The Golden Trio

part 15

Chapter 15: Enter the schools

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W

hen Ron woke up the next morning, it wasn't next to Hermione as one might be expecting. Indeed, his heightened senses told him before he even opened his eyes that Hermione had left and the one currently sleeping close to him was Harry.
Waking up a bit more, he stretched and yawned, Harry moved slightly and snuggled closer to him. Ron gently stroked his boyfriend's hair as he studied him, marveling over how beautiful he was.
Harry had been out late last night, exploring the castle with Luna. A small smile played at Ron's lips at that; it sounded too much like he had been out on a play date. I hope Luna got back to her common room without getting caught, he thought absentmindedly.
Just then Harry sighed deeply and his eyes fluttered open.
"Good morning," said Ron and gave him a soft kiss on the mouth. Harry replied by yawning widely before stretching.
"Where is Hermione?"
"Not here," answered Ron jokingly. Harry rolled his eyes and sat up in the bed. He had the bed sheets collecting around his waist and sleep-tussled hair. Although a far cry from the handsome man he had been before, he still made Ron's stomach flutter with a million excited butterflies.
"Obviously," said Harry.
"I guess she has hit the books again. She kept going on about a new trail she had found. Undoubtedly we'll hear about it during breakfast."
"We'll have to keep an eye on her," warned Harry. "You know how she is when she starts her research. She obsesses and forgets to both eat and sleep."
"I know, I was the one tucking her in yesterday. You were nowhere to be found," said Ron and continued in a somewhat reproachful voice. "What time did you come back?"
"Around two, mother," said Harry and leaned back towards his pillow. Ron ignored the jibe.
"Were you with Luna all the time? Harry, she has school tomorrow."
"I dropped Luna off at Ravenclaw tower around eleven," defended Harry. "I decided to go and check on the eggs before going to bed," explained Harry and, sensing that Ron didn't want to hear about the basilisk eggs, continued, "What's with the interrogation?"
"Nothing, just curious," said Ron and rolled off the bed and went to search for some clothes.
"Just curious," said Harry skeptically.
"Well, that and paranoid and possessive as hell," said Ron nonchalantly. He had purposefully turned away from Harry and was currently sniffing an old sock he had found. His head jerked back in revulsion and he threw the sock to the floor.
Harry smirked and silently got up from the bed. Ron doesn't do nonchalant very convincingly, he thought as he pounced on Ron. Wrapping his arms around Ron's neck he purred in his ear. "Possessive I can understand but why paranoid? You afraid I'll run off with someone?" His voice was slightly teasing and Ron slowly turned around and slid his hands down Harry's chest down to his hips, pulling him closer. Harry's face came to rest against Ron's chest, their bodies so close he could feel Ron's heartbeat. Harry felt himself melt completely in Ron's arms and now it was Ron's turn to smirk.
"Not in the slightest, I'm very possessive after all; I know that you will stay with me. Forever no matter what," said Ron and lifted up Harry's chin. "Right Harry, say that you will stay with us forever," he asked in a loving voice.
"Do you really need words for it?"
Ron smiled and leaned down to plant a kiss on Harry's mouth. "Guess not. Still it could be nice," he said before playfully ruffling the shorter boy's hair. "Now go and brush that bird nest of yours. You look awful."
Noise from the stairs prevented Harry from answering, but he gracefully slipped out from Ron's arms and, realizing they were only in their boxers, swiftly pulled on a sweatshirt. In that moment the door opened and Neville came in through the door.
"Morning," he chirped cheerfully. "Professor Flitwick vanished his classroom, so we have a free period," Neville chirped excitedly and dove straight for his trunk and started to dig out its contents.
"And why don't they just take another classroom?" asked Ron.
"The lesson plans were vanished too, and I think Flitwick will try to get it all back before tonight. Ha, got it!" he said in triumph as he pulled out a tattered notebook from the bottom of the trunk. "So, are you excited for tonight!" he asked as he continued the search, this time for a quill.
"Yeah, very excited," said Harry in a dry voice. "Can't wait for the circus to start. I can't possibly imagine what the other schools will be like."
"I guess you'll find out tonight," said Ron as he started to get dressed. "Wonder if they have their own celebrity like we do," Ron joked as he nodded towards Neville, who was already on his way out the door, not paying any attention to the conversation he had started.
Neville stopped when he realized that they were talking about him. A light blush spread over his cheeks before he managed to will it away. With seemingly well-practiced ease he smiled at them and said cockily, "As far as I'm concerned, I am their celebrity. I have fans in other countries as well." The lighthearted way he said it showed that he was joking despite his rather stuck up words.
"Yeah sure, don't let Malfoy hear you say that though. He will never let you live it down," warned Harry.
"Or Snape," continued Ron and watched amusedly as Neville looked as if he had swallowed a lemon.
"Greasy git," grumbled Neville more out of habit than anything else; the snarky potions master was a constant source of scorn among the Lion's Pride – coming with derogating names whenever he was mentioned was second nature by now.
Harry and Ron exchanged grins; some things in the world, it seemed, would never change.
"So what are you doing now?" asked Ron as they followed Neville down to the common room.
"Going to meet up with the others. Matt found some kind of pink blob on the third floor, so we are going to investigate."
"Pink blob?" asked Harry suspiciously, even though Ron wondered how anyone could be suspicious of a pink blob.
"Yeah, we think it might be the thing that escaped from Rose's failed potion last week," said Neville excitedly, no doubt already thinking what mayhem they could cause with a wandering pink blob.
Harry looked as if he wanted to caution him to be careful but in the end just decided to leave the resident boy-who-lived and entourage to their fate.
"Have fun," said Ron and started to go over to the corner where Hermione was waiting for them, her foot impatiently tapping the ground. In one hand she had a small sandwich package (causing Harry to suspect they wouldn't be eating breakfast in the Great Hall today) and in the other arm she held a thick tome; its title was obscured by some charm, not that anyone noticed or cared.
Neville looked over to Hermione, took notice of the old looking book in her arm, and the fact that he couldn't make out the title from this distance. His eyes became calculating and suspicious, and he turned back to Harry.
"And what are you going to do?" he inquired casually. Harry and Ron weren't fooled for a second even if they couldn't fathom the reason for the interest.
"We have a prank to plan," said Harry and continued, "We have a map to win the rights to after all." And with that they left Neville and joined up with Hermione.
Hermione flicked her wrist and silently ordered them out through the portrait hole. Neville looked after them thoughtfully for a few seconds before shrugging and started following them.
He followed them as far as to the fourth floor and managed to lose them in the corridor with a giant dragon statue. The corridor split up in two directions, both of them empty and silent. And after having checked three abandoned classrooms, he had to admit he had lost them, which was completely inexplicable because he had followed them closely and he was certain this corridor held no secret passageways. How had they managed to get away?
Still feeling baffled and completely mystified, he turned around and went back to the third floor where he found his friends. They had all gathered in a circle in a corner, and Matthew was currently in the process of poking a jelly looking pink blob with a long stick. The pink blob wobbled and started to crawl away, something that was very disconcerting in itself.
"What took you so long?" asked Ginny, who saw him approach.
"I saw Harry, Ron and Hermione, and I decided to follow them." That caught their attention, and the pink blob was momentarily forgotten. The trio's behavior had been very odd, and in the eyes of the Lion's Pride, very suspicious. Before it had only been the girls who were convinced that it was something off about the trio while the boys remained skeptical. After the trio had been interrogating Ginny on the Chamber of Secrets, it had unanimously been decided that the trio was to be kept under close supervision.
"What do you mean you lost them?" asked Matthew.
"Well, I didn't have the invisibility cloak or the map, so I lost them. They disappeared somewhere on the fourth floor," said Neville, irritated.
"Well I have the map, so we can just check where they are," suggested Rose and dug out the marauders map from her book bag. "I solemnly swear I'm up to no good," she said and tapped the map with her wand. Immediately the layout of the castle and hundreds of little dots showing the inhabitants appeared, and the four students eagerly studied the map.
"They're not here," said Ginny in an intrigued voice.
"It's impossible, you can't trick the map! They have to be here somewhere," said Rose in a certain voice. But further minutes of searching turned up nothing, and they were forced to admit that the trio was nowhere to be found.
"But where are they?"
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At the same time the trio was busy studying in the Room of Requirement. They had, of course, seen Neville following them. Shaking him off had been easy.
"Merlin forbid that we were ever that obvious when we were fourteen." Harry sighed as he recalled how easily they had made themselves invisible and stood silently in the corridor as Neville unknowingly walked past them. Neville hadn't even heard them when they continued up the stairs.
"Bear with them," said Hermione distractedly from where she sat in a chair, submerged in a book as always.
"Besides we can teach them later on, if it proves necessarily," said Ron, who was leaning against Harry, lazily scribbling in a notebook. After awhile he let it drop to the floor and let his head fall back against Harry's neck. "It's impossible! I've run out of ideas! I can't do it!" he complained in a frustrated voice.
Harry ignored Ron's hair, which was tickling his skin, and leaned forward to snatch up the notebook. Ron let him do it and watched with a disgruntled expression as Harry read it over.
When he was finished Harry, flapped the book in Ron's face and raised an eyebrow. "Pranks?" he asked amused.
"Don't look so smug, we still have to make that prank to win the map. Time's up next week," said Ron.
"And you thought that filling Snape's classroom with Cornish pixies was a good idea?"
"Maybe a bit unrealistic," shrugged Ron with a sheepish smile.
"Filling the entire great hall with stink bombs, putting Bog-fog fungus in the food, putting the Gryffindor crest on the Slytherins' robes…" continued Harry, reading off Ron's list.
"Yeah yeah, I get it, they're rubbish," said Ron in embarrassment and tried to take the book back. Harry easily avoided him and held the notebook out of reach from Ron's long arms.
"No honestly, I really like this one; changing the…" smirked Harry.
"I can strategize and plan battles, but I'm not a prankster," groaned Ron and continued accusingly, "I don't see you making any ideas!"
"That's because I wanted to see what your brain could come up with," smirked Harry but was interrupted when Ron pounced on him. Harry tried to avoid him but only managed to fall off the sofa. Ron followed and crouched over Harry, his elbows pressing down at Harry's sides, forcing him down to the floor.
"Give me the book," growled Ron threateningly, his eyes glinting mischievously.
Harry squirmed but didn't manage to throw Ron off. Instead he held the book high above his head, as far away from Ron's grabbing hand as he could.
"Come and get it," he said teasingly.
Ron growled and planted a quick kiss on Harry's lips before he scrambled up and proceeded to climb over Harry's shoulders and grab the book. He was inches away from the book when Harry suddenly threw it away.
Ron quickly stood up to get it but was forcefully pushed to the ground as Harry rammed him and afterwards picked up the book.
"Send Lockhart autographs to people, pretend to be muggle tourists, have an…" continued Harry to read from the book when he again was outside of Ron's reach.
"Give me that!" shouted Ron and made another lunge at Harry, who laughingly ran away. They chased around for a bit before Harry eventually leaped up in Hermione's lap and cried between laughs, "Sanctuary!"
Ron stopped and huffed before making another grab for the book.
"Save me Mione," begged Harry as he cuddled close to her like a kitten would.
"Oomph, you're heavy," groaned Hermione but took the book from Harry and vanished it. "Argument settled," she said in satisfaction. "Maybe I should have worked in a day nursery instead. I certainly have the experience to deal with immature children," she said smugly.
"Is that supposed to mean something?" said Ron indignantly at the same time as Harry cried, "My hero," and promptly kissed her on the mouth.
Hermione smiled beautifully when he pulled back, and Harry squirmed a bit so he could sit more comfortably in her lap. Ron came and sat down on the armrest.
"I'm not that heavy," said Harry suddenly as if he just now remembered what she had said.
"Please! Even a pixie would be heavy if they suddenly landed in your lap with the speed of a canon bolt," answered Hermione and rolled her eyes. The book she had been reading lay forgotten on the floor. "So Harry, where are your brilliant ideas for The Prank," asked Hermione, showing that she had been listening to their squabbling.
"Well…um I have a few ideas…" said Harry evasively.
Ron looked skeptical. "Really. Well let's hear them then, so I can diss them like you dissed mine."
"Some of your ideas were really good," admitted Harry. "We could build something from them, especially…" Harry stopped mid speech and turned to the window.
The others turned and saw Hermes, Percy's owl, trying to settle on the thin windowsill.
Ron quickly got up and opened the window, letting the owl settle on his arm.
"Did you…" started Hermione but she didn't need to say anymore as Ron nodded.
"Yes, same evening. I didn't think he would reply this fast. Hope he found anything at all," said Ron and frowned as he read the note from Percy. When he was finished, he sighed and gave the piece of parchment to Hermione, who quickly read it.
"He sounds a bit suspicious doesn't he?" she commented when she had finished.
"Well, there is only so much you can have an excuse for. Asking about ministry officials and paperwork is fine – ask about confiscated dark objects and people start wondering."
"So did he find anything?" asked Harry.
"No, he didn't stumble across a diary horcrux in a closet, if that's what you're asking," said Ron.
Harry rolled his eyes and waited patiently.
"Percy asked Arthur about it and apparently all Dark magical objects are stored in a room at the auror office. Only auror captains are allowed to remove things from there and only with written permission from the minister or the head of magical law enforcement."
"That rules out going the legal way," muttered Harry. "We could probably sneak in during Christmas break like how we got the locket," he hypothesized and looked at the others for confirmation.
"Difficult if we still have the trace in place," said Hermione with a frown.
"But not impossible if we plan it right," continued Ron.
"I guess we're on our own with this," said Harry.
"As if that's something new," snorted Hermione and motioned towards the book she had been reading. "We got nothing on the trace. It's a closely guarded secret. Those books from Borgin and Burke were the best, but I still haven't found a way to take it off."
"Relax, it's two months till Christmas. You'll find something," said Ron as he edged down from the armrest and squeezed himself in next to Hermione.
"Well Mister, if I don't; you better have a plan B prepared," retorted Hermione testily.
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"And homework will be to read chapter four. I recommend you make notes because you will have a written test next week," said Professor McGonagall in her strict voice and looked over the class.
"I'm so tired of the homework!" whispered Ron to Harry as he kept an extra eye on McGonagall. She had already called on him three times this week because he never paid attention in class. "I really thought I had finally gotten away from it!"
"You have," said Hermione languidly but with an amused edge. "Or have you forgotten that I do most of your homework anyway."
"Not history of magic or potions," reminded Ron. Hermione had decided that Ron needed practice in those subjects, so she refused to help him with those. It brought out lots of nostalgia for Harry every time he saw Ron pester Hermione about the Potions homework.
"One more thing before you go; Hogwarts will be visited by a team from the Department of Mysteries in the near future. The headmaster wanted to inform the students so that they won't be surprised by Unspeakables in the corridors," called McGonagall when she had finished writing on the black board.
The class looked curious at this, but no one seemed inclined to ask more questions, so Harry raised his hand.
"Yes Mr Potter."
"What kind of research will they be doing Professor?"
"They are going to pinpoint different magical signatures, and Hogwarts is really the ideal place for such tests, as you know the very air is saturated with magic," she said and turned to the rest of the class. "Feel free to ask them questions, but I doubt they will give satisfying answers. The Department of Mysteries has always been a very secretive department." With that she dismissed them.
"What do you think they are doing here?" wondered Harry out loud as they left.
Ron opened his mouth to answer but Rose was quicker, reminding them that they were not alone.
"Maybe they are looking for magic crystals. I've heard that they radiate lots of magic," she said in an excited voice.
"Isn't that a job for aurors?" said Parvati in a dubious voice. "Where did you hear that anyway?"
"My dad said that the Department of Mysteries deals with stuff like magic….weird magic. Right Harry?" she said, turning to Harry for support.
"Well something like that. They are rather secretive about it, but I know that they are storing prophecies there, and researching time and death. That would sort under weird stuff I guess," said Harry thinking out loud. He purposefully neglected to mention the veil.
"They also are the main conspirators behind the Garden Gnome-plot," said a voice from behind, and they turned to see Luna standing there. She had mud streaks on her cheeks, a sign that she had just had Herbology. From the peculiar smell hanging around her, Harry guessed they had been replanting Roseling-Gambit flowers.
"Garden Gnome-plot?" came the skeptical reply from Gwendolyn, the Gryffindor girl the trio couldn't remember from their own time.
"Yes, the Unspeakables capture creatures the magical world refuses to believe exists…"
"Such as Snorkacks," snorted a Ravenclaw girl in Luna's year, causing her comrades to giggle. Luna continued as if there had been no interruption.
"…They study their magic before stealing it and then transforming them into Garden gnomes, which they sell to muggles."
By now everyone who had been listening was laughing, but some, like the Ravenclaws, just looked embarrassed. Su Li, a Ravenclaw they had had Transfiguration with, stepped forward and gripped Luna's arm and tried to drag her away.
"Please Luna, just shut up," she said, half ordering.
Ron stepped forward and firmly released Luna. Placidly she followed Ron but turned and faced the laughing students.
"You can laugh but the truth is that 75 percent of the Department of Mysteries funds are coming from the profit of Garden gnome turned creatures."
"Completely loony!" commented Mandy Brocklehurst.
"How do you know about it if it they are so secretive?" asked Harry as they started down the corridor, ignoring the shouts of, "The Snorkacks told her!"
"A squib called Arthur Spiderwick found them out, and he managed to write it down in a book before Unspeakables silenced him."
"I guess there will be an article in the Quibbler soon about it?" asked Hermione to which Luna nodded.
"Dad is hoping that we will get it out before Christmas. I'll just ask some questions to the Unspeakables to get more material. I'm his unofficial Hogwarts correspondent you know."
"You are!" asked Ron surprised. "Do you get to write your own articles?"
"Not yet. I'm just making small observations, but that's the way to start; every little detail hides the clue to a bigger scene."
"Luna, I hope you will be careful when you deal with the Unspeakables. Don't ask too many uncomfortable questions," warned Harry as he looked at her young face.
Luna just smiled serenely back. "I'll be mindful. See you later." And with that she drifted off to the Ravenclaw table.
The trio remained standing, looking uneasily at each other. Her story had reminded them a little bit too much of other transgressions that had happened during their war. Memories of clinically white rooms, cribs looking like cages, and the crazed look in a child's eyes flashed before their eyes as they sat down at the Gryffindor table.
Magic measured and magic stolen. Children irreversibly damaged in the quest for more power.
If the same thing is happening here… After all every rumor has a small bit of truth in it.
"We'll have to investigate," murmured Hermione. "Just in case."
"We don't have time for it. Our schedule is already crammed and things are starting to pick up speed," murmured Ron back.
Hermione glared at him and stabbed at her sausages.
"But if they are doing those… vile…"
"The unspeakables weren't here in our time," murmured Harry, interrupting. He frowned thoughtfully. "I don't like how many things differ… too many unknowns."
"And what do you want to do? Capture an unspeakable and interrogate him? Those guys are creepy. Not even Voldemort dared to play with them too much," said Ron harshly, compelling Hermione to put up a muffliato around them.
"We don't do anything, we let Luna do her investigation…" said Harry finally.
"Harry! We can't let Luna be involved with them," objected Hermione.
"We'll keep an eye on her, help her out a bit; I know a spying charm I'm sure no one has heard about. If it turns out they are doing ma…experiments on them we'll interfere."
"We'll interfere on an Imperio, Crucio and Avada Kedavra level," said Hermione darkly.
"That we will," agreed Harry and grabbed Hermione's hand in a silent promise. The memory of a visit to a hospital emerged; of chaotic magic grapping at him – wild, broken, tainted, unbound magic. Empty eyes staring.
May the avengers be born with all their unstoppable rage.
Their discussion was suddenly interrupted by a clinking noise from the head table as Dumbledore stood up and motioned for silence.
"Dear young students," Dumbledore's cheerful voice rang out in the Great Hall, and the students quieted down. "I'm sure you are all excited for tonight. This is after all an extraordinary event that we all here, young and old, will get the chance to experience. It is the first time in over a hundred years that we welcome students from different schools, and I am sure we will all learn from our fellow wizard and witches. Now I could go on and on about how to be on your best behavior, but your teachers have already attempted to drill that message in, I believe. Whether you remember anything of it remains to be seen," said Dumbledore with a chuckle, his eyes twinkling as he looked out over the sea of students.
"Now, because the level of danger involved in the tournament, the Ministry has decided to assign aurors to be stationary at the school for the remainder of the year. So without further ado, let me introduce auror Potter and auror Black," said Dumbledore and motioned towards the doors.
The doors didn't bang open as had been the case with Moody, but nevertheless a storm of thrilled whispers broke out when the two men entered the room. James Potter and Sirius Black were both dressed in blood red auror robes with sturdy dragon hide boots.
Both walked up to the head table in long strides and shook hands with Dumbledore before turning towards the staring student body. Both James and Sirius had easy smiles on their faces, but they still cut a rather intimidating picture.
It's probably the robes. They practically scream professional dark wizard catcher, thought Harry even if he had to admit they looked very professional up there. The experience was rather new to Harry, who had never experienced James in "auror mode".
"They so planned that entrance in advance!" snorted Matthew a few seats away, but they could see the pride in his eyes as he stared at his father's flowing auror robes.
"Let's give our two resident aurors a warm welcome," said Dumbledore, and the hall exploded in applause.
James and Sirius smiled and waved to the students before sitting down to Dumbledore's left side. Harry saw how James leaned over and whispered something in Sirius' ear causing Sirius to grin. Dumbledore noticed and seemed to inquire to which both men looked a bit sheepish.
"The potions lesson is cancelled this afternoon," started Hermione, distracting Harry from watching James Potter.
"Maybe we can use the time to help Ron's fire along," replied Harry and scooped some of the now cold mashed potatoes in his mouth. He ignored how Ron sagged in his seat and put his head in his hands. His face was disturbingly similar to the grimace he used to do in their schooldays every time the potions homework loomed over him – dread and reluctance to the point where facing a dragon would be the favorable alternative.
"Can't we have a duel instead?" Ron asked hopefully. Harry and Hermione smirked to each other over Ron's head. "Honestly, I have felt a bit rusty these days," he continued desperately, after correctly reading their silence.
"You just hold on to your delusion if it makes you feel better," said Harry happily and patted Ron on his shoulders at the same time as Hermione said, "Don't even think it. You will practice." Her voice was hard as steel. Ron's only response was to groan and sink deeper down on the bench.
"What's going on little Ronniekins. You look troubled," came Fred's cheerful voice from behind them.
Ron muttered something unintelligible, leaving Harry and Hermione to explain.
"Potions homework," said Harry simply as if it explained everything. Sadly, it did.
"Ah," said Fred understandingly. "Fear not brother dearest. Just do as your older, and much smarter, brothers."
Ron glanced up at them questionly. "And what do you do to get away from potions homework?"
"Simple. Just flunk every single one! George and I haven't passed a single potions test during all our time in Hogwarts," said Fred.
George continued proudly, "We are most proud of our achievements; we are planning to graduate without a single pass."
"What does your mum think about such ambitions?" asked Harry.
"Um…well let's say that she was less then happy. Got us a meeting with McGonagall, she did."
"But don't you think you need to learn potions, I mean, for your future and all?" said Hermione and frowned towards them, knowing fully well about their plans for a joke shop, plans that seemed to be well on their way already.
"Aww, Hermione, we do not bother our brains with such boring things as 'future'," said George and made quotation marks with his fingers. "One day, when we are well over forty, we will…"
"Wake up as responsible adults. Hopefully," finished Fred with a grin.
"Unless your mum drags you into adulthood kicking and screaming," muttered Ron.
"Ah, well that's a possibility, but who is to say that we don't learn potions?" winked George as he patted Ron on the shoulder before taking out something from his pocket. "Here's something to cheer you up," he said and gave a bright yellow caramel to Ron who glared at it suspiciously.
"What does it do?"
Both twins held up their hands in surrender. "Why does everyone think that we are out to trick them! We haven't tampered with it. On our honor as family," they said solemnly with their hands on their wands before hurrying towards where Lee Jordan was sitting. "Maybe we should start giving people food that's not tampered with, just to mess with their head," they heard George muse out loud.
"I don't trust their word more than I would trust Snape's ability to forgive," muttered Ron before taking out his wand and starting to check for properties. The result had them all shake their heads in exasperation. "Bastards," said Ron disbelievingly.
"They are simply geniuses. If Snape knew their talent…"
"Oh we'll let him know," said Ron and swiped the caramel and stuffed it in his pocket. "After all, an invention like this has to be put to use."
Harry and Ron grinned towards each other, and even Hermione had to smile at their plotting faces.
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Later on that afternoon had them all in an abandoned classroom to make an attempt to tame Ron's fire element. They had never before made a serious attempt to get it under control, so their feelings were of nervousness – Hermione – and pessimism – Ron.
"Okay Ron let's start," said Hermione as she took one last look at her messily scribbled and woefully incomplete notes. She had spent many hours in the library trying to find information about elementals. Turns out that Hogwarts only had four books in the subject and most of them were only treating the elementals as a myth.
Hermione did not like not knowing. She wanted to have all the facts so she could at least make some educated guesses. With these rubbish books, she couldn't theorize or even make any guesses. It was infuriating!
"When all this is over, I'll write my own book," she grumbled as she slammed down the notes on the table and stepped up to Ron. "You have to meditate. When you find your inner calm, try to feel the fire burning inside of you," she stated promptly.
Ron looked skeptical but did as she ordered. He sat down Indian style on the floor. For a few minutes, the only thing that could be heard was his deep breathing. After about twenty minutes of this, Hermione glanced at Harry, who sat slouching in a chair, watching the lesson. Having caught her look, he shrugged noncommittally. He had no idea.
Hermione looked annoyed and resisted the temptation to check her notes again. She turned hesitantly to Ron.
"Ron, try to focus on the…" she started in a low deliberate voice but Ron interrupted her.
"I'm not there yet." His voice was tinted with carefully controlled annoyance, and Hermione fell silent. She sighed and went back to sit with Harry as they waited for Ron to find some meditative calm.
The minutes ticked by as they watched Ron struggle to clear his head from all thoughts and feelings. He had always had the hardest time doing this, so they weren't surprised when suddenly he opened his eyes. "I can't do it! I can't concentrate!" he said in an irritated voice.
Hermione gave of an annoyed huff and got up from Harry's lap. "You have to try Ron!"
"What do you think I have been doing!" replied Ron hotly.
From his vantage point, Harry could see how Hermione closed her eyes briefly, praying for patience.
"It's not like I get any directions; meditate and feel your inner fire you say. It's not that easy!" continued Ron.
"There is nothing on the subject, no books, no masters, nothing! We have to figure it out ourselves. So I would appreciate if you could put down some effort. I spent hours in the library finding this so you could control your element!" said Hermione scathingly.
Ron sputtered and was about to retort when Harry groaned and dragged his hand through his hair.
"Come off it Ron. At least she is trying to help," he more or less ordered.
"How can you take her side! You know how difficult it is to grasp something like this with too little information. Wasn't that the mistake Snape did with your occlumency lessons?" he grumbled.
Harry's look silenced him. Harry stood up, and for the first time really engaged himself in the lesson.
"That was a bit different; Snape knew how to teach Occlumency – he only chose not to. Hermione is trying her best to help you learn a forgotten branch of magic, so a little gratefulness is appropriate I think," he said and folded his arms.
Ron sighed deeply before nodding, but he didn't sit down again. "We have to think of something else. This meditation thing doesn't work," he stated stubbornly.
They were silent for a few minutes, trying to figure out how to help Ron.
"Every time the fire came fourth, what did you feel? Any particular emotions?" Hermione asked after a while.
"Strong emotions: fear, hate, urgency and panic…desperation," said Ron slowly.
"In other words: the fire comes to you when you let go of all barriers – when there is nothing left than raw basic instincts?" said Harry and finished with a question.
"Maybe, but how does that help us?" said Ron, feeling rather clueless. For him, the concept of calling forth fire without using magic was rather bizarre. And he was the fire elemental!
"We need to find out what the fire is to you," said Hermione. Her eyes glowed as they did when she had gotten an idea. She waved her hand distractedly in the air, and Harry and Ron knew better than to try and interrupt her – making Hermione lose her trail of thought was never a good thing. "For you the fire comes at strong emotions. You need to be able to call forth the fire without using emotion."
"And how would I do that?" asked Ron quickly, chancing a question.
"We need you to find the fire. You have to identify the feel of it when your fire stirs," babbled Hermione, now pacing on the floor.
Harry and Ron glanced at each other bemusedly. She was rambling again.
"But how do I go about it?" cried Ron. "I have never felt the fire before, and when I do it's just when it's happening!"
"And what did you feel?" asked Hermione interested.
"I don't know! Just that something big and powerful just went out of control. I don't know!"
"That's not really helpful," sighed Hermione.
"Sorry, I wasn't really paying attention to how I felt during those moments. If you had forgotten, people were dying all around us at the time!"
"Maybe we could try to replicate the situation to try to stir the fire," mused Harry thoughtfully.
"Good idea. We can throw him in a nest of Acromantulas and see if that is distressing enough," said Hermione.
"This is serious," said Ron in a firm voice, showing that he had no intentions of going near any spider.
"Funny, I don't see you treating this seriously," bit Hermione back. They stood glaring at each other for a few seconds. Harry stared impassively at them; he couldn't really understand the tension between them, but then again sometimes those two didn't need an excuse to argue.
Suddenly Hermione swirled around and glared at Harry. "Your turn, I don't care right now," she said and stormed to the door. "I'm going to the library, see you later." And with that she slammed the door shut.
The two boys stood quiet for a while before Ron let out a breath.
"Barmy that one. Why did she have to fly off the handle like that?" exclaimed Ron.
Harry went up and tugged at Ron's hair. "Prat, you could have been a little bit easier on her."
"It's not that easy. You know how difficult this is and when she is her bossy self…"
"But you will apologize to her." It wasn't a question. "You know she is a bit stressed out over the trace and everything."
Ron nodded, and Harry went back to the matter at hand. "So fire…I thought, maybe we don't have to replicate things like fear and desperation. How about positive feelings?"
"Happiness…love," murmured Ron as he caught on. "We shouldn't have let Mione walk out on us," he said regretfully.
"Let's get her back then. We have important research to do," said Harry and waved his hand, summoning his Patronus. Prongs showed up in the middle of the room and stared attentively at them. "Hermione, we have made a breakthrough and we need you. Please come back," he said and waved his hand, sending the Patronus on its way.
Meanwhile Hermione had arrived to the library and had returned to her thick tomes. Grabbing Scrying and tracing of the olde days, she sat down in on of the uncomfortable library chairs. Huffing in annoyance she quickly looked around to make sure no one was around before swiftly transfiguring the wooden chair into a nice recliner. After some effort she managed to find page 569, where she had last been reading.
Another method of ensuring that your brood, be it by blood or not is safe, is by affixing to them a warded pendant or other trinket linked to a ward stone, this would ensure knowing the condition on pre-decided aspects of the protégé – no matter where he or she is. This method stopped working when the person died however – making it popular to use in war, (note; it wasn't infallible, should the ward fall of so would its power).
Another more obscure and occult branch of this method is the so called blood tracing. This particular form was created by Elfriga MacDoaugal in the twelfth century to be able to trace her children should they ever be kidnapped by troll which was a common occurrence in southern Scotland at the time. In our enlightened era, though, this is considered Dark arts due to the fact that it is irreversible. By taking blood from…
Hermione was interrupted at this point when a familiar Patronus appeared in front of her.
"Hermione, we have made a breakthrough and we need you. Please come back." Harry's voice came from the stag before it bowed its head towards her and faded away. Hermione put down the old, and frankly dead-boring, book and was about to hurry back to her boys, when she suddenly paused.
She still felt a little bit annoyed with them. Why, she truthfully couldn't tell. It wasn't like they had had a major argument – just small bickering. So why did she still feel annoyed with them?
She sat down in the recliner but put away the book. She frowned thoughtfully as she played with one of her quills. She was annoyed with them – annoyed with the fact that they didn't see fit to really make an effort with Ron's element. Annoyed that they sometimes did things where she couldn't really follow them (really, sneaking out past curfew to steal brooms). Annoyed that she seemed to be the only one working, day in and day out with these boring books, trying to find a way to cancel the trace.
Maybe we have been together too much, she thought sardonically. She picked up a more promising book and started reading. Let them do without me for a bit, then we'll see if they come running.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - .
"What is taking her so long?" muttered Harry impatiently.
"She is not a house-elf to come when we call," reminded Ron. "She is probably just showing us that she is still annoyed."
"But why does she have to show us that right now," grumbled Harry, to which Ron only shrugged. Harry blew out a breath and stepped up to Ron, who held his ground.
"We better go and get her then," he said and grabbed Ron's hand, already turned towards the door.
"Can't you tell me what your brilliant idea was first. You can't leave me hanging here," complained Ron, refusing to move an inch despite Harry's pulling at his arm.
Harry turned around and faced him, his eyes sparkling with humor. "Oh, I just thought we could create some strong emotions," he said nonchalantly and went closer to Ron. "Something that is sure to spark some fire inside of you. Something like this," he said and suddenly leaned up and kissed Ron.
Ron felt his heart flutter in his chest, and he slid his own hands up across Harry's torso. The rational part of his brain knew that this was only for trying to figure out the secrets to his fire element, but the other part of his brain didn't care. He felt wave after wave of Something flooding his body, and he made a move to take the lead in the kissing.
He didn't get a chance though, because suddenly Harry flinched back from him. Ron mourned the loss for a split second before his senses made him aware of someone behind him.
Spinning around he came face to face with a towering Severus Snape.
How did he enter here? Thought Ron, perplexed. The door was warded and… his gaze drifted to the door and felt like punching himself. Of course; the warding fell when Hermione stormed out. And we didn't put them up again. He glanced at Harry, who seemed to have come to the same conclusion. They were getting a bit too careless.
"Potter, Weasley," Snape acknowledged with a dark smirk. "I have always known that there was something wrong with Gryffindors, but not even I would think you would start jumping at your own gender," he stated in a triumphal voice.
"We are in love Professor; there's nothing wrong with that," said Harry in controlled voice. He made a show of taking Ron's hand in his and squeezed it reassuringly. No point in trying to conceal the truth now.
"Oh I don't know if the rest of the world agrees, but we'll find out, won't we? I might have to report it to your head of house, and she would undoubtedly have to report such questionable behavior to your parents. I wonder what they would do should they find out that their sons are poufs – such a disappointment," he said vindictively and continued, "Or maybe not in Weasley's case; they have enough brood to keep the line going."
"What do you want us to say Professor? You caught us red handed," said Harry in a low voice as he considered his options. "Although we could memory-charm you, kill you or threaten you to silence." He fell silent as he pondered each option. They had all merits. Maybe the middle one was a bit difficult to get away with. Difficult but not impossible, he thought wickedly.
"As if you would ever land a curse on me, but please try; I would love to see Potter's face when his son is expelled for attacking a teacher."
They didn't really get a chance to answer because in that moment James and Sirius appeared in the doorway. First it seemed that they would just continue on their way, but then Sirius happened to look inside and see their number one enemy.
"Hey, what's going on here? Snape, what are you doing with my son?" called James.
"Nothing you need to concern you with Potter, I'm just disciplining these two Gryffindors."
"Oh yeah, and what did they do?" asked Sirius and crossed his arms.
Snape glanced at Harry and Ron, his eyes calculating, Harry started to get a feeling that maybe he wouldn't have to memory-charm three people tonight.
"Nothing you need to know about Black – student confidentiality you know…or maybe you don't. You never were one for discretion. Must be blood-traitor dysfunction."
"Why you…" started Sirius angrily but was interrupted by Snape, who waved at Harry and Ron.
"Get out of my sight now before I change my mind."
"Yes Professor." They quickly obeyed, but when they slunk past the Professor, Harry carefully leaned in and muttered, "Thank you."
Snape acted as if he hadn't heard, and instead he called after them.
"And Potter, Weasley – fifty points from Gryffindor for inappropriate behavior," he said in a smug voice that told that he enjoyed taking points from James's son right in front of his eyes.
"Hey wait, you can't take that many points for no reason at all," shouted Sirius in outrage.
"Yes I can Black!" sneered Snape. "It's one of the privileges of being a teacher; we get to take away points for improper behavior no matter what objections their parents may have."
"Improper behavior according to you, you slimy…" What Sirius intended to say was lost to Harry and Ron as they hurried down the corridor.
"Maybe we should have stayed – just to make sure they don't kill each other," said Ron.
"Eh, that won't be necessary; it might be two of them, but Snape knows a lot of dark curses. It'll be even."
"But they are aurors," reminded Ron.
Harry simply replied, "But he is a Slytherin."
Ron simply rolled his eyes to this and didn't voice his thoughts on that particular argument. What does being Slytherin have to do with it?
Forgetting about their elders' misgivings they set out to find Hermione, which was rather easy, even without using the tracking charms they had applied on each other. She was in the library like they had expected. What was unexpected though was that her books laid discarded all around her, and instead she was busy doodling away on a parchment.
Harry sneaked up behind her and glanced over her shoulder. The parchment was full of drawings of Ron and himself. In one corner were a sketch of a wolf and a werewolf wrestling together, an owl was spreading her wings over them.
"It looks great," complimented Harry. Hermione flinched, startled, before flicking her wand and vanishing the parchment. "That was unnecessary," said Harry, slightly hesitant, and touched her lightly on her shoulder. "They were really beautiful. You have talent."
Hermione sighed and leaned against Harry, eliciting a small smile from Harry.
"I'm not angry with you," she said slowly when she noticed how his emotions soared.
"But something was wrong, wasn't it. And it wasn't only Ron's fire lesson," said Harry as he played around with her hair.
"It was nothing, I'm fine now," she said dismissively. She could almost feel how they exchanged looks over her head.
"Okay," said Ron finally in a clearly disbelieving voice, telling her that the matter wasn't forgotten. "Well, if it's nothing then we better go now; the schools will be here any moment now, and McGonagall will kill us if we're not there on time," he said and grabbed both of them. With himself in the middle and a steady grip around their shoulders, he led them towards the entrance hall. "And what was so special about the parchment?" he asked, befuddled.
"Hermione has been keeping secrets from us," said Harry happily. "She never saw fit to tell us that she is a very gifted drawer," he continued, causing Hermione to blush slightly.
"Oh, I didn't know," said Ron enthusiastically. Surprises among them were rare these days. "Can you show me?"
"No, I'm not that good," mumbled Hermione, a little bit embarrassed, and decided there and then to put her strongest wards on her parchment.
As if reading her mind Harry chose just then to say, "We will see them sooner or later Hermione, no matter how much you'll try and hide them."
Hermione glared suspiciously at Harry. She hadn't detected any intrusion in her mind, but that didn't mean he hadn't passed her shields. Then again, he knows me too well. The feeling of being too close to her boyfriends welled up within her before she squashed it down. Really, she was being ridiculous. Being too close to her boyfriends! They were her world, her life, her heart.
No privacy, no individuality. Again the crushed her traitorous thoughts and focused on the scene in front of them.
They were a bit late, so the rest of the school had already gathered outside the school. They ended up far in the back behind some particularly tall seventh years.
It was a cold and clear evening; dusk was falling, and a pale, transparent-looking moon was already shining over the forbidden forest.
The three of them stood silent, this time around not speculating over how the two schools might arrive. All around them students were eagerly talking to each other while craning their necks in all direction in the hopes of spotting their far-away guests.
In the corner of his eye, Harry could see James and Sirius come out from the doors and stalk up to where Dumbledore stood. Both looked grim and angry, and Sirius' red auror clothes had a big gash that James quickly repaired as they went. Dumbledore seemed to inquire something to James to which James just grimaced.
Harry turned around in time to see Snape slink out through the doors, magic suspiciously circling his left eye in what looked like a glamour. He skulked to the far left, as far away from Sirius and James as he could get, and then proceed to melt into the shadows. He actually did it so well that Harry suspected he had used a notice-me-not charm.
He managed to catch Snape's eyes through the haze of whatever enchantments, and Harry smiled. Snape predictably sneered back, but it wasn't as hateful as Harry remembered it. His smile widened, and he motioned to Hermione and not-too-subtly pointed towards Snape, who was still scrutinizing them.
"Snape caught Ron and me kissing before," he whispered to her. Hermione didn't answer, but he could tell she was listening. "He didn't tell on us, which is very un-Snape like."
"Maybe he wanted blackmail material," suggested Hermione.
"From a couple of teenagers?" asked Harry skeptically.
"Maybe he wanted to have a hold on us. Still a bit unrealistic I admit."
"He probably just wanted to use you as revenge against the Marauders," said Ron simply.
"Whatever reason, I'm happy. It saved us an Obliviate, and even if he is using us in some scheme of his, we can always Obliviate him if it gets annoying," said Harry in a calm voice. He didn't mention that he had new respect for the dour potions master. That would be embarrassing should Snape turn out to be using them.
"Isn't it annoying that we have to second guess everything all the time?" complained Ron at the same time as Hermione whispered in an awed voice, "Here they come!"
She pointed to the sky where the black shape of Beauxbatons' carriage appeared above the Forbidden Forest, pulled by a dozen magnificent winged horses.
The front three rows of students drew backward as the carriage hurtled ever lower, coming in to land at a tremendous speed. Then, with an almighty crash, the horses' hooves, larger than dinner plates, hit the ground. A second later, the carriage landed too, bouncing upon its vast wheels while the golden horses tossed their enormous heads and rolled large, fiery red eyes.
The Hogwarts students stood shock-still, staring in awe at the great carriage, when the door suddenly opened and Headmistress Maxime stepped out.
The trio smirked at the astonished looks she garnered and proceeded to look out for Fleur. They easily spotted her silvery waist-long hair as she emerged right after Madame Maxime.
"She looks beautiful as usual," commented Ron flippantly as he watched his potentially sister-in-law.
"We should introduce ourselves," said Harry, which caused the other two to eye him weirdly.
"Eh Harry? She doesn't know us," reminded Ron.
"Yet," said Harry, grinning for some reason. "We could try and show her that not all students are "dimwitted idiots" as she so eloquently put it."
"That might have been because half of the student population treated her like the goddess Aphrodite – must have gotten annoying after a while," snorted Hermione.
"But it would be nice to see her again. A little bit weird isn't it? Last time we saw her was when we shipped the Jones family to France," said Ron, causing Harry to frown in thought.
"I thought last time we saw her was during the Hertford battle."
"Nah, she came personally to see them over the channel. We didn't have much time for chatting. You were off fighting the giants in Wales at the time. She told us that she had decided a name for the baby," explained Ron, causing Hermione to interject with a shake of her head.
"Five months pregnant and still running around organizing the refugee camp in France. She was a strong woman," she said fondly.
"I don't remember that happening, but then again, that winter was a horrible one," said Harry with a sigh.
"It was the autumn Harry," reminded Ron, amused.
"See what I mean? Those weeks were mostly a blur. My memories a jumbled mess – battle upon battle, with no means to distinguish them from each other."
"It was a bit stressful," conceded Ron, ignoring Harry's snort at the obvious understatement.
"Look at the lake!" a third year Ravenclaw suddenly screamed, and heads turned just in time to see a mast rise from the water. With a loud sloshing sound, the ship broke the surface and came to float on the turbulent water. After a minute or so, the water stilled and the ship started towards the beach with an almost eerie stillness only augmented by the nearly full moon.
As she skeleton-looking ship reached the shore, the anchor was lowered and a big plank connected with land with a loud bang that echoed over the ground. Almost immediately figures started to emerge, and Harry tensed when he saw the person leading the Durmstrang students.
It was a bulky man with a big beard tied up in beads and bands. When he turned around to face the students, Harry could see that his hair was also elaborately decorated with colorful trinkets. He wore a blood red cloak rimmed with gold and forest green that could even rival Dumbledore's sense of clothing.
But it wasn't the man's choice of clothing that had him uncertain; it was the fact that the man wasn't Karkaroff.
"Where's…" started Hermione as they saw the man walk up to Dumbledore in long strides and shake his hand enthusiastically.
"Ah Dumbledore, how good to finally meet you!" he said in a loud rumbling voice that immediately had everyone listening.
"You too, for a while I never thought we would be able to tear you away from the adventure that surely must be Durmstrang," said Dumbledore jovially.
"Too true, but with a quest such as this, how could Durmstrang do anything but rise to the challenge?" he stated and gestured grandly to the students behind him. "We are more than prepared to show you Europeans how to survive," he stated jokingly even though Harry could hear the conviction in his words.
"You forget, Pyotr, that you are Europeans too," reminded Dumbledore, chuckling.
"Tch, deatails. You know Dumbledore that the location of Durmstrang is supposed to be a secret," said Pyotr in a booming voice.
"And a mystery you strive hard to uphold," inserted Dumbledore before welcoming them inside. The guests went in, quickly followed by the Hogwarts students, eager to finally get away from the biting wind.
The students from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons disappeared, but the Hogwarts students gathered in the entrance hall to engage in some gossiping. From the excited whispering all around them, Harry realized that several had noticed that Krum was amongst the Durmstrangs students.
Hermione was currently busy teasing Ron, something that was rather stupid on her side considering that Ron had just as much ammo on that particular topic.
"AndHermy-own-ninny, what will you do, if dear Vicky asks you to be his date again."
"I would say yes – if only to see you work yourself into frenzy about getting a girl."
"Don't be silly, I would simply go with Harry," whispered Ron discreetly and touched Hermione's cheek. For understandable reasons, Ron and Harry avoided touching each other in public.
"And wouldn't that cause a stir," snorted Harry. "In some aspects the wizarding world is still stuck in the Victorian era; they'd crucify us for being such 'abominations.'"
"Abominations? I think I can recall at least three teachers that called us that in school," came James' voice from behind.
"And I'm sure you didn't deserve such an epithet at all," replied Harry silkily and gave his dad a rather awkward hug.
"Yeah yeah son, I get it. You don't have to hug me in front of your friends. We are just passing through, so I won't embarrass you too much," he said with an easy smile. Then he went to completely contradict his own words. "So Harry, what's with you and writing? Your old folks feel rather neglected at home – two letters since school started. Two! What on earth do you need an owl for if you're not using it!"
Harry didn't really know what to say, mostly because he was sure it would be awkward to say he sent letters to others. Luckily Hermione rescued him.
"Harry's been kind enough to lend Hedwig to me and Ron when ever we want to write, so she's been quite busy, Mr. Potter.
"Oh well, then it's fine I guess," finished James a bit sheepishly. "Um, do you know where your sister and her cohorts are?"
"No idea, they're probably here somewhere. I'm sure you can find them using your awesome auror skills," said Harry, rather unhelpful.
"No need for auror skills. We'll just follow in the wake of chaos," said Sirius and was about to leave when Harry stopped them.
"Dad, Sirius, I was wondering, could you help us with something?"
James, who seemed to switch into protective father mood as soon as the word "help" was mentioned, stopped and stared attentively at his son.
"We were just wondering about the headmaster of Durmstrang. Who is he?"
The two men looked rather confused over the question, but Sirius answered nonetheless.
"He is Pyotr Tokovsky, a once time dueling champion and legendary grey wizard. Was an annoyance for the ICW for years because of his rather laissez-faire view on the statue of secrecy. I think they got quite happy when he became headmaster of Durmstrang a few years back and he had to follow such boring things as regulations and rules."
"But what happened to Karkaroff? I thought he was the headmaster?" asked Hermione.
"He was, up till six years ago when he died," said James slowly. It didn't go unnoticed that the two men suddenly had become more wary and scrutinized the trio. "Why the interest? Karkaroff was never the most brilliant of wizards."
"We just want to know. Is there a problem with that?"
"No… it's just that… some things you're better off not knowing."
"Why, he was just a headmaster…" said Harry innocently before continuing suspiciously, "How did he die?"
"He was murdered," came reluctantly from James.
"Do you know who did it?"
"No, and we probably never will. He was murdered when he was on his way home from a friend. It could have been anyone, even a muggle, and we have no way of catching the murderer."
"Karkaroff did snitch on a lot of Death Eaters," said Hermione, and when she saw the strange looks she got from James and Sirius, added defensively, "What! It's a matter of public records."
"I can imagine a lot of Death Eaters escaped Azkaban. They would be out for revenge on a traitor."
"Listen, you can research it if you are so interested, but you won't find anything on it. It would be safer if you just put your energy into something else."
"To me it sounds like you have your suspects," said Harry and eyed them coldly. "And don't dare say that we are too young!"
"It's not that. We can't give out sensitive information like that, so forget all of it. You are students, not aurors," said James, scrutinizing them. They nodded reluctantly, and James smiled thinly and turned around. Just before leaving he seemed to remember something, and he touched Harry's shoulder.
"Oh and Harry congrats at your improved grades," said James before they disappeared in the crowd.
"I hate being underage. No one takes you seriously, and you can't force information out of people," grumbled Ron.
"The Loyals," said Harry impassively. "That's what the aurors suspects."
Ron and Hermione didn't question where he got the information from.
"Makes sense; if the rumors right, then most of the inner circle is together, and they wouldn't appreciate someone selling them out. They would want revenge," mused Harry.
"I'm surprised that they dare to do any unauthorized killings. As far as I know, Death Eaters don't dare to even sneeze without their master's permission," said Ron.
Maybe Voldemort isn't as isolated as we think. Maybe he leads the Death Eaters already, infiltrating the wizarding world, thought Harry darkly. He didn't get opportunity to voice his thoughts because a cheerful voice called out to them.
"Hey Ron!" Percy appeared at the doors and ran over to them. He was wearing dark blue robes with a paper-filled satchel over his shoulder.
"Percy," said Ron, surprised. "What are you doing at Hogwarts? This is Harry and Hermione by the way," he continued hastily, motioning to his two companions.
"Nice to meet you." Percy nodded to the two of them with a smile. "I'm here with Fudge. He is the head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation. Fudge is going to be one of the judges."
"Oh right; you are his personal assistant," said Hermione. "How is work?"
"It's okay. In the beginning it was just a secretary job, but after I declined Umbridge's offer, I got some more responsibility," said Percy proudly before discreetly looking over his shoulder. In a lower voice he added, "Fudge is very ambitious you see, he wants to become the next minister of magic. He spends all his time charming allies and supporters, which means he's far too busy for ordinary tasks, meaning he leaves them for me to do."
"Do you know what kind of allies he's getting?" wondered Harry.
"Malfoy, Nott, Zabini and Selwyn are the ones who have been the most generous with donations for his cause," informed Percy. When he saw their surprised expression, he added smugly, "What! I handle all of his affairs after all: speeches, bank transfers, appointments, documents, meeting with low level diplomats."
"So he won't like it at all if you suddenly decide to switch loyalties?" asked Harry with a grin.
"Not at all."
"So where is he now?" asked Ron.
"He went to speak with Longbottom, I think he wants to convince the Boy-who-lived to join his cause; it would look very good in his campaign," said Percy and nodded towards the stairs where Fudge were talking animatedly with Neville. Neville seemed a bit overwhelmed by the attention, but they seemed to hit off well enough.
"Pompous idiot," muttered Harry.
"Which one?" asked Hermione good-naturedly.
Percy, who had stared at his boss with an indecipherable look, turned back and clasped Ron's arm in farewell. "I better go and remind him that we are supposed to meet headmaster before entering." He smiled and laughed shortly, showing a side of him they had never really seen before maybe with the exception of a short moment during battle of Hogwarts. "I am the most efficient assistant in the ministry after all; don't want the boss to remember by himself and then reprimand me for not reminding him," he winked at them before striding over to where Fudge stood.
"He's very different from how I remember," said Hermione.
"Maybe it's the absence of Crouch…" suggested Ron.
"Or just the fact that he has someone in the family who cares about his career," said Harry and looked pointedly at Ron.
"Eh, we have only been on a good foot since the summer, not enough to cause any major personality changes," said Ron dismissively.
"But you do like him, genuinely like him," said Hermione knowledgeably. Ron nodded.
"I do. He is more serious than the rest of the family, easier to connect to… also I never was that close to him in my old time. When I was younger, he was always so pompously. Then he broke from the family, and during the war we had to pretend we hated each other as to not blow his cover."
"I guess this Percy never stole the place of the old one. You have a clean slate," said Hermione.
"Yeah…" said Ron with a small smile. On the other side of the hall he could see the doors to the Great Hall open and the Hogwarts students started to filter inside – still talking excitedly. He turned to Harry with a grin, "so, shall we mingle with the guests then? Prove that there aren't only dunderheads in Hogwarts?"
"Hah, they will undoubtedly think that of us anyway. Remember we are three years younger," teased Hermione.
"But then it will be so much more fun to surprise them," said Harry and led the way inside the Great Hall. Ron and Hermione smiled and clasped hands, following him.
They hung back slightly when they entered so that they still were close to the doors when the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons students arrived. The Beauxbatons barely stopped as they immediately headed towards Ravenclaw table, as directed by Fleur.
The Durmstrang students stayed by the doors, unsure, and seemed to have a silent conversation between them.
Boldly Harry stepped up to them so that he got their attention.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," he said with an easy smile and nodded towards them. "I'm Harry Potter and you are welcome to sit at our table if you'd like." By now he had the attention of everyone in the hall. The attention weren't all positive, as some student whispered that it should have been the head boy greeting them and not some measly fourth year.
The Durmstrang students however, looked rather relieved and didn't seem to mind the fourth year. Krum gave him a terse nod and they all followed Harry. They sat down just as the teachers and headmasters entered the hall. The Beauxbatons students all leapt up to their feet when Madame Maxime entered.
A few of the Hogwarts students laughed at this and the Durmstrang students seemed quite astounded by this behavior.
"What a bunch of…" muttered one Durmstrang student and finished with a word in Russian, they didn't understand it but all the Durmstrang students sniggered.
The teachers and guests all sat down while Dumbledore remained standing.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, ghosts and - most particularly - guests," said Dumbledore, beaming around at the foreign students. "I have great pleasure in welcoming you all to Hogwarts. I hope and trust that your stay here will be both comfortable and enjoyable."
Fleur at the Ravenclaw table gave a derisive laugh; she was still wearing her muffler on her head, as were several of her friends.
"For students who obviously thinks manners are important; they're acting quite rude," commented Hermione, causing some of the Durmstrangs to nod.
"The tournament will be officially opened at the end of the feast," continued Dumbledore. "I now invite you all to eat, drink, and make yourselves at home!"
He sat down, and Harry saw headmaster Tokovsky lean forward at once and engage him in conversation.
The plates in front of them filled with food as usual. The house-elves in the kitchen seemed to have pulled out all the stops; there were even a few foreign dishes at the table.
"Excuse me, are you wanting ze bouillabaisse?" a melodious voice asked from behind them, interrupting the conversation they had just striked up with the Durmstrangs. They turned around to see Fleur standing there, nodding towards the bouillabaisse.
"No, you can have it," said Ron and handed it over. He gave her a small smile and said, "Welcome to Hogwarts by the way, hope you'll like it here."
Fleur snorted disbelievingly and motioned towards the hall and the students. "I doubt it, iz cold and drab."
"You can borrow my coat if you want," offered a Durmstrang student. He stared at Fleur admiringly and seemed to have forgotten all about their slightly disdained thoughts about the Beauxbatons students. "Durmstrang gets a lot colder than this, I don't mind the chill."
"No thank you," said Fleur dismissively, showing clearly that she was all too used to this sort of behavior. She turned away from him and surveyed the others around the table. Everyone was gawking at her, not even the older Durmstrang boys managed to keep the awe from their faces. She paused for a second when she noticed that neither Ron nor Harry was staring at her love struck but instead with curiosity.
She seemed bewildered for a second before she shrugged and gave a small smile to them and returned to her table, bouillabaisse in her hands.
The trio watched amused as their guests and housemates stared longingly after the veela.
"Isn't she the most beautiful woman in the world?" commented Harry slyly, causing the Durmstrang students to snap out of it.
"A veela!" groaned a boy who had introduced himself as Alexander Zjanyv, who sat to Krum's right side.
"Quarter veela, I think," said Hermione.
"I think you all handled it quite well, except for the gawping and offer to lend her the coat – that was a bit obvious I'm afraid," said Harry lightly.
"I had a cousin whose girlfriend was veela, almost caused a blood feud to break out between my brother and uncle. She was flirting with everything that moved, seductresses the lot of them," grumbled a very east European looking boy.
"How come you weren't affected?" asked Krum dismayed and stared at them, he was one of those how had snapped out of it the quickest.
"Oh, we wouldn't dare," said Harry and nudged Hermione in the side, "She would kill us if we started to act like normal boys."
Hermione's lip twitched and Ron choked on his pumpkin juice. Hermione ignored them and turned instead to Krum.
"I was wondering, how will you manage school? Will you share classes with our seventh years or will you been in your ship?"
Krum was about to answer when a nervous voice was heard from behind, "excuse me, Victor, could you sign my book?"
They glanced around to see a sixth year Ravenclaw standing there, two giggling friends at her side. Krum sighed almost unnoticeably and gave the girls a tightlipped smile. "Sure, what shall I write?" he asked politely.
The girls burst out in new giggles and the first girl managed to recite, "to Sheylynn from Victor would be perfect. You know I really admired that feint you did in the world cup, it was so daring of you!" she continued admiringly. Krum's smile turned a little bit more strained and he quickly finished the autograph.
He was just about to turn back to the conversation at the table when a horde of girls who had seen the exchange arrived. Krum sent a pleading look to his friends who just laughed and motioned for him to return to his fans, apparently used to this kind of behavior.
"Let's continue without him, our Victor will be busy for the rest of the evening," said Alexander amused. Krum muttered something no one could hear but his friend seemed to get the gist of it for he laughed again. "The price of fame, friend," he pointed out before turning back to Hermione. "We will have some classes with you, like Herbology and potions but some we will have in our ship, we have subjects in our curriculum that you don't teach here at Hogwarts," he explained, that it was the Dark Arts they taught was left unsaid.
Harry couldn't help but to feel a bit jealous of the Durmstrang students who got to learn the Dark Arts – they were dead useful in battle. He had conveniently forgotten that he once had been appalled by the fact that a school thought the Dark Arts. He had been a lot more naïve at fourteen.