HPWW551-560
Chapter 551
As for the Wizengamot and the ICW, at both places
Fawkes never stayed after dropping off or picking the old
man up before and after meetings of those bodies.
The only real way you had to 'get up close and personal'
with the bird was to visit Dumbledore in his Hogwarts'
Headmaster's office while Fawkes was also there. Even
then, they might or might not recognise him. After all, just
how different did phoenixes look from one another?
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
That evening, as they'd planned, the group sat at the
Gryffindor table. As they walked in, Harry wondered
whether or not Weasley would be able to contain himself.
As they walked up the length of the table, Harry's eyes
landed on Weasley. This time the boy was already sitting
at the table. Thankfully, he had not seemed to have
noticed them yet; therefore, their eyes did not meet.
Walking further up the table, they only had to ask the new
Firsties to slide up a bit to give them enough room. Four
on one side and five on the other meant they needed a
gap of at least eight to ten feet, both sides, to have the
room. Twelve feet was more preferable.
As they were sitting, Hermione said, "We either have to
arrive first thing for meals, separate into smaller groups or
start sitting at the other end of the tables, where we know
there's always room enough.
"It is unfair of us to ask people to move to give us room.
Especially when we really don't have the right to."
"Hmmm," said Harry. Looking about at his friends, he
asked, "Thoughts?"
Daphne gave a firm nod and said, "Two other choices are;
we eat in our apartments or we start sitting at just one
table and in one spot all the time."
Justin immediately stated, "Hufflepuff will always welcome
us."
"Yes," said Tracey. "But, sitting in one spot all the time
brings with it the risk one of us could be attacked by a
timed curse at our places that's put in place between
meals, due to activate when the attacker knows we'll be in
the Hall."
Daphne was quick to acknowledge and agree with that.
Surprised, Justin asked, "They can do that?"
"Yes," replied Fleur. "A timed rune sequence is the obvious
one, potions are another. There are others, of course."
Harry went through in his mind all the calculations and
permutations he could think of before he offered, "How
about... we plan to start arriving before the meal is even
served, so we can sit anywhere we like. If we don't
manage that, we see if we can find a section on one of the
four tables that's wide enough for us to all sit together,
irrespective of where it is. And, if we can't manage that, we
sit at the other ends of the table, further down that even
the seventh years."
Daphne, for one, smirked and nodded back, "That sounds
like a workable solution."
"How about," offered Neville. "If we haven't decided to
come down as a group at that time, such as coming to
lunch during a school day, whoever is here first hold a
suitably wide enough space for the others. That is, if they
can."
"Good idea," said Susan. Everyone agreed.
Daphne said, "It sounds like we have a plan to tackle this
problem in future."
While that had only taken a minute to discuss, Harry was
still somewhat surprised Weasley had not already come
down to 'berate' him for having 'slimy snakes' and 'dark
witches' sitting at the Gryffindor table. As surreptitiously as
he could, he looked to see if the boy was getting angry
about it. What he saw was what he'd come to recognise
as the flat expression of fully activated Occlumency. He
sometimes saw it on the faces of both or either Daphne
and Hermione when they were angry with him, but didn't
want to display it at that time.
Surprised, he turned to Daphne, sitting on his other side,
and said, "It looks like someone's taught Weasley
Occlumency."
Daphne immediately looked around him and pretended to
be looking for a platter of something on the communal
plates.
A moment later, after picking up a fresh banana from off
one of those plates, she said, "Definitely. He's now good
enough to have the Occlumency shields engaged, but not
good enough to not have it reflected in his expressions.
Either that, or he's that angry he simply can't maintain the
pleasant expression."
Harry nodded and said, "I guess I don't really care if he's
angry or not. I only care if he opens his mouth in a
negative manner towards any of us; or, otherwise does
something I'll have to act upon. As long as he keeps his
opinions about me... you... us... to himself, I'm happy to
leave him alone.
"However, I'm going to try to talk to Dean Thomas at some
time, just to make sure he's not saying things in the
Gryffindor Tower I would take offence towards."
"And, as Thomas is now the fifth year prefect, you have
every reason to speak to him," she nodded, seeing his
reasoning.
"Exactly."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
The boy being discussed was oblivious of what was being
spoken about him. He'd only checked to ensure for himself
that 'Potter' was still keeping company with the others,
was still housed in the Lords' Quarters, was still 'Lording' it
over everyone and otherwise didn't interact with him. He
knew if he tried something overt too soon, his father would
be here in a thrice to pull him back out of the school again.
Instead, he was making his plans for when he'd finally get
to deal with the 'bastard' and take back what was rightfully
his - Hermione.
He'd already been to 'suss out' the corridor where the
Lords' Quarters were located, but had to be careful. He
wasn't sure if the aurors were still invisibly patrolling the
school or not - they were - and had not yet mastered the
revealing charm. Besides, he didn't know if casting the
revealing charm was one of those that would be detected
or not and, even if it wasn't, if the charm would identify for
him if an auror was there or not. He knew aurors had
many charms and curses that were supposedly available
only for them.
So lost in thought behind his Occlumency, he was, that he
almost missed something Thomas had said to him.
'Jee-zus, Ron!" the boy said. "You're 'zoning out', again."
"Sorry," he mumbled back. Thinking quick he remembered
what that muggle term meant and replied, "I was thinking
about that assignment for Potions we've got to do."
"The Wiggenweld one?" asked Thomas. "Yeah; that's
going to be a nightmare. Started it yet?"
"Just an idea of what to write for it," said Ron. "My Aunt
Muriel taught me how to write a proper assignment. It was
one of the only things I appreciated."
When he thought about it he then realised she'd taught
him quite a bit that was useful. Occlumency was another
and was probably the best of the lot. Besides saving him
from having his clock hand keep switching to 'In Danger',
let alone to 'Mortal Peril', the Occlumency made it a lot
easier to concentrate on and get done assignments.
The length and difficulty of assignments of even these
early days had clearly demonstrated for him he doubted
he'd pass the year without that useful skill. It would have
been: 'No Hermione, no pass'.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
That night, the Finch-Fletchleys joined the Potters in the
Potter apartment directly after dinner. They were then
joined by the Longbottoms.
Of course, the girls were 'interrogating' CeeCee on how
her first day of classes went.
"It was cool!" she replied. "I think I'm going to like my class
mates in Gryffindor." Then her expression changed to one
of mild annoyance. "Except one. She's already making me
think she's a bit of a cow."
"Who?" asked Hermione.
"Romilda Vane," she scowled.
"She's an unrepentant gossip," said Hermione. "Sorry, but
we should have warned you about her last night."
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Chapter 552
"I think I'd already figured that out," said CeeCee. "She got
me in trouble in History with Professor Goodstone. She
kept demanding information from me about me and...
well... us." And indicated everyone with a wave of her
hand encompassing the room.
Justin, who'd overheard the last part of that, frowned and
asked, "Do I need to go and deal with her?"
Harry was pleased hearing that. It was very obvious the
boy was taking his role as primary protector of CeeCee
very seriously.
"I don't think so," CeeCee sighed.
"Hmmm..." said Hermione. "I had two like her in my dorm
until last Christmas; Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown.
Here's how to handle her and those like her..."
Then the girls all huddled and, before too long, there were
a lot of giggles and snickering going on coming from them.
Justin looked concerned at Harry and Harry quietly said to
him, "Let's see if the girls can handle it, first. If they can't,
then a couple of Lords are going to go all feral on her
arse."
That seemed to satisfy the other boy. He gave a nod and
muttered, "Good idea."
Again, Harry was happy to see the Hufflepuff taking
seriously the task of protecting both girls.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
On the Saturday night at Harry's 'obligatory' dinner in the
Potter apartment, where Dobby again had to employ elf
transfiguration on the table and chairs to have enough for
everyone to sit, one of the main topics of discussion
around the table was Fleur's offer from Gringotts. They'd
accepted her application to 'apprentice' under a
Journeyman Cursebreaker, who himself was working
under a Master Cursebreaker, within their human
workforce. She'd be starting on the first of the month in
October.
The employment contract was negotiated on her behalf
through and with Ted Tonks. Contrary to what others might
have thought, the goblins appreciated it; as it meant they'd
be dealing with someone who had both expertise in
contracts and would not try to make unreasonable
demands, or allow themselves to be 'conned'.
The goblins knew and understood her Veela life debt
meant she'd have to remain in London, or be able to
quickly come and go from Hogwarts when and as
necessary. And the contract reflected that. However, they
insisted on a Secrecy Oath to protect their secrets, which
Fleur and Harry had no problem with. However, Ted
included a stipulation in the Oath that relieved her of the
Secrecy provisions for what she learned 'professionally';
that is, what she learned as a Cursebreaker, rather than
what she specifically learned as an employee of Gringotts.
Otherwise, she would not be able to use the skills
acquired as an apprentice so as to remain a professional
Cursebreaker if she left Gringotts' employ.
Many of the questions fielded by the others related to just
what was meant by that.
Another subject discussed was about what CeeCee had
done to get Vane and her shadow, Thelma Holmes, to
back off.
"It turned out quite simple, actually," she explained. "They
tried to interrogate me, again, while we were outside the
door and waiting to go into the Potions lab. I told them
how Lord Potter likes to think of me as his little sister and
that I was in a relationship agreement with Lord FinchFletchley. And that both told me I was to tell them if
anyone gave me any trouble. Then asked them if they
were giving me trouble.
"When they then immediately back-pedalled, claiming they
weren't, I said, 'Well, if I think you're giving me trouble,
even if you don't think you are, I'll still be telling them you
are.' I think Vane was about to cry when I said that.
"As soon as they quickly moved off to the other side of the
crowd, Natalie... that's Natalie Fairbourne... came over
and offered to sit with me in the lab. She was very happy
with what I said to Vane and Holmes. Apparently, they
cause trouble for everyone who don't engage in gossip
with them. I think she may be a good friend to have."
While the girls all laughed, Justin quietly said to her, "If
you think she'll be a good friend and you want to spend
time with her, you can do so. Just don't let yourselves be
caught anywhere alone; alright?"
She smiled at him and said, "Thank you."
She was unaware that Justin was using Raggy in the
same trick for which Harry used Dobby regarding Tracey
and Astoria the previous year and just Astoria this year.
Justin had Raggy keep an eye on both witches, just in
case.
For the first time, Harry had specifically invited Ernie
MacMillan to join them for Saturday night dinners. He
gratefully accepted and was sitting with them even now. It
brought their numbers up to eleven.
Wanting to make sure the boy was included, he turned to
him and explained how the girls had given CeeCee some
ideas on how to handle the undue attention directed her
way, especially from the gossipers.
MacMillan looked surprised and replied, "You won't step in
and deal with it?"
"Only if the girls can't," he replied. "Then Justin, as her
bonded, gets first shot at 'em, anyway."
That had Justin firmly nodding back.
"It's been made clear to me I'm not to act as if I'm the only
one who could fix these problems―" he added.
"Damned straight," declared Hermione, who'd overheard.
"Buuuut... I will if no one else can handle it; or, it's an
emergency," he said.
He had no idea it would be less than twenty-four hours
later that both he and Justin would have to step in.
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Chapter 553
It was late morning, while Harry and the others were
working on assignments, when there was a rapid banging
on the door. Harry, the closest, was quick to it and yank it
open. It was a slightly panicky Neville.
"CeeCee's been attacked!" he blurted.
As the girls behind him all gasped in shock, Harry barked,
"Where is she?"
"Infirmary by now, I'd think," he replied. "I've already let
Justin and Tracey know."
"Right," said Harry, breathing a little easier. "What else do
we know?"
"Nothing much," he replied. "I was in talking to Justin
when Raggy popped in and let him know. Justin and
Tracey were out the door before they asked him anything
else."
Nodding in thought, Harry was only a moment before he
called, "Raggy!"
When the elf popped in a few moments later and before
he could say anything, Harry asked, "Did you see the
attack, Raggy?"
"Yes, Master Harry," replied the elf, clearly sad and a little
afraid. "Raggy see it, but couldn't stop it before Miss
CeeCee was cursed. Raggy popped Miss CeeCee straight
to Infirmary, though.
"Then Raggy go back and get Miss CeeCee's friend, Miss
Nat'lee. Raggy take her to Infirmary, too."
Harry, though angry, said, "It sounds like you did good,
Raggy. There will be no punishment."
Daphne asked, "Raggy, did you see who cursed her?"
"Raggy did, Miss Daff-knee," replied the elf. "T'was
Slythers boy."
"Where is the Slytherin boy now?" she demanded.
"Raggy did use elf magic and stunned him, Miss Daphknee," he replied. "Raggy was angry. Raggy thinks he still
be on floor where Raggy stunned him."
"And where is that?" asked Harry.
"Not far from Griffers tower," replied the elf.
"Right," said Harry. Turning to the others, he said, "I'll have
Raggy pop me to where the dead-man-walking currently
is, to see if he's still there―"
"Don't kill him!" Hermione cut in and demanded.
"I won't," he scowled. "However, I'm going to make sure
he's secured and unable to scurry off and hide, trying to
escape just punishment. Elf testimony is unaccepted in a
criminal trial.
"You lot might want to wait for me down in the Infirmary.
Once I've secured the mongrel, I'll be heading there next."
Before anyone could say anything, he held his off-hand
out to the elf with his wand drawn and held in his wand
hand and said, "Pop me to where the attack occurred,
please, Raggy."
Without a word, the little elf grabbed his hand in his own
and both popped away.
As he disappeared in a white flash, Daphne said to the
others, "Come on. Let's hurry down to the Infirmary."
As the girls quickly shut up the apartment, they had to
stop at the Longbottom apartment to collect Hannah and
Susan. Neville hadn't had a chance to tell either of them
yet. However, it was only a long moment before both girls
were joining the others in their rush to the Infirmary.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Meanwhile, Harry had appeared in a flash of elf magic in
the corridor not far from the Gryffindor common room and,
apparently, where the attack had taken place. Already
there were the Slytherin boy he now recognised as
Seventh Year Adrien Pucey and Professors Flitwick and
Goodstone. The boy had clearly just been revived.
Not noticing Harry yet, the boy was answering a question.
"I don't know, Professor," he replied. "I was minding my
own business, while on a walk about the school, when I
was attacked."
"You lying piece of shit!" Harry barked.
That had the boy and both professors whirl to him in
shock, as none of them had noticed him until that point.
Pucey immediately raised his wand in fear, but got no
further as Harry was prepared for it and immediately
summoned the wand from his hand.
Instead of touching it, though, he simply side-stepped it
and glanced towards Professor Flitwick for a moment.
With his own wand still raised and pointing straight at the
Slytherin boy, Harry snarled, "Professor Flitwick. If you
wouldn't mind summoning that wand and performing a
prior incantation charm on it, you'll find what was most
recently cast with it. Then I suggest you head down to the
Infirmary, where you'll find both Miss CeeCee Wilkins and
Miss Natalie Fairbourne. Miss Wilkins was hit with a curse.
I just bet you'll find it was the same curse that your prior
incantation will show was cast using that wand."
Without a word, the Professor did just that, summoning the
wand from the floor from behind Harry to his hand. The
prior incantation charm then displayed the last three
magics cast with it; the 'hardening' charm, Duro, was the
last; the disillusionment charm was the previous one to
that.
"You tried to turn her to stone?!" barked Harry, staring with
hate at the older boy. That had the two Professors give
gasps of horror.
Without waiting for a response, Harry turned slightly to the
side and called, "Raggy!"
With an almost silent pop, the elf appeared where he was
directing his gaze. "Yes, Mast―"
"Raggy," he said, overriding the elf. "What was the colour
of the spell that hit Miss CeeCee?"
"Dark grey, Master Harry, Sir," the elf immediately replied.
"That's the one," snarled Flitwick, before he whirled to
stare at the boy with his own hate-filled eyes.
"Did he say anything as he cast the spell, Raggy?"
"Duro! Master Harry, Sir." The elf immediately replied.
"Right," said Harry. "Professors; please take into custody
that... piece of shit. I have no doubt Lord Finch-Fletchley
will want to deal with him, soonish. And, if he doesn't, I or
Lord Black will. Pucey is an of-age wizard, having attained
seventeen years of age.
"Miss Wilkins is the magical ward of Lord Sirius Orion
Black the Third, Lord of the Noble and Most Ancient
House of Black... and One of the Seven; just as I am!"
He didn't see the no-longer disillusioned auror run into the
corridor from behind until he was almost on them.
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Chapter 554
Staring back at Pucey in hate and with his own wand
pointing at the boy, Flitwick snapped, "Unless you have
anywhere else for this walking corpse to be, Professor
Goodstone, I suggest we escort him to the Headmistress's
office."
"I'll take him to the DMLE, Professor," said the slightly
puffed auror, walking up.
"No, you will not," said Flitwick, after only a glance at the
auror. "Lord Finch-Fletchley, Lord Black or Lord Potter will
be dealing with him... 'soonish'. I will not aggravate any of
those, especially the last two who are both of the Seven,
by allowing him out of my personal custody without their
direct order."
"Now, Professor―" tried the auror.
"Leave it, auror," snapped Goodstone. "Unless, of course,
you want to take on those three Lords, yourself?"
"Errr... no," replied the auror. Thinking a bit, he said, "At
least let me manacle him."
"N-No!" cried Pucey. The boy was white and trembling in
shock. "I-I was... I was under the Imperius!"
"That's not going to work," snapped Flitwick. "Claiming
Imperius will not save you from facing One of the Seven in
a duel to the death. Want to try again?"
While Pucey was trying to rack his brains with some way
to get himself out of the bind he was in, the auror stepped
in behind him and affixed manacles to his wrists.
"N-Nooo!" the boy finally started to struggle. "You don't
understand! My father was being blackmailed! I had to do
it!"
Harry said, "I'm going down to the infirmary to make sure
medi-wizard Robinson is aware of just what curse 'Pukeyboy' here hit her with."
Without a further word, or waiting to see if either Professor
or auror said anything back, Harry held out his hand to the
elf and popped away again in a flash of white light.
"No longer claiming being under the Imperius, I see,"
sneered Flitwick. "At least you're not a complete coward."
As the boy was spun about and pushed to start walking
towards the stairs, he babbled, "My father was told that, if
he didn't make me take care of the problem, he'd be killed!
I had to!"
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Harry had just barely been popped into the infirmary near
where medi-wizard Robinson was treating CeeCee, when
he said, "Pucey hit her with the hardening charm, Duro."
From the other side of CeeCee's bed he heard Hermione
reply, "He knows, Harry. He had that figured out pretty
quick."
Robinson only gave a grunt of acknowledgement. He was
still working on CeeCee at the time and didn't even look
up.
Noticing that the man was still working hard, he asked,
"What can I do to help?"
Robinson, still not looking up, said, "Give Miss Fairbourne
a calming draught. She's in shock and I don't have time to
deal with her at the moment."
Without saying a word, Harry walked over to the mobile
potion cabinet, saw the labelled vials and removed the
right one. It contained a pale green draught.
He quickly opened it, gave it a sniff, determined it was the
right one and walked over to where Fairbourne was sitting
on a nearby bed. She sat with her knees tucked under her
chin, her arms around her legs and was rocking back and
forth in a bit of a daze.
Getting her attention after a couple of attempts, he held
the opened vial to her lips and firmly commanded, "Drink!"
Then tipped the vial into her mouth.
As soon as he saw her swallow a couple of times he took
the now empty vial away.
She immediately wrinkled her nose, gave a slight shudder
of revulsion and firmly declared, "Yuck!"
Harry empathised. It was practically the same response he
made when he woke up in Marchbanks's office after his
burgeoning panic attack on learning about Fleur's life debt.
"Calming draught, actually," he returned.
After first putting the empty vial on the bedside table, he
then stepped in close, leaned in and wrapped the girl in
his arms.
"You did good, Natalie," he firmly said. "It's over."
She started to softly sob in his arms and burrowed into his
robes on his chest, clearly feeling sorry for herself. While
the calming draught brought her out of her shock, it did
nothing much for how miserable she was feeling.
Harry had stood there for about fifteen seconds before
Fleur stepped in and softly said, "I'll take her from here,
Harry."
It then took a few seconds to untangle the girl from out of
Harry's robes before she was transferred to Fleur's arms;
and Harry could back away.
Finally free, he turned to see Robinson had clearly
finished with CeeCee. He had a tired, but satisfied, gentle
smile on his face.
"No long term damage," he said. "I was worried about
that."
"I don't understand," said Hermione. "Why would he,
whoever it was, use something like the hardening charm
to attack someone?"
"Because it's a charm and not a curse, Hermione," replied
Harry. "He... and it was Adrien Pucey, by the way... he
probably thought that, because it was a charm he used, it
wouldn't be picked up by the curse and dark arts detection
wards now on the castle and grounds."
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Chapter 555
"But..." she spluttered, "That's... that's―"
"Daft," Harry firmly said, cutting in. "Yes."
"Pucey, eh?" called a soft male voice.
Turning to look to the bed on the other side of where
CeeCee was now sleeping peacefully, Harry saw Justin
sitting on the edge of it next to a no-longer-crying Tracey,
holding her hand while staring in pain at CeeCee. It was
he, who'd asked.
"Yes," replied Harry. "He's just been escorted to
Headmistress Lady Marchbanks's office by Professors
Flitwick and Goodstone, wandless and in custody."
"He's mine, Harry," the boy quietly said, still not looking at
Harry.
"I think you'll have to argue that point with Lord Black,
Justin," said Harry. "He is CeeCee's magical guardian,
after all."
Justin thought about that, for a moment, before he said,
"Raggy was supposed to―"
Cutting in, Harry firmly said, "Raggy couldn't act until the
boy actually attacked. He did everything he could when
the boy did, though.
"He stunned him, grabbed CeeCee, brought her directly to
Healer Robinson, then went back and got young Natalie,
here.
"As soon as he'd done that, he went and informed you.
What more would you have of him?"
Robinson piped up and said, "And if he hadn't gotten Miss
Wilkins to me as fast as he did, I might not have been able
to save her. That charm would have very quickly moved to
her lungs and heart, hardening and stopping both."
"So," said Harry. "It was a fatal cast, only proven not fatal
because you were able to get to her in time?"
"Definitely," the man immediately responded.
"That's all I need," said Harry. "Thank you."
Turning back to Justin, he said, "Justin, come with me.
We're going to the Headmistress's office to relay just that
information to her and whoever else is there."
The boy gave a firm nod and hopped off the bed, still
looking at CeeCee. "And then we call in Lord Black."
"Why wait?" asked Harry. A quick messenger Patronus
and he turned back. "That was a message to Lord Black to
meet us there."
As Justin finally looked at him with a somewhat haunted
look in his eyes, Tracey was apparently coming with. She
wouldn't release her grip on Justin's hand.
Turning to his own ladies, he said, "Would you three
please stay and keep an eye on CeeCee and young
Natalie? I don't want you three separating from one
another, at the moment."
"Alright, Harry," said Hermione. "Stay safe." She knew not
to argue the point about being left behind at that time.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Without a word between them the entire way, Harry led the
way up past the gargoyle guardian at the foot of the stairs
to the Headmistress's office. Those they had passed in the
corridors between the Infirmary and the gargoyle had
enough survival instinct not to get in the way, or otherwise
accost them, as they walked. They all made like wall
fixtures or standing-in-place suits of armour as the trio
passed.
A quick knock on the door and a bid to enter from within,
Harry opened the door and led the way inside.
Immediately, he noticed that Lady Marchbanks was sitting
propped against the front edge of her desk, Pucey was
sitting in a hard wooden chair with his hands manacled
behind him and over the back of it, Sirius was standing
near the fireplace, scowling away and Narcissa was in not
a little shock, but also looking murderous. Others in the
room were two 'junior' aurors, standing as if to both guard
and keep at wand point Pucey; Madam Bones and
Professors Flitwick and Goodstone. The last two were
standing off to one side, opposite Sirius and Narcissa.
Marchbanks, both Professors and Bones were all staring
at Harry.
Walking further in, Harry said, "According to medi-wizard
Robinson, CeeCee's going to be okay; but it was a close
thing."
That had Narcissa sag in relief, at least.
"If Raggy hadn't acted as fast as he did in getting CeeCee
to the Infirmary," he continued, "CeeCee would not have
made it. The Duro charm would have killed her by
solidifying her lungs and heart before he could have
cancelled the effects of the charm and reversed the
damage.
"That means the attack was effectively a fatal one. It was
only the quick actions of a house elf and that Robinson
was able to quickly figure out what happened that saved
her. If either had been any slower... Puke-boy, there,
would now be guilty of the murder of a rightful Head of a
Magical House. As she lived... that makes it attempted
murder of same."
Sirius snarled while staring with pure hate at the young
man. Padfoot was only barely below the mental surface.
"All the evidence needed for a very successful prosecution
of this case, if it goes to trial, is there and waiting to be
collected or already collected," he continued. "The man,
since he is of age, was found at the scene of the crime.
His wand was checked and showed the curse used to
commit this heinous act. The only person to have
otherwise touched it is Professor Flitwick, when he cast
the prior incantation charm upon it in the presence of
myself and Deputy Headmaster Goodstone. Medi-wizard
Robinson has already confirmed for me that she was,
indeed, hit with the hardening charm, Duro. That charm
would have killed her if he hadn't been able to get to her
as fast as he did. And it was apparently witnessed by Miss
Natalie Fairbourne, who is currently sitting on a bed next
to the victim."
"What do you mean... if it goes to trial, Lord Potter?"
demanded Bones.
"As well as being the magical ward of Lord Black, here,
she is also a Black by blood," he calmly replied. "As there
are so few left, that makes her also an Heiress of the
Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, One of the
Seven. Bloodline wise, she's fifth in line. And that means
you're going to need permission from Lord Black to even
take him to trial. Lord Black just might want to deal with
the walking corpse... personally."
As Sirius's look of hate and loathing turned into one of a
death's head grin, still staring at the boy, Pucey
whimpered and turned away.
"Then again," he continued, "Maybe Puke-boy might like
to beg mercy and protection from the Director of the
DMLE. So long as he promises to be fully forthcoming with
both the truth of exactly why he chose to attack Miss
CeeCee Wilkins... and swears to plead guilty at his trial, of
course... then, maybe Lord Black might let the DMLE take
charge of the matter and take it to trial, after all."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------
Chapter 556
With the exception of Sirius, who was still staring with hate
and murderous intent at Pucey; and Pucey himself, who
was sitting in the chair facing away from him and with his
head hung down; just about everyone else looked back at
Harry in shock. He couldn't see the expressions on the
faces of Justin and Tracey, though, as they were still
behind him.
Unsurprisingly, Madam Bones was the first to speak.
"That... just might be doable," she quietly said.
"He's mine!" snarled Sirius.
Harry shrugged and said, "According to Puke-boy here up
on the sixth floor corridor near Gryffindor tower, he told
Professor Flitwick his father was being blackmailed by
another. That blackmailer demanded of Pukey senior to
order Puke-boy to kill CeeCee.
"Puke-boy knows the identity of that blackmailer. If he
coughs up who that is, then you've got the one who
initiated this. If he doesn't, then that blackmailer will
probably just demand little Miss Fourth Year Pukey,
Pukey-boy's little sister, to take a shot."
Pucey wailed, "I swore an oath on my magic not to give up
the identity of... that person."
"Well, then," said Harry. "You have a bit of a conundrum,
don't you? You can give up your life... because Lord Black
will kill you, have no doubt of that... and then put your
baby sister into the exact same spot you're in now; or, you
can save your sister from what will be her fate, sacrifice
your magic and probably save your own life in the
process. Plus, giving up the identity of the blackmailer will
mean he'll no longer be able to blackmail your father...
mother... sister... anyone else in your family... Got the idea,
yet?
"Currently, the choice is apparently yours. Choose fast, or
it won't be. Are you going to be the hero of your family and
save them from a blackmailer, or the coward you've
already demonstrated yourself to be."
The boy still had his head down and was pitifully sobbing.
No one else said a word and waited to see what would
happen. Eventually, the boy, young man, wailed, "It's
Corban Yaxley! Corban Yaxley is blackmailing my father!"
A moment later there was a huge flash of magic that
exploded as light out of the boy and he slumped forward,
unconscious. It had almost physically knocked people off
their feet. Most, including Harry, staggered. Only Pucey's
hands, manacled behind the chair-back, held him on his
seat.
"Sweet Merlin!" someone gasped.
Flitwick ducked forward, as did Marchbanks, and both
waved their wands over the young man.
A few moments later, Flitwick said, "I've no idea if he's lost
his magic or it's just magical exhaustion. He's alive,
though. I recommend getting Peter up here to take a look
at him before anyone does anything else."
Bones rounded on Harry, furious. "Well. It looks like you've
just cost this young man his magic. Are you happy?"
"Happy? No," Harry calmly replied. "Satisfied? If he's,
indeed, lost his magic; most definitely.
"And... I'll remind you, Madam Bones... all I did was talk. If
he's lost his magic, he did it to himself.
"I'll also clarify for you, you could have easily stopped it
from happening. Stunning him would have been one way.
Simply speaking out and telling me to stop would have
been another. The same applies to everyone else in this
room. No one chose to do any of that. Clearly, you all
chose not to.
"Now, is anyone going to call medi-wizard Robinson up?"
he asked. "Or, since he already has two patients down in
the Infirmary under his direct care, are you going to take
Puke-boy down there?"
Eventually, they chose the latter; but not until Madam
Bones berated Harry for a further half a minute for his
supposed cruelty.
Harry, though, was obviously unrepentant. He thought it
was 'Just'.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Leading the way and with her two aurors levitating a still
manacled and unconscious Pucey down to the Infirmary,
Madam Bones ordered, "Put him on a bed at the other
end, away from everyone else."
The three teens were next and Sirius, Narcissa and the
two Professors were bringing up the rear of the
procession.
As the two aurors complied, Robinson said, "Hello. What's
this, then?" And moved over to begin examining the boy.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------
Chapter 557
"He deliberately breached a magical Oath," said Bones. "I
need you to clarify whether or not he still has his magic."
Robinson gave her a short look of shock before he turned
back to his task. A moment later he asked, "Do the
manacles inhibit his magical core in any way?"
"Damn," said Bones. "Inhibit his magic, yes. I don't know if
it affects the core, though." Turning to the senior of her two
aurors, she ordered, "Remove the manacles. He's
unconscious, so he's not going anywhere."
The Senior gave a nod, rolled Pucey onto his side and
removed them. With them off, he let Pucey roll back onto
his back. He left his hands behind him, though; so he was
lying on them.
Robinson returned to working on him.
A few moments later, he said, "There's a spark of magic
there. However, I don't know if that's because that's all
there is; or if it's severe magical exhaustion. I'll need to
monitor him overnight."
"No," said Bones. "We'll transfer him to Mungo's and into
the DMLE-secured ward there. I don't want to leave him in
here where his victim is recuperating." And cast a glance
towards CeeCee, where she was still sleeping.
Meanwhile Sirius, Narcissa and the three teens went to or
returned to near the two beds that contained CeeCee and
young Natalie. Both Sirius and Narcissa were making sure
for themselves that CeeCee was going to be alright.
Goodstone and Flitwick were standing apart, but near
Bones, quietly talking to one another and watching what
Robinson was doing.
As soon as she saw her Aunt walk in, Susan only waited
until she saw she was not occupied with a task before
going to her and giving her a hug.
While she was gone and everything else was going on,
Justin softly explained to the others what had happened,
including Harry's part in it. That then had Hermione look to
Harry in awe. So did Daphne, but hers had an underlying
expression of fear mixed in.
Harry knew it was because of a pureblood's fear of losing
their magic. For a great many, they'd rather lose their lives
than their magic. It was why Harry said to Pucey that 'the
blackmailer' would probably put his little sister and other
family members into the same predicament if he didn't
breach the Oath and tell them who it was.
It led Harry to a decision. Turning to his godfather he said,
"Sirius, I know she's a Pucey, but if Puke-boy over there
really has lost his magic we need to do something to
protect his sister from the fallout of her big brother
exposing Yaxley as the blackmailer. Their father can go
fff... flip off, for all I care."
Sirius looked ready to snap out a denial before he then
seemed to think about it and gave a begrudging nod.
"Honestly, I think it's doubtful he has," said Harry.
Sirius frowned and asked, "Why?"
"Magic's all about intent, remember?" he replied. "If he
was forced to give the Oath, it was not his intent to risk his
magic. However, if he was then forced to breach the Oath,
he might have. But, again, he might not. If magic truly is
about intent, then I doubt he has; or, at least all of it, at
any rate."
Sirius thought about that for a few moments before he
said, "I'll be back." Then walked over to Bones and started
to quietly talk to her.
A long few seconds later she whirled to stare at Harry in
surprise. He just gave a half-hearted 'I dunno' shrug back.
Then she walked over to quietly talk to Robinson as the
two aurors were re-affixing the manacles to Pucey's
wrists.
He, too, then looked surprised before he obviously
dropped into deep thoughts. He was a long few moments
before he gave his own shrug to her.
Once Pucey was ready for transport again, he was again
levitated by the two aurors. Robinson activated the
Infirmary floo for them and, with Bones leading the way,
the four all disappeared through it.
Once they were gone, Flitwick and Goodstone also left,
but by way of the doors claiming they needed to report
back to Headmistress Lady Marchbanks what had
happened.
That left Sirius and Narcissa to spend time with the Heirs,
including CeeCee and Natalie. The latter was staying until
she felt ready to go back to Gryffindor tower. She seemed
in no rush to do so, claiming she wanted to watch over
CeeCee too.
Narcissa spent a bit of time with the girl, softly talking to
her. She was telling the girl not to feel any blame for what
happened, as no one else held her to blame.
Eventually, as lunch time approached, Robinson threw
them all out of 'his' Infirmary, telling the teens to at least go
and eat lunch. However, Sirius dug his heels in and
Robinson knew he wouldn't win that particular 'battle' of
wills, so the two adults, the magical guardians, remained.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------
Chapter 558
Although they were late to lunch, it was a Sunday;
therefore they did not have the usual difficulties in finding
a seat at a busy time. The group of nine found a suitable
enough and wide enough gap on the Ravenclaw table,
about where the fourth years would sit at one of the
feasts, and sat there.
Because of Harry's very public ire towards Roger Davies
towards the end of the previous year about 'having' to sit
with your own House for meals, none of the 'Claws said a
word about the group sitting there. However, he found out
later that Justin caught one of the girls, he thought a Sixth
Year, scowling at them. And he glared right back until she
hurriedly looked away. Not a word was said, but the girl
had obviously known she'd just been royally told off.
It was while they'd been sitting there for only a few
minutes that Luna Lovegood came over, found a gap in
the group and plonked herself down in it before looking to
Harry.
"Harrison Potter," she calmly said. "I'm Luna Lovegood.
But, you already knew that, didn't you?"
Smirking at the girl with a cocked eyebrow he replied, "I
did actually, yes. What brings you to visit?"
"I wanted to see if you really are a wealthy old spinster or
widowed witch, or not," she replied. "You don't look like
one to me."
When everyone else appeared confused, he tried to
imitate the confusion for a few moments before he asked,
"And what, pray tell, would lead you to such a... curious
state of affairs?"
As she built herself another lunch, she said, "Because the
mind-healer lady who visits me on occasion and who talks
with me to help me work things out said it was a wealthy
old witch who paid for her to come and do so. I both
believe it was you and that you are not a wealthy old
witch."
Unsurprised the girl had figured it out from what he knew
of her, but still surprised she would be so forward about
asking, he was a few moments before he thought about
an answer. He said, "It sounds like this wealthy old witch,
whoever it is, did not want you to know who they were.
Otherwise, they'd have told you; yes? Maybe they don't
want you to feel beholden to them."
Luna paused to think about that for a while before she
gave a firm nod back and said, "Very well, Lord Harrison
James Potter, wealthy old witch, I'll not press you to tell
me it's you." Then returned to her lunch.
As Luna was dragged into a conversation with Hannah a
minute later, Hermione leaned in to him and softly
whispered, "You'll be explaining that, tonight."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After their lunch, Harry reminded Justin he could work on
his assignments even in the Infirmary, if he was of a mind
to.
"Just go and collect what you need from your apartment
before heading back to the Infirmary, first," he suggested.
Justin gave an almost distracted nod back and replied,
"Yeah; thanks, Harry."
However, keeping a closer eye on the boy as they walked
up to the Lords' Quarters, Harry could see his new'ish
friend was clearly blaming himself for the harm that befell
CeeCee.
Finally, once they hit the fifth floor and were walking down
the corridor to the Lords' Quarters door, Harry grabbed
Justin and dragged the boy aside.
"Justin," he firmly said. "Stop blaming yourself for what
happened to CeeCee."
"My fault," said Justin, miserable.
"No, it wasn't," Harry firmly shot back. "This was entirely
the fault of Adrien Pucey, his father and, as we now know,
Corban Yaxley. Madam Bones will soon have the other
two perpetrators in custody. Hells, she might have the two
already there!"
"We should have foreseen they'd try something like this,"
the boy sadly said.
"We did," said Harry. "And, clearly, so did you. Otherwise,
you wouldn't have had Raggy invisibly tailing her about.
"No, this is more on me, than you. I knew no elf would proactively attack a witch or wizard. I knew they could only
act aggressively if a witch or wizard had already attacked
one or ones considered their family, or one their master
has told them to protect.
"This now means I'll be bringing yet another elf to the
castle and giving them all stronger orders relating to
defence when it comes to CeeCee and those she'll be
with, such as young Natalie.
Justin whirled on him and said, "You knew Raggy wouldn't
attack first?"
"Of course," he replied. "They simply can't!"
Justin stared at him for a long moment before he asked,
"Then what sort of orders are you going to give a second
elf? I want to give the same to Raggy."
Harry nodded and said, "I'll be telling them that, should a
curse or charm be cast at them, they are to immediately
put something like a stone block in the way of it to block it.
However you, me and medi-wizard Robinson will be
excused from that.
"Next, I'll be telling them that, as soon as they block that
charm or curse, they are to render unconscious the
person who did it and bind them.
"Third, they are to get CeeCee away from the area to
somewhere safe. Preferably, your apartment or mine.
Unless CeeCee's injured; in which case they're to pop her
directly to the Infirmary and inform the medi-wizard, just as
Raggy did this time.
"If there are any other conditions that might change or be
added to that, I'll let you know."
Calmer now, Justin nodded and said, "I'll also give thought
to it and see if I can find any improvements."
The two boys continued to head to the Quarters, catching
up with Neville and the ladies in short order.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Without any further discovered long-term or lasting
damage, CeeCee was released by Robinson on the
Monday morning before classes started. And, on being
collected and welcomed with open arms by both Justin
and Tracey, was quick to rejoin both in the Finch-Fletchley
apartment. She did need to change, after all.
After classes, Harry was surprised to find Madam Bones
knocking on the door of the Potter Apartment. Hermione
had answered the knock and let the woman in a moment
later.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------
Chapter 559
It was obvious she was in a bit of a hurry as she
immediately looked to Harry; who sitting on one of the
couches, working on homework and just rising; and said,
"You were right. Young Pucey did not lose his magic
breaking that oath. However, his magic has definitely been
permanently depleted. The healers estimate he's lost
about a third of it."
Finished standing, Harry nodded. "I figured as much. I
could not see how a person could be forced to make an
oath when magic, as was explained to me, was all about
intent.
"I could, however, see how he'd lose some of it, because
there was probably something in the back of his mind that
actually wanted him to make the oath. Otherwise, there
would not have been the tell-tale flash of magic to show
the oath... 'took'."
She nodded and said, "That's pretty much the same
explanation the healers gave me for how it happened."
"Anyway," she sighed, "That's neither here nor there as to
why I'm here." She firmed up a bit and said, "Both
Ambrose Pucey, young Mister Pucey's father, and Corban
Yaxley have been arrested. I can't get anything out of
Pucey Senior, because I couldn't convince him to give up
the name of his blackmailer. However, it proved
unnecessary. When I told him Mister Pucey the younger
proved willing to sacrifice his magic to give up the name of
his blackmailer and did just that, Yaxley knew he was
sunk. That's when he finally admitted to the blackmailing
and then gave us what hold he had over Pucey the Elder
in revenge. Both will now be heading to Azkaban; after a
trial, of course. That will be next week."
"Do we want to know what it was?" asked Hermione.
Bones hesitated a moment before she replied, "No; I don't
think you really do."
"We don't need to," said Harry, giving Hermione a firm look
before turning back to Bones.
"Thank you for letting us know," he said. "Have you been
in to see the Finch-Fletchleys yet? They're in Apartment
Nine."
She nodded and replied, "I've just come from there."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After Bones left, Harry followed her out and stopped at the
Finch-Fletchley apartment, knocking on the door.
Tracey was quick to open it and let him in. He didn't even
realise his three had followed him before Hermione
slipped past him and went to sit and talk with CeeCee,
who was sitting on a sofa doing homework.
From close nearby, Justin looked to Harry and smiled.
"Greetings, Lord Potter," he said. "How fare thee?"
Harry gave a snort of amusement and replied, "I fare well,
My Lord of Lonsdale. And, may one as humble as I
enquire; how art thou?"
That was it for Justin, he burst into laughter; which had
Harry chuckling, as well.
What Harry saw, though, was something that made him
happier. CeeCee was trying to smother a case of 'the
giggles'.
"That one's a classic!" said Justin, starting to calm down.
"So, what brings you to visit?" asked a calmer Tracey.
Harry replied, "We just got a visit from Susan's aunt."
"Ah," said Tracey. "Good news, wasn't it." She didn't say it
as a question, more a statement; and the others knew it.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Harry had no idea they'd done it, but Neville and his two
quietly alerted the rest of the school that Harry had put
Adrien Pucey into a position where he had no choice but
to breach an Oath. And that it was because the young
man had attacked CeeCee. Plus, that was why the boy
was no longer in school. Harry suspected they used the
same method they 'outed' Daphne and Harry entering a
relationship agreement.
For purebloods, losing their magic was a horror they didn't
even want to contemplate. Deliberately doing it to
themselves... That concept gave them nightmares.
For the many who had heard and believed it now meant
that any fomenting plans that were about bringing harm or
other mischief to CeeCee were immediately discarded,
with all evidence of it even vanished lest Potter learn of it
and come and deal with them in a similar fashion. Killing
someone was one thing; it was a whole different magical
duel to force them to give up their magic.
What they didn't know, as it was not something the Heirs
wanted them to know, was that Pucey had not lost all his
magic - just some of it. However, he wouldn't be returning
to Hogwarts. Instead, there was no doubt he'd be
convicted of the attempted murder of CeeCee and sent to
Azkaban with his father and Yaxley. His own admissions
would see to that.
He, his father and Yaxley would be facing the Wizengamot
sitting in judicial review the next Tuesday morning. In the
mean time, he'd be cooling his heels in the secure ward at
Saint Mungo's while his father and Yaxley sat in DMLE
holding cells. As it was a capital crime, they'd not be
released on their own recognisance before the trial.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
No longer focussed on nothing but food while sitting at the
table during meals, Ron had heard the rumour and
decided it was more than believable. To him, it further
cemented for him that Potter was a dark lord just waiting
to take over the wizarding world. Forcing someone to give
up their magic, he thought, was probably the most evil act
of which he'd ever heard. Not even the Death Eaters had
been that cruel.
And yet, people still thought that, while Potter had become
dangerous, the boy was still a hero.
'Hadn't they learned anything when it was discovered
Dumbledore was actually a hidden dark lord?' he
wondered. 'Why can't they see Potter was just like him?'
He now resolved to take even more time in practicing the
dark curses and the like in the books Nott had 'loaned'
him. He was beginning to see it as his duty to wizarding
Britain, as a light wizard, to deal with Potter.
Already, he had figured that the dark magic detection
wards did not cover the unused classrooms, only the
corridors.
While disillusioned he'd walked into one and cast a single
curse before running out, crossing the outside corridor and
slipping into a broom closet. He then waited there for a
good five minutes to see if one of the teaching staff hurried
up to see what had happened.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------
Chapter 560
When the five minutes passed, he left the broom closet,
re-entered the classroom and cast two even darker
curses, before again quickly exiting and jumping into the
broom closet. When, again, no Professor turned up, he
knew he had his 'training room'.
That room was in the once banned third floor corridor 'on
the left', not far from the room that used to hold Fluffy.
What he was unaware of, nor was anyone left alive who
knew, that entire corridor had been separately warded by
Quirrellmort with the use of runes. The man... men, when
considering two souls... had set it all up just before the
beginning of the 1991/92 year. He/They did not want any
magic cast in that area to be detectable by Dumbledore.
So, to that end, he/they created a self powering runic
array that blocked the detection of such magics covering
the entire floor of that 'wing' of the castle. Then, after what
went down in the room with the Mirror, Riddle promptly
forgot about it; or no longer cared.
With that runic array in place and still active it created a
null field in the magical wards that related to cast magic.
But, only relating to that third floor corridor. The runic array
was 'nested' within the wider wards that covered the entire
school and, therefore, overrode the castle's wards for that
particular area.
Ward and Ancient Runes Masters would be able to better
explain it but, simply put, Ron Weasley had unknowingly
'lucked out'. He had somewhere that was now considered
'disused', where he could practice casting dark and deadly
curses and no one would detect it and intervene.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
The next morning Sirius and Narcissa, together with a
couple of aurors, had turned up to pick up both CeeCee
and young Natalie. They'd come to collect both to take
them to the DMLE to be interviewed over what happened
on the Sunday morning on the sixth floor.
They were both back just as the 'Heirs' were sitting down
for morning tea at the Hufflepuff table. And room was
quickly made for both of them. Natalie joined them.
The first to be ready to ask, Justin quietly asked, "How'd it
go?"
"It went well," replied CeeCee. "Uncle Sirius and Mum
Narcissa were with us the whole time. It wasn't scary, at
all."
Natalie said, "They gave us some special water to drink. It
had these potions in it that made it easier to talk about."
Neville said, "I remember that. It has a mild truth potion
and calming potion in it. A couple of drops of lemon juice,
too."
"That's the one," nodded CeeCee.
Natalie added, "The auror, Connie I think her name was,
said that the person who forced the situation... along with
that Slytherin boy and his father... are all under arrest and
won't be released until after the trials. Even then she didn't
think they'd be released, as she thought they'd be found
guilty and sent to 'Azzer-kah-ban', the prison."
Harry heard Hermione quietly mutter, "Azkaban."
However, it was not loud enough for either of the two
younger girls to hear. She was definitely doing better.
CeeCee said, "She said the trials would be held next
Tuesday morning and both Natalie and I will need to be
there for it. Uncle Sirius and Mum Narcissa are going to
come and pick us up for it."
Harry smiled and said, "I'll be there, too, ladies."
"Me, too, if I can swing it," said Justin.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
For the rest of the school week there were no further
attempts of harm directed towards CeeCee, or even
young Natalie. However, Harry was definitely experiencing
people not within their group staying as far away from him
as they could get and still remain students within the
school.
Again, students were afraid of him; just as they were in
second year and after what happened the previous school
year when Weasley was withdrawn from the school.
However, this time he had a much larger group of friends
around him; not to mention the three beautiful witches who
often individually warmed his bed.
Though he had worried about the initial reaction from
Daphne, it passed within less than a day. She was also
eager to share his bed on the Tuesday night to show she
wasn't afraid of him, after all.
Again, Harry made sure she knew she didn't have to do
'that'. However, she smiled with slight exasperation and
said, "Harry; I love you. I know you're not going to hurt me.
I think it's about time you accepted that and let me decide
whether or not I want to sleep with you; alright?"
Chagrined, Harry smiled back and nodded. "Sorry," he
muttered.
By way of apology, he slid down the bed as he pushed her
to lie flat on her back with her legs spread.
Moments later, Daphne no longer cared. "Ohhhh... Mmerrr-LIIIIN!"
Hermione joined him the next night with the excuse that,
since they both had Astronomy that night, it 'made sense'
they slept together so they'd ensure they'd both make it.
It made Harry laugh, but he didn't turn her away.
When they returned from Astronomy, this year it was at
10.00pm, they both snuggled down together and were
quickly asleep.
Thursday, like Wednesday, had the first period a 'free
study' period. Unlike Wednesday, though, he didn't also
have the free period in fourth period. That was the one
where Daphne and Hermione were studying Arithmancy.
Though, by the end of the day's classes, he still ended up
exhausted. Thankfully, he knew Friday didn't have a class
for him until the fourth period, when he had Ancient
Runes.
-------------------