Chapter 34 : New Year's Showdown, Pt. 1
I do not own Harry Potter
Author's Notes:
1) I decided to split up the chapters because of the drastically different pacing I take towards the end. The bulk of this chapter is an easy-going flow to give some substance to the story. The second will hopefully give you some satisfying, engaging action.
Enjoy!
| Black Manor | Grimmauld Place | London | January 2, 1994 |
THE DAILY PROPHET
Lord Malfoy announces sabbatical, will not seek re-election
(by Samantha Roberts, Senior Correspondent)
"You sure about this security, Andi?" asked a worried Sirius as his eyes crossed the article again. Malfoy had decided to pull out of the electoral race.
Andromeda sighed "Yes, Sirius, we should be fine" she assured the lord-in-exile for the umpteenth time "Dier & Sanchez are a top defense firm"
"Right, Right" muttered the dog animagus "Sorry, I just... can't shake off this bad feeling"
"Sirius, I understand your concerns," Andi told him softly "In fact, I agree with them. I've already had them tighten everything up" assured the Potter proxy
"And what about Cavendish-"
Andromeda sighed, vexed by Sirius' constant 'inputs' concerning their work "No, I haven't offered Cavendish vassalage!"
Sirius had been pushing for Andromeda to make Piers an offer for making House Cavendish a vassal to House Potter. Andi expressed she felt the move wasn't right, but Sirius was adamant it would work. Following the wiping out of the McKinnons and the Andersons during the Voldemort War, the alliance House Cavendish was part of gradually fizzled away. Sirius reckoned Piers would be willing to accept a deal granting multi-faceted security to their family. They were currently vulnerable on all fronts - social, financial, and even survival if any conflicts were to break out. A blood feud was rare these days, but not impossible.
The Marauder proposed alongside the standard condition of a vassal house, that the vassal would answer take their banners when called upon, and the House they aligned themselves with would provide them protection in the face of mortal peril, they expand co-operation on multiple fronts. For starters, they could cut them in onto the action previously held by the Warrington's.
Sirius had thought of an elaborate agreement, but Andi kept shutting him down. 4
"...anything on Fawley?" he changed topics
"No" Andi replied shortly
"Hey" called out Sirius, picking up on her tone "I'm not the one that screwed up that negotiation," he said irritably, frustrated at constantly being humored like a child
"Sirius, why don't you stop manifesting your mother and criticize everything I do!" replied Andi equally incensed "What would YOU have done, huh?"
"I would've let things play out themselves!" bellowed Sirius "Her heiress was never going to agree to the arrangement, it was obvious! So instead of making us look like the bad guys you could've said 'ok, let's set them up on a date' and then let Gemma shoot down the idea. Hell, YOU could've taken the moral high ground and said how insulted you felt by Gemma's actions, we would've had her!" explained the Marauder.
"Benedict, I can understand why he wasn't thinking straight, he was tortured by the prospect of basically selling off his daughter for years. But you should've been able to play her like a fiddle!"
Andi had the decency to look sheepish. Sirius raised a good point, one which she had failed to see when it mattered. "Sirius-"
The secret floo-network crackled in its familiar tune, signaling a pending call. "It's probably Benedict." Andi looked back towards Sirius, who mumbled a "Go" before walking away to cool off.
Walking into the room, she observed the waiting face of Benedict Greengrass. "Ah, Andi. Nice to see your totally-under-Ministry-surveillance floo chimney is working"
"It is" nodded Andromeda "Got it from the same guy who installed yours, you know, the one other secret one you definitely told the Ministry about?" she commented amusedly with a raised eyebrow
"Fair enough" acknowledged the Wizengamot electee before abruptly quieting down"... it's D-Day," he said through the fire, his features underscoring his anticipation.
"6 months of work, one big showdown" reverberated Andi
"As long as all of us do our part, we'll be fine" encouraged Ben "I just called to say good luck... I'm heading in early to do some lobbying, I'll see you at the meeting"
"Sure" nodded Andi "...Ben!" she called out just as the man was about to disconnect
"Yeah?"
"... don't talk to Cavendish... I've gotta try something"
| 'Merlin's Retreat' Private Estate | Somewhere in the Midlands | Later that evening |
The Dorchester Hotel, a quintessential symbol of opulence, stood tall amidst the elegance of London's Mayfair district. As the evening sun dipped below the horizon, the hotel's grand façade came alive with a warm glow, emanating from the soft golden lights that adorned its ornate exterior. The entrance, flanked by elegantly dressed doormen, kept to ensure no Muggles got through, led guests through glistening glass doors into a world of grandeur.
Inside, the grand ballroom was a sight to behold. Crystal chandeliers hung from the intricately embellished ceiling, casting a dazzling array of light onto the polished marble floors. The walls were adorned with exquisite tapestries, depicting scenes of magical history intertwined with the heritage of the Potter and Black families. Long tables draped in rich fabrics were laden with delicacies prepared by masterful chefs, promising a culinary experience fit for royalty.
Renowned personalities dotted the room, adding to the palpable sense of prestige and importance. Among the important attendees were various influential figures from prominent families, as well as the Ministry, including DMLE Director Amelia Bones, Head Auror Rufus Scrimgeour, Director of the Department for International Magical Cooperation Barty Crouch, Sr. The Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge was a notable absentee in an event otherwise stacked attendance.
As the guests mingled and exchanged pleasantries, their eyes occasionally strayed to the center of the ballroom, where a grand dais stood adorned with the crests of House Potter and House Black. The anticipation in the air was almost tangible as they eagerly awaited the announcement that would mark the resurgence of these ancient and revered houses.
Amongst the guests, standing tall with poise and confidence, was Harry Potter himself. Clad in a tailored wizarding robe that bore the colors of both houses, he cut a striking figure, his iconic glasses and lightning bolt scar adding to his instantly recognizable presence.
As the event unfolded, and the ballroom buzzed with excitement and whispered conversations, Harry and Andromeda found a moment to step away from the crowd. Their dialogue was hushed, yet filled with intensity.
Andromeda looked at Harry, her expression warm and reassuring. "Harry, tonight is about more than just politics; it's also about perception. You need to make sure you're smiling throughout the night, even if you have to pretend a little. Your presence and demeanor can speak volumes to the wizarding community."
Harry nodded, understanding the importance of projecting confidence and unity. "You're right, Andi. I'll do my best to keep a smile on my face, no matter what."
"That's the spirit," Andromeda encouraged, placing a hand on his arm. "Now, let's go over our plans for the evening. Ben and I will take some discreet meetings on the side, ensuring that our allies are fully committed to the coalition. Later, we'll gather all members of our alliance for a strategic congregation."
"I'll be hosting an 'heir's meeting' during the ball, where I'll meet with the heirs and heiresses of other prominent families and individuals. It'll be a chance to build personal connections beyond our confirmed allies."
Andromeda nodded approvingly, "Exactly, Harry. Just remember, this meeting will have more than just our confirmed allies. So you need to be extra charming and careful, showcasing the qualities of a leader and a diplomat."
Harry looked a little nervous, but Andromeda gave him an encouraging smile. "You'll do brilliantly, I have no doubt... You have time before that happens, so go and meet up with your friends till then."
"Right, I should probably go actually" stated Harry "I promised to meet them right about now"
As the two split off once again, Harry took a moment to collect himself before finding his friends as planned.
Walking towards the spit they'd decided on, he could make out 5 figures standing by the edge of a fountain in one of the gardens; Daphne, Neville, Hermione, Ron, and Tracey were already waiting for him.
Harry greeted them enthusiastically, not having seen any of the Gryffindors since school was out.
As Ron moved in for a customary high-five, Harry's eyes fell on Daphne, who was looking towards the fountain.
Her designer gown was also floor-length but in a silver hue, adorned with crystals that sparkled just the right amount. Her skirt was cascaded in layers of silk and tulle, while her bodice featured a combination of silver and green embellishments, an homage to her Hogwarts house, as was her emerald necklace.
Suddenly, a slight awkwardness crept in. He quickly averted his gaze which he feared he'd kept on the girl a moment too long, feeling self-conscious that others might notice and construe his prolonged glance as something more than just admiration.
To add to his embarrassment, he realized he'd missed completely what Ron had been saying to him.
His only clue had been the redhead chuckling. Looking over to the fellow Gryffindor, he gave a snicker (hopefully) convincingly and rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, seriously!" exclaimed Ron with a hearty laugh.
'Phew dodged a bullet there'
"So when is the rest of the Weasley gang coming?" he changed topics
"Fred & George came with me but they took off" informed Ronald "Mum and Dad decided to skip, said they just wouldn't fit in. They did say thank you, though, and want you over before we go back to Hogwarts. Percy's busy interning, Ginny wanted to come but Mum said she was too young... oh, and Bill's coming a little later, he wasn't expecting an invite" he said counting off everyone on his fingers.
Then, in trademark Ron fashion, he changed the subject without waiting on any sort of acknowledgment of his last "Anyways, bloody hell mate, some party this" the chess enthusiast remarked with a look around. He looked, expectedly, out of place, but seemed to be holding himself together generally. He was sporting a formal robe Harry had insisted on gifting him. It was in maroon with a modest amount of golden embroidery, exhibiting Gryffindor and Chudley Cannon colors without being too obnoxious or pricey.
"Gotta give it to you Har," Neville said at once "You know how to throw a party"
Neville was dressed in traditional but well-tailored robes, fitting his status as the scion of an Ancient family. It was a little hard to tell with the robes, but he also looked slimmer.
"Andi's handiwork, not mine" corrected Harry "Everything from the location to the wine was picked by her"
"Speaking of wine, do you think one of the bartenders will sneak me some alcohol?" asked Tracey with an innocent look. The Davis girl wore a charming and sophisticated gown that suited her style. The gown had subtle lace detailing on the bodice and a tasteful satin ribbon around the waist. She chose to wear her hair in an elegant updo, with a pair of pearl earrings adding a touch of refinement to her ensemble.
"No." replied Harry with a comedic urgency "And no, I'm not asking them to serve a 14-year-old girl Firewhisky either" he added before Tracey could.
"Thanks for having us, Harry. By the way, you look dashing!" complimented Hermione with a small smile.
"You're looking quite lovely yourself, 'Mione" returned Harry, making the Gryffindor blush. She was wearing a floor-length gown of a classic cut with a fitted bodice and a flowing skirt, made of rich black silk. Delicate silver embroidery adorned the neckline and sleeves, adding a touch of sparkle.
But by far the most notable was her hair. The typically bushy, curly strands were replaced tonight by smooth, silky hair that cascaded gracefully over her shoulders.
"You've seen me notice, so I'll just say it - your hair looks fantastic" acknowledged Harry. The usually unassuming Gryffindor looked quite pretty today, even Malfoy would have a hard time denying that.
"Thanks, Harry" she smiled again "It was a right menace, took me and mum almost an hour, but I'm glad it turned out well"
He then turned his attention to the other Slytherin, who'd been quiet so far. "And you too, Daphne!" he added with his gaze fixated on her face, and an uncharacteristically stiff smile
"Why, thank you, Harry. You don't look half bad yourself" she stated with a polite smile.
"Aren't you being all sweet-talking tonight" opined Tracey with a coy smile "What's the deal Potter, looking for a girlfriend?"
"Well you're the only girl here I haven't complimented yet, so what does that tell you?" quipped the raven-haired boy.
"That's because you know I'm out of your league" retorted the Slytherin with a sassy hair-flip
"Sure, whatever helps you sleep at night"
"Some whiskey would - kidding, kidding!" she backtracked immediately, making the rest laugh at her antics as Harry found himself relaxing before what was going to be a complicated affair.
Meanwhile, back at Grimmauld Place
"Remus, good to see you," Sirius greeted the werewolf who'd just joined him. The dog animagus was pacing back and forth in the drawing room of Black Manor, unable to shake off the gnawing feeling of unease.
"Sirius," Remus replied, nodding in greeting. "How have you been holding up?"
"I can't complain," Sirius said with a weary smile. "As well as one can when they're wanted for a crime they didn't commit."
"Better than being in Azkaban, I suppose" commented the Professor, seating himself on an armchair. "Andi warned me you're particularly anxious today"
"Did she?" inquired the Marauder, seating himself opposite his old friend. His leg was visibly twitching, with crisscross lines marring his usually jocular demeanor.
"Even if she didn't, you're not exactly hiding it" observed Remus "So, tell me. Apart from the usual fear of being rendered inanimate by a flock of soul-sucking prison guards for whom your capture is now a matter of pride, that is"
Sirius flipped Remus the bird in response, eliciting a chuckle from both of them.
"It's this ball we're having" he spoke eventually "I-It's probably nothing, but I just think they need to watch out... We've made a lot of enemies recently"
Remus bobbed his head in acknowledgement "True, but why risk trying something in public? And in such circumstances - There's that firm you hired, the hotel's security, on top of that there's the mandatory Auror protection around senior Ministry officials, plenty of whom are in attendance... There are much easier opportunities to target either Harry or Andi. I'd say to the point of why bother?"
"Uh-uh" opposed Sirius "Remember, we ruined many "big days" for Lucius Malfoy. Spoiling one of ours is the least he could do to return the favor"
"Hotel has good security, but it's not infallible" continued the Marauder "First, it's a big venue, so there's lots of room to exploit. They figure out a way to override the wards who knows how long they'll be able to keep everyone trapped in there? A single mole in ANY of the security teams and it's all useless anyways. And most of all, they could use any of the dozens of portkeys we gave out!"
"Remus, you don't understand," Sirius began, his voice tense. "Lucius Malfoy is as cold-blooded and calculative as they come. No one could ever prove it, but I'm certain he orchestrated the murder of his brother so that he could take command of the Malfoy family. And in case you've forgotten, he was able to forge and plant an entire bloody file of my supposed trial! This man is wired deep into the system and he's out for blood!"
Remus' pallor became more grave with each reminder of Malfoy's history. "So what do you suggest we do?" he asked, knowing that his friend was not one to panic without reason.
And the last time he was this worried, James and Lily were killed.
"I want to go to the venue," Sirius said, determination in his eyes. "We can watch from a distance. That way, we can keep an eye on things without alerting the protective wards around the party."
"But Sirius, you can't risk being seen," Remus protested, worried for his friend's safety.
"I promise you, Remus, I won't get involved unless there's danger," Sirius replied earnestly. "But with that being said, I won't let history repeat itself. I won't let anyone else I care about be harmed," he stated resolutely.
Remus hesitated, torn between his concern for Sirius and the need to keep Harry and the others safe. "...Alright, but I'll go with you, and you have to promise me that you'll stay under a Disillusionment Charm. In the remote possibility that you have to get involved, you will disguise yourself magically."
Sirius nodded, "Agreed."
With their plan in place, Remus and Sirius prepared for the event. Remus cast Disillusionment Charms on them both, rendering them invisible to the naked eye. They apparated to a hidden vantage point near the venue, making sure to stay far enough to avoid triggering any magical alarms.
From their concealed position, they observed the grand event unfolding. The lights shimmered, and laughter filled the air as guests mingled inside the protected party area. They watched and waited, hearts pounding with anticipation.
Time passed slowly, but the night remained uneventful. The wards held strong, and no signs of trouble arose...
Back at the venue,
The dueling practice sextet joined up and broke off in one way or another several times throughout the evening.
After some time with them initially, they only saw their host sporadically over the course of the evening, though that wasn't exactly unforeseeable. Both Neville and Daphne also split off to accompany their respective family members, and would only be back briefly before departing again. Since Tracey had barely any interaction with them outside of their dueling practice, she too wandered off to socialize with other familiars.
That left Ron and Hermione. They too could make out some recognizable faces, but in a rare occurrence over the past few months, they chose to converse just by themselves.
"You know Harry's gonna blow a gasket if he finds out we gave Dumbledore anything more than the time of the day, right?" spoke Ron in a hushed voice
"I know, I feel guilty too" Hermione bit her lip "But let's be honest Ronald, they weren't letting us go until they got something"
"You know I was thinking, you reckon he did that on purpose... ya know, the setting the parents on us?" suspected the redhead
"Obviously, Ron" Hermione rolled her eyes "Though I suppose I should give you a medal for the fact that you picked up on that"
Both friends shared a chuckle, a welcome change from their incessant squabbling.
"I figured out that much right from the start" explained the brunette "That's why I chose to tell them about Sirius"
"Wha-"
"Let me explain" Hermione paused Ron "There are loads of things we could have said - Harry used to disappear now and then without a trace, you mentioned you saw him sneak into the dorm early in the morning a couple of times, then there's that incident where you swore he saw perfectly even though he didn't have his specs on. How did his eyes heal all of a sudden?"
"But most importantly, we've made sure they don't feel like Harry's keeping things from us, even though both of us know there are some things he's not explaining. If the Headmaster feels we're not a reliable source of information, he might try and get involved more... directly"
"That's prolly smart" agreed Ron "But still, we did reveal one thing he specifically asked us not to"
Hermione sighed. "Ron I get we went behind his back... but come on! For all of Harry's good traits, he's been too stubborn about this, ironically enough! Professor Dumbledore is very well connected, I think he could help Sirius Black!"
"Exactly how, Hermione?" asked Ron with a twisted brow "If it could come to the point where Dumbledore could help, this wouldn't have been a problem in the first place"
"Black was part of the Order of the Phoenix, and I think that alone entitles the Professor to at least know his man wasn't a traitor!" reasoned Hermione "And he'll be on the lookout for Pettigrew now too"
"Hermione" halted Ron "Don't use yesterday as an excuse to go behind his back. Just warning you. I backed you yesterday, but I won't next time" The Gryffindor put his foot down.
"I'm not too sure about Dumbledore's "help" myself" declared Ron "I saw how his relatives kept him, Hermione. He was a bloody prisoner there... Dumbledore's not done right by him, and he wants to make the Headmaster realize that. I don't care what you feel about this - it's not a safety issue, and neither does it concern us. It's a personal problem between the two, and I'm not snitching on my friend anymore!" Ron ended with zeal.
"Then what do you want us to do?" questioned Hermione "Because this isn't the last time anyone's prying us for information, that's for sure"
"...We let him in on it" proposed Ron after a long pause "We tell him what's happening, why we think he should let us pass on information - so that Dumbledore doesn't explore alternatives since he's sure we're telling him everything important - and then he can tell us what he feels we can tell if pressed. Dumbledore is off his back, and anything too important or private is still protected."
Hermione was somewhat impressed with the Gryffindor's plan. It was simple but effective. Giving the boy an appraising nod, she said "That's quite cunning Ronald, you might get along with the Slytherins after all"
"I'll take a rain check on that one" snickered the redhead.
"Harry, do you like Daphne?" Neville asked suddenly. It was just the two of them at the moment.
"Wha-" Harry gave a puzzled expression "Where'd you get that?" he asked in a tone that was less disinterested than he would have liked
"Well, you were staring at her for a bit so..."
"We're third years, Neville! We're not supposed to start dating until we're in Year 4!" objected the green-eyed boy
"So you'll like her starting from September 1st?"
"I didn't say that" negated Harry firmly " I just, you know what - shut up"
"Do you think she's pretty?" continued Neville despite Harry's clear preference to the contrary
"You blind, mate? Of course, I think she's pretty, look at her!"
"Those are some strong feelings on the matter, Harry. I think you-"
"Nope, not doing this" mumbled Harry before plugging his ears with his fingers and humming, drowning out any other sound as the other boy began laughing out loud.
Harry's intrigued gaze moved across the roundtable, registering the eighteen-strong attendance. Thanks to Andi taking him through everyone's "file", he was able to recognize everyone present. Most seemed to be around his age, but he could make out a couple of NEWT-level students, as well as some who were younger than him.
Neville and Daphne were on either side of him, each followed by persons of varying acquaintance. Cedric Diggory was seated three seats down from him. While the Hufflepuff wasn't from an "established" family, as they were called, he was the son of a well-respected senior Ministry official, Amos Diggory.
Benedict and Amos were batchmates and old friends, but Diggory's resume went beyond just nepotism. Talented and considered the best in his year at Hogwarts, he had a likable personality alongside good looks. Benedict had scouted the fifth year as a prospect recently and wanted both Harry and Daphne to use this opportunity to establish connections with him.
Harry saw for the first time Marcus Ogden, heir to the popular Firewhisky company who didn't attend Hogwarts. He also noticed the presence of children of important members of their alliance, a couple of Hogwarts seniors who were attending only as a courtesy, and representatives of some prospective members.
The atmosphere in the room buzzed with anticipation as the attendees engaged in scattered chit-chat and whispered conversations. Harry felt a pang of discomfort, unsure of how to take control of the meeting. While his progress had been undeniable, he still grappled with moments of shyness and introversion.
Daphne noticed Harry's unease and the hesitancy in his eyes. With a subtle touch, she signaled her support, assuring him that she was there to help.
Clearing her throat, the Slytherin stood gracefully, capturing the room's attention. "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for being here today," she began, her voice steady and confident. "We are honored by having the pleasure of hosting your benign presence"
As Daphne spoke, the room fell silent, and all eyes turned toward her. Harry felt a sense of gratitude toward his friend, recognizing that she was taking the lead to ease him into the role he was expected to play.
"On behalf of the House of Greengrass, I extend our sincere appreciation for those who have already joined us in this endeavor, as well as to those who have provided us their kind consideration" Daphne continued. "We aim to unite, to forge stronger bonds, and to work together for the betterment of our world. We face challenges that are not limited to a single-family or house. Together, we have the power to create change for a benevolent future, a future that will be in our hands. "
Her words were met with nods of approval, and Harry felt a surge of admiration for Daphne's poise and ability to rally the room. As she introduced him, Harry knew it was time to step in and take control.
"And now, it is my honor to introduce the host of this meeting, the person at the epicenter of this initiative, a boy tales of whose courage and strength I'm sure all of us are aware," Daphne said, turning toward Harry. "Please welcome Harry Potter-Black, Heir to the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter, Acting Lord of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black."
With the spotlight now on him, Harry felt a mix of nerves and determination. He gave Daphne a grateful nod, acknowledging her support, and then stood up, his gaze scanning the room.
"Thank you, Daphne, especially for announcing all those titles so I don't have to," he said with a laugh, his voice carrying more confidence than he initially felt. "I am honored to be here among all of you ."
Harry took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. The room was attentive, waiting for his next words.
"I know you're all expecting some sort of long speech, personally feel we should use this rare opportunity to first discuss something other than business and politics and whatnot" he declared, sweeping his gaze across the table. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Daphne raise her eyebrow ever so subtly. "Because Merlin, in a few years that's all we'll do"
The one moment he had to wait for a reaction was perhaps the longest in his life, as he stood in the middle of a room packed with strangers all of whom were eyeing him expectantly. Had his little attempt at kickstarting a group conversation fallen flat, he would've melted into his chair out of embarrassment.
But thankfully it didn't.
Everyone's attention was drawn to Ogden, who was giggling heartily.
"Ain't that the truth," remarked the spirits heir "I've got a lifetime of selling whiskey ahead of me, so I think I'll take one night of talking about myself!"
"I agree with Heir Potter" spoke up one of the Wallace children, whose name Harry couldn't recall. "I, for one could do with just a relaxing conversation free from all the political rambling"
There was a low murmuring of approval, as well as some nodding from around the table.
Smiling, Harry continued "Brilliant! I'm Harry, a third-year student at Hogwarts" He stretched his arms out
"Ryan Wallace, please call me Ryan," said the boy whose name Harry couldn't recall "With me is my younger sister, Ava. I'm a fourth-year, and she's a secondie. We are both homeschooled, but I'll be joining Hogwarts next year"
"Homeschooled?" inquired Harry, sitting down.
"Yep" affirmed Ava "Both of us and a small group of childhood friends... we're taught by ours and their parents"
"And why the change, if that's not too personal?" spoke up Cedric for the first time, a curious look on his face
"Hogwarts is a difficult place to be" spoke Ryan bluntly "Even more so for our community, a Gypsy tribe that migrated to Britain together a few decades ago, was very isolated until recently. Our parents wanted us to be old enough to be able to deal with... well 'outside' I guess."
"Besides, it's always better to join one of the big schools for OWLs" weighed in Ava "One of my friends is going to Beauxbatons because they offer a better pre-medical study"
"Well I personally love Hogwarts, but can't say there's much wrong with that" spoke another whose name Harry couldn't remember.
"Hogwarts is good, but it's not for everybody" reckoned Ogden
Harry turned to him with an inquisitive look, curious to hear his perspective.
"Well, for starters, it's really expensive" the sixth-year ticked off on his finger "So that's a lot of people out. Unless you're in a senior ministry position or your kid gets his hands on one of the scholarships, it's out of reach for many"
Harry couldn't disagree with that. Prestigious as it was, Hogwarts was easily the most expensive school in the country. As dead-end a job as Arthur Weasley had, he was fortunate he was at the designation of 'Head of Department', a position that brought the perk of free tuition and hostel. Otherwise, he could probably afford to send no more than one or two of his seven kids to Hogwarts.
"There's all the elitism and constant politics which no matter how hard you try, you're not escaping. Some parents don't want their kids exposed at that, at least at 11" reasoned Ogden "Hogwarts is unquestionably the best, but other schools are pretty alright too. Manchester, St. Andrews, Cardiff... even my local community school. I think we have more than decent teachers"
"You go a community school?" inquired James Boot, a senior Ravenclaw
Apart from the major schools, there was a sprinkling of local, or 'community' schools as they were called, attended by the local wizarding populace. These little hubs were the backbone of the magical community and made up an overwhelming majority of all wizards-in-training.
"Not 'a' community school, my family's community school" corrected Ogden
After some brief discussion, the topic inevitably came to the Boy Who Lived. Harry engaged in polite conversation about his interests, which the rest learned included DADA and Quidditch.
However, after a certain point, their patience expectedly ran out. Ogden raised the question in everyone's minds, triggering a chain of similar responses.
"Heard some mad stories about you, Harry," said Stuart, a first-year who was the son of an alliance member. He saw enthusiastic nods from the other younger ones, as well as obvious interest from the rest.
"So have I" seconded Ava "We all read about that incident with the dementors, but I've also heard some wild rumors about the Chamber of Secrets!"
"And what's the story behind that Professor of yours?" questioned the other Wallace "Is it true Hogwarts was housing the Philosopher's Stone? Heir Longbottom, Miss Greengrass?" he directed the question to his presently known associates.
"Call me Daphne, please... and to answer your question - Unfortunately, or fortunately, rather, I don't have much knowledge about those events either" stated the Slytherin.
Harry eyed Neville and saw that the boy seemed to have no intentions to comment on the matter either. Thankfully he'd prepared an answer, having foreseen such an occurrence.
"I guess I should go by the chronological order. Honestly, I-"
BAAAAAANNNNG!
A loud explosion crackled across the room, its sound so loud that it left those in the room rung for several moments. The room shook violently, causing Harry and the others to be thrown from their seats, crashing onto the floor. The force of the explosion sent shockwaves through the air, leaving them disoriented and shaken.
RIIIINNNNNNNNNNNG!
'Emergency alarm' realized Harry.
"Ward breach!" warned Cedric getting to his feet.
'That explains why it felt like it came from above'
Harry supported himself with the table, his head throbbing from the initial impact. Through the window blinds, he could see smoke had set in.
"Rennervate!" chanted the Gryffindor, as a wave of refreshment washed him over.
"Good thinking" complimented Cedric, as he and others capable of casting the spell repeated the trick.
"You okay, Nev?" asked the emerald-eyed boy with a concerned look
"...Yeah, I think" replied the blonde boy "Bumped my head... don't worry I know the spell" he assured Harry.
With a nod, Harry turned to the other side, only to find Daphne fallen over, squirming painfully on the ground. "Daphne!"
As Harry gently helped Daphne sit up, the girl let out a shriek of pain. Alerted of an injury somewhere around her right hand, he carefully set her down on her seat and knelt beside her, his concern etched on his face.
"Daphne, are you okay?" he asked softly, trying to hide his worry.
"My... my right hand," she managed to say, her voice trembling with tears.
Harry examined her hand, and as he gently probed her wrist and fingers, he realized the extent of the damage. It was worse than he feared. Daphne's wrist and last two fingers were broken due to the way she landed from the harsh push generated by the blast.
The injury was too severe for him to be able to heal it. He looked around, hoping to find someone who could assist. He spotted Boot, a seventh-year student, but it was evident that the boy was nursing a painful head injury and couldn't offer any aid.
"Cedric!" Harry called out, turning to the Hufflepuff. "Daphne's hand is badly injured. Can you help?"
Cedric rushed over, concern etched on his face as he saw Daphne's condition. "Sorry mate, but no. She's got too many dislocations" The Hufflepuff shook his head.
"I'll take a look outside," he said urgently before slipping out of the room to avoid letting the smoke in.
He turned his attention back to Daphne, knowing he had to do what he could to alleviate her pain.
"Try to stay still, Daphne," Harry said gently. "I'll cast a bandaging spell, but I have to wrap it tighter than usual to support your hand better."
Daphne nodded, tears still streaming down her face. Harry carefully cast the spell, focusing on stabilizing her injuries as best he could.
"I have some Wiggenweld potion," Harry said, reaching into his pocket and handing her the shrunken flask. "Take a sip; it will help with the pain."
"Thank you, Harry," Daphne said, her voice weak but appreciative.
Before Harry could respond, Cedric hurriedly returned, panic evident in his expression.
"I saw figures of armed men downstairs in the courtyard," Cedric exclaimed, his voice shaking. "They're attacking the hotel."
Harry rushed over to the window and joined Cedric, peering outside.
'Black robes, silver mask, they're-'
"Death Eaters," Cedric said in a low voice. In horror, they watched as one group of attackers blasted a wall open, firing spells into the main ballroom.
Thankfully, they also saw return fire.
"Merlin... Dad, your friends... everyone's in there" mumbled Cedric.
Both of them then saw another group of Death Eaters splitting off, clearly searching for someone specific. Realization struck them that the attackers were well-informed and knew that Harry and the others would be in a different room around this time.
"Cedric, does your Portkey still work?"
The Prefect procured the invitation from his pocket and spoke the password, but nothing happened. His expression turned grim as he looked back at Harry, confirming his suspicion.
"They broke through the wards and put down their own," informed Cedric, his voice tense. "We're trapped inside."
Harry's heart sank at the revelation. They were cut off from any means of escape, and the attackers were closing in. He knew they had to act fast.
"We have no other choice then," Harry said, his voice firm with determination. "We'll have to fight."
Cedric nodded, his face a mix of fear and resolve. "Let's move out with anyone who can help... Best we keep them clear off of this place"
Harry agreed with Diggory. The room had a lot of young children, many of whom were already injured. The Death Eaters would find them at some point anyways, so it would be better if the fighting break out away from them.
"Count me in" volunteered Marcus, some dried blood patched across his face. "You sure you wanna come, Harry? Even we're out of our depth here."
"Can you do shields and stunners?"
"Yes" nodded Harry "I can do shield-breakers too, and I'm fast"
Marcus looked to Cedric, who gave him a nod.
"Alright," said Ogden, before looking around the room "Darn, we could've used Boot but he's out"
"I can't do much in a fight, but I know some healing spells. I can look after the injured here" said Wallace
"I'll do what I can with my off-hand" offered Daphne, before offering Harry the remaining flask of Wiggenweld. Harry was reluctant, but Daphne pressed him to accept, "You need it more than I do if you're going out there"
"I'm coming with you" declared Neville with resolution.
"Nev-"
"My stunner's a little iffy, but I can do shields"
"...Alright" agreed Harry after a small pause "But stay out of their line of sight"
"Seriously, Longbottom." warned Cedric "These guys are ruthless, in case that ward collapse didn't make it obvious. You're not coming if you don't agree"
"Got it" conceded Neville eventually
"Alright, let's move out," said Ogden, slipping out of the room as hushed as he could. The other three joined him outside and moved across the corridor under the cover of the railing wall.
TO BE CONTINUED
OMAKE:
"What?" asked a perplexed Andi
"I said" Sirius puffed his chest "I'm just Ken and I'm (k)enough, and I'm good at doing stufffff!"
Needless to say, Dier & Sanchez might not be a great defensive partnership after all (just ask a Spurs fan)
That's all for now, see you next time!