Potter Practices Non-human Magics
Cures Crippling Curse and other Dark Works
Skeeter Seeks to find you the Hidden Truths
What followed was three pages of Gossip, Misquotations, and Slander. The only facts she had correct were that Potter was at Hogwarts and that he had cured a witch of the curse. She had withheld the Witch's Name at this time so she could blackmail and leverage a payday or promotion.
The Paper that hit every table in Britain sure sent sparks through the very fabric of the Magical Community.
Fudge Arrived during Breakfast with his Entourage of L Malfoy, D Umbridge, and a selection of Aurors.
Director Bones had arrived five minutes earlier but was speaking with McGonagall in the shadows of the Hall when Fudge made his Grand Entrance.
Potter was once again sitting at the end of the Ravenclaw Table, nibbling on Luna Lovegood as she Nibbled on his Pudding. Across from the duo, Daphne and Tracy were sipping tea, and nibbling toast spread with jam. From her spot at the Griffondore table, Hermione was reading a book as she slowly ate her Mush with Honey and Cream. Zabini was schmoozing a french witch thirty feet away from his roommate at the Ravenclaw's table.
This Morning Harry had borrowed Zabini's Cloak as he had a pre-noon appointment with the Goblins, and he needed something to cover his bare chest, or the goblins would not take him seriously at the meeting.
Okay… I have set the scene… Now the Action!
HPDB
Luna shrieked softly around her pudding-filled spoon as the back of her neck was nibbled by the brute. While she had accepted the deal as a method to get more pudding, she was not displeased by his attention.
Without Fanfare, the doors to the Great Hall swung open, as a shortish Wizard dressed in black suit/robes with lime green pinstripes paraded into the area just Past where Luna was sucking on her spoon of pudding. On his heels were a White-haired Peacock and a toad dressed in pink.
"Minister Fudge, What brings you to our Hallowed Halls this bright and early morning without notice?" Albus lounged on his throne, playing the kindly grandfather.
"We have reports of Dark Magic being practised on these grounds." Fudge preened. "It is my Duty as the Head of the Ministry for Magic that I see it stamped out and the Practitioner Punished to the full extent of the Law and Thrown into the deepest pits of Hell."
Harry whispered in Luna's ear, "Is it an election year?"
"No, but the blond is Malfoy, and the Bloodstone Ruby was mentioned. Odds are he wants it and is using Fudge to retrieve it." She murmured around her spoon. "The Toad just likes flexing her power as his Muscle."
"They are not getting the Ruby, the power of that Curse does not belong in human hands. Goblins are the only honourable race that can twist it for a benign use." He flexed his claws. "My Palms are itching."
Luna brightened, before standing to climb onto the Table. Everyone turned to look at her.
"The First Warning of the Coming Doom was The Crack!
Beware Fools, Wisemen and the Blind.
The First Sign is the Bitch Smack.
As the Lord repays Slights in Kind.
For Now, is the Slap-a-Gedeon!
The Second Warning of the Coming Doom was The Clap!
Beware Fools, Sages and Those Who Won't Listen
The Second sign is the Bytch Slap
As the Lord's Muscles Glisen
For Now, is the Slap-a-Gedeon!
The Third Warning of the Coming Doom was The Whomp!
Beware, Idiots, Schmucks, and those who can't Hear.
The Third Sign is the Thump.
As the Lord's Reach is Far.
For Now, is the Slap-a-Gedeon!
The Fourth Warning of the Coming Doom was The Chap
Beware Naives, Buffoons, and Those Who can't Learn
The Fourth Sign is The Whap
The Lord's Wrath you Shall earn.
For Now, is the Slap-a-Gedeon!"
After the first verse, the Hall of students, knowing where this was going, intoned the last line of each verse, 'For now is the Slap-a-Gedeon!' along with Luna. The effect was that the entire Hall was now involved and expecting a good show.
Harry rose to his full height, being between Fudge and the Table, allowing his cloak to fall from his shoulders. "So you are here to prevent the other students from being cursed are you?" Harry popped his knuckles. "Are you sure that you are not here to order me to turn over the Ruby to you and your associates?" He flexed his hands and stretched his arms and legs. "I have been in this Castle less than Seventy-two hours, but You only show up after it is reported that I have come into possession of a Ruby twice the size of your fist. Seems a little…" he licked his lips, his teeth gleaming. "Off."
"Now See Here, you Half-breed, You will speak to the Minister with the Respect he is due!" the child-like voice of the witch in pink brough the Blazing eyes to look at her.
"As One Halfbreed to Another, I was." Harry snarled, as Umbridge gasped. "The Only reason I am speaking is to allow the three of you to explain how and why you think you have any say in this matter." His Grin grew, "Before I bring the Pain."
"Teach this Beast his Place!" the Pink dressed witch yelled.
A Balding Red Robed wizard drew his wand… and was back handed out the open doors.
"My Place, you toad-faced hag, is so far above you, that You would have to walk on the Moon to look up at me. I would have to be dead a week before you even have a chance of matching my Skill or my Power." Harry allowed his power to flare behind his eyes. "I also had a few hours last night. I got to read the Rules and By-laws of this Tournament. Unless I am actively trying to Kill my Fellow Champions, and not just protecting myself during an Event, I am untouchable until the Cup is claimed. Your Presence can be viewed as an assault on my person in an attempt to favour one of my Challengers."
"The Dark Magic practised in these Halls!" Fudge cried, "The Death of a Child so you can practise your Dark Craft is not a small matter, and It is my Duty to see it stopped, and if Possible… Reversed!"
Daphne Greengrass rose and scrambled over the table before any could stop her. As she landed, she drew the back of her hand across the purpled face of the Minister. "You Try, and House Greengrass will declare Blood Feud! Potter has removed a stain from our House and you seek to return it!"
"And Who said there was a Death?" a little voice asked from Fudge's side. Everybody looked and saw a smaller, paler clone of Daphne Greengrass. A Smaller witch, pointing a wand at his crotch. "Who Said I died?"
"You Nasty She-Beast!" The Witch in Pink Raised her hand to strike the child threatening the Minister… and hit the wall outside the Hall with a crunch, and a gasp. Limply, she slid down the wall to lay in a 'Pepto pink' pile.
"House Greengrass is under my Protection until Lord Greengrass and I have completed our talks." Harry lowered his leg from the roundhouse kick that sent the Witch flying. "That is Strike Two, Fudge. Three Strikes and some of you will never walk right again."
"Deloris!" Fudge was starting to panic, only the thought of the same happening to him stayed his hand. "What gives you the Right to Assault my Undersecretary?"
"You entered my Den, Threatened Harm to Me and Mine, and Attempted to Steal what is Mine by Craft and Skill." Potter tucked his thumbs into his wide belt over his Kilt. "Now your Hag took a solid hit. It should not be life-threatening, but you should get her to a Healer… if there is any chance of fixing her face."
"Not Bloody Likely." Astoria sneered as she turned her wand on the White-haired man. "Lord Malfoy. Great Seeing you here. Father will be so pleased that you stopped by to Congratulate me on my recovery."
Malfoy's eyes flickered over those gathered about him. He offered a sickly smile. "Yes, It seems that you no longer need those potions that I was trying to procure herbs for. I do hope he will be able to pay…"
"No Sir." Daphne smirked as she strutted closer, "Had you procured them as Contracted, then yes, we would be on the hook for the bill. But because you failed to deliver, if only to drive up the cost, the Contract was rendered 'Null and Void' last week. We owe you Nothing. Not a bloody knut." She folded herself about her little sister, tucking the wand up the girl's sleeve, "I only hope you are not sitting on the full shipment… the cost to your accounts…" She guided the younger witch past Potter as Malfoy, in a Fury, drew his wand from his cane… and landed next to Deloris.
Harry lowered his leg from catching the Albino across the chest. Turning a dower face to Fudge, Harry asked softly. "Please say or do something… I am suffering from 'Slap-alation Interruptus'. I am getting a bad case of 'Blue Palm' here." the guys chuckled at the joke.
Fudge was beginning to panic… Until She came to his rescue.
"Minister Fudge." Bones stepped into the Light. "I do hope that you were not trying to do my job. I have just returned from the Medical Wing where the so-called Dark Magic was Practised. Not only did the Warlock clean up after himself, but had the Mediwitch present for the whole thing, and the Family was at the girl's side before the dust settled." The Red Robed Witch drifted closer. "The Only Reason this Magic is called Dark… No Human Wizard can wield these forces without spilling Life-blood. Potter is classed as a Magus Class Creature. Hunt him at your own personal risk." She waved at the Red Robes standing by the door before pointing at the two slumped wizards and the pink dressed witch.
The Bald Wizard climbed to his feet. "He backhands an Auror in the course of their duties, and walks away without even a slap on the wrist?"
"Okay Dawlish, Under Whose Orders are you here?" Bones turned her glinting glass eye piece his way. "By what Decree are you pursuing your Duties?"
"Fudge ordered us to follow, and the Under…" Dawlish began.
"Asking for a squad of Aurors to escort him, is the Minister's Right, yes. But you are Bodyguards only. Not Enforcement. Not Beast Hunters. And Definitely not Hit Wizards!" She turned to sneer at Fudge, "We Will be talking about this in your Office in one Hour. You will be there or in the cells awaiting my Boot in your ass! John, see him to his office." She turned back to the rest, "The Rest of you… get them to St Mungo's, before I strip you of your badges!"
Flitwick appeared at Potter's side. "Ah, Mister Potter. It is time for us to go."
$Lurch, protect Asia.$ Potter groped Greengrass's Bum, kissed Luna, and Snogged Tracy before grabbing the Slytherin Winter cloak and trotting off after the short professor.
HPDB
Into the Landing circle, the Half-goblin dropped himself and his passenger.
"What the Hell was That!" The Half-dragon staggered into a wall and clutched it with his talons. "No, Not Again! Now that we are here, I can open a Gate back. But I am never … NEVER travelling that way again.
The Charn Master nodded before he heaved himself upright and staggered in the direction of the Bank. "You're going to have to teach me to Gate… but Deal."
"I will give you the Lessons that I was given, but them working for you is up to you." Potter followed.
At the Great Doors to the Bank, the Guards shifted at the sight of the 'beast' tromping towards them, but at a sign from the half-breed guiding him, they took no further action.
Flitwick left Potter standing in the centre of the Atrium, as he scuttled to a Goblin-level window. A few whispered words, and he returned to lead the 'boy' to the doors leading into the deeper bank. There they were met by a shaved head Goblin. "You claim that this… boy is the 'Harry Potter'."
"The Goblet of Fire chose him as a fourth Champion" Flitwick sneered. "How he was entered, because they would need his blood or magic for the Cup to lock on to, I have no idea."
The shaved Goblin sneered as he looked at the Brute standing over him. "The Boy's Sire and Second had brought the tyke in to update his Blood Status, three days before the Day of Death. If another wizard sampled the child as well…"
"And so the List of the Dead grows." Potter hummed.
Barchoke's sneer grew to a grin. "Let's get the boy tested."
After bleeding the 'Boy', mixing the blood sample with Goblin Magics, and comparing the results… He was confirmed as the Potter Heir… and as Lord Potter, due to the 'of Age' clause on the Goblet of Fire. There were a few notes in the Ledger… but Barchoke would need to look into it further…
HPDB
An Hour Later, Lord Potter met with a Clerk of the Dastardly Deeds Division.
"I found a Witchling suffering under a Blood-born Curse. I performed a class III cleansing and took this as my payment." Potter set the two-fisted blood ruby in the centre of the table. "The Elder Sister of the Witchling challenged the Act of my taking the Stone… Claiming that I am, instead, bound to her family through the act of ripping the curse from the child. The Heiress declares that half of this stone is theirs… or at least half the Value."
"And you bring this to us…Why?" the Goblin Sneered…trying to hide his greed for the Stone.
"The Power of the Darkness, Bound within the Stone…" Potter snarled, his fangs flashing in the candlelight, "Only the Goblins can Craft something useful from this Darkness. Wards and Deadly Protections, and the Like. I have not learned the Craft Skills needed at this time. I have little wealth… until I take full control of the Family Vaults. Now that I have Claimed to the Family vaults, I offer this Stone to the Bank… in exchange for the teaching of the Craft Skills needed to properly harness items of this nature and two hundred galleons."
The Goblin set a monocle with additional loop lenses over his eye. Then he dropped a lens over the eyepiece… he whimpered. A second lens fell… he whimpered again. "I can take this offer… on the Clause that we get the first refusal on any other Blood-Stones you … find."
"Only those that I do not choose to use in my own Crafting." Harry sneered. "I am willing to also Rip Blood Curses at cost from Others that are found and brought before me. Said cost will include the blood-stone curse, of course. And of course, we will be meeting like this the next day."
"Deal." the goblin stood, grabbing the Lord's hand, pumping it.
HPDB
William Weasley, Heir to Weasley, Curse Breaker; Third class, fourth rank.
Leader and sole survivor of Gringotts latest attempt to unearth the Tombs of Carpathia. It was not so much as the place was attempting to keep the Tomb Researchers from Entering, but to keep Someone from Exiting… or Something.
Runes, weighted floor tiles, and even reflected light triggers spun a web so thick that half the party died just entering the first room. The only reason Bill survived so long was that he was surrounded by the bodies of his companions that took cutting curses, crossbow bolts, and every kind of killing trap, curse, and hex that were known to thirteenth century Carpathia.
Bill stood still as stone as the Blood Misted from the falling bodies and settled over him. As the Blood Mist absorbed into his skin, he could feel the 'Curse' sinking it's talons into his Soul.
Bill did the only thing he could…
He triggered a portkey.
HPDB
Lord Potter was walking across the White Gold inlaied Italian Marble on his way to the Cue to retrieve his coin for today's Purchases…
His Head was flung high, as He scensed the Dark Horror Evil that arrived in the chambers below. Harry stepped from the Line and approached the Head Teller's desk. "No Sooner than I sign on to Rip Blood Curses from your People, then you Bring in something That Nasty! Was your Agent just playing the Odds or…"
"I Have no Idea…" the Head teller was interrupted by a Klaxon sounding and the Other Tellers slamming their Books shut. Twenty armed Guards swarmed the Lobby, and began herding the Humans from the Hall.
Potter threw back his Head and Roared like a Dragon.
Every Human went Silent.
"Ladies and Gents." Potter spoke into the startled quiet, "The Bank Thanks you for your time and understanding. Now some Old Blood House Artefacts are being decursed. In an attempt to protect the Blood lines of their Clients, the Goblins are asking that you return at another time. They will of course accept any vulentures that want to untwist the soul eater curse…" the Lobby was empty.
"Soul Eater Curse?" The Head Teller sneered.
"If your Man is Lucky." Potter handed his cloak to Flitwick. "Show me to his side, now please."
HPDB
Three hours later, a nearly naked Warlock, wearing only a 'Jockey-strap' underwear piece, stood over a nude redhead wizard. Both were covered in marks, painted in grey clay-based paint, as the Eldritch Energies entombed them.
This time the magic built slowly. The Curse was two parts possession, one kill/contain. A Soul had tried to grab and 'eat' the Wizard, but it only bit into his 'self'. Now the Curse-Soul was trying to consume the Wizard's Soul, a Rat-snake trying to eat a tortoise, by starting at the left fore toe… It would take a few weeks, but if left alone, the Wizard was Dead. Next, the other part of the Curse was trying to pull the Soul(s) back to the 'Resting Pit'.
The Winds howled in the Tunnels, sanded the stone smoother than smooth, and pressed the guard to the edge of the caverns, where Death would have been friendly.
Two Hours Potter fought the Cruse. This was not a Power Rip like he used with Greengrass. It was a skilled 'skinning and thinning' rip. More like he was removing the hide from a dragon in one piece… while keeping the Dragon alive.
The Curse finally released the Wizard on the floor, as the Warlock tore it from his flesh. The Curse rolled into a ball, before inverting and escaping into the Eather, returning to where it had been borne.
The Warlock collapsed onto his hands and knees. After some twenty seconds of regaining his breath, he allowed the Healers into the chamber. Four Goblins in white ran to the Wizard, as another pair hurried to Harry's side.
"Tell me, Wizard. Where did you find something that Nasty!"
The red-headed wizard huffed before wheezing, "Carpathia."
"Carpathia?!" Potter growled, "Why in Seven of the Nine Hells would you go anywhere near Carpathia? Some of the Darkest Soul-mages in the world honed their Craft there… and they Do Not like outsiders."
"The Contract named the Tomb of Vigo of Carpathia…"
Harry starts swearing in a non-human tongue.
A suited Goblin in the doorway frowned. "That's bad?"
"Thirteen Carpathian Soul-mages sacrificed themself to bind Vigo. Thirteen Immortal Mages gave up their very existence to put a stop to his crimes against Humanity and Magic." Harry was growling.
"Okay. Memo to Contracts and Conscryptions; As of this minute, All Contracts that Mention Carpathia are null and void." The suited Goblin declared. "Mr Weasley. You were our best. And now you still are." the Goblin turned to Harry. "Warlock, I am told that you are contracted to rip curses at cost. And that the curse, if bound to a bloodstone, was part of that payment. Since the curse fled towards Carpathia…"
"It will return to the Tomb of Vigo, and by all that is Holy, let it stay." Harry stood and rolled his shoulders. "Our Contract is fulfilled." With a wave of his hand, the clay markings burned off his skin. "I just need to retrieve my money bag and finish my shopping. Being named the fourth Champion of the Triwizard Tournament really annoys a guy."
The Suited Goblin raised an eyebrow and stepped aside. After Harry had left to return to the surface, he turned to his aide. "All outside bookies, stake the limit on Potter taking the Tournament."
HPDB
tbc