Chapter Sixty Eight - Yule Tango

Disclaimer: The Harry Potter universe belongs to JK Rowling, Scholastic, Bloomsbury, Warner Bros and some other high falutin' companies. Me, I'm just a PR professional. I don't profess to own - and would never dream of making any money off - JKR's wonderful world. However, its her sandbox and she's left the gate unlatched so we can go in and play a bit. Which, I've done.

Chapter Sixty Eight - Yule Tango

_‗_

-==(oIo)==-

\""/

The morning the article about Barty Crouch Junior being found out at Hogwarts had come out, Pettigrew made sure he handed the paper to his master and hightailed it out of the room. Informing his master, before he could open the paper, he had to go to Knockturn Alley for potion supplies.

Pettigrew stayed away for most of the day so, when he finally did return to Riddle Manor, Voldemort had already burned off his anger. As soon as he was back, Pettigrew carried in to his master's room more of the snake venom potion, as he knew his master would need it.

He breathed a silent sigh of relief when baby-Riddle merely glowered at him before drinking the potion.

Once he had imbibed of the whole goblet, baby-Riddle turned to him and said, "So, young Barty was caught. That means we're going to need another to go in and capture the boy in June."

"Yes, master," said Pettigrew. "Have you determined which of your servants you would have me contact on your behalf?"

"It'll need to be Gibbon or Avery. I'd have preferred MacNair, but he would be missed in his position within the Ministry," replied baby-Riddle.

"Would you prefer me to investigate all three to see which would be the best choice, My Lord?" asked Pettigrew. "After all, now that you only want to capture the Potter brat on the 24th of June, they only need to be at Hogwarts that day. If they go in too early, they run the risk of capture."

"Hmm," mused baby-Riddle. "You make an excellent case, Wormtail. It seems the past thirteen years have granted you wisdom."

Pettigrew felt himself swell with pride inside. He was, more and more, filling the role of trusted lieutenant to his master. The position previously held by Malfoy and the Lestrange bitch.

"Very well," said baby-Riddle. "Go investigate the three. Find out which one is best suited and can still be trusted. Then, report back to me. But, you are to continue to return each day to supply me with my potion."

"Yes, master," Pettigrew breathed in relief. "I shall leave at once." He scurried from the room.

His plan to supplant Malfoy and Lestrange as his master's most trusted lieutenant moved yet another step closer.

_‗_

-==(oIo)==-

\""/

In the final week leading up to Christmas, many owls flew back and forth from the castle to the various homes and other places of the students and staff. Hedwig was quite ruffled but very happy with all the work Harry had his familiar doing, especially during the last few days before Christmas.

On Christmas day, Harry awoke early to find a pile of gifts on the foot of his bed in the Ravenclaw tower. And so did his dorm mates. They spent quite a bit of time going through them until Harry felt he had to quickly ready himself for breakfast and to meet Daphne and the others.

Walking in to the Great Hall to a late breakfast he spied his friends all sitting at the Slytherin table and chatting amiably. There was Christmas wrapping strewn everywhere.

Daphne stood to meet him as he walked over, giving him a very nice kiss and a greeting of, "Merry Christmas, Harry."

"Merry Christmas, my love," he softly replied.

Taking seat he handed Daphne his gift to her, and she handed her gift to him back. He discovered he'd received a lovely set of silver cufflinks with the Potter crest embossed on them.

She received from him a lovely set of necklace and earrings that would go well with her outfit that night. As per tradition, she only gave him a swatch of the colours she'd be wearing so that he could match her with the accessories for his outfit. The material was a rich forest green, so he bought the jewellery with flawless eye clean chrome diopside gemstones of a rich forest green to match. She loved them.

As the day passed into afternoon, most of the girls of fourth year and up - and some third years - disappeared into their dorms. For the boys, they spent the time wondering just how nice the girls were going to look.

Because the Ball was not due to start until 8.00pm, Harry had his house elves take the ladies some dry snack food late afternoon. He knew that they'd be uncomfortably hungry by the time the evening meal was served if he did not.

The youngsters who were not going to the Ball sat for their evening meal at 5.30pm, so that they'd be done in time for the Great Hall to be reconfigured for the Ball.

Knowing they had to be in the Great Hall waiting for the grand entrance of the three champions by 7.45pm, Harry said he'd be waiting outside the Slytherin common room at 7.30pm. However, Daphne told him he could wait in the Entrance Hall, when Harry replied he'd escort her and Tracey from down in the dungeons.

"Tracey has a date, Harry," smiled Daphne, when he'd suggested it.

"Oh?" he asked. "May I know who?"

"Blaise Zabini," she replied. "And, before you ask, he'll also be escorting me to you."

Surprised, Harry apologised but said, "Then I shall await you on the bottom of the stairs that lead down from the Entrance Hall. I have a feeling the Entrance Hall will become way too crowded with everyone else having the same idea."

She was happy with that arrangement.

So, at 7.45pm, Harry was waiting anxiously one floor down from the Entrance Hall. He even had the perfect little corsage in his slightly sweaty hands to pin to Daphne's robes when she arrived.

And, when she did on the off arm of Blaise Zabini, his breath hitched in his throat.

A group of Slytherins came up the steps from their dungeon common room. Malfoy was in front; he was wearing dress robes of black velvet with a high collar; which, in Harry's opinion, made him look like a vicar. Pansy Parkinson in very frilly robes of pale pink was clutching Malfoy's arm. Crabbe and Goyle were both wearing green; they resembled moss-coloured boulders, and neither of them, Harry was pleased to see, had managed to find a partner.

Walking behind them and a little back, Blaise had Tracey on his right and Daphne on his left. Both girls were dressed in similar colours, but Harry's eyes were firmly fixed on the form of his betrothed.

Her dress was off her right shoulder and form fitting through the bust down to the hips, where they then spread into loose pleats to the ankle. He décolletage in a v-cut displayed the tops of her breasts and a little of the treasures within. It immediately made Harry think of the times Daphne had allowed him to play with 'the girls'; something she'd been letting him do more often and more freely, of late.

Her hair was done in a loose ringlet style pinned so it fell over her right, bare, shoulder; and had tiny little silver ornaments adorning it. They matched well with her blonde hair.

Knowing what sort of effect she had on him, Daphne blushed and smiled prettily as Blaise led her over to him.

"Lord Potter," spoke, the taller Italian boy, standing proudly at his full height, "I present to you, your betrothed, Lady Daphne, safe and well." As Daphne moved from Blaise's arm to Harry's.

"Mister Zabini," replied Harry. "I thank you for escorting my lovely Daphne safe and sound to my side." And dipped in a slight bow, which the Italian boy returned with a smile.

Then, together, the four of them ascended the last flight of stairs to the Entrance Hall.

_‗_

-==(oIo)==-

\""/

As expected the Entrance Hall was packed with students, all milling around waiting for eight o'clock, when the doors to the Great Hall would be thrown open. Those people who were meeting partners from different Houses were edging through the crowd trying to find one another.

Susan was already on the arm of fellow Hufflepuff Fourth Year, Wayne Hopkins; who struggled to keep his eyes off her chest. She was wearing lovely pale yellow dress robes that went very well with her auburn hair and fair skin. She was also showing off her not so modest bust with a plunged neckline showing she was all woman. Mister Hopkins was struggling to keep his eyes from staring at her boobs.

Hannah was on the arm of Fifth Year Ravenclaw Warren Chambers. Both looked very pleased. Unsurprisingly to Harry, Hannah was wearing a silky pink number that also went well with her very pale blonde hair. Chambers was proudly wearing a matching pink tie, cummerbund and pocket-filler on his deep black robes.

Neville had awaited Luna outside the Ravenclaw tower entrance and was just coming down the stairs with the girl on his arm.

Like Harry, Neville was wearing formal pureblood robes with his House crest on his breast. As Luna's robes were of silver with royal blue trim, Neville's robes were of a royal blue with silver trim. With Daphne's robes of a deep forest green with silver and black highlights, Harry's robes were black with a hint of dark forest green underneath. His accessories were in silver - including his new cufflinks.

The oak front doors opened, and everyone turned to look as the Durmstrang students entered with Professor Karkaroff. Over their heads he saw that an area of lawn right in front of the castle had been transformed into a sort of grotto full of fairy lights - meaning hundreds of actual living fairies were sitting in the rosebushes that had been conjured there, and fluttering over the statues of what seemed to be Father Christmas and his reindeer.

Krum was at the front of the party, accompanied by a pretty girl in blue robes. It was Hermione, and she was gorgeous. Her hair was twisted up into an elegant knot at the back of her head. She was wearing robes made of a floaty, periwinkle-blue material, and she was holding herself differently, somehow - or maybe it was merely the absence of the twenty or so books she usually had slung over her back. She was also smiling - though, rather nervously.

"Hi, guys!" she said to them

Harry noticed some of the other girls were gazing at Hermione in unflattering disbelief. They weren't the only ones either; when the doors to the Great Hall opened, Krum's fan club from the library stalked past, throwing Hermione looks of deepest loathing. Pansy Parkinson gaped at her as she walked by with Malfoy, and even he didn't seem to be able to find an insult to throw at her. Harry noticed that Ron Weasley walked right past her without looking other than a flicker of a scowl.

As Harry escorted Daphne inside, he could see that the walls of the Great Hall had all been covered in sparkling silver frost, with hundreds of garlands of mistletoe and ivy crossing the starry black ceiling. The House tables had vanished; instead, there were about a hundred smaller, lantern-lit ones, each seating about a dozen people.

Harry and Daphne sat with Blaise and Tracey, and Neville and Luna. Susan and Hannah were sitting at a nearby table with their dates and another couple from Gryffindor - fellow Fourth Years Seamus Finnegan and Fay Dunbar.

Once everyone other than the champions and their dates was inside and seated, the doors reopened with Professor McGonagall leading them into the Hall.

While waiting for the champions to walk the length of the Hall and take seat at the top table, Harry was looking around. He saw that Ron Weasley was watching Hermione pass with narrowed eyes. And his date, Padma Patil, was looking sulky.

Turning to Daphne, he whispered, "Well, well - Ron Weasley has the hots for Hermione."

Looking surprised, Daphne said, "You didn't know?"

Frowning, Harry replied, "No, she did not deign to tell me."

Daphne giggled a little and kissed him on the cheek. "While you're her avowed protector, you don't need to play 'big brother' here. Krum is not looking for anything from Hermione other than as a shield to protect him from all the fan girls. And Hermione was happy to take that role."

Harry grunted in acknowledgement, but was going to be keeping an eye on her and the other girls, anyway.

Dumbledore smiled happily as the champions approached the top table, but Karkaroff wore an expression remarkably like young Mister Weasley's as he watched Krum and Hermione draw nearer. Ludo Bagman, tonight in robes of bright purple with large yellow stars, was clapping as enthusiastically as any of the students; and Madame Maxime, who had changed her usual uniform of black satin for a flowing gown of lavender silk, was applauding them politely. But Mr. Crouch, Harry realized, was not there. He must still be in hospital, or still too ill to attend. The fifth seat at the table was occupied by Percy Weasley.

When the champions and their partners reached the table, Percy drew out the empty chair beside him, and appeared to be staring pointedly at Delacour. She took the hint and sat down next to Percy, who was wearing brand-new, navy-blue dress robes and an expression of such smugness that Harry thought it ought to be fined.

Turning back to his own table of friends and Blaise, Harry noticed there was no food as yet on the glittering golden plates, but small menus were lying in front of each of them. Harry picked his up uncertainly and looked around - there were no waiters.

Daphne, however, looked carefully down at her own menu, then said very clearly to her plate, "Veal roast!" And a roast dinner of veal appeared.

Getting the idea, the rest of the table placed their orders with their plates, too. Harry glanced up at Hermione to see how she felt about this new and more complicated method of dining; but, she was deep in talk with Krum and hardly seemed to notice what she was eating.

Looking over at Susan and Hannah, he saw both girls were happily chatting with the others at their table.

_‗_

-==(oIo)==-

\""/

When all the food had been consumed, Dumbledore stood up and asked the students to do the same. Then, with a wave of his wand, all the tables zoomed back along the walls leaving the floor clear. He then he conjured a raised platform into existence along the right wall. A set of drums, several guitars, a lute, a cello, and some bagpipes were set upon it.

The 'Weird Sisters' now trooped up onto the stage to wildly enthusiastic applause. They were all extremely hairy and dressed in black robes that had been artfully ripped and torn. They picked up their instruments; and Harry, who had been so interested in watching them that he had almost forgotten what was coming, suddenly realized that the lanterns on all the other tables had gone out, and that the champions and their partners were standing up and moving towards the dance floor.

The Weird Sisters struck up a slow, mournful tune as the champions walked onto the brightly lit dance floor with their dates, Hermione turned to face Krum. They moved into a dance position and began to dance. Krum was a little wooden, and it appeared Hermione was calmly talking to him as they danced, but after a few awkward moments he was leading her around the floor.

Once they were clearly all dancing, Harry saw other couples begin to rise and join them.

With a smile, he turned to Daphne, and asked, "Shall we, my Lady?"

She smiled in response and accepted his hand as he assisted her to her feet and led her out onto the floor. Neville and Luna were dancing nearby - he could see her wincing frequently as Neville trod on her feet - and Dumbledore was waltzing with Madame Maxime. He was so dwarfed by her that the top of his pointed hat barely tickled her chin; however, she moved very gracefully for a woman so large.

As the night progressed, Harry enjoyed himself. However, it came to a sudden halt when Daphne tapped him on his arm and pointed towards where Hermione was sitting alone at the head table. Ron Weasley seemed to be having heated words with her, as his face was quite flushed, while his date, Padma Patil, stood nervously by.

Harry quickly led Daphne around the table coming up behind young Mister Weasley. They had clearly arrived in the middle of a heated discussion.

"You've got a funny way of showing it," Weasley sneered at Hermione.

"This whole tournament's supposed to be about getting to know foreign wizards and making friends with them!" said Hermione hotly.

"No it isn't!" shouted Ron. "It's about winning!"

People were starting to stare at them.

"Mister Weasley," said Harry quietly, "Perhaps I have not impressed upon you..."

But Weasley ignored Harry too.

"Why don't you go and find Vicky. He'll be wondering where you are," said Weasley.

"Don't call him Vicky!" Hermione jumped to her feet and stormed off across the dance floor, disappearing into the crowd. Weasley watched her go with a mixture of anger and satisfaction on his face.

"Are you going to ask me to dance at all?" Padma asked him.

"No," said Ron, still glaring after Hermione.

"Fine," snapped Padma, and she got up and went to join Parvati and a Beauxbatons boy, who conjured up one of his friends to join them so fast that Harry could have sworn he had zoomed him there by a Summoning Charm.

"Vare is Herm-own-ninny?" said a voice. Krum had just arrived at their table clutching two butterbeers.

"No idea," said Weasley mulishly, looking up at him. "Lost her, have you?"

Krum was looking surly again.

"Mister Weasley!" growled Harry.

Weasley finally spun about to find himself face-to-face with a very angry Harry. He then took a couple of steps back and his face went from flushed to white in a matter of moments.

Harry then turned to Krum and said, "Mister Krum. This loud mouthed idiot..." he indicated Weasley, "... just insulted your date. She fled onto the dance floor and beyond."

"Veil, if you see her, tell her I haff drinks," he said, about to slouch off.

Harry grabbed him on the arm to stop him and said, "Go find her. She'll likely need comforting."

Krum gave a firm nod and went in search of Hermione.

"Made friends with Viktor Krum, have you, Ron?"

Percy had bustled over, rubbing his hands together and looking extremely pompous. "Excellent! That's the whole point, you know - international magical cooperation!"

Harry turned to Percy and said, "Other Mister Weasley, your idiot baby brother just insulted both Mister Krum and his date - A date who happens to fall under the protection of House Potter. Get him the hell out of here or, come tomorrow, you'll be searching the grounds for his body. Am I clear?"

Both Weasleys blanched.

Harry then stepped into the younger Weasley's comfort zone and quietly snarled, "I don't care how much wood you're carrying for Hermione. If you ever hurt her like that again - I. Will. End. You!"

Percy quickly stepped forward, grabbed his brother by the arm and dragged him out of the Hall.

Daphne stepped forward and took Harry's elbow. "That makes me so hot when you do things like that," she purred.

Harry blushed to the roots in response and smiled back. "What say we take a walk outside for a few minutes? I think we can both cool off for a bit."

Harry and Daphne took a trip around the temporary gardens outside before returning inside. The chilled air helped cool them both down. However, almost as if the Weird Sisters were waiting for their return, they announced a Tango for those feeling a bit more romantic. Harry and Daphne knew the piece - La Cumparsita. It was probably the most common piece of music for the tango. But also sounded quite - odd - played on bagpipes.

Taking the middle of the floor, Harry and Daphne very quickly fell into the rhythm of the music. In less than five steps, they were lost to it. Nothing else mattered but they, and the music. They had no idea those around them began to back away and allow them room.

They danced. And, as they danced, the Weird Sisters played with them. The tempo deepened and the dance became more sensual. Harry and Daphne became 'Haphne'; moving as one with the music.

Finally, as the music wound down, they managed to come back to themselves. And, as the final notes played, they ended in a deep bow with Daphne being held off the floor only by Harry's arm around her waist.

The music finally fell silent. The two held their position for a few moments longer, breathing heavily at the sheer level of exertion they both put into the dance. Then Harry pulled his betrothed back onto her feet; and the Hall erupted in applause.

When they looked around they could see their friends looking shocked at what they'd just done. Even Malfoy appeared stunned by their display.

A little embarrassed at everyone staring at them and applauding, Harry led Daphne off the floor back to their friends, with a few nods in acknowledgement to those applauding them.

Thankfully, the Weird Sisters began a new piece - a slow waltz. And couples retook the floor.

When the Weird Sisters finished playing at midnight, everyone gave them a last, loud round of applause and started to wend their way into the Entrance Hall. Many people were expressing the wish that the ball could have gone on longer, but Harry was perfectly happy to be going to bed; as far as he was concerned, the evening had been fun but he was exhausted.

Out in the Entrance Hall, Harry and Daphne saw Hermione saying good night to Krum before he went back to the Durmstrang ship. She gave Weasley, who was standing off to one side, a very cold look and swept past him and up the marble staircase without speaking.

Weasley turned red and appeared about to follow her when he saw Harry glaring at him. The boy blanched again and ducked out the main doors onto the grounds.

"Do you think he'll ever learn?" asked Daphne.

Harry sighed and replied, "How much does Hermione care for him?"

"He - intrigues - her," she replied. "I don't know much else other than that."

"She could do better," he softly said.

"Yes, but it's her choice," she said. "Let her work it out."

Harry nodded and turned away from the doors back to his love. "I should escort you back to your common room," he sighed.

She nodded and said, "That would probably be best."

They headed slowly down the stairs towards the dungeons.

_‗_

-==(oIo)==-

\""/

Everybody rose late on Boxing Day. The Great Hall was much quieter than it had been lately, with many yawns punctuating the lazy conversations.

Neville came down without Hermione in tow and Harry asked if she wasn't feeling well.

Neville shook his head and replied, "No. She and Ron had another blazing row in the common room, last night, after the Ball. I think she didn't want to come down until she was sure the redheaded idiot wouldn't be in the common room when she came down."

Harry groaned and bounced his forehead off the tabletop in front of him.

"I'm going to kill him," growled Harry. "So help me God; I'm going to kill him."

"Well, you'll have to go to the infirmary to do him in, then," said Neville with a bit of a grin. "It seems someone hit him with a Tripping Jinx and a Knockback Jinx as he was walking up the stairs from the common room to the dorms, last night. He took a big tumble back down the stairs and broke a few bones."

Harry looked up with a grin of his own and said, "Awww! Did he have a boo boo?"

Neville just snickered and said, "And, someone apparently sent him a note using one of the school owls. It warned him that next time it might be either his neck or his skull that gets broken should he ever raise his voice to Hermione again."

Harry looked at Neville in gratitude. He said, "It's a pity he had his little accident. But, one can only hope he actually learns to - watch where he puts his feet - in future."

It was time now to think of the homework they had neglected during the first week of the holidays. Everybody seemed to be feeling rather flat now that Christmas and the Yule Ball was over.

After breakfast, when Hermione still hadn't come down, Harry had Neville take him up to the Gryffindor entrance. Neville went in and, finding a girl, had her go and get Hermione. When she warily came down and was suitably dressed, Neville told her that Ron Weasley had an accident the previous night and was in the infirmary, and would probably be for at least a couple of days.

With an almost visible sigh of relief, Hermione left the Gryffindor common room to almost immediately run into Harry. She looked a little ashamed.

Harry stepped forward and gave her a hug, and said, "You are to tell me when something like this happens. Haven't I made it clear to you before?"

Hermione stepped back and looked at her shoes as she muttered, "I don't want you to kill him."

"Then, I won't," said Harry. "However, I am your Protector, Heiress Apparent Hermione Jean Granger of the Noble and Ancient House of Dagworth-Granger. And, you need to understand that the Ancient Houses take care of their own. You are one of us. If I don't act; they will find me negligent, and take their own action."

Looking to Neville, he asked, "Heir Apparent Longbottom, do I speak true?"

"You do, Lord Potter," he formally and firmly replied.

"Now," said Harry, turning back to Hermione. "You need to eat. Will you do Neville and me the honour of escorting you down to the kitchens so you may partake of sustenance?"

Hermione looked up and smiled, "That - sounds nice."

With Hermione linking arms with both of them, they left the sixth floor and went down to the kitchens so she could eat something.

As they were striding along, Harry said, "The way we're walking, I have this strong urge to break out into a song about yellow brick roads."

Hermione giggled and explained the reference to Neville.

_‗_

-==(oIo)==-

\""/

After a late breakfast in the kitchens, where Harry whined to the elves trying to get them to tell him what they had planned for lunch, the three made their way up to the seventh floor and in to the Come and Go Room.

There, they set to work on their homework. Hermione had a bit of dig at them all about not getting it done before Christmas. When Harry mentioned how most folks were concentrating on buying and owl delivering Christmas presents, and were making sure they had everything, clothing-wise, for the Yule Ball, she relented.

And even then, it was probably because Luna asked the girl if she would help her with an assignment. Harry smirked at that; as everyone knew Luna was one of the top students her year, and really didn't need the assistance.

While Hermione was busy working with Luna, Harry turned to Daphne and whispered to her, "I'll be back in a few minutes." She nodded in understanding as he rose and quickly and quietly left the room.

Entering the infirmary, Harry quickly looked around and didn't see Madam Pomfrey. He quickly walked up to the foot of Ron Weasley's bed and stood there with a smirk on his face. The red headed boy saw him coming and had shrunk down into his bedding.

Eventually, he asked, "What do you want, Potter?"

"I warned you, Mister Weasley," said Harry, allowing some of his magic to leak out making his green eyes glow a little. "I warned you what would happen if you upset Hermione again."

The red head winced and looked quite scared.

"And yet," Harry continued, "I find out that not three hours later, you were - yet again - upsetting her."

Weasley just crouched within his bedding and didn't say a word.

"You should know, by now, that I always find out," said Harry. "You should think yourself very lucky that you were only forced to tumble down the steps of your own dormitory. You broke a few bones.

"It would actually be very easy to arrange a further little accident for you. One that causes you to die. No one will ever know you didn't die as a result of your own stupidity. However, you're also giving me more than enough cause to call you out. And, if I do that, you will die.

"Mummy will not be there to stop me. She couldn't, even if she was. Have I made myself perfectly clear to you, this time, Mister Weasley?"

Weasley nodded and managed to squeak out a quiet, "Yes."

"Good," said Harry. "Try and be a gentleman, for once, in your misspent childhood. It will extend your life." Harry gave him another evil smirk and then quickly left the infirmary to return to the seventh floor.

_‗_

-==(oIo)==-

\""/

On the first day of the return to classes, Harry was chatting with Tracey and Hannah when Malfoy approached.

Harry looked at the other kid and coolly asked, "Mister Malfoy. To what do I owe the displeasure?"

Malfoy smirked back at tossed a copy of the Daily Prophet onto the table before Harry. It was folded to show an article topped with a picture of Hagrid looking extremely shifty.

DUMBLEDORE'S GIANT MISTAKE

Albus Dumbledore, eccentric Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, has never been afraid to make controversial staff appointments, writes Rita Skeeter, Special Correspondent.

In September of this year, he hired Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody, the notoriously jinx-happy ex-Auror, to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts, a decision that caused many raised eyebrows at the Ministry of Magic, given Moody's well-known habit of attacking anybody who makes a sudden movement in his presence. Mad-Eye Moody, however, looks responsible and kindly when set beside the part-human Dumbledore employs to teach Care of Magical Creatures.

Rubeus Hagrid, who admits to being expelled from Hogwarts in his third year, has enjoyed the position of gamekeeper at the school ever since, a job secured for him by Dumbledore. Last year, however, Hagrid used his mysterious influence over the Headmaster to secure the additional post of Care of Magical Creatures teacher, over the heads of many better-qualified candidates.

An alarmingly large and ferocious-looking man, Hagrid has been using his newfound authority to terrify the students in his care with a succession of horrific creatures. While Dumbledore turns a blind eye, Hagrid has maimed several pupils during a series of lessons that many admit to being "very frightening."

"I was attacked by a hippogriff, and my friend Vincent Crabbe got a bad bite off a flobberworm," says Draco Malfoy, a fourth-year student. "We all hate Hagrid, but we're just too scared to say anything."

Hagrid has no intention of ceasing his campaign of intimidation, however. In conversation with a Daily Prophet reporter last month, he admitted breeding creatures he has dubbed "Blast-Ended Skrewts," a highly dangerous crosses between manticores and firecrabs. The creation of new breeds of magical creature is, of course, an activity usually closely observed by the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. Hagrid, however, considers himself to be above such petty restrictions.

"I was just having some fun," he says, before hastily changing the subject.

As if this were not enough, the Daily Prophet has now unearthed evidence that Hagrid is not - as he has always pretended - a pure-blood wizard. He is not, in fact, even pure human. His mother, we can exclusively reveal, is none other than the giantess Fridwulfa, whose whereabouts are currently unknown.

Bloodthirsty and brutal, the giants brought themselves to the point of extinction by warring amongst themselves during the last century. The handful that remained joined the ranks of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, and was responsible for some of the worst mass Muggle killings of his reign of terror.

While many of the giants who served He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named were killed by Aurors working against the Dark Side, Fridwulfa was not among them. It is possible she escaped to one of the giant communities still existing in foreign mountain ranges. If his antics during Care of Magical Creatures lessons are any guide, however, Fridwulfa's son appears to have inherited her brutal nature.

In a bizarre twist, Hagrid is reputed to have developed a close friendship with the boy who brought around You-Know-Who's fall from power - thereby driving Hagrid's own mother, like the rest of You-Know-Who's supporters, into hiding.

Perhaps the boy is unaware of the unpleasant truth about his large friend - but Albus Dumbledore surely has a duty to ensure that he, along with his fellow students, is warned about the dangers of associating with part-giants.

After Harry finished reading it, he looked up at Malfoy - who was still standing there with a quizzical expression on his face - and asked, "Yeah, and? Besides the fact flobberworms have no teeth and, therefore, cannot bite anyone; what does this have to do with me?"

"It means your friend's going to be fired!" smirked Malfoy.

"Friend?" asked Harry, clearly puzzled. Turning to the others, he asked, "Do any of you have jobs I'm unaware of that you could be fired from?"

Greeted with seven head shakes, Harry turned back to Malfoy and said, "It appears your information is faulty, Mister Malfoy. None of my friends have jobs they can be fired from. Sorry."

Pinking a bit, Malfoy glared back and said, "I meant that oaf, Hagrid."

"Hagrid's not my friend, Malfoy," said Harry, showing he was still confused. "I have no idea why you think he is."

"You fought to have him freed from Azkaban in second year, didn't you?" growled the blond ferret.

"Well, yeah!" snorted Harry. "That's because he was an innocent man and it was the right thing to do. It does not then presuppose he's my friend. Why would you think that?"

Malfoy just scowled back a few moments before he simply stormed off.

Harry chuckled and said, "He's just too easy; it's almost cruel."

"But this is still terrible, Harry," said Hermione, almost in tears after reading the article. "Hagrid's a great bloke. He shouldn't be treated this way."

"He may be," replied Harry. "But he's done some wrong things. Those Blast-Ended Skrewts are just yet another example he's unknowingly broken the law. And it really was foolish of him to have those third years deal with the hippogriff, Buckbeak; as I mentioned at the time."

"I have no doubt Dumbledore will keep Hagrid on in his old job as Groundskeeper and Keeper of the Keys, Hermione," said Daphne. "After all, the position has remained vacant since Hagrid moved from it to COMC Professor."

That cheered Hermione up a fair bit. "But all that stuff about his using some 'mysterious influence' on the Headmaster, or that he used the creatures to maim students, is all lies."

"That's the Daily Prophet, Hermione, as you well know," said Neville. "Skeeter is just a muck raker; and, when she's unable to rake enough muck, she makes it up."

Hermione sighed and rested her forehead of the table before herself. "It's just so wrong for them to write stuff like that."

"Agreed," said Harry. "But the only way to get them to stop is..."

Harry suddenly stopped speaking. The others looked at him, wondering what was going on, before he then looked at the others. "I think I might enjoy owning my own newspaper. I don't know why I hadn't thought of this before."

"Harry?" asked Daphne. "What's going on in that perfect little mind of yours?"

Harry turned and grinned at her, "I feel like buying out the rest of the public shares in the Daily Prophet. If I can't get them to write the actual truth about me and my friends simply by threatening them; maybe I can do it as the dominant owner. I already own twenty-five percent of it. How hard would it be to buy another twenty-six percent of it?"

"To paraquote a famous muggle quote," smiled Hermione. "If you can't beat them, buy them out."

Harry turned to Daphne and asked, "Are you alright with me owning a newspaper, love?"

"Of course," she grinned. "And thank you for asking me my opinion, even though you didn't have to."

_‗_

-==(oIo)==-

\""/

During lunch, Harry wrote a letter to Bloodfang asking him to forward to Harry a complete breakdown of the share-ownership of the Daily Prophet. He felt that, once he had that, he would then use either the goblins or Dewey to seek the purchase of more shares, or a combination of the two.

Then, once he had the majority ownership in his grasp, he and the sleazy Mister Cuffe would be having words about his integrity. If necessary, Harry was well prepared to fire the man and put in place an editor that actually showed backbone. He also had no qualms about poaching an editor from an overseas, English speaking, newspaper.

While writing, Harry looked at the others and asked, "Can you folks check with your own family's holdings and see if you own a part of the Daily Prophet? I'd rather not have the goblins or Dewey trying to buy shares you folks own."

The others said they would. And, depending on how much they owned, would depend on how much Harry actually had to buy.

_‗_

-==(oIo)==-

\""/