Chapter 276
She looked like a cat which had caught a canary. She had positively glowedsince Harry had told her about the night before and his animagus meditation. She also seemed very happy about his form, complimenting himon turningdown the more sentimental and likeable forms for that of his raven. She hadtold him the form was a very practical one with the added bonus that it wouldgive Harry the ability to truly fly. She was as proud as punch and hadn't
stopped smiling smugly. Frankly, Sirius had been completely unnerved by the whole experience andsilently apologised to James for having laughed at him when he'd foundHarryin the puppy form as a baby. It hadn't helped that it had been Hedwig whohadalerted Sirius that there was a problem, flying in through his open study door
and dive-bombing him, yanking his robes with her talons to get himup andmoving to Harry. His heart had been pounding fast enough to win the Derbybythe time he'd made it to Harry's room. Thank Merlin he knew the spell toforcean animagus back into human form. He could admit to a little disappointment that Harry hadn't chosen his puppyform but his explanation of the different representations had made sense. Hewas sad that Harry was no longer the happy-go-lucky chap who embodiedthepuppy but he was also happy that Harry was no longer the lonely wolf cubthat
longed for a pack. He would need to read up on ravens, thought Sirius. Both he and Remus wouldneed to know how to deal with a young raven. Not to mention they neededto
come up with a Marauder name; Pronglet was clearly not applicable sinceastag wasn't even an option for Harry but he hated to give up the name sinceit
was the one James had approved of for his son. What could he call a raven?Blackie? Corvus? Wings?
He sighed and cleared his throat as Simeon and Anna finally arrived withJason bundled into some muggle sling contraption that Simeon wore. Everybody had finally arrived: the Grangers, the Tonks (minus Dora whowason duty), the Longbottoms, Remus, Minerva, and the Blacks. The Malfoys
were making their own way to the match as were the Weasleys. Everyonewore comfortable muggle clothing since the match was taking place near
muggles; the teenagers wore jeans, t-shirts and light jackets for the most part;
the younger adults wore a variation but Minerva and Augusta had stuck withlong tweed skirts and blazers teamed with high-necked blouses. Sirius whistled to get everyone's attention and smiled back at the happy facesin front of him. "OK! Our portkey leaves in five minutes! We have two hoursbefore it begins so plenty of time to browse round the souvenir stalls andmeet up with friends. Please stay with your designated buddies! We will
convene in the Black box half an hour before the match. After the match, assuming there is time, we will make our way to the Potter Alliance
After-Match Party in the designated tent. The portkey home leaves at teno'clock. Any questions?" Hermione raised her hand. Sirius motioned at her.
"When are we meeting up with the Weasleys?" asked Hermione politely,
lowering her arm.
"I though those interested could head to their tent when we arrive." Sirius said. Despite confiding the intelligence that they knew there would be a DeathEater
attack at midnight, Arthur had elected to stay overnight as he had previouslyplanned. He had understood Sirius's decision not to allow Harry to stay
though especially after the death threat at the Longbottoms. He handed out the rope portkey and carefully checked that everybody hadahand on it. Harry grinned at him from his position next to Sirius, sandwichedbetween him and Remus. He had been ecstatic that they'd still attend after thesecond death threat and Sirius hoped he'd made the right decision.
It would be fine, Sirius thought determinedly. The trouble wasn't due to start
until midnight and Harry would be safely tucked up in bed at Griffin Housebythen. But the nagging voice in his head warned him to be careful and
reminded him that Lucius had suggested it was someone outside of the oldDeath Eater circle – someone they couldn't control – someone who might not
wait for the midnight hour. He'd had Bill agree to meet them and guard their arrival at the portkey sitejust
in case. Sirius kept one hand on Harry's shoulder and Remus moved to do the sameasthe portkey activated. Harry had gotten used to floo travel, mostly becauseAndy had made him floo back and forth between Black Manor and GriffinHouse endlessly for over an hour, but he couldn't keep his feet with portkeys. So it proved as they landed at the portkey site within the World Cup stadium;
Harry's feet weren't beneath him and only Remus and Sirius held himup.
Sirius exchanged a nod of 'all clear' with Bill who had his brother Charlie withhim.
"Sorry." Harry muttered to Sirius as he regained his balance.
"Not a problem, Pronglet." Sirius frowned as the issue of the name came backto him. Harry's face creased in concern. "What's wrong?" He murmured, keepinghisvoice low so it didn't travel to the others.
"Your animagus form doesn't exactly match-up with Pronglet." Sirius
whispered.
"Oh." Harry's expression cleared but there was a hint of worry in his greeneyes. "I guess not." Sirius patted his arm. "Don't worry, Moony and I will come up with something."
"Yeah," drawled Harry with a mischievous quirk to his lips, "I think that's kindof a guarantee for me to worry."
"Hey!" Sirius sniffed. "We came up with…"
"Prongs," supplied Harry, "which I know my Dad hated because it said soinhisjournal. And while we don't mention the rat…" Sirius grimaced because Harry was right; Prongs had hated Prongs mainly
because Sirius had made up a limerick including Prongs, pongs and thongswhich had been funny at the time. Of course, Prongs had changed his mindintheir seventh year when everything had been lovely because he'd finally gottenLily and she had loved the name. Wormtail had argued for days about
Wormtail. Remus cleared his throat and they both looked up to realise that the rest of
their party was viewing them with a range of expressions fromamusement
(Remus) to exasperation (Minerva) to impatience (Hermione).
"Lord Potter, Lord Black; if you and your group could please vacate the portkeyarea." A polite voice advised them and they turned in unison to see a brightlysmiling woman with a clipboard. "The Minister is waiting to greet you in theantechamber." Sirius nodded and slung an arm around Harry's shoulders as he marchedthem to their doom – uh, Cornelius.
"Sirius! Harry!" Cornelius's smile could have lit up the stadium. "Ah, excellent!
You're here! May I introduce you to the Irish Minister of Magic, Madame Derryand the Bulgarian Minister of Magic, Mister Oblansk…" he stuttered over the
pronunciation and threw his counterpart an apologetic smile, "this is LordSirius Black and Lord Harry Potter." A statuesque brunette in smart muggle clothing of a green suit with a crispwhite shirt and an orange silk scarf stuck her hand out with an expressionthat
said kissing her knuckles would lead to him getting them back as a fist. Sirius shook hands solemnly rather than turning on the charm. "Madame." Hewas pleased when Harry followed his example after a quick look at
Andromeda. The petite man beside Derry encased in black robes with gold trimand thecrest of Bulgaria adorning his right breast held out his hand which Sirius andHarry shook in turn. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 277
"Honour to meet vou." Oblansk said politely. Cornelius's eyebrows shot up. "You know English!"
"Leetle." Oblansk replied gruffly. Sirius hastily stepped in and offered to introduce the rest of the Black party. Thankfully, Remus greeted the Bulgarian Minister in flawless Bulgarian andtranslated through the rest of the introductions.
"Are the Malfoys not with you?" asked Cornelius, glancing around.
"They were coming separately as they're hosting Theodore Nott and BlaiseZabini." Sirius replied. "We thought we'd have a look around before we headinto our box for the game."
"You and Harry are more than welcome to spend the game in the Ministry box, Sirius." Cornelius urged. Sirius smiled tightly. "Thank you, Cornelius, but given the current situationI'dprefer Harry to remain in a box where I control the wards."
"Of course, of course." Cornelius said smoothly. "Terrible business." He gaveAugusta a look of concern. "How are you, Augusta, after the shock?"
"Ready to hex whoever did it bald." Augusta replied sternly.
"A woman after my own heart," Derry said with a sing-sing Irish lilt that
contrasted with the fierce expression on her handsome face. Sirius only just managed not to laugh at Cornelius's taken aback expression.
"Perhaps we should be getting along, Gran. We have to go and say hellototherest of the alliance." Neville offered his grandmother his armand led her out
with aplomb.
"We should head out too." Sirius said. Cornelius motioned for Sirius to step aside a moment and Sirius was pleasedwhen Minerva stepped forward to stand with Harry to talk to Derry since theBulgarian Minister hadn't stopped talking with Remus.
"May I ask a favour?" asked Cornelius with a touch of desperation. "Crouchforgot to order a translator from the Embassy. Bagman didn't think of it either
since Bertha is still AWOL."
"Still?" Sirius shook his head. Trust Jorkins to get lost on vacation –but then, hadn't Remus said that Arthur had mentioned her going missing in July?
Surely it was time to think there was foul play or, knowing the young girl
Bertha had been, a clumsy accident resulting in a hospital stay…
"Anyway, could we possibly borrow Mister Lupin?" Cornelius said shiftingfroma hint to outright desperation. Sirius sighed. "You will owe me, Cornelius." He walked over to Remus andOblansk or Bogdan as Remus was calling him. "Remus, there's been an
administrative snafu and the Minister has been left without a Bulgarian
translator. I'd be grateful if you would consent to help the Ministers for therest of the day?"
"What about Harry?" asked Remus with a frown.
"I can stick with Harry." Bill offered immediately.
"Thanks, Bill." Sirius said. His eyes hopefully conveyed the message that
Remus should take the gig; it would help with the Werewolf Legislation andmake Cornelius indebted to them.
"In that case, I would be delighted." Remus gave a short bow to Cornelius
before translating for Bogdan who broke into a wide and somewhat
Marauder-ish grin. Sirius had a feeling that whatever Remus and Bogdanwould discuss would be translated as something completely different for
Cornelius. Sirius and Harry said their goodbyes to Remus and the Ministers and Siriusled the rest of the group out of the antechamber and through the stadiumout
into the surrounding grounds. The Tonks' decided to browse the stalls withSimeon and his wife, leaving the Grangers and Minerva with Sirius and Harry.
"So where is your Dad's tent at, Bill?" Sirius asked, his wand was in his hand, his free hand on Harry's shoulder and he was already assessing the threat of
the milling populace around them.
"This way." Bill said with an easy smile. "Charlie, why don't you bring up therear with Professor McGonagall?"
Charlie nodded easily. "I can do that." Sirius approved that they all had their wands out and ready. Hermione's
parents stayed behind Sirius and Harry but Hermione moved to walk on
Harry's other side. She chattered nervously about the crowd and the colourful
banners adorning some of the tents as they made their way through a
veritable village of the things until they reached a purple and pink monstrosity. Bill grinned at their faces. "Welcome to Chez Weasley."
"Colourful," commented Sirius straight-faced. "Remind me again…are purpleand pink Bulgarian colours or Irish?"
"You guys go on in, Charlie and I will stay out and guard." Bill said after they'dall finished laughing.
"How are we all going to fit?" asked Miriam worriedly.
"Magic." Bill promised Hermione's Mum with a wink. Sirius nodded and he exchanged a serious look with the Weasley Heir toconvey the gravity of Bill's job guarding them. He sighed as he ushered Harry, the Grangers and Minerva through the open flap.
He couldn't help thinking he'd made a mistake; that they should have stayedhome. It was a slow feeling of dread sinking into his bones and putting himonedge. Can't wrap Harry in cotton wool, Sirius told himself sternly. It was goingtobeOK.
It was. o-O-o
Hermione stood speechless in the centre of what appeared to be a livingroom; her father stood next to her, open-mouthed. Her mother was whirlingabout like a mad thing.
"Look, it's bigger on the inside than on the outside!" Her mother waggledher
eyebrows at Hermione. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 278
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Mum, please!"
"Ah, you're here! Lovely to have you all!" Arthur Weasley emerged fromthekitchen – the kitchen! – and waved a frying pan at them. "I don't supposeany
of you know how to work one of these?"
"Don't look at me!" Sirius held up both hands in supplication. "I could burntheplace down." Harry grinned and gestured at the frying pan. "I'm a dab hand." Arthur beamed at him and handed him the pan. "Ron's back there too." Heheld out his hand to Miriam Granger. "Good to see you again."
"Good to see you too, Arthur, or should that be Doctor?" Hermione quickly followed Harry into the kitchen before her Mumcouldbeginexplaining Doctor Who to the wizards. Ron was poking at the stove in a desultory fashion before he noticed themand smiled, cheering up slightly. "Guys!" He looked at themhopefully. "Doeither of you know how to turn this on?"
"Move over, Ron." Harry pushed him out of the way of the appliance andwithafew checks quickly had the grill turned on and a burner lit. Sausages went
under the grill; bacon into the frying pan. Ron looked at Hermione who shrugged.
"I'm good with desserts and as a sous chef," offered Hermione, "but I've never
made breakfast before." She leaned against the small kitchen table. "Why areyou having breakfast now anyway? Didn't your Mum feed you this morning?" Ron shook his hair, the red catching the artificial light. "Dad thought it wasbetter to come last night and beat the crowds otherwise we'd have had toset
out at some horrendously early hour for a portkey. It worked out fine until all
of us got up this morning and realised that we don't know how to cook inthiskitchen and Mum didn't come!"
"I thought Ginny helped your Mum out usually." Harry said, handing themtheloaf of bread with a muttered instruction to slice it. "Where's Ginny at
anyway?"
"Celia Inglebee promised Mum to keep an eye on her. She went off first thingwith her and Lydia to do something girly!" Ron sounded totally disgustedbut
he took the breadknife and carefully started slicing rather thick slices of thehomemade bread. "And she said she wasn't cooking just because she wasthegirl!" Hermione frowned at him. "She's right; she shouldn't have to cook just
because she's female! My Mum and Dad share cooking duty. I would hopeanyone I ended up with didn't expect me to be barefoot and pregnant, chainedto kitchen sink." Harry chuckled, handing her knife and pointing her at the mushrooms. "Asif
you'd ever end up with someone like that."
Ron paused in his slicing. "My Mum stayed at home and brought us all up. There's nothing wrong with it!"
"No, there's nothing wrong with it. It's a perfectly valid choice," Hermione saidwith a sniff, "it's just not my choice!"
"Are you insulting my mother because…" Ron said heatedly, his redheadedtemper igniting because he hadn't listened to her.
"No!" declared Hermione hurriedly. "Of course I'm not insulting your mother!"
"It sounded like you were!" Ron waved the knife at her.
"Hey!" Harry intervened, tapping Ron's hand gently. "No waving sharp
implements around! Hermione wasn't insulting your Mum, Ron. Keepingahome and raising kids is an important job and if your Mumwants to do that, then that's good. But can you really see Hermione making that same choice?" Ron looked at them both slightly bewildered. "But why not?" And this, thought Hermione with a sigh, was why Ronald Weasley wouldnever
be her boyfriend any time soon.
"Hermione wants to be a Healer, Ron, remember?" Harry flicked Ron's
forehead.
"Oh! Right!" Ron said, turning back to the bread. "Why didn't you just say so?" Hermione held her tongue and counted to ten. Ron was short-temperedbecause he was hungry. If she kept being irritated by everything he said, they'dhave a rotten day and she didn't want that. She glanced over at Harry whogestured at the mushrooms.
"They're not going to chop themselves." Hermione stuck her tongue out as Harry turned deftly back to the stove. Awarming plate went under the grill when he took a moment to turn the
sausages. He moved again and a second burner was lit and he competentlymade scrambled eggs.
"By the way, thanks for the shout-out in the article, mate." Ron said happily. "They even spelled my name correctly!"
"Sirius approved it all last night after dinner." Harry stopped cooking for asecond to make a disgusted face. "I hated doing the interview."
"All three articles came out really well though, Harry." Hermione assuredhim, passing him the mushrooms.
"There were three?" inquired Ron, surprised. "We only saw Skeeter's in theProphet."
"Skeeter took the most…sensationalist approach," she darted a look to Harrywho snorted, "it was factually accurate but she led with Harry's commentsabout his parents and had the picture of him looking….well…" Skeeter had used one particular photo of Harry clearly holding back tears.
"Wimpish." Ron supplied. Harry went red and his motions as he transferred the eggs to the warmingplate along with the cooked bacon before adding tomatoes and mushroomsto the empty frying pan were stiff and sharp.
"I was going to say upset." Hermione said briskly and decided to move on. "The Quibbler took the most straightforward approach – a nice picture of
Harry and Sirius – and a question and answer approach. The International
Wizarding Herald was the most political – it's obviously got it in for Professor
Dumbledore and the British Ministry."
"So my prediction is in the international press as well?" Ron grinned. "Wicked!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 279
"Never mind the article," Harry said suddenly, obviously deciding a changeof
subject was in order which given he hated publicity Hermione wasn't surprised, "something happened last night that I have to tell you guys." Hermione and Ron immediately inched closer to their friend and exchangedahopeful look. They knew there were things Harry wasn't telling thembothandthey understood to some degree, but he'd always told themand it had alwaysbeen the three of them on their adventures, and it hurt that he was keepingsecrets. He grinned at them. "I tried an animagus meditation last night!" Hermione's mouth dropped open. "No!"
"Yes!" Harry continued to grin. "And I saw my form!"
"Blimey, Harry!" Ron muttered, slumping back against the table. "I didn't evenknow you wanted to be an animagus!" Harry gestured at him. "I convinced Sirius to let me try because I want tobethere for Remus and he only agreed if Aunt Minerva agreed so…I've only just
started. But I was thinking…" his green eyes met theirs tentatively, "I was
thinking we could all do it? I mean, it's a good defence if you do come acrossa werewolf and it gives you a useful way out if you're in a sticky situation."
"I'd love to!" Hermione said immediately. She was sure her parents wouldagree especially if Professor McGonagall was on board.
"I don't know," Ron said uncertainly, gesturing with the knife, "I mean, youhaveto be a powerful wizard to become an animagus and I don't think I…you knowTransfiguration's not exactly my subject."
"Nonsense, Ron!" Hermione said as Harry plucked the knife fromRon's handsand placed it safely on the table, muttering something about it taking aneyeout.
"If the rat can do it, you can." Harry said firmly. Ron brightened, apparently not bothered by the comparison to Pettigrewalthough Hermione suspected if she'd made the comment, he'd have erupted.
"So, what's your form?" asked Ron eagerly.
"Yes," echoed Hermione, desperate to know, "did you really see your form?
What was it?" Harry took a moment to check the food before turning back to them. "Youcan't tell anyone ever. Sirius wants me to keep it a secret."
They both nodded in understanding. He broke into another smile that lit up his whole face. "A raven."
"A raven?" Hermione immediately ran through the attributes of a raven inher
head and wondered at how apt a form it was for Harry. "That's wonderful!"
"It is?" Ron asked. Hermione kicked him and then glared at him for good measure.
"I mean, it is." Ron hastened to say.
"You'll be able to fly!" Hermione said authoritatively. "And ravens are knownfor
their cleverness and problem solving, Harry." She frowned. "I've never
understood why the totem for Ravenclaw was an eagle when a raven wouldhave been better."
"But Harry's a lion! A Gryffindor!" Ron protested. He picked up a slice of breadand started munching on it. "Why would he be a raven?"
"Hey, standing right here!" Harry pointed out. He checked on the sausagesandturned the mushrooms and tomatoes.
"Sorry, mate." Ron said insincerely. "Just…I get the flying but a raven's not alion. I want to be something big and powerful."
"And totally useless." Hermione pointed out exasperated with him. "Aravencan fly anywhere undetected. It can spy easily. It can get in and out of placesquickly. It's a great form!"
"A lion is a better form!" argued Ron. "It can take down a man and scare anyattackers!"
"I wanted a flying form." Harry interjected before Hermione could continuetheargument. "And I've chosen the form now so that's that. No lion for me, Ron, so you can be the lion." Ron smiled happily. "Maybe I will, mate." Hermione refrained from rolling her eyes.
"This is about ready." Harry said, dishing up the tomatoes and mushrooms. "The sausages just need another few minutes."
"I can't believe you found your form so quickly." Hermione praised him, foldingher arms. "It's supposed to be quite hard to reach the meditative state
required."
"Meditation?" Ron's face dropped. "I'm screwed then."
"Or there's a potion." Hermione informed him crisply. "But you don't get tochoose your form with the potion. You turn into your form– whichever onebest suits your personality at that point in time. The meditation techniqueissupposed to give you more options but it is more difficult." She wonderedat
what the other forms Harry might have had. Harry shrugged and smiled again softly. "I think I only achieved the meditationthanks to Luna. She kind of showed me the way."
"Luna?" Hermione asked, frowning.
"Luna Lovegood." Harry said, moving back to the stove to get the sausagesfrom under the grill.
"You don't mean Looney?" Ron spluttered around a mouthful of bread.
"Oy!" Harry waved a spatula at Ron. "She has a name! Anyway, this is done. Why don't you go get your brothers and your Dad?"
Ron heaved a self-suffering sigh and left the kitchen, Of course, the Lovegoods owned The Quibbler and Luna must have
accompanied her father, Hermione thought slightly miserable at howhappyHarry had seemed in mentioning the other girl. She tried to remember what
Luna looked like and came up with blonde and pretty but not conventionallypretty, prettier than Hermione since she didn't have awfully big front teethandbushy uncontrollable hair. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 280
She bit her lip and rubbed her arms. Hadn't she decided she wasn't going to do this? She wasn't going to crushonHarry or think about him as a potential boyfriend. She wasn't. Even if Harry would make a great boyfriend. Even if Harry was very sweet with her. Even if she might possibly want Harry as a boyfriend. The plastic kitchen door slapped against the plastic wall and the Weasley
twins barrelled in along with Ron.
"Harry, Dad says can you put a plate together for Bill and Charlie and him?" Ron said sitting down at the table. Hermione scowled. She had a feeling Ron had probably been asked andit wasso like him to push the task off onto someone else. She opened her mouthtoargue, caught Harry's eye and his silent message not to say anything andsubsided with a huff.
"What about Percy?" asked Harry.
"He's off doing Ministry stuff." Ron shrugged unconcerned.
"This is great, Harry." Fred said.
"You'll make someone a lovely wife." George agreed. Harry whacked George with the back of a wooden spoon.
"Ow!" George exclaimed, rubbing his upper arm where Harry had landedtheblow with an exaggerated pout.
"He's got the Mum thing down too!" Fred pointed out and dodged when Harrythreatened him with the spoon next. Hermione couldn't help giggling at the good-natured teasing and Harry's
pleasure at the underlying praise.
"You guys took a look around outside?" Harry asked as he put breakfast
sandwiches together for Arthur, Bill and Charlie.
"Yeah, it's mad out there!" Fred exclaimed. "You'll never guess who we raninto?Bagman!"
"He was taking bets." George confided. Hermione frowned at their twin expressions of glee. "Oh, you didn't?"
"Didn't what?" asked Ron, scooping up more mushrooms since Harry hadfinished with the serving spoon.
"Bet." Hermione said succinctly. She turned to look at the twins. "What wouldyour Mum say?"
"I reckon she'd be talking with the wooden spoon." Fred admitted.
George nodded. "But…she's not here…"
"And we need money…"
"For the joke shop."
It was Harry's turn to frown at them. "I thought Remus said we'd invest if yougot your NEWTs." Fred and George looked to each other before they turned back to Harry.
"We just want…"
"To put in our own share and…"
"Do our bit." Harry sighed but nodded in the face of their unwavering conviction. He raisedthe plate he held. "I'd better take this out before it gets cold."
"It's a good thing you wanting to contribute," Hermione began lecturing themas Harry disappeared into the front room, "but really betting?"
"You have to risk something…"
"If you want something." Fred concluded.
"Mum is going to freak." Ron pointed out, stabbing another sausage.
"Which is why nobody…"
"Is going to tell her." The twins looked hard at their younger brother. Ron swallowed and gestured at his brothers. "I'm not going to tell her but she'll
still know. She's Mum." Hermione's response was forgotten as Ginny and Lydia Inglebee entered. Their faces were painted in motifs symbolising Ireland; Ginny had gone for afairly sedate green four leaf clover on her left cheek while Lydia had a
sparkling rainbow arching into a small heap of glittering gold galleons. Hermione's eyebrows rose.
"Ooh, breakfast!" Lydia said, hurrying over to the table.
"Oy, get your own!" Ron complained. "Harry made this for us!"
"Harry made this?" Lydia giggled and nudged Ginny. "Isn't he awesome? Hecan cook!"
"Awesome!" Fred and George parroted, batting their eyelashes in unisonasthey mocked the girls.