I DON'T OWN HARRY POTTER OR ANY OF ITS ORIGINAL CHARACTERS, ONLY MY OCS AND THE SITUATIONS I PUT THEM IN. WARNING: There will be cussing, lemons, and violence. (Also, someone said I should put please don't steal. Didn't think I needed to, but ok. Please don't steal my stories.)
Some characters may seem OOC at some points at different times in the story, but I hope I explain that in the story when the time comes. Some things happen pretty fast at first (like certain relationships or legal stuff), but again I try to explain it. Some people may go back and forth at times, but I'll explain it! You get the idea. Spelling and grammar errors, I recheck constantly, so sorry if some slip by. Some character bashing in the beginning and for a little while, but that doesn't mean it will last the whole story. I don't hate certain characters though it may seem like that at times. THIS IS A WARNING. Though I will put a warning at the beginning needed. I do not condone all of these things, but my mind can be really fucked up, I apologize now. So, I am mixing both movie and book but I'm mainly following the movie. Though I will try to make a good blend between the two. Big thank you to everyone who reviewed, followed, and/or favorited. You guys rock! So, I received a review about some of the people who were punished by the kids. That person hasn't answered me back, so I'll clear it up here. Don't feel bad for anyone they catch. Not the Death Eaters, those who support Death Eaters or Griphook. Griphook is being punished for trying to kill Sirius and Remus in past chapters. Not for the future. Right now, people are paying for past crimes, even if the kids remember some of their future crimes. No one they've gotten so far is innocent or has yet to commit a crime. It's all just and has a reason.
Chapter 14: When You Give a Weasley Twin a Mystery. (Part 1)
Harry Potter led his party to transfiguration class.
Harry couldn't wait for the day to fold out. Lockhart was still looking over his shoulder at every little shadow. Umbridge strode around as if she owned the place. Harry had gifts planned for both of them. Hermione let him have his fun. After all, she planned on handling them when he was done.
However, allowing Harry to walk a mile in his father's footsteps didn't sound too bad to her.
Ron smirked as they neared the charlatan's class.
They had McGonagall first, but that didn't mean they couldn't pass by Lockhart's room and wave. After that, they'd get to see Umbridge face off the ever classier and powerful Minerva McGonagall, mama lion of the cubs' den.
Vivian was a Slytherin meaning she saw the perfect opportunity to place a friendly little wager. Luna, the brilliant Ravenclaw she was, took on her sister in snakeskin as the two waited to see their friends' head of house get ready to battle the treacherous toad.
Vivian watched openly while Luna had to hide under Harry's invisibility cloak.
'I wonder if she would make a good companion for Trevor?' came Neville's inner monologue. 'Or would actual toad Dolores be just as unpleasant?' he had to wonder. 'Even if I made her think she had always been a toad?'
'She hates cats but surrounds herself with their picture' Harry wondered. 'Maybe a giant cat? And she's the yarn?' thoughts swarmed Harry's mind. They bordered between playful and deadly.
Hermione was practicing something entirely different. She was thinking and putting magic into a mental spell while doing the wand movements of a different spell.
That way she could pretend to do a leviosa when really, she was doing something more along the lines of alarte ascendare. A few people saw her wand movement under her robes and wondered why Granger was going over simple wand movements.
Others, a certain blonde gel haired Slytherin, decided to verbally point said actions out.
"Oi Granger" he brought attention to himself and accompanying cronies.
Pansy, not even waiting for him to continue began giggling into his side.
"Pansy would be hot if she didn't laugh like a hyena" Vivian said to the amusement of her boyfriend. "And a racist" was added getting a snort from Ron.
"Why the wand movements Granger? Need help with a first year leviosa" he laughed getting Crabbe and Goyal to join.
"It's Levi-o-sa, not levios-a" Granger corrected his pronunciation.
Harry smiled fondly with great humor as Ron almost fell into a laughing fit against his side. She shot them each a mild look that held no real heat. Vivian herself looked beyond tickled as she helped hold Ronald up.
Neville himself was grinning. Harry added "Take note Malfoy. You need all the help you can get".
Ron almost couldn't breathe due to his laughter. 'Now if only I could get the ferret to puke slugs this time' he thought finally gaining some control over himself.
Now that got actual laughter from many of their watching year mates.
Draco's eyes narrowed. "Having to defend your little girlfriend Potter!" Draco spat.
Harry and the others waited to see if Draco would jump ahead of himself with the hated slur for muggleborns.
"Of course precious Potter would defend his mud-" the blonde didn't see Harry's fingers twitch.
However, Harry did see the figure behind Draco and decided to hold off.
For now.
"Mr. Malfoy" came the sharp burr of McGonagall from right behind Draco.
The already pale boy turned even whiter before a green entered his complexion. He matched his robes amazingly.
"I do hope that I heard you incorrectly" McGonagall began before dashing any of his hopes of worming his way out of trouble. "But my hearing is as keen as ever. Detention tonight with Filch" she ordered. "Now if you are done disturbing your fellow students, please enter the classroom".
She then swept forward leading the class into the room.
McGonagall didn't even blink towards Umbridge who was sitting at the back of the transfiguration class. A stool that Harry hoped was as uncomfortable as it looked.
Minerva waved her wand causing books to open and the chalkboard to start writing itself.
Besides a few looks, the students tried not to stare back too much at the inquisitor.
"Now, today we will begin learning out to turn an armadillo into a pillow" Minerva began with a nod to the students opening their books while readying their quills.
Harry implemented the first step in his 'prank plan'.
He pulled out a muggle notebook and pencil.
Vivian and Ron shared a look. Today it was Harry. Tomorrow, more of them and so on.
Harry decided to do Hogwarts a favor and drag parts of it into modern times.
Kicking and screaming if needed.
A mild prank compared to the Marauders and Weasley twins, for sure. Yet, sometimes it was the littlest things that made the biggest splash.
Which was what Harry was planning on.
Even his friends didn't know the full plan.
That was half the fun.
At least, if you asked Harry. If one asked Hermione, not so much.
"Now" McGonagall gained everyone's full attention. "The first thing we have to remember is that your animal needs to be treated with respect" she instructed slowly walking towards the chalkboard. She blinked at Harry's writing implements but didn't comment.
"You must remember this is a living being that is inherit to the same-" Minerva was cut off.
"Hem-Hem" came a very fake, very curt cough from the back.
Slowly Minerva turned to look at Umbridge.
The students then followed suit.
The smile on Umbridge's face was as sugary sweet as an acid pop.
"I assume you knew I would be coming today?" Umbridge primly asked.
'You know what happens when you assume things' Vivian couldn't help but think. She didn't need to finish the thought.
"Of course. Why else would I not question your presence?" Minerva primly pointed out.
'Oh Minnie, you beautiful woman, you' Harry thought enjoying the show. Of course, he made sure to keep the nickname mental. He didn't need the brilliant and talented witch's ire turned on him.
Dolores looked momentarily in disbelief over how she was being spoken to. 'I need to remember to send Minerva biscuits. She deserves them' Harry made a mental note.
The part of him that didn't just want to straight up murder the sadist Umbridge on the spot was appreciating McGonagall's much more than he had the chance to ever before. 'Perhaps Dobby can make snacks for next time' he wondered.
Then the idea of McGonagall's face if she ever caught him eating in her class flashed through his mind. 'Never mind' he decided.
Umbridge hated the smirks she could just feel from the children.
'Filthy mudblood loving-' her inner monologue was cut off as she pasted back on her too sweet smile.
McGonagall was no longer paying the minster employee any attention as she had gone back to teaching.
However, Dolores wasn't finished.
She puffed her pink clad chest out slightly. Cornelius was depending on her after all. She knew what had to be done for the better of the wizarding world. Lucius Malfoy himself was counting on her.
Her insides shivered from delight.
The eavesdropping Knights shivered from terror.
That was something none of them had wished to know Umbridge fantasized about. Hermione and Vivian helped prompt up the now nausea Ron and Harry. Neville shook his head to Dean when asked what was wrong.
Umbridge was still deep in daydream. True, Malfoy rarely spoke to her… And he almost always left the room when she entered…
But that didn't matter.
'After I expose Dumbledore' she thought.
That was another thing Harry didn't want to think on earning a light jab from Hermione.
Umbridge continued unaware of the mental audience. 'I will finally be invited to the Malfoy Gala! I will be realized by my deserving peers' she told herself. She imagined being officially 'in' with the 'right sort'.
"Hem hem" came the fake cough that echoed around the now too silent classroom.
The students and staff had been shocked when Umbridge had had the nerve to interrupt Dumbledore.
However, that was nothing compared to this moment.
Interrupting Minerva McGonagall during a class was a whole other level of taboo.
Such cases had only happened before in the instance of an emergency.
This was definitely not the case.
Even the Slytherins were gobsmacked.
Neville saw McGonagall's left eye twitch.
'Bloody mental' was the only thing Ron could contribute to Umbridge's inability to see her place.
Hermione, Ron and Neville were busy trying to work out Umbridge's actual chances of having brain damage. Luna, on the other hand, was taking in the frightening matching grins that Vivian and Harry were attempting to fight.
Vivian heard Luna's subdued excited sigh from the corner making green eyes flash briefly to where the blonde was hiding.
Vivian wondered if McGonagall could hear as well given her animagus form. Minerva had given the barest tilt of the head. Right towards Luna under Harry's invisibility cloak.
Minerva's brown eyes, that shined like her inner feline in the moment, never waved from Umbridge, however.
Dolores, not sensing the obvious danger, continued on her chosen current path.
"I wanted to remind you that-" she went on.
Now it was Minerva's turn to cut off the undersecretary. Something that the look on Dolores' face told the watching class wasn't something that happened often.
"I wonder" said Professor McGonagall in cold fury, turning on Umbridge. The Scottish bur in her voice was heavy with anger and irritation. "How you expect to gain an idea of my usual teaching methods if you continue to interrupt me? You see, I do not generally permit people to talk when I am talking" Minerva's voice was like whips across the gapping Umbridge's face.
With a disdainful sniff, McGonagall went back to explaining the proper care for an armadillo.
No one took notice as Harry made an innocent scratch to the nose.
Well, no one but a suspicious Hermione.
Just as Umbridge went to scribble something hateful and untrue on her little notepad, she was hit was a gut-wrenching feeling.
Literally.
A gurgle left Umbridge's stomach telling her that something was happening. 'Perhaps it was the extra plum pudding' she had to wonder over the sudden pressure in her stomach.
"Glug" the sound was more audible this time.
Umbridge attempted to appear unaffected. She did her best to concentrate on what McGonagall was doing while allowing her eyes to scan the student body. True, she was going to be watching Potter closely, but Umbridge also wanted to know who Potter was close to.
She needed to figure out how to control the Boy-Who-Lived if needed.
'Having the little half-blood will help Cornelius in the next election term' Dolores knew.
Now another, bigger bubbling sound left Umbridge. A few students looked back with furrowed brows.
McGonagall had decided to simply ignore Umbridge unless she absolutely had to acknowledge her presence.
Ron sent Harry a look from around Vivian and Hermione.
At his best mate's small smile, Ron himself felt the sudden need to scratch his freckled nose.
The girls shot their counterparts looks that the boys played off with too innocent smiles. Neville amusedly smirked, gently petting the armadillo in front of him. He had a pretty good idea what was going on, even without reading the others' minds.
He knew that the girls already suspected but seeing as Harry and Ron were doing their best to keep their minds quiet, nothing could be presently confirmed.
"Oh! Urh" a small burp left Dolores. She shrugged it off, bringing the parchment pad closer to her face. Though her cheeks reddened slightly, Umbridge was just happy that the feeling had decided to go up rather than down.
That feeling was soon squashed.
As Umbridge went to write a nasty review over Minerva's 'childish behavior' another gurgle left her.
This time, it chose a different exit.
As a single small toot was heard around the room, Harry had to wonder if Umbridge would put together the fact that the more hateful she was, the gassier she became.
Mild compared to some of his actions, for sure. However, he couldn't help but smother a smile at the imagery of Remus and Sirius laughing their butts off after he wrote to them.
Ron smirked as he knew that as Harry's jinx got worse, his own would be triggered.
He had learned a thing or two from Fred and George.
Most of all the boys knew Hermione would really appreciate the prank. Why? Because it was of Umbridge's own doing. If she was kind and truthful, then she'd be fine.
If she was…well Umbridge, then she was in for many trips to the little witch's room.
'I don't think Myrtle's going to be too pleased over the new company' Harry had to acknowledge.
Minerva went to take a deep calming breath, but then thought better on the action. Instead, she counted to ten in her head before continuing to teach. Minerva wasn't going to go out of her way to be rude to Dolores and point out the new noises that were leaving her.
Instead, she showed the class the proper wand movements.
It was no surprise that Hermione Granger was the first to get the spell. Harry and Vivian were the next.
What did surprise some people was Neville and Ron getting the spell so quickly. Ron using the pillow to try and snag a nap wasn't as surprising, but it was still obviously a shock for the room.
Vivian could tell as people from both houses looked over and Neville and Ron as if they were expecting something to happen.
Even Seamus and his smoldering pillow kept looking over.
That annoyed Hermione greatly. Even in first year she didn't think Harry was an idiot or bad at magic. She didn't think that of Ronald nor Neville either. Especially as time taught her people learned differently.
So, everyone looking over as if her friends understanding a simple spell was dumbfounding began to truly grate on Hermione's nerves.
Neville and Ron didn't let it bother them. They knew what they could do. Proving that was no longer an issue for the two.
Vivian waited until McGonagall's back was turned then flicked a quick silencing spell towards the grateful Luna.
Harry simply watched and waited while mentally preparing to use many air freshening charms in the days to come. A half smile settled over him as he realized his next class was with Lockhart. He couldn't wait to see what Ron's curse did next.
####SCENE BREAK####
Albus was in his office staring off into nothing.
At least, that's what it looked like to the portraits.
In reality, his mind was full of issues he was currently faced with at the ministry.
Fudge was pushing for more views into Hogwarts' business. Even though the school predated the ministry. Technically, there were laws to stop interference from any government as the founders and their allies were afraid of such power falling into the wrong hands.
Yet, Albus knew that if he simply called upon these old laws then more questions would be thrown at him. People would think he had things to hide.
The problem was that Albus did have things to hide.
Albus knew Fudge couldn't be trusted.
The Minister constantly had a certain long blonde-haired snake filling his head while whispered lies and lining his pockets with dirty money.
There were others in the government that Albus was sure could be trusted. Arthur Weasley and Amos Diggory were the first to come to mind. Hestia Jones and a few others followed. He wished he could add Amelia Bones to his list, but she was too inquisitive about every action.
Albus kept a list of individuals to keep an eye on in case he ever needed to reopen the Order of the Phoenix.
He had a sinking feeling that the Order would have to return, and most likely sooner than he wished.
'Sirius could probably be convinced to rejoin' Albus thought. This was followed with a small huff 'If I ever get a chance to speak to him'.
Remus and Rectus still had yet to set up a meeting allowing Albus to speak with Sirius.
Sadly, Remus had not been so easily swayed as he once was in his boyhood. Albus saw this as another inconvenience he simply did not need.
'Perhaps Remus could rejoin. Then Rectus would be inspired to become a member' Albus thought. He made small notes on a parchment before him. The thought of the men in his Order once more held great weight to it.
Remus and Sirius were extremely magically talented.
He hoped that both men's hardships hadn't robbed them of their mental and magical powers.
Despite Remus not giving him many details, Albus was happy to believe Sirius' innocence. Though Cornelius had refused to even speak on the matter after Sirius' breakout.
Neither men knew of the upcoming announcement that would no doubt shake the Ministry and wizarding world alike.
Despite being able to keep things hushed for now, Amelia was planning on soon giving the world the truth about Sirius' coming up release announcement along with Peter's secret trial.
'Still, I am sure their talents are as bright as before' Albus thought. He had no way of knowing Rectus' ability yet. However, he felt that the other ice eyed man was not someone to be magically overlooked.
Besides, his title and wealth meant that his involvement with the Order would bring them much needed financial backing. 'Unfortunately,' Albus told himself as he did some calculations. 'The greater good is expensive in many fashions.'.
"I suppose contacting them would be the next best step" Albus finally spoke out loud.
Many of the portraits started while Fawkes simply nuzzled further into himself on his perch. "He is simply speaking to himself. Again" Least favorite former Headmaster and former head of Black Family Phineas Black spoke up from his frame. He gave an eyeroll at the old living man.
Albus held his hands up in a small shrug like motion. "As is every headmaster's prerogative Phineas" came the counter.
"I have yet to meet a headmaster such as yourself" was the prim response.
"Thank you, Phineas" Albus smiled as others either chuckled or watched boredly. "I am fond of you as well".
The look the painting sent him made it so Albus' step had an extra pep to it.
He made his way to the flu, intent on heading to the ministry before finding Remus. "Ministry" he said, disappearing, not looking back.
Though they all clearly saw, none of the former headmasters felt the need to point out the small pale hand which seemed to pop into existence from air. No alarms were going off, so they assumed there was no danger.
If it was a student, well then, they'd get some possible genuine entertainment for once.
Just as they didn't speak out about the hand's appearance, none of them said anything when a small blue ball flew from it. The ball slammed into Albus, yet he didn't seem to notice.
Fawkes looked over but didn't trill. He simply observed as the other of the room's occupants.
Once the fireplace had settled, a sweet melodic voice called out a pleasant "Thank you".
Leaving the room with polite replies in her wake, Luna too had an extra step in her walk.
####SCENE BREAK####
McGonagall tried not to smirk as Umbridge ran ahead of the class in an effort to make a hasty exit.
Many had to wonder if the rush was for fresh drawers.
Others hopes so.
Harry sent Professor McGonagall a small grin.
Though she dipped her head in a nod, trying to be professional, the smirk couldn't be completely wiped from her face.
With that, Harry grabbed Hermione's bag for her before following the others to next period.
Neville and Ron whispered less than flattering things about Lockhart with Dean, Seamus and Harry. Some girls looked over to shoot them dirty looks.
Vivian's attention was totally elsewhere. Her sense of smell picked up scents that she knew, but also knew shouldn't be around them at the present time.
Sure enough, trying to remain hidden which wasn't always so easy for them, were the Weasley twins following behind.
Their eyes were going between Vivian's group.
They didn't have Lee with them, so she could only assume that he was covering for them in Binns. That was the only professor she could think of that wouldn't notice if Fred or George were present.
'But why follow us?' Vivian wondered curiously. Honestly, their attempts of blending into the shadows may have worked had Vivian been like her other classmates.
Wolf tendencies did have some perks. A mantra Vivian constantly tried to tell herself over and over again. It was something she had learned from Remus, who claims to have learned it from James.
Being discrete, Vivian kept an eye on the twins while pretending not to notice them at all.
From the look on Harry's face, she wasn't the only one.
Hermione noticed too as she re-read the defense book Sirius had leant her. There was no way she'd even entertain the idea of Lockhart's books this time around.
In fact, after getting his textbooks, for the second time in her life Hermione Granger had suggested burning the reading material.
The first time had been when Umbridge had spread her ignorant, hate propaganda about muggle-borns.
Vivian noticed another sweet smell rejoining them. Luna was obviously back from her solo adventure. That became increasingly obvious as Neville suddenly froze, hazel eyes wide.
The rest of their classmates simply wondered what Longbottom just remembered, assuming he had forgotten something.
Ron was smirking as their group stopped walking allowing the others to walk into the class. Only Harry's group and their not so hidden watchers were left in the back. Without a look back, invisible little feet danced their way to Luna's actual class.
Harry chuckled realizing Luna had kissed Neville's cheek.
"Close your mouth Nev" Ron teased.
The small shove given to the red head did nothing to lessen the heavy blush now taking over Neville's face.
He looked like an adorable blonde strawberry.
The group finally made it to their seats in Lockhart's class.
Vivian shot one corner smile back at Fred and George who were forced to stay in the hall as the doors closed. Looking around, she really preferred her father's design taste's. Remus knew how to make a space seem comfortable and safe.
Lockhart's face everywhere wasn't inspiring the same feeling.
Lockhart was looking behind the children with great worry. He patted his brow with a hankie from his robe sleeve with wild eyes. Apparently, whatever he was anxious about wasn't there for after a moment, he relaxed with a heavy sigh.
'Was he expecting Umbridge?' Harry had to wonder. 'Is he worried she'll figure out he's a crook, or because he thought she'd hit on him' the green-eyed boy held in a shiver. Then another idea hit him. 'Or he's worried about the curse'.
Ron's curse had Lockhart revealing some downright horrendous things.
Things that the blonde swore were lies.
Harry wasn't sure how many people believed that but guessed most were giving the blonde the benefit of doubt. There were still fangirls in class lining up for the front row seats.
However, it was less than the classes before.
Harry was still puzzled over how Dumbledore had managed to counter Ron's spell work.
In short, Albus hadn't.
He hadn't been able to dissipate the curse. Nor was he able to yet identify who placed the hex in the first place. It was more complex than many dark spells he had come across before.
The reason no one had heard anymore proclamations from Gilderoy was because Albus had layered another charm over him.
Now, whenever Lockhart was about to 'lie', an automatic silencing spell was triggered overtaking him.
Gilderoy was internally thankful that Albus had bought his story. Hence why the spell saw his truths as lie since Gilderoy gave a big speech about the spell purposely confusing him over truth and fiction.
If Albus had made lying a definite defining trigger, then Lockhart would have still been heard loud and clear.
And probably questioned by the aurors.
Ron suspected something along these lines. Which was why he was already doodling in in his notepad.
To any viewer, it would seem like normal quidditch doodles and meaningless notes. The paper was beyond coded so as to assure him stress free planning. Right now, he was working on a few tweaks to the charm in order to rectify Lockhart's found loophole.
Lockhart began his lesson. "Today we will continue discussing how to cure a werewolf" was proudly proclaimed.
Vivian's vibrant viper green eyes were on him in an instant.
Gilderoy tried not to stare. He remembered getting lost in those eyes last time. Seeing the mystery woman that haunted his dreams.
Many still stared at him in disbelief. No matter how many times he said it, they just couldn't believe he had found a cure.
No matter what one thought about werewolves, it was commonly known that no cure was possible. If there was, no doubt the news would have flooded the world.
"Just put the beast down. Filthy creature" Malfoy was heard muttering with his friends.
Vivian's nostrils flared as she attempted to control herself.
Her friends were much worse, however.
Especially Ron.
The telltale Weasley temper red overtook his freckled cheeks with blue eyes like ice. His mouth was set in a severe scowl.
Lockhart noticed Potter sending a beyond unhappy look at the smirking Malfoy.
Seeing a chance to endure himself to both Potter and the werewolf had Gilderoy speaking up. "Now young Malfoy" he gave a cheesy chuckle as Malfoy looked disgusted at having his name in the older man's mouth.
"The cure is simple. For me at least" he gave one of his patented chuckles. "I myself-" Lockhart's lips kept moving yet nothing was coming out.
Many students shared confused whispers and looks.
Lockhart himself didn't seem to notice the odd sudden silence.
Hermione grinned behind her book.
She too had guessed Dumbledore's charm.
So, while the others were distracted, she put on her own dose of magic.
Hermione was sure Ron wouldn't mind.
Now, Albus' charm would recognize any stories and accomplishments he had stolen as the lies they were.
Therefore, they were silenced.
Hermione couldn't help but think that such a restriction would truly hurt Lockhart where it counted. He couldn't brag and boast.
Speaking mentally, Ron and Hermione made a note not to impact her jinx when tweaking his own.
Lockhart's hand motions and too wide smile made him a fairly awkward mime.
Gilderoy must have said something meant to be dashing as he was now looking at his fan girls expectedly. The young ladies looked like they wanted so badly to react appropriately but didn't know what response to give.
Many girls from both houses began tearing up feeling as if they were letting Lockhart down.
The blonde professor looked beyond bewildered.
Hermione tried not to roll her eyes at her dormmates.
Vivian only shook her head, almost feeling for the girls. She felt bad for them for getting suckered in by Lockhart. It looked like even Millicent had to suspiciously scratch under her eye.
Many other students were still warring with confusion and growing amusement.
The silencing spell suddenly fell. "And today I will portray that event for you. Though you may remember our other lesson on werewolves, this one will be a slightly extended version of that. Next week, we will discuss the yeti" he explained.
Not paying attention to the shared looks around the room, Lockhart looked over wondering who he should call on. He needed an assistant as he played hero.
Of course, his eyes landed on Harry, yet he paused.
Last time, the boy had been less than helpful during their recount of Lockhart's greatness.
Lockhart twirled his wand. It wasn't his original of course. He thought pixies had broken that. Ollivander, however, had managed to find him one almost strikingly similar. This wand though, was his third. His second had been stolen after he had been cursed in the alley at Hogsmeade.
Ollivander didn't tell the blonde that he had many ordinary wands that looked like Lockhart's. He felt the other man couldn't handle the knowledge of having something so terribly unremarkable.
They were training wands, but Ollivander decided it didn't really matter.
Lockhart tapped the wand on his bottom lip while looking over at the waiting student body.
"Longbottom, my boy" Lockhart settled on.
"Oh, now I'm his boy" Neville was heard grumbling as he dragged himself up to the front of the class.
"And Mr. Finnegan" Lockhart added.
Seamus bounced up happily as he walked in front of the front row of fangirls.
This was his chance to shine, he just knew it. He shot Lavender a wink making her giggle with Parvati. Though it was slightly more in humor rather than them swooning over the action.
Dean snorted trying not to just out right laugh at his best mate's odd 'manly' walk.
It looked like he had an accident and had to spread his legs wide walking with a bit of a weird back and forth kind of motion.
"Now" Lockhart excitedly began laying out the scene. "Seamus here will be the-" he paused. Gilderoy was about to say 'blood thirsty beast' but had managed to catch himself just in time. Thinking hard, Lockhart corrected himself with "The unfortunate lycanthrope". He continued with "Longbottom; you are the man who has unfortunately wondered out during the full moon".
Gilderoy looked at the class with arms in a small shrug like manner and bringing attention to himself. "I of course will be myself" he gave another smarmy chuckle.
"Finnegan, you're about to attack as Longbottom is already incapacitated due to an earlier confrontation of a different sort" he didn't go into details.
Harry lightly wondered about that. That led him to thinking about the people Lockhart had robbed. 'Could I track them down?' he began to wonder, writing in his notebook.
Neville was apathetic over everything Lockhart was saying. Such was obvious thanks to the straight look he wore. Neville simply laid on the ground looking like he might slip into a nap at any moment.
Only the bit of tongue he left hanging out allowed the class to know that he was meant to be close to death.
"Splendid, splendid" Lockhart then moved to direct Seamus.
The Irish boy was hamming it up so much so that Lockhart had to reel him back.
For his trouble, Lockhart got slobbered on.
Gilderoy pretended to pet Seamus' head fondly, though actually he just simply wiped the spit into the boy's hair.
Seamus was momentarily shell shocked as many others, including his friends, couldn't help but see the humor in the action.
Lavender and Parvati were some of the loudest.
Despite his reddened cheeks, Seamus once more picked up stereotypical behavior. Though this time more subdued.
Vivian rolled her eyes with mild boredom as she balanced her chin on her fist, not even bothering to pretend to be paying attention.
"Now I shall act out how I" Lockhart went to say. Though, once more the word that was a personal lie was silenced. At this time, it was simply the word I. "Will disarm the beast" he slipped unthinkingly.
Lockhart flourished his blue cape and began.
The students settled in for a long lesson.
####SCENE BREAK####
A whistling tune startled the dungeon prisoners.
Bellatrix and the Lestrange brothers were against a cold brick wall.
The chill kept them alert.
Not that they needed any help with that. Seeing Pettigrew's sickly transformation was a sickening nightmare inducing experience. His exhausted painfilled screams wouldn't ever leave his cellmates.
The Lestranges were no strangers to cruelty. However, for the longest time, it was cruelty freely given by them. Rodolphus pointed out just how similar their own fates may possibly come to reflect Pettigrew's.
Despite the three firmly believing that their lord somehow not only survived, but also was working to free them even now; the idea of him showing up after any torture session was not an unbelievable notion.
They remembered the copies left by the children in Bella's old cell.
Though Bellatrix was sure Voldemort would be able to tell the difference in no time.
Bella, the strongest in her madness and devotion took the other's attention off of Peter's corner and the mysterious whistling.
"We are Lord Voldemort's most loyal" she faced the two men with her back towards the other side of the room. "We have broken filth beyond repair" she went on.
None of them noticed the whistle take on an ominous tone.
Rabastan began nodding enthusiastically.
Rodolphus watched his wife with the same transfixion he had since teen-hood.
"There is absolutely nothing that these children" Bellatrix spat the word. "That anyone could ever do to us that would even compare to the painful brilliance delivered and taught to us by our lord" she finished with the proud proclamation.
Before the others could respond, a wheezing chuckle caught their attention.
Peter's screams were interrupted by his own hysterical laughter.
A side of his head seemed to pulsate noticeably almost like it was about to pop. There was a nauseating unnatural seam where half of his normal weedy appearance was connected to the half which was still transforming from a man-sized hairless rat.
A truly horrific sight.
He was sweaty with hair overgrown and tangled. Beard growing at odd angles due to the change of his skin. Teeth sharp but human like as he twisted his mouth into a demented smile. Pink and breathing heavily from exertion.
Every breath produced an off wheeze like snort as his nose was stretched and mishappen. Unfortunately, it was one of the features caught down the fleshy seam of skin.
"What are you laughing at Wormtail" Rabastan demanded angrily.
Rodolphus' ever more deceptively subdued but dangerous presence radiated malice from the spot next to his unstable wife and sadistically energetic brother.
Rabastan had used Peter's old nickname with purpose. It had started out as a bond he created with the Marauders which he then bastardized by freely, though abet fearfully, offering the name up to Voldemort as a form of identification.
Usually, it was used by others of Voldemort's circle to taunt the man over his betrayal rather than truly address him.
Peter laughed even harder.
The arm that was still vermin like was held close to his chest as he limped closer, further into the little bit of light that shone from some mysterious bright hole in the center of the ceiling.
The others winced and grimaced at the clearer sight of him.
"Voldemort" Peter surprised the others by showing no fear or any real care of the name. "Is true child's play compared to the Master" that last title was whispered with extreme reverence.
"How dare you!" Rodolphus roared. Though he was usually quiet, at least before his stay at Azkaban, Rodolphus had a voice that could rivals Hagrid's. "You will address him with his proper title" was demanded.
"Especially a rat like you" Rabastan spat, unkept anger already boiling over.
The taunts meant nothing to Peter anymore. Sirius and Remus had visited countless times since his arrival. They had proven themselves efficient as Knights, each in their own right. He already had known his old friends were brilliant.
Now they showed those brain in new lights.
Remus and Sirius both also showed Peter how to repay betrayal.
"That half-blood of a Lord" Peter scoffed with more dragging steps into the light.
Bella made a noise of pure rage. She took quick steps with Rabastan towards Peter with aggression pouring off of them.
Rodolphus didn't follow as he had been the only one to notice that the door, which had no handle on their side, was slowly swinging open. The whistling was coming from the shadows on the other side.
It was so dark. Too dark even.
Rodolphus had a terrible feeling that the shadows were staring back at him.
His heart picked up as it felt like someone had hit his feet with a sticking charm. He was frozen.
The others didn't notice as Bellatrix and Rabastan were about to pounce on the waiting Peter.
Peter's eyes were alight with a gleam formally missing in his dark gaze.
Madness.
He was unhinged.
"Don't hold back Black" Peter used Bella's maiden name. "Don't tell me you have finally learned restraint" spittle flew from his mouth as his words picked up passion. He held his arms open. "I mean, that's why you could never really be of any value to Voldemort. Never really make him proud" he pushed seeing the other two begin to twitch. "You failed him!" he finally shouted.
Bella and Rabastan both shrieked before actually jumping towards Peter.
He opened his arms with eyes closed.
However, before they actually touched him, the two fell on the floor in a mess of spasming limbs and screams.
Rodolphus was able to drag his body to fall between them. He tried to find out what ailed them while pushing dirty, dark red hair out of his thin face. Rodolphus couldn't find anything to hint to their pain. He knew they were being cursed, but how?
Rabastan felt drool drip steadily out of the side of his mouth. It felt like he was about to vomit. There was an intense pain as if someone was twisting white hot pokers in his intestines. It was worse than the torture curse, he was sure of it!
Bella began to slightly convulse while her nose bled. However, unlike Rabastan, she refused to cry out.
"Fight it!" Rodolphus demanded from on his knees between the two. He fought to stop either from accidentally biting their tongues off.
"Stop this, stop this right now!" Rodolphus' formally handsome face was twisted into pure rage as he looked at the shadow doorway.
Peter noticed as well. He ran back to his corner, covering his face as he cowered. His shakes now had nothing to do with the ever-present pain in his bones.
Suddenly, the shadows lit up with a blinding painful light.
Rodolphus blinked back tears as he stubbornly refused to look away. A figure was parting the light.
"Stop this! You hear me!" Rodolphus shouted his demand. "Stop this right now!" he shouted as some sparks of magic left him.
"Yous" a raspy voice began after walking further into the room. The silhouette dropped in height as it was revealed to be none other than Kreacher at the door.
An elf that all the Lestranges recognized from their youth.
"Are not Kreacher's master" Kreacher sneered at the humans before him. There seemed to be an extra hiss in his voice.
He knew who they were. However, any chance of him sneaking around to serve Bellatrix was long gone at this point.
With a small sharp snap of his long, thin sharp pointed fingers, Bellatrix and Rabastan's pain was momentarily dismissed.
Kreacher's smirk was sadistic as he took in the rage rolling off of each Lestrange.
"Elf, do as you are told" Rodolphus demanded. "My wife is part of the Ancient and Noble-" he was cut off by an unimpressed Kreacher.
"Kreacher remembers you" his lip pulled up in a corner to his contempt. "Kreacher serves the Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Black" he proudly proclaimed. "And the Master of Death" he sniffed his large, pointed nose.
With that, he ignored the other three.
He knew the reason Rodolphus hadn't run over to attack. It was the same reason that Bella and Rabastan hadn't pushed through their pain to try anything.
They couldn't.
Kreacher wasn't stupid.
The elf had used his magic to make sure that the three were all but glued to the floor.
Though each Lestrange was talented magic wise, especially with dark magic, none could compete with elf magic.
Though Rodolphus' face showed the physical strength of him trying to force his body up.
It wasn't working.
They didn't have wands and hadn't attempted wandless magic, what they could do of it, for many years. Another aspect worked against the three.
None of them knew how to beat elf magic. How could they? They had never had a need to as they didn't see elves as a danger compared to a wizard.
Now it seemed that error of thought was painfully obvious.
Kreacher snapped his fingers to gain Peter's attention. The scraggily prisoner ran crashing at the feet of Kreacher. He made sure not to look him in the eyes coming off as submissive as possible.
Kreacher sneered but carried on his duties.
"Tomorrow yous be meeting Madam Bones. No longer in Kreacher's care" he saw the man's beady eyes widen. "Be ready for cleaning tonight" he ordered.
With that, Kreacher was gone, and the door was once more locked, almost blending into the wall of the cell.
Peter gave a joyous laugh. He jumped with a little dance while hugging himself.
"Azkaban, here I come!" Peter kept happily chanting to himself while jump stepping in circles. "Maybe if I'm good, Padfoot and Moony will say goodbye. Prongs will be so proud-" he went onto to unintelligible babbles to himself.
Rodolphus helped Bellatrix up while using what muscles Azkaban hadn't taken from him to lift Rabastan at the same time. The three silently moved until they were once more at the opposite wall of Pettigrew.
Bellatrix steeled herself while sliding down the cold cell wall. Rabastan and Rodolphus slid down on either side of her.
They watched the obviously insane Pettigrew with full attention. The three gathered their wits. They knew they had to if they were going to survive and escape whatever new hell they had landed in.
The Lestranges were sure that after Peter was gone, they'd be able to work on the perfect escape.
After all, between the three of them it seemed like more than a doable task.
They were sure.
####SCENE BREAK####
Hermione hummed happily as she rested in Harry's arms.
They were in the library for a little study date.
Knowing the announcement to come, they had decided to miss the unavoidable chaos.
Each of the Knights were off busy somewhere that wasn't the Great Hall.
It was lunch. The odd thing? The post had been absent at breakfast. Only a note sent out explaining that the paper would be late had come.
Everyone was curious over the delay.
There had to be a reason. Had something happened? Was there simply a storm? Or something amazing? Or worse. People were buzzing for answers.
Hermione was beaming over a letter from her mother. Apparently, though short, the lunch between her parents and Harry had been a success.
No matter how small.
According to her mum Helena, Hermione's father William had stated 'He's an alright sort' about Harry. That was practically a standing ovation in father language, Hermione knew that much about her loving father.
Neither Dan nor Harry knew what Helena and Hermione were planning.
Hermione had filled her mother in on a few aspects on Harry's life. After assuring her mother that he was away from his awful family and with his innocent uncle, which is what she had titled Remus and Sirius, her mother had thought up an idea.
Of course, Helena didn't know that Hermine had kept much of Harry's story from her.
Hermione planned on telling her parents eventually. She knew they'd accept everything. They just had to be eased into the truth. She decided to wait until they were no doubt in love with Harry before easing into things.
'Later' she mentally promised while tucking the letter back into her bag.
Slowly, subtly, Helena was dropping hints to Dan about everything that Harry and his uncles had been through.
That way, Dan was less likely to bring up an unknown faux pas.
Hermione was trying to smooth out some of the hiccups in her father and Harry's relationship from long ago. Long ago for the children that was.
Harry turned the page of his book on horcruxes.
It had been in the Black Family library, to the surprise of no one.
Harry was ecstatic over Sirius' earlier secret letter.
Hedwig would bring Harry the Daily Prophet the moment it was printed.
Harry was in no mood to answer any questions that would no doubt be bubbling out of the student and staff.
Most questions that would no doubt be unfiltered for concern over Harry's feelings.
Harry also wasn't in the mood for more blatant stares.
Or Colin's pictures. He liked the younger boy, remembering him dying at the Battle of Hogwarts. That didn't mean he was going out of his way to let the kid get extra picture happy.
Hermione could see Harry continuously look towards the window next to them.
A knee bounce along with the fact that he had now been reading the same page for ten minutes let her know just where his mind was.
She smiled gently as she snuggled further into his side, which had Harry distractedly wrap his left arm tighter around her shoulders.
"How big do you think the party will be?" Hermione asked in a soft voice.
They doubted Pince would hear, but with her eagle ears they decided not to be too loud just in case. Forgoing any silencing charms for now, they simply whispered.
Harry's lips twitched into a smile. He could just imagine the bash that Sirius was throwing.
Of course, the party would be at Grimmauld Place. No one was to know that Potter Manor was taken back. Especially not Albus, who would no doubt ask to use Sirius' place once more.
Harry could only picture Remus running behind the energetic Sirius in attempts to keep things on a lower note.
Harry knew though that before long, Remus would give up and join in the no doubt over the top preparations.
"I'd be surprised if either of them will be able to even rise before supper tomorrow" he joked. After that thought he added, chuckling "We should send a congratulatory howler in the morning".
"I doubt they'd be upset over being risen from the dark depths of drunken regret once finding out about your plans" Hermione's eyes looked back and forth.
She was half expecting Madam Pince to jump out with a harsh 'Shh!'.
"What we've done" Hermione added.
"Hmm, we haven't done anything…yet" Harry teased. "Besides, it's mild compared to theirs" he expressed.
"As if it will stay such" she gave a small put-on huff.
"Oh, you weren't so prissy about everything earlier, Miss Mastermind" Harry joked.
"Me!?" Hermione's voice went up in pitch as she looked beyond taken aback. Before she could say more, Harry's fingers were at her sides tickling her mercilessly.
"Harry!" Hermione pleaded with a laughing squeal.
"Sh!" came the sharp voice of Irma Pince.
She was looking between the two from a shelf where she had taken the books out of. "Please" she went on sternly. "I shall dismiss this simply because it is you Miss Granger, but do not disrespect the library" she said before disappearing again.
"How?" Harry wanted to know how she seemed to all but vanish.
"Disrespect-!" Hermione couldn't believe it. She had never, NEVER been shushed in any library. Especially not the Hogwarts' library. It was practically hers!
"Shh, this is a library" Harry had the nerve to offer Hermione.
Before she could grab onto and throttle her cheeky beau, a familiar owl landed at the open window.
Hedwig sat letting the sun catch her feathers. The look in her big golden eyes told the humans that she knew exactly how much they wanted the parcel in her grip. Also, that she was expecting the appropriate attention before delivering.
"Hedwig, my number one lady" Harry charmed. The owl sent a 'see' look towards an amused Hermione. "May I have my parcel, please" he asked gently. For now, he declined bowing thinking that might be a tad dramatic.
Hedwig looked at him before giving a bob of her head. With that, Harry was quick to unravel the paper.
Just as he had hoped, the Daily Prophet rested in his hand. Hot off the magical printer.
The title was the only thing he had cared about, and there it was for everyone to see.
"Sirius Black Innocent! Years of Injustice Done as Pettigrew Found Alive and Facing Charges for Part in Potters' Murder".
Wordy to be sure, but oh did it do the job.
Harry beamed in pure joy.
Hermione thought she could hear the noise from the Great Hall, even from here.
####SCENE BREAK####
Fred and George went over their 'findings' with Lee. The three were at their secret clubhouse.
A little classroom that it seemed only they knew about.
Unknown to any of them, they were simply in another part of the Room of Requirement.
A shared gift by all the founders that the boys didn't even know about.
The three pranksters had wanted a secret hideout where no one could find them. That's exactly what they got.
"So, what have we got?" Fred posed to his two cohorts.
"Well, I tried following Neville and Lovegood, but lost them around the fourth floor" Lee sighed.
"I didn't have any more luck with Ron or Viv" George revealed. "They kept catching me" he couldn't believe it.
"How?" Lee blew a frustrated breath out.
"You followed the secret tunnels, right?" Fred asked getting a nod.
True, they weren't as on the nose about everyone's movements since giving Harry the Marauders' Map, but they had all but memorized everything the map offered.
The boys had figured that Harry deserved the map given who his father was.
Plus, the twins and Lee's had gotten a kind letter from Remus, who allowed them to call him Moony. He talked the boys up, remembering them from Neville and Harry's party. Apparently, Harry had talked the three boys and their talents up.
That letter meant the world to them. So, they had chosen to give the map to a grateful Harry.
That being said, the three boys' sneaking skills had truly reached impressive heights.
No one should have spotted any of them if they didn't want them too.
Ron especially shouldn't have noticed. They were used to him being pretty oblivious about many things.
"It's like Vivian was looking for me or something" George revealed.
"That's mental" Lee chuckled.
"Yeah" Fred went to agree while thinking back. "There are times I swear she's spotted me, but she's not even looking my way!"
"Smelled us" George suddenly broke in.
"What?" Lee asked confused as the look of understanding which suddenly dawned on George's face became mirrored on Fred's.
"So stupid!"
"How the bloody hell could we have overlooked that?"
"The signs were all there. Remember breakfast?" the twins went back and forth.
"What are you talking about?" Lee cut through gaining back their attention.
The twins looked back and forth. "Swear you won't tell" they spoke as one. Lee shot them a look.
When had he ever told a secret!?
"We know, just swear" Fred and George put in.
The three boys touched their hearts. "I solemnly swear" Lee promised, and he meant it.
Making sure the silencing charm was up, Fred bit his lip before nodding to George.
"We think Vivian is a werewolf" George revealed to their best mate.
Lee's jaw briefly dropped. "I can see why we'd keep shut on that" he finally acknowledged getting nods. Then his thick brows drew together, "But do you think that's what they're hiding?" he asked.
"Well, it's definitely one of the things they're hiding" Fred shrugged. He knew Vivian had good reason to hide such a thing.
Though he and his family, along with Lee's, didn't hold such prejudices, he knew others did. Lockhart talked about werewolves being evil all the time.
"Then" Lee had to wonder. "How many more secrets do you think they're hiding?" he asked looking between the two.
George's orange brows rose as he added "And what's the big secret" he had to know.
They weren't sure, but the boys felt like there was something the whole group was hiding. Something more than Vivian's possible infliction.
The kids were acting too…different at times not to be hiding something.
So, the question begged repeating as the three shared looks.
Just what were the younger kids hiding?
Fred, George and Lee were determined to find an answer. One should never offer a mystery to a Weasley twin after all. They'd want to solve it.
And more than possibly succeed.
A/N: So, what do you guys think? I've been going over some past chapters and trying to address a few things. Hope you like the direction I'm going with this one. Check spelling later, again and again, like always. Suggestions, reviews and questions are always welcomed. More twins and the trial coming up next chapter. I was trying to keep this chapter a little light. Show the side of everyone that is good and not just the killing of the bad guys. Until next time, have a great day! Stay safe!