Powder Blue Renaissance: The Reimagining
Disclaimer: Well, considering I’m not richer than England royalty, I don’t own Harry Potter.
Story: Fem!Harry. It was Harry’s 4th year and things seemed to be sailing smoothly. She was the vampire Sanguini’s Familiar, she was fed and clothed properly, etcetera. Then she’s thrown into the Tournament and once again her life is at stake. She’s not sure she’s going to stand for it this time.
Set AU for book 4, genderbending.
Spoilers: Books 1-7 probably.
Warnings: Sexual situations, language, perverseness (joking and not), violence, underage/loli situations :P…
Pairings: Ludo/Harry (main), plausible future Barty Jr./Harry, quirky Sanguini/Harry, everyonejokesteasesmesseswith!Harry, Viktor/Hermione, Fleur/Roger, one-sided Cedric/Harry, one-sided Cho/Cedric, Ron/Luna, Neville/Ginny, Sirius/Remus…
Powder Blue Renaissance
Chapter One: The Reimagining
Harry glared at her reflection in the mirror.
“I’m a Loli waiting for a pervert disaster to happen.”
She groaned again and salvaged around for a huge sweater, hoping to hide her sizable breasts with. The damn things had been growing since third year, and now that she was fourteen they were definitely more noticeable than they had been before. Thank Merlin for Dudley’s oversized hand-me-downs that were way over baggy, but perfect to hide in. Even if they did dwarf her.
She reluctantly trekked down, ignoring her relatives, cooked their breakfast and checked outside for the expected box. Grabbing it, she carried it back with her inside. Once in her room, she opened it and pulled a smaller box and then took out a small dress she sighed at.
Her lips twitched though, when she went back to the smaller box and opened it to find a bento box.
“Thank you, Sanguini.”
From a very young age of 9, she’d suddenly become the Familiar of the vampire Sanguini. As all good Familiars do, she gave Sanguini blood whenever he needed, in exchange for his help and support. She wasn’t able to do much of the usual tasks and errands a Familiar does due to her age, so really she was the one getting the most out of the relationship. Even if technically, by vampire standards, she was his pet.
It was a small thing.
After all, for years, the Dursley’s had practically starved her. Then Sanguini came along and began providing her a meal every day, in the same manner. Sometimes, if he wasn’t too busy, he’d come with the box and stay a little while. He also got her clothes that fit, even if sometimes they were a little too much. Food, clothes, and company was a lot to give, and she wasn’t sure why Sanguini bothered or was so interested in her, especially since there wasn’t much she could do for him at that point other than feed him blood.
“Don’t look, Salazar,” she murmured to the painting, undressing and putting on the Lolita-styled short dress Sanguini had gotten for her. While she didn’t like to dress up or wear small or too-fitting clothing, it was a small price to pay for Sanguini’s continuing devotion.
“My Familiar will not go around looking like a vagabond. Under my claim and care, you will look as the best and be seen as the best.”
It was a showy-offy thingy. He’d claimed her as his Familiar, so she had to look the part. That meant looking like he could spend millions on her, groom her often, lavished on her (all three of which he really did do often), and show to all the other vampires that not only did he have the perfect Familiar, but he had money and taste.
For all the things he did for her, it really was a small thing to be called a pet by his species or give him her blood. Too bad he couldn’t just take her away from there, though he did manage to make it so that she and the Dursley’s could completely ignore each other unless absolutely necessary. He couldn’t tell her why either, but from him she could take it at face value and be assured he’d try to tell her later on.
Flattening down her dress and tugging at the two extremely long strands of her bangs on either side of her face, she stared again at the mirror with a pout. At least she didn’t have glasses any more, courtesy of Sanguini deciding it would fit for his initiation gift, which is something that all vampires must bestow and decide on what to give their new Familiar.
“Pretty, my dear descendant,” Salazar approved from his portrait.
She glanced at him and offered a hesitant smile. Last year, when she’d gone hiding again after feeling like crying from the first initial revelation that Sirius had been her Godfather and before she had known he hadn’t betrayed her parents, she’d found Salazar Slytherin’s portrait and had stared.
She knew she didn’t really look like her mother or even her father.
But she hadn’t expected she had looked like the female version of Slytherin.
“Huh…I guess I really must be related to you,” Harry stared.
Salazar tilted his head in curiosity. “I suppose you’re a descendent. A direct line descendent. There’s no mistaking it, since you’re an image of me.”
Since then, she’d hesitantly visited on a regular basis to talk. Sometimes they got into arguments, sometimes she learned things, and then sometimes she talked and he’d listened. They’d even banter. But underneath, she was always hesitant with upsetting him or earning his disapproval. Because other than the Dursley’s, Salazar was her only relative, even if he was only a portrait. She just wanted the approval and acknowledgement of family, which Salazar quickly set himself up as.
“I’ll head to my portrait in Hogwarts then, since you’ll be picked up soon by the Weasley brood. I’ll be waiting for you, Henrietta.”
She nodded and smiled softly, watching as he disappeared off his portrait that she’d somehow managed to make for him to be with her at her home. After making a simple painting at Hogwarts, Salazar had transferred himself into it, and she delicately placed it into her trunk and left with it, surviving her days with the Dursley’s with much wanted company.
Soon enough, there was a boom and she feared that meant they’d arrived through Floo and had blasted through the fireplace. That would’ve been wicked to see though.
Harry trotted down the stairs, dragging her trunk behind her and saw the Dursley’s panicking and screaming, while Mr. Weasley tried calming them down and the twins were messing with Dudley, about to drop some toffees on the ground for her cousin to eat.
She stopped them, holding onto their hands that were filled with the toffees.
“Pleeeeaaasseee, don’t make trouble for me when I get back next summer,” she gave them a wry grin.
“Yeah, Harry does have to return next year, you two,” Ron said, appearing next to her.
She smirked at Ron and shared an eye roll with him, while the twins bowed.
“We’re –”
“So sorry –”
“Dearest Harry,” both twins chorused.
“Guess we –”
“Have to –”
“Save it for Percy,” the two ended.
Harry sighed in exasperation and Ron gave her a one-armed hug.
“How are you doing, Harry?”
“Great. Fed well this summer.”
“No thanks to the Dursley’s though, right?” Ron snorted.
“No, of course not. Sanguini’s doing.”
“About him,” Fred started.
“Do you think you could contact him about a product we’re trying to make that’s specific to vampires?” George continued.
“I’ll ask, but if it has to do with pranks, then he probably won’t be interested.”
“Alright, kids. Floo back, I’ll stay here to fix the fireplace. I’ll meet you back in the house,” Arthur told them nervously, glancing at the still hysterical Dursley’s.
Without further ado, all four of them Floo’ed out. In the Burrow, things were getting busy. Mrs. Weasley was directing two older and unfamiliar Weasley’s on conjuring a table outside and setting it up, Percy was sitting and reading on a couch inside, while Ginny stared at them before blushing and running away.
Fred snickered, “She still can’t get over you’re not being a guy and therefore not her knight in shining armor.”
Harry winced and sighed.
“Harry!” Molly screamed and ran towards her to give her a big hug.
“Hello, Mrs. Weasley.”
“Oh dear, you’re still so slim! I bet those despicable muggles haven’t been feeding you. Oh, I’ll just have to fatten you up. Percy!” Molly looked at her son and gave him a look, jerking her chin towards the kitchen table.
Percy jumped from his seat, dropping his book to the couch, looking confused before blushing and hurrying to the table and pulling out a chair for Harry. Harry held in her sigh and walked over to sit in it, letting Percy push the chair in.
“Thanks, Perce,” she muttered.
“No problem, Harry. Sorry for my mum,” he muttered back.
Ron and the twins snickered at them.
“So, Mrs. Weasley still trying to set you up with Percy, huh?” Hermione appeared suddenly by her side as Percy scurried off, whispering to Harry in a conspiratorial voice.
“Yeah, seems so,” Harry whispered back.
Ever since Ron introduced Harry to the family via letters, Molly Weasley had become determined to make Harry a part of the family, first trying to set her up with Ron. When that didn’t seem likely because Ronald seem to like Hermione more in that way unknowingly, Molly began trying to set Harry up very obviously with Percy.
Once Harry had eaten a little, she idly watched the older Weasley men outside, using their wands to magick chairs into the air and crash them into each other in a mock battle.
There was a gleam in Mrs. Weasley’s eyes, seeing Harry. Hermione and Ron both caught it, shaking their heads.
“That’s my two oldest, Harry. The one with the long hair tied into a ponytail and with the dragon earring is Bill, my oldest. The other is Charlie, my second oldest. Bill works at Gringotts as a curse-breaker, and Charlie is a dragon tamer.”
“Oh, that’s cool,” Harry said wide-eyed, having not heard of either profession.
Hermione and Ron knew they weren’t imagining the sparkle of triumph in Molly’s eyes.
“Why don’t you head outside, Harry? I’m sure those two need some help, and you’re always very helpful, dear.”
When Harry went to go just that, Molly pumped a fist into the air.
“Yes! There’s still chance yet!”
Molly was really hoping for another daughter.
“Mum must be getting really desperate if she’s thinking of foisting Bill and Charlie onto Harry,” Ron whispered to Hermione.
Harry trailed outside, still watching, but hesitant on approaching.
“Hey there! I’m Charlie.”
“And I’m Bill.”
She waved ‘hi’ and walked closer.
“Mrs. Weasley sent me out here to help. Is there anything I could do?”
“Nah. You could cheer me on though,” Bill smirked.
Charlie scoffed, “She’d cheer for me than you.”
“How about I cheer for both of you?” she smiled shyly, thinking how cool the brothers were.
When everyone started coming out, Bill was winning and then Mrs. Weasley banished the chairs.
“Bill! Why don’t you help Harry into a chair? Charlie, help put food onto her plate,” she said loudly, being obvious about what she was trying to do while giving a small glare to Percy.
Percy sighed while Bill and Charlie looked confused, but did as they were told. The rest of the group either snickered or turned red in embarrassment. Which meant Hermione and the twins snickered, and the other Weasley’s (which included Arthur, Ron, and Ginny) were as red as their hair.
Harry was confused but had a strange feeling something was going on.
“Business is booming, Harry dear. We’re ready to open Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes anytime soon,” Fred told Harry smugly, ignoring their muttering mother.
“Oh yes, long price-lists for stuff they’ve invented. Joke stuff –fake wands, trick sweets, that kind of thing,” Ginny put in, looking intently at her.
Fred and George rolled their eyes.
“Lots of explosions going on,” Ron told her cheerfully. “Happening for around two years. Underage magic,” he finished in an undertone, so that his parents wouldn’t hear.
So while Mr. Weasley was telling Mrs. Weasley about Bertha Jorkins’ disappearance, Bill and Charlie discussed international Quidditch. The rest of group flitted off into their talks, and Harry listened to them all, smiling at the makeshift family she’d formed.
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“We’ll be going a day early, okay? I have business I have to take care of over there,” Arthur informed Harry, and she nodded to show she understood.
She was with him, Bill, Charlie, and Percy, with Molly taking the twins, Ron, Ginny, and Hermione later. Somehow, she had an inkling she was part of a set up.
The group traveled a way’s way, stopping on top of a hill, where an old boot lay innocently. She saw Cedric Diggory walking towards them with who looked to be his father. He waved at her and she waved back.
Amos pushed Cedric towards her and smiled widely.
“Harry Potter! Oh, Cedric’s told me all about you! Especially playing you last year and of your exceptional Quidditch skills. Ced, why don’t you go next to her and tell her about the portkey and give her a crash course on it so she knows what to expect?”
Cedric looked embarrassed, but gave as wide a grin as his father’s.
“Hey Harry. Sorry about my dad. Um…do you know anything about portkeys?”
“Nope. Natta. Crash course definitely needed,” Harry smiled apologetically.
Cedric sidled closer and began talking animatedly to Harry, all the while a tension growing between Mr. Diggory and Mr. Weasley as the two talked seemingly genially. Once again, Bill and Charlie were confused.
Time up, they touched the portkey and ended up at their destination, Harry stumbling. The crash course Cedric gave her only helped a little, and she was glad that she didn’t fall on her face completely.
“Alright, I suppose we’ll have to split and set up camp,” Arthur said, nodding to Amos as he started leading his family and Harry away after a little trouble with a Mr. Rogers, obviously a muggle. Amos nodded grudgingly, leading Cedric away who glanced back and looked at Harry with a reluctant look on his face.
“Dad, what was all that tension about?” Bill asked bluntly.
Arthur winced, glancing at Harry. “Well, Harry deserves to know since it’s mostly about her. Your mother wants to make Harry an official part of the family, so she’s been trying to pair her off. She tried Ron, but that went nowhere, and now she’s been trying to push Percy onto her.”
“And well, since I seem to be a dead end as well, I think she’s starting to give up on me and is thinking about either one of you two to push onto Harry here,” Percy shrugged.
“Sounds like Mum. Stubborn and doesn’t want to take no for an answer,” Bill shook his head, smiling.
“But what about you, Dad? Why were you so tense with Mr. Diggory?” Charlie cut in.
Arthur laughed embarrassed. “Amos is trying the same thing your mum’s doing, with Cedric. I admit, it is very tempting to keep Harry all to ourselves and make her really part of the family –not that we don’t consider you part of the family, Harry, but it would be nice to make it official and give you our name as well –so that’s why I was little off with Amos. I felt a little threatened and like he was infringing. Not that the family won’t love you still if you choose Cedric, Harry,” he said reassuringly.
“I barely know him and I’m sure he doesn’t like me in that way,” Harry blinked confusion. “And I was aware of Ron and Percy and all, but I should’ve known about Bill and Charlie, especially after she introduced you two and started talking about you before sending me outside to help.”
Bill and Charlie moved to either side of her, each hooking an arm around one of hers.
“Well, looks like you’re going to be stuck with us for boyfriends,” Charlie said dramatically.
“Both of you?” Harry asked amusedly.
“Both of us,” Bill nodded emphatically.
Percy surprised her by picking her up from behind and scooping her onto his shoulders, her legs on either side of his head and giving her a ride.
“I suppose I should give in as well. That should make all three of us then,” Percy smirked.
“I don’t know if that would make your mum happy or give her a heart attack,” Arthur laughed.
“You know, we should pretend that we really did become Harry’s boyfriends,” Bill suggested.
“Oh yeah, and we won’t say it outright but give hints. Just say things that make it seem like it so Mum will think that way, and then we’ll pretend we don’t know what she’s talking about,” Percy agreed.
“But won’t that upset Mrs. Weasley?” Harry was hesitant.
“Actually, it’s a good idea, Harry. Molly is very determined and stubborn. This’ll make her back off, at least temporarily,” Arthur agreed with his sons.
“Ohh, sounds like fun!” Charlie grinned.
Bill and Charlie swung their linked arms in a comical fashion as Percy trotted along after their father, easily holding her up.
“Earlier, before we split with Mr. Diggory and Cedric, that man –Mr. Rogers. Is he okay? That wizard popped up and obliviated him…but he said he’s been having to do it ten times a day. There’s no lasting consequences, is there? I do hope that Bagman fellow would stop it with the Bludgers and Quaffles talk at the top of his voice. I wouldn’t want so much trouble about security going ‘round,” Harry noted worriedly.
“He’s the Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports, so he should know better. But, well, Ludo’s always been a bit…lax…with security. You couldn’t wish for a more enthusiastic head for the sports department though. He played Quidditch for England himself, you know. And he was the best Beater the Wimbourne Wasps ever had.”
They finally reached their area and their talk was cut off, the Weasley men trying to figure out how to set up the tent. Harry sighed and pushed them away, getting to work on it herself.
“Sorry, Harry. Complicated thing. Don’t know how muggles do it,” Arthur apologized.
Harry had just finished, when Arthur started grinning and waving excitedly towards a man striding towards them.
“Aha, the man of the moment! Ludo!”
Harry examined him curiously, remembering he was the one who’d gotten the top box tickets for the Weasley family. He was tall, powerfully built, with a slight belly probably from the years of not training for Quidditch and having a desk job. He had thick blond hair cut short, round blue eyes, a rosy complexion most likely from the couple of pre-game/celebration drinks he had and she could slightly smell as he was up close. His nose was squashed, possibly from a stray Bludger, and overall he had the look of an overgrown schoolboy. He was easily the most noticeable person Harry had seen so far, especially with the yellow and black robes with the huge wasp splashed across his chest.
“Ahoy there!” Ludo called out happily, walking towards them like he had springs on the balls of his feet and plainly in a state of excitement. “Great day, eh? Perfect weather, cloudless night coming up, and no troubles in arrangements so far. Not much for me to do!”
Of course that was ignoring the haggard-looking Ministry wizards running amok behind him.
Despite the disapproval Percy had proclaimed about the way Ludo ran his department, he looked eager to make a good impression.
“This is three of my sons Percy, Bill, and Charlie. And my youngest’s son Ronald’s friend Harry Potter,” Arthur introduced.
Ludo did the smallest of double takes at Harry’s name, eyes performing the familiar flick to Harry’s forehead to see the scar.
“This is Ludo Bagman. It’s thanks to him we have such good tickets.”
“Arthur, Arthur, it’s all good. Now, any of you fancy a wager on the match?” he asked eagerly, jiggling his pocket filled with coins it seemed. He talked about the people who’d made wagers, offering his odds on their bets.
“I guess I’d wager a galleon on Ireland to win?” Arthur said hesitantly.
“A galleon? Ah well…alright. Any other takers?”
“I don’t gamble,” Percy offered, hiding his scowl.
“I’d take 5 galleons on Bulgaria for the win –” Bill gambled.
“And I’ll go opposite with Ireland for the same amount,” Charlie followed.
“Good, good! How about you, Miss Potter?”
Arthur cut in, “I don’t think that’s such a good idea, Ludo. Harry’s much too young –”
Harry interrupted him, getting a handful of galleons out of her bag and showing it off.
“Care to raise the stakes then, Mr. Bagman?” she said softly. “I have a bit of seers’ blood in me. Sure you want to bet against me?”
Ludo slowly grinned, eyes lighting up at the challenge. “Sounds interesting. I’m up.”
Harry closed her eyes, blanking her mind and hoping for at least a quick flash of images. Getting it, she grinned and opened eyes.
“Ireland wins. Bulgaria gets the snitch.”
Ludo chuckled, “Risky venture, my dear. Don’t know about that, but I’ll take it on.”
Harry smirked, handing over the gold. “Put it under mine, and Fred and George Weasley’s names. I’d like to share the winnings with them, seeing as they’re going to start a business soon and I’d like to help them out.”
“Cocky, aren’t you?” Ludo commented playfully.
“Nope, not a guy, so I’m sure that that doesn’t apply to me since I don’t have one,” Harry snarked.
Ludo and the Weasley men choked, while Ludo started guffawing afterwards. After everyone had calmed down, Ludo sat sprawled on the grass, drinking tea as Arthur set about making a fire. His sons sat near Ludo and Harry, talking about Quidditch.
A man apparated right near their fireside, looking impeccably dressed and strict. Harry doubted anyone would have doubted him a muggle. He looked very convincing and probably could have passed as a bank manager.
“Ludo, I’ve been looking for you everywhere,” he said sharply, eyes narrowing at the only blond in the group.
“Ah! Barty! Great to see you,” Ludo greeted. “Arthur’s sons and Harry, this is Barty Crouch.”
“Hello, everyone. Ludo, we’ll have to leave now. The Bulgarians are asking for another twelve seats in the top box.”
“Oh, I forget myself,” Arthur winced. “Bill and I have to check on security as a favor; Charlie will have to go out and meet with your mother and bring the others here. Harry, can you go fetch water? Percy, you’ll need to stay here and watch over the tent. I’d have Harry stay here, but we’re all out of luck when it comes to muggle things. Sorry, Harry.”
“Not to worry, Arthur. I’ll help her out,” Ludo reassured him, offering his arm to Harry.
She blinked, but mentally shrugged and took it.
“We’ll be back soon!” Ludo called over his shoulder as he led Harry away, walking next to Crouch.
“We’ll have to settle things with the Bulgarians first, then I’ll set you up with some water, Miss Potter,” Ludo told her with a smile.
“Potter?” Crouch asked curtly.
“Yup! The one and only Harry Potter!” Ludo presented her.
She rolled her eyes.
“I see,” the other man murmured.
They reached the Bulgarians quickly, Crouch speaking their language and efficiently dealing with things as Ludo hung back and held onto her. Her eyes caught sight of an older Bulgarian boy in the back of the group, hunched over and eyes darting around. His eyes saw her and stopped their flitting about, watching her curiously.
“That’s Viktor Krum,” Ludo whispered into her ear. “The Bulgarian team’s Seeker.”
She broke off the stare when she saw Crouch finishing up and moving back towards them, when he actually had a slight slip of composure when he looked to his side. Her eyes followed his panicked gaze and saw an imposing figure of a woman, stalking towards them.
Crouch slid closer to her, bending slightly to whisper into her ear.
“I’d be much obliged if you would help me out, Miss Potter. Please play along and don’t ask questions,” he whispered quickly.
He slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her away from Ludo, keeping her close. But he was tense and she had a feeling he looked tense.
She stepped away, seeing his face go alarmed. But she ignored it and put her arms around his neck and stood on her toes to kiss his cheek, sliding her lips so she could whisper into his ear.
“You’re too tense,” she muttered. “You’ll look uncomfortable and unconvincing if you don’t relax.”
Then she turned her head the opposite way from the woman, hiding behind his neck as she slipped her hand into her hidden pocket in her dress for a quick dab of muggle makeup to cover her scar. Knowing she had to be quick, she pretended to hug him close and buried her face into his chest as she wiped her hand and produced a case of contacts and hurried to put them in, keeping her other arm locked around Crouch’s neck to use it to hide what she was doing from the woman coming ever closer.
“What’s this, Bartemius? Frolicking around with a-a-a harlot? And going for such a young bitch!” the woman hissed out, not even caring to lower her voice.
Thanking Sanguini for teaching her how to speak Italian, his mother language, she slightly pulled away from Crouch to glare at the woman to say vulgar and derogatory things back in the foreign language. She lifted her nose into the air and sniffed arrogantly, smirking inwardly and feeling quite amused.
“Why you whore of a girl! I bet your Italian mother sold herself out on the streets!” she screeched, recognizing the accent but didn’t know what was being said.
Harry said something else randomly in Italian, which really had nothing to do with the conversation but she made it look like it did and that it looked insulting and especially haughty. She turned on her heel, and started pulling Crouch behind her with Ludo following behind in shock, Harry making sure to look as arrogant and conceited as possible. Basically, she was an Italian Malfoy.
A smirk formed outwardly.
Once they were a long way away from her, she stopped and rubbed her eyes.
“Bloody hell, I hoped that’s not going to irritate my eyes,” she muttered.
“Woah, what was that about?” Ludo asked wide-eyed.
“What’s wrong?” Crouch asked instead of replying to Ludo.
“I didn’t wipe my hand enough when I put in my contacts. The lens probably got dirty when I put them in,” Harry frowned, wiping her hand more thoroughly on a handkerchief she’d brought with her with her bag and then using antibacterial hand sanitizer, with the other two watching in curiosity and not a clue of what she was talking about until she’d started. She began to take out her contacts and put them back into their case, but she couldn’t help rubbing her eyes.
“Damn it,” she muttered again.
“Here, let me have a look,” Crouch took her face in his hands and examined her eyes critically. “Yes, they are a little red.”
She grumbled before sighing. “Well, I’ll just put eyedrops into them.”
“Hand them here,” Crouch took them from her and put two drops each into her eyes. She kept her face tilted up, keeping her eyes close for a little bit, before straightening and blinking several times.
“Thanks. Ugh, she’ll remember what I was wearing and she’ll recognize me even without the contact lens and makeup,” Harry muttered, rubbing off the makeup on her forehead too and wiping it on the handkerchief. She rummaged through her bag and pulled out another dress. “I’m going to change,” she pouted, flitting off behind a tree while they waited uncomfortably with pink faces.
She came back out wearing a slim form-fitting pastel yellow sundress that was knee-length, with thick shoulder straps and a ruffled and modest neckline…with bare arms and shoulders, and looking like she wasn’t wearing a bra. They stared straight at her face, keeping their eyes focused.
They also didn’t mention her need to change, contacts, and makeup to be unrecognizable.
“Thank you, Miss Potter…That woman’s been hounding me for months now,” Crouch murmured once they started walking again.
“Hm…it’s fine. I don’t like her. Anytime you want to irritate her, I’ll help,” Harry scowled, remembering the woman and getting a bad taste in her mouth.
“You must be looking forward to this year at Hogwarts. A lot going on,” Ludo interrupted their silence.
“Ludo,” Crouch warned.
“Oh, it’s all right, Barty. Harry, here –you don’t mind me calling you that, do you? I called you that once earlier, but I didn’t ask –well, she can keep a secret.”
“I’m fine with both of you calling me Harry,” she shrugged.
“Oh yes, your school is going to host the Triwizard Tournament this year. It’ll be great fun and excitement!” Ludo excitedly told her.
She stopped in her tracks and stared at them, both Ministry wizards stopping a little ahead and turning to look at her in confusion.
“Say no more. I don’t want to hear it. Every year at Hogwarts, I seem to get into the thick of things. I’m not jinxing myself now,” Harry said in annoyance. “In fact, I don’t want to hear it. And it’d be best if you don’t say anything, then no one’s going to be accused of blabbing and whatnot.”
She stomped passed them, getting more annoyed by the minute. They followed after her quickly, switching to match her quick, upset strides.
“Changing the subject, is there any other schools you can choose to go to other than Hogwarts and are they transferable?” Harry asked nonchalantly.
“Oh yes, there are plenty of other schools. The two other well-known ones are Durmstrang and Beauxbatons, both of who will…be at…your school…this year,” Ludo finished lamely.
Crouch cut in to make it less awkward, “They are transferable, but it is very rare. Once a student enters into a school, usually they stay throughout. And transfers are harder to adjust, not to mention having to be approved in the first place.”
Harry kept her expression neutral, so neither men could discern what she was feeling or thinking.
They were heading through the tents again, going to head to the tap for water, but they kept getting stopped along the way by people Harry knew from school. Particularly, she talked to Oliver Wood, Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas, Neville Longbottom, and saw Cedric who waved at her eagerly.
“Popular, aren’t you?” Ludo teased.
Harry gave him a bland stare, “I just know people.”
Reaching the tap, Crouch conjured a bucket for her and she started pumping the handle, letting the water pour into the bucket. She averted her eyes, scrambling for a topic to talk about to interrupt the awkward silence they’d gotten stuck in.
“I don’t know much about professional Quidditch. Is it this crazy every time?”
Ludo’s face lit up, “The Quidditch World Cup was first started in 1973. It’s held every 4 years, so this year would be the 130th –”
“You should say 422nd instead,” she said out of nowhere.
“What? Why?” Ludo blinked.
“It sounds more impressive. And no one remembers dates so no one’s going to complain.”
Ludo barked out a laugh, while Crouch hid a smile.
She hefted the full bucket, leading the way back and not blinking at the weight. Crouch cast a weightless charm anyway. Ludo chattered about professional Quidditch and Harry listened in rapt interest, no sign of her displeasure from earlier.
They took a stop by the Ireland team tent, and Harry waited outside as Crouch and Ludo went to go talk to the Irish managers. She placed the bucket down on the ground, secretly glad for the weightless charm, and stretched her fingers.
“Hullo there. I haven’t seen you before,” an Irish accent greeted her from the side. She looked up and saw a dark-haired and dark blue-eyed man standing there, grinning at her.
“Hullo,” she said simply, and turned back to facing the ground.
Don’t talk to strangers after all.
“I’m Aiden Lynch…the Seeker for Ireland,” he continued when she didn’t seem to recognize his name.
A light of recognition showed on her face and she nodded at him, offering a small smile.
“I’m Harry…Potter,” she muttered her last name.
He nodded easily, walking closer and coming to a stop beside her, facing forward as well and looking up at the sky.
“Nice day out, isn’t it? Great day for flying. Hope it’s as well tomorrow,” he commented, and she was surprised that he was talking about such mundane things. But she was also glad for it because she felt like he was talking to a normal person. She was also glad he didn’t make a big deal out of her name.
“You know what I do when I want to get away and not be recognized? First, be a little selfish and just leave. There’s a pre-game celebration tonight for both teams here. You should come. It’ll be fun.”
She stared at him.
“I’ll pick you up. What tent are you in?”
Harry hesitated, but thought what the hell. “20. Weasley.”
“Great. I’ll come around 7,” he grinned at her and then ducked into the tent just as Crouch and Ludo moved out.
They glanced at the Seeker’s back and then at Harry, looking at her questioningly.
“That was Aiden Lynch. He was nice,” was all she said.
They wanted to ask more, but didn’t think it was appropriate. They headed back to the Weasleys, by which time the whole group was there.
“Mr. Crouch, Mr. Bagman! Why don’t you two stay for dinner?” Molly asked pleasantly, pleased to see them, more so when she saw Harry. “Bill, Charlie,” she hinted.
Both men grinned at each other and did their part, Charlie piling food onto a plate and Bill pulling out a chair and helping Harry into it, she keeping a straight face. Percy then started pouring her a drink, confusing but pleasing Molly at the same time.
“Harry sweetie, is that enough food for you?” Charlie asked affectionately.
“Not nearly enough. She’s needs to be taken cared of,” Percy glared.
“Now you two, we should ask Harry for her opinion,” Bill interrupted firmly, smiling gently at Harry. “Well, love, what do you think?”
“Oh, I’m quite fine. Thank you three. You’re all such gentlemen,” she added a smile for effect.
Molly barely suppressed her squeal, though everyone else was sure they’d heard it.
“This is superb food, Mrs. Weasley. I especially loved the lemon pie,” Crouch commented, actually looking rather relaxed in the warm atmosphere.
“It is very good, isn’t it? It’s actually a recipe from Harry; she does rather excellent cooking. She’d make quite the wife, wouldn’t she, Bill? Charlie? Percy?”
“Now that was obvious,” Ron commented aloud, though he was elbowed in the ribs by both his father and Hermione on either side of him.
But Bill, Charlie, and Percy gave charming grins at their mother then at Harry.
“Oh, she would be a lovely wife,” Bill agreed. “In fact, I would marry her myself, you know.”
“As would I do,” Charlie nodded. “Great food and such a pretty face to greet me as I come home from frightening confrontations with large, animalistic beasts, tending to my most gruesome wounds with such care and gentleness.”
“Or as I come home from the Ministry, wary and downtrodden from the piles of paperwork and the hassle of fellow Ministry workers, and she lays there with welcoming arms that I long to fall into and lay my head on her bosom. Yes, that sounds about right. You know, I wouldn’t mind marrying Harry either.”
“Well, we can’t all marry her,” Bill said stiffly.
Hope warred with concern visibly all over Molly.
“Well, I’ve known her longer, so it should be right that I marry her,” Percy said arrogantly, scowling.
“But I need more support due to my dangerous job. I should marry her,” Charlie interjected.
“I’m more capable of supporting her,” Bill huffed. “I have stable income, and I could very easily get a bigger place to live in with her and move her right in. She’d be taken cared of very well with me. Stable money, stable home, a very stable situation. Case closed.”
“Why don’t we all marry her?” Percy suggested in exasperation, surprising everyone by being the one to suggest such a solution.
“But –” Bill was about to say, but he was cut off by Percy again.
“It’s rare, but it’s happened. We’ll just have to form a three-way bond, though we’ll have to look up more specifics than just that.”
Molly fainted dead away.
“Mrs. Weasley!” Harry screeched. “Oh, you guys! That was way too much! I knew you shouldn’t have done that!”
“It’s quite alright, Harry. I think it was best. I’ll take Molly to the room and wake her up. I’ll explain things to her,” Arthur soothed, doing just that.
“What in the –”
“Bloody hell –”
“Was that?” Ron cut off the twins.
Bill smirked, “That, Ronald, was your brothers performing in unison. Dad and Percy told us that Mum keeps trying to shove us Weasley men at poor Harry, so we decided to have some fun at her expense and hopefully discourage her from playing matchmaker.”
“Yeah, we all decided to pretend to be Harry’s boyfriends. I think it was all a bit much for her though,” Charlie echoed his brother’s smirk.
“I don’t get why she never tried the twins,” Percy commented, thinking about it.
“Oh, she did,” George cackled.
“And we were both for it,” Fred continued
“We even suggested something similar to what Percy said, that we’d both go for it at the same time and share.”
“Then we start bombarding Mum with all sorts of crazy suggestions and I think she panicked and decided not to inflict us on Harry.”
“Too bad.”
“We wouldn’t have mind sharing you, Harry dear.”
“Oh Merlin, you’re all insane,” Harry thumped her head onto the table.
“Hey, I’ll pretend to be your boyfriend too! Then you can have your very own harem,” Ludo jumped in.
Harry groaned, “Damn it all, all of you really are insane.”
Hermione scoffed, “Don’t put me in with them. I’m not a guy ready to jump all over you.”
“Gin is though, or she wants to be,” Ron winced harshly when Ginny stepped onto his food angrily.
“I shouldn’t be lumped in either,” Crouch muttered.
Molly came back out with Arthur, glaring at her three eldest but smiling apologetically at Harry.
“I’m sorry, dear. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I just thought it would be nice to have you dating one of boys. Just remember, all of my sons are single,” she winked at Harry, causing the girl to turn red.
Sure, Mrs. Weasley was going to back off, but that didn’t mean she was going to stop altogether.
Just then Aiden Lynch’s voice echoed from outside the tent, nervously calling for Harry.
“Um, is Harry Potter here?”
“Bugger off! She doesn’t want her fanclub hassling her!” Ron yelled, but was once again hit, this time by Harry.
“I know him!” she hissed.
Ron blinked owlishly at her. “You do?”
Harry sighed and hurried to the flap of the tent, nervously inviting Aiden. He stood by the entrance, smiling at everyone, though a little unnerved by the stares he was getting.
Harry did a little cough to break the awkwardness, and then introduced him.
“Everyone, Aiden Lynch. Mr. Lynch –”
“Call me Aiden, Harry,” he turned his smile to her.
“Ah, Aiden…the red-heads are the Weasley’s, the youngest boy is my best friend Ron and the brunette girl is Hermione, my other best friend. I think you know Mr. Bagman and Mr. Crouch.”
“Hullo all. I hope you don’t mind. I was planning on kidnapping Harry here.”
When there was still no response and the group was still in shock, Aiden took advantage of that and whisked Harry away.
Started 8/27/09 –Completed 11/1/09
Story: Fem!Harry. It was Harry’s 4th year and things seemed to be sailing smoothly. She was the vampire Sanguini’s Familiar, she was fed and clothed properly, etcetera. Then she’s thrown into the Tournament and once again her life is at stake. She’s not sure she’s going to stand for it this time.
Set AU for book 4, genderbending.
Spoilers: Books 1-7 probably.
Warnings: Sexual situations, language, perverseness (joking and not), violence, underage/loli situations :P…
Pairings: Ludo/Harry (main), plausible future Barty Jr./Harry, quirky Sanguini/Harry, everyonejokesteasesmesseswith!Harry, Viktor/Hermione, Fleur/Roger, one-sided Cedric/Harry, one-sided Cho/Cedric, Ron/Luna, Neville/Ginny, Sirius/Remus…
Powder Blue Renaissance
Chapter One: The Reimagining
Harry glared at her reflection in the mirror.
“I’m a Loli waiting for a pervert disaster to happen.”
She groaned again and salvaged around for a huge sweater, hoping to hide her sizable breasts with. The damn things had been growing since third year, and now that she was fourteen they were definitely more noticeable than they had been before. Thank Merlin for Dudley’s oversized hand-me-downs that were way over baggy, but perfect to hide in. Even if they did dwarf her.
She reluctantly trekked down, ignoring her relatives, cooked their breakfast and checked outside for the expected box. Grabbing it, she carried it back with her inside. Once in her room, she opened it and pulled a smaller box and then took out a small dress she sighed at.
Her lips twitched though, when she went back to the smaller box and opened it to find a bento box.
“Thank you, Sanguini.”
From a very young age of 9, she’d suddenly become the Familiar of the vampire Sanguini. As all good Familiars do, she gave Sanguini blood whenever he needed, in exchange for his help and support. She wasn’t able to do much of the usual tasks and errands a Familiar does due to her age, so really she was the one getting the most out of the relationship. Even if technically, by vampire standards, she was his pet.
It was a small thing.
After all, for years, the Dursley’s had practically starved her. Then Sanguini came along and began providing her a meal every day, in the same manner. Sometimes, if he wasn’t too busy, he’d come with the box and stay a little while. He also got her clothes that fit, even if sometimes they were a little too much. Food, clothes, and company was a lot to give, and she wasn’t sure why Sanguini bothered or was so interested in her, especially since there wasn’t much she could do for him at that point other than feed him blood.
“Don’t look, Salazar,” she murmured to the painting, undressing and putting on the Lolita-styled short dress Sanguini had gotten for her. While she didn’t like to dress up or wear small or too-fitting clothing, it was a small price to pay for Sanguini’s continuing devotion.
“My Familiar will not go around looking like a vagabond. Under my claim and care, you will look as the best and be seen as the best.”
It was a showy-offy thingy. He’d claimed her as his Familiar, so she had to look the part. That meant looking like he could spend millions on her, groom her often, lavished on her (all three of which he really did do often), and show to all the other vampires that not only did he have the perfect Familiar, but he had money and taste.
For all the things he did for her, it really was a small thing to be called a pet by his species or give him her blood. Too bad he couldn’t just take her away from there, though he did manage to make it so that she and the Dursley’s could completely ignore each other unless absolutely necessary. He couldn’t tell her why either, but from him she could take it at face value and be assured he’d try to tell her later on.
Flattening down her dress and tugging at the two extremely long strands of her bangs on either side of her face, she stared again at the mirror with a pout. At least she didn’t have glasses any more, courtesy of Sanguini deciding it would fit for his initiation gift, which is something that all vampires must bestow and decide on what to give their new Familiar.
“Pretty, my dear descendant,” Salazar approved from his portrait.
She glanced at him and offered a hesitant smile. Last year, when she’d gone hiding again after feeling like crying from the first initial revelation that Sirius had been her Godfather and before she had known he hadn’t betrayed her parents, she’d found Salazar Slytherin’s portrait and had stared.
She knew she didn’t really look like her mother or even her father.
But she hadn’t expected she had looked like the female version of Slytherin.
“Huh…I guess I really must be related to you,” Harry stared.
Salazar tilted his head in curiosity. “I suppose you’re a descendent. A direct line descendent. There’s no mistaking it, since you’re an image of me.”
Since then, she’d hesitantly visited on a regular basis to talk. Sometimes they got into arguments, sometimes she learned things, and then sometimes she talked and he’d listened. They’d even banter. But underneath, she was always hesitant with upsetting him or earning his disapproval. Because other than the Dursley’s, Salazar was her only relative, even if he was only a portrait. She just wanted the approval and acknowledgement of family, which Salazar quickly set himself up as.
“I’ll head to my portrait in Hogwarts then, since you’ll be picked up soon by the Weasley brood. I’ll be waiting for you, Henrietta.”
She nodded and smiled softly, watching as he disappeared off his portrait that she’d somehow managed to make for him to be with her at her home. After making a simple painting at Hogwarts, Salazar had transferred himself into it, and she delicately placed it into her trunk and left with it, surviving her days with the Dursley’s with much wanted company.
Soon enough, there was a boom and she feared that meant they’d arrived through Floo and had blasted through the fireplace. That would’ve been wicked to see though.
Harry trotted down the stairs, dragging her trunk behind her and saw the Dursley’s panicking and screaming, while Mr. Weasley tried calming them down and the twins were messing with Dudley, about to drop some toffees on the ground for her cousin to eat.
She stopped them, holding onto their hands that were filled with the toffees.
“Pleeeeaaasseee, don’t make trouble for me when I get back next summer,” she gave them a wry grin.
“Yeah, Harry does have to return next year, you two,” Ron said, appearing next to her.
She smirked at Ron and shared an eye roll with him, while the twins bowed.
“We’re –”
“So sorry –”
“Dearest Harry,” both twins chorused.
“Guess we –”
“Have to –”
“Save it for Percy,” the two ended.
Harry sighed in exasperation and Ron gave her a one-armed hug.
“How are you doing, Harry?”
“Great. Fed well this summer.”
“No thanks to the Dursley’s though, right?” Ron snorted.
“No, of course not. Sanguini’s doing.”
“About him,” Fred started.
“Do you think you could contact him about a product we’re trying to make that’s specific to vampires?” George continued.
“I’ll ask, but if it has to do with pranks, then he probably won’t be interested.”
“Alright, kids. Floo back, I’ll stay here to fix the fireplace. I’ll meet you back in the house,” Arthur told them nervously, glancing at the still hysterical Dursley’s.
Without further ado, all four of them Floo’ed out. In the Burrow, things were getting busy. Mrs. Weasley was directing two older and unfamiliar Weasley’s on conjuring a table outside and setting it up, Percy was sitting and reading on a couch inside, while Ginny stared at them before blushing and running away.
Fred snickered, “She still can’t get over you’re not being a guy and therefore not her knight in shining armor.”
Harry winced and sighed.
“Harry!” Molly screamed and ran towards her to give her a big hug.
“Hello, Mrs. Weasley.”
“Oh dear, you’re still so slim! I bet those despicable muggles haven’t been feeding you. Oh, I’ll just have to fatten you up. Percy!” Molly looked at her son and gave him a look, jerking her chin towards the kitchen table.
Percy jumped from his seat, dropping his book to the couch, looking confused before blushing and hurrying to the table and pulling out a chair for Harry. Harry held in her sigh and walked over to sit in it, letting Percy push the chair in.
“Thanks, Perce,” she muttered.
“No problem, Harry. Sorry for my mum,” he muttered back.
Ron and the twins snickered at them.
“So, Mrs. Weasley still trying to set you up with Percy, huh?” Hermione appeared suddenly by her side as Percy scurried off, whispering to Harry in a conspiratorial voice.
“Yeah, seems so,” Harry whispered back.
Ever since Ron introduced Harry to the family via letters, Molly Weasley had become determined to make Harry a part of the family, first trying to set her up with Ron. When that didn’t seem likely because Ronald seem to like Hermione more in that way unknowingly, Molly began trying to set Harry up very obviously with Percy.
Once Harry had eaten a little, she idly watched the older Weasley men outside, using their wands to magick chairs into the air and crash them into each other in a mock battle.
There was a gleam in Mrs. Weasley’s eyes, seeing Harry. Hermione and Ron both caught it, shaking their heads.
“That’s my two oldest, Harry. The one with the long hair tied into a ponytail and with the dragon earring is Bill, my oldest. The other is Charlie, my second oldest. Bill works at Gringotts as a curse-breaker, and Charlie is a dragon tamer.”
“Oh, that’s cool,” Harry said wide-eyed, having not heard of either profession.
Hermione and Ron knew they weren’t imagining the sparkle of triumph in Molly’s eyes.
“Why don’t you head outside, Harry? I’m sure those two need some help, and you’re always very helpful, dear.”
When Harry went to go just that, Molly pumped a fist into the air.
“Yes! There’s still chance yet!”
Molly was really hoping for another daughter.
“Mum must be getting really desperate if she’s thinking of foisting Bill and Charlie onto Harry,” Ron whispered to Hermione.
Harry trailed outside, still watching, but hesitant on approaching.
“Hey there! I’m Charlie.”
“And I’m Bill.”
She waved ‘hi’ and walked closer.
“Mrs. Weasley sent me out here to help. Is there anything I could do?”
“Nah. You could cheer me on though,” Bill smirked.
Charlie scoffed, “She’d cheer for me than you.”
“How about I cheer for both of you?” she smiled shyly, thinking how cool the brothers were.
When everyone started coming out, Bill was winning and then Mrs. Weasley banished the chairs.
“Bill! Why don’t you help Harry into a chair? Charlie, help put food onto her plate,” she said loudly, being obvious about what she was trying to do while giving a small glare to Percy.
Percy sighed while Bill and Charlie looked confused, but did as they were told. The rest of the group either snickered or turned red in embarrassment. Which meant Hermione and the twins snickered, and the other Weasley’s (which included Arthur, Ron, and Ginny) were as red as their hair.
Harry was confused but had a strange feeling something was going on.
“Business is booming, Harry dear. We’re ready to open Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes anytime soon,” Fred told Harry smugly, ignoring their muttering mother.
“Oh yes, long price-lists for stuff they’ve invented. Joke stuff –fake wands, trick sweets, that kind of thing,” Ginny put in, looking intently at her.
Fred and George rolled their eyes.
“Lots of explosions going on,” Ron told her cheerfully. “Happening for around two years. Underage magic,” he finished in an undertone, so that his parents wouldn’t hear.
So while Mr. Weasley was telling Mrs. Weasley about Bertha Jorkins’ disappearance, Bill and Charlie discussed international Quidditch. The rest of group flitted off into their talks, and Harry listened to them all, smiling at the makeshift family she’d formed.
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“We’ll be going a day early, okay? I have business I have to take care of over there,” Arthur informed Harry, and she nodded to show she understood.
She was with him, Bill, Charlie, and Percy, with Molly taking the twins, Ron, Ginny, and Hermione later. Somehow, she had an inkling she was part of a set up.
The group traveled a way’s way, stopping on top of a hill, where an old boot lay innocently. She saw Cedric Diggory walking towards them with who looked to be his father. He waved at her and she waved back.
Amos pushed Cedric towards her and smiled widely.
“Harry Potter! Oh, Cedric’s told me all about you! Especially playing you last year and of your exceptional Quidditch skills. Ced, why don’t you go next to her and tell her about the portkey and give her a crash course on it so she knows what to expect?”
Cedric looked embarrassed, but gave as wide a grin as his father’s.
“Hey Harry. Sorry about my dad. Um…do you know anything about portkeys?”
“Nope. Natta. Crash course definitely needed,” Harry smiled apologetically.
Cedric sidled closer and began talking animatedly to Harry, all the while a tension growing between Mr. Diggory and Mr. Weasley as the two talked seemingly genially. Once again, Bill and Charlie were confused.
Time up, they touched the portkey and ended up at their destination, Harry stumbling. The crash course Cedric gave her only helped a little, and she was glad that she didn’t fall on her face completely.
“Alright, I suppose we’ll have to split and set up camp,” Arthur said, nodding to Amos as he started leading his family and Harry away after a little trouble with a Mr. Rogers, obviously a muggle. Amos nodded grudgingly, leading Cedric away who glanced back and looked at Harry with a reluctant look on his face.
“Dad, what was all that tension about?” Bill asked bluntly.
Arthur winced, glancing at Harry. “Well, Harry deserves to know since it’s mostly about her. Your mother wants to make Harry an official part of the family, so she’s been trying to pair her off. She tried Ron, but that went nowhere, and now she’s been trying to push Percy onto her.”
“And well, since I seem to be a dead end as well, I think she’s starting to give up on me and is thinking about either one of you two to push onto Harry here,” Percy shrugged.
“Sounds like Mum. Stubborn and doesn’t want to take no for an answer,” Bill shook his head, smiling.
“But what about you, Dad? Why were you so tense with Mr. Diggory?” Charlie cut in.
Arthur laughed embarrassed. “Amos is trying the same thing your mum’s doing, with Cedric. I admit, it is very tempting to keep Harry all to ourselves and make her really part of the family –not that we don’t consider you part of the family, Harry, but it would be nice to make it official and give you our name as well –so that’s why I was little off with Amos. I felt a little threatened and like he was infringing. Not that the family won’t love you still if you choose Cedric, Harry,” he said reassuringly.
“I barely know him and I’m sure he doesn’t like me in that way,” Harry blinked confusion. “And I was aware of Ron and Percy and all, but I should’ve known about Bill and Charlie, especially after she introduced you two and started talking about you before sending me outside to help.”
Bill and Charlie moved to either side of her, each hooking an arm around one of hers.
“Well, looks like you’re going to be stuck with us for boyfriends,” Charlie said dramatically.
“Both of you?” Harry asked amusedly.
“Both of us,” Bill nodded emphatically.
Percy surprised her by picking her up from behind and scooping her onto his shoulders, her legs on either side of his head and giving her a ride.
“I suppose I should give in as well. That should make all three of us then,” Percy smirked.
“I don’t know if that would make your mum happy or give her a heart attack,” Arthur laughed.
“You know, we should pretend that we really did become Harry’s boyfriends,” Bill suggested.
“Oh yeah, and we won’t say it outright but give hints. Just say things that make it seem like it so Mum will think that way, and then we’ll pretend we don’t know what she’s talking about,” Percy agreed.
“But won’t that upset Mrs. Weasley?” Harry was hesitant.
“Actually, it’s a good idea, Harry. Molly is very determined and stubborn. This’ll make her back off, at least temporarily,” Arthur agreed with his sons.
“Ohh, sounds like fun!” Charlie grinned.
Bill and Charlie swung their linked arms in a comical fashion as Percy trotted along after their father, easily holding her up.
“Earlier, before we split with Mr. Diggory and Cedric, that man –Mr. Rogers. Is he okay? That wizard popped up and obliviated him…but he said he’s been having to do it ten times a day. There’s no lasting consequences, is there? I do hope that Bagman fellow would stop it with the Bludgers and Quaffles talk at the top of his voice. I wouldn’t want so much trouble about security going ‘round,” Harry noted worriedly.
“He’s the Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports, so he should know better. But, well, Ludo’s always been a bit…lax…with security. You couldn’t wish for a more enthusiastic head for the sports department though. He played Quidditch for England himself, you know. And he was the best Beater the Wimbourne Wasps ever had.”
They finally reached their area and their talk was cut off, the Weasley men trying to figure out how to set up the tent. Harry sighed and pushed them away, getting to work on it herself.
“Sorry, Harry. Complicated thing. Don’t know how muggles do it,” Arthur apologized.
Harry had just finished, when Arthur started grinning and waving excitedly towards a man striding towards them.
“Aha, the man of the moment! Ludo!”
Harry examined him curiously, remembering he was the one who’d gotten the top box tickets for the Weasley family. He was tall, powerfully built, with a slight belly probably from the years of not training for Quidditch and having a desk job. He had thick blond hair cut short, round blue eyes, a rosy complexion most likely from the couple of pre-game/celebration drinks he had and she could slightly smell as he was up close. His nose was squashed, possibly from a stray Bludger, and overall he had the look of an overgrown schoolboy. He was easily the most noticeable person Harry had seen so far, especially with the yellow and black robes with the huge wasp splashed across his chest.
“Ahoy there!” Ludo called out happily, walking towards them like he had springs on the balls of his feet and plainly in a state of excitement. “Great day, eh? Perfect weather, cloudless night coming up, and no troubles in arrangements so far. Not much for me to do!”
Of course that was ignoring the haggard-looking Ministry wizards running amok behind him.
Despite the disapproval Percy had proclaimed about the way Ludo ran his department, he looked eager to make a good impression.
“This is three of my sons Percy, Bill, and Charlie. And my youngest’s son Ronald’s friend Harry Potter,” Arthur introduced.
Ludo did the smallest of double takes at Harry’s name, eyes performing the familiar flick to Harry’s forehead to see the scar.
“This is Ludo Bagman. It’s thanks to him we have such good tickets.”
“Arthur, Arthur, it’s all good. Now, any of you fancy a wager on the match?” he asked eagerly, jiggling his pocket filled with coins it seemed. He talked about the people who’d made wagers, offering his odds on their bets.
“I guess I’d wager a galleon on Ireland to win?” Arthur said hesitantly.
“A galleon? Ah well…alright. Any other takers?”
“I don’t gamble,” Percy offered, hiding his scowl.
“I’d take 5 galleons on Bulgaria for the win –” Bill gambled.
“And I’ll go opposite with Ireland for the same amount,” Charlie followed.
“Good, good! How about you, Miss Potter?”
Arthur cut in, “I don’t think that’s such a good idea, Ludo. Harry’s much too young –”
Harry interrupted him, getting a handful of galleons out of her bag and showing it off.
“Care to raise the stakes then, Mr. Bagman?” she said softly. “I have a bit of seers’ blood in me. Sure you want to bet against me?”
Ludo slowly grinned, eyes lighting up at the challenge. “Sounds interesting. I’m up.”
Harry closed her eyes, blanking her mind and hoping for at least a quick flash of images. Getting it, she grinned and opened eyes.
“Ireland wins. Bulgaria gets the snitch.”
Ludo chuckled, “Risky venture, my dear. Don’t know about that, but I’ll take it on.”
Harry smirked, handing over the gold. “Put it under mine, and Fred and George Weasley’s names. I’d like to share the winnings with them, seeing as they’re going to start a business soon and I’d like to help them out.”
“Cocky, aren’t you?” Ludo commented playfully.
“Nope, not a guy, so I’m sure that that doesn’t apply to me since I don’t have one,” Harry snarked.
Ludo and the Weasley men choked, while Ludo started guffawing afterwards. After everyone had calmed down, Ludo sat sprawled on the grass, drinking tea as Arthur set about making a fire. His sons sat near Ludo and Harry, talking about Quidditch.
A man apparated right near their fireside, looking impeccably dressed and strict. Harry doubted anyone would have doubted him a muggle. He looked very convincing and probably could have passed as a bank manager.
“Ludo, I’ve been looking for you everywhere,” he said sharply, eyes narrowing at the only blond in the group.
“Ah! Barty! Great to see you,” Ludo greeted. “Arthur’s sons and Harry, this is Barty Crouch.”
“Hello, everyone. Ludo, we’ll have to leave now. The Bulgarians are asking for another twelve seats in the top box.”
“Oh, I forget myself,” Arthur winced. “Bill and I have to check on security as a favor; Charlie will have to go out and meet with your mother and bring the others here. Harry, can you go fetch water? Percy, you’ll need to stay here and watch over the tent. I’d have Harry stay here, but we’re all out of luck when it comes to muggle things. Sorry, Harry.”
“Not to worry, Arthur. I’ll help her out,” Ludo reassured him, offering his arm to Harry.
She blinked, but mentally shrugged and took it.
“We’ll be back soon!” Ludo called over his shoulder as he led Harry away, walking next to Crouch.
“We’ll have to settle things with the Bulgarians first, then I’ll set you up with some water, Miss Potter,” Ludo told her with a smile.
“Potter?” Crouch asked curtly.
“Yup! The one and only Harry Potter!” Ludo presented her.
She rolled her eyes.
“I see,” the other man murmured.
They reached the Bulgarians quickly, Crouch speaking their language and efficiently dealing with things as Ludo hung back and held onto her. Her eyes caught sight of an older Bulgarian boy in the back of the group, hunched over and eyes darting around. His eyes saw her and stopped their flitting about, watching her curiously.
“That’s Viktor Krum,” Ludo whispered into her ear. “The Bulgarian team’s Seeker.”
She broke off the stare when she saw Crouch finishing up and moving back towards them, when he actually had a slight slip of composure when he looked to his side. Her eyes followed his panicked gaze and saw an imposing figure of a woman, stalking towards them.
Crouch slid closer to her, bending slightly to whisper into her ear.
“I’d be much obliged if you would help me out, Miss Potter. Please play along and don’t ask questions,” he whispered quickly.
He slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her away from Ludo, keeping her close. But he was tense and she had a feeling he looked tense.
She stepped away, seeing his face go alarmed. But she ignored it and put her arms around his neck and stood on her toes to kiss his cheek, sliding her lips so she could whisper into his ear.
“You’re too tense,” she muttered. “You’ll look uncomfortable and unconvincing if you don’t relax.”
Then she turned her head the opposite way from the woman, hiding behind his neck as she slipped her hand into her hidden pocket in her dress for a quick dab of muggle makeup to cover her scar. Knowing she had to be quick, she pretended to hug him close and buried her face into his chest as she wiped her hand and produced a case of contacts and hurried to put them in, keeping her other arm locked around Crouch’s neck to use it to hide what she was doing from the woman coming ever closer.
“What’s this, Bartemius? Frolicking around with a-a-a harlot? And going for such a young bitch!” the woman hissed out, not even caring to lower her voice.
Thanking Sanguini for teaching her how to speak Italian, his mother language, she slightly pulled away from Crouch to glare at the woman to say vulgar and derogatory things back in the foreign language. She lifted her nose into the air and sniffed arrogantly, smirking inwardly and feeling quite amused.
“Why you whore of a girl! I bet your Italian mother sold herself out on the streets!” she screeched, recognizing the accent but didn’t know what was being said.
Harry said something else randomly in Italian, which really had nothing to do with the conversation but she made it look like it did and that it looked insulting and especially haughty. She turned on her heel, and started pulling Crouch behind her with Ludo following behind in shock, Harry making sure to look as arrogant and conceited as possible. Basically, she was an Italian Malfoy.
A smirk formed outwardly.
Once they were a long way away from her, she stopped and rubbed her eyes.
“Bloody hell, I hoped that’s not going to irritate my eyes,” she muttered.
“Woah, what was that about?” Ludo asked wide-eyed.
“What’s wrong?” Crouch asked instead of replying to Ludo.
“I didn’t wipe my hand enough when I put in my contacts. The lens probably got dirty when I put them in,” Harry frowned, wiping her hand more thoroughly on a handkerchief she’d brought with her with her bag and then using antibacterial hand sanitizer, with the other two watching in curiosity and not a clue of what she was talking about until she’d started. She began to take out her contacts and put them back into their case, but she couldn’t help rubbing her eyes.
“Damn it,” she muttered again.
“Here, let me have a look,” Crouch took her face in his hands and examined her eyes critically. “Yes, they are a little red.”
She grumbled before sighing. “Well, I’ll just put eyedrops into them.”
“Hand them here,” Crouch took them from her and put two drops each into her eyes. She kept her face tilted up, keeping her eyes close for a little bit, before straightening and blinking several times.
“Thanks. Ugh, she’ll remember what I was wearing and she’ll recognize me even without the contact lens and makeup,” Harry muttered, rubbing off the makeup on her forehead too and wiping it on the handkerchief. She rummaged through her bag and pulled out another dress. “I’m going to change,” she pouted, flitting off behind a tree while they waited uncomfortably with pink faces.
She came back out wearing a slim form-fitting pastel yellow sundress that was knee-length, with thick shoulder straps and a ruffled and modest neckline…with bare arms and shoulders, and looking like she wasn’t wearing a bra. They stared straight at her face, keeping their eyes focused.
They also didn’t mention her need to change, contacts, and makeup to be unrecognizable.
“Thank you, Miss Potter…That woman’s been hounding me for months now,” Crouch murmured once they started walking again.
“Hm…it’s fine. I don’t like her. Anytime you want to irritate her, I’ll help,” Harry scowled, remembering the woman and getting a bad taste in her mouth.
“You must be looking forward to this year at Hogwarts. A lot going on,” Ludo interrupted their silence.
“Ludo,” Crouch warned.
“Oh, it’s all right, Barty. Harry, here –you don’t mind me calling you that, do you? I called you that once earlier, but I didn’t ask –well, she can keep a secret.”
“I’m fine with both of you calling me Harry,” she shrugged.
“Oh yes, your school is going to host the Triwizard Tournament this year. It’ll be great fun and excitement!” Ludo excitedly told her.
She stopped in her tracks and stared at them, both Ministry wizards stopping a little ahead and turning to look at her in confusion.
“Say no more. I don’t want to hear it. Every year at Hogwarts, I seem to get into the thick of things. I’m not jinxing myself now,” Harry said in annoyance. “In fact, I don’t want to hear it. And it’d be best if you don’t say anything, then no one’s going to be accused of blabbing and whatnot.”
She stomped passed them, getting more annoyed by the minute. They followed after her quickly, switching to match her quick, upset strides.
“Changing the subject, is there any other schools you can choose to go to other than Hogwarts and are they transferable?” Harry asked nonchalantly.
“Oh yes, there are plenty of other schools. The two other well-known ones are Durmstrang and Beauxbatons, both of who will…be at…your school…this year,” Ludo finished lamely.
Crouch cut in to make it less awkward, “They are transferable, but it is very rare. Once a student enters into a school, usually they stay throughout. And transfers are harder to adjust, not to mention having to be approved in the first place.”
Harry kept her expression neutral, so neither men could discern what she was feeling or thinking.
They were heading through the tents again, going to head to the tap for water, but they kept getting stopped along the way by people Harry knew from school. Particularly, she talked to Oliver Wood, Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas, Neville Longbottom, and saw Cedric who waved at her eagerly.
“Popular, aren’t you?” Ludo teased.
Harry gave him a bland stare, “I just know people.”
Reaching the tap, Crouch conjured a bucket for her and she started pumping the handle, letting the water pour into the bucket. She averted her eyes, scrambling for a topic to talk about to interrupt the awkward silence they’d gotten stuck in.
“I don’t know much about professional Quidditch. Is it this crazy every time?”
Ludo’s face lit up, “The Quidditch World Cup was first started in 1973. It’s held every 4 years, so this year would be the 130th –”
“You should say 422nd instead,” she said out of nowhere.
“What? Why?” Ludo blinked.
“It sounds more impressive. And no one remembers dates so no one’s going to complain.”
Ludo barked out a laugh, while Crouch hid a smile.
She hefted the full bucket, leading the way back and not blinking at the weight. Crouch cast a weightless charm anyway. Ludo chattered about professional Quidditch and Harry listened in rapt interest, no sign of her displeasure from earlier.
They took a stop by the Ireland team tent, and Harry waited outside as Crouch and Ludo went to go talk to the Irish managers. She placed the bucket down on the ground, secretly glad for the weightless charm, and stretched her fingers.
“Hullo there. I haven’t seen you before,” an Irish accent greeted her from the side. She looked up and saw a dark-haired and dark blue-eyed man standing there, grinning at her.
“Hullo,” she said simply, and turned back to facing the ground.
Don’t talk to strangers after all.
“I’m Aiden Lynch…the Seeker for Ireland,” he continued when she didn’t seem to recognize his name.
A light of recognition showed on her face and she nodded at him, offering a small smile.
“I’m Harry…Potter,” she muttered her last name.
He nodded easily, walking closer and coming to a stop beside her, facing forward as well and looking up at the sky.
“Nice day out, isn’t it? Great day for flying. Hope it’s as well tomorrow,” he commented, and she was surprised that he was talking about such mundane things. But she was also glad for it because she felt like he was talking to a normal person. She was also glad he didn’t make a big deal out of her name.
“You know what I do when I want to get away and not be recognized? First, be a little selfish and just leave. There’s a pre-game celebration tonight for both teams here. You should come. It’ll be fun.”
She stared at him.
“I’ll pick you up. What tent are you in?”
Harry hesitated, but thought what the hell. “20. Weasley.”
“Great. I’ll come around 7,” he grinned at her and then ducked into the tent just as Crouch and Ludo moved out.
They glanced at the Seeker’s back and then at Harry, looking at her questioningly.
“That was Aiden Lynch. He was nice,” was all she said.
They wanted to ask more, but didn’t think it was appropriate. They headed back to the Weasleys, by which time the whole group was there.
“Mr. Crouch, Mr. Bagman! Why don’t you two stay for dinner?” Molly asked pleasantly, pleased to see them, more so when she saw Harry. “Bill, Charlie,” she hinted.
Both men grinned at each other and did their part, Charlie piling food onto a plate and Bill pulling out a chair and helping Harry into it, she keeping a straight face. Percy then started pouring her a drink, confusing but pleasing Molly at the same time.
“Harry sweetie, is that enough food for you?” Charlie asked affectionately.
“Not nearly enough. She’s needs to be taken cared of,” Percy glared.
“Now you two, we should ask Harry for her opinion,” Bill interrupted firmly, smiling gently at Harry. “Well, love, what do you think?”
“Oh, I’m quite fine. Thank you three. You’re all such gentlemen,” she added a smile for effect.
Molly barely suppressed her squeal, though everyone else was sure they’d heard it.
“This is superb food, Mrs. Weasley. I especially loved the lemon pie,” Crouch commented, actually looking rather relaxed in the warm atmosphere.
“It is very good, isn’t it? It’s actually a recipe from Harry; she does rather excellent cooking. She’d make quite the wife, wouldn’t she, Bill? Charlie? Percy?”
“Now that was obvious,” Ron commented aloud, though he was elbowed in the ribs by both his father and Hermione on either side of him.
But Bill, Charlie, and Percy gave charming grins at their mother then at Harry.
“Oh, she would be a lovely wife,” Bill agreed. “In fact, I would marry her myself, you know.”
“As would I do,” Charlie nodded. “Great food and such a pretty face to greet me as I come home from frightening confrontations with large, animalistic beasts, tending to my most gruesome wounds with such care and gentleness.”
“Or as I come home from the Ministry, wary and downtrodden from the piles of paperwork and the hassle of fellow Ministry workers, and she lays there with welcoming arms that I long to fall into and lay my head on her bosom. Yes, that sounds about right. You know, I wouldn’t mind marrying Harry either.”
“Well, we can’t all marry her,” Bill said stiffly.
Hope warred with concern visibly all over Molly.
“Well, I’ve known her longer, so it should be right that I marry her,” Percy said arrogantly, scowling.
“But I need more support due to my dangerous job. I should marry her,” Charlie interjected.
“I’m more capable of supporting her,” Bill huffed. “I have stable income, and I could very easily get a bigger place to live in with her and move her right in. She’d be taken cared of very well with me. Stable money, stable home, a very stable situation. Case closed.”
“Why don’t we all marry her?” Percy suggested in exasperation, surprising everyone by being the one to suggest such a solution.
“But –” Bill was about to say, but he was cut off by Percy again.
“It’s rare, but it’s happened. We’ll just have to form a three-way bond, though we’ll have to look up more specifics than just that.”
Molly fainted dead away.
“Mrs. Weasley!” Harry screeched. “Oh, you guys! That was way too much! I knew you shouldn’t have done that!”
“It’s quite alright, Harry. I think it was best. I’ll take Molly to the room and wake her up. I’ll explain things to her,” Arthur soothed, doing just that.
“What in the –”
“Bloody hell –”
“Was that?” Ron cut off the twins.
Bill smirked, “That, Ronald, was your brothers performing in unison. Dad and Percy told us that Mum keeps trying to shove us Weasley men at poor Harry, so we decided to have some fun at her expense and hopefully discourage her from playing matchmaker.”
“Yeah, we all decided to pretend to be Harry’s boyfriends. I think it was all a bit much for her though,” Charlie echoed his brother’s smirk.
“I don’t get why she never tried the twins,” Percy commented, thinking about it.
“Oh, she did,” George cackled.
“And we were both for it,” Fred continued
“We even suggested something similar to what Percy said, that we’d both go for it at the same time and share.”
“Then we start bombarding Mum with all sorts of crazy suggestions and I think she panicked and decided not to inflict us on Harry.”
“Too bad.”
“We wouldn’t have mind sharing you, Harry dear.”
“Oh Merlin, you’re all insane,” Harry thumped her head onto the table.
“Hey, I’ll pretend to be your boyfriend too! Then you can have your very own harem,” Ludo jumped in.
Harry groaned, “Damn it all, all of you really are insane.”
Hermione scoffed, “Don’t put me in with them. I’m not a guy ready to jump all over you.”
“Gin is though, or she wants to be,” Ron winced harshly when Ginny stepped onto his food angrily.
“I shouldn’t be lumped in either,” Crouch muttered.
Molly came back out with Arthur, glaring at her three eldest but smiling apologetically at Harry.
“I’m sorry, dear. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I just thought it would be nice to have you dating one of boys. Just remember, all of my sons are single,” she winked at Harry, causing the girl to turn red.
Sure, Mrs. Weasley was going to back off, but that didn’t mean she was going to stop altogether.
Just then Aiden Lynch’s voice echoed from outside the tent, nervously calling for Harry.
“Um, is Harry Potter here?”
“Bugger off! She doesn’t want her fanclub hassling her!” Ron yelled, but was once again hit, this time by Harry.
“I know him!” she hissed.
Ron blinked owlishly at her. “You do?”
Harry sighed and hurried to the flap of the tent, nervously inviting Aiden. He stood by the entrance, smiling at everyone, though a little unnerved by the stares he was getting.
Harry did a little cough to break the awkwardness, and then introduced him.
“Everyone, Aiden Lynch. Mr. Lynch –”
“Call me Aiden, Harry,” he turned his smile to her.
“Ah, Aiden…the red-heads are the Weasley’s, the youngest boy is my best friend Ron and the brunette girl is Hermione, my other best friend. I think you know Mr. Bagman and Mr. Crouch.”
“Hullo all. I hope you don’t mind. I was planning on kidnapping Harry here.”
When there was still no response and the group was still in shock, Aiden took advantage of that and whisked Harry away.
Started 8/27/09 –Completed 11/1/09