Shit.
His thoughts moved faster than his feet did as he launched himself from his golden seat and down the rows of tables past Harry. He'd confront him later about this announcement as there was something he needed to take care of first. He could only barely register Mcgonagall's question shouts as he dashed out.
"Out of the way!" His voice echoed throughout the halls as Albus Dumbledore ran as fast as his old body could allow him to his office. He wasn't ready for this to happen nor was he expecting anything of this sort to come into fruition but what was more important was his office.
"Twizzlers!" He shouted at the gargoyle and stepped up on the top step tapping his leg. "Why won't this blasted thing move faster?!" Once it made it to the top he rushed pushing his door open as he heard the wiring and shaking of his instruments. "No ... .No no no nonono!" He almost glided across the floor as his wand jumped into his hand as he started casting spells to try and prevent all the tools he had used to keep an eye on Harry's magic. He was able to cast a stasis charm on them all before flicking the window open. "Out. Out. Out." He spun his wand in a circle gathering them all in a ball before pointing them out the window right when he sounded what one could have thought was a teapot coming to boil. He heard the explosion before the smoke flew in from his window. Luckily, he thought, no one saw that.
How the blasted hell did Harry find out about his position in the House of Potter? He had expected that to go unknowing for the foreseeable future. He sighed as he sat before glancing over and noticed that there was one instrument still on his counter. This one looks like it had been sucked inward imploding on itself as if something was eating magic from the inside and yet the edges were round as if it was about to explode as well. What in the name of magic could cause something like that?! He looked at Fawkes who was pulling a few molted feathers out and looked back at him as if to say 'What?'
"Couldn't have come and gotten me before it was too late?" The bird chirped and turned its head back towards its feather care and trilled out a noise slowly. "I did keep a tracking charm on them….but you're always up here anyway." Albus sighed out a breath and pulled his beard down.
Andromeda sighed as she sat down finally and rubbed her temples. She had approximately thirty minutes before the meeting between the Weasleys and the Krum families after the incident with Aleksander and Bill after the First Task had finished. And by incident, she means where Bill got laid out by one punch….maybe she was a little biased. Ever since Charlie and Nymphadora had attempted dating in school she had a bit of vindictiveness towards the Weasley family for some….dialogue from Molly. But that's besides the point. After all, Nymphadora helped Charlie realize some things about himself, if what Andi saw with Aleksander was any evidence.
She was just glad she was able to stop them from going to the ICW and simply talk in the neutral ground that was Gringotts meeting room…which Harry voluntarily paid for in the hopes for a diplomatic answer. Something the goblin scripter would make note of just in case the meeting does grow out of the hall and into an actual cour…... .no nope. Positive thoughts….no court…..She hoped. That's when she rose seeing the time and walked directly to the Floo she had preemptively open. Straight into her office which she left and headed straight down the hall. Right into a madhouse.
Red yelled at Dark Brown as the very clear distinction of Mrs. Weasley was heard over every single person as if to push their thoughts and opinions down. Meanwhile Arthur rubbed his eyes most likely in slight annoyance and his anxiety was growing. It started to look like Molly was about to pull out her wand so finally ANdromeda stepped forward.
"ENOUGH!" She shouted and everyone froze looking at her, maybe she should take Nymphadora's advice about applying for a position at Hogwarts. Maybe Moody would be able to get some of the secrets Dumbles hides brought to the light so to speak. "Now we are here…" Andromeda nodded to the goblin scripter to begin. "..as an official meeting of the British Ancient House of Weasley and the Bulgarian Ancient and Noble House of Krum. This is in hopes to find a diplomatic answer to the incident that has occurred without having the ICW be involved. Speaking of their houses are Arthur Weasley and Ivan Krum." She gestured for all of them to sit down before letting out a sigh of relief watching them do it. "The incident involved Aleksander Krum and William Weasley. In this incident Aleksander caused physical harm to that of William Weasley-"
"Exactly!" Molly's voice rose in volume. "They hit my baby and we dem-"
"All other members of the families will remain silent unless informing and advising their Head of House during this meeting as was agreed upon." Andromeda snapped.
"Sit down Molly…" Arthur whispered to her and took her hand gently pulling her back to her chair as the woman drove the eyes that could kill into Andromeda's side.
This was gonna be a long meeting. Andromeda mentally prepared herself before going on. "However, the physical harm was caused while Aleksander was under duress from finding out that his cousin was at risk for more harm than was dictated by the hosts of the Triwizard Tournament." She glanced over at Lord Krum who was twisting the top of his cane in an effort to keep his mind. "The aim once again Gentlemen is to reach a diplomatic concession to make sure this does not become a bigger issue. Proceeding is being mediated by Andromeda Tonks nee Black, and it is being scripted by Orgard, a member of the most respectable Goblin Nation."
Orgard nodded to her as he dipped his quill back into its ink bottle, which the goblin had many beside him and an assistant was clearly there to rush to grab more if it was needed ...knowing Molly Weasley's likelihood of speaking out they were most likely going to need it. Andromeda looked to the Heads of their Houses. "Do you acknowledge the purpose of this meeting and proceed with hopes of a peaceful diplomatic resolution?" She first looked at the Weasleys.
"As soon as they-"
"Molly…" Arthur grabbed her hand before she went onward. "We acknowledge." With a nod from Andromeda and a paused look at Molly she turned her head to the Krums.
"We acknowledge Madam Tonks." Lord Krum nodded to her.
"Very well. As the party whom has been harmed I shall open this up to the Weasley's first."
Arthur stood and cleared his throat softly and took a drink of the water that had been poured for each member present."Lord and Lady Krum, we humbly apologize for the situation that has caused us to meet at this present time. However, I hope you can see how this is being seen as a father and a mother. My first born was harmed. The heir to our family. Not to mention he was only acting in accordance with orders from the Hosts of the Tournament." He sat back down slowly grabbing the back of the chair to steady himself nervously.
"Thank you Lord Weasley… Lord Krum if you would." Andromeda gestured for him to stand.
"Thank you Madam Tonks, and you as well Lord and Lady Weasley." Lord Krum began. "I understand the precedent that is necessary after the occurrence of such an event. Afterall As you say, I am a father just like you. If this was harm done upon our son we would be demanding reparations just like you. Which is the foremost reason I accepted to come here." His accent heavy voice traveled throughout the room. Andromeda began to realize that Lord Krum must work in some capacity within the Ministry of Bulgaria. "For this I must ask that you forgive the attack under the provocation of familial danger which was suspected."
"Familial danger which your nephew then did to my Bi-"
"LADY WEASLEY!" Andromeda stood interrupting the woman. "This meeting is to be dictated by the Heads of the families. IF you can not adhere to that stipulation then you will firstly be asked to leave. If you do not do so you will then be escorted out by goblin guards. As legal representation I respectfully advise you to do so."
The heat generated by the locking of two mothers with iron wills burned and generated heat like two tectonic plates pulling against each other waiting for the earthquake to happen. Arthur reached over and took Molly's arm and pulled her attention to him. For once Arthur gave her a deep look of pleading. He was asking her to not do anything untowards at this moment.
"Thank you… Now in hopes that this can be a concession before us today, I have drafted a contract between the two families. In doing so House Weasley and House Krum will accept they have both shared fault, House Krum on behalf of their member Aleksander Krum, and House Weasley on the fault of the misunderstanding of said orders given by the hosts of the Triwizard Tournament. Both Houses will in turn not press charges upon the other."
"No charges?! That bru-" A silencing charm struck Molly as soon as she stood.
"Molly Weasley nee Prewitt please leave the room willingly." Andromeda snapped at her. Molly stared daggers into the former Black and then looked to her husband for help who gave a "what do you expect" gesture. Molly looked around for help before standing and heading to the door giving dark glances to the Krums and Andromeda. "Please forgive Lady Weasley, Lord Krum." The man nodded softly. " Now there is another reason I have written this as it is and for that I need two guests to enter the room." Andromeda stated and nodded to goblin guards who led two people into the room to the shock of both parties.
Sirius leaned his head back with the cup of tea and let out a small sigh of relief, the heat of the tea causing the stuffy nose he had gotten from moving all the dust covered items finally being relieved.
"Hopefully Dumbledore will get in contact with my trial soon and I won't be stuck in here for much longer." Sirius groaned out as he stretched his leg. Dumbledore had suggested he go into hiding here at Grimmauld till his trial was able to be made and to get it ready for the day he could have custody of Harry.
"He say how much longer?" Remus asked as he leaned against the counter.
"As of right now? No. But it's understandable. He only found out about my innocence recently. I'm guessing it won't be until after this whole Tournament mess Harry has gotten himself in."
"Gotten himself in? Sirius, he isn't James."
"I know, it's a figure of speech." Sirius sighed and brought his cup back to his lips softly. "I just wish he'd hurry."
"It'll be alright Siri…" Remus reached over and patted his shoulder. "It always is."
"Was it alright when James and Lily died?" Sirius looked up at his closest friend, his eyes could have cut through stone.
"Don't you put that on me…You were the ones who thought I was the traitor." Remus snapped, his eyes flashing for only a moment an amber color.
"You were never around!" Sirius stood growling.
"And You never told me! YOUR BEST FRIEND!"
"I WASN'T TALKING ABOUT THE WAR! I WAS TALKING ABOUT WITH HARRY!" Silence permeated the room for a long moment. "You abandoned him and didn't fight Dumbledore at all about Harry's living situation."
"I'm a werewolf, Sirius, you know it'd be too dangerous."
"There was Andi, and Ted, and Tonks, and Augusta, and everyone who was once part of the order you could have asked to watch him for at most one or two days a month. And you didn't." Sirius didn't stand back down like he would have. "I understand you were afraid….but he was the most important to our pack."
Remus and Sirius stared at each other for a long time.
"I'm sorry…" Remus spoke his voice much softly as his hand began to shake some.
"Now tell me the real reason you stayed away."
"I…." Remus sat down softly. "I was using a muggle drug by the name ketamine to keep myself out during the full moons…. It was cheaper than Wolf's Bane. They were such high quantities that-"
"Remus….."
"D-Dumbledore found me…Put me into therapy last year for multiple months until I was finally off it." Remus looked down at his hand which he had to grab to stop from shaking. "I still get the urge now and again…"
"I'm sorry Moony."
"Me too Padfoot… Me too." A small smile faced one another before screaming could be heard. A loud screaming.
"God damn it!"
"What set her off this time?!"
"HOW THE HELL SHOULD I KNOW?!" Sirius screamed back over the growing scream. He rushed out of the kitchen to his mothers portrait. "It's….not….you….." He commented confusedly. "What the hell?! REMUS IT'S NOT HER!"
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT'S NOT HER?!"
"I MEAN IT'S NOT HER!" Sirius backed away from his mother and proceeded to go with Remus searching the rooms. "Bloody hell screw it! Kreacher!..." He shouted, calling the damned annoying little hellion. "Kreacher! KREACHER!" He snarled. "FINE FUCK YOU YA LITTLE BASTARD!"
Remus and him continued through the house almost now throwing doors open and slamming things around as they searched. The growing noise continued to grate on their minds now. Until they found a small compartment in the wall. Sirius pointed his wand and growled.
"BOMBARDA!" The door was blasted to pieces and a quick wind spell from Remus allowed them to see….a shrine? Right behind a nest-like area the shrine stood against the wall with a singular object in the middle of it. A locket. "What the bloody hell…"
"Must be some kind of cursed object." Remus flicked his wand casting a silencing charm. The screaming continued and if anything intensified. "Oooooookay ow!" He groaned and grabbed his ear as he backed away.
"Screw it!" Sirius reached in, grabbed the locket and threw it out into the hallway. "BOMBARDA!" He growled out and the spell slammed into the locket launching it into the wall. Sirius walked over and stared at it. "It's not even dented!" The two proceeded to trade spell after spell onto the damned object even using some darker Black Family magic as well at times before Remus was panting downstairs with him back in the kitchen. The screaming grew even louder.
"WHY WON'T ANYTHING WORK?!" Remus yelled, his head buried down on the table. "DAMN YOU!" He yelled at the object. Sirius finally slammed his hands down and snatched up the object. "What the Merlin left-" was all Remus got out before Sirius slammed the damned object into the full sink. The screaming was happening but as if it was covered by multiple pillows.
"That worked?" Sirius asked in surprise.
"You didn't think it would?"
"Yup…..what the bloody hell is that thing?!" Sirius asked.
Hours later Remus was standing in front of a goblin smiling. "Hello we found this cursed object and were wondering if we could get a curse breaker to aid in its destruction."
"And what is the issue with said item?"
Remus placed a sealed box filled with water and a single locket in the middle of it. He gestured to it for the goblin to open. Slowly after eyeing Remus the Goblin opened the top gently to see the top of the water bubbling with noise. He reached in and pulled it out before instantly dropping it back in the moment the screaming could be heard.
"I can see how this is concerning for you wizard."
"And we still can't understand what it is or what's causing the screaming. So me being here as a representative of a third party was wondering if you'd be able to help."
"Ah Understood Mr. Lupin. If you don't mind, who is the man you are representing?"
"A….." Remus thought for a moment. "Concerned individual. His old family used to have a lot of bad dark ties so he desires to be safer than sorry."
"That's understandable Mr. Lupin and we will get a curse breaker to aid you at the earli-"
"That damned vault wouldn't shut up until we finally entered it!" A goblin roared in the hall outside this goblin's office. "It almost caused the damned dragon that was assigned to hemorrhage in its large empty head!"
"Really what was it?"
"A CUP!" The goblin snarled. "But what's more concerning is what that damned cup was!"
"No….you don't mean…."
"I look forward to charging those daft brothers a large payout for breaking the contract by having it within our hallowed halls. A horcrux! In the heart of Gringotts…." The voices drifted away as Remus and the Goblin were staring at each other.
"Mister Lupin ... .If you may…these goblins." He hit a button under his desk and four goblins appeared with weapons. "Will lead you to our security advisor….it seems we have a lot to discuss."
Andromeda sighed as she sat back in the chair rubbing her temple. "So much better." She sighed slowly. One less problem for her. Now she could deal with the Triwizard-
"Andi? Andi?!" Andromeda's eyes swung open as she saw the werewolf known as Remus Lupin grabbing the door frame. "Andi help! Help!"
"What did you do?!"
"I didn't do anything!"
"WHAT DID YOU DO?!"
"NOTHING!" Remus shouted as the goblins continued to march him down the hall. Andromeda sighed and whipped her wand out.
"Teddy, I'm not going to be available for lunch. I'll message you after I'm good." Andromeda sent a patronus out the door and to her husband before standing and sighing before grabbing her briefcase and heading down the hall after the escorted werewolf.
Somehow, someway, deep inside….she knew it was Harry's fault.