Minister Fudge sat at his desk with his Senior Undersecretary in front of him.
He kept her standing, not being a fan of the woman's personality, so he tried to diminish his interactions with the woman to the minimum necessary for her to perform her duties. Unfortunately, she was way too efficient in her work and too loyal to him and the ministry for him to dismiss her or relocate her to another position.
"Oh yes, and please consider Berta's time away as a sabbatical and of course, deduce the corresponding amount from her salary." He finished what he was saying.
"That only leaves us with the events of yesterday at Hogsmeade" she told the minister, watching him recoil a little in his chair.
"Yes, regarding that," Fudge steeled his voice a little coughed twice. "Please have the leader of the dementors contacted and asked what happened for so many of them to be attacking a random city. Tell Amelia bones to try and assure the safety of Azkaban. It's paramount that the prison stays secured. I'll try to speak with Dumbledore myself."
"Of course, Minister." She agreed, getting ready to leave the room. "Please call if you need me for anything."
Fudge slumped slowly in his chair as he saw the woman make her way to the door and leaving his office.
He grabbed the newspaper in his desk and again read the title article.
DEMENTOR ATACK IN HOGSMEAD
Are our students safe?
Dear reader, as you might have heard from a family member who attends Hogwarts or lives in the village of Hogsmeade, this past Saturday was a special weekend when the students at the prestigious school got permission to visit the nearby wizarding town for a day of relaxation, shopping and of course, dating. So, you can imagine the chaos that followed in the village when around ten to fifteen dementors, accountings vary, entered the town and started to pursue students and villagers alike as they all appear to look for something they seemed to be unable to find.
As the attack progressed, several people got injured in the panic that ensued and there's only one report of someone being kissed, an American tourist that unfortunately happened to be visiting a cousin in the village and was surrounded by a group of dementors, her body found a couple of hours later. She will be transferred to John Hopkin's medical hospital where she will be cared for.
The students seemed to have all congregated to the local pub, the Three Broomsticks, and gotten away safely.
Why were dementors attacking people in a magical village, and on such a specific day? Should students be allowed to roam freely in a magical village with little to no supervision? Are there additional security measures being put in place in the near future to prevent a repeat of what happened? Is Azkaban safe and under control?
See the opinions of our experts on pages 5, 6 and 7.
We at the daily prophet thank the quick action of some town's people and seventh grade students for their quick action in protecting others.
Fudge lowered the newspaper and facepalmed himself. Another article by that skeeter reporter and again the Ministry came out in a bad light. She was starting to get on his nerves. He had to do something to control that woman again, he needed to talk to Lucius.
Fleur sat by Harry's side. She had tried to spend all her available time by his bed, but meals and sleep had to take priority sometimes. She knew the other Slytherins would want to be in her position as well, but unfortunately, they all had classes they couldn't escape.
Fleur, on the other hand, as a tournament champion, was dismissed from all the classes she wanted. The fact that she could study in the Infirmary, courtesy of Madam Pomfrey, who seemed to be quite fond of Harry, only helped her resolve to stay there.
Tracey and Blaise went there at least three times a day but didn't stay for as long. Apparently, they were quite used to Harry being unconscious in the infirmary room, as it happened 'at least twice a year'. As such, they went by frequently, but didn't have the frantic need to be there as Fleur had.
Daphne had spent almost all of her free time in there as well, which gave the two witches a lot of time to talk. It had been an interesting experience to really talk to the girl for the first time.
It was the third time that week that Daphne was visiting Harry, and again, the French witch had been there. They hadn't really spoken on her first two visits, but who could blame them?
They were rivals for Harry's affections, or were they?
They weren't friends. In fact, they were barely acquaintances. They had been introduced by Harry at an ill-fated dinner but all their other interactions had been in a group, with Tracey and Blaise around as a buffer.
They both knew they would have to speak with each other eventually, be friendly and get along, otherwise it wouldn't work with Harry, but these things took time and can't be force or faked.
She didn't know if they were friends 'Yet' but they had made some baby steps in that direction, Daphne thought remembering their first meeting/fight and that almost lead to Harry walking away from both of them.
After the first two times where they just sat in silence for a couple of hours, this time Daphne was surprised when Fleur decided to break it and spoke.
The Veela was clearly nervous, just as Daphne was but she was letting her sense of humor take the lead. The next thing Fleur said caught Daphne completely off guard as she gestured to Harry and asked, "Please tell me that he does not have a bed in the ward with his name on it!
In part due to its construction and an Amplifying Charm cast on the ward in her office a light smile came over her face as Madam Poppy Pomfrey let out a light chuckle at the comment the French girl made thinking to herself, a bed with a plaque saying Reserved for Harry Potter
"The idea has merit!" Madam Pomfrey, stated with a soft chuckle saying, "If only to see his reaction!"
Daphne snorted at that conversation starter causing Fleur's well-manicured brow rise to a high speculative arch eyeing her across the bed that Harry was currently sleeping in Fleur asked, "So, how are your classes going?"
"Uhh, - yeah, they are good, thank you for asking." not really sure what else to say. "Ahh how are the preparations for the next task? Harry has always been quite secretive about his plans."
That seemed to leave the Veela was slightly more comfortable.
"It's been an interesting challenge. I don't know how much you know about Veela, but we avoid being underwater."
"I can see how being underwater is uncomfortable!" Daphne replied with a nod, feeing just a twinge of sympathy for the girl.
"We are creatures of fire!" Fleur said following up with, "Being underwater is not only uncomfortable but it actually weakens our powers significantly."
"That, but shouldn't it be allowed? I mean, you will be at a disadvantage against all the other contestants, it seems pretty unfair." Daphne said as Fleur sighted. "I know. But those are the rules of the game. Besides, I've had the advantage before, you know..."
She trailed off, and they sat in silence for a couple of minutes. Daphne just stared at the face of her 'boyfriend'. He looked calm and peaceful, but also...
Daphne's voice was croaky as she said, "He looks so fragile, doesn't he?" She asked, in barely a murmur. "It hurts just to see him like this."
"I know," Agreed Fleur, her left hand fidgeting her robes while her right hand stayed glued to Harry's left. "But I'm sure he'll pull through, he's strong…" Her word trailed off as Fleur, stated, "He is stronger than all of us…. Daphne he is completely immune to my Veela traits."
She didn't know why she was telling the girl this, did she make her point without saying it? Yes. Did she have to say it? No. So, why did she?
"Maybe on the outside." Daphne looking up from her book to look at Fleur, she nodded slowly, stated, as she, as a sad smile slowly made is appearance, "You know, from my experience with Harry in the past, this seems to be his modus operandi." Daphne's voice was on the verge of braking as she said, "He'll run into danger no thought of his own safely, trying to save something or someone, succeed but gets badly injured in the process"
Swallowing hard Daphne finished her tale stating, "stay unconscious for a few days, and then walk it off like it was nothing." , her smile slightly brighter.
That statement got a giggle out of Fleur, as she stated, "That does seem his style, doesn't it? I saw that he passed out after the dragon, and from what Madam Pomfrey told me yesterday he's her most frequent patient."
"Well, he's the hero, isn't he?" Fleur smiled at the object of her love and affection.
"That he is..." Daphne agreed, their pain now shared with each other.
"You love him, don't you?" Fleur asked looking at Daphne holding up her hand saying, "No one can feel the pain your feeling right now and not be in love."
She was at a loss for words for the first time in a long time someone beat her in a battle of wits, so she just nodded but didn't admit to anything. Going back to the safe part of the conversation, she continued "He stays here at least once a year for a long period of time and comes in several others. Weirdly, Tracey and Blaise always seem to get away from unscathed, except in our first year, when Tracey got injured paying a giant wizards chess game, but other than that situation, they never get injured, while Harry almost dies."
"You do know it will take the two of us to keep him alive… right?" Fleur commented eyeing the girl, small laugh escaping her lips, "That will mean putting grievances aside."
At no follow-up from Daphne, both witches returned to a much more comfortable silence.
They never noticed the eyes of a third member, a small elf, that silently watched his best friend and new master with concern and fierce loyalty. Nor did they notice how worried the elf was.
Dobby would stick by Harry Potter's side no matter what, for as long as he could.
Harry had gotten used to the girl that now lived in his head with him. She seemed to constantly be asking questions, Harry felt like she never left the 'why' age, and also seemed to jump quite quickly to assumptions, which annoyed Harry to no end, having to constantly try to reason or broaden the girl's horizons in regard to certain subjects, mainly the workings of the magical world.
He now knew he had the power to shut her out, but so far, she wasn't causing any trouble, as they were both stuck in his own mind, but didn't have the heart to do so.
He could understand that she was starved for contact with another human, not being used to being all that isolated for what felt like such a long period of time.
"So, you're telling me this happens to you often? You just… drift in this emptiness, waiting to wake up?" Her disembodied voice asked, breaking the silence that Harry had enjoyed for the last few moments.
"Yes, it's not my first time. It's like being in limbo. I've been through worse, so I just ride it out until I wake up." Harry disembodied voice replied.
"And you're not worried? Not even a little?" asked Hermione's a quiver of fear in her voice, she seemed to be skeptical of his composure as she stated "You seem awfully calm about being stuck in here."
Harry's voice was calm as he said, "It's not ideal, but I've learned to deal with it... panicking doesn't help." After a momentary pause to let that information sink in Harry told her, "It's good listening to the stillness, give you time to think."
"I know this isn't permanent, so I just… wait. It's like being in the eye of a storm. Quiet, but you know it's not going to last." He added a thoughtful tone to his voice.
The silence was madding to her, after a few more seconds of silence, Hermione just blurted out.
"So, what do you think of Chocolate Frogs? I mean, do you think people actually enjoy having them jump around?"
Harry groaned a little thinking; ' I know you like to know… everything… but honestly? '
"When I first tried one, it was weird. But you kind of get used to it. You just have to catch them before their first jump, I think it's the trick." Harry's voice explained.
"Ron used to say that" Her voice remarked. "Still, I never understood why wizards just can't enjoy some non-magical chocolate, it seems like everything has to have a magical touch to it."
"I guess it's just a part of their world, you know? Something they are so used to if they don't think about it anymore, how illogical and more complicated it is. And that's all right. It's not our place to just come here and try to change everything." Harry's voice told her.
"I suppose you are correct, but we could try to help them move forward in time!" Hermione's told him.
"Should we? I mean, do we have that right even?" Harry's voice replied, "What would you say, better yet what would you do if someone went to the muggle world and just started telling everyone they were wrong!?"
"Well, if they had a point..."
"Who are you trying to lie to," Harry's voice interrupted, "Me or yourself?"
"I - I -" She tried to argue, but eventually had to admit defeat. "I guess you are right, I wouldn't like it."
"That's right. So, if you wouldn't like it to happen in your world, why would you do it to someone else's? Harry's voice explained, "It took me some time to understand it too, but the truth is you need to get it as soon as possible. Life after Hogwarts will be different. You either adapt or you won't be happy in the wizarding world. The choice is yours."
He expected another reply, but none came. He hoped Hermione would think over their discussion. If not, well, it wasn't his responsibility.
Severus Snape was working hard in his office. Despite hours of combing through his own library and to an extent the restricted section of the school library he had found nothing that would help resolve the problem he had been presented to by the headmaster.
There was a spell that would help to imprison another person's mind once they were inside, but that didn't help with the goal, even if Severus had stored the information about said spells somewhere secure in his office. It could be useful someday.
He thought that maybe it would be possible to use that spell as a basis for an opposite spell, but he knew it would take too long for what the headmaster needed.
He was nearly finished with the contents of his personal library for the third time and had drafted a couple of letters to some former friends and books dealers that he knew could possibly provide some knowledge or content on the subject. He knew it was unlikely, but it was too important not to try.
He tried to be as broad in why he had the need for this information, hoping to avoid answering some awkward questions, knowing it could become problematic if his associates knew it was to help Potter.
His life as a triple spy could be exposed they even suspected he was helping Potter.
He readied himself to go deliver this news to the headmaster thinking, This task may be impossible!
He still had still a long day ahead of him and he was already at his wits end.
Harry was deep in thought, this time about his summer vacations with Sirius. He knew it was still a long way away, but he couldn't stop himself from being excited about his first real summer away from the Dursley's and with his godfather.
They were planning a trip to the Iberian Peninsula that would last at least a month. Harry had been fascinated with the Inquisition since he heard Binns talking about it as a secret ploy by the church-controlling goblin nation and upon telling him about his fascination with the subject, Sirius had promised him they would do the trip.
In fact, his godfather seemed quite eager for a dose of the sunny south.
Harry had even thought about asking Sirius if they could invite the girls to come with them. He knew it would be complicated with Daphne due to her father, but he was hoping at least Fleur would be interested in joining them on the trip. The girl had been quite clear about her plans to continue her relationship with Harry and it would be impressive to have the company of the beautiful Veela for a trip like that. It would certainly make Sirius jealous of him.
It was amidst these thoughts that Harry started to feel the familiar push that he knew meant he would drift back to full unconsciousness as he would be awaking shortly.
"Hermione." He informed calmly, "Get ready."
Madam Pomfrey was about her day as usual, preparing potions and storing files, writing medical reports, or attending random students that would get injured throughout the day. It was, after all, a magical school, so injuries were significantly more frequent than in an average school.
It was in the middle of her report writing, on her desk that oversaw the entire medical wing, that she noticed one of her patients started to slowly stir.
The tired looking Veela that was sleeping at his side hadn't even noticed, so deep in her slumber she was.
Excited and yet somber, she made her way to the boy's bed and started to perform some diagnostic spells. He would soon wake up.
30 chapters. Crazy.
Thank you to Taliesin The Eternal Bard for his work on this chapter.
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