Chapter 10- Mess with the press

The family of three came out of the pet store with a snowy owl that apparently had been in there for a long time. Harry didn’t understand why because she was beautiful and feisty, meaning she would blend right in his family. They went to Flourish and Blotts were they found an enormous crowd. Pushing their way inside Sirius saw the familiar sea of red hair and asked.

“What’s going on here?”

“Gilderoy Lockhart is signing his autobiography,” Arthur answered mildly annoyed and Sirius groaned.

“Not Lockhart.”

“Do you know him dad?” Harry asked.

“Yes,” Remus answered for his friend, “He’s a pompous git a couple of years older than us. He was a Hufflepuff and was already seeking fame in school. Tried to claim a few of the Marauder’s pranks for himself. James was not happy and suffice it to say that Lockhart found himself victim of those same pranks.”

Harry looked at his book list and said with a frown, “We need his whole set of books.”

“Oh, great!” Sirius grunted, “I bet the new teacher is some love sick witch.”

“You don’t know who the new teacher is?” Arthur asked.

Sirius shook his head, “No, I haven’t talked to Albus since I left Hogwarts and he hadn’t had one yet then.”

“Harry give me your list,” Remus said, “I’ll try to get your books as fast as possible so we can leave.”

Arthur looked grim and said, “No use. I already tried. The clerks are all busy with the signing. I was only able to get the ones I got second hand because that part of the store is separate.”

And true to what Arthur said, Harry noticed Ginny holding a cauldron with a set of used books inside. He went to join his friends and heard Hermione say:

“Do you think he’ll sign our books? He wrote our whole Defense set.”

Harry bit back a laugh and almost lost it when he saw that Ginny and Ron were doing the same. The crowd started pushing even more and as much as they tried to stay together the people just kept separating them. Suddenly Harry and Neville were in the front row of the crowd that was facing a desk full of books called “Magical Me”. They turned around and tried craning their necks to find the others.

“Do you see the others?” Neville asked.

“No. I think they are in the back. My dad isn’t going to be happy when he doesn’t find me,” Harry fretted.

“Your dad?! You’re worried about him? My Gran will skin me. She told me to stay close all the time. She was right next to us talking to Mrs. Weasley about Lockhart,” Neville said agitated then pulled a face, “It was quite disturbing.”

Harry grimaced in sympathy. He was distracted from disturbing thoughts by almost getting slapped in the face when the people that were in front of him started clapping. He turned back to see and what they were cheering and found a blond man wearing robes of forget-me-not blue winking and flashing dazzling white teeth to the crowd.  A photographer dancing around him was taking pictures. When he was turning his face for the pictures Lockhart spotted Harry and shouted.

“It can’t be. Harry Potter!”

He pulled Harry to the front and started shaking his hand for the photographer. Harry fought to get away, but Lockhart had a firm grasp on his shoulder and said through his smiling teeth.

“Nice big smile Harry. Together we’ll make the front page.”

But Harry wasn’t smiling. He was squirming and from behind he could fell Neville trying to swat Lockhart’s arm away.

“I’d let me go if I was you. This won’t be good for your health,” Harry growled.

“Nonsense Harry. Everyone likes publicity,” he said from the corner of his mouth then he turned louder to the crowd, “When young Harry stepped into Flourish and Blotts to buy my autobiography “Magical Me”- which I shall present to him free of charge- he had no idea he would shortly be getting much more than my book, -“ the crowd applauded again and Harry heard a yell of “Geroff my son!” getting closer. Someone was going to get in trouble! “In fact, he and his fellow students will be getting the real magical me. Yes, yes, Ladies and Gentlemen, I have proudly accepted the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.”

“WHAT?” came a horrified yell that Harry knew so well. His dad had a look of shock and revultion just a couple of rows away from them.

“Yes, yes sir. I accepted the task of imparting my supreme knowledge on the field to our children and young Harry here will get to experience what it is to learn from the best. Yes, please, more photos.”

Harry didn’t know if it was the words “supreme knowledge”, saying he was “the best” or asking for photos but Lockhart managed to get Sirius even more furious and in a second Sirius did what Neville hadn’t managed. He parted the crowd and hauled Lockhart off Harry yelling:

“Unhand my son NOW!” he grabbed the photographer’s camera and hissed:

“If I see a single picture of Harry in the Prophet I’ll sue you and your newspaper for all you have to the last Knut.”

The photographer gulped and vanished before Sirius could take away his camera. Lockhart, who apparently did not know when to shut up, started talking to Sirius.

“Now, now sir. There is no need to get so testy. There is nothing wrong with young Harry being introduced to a little publicity by someone that is more experienced such as myself.”

Sirius eyes narrowed and refused to think what his younger self would have interpreted from such a sentence. Lockhart may be vain, but Sirius dearly hoped for his own sake that he wouldn’t be that stupid and sick. He hissed.

“If what you say is true and we will have to contend with you at the school you better stay away from my son. Do I make my self clear?”

“Who’s your son?” Lockhart asked and Harry slapped his forehead still being held close to his father.

“Sir, Harry is,” Neville tried to help.

“Let’s go,” Sirius barked and led Harry and Neville through the crowd back to their group leaving a flabbergasted Lockhart behind. Harry and Neville joined Ron, Hermione and Ginny at the front of the store where Ginny asked:

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, just ruffled. I hope Lockhart heeds dad’s warning.”

Hermione gave Sirius who was a little further talking to the Weasleys, Remus and the Grangers a glance.

“He would be nuts not to,” she said, “He looks furious.”

“Dad doesn’t like when the press thinks they have the right to harass me,” he started explaining when a drawl, very much like the one Sirius heard in the Quidditch store, came from the stairs.

“Need your daddy to pwotect the wittle baby.”

Harry’s and Ron’s eyes narrowed and Harry hissed:

“What do you want Malfoy?”

Draco descended the stairs and towered over Harry.

“Bet you loved that little stunt. Can’t go anywhere without letting everyone know.”

“Harry doesn’t like his fame,” Ginny growled.

“Oh, the wittle Weasel is going to pwotect baby Potter now,” he sneered.

Harry was stung by this, but truth be told he was quite tempted to let Ginny have a go at Malfoy.

“Now, now Draco, move along,” came Mr. Malfoy’s drawl from behind Draco, “It wouldn’t do to be seen in such company,” he finished eyeing Hermione with disgust. Ron and Neville automatically moved in front of her.  Harry was about to retort but his dad was faster.

“Better than being seen with you Lucy.”

Lucius turned to face Sirius and Mr. Weasley. From the other side the Grangers came to their daughter’s side.

“The name is Lucius,” Mr. Malfoy hissed, “Arthur. Taking a stroll? Wouldn’t think you would have time with all those raids,” he turned to Ginny and caught one of the used books in her cauldron, “Apparently you’re doing them just for fun,” he finished eyeing the book with distaste.

“You are Arthur?” Sirius turned to him, “Should have called me. I always enjoy catching Death Eaters red handed,” he finished turning back to Mr. Malfoy.

“When we visit Malfoy Manor I’ll call you,” Mr. Weasley said smirking.

“How dare you,” Mr. Malfoy said reaching for his wand but Mr. Weasley was faster and landed a punch on his face. There was a clunk of metal as Ginny’s cauldron dropped to the floor as Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Weasley started wrestling. Sirius joined but it wasn’t clear if he was trying to pull them apart or helping Mr. Weasley. The kids were cheering Sirius and Mr. Weasley, and Mrs. Granger, Mrs. Longbottom and Mrs. Weasley were yelling for them to stop. Finally Remus and Mr. Granger managed to pull Sirius and Mr. Weasley away while one of the store clerks pulled Mr. Malfoy up.

“Gentlemen, please,” he said.

Mr. Malfoy tried to straighten his robes and his hair but you could see a bruise already forming above his left eye. He was still holding Ginny’s book and thrust it back in her cauldron saying, “Here, that’s the best your father will ever be able to afford,” then he hauled Draco out of the store.

Harry ran to his father while the Weasley kids went to theirs.

“That was brilliant dad.”

“Don’t encourage him Harry,” Remus said sternly picking up the owl’s cage that he had put on the floor, “Did you forget Malfoy is in the Hogwarts’s Board of Governors?” he finished to Sirius.

“He hasn’t been able to sack Dumbledore no matter how much he’s tried and he won’t be able to sack me,” Sirius said defensively.

“That’s no reason to start brawling in front of the children,” Mrs. Weasley said, “Honestly Arthur! And to accuse him in that way! He can create a lot of trouble for you.”

“I won’t pretend I don’t know what he is,” Mr. Weasley said indignantly. Mrs. Weasley huffed.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

“Could you repeat that again? I think I may have had something in my ears.”

“Gilderoy Lockhart is the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher,” was said very slowly.

“What possessed Albus to do that?”

“And Sirius and Arthur punched Lucius Malfoy,” came from the couch.

Sirius who was standing by the fireplace in the Black house’s drawing room sent his best friend a death glare.

“That pompous git wouldn’t know how to tell the difference between the killing curse and a cheering charm,” Severus cried from his place in front of Sirius.

“Tell me about it,” Sirius rolled his eyes.

Remus sighed and leaned forward, “Look at the bright side. At least we know he’s not in league with Voldemort. Voldemort wouldn’t want someone like him.”

He was met by two death glares this time.

“I don’t find this funny Lupin,” Severus hissed and started pacing, “Great, we have a mad house-elf that says horrible things are bound to happen this year and to counteract that Albus hires that ponce.

“To be fair, maybe Albus hired him before Dobby’s visit,” Remus tried to reason.

“No, I flooed Hogwarts as soon as I left Harry here the day after the full moon and he hadn’t hired anyone yet. That was about a fortnight ago. What was he thinking?”

Sirius scowl turned into a frown, “Any more news on the Dobby department?”

“No. I have no idea what he was talking about or who owns him,” Severus sighed and dropped on the couch next to Remus, “What about Harry?”

“What about him?” Remus asked.

“That night he had awful nightmares… but that could be because of the threat of disaster Dobby left,” Severus said.

Remus grimaced, “No, he had nightmares at the Dursley’s too. More than once I woke up to find that he had descended to my bed. They are getting better though. At the reserve he didn’t have them but that was possibly because he exhausted himself everyday, and now they are more far between. Still I found a certain mangy mutt sleeping by the foot of his bed a couple of times.”

Sirius shrugged, “I heard him trashing and when Padfoot was there he calmed down. Why not?”

“It’s expected,” Severus said, “We can’t expect him to go through what he did and come out unscratched. But he’s strong. He isn’t letting that affect the rest of his life.”

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Harry, Remus and Sirius made their way through King’s Cross. As they reached the barrier between platforms nine and ten they sighted the Weasleys going through. Only Mrs. Weasley, Ginny and Ron were left.

“There you are,” Mrs. Weasley said, “I thought you’d be already inside. We’re running late.”

“Yes,” Remus said shooting Sirius a nasty look, “Someone decided that he had to make breakfast instead of the house-elf and almost exploded the kitchen in the process.”

Sirius grinned sheepishly, “You can’t deny it was fun,” he said winking at Harry.

“Well,” Mrs. Weasley started in a disapproving tone, “we should go through. I’ll go with Ginny.”

Remus nodded as they made their way. He grabbed Ron’s trolley, “Here Ron, I’ll take your trolley and Sirius will take Harry’s so you two can pass more discreetly.”

Harry and Ron watched as both adults and trolleys went through. They started talking and walking calmly towards the barrier and when they were about to go through they were met with solid wall.

“Ow,” Ron said rubbing his nose, “That hurt.”

Harry touched the wall, “It’s closed. How is it closed? The barrier isn’t supposed to close until the parents leave.”

“Do you think they can’t come out?” Ron asked.

Harry frowned biting his lips. He kept touching the wall to see if it would budge. Ron nudged him and nodded towards a guard that was looking at them funnily. They smiled and made their way to one of the benches.

“Should we wait for them to come back?” Ron asked.

“I guess,” Harry shrugged looking at the watch that was on the wall. Eleven O’clock, “We already missed the train. The parents should be getting out then dad can Apparate us back with him.” So they decided to wait. And wait. And wait.

About half an hour of waiting later and no one coming off the barrier they were getting restless.

“Maybe they can’t get out,” Ron said, “What do we do?”

“How did you get here?” Harry asked.

“Dad’s car. You?”

“Dad’s bike. Uncle Remus Apparated with my stuff but dad had promised me that we would come in his bike. He misses it at Hogwarts and likes to milk it for everything he can.”

Ron  frowned, then sighed and frowned again, “Dad’s car is giving us trouble but maybe we could get your dad’s bike and follow the train. Do you know how to fly it?”

“Yes, I’ve seen dad do it loads of time. Never done it myself though. Shouldn’t we wait?”

“Harry! They’re trapped. We have to let someone know. We have to get to Hogwarts and let Dumbledore know. It’s the humane thing to do. It’s our duty,” he finished solemnly.

Harry nodded and said, “Yeah, you’re right. Let’s go.”

XXXXXXXXX

Sirius squirmed. He was squashed between Molly and Remus. The train was packed. The barrier had closed behind him and Moony before Harry and Ron could pass through. Of course, for security reasons, you couldn’t Apparate in or out of the platform or the train, so all the parents had to ride to Hogsmead to be able to Apparate back. He shook his leg. Harry and Ron were all alone at King’s Cross. He had managed to send Hedwig, Harry’s new owl, ahead with a message for someone to pick the boys. But who knew how long she’d take. Anything could happen. Sirius just hoped they stayed put.

XXXXXXXXXX

This wasn’t so hard. Puft, his dad was always saying Harry was too young to drive the bike. They had been flying for a few hours now. It took them a while to catch up to the train since it had more then half an hour of head start, but thanks to the bike’s speed they sighted it and had been following it ever since. Harry did have to admit he was getting a little hungry but there was no way to eat on the bike so he just kept going, Ron holding on him for dear life. Ron had never ridden the bike and it was one thing to ride a broom when you had control. It was another thing, and completely different to trust someone else to drive a huge flying motorcycle.

XXXXXXX

“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!” Molly cried.

“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.