In the Crosshairs
Dragon Voldemort
Chapter 8: Rumors
Harry and Gia woke Monday morning to a push and a prod.
"Harry," Gia muttered.
Another push, and a shove, Harry rolled over, his eyes opened to see the dark black Snuffles nosing him. Richard hand on the door knob, while wearing just a pair of shorts.
"He wanted in—badly," Richard said.
"I would've have appreciated another hour—" Harry said.
Snuffles growled.
"He's worse than Pussy Ant," Richard said.
"Bit early," Gia said, "Still, good habit, I suppose."
Harry yawned.
"Tell you what, I was about to go for a run," Richard said, "Care to join me Harry?"
"Go for it," Gia suggested.
"Sure," Harry said, getting up to join Richard.
Harry grabbed his wand and a pair of shorts, followed Richard down the stairs. They went out the door, stopped in front of the house on the sidewalk. Harry put on his shorts, securing the wand to underneath the waistband. Both bare chested, they began to jog.
"Sorry about butting in last night," Richard said, "Uncalled for.'
"It shouldn't have happened," Harry said, "Technically, I'm supposed to wipe your memory."
"Blimey, are you serious?" Richard asked.
"Yep," Harry said, "I won't, I think they do more harm than good, and I think I can trust you with the secret; Gia does."
"And you carry that stick?" Richard asked.
"It's a wand," Harry said, "Supposed to, because one can't be too careful."
"So, why haven't I heard of this before?" Richard asked.
Harry regurgitated Hagrid's comments five years earlier, then explained the racist "Pureblood" issues. They returned to 26 Oak.
"So, Ron and Hermione?" Richard asked, hand on the knob of the green front door.
"Wizard and a witch," Harry said.
"It'll take a bit to accept," Richard said, "But I'll manage, and you're still a friend."
"Thank you," Harry said as they went into the house.
Richard followed Harry up the stairs; Harry went into the bedroom, leaned over, kissed Gia, before he grabbed the Portkey and wand. Harry activated it.
Ron laid on Hermione's four poster, head toward the foot of the bed, watched Hermione geting dressed.
"Gotta get ready," Hermione said.
"Yeah, yeah," Ron said, grabbing her spent towel.
Ron got up, cinched the towel around his bare waist, went down the stairs of the girls' dormitories.
"Seen Harry?" asked Colin Creevey, doing a similar run down from the fifth year girls' dormitory.
"Shagging my sister?" Ron asked as they went down the stairs.
"I'm being careful!" Colin protested.
"Yeah, yeah," Ron said.
They both went over to the other stairs and climbed those. Colin went into the fifth year boys' while Ron went up to the sixth years'. Ron tossed the old towel to the floor, went into one of the shower stalls, started up the water.
"Good morning," Harry said, getting into the other.
"Slept well?" Ron asked.
"Yep," Harry said.
They washed, dressed, grabbed their book bags, and went down the stairs.
"Hi Harry," Colin Creevey said, following as Harry and Ron left the Gryffindor Tower.
"Hello," Harry replied.
"So you did have sex, right?" Colin asked.
"It wasn't with you," Ron said, wondering.
"Wasn't meaning that," Colin said, "I know you spent two months on the road with your girlfriend Harry, and I thought I heard that you did score—"
"It's not about a score," Harry said, "YES! I've had SEX!"
Irritated, Harry walked faster. He entered the Great Hall.
"Hey Harry," Cho Chung said, "Is it true?"
"What?" Harry stammered.
"I mean, how was it, your first time?" Cho said, "You lost your virginity, right?"
"It's none of anybody's business!" Harry exclaimed.
"I heard aloe's good," Cho whispered.
"For what?" Harry asked.
"Um…the rash," Cho asked.
"What rash?" Harry asked.
"I understand if you'd rather keep that to yourself," Cho said.
Harry walked to the Gryffindor Table, went to sit down.
"Potter!" Ernie Macmillan said, "Suggest a soak in hot water and dry it clean!"
Snickers.
"Sorry, they're just concerned," Neville said, "Putting honey on your todger should help."
"Why would I do that?" Harry said, hands gesturing as he sat down.
"You know," Neville whispered, "The burning."
Neville moved next to Seamus and Dean.
"Why the advice?" Harry muttered, "And honey to my dick?"
"Dunno," Ron said while switching the plate of pancakes for his empty one. Ron smeared butter and poured on syrup.
"Gia might like it," Hermione said.
"Thank you," Harry said, "Sex tips for breakfast is a great idea."
Harry grabbed a strawberry, ate it. Hermione poured cereal into her bowl, began to work at that, while Professor McGonagall came over, handed them their schedules.
"Well," Ron said, "Hagrid first, then Defense. So, we get to spend the whole morning with Hermione."
"What?" Hermione snapped.
"You make them interesting," Ron said, he licked his lips as he looked at her face.
"I don't doubt that," Hermione snapped.
"He gave you a compliment," Harry said, innocently, "Though he thinks that outfit's totally unnecessary."
"What he said," Ron said.
Seamus got up first.
"We talked it over," Seamus said to Harry, "Best if you saw Madam Pomfrey right away, you know, before things get worse."
"I'm FINE!" Harry snapped.
"Delude yourself then," Seamus said, "Good day."
Seamus left.
"What's going on?" Harry asked Hermione.
"Dunno, except we need to move to get to class," Hermione said.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione stood up, left.
They made it to Hagrid's Hut for their Care of Magical Creatures class. Sun peaking through the clouds, its rays cast a modest shadow across the waiting and smiling Hagrid.
"Uh–oh," Ron whispered to Harry.
"Means it'll be fun," Harry replied.
Everybody else, however, had betrayed their suspicions in their looks, not–so–pleased at what Hagrid likely had planed, including Malfoy. It took a moment for Harry to see that there was a bit of a gap, as people like Seamus had drawn away, giving more of a wide berth to Harry than to Hagrid.
"Now," Hagrid said, "yeh should open up your books."
"How?" Draco Malfoy said, "It burns when we try."
Harry, through, reached into his book bag, pulled out his Sizzling Book of Dragons, opened it, and shot Malfoy a grin — Malfoy returned with a glare of mad rictus of rage at Harry. Except for Ron and Hermione, both of whom had their books out, the rest of them were soaking in bags of water. Hagrid beamed at Harry.
"Seems that arry figured it out," Hagrid said.
"With third degree burns no doubt," Malfoy snapped.
"Aloe is good for burns," Padma Patil said.
"Not that type of burning," Neville said, "Honey, Harry, Honey!"
"To open it," Harry said, trying to derail the other topic, "Just stun it!"
"Should've known," Malfoy said, with sarcasm, "Stunning—!"
"Just like you do to your bitch," Theodore Nott said.
"Stunnin's s'mething ever' proper Wizard should know," Hagrid said.
Harry and Ron stifled their laughs, Hermione mimicked a camera, all three were memorizing Malfoy's look of horror.
"Most important magical creature is the dragon," Hagrid said, "Which is why we're going teh spend the entire year studying them. If lucky, I might be able teh get some as class projects."
"Doubt Dumbledore knows," Ron whispered to Harry. Harry snickered.
"What's so funny Ron?" Hagrid asked.
"When are we getting them?" Ron asked, saving himself, "Eggs, Hatch–lings, or fully grown?"
Malfoy returned his glare at Ron.
"Not next week," Hagrid said, "Eggs'd be best; Hatchlings though may 'ave teh do."
Hagrid lectured on the basics of dragons and their magic. At the end, the class returned to the castle.
"That Oaf teaching about dragons!" Malfoy complained, "Doubt he's ever raised one."
Harry and Ron remained silent as Malfoy went down the ground floor corridor; instead, they went up the marble stairs, Hermione and Neville behind them. They came to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, where Professor Lupin pulled Harry aside.
"I'm telling you this so you give her your best of respect, understood?" Professor Lupin said, "Nymphadora Tonks was brought in specifically to teach you. This subject is too important for you, so we're not going to skimp. First, she is new blood, you need that, as we all have our bias, our strengths, and our weaknesses. Second, it'll avoid the usual unpleasantness during my monthly…ritual. However, don't think I'm unavailable, I'll still be around, if you need a second opinion, that sort."
Harry took a moment. "Thank you," Harry said.
"Don't be late," Professor Lupin said.
Harry went to the classroom, entered, as Professor Tonks was reading roll call.
"Got your heat pad Potter?" Seamus asked.
"Ignore them," Ron said, "They seem to think you've got something."
"Thanks Ron," Harry said, sarcastically, "I don't think I could've worked that out for myself."
"Please pay attention," Professor Tonks said, "You must be Harry Potter."
"That's me," Harry said.
"I knew your parents," Tonks said, "I still miss them."
Harry remained quiet, studied the expression on Tonks face as she finished the roll call.
"In previous years, you studied about the Unforgivables," Tonks said, "This year, we start by learning to actually cast them; it's not the only thing as there will be more, but we'll cover that when we reach the material."
"Spiders?" Ron asked.
"Here, line up," Professor Tonks said, "We'll just go against the wall today."
They lined up against the other wall, facing the first.
"Are we really—?" Hermione started.
"Cruciatus Curse," Professor Tonks said, "Neville."
"No," Neville said, sitting down, "I'm not doing it."
"Me neither," Harry said, sitting down next to Neville.
"Thanks," Neville said.
"Mr. Longbottom, Mr. Potter!" Professor Tonks exclaimed.
"I will sit this one out," Harry said, "I will not cast it."
"Then you will lose five points each," Professor Tonks said, "Do not interrupt."
"Sitting on a breakout is painful!" Seamus advised.
"Mind if we're in your office instead?" Harry asked.
Neville and Harry went up the steps, into the office. Inside, pictures hung on the wall, Harry recognized one with a crowd, and some of the familiar faces on it.
"My parents," Harry said, pointing, "Lily and James Potter. I see Mr. and Mrs. Weasley."
"Mine," Neville said, "Until Bellatrix Lestrange…"
"Cruciatus," Harry said, "I know."
"You do?" Neville said, "No you don't, not how they were tortured, and are in St. Mungo's ever since, that my Grandmother's raised me as long as I can remember?"
"I mean, of it," Harry said, "And only enough to understand why you couldn't do that lesson, same as me, except you still have parents that you can visit."
"They do not recognize me," Neville said.
A door opened, behind them.
"I think they do, part of them has to," Harry said.
"Gran tries convincing me of the same," Neville said.
"You see all the folks in that picture?" Professor Tonks asked.
"Yeah," Neville said.
"They fought You–Know–Who before you were even conceived," Professor Tonks said, "All honorable, and I'm proud to have been at their sides. I could even be the reason that you were even born, Harry."
"That's my parents' doing," Harry said.
"They were on assignment, for months, away from each other," Professor Tonks said, "Death Eaters at our heals, but your mother wanted to celebrate Halloween, thought we shouldn't abandon traditions. Sirius and Remus cooked up this plan, wanted to give them a gift—we gave it to them. We patrolled outside the small hut while James and Lily celebrated the night away; I think it involved a bottle of Firewhiskey, with no condoms on hand. She was pregnant shortly thereafter, with you."
"Oh," Harry said.
"She was understandably worried," Professor Tonks said, "Pregnant and on the run in this line of work is a very difficult lifestyle. Molly Weasley gave some sage advice, and Lily was proud of her first born son, wanted more."
"She didn't get the chance," Harry said.
"I was there the first time she had to change your nappy," Professor Tonks said, "Know that your first bit was green?"
"Like my eyes?" Harry asked.
"Deeper green," Professor Tonks said, "My point is, I understand your history, so I understand why you might be hesitant to cast the curses, but you need to learn them."
"Doubt it," Harry said.
"I had to kill two while protecting your parents as they conceived you," Professor Tonks said, "Death Eaters like dealing death, but they don't like theirs being delivered."
"Think I can imagine why," Neville said.
"As makeup for skipping," Professor Tonks said, "I want an essay, at least a whole roll of parchment, on why you might need to use an Unforgivable, techniques to get yourself to be able to cast one, and how to deal with the aftermath. Interviews with at least three people, at least one that has, and one that had reason to but didn't cast one; include your perspectives on whether you felt it was justified or not. I do not count as a subject. Your essay and interview notes are due by Friday's class. Understood?"
"Yes," Neville said.
"Guess so," Harry said.
"You, especially you Harry Potter, must be prepared for what is to come," Professor Tonks said, "Class is nearly over, so best to get moving."
Harry and Neville left the office via the back door, entered the corridor.
"Thank you for sticking up for me," Neville said, "Always good to do it with a friend."
"Yep," Harry said.
They headed to Charms.
Later, they left the Charms classroom.
"It's not so bad," Ron said.
"Why is my sex life the only thing this castle can talk about?" Harry asked.
"Give it a break," Ron said, "Just the first day, tomorrow, it'll be something else."
"Don't think about it," Hermione said.
They walked by the school armor, all of them were touching themselves inappropriately while blowing out wads of gum.
"Keep up the good work Peeves," Harry said.
"Yeah!" Ron said.
They entered the Great Hall where Hermione took delivery of The Daily Prophet. She looked it over as she sat down; Ron watched her fingers ruffling the paper. Harry, however, grabbed the paper, read it.
=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=
Monday, 2 September, 1996
The Daily Prophet
Victor Fallerschain New Minister of Magic
In a ceremony this morning, Victor Fallerschain was formally installed as Minister of Magic. Victor Fallerschain. He immediately gave his inaugural speech.
"Today marks a bold new era for the Ministry and the Wizarding community. Under my reign, the Ministry will devote itself to empower ever Wizard and Witch to overcome their challenges in life. Like them, the Ministry faces challenges. Under my predecessor, expenses increased which forced taxes to be raised no less than fifty eight times.
"Under my reign, processes will be streamlined, expenses will be trimmed, burdens will be lifted, and greater security will be had for all. These are among the many improvements that I am committed to bring to the Ministry.
"Now, my first official act as Minister of Magic will be to address a serious concern among my fellow Wizards and Witches. This concerns the threatening encroachment on Diagon Alley from undue influences. As my first act, I hereby ban all further Dark Arts shops from opening on Diagon Alley. The existing one, Fun and Power, will remove itself at the end of its current lease in two years.
"I look forward to changing each of your lives in the future. In this pursuit, I have reluctantly accepted an appointment to the vacancy on the board of governors for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I hope that my presence will leave a permanent mark on the children of our future. Good day."
This indeed marks a new era of the Ministry. Even as an opposition leader, Victor Fallerschain held the respect of those serving under them.
Fallerschain's Executive Assistant, Percy Weasley, commented, "The Ministry benefits have not been wasted on him and he has proven to be one of the Ministry's larger investments. He is willing to take risks. I find that his core values show through in his work. His full capabilities have only been recently discovered. The quality of his work is well known. Mr. Fallerschain is not afraid to ask questions that check the assumptions of others and he appears ever productive and has been seen dropping in at off hours."
"Well, he's in," Harry asked, "Wonder what he'll do differently?"
"Probably what they always do after promises of reforms," Ron said, "Fire the department heads, bring in new blood, and stifle hopes of promotions; either that or a Chinese fire drill. Dad's hoping his two person office is small enough to avoid real scrutiny. If anything, he needs more people like he's been requesting for years under Fudge."
Ginny entered the Great Hall, came over.
"Is it true?" Ginny asked, "Does Harry actually have Herpes?"
"That's the disease?" Harry stammered.
"Wish you could've warned me!" Ginny snapped.
"Hey!" Harry barked.
Ginny, however, went over, sat with Colin.
"Sorry Dude," Ron said, "Should tell Gia."
"I don't HAVE it!" Harry snapped.
"I overheard it in the girls' lavatory," Hermione said, "Should I list all the other possibilities?"
"No!" Harry said.
"Check him yourself if that'd help," Ron said to Hermione.
"An exam is out of the question," Harry said, putting plate aside.
"I recommend extra fluid intake Mr. Potter," Professor McGonagall said as she passed up on the way to the Staff Table.
"I don't have…" Harry put his head down onto the table.
"Look on the bright side," Ron said, "All these people interested in your body."
"You're not helping Ron," Harry said as he stood up, "See you in Transfiguration."
As Harry crossed the Entrance Hall, Madam Pomfrey came from up the stairs.
"There you are Mr. Potter," Madam Pomfrey said, "You were supposed to see me this morning, come with me."
Other students nearby gossiped as Harry was led up the stairs and into the Hospital Wing.
"I feel perfectly fine!" Harry protested.
"That is for me to determine," Madam Pomfrey said, pointing, "Behind that screen and get undressed."
"I don't have to," Harry said.
"Your health is my responsibility so long as you're a student of Hogwarts," Madam Pomfrey said.
Madam Pomfrey worked on Harry, taking samples.
"Wonder which one has it worse?" Ron asked from outside the screen, hearing the noises and protests from within.
"You may get dressed now," Madam Pomfrey said.
Harry had his trousers and shoes on when he left the privacy of the screen.
"Nice seeing you," Hermione said.
Harry left his shirt untucked as he put it on. He grabbed his bookbag, left the Hospital Wing.
"So it's true!" Malfoy said, "Can't be the sex."
"At least I'm capable of doing it properly!" Harry said, "You're going in for an afternoon stiffy?"
"Give him a break," Ron said, "He needs help wanking—"
"You'll pay." Malfoy spat at them.
Malfoy went down the stairs, while Harry, Ron, and Hermione went for their next classroom.
"They're all getting out of the way," Harry said, noticing group after group of students either avoiding or moving to other side of the corridor, ducking into empty classrooms.
"Rumor is you're contagious," Hermione said, "Highly contagious."
Harry landed in Gia's bedroom that evening. Harry went out of the empty bedroom, down the steps, before going back up. He glanced through Richard's open door, saw the commotion on the roof deck, so he went through. Richard, Jen, and Gia were lounging in the hot tub, Snuffles laid on the deck beneath.
"You're a sight for sore eyes," Harry said, slipping into the water, sitting on Gia's lap.
"Tough day?" Richard asked.
"Might say that, mind if I had Gia to myself?" Harry asked.
Richard and Jen got out, went into his bedroom, closed the door.
"That bad?" Gia asked.
"Bloody hell!" Harry grumbled, "Some jackass decided it'd be a great idea to make them all believe I have Herpes!"
Gia pushed Harry off of her.
"I got checked, twice!" Harry said, "I'm not telling you about it, only that I'd rather it be you examining me! I'm clean, by the way."
"It's only the first day," Gia said.
"I know!" Harry said, "Hoping tomorrow's better. Though, there was an interesting suggestion."
"What's that?" Gia asked.
"Honey on my dick," Harry said, "Interested?"
"Maybe," Gia said.
"Disproven, not a good remedy," Harry said, "Except it'd do good for our moods, wanna give it a try?"
"So where is this school of Harry's?" Richard asked Gia, they were in the dining room Tuesday afternoon. Gia was running a bit of charcoal onto the canvas laying in front of her, tracing a likeness of Richard's face.
Snuffles began to growl.
"Scotland," Gia said.
"And he travels that far everyday?" Richard asked.
"To him, it's nothing," Gia said, "The trip isn't very long; about as much time as it takes for him to strip naked, which, of course, I like."
Bark!
"I think that was intended for you," Richard said.
"A bit secretive," Gia said, "Naturally gets upset."
"Is it my imagination or does Snuffles actually understand the conversation?" Richard asked.
"Probably your imagination," Harry said, entering the dining room. He had his school bookbag to his side, strap over the shoulder.
"Bit early," Gia said.
"Dinner? I can do that here," Harry said as he sat down next to her.
"Your dog!" Richard snapped as he got up.
"Quite intelligent," Harry said, "I'd do as he wants if I were you."
Richard left the dining room. Snuffles closed that door, walked past Harry and Gia to close the kitchen door, before going around to the other side. Sirius loomed as he stood up.
"Richard is asking questions as if he knows about magic," Sirius said to Harry.
"He does," Harry replied.
"How?" Sirius asked.
"He was in the bedroom Sunday," Harry said, standing back up, "You know, when I showed up."
"He was hiding from Andy," Gia said, "Wouldn't leave."
"And you didn't solve it right?" Sirius asked.
"A Memory Charm?" Harry stammered, "I'm not harming Richard!"
"A Memory Charm does no lasting damage," Sirius said.
"Gilderoy Lockhart had to pay a shit ton of money and he's still not right in the noggin," Harry said, "Harmless Memory Charm—my arse! Just because they can walk and talk doesn't mean it was harmless, otherwise, a lobotomy is harmless!"
"What's a lobotomy?" Sirius asked.
"Muggle procedure," Harry said.
"Surgery to cut into the brain," Gia said, "Ruins their personality."
"Muggles submit to this?" Sirius said, "Obviously they'll tolerate Memory Charms."
"It's not like they give the choice to the patient!" Harry said, "It'll be done for their greater good or whatever bullshit. It's still an injury. Richard's very kind to us, I'm not touching him. I decided that trust was better medicine."
"He's already helped cover up," Gia said.
"Some of the biggest breaches began this way," Sirius said.
"What about the fucking Hospital?" Harry said, "Or Privet Drive? Death Eaters are the bigger threat to that."
"That's not been proven," Sirius said.
"Or disproven," Harry said.
"Understand the legal risk you're accepting," Sirius said, "If a breach is traced back to you, you're in trouble, and don't count on Albus Dumbledore getting you out of trouble."
"He wouldn't let me fry," Harry said.
"He's not invincible nor infallible," Sirius said, "And why is Madam Pomfrey giving you so many exams?"
"Long story," Harry said, "I'm tired of going over it, but hey, while you're here—" He put his school bag onto the table, got out a roll of parchment and a quill "—I need to ask you some questions. Mind?"
Harry sat down, Sirius sat down on the other side.
"What's going on?" Sirius asked.
"School essay that Professor Tonks wants on the Unforgivables," Harry said, "I need to interview people, and, well, figured you might have a thing or two to say."
"I'll be surveying the honey," Gia said, getting up.
"You do that," Harry said.
Gia left, went into the kitchen.
"Honey?" Sirius asked.
"Free sex tip from school," Harry said, "Thought we'd try it. Now, have you ever performed an Unforgivable?"
"Apart from training on spiders, no," Sirius said, "I understand you're having the same difficulties that any true Gryffindor would have, and your personal history with one."
"Yeah, hence the essay," Harry said, "They think I should be able to."
"What do you plan to use if you're confronting You–Know–Who, a patronus?" Sirius said, "There is a time and a place for them. They're called Unforgivables because of the tendency to overuse them by particular types of individuals."
Harry dipped his quill into the ink jar, wrote this down.
"What is the closest you've come to casting one?" Harry asked, "On whom? And why?"
"Right after your parents died," Sirius said, "I was about to curse Peter Pettigrew, except he beat me to the punch, and you know the story."
Gia, meanwhile, had returned to her bedroom, where a very dressed Ron was there, putting a couple of owl treats into Hedwig's dish.
"Hi," Gia said.
Ron closed the bedroom door.
"Harry's—where?" Ron asked.
"Downstairs interviewing Sirius," Gia said, "Sirius would let you interview him too."
"I don't have to do that essay," Ron said, "No, I didn't want him eavesdropping."
"What's up?" Gia asked.
"He's undoubtedly complained about the examinations he's been getting, yesterday and today," Ron said.
"He's been having to orgasm for it?" Gia said, "What's wrong with him?"
"Rumors take on a life of their own," Ron said.
"Him with Herpes?" Gia asked.
"And others," Ron said, "Regulations are such that Madam Pomfrey is required to give him an examination, and of course, the fact that he gets examined just reinforces the rumors, and it repeats. Even Madam Pomfrey admits its a waste of her time and Harry's patience, but she's obligated to check, again, and again, and again."
"Somebody suggested honey on his todger?" Gia asked.
"Yep," Ron said, "However, honey could be a good idea, because for all the exams, Madam Pomfrey wants me and Hermione to start pestering him into eating more; he's underweight, significantly."
"Dr. Patrick mentioned it," Gia said, "But how is honey on his thing going to help?"
"Not on him, but on you," Ron said, "I mean, remember the hot dog? Turn yourself into a buffet when you two, you know, have sex. It's either that or Madam Pomfrey has some potions she can give, but we know how Harry likes those. Up to it?"
"Of course," Gia said.
Ron tapped his Portkey with his wand, vanished.
Date: Thu Jan 4 09:53:35 2024