Chapter 13
Harry had a free first period after breakfast the next morning, which he used to read over the Runes book again. Then he joined Theo, Crabbe, and Goyle and headed to Transfiguration with the Gryffindors.
Draco and the other third years were already there, waiting alongside the Gryffindor third years. Ron, Hermione, and Neville lit up when they saw him.
"Hi, Harry!" Ron greeted, as Hermione hugged him. His expression wavered when he saw the Slytherins with him, but he said, "Who are your friends?"
Harry smiled a little. "This is Heir Theodore Nott. I also became acquainted with Marchese Blaise Zabini, Miss Tracey Davis, Heiress Daphne Greengrass, Miss Bullstrode, Heiress Rookwood, and Heiress Parkinson. Theo, Blaise, Tracey, Daphne, this is Mr. Ron Weasley, Miss Hermione Granger, and Heir Neville Longbottom."
"Well met," the four said. Ron, Hermione, and a nervous-looking Neville echoed them. Parkinson sniffed, while Rookwood and Bullstrode just looked coldly polite.
"What did you have for your first class?" Harry asked his Gryffindor friends. "I had a free period."
"Lucky," Ron sighed as Neville blanched. "We had Divination. The Professor told Neville he was going to die this year." He rolled his eyes.
"What!" Hermione sputtered. "That's -- why?"
"She found a Grim in his teacup," Ron replied, looking green.
"What's a Grim?" Harry asked, seeing his Slytherin friends pale.
"A spectral black dog," Draco replied quietly, "and an omen of death. Most people who see one immediately die afterward."
"I think Professor Trelawney just wanted to scare us, or make us respect her," Ron shrugged. "I think she's a crazy old bat."
"Ronald!"
"Hermione, she told a kid that he was going to die," Ron insisted. "That's wrong."
"I'll talk to Dad after class," Harry promised, and Theo, Blaise, Draco, and Daphne grinned.
"How do you know Professor Black?" Hermione asked them with a frown.
"I'll tell you guys later," Harry told them. "Neville, are you okay?"
"...fine," Neville said quietly.
Harry reached out and squeezed his shoulder gently, and Neville startled. "Sorry," Harry apologized.
"It's, uh, fine," Neville said, pale.
Harry made up his mind -- he was going to tell Reg about Neville's great-uncle Algae. And maybe his grandmother, for not stopping the shit.
The class was subdued during Professor McGonagall's beginning-of-year speech. They also barely reacted when she transformed into a cat and back.
"Really, what has gotten into you all today?" she asked, staring at them. "Not that it matters, but that's the first time my transformation's not got applause from a class."
Harry raised his hand. "The Gryffindors had Divination, Professor."
McGonagall's lips pinched. "And which child is dying this year?" she asked sourly.
"Wait, you've let her traumatize children every year?" Harry demanded. "Why the -- why haven't you done anything?"
"I have tried, but the Headmaster told us it was 'just a misunderstanding,'" she said angrily.
"The fuck," Harry muttered. McGonagall pretended not to hear him. "She said Neville would die."
"I see," McGonagall said calmly, but her nostrils were flaring, and her lips had thinned even further. "Then you should all know that every single student Sybill Trelawney has predicted the death of is still alive. And of course, they will die, because everyone dies.
"You look in excellent health to me, Mr. Longbottom," she continued, "so you will excuse me if I don't let you off homework today. I assure you that if you die, you need not hand it in."
Most of the Gryffindors and Harry's Slytherin friends laughed, and Neville relaxed a little. Lavender Brown, however, whispered, "But what about Neville's cup?"
Harry cast a confused glance at Neville. He said quietly, "She said I would break my first cup, and I did."
"Because she made you nervous and shaky enough that you would drop it," Harry scowled, rolling his eyes. He raised his hand again.
"Yes, Mr. Potter-Black?"
"How do you become an Animagus?" Harry asked.
"It is far to long to explain in a single class, and I believe your father might want to teach you that," she responded. When several of the Gryffindors looked confused, McGonagall explained, "Professor Hunter Black was chosen by Magic to be Mr. Potter-Black's father. That is why his last name is Potter-Black now."
Several of the Purebloods and Halfbloods looked shocked. Dean, however, looked a little confused.
"Hermione, do you think you could share your Firstblood list with Dean?" Harry whispered to her. She nodded.
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After lunch was Care of Magical Creatures. Harry was glad to get out of the castle for a bit, even if it was a tad cold, the sky was gray, and the grass wet. The beam on Hagrid's face cheered Harry up slightly, however.
"C'mon, now, get a move on!" Hagrid called. "Got a real treat for yeh today!" He paused. "Before tha', I got sommat ter tell yeh. I was told tha' yer books were not safe fer kids. I have some books from 'fessor Black tha' will be yer books fer the year." He gestured to a pile of books on his doorstep. Harry was relieved that they didn't have teeth (although Reg had forbidden him from buying the book anyway). "Yeh can give me yer Monster Books and take one o' these."
"Thank Merlin," Draco muttered, as everyone pulled out their Monster Book of Monsters and clambered forward. "I couldn't open mine."
Once everyone had a book, Hagrid asked, "How many of yeh could open the book?"
Nobody answered.
Hagrid sighed. "Sorry 'bout that. Does anyone know how to approach a Hippogriff?"
Immediately, Hermione raised her hand -- to the surprise of no one. Harry and Neville, to the surprise of everyone, did. A few Slytherins also raised their hands.
Hagrid smiled at Hermione.
"Hippogriffs are very proud creatures, and will react violently if insulted," Hermione said swiftly. "If one wants to approach a Hippogriff, they approach slowly, keeping eye contact, and bow. They then wait for the Hippogriff to bow back. If they do, they are free to approach. If they do not, the wizard -- wixen," she corrected herself, "must then quickly leave the area, maintaining eye contact with the -- the Hippogriff."
"Well done, five points ter Gryffindor," Hagrid beamed. "Does ev'ryone understand not to insult the Hippogriffs?" he asked firmly.
There were several nods and mutters of assent.
"I dunna want yeh ter get hurt," Hagrid insisted. When more people nodded, he said, "Good. Follow me, then!"
What followed was an amazing lesson. The Hippogriffs were beautiful, and Harry enjoyed riding them -- although he would always prefer his Nimbus. Hagrid gave the class a choice as to whether or not they would participate, and about half of them stayed back. Neville was the only Gryffindor who didn't participate, eyeing the creatures nervously. Theo, who was apparently allergic to anything with feathers, struck up a conversation with him.
When class was over, they all headed back inside for dinner. "I thought the oa- Hagrid wouldn't be good a teaching," Draco remarked as they sat down. "Glad Uncle Raven talked to him."
"Me too," Harry agreed. "Hagrid's a sweetheart, but he didn't realize that he's stronger than kids. What could and would hurt us couldn't hurt him."
"Probably because he's half giant," Draco said.
Theo almost knocked over his goblet. "He's what?"
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When Harry's friends escorted him to his dad's quarters after dinner, Reg wasn't there. There was a note on the table:
Fawn-
There are a few errands I need to run. I'll be back in the morning. DON'T LEAVE MY QUARTERS.
Love,
Dad
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"Kreacher," Reg said quietly.
The elf popped into existence, then gasped, tears filling his eyes. "Master Regulus! Kreacher thought you were dead!"
"I'm sorry I deceived you," Reg said gently, pulling the elf into a brief hug. "Can you bring me the locket? I need it."
Kreacher immediately popped away and back again, holding out the locket. "Does Master Regulus need anything else from Kreacher?"
"Can you clean up Grimmauld Place? Make it safe for children?" Reg asked, placing the locket around his neck. "My version of 'safe for children,' not my mother's," he added darkly.
"Kreacher will be glad to! Does Master Regulus have a child?" Kreacher asked.
"Lady Mage chose me to be Harry Potter's father," Reg replied. Kreacher's eyes bugged out of his head.
"What does Master Regulus want Kreacher to do with things that are not safe for children?" Kreacher asked.
Regulus frowned. "Put them in the attic and I'll go through them," he decided. "I have some pressing matters to attend to, Kreacher, I'll see you this weekend."
Kreacher nodded, eyes shining, and disappeared.
Reg really hated not letting Kreacher stay, but Grimmauld Place was not safe for his Fawn, and he really did have pressing matters to attend to.
He left the dirt road he was standing on and strode up to the magnificent silver gates. Reg rolled his eyes; Lucius was still a peacock.
"State your name and business!" the gate hissed.
"Regulus Arcturus Black, here to speak with Lord Lucius Abraxas Malfoy about our master," Reg said clearly.
The gate opened, and he strode up to the sweeping manor.
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"How fucking dare you fucking hurt fucking children, Lucius Fucking Malfoy!"