Harry Potter and the Shadowed Light
Chapter 25
Previously
Harry frowned. "How did we get onto this? I have no plans on being the next Dark Lord. I honestly just wanted you to know why Dumbledore is obsessed with me."
Filius, who had taken a step back as he listened, laughed slightly. "Sometimes you don't have a choice."
"I trust you will all keep this information to yourselves?" Harry asked.
"Yes," they all agreed.
"I will also watch out for you around Dumbledore. I have been doing so more diligently this year but now that I know why, I will try harder," Filius said.
"As will I," Severus said.
Harry nodded his head. His privacy wards would make it so they kept their words, but he liked to hear them vow their silence. He trusted them.
After the conversation, Harry left the room and returned to Ravenclaw Tower. In the boy's absence, Sirius looked around at the shocked faces of the other men.
"So, any questions?" he asked, clicking his fingers and asking an elf to bring a bottle of firewhiskey and some tumblers.
"His power—how?" Lucius said. As Harry was leaving, he had re-masked his power and it was then that Lucius finally realised just how much magic he was hiding.
"I honestly don't know. He wasn't lying when he spoke about being able to learn a spell in a few minutes - I've seen him do it. I've never seen somebody so in tune with their own magic; it's as easy as breathing for him."
"How advanced is he?" Filius asked. He knew Harry was beyond his year group and, as a teacher, he knew the boy would be bored in classes. Still, he feared pulling him out and gaining Dumbledore's attention.
Sirius tilted his head in thought. "He could probably take his OWLs and get Outstandings, however his knowledge is mainly based on whatever he finds interesting. He probably knows more obscure rituals than anybody in the UK, but he probably knows next to nothing about household charms - that type of thing."
Severus nodded. "I can continue to give him different potions to brew in my lessons, but I doubt you want to draw much attention to his skills. It would be unwise to pull him out of his other classes as well," he said, picking up on Filius' concern.
Lucius, however, was lost in his own thoughts, not concerned about the boy's classes.
Sirius flashed Severus a bright grin that startled the dower Potions professor; he hadn't expected Black to look at him with such genuine happiness.
"Thank you. Harry said he doesn't mind the classes - the work is easy and usually things he already knows, so I think he can cope. Before he left for the year, he had mentioned doing his own studying and magical training; I forgot to ask about it, but I'm sure he's stretching and using his magic."
"I know he performed the Samhain ritual," Filius said. As a half-goblin he was sensitive to Olde magic - it was similar to goblin magic. While Filius himself didn't possess much goblin magic, he was more gifted with his witch mother's magic, he did have goblin sensitivity when it came to picking up magical traces.
Sirius nodded. "He told me about it in his letter a few weeks ago."
"Yes, Draco mentioned being involved," Lucius said, drawing himself out of his stupor. He had invited Sirius and Remus to join him and Narcissa on Samhain, but the animagus had declined, instead choosing to celebrate alone.
"I thought their group seemed too content," Severus acknowledged, realising now that what he had noted were the effects of a successful ritual.
"I do not understand why Dumbledore and his flock of mindless drones ever saw fit to ban the rituals. They not only give people hope, but it helps to settle magic in the younger generation," Lucius said, clearly frustrated. His family had always and would always celebrate the Olde ways.
Filius looked at the blond aristocrat and thought about what he knew about the man. As a part-goblin, he had been Neutral in the last war; he hadn't liked or believed the values of the Death Eaters, but his nature didn't allow him to take part. However, he wasn't ignorant of the main players and he had heard the rumours about Lucius—how he was a cruel, heartless man who hated anyone who wasn't pure-blooded. Yet, seeing him now, Filius found he agreed with his views. Then again, if Sirius and Harry liked him, he probably wasn't that bad.
"Think of the children," Severus deadpanned, making Sirius choke on his whiskey as he laughed.
"Ah yes, because anything not wholly Light must be malevolent," Lucius sneered.
"Don't forget all Dark magic and mages are evil," Sirius grumbled.
"Indeed," Lucius agreed.
"I take it you wish that the school taught a more diverse range of magic?" Filius asked, chuckling at the men's humour.
"I believe that all magic should be taught - within reason. To ban entire branches of magic and areas of study just makes them more appealing and when somebody wants to learn them, they end up sneaking around and being branded evil. It results in mistakes and is dangerous; if it was open to learn then they could at least freely research and study, meaning less chances of mistakes being made. People can learn that the dangerous areas can be controlled and taught to use with caution," Lucius said.
Filius frowned in thought but couldn't say he disagreed.
"We're not saying teach the Unforgivables to First years, but instead teach a range of magic. Darker arts and magic aren't all evil. Alchemy, Blood Magic, Politics, Ancient Studies, Spell Creation - they're all banned," Sirius said. "And just look at History of Magic! The students are taught nothing of wizarding history, customs, or traditions. It's all goblin wars."
Lucius was surprised at how much thought Sirius had put into the problem and was now glad he had nominated him back into his position on the Board. It was clear that they would most likely have the same views.
Severus was also shocked, more so by just how much the man in front of him had changed. He was still confident and cocky, but he could see he had grown up, though maybe his stay in Azkaban had had an influence on him. He obviously loved Harry, his adoration of the boy clear, but he had shown a surprising amount of parental skill. He would have to watch him closely, Severus decided.
Seeing the shocked faces, Sirius smiled. "Harry had a long rant about it over the summer. It made me realise how much wasn't taught and how our society was falling behind the rest of the world."
Lucius nodded. "He really is a remarkable child."
"The best," Sirius agreed happily, proud of how much Harry had achieved already.
"Do you think he means it when he says he won't be a Dark Lord?" Severus asked.
Sirius thought about all he knew. He doubted Harry would be a Dark Lord as he knew who Harry's soulmate was—then again, he couldn't see Harry standing back and letting Tom call all the shots.
"I think he will be exactly who we need him to be," he said evasively.
Lucius snorted softly at the Slytherin answer. "Do you believe the prophecy?"
Sirius did have to think then. Harry hadn't mentioned his suspicion about the prophecy before, so the information had thrown him. "Honestly? I don't know. I'm torn - I would love for it to be fake but, at the same time, I know James and Lily died because of that prophecy."
Sirius also realised that, as soulmates, the prophecy didn't make much sense. It didn't apply to Harry as surely Fate wouldn't make a perfect match only for them to kill each other.
Severus suddenly found it hard to swallow as he once again thought about the was his fault that the Potters were attacked that night; if he had only kept his mouth shut, none of this would have happened.
Sirius seemed to realise his problem and sent him a soft look. "It's not your fault," he told the man.
"It is. I am the one who told—"
"Enough. You didn't make the Dark Lord go after them and if the prophecy is fake, then all the blame rests solely with Dumbledore," Sirius said with conviction.
"I am still struggling to see why this is all happening," Filius said.
Sirius shrugged. Harry hadn't mention the compulsions in detail yet and Sirius was wondering if he should mention it, letting them know as they probably have some on them. Harry also hadn't brought up Tom and his soul bond, so Sirius knew he couldn't say anything about that either. "I don't know," he said.
Severus watched Sirius and noticed how he tensed slightly before he spoke. "Hopefully time will tell," Severus said. He desperately wanted to know what was going on.
Sirius nodded and drained the last of his whiskey.
"I think I should be getting back, Remus will probably be wearing a hole in the carpet from all his pacing."
Lucius did the same and stood. "Thank you for the hospitality," he said to Flitwick.
"Yes, thank you," Sirius said.
"It's no problem. I enjoyed the conversation," Filius said. He had truly enjoyed the conversation as well as finding out all the information from Harry.
"Severus, I will be in touch soon. It's been an age since we last got together. I know Narcissa has missed your company," Lucius said to his old friend.
"Yes, well, escaping the castle is hard now that the juveniles are back."
"You must come over to the manor this weekend," Lucius said.
"I shall see if I am free," Severus agreed, nodding his head to Filius as he exited the room with the two Lords.
"Really, I insist. Both Sirius and Remus will be visiting for lunch on Sunday. You will join us."
Severus bit back his snarl at his friend's high handed request. "Very well then, but I refuse to sit through a formal meal."
Lucius chuckled. "No formality - just a meal between friends. I will even ask the elves to find a bottle of that wine you liked."
Severus grumbled but nodded reluctantly, knowing better than to argue. And, if he was being honest, Lucius always did have great wine.
Sirius watched them with a fond expression. He had never seen Severus or Lucius act like this, not even at school. He knew Severus and Lucius had gotten on when they were at Hogwarts, but he had wrongly had assumed the older man had taken Severus under his wing out of pity rather than anything else. However, he saw now that he had been wrong and that they genuinely had friendship between them.
Meanwhile
Dumbledore's office, Hogwarts
"Albus! How could you let this happen?" Molly screeched, her face red with anger. She was furious - not only because she had been threatened by Amelia Bones, but by the fact that her darling girl would be punished.
Albus glared. "If you had come to me and told me you planned on using a love potion, I would have told you to use caution."
"But—"
"No, the boy is cautious and he is wearing an Heir ring. Now, I don't know what his ring defends against, if it is potions or mind arts or a combination of both, but I do know that we need to tread carefully."
"You promised me that he would be weak! Malleable!"
"He should have been!" Albus exploded, shocking the two students who had been sitting in silence.
After a moment of shocked silence, Ron broke the awkward air. "You heard him, he's a freak," he grumbled. He couldn't believe he had tried so hard to befriend such a person.
"Yeah," Ginny agreed, still angry over the fact she may not be able to become Lady Potter.
"Now children, don't worry. I'm sure Harry is just confused and needs a guiding hand to see reason," Albus said. He had worked too long and too hard to let the boy destroy all of his plans. "He will soon see the error of his ways."
The two youngest Weasleys shared a nod. Ron began gleefully daydreaming about all the things he would one day be able to buy once he had access to the Potter fortune while Ginny imagined all of the attention she would get - every other girl in the wizarding world would envy her, every boy would want her.
"Do you have a plan, Albus?" Molly asked.
"We need to tread carefully. First, we need to get him away from Sirius, we need to destroy their relationship and cut him off from his support. When he's alone, I can appear and be his saviour. He will be indebted to me and easily follow my instructions. We also need to find out just how strong his ring's protections are and how to get around them. Hopefully they just offer mild support from legilimency."
"It's just a stupid ring, why's it so important?" Ron grumbled jealously.
"That 'stupid ring' shows he is the Heir to the Potter and Black families. I thought I had taught you that, Ronald," Molly said.
Ron grumbled under his breath, "It's just a stupid ring, he doesn't deserve them."
"That may well be but until we know what his rings defend against, we need to tread lightly," Dumbledore said.
Throughout their discussion none of them noted how all of the previous headmaster portraits all looked shocked, disgusted, and angry. Well, all bar one Phineas Nigellus Black who looked almost gleeful. He couldn't wait to tell his Heir this news and see what revenge they take.
Meanwhile
After leaving the office, Harry wandered aimlessly. However, he soon stopped when he realised just where his subconscious had taken him. Looking around, Harry cast a silencing charm on himself before he disillusioned his body. Stepping through the bathroom door, Harry glanced briefly around and noticed Myrtle wasn't about but he knew that the ghost girl was probably lurking somewhere hoping to jump out or catch a free show. Really, the dead girl was a menace! She had practically stalked Harry after watching him bathe in the prefect's bathroom after his fourth year - she took being a peeping Tom to the next level.
Flicking his wrist, Harry placed a repulsion ward around the first floor bathroom doors. The obscure ward was one he had read about over the summer and acted rather like a muggle repelling ward. It wouldn't stop people from entering if they really wanted to, but it would make them not want to come in and instead find another bathroom. Flicking his wrist so his wand was back in his holster, Harry approached the sinks and focused on his Parseltongue.
"Open," he hissed, looking at the snake carving in the sink.
Harry took a step back and watched as the Chamber of Secrets opened. Swinging his legs into the slide, Harry pushed himself off the floor and allowed gravity to work, casting a wandless cushioning charm just before he reached the bottom.
Standing up properly once he had landed, Harry looked around as he cleaned his robes. The place was much like he remembered, but this time there wasn't a giant shedding—most likely because Aithusia was still locked behind the giant statue of Slytherin.
Walking down the hallway he remembered lead to the main area, the place Ginny Weasley had almost died, Harry cast a few Incendios to light the torches around the room. Once the room was bright enough for him to see, Harry looked around in fascination. The stone carvings in the walls and the overall rustic beauty of the Chamber greatly appealed to him; it needed cleaning, but Harry liked the open space.
Walking into the middle of the room, Harry closed his eyes and opened his mouth as he tried recalling what the apparition of Tom Riddle had said in his second year.
"Speak to me, Slytherin, greatest of the Hogwarts four."
With his eyes closed, Harry heard the stone creak before he heard movement of soft scales dragging against stone.
"Who calls for me?"
With his eyes closed, Harry could feel something approaching him. "Hello Great One, Queen of Serpents."
"Who are you, Speaker? You are not the same boy who came last time. Your scent is similar, but different."
"My name is Harrison Potter-Black."
Harry felt something flicker against his face and fought the urge to open his eyes.
"Where is Tom? Tom used to visit me often - he would bring me food and warm my tunnels with his magic."
"Tom is dead," Harry admitted but instantly regretted it when he felt the snake's body suddenly surround him.
"Who killed him?! I will destroy them. Kill them," Aithusia hissed angrily.
"It's okay, Great Lady, I'm working on bringing him back."
The snake seemed to still and Harry felt something flicker against his face again. "Why?"
"He is my soulmate."
Silence fell and Harry decided to speak, "Is it possible for me to look at you without harm?"
"Yes."
Harry took a deep breath and opened his eyes. He knew he couldn't die, but he didn't want to be petrified and trapped down here for millennia, just waiting for another Parselmouth to find the secret chamber.
As soon as his eyes opened, Harry jumped and let out a breathless squeal before he could stop himself. Aithusia was directly in front of him, the serpent's massive head just inches from his own face, her yellow eyes boring into him.
"You are a strange child," the snake said, flicking her tongue against Harry's face. She was scenting him, he realised.
Harry gulped. "May I ask your name, Great One?"
"I am Aithusia."
"A beautiful name. May I ask how is it I am looking at you? It is thought that the gaze of a basilisk is deadly."
"If you thought it deadly why do you risk yourself to look at me?" the snake asked.
"I had a suspicion," Harry said honestly.
"It's true the gaze of my kind is deadly, but only when we want it to be so. We have a second set of eyelids which we use to cover the deadly gaze."
Harry nodded. It made sense as he doubted Salazar Slytherin interacted with his familiar with his eyes closed, let alone Tom doing so.
"Why are you here, Little One?" the snake asked.
"I wanted to find the Chamber."
"Why?"
"I want a place that I can come and practice my magic without being caught in the school wards. There is another room, but in this one I can be completely alone - I can be myself."
"I see."
"Would you be able to tolerate my presence?" Harry asked.
"If you warm my tunnel and allow me to wander and bring food, I shall allow you to build your nest here."
Harry nodded before a thought hit him. "You won't leave the Chamber, right? I don't want to risk harming any students or staff—or, at least, not without my permission," he said. There were one or two people he wouldn't mind harming, but not yet.
"No, I have never wanted to harm any students. I will do as you instruct me, Little Speaker."
"Then what happened to Myrtle?"
"Is that the girl who died last time? It's my fault. I thought I was alone and lowered my eyelids as I was returning to the Chamber. She was hiding and, when she saw me, she screamed, drawing my attention. There was nothing to do, she was dead before she hit the ground. I didn't see Tom after that."
Harry nodded. "I'm sure he didn't blame you and missed you. And I have no problem with allowing you to roam as long as you stay clear of the school."
"Then please, feel free to join me in the Chamber."
"Thank you. I will remember next time to bring you some food."
"I liked it when Tom would bring rabbits. Lots of rabbits."
Harry nodded and fought the smile which threatened his face when he thought about the greatest Dark Lord of the century bringing bunnies down for his pet snake.
"I will get the House-Elves to fetch some rabbits," he promised.
The snake hissed in pleasure and slowly drew away from Harry. Looking at her, Harry saw she was around 50 feet long and her scales ranged from green to black, the lights making them seem to change colour. She was quite beautiful in a terrifying way and he felt a slither of guilt of having killed her in his last life.
"Aithusia, do you perhaps know of a way out? The slide isn't exactly practical," he asked, realising he didn't actually have a way out. While he knew some levitation spells, he had a feeling that Slytherin would have built other exits.
"My master would just ask for stairs," the snake said.
Harry nodded and berated his stupidity. "Thank you, Great One. I will go now, but I promise to return in a few days with food."
Leaving the Chamber, Harry realised it was almost curfew. Walking quickly back towards Ravenclaw Tower, he felt approaching magical signatures and quickly found a corner in which to stand and wait. He didn't want a teacher, or worse, Filch, finding them.
"Hello, little birdy," George said.
"Nice night for a bit of mischief," Fred continued.
"Gred, Forge," Harry greeted.
"Now, you know us - we love a good prank—"
"—a nice laugh—"
"—a jolly good joke—"
"—therefore, imagine our laughter when Ronny starts acting crazy!"
Harry looked at them in disbelief. He had thought the twins would be furious at him.
"He was kissing Ginny with the desperation of a starving man."
"Took four prefects to pull him off her. He was quite attached."
Harry snorted at the mental image before schooling his features. "In my defence, I didn't know who had tried to poison me."
The twins shared a look. "Right," they said simultaneously, snickering.
"Shouldn't you be, I don't know, mad?"
They laughed. "Oh, we are mad."
"Furious."
"Outraged!"
Harry felt his heart break a little bit at the thought he had lost his chance at gaining back his friends.
"Yes, how dare Ginny try and poison you!"
"Her scene at the Sorting was bad enough."
"But this - this is just mental!"
Harry was almost dizzy with relief. "You're mad at her? Not me?"
"You did nothing wrong. If anything, what you did was brilliant!"
"Comedic gold, by the way."
"Magic's way of getting even," Fred agreed with his twin.
Harry looked at them in disbelief.
"Don't look so shocked, Harrykins."
"Yes, we told you we would be watching."
Harry nodded. "Well, that's not creepy at all."
Fred snorted and George pretended to lecherously look him up and down.
Harry rolled his eyes. "I'm happy you're not angry, but why are you here?"
The twins shared a look. "Well, after our mother turned up—"
"—and let me tell you, she screamed like a banshee when she heard what had happened—"
"—feared we'd go deaf!"
"Anyway, we did a little investigation and found out what happened—"
"—and let us tell you, we are not impressed."
Harry nodded.
"So, we thought we would come and let you know that we would be taking the time to personally let our younger siblings know the error of their ways."
"Therefore, imagine our surprise when we went to find you and instead noticed you disappear off the map completely."
"One second you're in the bathroom—"
"—a girls' bathroom might I just add—"
"—then pop! You're gone."
"Disappeared."
"Vamoosed."
Harry let his eyebrow rise. "Map?" he asked. He obviously knew the map they were referring to was the Marauders' Map, but he didn't want them knowing that.
The twins shared a look before Fred spoke, "We have in our possession a rare magical artefact."
"A great treasure of noble cause," George said.
"May we present the Marauders' Map," they finished together, brandishing the map before Harry.
"It is capable of showing everybody in the castle, where they are, who they're with, what they're doing. We found it at the end of last year and we've studied it completely."
Harry nodded, "How does it work?"
Together the twins said the password: "We solemnly swear that we're up to no good."
Harry watched as the map came to life and smiled. "Interesting," he said. "I'm sure Sirius and Remy will be happy to know their map is helping this generation of pranksters."
The twins looked at Harry shocked. "Sirius and Remy?"
"Yes, you might know them better as Padfoot and Moony."
"But—"
"What?"
Harry chuckled at the twins. It was rare for them to mess up their joint speech.
"My dad was Prongs, Sirius is Padfoot, and Remus is Moony. Wormtail was Peter Pettigrew. They were best friends in school."
The twins shared a look before grabbing Harry and pulling him into a three-way hug.
"You're a legacy!"
"Please, oh great one, we are not worthy!"
Harry snorted and pulled away with a laugh. "I'm surprised you managed to work the password out."
George snorted. "It took us a whole afternoon."
Harry was shocked - it would have taken most people weeks, if not years, to figure it out. Then again, he always knew the twins were smart, they just applied their brains to things they deemed worthy of their attention.
"If you knew about the map, why did you ask?" Fred asked.
"I wasn't 100% sure," Harry told him.
The twins shared another look before turning to face Harry.
"I think you were trying to distract us, baby birdy."
"Yes, trying to get out of answering our question."
Harry laughed. "Ask away."
"Why did you disappear from the map?"
"The map only shows areas that the marauders found," Harry said truthfully.
"So there's a secret passageway in the first floor girls' toilets?"
"One that they never found?"
Harry smirked. "Something like that."
"Oh, such a mysterious baby bird."
Harry laughed. "I swear, if you guess correctly, I'll tell you."
The twins shared a look and nodded. "Deal," they said in perfect synchrony.
Harry smiled. "Well then gentlemen, it's been a pleasure," he said before turning. However, before he could get far, they called him back.
"Wait," Fred said. He and George had quickly shared a conversation.
"Yeah," George agreed.
"Here," they handed the map over to Harry.
Harry took it and looked at the twins. They looked happy but he could see the slight disappointment in their eyes.
"It should belong to you, really."
"Your dad worked on it and, well, if it was us, we would want something he had made."
Harry smiled and tucked the map into his bag. "I'll ask Sirius and Remus about how they made it, maybe we could duplicate it. If not, I don't mind lending it back to you," he promised.
The twins smiled and looked relieved. "Little bird, I do believe this is the start of a beautiful friendship."
Harry was happy to hear the words. "I do believe you are correct, my good sirs." Realising the time, Harry quickly said his goodbyes and managed to reach Ravenclaw Tower before curfew. Harry smirked when he thought about all of the adventures the twins could get up to with Draco and Neville.
Entering the tower, Harry made his way over to Luna, who was sitting alone reading a star chart.
"Hello, Little Moon," he said, sitting down next to her.
"Hello, my Lord," she said. "Did you have a productive meeting with the goat and his minions?"
Harry snorted at her dismissive tone when it came to Dumbledore. "It was certainly interesting. I also decided to trust a few more people."
Luna hummed and looked thoughtful. "I think you've made the right choice," she said before pulling on her hair and looking at Harry with big doe eyes.
Harry nodded, relieved. "I'm glad. You will also be happy to hear that Aithusia will no longer be without company," he said before picking up her long pale hair and running his fingers through it. Slowly, he started to braid small sections before pulling them together in a knot at the back of her head. Looking around, he saw a few eyes on him, so he knew he couldn't use wandless magic. As though sensing his problem, Luna's hand appeared and in it was a beautiful silver hair pin. Smiling, Harry picked it up and used it to secure the braided knot.
While this was going on, their conversation continued to flow.
"You found her?" Luna asked, happy that such a magnificent creature would be allowed some freedom.
"Yes and she is beautiful," Harry said smiling.
"Will she be willing to help with our peacock problem?" Luna asked, smiling deceptively.
Harry laughed lowly. "Honestly? I forgot to ask, but I think she would be willing."
"Good. Maybe you could write to a certain bug and get her to spread a web. I'm sure she could dig up the truth with the help of your family," Luna said.
Harry grinned. He hadn't thought to use Rita, but could see the logic behind the idea. "Little Moon, you are a genius."
Luna giggled. "Well, this is the House of wit and intelligence."
"Indeed it is."
Harry opened his bag then and pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill. Moving so he could use the desk, Harry thought about what he wanted Rita to write. She really had been doing a fantastic job demeaning Dumbledore - her stories all told the truth but in such a way they really engaged the readers.
Rita,
I must say I am very impressed with your work so far and commend you for it. You truly are a remarkable reporter. I'm sure you will be pleased to hear that Dumbledore now fears to read the papers—your articles really are causing him quite some bother.
Therefore, I need you to use your talents to spread the truth once again. Gilderoy Lockhart is a fake. I know this to be a fact, but I need you to do a little investigating and produce them for me. I want the world to know the type of man he is: a liar, cheat, and fraud.
You will find all his claimed acts of heroics are those of others who he has Obliviated. The man has not done a single thing he has claimed.
I'm sure you, like I, feel the public must be made aware of such outrageous news.
It might also benefit us both if you were to share your findings with my guardian, Lord Sirius Black. I'm sure he would be very pleased with them and happily share them with both the Wizengamot and the Hogwarts School Board, of which he is a member.
Yours,
Harrison Potter-Black
Smiling, Harry tucked the note into his bag and vowed he would take it to Hedwig first thing the morning.
Everyday Harry would wait with baited breath to see if Rita had decided to publish her article on Gilderoy. Her response to his letter had left him giddy for days when he had read it.
Heir Potter-Black,
I must say, I am pleased to hear you have found my work to be satisfactory. You would not believe the uproar my articles have caused - it's been very entertaining to say the least.
Do believe the old man has even tried to have me fired! Therefore, I must thank you for your support in me keeping my job. I never knew the Potters owned such a large share in the Daily Prophet.
I would be beyond happy to go and look into Mr. Lockhart for you, I'm sure I will be able to dig up all of the juicy tidbits surrounding his stories. Once I have them, I will gladly share them with the world. It is like you said after all - they deserve to know that such outrageous lies have been fed to them.
And I quite agree! I'm sure Lord Black would be very pleased to hear from me.
Rita Skeeter
December 1992, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
"What has you so excited, Harry? You've been like this all week," Neville finally questioned his friend.
Harry smirked. "I just can't wait for the morning owls to arrive."
"Oh? Why?" Susan asked, looking up from her breakfast.
"Becau—"
"I bet you're waiting for a love letter from your boyfriend," spat Ron Weasley.
Harry rolled his eyes. The redhead had taken to bombarding him every breakfast, especially by making snide digs at Harry's sexuality ever since he had learnt of it.
"I don't have a boyfriend, Ronald, but with the way you keep bringing one up, I might begin to suspect you want to be mine."
Harry's friends sniggered as they watched Ron turn red with anger, his cheeks blotchy with the colour. "Never! You're just a freak!"
Harry's eyes narrowed. He hated that word, even after all this time. It reminded him of how weak he had once been, how easily he had been controlled. However, before he could voice his fury and, better yet, curse the sad excuse of a wizard, the twins appeared.
"Now, now, Ronnykins, there's no need to blush."
"Yeah. I mean, we do understand - little Harrison here is rather lovely."
"Quite a catch."
"Apparently the most eligible bachelor under 16!"
"But, like we said, there's no reason to blush around him. I'm sure if you just declared your love, he would be willing to consider you."
The twins stopped then and dramatically looked Ron over before exclaiming, "Or maybe not."
"I do believe we got all the looks in our family, my good sir," Fred simpered to his twin.
"You might be right, you handsome chap."
Harry smirked and nodded at the twins while his friends looked fascinated by the exchange. "Now boys, both William and Charles are rather pleasant as well," Harry said.
His statement made Ron turn even redder. "Shut up!"
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Temper, temper, Ronald."
The twins laughed and picked Ron up, making his legs flail.
"We'll just go get rid of the trash, little bird," George said.
"Yeah, it seems the House-Elves forgot," Fred agreed.
As the older boys left, Ron struggling in their arms, Harry let out a small chuckle.
"What was that?" Draco demanded, recovering the quickest.
"I do believe the twins are taking the rubbish out," Luna said, making Harry snort louder.
"But-what—why?" the blonde aristocrat spluttered.
"I told you, the twins are friends," Harry said.
"They are funny," Neville agreed. He had spoken to them quite a bit that year in the common room. They had started to share a few of their ideas about pranks with him, which he had been sharing with Draco.
"But they're Weasleys!" Draco all but wailed.
"Enough, Dray. They are my friends and I think, if you got over your silly little prideful vendetta, you would find yourself liking them as well."
Draco looked shocked and a little hurt, making Harry feel bad momentarily. But, before the blond could retaliate, they were interrupted.
"Look at this, Gred!"
"I know, Forge.
"The little bird is defending us!"
"He's such a hero—"
"—so dreamy!"
"No wonder Ginny is so in love with him."
Harry turned to see the twins standing there and smirked at them. "I take it the rubbish is gone?"
"Oh, yes," they said together.
"Fancy joining us? Breakfast is far from over," Harry offered.
The twins shared a look before jumping to sit down.
"So, how long have you guys been friends?" Blaise asked, reminding Harry that he loved to gossip like an old lady.
Harry watched as the twins quickly became accepted, Neville being the easiest because he had been talking to them in the common room all year. Even Draco, after initially sitting there pouting like a toddler, soon jumped into the conversation as they started to exchange notes and ideas on pranks.
After breakfast was finished, Harry and his yearmates made their way to Potions.
"See, they're not so bad," Harry said, poking Draco in the ribs.
Draco grumbled what sounded like an agreement before he straighten his uniform.
Harry smirked. "What was that? I didn't quite catch it."
Draco grumbled again.
"Sorry, you will have to speak clearly. I would hate to have to write to aunt Cissa and say her only son has turned into an urchin who cannot speak."
"I said you were right!" Draco snapped, making the group snigger.
"See! That wasn't so hard, was it Dracie?" Harry said
Draco looked aghast at the nickname and turned pleading eyes on Harry, "Please never, ever, call me that again."
Harry smirked. "Why ever not, Dracie?"
"I beg of you, have mercy."
The group continued to laugh as they made their way into class, making Harry glad he had decided to risk having friends again.
Meanwhile
Grimmauld Place, London
"You've got an owl, Sirius," Remus said, looking up from the letter to see the name.
Sirius looked up and frowned when he didn't recognise the bird. It wasn't Hedwig or one of the Malfoy's eagle owls - it wasn't even a ministry carrier.
Flicking his wand, Sirius checked for curses and compulsions and found it to be clean. Even with how tightly warded the house was, he wouldn't become complacent; he had vowed that to himself when he had finally been cleared by the healers.
Picking up the letter, he broke the wax seal and quickly read the entire thing.
Lord Black,
I am writing to you on the suggestion of your son and Heir, Harrison Potter-Black. He suggested I contact you and give you a copy of my findings into the actions of one Mr. Gilderoy Lockhart.
You will see I have enclosed them all, so you may view them and share the results among your colleagues.
Sincerely,
Rita Skeeter
Sirius smirked and read through the files, grinning like mad when he got to the last one.
Remus, who was watching him, looked amused. "I take it you've had some good news?"
Sirius grinned. "Oh, yes."
"Care to share?"
"You know how we've been having trouble finding proof that Lockhart is a fraud?" Sirius asked.
"Yes?"
"Well, it seems Harry asked Ms. Skeeter to look into it and she's found the evidence we need."
"Really? I thought that Dumbledore and his supporters in the ministry were making it hard for the investigators."
Sirius grumbled, "He was - why he wants the fraud to keep his job, I don't know."
"He probably fears what the repercussions will be if the public finds out he hired such a fool," Remus said.
"It shouldn't matter, he has a duty of care and he's failing," Sirius said happily.
Remus chuckled. "Most people would look sad by that."
"I'm not most people."
"Are you going to let Harry or Lucius know?"
"Yes, I'll write to them both," Sirius promised. Oh, what a good day this was turning out to be.
AN: Big thank you to my Beta reader miisticalwrites for taking the time to check this for me!
Remember people that reviews are always appreciated but I won't hold the story to ransom for them.
Updates should come every few days and like usual this is being posed on Ao3 under the same name.
However I'm going on holidays so there will be a delay by about 2 weeks
Hope you enjoy reading
~ Annie