Andromeda Tonks
Andromeda Tonks was having an otherwise normal start to her day. The day before, Halloween, she'd pulled a difficult shift at St.Mungo's, and by the time she got home, she was tired and sore. Because of this, she'd gone to bed early after taking a muscle-relaxing potion, expecting to wake up early and be well-rested.
When she finally awoke the next day, she found her husband Ted sitting at the table, a cup of tea in hand, and the Daily Prophet in front of him. But something was wrong. He wasn't reading the paper, he simply had it sitting in front of him. When she came downstairs, he was looking at the front page, a frown etched on his face. When he turned to look at her, she recognized that look. It was a look that said something was very, very wrong.
"Ted? What's going on?" She asked him cautiously, unsure if she wanted to hear the answer, but knowing she needed to. Rather than answer, he simply held up the Prophet, and she immediately understood.
The front page featured prominently a picture of a dragon flying through the Great Hall of Hogwarts. Beneath this dragon, was a young man, holding his wand in the air. But the headline told her who it was:
BOY WHO LIVED ENTERED INTO TOURNAMENT AGAINST HIS WILL!
COULD THIS BE AN ATTEMPT ON HIS LIFE BY THE FOLLOWERS OF YOU KNOW WHO?
Rushing forward, she snatched the paper out of her husband's hand, and read the accompanying article. It was a Skeeter article, so it was undoubtedly filled with half-truths, exaggerations, and blatant lies, but it also contained just enough of the truth for her to understand what had happened.
Last night, the Goblet of Fire had chosen three Champions for the Triwizard Tournament. Viktor Krum would represent Durmstrang, Fleur Delacour would represent Beauxbatons, and Cedric Diggory would represent Hogwarts. But then, the Goblet had chosen a fourth champion: Harry Potter. Before anyone could voice their discontent, he had promptly sworn an oath on his magic and his life that he did not put his name in the Goblet, and he had no idea how he had been entered.
By the time she finished the article, she was horrified by the implications, and then she saw Ted holding one final thing: a letter, addressed to her. Taking it gingerly from her husband, she read through it.
Healer Andromeda Tonks
I am writing this letter after attempting to Floo-call you, and I shall assume you are reading this November 1st. I am also certain you have by now read the Daily Prophet. If not, then I shall give you a quick summary.
As of last night, Harry Potter has been selected to compete in the Triwizard Tournament as the Fourth Champion. He has publicly sworn a magical oath that he did not enter himself, and he does not know how his name was entered.
Now for what isn't mentioned: because of the protests of the other school heads, it has been decided that instead of representing Hogwarts alongside Cedric Diggory, Harry will instead represent the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter. A judge will be needed to represent his House, and as his closest magical relative, you have been chosen to serve in that position.
You are asked to travel to Hogwarts at the earliest possible time, to discuss the necessary arrangements and accommodations needed for your participation in the Tournament.
Sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
P.S. Andromeda, if this is an attempt on Harry's life, I doubt this is the last we'll see of their interference. Harry will need all the help he can get. Please, hurry.
Andromeda read, and re-read the letter several times. After a few brief moments of thought, she turned to her husband, looking back at her expectantly.
"Dear, please contact St.Mungo's, and let them know what's transpired. I'm going to be very busy."
Sitting in the Great Hall, Harry was pleasantly surprised when he saw his picture on the front page. Rather, he saw the picture of him casting his Patronus last night. It was an impressive sight, seeing a silver dragon soaring through the Great Hall, while he stood beneath it, continuously casting the spell.
"I didn't know you could cast a Patronus Charm, Harry." The voice came from Neville, sitting next to Ron on his right, while Hermione sat across from him. "When did you learn that?"
"Last year. With all the Dementors around, Professor Lupin thought I should know how to repel them. Especially given how drawn they were to me."
"I thought they were after Sirius Black. Why were they interested in you?"
Harry paused to think over his answer. It was true, the Dementors were there to try and catch Sirius Black, his godfather, who was innocent of the crimes he was imprisoned for. But the Dementors were drawn to him specifically because they forced people to relive their worst memories. And much as Harry was unwilling to vocally admit it, he had genuine horrors in his past. Between the night he became famous for, and the life he lived with the Dursleys before Hagrid broke the front door of the shack, he had plenty of memories for the Dementors to torment him with.
"I... I remember that night."
"What night?"
"The night my parents died."
Every student in earshot froze. All sounds of eating, in immediate proximity, died down almost immediately. The students turned to look at him, wide-eyed from shock and horror. Shock, from the fact he remembered an event when he was only 15 months old, and horror from realizing he remembered the night he became famous.
Hermione reached across the table to grab his hand, while Ron patted him on the back. It was comforting for Harry to know, that even with everything he had endured, he had friends he could count on.
"What do you remember?" Seamus asked the question almost reflexively and immediately regretted it. The rest of the table, Hermione especially, shot him a reproachful glare, one that made Seamus cringe.
"Forgive me Master, but what do you remember? We house-elves never heard from Master James, or Mistress Lily after going into hiding. We would never ask this of you if you were uncomfortable with it, but we would like to know their fate."
"I-I remember hearing my father, calling out to my mum. He was shouting for her to... to take me and run. Then... I heard my mum, she was telling me that... that she loved me... and that I needed to be brave. After that... just that light... that green light... and then nothing."
It was said more for Gnarl's sake, than for the others, but the result was the same. The others listened in morbid fascination as Harry described the night he became famous. Parvati and Lavender, sitting next to Hermione, had tears in their eyes as they imagined the night in question. Across from Harry, Hermione fought back tears as she tightened her grip on Harry's hand, becoming firm but gentle.
Before anyone could ask any more uncomfortable questions, the doors to the Great Hall opened, and in stepped Hagrid.
"Headmaster, Professor McGonagall, yer guest is here."
As Hagrid finished that sentence, in strode an adult woman, with long, light brown hair. Her skin was light, though not excessively pale, and her face had aristocratic features. But the eyes were the most interesting part. Like her hair, they were light brown, but they were wide, and Harry could see the kindness in them. But right now, those eyes were fixed in a glare as she strode directly towards the High Table, where Dumbledore and the rest of the staff sat.
"It can't be... it can't be..." Neville spoke so quietly that Harry could barely hear him. But there was an urgency in his voice, a panic that carried it further than he meant. Before anyone could ask him what was wrong, Dumbledore spoke to their new arrival.
"Ahh, Andromeda. A pleasure to -"
"Shove it, Albus. You know why I'm here, and it's not for pleasantries." This woman, Andromeda, spoke with a firm tone, one that rivalled even McGonagall's in the authority it projected. This, Harry realized, was the woman McGonagall mentioned last night. This was his cousin. "We need to talk, NOW."
"I suppose you're right. Very well, we shall adjourn to my office. Professor McGonagall, if you would join us."
Dumbledore and McGonagall both rose from the High Table, with McGonagall leading them out of the Hall. But on the way out, Andromeda paused as she saw Harry. She gave him a gentle smile and approached him.
"I'd recognize those eyes anywhere. You're Harry, aren't you?"
"Y-Yes ma'am."
"Please Harry, call me Andromeda, or Andy for short. We'll talk after I knock some sense into Albus, alright?"
"Alright... Andy." Harry smiled back at her, and her face warmed in response. But when she turned to follow Dumbledore and McGonagall, it became a fearsome scowl, one that would have left anyone fearful for their lives if directed at them.
"It's not her... it's not her..." Neville spoke again, but slightly louder this time. It was enough to draw Hermione's attention.
"What do you mean, Neville? Who did you think she was?"
"She... she bears an uncanny resemblance to... to Bellatrix Lestrange, a Death Eater."
The table began murmuring at Neville's words, but Harry heard the voice of Gnarl ring out again.
"Hardly surprising. Andromeda is her sister, though she shares nothing in common beyond the physical appearance."
Harry very nearly shouted in shock, as he realized this meant he was also the cousin of a genuine Death Eater. But that would have to wait. For now, he would enjoy his Sunday breakfast, then he would meet with the first magical family he had ever met.
"What the bloody hell do you mean you can't help him!?!?"
As Harry enjoyed breakfast with his friends, Andromeda joined Albus and Minerva in the Headmaster's office. The topic at hand was Harry's participation in the Tournament.
"I mean, I can't pull him from the Tournament, because there's nothing I can do. The Goblet forms a contract even I can't overrule. Harry has to compete, lest he lose his magic for breaking that contract."
"You said it yourself. You believed he didn't put his name in the Goblet. How in Merlin's name did he even become a Champion!?"
"The most likely explanation is the one Professor Moody provided," McGonagall answered. "Someone used an exceptionally powerful Confundus Charm to trick the Goblet into believing there were four schools instead of three. As the only entry for the fourth school, Harry was guaranteed entry into the Tournament."
"Moody... well, at least you finally got a competent Defence teacher. But that still leaves the problem of Harry competing in this death trap!"
"Andromeda, I share your concerns, but there's nothing we can do. The contract is so simple as to be airtight. If there was a way out, we would have found it by now. The other school Heads spent hours arguing over how to pull Harry from the Tournament, with no luck on any side. Harry has to compete, whether we like it or not."
Andromeda huffed, slumping back into her chair. But almost immediately, she sat back up.
"Fine, so we can't pull him from the Tournament. So that's why I'm here, to act as the judge for the House of Potter?"
"Yes, Andromeda. It was the only compromise we could reach that would satisfy our... guests." Minerva's voice still carried a hint of anger at Maxime and Karkaroff's behaviour the night before. "As a judge, we're happily able to provide you a private quarters in the castle for the duration of the Tournament."
"Well, that's all well and good. But what about Harry himself? I'm not going to just sit around while Harry is thrown to the wolves, Albus. If Harry has to compete, then I'm going to help prepare him."
"The rules forbid us from..."
"Oh blow it out your ass, Albus! You know as well as I do that Maxime and Karkaroff won't follow that rule even slightly. I'm sure that even as we speak, Pomona is just bursting with ideas on how to turn 'Herbology extra credit' into training for Cedric. I'm going to train Harry, whether you like it or not. Now you can help me, or you can stay out of my way! Do you understand?"
Albus looked across from his desk at Andromeda and was briefly reminded that one of Slytherin's most valued traits was fraternity. Andromeda wouldn't budge on this even slightly, so there was no point in arguing against her.
"Very well, I won't object. All I ask is that you be careful. Harry getting injured during the training would hinder him more than simply lack of preparation."
"I'm not an idiot, Albus, nor am I an amateur. I've taught apprentices how to stabilize wizards on their death beds, and how to brew and handle the most complicated of potions. If Harry gets hurt, then it damn well won't be because of me. Now, Minerva, if you would be so kind as to show me my new quarters for the school year?"
McGonagall led Andromeda out of Albus' office, as he sat back and watched them leave. Above him, the portrait of Phineas Black spoke.
"What an impertinent woman! I can't imagine why you tolerated her behaviour, Albus."
"My good Phineas, I'm surprised at you. After all, she is one of yours."
"Mr.Potter, Mr.Weasley, Miss Granger, if you three would follow me."
As breakfast concluded, McGonagall caught the Golden Trio as they left the Hall. With the Trio behind her, she led them to a disused corridor on the seventh floor, close to Gryffindor Tower. Down this corridor were many doors, the first of which McGonagall knocked on. At its opening, she ushered the three of them in, before taking her leave.
The trio found themselves in a sitting room, decorated similarly to the Gryffindor Common Room. A fireplace with a roaring fire dominated the room, with some chairs and a sofa set up around the fireplace. In one of these chairs sat Andromeda, writing on some parchment. When she looked up and saw her guests, she set her writing aside and rose to greet them with a smile on her face.
"Harry! Please, come and sit with your friends."
As the Trio took their seats, Hermione and Harry on the sofa while Ron grabbed another chair, Andromeda resumed her writing.
"Sorry, but this is for St.Mungo's letting them know why I'll be unavailable for the foreseeable future. I know my husband would have told them, but it doesn't hurt to keep things in writing."
"You're a healer at St.Mungo's?"
"That's correct, Ronald is it? Your mother finished her healer training about the same time I did, but after Charlie was born she decided to be a stay-at-home mum. Hard to blame her really, it takes a lot of effort to raise a family. I only had one child, and I still wonder if returning to work was the right call."
Ron blinked in surprise, never hearing of his mum's work as a healer before now. As he processed this, Andromeda finished writing her letter. As she set it aside to be delivered later, Harry spoke up.
"Um, excuse me, Andromeda?"
"Yes, Harry?"
"What did you and the Headmaster discuss?"
At his question, Andromeda smiled. "I'm glad you asked, Harry. After giving Albus a piece of my mind for not finding a way out of this insane Tournament for you, it has been agreed that I shall act as a judge, representing the House of Potter. This also means that I will be preparing you for the Tournament, Harry."
"What do you mean 'preparing' him?"
"Training, Hermione, what else?"
Hermione perked up at that but then became concerned. "But I thought it was against the rules for staff to get involved."
"Technically, yes. However, I am not one of the Hogwarts staff, and even if I were, I know for a fact that neither Maxime nor that rat Karkaroff will let that stop them from assisting their Champions. And I know that Cedric is going to be helped by Pomona, even if she's not supposed to. So, since we only have 3 weeks before the First Task, we're going to be getting in as much training as possible. So, I need to know what your schedule is, and we can work something out around that."
As Harry provided his schedule, he was still trying to process everything that was happening. This was the first time an adult had actively taken an active interest in his safety, not merely a passive one. The rest of the time, he'd had to rely on himself and Hermione to work out a plan, but here was someone actively working towards preparing him for danger.
He wondered if this was what it was like to have parents.
As a schedule was worked out, thanks in no small part to Hermione, they began talking about their time at Hogwarts. They talked about their classes, about the Quidditch games, and how Harry was the youngest seeker in a century. But then they began talking about... everything else. The Philosopher's Stone, the Chamber of Secrets, and even the Dementors, and how they met Peter Pettigrew and Sirius Black.
"So, let me get this straight: in your first year, you faced a possessed teacher, with the Dark Lord stuck to him like a parasitic leech. Then, in your second year, the entire school thought you were the 'Heir of Slytherin' until Hermione was petrified, after which you killed a 60-foot Basilisk in the legendary Chamber of Secrets. Then, last year, you not only faced a hundred Dementors as they tried stealing your soul, but you also learned Peter Pettigrew was alive, Sirius Black was innocent, and when you tried to tell the Minister, he chose to ignore your claims!?"
"That... just about sums it up, Andy."
At Harry's words, Andromeda went silent for a moment, before bursting out in a furious rant. Rising from her chair, she paced the room, ranting and raving to no one in particular, as she vented her extreme frustration. As she did this, Harry heard a new voice, one that he hadn't heard before.
"The young Lord is a slayer of Basilisk's and defier of Dementors!? This calls for a song! Ahem. 'Thus began his second year- owww!"
"Do forgive me, Sire, that was Quaver, our jester. I really should have nailed him out for the Crows long ago."
When Andromeda sufficiently vented her rage, she sat down and looked at the Trio with a hard look.
"Harry, did you really slay a Basilisk?"
"Yes."
"Did you ever claim the carcass?"
"I... don't think so, no?"
Andromeda huffed, but she appeared somewhat pleased. "Well, better late than never. With your permission, I'll write Gringotts to get a team of goblins here to harvest the Basilisk. The hide can be used to make War Robes for the Tournament, which you may very well need."
"Make certain to preserve the skull, Master. Always a good idea to keep a trophy of your kills."
"Uhm... sure. I'll need to be there to open the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets, but otherwise, you have my full permission. But... can you even do that? I thought the Basilisk would belong to the school since Salazar put it down there."
"Harry, the Basilisk was attacking students. By any definition of the word, it was a rogue creature, and thus whoever slays it has full claim to the carcass by Right of Conquest. This can apply to any creature, but it especially applies to one that was a credible threat to the safety of the school. That nobody told you this is a massive failure on the staff, but I'll worry about that. For now, enjoy the rest of your Sunday. I need to write some more letters."
As the Trio left her new quarters, Andromeda went over everything she had learned over the past few minutes. Most importantly of all, she finally had confirmation that Sirius was innocent and that rat Peter was the real traitor. Much as she wanted to tell the world, she wasn't sure who she could trust with this information. Amelia had been Siri's fiance when he was arrested, but she didn't act to help him. Meanwhile, two of the bastards responsible for his imprisonment, Albus and Barty, were both in the castle. Albus now knew the truth of the matter, but Fudge's stubborn refusal to listen meant there may very well be little she could do about it.
For now, she would focus on getting Harry through this Tournament. After that, she'd get Sirius exonerated, even if she had to beat the truth into the Minister. And Merlin help anyone who gets in her way.