Chapter 27 : Trouble is Brewing

I do not own Harry Potter

Author's Notes:

1) Big plans for 1994. I've planned out the rest of Year 3, as well as most of Year 4.

2) Let's just say Lucius is not going to have the merriest of Christmases. But don't worry, (or alternately, I'm sorry), he's not dying. He's one of the more prominent antagonists who's going to face a pretty heavy setback.

3) The fire-whip is not my original idea, I've seen it in a couple of fanfics, and the name itself comes from Serpentine Advice.

Enjoy!

| Hogsmeade Wizarding Village| Somewhere in the Scottish Highlands| November 26th 1993|

"Wow, you really like chocolate huh?" commented Harry as Daphne placed no less than her own weight in Honeydukes' finest on the counter.

"Well I have to buy for Astoria too!" the Slytherin replied a little too defensively

"Really?" questioned Tracey, arriving from behind Harry "Well who's this extra bag I'm carrying for, then?"

Both eyed a flustered Daphne for an answer, who mumbled something about traitorous friends and sweet tooths, much to their mirth.

Once their purchases were done, Harry shrunk all of their purchases with Reducio and the brown-haired of the two Slytherins placed them in her satchel.

"So, what's next?"

"I want to get my nails done!" chirped Tracey "Off to Debonaire's!"

"Sure, and our Gryffindor can get a haircut while we do that, right Harry?"

"Well I don't need a haircut, but, sure, I'll come along"

"You don't need one?" Daphne added with a roll of eyes "Harry a bird might just nest in there if you're not careful"

"It's not that bad, right?" he turned towards the second Slytherin in hopes for support, who was in turn pointedly looking at him with pursed lips

"I thought the scruffiness suited me?!" objected Harry, running a hand through his now back to their natural black hair

"Oh please" huffed Daphne "your neater look at the start of term was much better"

"Been looking at him, have you?" teased Tracey

"I most certainly haven't" the girl replied with a glare, her cheeks slightly tinged at the insinuation

"But I'll also agree, not that you look bad now, it's just that, that look suits you better"

".. Sure, why not" shrugged Harry "who doesn't like to nice, huh?"

"Looking for anything specific, Mr Potter?" asked a perked up Cathy Debonaire, delighted at the Boy-Who-Lived coming to her store for the first time

"Umm, not really" he answered, still a little nonplussed at the squeal the storeowner at given when she saw him.

The store was a lot fancy looking than his usual destination for haircuts. But then again, that wasn't saying much considering he'd been getting them at the school's bug-eyed, bucktooth and ironically bald barber who visited once a month.

Debonaire passed him a large catalogue, each page displaying a different hairstyles from various angles.

And almost immediately, she snatched back out of his hands.

Before a perplexed Harry could react, she thrust it back into his hands, opening to a specific page

"Hmm, this will suit your face-cut... ACTUALLY" she mused, grabbing a second catalogue, quickly fluttering its pages "this would be just as good"

Was she even talking to him at this point?

"Wait, that last one!" Daphne spoke up from next to him.

After some deliberations, which were not audible to him, the stylist turned back to Harry, with what he guessed was Daphne's recommendation.

"Well pick one, Harry!"

Harry blinked at the Slytherin amusedly. But given how well dressed she usually was, he supposed it wasn't really a surprise she had some sort of interest in fashion.

"Oh, umm... that one, I guess" he pointed his finger at one of them

"Hmm, I actually think the other one looks better" opined the blonde

"I was going to say the same!"

"Wha- uh, ok, then? The other one?" he put out tentatively

"Excellent choice, Mr. Potter!"

"It wasn't my choice!" he protested, but no one paid him much heed

"I noticed in the papers you made the fabulous fashion statement in the summer" emphasized Cathy

"Oh - that" answered an initially clueless Harry, before understanding she meant his little experiment with his hair color "Umm yeah it was just a good bit of fun". The entire thing was more or less unnecessary, and he'd actually felt a bit guilty because he'd done to try and separate his image from his father. Not that he didn't admire his father with nothing but hero-worship, he just felt a little lost whenever people seemed to forget to differentiate between the two of them.

An older Harry would take, as well as understand the constant comparison a lot better, but the one at this age, he still had growing up to do.

"Well it was a GOOD bit of business for me!"

"Huh?"

"Why, you've no idea how many people copied that look, did you?!" exasperated Debonaire

"People 'copied that look'?" a slightly embarrassed Harry squeaked

"Quite a few as it turns out!"

"People care what a celebrity does, Harry" pointed out Daphne "How you act or what you say leaves an impression on them. The way you make that channel into the mainstream is up to you, of course"

"Aren't you a smart girl, Ms. Greengrass" complimented Cathy as her scissors snipped at the Gryffindor's mane.

"But back to the topic, as a thank you for that boom in business, I would like to offer you a dye, on the house"

"Try brown this time!" chimed in Tracey from the far side of her housemate "It's the best color!"

"Can't help but think you're biased" drawled Daphne in the most Slytherin way possible, making Harry stifle a laugh. Guess that was a house trait.

"Ok, how about brown, Cathy?" offered the soon to be not-raven-haired boy

"What shade?"

"Sha - what?"

"Shade" repeated the barber "Do you want walnut, mahogany, birch, almond, brass, bronze, taupe, chestnut, golden brown, caramel brown..."

Apparently, as the Gryffindor would find out, there existed no less than a few dozen shades of brown.

"Oak" picked Daphne, also receiving assent from Tracey.

Cathy complimented what she called a 'tasteful' choice, and went over to get the formula.

Neither of the three bothered to ask for Harry's opinion, but at this point he'd given up.

"You look like you've had fun, Harry" observed Hermione as Harry sat down at a table she'd been saving, joined by Daphne, Tracey, Neville and Ron.

"Hmm? Oh, yeah, I needed a break and-"

"-had wonderful company!" exclaimed Tracey haughtily from next to him, making him chuckle

"New haircut, Harry?"

"Yeah, what, don't you like it?" he asked the bushy haired girl while running a hand through his hair. "Oh, no! I mean, yes! I, uh, think it looks wonderful!" she fumbled, before immediately shoving her glass of butterbeer in a manner competitive even to the Ron standards.

Ignoring her antics, he changed topics "So, any plans for the holidays? Neville?". Harry purposefully asked Neville specifically. This was something he would do every now and then. Neville was quite shy and easily overwhelmed, and would often be content with listening on to the conversation, not expressing his thoughts on the matter at all.

This lack of confidence and introverted nature reminded him of himself during the 'Dursley days' as he called them. Having lived through a similar period of low self-esteem and self-belief, he was understanding of the boy's problems. He had a lot to say, but just needed a little push here and there to help him get comfortable with himself and talk without reservations.

"Me?" squeaked Neville "Umm, well, not really... just a quiet holiday season at home with Gran" he explained. Knowing what else was scheduled to happen during that time, Harry did not push further.

"I'm spending the break with my extended family in Switzerland" Daphne went next

"That sounds great!"

The Slytherin hummed in agreement "It does. I've never seen the Alps, so I'm quite excited" she offered in a more enthusiastic tone than her usual formalistic one, which Harry guessed was drilled into her during her etiquette classes. Next, Tracey revealed she had a Muggle Aunt in the United States she would be visiting for the holidays, while Ron and the rest of the Weasley children were staying back until Christmas eve as their parents were visiting Charlie in Romania.

"And what about you?"

Harry's eyes lit up. "The Tonks invited me to spend the holidays with them" he said with fondness in his voice.

"You speak quite fondly of them". "That's because I am" the Potter heir answered with resolve "Me and Andi write to each other every week, and, well Dora's right here". "We're also hosting a New Year's Ball on the 30th" he added casually

"A ball?" asked the entire table with varying degrees of exclamation. "Yep, Andi pitched the idea a couple of weeks ago, thought I'd be a nice way to assert we're back in the big time... It's going to be a lot of handshaking and complimenting people I don't know, but little shows like these are important, especially in this line" he explained 'Besides, who knows, I might make, or at least start some useful connections" he shrugged

"Invitations should be out anytime, and, you and your families are invited, of course!"

Everyone accepted the invitation graciously, except Ron who looked put off, but didn't say anything for the moment

"So, the Magic Use Amendment Bill is going up for vote" Daphne swiftly changed topics, noticing the discontent on the redhead's freckled face. They could bicker about this in private, she was here to have a good time.

The Use of Magic in Non-Magical Environment (Amendment) Bill, 1993, aimed at tightening use of magic in the muggle world through stricter penalties, fewer exceptions and higher standard of proof, from balance of probabilities to beyond reasonable doubt would be going up for vote in the coming session, scheduled for the 24th of December.

"I read about it in the Prophet yesterday" inserted Hermione "I, for one, think its about time we became more strict. Wizards use magic too freely where they oughtn't"

Daphne snorted rather loudly

"Let me guess, you don't agree" challenged the Gryffindor girl

"I don't" she replied simply "Just some pandering from the Liberals to boost their chances going into the January elections. It'll be shot down, or at least heavily rewritten. Even the ones introducing it will know that"

The Wizengamot had a term of six years. Every 2 years, though not on exact dates, 1/3rd of the entire house would be going to vote. This time, some prominent names like Lucius Malfoy, Caractarus Nott from the Traditionalists, Amelia Bones, Deckard Gray from the Liberals, Anna Fawley from the Neutrals as well as 2 of the 4 Ministry seats would be up for grabs

"Actually it won't be that easy" opined Neville, more confidently than he felt "We have 100 seats, and 116 votes. No one votes for the Blacks' spot, so the active strength is 113. Assuming everyone will be present, they'll need 57 votes to get it passed"

"Traditionalists don't have that many" pointed out Tracey

And indeed, she was right. In the election following the war, the Liberals had made huge gains, winning 26 of the 33 contested seats. This was attributable to several factors, chiefly, Voldemort becoming bad press for the other side of the spectrum, the hero image built up by those fighting the war and rumored to be part of the Order of the Phoenix, the scandal surrounding quite a few Traditional members personally... And for the first time in 40 years, one single faction had held a majority in the house.

However, in the years that followed, the other two factions had made considerable ground, the most visible change being Cornelius Fudge being elected Minister by the house, with Millicent Bagnold losing a vote of confidence.

As of now, the 'Progressives' as they fancied themselves, commanded 38 votes, the Traditionalists had claim to 44, while, the Neutrals held the remaining 31, their numbers increasing owing to the recent defections with Harry's move.

All in all, it was one of the most evenly divided houses in recent memory.

And that is also what made it so unpredictable, especially considering the lack of unity in the smallest faction.

There was no way ANY of the ones over on Lucius Malfoy's side would dissent. All 44 would singularly reject the bill. This meant the hopefuls needed to collect the support of no less than 19 'Greys', no less than a monumental task.

"Still, convincing 19 representatives won't be that easy" Davis echoed his thought

"Don't forget some already agree, and some don't" pointed out Daphne "We have broadly, three divisions on that side - the buddies from the MoM, Anna Fawley's group, and the Potter-Greengrass faction. 3 of the Ministry seats who sit on the fence will side with Malfoy, but Fawley won't, considering the fine her family had to pay after that episode down in Southampton where her son nearly exposed the statute, and under surveillance no less!"

"She's got, who" Harry began counting on his fingertips "8 who go with her, right?"

"Right. They'll always vote with her. So that's 9 more. This leaves Harry & father's bloc - 19 people" finished the Greengrass heiress

"Both sides have 47" summed up Tracey

"Meaning it's down to us" Daphne stated what was on everyone's minds, before raising her hands "I have no knowledge about what they're planning to do"

Everyone looked pointedly towards Harry "Do you know what Mrs. Tonks wants?" asked Ron

"Doesn't matter what she wants" jumped in Hermione "It's what he wants. She has to follow his decision." she said, looking at him critically

Both sides had been lobbying Andi & Benedict, the two clear leaders of the faction, even if it was unclear who was first and who was second. That was another question that would need to be addressed. Benedict had been in the house longer, but Harry held 2 more votes than him. That gap would only widen once they finally revealed the Black seat also belonged to him. However, as of now, they operated jointly, and mostly in harmony. As of now, both were taking meetings to discuss ramifications, favours and so forth. Harry knew what they were going to do, but he really wasn't in a mood to debate

"I don't know what they're planning" he lied, feeling a little guilty, but he extinguished it with the reasoning that he was entitled to a break. "That doesn't mean you can't answer the question" highlighted Hermione, wanting to hear what she wanted. And that was the reassurance that Harry would be helping to push it through.

"I dunno, I haven't read it, been too busy. Though I'll say they should go for a house debate before they put it up for vote" he answered diplomatically. There really wasn't anything they could say after that, or so he thought, for Hermione had a response ready "There's NO penalty for a wizard performing magic on a muggle if it's not attachable to another offence. So, we could just walk up to a muggle, take his mind and make him dance for us and wipe his memory, and we wouldn't be charged with anything. How immoral is that?"

"There's no blanket freedom" reminded Daphne "You commit an offence or make them do one using magic, you are doubly liable"

"So as long as we're just using them as playthings it's perfectly fine? They're entitled to their dignity too!"

"Do you really think you're the first to have thought of this?" Daphne said with a mocking tone "Do you have any idea how hard it will be to legislate on this? There's a myriad of things at the micro level, how are we supposed to go about them, huh?"

"Judgement. We try them. That's how justice works"

"By staying under such ridiculous surveillance? Tracking our every spell? Is it not enough that we are forced to hide like rodents?!" spat Daphne

"So Grindelwald was correct, then?" retorted the bushy-haired girl "We just take over the world and subjugate them?"

"Maybe he was! Clearly the muggles don't have a clue on how to run the world, with one war breaking out after another!"

"Alright, we're getting nowhere" Harry hurriedly interjected before Hermione could respond "Look Hermione, you might like them, but this is blatant pandering to get some votes. If they really wanna work on the code, they won't go straight for voting, but debate first. And Daphne" he began, turning to the girl "Really, have we been doing a good job at maintaining peace? And breaking the statute?"

"Well I don't enjoy living my life fearing them. And wizards would wipe the floor with muggles if we ever fought"

"Not that easy, but yeah we'd win" he agreed. Looking at Hermione wanting to protest, he quickly added "Oh come on, be real. What's their best weapon? Nukes? Yeah magical settlements aren't even on maps where they can fire. And we've enchantments against missiles. A normal shield will take care of regular fire. So, sure, they'd take a lot of us down with them, but we'd win" he concluded with belief

"A wizard is inherently more capable than a normal muggle. We have a gift, magic. We recover from diseases quicker, we are stronger, both physically and mentally. Even a child who's magical can take on several non-magical adults at once. That's not arrogance, that's just facts. We have something they don't understand, hence they fear it. Knowing the bleakness of their situation makes them hostile. Maybe in another age when technology puts them on some sort of even footing, then we can coexist. But until then, the minute we reveal ourselves, its war."

"But you could argue its not our fault. Like you said, we have a gift" opined Tracey

"With great power comes great responsibility" Harry reverberated the wisdom of Salazar "We have to make a choice between stubborn, painful and never-ending conflict or show restraint and live on peacefully. Besides, what is it that we lack? We can go out into their cities whenever we want, we can just bend the continuum of time and space itself and create a hidden new land for us to enjoy. We already have everything we could possibly need, except peace, that's the only thing we have to decide for ourselves. We have to find a balance between betraying what we have been blessed with and not living up to what we could be, and I know many people still agree with him, but Grindelwald was an extremity. And you what an extremity is? Polarizing. It breeds conflict by its very nature. We have to find a balance between the two"

"Spoken like a true Neutral" acknowledged Daphne "Well said, Harry. Who knew you had it in you?"

'Well certainly not me. But you wouldn't know till you try, huh?'

While neither of the two fully agreed with him, they were more towards their respective 'extremities' on the scale, they were appeased for the time being, and the conversation thankfully moved on less heavy, and more their age topics, like exams, gossips, and much to chagrin of one person in particular, Quidditch.

Inside the Chamber of Secrets, Reversed Time

"Flagello Ignis!" chanted Harry, successfully casting the flame-whip curse, a more manageable way for him to use his affinity for fire, or at least till he was older.

The whip itself seemed semi-fluid, and extended to just over two feet. So far, he hadn't learned on how to adjust its length, but that too would come with time. Something he had spades of now. An attempted strike on a smuggled training dummy (how wonderfully useful shrinking charms were) yielded a satisfactory result, meaning it was something the emerald-eyed boy could consider using, in one way or another.

Following the long session, Harry decided to call it a day, and went off to sleep, James and Lily immaterializing behind him.

"Sirius, a minute" Salazar asked in a notedly muted voice. "Yeah?" the Marauder replied softly, once he was sure Harry was out of earshot, putting up a Muffiliato just in case the boy eavesdropped. Harry could be sneaky when he wanted. "He won't be able to listen, go on" he informed the portrait.

"Very well" Slytherin acknowledged, tugging at his goatee, something he often did when in thought. "You are still not fully fit, psychologically speaking"

"I'm getting better, I can feel it. And with Harry around all the time now, I'm in decent shape."

"But a healer he is not."

"Yeah, well I don't exactly have access to those, do I" snorted Sirius. Salazar simply stared back intently, as if nudging him to think. Picking up on the signal, he decided to go through the list of people who knew of his innocence. "Harry, James and Lily are obviously out. Ted's expertise is physical injuries and curses, so not him either, or his wife. Dora's an auror... Who else... Greengrass?". At Salazar's nod he asked perplexedly "Benedict?". The older man shrugged "There is more than one Greengrass, Sirius"

"Elizabeth? Where's this coming from?!"

"I ask Harry to find out more about of everyone he's in contact with. Lady Greengrass, as her daughter told him, joined St Mungo's during the war, and worked for nearly three years in the post-trauma wing, before taking a break due to her pregnancy. She planned on going back to work once her children were older, however, her second child's malediction forced her to care for her full time. With that problem out of the way now, perhaps she would be willing to take you on as a 'patient'. I don't believe she would deny the request"

Sirius fell pensive, and after some (a lot of) persuasion, agreed to at least give it a go.

It was here that they told him they'd written to Elizabeth already, and that she too had agreed. They would be starting around the new year.

Naturally, a lot of good old fashioned British cursing followed.

"Why, though? Why go the extra mile? Why all this effort to make me 'as fit as possible'? "

"I merely wish for you to be able to fight as well as you can in the event Riddle manages to return"

"No" replied Sirius "That's not it, or at least not all of it. You and I both know I'm a tough son of a bitch, and even now, I'd be able to take on the worst DEs out there, and not even fully fit. If you wanted me to just fight as well as I could, we'd be working on something else... No, this is about preparing me for more mental agony... But, what could possibly affect me so much that I could be completely crippled?"

"I believe you already know the answer to that"

"I do" answered Sirius, eyeing Salazar with an unreadable emotion "You don't think Harry will survive, do you?" he whispered in the most resigned and hateful voice since he'd sworn revenge on Pettigrew

You guys know the reason, don't you?

Thanks for reading, see you all next time!