Chapter 44 - Mustering an Army
<Professor…Boardman?> Harry thought to Hermione. <Where do I know that name from? It sounds so familiar…but I don't know if it is a memory from before, or now…or both.>
Hermione responded slowly. <I seem to remember the name, too…but I can't for the life of me think where…wait…I remember now! It was an article in that ridiculous magazine that Luna was reading on the train to Hogwarts. Remember, the one that that claimed that Sirius Black was actually a false name for Stubby Boardman, the lead singer for the Hobgoblins?>
<You don't think…that this is…?> Harry thought with mounting excitement. <But why would he be coming here? Guess we'll have to have a chat with our substitute professor after class.>
As it was, Harry and Hermione did not even have to come up with an excuse to talk to the mysterious instructor. Immediately after the bell sounded to dismiss the students, "Professor Boardman" called out over the general commotion as everyone gathered their bags and prepared to leave. "Mr. Potter…Miss Granger? I understand that you are both Gryffindor prefects, correct? I would like a word with you before you leave. Please wait for me in my temporary office - it's just down the hall, the third door on the left. I'll be in presently."
It wasn't long after they sat down in the small office (Harry could have sworn it was a broom closet the last time he was doing his rounds earlier that week) before the tall, hooded and cloaked man walked in, drew his wand, and immediately cast a locking spell and a privacy spell. Then, he pointed his wand at his own throat and waved it quickly. As the spell took effect, he said in a familiar voice, "There, that's better. That voice-masking spell always makes my throat sore."
"SIRIUS…IT IS YOU!" Harry yelled as his godfather pulled his hood back, revealing his dark hair and gray eyes, his face still reflecting the effects of his stay in Azkaban. "I thought you were going to stay at Headquarters. You know, of course, that you were identified at King's Cross. What are you doing HERE? Someone's bound to get suspicious."
"Yes, well, that was a risk I was willing to take that day- had to see my godson the prefect off to school properly, you know." Sirius said, smiling. "Now, I'm sure you have a lot of questions, but we don't have much time so I'll fill you in on what has happened. After Professor Umbridge's unexpected illness," he said with a wink over his shoulder at Hermione, who had remained in the background during Harry's reunion with his godfather, "…Albus contacted me and asked if I would be interested in filling in for a while as the DADA professor. He mentioned something about this being a way to give me some 'quality time' with my godson. I jumped at the chance, of course - I've always wanted to come back here, you know - not necessarily to teach, but just to be back to a place associated with such pleasant memories." He sighed happily. "So, here I am…Professor Saiph Boardman."
"Saiph?" Harry asked, puzzled. "If I remember right, the article in the Quibbler used the name "Stubby" for you, right?"
"Well, he couldn't very well use the name of a REAL person, now could he?" Hermione said in what Harry always thought of as her 'lecture' voice. "Stubby really WAS the lead singer of the Hobgoblins fifteen years ago, so I'm sure it would raise too many questions if you used his name, right, Sirius? Besides, I doubt that a singer in a band would be qualified to teach DADA at Hogwarts. And, besides, Saiph is quite fitting…the sword of the Giant, right?"
Sirius continued to look at Harry and said, "That's right, Lily. As usual, you cut right to the chase." At Harry's stunned expression and an audible gasp from Hermione, Sirius looked puzzled. "What's wrong, you two? What did I say?"
"You…you called me…Lily." Hermione said in a quiet voice.
"I did what?" Sirius said, slightly flustered as he turned towards her. "Oh, yeah, I guess I did…sorry about that, Hermione. But, Harry looks just like James…except for his eyes, of course, and I cannot count the times that the three of us were together right here at Hogwarts and Lily would lecture us on some subject or another sounding exactly like you did just then. I called it her 'having to explain the obvious to people too thick to grasp the concept' voice. Then, when you immediately rattled off the reference to my alias being the 'sword of the Giant'… well, it was what some famous Muggle said was 'déjà vu all over again…I apologize if I upset either of you."
Hermione quickly spoke up. "Oh, that's quite all right…that is, if it doesn't bother you, Harry?"
"Hmm?" Harry seemed to be lost in thought for a moment. "Oh…yeah. No, of course it doesn't bother me…if it doesn't bother you, that is?'
<Harry, what's wrong? You looked like you had another one of your flashbacks…I thought we took care of all those memory blocks.> Hermione quickly thought.
Harry responded just as quickly. <Oh…it's nothing, 'Mione…at least nothing I want to talk about now. Maybe sometime when we are alone.>
Sirius looked quickly at both Harry and Hermione. "What's going on, you two? I swear you must be channeling James and Lily…not to mention Frank and Alice. Just now, you were acting just like them - Remus and I used to tease them something fierce about it after they started going together. It was almost as if we weren't even there sometimes -it was just the two of them, holding a private conversation without words. At first we thought it quite rude…but then, we realized that it was something …well, quite special," he said with a wistful sigh.
"Oh, look at me…getting all sentimental…must be getting old or something," Sirius said, dabbing at his eyes. "You're right, of course. I met with Albus before class and he was the one that suggested the name. Actually, it's appropriate for another reason, Hermione. Neither one of you may remember this from the family tree you saw this summer at…you know where, but if you recall, I have a first cousin named Bellatrix Lestrange…she's in Azkaban, you know - she had the cell diagonally across from mine for a while - someone there must have had a sense of humor."
Hermione's face immediately brightened at exactly the same time as Harry's countenance fell. "Oh, that's VERY good, Sirius…it looks like the Headmaster has a sense of humor, too. Harry, don't you remember from our Astronomy classes? Bellatrix is the star diagonally opposite Saiph in Orion…and, from what we saw this summer, Sirius and Bellatrix are about as opposite each other as they can be!" She finally noticed that Harry was no longer paying attention to her. In fact, his whole body seemed to be rigid, with a look of near panic frozen on his face. "Harry, what's wrong? Harry?" <Harry….HARRY, snap out of it…it's me, 'Mione! What is going on? Harry, listen to me…that woman's not going to hurt you here. Sirius and I are with you…Harry?>
Hearing no response in her mind, Hermione said forcefully, "SIRIUS…you're going to have to help me - Harry's in some kind of shock. We need to get him to Madam Pomfrey right away."
"What's going on, Hermione? What's wrong with Harry? Why would hearing my cousin's name do this to him? He's never even met her."
"Er…well, explanations like that will have to wait! Now let's MOVE!" Hermione said as she levitated Harry's stiff body out the door.
"Yes, ma'am!" Sirius said as he quickly pulled his hood up to cover his face. "I'll lead the way in case we run across some curious onlookers. Let me think…what's a good cover story?" he said as they started down the hall towards the infirmary. I know - you're practicing how to steer a foe you have disabled and are taking to the authorities…that's it!"
*
"Miss Granger…and Professor…Boardman, is it? Albus just informed me that you have joined the staff here. Welcome to Hogwarts! And, what's this? Mr. Potter, frozen again? I'd better contact the headmaster right away." She grabbed a quill and wrote a quick note, labeling the parchment with Dumbledore's name, and then tapped it with her wand. The note flew rapidly through the open infirmary doors. "There - he'll be along presently. Now, what happened?"
"Well, Madam Pomfrey", Sirius said from under his hood, "I was having a chat with Miss Granger and Mr. Potter here, and suddenly Harry stiffened up like you see here. I had just mentioned something about…well, never mind that," he said quickly as he realized he would reveal his identity if he had mentioned his cousin's name.
Poppy's eyes narrowed and she shook her head. "You're going to have to tell me the whole story, Professor….without all the facts, I may not be able to diagnose his condition accurately. By the way, you can't fool me with that hood, you know. I admit it's been quite a while, but…how are you, Sirius?"
"How…how did you know?" Sirius sputtered.
Pomfrey laughed. "How could I forget the voice of one of the infamous Marauders? You forgot to disguise your voice just now, didn't you? The four of you seemed to spend more than the normal amount of time in my infirmary, if I recall. Always experimenting with pranks…practicing charms that are not part of the normal curriculum here that sometimes backfired…oh, yes - how could I forget you? And, before you get too worried, remember I am a Healer - I'm quite used to keeping confidences, as Miss Granger and Mr. Potter are both quite aware."
As he lowered his hood, he smiled at Poppy and said "Thank you, Madam Pomfrey. I am quite aware of your professional discretion…I too remember some of the…erm…more embarrassing situations you helped us out of."
"Yes, a few of those hex combinations you tried led to…shall we say, interesting side effects," she replied, her eyes twinkling merrily. "But, please, Sirius, call me Poppy. That goes for you, too, Hermione. As was recently pointed out, you are also an adult…biologically, that is."
Hermione smirked. "Well, so much for your ability to keep confidences, eh, Poppy? Oh, don't worry, I'm sure that Sirius will find out soon enough…but more about that later. First, let's focus back on why we're here - Harry's still frozen, you know. What Sirius wasn't telling you was that he had just mentioned his cousin Bellatrix's name and that seemed to trigger Harry's paralysis. Of course you understand the reasons for that reaction, but is there something you can do to bring him out of it?"
"Hmmm…well, yes, now it makes sense." Poppy muttered to herself as she performed a quick diagnostic charm. "Yes…see here, Hermione, where his aura has turned so dark…that is the after effect of the spell that…well…caused this whole situation. The last time I saw this, it seemed to be healing quite nicely. Now it looks like someone has picked at the wound and opened it up again. Well, no matter; besides, all we're doing here is piquing Mr. Black's curiosity. Just be patient, Sirius. Hermione, I need you to do something for Harry. It may be a bit embarrassing, but it's the quickest way to bring him round."
"What is it, Poppy? You know of course I'll do anything for Harry if it will help. What do you need me to do?"
Pomfrey leaned over and whispered in Hermione's ear. As she listened, Hermione's eyes grew quite wide and she blushed deeply, but then she got a happy smile on her face as she continued to receive instructions. Finally, she said, her face quite flushed, "Of course, Poppy…but I'd prefer to have a little privacy if I'm going to do that kind of therapy with Harry. Do you have any ideas as to an appropriate location?"
"Well, I'd prefer to keep the infirmary clear just in case other students need my services. But, there is another place that would serve your purposes. Isn't that right, Albus?" She looked up at the Headmaster, who had silently entered the room and now stood behind Sirius.
The headmaster smiled and said, "Since I didn't hear all of the conversation, I suppose I need some background before I answer that question. Miss Granger, do you care to explain why Harry is once again in a frozen state? I assume this has something to do with Poppy's inquiry?"
Between the three of them, Hermione, Sirius, and Poppy quickly got him caught up with what had happened, and at the appropriate time in the story Poppy whispered the same instructions to Albus that she had given Hermione. His mustache twitched considerably as he said, "Well, now…that does pose an interesting problem. But, I know just the place…and I'm sure I can arrange a way for you two to travel there quickly and undetected." He reached into his robes and pulled out a plain glass ball, then tapped it with his wand and said "Portus". The sphere glowed blue and trembled for a moment before he handed it to Hermione. "Just grab on to Harry's hand while you are holding this stone, and when you say you're ready it will take you to a specific place in the castle. You will find yourself next to an apparently blank wall. Walk past that section of blank wall three times concentrating hard on what you need. I'm sure you can take it from there. Just remember my counsel from before…don't get too carried away in your eagerness to reawaken Mr. Potter that you forget the potential consequences to the two of you. I fear you will need all the help you can get when you have to face Tom."
"Yes, headmaster. I promise I will control myself. Harry and I have discussed this subject before, and we both understand what's at stake. But, that reminds me…would you please talk to Harmony about…well, you know…we promised we'd warn her before…well, we did anything like…" Hermione's voice trailed off in embarrassment.
"Surely, Miss Granger. I will notify her immediately. In fact, I think she may be in need of a specific potion from Poppy's stores here to help her over the next hour or so. I will summon her immediately, but give us a few moments after you arrive before you begin." Albus then noticed that Sirius appeared about ready to burst with curiosity as he listened to the strange conversation. "Besides, that will also give me some time to bring our new professor up to speed on…well, the strange story we are all in the middle of. Miss Puckle will be VERY happy to see you, Sirius, and it will probably help keep her mind off of…certain distractions that may be in her mind. Off you go, then."
Hermione held the glass ball in her right hand while she grabbed Harry's arm with her left. She smiled at the three adults and said, cheekily, "Well, fortunately we don't have any more classes today…if we did, I'm sure we'd both be absent. Priorities, you know!" She winked at the headmaster as she said "I'm ready!" and felt that familiar jerk behind her navel.
After they stopped moving, Hermione followed her instructions and soon a doorknob appeared. She opened it and was surprised to see an area which looked very much like the Gryffindor common room, except it was unoccupied. She levitated Harry in the door, (which closed immediately behind them and disappeared) and as she walked around the room she discovered there was a large, comfortable couch and two beautifully upholstered chairs next to a warm, inviting fireplace. The flickering oranges and yellows were quite romantic, she thought. Even though it had been warm outside that late summer day at Hogwarts, in the room there was enough of a chill that she was glad for the added warmth. <Yes…cuddling by the fire with Harry is something I could get used to very easily.> Standing in one corner on a pair of mannequins there were two sets of familiar clothes, one for her and one for Harry. Finally, she saw a large buffet table loaded with their favorite foods.
<Hmmm…well, we are going to miss dinner, aren't we…but that can wait until later. First, I've got some healing to attend to.> As Hermione remembered her instructions, she once again blushed deeply as she gently lowered Harry's form onto the couch and looked at him with a mixture of love and concern. "Well, before we get started, I'd better take care of something. <Harmony? Are you there? Have Albus and Poppy warned you about…?>
<Yes, Hermione, they have. Poppy is preparing the bond-numbing potion for me now. Besides, I'm going to be quite preoccupied myself, explaining things to Sirius. So don't worry about me…just do what you need to do to…for Harry…and for us. I hope that I can trust you not to cross the line, though. >
<Of course, Harmony…you of all people should realize that I wouldn't violate that sacred trust…anything that would harm Harry…or you…would of course harm me, too. Now, take your potion…and soon, we'll have our Harry back.>
<I'm sure we will…and Hermione, just be careful with him….for our sakes.>
The last thing Hermione could sense from Harmony was her taking a shimmering potion, and then the bond between them went silent. "Well, Harry…it's just you and me now," she said softly to the still body on the couch. "First, I suppose we need to get out of these robes. Then let's see if I can fetch you round."
*****
After what seemed like an eternity, a weak, but welcome voice was heard coming from the couch. "Hermione…where am I….where are we?"
Tears of relief slid slowly down Hermione's cheeks as she grabbed him in a hug. "HARRY! You're back! I was beginning to think I wasn't going to get through to you…I couldn't hear your voice in my head any more…I… I thought I'd lost you," she said with a barely stifled sob.
Harry, who had been quite distracted by his girlfriend's arms wrapped around him, whispered softly, "No, Hermione…I'm still here. I'm not going to go out that easily…I've still got some business with Tom to attend to, you know." And then, as he became more aware of his surroundings, he said with alarm, "'Mione…what are you wearing? And…what happened to my robes?"
"Oh...that..." she said quickly. "Well, when we got here, I saw these clothes…and they looked so beautiful…and…well, don't you remember the last time we wore these?
"Of course, my love. They are the Romeo and Juliet costumes you conjured up for us…that evening by the lake. But why...HOW did you get them on me? Or you, for that matter? Don't tell me you…"
She grinned mischievously. "Well, Harry…you WERE quite unaware of your surroundings, you know…so I felt there wouldn't be any problem with me changing out of my clothes in front of you." Harry gulped audibly as he tried not to think about what she had just said. "And, as to your robes…" As she felt Harry's increasing discomfort, she finally confessed. "Oh, silly, don't you remember first year? I AM a witch, you know. I just used a simple switching spell…for both of us. I was just teasing you. Your school robes are over there on the mannequin, next to mine." But then, a wicked gleam crossed her face for a second as she whispered huskily in his ear, "Oh, by the way…nice underpants, Harry." As his jaw dropped in shock, she yelled "GOTCHA!" jumped up from the couch and ran away giggling, hiding behind one of the chairs by the fireplace.
"OOOH…Miss Granger, you are DEFINITELY going to pay for that one!" Harry said as he took up the pursuit.
*
"Albus, even though I have the evidence standing right here in front of me…and quite beautiful evidence at that, if I may be so bold, Miss Puckle…" Harmony smiled warmly at Sirius's compliment, "…I'll have to say that your story is one of the strangest I've ever heard…and I've heard quite a few in my time."
"Nonetheless, Sirius, I assure you it is true. Miss Puckle is, as you have heard and seen, actually Miss Hermione Granger from an alternate reality - or more accurately, we are part of her alternate reality - because of the time loop your cousin created when she forced Harry back in time to relive his days at Hogwarts. Fortunately, Harmony here was able to intervene, so now we are just trying to get Harry to the point where we can complete the restoration of the original timeline. It's all quite complicated, but I'm sure Minerva and Poppy can explain…"
Sirius held up his hands in surrender. "Begging your pardon, Professor McGonagall, Poppy, but I didn't come back to Hogwarts to have to sit through more lectures. I'll trust you know what you're talking about. I just want to know if there is something I can do to help. Anything I can do to interfere with my dear cousin's plans...count me in! I AM still a Gryffindor, you know!"
Harmony's face fell momentarily as she remembered the results of his bravery, but before Sirius noticed, she smiled at him and held his hand. "Well, actually, there is one thing that I'd like you to consider helping Harry with this year. I think you'd be perfect!"
*
"So, Sirius, are you up to the challenge?" Harmony said. Last time I did this for Harry we had to work secretly, but at least this time we'll be able to be an official club. That is, if you consent to be the faculty advisor for the Defense Association…known in my time as Dumbledore's Army."
"I wouldn't miss it for all the flea powder in England!" Sirius said. "And, coming from a dog animagus like myself, that really means something!" he said with a grin.
*
Back in the Room of Requirement, Harry was leaning with his back up against one of the chairs, with Hermione seated between his legs as they both faced the fire. His arms were wrapped around her waist as she relaxed against his chest. After they had tired themselves out chasing each other around the room…and then catching each other a few times, they had eaten their fill of the wonderful buffet and were now relaxing together. <I was right, Harry…cuddling with you like this IS quite nice, don't you agree?>
"Mmmmhmmm…" he whispered as he kissed the hair on the back of her head and gave her waist a quick squeeze. Then, Hermione saw him stare back into the fire, the orange flames reflecting in his glasses.
"Is that all you have to say for yourself, Harry? Surely you can do better than that," she said, pretending to pout.
Harry smiled wryly and answered, "Well, by now you should know that much about me, Hermione, I'm not all that much on flowery talk…but you, of all people, should be able to know just what I feel about you. Here…come into my mind for a second."
As Harry dropped the mind blocks he had remembered how to set up from his previous experience with Severus in the original timeline, Hermione concentrated on seeing into his mind. After a few minutes passed, Harry looked down at Hermione. "Hermione, why are you crying? What's wrong?"
She smiled up at him tearfully, sighing and snuggling closer into his chest, "Oh, Harry…nothing's wrong, silly. It's just not every young woman who gets a chance to see EXACTLY what her boyfriend feels about her…you really DO love me, don't you?"
"Do I really have to answer that?"
"No…but you do have to experience it. It's your turn, you know. Please…look into my mind and see what I feel about you."
Soon, it was Harry who was weeping tears of joy. "Thanks, 'Mione…now I know why you did what you did for me…both this evening…and in the other timeline when you came back for me as Harmony. You really do love me, too, don't you?"
"Of course, Harry. Now, what was it I said a little over a year ago? Just shut up and kiss me, Harry."
As happened the last time, he gave the only appropriate response under the circumstances. "Yes, ma'am!" he said as he rapidly complied with her demands.
*
The next day at breakfast Dumbledore stood up and formally introduced the substitute DADA professor, Saiph Boardman. At the same time, he announced the formation of a new student club dedicated to the advanced study of Defense against the Dark Arts. This club would be available for second year students and above from all houses. The club would be led by Professor Boardman and Miss Puckle sharing duties as faculty advisors and Harry Potter as instructor. He had resisted at first, but then Harmony reminded him how important the training had been for all the students, not just him, the first time around. <Besides, Harry, since we're starting it so early this year compared to last time, just think how much better everyone will be this year. I surely don't want Hermione to be caught off guard the same way I was last time…and I know you don't, either. This time it WILL be different.>
A magical sign-up sheet was posted in the Great Hall after breakfast. Students were told that if they preferred, their interest in the training would be kept secret if they were concerned about the opinions of others in their house. Only students who signed up, however, would be allowed at the first meeting, which was to be held Wednesday evening in the Great Hall.
When the time came for the first meeting, Harry was pleasantly surprised that the first ones to enter the hall was a group of Slytherins led by Blaise Zabini. He walked directly over to Harry and said "Bet you'd forgotten about us, hadn't you, Harry? Ever since you changed houses we haven't seen much of you, you know. Of course, you WERE busy with the tournament last year…but we're still behind you - that is, if you still want us here?" he said with a bit of uncertainty.
Harry quickly grabbed Blaise's hand and shook it warmly as he looked at the small group of students wearing silver and green house crests. "Of course you are welcome here, Blaise...all of you." He added sheepishly, "Sorry I haven't been back. My last dealings with my former housemates ended with me paralyzed in the infirmary…"he winked at Hermione as he remembered what happened THAT night, "…so I doubt I'd even be allowed in the hall to the Slytherin common room without suffering a worse fate."
Soon, the sign up sheet by the door glowed, and the doors to the Great Hall sealed themselves. "That's it then, Harry", Harmony said happily, smiling over at Professor Boardman. "Everyone who signed up for the club is now here, so we can start whenever you're ready."
"Right,' said Harry, "shall we get practicing, then? I was thinking, the first thing we should do…"
(A/N - So, there you have it. If you are wondering about Sirius's alias, I knew I couldn't use Stubby, (for the reasons that Hermione stated) so I started looking around for alternates that would allow him to keep the same initials. And then, out of the blue, it hit me. I was a bit of an amateur astronomer in a previous life, so as I thought about the "star name" pattern in the Black family tree and did a bit of research until I realized the name Saiph was the obvious choice…at least to me.
If you want to know more about it, just Google the phrase Saiph Orion Constellation or follow the link above. If you think that this chapter was full of fluff and sweetness, just wait until the next one!)