Talking and bonding
Harry had been catching up a bit with all the guests his new sisters brought to his brand new Champion’s quarters. First thing he did was finally telling in detail what he has been going through the past few years. About the Philospher’s Stone, the Chamber of Secrets, the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Eventually, his recent story came to an end and the guests all stood there with their eyes and mouths hanging wide open. Aside Luna, whom continued munching on her pudding calmly as she listened. That and her eyes were always wide open. “Darn, Harry! That’s…a lot!” Angelina noted.
“That you had to go through all that.” Alicia noted. The way Harry told it does not make it sound as fun or epic as the rumors do.
“We’re really sorry Harry, you were roped in this tournament and instead noticing your discomfort…” Fred said.
“We tried to live through you and inadvertently make the rest of the people in school weary of you.”
“It’s a good thing I went with my gut feeling and reach out.” Susan said.
“Yeah, otherwise we’d have made as big a mistake, just like the incident with the Chamber of Secrets.” Hannah said.
“Harry, we want to apologize for our role in this. We may have done as much damage as the ones judging you.” Katie Bell said.
“We’re sorry!” the Weasley Twins and the three Gryffindor chasers said.
“It’s ok. I’m glad you all believe me now.” Harry said with a soft smile.
“Wait, you accept it, just like that?” Angelina asked.
“Well yeah, you’re genuine right?” Harry asked.
“They are, I can sense it.” Luna said. They all looked at her. “I can sense things. By the way, is anyone going to eat the Yorkshire puddings?” They decide to ignore that bit for the moment.
“I also learned a lot now. So, you’re really my godbrother, Neville?” Harry said, changing the subject.
“Yes…sorry I never told you. I shouldn’t have assumed you didn’t want anything to do with me. Hedwig told me you were really unaware.” Neville said.
“It’s ok. You know now. And we still have a lot of time to catch up on the things we missed. You are a great guy Neville, I should have told you before. I’d love to call you my brother. Even if I have three sisters now, you are still family.” Harry said.
“I’d like that.” Neville said.
“It is touching…though I’m surprised no one told you about your ties to the other wizarding families. At least during your orientation this should have come up.” Daphne noted.
“Orientation?” Harry asked.
“You know, when you were introduced to the magical world? When the teacher came to you to hand your letter and escort you through Diagon Alley to show you the ropes?” Tracey clarified.
“Oh, Hagrid did that and he told me some stuff but…he didn’t tell me about any of these alliances.” Harry noted.
“Hagrid is a great guy but there are some things he is ill-equipped to explain.” Hermione added.
“That explains a lot. And none of the other teachers did either?” Hannah asked.
“No. Either they assumed I must have known or they don’t bother. Not sure.” Harry said. “Can anyone tell me more about it.
“Well, I’ll give the brass tacks. There are wizarding families whom have been part of the British Magical community for a long time, and each of the important families, either through prestige of their bloodline, like the Potters, Greengrass and Bones families, or through notable acts like the Dumbledore line. They all got their own seat in the Wizengamot, the big wizarding council that acts to pass laws or holds trials among things.” Susan began.
“Oh, what if there isn’t an active representative?” Harry asked.
“They can have proxies. The Longbottoms hold proxy for the Potters and vice-versa in case anything happens to any of the families.” Neville explain. “Grandmother hence has both the Longbottom and Potter votes, and once you are of age you can ask it back and take your seat yourself or allow her to continue.”
“Yeah, our Dad also isn’t as involved unless it was during things like his Muggle Protection Law.” Fred said.
“He normally has a distant relative act proxy for him.” George added.
“So it’s political. Not sure if that’s my thing.” Harry said. “I had my share of stupid politicians whom created this death trap of a tournament and sent innocent people to prison.” Harry noted.
“Unfortunately no one escapes politics. They are ingrained in big and small things, even if it is something like voting.” Hermione notes.
“Granger is right. Though you can continue to act through proxy, as a proud Potter you will be roped into functions. Though that doesn’t mean you can’t use it to your advantage. You can make alliances, like our families did.” Tracey said.
“Despite the fact we’re from Neutral families the Potters, Greengrass and Davis families have been allies because our interests align.” Daphne noted.
“Ok, what does the light, the gray and the Dark mean in these contexts of…politics?” Harry asked.
“The Dark wants to keep traditions intact, separate from the muggles, preference towards the pureblood and humans. Types that would align to the Dark Lord or share their Viewpoints. Though not all have joined him because while they like his agenda still don’t like his methods.” Susan explained.
“Then we have the Light, they seek process and equality most of the time and protecting Muggles. While they mean well on the other side they can get a bit too much ‘in your face’.” Tracey added.
“And then there are the neutrals whom seek balance. They want to preserve wizarding culture, but don’t want to remain stagnant and seek a balance of the old and the new. Reason these Grays were aligned with the Potters, is that they understood that despite their goals change can’t come overnight and needs a slow and steady hand.” Daphne finished.
“I…see. Well, I guess your families would want to keep these alliances going?” Harry asked.
“Yes. Now, due to the likes of Malfoy and his ilk in Slytherin we couldn’t openly act but things have progressed to a point.” Daphne said. “So me and Tracey are willing to help educate you and inform you about what you would need to know for the future.”
“If we, our siblings and other Slytherins sharing our viewpoints can ask for sanctuary here. In our own dorms we have to deal with Pansy Parkinson, whom doesn’t like us and given reason would do us harm. We can handle her normal but it takes one lucky shot…” Tracey added.
“Sure. I would love that. Finally I get to learn the stuff I should know and…it’s nice to meet people of the families whom were friends of mine. And have a couple of friends in the process. If that’s ok?” Harry asked.
“Us, friends?” Daphne asked. “Don’t get me wrong, it is a pleasant surprise but…even if we’re Slytherins?”
“I don’t have really anything against Slytherins. Just with select few. I myself nearly ended up in Slytherin but I asked the Sorting Hat not to. I didn’t want to get stuck in a dorm with Malfoy.” Harry explained. “Besides, Malfoy would have been a tosser even if he was in another House.”
“We never knew we could just ask.” Tracey said. A dorm without Parkinson, Bulstrode or Runcorn, sounds like a dream.
“Yeah, the Hat takes opinions into account.” Hermione noted. “I could have been a Ravenclaw, but ended up in Gryffindor.”
“That’s while you are very smart, when push comes to shove you chose to do what’s right instead of following the rules. I mean, you went after the Philospher’s stone with me and helped save Sirius. I think that while you may pride yourself on your intelligence, your strongest trait is your sense of justice.” Harry said. Hermione couldn’t help but blush.
“That’s…nice of you to say Harry but…I have been stupid. Like with the Firebolt and with S.P.E.W.” Hermione said.
“So you got a bit of the Gryffindor Recklessness in the sense that you charge in at injustice but made the leap before you thought.” Susan asked with a smirk?
“Yeah, I admit in hindsight I am in the right house.” Hermione sighed. “I didn’t know what I was thinking when coming up with the name.”
“You mean well, but the House Elves of Hogwarts are treated well, I mean Dumbledore advocates for the well being of other species, so he wouldn’t do to Elves what the Malfoys did to Dobby.” Harry said.
“I think I saw an Elf named Dobby in the kitchen when me and Cloak went to get pudding.” Luna noted.
“Didn’t ask if he was the same Dobby though.” Cloak added.
“Really? Well I’ll need to check the kitchens later then.” Harry said. “Anyhow, I’m interested in renewing the alliances and becoming friends with you two. Same goes for you, Susan and Hannah. I’m glad that you have learned from last time and came to me to verify this time.”
“Thanks for giving us another chance, Harry.” Hannah said.
“It all sounds quite insane, but also fruitful.”
“Harry, if you give Daphne and Tracey sanctuary, can my new friend Luna also get here? She is bullied in Ravenclaw. They tried to cram her in a closet without her wand and with a Silencing charm.” Cloak asked.
“They did what?” Harry asked. Anger boiled over, as Harry remembered his own childhood in the cupboard under the stairs. “Sure, Luna can stay. I will not allow these bullies to harm her. Luna, tu casa es my casa.”
“Thans for the sanctuary, but I have no use for cheese, thank you.” Luna noted.
“No, that was Spanish.” Harry explained.
“Not Spanish cheese either. Thank you Harry Potter, now I’ll be able to sleep without the Nargles and Wrackspurts taking me up.”
“No problem. I know what it’s like to deal with bullies. My relatives are bullies themselves. I can’t stand someone else going through that pain.”
“I had my fair share of bullies too. They didn’t like I was a bookworm with buckteeth.” Hermione said. “I know a few nasty curses if you want.” Hermione noted.
“Whoa, Hermione, where does this side of you come from?” Harry teased.
“Oh please, you know by now I’m willing to ‘bend’ the rules when needed.” Hermione said. “How about a purple pimple curse…makes Eloise Midgen’s acne look like a couple of cute freckles. Difficult to find a counter-curse to.” Hermione added.
“Ok, now she starts to scare me.” Fred noted.
“But also impress me.” George added.
“Thanks, but I just like to stay here and not bother with them. It’s nice…like having friends to have a sleepover with.” Luna noted.
“We are friends Luna.” Harry noted.
“Yes, we would be glad to have you as a friend.” Hermione added. She may think Luna is odd, but she would not reject or pick on someone because they are different. That just isn’t cricket.
Luna dropped her dreamy façade, sniffed and then pulled the two into a hug as she cried into their chests. She really was touched by all of it. She had barely believed it when Cloak said she would have friends, but now she had fully absorbed it.
“I think this whole meeting has been really fruitful overall.” Susan said.
“I do agree with that but…what do we do now?” Hannah asked.
“What we should have done, support Harry through this whole tournament thing. Properly this time.” Angelina said. “We need to clear things with our fellow Gryffindors. I think Susan and Hannah can do the same for Huffelpuff. And Daphne and Tracy would love to talk to the non-bigots in Slytherin. We also have a Ravenclaw but thanks to the bullies, will not be believed.”
“We can talk to Cedric, he is a reasonable guy. He is also dating Cho Chang so indirectly we can also clear things up there.” Susan explained.
“But Harry’s still stuck in the tournament.” Hermione noted.
“Maybe I am. I am stuck due to the neglect of the organizers of this tournament. To them it was another way to catch attention and feel important. A little power play between the three magical schools. A few idiots from the Ministry whom try to get back in good graces after the Chamber and Sirius Black fiasco.” Harry said. “Remind me to also think of something for Sirius later…”
“Can’t believe the dude is your godfather…” Fred noted.
“And he’s framed by Scabbers.” George said, feeling sick for having slept in the same house as a treacherous animagus.
“And he’s Padfoot of the Marauders.” The two said together.
“…and due to their negligence I’m stuck in this tournament and I can’t get out? And now I have to dance like a monkey on a leash when they play organ grinder? No, not this time. I’m sick of dragged into these situations each year. I just hoped to survive but after everything…I’ll make sure they’ll look like an arse in front of everyone.” Harry said. “My patience has come to an end, I’m going to stick it to the Ministry and the Tournament.”
“How are you planning to do that?” Katie asked.
“Not sure yet, but we have the people and the numbers now. We got two Slytherins whom actually embody the aspect proper of their House without being arseholes, and showing actual cunning…” Harry turns to Daphne and Tracey. “We got the smartest witch of her age and probably smarter then many of her seniors.” Hermione blushed again. “We got the niece of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.” He turned to Susan. “We got two super pranksters whom would enjoy it…” Fred and George smirked as Maps cleared her throat. “Sorry, make that three!” Maps smiled. “And I got the support of everyone else, my family and friends and we’ll make a show out of it. Just not the one they’ll expect.”
“You hear that, Gred?”
“I do Forge. They grow up so fast.”
“I’m so proud.” Maps said as she wipes some inky tears from her eyes.
“We’ll have to make a list! Now, I need a way to also play the media, as the Daily Prophet uses the articles of that lousy woman Skeeter.” Harry said.
“Luna’s father owes a magazine, I believe.” Cloak noted.
“Yeah, the Quibbler.” Luna responded.
“I heard of the Quibbler. I heard it’s…” Daphne said, trying to find the right word to sound diplomatic. “An acquired taste.”
“We know its not for everyone and it is called rubbish by some.” Luna said.
“I have read the Quibbler and in the past I may have been skeptical but Harry broke the laws of magic to create his sisters so I opened my mind a bit. The Calming Draughts also help.” Hermione said.
“Anyhow, in theory you could sell interview rights to a newspaper or magazine of choice so that others, including Skeeter were no longer able to write about you.” Tracey added.
“Yeah, then you can finally tell the truth you want to tell the world.” Susan said.
“That’s a good plan. Luna…” Harry turned to the little blonde waif.
“Going to owl my dad as soon as possible.” Luna replied.
“Good! While we don’t now whom put my name into the Goblet, I can at least air some of the Ministry’s dirty laundry in the past few years. And while I am supposed to participate in the tasks, they don’t tell me how to do them. So I could choose to be obtuse or obnoxious about it…” Harry noted.
“Yeah, screw the Tournament! We had to give up Quidditch for it!” Angelina noted.
“Yeah, Oliver would have a heart attack if he still attended Hogwarts.” Alicia added.
“Speaking of which, if Quidditch returns in the future, how are you going to do thing with your Firebolt, since she looks different now.” Katie noted.
“Don’t worry, I can still fly and am technically still a broom!” Firebolt said. “He’ll just have to piggyback.”
“I never was given piggyback as a child.” Harry admitted.
“That’s actually quite sad.” Hannah noted.
“Goddamn Dursleys! I’m putting getting back at them on my list.” Hermione noted
Bolt lifted Harry onto her back, and now he was on a Piggyback ride. “Voila, your first piggyback. How does it feel?”
“It feels nice, actually.” Harry noted. “I should also make a bucket list of things I want to do in life before Voldemort decides to ruin my life again.”
“Please don’t say that name.” Neville said, as he shuddered.
“Oh…well, it’s not his real name, so you can call him Tom Riddle.” Harry noted.
“That’s like the least intimidating name I ever heard.” Angelina noted.
“Tom Riddle…yeah, it’s less scary if we call him that.” Neville said.
“He’s actually a big coward. His name means fleeing from death and it’s a bloody anagram!” Harry said. “So I’m not afraid of Moldywarts!”
“Moldyshorts!” Fred added.
“Voldemonkey!” George continued.
“You-Know-FU!” Maps said.
“He-Who-Botched-His-Nosejob!” Hermione said. It was unexpected of her that made everyone laugh.
“I think I may grow to like this bunch.” Daphne admitted.
“We got to write those down too, they are funny.” Neville suggested.
“Yes, great idea!” Hermione said. “Lemme see, slam the ministry for at least the Tournament, Sirius Black, the Chamber…that reminds me, the dead Basilisk is still down there.”
“Harry killed it so he owes it. He can sell its part for a buttload of money!” Tracey pointed out.
“Basilisks also decay slowly thanks to their magical nature so it would still be profitable.” Luna said, her knowledge of animals coming in.
“Yes, and then we can compensate those affected by it since the Ministry didn’t seem to give a frick about petrified Muggleborns.” Harry said.
“Lot of good ideas, writing them down now.” Hermione said.
The next few hours were a bunch of newly made friends and family listing down what they’ll do for the coming months. With Harry and his new family at the helm…they’ll take the Wizarding world by storm.