Chapter 4: Some Celebrate, Some Don't

The next morning Harry and Sirius were ready to go to the celebrations, but first, "We need to be able to speak the language," Sirius said, tapping his wand to Harry's head and implanted Spanish directly in his brain. It is a dark spell that his family used when they dealt with the muggles. He only hoped that this was the language they spoke here.

"Ow" Harry said, wrinkling his brow.

"Yeah, there'll be a headache for a few minutes, but you'll be okay soon." Then he tapped his own head and waited for the pain. He had already had this done as a child, but he needed it refreshed. His headache won't be as long as Harry's.

Harry clutched his head as the new information flooded his brain. It was a very strange sensation, like someone reading to him out loud very quickly, yet with complete clarity. Sirius was right, the headache was a doozy. He breathed shallowly for a few minutes, and soon it dissipated. He now understood and spoke Spanish. He did wonder if he could read it.

"Hola," he said to his godfather in the new language.

"Me alegro de ver que funcionó," Sirius said, speaking the same language.

"I'm glad it works too," Harry said in English, as much as he liked learning a new language, he was far more comfortable with his native tongue. "Shall we?" he asked, anxious to get out of the house for a while. That and it might be exciting to see the festival. There was bound to be some good stuff there.

"Let's," was the reply, and the two went out of the house to the beach where a boat was waiting.

"Do you even know how to sail?" Harry asked, looking at the skipper. It was a smallish white boat with a red stripe around it. Its name was Lilypad. Harry wasn't sure how to feel about that. He was sure it was a coincidence since Sirius had never been on the island.

"I know how to operate most boats," Sirius said seriously. "It has a motor," he added, pointing to the said device.

"How?" Harry asked, not sure how a pureblood like Sirius would know about vehicles. "I mean, how do you know?"

"I learned about all modes of transportation. Wizard and muggle. That's how I got my motorbike to fly," was the answer. Muggle vehicles fascinated him. Ever since he left his parents house, he studied everything he could on muggles, out of spite. He knew the ins and outs of most mechanical vehicles. Well, those from thirteen years ago. This one was about that old.

"Oh," Harry said, cautiously getting in the craft. "This one's not going to fly, is it?" he asked, not sure that would be a good thing.

"No, I'll make sure we stay on the water. Don't worry, I do know what I'm doing," Sirius said, releasing the rope from the dock, then going to the front of the boat and turning the key. The motor started up and he steered them away from the dock. They skipped along the water to the mainland, which was about twenty-five miles away from the island.

They got to the shore and pulled the boat up to the port there. Sirius had to wrangle a price to pay later. He had had the goblins put their money into gold bars. He showed one to the man who was yelling at him to pay upfront, and the man quieted downright quick.

He even gave Sirius directions to the nearest place he could sell the small ingot. Sirius had only brought two, but that should see them with enough currency for a while. He made his way to the pawn shop and exchanged the gold bars, and they paid the dockworker.

It was then that they decided to go and see the festivities. The entire town was done up with colorful decorations. Everyone was dressed in dresses and formal attire, that were bright and cheery. There was music playing everywhere. There was braided fruit bread, with faces decorated on them, being sold that was for the offering to the dead.

Everyone was making their way to the cemeteries where they would honor the dead. There would be parties that went through the night and the next day. Which is why they didn't have any staff at the house. That and yesterday was Halloween, which was also a major celebration here.

Sirius was okay with that. He and Harry understood the need to honor the dead on this day. Well, it was yesterday for them, but it was the thought that counted.

"I guess we missed the yesterday's celebrations," Sirius said, buying a loaf of bread for their use. They would honor James and Lily this night. They would return to the island and do their celebration there. They didn't want to impose on anyone's festivities. "I would have rather seen those than what happened," he muttered under his breath. It tore him up that they were here and on the run. Then he put those thoughts aside and focused on Harry.

"This works just as well," the teen said, his voice subdued, though he was looking around with great interest. It was quite a sight. There was nothing like this back in Britain. Sure, there were carnivals and such, but they weren't this colorful. This was almost magical without magic.

"We can shop for clothes another day," Sirius said, going to another vendor to try some of the local cuisine. It looked tasty, though it smelled spicy. He was not used to spices. It would be an adventure. He made sure to get some for Harry too. The boy could use some new experiences.

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Things weren't going as well at Hogwarts. It was now evening the day after the drawing, and everyone was still talking about Harry Potter and his disappearing act. There were varying degrees of this topics, from their guilt to him being a coward, and everything in between.

Dumbledore was in trouble with more than just the ministry. Not only had he been chewed out by his Deputy Headmistress, but he had received notice that the committee for the Triwizard Tournament was begin sued by Gringotts for loss of profits. They had no idea how to approach this. The goblins had never used the legal system for such before. They usually just rebelled. Not that the ministry or Dumbledore wanted that, but they were now caught flatfooted.

"Do the goblin treaties even allow for this?" Bagman asked, reading the notice that he had been sent personally. Everyone British on the committee had gotten one. The two foreign Heads had not, but their governments were served notice. They were not let off the hook. The only reason Dumbledore received one was because he was attached to the ministry.

"If the goblins are suing us, you can bet they checked the treaties with a fine-toothed comb," Albus said, knowing they never did anything that would cause the treaties to be broken. "They would do nothing that would jeopardize their holdings. I am sure Mr. Black, and Mr. Potter, have something to do with this," he said in a brisk manner. He was sure Sirius was behind it. He didn't know how, but it stank of one of the man's pranks.

"I believe you are correct," Crouch stated, reading the parchment once again and then balling it up and throwing it to the side. "Damn that man and boy. Haven't they caused enough trouble?" he asked no one in particular.

"Do we get a lawyer?" Ludo wanted to know, this time directing his question to Crouch.

"Yes, and we will win. How dare they try something like this," Bartemius said, slamming his fist on the table, completely affronted that those vermin would try to sue a pureblood.

"Well, there's nothing we can do about it now. We'll just have to fight it in court," Dumbledore said, looking over the notice. "Oh," he said, noting what court they were going to be tried in. "It's with the ICW," he added, not sure if that was a good thing or not.

"Why would that be a problem?" Crouch asked, not seeing the problem. "They are still wizards," he added at Bagman's confused look.

"They are more worried about the Statute of Secrecies than if the law was broken. They might rule in favor of the goblins just to prevent a rebellion," Albus explained, knowing the International Confederation of Wizards better than the others there. "That and they can't be bribed," he added, making sure the other two understood that.

"Bugger," Bagman said, summing up what they were all thinking.

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Hermione was making her way to Hagrid's cabin. She waited until after dinner to approach him. She was alone and made sure that she had the note with her. She was still a little wary of showing it to the gentle giant. However, Harry had mentioned him, so here she was. She got to the cabin and knocked on the door.

"Hermione," Hagrid said, opening the door further, letting her know she was welcome. He sniffed, like he had been crying most of the day. "What brings you to my door?" he asked, moving to get the kettle. It was one of the only places you could get a good cuppa at Hogwarts. Here or the teachers' private offices.

"I have a note I want you to read," she said, drawing it from her pocket. "But you have to promise to keep it between us," she said, holding it away from him. which was futile since his reach was much longer than hers. However, Hagrid was a good man.

"As long as no one is in danger, I promise," he conceded, reaching for the note. He read it and started blubbering again. Hagrid was not a pretty crier. No, he was a messy one. Large fat tears were pouring down his face and mingling with the stuff running from his nose. He was wiping them all on the back of his sleeve.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you cry," she said, bursting into tears herself. It really just hit her that Harry was gone for good. Nothing she could do would bring him back. His note was just so final.

They cried for the friend that they lost. Both had lost someone very dear to them and one of the few friends they shared. Harry was a good man to have in your corner, especially if you were an underdog like the two of them. He always stood up for them against anyone who talked bad about them. He will be missed.

"I'm going to destroy it," she said, when she calmed down, taking the note back from the giant's table, where he had dropped it. "Harry went out of his way to disappear. I heard the teachers talking. I'm not going to leave this where it can be used to find him," she added, tossing the note in the roaring fire. It broke her heart a bit, but it needed to be done.

Hagrid was too shocked to stop her, but in the end, he nodded that it was the right thing to do. "Right you are," he said, taking the poker and stirring it up to make sure all traces were gone. "Thanks for telling me, Hermione," he said, sniffling again, and blowing his nose on a tablecloth.

"He did say he'd try to contact me later," she said with a sniff, trying not to start crying again. She knew he couldn't write to her via the muggle post. It would give away what country he was in. Unless he somehow sent it from different countries, then perhaps. Either way, she wouldn't be able to write back. there had to be some way…

"If he does…" Hagrid said, trailing off. He wasn't too hopeful, not knowing anyway that could be done without a trace.

"I will," she promised. They sat in silence for a while, then Hermione decided it was time to go. "It's close to curfew," she said leadingly, getting out of her chair. She set her cup down and nodded to Hagrid.

"You'd best get back then," the gentle giant said, getting up and opening the door for her.

"Remember," she said, not finishing the sentence.

"I will," he stated, making a vow to himself to do just that. He really hoped Dumbledore didn't ask him any questions. He didn't think he could lie to the man.

"Goodnight, Hagrid," she said, turning to leave.

"Goodnight, Hermione, and thanks," Hagrid said, closing the door behind her.

She was glad she came. It was the right decision.

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Harry and Sirius had a wonderful time taking in everything and embracing the culture. Knowing the language made it much easier. The locals had no problems telling the foreigners about the customs of this day. It was as much of a novelty to them as well. They didn't get many visitors. It didn't take long for them to realize that this was the new residences of the Black Isle.

They were treated differently after that came out. Like Lords of the Manor, or something along those lines. Harry hated that they were given that type of respect for no reason other than they were the owners of the island.

Still, they had a great time at the celebrations and soon went home with full tummies and brighter dispositions.

They stayed up until midnight to share the bread since they didn't know what else to do with it. There was a bit of wine involved, and they were soon sleepy. Bidding each other good night, they went to bed.

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The next morning Harry asked Dobby a question. "Dobby, what's happening at Hogwarts?"

"They is still being looking for Harry Potter, sir," the elf said as he made Harry's bed.

"Well, I did expect that, anything else?" he asked, trying to discretely pick up his clothes, only to be glared at by his house elf. Having lived his whole live cleaning up after others and himself, it was hard to let Dobby and Winky do it. That and there was a human staff. But Sirius said, they'd stay out of his room.

"They is being sued by the goblins," the diminutive being said, picking up the sock that Harry had been trying to put in the hamper.

"They can do that?!" the teen asked in great surprise.

"I is being thinking so. The headmaster is being saying theys can," Dobby said, finishing cleaning the room to his satisfaction. "I has the paper," he added, handing a copy of the Daily Prophet to Harry.

"That's great, not to mention funny as hell," Harry said, tucking the paper under his arm and getting up from the chair that he had sat in. "I'm going to go tell Sirius," he said, running from the room. "Sirius," he yelled as he bolted down the stairs, only to be stopped by a woman he had never seen before.

She was a middle-aged woman, a local with brown skin and black hair. She was pretty for her age, and she looked like a nice woman, she reminded him of Sprout. In that she was homey looking.

"Hola," he said slowly.

"Hello," she replied, letting him know she spoke English. "You are Harry?" she asked, looking him up and down. She seemed to approve. Of what Harry couldn't say, but he passed inspection.

"Yeah," he said, and asked, "You are?"

"Me llamo es Rosa," she said in her native tongue.

"Un gusto conocerte Rosa," he repeated, hoping he got it right.

"That was very good," she praised, then said, "it is good to meet you as well. I am glad you know Spanish. It will make it much easier to communicate with the others." She nodded her head and picked up a bucket and moved further into the house.

Harry looked at her as she left. "Well, that happened," he said to himself and moved to find Sirius. He found him in the kitchen eating something that like an omelet, but it was thinner.

"Sirius, I see the staff is here," he stated unnecessarily. "When you're done with breakfast, come to my room. I have something to tell you."

"Let's go to the study instead," Black said, looking around for prying ears and eyes. "It's more proper."

"But is it private?" Harry asked with a lifted eyebrow.

"I can make it that way," the man said, waving to another plate with the egg dish. "Eat, then we'll talk," he said, taking another bite of the probable omelet.

Harry shrugged and took up the dish. He bit into it, and he was surprised with the number of peppers in the meal. It was good, just not what he was expecting. "So," he said between bites, "how many people are here?"

"Five," was the answer between swallows. "Three cleaners and two gardeners. They will only be here on the weekends from now on. I had a talk with them this morning. They seem pretty okay with part-time work. I think their glad to see this old place occupied again." He sipped some tea to wash down the last of his breakfast.

"Are they all as nice as Rosa?" the teen asked and then told his godfather of his encounter.

"Yeah, they're all a good sort," Sirius said, having spoke to all of them briefly. "I think you'll get along well with them," he added, putting his cup and plate in the sink.

"That's good to know. And it's good that there are so few, less likely for us to slip up that way," Harry said, eating the last of the tasty meal. He wiped his lips and drank the last of his milk. He too put his dishes in the sink.

They went to the study, which looked like it had just been cleaned. Sirius put up some wards to prevent eavesdroppers. "So, what did you have to tell me?" he asked his godson.

"First, Dobby says they are still looking for me, but we expected that," Harry said, putting the paper on the desk, but they ignored it for now. "Second, and you're going to like this, the goblins are suing the committee that started the tournament for loss of revenue," he finished with a laugh.

"I know they said they were going to do something, but to sue? That is funny," Sirius said with a chuckle. Then he picked up the newspaper and read the headline.

BOY-WHO-LIVED BECOMES BOY-WHO-RAN

Under it was an article depicting what had happened on Halloween. It told of the name selection and Harry leaving. Then it went into speculation as to what might happen if Harry doesn't compete. Some say that Harry would lose his magic. Others say that the person how put his name in would. The paper did say that they believed that the young man did not enter himself, and that this was yet another attempt to kill their hero.

It continued with witness reports, read gossip, on what happened in Hogwarts in the last three years. It pondered as to what could have caused Harry to finally break after all he had reportedly been through at the school. Even going so far as to suppose that You-Know-Who was still around, albeit in a wraith form. There was a warning that the Dark Lord might make a return and that the one to defeat him was now gone.

Who was to blame? Why Dumbledore, and the Ministry. All complaints should go to them.

"I wonder who told them that about Voldy. Only I and Dumbledore knew. Well, Quirrell, but he's dead," Harry said, thinking that the headmaster might say something along those lines. "Maybe Ginny?" he tentatively suggested, knowing she didn't like to draw attention to her first year.

"Albus told his Order of the Phoenix about old Voldy and your first year. Remus told me that that group kept in touch, especially after I escaped," Sirius said, knowing that at least three people would speak to the press, one for money, the rest because they were too ignorant to not.

"Oh, why did he do that?" Harry asked, looking at the picture of him on the front page of the Prophet. It was one taken last year by Colin Creevey. He hoped the boy got paid for it.

"He's always said that the man wasn't dead," explained his godfather, while the other man got a glass of water. It was much hotter on the island than in England.

"Now he's trying to use the press to bring me back?" Harry said, wondering if that were true.

"I'm not sure. Skeeter is really good at digging up facts that she should not know," Sirius said, giving Harry a glass of ice water.

"Thanks," the teen said, taking a sip. "Well, either way, it's not going to work. I'm not going back," he said firmly.