Harry Potter and the Founders' Vault
Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling.
Facebook: Fanfiction Millma Verse
Note 1: This is a chapter I've been very much looking forward to. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
Note 2: Happy New Years! Our first post for our Harry Potter story in 2025 and since we have been posting the second Tuesday of every month this falls on my birthday. So, enjoy and as a birthday present to me remember to review.
Climb Every Mountain
Harry was pacing back and forth in the empty Common Room, his communication notebook in his hand. He had made sure to use an alarm that would get him up earlier than anyone else – even on a Hogsmeade weekend it was easy on a Saturday to make sure the Common Room was empty if you woke up early enough.
"Come on…" Harry mumbled and then his notebook made a sound – it was Harper, stating she was in front of the portrait of the Fat Lady.
Harry ran forward, opening the portrait from the inside to see his sister there. She was rubbing her eyes as she leaned against a wall.
"Took you long enough," Harry said.
"It's so early I am not even sure I was meant to be out of my Common Room," Harper joked.
"We are allowed to go to Hogsmeade now," Harry pointed out. "Now get in here."
"Into Gryffindor Common Room?" Harper asked.
"Come on. Get in," Harry said, and Harper shrugged, climbing through the open portrait hole.
"Nice," Harper remarked on the large room, full of portraits, carpets and comfy chairs. "I didn't really get to look around here last time I was let in" Professor McGonagall in their second year had let her into Gryffindor Tower to get Lucy when Harry was in the Hospital Wing overnight.
"Yeah, Slytherin is pretty nice too," Harry said. Harper and him had been in Slytherin Common room before second year when they arrived early due to missing the train. "Remind me we need to get Neville and Hermione to let us into Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw eventually." Harper giggled at that and gave a nod. "Now, bathroom there, change fast," Harry said, tossing clothes at Harper.
"Are these my hiking clothes?" Harper asked. "And my hiking and climbing equipment? You brought them with us?"
"Yes, now change!" Harry said, opening the Common Room bathroom door – there was a small boy's and girl's bathroom just off from the main common room, as well as larger boy's and girl's bathroom, including bath and shower facilities situated in both dormitory areas. It was the same in all the house dormitories.
Harper, though, rushed into the bathroom and came out a few minutes later, changed into the clothes and grabbing the backpack.
"What are we doing Harry?" Harper asked as Harry tossed her a bagel and Harper, impressed he had thought of breakfast.
"We are going to go find a Griffin," Harry said, and Harper raised an eyebrow as Harry opened the portrait again and the two walked out.
They didn't hear the footsteps or see Ron Weasley in his robes coming down from the Boys Dormitory, though.
"Griffin?" Ron said. "Harry, Harper wait!" Ron quickly threw on his shoes and ran after them, not seeing Ginny coming down the other staircase, watching her brother leave and shrugging.
-Harry Potter-
Harry and Harper had left the castle easily enough, passing the teepees of the Grand Canyon Academy camp, Harry seeming to be walking faster than Harper had ever seen as they took the trail toward Hogsmeade itself.
"So, let me get something straight," Harper said as they headed toward Hogsmeade. "Last year you saw a Griffin flying in the mountains and came up with an elaborate plan to climb it to see a wild Griffin?" She had deduced all this from the climbing gear and remembering the year before when Harry had told her about seeing a griffin in the mountains. "You signed us up for the Wilderness Training class last summer. You got maps and directions on how hard this mountain is to climb. And in all that time you didn't think to tell me any of this?"
"I just figured you would go along with it," Harry said as they reached Hogsmeade in record time, Harry still taking the lead as they moved through the village, and to the mountains beyond.
"I'd disagree, but here I am, about to climb a mountain with you," Harper said and Harry laughed. "What other wild animals are in this mountain. Yetis?"
"Higher up than we need to go for the Griffin," Harry said. "We should be far from them."
"Trolls and Manticores?" Harper asked.
"Possible," Harry said. "But you and I can deal with them. Besides once we get high enough, we would be away from them. They don't like going too high."
Harper decided not to question it as they moved past the outskirts of the village, climbing over a gate and started making their way over a rocky outcrop. They passed a cave in the side of the rocks which Harry used as reference on his maps, starting to hike up the ridge. Harper gave a sigh as she began to climb with her brother.
The truth was, this mountain did seem an easy climb compared to some of the things they had to do back during their classes – although given they were in the autumn months in Scotland, it was definitely colder than those in Arizona, but after nearly four years they were used to the cold of this part of the world. There was an easy path to follow though, and it seemed to lead up, with the two experienced climbers taking note on their path, knowing the proper spells to use.
"Do you hear someone calling our names?" Harper suddenly asked as they stopped for a drink – something else Harry had packed.
"Now, that you mention it. Yeah, for a while. Like an echo. Seems to be getting louder," Harry said as the two paused and turned around, looking back down to the way they had come. Harry took a pair of binoculars out of his bag and used them to look down the trail. "Oh damn…"
Harry passed the tool over to Harper, who looked where Harry had been looking.
"Damn it," Harper said. "How the hell did he follow us?"
"Should we wait here?" Harry asked.
"If we don't, he'll be eaten by a Manticore," Harper said, and Harry had to laugh as the two waited still for a moment until Ron Weasley came into normal eyesight.
"You two are fast!" Ron said once he was near them; he seemed out of breath and Harry and Harper knew right away he had never done a hike like this before. He was very out of breath, too.
"Ron, what are you doing here?" Harry asked.
"I heard you two talking about seeing a Griffin. I want the feathers," Ron said giving a smile, catching his breath.
"Seriously?" Harper asked rolling her eyes but kind of finding it amusing – lately, if any animals were mentioned that could be used in a wand core, Ron suddenly showed up. He had even asked Newt Scamander about Hagrid's Blast Ended Screwts before the Magizoologist had taken them away, but Newt had dissuaded the teen from it. "What do you want to do, Harry?" Harper turned to her brother at this.
"I'm not backing down and it's too dangerous to send him back alone. He's coming up with us," Harry said. "Cast the rope spell on him."
"Rope spell?" Ron asked, frowning, as Harper took out her wand.
"Just a spell that connects us, so we don't end up separated," Harper said pointing at Ron and mumbling the incantation under her breath. "Muggles use ropes when climbing so that's why it's called the rope spell; it's a safety issue… and take these." Harper took her balance sticks and handed them to Ron. "They will help you keep your balance. You need them more than me." She figured she could transfigure two normal sticks into balance sticks too, given she had been taught the spell in their climbing classes in the summer.
Harry and Harper started their climb again with Ron now in tow. It was simple to tell though Ron was slowing them down; the Gryffindor wasn't used to hiking or the climbing, but they needed to do to get up the mountain. He also needed to stop more than them and drink more water, which he didn't think to bring his own so Harry and Harper had to give him one of their bottles and refill with the Aguamenti spell.
"Where did all this snow come from?" Ron finally asked at one point, taking breaths.
"There is snow on top of mountains," Harry said pausing. "Come on, let take a break and eat lunch."
Ron dropped to the floor at that as Harper herself too went to sit on a nearby rock, putting her transfigured balance sticks to the side as Harry went into his bag.
"You're lucky I asked Dobby to pack us food – he packed enough for four people for breakfast, lunch, and dinner," Harry said, taking out packs of sandwiches and passing them out.
"Is Dobby also watching Lucy for the day?" Harper asked.
"Yes," Harry said.
"Who's Dobby?" Ron asked as he unwrapped the sandwich.
"The headmaster's personal House Elf," Harry said.
"He used to be owned by the Malfoys until we tricked Lucious into freeing him," Harper added.
"So, he kind of loves us. Comes in handy," Harry added as the two started eating their own sandwiches
Harper nearly jumped, though, when she felt something come onto her leg but smiled when she saw it was a cold Salamander – part of the magical newt family. "Hey there," Harper said, taking some meat off her sandwich and giving it to the Salamander, who ate it happily and then let out a happy cold breath making Harper laugh.
"Smile," Harry suddenly said, and Harper turned to him noticing he had taken out a camera and took a picture of Harper and her friend. Harper smiled and held out one hand in a thumbs up. The Salamander seemed to get it and turned to Harry as well.
"Where did you get the camera?" Harper asked, giving the Salamander a little bit more of the meat before continuing to eat after Harry was done.
"Borrowed from Colin Creevy, but I should really buy my own. All the photos we have of our time here are ones other people took," Harry said.
"You know, I didn't ask but what does your boyfriend and your girlfriend think you are doing?" Ron asked them, making the two turn to him.
"Cedric knew I had plans with Harry, not what, since I didn't know until today," Harper said.
"I told Enola I was practicing for the First Task," Harry said, giving a laugh at that.
"Dump her," Harper said, and Harry responded by throwing a snowball at Harper, which she dodged with a laugh. "You know you want to."
"I'll figure it out," Harry sighed.
"Um… you know… I have some inside information on the First Task. It really will help. You see my brother, –" Ron started, but was stopped by both Harry and Harper throwing snowballs at him, shocking the boy.
"Sorry Ron, but Grand Canyon Academy has a strict code of conduct when it comes to Tournaments. Cheating in a Tournament will cause harsh punishment – even expulsion. I am doing this as a Grand Canyon student, so I will honor that code. I am not supposed to know what I will face until day of so I will not know what I will face," Harry explained.
"But…" Ron said.
"Ron, keep your mouth shut or I will cast the Silenco charm on you," Harper said.
"She took the words right out of my mouth," Harry said, finishing his sandwich and taking a sip of water. "We'll rest here for a bit longer, but we're burning daylight. We're already behind my estimate of where we should be; if we want to get up to the Griffin's nest and back down before dark, we need to pick up the pace a bit."
"Really?" Ron asked.
"No one forced you to come. In fact, no one invited you," Harper joked with the boy who stuck out his tongue at her. Both finished their lunch and cleaned up after themselves to continue the climb.
Harper smiled as the Salamander jumped on her shoulder before she stood up. "Are you coming, too, Frosty?" Harper asked, to what seemed like a positive response from the Salamander.
"Why Frosty?" Ron asked as he got up to and started following the two again.
"Frosty the Snowman, was a jolly happy soul…" Harper and Harry sang together, confusing Ron as the two continued the song and the newly named Frosty made noises as if singing along. The muggle song hadn't made its way into the British Magical Community – yet.
-Harry Potter-
The group had to stop a few more times – for Ron to rest mostly – but Harry smiled as they came upon a Griffin nest. It wasn't too dissimilar from a bird's nest, although it was made from actual full branches rather than twigs. They weren't all the way to the top, though, but a little over halfway up. The nest appeared empty though, as they got closer, they saw four baby Griffins in the nest.
"Oh, how cute," Ron said, moving forward, for both Harry and Harper to grab him back.
"You touch a wild baby Griffin and Griffin Mama and Papa will find you and rip you apart," Harry said. "There are some feathers on the floor near the nest; you can grab them, but do not touch the babies."
Ron gave a nod and slowly went to collect the feathers, keeping a good distance from the babies as Harry took some pictures of the offspring. "Mama Griffin probably went to get some food, not sure on Papa Griffin. Give me the binoculars, Harry. I'll keep an eye for them," Harper said, and Harry nodded, passing them to Harper as he continued his pictures, including taking a couple of Ron collecting his prizes for climbing the mountain.
"Incoming," Harper called a few moments later, and Harry grabbed Ron and pulled him farther away from the nest as an adult Griffin landed. Ron seemed scared, but Harry held out a hand, the Griffin eyeing them.
"No sudden movements," Harry said, going into his bag and taking out a pile of magical creature food. Frosty made a noise from Harper's shoulder but Harper pet him to stop him from moving as Harry put the food down and then slowly stepped back with his sister and friend.
The Griffin approached the food, sniffed it as Harry took several pictures. The Griffin then ate some, put some in for their babies and left some where it was. That confused Harry for a moment until another griffin landed – the other Griffin parent, who finished the food.
The two adult Griffins went to the nest and sat there, giving the humans looks but made no move to attack, letting Harry take a few more photos of the family together before indicating to the other two they should leave.
The three wizards and one Ice Salamander then proceeded down the way they came until they reached a landing a few feet below the nest.
"That was awesome!" Harry said.
"That was intimidating," Ron added. "But hey, I got a ton of Griffin feathers!"
Harper laughed at the two outlooks of today. "It was an interesting day," Harper voiced.
"And those Griffins will always remember who gave them the food. They have an eidetic memory, you know. It will soften them up to us for next time," Harry said.
"Harry, you could consider joining the Rangers after school," Harper said.
"Rangers?" Ron asked.
"It's a group of witches and wizards whose job is to locate wild magical animals and protect their habitats from poachers and hide them from muggles," Harry said. "Something to consider."
"Another day. We should get down," Ron said, going to move but stopped as Harper and Harry didn't move – he was still connected to them with the rope spell. "What?"
Harper pointed at the sky. "We are losing daylight. It took us too long to get up here," Harper said. "Climbing down at night would be dangerous."
"We could use Lumos," Ron pointed out.
"Not enough light," Harry said.
"Lumos Maxima?" Ron added, of the enhanced Lumos spell.
"Still not enough light," Harper reasoned.
"And it would take our main weapons out, in case we get attacked," Harry pointed out. "Plus, can't you feel the wind? Look at the clouds. A storm is coming. We'll kill ourselves getting down."
"We're going to have to bunker down here for the night," Harper said.
"How?" Ron asked looking around, nervous. "We'll freeze!"
"That depends on how smart my brother is," Harper said, turning to Harry. "Whose bag is the tent in? Mine or yours?"
"Yours," Harry said. "I had the food."
"I knew there was more reason you insisted we needed the tent than just that the Weasley house would be too packed for the wedding," Harper said, going into her bag and taking out the tent. "Oh, and our Wilderness Class spell book on basic camping spells? Nice. Protective wards."
"Bingo," Harry said, holding out his hand. "Best two out of three. Loser puts up the wards, winner does the tent."
"Yes," Harper said holding out her hand, and they played three games of Rock, Papers, Scissors, where Harry won twice. "Damn, fine I'll do the wards," Harper sighed.
"Should I be concerned that loser does the wards?" Ron asked, but was ignored as the two disconnected the rope spell from Ron, and Harry started putting up the tent and Harper took out her wand, looked at the textbook, and then started mumbling spells.
-Harry Potter-
Professor McGonagall had been having a good day. Since it was a Hogsmeade weekend the Quidditch Club was only for students who either weren't allowed to go to the village due to having no permission slip or being too young. She enjoyed this club and kept close watch on her young Gryffindors to see who had talent and were possible for the future on her house team. She had been considering trying to get a lesser form of this club to continue in following years along with the normal House Tournament. Besides, she and Tahatan had a nice dinner together in Hogsmeade.
Her day had been ruined, though, when she got the report that two of her 4th year Gryffindor's, Harry and Ron, had never returned from the village. She went to the headmaster office to report the matter to find Severus Snape reporting Harper Evans had gone missing.
Albus Dumbledore was concerned on the report his deputy Headmistress and Head of Slytherin house had given him. He had sent some owls to some businesses in Hogsmeade but none of the owners had remembered seeing the three that day. He then sent Dobby to get Mato, and the Headmaster of Grand Canyon came to his office along with his sister Nita.
"Is something wrong?" Mato asked seeing the three together.
"It seems Harry and Harper, along with their friend Ron Weasley, never returned from the village today. I was hoping maybe that was mistaken and they were with your school?" Albus asked.
Mato shook his head. "I haven't seen them today," Mato said. "Nita?" Nita shook her head too.
"Did you ask their friends?" Nita asked.
"That would be the next step. Dobby, could you please tell Professor Flitwick to send Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, Cedric Diggory, Fred, George, and Ginny Weasley to me?" Albus asked the House Elf, who popped out at once. "Lemon drop?" Albus held the bowl out and smiled as Nita actually took one as they waited for the students to come.
It was a short while later when the students Albus asked for came into his office all, together. Due to the lateness, they were wearing cloaks over what seemed to be their pajamas.
"I am sorry to drag you all out of bed at this hour, but we have an issue we need your help with," the headmaster said once the students were settled. "Harry Potter, Harper Evans, and Ron Weasley didn't return from Hogsmeade today and we cannot find them in the village. Before we alert authorities to missing students, we were hoping you might have an idea of where they are."
"No," Hermione said, looking worried now. "I haven't seen them today. I was with Dean for most of the day. But Harper usually spends Hogsmeade days with Cedric."
Cedric shook his head. "Harry had some secret plan he wanted Harper to join him with, so I spent the day at the casino ran by Jae Kim. Harper showed me a bit of poker and decided to take my chances," Cedric said.
"I was with Susan and caught up with Fred and George," Neville indicated.
"And we haven't seen our brother," Fred started.
"Or our favorite duo today," George finished.
"I saw the three of them in Gryffindor Common Room Early this morning," Ginny spoke up, coyly.
"You mean only Ron and Harry, obviously," Severus said.
"No," Ginny said. "Harper was there too. Harry must have let her in, although they weren't really together. Harper and Harry left first, and Ron came running down saying something about a Griffin and yelling for the two to wait for him. I don't think they heard since they didn't come back."
"Did you say a Griffin?" Hermione asked, turning to Ginny and then looked at Neville. "They wouldn't… would they?"
"It is Harry and Harper," Neville sighed.
"Would you please explain," Albus Dumbledore asked the two.
"Last year Harry saw a wild Griffin flying around the mountain closest to Hogsmeade. There was some talk about climbing the mountain to see it up close, but Harry said they couldn't since they didn't have the right equipment. I just figured that was the end of it," Hermione said.
"Oh, they definitely have the right equipment to do that now," Mato said. "The Evans are big campers and Harry and Harper even took our Wildness Survival classes this summer – which includes hikes and climbing. Students need their own equipment."
"Master," it was Dobby who said this, slowly walking up. "Master Harry did ask Dobby to pack food and water for him and Mistress Harper for today and to take care of his crup, Lucy, if he wasn't back by a certain time. He even offered pay which Dobby, of course, rejected, but Master Harry insisted giving Dobby a whole galleon!"
The room was silent for a moment as the idea the group climbed the mountain went through the room. Then Mato started laughing followed by Nita.
"Headmaster Mato, is this really funny?" Professor McGonagall asked, worried for her students.
"Sorry, this is just the type of trouble I expect Harry and Harper to get into," Mato said taking a deep breath to calm his laugher.
"Very much like us when we were young," Nita said, and Mato had to smile his agreement.
"Okay, Harry and Harper are experience at this type of thing. They have the right equipment. They have each other," Mato said. "And their instructor this summer told me they were adequate."
"Same one from when we were in school?" Nita asked and Mato gave a nod. "High praise from him – especially for someone not from our tribe."
"My guess is they realized they couldn't safely come down the mountain so decided to camp out. As long as Dobby, here, gave them enough food and water, I think they should be fine," Mato said, and Dobby gave a smile as he nodded his indication that he had given them enough. Mato didn't want to add that being this close to Hogwarts he doubted a climb up a mountain could hurt the two. The connection to the school should protect them. "Plus, they have each other. It's Mr. Weasley I am worried about."
"Why?" All three Weasley students asked together.
"Harry and Harper would have never taken him with them," Nita said, knowing that as fact. "So, either he caught up to them when they were so far up the mountain the two decided to let him continue instead of turning around, or Ron never found them. In that case he's probably lost on his own without food, water, or shelter with wild animals around."
"We need to go find them," Professor McGonagall said, just as concerned as the looks the students were giving.
"Not a good idea. The same reasons why it would not be safe for them to come down are the same reasons it's not safe for us to go up," Mato explained. "We'll need to wait until morning and then get a search party ready. I have experience in such matters and would be happy to lead the search."
"Sounds agreeable," Professor Dumbledore said. "Let's hope they are all together and safe, but until tomorrow I think bed for everyone – and don't let worried thoughts cloud your dreams. It does not do well to dwell of worries and forget to dream." He nodded to Minerva at that, knowing she would be worried almost as much as the Weasley siblings.
"Come on, then," Professor McGonagall ushered the children from the office at this.
"I swear I will hit them over the head when we see them," Hermione cursed as the students were led out of the office.
"I shall go and prepare," Mato said, and he and Nita also left.
"Potter and Evans seem to get into trouble we never thought possible," Professor Snape sighed to Albus, who had to nod his agreement as his Potions Master left.
-Harry Potter-
On the mountain the three students were in their tent. They had eaten some more of the food Dobby had packed – Harry, again thankful the House Elf had given him enough for four people for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Harper had a deck of cards stored in the tent so the three had played poker after eating. They had a fire going in the fireplace of the tent, so were quite warm and cozy, despite the wind and snow outside.
"Sorry, boys, this one is mine," Harper was saying, revealing her cards as they played poker.
"She's really good at this," Ron said tossing his cards down.
"The best," Harry said, smiling at that too. Of course, he knew his sister lost at times, but she was a very smart bluffer and good at the game. "At least no one got Dead Man's Hand."
"Oh, not that again," Harper said, collecting the cards.
"I've got to agree with Harper and Beatrice. After hearing Trelawney tell Neville he will die at least once every class, I don't believe in death omens," Ron said to Harry, who gave a frown but decided not to argue this fact, especially toward his friend. "And look at all the Griffin feathers I got! I also found these hairs… I've never seen them before. Think they would work as a wand core?"
Harry went to look at the offered hairs.
"Oh… um… these are Yeti hairs," Harry said, looking them over, sure of his conclusion.
"Yetis would be higher up the mountain, he said," Harper joked, and Harry stuck out his tongue at her.
"Yetis are magical, but I've never heard of a wand made from their hair," Harry said, giving the hair back to Ron.
"Then I will be the first," Ron said with a smile, making the two siblings give each other a look then smile at their friend's attitude. "I wonder how they got to the nest?"
"Griffin parents probably had a fight with a Yeti at one point," Harry mused in response, "and took the hairs back with them, unknowingly. Anyway, I think we should be getting to sleep," Harry moved on. "We got to clean up the plates and check the Wards first. Harper you clean, I'll check."
"Nope, I placed the Wards so I should check them. Should have let me put up the tent," Harper said, giving Harry a wink as she got up to go out. Harry groaned but grabbed the plates they had eaten off of and went to wash.
"I'm… going to go see what Harper is doing," Ron said, moving off and heading outside. Harper had her wand out and was mumbling something while Frosty the Salamander was sleeping in the snow in front of her.
"Harper?" Ron said.
"Oh, don't worry Ron," Harper said. "They are basic protection spells against animals and weather. I didn't even throw up a muggle repellent, since it seemed redundant here. We just don't like doing Wards. It's not that we can't."
"No, not that," Ron said. "I have been thinking about this Code of Conduct thing about the First Task and while I can't tell Harry my information, I can tell you and you can push Harry in the right direction. Right?"
"Um… little on the edge of the code," Harper said, continuing to move her wand a bit.
"But it would be fine, and I am really worried about Harry. You both saved me First Year and possibly last year… I'm still confused over the Sirius thing, but definitely saved me from Scabbers so I guess I owe him, or you, or both of you a life debt…" Ron said, rambling. Harper was sure the Life Debt had been repaid but didn't question it as she groaned instead.
"Oh my god, just tell me before you mess up and tell him," Harper said.
"It's dragons," Ron said, and Harper lowered her wand and turned to look at the boy. "My brother, Charlie, is here with some others from the Dragon Reserve he works at. They brought four mother dragons and their eggs – one for each contestant." Harper stared at Ron for a moment before she started laughing. The laugher confused Ron. "I am not lying!"
"No. I… don't think… you are," Harper said, in between laugher. "Honestly, it's just hilarious. This will be a walk in the park for Harry. He's got it in the bag," Harper could see Ron seemed confused but didn't want to reveal to the boy that Harry could talk to dragons and would definitely simply talk his way around this task. "You can stop worrying," Harper patted Ron on the shoulder. "And the Wards are steady – we should get some sleep. Bye, Frosty."
The Salamander made a noise.
"You're not taking him down with us?" Ron asked.
"Nah, he belongs on the mountain," Harper said, walking back into the tent followed by a still-confused Ron.
-Harry Potter-
It was early the next morning, but still later than Mato would like to have started. Of course, the group needed breakfast and then they needed to gather volunteers for the search and rescue.
Mato stood on the edge of Hogsmeade, right before the path up to the mountain. Several Hogwarts staff had volunteered, along with some villagers. Mato could see the reporter, Peri, and photographer from back home in the back along with this Rita Skeeter woman as well, both making notes for a story.
"Okay, we will be splitting up into groups to search. Three missing students. Two are together, but we are unsure of the third," Mato said.
"Mato…" Nita said but Mato ignored him.
"The Sporting Goods shop has supplied maps and equipment so if you…" Mato continued.
"Mato!" Nita said, pulling his arm and turning him around as she pointed; Mato paused as he heard singing and then saw the three figures approaching from over the ridge.
"And we'll all be glad to see her when she comes," the three were singing as they marched closer. "And we'll all be glad to see her, yes we'll all be glad…"
"Harry, Harper!" Mato said.
"Hey Uncle Mato," The two said stopping their singing of "She'll Be Coming Around the Mountain" and waving as they approached him.
"Damn, where were we?" Harry asked.
"From the top?" Harper asked.
"She'll be coming around the mountain when she comes," the three sang.
"Where are you going?" Mato asked, interrupting the song again as the three happily walked pass them now.
"My guess is, Headmaster Dumbledore's office," Harper said looking at the older man.
"Yes," Albus Dumbledore said, as the three paused at seeing him there – they hadn't noticed him until now.
"Password still…. Cockroach Clusters?" Harry asked, the last bit under his breath, but knowing their headmaster would hear him.
"Yes…" the headmaster said again. "I think I need to change that one now, though."
"Come on Ron," Harper said as the Weasley blinked at the turn of events, shrugged, and went to follow the two.
"Oh Ms. Lane, our interview for today might need to be pushed back," Harry said as he passed her and then the three started the walk through the town towards Hogwarts singing "She'll Be Coming Around the Mountain" again.
"Well… I guess the search party is over," Mato said, now chuckling at the entire scene.
-Harry Potter-
Harper and Harry sat in the chairs by Professor Dumbledore's desk. Harper had her deck of cards out and the two were playing the card game war with each other. Ron, however, was pacing, mumbling.
"Will you calm down?" Harry finally asked as he flipped over a King and took Harper's Five, she'd flipped over.
"Too bad Helia and Fawkes aren't here. It would be amusing to see him begging them for feathers," Harper said with a laugh as both she and Harry picked over a Two. They then each put three cards from their pile face down and flipped over the 4th. "Hah, I win the war." Harper collected all the cards.
"We have been in here for hours and he has not come," Ron said.
"Only almost two," Harry said, checking his watch. "We've been sitting in this office for a lot longer than this."
"That's the truth," one of the portraits on the wall said, listening in.
"Are Aces high or low?" Harry asked Harper as he flipped over an Ace and Harper, a Jack.
"High, we always play as high," Harper said, letting Harry take the cards.
"Why is it taking so long?" Ron asked still pacing.
"Not a clue. He takes forever," Harper said as Harry took another card but then she got one.
"Well, it usually makes students nervous like Mr. Weasley here…" the three hadn't noticed Albus Dumbledore enter his office. "But I see the tactic has no effect on you two," the siblings waved at the headmaster as they continued their game. "Interesting game..." Professor Dumbledore sat down in his chair behind the desk. "How do you win?"
"Person who gets all the cards wins," Harry said. "A game of luck, since we don't know what cards we're turning over."
"I see, I hear you are rather a good card player, Ms. Evans," the headmaster said as Ron took a seat. The boy seemed shocked by the conversation.
"Harry and I are both pretty good, but I have a really good bluff," Harper said.
"I, myself, have been known to play in the past. Maybe one day the three of us will enjoy a game?" Professor Dumbledore said and Harper and Harry both gave a smile and nod to that. "But onto business. Please put the cards away," Harper collected both hers and Harry's cards, turning to the headmaster. "By climbing the mountain, you broke no laws or school rules. Congratulations, you charted new territory here."
"What does this mean?" Ron asked.
"Well, you did break curfew but since that was due to safety issues I find a detention unsuitable in this situation. You will each lose ten points for your respective houses for the break of curfew, and another ten for worrying staff and friends," Professor Dumbledore said, a twinkle in his eye for the last one. "Besides that, you are free to go. Harry, I believe Ms. Peri Lane is waiting for you in Professor McGonagall's office."
"Told you we'd be fine," Harry said to Ron, giving him a tap on the shoulder; Harry had, of course, looked over the school rules and local laws to find there was nothing stopping them from climbing the mountain, after all.
"Harry, Harper," the headmaster said. "Please keep from climbing the mountain in the future. Unless you are with a Hogwarts staff member."
"Sure thing. Hagrid would love to see a wild Griffin," Harry said with a smirk.
"We'd need a bigger tent for him though," Harper mused as they gathered their things and the three left the office. Albus looked at them leave for a moment and then shook his head.
"That statement didn't go the way you wanted, Albus," the portrait of Matilda Weasley, former headmistress of Hogwarts, said. The Weasley ancestor had been headmistress of Hogwarts after Phineas Nigellus Black, becoming headmistress during Albus's later years at the school, but before that had been Albus's Transfiguration teacher. As of such, that portrait was one of his favorites to talk to.
"It did not, Matilda," Albus mused, but gave a chuckle at the antics of his students. Part of him was curious if they would get his Care of Magical Creatures professor to climb the mountain with them.
-Harry Potter-
Later that day, Harry came up to the Gryffindor Table where his friends were waiting with lunch.
"Hermione has already given me and Ron an earful," Harper said to Harry, warningly.
"How did the interview go?" Neville asked, though, before Hermione could open her mouth to Harry.
"Some of the questions made me wonder what the other three told her," Harry said, knowing he was the last of the three champions to be interviews.
"What do you…?" Neville began to ask, but before the group could respond a voice shouted his name.
"Harry James Potter"" Harry groaned at the familiar voice and turned to see Enola standing behind him. "You told me you couldn't take me on a date because you were preparing for the First Task – then I find out you climb a stupid mountain with her! How dare…?!"
"Her?" Harry said, cutting Enola off. "You mean my sister? One of the most important people in this world to me. She means a whole lot to me than you and I am tired of you disrespecting her. I am tired of your attitude overall. I have been meaning to say this for a while, but I will say this now. We are over. Leave me alone, Enola."
Enola seemed shocked as Harry turned back to his friends.
"Hallelujah!" Harper said, before Enola could say anything to the sudden breakup. Harper saying that seemed to start a chain reaction as people clapped and cheered. The excitement going down the Gryffindor table with loud applauses and then moving to the other tables. Enola glowered at Harry before turning and storming from the Great Hall.
Fred and George came up to either side of Harry and high fived him, much to Harry's surprise.
"Harry Potter's a free man!" Fred yelled.
"Ladies, try to get him while you can," George finished causing Harry to laugh.
After everything calmed down, Harry finally got to eat his lunch in peace.
"Okay, now I am going to really start preparing for the task," Harry said to his friends.
"Hold on, Harry. I'll come," Harper said, and as she passed Neville she whispered, "Halfway there..." to him. Neville knew Harper was talking about their bet on Harry and Hermione becoming a couple.
"Ron!" Ron was surprised by a familiar voice as Harry and Harper left the Great Hall and looked up to see Bill there.
"Bill, what are you doing here?" Ron asked as his eldest brother greeted him, Fred, George, and Ginny.
"Well, the wife – that's still weird – is doing some training with Beatrice, Fleur, and Krum. Surprisingly, Harry has not asked her for help training. The headmaster has also given us permission to search the library for something," Bill said. "And I was wondering if you could help me with something…." Ron raised an eyebrow as Bill took out his broken wand.
"What happened here?" Ron asked, taking the broken wand.
"Job hazard," Bill said. "Gringotts has determined it cannot be fixed."
"No kidding," Ron said.
"So, you think you have one for me?" Bill asked and Ron eyes light up as their siblings giggled. "I figured since all my siblings are using Weasley Wands now, why don't I?"
Ron dropped his fork.
"Weasley Wands. I like it. Come on," Ron said surprising everyone as he didn't finish the food in his plate and practically dragged Bill out of the Great Hall and up to Gryffindor Tower – a place Bill knew well.
"Am I allowed in here now?" Bill asked, once in the Gryffindor Tower, as they went up the boy's dormitory.
"Harry brings Harper in here. Why can't I bring a former Gryffindor?" Ron asked, making Bill raise an eyebrow as they got to Ron's bed and Ron went to his multiple-compartment trunk. The Flamels had given him this and Ron had loved it since the moment he picked it up. It was smaller than Harry's nearby one, but perfect for him and great for storing his many wands.
Ron opened it and jumped in.
"Come on!" He yelled to Bill who followed, noticing Ron had gone down a ladder into the trunk.
Bill blinked as he descended into what seemed to be a Study area – the walls were lined with shelves that Bill noticed held wand boxes, and Bill wondered how many wands Ron had actually made. The shelves seemed labeled by what Bill assumed was wand cores. Then there were the shelves that seemed to be parts Ron wanted to use for wands cores.
Bill picked up a feather from the table in the middle.
"That's one of the Griffin feathers I got by climbing the Hogsmeade mountain with Harry and Harper," Ron said.
"You climbed a mountain?" Bill said looking up at his brother, who frowned. "Mom is so sending you another howler..." Ron put a hand behind his head and gave a nervous laugh at that. "So, how do you do this?"
"Well, I can see that wand was unicorn hair," Ron said, putting the broken wand on the table. "Not sure on the wood…"
"Sycamore," Bill said.
"Ah, a wood that likes adventure," Ron said. "What about the one you got from the family chest?" The Weasley couldn't buy wands for all their children when they turned 11, since the Weasleys were known to not be so wealthy and always known for having multiple children – so they kept former family members wands for new members to see and feel which one best matched them. After school, when the children got a job, they were expected to buy their own wands and return the family wand. Ron had recently looked through the family wands and he was impressed on how his family had kept track of original owners and all who used it afterward, including wand core, length, and wood. Some of the wands though were definitely ready to be retired for good.
Bill took a wand out of his pocket.
"Mom gave my old wand back to me to use, since mine broke," Bill said. "She said since you now make wands, I could just keep it and I might use it for a backup wand but it's not…" Bill trailed off, not knowing what to say.
"Not like a wand that is actually yours," Ron said. "Wands can get tired after one or two owners. Most of our family wands have had at least three."
"If memory serves, I am the third for this wand. It was originally Matilda Weasley's wand and then dad used it as well before getting his own," Bill said. "If I remember correctly…"
"It's dragon heartstring," Ron said, making Bill blink as he looked up from the wand to see Ron had taken out a book. "I made a copy of the family history of wands," he explained. "Dragon heartstring, walnut wood, 9 inches. Not a bad wand at all. Now, I have some unicorn hair wands, but it's hard for me to collect on my own. Unicorns are not fond of males, after all. The Flamels did leave me some and Olivander gave me a couple to experiment with. I have never used Dragon heartstring before, but Charlie has supplied me with a large supply of dragon scales and teeth – just as good as heartstring and bonus, the dragon does not need to die. Been arguing with Ollivander to switch to them."
"MC has had four wands, all with different cores," Bill said, and Ron nodded, knowing this one.
"Definitely, and I have so many different cores. Diricawl for one, that is what I made Fred and George's wands from. But… not sure it would be agreeable with you. Oh, look," Ron grabbed a box as he said it. "Phoenix tears, ash wood, 8 inches."
Bill took the wand out of the box and waved it – there was a bang.
"Nope," Ron said, grabbing the wand. "No, no… what was I thinking? Nicholas told me this would be more for a healer…." Ron put the wand away. "Um… hold on I'll grab some down."
Ron went to a smaller ladder, going up the shelves and looking through boxes as Bill saw another box on the nearby table. He opened it and saw an unusual wand inside; it almost looked black. He went to touch it, but instantly felt like happiness had been sucked out of him.
"NO!" Ron yelled, grabbing the wand and box, moving it away from his older brother. "Don't touch that one!"
"What… was that?" Bill asked, shaken.
"Dementor Cloak, yew, 7 inches," Ron said. "I made a mistake with it, and it has some dementor qualities."
"Why not break it?" Bill asked as Ron summoned a rope around the box.
"I can't bear to hold it long enough to break it," Ron said, truthfully. "But… anyway... Dragon tooth, spruce wood, 10 and a-quarter-inches. Try it." He handed the wand over to Bill, who waved the wand but it just lazily flipped some boxes off the shelf.
"Damn. No…" Ron took the wand away, putting it back and replacing it with another one. "Unicorn hair, apple wood, 9 and a half inches," once again the wand just wasn't right, Ron being able to tell the second Bill gave the wand to his brother. Ron continued with a few and then took another.
"Maybe there isn't anything here for me," Bill mused, a little forlorn.
"Never say never," Ron pointed out, firmly, looking at another wand as he looked at the small pile of rejects. "Go on. Try this one," Bill took the wand his brother presented him, and instantly knew this one was different as he gave it a shake and light came around him. "And the wand chooses the wizard," Ron grinned at this.
"What core is it?" Bill asked.
"My only Griffin feather wand as of now. Harry and Harper gave me the core last year. Harry's wand has a feather from the same Griffin, apparently," Ron said. "9 and a-quarter-inches, blackthorn wood. Performs well for fighters and likes dangerous situations. That's why I thought it might like you. Griffin feathers are great for defensive magic as well and would be good for curse breaking."
"Well, thank you Ron," Bill said, taking five galleons out of his pocket and placing them on the table.
"You… don't need to pay me," Ron said, confused by the money.
"Gringotts gave me money to buy a replacement. You earned this," Bill said with Ron, giving him a wink. "And if you want, you can keep the broken one. The wood is no good anymore, but the Gringotts investigator thought the core might be salvageable. Just more expensive to take it and make a new wand then give me money to buy a replacement."
"Thanks," Ron said with a smile, taking the money from the desk. "And I will definitely keep the broken wand. There's a potion used to revive potential cores – I need to make it for the Yeti hairs I found as they're kind of old but salvageable, like your old wand core – so I can use it on your unicorn hair."
"You have Yeti hairs?" Bill's eyes went wide at that, impressed by his youngest brother.
"They were with the Griffins, don't act so shocked," Ron smirked at this, excited to see how many of the hairs could be revived and used.
"Well… come on, I want to spend some time with my siblings, but I need to search the library," Bill decided to move on. "Why don't you bring your homework, and I can help you all as I search?" Bill said. "I used to tutor here, so I know more about assignments than the average former Hogwarts student," Bill smirked to Ron at this, but Ron made a face at the homework comment.
He thought it might be nice to spend an afternoon with Bill, Fred, George, and Ginny, though, so nodded as they exited his trunk.
Post Chapter Note: Well, I really enjoyed this chapter – it was fun to write (and for Sigma to edit) and something I wanted to do for a while to show Harry's real interest in creatures. Plus, loved showing you Ron's Trunk of Wands. Besides, you guys didn't think I forgot about the Dementor cloak wand, did you? Hehe. What do you all think?
Please REVIEW.
Karry Master OUT!