803Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling. However, I do own non-canon magic and characters.
A/N: Thanks for the reviews xD!
Ch. LII: Brawl
Harry stroked Hedwig's feathers as he sat between Luna and Hermione for breakfast. His curly-haired friend's eyes rounded as she read her letter several times. The young wizard exchanged a half-smile with platinum-haired friend and properly introduced Hedwig to Luna.
"She likes you." Harry beamed as his snowy owl lightly brushed her silken feathers against the witch's hair.
"I like her, too." She said softly, smiling.
"I'm sure she'll let you send letters to your dad." Harry offered. Silvery eyes sharpened and her smile grew. "Thank you, Harry."
Hermione turned and crushed Harry with a hug before bolting away.
Harry blushed and looked at Luna who smiled serenely at him before turning to her toast. Wisely following suit, he did the same.
Well, I'd rather be hugged than mugged.
Séraphine slowly awoke before Sirius. I need to check on the Centaurs…She thought, distracted. I'll do so while Sirius is away. She did dearly miss being able to swirl into action. Having a soul is worthy gain. The former House-Witch reminded herself.
"Séra," muttered, the wizard, his hair sticking in every direction and his piercing mercury eyes looked at her concerned.
She smiled faintly, leaned over and pecked his shoulder. "We need to get you ready for work." The witch reminded. He blinked at her, fully awake.
Biting his tongue, he decided he would ask her later today regarding the Grangers.
Together, they got up. Their bed automatically tidying. Séraphine put on a dressing gown and handing Sirius' clothes from the freshly pressed Windsor valet stand. He went into their en suite and she walked downstairs into the Informal Sitting Room which doubled as a breakfast suite. She began serving the meal from Kreacher, thanking him absently. Sirius exchanged a look with the House-Elf.
She gave him a kiss on the cheek at the door, and handed him his lunch kit. She insisted on cooking for him just as she used to when she was still a servant.
He held Kreacher's hand and Apparated to a checkpoint where he could walk unattended. No need to broadcast that Apparition isn't something I'm interested in dealing with at present.
The mercurial wizard looked at his House-Elf. « Watch over her, Kreacher. » He commanded in High Latin. It was a leftover custom from his Grandfather Arcturus. They never spoke in public anything with each other in mixed company. The House-Elf bowed before returning home with a soft pop.
Squaring his shoulders, Sirius stepped out of the alleyway and checked in with the receptionist. Making his way to endeavor another droll day with his awful partner.
Séraphine readied for the day wearing nondescript, muted clothes. She was already mapping out several ideas regarding Hogwarts' infiltration in the Grand Library. Thankfully, the Frenchwoman thought. Master Phineas made it to where we always received updated Hogwarts layouts from his time as Headmaster. She made copies and sent them to Lacie and the Goblin Brigade, as she and Sirius affectionally termed them. Plus, I'll need the Ghosts' help with safeguarding us all.
Several visits this morning…taking out parchment, she wrote three letters. One to Lacie, another to Remus, and the last to Narcissa. Lest anyone feel…neglected.
Chewing her tongue, the witch sketched out ideas as she perused books on Centaur culture and customs. Mostly useless. She thought skimming. I can no longer look objectively upon them as ingredients. Shaking her head, Séraphine paused. Taking another leaf of parchment, she wrote a carefully worded letter asking the bookseller in Diagon Alley to give her suggestions regarding Centaur reference books. Worth a shot.
Sipping her tea, she paused to wait as the House Willed or utilized Kreacher to make deliveries.
Hermione giggled as she reread her letter. I finally have sponsorship! Her dark eyes dancing.
"What's the matter?" said a nasty voice. "Got an actual date?"
Slowly, the witch turned around, "Ronald." Thinking quickly, she felt her quill turn colder. The magic was slowly pulsating around her in a protective embrace. Her first thought was Harry, and her next thought, was What is he going to do?
Harry felt a tug on his consciousness. Frowning, he looked around. Hermione should've been here by now. His serpentine pupils were widening behind his glamoured glasses as he turned slowly. Guided by some instinct, he ignored his classmates and Professor Sprout. His quill felt cold.
Unbidden, the wizard recalled a dark memory.
A small, emaciated child ran quickly through the woods blocking out the screams and the darkness suffocating him. He felt the snake mates in his pocket hissing to him urgently to run. Turning down a wooded path, he barely had time to hide as he felt sinister magic in the air, frizzing his hair. Praying not to be caught, he had one last memory of the two boys he shared a room with. Frightened, he could only think of getting away, torn between survival and compassion. His magic chose for him.
He barely remembered anything after hearing a screech from his Aunt Petunia in the middle of kitchen. Stumbling the boy ran out into the backyard and hastily slipped the snakes into the tree's open knot, before being yanked by his wild-eyed aunt who immediately pulled him upstairs and into the bath.
That same instinct drove the preteen. He could feel in his bones that his soulmate was in danger. His magical core lit up and the very castle walls pulled students away from as he ran with his frizzed hair toward the menacing former best friend.
Before Harry knew it, he shoved and punched Ron. Hermione screamed. Distracted, Harry took hit to his jaw. Enraged, but strangely cold, the boy punched the redhead in the gut.
"You son of a bitch!" The redhead snarled as he immediately attacked in a blind rage. Harry dodged and struck low and dirty. Muscle memory reawakening from his time dealing with Dudley's Gang even as Ron's skill from having five brothers. "You honestly think I'd go for that fucking, bucktooth?!" Glasses slipped and pierced blue ones into a surprise halt.
"You really are a freak from Slytherin." Ron stated, before pointing and laughing. "The true Heir of Slytherin has arisen!" He shouted to the peanut gallery as Harry's glasses fell and landed on the castle floor.
The raven-haired boy stilled just as Ron took a swing.
"Break it up!" Professor Sprout shouted, before starting as Harry paused in the brawl, taking a bloodied lip. He didn't attack, knowing she'd probably stun him. Then where would I be? He thought bitterly. Vivisected by Snape?
Oh no, oh Merlin, no. Hermione thought, upset. This was not the way it was supposed to go!