Chapter 12 is here! And so soon after the last chapter was released lol. Well, I just got so many wonderful comments on the last chapter it motivated me to write the next one. Not sure when the next one will be out though, but I hope you enjoy this one
Chapter 12
Harry raced through the halls as quick as his feet could carry him. He thought he heard someone calling his name, but he ignored it, instead focusing on getting to Headmaster Dippet as quickly as possible.
To his surprise the stone gargoyle jumped out of his way as he approached, he raced up the spiral staircase pausing to catch his breath before knocking on the door. It was flung open only a few seconds later and Harry nearly stumbled back in shock as he was greeted with the sight of a very angry Fleamont.
"Fleamont," he gasped, as his big brother stepped out of the doorway and ushered Harry into the office. He quickly found himself wrapped up in strong arms.
"I'm so sorry this has happened to you, Harry" Fleamont whispered in his ear and Harry felt his heart rate start to ease.
"It's OK" Harry whispered.
"No, it most certainly is not" Fleamont hissed, spinning back around to face Dippet, Harry still nestled in his arms.
"How the hell did this happen!?" Fleamont growled. "Students medical files are supposed to be private!"
Dippet looked just as annoyed as Fleamont.
"I have no idea, but I swear to you I will get to the bottom of this" Dippet looked like a man half his age, fire blazing in his eyes as he stroked his beard. He walked out from around his desk, throwing a pinch of powder into the fireplace before getting down on his knees and sticking his head in.
"Miss Raston, a word please."
The headmaster pulled his head out and moved, just as Madam Raston stepped through. She looked nervous, but Harry couldn't blame her if she'd seen the papers that morning.
Dippet lifted up the paper, his voice now calm.
"Do you have any idea how this information was leaked?"
Madam Raston shook her head.
"I don't, sir. I was so surprised when I saw the newspaper headlines this morning. I've been trying to think how word could've got out, but I really have no idea." The healer looked down miserably, and Harry believed that she was telling the truth.
"Speak to no one about this" Dippet said, looking thoughtful. "There will be an investigation, but I want it on a need-to-know basis, and no one outside this office needs to know. Someone at Hogwarts is responsible for this information being leaked."
Fleamont opened his mouth to speak but was cut off as the door swung open and Dumbledore walked in. Harry instinctively shrunk back further into Fleamont's arms.
"We are in the middle of a meeting, Professor Dumbledore" Dippet said with a frown.
"My apologies headmaster, I just saw the newspaper and wanted to see if there was anything I could do."
"No, I will be handling this personally" Dippet said, his voice full of authority.
"I still can't believe that the newspaper would print such information about an underage wizard."
"Don't worry about The Prophet, I will be taking care of them personally. My lawyers should be contacting them even as we speak."
Harry looked up at his brother in open surprise.
"They are?"
Fleamont looked down at him, hazel eyes studying him intently.
"Of course. What they have done is illegal and I will make them pay for it."
Harry felt a shudder run down his back as he buried his face in Fleamont's chest, touched that his family were standing up for him like this and also annoyed that no one had ever stood up to the press in his own time. Honestly, he hadn't even realised that you could even stand up to the press.
"Now that the information is out, Harry is going to have offers coming in from every family in the wizarding world" Dumbledore said, watching Fleamont and Harry as he moved around Dippet's desk. "You will need to make sure you choose the right family for Harry."
Harry tensed at the words but calmed when Fleamont ran a reassuring hand down his back.
Fleamont frowned, "I won't be choosing anything. Harry will decide whoever he wishes to be with if or when he so chooses. That has nothing to do with me, aside from being there for him as his brother."
Dumbledore frowned himself then. "Harry should be careful, there any many out there who may wish to take advantage or influence him negatively."
Harry felt his blood boil, no one had ever taken advantage of him more then the very man in front of him.
"That's really none of your business" Harry spoke up for the first time, fixing Dumbledore with a firm stare. Now that he had his ring on, he had no worries about making eye contact with the future headmaster.
Dumbledore nodded his head in acquiescence, but he didn't look happy. This younger Dumbledore was not as adept as hiding his emotions as his older self.
Fleamont cast a charm around them, so that they could speak privately.
"I have to get going, Harry" Fleamont said softly, "but I will see you tomorrow. Dippet is investigating how this information got leaked, I am taking care of The Prophet, all you need to worry about is yourself. Stay with your friends, report any problems to Dippet so that they can be handled immediately. We will be able to talk more tomorrow."
Harry nodded, "thank you" he said quietly. Fleamont hugged him one last time before waving away the privacy charm.
"I must be going now, Headmaster, Professor Dumbledore, Madam Raston" he nodded at the others before guiding Harry from the room and down the spiral staircase.
"Aren't you going to floo out?" Harry asked in confusion.
"No, I have business to attend to in Hogsmeade and want to clear my head beforehand. I will walk down."
"Try to have a good day" Fleamont said quietly as he squeezed Harry's shoulder in final farewell before striding off towards the front doors.
Harry stood there for a moment, getting his bearings, before slowly striding off toward potions. This was going to be a long day.
Every head turned to look at him as he walked into Potions a few minutes later. Professor Slughorn stopped his lecture and watched Harry quickly walk towards an empty seat next to Corvus, his usual seat taken.
"Sorry I'm late, sir" Harry said quietly but Slughorn just waved the apology away.
"Perfectly understandable, I imagine it's been quite a trying morning for you. Remember that as your head of house I am always here if you need anything."
Harry was touched by the offer but really wanted everyone to stop staring at him, so he nodded quickly, "thank you, sir."
Slughorn stared at him a moment longer, before returning to the lesson. Harry pulled out his books and a quill and began taking notes, he did his best to concentrate but he was taking nothing on board. Not really. He looked down and realised he's started drawing a racing broom, so giving it up as a lost cause he continued to doodle for the rest of the lesson.
Too soon for his liking the lesson came to an end, heads once again turned to him, but Harry just ignored it, he had years of practice after all. Like everything else he had faced before this would die down as well and he would just have to endure it until it did.
He was immediately surrounded by his friends.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Corvus asked, immediately suspicious like always.
Harry rolled his eyes, "Why would I tell you about my ability to have children?" He flushed furiously but met his gaze, "unless you're the one fucking me it's really none of your business."
Orion let out a low groan and Harry's gaze flicked to him.
"Sorry" Harry said quietly. "Its just this doesn't have to change anything."
Abraxas let out a derisive snort but didn't comment, Harry squirmed at the others intense gaze.
Austin leered at him, and nope. Nope. No thank you. He shouldered his bag and started walking out of the room, conversation over.
The others quickly caught up with him.
"It's just, you know everyone is going to be interested in you now" Theo said from his side. "Carriers are highly sought after."
Harry shrugged, "I'm not going to be with someone who's only interested in me because I'm a carrier."
"An advantageous marriage will be very beneficial to the Potters" Orion spoke up from his other side. "Fleamont may insist on you marrying someone of influence."
"Fleamont would never" Harry said with a scowl. "We already spoke this morning, in Headmaster Dippet's office and he said any decisions on who I may or may not want to be with is completely up to me."
Orion's gaze turned calculating.
Harry ignored the gossiping as he entered the hall, this was nothing compared to the year everyone thought he was Slytherin's heir and going around petrifying other students.
He'd barely sat down to lunch when Cygnus slid into the seat beside him, Harry startled a little at the sight of him.
"Cousin, to what do we owe the honour?" Orion said glaring at Cygnus from across the table.
"I just wanted to check on Harry" Cygnus said, pulling a sandwich from a platter and starting to eat. He sat one in front of Harry, who automatically picked it up and started eating. Cygnus smiled at him.
"How are you, Harry? Already planning your wedding, I assume?"
Harry snorted and elbowed Cygnus in the ribs. "Not likely."
Cygnus expression turned more serious, as he took a bite of his next sandwich.
"I'm OK" Harry said quietly. "The gossip doesn't worry me, even if I don't like the attention. Just… disappointed that someone would do this to me."
"It's not right. I assume Fleamont is handling it?"
"He is."
"Good" Cygnus nodded.
Harry looked down, fiddling with his sandwich for a moment. He leaned in closer, trying to lower his voice.
"Did you still want to go to Hogsmeade with me? I understand if you want to avoid all the attention."
Cygnus looked back in surprise, "I'm a Black, I'm used to attention."
Harry rolled his eyes but couldn't hold back a small laugh, "of course, how could I forget?"
"Don't worry, when we go out to Hogsmeade, everyone's eyes will be on me, not you."
Harry smiled, reaching over to ruffle Cygnus' hair, causing the other teen to squawk in indignation.
"I don't know how I ever missed the fact that you're a Black" Harry said with a laugh.
Cygnus let out a loud cry, hunching over the table and Harry immediately went on the defensive, pulling his wand out and looking around.
"What is it? What's wrong?"
Cygnus let out a small groan, before shaking his head. "Nothing, nothing."
Harry slowly put his wand away, "you sure?"
"Yeah, it's nothing" Cygnus said, looking up and meeting a glaring Orion head on.
Ah, Harry thought. Something going on between the two Blacks. Best to leave that alone.
Cygnus glanced away.
"I'm so glad we met Harry, I think we're going to be great friends" Cygnus said with a genuine smile and Harry practically beamed at him, green eyes sparkling.
"I think so too."
They went back to their food, joining in the conversation with those around them, until it was time to head to their next class. As Harry walked the whispers followed him. It seemed though that no one was quite game enough to speak to him… yet. That could be because Abraxas was walking at his side, glaring at anybody who so much as glanced at Harry. The cold Malfoy mask was perfectly in place, the blondes magic swirling around them like a visceral warning to stay the hell away.
In a strange way the whole thing made him feel safe. Abraxas' magic reminded him a lot of Draco's, they weren't exactly the same but there were similarities. It was almost instinctual that he felt himself start to relax.
Charlus caught him on the stairs, giving him a fierce hug before telling Harry to come to him if he had any problems whatsoever.
"We'll talk more at lunch tomorrow" Charlus said as he started to hurry away to his own class. "Remember, come find me if you need anything at all."
"I will" Harry called out, waving as Charlus walked away.
Harry dressed nicely the next morning, he noticed that everyone was. Orion had even gotten up early and spent close to two hours on his hair. Even Tom was wearing his best robes and making sure he looked immaculate. OK so Hogsmeade weekends seem like a much bigger deal in this time than his.
He gets it, a chance to get out of the castle and explore the world, even just a little, it was a nice feeling.
He pulled on a new set of robes in a deep navy blue. A subtle nod to Cygnus being in Ravenclaw. He attempted to fix his hair but gave up after a few minutes, it just wasn't worth the hassle. Finally, he cast a spell that he had been practicing for the last few weeks. He waved his wand, muttering the incantation before pulling off his glasses. The spell temporarily fixed his eyesight, it lasted about eight hours, plenty of time for a visit to Hogsmeade. He had been learning it to use during quidditch matches, annoyed how his glasses could end up being a hinderance during games at times. He thought this was a good opportunity to try it out.
When he was ready, he turned to find most of the boys already finished, sitting around chatting while waiting for everyone to be done so they could all walk down together.
Orion watched him attentively as he walked over to join the group.
"You look beautiful" Orion murmured, lacking his usual flirtatious tone. Harry wasn't sure what to think of it.
"You look very handsome. All that time spent on your hair was worth it."
Orion grinned at him, flicking his hair over his shoulder.
"You all look very nice" Harry continued looking around at the group. "I can see that Hogsmeade visits are a big deal around here."
They all nodded in agreement.
"Should we head off then?" Tom asked, standing up and straightening his robes.
There was a rustling sound as everyone fixed themselves one last time before heading out the door. Most were meeting their chosen partner for the day in the entrance hall, though others, like Orion, were meeting them at Hogsmeade.
Orion stayed at his side as they walked to the Entrance Hall, joking with Harry about how much he was going to spend on sweets at Honeydukes and managing to keep Harry's nerves at bay.
They each started to drift off as they found whoever was waiting for them. Harry looked around until he spotted Cygnus. He started walking towards the taller teen, pausing as he realised what the other was wearing. Yellow robes, covered in suns. Exactly the same colour and pattern as what Dumbledore had been wearing in Transfiguration earlier in the week.
His mouth dropped open in shock before laughter erupted from him.
"What are you wearing!?" He cried out, laughing even more as Cygnus did a little twirl.
"I told you no one would be looking at you today."
"That you did. I'm sorry I doubted you."
"Shall we go?" Cygnus asked, sticking out his arm for Harry to hold.
Orion appeared beside them giving his cousin a disdainful look.
"Don't leave his side at any time while you're in Hogsmeade."
Harry looked between the pair confusion furrowing his brow.
"You don't need to stay with me the whole time if you don't want to" Harry spoke up.
"Yes, he does." Orion said, in a tone he hadn't heard from him before. In that moment he looked every bit the heir to the noble and most ancient house of Black.
Cygnus looked every bit as serious when he replied, "I won't leave him."
Orion studied the other before nodding and walking out the front doors.
"Honestly, you don't have to listen to Orion" Harry said as they started to walk, confused why Orion would even ask such a thing.
Cygnus didn't deign to reply, instead changing the topic.
"I always love the opportunity to stretch my legs and get out of Hogwarts for a little while. As much as I love the castle it can get a bit stifling at times."
Harry could understand where he was coming from. Hogwarts had been his only safety from a cruel and neglectful family, but still all those people in one place for months on end, it could get a little much sometimes.
"Flying helps me relax when everything is getting a bit much."
"Ah that's right, I'm looking at the newest seeker for the Slytherin quidditch team, aren't I?"
"Well, I haven't officially taken the position. We are training for the first time tomorrow though and I think I'll take it. I mean I want to; I was just a little hesitant as I didn't want people to think I'd barged my way onto the team."
Cygnus shrugged, "If there is one thing Slytherin's can appreciate its competency. They saw you fly and knew you would make their team better. It's as simple as that. They want to win, and you will help them do that. Once they see you fly no Slytherin will argue with that decision."
Harry chuckled, "so you just naturally assume I'm that good?"
"They wouldn't have asked you to join the team if you weren't" Cygnus said honestly, and Harry paused. That was a good point.
"Fleamont is taking me to choose a broom today, you will have to help me pick. I'm not even sure what the best models are at the moment."
"Oh, well for all around speed and performance you really can't go past the comet" Cygnus explained, starting to go into the ins and outs of the different racing brooms that were on the market at the moment. The conversation carried them all the way into Hogsmeade.
"Come on let's start with a few butterbeers at The Three Broomsticks before we start exploring" Cygnus said, leading him to a familiar looking building, where he was hit with such a strong sense of nostalgia that he had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from getting teary. Memories of his visits to Hogsmeade with Ron and Hermione had him clinging to Cygnus' arm even tighter, but the other teen didn't seem to mind, squeezing his hand reassuringly as they entered.
The Three Broomsticks was nearly exactly as Harry remembered it, warm and cozy. Even though it wasn't quite winter, yet they were still far enough into autumn that there was a definite chill in the air. It had been a good choice to come inside and warm up before exploring some more. They weren't the only Hogwarts students who had seemed to have the same idea, tables were dotted with students, all of whom turned to watch as they took their seats.
A young man came to take their order, retreating with a cheeky grin after he'd gotten it.
"So, I was thinking we could visit Honeydukes first, to get some sweets, then stop by Dentalis to see what books they have in. By then it should nearly be time to meet your brothers for lunch" Cygnus said, waving his wand over their drinks before they took their first sips.
"Are we having lunch here?" Cygnus asked.
"Yeah, we are meeting Charlus and Fleamont here at 12pm. Fleamont has already organised a table for us."
"Perfect" Cygnus said with a smile.
Harry had a wonderful morning walking the streets of Hogsmeade with Cygnus. A large number of students he didn't know smiled and said hello to him, he wasn't sure what to make of it but everyone was being friendly so he just smiled and said hello back. He stocked up on an exorbitant number of sweets in Honeydukes, including a box of sugar quills for Cygnus after he revealed they were his favourite, before they had spent some time perusing the bookshelves in Dentalis. Unsurprisingly Cygnus left with half a dozen books compared to Harry's one.
Everywhere they went they ran into people that they knew. They had run into Abraxas and his betrothed as they were walking to Honeydukes. Alphard and Theo both had been with their dates picking sweets in Honeydukes. They'd even run into Austin and Corvus in Dentalis. Everyone was in a great mood smiling and talking and Harry couldn't help but be amazed.
They met up with Fleamont and Charlus and Charlus' date outside The Three Broomsticks right on 12 o'clock.
Both Potter men eyed Cygnus with appraising eyes, though the other pretended not to notice.
"Fleamont, Charlus, this is a friend of mine, Cygnus Black" Harry introduced.
"We've actually met quite a few times" Fleamont said, leaning forward to shake Cygnus' hand.
"Oh, of course" Harry supposed that a lot of the older families ran in the same circles.
"Harry, I'm not sure if you've met Bonnie?" Charlus said, stepping forward and introducing the blonde girl beside him. "She's a seventh year in Hufflepuff."
"It's nice to meet you" Harry said with a small smile to the tall, blonde Hufflepuff.
"Well, shall we?" Fleamont said, opening the door and leading the way into The Three Broomsticks.
He spoke to a young witch at the bar who guided them to a large table to the right of the room.
"Just come up to the bar when you're ready to order" she said with a sigh, obviously already feeling tired from her busy day.
"So how has your morning been?" Fleamont asked the table in general.
"Great" Charlus said with a smile. "Bonnie is very good at Herbology, so we spent most of the morning looking at seeds in Belby's."
"I was trying to find a seed for a mimbulus mimbletonia. I want to try to grow one as part of my final project for Herbology" Bonnie explained.
Harry's eyebrows furrowed in thought, "isn't that the little cactus looking thing that squirts like slime?"
Bonnie laughed in delight, "that's exactly right! Do you enjoy herbology as well, Harry?"
"I don't mind it" Harry said honestly, "though I'm not very good at it. I had a friend who had a mimbulus mimbletonia, he tickled it the wrong way and we got covered in slime."
"You've actually seen one? They are very rare, that's why I was hoping to try to grow one. Do you think your friend would let me see his?"
Harry thought of Neville, 50 years in the future and his face fell.
"Probably not, he doesn't live around here" Harry explained.
Bonnie looked disappointed for a moment, before smiling again. "Still, it's very exciting that you've even seen one. How big was it? Is it true that they pulsate? Does the stinksap really smell as bad as everyone says?"
"Even worse" Harry joked.
"Do you enjoy herbology?" Charlus asked Cygnus, obviously trying to include the other in the conversation.
"I enjoy learning about the different plants that relate to potion making, their properties and what they can be used for. Unfortunately, outside that, I have little interest in herbology."
"Oh, there's so many different plants that are used in potion making" Bonnie spoke up and they spent an enjoyable lunch talking mainly about plants and just how amazing they are. Harry had never met anyone so enthusiastic about plants before, he thought Bonnie would even give Neville a run for his money.
After all their meals had been eaten, the conversation turned to more serious matters.
"How are you doing, Harry" Fleamont asked, concern shining in his eyes.
"I'm OK" Harry said honestly. "So far no one has been game enough to approach me, and my friends have been doing a good job of keeping away anyone who looks like they might."
"That's good, I'm glad" Fleamont said with a relieved sigh. "It will get worse before it gets better though. Expect the betrothal contracts and offers of marriage to start rolling in. Do you know the spells to make sure that none of your mail is harmful?"
"I sure do" Harry said, thinking of his disastrous fourth year.
"Make sure you are checking everything before you open it. Who knows what people may send you. I have already received several offers of betrothal for you; I burned them all. It was oddly satisfying." Fleamont said with grin. "We are also suing The Prophet; papers went out yesterday. Our lawyers seem to think it will be an open and shut case, though I will keep you both informed of how it progresses."
"They will regret the day they posted that article" Charlus said vindictively.
"I really want to know who leaked the information" Harry said, looking around the table.
Cygnus nodded, his eyes narrowed in thought.
"Headmaster Dippet is handling that" Fleamont said. "Though if I am not satisfied with what he is able to find out I will be lodging a complaint with the school governors and demanding a formal inquiry."
"I know that they will be behind you on this. It is not something to be taken lightly." Cygnus said.
Fleamont let out a small sigh. "Anyway, we best be going if you want to pick your broom, Harry."
Harry jolted in excitement; he had completely forgot about that!
"I had a Tornado when I used to play" Fleamont said as they walked out of The Three Broomsticks, "but I hear that Comets are the way to go now."
"You used to play quidditch?" Harry asked in wonder. He'd never known that about his grandfather.
"Oh yes, I was keeper on the Gryffindor team four years in a row. We won the quidditch cup three times while I was on the team."
"I bet you were amazing" Harry said, marveling that quidditch really was in his blood.
He turned from Fleamont to keep walking down the street when he ran smack bang into someone walking in the opposite direction. They both stumbled back a little before Cygnus looped an arm around his back and helped him back on his feet.
"I'm very sorry, I was-" Harry started to apologise, mouth falling open in shock as he came face to face with a much younger looking Walburga Black.
He gaped at the unlined, beautiful face, so different to what it would become.
Walburga brushed herself off, eyes flicking over Harry before landing on her brother.
"What do you think you are wearing, brother?" she hissed clearly embarrassed at the florid yellow robe that Cygnus had on.
Cygnus chuckled, "what you don't like it, sister? It's merely a joke between Harry and myself."
"It looks more like one of Dumbledore's horrid creations."
Harry and Cygnus looked at each other before bursting into laughter.
"That's what it is!" Harry laughed, unsticking his tongue from the top of his mouth. "He was wearing it earlier in the week when Cygnus and I had transfiguration together."
Walburga sniffed haughtily.
"Is this how you represent the noble and most ancient house of Black?"
Cygnus shrugged "it is today."
Walburga did not look happy. "When Orion and I are head of the family, this kind of behaviour" her eyes ran over the robes "will not be tolerated."
Harry glanced behind the witch to find Orion standing there, a frown on his face as he watched Harry.
Harry wanted to comment but held his tongue. It wasn't his place to get involved in a spat between siblings.
Cygnus merely rolled his eyes, "we are all simply dreading when that day comes."
Walburga chose to ignore that comment, her eyes swinging to Harry as well as Fleamont, Charlus and Bonnie standing behind them.
"And who might you be?" Her gaze turned calculating; Cygnus shifted a little, half shielding Harry with his body.
"I'm Harry Potter" Harry said awkwardly. His stomach turned knowing how miserable this woman made Sirius in the future.
"Harry Potter… The Harry Potter, the carrier that was announced in the newspaper yesterday?" Her dark gaze moved back to Cygnus. "Oh yes, good work Cygnus, he would bear you strong children for the Black line."
Harry blushed scarlet at that.
"I thought you were hungry?" Orion spoke up, trying to distract the witch from her current train of thought. He reached out and gripped her hand tightly basically pulling her away.
"I hope you have a lovely day" she simpered to Harry before turning and following Orion into a small restaurant next to The Three Broomsticks.
Cygnus rubbed Harry's back, "sorry about her. Nothing much matters to her except power and the strength of the Black line. She will be a nightmare as head of family."
"I'm sorry you have to put up with that" Harry said with a grimace, knowing just how worse she gets over the years. "I think you look very handsome in your robes."
Cygnus grinned and did another twirl at that.
"Come on you pair, let's get going before everything is closed" Fleamont said, with a glance back ato Orion and Walburga. He led the way to a small shop at the end of the street, a rusty sign hanging above the door exclaiming Broom Broom Brooms! Well at least they got to the point, Harry thought as they pushed open the door and walked inside.
When Harry left Hogsmeade a few hours later, he had Cygnus at his side and a brand new Silver Arrow grasped tightly in his hands.