Chapter 83: Meeting the Patlis III

"The decision has been made, it not only you in this family young lady. Even with the grants, and support provide by Hogwarts we still playing close to three thousand a year. It isn't just you in this family young lady so stop being so selfish," her mother spoke sternly; making clear the matter was over.

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Thinking over everything she knew, about the grants, three thousand a year was same as some private school, and her family wasn't wealthy by any standards. She knew Hogwarts did a scholarship scheme for gifted students, "Mum," causing her mother to look at her, in emotionless expression.

"Hogwarts does a scholarship, I can apply for it. If I get it, would you agreed to let me go," she asked hopefully, after all money had been primary concern based on her mother's reasoning.

It felt like eternally waiting for the answer, "I'll consider it, I'll have to talk to your father about it," she replied, before saying. "But you have to get a summer job to fund any supplies you need... I also want you to apply for the local collage for next term,"

Accepting the offered terms, realizing she probably wouldn't get any better ones. "I understand Mum," before watching as her mother leave the room.

Going to her room, to try to think about what she had to do in order to apply for the grant, before deciding to write a letter to her head of house about the matter.

Completing her letter rather quickly, she remember that she would have to go to the alley and send it from one of the Owl stations, if she wished to contact her head of house.

With nothing to do, she suddenly felt the weight of world crashing down on her, as realization that she may never she Hogwarts again, or any her friends, resulting in any of her remaining control to disappear, as the tears started to flow freely.

Taking calming breaths, thought about what she had learn about meditation before starting her breathing exercises, trying to calm herself. Thinking over the problem like the Ravenclaw she was, she realized she had additional option open to her, Harry, could easy back her for next couple years, after all Potter were old and wealthy, if everything said about them was true.

She would just have to persuade him to help her out, not that she thought back much effort of her part. She would just have made a logical agreement, where Harry could see profit in it, since Harry often followed logic over emotions. She also started to thinking over what her mother meant by real world.

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( Albus Pov )

Seeing the owl return and place the letter on desk for the second time, he'd realized that Harry had to be under wards set to block any charmed mail, which was annoying; it also meant that the ministry was on his back continuously, so they could get new address to apply the monitoring wards. Even if it was minor problem, but receiving a daily owl about the issue, was just time wasteful.

Sighing, the boy was becoming a headache, far greater than his father had been with his pranking ways. It did not matter really he had his bases covered; he had contacted the director of the prophet to block anything coming from Mr Potter. So it would never reach the press, he also gifted the director, with nice five thousand galleons to sweeten the deal.

Now he just had to find Harry before anything else could happen, which he hadn't planned for.

He could try Fawkes, but problem was Fawkes could only 'find' people if he knew them, or they called Fawkes to them. Since Fawkes had not encounter boy since he was baby, it meant Fawkes was useless in finding the boy to bypassed wards what had been thrown up.

Besides Fawkes had made it clear over the years; he wouldn't carry charmed mail unless absolutely necessary. And this wasn't necessary in his beloved Phoenix opinion.

Deciding to try a different series of charms, ones he personally made over years to track mail, and see if one of them would be successful, before reattaching the mail to waiting owl. Pushing thoughts of Harry from his mind, so he could focus on the bigger issue of Neville's training.

Neville was already too skilled for his liking, and he needed to be slow down the boy's development down to that of his peers. Professor Quirrell had started this with his limited teaching of the first years, ensuring the boy's first year had been wasted, and learnt nothing but theories.

Sure he wanted the boy to be capable of defending himself, but he needed Neville to be controllable. And by limiting the boy's growth also meant that if Neville ever fell to the dark side, he wouldn't be as skilled or as powerful, hence could be easily captured and redeemed... or if necessary removed for the greater good.

Now he just had to find a suitable teacher for the post, not that many were willing to risk the chances of curse since one in three died on average. Yes he done the maths over the years, now odds were in line with crippling injury, since it been far too long. Yes it was cold of him, but necessary, since it wouldn't do for someone talented to be needlessly wasted.

Going through a mental list of candidates, what could be considered 'disposable' if the worst case happened? Several names pop up, but one took his focus, Gilderoy Lockhart.

If one believes the man's books he was next becoming of Merlin, if everything Molly said was true. But if he remembered correctly Gilderoy had been an average student at best, when he had passed through the halls of Hogwarts. If the man had suddenly got his act together and grown up then it was possible, or something was a foot, either way he decided to invite Gilderoy Lockhart for meeting and to talk to him in person.

First if the man was next Merlin like Molly described, it would be best to gain control of him before another did for the light side. If not then he could not afford another rival for his position as the grand light mage, and he could arrange for some way to disgrace him, or if needs be to remove him. After all the light couldn't afford to be divided in the coming darkness, therefore for greater good Gilderoy would have to be removed, since only he could do what must be done.

And if the man was a fraud, well then he would be suitable for teaching for year, and he could always be used as a scapegoat just as Quirrell had ended up being. Either way the man would serve a purpose in his plans.

Now he just had to wait to find out what Lucius was planning, so he could begin setting the stage. Maybe it was time for Neville to suffer a fall in popularity as well, to help control him, and tam the young lion. It would also help Minerva in keeping the lions in check, if their leader was named and shamed rather publicly.

After all, the Boy was encouraging others to break the rules, so if he became a black sleep, then it would limit his confidence. And it would help to restrain him, and allow his agent to move closer into Neville's circle of friends. He would just have to encourage Ron to stay loyal and shoulder the storm of bad feelings to Neville.

Plus it would teach the boy about just how fast the public opinion could change, for better or worse, and would help harden the lad to it. So Neville would be prepared for future, when such rumours and gossip were far more harmful, and public, rather than just being in the school halls.

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