I am in awe of JK Rowling's wonderful talents. Her talents have made her lots of money and she would be able to pay loads of lawyers who would sue my ass if I tried to make money on this so I'm doing this for free.
CHAPTER TWO
Diagon Alley
Harry and Ares looked down the hallway entrance of the Black House. Harry walked further down and Ares turned round and closed the door. Harry thought the house seemed dead. The other times that he was here the house was always noisy with activity. Just as he was about to enter another room, he heard the door open. Ares spun around, wand at the ready.
`Hello Molly,' said Ares, with a smile, putting his wand back in his holster.
`Oh, Ares, I didn't know you'd be here. I thought I'd bring the family round know that this place is open again,' said Molly. Harry saw Bill, who was holding Fleur Delacour's hand, Charlie, Fred, George, Alicia Spinnet and Angelina Johnson, who were two former Gryffindor Chasers, Ron and Ginny, standing behind Mrs Weasley. `Oh Harry dear,' Mrs Weasley ran forward and grabbed Harry in a hug, `Dumbledore told us about the attack. Are you okay? You didn't get hurt did you?'
`He's fine Molly. Only a Cruciatus curse from my sister-in-law. Heartless bit…'
`Language, Ares. There are children in the room,' scolded Molly. All the children were laughing at this point. `Now, Ares, I don't think you've meet my family, have you?'
`No Molly. I haven't,' said Ares. The Weasley children came forward.
`This is Bill. He works at Gringotts and this is his girlfriend Fleur,' said Molly. Ares shook Bill's hand saying, `Hello Bill,' and then he turned to Fleur, lifted her hand gracefully and said `Bon Jour Mademoiselle Delacour.'
`Bon Jour Mousier Lestrange.'
`You know him Fleur?' asked Molly, sounding surprised.
`He iz a friend of Madam Maxime,' said Fleur.
`Okay. This is my son Charlie,' said Molly.
`Hello Charlie,' said Ares, shaking Charlie's hand.
`This is my other sons, Fred and George, and their girlfriend's Alicia and Angelina,' said Molly.
`Hello Fred, George,' said Ares shaking their hands. He then lifted Alicia's hand gracefully and said `Hello Alicia,', then he turned and did the same to Angelina.
`This is Ron.'
`Hello Ron,' said Ares shaking his hand.
`And this is Ginny.'
`Hello Ginny,' said Ares, lifting her hand gently.
`Come on Fred, let's go get some of the things ready. We need to teach Ginny to prank the Slytherins,' said George. Ares burst out laughing.
`Who would have thought? Pranksters in the house of Black. It's just like old times,' laughed Ares. After Molly yelled at him for encouraging Fred and George, Ares walked into the living room and started to read a paper. Fred, George and Ginny ran up the stairs and Bill went over and started talking to Ares. Charlie said to his mother that he needed to see how Buckbeak was doing. The hippogriff had been stuck in the house since Sirius died. Molly brought Fleur, Alicia and Angelina into the kitchen to start dinner.
`Hi Ron.'
`Hey Harry.'
`So, want to go practice some curses to do on Malfoy? This house has a charm that stops the detection of magic,' said Harry.
`Sure!' said Ron. The two boys went up to their room and Harry got a book out of his trunk. The book was `Duelling: Beginner to Master'. Harry opened up the chapter on offensive spells.
`Here's one. It's immobilizing and painful. It's called the Lightning Curse. It releases an electrical charge at your opponent. Warning, never use while wearing metal. The incantation is Fulmen!' said Harry. Ron took out his wand, pointed it at a stool in the room.
`Fulmen!' The spell failed. There was no lightning.
`Maybe you should try it Harry,' suggested Ron.
`Okay. Fulmen!' shouted Harry. The tip of his wand sparked, but that was all that happened. They heard a knock at the door.
`Come in,' said Harry. It was Ares.
`You are trying hard enough with that spell. You should visualize the lightning in your head,' said Ares.
`How did you know we were doing Magic?' asked Ron.
`We have sensors down stairs,' answered Ares, `Now, let me show you how to do that spell.' He took out his wand.
`Fulmen!' shouted Ares, and a huge blast of purple and blue electricity fired from his wand, hitting the stool and disintegrating it. `Now, your turn.'
`Okay, Fulmen!' shouted Harry, visualizing the lightning. A blast of lightning fired from Harry's wand and hit a nearby desk.
`Excellent.'
`Fulmen!' shouted Ron. His wand only sparked.
`Not bad. Here I have a deal for you. We are leaving here in a week. Were going somewhere, I'll not tell you where. But we'll be back here a week after. So that gives us this week and the two weeks once we come back for me to teach you how to duel,' said Ares, `How about it?'
`Sure!' shouted Harry and Ron.
`Can Hermione join us as well?' asked Harry.
`Sure,' said Ares. There was a knock on the door. In walked Remus Lupin.
`Moony!' shouted Ares, seizing Lupin in a brotherly hug.
`Ares, great to see you,' said Lupin. They let go of the hug.
`Molly wants you to know that dinner is ready. Also, there is a… a guest here who Molly doesn't want you to… how did she so eloquently put it… um oh yeah, don't harass him,' said Lupin, who looked like he was trying not to laugh his head off.
`Who is it? Is it my Snivy Poo?' asked Ares, with a mischievous glint in his eye and an even more mischievous smile. Lupin laughed and nodded. Ares jumped.
`Oh, Snivelus!' hollered Ares, before jumping right down the stairs. Lupin had keeled over by this stage laughing. Harry, Ron and Lupin all walked down the stairs, after Harry had gotten Lupin up. As they reached the bottom they heard a very familiar voice.
`LESTRANGE, YOU WILL PUT ME DOWN THIS INSTANT!' shouted the Hogwarts Potions Master Severus Snape.
`Okay,' said Ares. There was a huge crash. `Ah, Snivelus, you fell and hurt yourself. Here let me help you up.'
`Lestrange, if you don't let me down this instant, I'll…'
`You'll what Snivelus. Hit me with the half ton of grease in your hair?' taunted Ares.
`Ares, release him,' came the voice of Albus Dumbledore.
`Sorry, Professor,' said Ares. This was followed by another huge crash. Harry, Ron and Lupin walked into the room and saw sitting at the table was Hermione.
`Hermione!' gasped Harry. She stood up and lunged herself at Harry. He hugged her back.
"Merlin, she smells good!" thought Harry, "Where did that thought come from, Potter?"
`How Harry, it's so good to see you!' exclaimed Hermione. She let go of Harry, and Harry noticed she was crimson red. She then cleared her face of all blush and said hello to Ron. Harry looked around the room. In the room was Lupin, Ares, Hermione, Molly, Arthur, Fred, George, Ginny, Alicia, Angelina, Snape, Professor Dumbledore, Bill, Fleur, Charlie and a man Harry recognised as Mundungus Fletcher.
`So, I Harry dear, what scores did you get in your O.W.L.s?' asked Molly.
`I got seven O.W.L.s and 26/48,' said Harry.
`That's excellent Harry,' said Mrs Weasley, `what were your grades?'
`I got Outstanding in Defence Against the Dark Arts and also in Care of Magical Creatures. I got Exceeds Expectations in Charms, Transfiguration, Potions and Herbology. I got a Poor in History of Magic and also in Astronomy, but even though I got a poor in it, it was apparently still a pass. I also got dreadful in Divination,' said Harry.
`An excellent set of results. I must say how shocked I am that someone of great magical ability such as you got a dreadful in Divination. Everyone knows that if you get anything pass a T in divination there is something fishy going on,' said Ares. The entire party laughed, except for Snape, Ron and Mrs Weasley.
`Hey, I got an Exceeds Expectations in Divination,' stated Ron.
`I didn't even know that you could get an E in divination. You're the first I've meet and I've meet you Divination teacher,' said Ares, `So, what subjects are you three doing next year?'
`Defence Against the Dark Arts, Advanced Defence Against the Dark Arts, History and Divination,' said Ron.
`Defence Against the Dark Arts, Advanced Defence Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Charms, Care of Magical Creatures and Potions,' said Hermione.
`I'm taking all of those courses too,' said Harry.
`Yes, well Potter, I have an agreement with the headmaster. If you are not up to level with the rest of the class by Christmas, then you will leave my class,' scowled Snape.
`Yes, well Snape, maybe it isn't the fact that they don't know how to do the potion. Maybe it's the fact that you try to scare the living daylights out of the students. I happen to know a young boy, actually he's my godson Snape, who, in your class, didn't score better than a Poor and when he did his exam he got and Exceeds Expectations. How do you explain that?' asked Ares.
`I can't explain how that idiot of a…' started Snape, but didn't get to finish his sentence as Ares had already pulled out his wand.
`Stupefy!' shouted Ares. A flash of red light sent Snape flying into the wall.
`Ares, pocket your wand!' commanded Dumbledore. Ares put his wand away.
`Enervate!' shouted Molly. Snape jumped up awake.
`Now, you two will stop behaving like children, or you will be punished like children,' said Dumbledore.
`Sorry Professor,' said Ares. Snape offered no apology.
`Let's discuss something a little more cheerful,' said Molly.
`What was the score in the match, Moony?' asked Ares.
`Bulgaria annihilated them. 470 to 10,' answered Lupin.
`That means the meet us in the semi finals,' said Ares.
`Krum got the Snitch again,' said Lupin.
`Well, I saw Aidan fly a couple of weeks ago. He's flying a lot better than he did at the World Cup,' said Ares.
`Where did you see Lynch fly?' asked Lupin.
`I was at Magpie's Vs Bats. Last match of the season,' said Ares.
`Who won that?' asked Ron.
`We did, but Aidan got the snitch,' said Ares.
`You support the Montrose Magpies?' asked Ron.
`I played for them for about twelve years,' said Ares, `won the league ten of those years. Why, who do you support?'
`The Chudley Cannons!' said Ron, proudly.
`At least it can't be said that your glory hunting,' said Ares, with a grin. Ron turned scarlet and Lupin laughed.
`When was the last time the Cannons won the league?' asked Lupin.
`It was in… um… oh yeah, it was in 1894. They were tied on the top with the Appleby Arrows with one match left. The Cannons were actually playing the Arrows so whoever won the match won the league. The Arrows supporters used to actually shoot arrows up in the sky when they scored but the day before the match the Department of Magical Games and Sports banned the arrows. The first goal was scored by the Arrows and then the supporters fired some Arrows up into the sky. The referee ended the match and gave the points to the cannons and that was the last time the Trophy had gone to Chudley,' said Ares. Ron started sulking at his team's lack of victory.
`So, is Troy going to be back for the semi final, Ares?' asked Lupin.
`Yeah, she should be. I was talking to Barry the other week. Little Niamh is doing fine and Brighid is back on her feet so she should be playing against Bulgaria,' said Ares.
`Who is Brighid?' asked Ron.
`Brighid Troy Ryan. She is one of the Irish Chasers,' said Ares.
`Oh, I didn't know she was married to Barry Ryan!' exclaimed Fred, from the end of the table.
`Yeah, married in February, beautiful wedding. They have this wee daughter, Niamh, you should have seen her. Dressed up in her wee flower girl outfit. She was about two months old at the time and she was carried down the aisle by the other flower girls. And then there was the broom incident. I though Brighid was going to kill Barry. She and Niamh were home about a week from Saint Mungo's, Niamh was about two weeks and Barry took her up on his Firebolt. It's bad enough that he took her flying but on a Firebolt. Brighid nearly throttled him and the funniest thing is that Niamh loved flying. She must be close to six months now so she should be,' said Ares.
`So, Professor, have you found a new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher yet?' asked Molly.
`I have found a suitable replacement. He is actually a free lance Auror. He ahs decided that he would love to teach at Hogwarts,' said Professor Dumbledore.
`So, what's going on at the ministry in these days?' asked Ares.
`They have passed a decree, that when any Defensive Magic is used, they will despatch a Ministry worker immediately, to see if it is a Death Eater attack,' said Dumbledore.
`Any word on Malfoy?' asked Ares.
`The trial has been set for next Tuesday,' said Dumbledore.
`There going to let him go. They rarely give a suspected Death Eater a trial unless there going to let him go. I can only think of four Death Eaters who got a trial and went to Azkaban, and the only reason they got a trial was because one of them was Barty Crouch's son,' said Ares.
`He will probably get released. He has to much influence in the ministry for him to stay in Azkaban,' said Dumbledore.
`Good, it's easier to kill a man if he's outside of Azkaban than if he is inside,' said Ares.
`I would watch myself if I were you, Lestrange, you do remember what happened the last time you killed a Death Eater,' said Snape, with a sneer forming on his face.
`How about I kill one right know?' shouted Ares, removing his wand, standing up and pointing his wand at Snape. Snape also removed his wand and stood up.
`Ares, Severus, sit down!' shouted Dumbledore. They both sat down and lowered their wands.
`What happened the last time you killed a Death Eater?' asked Ron. Hermione gave him a you-shouldn't-be-asking-that look.
`I went to Azkaban for three years,' said Ares, `I broke into Azkaban and executed three Death Eaters. I was trying to find my brothers and my sister-in-law, but the Dementors caught me. By the time the Aurors arrived, I had destroyed eighteen Dementors. I got murder of a criminals in open defiance of the Ministry of Magic. Maximum sentence is three years. I served the maximum sentence I could get.' After saying this, Ares got up from the table and left the room. Hermione then hit Ron round the head.
`What you do that for?' asked Ron.
`You shouldn't have asked him that!' shouted Hermione. Ron was about to retaliate when Dumbledore stood up.
`Well, I have to be getting back to Hogwarts. Thank you for the meal, Molly, it was wonderful,' said Dumbledore, before walking out of the room.
`Maybe you should go to bed. We're going into Diagon Alley tomorrow,' said Molly. The children all walked out of the room and up the stairs. As they got to the top of the stairs, Hermione turned around to Harry.
`Goodnight, Harry,' said Hermione, giving Harry a kiss on the cheek. Both Harry and Hermione blushed before Hermione walked into her and Ginny's room. Harry and Ron walked into their room. Harry noticed that it was only nine o'clock.
`You know, I think they just didn't want us downstairs,' said Harry.
`What makes you think that?' asked Ron.
`It's only nine o'clock,' said Harry, `Ah well, it means I can start designing the new Quidditch Program.'
`Okay, well, I'm going up to Fred and George's room for a while,' said Ron. Ron walked out the door.
`See you later,' said Harry. Harry worked for an hour designing the training and just as he was finished he heard the door open again. He spun around and saw that it was Ares.
`Hi,' said Harry.
`Hello,' said Ares, `What's that you're doing there?'
`Oh, it's the new Quidditch Program for the Gryffindor Quidditch Team. I was named as captain,' said Harry.
`Let us see then,' said Ares. He sat down and started reading Harry's notes. He grinned a few times.
`Jack's son is really having an influence on you,' said Ares laughing.
`Who?' asked Harry.
`Jack Wood's son, Oliver. This Program is similar to his. It's good, makes brilliant players but, you'll run your team into the ground,' said Ares.
`Will you help me make a new one? Please?' asked Harry.
`Sure,' said Ares, `Now first of all, you need to form two teams. You need four beaters, two keepers, six chasers and two seekers. This is so you have a replacement in case of injury and also so you can play training matches against each other. At the minute you have two seekers, two beaters, who I might say are shit, a keeper, who is dodgy at times, and no chasers. I hear Ginny wants to move to Chaser, I saw her fly last year, she's good and she would make a good chaser. Now, for one team, the team you won't play the matches with, your reserve team, pick them from second or third years. Then pick your first team from five years and the present squad. Now where's your training schedule?' Harry handed him the paper. They spent the next five hours making a training schedule for Gryffindor. Then Harry went to bed and Ares went down the stairs. Harry awoke about five hours later with Hermione yelling through the door.
`Harry, you need to get up. It's eight o'clock. We're going into Diagon Alley today,' said Hermione.
`Okay `Mione,' said Harry. Harry got up, washed and dressed and walked downstairs into the dining room. Already there was Arthur, Ares, Lupin, Hermione, Ginny and Molly.
`Hello Harry,' said a woman behind him. He turned around an standing there was a beautiful woman. She was blond, had a beautiful thin face and an hourglass figure.
`Hi,' said Harry, `Who are you?' The woman laughed.
`It's me silly. Tonks.' Nymphadora Tonks was an Auror who worked for the Order of the Phoenix. She had the ability to change herself to look like anyone. `I'm chaperoning you kids to Diagon Alley, and I thought I'd go with the ditzy blond look.'
`Harry, have you got your book list?' asked Hermione.
`Yeah, here it is,' said Harry taking out his list.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Mr Potter,
The following books will be needed for the courses you wish to take:-
Potions
10000 Potions Ingredients by Dr Geber von Bollstadt
An Alchemist's friend: A guide to Potions by Dr Nicholas Flamel
Transfiguration
N.E.W.T. Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
Charms
1001 Spells and How to do them by Circe Aeertes
Standard Book of Spells: Grade 6 by Miranda Goshawk
Care of Magical Creatures
Advanced Magical Creature Raising by Newt Scamander
The following items will be needed for the courses you wish to take:-
DRESS ROBES WILL BE NEEDED THIS YEAR
Potions
An N.E.W.T. Level Potions Kit
Care of Magical Creatures
Metallic Reinforced Dragon Hide Gloves
Bite Proof Cloak
Harry looked up from his list. Ron, Bill and Charlie were sitting at the table also.
`Alright, let's get going,' said Ares. Everyone stood up, and went out to the hall. Ares lifted his black cloak down. Ares was dressed today, once again in black. His robes were black with gold buttons and his cloak was black, with red faux fur and gold fasteners. Everyone else lifted their cloaks and the party walked out of Grimmauld Place. Harry, Ron, Ginny and Hermione walked a head with Ares while the other adults stayed behind. While walking through Muggle London, many muggles kept throwing the group strange looks. Harry suspected it was due to the robes and the cloaks. They finally arrived at the Leaky Cauldron. The party walked in and through out to the back. Ares removed his wand and tapped the wall in certain places. The wall opened to show the group the bustling street of Diagon Alley.
`Alright, the kids all need different things. Molly, if you and Tonks want to take Ginny, Bill, Charlie, you take Ron, Moony and will take Harry and Hermione. Arthur, if you want to go get those things for Dumbledore,' said Ares. All the adults nodded and Harry and Hermione walked after Ares.
`Okay, you are all taking the same courses, so that will be handy. How about we get you some gold Gringotts first?' asked Ares.
`Sure,' said Harry and Hermione. They walked up to the marble building at the top of the street. They were bowed into Gringotts by the goblin at the doors. The three of them walked up to the desks.
`Yes?' asked the goblin.
`I am here to get some money out of vault 687 and 549,' said Ares.
`Very well. You have the keys?' asked the goblin. Ares lifted out a small golden key and Harry lifted out his. They were bowed through another door and into one of the carts. The cart blasted off down the tunnel and Hermione grabbed hold of Harry and placed her head into his chest.
`I want to get off!' was what Hermione repeatedly muttered. Harry comforted her but was secretly pleased that Hermione was holding onto him. The cart came to a sudden halt.
`Vault Five Hundred and Forty Nine,' said the Goblin.
`Yes,' said Ares walking over to the vault and opening it. He reached in and filled two black velvet back with gold galleons. He then got back on the cart and it started off again.
`Vault Six hundred and eighty seven,' said the Goblin. Harry got out and filled his bag with gold, silver and bronze. He then got back on the cart. After another minute of Hermione holding him in a hug and crying into his neck for it to stop, the cart came to a halt. The three got out and went to exchange some Muggle money for Wizarding money. They then walked out into Diagon Alley.
`Were next?' asked Ares.
`Madam Malkin's?' asked Hermione. Harry nodded. The three walked over to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. As they entered a squat, smiling witch rushed out to them.
`Hello Madam Malkin,' greeted Ares.
`Hello Mr Lestrange. I haven't seen you in a long time,' said Madam Malkin, `So, how may I help you?'
`Um, can we have two sets of Hogwarts robes, two pairs Metallic Reinforced Dragon Hide gloves, and two Bite Proof Cloaks, and how about some knew dress robes, it please?' asked Hermione.
`Yes dear. One set for you and another for your boyfriend?' asked Madam Malkin.
`Oh, he's not my boyfriend, but yes the other set is for him,' said Hermione, turning scarlet.
`Okay,' said Madam Malkin with a knowing smile, while helping Harry and Hermione up on stools so they could be measured and so Madam Malkin could show them the colours of their dress robes. Within minutes, they were walking out of Madam Malkin's with their new robes in some bags. They had put their new red bite proof cloaks in the backs as well along with Harry's new red with gold trim Dress robes and Hermione's new green silk robes.
`So, where to now?' asked Ares. `How about Flourish and Blotts? It's just next door.'
`Okay,' said the two teenagers. The three walked into the shop.
`Hello, may I help you?' asked an assistant.
`Can we have two copies of everything on this list?' asked Hermione, handing the man the list.
`Okay, I'll get these now,' said the man walking out to the back. He came back with two stacks of huge books.
`Here you go. That will be 34 Galleons each,' said the assistant. They walked out again with their money bags lighter and their packages heavier.
`Lastly, we need to go to the Apothecary,' said Hermione. The group walked down the street, or well, Ares and Hermione walked, and Harry tried to get down the street but was a lot slower as he had his packages but he had also offered to take Hermione's. Ares turned round and muttered a charm on the bags and made them as light as feathers. The finally got to the Apothecary. There were barrels of slimy stuff lined up on the floor and jars of all sorts of powders, herbs, and other things along the walls. Bundles of feathers, fangs, and claws hung from the ceiling. The whole place smelt very bad, a mixture of bad eggs and rotten cabbage. Ares' nose twitched as he walked inside. Hermione walked up to the man at the desk. He had chalk white skin and very few hairs on his head. Those that remained were grey. He smiled at Hermione. His teeth were either missing or black, or Harry noticed both.
`How may I help you young miss?' asked the man, in a sweet, serving tone of voice.
`Can I have two N.E.W.T. level Potions kits please?' asked Hermione.
`Certainly young miss,' said the man. He turned to Harry. `And what may I get you, young master?'
`I'm with her,' said Harry.
`Of course young master,' said the man, before turning to Ares.
`Hello Lestrange,' said the man, in a low, voice.
`Hello Jiggers,' said Ares. The man walked into the back and came out carrying two huge boxes. They were so big, that Harry couldn't see the man's face over them.
`Bloody hell Jiggers. Haven't you heard of this?' asked Ares, pulling out his wand. `Reducio!' The boxes changed to the size of a match box. They paid for the kits and then walked outside of the smelly shop.
`So, want to go up to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, my treat?' asked Ares.
`Sure, but I want to go get something first, privately,' said Harry.
`Okay, we'll meet you up in Florean Fortescue's then Harry,' said Ares. Ares and Hermione continued up the street, while Harry walked in to Eeylops Owl Emporium.
`How may I help you?' asked an assistant in the shop.
`Can I buy an owl?' asked Harry.
`Certainly, is it for yourself or for another?' asked the assistant.
`It's for my friend. It's for her birthday,' said Harry.
`Do you wish to carry it with you know or do you want it delivered for her birthday?' asked the assistant.
`Can I have it delivered?' asked Harry.
`Certainly, just right down her name, her birthday, her location of birthday and the note you wish to send with the owl.'
Name of owner: Hermione Granger
Birthday: 19th September
Location on Birthday: Gryffindor Tower, Hogwarts
Note with Owl:
Happy Birthday Hermione,
I knew that you wanted an owl so I decided to get one for your birthday. Have a great Birthday.
Lots of Love
Harry
`Excellent, now what type of owl would you like?' asked the assistant. Harry pointed at a Black Screech Owl.
`Excellent choice. That will be ten galleons,' said the assistant. Harry paid and left the shop. He walked up the street and came to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour. Sitting inside were Ares and Hermione. Ares had a cup of coffee and a honeycomb Ice Cream cone. Hermione had a butterbeer and a three scoop Ice cream cone. Its flavour's were Chocolate, Vanilla and Caramel. Harry noticed that there was an ice cream and a butterbeer for him too. He sat down and Ares pointed at his ice cream and butterbeer.
`That's for you,' said Ares. The three finished their drinks and ice creams and then headed back to the Leaky Cauldron.