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"What is that, Mr. Foodo? Are you saying you want another special bubble bath when we get back home?" Hecate's smile suddenly turned downright evil, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Oh, I am absolutely sure that can be arranged for you, my furry friend."
Percy chuckled as the big black dog immediately dropped its ears and whined in what sounded like pure horror and utter fear.
It quickly ran behind Harry's legs and shivered, pressing itself against him for protection. Whatever Hecate had done to Sirius during his last "bath," clearly he had not liked it one bit.
"What is going on here?" Harry asked, looking around in confusion, though he was happily scratching the big dog behind its ears. "Why is Hecate and S- I mean, Foodo here?"
Professor Sprout smiled warmly at him. "Well, you see, Mr. Potter, it is a long-standing tradition. Before the third and final task of the Triwizard Tournament, the champions are allowed to meet with their beloved family members for support and encouragement!"
"It is mostly because if they happen to die a horrible, painful death in the task, at least they can do so knowing they had their parents' blessing!" Hecate supplied cheerfully, ever the pragmatist.
"Ms. Blackfyre!" Professor McGonagall gasped, looking scandalized by Hecate's bluntness.
"What? The kid needs to know these kinds of important things," Hecate just shrugged, unconcerned. "But do not worry your little head about it, Harry dear. I am sure you will not die," she ended with a conspiratorial wink.
"What about me?" Percy asked his aunt in a teasing tone, pretending to be offended.
"Oh, please, nephew," Hecate chuckled dismissively. "If Kro- I mean, if that crazy old Titan Lord Kronos could not manage to kill you, then absolutely no one else in this silly tournament can."
Harry smiled, looking genuinely touched by the gesture. "This is... this is amazing. Thank you so much," he said, bending down to scratch behind Foodo's ear again, making the dog thump its tail happily on the floor.
"What are you talking about, Mr. Potter?" Professor McGonagall asked, looking a bit confused.
"You know... for bringing Hecate and Foodo here to see me," Harry explained, pointing at the happy dog who barked loudly and playfully in agreement.
"I must admit, I was not aware you were so particularly close to them," Professor Sprout said, her eyes wide with surprise.
Harry just shrugged, a small smile on his face. "Well, Hecate is kind of like a crazy, fun aunt to me. And Foodo... well, technically, he is my dog now. Percy was just taking care of him for me for a while."
"Woof!" Foodo barked again, confirming Harry's statement.
"Well, that is very nice, dear," Professor McGonagall said, a rare, soft smile gracing her lips. "But actually, Mr. Potter, we invited someone else here for you today as well."
"Really? Who?" Harry asked, looking genuinely surprised.
Just then, the door to the inner chamber opened up again, and two redheads walked in.
One of them Percy immediately recognized it was Bill Weasley, Fred and George's oldest, cool brother. The other was a plump, kind-faced woman with dull brown robes and a charming, warm smile.
"Mrs. Weasley?" Harry asked, his voice filled with utter surprise and delight.
"Harry, dear! Oh, it is so good to see you again!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed, her face beaming.
She immediately rushed forward and enveloped Harry in a bone-crushing bear hug that seemed to momentarily shatter a couple of his ribs.
"How are you, dear boy? Are you eating enough? You look a bit thin!"
As Harry quickly started answering all of Mrs. Weasley's motherly questions, Bill Weasley approached Percy with a friendly smile, extending his hand. "Hello there, other Percy," he greeted him. "Long time no see, mate."
Percy smiled back, shaking Bill's hand firmly. "Indeed it is, Bill. It is good to see you. How have you been? Is Egypt still giving you trouble with all those ancient curses?" Percy knew Bill was a professional curse-breaker for Gringotts Wizarding Bank, a very cool and dangerous profession.
Percy was sure he could probably do well in a job like that himself, given his own experiences, but he honestly did not want to willingly jump into life-threatening danger every single day as part of his office routine. He fully planned on making it to his thirties, at least.
"It is fine, mostly," Bill nodded, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "We actually uncovered a very interesting, previously unknown tomb just the other day. Some old king with no recorded name, very mysterious." The older man smiled, then his eyes seemed to wander over Percy's shoulder and landed directly on Fleur, who was still talking with her family.
Percy turned and noticed the veela looking back at Bill with slightly frowning, appraising eyes. When she noticed Percy was also looking at her, she immediately blushed a pretty shade of pink and quickly turned away, pretending to be absorbed in her conversation with her mother again.
"Now, that is one fine bird," Bill whistled under his breath, clearly impressed by Fleur's beauty.
Percy slowly turned back to face the older Weasley brother and raised a single, very unimpressed eyebrow. "Bill," he said, his voice flat and devoid of humor, "that is my girlfriend."
Bill blinked, his confident smirk vanishing instantly. "Ah... right. Sorry about that, mate."
Percy just sighed. "Horny bastard," he muttered under his breath. "Why do not you just go get your own girlfriend?"
Bill chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "Believe me, Percy, I am trying my best."
"Excuse me?! Who in the bloody hell do you think you are?!" Percy suddenly heard someone scream angrily from across the room.
Bill rolled his eyes and muttered, "Oh, not again," under his breath.
They both turned around and saw Hecate standing protectively between Mrs. Weasley and Harry, looking very, very pissed off. Mrs. Weasley looked equally furious.
"I am no one of importance, madam," Hecate said, her voice dangerously calm, but her eyes were narrowed into slits, a look that Percy recognized as Hecate's "seriously pissed off" face.
That usually meant she was just moments away from blowing something, or someone, up. "I am just someone who has a very keen and personal interest in young Harry's general welfare and happiness."
"How dare you even imply that I am trying to replace his dear, departed mother! How dare you, you... you overdressed harlot!" Mrs. Weasley shrieked, her face purple with rage.
Hecate just rolled her eyes dismissively. "Honestly, woman, try to think of another original sentence for a change, why do you not? And, besides," she added, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "am I actually wrong in my assessment?"
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If you want to read ahead by 20+ chapters you could take a visit on my patreon Or check it out.
http://patreon.com/SageOf016