Harry Potter And The Marauders Of The Phoenix: a Plot-Bunny Adoption
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Chapter 1: Shades Of Black
The Englanderish
Schrödinger's Kuudere Kitty Caliph(a)
- Location
- Califat de Chats
Based on a plot-bunny put up for adoption by @Ranma-sensei
I wasn't going to do any more stories until Star Wars: Nobody Dies Episode 1 was well in swing, but this caught my eye and intrigued me. So I started writing.
As usual, since I'm the one writing it, this is of course all Strypgia's fault.
[Sips tea]
Suggestions on direction and scenes you'd like to see will be considered.
I'm currently undecided on the title, suggestions welcome. It now has a title!
This'll likely be regular weekly until my Star Wars: Nobody Dies fic catches up to the chapter I'm writing. This fic will then most likely become semi-regular.
So, without further ado:
"You are certain of this?" asked Bartemius Crouch Senior.
On the witness stand, Severus Snape fixed his beady eyes briefly on the prisoner chained in the chair below them both.
"Yes. Sirius Black was not the man who betrayed the Potters to The Dark Lord," he replied, his sallow skin almost glowing eerily in the light of the torches, "In my capacity as a spy within his ranks, I was present the night their location was betrayed."
"Then who, pray tell, was it?" asked Crouch tersely.
"One Peter Pettigrew," Snape almost spat, "I have the memories to prove it."
There was a brief murmuring amongst the rather sparse jury. They all nodded to Crouch.
"Very well," said Crouch, "Show us these memories."
Snape pressed his wand to his temple and used it to draw a wispy silvery strand from it. He dropped the strand into the basin in front of him.
A small group of robed people were gathered around a round table. All but two wore skull-masks.
The first was a tall, thin individual with red eyes, chalk white skin, long bony fingers and a flat nose with only slits for nostrils. This was Lord Voldemort, better known as 'He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named' or 'You-Know-Who'.
The other unmasked person was a plump, young figure in his early twenties with curly hair. He was sweating profusely.
Voldemort spoke.
"Godric's Hollow? Are you sure? Why would a noble pure blood family demean themselves to live in that muggle-infested hole?"
"They... they believe it is somewhere we would never look," replied Pettigrew frantically.
"Ah. I see," said Voldemort with a small smile, "Their fear of me has driven them to resort to rolling in the filth."
He gave a high, cold laugh.
One of the masked figures spoke up, it was Snape.
"My Lord, I must advise that we do not rush into this. It could very well be a trap. It may be prudent to take time. Plan."
"Severus," replied Voldemort, "Do you doubt me? My power?"
"Of course not, my Lor-"
"Then I shall have no trouble. I shall bring some of my chosen few with me. We shall make a show of this, I think. Except you, of course. You still have great value at Hogwarts."
Snape nodded, "Of course, my Lord."
Voldemort next addressed the other masked figures.
"Bellatrix, Lucius, Dolohov, Alecto, Amycus, Fenrir, Narcissa, Rodolphus, Travers, Rabastan. You shall have the privilege of joining me."
"All in favour of acquittal."
Every hand on the jury raised.
"All in favour of sustaining the verdict."
No hands raised.
"Very well," said Crouch, "Sirius Orion Black III, esquire, is hereby acquitted."
The man in the chair – ragged, haggard and breathing heavily – stared up at Snape in astonishment.
It wasn't until he was out of chains and on the floor of the Ministry of Magic's atrium that he spoke.
"Why?" Sirius Black turned to ask Snape.
Snape regarded him for almost a full minute before responding.
He passed a photograph of a two year old boy to Sirius, it appeared to have been taken under surveillance of some kind. The boy had scruffy dark hair, round glasses, vivid green eyes and a roundish, pale face. He also had a red scar, shaped like a bolt of lightning.
"He has her eyes," was all Snape said.
Sirius looked at the photo. Then he yanked Snape into a crushing hug.
"Get off, you insufferably mangy degenerate!" snapped Snape, shoving Sirius away. Sirius cackled like a maniac as Snape strode off, black cloak billowing around him.
"SIRIUS!"
Sirius looked up to see the worn, unkempt figure of Remus Lupin running across the atrium at him.
"REMUS!" Sirius called back and yanked Remus off his feet in a crushing hug. Remus seemed to appreciate it better than Snape.
"Sirius, I am so sorry!" said Remus when Sirius finally put him down, "I can't believe I didn't trust you! Damned Peter... Why didn't I see it?"
"Don't blame yourself," said Sirius, "We all trusted him. He had us all fooled."
The conversation was unable to progress any longer, however, due to the torrent of journalists and photographers that suddenly noticed Sirius and descended on them both like flies to faecal matter. They both fought through them all and dashed to the nearest fireplace. Grabbing a handful of floo powder, Sirius flung it into the fireplace and green flames erupted into it.
With no more preamble, he nodded to Remus, stepped into the grate and said, "Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place."
Then he was spirited away.
He stomped out into the kitchen of Grimmauld Place. He stepped aside as Remus arrived behind him. There came a clattering sound and a straight-backed house elf marched into the kitchen angrily.
"The mistress is not taking visit-" it stopped and gaped at Sirius. Sirius grinned evilly.
"Hello, Kreacher."
"YOU! What are you doing here?"
"I was acquitted. Where is Mother-dearest?"
Kreacher stared a moment longer before turning and dashing out of the kitchen, "MISTRESS! HE IS BACK! YOUR DISOWNED SON HAS RETURNED!"
A minute later, a woman in her late fifties and supported by a walking stick shuffled into the kitchen. She had the semblance of faded beauty, her face lined with age, her dark hair lazily tied back. Kreacher was peering at Sirius and Lupin from behind her skirts. She surveyed her son for a long time before speaking.
"What the fuck are you doing back here?"
"Good to see you too mother..." replied Sirius, "I was acquitted."
"Doesn't answer the question. Last time I saw you, you were leaving for good. What are you doing here?"
"I've just been released from being wrongfully imprisoned for three quarters of a year. I need a wash, a beard-trim and a classy suit. That's all. Then I really will be gone for good."
She grumbled for a moment.
"Fine. Don't take long. It's just typical, you finally do something to make me proud and it turns out it wasn't you. Or did you just manage to get away with it?" she said, a hint of hope in her voice at the end.
Sirius crossed his arms, "No, Mother, I most certainly did not. Unlike you, I have a concept of morals." He marched past her and into the hall.
"You can have one of Orion's suits – did you even know he died?"
"As a matter of fact, I did," replied Sirius as he stomped up the stairs towards the nearest bathroom.
"And you couldn't even be bothered to come to the funeral. Now he was a man to respect; I certainly loved him more than I ever loved you. And your friend will have to wait in your room, by the look of him he'll make off with the good silver if he's left alone."
A shower, trim and dressing later, Sirius was in the hallway with Remus. Sirius hair was now smooth and wavy, his beard was now presentable and he donned a smart-casual pinstriped suit (sans tie).
"And stay out this time," Walburga Black called after them as he and Remus left through the front door.
"So where now?" asked Remus. Sirius held up the back of the photograph that Snape had given him. On the back was an address, with two names.
Petunia and Vernon Dursley
No. 4
Privet Drive
Little Whinging
Surrey
"Time for an overdue visit."
Sirius and Remus strode down Privet Drive, counting the numbers on each house. Upon arriving at number four, Remus took Sirius aside.
"Sirius, I know you never got on with them, but please let's try it my way first?"
"Fine," huffed Sirius, "but if they get difficult; I get to kick the door in."
Remus rapped hard on the front door. After a short wait, it was opened by a lanky blonde woman with a neck like a crane. She gaped at them.
"Ah, I see you remember us Petunia," said Remus warmly, "May we come in? We have some matters to discuss involving Harry."
Petunia stared at them a short while longer before speaking, "What the devil are you doing here? Leave now please, or I shall call the police."
Then she shut the door firmly.
Sirius smirked at Lupin.
Then he kicked the door in.
Petunia shrieked and a large, beefy man ran into the hall from the living room. He stared at both Remus and Sirius in shock.
"YOU!" he roared, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?"
"Vernon! You're still here! That's superb! I'd like to have a little chat with the two of you about Harry," said Sirius with a slightly manic grin in his face, "Firstly, can we see him?"
"Apologies," added Remus, "I'm afraid he's been rather stressed as of late."
The Dursleys both looked at each other. Then they looked at Sirius, their eyes wide.
"Well?" added Sirius, "Where is he?"
Still the Dursleys didn't respond. Then Vernon's eyes flickered for a moment to the cupboard under the stairs.
Sirius noticed.
He moved towards the cupboard.
Vernon moved in his way.
Sirius pulled his wand out of his sleeve.
Vernon stepped away.
Sirius pointed his wand at the cupboard door.
"Alohomora."
The cupboard door swung open. Inside the cupboard was a cot, housing a toddler. The same one from the photo. He was currently asleep. The rest of the cupboard was bare. Sirius and Remus stared at the sleeping form for a full minute. Then Sirius rounded on the Dursleys.
"What is this?"
"He gets in the way," said Petunia, somewhat timidly.
"Oh he does, does he?" retorted Sirius, raising his wand.
Petunia paled.
"You wouldn't..."
Sirius' face was by now a picture of fury, "Bitch, you have sorely underestimated me."
Then Remus stepped between them, holding his arms out at each of them.
"Sirius. Enough. We can talk about this."
"Oh I'll be happy to talk about this after these two get out of the hospital," snarled Sirius, "Get out of the way, Moony."
"Padfoot! Give me your wand. Now."
The stand-off lasted for about thirty seconds. Then Sirius grudgingly handed his wand over.
"Thank you," Remus said, "Living room. Now."
And so it was with tentative distrust that the enforced armistice settled down on opposite sofas.
"Right... right..." said Sirius, breathing heavily, "I... am going to offer you two cretins a once-in-a-lifetime deal. We both know, that for Lily's protection spell to hold, Harry has to spend at least one day each year in this house. So. How about this: I look after and raise Harry for all but one day of the year, until he comes of age. And once a year, he stays with you, for twenty four hours. Think you can handle this plan?"
The Dursleys gaped at each other for a moment, before turning to him and nodding fervently.
"Well, I'm impressed by how well you handled that, Sirius," said Lupin as they walked down the street with the toddler bundled in Sirius' arms.
"Believe me, if there weren't children in the house and I'd had my wand, they'd both be in St. Mungo's by now."
"So where do you plan to raise Harry exactly?"
"Where else," grinned Sirius, "Harry's inherited everything of the Potters and I'm his legal guardian."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning we have business on the Welsh border."
A look of comprehension dawned on Lupin's face, "Ah. Cwpan Tân Hall."
The understated entry hall of Cwpan Tân was dark; thick with dust and cobwebs. It wasn't particularly large, consisting primarily of a marble fireplace on the back wall and a 5-metre gap to the wooden front doors. The walls were wood panelling on stone, the floor a matching stone and an extinguished candelabra hung from the ceiling. The small amount of furniture was covered by sheets. Suddenly, for the first time in over two years, green flames erupted in the fireplace. Sirius, carrying Harry, and Remus stepped out.
"Well... it's in better condition than it could be," said Remus. He took out his wand.
"Scourgify."
At once, a ripple passed over the entire room, expunging the dust and cobwebs. Remus walked over to the front doors, opposite the fireplace. He gave them a tug, only slightly surprised when they did not resist.
"Hmm, Mabel must be in."
"Why would she leave the lights off?" asked Sirius, his brow furrowing. Harry was still asleep on his shoulder.
"Perhaps she just found Lumos to be easier?" said Remus, shrugging.
They both turned to the right of the fireplace and walked into the ballroom, an impressive – but currently dark and dusty – marble-floored room with a grand staircase leading to the second floor and an impressive crystal chandelier. Remus elbowed Sirius, causing him to stop.
"Ow! What th-"
Remus pointed to the bottom of the staircase. There was a wand lying in front of it. Sirius walked over to it and picked it up. It was very dark wood, almost black, about ten inches long and had a twisted knot at the end.
"Mabel's," said Sirius. He furrowed his brow. Then he turned to Remus and handed him the wand, "I'm taking Harry upstairs. Check the dining room; something isn't right."
Remus went to the dining room doors. He could hear voices on the other side of the thick wood. He pressed his wand against one of the doors.
"Silencio."
He edged the now-silenced door open and peered in. He immediately crouched down. Four figures in hoods and skull-masks were gathered in the room – Death Eaters – with a fifth seemingly frozen in a kneeling position between them. The paralysed figure was a woman in her early thirties, dark haired, short, blue-eyed and with a heart-shaped face. She also had several vicious cuts on her face. One of the Death Eaters, apparently the one in charge, spoke.
"Where is he?" the voice was female. It sounded familiar.
"Up your arse," replied the paralysed woman.
"Do you know who I am?" said the leader, "Give us what we need, or you'll go back to Ireland in a box-"
"I'M FUCKING WELSH, YOU BITCH! AND WHEN I GET FREE I'M GONNA EMBED THAT MASK INTO YOUR FACE!"
Sirius crept up next to Remus. His eyes widened as he looked into the dining room. He nodded to Remus, then they both crept into the room, using the dining table for cover. The leader turned to one of the other Death Eaters.
"Rabastan, are you sure there's nothing else here?"
He nodded.
"Positive."
"Burn it down then," she replied, "Burn the whole place down."
It then hit Remus just who she was. Bellatrix Lestrange. Which made 'Rabastan', Rabastan Lestrange – her brother in law. If he had to hedge his bets, he guessed that one of the others was her husband, Rodolphus.
"Barty, what say we have some fun?" continued Bellatrix, addressing the shortest of the Death Eaters now, "Should we kill her first? Or should we leave her to die in the fire."
'Barty' took a moment to think before, "Fire, I think."
They all took out their wands.
Which is when Sirius and Remus both popped out from opposite ends of the dining table and fired simultaneous stunning spells.
The Death Eaters deflected them.
Then the room lit up with spells and counter-spells.
Remus shot a counter-curse at the paralysed woman. She dropped to the floor.
One of the Death Eaters turned to her, only to be hit by a chair sent his way by Sirius.
Remus slid the wand he had found across the room to the woman, before engaging the nearest two Death Eaters in a duel.
Sirius was now fighting Bellatrix. Her mask had been knocked off and her manic face was lost in the frenzy.
Remus feinted dodging backwards, then dropped low and hit 'Barty' with a full body bind, before turning his full attention to Rabastan.
"Serpensortia!"
A large snake suddenly flew from behind onto Rabastan's head. He flailed around trying to get it off.
Lupin hit him with a stunner. Then looked past him to see the woman he'd freed wearing a smirk.
Then the Death Eater who'd been 'chaired' got up. Remus and the woman turned to meet him and the duel resumed.
Sirius, meanwhile, was dodging Cruciatus curses from Bellatrix with a widening smirk.
"C'mon. Try a little harder. I believe in you," he almost cackled as he sidestepped yet another jet of light.
Then he took a hit to the arm and doubled over in pain.
He recovered well, putting a wall of ice in front of Bellatrix, before calling over to Remus and the woman, "Could you stop messing around and give me a hand?"
"Help Sirius, I'll deal with him," said Remus, "Incendio!"
The Death Eater's hood burst into flame.
The woman nodded and moved across the room as Bellatrix melted the ice wall.
Sirius and the woman re-engaged Bellatrix, while Remus' opponent pulled off his hood and mask to get away from the fire. As Remus had suspected, it was indeed Rodolphus Lestrange. While he was still trying to regain his balance, Remus hit him with a leg-locker curse, then bound him with conjured ropes.
He turned to the fight against Bellatrix.
"Expecto Patronum!" a large, ghostly wolf burst from Remus' wand and ran off out of the room.
The duel came to a pause. Bellatrix looking at the Patronus as it flew out of sight.
"Outnumbered and out of time, Bella," said Sirius, his smirk back in full force.
"Now give up or get off this property before the aurors have to scrape up your remains from when we're done with you," added the woman.
Bellatrix' eyes were darting between Sirius, the woman and Remus as each of them kept their wand trained on her.
"Lumos Maxima!"
Suddenly the room was filled with a very bright light; so bright that they had to avert their eyes. When the light abated all the Death Eaters were gone.
"Damn," said Sirius.
The woman seemed to properly notice Sirius for the first time, "What the fuck are you doing back here?"
"I am rapidly becoming tired of that question. I'm innocent. It was all Peter. He's alive and on the run now. Nice to see you too, Mabel," said Sirius, bitterly.
Mabel Baines looked at Remus, who nodded, then back at Sirius. Then she shrugged, "Okay."
Sirius stared at her, "You're... you're... not even going to question that?"
She shrugged again.
"To be honest, I don't even know what to believe any more. I'm still trying to deal with the idea of you selling out James and Lily and murdering Peter – now it's Peter who sold them out and he's not dead any-more. But anyway, what are you two doing here?"
"We'd just picked up Harry from Lily's side of the family. He'll be spending one day a year with them and the rest here with me. He's upstairs asleep for now – I put a spell on him to keep him under."
Mabel's eyes widened, "Shit! We need to get some wards up now!"
"Mabel, what's the matter?" asked Remus.
"Those Death Eaters were here looking for Harry," she said hastily as she began to wave her wand and utter incantations. Remus and Sirius quickly joined her. When they were done erecting every protection they could think of – including animating the suits of armour across the mansion to act as sentries – they checked on Harry, then brought him to the drawing room on the other side of the entrance hall.
After the aurors had come and gone, they gathered round one of the tables in the drawing room to talk.
"So," said Mabel, "What do we know?"
"Peter betrayed James and Lily to Voldemort," supplied Remus, "Snape got warning to The Order-"
"I know that bit," Mabel interrupted, "I mean what do we know now?"
"The general wizarding public is unaware of where Harry is," Remus continued, "As Harry's legal guardian and now acquitted, Sirius will be raising Harry here with me to help from time to time. Assuming you want to stay on, we'll happily keep you as estate manager."
Mabel nodded. "You won't get any bailing from me. I'm here till I drop." She then turned to Sirius, "Listen here, Black. We both know you haven't exactly been one for commitment – if I'm going to go along with this, you better give me your word right here, right now that you will do everything in your power to raise Harry well. Children are not easy."
Sirius looked at her for a moment, the weight of what she had just said processing in his mind.
"Yes. Yes, I will. I promise."
Three years later.
"Harry, what did I tell you?" asked Sirius, chidingly.
"Don't play in the fireplace..." said Harry dejectedly. He hopped up and dusted himself off before scampering out.
"POTTER!" roared Mabel from the direction of the drawing room, "You'd better not be in that grate again."
The five year old Harry Potter was spared from further grilling when a crack sounded through the air and suddenly Kreacher was standing in the middle of the entry hall.
"DEAD!" he bawled, "DEAD! DEAD DEAD DEAD DEAD DEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAADDD! THE MISTRESS IS DEEEAAAD! MY PRECIOUS MISTRESS IS DEAD!"
Sirius stared at Kreacher's anguish morbidly. He leant against the mantelpiece for a moment, before striding into the ballroom and up the stairs. Remus looked up from reading the Daily Prophet.
"Keep Harry busy for a moment, please," he said to a perplexed Mabel. He followed Sirius upstairs to the master bedroom. Sirius was sitting on the bed by the time Remus caught up.
"Are you all right?" Remus asked.
"Fine," said Sirius.
"I see," Remus said, sitting on the bed.
There was a long silence.
"I wish I'd had a mother who wasn't shit. There. I said it. Happy now?"
"Yes. What are you going to do about Kreacher?"
"Fuck if I care. He can rot in Grimmauld place for all I care. Or go free, or whatever."
Remus frowned.
"Won't he go mad?"
"Not my problem."
"Padfoot."
"I don't care."
"Do I have to bring the portrait of James and Lily into this?"
There was another silence.
Sirius sighed.
"Fine. He can stay. But somehow, I doubt Mabel will get along with him."
A further five and a bit years later.
"Harry, calm down. They'll be here soon enough," said Sirius wearily.
"But it's MY BIRTHDAY!" Harry cackled as he chased Kreacher around the ballroom. Harry was enjoying his little game. Kreacher was not.
"MASTER! CALL HIM OFF! CALL HIM OFF!"
Sirius just roared with laughter, "Are you kidding? You never call me master if you can help it. I am going to savour this."
Then there was the unmistakable sound of floo powder flames from the entrance hall. Quick as a flash, Harry dashed out of the Ballroom and with a soft thud, crashed against someone. Giggling uncontrollably, he looked up at the first of the visitors.
Lucius Malfoy stood in front of the fireplace; Narcissa Malfoy beside him; and their son Draco just behind them.
I wasn't going to do any more stories until Star Wars: Nobody Dies Episode 1 was well in swing, but this caught my eye and intrigued me. So I started writing.
As usual, since I'm the one writing it, this is of course all Strypgia's fault.
[Sips tea]
AU. Sirius Black clears his name (or is never falsely imprisoned). Upon visiting Harry at the Dursleys, Sirius is shocked and appalled to discover their treatment of Harry. Knowing he can't endanger the protection magic, he makes a deal with the Dursleys. Harry visits them and stays with them for one day a year to keep the protection in place, Sirius raises Harry in the meantime. Harry is brought up by Sirius (and partially Remus) in the Potter's ancestral home (the Potters are an old pure-blood family and loaded, so I'm assuming they had a pretty grand place before they went into hiding in Godric's hollow). As a consequence, Harry meets various characters substantially earlier than in the books. He befriends Neville and the Weasleys, as well as several others.
One day, on his eleventh birthday, Lucius Malfoy gives Harry a diary as a present. He suggests Harry it be their secret, since Sirius is very suspicious of Lucius for some reason and would probably get Harry to ditch the book. Ginny interrupts and is let in on it, but agrees to keep it secret. After all, it's not as if the friendly Mr. Malfoy would ever mean harm to them. He was, after all, instrumental as a double agent during Voldemort's fall. Over the years, Harry and friends encounter various adventures. Harry and Ginny chronicle these in their diary. They are a tad unsettled when is writes back at first, but shrug and get used to it pretty quick. It's not like it can be any kind of danger, can it?
One day, on his eleventh birthday, Lucius Malfoy gives Harry a diary as a present. He suggests Harry it be their secret, since Sirius is very suspicious of Lucius for some reason and would probably get Harry to ditch the book. Ginny interrupts and is let in on it, but agrees to keep it secret. After all, it's not as if the friendly Mr. Malfoy would ever mean harm to them. He was, after all, instrumental as a double agent during Voldemort's fall. Over the years, Harry and friends encounter various adventures. Harry and Ginny chronicle these in their diary. They are a tad unsettled when is writes back at first, but shrug and get used to it pretty quick. It's not like it can be any kind of danger, can it?
Suggestions on direction and scenes you'd like to see will be considered.
This'll likely be regular weekly until my Star Wars: Nobody Dies fic catches up to the chapter I'm writing. This fic will then most likely become semi-regular.
So, without further ado:
+++++
Harry Potter And The Marauders Of The Phoenix
Chapter 1: Shades of Black
Harry Potter And The Marauders Of The Phoenix
Chapter 1: Shades of Black
"You are certain of this?" asked Bartemius Crouch Senior.
On the witness stand, Severus Snape fixed his beady eyes briefly on the prisoner chained in the chair below them both.
"Yes. Sirius Black was not the man who betrayed the Potters to The Dark Lord," he replied, his sallow skin almost glowing eerily in the light of the torches, "In my capacity as a spy within his ranks, I was present the night their location was betrayed."
"Then who, pray tell, was it?" asked Crouch tersely.
"One Peter Pettigrew," Snape almost spat, "I have the memories to prove it."
There was a brief murmuring amongst the rather sparse jury. They all nodded to Crouch.
"Very well," said Crouch, "Show us these memories."
Snape pressed his wand to his temple and used it to draw a wispy silvery strand from it. He dropped the strand into the basin in front of him.
A small group of robed people were gathered around a round table. All but two wore skull-masks.
The first was a tall, thin individual with red eyes, chalk white skin, long bony fingers and a flat nose with only slits for nostrils. This was Lord Voldemort, better known as 'He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named' or 'You-Know-Who'.
The other unmasked person was a plump, young figure in his early twenties with curly hair. He was sweating profusely.
Voldemort spoke.
"Godric's Hollow? Are you sure? Why would a noble pure blood family demean themselves to live in that muggle-infested hole?"
"They... they believe it is somewhere we would never look," replied Pettigrew frantically.
"Ah. I see," said Voldemort with a small smile, "Their fear of me has driven them to resort to rolling in the filth."
He gave a high, cold laugh.
One of the masked figures spoke up, it was Snape.
"My Lord, I must advise that we do not rush into this. It could very well be a trap. It may be prudent to take time. Plan."
"Severus," replied Voldemort, "Do you doubt me? My power?"
"Of course not, my Lor-"
"Then I shall have no trouble. I shall bring some of my chosen few with me. We shall make a show of this, I think. Except you, of course. You still have great value at Hogwarts."
Snape nodded, "Of course, my Lord."
Voldemort next addressed the other masked figures.
"Bellatrix, Lucius, Dolohov, Alecto, Amycus, Fenrir, Narcissa, Rodolphus, Travers, Rabastan. You shall have the privilege of joining me."
"All in favour of acquittal."
Every hand on the jury raised.
"All in favour of sustaining the verdict."
No hands raised.
"Very well," said Crouch, "Sirius Orion Black III, esquire, is hereby acquitted."
The man in the chair – ragged, haggard and breathing heavily – stared up at Snape in astonishment.
It wasn't until he was out of chains and on the floor of the Ministry of Magic's atrium that he spoke.
"Why?" Sirius Black turned to ask Snape.
Snape regarded him for almost a full minute before responding.
He passed a photograph of a two year old boy to Sirius, it appeared to have been taken under surveillance of some kind. The boy had scruffy dark hair, round glasses, vivid green eyes and a roundish, pale face. He also had a red scar, shaped like a bolt of lightning.
"He has her eyes," was all Snape said.
Sirius looked at the photo. Then he yanked Snape into a crushing hug.
"Get off, you insufferably mangy degenerate!" snapped Snape, shoving Sirius away. Sirius cackled like a maniac as Snape strode off, black cloak billowing around him.
"SIRIUS!"
Sirius looked up to see the worn, unkempt figure of Remus Lupin running across the atrium at him.
"REMUS!" Sirius called back and yanked Remus off his feet in a crushing hug. Remus seemed to appreciate it better than Snape.
"Sirius, I am so sorry!" said Remus when Sirius finally put him down, "I can't believe I didn't trust you! Damned Peter... Why didn't I see it?"
"Don't blame yourself," said Sirius, "We all trusted him. He had us all fooled."
The conversation was unable to progress any longer, however, due to the torrent of journalists and photographers that suddenly noticed Sirius and descended on them both like flies to faecal matter. They both fought through them all and dashed to the nearest fireplace. Grabbing a handful of floo powder, Sirius flung it into the fireplace and green flames erupted into it.
With no more preamble, he nodded to Remus, stepped into the grate and said, "Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place."
Then he was spirited away.
He stomped out into the kitchen of Grimmauld Place. He stepped aside as Remus arrived behind him. There came a clattering sound and a straight-backed house elf marched into the kitchen angrily.
"The mistress is not taking visit-" it stopped and gaped at Sirius. Sirius grinned evilly.
"Hello, Kreacher."
"YOU! What are you doing here?"
"I was acquitted. Where is Mother-dearest?"
Kreacher stared a moment longer before turning and dashing out of the kitchen, "MISTRESS! HE IS BACK! YOUR DISOWNED SON HAS RETURNED!"
A minute later, a woman in her late fifties and supported by a walking stick shuffled into the kitchen. She had the semblance of faded beauty, her face lined with age, her dark hair lazily tied back. Kreacher was peering at Sirius and Lupin from behind her skirts. She surveyed her son for a long time before speaking.
"What the fuck are you doing back here?"
"Good to see you too mother..." replied Sirius, "I was acquitted."
"Doesn't answer the question. Last time I saw you, you were leaving for good. What are you doing here?"
"I've just been released from being wrongfully imprisoned for three quarters of a year. I need a wash, a beard-trim and a classy suit. That's all. Then I really will be gone for good."
She grumbled for a moment.
"Fine. Don't take long. It's just typical, you finally do something to make me proud and it turns out it wasn't you. Or did you just manage to get away with it?" she said, a hint of hope in her voice at the end.
Sirius crossed his arms, "No, Mother, I most certainly did not. Unlike you, I have a concept of morals." He marched past her and into the hall.
"You can have one of Orion's suits – did you even know he died?"
"As a matter of fact, I did," replied Sirius as he stomped up the stairs towards the nearest bathroom.
"And you couldn't even be bothered to come to the funeral. Now he was a man to respect; I certainly loved him more than I ever loved you. And your friend will have to wait in your room, by the look of him he'll make off with the good silver if he's left alone."
A shower, trim and dressing later, Sirius was in the hallway with Remus. Sirius hair was now smooth and wavy, his beard was now presentable and he donned a smart-casual pinstriped suit (sans tie).
"And stay out this time," Walburga Black called after them as he and Remus left through the front door.
"So where now?" asked Remus. Sirius held up the back of the photograph that Snape had given him. On the back was an address, with two names.
Petunia and Vernon Dursley
No. 4
Privet Drive
Little Whinging
Surrey
"Time for an overdue visit."
Sirius and Remus strode down Privet Drive, counting the numbers on each house. Upon arriving at number four, Remus took Sirius aside.
"Sirius, I know you never got on with them, but please let's try it my way first?"
"Fine," huffed Sirius, "but if they get difficult; I get to kick the door in."
Remus rapped hard on the front door. After a short wait, it was opened by a lanky blonde woman with a neck like a crane. She gaped at them.
"Ah, I see you remember us Petunia," said Remus warmly, "May we come in? We have some matters to discuss involving Harry."
Petunia stared at them a short while longer before speaking, "What the devil are you doing here? Leave now please, or I shall call the police."
Then she shut the door firmly.
Sirius smirked at Lupin.
Then he kicked the door in.
Petunia shrieked and a large, beefy man ran into the hall from the living room. He stared at both Remus and Sirius in shock.
"YOU!" he roared, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?"
"Vernon! You're still here! That's superb! I'd like to have a little chat with the two of you about Harry," said Sirius with a slightly manic grin in his face, "Firstly, can we see him?"
"Apologies," added Remus, "I'm afraid he's been rather stressed as of late."
The Dursleys both looked at each other. Then they looked at Sirius, their eyes wide.
"Well?" added Sirius, "Where is he?"
Still the Dursleys didn't respond. Then Vernon's eyes flickered for a moment to the cupboard under the stairs.
Sirius noticed.
He moved towards the cupboard.
Vernon moved in his way.
Sirius pulled his wand out of his sleeve.
Vernon stepped away.
Sirius pointed his wand at the cupboard door.
"Alohomora."
The cupboard door swung open. Inside the cupboard was a cot, housing a toddler. The same one from the photo. He was currently asleep. The rest of the cupboard was bare. Sirius and Remus stared at the sleeping form for a full minute. Then Sirius rounded on the Dursleys.
"What is this?"
"He gets in the way," said Petunia, somewhat timidly.
"Oh he does, does he?" retorted Sirius, raising his wand.
Petunia paled.
"You wouldn't..."
Sirius' face was by now a picture of fury, "Bitch, you have sorely underestimated me."
Then Remus stepped between them, holding his arms out at each of them.
"Sirius. Enough. We can talk about this."
"Oh I'll be happy to talk about this after these two get out of the hospital," snarled Sirius, "Get out of the way, Moony."
"Padfoot! Give me your wand. Now."
The stand-off lasted for about thirty seconds. Then Sirius grudgingly handed his wand over.
"Thank you," Remus said, "Living room. Now."
And so it was with tentative distrust that the enforced armistice settled down on opposite sofas.
"Right... right..." said Sirius, breathing heavily, "I... am going to offer you two cretins a once-in-a-lifetime deal. We both know, that for Lily's protection spell to hold, Harry has to spend at least one day each year in this house. So. How about this: I look after and raise Harry for all but one day of the year, until he comes of age. And once a year, he stays with you, for twenty four hours. Think you can handle this plan?"
The Dursleys gaped at each other for a moment, before turning to him and nodding fervently.
"Well, I'm impressed by how well you handled that, Sirius," said Lupin as they walked down the street with the toddler bundled in Sirius' arms.
"Believe me, if there weren't children in the house and I'd had my wand, they'd both be in St. Mungo's by now."
"So where do you plan to raise Harry exactly?"
"Where else," grinned Sirius, "Harry's inherited everything of the Potters and I'm his legal guardian."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning we have business on the Welsh border."
A look of comprehension dawned on Lupin's face, "Ah. Cwpan Tân Hall."
The understated entry hall of Cwpan Tân was dark; thick with dust and cobwebs. It wasn't particularly large, consisting primarily of a marble fireplace on the back wall and a 5-metre gap to the wooden front doors. The walls were wood panelling on stone, the floor a matching stone and an extinguished candelabra hung from the ceiling. The small amount of furniture was covered by sheets. Suddenly, for the first time in over two years, green flames erupted in the fireplace. Sirius, carrying Harry, and Remus stepped out.
"Well... it's in better condition than it could be," said Remus. He took out his wand.
"Scourgify."
At once, a ripple passed over the entire room, expunging the dust and cobwebs. Remus walked over to the front doors, opposite the fireplace. He gave them a tug, only slightly surprised when they did not resist.
"Hmm, Mabel must be in."
"Why would she leave the lights off?" asked Sirius, his brow furrowing. Harry was still asleep on his shoulder.
"Perhaps she just found Lumos to be easier?" said Remus, shrugging.
They both turned to the right of the fireplace and walked into the ballroom, an impressive – but currently dark and dusty – marble-floored room with a grand staircase leading to the second floor and an impressive crystal chandelier. Remus elbowed Sirius, causing him to stop.
"Ow! What th-"
Remus pointed to the bottom of the staircase. There was a wand lying in front of it. Sirius walked over to it and picked it up. It was very dark wood, almost black, about ten inches long and had a twisted knot at the end.
"Mabel's," said Sirius. He furrowed his brow. Then he turned to Remus and handed him the wand, "I'm taking Harry upstairs. Check the dining room; something isn't right."
Remus went to the dining room doors. He could hear voices on the other side of the thick wood. He pressed his wand against one of the doors.
"Silencio."
He edged the now-silenced door open and peered in. He immediately crouched down. Four figures in hoods and skull-masks were gathered in the room – Death Eaters – with a fifth seemingly frozen in a kneeling position between them. The paralysed figure was a woman in her early thirties, dark haired, short, blue-eyed and with a heart-shaped face. She also had several vicious cuts on her face. One of the Death Eaters, apparently the one in charge, spoke.
"Where is he?" the voice was female. It sounded familiar.
"Up your arse," replied the paralysed woman.
"Do you know who I am?" said the leader, "Give us what we need, or you'll go back to Ireland in a box-"
"I'M FUCKING WELSH, YOU BITCH! AND WHEN I GET FREE I'M GONNA EMBED THAT MASK INTO YOUR FACE!"
Sirius crept up next to Remus. His eyes widened as he looked into the dining room. He nodded to Remus, then they both crept into the room, using the dining table for cover. The leader turned to one of the other Death Eaters.
"Rabastan, are you sure there's nothing else here?"
He nodded.
"Positive."
"Burn it down then," she replied, "Burn the whole place down."
It then hit Remus just who she was. Bellatrix Lestrange. Which made 'Rabastan', Rabastan Lestrange – her brother in law. If he had to hedge his bets, he guessed that one of the others was her husband, Rodolphus.
"Barty, what say we have some fun?" continued Bellatrix, addressing the shortest of the Death Eaters now, "Should we kill her first? Or should we leave her to die in the fire."
'Barty' took a moment to think before, "Fire, I think."
They all took out their wands.
Which is when Sirius and Remus both popped out from opposite ends of the dining table and fired simultaneous stunning spells.
The Death Eaters deflected them.
Then the room lit up with spells and counter-spells.
Remus shot a counter-curse at the paralysed woman. She dropped to the floor.
One of the Death Eaters turned to her, only to be hit by a chair sent his way by Sirius.
Remus slid the wand he had found across the room to the woman, before engaging the nearest two Death Eaters in a duel.
Sirius was now fighting Bellatrix. Her mask had been knocked off and her manic face was lost in the frenzy.
Remus feinted dodging backwards, then dropped low and hit 'Barty' with a full body bind, before turning his full attention to Rabastan.
"Serpensortia!"
A large snake suddenly flew from behind onto Rabastan's head. He flailed around trying to get it off.
Lupin hit him with a stunner. Then looked past him to see the woman he'd freed wearing a smirk.
Then the Death Eater who'd been 'chaired' got up. Remus and the woman turned to meet him and the duel resumed.
Sirius, meanwhile, was dodging Cruciatus curses from Bellatrix with a widening smirk.
"C'mon. Try a little harder. I believe in you," he almost cackled as he sidestepped yet another jet of light.
Then he took a hit to the arm and doubled over in pain.
He recovered well, putting a wall of ice in front of Bellatrix, before calling over to Remus and the woman, "Could you stop messing around and give me a hand?"
"Help Sirius, I'll deal with him," said Remus, "Incendio!"
The Death Eater's hood burst into flame.
The woman nodded and moved across the room as Bellatrix melted the ice wall.
Sirius and the woman re-engaged Bellatrix, while Remus' opponent pulled off his hood and mask to get away from the fire. As Remus had suspected, it was indeed Rodolphus Lestrange. While he was still trying to regain his balance, Remus hit him with a leg-locker curse, then bound him with conjured ropes.
He turned to the fight against Bellatrix.
"Expecto Patronum!" a large, ghostly wolf burst from Remus' wand and ran off out of the room.
The duel came to a pause. Bellatrix looking at the Patronus as it flew out of sight.
"Outnumbered and out of time, Bella," said Sirius, his smirk back in full force.
"Now give up or get off this property before the aurors have to scrape up your remains from when we're done with you," added the woman.
Bellatrix' eyes were darting between Sirius, the woman and Remus as each of them kept their wand trained on her.
"Lumos Maxima!"
Suddenly the room was filled with a very bright light; so bright that they had to avert their eyes. When the light abated all the Death Eaters were gone.
"Damn," said Sirius.
The woman seemed to properly notice Sirius for the first time, "What the fuck are you doing back here?"
"I am rapidly becoming tired of that question. I'm innocent. It was all Peter. He's alive and on the run now. Nice to see you too, Mabel," said Sirius, bitterly.
Mabel Baines looked at Remus, who nodded, then back at Sirius. Then she shrugged, "Okay."
Sirius stared at her, "You're... you're... not even going to question that?"
She shrugged again.
"To be honest, I don't even know what to believe any more. I'm still trying to deal with the idea of you selling out James and Lily and murdering Peter – now it's Peter who sold them out and he's not dead any-more. But anyway, what are you two doing here?"
"We'd just picked up Harry from Lily's side of the family. He'll be spending one day a year with them and the rest here with me. He's upstairs asleep for now – I put a spell on him to keep him under."
Mabel's eyes widened, "Shit! We need to get some wards up now!"
"Mabel, what's the matter?" asked Remus.
"Those Death Eaters were here looking for Harry," she said hastily as she began to wave her wand and utter incantations. Remus and Sirius quickly joined her. When they were done erecting every protection they could think of – including animating the suits of armour across the mansion to act as sentries – they checked on Harry, then brought him to the drawing room on the other side of the entrance hall.
After the aurors had come and gone, they gathered round one of the tables in the drawing room to talk.
"So," said Mabel, "What do we know?"
"Peter betrayed James and Lily to Voldemort," supplied Remus, "Snape got warning to The Order-"
"I know that bit," Mabel interrupted, "I mean what do we know now?"
"The general wizarding public is unaware of where Harry is," Remus continued, "As Harry's legal guardian and now acquitted, Sirius will be raising Harry here with me to help from time to time. Assuming you want to stay on, we'll happily keep you as estate manager."
Mabel nodded. "You won't get any bailing from me. I'm here till I drop." She then turned to Sirius, "Listen here, Black. We both know you haven't exactly been one for commitment – if I'm going to go along with this, you better give me your word right here, right now that you will do everything in your power to raise Harry well. Children are not easy."
Sirius looked at her for a moment, the weight of what she had just said processing in his mind.
"Yes. Yes, I will. I promise."
Three years later.
"Harry, what did I tell you?" asked Sirius, chidingly.
"Don't play in the fireplace..." said Harry dejectedly. He hopped up and dusted himself off before scampering out.
"POTTER!" roared Mabel from the direction of the drawing room, "You'd better not be in that grate again."
The five year old Harry Potter was spared from further grilling when a crack sounded through the air and suddenly Kreacher was standing in the middle of the entry hall.
"DEAD!" he bawled, "DEAD! DEAD DEAD DEAD DEAD DEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAADDD! THE MISTRESS IS DEEEAAAD! MY PRECIOUS MISTRESS IS DEAD!"
Sirius stared at Kreacher's anguish morbidly. He leant against the mantelpiece for a moment, before striding into the ballroom and up the stairs. Remus looked up from reading the Daily Prophet.
"Keep Harry busy for a moment, please," he said to a perplexed Mabel. He followed Sirius upstairs to the master bedroom. Sirius was sitting on the bed by the time Remus caught up.
"Are you all right?" Remus asked.
"Fine," said Sirius.
"I see," Remus said, sitting on the bed.
There was a long silence.
"I wish I'd had a mother who wasn't shit. There. I said it. Happy now?"
"Yes. What are you going to do about Kreacher?"
"Fuck if I care. He can rot in Grimmauld place for all I care. Or go free, or whatever."
Remus frowned.
"Won't he go mad?"
"Not my problem."
"Padfoot."
"I don't care."
"Do I have to bring the portrait of James and Lily into this?"
There was another silence.
Sirius sighed.
"Fine. He can stay. But somehow, I doubt Mabel will get along with him."
A further five and a bit years later.
"Harry, calm down. They'll be here soon enough," said Sirius wearily.
"But it's MY BIRTHDAY!" Harry cackled as he chased Kreacher around the ballroom. Harry was enjoying his little game. Kreacher was not.
"MASTER! CALL HIM OFF! CALL HIM OFF!"
Sirius just roared with laughter, "Are you kidding? You never call me master if you can help it. I am going to savour this."
Then there was the unmistakable sound of floo powder flames from the entrance hall. Quick as a flash, Harry dashed out of the Ballroom and with a soft thud, crashed against someone. Giggling uncontrollably, he looked up at the first of the visitors.
Lucius Malfoy stood in front of the fireplace; Narcissa Malfoy beside him; and their son Draco just behind them.
+++++
Feedback is appreciated, as is suggestions.
[Makes fresh cup of tea]
Feedback is appreciated, as is suggestions.
[Makes fresh cup of tea]
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- Location
- Argentina
Harry Potter and the Bloody Cursed Diary
Finagle007
[Verified Great Old One]
- Pronouns
- He/Him/His
*spikes tea with lysergic acid diethylamide*
The Englanderish
Schrödinger's Kuudere Kitty Caliph(a)
- Location
- Califat de Chats
You monster.
Ranma-sensei
Sorcerer
- Location
- Citrix Receiver
- Pronouns
- Weatherdependent
I like what you have so far. If I may make some grammatical and editorial corrections?
Only what I saw on the first read through. A very clean snippet, from an editorial stand point.
Should be three full stops.
masked
This should be a full stop.
Probably SVs borked BB codes, but check the paragraph break, at the marked place.
More breaks; and a full stop instead of a comma.
Yet more breaks, and another wrongfully placed comma.
Even more paragraph breaks.
Man, the BB codes hate breaks, it seems. Also, can you say it this way? I was always under the impression that it's 'where to now'.
Only what I saw on the first read through. A very clean snippet, from an editorial stand point.
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The Englanderish
Schrödinger's Kuudere Kitty Caliph(a)
- Location
- Califat de Chats
It's somewhat colloquial but we English do say that sometimes.
Btw, anyone know the rule with elipses and speech?
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The Englanderish
Schrödinger's Kuudere Kitty Caliph(a)
- Location
- Califat de Chats
Chapter 1 is now finished. I edited it into the same post for the sake of completeness.
And now for something completely messed up:
And now for something completely messed up:
"Keep Harry busy for a moment, please," he said to a perplexed Mabel. He followed Sirius upstairs to the master bedroom. Sirius was sitting on the bed by the time Remus caught up.
"So... where do we go from here?"
"I think... on some level... I've always needed you..." came Sirius' reply.
They looked into each other's eyes. Remus leaned down.
"THERE ARE CHILDREN IN THE BUILDING!" came the angry voice of Mabel from below.
"So... where do we go from here?"
"I think... on some level... I've always needed you..." came Sirius' reply.
They looked into each other's eyes. Remus leaned down.
"THERE ARE CHILDREN IN THE BUILDING!" came the angry voice of Mabel from below.
Ranma-sensei
Sorcerer
- Location
- Citrix Receiver
- Pronouns
- Weatherdependent
You have a knack for this. I'm hard pressed to not weird out our cats with my laughing.
Again; if you'll take them, I have some suggestions under the spoiler tag:
Addendum:
Assuming you have Horcruxes in this, of course; because, with the diary reacting differently, you already changed its nature. Could go from 'Means nothing', going across 'It's the only Horcrux,' to 'there are no Horcruxes, full stop.' And that is not taking into account the diary's behaviour, itself.
Again; if you'll take them, I have some suggestions under the spoiler tag:
This needs to be a lower case.
Missed an apostrophe.
comes
I believe you mean 'in St.Mungo's'.
Mistake, or are you not handling DE as a personal name?
This should be a full stop.
One article too many.
Heh, I'm enjoying this. Wonder how you'll handle the revelation of Regulus' mission for Kreacher.
Addendum:
Assuming you have Horcruxes in this, of course; because, with the diary reacting differently, you already changed its nature. Could go from 'Means nothing', going across 'It's the only Horcrux,' to 'there are no Horcruxes, full stop.' And that is not taking into account the diary's behaviour, itself.
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Addendums!
The Englanderish
Schrödinger's Kuudere Kitty Caliph(a)
- Location
- Califat de Chats
I can confirm that there are all seven Horcruxes in this. There are two massive spoilers involving them though. Something is drastically different.
I'm currently fleshing out how the next couple chapters are going to play out, so now seems like a good time to talk about a few addendum points. A combination of trivia and 'behind the scenes', as it were.
Firstly: The duel with the Death Eaters.
I wanted a good reason why the Potter family grounds never came up in the books. By having this Death Eater incursion, I provide the answer: quite simply the home (and probably Mabel) were casualties in Bellatrix and co.'s rampage. We never got an exact time frame for how long they were able to evade the ministry and how far their quest extended, so it was logically straightforward to insert them here. Add in the fact that we're not going to see a duel for some time, it allows me to put in a duel and introduce Mabel. Which brings us to my next point.
Secondly: Mabel Baines
Even with magic, the idea of a substantial manor not requiring at least someone to ensure it's continued upkeep felt a bit too much of a stretch. Hogwarts, for example, has an entire corps of house elves. I considered having a house elf or two; I liked the idea of a full estate manager better. I'm trying to create the sense that the Potters were not the Malfoys. An important point to make is that Mabel is not a maid or a cleaner. She is the estate manager. Her job is to manage the entire house - book balancing, supplies, gardening, maintenance, logistics, etc. - she keeps the whole place running. When James and Lily went into hiding, her duties diminished to little more than inspecting once a fortnight. When Sirius returned with Harry she once again took a more active role in management of the place. Her word is law in regards to the estate. She does not take shit, be it from five-year-olds or middle aged manchildren. She takes her job very seriously and has become rather attached to the Potters and those close to them. She isn't really a duelist, but she is extremely pragmatic if she has to fight - as was seen with her throwing a snake at Rabastan Lestrange. Anyone looking to threaten the estate or those who dwell within have to go through her - and she fights dirty.
Thirdly: This fic is something of a spiritual successor.
There is a fanfic called 'A Different Beginning', which can be found on both FFNet and a site called siye.co.uk (The latter is a Harry Potter fanfic site exclusively devoted to Harry/Ginny. It's good for both supporters of that ship or those who want to get away from those god-awful Harry/Hermione fics that derail everything.) The premise of that fic is that James Potter survives and raises Harry etc. etc. It's worth a read, although I did have my gripes with it. For example the author didn't seem to quite appreciate the full scale of the island of Great Britain at times and later on it had the annoying habit of getting very-close-but-not-quite-to an unnecessary sex scene with increasing frequency. These are rather subjective criticisms, so you may disagree on these being detractions. It was also written before the final book came out, so obviously it won't get everything right. My fic is following on a similar take on the concept, but with it's own spin (and a very different late-game).
Fourthly: The manor's/estate's name
The name 'Cwpan Tân' is obviously Welsh. I asked around on TheBleachDoctor's Cat Chat Cafe if anyone knew any Welsh and could make a punny Welsh name. According to @Estro it translates roughly as 'Fire Goblet'.
Fifthly: Fanart
If anyone can direct me to some nice artwork that would encapsulate something about this fic, I'd be much appreciated.
Currently this has no proper name. Any and all suggestions are welcome. My preference is for something thematically similar to the names of the books, without giving too much away.
This fic now has a name!
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Ranma-sensei
Sorcerer
- Location
- Citrix Receiver
- Pronouns
- Weatherdependent
Concerning this, I haven't even started it yet. The whole scale of it, considering Beginnings and Endings is a series, has been having me shove it down to the bottom of my backlog several times. And this coming from someone who read a single 1.9M FF in a fortnight, once....
As for a name... *leans back and eyes HP books on the shelf* I know it's always 'article + catchy name,' but I can't seriously think of anything else but, "The Chronicled Adventures of Harry & Ginny," and boy is that a bad name! Nope, that's even worse than what I came up with for my own.
Chapter 2: Riddles
The Englanderish
Schrödinger's Kuudere Kitty Caliph(a)
- Location
- Califat de Chats
Update time! Here is the chapter 2.
So without further ado:
Harry and Ginny glanced at each other again.
"So... should we?" asked Ginny.
"It is just a book...," responded Harry hesitantly, "right?"
"I dunno; Dad's told me some nasty things about enchanted books. There was one that burned your eyes out."
"Well... if there was going to be anything bad happening... wouldn't it already have happened?" said Harry tentatively.
"You're right; I'm just being silly," Ginny replied, chuckling. Harry put quill to paper once more.
"So... is this some kind of long distance communication?" asked Harry.
"You've got the quill - ask him."
"Should we?" asked Ginny, "Mum's always warned about strange old people."
"Does a book count?"
Harry looked up at Ginny. Could this be a mistake? Was it weird to be friends with a book?
They gazed into each other's eyes.
Minutes passed.
Eventually, they both nodded in tandem.
So without further ado:
+++++
Chapter 2: Riddles
Chapter 2: Riddles
"Careful, Harry," said Lucius kindly, "You wouldn't want to hurt yourself. If you're not careful you could run into something painful..."
Sirius glared at Lucius, "Do you have to stay? Can't you pick up Draco later?"
"And miss the festivities? Certainly not," retorted Lucius.
"Harry!" called Draco from between his parents, "I swear it's been forever since I've seen you!"
Harry's face lit up.
"Draco! I gotta show you what Sirius got me!"
With that, he dragged the blond-haired boy off to show him.
When they were both out of earshot, Sirius stepped close to Lucius.
"Fine. You can stay, but let's get one thing clear. No matter what Remus says, I still don't trust you."
"Well, that's hardly sporting," replied Lucius coolly, "Even after all this time?"
"Especially after all this time. I don't care how many old friends you rat out; if you really were a double agent, I'll eat my pocket watch." then Sirius' face brightened. "Of course, if you are staying, I'm sure you'll have delightful conversation with Molly and Arthur."
Lucius' mouth curved into a small smile, "Oh, I look forward to it. Arthur always says the most quaintly entertaining things."
Suddenly, Mabel's voice issued from the direction of the Ballroom, "Are you all planning to keep obstructing the fireplace? Keep standing there and it's only a matter of time until someone takes someone else's feet to their shins!"
"I suppose we should take this elsewhere," put in Narcissa, who was now eyeing the grate warily.
"How about you take it to next week?" called Mabel again, "Today is not the day for this."
Sirius and the Malfoys joined Harry and Draco in the Drawing Room, where Harry was busy showing Draco the magnificent snowy owl Sirius had got him.
The owl tentatively hopped out of her cage and onto Harry's arm. She darted her head around at each of them before spreading her wings wide – nearly hitting Draco in the face. Harry and Draco looked at each other, then at the owl, then at each other again.
"TEST FLIGHT!" they shouted simultaneously.
"Not inside," came Mabel's voice.
"Awwww."
"So what are you going to call her?" asked Sirius, hoping to steer the children away from the idea of animals flying through a stately home.
"Hmm," said Harry, "I dunno."
"You can decide later," said Draco, "Time for my present!"
He handed Harry an elegantly wrapped box in green and silver. Harry gave it a slight rattle, then began to carefully peel away the paper – before suddenly ripping it off to reveal an Appleby Arrows handmade quaffle – signed by every player no less. Harry cackled his head off.
"RIGHT! GAME ON!"
"Not inside," came Mabel's voice again. Harry deflated somewhat.
"Tell you what," said Sirius, "When the others get here, we can all have a friendly game. Fair?"
Harry's face lit up again.
"Okay, deal. But now – Draco! I challenge you to chess! Gryffindor v Slytherin!"
Draco plastered a cunning smile across his face.
Sirius glared at Lucius, "Do you have to stay? Can't you pick up Draco later?"
"And miss the festivities? Certainly not," retorted Lucius.
"Harry!" called Draco from between his parents, "I swear it's been forever since I've seen you!"
Harry's face lit up.
"Draco! I gotta show you what Sirius got me!"
With that, he dragged the blond-haired boy off to show him.
When they were both out of earshot, Sirius stepped close to Lucius.
"Fine. You can stay, but let's get one thing clear. No matter what Remus says, I still don't trust you."
"Well, that's hardly sporting," replied Lucius coolly, "Even after all this time?"
"Especially after all this time. I don't care how many old friends you rat out; if you really were a double agent, I'll eat my pocket watch." then Sirius' face brightened. "Of course, if you are staying, I'm sure you'll have delightful conversation with Molly and Arthur."
Lucius' mouth curved into a small smile, "Oh, I look forward to it. Arthur always says the most quaintly entertaining things."
Suddenly, Mabel's voice issued from the direction of the Ballroom, "Are you all planning to keep obstructing the fireplace? Keep standing there and it's only a matter of time until someone takes someone else's feet to their shins!"
"I suppose we should take this elsewhere," put in Narcissa, who was now eyeing the grate warily.
"How about you take it to next week?" called Mabel again, "Today is not the day for this."
Sirius and the Malfoys joined Harry and Draco in the Drawing Room, where Harry was busy showing Draco the magnificent snowy owl Sirius had got him.
The owl tentatively hopped out of her cage and onto Harry's arm. She darted her head around at each of them before spreading her wings wide – nearly hitting Draco in the face. Harry and Draco looked at each other, then at the owl, then at each other again.
"TEST FLIGHT!" they shouted simultaneously.
"Not inside," came Mabel's voice.
"Awwww."
"So what are you going to call her?" asked Sirius, hoping to steer the children away from the idea of animals flying through a stately home.
"Hmm," said Harry, "I dunno."
"You can decide later," said Draco, "Time for my present!"
He handed Harry an elegantly wrapped box in green and silver. Harry gave it a slight rattle, then began to carefully peel away the paper – before suddenly ripping it off to reveal an Appleby Arrows handmade quaffle – signed by every player no less. Harry cackled his head off.
"RIGHT! GAME ON!"
"Not inside," came Mabel's voice again. Harry deflated somewhat.
"Tell you what," said Sirius, "When the others get here, we can all have a friendly game. Fair?"
Harry's face lit up again.
"Okay, deal. But now – Draco! I challenge you to chess! Gryffindor v Slytherin!"
Draco plastered a cunning smile across his face.
About half an hour later, Harry seemed to have the upper hand.
"And so, the mighty, courageous lion corners the cowardly snake!" smirked Harry as his bishop slid into place, menacing Draco's king.
Draco only smiled.
"Knight to H3."
Draco's knight moved.
"Queen to H3!"
Harry's queen pounced upon the terrified knight, inflicting untold brutality before throwing it overhead – horse and all – off the side of the board.
"Indeed," said Draco, "So the reckless lion FALLS INTO THE SNAKE'S CUNNING TRAP!"
Out of nowhere, Draco's bishop streaked across the board to put Harry's king into check. Not only check, but check-mate.
"NOOOOOOOOOOO!" Harry stared in horror as the bishop clouted his king over the head and dragged him off the board.
Draco fell back laughing.
"VICTORY! I HAVE ACHIEVED MY ULTIMATE TRIUMPH!"
Sirius clapped mutedly while Narcissa smirked. Lucius patted Draco on the shoulder while Harry picked himself up.
"One of these days, Draco...," he grumbled in fake outrage.
Their theatrics were interrupted by Remus entering the room.
"Harry! Good to see you," he handed Harry a small case with a golden bow attached. Inside the case were a pair of round glasses.
"I already have glasses," said Harry, confusedly.
"These are a rather special pair," said Remus, "Drop them."
"Huh?"
"Drop them."
Harry dropped them.
They shattered on the floor.
Then suddenly, the shards lifted up and fitted themselves back into their frame, fusing back together.
They were fully repaired.
"Wow! Thanks Remus!" started Harry.
"Well, you always kept dropping your glasses so I felt I would save you some time," replied Remus.
"Harry, could you come and tell me if you like these drapes?" came Mabel's voice.
"Sure!" Harry called back and got up, dashing into the hall. Suddenly green flames sprang up in the grate. Before he could react, Harry found his shins knocked out from under him. He collapsed to the floor in a tangle with the new arrival. After a kerfuffle, Harry managed to extricate himself from the pile. He sat up and looked to his right. Lying rather dazed on the ground and beginning to pull herself up was the red-headed, freckled form of Ginny Weasley.
Suddenly they were both hoist to their feet by the scruffs of their necks. Harry looked up into Mabel's irritated face.
"Potter, how many times have I told you to steer clear of the fireplace?"
"Uh.. um.. well..."
"The correct answer is entirely too many."
"Uh- yes ma'am!"
Mabel's nostrils flared, "'Ma'am'? How old do you think I am?"
"Er.. you see..."
"Certainly not that old. 'Ma'am'.. honestly!"
Her tirade was interrupted by flames bursting into the grate again. She pulled Harry and Ginny aside as the gangly figure of Ron Weasley ploughed into the hall. Dusting himself off, he looked around the entryway before spotting Harry.
"Hey!"
He dashed across the hall, arms outstretched... and ran right past Harry to hug a pot plant on a side table. Harry, Mabel and Ginny stared. Then Ron turned round and laughed at them.
"Haha! Got you; you should have seen the look on your faces!"
Harry blinked, then his face broke into a grin.
He was prevented from saying anything however by more green flames in the fireplace, this time expelling Arthur Weasley, Ron and Ginny's father.
"Hello Mabel, Harry," he said, inclining his head at each of them in turn, "I am afraid Molly and the twins may be a while yet; she discovered them secretly training gnomes to steal from the sweet supply. Percy should be any moment now, however."
Mabel's eyebrow raised while the children laughed their heads off.
"I see. In that case, once Percy arrives we should move this into the drawing room."
As if on cue, floo powder flames once more erupted in the fireplace and the straight-backed Percy Weasley strode out.
"As difficult as it was pulling myself away from my dear brothers being torn into, good to see you all again," he said to Harry and Mabel.
"Hi," said Harry again, "Did you get to be a prefect?"
"We don't know yet; our owls haven't come," said Arthur, "Are the others in the drawing room?"
"Yes, but I need Harry for the moment – I need him to approve the decorations. One word of warning; the Malfoys are here."
With that, she dragged Harry in the direction of the ballroom. Harry suddenly realised he hadn't greeted Ginny. He resigned himself to waving at her as Mabel escorted him away.
Then he and Mabel entered the ballroom and Harry did a double-take. The 'drapes' were more than just that. The long curtains, tied back at every window, were now in alternating colours – red, blue, green and yellow for each Hogwarts school house; banners of each house's crest hung from the balcony that ran around the room; the crystal chandelier now sported a plethora of gems in each house colour; a large buffet at the end of the room was being attended to by Kreacher; elegant sofas had been placed in the middle of the room (Mabel had almost had a fit over the idea before Sirius talked her down); garlands and bunting decked every railing and window; to top it all off, the morning sun cast a warm gaze into the room. When he recovered, Harry jumped up and hugged Mabel as tightly as he could.
"I love it!"
"Alright, alright!" Mabel grunted as she tugged Harry off of her.
Harry relinquished her, then turned and eyed Kreacher maniacally. Kreacher noticed and ran. Harry dashed after him.
"I will get you into my baby clothes!" he called as the earlier chase resumed.
"Harry, guests," said Mabel.
"Oh, right."
Then there was the sound of floo powder flames from the hall and seconds later voices once more issued from the hall.
"Longbottoms ho!" came the voice of an elderly lady.
Then seconds later there was a sound of pain and thudding.
"For goodness sake, Neville, I told you to get away from the fireplace as soon as you arrived!"
Then another, slightly sore voice, of a man.
"Er... the Boneses have arrived... ow."
Harry and Mabel returned to the hall while Kreacher returned to his work, grumbling. In the hall were five people. The first was a rather vulture-like old woman with a green crocodile-skin handbag, a fox-fur scarf and a hat with what appeared to be a whole stuffed vulture perched atop; this was Augusta Longbottom. Her dark-haired grandson, Neville, looking rather ruffled and about Harry's age, stood behind her. Standing warily away from the fireplaces were three others; Susan Bones, a pale red-headed girl, as well as her parents. Sirius, Remus, the Weasleys and the Malfoys joined them from the drawing room. Greetings were greeted and hellos were hello'd.
"So is the ballroom ready?" asked Sirius.
"Nearly," replied Mabel, "just waiting on Kreacher finishing up."
Again, as if on cue, there was a crack and Kreacher appeared in the middle of the room.
"The ballroom is ready, masters and guests," he said grumpily, then Disapparated before Harry could resume his campaign of terror on him.
"And so, the mighty, courageous lion corners the cowardly snake!" smirked Harry as his bishop slid into place, menacing Draco's king.
Draco only smiled.
"Knight to H3."
Draco's knight moved.
"Queen to H3!"
Harry's queen pounced upon the terrified knight, inflicting untold brutality before throwing it overhead – horse and all – off the side of the board.
"Indeed," said Draco, "So the reckless lion FALLS INTO THE SNAKE'S CUNNING TRAP!"
Out of nowhere, Draco's bishop streaked across the board to put Harry's king into check. Not only check, but check-mate.
"NOOOOOOOOOOO!" Harry stared in horror as the bishop clouted his king over the head and dragged him off the board.
Draco fell back laughing.
"VICTORY! I HAVE ACHIEVED MY ULTIMATE TRIUMPH!"
Sirius clapped mutedly while Narcissa smirked. Lucius patted Draco on the shoulder while Harry picked himself up.
"One of these days, Draco...," he grumbled in fake outrage.
Their theatrics were interrupted by Remus entering the room.
"Harry! Good to see you," he handed Harry a small case with a golden bow attached. Inside the case were a pair of round glasses.
"I already have glasses," said Harry, confusedly.
"These are a rather special pair," said Remus, "Drop them."
"Huh?"
"Drop them."
Harry dropped them.
They shattered on the floor.
Then suddenly, the shards lifted up and fitted themselves back into their frame, fusing back together.
They were fully repaired.
"Wow! Thanks Remus!" started Harry.
"Well, you always kept dropping your glasses so I felt I would save you some time," replied Remus.
"Harry, could you come and tell me if you like these drapes?" came Mabel's voice.
"Sure!" Harry called back and got up, dashing into the hall. Suddenly green flames sprang up in the grate. Before he could react, Harry found his shins knocked out from under him. He collapsed to the floor in a tangle with the new arrival. After a kerfuffle, Harry managed to extricate himself from the pile. He sat up and looked to his right. Lying rather dazed on the ground and beginning to pull herself up was the red-headed, freckled form of Ginny Weasley.
Suddenly they were both hoist to their feet by the scruffs of their necks. Harry looked up into Mabel's irritated face.
"Potter, how many times have I told you to steer clear of the fireplace?"
"Uh.. um.. well..."
"The correct answer is entirely too many."
"Uh- yes ma'am!"
Mabel's nostrils flared, "'Ma'am'? How old do you think I am?"
"Er.. you see..."
"Certainly not that old. 'Ma'am'.. honestly!"
Her tirade was interrupted by flames bursting into the grate again. She pulled Harry and Ginny aside as the gangly figure of Ron Weasley ploughed into the hall. Dusting himself off, he looked around the entryway before spotting Harry.
"Hey!"
He dashed across the hall, arms outstretched... and ran right past Harry to hug a pot plant on a side table. Harry, Mabel and Ginny stared. Then Ron turned round and laughed at them.
"Haha! Got you; you should have seen the look on your faces!"
Harry blinked, then his face broke into a grin.
He was prevented from saying anything however by more green flames in the fireplace, this time expelling Arthur Weasley, Ron and Ginny's father.
"Hello Mabel, Harry," he said, inclining his head at each of them in turn, "I am afraid Molly and the twins may be a while yet; she discovered them secretly training gnomes to steal from the sweet supply. Percy should be any moment now, however."
Mabel's eyebrow raised while the children laughed their heads off.
"I see. In that case, once Percy arrives we should move this into the drawing room."
As if on cue, floo powder flames once more erupted in the fireplace and the straight-backed Percy Weasley strode out.
"As difficult as it was pulling myself away from my dear brothers being torn into, good to see you all again," he said to Harry and Mabel.
"Hi," said Harry again, "Did you get to be a prefect?"
"We don't know yet; our owls haven't come," said Arthur, "Are the others in the drawing room?"
"Yes, but I need Harry for the moment – I need him to approve the decorations. One word of warning; the Malfoys are here."
With that, she dragged Harry in the direction of the ballroom. Harry suddenly realised he hadn't greeted Ginny. He resigned himself to waving at her as Mabel escorted him away.
Then he and Mabel entered the ballroom and Harry did a double-take. The 'drapes' were more than just that. The long curtains, tied back at every window, were now in alternating colours – red, blue, green and yellow for each Hogwarts school house; banners of each house's crest hung from the balcony that ran around the room; the crystal chandelier now sported a plethora of gems in each house colour; a large buffet at the end of the room was being attended to by Kreacher; elegant sofas had been placed in the middle of the room (Mabel had almost had a fit over the idea before Sirius talked her down); garlands and bunting decked every railing and window; to top it all off, the morning sun cast a warm gaze into the room. When he recovered, Harry jumped up and hugged Mabel as tightly as he could.
"I love it!"
"Alright, alright!" Mabel grunted as she tugged Harry off of her.
Harry relinquished her, then turned and eyed Kreacher maniacally. Kreacher noticed and ran. Harry dashed after him.
"I will get you into my baby clothes!" he called as the earlier chase resumed.
"Harry, guests," said Mabel.
"Oh, right."
Then there was the sound of floo powder flames from the hall and seconds later voices once more issued from the hall.
"Longbottoms ho!" came the voice of an elderly lady.
Then seconds later there was a sound of pain and thudding.
"For goodness sake, Neville, I told you to get away from the fireplace as soon as you arrived!"
Then another, slightly sore voice, of a man.
"Er... the Boneses have arrived... ow."
Harry and Mabel returned to the hall while Kreacher returned to his work, grumbling. In the hall were five people. The first was a rather vulture-like old woman with a green crocodile-skin handbag, a fox-fur scarf and a hat with what appeared to be a whole stuffed vulture perched atop; this was Augusta Longbottom. Her dark-haired grandson, Neville, looking rather ruffled and about Harry's age, stood behind her. Standing warily away from the fireplaces were three others; Susan Bones, a pale red-headed girl, as well as her parents. Sirius, Remus, the Weasleys and the Malfoys joined them from the drawing room. Greetings were greeted and hellos were hello'd.
"So is the ballroom ready?" asked Sirius.
"Nearly," replied Mabel, "just waiting on Kreacher finishing up."
Again, as if on cue, there was a crack and Kreacher appeared in the middle of the room.
"The ballroom is ready, masters and guests," he said grumpily, then Disapparated before Harry could resume his campaign of terror on him.
"Right, now we have a test flight," said Harry as he stepped onto the lawn, birdcage in hand.
The back lawn sprawled out in front of the ballroom, its borders marked with a perimeter hedge that had gaps leading to the rest of the estate grounds. Harry waited until he was sure everyone was watching before opening the cage. The snowy owl hopped to the hatch, stretched its wings for a moment, then took off into the sky. Harry stood there transfixed, watching as she dived and spiralled and rose and fluttered about the sky. He was reminded of a book he'd read on magical history – specifically about a witch called Hedwig the Wind-dancer. She was known for inventing a spell that allowed one to fly – the spell had been largely lost to time, rarely being rediscovered before vanishing again into the unknown. Eventually, the owl returned to land on Harry's arm.
"So, what will you call her?" asked Sirius.
Harry gazed at the bird as it nipped playfully at his teasing fingers.
"Hedwig."
The back lawn sprawled out in front of the ballroom, its borders marked with a perimeter hedge that had gaps leading to the rest of the estate grounds. Harry waited until he was sure everyone was watching before opening the cage. The snowy owl hopped to the hatch, stretched its wings for a moment, then took off into the sky. Harry stood there transfixed, watching as she dived and spiralled and rose and fluttered about the sky. He was reminded of a book he'd read on magical history – specifically about a witch called Hedwig the Wind-dancer. She was known for inventing a spell that allowed one to fly – the spell had been largely lost to time, rarely being rediscovered before vanishing again into the unknown. Eventually, the owl returned to land on Harry's arm.
"So, what will you call her?" asked Sirius.
Harry gazed at the bird as it nipped playfully at his teasing fingers.
"Hedwig."
The party was in full swing in the Ballroom. Fred and George had finally arrived with their mother, as had several others. Molly had showered adulation on Harry, but had now taken to watching the twins like a hawk. Harry had discreetly extricated himself from everyone and now surveyed them all from above as he stood on the landing above the ballroom.
Then he noticed a few drops of liquid drip onto the head of Narcissa Malfoy from above.
That was odd.
He looked up.
He couldn't see anyone.
He looked down at the ballroom again, only to see another few drops hit Mr. Bones.
Harry looked up again, waiting this time.
After a moment, he saw movement.
There, perched on the wooden chandelier frame was the crouching figure of Ginny clutching what looked like a pitcher of pumpkin juice.
In but a moment she had retreated into the depths of the ornate construct.
Quietly, Harry left the ballroom into the east wing and then crept up the carpeted staircase to the third floor. From there he took the wooden attic steps up into the east loft. He crept along until he reached an open hatch that led into the ballroom rafters. Harry crept along the thick beam before him, taking care not to look over the side, until he reached the end in front of the chandelier frame. The frame itself was there to ease maintenance and as such included a platform on top of the chandelier. Ginny was preparing to venture out and drip again when she spotted Harry in front of her. Around her, on the platform, was a hoard of assorted sweets and treats.
"Up here again?" he said grinning.
She smiled back, "Yep. Hop on- er actually, don't hop, this thing will sway if you do that."
Harry carefully stepped across the gap to join her and hunkered down, spying possible targets. He grabbed a chocolate frog, pulled it out of it's packaging and rammed the unfortunate critter mercilessly into his mouth. Ginny meanwhile had 'dripped' Draco.
"So you're gonna go off to Hogwarts then?" asked Ginny.
"Sure am," he replied, "Sirius, three o'clock."
Ginny edged to the side and tipped the pitcher ever so slightly, depositing her payload onto Sirius' head below. She crept back to the middle and handed Harry the pitcher.
"I wish I could go," she muttered mournfully. She savagely tore the head off another frog with her teeth.
"You'll be coming next year, right?" he asked.
"Yeah, but I want to go now."
Harry spied a target. He dripped a stream of juice onto Kingsley Shacklebolt's shiny baldness with ruthless efficiency.
"It'll be your turn soon, you won't even notice."
"I guess...," she pouted.
"Harry?" came the somewhat muted voice of Lucius Malfoy, "Are you up here?"
Harry and Ginny stared at each other, horror struck.
"Wait here," he said and quickly scrambled back onto the beam, scampering back to the hatch. He was creeping back through the loft when Lucius suddenly appeared in front of him.
"I thought it was you I spotted; what are you doing up here?"
"Er, well..."
"Tell you what. I have another present for you, but I suspect Sirius and Ms. Baines wouldn't let you keep it – you may have noticed they don't seem to like me much. So, if you can keep quiet about it, I'll keep quiet about whatever you were doing up here. Deal?"
Harry nodded readily. Lucius drew out a small book-sized present, wrapped in gold with a red ribbon. He handed it to Harry.
"Thanks, Mr. Malfoy!"
"You're quite welcome. Best not to tell anyone, now that I think about it – wouldn't want anyone accidentally telling Sirius or Ms. Baines would we?"
Harry nodded again, before unwrapping the present.
It was indeed a book; a diary for that matter. Black and largely nondescript, something seemed comforting about it.
"Well, we had best get back to the party. It is, after all, your party."
There was a clattering sound behind Harry and he turned to see a reddening Ginny and several fallen over boxes. Lucius raised an eyebrow.
"Ah. I see. Oh to be young again... well, I shall take my leave."
It was Harry's turn to turn red.
"Uh- no, Mr. Malfoy, you don't und-"
But he had already gone.
Then he noticed a few drops of liquid drip onto the head of Narcissa Malfoy from above.
That was odd.
He looked up.
He couldn't see anyone.
He looked down at the ballroom again, only to see another few drops hit Mr. Bones.
Harry looked up again, waiting this time.
After a moment, he saw movement.
There, perched on the wooden chandelier frame was the crouching figure of Ginny clutching what looked like a pitcher of pumpkin juice.
In but a moment she had retreated into the depths of the ornate construct.
Quietly, Harry left the ballroom into the east wing and then crept up the carpeted staircase to the third floor. From there he took the wooden attic steps up into the east loft. He crept along until he reached an open hatch that led into the ballroom rafters. Harry crept along the thick beam before him, taking care not to look over the side, until he reached the end in front of the chandelier frame. The frame itself was there to ease maintenance and as such included a platform on top of the chandelier. Ginny was preparing to venture out and drip again when she spotted Harry in front of her. Around her, on the platform, was a hoard of assorted sweets and treats.
"Up here again?" he said grinning.
She smiled back, "Yep. Hop on- er actually, don't hop, this thing will sway if you do that."
Harry carefully stepped across the gap to join her and hunkered down, spying possible targets. He grabbed a chocolate frog, pulled it out of it's packaging and rammed the unfortunate critter mercilessly into his mouth. Ginny meanwhile had 'dripped' Draco.
"So you're gonna go off to Hogwarts then?" asked Ginny.
"Sure am," he replied, "Sirius, three o'clock."
Ginny edged to the side and tipped the pitcher ever so slightly, depositing her payload onto Sirius' head below. She crept back to the middle and handed Harry the pitcher.
"I wish I could go," she muttered mournfully. She savagely tore the head off another frog with her teeth.
"You'll be coming next year, right?" he asked.
"Yeah, but I want to go now."
Harry spied a target. He dripped a stream of juice onto Kingsley Shacklebolt's shiny baldness with ruthless efficiency.
"It'll be your turn soon, you won't even notice."
"I guess...," she pouted.
"Harry?" came the somewhat muted voice of Lucius Malfoy, "Are you up here?"
Harry and Ginny stared at each other, horror struck.
"Wait here," he said and quickly scrambled back onto the beam, scampering back to the hatch. He was creeping back through the loft when Lucius suddenly appeared in front of him.
"I thought it was you I spotted; what are you doing up here?"
"Er, well..."
"Tell you what. I have another present for you, but I suspect Sirius and Ms. Baines wouldn't let you keep it – you may have noticed they don't seem to like me much. So, if you can keep quiet about it, I'll keep quiet about whatever you were doing up here. Deal?"
Harry nodded readily. Lucius drew out a small book-sized present, wrapped in gold with a red ribbon. He handed it to Harry.
"Thanks, Mr. Malfoy!"
"You're quite welcome. Best not to tell anyone, now that I think about it – wouldn't want anyone accidentally telling Sirius or Ms. Baines would we?"
Harry nodded again, before unwrapping the present.
It was indeed a book; a diary for that matter. Black and largely nondescript, something seemed comforting about it.
"Well, we had best get back to the party. It is, after all, your party."
There was a clattering sound behind Harry and he turned to see a reddening Ginny and several fallen over boxes. Lucius raised an eyebrow.
"Ah. I see. Oh to be young again... well, I shall take my leave."
It was Harry's turn to turn red.
"Uh- no, Mr. Malfoy, you don't und-"
But he had already gone.
"Hmm," said Harry as he and Ginny sat in their alcove on the chandelier, "How to start?"
"The date I guess?" shrugged Ginny.
Harry shrugged back, then dipped his quill into his inkwell and began to write. No sooner had he begun writing however, than the ink faded away. They both stared. Harry dropped a drop of ink onto the page. It vanished.
Then, suddenly, written words began to fade into view on the page.
'Is someone there?'
Harry and Ginny glanced at each other, then Harry responded.
'Yes. Who is this?'
'My name is Tom Riddle; may I ask who you are?'
"The date I guess?" shrugged Ginny.
Harry shrugged back, then dipped his quill into his inkwell and began to write. No sooner had he begun writing however, than the ink faded away. They both stared. Harry dropped a drop of ink onto the page. It vanished.
Then, suddenly, written words began to fade into view on the page.
'Is someone there?'
Harry and Ginny glanced at each other, then Harry responded.
'Yes. Who is this?'
'My name is Tom Riddle; may I ask who you are?'
Harry and Ginny glanced at each other again.
"So... should we?" asked Ginny.
"It is just a book...," responded Harry hesitantly, "right?"
"I dunno; Dad's told me some nasty things about enchanted books. There was one that burned your eyes out."
"Well... if there was going to be anything bad happening... wouldn't it already have happened?" said Harry tentatively.
"You're right; I'm just being silly," Ginny replied, chuckling. Harry put quill to paper once more.
'Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley.'
'Two of you? How enchanting. It has been some time since I have had anyone to talk to. Well, write to.'
'Two of you? How enchanting. It has been some time since I have had anyone to talk to. Well, write to.'
"So... is this some kind of long distance communication?" asked Harry.
"You've got the quill - ask him."
'Are you talking to us from somewhere?'
'Oh no. I am this diary; a memory preserved for- well I don't really know how long. What is the date?'
'31st July 1991'
'My goodness, how the time has passed. That means I am nearly fifty years old! May I ask how old you are?'
'Oh no. I am this diary; a memory preserved for- well I don't really know how long. What is the date?'
'31st July 1991'
'My goodness, how the time has passed. That means I am nearly fifty years old! May I ask how old you are?'
"Should we?" asked Ginny, "Mum's always warned about strange old people."
"Does a book count?"
'I'm eleven. Oh sorry, I'm Harry. And Ginny is ten. Neither of us have ever spoken to a book before.'
'Yes, I understand it is not usual. You both seem nice – it would be ever so nice to be your friend.'
'We've never been friends with a book before.'
'Well, you have to start somewhere.'
'Yes, I understand it is not usual. You both seem nice – it would be ever so nice to be your friend.'
'We've never been friends with a book before.'
'Well, you have to start somewhere.'
Harry looked up at Ginny. Could this be a mistake? Was it weird to be friends with a book?
They gazed into each other's eyes.
Minutes passed.
Eventually, they both nodded in tandem.
'Alright then.'
'Could you tell me about yourselves?'
'Could you tell me about yourselves?'
+++++
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Ranma-sensei
Sorcerer
- Location
- Citrix Receiver
- Pronouns
- Weatherdependent
Yay, update!
Of course, you could be doing it on purpose...
Are we cloning Remus, now?
Seriously, though; lose the article.
I was always under the impression that that's the female form, and that it is 'blond' for males.
Of course, you could be doing it on purpose...
Those two commas should be full stops.
Lucius'
Full stop.
asked
Needs a comma before the apostrophe: '...,"'
Are we cloning Remus, now?Seriously, though; lose the article.
Yup. That's Harry and Ginny, all right.
The Englanderish
Schrödinger's Kuudere Kitty Caliph(a)
- Location
- Califat de Chats
Totally. Secret werewolf army. Gotta have one...
Ranma-sensei
Sorcerer
- Location
- Citrix Receiver
- Pronouns
- Weatherdependent
Remembering just know: Like your handling of Draco and Harry being friends. Most writers let Draco's character's potential go to waste in favour of vilifying him.
The Englanderish
Schrödinger's Kuudere Kitty Caliph(a)
- Location
- Califat de Chats
I need an idea for a present from the Weasleys...
Anyone have any ideas?
Anyone have any ideas?
Finagle007
[Verified Great Old One]
- Pronouns
- He/Him/His
You mean besides the traditional Weasley jumper?
The Englanderish
Schrödinger's Kuudere Kitty Caliph(a)
- Location
- Califat de Chats
Birthday, not Christmas.
Finagle007
[Verified Great Old One]
- Pronouns
- He/Him/His
Ah. Then, I dunno... the Weasleys aren't exactly well off, so they probably can't afford much in the way of a present...
The Englanderish
Schrödinger's Kuudere Kitty Caliph(a)
- Location
- Califat de Chats
Hence why one single present from all of them. Probably home-made or sentimental.
Finagle007
[Verified Great Old One]
- Pronouns
- He/Him/His
... The only thing I can think of is a Weasley jumper!
Ranma-sensei
Sorcerer
- Location
- Citrix Receiver
- Pronouns
- Weatherdependent
I rather think more than one present. Poor or not, the Weasley children have allowances. I'd say Chocolate Frogs from Ron, a scarf from Molly, ... and definitely something self made from Ginny.
The Englanderish
Schrödinger's Kuudere Kitty Caliph(a)
- Location
- Califat de Chats
UPDATE chapter 2 has been finished. I edited it in again. Sorry about how late it was - blame lab work.
I have left out the Weasleys' gift(s) for now, might show it/them later.
I have left out the Weasleys' gift(s) for now, might show it/them later.
Ranma-sensei
Sorcerer
- Location
- Citrix Receiver
- Pronouns
- Weatherdependent
Sorry for the long time I took on reading this, but RL gets in the way.
All in all, I like the new part. Just; the diary part seems a little bare bones, with a lot of talking heads, so to speak.
It's hard to gauge Harry and Ginny's reactions and motivations without descriptive text.
'Greetings were greeted'
Lower case. Autocorrect did this to you, I would guess.
Upper case this.
'of the chandelier frame'
For better readability, I'd suggest adding a comma or semicolon between the two marked words.
Propose a comma.
I know that nobody will probably care, but to be correct, it should either be '"I guess...," she pouted.' or '"I guess..." She pouted.'
This needs a question mark
Again with the question mark; and maybe set a comma after 'Ms. Baines'.
Shouldn't it be friend, singular? Or is this a peculiarity of the English language?
As it's written language, I'd suggest adding a comma after the 'Well'.
It's hard to gauge Harry and Ginny's reactions and motivations without descriptive text.
The Englanderish
Schrödinger's Kuudere Kitty Caliph(a)
- Location
- Califat de Chats
Whoops, a hold over from an earlier version. Originally Harry and Ginny were going to suggest the friendship.
I'll try and flesh out the diary part when I get home later. To be honest that scene was rushed since the chapter was so close to completion.
The next chapter (Or two) will cover year one in a very broad sense. Basically it'll be told through Harry writing in the diary as year one will be functionally identical with some small differences. Every month he sends the diary with Hedwig to Ginny where Tom regurgitates the month's entries. She then writes a message to Harry and sends it back. There will probably be a small scene at the start where they set up the arrangement and such.
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M isleading title. I was like, "A Ranma crossover? What year is this?"