157Thank you for your support everyone. Here's another chapter. Enjoy.
Ch 17: The Article
A yawn escaped Harry as he dragged himself to the mansion with the help of Bella on his side. She had been a little too strict that day in his training and every inch of his body was protesting even the smallest movement he made. Ever since that day when Bella had had to curse him, she had become a lot more fierce regarding his ability to save himself from any possible situation he might find himself into.
Everyday, she would create different scenarios and drill him mercilessly on ways to get out of them if he ever found himself in those situations. Harry shuddered when he thought of the day when she had positively tortured him in case the death eaters ever managed to kidnap him. Granted, she had cried to sleep in his arms that night, but it was an extremely painful experience nonetheless.
"I am sorry, you know?" she muttered from his side.
"I know," said Harry with a sigh. "Don't worry. I know it's for my own good."
Bella stopped and caressed his cheek with a watery smile. "No Harry. It's for my own good. I can not lose you as well. I have nothing left Harry Potter, except you in my life, and I will not let them take you away from me…"
Harry gave her a tired smile and pulled her in a hug. "They won't. I promise."
~~~TTS~~~
Days passed as everyone waited for the inevitable explosion that would rock the wizarding world once more. Lord Voldemort had returned, no one knew where Harry Potter was since months and some had even presumed him dead.
The streets were empty as people tried to remain indoors as much as they could. The few who had to come out due to necessities had terror filled eyes. They were cautious beyond reason, or with reason, and refused to even go near any stranger.
The ones who had seen the last war knew what was to come. A miracle in the form of a small baby had saved them last time when all hope was lost against the dark lord. And that baby was now missing.
It was turning out to be a dull Christmas holiday for the populace of the Wizarding world.
Until an article came out.
~~~TTS~~~
"They'll love this one." Bella chuckled.
"I wish I could see their reactions. Especially Albus'." said Harry.
"We can. I can send Kreacher..."
"Nah. Don't put the poor guy at risk. Voldemort would probably kill him if he sensed him somehow."
Bella sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "All right. As you wish. We'll just have to wait."
Harry closed his eyes. "Until then?"
"Until then, we'll train." she said, putting her head in his lap.
Harry yawned and looked down. "Better idea. You are looking awfully cute in that gown. Let's make some love." And he pulled her up towards him.
~~~TTS~~~
Albus Dumbledore was an old man. He had lived a life full of achievements few could dream of, nothing less than a fairy tale. It had drama, romance, tragedy, comedy, action and victory, just not a happily ever after. Still, he kept going and going.
If one would ask him the mantra of his success, he could truly say that it was his punctuality. Albus Dumbledore was a man of time. He was never late, whatever the occasion. His morning always started with a cup of tea and a newspaper. It never mattered how much he was being ridiculed in the said newspaper, but he always read it with his morning tea.
Nothing could shake him out of that habit.
Until this one article came out and Albus vomited.
~~~TTS~~~
Hermione Granger entered the Great Hall with Ron Weasley at her side. For the past several months, Harry was missing. Though she had cried several times, it was her good luck that a shoulder was always readily available where she could rest her head. Ron had truly made his way to her heart with the way he cared for her.
They were both quite shocked when all the heads present in the Great Hall turned towards them as one and the cacophony and the murmurs died instantly.
Hermione knew at once that something related to Harry had been printed. Ron, apparently, came to the same conclusion and they both hurried towards the nearest table to grab today's newspaper.
As Hermione read the headlines, her eyes nearly popped out of her head.
"Blimey" Ron breathed beside him. "Why would he do that?"
Hermione kept a hand at her chest to steady herself. "At least he's alive."
"God, Dumbledore's gonna eat him."
"If he ever turns up."
"And if they listen."
~~~TTS~~~
Nearby, Draco Malfoy was also reading the same article.
For the fourth time.
Crabbe and Goyle were eating their food, having no interest in current affairs.
"God, we are doomed." he breathed once more as he finished it. He had a very sneaky suspicion which had hit him like a bludger after reading the article the second time.
He started rereading it.
"Merlin, we are definitely doomed."
He started rereading it.
~~~TTS~~~
Peter Pettigrew was a coward. Everyone knew it. He knew that everyone knew it. So, he cursed everyone when they all showed even more cowardice than himself and asked him to do something that needed a great deal of courage.
"I won't go in there." he whispered.
"You WILL." said Macnair, baring his teeth to intimidate him. "He needs to know."
"But why me?"
"Because no one else is as affordable." said Avery, pushing him towards the door.
"I will not, I will not." Wormtail tried with all his might to escape but he was ultimately overpowered and pushed forward.
His eyes widened and filled with terror as he came face to face with his lord, who had his eyes closed, sitting on his throne.
He thought of turning into a rat and scuttling away but he knew that the Dark Lord would punish him even more if he ran away now.
So, he finally stuttered, "M-m-my Lord."
Voldemort did not open his eyes. He already knew the rat was there. "What is it Wormtail?" he hissed.
"M-my Lord, I h-have to tell you s-something."
"Don't waste my time Wormtail. Speak."
"T-there i-is an a-article in the newspaper. Y-you need to read it."
"What about?"
Wormtail said something.
"What? Speak louder rat." Voldemort hissed. "I can't hear you."
"H-Harry Potter, My Lord."
Voldemort's eyes snapped open and he glared at Wormtail. "Give it here."
Wormtail almost threw the newspaper at him but managed to control himself and walked towards the lord slowly.
"Crucio. Faster Wormtail, Faster."
Voldemort took the newspaper from his no-worth servant, who was by this time trembling and shaking uncontrollably, and began reading.
Harry Potter Found Alive: Married, reveals prophecy.
By Rita Skeeter
My dear readers, it is with great joy that I can tell you all that Harry Potter, The-Boy-Who-Lived, defeater of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is still alive and well. In fact, he is happily married nowadays and spending his time with his lovely wife on a beautiful island.
Yes, you read it right. The sixteen year old is a married man now.
I too was in a shock when I was contacted yesterday with a portkey and given a chance to meet the elusive couple for an evening. It was even more of a shock to meet his wife and realize who she really was. But alas, I cannot tell you of this particular bit as of now. Mr. and Mrs. Potter had this special condition that I would not reveal her name at any cost if I wished to meet them.
But fear not, they gave me something better to print. The Prophecy. Yes, that prophecy. In its entirety.
It was widely rumoured that a Prophecy has marked Mr. Potter as the chosen one. But it is confirmed now. Here is the interview – edited to replace wife's name with B.P. (her initials).
R: Well, its great to meet you Harry.
HP: Same here, Rita. After all these years. I remember quite well the rumors you started in my fourth year at Hogwarts.
R: What can I say? Its my job. But I must say I am surprised to meet your wife two years later. Don't you think you are too young for something like marriage?
HP: No, not at all. Love has no age. I love her with all my heart.
R: Congratulations on the wedding by the way both of you. It should have been grand.
BP: Budget Problems.
(All three laugh.)
R: So, why am I here by the way.
HP: Ah! Serious things. All right, as you know, Tom is back.
R: Tom?
BP: Tom Riddle. You-know-who.
R: Oh, we never knew his real name. And that's a quite common name, really. Tom.
HP(laughingly): Yeah, Leaky Cauldron's barkeeper. He's a Tom too. And a better man, I must say.
R: You must not laugh Harry. He might take offense.
HP: Let him. We don't fear him.
BP: Yep. Let me tell you. He's a half blood.
Silence
R: Mrs. Potter, what are you saying?
HP: Its true. He confessed it to me himself but that's not the point as of now. That monster is tied to me with a prophecy. I want to reveal it.
R: Really?
HP: Yes. Here it goes. 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 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 ...
Another Silence
R: So only you can kill him?
HP: Yes.
R: Then, why haven't you?
HP: First, its not so easy. He's a powerful bastard. Second, I want to know why exactly would I keep my life on the line for you people?
Long silence this time
R:What? I don't understand…
HP: Its quite simple Rita. I have defeated him, what, five times including when I was one year old. But I never got anything back. I want something in return this time to kill him. I want my price.
R: Five times?
BP: Yes. You can ask Albus Dumbledore for details.
R: What exactly is it that both of you want, Mrs. Potter?
BP: Many things. Let the Minister and the general public decide if they are ready. My husband won't lift a finger until all his conditions are met. They can call us whenever they are ready.
HP: That's all for now. Thank you Rita. You may go.
R: But-
And that's when I was ousted. Yes, my dear readers, its our turn to decide what we can offer our savior to save us from a madman. Because it won't be free this time.
That's all for today. Give us your opinions by mail.
All the death eaters heard Wormtail's screams that day and congratulated each other on a task well done. It wasn't until someone was summoned to take Wormtail's body back that a riot started.
No one wished to be the second one!
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