Hellhounds Are Not Emo II
11
Isdh
HANE
Ron was disgruntled. Potter was distancing himself from Ron. That Morning, Potter and the Swot had left him behind when they left for the Express. The fact that the twins and Ginny went with them was Salt in the wound…
When he finally got there, Potter was in his dog form, already having replaced him with the Squib and Loony.
Potter had made some argument that 'Ron' needed to be a Famous Friend of Harry Potter, as opposed to being a Friend of the Famous Harry Potter.
With Wood gone, the House Team would need a Keeper… but nobody on the train had the Captain's pin.
He was sulking in a corner of the cabin with Seamus and Dean and a few younger years when the Trolly witch stopped by. It was then he found the three gold coins that Harry had slipped into his pocket that morning.
He found two cards he needed, and an extra Dumbledor… which he traded for a Hagatha.
Arriving at the Castle, Potter once again ignored him. First to collect a second drake of all things, then to sit with Longbottom and a new witch…
And still no one knew who the new captain was!
The Feast Began, and everybody dug in…
HANE
As the Feasting trailed off, Albus stood, calling for Attention once more.
"Students, I have grave news." He intoned. "This year, Hogwarts is suspending Quiditch."
"You're Joking!" The Weasley Twins Chorused as they sprang to their feet.
"Sadly, No." Albus smiled, "But I did hear one about a Unicorn, Centaur, and a Leprechaun."
McGonagall cleared her throat.
"Oh, Right. We Are instead Hosting the Fabled Triwizard Tournament!"
"Hear That Malfoy!" Potter Roared across the Hall. "Another Year you will never Take the Snitch from Me!"
"Just Wait until My Father hears about this!"
The students in the hall snickered, as Albus called for Attention again.
"Now the Tournament is not for the Faint of Heart. But the Winner, should they survive, wins a purse of a thousand Galleons and Eternal Glory!"
Potter explodes to his feet. "Professor McGonagal! Double or Nothing?"
"See me afterwards, Mister Potter." the Headmistress sighed.
Albus swallowed, as his eyes darted between his Deputy and his Weapon…
"As I was saying, Not for the Faint of Heart, as it is Limited to 'Those of Age'. Now Mr Flitch has the list of proscribed and banned items posted on his office door. The Forest is Forbidden to all students without a teacher escort. This Year, We are Hosting Two of our closest Rivals and Friendly Schools; Durmstrang Institute of Magic and Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. They will be here two days before All Hallows Eve." The old man preened, "Now, you no doubt have had a full day, and will need to get a full night's rest for classes in the morning. Prefects...Lead our first years home!" and calling on Fawkes… vanished in a flash of flame.
HANE
Harry handed the overstuffed black dragon to Ginny, "Wait for us at the Fat Lady, We will need the Password. We should be only a few minutes." Turning to Neville, "Are you with me, or walking Ginny up to the dorm?"
Neville looked between Harry and the redheaded witch, "If She does not mind, I will accompany Ginny upstairs."
Ginny smiled, and walked beside the large lad, out of the Hall.
Offering his arm to Hermione, he spoke to Tonks. "Granger holds my leash, but you can accompany us for the Headmistress' sake." He turned and walked to the Head table, where he passed the smudgy grey drake off to the Mountain Man Hagrid, before turning to the Face-palmed Headmistress, a loon grinning Charms Master, and a bemused Hedge-witch. "Professor. The Bet stands at Three Favors in my name."
"The Headmaster never mentioned…"
"And during the Halloween Feast, My name will be drawn, somehow in relation to this Tournament." He grinned his Father's cocky grin, not that he knew it was his Father's. I am claiming Victory."
"And if you jumped the gun?" Headmistress glared at the boy.
"I can not call in any favors until November, but the Question is… do you want to raise the stakes?"
"What is the bet?" squeaked the Charmsmaster.
"It now boils down to the Fact that Harry will be forced into the Coming Tournament." Hermione spoke up. "If He is Named, He gets three Favors that he has to cash in before we finish our OWLs. If Nothing Happens that Night, Harry is her Prefect."
"Can we get in on this?" Sprout leaned in.
Harry sighed as his shoulders collapsed, "Yes...but you only get one bet. You are betting for or against me."
"Give us the night?" Flitwick asked. "I am betting you will Not be Named, but I need to find exactly what I am wanting from you when I win."
"Same here." Sprout smiled.
Harry sighed again, "Okay, you have until the bell rings for first Class. My standing is three favors, until I finish sitting my OWLs. Now Professors, I really must get these Ladies up to the Den." Harry turned, and allowed Hermione to lead, headed out with Tonks on their Heels.
"Why is Nymphadora Tonks dressed as one of your cubs, Minerva?" Sprout turned to the taller witch.
"She is to keep an eye on Potter." the Scot returned, "You saw the beast he handed to Hagrid?" At their nod, "Little Snuffer holds a special place in the mini-dragon community. A nest tender. This Spring, if the collany decides to clutch, Snuffer and Hagrid will have their hands full. Harry is very protective of said colony, and threatened to gut anyone poaching. Our Potion Master took exception to the fact… and Potter now has a watch-dog."
HANE
Harry and his ladies arrived at the Entrance to the Lion's Den, where they came across Lavender Brown interrogating Ginny, and Verdaim hissing at the Blond.
"Miss Brown!" Harry barked, "Please step away from the Witch with the Dragon before she stops using her words, and uses her Flame and Teeth."
Several third through fifth years were hanging about the Hallway, chatting. At Harry's entrance everyone went quiet.
Patil perked up, "Are you talking about Weasley or…"
Harry grinned, "Both. There is a reason the Twins use Ron as a test subject, but not Ginny." everybody backed off a step from the redheaded witch.
Brown decided to grill the Wizard instead of the Witch, "Potter, rumor has it that you spent the Summer at the Weasley's. Care to fill us in?"
"Just the last few weeks." Harry grinned. "My Muggle Uncle could put up with Hedwig, as she is very clean and hunts for herself. But he drew the line at a dragon living in his 'Normal' House. Lord Weasley has allowed me to take respite under his Roof in exchange for my help in Defense of the House."
Neville and Ginny stiffened at those words, as did the few purebloods in the Hall. "Potter." Neville stepped close, "I advise no further talk on this matter."
"Of course, Brother." Harry clapped him on the shoulder, "The Password?"
A fifth year male snorted, "Courage."
"Correct. Welcome Home Mister Potter." The Fat Lady swung wide, allowing Potter to lead his Posse inside.
In the Common room, Ron was sitting at a table under the stairs, having set up his chess board. Harry grins, diggs out two gold coins and sets them beside the chess board. "I have two gold here, for anyone who can beat Weasley here at chess!" Looking Ron in the face, "I get them back, if nobody beats you tonight. You beat all comers for a week, and I will get you a surprise." He followed Neville up the guy's side, the witches following him.
In his room, he dug through his trunk for the roost Staff, and the Base that would allow Hedwig to perch at the head of his bed, in comfort, and allow Verdaim a place to sprawl safely. Seeing him set up the perch Hermione opened the window, so Hedwig could find her way in.
Neville pulled his bonsai tree from a pocket, placing it on his bedside table before sitting on his trunk. "Potter...Harry, we need to talk. This evening you made at least three decrees that can have a big influence on Society, both good and bad."
"Oh?" Hermione was intrigued.
"He openly declared that Ginny's Father not only has the backing of House Potter, but should they need it they can call on Him for anything, Political, Financial, or even as a Battle Wand." Neville spoke softly, "While declaring the Daughter of House Weasley not spoken for."
"Meaning, what?" Hermione frowned, "He finds Ginny unacceptable?"
"NO!" Both wizards objected, before Harry motioned Neville to take the lead. "Should Ginny push for claiming Harry as hers, She will need to prove her value. There are at least five Houses Looking at Harry right now. This Summer I was cornered and pressed for information. Of the Five Houses, Two are from the Snake Pit, One from the Badger Den. Not One from just Lion."
HANE
Albus dropped into his chair behind his desk. That showy exit took a bit out of him.
Potter's attitude confused him. First the Boy ignored the Weasley boy, and drew the Longbottom Heir into his circle. He accepted the watchdog, as if she had always been there. He then challenged the Malfoy boy to reinstate Quiditch, and raised the Bar as to who got the Final Word.
He needed the boy back under his control.
HANE
Black and Lupin leaned back in the spiddle backed chairs in the tea room rather than the dining room. Lupin had 'popped' out to pick up a chinese for four, knowing that the two elves were not able to cook tonight. Kreature was still healing, and Dobby was fighting the infestation in the drawing room. Even now that they had finished dinner, and Dobby had been in battle for over two hours, they could still hear the sound of combat.
"What is taking the little guy so long?" Sirius looked at the door.
"The Doxy Infestation." lupin sighed. "I peeked in earlier, and watched…" he shook his head, "The little guy is swinging a tenderizing mallet from the kitchen, splating the little blitters, but they are very numerous, and he has to smash them to paste, or they mutate. He is having fun. Otherwise he would have burned them out with fae-fire."
"Fea-fire?"
"Think fiendfyre for fairies. It would kill the infestation, and not harm the wood. The drapes might be burned… but considering that they are home to most of the blitters…" He trailed off as loud splat sounded from the parlor, followed by mad cackling.
Black nodded, knowing how therapeutic smashing things could be. "Remind him to not hurt himself, and to get some rest." He stood, and headed up to his bed, his thoughts centered around his pup.
Lupin sighed, as he pulled a can of Lager from the bag at his feet. Popping the top, he settled by the fire, listening to the sounds of battle, and thinking of his cub.
'This is not what the Headmaster wanted. But the Headmaster is not my Alpha...the cub is…' he sipped his beer, and stared into the fire. He would deal with the Goat later.
HANE
Draco was pissed. He wanted to rail against Potter, but every time he opened his mouth nothing came out.
Finally Nott turned to Goyle. "What's wrong with him?"
"Potter. Swore on magic to not insult, attack, or badmouth the half-blood blood-traitor." The trollish brute grunted, but the words allowed Draco to relax a bit.
Nott nodded, "So, Malfoy." He grinned, "Are you going to write home to 'Daddy' about quiditch? Many of us would like a chance to tip Potter off his broom. We know your Father is the best chance we have to play this year, those of us not trying for the Tournament."
"Truth?" Malfoy drawled, "I do not know if I can. I like to disparage Potter in my letters home, but due to a moment of Gryffindor Pride, I find myself gagged until the new year!"
Pansy cuddled close. "Write to your Mother. Explain that you are bound from speaking your mind, and that you need your Father to understand the depths of your displeasure at being blocked from serving the 'Boy' his desserts by the Headmaster's plans to deny us our right to Quiditch."
Draco exploded to his feet, "You are correct, Mother requires a more correct form of language, and so I can not speak or write what I am thinking or feeling. I must go write to Her now." He strode from the Common room of the Snake Pit, with many housemates applauding him. He was going to bring back Quiditch!
