Things had been… well he didn't have the words to describe it, really. He'd never seen two adults fight before. Mama was pretending like everything was fine and that Sirius did not even exist, the corners of her mouth wrinkling down just a smidge when Harry had brought him up. (Harry had promptly stopped bringing him up.) And Sirius had sent Harry a very long letter the day after he'd left explaining that he was not mad at Harry and insisting that Harry fetch him immediately if he needed anything. But he did not make spontaneous appearances at the Hogwarts head table, Harry did not find him and mama sharing a cuppa as they worked on necromancy in her office, and he dreaded to ask the Gryffindor gossip mill about their Three Broomsticks outings.
Sirius had written again yesterday, confirming that he would be coming to watch the first task and asking again if Harry needed any help. He had not yet responded. He had no idea how. Sirius had not been by to visit.
(Of course, of the three of them, Sirius was the only one who could not shadow travel, and he wouldn't put it past his mum to bar him from her floo.)
Harry knew he could have gone by Grimmauld at any time, but he didn't believe Sirius' insistence that he wasn't mad at Harry. He was mad about the horcruxes, and Harry had one. So he had ignored the letter and the painful ache in his heart.
Mama had been weird too. Not avoiding him, but distant. She had a plan for Dumbledore she refused to elaborate on, one that Harry strongly suspected involved his untimely death. Sirius was trying to teach him that murder was wrong, but Harry couldn't exactly say such a thing to mama. So he'd stayed silent in an uncomfortable tension. It was so much better when things were happening, instead of waiting.
Dumbledore and Voldemort were both silent as well. It was claustrophobic, looking around every corner and jumping at any sound. He laughed rather crazily to himself. Well, excitement would happen tomorrow at the task. He would play his cards and then Voldemort and Dumbledore would either draw or fold but at least something would happen!
"We must get together for tea again sometime," Mrs. Weasley was saying when Harry tuned back into the world around him. "Of course, I know you two will be busy with work." Mrs. Granger nodded and when prompted, Alabasandria gave a forced grin and nodded as well, her horrified smile revealed a few too many teeth than was appropriate. Harry bit back a laugh at her discomfort. Adult friendships were weird. Harry supposed he was at least glad he didn't have to go to work every day, or understand what insurance was, or hang around with groups of chatty mothers.
"It's so good to be able to see the children during the school year," Mr. Granger said. "Next year we should all try to meet up when the kids get those weekends at the town."
"Oh, what a lovely idea! We will have to show you around Hogsmeade this weekend. The Three Broomsticks will be perfect for dinner," Mrs. Weasley said.
"You guys aren't staying in the castle?" Ron whined.
"They're being strict with security, as they should be," his father told him. "They've asked us to be on campus only during the events. We've rented a couple of rooms in Hogsmeade." Looking around, Harry did notice a few uniformed aurors patrolling the room, and a lot more adults and press than he would have expected for something as boring as an academic bowl.
Dumbledore gathered everyone's attention and began announcing the contestants. Hermione was seated with a Slytherin he recognized somewhat, an older one, and four Ravenclaws. There were two teams for each school they had ten seconds to come up with an answer - Harry loved Hermione dearly, but this whole thing was pretty boring.
He got through three rounds before he gave up.
"Psst, hey, Neville. Are you competing in anything?" He whispered.
"No, I uh. Didn't think I was good enough to um…"
"Yeah I guess if they had a herbology-themed competition you would probably be the only one who knew anything, and that wouldn't be fair," he mused. Neville ducked his head.
"What is the incantation for the Patronus Charm," droned the witch asking the questions. Hermione's wand lit in a flash. "Team four."
"The incantation is expecto patronum," Hermione said.
"Correct. One point to team four."
"Do you think Ron will win his duel?" Neville whispered. "He looks really nervous."
"I'll bet you a galleon he wins in under a minute," Harry grinned. "And ten that he wins the entire thing."
"Oh, I can't afford a ten galleon bet, I'll take your word for it. Am I really one of your minions now?"
"Name at least six uses for dragon's blood - yes, team four."
"Of course you are," Harry said. Then he frowned. "Er, I mean, we are friends, right?"
"Right. We are. Does that mean I'm friends with Ron, Hermione, and Luna too?" He looked baffled at the thought.
"Yup!" Luna interjected.
"What is the key ingredient required to induce euphoria in the Draught of Peace - yes, team two."
"C'mon, the answer is obviously four-leaf clovers," Neville mumbled as the contestant confidently shouted the wrong answer. "So, uh, we're all friends but we're also Harry's minions?"
"Yes, someday he'll need generals for when he destroys the government and we will be there to help him carve a path of blood through the Ministry."
Harry bit back a laugh. Oh Luna, always with a funny story. Neville nodded with the same level of gravity that Luna had.
"Excellent. I'll help however I can. I'm not sure how, but…"
"You have already proved your worth to Dark Lord Potter, don't fret Neville."
"Hey, guys!" Harry said. "Stop teasing me."
"Yes, my lord," Luna said, barely holding in a giggle.
He rolled his eyes at their antics, although he was glad they were getting along. "Say, Neville. If you want to be my minion so badly, how do you feel about learning some necromancy? The others picked up a few things."
"Really?" Neville's eyes were as wide as saucers. "Well, wow. I dunno Harry. I don't really think I have the stomach to hurt anyone other than a Death Eater. Do you know any healing spells? I want to learn to be a healer."
"Oh, I know loads! Um, most of them require sacrifices. Either of people or of bits of your soul." He winced at the thought. Anyone who was not a necromancer did not have the stomach for such things, he had learned that now.
"Hermione keeps Harry's books for him under a blood ward in her trunk. We can go through them later and see if there is some theory you may be interested in. I'm not fond of violence either, Neville, and I've still found some interesting stuff to practice."
Neville looked relieved at that and agreed. It had been a good call to collect Neville, planned for or not. Ron and Hermione were quickly becoming just as bloodthirsty as he was, and it would do good for his two pacifist members to have each other. Okay, maybe he understood why people jokingly called them his minions. He certainly did think of them as such. But they were his friends too. He hoped they didn't mind it.
"Psst, Harry!"
He turned around to find Charlie Weasley leaning over extremely suspiciously, eyes darting around. He leaned in further to whisper. "Shhh, you didn't hear this from me, but the first task tomorrow, it's dragons! You have to get past a dragon to collect a golden egg."
The crowd burst into applause.
"Oh thank Merlin. Is it over yet?" Ron said with a yawn.
"Ron! At least pretend you were paying attention." Molly complained. Ron had fallen asleep, a pale indent running across his cheek where he'd laid on his arm.
"Thank you, Charlie. I already knew that but I appreciate it. Do you know what type of dragon?" Harry whispered back.
"Did you get any sleep last night, Ronnie my love?" Molly bent over to inspect Ron's face smushed between her hands. She planted a kiss on his forehead, causing Ron to squeak and go red again.
"I'm fine, mum! Stop embarrassing me!" He whined.
....
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