Chapter 10- Mess with the press

 “No way!” came from right next to him. Sirius looked at his friend who was looking out the window with his mouth hanging open.

“What?” he leaned forward to see and was promptly shocked out of words.

“They didn’t!”

“What’s going on,” came Molly’s voice and almost everyone in the crowded compartment looked out of the window.

“I am going to kill them!” came Molly’s cry.

“Wicked!” one of the twins said. None of the occupants of the compartment could take away their eyes from the huge motorcycle that was flying on the skies and had just started going up again to hide in the clouds.

Chapter 11-  There’s always a Howler

Touchdown! Harry was very proud. They managed to fly all the way to Hogwarts with no incidents whatsoever. They parked the bike next to Hagrid’s Hut and went to the castle. The others would probably be getting out of the train now. They went up the stairs chatting happily and not paying attention to where they were going when they bumped into three very rigid people. Harry gulped.

“Hum, hi,” he said shyly.

“So,” a sneer answered, “Famous Harry Potter thought he’d make quite an entrance.”

“Now, now Severus. I am sure they have a good reason for breaching the Decree for Secrecy and flying a motorcycle all over the country,” Dumbledore said calmly. Harry and Ron gulped again.

“The barrier was blocked,” Harry said quickly.

“We know,” McGonagall said sternly.

“Yes, so we had to let you know,” Ron started then, “You know?” he finished with a quiver.

“Professor Black sent an owl letting us know and asking for someone to fetch you two. Imagine my surprise when I got another message, incidentally after I had already sent Severus on his way, telling me you had been sighted following the train.”

Both boys gulped again. Oh, oh!

“Now, why don’t we go to Minerva’s office so we can discuss your punishment while we wait for your parents,” Dumbledore said as if he was inviting them for tea.

“My parents?” Ron squeaked.

“Yes Mr. Weasley,” McGonagall said shortly, pursing her lips, “All the parents had to board the Express because the barrier was blocked from the other side as well. I expect yours will decide to come up to the castle.”

Humongous Oh, Oh!

XXXXXX

“Of all the foolish things to do!” Molly was yelling. Arthur was trying to calm her with “Molly dear,” but it didn’t seem to be working. “You were lucky no Muggles saw you or else Sirius would be in real trouble. If you so much as put a toe out of line again Ronald Weasley we will withdraw you from Hogwarts before you can even think to blink!”

Ron was dutifully nodding and looking downcast. Harry, for good measure was doing the same. They had gotten a detention each from McGonagall and only very quick thinking on Harry’s part saved them from loosing points.

“I can’t fathom what could have gone through your minds to try to do something like that,” Sirius said sternly, and when Molly wasn’t looking he whispered, “Was it hard to drive? Did you get the hang of it okay? I mean. -completely irresponsible!” he finished louder.

XXXXXXXX

Sirius looked up and saw a familiar owl making its way through the Great Hall to the teacher’s table. It stopped right in front of him and dropped a red envelope. He thought of making a run for it but he knew he wouldn’t have time. So, with trembling fingers he opened it and the Hall was filled with Andromeda Tonks’s voice.

“SIRIUS ORION BLACK! I TOLD YOU DIDN’T I? BUT NO, YOU HAD TO GO AND SHOW THE POOR BOY HOW TO DRIVE THAT RETCHED THING ALL OVER THE COUNTRY! ENCOURAGE HIM WITH YOUR RECKLESS BEHAVIOR! WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE CLEARING THE BLACK NAME NOT BESMIRCHING IT MORE! YOU ARE AN ADULT! A TEACHER! START BEHAVING LIKE ONE!”

The older students were quite acquainted with Andromeda’s voice since her only daughter had just graduated from Hogwarts two years before. It had been common back then to see their teacher receiving Howlers any time young Nymphadora was caught in some big mischief, usually accompanied by Charlie Weasley, her best friend, and her younger cousin. Andromeda had always been sure that whenever her little angels misbehaved it was all her cousin’s doing, so he was the one that got the Howlers.

The envelope burst into flames and curled into ashes. The Hall was silent. With all the dignity he could muster, Sirius nodded to everyone and got up. On his way out he smacked his laughing best friend over the head.

XXXXXXX

Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville said goodbye to Ginny and proceeded to their first class, Herbology, with the Hufflepuffs.

“Who sent that Howler?” Hermione asked.

“Aunt Andy. She’s my dad’s favorite cousin. Which considering who her sisters are isn’t a difficult feat.”

“Who are they?”

“Malfoy’s mum, Narcissa, who is stuck up just like her son. The other is Bellatrix Lestrange, Voldemort’s most loyal and deranged Death Eater. She’s in Azkaban for life,” he answered and shot Neville an apologetic look. He wasn’t about to tell them why unless Neville wanted him to.

“So, that’s what she meant by clearing the Black name,” Hermione said.

“The Blacks have a long reputation of being a Dark family. Even before You-Know-Who,” Ron explained.

“Yeah, it’s a sore subject to dad because he ran away from all that. But his brother didn’t and when he figured out what a load of bull it all was, it was to late. He had become a Death Eater and ended up being killed because he deserted. Dad doesn’t know exactly how but he kind of feels guilty for leaving. He doesn’t say it but I know he thinks that maybe he could have prevented it. Lead Uncle Regulus to the other side.”

Hermione nodded. Harry continued.

“Even after Voldemort’s defeat, dad didn’t talk to his parents. His dad died shortly after Regulus and his mum died when I was four. I only met her portrait. She actually likes me. I think she hopes I can keep the Noble House of Black’s blood going on now that Regulus died.”

“But you are not a Black. I mean, by blood,” she added hastily at Harry’s glare.

“Yes, I am. Firstly because I think my first dad James and dad are distantly related but mostly because dad adopted me magically too.”

“What’s that?” she asked.

“Magical adoption involves a blood bond,” Neville explained, “There is a ritual that is done and blood of both the child and parent is shared making the child share the blood of the adoptive parent. It kinds of adds a parent so Harry now is the son of James and Lily Potter and Sirius Black by blood too.”

“And Remus Lupin,” Harry added. At the other’s looks he explained, “Dad was afraid that if something happened to him the Ministry wouldn’t let me stay with Uncle Moony so when he performed the adoption ritual Uncle Moony did too. So even though he didn’t adopt me legally, he did magically and dad named him my guardian in case something happens to him. He is hoping that with both the magical will and magical adoption he can bypass bigotry.”

Hermione was about to ask another question when Ron shushed her.

“Lockhart,” he said.

Lockhart was walking to the castle that they had just exited. Harry saw the greenhouse where they were headed. There was no way of bypassing Lockhart. He hoped he would ignore them. No such luck.

“Harry, oh young Harry. A word if you please.”

“I don’t,” Harry answered. Hermione gave him a glare. The other two boys snickered but Lockhart ignored them.

“Yes, yes, come with me.”

“I have class sir.”

“Oh, I am sure you can be late. You three tell your teacher where Harry is. Go, scoot.”

Ron and Neville gave Harry pitying looks and followed Hermione to the greenhouse.

“Didn’t my dad tell you to leave me alone?”

“Oh, funny man, Sirius. I am sure he didn’t mean it.”

“I am sure he did.”

“Harry, Harry, Harry.” Lockhart said shaking his head, “I heard- well, of course, it was all my fault. Could have kicked myself. Flying a motorcycle to Hogwarts, Harry. That is not the way, no, no, no. I gave you the bug didn’t I? One time on the front page and you couldn’t wait for more right?”

“Uh, no!” Harry thought. Especially not after his dad’s reaction when the Prophet arrived that morning. Harry was sure the editor of the Daily Prophet would never forget Sirius Black’s Howler. Aunt Andy’s was a nice whisper compared to it.

“It’s completely natural to want more but that is not the way to get noticed. Just calm down. Plenty of time when you’re older. Yes, I know what you’re-“

“Hum, hum,” someone cleared their throat from behind Lockhart. Lockhart turned and Harry grinned.

“Gilderoy. I was under the impression Harry had Herbology now,” the man standing there said in his ever pleasant tone.

“Oh, yes, yes,” Lockhart said a little flustered, “I was just having a word with young Harry, Remus.”

Remus nodded and said, “Well, I think young Harry should go to class or else Sirius may want to know why he missed it. And we wouldn’t want that now, would we?”

Lockhart paled at the thought and turned,” Yes, yes, Harry, scoot. Hurry to class,” he said in a way that had Harry scowling.

Like I was the one that wanted to chat!

XXXXXXXXXXX

“So he was bothering Harry now was he?” Sirius scowled in the staff room.

“I just think he wanted to get on Harry’s good side. You know, get more publicity by being The Boy Who Lived’s mentor. The problem is that Harry doesn’t like publicity and Lockhart is going the wrong way. You have nothing to worry about,” Remus said from one of the couches.

“With that ponce? We all have a lot to worry about,” Severus cried from his chair and Flitwick nodded.

“Can you believe he wanted to show me how to properly produce the Patronus Charm that I have to teach my sixth years,” he huffed, “The nerve. I was his teacher!”

XXXXXXXXX

The teachers weren’t the only ones aggravated by Lockhart. There wasn’t a boy in Hogwarts that wasn’t thinking of him as a pompous ponce. Especially after he had given his students quizzes with personal questions about his likes and dislikes instead of anything involving Defense Against The Dark Arts. Mysteriously, according to Harry, none of the girls seemed to share their views. Not even Hermione.

Then there was the other reason Harry was aggravated: Colin Creevey. He was a very excitable Muggle-born first year that was apparently in awe of Harry. Deep down Harry knew the boy was just overwhelmed with everything pertaining to magic, but Harry had always hated his fame. He hated being famous for living when his parents hadn’t. Like he was better than them when Harry knew that it had been his mother that saved him. It wasn’t anything he’d done. But no one saw it that way. They hailed him instead of his mum and Harry felt that was wrong.

And Colin asking for a signed photo was just too much. To add insult to injury, Malfoy showed up and had to make fun of him, causing Lockhart to hear him and give Harry another popularity lesson after he had them both pose for Colin. Ugh! He was really in a bad mood and his laughing father was not helping.

“Dad, I came here for you to side with me, not laugh at me.”

“Sorry,” Sirius said from his office desk wiping tears off his face, “But did he really let loose a bunch of Cornish pixies?”

“Yeah,” Harry chuckled, “And then he ran, leaving me, Ron, Hermione and Neville to round them up. Git.”

Sirius sobered up and said, “I’ll have another chat with him. If he annoys you again let me know.”

Harry smiled and hugged him, “Thanks dad. Love you.”

“Love you too,” Sirius said kissing Harry’s head.

XXXXXXXXX

The staff room was full. All teachers, even Trewlaney, were there when Sirius entered and politely said.

“Gilderoy, I was under the impression that English was your first language.”

Lockhart paled and fumbled, “Excuse me?”

“Well, considering that I thought I was quite clear when I told you to leave my son alone and you didn’t understand, I was wondering if maybe you don’t understand English. So I will explain slowly: You are not to address my son about any non-school related matters. You are not to take pictures with him and you are certainly not to pull him away from his friends for little chats. Was I clear now?” he finished towering Lockhart, who was shorter than him. With each word he had taken a step closer and now Lockhart could feel his breath.

If someone had paid attention they would have noticed that Sirius had quite effectively imitated the Potions Master’s style. Lockhart gulped and nodded.

“Good,” Sirius said, turning and stalking to the seat next to Remus, who gave him an approving smile. Dumbledore cleared his throat and asked, “I expect the first day of classes went well?” A murmur of agreement ran through the room, “And you Remus, has any student approached you?”

“No, but I don’t expect any to until a few weeks into the school year. Besides, having a tutor available to students in need of help is new for all of them.”

“That was an excellent idea Albus,” Sprout said, “Many students aren’t comfortable coming to us with work that they are having trouble with. Having a neutral party to ask for help should have been done sooner.”

”Remus was available only now,” he said pleasantly.

XXXXXXXXXXX

On this particular Saturday morning the majority of the Gryffindor team was not in a good mood. The only exited member was Oliver Wood who had woken all the members of the team at the crack of dawn for practice, then proceeded to explain tactics with diagrams and long speeches to explain each diagram. By the time they arrived at the pitch for the actual practice the sun was already properly up and Harry saw Ron, Neville, Hermione and Colin sitting on the stands. Harry noticed Ginny wasn’t there and frowned. Maybe she was hanging with her first year friends. Lately Ginny hadn’t been hanging with them like she used to before.

He mounted his broom and kicked off. They were about to start when George groaned.

“What?” Katie Bell asked.

“Look who’s here,” George pointed to several people in green robes approaching the pitch. The team descended and Oliver stalked over to Marcus Flint, the Slytherin team’s captain.

“Flint!” he bellowed, “I booked this pitch for practice. You have no business here.”

“Ah, but I do,” said Flint unrolling a scroll of parchment, “We have special permission.”

Wood took the parchment and Harry read over his shoulder recognizing his Uncle’s writing.

I, Professor S. Snape, give the Slytherin team permission to practice today on the Quidditch pitch, owing to the need to train their new seeker.

“You’ve got a new seeker?” Wood asked.

Harry eyed Malfoy for the first time and said annoyed, “Yeah, my dad told me Malfoy is in the team. Forgot to mention.”

Wood eyed Malfoy distastefully. Harry could see Ron, Neville and Hermione coming to where they were.

“What’s going on?” Ron asked, “What are they doing here?” he said giving Malfoy a nasty look.

“We’re here to train,” Malfoy sneered, “We need to get used to our new state of the art brooms.” He finished and for the first time the Gryffindor team notice the highly polished Nimbus Two Thousand and Ones the Slytherin team was carrying.

“At least no one in the Gryffindor team had to buy their way in,” Hermione snorted, “They got in on pure talent.”

The smug look on Malfoys face was replaced by a furious look.

“No one asked your opinion you filthy little Mudblood!”

There was a collective intake of breath and before anyone could act Ron had punched Malfoy and was on the floor wrestling with him. Flint tried to pry Ron off Malfoy but Fred and George held him back.

Alicia Spinnet cried “How dare you!” and Harry was keeping Hermione back who was calling for Ron to stop.

“He deserves it Hermione,” he said.

Finally the fight stopped when Hagrid, having seen the commotion, approached and separated the two boys, easily holding one in each hand.

“You broke my wand!” Ron cried angrily to Malfoy and Harry saw his wand almost snapped in two, being held by a  few splinters and the unicorn hair.

“Now, you both stop with that,” Hagrid bellowed, “Unless yeh want a detention.”

“He attacked me,” Malfoy cried.

“He called Hermione a Mudblood,” Angelina Johnson cried.

Hagrid’s eyes narrowed, “If you want Malfoy I can take the two of yeh to McGonagall and Snape and see what they want ter do bout both accounts.”

Malfoy scowled but said nothing. He turned to his team and joined them. Flint eyed Wood and said.

“The pitch if you please.”

Wood scowled but motioned the others to leave. Harry saw Flint shoot him an apologetic look. Marcus was a friend of Harry’s but he needed to survive in Slytherin, and to do that he couldn’t antagonize Malfoy.

Hagrid took Harry, Ron, Neville and Hermione to his hut where he served them some hot chocolate and they explained to Hermione why the word Mudblood was such an insult. Ron was trying to put his wand back together with some spellotape but it wasn’t working properly.

“Owl home and ask your parents for another one,” Hermione said.

“Are you crazy? Do you want to see me dead?” Ron cried, “Mum will kill me if she finds out I’ve been fighting.”

XXXXXXXXXXX

Harry ran as fast as he could. He passed corridors and secret passages. He didn’t pay attention to the portraits scolding him. His mind was reeling. He barked the password:

“I solemnly swear I am up to no good”.

He entered the living room and looked frantically inside. Remus was seated at the table in the middle with some books open and looked up.

“Harry what-“

“Where’s dad, Uncle Moony?” Harry asked nervously. Remus put his book down and came to the shaking boy. He guided him to an armchair and sat on the coffee table in front of it.

“He’s patrolling tonight. Probably near the North Tower. You know how he enjoys scaring Sybill,” he chuckled but Harry did not laugh. This wasn’t good. “What happened?”

Harry looked nervous and his eyes darted everywhere then in a whisper he said, “I’m going mental Uncle Moony.”

Remus blanched, “What?”

“I’m hearing voices,” he answered, “I was in detention with Lockhart and I heard a voice that he didn’t hear. I belong in St. Mungo’s!” he finished flustered.

“Calm down,” Remus tried to soothe him, “Let’s try to reason this and find out where that voice came from before we get you a room with padded walls. What did the voice say?”

“Come… Come to me… Let me rip you…let me tear you.. let me kill you.”

Remus paled. Harry was still shaking and he tried to calm him, “Are you sure there wasn’t anyone there? Maybe someone was trying to prank you. Maybe one of the ghosts or Peeves.”

Harry shook his head, “I know Peeves and all the ghosts’ voices. And Lockhart didn’t hear anything.”

Remus bit his lip. Harry was watching him and he had to think quickly, “Look Harry. I’ll look into this but I don’t want you to worry. This was probably just a prank, okay?”

Harry nodded very unsure.