In the Crosshairs
Dragon Voldemort
Chapter 44: Malaise
[A/N]: Note, for anybody that read the previous chapter immediately after posting, I decided to move a couple of scenes from this chapter to that chapter, after I had posted it.
Harry woke Saturday to Ron standing there, dressed in his ski suit.
"Come on," Ron said, "Hagrid wanted to…you know, see us."
Harry reached for his ski suit with their black racing stripe, put it on. Foot into each ski boot.
"Potter!" exclaimed Madam Pomfrey as she came out of her office.
"I feel fine," Harry said.
"Don't keep breaking things!" Madam Pomfrey said, "You should be resting—"
"There's no cliffs to ski off here, are there?" Harry asked.
"NO!" Madam Pomfrey exclaimed.
"Be back later," Harry said.
Harry followed Ron out of the Hospital Wing. They went down the steps, past the glare of a couple of students, before they went out the front door. Hermione and Gia were there, along with the skis. Harry put his boots into the bindings, grabbed his poles, and pushed off. A bank to the left and right, Harry came to a slow at Hagrid's Hut.
"Whoa!" Ron exclaimed as he stopped in time to avoid a crash.
"Who's that?" Hagrid said as he opened the door.
"It's us," Harry said.
"About to miss the Hufflepuff vs Slytherin match," Ron said.
"You want to socialize—with them?" Harry asked.
"Better not to," Hermione said.
"At least yeh prepared," Hagrid said, "Come Fang!"
Hagrid lifted a half carcass of a cow over his shoulders, and Fang followed out of the hut.
"Yeh quiet on those," Hagrid said, "Them…skies, right?"
Harry pushed off first. A push and a glide, and Harry slid as they followed Hagrid.
"Skis," Hermione said.
"With as many times as yeh've been in the forest," Hagrid said, "Time for a proper tour."
"Uh–oh," Ron muttered to Harry.
"Come along," Hagrid said.
Gia skied to the other side of Ron from Hermione; Harry skied next to Hagrid. They entered the forest along the trodden path. Went past the pond and went further in.
"Quiet," Hagrid whispered ten minutes later.
Hagrid set the carcass in the middle of a small clearing. Hagrid put his fingers to his lips and gave an odd shrieking call that echoed through the trees of the forest.
Gia came up to Harry, pointed ahead. Blank, white, shining eyes, growing larger to show dragonish face, neck, and then skeletal body of great, black, winged horses. [OotP, Ch21]
"What are they?" Gia whispered.
"Thestrals," Hagrid whispered, "See 'em?"
"Yes," Harry whispered.
Ron and Gia nodded.
"Sorry yeh can see em," Hagrid said.
"Why?" Gia whispered.
"You've seen death," Hermione whispered.
"Twenty points teh Gryffindor," Hagrid whispered, "Hogwarts has a herd."
More thestrals approached. Strips of flesh peeled off the carcass, rose into the air as the thestrals ate. Minutes passed as they watched.
"Best be off," Hagrid said, "Things teh do. Does the lady wish to see Hippogriffs?"
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Gia moved on their skis as they followed Hagrid for most of the day.
…
Ron heard the mix of cheers and boos as he stood there, the unicorn in front of him.
"Guessing Slytherin won," Ron said.
"That sucks," Harry said.
"Unicorn!" Hagrid said.
"I love it," Gia said, "Not for riding, are they?"
"No," Ron said.
"Unicorns, like all similar beasts, are suitable for wizards or witches to ride," Hermione said, "However, do not assume that such a ride is consensual on the unicorn's part."
"Getting late and me promised…best teh head back," Hagrid said.
A shove and a push, Ron moved the skis on his feet, and they headed back to Hogwarts.
"Oh," Hagrid said, "Professor Tonks wanted to see Gia before you returned her."
Ron detached his ski boots at the threshold of the front steps, carried his skis up the steps and into the castle. Harry, Hermione, and Gia did the same. Their ski boots echoed as they climbed the stairs, and went along the third floor. Harry knocked at the door.
"Potter," said Professor Tonks, "Come on in."
They entered, leaned their skis against the wall.
"I hope the weather inside the castle does not necessitate those," said Professor Lupin as he entered.
"Hagrid," Ron said as he pulled off his ski jacket, "The skis were useful."
"I can imagine," said Professor Lupin.
"Milk?" Professor Tonks asked Gia.
"Cream if you have it," Gia said.
"Milk and sugar," Professor Tonks said as she poured it into the tea cup.
Ron grabbed The Daily Prophet before Harry did.
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Potter Acquitted
by Rita Skeeter
By a not so surprising miracle, the Headmaster for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry managed to secure the thinnest of acquittals for Harry Potter, the boy who should've died, based on a flimsy legal technicality. Minister for Magic has promised a full investigations into allegations that certain members of the Unofficial Harry Potter fan club have bribed members of the Wizengamot into swinging their votes to allow Harry Potter to disavow any responsibility for his actions.
"Rubbish," said Professor Lupin, "First time I've heard a solid alibis being called a technicality."
"Snape grumbled after he returned," Professor Tonks said, "When he was sent to find you."
"He should've known better than to stand in the middle of a ski run," Harry said, "He even called me a muggle!"
"I'm one," Gia said.
Professor Lupin, however, laughed.
"Voldemort—can't tell if he's pleased or not," Harry said, "Like he thinks he can exploit this."
"Blimey!" Professor Tonks said.
"Know who your trouble makers are?" asked Professor Lupin.
"No," Harry said.
"It's not Professor Tonks, is it?" asked Professor Lupin.
"What?" Professor Tonks asked.
"Sorry," Harry said, "You came up since I didn't know you before…before this year."
"That you can remember," Professor Tonks said, "Remember, I babysat you for your folks, fourteen months old the last time…sorry."
"Tell me about it," Gia said.
"I can do better," Professor Tonks said as she stood.
"We're no closer to figuring them out," Hermione said, "It could be anybody in the castle."
"Or somebody who's not aware of it?" Ron asked.
"What?" Harry asked.
"A thought," Ron said.
"A possibility," Professor Lupin said, "However, they'd either know they were doing it, or have gaps in their memories."
"No," Harry said, "Somebody here knows they're apart of it, on the team smearing my reputation."
"Could have others unwittingly helping," Hermione said.
"Here we go," said Professor Tonks as she returned with a wrapped package. "Have fun." She handed the package to Gia.
"What?" Harry stammered.
"Only fair she gets a complete picture," said Professor Tonks.
"Which reminds me," said Professor Lupin to Tonks, "Albus Dumbledore wanted to see us after the match—which is now."
"You told me now?" asked Professor Tonks.
Professor Lupin stood.
"And they can return their dormitory while we're away," Professor Lupin said, "They'll come down with a case of the Snuffles otherwise."
Professor Lupin escorted Professor Tonks out of the office.
"Even I can see that hint," Ron said as he pulled out his Portkey.
They grabbed their skis, jackets, and Gia grabbed the box. Ron activated his Portkey, and they held on.
"Out!" Hermione quipped at Harry and Ron as soon as they landed.
"What?" Harry asked.
"We're peeking—first!" Hermione said.
"Ta," Gia said to Hermione.
Harry and Ron stripped, went past Richard in his bedroom, and out onto the pool deck. Ron sank into the heat of the hot tub beneath the mostly cloudy night sky. Richard came out, fast .
"Careful!" Richard said, "Jen's no fool, neither is my mother. You had a badly busted leg two days ago, right?"
"Um…got better," Harry said.
"Avoid them—both," Richard said, "At least a week, before you even try to claim it wasn't as bad as it appeared, alright?"
"Guess so," Harry said.
"That obvious?" Ron asked.
"Yes, it is," Richard said, "I'm happy—sure they'd be happy you're better too, but it's way, way, too quick for a normal recovery, understood?"
"Think so," Ron replied.
Richard left.
"I'm not in the mood to go back to Madam Pomfrey and try to persuade her to put the casts back on," Harry said as he drifted downward in the water.
"As he said, avoid them," Ron said, "Spend tomorrow in the attic…practicing."
"You're easier to read…wonder what the Minister has in store for me next?" Harry asked.
Harry turned onto Oak Street Monday morning, he glanced at Richard two feet to his right. Shadows from the street lamp raced them forward beneath the cloudy early morning.
"When I said you should avoid Jen and Mum," Richard said, "I didn't mean disappear."
"Sorry, force of habit," Harry said, "Kinda like that at school."
"Though Mum'd chastise you for the morning run so soon after a busted leg," Richard said, "At least you've got a good medical plan."
Harry snorted as he reached for the doorknob. It opened first, Snuffles rubbed across Harry's legs before Gia showed. In a low cut shirt and tight jeans, Gia brought their lips together, and they kissed. They took their time, his tongue tapped on hers. They took their time before they stepped apart.
"Until later," Gia said, "Take care of yourself, love you."
"Me too," Harry quipped.
Gia left the house.
Harry went up the steps and. entered Gia's bedroom.
Hoot!
Harry reached over, stroked a couple of Hedwig's feathers, gave her an owl treat.
"School," Harry said.
School bag hanging from his shoulder complete with trouser legs dangling out of it, Firebolt in his left hand; Harry grabbed his wand and the Portkey, activated it, and felt the tug behind his naval. A moment later, he landed next to his four poster bed in Hogwarts. Harry leaned his broom against the stone.
"Don't read the paper," Ron advised, already in his white Hogwarts school shirt, with a tie loose around his neck.
"What?!" Harry stammered as he went over to the small table.
Ron reached for a sausage, which let Harry grab The Daily Prophet from him.
"BLIMEY!" Harry exclaimed as his eyes scanned the print.
"You're preaching to the choir," Hermione said.
Harry, though, read.
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Monday, 2 December, 1996
Our Best Hope
by Rita Skeeter
Recently appointed Delores Umbridge quickly assembled our best hope for salvation of the crumbled and troubled teenage wizard, Harry Potter, the Boy–Who–Lived. Tasked with leading the difficult charge of the newly established Harry Potter Guidance Committee, Dolores Jane Umbridge has carefully vetted the qualifications of all applicants. Minister Fallerschain has endorsed and approved her selections to handle the difficult task of rectifying unfortunate mistakes our handsome hero has unwittenly made. Dolores focused her sights upon those individuals that have shown great aptitude and experience in dealing with the raging hormones of troublesome youth.
Having faithfully served the Ministry in her many years, Dolores naturally retained her position as chair of the committee to act as a liaison….
Harry sped through the names.
"Rita Skeeter," Harry said, "Delores Umbridge, Doris Crockford, Amelia Bones—maybe, and Narcissa Malfoy!"
"Don't forget the finest shrinks from St. Mungo's," Hermione said.
"Can't believe they chose Draco's mother!" Ron said.
"I thought Bones resigned," Hermione said.
"She did?" Harry asked before he moved on.
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Amelia Bones Resigns
Amelia Bones, ex–Head of the Department of Law Enforcement, resigned today in protest of recent budget cuts imposed by the Minister of Magic. Bones, who had achieved tenure under the watch of Cornelius Fudge, said the budget cuts severely undermine her ability to protect the public. Minister Fallerschain, who said the cuts were appropriate due to a decline in recent activity attributed to the death of You–Know–Who, has appointed Hythe Burmarsh to replace Bones. The Minister said he had full confidence in Burmarsh to reign in costs without compromising safety.
Amelia Bones will retain her position on the newly formed Harry Potter Guidance Committee.
Harry went to his wardrobe, grabbed a clean uniform. After nearly two weeks, felt stiff as he put his arms into the shirt, pulled it on.
"Not sure?" Ron asked.
"Lousy fit for me," Harry said.
"No time to get it adjusted," Hermione said.
"It's not that," Harry quipped, though his eyes caught hers.
Wood of the floor on his bare feet as Harry walked over, he aimed with his wand and summoned the small half sheet of torn parchment from underneath Dean Thomas' four poster bed.
"How…?" Hermione muttered.
"Shh," Ron whispered.
"Trying to keep…" Harry started as he read.
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First Edition
HOGWARTS CORPSE
New School Paper
by Ernie Macmillan
A select group of students have formed to publish the Hogwarts Corpse. This student newspaper is intended to be published every Monday or as circumstance warrant. Students are invited to submit articles for publication to either myself or Seamus Finnigan. In addition to current events, the Hogwarts Corpse will have features such as Letters to the Editor, Classified Advertisements, and a section on useful tips to remember when Potter confronts you.
Unverified Facts
by Seamus Finnigan
A regular feature will be the publication of facts and other news in rapid circulation around Hogwarts.
Fast moving news indicates that Harry Potter has been caught raping Vincent Crabbe and Greggory Goyle in the past weeks. However, the latest incident, rumored to have taken place during Potter's recent suspension, is unlikely to hold sufficient muster to convince the teachers into action. Crabbe and Goyle should be grateful that Ronald Weasley has refrained from this as sources indicate that Weasley has an incurable form of HIV, the initial stages of the deadly AIDS disease. —
"Blimey!" Ron exclaimed.
"Like you're…" Harry glared at Ron's eyes, before he noticed the jarred trunk at the foot of Ron's four poster bed. Harry went for it.
"Guess Professor McGonagall managed to place dummy trunks here," Hermione said.
"What does it look like?" Ron asked.
Harry, though, used his wand, pushed it open. Inside, filled to the top, were leeches.
"Suppose mine—" Harry turned, pushed the lid to the other trunk, the one beneath his own four poster, open. It too, was filled with leeches. Leeches that seemed to perk up.
"What'd we do about this?" Ron asked.
A flick of his wand, Harry opened the windows. Both trunks flew out and burst into flames.
"Great, now it's raining burning leeches," Ron muttered.
"Better there than on us," Harry said as he grabbed a pair of trousers from his wardrobe, "Suppose this won't make us any friends, will it?"
"No," Hermione said, "Definitely not."
…
Later, in Transfiguration, Harry stood.
"Harry!" Ron quipped.
"Maybe some people will understand I'm not the threat they make me out to be," Harry said, his eyes bore down on Seamus Finnigan's, "Maybe they'll understand what I had these hanging out, showing off to my girlfriend, during my entire suspension, and you'd have to be mad to think I'd stop using it to run to Hogsmeade surrounded by demeantors I could never get through. You must not know me."
Harry focused a bit more on Finnigan's eyes, the fear came to the forefront.
"Unless you're the one framing me," Harry said.
Sharp denial and disgust came to the front of Seamus' mind, before Harry broke it off and sat.
"Well?" Ron whispered.
"It's not him," Harry whispered, "But he's obviously hoodwinked and trying to fill shoes too big for him."
Hermione's eyes focused on Harry's, and Harry sensed the danger of discovery to his talent. Harry flipped his eyes down to Ron's trousers.
"You two," Hermione said.
Ron snorted, shook his head.
"Good morning," Professor Tonks said Tuesday morning, "After a bad date or a bad bet, you may wish to go and hide—but there may come a dire time during a conflict where your survival may hinge on that."
"Cowards," Finnigan said.
"You don't have children, do you Mr. Finnigan?" Professor Tonks asked.
"No," Finnigan stated.
"You'll understand when you do," Professor Tonks said, "The thing being hidden might not be yourself, but your family, or friends."
"Or something else," Macmillan said.
"Done right, a hideout can provide shelter for centuries, or longer," Professor Tonks said, "So, we'll start by going over the more well known historical examples."
"Hogwarts?" asked Justin Finch–Fletchley.
"Hogwarts is not a hideout," Professor Tonks said, "However, it does have some nooks that've likely haven't been dusted since the start of its construction a millennium ago."
Harry took his quill, doodled on the parchment in front of him, wondered if he could get himself another holiday.
Ron's shirt and trousers were off before he landed in Gia's bedroom in Noigate later that afternoon.
"I thought you knew—" Hermione started.
"Sorry, think me and Harry swapped," Ron said.
"Means he'll—" Hermione started.
"Likely," Ron said as they went down the steps, his white underwear on display. "A walk's fine.
They went out into the darkening sky, the breeze blew stale leaves across the road as they walked along. Ron felt the chill of the wind across his chest. Hermione's right arm wrapped itself around Ron's back, slipped underneath the elastic to his underwear to steady itself on his right hip. Ron's tent pole pushed outward on his cloth.
"You're…" Hermione started.
"I'm with you," Ron said, "Where's the shame?"
"We've got essays," Hermione said.
"Then best not delay," Ron said.
They walked to Hermione's house, both cars parked out front. They entered into the living room.
"Go on up," Ron said, "Need a few things from the kitchen."
No sooner than Ron went to the kitchen did he change his mind. He glanced outside, before he went out the back sliding glass door, the top to the hot tub already off, the foam across the surface. His underwear fell to the patio before he went up the step, slipped his feet into bubbling hot water, and in. Ron laid across the side bench, mostly immersed.
"Yeah, right," Hermione said as she came out, starkers, "The kitchen."
"Seemed better," Ron said.
Ron caught her eyes transfixed on him, sensed her desire. She sat down into the water.
"Got any waterproof parchment?" Ron asked, "You know, essays don't write themselves."
Hermione snorted.
"Wanna relax a bit more?" Ron asked.
"Three guesses how," Hermione said.
"It'll work, right?" Ron asked as he stood up, still aroused, "Then to your bedroom?"
Ron went to his knees, placed them between hers.
"Harry and Gia are likely at it now," Ron said, "I'd like us to try it, every chance we get."
"Of course you would," Hermione said.
"Is that such a bad thing?" Ron whispered into her ear.
Ron leaned in, kissed. Her hands held his hips. Her legs went up, she hooked the calf of her legs over his shoulders.
"Make it quick so we can—you know, get back to homework," Hermione said.
Ron focused and began.
"Ahem!"
Ron glanced up, Charles Granger was in a speedo as he stood there, along with Linda Granger with a towel around her. Ron pulled back.
"Mum! Dad!" Hermione stammered.
Ron moved to the other side of the hot tub, sat. Hermione sat sideways, her rear between his legs as her arm held on.
"Thought you were at school," said Linda as she came into the hot tub.
"Got permission," Ron said.
"We've been using my bedroom," Hermione said.
"If it's not safe at school—" Charles started.
"No!" Hermione said, "I'm still going to Hogwarts, but nothing's as comfortable as my own bed."
Ron didn't have to glance at Hermione's eyes to understand she was covering up.
"How many times have you been suspended this term?" Linda asked.
"Um…" Hermione muttered.
"You're having to stop to count," Linda said, "Get my drift?"
"Those aren't our fault," Ron said, "We keep getting framed, and that trial was merely the latest—"
"We learned about that after it occurred!" Charles said.
"Sorry," Hermione said, "Didn't have—"
"And it's because you're going to that school, isn't it?" Linda asked, "If you hadn't of gone—"
"Then I wouldn't know who I was or why weird shit happened," Hermione said.
"True that if you were convicted, they would've executed you?" Charles asked.
"Close enough," Hermione said.
"Any idea on how this makes us feel?" Linda said, "Right now, we're regretting our decision to have accepted your admission to that school!"
"You don't understand!" Hermione said as she stood, "You CAN'T!"
Hermione bolted from the hot tub, ran back inside.
"I'll see to the dinner order," Charles said as he stood.
Ron stayed there, eyes on Linda Granger.
"I was expecting you both to keep us up to date," Linda said to Ron, "Except we learned she was on trial for murder—any idea how that makes us feel about her associating with you?"
"I can guess," Ron said, "They're being thorough, the group trying to frame us, because we've stood up to them before—they're after Harry and his friends, which includes me and your daughter. Guilt by association."
"See our predicament?" Linda said, "We want the best for her."
"As do I," Ron replied.
"How can going to that school and being friends with her," Linda said, "How can that be in her best interests if you can't even keep her safe and out of trouble?"
Ron stood.
"It's a war going on—well, the start of one anyways," Ron said, "Wars in the Wizarding World don't stay in the wizarding world, they spill over and next thing you know, Muggles are living and dying in one too. By being friends to Harry, we've got a chance to stop this one from repeating."
"That's not making allies," Linda said.
"I'm not going to hide the truth from you, alright?" Ron said as he stepped up onto the ledge, turned back to her.
"So, Harry's your project?" Linda asked.
Ron sensed she was trying to calm the conversation down with a change of topic, and he took her up.
"Yep," Ron said, "He's the target of their character assassination. He knows that me and Hermione are stuck in this because we're friends with him. Once he thinks about it again, he'll need reassurances—having you pull support won't help."
"If you had to sacrifice a friend, who would you choose?" Linda said.
"I'd sacrifice myself before I made that choice," Ron said, firm, "I won't choose, I refuse to—I'd rather be kissed than choose. If I do things right, I won't have to either. I'll protect Harry and I'll protect Hermione, to the best of my ability, that's all that can be asked of me."
Ron walked down the step, entered the house. Up the stairs, to the end of the hall, Ron entered the bedroom. Hermione already on her bed, thin bit of wood for a desk on her propped up legs as she leaned back into her pillow. Ron glanced at her bare chest.
"Took your time," Hermione said.
"Who else—Harry," Ron said.
"He came through," Hermione said, "You two did mix up your Portkeys."
"Your Mum," Ron said as he leaned back against her desk, "She wants assurances we don't have."
"I am their daughter," Hermione said, "It's been…stressful."
"I know," Ron said, "And it's bound to get worse."
"You're still worried?" Hermione said, "Things seem better at school."
"At what price?" Ron said, "Three people died for it, don't think Harry's really thought that over yet."
"I hadn't…" Hermione said, "It wasn't us."
"And don't let Harry think about it," Ron said, "Remember, the Death Eaters are playing for keeps here, whatever they're up to, they're not about to stop, not now."