Chapter 3
"Goddamit all to Hell!" James raged in the master suite. Remus and Sirius had immediately used the Floo to travel to Hogwarts. James and Lily didn't trust themselves to confront Dumbledore given their mood.
"Once again, Albus Bloody Dumbledore allows our son to stand into harm's way."
It was nearly midnight. Harry and Hermione had retired hours before, but Lily wasn't sure how much sleep either teen would get this night. Right now, she didn't care if they shared a bed to get through the night.
James was oscillating between fear and rage for his son. Reflecting on his protectiveness for his son, Lily was surprised he hadn't jumped in the Floo to tear into Albus Dumbledore himself.
Finally calming, James sat next to her on the bed. Giving voice to her thoughts, Lily asked, "Why didn't you go with Sirius and Remus? It might have made you feel better?"
His head in his hands, James muttered, "Because I promised Harry."
"Huh?"
Looking at his wife, he explained, "I told Harry that I'd always be here for him. I have a sneaking suspicion that our son is going to suffer a nightmare tonight and I wanted to be here for him." Looking at the floor, he muttered, "I haven't been here when he needed me so far…"
"Come here," Lily softly cajoled. Holding her arms wide, she scooted back on the bed. Soon they were cuddled close. No matter the situation, no matter how mad she was at him or him at her, if they started to cuddle they would eventually relax. Most of the time, they ended up making love, but neither Potter wanted that this night. She needed his strength while he needed the comfort of her presence.
A loud rat-a-tat-tat knocking on the door announced the return of Sirius and Remus.
James bounded off the bed, calling, "Come in!"
A drawn Remus Lupin led a visibly angry Sirius Black into the room.
"This doesn't look good," Lily commented.
Sirius started with a rush of words, "You know how Dumbledore gets all supercilious and condescending some times?"
"Yeah, it makes you want to rip his spleen out," James replied.
"Well, he was in fine form tonight. Endlessly explaining to the ignorant, unwashed masses among us why they couldn't do anything about the cup-thingy." Turning to Lily, he held his arms out wide, "Didn't Remus and I take Arithmancy with you? Didn't we both score O's on both our OWLs and NEWTs?"
Lily rolled her eyes as she nodded, "Yes Sirius. You're very smart. Get to the point."
Flipping her a blasé bird, Sirius cut to the chase, "Remus and I looked over the calculations made independently by Flitwick, Vector, Dumbledore and even old Snivelly. All are within a point or two of each other. We're humped, Prongs."
"Fuck," James muttered.
"And the other champions are all tied up in the whammy that whoever put on the cup. As far as we could tell, it was a combination of a whacko rune set on top of multiple spells with something else layered in between that none of us could decipher. It was some serious shit. The cursebreakers from Gringotts were shaking their heads at it. The one old guy said he'd seen something like this in South America, but never in Britain."
"What happened in South America?" Lily asked.
"He was the only one to survive from a fifty person team."
"Voldemort or his agent," Lily stated in summation. Only the wizard born Tom Riddle had the knowledge and malice to design and implement such a trap.
"Yeah."
"And we not only risk Harry losing his magic - which would leave him helpless in the face of Voldemort's wrath - but would also strip the other three champions of their magic," Remus observed soberly.
"He has to compete," Lily whispered. The sensible part of her mind agreed that to endanger the others would be irresponsible to the point of criminal, but her heart screamed, "SO WHAT?" It was Harry they were talking about and his life. Fuck the others. Remus had a valid point, though. If Harry was a squib, he'd be defenceless in the face of a determined magical onslaught by Voldemort.
In a low, dangerous tone, James asked, "And did no one notice this extensive modification and spellcasting that was done to the Goblet? Bloody buggering shite! Did he have no monitoring charms on the Goblet? What about all his precious portraits?"
"You should have seen old Flitwick," Sirius drawled. "He was incensed nearly to the point of violence."
"I've never seen Filius so upset," Remus observed as Sirius flopped into a chair. "He was pacing and ranting about unfairness, Dark Arts and old fools who are convinced of their own cleverness. He was pointedly looking at Albus when elucidating about pride being the downfall of the great men of society." With a faint grin, Moony remembered, "One time he stopped his ranting and pacing while he got this far away look. He snapped his fingers and then announced `Fiendfyre!'. I thought Albus was going to have a heart attack."
"Filius," Lily wondered.
"Yeah, he's short. What about him?" Sirius snarked. He immediately yelped at Lily's Pinching hex that caught him on the inside of his arm. "Dammit, that hurt!"
"Shut up, Padfoot," James absently ordered. His eyes on his wife, he asked, "What?"
"Filius can help Harry."
Her declaration silenced the men while they thought about her idea.
"What about the rule that Albus was going on about tonight, how the staff can't help the champions?"
"Screw the tournament! Harry needs this to survive Voldemort. The tournament be damned, I want him to live long enough so that he can matriculate from school and marry that witch who's down in the Blue Room."
Breathing heavily in her fear, Lily accepted the comforting embrace of her husband.
Nodding, Remus agreed, "Between Filius and the rest of us, we can accelerate Harry's education significantly, true. But what about the tournament?"
His eyes narrowing, James announced, "The Headmaster of Hogwarts is about to make some concessions to the Earl of Richmond who also happens to be the heir of Godric Gryffindor."
A pop announced the arrival of Rauri. Bowing low to Lily, he asked, "My Lady, Miss Granger requests a sleeping potion for Lord Harry's use this night. Is that acceptable to her Ladyship?"
Frowning, Lily stood before heading out of the door. "Fetch a potion and meet me in Lord Harry's room, Rauri."
.oOo.
Hermione stood in the doorway of her boyfriend's bedroom watching him. Harry stood on the balcony off his room, oblivious to her presence. The light of the waxing moon shone down on him, making his hair glow with a silver light.
Her heart ached. It was happening again. First year it had been the stone. In their youth and naiveté, they'd actually been excited about the `adventure' of it all. Excited until the end, that was. Hermione had been terrified when forced to part from him at the logic puzzle. She'd almost sprinted past the prone form of Ron Weasley, but had instead paused to Levitate the gormless idiot to the escape hatch. Her relief in finding the Headmaster had been complete. Someone of capable authority was rushing to help Harry, so she didn't have to worry any longer. Stopping in the hallway, she'd sunk to the flagstones, weeping and bawling in relief.
Second year, his persecution as the suspected Heir of Slytherin had infuriated her to no end. She was eternally thankful that she'd been unaware of her surroundings while petrified for she was firmly convinced she'd have gone mad otherwise. Many times since her awakening from the accidental petrifaction by the Basilisk, she'd fluctuated from anger at not being able to help him to fear for what could very well have happened to him down in the Chamber.
Although it all turned out in the end, the previous year had been the worst of all. The separation they'd experienced over the gifted broom had been the most painful time in her life. Her overloaded coursework, trying to help Hagrid with Buckbeak's defence and worry about Harry regarding the `dangerous Sirius Black' had nearly given her a breakdown. Although that ride upon the hippogriff's back had sparked some feelings that she was now very grateful to have.
Now she had him. He was hers as she was his. The world was in its proper orbit; the stars were finally aligned. Yet, some fool had entered him into this ridiculous tournament. Many of the TriWizard champions of old had perished. He could very well die in the tasks to come. Overlaid across the danger of the tournament was the threat of Lord Voldemort. Her understanding of the Prophecy coloured her perception of reality. Wherever she looked, Hermione saw the lurking dangerous visage of the Dark Lord.
Sliding up to him, she wrapped her arms about him from behind. His tense back and shoulders sagged a bit into her embrace. "I love you, Harry. We'll do this." His stress bled out of him in a noticeable rush.
He sighed. She couldn't tell if it was relief or resignation, but either way, he turned in her arms. Wrapping his own arms about her shoulders, he leaned back on the rail of the balcony pulling her flush to him. "Yes, we will won't we? We always do in the end, don't we?"
Standing there, she was filled with dread. Stifling her fear of losing him, she pulled him close. After a long moment, she stood on her toes to give him a soft kiss, "I better head back to my room. Do you think you'll sleep?"
"I'll be fine," he replied with the hint of a smile.
Glaring at him, she poked him in chest with her forefinger, the threat clear.
"Fine. I'll try to sleep."
Annoyed at his stubbornness, she was caught in a quandary. She couldn't very well make him sleep, yet that's what he needed most. In a flash of inspiration, she called, "Rauri?"
The elegant elf appeared at her side, "You called, Miss?"
"Thank you for coming Rauri. Are there any sleeping potions in the house potion cabinet?"
In his low tone, he replied, "There is an assortment of mild Sleeping potions."
"Would you please fetch one for us please? Lord Harry requires a potion this evening."
With a worried glance at Harry, Rauri bowed, "I shall verify with my Lady that it is acceptable before I return." A soft pop confirmed his departure.
"Great. Now my Mum is going to know I'm a freak," Harry grumped as he slumped on the rail of the balcony.
In a cold fury, Hermione upbraided him. "Don't You Ever Say That Again. Do you hear me?" He flinched before he nodded. "I know those…those animals that were supposed to be your guardians were…pigs," she spat. "But your parents love you Harry. Your Mum wants to know if you're having a hard time. She wants to help you." A soft hug preceded, "Just like I want to help you.'
Knock knock.
"Harry?" Hermione heard Lily call out. "Rauri says you need a potion. Are you alright?"
"Mum, if I was alright, would I need the potion?"
Small laughter from the two witches followed Lily into the room where Harry and Hermione were moving toward the bed. When Harry settled on the large bed, Hermione perched on the large wingback chair next to the fire.
When Lily sat next to her son, Hermione got a chance to compare the mother and child. Everyone always remarked how much Harry and James looked alike. Sitting as they were, Hermione saw quite a bit of Lily in her son. He had James' hair colour and general facial structure, but he had Lily's nose. His lips were thin like his mother's but he had a strong jaw like his father.
Of course, he had his mother's eyes.
For a short moment, Hermione wondered what a child of hers and Harry's would look like. Would they have a black haired boy with brown eyes? A brown haired girl with green eyes? Either way, the poor thing's hair was destined to be a mess.
She watched Lily trail her hand through her son's fringe, a soft worried expression on her young face. Harry closed his eyes, obviously savouring the moment.
"The tournament?" Lily asked.
Shrugging, Harry looked away. Hermione took that as her cue. Standing, she made her way to her boyfriend's side. Wrapping an arm about his shoulder, she told his mother, "It's really just everything. Every year, it's something."
"I just want to be a normal guy. Snog my girlfriend, roll my eyes at my parents and just live." Narrowing his eyes, he snarked, "At least now I know why I can't have that."
Recognizing his reference to the Prophecy, Hermione poked him in the side. Nodding his head, he mock grovelled, "I know, no whinging. Don't use the chains this time."
Lily smiled at the easy give and take between the teens. Sighing in contentment, she took her son's hand in her own, focusing his attention on her. Hermione watched him calm while his redheaded mother began to explain what was Really Important.
"My son," he beamed as she began, "Do you know what matters most?" She paused, waiting for a reply. When Harry shrugged, Lily softly told him, "Us. Hermione," she nodded at the now blushing bushy haired witch. "Our family is what's most important in this life. You are so fundamental to my existence I doubt you truly understand. In those last minutes before Voldemort banished us to that nether region, I was terrified for one thing. Not my own life or even your father's. We'd both come to terms with the fact that we could very well die in opposition to that monster.
"I was terrified for you."
Hermione sniffled in emotion. Harry was speechless, his eyes bright. Lily softly stroked Harry's scarred hands, the result of too much manual labour with too little medicine while in Surrey. Without raising her face, Lily told her son, "When your father and I woke last night in the burnt out hulk of the rental cottage, the only thing on both our minds was you. In fact, I think the first coherent word out of your father's mouth was `Harry'.
"Right now, he, Remus and Sirius are putting their devious minds to work to build a plan that will not only allow you to survive this bloody tournament, but also send that psychotic bastard to hell where he belongs."
The fierceness in the Lady Richmond's voice took Hermione back a pace. "We are family and I will do anything to protect that which is mine and make no mistake, my son, you are mine."
For the first time in his life, Harry Potter initiated an embrace with another person. Hermione watched with streaming eyes as Harry cried in his mother's arms. All the years of the Dursleys rejection and torment, their abuse, starvation and emotional torture of him; all of it burst forth from him in a torrent. Lily could only hold on for the ride.
Tentatively, Hermione approached the embracing twosome. She caught Lily's gaze with a questioning expression. When Harry's mum gave her a short nod and smile, Hermione tenderly wrapped her arms about Harry from behind, lending her love, caring and affection to the embrace.
Without words, The Smartest Witch of the Age knew it was the most important moment of her beau's young life. He was home with his family at last.
.oOo.
Breakfast the next morning was oddly domestic. James was an eggs, bacon and toast kind of man, while Lily munched on a bowl of Cheerios. Harry smiled when Sirius stumbled in the room to spoon up a large bowl of porridge. The former Prisoner of Azkaban's hair stood up on the right side as he sported creases on his face from his sheets.
"Mmmm, porridge," James teased his best friend. Harry snickered when Sirius sighed in delight as he spooned a heap of peaches into the gooey mess.
With a cheery tone, Sirius told his friend, "Just because you're irregular due to a lack of fibre doesn't mean you should be rude, Prongsie."
When James snorted in derision, Harry laughed aloud. Hermione came in just as Sirius stood. Harry smiled widely at his girlfriend's confused expression as the dishevelled Padfoot stood forth to elucidate the ignorant about the benefits of porridge.
Halfway through the lecture, after Sirius had explained the beneficial uses of porridge as an all-purpose adhesive, an excellent source of dietary fibre and just generally `yummy', Hermione couldn't stand it any longer, "Sirius! Stop this nonsense."
The Marauders looked at they teenaged witch with mouths agape for a full ten seconds before Prongs and Moony roared with laughter. Padfoot pointed at Lily accusingly, "You told her to do that!"
The older witch was laughing so hard, tears were running down her face. Unable to reply, she shook her head.
Annoyed, Hermione planted her fists on her hips. Since Sirius was the only person capable of coherent speech who was also in the know, she demanded, "Explain!"
Curious, Harry leaned in to hear the explanation. Sirius sat heavily on his chair. All the wind was out of his sails, he'd lost the moral high ground regarding that wonderful breakfast cereal commonly called porridge. "I was in the great hall giving the same speech during sixth year and around the same spot, Dorcas Meadows said the exact same thing, but she called me `Black'." In a nasally midland Scots accent, Sirius mimicked, "Black, Stop this nonsense!" With a sigh, he admitted, "She was smoking hot, too."
Hermione blushed while Harry looked at his godfather with an odd expression.
Realizing what he'd said, Sirius backtracked, "No, no, no, I'm not saying you're hot, Hermione. Dorcas was hot. Smoking hot. A perfect rack with hips from here to there…"
"Sirius, stop," Lily choked through her laughter.
A thoroughly embarrassed Hermione decided that the best course of action was to deny that Sirius existed in any way, shape or form. Spooning up her breakfast from the sideboard, she sidled up to Harry. After a large draught of tea, she asked him, `What's on the agenda today?"
Nodding to his father, Harry replied, "Dad wants to do that interview today, so we'll be heading to the Daily Prophet after lunch. Mum wants to have a big chat this morning."
Harry recognized the knowing look on Hermione's face so he just cut to the chase, "What do you know?"
"A little bit of this and that," she coyly replied.
Feeling a little bold, he checked left and right to see if any of the so called Adults were paying attention to the teens. Seeing that they were unobserved, Harry turned back to his girlfriend, "Do I have to snog it out of you?"
His teasing tone re-ignited the blush in his girlfriend's face. She proved her membership in the house of Lions when she teased right back, "Maybe you do."
With affected triumph, he looked to the ceiling, "Yes!"
They both laughed before digging into their breakfast. After she swallowed, Hermione mused, "We are so behind in our schoolwork."
Simultaneous groans from Harry, Sirius, James and even Remus caused Hermione to protest, "What? We are behind now."
Harry met his father's gaze, "I'm used to it by now," he explained to his Dad.
"Hermione," the oldest Potter explained slowly, "You must learn to savour life. Life is like a fine wine that must be experienced, relished and enjoyed with all your senses. You can't study wine."
With a sardonic eyebrow cocked, Lily countered, "Which is why you graduated ranked second in our class at school."
Stunned, Harry turned to his Dad, "You really were the number two?"
Embarrassed, James muttered before pointing at his wife, "It's her fault. She was number one."
Harry sat back as the discussion around him grew animated. Long he'd been aware that the Marauders were pranksters extraordinaire, but he'd never known that his father, Sirius and Remus had finished school ranked second, fourth and third respectively. Pettigrew had been the anchor man for the entire class.
When his father began to tease Sirius about the Exceeds Padfoot had scored on his Ancient Runes NEWT because of a hangover combined with a wild night with the Doublemint Twins, Harry's stomach had begun to wobble. None of the wizards in the room were geniuses, that privilege fell to the witches they sat alongside. It was evident, though, that the other three had excelled in school. His decision to take Divination as an easy O caused a burst of shame to burn in his belly.
With a plastered smile on his face, Harry silently followed the conversation. When Sirius and James were arguing over who had the most consecutive Outstandings on Charms test, Lily had calmly settled the debate: "I did. Forty two from First year through Seventh."
Harry had laughed with the rest before excusing himself on the pretence of needing the toilet.
He'd seen Hermione's entranced expression. Despite the wizard's attitude, she felt at home amongst those who valued education.
Heading to the veranda, he leaned on the stone rail, all the while trying to hide from his less than stellar academic performance.
The scritch of a footstep on the stone path caused him to turn. Finding Moony meandering to the steps allowed Harry to let the breath out of him while he holstered his wand.
"You alright?" Remus asked. Unusually for him, he was direct and to the point.
Shrugging, Harry replied, "Sure."
They were both silent as they stared out to sea. There was an early morning marine layer that obscured their view of the ocean, but the pounding surf filled in the blank spots their imagination missed.
"I was always jealous of James," Remus admitted.
Surprised, Harry turned to the Quiet Marauder. He'd always pictured the four boys in perfect harmony, for in their schooldays, Pettigrew had been faithful.
Nodding as he continued to stare out to sea, "My life was very difficult. My parents had been killed in the attack, which infected me. I felt unworthy of affection, caring, even social niceties I felt were unnecessary for me. I didn't really date at all in school. A few friends who were girls agreed to accompany me to various dances and balls that were held. I believe they accompanied me more out of general affection and pity than any romantic interests.
"James, though, had it all. His parents fawned over him. He was wealthy, intelligent, good looking and eventually got the girl of his dreams. He had everything I had wanted for so very long. You know what turned it around for me?" Remus asked with deliberate slowness.
Shaking his head, Harry mutely answered.
"You."
Thoroughly confused, Harry exclaimed, "Huh?"
Chuckling, Remus laid his hand on Harry's shoulder. "When you were born, I saw that you filled a hole in James' life. I never knew that he'd been…broken in that way. He needed you, just as I then saw that he'd needed Lily and the Marauders. I was part of the Solution for James and that realization humbled me."
Remus was quiet for a minute, Harry could tell he was collecting his thoughts and working up the nerve to admit, "We're all of us broken. In this life, we strive to heal and become whole. One thing that Dumbledore is always on about is the power of love and I do believe that he's on to something there. Love heals us of our brokenness, it makes us complete.
"I realized that I had no need to be jealous of James for the advantages that came with his birth, because they broke him in a certain way. I needed to focus on helping those about me in the best way I knew how and in turn find healing for my own brokenness."
Winding his arm across Harry's pliant shoulders, Moony told Harry, "Little One, you must heal. Find that which makes you whole. I believe that there's a big part of that here," he gestured to the house, indicating the residents therein. When Harry nodded agreement, Remus added, "But that's not enough. It usually isn't. Find what makes you burn." With a wry smile, he teased, "And I'm not talking about Hermione's womanly attributes."
Blushing, Harry poked his Uncle Moony in the ribs, "Moony!"
Chuckling again, Remus refocused, "Find what you need Harry." A cocked eyebrow showed the depth of the werewolf's insight, "Academic success may be a path for you, but then again it may not. It may only be a part of your path. Quidditch, law enforcement, professional philanthropy, there are many avenues open to you. Your world is restarting, take advantage of it." Remus then did something that no man had ever done in Harry's recollection: he leaned forward, placing a tender kiss on Harry's brow.
Without comment, he turned to walk back to the house. Harry watched him with a contemplative expression, touched that the reserved man had opened himself so much.
.oOo.
The discussion with his family had been informative, infuriating and fun.
Sirius had watched his godson throughout the entire discussion. Beginning to pick up the visual cues as tor Harry's mental state, Sirius would scowl whenever Harry's face would abruptly become blank. When James had explained about the Richmond title and Harry's own peerage as Baron Potter, Harry's face had become an immobile mask.
Having grown up in a home where his opinions were contrary to his parents, Sirius recognized Harry's method to hide strong feelings. He himself, had used a similar façade to stifle his feelings and contradictory opinions until they couldn't be held back.
Sirius watched Hermione cautiously entwine her fingers with Harry's. She gave him a soft smile, which he returned. That seemed to break him of his funk. It was a throwaway comment by James that brought Harry out of his seat.
"…and Cousin over there, he was just a pogue…"
"Cousin?" Harry interrupted his father with more than a little harshness in his tone. "Who's your cousin?"
Sirius pursed his lips in consternation. It didn't take Cassandra Trelawney to See that this discussion wasn't going to end well.
"I am," Padfoot replied.
Slowly, Harry's face, now an immobile mask, turned to Sirius. "You're my Dad's cousin, which makes us - what - second cousins?"
"Yeah."
Reiterating himself, Harry stared at his now clenching hands. "So you're my relative by blood."
It was meant to be a question, but really, Harry wasn't questioning. What exactly The Boy-Who-Lived was asking, Sirius had no idea. Nonetheless, Padfoot didn't like the simmering tone of his godson.
Cutting to the chase, Sirius asked, "What are you on about, kiddo?"
"I'm on about the Dursleys!" Standing from the settee as if he were shot from a cannon, Harry glared at his godfather, "I could have been - should have been - with you instead of them! Not only because you're my Godfather, but because you're my real family!"
Understanding flooded Sirius alongside the ever present shame. When he'd heard that Harry'd spent his formative years in a cupboard, Sirius had spent the rest of the night beating himself up something fierce.
It was his responsibility to take care of Harry in case something happened to James and Lily. The `something' had happened, but Sirius hadn't taken care of his godson. He'd failed. Not only was he the boy's godfather and all the attendant duties therein, but he was also blood. He'd failed his blood kin. Failed them all.
Failed.
Staring at his shoes, Sirius whispered, "I'm sorry, Harry. I'm so sorry."
The room was silent. Barely hearing the breathing of the others, Sirius was consumed with guilt and remorse. Shame blanketed him so that there was no sunlight, no warmth. Just like Azkaban, the world was a void and he was lost in it.
The hand on his shoulder was a surprise, causing him to jump. He looked up into the shining eyes of his godson. Sirius jumped a bit, Harry was inches away.
"Do you want me to hate you?" Harry asked.
"No," Sirius hoarsely replied, the jerky shaking of his head causing the long black locks to fall into his eyes.
"I can if it would make you feel better, though I'd rather not."
Understanding the point, Sirius looked away as he nodded. Trying to change the topic, he asked, "Did Prongs tell you to say that?"
"No. But I can tell that you hate yourself for what happened back then. I was telling Hermione the other night that I was really glad you'll have a second chance with them," he nodded toward his parents. "Maybe now, you can forgive yourself for Peter's sin."
As was his usual wont, Sirius acted on his impulse. Springing forward, he engulfed his godson in a hug. He didn't realize that he was sobbing. Shortly, he felt James and Lily embrace them, followed by Remus and Hermione.
Eventually, they broke their group hug to move back to their seats. As Sirius wiped his face, he asked Harry, "When did you get so smart?"
Harry jabbed his thumb toward his girlfriend, "Can't be her best friend for four years and not get a bit smarter."
Everyone laughed as the tension passed. They were closer; that which hadn't killed them had made them stronger.
The family was beginning to heal.
.oOo.
"Hello Rita."
Remus sat on a couch with Hermione off to the side of `the main event' as Sirius had called it. Occupying two sofas where James, Lily, Harry and Sirius.
When Stephen Maturin had told James via letter that the Prophet wanted Rita Skeeter to interview them, Remus had winced while Padfoot had cheered. Before Remus could caution the Potters, Sirius had exclaimed, "We'll drive her in the dirt, Prongs!"
After Remus, Hermione and Lily had finished rolling their eyes; Lily had turned to Remus expectantly. "She's a vicious reporter who redefines `rumour monger'. You'll need to be very careful if she interviews you," the werewolf explained.
James had turned to Sirius with a questioning expression, "Look, she's mean, but dumb as dirt. Remember that Skeeter girl a few years behind us in Slytherin?"
With a look of concentration, James answered, "Sort of. Nasty sort of empty headed girl who struggled to pull an A on anything?"
"That's her. We just need to make her say what we want, not what she wants."
Remus nodded, Sirius had a point. Over the next forty-five minutes or so, they developed their plan to "Conquer the Wench!" Sirius had announced.
He'd watched Hermione as she followed the conversation avidly. Smiling, Remus saw her get lost a few times in the discussion, but then jump right back on track contributing good points on occasion. Hermione was a linear thinker who could skip from line to line with an amazing rapidity and continuity. James, however, could hold three different conversations at the same time and not lose track. Sirius had been able to do that, well, do it before Azkaban, that is to say.
Harry was quiet, but followed the conversation fairly well. At the end, when James had turned to him and asked if Harry understood his role, The Boy-Who-Lived had nodded without hesitation.
James was last to step out of the fireplace in the visitor's lounge of the Prophet. Dressed impeccably, he strode to the waiting reporter with a wide smile and his hand outstretched. Lily was right behind him in a stunning dress that showed her to be a woman of wealth and beauty.
Sirius was wearing plain black robes emblazoned with the oversized coat of arms of the Black Family on his breast. Harry was wearing plain robes of the deepest blue, a pale red dragon on his left breast. Lily had insisted on the ensemble as the traditional robes of the Baron Potter. Rauri had whipped up the set in a flat minute.
Hermione and Remus moved to the side of the room, out of the firing line. She was wearing robes of a modest sky blue while Remus wore plain robes of dark green. It was obvious to the reporter and accompanying photographer that the party was together, but Remus and Hermione were off limits.
"My Lord, how wonderful," Rita simpered. Turning to the smiling Lily, Rita continued her ingratiation, "My Lady." With Sirius she tried a different tack, "Oh, my Lord," she exclaimed to Sirius. Moving to his side, she exclaimed, "You're far more handsome in person!"
Remus smiled while Hermione grimaced. "Yuck," she muttered.
Sirius flashed a megawatt smile worthy of Gilderoy Lockhart, "Why Rita, I'm flattered. Next to you, I am but a shadow. You, my dear, are a vision of loveliness."
"Yuck," Hermione muttered again.
"Oh, my Lord," she simpered. Her eyes zeroed in on Harry as her prey for the interview. "And Lord Harry, how wonderful to finally meet you," the crocodilian smile and bright eyes gave her away. Not that any of the family needed the warning. "Come, let's get comfortable. Tea?"
When all had refused the tea, they settled. James and Sirius on a sofa, while Lily and Harry on the other. Harry was seated intentionally between his parents. They all hoped Skeeter would take the cue that Harry was not to be mined for information.
Turning to her left, she asked, "My Lord," to James, "Will you please explain to our readers how you and your wife survived the famous Halloween attack of '81?"
When the acid green quill began to scribble before James spoke, Lily cleared her throat. "Rita," she interjected with a noticeable lack of friendliness, "Your quill appears to be malfunctioning. I think you'd best attend it before we begin." The glare by the petite redheaded witch was not missed by the interviewer.
"Oh dear," Rita fussed as he ransacked through her bag hunting for another quill. Remus stood to walk over to the reporter who was feigning a lack of other writing implements.
"Allow me," Remus intoned gallantly.
"Oh. Thank you," Rita replied with a lack of cheeriness.
Once Rita was squared away and slightly scowling, James happily explained the occurrences of the Voldemort attack. He couldn't help himself as he gave in to the dramatics of the situation. His voice rose and fell. He waved his hands. When describing Voldemort's monologue before he banished the Potters, James strode about the room, booming out the lines of all the participants.
Remus sat back in his chair, smiling softly. He knew that he'd missed James and to a lesser extent, Lily. Until this moment, he'd no idea how deeply their apparent loss had affected him. He had to smile when Harry sniggered at his Dad's antics.
With a mock imperiousness, James asked his son, "Do you find this amusing, my Lord?"
The broad smile on Harry's face wasn't feigned, "No, my Lord. Not in the least."
Taking advantage of the lull in the `exciting' recounting of the Voldemort encounter, Rita turned to Harry, asking, "Yes, Harry, do you recall anything from that night? It was your big night after all."
Remus winced at the woman's crassness. Didn't the Prophet have anyone better available?
Apparently, Lily concurred. With a frown, she rebuked the reporter, "It would be good if you addressed our son as `My Lord', Rita."
"Ah, my Lady, a thousand apologies. But do you, a muggleborn witch, hold to the old titles?"
James answered with a hint of sternness, "Our family is heir to a lineage as old as magic in Britain. A Potter fought with Arthur. A Potter apprenticed with Merlin. A Potter was the primary financier of Hogwarts. We are, all of us, proud of our family and our heritage." He'd learned the art of redirection at his mother's knee. She'd been the eldest Daughter of The Black and wife of The Potter for many years.
Now that he'd successfully recaptured the reporter's attention, James asked, "Would you like me to finish telling you about the happenings of that horrible night?"
Rita could only answer, "Yes," so she did.
James quickly wrapped up the description before adding, "Of course, when we awoke in the current year, we were made aware of the travesty of justice that has been perpetrated on Lord Blackmoor. Yesterday morning, both Lady Richmond and I testified under Veritaserum in front of the Minister, the Chief Warlock along with the Head of MLE and the Head Auror. All were convinced of Lord Blackmoor's innocence."
Turning to Sirius, Rita's wicked smile was returned, "And your opinion of the Ministry's actions, my Lord?"
"I'm sorry, Rita, I can't comment on anything that might interfere with any future litigation."
Completely understanding him, Rita replied, "May I interview you when things become more…clear?"
"Of course," he replied soothingly.
They'd used up about half of the thirty minutes allotted for the interview, so the family hunkered down into receive mode.
"Are you satisfied with the care and attention that Lord Harry has received in your absence?" Rita asked.
Internally, Remus winced. At his side, he heard Hermione's quick intake of breath as both recognized Rita's unerring shot into a very sensitive matter for all present. His gaze passed over the placid expressions of Padfoot and Prongs to rest on the tight face of Harry. Lily merely shifted in her seat before replying, "Our son is healthy and happy. We shall, of course, resume responsibility for his upbringing."
"Didn't your sister have custody for him, my Lady?"
"Yes, she did," Lily replied succinctly.
Undaunted at the lack of cooperation, Rita pressed on, as she smelled a story, "What was your sister's reaction to your reappearance? I'm sure she was elated to see you and Lord Richmond again?"
Lily' polite smile was all the reply she could muster before answering, "With everything that's been happening, we've not been able to catch up with my sister. It is next on our list of things to accomplish."
The shark like smile on Rita's face was less than welcome. Remus had a strong desire to quickly Stun the woman and Memory Charm her before forcing James to request a different interviewer.
Turning to James, Rita asked about his intentions regarding the Potter seat in the Wizengamot. "Of course I shall take up my post. As my father and his father stood for what is right, so too shall I."
Remus noticed Harry watching his father with unabashed admiration. Sometimes James was the quintessential Gryffindor.
With deliberate slowness, Rita turned to Harry, evaluating him for a long moment before asking, "And you Lord Potter. What are your feelings regarding your parents' return from the Great Beyond?"
Remus narrowed his eyes; this was a soft toss question that Harry couldn't answer wrongly. When Harry finished explaining how happy he'd been and so on, the real question came.
"What was your parents' reaction to your conniving your acceptance into the TriWizard tournament?"
Remus tensed and Hermione growled while Harry paled in anger. Lily very calmly laid her hand on Harry's before turning on Rita, "Our son has testified that he did not enter the tournament by any means, fair or foul. He has been forcibly entered and our solicitor is coordinating our on-going attempts to extricate him from this unwanted situation. That is all we have to say about the TriWizard, Rita. Next question."
"Did he testify under a truth serum, my Lady?" Rita pressed.
"Next question, Rita or the previous one is your last," James countered.
She narrowed her eyes for a moment before scanning a parchment with a series of pre-planned questions. "Ah, yes," she muttered before turning to face Hermione.
"Miss Granger, It's commonly understood at Hogwarts that you've used a love potion to snare Lord Harry for his wealth, station and notoriety. Do you have any comment?"
Quick as a snake, four things happened. First, Remus grabbed Hermione's arm to keep her silent. At the same time Harry bounded off the couch with an inarticulate cry of protest. Last of all, Lily and James stood. As Sirius calmed Harry, James quietly left the room.
"That's enough of that!" Lily spat. "You'll leave her be!" Turning away from the startled reporter, Lily walked over to Remus and Hermione.
Lily caught Hermione's gaze. Remus could see reassurance in the redheaded witch's expression. None present believed any of the tripe spewed by the rumour monger and Lily wanted to reassure the teenage witch that she was not doubted in any way.
Strangely, Rita stood in the middle of the room being completely ignored by all. Presently, James returned with Barnabas Cuffe in tow. The sweating, paunchy and balding editor of the Prophet didn't appear very pleased.
"Come, we're leaving," James announced.
"But my Lord," Rita protested.
Ignoring the woman, James shepherded a still fuming Harry and Hermione to the fireplace. When they disappeared in the green flames, James ushered Lily into the fire. When she was gone, James turned back to face their crass interviewer. Remus winced when he saw James' expression.
"Ms Skeeter," he spat. "You have officially killed the goose that lays the golden eggs. You shall never have access to me or mine ever again. Not my son, my wife or myself." Turning to the editor, he glared, "Barnabas, you shall never have an on the record comment from Richmond." Turning to the fireplace, James muttered, "Oh yes." Turning back to the editor, James scowled, "Expect your stock to plummet tomorrow as I power sell half of my shares in Daily Prophet Publishing Incorporated. I believe I'll sell at one tenth its current value." The follow up threat was plain. James still would hold over ten percent of the corporation even after selling off another ten percent at a drastic loss causing the stock price to plummet.
Cuffe really paled now. Remus was no business expert, but even he knew that by James' undercutting their stock like this, the Publishers were sure to have Cuffe's neck. Probably Rita's too.
"Goodbye. It wasn't a pleasure doing business with you." Remus was last to leave, so he saw Cuffe flop down on the sofa, holding his head in his hands. Rita, however, was eyeing the fireplace with a contemplative expression. Never a good thing for that woman.
.oOo.
"That didn't go as planned," Sirius grouched. Hermione could only sigh in exasperation. She'd been so caught up in making the plan to `Conquer the Wench' that she'd forgotten a rule of life: When you wrestle with pigs, expect to get muddy. She didn't voice her revelation that apparently not all the Marauder's plans were successful.
As Lily flopped onto a settee, Remus commented, "I think that in the short term, it will be alright."
Pulling the sliver combs from her hair, Lily countered, "But in the long run, we've just made an enemy of a very malicious reporter." Sighing, she told everyone, "I'm sorry I lost my temper."
James bowed his head, "Me too."
"Mum, Dad?" Harry asked to get their attention. When both were focused on him, he smiled widely, "That was bloody awesome."
James smiled broadly, matching his son's expression while Lily muttered, "Language, Harry," but it was half-hearted. She swore worse than anyone else did in the house.
Hermione grinned at her boyfriend. She knew he was happy because of the paucity of anyone standing up for him in a tenuous situation. When he caught her eye, his questioning expression could only mean one thing.
Shrugging, she replied, "I'm fine." She'd known that if she and Harry ever became involved that there would be incredible amounts of muck in the press about her. Love potions were actually much milder than she'd expected.
"Hermione," James began, "I hope you know that none of us believe any of that…"
"I know. I expected this kind of thing and worse. It's not an issue." Looking into her lap, she grumped, "Not that I like it, but it's not unexpected."
In a low tone, Lily told her, "You know that your blood status will be brought into play very soon." The knowing expression on Harry's mum's face told Hermione that she was speaking from experience.
"When James and I were engaged, it was as if the world exploded. You would've thought I was Mata Hari and Tokyo Rose put together to poison the future of Britain." The humour didn't distract from Lily's message: It Was Bad.
Nodding, Hermione acknowledged the friendly warning. Again, she knew that things like this would happen should she and Harry become serious about one another. Catching his eye, she couldn't' help reflect that she was very serious about her young man. Looking to her hands as they rested in her lap, she tried to ruminate about the whole issue, but was in too much turmoil to centre herself.
When she felt the cushion next to her sink, she expected to see Harry. Turning to her right, she was surprised to see Sirius sitting next to her. The Clown Prince of the House of Black had a very serious expression on his face.
"Hermione, I owe you my life. I want to do something, but you'll need to talk to your parents first."
Confused, she was also touched by his sincerity. "What's that?"
"I'd like to formally place you under the protection of House Blackmoor."
Hermione was a very smart young woman who was well read in a variety of subjects, but the nuances of pureblood politics were a void to her. With a hint of her usual rabid curiosity, she asked, "What does that mean and why should my parents become involved?"
A bit uncomfortable, Sirius replied, "For all intents and purposes, it would make you my daughter. It's a carryover from the middle ages where noblemen would adopt vassals into their family. Legally, you'd be a pureblood with all the rights and privileges that entails. Also, you'd be a pseudo daughter of the Earl of Blackmoor, the Lady Hermione."
Stunned, Hermione just stared at Sirius. "You'd have the option of becoming Hermione Granger-Black or just Black. On the other hand, if you'd prefer to ignore that aspect, you could remain Hermione Granger. Whatever you'd prefer."
"But my parents?"
Shaking his head, Sirius held out his hands, "I would exercise none of the authority over you that you and your parents didn't want. We could use it as a legal manoeuvre, ignoring all the familial aspects or you could move in with me, calling me `father'." Shaking his head at the idea of anyone calling him father, Sirius finished, "Or something in between. It's up to you."
"But why?"
It was Lily who answered, "Hermione, that bit of unpleasantness with Rita Skeeter was nothing compared to what's coming. Muggleborns are disadvantaged in every possible way in magical Britain, and it's all legislated. Purebloods have preference in hiring; muggleborns are denied much legal recourse that is considered standard in the mundane world." With a meaningful look, Lily hinted, "There's no such thing as a sexual harassment suit filed by a muggleborn."
"What?" Hermione weakly asked. Her world was crumbling. She'd always wanted to believe that the pureblood dogma was a social issue; that she'd be able to advance in her chosen profession based on merit alone. She should have known better. It was the golden rule all over again: Those with the gold, make the rules.
Sirius' comforting arm around her shoulders brought her back to reality. "I'm sorry to have to break it to you like this. Most British muggleborns leave the UK to head to Canada, Australia or the States."
"Life is messy," Hermione thought aloud after a long moment. "Nothing is ever tied up in a neat bow. We gain and we lose. I've gained acceptance into this wonderful and powerful circle of friends - family really- but it's at the cost of staying in a horribly bigoted nation." Looking about the room with teary eyes, she saw her future.
James, the youthful patriarch regarded her with an open, hopeful expression. She knew that he was fully aware of the central role that she played in his son's life. If Hermione left Britain, she knew Harry would be on the same flight. James didn't know her well enough in her own right - yet - but knew she was important to his family. He'd fight for her now, because she was important to Harry. She knew full well that once he accepted her into his life on her own merits, he'd do anything for her. It's how Harry was, after all.
Lily was regarding her with an understanding expression. Lily Evans had faced the same decision fifteen or so years before. She chose to become the Lady Richmond, sacrificing a career for her love of James. The warm, accepting expression on the petite redhead's face told Hermione that, to Lily, the sacrifice was worth it.
The last face was the most important to her. Harry was resolutely trying to supress his obvious terror at her choice. For choice it was. Hermione knew that if she chose to accept the magical protection of House Black, she was choosing Harry forever.
She smiled. Framing the decision in terms of accepting Harry or leaving him cleared everything up for her. Despite her age, Hermione knew that she could never live without Harry in one way or another. Now that they had started a romantic relationship, she fully expected to become Lady Potter not too long after July thirty first of nineteen ninety seven.
Without looking away from her hesitantly hopeful boyfriend, she told Sirius, "Let me talk to my parents, but I'll need some references. I'd like to read up on it before signing on the dotted line, as they say."
Harry's relief was palpable. Right now, The Smartest Witch of the Age needed some The Boy-Who-Lived loving, though. Standing, she held out her hand to him. The symbolism in the simple act was profound. Standing, he took her hand as they walked out of the silent room.
As they turned the corner, she heard James ask Lily, "She's going to be our daughter in law, isn't she?"`
Hermione smiled when Lily laughed, "Oh yes. Most definitely."
A/N
1. I own nothing. Thanks to all who reviewed the first two chapters. Story status, as always, can be found on my Author's page on FanFiction(dot)net.
2. Recommendation for the chapter is I Need You, by Chem Prof.
3. Yeah, really laying it on thick with the titles, but it ties into Harry's need for an anchor, for family. The overriding attribute of Harry Potter in canon is that he yearns for a family to call his own. I believe it's why he glomps onto the Weasley's so desperately. In this story, the House of Richmond is his family, where he belongs. The easy way to distinguish the lifestyle at Rowan Hill from the rest of his experience is through this verbal indicator every few sentences. I've a feeling, by now you the reader has it firmly imp[anted in your brain that Harry not only is welcome in that family, but belongs in that Home.
4. Why do I insist on giving Harry a Lineage of Greatness in all my stories? Why is he associated with the Round Table or his ancestors always include Gryffindor and Ravenclaw? Because the Harry Potter series is, among other things, a story of good versus evil. Evil is immortal and never perishes. It can only be confined for a time. At the same time, so too is good immortal. By providing Harry with the `lineage', it is a signification that Harry is the Champion of Good, just as Voldemort, the Heir of Slytherin is the Champion of Evil.
5. Think my portrayal of muggleborn bigotry is ludicrous? Ask any African American who lived through the sixties and before in the United States what their rights were. I think you'd find that it's not so ludicrous after all. In fact, it's heartbreakingly comparable.
6. Chapter 3 finished 4/16/2011
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