Harry Potter and the Founders' Vault
Disclaimer: The same as usual.
Facebook: Fanfiction Millma Verse Page
Important Note 1: This is your chapter-ly reminder that this story is NOT an Evil Dumbledore story, so for everything thinking Albus has a hidden agenda or is putting the gang in danger for various reasons or whatever, please just stop. If you're reading this because you like evil Dumbledore stories, please find another story as you won't find that here, but if you're enjoying this for what it is, please continue.
Important Note 2: As you all should know by now, I didn't put Harry and Hermione together from the off – I wanted their relationship to build up slowly, which is why Harry has a girlfriend in Enola and Hermione is dating Dean Thomas as of this school year. Don't worry, though, 'Harmonie' is the endgame and I intend to get them together by the end of this year – year 4.
The Weighing of the Wands
With the arrival of Grand Canyon Academy, the schools seemed to calm down when it came to Harry being another champion. The Gryffindors were always on his side, but Ravenclaw welcomed him back to their table and talked excitedly with him as well. There were those in Hufflepuff that were still a little annoyed at him for stealing their thunder but with Cedric, Neville, Susan, and especially Beatrice on their side, even Hufflepuff was more accepting.
The Slytherins were always a bit iffy, with the darker elements of the house taking their shot at Harry – especially Blaise Zabini, who had made and passed out buttons to attack him, seeming to be based on the buttons they had made last year for their rally. But their friends in Slytherin were strong supporters.
Mixing of their American and Britain life was strange for Harper and Harry, though. With their American friends now at Hogwarts and mixing with their British friends – especially with the 4th years being able to continue with Remus, being a popular option. Nearly all the Gryffindors and Ravenclaws took the opportunity; Neville saying most were tired of having the Imperius curse cast on them. Hufflepuff, too, had some join and very few from Slytherin did, mostly their friends.
On the Magical Creature side of things, the Blast-Ended Skrewts disappeared from their Care of Magical Creatures class, and Newt had been in their last class with a new magical creature to show the group. Hagrid had said little but seemed embarrassed and Harry had to wonder what exactly those Skrewts had been.
"Harp," Hermione said, walking up to Harper who was talking to three Grand Canyon females during lunch that day. "Hi." Hermione smiled at them. She of course had joined Remus's Defense classes, but she didn't know their names.
"Oh Mione, this is Kaya Taylor; she's a member of Uncle Mato tribe. We've known each other since we were little," Harper said introducing the girl. "And this is Dottie McShane – we went to Junior Magic School together and she decided to go to Grand Canyon."
"I wanted to stay at home and commute to school, but I am enjoying being away. Maybe I missed out on boarding," Dottie mused, and Hermione was surprised the American school allowed commuting, but also thought she shouldn't be that shocked.
"And this is Nyssa Sullivan," Harper said of the last girl. "Actually, we just met really. I saw her once or twice at summer, but she lives in another state."
"Texas born and bred," Nyssa said, clearly having a slightly different accent to the one she had gotten very used to with Harper and Harry.
"This is Hermione," Harper said putting an arm around Hermione as she said it.
"Nice to meet you all. Nyssa, out of curiosity, why didn't you go to Texas school?" Hermione asked.
"Ah, Sky High Academy of Magic," Nyssa said. "It's a good school, but I wanted to go elsewhere. And I think I choose right. Never dreamed I would see Hogwarts though, let alone stay here the entire year! I begged my parents to sign the permission slip to let me come."
"It's a great school. How much have you seen?" Hermione asked, ready to show off the school.
"Harper and Harry promised us all a tour, but we have been busy," Kaya added. "Headmaster Mato has us on our best behavior."
"I've got to ask. Is Mato his first or last name?" Hermione asked, finding it weird Harper said, 'Uncle Mato' but everyone referred to him as 'Headmaster Mato'. You usually use your uncle's first name and headmaster's last.
"First," Harper said with a chuckle. "His last name is Sky."
"My people have adapted to using last names in the last hundred years, so we are more informal – especially at the school. The headmaster and most teachers prefer we use their first name with the appropriate title," Kaya explained. "Professor Tahatan, last name is Kotey, for example, but we all use his first. But we use Professor Lupin instead of Professor Remus because he prefers that we refer to him by last."
"Makes sense," Hermione said.
"I got to go get Harry and get to potions," Harper spoke up now.
"Where is he?" Hermione asked as Harper went for the stairs.
"Hiding from Enola," Harper answered, causing some giggles.
"Oh, poor Harry," Nyssa said as Harper disappeared.
"We should do something to help him," Dottie said, but the girls giggled again. "We have some free time Hermione. How about you show us around and maybe tell us more about Quidditch?"
"Quidditch?" Hermione asked, shocked.
"Greg heard about your club and has convinced the three of us to be the chasers. The position seems a bit like soccer to me only using brooms and hands," Kaya said.
"I have a free period so I can show you the pitch and explain a bit," Hermione said, it not being her most comfortable subject, but she wanted to get to know Harper and Harry's other friends. "Maybe you can tell me a bit more of American education? Harry and Harper have mentioned some, but not a lot."
"If you tell us more about British education," Nyssa said, and Hermione gave a smile and nod as she led the girls.
-Harry Potter-
Harry and Harper walked to the dungeons; Harry had some food Harper had given him.
"Did you need to leave me in the Chamber throughout lunch?" Harry asked in lower tones.
"You asked me to hide you in the Chamber," Harper pointed out; earlier that day, before lunch, she had been in Myrtle's bathroom talking to their ghost friends after checking on the snake eggs in the Chamber when Harry had ran in, asking her to hide him inside. Not long after she closed the Chamber, Enola came in asking why Harry had come into a girls' bathroom.
Harper had played dumb and said he wasn't there, letting the girl search out the bathroom to not find anything before signaling to Myrtle to get her out.
"I didn't think you would leave me down there for an hour!" Harry complained, back but had to laugh. It's not like the Chamber wasn't comfortable and Sasha was fine to hang out with even if they couldn't talk to each other.
"It's your own fault for not dumping her," Harper said back. "How are you getting out of taking her to Hogsmeade this weekend?"
"Told her I would be held up preparing for the Tasks and she should go see the village with everyone else. But we are really going to sneak out early," Harry said with a smirk.
"What exactly are we doing again?" Harper asked, but Harry just smirked. He wasn't telling.
"Well, if it isn't the Dead Man Walking," the voice belonged to Blaise, as they were now lined up outside potions. Harry rolled his eyes at the boy. "How many Champions have died in this competition? Another one there…"
Harry took a breath to calm his anger; he knew he couldn't fly off the handle like he did last year with Sirius – especially now he was representing the United States on an international level. He smirked though, getting an idea.
"Hey Harp," Harry said, ignoring the Slytherin boy but saying it loud enough the boy who was practically right next to Harry should hear. "Remember in First Year when we saved the life of three Gryffindor boys stupid enough to go into a Forbidden Hallway, having to fight and find our way through weird protections to do so?"
Harper understood what Harry was doing right away and jumped into it. "Or our second year when we went into a hidden Chamber and fought a Basilisk with nothing but a sword," Harper added.
"Or just last year when I learned the Patronus Charm to fend off Dementors wanting to take my soul," Harry said.
"Compared to our normal years, this competition will be a cake-walk for you," Harper said and the two laughed, seeing Zabini's face and moving forward, away from him.
"Harry…" Ron warned pointing, and Harry turned around to see Blaise had taken out his wand and was about to cast a spell. He didn't have time to grab his wand to defend himself and was about to summon his sword when Blaise was hit by someone shouting: "Expelliarmus!", knocking his wand out of his wand and sending him back towards the wall. Harry expected it to be one of their Gryffindor or Slytherin friends coming to his defense – but saw Draco Malfoy was the one with his wand out.
"What is going on here?" Professor Snape came out of his classroom to let them in.
"Harry attacked me," Blaise said quickly, Crabbe helping him up and Goyle finding his wand.
"My wand is not out," Harry said holding up his hands in the surrender pose.
"I cast the spell," Draco admitted. "Blaise was about to curse Potter from behind. It's not a good look for Hogwarts for one of us to curse another school champion so soon before the first task," Harper tilted her head and knew Draco was using that as an excuse for the rest of Slytherin. He had just come to Harry's defense.
"Any other witnesses to this?" Snape asked, looking around and all the Gryffindors confirmed it and several Slytherins. "Well then, Malfoy 20 points for defending a fellow students and Hogwarts reputation. Zabini, 10 points from Slytherin and detention."
Without another word, Professor Snape ushered the group into his classroom; since First Year, Harry and Harper had seemed to reached a silent understanding with their potions professor – the two worked together and the professor left them alone, usually picking on the other Gryffindors and praising the Slytherins. They got appropriate points for their decent potions and the two were fine with this arrangement and felt they learned more from just looking at the recipes – they had also realized since their First Year that the recipes Severus Snape put on the board were slightly different to the ones in the potion books and seemed to work better.
"Antidots!" Professor Snape called out. "You should have all prepared your recipes now. I want you to brew them carefully, and then, we will be selecting on whom to test one…"
Harper gave a giggle and Harry gave her a slight push. She would never be able to test a potion if the need arose, since nearly all the potions they brewed in class would kill her due to her rare aversion to common potion recipes. A batch antidote potion would just cause Harry some discomfort.
As they started on brewing their potions, Harry's eyes fell on Draco Malfoy – now that Blaise Zabini had taken his gang, in Crabbe and Goyle, the other Slytherin seemed to work by himself. Even Pansy Parkinson seemed to have gone off him. Today, though, both Daphne and Tracey were on his table, while Ron was with Harper and Harry.
"Harry!" His attention wad drawn back to Harper, who pointed at his cauldron – his potion was starting to boil too much, not simmer like it should. He quickly turned down the flames, to focus on his potion while he wondered just how changed Draco Malfoy was, and how much that had been to do with their former mentors.
Barely five minutes had passed when there was a knock on the door as everyone looked around to see Colin Creevey.
"Yes?" Snape asked curtly.
"Please, sir, I'm supposed to take Harry Potter upstairs," Colin said, and Snape stared down at Colin as the boy's smile faded.
"Potter has another hour of Potions to complete," Snape said, coldly. "He will come upstairs when this class is finished."
Colin went pink at this, and Harry felt sorry for the boy.
"But… sir, Mr. Bagman wants him," he said nervously. "All the champions have got to go; I think they want to take photographs…" at that Blaise, Crabbe and Goyle let out an audible laugh, which both Professor Snape and Harry ignored.
"Very well," Professor Snape sighed, giving Harry a look. "Go Potter! Evans, look after his potion," Harry nodded, taking his bag and gave his sister a small smile as he went to follow Collin out of the room.
"It's amazing, isn't it, Harry?" Collin instantly asked as they walked out of the dungeons. "Isn't it though? You being a champion!"
"Not really," Harry answered, truthfully, surprising Collin. "I got thrown into this against my will, Col. There's nothing amazing about it. I am doing it because I have to. I will say it does seem to be making connections between countries and students who previously would not know each other, so there is one positive about it."
"Never thought of it like that," Colin mused. "But for whatever it's worth, I know you are not the Hogwarts champion, but you have my support. I'd love to see you win."
"Thanks," Harry said, giving the boy a smile as they stopped in front of a classroom some floors up from the dungeons.
"Good luck," Colin said, leaving Harry alone. He opened the door to see the other three champions were inside; Fleur and Beatrice seemed to be in a conversation which stopped when they entered.
Fleur gave Harry a smile. "'Ello, 'Arry!" Fleur addressed him.
"Hi Fleur," Harry said. "Beatrice, Krum…"
"Harry," Beatrice said as Krum gave Harry a nod. Ludo Bagman was sitting in one of six chairs that were against a wall but jumped up as the champions greeted each other.
"Ah, there he is! Champion number four," Ludo said.
"Hello, Mr. Bagman. I heard we were taking photos?" Harry questioned, seeing a few other people in the room he didn't know.
"Well yes, but this is also the weighting of the wands! We have to make sure your wands are in working order, but yes, there will be some photos. This is Rita Skeeter of the Daily Prophet," Ludo introduced, pointing at the witch in magenta robes, wide-rimmed glasses and an unusual light blonde hairstyle. "And these two are from across the pond with you, apparently…" Harry could have guessed that from the two people introduced, since they weren't wearing robes. There was a female who was in dress-shirt and pants, while a man was wearing jeans and a shirt. He had a camera on around his neck. "Um… sorry, I forgot your names," Ludo added.
"Peri Lane and this is my photographer Jim Howells from Charm Daily. We will be covering the Tournament for the year," Peri said.
"Charm Daily, my parents get your paper every day. I loved the piece about Sirius," Harry said; Charm Daily being the paper he had sent last year with the real story about Sirius's asylum claim. It was also the biggest magical newspaper in the United States that focused solely on magical news. One could say it was the US equivalent to the Daily Prophet. "Did you say Lane and Jim?" Harry added with a smirk now.
"No, we do not know Superman and I do not have a sister-in-law named Lois," Peri sighed, and Harry had to giggle, knowing they had gotten why he had asked. "Should have kept my maiden name..." Peri didn't seem to be mad at the comparison though. She seemed to find it somewhat funny.
Rita Skeeter, however, cleared her throat.
"Harry I was wondering if we could have a word before it's starts?" She spoke up, her voice in a monotonous drawl as Harry turned to face her, but Peri spoke up, too.
"Of course, we both want a word with the champions. I would like to set up a time for interviews with all four," Peri said turning to group. "Harry, since you are a minor though, it would be proper to have an adult present."
"I don't think that's necessary for a small interview," Rita said.
"I do," Peri said.
"Well then Harry can talk to me now," Rita said, going to approach him again.
"I'd rather not," Harry said, suddenly remembering the name Rita Skeeter – she had been big in all the articles he had seen since coming back, calling him a traitor to his country. "…considering the lies and untruths the Prophet prints about me, I actually refuse to do any interviews for the Daily Prophet itself. I will sit with you, however, Ms. Lane. I'll ask my Head of House if she will have some time Sunday to sit in on the interview with us…" The look on Rita's face was one of surprise, but Harry ignored it as he turned to look at Peri.
"Thank you," Peri said with a smile. "And you three. Can I send an owl to set up a day and time either later today or tomorrow?" She addressed the other champions.
"I can after dinner," Beatrice said as both Fleur and Krum confirmed they could meet sometime tomorrow.
"Excellent! I will send times," Peri said, giving them a smile as they backed away.
"Harry, really, one little…?" Rita said.
"Ms. Skeeter, Harry has said he prefers not to talk to you," Beatrice said, coming up and putting an arm around Harry, and helping Harry to walk backwards towards the other three champions
"Leave the boy alone," Krum said, sternly, to the woman giving him an eye.
"Yes, do," Fleur added, giving Rita the stink eye as well. Rita, for her part, tried not to look deflated as she backed away and it wasn't long later the other judges walked in – those being Professors Dumbledore, and Karakoff, Madame Maxime, Grand Canyon Headmaster Mato, and Barty Crouch Snr. With them was Mr. Ollivander himself, and Harry should have expected that – since this was the weighing of the wands and they were checking the wands.
"May I introduce Mr. Ollivander?" Professor Dumbledore said, as all the judges took their places at a table. "He will be checking your wands to ensure they are in good conditions before the Tournament."
Harry had only met the man once when they had gone to get Neville his wand before their second year. He knew Ron had been working for him this summer and knew the man was considered a fine wand maker in Britian, so was interested to see what he would make of the international wands present.
"Mademoiselle Delacour," Mr. Ollivander said, his voice whispery. "Could we have you first?"
Fleur stepped forward and held out her wand to the man.
"Hmmm…" he said looking it over the magical implement. He twirled the wand between his long fingers like a baton and it emitted a number of pink and gold sparks. Then, he held it close to his eyes and examined it carefully.
"Yes…" he said. "Nine and a half inches… inflexible… rosewood… and containing… dear me!" Mr. Ollivander paused, which surprised Harry. The man had been able to tell what was in his and Harper's wand without much trouble at all.
"An 'air from ze 'ead of a Veela," Fleur stated. "One of my granmuzzer's," Harry found that very interesting – it was definitely a unique core. Of course, Fleur had confirmed she was part-Veela to Harry the day she arrived, so he wasn't surprised by this revelation.
"Yes," Mr. Ollivander mused, "yes, I've never used Veela hair myself, of course – I find it makes for rather temperamental wands… however, to each his own. Or her own. I have a young apprentice who likes experimenting with other wand cores, so I am sure he would love this," Harry tried not to laugh as Mr. Ollivander called Ron his apprentice. "It suits you, definitely."
Mr. Ollivander ran his fingers along the wand, apparently checking for scratches or bumps; then he muttered "Orchideous" and a bunch of flowers burst from the wand tip.
"Very well, very well, it's in fine working order," the wandmaker said, scooping up the flowers and handing them to Fleur with her wand. She smiled at the flowers. "Now, Ms. Heywood, you next."
Beatrice came up and held out her wand. "Ah yes, I remember this wand well. I never forget any of my wands," Mr. Ollivander said, looking it over. "English Oak, 10 and a half inches, and the core of dragon heartstring. You have been keeping it well," Mr. Ollivander sent a stream of silver smoke rings across the room out of the tip of Beatrice wand, pronounced himself satisfied, and then said: "Mr. Krum, if you please?"
Viktor Krum got up and slouched, round shouldered, and duck-footed, towards Mr. Ollivander while Beatrice moved back with Fleur. Krum then thrust out his wand and stood with his hands in his pocket.
"Hmm," Mr. Ollivander mused, "this is a Gregorovitch creation, unless I'm much mistaken? A fine wand-maker, though the styling is never quite what I… however…"
He lifted the wand and examined it closely, turning it over and over before his eyes. "Yes… Hornbeam and dragon heartstring?" He asked Krum who nodded. "Rather thicker than one usually sees… quite rigid… ten and a quarter-inches… Avis!"
The hornbeam wand let off a blast like a gun and a number of small twittering birds flew out of the end and through the open window into the watery sunlight.
"Good," Mr. Ollivander said handing Krum his wand back. "Which leaves… Mr. Potter?"
Harry walked up to the wandmaker and took his wand out of its holster for him.
"Oh yes. Yes, I remember you showing this to me when your friend Neville came to get a new wand," Mr. Ollivander said, taking the wand. "Beautifully crafted. Two wand cores – a griffin feather and Wampus cat hair. The two have melded beautifully together. Two woods, also. The main wood is Elder, and the handle Flame Tree. Still in very good condition."
"Junior Magic School teaches us how to care for our wands properly, so they last as long as possible," Harry spoke up.
"Very good. It seems you got an O in that class," Mr. Ollivander said, and Harry didn't bother correcting the grading scale to America where the highest grade would be an A not O for Outstanding. "You know, I am interested in making some griffin feather wands. Do you think Newt would sell some stock to me?" He added, a little quietly, to Harry.
"Mr. Scamander sells cores for wandmakers all over the world. I am sure you can come to a deal," Harry said back, knowing that Mr. Ollivander used all sorts of cores, but his specialty tended to be Dragon Heartstring, Unicorn Hair and Phoenix feather.
Mr. Ollivander gave a nod of his head. "Interesting, Mr. Potter, do you have another wand?" The wand maker suddenly asked.
"Urm, no, why?" Harry asked.
"Well, it's not unusual for a witch or wizard to get a… backup wand or a second. I think the world record for a wizard with the most wands who have chosen him without getting rejected by any previous wand is 10," Mr. Ollivander said. "But there is always a tell in the wand. Wands are connected to you, your magic, and it knows when a wizard has connected to another. I am sensing in this wand that it is used to you using magic through another and accepting of it."
"I… do not have another wand," Harry said. "But…" Harry paused and then held out his hand, summoning his sword to him which caused many in the room to jump or gasp. "I do have this – and I can channel magic through it and cast spells. Nothing to the extreme of a wand."
"A magical sword!" Mr. Ollivander said, putting Harry's wand in his left hand and indicating for Harry to hand him the sword with his right. "Godric Gryffindor...?" He read the name off one side and then turned to the side with Harry's name on it. "And Harry Potter. I was unaware the sword of Gryffindor had chosen a new owner. You know, in the old days wandmakers would also make magical weapons such as these, but unfortunately, it's a lost art," Mr. Ollivander handed the sword back to Harry. "Well, with the way your wand has accepted the sword, I would say you could easily get a second wand without fear of rejecting from your first. If you are ever curious, my doors are always open to the Potter and Black heir."
"I'll think about," Harry said as Mr. Ollivander looked back at Harry's wand then cast the bubble producing spell, bubbles coming out of Harry's wand. "Yes, it's in good working order." The wand was returned to Harry, who put it in its holster and stepped back, keeping his sword in one hand.
"Thank you all," Professor Dumbledore said after the wandmaker was done. "And there is a surprise waiting for you four in the Transfiguration courtyard. We have it cordoned it off so only you four can go there now. And I think…"
"Photos, Dumbledore!" Rita said, stopping the man who seemed to pause.
"I must agree with my colleague," Peri said. "Jim has been waiting," Jim held up his camera, as if indicating he had been.
"Oh yes," Professor Dumbledore said.
Harry hadn't been looking forward to this, but Jim was professional and friendly as he arranged the group of champions and judges for the photos. There were photographers for other papers too, including the Daily Prophet, but they all seemed to fall in line for Jim – although all had to get a little creative to get all of Madame Maxime in it.
"If we could also get a solo of each champion?" Jim finally said – and each champion posed for Jim by themselves. Jim had taken several of each, some with wands in their hands and some without. "Harry, can we get your sword?" Jim asked when it was Harry's turn, and Harry had placed the sword leaning against a wall but summoned it to his hand and held it as if he was about to attack. Jim took a couple of different poses with the sword and a few without.
"Now, down to the Transfiguration Courtyard," Professor Dumbledore called once the photos were definitely done, and all four walked out.
"Thanks," Harry said to the three other champions once out of the room, "for stepping in with Rita Skeeter."
"Anytime," Beatrice said, and Harry had a feeling she had become used to being Harry's defender in Hufflepuff.
"Zhat woman iz insufferable," Fleur said. "All of us zhere, and zhe focus on you."
"I have dealt with reporters like that," Krum said; disgust was in his voice as the two Hogwarts students lead the group to the courtyard.
Hagrid was guarding the main entrance to the courtyard and gave the four a small smile, letting them go through.
"MC!" Beatrice called, seeing the familiar redhead who was waiting for them. Her old niffler, Sickleworth was by her feet.
Mallory Weasley, formerly Crusher, hugged the girl as Harry came up. "Good to see you again," Harry said, feeling a connection to the woman, even though he had only met her once before – the way he had heard about her time at Hogwarts made Harry feel the two had a lot in common, what with her facing the Cursed Vault and the murderous Professor Rakepick, reminding him of his time in his previous years with trials and a murderous professor in his first year.
"Oh, Harry good to see you again," Mallory said, bringing Harry into a hug as well. Harry put his sword against the fountain to hug back. "Viktor Krum and Fleur Delacour. The other two champions. Good to meet you."
"What are you doing here?" Beatrice asked
"I am curious too. Dumbly-door said we 'ad a surprise," Fleur said.
"Well, that would be me," Mallory said, confusing all four. "The idea to bring back the Tri-Wizard Tournament wasn't new this year as it's been floating around for a long time. About 7 years ago, when I was a student here and long before I was a Curse-Breaker for Gringotts, Hogwarts did a mini-tournament that was meant to simulate the Tri-Wizard Tournament. It was called the All-Wizard Tournament. Professor Dumbledore personally choose the contestant he felt were most suited to be champion if the Tri-Wizard Tournament ever came back including me, and well…" Mallory went into a bag and took out a trophy, way too big to fit into the bag if it didn't have an expansion on it. "I won."
"That is impressive, but…" Krum started.
"But what does it have to do with you?" Mallory finished, putting the trophy on the fountain's edge for display. "Well, since I find myself back in the country anyway for work long-term, I was asked if I would consider being a champion mentor to you four – a way to try to make the games safer. I can help you in ways your teachers are not allowed; help you formulate plans, teach you spells, help un-code clues. I will not tell your secrets to anyone."
"So, you are going to be around?" Beatrice asked.
"Yes, I'll be here at certain times and my owl," Mallory said, pointing at a black owl that was sitting nearby, "Merlin, will be staying here in the owlery with instructions to only take letters from you four direct to me." Mallory eyes turned to Harry. "Harry, I hear you are pretty good at dueling?"
"Not bad," Harry said.
"I was considered pretty good myself during school. How about a duel?" Mallory asked.
"Great," Harry said.
"Beatrice, mind refereeing?" Mallory said, and Beatrice gave a nod as Krum and Fleur, who had been more silent, tilted their heads but seemed curious to watch.
Mallory and Harry took positions, both taking out their wands as Beatrice told them to begin. Harry took the first move, fast, but Mallory produced a shield to block it and sent back her own spell. Harry could see why Mallory said she was a good dueler. She was giving Harry a match.
Harry decided, since Mallory hadn't changed the rules to wands, only he would summon his sword to him. Using it, he charged at Mallory; normally using the sword would cause shock, surprise, and for the person to make a mistake, Harry could take advantage. Harry found himself surprised though, when Mallory didn't flinch as she summoned a large boulder in the way, taking the sword hit and knocking it away.
"Nice, but you know I can summon ba…" Harry started but was hit by a stinger spell.
"Don't talk too much," Mallory said, as Harry sent out Bombarda at Mallory, which did hit. Mallory hit back and her wand flew out of her hand.
"Sorry, su…" Harry started, but was surprised as Mallory beat him to the punch, yelling 'stupefy' – the spell came out of Mallory's hand and hit into Harry, stunning him. Harry, too shocked by the use of wandless magic to get out of the way or protect himself.
"And Harry is stunned. Mallory wins," Beatrice said as Mallory went over to Harry and waved her hand over him, saying the counter spell to un-stun him.
"You are a good dueler," Mallory said holding out a hand to help Harry off the floor which Harry took before retrieving his wand from the floor and summoning his sword back to him. "Everyone loses sometimes; I lost to Merula Snide once..."
Fleur had gone to get Mallory's wand and return it to her.
"Wandless magic?" Harry asked stunned. "Merula Snide?"
"She's no one," Mallory said, seeming uncomfortable with that and Harry decided to let it pass.
"Very impressive," Krum said, seeming more interested in their new mentor.
"Professor Dumbledore knows Wandless Magic, as does Professors McGonagall, Snape and Flitwick; although I was taught by an old African witch, Ms. Onai," Mallory explained. "Learning wandless magic has saved my life in very real dangerous situations. I've become very good at it for most normal spells, even if my wand is more affective and powerful," Mallory explained, putting her wand away and giving Fleur a smile for returning it. "Harry, you definitely are powerful, know your spells, and your sword is an advantage – one I was expecting though. But you didn't think I had an advantage – so, always expect the unexpected."
"And learn some wandless magic," Harry added, and Mallory had to giggle.
"I look forward to learning wiz you," Fleur said to Mallory.
"Me too," Krum said, eyeing Mallory and possibly wanting a duel himself.
"Yes, this should be an interesting year," Mallory said, a spark in her eyes and Harry had a feeling she was finding this fun. "But now I think you should all get dinner. I'll see you soon."
The group said their goodbyes to Mallory and then went their separate ways; Harry went up to the Gryffindor Common Room, to return his sword to his trunk before heading to dinner.
Harper, Hermione, and Neville were sitting with Ron and some of the Grand Canyon Academy girls at the Gryffindor table. Harry knew the girls as Kaya, Dottie, and Nyssa. Enola was nearby too, on the Hufflepuff table with some of the Grand Canyon boys, and waved at Harry to join her, but Harry sat next to his sister, pretending he didn't see her.
"So, how was photos?" Harper asked.
"It was actually the weighing of the wands. Mr. Ollivander came up to make sure all our wands were in working order," Harry said and saw Ron look to him at that. "And then Mallory was waiting for us! She's going to act as mentor. We dueled. She won. Did you know she knows wandless magic?"
"That's impressive," Hermione said.
"So… wands?" Ron asked, causing others to giggle.
"Kind of dull. Both Beatrice and Krum have dragon heartstring wands. Mr. Ollivander didn't seem to care for the maker of Krum's wand though, a Gregorovitch person. He looked over mine again, although I had to summon my sword to show I didn't have a second wand since he sensed in the wand that I had been using magic through something else," Harry explained. "Apparently my wand is very accepting of my using my sword and he thinks I can get a second wand with no worry of mine rejecting me for it."
"A wand can reject you after choosing you?" It was Dottie who asked it.
"Oh yes," Ron said, excitedly now. "Most wands will be fine with their owner getting a second one, but you try to get too many, and some might start to reject you for it. There are some wands who will be rejecting you over one extra, especially if they value loyalty. Oh, and a wand can reject their owner if they have become too different; for example, a wand that deals mostly with light magic can stop working for a witch or wizard who go too deeply into the dark arts."
"Wow, you know a lot about wands," Kaya said.
"It's his thing," Harper said to her friend.
"Mr. Ollivander mentioned you," Harry stated to Ron, who's eyes went wide at this. "He only called you his apprentice, but I knew he meant you."
"So cool," Ron grinned, obviously proud of that.
"Oh, and you might find this interesting Ron. Fleur's wand is a Veela hair core. The hair came from her gran–" Harry didn't finish his sentence as Ron jumped from his seat, knocking over a plate and breaking it as he ran for the Ravenclaw table where the students from Beauxbatons were sitting.
The group stared for a moment before laughing. Hermione pointed her wand at the broken plates to fix them with Reparo before returning them to the table. After that, the group began to chat some more about MC, explaining her to the American students.
…
Ron, meanwhile, shocked the group of Beauxbatons students at the Ravenclaw table as Ron came up right to Fleur.
"Hi," Ron said, surprising the champion of the French school. "Harry tells me your wand is Veela hair core, and I was wondering if I could take a look...?"
"Why?" Fleur asked.
"I'm a wandmaker – or at least training to be. I've created many wands already. Look…" Ron said, going into his bag which he had on him and taking out a couple of wand boxes and opening them. "Some of my best creations. I trained under the Flamels last year and this summer worked for Mr. Ollivander."
"Ah. You are zhe apprentice he waz talking about," Fleur said, looking at the wands Ron had taken out.
"Yes," Ron said with a wide smile, feeling very proud of himself now. "And I love interesting wand cores. I would love to make a Veela hair wand at some point – if I could get a Veela to donate the hair that is."
Fleur looked at Ron for a moment before taking out her wand and watching as Ron looked it over, almost as much as Mr. Ollivander had.
"Wow. Such a beautiful wand," Ron said after a few moments.
"It iz interesting. Your focus on my wand 'az gotten you pass my allure," Fleur said, and Ron raised an eyebrow before realizing he wasn't drooling over Fleur the way he normally would – or the way the closest Ravenclaw boys were.
"Wow, you are right," Ron said as he handed the wand back. He had to admit she was pretty but not as pretty as her allure made her. "Maybe now we can actually be friends...?" Fleur gave a smile and indicated for Ron to sit down. The other Beauxbaton girls with her giggled at Ron.
-Harry Potter-
Mallory had soon returned to Gringotts with Bill and looked over at the crypt that she and Bill had been transferred here to uncurse. In their expansion, Gringotts had come upon this area already made and waiting – the crypt no one could get nearby.
Bill was standing on the platform. Since starting, they had eliminated one layer of protection to find they only earned a couple of inches closer before another new layer stopped. There were painted lines on the floor to indicate where they could not pass without activating the curse itself.
"Enjoy Hogwarts?" Bill asked.
"Yeah, I dueled Harry. Beat him. Mentioned Merula accidentally," Mallory said. "Used wandless magic, too"
"What did you tell him…?" Bill asked, stopping what he was doing to turn to his wife.
"Just I lost to her once. He asked who she was, but I avoided it. I didn't want to tell him she was someone I thought I could trust but I ended up having to send to Azkaban," Mallory said to that.
Bill gave Mallory a nod and knew not to go further. The betrayal of Merula had been hard on Mallory in her 7th year – almost as bad as her brother and father.
"You ready?" Mallory asked.
"I got everything set up. This better work. Gringotts is not happy with the rare ingredients we said we needed," Bill said.
"Whoever protected this was good," Mallory said as she took out her wand and nodded to Bill. The two chanting the spell at the ingredients Bill had set up; they glowed and when the two were done, he objected went through the protection. The protection spell seemed to shatter like glass before them.
After a moment, when everything was gone, Bill moved forward, his wand out and went by the painted line on the floor. Mallory moved forward, behind her husband as Bill moved closer to the crypt. Mallory stopped when Bill froze several inches into the new area.
There was a noise, and some type of writing appeared on the wall in dark red scrawl, glowing – and glowing at Bill. After a moment, the new writing then stopped and pushed Bill backward, his wand breaking in half.
"Bill!" Mallory called, going up to her husband and mumbling spells over her moaning, suddenly very pale, husband – she wasn't a healer, but in their business, they got into situation without quick access to medical attention, they needed to know basics.
"Hmmm…." Mallory mumbled, going to a nearby bag. Their medical bag they kept certain potions in and took one out. She uncapped it and forced it down her husband throat.
After a moment Bill sat up.
"What was it?" Bill asked.
"Blood replenishing potion," Mallory said. "Whatever this curse did, it took nearly all your blood. I bet it has to do with that…" Mallory pointed at the writing on the wall now. "It's not Egyptian or Norse ruins. I don't recognize these. You?"
"No," Bill said shaking his head. "Where's my… wand? Oh…" Bill mumbled the last word as he saw it broken in half.
"At least it wasn't mine this time," Mallory mused. "Take the cart back and report to the goblins what happened. They'll reimburse you for a new wand and then go home – you need rest," Malloy kissed Bill's cheek as Bill went to the cart to do as his wife said, knowing she was right.
Mallory took out paper and started copying the strange writing on the wall down. She needed to do some research and, thankfully, she would have access to one of the best libraries in England in year: the Hogwarts library.
Post Chapter Note: Well then, I hope you enjoyed this chapter that got rather long. I'd also like to remind you all that while years 1-6 of Hogwarts Mystery remain largely the same for this story, as we never moved past year 6 in real life, and had our own ideas by the time we got there, a lot of year 7 and beyond for Hogwarts Mystery is very different here – including the references to Merula and MC's father. You'll learn more as time goes by though!
Please REVIEW
Karry Master OUT!