."
"Is it only them?" asked Hermione in surprise.
"No there is probably another two or three dozen around the world, if you add them all. They are rare, but not that rare. You again, did fine. Your actually on the stronger side of most. Your probably similar to Daphne power level wise, and in no chance of turning a stunner lethal."
She nodded.
He turned to Daphne. "I have to assume you were better than you showed before this started. I can't tell your improvement, or Fleur's for that matter, but your both doing very well."
"I've been thinking of trying to do more work with Occlumency anyway, to try to improve how I learn," added Hermione.
"Which is of course so horribly slow, that you desperately need it," joked Filius.
Daphne laughed.
"It could be better," defended Hermione in irritation.
"This is all self study. My instructions for Harry are for this groups safety. I will end this group, or Harry's participation if I see that again during group combat, at least till we are sure it is fixed. It is not entirely fair, but it has to be done, and the strength he is showing will serve him well."
"There is something else I want to discuss," said Fleur.
"Oh?"
"Come here Harry."
"Your not mad at me?"
"No, but please come here," asked Fleur.
Fleur sat down Indian style and beckoned Harry over.
"That thing again?"
"Your reaction concerns me. I want permission to take you to see our healers in France, somehow."
Harry carefully laid his head down in her lap, even as she started singing softly and a halo of her energy flowed into him where her hands touched his face. The energy seemed to be avoiding his scar. There the faintest wisp of smoke was seen, and a few drops of blood.
Filius goggled. "Please stop slowly, unless Mr. Potter gets in more pain."
The song ended. The faint wisp of smoke stopped, though the bit of blood remained.
"Do you know any extremely good senior cursebreakers or healers?" asked Filius.
"No, my dad may, but it would take time."
Filius sent a patronus off. "We are going to Gringotts. Harry, I'll probably need several thousands Galleons to pay for this, but your life is likely at stake."
"Okay," said Harry uncertainly.
"Come on, let's get over the wards. I've got a portkey.