Fleur Delacour was hanging out with her friends in Hogsmeade as
she kept an eye on Harry Potter. He had just entered one of the
high-society shops in Hogsmeade called Twilfit and Tattings along
with that younger boy he had referred to as his brother. Telling her
friends that she would meet them later, Fleur entered the shop too
and could immediately realise why it was not as crowded as the rest
of the village. This shop was meant for the elite. She kept browsing
through some of the clothes while keeping an eye on Harry. She was
here to ask him something important and finally had the privacy to do
so.
"If it isn't Lord Potter," said Mr Twilfit with a broad smile.
"Congratulations on your emancipation, Harry. I watched you during
the First Task of the tournament, and if I may say so, you were
brilliant. How may I help you today?"
"Hello, Jacen. We're here to buy dress robes for my brother," said
Harry, a small smile forming on his lips as he nodded to the young
man.
Jacen Twilfit was in his early twenties and was the son of the owner
of Twilfit and Tattings. Jacen managed the Hogsmeade branch of the
company while his parents operated the shop at Diagon Alley.
Having interacted with the Boy-Who-Lived over the past few years,
he had taken a liking to Harry, which was why the two were on a first
name basis.
"It's a please to finally meet you, Mr Lestrange," said Mr Jacen Twilfit
formally, shaking the boy's hand. "Now, what material are you
looking for? The usual, Harry?"
"Yes. Acromantula silk would do perfectly. What colours do you
recommend if his date is dressed in purple?"
"Charcoal Grey would do," said Mr Twilfit as he flicked his wand,
causing a mannequin to appear, wearing similar coloured dress
robes. "I would recommend a light purple shirt and a dark purple tie.
Do you want a long tie or a bow tie?"
Harry looked at Dylan with raised eyebrows. "What do you think?"
"I have never seen you wear a bow tie before," said Dylan, looking at
the mannequin curiously.
"That's because I don't like it," Harry shrugged. "I prefer a long tie.
Let's see which suits you best and we'll go with that."
Mr Twilfit again flicked his wand at the mannequin and Dylan
frowned when he saw the bow tie. "No, you're right. I think I'll go with
the long tie," he said as he observed the other one.
"I think this design is too simple, Jacen," observed Harry. "Add a vest
to it, will you?"
Mr Twilfit caught on to Harry's idea. The shirt changed to white in
colour and a purple vest appeared, with a tie of the same colour. The
trousers and expertly styled robe changed to dark charcoal grey.
"Cool," said Dylan, looking impressed.
"I like it too," said Harry, nodding in appreciation. "Now, how do we
make it better?"
"What do you mean? It looks perfectly fine to me!"
"Your brother is right, Mr Lestrange," said Mr Twilfit with a smile. "It
needs a few extra items without which it would look ordinary. I'm sure
you would have observed it on Harry's dress robes before."
"Harry! You can't be serious! Are you sure about this? Your dress
robes are very fancy and expensive," he whispered, looking
apprehensive.
"Trust me on this; I've done this several times before. They may be
very expensive, but they last you a long time and can be recycled as
you grow up. Ever since I was a child, the portraits at the castle
drilled into me that I should always look impeccable and that
appearance and the way I carried myself were important for
someone of my standing. You're the scion of the Most Ancient and
Noble House of Lestrange, a family whose name has been tainted
horribly in recent years and the Yule Ball is an important event, so try
to understand the seriousness of this and why we're buying this stuff.
We're doing this to secure your future, Dylan, so don't look at the
price tag because we can easily afford it. You already have a bad
reputation because of you being born out of wedlock and being
dressed sloppily will not help matters," said Harry seriously. "I can't
believe you don't own a watch. That's the next item on the agenda
for today."
"Not more shopping!" groaned Dylan.
"Hey, be glad that I convinced Daphne that I would handle it! If she
were here, she would have insisted that you try on different materials
and colours until she agreed with it. I spared you three excruciating
hours by not bringing her here, but I have to admit, her fashion
sense is much better than mine."
"Remind me never to go shopping with her then," he shuddered.
Harry mentally snickered. He didn't want to mention to his brother
that Astoria was worse.
"What about you, Harry?" asked Mr Twilfit as an assistant came
forward to take Dylan's measurements.
"I'd like a tie and vest both in deep wine red; no shirt, robe or
trousers. The extras are the same as usual."
"You already own a white shirt, but why no robe or trousers?"
whispered Dylan curiously.
"I have something special for that," Harry smirked. "I have been
itching to try it out and I finally have the occasion to do so. I –"
"Harry!" Fleur greeted him happily, deciding to finally announce her
presence. "Finished shopping?"
"Hello, Fleur. I didn't see you there. Are you here to buy a dress for
the ball?"
"Oh no, I got my dress before I left France," she replied. "I was just
checking out the clothes here. I forgot to congratulate you after the
First Task. Your approach to getting past all the obstacles was
amazing."
"Thank you," said Harry, turning back to the assistant as the tape
automatically measured him. "You did very well too. Are you excited
for the Yule Ball?"
"Oh yes," said Fleur flirtatiously. "But I still don't have a date yet, so I
was wondering ... would you like to go to the ball with me, Harry?"
Dylan blinked his eyes in shock. Surely this girl must know that Harry
was already taken, right?
"Fleur, I'm flattered that you would ask me," said Harry slowly. "But I
already have a date. I'm taking my fiancée, Daphne Greengrass."
"Fiancée?" asked Fleur in confusion and not a little anger. She found
it difficult to control her instincts. Her Veela nature demanded that
she find a powerful mate and when she did, especially one who was
resistant to her allure, he was already engaged to be married?
"Yes," answered Harry as he gave his Gringotts debit card to Mr
Twilfit to pay for their purchases. "We have been betrothed for three
years now. I love her."
"I see," said Fleur quietly.
"I apologise for having to decline your offer, Fleur, but I won't be
going to the ball with anyone else," said Harry after a pause.
"Daphne is the love of my life and there is no power in the world that
can change that. I'm sure you'll find someone else to take to the ball
who is worthy of you. Good luck!"
Dylan didn't waste any time in dragging Harry out of there. He
needed to find Daphne and tell her what happened. He didn't know if
Harry observed the anger in that girl's eyes, but he certainly did.
Were all Veela like that or was it just her?
"Didn't she know that you were betrothed?" asked Dylan, not a little
ticked off. The past year and a half of being with Harry all the time
made Dylan really appreciate Daphne's presence in his life as well
and so he did not like it when someone did anything to make
Daphne upset like that. Dylan really looked up to her and Fleur
looked like a potential problem.
"Well, going by her reaction, it was obvious that she didn't. It's her
nature, Dylan, we can't blame her for that," said Harry calmly as they
browsed a selection of magical wrist watches after buying one for
Dylan. "She is probably attracted to me because I'm one of the very
few who can resist her allure. Now that she knows that I am
betrothed, she will leave me alone. Besides, it was just a simple
invitation to the ball, nothing more. She politely asked me and I
politely declined. There's nothing more to it."
"And what if she decided to fight Daphne to claim you from her?"
"What am I, a toy?" asked Harry incredulously. "I doubt that's going
to happen. Veela may be magical creatures, but they are highly
intelligent. Sure, their heritage makes them more primal, but I have
seen more witches and wizards who act without control than Veela.
I'm actually impressed by the control she has over her powers. She
is quite talented and would not have been selected as a Triwizard
Champion otherwise."
Dylan was unusually quiet as they left the shop. After five minutes
when Harry didn't get a proper response, he frowned. "What's
wrong?" he asked.
"Nothing …"
"Dylan!" protested Harry, turning him around, waving a hand to
wandless cast a privacy charm around them both.
"There are several dozen girls at Hogwarts who fancy you, if not
more," Dylan whispered, looking upset. "There are several more in
Beauxbatons and Durmstrang as well, but you readily ignore all of
them. You hardly speak to them unless they come looking for a
conversation but yet, you don't do anything to stop Fleur from
blatantly flirting with you. Don't you see how much it hurts Daphne's
feelings every time she does that?"
"I really don't understand that," Harry frowned slightly. "Why is
Daphne getting so worked up over this? She's becoming more and
more withdrawn as the days pass by."
"That's because Fleur has been flirting with you during every meal
since she came to Hogwarts and it has increased ever since the Yule
Ball was announced. You haven't really noticed that, have you?
Harry, she's bloody terrified that Fleur will steal you away from her!
You know how much Daphne loves you and –"
"I have told Daphne over and over again that she has nothing to fear
from her! Why does she doubt me?"
"It's not that she doesn't trust you, Harry, but the problem is that you
don't realise that Fleur might actually be a threat," said Dylan softly.
"You haven't observed the impact she is having on Daphne, but
Astoria and I have. I'm not blaming you, but unless you fix this right
now, it could damage your relationship with Daphne in the future and
should that happen, you'll never forgive yourself for it. You're my
brother, Harry, and I love you; I don't ever want to see you unhappy,
but you will never be happy if Daphne is depressed, you know that."
Harry's form was unusually still as he let his mind wander. Had he
been so oblivious to Daphne's emotional needs for so long? He
knew that she was a mature, strong-willed and determined girl, but
Harry remembered every instance over the past month where she
would shut herself away, and Harry suddenly realised that during
every instance, he would either be talking to Fleur or about her and
sometimes defending the French girl because of her heritage. Was
that why Daphne felt like this? Did she think he was attracted to
Fleur? Another memory flashed to his mind as he recalled what
Daphne had told him several weeks ago when they had been
duelling in the Room of Requirement; it was the incident when
Daphne thought she had killed him.
"I can't begin to describe how much I love you," whispered Daphne
softly, looking into the emerald green orbs as she cupped his cheek.
"That's why I'm scared."
"Thanks for your help, little brother. I need to talk to Daphne,"
muttered Harry. "Where is she?"
"We were supposed to meet for lunch at the usual spot by the large
Oak tree in front of Dominic Maestro's Music Shop," he said quietly
and left. "Good luck."
Daphne Greengrass was standing at the base of a tree, looking at
the beautiful Scottish scenery around her. Snow covered the high
mountains and the cold breeze blew against her face, making her
dark-blonde hair flutter in the wind. Putting her hands into the
pockets of her white leather jacket, she activated the warming
charms embedded in her clothes to counter the cold wind. Daphne
was just about to turn around to head back to the castle when she
heard an eagle's cry. Looking up, she saw a familiar golden eagle
perched on a branch above her. The eagle's eyes were a stunning
emerald green and there was a dark patch above the right eye
shaped like a lightning bolt. Looking unconcerned, she turned back
to the scenery, a ghost of a smile forming on her lips.
"What are you doing here, Talon ?" she asked, looking up at the bird,
her eyes twinkling slightly in amusement as she used Harry's
Marauder nickname.
The eagle screeched.
"I'm sorry but I don't speak bird; you'll have to translate," said
Daphne as she sat down on the ground, vanishing the snow with a
flick of her wand. The eagle made a clicking sound as it hopped to
the ground next to her. Daphne couldn't help but smile at the sight of
the large bird. It might look intimidating to others with its razor-sharp
talons, powerful beak and large wings, but she wasn't intimidated at
all. She gently stroked the feathers.
"I know what you're thinking," said Daphne softly to the eagle. "I ran
into Dylan and Astoria on the way here. He told me everything."
The eagle made soft sounds as it butted its head against her hand.
Daphne turned and looked into its eyes. "I'm not mad at you. How
can I? You don't understand any of this. I don't blame you, Harry, I
really don't. Don't blame yourself either. Yes, you still are unfamiliar
with how to comprehend emotions and how to deal with people, but
I'm proud of how well you have improved over the past three years.
However, I can't help the way I feel about this. I know that you feel
protective of me, and I don't for a second doubt the love you have for
me, but ... I don't know how to explain it. I feel like I'm not up to the
mark when I compare myself to Delacour."
The eagle screeched again and shook its head as Daphne chuckled
humourlessly. "I know, in your eyes, I am perfection and you have no
idea how much that means to me. According to Mother, it is teenage
hormones," Daphne said, shaking her head in exasperation. With a
sigh, she continued, "Why do you let her so blatantly flirt with you,
Harry? Why don't you put a stop to it?"
The eagle just looked at her blandly. Looking around to ensure no
one was watching, Harry shifted back to his human form and sat
down, pulling Daphne to his lap.
Holding her with her back to his chest, he said, "I did put a stop to it
today. I told her that you are the love of my life and that nothing can
keep you away from me. Daphne, she is not doing it intentionally;
she is just following her Veela instincts. She is naturally attracted to
powerful wizards and I also happen to be immune to her allure. I'm
not denying that she has faults; Merlin knows, I've seen her
constantly complaining about Hogwarts food and her condescending
attitude annoys several people, including me."
"But tell me something; how would you feel if every guy you met only
lusted after you? Wouldn't you wonder if you could ever be in a
relationship? You already get a lot of attention from the boys at
Hogwarts and they stay away because of me. Just think about the
increased attention you've received from boys from the two foreign
schools over the past month and a half. What if we had not been
betrothed? Just imagine how your life would have been with boys
trying to get into your pants because of your looks and also for your
title and money. Can't you see where she is coming from? I can
understand her position, with me being hailed as the Boy-Who-Lived.
As for her being attracted to me – well – I'm not tooting my own horn
or anything, but she is hardly the only one. I've told you over and
over again that I'm not interested in her and that I deeply love you.
Why is that so hard for you to understand?"
Daphne turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck,
burying her face in his shoulder. Smiling slightly, Harry wrapped his
arms around her, gently running his fingers through her long hair.
"What do you see in me?" she asked, pulling back, looking into his
eyes. "If not for the betrothal contract, you would never have spoken
to me. Maybe you would have found someone better. You still have
that opportunity, but you don't use it. Why?"
Gently cupping her cheek, he nuzzled his face against hers.
"Because you are perfect," he said softly in her ear. "You, Daphne,
are everything I could ever want in a girl. No one would understand
me better. You helped me discover parts of myself I have never
known before. I have always suppressed my emotions because of
my natural Occlumency barriers, not to mention what happened with
my relatives, and when I came to Hogwarts, I had no idea how to
comprehend the new emotions I was feeling. You entered my life and
made me feel emotions which I could not understand."
"I saw a young, very intelligent, beautiful young girl who could keep
up with me. I saw a girl who was not afraid to argue with me and tell
me when I'm doing something wrong. I saw a girl who was smart
enough to use a mirror to check for threats so that she didn't die by
the stare of a Basilisk. I saw a girl who didn't back away from me
even though she was petrified and nearly died because of her
relationship with me; if anything, she stuck even closer to my side
after that incident in order to do her best to keep me safe. I saw a
powerful and talented girl who mastered the Patronus Charm at the
age of thirteen, enough to help me drive away three hundred
Dementors. I saw a girl who stood by my side when the entire
country was shunning me because of my talent of being able to
speak to snakes. Not once did she step away from me, always giving
her undying support which I badly needed back then."
"I saw a girl who came by to help a traumatised young boy, even
after she found out the said boy was the son of one of the most
dangerous Death Eaters in the country, just because her fiancé said
so. I saw a girl who patiently explained what love was to a thirteenyear-
old boy who had never understood that emotion. I saw a girl
who taught me how to dance even though you never had the
obligation to do so. I saw a girl who took the responsibility of looking
after my godson when I could not, forming a bond with the child
because of his relationship with me. I saw a girl who formed a deep
bond with a young boy when she realised how much Dylan meant to
me."
"I saw a girl who was traumatised beyond belief when she realised
that I could die when my name came out of the Goblet of Fire. I saw
a girl who cursed Marietta Edgecombe in the face when she called
me a cheat in public, willing to brave detention for doing so. I saw a
girl who is so talented in Charms that I know that she would be
known as the Queen of Enchanters one day. I saw a girl whose heart
is so filled with love for me that she can't stand to even think of
losing me to someone else. I saw a girl who I'm so completely in love
with that I can never imagine living my life without her. Tell me
Daphne, when I see all this, why on earth should I even bother
looking at someone else, Veela or not?"
Daphne hugged him tightly, her face buried in his neck, her form
trembling. Harry rocked her back and forth as he calmed her down.
Looking back at him, she leaned up and gently and lovingly captured
his lips, kissing him passionately, pouring all the love she felt for him.
After a minute, they broke apart, their foreheads touching each other
as they gazed into each other's eyes.
"A heartfelt confession for someone who says he suppresses his
emotions," said Daphne teasingly as she placed light kisses along
the side of his face.
"You know that I would go to the ends of the earth to make you
happy," said Harry quietly. "Letting my emotions take control for a
while is a small price to pay as long as you are happy."
"Well, I certainly appreciate the gesture," said Daphne. "I love you
too, Harry. I'm sorry for reacting the way I did. I promise you, it will
never happen again."
"Good. And I promise to keep my jealousy in check too. Now, how
about we go on a date?"
"Where?"
"Why do you shop so much?" cried Dylan. "Don't you have enough
already?"
"I'm not buying these only for myself! These are gifts I need to give
to everyone for Yule," said Astoria defensively.
"The next time I volunteer to shop with you, would someone please
confine me to the Hospital Wing? This is torture!"
Astoria laughed. "Oh, alright you big baby! Let's take a break. Look!
Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop is just around the corner."
"What's that? Do they serve good pastries?"
"They do. The older students go there for – ahem – anyway, the
pastries are quite good. Come on."
"As long as I get to eat, I'm fine with it."
They entered the shop and Dylan raised his eyebrows. The
decorations were all pink and frilly and his eyes widened.
"Tori, don't you think it's a little inappropriate to come here when
we're not dating?" he asked, blushing slightly.
"Is that an invitation for a date in the future?" asked Astoria coyly as
they took a seat. "Is that what you're saying, Dylan?"
Dylan's face turned pink and glared at her when he saw her
snickering. Suddenly, he groaned and buried his face in his hands.
"No, not again! I swear I'll be scarred for life with those two around
me!"
Astoria looked at him with raised eyebrows and turned back to see
what was happening and immediately regretted it. Her face too
turned pink in embarrassment. Behind her, Harry and Daphne were
sitting at a table, ignoring their tea, engaged in a very intense makeout
session. Dylan felt like banging his head on the table.
"What do you mean 'again'?" asked Astoria curiously.
"Have you forgotten that I live with that dolt?" whispered Dylan. "You
would think that living in such a large castle would give them ample
privacy but nooo ... I have lost count of the number of times I have
walked in on them like this; no, I have walked in on them when it was
worse. At least Harry is wearing clothes this time."
"NO!" whispered Astoria in shock, urging him to go on.
"YES!" Dylan grinned. "Harry doesn't care much for clothes at home;
it's one of his little quirks. I was quite embarrassed when I first saw
him naked, just after he had achieved his Animagus transformation,
and again after I moved into Potter Castle, seeing him move around
in a state of undress. What surprised me was that he didn't seem to
care. When I asked him about it, he said that he was more
comfortable that way and that he had gotten used to moving around
without clothes since the time he was seven or eight years old. He
said that in his house, he would do what the hell he wanted. It was a
little awkward for me for a few days, but then I got used to it until I
didn't even realise it much. As for my brother and to-be sister-in-law,
they don't really care that people might be watching but at least
Daphne has the sense to keep her clothes on. Harry, on the other
hand," he chuckled and continued, "There have been some amusing
instances too, though. Why, this one time, my dog Tango began
chasing Harry and it turned out to be something hilarious. You see
..."
An hour later, they finished their food and walked out, idly noting that
the older couple was in no hurry to finish their date.
"So," said Astoria casually. "Have you ever walked the corridors of
Potter Castle nude, just to test Harry's theory of it being
comfortable?"
When Dylan was looking anywhere but at her, refusing to meet her
eyes, she burst out laughing. "Please tell me you didn't!"
"He was not wrong in his theory of it being comfortable! The only
other occupant of the castle was my brother and he obviously didn't
mind and there were no girls around, so what was the problem? As
he said, I'll dress, or in this case, not dress, the way I want in my
house. It's big enough to give us ample privacy and the portraits
don't really count as people."
"Isn't it awkward?"
"It's a personal preference, I guess," Dylan shrugged. "I admit, I
couldn't look Harry in the eye for a couple of days in the beginning,
but once I got used to his presence, it didn't feel strange. I also had
to get used to being comfortable in my own skin, and that took
courage and self-confidence, something I didn't have at the time. As
for it being awkward, he's my older brother, not some boy or girl next
door who likes to perv at me. It's our house, Tori. If we're comfortable
with it, then that's what we'll do. As Harry said, no one has the right
to deny us that freedom."
"I see now why you appear to be a lot more confident than last year,"
teased Astoria. "Maybe I should sneak in when you're least
expecting it to take a peek and see what you're hiding under those
clothes. What do you say, Dylan?"
"Shut up," mumbled Dylan, his cheeks colouring pink. He coughed;
he couldn't stop blushing. Why was it so hot all of a sudden? Wasn't
it supposed to be winter?
Astoria snickered.
"It's ready," said Sirius, showing the book to Harry. "Obscurus Books
told me that one hundred thousand copies have been printed and
according to their estimates, they'll need to print a million more to
keep up with the demand for exports."
"You're kidding," said Harry, his eyebrows raised. "You think people
abroad would want to read it?"
"The Founders of Hogwarts are rather famous, Harry," said Sirius
with a shrug. "Witches and wizards abroad may not know anything
about them, but they can be recognised, just like we know the more
famous witches and wizards from around the world. The international
magical community is closely linked."
"Nice," muttered Harry as he looked at the hardbound book in his
hand.
THE FOUNDERS
The Journal of Godric Gryffindor and a personal letter of Salazar
Slytherin
"Your letter to the readers has been printed in the forward and the
observations you wanted to point out have also been printed along
with the journal," said Sirius. "There is also a note saying that the
proceeds would be used to help magical orphans. I must say, Harry, I
was shocked when I read it. To think Salazar was nothing like what
we thought he was ..."
"He still hated Muggles with a passion, Sirius," said Harry as he
looked through the book. "He also mistrusted Muggle-borns, but he
did not want them dead. I have also explained his position. Muggleborns
need to know where the prejudice comes from and the
traditionist purebloods need to know that blind prejudice will not
solve everything. It would also be a reminder to those fools like Albus
Dumbledore and Theseus Scamander who are pro-Muggle. War
hero, my arse; you help Muggles in their stupid war which they
started and suddenly you are hailed as a war hero. If those fools who
helped in the First World War had in any way breached the
International Statute of Secrecy, the Muggles' infighting would have
been the least of our problems. Bloody immature little gits couldn't
understand that Minister Evermonde's emergency legislation was
actually for the best. We're all lucky to be alive."
Sirius' lip twitched. "You would have been the picture-perfect heir of
the Black family," he said wryly. "Mother would have killed to have
you as her son."
"You turned out pretty well, Sirius, I doubt she would have much to
complain about. Any luck with the locket?"
"No. I have searched every place I thought Regulus might have kept
it, but no luck. All the Black homes have been searched and I went to
Gringotts personally to check the Black family vault to see if he had
kept it there before he died. I'm at a loss at what to do because I do
not want to involve anyone at the Ministry about something so
delicate. If Voldemort hears even a whisper about this ..."
"I know," said Harry as a flicker of emotion passed over his face.
"Anyway," said Sirius, standing up, "we have an appointment with
the Department of Mysteries. Let's go."
Getting up, Harry walked out of the office of the Minister of Magic on
Level One and the golden lifts took them to the floor of the
Department of Mysteries. The place was deserted and their
footsteps echoed on the polished floor. When they reached the door,
Sirius pressed a rune and opened the door.
"You'll have to stick close to me," he said sternly. "Don't wander
anywhere else because I would then be forced to Obliviate you.
Understood?"
"Yes, Godfather," replied Harry promptly.
They entered a reception area where they found a woman sitting at a
desk. "Minister Black," she said respectfully. "Lord Potter will have to
sign here please."
"Go on," said Sirius. After Harry signed the sheet of parchment, he
was lead through a series of doors until they reached the Hall of
Prophecies. Thousands of little spheres were sitting on stands and
they walked until they reached Row 97.
Harry slowly picked up the glass sphere and tapped it with his wand.
A mist was seen inside the sphere as the form of Sybill Trelawney
spoke –
" The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches ...
born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month
dies ... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have
the power the Dark Lord knows not ... and either must die at the
hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives ... The
one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the
seventh month dies ..."
Sirius bit his lip. "Well," he said slowly. "Things just got murkier."
The book on the Founders had been a sensation. Many people had
bought the book out of sheer curiosity as they wanted to know what
was so different in the book from what they knew of the Founders.
But when they started reading, only then did they realise how they
had been targeting the wrong man for more than a thousand years.
Most were astounded how caring Salazar Slytherin was, as
described by Godric Gryffindor himself! There was also an
outpouring of sympathy for Godric and Salazar as they realised that
the Muggles had essentially destroyed their families. When they read
Salazar's letter to his descendants, people were shocked, as here
was proof that Harry Potter was indeed the descendant of the
Founder. The boy's eyes and those of his deceased mother had
always been unique and how else would he have gained access to
the letter if he wasn't the heir? Blood magic could not be faked.
The final impact was Harry's words in the book, describing how the
four witches and wizards had died. This had very much destabilised
the preconceptions people had about the Founders and the
stereotypes of the four Houses. How could Hufflepuffs be called
duffers when the founder herself chose the path of a warrior when
needed? It showed that while Rowena was extremely intelligent, she
too was prone to heartbreak and died in misery. Salazar Slytherin,
while cunning and ambitious, wasn't evil. He used those traits of his
to survive but he too was prone to make rash decisions. Godric's
story proved that being a warrior wasn't always the best, as you're
scarred for life. The book would have an enormous impact on the
students of Hogwarts for generations to come, and the four Houses
would, over time, be united, just as the Founders intended.
There was also another change in the minds of the general
population. They remembered again how much they had suffered at
the hands of Muggles. This book was proof that they had been very
intolerant against anything magical. The fact that they had pushed
Godric to such a level that he wiped out an entire village of Muggles
was staggering. Very few felt sorry for those dead Muggles; they had
brought it upon themselves and their punishment was just.
Hogwarts itself was a mess. Every time they entered Hogwarts,
students of the other two schools could see students and teachers
alike holding the book on the Founders, the white cover quite
distinctive. Harry had noticed Dumbledore giving him speculative
looks, but the Headmaster had surprisingly not called him for a
meeting. He had expected it because the book clearly mentioned
Voldemort's ancestry and also about the bloodline of Lily Evans.
Harry had also tried to bring down the stigma attached to
Parseltongue by supplying the true history of the language.
Parseltongue was considered a very sacred language in Magical
India where it originated, and it had spread throughout the world
thousands of years ago. It was because of Herpo the Foul that the
language of the serpents gained a negative stigma in Europe and
Voldemort hadn't helped matters at all.
The winter session of the Wizengamot had proceeded smoothly, in
Harry's opinion. He had revealed his position as Lord Slytherin to the
Wizengamot but it hadn't been as bad as Harry had expected. The
book had certainly taken care of any horrible reactions which the
declaration would have caused. Some of the traditionalists who
Harry knew were former Death Eaters questioned his claim, saying
that it was fake. They were proven wrong by a unique test for family
magic, confirmed both by the Department of Mysteries and
Gringotts. They were certainly not happy, but they had no choice but
to accept it. Harry had forwarded the documents to the Wizengamot
Administration Services which made Lord Cyrus Greengrass the
proxy for the Most Ancient and Noble House of Slytherin.
At Hogwarts, many had been quite surprised by Harry's position as
Lord Slytherin. Severus Snape had not even reacted to the news,
but his response was more subtle. Even though the more direct
insults had reduced since Harry had threatened the man at the
beginning of last year, his snide remarks had not stopped. This time
though, he completely ignored Harry in Potions class. Most of the
Slytherins were happy because Harry was a regular at the Slytherin
table and it also helped that Harry got along best with the Slytherins
as compared to the other Houses. Some did not like it, not wanting
to believe that the Dark Lord was not the Heir of Slytherin as he
claimed, but there was nothing they could do. Harry wore the
Slytherin family ring and his declaration had been verified.
The Hufflepuffs were smug in their knowledge that their Founder had
stepped up to the role of a warrior when the situation dictated it,
defeating a dark wizard and saving Hogwarts in the process.
The Ravenclaws were very united in their sympathy for both Rowena
and Helena – after the latter had revealed herself and explained
what had happened a thousand years ago.
The Gryffindors were divided. On one hand, the book showed how
amazing Godric had truly been, proving to be a source of inspiration
for many, but on the other hand, the fact that their Founder had
slaughtered an entire village of Muggles after the said Muggles had
brutally killed his wife and severely injured his daughter had been –
not pleasant to read. Hermione Granger had been slack-jawed
because everything she had believed in about Godric and Salazar
had been proven false. Godric's hate and disgust of Muggles were
quite clearly expressed in the book.
All in all, Harry was quite happy with it all. He had released Godric's
journal to the masses and had claimed his position as Lord Slytherin
without any bloodshed.
Hundreds of miles away, Lord Voldemort was seething