Harry Potter and the essence of YX

by JSCa

Summary:

Every child of Yggsill dreams of going to Hogwarts, the best school of Pokémon Training of the region. When Harry Potter is visited by the deputy headmistress of the school, that dream becomes reality. Harry just never thought that that dream would change his life like it did.

Notes:

• Inspired by [Restricted Work] by FlippytheZilla (Log in to access.)
• Inspired by Harry Potter and the Master's Ball by Mr. Chaos

Hello there! I'm new to writing fanfiction, so I welcome any constructive criticism. Warning that English is not my mother tongue, so if you see any errors, which I'm sure there are, I would be very grateful if you could let me know.

 

Disclaimor: Don't own Harry Potter or Pokémon. I only own the original characters (if any appear) and the original Pokémon (don’t worry, theres only three and they won't appear till much, much latter. And maybe not even in this book. But characters mention them, a lot, so...just a heads up)

Chapter 1: White Warden Orphanage

 

Mr. H. Potter.

Third shared bedroom on the second floor.

18. Tauros Avenue

White Warden Orphanage.

High Whinging,

Surmoon

 

Professor Minerva McGonagall, deputy headmistress of Hogwarts School of Pokémon Training and Rearing, has been siting in her office staring at the acceptance letter for what feel like hours, willing the writing to change. Something she knew was impossible. The Hogwarts acceptance letters were writing automatically by an enchanted quill the moment the prospective student reached the age of eleven. The Aura Spell that allowed this was an ancient enchantment put all around the Yggsill region since the founding of Hogwarts itself, almost a thousand years ago. And how to cast it was lost almost as long. What’s more is that it has never been wrong before when writing an address, and she was sure that this wouldn’t be the first time.

 

A questioning purr from the great fire feline lying at the side of her desk, seemed to be what she needed to get out of her staring contest with the offending letter. Abruptly standing from her office chair, the professor strode out of her office with letter in hand. She has to have a long talk with an old goat.

 

---

 

"Up!. Come on children, it’s time to get up, breakfast will be served in thirty minutes."

 

Harry woke with a start at the usual words of every morning said by Mrs. Dourglass, the matron of the orphanage were he lived with another sixty children. Around him, his five roommates started to wake with more calm than he did.

 

"Another nightmare?." Looking up at the voice of his bunk mate, Harry found Eddard’s, 'call me Ned', blurry face looking upside down at him.

 

Ned has been in the orphanage for the same time as Harry, and he is the closest with him from all the other children living here. Like him, and almost all the other children here, Ned is an orphan in all the sense of the word. Unlike Harry, he didn’t live with abusive relatives before arriving at the orphanage doors. Something that Harry can’t help but feel some envy about.

 

"Yeah." Harry said while searching for his glasses. "Don’t worry, it’s the one with the green light, and I didn’t hear anything this time."

 

"Hmmm, if you say so." Said Ned dubiously, Harry smiled to show he was good.

 

That nightmare have been plaguing his dreams from time to time all of his short life. Harry was used to them, at least this time it was only the green light. 'Better this one than the others' thought Harry with a grimace. He didn’t like the ones about his relatives.

 

"Happy birthday by the way." Ned continued, letting the matter drop.

 

"Thanks."

 

Today was Harry’s eleventh birthday. Some twenty years ago this would have been a really important date. Children around the world could go in their Pokémon journey, now the age limit has been raised to sixteen, and only if you have your secondary education. Something that had reduced the death rates to just a fifteen percent to the sixty-eight of before. Though you can still apply to have an early Pokémon License so you can acquire a Pokémon before doing your journey at sixteen. Even so, Pokémon Journeys are as culturally important as before, it’s almost impossible to find someone that hadn’t at least tried, being something so integrated into the lives of all the people that having done at least a try to the journey can affect your chance to get employment, even in jobs that are not Pokémon related.

 

Having finished getting ready for the day, they exited their room to join the rest of the children heading to the orphanage’s dinning hall. Just outside the door of his shared room, Harry found Mrs. Dourglass going the same direction, having finished waking the rest of the orphanage residents. Her loyal Chatot, as always, at her left shoulder.

 

"Happy birthday Harry." Said Mrs Dourglass.

 

"Happy birthday!, Happy birthday!"

 

"Thank you Mrs Dourglass, Chatot." Said Harry, smiling at the elderly matron.

 

Mrs.Dourglass has been working in the orphanage since she was eighteen , and taking over at her forties. Now she was in her late sixties. All the children liked her, she was fair and kind, always looking to give them the most comfortable lives she can, even though it wasn’t always enough to abate the longing for a family. Thought with the horror stories some children who came from other orphanages tell, all were grateful to have been placed at her orphanage.

 

"You don’t have chores today Harry, you can do whatever you want after breakfast but come back before dinner at seven, there will be a little party before dinner." Said Mrs. Dourglass with a smile. "And whatever you do, stay safe and don’t do anything stupid." She said only partially joking.

 

"Thanks Mrs. Dourglass, and you know I never do anything stupid, I’m a saint." Said Harry with what he thought was a innocent smile, only getting a fond eye roll from Mrs. Dourglass before separating, having arrived at the dinning hall.

 

Harry went to get served food at the kitchen counter, getting some toast with Oran Berry jam and orange juice from the cooks, Jeremy, who is Mrs. Dourglass grandson, and his Alcremi. Before going to sit with Ned, Jeremy gave Harry a slide of treacle tart, a full Oran Berry that Harry promptly stored in the pocket of his shorts and a wink that has Harry smiling.

 

"So, what are you gonna be doing with all your free time?." Asked Ned when Harry joined him at the table and started to eat, the sound of utensils as background noise produced by the rest of the dining hall occupants.

 

"Nothing much, I will wander for a bit, see if the sneakers I wanted to buy are still in the store so I can buy them…"

 

"You could have let me buy them for you, it could have saved me the trouble to think on something else to buy you for your birthday." Ned said a little annoyed.

 

"…and latter going to visit him." Harry continued while ignoring Ned's interruption. Ned perked up at that last part.

 

"Gonna share who is this mysterious he?."

 

"Yea…no, sorry. I don’t want Mrs. Dourglass to know, she would have a fit." Ned looked ready to say something to this, so Harry rushed to say. "Don’t worry, Jeremy knows and he isn’t worried." 'At least, not now' Harry thought.

 

"Are you going to take the early license exam?." Said Harry trying to change the subject. Ned gave him a knowing look, but let it slip and allowed the change of subject.

 

"Ha!, nope. There hasn’t been an early licensed Pokémon Trainer from the Surmoon area in thirteen years. I’ll simple conform with the local high school and hope for something better than a Rattata to be my Starter Pokemon when I reach the age of sixteen before my Pokémon journey."

 

"Maybe a dark type Rattata." Harry teased.

 

Unfortunately Ned was right. Nobody has got an early license at eleven, or got a High School score high enough at sixteen, to receive a higher classified Pokémon than the most common ones like Rattatas or Sunkerns, thought many in the same situation hope for one of the regional birds, for thirteen years. These low scores were the common trend for the Surmoon area, that encompass the little towns of High and Little Whinging and a few others, of the Yggsill Region. The educational funding for this area of the region were the lowest. Many attribute this to the lack of good trainers coming out of this area. The League and Government invest in the areas that produces trainers that give a good showing at the conferences, have good records at local tournaments, or have an exemplary record of helping the ACE or Ranger corps, or the police force.

 

Of course, this low level in scores also affects the chances of going to some of the most prestigious schools of the region, like Hogwarts. The best school for anything, be it Pokémon related or not, going to Hogwarts was a status prestige that many parents dream for their children to have, and many children want simply for the adventure of it. Unfortunately Hogwarts is quite the selective school, full of legacy children, and only allowing new students that have exceptional grades in their primary school records, have been able to pass Hogwarts entrance exam or show a great aptitude in the use of Aura. There hasn’t been a Hogwarts graduate from High Whinging for twenty two years and for even more time for Little Whinging, were Harry lived before with his relatives.

 

"Well, at least that’s somewhat better" Ned mutters. Finishing with his juice in one gulp, Ned stood from his chair. "Well, Birthday Boy, I will see you later. Some people aren’t lucky enough to don’t have chores." Ned’s teasing grin showed the words to be said in good humor. With that he sauntered out of the dinning hall. Harry promptly followed his example after taking his time savoring his treacle tart.

 

---

 

Taking a stroll by the streets of High Whinging, Harry goes enjoying the new black and red sneakers he has bought with the little savings he has. They have been something Harry has been keeping an aye on for some time, and have been saving for a while to buy them. Though he was lucky that they were from three seasons ago.

 

Arriving at his destination, a little park on the outskirts of town, Harry locked around carefully to make sure no one was nearby before going to the underbrush present at the edge of the park and going through it, arriving a minute later at a little clearing with a fallen hollow tree in the middle of the field.

 

"Dante? You there? Come on out, I’ve brought you some food!." Harry said getting closer to the fallen tree.

 

Hearing a happy bark from the tree, Harry braced himself after observing a little white body come running from the hole in the trunk that served as an entrance into its hollow interior, before being tackled over and attacked by an enthusiastic tongue.

 

"Ok, ok! Dante stop! please, stop! I’m also happy to see you." Harry said between laughs. Getting the excitable puppy to calm down, Harry was able to sit. "Here you have little guy. An Oran Berry just for you."

 

Harry smiled at the little puppy. Dante was an albino Houndour. Before Jeremy cough Harry sneaking to the park to play with Dante, Harry believed that the puppy was of the Shiny variety, as Harry didn’t know how a shiny Houndour really looked like. With his white fur, red eyes and the skeleton like protection, Dante looked like a real ghost, scaring Harry the first time they meet two months ago. Going to the park at the outskirts of town like he usually did, Harry was surprised to find the Dark puppy Pokémon when he couldn’t have been more than two weeks old, Harry was still impressed with the resilience of the pup. The Houndour line are known pack Pokémon, being really difficult to find one alone, more so one so young. Usually this occurs when a young member of the pack challenges the leader and loses, being then expelled from the pack. Jeremy told Harry, after discovering him with Dante, that in this case it was the result of the pack abandoning the pup for his albinism. Apparently some Pokémon abandon or ostracize members of their species when they show different colors in their fur or plumage, the Murkrow line being the most well known to do this when their members show the Shiny or Albinism gene, something they actually share with their animal counterparts.

 

Harry has been attached to the white pup the moment he found him, feeling an instant connection he couldn’t explain. Going every day to the park after finishing his chores or when school ended, thought since school is on summer break Harry has been able to visit for more time, and always bringing food or a spare blanket for the pup. Harry didn’t want to tell Mrs. Dourglass about Dante, he knew that she wouldn’t like for him to be in the company of what is essentially a wild Pokémon, and she would probably call the authorities to catch the Houndour. Harry was really frightened when Jeremy discovered him , and begged him not to tell. Thankfully, Jeremy agreed.

 

"You know Dante, I’ve had the nightmare of the green light again." The pup made a worried whimper. "Don’t worry, I’m okey. It’s just, I…I would like to know whose the female voice I sometimes hear before the light." Dante walked over to Harry and climbed onto his lap. "I think she is my mother." Said Harry will petting Dante "But I would really like to know if that is for sure who I hear, and to know what is that green light." 'And to whom it belongs the cruel laughing that sometimes accompany the light,' Harry didn’t say this part.

 

---

 

Waking the next day to the usual waking words of Mrs. Dourglass. Harry put on the new clothes the matron gifted him yesterday, giving thanks that she hadn’t got him a knew pair of shoes to go with. Mrs. Dourglass always bought something to the children when it was their birthdays, usually a new pair of clothes or new school material. Jeremy for his part, always gave the children their favorite type of dessert for breakfast. Sitting in the dinning all with Ned like usual, the two started to eat.

 

"What did you do yesterday?." Ned asked after gulping the food on his mouth.

 

They have good table manners. Better have them for Mrs. Dourglass was a really happy and easy going person, but she hated bad manners and could get really scary when angry.

 

"Nothing much, I took a stroll trough town and bough the sneakers." Harry replied will showing the sneakers he was wearing. "And thanks for the wristband." Harry said, showing the accessory that Ned gave him yesterday.

 

It was a black leather wristband with a decorative silver ring in the middle of it, that it’s attached to the wristband by four belts like parts that are themselves attached by metal clasps at the opposite side of the decorative piece.

 

"Wow, they actually look good." Ned teased after looking at his new pair of shoes, while giving a smile to Harry’s appreciation of his present.

 

"Hey! I will have you know that I have great tastes." Harry replied while putting on fake airs of superiority. They shared some laughs at the theatrics.

 

"And what?, did you go to visit him?." Ned asked in a whisper.

 

"Yes, I went to visit him. And the more you ask, the less I will tell you about him."

 

"Ooo, come on. You have been sneaking around for months, and you still wont tell my anything." Ned pouted.

 

"I haven’t been sneaking around." Ned lifted an eyebrow that Harry promptly ignored. "Beside, I really don’t want Mrs. Dourglass to find about him. And you know what they say, two can keep a secret if one of them is dead."

 

"You are already two," Ned said while pointing at the kitchen direction with his thumb. "aaand creepy." Ned deadpanned.

 

"You know what I mean." Said Harry with a little blush.

 

"Hey who is that?, Someone’s coming at the door." The voice of another kid distracted Ned and Harry from their conversation.

 

The words got all the occupants of the dining hall to stop doing whatever they were doing, and to pay attention to one of the windows that gives view to the little park inside the perimeter of the orphanage, where they could see a woman dressed in a dark red business suit consisting of a pencil skirt, a summer dress jacket over a white dress shirt and a little woman’s formal hat over her silver streaked black hair she has in a bun, she ended the look with something that classes with the professional attire, a trainer’s belt with six PokéBalls attached to it. She has just entered by the gates of the orphanage and was now walking the distance to the doors of the building proper, while at her side walked a…

 

"By Fenral! Is that a Pyroar?." Another of the children exclaimed excitedly.

 

And right they were, walking at her side with graceful and powerful steps was a massive feline, whose long flowing mane, as long as its body in fact, betrayed her female gender. Something everybody knew made her much more dangerous than if the Pyroar was actually male. Such lazy cats, the male Pyroar were.

 

"Okey, children I want everyone to stay in your seats, and don’t make any ruckus. I will go see what they want, Jeremy you are in charge." Said Mrs. Dourglass before anyone could stand from their seats, Chatot exporting a fierce frown that just served to make him look cuter.

 

"Yes madam." Said Jeremy, just for the instant Mrs. Dourglass and Chatot went through the door for everyone to vacate their seats and put their faces at the big window, Jeremy included.

 

They observed how Mrs. Dourglass opened the door just as the woman reached it, and how the relaxed but pleasant expression in the face of Mrs. Dourglass changed for on of astonishing surprise when they finished greeting each other, before the two woman and their respective Pokémon entered the building.

 

"Guys, guys! Quick, to your seats they are coming here." Jeremy said with urgency, just with enough time for everyone to sit in their abandoned seats and put on innocent expressions that wouldn’t fool anyone, before the two woman entered the dining hall stopping at the entrance of it. The woman with the Pyroar with a controlled expression and Mrs. Dourglass still with one of surprise, Chatot at her shoulder exporting much the same look.

 

"Children," Mrs. Dourglass cleared her throat a little before continuing. "I would like you to meet Professor Minerva McGonagal and her Aura Bonded Pyroar, Mafdet." Here there was an intake of breath by those old enough to at least understand what that means. Mafdet the Pyroar exuded quite the imposing presence, they could feel that she was a powerful Pokémon just by standing in the same room as her. "Professor McGonagall is the deputy headmistress of Hogwarts School of Pokémon Training and Rearing." Here there was a bigger intake of breath, this time done by all that were old enough to have started their schooling and by those to little to understand but wanted to imitate the older children. The aforementioned professor lifted an eyebrow while a corner of her mouth twitched like she wanted to smile at the children antics but didn’t want to show it. "Harry," Here all the faces turned to lock at Harry while he startled at the mention of his name before gulping at the attention directed his way. "please come to my office, the professor would like to talk to you." There was a beat of silence.

 

"Oh, Shi..!" Ned started.

 

"EDDARD!" And was promptly interrupted.

 

---

 

The ambient in Mrs. Dourglass office was a little awkward, at least for Harry, while they waited seated in the little couch and armchair surrounding a low table, that Mrs Dourglass has in her office for when she wants to talk with some of her charges and wants them to be relaxed, for Mrs. Dourglass to finish preparing some tea.

 

Harry could fell on him the eyes of Professor McGonagall since they have entered the office and, for some reason, they have started a staring contest that looked like none of the two wanted to end. McGonagall from her part couldn’t stop looking at Harry. Feeling relieved that he looked healthy if a little short for his age, thought both of his parents were short at that age before shooting to quite the respectable heights. With that mope of untamable dark curls so characterizing of the Potter men, that he appeared to try to style in some semblance of order but failed miserably, and the black sleeveless sports jacket over a blood red t-shirt, black shorts, red and black sneakers and the black leather wristband, Harry locked like a miniature James. 'He even shows preference for black clothing, though the red is new', McGonagall noted to herself. The only blemish he sported was the lightning like scar that starts at the right side of his hairline, and that the hair covers but actually goes a little deeper on his right side, to divide into several arms along the upper right part of his face, the longest arm of the scar dividing his right eyebrow in half, passing over the eyelid, luckily the eye is intact and functioning, and finishing at the top right cheek.

 

When their eyes meet, both pairs framed by glasses, hers by semicircular glasses in silver and Harry’s being modern round ones that actually seemed to work for him, Minerva McGonagall couldn’t help but be reminded of another pair of mesmerizing emerald green eyes.

 

Harry has the same eyes as her mother, and not only in their color. The fact that he has started a eye contest and doesn’t appear to want to break it, is a mirror to the first meting the Professor had with his mother all those years ago. 'Harry appears to have the stubbornness and temperament of his mother,' McGonagall thought, 'let’s hope he doesn’t have the same proclivity for mischief as his father did.'

 

When Mrs. Dourglass ended the process of serving the tea and sat at Harry’s side, in the couch opposite to the armchair the professor was siting on, McGonagall waited till finishing taking a sip of her tea to start speaking.

 

"Mr.Potter, I would like to start by presenting myself officially to you. As Mrs.Dourglass stated before, I’m Professor Minerva McGonagall, deputy headmistress of Hogwarts School of Pokémon Training and Rearing, and this is my bonded Pokémon Mafdet." Professor McGonagal said while nodding towards her Pyroar. "What you don’t know is that I’m also the Head of Gryffindor house and the head of department and professor for the courses of Ties, Relationships and Evolutionary Methods of Pokémon, a class you will have for five years plus two more if you want to continue your Hogwarts education into your A levels. And the Transfiguration Teacher for the last two years for your A levels." Mrs. Dourglass started at that, while Harry looked confused.

 

"Transfiguration? Are you an Aura Guardian?." Asked Mrs.Dourglass

 

"Oh, no, in the least!, I never joined the order. But like all the ex-alumni of Hogwarts I am proficient in the use of Aura, something that Mr.Potter will learn more about when he attends at Hogwarts, and I specialized in the Transfiguration branch of Aura, having archived the title of master of this specific branch. Thought it’s nothing as fantastical as many stories and fictions books portrait it as. I can assure you, I can’t transform a table into a Spoink, nor can I turn myself into a cat." The Professor said with a little upturn of her mouth at the last part, Mafdet sitting at the side of the armchair she was on letting out a purring sound like laugh.

 

"Those this mean I’m going to Hogwarts?." Harry interceded before Mrs.Dourglass could say anything else

 

"Yes, Mr. Potter, you are."

 

"But, how? I mean, I don’t think I’ve done anything extraordinary that implies I can use Aura, and I’m pretty sure I haven’t done the access exam to go to Hogwarts. How can I be accepted into the school?." Harry asked confused with a tilt of his head.

 

"Well Mr.Potter, you actually have quite the high level of Aura." Harry couldn’t believe that, if that was the case he was pretty sure it should have manifested at some point when he lived with his relatives, and he wouldn’t have suffered at their hands. Seeing the skepticism in his face, the professor explained. "Having high level of Aura doesn’t imply that you can actually manifest it, you have to actually have training in the art. Against popular believe, Aura doesn’t manifest accidentally, you must have had training before using it. The only places were accidental use of Aura occurs is in places were the ambient is saturated with it, in Yggsill there is only three of such places, well three and a half. Hogwarts is a little saturated, and sometimes accidental use happens, but nothing in comparison to the other three locations."

 

"Oh." Harry said with a pensive frown. "Then, it’s that why I’ve been accepted to go to Hogwarts? For my Aura?"

 

Something in the face of the professor sifted and she looked a little nervous. Placing a hand in her Pyroar head to calm herself, the professor answered. "Yes and no, Mr.Potter. You would have been accepted just for your Aura alone, but you have actually been enrolled at Hogwarts since your birth."

 

"What!?." Harry exclaimed, only to look at Mrs.Dourglass when she gasped. When Harry locked at her, he found her locking at him only to observe a faint blue glow in her brown eyes that quickly faded. When it faded, she gasped again while she covered her mouth with her hand and her eyes grew to the side of dinner plates.

 

"Oh, my Fenral." Harry heard her whisper softly before she turned to face the professor with an almost accusatory look. The professor lifted a hand to stab off Mrs.Dourglass next words.

 

"Please, let me explain." Here she locked at Harry. "Mr. Potter, you are not just Harry James Potter, you are The Harry James Potter."

 

It took a minute before it clicked what she was referring to. Harry James Potter, the boy-who-lived, Harry always thought that it was just a coincidence that they shared the same name. Because if he was that Harry Potter, surely someone would have said something, and he would have been living with someone who actually loved him. Not with abusive relatives, just to end latter at an orphanage. After all, everyone knew about Harry Potter, the last of The Potters, one of the oldest noble families in the Yggsill region, and the only one to have survived an attack from You Know Who himself, bringing his demise in the process and ending the war. The Potters have also been involved in the politics and protection of the region since the founding of Yggsill itself. Being in possession of one of the most prominent gyms of the region just assured it.

 

"Wha..Who..What…"

 

"You put an Aura Spell on my orphanage." Mrs.Dourglass stated with a fierce expression, interrupting Harry’s incoherent rambling.

 

Silence fell onto the office, the tension that descended on the place only increased when the plumage on Chatot’s back started to rise while he extended his wings a little to appear bigger, at the same time that Mafdet stood from her siting position and started to growl in warning.

 

"It was put for Mr.Potters protection, and I didn’t put it, someone else did. I didn’t even know such a spell was placed until yesterday." The Professor explained, lifting a hand in a placating manner will placing the other in Pyroar’s back to calm the Pokémon. "Moreover, the spell wasn’t put on the orphanage. It was put on Mr.Potter himself."

 

"Wait, wait! I’ve a spell on me? Why would I need a spell on me? What’s more, if I’m really The Harry Potter, why I’m not living with someone that actually knew my parents?." 'Oh…, I know who were my parents, and how the died,' Harry thought with a pit of sorrow in his stomach 'I really hear my mother’s last moments in my nightmares.'

 

The professor looked at Harry, and she shifted her face to a less stern look when she saw the depressed face he was starting to make.

 

"Yes Mr.Potter, there is an Aura spell on you, a cloaking one to be exact. You will learn more about it at Hogwarts. It was put for your protection, the spell makes finding you practically impossible and makes relating you to your fame and to who you really are by people that knows you much more so. Thought the spell should be starting to lift now that you have reached the age of eleven, and will fade completely the moment you reach Hogwarts at the first of September." The Professor explained. "And why you are living here? Well, I have to say that I’m not the most apt to explain this to you satisfactorily, I can only say that the end of the war was a really dangerous and complicated time and many things were done that shouldn’t have." The Professor reached to an inner pocket of her jacket and extracted a letter from it. "I know that you probably want a better explanation, and I just want to say that I’m sorry for what you suffered at your relatives hands." She has been incensed when she found out yesterday about the Dursleys. She extended the letter for Harry to grab. "But I’m really not the person that should explain this to you." Here she gave Harry a kind look. "What I can do is explain Hogwarts to you, If you will allow me?." She asked kindly.

 

Harry nodded after a while, and after looking at Mrs.Dourglass for reassurance, he looked down to the letter in his hands.

 

Mr. H. Potter.

Third shared bedroom on the second floor.

18. Tauros Avenue

White Warden Orphanage.

Great Whinging,

Surmoon

 

"Creepy." Harry murmured after seeing how specific the address was.

 

"Indeed. Unfortunately the spell that puts the address in the letter is quite old and we can’t do anything to make it write less creepily." McGonagall interjected with a twinkle in her eyes.

 

Harry blushed at being cough muttering before smiling sheepishly. Opening the letter Harry found four pages and what appeared to be a ticket for a train insider the envelope. The first page said.

 

Dear Mr. Potter

 

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Pokémon Training and Rearing.

Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipments, the ticket for the Hogwarts express and two copies of an acceptance form.

Term starts at September 1. We will await your response by owl in were you must send us a copy of the acceptance form filled in, no latter than August 23.

 

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress 

 

Finishing the firs page, Harry gave it to Mrs.Dourglass to peruse before continuing with the next one.

 

HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF POKÉMON TRAINING AND REARING.

 

Supply list:

 

Uniform

 

First-year students will require:

 

• Three sets of lab coats (white)

• One plain trainer’s cap (black) for outdoor wear

• Two sets of gym uniforms (black)

• One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide)

• A minimum of four uniforms: two sets of winter uniforms and two of summer uniforms.

Please note that the pupil must have a name tag on them. The pupils are not required to wear the uniform when classes have ended, but they must carry an identifier of the house they will be placed into at all times. The identifier will be provided at Hogwarts proper.

 

Course Books

 

All students should have a copy of each of the following:

 

• A History of the Regions grade 1, Shauntal Bagshot

• Yggsill’s History grade 1, Bathilda Bagshot

• Where do we live? A geography of the regions, Galena Caelestis

• Plants, Fungi, Berry and Apricorns grade 1, Ramos Laurent

• Potions and Other Cures, Arsenius Figger.

• Pokemon-Human Relationships and Evolutionary Applications and Methods Book 1, Samuel Oak and Desislav Rowan

• Surviving in the wild, Peony Blunt

• Fantastic Beast and Where to find them, Newt Scamander

• Charted Night, Olympia Lemaire

• Pokémon Battles Book 1, Red Ketchum

• An introduction to the Mystic’s arts, Bertram Gen

• Mathematics grade 1, GhostStudies Editorial

• Lenguage and Literature grade1, GhostStudies Editorial

• The Language of All grade 1, GhostStudies Editorial

• Biology and geology grade 1, GhostStudies Editorial

 

As selected by the students in the acceptance form, they will chose their corresponding books:

 

• Languages of the world: Sinnohan edition / Unovan and Ygsillian edition / Galarian Edition / Kalosian edition / Kantonian and Johtonian edition / Orrense edition / Alolan edition / Hoenian edition / Paldean edition / Fiorean edition / Alminian edition / Oblivian edition, GhostStudies Editorial

• Music, GhostStudies Editorial

• Electrifying Life: All you need to be a Tech Maniac, Bill Masaki

 

Other equipment

 

•  Coloring pencils, paint pens, watercolors, acrylics and charcoal of the SmeargleArts Brand. Please note that these materials are only necessary if the students has chosen to course the Art elective.
• Lab Set (Scientific Brewing Set, FinLey Industries)
• 1 Telescope
• A minimum of six PokéBalls
• A Pokédex or RotomPhone/PoryPhone with the Pokédex app installed.

Students may acquire a Starter Pokemon from Professor Garrick Ollivander alongside the Pokédex or the app.

 

Please note that first year students are only allowed to have two Pokémon under their name, all students are allowed two Pokémon at Hogwarts, but those that chose to bring the maximum two at the start of the year will not be allowed to catch another Pokémon till their third year, when their carry limit will be raised to three Pokémon.

 

After reading the part about being allowed two Pokémon, Harry couldn’t help but smile. 'It seems I’ll not be participating in the capturing sessions at Hogwarts,' Harry thought while thinking of a certain white puppy. Giving also the list to Mrs. Dourglass, Harry put the acceptance form in the table. Before he could ask for something to write with, he found a pen already being presented to him, courtesy of Mrs. Dourglass. First were the basic information, his name; address; Identification number and place of birth, here Mrs. Dourglass gave him the copy of the documents she has in her office to make sure he writes everything correctly. When Harry finished with this part, he went to the list of subjects he will curse at Hogwarts. While there was a list where he didn’t need to do anything as they were the core subjects like Maths, Biology, Pokémon Combat and Battling, and something called Introduction to Aura to name a few, he paused when he got to the electives section. Harry knew that Music was out, he didn’t have a musical bone in his body, but he didn’t know what to chose of the rest.

 

"Professor? How many electives can I chose?." Harry asked.

 

"Well, the actual electives are Music, Art, and Technology. From the list of Languages you can only chose one, tough there are clubs were you can learn about the others. The Unovan and Yggsillian option are usually chosen by our foreign students. I would recommend you to chose one of the others." McGonagall explained. "From the electives of Music, Art, and Technology, again you can only chose one. The three subjects are taught at the same time. Depending on what you chose to study you will later have five different options of what your not Pokémon related studies will follow, those are Humanities, that are available no matter what elective you chose at this moment. Scenic arts, you can curse this by choosing Music. Plastic Arts, that one you need to have cursed Art. And Technological Science, by choosing Technology. There is also Sciences, pure sciences, but for this one, like with Humanities, your third year electives are more important."

 

Harry locked at his options, but he couldn’t decide. Trying to buy some time he asked the professor. "What are the third year electives?"

 

"Don’t worry about that for now, just know that they are more Pokémon and Aura related." Professor McGonagall answered.

 

Harry grumbled at the no answer before locking at Mrs.Dourglass for some help. "I know music is out, if the complaining I get when I sing in the shower is any indication." Harry joked a little. "but I don’t know what to chose."

 

"There’s an elective in third year called PokéBall Crafting, that although it doesn’t require for you to have cursed Technology, it’s really appreciated if you did." McGonagall supplied.

 

That sounded cool, but Harry didn’t see the utility in it when he could buy some PokéBalls more easily in the PokéMark, and he didn’t want to work in any of the tech companies that distributed them, that much he was sure of.

 

"Its there some club he could join if he wanted to learn about the subject instead of taking the class?." Mrs.Dourglass asked seeing the reluctant in Harry’s face.

 

"There is. There are clubs for every elective actually, of course there are more recreational ones, and if Mr.Potter wants he can join one or more of them. But you have to take into account that you wont have the advantage that actually cursing the class gives, as there are things that the clubs don’t teach." This last part the professor directed at Harry’s way.

 

After thinking on it Harry decided on Arts, he have always liked drawing, and while he doesn’t see himself pursuing an Art Career he supposed it would be fun. 'I suppose I can do Humanities or Science instead' Harry tough. "What about language?"

 

"Well, Paldean may be useful now that the region have come out of their isolation and have made contact with the League Union." Mrs Dourglass mused. The professor nodded to this.

 

"That’s right, but I wouldn’t discard the other options. Kantonian and Johtonian, although the same language but different dialects, are the preferred ones after the universal language. After all they were the founders of the League Union." McGonagall explained. "And Sinnohan is also a good option, as Sinnoh is the region Yggsill has the most contact and treaties with. Unovan I wouldn't recommend, we share language with them, so you wouldn't be learning anything new."

 

Harry and MrsDourglas nodded at the explanation. Deciding what he wanted, Harry chose Kantonian, it seemed like the more useful option if so many people learned it after all. Receiving a nodd and a smile from Mrs.Dourglass, Harry filed the duplicate quickly before putting the duplicate in a new envelope that Mrs Dourglass has already prepared.

 

"Wait!" Harry suddenly exclaimed, before Mrs.Dourglass gave the envelope to the professor. Professor MacGonagal having offered to simply receive it herself, instead of making them go to the post office. "Can I actually go? And what about money? How am I going to buy all this?"

 

The professor lifted an unimpressed eyebrow, and Mrs Dourglass sighed in fond exasperation.

 

"Yes Mr.Potter, you can go. You have already done the form." Harry blushed at the professor words. "And for money, you needn’t worry. Your parents paid for your schooling in advance. And the money you will need for your supplies, you will find at Gringrotts bank."

 

"Gringrotts?."

 

"Yes, in Diagon Alley, Levahner City." Professor Minerva McGonagall stood from the armchair, Mafdet standing on her paws too. "Shall we go?"

 

Chapter 2: Levahner City

Notes:

Disclaimor: Don't own Harry Potter or Pokémon. I only own the original characters and the original Pokémon (don´t worry, theres only three and they won't appear till much, much latter. But characters mention them, so...just a heads up)

The full moon gave light to the streets of Ethos, a rustic town at the coast of the Cobreigen Desert in the western part of Yggsill. The inhabitants of a rustic Villa, done in an open architecture style, were sound asleep. The moonbeams enter through the window of one of the rooms of the Villa, illuminating the room’s occupants with a faint blue light. The room is spacious, being able to accommodate quite the assortment of sleeping Pokémon. Around the bed, dispersed through the room and sleeping in specialized Pokémon beds, are six Pokémon of different species. The bed is occupied by three figures, two canine Pokémon sleeping next to each other at the foot of the bed, and a man in his early thirties sleeping whiteout covers to abate the night’s heat. The underwear he was using while sleeping exposed a lean body marred with scars. Though quite the handsome man in a scholarly way, his pale complexion, the premature worry lines in his face, that accentuated the scars across it, and the dark circles under his eyes showed a live plagued with worries and stress.

 

The sudden ringing of the PoryPhone at the bedside table produced quite the annoyed reaction from the suddenly awake Pokémon. The quick response from the no longer sleeping man the only thing that saved the offending apparatus of being destroyed by one of the aforementioned monsters.

 

"Yes?." The man answered, sussing his still aggravated companions while stifling a yawn of his own, cursing the caller in his head for waking him from his much needed sleep.

 

"They’ve found him." Was the answer he received from the other line whiteout any preamble. The suden silence of the room letting the words carry to all the other occupants, that suddenly were paying quite the attention to the phone at the man’s ear. For his part, the man only needed a moment to understand what the caller was referring to.

 

"Where?." Suddenly, the prospect of returning to his bed wasn’t that important.

 

---

 

"BBbbllAarrgh!!!."

 

The only thing saving the pavement of the street Harry now found himself onto of an impressive amount of regurgitated food, was the conveniently placed thrash-can at the side of the teleportation point.

 

"Here you have, Mr. Potter." Professor McGonagall said while presenting Harry with a bottle of water. "Don’t worry, it will pass quickly, the first time using this kind of travel method is the worst. It will be more easy the more times you use it".

 

"I don’t want do that again." Harry said, trying to stop himself from throwing up while unscrewing the cap of the water bottle to take a sip and wash the awful aftertaste of his mouth.

 

"How do you pretend to go back to the orphanage then?." McGonagall said while releasing Mafdet, having had to put the Pyroar in her PokéBall for the teleportation. McGonagall’s female Meowstic was at her other side, falling miserably at concealing her mirth at Harry’s predicament.

 

"I thought Meowstic couldn’t learn Teleport." Harry said.

 

"Who told you that?." Asked McGonagall while raising a questioning eyebrow.

 

"The Pokémon console games." Harry said without any shame.

 

He may actually like to read and study, but goofing off was just as important in his opinion. Harry was lucky that one of the older children at the orphanage let him use his console, though he only have the Kalos game. He apparently stole it from one of the children at the last foster home he was on before ending at White Warden Orphanage. According to him, the kid was a bully and deserved it.

 

The professor looked unimpressed.

 

"While I will admit that those games do an adequate if limited job as battle simulators, they leave much to be desired in a lot of other things." Professor McGonagall said with a pointed look. Harry rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Well, let’s go." And the professor marched down the street after returning Meowstic, Harry following after her.

 

With that, they started to walk trough one of the many streets of Levahner. Mrs Dourglass couldn’t come as she has to take care of the rest of the orphanage, so Harry found himself walking the city streets with the Professor and her Pokémon as his only company. This was not the first time Harry has come to the capital of the region, having visited the city in a school trip two years ago. Even so, Harry couldn’t help but look everywhere with amazement. He wasn’t accustomed to be around so many different people and Pokémon.

 

Levahner was not only the capital of the region, it is also its oldest city. Levahner was a walled port city, competing in side with Lumiose City of Kalos, constructed in a circle at the southern entrance of the Gyarados Channel that divides the region, and the city, in two. The channel goes from north to south, dividing the region in east and west, and facilitates travel of ships that want a shorter route to reach the northern and southern waters whiteout circling the region. The only way to cross between the two parts of the region without using a boat or a plane is trough the drawbridges and sky bridges that dote the length of the channel. Five of such bridges can be found in Levahner City, with two drawbridges at the side of the southern and northern harbors of the city, with the other three being sky bridges situated between the other two.

 

Levahner City was home to the ministry building, the current fifth gym of the region, the second biggest battle stadium of the region and Levahner Train Station in the eastern part of the city. On the west were situated the biggest and most important Contest Hall, that hosted the Grand Festival every contest season, Brightmindton School, considered to be the best primary school of the region, St Mungo’s Hospital and Requiell’s Castle, so named after the last Queen and monarch of the region three hundred year’s ago.

 

Their destination, Diagon Alley, was near the southern harbor and despite its name it was more a shopping center than an alley. Though one built as an open air mall with quite the extravagant entrance.

 

"That’s quite the peculiar name." Harry commented, trying to find something not offensive to say.

 

They have stoped in what is the principal entrance to the mall, but the sign above the doors wasn’t quite what you would expect. The Leaky Cauldron: Welcome to Diagon Alley, was the sign above the entrance’s door. Despite its name, The Leaky Cauldron have a nice facade that gave a modern feeling despite maintaining the old style aesthetic of the city.

 

"The Leaky Cauldron has been the entrance to the mall since its construction in the early days of the city." Professor McGonagall explained. "Though renovated and remodeled trough the years, it has maintained its purpose and name during all this time. Don’t be fooled by its name, The Leaky is a very reputable establishment." The Professor finished before turning to face Harry completely. "Now Mr.Potter, I should warm you that with the spell lifting many people may recognize you, something much more probable in the alley where many Trainers congregate." The professor said with a serious expression. "Mafted and I will try to guard you at the best of our abilities but be prepared for quite the reaction. It won’t be such a problem in the alley proper, where the people are doing their own business, but in The Leaky…Well, just be prepared".

 

Harry nodded at the professor before trailing after her to the doors of the establishment. When they reached the doors, Harry braced himself before nodding his head to show the professor that he was ready. Behind the doors there was a spacious dinning area with a bar on the left side, a door leading to the kitchen behind the bar, and a staircase leading to the rooms of the inn in the second floor. At the other side of The Leaky Cauldron entrance were situated the doors leading to the alley, but to go to them they have to first go past the dining hall. A suddenly quiet dining hall.

 

"Ah, Professor McGonagall, welcome! Showing a new student the alley?." The elderly bartender behind the counter asked with a smile.

 

"Quite so, Tom." The professor replied while trying to lead Harry to the alley without bringing attention. But her plans were quickly dashed when Tom the bartender looked at Harry. Or more precisely, his scar.

 

"Merlin’s beard!, it’s Harry Potter!."

 

Those were the words that broke the dam.

 

"Merlin’s what?." Harry asked in bafflement before being surrounded by the excited patrons of The Leaky Cauldron.

... 

After surviving the ordeal, and the patron’s receiving a thoughtful scolding from an irate professor and her Pokémon, Harry and Professor McGonagall where able to continue on their way.

 

Entering a small foyer between the alley and The Leaky Cauldron, Harry turned to ask. "It’s going to be always like that?".

 

"I’m afraid so Mr.Potter. You are quite famous, and even though the war ended ten years ago, the people are still grateful towards your family. And well, the fact that they don’t have your parents to show their gratitude towards, it’s only going to increase their attempts to shower praise towards you." Professor McGonagall informed kindly seeing the disgruntled face Harry was exporting. "And I’m sorry to say, the fact that you are the only person to have survived an attack from You-Know-Who himself and that nobody actually knew anything about you for so many years, its only going to increase their curiosity and excitement at meeting you." Harry groaned at that part.

 

"Ugh, seriously? Thats not my fault, I didn’t know anything about this till today. And why would they be grateful towards me? I’m pretty sure it was my parents that ended that maniac, I didn’t do anything!." Harry complained.

 

"True, and deep down they know that. But you have become a symbol of you-know-who’s downfall." McGonagall said to Harry´s further displeasure but he let it go for now, seeing that there was nothing he could really do about it. "Shall we go to the alley?." Professor McGonagal said seeing that Harry wouldn’t make further comments. Harry nodded, perking up a little at the prospect.

 

Following Professor McGonagall and Mafdet through the sliding doors, Harry couldn’t help bus gasp at seeing the alley proper for the first time. Despite its name classifying it as an alley. It couldn’t be further from the truth. Lines of stores of different colors littered the open air mall, with stairs doting the place so that people could go to the shops in the second floor. Pillars hold the walkways, the railings in them letting the people and Pokémon look to the floor below. Decorative banners fluttered above their heads while they walked under them. Flying Type Pokémon passed over their heads, while people and grounded Pokémon of every type and species walked between the shops. There were shops for anything you could need Pokémon related, from the more streamlined Pokémart to a shop selling components to make your own PokéBalls.

 

"Impressive right?." Professor McGonagall asked while looking at Harry’s reaction. Harry could only nod his head. "Diagon Alley is for Yggsill what Celadon Department Store is for Kanto, thought coupled with the variety and extravagance you can only find in the Staleport or Sunyshore Markets of Hoenn and Sinnoh." The professor says while gesturing towards a shop that was selling actual Pokémon fossils. Although Harry understood quickly why that shop was practically deserted, 'Holly shit, thats a lot of money' Harry thought after seeing the price tags, while making sure he didn’t say his thoughts aloud. The professor didn’t appear to suffer that kind of language.

 

"So, where is this Grinchgotts place?." Harry asked.

 

"Gringotts," Professor Mcgonagal started while emphasizing the name of the bank. "has an entrance at the end of the principal street of the mall. Is one of the only two banks of the Regions. Gringotts in particular differentiates from the other in his vault storage services, something that attracts families of high standing, like yours, for the possibility of storing artifacts and heirlooms for safekeeping.

 

After that explanation, they continued walking till the end of the mall where they reached an imposing looking building made of what looked like marble. Before they could ascend the stairs to the banks entrance, the professor turned to Harry and crouched a little to be closer to his eye level.

 

"Now Mr Potter, Gringotts has a special feature to recognize a customer with an account active in their bank." Here she presented him with an old style key with strange symbols engraved into its metal. "This key will allow you, and only you, to access your accounts. This key belongs to you, professor Dumbledore has been safekeeping it since your parents death." When she saw Harry start to open his mouth to ask a question she rushed to say. "The why he had it in his possession is something you will have to talk with him, I’m afraid".

 

Harry wasn’t happy about it. He didn’t know this professor Dumbledore fellow, though he knew about him. Instead he decided to ask. "How do they know I’m the actual owner of the accounts just because of a key?".

 

"That’s a secret that Gringotts jealously guards. But it has more to do with the runes engraved into the key, than the key itself." The professor explained. "Now before we go, don’t be surprised by the attitude of the employers. I don’t know where Gringotts finds them, but they aren’t know for their pleasant manners. But you must be polite, more so if we want to get out of there before nightfall." After that they ascended the steps to the entrance, where two guards in actual plate armor with spears in hand and with two Gallades at their side guarded the entrance while standing at attention.

 

Passing through the doors, they arrived to a big domed room with marble floors and columns in regular intervals. Between the columns there were tellers hard at work, sitting on tall desk that served to create a wall making a corridor. Harry observed another two doors opposite to each other in the left and right walls, that lead outside the bank to different streets.

 

Walking to one of the tellers that was attending customers, they waited in line for their turn.

 

"Next." Came the gruff word that signaled their turn after some minutes of waiting.

 

"Good morning, Mr Potter would like to make a withdrawal." The professor informed the teller. The teller for his part paused at the answer before leaning a little over the desk to look at Harry properly.

 

"And does Mr Potter have his key?." The teller asked with a nasty smirk.

 

Harry went to give him the key he has at hand, but seeing the fact that he would have to stand on his tiptoes to give the key to the teller, Harry gave the key to the professor instead to save himself the embarrassment. 'Curse my short stature' Harry though while blushing seeing the growing smirk of amusement in the tellers face. Harry fought the scowl he wanted to send the offending person, but remembered the warning of the professor.

 

"All seems to be in order." The teller said after examining the key in an strange scanner like device that made the screen of the computer at his side lit up with information. "Well Mr. Potter, seeing as you are who you say you are, I’m in the obligation to inform you that you can only access, at the moment, your trust vault, until the age of sixteen when you will have access to the rest of your inheritance. That you can acquire your heir ring and the status of heir to your house at thirteen, though you will have to go to the government building to ascertain your status. And that you can talk with your account manager, alone without a guardian’s supervision, when you reach the aforementioned age of thirteen. Before that, you can only talk with your account manager with a guardian present. Any questions? No?, good." The teller continued without letting Harry process the information or respond to the question. Harry supposed that he could ask his questions latter to the professor, that was quite the info dump. Professor McGonagall actually locked to be fighting a scowl as a response to the tellers attitude, Mafted in fact was sowing her teeth, although without making a sound. "Now that that is out of the way, lest talk business".

 

The teller gave a displeased sight. "Do you have a phone of your own?." They asked Harry.

 

At his negative answer the teller prepared some papers and presented what appeared to be two different models of phones

 

"With the creation of the Porygone line, the League Union has been pushing for the change from physical to digital currency, as now its safer to use the digital variety than the physical one." The teller didn’t look to pleased at the prospect. "The League has kindly provided us with phones of the Rotom and Porygon lines to give to our customers, to facilitate the change, free of charge." Here the teller looked more displeased if possible. "I will just need for you to chose a model and to firm these papers. After, I will connect your new phone to your accounts." Harry made sure to remember this, 'I don’t think Mrs.Dourglass know about this, it must be something knew' Harry thought, 'I will make sure to tell her when I get back to the orphanage'.

 

Reaching for the phones to look them over, Harry decided on the PoryPhone. The two phones were new models designed by different companies, the two of them were interactive devices classified as AI technology. But while one used a Rotom to inhabited the device and activate its interactive functions, the other did the same but with Porygon or Porygon2 instead. And that made all the difference to Harry. While the two phones where almost identical in their capabilities and functions, and the two did have the same amount of positive critics, the RotomPhone was shown in the commercials to float incessantly around their owners while informing them of any update. And Harry didn’t want or need an hyperactive possessed phone following him around talking his ear off. The PoryPhones were much more relaxed and to his tastes.

 

Informing the teller of his choice he gave the two phones back at the tellers urging and he read and signed the papers with the help of the professor, since a lot of the language used in the documents went right over Harry´s head. When the professor gave the signed papers to the teller, they presented Harry with four phones with different color design.

 

"If you could please chose the one you like." The teller said. Harry promptly set his sights on a black one with metallic red paint highlighting some parts. After telling his choice to the teller, they put away the rest and prepared Harry’s phone with what it needed before giving it back to Harry. "Here you have, now you can do transactions with your phone, the app will also inform you about your accounts but you should really talk with your manager at a latter date. Now if thats all, you may go. Next!." Harry and The Professor got out of the way to give space to the next customers. After sending an annoyed frown to the teller, Harry followed professor McGonagall and Mafdet out of the bank.

 

"That was…something." Harry said after going down the stairs back into the mall. He really couldn’t think of anything nice to say to describe that experience.

 

"I’m afraid that’s the usual attitude of the Gringotts's tellers." The professor said.

 

Harry grumbled at that.

 

"What should we do now?." Harry asked.

 

"Why don’t we go to have something for brunch? That way you have some time to put your new phone in order." The Professor suggested. Harry nodded his head. After walking for a few minutes, they sat on a terrace of a small pastry shop catering to humans and Pokémon alike in the second floor. After ordering something to eat, with the professor buying a lot of Pokémon food, they sat in one of the tables of the terrace.

 

"What do you say about meting the rest of my team?" The professor asked with a small smile after she had prepared the food for her companions, Mafdet was sitting patiently with her portion.

 

Harry perked up at that, he was always disposed to meeting new Pokémon.

 

"Really? That would be cool." Harry said before leaving the seat he just sat on to greet the Pokémon properly.

 

The Professor just smiled before reaching for the PokéBalls at her belt and releasing her team. Six lights exited the thrown balls that promptly materialized into six Pokémon. When the lights faded Harry couldn’t help his gasp, all of them carried the same controlled power as Mafdet.

 

"Team, I would like for you to meet Mr Harry Potter." Harry gave a little wave while looking in wonder at the Pokémon in front of him. "Mr Potter, my team and friends. Tiara the Tsareena, my starter since she was a Bounsweet and my oldest companion." Tiara gave a elegant courtesy in greeting. She was a humanoid plant almost as tall as Harry. "Gengar," The ghost ever present smirk widened before lolling his tongue out at Harry. "Persian." Here the professor signaled to a grey colored big cat with a blue jewel in her forehead. Harry was quick to identify her as an Alolan Persian, though he noted that she has a less rounded face than show in her species cartoonist depictions for the games. Persian purred in greeting. "Meowstic you already know," Harry nodded to the bipedal cat, though he promptly frowned at the smirk she was sporting while looking at him, having an idea of what she was thinking about. "and these are the brothers, Vaporeon and Jolteon" She ended while nodding towards the two eeveelutions who gave the most enthusiastic greeting of the bunch.

 

"Whow professor!, they all look so powerful." The Pokémon preened at the praise. "But how come you have seven Pokémon instead of six?".

 

"Thank you Mr. Potter. And lets just say that that is one of the perks of having an Aura Bonded Pokémon and let it at that, you will learn more about it at Hogwarts." The professor said.

 

"You like to say that a lot. The you will learn more about it at Hogwarts." Harry deadpanned while quoting her words.

 

"I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about Mr Potter. Shall we sit? You have a phone to put in order so that we can buy your supplies." They returned to their seats and started to eat while Harry turned on his new PoryPhone. "I’ve noticed that you appear to have a favorite color scheme." The Professor commented after seeing again the phone. "Trying to establish a recognizable look?".

 

"Yea, all the famous trainers seem to follow a trend for their clothing that characterize them and helps to put them apart for the rest. I thought I could start earlier." Harry said with an embarrassed flush. "I know its stupid, I’m not a trainer, but it actually helps in buying cloths with the little money the orphanage can spend on us. Easier to chose the clothes, you know?." Harry locked at the phone so he couldn’t need to look at the professor.

 

"I don’t think its stupid." Professor McGonagall said, giving Harry a small smile when he looked up at her words.

 

"Welcome! I’m PoryPhone, and I’m here to guide you while preparing your new phone to your necessities. Let’s start." A robotic voice interrupter the conversation.

 

Looking at the phone in his hand, Harry discovered a Porygon2 fluttering inside the phone screen while speech bubbles showed in writing form the speech the Virtual Pokémon was doing. At the end of the speech, the Pokémon disappeared from the screen and the two hexagons at the top of the phone lite up forming ayes. With the help from Porygon2, Harry was able to do everything he needed rather quickly with some input from the professors part.

 

"Hey, there is a Pokédex app in here".

 

"Better wait to Ollivanders, he can give you a more complete version".

 

"TeamObserver app?".

 

"You will have it directly with the Pokédex App given by Professor Ollivander".

 

"What about this one?".

 

"Very useful, if you want to do Contest".

 

Thats how they went till Harry finished putting the phone in order. Before putting away the device, Harry observed the icon for the Bank’s app. Curios to see what he has at his disposal Harry touched the app.

 

"What the…" Harry was speechless. 'That’s a lot of money' Harry thought. "Is this all mine?." Harry murmured.

 

"Mr. Potter?".

 

"How am i supposed to manage all this money?." Harry was starting to feel a little overwhelmed by the days happenings. "And, and, what was… what was the teller referring to about the heir ring and other vaults? What about my status? I don’t know anything about that." With all the information Harry has learned today, seeing all that money was just the straw that broke the Camerupt’s back.

 

"Maybe I can help with that." A new voice said before Professor McGonagal could say anything, startling Harry from his panic.

 

Locking to the direction of the voice, Harry found a young man in his early thirties with light brown hair starting to turn grey prematurely. The man was wearing a white summer dress shirt with a brown dress vest that matched his trousers. The trainers belt, a signet ring in his left-hand little finger and the summer boots at his feet finished his look. Two huge canine Pokémon sat happily at his side with their tongues out. 'Thats a big Mightyena', Harry thought, recognizing one of the Pokémon’s species but being unable to recognize the other’s. Mightyenas were known to reach heights of one meter to the shoulders, pretty big by itself, but the one at the man’s side surpassed the usual height of his kind by fifty centimeters. The other unknown canine Pokémon was just as large. Despite not recognizing them, Harry couldn’t help but think that he knew the three from somewhere.

 

"Hello Harry." The man said with a beaming smile and watery eyes.

 

 

Notes:

I've added a new "story" to the series. I'll be posting there illustrated designs for the region (it just the map, really), the original pokémons and what I imagine the caracters to look like. I'll also post there some extra information for those that are interested if I think theres any. But dont worry, you wont need to read it to understand about what I'm writing in the series.

As of this chapter, you will only find the desing of the region with important locations named.

Chapter 3: Shopping and a Promise

Notes:

Hello there! Just a warning. I changed something in the first chapter. It's just the supply list, but I wanted to let you know.

Disclaimor: Don't own Harry Potter or Pokémon. I only own the original characters and the original Pokémon (don´t worry, theres only three and they won't appear till much, much latter. But characters mention them, so...just a heads up)

"Hello Harry".

 

"Do we know each other?." Harry couldn’t help but ask, trying to comb through his memories to find where the tingling feeling of recognition was coming from.

 

"Mr. Lupin!, what a surprise." Professor McGonagal said before the man, Mr. Lupin apparently, could say anything.

 

"Hello professor, its been some time." Mr. Lupin smiled at the professor, but Harry observed that his eyes didn’t stray for long from his face.

 

"Mr. Potter, this is Remus Lupin. He went to Hogwarts with your parents." Professor McGonagall introduced Mr Lupin, takin a clue as to why the man has approached them.

 

"I was friends with your parents in fact." Mr. Lupin added

 

"Were you really?." Harry asked, perking up immediately, forgetting for the moment his previous apprehension in regards to his found status and money.

 

Though Harry knew who his parents were and what happened to them, he really didn’t know about them. For him, information about his family was much more important than anything else.

 

"Yes, they were some of my closest friends. They helped me a lot while we went to Hogwarts." Mr. Lupin started.

 

"Why don’t you sit with us for a while? We still need to finish with our food. Why don’t you join us and order something for yourself?." Professor McGonagall said before he could continue.

 

"It would be my pleasure, if you wouldn’t mind?." Mr. Lupin said, while asking the question Harry’s way.

 

Harry shook his head vigorously while offering one of the empty seats. Mr. Lupin took the offered seat while smiling at Harry’s obvious enthusiasm.

 

"And don’t worry about me, I’ve already ate something". Added Mr. Lupin after sitting down. 

 

The two canine Pokémon whined at Mr. Lupin while alternating between looking at Harry and him.

 

"Where are my manners?." Mr. Lupin said with a small laugh. "Harry, these are Padfoot, the Mightyena, and Moony, my Aura Bonded Dusk Form Lycanroc." The two Pokémon gave happy barks in greeting.

 

Harry waved at the two. Offering his hands for the two to smell before peting them. Something they seemed to appreciate giving the increased pace their tails were moving at.

 

"I couldn’t help noticing that you appeared to know what Pokémon Mightyena was but not Lycanroc." The professor stated with a curious tilt in her voice.

 

Harry blushed a little at that.

 

"I actually felt like I knew the three of them." Harry observed the smile in Mr. Lupin faces grow a little more at Harry’s admission. "But, well… Its a Mightyena, and I’m actually really interested in Dark Type Pokémons. I actually recognized Persian too, Professor." Harry admitted while passing a hand through his hair in embarrassment.

 

Mr. Lupin laughed at his statement.

 

"Just like your father. You Potters and your dark types." He said while beaming at Harry.

 

"My father liked dark types too, Mr Lupin?." Harry asked while smiling at the new information.

 

"Oh, he didn’t like them, he was obsessed with them!. The only thing he was more enthusiastic about was your mother, and latter you." Mr. Lupin answered, catching onto Harry’s interest about his parents. "Though it isn’t strange that you like them too, and not only for your father. Your family has specialized in Dark Type Pokémon since the beginning of your house." Mr. Lupin answered. "And please call me Remus." He added smiling before continuing. "It doesn’t surprise me that you didn’t know what Moony’s species was then. They are indigenous to Alola. Moony was the only member of his species living in Yggsill for many years. Though that’s starting to change with the creation of the Alolan League. You can still find other Alolan Pokémon belonging to older trainers, like with Professor McGonagall, but they are rare".

 

"Indeed." The professor said while giving a nod of her head.

 

"So I’m following my families tradition by being interested in dark types? What about my mother?." Harry asked.

 

Mr. Lupin, Remus, nodded his head.

 

"Yes, you are." Remus said. "Your mother was a Generalist, quite the accomplished one actually. Both of your parents where powerful trainers, though your mother was a little more powerful than your father. She has the record of more Pokémon Battles won between the two in fact." Remus said while smiling. "And James fell more and more in love with her every time she beated him in a battle. By Groudon!, he couldn’t help but gloat like he was the one that won the fights. Lily berated him every time he did that, but you could feel how much she loved him and how pleased she felt at his praise." Remus laughed at the memories with watery eyes.

 

Harry felt his own ayes growing moist as well, but the beaming smile in his face assured the occupants of the table that he was okey. Harry could feel a warm feeling inside him, knowing that his parents loved each other.

 

"Thank you for telling me about them." Harry said.

 

Remus smiled at Harry.

 

"You look a lot like them, you know?. I’m sure others would tell you that you look like James but with Lily's eyes, but thats not totally true. Though you have James's looks and you inherited your hair from his side of the family, you have a lot of Lily’s also. Her eyes, the dimple in your right check when you smile, your chin, and even your ears look like hers." Remus laughed at that part and he smiled in amusement when he saw Harry reach for his ears with a face full of wonder. "I still have much more that I would like to tell you about them. But I think I actually interrupted your shopping." Here he nodded towards the new phone at Harry’s side. "Though, would you allow me to accompany you? It has been many years since the last time I saw you, Harry." Remus face sifted to a more unsure expression. "That is, if you would like for me to come?".

 

"I would love that." Harry smiled before looking at the professor who nodded her agreement with the plan.

 

---

 

After exiting the pastry shop’s terrace, the three humans and three Pokémon started to walk through the mall.

 

"So, where to now?." Harry asked while looking at his supply list.

 

"First, lets go to buy you a suitcase and a backpack, that way you have somewhere to store your new things." Professor McGonagall suggest.

 

"But I already have a suitcase and backpack at the orphanage." 'Though I've never actually used the suitcase'. Harry didn't mention the last part, 'stupid cloaking spell'. Harry now knew why the eyes of the adults that went to the orphanage to adopt or foster kids always slipped by him like he wasn’t there.

 

"But do they have the expanded interior technology?." The professor asked. When Harry shook his head, McGonagall said. "Then we better go buy you new ones, you’re going to need them".

 

Entering a shop that sold what they needed, Harry perused through the selection before choosing a black and red shoulder strap bag, and a blood red suitcase.

 

"I’m seeing a theme here." Remus said

 

"Yeah, I like those colors."

 

"James liked black too, though he went with blue as his second instead of red." Remus supplied. "He created his trainer’s look around them actually".

 

"Really? What about m… Hey! Wait, I can pay for myself, I have money." Harry interrupted himself when he saw Remus paying for the purchase.

 

"I know, but I have many birthdays and Christmas presents to make for." Remus said while ignoring Harrys protests. "Don’t worry, I’ll let you buy the rest".

 

He really didn’t.

...

"Now only the books, uniform and your Pokémon are the things that remain, right?." Remus said while smiling, ignoring Harry’s grumpy words for not letting him buy his own things.

 

The professor and Pokémons trailing behind them looking in amusement at their antics.

 

'Why do I feel so comfortable around him?', Harry couldn’t help but ask himself, "It’s because I knew him as a baby? Or because he has told me about my parents?".

 

"You okey there?."

 

Harry looked up at Remus words. Seeing the genuine concern in his eyes, Harry relaxed and let his worries about the matter go.

 

"Yes, all good." Harry answered while smiling in reassurance. Remus smiled in return after a moment.

 

"So, what do you want to buy next?." Remus asked.

 

"Can we go for my start…"

 

"Better go for your starter last, Mr Potter. We don’t want for you to get distracted by your new companion." Professor McGonagall interceded.

 

"Ugh, fine." After giving it some thought, Harry answered. "Could we buy the books next? And…" Here, Harry paused. "Let me buy them, okey. I would like to buy three sets of each book".

 

"Three of… Why would you…?." The professor started.

 

"They are not for me." Harry stopped walking, and looked with a determined expression at the adults that where looking at him. "I want to buy them for Ned, he is practically my brother. And he won’t come with me at Hogwarts, and the Surmoon area is not exactly the best founded in the education department. At least thats what the teachers always say. So…" Harry trailed off.

 

Both adults gained softer expressions and looked with understanding at Harry.

 

"What about the last set?." Remus asked, when Harry looked at him he continued. "You said you wanted to buy three sets of books. I imagine that one set of books is for yourself and the other for Ned, but what about the last one?".

 

"For the local High School." Harry answered. "I would like to donate them to the local High School. I know it wont do much, but I thought that with better available reading materials at the school library, maybe someone will have a better chance at becoming a great trainer. The adults alway say that Surmoon area doesn’t have the most government funding because we don’t have strong trainers. So, if with the books help a strong trainer appeared from there…." Harry trailed off looking at the ground with a blush, fidgeting in place.

 

"I think thats a great idea Harry, and really considerate of you." Remus said smiling down at Harry, that perked up at the praise." But, why don’t you let me buy that set for you. You can buy your own books and Ned’s if you want, but let me buy the other set instead. I don’t think only first year material will do much, so I will buy the assigned books for all seven years and I will donate them for you, ok?." Remus asked. "I know that I hadn’t let you buy your own materials, but your trust money is still limited." Remus pointed out, before Harry could deny his proposal.

 

'Harry really is a good kid, though this is all Lily. James didn't learn to be this compassionate towards people he wasn’t close too till much later. I think I was the only exception.' Remus observed to himself. 'Maybe I should talk with that person about donating money', Remus stored that thought for latter.

 

"Yea, Okey." Harry said after a while. With that they went on their way

...

After exiting the bookstore, Flourish and Blotts, leaving behind a really happy owner, they went to buy Harry’s uniform.

 

"Let’s go to Madam Malekin's. You will find all the clothes you will need in her shop." The Professor suggested.

 

Going in the direction of the entrance of the alley, they arrived at a shop with a purple storefront with different examples of clothing, ranging from trainers wear to formal clothing.

 

"Madam Malekin has a great selection of clothing, although she caters more to trainers than anything else. I buy my Trainer’s Clothing here." Remus said while pointing at his outfit. "But if you want actual formal wear, you should go to Twilfitt and Tattings, thought I don’t think you will need anything from there at this moment."

 

Harry nodded at the information.

 

Entering the shop, they where greeted by a young blonde woman behind the cashier.

 

"Welcome to Madam Malekin’s Clothes for All Occasions! What can I help you with?." The woman said while smiling. Before anyone could say anything she continued. "Ah, Professor McGonagall, good day!. Its the standard Hogwarts uniform then?"

 

"Hello Ms. Malekin. Yes, the usual Hogwarts wear, we have a new student in need of our uniforms." McGonagall said while putting a hand on Harry’s shoulder.

 

When the woman took a look at Harry she widened her eyes, but didn’t say anything.

 

"Of curse!. Mom is attending another customer at the moment, but you can go behind the folding screen and hop onto the unoccupied footstool. Loretta will be more than happy to assist you."Ms Malekin, apparently Madam Malekin’s daughter, said while pointing at a screen that divided the shop from the measurement area.

 

Giving a nod, Harry went behind the screen leaving his purchases in the care of Remus and Professor McGonagall.

 

Behind the screen Harry found two woman taking the measurements, with the help of what Harry recognized as two Leavanny, of a slender boy with sleek white-blonde hair, cold grey eyes, a pale complexion and rather sharp, pointed features wearing what appeared to be an unfinished uniform.

 

Before Harry could say anything, one of the woman noticed his presence

 

"Hello dear! Why don’t you go onto the changing room, Loretta will attend you in a moment while I finish with this young man." Said a kind looking, squat, smiling woman with white hair wearing purple clothing whom Harry assumed was Madam Malekin.

 

Loretta, a younger woman than Madam Malekin with brown-reddish hair and a slender figure in blue clothing, smiled at Harry and guided him to a changing room where she gave him an unfinished Hogwarts uniform like the one the kid was wearing.

 

"So, boys or girls uniform?." Loretta asked. 'We can chose?. Betty would be static' Harry thought while thinking about one of the older kids at the orphanage.

 

"Boys please." Harry answered.

 

"Change into this then, and go to the footstool when you are finished." Lorettas said with a smile while giving Harry what locked like an unfinished uniform.

 

Her smile turned to something more genuine when she looked at Harry’s scar, obviously recognizing him, but said nothing. Harry just liked her and the receptionist for that, the only ones to recognize who he was and say nothing about it where the employers at the bookstore and here.

 

After finishing changing into the incomplete uniform, Harry went to the footstool

 

"Hello." Started the blonde kid. "Hogwarts too?".

 

"Yep." Replied Harry.

 

"My father is at Flourish and Blotts, buying my books and my mother is looking to the starters up the street." Continued the boy, sounding bored and dragging his words. "Thought my father has already promised me another Pokémon, something more exotic. I don’t understand why we have to wait for third year to own more than two Pokémons. I think I’m gonna pester father until he agrees to do something about it, I’m sure there’s someone he can pay a visit to so I can have more than two from the start".

 

Harry couldn’t help but be reminded of his relatives the more the kid talked. He sounded like a bully, and Harry didn’t like bullies.

 

"What about you? Already have a Pokémon?." He asked

 

"No." Harry said.

 

"But you are a first year, right?." The kid said while looking Harry up and down, noting his low stature and lingering in his scar thought he didn’t seem to put two and two together. Something Harry was grateful for.

 

"Yes." Harry said while frowning at the clear insinuation in the boy’s gesture. 'Rude', Harry thought.

 

"What house do you want to get into? I would like Slytherin, they are the best, all my family went there. Though anything’s better than Hufflepuff, right? I would get into the first train home before becoming a Hufflepuff. Ow! Careful woman!." The kid exclaimed. Apparently Madam Malekin pricked him with a pin.

 

"I’m sorry little man. Won’t happen again!." The seamstress said with a pleasant smile and chipper tone. 

 

By the smile Loretta was hiding, Harry didn’t think the pinching was accidental. The kid grumbled but didn’t say anything else.

 

"So, with house?." The kid insisted.

 

"We won’t know till we arrive there, wont we?." Harry said while trying to think what his parents would have wanted his house to be. 'They were both Gryffindors, right?' Harry thought while trying to recall that information for the stories about the Potters. Regretfully, the stories usually centered themselves around him. And they weren’t really true. 'Oh my Fenral!, I’ve stories written about me', Harry thought feeling embarrassed while thinking about the fictional books written about him he has seen at the bookstore, and in possession of some of the kids of the orphanage.

 

"Hey, who are they?." The blonde kid interrupted his pity party, bringing him back to the conversation.

 

Harry locked at the direction the kid was pointing at, seeing that he was referring to Professor McGonagall and Remus.

 

"Thats Remus Lupin…"

 

"Remus Lupin? I’ve heard about him from my father. He doesn’t have anything good to say about him, said he doesn’t deserve his position." The kid said, interrupting Harry.

 

'What position?' Harry thought.

 

"I think he is great, thank you very much." Harry gritted out. He was starting to really don’t like this kid.

 

"Do you?." The blonde prat said, ignoring what Harry said completely. "What about her?".

 

"Thats Professor McGonagall." Harry really wanted this conversation to end.

 

Harry gave a desperate look to Madam Malekin, but she only smiled in apology. Although Harry noted she tried to work a little faster.

 

"I’ve also heard of her. Doesn’t she only visits students from mud…non trainer families." The kid corrected himself.

 

Harry didn’t know about that, but he supposed he could count as a new trainer too.

 

"What is she doing with you? Are you from one of those families. Where are your parents?."The kid continued.

 

"Dead. And if you are asking if they were trainers, then yes, they were." Harry was starting to contemplate the merits of punching this boy.

 

"Sorry." He didn’t sound it. "But it’s good they were of our kind, I don’t think…"

 

Harry never learned what he though, for he was saved from the conversation.

 

"All done dear! Just hop down so Leavainny can do her magic!." Madam Malekin interrupted the conversation to Harrys's eternal gratitude. "Leavainny, if you could my dear!." She continued when the kid hopped down of the footstool.

 

Harry was amazed by what he saw next. Leavainny shot string after string of thread, that she controlled in an intricate dance to weave around the uniform the boy was still wearing, before pulling with her bladed leaf arms making the threads disappear into the uniform. As a final touch, she pulled from another string the Pokémon still has in her hold to pull all the pins and needles from the fabric and making a thread ball where she stored said objects. When she finished, the boy was left standing with a complete summer boys Hogwarts uniform. The uniform consisted of a white dress shirt, simple school jacket in black with white highlights around the collar, wrists, and the pockets with the school logo in the left breast, a striped tie and school shorts and shoes.

 

"Wow." Harry couldn’t help comment at the display.

 

"Thank you dear." Madam Malekin said to Harry while Leavainny gave a small bow with a pleased expression. "Now, you are all finished! Just wait a little until we finish with the rest of your order. We won’t take a moment now that we have your measurements!." She said to the kid. "You can go change to your clothes".

 

With that the kid went to the changing room while Madam Malekin exited the room through a back door into what locked to be a work area.

 

"The highlights change."

 

"Hu?." Harry made a questioning sound at Loretta’s statement.

 

"The white highlights in the uniform and the whole tie change. There’s an Aura Spell in Hogwarts grounds that change the color of the highlights to math the colors of your assigned house."

 

"Wow. How dose that work?." Harry asked.

 

"All I know is that the thread used in the fabric of that part of the uniform is created at Hogwarts and only that part changes color. Hogwarts provides us with the threads, we are one of the only shops that are allowed to make Hogwarts uniforms actually." Loretta explained.

 

"So, there is not other way to change the color of your clothes?." Harry asked.

 

"Well, you could always dye the fabric." Loretta said teasingly. "But I know what you mean. There are other Color Spells but, unlike the one in the uniform, they aren’t permanent." She explained.

 

"My mother is here. I will see you at Hogwarts I suppose." Apparently the blonde prat has finished changing, now wearing typical rich boy clothes.

 

Without giving Harry time to reply, he went to the entrance of the shop where a woman that has his same check bones but with black hair, that was tinted blonde in some layers under the actual black hair, was paying for the clothes. Madam Malekin, who Harry didn't notice exiting the workshop, said goodbye to them with his daughter beside her.

 

"Thats all dear, you can hope down. Leavainny will have you ready in an instant." Loretta interrupted his observation of the mother and son duo’s retreating backs through the store's window. "I will prepare the rest of your school and gym uniforms now that I have your measurement."

 

With that she went to the workshop while Harry was treated to having string threads dancing around him. 'I love Pokémon', Harry thought in wonder.

...

"Hey Remus, who was that kid?." Harry asked when they exited Madam Malekin’s store and started walking again.

 

"The blonde one at the store?." Remus asked, when Harry nodded he continued. "I don’t know the name of the kid, but seeing who was his mother means he is a Malfoy".

 

"Apparently his father doesn't talk favorably about you. Said something about you not deserving your position?." Harry said with a clear question in his statement.

 

"Of course he would say that." Professor McGonagall interjected." Don’t listen to that kid, the Malfoys are a really bad family, rumored to have supported You-Know-Who in the last war. Though proved innocent at the end of it." She sounded like she didn’t believed that part. The small growl that Mafdet let out only accentuating what she really thought.

 

"Now, now Professor. Lucius Malfoy may be an unpleasant man, but I’m sure the kid was just nervous".

 

"Oh please Remus, don’t try to defend them. I may have a strong policy of treating everyone the same at school, but that doesn't mean that I can’t have my own thoughts on people. And you know I’m right about the war." Here she gave a pointed look at Remus, who sighed before nodding his head reluctantly in agreement.

 

"But what position did he meant?." Harry asked again, saving the information about the Malfoys to take into account when he inevitable meets the boy again at Hogwarts.

 

"Oh, that?. Well you see. The Malfoy family has been trying to gain gym leader status since they arrived at Yggsill almost two hundreds years ago. They almost destroyed one of the families who has the position in one of their tries to gain the statues actually." Remus said.

 

Harry looked at Remus with wide eyes at that information.

 

"Oh, wow…..Wait! Gym leader!? Are you telling me you are a Gym Leader!?." Harry exclaimed, gaining the attention of some of the people around them.

 

"Aahhh, yea, I am." Remus said, stroking the back of his neck in embarrassment. "I’m not surprised you didn’t know about that, my family haven’t been part of the big eight for twelve years".

 

"Well thats still pretty cool." Harry said with total sincerity.

 

'A gym leader, I know a gym leader!', Harry thought to himself, giddy by the knew information. Remus blushed at the praise and gained a bashful smile. Moony and Padfoot gave little sounds like laughs at Remus expenses.

 

"Well, should we go to receive your starter?." Remus said trying to divert the attention off himself and change the subject, while sending a look at his companions.

 

"Yes!." Harry exclaimed excitedly.

...

Ollivander ’s Lab, that was the sign above the door of what looked like the oldest building of the mall. Looking beside the door, Harry saw another sign. Head Proffesor : Garrick L.Ollivander.

 

"What in distortion is a lab doing in a shopping mall?." Harry couldn’t help but ask.

 

"Language." Remus said while disguising a laugh. "It really isn’t a lab. Well not The Lab, here is just were Professor Olivander gives out starters".

 

"Indeed. Ollivander’s Lab have a contract with Hogwarts and Yggsill’s League in where they give starters for free to new Hogwarts students." Professor McGonagall Started. "I’m not gonna bore you with the details, but just know that depending on the number of starters given the lab receives a higher or lower subvention".

 

"That doesn’t stop him for charging for the Pokédex and the apps." Remus said quietly with something in his voice Harry couldn’t identify. Raising his voice to more normal levels. "Well, shall we enter?." Remus asked.

 

Entering the building, Harry found a room filled with racks behind a counter. The racks where full of labeled PokéBalls with what Harry assumed where the species names of the Pokémon. Harry could hear Pokémon’s calls coming from the end of the room, but couldn’t see where they actually come from.

 

Nobody was manning the counter. Beside the group, the room appeared deserted.

 

"Hello?." Harry called.

 

"Good evening." Harry heard a gentle voice behind him.

 

With a start, Harry turned around. He must have been the only one, because not Remus nor the Professor and neither their companions seemed surprised, the lot of them already fazing calmly the source of the voice.

 

"Must you always frighten my prospective students, Garrick Ollivander." Asked McGonagal with an exasperated look. Garrick Olivander, the head professor of the lab according to the sign outside, ended being an old man with big pale blue eyes that was using a lab coat over a light blue shirt and beige pants. Hiding behind his leg while snickering at Harry was a Banette.

 

"Ah, Minerva McGonagall… I gave you quite the hasty Bounsweet. Hope she is Ok?".

 

"Like I always say, she is doing fantastic and she is now a powerful Tsareena. Tiara helps me a lot in controlling unruly children".

 

"Good, good. As always, happy to hear about her." Professor Olivander smile slipped from his face when he looked at the next occupant of the room. "Ah, Mr.Lupin… I ended giving you a gentle Mudkip, quite a sickly one too. Never thought I would match her with someone, but I also never imagined I would give a Pokémon to someone like you, did I?." There was a frigid, almost hostile, tone in the voice of Professor Ollivander when addressing Remus. Harry didn’t like it.

 

"Garrick…" Professor McGOnagal started in warning.

 

"Yes, a Mudkip, she goes by Aqua now. In fact, she is the Alpha of my pack, Moony here and my Garchomp are her seconds in command. I’m sure they would love to meet you." Remus said with a smile and pleasant voice.

 

Harry was pretty sure there was a treat there. Moonys low growl and raised hackles only served to amplify the hidden threat.

 

"Enough, men! You will comport yourself, am I understood?." Professor McGonagall interrupted with a fierce look that did not allow any arguments. "Besides we are not here for this, but for…"

 

"Harry Potter." Professor Ollivander stated with certainty while looking at Harry, dismissing completely Remus presence and interrupting whatever it was Professor McGonagall was about to say. Remus gave Harry an apologetic smile.

 

"Yes sir." Harry said a little peeved at Ollivander’s attitude towards Remus.

 

"Yes, yes. I was waiting for you Mr. Potter." Ollivander approached Harry. "You have your mother’s ayes. It looks like yesterday when she came here in search of her first Pokémon. A beautiful male Piplup of serious nature I gave to her." Ollivander got closer to Harry. "Your father for his part, I gave quite the sassy Vullaby." Ollivander made a pause before continuing speaking. "Well I’m saying I gave them, but its actually the aura of both trainer and Pokémon what makes the choice".

 

"The Aura?." Harry asked.

 

"Oh, yes Mr.Potter." Ollivander walked towards the racks and started to peruse through them while piking PokéBalls from some while ignoring others. "This is something my family has been studying for generations. The connection between humans and Pokémon formed through Aura. Professor Oak’s work is, in fact, derived from these studies. But while he emphasized the relationship aspect between humans and Pokémon, my family has been studying what part Aura has in forming that relationship." Olivander went to the counter carrying with him the PokéBalls, Banette trailing behind him carrying a box with some more. "We have based our studies in the bond formed between starter Pokémon and trainer. Something I’m sure you have already experienced." Here Ollivander gave Harry a knowing smile.

 

"What do you mean?." Harry asked confused.

 

"Haven’t you felt it, Mr. Potter? A strange connection you couldn’t explain between you and a Pokémon?." Ollivander asked while peering at Harry.

 

"What are you…"

 

"Dante." Harry said softly thinking of the albino houndour, interrupting Professor McGonagall’s words.

 

"Aah, so I was right. I felt that you already have a connection, something I didn’t expect from you to be honest. Though its something I find from time to time with children of prominent families that have a custom of given the children a young Pokémon themselves." Professor Ollivander smiled sadly at Harry. "Though I’m sorry that it hasn’t been between you and a member of the Froakie line. That line was the preferred species of Pokémon to be given as a starter in your family. Regretfully, I’ve never had one to give in my lab".

 

Harry felt a pang of regret at losing the opportunity of experiencing something that was apparently considered a tradition by his family.

 

"Those that meant that I can’t have a Pokémon from here?." Harry asked trying to distract himself.

 

Feeling a hand on his shoulder, Harry looked up to find Remus smiling sadly at him.

 

"Oh, by Wairuus no!. You may not find your starter here, but I’m sure we can find a Pokémon that will be as important a companion from somewhere around here." Professor Ollivander said while pointing at the PokéBalls at the counter. "Let’s start. I want you to pick one by one the PokéBalls I while be presenting you. When you find your destined partner, you will know, trust me".

 

The process ended taking longer than anticipated. By the time Harry appeared to have gone by what seemed to be a complete rack of PokéBalls, it have been close to an hour. And it locked like they weren’t finishing any time soon.

 

"A difficult customer!." Professor Olivander looked static. "No matter, no matter, I’m sure we will find one Pokémon to go with you." The professor spun around intending on going in search of more PokéBalls when they heard the fluttering of wings.

 

Looking up at the top of one of the shelves, the occupants of the room found a pair of red eyes peking at them from a shadowed figure.

 

"It’s possible…". Professor Ollivander started while peeking at the figure before turning to look back at Harry. "yes, why didn’t I think of this sooner?." He muttered to himself. "Hmm…Mr.Potter I would like for you to extend one of your arms please".

 

Harry looked in confusion at the professor but did as he was told. The instant he did, Harry felt a weight settle upon his arm, followed by a feeling of belonging that he only ever felt when in the company of Dante. It started in his arm at the point of contact as a warm sensation that extended quickly to the rest of his body before settling in his chest like a warm blanket.

 

Looking at his extended arm, Harry found himself peering into red eyes under a mass of feathers forming what appeared to be a top-hat.

 

"I really should have know." Professor Ollivander said while laughing. "We always try, but you Potters always end up with a dark type bird no matter what we present to you. Albeit, it has been many decades since I gave a Murkrow to someone of your family. In fact, It was your grandfather Charlus whom I gave the last one when I’ve just started as an intern in my families lab." Professor Ollivander continued. "This one have been in the lab for awhile, a little more and I would have had to send her away. A female Murkrow of Brave nature".

 

Harry felt a protective feeling at the thought. He didn't like the idea of having been late to meet her.

 

"Why don’t you give her a name? You should still be able to give her one without her rejecting it." Professor Olivander said.

 

"Hedwig, her name is Hedwig." Harry said while smiling at the Murkrow that preened at her new name.

 

After getting the Pokédex app installed in his new phone and paying for it, the group said goodbye to Professor Ollivander and marched towards the door.

 

"I’m afraid I gave him his first Pokémon." The old Professor started, stoping the group in their tracks.

 

Turning around to face him, Harry found the professor looking at his scar with a faraway look in his eyes.

 

"Many nights I’ve gone without sleep, thinking about what would have been like if I ended his trainer career right there, by not giving him that poor kit. Maybe we would have been spared the horrors he committed. And maybe that poor kit, that poor Zorua kit I gave him, wouldn’t have suffered at his hands like he did, becoming what he became after what he did to him. Because he was a terrible monster, yes, but a brilliant individual, and he did things nobody else would have dreamed of doing, terrible things." Here he perused at Harrys scar with a more focused look. "Maybe it could have spared you the events that gave you that scar….But we will never know".

 

Before anyone in the stunned group could say anything, the Professor retreated into the racks disappearing from view.

 

"Well," Remus cleared his throat. "why don’t we eat something?. I invite" Remus said after the group exited the lab trying to lighten the mood.

...

Harry couldn’t stop looking at Hedwig while she nibbled at her food. His very own Pokémon, Harry was so happy. The group has gone back to The Leaky Cauldron to have their lunch. Tom the bartender, even gave them a more private table so that they wouldn’t be gawked at while they eat. Harry supposed that it was an apology for the commotion of the first time Harry entered the establishment.

 

While Harry was happy to have a Pokémon, he couldn’t get out of his mind the last words the professor said before they exited the lab. Trying to distract himself, Harry brought up something else that was bothering him

 

"Remus?." When the aforementioned man looked up from his food at Harry, he continued. "What was that all about? The thing between you and Professor Ollivander?".

 

At Harry’s words, professor McGonagall, Mafdet, Padfoot and Moony also looked up from their food and started paying attention to the conversation.

 

"Ah, you caught it, did you? You are quite the observant young man." Remus paused to collect his tough. "It’s not something I’m comfortable talking about right now, I promise I’ll tell you at a later date. But," Remus said at seeing the disappointment look on Harrys face. "let’s just say that what I’ve accomplished have disproved one of the thesis the Ollivander family has been holding as truth for a long, long time. And the professor didn’t like that".

 

"Thats…" Harry pulled a face that conveyed what he thought of the professor reason for his attitude.

 

"Oh, I agree." Remus said while laughing before giving Harry a grave face. "But this doesn’t meant that Ollivander is a bad person. I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did at the lab, that was wrong of me. Professor Ollivander is just old, and set in his ways and believes.

 

" Thats not excuse, Remus." Interrupted Professor McGonagal. "Its true, you shouldn’t have acted like you did, but Garrick shouldn’t have either. He is a professor, a researcher, he knows perfectly well that theories and thesis are disapproved every moment. He shouldn’t take it on you just because you proved that something his family theorized was wrong. Something I, and many others, are proud of you for doing".

 

Remus smiled at the professor for her words, gaining a faint blush at her praise. They returned to their meals, but Harry saw that Remus was thinking on something for the rest of the meal.

 

Exiting The Leaky Cauldron into the streets of Levahner, Remus accompanied Harry and the Professor to one of the teleportation zones of the city. Arriving at the zone, Remus and Harry faced each other.

 

"It was really nice meeting you Remus, Moony, Padfoot." Harry said while petting Hedwig at his shoulder.

 

" It was my pleasure Harry." Replied Remus. Moony and Padfoot giving Harry doggy smiles with lolling tongues, their tails waving side to sede like mad. "Actually Harry." Remus continued while crouching down to look Harry in the eyes. "I would like to make a request".

 

"Sure." Harry said, nodding his head.

 

"Would you mind if I went to visit you at the orphanage?." Remus asked

 

"Yes!, that would be amazing!. There is a visiting day the day after tomorrow, you could come and I could present you to Ned, and Jeremy, and Betty and the other children too. OH! And Dante, I want you to meet Dante." Harry said excitedly while bouncing in place. Hedwig gave a indignant squeak at the movement, with has Harry settling down and smiling at her in apology.

 

"Then it’s settled, I while go to visit you this coming Saturday." Remus said while smiling with relieve at Harry’s acceptance at seeing each other again.

 

Saying finally goodbye, Harry positioned himself beside the professor and returned Hedwig to her PokéBall for the teleportation while still waving goodbye at Remus, with him doing the same. Before he was whisked away, Harry had a thought, 'Wait, how does he know I live in an orphanage?'.

 

---

 

Arriving at his family villa, Remus and his canine companions entered their home. Greeting his father, that was siting in the couch at the living room, with a kiss in the check and an affectionate squeeze of his shoulder before taking the stairs to the second floor. Remus walked down the hall containing his room. Reaching his destination, Remus couldn’t help stoping before entering. Looking at the door in front of his like he has been doing for the last ten years. Harry’s Room, read the plaque hanging on the door. This time though, instead of a sense of loss and frustration, Remus felt hope.

 

Smiling to himself, Remus tuned from the door and entered his room. Reaching for the PokéBalls at his waist to release his team, Remus paused in doing so. Taking a breath and releasing it slowly, Remus turned to where Padfoot and Mooney have settle down in one of the many Pokémon beds loitering his room.

 

"Padfoot." Remus started while kneeling in front of the huge canine and putting his hands in each side of Padfoot’s face. "I need you to reach to him." Remus said while looking at the ayes of the Mightyena.

 

The canine gave a pitiful whine and her eyes gained a sad look. Remus stroked her cheeks with his fingers and Moony put his neck around hers in a hug.

 

"I know, I know." Remus said comfortingly. "I know it’s getting harder, but you have to try. I need to tell him, he needs to know".

 

After a time where Padfoot and Remus looked ayes, the Mightyena nodded her head with a small nod. Remus watched as she closed her red eyes. Waiting feel like an eternity, but when Remus started to think that she couldn’t do it, her eyes opened. But they weren’t red anymore.

 

"Hello Sirius." Remus said while looking into the grey eyes of his best friend that now looked at him from Padfoot’s face. "I found him, we have found him. We have found Harry." Remus felt his eyes water. "And he is amazing." Remus swallowed the lump that was forming in his throat. "I’m going to get you out of there. We are so close." Remus hardened his face to one of pure resolve. "I’m getting you out of there before the year ends, thats a promise".

 

Chapter 4: A Lord and a Lawyer

Notes:

Disclaimor: Don't own Harry Potter or Pokémon. I only own the original characters and the original Pokémon (don´t worry, theres only three and they won't appear till much, much latter. But characters mention them, so...just a heads up)

 

"She is so cool!!"

 

"Lucky! You’re going to Hogwarts!!"

 

"Haly!, Haly! ‘Ts she lealy youls?"

 

"Can I pet her?!"

 

"Look at her! She is gourgeus!"

 

"How have you called her?"

 

Harry found himself in the middle of a gaggle of children at dinner time the same day he came back from Levahner. Harry was really lucky of finding the orphanage almost empty when he came back from shopping, the other kids having gone to town to pass the day. Or being their nap time for the little ones. Harry only had to interact with Mrs. Dourglass when he arrived back, the rest of the day having been in his shared bedroom getting to know Hedwig. Said Murkrown was right now preening at the attention, ignoring Harry’s discomfort from that same attention.

 

"Kids, Kids,! Enough. Let Harry breath, you can talk to him latter. Calmly. Now is dinner time, I want all of you in your seats if you want to have desserts." Mrs. Dourglass came to Harry’s rescue like the amazing woman she is.

 

With the threat of no desserts, the kids dispersed through the dinning hall to find a place to sit. Leaving Harry sighing in relief, and Hedwig in disappointment.

 

"Thank you Mrs. Dourglass." Harry said, sending a smile of gratitude her way. Hedwig, for her part, scowled at her only to look away when Chatot sent her a glare of his own.

 

"You are welcome dear, I know how little you like to be crowned that way." Mrs. Dourglass said. "I’m really happy for you Harry." She continued, putting a hand in Harry’s unoccupied shoulder and smiling affectionately at him. "Now, go get something to eat, or no desserts for you too".

 

"Yes madam." Harry said doing a mock salute, before going to get something to eat.

 

"So, you are The Harry Potter." Those were the words that greeted Harry the moment he sat in front of Ned with his plate in their usual seat.

 

Harry wasn’t sure how to react to those words. Ned having said them without any affliction in his voice and a face devoid of any discernible emotion. Before Harry could think of something to say apart of a very intelligent yes, a growing smirk started to appear in Ned’s face.

 

"I can already see the headlines!, 'The boy who lived kicked a man in the crotch when they tried to sake his hand'." Ned said while putting on a mock reporter voice, before he started laughing. "Oh, by Fenral!, it couldn’t happen to someone with a worst disposition to fame".

 

"Hey! I’m not that bad! Where the heck it’s coming this bad reputation from." Harry sputtered, feeling a little indignant, though sighing internally in relief that Ned wasn’t upset.

 

"Harry, you punched Antony Frost in the face for having nominated you as the lead actor in the school play when we where eight. The poor guy even moved out of town." Ned said with mock seriousness.

 

"He didn’t move out for that!. His father got promoted, you prick." Harry complained, embarrassed of the memory. Much more so when he heard a cawing laugh coming from Hedwig who was perched on his back seat.

 

"Details, Details." Ned waved the comment away. "So…?." Ned prompted.

 

"…What?." Harry asked confused.

 

Ned sighed at Harry’s obliviousness.

 

"Tell me everything. How was the day? What have you seen?. You know, give details." Ned explained in excitement.

 

Harry smiled, and started to recount his day, growing in excitement the more he told about it.

 

…

 

Having finished with their dinner, the majority of the kids started to disperse through the orphanage’s building to pass the hours before curfew with a select few helping Mrs. Dourglass in putting the little ones to sleep.

 

"I want to give you something." Harry said to Ned when they exited through the doors of the dining hall.

 

"What?." Ned asked.

 

"Just come with me." Harry said while grabbing Ned’s hand.

 

Arriving at their shared bedroom, Harry motioned for Ned to sit on Harry’s bed while he went to open the suitcase where he was storing his purchases. Opening the suitcase, Harry took out the books he brought for Ned.

 

"Here." Harry said while presenting Ned with the books.

 

"You brought me books?." Ned asked.

 

"Yea. It’s just… We where talking of how difficult it was to get high enough scores to be given a good starter, and well. I thought that maybe, you would like to learn from the books used in Hogwarts curriculum. I, I… I know it would be difficult, having to study from the books of your regular school apart from these ones too, and I brought you some more complementary books and.. Oh, Fenral it was a stupid idea". Harry rambled, finishing by putting his face in his hands in embarrassment.

 

Harry startled at feeling arms wrap around him.

 

"Thank you, Harry." Ned whispered into Harry’s shoulder, making him relax and return the hug.

 

"It’s just… you are my brother and I don’t like that I can go to Hogwarts just for who my family is while you have to conform on going to a high school in the worst funded area of the region".

 

"Hey, hey." Ned started, breaking the hug and putting his hands in Harry’s shoulder to look him in the face. "It’s not your fault that you were born to a wealthy family. And you can also go to Hogwarts for having a high level of Aura. And maybe the two reasons you can go are just by pure fluke, but I think it was time that something good just happened to one of us, don’t you think?." Ned said, while moving his hand around at the end to encompass the whole building and reference to his inhabitants.

 

Harry nodded his head while gibing a watery smile.

 

"And, at least, you are a Potter, they are a cool family. You can be proud of were you came from, and sad because it’s sad what happened. So if you need to cry or something go ahead, but you can be proud too… But you know?"

 

"Ned, stop. I’m the one who rambles. You were good, you did’t need to say anything more," Harry interrupted Ned.

 

"Yea, okey, cool…That was awkward." They descended into silence, looking at each other before they started to laugh.

 

The two of them now sat facing each other on Harry’s bed. Hedwig was asleep on a makeshift nest, made of Harry’s old and unusable shirts, at the side of Harry’s pillow.

 

"Do you really like the books?," Harry asked a while later. "I’m planing on gifting you with copies of my course book of every year".

 

"Yea, I like them. I think they will really help, maybe I will be the first kid of High Whinging in receiving a Regional Starter in twenty years. Something not even you Hogwarts students are guaranteed to get." Ned said jokingly while signaling to the sleeping Murkrow. "And thank you, but you know you don’t really need to do that, right?." Ned added, referring to Harry’s intentions.

 

"I’m happy that you like them. And I know, but I want too." Harry said smiling at Ned in relief. "You know?, Remus, the man I’ve meet today, will come to the orphanage on Visiting Day." Harry added in excitement.

 

"Really? How come? Do you think…" Ned trailed of, but the two of them knew what he was going to ask.

 

"I don’t know, but I hope so." Harry said. A pensive silence fell between them before Harry broke it again. "I would like you to meet him".

 

"Wha… You sure? What if he doesn’t like me? And he is coming to visit you, right? Wouldn’t I be on the way?." Ned said, a little nervous in meting someone from Harry’s past.

 

"Hey, relax. I already talked about you with him, and he seems to be a good man, I’m sure he will love you. And if he doesn’t, well… you are my brother so he can stuff it." Harry joked to alleviate Ned’s worries, and his own that surfaced at Ned’s questions.

 

Before they could continue with their conversation the rest of their roommates entered the room.

 

"Hey guys, it’s time for bed." Alex, one of their roommates, said while pointing at the clock hanging on one of the rooms walls while already starting to change into his sleeping clothes.

 

All of the boys started to follow his example and started changing.

 

"Hey Ned, wanna come tomorrow to meet him?." Harry asked before Ned could get up onto his bunk bed.

 

When Harry’s words registered onto his brain, Ned smiled in excitement.

 

 

---

 

The next day found Harry leading Ned to the outskirts of town. Hedwig was flying overhead, enjoying the opportunity of stretching her wings after so long of only doing small flights while living at the lab.

 

"Harry? Where the heck are you taking me?." Ned asked. "Are you going to beat me up? Gasp, this is for the treacle tart of last week isn’t it?." Ned said jokingly.

 

"What? No. My vengeance won’t be this obvious." Harry said with total seriousness.

 

Ned sputtered at the response.

 

"Joking aside. I thought you wanted to meet him?." Harry asked while raising an eyebrow at Ned.

 

"Yes, but I didn’t thought that you would bring me to the abandoned park at the outskirts of the town." Ned said, encompassing the location they now found themselves in with a sweep of his arm.

 

Harry snorted.

 

"I didn’t bring you to the outskirts of the town, I’m bringing you out of town." Harry said.

 

"What?!"

 

Ned’s only response was a smirk from Harry and a motion to follow him through the underbrush at the other said of the park.

 

"I used to go to that park when I wanted some time for myself." Harry started to explain while leading the way to the clearing. "That was until two months ago".

 

"When you started to sneak about?." Ned asked.

 

"I didn’t sneak about!" Harry hissed. "Jeremy knew. If someone knows, you can’t be sneaking about".

 

"I don’t think it works like that?." Ned questioned with a confused tilt of his head, brown looks of hair falling into his violet eyes with the movement.

 

"… As I was saying." Harry continued, ignoring completely the previous conversation. "Two months ago I found him. And instead of going to the park to be alone, I come here to pass the time with him." Harry finished while parting a branch to give view to the clearing with the fallen hollow three.

 

Entering the clearing Harry couldn’t help but smile in excitement, with increased when Hedwig landed in his shoulder.

 

"Hey girl, I want you to meet someone." Harry said to her before signaling for Ned to come closer. "Dante?. Come out, little guy! It’s me, I brought company. You’re gonna like them, I promise".

 

Ned and Hedwig tensed at hearing a rustling sound coming form the trunk. Thought Ned relaxed latter when the individual that produced said sound came into view.

 

"Oooh! He is so cute!. Can’t be older than the two months you have been sneaking about to meet him." Ned practically squalled, thought he will deny it later, while crouching down as to seem less threatening.

 

Dante, seeing that the stranger that was accompanying his human wasn’t a threat started to approach slowly. Although keeping a cautious eye on the avian that was looking at him with great scrutiny.

 

Reaching the two humans and estrange Pokémon, Dante received a affectionate scratch behind the ear from Harry before approaching the still crouched human and sniffing his outstretched hand.

 

"Oh, Harry! He is amazing. Why didn’t you tell me sooner?, you know I love canine Pokémon." Ned said after Dante licked his fingers. Ned interpreted that as permission to start petting the pup. "Look at his fur!, he is totally white. An Alvino!, do you know how difficult is to find a Pokémon with this type of mutations? They are rarer than the shiny gene!. For some reason, it’s even rarer for a canine Pokémon to have them".

 

"I didn’t know that." Harry said while smiling at seeing Ned descent into excited chatter while playing with Dante. The little Houndour pup only to happy to reciprocate the attention.

 

"Dante." Harry called after a while to bring the pup, and Ned’s, attention to himself. "Let me introduce you to Ned, seeing as the idiot have forgotten his manners." Harry joked. Ned blushed while scratching his check in embarrassment. "He is my brother, my pack mate. We live together at the orphanage." Harry finished introducing Ned.

 

"Hello Dante, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you." Ned said smiling at the pup. Dante barked in greeting, moth open in a smile with his tail wagging from side to side in excitement.

 

"And this here is Hedwig, my partner and first official Pokémon." Harry said, kneeling so that the two Pokémon would be closer.

 

The two Pokemon stared at each other for a while. Dante was the first to break the silence by giving a bark and lifting a paw, Hedwig cawed and nodded her head in apparent acceptance.

 

"Dante?." Harry said when the greetings where over, gaining the albino pup attention. "Many things happened yesterday, but one of them is that I’m going to Hogwarts. I think I talked to you about the school before?." Dante barked an affirmative before whining in question. "Well, that means that I can actually have Pokémon as partners of my own, two to be exact at the moment." Harry continued, while reaching for one of the empty PokéBalls that he has attached to his new trainers belt alongside Hedwig’s PokéBall. "Would you want to become one of my partners and come with me? Become part of my family?." Harry finished presenting the device to Dante.

 

Dante looked with wide eyes at the PokéBall for a while before rising his head slowly to look at Harry. Before Harry could react, he found himself on his back being attacked by an excited tongue. Hedwig cawed in indignation at being so rudely jostled from her perch.

 

…

 

Two hour latter found the two boys and two Pokémon heading to the orphanage.

 

"You should do something about those PokéBalls of yours. How the heck do you recognize the ones that are yours?".

 

"I think I can actually change their designs at a PokémonMart".

 

"Oh, better do that then……You know Mrs Dourglass is going to lose it, right?".

 

"Ugh! Don’t make me think about it!".

 

 

---

 

 

Remus Lupin found himself pacing restlessly in the foyer of his house, waiting for a more appropriate hour than six in the morning to go to White Wardden Orphanage. Moony, Padfoot and the rest of his personal Pokémon team, consisting of his Swampert Acua, Garchomp, Krookodille, Gliscor, Donphan and Claydol, where looking at him with various degrees of amusement or exasperation.

 

"Well?, are we going or not?." The voice of his father, Lyall Lupin, caused Remus to start out of his nervous state and stop his pacing.

 

Looking at his father, Remus found him dressed to go out as if to accompany him. Lyall Lupin looked like an older version of his son, thought his hair was completely grey and curly instead of the wavy looks that Remus inherited from his mother and more age lines where present on his face. Even being closer to sixteen than fifteen, Lyall still sported a full head of hair, something Remus was actually praying to inherit from him, and a fit body, thought signs of a belly were starting to show.

 

The hazel eyes of Lyall looked into the amber ones of his son. Both exporting questioning looks, thought for different reasons.

 

"You are coming with me?." Remus asked confused. This was the first he heard of this.

 

"Of course I’m coming with you. I know how important that boy is for you, and if all goes well he will be coming home with us." Lyall said with a huff. "Seeing as he is going to be family, I think its only appropriate for me to meet him, don’t you think?".

 

Remus felt a lump form in his throat.

 

"Thank you dad." Remus choked out while holding back tears.

 

"Any time, son." Lyall responded while squeezing Remus shoulder and smiling in understanding. "Well, lets go. You don’t want to keep the kid waiting, right?".

 

With that Lyall exited trough the door, leaving his son to scramble after him.

 

---

 

In a mirror to Remus actions, Harry too found himself pacing back and fort in nervousness in one of the play rooms of the orphanage. Ned, Hedwig and Dante where looking at him in one of the couches present in the room. Ned actually have one of the books Harry gifted him yesterday on his lap.

 

Visiting Day, how the children called theses days, was the day of the week were prospective parents and guardians could come and pass time with the children so they can get to know them better before adopting or fostering. In these days, the children are asked to stay at the orphanage in case someone showed up. Unfortunately it was rare for White Warden Orphanage to receive many visitors

 

"Harry, relax. I’m sure he will come." Ned said trying to stop Harry’s nervous pacing.

 

"But what if he doesn’t?." Harry asked.

 

"Hey, he was the one to ask if he could come, right?. I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t have asked if he wasn’t intending on doing so." Ned reasoned. It appeared to work, since Harry stoped walking.

 

"You are right, he will come." Harry said to convince himself while taking a deep breath to calm his nerves.

 

Just as Harry calmed himself the door to the playing room opened, attracting his attention. Entering the room behind Mrs Dourglass where four figures, three of them Harry recognized instantly.

 

"You came!." Harry exclaimed, practically running towards Remus. Thought Harry stoped sort when he got in front of him, stoping his impulse of giving Remus a hug in greeting. Seeing this, Remus smiled and opened his arms in invitation.

 

"Of course I came. I said I would, didn’t I?." Remus said, smiling down at Harry after they separated from the hug.

 

"Oh, don’t doubt it lad. He has been a nervous wreck since he came back from Levahner two days ago." The man Harry didn’t know said. Bringing the attention to himself. Just for his looks, Harry assumed that he was related to Remus.

 

"Dad!" Remus exclaimed in embarrassment. Clearing his throat, Remus continued. "Harry, meet my father, Lyall Lupin. Dad, Harry Potter".

 

A gasp coming from behind Harry interred the greetings. Turning around, Harry found Ned looking with wide eyes and open mouth at the two men.

 

"Ned..?." Harry started.

 

"You didn’t tell me that Remus is a Lupin!." Ned exclaimed.

 

"Oh? You know about us?." Lyall asked smirking at Ned.

 

"Yes sir! You are my favorite Gym Keader Family. Thought you specialize in ground type Pokémon, thats not the only thing you are known for!. Your family also specializes in canine Pokémon!. You have been in charge of the training of canine Pokémon and even normal dogs to work with public services like the police, military and hospitals since before you became gym leaders." Ned said in excitement with stars in his eyes.

 

"Hahahah!, You are well informed lad." Lyall said smiling widely.

 

Ned nodded his head furiously.

 

"Yes!, I love canine Pokémon so I’ve always been a fan of your family." Turning to look at Harry, Ned gave him a mock betrayed look. "Harryyy, why didn’t you tell me?, I’ve talked to you about them before".

 

"Aaaahhh….I forgot?." Harry said shrugging and smiling sheepishly. "I actually didn’t know who Remus was when we meet… I’m sorry?".

 

Ned gasped at this, bringing his hands to his chest.

 

"Well, seeing as you have apparently forgotten to do it. Let me introduce you." Harry quickly said before Ned could start a tirade. "Remus, Mr.Lupin, this is Ned. My brother basically. This here is Mrs. Dourglass, thought I suppose you already know that. Sorry Mrs. Dourglass, we have been ignoring you".

 

"Don’t worry about it Harry. I actually should go check on the rest of the children and visitors." Mrs. Dourglas said while nodding at the Lupins. Giving on last smile, she parted to do what she said.

 

"And these are Hedwig," Harry continued, presenting the Murkrow more to the benefit of Lyall that anyone else. "And this is Dante. I talked to you about him the other day".

 

Remus and Lyall gave their greetings, with Remus flasihng a nostalgic look that pases to fast for the rest to notice at seing Dante. Then Remus presented Moony and Padfoot to Ned, much to his delight. The two powerful canine Pokémon promptly gained the interest of Dante, who greeted them with enthusiasm, the two responding with a more relaxed greeting of their own thought with the same interest.

 

After that, Harry gave the group a little tour of the orphanage. Presenting the Lupins to some of the kids he was closest with. Ned was chatting excitedly with Mr.Lupin all the while, almost hoarding the attention of the older man, something that Mr. Lupin didn’t seem to mind. This gave Remus and Harry time to talk between them

 

After a while, the group went outside of the building, entering the little park present inside of the orphanage. Remus and Liyall shared a look that the kids didn’t notice. Lyall gave a nod before gaining Ned’s attention and moving away to give privacy to Harry and Remus

 

"Harry, do you remember about what we talked the other day, the Ollvander’s theory?." Remus started, gaining Harrys attention.

 

"Yea, what about it?" Harry asked.

 

Bracing himself, Remus continued.

 

"This theory, this thesis, I disapproved has something to do with something I would like to ask of you." Here, Remus paused to collect his toughs. "You see Harry, I’ve been searching for you for a long time so I could take care of you, and I know that you have practically just know me for what amounts to a day but… I would really like if you would consider coming to live with me." There was silence for a while.

 

"You want me to live with you?." Harry asked slowly, like he couldn’t believe his words.

 

"Yes. I know you don’t know me, and you have Ned who you say is a brother to you, and I know…"

 

"I would love too." Harry interrupted Remus’s rambling. "Don’t get me wrong, Mrs. Dourglass takes great care of us, and it’s true that I would miss Ned a lot… But, getting a family is something every one of us, the children in the orphanage, wants. And, well, you seem like a pretty cool dude to have as a guardian." Harry was blushing at the end of his speech.

 

"Good!, great!… Thats great." Remus said smiling at Harry. "But there’s something that’s related to the theory, like I said before, that complicates things." Remus continued losing his smile. "You see Harry, although I proved the theory wrong, there is still a lot of prejudice produced by the theory towards a select group of people. And I’m…"

 

"You are part of that group." Harry stated.

 

"… Yes, yes I am." Remus affirmed. Gulping before continuing. "This prejudice, this discrimination, would make the government negate any attempts from my part of gaining custody over you. But," Remus stoped Harry from saying anything. "there is something we can do, but I need your help".

 

"What can I do?." Harry asked seriously.

 

"There is a testament, a Will, of your parents that the Government sealed. Something they could do thanks to the State Of War that we were at the time. And only you can cancel the sealing and petition the activation of the Will".

 

"…And you only want to have the Will executed so you can gain custody of me? ." Harry asked, starting to feel suspicious.

 

Remus looked into Harry’s eyes, before smiling softly.

 

"You have your parents intelligence." Remus said to himself with fondness. Aloud he said. "No, Harry, I would be liying if I said that that was the only reason. But, I want you to know and understand that being able to be your guardian is as important to me as the other reason. You are important to me. Don’t doubt that, okey?." Remus said earnestly, looking into Harry’s eyes hoping he could see his sincerity.

 

Harry relaxed, even raising his opinion of Remus for his sincerity.

 

"What’s the other reason?." Harry ended asking.

 

"I hope the Will while help in releasing an innocent man from prison." Remus answered.

 

---

 

Harry and Remus appeared in one of the teleportation points of Lavahner City, courtesy of Remus’s shiny Claydol.

 

"…At least I didn’t throw up this time." Harry commented after a while. "I still hate it".

 

Claydol made a strange sound that sounded strangely like an apology.

 

"Don’t apologize Claydol. You were fantastic, much better than Meowstic." Harry said, smiling at the ancient looking doll.

 

"Thanks for the transport Claydol. You were brilliant." Remus added reassuring his Pokémon. "I will call you if something happens, return for know." Claydol gave an affirmative sound before being engulfed in a red light. "Well, lets go." Remus said while releasing Moony and Padfoot,

 

Harry followed suit in releasing Hedwig and Dante. The only reason he could release them both was because of their small side. Every city allows a maximum of two Pokémon for individual to be out of their PokéBalls if they are of a height or length of fifty centimeters or lower, if you wanted to have a Pokémon bigger than that out of their PokéBall you can only release that Pokémon alone. And there were limits of how big a Pokémon could be to walk thought the city. Nobody wants an Onix slithering his way through the city. The only reason Moony and Padfoot could both be out of their PokéBalls is because they are Aura Bonded Pokémon. Though there is still restrictions in place. Again, the Onix example.

 

Harry walked beside Remus through the streets of the city, but this time they weren’t going to Diagon Alley. After talking with Mrs. Dourglass about the situation, Remus received permission to take Harry to the solicitor’s firm the Potters have on retainer. Lyall decided to wait behind at the orphanage in the company of Ned, with whom he appeared to have bonded with.

 

"Who are my lawyers?." Harry inquired, having forgotten to ask about them.

 

"Fawley and Tuft solicitors has been your family’s attorney firm since your great-grandfather. They have actually been working with us since the beginning to try and find you." Remus responded.

 

"Us?." Harry asked.

 

"Lord Arcturus Black and I. I actually sent him a message to meet with us at the firm, so you will meet him there." Remus answered. "He has a personal interest in your situation. Not only is the man we hope to prove innocent his grandson and Heir, but you are also his great nephew through his sister, your grandmother".

 

"Oh….Wait!. I’ve family left?!" Harry asked in surprise.

 

"Yes… haven’t your teachers taught you about the Noble Families in school? It’s common knowledge that all the noble families of Yggsill are related to each other in some capacity." Remus said, lifting an eyebrow. "Thought I will admit that the Blacks are your closest relatives".

 

"We are thaught about the noble families, but the teachers never went too deep into them except on explaining the different ranks." Harry responded, before falling into a pensive silence.

 

"I was actually planing on asking for his help in teaching you about your responsibilities as a heir to a Most Ancient and Noble Family. I can help a little in some aspects, since my family is an Ancient one, but the Blacks are of the same rank as your family." Remus said after a while. "Lord Arcturus can even help you in learning about the actual responsibilities and traditions of the Potters. He was a close friend of your grandfather. James was never able to show us much about his family’s obligations, the war took up a lot of our time and attention".

 

Remus gained a sad look, thinking about the time, opportunities and dreams lost to the war. Luckily, before he could descent into a depressing mode they arrived at their destination.

 

"We are here." Remus started, before turning to face Harry. "You ready?".

 

"Yea, let’s go." Harry responded after bracing himself.

 

Entering the building they where greeted by an spacious reception room with waiting chairs on the walls. In every corner of the room where pots with interior plants. On the right wall, between two chairs, was a fish tank with normal fishes swimming in it. In front of the entrance door was a reception desk flanked with a door to the left and stairs to the right. Behind the desk sat a receptionist.

 

"Ah, Mr. Lupin!. Ms. Tuft is expecting you. Lord Black is already inside, he just arrived." The receptionist greeted Remus when he noticed them while pointing at the door.

 

"Thank you Ryan." Remus said with a smile directed to the man.

 

Remus placed a hand on Harrys shoulder while guiding him towards the door. This action causes Ryan the receptionist to take notice of Harry. Harry expected the usual reactions like he got the other day while shopping, so he was gladly surprised when Ryan only smiled at him and nodded in greeting. Harry did the same with a smile of his own.

 

Entering the door, that has HELEN J.TUFT; ATTORNEY AT LAW inscribed on it, they where greeted by an spacious, but not too big, office. Inside where already two people. A woman sitting behind the desk that Harry supposed to be Helen Tuft, the attorney, and a man sitting in one of the chairs in front of said desk that couldn’t be anyone else but the Lord Black.

 

Helen Tuft is a woman in his middle thirties with shoulder length brown hair and black ayes. She was wearing a business white woman’s shirt tucked into a black high waisted double breasted tailored trouser with high hells at her feet. Her red painted lips formed a smile when she looked at Remus and Harry.

 

"Mr. Lupin! glad to see you." Ms. Tuft greeted Remus, standing form her chair and extending a manicured hand for Remus to sake.

 

"Ms. Tuft." Remus said in greeting, giving a sake to the offered hand while smiling at the woman.

 

"And this must be Mr. Potter. Glad to finally meet you." She continued, offering her hand for Harry to sake too.

 

"Likewise."Harry responded trying to hide his nerves, taking comfort on Hedwig’s weight at his shoulder and Dante’s pressure on his leg.

 

Turning to greet Lord Black, Harry found the man standing from his chair looking intently at him. Lord Arcturus Black was a man in his eighties, his aged features still denoted that he was an attractive man in his youth. With a full head of white shoulder length wavy hair, though thinned by age, and hard silver eyes, the Lord Black still cut an imposing figure with his black tailored suit with dark blue highlights. The cane he used to support himself didn’t deter his imposing presence, it even amplified it, what with the snarling dragon head carved at the top of it with two rubies serving as the eyes of the decoration.

 

"Yes. I can see it. You are Dorea’s grandson." Was the greeting Harry received whiteout preamble from the man

 

Harry paused, feeling confused since he didn’t spect to be greeted by those words.

 

"But you have the same stupid face of your grandfather when he was confused." Arcturus continued with a snort, amusement coloring his voice.

 

"Lord Black." Remus greeted the man with a brief deep inclination of the head, trying to bring the attention out of Harry so he could collect himself.

 

"Heir Lupin." Arcturus greeted back with a slight, almost imperceptible nod of the head.

 

"As you know, this is Harry Potter." Remus continued introducing Harry.

 

"Hello, Lord Black." Harry said, triying to imitate the deep but brief inclination of the head Remus did.

 

"I see we will need to work on your greetings." Lord Black said with a snort. "You don’t need to incline your head so deeply. We will try to teach you the basics you will need in what remains of summer." Harry blushed a little a his apparent blunder. "And you don’t need to call me Lord Black. Uncle or Arcturus will suffice, use what you are more comfortable with".

 

"Ok, Lo…Mr Arcturus." Harry replied. 'Mr. Lupin wasn’t this intimidating', Harry thought, thinking on the man they left behind at the orphanage.

 

"…. Well, its a start, I suppose." Arcturus said after a while, before retaking his seat and tuning to look at Ms. Tuft who was already seated and looking with amusement at the scene unfolding in front of her.

 

Taking this as their cue, Remus and Harry took the remaining seats in from of the desk with Harry in the middle of both men.

 

"Let’s start then." Said Ms. Tuft with a excited smile.

 

 

Notes:

Yep, it ends here. Dont worry, in the next chapter its explained what hapened with the lawyer.
I never planed on showing the contents of the will. Or the actual combersation with the lawyer.
I think it has been done to many times, and I really only wanted to show the fact that to get thinks done in this world its more complicated than just making a visit to gringotts and WHOALA!!, everithing solved.

Chapter 5: Gym Leader

Notes:

Disclaimor: Don't own Harry Potter or Pokémon. I only own the original characters and the original Pokémon

 

Madam Amelia Susan Bones, one of the Thirteen Pillars of Yggsill and member of Yggsill’s Elite Four, champion level trainer and Ground Type Pokémon master, and youngest person in archiving the head of the Law Enforcement Department position in Yggsill’s history, currently sat in her office, one of two with the other being located in the League’s Headquarters, inside the Government Building going through a stack of paperwork that never seemed to end.

 

A severe looking woman in her middle thirties, having been four years ahead of James and Lily Potter's generation at Hogwarts, she is one of the major role models for Yggsill’s young trainers. Known as being a just and honest woman and the strongest member of the elite four just below The Champion in strength, having received the title of ‘Gaia’s Justice’. Her square jaw, close-cropped silver hair and inclination to use a monocle, only served to intensify her severe looks and personality.

 

Her attention in the papers she was currently going through was interrupted when she heard a knock at her office’s door.

 

"Enter." Amelia called after a moment, putting down the papers.

 

The door opened to show the contrite face of her secretary, Leila.

 

"I’m sorry madam, but he insisted on seeing you." Leila said apologetically.

 

"Who…?." Amelia didn’t get to finish her question since the person who came, without a scheduled appointment, decided that he didn’t want to wait more.

 

Amelia was surprised to see who entered her office, though she made sure not to show it in her face.

 

"Madam Bones, we need to talk." Was the greeting she received from Lord Black the moment he entered her office.

 

Amelia didn’t respond immediately, opting instead to observe the visage of the old Lord and Gym Leader of the Fearhelm City Gym before turning slowly towards her secretary.

 

"Thank you Leila, you may go. Please, make sure that we are not disturbed".

 

"Of course, Chief." Leila said, using her title as Head of the department, before closing the door.

 

Turning back to Lord Black, she found him seated in one of the chairs at the other side of her desk.

 

" Please, take a seat." Amelia said using a sarcastic voice.

 

She received a smirk in response.

 

"You wouldn’t begrudge an old man his comforts, would you?. These bones are not what they were." Arcturus said with a placid voice, his smirk growing wider.

 

The two looked at each other in silence for a minute, before Amelia broke it with an uncharacteristic snort.

 

"What can I do for you Arcturus?." Amelia said with a more relaxed demeanor. Though still maintaining her serious personality.

 

As a response, Arcturus reached into the inner pocket of his suit jacket, with the hand not holding his cane, before withdrawing a stack of folded papers.

 

Reaching for the offered documents and unfolding them, the first thing Amelia took notice of was the title of said documents.

 

Last Will and Testament of Lord James Charlus Potter and Lady Lily Jade Potter née Evans.

 

"The ministry should receive a notice soon enough of the unsealing of the Wills." Arcturus said as casually as one talks about the weather.

 

"How did you manage to unseal them? You need the permission of the Wizengamott to do so, something I’m sure you didn’t receive. Unless…" Amelia trailed off, having connected the dots.

 

"I’ve had the pleasure of meeting quite the interesting young man today. Quite the helpful lad." Arcturus said with a pleased glint in his eyes, confirming her assumption. "He didn’t have a problem in parting with a legal copy of the documents".

 

"I see. And what do you want me to do with this?" Amelia asked while lifting the Will in the air.

 

"Why don’t you read it?. You are an intelligent woman, I’m sure you while figure it out".

 

Amelia narrowed her eyes and pinched her mouth at the Head of House Black, but decided to comply with the request after a moment. Arcturus was quite pleased when he saw the understanding in her face when she finished reading the papers.

 

"Indeed. I want my grandson out of Azkaban, and you are going to help me." Lord Black said, finishing his statement with loud tap of his cane in the floor. The rubies of the dragon head adorning the cane seemed to light up for a moment.

 

---

 

In one of the bedrooms of the Lupin's villa in the town of Ethos, an alarm clock was reaching eight in the morning ready to awaken the occupants of the room.

 

"Uuunngh!" Harry gave a displeased grunt at the alarm sound coming from the night side table.

 

Trying to reach the cursed thing was probing difficult thanks to the weight that Dante provided over him. The pup was still asleep, ignoring completely the ruckus caused by the alarm clock.

 

"Oh, come on!." Harry exclaimed because just as he was able to turn off the clock, the alarm of his PoryPhone started to ring. "Whose brilliant idea was it of setting two different alarms?." Harry grumbled to himself, ignoring the fact that he was the one with said brilliant idea.

 

"Good morning, it's five past eight in the morning. The forecast for the day indicates a clear sky. Local area temperatures are estimated at forty-three degrees. It’s recommended to stay at home, but if you have to go out please remember to use solar cream, drink water and cover your head." The robotic voice of Porygon-2 started to rattle information from his phone, finishing waking up the occupants of the room.

 

"Thanks, Pory." Harry said, interrupting the phone possessing Pokémon and suspending the dispositive.

 

Now siting in the bed, with Dante stretching after waking and Hedwig preening herself, Harry couldn’t help but smile looking at the room he was in. ‘His very own room’.

 

Having gone with Remus to see Harry’s family solicitors, Ms. Helen Tuft, to unleash his parents Will, Harry ended only needing to firm some papers to grant permission for executing the testament. Apparently, even though the Pokémon Journey Age has been elevated to that of sixteen and he can’t gain the official heir status of his family until he is thirteen, being eleven still grants some benefits. Unsealing the Will was one of those benefits. The testament basically consisted on a list of possible guardians and his parents naming him as their primary heir with some money and other miscellaneous going to other people.

 

Thanks to what’s written in the Will, though Harry needed to be explained what many of the things meant since much of it went over his head, they acquired proof of who was the actual responsible of guiding his parents murderer to them. It was quite the sock for Harry to learn that the man they wanted to liberate from prison is actually his godfather, Sirius Black. Something Harry felt latter stupid about since everyone knew who betrayed the Potters, so Harry felt he should have realized when he meet the Lord Black.

 

The visit to the solicitor finished with Harry granting permission for Lord Black, his great-uncle apparently, to receive an official copy of the Will to present as evidence to Madam Bones. And with Remus taking out some papers, that Mrs. Dourglass gave him before leaving the orphanage, so he could gain custody over him. Thanks to Remus being on the list of prospective guardians, and with the help of Ms. Tuft, Harry was now under Remus guardianship. And the Government can’t do anything about it.

 

Getting out of the bed Harry gave a happy twirl that he will deny to ever have done, ‘shut up Hedwig’, before stretching with a content hum. It actually have been five days since the visit to his lawyer and Harry coming to live with the Lupins. Harry was quite surprised to find a room already furnished and prepared for him. Apparently, Remus had the room ready since he was a baby and his parents died. He has been updating the room over the years to accommodate to Harry's age for when he could bring him home. There was much embarrassment and teary eyes for part of both of them after that revelation.

 

Harry has used these five days to actually acclimate to living in his new home. Luckily, the room, the same size as Remus’s, only needed some personal touches for it to feel truly his. The room is furnished with a big bed, not a double bed but almost, a bedside table, a built-in wardrobe, a desk and a little bookshelf. In one of the corners Harry put a perch they bought the day after he moved here for Hedwig, and a Pokémon bed was situated on the floor of the room for Dante, though he ignored it preferring to sleep with Harry.

 

Picking some clean clothes, Harry marched towards the door intending on taking a shower and start the day. But the plan was rudely interrupted when he opened said door.

 

"AaaaHhh!." Harry screamed, springing back from the face looking at him upside down at the other side of the door. "Oh, for… Gliscor!!." Harry exclaimed, glaring at the laughing Pokémon while putting a hand over his heart trying to calm himself.

 

Gliscor is one of Remus’s personal Pokémon, a member of his A Team. She also has the status of being the first Pokémon Remus captured, when she was a Gligar. Aqua, Remus’s Swamper, doesn’t count since she is his starter.

 

Though quite the caring Pokémon, a characteristic all of Remus’s Pokémon apparently share (and hadn’t it been a shock to receive a hug from a two meters tall, one eyed Garchomp when Remus presented his team to him?), Gliscor has got into the habit of trying to scare him every morning, to the laughter of the rest of the house inhabitants.

 

And talking about inhabitants.

 

"Shut it, Ned!." Harry hissed, sending a glare to the boy who was laughing outside of what used to be the guest room.

 

And hadn’t that been another surprise?. Harry and Remus returned to the orphanage to find that Mr. Lupin wanted to foster Ned, the two having connected more in the time they were alone waiting for Harry’s and Remus’s return. Apparently, having gym leader status came with Emergency Custody, so gym leaders are able to foster kids in case of a emergency. Of curse, a gym leader can decide to become a permanent guardian for a kid, though it’s rarely done. The only reason Remus wasn’t able to do this with Harry is because of who Harry is. The government wouldn’t have cared that much if Remus wanted to do the same with another kid of non noble status. Or that wasn’t the boy-who-lived.

 

"Sorry, sorry, but you should have seen your face." Ned said after calming himself.

 

Gliscor glided to stand by Ned’s side exporting a satisfied expression for a prank well done.

 

"Well done Gliscor. You got him good." Ned praised the Pokémon with a smile, who puffed up at the praise.

 

"Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up." Harry grumbled while heading to the bathroom.

 

Despite his apparent annoyance, Harry was really happy that Ned came to live with him. Harry couldn’t remember a time when Ned smiled so much. Live at White Warden Orphanage wasn’t really bad, the boys promised to visits after a teary goodbye, but having an actual family was something else. Though they still needed a ways to go before they became a real family. But Harry was optimistic about the future.

... 

"Good morning boys!." Lyall said when Harry and Ned arrived at the kitchen table, having been attracted by the smell of breakfast.

 

"Good morning Lyall." The boys said in unison. They still were growing accustomed to calling Mr. Lupin with such familiarity, but he insisted.

 

Sitting at the table with Lyall, the boys started to serve themself some bacon and toast. Dante settled himself with a plate of specially cooked Pokémon food, it apparently was one of the special recipes devised by the Lupins from their years of rearing canine Pokémon. Hedwig, for her part, flew outside the window to take a flight after snagging herself some pieces of bacon.

 

Just when they finished loading their plates Remus entered the kitchen with the morning newspaper on hand, having been helping the Gym Trainers and the employees at their ranch in serving the food to the Pokémons under their care.

 

"Good morning." Remus said with a smile. "Here you have the paper, dad".

 

"Good morning." Lyall, Harry and Ned responded in return. Dante was to engrossed with his food to pay attention.

 

"Thanks, son." Lyall continued, grabbing the offered newspaper from Remus.

 

The four passed breakfast in a comfortable silence until Remus spoke when they were almost finished.

 

"Would you two like to have a tour of the ranch and gym now that you are more settled?." Remus inquired.

 

"Really?, that would be great." Harry replied. Ned nodding his head excitedly in agreement, having his mouth full and being unable to talk.

 

The two started eating with more enthusiasm, trying to finish quicker.

 

"Relax boys, everything will be there for you to see no matter if you finish now or later. Enjoy your food, there’s no hurry." Remus said with a laugh.

 

Lyall observed the three interact with a smile over the paper. He was truly happy for his son, he appeared to have taken off much of his worries since Harry came to live with them. He was more relaxed and carefree. Although Lyall still observed some lingering tension that he knew wouldn’t disappear till Sirius was released from Azkaban.

 

---

 

Remus was guiding the boys through the grounds of the villa. The Lupins are considered a well off family. They don’t reach the monetary powers as to be considered rich, but they don’t have financial problems and live a comfortable live. This showed in the expanse of their property. The house of the villa, thought large, it’s one of the most modest between the gym leader families. The grounds of their property for their part are much larger, with only the Black, Potter and Longbottom families having a bigger expanse of terrain.

 

"Like we showed you the first day, we have quite the expanse of terrain." Remus started explaining. "The actual yard of the house is the fenced perimeter we just passed through. Right now we actually are in The Ranch. Here make their homes the Pokémon of the gym and the Canine Pokémon we train for the special services".

 

Having walked some distance from the house they were reaching a big, really big, one story building.

 

"Here’s what we call The Kennel. I’ve never liked the name." Remus said with a grimace, rubbing the back of his head. "Like you can see, this part is replete of exercise machines and obstacle courses geared for canine Pokémon." Remus continued, encompassing a big area in front of the building.

 

Dante perked at seeing the installations, and grew excited at seeing Moony and Padfoot going through the courses while playing with each other

 

"They are not supposed to be used like that." Remus muttered to himself, shaking his head with a fond but exasperated expression.

 

Dante whined at Harry, waving his short tail in excitement. Harry laughed at the pup, before giving him a nod of consent. Dante didn’t need more to join the older Pokémon in their fun.

 

The area looked almost like a dog park but much more specialized. This part of The Ranch had a lot of vegetation, mora than you would expect from a dessert area.

 

"How come there is so much plant live here? Even the town has a lot of vegetation." Harry asked while observing the Pokémon play with each other.

 

Harry found that strange from the start since he came to live with Remus. Harry knew from school that the Cobreigen dessert was an arid desert devoid of vegetation but for the occasional cacti. The only way to find actual plant life was by finding an oasis.

 

"Well, the fact that we are at the coast helps to mitigate the effects of the dessert." Remus started. "That, and the fact that one of the gym’s responsibilities is to control the dessert expansion, helps to sustain the plant life. Of course, cacti, palm trees and the other desert plants are actually indigenous of here. The other plants, however, are the work of our Grass Pokémon".

 

"Grass Pokémon?." Ned asked this time.

 

"Hm-Hm." Remus hummed in affirmation while nodding with his head. "We own some Grass Type Pokémons. They help alongside our Ground Types in preventing the desert on swallowing the town whole. But, like I said, being in the coast helps a lot".

 

They observed the surroundings and the Pokémons a little more before heading inside the building, letting the three canines playing outside.

 

'Remus was right, calling this place a kennel is an insult', Harry thought.

 

Having passed first thought a reception area, the three humans found themselves on a spacious hall filled by playing Pokémons with employees keeping an eye out for them. The area was a mirror with the dog park of outside, but the kids noted that it looked more like a play area than for specialized training. The walls of the hall were dotted by ‘rooms’ of different sizes and constructions that Harry assumed was where the Pokémon sleep. None of them had a door of any kind to block the entrance to the rooms. Many of them appeared to be somewhat buried, making them look like burrows.

 

"Whow. There’s so many." Ned whispered, looking excitedly at all the playing Pokémons.

 

"Are those burrows?." Harry asked. Pointing at some of the buried rooms.

 

"Ahahaha! Everyone says that when they first enter here." Remus said with a laugh. "They are actually designed to imitate fox holes and wolfs dens. The Vulpix lines, the Nikit line and such Pokémons are really fond of the fox holes. The wolfs dens are, for their parts, appreciated by Pokémon like the Poochyena and Elektrike Lines. Moony also likes them, so I suppose the Rockruff line also likes to sleep in wolfs dens".

 

"You suppose?." Harry inquired.

 

"Like I said when we meet in Levahner, Moony was the only one of his line until recently to live in Yggsill." Remus said while shrugging his shoulders before continuing. "There are actually three more sleeping rooms like this ones." Remus said while pointing to the doors at the left and right walls of the room, but not at the one in the wall in front of them. "Many of the Pokémons species we train are aggressive to one another before being trained out of it, so we put them in sleeping rooms with the species they are, at least, passive towards. The two known Vulpix lines can’t stand each other for example".

 

"Really?." Ned asked surprised. Harry also looked at Remus with a surprised expression.

 

"Really." Remus answered, smiling at them.

 

Remus started lo lead them through the facilities, introducing them to people and Pokémon alike. Passing through a short corridor behind the door Remus didn’t indicate as leading to the other sleeping rooms, they reached another room with exercise machines and obstacle curses. Though this one was as professional looking as the one outside.

 

"This, is the central training room. We use it when the weather don’t allows for the use of the one outside, or our employees don’t want to brave the heat." Remus said with humor coloring his voice. "And for the Pokémons that aren’t acclimated to live in this weather like the Alolan Vulpix or the Vaporeon and Glaceon eeveelutions." He finished explaining.

 

They observed some employers actively training some Pokémons. Making them go trough the obstacle curses, and some even practicing their moves in some dummies.

 

"All the Pokémons go through this training?." Ned asked with a till of his head.

 

"All of them, yes. The ones going to the armed forces are the most intensely trained this way, but the ones that aren’t do this too. Don’t forget that all of them are Pokémon. No matter how little they care for battling or getting strong, they all have a modicum of desire to gain strength." Remus said. "But the majority of the time, like I said, you will see using these installations Pokémons going to the police or the military force. The Pokémons training to be Guide Pokémon are the next to use them most, with the exception of the training dummies." He explained while nodding towards one of the employees that had a blindfold over his eyes while he was being guided by a Boltund through an obstacle curse, another employee was observing the progress while taking notes.

 

"You train dogs too?" Harry asked, having spotted another employee going trough the same training as the one with the Boltund, but with a Labrador.

 

Harry found himself surprised that Ned have been right in stating that the Lupins also trained dogs the day Remus and Lyiall came to the orphanage. It’s not that he doubted Ned, but more the fact that it was really, really, rare for a Trainers Family to take interest in animals.

 

"We do." Remus said in affirmation. "We train them to be guides and comfort animals for the hospitals".

 

"How so?." Harry asked looking at Remus.

 

Remus gave a little sad sigh, before turning to the boys that sensed a more serious disposition to his mannerism.

 

"Boys, you have to understand something." He started seriously. "Not everyone likes Pokémon. Though humans and Pokémons have learned to coexist in almost harmony, they have monster as part of their name for a reason. Many of the people that need the help of guide dogs or comfort animals, needs them for having been part of a Pokémon attack. After that experience, many develop a fear of them." Remus stated, the way he explained it seemed to indicate that he talked for personal experience. Like he had been one of the people afraid of Pokémon. "Others just have Pokephobia and can’t even be in the presence of a Pokémon. The League tries to help these people to overcome their fear, but many can’t".

 

"So you train dogs to help the people that fear Pokémon." Harry stated.

 

"Exactly." Remus affirmed. "Of course, training Pokémons and dogs is only part of what we do here".

 

Remus started to guide them outside of The Kennel while continuing with his explanation.

 

"Another of our obligations as a Gym is the rehabilitation and rescue of Pokémon. Though in this case, it applies to canine Pokémons and ground type Pokémons alike. We also help in the rescue and rehabilitation of dogs, but this we do by ourselves".

 

They reached outside the building and started to walk through the ranch in the opposite direction towards the gym. Moony, Padfoot and Dante joined them in their trek after seeing them exit the building. While they walked, they passed by many Pokémons that belonged to the gym doing their own things.

 

"You keep mentioning these gym obligations, what are they?." Harry asked with a certain urgency that he tried to disguise.

 

Remus sent Harry an assessing look, and looked like he wanted to say something but thought better of it. There was something in Harrys voice that picked at Remus mind. Instead he decided to respond to Harry’s inquire.

 

"Every Gym Leader have a set of obligations assigned to them by the league. There are four that every gym shares don’t matter if they are part of the big eight or not. ‘A gym leader must assess any Trainer that challenges the gym if they are registered for one of the circuits of the local region’, ‘A gym leader must protect their designed location, by it a settlement or an area of the Region’, ‘A gym leader must help in the protection of their region, being considered as part of the armed forces’, ‘The gym must aid in the training of Pokémons for the League forces, said Pokémons will fall under the specialization of the Gym’".

 

"Circuits?/ What does all that mean?." Ned and Harry talked over each other.

 

Remus lifted a hand to stall the question.

 

"Let me finish." Remus gave them a look. Both boys blushed, giving him sheepish looks. "The first one I think is easy to understand." Both boys nodded their heads. "But answering Ned question, the circuits refer to the different types of gym challenges. The one shown on television and that culminates in The League Tournament its the one anyone who has a License to be a trainer can participate in, but there are two more. The ACE Circuit and the Elite Circuit. For the both of them, the trainer first needs to pass an exam done by The League to qualify. In the normal circuit, trainers only need to collect eight badges from the gyms of the region, by it from the big eight or the secondary gyms. Though only the trainers that get all their badges from the big eight can enter the League Tournament without going trough a preliminary round. For their part, in the ACE Circuit and Elite Circuit a trainer must challenge and receive the approval of all the gyms of the region who can offer Pokémon Battles at ACE and Elite levels. These circuits are actually a test for the trainer to ascend to the ACE and Elite ranks".

 

"Oh, I didn’t know that." Harry said almost to himself with a pensive frown.

 

"Me neither. They didn’t teach us that in school." Ned added his own thoughts to Harry’s.

 

"I’m not surprised. Although its something of general knowledge for experienced trainers, its really not something that you would learn about if you don’t go to try and become a gym leader yourself".

 

The boys mulled over the information for a while before Harry interrupted the silence.

 

"You said that the ACE and Elites must challenge the gyms that offer battles on that level. How many are there that do?." Harry inquired.

 

Remus noted again something in Harry. He was starting to have an inkling of what it was about, but decided to address it later.

 

"Well, Yggsill has a total of fifteen registered gyms, but only fourteen are active." The soft look Remus sent Harry was the only thing he needed to know which was the inactive gym. "All of them offer the ACE level battles and can participate in the ACE level circuit. It’s actually the minimum expected, after all to be a gym leader the person must be in the ACE level themselves as a minimum. The Elite level its only offered by eleven of the gyms".

 

"It’s your family’s gym part of the eleven that do?." Ned asked curiously.

 

"We are, actually." Remus answered, a little smile playing on his lips.

 

"Really? Those that means that you are a Elite Level trainer?." Harry asked excitedly.

 

"Yep." Remus responded with some pride in his voice and his smile broadening, before a thought struck him. "Wait, do you even know what that means?".

 

"In the least." Harry and Ned answered together with a chipper voice, enjoying the facepalm their respond elicited from Remus.

 

The barks of laughter coming form the three Pokémon beside them didn’t help Remus feelings at all.

 

"Only Champion level trainers are considered more powerful than the Elites." Remus explained with a sigh. "Well, moving onto the rest of the responsibilities of a gym." He continued, getting the topic on track. "The last three are also self explanatory really. The Gym Leaders are part of the armed forces of the region, so we are expected, and bound, to help in its protection. We are the protectors of the cities and towns we live in, we can even be assigned the protection of an entire area of the region. We Lupins are in charge of the protection of the Cobreigen Dessert, though we have the help of the Bones family, for example. As part of the armed forces, if the region is under attack, or we are at war, we are bound to serve. The training of Pokémon of our specialized types is another way to help. We train them to be later given as partners to trainers of the ACE and Ranger Corps and the Police and Military force after all. Of course, all of this also means that we are the first responses in case of emergencies like fires, earthquakes, and other such things".

 

"Whoa…"

 

Remus couldn’t help but smile a little bashfully at the amazed look they know exported when looking at him. Moony was puffing his chest in pride under a similar look for Dante, who understood what it means for Moony to be part of Remus personal team, while Padfoot rolled her eyes at her mate.

 

"Of course, gym leaders can acquire other responsibilities if they want. The training of canine Pokémon, and their rescue and rehabilitation alongside of ground types, is something that’s classified as under our jurisdiction by the League and we are recompensed for it. But we actually don’t need to do it if we didn’t want to. You will find that many of the gym leaders and their families do similar things." Remus finished explaining. And just in time, since they have reached the Gym building.

 

From where they came from, they actually reached the back of the gym. The kids knew from the quick tour of the first day that if they circle the building they couldn’t reach the front entrance, since they would find the low walls that delimit the Lupins Ranch. But they could still appreciate the big building. Like most of Ethos’s buildings, the gym was constructed with beige, almost white, stones. Designed for dessert climate, tough the town didn’t need to fear from sand storms, the gym has an open corridor surrounding it that is only interrupted for the walls of the ranch. The pointed arches that serve as an entrance to said corridor dote the length of it and support to the weight of the floor above. The door that gave entrance to the gym in this side of the building wasn’t as ornate as the one in the front of the gym, this one being a simple door under the ceiling created by the floor above.

 

"Now, the gym isn’t really that interesting. It’s just a battlefield with stands surrounding it. The only thing its has going one, are the rooms in the top floor for visiting trainers, and two floors below us that are for the rehabilitation of the Pokémon we rescue. And that I’m not going to show you." Remus said, giving them a pointed look to stop their protest. "I was thinking instead of teaching you two on training Pokémon, what do you think?".

 

Harry and Ned nodded excitedly, forgetting their protests at not being shown the floors below the gym.

 

"Great. Harry, call Hedwig." Remus said while heading to the door.

 

"Call Hedwig? But she is… What the?." Harry exclaimed when Hedwig landed on his shoulder with a smug look.

 

————————————————————

 

 

Finding himself in the battlefield of the gym with Dante and Hedwig in front of him while they were being watched by Ned and Remus with his entire team, Harry activated his PoryPhone and entered the Pokédex App at Remus prompting.

 

"When training Pokémon you must know what you are working with. The Pokédex are a great help in this, they will tell you a little information about your Pokémons species, and the characteristics of your Pokémon in particular. The moves they possess are one of the most important information the device can give you." Remus said, before nodding to Harry’s Pokémon. "Now, just point your phone to Dante or Hedwig. The device will scan them without needing you to do more".

 

"Okey." Harry nodded before doing just that.

 

'Murkrow

The Darkness Pokemon

A dual Dark and Flying type Pokémon, Murkrows are said to be bringers of bad luck, considered to be a bad omen to see one at night. This reputation actually comes from their propensity of luring travelers that come to close to their nests into getting lost.

This Pokémon has a fascination with shiny objects, bringing them to their secret locations. They have a rivalry with Meowth, the two Pokémon species being known to loot one another’s stashes. If a Murkrow gives a person a shiny object as a present, it means that they are fond of that person.

This Murkrow is female and ten weeks old.

This Murkrow is registered as Hedwig under the Hogwarts Pokémon Trainer Harry J.Potter.

Known Moves : Peck, Astonish and Pursuit

Egg Move : Brave Bird (Locked)'

Ability: Moxie

 

"Oohh, not bad. Thats a really good egg move." Remus said impressed. "But you must be very careful when using it after unlocking it. That move is as powerful as it is dangerous." Remus said seriously, giving a severe look at Harry and Hedwig.

 

The two nodded at Remus. Harry committed the warning to memory while giving his own praise to Hedwig alongside of the rest of the occupants of the gym.

 

"Now you, Dante." Harry said after a while, pointing the phone to the pup.

 

'Houndour

The Dark Pokémon

A dual Dark and Fire type Pokémon, Houndours are now for traveling in packs leaded by Houndoom. They communicate with other members of their pack trough the use of different barks that helps them in coordinating when hunting and expressing their feelings.

This Houndour is male and eleven weeks old.

This Houndour is registered as Dante under the Hogwarts Pokémon Trainer Harry J.Potter.

Known Moves : Leer, Ember and Howl

Egg Move : Thunder Fang ( Locked)

Ability: Early Bird

Note : This Houdour is identified as having the leucism gene.'

 

"Ooohh, Thunder Fang! That will be great to deal with your weakness to water types." Harry said excitedly to Dante.

 

"Inded, thats a good egg move for a Houndour to have." Remus added.

 

Dante barked happily at the praise, puffing off his chest in pride while waving his tail like mad. Moony and Padfoot also praised him alongside Aqua, Gliscor, Claydol and Donphan. Garchomp and Krookodile couldn’t help but tease him a little instead, making Dante bark at them in indignation. This only made the two reptiles tease him more, to the amusement of Gliscor and Hedwig, until Acua intervened on Dantes behalf.

 

The three human chuckled at the Pokémon antics, until something clicked on Harry’s mind.

 

"Wait!." Harry exclaimed, bringing the attention to himself again. "What the heck is leucism?".

 

"Ah, I was wondering that. You see, I’ve noticed that Dante didn’t present the typical discomfort at being exposed to sunlight as an albino would. The Pokédex just confirmed my suspicions." Remus said, a hand on his chin in thought while looking at Harry’s PoryPhone over his shoulder.

 

This gained the attention of the rest of the occupants of the gym.

 

"He is not an Albino then? But he even have red eyes, and Houndours are known to have dark brown or black ayes." Ned said, looking from Remus to Dante with a questioning tilt of the head.

 

Dante sat on his hunches and also tilted his head, paying attention to the conversation.

 

"Its rare, but Houndour can also have red eyes like the ones they gain when they evolve." Remus explained. "The fact that the Pokédex said that he has leucism indicates that he must have inherited the eyes from one of his parents. Leucism is like a less severe case of Albinism. It can manifest as a total lack of pigments or just in patches trough the body, but the eyes are never affected. It also differs in the fact that an individual with leucism doesn’t have the same problems with sunlight, and light in general really, as an individual with albinism does. Thought its really rare to be present on mammals, its much more common on avians".

 

"Oohh." The kids said. Dante making a similar sound of understanding before looking at himself.

 

Remus clapped his hands before continuing speaking.

 

"Now, I believe i promised some training. And what better start than a battle to see what Dante and Hedwig can do?." Remus said.

 

Harry and his two Pokémon perked immediately at the prospect.

 

"A battle?! I’m in." Harry said excitedly.

 

"Great, you will go against Ned".

 

"Me? I don’t have any Pokémon!." Ned exclaimed.

 

"Yes, you have." Remus said.

 

Remus went to the trainer’s box used by the Gym Leader before pressing some bottoms in a panel attached to the fence delimiting the box. A pair of PokéBalls were presented to him from a hidden panel.

 

"These ones were recently sent to use by the League for training. They hadn’t participated in any battles with us, and are on the same strength level as Hedwig and Dante." Remus said, passing the PokéBalls to Ned. "They are not yours, but they should listen to you. Its the first thing we train them into. After all, they will be given to someone else when their training is complete".

 

Ned looked in wonder at the PokéBalls in his hand. Ned tossed the PokéBalls in the air excitedly, releasing the Pokémon.

 

The two Pokémons materialized with a cry, before quickly quieting down and taking a step back at seeing the powerful Pokémon present in the room. Remus’s Pokémon where actually quite intimidating, all of them exported scars on their bodies to some degree, though Moony’s are hidden beneath his fur. This only intensified the powerful feeling they gave. In Pokémon Battles its really rare, almost unheard off but in accidents, for a Pokémon to gain injuries severe enough to leave scars since the moves are done with the intention of debilitating and tire out the opposite Pokémon instead of to injure and do harm. For Remus’s team to have so many scars indicates that they not only know how to do sanctioned Pokémon Battles, but that they also know how to fight in real battles.

 

All of their scars give credence to Remus and his team involvement in the war as fighters. The two young Pokémon can also feel that experience.

 

"Sandshrew and Mudbray. Don’t bother scanning them Harry, the Pokédex wont inform us of their moves since they aren’t yours." Remus said. "The two are really young, Sandshew only knows Scratch, Defense Curl and Sand Attack while Mudbray knows Mud-Slap, Mud Sport and Bulldoze." Remus explained to Ned. "Now, let’s start".

 

Remus gave another clap of his hands.

 

 

 

Notes:

I know, I know, we all wanted a Pokémon Battle. But I really want Harry's first (written) battle to be an actual fight and not a trainig battle.
Even so, I hope you people liked the chapter. It was more information than anithing else, but I wanted to show that being a Gym Leader entails more than just battling chalengers.
And, YEP! Ned came to live with the Lupins too. I din't plan it, it just happened. What can I say? I grew attached to him.

Chapter 6: A Prisoner and a Null.

Notes:

Disclaimor: Don't own Harry Potter or Pokémon. I only own the original characters and the original Pokémon

 

 

Azkaban Prison. Considered to be the foulest and most dangerous prison of the known regions, it breaks so many of the Saffron Conventions that it just should have been demolished. But the Yggsill government have been denying every attempt to have the prison shutdown.

 

Located on a remote island in the middle of a raging sea at the northwest of Yggsill, Azkaban stands as an imposing square tower of black stone wrapped in a continuous storm. Dark figures shrouded in shadows float around the prison. A small yacht with the Police Force of Yggsill's logo painted on its side approach the small pier of the island.

 

"We will reach the docks in two minutes Chief Bones, Commander Moody." The Police Officer navigating the vessel informed the two high ranking officials.

 

"You hear the man, you lazy asses!. I want every one of you with your bracelets on and activated. The person who forgets to wear theirs wont need to worry about training anymore, as you will be dead. Azkaban guards will guarantee it." Alastor Moody said with a sinister grin that disfigured his already scarred face more than usual.

 

"Yes, commander!." The ten voices of the other officers said in unison before putting on said bracelets and turning them on.

 

The bracelets gave a faint blue-white glow that gives a warm feeling, chasing away some of the oppressing gloom of Azkaban Island.

 

"Where are yours? Commander, Chief." A young police recruit ventured to ask timidly.

 

"Don’t worry, we don’t need them." Amelia Bones said before Moody could respond with a snarky reply.

 

Amelia lifted her hand, were a faint glow of the same blue-white color as the bracelets started to emanate from her palm.

 

…

 

"I hate this place." Amelia said quietly after eyeing one of the shadowed figures floating around the prison while approaching the looming doors of the fortress.

 

Amelia really hates this place. She alongside many of the League officials, like The Champion himself, have tried to shut the prison down many times. Regretfully, Minister Fudge won’t hear anything about it and his lackeys made it much more difficult, if possible, to convince him. The Lords and Ladies of the Wizengamot are no better. They need a seventy percent vote in favor of closing the prison, and every time someone brings the matter up they are lucky to acquire a fifty percent of the votes.

 

Amelia, Moody and five of the officers were approaching the building while being pelted by rain. The rest of the officers were left behind warding the yacht.

 

"Why did you decide to come then?." Moody asked while limping alongside her. His cane, more like a staff, and fake leg giving a rhythmic tapping sound against the floor. His massive and scarred Arcanine prowled beside him.

 

Amelia turned her head to look at him. His grim expression and wildly spinning mechanical eye, told her what she needed to know of how he also fells about being here.

 

"This is too important for me not to be present. You?".

 

Moody didn’t respond immediately. When they passed through the doors into the prison, Amelia assumed that he wouldn’t answer just for him to do so moments later.

 

"He was one of mine. One of the best the department had to offer alongside James Potter and the Longbottoms. I trained him myself, and I didn’t even give him the decency to make sure he got a trial. I own him to at least escort him out of this hellhole".

 

They made the rest of the way in silence. Ascending stairs and passing through hallways while hearing the cries and moans of the inmates, being observed all the time by the red eyes of the shadowed figures that patrolled the halls. The only reason why they weren’t being attacked by them being their only source of light, the bracelets of the officers and the lights emanating from the hands of Amelia and Moody.

 

The group grew worried when they grew near their destination. It was the only cell that didn’t emit any sound.

 

Reaching the door, Amelia and Moody shared a troubled look before Amelia signaled to one of the Officers to open the door. Their worry turned to surprise when said door was opened.

 

"About damn time." A raspy voice from disuse said.

 

There, siting on the floor with his legs crossed like he were meditating, was a haggard figure with unkept prematurely silver streaked black hair and beard. The focused, and almost angry, look on his silver eyes showing that he wasn’t afflicted by the madness that plagued the rest of the prisoners. Not completely at least.

 

In that moment the group knew that the only thing keeping Sirius Black from escaping was the glowing bracelet he was wearing that serves, not only as somewhat of a deterrent from the shadowed figures like the ones they were using themselves, but also as a suppressant for his Aura Powers.

 

"Some time no see, Moody." Sirius said, giving his former mentor a look. "Now, are you getting me out of here or what?".

 

---

 

"You need to talk to Harry, son. He is going to Hogwarts in three days and you hadn’t told him." Lyall told his son with an admonishing but gentle tone

 

"I know, I know. I was planing to have a talk with him about something else that have been bothering me, but I can also bring that up." Remus said with defeated sight, putting down the book he has been reading.

 

It has been almost a month since the boys came to live with them, and it has been some of the happiest moments of Remus's live since the war ended. But he couldn’t but notice an almost desperate behavior from Harry when it comes to anything gym related. He was worried. Much more so after Ned talked with him about Harry. Ned having noticed Harry’s behavior too.

 

Lyall and Remus were sitting in the living room enjoying some quiet time. Remus’s team, Moony and Padfoot included, where out in the grounds patrolling the ranch. Ned was in The Kenner helping, read playing, with a litter of Snubbulls while Harry was on his room with Dante and Hedwig reading a book about the noble families that Lord Black gave him in his last visit.

 

"Oh, son. You know you don’t have to worry about how Harry will react. He is an amazing kid. I’m sure his opinion of you won’t change if you tell him".

 

Remus gave his father a small smile.

 

"I’m pretty sure he will be more disappointed that the big secret wasn’t that you were a werewolf or something like that with how much you have been procrastinating on telling him." Lyall couldn’t help but tease Remus.

 

"What the..? Dad, where has that come from?." Remus spluttered before laughing at what his father said.

 

"That was what Ned said when I told him." Lyall responded unapologetically, with a shrug of his shoulders and humor dancing on his eyes.

 

"Ned knows?." Remus asked.

 

"Hm-Hm." Lyall nodded." I told him when he asked. I’m not ashamed of what you are, or where if you want to get technical, and you shouldn’t be either." Lyall said sending a glare at Remus to quiet any protests from his part. "And don’t forget that he is my responsibility, so while I wont tell anything to Harry until you do, it was my job to tell Ned if he asked. And you know what? He didn’t care. And don’t worry, I made him promise not to tell Harry".

 

"He didn’t care?." Remus asked quietly.

 

"Of course he didn’t. He is a good kid, just like Harry. He was more impressed than anything after I explained everything to him." Lyall said, reassuring his boy. Though a teasing smile appeared latter on his face. "Of course, that was after the disappointing of you not being a magical creature".

 

Remus groaned, leaning his head back against the backrest of the couch.

 

---

 

It has been a month since Harry came to live to his new home, and things seemed to have settled after the tour Remus gave the boys. All the members of their little family have started to learn the boundaries between each other and now they really started to resemble a family in their interactions. It helped that all of them were eager to make things work.

 

The boys also found a routine to follow. Ned and Harry would join Remus in his morning exercise and training, of not only his Pokémon but of themselves too. Apparently, it is really important for a trainer to be in good shape. Not necessarily be a mass of muscles, but a trainer should always have good stamina. Although both boys joined him, Harry was the more enthusiastic about the training. After that, they would help Remus and Lyall in their duties before doing their own thing. Ned, the dog lover that he is, would spend all his time in The Kennel if Remus, Lyall or Harry let him to his own devises. Harry for his part, would spend his time with his Pokémon going over training methods or drawing on his new Sketchbooks that Remus brought him. His favorite subjects to draw being the Pokémon living in the grounds of the Lupins and his own companions. Hedwig being very happy of being a model for his drawings.

 

Regretfully, all couldn’t be fun and games. Lord Arcturus, or Uncle Arcturus like he wanted Harry to call him as, is a man of his word and, like he promised, has been teaching Harry a crash curse of the things he needed to know about being a noble and what was expected of him so he wouldn’t embarrass himself. Although tedious, and a little stupid if you asked Harry, it was informative. For example, Harry now new that Remus, when they first meet Lord Black in the Law Firm, should have bowed in greeting since he is the heir to a family of a much lower status, but that he made the deep nod of his head instead because he has permission from the Lord Black, and the Lupins and Blacks are in somewhat of an informal alliance in regards to Harry and Sirius.

 

Ned didn’t get out of having to study either. Lyall was able to get him a spot in the entrance exam for Brightmindton High, the second best High School of the region after Hogwarts. Much to their chagrin since their primary school is considered the best. Lyall is friends with Brian Storm, the Headmaster of the school, and was able to get a spot as a favor. But Ned still has to study to pass the exam and enter the school, so Lyall has been helping him through a lot of study to make sure he does. Now they were waiting for the results, having been four days since he did the exam. Harry joined him in studying too, at the start he only did it as moral support but after seeing how truly behind he is in his education, Harry decided to take it seriously. He really doesn’t want to embarrass himself at Hogwarts.

 

Harry was lying on his bed, with Dante napping next to him, reading the book Uncle Arcturus gave him in his last class. Hedwig was reading over his shoulder, more like Harry was reading to her aloud, while being perched on the headboard of the bed.

 

"… unification of Yggsill by King Arthur Pendragon in the year 868 a.A (after Arceus). Two years latter, in 870 a.A, King Arthur and his twelve companions, known as The Knights of the Round Table, formed what is, as of this moment, known as the oldest Pokémon League. The Yggsill League is known to be where the rest of the regions based their own Leagues (Read Pokémon Leagues and their Origin, By Prf.Eustas Bagshot for more information)." Harry read while pointing his finger where he was going for the benefit of Hedwig, who seems to be trying to learn to read to the amusement of Harry. "The twelve knights where Lord Merlin Emrys, Lord Corvus Black, Lady Anastasia Carrow, Lord Ulrik Longbottom, Lord Thiverius Nott, Lord Silviu Shacklebolt, Lady Isolde Greengrass, Lord Evander Yaxley, Lady Briana Bones, Lord Calder Peverell, Lord Doran Selwyn and Lord Amos Ollivander. Them, alongside King Arthur, put the foundations of The League and are known as The Original Thirteen Pillars." Harry read on, being able to math some of the names on the list with many of the current Gym Leaders and Elite Four members. "Records of the time show that it was three years after the founding of The League, 873 a.A, when The Thirteen decided to change the hierarchy and classification of the nobility. It was with this change that the noble families started to be known as, in order of most important to least: Most Ancient and Noble; Ancient and Noble; Noble; and Ancient".

 

Hedwig cawed at this point, before ruffling his feathers and signaling with her beak to a previous passage of the text. Understanding that she wanted Harry to read from that point again because she got lost in the reading, Harry did so with a little smile and amazement that it looked like she really was learning to read. 'She is so intelligent, Pokémon are really amazing', Harry thought to himself in wonder.

 

" … The term ancient, at that moment, had another meaning of what we understand the word to refers as today." Harry continued from where he let on after rereading the part Hedwig wanted. "The use of the term Ancient was a reference to The Ancient Ones ( Read The Lost Cultures, by Cynthia Celestic and Biena Mors for information about The Ancient Ones ), a term of respect used to refer to the most knowledgeable of individuals and masters of their crafts and disciplines. From the scripts and records of the time, we understand that they decided to use the term because they considered themselves Masters of their crafts, in this case Pokémon Masters (More about this in Chp.6)." Harry paused here. "Thats a little presumptive." Hedwig gave a small caw of agreement. "Anyway, where was I…? After the centuries, the term gained its modern significance. Now, a Noble family can gain the status of Ancient if a number of years have come to pass. In this case, five hundred years must pass from the founding of a new noble family for them to be considered as candidates of ascending to the title of Ancient and Noble. But other methods of ascension related to the original meaning are still present. The better known is the fact that someone archiving the title of Gym Leader, Elite Four or Champion, no matter their origin, will gain the title of Ancient for their family. In later chapters (Chp.5) we will explain how a House can ascend in the hierarchy and a family gain noble status, but first lest talk about the Most Ancient and Noble Families".

 

Harry sat straighter in his bed, knowing that the knew chapter contained information about his family according to Uncle Arcturus. Turning the page, Harry read the title of the new chapter before starting it.

 

"… Of the original Most Ancient and Noble families, only ten are active to this day which two extinct and one dormant. Originally, the Most Ancient and Noble Families where composed of twelve houses with the Royal House classified as the Most Ancient and Royal Family. But with the death whiteout heirs of Queen Requiell VI Pendragon in the year 1791 a.A (After Arceus), the Wizengamott decided to absorb the title of the royal family into the ranks of The Most Ancient and Noble Families.(More about this in Chp.7)." Harry frowned at that. 'I will have to ask Uncle Arcturus to explain that to me', Harry pondered to himself. "The House of Emrys for its part went extinct forty years after the founding of The League, while the house of Peverell went dormant after the Dragon Wars of 1471-83 a.A (Read The End of Dragons, by Lord Leotre Blackthorn for information), six hundred and one years after the founding of The League. No records have been found about the Peverell House that indicates who should have inherited the titles to this day".

 

"While nothing could be done to replace the House of Peverell, the House of Emrys is another matter. Since its death, the Wizengamott has been trying to find a new House to take its place. But the Most Ancient and Noble Families, who have the last say, never agreed on the issue. The same continued after the absorption of the royal family with now being two houses in need of replacements".

 

"For a Noble Family to archive the title of Most Ancient and Noble, all the current active members of the rank must agree on welcoming the families into the ranks. This didn’t happen till the end of The Second Regional War, or Grindelwald’s War, in the year 2045 a.A (Read Grindewald: Why, What and How? By Bathilda Bagshot and The Great Conflict: War and its Repercussions by Bathilda Bagshot and Galena Celestic for information on the topic). With the heroics and accomplishments of Lord Charlus Potter… Hey thats grandfather!." Harry said excitedly, focusing more on the reading. Even Hedwig sharpened her gaze on the book, and Dante wake up from his nap showing that he has been paying some attention to Harry’s reading. "…heir presumptive of the then Ancient and Noble House of Potter and Reginald Yaxley, son of the then Ancient and No…." A knock on his room door interrupted Harry’s reading, much to Hedwig’s and Dantes’s indignation.

 

Giving a sight, Harry put the book down on his bedside table.

 

"And just when it was getting interesting." Harry muttered before raising his voice. "Enter".

 

"Hello, Harry. Can we talk?." Remus said while poking his head through the doorframe.

 

"Yea, sure." Harry replied.

 

Harry crossed his legs while watching Remus enter his room. Hedwig flew to her perch, seeing that her reading time have been cut short, while Dante went to greet Remus, receiving a scratch behind the ear.

 

Remus sat on the edge of the bed.

 

"Cub, we need to talk." Remus said after a moment.

 

"Okey..?." Harry asked, unsure what this was about.

 

Giving a cough and steeling himself, Remus continued.

 

"I would like to talk about two things. Harry, I…" Remus gave a sight before prowling on. "Harry, you know you can do whatever you want, right?".

 

"What?." Harry exclaimed with a confused expression.

 

"Harry, I’ve notice that you seem almost desperate to learn anything to do with being a Gym Leader. I wanted to bring it up sooner, but I thought it was my imagination until Ned talked to me the other day." Remus said, giving Harry a soft look. "He said that you were acting very similar as when you first came to live at the orphanage. Doing everything you thought was expected of you so you could comply with everyones expectations of you".

 

"What? No, I’m not..." Harry sputtered.

 

"Aren’t you?." Remus interrupted. "Harry, since I gave you the tour, the gym and the responsibilities of a gym leader are the things you research the most. And not in a healthy way. It seems to be the only thing you want to do if it wasn’t for your Pokémon." Remus finished, nodding in Hedwig’s and Dante’s direction.

 

Dante whined at Remus’s words, putting his head on Harry’s lap. Harry looked down at Dante, petting him to try to calm himself.

 

"Everyone is going to expect me too take over my families gym." Harry said quietly after a moment of silence.

 

"Toss whatever expectations people have of you, Harry." Remus said softly while putting a finger under Harry’s chin and lifting his face. "You don’t have to do or be anything you don’t want. You are only eleven, you don’t have to decide what you want to be in the future. Much less if you decide it because you think its expected of you, okey?." Remus finished while stroking his hair affectionately.

 

Harry couldn’t help but smile at Remus words while unconsciously leaning into the caress, enjoying the affectionate gesture. Something he is still getting accustomed to receiving so freely and openly.

 

"Okey." Harry replied. "… You wouldn’t be disappointed if I didn’t want to take over my families gym?." Harry couldn’t help but ask.

 

"No, Harry, I wouldn’t. I will support you in anything you want to do, if it makes you happy." Remus said earnestly.

 

Harry smiled at the answer, feeling like if a weight that had been there since he learned that he was The Harry Potter had been lifted from his shoulders.

 

"What if I wanted to kill someone?." Harry asked teasingly,

 

Remus snorted. 'As morbid as James', Remus thought.

 

"I would help you hide the body." Remus played along.

 

The two shared a small laugh.

 

"… Though I know something I want to be." Harry said hesitantly after gathering his courage.

 

"Oh?." Remus inquired encouragingly.

 

"I want to be a Dark Type Pokémon Master." Harry said.

 

"But it is something you want to do?." Remus questioned, though he wasn’t surprised by what Harry said.

 

"Yes." Harry said firmly. "It’s something I’ve wanted to be since I was eight and saw the finals of the League for the first time. The winner had a Thievul, and it was amazing. I liked Dark types ever since." Harry said, smiling while remembering the battle. "And they fascinated me even before then. I know my family has specialized in dark types since the beginning. And I wont deny that knowing that hasn’t solidified my decision. But I really want to do it." Harry finished, a determined expression upon his face.

 

Remus just smiled warmly at Harry. The two fell into a peaceful silence. Harry was petting Dante’s head before he talked again.

 

"What is the other thing you wanted to talk about?." Harry asked, remembering that Remus said he wanted to talk about another matter.

 

Remus sighed, bracing himself knowing he can’t postpone this conversation anymore. Much less when his father has already called him out for it.

 

"I want to talk about Ollivander’s Theory." Remus started.

 

Harry perked up at this. Even Hedwig and Dante where paying close attention.

 

"I should have told you earlier, but well…" Remus sighed again. "You deserve to know, even more when the fact that you are living with me can have consequences among your future peers".

 

"Having we just talked about ignoring the opinions of others a moment ago?." Harry said with a deadpan, crossing his arms and lifting an eyebrow.

 

Remus snorted, smiling at harry.

 

"Yes, you are right." Remus said with a quiet chuckle.

 

Scratching the back of his head, Remus decided to cut straight to the point.

 

"Do you know what is Aura Insensitivity?".

 

Harry furrowed his brows, trying to recall if he knew anything about that.

 

"No, I can’t recall to have even heard of the term." Harry said while negating with his head. His brows still furrowed.

 

"Aaahh, well, this will take a while then." Remus said before clearing his throat. "You see Harry, Aura Insensitivity is the term used to describe individuals that can’t access and manifest their Aura in any way, not even passively like the majority of the people do. It was even believed, or more like theorized, that these individual didn’t have aura at all".

 

"And you are part of this group of people." Harry stated, recalling the previous conversation they had the day the Lupins came into the orphanage. "Thought I don’t see what the problem is?." Harry said more as a question.

 

"Yes, I was part of that group." Remus said, emphasizing the was. "And the problem is, that humans use Aura unconsciously to connect to Pokémon. It’s our Aura that let us befriend them, make them stronger than if they where in the wild, and even improve their health and lengthening their lives span. It also makes the wild Pokémon hesitate to attack us with the intention to actually harm, in most cases at least".

 

Harry started to realize where this explanation was going. Observing Remus after he has said all that, Harry couldn’t help but to pay more attention to his scars.

 

"Are your…?" Harry trailed off, widening his eyes in realization.

 

"Yes, they are." Remus said. Passing a hand over the scars across his face.

 

Remus looked away and lapsed into a pensive silence, before appearing to come to a decision. Looking again at Harry, he started to talk.

 

"We Lupins have always had a rivalry with another family, the Greybacks. We both specialize in canine Pokemon, although the other family veered more towards dog and wolf Pokémon. There was a dispute between my father and Fenrir Greyback when I was five. We don’t know how, but he later learned that I was diagnosed" Remus couldn’t help the curl of his lips at that word. "with Aura Insensitivity. He attacked us in the middle of the night." Remus gulped a lump forming in his throat. "I was alone with my mother, dad having gone to help in a forest fire." Remus paused. "…My mon didn’t make it…After he…Well, he kidnapped me. As an Aura Insensitive Individual, Pokémon attack us whiteout thought, almost like a jerk reaction. Only trained Pokémon that have been in the care of a trainer for a long time, and weak, really weak, and young Pokémon don’t pose a threat to us. Greyback knew that, and used it. He brought me to the middle of nowhere, before leaving me there." Remus chuckled humorlessly. "I still don’t know how I survived".

 

After finishing, Remus closed his eyes trying to put away the memories. He was startled when he felt Harry hugging him, but returned it whiteout hesitation.

 

"I’m sorry that happened to you." Harry said into Remus shoulder.

 

"Don’t worry, it happened long ago." Remus put his hands on Harry’s shoulder after breaking the hug. "Sorry for telling you that, cub. I shouldn’t have".

 

"Don’t be, I’m glad you did." Harry said in reassurance. "I’ve heard other equally dark stories from others." Harry smiled with a grimace. "Many of the kids at the orphanage where there for other things than not having parents, you know?".

 

Remus didn’t need to be told more to understand what Harry was implying.

 

Felling a weight on his lap, Remus looked down to find Dante looking at him. Laughing a little, Remus petted the growing Houndour pup. Looking up, Remus saw that Harry was again in his previous spot smiling at Dante while stroking Hedwig’s breast feathers, the avian having decided to get closer to listen better to the conversation.

 

"What happened with the Greybacks?" Harry asked.

 

"Fenrir Greyback is the last of his family, and he is now a criminal. He is at large, being hunted by The International Police." Remus said, before continuing with a little vindictiveness. "We received all his families possessions in liquid as compensation".

 

Harry smiled a little darkly at that. Thanks to all his lessons with Uncle Arcturus, and a few more visits through the month to his lawyer, Helen Tuft, and his account manager at Gringotts about his holdings, Harry didn’t need clarification to know what Remus meant by receiving the possessions like that.

 

"Is that why people are prejudiced against Aura Insensitive people?. For their inability to connect with Pokémon?." Harry asked after a while, returning to the previous topic.

 

"Pretty much, yea. Pokémons are an integral part of our culture, after all." Remus said.

 

"Well, thats stupid, its not like you can help it." Harry said.

 

Remus smiled, reaching over to tussle his hair.

 

"Thanks, cub." Remus said, laughing when Harry tried to swat his hand away.

 

Grumbling while trying to fix his unfixable hair, Harry stoped having realized something.

 

"Wait. You keep saying that you aren’t Aura Insensitive anymore. And you have Pokémon, you are an Elite Trainer even. How did you do it? And what was the thesis ? You haven’t actually said what it was." Harry said, perking up again.

 

"Oh, that." Started Remus. "Well, it essentially said that Aura Insensitive individuals would never be able to bond with a Pokémon, much less access their Aura. Other theories said that we didn’t actually possess aura, but the Ollivanders have another study that says that Aura is one of the integral things that maintain us alive. So they went with the inaccessibility rout." Remus said before smirking. "Of course, Professor Ollivander wasn’t too happy with the fact I was able to connect with Aqua. He took comfort in the fact that she was really sickle and weak. Not that he was happy that I bonded with a Regional Starter, sickly or not. But it latter came all crashing down on him when I was able to access my Aura Pool on my third year." Remus smirk grew even more in satisfaction, showing quite the sharp and large canines. "I went to visit him after that year. It was really satisfying to see his reaction at seeing me access my aura and Aqua’s improved health. I thought he would have a stroke when I also released my newly caught Gligar".

 

The two shared a laugh, even Hedwig who knew the professor joined in. Dante just looked at them with a tilt of his head, not knowing who they were talking about.

 

"But how did you do it?" Harry asked again.

 

"With a lot of patience. And the help of great friends." Remus said. "Hogwarts didn’t accept Aura Insensitive people, but for one exception. My dad was devastated, but I wanted to prove everyone wrong and made him proud, so I found the only way for someone like me to attend and took it. The only exception for an Aura Insensitive to attend is by being in the top three of the brightness students in the region and the first spot in their access exam. So I did".

 

Harry whistled impressed, making Remus give a small but satisfied smile.

 

"Latter, it was pure perseverance and a lot of endurance and hard work. I was really close on giving up on those three years. I was reproving all my aura related classes, and suffering through bullying. But your parents and Sirius helped me a lot." Remus smiled softly at Harry, who straightened at the mention of his parents. "I don’t know why, but James and Sirius took a liking of me the moment we meet at the train. They didn’t even care that I was Aura Insensitivity. Peter appeared to care about me, but he distanced himself from me those first two years before I got access to my Aura, not that we realized." Remus said, frowning with anger at the thought of Peter.

 

Harry frowned with him, knowing for what Remus and Arcturus have told him that Peter Pettigrew was the one responsible of his parents death and Sirius unjust imprisonment.

 

"Lily was a great support too." Remus said, clearing his throat and dispelling the thoughts about Peter. "I was the only one of the Marauders, thats how we called our little group, to have a friendly relationship with her since the beginning. Much to James envy, although he didn’t realize why he was jealous until fourth year." Remus said with a chuckle. "Apart for some of the professors, James, Lily, and Sirius where the only positive interactions I had in those first three years of my schooling. The rest didn’t want to associate with the Null." Remus said with a small frown. "There were others with whom I didn’t have problems. But it was Sirius and your parents who really helped me while at school".

 

Harry smiled at the new information about his family. After a little time had passed in comfortable silence, Harry decided to have some fun.

 

"This is disappointing." Harry said while dramatically flopping down onto his back on the bed. "I was so sure you where a werewolf!." Harry finished dramatically.

 

Remus spluttered at Harrys actions. When Dante joined him on the dramatics, Remus deadpanned with a groan. 'At least Hedwig didn’t join them', Remus thought. Said avian was actually snickering at Remus, so he didn’t know if that was better.

 

"Where is that coming from? . Ned apparently said the same when dad told him." Remus exclaimed lifting his arms in the air before joining Harry and Dante on flopping down down on the bed.

 

Harry snorted.

 

"Well, we actually had a list of possibilities. The first discarded was that you where a vampire. You didn’t burn at the sun, nor did you sparkle".

 

"Sparkle?." Remus murmured while frowning in bewilderment.

 

"Later we thought of you being a superhero. Though that is still not discarded. We haven’t seen you leave for more than a few hours in the entire month, but we don’t know if you actually sleep at night." Harry said and Remus snorted in amusement, a little flattered at the implied compliment.

 

"No nightly patrols while wearing spandex, sorry." Remus said with a smile, laughter on his voice.

 

"But you do it without custom?." Harry prodded.

 

"Actually, yes. One of my duties as a gym leader actually. To make sure everything is going well on my designed area." Remus said.

 

"Really?." Harry asked, lifting himself on his elbows to look at him better.

 

"Yep. Like I said in the little tour. A gym leader must protect their assigned area. Nightly patrols is one way to do it".

 

"Oh. Cool." With that Harry flopped down again. "There where others, like being an alien. But we ended with werewolf instead. You like dogs, have cool scars and you eat rare meat. By the way, weaught!." Harry exclaimed with a mock disgusted grimace.

 

Remus chuckled at Harry’s antics.

 

"Not a werewolf, sorry." said Remus smiling at him.

 

They shared a laugh before lapsing into comfortable silence. A weight having been lifted for both of their shoulders.

 

---

 

Later on the day, the house inhabitants were lounging in the living room. Harry decided to join Remus and Lyall downstairs to read his book, though now he was playing some board games with Ned whom Lyall was able to separate from the litter of Snubbulls. Hedwig decided to stay in Harry’s room taking a nap. Dante was trying to entice Moony and Padfoot, the two having come back from their patrol, into playing with him much to their annoyance.

 

A series of frantic taps on one of the windows distracted the occupants of the room from their activities. Looking at the direction of the sound, the group found a Delibird trying to get their attention. The poor bird looked exhausted, with visible sweat on his body and panting from the heat.

 

There was a momentary pause before Ned ran to the window to let the Ice Type bird enter the house, at the same time Remus went to the kitchen to bring some water to the exhausted Pokémon.

 

"What is a Delibird doing here?." Harry asked astounded. "The poor thing is exhausted from the heat".

 

"Delivering mail, apparently." Lyall said, having come to stand to their side and now looking at the contents of Delibird’s bag.

 

Remus came back with the water. Delibird practically inhaled the contents of the glass. Giving a content sigh, the ice bird put down the empty glass before reaching into his bag and taking out a letter. Ned toke it, being the nearest to the Pokémon. Said bird gave a salute before flaying out the window.

 

"Isn’t that the coat of arms of Brightmindton?." Harry asked bringing the attention of the others to the letter.

 

"It is." Lyall confirmed." I will have to have a… conversation with Brian." He finished before looking in the direction Delibird have disappeared towards.

 

They descended into silence, all of them looking at the letter.

 

"Well? Are you opening it today or what?." Harry said, having run out of patience.

 

That seemed to jolt Ned out of his stupor. Opening the envelope with trembling fingers, Ned toke out the contents of the letter. The others watched as Ned read the contents and a smile started to bloom on his face.

 

" What does it say kiddo?." Remus asked with a smile, having noticed Ned happiness.

 

Ned smiled at them all, practically vibrating with excitement.

 

"I passed! I have been accepted." Ned gushed before looking again at the letter. "Look!." Ned continued, having decided to read the letter aloud. "‘Dear Mr. Strong. We are happy to inform you of your admission into our school. Attached you will find the results of your entrance exam alongside a list of the required books. We await you on the third of September. Welcome to Brightmindton High, firmed Leonord Gamp, Deputy-Headmaster’. Look!, Look!. I got an eight thirty over teen on the test." Ned finished, showing excitedly the result papers.

 

"Thats great, Ned! Congrats." Said Harry, giving Ned a quick hug.

 

"Well done, kiddo." Remus said with a smile, ruffling Ned’s hair.

 

"Well done indeed." Lyall added, also smiling to the enthusiastic preteen. "We can make a outing of buying the books. What do you kids say of spending tomorrow and the day after on Levahner?." Lyall proposed. "We can even see the League Year Inauguration Ceremony live at Levahner Stadium".

 

"Yes!/That would be amazing!." The kids said in unison.

 

"Well then, better go pack. September first is the day after." Remus said to Harry.

 

"Yes, sir!." Harry said, before running to his room to prepare. Ned hot on his heels.

 

"And no running!".

 

"Sorry!". Twin voices replied.

 

Notes:

Yep, I made Remus this worlds version of a Squib. I made to be one more dangerous than in the Harry Potter world, but on the plus side it's not a permanent condition if someone works to overcome it.
And we have our first glimpse of Sirius, this time for real and not throught Padfoot eyes.
We will reach Hogwarts pretty soon!

Chapter 7: Inauguration Ceremony

Notes:

Disclaimor: Don't own Harry Potter or Pokémon. I only own the original characters and the original Pokémon.

 

Levahner’s streets were packed with people and Pokémon enjoying the games and food from the stands lining the streets of the city, celebrating the inauguration of the New League Year. The streets were decorated for the occasion, bright lights and colors everywhere you looked. The closer one went to Levahner’s Great Stadium, greater the conglomeration and the versatility and number of the stands. There was much merriment in the air, people laughing, children and baby Pokémon playing, and vendors enticing prospective clients.

 

Of the known regions with a League of their own, Yggsill and Galar are the only ones to have an inauguration ceremony for their Legue Year. And even so, Yggsill is the only one to make a festival of the event. Not even Galar, with how seriously they take the sport of Pokémon battles, give this much importance to the inauguration of the League Year opting instead for a simple presentation of their eight principal gym leaders for the year and a discourse from their Chairman. The other regions content themselves with an exhibition math, if at that.

 

Harry, Ned, Remus and Lyall where walking through the streets, basking in the festive mood. Harry and Ned were enjoying some cotton candy while talking and making jokes with each other. Remus’s Pokémon where also out and about, celebrations like these being the exception to the rule for allowed Pokémon per person on a city being out of their PokéBalls, within reasons. They garnered quite the attention, not many were accustomed to seeing such powerful Pokémon just walking along the streets. Much lees while playing with two preteen kids. Tough many were more flabbergasted than anything, its not every day you see a two meters tall scarred Garchomp and an equally scarred one meter sixty-five tall Krookodile practically skipping along while eating their own sugary treats.

 

The group have actually been on the city since yesterday morning, today being the last day of August. They were staying in a hotel under League jurisdiction. Remus being a gym leader, and to some extent Lyall although he has already retired from the post, always have rooms available.

 

Harry has everything prepared and packed to go to Hogwarts. Passing these last two days in the capital city of the region being of great help with the fact that tomorrow they will only need to walk to the station to send Harry off on the Hogwarts Express. Yesterday they exploited the fact that almost all the people where preoccupied with enjoying the festival to buy unmolested what Ned needed for Brightmindton High.

 

"Hey, look at that?". Said Ned while pointing at a game stand, specifically the stuffed toys hanging on the stand as awards to winning.

 

Looking at the toys, Harry wasn’t surprised that they had picked Ned’s attention. They were stuffed toys of Pokémon, but ones that Harry has never seen before. They also picked the interest of Remus and Lyall, so they approached the stand.

 

"Oh!?, interested, aren’t ya?". The man behind the counter of the stand said, seeing the attention of the group on the display of stuffed Pokémon.

 

"Yea, what are they? ‘Never seen any like them before". Ned asked.

 

"HaHaHa! Of course not!. These little stuffed toys are from Paldea, and they are based off Paldean Pokémon".The man said with a satisfied smirk, pointing with his thumb to said toys.

 

They didn’t have anything of little, they were as big as Harry actually. There were only six of the Paldean Pokémon stuffed toys surrounded by more common Pokémon ones. By the sign above them, they where the biggest price to be won in this stand. They were Pokémon with the appearance of a green cat with a leaf marking like mask on his face, a red reptile with a white mask like marking resembling a skull, a white duck with a blue hat like thing and blue legs, a yellowish dog that looked to be made of pastries, an orange rodent that looked like a Pikachu cousin, and a round black pig with yellow markings under the eyes.

 

"How did you get them? Paldea has just started contact with The League Union". Remus inquired before the kids could say anything.

 

"Hehehe! Let’s just say I’ve good contacts". The man replied still smirking.

 

"And those are?". Remus insisted.

 

The man must have sensed something from Remus, or it may have been all the fully evolved Pokémon now looking at him with intense focus.

 

"Hey, Hey! Relax!. It’s nothing illegal, I don’t know how things are going in the League scene". The man said, raising his hand in a placating manner.

 

He must have assumed that Remus worked for the League in some capacity. He wouldn’t be wrong, of course, but just by seeing Remus Pokémon Team anyone would go to that conclusion. The higher the trainers and their Pokémons level, the highest the chance for them to work for the League in some capacity.

 

"But my contacts say that Paldea is really interested in marketing their region. I was just lucky to be some of the first to acquire some merchandise from there". Finished the man. 

 

Remus relaxed after the explanation, giving a small nod of his head to the man.

 

"Who or what are they?". Harry asked, cutting into the awkward silence. Some people having scooted away during the brief exchange.

 

The man looked at Harry focusing briefly on the scar on his face, making Harry pull down the cap he was wearing to conceal himself to try to cover it better. Thankfully the man didn’t comment.

 

"Well, according to my contact they are stuffed toys based on Paldea’s regional starters and three of their most common Pokémon. The green cat is the grass type Sprigatito, the red reptile is the fire type Fuecoco, the duck is the water type Quaxly. Those are the starters. And the other three are Fidough, thats the donut dog, a fairy type, the orange rodent is the electric type Pawni, the pork is the normal type Lechonk". The man said, gaining back his smirk and naming each Pokémon while pointing at the respective toy. "So… wanna try?". The man finished, his smirk widening while doing a grand gesture to encompass the set game.

 

Ned immediately rounded onto the two adults with large pleading eyes.

 

"Please!, can we try!?. I want that Fidough!. It’s calling to me, I can fell it".

 

"Dog boy". Harry teased with a snort.

 

"And proud". Was Ned’s quick comeback. Moony, Padfoot and Dante barking their agreement.

 

…

 

In the end they got the giant stuffed donut dog. It only took three tries, and Remus was the one to win in the last try they did. Harry was pretty sure he used aura, as Remus eyes glowed briefly before the play. Just like Mrs.Dourglass’s did in the meting with Professor McGonagall. Not that Harry could fault him, that game was totally rigged. The stand’s owner growing satisfied smirk after every play only confirmed Harry’s suspicions. Luckily Remus could convince Ned to let him store the stuffed toy in one of his empty PokéBalls…'Whait, what!?'.

 

The kids of the group, this includes Dante and Hedwig, couldn’t help but to gawk at the PokéBall on Remus hand.

 

"How?". Was the only think Harry could say.

 

Remus snorted while Lyall chuckled at the kids expression.

 

"This PokéBall is for storing things, instead of Pokémon". Remus said, sowing better the device. It looked almost like a normal basic PokéBall but the red on top was more orange. "What? Did you think that companies like Silph, FinLey or Devon wouldn’t tweak the PokeBall’s technology to gain profits for different avenues?". Said Remus with a teasing smirk.

 

---

 

Right now, the group were heading in the direction of the stadium. The Inauguration ceremony was only half an hour away.

 

Levahner’s Great Stadium is the biggest structure of the city. Being the second largest stadium of the region, it boast a capacity to hold forty thousand people. Surrounded by parks, smaller open battlefields and other assortment of buildings related to Pokémon, the stadium itself was an imposing figure amidst them. Constructed in an oval base, the walls grew at different heights, making the top of the stadium look like a wave. An architecture marvel of glass, metal and stone, it has a semi covered roof that follows the wave pattern of the top of the wall and juts out from the walls like a round blanket. Right now it was illuminated with all its lights on, with giant banners of Yggsill, the Region’s League, and the League Union cascading from the top of the stadium’s walls.

 

Ned, Harry, Dante and Hedwig couldn’t contain their excitement and amazement. It was the first time seeing the stadium for the two young Pokémon, and while Harry and Ned had seen it on another occasion in a school trip they were stile amazed.

 

Entering the interior of the building after Remus returned his team with the exception of Aqua, Moony and Padfoot, the adults guided the kids towards a door at one of the corners of the hall they have just entered that has a security guard in front of it. They received curious looks for the people making the line to enter onto the stands.

 

"Where are we going? The queue is over there". Said Ned while pointing with his thumb behind his back to the waiting line.

 

"To the private box for the Pillars and their families, of course". Lyall said. "There will probably be present some of the families of the thirteen pillars. But I’m pretty sure we will be the only secondary gym to be present. So stay in your best behavior, and try to remember what Lord Arcturus taught you. You most of all Harry. This will be an informal setting, so it wont be that important, but better be prepared". Lyall warned.

 

The kids nodded their heads just as they arrived in front of the guard.

 

Before Lyall or Remus could say anything, the guard nodded at them and opened the door to let them pass. At the other side of said door were stairs going on spiral while hugging the walls that lead up, and up and up. Harry and Ned were practically gasping for breath when they reached the top, they gave thanks to Fenral for having joined Remusion his morning exercise during the last month. They didn’t want to think how much worse that ascension would have been had they not done so. 'Have these people never heard of lifts?', Harry and Ned unknowingly though the same. 

 

Regaining their breath, the kids followed the adults that have just turned to the left to pass through a doorway.

 

"Hmmp!/Shit!/Caw!"

 

Harry felt himself collide with someone before falling into his butt while Hedwig flapped her wings frantically to lift herself from his shoulder.

 

"Harry! You okey?". said Ned already reaching to help Harry stand up.

 

"Theo!. How many times do I ned to tell you to not read your books while walking?". Another kid’s voice said to the person Harry collided with.

 

Looking up from dusting himself after standing Harry saw two kids, a boy and a girl, helping a third to stand from the floor. Well, more like the boy was helping while trying to not laugh while the girl, apparently the one to talk before, was lecturing the one Harry collided with. The three had small Pokémon at their sides.

 

The group now where standing on a private box with views to the arena. Apart from the three kids, there were also present a beautiful woman in her early thirties with blonde hair and pale porcelain white skin that accentuated her dark brown eyes, with an uncanny resemblance to the girl in front of Harry, that was talking to a shorter kindly looking woman, maybe a little older than the other woman, with russet skin and black-blue hair on dreadlocks decorated with gold rings. A young teenage girl, maybe two or three years older than Harry, with the same skin tone as the kindly looking woman but with her hair done in multiple small long braids reaching the small of her back and honey colored eyes, was sitting on one of the comfortable looking chairs with a Fletchinder on her shoulder while perusing her RotomPhone. The last two occupants of the room where a young brunette woman in her twenties with white-pink skin, greenish-brown eyes and wavy hair that she was trying to release from the grip of a blue haired toddler with her same eye color.

 

"Okey there, Harry?". Remus asked. Although there was worry in his eyes, Harry saw humor in equal parts.

 

"Yea, I’m okey. You can laugh". Harry waved his hand dismissively.

 

Remus smiled a little, but Ned wasn’t as contained and actually snorted.

 

"Sorry about that by the way". Harry said to the other kid, ignoring Ned.

 

"Don’t worry. ‘Was my fault anyway. Should have been looking where I was going". He said, a small smile on his face while dusting the book he has been reading.

 

"Well meet, Mr. Nott, Ms. Greengrass, Mr. Zabini". Remus said with a friendly smile while nudging Harry discretely.

 

'Ah, shit. Noble kids, two of the same rank as I but still considered higher for being of The Thirteen Originals', Harry thought while trying to recall his lessons with uncle Arcturus.

 

"Heir Lupin, Lord Lupin". The three kids said, nodding their heads in greeting to Remus since he is a heir and bowing slightly to Liyall before nodding to Aqua, Moony and Padfoot.

 

"Still, sorry for colliding with you". Harry said again. "I’m Heir Apparent Harry James of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter". He continued, trying to not screw up. "This is my adoptive brother, Eddard Strong".

 

"Call me Ned". Said Ned while doing a proper bow before straightening and smiling winningly. His chest puffed a little at the way Harry introduced him.

 

Harry couldn’t help but to notice that every person in the room was now paying attention. Harry felt a small blush crept into his checks, though he was a little amused at the double take they all did when he introduced Ned as his brother.

 

"And our guardians. Gym Leader and Heir Remus Lupin with his Pokémons Aqua and Moony, and Moony's mate, Padfoot. And Lord Lyall Lupin". Continued Harry. 'Shit, they already new that', Harry felt the blush intensify at the mistake. Luckily they didn’t react on it. "And these are my partners, Dante and Hedwig". Harry rushed to finish. Dante and Hedwig giving their own calls of greeting at their names.

 

"Well meet, Mr. Potter". The collision kid said, taking the place of spokesperson after a nudge from the girl and referring to Harry as mr since none of them are at the age where they can claim their status formally in all capacities. "I’m Heir Apparent Theodore Joseph of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Nott, and this is my partner Maher. You can call me Theo". Finished Theodore, presenting the small panda like Pokémon that was clutching his leg while glaring at Harry.

 

Harry had to remember to control himself and not ruse to hug the Pancham. 'Fuck, I forgot to give permission to use my name', Harry thought. 'I’m swearing to much, fuck. Shit!'. Harry was really happy that nobody could read his mind.

 

"Well meet, Theo. Please, call me Harry". The-boy-who-swears-to-much rushed to say, trying to interject as smoothly as possible before Theo could continue.

 

Theodore Nott is as short as Harry, something Harry couldn’t help but to take some relief from, with a long face and sharp features softened by baby fat, short dark brown hair, light chocolate brown ayes and the pales white skin Harry has ever seen. Although the healthy pink undertone of it assured Harry that he wouldn’t drop dead any moment soon. He is wearing a black dress shirt with the first button loose, dark blue jeans, and black and white converse

 

"Of course". Theo smiled before continuing with the introductions. "These are my friends, Heiress Apparent Daphne Aneira of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Greengrass and her Pokémon Boreas". Presented Theo, nodding toward the girl at his left and her Alolan Vulpix.

 

"Daphne". Was her only reply. Boreas, her Vulpix, sitting primly at her side.

 

Daphne Greengrass really looked like a younger version of the blonde woman Harry was sure is her mother. The only difference, apart of their age, were the ice-blue eyes framed by long dark lashes. She is wearing a white summer dress with white-blue snowflakes patterns at the bottom of the skirt, a crop denim jacket and low heeled wedge sandals with ankle straps. A brown wide trainers belt with Borea's Pokéball attached to it at her waist.

 

"And Heir Apparent Blaise Andrea of the Ancient and Noble House of Zabini, and his Pokémon Mors". Finished presenting Theo, nodding this time to the boy at his right and his Misdreavus.

 

"Hey there, Blaise suffices". Blaise said with a small smirk and a wave. Mors, his Misdreavus, just giggled while floating from side to side.

 

Blaise Zabini is a tall kid, the tallest of their age currently present in the private box, with aristocratic features, dark ochre skin with silver undertones, black thick curly hair cut almost to the skin on the sides and a little longer on top, with a widow’s peak right on the middle of his hairline. Dark eyebrows over long lashed framed purple eyes, that were more on the blue side than the almost pink of Ned’s violet ones, were looking at them with a mischievous but intelligent light. He is wearing a dark purple short sleeved t-shirt, with a dark grey dress vest that he wore open, ripped jeans and purple and white sneakers.

 

"By Fenral, it’s always this tedious to present yourselves? I’m so happy to not be a noble". Said Ned before they could say anything else.

 

"Ha!, ain’t that the truth". Said Blaise with a laugh. "And this time we are lucky, I was once in a reunion with twenty noble families in attendance. That was torture".

 

"Why are you talking like you aren’t a noble yourself?". Said Daphne, a thin blond eyebrow raised as she looked at Blaise with a deadpan.

 

"He!, a pleasure seeing you again kids, but I think I will take a seat while we wait. I will let you young people to your socialization". Lyall interjected with a small laugh, before walking to the seat beside the young mother.

 

Remus followed him after ruffling Harry’s and Ned’s hair. Remus and Lyall obviously knew the woman since they engaged in friendly conversation with her while cooing at the toddler. Moony seemed enthralled by the little kid, much to Padfoot’s amusement, but he gave a pitiful whine when the blue haired toddler seemed more interested in Aqua. Much to the giant amphibian’s delight and the rock wolf’s heartbreak.

 

"So… I’m assuming you three are going to Hogwarts". Ned was the one to break the short uncomfortable silence that has descended on the wake of the adults departure, rescuing Harry for being the one to break the ice.

 

Harry and Theo were the only ones to show some discomfort in its duration, although Harry noted with some envy that the pale boy disguised it better than him. Daphne haven’t changed his expression during its duration, while Blaise and Ned seemed almost amused by the discomfort of the two short boys.

 

"Obviously". Daphne said. After receiving a look from Theo she continued more amicable. "We three will be first years. So we will be sharing classes". This, she said while looking at Harry. "I suppose you are going to another school?". She asked then of Ned.

 

"Yep!, Brightmindton High. just got confirmation the day before yesterday". Ned said while being unable to contain a proud smile.

 

"Oh, good. Thats one of the best schools of the region one can go to". Theo praised.

 

"And talking about sharing… I wasn’t expecting to share the box with The Harry Potter". Blaise interjected. "We all assumed we would meet you at Hogwarts".

 

"You probably would". Started Harry. "This was more of a spurt of the moment decision to celebrate Ned’s admission. Lyall thought it would be good to spend the last two days before Hogwarts in Levahner. Though coming to see the inauguration was the actual reward".

 

"Ah, yes, the Lupins. I didn’t expect that". Said Blaise, a clear question on his voice.

 

"Yes, they are great". Said Harry, subconsciously growing defensive. "They took us in a month ago. They have been amazing".

 

The kids noticed his changed mood and Blaise lifted a little his hands in a placating motion.

 

"Hey, hey, relax. I wasn’t implying anything bad, I like the Lupins". Said Blaise.

 

"Sorry". Harry said, relaxing and blushing faintly in embarrassment. "It’s just…"

 

"The Aura Insensitivity thing, right?". Said Theo. "Don’t worry, we don’t care about that. We really do like the Lupins, Remus specially. He always ended entertaining us at the Gym Leader get togethers our parents brought us to".

 

"Really?". Said Ned interested.

 

"Really. He would even teach us things about taking care of Pokémon. He is a great teacher actually. If it weren’t for his duties, mom would have hired him to be my private tutor". Interjected Blaise. "The poor man always got saddled with entertaining the kids in every party, being the youngest Gym Leader and all that. Or at least the youngest of the pillars with patient for kids or that wasn’t preoccupied with a child of their own". he said while sacking his head and shrugging in mock sadness before continuing with a mischievous twinkle on his eyes. "He was also Daph’s first crush".

 

"What!? Blaise!, Shut it. Why the hell did you tell them that". Daphne exclaimed quietly, hissing at an unrepentant Blaise while trying to not bring attention to themselves and looking furtively Remus’s direction to make sure he hadn’t heard. Boreas also glared at the boy for embarrassing his human, while Mors giggled at his own human’s mischief.

 

This was the first proper reaction Harry and Ned saw from her since the start of the conversation if they didn’t count her scolding of Theo when Harry and him collided. She even have a noticeable blush in her checks.

 

"Wait, you have a crush on Remus?". Ned said, his amusement clear in his voice.

 

"Had!". Daphne hissed rounding on Ned before huffing. "It was ages ago".

 

Harry was pretty sure she would have stomped her foot to empathize the point if it weren’t for her self control. Harry was pretty amused from this turn in conversation, it was always good to have some blackmail material. Although he still wasn’t sure how he would use this to make fun of Remus.

 

"Ha!, Ages she said. More like two months ago". Snorted Blaise receiving a heated glare from her.

 

"But in her defense, she wasn’t the only one. I think almost all the girls, and even some of he boys, developed a crush on him. Astoria sure did". Theo interjected, trying to save Blaise of being eviscerated. Or turned into ice chips by courtesy of Boreas.

 

"Astoria?". Asked Harry.

 

"My little sister. She is grounded at home, being watched by my grandmother". Daphne said after giving one last glare at Blaise who only grinned wider at her.

 

"Why does that sound familiar?. I’m pretty sure thats the reason we are not being invaded by a mob of red heads. The twins must have done something". Another voice said, interjecting on the conversation.

 

Turning to the speaker, the little group found the teenage girl beside them with her Fletchinder still on her shoulder.

 

"Hey there, new kids. Angelina Johnson…".

 

"Angie". Came a reprimanding but gentle rebuke for the kindly looking woman of the dreadlocks.

 

"…Aahh… Sorry mom. Heiress Angelina Daniel of The Ancient House of Johnson". The now named Angelina continued with a sight and a deadpan voice. "Why did daddy had to became a gym leader?". She muttered to herself. Giving a fake cough she continued. "Well, I only wanted to tell you kiddos that the show is about to start, so you will want to get some seats". She finished. "Not that there aren’t plenty to chose from anyway". She said quietly while looking at all the empty seats on the private box.

 

Just when she finished speaking a warning firecracker was heard exploding in the air. The kids rushed to take some seats, deciding without saying anything to sit together, choosing the seats closer to the Lupins and the young mother.

 

Just as their butts touched the seats, another warning firecracker went out. The excitement could almost be touched in the air. The lights that illuminated the surrounding parks and other installations around the great stadium were turned off. Not a second latter, a third and final warning firecracker was heard and the lights of the stadium proper where turned off, bathing it and its occupants in darkens. But not for much time.

 

Fireworks started to scream their way into the night sky, having been launched from around the stadium at the top of its walls, before exploding in a sea of bright colors and sparkling forms. The brief but beautiful fireworks show was just the beginning of the spectacle. While all the spectators where occupied looking at the sky, the field has been filled by an assortment of people and Pokémon.

 

Harry was amazed. He has seen the Inauguration Ceremony many times. Watching it on the tv while hidden while at the Dursleys and in more recent years with the rest of the kids at White Warden. But seeing it live, experiencing it in person, that was a totally different experience. The tv couldn’t transmit the wonder of the dance performances, at seeing choreographic mock battles, the amazement of seeing intricate moves combinations done by the most skilled of Pokémons and their trainers Harry has ever seen. And all of it was weaved into an intricate dance that combined every beautiful individual show into a single presentation of pure wonder. The fact that there was a different performance presented every year only amazed Harry more.

 

Dances, rehearsed contest appeals, choreographic battles, aerial maneuvers... All connected to make an amazing harmony so well executed that only the brief fireworks shows were the indicators of when a performance ended and another started. All of it to end with a bang. Literally. The loudest and fastest launched fireworks display of the event illuminated the night sky, making their ears ring, their eyes water and their bodies sake from the explosions just to end as abruptly as it had started.

 

The silence that followed was brief but deafening, it seemed that nobody wanted to make a sound. And then, the stadium exploded with the cacophony of hundreds of people applauding, screaming and stomping their feet in approval to an amazing performance. Harry had never feel like this before, a beaming smile was engraved into his face while he joined the rest of the spectators in showing their happiness and excitement. And Harry wasn’t alone in doing so. All the occupants of the box where doing the same. Even though, with the exception of Harry, Ned and all the young Pokémon, all of them had already witnessed other inaugurations in their lives, they were all standing with their own smiles in their faces while sowing their excitement.

 

"Well, well, well! That was amazing, wasn’t it!? Please give another round of applauses to our magnificent performers!!". A voice flared around them, being produced from all the speakers of the stadium.

 

All the big screens present around the stadium flared to life, showing the smiling face of a portly little man in his fifties, with tinning blonde-brown hair peppered by grey covered by a lime green bowler hat. His smile only accentuated the age lines over his ashy toned face. But Harry noted that his smile didn’t actually reach his dirty pale green eyes. At the bottom of the screen, big white letters presented his name for all to see. Yggsill Prime Minister Cornelius Fudge.

 

The man himself was now in an elevated platform on the middle of the arena, that Harry was pretty sure wasn’t there before, being illuminated by spotlights. After his words the people were more than happy to comply and renew their cheering.

 

"Yes, amazing work as always!". Fudge continued after letting the applause go for a while. "And as always, its a pleasure to be here in the yearly Inauguration Ceremony!!". He finished that sentence raising his arms to emphasize the point.

 

There was more cheering at this, but Harry noted that there wasn’t any being produced by the occupants of the private box.

 

"Do you think he will give too long of a speech?". Daphne asked, her arms crossed over her chest while reclining back into her chair, Boreas lying down on her lap while looking calmly to the screen display. "Last year was tedious".

 

"Don’t think so dear, your father told me the League wasn’t precisely impressed with him using last year as a speech campaign". The woman that looked like Daphne answered, confirming Harry’s suspicion of her being Daphne’s mother.

 

"No, they really weren’t". Remus put in with a snort, Moony also gave a low bark of confirmation.

 

While they where talking, the Minister was doing his own speech. And it seemed that he was really trying to cut it short this time. 'The League must have been really unhappy with him', Harry thought, remembering when he watched last years Inauguration Ceremony with the inhabitants of the orphanage. Many of the kids ended falling sleep through Fudge’s speech.

 

"… this be an amazing year! And now, without further ado, YGGSILL’S CHAMPION!!". Minister Fudge ended his speech.

 

At his final words, a great cyclone suddenly appeared on the middle of the field, piking up wind and dirt that reached the audience and made Fudge lose his hat and almost threw him over. As suddenly as it started it ended, leaving on the spot a man with a great bird of prey, of white and grey plumage and a strange flaming purple energy on his head, standing over him with his massive wings extended. The bird gave a mighty screech to announce their arrival before being recalled by his trainer.

 

"Hello Yggsill!! How are you this night!?". The voice of the new arrival flared over the speakers.

 

The audience exploded in applause over his appearance.

 

"You didn’t tell me your father have a Hisuian Braviary". Said Blaise excitedly to Theo.

 

"He found him in his last trip to Sinnoh, in one of the Underground Biomes". He responded. "He just reached champion level. Pidgeot wanted to retire from battling".

 

"Whait!, Father?". Harry and Ned said in unison.

 

Theo smiled a little embarrassed but before he could say anything the champion talked again, stoping the applause of the public and bringing back the attention to himself. The ease in with he commanded the attention of the audience was a funny contrast with the inability the Minister has to do the same. Something the man himself seemed to notice and didn’t seem too happy about.

 

Harry and Ned didn’t actually need Theo to answer their question because, just like with Fudge, big letters have appeared in the screens that showed the scene unfolding on the field.

 

Champion Joseph Nott was displayed at the bottom of the screens that were filled with the image of the man. 'I really should have made the connection when Theo introduced himself', thought Harry. Joseph Nott is a tall broad shouldered thin man in his early fifties with the same sharp features, hair and skin as his son. But in contrast with Theo, he has an aquiline nose and dark blue eyes. An extended goatee beard surrounded faintly smiling tin lips while he wore his hair in a quiff style. He was wearing a form fitting double breasted jacket of a dark deep blue color over a white jumper, a black glove on his left hand while a Lord’s Signet Ring adorned his right, formal trousers of the same blue as the jacket and formal black shoes ended his looks. The formal shoes have two inches of heels on them, making him appear even taller than he already is.

 

"Thank you, Minister Fudge, for your words. It’s always a pleasure to share this moment with you". The champion said addressing the Minister and leading a round of applause for the man, who puffed his chest while smiling and waving at the audience. "Like it’s always a pleasure to watch our skilled performers each year! You don’t stop amazing me with every show!. Thank you for making this night be unforgettable". This time he addressed the performers. This round of applause was much more enthusiastic. "We all know what tonight represents. This inauguration marks the start of the first Pokémon Journey to many young new trainers, that will embark in a journey of self discovery, hard work and friendship with their Pokémon. Many paths will be open to them, to you, in this adventure. Be it that you want to be a coordinator, a battler, maybe a researcher, or you just want to enjoy all that the world has to offer, this is your choice and we will be rotting for you in whatever that choice is".

 

Here the audience applauded, showing their appreciation to his words.

 

"But tonight not only marks the beginning of new journeys.". Champion Joseph continued, doing a brief pause. "But it also marks the start of the CONTEST CIRCUIT AND LEAGUE CIRCUIT!!". Cue more cheering from the audience. "To all our amazing coordinators!, they will have to collect five ribbons by competing, and winning, on the several contest that will be held in the course of the next nine months through the various towns and cities of this our brilliant region of Yggsill. All their hard work will be rewarded by being allowed to compete in the Grand Festival! Here in Levahner’s Contest Hall! In the first days of the month of May!".

 

Cheering followed his proclamation, while a brief display of fireworks punctuated his words.

 

"And for all our battlers". The champion paused, smirking almost challengingly to the camera. "You will have to collect a total of Eight Badges from eight of our fifteen gyms. But careful, only eight of them will allow you to compete directly in the Pokemon League at the Babylon Conference on Babylon Island. The ones that don’t, will have to first compete in a preliminary round before the start of the conference at the end of May". The champion paused here. "And who are these eight gyms that will allow you to compete directly you ask?. Well, lets meet them, shall we!!?".

 

The champion rotated to face one of the entrances of the field amidst the sound of approval of the audience. Spotlight illuminated the entrance from where a man made his way to the center of the field.

 

"From the midst of the forest of Antares, in the city of the same name. Antares’s Gym Leader, our Bug Type Master. The Beehive, ARTHUR WEASLEY!!". Announced Champion Joseph.

 

The face of a smiling kind looking man with forest green eyes behind rectangular glasses and bright balding red hair appeared in the screens with his name and title on the bottom of them. Arthur Weasley is a man in his early forties of a tall and thin build, with soft pink skin dotted with freckles and marked with laugh lines emphasizing his kind appearance. Harry was sure that he surpasses Remus’s height of one meter eighty eight. He was wearing a cardigan of forest night color with what Harry was pretty sure where wasp embroidery patterns of a deeper green. Under it, he wore a polo shirt of yellowish gray. Beige trousers covered his legs while brown boots did the same for his feet. A Lord’s Signet Ring adorned his right hand just like the champion’s did on his left.

 

"From the golden beaches of Goldensand city. Goldensand’s Gym Leader, our Fire Type Master. The Burning Bull, KAI JOHNSON!!".

 

"Whouuu!, Go dad!". Angelina exclaimed from her seat.

 

Next to appear on the screens and the field is a squared faced man on his thirties with bronze skin obscured by a thick short black beard. He wore his hair almost the same as his daughter, but his braids only reached above his shoulders and he has them half tied behind his head. Soft honey eyes and a pearly white smile graced the screens of the stadium. He was wearing a soft red deep v-necked linen t-shirt that sowed a well defined chest. White long trousers and closed sandals covered his lower half. Bracelets adorned his arms much as a pendant did his neck. Like the champion and Gym Leader Arthur, he also wore a signet ring.

 

Harry was starting to see a pattern here. Looking briefly at Remus hand with his Heir’s Signet Ring and Liyall’s with his Lord’s Signet Ring, Harry was pretty sure the rest of gym Leaders must also wear them. A gleam of light from Angelina's hand showed she also wore one. 'Thats why she introduced herself differently than Theo and the others, she has already claimed her position', thought Harry, 'she must be thirteen at least, then'.

 

"From the great bridge of Twincliffs. Twincliffs’s Gym Leader, our Psychic Type Master. Psyhorse, EMMETT SELWYN!!".

 

A hawk nosed, long faced man on his late sixties appeared next. His long strides had his black trench coat billowing behind him. He wore all black, only interrupted by silver treads. Black turtle neck with a ring of silver tread on the collar, black jeans with silver chains dangling from his waist and black high boots with silver buckles. His long black greying hair was tied in a low ponytail while a ducktail beard surrounded his frowning mouth. Cold silvery pink, almost white, eyes glared from the screens sowing his face. Harry noted that he didn’t wear any rings, his hands being covered by black leather gloves. And they didn’t have any bumps on them that indicated a ring under the cloth.

 

"From the foggy streets of Cragview. Cragview’s Gym Leader, our Ghost Type Master. The Black Widow, AMARANTA ZABINI!!"

 

Blaise straightened on his seat, with Mors sacking in excitement, at the announcement from the champion.

 

"Your mom?". Ned asked.

 

"Yep". Blaise responded with a proud smile, his gaze never leaving the field.

 

A gorgeous woman in her late thirties, not that she looked them, with tawny skin and long wavy dark brown hair in a updo strutted through the field like a model. She may not share the skin tone of her son, but it was quite clear from where he inherited his eyes and aristocratic features. Red painted smirking lips, the same smirk as Blaise, adorned her face. She was wearing a midnight purple one shouldered toga style dress with open back, with a gold stylized trainers belt on her waist. Her long shapely legs where visible from the billowing folds of her dress. Black high heeled sandals with gold decorations adorned her feet. A Lord’s, 'or is it Lady’s', Signet Ring decorated her hand. Long earrings dangled from her ears. A big tattoo of a black widow adorned her back, the abdomen of the spider was replaced by a fanged skull.

 

"Cool tattoo". Harry commented.

 

Remus looked sharply at him in alarm, not that he noticed.

 

"It’s based on our gym badge actually". Said Blaise.

 

"From our own Levahner City. Levahner’s Gym Leader, our Normal Type Master. The Maiden, BIANCA ABBOTT!!"

 

A comely pink-faced looking woman in her forties with shoulder length dark blonde hair and blue eyes came next from the entrance. She was wearing a button-down shirt with lantern sleeves tucked into light blue jean pants. Low heeled brown boots were at her feet. A Lady’s Signet Ring at her manicured left hand. She also wore a wedding band on her hand.

 

"Wait, where’s Hannah?". Blaise asked, looking around like if said girl would suddenly appear.

 

"In the same place as Susan. In bed, praying to recover from a cold by tomorrow morning".

 

Theo and Blaise looked at Daphne perplexed. Harry and Ned simply looked confused, not knowing who they were talking about.

 

"What of Neville then?". Blaise asked next.

 

He only received an unimpressed raised brow from that.

 

"Right, stupid question. Better not ask about Cedric then". Blaise said.

 

"Probably with his tongue sowed down the throat of that secret girlfriend of his".

 

"Daphne!!". Her mother scolded her.

 

"From the deeps of Oldbark Woods. Long’s Town city’s Gym Leader, our Grass Specialist. The Battle Axe, AUGUSTA LONGBOTTOM!!"

 

"Specialist?". Harry asked with a tilt of the head in confusion, a movement mimicked by Dante on his lap. 'Whait, Longbottom?'.

 

"She is only an interim gym leader till her grandson can take over the tittle. She is actually a generalist". Remus explained.

 

"That she manages to be part of the Big Eight, and offer elite level challenges using Pokémon not her own, should tell you all you need to know of how powerful a Pokémon Trainer she is". Liyall added.

 

The screens now showed a wizened old lady making her way thought the field. A formidable looking woman, of tall, thin and bony build. Age hasn’t made her shrink, for her back was as straight as a stick. She exports a strict expression in her face, with hard greenish blue eyes and pursed thin lips. She wears a white blouse under a green business jacket that matches her long business skirt, tick stockings with low heeled business shoes cover her legs. Harry noted that she doesn’t wears any rings, not that he payed much attention to that for the most noticeable part of her outfit, after all, are her hat and handbag. The purse classed terrible with her attire, being of a bright red color. But her hat wins the cake.

 

"It’s that… a vulture hat?". Harry asked, disbelieving what he is seeing.

 

"Yes, it is". Theo answered.

 

Harry looked at him speechless. Theo could only shrug his shoulder in a ‘what can you do?’ manner.

 

"From the frigid fields of Snowfallpoint. Snowfallpoint’s Gym Leader, our Ice Type Master. The Winter Sabertooth, CHRISTOPHER GREENGRASS!!".

 

Daphne’s mother put a hand on his daughter shoulder. They looked at each other sharing a smile.

 

The man that entered the field made Harry feel hot just by looking at him.

 

"How is he not overheating in that?". Harry asked.

 

"Aura, of course". Daphne replied like it should be obvious.

 

Making his way from the entrance, was a man in his middle thirties wearing a dark brown sheepskin, or maybe Wooloo, winter coat with the fur lined inside of a white color, a long scarf in a ice blue color around his neck, a light grey cardigan over a simple white shirt, high rise straight dark grey jeans and ankle winter boots. With a similar pale complexion as his daughter and wife, he sported the same pale ice-blue eyes of his daughter. In contrast with the two though, his hair is a dark reddish brown that he wears at medium length and half slicked back.

 

"And last, but no least. From amidst the tall crystal jungle of Fearhelm City. Fearhelm’s Gym Leader, our Dragon Type Master. The Old Dragon, ARCTURUS BLACK!!". Champion Joseph finished the introductions

 

Harry and Ned scooted closer to the edges of their seats, excited at seeing the old man that have been helping them this past month.

 

The commanding presence of Harry’s great-uncle made his way towards the center of the field, wearing a similar outfit to the one he wore the day Harry meet him for the first time.

 

All the Gym Leaders positioned themselves circling the platform in the middle of the field where the champion and the, admittedly forgotten, Minister where standing since their appearance. They positioned themselves facing the audience, their backs turned to the platform and each to the side of one another in the order they were called in so that Gym Leader Arthur and Arcturus ended beside one another.

 

"These powerful eight trainers are your biggest challenge to acquire your pass to directly participate in the Babylon Conference!". The Champion continued after the applause from the audience had calmed some. "Where you will have the opportunity to show us your battle powers in a tournament where only one will be the champion. And the winner will have the chance to fight…US!!". Champion Joseph raised his arms at his final word.

 

Just as he finished speaking four figures surrounded in the light of teleportation materialized at his sides leaving in his wake four individuals, two at each side of the champion. The screens of the stadium changed to show the faces of each of the new arrivals with their names and title within The League in full display. Elite Four Amos Diggory, Elite Four Elektra Levina, Elite Four Jeremy Bertram and Elite Four Amelia Bones.

 

The stadium explode with cheers from the audience at the appearance of the four most powerful trainers of the region beside The Champion.

 

"Look!, Its daddy!". The brunette mother said to the child on her lap while pointing at the screen displaying the image of a young man with the same blue hair as the toddler.

 

"D’dda, d’dda!!". The little guy said with a childish shriek of excitement.

 

If Cristopher Greengrass has made Harry felt hot for what he was wearing, Jeremy Bertram made him felt cold. The guy was half naked. Something many a woman in the audience seemed to like, much to the displeasure of the brunette if her dark mutterings was any indication.

 

A man in his middle twenties, Jeremy Bertram was a mash of well defined lean muscles gained from hours of practice with his Fighting Type Pokémons. His torso was exposed as he only wore dobok pants with black strips running at the sides of each leg. The left leg also has the design of half a PokéBall on the part of the thigh. A black belt was tied at the waist, six PokéBalls on their minimum possible size setting where attached to one of the dangling ends of it. Taekwondo foot wards in red and white protected his feet while dark red fighting bandages that reached his elbows did the same for his hands, white fur could be seen sticking from the end of the bandages at the elbows. A horizontal scar running from cheek to cheek marks his golden face, along with a small gash dividing his left eyebrow. He wore red war paint under his blue eyes, accentuating his lower eyelids. His long blue hair was tied on a high ponytail, sowing his undercut.

 

A Lord’s Signet Ring wasn’t visible on his hands. Harry assumed that it’s absent was only practical in nature, since Bertram is the founding Lord of his house so he should have one. A tittle gained after ascending to the mantle of Elite Four last year. Even though he is the newest member of the group, and the youngest, he is the second strongest of the Elite Four, just behind Amelia.

 

The next of the youngest on the platform was Elektra Levina, at her late twenties. The only electric type master currently holding the title of Elite Four of the regions under The League Union jurisdiction. She wears clothing that shows her shapely muscled form, her faintly marked six pack can be seen thanks to the long sleeved high necked short tank top that hugs her form. Of black color, the tank top has strips of see through material across it, making an v shape on the body. It’s sleeves are made of see through material, and they reach her hands where they act like a two fingered glove. Over all of it, she wears a big sleeved short jacket of electric periwinkle, with the material of the interior of a gold color. Black long leggings, with strips of see through material also, cover her legs. A white trainers belt is at her waist. High heeled black ankle bots with strips of blue and a metallic piece at the ankle cover her feet. A Lady’s Signet Ring sit on her right hand, a bracelet with a PokéBall charm also glistens from her right arm. A choker with a lightning bolt charm hugs her neck, while wide ring earrings resembling flat PokéBalls dangle from her earlobes. Pale metallic pink eyes looked with confident at the audience, being framed by a long parted fringe that reached her lower ribs. She wears her hair in two buns at each side of her head. Naturally of black color, she has her hair dyed in a gradient from its natural black to metallic blue. Thanks to this, the buns look like two blue metal balls attached to her head.

 

For many kids at the orphanage, Harry and Ned included, she is a model to follow. An orphan herself, her family moved from Kalos when she was three just for her parents to die tragically a year latter, she went to a local high school in a little town at the north-east of Yggsill before doing her journey. Ending as a member of the Elite Four at her twenty fours, just three years ago.

 

Amos Diggory is the oldest of the Elite Four, though still younger than The Champion, at his late forties. A Steel Type Master, his jolly personality doesn’t match with his type speciality. A tall but chubby man, with a brown beard covering the lower half of his perpetually blushing pink face, he was smiling widely and waving at the audience. His shoulder length brown hair was parted to the side. Silver framed rectangular glasses covered his steel-blue eyes. A business outfit of charcoal grey color with lighter lines running through it, making squares when they crossed, covered his form. A silver chain dangled from his breast pocket to disappear inside his suit jacket. A Lord’s Signet Ring sat on his right hand while a wedding band did the same on his left one. A grey square patterned black handkerchief was on the same breast pocket the chain dangled from. A tie of the same pattern and color was around the neck of his white dress shirt. Silver cuffs in the shape of Steelix heads were at the wrist of it.

 

"Lord Diggory wont be happy with his son when he learns that he wasn’t here". Daphne’s mother commented while sacking her head slightly. "If he isn’t just at home with his mother". This last part she said sending a scolding glare Daphne’s way for her last comment.

 

The last of the Elites is Amelia Bones, someone Harry knows is helping with Sirius’s case. A Ground Type Master like the Lupins, she is wearing a white tunic style shirt tucked into long high waisted business trousers in light brown. Low heeled professional shoes in black were at her feet while a calf length trench coat the same color as her trousers covered her form. Her signature monocle was covering the right one of her brown eyes. No rings adorned her pale beige hands. As always, a serious and severe expression adorned her face.

 

With the cheering dying down after some minutes, The Champion continued with his speech.

 

"Winning the Babylon Conference will grant you the opportunity to challenge my Elite Four. They will do everything in their power to defeat you, they will make you prove your mantle, to prove that you have what it takes to reach the TOP!". Said Champion Joseph, lifting an arm with his hand open before closing it and bringing his fist to his face level. "There, I will be waiting for you. Say, do you have what it takes?. COME SHOW ME!!"

 

…

 

"Your dad is good". Harry commented to Theo. The occupants of the box where now making their way down the stairs after the end of the ceremony.

 

"Thanks, he really is". Theo said, a small but proud smile on his lips. "Say, will we see you at the Hogwarts Express?". He continued a little nervous, referring to Blaise and Daphne too. The two of them paying attention to the conversation.

 

Harry looked at his face for a moment, before a small smile of his own formed on his face.

 

"I would like that".

 

 

Notes:

Hey there! Happy christmas!!.
So, I wanted to post this chapter sooner, but life got in the way XP. This is the longest chapter so far, and I fell like it is half character descriptions, sorry about that. But I really like it when the characters are descrived completly from the beggining. If not, you start to visualice them with blue eyes only for the author to later say they are green.
This is something I realiced I've failed to do completly on the first six chapters. I know its my first time writing, but sorry anyway.
Anyway, please write coments, and if you see somthing I can change to make it sound better. Like a frase that doesnt sound right. Or you see gramatical herrors, please writte them on the mesages so I can change them. English is not my native tonge, so im sure ive made mistakes.
Thank you all for reading, and Happy Holidays and New Year!! (since this will probably be the last chapter of this year).
PS. For those thar are cheking Harry Potter and the Yggsill Region: Extra Information, I've made a slight change to the first chapter. I just named the location of the Pokémon League Headcuarters, but wanted to made you people aware of it even if the change is small.

Chapter 8: A Train and a Meeting

Notes:

Disclaimor: Don't own Harry Potter or Pokémon. I only own the original characters and the original Pokémon.

 

Harry readjusted his Hogwarts assigned cap over his head, feeling a little uncomfortable from all the stares he was receiving from the people around Levahner’s Train Station. A reassuring squeeze from Remus hand at his shoulder made Harry relax a little.

 

"Don’t worry, nobody is recognizing you." Said Remus quietly with a kind smile.

 

"Yeah, you are not the only one being stared at." Ned pipped up at Harry’s side, taking care to not get in the way of the trolley Harry was using to carry his luggage. "People don’t have better thinks to do than to come gawk at children?." Ned murmured to himself, just loud enough that the others could hear him.

 

"Hogwarts is considered an elite school in all the senses. Being a student almost guarantee a… successful career, we could say. I suppose people like to come see what for them are the first steps of future little celebrities." Lyall explained, making a comical face to Harry and Ned, making the two snicker.

 

They were right, the station was packed with people and Pokémon, and though only a fourth of them came to just watch the kids and teenagers wearing the Hogwarts uniform, the rest of the people weren’t shy on looking while on their way to their destinations.

 

The group were now heading to the direction of Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. The station was so packed with people that Dante decided to travel in his PokéBall while Hedwig was perched on the shoulder not occupied by Remus hand. Moony and Padfoot were actually doing crowd control at each side of the group. Having two big canine Pokémon serving as guards was a great way to make the mash of people make way, even if it attracted a little more attention.

 

Levahner’s Train Station is situated at the border of the city, right beside the northern most part of the wall surrounding the capital. Train being the principal form of travel for most people, almost the seventy five percent of the population of the region, that don’t have access to a Pokémon with ways to travel quickly, practically every settlement has a train station of their own with Levahner’s being the central one. Levahner’s Train Station has platforms for every destination, including Hogwarts. Or more specifically, Hogsmeade.

 

Platform Nine and Three-Quarters is a secret, not, platform accessible by going trough a barrier situated between platforms nine and ten. Being disguised as a normal column, the platform is actually inside a dimension created thanks to the move Secret Power. Although the move is still used to create Secret Bases outside of battles, the way to make something as grand as the platform is a secret closely guarded by both Hogwarts and the Yggsill League. To prevent people that shouldn’t enter the platform to access it, two security guards accompanied by two Gardevoirs and two Gallades flank the barrier.

 

"You ready?." Remus asked.

 

Harry nodded at him. Taking a breath, he reached for the train ticket he has stored in one of his uniform pockets before approaching one of the guards. The guard took the offered ticket and examined it, tearing a small piece on one of the corners he gave it back to Harry after which he looked at the Gardevoir at his side. Harry observed how the Pokémon looked from Harry to his family (Harry felt a small happy smile appear at that thought) while their eyes and red nub at their chest and back glowed. After a moment, they stoped doing so and the Gardevoir gave a nod to the guard. The guards, Gallades and Gardevoirs made way for them after this. The group gave quick thanks to them, and after Harry took a fortifying breath, they rushed thought the barrier.

 

Harry couldn’t help but gasp at the sight that greeted him, an accompanying gasp from Ned let him know that he wasn’t the only one amazed. The Hogwarts Express was waiting for the students to get on board. A scarlet 4-6-0 steam engine originally, the train has been remodeled trough the course of history since its founding almost two hundred years ago to accommodate to the advances in technology. Now the only thing that still stands of the original design is its appearance, maintaining its steam engine looks.

 

A large platform with the old style-felt typical of Levahner City, a vaulted ceiling made of glass panels and arcs of metal and stone let the sun-light illuminate the platform. Getting out of the way of the entrance to not be trampled over by new arrivals, Harry observed that the barrier in this side took the form of an archway with a plaque that reads Platform Nine and Three-Quarters over it. Turning again to face the platform proper, Harry took notice of a simmering light like barrier at the entrances of the platform from where the train access it, delimiting the space created by Secret Power from the outside world. Over the head of the scarlet train, there was a big clock marking the hour to be half past ten over a sign announcing that the train departs at eleven o’clock.

 

The platform only got packed with more people the closer to the departing hour. The group made their way to a more open section of the platform while weaving thought the trunk of people. Harry was looking everywhere, observing the people and noticing the difference in the uniforms the students were wearing. Some, like Harry, wore the simple white and black uniform typical of first years, while the older years were on iterations of four different color combinations replacing the white embroidery highlights of the first year uniform. The colors consisted of Red and White, Green and Gold, Yellow and Dark Grey, and Blue and Silver, each combination Harry knew represented the four different houses.

 

Stoping when they reached a less crowded place, Harry released Dante since there was enough space for the pup to not be overwhelmed. Turning to look at the others, Harry didn’t know what to say in a situation like this. Felling his insecurity Ned launched himself at Harry and gave him a quick hug.

 

" Give them hell, ok?. Show them who you are, and don’t let them walk over you." Said Ned after breaking from the quick impromptu hug.

 

"I won’t." Harry promised while smiling. "You do the same at Brightmindton, ok?".

 

"You bet." Said Ned while returning the smile. "We will call each other at least once a week. You can then tell me how much you miss me and how tired you are of the pompous rich noble kids".

 

"Hey!, I’m one of those pompous rich kids now." Said Harry in mock indignation.

 

The two shared a laugh before relaxing a little.

 

"Take care, Ok little brother?." Said Ned, a small smile on his face.

 

"I promise." Said Harry, returning the small smile with one of his own.

 

Turning to the two men, Harry found them smiling at the scene. Lyall was the first to say something next.

 

"Well, Ned said it already, so I will just add that you should remember to study, but get some time to have fun and make friends. Hogwarts is a great opportunity to do many things, so try to test everything they have to offer and don’t limit your options when you are up there, ok?." Said Lyall.

 

"Yes, sir." Said Harry with a mock salute.

 

"It has been a pleasure getting to know you this past month, Harry." Lyall continued with a soft expression. "I will be expecting you at home for Christmas so you can tell us everything you have done up there".

 

Harry hugged the old man, felling wetness star to form on his eyes. Breaking the hug after a while, Harry rubbed quickly at his eyes.

 

"Hey, none of that know." Lyal said, poking his forehead playfully with a finger. "How are you going to impress a lass and get yourself a girlfriend if you are all sad and moody?." Lyall joked trying to make Harry laugh.

 

"Hugh!. No, thank you. Thats disgusting, I don’t want a girlfriend." Said Harry scrunching his face in disgust.

 

The rest laughed at his response.

 

"Well, a boyfriend then. There are some good looking lads you can chose from around here." Lyall continued.

 

"NO!, I don’t want any girlfriend or boyfriend or anything." Harry sputtered. "I will have to kiss them, with tongue, in the mouth. Thats just, weaught!!".

 

That just increased the mirth of the others.

 

"That’s what you say now." Lyall teased.

 

"Ok, thats enough teasing dad." Remus interrupted still laughing. Turning to Harry, he envelopes him in a hug before saying anything. "I’m going to miss you, cub".

 

Harry returned the hug instantly, basking in the warmth of the embrace. Breaking the hug after a moment, Remus let his hands on Harry’s now unoccupied shoulders, Hedwig having migrated to perch on Dante's head, to the exasperation of the pup, when Ned first hugged him.

 

"Call us, ok?. Not just once a week, if there is something that’s bothering you don’t hesitate to make a call. I will always be available. I’m just a teleportation away if something happens." Said Remus while looking Harry in the eyes. When he nodded, he brought him again into his arms. "Study, have fun, make friends, and don’t cause to much mischief." Remus said teasingly the last part.

 

"I don’t promise anything." Said Harry with a laugh.

 

Breaking the hug, the two smiled at each other before Remus looked at Harry’s companions

 

"Dante, Hedwig, make sure he stays out of trouble, Okey?." said Remus to the two Pokémon. "And look after each other".

 

Dante gave a affirmative happy bark while Hedwig turned her head and cawed like if she were saying ‘do you need to ask?’. Remus smiled at them before he reached for one of the PokéBalls on his belt. Harry cocked his head when he saw that it was one of the ones used for item storage.

 

"I wanted to give it to you earlier, but I had some difficulty acquiring some of them." Said Remus before releasing the item from inside the PokéBall.

 

When the red light faded, a photo album was deposited into Remus’s hands. Remus presented it to Harry, who took it with curiosity. Opening the album, Harry was greeted with the picture of a smiling couple taking over almost all the space of the page. Above the picture, a writing read, James and Lily Potter, Autumn XX79. Harry gasped, his eyes widening trying to drink in all the details of the picture. This was the first time seeing a picture of his parents, the photo sowed the both of them laughing while they appeared to have been dancing amidst a rain of falling autumn leafs. Wearing warm cloths for the weather, his mother beautiful red hair flew around the couple for under a visor beret cap. Her bright emerald eyes, so much like Harry’s, shone with happiness. His father black curly hair stuck in all directions much like Harry’s did, being even more messy thanks to the wind. His hazel eyes looked at his mother from behind thin rectangular glasses with clear adoration.

 

Harry caressed the picture, a lone tear falling through his cheek that he didn’t even notice.

 

"Sorry for having took so long. When I brought you home, I realized that I didn’t have something to give you to remember your parents. I never though of compiling an album until then. I already had pictures, obviously, but I wanted to give you something more filling. So I reached to old friends of your parents, asking…" Remus was interrupted when Harry launched himself into his arms.

 

Feeling a little tremble on Harry’s shoulders, Remus promptly returned the hug and kissed the crown of his head.

 

"Thank you…dad." Said Harry, hesitating before powering through. It felt right.

 

Remus didn’t let his surprise show, only tightening the hug.

 

"Anytime, son." Remus responded, a thick feeling on his throat.

 

The moment was interrupted with the whistle of the train sounding, alerting the people of its imminent departure. Breaking the hug, they looked at the direction of the clock and saw that only five minutes remained.

 

"Let me help you find a compartment." Remus said after clearing his throat, already reaching for Harry’s suitcase.

 

Luckily, they didn’t have to search for much time since they were almost at the end of the train and the students were just now starting to rush in search of a compartment of their own.

 

Exiting the train after quickly finding a compartment, Harry gave a final round of goodbyes. Hugging Ned, Lyall and Remus in quick succession before doing the same to Moony and Padfoot, adding a scratch behind the ears for them too. Another whistle form the train made all the students rush to board it. Quickly reaching the compartment, Harry went to the window and observed the families waving at their children outside the train, his own included. Waving back at them, Harry was momentarily distracted by a flood of redheads rushing to the train. A red headed woman of short stature and slightly plump, practically shoved the kids onto the train, the last of them jumping into it when the train whistled for a final time. Harry couldn’t help but be amused by it.

 

With the train starting to move, Harry looked at were his family was again and didn’t stop waving till the train passed though the barrier and the Secret Power created dimension disappeared from view, leaving the outside stone of the city walls as their last goodbye.

 

---

 

Remus passed a towel over the fogged mirror surface after having taken a shower. Looking at his reflection, he almost couldn’t recognize himself. Not for any changes in his appearance, he still looked the same. Light brown hair darkened at the moment for his damp state, amber eyes, and beige toned skin marred with scars.

 

Remus never liked to look at himself upon mirrors. Years of feeling insecure for being degraded for his status as Aura Insensitive weren’t helped by his scars. But now he didn’t care about them, he felt good with himself for the first time in a long time.

 

He was happy, Remus realized. That was the difference in his reflected image upon the mirrors surface. Happy because he has his cub back, something he was starting to doubt he could ever get. But he did, he has spend a month with him and has just sent him off in the Hogwarts Express for the first time. An experience he thought he wouldn’t have with him.

 

And with Harry came Ned too. That kid has warned his way into his hearth. Brightening the place with his presence as much as Harry. While Remus only cared to get Harry when he went that day at the orphanage, he doesn’t regret agreeing with his father in bringing the violet eyed kid into their home and lives.

 

The only thing that marred his happiness was Sirius absence. And even that couldn’t really dampen his new found positivity. Now that he has his kids, Remus was sure that he will get Sirius, his brother, back too.

 

Finishing changing into his Trainer Looks, Remus gave his goodbyes to Ned and his father. Exiting the villa’s house, Remus found his Pokémon already waiting for him.

 

"Well, you guys know what to do. I don’t think I will need to bring you out during the meeting, only Aqua and Moony will be outside of their PokeBalls with me, but pay attention about what it’s said through it, please." Said Remus to his partners and closest friends. Although the please was only directed towards Gliscor, his most rambunctious Pokémon.

 

All his Pokémon gave sound of confirmation. Gliscor grinned innocently, causing Krookodile to snicker and Aqua to sigh exasperatedly alongside Remus.

 

"Okey, lets go then." Said Remus returning all of them to their PokeBalls except for Claydol and Padfoot.

 

"Okey girl," Remus said while crouching down in front of the huge, for her species, Mightyena. "you know I can’t bring you with me to the meting since you are not really my Pokémon. So I want you to stay in the villa and protect the place for me while we are gone, Okey?".

 

Padfoot barked her agreement, receiving a smile and a scratch behind the ear from Remus in return before he straightened up and turned to face the floating living doll.

 

"Okey Claydol, lets go." Said Remus, banishing moments later in the light of teleportation. Leaving Padfoot as the only individual standing outside the house.

 

...

 

After appearing into the teleportation point in front of the League Headquarters on Babylon Island, Remus released Aqua and Moony, after recalling Claydol, to walk with him while heading to the walled ancient looking building. Before they could take more than a few steps, they were stoped by a gust of wind being produced by an imposing Salamence. Arcturus Black, having decided to fly to the meeting, got down from the she-dragon’s back. After exchanging brief greetings, Arcturus recalled Salamence and released his scarred and war hardened starter, Eltanin the Haxorus.

 

Babylon island is the location of Babylon Stadium, the largest stadium of the region and where the Babylon Conference is celebrated at the end of each League Year. A stone stadium resembling an ancient coliseum in its architecture, three massive statues tower over its walls representing the legendary Pokémon Fenral, a giant wolf with an armored head, Wairuus, a giant six legged horse with an armored head and six legs, and Slangander, a giant snake like dragon with an armored head and a fanned tail. At its side, sprawls an almost deserted small city that serves as the residence for the families of the League Officials. The place only filling up when the conference is being held.

 

The building that house the League Headquarters is situated at the center of the small city. The headquarters are in the ancient castle of the royal family of Pendragon before it was repurposed to house The Yggsill League when King Arthur Pendragon unified the region alongside his twelve Knights.

 

"Arcturus, Remus. Could we talk privately for a moment?" The voice of Amelia Bones stoped the two men and their Pokémon on their way through the castle halls.

 

Turning around, the group found the Head of Law Enforcement and strongest of the Elite Four walking towards them with her ace, Calbuco the Camerupt, just behind her. Remus and Arcturus exchanged a look, before consenting to Amelia’s request. Indicating for them to follow, Amelia and Calbuco led the five individuals into an empty small meeting room.

 

"I wanted to talk to you before the meeting." Amelia began after they all took a seat on the empty chairs, Amelia having made sure that they wouldn’t be overhead before taking hers. Something that picked the interest of the two men. "I would have just brought it up with the rest at the meeting, but I know you two have a bested interest in this. And you deserve to know besides".

 

Remus couldn’t help but to felt a twinge of apprehension mixed with some hope at her words. Suspecting, but not wanting to get his hopes up, about what she wanted to talk about. It has been almost a month since Padfoot couldn’t reach through her connection with Sirius. Arcturus for his part rearranged his already unreadable face into something even more so.

 

"We have gotten Sirius out off Azkaban and into a secure location…"

 

"Is he okey?." Interrupted Remus.

 

"About damn time." Arcturus said at the same time.

 

Amelia raised her hands to stall more interruptions for the two men.

 

"Yes, he is okey. More than okey actually, taking into account where he has been the last ten years." Said Amelia, reassuring Remus. "And there have been some…complications that have surged from this." She said to Arcturus.

 

"Complications? What complications?." Arcturus started dangerously. "My grandson, my heir, has been rotting in Azkaban for ten years. And I brought you proof of his innocence. Enough proof to get him out of that hell hole to at least receive a retrial. And that was a month ago".

 

"There won’t be a retrial".

 

You could hear a pin drop in the silence that followed.

 

"What?".

 

Remus was startled by the fact that the almost growled question actually came from him. Growls started to fill the room, courtesy of Moony and Eltanin, being accompanied by a strange but not less threatening hissed croak from Aqua. Calbuco sifted on his place, readying himself to defend his human if necessary.

 

"There won’t be a retrial because there wasn’t a trial in the first place." Clarified Amelia before the situation could escalate.

 

That stopped everyone in their tracks. Everyone looked at Amelia in disbelief. Well, Remus and his Pokémon looked at her in disbelief while Arcturus didn’t sow any emotion on his face, the only thing that betrayed his emotion was an almost unnoticeable tightening of his hand over his cane.

 

"That is one of the complications, I will bring the rest at the meting. But I wanted you two to know beforehand." Amelia gave a small exhale before continuing. "We actually took him out of Azkaban a week after you brought me the Will. I would apologize for waiting so long to inform you, Lord Black, but it was necessary for his safety and to prevent certain parties to learn about all of this ahead of time".

 

There was silence while Arcturus and Amelia looked at each other, before the aged lord gave a grudging nod.

 

"But he is okey? When can we see him?." Said Remus after a while earnestly.

 

"I’m sorry Remus, but I can’t let you see him. Only Lord Black may do so as he is family, but I can’t let you do it." Said Amelia apologetically. "But, like I said. He is okey. In fact, he is the healthiest inmate I have ever seen after staying for so long in there. Mentally, at least." Amelia gave a sidelong glance at Remus, giving a pointed look at Moony before returning her gaze to the man. "You wouldn’t know something about that?".

 

Remus couldn’t help but blush, preventing himself of scratching behind his neck in bashfulness. 'You where a Marauder, man. Control yourself', Remus admonished himself.

 

"I will take that as a yes." Said Amelia with a snort, not letting Remus come with anything to say. "It was quite surprising for us, arriving at his cell and being basically told that he was waiting for us. You are quite lucky that I can’t arrest you for communicating with a prisoner without supervision thanks to the fact that he wasn’t really a convict".

 

Amelia gave a snort at Remus relieved expression.

 

"For what it’s worth, it was really Padfoot’s doing." Remus couldn’t help but say teasingly. Moony barked a laugh at his side, while Aqua gave him an exasperated but fond look.

 

"It’s not your fault regardless." Amelia waved his comment off with amusement. "I don’t know if I should be grateful for the incompetence of the guards or not." Added Amelia massaging her temples. "They should have known better than to put him a standard Aura Suppressor Cuff. A known bonded individual no less".

 

"I will take the grateful approach if you don’t mind. Maybe I should give a gift basket as thanks to the guards." Said Arcturus, smirking in pleasure at Amelias comment. 'Being able to access your Aura, even just a little, with a standard suppressor on you is no small feat', thought Arcturus.

 

Remus smirked at the old Lord’s comment.

 

"Of course you do." Amelia muttered. "Well, that was everything. We should head to the meting before it starts without us there." She said standing from her occupied chair.

 

"Wait. Who else knows about this?." Remus asked while following her example and standing from his seat.

 

"Only trusted individuals. I really don’t want Fudge or his sycophants knowing about this beforehand." Said Amelia heading to the door. She stopped in front of it before turning a little to look at the two men. "The Champion also knows, of course".

 

Remus reluctantly nodded his head at this before the group exited the small room and resumed their walk to the meeting.

 

---

 

 

Champion Joseph Theodore Nott found himself standing in front of his wall length window in his personal office at the Yggsill’s League Headquarters on Babylon Island, looking in the direction he knew Hogwarts Castle to be. He has just seen his little man take the train, taking his first steps into a new journey, and right now he was heading to Hogwarts to start it.

 

Joseph knows that he wasn’t a good man, that he is not a good man, but he tries to be. For his son, for the last piece he has of her. He is a selfish man, only two reasons compelled him to become Champion. For his son to look at him and see someone he can be proud to call father, and for vengeance.

 

He was twenty-one and just finished his third year of his journey, having decided to attend the seven Hogwarts years, when his own father introduced him to The Dark Lord, Lord Voldemort. Or, how he has discovered he was really called, Tom Marvolo Riddle. Voldemort was supposed to be the beacon of hope for all the traditional families, for the political Dark Faction. The one to champion for their believes and laws.

 

And Joseph believed it too. Till he meet her, his Ashara.

 

Till this day, he doesn’t know what she saw in him, a man almost twenty years her senior and with so much blood in his hands he could drown in them. He was thirty eight when he meet her, she just reached her twenty birthday. She was in her second year of her Pokémon journey. A revel at heart, she actually originated from Floresta, one of the small Ranger Regions. Instead of going the path designed by her society, she went to a Pokémon Journey, catching her own team and training them as a normal Pokémon Trainer would. Something really frowned upon in the Ranger Regions.

 

Ashara made him change, to reevaluate his choices in life, to question his believes. She made him a better person. He loved her so much, his Light. And they took her away from him.

 

His father was already dead when he meet Ashara, so it wasn’t really difficult to distance himself from the Dark Lord’s movement. Joseph knew he couldn’t rescind all his support, having been too immersed into the ranks to leave unscathed, but he stoped going on the field, gave only monetary support, and acquired a more neutral approach on the political field. Not completely, but enough to where he thought he could go without receiving a reprisal from Lord Voldemort.

 

How wrong he was. One can’t just get out of the Dark Lord’s clutches, not whiteout his permission. And he never gives it.

 

It was just a month before the Dark Lord’s demise, his son only having experienced the love of his mother for little over a year. They made it seem like it was done by the other side of the war, to make him return to the fold. It was a good attempt, others would have been fooled, but he knows Voldemort’s handiwork too well for it to have worked.

 

It’s actually fortunate that the Potter Family vanquished the dark lord when they did. Joseph is man enough to admit that he would have made an orphan of his little Theo had he gone on his un-brained plan of trying to kill the dark lord himself. For he wasn’t half the trainer he is today.

 

At the end of the war, if it wasn’t for his son, he would have given himself up to the authorities and let them do with him whatever they wanted. So profound his depression over Ashara’s loss was. But he had Theo to think about. Instead, he made a deal with the government. He only ended having to pay with a three quarters of his families fortune, and do community service for fifteen years. A really low sentence for what should have happened to him, but he wont complain. It let him be with Theo.

 

He is still doing community service, in fact. He still has four more years to go. But now, he is doing them as The Champion. Fortunately, tough not being paid for his position as Champion, his family’s investments were not touched by the government and could sustain his little family while slowly growing their fortune again. Though it will take till his son had great-grandsons to reach the previously amassed fortune of his family.

 

It wasn’t easy. The League Union didn’t want him to be The Champion of Yggsill, and who could fault them?. But he wanted it, needed it really. Being champion gave him power. Power that he plans to use to end Voldemort and his followers. For he is not dead. The still present brand on his inner left forearm, for faint that it is, confirms it.

 

That motive is the major reason for the League accepting his ascension to the tittle. Of course, restrictions where put on him. He has a lot of them, and the League Union constantly looking over his decisions. Luckily, they are relaxing in their overseeing. The best example of this is the absence for the last four months of his league assigned inspector. She made meetings quite uncomfortable.

 

And talking about meetings, todays meeting of the Pillars was about to start. So heading towards the door, Champion Joseph made his way to the meeting room being followed by his loyal Pangoro, Barrett.

 

…

 

Arriving in front of the doors to the meting room, Joseph stoped in front of them. He could hear voices drifting from the other side, signaling that the rest were already present at the other side of the doors. Looking at his wrist watch, Joseph noted that he has a minute before the scheduled time for the meeting. Nodding to himself, and receiving a nod from Barrett when Joseph looked at him, Joseph straightened his posture and pushed the doors open.

 

The room fell into silence when he stepped inside, all the other Pillars were already siting on their assigned seats with their Pokémon situated behind them like guards. Depending of the individual and what they wanted to transmit, the partner they have outside of their PokeBalls were or their starter or their Ace. If they weren’t both at the same time.

 

The meeting room is a spacious chamber occupied with a big oval table on the center of the room, and only decorated with a suit of armor on each corner of it and a banner of the Yggsill League hanging between two narrow but ceiling tall windows. This room serves as the principal meting room for what are considered to be the most powerful trainers of the League, referred simply as The Pillars.

 

Giving a nod of greeting to the people already inside, Joseph and Barrett went to his assigned seat at the head of the table situated in front of the hanging banner. While doing so, he subtly observed the seated individuals. Twelve of them he saw yesterday night at the Inauguration Ceremony, his elite four and this years Big Eight Gym Leaders. But six of them he hadn’t seen in person since the Gym Leader Competition, to see who would form part of the Big Eight Gyms this season, that was held at the middle of July. The assigned seats were such that each individual was seated in front of the next ‘strongest’. Reaching his chair and taking the seat, at his right as the strongest among the Elite Four sat Amelia Bones with her Camerupt laying down behind her seat. While at his left as the strongest after her sat Jeremy Bertram with his starter Hitmonlee standing guard behind him. At Amelia’s side sat Elektra Levina, as the third strongest of the Elite Four, with her starter and ace Ampharos behind her. While at Jeremy's side sat Amos Diggory as the 'weakest', with his Probopas floating behind him since his actual starter and ace, Steelix, didn’t fit inside the room.

 

Following this trend, on the right side of the table where Amelia and Elektra were seated, if what Elektra was doing could be called being seated, sat Arcturus Black with his Haxorus, Augusta Longbottom with her actual starter Venusaur, Amaranta Zabini with her Banette’s eyes being visible in her shadow, Kai Johnson and his Talonflame perched on the backseat of his chair, Remus Lupin with his Swampert and Aura Bonded dusk form Lycanroc, Ignis Yaxley with his Skuntank laying under his seat and Aayaan Shafiq with his Sigilyph floating behind him. While on the left side, where Jeremy and Amos were seated, sat Christopher Greengrass with his Beartic looming over him even while being seated on the floor, Bianca Abbott was next with her Heliolisk dropping herself over her backseat, Emmett Selwyn with his Grumpig swaying to music only he can heard, Arthur Weasley with his Beedrill buzzing behind his seat, Xenophilius Lovegood with his Florges looking daintily aroun the room, Delta Lockhart with her Dewgong fake sleeping on the floor and Matilda Bulstrode was last, with her Gigalith standing motionless behind her.

 

Although the assigned seats were supposed to represent where each one of them sat among the others in terms of strength, it wasn’t quite accurate with their powers as trainer. But at least, it prevented the Gym Leaders in grouping into different factions, having two completely opposite politically and personality minded individuals sitting beside each other like Arthur and Emmet for example.

 

Of the Pillars that were yesterday participating in the ceremony, all of them, with the exception of Jeremy and Christopher, wore similar if slightly varied clothing. Being what they wore yesterday their Trainer Look. Christopher discarded his winter themed look for an ice blue business suit, while Jeremy…well, Joseph just gave thanks that he decided to wear more clothing. From rants giving by the other Champions, that Jeremy deigned to wear a tracksuit, even if he goes with the zipper of his jacket half open exposing his uncovered torso, is a miracle on itself. It’s actually really funny to hear Lance complain about his Fighting Type Masters Bruno and Chuck. Joseph also noted that Jeremy didn’t wear his war paint, though red makeup residue can still be noticed under his eyes.

 

Looking where the secondary gym leaders sat, his eyes fell upon Remus. He gave the younger man a nod of acknowledgment, knowing that he actually went yesterday night to the ceremony accompanied by quite the young man thanks to his son. Joseph noted that Remus decided to wear his brown-grey kerchief alongside his typical Trainer Look, something Joseph knows he usually only wears when walking through the dessert and on high level battles, where Remus is fond of commanding his Pokémon to create sandstorms.

 

Xenophilius Lovegood, gym leader of Velerien, Fairy Type Master and one of the only three secondary gym leaders to offer elite level battles, was the next to attract Joseph attention. Joseph was actually surprised that the long silver haired, blue eyed man sowed on time, something he was pretty sure was thanks to Xeno’s little daughter. The little girl even managed to convince him of shaving, exposing his deathly pale white skin. Since the death of his wife, the man has gone on a decline. So much so that Joseph put a discreet observer to make sure nothing bad would happen to him or his daughter. Joseph still doesn’t know how he manages to take care of the gym and his duties as a gym leader alongside writing a magazine, although the fact that he hadn’t managed to be part of the Big Eight since the death of his wife was telling. After all, before she died he managed to maintain his position in their ranks, undisputed, since he became the gym leader at the age of twenty.

 

Ignis Yaxley is the other secondary gym leader beside Remus and Xenophilius that offer elite level battles, being the Poison Type Master and gym leader of Serter. Son of the war hero Reginald Yaxley, the one that made their family archive the rank of Most Ancient and Noble, Joseph was just thankful that his side of the family is the one that ended with the headship of their house. The current Lord of his house, Ignis is of an age with Joseph. A relatively tall man with the hard, forceful features and poison blue eyes typical of his family, his face is marred with frown lines and his white hair is starting to recede at the temples exposing more of his pale fawn skin. He wears an expensive business suit in the colors of his house of brown, green and purple with a light purple neckerchief around his neck.

 

Delta Lockhart sits in front of Ignis, a High Ace Level trainer and Water Type Specialist with her gym located on Rillswabe. She is studying and training to archive the mastery of her chosen type. A beautiful woman with her delicate features, long wavy blonde hair, pale blush skin and straight and shiny teeth, she has a self-centered personality to mach her looks. Luckily for her, and the League, she actually has skill to back her narcissism. Something her famous big brother sorely needs and totally lacks. Not that the public knows that. In contrast with the rest of the gym leaders, she hasn’t developed a Trainer Look of her own, opting to wear what is considered chick and in fashion at the time.

 

Aayaan Shafiq, the Gym Leader of Lastview, is a peculiar case. Well, more like his entire family is a peculiar case. The Shafiq family only held the position as a member of the Big Eight for a year almost four hundred years ago, the same year the then Head of House acquired the title of Gym Leader. Since then, they haven’t even tried to form part of the big eight, many of them even contenting themselves to only archive the rank of Ace Level Trainer. Joseph doesn’t understand them, though he knows that they only wanted the position as Gym Leaders to gain control and political power over their assigned territory, they could archive much more politically if they were part of the Big Eight. Apart of this, Aayaan is quite the affable man, even if his family is a traditionally Dark political one, with handsome and sharp features, thick short black hair and chin curtain beard. His tan skin is marked with laugh lines, particularly noticeable around his reddish-brown almond shaped eyes. The Shafiq family specializes in Flying types, and Aayaan is not different. This preference on the flying type was prevalent on the gold embroidery of wings present on his burnt white sherwani with silver buttons. White formal shoes and trousers covered his lower half, while a big light blue square scarf was dropped over his right shoulder.

 

Matilda Bulstrode is the last of the gym leaders. One of the rare, but not uncommon, cases of an Ace Level trainer with a Type Mastery. Despite that, her family has been struggling to maintain the position of gym leaders for forty eight years with barely reaching the ranks of the Ace Level trainers. And that with only archiving the Low Level Ace rank, like in her own case. Based on Mightbury, she is a Rock Type Master. Joseph knows that her daughter is their next hope to raise higher on the ranks of gym leaders. Little Millicent was on his way to her first year at Hogwarts, and she apparently has more Aura capacity than any member of her family has sown recently. 'Probably thanks to Matilda marrying outside the region and not within the typical families they marry into', thought Joseph. A short woman in her forties, Matilda presents the traditional black eyes and big boned structure of her family that made her look bigger than she is. She has a constant frown in her face, only made more apparent by her jutting jaw. Her unwelcoming presence was made more severe with her black hair done in a severe bum and her military uniform, for when she served in Yggsill’s army. Though she at least tries to lessen its severity by wearing her Parade Uniform.

 

"Let’s begin." Joseph stated after finishing his observations.

 

Before continuing he gave Elektra a look. She gave him a grin and a wink, but at least complied and lowered her heeled booted feet from the table. After she did that, Joseph touched a specific spot of the table, prompting blue holographic computers to appear in front of each of them.

 

"First physical meting of the League Year 2091-2092 of the Yggsill Region." Joseph started after activating the voice recording option of the holographic computer. Recording the meetings was something put by the League Union when he made champion, one of their restrictions, so they can latter revise the meting when it is automatically send to them at the end of it. But its something he is actually thinking on implementing himself, it comes in handy to have proof of what his Pillars had agreed upon and what has been discussed at the meetings. Some of his Pillars have quite the selective memory. "Champion at the time Joseph Theodore Nott, with Elite Four Members Amelia Susan Bones, Jeremy Brian Bertram, Elektra Marie Levina and Amos Dorian Diggory. Big Eigh Gym Leaders Arcturus Sirius Black, Christopher Rose Greengrass, Augusta Selene Longbottom, Bianca Helena Abbott, Amaranta Giana Zabini, Emmett Roger Selwyn, Kai Zion Johnson and Arthur Septimus Weasley. Six Secondary Gym Leaders Remus John Lupin, Xenophilius Lysander Lovegood, Ignis Doran Yaxley, Delta Atlanna Lockhart, Aayaan Shafiq and Matilda Jenna Bulstrode are also present".

 

Taking a quiet breath and leaning slightly back on his chair, Joseph continued speaking now that the introduction part was over.

 

"First order of business. Paldea negotiations to form part of the League Union are progressing at a reasonable pace. They have facilitated the Member Regions with a list of their regional Pokémon and moves created on their region." Taping a series of holographic keys, he shared said lists with the others.

 

"They are eager. Other regions shared things like these much latter in the negotiations when they were found and decided to join." Arcturus commented.

 

"Are you surprised?. The League Union have known of the location of that region since Sinnoh, and us with them, were…discovered. If it wasn’t to knowing the location of Paldea, we wouldn’t have found Kalos, for Wairuus sake!." Said Augusta. "Of course they are eager to join now that their Dictator is six feet under".

 

"Girafarig can evolve?." Emmett interrupted.

 

"Yes, they discovered long ago a move that triggers the evolution. There are other known Pokémon with discovered evolutions that are common in Paldea." Joseph answered. "We will be seeing more waves in the coming years now that they have started the process of joining into the wider world." He finished addressing now all the occupants of the room.

 

"They have started already. One of the stands at the Inauguration Ceremony had stuffed toys of Paldean Pokémon as trophies. The man swore he was legal, but I would be cautious." Remus interceded.

 

"Toys?. Let it to you to worry about toys." Emmett said with a mocking tone and sneer directed at Remus.

 

Joseph noted a calculating gleam on his eyes. 'That doesn’t bode well', Joseph thought. Luckily, the only thing that happened was one of Remus's eyebrows twitching at the man's words, but nothing else.

 

"No, he is right to ask for caution. If there are already legal products, the black market will be filled with much less legal ones. I wouldn’t be surprised if traffic rings didn’t already have a selection of poached Pokémon for the higher bidder." Amelia put forward. "I already warned the ACE Corps, the Ranger Corps, and the Police Force to be vigilant for any new contraband." After saying that she turned her gaze to Joseph. "They wouldn’t have also shared a list of common drugs and unsavory products from their home region, would they?".

 

"No, they weren’t that eager to part with their more unpleasant information." Said Elektra with a snorted laugh, answering the question herself instead of the champion.

 

Joseph smiled thinly before speaking again.

 

"Lest continue, just take a look at the lists for a latter date." After receiving nods of agreement, he continued with the next point of the meting. "Today is the official first day of the League year, preparations are finished?". Asked Joseph. He tried to not look at anyone specifically, but everyone knew that the question was more for the benefit of Delta than the rest.

 

Fortunately, all answered on the affirmative.

 

"We haven’t received any challengers yet, I think?". Arthur pipped up, sweeping his gaze in question through the rest, receiving confirmations at the admission. "I specifically, being the assigned first gym, don’t spect actual real challengers until next week. Even Hogwarts graduates and students from her sister schools in the other regions, that come here to participate in the circuit, tend to wait that amount of time before challenging the gym, preferring to train during the first week before doing so." He received nods and sounds of agreement from the rest. "Although I spect some challengers trying in the next few days, thinking it will be easy to defeat the Bug Gym". Arthur finished with a small frown.

 

"Just remember to contain yourself. They may be cocky, but its not necessary to put the fear of Legendaries on them and end their careers before they start." She said that, but Amaranta’s grin didn’t match her words.

 

"I’m not that bad." Arthur defended himself, a small blush noticeable on his pale cheeks.

 

More than one snorted at his declaration.

 

"Arthur, they don’t call you The Beehive for sit and giggles." Said Remus, mirth coloring his voice.

 

They were right. Arthur didn’t know the meaning of the word restrain when it came to people that underestimated his Bugs. Even though he is the first Gym Leader, that is actually a position he chose for himself since he is actually up there with Arcturus, Christopher and Augusta in terms of strength. When you gain the displeasure of a High Elite Level trainer, you feel the sting. Pun intended.

 

"Is someone noteworthy predicted to take on the Circuit this year?." Arcturus interjected.

 

"Yes, we have a total of twenty Ace level trainers and nine Elite level trainers from foreign regions, that we got forewarning and we approved of, that will be participating in the circuit." Elektra answered, pressing some of the holographic keys to forward a list of said trainers.

 

Of course Joseph already knew about that, but presenting this feel under the purview of Elektra as the Head of Yggsill’s Pokémon League External Relations Department. The normal circuit was open to any trainer. Not that fair to the rest of trainers, but it also served as a way to pick noteworthy new trainers for sponsorships. After all, a new trainer being able to compete with Ace and Elite Levels have a lot of promise. Ace and Elite trainers participate in the normal circuit because winning it grants them the opportunity to challenge the Elite Four and The Champion. Though only the trainers born, or raised like with Elektra, in the region can take a place in the ranks, for the rest is still a great mark in their resume to have won a league and challeng the five most powerful trainers of a region.

 

"I’ve already forewarned Crouch about the influx of trainers of course. Not that he can do much about it". She added. "I still expect a trickle of trainers from Beginner to Veteran level to arrive through the month. And stragglers to arrive at the start of next month before stopping".

 

Bartemius Crouch is her counterpart in the ministry, taking care of the relationship between Yggsill and the rest of the world in the mundane aspects. While Elektra did it in relation with the Pokémon League and everything Pokémon Related, like in the exchange of trainers or the discussions of Paldea joining the League Union for example.

 

"Good, we can let lose with them." Said Emmett with an arrogant smirk.

 

"I can’t help but note that there are less Ace and Elite trainers than last year". Arcturus noted, ignoring the psychic gym leader’s comment .

 

"And last year were less than the last, and that year were less than the previous one." Elektra recited in a mocking voice not really directed at anyone before sighing. "All the Regions are seeing a decline in powerful new trainers, ours included".

 

"Any reason why?." Kai asked with certain concern in his voice.

 

Concern shared among many of the rest. Something understandable, trainers were the backbone of the region. Serving as the primary line of defense, the less powerful trainers a region has to offer, the more the rest of the regions will see that one as weak and easy picking.

 

"Showmanship." Joseph answered himself. "Many trainers now think that what makes a good one is spanning a lot of showy moves that look good on tv".

 

"And what is wrong with that?" Delta pipped up. "A little theatre never hurt anyone".

 

"What is wrong, Delta, is the fact that the trainers are teaching their Pokémon a trillion of moves that they don’t even master. Making them no more than useless." Augusta practically barked. "Even Coordinators, the actual showmen and women, understand that its more useful to have your Pokémon actually master a few moves than to make them learn a hundred to mediocrity".

 

"Is there something being done about it?." Bianca asked before the two women could get into an argument.

 

Joseph wasn’t the only one to give her a thankful look.

 

"Yes, this is not the first time this has happened, so there is already a established way to respond to this. We just need to find some good, like-able and powerful trainers, create a following for them and made them enter a League." Joseph answered.

 

"That simple?". Asked Kai with skepticism.

 

"It has worked before." Said Joseph. "The hard part is finding trainers that meet the criteria. The fact that it actually works best when its the first time that a trainer participates in a circuit makes it more complicated. That is why its taking so long for the Leagues of each region to respond, we have already tried but haven’t succeeded with the selected trainers so far".

 

"At least it's something that’s affecting all the Leagues." Interjected Ignis. "What of the Ace and Elite Circuits? How many takers this year?. With this happening, those challenges must have been affected".

 

The Ace and Elite challenges were actually used to promote trainers to those Levels and nothing else. Again, the regions took pride in the number of trainers of each rank that they have.

 

"They were." Joseph answered, confirming Ignis suspicions. He pressed some of the keys on the holography keyboard to share the list. "As you know, the trainers that want to advance to the Ace and Elite Levels must first pass an standardized exam of the League Union to qualify before the start of the League year of the region they are doing it at. We only have eighty nine trainers that qualify, having passed the exam, for the Ace challenge, and thirty seven for the Elite".

 

Joseph saw more than a few grimaces of displeasure at such low numbers. In a normal year there should have been around a hundred takers for the Elite Level, while the Ace circuit saw close to five hundreds. Of course, actually gaining the level is another story. Only around the ten percent of trainers taking the Ace Circuits actually archive the rank. For the Elite rank, there has been years without any trainers actually completing the challenge and gaining the level. With this low number of trainers taking them, the prospects weren’t favorable.

 

"I see two of your children in the list, Arthur". Bianca said, lightening the mood with deviating a little the subject.

 

"Indeed, you and Molly must be proud. They are even taking the Elite Circuit". Said Amos, smiling jovially.

 

"We are! Bill and Charlie aren’t full time trainers, but getting the Elite level certificate will help them in getting better promotion offers in their respective jobs." Said Arthur, who couldn’t help but swell in pride.

 

Emmett sneered at the turn of the conversation, but thankfully abstained on making a comment.

 

"Oh, you Weasleys seem to have caught a favorable current" . Delta said while wiggling her eyebrows suggestively. "Hear your nephew just got promoted to member of Sinnoh’s Elite Four as well. Care to make introductions?." She finished with a charming smile.

 

"Aaahh, I’m sorry to say, but Aaron already has a partner." Said Arthur, an uncomfortable smile on his face.

 

Delta pouted at his response.

 

"Next point." Joseph interjected quickly. "How is the security in the routes?." He finished while looking at Jeremy.

 

"All in order. All the routes have their Ranger patrol doubled, or even tripled for our most dangerous routes, for the upcoming increase in traffic. We will be counting with the help of the Gyms to maintain order between routes, of course." Jeremy answered and finished his statement while looking at the gym leaders.

 

He received different forms of confirmation for his statement.

 

"You will have the help of our Gym Trainers as always, we will also increase the patrols through the forest. Nobody wants foolish trainers to fall prey of a copse of Trevenants." Said Augusta in her none nonsense tone.

 

"Appreciated, thank you Augusta." Jeremy answered.

 

'Jeremy may not pay attention to social clues for clothing, but he sure is one of the more serious members of our ranks', Joseph thought with a little amusement.

 

"We will also be making sure the Beedrill colonies don’t take nest near the main route going through Antares forest, now that it is time for the new queens to make their own nests. Relocations will be needed in some cases, I think. We will be grateful of any assistance your departments can give." Said Arthur while nodding at Jeremy and Amos. Arthur's own Beedrill increased the noise of her fuzzing in agitation at her trainer's words.

 

"Of course." The blue haired fighter answered while Amos nodded his head with a smile.

 

"We will make sure they are treated with care if relocation is needed." Amos also added to appease the Beedrill.

 

The Pokémon calmed some at his words. Some affectionate pats of the head by her trainer made her settle fully.

 

Like the rest of his Elite four, Jeremy and Amos were also heads of department for the League. Jeremy was head of the Yggsill’s League’s Department of Control and Response to Pokémon Accidents and Catastrophes. This made him the man in charge to response to any kind of disaster caused by rampaging Pokémon, maintain the routes secure for traveling, being in charge in any rescue and relief mission, and similar. He is in control of this aspect of the Ranger and ACE Corps thanks to this. Although the ACE Corps fell more under the jurisdiction of Amelia, since they went more against criminals that the Rangers did.

 

Amos for his part was the head of the Yggsill’s League’s Department of Control, Rehabilitation and Preservation of Pokémon. This not only made him being in charge of the rehabilitation of abused Pokémon, he also was in charge of maintaining and preserving Yggsill’s ecosystems.

 

Amelia, Jeremy and Amos found many times their jobs overlapping. Principally with the Ranger Corps, but they each are in charge of one aspect of it.

 

Being a member of the Pillars come with more responsibilities than just doing Pokemon Battles. Though the Gym Leaders preferred for those responsibilities to translate to thinks like training Pokémon for specific task like the Lupins did, being the head of certain departments is something that practically came with the job prescription for his Elite Four. Of course, gaining the position is more complicated than just gaining the post of a Pillar. Apart from those four, there are more departments like the Education Department were Bianca is in charge. Or the Department of Internal Security, 'Or Black Ops, like many like to refer them as', thought Joseph while looking subtly to a certain tattooed Gosht Type Master.

 

"We have also increased the security around Antodre’s Tree in the Antodre's Ruins, in Rost’s Temple and in the lowest part of Valkyrie’s Plateou. Not that we are that concerned about the last place." Jeremy added after the Poison Bee Pokémon calmed down.

 

"Indeed. We wouldn’t want some fifteen years old to perform a dangerous and restricted ritual in the Veils to gain an Aura Bonded Pokémon, would we?." Amelia added, a pointed look directed at Remus but there was humor in her eyes.

 

Remus only smiled charmingly in return, while the Lycanroc puffed his chest in mock haughtiness, to the laughter of the rest.

 

"I would also appreciate a stricter look out for abused and abandoned Pokémon. With a gaggle of new trainers starting their journey, an increase in cases will be regretfully inevitable." Said Amos after the shared laugh calmed down, a sad suffering smile on his lips. The new topic sobered them all instantly.

 

That is something that was regretfully true. More so for the Starters of new Trainers. Many of them ended being abandoned by their trainers at the start of the journey, or even latter when they found a supposedly more powerful Pokémon. Not even Professor Ollivander’s method of giving starters prevented it. Many of the Pokémon ended with depression, or became a risk to the security of the rest of people and Pokémon by becoming aggressive towards others. These trainers were severely punished of course, starting with the revoking of their licenses. And the ones that are abandoned are sadly the lucky ones.

 

Regretfully, not many trainers are caught after doing this. If not caught when the act has been recent, it can make it difficult to ascertain if it has been a careful release, with all the precautions and with the agreement of the Pokémon, or it was truly abandonment.

 

"You can count in our installations to help in the rehabilitations." Remus said in support to Amos.

 

"Our installations and help are always in offer as well." Bianca summed her own support.

 

Helping in the rehabilitation of Pokémon is something that all the gyms participated in. But while the majority of gyms only catered to the Pokémons that fell under their specialized Types, Amos worked closer with the Lupins and the Abbotts since their range was more open. The Abbotts more so than the Lupins, who specialize in canines while they didn’t have a restriction.

 

There are various facilities around the region that work in helping Pokémon in need of rehabilitation for abuse, abandonment or any other thing, but four families have always been at the forefront in this. The Diggorys, the Abbotts, the Lupins and the…

 

"Its a pity that we don’t have the Potters to help us." Amos lamented.

 

"I thought their installations where still open?. Safari Island still is, after all." Augusta asked.

 

"Yes, but don’t forget that your family is partners with them in that front." Arcturus reminded her.

 

"And they are, but they can only be used for four more years before they are considered obsolete. The Ministry may not have frozen the Potters enterprises, but without a Head of House in charge, all of them are stuck how they were ten years ago without being able to make any decisions. The Potter’s Rehabilitation Center and the Dark Shield Preserve are included there regretfully." Answered Amos.

 

Joseph noted Remus and Arcturus seemed to pay close attention to this, thought neither of the men looked surprised by the information. 'I wonder why?', Joseph thought humorously, already knowing the answer.

 

"Talking about the Potters. There was an interesting headline in the papers this morning." Emmett interjected looking directly at Remus. His scowling face turning into a sneer.

 

"Oh?". Remus inquired non plussed, tilting his head to one side curiously while looking at the man.

 

That one sentence and simple answer dropped the temperature of the room. All of them were looking carefully at both men.

 

"Indeed. Apparently you went to the Ceremony in the company of one Mr. Potter." Emmett continued.

 

"There where more people accompanying me, but go on." Said Remus, relaxing back on his chair.

 

Joseph knew it was an act, a good act, but only Xeno may be fooled by his nonchalant attitude. Something he doubted by the surprisingly focused look on his eyes while observing the unfolding scene.

 

Joseph himself was getting ready to intervene if necessary. Barrett was doing the same without needing any command by his part.

 

"They also did some investigation. Socking, I know. Apparently you are now the guardian of the boy." Emmett stated, sneer full on his face.

 

"I don’t find how thats relevant to you, or any of us for that matter." Surprisingly it was Kai, and not Remus himself, that responded to the statement.

 

"It’s relevant because Mr. Potter is the heir to the Potter Gym." Aayaan answered in support to Emmett.

 

'Not surprising. No matter how affable Aayaan is, he is still part of the political Dark block just like Emmett. I would have been more surprised if he didn’t intercede in Emmett's favor', Thought Joseph.

 

"Not something that someone like you would understand anyway." Said Emmett, turning his sneer Kai’s direction.

 

Many gave him sharp looks at his comment that only served to increase the tension in the room.

 

"Excuse me?." Kai gritted out at the same time his Talonflame’s back feathers started to rise while his sharp gaze focused on Emmett.

 

"Potter is an important figure for the region. He is the boy-who-lived, the Last Potter and Future Lord of his House. How do we know Lupin can take care of him?." A mocking tone was poorly disguised in the words said by the sneering man.

 

"Ha! Like you could do a better job. Again this is not any of our fucking businesses. Mr. Potter is not a trainer. He doesn’t fall under our jurisdiction." Kai interjected again.

 

"Indeed he doesn’t." Joseph interjected himself while giving them all a look to make them drop the argument, to no bail.

 

"But he does, doesn’t he?. Hogwarts students are considered trainers." Matilda piped with her two Pokedollars.

 

"Only partially. They fall under the jurisdiction of the League and the Ministry both." Bianca intervened, sending a look at the Rock Gym Leader.

 

"Of course I could do a better job! I’m part of the Big Eight and an Elite Level Trainer." Emmett growled at Kai, ignoring the intervention done by the others.

 

"Don’t pretend like you actually care, boy. We all know why you actually want to question the kids placement." Arcturus said, sending a glare Emmetts direction.

 

"Remus is an Elite Level trainer too, don’t you forget. And if it weren’t for the League don’t liking for two Masters of the same type being part of the principal Thirteen Pillars, we all know Remus would be occupying your position." Kai added after Arcturus, sneering right back to the Psychic Type Master.

 

Emmett stood abruptly from his seat while slamming his hands on the table, his Grumpig visibly preparing an attack thanks to his shining eyes and pearl.

 

"How dare you!!?." Emmett shouted while flaring his Aura to slam it into the Fire type master, who responded right back by releasing his own to counter Emmett’s. Their shining eyes the only outwards reaction that actually showed, but all of them could feel their Auras leaving their bodies and slamming into each other. "You fucking mud-blood!. You, nor that fucking Null!, should even have the privilege to sit among us!. Don’t you dare compare me to that thing!, It will never have the power to take care of that boy. It even let a Stain Kid associate with the boy and live with them!".

 

Many were stunned into inaction by the sudden vitriol spewing from the man’s mouth. Luckily, nor Joseph nor Barrett were among them.

 

"BAAANNG!!/CHRASS!!"

 

It all happened in a second.

 

The silence that followed was deafening. Only three individuals were standing. Emmett, Remus and Jospeh himself. Joseph has released his own Aura upon the room, stoping anyone else in their tracks. All of them, their Pokémon included, were like statues sitting or standing random straight with their own Auras rolling around their bodies to combat the effects of the Champion's own. 'Jeremy’s, Elektra’s and Kai’s training in Aura after joining the Pillars have already given results', Joseph noted absentmindedly at the back of his head about the only three individuals that haven’t gone to Hogwarts of all of them, preoccupied as he was with other things.

 

Barrett was standing in front of Emmett as a shield, a foot pressing Grumpig to the floor preventing the Pokémon for moving while an arm was holding the man. A hole, that appeared like if done by a bullet, dripped water from the wall. The Champion's Pangoro's intervention, and the fact that the culprit didn’t actually want to kill the man, the only thing that made Emmett only receive a cut on his cheek from the water bullet. Remus’s Swamper, said culprit, was half popped upon the table, water still dripping from her open mouth while she glared hatefully at the man in front of her. A threatening hiss leaving her throat for all to hear.

 

The reason for Emmett not reaching for his injured check was quite clear. The snarling muzzle of the Dusk Form Lycanroc standing upon the table that was just inches away from his face, rock residue from an attack Joseph could only describe as Rock Bite sitting almost innocently at the feet of the man. 'I’ve never seen a move like that', Joseph noted, making a note to talk about it with Remus when all this mess was over with. 'Fuck, and all of this is being recorded', a small grimace appeared on the Champions face. The only saving grace being that its just an audio recording. The rock type wolf was glaring as hatefully to the man as his amphibian partner was doing, his already large from looking more intimidating and bigger with his fur standing up in anger. The only think keeping the Pokémon from reaching the man was Barrett’s other arm pressing upon the Lycanroc chest, 'And his self control, I hope', thought Joseph releasing a deep breath.

 

"I don’t care what you say about me. I don’t care if you insult me, or even if you attack me. But you don’t get to question my ability to protect my kids. And even more, you don’t get to ever insult them. You don’t get to ever insult my kids!." Remus said with a calm but furious tone, his eyes shining like molten gold and his larger than normal canines in full display. His Aura was leaving his body in waves, small grains of sand starting to form thanks to the nature and potency of his Aura. "You wont like the consequences if you do. Am I clear?." He finished with a snarl, being accompanied by similar sounds from his two Pokémon.

 

Emmett sneered at Remus, thought clear fear was present on his eyes, before nodding reluctantly. After he nodded, Remus passed his glare upon the two other gym leaders that took Emmett’s side. The two looked impassively back, thought Matilda squeezed her fists under the table to stop their sacking.

 

"Both of you. Sit down and calm down." Joseph said, glaring at the two men. He increased his Aura output upon them when they delayed more than he liked in complying. "I wasn’t asking. Sit. Down. Now!".

 

The two men sent hateful looks to each other one last time before complying. Remus Pokémon returned to his side when he called them back. Barrett doing the same and returning to Joseph side, letting the disgruntled Grumpig stand back up from the floor.

 

Joseph relaxed his Aura, prompting the rest to do the same, and put both of his hands upon the table.

 

"The three of us will be having a discussion about your unprofessional conduct when the meeting is over. And I’m thinking if I should do the same with the rest of you." Said Joseph, glaring at what are supposed to be the role models of the region. "You are Gym Leaders, not school yard children. Act like it".

 

He gave one last glare for good measure before sitting back down. 'Luckily the meting is almost over', Joseph thought. After a minute of silence he continued.

 

"The meeting is almost over. But before we go, is there something that must be discussed now?." Joseph finished, regretfully already knowing that there was. 'I’m going to have a headache', Joseph resisted the urge to massage his temples.

 

"I fear there is." Amelia started. She sent him an apologetic look before addressing the room. "I will get to the point. We have found seventy five cases of people being sipped to Azkaban without a trial. And twenty two that have had shams of ones".

 

There were gasp of surprise all around. Joseph noted that Arcturus and Remus didn’t seem as surprised. 'Amelia told them then, but not about the numbers', Joseph noted.

 

"How is this our problem?" Said Emmett, a mocking tone upon his voice while he imitated Kai’s previous words. He has a hand with a handkerchief pressed upon his wounded check. "This is more the Government's problem than ours".

 

Joseph and Amelia sent a look to the man, making him shut his jaw with an audible click.

 

"It’s our problem because the majority of them were trainers. It’s our problem because I will be calling for a full Wizengamot meeting. So all of you will be affected, since we all form part of the body." Amelia finished, still glaring at the man before doing a sweep of the room with her gaze. Continuing with her report, she added. "I and some of my people I trust have been combing thought trial scripts and recordings. I will petition for those twenty two additional prisoners to be retried while petitioning for actual trials for the rest".

 

"Recordings?. There are recordings of these trials?. How has nobody noticed them before?." Amaranta asked, frowning to herself

 

"All trials are recorded on camera. But they went out of their way to make these ones particularly difficult to locate. I want these people to be retried because many of the transcripts and recordings where shameful, if not nauseating, to watch and read." Amelia answered.

 

"From when are these trials?." Jeremy asked.

 

"They are from the war." Amelia answered him, making all take a sharp intake of breath. "At least the ones at the start. Those twenty two prisoners I talked about, the seventy five others were just tossed there without one. I suppose they were getting tired of pretending and just washed their hands by putting them on prison directly".

 

"This will sour international relations. We already have the rest of the regions bitting our asses for having that hell hole operating. When they learn that close to a hundred people where in Azkaban for eleven or more years whiteout being tried…" Elektra trailled off, shaking her head at the prospect. "Thanks Amelia, for the extra work. At least Crouch will take half of the work load off my shoulders." She added while slumping back on her chair, her Ampharos putting a comforting paw on her shoulder.

 

"I wouldn’t count on that. His firm is on all of the papers pertaining to these cases." Said Amelia.

 

There was absolute silence in the chamber, clear astonishment in all their faces, before it was interrupted by the loud laughter of Elektra.

 

"How many do you believe to actually be innocent?." Ignis asked from his seat. Eyeing Elektra worriedly all the while.

 

"…From what we have investigated with the evidences we have, and the request of some of the prisoners to submit themselves to mind reading… Close to thirty." Amelia answered.

 

Silence followed her statement. 'What a great way to end the meeting', Joseph thought, reluctantly ending the recording.

 

Notes:

I planned to have this finished much earlier, but the chapter has been longer than anticipated. But Hey!, extra long chapter!, don't get acostumed to it thought.
We have finally meet all the gym leaders and elite fours and the champion, dont forget the champion. Now its rhumb to Hogwarts. At least Harry is alredy on the train!.

Chapter 9: Journey

Notes:

Disclaimor: Don't own Harry Potter or Pokémon. I only own the original characters and the original Pokémon.

 

Soft music sounded from one of the rooms of Hogwarts Castle. A young man in his late twenties was currently finishing decorating the attached office to the classroom usually used to impart he course of Pokémon Battles. The open door of the office letting the music drift to the classroom whiteout obstacles.

 

Humming as he went around the office, a sound of claws rapidly taping on the floor startled him out of his activity. Turning quickly in the direction of the noise, he only found an empty room.

 

"Hello?". The young man questioned, looking around the office. "Anybody there?". He asked further when no answer was heard.

 

The young man started to reach for one of his PokeBalls before aborting the motion and shaking his head.

 

"Relax man, you are just stressed. It was nothing". The man said to himself, passing the occurrence as something his mind made up for the stress of his new teaching position.

 

The young man returned to his previous activities. Nothing happened for some minutes, the man practically having forgotten about it.

 

The music stoped suddenly, dying with the sound of nails on a blackboard.

 

"Distortion!". The young man exclaimed, whirling around to look at his cd-player.

 

He cautiously inched towards it, a hand already occupied by one of his PokeBalls.

 

The door suddenly closed with a bang. Startled, the young man bumped with one of the tables. His nerves were frayed, his breath coming on quick intakes. Before he could think of releasing his Pokémon, something caught his attention form the corner of his eye.

 

Like in a trance, the young man turned, looking at a pendant that he didn’t recognize and wasn’t there before. Getting closer with a vacant look starting to form on his eyes, he took on its details with almost reverence. A long thick chain of old silver with an amulet in the form of a snake’s skull, done with obsidian so black it seemed to absorb the light, dangling from it. It rested on the office table in the center of the room. Two sapphires shone with pulsing power from the sockets of the skull.

 

The young man couldn’t stop looking at the piece of jewelry, his gaze not averting from the gemstones. Reaching for the amulet, his eyes lost any semblance of coherence that remained, gaining a blue color that replaced his natural murky brown.

 

He never noticed the pair of shining yellow and red eyes that observed him.

 

---

 

Harry has been sitting in the train compartment for minutes now, looking through the photo album of his parents, taking his time looking at each picture. Drinking in all the details. Remus has managed to compile an album full of pictures of his parents growing from when they were kids till after they got married and had Harry. Their Hogwarts letter, their first Pokemon, their first capture, their first battle, and more, were moments immortalized between the pictures. Remus even took his time in making small notes beside each picture, explaining briefly who was in each photo and what was happening.

 

Harry paused after turning to the next page. Two photos were now facing him, one in the right page and the other on the left. The two were large photos that encompassed almost all the space of the pages they respectively occupied. Above them, written in bold letters, it read, Graduation Day!! James and his Team for the one in the left page, and Graduation Day!! Lily and her Team for the one at the right. The two were photos of what Harry deduced are Graduation Shots, as each individual has their names written colorfully over their heads, and some kind of funny drawings done over them.

 

Both of his parents were smiling at the camera, with his father doing a cool pose, that Harry found funny, for the shot. The two of them wore graduation caps, but only his mother wore her graduation robes. Their Pokémon surrounded them, his father’s doing cool poses like their trainer was doing while his mother’s exuded elegance in their bearings. Their attitudes weren’t the only difference between the two pictures, as the number of Pokémon present was noticeable different. Seven Pokémon surrounded Harry’s father while the standard maximum six did the same for his mother.

 

These were the first pictures that sowed his parents with all the members of their teams. And Harry was amazed at the fact that all of their Pokémon were already fully evolved at the time. Harry knew from Remus that that was something few archived. Remus himself graduated with two of his partners still to reach their final evolution, and Sirius only had two of his Pokemon on their final stages. The Greninja and Mandibuzz with his father were expected, as was the Empoleon beside his mother. Those three he new about since Ollivander’s after all. With his father were also a smirking Weavile, a Grimsnarl posing menacingly, an Absol looking imperiously at the camera, a Houndoom posing like if she where to lunge at the camera, and a Sawsbuck standing regally with his head held high and his right hoof raised.

 

Dante barked excitedly at seeing the evolved form of his line, stubby tail waving like crazy, while Hedwig looked with the same interest to all the individuals, though her gaze lingered for longer in the Mandibuzz. Harry, for his part, couldn’t help but to take notice of the Sawsbuck. Not only because Greninja, Mandibuzz and Sawsbuck were the only Pokémon around his father with names written above their heads, instead of the name of their species. Chiyome, Maleficent and Prongs respectively. But because, even through a photo, Prongs exuded the same kind of aura and power that Moony, Padfoot and Mafdet, Professor McGonagall's aura bonded Pokémon, did. The kind of aura that it’s associated with the power the Regional Starters can reach, and that pseudo-legendary Pokémon possess with spades. Not only that, but like Moony, Padfoot and Mafdet, he was also bigger than estimated for his species, thought not to the stent of an Alpha Pokémon, with the top of his father’s head only reaching the rump of Prongs's back.

 

Around his mother, besides of Empoleon, there was an elegant Lapras, a happily smiling Zoroark, a serious looking Gallade, a Rapidash looking calmly at the camera with her fiery mane dancing around her face, and an enormous Gyarados encircling all of them. 'Thats a lot of water types', Harry thought, 'I thought mom was a generalist?…Albeit, seeing Zoroark, Gallade and Rapidash pretty much confirms that she was', Harry contemplated to himself. Of the Pokémon belonging to his mother, only Empoleon had a name, Nu. Again, in contrast with his father’s photo, the writing was done in elegant calligraphy instead of funny lettering. Although it contrasted quite ridiculously with the funny markings done to the picture.

 

Harry spend quite some time looking at both pictures, trying to memorize all the details while wondering if any of his parents Pokémon survived that night.

 

His mussing were cut short from a knock at his compartments door. Before Harry could call for the person outside, the door was opened. Standing at the other side were three boys. All of them were redheads, with pale skin dotted with a galaxy of freckles. The three were obviously brothers, and two of them were twins. If it wasn’t that Harry was seeing double. Harry noticed that the twins were older years thanks to their uniforms, probably third or fourth years, while the third kid was a first year. Harry noted with some envy that the first year brother was almost as tall as his older brothers, who in contrast with the younger red head were of a shorter and stockier built compared to his tall and thin one. Not that the twins could be considered short by any means. They also differentiated in their eyes, the twin boys having soft brown ones with a mischievous look that promised trouble, while their younger brother has baby blue eyes filled with some embarrassment and apprehension.

 

Three Pokémon accompanied them, a Solrock behind the twin on the left, a Lunatone behind the one at the right, and a Burmy sporting a look between his Trash Cloak and Plant Cloak that was being carried by the first year redhead who was on the middle.

 

Harry noted that there was still people walking across the train in search of a compartment, even thought fifteen minutes had already passed since the train departure from the station, thanks to the now open door permitting him to have a better view of the hallway than the small window in the door did.

 

"Hey there little firstie…". The twin with the Lunatone behind him started.

 

"...we were wondering if…". Continued the one with the Solrock.

 

"…you wouldn’t mind…"

 

"…to have our…"

 

"…cute little brother…"

 

"…accompany you…"

 

"…In this…"

 

"…fine and spacious compartment!". They finished this last part together, posing grandiosely.

 

Harry and Dante were looking from one twin to the other as if it were a tennis match. Harry felt a headache forming, while Dante only archived to get dizzy in the process. 'By Fenral, that’s gonna get old really fast', thought Harry while fighting the urge of massaging his temple. Hedwig only looked with a deadpan at the twin redheads.

 

The younger red head looked more embarrassed by the minute, his ears gaining quite the noticeable blush.

 

"Sure, no problem." Harry responded, sending a kind smile to the younger brother.

 

"Great!". Lunatone twin said.

 

"He is all yours then!". Solrock twin said, pushing the younger brother into the compartment.

 

"We will be with Jordan. He caught a Dewpider during the summer. We’ll see you at the feast". Said Lunatone twin to the younger red head.

 

"Unless you want to accompany us to see it, Bug Boy". Solrock twin said, his eyes twinkling like mad in mischief.

 

The first year redhead shook his head rapidly, taking a small step back from his twin brothers and stepping further into the compartment.

 

"N-No… I’m good". The younger brother stuttered.

 

Harry noticed the gaze of the twins softening slightly.

 

"Well then, stay here with this stranger instead of accompanying your lovable big brothers" Lunatone twin started. Both of the twins put on fake hurt expressions, hands clutching their chest dramatically, thought they quickly transformed back into mischievous looks.

 

"Well, adiós . A pleasure meeting you, ojos verdes". Solrock twin said, giving a jaunty salute to Harry before he and his twin sauntered down the train.

 

The two Meteorite Pokémon lingered behind, giving strange sounds of exasperated fondness before doing a sound that seemed like a goodbye. The door closed alone, thanks to the psychic powers of one of the two Pokémon.

 

The young redhead exhaled softly, his ears still a little red from embarrassment, before turning to Harry.

 

"Sorry about that. They are like this with everyone". He said, offering an apologetic smile to Harry.

 

"Don’t worry about it. Though, I don’t know what he said". Said Harry, offering a smile of his own while flicking a finger into Hedwig beak. She hasn’t stopped looking at the Bug Type Pokémon since they entered the compartment, much to the little guy’s discomfort.

 

"Ah, that was… I’m pretty sure that was Fred. The twins decided to take Paldean as their fourth language for their third year, and have been practicing all summer. Adiós means bye, will ojos verdes means green eyes". The kid explained, his accent more atrocious than his brother’s.

 

"They are fourth years then?". Asked Harry.

 

"Nope, third. They wanted to be ahead on their studies". He explained. "The twins are a… peculiar case".

 

Harry wasn’t sure what he meant by that, but decided not to ask at the moment.

 

"I’m Ron, by the way. Ron Weasley. This is Artreos, my first partner and starter". He introduced himself and his Burmy while taking a seat in front of Harry. The Bagworm Pokémon gave a shy sound of greeting, still eyeing Hedwig with some discomfort.

 

"Are you really?. I saw your father at the Inauguration Ceremony. Wait, so that means…S-Crap". Harry quickly straightened in his seat, correcting himself last minute, before clearing his throat. Ron looked at him funnily. "Sorry, forgot to introduce myself. Heir Apparent Harry James of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter, these are my partners Dante". The Dark pup barked a greeting from his position lying on the bench. "and Hedwig". The Darkness crow gave a greeting caw, puffing up her chest. "Please, call me Harry".

 

Ron eyes grew bigger during Harry’s introduction.

 

"Oh man, I screwed up". Ron said, palming his face. His ears grew red in embarrassment, again.

 

"Hey, don’t worry. I’m new to all of this Noble Etiquette". Harry assured the embarrassed redhead, while taking his cap off to reveal his untamable raven looks and making his scar more noticeable. Confirming his identity.

 

"You are? But the books say…".

 

"Nope, full of crap. My lawyer is suing all the authors for using my name whiteout permission. And da-Remus and Uncle Arcturus are seeing to the history books, to make them write the story straight without all the embellishments". Explained Harry.

 

"Remus and Uncl… Wait, no. Let me start again". Ron said, straightening on his seat like Harry previously did. "Ronald Bilius, son of the Ancient and Noble House of Weasley. Call me Ron, please".

 

"A pleasure". Returned Harry.

 

The two boys looked at each other for a moment with serious expression, their Pokémon observing their interaction, before the two started to laugh.

 

"Ohh, this was…". Harry trailed off, a smile on his face.

 

"Yeah". Ron nodded with a smile of his own.

 

"Soo, those were your brothers?". Harry asked a moment latter curious about the redhead’s family, that he has just realized were the ones to board the train at the last minute.

 

"Yes, those were the twins. Fred and George. Fred is the one with the Solrock, and also the one that talked in Paldean, George is partners with the Lunatone. Although its not that reliable of a method to identify them. They exchange Pokémon. Not all the time mind you, but enough that they keep us guessing". Ron answered.

 

"Really? And the Pokémon listen?". Asked Harry, eyes big in surprise.

 

"Hm-Hm…". Ron affirmed with a nod of his head. "Like I said, the twins are a special case". He finished with a small shrug.

 

"Oh". Harry still wasn’t sure what he meant by that. "They aren’t your only brothers, right?. I think I saw you boarding the train. And a girl at the Inauguration Ceremony described your family as a mob of redheads. At least, I think she was talking about your family".

 

"Yeah, we are more. And you must mean Angie, Angelina, she is friends with the twins". Said Ron. Harry nodded at the name, after with Ron continued. "We are seven actually, six boys and a girl. Bill is the oldest, and the heir to the family, Charlie is next. Those two already graduated. Then its Percy, he is in his fifth year. He just made perfect, so he is insufferable". He said that, but there was fondness on his eyes under the layers of sibling exasperation. "Then, are the twins. Pranksters extraordinary as they call themselves. A total nuisance and incredible popular all the same. They are part of the Battle Royale Gryffindor Team. George is the oldest of the two, then its Fred".

 

Harry couldn’t help but made a funny face, his mind summoning a image of kids beating each other to the death. Ron paused at seeing his face, giving him a speculative look.

 

"You know what Battle Royale is, right?". Ron asked slowly. Harry only gave him a blank look. "You know? Just the most famous sport after Pokémon Battles? Four teams of seven trainers fighting agains each other until only one team is the victor?".

 

"Oh…OH! Yes, yes. I know what it is!". Said Harry in realization, groaning in embarrassment.

 

"Oh good, I was starting to worry! Who doesn’t like Battle Royale?". Ron said with a relieved exhale. Like liking the sport was a must for everyone.

 

Harry just smiled. Not saying that although he liked it, he wasn’t that big of a follower.

 

"Where was I? Ah, yes. I’m next, the last boy". He presented himself with a deadpan, following on the previous line of conversation. "The product of my parents wanting a girl". He muttered that part, not looking at Harry and probably not intending for him to actually hear that comment.

 

Harry decided not to say anything to that.

 

"And then, there’s Ginny. The only girl, and the youngest of us all. Mom dotes a lot on her. She will be coming to Hogwarts next year". Ron finished. "What about you? If I can ask. Where have you been living if the books were all wrong?". Ron asked after a moment.

 

"Well, I was in an orphanage till pretty recently". Harry stated, omitting his relatives from the conversation. "White Warden Orphanage, decent place. I wont say I loved it there since no kid likes to live in an orphanage. But Mrs. Dourglass, the matron, is a sweet woman. We all love her, really. Jeremy, her grandson, is pretty great too. So it was more than decent living there".

 

"An orphanage? The Harry Potter lived in an orphanage?". Ron asked astonished. "By Wairuus, no wonder you are upset about the books. They put you as living in a castle with some distant relatives while being trained for your future positions!".

 

"Ugh!, don’t remind me. I’m trying to forget about the books, almost every kid at the orphanage had one of those stories. And about training for my positions, Uncle Arcturus made me do a crash course on etiquette this last month so I wouldn’t embarrass myself. As you can see, it wasn’t that successful". Harry said ruefully.

 

"Don’t worry. You weren’t that bad. And you only need it after third year, really. You have time". Said Ron, trying to assure Harrys worries. "Besides, I wasn’t much better".

 

Harry smiled at him for his words.

 

"Thanks". Said Harry.

 

Ron just waved it off with a smile.

 

"You keep talking about Remus, and an Uncle Arcturus. Do you mean Remus Lupin?"- Asked Ron.

 

"Hm-Hm". Harry nodded his head.

 

"Cool!. Did Remus adopt you? I know from dad that he was searching for you". 'More like the twins overhead dad and mom’s conversation about it one time and told me', Ron thought.

 

Harry a warmth spread at Ron’s words, like every time he remembers that Remus actually searched for him for all these years.

 

"Yes, he found me". Said Harry, a warm smile appearing on his face. "And he did get guardianship over me".

 

"I’m happy for him. And you, of course".

 

Harry smiled at him, before they lapses into a brief silence. Harry gaze felt to the door of the compartment, trying to look thought the window. Something a little difficult, since the sun was hitting it right on.

 

"Do you think the people will be already settled into their compartments?". Harry asked.

 

"I…Ah…yes? I suppose. It must have been ten minutes or so since I came here". Ron answered, a confused look on his face. "Why?".

 

"I promised to meet with someone at the train". Answered Harry, reaching for the album so he could store it on his backpack.

 

"Oh…".

 

Harry looked at Ron, seeing a rejected look on his face. Made more miserable by Artreos climbing onto his shoulder to rub his face in Ron’s check.

 

"Wanna come?". Harry asked after a brief moment of consideration.

 

Ron’s face light up.

 

…

 

"You don’t need to bring your luggage".

 

"I don’t?. But what if someone enters while we are gone?".

 

"Nothing, it’s impossible to steal on the Hogwarts train".

 

"It is?".

 

"Hm-Hm. Didn’t you know?. Your things are looked into your psychic signature for the duration of the journey. It’s done by one of the Gardevoirs or Gallades at the platforms entrance".

 

"Really?. That’s pretty cool".

 

"Right?. Bill told me, and dad confirmed it. A pity it only last twenty four hours. Dad recons theft would be more difficult if it lasted longer".

 

"True".

 

Dante barked in agreement at this.

 

Harry still decided to bring his backpack with him, leaving only his suitcase.

 

---

 

"Do you know where are your friends? Or are we searching all the train?". Ron inquired, looking at the shorter boy next to him.

 

Harry was looking at the screen of his PoryPhone. In response, he raised said apparatus.

 

"Nope, I know were they are. Theo sent me a message".

 

Before Ron could comment, he saw Harry stumble when something small and green bumped into his leg. Looking down, the boys and their Pokémon found a green and brown turtle with leafs on his head. The little guy was shaking his head from the small hit, before it looked up at Harry. Their eyes closed in a smile while giving a gurgle of greeting.

 

"A Turtwig?". Ron asked rhetorically.

 

Harry crouched down to the Grass Turtle's level. The little guy barely reached Dantes lower chest. In fact, they could walk under Dante without hindering the dark pup.

 

"Hey there, what are you doing around here whiteout your trainer?". Harry asked the little guy.

 

When he only received a happy sound in return, Harry opted to scan the little turtle to find who their trainer was.

 

"Pory, scan them if you would". Harry said while pointing the camera lens of the phone at the Turtwig.

 

Ron leaned over his shoulder to look at the screen, Artreos dangling from his shoulder looking equally interested. Dante inserted himself between Harry and the phone to look at the screen, while Hedwig alternated between looking at the device and the gras type turtle. Said turtle only tilted his head in curiosity.

 

"Certainty". Porygon2’s robotic voice sounded thought the phone speakers. "Initiating scan".

 

The screen promptly changed to show Turtwig’s information. Said information being presented orally by Porygon2 at the same time.

 

Turtwig

The Tiny Leaf Pokemon

A Grass Type Pokémon, and classified as member of the Regional Starters. Turtwigs are usually found living near lakes and other large bodies of fresh water, living alongside other members of his evolutionary line. Their sells are made from soil, with hardens when they drink water. If it’s thirsty, the leafs upon their heads wilt.

This Turtwig is male and twenty two weeks old.

This Turtwig is registered as Trevor under the Hogwarts Pokémon Trainer Neville F. Longbottom.

 

Harry perked up at the name of the trainer.

 

"Aahh, figures. Only Neville could loss his Pokémon in a train". Said Ron with a sigh.

 

"Should we search for him?". Harry asked, interested in meeting with the other boy.

 

"Nah". Ron waved the suggestion off. "Knowing Neville, it will be easier to stay put in a place and let him reach you. If you don’t, you could miss each other even going in a straight line".

 

"…Seriously?". Harry deadpanned.

 

"Yep, Neville’s luck is atrocious. Better reach your friend’s compartment and stay there".

 

"Okey then". Harry turned to Trevor the Turtwig. "Wanna come with us and wait for your trainer?".

 

"Tru…". Turtwig happily gurgled.

 

"… I will take that as a yes".

 

…

 

Finally reaching the compartment, Harry peeked thought the small door window to make sure that the people occupying it were really Theo and the others. Harry steeled himself, feeling a little nervous, before he knocked on the door and opened it a second after.

 

Harry was a little surprised at finding an extra girl in the compartment. 'Not that I can say much since I brought someone with me too', Harry thought. Said girl had short brown hair in twin pigtails, a round face with freckles on the bridge of her nose, and almond shaped eyes of a greenish brown that where looking at Harry in clear astonishment.

 

"Hey guys, can we come in?". Harry asked.

 

"Harry! You came!". Theo said happily, sounding relieved by the fact. His hands never leaving a small bundle of grey fur on his lap. "Come in, there is plenty of space".

 

"Of course I came. I said I would, didn’t I?". Responded Harry with a smile.

 

The rest of the occupants of the room gave their own greetings to the group of newcomers. Although the new girl seemed to have lost her ability to speak, looking wide eyed at Harry. And Theo’s Pancham didn’t even greet him, only glaring at him. 'It looks like little Maher still doesn’t forgive me for colliding with Theo last night', Harry thought with some disappointment

 

"Hey there Harry, I see you brought company". Said Blaise looking at Ron, Artreos y Trevor. "What’s up Ron?". He finished, greeting Ron without needing Harry to say anything.

 

"Oh!, hey Blaise, Theo". Ron greeted pleasantly surprised, thought his mood soured a little after looking at Daphne. Though he greeted her cordially enough. "Greengrass". Finished Ron while plopping down beside Blaise.

 

Artreos dislodged himself from Ron's shoulder and approached the rest of the Pokémon on the floor who where exchanging their own greetings.

 

"Ron/Weasley". Come the greetings of Theo and Daphne respectively.

 

Harry decided to sit beside Theo, careful to not jostle the seat so he wouldn’t disturb the sleeping bundle of grey fur on Theo’s lap, while starting to feel a little uncomfortable from the still staring unknown girl. Daphne caught onto his discomfort and gave a little sound of both disapproval and amusement at the girl beside her.

 

"Excuse Tracey. She is usually much better mannered". Said Daphne, elbowing slightly the side of the now identified girl.

 

"Ouch! Daphne!". Said girl exclaimed, finally leaving her stupor.

 

"What? You where staring". Said Daphne with an elegant shrug of her shoulders.

 

"How could I not?. Its Harry Potter!". The girl hissed quietly, provably intending for only Daphne to hear. Her light seashell skin gaining quite the prominent blush.

 

"That doesn’t mean you have to comport yourself like a stunned Whismur. And we told you he was coming, didn't we?". Daphne countered.

 

"And I was supposed to believe you!?". Tracey exclaimed.

 

Blaise and Theo were looking at the exchange with amusement, while Harrry and Ron didn’t know what to do. The Pokémon were looking at the girls with interest. Luckily, Theo decided to interfere by clearing his throat. Daphne seemed unfazed while Tracey blushed even more when she saw everyone looking at her.

 

"Sorry". Tracey said sheepishly. "Anyway, I’m Tracey Persephone, daughter of the Noble House of Davis. It’s great meeting you, Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley". Tracey said brightly, standing from her seat and doing a small courtesy. Strangely, it didn’t look weird when she did it even with the Hogwarts uniform on. Straightening her back, her smile sharpened. "You can call me Tracey, and only Tracey. We clear?". She finished, still smiling and with a chirpy tone that contrasted the feeling she was giving.

 

Harry and Ron nodded rapidly in consent.

 

"Sure, no problem". Said Ron, Harry giving his own agreement right behind him. "You..Ah, you can call me Ron if you like". Ron finished, a little hesitantly.

 

"Harry". Harry piped up.

 

"Great!. Thats Litta by the way, my starter". Tracey said while pointing at the luggage racks over the seats. An humanoid white and blue Pokémon was siting in a meditative pose on them. The Medichan opened her eyes at her name and gave a nod of greeting before turning back to her meditation.

 

"A pleasure". Harry greeted back to the Pokémon. "Who’s the little guy on your lap?". He asked Theo, unable to contain his curiosity.

 

"This is Mico. He is my starter form Ollivander’s. He usually likes to be in his PokéBall sleeping". Theo responded, scratching the Pokémon over the head and waking him up. "Hey there sleepyhead, we have company".

 

Harry smiled at the small Pokémon. Now that it was fully awake Harry could identify him as a Espurr. The little guy looked at Harry owlishly, before blinking slowly and giving a cute yawn exposing tiny but needle like teeth.

 

"But I see that I’m not the only one with an unknown Pokémon". Theo stated.

 

"Yeah, we bumped with Trevor on our way here". Harry said

 

"Yep, you can guess who he belongs too". Ron confirmed. "The little Burmy is my partner by the way. His name’s Artreos".

 

Said Bug Pokémon looked from his new position at the top of Dante's head to look at the humans of the compartment. He gave a little chirp like greeting before returning to the conversation the Pokemon themselves where having.

 

"Please tell me he is not Neville’s". Said Theo.

 

Ron only have time to smile since before he could say anything to confirm Theo’s suspicion, a knock was heard and the compartment’s door was slide open.

 

"Excuse me. Someone has seen a Turtwig?, a boy called Neville lost his. The Turtwig should respond to the name of Trevor by the way".

 

A girl not much taller than Harry and Theo stood at the doorway, with skin of ochre, intelligent brown eyes, and an untamable mane of frizzy dark hair. Harry recognized her posture quite clearly, that of someone with something to prove. It’s something he is accustomed to seeing on some of the children at the orphanage, those that wanted to prove the families that abandoned them wrong. A coping or defensive mechanism really. What of the two options it was this time? Harry didn’t know.

 

There was a beat of silence in the compartment. It was promptly interrupted by the laughter of Blaise and Mors. Theo gave a little sigh while Daphne closed her eyes. Ron smirked and shrugged at Harry and Tracey, the two seemed as surprised by their reactions as the girl at the doorway was.

 

"Hmm, yes, he is here". Clearing his throat, Harry pointed at said Pokémon among the group of other Mons.

 

"Oh, great. Thank you". The girl shock her head to clear the surprise at the others reactions before thanking Harry while looking at the Turwig. Leaning over the doorway to look down the corridor, they heard her call. "Neville, he is here!".

 

Except for Harry, all of the occupants of the compartment took an intake of breath when she leaned over the doorway. Her new posture leting them see behind her. And accompanying her was quite the peculiar Pokémon.

 

Before anyone could say anything, they heard rushed footstep growing near. The girl got out of the way, letting a round faced, chubby boy take her place. His rosy face was flushed on exertion, forest green eyes with freckles of brown searched the compartment from under blond eyebrows before settling on the Tiny Leaf Pokémon.

 

"Trevor!". Neville exclaimed, rushing into the compartment to reach for his partner. "Please!, you have to stop wandering away". The blond haired kid pleaded to his partner. Trevor only responded with an enthusiastic greeting, leaping into his arms while making happy sounds.

 

"Hey there Neville". Blaise seemed to be the only one beside Harry able to speak, probably because he found all their expressions amusing. The rest of them were still staring at the Pokemon accompanying the girl.

 

Neville looked up in alarm, but relaxed at seeing who was in the compartment.

 

"Oh, its you guys". Said Neville, just to grow nervous again when he saw Harry and Tracey in the compartment.

 

"Well, I’m happy you found him. Just make sure you don’t lose him again". The girl chimed in with a bossy tone. Looking up at the rest of the still stunned children, she continued. "I’m Hermione Granger by the way. This is Ceo". She said, introducing herself and the metallic Pokémon floating now beside her.

 

"Hello, I’m-". Harry started.

 

"Oh by Wairuus!, You are Harry Potter!". The girl interrupted.

 

All the humans of the compartment cringed in their own way at this, finally falling from their stupor. Interrupting someone that way is always considered rude no matter the person’s status, but Harry knew thanks to his crash curse on etiquette that it was even worse to do it to someone of his social status. Harry may not really care about that, he has lived a common life for too long to fully grasp the consequences of this, but he wasn’t so sure about his companions.

 

"I know everything about you, of course". Hermione continued, not noticing how they had cringed at her faux pass. "I’ve read many books to prepare for Hogwarts where you feature in, like Yggsill’s modern history, Corrupted Aura:  Defense agains the dark arts and Great events of the modern world".

 

"So?". Harry replied, felling a little annoyed. "I don’t think you really know me just for reading some books. And you shouldn’t believe everything thats written in those pages".

 

"How can you say that?". She seemed quite offended. "Maybe you should read the books before critiquing them". She huffed, like it wasn’t his life they were talking about. She turned to Neville after that. "Well, I’m happy you could find your Pokémon. Don’t lose him again".

 

With that said she turned around and marched off with her Pokémon following behind.

 

"Is she serious? The nerve of that girl!. Did she know the presence of whom she was speaking?". Daphne practically exploded. "She interrupted you when you where trying to introduce yourself. And latter practically ignored the rest of us!. What does she think? That because she has a Beldum, she doesn’t need to mind her manners?".

 

Harry was impressed, that was the most emotive he has seen Daphne in the, admittedly short, time he has known her.

 

"Relax Daphne, I really don’t care that much about it". Harry said, trying to placate the irate girl. Those were the wrong words regretfully.

 

"Relax? Don’t you know how grave a blunder that was?. I knew from your introduction last night that you probably didn’t know much about etiquette and what being a Noble entails. But surely, Remus must have explained to you the importance of it. It was a show of disrespect towards our houses history and can even be taken as an insult!". Daphne said.

 

"Well, yes. But I didn’t life growing up with all of this, so I understand from where she was coming from. It may not have been polite even by normal standards, but it isn’t that important for the rest of everyday people". Harry tried to explain.

 

"You didn’t grow up like us?". Neville asked, interceding in the conversation, while still on his previous position kneeling on the ground. He seemed surprised to have spoken up at all.

 

"No, I didn’t know about my Noble status until pretty recently". Harry answered him. "You know?, I actually wanted to meet you". Harry said quickly, wanting to change the subject.

 

Daphne grumbled quietly. Boreas jumped into her lap to give her some comfort.

 

"You did?". Neville asked surprised.

 

"Yeah. You where listed in my parents Will. They listed you as my Godbrother". Harry explained. "And Uncle Arcturus explained to me that our Houses have been allies since before the founding of the League, from when we were just Landed Knight Houses. I would really like to get to know you, if you want".

 

Neville blushed at Harrys answer.

 

"I would like that". Neville said with a shy smile, getting up from the floor before hesitantly taking one of the available spaces on the compartments benches. When none seemed upset by him deciding to stay and take a seat, he relaxed with Trevor still on his arms. He suddenly perked up, having realized something. "Wait, then its that why we received all that money and other things a month ago?".

 

"Yes, you were the second biggest beneficiary in the testament. Just after me actually". Said Harry

 

"You unlocked your parents will?". Asked Blaise, interested in that bit of information.

 

"Hm-Hm. I needed too if I wanted Remus to be able to adopt me".

 

"Why?". Ron pipped up next.

 

"Isn’t it obvious". Theo was the one to explain. "The government wouldn’t want to give him custody of a Noble kid, much less of Harry. You know the prejudice that still exist for those diagnosed with Aura Insensitivity".

 

"Oh, right". Said Ron.

 

Harry nodded at Theo’s explanation.

 

"By the way. Why were you all so surprised about the Beldum?". Asked Harry, their reaction to the Pokemon having picked his curiosity.

 

"Of course we were surprised. That was a freaking pseudo-legendary!". Tracey exclaimed. "It’s practically unheard off for someone to have one as their starter. The other most known trainer to have had one as a starter is Cynthia Celestic with her Garchomp, and she is now the Champion of Sinnoh!. She is also the strongest of all the champions of the Regions under the League Union! No matter what Champion Leon says". She grumbled that last part.

 

"Of course you would say that". Said Blaise with a smirk and a laugh.

 

"Shut it, Blaise!. You know it’s true!". Tracey glared at him.

 

"Thats cool, but why does that matter?". Harry asked interrupting the possible argument.

 

"You really don’t know?". Theo asked Harry. "Having a pseudo as one of your Pokémon is a status symbol. Anyone lucky enough to gain the respect of one is practically guaranteed to succeed in their Pokémon career. All trainers with one of them are incredibly powerful high ranking ones. And none of them are lower than Elite Level. And I don’t mean Low Elite, but solid Elite or up. Ms.Granger gonna have a lot of pressure on her shoulders just for having a Beldum as her starter".

 

Ron nodded his head rapidly in agreement.

 

"Pseudo-legendaries are war deterrents between regions. There is a reason that only nine of all the Pokémon Regions under the League Union are classified as Major Regions and super potencies. It’s not only the number of powerful trainers, but the fact that they have such powerful Pokémon species autochthonous to their region. A single specimen of a pseudo-legendary line has the ability to erase whole towns of the map!, And I mean big towns, the ones that are almost considered cities". Explained Ron. "Yggsill doesn’t have a pseudo-legendary line that can be classified as ours, but we have Aura Bonded Pokémon that are just as powerful. That’s the only reason we can compete against the other eight. With Paldea joining, we will see if that number increases to ten".

 

"Oh, Whow!. I knew they were powerful, but thats something else". Harry exclaimed.

 

"How don’t you know this? You live with Remus, he has a Pseudo-legendary and an Aura Bonded". Asked Blaise.

 

"Have you meet Moony, Padfoot or Garchomp?" Harry deadpanned. "I know they are powerful, but its a little difficult to link that thought with a big dragon you have seen skipping along like an excited kid while eating cotton candy".

 

They all snorted or showed other forms of amusement at the picture the statement brought to their minds.

 

"Really?". Tracey asked with an amused voice.

 

"Yep, happened just last night while going to see the Inauguration Ceremony". Harry confirmed.

 

"Oh, thats gold". Blaise laughed.

 

…

 

The rest of the train ride was spent with the seven kids talking about random things among themselves and playing around with their Pokémon. The kids and their Pokémon were now eating a snack, having got some food from the trolley lady a few minutes ago. For Harry, it was incredible. Apart from Ned, he has never been really that close to the rest of the kids at the orphanage. Neither was he close with the kids at High Whinging local school. Though he has had friends before, this was the first time he felt so comfortable with so many people of his own age.

 

They were half way in their journey when the subjects of how they got their starters was brought up.

 

"…I got mine from Ollivander’s". Tracey was saying after Harry shared his own experience in meeting Dante and Hedwig. Omitting Professor Ollivander's parting words while doing so, as Harry thought that was too personal. "Luckily, Litta was a Medichan". Tracey patted the head of said Pokémon, who was now sitting beside her while eating a Pokepuff. "Of course, I would have loved her even if she wasn’t a fighting type!. But this way its easier for me, since I want to be a Fighting Type Master". She ended, doing a pose with her arms flexed much to the amusement of the others.

 

"Any reason why?". Asked Harry before biting into one of his own threats.

 

"Well, my family is a Trainer Family, but we never specialized in one Type or Family, like reptile Pokémon, or something like that. But! I’ve always admired the gym leaders that specialize in Fighting Types, more so the women!. I’m quite glad that we have such a presence of strong female trainers within the Type. More than half of the current gym leaders that use fighting types are woman! Isn’t that amazing?". Tracey gushed. Daphne nodded seriously beside her. "BUT! What isn’t amazing is that none of the elite four, of any region…".

 

"That we know off". Interjected Daphne.

 

"… That we know off,". Tracey followed nodding her head. "that use fighting types are women!". She finished indignantly. "So I plan to change that". She finished with all seriousness.

 

"Oh?, so we are in the presence of a future Elite Four?. How fortunate". Said Blaise in a teasing tone.

 

"Hm!. As you should feel". Said Tracey, fake flicking her, way to short to really do it, hair with a hand.

 

The two started laughing after the interchange, the rest of the occupants of the compartment following right behind.

 

"My family actually specializes in a type. Ghost to be precise". Blaise said to the group after they calmed down.

 

"Hmm, da". Tracey mocked. "We already knew that".

 

"Being paired with a ghost type by the Professor Ollivander of the time is a prerequisite to be considered as a future gym leader in my family". Blaise continued, completely ignoring Tracey’s interruption. "Not that many in my family have had a Pokémon of a different type be their starter that often, mind you". He finished.

 

"But you and your mom are the only members of your family? Doesn’t that make you the heir to the gym right away?". Confused and gingerly, Neville asked more than stated.

 

"The more embarrassing it would have been if I didn’t get a little ghost as a partner, then". Said Blaise, his ever present smirk only growing.

 

"Ugh, can’t you take anything seriously?". Tracey complained.

 

"Nope". Said Blaise, popping the p. Mors, floating beside his head, stuck our his tongue mockingly.

 

"And…they are off". Theo snorted.

 

"Are they always like this?". Harry asked Theo quietly, eyeing the now arguing kids. Tracey seemed to get more irate the more Blaise simply smirked and responded with witty remarks to her words.

 

"Unfortunately, yes. I don’t know if they like each other or not. Tracey always seems two minutes away of trotting him, or dying of laughter with him". Theo answered quietly back.

 

"Now, now girls. You don’t need to argue, you are both beautiful". Daphne actually joked. Harry was surprised, he didn’t imagine her joking like that. Much less doing a quote to do so.

 

"Damn right I am, I’m fabulous". Blaise replied right back. Tracey only sputtered, sending an indignant scowl Daphne’s way.

 

"Anyways, ignoring the two idiots". Said Daphne.

 

"Hey!".

 

"Unlike them, my family doesn’t go to Ollivander’s to get our starters. We actually only go there for the Pokédex". Daphne continued. "When we reach the age of ten, the Head of the family presents us a selection of Pokémon Eggs from Ice Types. We just chose the one our Aura resonates more with, similar as how Professor Ollivander’s gives his own starters actually".

 

"That’s pretty cool". Harry said, he ignored the snorts of amusement from Blaise, Ron and Tracey for his choice of words. "But, its that something you can share with us?".

 

"Oh, so you know about Family Secrets. Thats good". Daphne seemed pleasantly surprised by that. "You don’t have to worry, that is common knowledge about my family. You can even find it in books about the Noble families". She finished, waving a hand daintily in dismissal to his worries.

 

Harry relaxed at that. Family secrets were something Uncle Arcturus was pretty insistent on him knowing the importance off. 'Not that I actually know any of my families secrets, mind you', Harry thought

 

"Wait, so how old is Boreas then?". Harry asked.

 

"Why don’t you find out for yourself? You can scan him, we don’t mind". Said Daphne, Boreas nodded his head in agreement from his place at his trainer’s lap.

 

"Okey". Harry agreed. Taking out his PoryPhone and pointing it to Boreas he said. "Pory? Scan him please".

 

"Right away". Came the robotic reply.

 

Vulpix

The Fox Pokémon

An Ice Type Pokémon, and the Alolan variant of the Indigo Vulpix or also known as the Fire Vulpix.

Referred in Alola as Keo-Keo by many an elder, Vulpix can generate a gelid air of -58 degrees Celsius. Vulpix is born with just one tail, it divides in more the older they get. A pack Pokémon, they are guarded from threats by their Ninetales leader. They don’t like hot weather, creating ice shards that they break to spread around them so they can cool down. This dislike of heat has made them create a great rivalry, if not mutual dislike, with their fire counterparts.

This Vulpix is male and four months and three weeks old.

This Vulpix is registered as Boreas under the Hogwarts Pokémon Trainer Daphne A.Greengrass.

 

"Hmm, thats different". Harry said to himself.

 

"What is?". Theo asked.

 

"It said his age differently, all the Pokémon I’ve scanned so far had their age told in weeks". Harry answered.

 

"Ah, that. It changes when the Pokémon reach the fourth month mark of age". Replied Theo.

 

"That's a little strange. How many Pokémon have you actually scanned for you not having noticed?". Ron asked.

 

Harry blushed a little.

 

"He is my sixth". Admitted Harry a little embarrassed.

 

"That little?. I’ve been scanning all the Pokémon of my family members since I got mine". Tracey interjected.

 

Harry could only shrug in response.

 

"Anyway, what about you Ron?. Ollivander or family member?". Harry changed the subject back on track.

 

"We don’t go to Ollivander’s either. Not even for the Pokédex, well almost". Ron seemed a little embarrassed. "I’m actually using Charley’s old Pokédex". He said while getting a Fifth Generation Pokédex from on of his pockets.

 

"Why?"

 

"Tracey!". Daphne scolded.

 

"Sorry!, you don’t have to answer that". Said Tracey quickly, realizing how intrusive the question was.

 

"Don’t worry. Everyone knows that my family is not well off". Ron said, waving it off. "We are recuperating, but we lost all our fortune trying to help another family. We were in deep debts thill pretty recently too. We were lucky to not lose the gym and our position as Gym Leaders".

 

"Oh!, Remus told me about that. He didn’t mention your family, but he did say who were the ones responsible". Harry exclaimed in realization. The story coming to mind from the day he meet Remus at Diagon Alley.

 

"Yes, the Malfoys. The story is pretty famous". Blaise interjected.

 

"Yes,… Well, anyway. The Pokédex cost the same as a Full Restore, and the full app that only Proffesor Ollivanders gives cost like a Max Potion!. We may be recuperating, but that doesn’t mean we can buy one every year one of us starts Hogwarts". Ron finished. He was obviously embarrassed admitting this, but he also seemed proud that his family was now recuperating financially.

 

Harry smiled at him in understanding, having just recently come into his own money. 'And Remus said that the problem between the two families started almost the moment the Malfoys arrived to the region too. Thats a lot of time to have had financial problems, almost three hundred years. The Malfoys must have really hurt them bad', thought Harry.

 

The potions that Ron mentioned are really expensive. Many trainers don’t even get to hold one in their hands in all their careers. Unlike the games, where the player can easily afford them latter in the run, real life isn’t as simple. It’s almost unheard off of even the Champions having access to these potions. The fact that it’s against the rules to use potions in sanctioned battles make their use that much more rare.

 

"But apart from the Pokédex, we really never went to Ollivanders for our starters. Like with Greengrass, the Head of House provides the family members with Pokémon. Thought not an egg". Ron continued. "Its tradition for us to get a bug type, obviously. Bill got a Nincada. He now has a Ninjask and Shedinja. Charlie is the only that didn’t. He has always been obsessed with dragons so my parents got him one as an starter. Don’t know how they did it, but they got him a Trapinch...so it more or less counts as a bug?". Ron shrugged his shoulders in consideration. "Percy got a Blipbug that’s already an Orbeetle. And, well, the twins are a special case. Do you know of the twin Gym Leaders of Hoenn?". Ron asked the group.

 

"Sure, powerful born psychics with a mental connection. The Hoenn League gave them a Lunatone and a Solrock to help them ground their powers at the age of six. Its really rare for someone to be born like they did". Daphne answered.

 

Harry was starting to see that she always has all the information of all the people. Last night was the same. 'Thought, with them being gym leaders it’s less surprising that she knows about that…Wait! Lunatone and Solrock?', thought Harry before realizing something.

 

"They are like them!?". Harry exclaimed.

 

"Yep!". Ron confirmed. "Yggsill’s League gave them the same Pokémon Hoenn’s gave Tate and Liza. That didn’t stop dad fron giving them a Heracross and a Pinsir of course".

 

"Tate and Liza?. Do you know them personally?". Tracey asked, having noticed the familiarity in with he named the two.

 

"Actually, yes. Like Greengrass said, cases like the twins are really rare. Tate and Liza were really interested in getting to know people like themselves". Said Ron. "Now, the four are friends and exchange correspondence regularly".

 

"Oh, Whow". Said Tracey in amazement.

 

"They are also really young. Only fifteen". Daphne added her two Pokedollars.

 

"Seriously?". Harry exclaimed, not having know that they were that young.

 

"She is right. They are really intelligent, they graduated earlier. That brings mom crazy, since the twins only show that aptitude to studying on things that interest them". Said Ron while opening on of his chocolate frogs. Biting the head of the chocolate shaped frog, he looked at the chrome gift that comes with the sweet. "Ugh, another Dumbledore!. I got like thirteen of them". Ron complained. "Someone wants him?".

 

"Sure, why not?. I don’t have him". Harry replied.

 

Ron tossed him the chrome with Harry catching it easily. 'So this is the guy that put the Aura spell on me and left me with my relatives', Harry thought while looking at the picture of the old man. Harry didn’t know what to really think about him, 'I will have to see after meeting him'. Looking at the text under the picture, Harry read.

 

Considered by many as one of the greatest trainers of modern times, Dumbledore is particularly famous for his defeat of the Corrupted Trainer and Dark Lord Grindelwald in 2045, for the discovery of the healing applications of Dragon and Fairy type’s blood, and his work on alchemy with his mentor and partner, Nicolas Flamel. Professor Dumbledore enjoys chamber music and tenpin bowlin.

 

Harry lifted an eyebrow at the information listed before he was brought back to the conversation.

 

" …for a starter. Trevor is one of the children of my dads Torterra". Neville was saying, a sad look on his face. Trevor bumped his head on his leg, giving him a smile. Neville smiled back, losing his sad look, before petting the grass turtle’s head. "Having a Turwig as a starter is tradition in my family. Just like the Potters and their Froakies,". Continued Neville, giving Harry a pained smile. Harry too smiled sadly, having lost the opportunity. 'A tradition I will not be able to partake in', Harry though ruefully. "or the Notts and their Panchams".

 

Theo snorted.

 

"I love Maher and wouldn’t change him for anything in the world, but comparing a Pancham with Regional Starters is a little much". Theo said while wiping said Pokémon mouth from food crumps.

 

Harry noted that the Pokémon didn’t seem offended by the comment, appearing to agree with the statement even. Neville blushed a little at the comment, scratching his ear shyly.

 

"Although I suppose we are certainly similar in that way. More so with the Potters, we actually go to Ollivanders to gain our second Pokémon". Theo admitted. "But I heard your family has a tradition to gain another partner when you reach thirteen?". Theo inquired curiously to Neville.

 

"Yeah… Its like a rite of passage, you know? Like the Zabinis, it's a way to be considered for the next Gym Leader, to show that we are deserving of the title. The heir of the house also does it to show that he or she deserves to be the heir and future Lord or Lady of the House". Neville answered. "We have to venture into the woods and gain a Phantump as a partner".

 

Silence fell at his statement.

 

"You are kidding right?". Blaise said, his usual joking demeanor nowhere to be seen

 

"I.. Erm?.., Nooo? I’m not?". Neville stuttered. "We have been doing it since the beginning, its our oldest tradition. Everyone knows we do it". Said Neville a little panicked.

 

"I thought it was just fabricated rumors!". Blaise exclaimed. "To get a Phantump you have to trespass Trevenant territory!. Trainers that get one are just lucky to find a wandering one, and that’s supper rare!. Do you know how dangerous it is to even walk near a Copse of Trevenants!?. They are one of the most dangerous Ghost Pokémon for a reason! Giratina’s damn it!".

 

Neville seemed to shrink more into himself during Blaise’s tirade, until an angry look started to appear on his face.

 

"Yes, well. We are not going to change one of our oldest rites of passage just because an outsider to the family told us so". Nevilles stutter seemed to have disappeared. "Nobody of our family has actually died in generations, we have a connection with them. So you don’t have to worry. Even so, I don’t go telling people what they can or cannot do whiting their families. I would appreciate if you extended the same courtesy". Neville finished with a uff.

 

The rest of the compartment’s occupants looked between the two boys, food momentarily forgotten, not knowing how to interfere. Luckily they didn’t have to. Blaise usual smirk started to appear again on his face.

 

"Ooohh, the little bear has claws". Started Blaise, making a reference to that Longbottoms coat of arms and gym badge. "Your family members must have balls of steel to do that, then". He finished with a laugh.

 

Neville wasn’t the only one to blush at his comment.

 

"Blaise!". Theo and Daphne exclaimed, Daphne even threw him a wrapper form one of the various sweets. 'Where in distortion has yesterday’s aloft girl disappeared to?', Harry thought surprised by the noticeable change in attitude Daphne was sowing compared to last night.

 

"What!?. Mom’s not here. I can say whatever I want".

 

"I can contact her if you want, then". Daphne threatened taking out her own PoryPhone.

 

"You wouldn’t dare". Blaise gasped, sending a glare her way.

 

"Try me". She countered right back.

 

"Don’t you think its strange?". Harry asked, trying to evade a confrontation between the two.

 

"What is?". Ron asked, happy to follow along.

 

"Well, all our families seem to go out of their way to get us a starter from the Type we have been specializing in from generations. I suppose it’s mostly tradition but, I wasn’t raised by my family and I still ended with a dual Dark and Flying type when I went to Ollivander's. Something the Professor said was almost a guarantee with the members of my family. And Blaise said his family practically always have a Ghost Type for a starter from the Professor too". Harry recounted. "And, for what you all have said, at least some of you". He said looking at Blaise and Neville specifically.  "want to be type Masters, isn’t it?".

 

Realization seemed to start bloom in the faces of all the other children, sensing where he was going with this.

 

Blaise and Neville nodded their heads in agreement to his comment.

 

"Grass". Neville shyly said, indicating the quite obvious type he wanted to be a Master off.

 

"Ghost". Blaise also added next, following Neville’s example.

 

Harry nodded at their answers. He was a little surprised from the next two voices, but not overly much as he saw it coming.

 

"Bug". Ron offered, lifting his hand.

 

"Ice, obviously". Daphne added next, flicking a strand of hair from her face. 

 

"Fighting!". Tracey added enthusiastically, wanting to get on it to.

 

They all snorted at this. Unnecessary as was her comment, as she already told them.

 

"Dark". Harry offered himself. None seemed surprised by it, but they all smiled.

 

Theo snorted when they all turned to look at him.

 

"Nope, generalist, sorry". Said Theo.

 

"But there are various types of generalist. Do you know with you wanna be?". Ron asked.

 

"Not really, no. I will see what catches my interest. I have two years to decide before committing to anything". Answered Theo with a shrug of his shoulders while petting Mico, the Spurr having clambered back onto his lap to sleep again after stuffing himself.

 

"But thats the thing". Said Harry, getting back on track with what he has been saying. "Isn’t it strange? Why have we decided to specialize in a type? Because our families has done so for generations? If thats the case, how come we apparently always end with Pokemon of the same type even if we don’t want too? What’s more, I didn’t even know I was a Potter". Harry emphasized his last name so they can understand what he meant by it. "and I still ended wanting to be a Dark Type Trainer. Isn’t that strange?". Harry finished, starting to fell doubtful about his choice. A choice he has been so sure before about.

 

Sensing his distress, Dante and Hedwig started to try comforting him. Harry smiled at them, petting Dante’s head and Hedwig’s feathered chest as thanks

 

"Ah, Remus must not have told you". Theo said, a sympathetic look directed at him. "Not surprising since it’s common knowledge among Trainer Families".

 

"Tell me what?". Harry asked a little confused.

 

"You are in the good track with your observations. The easy answer to your question is Aura". Daphne answered.

 

The other kids nodded at that simple answer. Fortunately, Theo elaborated whiteout Harry needing to ask.

 

"Everyone is born with an Aura unique to them. Aura is something we share with Pokémon, its how we are able to form our bonds with them". Harry nodded, already knowing this. "But not only that. Aura helps Pokémon form their moves, control their elemental energies. Its one of the components, and probably the most important, that gives Pokemon their ‘Types’. The same way it gives them their types, so too does the same for us humans".

 

"We have types?". Asked Harry astonished.

 

"Not really. Theo is telling a simplified version. It’s actually all we know, really. Our parents always answer with ‘you will learn more about it at Hogwarts’ when we ask". Said Blaise, putting on a fake adult voice and doing air quotes.

 

Harry snorted at that. 'Were have I heard that before?', he thought with sarcastic amusement.

 

"Anyways, what it does is gives us an affinity to a certain elemental Type or Types. Nobody is actually born with pure, undiluted, Aura. We all have some ‘type’ in it. It actually only makes it easier for us to connect and form bonds with Pokémon of a specific elemental Type. In families that have specialized in a Type for generations, the Aura simply settles into that one. The more generations that specialize in the same type, more aligned with it the Aura of the family becomes". Theo finished.

 

"So, Aura is genetic". Harry stated.

 

"In that aspect, yes. Though there are exceptions". Daphne nodded her head, speaking next and adding to the conversation. "But you shouldn’t worry about it influencing you into choosing to become a Master of a certain type. True, it makes us more attuned with that type. But Aura is inside us, its part of us. So, in essence, it is us. If thats the case, you are the one that actually decided to become a Dark Type Master". She said, sowing her perceptiveness in realizing what was Harry’s actual worry.

 

"Beside, it doesn’t dictate that you need to only use the type you are attuned to. If that was the case, we Notts would still be Ghost Type trainers like we were eight hundred years ago". Theo added to Daphne’s words.

 

"Yeah, and I wouldn’t be the only one of my siblings that wants to be a Bug Type Master". Said Ron in agreement. "Bill’s a generalist and isn’t even a full time trainer. He actually works as a Curse Breaker for Gringotts, and an archeologist for the History Guild. Charlie is studying and training to be a Dragon Type Master, and wants to work in a Dragon Preserve full time. Percy wants to work for the Ministry Goverment,". All the kids made faces at this. "he actually intends to only have three Pokémon of his own. The twins should really be Psychic Type Trainers, but are more interested with their jokes than in actually being trainers. And my little sister doesn’t know what she wants except that she wants to be like Champion Cynthia or Champion Diantha, depending on the week".

 

Harry relaxed at their words, feeling somewhat reassured by their explanation.

 

Just then the compartments door was thrown open, attracting the attention of all the kids and stoping their conversation. Three kids were at the threshold of the compartments door, all accompanied by at least one Pokémon. Harry quickly identified the one in the middle as the pale blonde kid he meet at Madam Malekin’s, Draco Malfoy. In contrast to the shop his haughty face looked with more interest to Harry, not even sparing a glance to the rest of the compartments’s occupants.

 

"It’s true?". Malfoy started. "All the train is talking about how Harry Potter is in this compartment. It’s you, isn’t it?".

 

"Yes". Answered Harry. Harry noted that Malfoy has two Pokémon with him, a Skrelp swimming inside a floating water orb beside his head. That was the usual method water bound Water Types used when venturing onto land. Not that they actually did it if they weren’t Trainer’s Pokemon, or were on a rampage. And a Skorupi behind his legs, who was leaning from behind them to look with interest at Harry’s group of friends.

 

When the Scorpion Pokémon made eye contact with Harry, the Pokémon smiled at him and waved one of his stingers like front legs. Harry sent a quick smile back at the little Pokémon before promptly schooling his features into a neutral mask and looking back at Malfoy.

 

A frown passed through the blonde kid’s face while looking at their interaction, something resembling disgust passing through his eyes when he looked at Skorupi, before he too schooled his features back into that haughty expression of his.

 

"Oh, these are Crabbe and Goyle". Malfoy said offhandedly, noting the looks Harry keep sending the two.

 

Harry’s friends frowned at that, not that they already weren’t sowing their displeasure in some way since Malfoy was blatantly ignoring protocol at ignoring them. 'They must be from Noble families too, thought I don’t know their ranks', Noted Harry. He frowned slightly too, having caught into the deliberate insult Malfoy has done to his companions. Not that they seemed to mind, the two were giving more the vibes of bodyguards than of friends.

 

Crabbe and Goyle could both be described as stout and mean looking. Only intensified by the military cut they had their dark brown looks of hair on. Crabbe was slightly taller than Goyle, with a more square face and complexion than Goyle’s round one. Crabbe also has dull grey eyes to Goyle’s black ones. The two were accompanied by Geodudes, but of different variants. Crabbe has an Alolan Geodude at his side while Goyle has a common one at his.

 

"I’m Malfoy by the way". Malfoy continued, introducing himself while putting on airs of importance when saying his family name. "Draco Lucius, heir apparent to the Noble House of Malfoy".

 

Harry almost lifted an eyebrow at his introduction. Him putting his family name first told much of how he viewed his own family’s importance and standing, especially in comparison with the rest of the people present. Something only emphasized more by the fact that he didn’t even offer a nod of the head when he finished, the minimum he should have done. A snorted laugh from one of his new friends let him know that he wasn’t the only one that took notice of all of that. Unfortunately, it also brought Malfoy’s attention to that individual.

 

"Do you find my family funny?". Malfoy asked while looking at Ron, the one to have snorted. A sneer on his face while looking at the redhead. Crabbe and Goyle also looked at him, squaring their shoulders and cracking their knuckles for emphasis. An action that their Geodudes copied. Malfoy’s question made Skrelp focus his bored gaze on Ron, Skorupi doing the same a moment later. Thought the Scorpion Pokemon appeared reluctance to form part in any possible confrontation. "You don’t need to present yourself". Said Malfoy with derision. "Let me guess. Red hair, freckles, and a second hand Pokédex. Daddy din’t have enough money saved to buy you a new one?". Malfoy mocked while signaling to Ron’s still out inherited Pokédex. "You must be a Weasley". Malfoy finished with a bigger sneer of disgust on his face.

 

Ron blushed furiously at the pale boy words, glaring at him during all of Malfoys tirade. Artreos glared right alongside his trainer. Skrelp made some mocking sounds that made the Bagworm Pokémon focus his glare in the Mock Kelp Pokémon. The two Mons entered in an argument of their own while Skorupi started to fidget even thought he maintained his posture supporting his fellow Pokémon Partner.

 

Ron wasn’t the only one annoyed by the blond boy. Blaise and his partner Mors lost their usual amused smiles, the two sending hard looks at Malfoy from their carefully controlled expressions. Theo was doing the same with the annoyed looking Mico, who has started awake when Malfoy entered the compartment, while Maher appeared to have found someone to glare with more heat than he did Harry. Tracey was actually glowering at the arrogant boy while Litta darted her gaze carefully between the Pokémon of Malfoys party, ready to intervene if necessary. If looks could kill, Malfoy would be ice cubes on the floor just by the looks he was receiving from Daphne and Boreas. Poor Neville didn’t seem to know what to do, looking nervously at the scene happening in front of him while trying to copy Trevors attitude, the Turwig standing with the rest of his fellow Pokémon.

 

Before Ron, or anyone for that matter, could say anything, Malfoy focused back his gaze onto Harry after having done a proper survey of the occupant of the compartment. Not that he seemed to care of the hateful glares he was receiving.

 

"You will find that there are much better Trainer Families to associate with, Potter". Said Malfoy to Harry. "You don’t want to make a mistake at choosing with whom you associate with. I would have said you were doing a good job". Malfoy looked at Theo, Daphne and Blaise when he said that before his gaze turned again to a sneer after looking at Neville and Ron. Tracey was completely dismissed by him, much to the girls ire. "But seeing as they don’t seem to mind associating with a Null and a Blood Traitor, I would think otherwise". He sneered at all of Harry’s friends when he said that. "I can help you with that". Malfoy finished, offering a hand to Harry.

 

"No, thank you. I think I’m doing quite good on my own". Harry answered, ignoring the offered appendage. He was proud of himself for having said that with a calm tone, instead of punching the prat like he wanted to do.

 

Malfoy seemed surprised by his answer, a rosy tint appearing on his pale checks, withdrawing his now clenched fist to his side.

 

"I would be careful, Potter". Malfoy said in controlled low tone. "Keep associating with people like Weasley or Lupin, and you will end like your parents. They too didn’t know what was best for them".

 

Skorupi was the only one in Malfoys group taken aback by the blonds words, seeming deeply conflicted by his own trainers attitude. But Harry didn’t pay attention to that, to enraged by the blonde to take notice.

 

Harry wasn’t the only one to abruptly stand from his seat, but he halted any retaliation from his friends by lifting a hand. He calmly took a step towards the blond, feeling the comforting weight of Hedwig settle on his left shoulder and Dantes supportive presence at his right side were the pup has settled beside him.

 

"Care to repeat that?". Asked Harry in a neutral tone, belaying his true emotions. Harry eyes seemed to darken while he looked at the Malfoy heir.

 

"Ooohh, are you going to fight us". Malfoy mocked, Skrelp sifted on his water bubble. "Do you understand who I am?".

 

"Do you?". Harry asked right back. "What would your mother say if she were to learn about this, Malfoy".

 

Malfoy paused, taken aback by his words, not having expected Harry to bring up his mother at all or respond the way he did. He wasn’t the only one surprised by Harry’s words, the rest of Harrys friend looking at him in surprise too. 'Ok Harry, you have dealt with bullies before. You just need to beat him at his own game… In this case at least. Just remember everything Uncle Arcturus taught you, and you will be good', Harry thought to himself while trying, and apparently succeeding, in not letting his nerves about the confrontation show.

 

"What?. You haven’t even meet my mother".

 

"Hmm, maybe not. But I know Uncle Arcturus. You know Lord Black, don’t you?. He is your great-grandfather after all". Harry relished in the look of fear that crossed the prats eyes, it always felt good taking bullies down a peg or two. "What would he think of his granddaughter if he were to learn that she didn’t teach you how to comport yourself in such esteemed company?". Asked Harry rhetorically. ' Maybe I played it to tick… Nah, I think it works', Harry thought to himself. "I don’t think he would be pleased with her, or you for that matter". Harry stated in a false sweet tone. He didn’t like to do this, always having preferred to confront situations on his own. But he suspected that Malfoy would only be deterred by bringing a figure he would consider as being above Malfoy himself. And Harry appeared to be right about it.

 

Crabbe and Goyle looked between Malfoy and Harry, the two and their Pokémon looking lost while waiting for Malfoy’s orders on how to proceed. But the blonde was to busy looking at Harry wide eyed. Skrelp fidgeted, his water bubble wobbling erratically, while Skorupi alternated between looking with something like admiration at Harry and nervousness at Malfoy.

 

"What? I’m not the one who doesn’t know how to respect their betters, I…". Malfoy hissed furiously, having found his voice only for his tirade being interrupted before it could truly start.

 

"My betters? Ha!, don’t make me laugh". Said Harry in a mocking and furious tone, taking another step towards the blonde so they were now half an arm reach of each other with Dante following right alongside him. Taking a small deep breath and taking comfort on Hedwig’s weight upon his shoulder, Harry continued. "Should we see what have you done wrong, hmm Malfoy?". Harry didn’t wait for a response. "Let’s see. You barge uninvited into our compartment, proceeding to ignore said compartment’s occupants and insulting them in doing so. People that are also peers of the realm, the majority of them of Noble families of higher standing than yours and one of them of the same standing as your family. When introducing yourself and your companions, you insulted them too by introducing them like they were unimportant. When they are also of Noble standing". Harry enunciated, making sure to no waver in his words.

 

Harry took relief in knowing he was right about Crabbe and Goyle being from Noble families, even if he doesn’t know in what echelon they are at, after seeing that none made any gesture at his words. Thought he was careful in not sowing said relief on his face. 'Better to let your enemies think that you know more than you let on', Harry thought happy about his small gamble paying out. Crabbe and Goyle looked briefly to each other, an unreadable expression on their faces, not having expected Harry to bring them up that way.

 

"Just to end it all by actually insulting two of my friends". Harry continued. "The heir to a Most Ancient and Noble Family and the son to a Ancient and Noble Family, they more than out rank you". Harry made a pause, tilting his head slightly in mock expectation. "So, tell me, Malfoy. How is it that you have done nothing wrong?, when in the course of a few minutes you have managed to indirectly insult three heirs of Most Ancient and Noble families,". Said Harry, including himself in that count while nodding respectfully at Theo, Daphne. The two of them nodding back, playing along with Harry. " directly insult the heir to a Most Ancient and Noble Family,". Harry nodded at Neville next. Neville nodded back, doing an amazing job in masking his nervousness. "the heir to a Ancient and Noble family,". Harry nodded to Blaise who too nodded back, a little deeper than the other three did. Smirk full on his face, an excited light on his eyes. ' He is enjoying this' , thought Harry in amusement. "the son of an Ancient and Noble family,". Harry nodded to Ron, who nodded as deeply as Blaise did. A look of wonder and gratitude on his face.  "and the daughter of a Noble family?". Harry ended his question while nodding at Tracey, who did a small courtesy. Her expression as excited as Balise’s was. "That is, what?. Seven noble families you have directly alienated?". Mock asked Harry looking back at Malfoy, not including the Crabbes and Goyles to not reveal that he didn’t know what was their actual status within Yggsill’s Nobility. He let Malfoy draw his own conclusion of why he didn’t mention them in this part of his speech, thought he tried to imply that he didn’t because the two boys were not part of his friend group. "Hmm, yes... No, Uncle Arcturus wont be happy". Finished Harry in mock sadness, making an emphasize in referring to the Black Lord as uncle again to sow how close the two actually where.

 

Malfoy actually looked more pale now. 'I don’t know what he thought by coming here comporting himself like this. But whatever his thoughts were, they have clearly backfired', Harry thought in satisfaction.

 

"Now, why don’t you take your leave Malfoy?, before you dig yourself a deeper hole". Harry asked while nodding towards the door in clear dismissal.

 

Malfoy’s pale complexion receded by being replaced by two furious red dots of color on his checks.

 

"This isn’t over, Potter. You don’t know what you have done. Wait till my father hears about this". Threatened Malfoy.

 

"I will make sure my guardian awaits his call". Harry responded right back with a cheeky smile.

 

Malfoy glared at Harry furiously, upset that he didn’t get the last word out

 

"Eridanus, come". He ordered furiously to his Skrelp, Eridamus apparently, while ignoring completely Skorupi, before marching out of the compartment. The two noble kids turned bodyguards and their own Pokémon right behind him.

 

Skorupi lingered just for a moment longer, sending another glance at Harry with he responded by winking at the Pokémon, before speeding towards his trainer.

 

"He could have closed the door" Harry muttered to himself, brow twitching in irritation at the blonde prat.

 

Closing the door to the compartment, Harry turned back only to find his new friends all looking at him. Varying looks from impressed to respect on their faces.

 

"…What?". Harry asked after a moment of silence, felling fidgety by their staring.

 

That appeared to be the only thing needed for them to start making noise. Blaise just started laughing in glee, Mors right behind him. The Misdreavus even floated around Harry a couple of times while doing so. The reactions of the rest weren’t as explosive in their 'simplicity'.

 

"Bloody Distortion, That was brilliant!". Ron exclaimed.

 

"That was really well done". Daphne complimented, an appreciative look on her eyes.

 

"That’s gonna sting Malfoy’s pride". Theo commented, a small smirk on his face.

 

"Hm! Serves him right!. You totally told him, thanks Harry. That roasting was amazing!". Tracey commented, crossing her arms over her chest while looking at the door, a glare directed at it like if Malfoy was still here.

 

"That reminded me of my gran, if I didn’t know better I would have said that you were brought up like the rest of us". Neville complimented shyly, a small smile on his face.

 

"Thanks guys". Said Harry scratching the back of his neck in bashfulness while going to sit back on his seat. The rest copied his actions. "I was quite nervous actually". He admitted. 'I will have to write to Uncle Arcturus to tank him for his lessons', Harry mused.

 

"Have you seen how he treated his Skorupi?". Theo asked the group.

 

"I noticed. What was that about?, they didn’t even seem that close". Harry noted. 'I wouldn’t treat any of my Pokémon like that', thought Harry while petting Dante who had settled on his lap, the white Houndour almost didn’t fit.

 

"Hm!". Daphne snorted in contempt. "That was a clear example of ignoring your type of Aura for all the wrong reasons".

 

"oh?". Inquired Harry.

 

"What do you bet that the Skorupi is actually his Ollivanders’s Starter and the Skrelp whas a gift from dear mommy?". Asked Blaise.

 

"No bet, thats totally the case". Answered Daphne.

 

"Why would she do that? Is like my family and the Froakies?. Or Theo’s or Neville’s for that matter?". Asked Harry

 

"Oh no, not at all". Answered Theo. "The Malfoys covet the gym leader position, if it comes with the Black Lordship more the better. Lord Black hasn’t decided on a heir yet, not that he has many options, Lady Malfoy must have tried to have dear Draco make a connection with a Dragon to impress Lord Black and make him chose little Malfoy as his heir".

 

Daphne nodded along.

 

"But if we go by the two Pokémon that he has with him, it meant that his Aura is more aligned with…".

 

"Poison types". Harry finished for Daphne.

 

"Exactly". Daphne nodded. "Like we discussed before, it doesn’t meant that he has to be a Poisson type master or something like that. But I’m pretty sure he was more than a little disappointed in connecting with a Skorupi instead of another Dragon Type, more so if he got him after receiving the Skrelp from his parents".

 

"Don’t know why. Everyone knows that the Malfoys don’t have stable Auras, every member has always had a different Type alignment. He shouldn’t have had his expectations so set knowing that". Said Neville.

 

"Ugh". Blaise suddenly groaned. When the rest of the group looked at him, he continued. "I just realized that he will probably end in Slytherin. We will have to not only put up with him on classes, but in the dorms too!".

 

"Oh, shit. You are right". Said Theo, a look of horror and resignation on his face.

 

Daphne pulled a face at the prospect.

 

"Better you than me". Ron said with a laugh.

 

"You guys already know what house you are going into?". Harry asked, not at all upset by the change of subject.

 

"Of course not, we won’t know it until we are sorted". Daphne responded. "But we can make a pretty good guess. I’m pretty sure I’m a Slytherin or a Ravenclaw".

 

"Slytherin. My family has always been from that house". Said Blaise with a shrug of the shoulders.

 

"Slytherin or Ravenclaw like Daphne. Thought my family had had its share of Gryffindors". Said Theo next. "Don’t think I’m one thought, I have to much self-preservation". Theo joked.

 

"Gryffindor. I don’t even want to know what would mom say if I wasn’t one. Thought it wouldn’t be so bad if I was put into Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff. Not that I think I have much in common with the house of Ravenclaw". Ron commented. "Just… not Slytherin, mom is really prejudiced against them. Like there hasn’t been bad trainers from the other houses!. My gran would be happy thought".

 

Theo, Blaise and Daphne’s indignant looks changed quickly to ones of gratitude at his last words.

 

"I don’t know, and my family doesn’t care. I will be happy to just have some of you guys with me". Tracey commented with a bright smile.

 

"Lucky, gran wants me to be a Gryffindor. But I’d don’t think I’m brave enough to be there. I’m pretty sure I will end in Hufflepuff thought. If a House chose me, that is". Neville said dejectedly.

 

"What’s wrong with Hufflepuff?. If you end up there, just remind your grandmother that two of our Elite Four are from that house. And, beside, I think you have enough courage. You seemed pretty courageous when you took Blaise down a peg". Harry said to Neville, trying to reassure the boy while he couldn’t help himself in teasing Blaise.

 

"Like I said, balls of steel". Blaise just shrugged at his words.

 

"Blaise…".

 

The violet eyed boy just stuck our his tongue at Daphne.

 

"Thanks Harry". Said Neville, sending a grateful look his way.

 

Harry smiled in response.

 

"What about you Harry?. Any House you have in mind?". Asked Theo while petting both of his Pokémon that were now asleep after having eaten and the confrontation with Malfoy.

 

"Not really. I know my parents where both Gryffindors, as was my grandfather. My grandmother was a Slytherin, and while I wouldn’t mind going there… well. Uncle Arcturus and da..I mean, Remus, cautioned me that it would pretty much be political and social suicide for me to be put there". Harry answered, correcting himself for the hundred time that day in calling Remus dad. He still wasn’t ready to call him that in front of others so openly.

 

"Yeah, they aren’t wrong unfortunately". Blaise said with a grimace with the rest nodding along.

 

Theo gave him a sympathetic pat on the shoulder.

 

"We will be friends even if we end in other houses right?". Tracey asked the group at large.

 

"Obviously, you don’t need to ask". Daphne said in mock haughtiness.

 

They all were more then happy to go along with her statement.

 

Conversation fell to other things from the rest of the journey, but Harry couldn’t stop wondering what awaited for him at Hogwarts. Would his parents be proud if he wasn’t a Gryffindor?, he just hoped his new family would be if he wasn’t.

 

Notes:

Longest chapter yet!! Holy crap, I don't know were did it came from. Ome of the interactions, the ones with Hermione and Draco where inspired, A LOT, by the books or Films. The first interaction between them and Harry are just to memorable in my mind to not try and include them. I hope I didn't made Harry or Ron too OCC (it's that how it's called?) but, well, Harry has lived a diferent chilhod than in the books, and Ron here can look fowards to doing somthing his siblings hadn't done before. Betwen other things inside the Weasley family, and this world as a whole that are slightly different. Not counting Pokémon, obviusly. What are those diferences? Well, next chapter appears one!
As always, thanks for reading!. And please, if anyone finds gramaticall errors or something, let me know. English is not my mother lenguage, and I'm sure I wrote something wrong. (just early today I had to change a word I wrotte wrong in a previus chapter)

Chapter 10: Idols and Sortings

Notes:

Disclaimor: Don't own Harry Potter or Pokémon. I only own the original characters and the original Pokémon.

 

"First years!. First years over here!. Hello, Marty. First years!". The shouted words in an accented cadence were heard in Hogsmeade Station over the roar of students making their way from the train.

 

The passengers of the Hogwarts Express were greeted by the chilly night air when they disembarked the train. The waxing moon gave sparse light to Hogsmeade station, millions of stars shone like diamonds in the clear sky. The station of the town of Hogsmeade was quite small, consisting just of an enclosed platform open to the air and a two stories building as an exit and entrance to it.

 

The biggest man Harry has ever seen was waiting for the students to disembark while calling for the first years to approach him. Quite wild looking and terrifying, the only reason the young first years approached him was the friendliness they saw the older years greet him with. The big man stood at a height of almost three meters, and was almost as wide. His intimidating stature wasn’t helped by his wild bushy black hair and long beard, that hide most of his face. A Stoutlant with just as wild of a mane, thought well cared for, stood by his side.

 

Harry looked at his group of friends before they collectively decided to approach the big man. They all left their luggages at the train as instructed by a Perfect. The sixth year having gone thought the train, informing any first year of the arrangement for their things. Harry was really reluctant to part with his backpack, more specifically the photo album inside it, but relented.

 

"Are all the first years here?". The big man asked, looking at the sea of young and slightly scared faces.

 

"They are Mr. Hagrid". Another perfect with a Furret at his side informed the big man, Hagrid. "Elie is doing another sweep of the train, but unless one of the firsties is hiding in the bathroom or something, they all should be here".

 

"Thank you Tommy. And how many times do I have to tell you? Its Hagrid, nothing of the Mr thing". Said Hagrid.

 

"Of course, Mr. Hagrid". Tommy the Perfect answered with a joking smirk, before he and his Pokémon sauntered off, probably to wait for the other Perfect still on the train.

 

"Well, you all have heard. I’m Rubeus Hagrid, Grounds Keeper of Hogwarts, and this is Fang, my scaredy-cat of a partner. You all can call me Hagrid". Said Hagrid with a friendly smile hidden by his beard. Giving a clap of his hands a moment latter, he continued. "Now, I want all of you to form a line of two and follow me. Fang, go to the back to make sure nobody gets lost". The Stoutlant gave an affirmative bark before complying with the order. "You all can have your Pokémon with you during the small trek, but I have to ask you to return them to their PokéBalls before boarding the boats". With that he turned to exit the station.

 

All the kids and their Pokémon gave sounds of disappointment at this, but followed dutifully.

 

"Boats?". Harry heard Ron ask from behind him.

 

The group of seven tried to put themselves as close together as possible, but one of them ended having to walk beside a different student. Harry decided to be that person, but luckily he has Ron and Neville behind him with Daphne and Tracey behind the two, while Blaise and Theo were in front of Harry.

 

"Hello, I’m Justin". The kid beside Harry introduced himself nervously, a really small Shinx in his arms.

 

"Harry". Responded Harry, the kid seemed too nervous to bear the traditional greeting. And Harry has to admit that he was too.

 

The kid smiled at him before looking at the front again, to jittery to engage in conversation.

 

"I’m pretty sure we will be crossing the bay to get to Hogwarts". Harry heard Daphne answer.

 

"Oh… How do you know that?". Ron asked.

 

Harry turned to look at them, and saw Daphne give the red-head an exasperated look.

 

"I live in Snowfallpoint, Weasley. I’ve come to Hogsmeade before". She answered with a deadpan.

 

Harry grimaced a little at the prospect. Snowfallpoint was in the same area as Hogsmeade and Hogwarts, the Glacera Area. It would have been much quicker for her to just come directly to Hogsmeade, instead of going all the way to Levahner just to come back. Harry guessed that she just teleported to Levahner’s Station, but it still seemed a chore to him. Unfortunately, all students must come to Hogwarts on the express, no matter where they live. The psychic look the Gardevoirs or Gallades put on their luggages must be a reason why they have to do it, Harry supposed.

 

Exiting Hogsmeade Station, the students where greeted by the outskirts of Hogsmeade Town. The silhouettes of the houses, and the town’s lights, could be seen not too far away front the station. Harry spied a carriage, probably used by the older years, being pulled by a Sawsbuck and disappearing in the distance. Harry felt a small pang of disappointment, he would have liked to meet one of the Season Pokémon. More now, that he knew that his father had one as his Aura Bonded Pokémon.

 

Instead of going through the town, Hagrid guided them through a small path going northeast. The path wasn’t long, and the students where promptly greeted by an amazing sight. The first years were now in a small dock that gave view to the sparkling waters of the bay, the light of the waxing moon reflecting on the water’s surface. Atop a cliff, a castle, that appeared to have been transported from a fantasy story, sat with its tall towers reaching the night sky. All the windows of the castle where alight, mixing with the stars.

 

Hogsmeade and Hogwarts were really close to one another all things considered, the castle being visible form the town. The two locations where located around a bay, with Hogsmeade situated on the southwest bank enclosing part of the sea, while Hogwarts was atop the wide cliff at the entrance of the bay. The floor of the bay is so, that at low tide it becomes a lake of salt water. Many call the bay the Black Lake for that reason. Though Harry doesn’t know why they call it Black Lake, from the stories Remus has told him of Hogwarts, the bay actually has some of the clearest waters of Yggsill. Thought they are also the coldest.

 

"No more than four to a boat!, and remember to recall your Pokémon". Hagrid voice brought back the attention of the first years from their wonderment at seeing the view.

 

All of the new students scrambled to comply with the request, reluctantly recalling their partners. Harry ended in a boat with Ron, Neville and Theo. Blaise, Daphne and Tracey ended together, sharing their boat with the busy haired girl with the pseudo-legendary partner, Hermione Granger. Much to Daphne’s chagrin.

 

Looking around, Harry saw the last stragglers scrambling to embark the remaining free boats. A frown appeared on Harrys face when he saw Malfoy almost push another kid into the water, just to get a boat for just himself and his two goons.

 

"Is everyone on board?". Asked Hagrid, pausing for a moment to look at them. "Then, onwards!".

 

At his shouted words, the kids saw lights approaching from under the boats. Gasp were heard as the boats started to move towards the direction of the castle, the heads of a school of Lanturns poked the surface of the lake, their luminescent appendages illuminating the area. There where two Lanturns per boat, pulling from a rope to move them thought the waters.

 

The kids looked with amazement at the approaching castle. A felling of welcome seemed to warm their bodies, like the embrace of a loving parent. The closer they got, the better they could see the castle. A massive fortress, with impossibly tall towers that defied logic, bridges connecting parts of the castle at high levels, it was amazing, and the lights coming out of the windows only gave it a more magical felling.

 

"Mind your heads!". Hagrid shouted from his boat.

 

All the kids ducked their heads hurriedly, thought they needn’t too. The Lanturns guided the boats inside a water cave, the entrance sufficiently hight to let someone pass though without problem. Though someone of the heigh of Hagrid really did need to duck their heads. Still, the warning wasn’t as unnecessary, as vines covered the cavern entrance like a curtain, shielding it from the outside world.

 

Actual torches illuminated the cavern, their light adding to the one produced by the Lanturns. The Pokémon guided the boats to a small docking area at the end of the cave, a sparse of floor let the first years stand comfortably after disembarking.

 

"Here, let me help you". Harry said, having disembarked the first and seeing Neville struggle.

 

"Thanks". Neville said with a smile, accepting the offered hand.

 

After disembarking, the two hurried to join the others, joining again with their friends that had positioned themselves at the end of the group.

 

"You can release your Pokémon if you want. Thought if they have difficulty climbing stairs, I wouldn’t recommend it". Hagrid informed them, releasing Fang himself. "Form a line of two again, please. And follow me".

 

Many kids followed his example in releasing their Pokémons. Of Harrys group, only Theo and Neville didn’t. Hedwig didn’t have a problem, since she could fly if she wasn’t perched on Harry’s shoulder, a position that Artreos imitated with Ron. Mors and Litta weren’t much different, the two Pokémon simply floating beside their humans, one with the natural means of his Ghost Type and the other with her psychic powers. Dante and Boreas simply followed their humans in their ascend.

 

The first years and their Pokémons followed Hagrid, as instructed, in climbing the stairs located at the far end of the cave. Massive doors rested atop them. When Hagrid reached them, he pushed the doors open, only to reveal… more stairs. 'Seriously, does nobody knows of the existence of lifts!?', thought Harry with a groan, already bracing himself for the climb, and completely ignoring the fact that Hogwarts is an ancient castle.

 

…

 

It was a sweaty and totally fed up group of first years and their Pokémons who reached the end of the stairs.

 

They were now at the top of the stairs in a small hall with a double door. In front of them, Professor McGonagall and Mafdet awaited.

 

"The first years, Professor McGonagall". Hagrid informed her.

 

"Thank you, Hagrid". McGonagall responded.

 

Hagrid gave a final smile to the first years, before going through the doors and leaving them with the Professor.

 

"Please, follow me". She said, turning around and going through the doors left open by Hagrid.

 

The students did as bid, entering behind her into a small reception chamber. A glass chandelier hung from the tall ceiling, much smaller wall chandeliers summed their lights to it. Big window panes gave view to the starry night sky.

 

The professor stoped in front of another set of doors, Harry could hear the drifting sounds of hundred of voices from them.

 

"Welcome to Hogwarts School of Pokémon Training and Rearing". She began to address the students. "I’m Professor Minerva McGonagall, deputy headmistress of this school, Head of Gryffindor House and one of your possible teachers. Behind these doors you will find the Great Hall, where the start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, and where you will be joining your fellow students. But before that, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting Ceremony is of great importance, for while you are here, your house will be like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory and spend free time in your house common room".

 

Professor McGonagall paused to survey, with a stern face, the first years.

 

"The four Houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Each with its own noble history and each has produced outstanding trainers and individuals. While in this school, you will share your triumphs, and your failures, with your house. Your triumphs will earn you house points, will your failures will deduce them. At the end of the year, the points gained by each house will be counted, and the house with more points will receive the House Cup, a great honor. I hope that each of you will be a credit to whichever house you are sorted into".

 

The Professor paused again, looking at all the students but noticeably pausing at certain ones. Harry was among them. Harry noticed her lips purse slightly, her eyes looked in his untamable mop of hair. Thought Harry noted a fond look pass through her eyes.

 

"The Sorting Ceremony will start in scant few minutes. I would recommend for you all to smarten yourselves up as much as you can will you are waiting".

 

Her eyes lingered momentarily again in the students she has already noticed. Harry nervously tried to flatten his hair to no vail, a mission much more difficult with Hedwig trying to help by passing her beak through it.

 

"Now, wait here for a moment. I will make sure everything is in order for the ceremony. I want all of you in your best behavior will you wait". McGonagall said while giving them a stern look.

 

Professor McGonagall marched thought the doors whiteout opening them all the way through, letting the cacophony of sound be heard more easily. Mafdet stayed behind, siting on her haunches and observing the students, making sure they behaved. Nervous chatter started to drift through the chamber, accompanied by the sound of Pokémon being released from their PokeBalls, the students that hadn’t let their partners out, doing so now.

 

"How do you think they will sort us?". Ron asked nervously.

 

"Oooh!, I’m sure its going to be a test!, I should have studied more". Harry heard Hermione say somewhere to the left, before she started to recite, in what was probably intended as a quiet voice, weakness and strengths of the different elemental types.

 

Ron looked nervously her way.

 

"I hope not". Ron said to the group. "Please, tell me she is not right". Said Ron in a slightly panicked voice.

 

"Well, we don’t actually know. Nobody has ever told us, mom never did even when I asked". Blaise said with a shrug of his shoulders.

 

"My parents didn’t say, either. Not my brother for that matter". Tracey added, frowning in thought, trying to recall if someone has ever told her about the ceremony.

 

"Of course they didn’t. Its tradition for first years to find for themselves. It’s like an unwritten norm to not say anything about it" Said Daphne with an uncaring tone.

 

They all looked at her. 'Oh, that’s more the attitude she had at the Inauguration Ceremony last night' , thought Harry, he wondered why for a moment before something clicked. ' Wait, it’s because we are surrendered by so many people?'.

 

"…What?". Asked Daphne after a minute of them just looking at her.

 

"You really don’t know about the sorting?". Tracey asked.

 

"Of course not, why would I know?". Responded Daphne.

 

"Well, since I’ve meet you it’s seems like you always know what’s going on". Responded Harry while scratching the back of his head sheepishly.

 

"He is not wrong, and I’ve known you for much more time". Said Theo nodding his head in agreement, the now released Maher nodding along with him.

 

Before Daphne could respond to their comments, Professor McGonagall returned, quieting all the conversations and bringing the first years attention back to her.

 

"They are ready for you, follow me" McGonagall said.

 

…

 

The Great Hall of Hogwarts was a large hall designed to accommodate a great quantity of individuals. Four long tables, one beside the other, were currently occupied by the older years and their Pokémon, each table being used by the students of each house. Basins with dancing fire, hung from decorative gargoyles alongside the walls, fireplaces put at intervals through the length of the walls, summed their lights to the hall. Hundreds of candles with purple flames floated in the air, getting the attention of the new students.

 

"Litwicks, really docile and harmless, contrary to popular believe. They must be really well trained, they are one of the only ghost types incapable of floating by instinct, having to train and learn to do it". Said Blaise while looking at the candles with an appreciative gaze. "Man, I would love one for my team".

 

He was right, Harry noted. Taking a better look to the floating fires, Harry could actually make out little eyes following their progress throughout the central aisle.

 

Looking around the hall was a great distraction for the eyes upon them. The first years where following Professor McGonagall to the end of the Great Hall, where upon two large raised dais, one higher than the other, another three long tables sat. These ones where being used by the faculty of he school. An enormous wall window, with intricate scenes depicted in it using colored glass, was upon the wall behind the staff tables. The lower dais was cut in half by a walkway that protrude form the higher dais, and they weren’t really that high, only four steps high for the highest one, and the walkway was actually connected with the ground floor by those same steps for easy access. Harry assumed that the table upon the higher dais was being used by the most senior members of Hogwarts Faculty, as a throne like chair was situated in the middle of said table. An old man with a really long white beard, but short hair, sat upon the throne like chair while observing the students through his half moon glasses, that sat upon a big crooked nose. He was the same man of the chocolate frog card, Albus Dumbledore.

 

Professor McGonagall ascended the steps leading to the walkway, accompanied by her loyal Pyroar, after indicating for the new students to stop on the ground floor. Thought difficult to see, thanks to the elevated height, the school coat of arms was depicted in a big stone circle upon the floor. The same coat of arms could be observed being represented in the middle of the big window. A big shield with an H on the middle, it was divided in four parts surrounding the letter, depicting four different and unique Pokémon each. Those four Pokémon were why the founders are considered as some of the most powerful trainers to have ever been born in Yggsill or, even, the world. The Sunne Pokémon, Solgaleo, represented Gryffindor, The Sky High Pokémon, Rayquaza, represented Slytherin, The Life Pokémon, Xerneas, represented Hufflepuff, while The Diving Pokémon, Lugia, represented Ravenclaw.

 

Professor McGonagall turned to look at the students, a glow starting to emanate from her hand.

 

"When I call your name, each of you will ascend the steps and let the Idols decide your house". While the professor talked, she pointed with her glowing hand to the coat of arms upon the floor.

 

The sound of stone grinding on stone could be heard on the now silent hall, the four different sections of the coat of arms opening and hiding on the floor, letting four statues rise from the opening. The first years gasped in amazement, much to the amusement of the older years. The statues depicted the four legendary Pokémon that partnered with each founder when they were alive. Each idol, as the professor called them, sowed the Pokémon in a sleeping position. All the first years gave another gasp and jumped back, even colliding with each other in their fright, when the statues seemed to come alive. The four idols changed their sleeping poses to ones of attack, roars and bellows accompanied the sudden movement, with the statues even being illuminated by lights of red, green, yellow and blue.

 

The older years applauded and whistled at this, the first years could only gape in amazement at the display. When the older students didn’t stop making noise, Mafdet gave a roar to quiet them down, bringing the attention of everyone in the hall back to professor McGonagall.

 

"Abbott, Hannah!". The professor read from a list.

 

A pink faced girl, with blue eyes and blonde hair, that she whore in long braided pigtails at the side of her head, walked up the stairs to reach the walkway. A young Helioptile riding her shoulders. 'Oh, she must have recovered from her cold then', Harry thought, realizing that she was one of the two girls Daphne mentioned as being sick last night. Although Harry noted with some sympathy, that her nose has the typical red rawness of someone that has been blowing it extensively.

 

Reaching the top, Hannah positioned herself in the center of the four idols after receiving a nod from Professor McGonagall. Two of the idols reacted to her, the ones depicting Solgaleo and Xerneas, suddenly glowing with red and yellow lights respectively. This only lasted ten seconds, the idol of Xerneas the only one with his glow remaining. A bellow, like the bells of a cathedral, was heard before Xerneas idol stoped glowing. Hufflepuff’s table, the one right on the left of the standing first years, erupted into applause in welcome to their new addition. Hannah hurried down to join her house with a big smile on her face, hugging her Pokemon to her chest. Her school uniform already changed to incorporate the yellow and black colors that represented her house, the enchantment upon the threads used in the uniform already doing its work.

 

"Bones, Susan!". Professor McGonagall called next.

 

Like with Hannah, the idols of Solgaleo and Xerneas reacted, but Lugia’s idol also joined them in glowing with his blue light. Like with Hannah, Xerneas was the one that remained, and the copper headed girl and her Hippopotas joined the house of Hufflepuff.

 

"Boot, Terry!".

 

Xerneas, Lugia and Rayquaza’s idols reacted this time. The first for the serpentine dragon, sowing its green glow. Lugia was the one to remain in the end, Ravenclaw gaining their first student among a roar like a crashing tsunami. The other table at the first years side, on their right, applauded this time. Some of the students even standing to sake Terry’s hand when the boy and his Totodile joined the table. His uniform already changed to incorporate the blue and silver of his house.

 

Brocklehurst, Mandy had Xerneas and Lugia, with Lugia ending as the one for the girl and her Bonsly. Brown, Lavender and her Snubbull were the first to be truly chosen for Gryffindor, Xerneas idol barely glowing before turning off and leaving Solgaleo glowing alone, a roar like a thousand suns accompanied the ovation coming from the farthest table to the left. The house of Gryffindor being the loudest in welcoming their new house mate, who was already garbed in an uniform with red and white highlights before even exiting the middle of the four statues.

 

Bulstrode, Millicent and her Roggenrola where the first of Slytherin. Rayquaza’s roar, like the eye of the storm, calling its welcome to its first student when Solgaleo’s glow was extinguished. Slytherin’s table was the most subdued, or more correctly polite, in welcoming their new house mate. A funny contrast with Gryffindor house just moments ago.

 

It went for a while like that, names being called one after the other. Bull…Cadmus…Carter…Corner...Cyr… Crabbe, Vincent who was one of Malfoy’s goons, whent to Slytherin. And then, Davis.

 

"Davis, Tracey!". Proffesor McGonagall called.

 

"Good look, Tracey". Blaise said, his words being echoed by the rest.

 

"Thank you guys". Said Tracey.

 

Taking a deep breath, she settle her nerves and marched up the steps with Litta right behind her.

 

Xerneas, Solgaleo and Rayquaza’s idols glowed, but Slytherin ended being the one to gain her as a new addition to their house.

 

Harry, Theo, Blaise, Ron, Daphne and Neville clapped right beside the house with green and gold in their uniforms. Harry saw an older year Ravenclaw clapping with enthusiasm while beaming at Tracey, the boy resembling her quite a lot. Harry assumed that he was Tracey's brother.

 

"Finch-Fletchley, Justin!".

 

Harry identified the next student being called as the same quiet boy with the small Shinx that had walked beside him from the station to the boats. He looked less nervous, surprisingly enough. His rosy skin had a healthy blush in comparison to before, even thought this should be more nerve breaking that a simple walk. His slightly curly blonde-brown hair bounced at every step he took to reach the walkway. The idols of Solgaleo, Xerneas and Lugia glowed for him, but Xerneas was the one to get him in the end.

 

Harry noted that some times, the idols lasted more in choosing a student. Sometimes even seeming to fight for them, if the wavering intensity of the glows, like if they where arguing between themselves, were any indication.

 

"Finnigan, Seamus!". A boy with sandy hair and a Chimchar riding his shoulders were next. Solgaleo and Xerneas where glowing back and forth for a minute before Solgaleo ended as the one.

 

"Granger, Hermione!".

 

The busy haired girl practically ran to reach the idols among a bunch of whispers.

 

"By Wairuus, it can’t be!. Is that a Beldum?". Some student asked.

 

"Granger? I don’t recognize the name, Is she a first-gen trainer? How in distortion has she ended up with a pseudo-legendary?". Another asked.

 

It seems that having a pseudo-legendary really was something impressive. Those were the kind of whispers that accompanied Granger in her ascent to the Walkway. They only increased more when all the idols glowed at the same time.

 

"She is a Fuller!".

 

"Wow, thats the first of the year!, as expected from someone with a pseudo-legendary as a starter".

 

The comments only grew with each minute that she was up there, waiting for the idols to decide. At the three minutes mark, Xerneas and Rayquaza stoped glowing, and when it almost reached the five minutes mark, Solgaleo was the only one still doing so. Gryffindor house explode in exuberant applause and hollers, excited at having the girl with the pseudo-legendary starter in their house. Granger blushed furiously at the greeting she received, ducking her head while joining the table, but a small smile was present on her lips.

 

"Greengrass, Daphne!". Professor McGonagall called next, after having sent a scolding look at the Gryffindor table to quiet them down.

 

Like they did for Tracey, they all gave Daphne some word of encouragement when she passed them by. Even Ron did it.

 

"Thanks". She said quietly, sending them a small smile, before she and Boreas climbed the four steps to the walkway.

 

Like she predicted on the train, Lugia and Rayquaza where the two idols that responded to her, but Slytherin ended being the house she went to.

 

They all applauded alongside Slytherin’s table. Tracey practically leaped into Daphne’s arms when she reached the table, much to the blonde girls embarrassment.

 

More names where called, and more children where sorted, all with at least one Pokémon beside them. Goyle, Gregory, the other of Malfoy’s two goons, was selected for Slytherin with Solgaleo’s idol barely lighting up alongside Rayquaza’s before turning off. After him was Hill… Hunt… Illes…Jerkins… And then, Longbottom. Neville was so nervous, that he only managed to acknowledge their encouraging words with a tremulous smile. He almost tripped over his own feet in his hastiness to reach the four statues, Trevor running through his legs like an excited puppy didn’t help matters. The little turtle was surprisingly quite agile, if a little oblivious to his surroundings, not something you would expect for a member of his species.

 

Harry sent a glare Malfoy’s way when he heard him snicker mockingly at Neville for his clumsiness. The blonde boy must have feel his gaze, since he turned to sent a mocking smirk back. The yellow and red glows coming from the walkway distracted Harry from glaring at Malfoy. Looking at the two glowing idols, Harry noted that the two where glowing back and forth constantly. They where at it for quite a while, reaching the same time mark that Granger’s sorting did. In the end, Solgaleo roared it’s welcome and Neville was more than happy to descent the walkway and stop being the center of attention, visibly sagging in relief after taking his seat on Gryffindor’s table.

 

Malfoy was called right after, the blonde prat sauntering lazily up the stairs. Harry noted that he only has Skrelp beside him. A statement of more than one meaning. Like with Goyle, his sorting was fast, Solgaleo’s and Lugia’s idols barely glowing before they stoped, leaving Rayquaza’s as the chosen one. Harry noted with some amusement the socked look Malfoy barely restrained himself for sending at Solgaleo’s Idol, the blonde boy appeared quite offended to have been considered for Gryffindor House. After a Moon, Lilith went to Ravenclaw, it was Theo’s turn.

 

"Nott, Theodore!". Professor McGonagall called.

 

The whispers started right away. Theo straightened his back, schooled his features into something impassive, and walked sedately up the steps.

 

"Nott? That’s the champion’s son?. I didn’t know he started this year".

 

"HA! Of course he has two Pokémon. It must be so good to have your daddy as the champion".

 

"He must be good, I’m sure Champion Joseph wouldn’t want his son to be mediocre at battling".

 

The whispers ranged from the good, to the neutral, to the outright mocking. Harry was impressed with Theo, he weathered the storm of comments with nary a glance to anyone’s direction, his face not sowing any of his emotions, only presenting a calm and casually confident exterior. It was obvious that he was accustomed to this kind of attention.

 

Three of the idols glowed when he reached them. Solgaleo’s, Rayquaza’s and Xerneas. His sorting was the longest, overtaking the five minutes mark.

 

"Oh, wow! A StoneStall!. It’s the first time one coincided with a Fuller in years, isn’t it?".

 

"Hm-Hm, not only that, it’s the first StoneStall we have had in years".

 

Harry noted that the older students seemed quite excited about this, even the ones that where mocking Theo before, seemed surprised and contemplative now.

 

It wasn’t till half a minute later that the idols made a decision, Rayquaza roaring its welcome at Theo. Slytherin table gave a more enthusiastic welcome than they did with the other first years, the students of the house were excited in having, not only the StoneStall student, but also the Champion’s son among them.

 

After Theo joined his new house, sitting beside Daphne and Tracey, professor McGonagall continued with the sorting. The next student, an O’Conor, was quick in being selected, after him was Parkinson, a pug nosed girl with short black hair, and a Snivy on her arms, that didn’t wait long to sit beside Malfoy after being sorted into Slytherin. After her where two identical twins, the Patils. Thought it seemed that their appearances, straight black hair, black eyes and olive skin, was the only thing they had in common. Padma Patil went to Ravenclaw with her Rookidee, while Parvati Pail went to Gryffindor with her Growlithe. With them sorted, Harry started to fell nervous, his turn was approaching quickly. And he wasn’t wrong, after a Perks, Sally-Anne went to Gryffindor with her Bergmite, it was Harry’s turn.

 

"Potter, Harry!". Professor McGonagall called.

 

Much like with Theo and Granger, the students exploded into whispers. And even the faculty appeared intrigued. Harry gulped at the attention, but tried to imitate Theo while remembering what Uncle Arcturus taught him, and straightened his back and schooled his face into something impassive while trying to ignore the whispers of the students.

 

"Potter she said?"

 

"That is Harry Potter? Can you see his scar?"

 

"Is that Houndour white?" 

 

"Two dark types? Why would he have two dark types? They are dangerous!".

 

"Idiot!, the Potters have always specialized in dark types".

 

Reaching the center of the four idols, standing right on the center of the H carved on the floor, Harry was momentarily blinded by the four statues glowing. He feel Dante and Hedwig press closer to him, having been startled by the sudden lights. 'Wait, all the idols are glowing?', Harry thought in surprise to himself.

 

"Indeed, you present the qualities of all our houses. Godric, Rowena, Salazar and Helga would be quite excited about you". Harry heard a powerful voice like the wind on his head.

 

Exalted, Harry looked around, surprised to hear a voice when none was heard with the others.

 

"HA!, I can already picture Godric and Rowena fighting for him to chose them. Salazar wouldn’t be much help to poor Helga, probably edging them in their argument while she tried to calm those two down". An amused voice, as powerful as the previous one, resonated next like fire in a bonfire.

 

"Who are you?", Asked Harry, aloud, still looking around for the source of the voices.

 

"Who do you think little one?. And you don’t need to talk aloud, just think your words and we will hear you". A third voice, gentle but powerful, said like twinkling bells.

 

"Not that quick on the update, are you?. You have quite the mind I see, but not much agility in its use". A fourth amused voice, like waves hitting the sand of a beach, commented.

 

"Oh, shut up, Lugia. If you didn’t want him, you could quite now and save us the trouble". The second voice, the one like fire, responded.

 

"Hmph, I said that he wasn’t quick, not that he wasn’t good for my house, you overgrown cat". The fourth voice, the one belonging to Lugia apparently, said.

 

"Why you… Freaking plesiosaur!". The fiery voice said.

 

Thought they didn’t actually answer his question, Harry understood who they were just by their conversation.

 

"Wait, are you telling me that you are the statues?". Harry questioned, remembering in the last moment that he needn’t talk aloud.

 

"Indeed, young one". The first voice replied. " Thought we are only an imprint of our true selves". He continued, forestalling Harry next question. " You can call me Rayquaza nonetheless. The two arguing idiots are Solgaleo and Lugia".

 

"And I’m Xerneas. It’s quite exciting to meet another that could thrive so wonderfully in any of our houses. You and your year-mates are quite a peculiar bunch of little ones". The third voice, Xernea’s, said.

 

Harry was amazed, he didn’t know what made the Idols work, but he never imagined that the actual Legendaries would be involved in the sorting.

 

"What do you mean imprint?". Asked Harry.

 

"Well, we have important obligations, you know?. We left a touch of our Aura in these statues. It’s nor like we could ditch our responsibilities, just to come back to Hogwarts so we could sort a bunch of brats each year". Solgaleo responded.

 

"Solgaleo…" Xerneas said exasperated.

 

"Ignoring his crash words, they are not wrong". Rayquoza said in Solgaleo’s defense.

 

"Quite true, and this was better than the alternative. That idiot of Godric wanted to enchant his hat, could you imagine?". Said Lugia.

 

"Hey! Godric wasn’t an idiot". Solgaleo growled.

 

"Maybe, but it wasn’t really a good solution. My house already has somewhat of a bad reputation, could you imagine how much worse it could be if the students only heard an old hat shouting the name of the house?. Like if people where so unidimensional to just be good for one of our houses! ". Said Rayquaza with an indignant till to his words. " Regretfully, your guardians weren’t wrong in their thought of you going to Slytherin, young Potter". Rayquaza added with a sight.

 

"Sorry." Thought Harry with a small grimace.

 

"Don’t be, but it’s a pity, you could have been great in Slytherin". With that said, Rayquaza’s idol stoped glowing.

 

"That you didn’t have to ask about how we know what your guardians said, shows why you could do good in my house ". Said Lugia. " It could also be good for my house itself. Now everyone thinks that Ravenclaw is only for the bookworms. They have to learn that knowledge for knowledge alone isn’t enough, and that there are other forms of intelligence". They added sadly.

 

"That may be true, but we don’t chose the students based on the changes they can make to our houses. We want them to have a good time at Hogwarts, not fight an uphill battle". Xerneas said gently.

 

"Xerneas isn’t wrong, Lugia". Solgaleo said.

 

"…Ugh, I hate it when you two gang up on me". Grumbled Lugia, their idol stoped glowing right after.

 

"Now, courage you have in spades…". Solgaleo said right after that.

 

"And you are loyal to a fault…". Continued Xerneas.

 

"Yes, but only to those that he thinks deserve that loyalty. Thought his vindictiveness against those that lose it, is quite common for those of Hufflepuff. Rayquaza really would have liked you, the way you got your relatives to receive their due was incredibly cunning. And really daring and courageous too, perfect for my house, don’t you think? Xerneas". Said Solgaleo.

 

Harry scratched the back of his neck. 'It’s like they have forgotten that I’m here', Harry though, sharing a look with Hedwig at his shoulder.

 

"True its that. And will you are hardworking, your propensity to not give your all in the things that don’t interest you, wouldn’t click that well with your fellow Hufflepuffs". Xerneas gave a sad sight. " Aahh, I was so excited to have a dark type master in my house after so long". With that low comment, Xerneas idol stoped glowing.

 

"Well then, better be GRYFFINDOR!!". Solgaleo roared in his head while his statue gave an actual roar in the hall.

 

Gryffindor’s table exploded in applause while Harry made his way towards them, his uniform already changed to represent his new house. Gryffindor’s coat of arms, of Solgaleo reared on his hind legs, proudly showing on his left chest and replacing the school logo.

 

"We got Potter! We got Potter!". Ron’s twin brothers, George and Fred, keep chanting while Harry approached the table, and didn’t stop even when he sat on it.

 

Harry fought down a blush at the cheering from his new house, distracting himself with an excitedly running Dante at his side. Sitting beside Neville, who smiled at him in excitement and relief, he looked briefly at the staff tables. Hagrid, who was sitting in the lower left table, was applauding loudly with a beaming smile. Albus Dumbledore was also looking at him, a twinkle on his eyes. Harry saw the head of a Dragonite look over the table, the powerful dragon was laying down behind the headmasters chair. Harry felt himself go rigid when the eyes of the Dragonite feel on him. He cursed on his head at the developers of the Pokémon games for giving Dragonite such a goofy appearance. The Dragon Pokémon was absolutely intimidating.

 

Harry averted his gaze when professor McGonagall called for silence, having had to chastise the Gryffindors again to calm them down. After Harry, there weren’t that many students left. A Smith followed by Thomas, Dean with an Smeargle for Gryffindor, then a Turpin and finally Weasley. Ron hurried up the steps, his sorting was also one of the fastest, Xerneas and Rayquaza barely glowing before leaving Solgaleo as the chosen one.

 

Harry clapped loudly with the rest of the house. Ron plopped himself in the seat in front of Harry, amidst the congratulations of his brothers.

 

"Whoa". Ron suspired relieved. "For a moment I thought I would go to Slytherin". He commented.

 

Professor McGonagall was quick in bringing back the attention to the sorting, just two remained. A Wilkins, and then was Blaise turn. Lugia and Rayquaza where the ones that chose him, but Slytherin house was the one to gain the last student of the year.

 

"So few this year". Harry heard an older student comment, distracting him from applauding at Blaise’s sorting. "What have there been, thirty five firsties?".

 

"Thirty eight , and I heard that next year there will be even less students". Another answered.

 

The hall promptly fell into silence, all their attention being brought to the walkway. Professor McGonagall’s hand was glowing again, the idols of the Legendary Pokémon disappearing into the ground, in their place a podium, with an owl forming the support, ascended. When professor McGonagall sat beside the Headmaster, he stood from his seat.

 

"Welcome!". Headmaster Dumbledore started while smiling at the students. He wore an elaborate lab coat over an extravagant business suit. "Welcome all our older students to another year at Hogwarts, and welcome for the first time, to our first years that have just started their Hogwarts journey". All applauded at his words. "Now, I think those were enough words from me. I’m sure we all are quite famished, so lets the feast begin!". Headmaster Dumbledore finished while lifting his arms.

 

The four tables where momentarily illuminated with the light of teleportation, when it faded the tables where practically groaning at the weight of the food. The students and Pokemon didn’t take long in attacking the plates, conversations starting with vigor while enjoying the food that has been served. There was an ample selection of foods for everyone to chose from, their Pokémons also having their pick, the cooks of Hogwarts not having forgotten about the children companions.

 

"… mom is a trainer, a Veteran. Dad works in an office, he didn’t reach a high enough level to really be considered a trainer, only Rookie level. They were both quite happy when I received my Hogwarts letter, didn’t even think on trying for the school". Seamus was saying.

 

"… Hogwarts has a corral of its own, which different habitats to accommodate all our Pokémon. At meals you will only see one or three Pokémon beside their trainers, the rest of their teams, if they have bigger teams that is, are at the corral. The castle itself is actually able to accommodate any and all Pokémon, but everyone, the Pokémon included, prefer to only have one or three companions at meal times. The hall is less crowded that way". An older year, a perfect for his badge, was telling Dean.

 

"You are lucky this year, you have two days to explore the castle before classes start". Harry zoned onto Percy. "I would take advantage of it, and try to familiarize myself with the castle all I can in those days if I were you".

 

"Thats right". The perfect, that was previously talking with Dean, said, bringing the attention of all the first years.  "Professor McGonagall will also give us our timetables tomorrow at breakfast. So you will know what classrooms are assigned to each of your subjects".

 

Percy nodded along at the older perfect words.

 

"Don’t forget to visit the clubs". One of the Weasley twins, probably Fred, suddenly pipped up.

 

"Club activity will be starting the day after tomorrow, on Sunday. They will be having demonstrations and guides of what each of them do". Probably George said next.

 

The twins have six Pokémon around them, Solrock and Lunatone where floating behind the two, the Pokémon not needing to actually feed. The Heracross and Pincir that Ron mentioned at the train, sat beside them, enjoying an assortment of different fruits. Two rodent Pokémon, a Plusle and a Minum, sat on the table proper while nibbling at some food, chattering between themselves.

 

"Thought I would look into the sports clubs first, if I were you". The older perfect said, Timothy if Harry read the name on his badge correctly.

 

"Why?". Asked Granger, disgruntled with the prospect of the sport clubs.

 

"You will only have Physical Education for your first two years". Fred answered her. "I wouldn’t be to happy if I were you". He said to Granger when he saw her face light up a little at the prospect. "Hogwarts is a trainer school after all, the professors expect us to keep fit. If on third year you aren’t part of a sports club, they will be making sure you make use of the gym installations on the fifth floor".

 

"Why is that?". Harry asked curiously, not really that bothered by the prospect of exercise. Although Granger and Brown didn’t appear to like what they were hearing.

 

"Easier to escape from an angry Ursaring, if you don’t lose your lungs just for running for a minute". George answered next.

 

"Thought you wont be able to make use of the gym machines till third year either. You are too young to use them now, it wouldn’t be healthy for you". Said Percy.

 

"But what about the other clubs?". Granger asked with a huff.

 

"There is nothing stoping you in joining more than one club, just make sure that one of the clubs you do join its a sports one". Percy answered calmly.

 

"Great, sweat". Lavender Brown grumbled with a grimace, Parvati nodding along.

 

Harry found himself sharing a look with Ron, Dean and Sally-Anne, the last Gryffindor girl of their year, at Lavender’s words. The four seemingly the only ones to really don’t mind the prospect of sweating a little. Neville and Seamus didn’t seem to care either, but at the same time weren’t that happy with having to exercise.

 

"And you wont have nap time either to recover from exercising". George snickered, looking at the highest head table.

 

"Nap time?". Neville asked.

 

"Yep, professor Dumbledore finally managed to fire Binns it seems. George, you are drooling". Fred said, also looking at the head table. Although his expression wasn’t infatuated like George’s was.

 

Looking at the higher staff table, the first years saw that a gorgeous young woman, with golden olive skin, ice blue eyes, and purple black hair was sitting beside professor McGonagall, the two women were talking with each other. Harry noted that George wasn’t the only one that was looking at her with lovesick eyes, almost all the older boys, and some of the girls, were doing the same. And she wasn’t the only professor with such attention upon them. Another teacher, this one sitting in one of the lower staff tables, with blonde hair, pale skin covered by a bang on the left side of his face and grey eyes, was receiving practically the same attention and furtive glances, thought this time it was mainly from the female population.

 

"Who are they?". Harry asked.

 

"No idea, but she is sitting where Binns used to". Fred answered while poking at George, snickering at his twin all the while.

 

"Binns?. The history professor that made you fall sleep in class?". Ron asked, looking at his brothers.

 

"The same". Percy replied, a little red dusting his freckled checks at the admission. "Professor Dumbledore has been trying to have him replaced for a long time, it seem the board of governors finally relented".

 

Harry heard a quiet indignant gasp coming from Granger. If it was because the confirmation of people family asleep in class came from a perfect, or the fact that they actually sleep in class, Harry didn’t know. 'Probably a combination of the two', Harry mused with certain amusement at her reaction.

 

Looking back at the higher staff table, Harry noted the gazes of two professors on him. One was wearing all black, has long greasy looking hair, a big hoked nose, sickle pale skin and black eyes that looked like the abyss. The other appeared younger, early twenties to the other thirties, really plain looking, the only think that brought attention was the purple turban he wore over his head. Harry didn’t like the looks the two were giving him.

 

"Percy, who are they?". Harry asked, his gaze not wavering from the professors’s.

 

Percy looked at the direction Harry was looking at, trying to see who he was referring to.

 

"Those are Professors Snape and Quirrell. Professor Snape teach Potions, and is the Head of Slytherin house and the department to the class of Potions. Professor Quirrell is the new Professor of Pokémon Battles, but its not his first time teaching here, he was a Teacher Assistant two years ago". Answered Percy.

 

Just then, the Headmaster Stood from his chair, bringing the attention of the students to him. While he made his way to the podium at the end of the walkway, the tables were engulfed in the light of teleportation again, leaving the tables clean and empty.

 

"Once again, welcome to Hogwarts". The Headmaster started after clearing his throat. "I will be brief, I know you are all dreaming about your beds. I’m sure I am". Headmaster Dumbledore smiled genially, receiving some chuckles at the little joke. "Now, first of all, I would like you to give a warm welcome to our new faculty members. First, he is a returning face to some of you, but this time as a professor. Professor Quirrell," Headmaster Dumbledore turned slightly to look at the man, who stood up from his chair. "has agreed to come and teach the class of Pokémon Battles". Professor Quirrell bowed slightly with small smile on his face, among the midst of slight applause.

 

"Let’s hope that he knows how to teach. Professor Flitwick will have to make up for the slack in the Battle Club, again, if not". Harry heard an older year murmur to another.

 

"I would also like to inform you, that Professor Binns has decided to retire". Headmaster Dumbledore continued, more than one groan was heard.

 

Harry even though to have heard someone shouting ‘My nap time!’, among the grumbles.

 

"Yes, yes, we will all miss him. But I’m sure, we all will be happy in welcoming the Professors Celestics". Whit that he turned to look at the two young professors that have had the students so captivated. The two stood from their seats. "The both of them come from the Sinnoh region with the highest recommendations. Professor Ekatarina Celestic has graciously consented being the head of the history department, and while be teaching the subjects of history alongside her husband, Professor Mitre Celestic".

 

The Great Hall burst with sound at his declaration, many being excited conversations.

 

"Oh, man. She is married!". George complained.

 

"Who cares, it’s not like you would have had an opportunity with her anyway. More important is their surname!". Fred exclaimed excitedly.

 

"I know, right!. They have the same surname as Galena Celestic, the author of 'Where do we live? A geography of the regions'. One of our course books! Isn’t that great!?". Granger rambled with a beaming smile on her face, excited by the prospect. "I wonder if they are related". She finished, looking longingly at the two Professors.

 

"… Riiiight". Fred said slowly, a small amused smirk on his lips. "I was thinking more about Champion Cynthia, to be honest. You know? Cynthia Celestic?".

 

Realization spread on the faces of the first years and their young Pokémons, who then turned to look at the professors with renewed interest.

 

"Now," Headmaster Dumbledore started after the excitement died down, the two professors having retaken their seats. "for the first years, the Forbidden Forest is, as it’s name implies, forbidden. You can only enter it in the company of a professor. For third years and up, you all should know what areas are open to you, and what areas are, again, forbidden". The headmaster looked at the direction of the Weasley Twins, a twinkle in his eyes while he said it. "Nevertheless, there will be a list with the areas of the forest each year is cleared to go into, in each of your common rooms".

 

Headmaster Dumbledore paused to sweep his gaze through the hall.

 

"Madam Pomfrey has reminded me that in the course of the next month, she will be waiting for each of you to visit her in the hospital wing to have a medical check. I’m sure it sound terrifying, but don’t worry. Nobody has died while under her tender hands". Said the Headmaster. An older woman wearing a nurse outfit, harrumphed in her seat on the highest staff table, while glaring at Headmaster Dumbledore. "Now, Mr. Filch, our caretaker, has asked me to remind you that Pokémon Battles aren’t permitted on the corridors. We have quite the number of fantastic installations around the school, that you are more than welcome to use for these occasions".

 

He paused again, this time looking principally at the Gryffindor and Slytherin tables as a whole.

 

"In another note, this Sunday, club activities while restart. Our first years, and those that aren’t part of any club, are more than welcome to visit the clubs and join the ones that interest you. For the sports clubs and activities formed by teams, such as Batte Royal, Football, Basketball, Baseball and more, try outs will start on the second week of the school year. Those interested in playing for your house’s teams, please contact Madam Hooch". Informed the Headmaster. "And lastly, I must ask you to not venture upon the corridor of the third floor, the one at the right side, as it is now out of bounds to all of you that don’t want to suffer a most gruesome death". The Headmaster paused, giving the hall a solemn look.

 

Silence descended on the hall at his proclamation, and Harry saw more than one Professor giving the Headmaster strange looks. Suddenly the Headmaster beamed.

 

"At the hand of your parents and guardians, that’s it. They wouldn’t be to happy to welcome you to your homes for having been suspended for two weeks, simply because you couldn’t contain your curiosity, I imagine". Headmaster Dumbledore said jovially.

 

More than one laughed, some in clear relief, and almost all the faculty appeared to be praying for patience. The new professors looked outright confused.

 

"Now, I think our beds are calling for us. Off you go, and good night. Breakfast will be served from six to half past seven in the morning". The headmaster finished.

 

The Great Hall started to empty itself of students, the first years of each house going towards their fifth year perfects who where calling for them. Harry couldn’t help the feeling of excitement from forming on his belli, a sentiment shared by Hedwig and Dante, the pup trotting excitedly beside Harry while the bird was mounted on his back. He couldn’t wait for his Hogwarts journey to truly start.

 

---

 

" Remus! Lyall! Lyall! Remus!". Ned ran downstairs from his bedroom, repeating both men’s names to gain their attention, his excitement palpable around him.

 

Ned skidded to a halt in their living room, where both men and Remus’s Pokémon where longing for a while before heading to bed.

 

"Ned? Everything alright?". Lyall asked concerned.

 

"It’s Harry, he sent a message!. And a picture! Look!". Ned exclaimed while sowing them his new RotomPhone.

 

Both men got closer to get a better look. The picture was clearly a selfie, and sowed Harry with his four male roommates, and their respective Pokémon, squeezing each other to fit on the picture. Remus recognized two of the boys, and did recognize as easily where they where.

 

"It’s that…"

 

"He has ended up in Gryffindor". Ned exclaimed, interrupting Remus. "Now, I just need to convince him of telling me how the houses are chosen". He stated with a low chuckle, scampering back to his room as fast as he got into the living room, Gliscor following right behind him, having been infected with his enthusiasm.

 

Remus and Lyall chuckled fondly at his antics.

 

"A Gryffindor, eeh? You must be happy". Lyall commented.

 

"I am, as I would have been if he ended in any other house". Remus responded diplomatically.

 

"Oh, I’m sure. But don’t deny that you aren’t happy he ended in your old house". Lyall teased his son.

 

Remus gave a small rueful smile and a shrug as his answer. Lyall chuckled quietly at this.

 

"Now, are you going to tell me why you came home at six in the afternoon, when the meeting was at two in the afternoon and should have only lasted two hours max". Lyall inquired with a raised eyebrow.

 

Remus sighed tiredly, flopping on the couch.

 

"… The champion gave me a disciplinary talk". Remus finally relented.

 

"What? Why?". Lyall asked surprised.

 

"I may have attacked one of my fellow Gym Leaders". Said Remus with a grimace.

 

"Why? What did they do?". Asked Lyall.

 

Remus looked surprised at his question.

 

"Son, I know you. You wouldn’t have attacked them if they hadn’t managed to really piss you off. And that’s really difficult. So, who where they? And what did they do?". Said Lyall with a chuckle.

 

Remus smiled, embarrassed at his comment.

 

"It was Emmett Selwyn. The newspapers got hold of the information of Harry being under my guardianship, and of Ned living with us too. He implied that I shouldn’t have custody of Harry, that I wasn’t good enough to protect him. But I finally snapped when he insulted Ned". Remus said.

 

"I see". Lyall said, knowing his son well enough that Selwyn did more than imply anything, and he could picture perfectly what insult he did direct at Ned.

 

"Dad? What are you doing?".

 

Footsteps could be heard as Lyall made his way to another part of the house. The sound of rummaging promptly followed.

 

"Dad, where in distortion did you get a spiked bat from?".

 

Lyall didn’t respond, only making his way to the door.

 

"Remus, lend me Claydol. I have a visit to make".

 

"Wha… Dad! NO!!".

 

 

Notes:

Hey there! who else is losing time while playing Hogwarts a Legacy? Man, that games is addictive.

In another note, Harry finally arrived ar Hogwarts!. And has even been sorted!. With how long the chapter was turning to be, I didn't know if I would even get there.

You will have probably noticed a few changes, apart form the obvius NOT Hat. Yep, there is no Binns. Sorry, but even though History wasn't my favorite class, I think it is one of the most inportant subjects of school. So, competent professors for that class!. I hope.

And, yep. I made Dumbledore have short hair. I based him on this fanart: https://www.deviantart.com/nesskain/art/Harry-Potter-and-the-Philosopher-s-Stone-506877245
(hope the link works). I really liked the desing, so the dumbledore for this story is basically him, but with an extravagant business suit instead of extravagant robes. Because, come on! how could I not like it? Look how baddas he looks in here: https://www.deviantart.com/nesskain/art/The-greatest-wizard-649276272
And I'm not even that fond of Dumbledore!

Credit to the artist, Nesskain. They are truly amazing.

Thanks for Reading!!

Chapter 11: The Jocks

Notes:

Disclaimor: Don't own Harry Potter or Pokémon. I only own the original characters and the original Pokémon.
English is not my first language, so if you see spelling mistakes, don't hesitate in telling me

 

Harry awoke to the felling of his PoryPhone vibrating under his pillow. He did’t imagine his new roommates to be too pleased at waking at six in the morning if he had made his alarm ring instead.

Opining his eyes, Harry just relaxed for a minute while looking at the curtains of the four poster bed that will be his during his stay at Hogwarts. A smile started to form on Harry’s lips, he couldn’t believe that he was actually at Hogwarts, and couldn’t wait to explore the ancient castle. Just the walk from the Great Hall to Gryffindor’s common room last night was amazing. The castle was full of estrange rooms, moving staircase and banishing corridors, making Hogwarts be truly…well, magical. Apparently, all of these estrange happenings were possible thanks to the Aura that over-saturates the area the castle was build upon, and was common to any place with so much Aura in the ambient. That was what Percy said, at least.

Lifting himself from the bed, Harry woke Dante from his place at his feet, before getting up and doing the same for Hedwig at her perch. While his two companions were waking themselves up, Harry went to the adjacent bathroom to finish his morning routine, making sure to not make any sound so as to not wake the rest of his still sleeping roommates. Quickly finishing with his morning ablutions, Harry went to the small closet at the side of his bed — Harry was quite surprised to find his clothes already stored on the closet last night — and changed into some of his sportswear, not the one assigned by Hogwarts though. The three days were he didn’t have to accompany Remus in his working routine in the mornings were quite enjoyable, but Harry wanted to maintain the good work he has been doing for a month now. And he also wanted to take advantage of the morning to take a look around Hogwarts’s grounds.

Finishing changing, Harry took a minute thinking if he should take his bag with some change of clothing and the grooming kits for Dante and Hedwig with him, but he didn’t know if there were more bathrooms with showers he could use apart from the one adjacent to his room. Or where they are, if there were any. Deciding that he would just have to come back to wash himself and his Pokémon later, Harry exited his shared room with Dante and Hedwig right beside him.

"Well, well, well!. What…"

"…do we…"

"…have here?."

"A wild…"

"…little firstie…"

"…appeared!".

Harry whirled around at the sudden voices, Dante positioned himself in front of him defensively, while Hedwig gave an indignant squawk when she was dislodged from Harry’s shoulder at his sudden turn. Harry was surprised, but relaxed somewhat, when he found the Weasley twins with their Meteorite Pokémon in front of him. The two boys were also dressed in sports cloths. A third boy with short black dreadlocks, ebony skin and a face that was screaming for more hours of sleep, was also with them dressed in the same fashion while a Scorbunny was dead to the world on his arms, a trail of saliva dripping from his open, snoring, little mouth.

" Oh, it's you two. Good morning Fred, George". Harry said before looking at the Pokémon and the new boy and his Pokémon. "Hello to you too… Sorry, never got your names".

The new boy yawned hugely before responding.

"Lee Jordan…". He introduced himself, before being interrupted by another yawn. "this is Hoppity". He finished while looking with some envy to the sleeping fire rodent on his arms.

Harry was amused, he was sure Lee would love to change places with his Pokémon. Apparently the twins where also amused by their friend, for they smirked while looking at the tired boy before turning their gazes back at Harry.

"And these are Moon…". Probably Fred said while pointing at Solrock.

"…and Sun". Probably George ended while pointing at Lunatone.

Harry snorted at the silliness of the Pokémon’s names.

"So, what are you doing up so early ojos verdes?". Fred asked, dropping the twin-speak to Harry’s relieve.

"I was going to exercise and practice some moves with Dante and Hedwig". Harry responded, not seeing anything bad with sharing his plans for he morning.

"None of your roommates wanted to join you?". Asked George with a tilt of his head.

"I don’t know, they are still sleeping", Answered Harry while shrugging.

"You see? He is a good kid, he lets his roommates sleep instead of waking them up at unholy hours of the morning". Lee hissed to the twins, his words being punctuated by a loud snore from Hoppity.

The twins only smiled innocently in reply, making Lee grumble, before turning back to Harry.

"Then, why don’t you join us?". Asked George.

"The Battle Royal teams are meeting to do the same you wanna do". Fred added while nodding his head in agreement to Georges suggestion. "You would be welcome. Lee is not part of the team either, so you wouldn’t be alone".

Harry looked from one boy to the other, before sharing a glance with his own Pokémon. At Dante's quiet bark of agreement, and Hedwigs regal shrug of her wings, Harry decided to take the twins up on their offer.

"Sure, why not?".

"Cool, you should take some change of clothes and toiletries then". The twins talked at the same time, sowing the bags they had slung over their own shoulders.

Harry nodded at them before entering his shared room again to take their advice. 'Seems I will need my bag after all… By Fenral, I don’t know what’s more disturbing, the twin-speak or the two talking at the same time', thought Harry with a small semi-amused shudder.

 

…

 

"What did you meant by “teams”?". Harry asked while on their way to the great hall.

"Let’s just say, Hogwarts has the misfortune of having four of the most crazy-obsessed Battle Royal people as the captains for their house's teams at the same time". Lee answered with a tired deadpan.

The twins just snickered.

 

---

 

Entering the Great Hall, Harry was surprised by how different it looked to last night. The hall was illuminated by the morning sunlight coming thought the great window at the end of the hall, and all the much smaller windows that were high up on the walls. The fires were out, and the Litwicks nowhere to be seen.

The hall wasn’t totally empty, many of the professors were on the staff tables eating their breakfast while keeping an eye on the few students that were already up. Harry noted that Ravenclaw’s table was the one with more students, some already studying even when classes hadn’t even started. He also noted more than a few students wearing sports clothes, many of them grouped together. One of those groups, the one sitting at Gryffindor’s table, was where Harry was being led towards.

"Hello, oh great captain of early exercises, look what we have found". Fred said jokingly, making a grand gesture towards Harry.

Harry blushed a little when the eyes of the team turned to him. Harry gave a small wave and smile in greeting.

"Hey, the twins said I could join you?". Harry asked. "I’m Harry Potter, by the way. Heir Apparent of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter". Harry introduced himself. "Hello heiress Johnson". He added, having recognized one of the occupants of the table.

"Mr. Potter. Call me Angie. She is Stella". She nodded in greeting with a smile of her own and introducing her Fletchinder, who was enjoying a piece of bacon. "You sure you wanna join us? He is an evil taskmaster". Angie added while pointing with her thumb towards an older boy.

The boy, probably a fifth year going by his apparent age, couldn’t respond seeing as he has his mouth full of food, making his cheeks look like the one’s of a hamster or a Dedenne. He did make a sound of protest thought, while still keeping his gaze on Harry.

"Harry, please". Harry said back. "And don’t worry, I know my limits. If I see that we can’t keep up, I will just start to go through my own exercises". He finished while including his Pokémon in the sentence.

"Good, I don’t want anyone interfering with our training if they can’t keep up with us. Bad enough that Lee also join us". The older boy finally said, muttering the last part.

"Its not like I really wanted too!". Lee exclaimed while still standing. "These fools made me come!".

"We love you too, Lee". The twins chorused while blowing kisses to their friend.

"Ignore Wood, he is way too serious about training". Said another girl while cuffing Wood behind his head.

Wood is a burly teenager, with light short brown hair, chocolate brown eyes, and some stubble already starting to appear on his chin. A male Pyroar was eating his own breakfast behind him, so Harry assumed that the big fire feline was his, and a Ferroseed was spinning lazily beside his plate.

Harry joined them on the table after being prompted by the twins to do so, the twins having let the rest of their Pokémon team out, and started loading some plates with food for himself and his own companions. Lee also joined them with a grumble, waking Hoppity up and releasing a small Dewpider.

"I’m Alicia Spinnet, third year. Call me Alice. This is Ignis, my starter,". The girl continued, introducing the Combusken sitting at her side. The Pokémon gave a nod of his head. "Klefki". She pointed to her waist, where the Pokémon was dangling from a cord while acting as a normal key ring. "and Nuzleaf". She finished, introducing the other Pokémon that was siting beside Ignis, who also responded with a small nod.

Harry smiled at them all in greeting, and couldn’t help but be excited in meeting another dark type Pokémon.

Alice is a tall girl with straight black hair done in twin Kalosian Plaits, silvery grey eyes framed by long lashes, and beautiful olive skin with a dusting of freckles that cover the bridge of her nose.

"I’m Katie, Katie Bell from second year, Katie is good. These are my partners, Todd and Clefairy. It’s a pleasure to meet you". The last girl and member of the group pipped in, introducing her Boltund while scratching his head and her Clefairy with a fond eye-roll. The electric dog gave a happy bark in greeting before returning to his food, while his Fairy Type partner only glanced briefly up from her own plate.

Katie is the second youngest member of the group if we count Harry. Of an average eight, she is in that stage of starting to get her awkward teenager looks. A gentle looking girl with rose skin, short wavy reddish-brown hair and upturned eyes of a bluish brown.

"So, what is a first year like you doing up so early? And in his first day at Hogwarts no less". Katie asked with a friendly smile.

"Well, I’ve been joining my guardian in his morning workouts for a month now. I’ll admit that I wanted to throttle him the first time he woke me up at this hour, but I got accustomed to it in the end. I just didn’t want to lose the habit". Replied Harry with a shrug after having swallowed a mouthful of pancakes. "Wanted to see the grounds too, to be honest".

"Hm!, that’s good attitude. I’m Oliver Wood by the way, just call me Oliver, or Ollie if you want, everybody does. These are Lann and Ferroseed". Said Wood, finally introducing himself and his Pokémon while extending a calloused hand for Harry to shake. "Some of you would do well in showing that kind of commitment". Oliver commented, eyeing his teammates with a frown. "Oh, you have a strong grip". Oliver commented quietly, appearing surprised, after finishing sacking Harry’s hand.

Harry smirked at his comment

"Commitment?". Angie said with a laugh. "I will show you commitment!. How the hell did you spect us to be happy about waking this early the first fuc…freaking day that we are back at Hogwarts? And just because you four decided to enter in some kind of pissing contest?". Angie growled at Wood, mindful of her words in Harry’s and Katie’s presence. Like if neither of the two had heard worse already.

"Four?". Harry asked Fred in a whisper while keeping a eye on the two arguing teenagers.

"Ollie and the other three captains from the other houses, remember?. Lee mentioned them earlier". Fred whispered back while also keeping his gaze on the action, enjoying the breakfast with entertainment quite a lot.

"Hey! It just six in the morning". Oliver exclaimed.

"Don’t play innocent, you wanted to wake us at five! You crazy jock". Said Angie while brandishing her fork.

"Ahem". The clearing of a throat stoped any incoming action.

The group brought their gazes to the source of the sound, finding Professor McGonagall standing beside the group with Mafdet and Tiara beside her. The three sported quite the unimpressed looks on their faces.

"Hello professor, how are you this fine morning?". George greeted cheerfully, Plusle squeaking a greeting with the same enthusiasm.

"Quite fine, thank you Mr. Weasley. Now, seeing as you are here, and by your attires I will presume that I won’t see you for the rest of breakfast, here are your timetables. Tiara if you would be so kind". Said the professor.

The Tsareena gave an elegant sound of agreement. After that, she approached each of them and gave them a paper with their timetables from a stack she was carrying.

"Thanks". Harry said when he received his.

Tiara gave him a smile.

"Mr. Potter?". Professor McGonagall called his attention.

"Yes, professor?".

"I assume you will be joining them?". Professor McGonagall asked while nodding towards the older years.

"Yes, professor".

"Then, when you finish, please come to my office. I will be taking you to see the Headmaster, he wants to talk to you. Don’t worry, it’s nothing urgent". Professor McGonagall quickly assured when she saw his worried face. "I’m sure your new friends won't mind sowing you the way to my office latter". She said more towards the others than to Harry. "Misters Weasley have quite the familiarity with it, I’m sure they won’t have a problem remembering the way".

"Of course not, professor…"

"…we have such wonderful memories of the place".

"We could never forget it!". The twins finished together.

Professor McGonagall pursed her lips into a thin line before simply sighing and marching off.

"Well,". Started Oliver, stuffing his timetable on his backpack while standing up. "Let’s be off. Sun, Moon, would you care to bring our backpacks to the usual place?". He asked the Lunatone and Solrock.

The two mons gave sounds of confirmation, not even needing a command from their trainers. The rest of the group also stored their timetables on their own backpacks, their belongings disappearing a moment later in the light of teleportation alongside the two Pokémon.

"I thought Pokémon couldn’t teleport in Hogwarts?". A young surprised feminine voice asked from behind the group.

Turning around, Harry saw Granger behind them, a stack of books on her arms with even more books being floated by her Beldum.

"Incorrect, my fair maiden!. Pokémon can’t teleport into or out of Hogwarts grounds, but if they are inside…Its fair game". George answered.

"Guys, come on!". Oliver called, the older teen not having stoped on his way to the exit.

"Aye, aye, captain". The twins chorused.

"Bye Granger". Said Fred cheerfully.

Harry shrugged his shoulder apologetically at Granger, before following the older students out.

 

…

 

Getting outside of the castle from the great doors of the Entrance Hall, the group were now standing in an open courtyard delimited by a covered walkway around it, many arcs and columns made the walls that delimited the courtyard, letting the students gaze almost unobstructed to the horizon. The bai and the open ocean were visible from the courtyard, the scent of salt water palpable in the air. The bai was in his Black Lake state right now, the low tide sowing the peaks of the mounds that closed it to the open ocean.

Harry was a little surprised to see the courtyard occupied by more Pokémon, who greeted the older students with clear enthusiasm, until he remembered the words of Timothy — the perfect that talked to Dean last night — about Hogwarts’s Pokémon Ranch. Though Harry was really surprised to see that Oliver already has a full team, something he voiced to the twins and Lee beside him.

"The carry limit is raised to the standard six in fourth year". Said Lee.

"Really? Cool!!". Said Harry, excited at the prospect of having a full team then.

Harry thought that after third year, they could only add a partner to their team per year. He was really happy to be wrong, though still a little annoyed at having to wait tree more years to build his team to full capacity.

"Ok, everyone!. Let’s warm up for ten minutes, we will later run to the Sports Area through the outskirts of the castle, and finish our run around the outside of the Battle Royale Pitch". Oliver’s voice called for their attention.

After the allotted ten minutes, they were off with their Pokémon right alongside them. As Pokemon didn’t tire like humans did, Harry had Dante and Hedwig doing more than just runing, or flying in Hedwig's case, beside him. Harry has Dante doing a series of back-and-forth sprints during the run, while Hedwig did a series of basic maneuvers while flying to practice her agility. Harry noted that he wasn’t the only one to have given extra orders to their Pokémon, the rest of the group having their powered partners doing similar things.

The run was pleasant for Harry, running haven’t always had a good feeling behind it, having been a necessity to scape from his cousin pastime of Harry Hunting. But after starting to live with his new family he found a new appreciation for the exercise — as it not only let him share an activity with his family — but Harry also found that it has a relaxing effect on him. The sea breeze coming from the Black Lake, the morning sun starting to warm his body, and the amazing view of Hogwarts, made the run truly pleasant. The fact that he didn’t need to worry of where to go thanks to following the older students — something that let him enjoy the view around him — was a great plus on Harry's book.

The run around the castle took them to an enormous plain littered with outside battlefields, and courts and fields for different sports. The arrangement of the buildings and open spaces between them reminded Harry of Levahner’s Great Stadium, with all its parks and buildings around it. But in this case, the Battle Royal Pitch toke the central place. The pitch was an open oval structure made of wood, with four tall towers around it. Each tower was adorned with the colors and the banners of one of the Hogwarts Houses.

The group approached the Pitch at a light run. Harry wasn’t sure if he could keep up with the others, he was lagging a little behind from the older years, but powered through while maintaining his own pace. Harry observed other students already running around the pitch, or doing other exercise around the plain in the other battlefields and sport fields.

"The pith also serves as the Football Field". Lee suddenly commented from beside him, maintaining a careful control of his breathing and movements.

The older teen didn’t have the stamina of the others, but it was clear that he wasn’t a stranger to exercising. When Harry looked at him questioningly, Lee gave him a smile.

"It would be stupid to waste space for another huge field when Hogwarts can easily supply a team of Grass, Ground and Rock Types to change the field of the pitch as needed".

Harry nodded at that, seeing the logic behind it. With that, Lee started to tell Harry what use was given to the different fields and courts around the area.

"…and that over there, the modern looking square building attached to the castle, is the gym court. There, you will be having you PE classes". Lee was saying. "That's were the showers we will be using are too, since we can’t use the ones at the other pitches till club activity starts tomorrow. Not that you will be using them if you aren’t part of the club that use that specific field, of course".

Looking at the direction of the castle Harry saw a very familiar looking building, the Gym Court not looking any different from the outside to the one on his old school. Maybe bigger, but tha's it. The contrast between the ancient castle and the more modern looking building was quite comical.

"Okey team! We are finished with the run! Don’t stop abruptly, slow down your pace sedately till you are walking and just continue walking for a minute or two". Oliver was heard saying.

They all did as bid, following the fifth year to one of the training slash battlefield grounds near the Battle Royal Pitch.

"How come you joined the team this morning? You didn’t seem too enthusiastic about it. Nor Oliver for the matter". Harry asked Lee while slowing down their pace.

"Don't worry about Ollie, he actually doesn’t care". Lee said with a laugh. "And it’s this, or going to the gym. I prefer to exercise with my friends, I’m not bored that way".

"Ooohh!, we knew you loved us!". The twins said suddenly at their side.

Lee pushed them away from him when Fren and George tried to smother him in a hug.

"Get off me! You are sweaty!". Exclaimed Lee.

"So you aren’t part of any sports club?". Harry asked, bringing back the boy's attention to him.

The group stoped, starting to do some cooldown exercises with the Pokémon with human like anatomy joining the group in doing them. The Pokemon that didn’t, did their own things to cool down.

"Nope, so I join them in their work outs so the professors aren’t on my back. It's one of the other things you can do if you don’t want to join a sport’s club or team".

"Why don’t you?". Asked Harry, his voice muffled by his position touching the tips of his toes.

"Join a team?". Lee asked to clarify when they were in an upright position again. He continued at Harry’s nod. "I’m the commentator for all the sports teams, and I love it. Joining a team would meant that I can’t do that anymore".

"Oh?"

"Lee here wants to be a professional commentator". George said.

"Really?". Asked Harry surprised.

"Yeah, I would love to work commenting Battle Royal matches, or Pokémon Battles. I love Pokémon, and battling and all that jazz, don’t get my wrong. But I like being a commentator more. Though I would actually like to have my own radio show in the future, something like the Battle Channel". Said Lee, clearly enthusiastic about his dream.

Harry smiled at the third year. After that, they did some more strength and agility based exercises for a while, their Pokémon doing the same or varieties of the exercises that were adapted to their body limitations. They were at it till quarter past seven, then Oliver called the attention of the Battle Royal Team to do some team things, before they all separated to do some training with their own Pokémon. Harry decided to go with his own Pokémon a ways away to train when Oliver called for the team, going towards a three where he saw his bag resting with the bags of the others to retrieve it.

"Ok guys, we have been fortunate to have Remus help us this last month with our training. But he isn’t here, nor is Ned with whom we could practice battling". Said Harry, getting the attention of Dante and Hedwig. "I will have to ask one of our friends to do some practice battles with us". Harry muttered to himself. "But, that we don’t have dad here to hold our hand through training shouldn’t mean we can slack off. Now is our opportunity to find our own way to train, while incorporating the things dad taught us". Harry said seriously, receiving identical looks of determination from his two partners.

Harry opened his backpack to retrieve a water bottle to refresh himself, a sketchbook, that he has been using as a battle notebook, and his PoryPhone.

"Now, you two managed to train the moves you already knew to acceptable levels for your current skills, thanks to dad’s training. That's what dad said at least. We just have to train any new move that we learn to that level, while improving all we can in the rest. We may be at an acceptable level for our skills, but that doesn’t meant we can’t improve or that we can slack off". Dante and Hedwig nodded seriously at his words.

Harry sat down on the ground and turned to Dante, starting the Pokédex app on his PoryPhone and going to the notes section of it, while also opening his sketchbook to the part where he has annotated all the information he could think off about the young Houndour and his evolutionary line. The pages where full of drawings of the white furred pup, alongside notes of possible moves to learn, his current move set, dietary notes, facts about his evolutionary line, etc. Hedwig has another part of the sketchbook turned battle notebook all for herself as well. In the Pokédex App he has almost the same, but more like a list than the elaborated text of the sketchbook.

"Dante, I want you to continue training to learn Smog. In the last training session we had at home you managed to produce a little dark fog, so you are almost there. Remember, take care to not inhale any of the smog, you are still susceptible to your own generated poison this early in your training". Dante barked his agreement. "When you feel yourself tiring, stop for a few minutes and switch to Roar. That one you almost have it, just remember that you don’t want to boost yourself with the move like with Howl, but to scare your opponents with it. You will train with Hedwig in that, since you will need a partner". Harry said, already lamenting the loss of Ned as a training partner.

Hedwig gave an affirmative caw, before nodding her head at Dante who smiled at her.

Harry looked momentary around to the Battle Royal Team and some of the other students loitering around doing their own training. 'I wonder if someone wouldn’t mind to train with me for a moment?', though Harry before shaking his head.

"Hedwig, you managed to learn Gust and Haze, thats two moves in less than a month. I’m proud of you". Harry said to his avian companion, sending a smile her way while sowing her the Pokédex app where her information was on display, sowing her the two moves that now appeared in her roster where a few days ago they didn’t.

Hedwig puffed her chest at the praise coming from her trainer and teammate, Dante also congratulating her being happy for his teammate. Though Dante was a little dejected at his own lack of success.

" Don’t worry Dante, you are doing great too, you just need a little more practice. You are almost there". Harry said, seeing the slightly dejected look on the pup, who perked at the comment. "Now Hedwig, I want you to practice both moves. Seeing as you just learned them, you will have to get accustomed at using them. Gust will also help you strengthen your wings, that will help you learn Wing Attack later one". Hedwig nodded her head.

Clapping his hands, a gesture he has acquired from Remus without even noticing, Harry smiled at his Pokémon.

"Well, lets do this guys!". Said Harry, receiving two answering cries of enthusiasm from his companions.

While Dante and Hedwig went to work, Harry turned his attention back to his sketchbook. Going to a paragraph on Dante’s section, he started to ponder how to archive what he has written there. The Paragraph was titled Original Moves and Strategies, not very original, but Harry thought that it served its purpose. There, Harry noted all the ideas he has for specific strategies for Dante, alongside move combinations, and even moves alterations and original moves. Not that he will be able to alter or create new moves any time soon. The class for that is only available as a fourth year elective, and you must have selected Arithmancy in your third year, alongside going on the study route of Sciences.

Harry supposed he already knew what elective to take for third year, since after Remus sowed him the original and altered moves he created for every member of his team, Harry couldn’t wait to do the same. That his mom did the same, with every member of her team having a special move of their own just out of Hogwarts, was quite the incentive for Harry to do it himself.

Admittedly, Harry only has two ideas for moves combinations and alterations. And the two are for Dante since he couldn’t think of anything for Hedwig, much to his same. He just hopped that with time and experience he could think of more. They weren’t actually totally original, one of then being a move combination already used by some trainers, and the other was an idea he got after seeing a recorded Contest. Explosive Pollution is the move combination that is not originally his, and many trainers use it. Although, strangely enough, not many high tier trainers do it, even though the technic is incredible powerful and effective. It consist of surrounding your opponent with the move Smog and later igniting the poisonous fog with a fire move, preferably a ranged fire move. This would cause a huge explosion thanks to the flammable nature of the poison used to create the fog.

It is probably one of the simplest moves combinations, but one that if used correctly, could be devastating. Still, Harry only found three high tiered trainers that used the technic: Karen from The Indigo Elite Four; Sidney from The Hoenn Elite Four; and Malva from The Kalos Elite Four. And only one of them is a fire type master. Harry wasn’t exactly sure why this was like this, but he really didn’t care that much, it was a loss for the rest of the trainers anyway

The other, according to Remus’s comment after Harry sowed him his idea, was a combination between Combined Moves and Altered Moves. Harry still remembered the fond laugh Remus gave when he sowed it to him, saying that he was just like his mother, reaching for the most difficult before learning the basic. Looking at the paragraph, Harry read.

 

Hell’s Howl?? /Howl of the Underwold??/Distortion's Lament??

Encase the battlefield in tight fog produced by Smog, produce a howl to reverberate through the foggy battlefield with the effect of the move Howl to bolster the users capacities and the intimidation effect from Growl Roar to intimidate and reduce the statistics of the opposing Pokémon.

Expected effect: vol bolstered reduction of enemies statistics while possibly poisoning them, at the same time that the user increase their own statistics.

Notes :

• Work in changing the efec effect of Roar from a “flee in on sight” reaction to an “intimidated” reaction (try to incorporate the energy from Leer??).

• Work on altering Howl to incorporate both effects of self-improved statistics and lowered statistics. (Incorporate modified Roar’s effect in a new Howl move)

• Mater Master Smog to a high enough level to be able to alter the fog in a way that it lets reverberate the sounds produced inside it.

Harry thought about this after seeing a contest where a Coordinator has his Pokémon use the combined move known as The Mummy. A combined move where the user use the move Sandstorm to enhance the effects of Scary Face.

With all the information about how the Houndour line makes different types of growls, barks and howls to convey different messages, and some article he read about how fog could alter the frequency of sound, Harry was inspired to create this new technique. It was a real pity that the Houndour line couldn’t learn Growl, something about how they couldn’t use their Aura correctly in their vocal cords in a way that would give the desired effect. That was a real bummer when Remus confirmed that. Harry just hopped that the games’s developers just were lazy again like with the move Teleport.

"Wow, you are really good at drawing". A voice said from behind Harry, distracting him from his sketchbook.

Turning around, Harry found a teenage boy with chiseled features, dark coppery hair, and bright grey eyes standing behind him with a towel around his neck. His pale skin was flushed and his hair in total disarray, and Harry would still call him handsome if the fact that he was just a mass of long limbs prevented the thought to truly form. 'Puberty isn’t kind to anyone', thought Harry, equal parts amused at the myriad of awkward teenagers he has been meeting today, and dreadful at his own prospects when he reach that stage of his life.

"Erm, thanks?". Harry said unsure.

The older boy smiled at him.

"Sorry, didn’t want to startle you. Just wanted to introduce myself, Mr. Potter. Our families have been on good terms for a while, you see?". The boy said sheepishly.

"Oh?".

"Hm-Hm. Cedric Amos, Heir Presumptive to the Ancient and Noble House of Diggory. It’s a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Potter. Please, call me Cedric". The boy said while straightening.

Harry stood from the ground, closing his Sketchbook and putting it under his arm.

"‘Pleasure is mine. I’m Harry James, Heir Apparent to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter. Thought you already new that". Said Harry with a smirk at the end. 'So, this is the boy with the secret girlfriend', thought Harry.

Cedric smirked too, before his gaze turned to Harry’s Pokémon.

"They seem well trained, for Pokémon so young". Cedric complimented.

"Thanks". Replied Harry with a smile, turning his own gaze to his partners.

Hedwig was alternating between using Haze to create fog, that seemed to seep out of the feathers of her wings, and using Gust to disperse said fog. The winds from the move seemed to get more powerful at each usage, small stones starting to be lifted from the ground. Dante was sitting in another part of the small training ground they have claimed, his eyes were shut in concentration while he keep his mouth open, Harry saw a small trickle of dark purple grayish fog start to fall from his open maw.

"New moves?". Cedric asked.

"Yep".

"Impressive, I didn’t start teaching new moves to my partners till my fourth week at Hogwarts".

"Thanks, though I had help from my guardian". Harry admitted.

"Maybe, but I had help from the professors too, so I don’t think it matters. It is still impressive". Said Cedric with a smile.

"Did’t your dad…?".

"…help me?. Nah, I didn’t want him to. Wanted to do it myself whiteout the help of my Elite Four Father. Nobody could say I had things handed my way then". Said Cedric. "Though I’m really impressed by their discipline. My partners would have started to get distracted if I did’t keep a close eye on them at the beginning".

"Really? Mine don’t seem to have that problem".

"Yeah, It was actually Gaias fault, she got easily distracted. Bronzor just followed her example I guess". Cedric said in embarrassment, pointing at another battlefield, were a huge Onix was having a mock battle with said Bronzor.

The two Pokémon seemed really strong to Harry, he couldn’t see them doing what Cedric said. The two fell into a small silence, observing their respective partners train.

"Hey,". Cedric suddenly started. "want to have a battle?".

"What? Now?". Asked Harry, a little apprehensive in battling the older year.

"Yeah, why not? I have a third Pokémon that I’ve just obtained, I think it would be good practice for him". Said Cedric.

Harry thought about it, less nervous in fighting a less experienced Pokémon.

"Ok". Harry finally relented.

 

…

 

"Welcome to the first Pokémon battle of the year!. This will be an one-on-one fight between trainers Cedric Diggory, third year of Hufflepuff, and Harry Potter, first year of Gryffindor. No items or restoratives are allowed, and the match will finish when one of the Pokémon has fainted". Lee announced.

Harry found himself at the trainers designated zone on the other side of Cedric at one of the open battlefields, a crown of the other students around it. They were just the students that decided to rise early to do their morning workouts, but Harry was still a little nervous at having an audience, for small that it was.

"The two trainers will release their Pokémon at the same time". Lee continued from the side of the battlefield, a small narrow podium with bottoms at his right side. "Are both trainers ready?". Asked Lee.

"Ready". answered Cedric confidently, a PokéBall on his hand.

"Y-Yes". Harry cursed at his nervousness, clutching a PokéBall of his own.

"Then, begin!". Exclaimed Lee, pushing a button on the controller.

A simmering barrier appeared around the battlefield, protecting the audience from any stray moves. A big holographic screen appeared in the air, sowing Cedric’s and Harry’s faces with their names, years, and houses beside their displayed images. Around their pictures there were six black circles, with only the one on top containing the image of a PokéBall.

Taking a deep breath Harry raised his arm. A movement mirrored by Cedric.

"Asher, rumble!".

"Let’s hunt, Dante!".

Both PokéBalls opened at the same time, depositing two small Pokémon on the battlefield. Dante howled when he appeared on the field, his opponent responded with a growl that sounded like metal scratching rock. At Cedric’s side of the battlefield, a Shieldon materialized from his PokéBall. The image of the PokéBalls on the screen changed to show the faces of both Pokémon.

"A Shieldon?". Harry asked in surprise.

The other students were as impressed, going by the sounds they were making

"Cute, right?. He was the winning prize from a junior tournament. He is from a third successful clutch of Bastiodon's eggs. Apparently, the scientists want to see how they do under a trainer since they are of the first to be born instead of being revived from fossils". Answered Cedric proudly.

"Wow". Was the only thing Harry could say.

The two boys shared a smile, Harry having lost some of his nerves thanks to Cedric’s small chat. Then, both boys suddenly moved.

"Dante, Leer!"

"Iron Defense!"

Harry's command was just out when Cedric countered it effortlessly. Harry clicked his tongue at seeing Dante's move being countered. 'Shit, and Howl wont do anything since Dante still doesn’t know any physical moves' , Harry thought in annoyance at the situation, ' Wait!, Leer was useless too even if it worked!. Shit, Harry get a grip!'. Taking a depth breath, Harry centered himself and fought the urge of facepalming at his own stupidity.

"Dante, move around him and pepper him with Ember!".

Dante barked in affirmation, starting to run around the ancient Pokémon. Dante took a deep breath and opened his yaw, flames formed between his teeth, before small pellets of fire started to pelt the other Pokémon.

"Ancient Power!, maintain the rocks around you as a shield".

Asher grunted, some of the projectiles hitting him and doing damage, before his eyes glowed and five small rocks started to form around him. The move was clearly weak due to the skill level of the Pokémon, Harry having seen much stronger executions of the move on the TV, but it did it’s job. The Shieldon moved the rocks around him to stop the onslaught, though some embers still reached him.

"Asher, now!". Cedric shouted when he saw Dante stop his attack to take a breath.

The Shieldon grunted his affirmative before launching the rocks at Dante.

"To your left, Dante!" Harry exclaimed.

Dante complied hurriedly, managing to doge four of the rocks. Dante gave a cry of pain when the fifth rock hit him on the side.

"Dante!". Harry exclaimed in worry.

"Again, Asher, don’t let him recover!". Cedric ordered.

"Dante, dodge!". Harry exclaimed with worry.

Fortunately, Dante managed to dodge all five rocks this time.

"Yes, Dante! Well done!". Harry exclaimed bumping his fist in the air.

"Ancient Power again". Cedric shouted, a determined expression on his face.

Harry got an idea when he saw the rocks forming. 'I hope this works', Harry thought.

"Get in close, Dante. Enter his guard, bite him and don’t let go!".

Dante barked in affirmation, darting towards the other Pokemon while dodging the launched rocks. Some of them managed to make glazing blows, but the Houndour persevered.

"Iron Defense". Cedric shouted in alarm at seeing Dante getting close.

Just as Dante reached Asher, a metallic sheen permeated the Shield Pokémon’s body. Dante latched onto his side, clamping his mouth shut. It really didn’t hurt the other Pokémon that much, since the bite wasn’t permeated in Aura like if it were the actual move, and Iron Defense negated what little damage the bite did anyway.

"Now, Dante, ignite your moth with Amber!". Harry shouted, a smile forming on his lips.

Dante’s red eyes gleamed in glee, before his biting mouth started to spew flames. It was Asher’s turn to cry this time. It wasn’t really a Fire Fang, but it did it’s work just the same.

"Asher!, pelt him with Ancient Power. Converge the move toward your left side". Cedric commanded, clear worry on his voice.

The Shieldon struggled for a moment, before he gave a below and the rocks of Ancient Power started to form around him.

"Dante! Let go, now!". Shouted Harry in urgency.

Regretfully, it was too late. All the rocks converged on the white canine, pelting his body with their power. When it finished, Dante had clearly fainted, though Shieldon hasn’t gone unscathed in the battle. The ancient Pokémon was painting and had scorch marks and bruises on his body, but a proud look was on his eyes. Silence reigned the battlefield for a moment.

"Dante is down for the count, Cedric and Asher win the match". Lee suddenly shouted.

The students around the battlefield shouted their excitement.

"Dante!". Harry exclaimed, running towards his downed Pokémon and falling to his knees beside him.

Luckily the pup didn’t appear that hurt, the Houndour already waking and trying to get to his feet

"You ok?". Asked Harry While looking over his Pokémon.

Dante gave a whine, looking down at the ground.

"Hey, none of that. You did amazing". Harry consoled, petting Dante to comfort him and to see if there was anything wrong he could feel under his fur.

"Indeed, that was incredible. You two made us sweat, that’s for sure". Cedric said.

Harry and Dante looked up to see the older boy at their side, checking and congratulating his own Pokémon while giving him an Oran Berry to start the healing process.

"Here". Cedric said, tossing Harry an Oran Berry.

"Thanks". Harry said before giving it to Dante.

The two boys stood and faced each other.

"That was really good. I though I would have to go easy on you, even with Asher being on the same skill level as your Pokémon. But we really did have to work for that win". Cedric said before he extended his hand. "Thanks for the fight".

Harry blushed at the praise, felling better about the lose, before accepting the hand.

"Thank you, I enjoyed it". Replied Harry, truly meaning it. Dante barked his agreement to the statement.

"Ok guys, spectacle is over. Lets hit the showers!". An older girl with silvery pink hair, that Harry didn’t recognize, suddenly said.

"Ohy!. Who put you in charge Marian?". Oliver exclaimed.

"Who would be better, you?". Another older boy with blonde hair and broad shoulders said.

"Thanks, Ryder. But I can take care of myself". Marian replied.

"Eh!". Snorted another burly boy with short black hair and crooked teeth in brackets.

"What was that, Marcus?". Marian growled at the boy.

The four started to argue while heading in the direction of the Gym Court, where the showers were located. Leaving the battlefield behind with the rest of the members of the teams, plus extras, to look at their retreating backs. The post battle mode totally ruined.

"Were those the captains?". Harry asked, a tilt to his head being mirrored by Dante and Hedwig.

"Yep". Cedric said in a deadpan.

 

…

 

Harry didn’t expect to find such a large room adjacent to the sower areas. Apparently, the students weren’t the only ones with facilities designed for their hygiene. An enormous room with shower tubs, grooming stations and anything you could think that served to groom your Pokémon, was just next door to the locker rooms for the humans. The place was spacious enough to let Cedric’s Onix stay inside it without any problem or discomfort for her or anybody else, said Rock Snake Pokémon was currently submerged in a sand bath with her fellow Ground, Steel and Rock Type Pokémons.

"This place is amazing". Harry said while finishing giving Dante a bath of really hot water.

The Dark-dog has his head resting in one of the corners of the elevated tub, his eyes closed in relaxation. Hedwig was currently conversing with her fellow avians upon a series of perches, her feathers were gleaming with the special oil Harry has applied to them earlier. It wasn’t really necessary, since she secreted natural oil to take care of her own feathers, but she enjoyed being pampered from time to time. And it did wonders for her hat like crest on her head, since she couldn’t easily reach there.

"Right!?, and this isn’t even the bigger or best of the Grooming Rooms of Hogwarts. You should see the one we use in Pokémon Care". Said Fred from beside him.

George was just in an area behind them taking care of the twins’s two beetle mons, applying special oils to their shells. So Harry was saved from hearing their twin-speak.

Fred has discarded his shirt while bathing Plusle and Minum, his form was soaked thanks to the two playful Pokémon, not that Fred seemed to mind it — or being bare chested with the other students in the room with him —. Not that he wasn’t the only boy, or girl for that matter, that had discarded their shirts while taking care of their partners, thought the girls have their sports bras on. Harry tried not to look at the girls at first, but managed to relax after a while when he saw that it wasn’t that big of a deal, if it ever really was, thought his cheeks were stile a little red. He was more mortified by the strange thoughts and emotions that entered his mind, 'Girls were supposed to be icky!'

"Or the one used by the Contest Class. That one is amazing. Those lucky bastards in the Contest Club are the only ones that enjoy it, apart from those taking the elective". Angelina said from another area near them, where she was packing the brushes she has used to groom her Ponyta’s coat.

The room was fully occupied by the students and Pokémon that have been exercising during the morning, many of them having congratulated Harry on his battle skills while they were all using the facilities to take care of their partners. It made Harry fell even better about the battle. They might have lost but Cedric isn’t a pushover — going by the comments of the others — and a third year to boot. That Harry made him take things seriously was amazing. Even the gruff boys of Slytherin congratulated him from his showing.

"You know? Making Dante use Ember as a pseudo Fire Fang was brilliant". Fred commented.

"You think so?".

"He is right, it was. You made some mistakes, but you will learn with experience. It was your first real battle, right?". Agreed Angelina.

"Yes, I’ve only done practice battles with my brother before". Harry answered.

Harry heard some students mutter to themselves in confusion at his words, but Harry ignored them. Angie did too, since she meet Ned no more than two nights ago.

"I imagine that you have already seen how different actual battles are then. How do you feel?". Fred asked while drying Minun with a towel, making sure to dry properly the inside of his ears, much to the blue rodent’s annoyance.

"It was great. I was nervous at the start, but I loved the experience. We loved the experience". Answered Harry, correcting himself with a smile while scratching behind Dante's wet ear.

The pup gave a quiet bark of affirmation, still on his position with his eyes closed in relaxation.

"You should have Dante learn Bite. Practicing using Bite while igniting his mouth, like he did in the battle, is a good way to learn the Fire Fang move". Angie suggested after a moment.

"That's what Rouge did last year to teach the move to his own Herdier right?". Another student pipped in.

"Hm-Hm, you see…". With that, the students fell into easy conversation about training, moves and their Pokémon in general.

 

…

 

Finishing with their Pokémon’s care, the room promptly emptied of students, who let their companions relaxing in the Grooming Room while they went to take their own showers.

Entering the boys locker room, Harry felt himself gaining a prominent blush. His eyes went wide, before he gave a small yelp and turned around with his hands over his eyes, his glasses were askew on his face. He had never seen another boy, that wasn’t his own age, naked before. None of the other boys seemed to mind their state of undress, many not even bothering to put on towels.

"Ahahahah! Never been in a locker room before?". George laughed while poking at Harry’s sides.

Harry growled in annoyance at the poking, ending slapping the hands away and turning towards the boy with a glare.

"Stop that! I just wasn’t expecting it". Harry huffed.

Harry let himself be directed by the twins and Lee to one of the empty lockers to put his things on, while trying to not look at anyone bellow the waist.

"I fear you will have to get used to it, since the showers are communal too. The only bathrooms with private shower stalls are in the dormitories". Cedric said with sympathy from one of the lockers beside him, already undressed but with a towel around his waist at least.

Harry was still nervous about sharing the showers, letting the older students enter the space before following them. While he waited, he couldn’t help but look a little at the older boys. Specially how well defined their muscles were. Glancing briefly around to make sure nobody was watching Harry flexed his arms, felling quite happy about the small, but noticeable, bulges that his biceps formed at being flexed. Harry couldn’t do that a month ago.

Feeling quite happy about his training paying off, Harry headed to the showers with a small smile on his face. He never noticed the amused looks the Weasley Twins shared between themselves before following him, having seen the first year’s actions.

 

…

 

"Hey Cedric, how come you have a Shieldon? I mean, I know you said you won Asher at a Junior Tournament. But, wouldn’t it have been better for the scientist to give the Pokémon to a trainer and not a student?". Harry asked while putting on a new pair of boxers after finishing his shoshower 

Harry looked at the direction he knew the older boy to be in, though his lack of glasses made him only see a blurred image of the other boys in the locker room. Though Harry still tried to not look down since his close up view was much better than his far view. He didn’t need to see the two still butt naked boys beside him, thank you very much. Though luckily, the locker room wasn’t really crowded, the fastest boys having already exited the place.

Harry’s words gained the attention of the other students still in the room, and even made some pause in their way out. Junior Tournaments were the only kind of competitions that Early Licensed Trainers were allowed to participate in before reaching the age of sixteen. Hogwarts’s students were classified as such, another of the perks of being a student of the school. Although they may give some really rare awards to the winners of these tournaments, it was infrequent for it to be a Pokémon. Much less one so rare as a fossil Pokémon.

"Precisely for being a student, actually". Cedric answered, already on his own boxers and pausing on amplifying some deodorant so he could answer.

"How come?". It was another student, a Hufflepuff second year, that asked before Harry could.

"Isn’t it obvious?". A fourth year Slytherin asked mockingly, the boy having paused on his way through the door. "That way they can keep a close eye on the Pokémon. I bet they contacted the school".

"Bletchley’s right, Miles". Cedric confirmed, sending a comforting smile to the younger Hufflepuff boy. "Tough he could have used a different tone". He added, sending a glare to the older Slytherin boy.

Bletchley only snorted before continuing on his way, exiting the looker room and dismissing the boys still inside it.

"Professor Sprout talked to me last night before going to bed, the lab from where Asher comes from asked the school to keep an eye on him. They will also be making regular visits through the year". Cedric continued. "They will be very interested in knowing about the battle, pretty sure they will ask for a copy of the battle to be delivered to the lab".

"What do you mean? It was recorded?". Harry asked, surprised at the revelation.

"All battles performed on Hogwarts’s battlefields are recorded. There is a hidden camera in the podium that records the battles. Students can see them in Hogwarts's Intranet. I can show you how to enter latter, if you want?". Said Lee this time, exiting the shower area and going to his own locker to start dressing.

"…Thanks". Said Harry with disguised dread.

'Great, just what I needed. My first battle in full display for all the school to see', Harry thought, not liking the fact.

"And talking of battles. You showed real talent!. You really surprised me today, being able to keep up with the workout routine and battling so well". Oliver suddenly said loudly with enthusiasm. "Ever though of joining the team?".

"Ahahah! So desperate are you to recruit anyone that shows a little talent? My, my, my, Gryffindor must be having it really bad". Marcus Flint, the Slytherin’s Battle Royal Captan, said with a mocking laugh.

"Excuse me?". Oliver said slowly while turning toward the other boy. "I don’t need any comments about my recruitment methods coming from a cheater!".

That ticked Marcus off, and just like that the two fifth years squared against each other in the middle of the locker room. 'The fuck, I didn’t even say if I would join or not, I don’t even know if I want too!', Harry thought while looking at the absurd argument that started to unfold in front of them all.

"What the… I don’t even know what all the clubs are for me to decide". Harry said quietly in astonishment about the situation.

"Aaah, just ignore them. Trust me, it’s easier that way". Ryder said while passing beside him, the Ravenclaw captain already dressed and going on his way to collect his Pokémon.

Looking again at the comical display the two older years were putting on, Harry couldn’t help the mischievous thought that passed through his head.

"Say, are they trying to tell us something arguing like that while half naked?". Asked Harry with an innocent voice and tilt of his head.

That stoped the two fifth years on their tracks.

"We think it's their way of releasing their shared sexual tension". The Weasley Twins’s voices were heard, the two boys having heard Harry’s comment while exiting the communal showers and couldn’t resist joining on the teasing.

Ruckus laughter exploded from the boys on the locker room, the two fifth year captains scrambling apart with red faces and looks of horror while looking at each other.

Harry finished dressing, adjusting the leather wristband that Ned gifted him for his birthday, while being distracted by the twins. Harry had never seen psychic powers — those of human Psychics — in person before, only having seen them in news or documentaries on the TV. Both boys dressed whiteout lifting a finger, their eyes glowing a pink purplish color while their clothes, towels, brushes and other toiletries orbited around them. Their clothes seeming to simply slide in place on their bodies.

"Show offs". Lee deadpanned.

"Why, thank you". The two chorused, smirking at their friend before winking at Harry’s amazed face.

"Well, let’s…"

"…go. McGonagall is…"

"…waiting for you".

"Better to…"

"…not keep her…"

"…waiting much longer". The twins finished their twin speak, closing their lockers without touching the doors.

Harry took a fortifying breath, he really wasn’t expecting to have the talk with the headmaster so soon.

"Ok, let’s go. Thanks for showing me the way". Said Harry.

"It’s no problem, ojos verdes". They said together with a wide smile his way.

"Hey, Potter". Oliver called, stoping them and making Harry turn around to look at him. "Even if you don’t join the team, you are welcome in joining us in our morning workouts like today".

"Thanks, Ollie". Said Harry with a smile.

" Come on, guys". Said Lee suddenly beside them.

"Wait, you coming?". Asked Harry.

"Yes, someone has to make sure that they actually bring you to professor McGonagall’s office". Lee answered.

"*gasp*. Who do you take us for?". Fred asked in mock outrage.

"You wound us with your lack of faith. For shame, Lee. For shame". George exclaimed, rubbing a fake tear, hand on his chest.

Lee rolled his eyes.

Harry snorted in amusement. All in all, it has been a good morning for Harry, he just hopes it will continue this way.

 

 

Notes:

Look at that, Harry's first official battle. Did you like it?. I'm a little nervous, its my first time writting an action scene. Hope I did well enought.
I actually wanted for his first actual battle to be agains Malfoy, but Cedric just presented himself. And it was a much more friendly first battle that way.
I really don't know if I want Harry to join the team, but I still want him to have a good relationship with them. So heres is how he starts to have that realthionship, even if he doesn't actually join.
Next chapter is full of much-needed conversations.
Thanks for reading!!

Chapter 12: We Are the Protectors in the Dark

Notes:

Disclaimor: Don't own Harry Potter or Pokémon. I only own the original characters and the original Pokémon.
English is not my first language, so if you see spelling mistakes, don't hesitate in telling me.

 

 

Harry followed professor McGonagall and Mafdet through the corridors of Hogwarts Castle. Hedwig’s comforting weight on his shoulder and Dante’s presence at his side, were the only thing preventing him from being too nervous about the upcoming conversation with the Headmaster, allowing Harry to look around and marvel at the castle interior. Something he was also doing to distract himself from the upcoming conversation.

 

Harry was sure that he would have had a conversation with professor Dumbledore in the future, but he thought he would have more time before having it. Instead, just after leaving the locker room and collecting their Pokémon, he was shown the way by Fred, George and Lee towards professor McGonagall’s office, where the strict professor awaited for him.

 

"We are here, Mr. Potter". Said professor McGonagall, bringing Harry’s attention to her.

 

Looking around, Harry found that they had stopped in the middle of a conjunction of hallways where a gargoyle, that strangely resembled the combined appearances of all the Legendary Birds, Articuno, Zappos and Moltres, blocked the entrance to a spiral staircase.

 

"Sherbet Lemon". Said Professor McGonagall.

 

Harry only has time to shot her a quick weirded look at her words when the gargoyle brought back his attention by closing its massive stone wings, letting a space for a person to access comfortably the spiraling staircase. The professor and her great fire feline companion led Harry and his two Pokémon up the stairs till they reached the top, where they found an oaken double door.

 

Professor McGonagall gazed at Harry, and when she received a nod of his head she raped her knuckles on the door.

 

"Come in". Was heard from the other side almost immediately.

 

The professor opened the door, letting Mafdet enter before her, and holding the door open for Harry, Hedwig and Dante to access the room after them. The Headmaster’s Office was a large circular room with many windows, and many portraits of former Headmasters and Headmistress and their Pokémons. The available walls, the ones whiteout narrow ceiling height windows, where occupied by shelves full of books and strange and varied instruments and trinkets. The floors where decorated with colorful red carpets. An office desk occupied the end of the room, just in front of the entrance door, where it sat upon a slightly raised dais. Behind it, there seemed to be another room that was being obscured by the desk and chair itself. Flanking the office desk, two curved stairs lead to a second floor, while beside said desk a huge perch sat unoccupied at the moment. Although Harry noted what appeared to be frost in the process of finishing melting upon said perch. In the floor bellow the dais, there was a seating arrangement of chairs, couches and loveseats that reminded Harry a little of Mrs. Dourglass’s office at White Warden Orphanage.

 

Even though all the things in the office were quite distracting, Harry’s attention was easily caught by the Headmaster himself sitting at his desk. And if it wasn’t the Headmaster, the huge, imposing, Dragonite laying down behind his desk would as easily caught it. Quite difficult to not look at the two with the huge presence both emitted by only being in their vicinity.

 

"Aah, Minerva and Mafdet, thank you for bringing Mr. Potter and his companions to my office. Please, make yourselves comfortable, I will join you shortly". Said the headmaster, Professor Dumbledore, while indicating the seating arrangement.

 

Professor Dumbledore got up from his chair and disappeared in the room behind him, only sending a smile Harry’s way before doing so. Seeing as there was nothing else they could do, they sat on the offered seats with professor McGonagall sitting beside Harry while they waited. The wait wasn’t long, the Headmaster reappearing just moments latter of having entered the back room, though this time he was carrying a package with him.

 

"Would you like some tea? Lemon Drops? I confess, I’m fairly addicted to them. I also have some threats for Hedwig and Dante if they want. Mafdet, you already know where they are, if you want something". Said professor Dumbledore, offering them while taking the loveseat in front of Harry and placing the envelope upon the table.

 

Harry declined with a sake of his head, a little to nervous to speak aloud. Professor McGonagall accepted his offer of tea, while Mafdet went towards a small cabinet where she pushed a small button to open the door, revealing some Pokémon threats stashed on it.

 

"How are you finding Hogwarts, Mr. Potter?" Said professor Dumbledore with a small smile on his bearded face. "I know you haven’t much time to explore, but what do you think so far?".

 

"It’s quite something, professor". Harry said after a moment, trying to relax. "The common room is great, and the castle and grounds are amazing. I didn’t imagine I would ever see something like disappearing rooms or moving staircases". said Harry, growing a little excited while talking about Hogwarts. Grateful that they didn’t breach any serious subject right on the bat, more than content to indulge the Headmaster on small talk.

 

Dumbledore chuckled a little.

 

"Aahh, yes. I heard Hogwarts being described as magical in many occasions". Said Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling in amusement. "What about friends?. I heard that you have made acquaintance of our local Battle Royal Teams".

 

"I…yes, I made some friends already". Said Harry, a little fidgety. He didn’t know where was the Headmaster going with that question. "I liked joining the team in their morning exercise, they are cool".

 

"I’m glad to hear it, I saw that you have participated in the first battle of the year agains young Diggory. I hope it was all okey?". Dumbledore asked.

 

He still maintained an affable demeanor, but Harry thought that there was something peculiar in the way he said it.

 

"Yes, it was great. It was my first real battle. I’ve only done practice ones before. Cedric was amazing, I liked battling against him. I hope that he agrees to battle more with me in the future".

 

The professor’s smile grew a little at Harry’s answer.

 

"Good, good!. I’m glad to hear that. I have written some observations on the battle for you and Mr. Diggory. You should be able to access it in your private accounts in Hogwarts Intranet". Commented Dumbledore.

 

"Oh… I didn’t know you would do that". Said Harry with a blush.

 

"This is a trainers school, Mr. Potter. We professors like to give feedback to our students when we see one of their battles. I heard Mr. Jordan say that he would help you access the Intranet?". Said professor McGonagall, putting down her cup and looking at Harry.

 

"Yes, professor. He said he will show me how to do it latter". Answered Harry.

 

"Good". McGonagall simply said with a nod of her head.

 

Dumbledore smiled.

 

"I hope it will help you, Mr. Potter. You show promise, but there is always room for improvement". Dumbledore said.

 

"Thank you, professor Dumbledore".

 

The Headmaster smiled at his answer before his face grew solemn.

 

"Now, Mr. Potter, I’m sure you wonder why I asked you here. Although I imagine that you can hazard a guess". Said Dumbledore.

 

"I…Yes, professor". Said Harry with a little trepidation before steeling himself. Harry hoped that now was the time to gain answers. "I just want to know why?".

 

And wasn’t that a loaded question?. Why did you leave me with the Dursleys?… Why didn’t you make sure I was safe after leaving me there?…Why did you let me stay at the orphanage?…Why didn’t you let Remus know where I was? Was it really the Aura Spell?… Harry has those questions and more, but in that moment he only managed to ask a simple why?.

 

Dumbledore must have heard all the implied questions, for a sad sight scared his lips. A remorseful look feel on his face.

 

"Mr. Potter… Harry. I would like to apologize to you". Dumbledore said with a sad tone.

 

Harry was a little taken a back. Harry didn’t know what to expect, but sure as distortion didn’t spect professor Dumbledore to own his mistakes and apologize to him. Harry has been building quite a negative image of the Headmaster of the school since he learned he was the one to put him with his relatives.

 

"I don’t ask you to forgive me. Just to hear what I have to say". Implored Dumbledore.

 

Harry exchanges gazes with Hedwig and Dante, the two of them giving him understanding and determined looks. Taking a deep breath, Harry looked back at the old Headmaster.

 

"Ok, I’m listening".

 

Dumbledore gave him a small smile.

 

"Thank you, Mr. Potter". Dumbledore said. "Before I start, how much do you know about that night?".

 

Harry furrowed his brows in thought.

 

"I know my parents went into hiding. They used an Aura Spell. Remus called it the Fidelius and said that it is one of the strongest protection spells that we have information about from the Old Times, before the inauguration of the League by King Arthur". Harry paused, looking at professor Dumbledore for confirmation and receiving a nod from him that gave it. "I don’t really understand how it works, just that it needs a thirds party to maintain the secret of the location. And… well, this person betrayed them". Harry paused, swallowing a lump of anger that formed on his throat."He-who-must-not-be-named…".

 

"You can say his name, Mr.Potter. Fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself. By not using it we are letting him win". The Headmaster interrupted.

 

Harry nodded, though he noted the little displeased sound that professor McGonagall made beside him.

 

"Well…Voldemort… attacked our house". Harry continued. 'Or the house we were staying at', thought Harry, since he knew that that house wasn’t his family’s ancient seat. "They fought him and…I…I was the only survivor…I actually don’t know if that's true. I don’t know what has happened to my parents Pokémons". Harry stated with a sad voice. Harry shook his head to clear his thoughts. "Anyway, I just know that I was left under the care of my mother’s sister and her family until I was eight, when I managed to make the other adults take notice of… That’s not important". Harry shook his head again, and started talking again before the two professors could say anything. "The think is, that I ended living at White Warden Orphanage, under an Aura Spell to conceal my identity". Here he gave a questioning look at the Headmaster. He wanted a more extensive explanation for that. "Until last month, when Remus found me".

 

"I see. Well, let me start with… You weren’t left with your aunt’s family from the start". Dumbledore started a moment latter, after having processes what Harry has told him. "You were under Hogwarts care for a week, actually".

 

Harry looked surprised at that.

 

"Let me begin from the start". Said Dumbledore, pausing to recollect his thoughts. "When your parents went into hiding, they asked for my assistance. Some of the wards and spells I used let me know that something was wrong. Regretfully, we couldn’t reach in time, there was another attack occurring at the same time in one of the commercial districts of Rillswabe. A distraction, I’m sure". Dumbledore sook his head sadly. He smiled at his Dragonite when the orange reptile lumbered towards their seat to plop himself at his side on the floor. "When we finally arrived at Godric’s Hollow, Sirius Black". Dumbledore paused, looking at Harry wanting to know if he knew of whom he was talking. When Harry nodded, he continued. "Black was exiting the dilapidated house with you on his arms. He gave you to us to take care for a while. He was arrested four days latter, he…". Dumbledore looked uncomfortable in bringing up for what was he arrested for.

 

Professor McGonagall didn’t look much better, her lips pursed in a thin line.

 

"I know what he did". Harry said, urging professor Dumbledore to continue. 'Or what everyone thinks he did', thought Harry with a mental displeased frown.

 

"When he was arrested, the Wizengamot sealed your parents wills using their powers from the State of War active on the region". Continued Dumbledore. "I wasn’t part of the Wizengamot, or it’s Chief Warlock, at the time". He added, seeing the face Harry pulled.

 

Harry gave him an apologetic smile.

 

"Regretfully, not many voted against the sealing. the Lupins, Longbottoms, Weasleys and my great-nephew were some I can remember that did at the top of my head". Dumbledore paused, trying to remember more names of the families that were against sealing the Will. After a moment he shook his head and decided to continue with the story instead. "And… It was chaos, really. Trials were occurring almost every hour of the day, and now the Wizengamot was in an internal battle to determine whom you should live with. Their savior". The professor sighed with a resigned look while remembering the time. "The more vocals about it where the Malfoys, who recently came back to our side after the defeat of Voldemort. Unfortunately, they were the more likely candidates".

 

"What? Seriously?". Asked Harry, pulling a face.

 

He has only interacted with Draco Malfoy in two occasions, and those were more than enough. He didn’t want to imagine how it would have been to live with him.

 

"Yes,". Dumbledore affirmed with a chuckle. "the other families would have been the Tonks and the Longbottoms. Unfortunately, the Tonks wouldn’t have received custody. Andromeda Tonks née Black, was disinherited by her family when she married a first-generation trainer. The ministry would have given custody to the Malfoys, with Narcissa Malfoy née Black being the matriarch of the family, just to gain the support of the Malfoy and Black families".

 

"Oh, I didn’t know about the Tonks". Said Harry quietly, frowning about the stupid reason for being disinherited. He couldn’t understand why Uncle Arcturus would do something like that.

 

"With all of that going on. I convinced the Ministry to let me leave you with your aunt’s family temporarily while I tried to contact the Longbottoms, who were still in hiding. Being the representative of Yggsill in the International Conference of Regions helped in convincing Minister Bagnold, I will admit". Said professor Dumbledore.

 

Harry made a confused face.

 

"Bagnold was the Minister at the time". Dumbledore explained when he saw Harry’s face.

 

Harry nodded his understanding.

 

"Temporarily?". Harry asked in surprise when he fully registered what he has been told so far.

 

"Ooh, yes. It was never my intention to leave you with your aunt, and I regret to say that they seemed happy about that". answered Dumbledore with a sad pensive form.

 

Harry felt an old hurt give a small pang at that, but he ignored it. The Dursleys weren’t important anymore, and he was the better for it.

 

"What is the International Conference of Regions?. The League Union?". Asked Harry to distract himself, but also curious about the term. He was sure to have hear about it before, but he couldn’t remember what it was.

 

"It’s a body similar to the League Union, but the member Regions aren’t just the Pokémon Regions, like we call the ones that have Pokémon Leagues and have a Trainer culture, but also the Ranger Regions. Every member Region sends an elected representative to talk about international politics pertaining both trainers, rangers and civilians. The representative must also be elected by both sides of the region’s populace". Answered McGonagall with a strict lecturing tone.

 

Harry nodded at her explanation, wondering if that is how she sounds while giving classes.

 

"During the next three months I visited regularly, to check on you and to inform your aunt and her family about the progress of your guardianship". Dumbledore continued after giving thanks to McGonagall for her explanation. "They seemed happy about you going to live with another family, but they didn’t threat you badly either. Every time I visited, you were playing with your cousin or sleeping in another crib in the same room as him". Dumbledore said, shaking his head not knowing when it went wrong for the Dursleys to start mistreating their nephew.

 

Harry was shocked, he never would have though the Dursleys would have threaten him kindly at any time of his life.

 

"At the same time, I asked some people I trust to make sure you were safe. The Dursleys never knew about it, but there were various attempts to reach you by Death Eaters during those three months". Continued Dumbledore. "I finally managed to reach the Longbottoms when they got out of hiding themselves, after they learned about the end of the war. They were more than eager to take you in, saddened about the fate of your parents, but more than ready to give you a home. I imagine you know their fates?". Asked Dumbledore with sadness.

 

"Yes, sir". Harry answered with a quiet solemn voice.

 

"That was nine days after they resurfaced. We were finalizing the preparations to change custody over to them, they were attacked two days before you were going to be moved. Like with your parents, we were too late, this time the distraction came in the form of an actual attack on Little Whinging, not just a try to reach you".

 

Harry gasped quietly and felt Dante and Hedwig press their bodies to his in comfort.

 

"Where… Where they…?". Harry couldn’t finish his question.

 

"No, Harry, no. I want you to understand something quite clearly". Professor Dumbledore said firmly. "It wasn’t your fault they were attacked".

 

"Professor Dumbledore is right, Mr. Potter. It was learned in the trial of Rodophus, Rabastan and Bellatrix Lestrange and Bartemius Crouch jr, their attackers, that they were in search of their Master. Those four…creatures, thought that Alice and Frank had information regarding the whereabouts of their Corrupted Trainer Master". Professor McGonagall reassured Harry, a pinched and angry look on her face while talking about the Longbottoms’s assailants.

 

Harry nodded after a moment with a frown on his face. Harry felt a bubble of anger form for the Lestranges and Crouch jr, something he only felt as strongly for Pettigrew and Voldemort before. He was sure that if he felt this angry against them, Neville must felt the same or even worst. After a moment Harry gazed again at the Headmaster, asking him silently to continue.

 

"After those attacks, the Dursleys were the only viable option. The Malfoys weren’t a family any of us that knew and worked with your parents were willing to let you go with, Lord Black would have been denied by the Ministry for his old age, and I admit to not being comfortable with the notion, Remus offered himself since the start but, well, I’m sure I don’t need to tell you what the Ministry would have said, and actually said, to him". Continued Dumbledore. "The Dursleys weren’t happy about it, but appeared at least willing. They asked for things in exchange of course, and regretfully we, the government and I, accepted. Don’t worry about what were those concessions, they don’t affect you now that you don’t live with them. But…the biggest mistake, my biggest mistake, and one that regretfully was necessary to keep you safe, was applying the Aura Spell to conceal you. It was the only way to protect you from the attacks from Voldemort’s followers, and it worked, the attacks and attempts to reach and harm you stoped immediately after. But, the problem is that it occulted you even from the one to cast the spell".

 

Silence fell on the office after professor Dumbledore finished speaking, the two adults waiting patiently for the first year to process all the information. Harry has a frown on his face, not happy about what he has heard, but somewhat understanding the motives and circumstances of the time. The why.

 

"I think….that I can forgive you, with time". Harry finally said slowly, lifting his gaze to look at the headmaster. "I don’t like it, I don’t like that you did’t make sure that I was safe with the Dursleys after…all that happened. I understand that it was caused by the spell, but…I’m just, angry at the situation". Harry baled his hands.

 

"Understandable". Dumbledore said with a calm understanding tone.

 

Silence fell again in the office. Harry looked around to try and organize his thoughts, trying to calm himself. Harry was so frustrated, it wasn’t fair that it happened, and it wasn’t fair that he could understand why the professor did as he did. It was so much easier to be angry towards the man, than whatever these feelings Harry was experiencing were.

 

"I think I can forgive you". Harry repeated, pausing after saying that to look back at the Headmaster. "but I won’t forget. I think it’s how its said? Isn’t it?. I understand why you left me there and why you did what you did. But I won’t be able to trust you, not in any other way than as the Headmaster of my school. I know you were close to my parents, da..Remus told me, but I don’t think I can see you in another light. Not for a time at least".

 

"I understand, Mr. Potter. And thank you for listening to me". Dumbledore said.

 

Harry nodded, wiping at his eyes when he felt them moist a little. He hatted to get angry for that reason, he is an angry crier.

 

Harry frowned in thought when he pondered something.

 

"But… How did you end in possession of my vault’s key?". Harry asked in puzzlement.

 

He has been wondering that since the journey to DIagon Alley a month ago and the Headmaster hasn’t said anything about it in his explanation.

 

"Ah, that". Professor Dumbledore said. Harry thought he saw something resembling a grimace form on his face, Dragonite sure was displeased, going by the frown on his face an the small growled grumbled he produce while gazing at the side. "There are really unscrupulous people out there, Mr. Potter, I hope you never meet people like that. But I fear that’s a vain hope".

 

Harry tilted his head in question at the Professor’s words.

 

"The end of the war was a very turbulent time, Mr. Potter. The law enforcement forces of the region were overworked and under staffed. Regretfully, that meant that your families cottage in Godric’s Hollow wasn’t as protected as it should have been in the aftermath of the attack, when the forensic teams and police left the scene. I regret to say that many a person tried to take a… souvenir from the house of their saviors". Said Dumbledore with a displeased frown.

 

Harry’s eyes grew wide in surprise at what he was hearing. Both professors and their Pokémons were exporting disgruntled looks on their faces while recalling that specific time.

 

"What?". Harry asked horrified.

 

"Don’t worry, nobody managed to get anything in the end. Much less after young Remus arrived at the scene". Dumbledore gave a laugh after he said that. "I had to vail him out of jail more than once for punching a few people that tried to enter the house, actually".

 

"Why? He is a Gym Leader". Harry asked, indignant that Remus would have been put in jail for protecting his parents’s home, and happy that Remus was there to punch those people on the face.

 

"He wasn’t at the time". McGonagall answered.

 

"Indeed". Agreed Dumbledore. "The bank was able to secure the house and put it under their jurisdiction and protection after a few days, nobody was able to even get close after that, but many tried before they were able to. I was one of the only ones allowed to enter the house, I got the key to safeguard it. It was going to go to your guardians, for them to take care of it for you before you reached your Hogwarts years. I actually don’t know what stoped me from giving the key to the Dursley, but I’m glad I didn’t".

 

"Me too". Harry said with a relieved breath.

 

He wouldn’t have any money left on his vaults if they got a hand on it. Harry was sure the Dursleys would have found a way to access his money even if the key only worked for him. Now that the conversation was over, Harry’s gaze felt on the package professor Dumbledore put on the table.

 

"What is that?". Harry asked curiously.

 

The professor’s demeanor brightened considerably at his question, his eyes twinkling with enthusiasm.

 

"This is the other reason I wanted to talk to you". Dumbledore said jovially. "You see Mr. Potter, I’ve dedicated my field of studies in rediscovering and bringing to light the old lost arts of Aura".

 

"Professor Dumbledore was the one to rediscover the tomes and scripts detailing the use and applications of the Fidelius, Mr. Potter". Professor McGonagall supplied. "In fact, it was your work in rediscovering it what gave him the title of Professor and his Doctorate, if I remember right". Said MacGonagall to Dumbledore.

 

"Oh, you do, but only in the area of Ancient Aura Studies. I was just finishing my Doctorates under Nicolas in XX36. Aahh, good old days, my bones didn’t hurt back then". Dumbledore said in a mock whisper to Harry.

 

Professor Dumbledore sent a wink Harry’s way when Harry couldn’t help but snicker.

 

"Now, this is something that wasn’t exactly lost". Continued the Headmaster, starting to unwrap the package. "Many, if not all, of the old families than can trace their lines to before the founding of Yggsill’s League have at least one. What was lost, is the way to create them". The Headmaster finished unwrapping the package.

 

Revealed for all to see was a book. 'No' , Harry thought, ' a tome'. An ancient looking tome, in pristine conditions, with its bindings done in dark red leather sat on the table. Two belts maintained it closed, with silver buckles that contrasted with the dark leather. Four silver ornaments decorated the corners of the cover and back cover. Embossed on the leather cover where two rows of aesthetically done runes, with enough space between them for a heraldry to have also been engraved in it.

 

Professor McGonagal gasped at seeing the book while Mafdet looked wide eyed at it.

 

Harry’s head shot up to look at professor Dumbledore, as he recognized that Coat of Arms. A winged stag viewed from the front with a bisected equilateral triangle framing the mythical animal, the stag being right in the middle with its majestic antlers sticking out of the upper part of the triangle sides while the wings just touched the edges of the sides, nine stars were at each point of the geometric figure, tree at each point. That is the coat of arms of the Potter family, their heraldry.

 

"This is what is called a Grimoire, your families Grimoire in fact. Tomes protected and created by ancient Aura spells that contains information about family secrets, family history, family spells, Pokémon techniques… How to crate them was lost to time. There have been many attempts at recreating the spells needed. Like the one to make it never run out of pages, for example. Or the one to bind the book to a determined bloodline". Dumbledore said looking with a twinkle in his eyes at Harry over his half moon glasses.

 

Harry gulped any words he wanted to say, a frown on his face.

 

"Your father gave it to me for study. He didn’t like that only the old families, families like his own, possessed this type of objects and knowledge. Much less after marrying your mother. These books are one of the things that let old Trainer Families stay on top of our society".

 

Harry’s frown lessened, his gaze turned back to the tome. Professor Dumbledore pushed it towards Harry, a clear invitation for him to grab the tome.

 

"He also gave it to me for safekeeping. He made me promise to only study the way to make them, and to give it to you when you reached your first year at Hogwarts if anything happened to him and your mother". Said Dumbledore.

 

Harry caught a certain emphasize in the word promise, like there was something more than just a verbal agreement.

 

"It is apparently a tradition for the Heir of your family to be given the Grimoire in their first year at Hogwarts". Dumbledore added with a nod towards the book before he gave a brief laugh. "Of course, there really wasn’t any need for me to promise to only study it. Even after having managed to learn how to make them, I wouldn’t dare to open one not attuned towards me. Even knowing how they are done, it is a fools errand to try to do so. The protections woven into the creation of a Grimoire are astounding!. I don’t think even the most skilled of curse breakers could be able to crack open these books. I would say only a powerful Legendary Pokémon wouldn’t need to fear the repercussions of trying to do so. That, whiteout counting the additional protections that each family would have applied to their Grimoire". The professor explained, his excitement clearly palpable.

 

Dragonite snorted in amusement at his old partner, sending a smile that wasn’t terrifying to Harry only thanks to his familiarity with Remus’s Garchomp and Krookodile. Harry was able to fully relax after professor Dumbledore finished speaking, happy knowing that his family’s secrets, secrets that he doesn’t even know yet, have been safe. Something made him trust the old Headmaster in at least this, probably something to do with that promise.

 

"You have really been able to recreate a Grimoire?". Asked McGonagall, a touch of wonderment on her voice.

 

"Yes, indeed! I’m even on my last drafts before I present my findings". Answered Dumbledore with a smile and a mad twinkle of is eyes. "But enough about that".

 

Dumbledore turned back to Harry.

 

"As promised, I now return it to you. You have quite the possession in your hands, Mr. Potter. Use it well". Said Professor Dumbledore with a solemn low voice while peering at Harry over his half moon glasses, his blue eyes twinkling in certain excitement at the topic they have just discussed.

 

"Thank you, professor. I have to confess that I didn’t know about these tomes, or that my family had one". Said Harry with a pensive look mirrored by his companions. The three looked at the book on Harry’s hands. "Why Grimoire?". Asked Harry quietly to himself after a moment. "Thats a strange name". He stated while stroking the engravings of the leather, not really talking to anyone, just curious about the tome.

 

Professor Dumbledore chuckled at his question. Clearly, Harry hasn’t been quiet enough, and the professor found it humorous.

 

"You will learn about it in History Class, I’m sure". Dumbledore said with mirth.

 

Harry looked up at his words, a blush on his face. Harry smiled sheepishly while scratching the back of his head.

 

"But, lets quench your curiosity a little". The old professor continued with a smile. "Say Mr. Potter, what comes to your mind when you heard terms like Aura Spells, wards, Grimoire, or Transfiguration, where our esteemed Professor McGonagall has a speciality in?".

 

Harry frowned in thought, exchanging a look with Dante and Hedwig, the two giving him confused looks. 'What comes to mind…?', Harry thought, ' wait, does he mean…'

 

" …Magic?". Harry asked more than stated.

 

"Precisely Mr. Potter, five points to Gryffindor". Dumbledore confirmed jovially. "Before the founding of the Aura Guardians, seven hundred years ago, Aura, this supernatural energy we all posses, was known as Magic. The vestiges of the time we called it that are still quite present, as you can see".

 

Harry payed attention at the explanation. That was quite interesting to know, actually. Before they could continue, the sound of bells rang through the castle, signaling that was now eleven in the morning

 

"Ah, It seems that I have occupied enough of your time, Mr. Potter". Said Dumbledore while standing from his chair.

 

Harry and Professor McGonagall did the same, their Pokémons following their example.

 

"Thank you for explaining, sir". Harry said, clutching his family Grimoire to his chest.

 

"No, thank you for listening". Said Professor Dumbledore with a gentle smile.

 

 

---

 

 

"Lord Black, please, return your Pokémon and give your PokeBalls. Your partners will be returned at the end of your visit".

 

Arcturus and Eltanin, his loyal Haxorus, looked impassively at the young officer in front of them. It wasn’t till the young man started to sweat and fidget that Arcturus complied with the demand.

 

"Must you scare my officers that way, Arcturus?". Amelia asked next to him when they walked far enough away.

 

"Hmp!. Not my fault that they are so weak willed. Thought that one sowed promise, he lasted half a minute before starting to sweat". Arcturus stated sardonically.

 

Amelia couldn’t help but huff in a mix of exasperation and amusement.

 

The two were walking through the hallways of a secure location. A place located in the Cobreigen Mountain Range, a series of mountains forming a curved line that separated the Cobreigen Desert from the rest of the western part of Yggsill. Only those Amelia trusted implicitly knew for what she was using this place. All ninety-seven individuals that were put in Azkaban on suspicious means where residing there, awaiting trials or retrials depending on the case. Though Arcturus was there for one individual in particular.

 

The two were now in front of one of the many guarded doors of a corridor, with each door having two armed guards at either side. All of them were also accompanied by a canine Pokémon, Mightyenas or Houndooms, and a Psychic Type, the two final forms of the Ralts Line being the preferred partner. Having a Dark Type dog instead of the more common canine partner of the rest of the Police Forces of the other regions, the Growlithe Lyne, is something of a tradition in Yggsill. Considering that Fenral, one of the three Patron Legendaries of Yggsill is a dark type and considered as the Patron Legendary and Protector of Orphans, the stigma that usually accompanies Dark Types isn’t as prevalent on Yggsill as it is in the other Regions. Thought it is still there.

 

"He is here. You have one hour, I will come get you when the time is up". Said Amelia.

 

"Thank you, Madam Bones". Arcturus said with a barely there nod of the head.

 

"Open the door". Said Amelia to the Guards.

 

The two saluted silently, the one on the right opening the door to let Arcturus enter after doing so.

 

"Lord Black". Amelia said formally as farewell, marching the way they came from.

 

Arcturus looked at her retreating form for a brief moment, entering the now open room before she even disappeared down the corridor. The door closed behind Arcturus, the sound of the locks of the door being activated clearly heard by him when the guard closed it.

 

The room was small and minimalistic, a simple bed in a corner, a plain dresser at its feet and a small table, that would barely serve for two people to eat, with a simple wooden chair in another corner. A small barred window sat at the top of the opposite wall to the door while another door was at the left wall. Arcturus could hear running water from that door.

 

Arcturus decided to occupy the chair while waiting for his grandson to get out of the bathroom. He didn’t have to wait long, just two minutes after sitting down Sirius made his appearance. Stark naked while toweling his hair, only an Aura Suppressor in his left wrist

 

Arcturus felt pity and sadness when he saw the state Sirius’s body was in. Though rage was much more prevalent. Gone was the strapping young man that turned heads were he went, now in front of him was someone with a body that resembles the recovering imprisoned victims of Grindelwald in The Second Regional War. 'And this is after a month of being out of Azkaban and given medical care?', Arcturus thought to himself with a frown.

 

"For Rayquaza’s sake, boy! Cover yourself, have some decency while you have company". Arcturus barked slamming his cane on the floor.

 

Sirius gave an startled yelp, his towel falling to the floor while he scrambled to cover his crotch.

 

"The fuck!? Wha… Gramfather!? What in distortion are you doing here!?". Sirius exclaimed while hurrying to the dresser.

 

"You know, I think I haven’t seen you with such short hair since you were a toddler". Arcturus commented, ignoring his question.

 

Sirius huffed at him for evading his question, but still commented while putting on some simple white pants.

 

"They had to shave it out, way too many lice and too matted to save it. At least I now only have the one white lock of hair at the front thanks to the care I’ve been receiving. Chansey’s eggs are a blessing". Said Sirius while giving a small tug at said lock of growing silver hair.

 

"Couldn’t do much for the rest of you, apparently". Arcturus drawled, lifting an eyebrow while raking his eyes over his grandson’s uncovered torso, taking note on the back of his head of the many Rune tattoos that marked his skin. Those weren’t there the last time Arcturus saw him.

 

Sirius snorted while putting on a shirt.

 

"Should have seen me when they got me out of there. You can count my ribs now, and I don’t have my muscles, but I had some meat starting to show. I was a skeleton a month ago". Said Sirius while flopping on the bed with his arms crossed over his chest. "What are you doing here?". Sirius asked again, his voice growing firm.

 

"Visiting my grandson".

 

"Ah!, I’m not your grandson. You made that pretty clear when you disinherited me when I was fifteen". Said Sirius barking a laugh.

 

"I never did such thing". Arcturus retorted calmly.

 

"Of course you did, you lot couldn’t wait long enough to get rid of the black sheep of the family when I didn’t want to kiss the feet of a madman. Though maybe the white dragon would be a more appropriate term". Said Sirius with a mocking smile. "Walburga sure didn’t wait to blast me off the family tapestry, I wasn’t even out of the door". Sirius gave a sardonic laugh.

 

"What you mother did or didn’t do doesn’t affect my own actions…"

 

"Don’t call her that. She isn’t my mother, Dorea Potter was my mother". Sirius growled.

 

"…and I sure as distortion didn’t disinherit you". Finished Arcturus raising his voice slightly to silence his grandson, slamming his cane on the floor for emphasis.

 

Silence fell between both men, Arcturus steely look locked with Sirius hardened frown. After a minute, Sirius huffed a breath. Sirius passed a hand over his short hair while looking away for a moment, before turning his gaze back to Arcturus. Now much more relaxed thought still guarded.

 

"Why are you here grandfather?". He asked again, more calmly.

 

Arcturus sighed, relaxing his own posture. As relaxed as you would spect of him, anyway.

 

"I’ve come to see my grandson and heir. I’ve come here to know what happened. I’ve come to know if you are innocent or if I’ve been wasting my efforts in gaining you a trial". Stated Arcturus.

 

"Your efforts?". Asked Sirius incredulously. "I didn’t know you were interested in this". Sirius said while gesturing with his hand around him.

 

"Yes, efforts. I’ve been trying to gain you a trial since Remus came to my door ten years ago swearing that there must have been an error, that you couldn’t have sold James and Lily Potter to Voldemort". Stated Arcturus, taking small pride in the fact that his grandson didn’t flinch at the use of the Dark Lord's name like the many other fools did.

 

"Remus? You are that close to use his first name?". Sirius asked with incredulous humor coloring his voice.

 

Sirius chest felt warm at his grandfather's words. He knew that Remus believed in his innocents, many one sided conversations while sharing Padfoot’s mind made sure of that, but hearing it for someone else was still nice. It made Sirius realize that all those times inside Padfoot’s head receiving reassurances from his friend, his brother, weren’t a dream.

 

"A little difficult not to when we have been working together for almost ten years". Answered Arcturus with a deadpan. "I will admit that your Pokémons were a great part of why I agreed to help Remus in his endeavor".

 

"My Pokémons? Are they with you? How are they?". Sirius asked in a rush, growing anxious to know what happened to his team.

 

"Yes, I have them. They are living in our dragon preserve. They are quite excited to have you back".

 

Sirius smiled at the thought of his Pokémon, feeling relieved that they are okey, but couldn’t help the pang of grief that cursed through his chest.

 

"You really didn’t disinherit me". Sirius stated, trying to distract himself. His Pokemon wouldn’t be in the Black Dragon Sanctuary if he was.

 

"No, I didn’t". Arcturus stated firmly.

 

The two gazed at each other for a moment. Sirius was the first to break eye contact, swallowing a lump on his throat at doing so.

 

"Now, I want to know. Did you do it or not? Did you betray James and Lily Potter?". Arcturus asked after a moment of silence, his voice growing firm and his Aura flaring for emphasis, thought not enough as to be of importance for the guards outside the door.

 

Sirius clenched his jaw, his eyes growing angry.

 

"Of course not! James was my brother and Lily like a sister to me. I would never have betrayed them. I didn’t betray them!". Sirius practically shouted while standing from the bed to glare down at his grandfather. "They were my family! More than the Blacks ever were". Sirius practically spatted those words. "And little Harry…". His voice hitched, eyes going moist.

 

Sirius didn’t end his words, looking away while squeezing his eyes shut.

 

"… they were, are, my family. I would never betray them". Sirius finally said, looking at his grandfather with serious eyes.

 

They looked at each other for a moment before Arcturus relaxed.

 

"Good". The Black Lord simply said.

 

Silence descended again between the two men, Sirius retaking his seat on the bed. He frowned in thought after a moment.

 

"If you have been working with Remus… How come you are questioning me about this?. I know you got me the day in court thanks to James and Lily’s Wills. You should already know I was innocent, of that at least. It is on their testaments that I wasn’t their secret keeper".

 

"Oh, I know. But I needed to make sure you were really innocent and not actually in cohorts with Pettigrew". Said Arcturus, receiving an angry growl from Sirius. "Though our times ahead would be much more simpler if you hadn’t killed him".

 

"I didn’t". Said Sirius immediately.

 

That made Arcturus pause.

 

"Come again?". Asked Arcturus lifting an eyebrow.

 

"I didn’t kill him". Said Sirius slowly with forced calm. "The little rat is still alive".

 

Arcturus gazed at his grandson in shocked silence for a moment, studying his face for any kind of lie.

 

"…Hmm… Shit, boy. We will need a fucking good lawyer to make the stuffy fools of the Wizengamot believe that". Said Arcturus when he didn’t find any deception on Sirius statement.

 

"No, we will not". Said Sirius, shaking his head in the negative. "I will be petitioning to being submitted to mind reading". Sirius said with resolve.

 

"I see... Well, you still will need one to at least make sure that they don’t try to view more memories than the ones they should". Said Arcturus. He wasn’t that comfortable with the idea, but he was willing to let his grandson do it. "And I have the perfect lawyer already in mind". Arcturus said with a smirk.

 

…

 

"Granfather". SIrius called.

 

Arcturus paused on his way thought the door, Madam Bones was waiting for him at the other side.

 

"Is…Is she there?". Sirius asked feeling a lump on his throat, when his grandfather turned to look at him.

 

Arcturus gaze softened somewhat, his eyes gaining an understanding light.

 

"Yes, she is there. She is waiting for you to come visit, I’m sure". Arcturus said as gently as he could.

 

Sirius nodded, rubbing away a tear that rolled down his check.

 

"Thanks". Said Sirius quietly.

 

Arcturus gazed at his grandson silently before giving him a nod. The door closing shut with a clang behind him.

 

---

 

 

Night has fallen at Hogwarts and Harry, Dante and Hedwig were now in bed with the curtains closed, the rest of his roommates already in Cresselia’s embrace.

 

After leaving the Headmaster’s office following his conversation with professor Dumbledore, Harry and his Pokémons had spent the day exploring the ancient castle with their friends. Hogwarts was really amazing, Harry was sure they haven’t even explored a fourth of the school. That sometimes things change of place, or completely disappear and reappear at different times of the day, didn’t help in their exploring. They managed to get lost at least tree times per hour while exploring, much to Daphne’s exasperation. Though they have at least managed to learn the routes to the classrooms, Harry shudders to imagine how he would have fared if they didn’t have these two days to explore the school.

 

What Harry didn’t like that much were the rest of the students. He has been feeling pretty optimistic after spending the morning exercising and training with the Battle Royal teams, none of them having made a fuss at meting him. But it seemed they were the exception. Harry has been having to deal with the rest of the school population pointing fingers at him and whispering whenever he passed. Whispers that seemed to increase when they took notice of his friends. It looks like it’s really unusual to see students of Slytherin and Gryffindor amicably spending the day together in such a large group.

 

Now though, Harry was in bed with his Pokémon. The tree were quite tired from the day, but none could sleep thanks to a certain book sitting innocently on Harry’s lap. Harry has been anxious all day to open his Family Grimoire, but has managed to quell his curiosity while expending time with his new friends. But now, the tome was calling for him.

 

Taking a small breath, Harry unclipped the belts that keep the tome closed, only to jerk his hands from the book when the Potter Heraldry and the runes embossed in the cover lighted in a faint light. The tome opened itself when the light faded, the Aura spell weaved into the Grimoire recognizing a member of the Potter family.

 

Harry looked at his companions, seeing the same surprised look on their faces, before turning his gaze back at the tome while trying to calm his heart from the small fright. When Harry reached for it, he saw an envelope inside the book resting on the free end paper. Frowning at the envelope in confusion, Harry reached for it. A wax seal with the family heraldry was maintaining the envelope closed, turning it around, Harry saw a writing with letters he didn’t recognize. Harry gasped quietly at the contents of the writing, conscious of not making much noise to not wake his roommates.

 

'To my little fawn, Harry'.

 

Harry’s hands trembled while turning the envelope to open it, he was pretty sure of who was the one to left it inside the Grimoire. Taking out the letter inside of it, Harry tried to calm his hands so he could actually unfold the letter and read it, only managing it when he felt the weights of Hedwig and Dante pressed on his sides.

 

'Dear Harry,

 

Holly Fenral, I don’t know how or where to start with this letter. I’m sitting in the kitchen while writing this, hearing Lily-flower putting you to sleep singing your favorite lullaby, and the words evade me. I’m sorry to say that the letter will be all over the place, never was one for writing. Just ask your professors, I drove them mad with my essays.

 

Though, I should start with an apology.

 

I’m sorry, I am so sorry, Harry.

 

Sorry, because if you are reading this letter, it means than I’m not there with you. Sorry, because I wasn’t there to see you grow. Sorry, for not being there to scare the monsters away. Sorry, for not being there to comfort you after a fall and teach you that it is okay, that the important thing is to always stand up again.

 

I just hope with all my heart, that your mother is there with you. That I was able to protect you both.

 

You are my world, Harry. You and your mother are the only thing that makes this world have sense. And I will always do everything in my power to protect you.

 

That gives me an opportunity for my to bring this up. The family Grimoire is another way I hope to protect you, even if I’m not there to give it to you. Pay close attention to what its pages teach you, Harry. Not only to the family secrets and the history within its pages, but above all to the teachings of Aura encompassed in it.

 

Harry, you must pay close attention to what it teaches you about Aura. Our family has always been incredibly attuned to the Dark Type. This make us be susceptible to many of the negative aspect of emotions. We are easy to anger, to react to slights, real or perceived, with great impunity. We are vindictive, and even cruel to others at times. Not everything is bad, of course. We are also competitive, stubborn (True, not always a good thing), dedicated, passionate, hardworking (even if we like to pretend otherwise) and protective of those we love.

 

Being eleven, I hope you are reading this at eleven, these things won’t be that noticeably until you are older and more attuned to your Aura. But they will start to show much more when you unlock and start to use it, I’m afraid. The Grimoire will help you in channeling these emotions in a better way, and to bring out the good that comes with the Type.

 

Dark types have always been considered as the “evil” type, the dangerous type, the bloodthirsty and untrustworthy ones. That is bullshit (Don’t tell your mom I said that, she will find a way to bring me back just to kill me herself). If that were true, Houndoom and Mightyena wouldn’t be considered as some of the best guardian Pokémons. Purrloin, Poochyena, Houndour, Umbreon and many other Dark Types wouldn’t be considered as great companions for children. Two of the only Pokémons out there that evolve through friendship are dark types, that’s better than what more than half of the other Elemental Types can brag about. And I could say more, but I’m sure you get what I’m saying, you are your mother’s son after all.

 

Don’t let anyone bully you for your type of Aura Alignment, being attuned to the Dark element isn’t bad. And we Potters have turned it into our greatest asset. Just, please heed my warning, take what the Grimoire teach seriously and don’t ever forget it. The Grimoire may only be given to the heir of the family, but every Potter child is taught about this. Regretfully, I forgot it in my fifth year, and I never regretted my actions more than at that time. I let prejudice, grief and the war dictate my actions, and let the negative spect of our type of Aura influence me. And that is something I deeply regret to this day.

 

I wasn’t the most easy kid to be around, Harry. I always loved to prank and jock around, and there is nothing bad with a good laugh, but I only treated fairly those I considered friends. The Slytherins were always the victims of some of my more nasty pranks. I’m not proud of it, and if there is something you get from all of this rambling, is this. Threat everyone fairly, Harry, don’t let prejudice dictate your actions. That is something I learned late, and I regret it.

 

So, I think this is what I want to say in this letter. Treat others like you want to be treated; Be understanding and compassionate, but not at your own detriment; Respect others, your teachers and superiors, but only in the capacity as they deserve to be respected. Not everyone is deserving of respect, no matter their standing. Not for someone to be your teacher, or a Gym Leader, or the Champion even, means that their actions are correct, just for their position; Be true to yourself, don’t let others dictate how you should be, act and think, but maintain an open mind and listen to reason. This is were our stubbornness can be our undoing; Make friends, Harry, but not just friends, true friends. They can be the best thing to happen in your life. I married one of them, so I think I know what I’m talking about; And, be happy. That, is the most important thing.

 

I want to say more. I’m sure there’s more that I should be telling you, like “you need to eat your veggies”, or “remember to wash behind your ears”. But I would be here writing all these things till ending just making a mess of the words. I just hope I said enough, although it will never be enough. Not if I’m not there with you.

 

I love you, Harry. With all my heart. I love you, my little fawn.

 

Your dada,

 

James Potter.

Mischief Managed.

 

We Are the Protectors in the Dark.'

 

Harry felt asleep that night hugging Dante to his chest, the heat radiating from the leucistic pup a comfort to the young kid. Hedwig keep vigil over his human, observing as tear tracks formed in his sleeping face.

 

 

 

Notes:

Well, combersations are had. And Harry finds mire than one surprise this day.
Yeop, the grimoire is the substitute to the Invisibility Cloack.
I struggled a lot with James's letter. It is a farewell letter, but I also wanted to include the "why" of the grimoire, whitout making it actually be a letter about that. Hope I acomplished it.
Thanks for reading!

Chapter 13: Life at Hogwarts

Notes:

Disclaimor: Don't own Harry Potter or Pokémon. I only own the original characters and the original Pokémon.
English is not my first language, so if you see spelling mistakes, don't hesitate in telling me.

 

It has been nearly a week since Harry came to Hogwarts, and living in the castle has been, almost, a great experience. The day after the talk with the Headmaster, Harry joined again the Battle Royal team in the morning and even battled again, against Fred this time. Fred won, completely. Harry could only describe the way Fred and his Pokémon battle as chaotic. But joining the team and battling Fred helped Harry greatly in calming and centering himself from his father’s letter. Calling Remus and Ned, who was getting anxious for his own first day of classes at Brightmindton School, was a great help too.

The rest of that second day was expend exploring more of the castle, getting lost a trillion times, again, to Daphne's great exasperation, and visiting the various clubs. Hogwarts has a lot of clubs. They range from the typical exports club, like football teams, to the Occult Club. They had to drag Blaise out of that one, the violet eyed boy was having way to much fun taking the mickey out of the members. They also did had to drag Ron out of the Bug Catchers Club, Harry thought that the redhead was going to murder someone when they visited that one. Ron didn’t stop complaint about the Bug Catchers giving a bad reputation to Bug Type specialist and Masters for a long, long time.

In the end, only Theo, Tracey and Neville joined more than one club. Theo joined the Reading Club while Tracey joined the Kickboxing Club and Neville the Gardening Club.

Though all of them joined one specific club together.

 

…

 

"What do you mean that we have to join the Battle Club?". Ron asked Daphne while they were walking around the castle grounds.

'At least Daphne’s comment have stoped his complaining', Harry thought with relief.

"Exactly what I said. We have to join".

"But why? We already have Battle Class".

"True, but the older years say that you never know if you are gonna have a good instructor for that class or not". Theo interjected absently while reading the pamphlets of the various clubs.

Blaise was guiding Theo while they walked. By the way the two were moving, it was clear to Harry that Blaise was more than used to serve as Theo’s walking guide.

"Oh! I think I heard two older years making a comment like that at the opening feast". Said Harry in realization.

"We have our perfects telling us this morning. Apparently the club has become another class. Professor Flitwick is in charge of the club, if we have a good professor for the subject that year, he only reinforces what we have been taught. If we don’t, he practically takes charge of the subject. The other professors also help when that is the case". Said Daphne.

"If we have a good professor this year? I thought professor Quirrell was simply taking the place of an old retiring professor". Harry asked surprised.

"Pfft! Not at all. He is like the twentieth professor or so to take the post for that class. There is a rumor that the subject is cursed, no professor has lasted more than two years in the post if they were lucky. There are rumors that some of them died at the end of their year of teaching". Blaise said with morbid fascination at the fact.

Mors produced some creepy sounds to accompany his statement, making poor Neville whimper.

"Professor Dumbledore has even called on teams of Curse Breakers and Aura Guardians to inspect the school. But none has been able to take care of it. I wonder what will happen to professor Quirrell at the end of the year". Pondered Blaise in macabre curiosity.

They all side-eyed him, with Artreos even changing his place in Ron’s right shoulder to the other to put more distance between him and Blaise.

"…Creepiness aside, for true that some of the statement may be, we have to join the Battle Club. I want to take over my familie's gym, and I wont let a subpar education hinder me to archive that goal". Daphne said firmly.

None could disagree with her in that.

Harry learned that they weren’t the only first years to have joined the club. In fact, all of the other first years also did at the prompting of the older years. Apparently, the ninety five percent of the student population was part of the club. Professor Flitwick had to divide the club in four groups of two years each for the first four years students while forming a group formed by the fifth, sixth and seventh years, with each group having a different schedule to take part in club activity. It really became another school’s class — poor Professor Flitwick must be overworked.

About joining some sport club to do the required exercise? lets just say that Neville, Ron, Theo, Daphne and Blaise will wait to their third year. Though Harry is trying to convince them in joining him in the mornings alongside the Battle Royal team, even Tracey who has already joined a sport club. Not much luck so far regretfully. Ron even blanched when Harry told them at what hour he wakes to spends the mornings with the team. Thought they at least joined Harry in the afternoon to train their Pokémon together.

 

…

 

While joining the team in the mornings and exploring the castle with his friends has been greatly enjoyable, the classes were a mixed bag of positive and negative experiences. Most of them positive if somewhat boring in some cases. Hogwarts teaches a great variety of classes pertaining to Pokémon, and those are the most entertaining ones, but it also teaches more normal curses. Hogwarts is the number one high school of the region for a reason, it not only produces great and successful trainers but it also produces great and successful people in general. That doesn’t mean that the students are that enthusiastic about learning math.

Though what really made the classes positive or negative for Harry were the professors themselves. Some like Professor Gesta and Ansatz, the professors for Sciences and Maths respectively, paused at Harry’s name while taking attendance and gazed at Harry for an awkward minute before composing themselves and moving one. Others, like Professor Flitwick, had a more enthusiastic reaction, if embarrassing for both the professor and Harry. Professor Flitwick is a man on his fifties with black hair and a mustache that has to use a footstool to address his students due to his dwarfism. Regretfully when he reached Harry's name in the attendance list he fell from the stool. Thought this didn’t distract from his competency as a professor, being one of the most well liked and respected professor of the school. That professor Flitwick is in charge of the Battle Club and teaches the Introduction to Aura class also helps, even if they are just doing theory work at the moment.

Others didn’t even react at his name, something Harry was grateful for. Professor Taylor, who teaches Art, was enthusiastic in all her greetings to her students no matter who they were. Art was also one of the classes with the fewest students with only ten attending it and being shared with all the School Houses. Harry and Dean Thomas were the only Gryffindors in the class, and none of Harry’s other friends shared the subject with him. Though Harry tried to not be bothered by this and took it as an opportunity to get to know other students. Dean and his Smeragle ended being quite the enjoyable company and they were usually joined by Justin Finch-Fletchley and his Shinx. Justins was also one of the only three Hufflepuffs in the class. The other two being Zacharias Smith, a dirty blonde haired boy who could pass as Malfoy’s relative with his pompous attitude, and Jean Bull, a turquoise short haired tomboyish girl. None of the three Hufflepuffs seemed to be particularly close, contrasting with the perceived image of the house.

Harry, Justin and Dean ended partnering in many occasions when there was a group project. Harry couldn’t help but to also notice that Justin’s little Shinx didn’t seem so little anymore, the little electric feline seemed to grow by the day at great jumps.

The Professors Celestic were another ones that didn’t react to his name. Professor Ekatarina Celestic was the first of the married couple the first years has classes with. Professor Mitre Celestic, her husband, they had classes with latter in the week. It seemed that the department of History was also the one for Geography, as the two professors divided the two subjects between themselves. Harry was pleasantly surprised when the stories told by the older years about History class ended being untrue. It seemed that replacing Professor Binns was a great move, as Professor Ekatarina was a great and engaging teacher.

 

…

 

The group of first years, a mix of Gryffindors and Slytherins, shuffled their way into the History classroom. Almost unanimously the two houses parted ways to practically divide the room in two sides, the only exception being Harry’s group of friends who decided to sit close together much to the confused looks of the Gryffindors and the annoyed ones of the Slytherins. Looks that Harry and the others promptly ignored.

The professor wasn’t there at the moment, two minutes still remaining to the start of the class, but a Probopass was there making sure they all behaved. All the first years were quite fidgety, History was the second class of the day were they didn’t have their Pokémon physically with them but inside their PokeBalls instead. Not having their partners presence beside them was a sensation that none really liked.

Not a minute has passed that the professor walked into the room.

"Good morning class! Welcome to History". Professor Celestic greeted with a slight Sinnohan accent while she walked towards the blackboard behind the teacher’s desk.

The professor smiled at the nervous greetings the first years gave in return, but didn’t comment or seem bothered by it.

"My name is Ekatarina Celestic". She introduced herself while writing her name on the board. "You can call me Professor Ekatarina, seeing as there are two professor Celestic in the school". Professor Ekatarina said with a smile directed towards her students. "Now, let my first take attendance before continuing. Please say ‘here’ and raise your hand when I read your names".

The professor took quick attendance, pausing momentarily to look at each students to try to put face to name. Harry was quite pleased when she took the same amount of time to do so with him as she did with the others.

"Okey class, open your notebooks and take a pen. Today we will be going thought the course goals for this school year, so pay attention. First of all, as first years we will be going through…"

Professor Ekatarina started explaining how the class would be run, what subjects would they be touching on, her speciations on schoolwork and class participation, how much that counts to the final grade alongside the exams, and such things while writing it all on the board and only pausing to clarify and answer the questions that popped up. Hermione Granger was the one with more questions, the busy haired girl seemed to have her hand permanently in the air.

"…those are all the course goals". She finished before giving a quick look at the grandfather clock present in the classroom. "Good, we still have a little over thirty minutes. I usually like to give a little test to see where you are all at, it doesn’t count for your grades don’t worry. But there is something going on in the world right now, that I think it’s really exciting. So, why don’t we go over something special today?". Professor Ekatarina asked rhetorically with certain pep to her talk.

The professor walked to stand at the front of her desk and leaned on it.

"Now, who of you can tell me what historical moment is happening right now?". The professor asked, when she saw confused looks on the first years faces she gave a little clue. "Come on kids, I know you know about it, is on the news every day. Oh, and please, take notes, I’m sure this will help you for classes at the end of the year when we revisit the subject".

They all fidgeted in their seats a little confused until an hesitant hand rose from the front of the classroom.

"Yes, Ms. Granger?".

"…Are you talking about Paldea joining the League Union?"

"Excellent!, that’s precisely it. Who can tell me why it is such an important moment in history?".

More hands where lifted this time with much less hesitation.

"Mr. Nott".

"It has been twelve years since a region joined the Union, Galar was the last one to do so".

"Correct, five points to Slytherin. The joining of a region to the Union is a historical moment for our history. Like Mr. Nott just said, the last one to do so was Galar twelve years ago. Such long periods of time between Regions joining are quite the norm. Now, we will go over the forming of the League Union latter on the year, but who can tell me who where the founders of the institution".

Harry raised his hand with some others this time.

"Mr. Potter".

"It was formed by the regions of Kanto, Jotho and Hoenn in 2054. But the idea was formed in 2047 between the regions of Kanto and Jotho, the two also known as Indigo".

"Correct, Mr. Potter. Five points to Gryffindor. And you have inadvertently brought what I wanted to talk about. Now, who knows why the Union was formed in 2054 instead of 2047? Why wait seven years, almost a decade, to create the League Union?".

None lifted their hand this time, not even Granger.

"Well then, its simple. Because Hoenn wasn’t “discovered” by the Indigo regions till that date". Answered the professor when none volunteered. "Kanto and Jotho, and all the other regions, knew of the existence of one another, but lost contact after the Second Regional War. In our world, that lose of contact can mean never knowing about the other regions ever again". Professor Ekatarina gave then a serious look. "Say, who can tell me how many regions where involved in the Second Regional War?". She paused but none ventured to answer. "At the time of the conflict, people could go and visit and travel and all those things, between thirty-two different Regions".

They all gasped at the number.

"No way!"

"That many Regions are out there!? That's crazy!"

All the first years started to talk over each other.

"Now, now, class settle down". The Professor commanded before continuing when they did. "An impressive number compared to now, isn’t it?. And even at that time, it was known that those thirty-two regions weren’t more that a quarter of all the world". She informed with a excited smile. "Knowing that we did have contact with so many regions before that war, who can tell me why is taking so long to ‘discover’ or ‘rediscover’, however you want to say it, all the regions again?".

This time there where some hands lifted, thought all of the first years where quite excited about the topic they were discussing even if they didn’t know the answer.

"Ms. Bulstrode".

"The Pokémon, professor. It’s one of the Consecuences of War. When there is such large conflict and bloodshed, Pokémon grow dangerous and extremely territorial. When said conflict ends, the Pokémon usually take over the traveling, exports and import routes used between the regions. Not that they actually know that, of course. It can take years for those routes to be usable again, and that is if information about said routes still exist after the conflict or even if said information is still valid. Such huge conflicts, with Pokémon involved, can result in enormous changes in the landscape of the land".

"Excellent answer, Ms. Bulstrode, well done!. Take ten points for such a complete answer".

Bulstrode blushed at the praise, looking down at her notebook to avert her gaze while her housemates congratulated her. Harry was surprised, it seemed that appearances were really deceiving. Bulstrode looked like the feminine counterpart of Crabbe and Goyle, but she actually has a brain between her ears.

"Ms. Bulstrode has explained it perfectly. At the end of such huge scale wars, the regions must expend a lot of resources and money to ‘rediscover’ old routes between regions, many times having to search for new ways to reach them. This type of jobs are called the Expedition Rangers, and they are formed by trainers of Elite level minimum. It is one of the most dangerous jobs out there. And they are not only in charge of rediscovering old known Regions, but of discovering totally new ones. After all, as I said earlier, those thirty-two regions we knew about and were part of, were only a quarter of the world".

"Of course, with the advances in technology that we are seeing, making contact with other regions is much more easy. Although the routes still need to be made secure, something technology can’t do. Now, here’s the thing, usually a Region joins the League Union almost the moment they are discovered. Not all of them do, of course, the Ranger Regions are a clear example of that. As are Kalos and Galar who joined much latter after having been ‘discovered’, just like Paldea. In fact, these three regions where discovered practically together, but while it has been almost twenty years since Kalos decided to join and more than ten for Galar, Paldea just now is doing so".

"The thing is though, that will many regions decide to not join The League Union, all the ‘discovered’ Regions joined the International Conference of Regions almost immediately. All but Paldea. Who can tell me what is the International Conference?".

Harry was one of the few students that raised their hand, the others being Theo, Malfoy, Bulstrode and Granger. The bespectacled boy was given thanks to Professor McGonagall for her explanation when they were in the meeting with the Headmaster.

"Mr. Potter". Called Professor Ekatarina after taking a moment to decide between him and Granger.

It seemed the professor wanted to call a student for the opposite house at each question to gave equal opportunity to the houses. That seemed fair to Harry.

"It’s a…legislative body?, like the Legue Union. But its members include more than the Pokémon Regions like Yggsill or Hoenn and the others are, but also the Ranger Regions like Almia or Floresta. They are in charge of creating international laws that affect all the inhabitants of the regions, be they Trainers, Rangers or civilians". Answered Harry while trying to remember all that professor McGonagall explained.

"Correct Mr. Potter, take five points. But it isn’t precisely a legislative body, but an economic and political union between the Regions". Professor Ekatarina corrected for the class who noted the term in their notebooks. "Now, in contrast to the League Union, the International Conference was created in 2039 as a response to Grindelwald's regime. And while the member regions lost contact after the war, many were able to maintain routes between themselves. Kanto, Johto and Floresta are ones to do so, just like Yggill, Sinnoh and Almia, and Unova and Alola".

"Now, the International Conference has done many things, like creating international laws, centralizing the economy by creating the Pokedollar and making the regions take it as their coin,… But while all the other Regions joined this body, Paldea didn’t till now. This had many repercussions, one of them is the presence of foreign Pokémon in the other Regions, for example. Though there are many restrictions about bringing foreign Pokémon to the different regions, being part of the International Conference lessen those restrictions and being part of The League Union does it much more. This is one of the reasons why Paldea joining is such a big deal. While you could find Pokémon indigenous to the other regions in any of the others, you couldn’t do so with Paldean ones. Paldea joining the two bodies is going to change many things, and that is one of them".

"Now, on last question before we end the class. Why has Paldea taken so long in joining the wider world? Why it had such isolationist policies?"

It seemed Harry wasn’t the only one to have noticed the professor alternating between the houses, since only the Slytherin students raised their hands, not even Granger raised hers.

"Ms. Greengrass".

"They were under a dictatorship, professor. And they have just now stabilized their new government to an extent where they feel secure in approaching us".

"Correct, Ms. Greengrass. Take five points. Now, take note of the term ‘dictatorship’, we will be going over such kind of governments on a later date".

Just then the bell rang signaling the end of the class.

"Before you all go, there wont be schoolwork, but please read ahead on your books. We are going to start learning Prehistory in the next class". Informed the Professor stoping the first years on collecting their things. "You may go now".

All the students scrambled to gather their things and exit the classroom. Many goodbyes where called by the students to professor Ekatarina while doing so.

 

…

 

Professors Ekatarina and Mitre were quickly gaining a good reputation between the students.

While many could agree, after experiencing Hogwarts, that the school lived to its reputation, that doesn’t meant that everyone liked all the subjects on the school or the professors. While Harry liked Professor Sprout, a tiny and plump woman with a smile always on her face that is also the head of Hufflepuff house, he didn’t like her subject that much. Herbology just wasn’t Harry’s forte, taking care of plants brought some unpleasant memories to the surface of his time with the Dursleys.

The first year students also learned quickly that if they payed proper attention in class, they could apply what they learned in one class into the others. Professor McGonaggall’s class, Ties, Relationships and Evolutionary methods of Pokémon or just TREP, and professor Kettleburn‘s class, Pokémon Care and Raising or just Pokémon Care, were at the moment going through similar subjects. Though each professor oriented their teaching towards their specific field of studies.

At the moment, the two professor were teaching how to take care of their Pokémon. The difference was that while professor McGonagall was orienting it towards strengthening their bonds with their Pokémon and how that bond can affect evolution, professor Kettleburn was teaching it in a more biological, and even medical, approach.

 

…

 

All the first years found themselves inside the classroom for TREP. One of the only subjects that was taught to all the students at the same time, Professor McGonagall was lecturing to all thirty eight first years students. The TREP classroom was probably one of the biggest rooms of the castle, actually having capacity to hold double the students currently inside. Being able to control and teach so many students at the same time really showed professor McGonagall powers as a teacher. Although this small number of students in Harry’s year group probably helped her a lot.

"…a good relationship with your Pokémon can change the outcome of their evolutions and your battles. Many scoff at this, until the Pokémon of the trainer they are fighting still stands conscious and ready to fight after receiving a blow that should have made them lose the battle". Professor McGonagall was lecturing in a none nonsense tone. "This is due to the fact that a good relationship with your Pokémon makes it easier for your Aura to connect and support your Pokémon, as they will be more comfortable with your presence and your aura connecting with theirs. It also effects evolution in two ways, there is one quite obvious that everyone knows about and one less so. Ms. Bones, can you guess what they are?".

In contrast with Professor Ekatarina, Professor McGonagall liked to first call students at random instead of asking for volunteers first. Bones was startled at being called, looking up from her notebook where she has been taking notes.

"The Friendship Evolution and…I…I don’t know the other". Bones answered with an embarrassed face.

"Three points to Hufflepuff, Ms. Bones. Don’t worry, the other effect isn’t quite as known. Someone can hazard a guess?…Ms. Granger".

"After evolution, many Pokémon can end attacking their trainers. The evolution process can be very stressful and painful, and the Pokémon lash out at that pain. Having a good and healthy relationship with your Pokémon lessens and even negates such a possibility".

"Three points to Gryffindor. That is exactly it, Ms. Granger. The only known evolutionary method that doesn’t have this risk is the Friendship Evolution. Now, lets see if you all know how your Pokémon evolves. Please, raise your hands if any of your Pokémon evolves this way".

Only two students raised their hands, Lavender Brown and Robb Hunt. Lavender has a Budew sitting beside her Snubbull, while Robb has a Zubat that was using his Yamper’s head as a perch.

"Mr. Hunt, how does Zubat evolve?". Asked Professor McGonagall with a raised eyebrow.

Some snickered thinking that he must have been wrong to raise his hand, but Robb straightened on his seat and ignored the snickers.

"Zubat to Golbat is a Strength Evolution. Zubat evolves after gaining enough experience while battling and training. But, Golbat to Crobat is a Friendship Evolution". He answered confidently.

Professor McGonagall’s face gained an approving air at his answer, giving him a nod of confirmation.

"Good. A point to Gryffindor and another to Ravenclaw for your correctly raised hands, Ms. Brown, Mr. Hunt. Take three extra points for you answer, Mr. Hunt. Now, if you want your Pokémon that need friendship to evolve, to do just that, you will need to gain that friendship first. At the same time, if you want to evade being attacked by your Pokémon after they go through their evolution, you will also want to form this close bond. How to approach your Pokémon after evolving is also important, and we will go over the best way to go about it for each typgo during this year. But first, Mr. Potter, could you tell us what are the riskiest Elemental Types one must be more careful in approaching if their Pokémon evolves and belongs to said type?".

Harry paused on his note taking, he knew what the Professor was talking about. Seeing as his Pokémon represented two of said types, Harry has stumbled upon said information while researching ways to train Hedwig and Dante.

"Yes, professor. There are five that are cautioned to approach carefully after evolution. With more caution than the others at least. Dragon, Ghost, Psychic, Dark and Flying. The first four it’s caused by Challenged Dominance, they look to see if their trainer is worthy of them, be it spiritually, mentally or physically. Or even the three at the same time. The Flying type is because, after evolution, they momentarily forget who their trainer is. Even so, it is recommended to maintain eye contact and a neutral expression with the five types". Harry answered.

Harry found that a little estrange, since with most animals is recommended to do exactly the opposite. To not make eye contact. That goes to show the difference between animals and Pokémon.

"Correct, five points to Gryffindor. Nevertheless, please take into account that there are exceptions to the rule. As there is, of course, a lot more to it. Something you will learn in your coming school years. Now, one of the methods of gaining said friendship is by taking care of your Pokémon through grooming. Seeing as we have such large variety of species, I will teach you how to best take care of each of them. Get your grooming kits, and lest start". Said professor McGonagall.

With that, the rest of the class was spend with Professor McGonagall approaching each student and teaching the class how to take care of their Pokémon’s needs. How to brush their fur, take care of their feathers, their scales, make sure their claws where healthy, and all those kind of things.

Harry wasn’t sure if he should thank Remus for having shown him how to do this on the summer or not, as this part of the class was somewhat repetitive to him. Though he supposed that he should be thankful that his fears of being behind his year mates were for naught.

 

…

 

"…to take care of noticing any bumps in the skin, discoloration in the fur, feathers or scales, and any kind of irritation. Grooming your Pokémon must not only be an activity you do to gain a closer bond, or make them look pretty, but to also notice if your Pokémon has any kind of anomaly not visible at first sight. It will also help to make sure they aren’t hurt. Many Pokémon tend to try and hide their injuries, those recently caught are the ones to do that more often". Professor Kettleburn was instructing while the students were grooming their Pokémon.

Like in TREP, the class was composed by students form all the houses.

The explanation of how to groom their partners was pretty similar to the one professor McGonagall did the previous day. TREP and Pokémon Care are taught on different days of the week, so the students weren’t grooming their Pokémon more than once a day. Grooming your Pokémon more than the required amount can be detrimental to their health after hall.

Professor Kettleburn was an intimidating looking old man with a kind but mischievous personality that contrasted with his appearance. Tall and slender with missing legs replaced by cybernetic prosthetics and scars all over his body. Many of the first years were quite intimidated by him, thought that changed after they knew of the kind nature of the professor. It further changed to admiration when they learned that he was part of the Expedition Rangers before becoming a professor when he almost lost his life in the expedition that ‘discovered’ Unova.

"For those of you that have Pokémon with additional body parts, or that their bodies are formed by other substances than just flesh and bones, you will need to make sure that there isn’t anything unusual about their appearance. For example, Mr. Zabini, you should make sure that the pearls around your Misdreavus neck don’t lose their luster. That is clear indication of falling health".

Blaise nodded at the professor words, taking care to inspect each of Mors pearls.

The class continued like that for the first half of it. The Professor going around the classroom and teaching each student about the different ways to take care of their partners. Care was taught in a building separated form the main castle, and was surrounded in one side by exercise machines and obstacle courses that reminded Harry of The Kennel back home, although geared towards all kinds of Pokémon instead of just canines. In the other side was the Hogwarts Corral were the Pokémon of the students and Professors tend to pass their day while not accompanying their trainers.

Today the first years found themselves inside the building. The grooming area to be exact. Just as Fred said, the grooming facility used in Pokemon Care outclassed the one present at the gym court. Harry really wanted to take a look at the one used in Contest Class, he really didn’t know how that one could be better than this one. The building used for Pokémon Care was divided in three, a classroom, the grooming area and a medic bay. That last area they haven’t seen yet.

"Okey class, lets finish the day with something new". Professor Kettleburn said when there was half the time of the class remaining. "Today we are going to learn were do your Pokémon come from. We are going to learn their genetic history". He said with an excited smile on his face. "Please, collect your things and follow me". 

The first years hurried to do so. 'Well, it seems we are finally going to see the room', Harry thought when he saw that they were being directed towards the medic bay.

Entering the room, the first years found themselves in a space that seemed taken out of a sci-fi movie. More than one first year grew a little nervous in the room. Nobody likes hospitals, and if said hospital looks like a super advanced science lab combined with an operation room they like it less.

Harry did have to stop Dante from leaving the room when he realized that the place was actually for Pokemon and not humans, and Harry wasn’t the only one to have to do that. Professor Kettleburn laughed at their reaction.

"Don’t worry, nobody is going to experiment on you. The machines may look scary, but none of them will need more than a little sample of your blood or spite to function, if at all". He said with a kind voice that was colored with mirth. "Maybe urine too". He added only half joking.

There were many sounds of disgust at that, thought it served its purpose in relaxing them all.

"You are always like this, old man. Why can’t you explain to them what its here before bringing them inside?". A voice suddenly said from another doorway.

The class found a pink haired woman in a nurse’s outfit standing in a doorway to the left of were the first years had entered from. A Blissey was at her side with a nurse’s hat on her head.

"Ahh, Nurse Joy, you are just in time". Said Professor Kettleburn disregarding her question completely.

The Joys were quite the prominent family in the world. A family specially attuned to the healing arts, they had spread world wide to all the regions. They are so spread in fact, that nobody knows were the main branch of the family originates from. They are known for their pink hair and the fact that almost all of them end on the medical field, be it the Pokémon Medical field, Animal Medical field, or Human Medical field. In contrast to many propaganda and other media sources, the family also has men born in the family and, with the exception of the pink air, they don’t look like clones of each other.

"Hello children". said Nurse Joy with a kind smile while approaching the aged professor.

"Hello, Nurse Joy". They all chorused.

"Kids, this is Samantha Joy. One of the two nurses working under Madam Pomfrey. If your Pokémon needs healing and you are outside the castle, or are simple nearer to the Pokémon Care class area, come here and she will tidy them up. In fact, this is machinery you will find in any Pokémon Center, so of course this room is used as such. In the Medical Wing of the castle you will find something very similar, if you convince Poppy to show it to you of course".

They all looked with renewed interest at the room, taking in all the machines and apparatus around it.

"Are we going to learn how to use all of this?". Padma Patil asked being intrigued by the prospect after raising her hand.

"Not so, Ms. Patil. What we are going to use, is this". Professor Kettleburn pointed at a machine on one of the walls of the room while approaching it.

The machine looked like a round medical scale connected to a huge computer like device. Another one was beside it.

"This is a genetic scanner. It’s similar to the one used by the Pokédex to scan Pokémon, but much more powerful and advanced. This little pice is the actual scanner". Explained the professor while pointing at a tall and narrow piece of metal that has nothing of little, that reminded Harry of one of those Fluorescent Tubes, and was attached to the big circular scale. "This piece while rotated around the scale while scanning the Pokémon atop of it, at the same time that we will insert some genetic fluid, if possible, here". Continued the professor while pointing at a small circular plug, that had a crystal vial inserted on it, that was on the computer like device itself.

"What genetic fluid?". Lavender asked while eyeing the tube and clutching her Snubbull to her chest.

"Ah, that depends".

"On what?". There was a hitch on Lavender’s voice.

"Ms. Brown, relax. Nothing is going to happen to your Pokémon". Nurse Joy spoke to calm the young girl while sending a scolding look at the professor. "Like the old man said,…"

"Would you stop calling me ‘old man’!".

"… we will only need a sample of their blood or saliva, nothing more. I will be helping, but we will need you to form two groups. We will be collecting medical data of your Pokémon to start or update their Health History. So those of you that had already gone to the Hospital Wing to have your Pokémon cured before today only need for their Pokémon to have spit samples taken, since they will already have had it done there. If that is the case, please go with Professor Kettleburn. If you haven’t gone to the Hospital Wing before today, you are with me".

The first years did as told, with more then half the class going to Nurse Joys side. Only Harry, Theo, Tracey, Justin Finch-Fletchley, the Patil Twins, Robb Hunt, Sally-Anne Perks, Michael Corner, Seva Iles and Milicent Bulstrode stayed beside Professor Kettleburn.

"What about Ceo, professor? They don’t produce any kind of fluid". Asked Granger while petting her starter steely body.

"Excellent question, Ms. Granger. Three point to Gryffindor. For Pokémon like Beldum that are formed by inorganic mater, and don’t have any part of their body that is organic for us to take a sample off, we need to scrap very carefully at the surface of their body to acquire some shavings. Very similar as you would do while grooming them, were you have to polish their body, or even sand them in some cases to help rid their body of any anomalies and help regenerate that part of their body. But just in a small area this time and, of course, collecting the shavings the Pokémon have left behind".

Granger nodded at his explanation, noting it in her notebook.

"Professor?".

"Yes, Ms. Davis?".

"You haven’t told us what we are exactly doing here".

"Oh, of course. Well class, like I said earlier, we are going to learn about your Pokémon’s genetic backgrounds. These machines will tell us who were their parents, their grandparents, if they have any sort of genetic mutation or anomaly-"

"Why would we need to know that?". Interrupted Malfoy with a bored drawl.

"Five points from Slytherin Mr. Malfoy, raise your hand first or ask for my attention respectfully like Ms. Davis just did". Professor Kettleburn scolded sharply before looking at the rest of the students. "Can someone guess why knowing this could be beneficial?…Mr. Boot?".

"Who the ancestors of our Pokémon are can affect many things about them. From their egg moves, if they get any, to physical characteristics in their appearance. It can also alter their behavior slightly".

"Good answer, five point to Ravenclaw. Knowing this will help you understand your pokemon better, ‘why they comport themselves like this when others of their species don’t?’, ‘why has the doctor or the nurse at the Pokémon center said they had a deficiency in x nutrient when I’m giving them the food specific for their species?’, or even ‘how are they able to learn a certain move that is supposed to be impossible for them to learn even as an egg move?’. Knowing the genetic background of your Pokémon can change the way you train and interact with them in many forms and ways".

Professor Kettleburn gazed at his students with a serious expression after he finished talking to make sure they all understood what he was saying.

"Now, while I help you collect swaps of their spite for the machine and Nurse Joy takes blood samples with Blissey’s help, I will tell you what I want you to do. This is schoolwork due to the next Wednesday, so you have a week to do it".

The nurse, Blissey and Professor started going through their respective groups to take the needed samples.

"After scanning your Pokémon I will give you the information produced by the machine and I want you to research what effects that information can have in your Pokémon". Explained professor Kettleburn while he was swapping Dante’s check with a cotton swab. "For example, with Mr.Potter’s Houndour, he will have to explain how his condition…"

"Leucism, professor".

"…leucism. Thank you, Mr. Potter. He will have to explain how his leucism affects his Houndour. What health implications does it have and what health care those he need. Another example would be if it turns out that one of Houndour’s…Sorry, does he have a nickname?".

"Yes, professor. It’s Dante". Answered Harry while scratching Dante behind his hear.

"Oooh, fitting. Nice name. Anyway, if it turns out that one of Dante’s parent was a… lets say a Stoutland, what does that mean for Dante?. Does he need some changes on his diet? Is his behavior closer to the Lillipup line’s? Is his fur a little longer than other Houndours because of his Stoutland parent? Does he has a shorter snout? Is it because of this Stoutland parent? How does this affect his bite strength?… Those are the sort of question I want all of you to research. No more than four pages of length, any more and I will not take your work and you will receive a cero".

Harry saw Granger pull a face of shocked disbelief at that.

"Hum, professor? What abut those of us that have more than one partner?". Lavender asked hesitantly.

"Don’t worry, Ms. Brown. I will not have you write two essays, I will just have you write one about one of your Pokémon for next Wednesday. But I spect you to also research all about your other partner. What’s more, I expect you to do this kind of research any time you capture a new companion. I won’t be asking for another essay, but I will be asking you questions about them that I expect you to be able to answer".

 

…

 

Classes continued like that, all of them quite fascinating. The students promptly started to fall into routine and acquire favorite professors, subjects and even days. For Harry, his favorite subject was turning to be Pokémon Care, followed closely by Introduction To Aura. Battle Class could have been one of his favorites too, but there was something about professor Quirrell that Harry didn’t like. He actually was a good professor, so the students got lucky this year, but there was something strange about Quirrell. Harry could swear to have seen his eyes turn from their usual blue to a plain brown at times, something that was always accompanied with a small stutter.

Regarding favorite days, for many, if not all, Friday was the best day if they didn’t count Saturday and Sunday. The last day of the school week and, in contrast with Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, it didn’t have forty minutes of Physical Education with Madam Hooch at the end of the school day, right after midday lunch, from half past three until ten past four. Harry didn’t mind PE like most of his year mates did, he didn’t even mind that he basically exercises two times in the day. Harry didn’t like Fridays that much actually. He thought that the Friday’s classes were quite boring, being the day with the most normal classes of the school weekend.

Although Harry actually hated Thursdays. They not only have Astronomy from ten to eleven at night in the Astronomy Tower, instead of from quarter to eight to eight forty in the morning on the Planetarium situates on the first floor, like they did on Tuesdays. They also have potions that day.

Potions was starting to become Harry’s least favorite subject, and all thanks to the professor. Professor Snape. The first Potion class on Wednesday was absolutely disastrous, for Harry at least.

 

…

 

"What do we have after recess again?". Asked Harry.

Harry, his friends and their Pokémons were in one of the castles courtyards passing the time under the shadow of a tree, enjoying the brief moment of respite they got after three hours of Wednesday classes. They still needed to go through another three hours of more classes, plus the forty minutes of physical education under Madam Hooch, before calling it a day regretfully.

"Potions with the Slytherins. Can you imaging? A full hour in the company of slimy snakes?". Ron said jokingly.

Tracey threw him a twig for his comment, earning a laugh from the red head.

"Oh, its taught by professor Snape, right? He is your head of house, isn’t he?. How’s he like?".

"Couldn’t really say, only interacted with him once after the start of the year feast". Theo answered distractedly, a heavy frown on his face.

Theo was sitting beside Harry, going through the math assignment they got yesterday. Harry already did his, math actually being one of his favorite normal subjects, and offered his help to Theo, but the brunette boy wanted to do it whiteout help. Even if his scowl only grew more pronounced by the minute. Neville was at Harry’s other side also doing their math schoolwork but, in contrast to Theo, Neville didn’t have any problems accepting Harry’s help.

"He doesn’t have the best of reputations though". Interjected Daphne. The blonde girl looked up from petting Boreas to look at Theo, to the disgruntled whine of the ice fox. "You know that we still have the afternoon to finish our schoolwork right? Don’t need to stress yourself in the thirty minutes of recess we have".

Theo’s only response was to scowl harder at his unfinished math problem.

"What kind of reputation are we talking about?". Asked Harry.

"A bad one". Daphne, and surprisingly Ron, answered together.

The two looked at each other a little startled at having spoken at the same time. That got a snicker from the rest of them. Except Theo, he was to busy trying to set his schoolwork on fire with just his gaze. Harry didn’t know the other boy could look like that, it was kind of terrifying to be honest.

"The twins say that he has it for the non Slytherin students, specially Gryffindors". Ron continued after a moment.

"And are we believing the twins?". Asked Neville.

"Yeah, not the most reliable source of information". Said Tracey in support of Neville.

Just under a week at Hogwarts, and all the first years learned of the reputation the twins had at school. They are a good laugh and great company, if they aren’t pranking you, but it’s best to take whatever they say with a grain of salt. Never know if they are being serious with their information or not with those two.

Before Ron could say anything in response, the bell signaling the end of recess ringed through the castle.

"Seems we will have to find out for ourselves". Said Harry.

The septet made their way to the dungeons, were the Potions classroom was situated. They reluctantly returned their Pokémon to their PokeBalls after reaching their destination, Potions being one of the subjects where their Pokémon weren’t allowed inside the classroom. They could also be let out outside the classroom so they could roam the castle, but it’s an unwritten norm that trainers must always have at least one of their Pokémon beside them. Even if that meant in their PokeBalls. The older years alternate between their team members and let the others outside. Many of the Pokémon actually pass their day in the Hogwarts corral if they are not needed for one of the classes or for battling.

The group was the last to get there, the other first years already present. Beside their group, it seemed that the other first years Slytherins and Gryffindors were more than happy to adder to the rivalry between the houses. The students of each house were in opposite sides of the corridor with the door to the potion classroom between them. Draco seemed to be the center of the Slytherins, with only Eliot Cadmus and Lisa Turpin not crowning around him.

Draco sent a haughty sneer at Harry’s group, clearly displeased with the mixed houses group they formed. Only Blaise reacted, and only to send him a smirk that annoyed the blonde boy.

The first years didn’t need to wait much longer to be let in, professor Snape opened the door to the classroom before Malfoy could do or say anything.

"Inside". Was professor Sanpe’s curt order.

They all scrambled to do so. Harry ended being paired with Theo at the front of the classroom. Despite its location on the dungeons, the potion classroom looked perfectly normal. A lab classroom with wide rectangular lab stations scattered through it that were positioned in such a way that all looked at the front of the classroom, were the teacher’s desk and blackboard were situated. The blackboard already written with instructions.

Snape started his class like the rest of his colleges, taking attendance. Like many of them, he also stoped at Harry’s name, though his reaction was particularly different.

"Oh, yes…Harry Potter, our new…celebrity". Snape whispered.

Draco and his posse snickered at that while Harry fought the urge to frown at the professor.

"In this classroom…you are here to learn the subtle science and art of potion making". Snape continued in a whisper after finishing going through the student’s list. He was so intimidating with his billowing black clothing, tall and imposing frame, black eyes set on a sickly pale white face, black medium length greasy hair and crooked yellow teeth, that his mere presence made the class be in total silence. Something that allowed his voice to be carried whiteout any problems. "Many of you wont appreciate the subject…thinking it a waste of time since you could simple buy any potion in a PokéMart…not appreciating the beauty of a simmering fire under a brewing elixir, the delicate power of the liquids that travel through the veins of Pokémon and humans alike…I can teach you to bottle fame, create glory, and stop death on his tracks…if you are more than the dunderheads that I am habitually forced to teach".

Silence reigned in the classroom after his speech. Harry and Theo exchanged wide eyed glances. Hermione Granger was vibrating with anxiety on her seat beside a troubled Sally-Anne Perks.

"Potter". Snape suddenly called. "What would I get if I were to add root powder of Chesto Berry to liquified Dream Mist?".

Harry was flummoxed by the question, he didn’t remember reading anything about it in any of his books. Harry side eyed Theo, expecting to find him as confused as he was, only to find him with his face almost totally schooled into an impassive mask while he didn’t avert his gaze from Snape. A tightness around his eyes the only thing that truly betrayed his emotions. That only made Harry felt more anxious about the question, something that wasn’t helped by Granger waving her hand in the air.

Harry was almost certain that the Chesto Berry was used to wake a pokemon from induced sleep, but he didn’t know that the roots of the berry could also be utilized and Harry didn’t know what was Dream Mist either. Going by what he knew of the berry, and going by the implication given by the name Dream Mist, Harry tried for an answer that he was sure was incorrect.

"I…maybe…I mean, it could make a cure for…a cure to wake Pokémon from sleep…". Harry answered insecure, trying to make himself smaller under the cold gaze of the professor.

Snape sneered at his answer, ignoring completely Granger's hand.

"Wrong, Potter…Well, well…It seems that fame isn’t…everything. Pity…Let’s try again, were would you search to find a Revival Herb?".

Granger’s hand was lifted higher if possible. Harry tried to ignore her the same way he was trying to ignore Draco and his group’s sinkers that they weren’t trying to even conceal. Harry heard a quiet sharp intake of air coming from behind him, were Neville was seated.

"I…I don’t know, sir". Harry ended responding. He couldn’t even think now, where could he even find information on that, Plants, Fungi, Berry and Apricorns?. If it was there, he couldn’t remember.

"It seems you didn’t felt the need to open your books before coming…Am I right, Potter?".

'No, you aren’t', thought Harry while making sure to not change his expression. He has read all his books more than once before coming to Hogwarts, he was way to anxious of being behind to not do so. But he just couldn’t remember reading about anything that could help him answer the questions. Much less while under Sanpe’s cold gaze. It was making Harry felt small in a way he hadn’t experienced since leaving the Dursleys, and he didn’t like it.

Snape was still ignoring Grangers hand, it almost looked like he forgot the other student in the classroom.

"What is the different, Potter, between Lum and Ziuela?".

Granger stood from her chair at that question, her hand extended completely to the ceiling.

"I don’t know, sir". Harry replied with feigned calmness, his temper starting to rise. "Why don’t you ask someone else? I think Granger knows the answer".

Sanpe’s face gained an angry red on his cheeks. Some snickered at his answer, Harry caught a subtle upturn of Theo’s lips.

"Sit down!". Sanpe shouted at Granger. "For your information, Potter. Chesto Berry’s root with Dream Mist produces the most potent sleeping draught in the world, so potent that it’s known as the Draught of Living Death. Revival Herbs can be found inside the territories of tree like Pokémon and serves to help in the healing of even the most severe of live or death injuries. Lum and Ziuela, for their part, are the same plant, the Lum Berry, known to cure all kinds of status conditions. Well, why aren’t you all taking notes?".

The students scrambled to take out their notebooks to write all he had said.

"And Potter, that will be one point from Gryffindor for your insolence".

Things didn’t improve for the Gryffindors in the course of the class. Snape didn’t explain anything, not the course goals like the other professors did, not the lab safety rules, not how to prepare ingredients, not why some parts of the same ingredient have different effects…he just pointed at the blackboard and told them to follow the instructions written on it, and to get to work while he was walking around the classroom while looming behind the students, specially the Gryffindor, waiting for them to make a mistake so he could berate them for it. Draco and almost all of the Slytherins were saved of the treatment, even getting praised when their finished potions were as good as the ones produced by the Gryffindors. Theo, Blaise, Daphne and Tracey were the only Slytherins to receive some kind of criticism, not to the extent of the Gryffindors but they still received it. It seems that Sanpe is that petty as to be offended about the four Slytherins getting along with people outside of their house.

"And what do we have here?…it seems like someone can’t follow simple instructions". Drawled Snape in his whispering voice.

Snape was looming over Harry and Theo, looking with cold eyes and a small sneer at their finished potion inside their Erlenmeyer Flask. The potion they were making was a simple Potion, the one easily found and purchased in any PokeMark, and it was an almost clear light blue color really close to the supposed shade it should have. But it seems Sanpe took exception on that, totally ignoring potions like Draco’s who has turned to a sky blue color or Goyle’s and Crabbe’s that was actually green.

"A Healing Potion, sir". Theo answered, preventing Harry in doing so having caught on the clear animosity the Professor has with him.

"Is it?…Hmm, you should take care with whom you partner with, Mr.Nott…lest you find your grades suffer…or something else".

Theo’s face tightened at that last comment. A sudden yelp from behind them distracted the professor. Neville was clutching his arm, were a burn was forming and boils were starting to appear, his lab coat appeared like if acid has been poured on it. The only thing that saved his hands were the protective dragon hide gloves they were using. Bubbling pink liquid was being spewed from the top of Neville’s and Ron’s beaker.

"Idiot boy! You didn’t apart the flask from the fire before adding the powered Comfey Flowers. Five point from Gryffindor for your stupidity".

Neville whimpered terrified while clutching his harm, tears streaming down his face. Snape turned his sneer towards Ron.

"Weasley!, Take him to the Hospital wing".

Ron didn’t need to be told twice, helping Neville out of the classroom. Snape rounded on Harry.

"You, Harry Potter...Why didn’t you prevent him from adding the powder? Thought you would look good if he made a mistake, isn’t it? Another point from Gryffindor".

Harry was shocked, his previous fear towards the professor starting to turn into anger and indignation. Before he could say anything, Theo clutched his arm in warning, shaking his head when Harry gazed at him.

Snape smirked when he saw that Harry wouldn’t respond, thinking that he won the encounter.

At the end of the class, Gryffindor lost sixteen points. Harry’s mood was totally soured, he couldn’t believe that a professor could be so disgusting. 'What the hell is his problem?', thought Harry in anger.

"What the hell was that?". Harry asked his friends at the end of the class.

"Don’t know, but I didn’t like it. That wasn’t teaching. Those questions he asked you weren’t even first year material". Daphne answered with a frown of her own, her eyes turned icy in her own anger.

Harry almost tripped at that revelation.

"It’s that why you were so angry?". Harry asked Theo.

Harry’s fellow short friend grimaced a little.

"You noticed?". Theo commented with a small grimace before releasing a sigh. "Yes, that was why I got angry. I may not remember everything that it’s written in our first year books, but I’m sure that that wasn’t part of our curriculum. How in distortion Granger seemed to know the answers, I don’t know".

Harry frowned, more than a little displeased by that information. It was clear that Snape wanted to humiliate him in front of his year mates.

"Snape seems to have a particular grudge against you. Did you kick his cat or something?". Commented Blaise, trying to joke and calm the tenseness that hung in the air. It wasn’t very effective, since Blaise was clearly bothered by what transpired in the Potion’s classroom.

"No! I didn’t even know him until today". Exclaimed Harry.

"Poor Neville, hope he is alight". Tracey commented quietly.

"Me too, it was horrible how he treated Neville". Daphne agreed.

"I think we should talk to another professor about this". Said Theo.

"Do you think they don’t know about what happens inside that classroom? Snape’s reputation is well known through the school". Inquired Blaise with a raised eyebrow.

"Well, something has to be done. Harry, you should talk to Remus if the professors do nothing".

"Why me? I don’t want to bring Remus into this".

"Because you are the one really being targeted. Why wouldn’t you want to ask Remus for help?".

Harry looked away with a frown. It seemed wrong to call Remus simply because a professor didn’t like him. Theo and Daphne exchanged glances.

"Lets go, we still have two classes to go before midday meal". Said Blaise when he saw that Harry wouldn’t comment.

Harry was grateful for the change of subject, he hopped the rest of the day would be better.

 

 

Notes:

Another chapter! We see a little of Harry's life at Hogwarts. The Potion class scene is pretty much the same as in the books, Sanpe is unpleasant enought in that canon scene that I really didn't want or nedeed to change much. The part about Flying Types forgeting their trainers for a moment after evolving comes from BloodyKitsune1997 and her story 'Valkyrie Potter: Pokemon Journey', another HPxPokemon crossover that I totally recomend. I loved the idea of Pokemon reacting diferently after evolution depending on their typing or species, and that concept goes really well with what I have in mind for TREP class.
Thanks for reading!

Chapter 14: Politics With Three Heads

Notes:

Disclaimor: Don't own Harry Potter or Pokémon. I only own the original characters and the original Pokémon.
English is not my first language, so if you see spelling mistakes, don't hesitate in telling me.

 

 

"What in distortion is your problem, Albus!?"

 

Albus Dumbledore suppressed the need to sigh wearily while side-eyeing Bahamut, his loyal Dragonite, that did’t seem to fell so loyal today as he received a disappointed look for him as well. This time sighing in defeat, Albus Dumbledore, champion level trainer, Chief-Warlock of the Wizengamot, Yggsill’s Representative in the International Conference of Regions and, in his humble opinion the most important tittle, Headmaster of Hogwarts school of Pokémon Training and Rearing, turned his gaze towards the glowering face of his Deputy Headmistress.

 

"Now, Minerva…".

 

"Don’t ‘now, Minerva’ me, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore!. I told you, we told you, that having Severus teach the younger years was a bad idea. And look at that!, not even two weeks into term and Pomona, Filius and I are bombarded with complaints from our students. And do you do something about it? Of course not!". Minerva ranted while pacing like a caged lioness through his office, her countryside accent getting more prominent by the minute. Mafdet, the actual lion like Pokémon, was content to just glower at Albus.

 

"Severus has my total confidence". Albus tried to say in a measured and placating tone.

 

"He bloody well doesn’t have mine were young children are concerned!". Minerva stoped her pacing to turn all her attention to Albus. "I thought that after that disastrous first time he was in charge of students younger than fifteen, we decided to only have him teach the last three years. Something Severus was more than happy to comply with. Wairuus and Fenral, Albus! Thirteen students dropped Hogwarts in search of better education that year, do you want a repeat of that?".

 

"Minerva, I need Severus to teach this bath of first years".

 

"Oh please, tell me this isn’t about Mr. Potter".

 

"No, I promise you, this isn’t about Harry". Albus assured her. ‘Not entirely at least’, Albus added to himself.

 

"Then, for what? Because we both know its not to make the Lords and Ladies of the Wizengamot and the Government happy. They could care less if one or two of us weren’t in charge of teaching the first year students".

 

Albus sighed again, leaning slightly into his chair and taking out his glasses to rub at his eyelids.

 

"You know my suspicions about Voldemort. We both have seen Severus’s mark".

 

Minerva couldn’t prevent a shiver at the name but she said nothing, waiting for Albus to continue.

 

"I need Severus to maintain and cultivate good relations with certain families…".

 

"This is a school, Albus". Minerva interrupted with a low growl. "He can invite Mr. Malfoy for tea for all I care, he is the boy’s godfather after all. But not at the detriment of the rest of the students. Bad enough that you have that bloody thing stored in the castle!".

 

Albus stayed silent, his shoulders a little slumped. Minerva huffed when she didn’t get a response, turning around to exit the office only to stop at the door.

 

"I’m sure some students have already informed their parents about Severus. More so after seeing that talking to us did nothing". Minerva got a pained look on her face at that declaration, sending an angry glare at Albus. "Let’s see if they are happy with the explanation that ‘Severus has my total confidence’". She quipped sarcastically before turning her back in dismissal and exiting the office with Mafdet at her side.

 

---

 

"I know why Snape is still teaching us". Theo proclaimed while dropping a huge book on the table, startling Artreo from his nap atop of it.

 

"Professor Snape". Granger chimed from her place doing homework in another table.

 

Theo ignored her comment, his gaze centered around his friends (he smothered the smile that wanted to form at that word. Theo never thought that he would be able to make friends with other people that weren’t Blaise or Daphne).

 

It was Saturday of the second week and some of the first years were in one of the study halls scattered around the castle, cozy rooms that the student body uses as open common rooms where all the houses intermingle and use to study with friends and do group projects, taking advantage of the computers installed around the rooms. Being a Saturday, most of the castle was actually outside doing other things like swimming in the Black Lake, and none of the students were in uniform. It was a little strange for Theo to see his fellow students in casual clothing, having become used to seeing them in their Hogwarts cloths. Some of his classmates have really strange fashion senses, not that Theo was a great paragon of fashion.

 

Right now Harry, Ron, Tracey, Neville, Daphne and Blaise were finishing their second assignment for Pokémon Care before they went outside to enjoy the day. They have discovered that professor Kettleburn really liked to make them do essays. Theo was supposed to have been doing it with them too, but his mind has been more preoccupied on why in distortion the professors were doing nothing about Snape’s attitude. Had a professor acted like Snape is doing on his primary school, they would be out of the job in an instant. His attitude has even worsened during these two weeks of classes, making more than one student burst into tears. The only ones to find it funny were Malfoy and his posse, and even Parkinson and Bullstrode have started to laugh less and less at each passing day.

 

"You do?". Asked Daphne before her gaze fell on the book. "And I assume that the book told you why?". She added with a raised eyebrow.

 

"Actually, yes". Theo snarked back at her before addressing all his friends. "You see, I didn’t understand why the professors wouldn’t do anything about Snape. Or the Headmaster, when we have been hearing all about how he has been trying to improve things at school, the History class, new subjects, and even…".

 

"Theo, stop, get to the point man. You are starting to ramble". Blaise interrupted with a teasing smirk.

 

Theo blushed a little. Coughing sheepishly, he sat down in one of the chairs, helping Maher unto his lap, Mico having floated himself to one of the Pokémon beds dispersed around the room and settling for a nap while snuggling into Dante and Trevor.

 

"Sorry… Anyway, after thinking about it, I realized something. We are being taught by all the Department Heads, even for the elective courses. The only professor we have that isn’t one is Professor Mitre, and he doesn’t precisely count".

 

"Ok, thats something. But what does tat have to do with our Snape situation?". Asked Harry, the bespectacled boy tilting his head the same way as his Houndour does when confused.

 

"Professor Snape". Granger corrected again.

 

"Oh!, Stuff it Granger, he isn’t…When the hell have you lot gotten so close!?". Ron exclaimed.

 

" What?, we want to know too!". Pipped another voice.

 

Looking at the source of the voice, Theo found Susan Bones standing beside their claimed table. It looked like the other first years were also interested in this, as the ones present on the room have congregated around the table. Not that there were many. Theo, Daphne, Blaise and Tracey were the only Slytherins. Apart from Harry, a reluctant Ron that would prefer to be playing outside, and Neville, only Hermione, Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas were present for the Gryffindors. Seamus and Dean having been using the computers to play some kind of shooting video game before they were distracted by the conversation. Susan, Justin Finch-Fletchey and Hannah Abbott were the only Hufflepuffs, their discarded Literature homework still on their previous table alongside an old newspaper Justin has been doing Crosswords from. Strangely enough, no first year Ravenclaw was present in the room.

 

"We went to professor Sprout to complain about him, but we don’t know why nothing has been done. I don’t understand, I had a similar problem in my elementary and we got another teacher almost instantly". Susan continued.

 

"I was actually going to call mom. I thought she could help". Hannah pipped in.

 

"Actually Hanna, I would recommend you do it, it could help us a lot". Said Theo. 'Like it would help if you called Remus', thought Theo while sending a look at Harry, who huffed and looked away.

 

"Guys, we are sidetracking". Said Finch-Fletchey.

 

"Finch-Fletchey’s right, we can talk about contacting our guardians latter". Daphne agreed, looking expectantly at Theo for him to continue.

 

"Hmm, please call me Justin, all of you. Finch-Fletchey is a mouthful".

 

Except Harry and Thomas, who already had permission to do so, and Susan and Hannah for obvious reasons, they all agreed easily to the request, with only Finnigan and Granger seeming a little confused by it. It seemed someone has already explained to Thomas the custom of granting leave to use one’s personal name, probably Harry since he shares Art classes with the two. Although Theo was almost certain that Justin already knew all the high society protocols. If he wasn’t wrong, the Finch-Fletcheys are a big shot in the civilian community.

 

"Right, well". Said Theo, centering his head in the relevant topic. "I found it strange, having all the Heads teaching us. So I went to the library to look for some kind of yearbook, or something similar that would show not only the students bath of previous years but also the professors that taught those students. And we aren’t the first students to have had all the Heads teaching us since our first year. Something that is obvious, of course, Hogwarts is ancient. But there was something all those batches of students had in common".

 

Theo paused, the other first years leaned closer subconsciously.

 

"Us".

 

"What?". Many of them chorused in confusion.

 

"Yea!, students like us. Think, who is attending Hogwarts this year?".

 

They all turned their gazes towards Harry, much to the boy's embarrassment.

 

"Ahh, not exactly. Sorry, Harry". Theo said awkwardly. "He is a reason, but not for being the boy-who-lived. I think not entirely at least".

 

Harry sighed in relief at that. Granger and Daphne seemed to catch on at the same time.

 

"The noble kids". Both girls answered in realization.

 

"Exactly. Of all the school years currently present at Hogwarts, we first years are the ones with more noble kids in their ranks. And not simply nobles, but heirs and heiresses".

 

"There are twenty one noble kids attending Hogwarts in our year, fourteen of whom are heirs and heiresses". Daphne eyes lit up at the realization.

 

"Really?. Who?, thats like half our year!". Exclaimed Finnigan.

 

"Well,". Neville started nervously. "you have nine present right here.". He lifted his hand hesitantly. Theo and the others lifted theirs to, the septet being joined by Susan and Hanna. Seeing the nine of them lift their hands seemed to surprise the other first years with the exception of Justin. "Although only Susan, Hannah, Harry, Theo, Daphne, Blaise and myself are heirs". Finished Neville.

 

"So thats it?. A little elitist if you ask me". Granger chimed with an upset frown.

 

"Granger, this is Hogwarts. The majority of the student body are legacies". Ron deadpanned.

 

"You are another of the reasons for this, you know?". Theo said before Granger could say anything in response. That got back their attention. "Its something that I’ve noticed while going through this". Explained Theo while taping the book. "The more ‘important’ the students, the more Heads of Department that teach that specific year. And a student doesn’t need to be of noble standing to be considered important, if they have an…interesting companion, they are considered one too".

 

They all looked at the Beldum floating beside Granger.

 

"And not only you, but you three too". Said Theo while passing his gaze through Thomas, Justin and Finnigan.

 

"Wait, me?". Exclaimed Thomas. "I can see Justin with his Alpha Shinx. But me? I love Arty, but he is only a Smeargle. Sorry, Arty". The Smeargle just shrugged his shoulders but still accepted the apologetic petting on the head from his trainer.

 

Finding that Justin’s little Shinx was an Alpha Pokémon was a massive surprise for all of them. Although the genetic information of their Pokémon was supposed to be private from the rest of the student body, if we didn’t want to share it, professor Kettleburn was so surprised when Shinx got scanned that he ended blurting it out to the rest of the class by accident. Not that it was that difficult to deduce, the not so little Flash Pokémon was already twice the side of her average species height, when she looked like a runt just two weeks ago.

 

"Yes, you. Granger’s Beldum, Justin’s Alpha Shinx, Finnigan’s Chimchar, Terry Boot’s Totodile and your Smeargle. If it wasn’t because they are already noble kids, I would have listed Neville and Parkinson with their Turwig and Snivy. We all know the importance of the Regional Starters, and an Alpha and pseudo-legendary… I don’t think I need to say it. In your case though, I will admit it is not because of Arty, but because of you yourself Thomas. A Pokémon that can learn any move? Yea, father says that they keep a close watch on Smeargle trainers and owners. Pretty sure Hogwarts does too with the students that have one".

 

There was thoughtful silence after Theo finished talking.

 

"So…It’s political". Daphne stated after a moment.

 

"What do you mean?". Tracey asked.

 

"Hogwarts is in a strange place, it’s supposedly a private school but it also answers to the Government and the League. Hannah’s mom is the Head of the Education Department, apart of being a Gym Leader, and I know that Hogwarts falls under her jurisdiction". Hannah nodded her head in confirmation to Daphne’s words. "Hogwarts also has a Board of Governors filled with members of the Ministry, the Wizengamot, the League and the ‘public’". Said Daphne making air quotes for that last group. "Hogwarts claims to be independent, but it still answers to all these people. If it didn’t, professor Dumbledore wouldn’t have had so many problems replacing Binns".

 

Blaise was nodding along Daphne’s words.

 

"By having all the ‘important professors’ teaching us, Hogwarts is making a statement that they care about us and are invested in our future. Making our parents and other influential people that are invested in our future happy". Blaise concluded, almost seeming to have an eureka moment.

 

"Exactly". Daphne nodded in agreement at Blaise, before pausing. "Or at least, I think this is how it is. Dad has just started to teach me about politics, and we didn’t exactly touch Hogwarts that much". Finished Daphne.

 

"Bloody Slytherins". Ron mumbled quietly in astonishment, feeling totally lost with the conversation.

 

Harry nodded in agreement at his comment.

 

"So, if the professors can’t or won’t do anything about Snape for what are probably political reasons, what are we supposed to do?". Inquired Justin.

 

"We need to have our parents involved. Hannah’s mum would be a great help. Talking to the guardians of those more affected would be best too, as Snape’s nastiness is apparently considered normal behavior. Don’t know if there is anyone Snape has a grudge from the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw houses, but I don’t think how he threats Harry and Neville is actually considered normal even for him". Theo gazed at the aforementioned boys. Harry frowned and crossed his arms while Neville blushed and tried to make himself look smaller. "It could really help if you two contacted your guardians".

 

---

 

"Harry!".

 

Harry ignore Theo’s call, continuing marching through Hogwarts corridors whiteout destination in mind.

 

"Harry!, please wait!".

 

Dante whined at Harry, not happy with the attitude his trainer was displaying right now. Harry knew that he was acting irrationally, his friends only wanted to help him. But he needed some time to himself after their conversation about the Potions’s professor. He was just a little tired of his friends trying to convince him to ask his dad for help.

 

Theo finally reached him, his chest heaving from the effort of overtaking Harry’s rapid strides while also supporting Maher’s weight on his back. Harry stoped before he could collide with him, crossing his arms and averting his gaze from the Pancham’s angry look.

 

"Harry, please. Just…why are you so reluctant to ask for Remus’s help?". Theo implored.

 

Harry didn’t look at him, not wanting to answer. After a moment, Hedwig seemed to grow tired of his attitude and decided to bite Harry’s ear with her sharp beak.

 

"Ouch! Hedwig!". Harry exclaimed, rubbing his sore ear while glaring at the haughty avian.

 

Harry huffed at her before finally looking gazes with a worried Theo. Swallowing a lump on his throat, Harry mumbled his answer.

 

"Come again?". Asked Theo gently, not having understood his mumbled words.

 

"I don’t want to be a bother, ok?". Harry finally said more loudly. "It’s just…". Harry growled in frustration. "Dad has his own problems. He is a gym leader! I can manage Snape just fine". Harry proclaimed.

 

Theo gave him a concerned look. Harry was a glad that Theo didn’t bring up the fact the he called Remus’s dad. He noticed his slip too late, but he didn’t care right now.

 

"Is that why you have been trying to bring his attention to yourself?, because you can manage him?".

 

Harry looked away. Harry has noted since the start the clear disdain Snape held for him, and has been trying to divert his attention from other students, particularly Neville, and bring it to himself. It’s not like he wasn’t accustomed to it, it may have been almost four years since he left the Dursleys, but that experience is not easily forgotten.

 

"Harry, you don’t have to take on Snape’s bullshit". That startled Harry to turn his gaze towards Theo. That was the first time he heard the Nott heir swear so openly. "You seemed quite ready to throw Lord Black at Malfoy on the train. What’s the difference now?".

 

Harry blushed and fidgeted in place. 'What was the difference?', Harry asked himself. He hasn’t thought about why he was actually so reluctant. Harry supposed that if he was honest, it would be how they acted. Malfoy actually went for his friends while Snape was just nasty to everyone and was more concerned on tormenting Harry than anyone else. Even when he went for Neville, he didn’t act differently than he did with the other students except Harry. And like Harry said, he can take on Snape’s attitude if the sourly man just leaves his friends alone. Harry also supposes that his family Grimoire wasn’t helping. He has been following some of the simple exercises he can do before unlocking his Aura, but thought they would help him manage his emotions more efficiently in the future, right now they just screwed them.

 

"You know you can ask for help for yourself, right?". Theo poked Harry in the forehead with a little smile. "I may not know how Remus is at home, but if he’s anything like my dad I’m pretty sure he would drop everything for you without hesitation".

 

Harry felt a small smile grow on his own lips. 'He already did', Harry thought to himself, knowing that Theo’s statement was truer than the other boy knew.

 

"*Mreow*"

 

They all startled at the sudden sound. Dante, Hedwig, Maher and Mico even readying themselves in front of their trainers, just to pause in frightened surprise.

 

"Mrs. Norris?". Harry asked rhetorically with confusion, taking a subconscious step back from the rabid locking cat.

 

Mrs. Norris was a Galarian Meowth and the only Pokémon of Mr. Filch, the caretaker of the school. All the students have learnt to evade the old man. An old nasty fellow, with a great hate for children, that didn’t have any business working in a school if you asked Harry.

 

"Crap, Harry. We shouldn’t be here, this is the third floor corridor!". Theo hissed after taking a moment to actually look at their surroundings.

 

"Mrs. Norris? What have you found my dear?". Come the raspy voice form the still not present caretaker.

 

"Run". Harry hissed quietly while taking hold of Theo’s arm.

 

The six bolted down the corridor while trying to run the most quietly they could.

 

"Here! Let’s hide here". Theo exclaimed after seeing a door just after turning a corner.

 

They all marched towards it, only to find it locked.

 

"Shit, it’s closed. Let’s try to…".

 

A click interrupted Harry. They all gawked at Mico. The psychic feline turned slowly to look at the other five, gazing at them with his big eyes until a small innocent smile formed on his little snout.

 

"Since when do you know how to unlock doors?". Theo questioned in a strangled voice.

 

Footsteps where heard behind them, the two boys looking at where they have just came from.

 

"Questions latter, hide now. Quickly, inside". Said Harry opening the door and ushering everyone inside before closing it.

 

They all stayed looking at the door with baited breath, tensing when they heard the footsteps of Flich and Mrs. Norris stop at the other side. It seemed like minutes before the footsteps resumed again to disappear in the distance.

 

"That was close". Harry exhaled in relief.

 

"Yeah". Managed to huff Theo.

 

Before they could fully relax, the boys and their Pokémon felt a gust of hot hair brush the backs of their necks, making them all tense. Turning around slowly, the six found three pairs of eyes looking intently at them. Harry swore, Theo flinched, Hedwig squawked, Dante and Maher strangled a growl and Mico ohed at the creature while trying to inch towards it before Theo grabbed him.

 

The biggest Hydreigon Harry has ever seen was in front of them, his central head gazing at them with glowing red eyes while the two secondary heads looked at them with their penetrating dead black ones.

 

The Hydreigon roared. They all screamed. Scrambling to the door, Harry put himself were he could protect Theo with his body whiteout realizing it. Their Pokémon threw attacks to the three headed Pokémon to distract it. Dante used Smog, the poisonous fog being directed towards the dark dragon by a Gust from Hedwig, the two trying to impede its sight. At the same time, Maher used Leer to try and lower the defenses of the Hydreigon while putting himself defensively in front of his companions, with Mico lifting Reflects and Light Screens all around them.

 

The three headed dragon didn’t like it, the pseudo-legendary roaring so powerfully that it dispersed the Smog before it could reach him. They all flinched at the sound, but luckily Theo was able to open the door after a moment of panic, the six bolting through it and putting all their weight behind closing the door. The bang of it closing was accompanied by the shattering of the screens Mico lifted and the Hydreigon smashed like shattering false glass.

 

"Mico, lock the door!". Theo commanded in panic.

 

The Espurr didn’t need to be told twice, his eyes lighting briefly and his ears lifting before the sound of the lock locking was heard. The six didn’t linger after that, running the way they came from like if a colony of Ariados was hot on their heels.

 

"After that, you are calling Remus! You hear!?".

 

"Hey!, this wasn’t my fault, I didn’t…Ok!, geez, I will call him!, don’t need to look at me like that".

 

They didn’t notice the fact that not sound of Hydreigon smashing itself at the door was heard.

 

…

 

"Mico can unlock doors?".

 

"Really, Blaise?. They find what is most likely an Alpha Hydreigon inside the forbidden third floor corridor, and what picks your interest is Mico’s burglar capacities?". Daphne asked the still soaking wet boy, while she and Voreas gave him an unimpressed look.

 

After their encounter with the hydra like pseudo-legendary, Harry and Theo made their way towards the Black Lake where they found their friends playing in the waters of the bay. Right now it was at high tide, so it was actually connected to the ocean. Although the only ones brave enough to put on swimming trunks and a bathing suit to enter the cold waters of the bay were Ron, Blaise and Tracey, with Daphne and Neville being content to just soak their feet.

 

There were more students, and more than one professor, enjoying what was probably one of the last hot days of the year before the snow started to come in. The Glacera Area was known as the area that suffered most the effects of winter in the region, having snow and low temperatures for eight months of the year and with summers that didn’t exceed the temperature of twenty-eight during the four other months.

 

The professors did’t have to worry about the students safety on the water thanks to the school of Lanturn that lived in the bay. The electric and water type Pokémon not only acted as draft Pokémon for the boats, but also as life guards and defenders for the students. To not be overhead by any of the professors strolling around, or any of the other students, Harry asked Hedwig to find a more secluded area and to guide the group there.

 

"What?, it’s a legit question!. Picking on locks is supposed to be one of the most difficult things to do for a Psychic. It’s strange that Mico is already on that level!".

 

Mico turned his unblinking gaze towards Blaise.

 

"…Please, stop". Blaise requested after a while of the Espurr just looking at him.

 

Mico just smirked, making the purple eyed boy shiver comically. Something that set Mors off into a laughing fit, the Misdreavus more than happy with any kind of mischief. Even if said mischief affected his own trainer.

 

"What do you thing it's doing there?". Asked Tracey ignoring the three idiots.

 

"It must be guarding something". Said Theo. "There was a trapdoor at the end of the room. Someone must pass through the Hydreigon to reach it".

 

"Wait, there was a trap door?". Asked Harry in surprise.

 

"Yes, didn’t you notice?".

 

"Hemm, nooo. I was more preoccupied by his three heads!".

 

"His? How do you know it was male?"

 

"He has a slightly more vibrant blue and purple plumage. That’s characteristic of the males, they use it to attract females".

 

"Of course Harry would know that". Neville muttered to Ron.

 

Ron nodded absently before getting tired of the shortest boys of the group.

 

"Guys!, focus. You can talk about sexual dimorphism later". Ron called, distracting Harry and Theo of what he knew would only spiral into a complex conversation about the physical and biological differences between males and females of the different Pokémon species.

 

Harry and Theo looked at the red head till he realized what he has said.

 

"Oh by Wayruus!, being around you people is starting to affect me". Exclaimed Ron to himself, falling into a micro existential crisis.

 

Daphne and Tracey exchanged a suffering look, Tracey mouthing ‘we are surrounded by idiots’ to the blonde girl who nodded her head.

 

"Enought!". Daphne scolded, making the boys stop their shenanigans. "There is an Alpha specimen of what is considered as the most dangerous pseudo-legendary in the known regions inhabiting, and guarding, a room inside the castle. What are we going to do about it?".

 

"Nothing".

 

They all looked at Harry like he was crazy.

 

"W-Why not?. Isn’t it d-dangeorus?, a Hydreigon c-cooped up in the castle with all the st-t-tudents?". Stuttered Neville, his apprehension at the prospect making his stutter act up.

 

"Because I don’t think he is a danger. He only attacked us in response to us attacking him first. He actually only roared at us, and I think he did that to make us leave. He even waited to make himself present only after Filch left. I think he was even amused". Answered Harry. 'I shouldn’t have said that', thought Harry with internal panic.

 

Theo ended nodding at Harry’s explanation.

 

"Harry’s right. He is obviously guarding something, and is obviously trained. Well trained even, we would have been dead right after entering the room if he wasn’t".

 

"…Well, Ok. It’s you two that encountered him, if you don’t want to say anything, its up to you". Daphne agreed after a moment of consideration.

 

"Not that they could, not if they don’t wan’t to be suspended at least". Added Tracey.

 

"What do you think he is guarding?". Asked Ron.

 

"Not our problem". Answered Daphne immediately.

 

"Oh, Greengrass, come on!. Aren’t you even a little curious?".

 

"…Not our problem!".

 

After that, it wasn’t much latter that the group made their way back to the bay. Ron, Tracey and Blaise wanted to go back to the water, and Harry was more than happy in joining them.

 

"What did you mean when you said he was amused?". Daphne suddenly asked quietly beside Harry, while they made their way back to the Black Lake.

 

Harry side eyed her, trying to not show his nerves at the question. Daphne had a knowing glint on her ice blue eyes that made Harry suspect that she already knew before he even answered. Not that he actually could.

 

"Nothing, just a…a feeling I got by the situation. Yes!, just that". Answered Harry nervously.

 

"Hmm". Daphne’s mouth twitched in amusement. "If you say so".

 

She accelerated her pace to reach Tracey’s side, leaving Harry behind with a condescending pat on his shoulder.

 

"Ugh, idiot". Harry scolded himself.

 

After getting his family Grimoire, Harry has been reading it every night. The ancient tome was actually divided in sections, with the history of his family in one, recipes for potions (and there were a lot of those in there) in other, training methods in another,…For Harry, everything was fascinating. Thought he has only been able to tackle the history of the three first Heads of House to write in the tome. He discovered that his family came from what it’s now Kalos, four hundred years before the founding of the Yggsill’s Pokémon League and the region unification under King Arthur. They started as pottery artisans, actually gaining their surnames for that, in the small village of Stinchcombe that would latter become Godric’s Hollow. (Harry actually knows that they still have their pottery company running strong, their products being highly sought after as some of the best. Harry would really like to go visit the company next summer). Though it would be Linfred of Stinchcombe who would coin Potter as their family name, being the first actual Head of House of the family after gaining his knighthood by saving the live of a passing minor Lord, and also gaining a Pokémon companion in the process. The Grimoire doesn’t say with Pokémon he gained as a partner or what Lord he saved, the information being incomplete. Something Harry understands, seeing as his family didn’t gain a Grimoire of their own until a hundred years after Linfred gained his knighthood, with the Potters already fully stablished as a House. Making the Head of House that wrote that part of their history depend of what has been passed down oraly through the family.

 

Even though Harry found his family’s history fascinating, he centered his efforts in reading the Aura section of the Grimoire as his father’s letter instructed. Although he couldn’t do much until he unlocked his Aura completely, there were some exercises in there that the Grimoire noted to be important for every Potter child to do. The first one, and the one he was currently at, was a meditation exercise he needed to do before going to bed. It instructed him to go through his memories and try to analyze and process the feelings attached to those memories. It is supposed to help him control his emotions with more efficiency, something really important for when he unlocks his aura if he didn’t want to lash out at the people around him for seemingly random things. Regretfully it also affects his emotions these first days, weeks really, of the start of the exercise. Luckily, Harry has years of practice concealing what he is truly feeling after his years living with the Dursleys. Although Harry is pretty sure his friends had noticed something strange going on with him, but they couldn’t put their fingers on it thanks to the fact that they hadn’t known him for that long.

 

Unfortunately, the Grimoire doesn’t have a section labeled Family Secrets , making Harry guess what its one by the context of the text. And since he isn’t actually sure, he is treating everything as a Family Secret. That also applies to the abilities pertaining to the Potter Bloodline. Granted, Harry is pretty sure that those are family secrets. The meditation exercise comes with a “warning” about the activation of one of the most…simplest of abilities, an ability that runs with the passive Aura of their bodies so it doesn’t need for them to really unlock it (though unlocking their Aura strengthens it). The ability of feeling the emotions of Dart Types and Dark Aligned (whatever it means by that) Pokémon. Thought at the time he didn’t realize, probably because it’s his first time feeling it and the situation was stressful enough, Harry felt amusement coming form the three headed dragon.

 

Shaking his head from his spiraling thoughts, Harry jogged to catch up with his friends.

 

"Harry!, remember to call your dad".

 

"Theo! Shut up!". Harry yelled back with a embarrassed blush on his face.

 

Theo only laughed, his mirth increasing when the emerald eyed boy started to chase him around the shore of the bay.

 

…

 

The next day all thoughts of three headed dragons and unpleasant Potions professors left Harry’s mind. The headline of the newspapers, that a flock of Delibirds had just dropped in front of the inhabitants of the castle, occupied all of his attention.

 

JUDGMENTS FOR THE UNJUDGED

 

Madam Amelia Bones brings Miscarriage of Justice before Full Wizengamot

 

By. Andy Smudgley.

 

 

Notes:

There's not much to say with this one, so just thanks for reading.

Chapter 15: The First Step to Solving a Problem is Admitting that There Is One

Notes:

Disclaimor: Don't own Harry Potter or Pokémon. I only own the original characters and the original Pokémon.
English is not my first language, so if you see spelling mistakes, don't hesitate in telling me.

 

 

JUDGMENTS FOR THE UNJUDGED

 

Madam Amelia Bones brings Miscarriage of Justice before Full Wizengamot

 

By. Andy Smudgley.

 

 

In a surprising turn of events, an emergency session of the Full Wizengamot was called this Friday, 14th September 2091. This, dear readers, hasn’t been done since the end of the war. To those of you immersed in politics and history, you would know what a Full Wizengamot entails. For those not so versed, let me do a brief resume.

A Full Wizengamot consist of a congregation of all the Noble Houses of Yggsill and the Government Elected Seats. That would total two hundred and fifty-four Wizengamot seats. In contrast, a normal Wizengamot reunion consist of fifty one seats. Of those fifty one seats, only the Most Ancient and Noble Houses have true hereditary seats, with the Thirteen Pillars of the time gaining a seat they maintain during their duration as Gym Leaders or Elite Four Members and Champion. With means that the normal Wizengamot, thought consisting of fifty one seats, is actually represented by less individuals, as one individual can count by two or more seats. In contrast, in a Full Wizengamot an individual only counts for one seat with the ones given to The Pillars not counting in the reunion. The Thirteen Pillars don’t have representative seats in the Full Wizengamot. If an individual is entitled to two seats, like in the case of a Government Official being Lord or Lady of his House beside being a Head of Department for the Ministry, they can only use one of their seats.

Apart from the difference in representatives present, they also differ in the number of congregations. A normal Wizengamot is a monthly reunion while a Full Wizengamot normally congregates four times a year. In concrete, a Full Wizengamot congregates in the equinoxes and solstices. The only other time a Full Wizengamot is called is for emergency meetings.

But this Full Wizengamot was already out of the norm. Except if the session is for a Trial (a Full Wizengamot being the Supreme Court, apart of other legislative powers, of Yggsill), a Full Wizengamot reunion is closed to the public and the press. I and my fellow journalist only being given the official report of these sessions. This time it was different, not only were we the press allowed in the session, but also members of the public.

I will let my readers draw their own conclusions as to the why of this themselves.

Entering the already full Courtroom, I tried to find why the session was called and who was the one to have called it. Surprisingly enough, not even our esteemed Minister Fudge knew…

 

…

.

 

Amelia was the last to enter the Full Wizengamot meeting, her fellow members of the Court parting to let her pass with nobody daring to approach her after seeing her face. Amelia could already hear the whispers behind her back, nobody knew why the session has been called but the most intelligent were already guessing who did call for the meeting after seeing her visage.

Nodding her head in greeting to her fellow Pillars, who already knew the why of the meeting, Amelia marched to her Ministry Assigned seat. Surveying the courtroom, her gaze crossed with her brother’s. Edgar lifted an eyebrow in question from his seat among the Most Ancient and Noble Houses, with Amelia giving him a subtle nod of confirmation. However, it seemed it wasn’t subtle enough to not be noticed by the Chief Warlock. Dumbledore gained an speculative light on his eyes after having seen the exchange between the two Bones Siblings.

Taking her seat, Amelia tried to ignore how empty the room seemed. Before the war, a Full Wizengamot meeting counted with close to three hundred and sixty members. Now, more than a hundred families that helped in molding Yggsill into what its today were gone thanks to the efforts of a madman and his sycophants. Not only that but, whiteout counting the always empty Peverell seat, six additional seats were also empty. The last surviving members and heirs of their Houses too young to accept their Heir status to at least be able to appoint a Representative for their Houses.

It almost seemed that Amelia taking her seat was the cue the rest of the occupants of the room needed to go to their respective places. Amelia already noted the flashes of the reporters’s cameras going off in the Public Gallery.

The Wizengamot congregates in a big oval shaped room, done with Black Marble, that is sectioned in three parts. Columns of the same material, but with gold designs, reached the vaulted ceiling. Those three parts the room is divided into are the Public Gallery for members of the public and the press, the Noble Gallery for the spouses, Heirs and other close relatives of the Lords and Ladies, and the Members Gallery for the members of the body. All the galleries are elevated from the ground floor, letting free a space, used primarily by criminals on trial when the Court is working in their judicial capacity, in the middle of the room.

All the seats are tiered, but those of the Members (that hug the wall opposite the entrance door) are tiered by the level of importance. The Government seats (where Amelia is seated) for the Minister, his Undersecretary and the Department Heads are in the lowest level beside the podium of the Chief Warlock; the next level up are the Ancient Seats, were Amelia already observed Lyall, Kai, Elektra and Jeremy seated together quite some seats away from the smiling Gilderoy Lockhart. Remus and Delta were seated together in the Noble Gallery, much to Remus’s discomfort going by his forced smile at whatever Delta was telling him; next up are the Noble Seats, where Lucius Malfoy was seated surrounded by the members of the Dark Faction; the Ancient and Noble seats follow, with Matilda and Aayaan siting together right behind the Malfoy Lord and quite some seats away from their fellow Pillars. Amaranta was sitting together with the other Houses of the Grey Faction, but she was quite close to where Amos, Arthur and Bianca were sitting right beside each other with the others of the Light Faction. Xenophilius was right between the two factions, making it so that only one seat at each side separated him from his fellow Pillars (Amelia was pretty sure the man would prefer to be seated in the Public Gallery between the other members of the press); the last and more elevated seats where for the Most Ancient and Noble families. Although these families also have political inclinations and belong to the different factions, they weren’t so obvious in their alignment. With the exception of Emmet, who was sitting the furthers away possible, Arcturus, Augusta, Joseph, Ignis and Christopher were sitting together right in the middle of the seats with Amelia’s brother Edgar sitting right beside Arcturus, while Christopher has the Lady Jenessa Carrow at his side.

Dumbledore gave three hits with the hammer to bring the room to attention.

"Order and be seated, the Full Wizengamot Emergency Meeting of the fourteenth of September of the year 2091 is in session". Dumbledore stated.

"Wait, Albus!, Barty isn’t here. We can’t start the session with one of our members in absence!. And why haven’t I been informed of the reason for the meeting!? Who has called it even!?". Cornelius Fudge exclaimed.

Amelia was sure she wasn’t the only one to stifle a groan.

"Well, Cornelius. The session was petitioned to be started at eight in the morning. It is two past eight, if Lord Crouch wanted to be present for the meeting he should have made sure to arrive on time".

Amelia stifled a grin at Dumbledore’s words. She may not like the old man that much, but it was always entertaining to see him take someone down a peg.

"If I may, Chief Warlock. I think I can answer those questions".

Dumbledore gazed at her, his eyes twinkling and his mouth gaining an imperceptible smile.

"Madam Bones, the floor is yours".

"Thank you, Chief Warlock". Replied Amelia with a respectful nod of the head.

Standing from her Government appointed seat and turning to look at her fellow members, Amelia could observe the Minister sputtering at her before he remembered where he was.

"My fellow Wizengamot members, I have petitioned this meeting to bring to your attention a huge miscarriage of justice that we must rectify. A month ago, proof was brought to my attention that ten years ago a citizen of Yggsill was thrown into Azkaban whiteout a trial. Something that everyone here knows is a right of every citizen of our region to have!". Amelia ended having to raise her voice, the room exploding into a cacophony of sounds at her announcement.

It was chaos for close to two minutes. Denying someone their right for a trial, and throwing them in Azkaban on top of that, was incredibly upsetting to anyone that hears about it. Amelia could already see Fudge trying to deny the accusation. 'Just wait until they learn about the others', thought Amelia.

"Order, Order!. The meeting is still on session, I will have order from all of you". Said Dumbledore while pounding the hammer, finally restoring the quiet in the Courtroom.

Amelia nodded her gratitude at Dumbledore before continuing.

"As I was saying. This injustice was brought to my attention a month ago. I’m sure many of you want to know why I didn’t call for this meeting sooner. The answer is as simple as it’s terrible. While investigating the whys and hows this happened, we discovered another ninety six individuals that suffered the same fate". Said Amelia.

If her previous statement caused a ruckus, this caused pandemonium.

"This is an outrage!".

"What is the meaning of this!?".

"Proof, I want proof!".

"Lies and fallacies, I tell you!".

"SILENCE!"

Dumbledore’s Aura enhanced shout finally managed to quiet the courtroom. Dumbledore gazed around the room, the twinkle absent of his eyes.

"I want order for the remaining of the meeting". Stated Dumbledore. "Please, Madam Bones, continue". he added after a moment of surveying the room.

"Thank you, Chief Warlock. Now, in front of you are copies of the documents I have compiled about the cases". Amelia stated while nodding towards her secretary Leila sitting beside the Ministry Scribe.

Leila put her hand on her Espeon’s neck, signaling the psychic eeveelution to start distributing the stack of documents to the members of the room. The Espeon’s eyes glowed and, sowing a great display of control over their psychic powers, teleported the documents to all the members of the Wizengamot. The Lords, Ladies and Government Officials where quick in picking the documents and start skimming them.

"You will note that the names of those affected by this injustice has been edited out of the documents. This is to protect them and ensure that they receive a fair trial whiteout any biases".

The members stayed silent while reading over the documents until one of them asked to be heard.

"Madam Umbridge is granted permission to be heard".

Amelia turned her gaze towards the Undersecretary.

"Hem Hem! Madam Bones, I couldn’t help but notice that many of the documents state that they have already received their due trials. You wouldn’t pretend for this esteemed body to waste their time going over cases already closed". Umbridge simpered with her falsely sweet tone, snubbing Dumbledore by not thanking him for granting her permission to speak.

Dolores Umbridge was possibly the most unpleasant woman Amelia have had the misfortune of knowing. Dolores was a short, squat woman with a broad, flabby face with a wide mouth and an uncanny resemblance to a pale large toad. She presented herself as an sweet and compassionate woman while always wearing pink clothing. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.

"Of course not, Madam Umbridge". Amelia answered in her own falsely sweet tone before turning to look at the rest of the Wizengamot members. "If you all read the documents, you will find twenty two individuals that already had trials. But if you read their trials transcripts, and the transcripts my departments have written of the recordings, I hope this body while understand why I am petitioning for them to be retried. I’m sure you will also note discrepancies between the original trial transcripts and those of the recordings. And yes, there are full video recordings of these…trials".

All the members payed closer attention to the papers, reading both set transcripts between the documents. Amelia was pleased to note that the great majority of the members seemed disgusted by what they were reading, many a Lord and Lady even turning green at the sickening contents written in the documents.

"As you can read, those trials were a disgusting farce and a huge insult to our judicial system. The defendants and their Lawyers not being permitted to talk, that is if said defendant was even allowed to hire and bring a Lawyer. Extortion towards the accused to make them comply, many of the threats being even directed towards the families and close relations of the person being charged, making the defendants give the response the so called judges wanted to hear. There are even instance of the defendants being physically attacked, some receiving what I would even call torture during their so called trials". Amelia paused, letting all digest what they had heard and read.

Amelia observed many an horrified look from the Public and Noble Gallery, the members of the press taking notes like crazy. Ministry Fudge was sweating profusely, his eyes traveling nervously around the room and lingering among the members of the press. 'Pretty sure he is cursing the fact the he won’t be able to sweep this under the rug', thought Amelia. The young Lady of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Shacklebolt petitioned to be heard in the following silence.

"Lady Shacklebolt is granted permission to be heard".

Amelia saw her college and subordinate Kingsley straighten on his seat beside his father among the families of the sitting Lords and Ladies. Lady Elia Shacklebolt was Kingsley’s older sister and this was just her third Wizengamot session, and her first Full one, since their grandfather passed away leaving her the mantle of Lady and Head of her House. Surprisingly, their father seemed quite happy with it, not bothered with the fact that the late Lord Shacklebolt passed the position of Heir and later Lady to his daughter instead of him gaining the title.

"Thank you, Chief Warlock". Replied Lady Shacklebolt with her deep voice. If she was nervous, Amelia couldn’t tell. "Madam Bones, these documents are quite telling. These transgressions are whiteout a doubt some of the most disgraceful accounts of Miscarriage of Justice I have ever read in my life. I, and I’m sure my fellow Wizengamot members too, would want to know what is being done to the perpetrators of this injustice. Perpetrators of whom Lord Crouch appears to be a member of".

There was a collective gasp heard through the courtroom, thankfully it seemed that the occupants of the room have learned from the previous two instances and where able to not react by raising their voices. Instead, hissed conversations where heard through the galleries, being accompanied by the sound of the cameras increasing their photo taking. The Lords and Ladies hurried to scan again the documents trying to find the evidence to Lady Shacklebolt’s statement, just to engage in their own hushed conversations when they found that she was right.

"Of course, Lady Shacklebolt. By the firms affixed to the documents, we can ascertain that Lord Barty Crouch and former Minister Millicent Bagnold were the principal perpetrators to these transgressions". Amelia could see Fudge practically light up at the opportunity of blaming everything towards Bagnold. "Lord Crouch is right now being detained by trusted members of the Police Force in a secure location. Regretfully, we haven’t been able to locate Bagnold. I have teams from the Police Force, the ACE Corps and the Ranger Corps working together to locate her, but I regret to say that I’m not optimistic. It appears that the last time Bagnold was seen in public was four years ago, her house being even abandoned. It looks like we are looking at a Missing Person Case".

Many a member didn’t seem happy about this, something Amelia could relate too. A ‘simple’ case of Corruption from a previous Minister coupled with a Missing Person Case for that same Minister only meant more work and headaches for Amelia.

"Luckily, she is the only one. We were able to locate and detain the other perpetrators and accomplices, such as the scribe of the trials and the agents that complied with torturing the defendants". Finished Amelia.

After seeing that there weren’t more questions from the Wizengamot members, Amelia continued with the petition.

"Esteemed members of the Wizengamot, you have heard my case and have read the evidence. I would like to petition this body for retrials for the twenty two individuals so grossly treated".

"Petition noted, who seconds it?". Asked Dumbledore.

"House Abbott seconds the notion". Bianca stated while standing from her seat.

"House Black also seconds the notion". Arcturus stated.

There were whispers of surprise at this. Arcturus was known to not participate heavily in the Wizengamot meetings, for him to put his support forward talked of a bested interest. Not that anyone was willing to ask the Lord Black directly, although Malfoy seemed quite inclined to do so. The eyes of the blonde Lord had gained quite the calculating light after Arcturus endorsement of the petition.

With an Ancient and Noble House and a Most Ancient and Noble House backing the petition nobody raised their voice in protest.

"So noted. With the petition accepted, it only remains to vote for or against it. Please lift your hands if you are in accordance with retrying the twenty two individuals". Said Dumbledore, pausing to let the members do so and count the raised hands. "With one hundred and ninety seven votes in favor, that would be a eighty two percent of the votes if I’m not mistaken, there will be retrials for the individuals affected by this great Miscarriage of Justice". Dumbledore finished the proclamation with a bang of the hammer.

Amelia sighed slightly in relief, she was sure the petition would be approved from the beginning, but one could never be certain of how things would go in a Wizengamot meeting. Nodding her head at Dumbledore and bowing to the seated members, Amelia was about to take her seat when the Minister’s voice was heard.

"Just a moment, Albus, Amelia. Shouldn’t we vote to decide the trials of the ones sent to Azkaban whiteout one?".

Amelia wanted to groan at the Minister’s stupidity, others weren’t as restrained.

"We don’t need to do that, Minister". Answered Amelia. "Every Yggsillian citizen is entitled to receive a fair trial when they are accused of a crime. Since these other seventy five individuals weren’t tried but simply tossed into Azkaban, the Government is in the obligation of ensuring that all of them receive that fair trial".

With that Amelia seated herself, leaving the Minister sputtering at his own blunder.

 

…

.

 

The session didn’t last to come to an end after the vote in favor of the retrials. Dates for these trials and those for the other seventy-five individuals were discussed, and it was agreed upon that they would start on the following Monday, the 17th September 2091. Many a member of the Wizengamot was of the opinion that these affected individuals had already waited long enough.

With the session finished and the trials pending, there are some questions that I’m sure all of us are wondering. What was the motive for Lord Crouch and former Minister Bagnold to do this? ; What did they want to gain? ; Where is Bagnold? ; And who are these individuals so grossly failed by our Government’s previous administration?.

 

To learn more about Madam Amelia Bones go to pg 5.

 

To learn more about Lord Barty Crouch go to pg.7

 

To learn about Millicent Bagnold go to pg.9

 

To learn more about the Wizengamot go to pg.9-10

 

---

 

"Donphan, D to R!". Called Remus.

Donphan didn’t waste time. Jumping into action by rolling her body in a rapid combination of Defense Curl and Rollout, she reached her exhausted and injured opponent in an instant, managing to faint them with just one hit of the combined move. The Pokémon adversary, a Mr. Rime, was launched towards the Protective Psychic Barrier encompassing the Gym’s Battlefield and colliding with it with a bang, making it visible for a moment, before the Pokémon slumped unconscious onto the floor with their ice cane rolling away from their prone form.

"Mr. Rime is unable to battle. Gym Leader Remus wins!". T.K, one of Remus’s Gym Trainers, declared from the Referee’s Podium while lifting one of the flags towards Remus to signal his victory.

The small crown up in the elevated bleachers cheered their approval of the victory of their local Gym Leader. One of the ways the gyms makes money with is by selling tickets for the battles. Many of Ethos residents were regulars at coming to witness the battles, more than happy to show their support towards their Gym Leader and protector. Pokémon Battles are incredibly popular, the Gym always has a small audience of local residents and traveling triners, it is also really common for local workers to come to the gym to pass their lunch break up in the bleachers enjoying the battles while eating their meals.

Giving a small wave to the public, Remus turned his gaze briefly towards the big screen displaying the faces of Remus and his opponent with a VS between the two. Six circles where around the faces, all the six circles at his opponent’s side of the screen were displaying images of his Pokémons in black and white. Remus only has one of the slots displaying such an image, Donphan’s being in color while the remaining four displayed the images of PokéBalls.

It was Sunday of the second week of the League Year, and this was the first Elite Circuit Battle Remus has engaged into. Gazing at his opponent, Remus’s withdrew a sight. His opponent, a young man in his early twenties called Drew, seemed to be an Ice Type Specialist. But even having the type advantage for the battle, not that Type advantages were that important in High Level Battles, it still cost him all his six Pokémons to be able to barely faint Gliscor and his last Pokémon ended so injured and exhausted that Donphan was able to end the battle with the most simple of her techniques. 'Maybe even that has been overkill', thought Remus while recalling how debilitated the Mr. Rime was at the end.

Getting down from his Trainer Box, Remus walked through the field approaching his challenger who was returning his downed Pokémon to their PokéBall. Donphan walked over to him while on the way, Remus gave her some pats over the head for a work well done eliciting a pleased grunt from the Ground Type Elephant. Walking the rest of the way accompanied by her, Remus analyzed Drew to gauge his feelings. The young man seemed upset, understandable after losing, but also accepting of the outcome and a little resigned. Remus didn’t like that last one.

"So?, How did I do?". Drew asked while trying to smile but only archiving a grimace.

"…I will be honest with you, if you let me?". Started Remus, Drew seemed to be slumping already but nodded his head sowing that he wanted to listen to Remus’s opinion. "I don’t think you are ready to be an Elite trainer. Not at the moment". Remus paused to collect his thoughts. "You show potential," Drew perked up at that. "you have two Pokémon I would consider as Elite Level, Low Elite mind you, in your Mr. Rime and Beartic. But your other partners don’t get even close to that level, your Vanilluxe is at Low Ace Level at best. The discrepancy of power between your Pokémon is disastrous".

Remus paused to let the information sink into his challenger’s mind, seeing Drew cringe slightly at his analysis.

"But, like I said, you have potential. You just have to work to archive it. You have trained two of your Pokémon to Elite Level, so you have the capacity to do the same with the rest of your team. I have two advices to give you, one is to train your Pokémon’s defensive capabilities. Ice Types are considered glass canons by many, and they would be partially right, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t fight defensively. Try to work on that. And my second advice is to go to Snowfallpoint, fight against Gym Leader Chrystopher, observe how his team battles, and even talk to him. Observing how Masters of your Specialized Type work with their Pokémon is a great way to learn how to train your own". Remus paused to gauge Drew’s reaction to his words, felling happy that a gleam of purpose sowed on his eyes.

Drew nodded with a resolute look on his face.

"Aye!. Thank you for your advice, Gym Leader Remus!".

"That is what we are here for". Remus said while offering him his hand to sake which Drew accepted. "Now, why don’t you go take care of your team? T.K can escort you to the gym’s Medical Bay for a quick check up before one of our Psychic Types teleports you to Ethos’s Pokémon Center, if you want?".

"I…Yes, thank you for the offer".

Remus watched Drew being escorted out of the battlefield by T.K as a line of people left the stands. This was the last scheduled battle of the day, being a Secondary Gym means that not many trainers come challenge you even this early in the circuits. Turning to go to the Med Bay himself through the staff only area of the gym, Gliscor needed tending to after all, Remus was barreled into by a brunette missile.

"That was so cool!!".

Remus couldn’t help but laugh at Ned’s enthusiasm. Ned was home for the weekend, Brightmindton High allowed their students to come home for Saturday and Sunday if they wanted. Something Remus would love for Hogwarts to do too.

"You think so?". Remus asked with humor while separating from the hug so he could look at Ned properly.

"Yes! You and Gliscor almost did a full swept of his team!. She was like, ‘You see my tail?, hers an iron one to your face!’, ‘Oh!, you wanna touch me?. Not on my watch! Wiushh!’. And…".

Remus laughed loudly, being joined by the rumbled laughter of Donphan, interrupting Ned’s hilarious mimicking of the battle.

"I’m glad you enjoyed it, Gliscor will be happy to have left such a great impression upon you".

Ned nodded his head with enthusiasm.

"Yep, it was great. I just have to send the recording to Harry". Said Ned while pointing at his floating RotomPhone. "Man, he is gonna be so jealous!". He added with a snicker. "Bye, big bro!".

Remus snorted while watching Ned scamper off, amused by Ned’s new form of addressing him. Ned stater to call him brother at the start of the week. Though surprised, Remus wasn’t against the idea. He didn’t care that Ned saw him as a brother figure instead of as a father figure, Remus knew that the violet eyed brunette actually saw Remus’s father in that light instead of him. That didn’t meant that Ned wasn’t one of Remus’s kids, he would do anything for him and Harry after all. 'It’s gonna be hilarious seeing Harry’s reaction to learning of it. I wonder if Ned will have Harry call him uncle now?', Remus thought with great amusement.

 

…

 

Exiting the Med Bay, having left Gliscor to the tender mercies of their own contracted Nurse, Remus was making his way through the Gym’s halls towards his office when his PoryPhone started to ring.

"Yes?, Remus speaking". Answered Remus whiteout looking at the caller.

"Hello, Remus. Is Bianca. Can we talk?. Before you ask, it’s not Gym related". Come the voice of Yggsill’s Normal Type Gym Leader.

Remus frowned in confusion, he didn’t know why she would call him if it wasn’t in that capacity.

"Yes, of course. What is it?".

"Can we do it face to face? I would like to start a reunion with you and Augusta through the computer".

Remus paused just outside of his office, surprised by the request.

"Something happened?". Asked Remus.

"Yes, I’m afraid. It’s about our children".

Remus felt his heartbeat increase at that.

"Just a moment, I’m outside my office’s door".

"Okey, I will send you the invite to the reunion. See you in a moment". Bianca said before ending the call.

Remus hurried inside his office, turning on his computer while taking a seat on his chair. Going to his e-mails, he promptly clicked onto the message Bianca just sent him. Opening the link, he made sure his computer camera and microphone were activated. It wasn’t long that Bianca’s face was sown in his computer’s screen. Before they could talk, the screen divided in two to show the Lady Regent Longbottom and one of her assistants fiddling with her computer.

"Here you have, Madam". The speakers transmitted the assistant voice.

"Thank you, Bertha. Cursed technology, it was easier in my times. Reunions were done in person". Complained Augusta.

Bertha the assistant only smiled at the aged Lady, retreating from the screen a moment later.

"Thank you Augusta, Remus, for agreeing on talking with me".

"Don’t mention it. After all, the Heir of my house is being attacked while at school. That’s something I won’t permit". Replied Augusta with a sharp tone.

"Wait, hold on. Attacked? By who?. What are you talking about?". Inquired Remus.

The two women paused, both looking where Remus assumed his own face appeared in their computer screens.

"Hasn’t Mr. Potter talked to you?". Asked Bianca.

"About what?. I haven’t talked with him since last Thursday, but he didn’t say anything then. He is supposed to call me today, I’m sure he will have questions about the Full Wizengamot meeting if he has read the morning paper".

Augusta harrumphed, her frown furrowed in clear displeasure.

"These boys of ours…Neville was the same, he was reluctant about talking about what was going on in that castle. It was thanks to his friends that he even told me! Apparently, your Harry is sowing the same reluctance of talking about it with you. You should talk seriously with him, this could be detrimental for their education".

"Talking with me about what?". Remus asked again, starting to fell fed up with not knowing what this was about.

"Severus Snape is their Potion’s teacher". Stated Bianca.

Remus was surprised, he hadn’t know that. Harry hadn’t mentioned having Snape as a professor. Now that he thought about it, Remus realized that Potions was the only class Harry never talked about.

"I don’t know what Headmaster Dumbledore is thinking, professor Snape already gave problems in his first year of teaching. Thirteen students left Hogwarts that year because of him. The only reason the Governors did’t puss for his dismissal was because we made a deal with Dumbledore were Severus Snape could only teach the older years". Finished Bianca.

Remus wanted to groan. He and Snape, the Marauders and Snape really, have history. A really not pretty history. He isn’t proud of many of the things they did to him, but for much that Severus likes to pretend otherwise, he wasn’t a saint either. But he couldn’t believe that Snape could be so bad, so evil, as to bully children into leaving their school. The Marauders dropped their bullying ways and attitudes during the summer before their sixth year after their parents had a serious talk with them, even Sirius, who didn't want to admit that they were behaving that way, did so. And yes, Remus is man enough to admit that they comported themselves like bullies more times than any of them were comfortable with admitting.

But it seemed Severus Snape didn’t want to grow up.

"Fucking dammit, Severus". Remus cursed under his breath. Louder he asked. "I’m assuming that his attitude hasn’t changed?".

"No, it hasn’t". Bianca admitted with a sigh. "It’s true that the deal was only for five years, so the Headmaster has every right to appoint him as a professor for the first years again. But this is the first time that he has been made to teach the younger years since the deal ended. And for what my Hannah told me, he hasn’t changed. There isn’t any kid thinking of leaving Hogwarts at the moment, but I don’t think it will be long before it happens. Apparently, professor Snape has already made more than one student cry on his classroom".

"Neville said the same. But it seems that Snape has found his favorite targets in my grandson and young Mr. Potter. Specially in Mr. Potter". Added Augusta.

Remus frowned, anger cursing through his gut. Snape and James had quite the grudge against each other. It seems that Snape decided to transfer it towards Harry now.

"The fact that we are discussing this means that the children tried to talk to the professors but it did nothing, am I right?". Asked Remus with a hard frown

He received an affirmative nod from Bianca.

"So, when are we talking with Dumbledore?".

"Tomorrow morning, if you two don’t mind? It’s the only time we can go to Hogwarts, what with the Trials being schedules for the afternoons". Augusta and Remus agreed to Bianca’s suggestion. "But Remus? Talk to Harry. Believe me, it will be better for the both of you if you appear at Hogwarts with him having been the one to give you the information".

Remus sighed at her words, he wanted to storm Hogwarts and have some words with Snape. But he knew that it could be better for his relationship with Harry if his son talked with him before he did that.

 

…

 

Remus entered the Villa with his PoryPhone clutched in his hand while anxious for Harry to call him, Remus having decided to let him call first like they agreed beforehand so as to not worry Harry and end starting the conversation with the wrong foot.

Passing through the hallway, Remus saw Ned in the living room reading one of his comic books while in a puppy pile with Moony, Padfoot and one of the Snubbull puppies, that he has been visiting since the start of the last month, sleeping on his belly.

"Ned?". Remus intended to continue on his way, but after the conversation he has just had he couldn’t leave before reassuring himself.

Ned gave a questioning sound without looking up from his comic.

"You know you can tell dad or I if something or someone is bothering you at school, right?".

That made Ned look up from his comic. Gazing at Remus, Ned gave him a confused look.

"Yes?…Of course I know".

"Good!. Thats great. Love ya kiddo". Said Remus with relief, scampering to the kitchen before Ned could ask why he asked him that.

Sitting nursing a cup of tea, Remus waited for Harry’s call while trying to calm himself. It wouldn’t be good if Harry noticed something after all. The parenting books stoked in a corner of the Family’s Library were quite clear on that. Luckily, his PoryPhone started ringing before he could decide on pouring himself a third cup of tea, signaling an entering video-call.

"Hey there, cub." Said Remus when Harry’s s face came into view in the screen.

From the feed of the video, Remus could see that Harry was sequestered in some unused classroom.

"Hey, dad". Came Harry’s response.

"How are you, cub? How were these last few days?". Asked Remus, intending to make the conversation the most normal possible before they reached the heavy stuff.

There was a pause before Harry spoke, it was clear that he wanted to talk about something else.

"I’m good, I finished all my schoolwork yesterday so I’ve been relaxing today with my friends. We have been swimming in the Black Lake during the weekend". Harry ended answering before quickly continuing. "Dad, I’ve read the papers. Is it true? Is Sirius getting a trial?". Harry asked quietly while bringing his own PoryPhone closer to his face, his eyes roving quickly around him like if making sure that he was truly alone.

'Well, it seems that we are going to the heavy stuff from the start', Remus thought with an internal sigh.

"Yes, cub. It’s true".

"Thats fantastic!. When it's his? Can I go?".

Remus made a pained face.

"No, sorry Harry, kids aren’t going to be allowed in the trials. Even the noble heirs need to be sixteen to be allowed entry".

"Hgh, bummer". Harry muttered with a pout on his lips.

"Sorry, cub". Remus said again. "And I don’t know when it will be, Amelia didn’t tell me. But they hope the trials to be finished by the middle of October. If The Legendaries allow it, Sirius will have his soon enough".

"I hope so too". Harry said quietly.

A small silence fell before a small smirk appeared in Harry’s face.

"I saw your battle. Didn’t know you hated Ice Types that much". Harry joked.

Remus snorted, happy to talk about lighter things with his son. Now he just needed a way to bring that up delicately.

 

…

 

"…are going to start battling at Battle Club. Professor Flitwick thinks that we have the basics well in hand to move to actual battling. Not like every first year hasn’t already had a Pokémon Battle at least once in these two weeks. I heard that Professor Quirrell and professor Flitwick have been talking about something related to coordinating the class with the club activity". Harry finished his recounting of the last three days.

"That’s great, cub. It sounds exciting…But Harry, I know you practiced battling under my supervision and that you have been having Pokémon Battles with your older friends from the Battle Royal teams, but listen to your professors. Professor Flitwick is a Champion Level trainer, I’m sure you can learn a lot from him".

"I know, dad. I promise I will listen". Harry said with an eye roll but smiling all the same.

"Hey cub, what about your Potion’s classes? You never talk about them, is everything alright there?". Remus asked while maintaining a casual air, trying to appear as if he was just intrigued.

It was difficult to discern through the PoryPhone’s screen, but Remus was sure that Harry flinched.

"Yes, everything’s alright!. Everything is great…". A loud caw interrupted Harry.

Remus saw Harry look guiltily towards where he was sure Hedwig was perched in some place of the classroom outside the PoryPhone’s camera range.

"Harry? Everything alright son?". Remus asked, this time not masking his concern. "Come one, cub. You know you can tell me anything".

"…No, dad. Everything isn’t okey".

Remus concealed a sigh of relief.

 

---

 

A knock on his office door interrupted Albus in going thought his daily paperwork.

"Come in".

The door opening let six individuals go through it. Albus suppressed a sigh, 'It seems Minerva was right', he thought to himself.

"Hello, Minerva, Mafdet. I see we have quite the company. How are you today, Lady Abbott, Augusta, Remus, Moony?". Asked Albus with a placid smile while indicating with his hand for them to take a seat.

"Albus". Greeted Augusta.

"Professor". Both Remus and Bianca greeted him with while Moony gave a quiet bark.

The three humans took seats in front of his desk while Minerva positioned herself just at the side as an observer. They didn’t offer an answer to his question, the three sporting hard faces. 'Not pleasantries then'.

"Let’s cut the chat, Albus. We have come to talk about the unprofessional conduct our children had been treated with". Said Augusta sharply the moment everyone took their seats.

There was a small beat of silence.

"Professor Dumbledore, please call for professor Severus Snape. Let’s see if we can’t solve this whiteout bringing the Governors into it". Said Bianca calmly.

 

---

 

Remus was leaning against the wall beside the gargoyle to the headmaster’s office with Moony lying down at his feet, waiting for a certain someone to come down the stairs. Remus has just seen Bianca and Augusta disappear down the corridor after they exchanged their goodbyes, but Remus needed to have some words with Snape before taking his own leave.

Hearing the tell tale sound of the gargoyle’s stony form moving, Remus kicked himself off the wall and he and Moony approached the stalking figure that had just exited the gargoyle’s opening.

"Snape, a moment of your time, please". Remus requested, but his tone of voice made it more a command than anything.

Snape turned to look at him, a harsh glare on his face. But Remus wasn’t deterred, responding with a steely gaze of his own. Finally, Snape relented, giving a sharp nod before turning around and striding down the corridor with Remus and Moony following.

Neither said anything until they reached Snape’s office down in the dungeons. The halls of the castle were deserted with the students being on their lessons.

"You wanted to talk…then talk". Said Snape the moment they entered his office.

Remus didn’t need more encouragement.

"I don’t know what your problem with Harry is, but it stopes now". Remus said calmly. "I-".

"You made that pretty clear in the meeting, Lupin. What with taking me out of teaching the younger years". Snape interrupted him in a hard whisper.

"Please, Snape. We both know that you are happy about the outcome. Don’t act like you actually care about it. If you did, you would have acted differently while teaching your classes".

"Just because Potter can’t take…strict teaching, doesn’t meant my way of imparting my classes was inappropriate". Said Snape with a sneer, the term inappropriate having been used quite heavily by Augusta to describe Snape’s attitude in the course of the meeting. "Not my fault that Potter is so spoiled that he goes running to hid behind your skirts when his… abysmal skills are corrected".

"Strict teaching? That wasn’t strict teaching. You have been verbally attacking him in all of your classes, trying to humiliate him in front of his peers!". Growled Remus quietly while taking a step towards Snape. "A child, Snape, that I can assure you has nothing of spoiled. Something you could have found by yourself if you looked at him as his own person instead of a miniature James".

Snape gritted his teeth but didn’t say anything. Remus gave a humorless chuckle.

"And that’s the crux of the matter. Your inability to get over your hatred of James". Remus said in a much calmer voice.

Snape didn’t seem to like hearing that.

"James Potter was…".

"James Potter, is dead". Remus interrupted him calmly but forcefully, felling a lump on his throat, like every time he talked about James, that he ignored. "And Harry isn’t James. He isn’t at fault of his father’s actions. You hate James?, you hate me?, fine, hate us. But you leave Harry out of it". Remus paused to take a deep breath so he could calm himself, don’t wanting to make an outburst. "I won’t ask you to not interact with Harry. That’s something practically impossible what with Hogwarts being a boarding school. Though, with you not being his teacher anymore, I’m sure these interactions will be minimal. What I ask of you, however, is to threat him the same way every student deserves to be treated. Although, better if you treat him like you apparently can treat the older years". Remus couldn’t help but make that dig at him, not that Snape seemed to care.

Snape just looked at Remus with cold unreadable eyes and straight baked. Seeing that Snape wasn’t going to say anything, Remus turned around to march out of the office.

"It’s quite funny…how you come here demanding I treat Potter with respect, but don’t seem that bothered by my…supposed treatment of the other students. Not such of a good boy now…aren’t we, Lupin?. You hide behind the status of Gym Leader, like if your past actions didn’t matter any more…But you are still the same as back then, you were always good at playing the part of the goody two-shoes".

Remus paused at the door, turning slightly to look at Snape with a raised eyebrow.

"…You know, Severus. I remember quite vividly apologizing to you for my actions. An apology that you rejected, as was your right… But I also remember that we left you alone and stoped antagonizing you, something that wasn’t reciprocated". Remus paused, putting his hands in his trouser’s pockets. "We grew up, Snape. Maybe you should do the same".

With his parting words, Remus and Moony turned and left the office, the door closing behind them with a silent click.

 

 

Notes:

Snape problem resolved (For now). You know? I now that it was to make the plot and the books interested, but it always irqued me how nothing was ever done towards Snape's attitude. True, Harry didn't have parents he could ask for help, but where the hell are the parents of the other kids!?.
Aniway, rant finished. I hope you like the chapter!. Snape is quite dificult to write for me, he may be malicius, but he is also incredible smart. Something that is show in the books by his way of speaking (he could make anyone feel inferior with a few words). Don't know if I have manged to make a half decent Snape at least.

Disclaimor: I have revised all the previous chapters. Nothing major has changed, but I think what I've done will make them easier to read. What I have changes is this though: First, Galar now doesn't speak the same lenguage as Unova and Yggsill (I will be posting what Lenguage the diferent regions speak in the companion fic soon); Second, I forgot to mention the two other original Most Ancient and Noble Houses in chapter five when Harry is reading the book to Hedwig in his room (I know, stupid of me). So I've added them; and Third, Angelina's Fletchinder was mentioned as being a Talonflame in The Jocks chapter. She has a Fletchinder again. Annddd, thats it at all at the top of my head.
If you people don't want to reread, it's fine. It isn't necesary. Just wanted to let you know.

Thanks for reading!

Chapter 16: Double Battles

Notes:

Disclaimor: Don't own Harry Potter or Pokémon. I only own the original characters and the original Pokémon.
English is not my first language, so if you see spelling mistakes, don't hesitate in telling me.

 

"Okey Hedwig, lets try again".

 

"Caw!".

 

Harry and Hedwig gazed intensely at each other between the confines of Harry’s poster bed, Dante looking form the side with an expectant look.

 

Harry started to sweat after a few minutes, a vein almost popping on his forehead, before dramatically falling onto his back with a frustrated cry.

 

"I can’t! Why can’t I feel anything!?".

 

Hedwig and Dante gave him comforting chuffs, laying down at his sides for moral support.

 

"…Sorry guys, you are right. If I could feel that Hydreigon’s emotions, I will be able to feel yours. I just need more time of training".

 

Dante gave him an encouraging bark.

 

"True, pretty sure it will be easier when I unlock my Aura. Let’s hope professor Flitwick let us do so soon enough".

 

---

 

After those two first weeks of school, the days started to fall into place. For the first years, an uncomfortable presence seemed to have been lifted from their shoulders the moment they went to the first Potions class of the week and found another, younger and stocky professor, taking Snape’s place.

 

"Hello class, I’m Professor Louis Allen. I will be your Potions’s teacher starting today…".

 

"WHAT!? Where is Professor Snape?". Malfoy demanded.

 

"Five points from Slytherin. Please, don’t interrupt me while I’m talking, Mr…". Chastised the Professor, trailing off for Malfoy to introduce himself.

 

Two faint dots of red appeared on Malfoy’s cheeks, but he answered none the less.

 

"I’m Draco Malfoy. I demand an explanation…"

 

'Wow, entitled much?', Harry thought while exchanging a incredulous look with Theo.

 

"You, Mr. Malfoy, demand nothing". Professor Allen interrupted the blonde prat, walking until he was in front of Malfoy’s station. "You are a student, I am your Professor. The professor to student hierarchy is quite different from the one you apparently have in your head. Please, don’t test my patience". Professor Allen gazed at Malfoy intently until the boy lowered his own gaze to the table, though a frown was still present in his face.

 

"Like I was saying, I will be your Potions’s teacher for the rest of the year. Luckily, the change has happened early on the year, so hopefully it wont affect the schedule for the year that much. Though I regret to inform you that we will have to rush a little to make up for the classes you all had with Professor Snape". Professor Allen continued while walking around the classroom until he reached his desk again.

 

There was palpable relief all around the students after his words, even if some grumbled about the apparent extra work they will be having.

 

"Professor?". Granger asked while raising her hand tentatively. It seemed his confrontation with Malfoy has served to install some wariness in the rest of them.

 

"Yes, Miss…Granger?". Professor Allen asked, looking at a piece of paper with the student’s seating arrangement to learn her name.

 

"Does this mean that we won’t have classes with professor Snape again? Can I ask what happened?".

 

"Yes, you won’t have classes with professor Snape again. And that is not relevant, all you need to know is that the school has come to the conclusion that the older years will benefit more from professor Snape’s time".

 

Harry exchanged knowing looks with his friends, the ones he could look at whiteout turning his back to the professor at least, all of them had more than an inkling of what truly happened.

 

"Now, I will roll call and we can start. Lavender Brown?…".

 

The rest of the class passed without incidents, although Malfoy sported an angry look all through it. They quickly learned that even though strict, the professor had a witty sense of humor, knowing how to make his classes fun and engaging whiteout losing control over it. Taking into account how young he was, Harry wasn’t surprised by his strictness. He would have been run over the students if he weren’t.

 

---

 

With a professor that explained things instead of just writing instructions on the board, Harry was even starting to like the subject. He doesn’t think he will ever be that enthusiastic about it, but he understands why so many of his ancestor were so passionate about Potions in their writings on the Grimoire. Now, Harry and Theo were producing some of the best potions in the class without being criticized needlessly for it, but the one that was actually thriving was Neville. It seems that eliminating his source of stress, namely Snape, was doing wonders for Harry’s godbrother.

 

Not all were happy about his replacement though, Malfoy and his posse weren’t that trilled to have lost the only professor that permitted their nastiness.

 

Now that Snape was no longer a problem, it seemed that life at Hogwarts turned much more easier for the younger students in what regards to their studies and general Hogwarts life. They all found themselves falling into a routine. They wake up, many exercising in the morning (Harry even managed to convince Theo, only needed a little convincing, Blaise, not reluctant but likes to play hard to get, and Neville, with great reluctance from his part, in joining him and Tracey, who didn’t need that much convincing to join him almost from the start, in their morning exercises alongside the Battle Royal Teams. Now only Ron and Daphne remained), have breakfast, go to classes, recess to decompress, more classes, lunch, exercise in PE (Enduring complaining from Draco about it. Endure more complaining from him with a ‘My father will hear about this’ throw into the mix about the communal showers. Not that Harry didn’t agree with that but ‘come on man, cut it out’), do schoolwork, train with your Pokémon, go to Club activities if there was any that day, have a Battle if you want, dinner, bed, rinse and repeat.

 

The days seemed to go by without them realizing, the end of September passed in a flash and they were rapidly approaching the end of October. And Sirius still hasn’t had his trial.

 

It was the talk of the century, The Yggsill Trials the press were calling it. It was such a scandal that even the other Regions were paying close attention to the happenings. The Hogwarts inhabitants weren’t different, though the students had to content themselves with the newspapers and the calls and letters they got from family members that were part of the Wizengamot. Although Remus said that they anticipated that it would take until mid-October to finish with the trials, they were taking much longer. They were in mid-October and they had just gone through half the people that needed one.

 

For Harry, the days were passing in a strange combination of fast and slow. Falling into an easy routine while going through his life at Hogwarts, while at the same time being anxious about Sirius’s trial. His friends took quick notice of this, and although he didn’t plan on telling them anything about it, he ended doing just that.

 

…

 

"Harry?, is something wrong?". Asked Theo.

 

"Yeah, mate!. We don’t have Snape anymore, you should be celebrating!". Ron exclaimed with excitement.

 

Ron has been acting like a excited puppy since that first Potions’s class without the Dungeon’s Crobat (as he calls Snape). He was commenting about it every other hour of the day, being the loudest when Malfoy was around, much to the blond’s mounting ire. Harry was seeing a confrontation coming, the animosity between the two families was really something else and it seemed that it will continue between Draco Malfoy and Ron Weasley.

 

The group was sequestered away in an unused classroom, the same one Harry used to call Remus when he told him about Snape.

 

Harry debated with himself, Sirius case was supposed to be secret until he received his trial, but these were Harry’s friends and he has started to fell the trust building between them for a time now. He would also like to talk with them without having to omit facts all the time. Now that he and Ned were going to separate schools and could only communicate through calls, Harry was starting to miss being able to talk with someone his own age that was actually present.

 

"I have to tell you something". Harry said, coming to a decision.

 

…

 

"Are you telling us that Sirius Black is innocent? That he wasn’t You-Know-Who’s Right Hand Man?". Tracey asked in surprise when Harry finished talking, her and Litta looking at him with the same expression.

 

If it wasn’t for the topic of conversation, Harry would be laughing at seeing the Medichan exporting such an expression. Litta has always been the most emotionally controlled of their group’s Pokémons, but it seemed that she could still be surprised like the rest of them.

 

"Don’t forget that he is his Godfather?". Blaise pipped in.

 

"Yes, that too".

 

Harry nodded in affirmation.

 

"Yes, to all of it". Answered Harry. "We hoped that he would be one of the ones to get a trial early, but no such luck". Lamented Harry.

 

"For what the papers are telling, it seems that they are putting first through their trials the ones that were in Azkaban the longest". Pipped Ron. "Dad confirmed as such to Percy, not that Percy knows that I nicked the letter".

 

"That you nicked the letter, or that the twins did?". Asked Tracy with humor in her voice.

 

Ron coughed, scratching behind his head he lifted two fingers to indicate the second option. They all snickered.

 

"They are trying to do the trials in order of longest residing inmate to shortest, but they are having to account for their health". Continued Ron. "Some have been so long in there…". He trailed off with a shudder.

 

"How does he know that?". Asked Harry.

 

"Dad’s the Head of the Internal Affairs Department. He works under Madam Bones. He is working alongside her to investigate the corrupt officers that were accomplices in all of this".

 

"Really?, that’s so neat!". Said Tracey.

 

"Won’t your father get in trouble?". Asked Neville at the same time.

 

"Not really, it’s actually in the public records of the trials and Wizengamot sessions".

 

Harry tilted his head. He wasn’t the only one to look at Ron questioningly.

 

"Really?, how come we haven’t read about that?". Harry asked.

 

"No idea. Though it was in the Quibbler, apparently". Ron shrugged his shoulders.

 

The three Gryffindors gazed at their four Slytherin friends with big questioning looks.

 

"Don’t look at me". Said Tracey while lifting her arms in the air. Dropping them and pointing with her tump at Blaise, Theo and Daphne she said. "These three are the political savvy".

 

Looking at the three, the four kids were a little disappointing when they received negative answers from their part.

 

"… The only thing I can say for certain is that the Quibbler is the only not Government funded paper of all the ones that are covering the trials in our Region". Said Theo.

 

"So, the Government pretty much controls the flow of information". Added Daphne.

 

"If…If they do that, how come they aren’t controlling the new information about certain Houses’s involvement in all of this?". Asked Neville.

 

"The Yggsill League also shares part of their funding. Dad must be counteracting some of Minister Fudge’s moves". Answered Theo after giving it some thought.

 

---

 

The trials were uncovering many a skeleton in the closet. Many, if not all, of the accused were political rivals in some aspect of Bartemius Crouch and Millicent Bagnold, people whose quiet disappearances were of great help in maintaining the two in power. From direct political rivals to members of Houses that were supporting people other than the Lord Crouch and Minister Bagnold. But these two weren’t the only ones that took advantage of the war to eliminate their opposition.

 

Other people realized what the two were doing and took advantage of it. People from all the political factions. At the end of the trials the political climate of Yggsill will be totally different. Many a Lord and Lady has found themselves under the scrutiny of Law Enforcement, and if it wasn’t them under said scrutiny it was a family member under it.

 

This is not to say that all the prisoners were innocent, but many that weren’t should have been sentenced to less severe punishments. One of the most notable cases the papers talked about, should have only received a fine for flying upon his Pelipper without a license. He got tossed into Azkaban for life instead because they were the nephew of one of Bagnold’s contenders in the next election, and for having had a ‘fun night of passion’ (consented by both parties) with a daughter of one of the Lords of the Wizengamot.

 

Regretfully, all these uncovered skeletons were affecting the inhabitants of Hogwarts castle too. The amount of Pokémon battles per day has increased drastically, and many have turned into actual fights between the students.

 

The first years weren’t immune to these happenings either.

 

…

 

"What’s the matter, Bones? Your meddling aunt not here to fight your battles?". Harry heard Malfoy’s mocking voice around a corner.

 

Harry exchanged a look with Ron and Neville, their Slytherin friends having a different class than them at the moment, before the three rushed towards the commotion. Turning the corner, they found Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, Parkinson and Bullstrode cornering Susan and Justin. Susan’s Hippopotas was shoulder to shoulder with Justin’s not so little Shinx in front of their humans, growling at the Pokémons of the other group. Malfoy’s Skrelp appeared to be leading the group of Pokémons consisting of Crabbes’s and Goyle’s Alolan Geodude and common Geodude respectively, Parkinson’s Snivy and Bulstrode’s Roggenrola. Malfoy’s Skorupi was behind the group looking conflicted. He was also the only one to notice their arrival, seeming to sigh in relief when his gaze fell on them. Harry was starting to really like the small scorpion.

 

"I don’t need my aunt to fight my battles, Malfoy. But it seems you need others to fight yours". Susan shot back.

 

Harry fought a grin at hearing that.

 

"Hey!, what do you think you are doing!?". Ron was the one to interrupt, rushing towards the group and positioning himself beside Susan.

 

Harry and Neville were quick to follow, their Pokémons being quick in joining Hippopotas and Shinx. The group was a little startled at their arrival, the bullies taking a subconscious step back and letting some breathing room for Harry’s group without intending to. Susan and Justin sent them relieved looks, taking comfort in being in equal standing with Malfoy’s group now. Harry sent them a quick smile before turning towards Malfoy and his posse.

 

"What do you think I’m doing Weasley? I’m sowing Bones the error of her ways". Said Malfoy with a glare towards Ron. "Don’t look so relived, Bones. Your situation hasn’t changed".

 

"Really, Malfoy?. Do you need help in math? I think the situation has changed quite a lot". Harry said with a snort.

 

"Pfft! As if!. Four blood traitors, and a Mudblood. What do you think you will be able to do against our might, scar-head?". Malfoy mocked.

 

They all gasped at his insult, Susan and Harry putting themselves protectively in front of Justin.

 

"How dare you call him that!?". Harry and Susan exclaimed together.

 

"Kira, don’t!". Justin shouted.

 

Justin’s Shinx gave a loud warning yowl with electricity coursing through her fur, only Dante’s, Trevor’s and Hippopotas’s intervention stoping her for lunging towards the blonde prat.

 

"He dares because he is right, you idiots!. What should you call him but Mudblood? He can’t even control his Pokémon!. AH!. What a joke!". Parkinson mocked with a nasal laugh.

 

"Wow, such a clever girl you are. Idiots? Mudblood? Please, I’ve heard better insults from my five years old cousin". Justin sassed right back, pushing gently at Harry and Susan to stand shoulder to shoulder with them.

 

"The Parkinson’s and Malfoy’s aren’t precisely know for their intelligence. Too much Slowpoke blood in them, ya know?". Neville suddenly said, standing strong beside Harry even with a slight tremble present on his clenched hands.

 

There was a brief pause at his words, all of them looking at Neville incredulously, before Harry, Ron and Justin exploded in laughter while Susan covered her own snort with a cough. Parkinson and Malfoy weren’t amused, the two sporting prominent blushes of outrage.

 

"How dare you!? Kaiser, Vine Whip!. Show him his place!". Parkinson was the first to explode.

 

"Artreos, Protect!". Shouted Ron.

 

"Dante/Kira, Roar!". Commanded Harry and Justin. "Hedwig, Gust!". Added Harry.

 

Before the Snivy’s vines could connect with Neville, the small Burmy jumped from Ron’s shoulder towards the middle of the two groups, erecting while in midair a translucent barrier formed by pentagonal shapes, making the Vine Whip connect with it harmlessly. At the same time, the Leucistic Houndour and the Alpha Shinx delivered a combined roar that made Malfoy and his posse flinch back before they were actually thrown away by the gust of wind created by Hedwig, making them land on their asses amidst curses and exclamations.

 

The five tried to hurry in standing up, now they all sporting angry glares that were returned back with equal ferocity by Harry’s group.

 

"What are you all doing!?". Granger’s loud voice suddenly interrupted, stoping any possible conflict in it’s infancy.

 

Looking at her direction, both groups found the busy haired girl sporting a frown and with her fist on her hips while looking at them. Her Beldum passed their red eye through the group assessing the situation. Malfoy opened his mouth but before he could say anything a bell warning of the imminent start of the next class sounded through the castle’s halls.

 

"Tch! Let’s get out of here. Rest assured that my father while hear of this". Said Malfoy looking annoyed by the consequent interruptions.

 

"Ohh, I’m so scared. At least our parents do something when we tell them!". Ron shouted at his retreating back.

 

Harry facepalmed at that, ‘seriously Ron’.

 

Malfoy stoped to turn at him in masked confusion. Harry tried to subtly warm Ron by tapping him on the back.

 

"What in distortion do you mean by that, Weasel?". Malfoy was obviously confused.

 

Harry was pretty sure that this was the first time someone reacted with a come back like that at his typical Daddy Threat. Ron’s face twitched at the butchering of his family name before gaining a smirk.

 

"How do you think we got ridden of Snape, Malfoy?". Ron practically gloated.

 

Harry pinched the bridge of his nose, ‘By Fenral, he is still going at that!. It has been a month since we got a new Potions professor!’. Harry sometimes wanted to hit his red-headed friend.

 

"It’s all thanks to Harry and Neville. They at least have guardians that actually worry more about them than their stupidly long hair!". Finished Ron.

 

Harry and Neville gazed at Ron with incredulous expressions.

 

"Why are you getting us into this?". Hissed Harry at Ron with Neville nodding frantically along.

 

Malfoy glared at the godbrothers at that information.

 

"Oh? Needing someone else to fight your battles?. Why did I spect something different from the both of you?". Said Malfoy, upturning his nose to look down at them. "You are way to weak to fight for yourselves. Eh! What would you expect from someone that hasn’t won any battle since arriving at Hogwarts?".

 

Harry was the one to feel his face twitch this time. All the battles he has been participating in have been agains the Battle Royal Teams, and while he has been getting closer to winning against the second year students like Katie, he has been losing all of those battles. He has also been battling with his friends and in the Battle Club, after professor Flitwick gave the go ahead some three weeks ago, but those were practice Battles and aren’t even recorded on the Hogwarts’s Intranet.

 

"I could take you any day, Malfoy".

 

"What? Harry, what are you doing?". Neville asked urgently.

 

"Prove it". Malfoy challenged. "I challenge you and Longbottom to a Double Battle!". Said Malfoy while dramatically pointing at them.

 

"What!? Why me?". Neville exclaimed with a yelp.

 

"Hey!, wait a moment. Why Neville and not me?". Exclaimed a confused Ron.

 

"Idiot!, if you wanted him to challenge you, you shouldn’t have mentioned Harry or Neville". Justin said to Ron with a facepalm.

 

"You can’t do that!". Granger exclaimed. "We haven’t started on Double Battles. Professor Quirrell won’t start teaching us about them until the last trimester of the year!. Susan, back me up".

 

"What happens, Potter? To afraid to accept?". Goaded Malfoy.

 

"Of course he isn’t!. Harry and Nev accept". Exclaimed Ron.

 

"Ron/Ronald!". They all exclaimed, Neville more in panic than for scolding like the rest did.

 

Smirks appeared in Malfoy’s, Parkinson’s and Bullstrode’s faces. Crabbe and Goyle just looked at the scene unfolding in front of them without blinking.

 

"Great. Crabbe while be my partner. It will be at midnight in the Trophy Room".

 

With that he turned around and disappeared down the corridor.

 

"What!? That’s not allowed!". Susan exclaimed.

 

"Why did you do that Ron?". Harry asked.

 

"Ahh, sorry about that. Got carried away, thought it will be amazing seeing his face when you two make him eat dirt". Said Ron. "Though that wasn’t what I had in mind". He muttered to himself.

 

"You aren’t seriously thinking about going, are you? You could get in so much trouble!". Granger demanded to know.

 

"Stuff it Granger! It’s not your problem, is it?". Exclaimed Ron before marching towards their next class.

 

Granger huffed in annoyance before marching after him.

 

"You okey there Harry?". Asked Justin.

 

"Yes, I’m good Justin. Thanks". Harry smiled at him. "I will just make sure to be extra brutal the next time Ron and I train together".

 

Justin snorted.

 

"Don’t be too hard, Artreos isn’t at fault of his trainers hotheadedness". Said Susan before suddenly launching herself at Harry and Neville to give them both a hug. "Thanks for helping us". Ending the hug she said. "Be careful with Malfoy, he is a slippery one. I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t show up and a professor is actually waiting for you".

 

"Don’t worry, we will be careful. Won’t we Nev?". Said Harry.

 

"Yes, sure. I’m just sorry you got saddled with me as a partner". Neville said with his eyes averted.

 

"What are you talking about? I wouldn’t want anyone else". Harry said while giving him a friendly punch on the shoulder.

 

Neville smiled bashfully at him.

 

"Hey, Susan. What was that about anyway?". Harry asked after the four started walking towards their next class.

 

"I don’t know…Maybe the Malfoys are one of the families that have been outed in the papers? Auntie Amie hasn’t told me anything, so I couldn’t say for sure".

 

"…Actually, they haven’t been". Neville said with a pensive face.

 

"It’s Malfoy. Does he really need a motive to be unpleasant?". Asked Justin.

 

"That’s true". Harry conceded.

 

---

 

"You aren’t going at midnight, right?".

 

"Of course we are not going, Pansy. Those idiots will arrive at the Trophy Room just for Filch to be waiting for them".

 

Theo stoped reading his book after hearing Malfoy’s voice. He, Blaise, Daphne and Tracey were in the Slytherin common room, relaxing for a moment after having finished their school day. They were at one of the tables of the room, concealed by a one of the many pillars in it, passing the time before going to meet Harry, Ron and Neville for todays Battle Club activities.

 

"Ohh!. Draco you are a genius!". Theo heard Parkinson gushing.

 

Looking at his friends, Theo saw that he wasn’t the only one paying attention. Making eye contact with Daphne, the two couldn’t contain an eye-roll at Parkinson’s bootlicking.

 

"Who do you thing are the idiots that had fallen for Malfoy’s trap?". Tracey asked quietly.

 

"Of course I am. It is time to show Potter his place. Getting that Null of Longbottom into trouble is just a plus". Gloated Malfoy.

 

There was a beat of silence between Theo, Daphne, Blaise and Tracey were they gazed at each other in dreaded surprise.

 

"Oh, great. They are our idiots". Said Tracy with a deadpan.

 

…

 

"You morons! Come with us, now!". Daphne exclaimed when they found their Gryffindor friends.

 

Theo cringed in sympathy when she and Tracey grabbed Harry and Ron by the ear. Neville was lucky to only being grabbed by his arm. The two girls dragged them to an unused classroom (There were a lot of them at Hogwarts) with Theo and Blaise and their Pokémons trailing behind. Theo just counted their lucky stars for having found them in a deserted corridor.

 

"Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Daph, what are you doing!? Let go of me!". Harry exclaimed while flapping his arms around.

 

"My ear! My ear!". Ron exclaimed in turn.

 

The two girls let go of them after Blaise closed the classroom door, the two crossed their arms while glaring at their friends with Boreas and Litta adding their own glare and disappointed gaze respectively.

 

"What were you three thinking? Letting Malfoy of all people goad you into an unsanctioned Battle?". Asked Daphne.

 

"How do you know that?". Asked Harry while still rubbing his sore ear.

 

"He was gloating about how he set you two up". Theo answered while pointing at Harry and Neville.

 

"Set us up?". Neville asked with some dread.

 

"Malfoy’s doesn’t plan on sowing up, he is gonna send Filch instead".

 

"What? That freaking coward!". Exclaimed Ron

 

"Aahh, not surprising, Susan warned us about the possibility". Harry commented.

 

"Susan?". Tracey asked.

 

"Yeah, Malfoy and his posse were cornering her and Justin. We interfered". Harry answered while indicating Ron, Neville and Himself. "Malfoy challenged us after Ron goaded him into it". Finished Harry while sending a small glare to the red-head.

 

Ron blushed and scratched his check while sending an apologetic look at Harry and Neville.

 

"Well, this is good, right? We just don’t need to show up either". Said Neville.

 

"That wouldn’t work". Interjected Blaise. "Malfoy has put you in a hard place. If you show up, you get detention and point deduction for being out of bed after curfew. If you don’t show up, he can say that he was waiting there for you and you never arrived, calling you two cowards and smearing your reputation. One never backs down before an agreed Battle".

 

"Won’t Malfoy get in trouble if he does that?". Asked Harry.

 

"Not really, there are ways to prevent gossip to reach the faculty". Blaise answered with a shrug.

 

"What can we do then?".

 

"I have an idea". Said Theo. "One were Harry and Neville will only suffer a small lecture and minimal point deduction, but you will be able to battle Malfoy who will receive the same consequences". 

 

Harry and Neville gazed at each other with small grimaces, but nodded their heads after a moment.

 

"We are in, right Nev?". Said Harry.

 

"Sure, I will do my best". Neville agreed.

 

"Don’t worry Neville, you will crush them". Said Blaise with a confident smirk.

 

Neville managed to answer with a small smile of his own.

 

---

 

"Good evening students!". Called professor Flitwick in his usual excited voice. "Welcome to another session of the Battle Club!".

 

He received equally enthusiastic greetings.

 

All first and second years were congregated in an Inside Battlefield, a huge dome room that serves not only as the meting place for the Battle Club, but also as the secondary field for the Battle Royal if the weather impedes the use of the outside facility. While that field is one hundred twenty for forty-five and ninety meters in size, not only the standard size for the Battle Royal but also the regulated size for Pokémon fields of Galar (They have to accommodate for the Gigantamax phenomenon going on in that region), the inside field is half that size. Something that equals close to three big battlefields.

 

"We have a special treat today. I’m sure you first years have seen your second year seniors practicing double battles in more than one occasion". Continued the professor.

 

Harry saw Malfoy frown from the corner of his eye. All the students started to murmur between themselves, the first years sowed clear excitement.

 

"Well, four of your first year schoolfellows have volunteered themselves in demonstrating an ‘official’ double battle for you all!. Could the Misters Malfoy, Crabbe, Potter and Longbottom take a step forward and come stand beside me?". Asked the professor.

 

Harry saw Malfoy’s face turn surprised before the blonde turned his head to glare at him, Harry responded with raising an eyebrow in challenge to the prat.

 

"Come on, Nev. Let’s show them who they are messing with, yeah?". Said Harry, giving Neville a friendly slap on the back.

 

Neville looked nervous for a moment before he took a fortifying breath, nodding resolutely after a moment.

 

Approaching the tiny professor, Harry and Neville put themselves at his left while Malfoy and Crabbe put themselves in his other side. Malfoy looked pale

 

"Gentlemen, I expect you in my office at the end of todays session". Professor Flitwick said quietly so only the four could hear. "Now, I know that Double Battles are something you all will learn at the last trimester of the year, so I will let one of our second years explain how they work and I will correct them if necessary before we get to see these four trainers go!.

 

…

 

"You ready Nev?".

 

"Yes".

 

"Gentlemen, standard rules apply". Professor Flitwick said gazing at the four kids. Receiving nods from the four of them, he continued. "This will be a Double Battle between the teams formed by trainers Harry Potter and Neville Longbottom, first years of Gryffindor, agains Draco Malfoy and Vincent Crabbe, first years of Slytherin. Each trainer is allowed only one Pokémon, the battle ends when the two Pokémons of the opposite team have fainted or have been forfeited. No Items or restoratives are allowed". The professor paused to look at the four trainers. "As this is an actual challenge, the battle will be recorded on the Hogwarts Intranet…Ready?".

 

Four affirmative answers were heard, the four students reached for their elected PokéBalls.

 

"Then, BEGIN!".

 

"Let’s hunt, Hedwig!".

 

"Come out, Trevor!".

 

"Geodude!".

 

"Destroy, Eridamus!".

 

Four PokéBalls soared through the air. Opening clicks were accompanied by red beams of light. Four young Pokémon gave battle cries after materializing.

 

"Eridamus, Acid! End that turtle". Called Malfoy just as the red lights do the PokéBalls banished.

 

"Withdraw!".

 

Malfoy’s Skrelp regurgitated a torrent of yellowish fluids toward Neville’s Turtwig who quickly hides himself inside his sell, reducing a little the damage he received by the move even if Withdraw doesn’t exactly help towards special attacks.

 

"Hedwig, Peck. Help Trevor!".

 

Hedwig launched herself towards the Mock Kelp Pokémon, her beak shining with power.

 

"Dodge it".

 

Malfoy’s order came too late, Eridamus being too slow on interrupting his attack to dodge Hedwig. Eridamus cried in pain, being launched from his water bubble and hitting the floor.

 

"What are you doing!? Don’t stand there like a moron, do something!". Malfoy yelled in anger at Crabbe.

 

The large boy nodded his head.

 

"Thunder shock!".

 

"Geo…geo". The Alolan Geodude bumped his fist making sparks fly between his arms before he started to rotate them at great velocity, arcs of electricity starting to fly between the black metallic rocks atop of his head.

 

"Hedwig, aerial maneuvers!".

 

Hedwig was quick to comply, realizing the same maneuvers she has been doing while accompanying Harry on his morning runs for months now. Arch of electricity were launched at her, being dodged quite elegantly. Hedwig smirked at her foe, with managed to enrage the Geodude.

 

"Leafage towards Geodude, Trevor!"

 

Three shining green balls were launched at the Electric Geodude, a small wave of leafs followed the balls like the tail of a comet. The Geodude gave a cry of pain, being launched backwards with his attack being interrupted.

 

"Tch!, Smokescreen!". Malfoy ordered.

 

Eridamus had enveloped himself on his water bubble again while Hedwig and Trevor were preoccupied by Geodude, letting him spew a thick smoke towards the battlefield. Harry was reluctantly impressed, although they were using the smallest possible section of the battlefield (what would equate a standard small battlefield), it was no small feat to fill a battlefield with smoke so effortlessly. Thanks to it not being a damaging attack the smoke spilled all around the field without being stoped by the psychic barrier around it, reaching Harry and Neville and obscuring their view as much as their Pokémons’s.

 

Harry and Neville exchanged a look, before the two nodded to each other.

 

"Let’s do this Neville".

 

"Yes!".

 

Turning towards the battlefield, the god-brothers lifted one of their arms with a flourish, ending back to back.

 

"Trevor, Growth!".

 

"Hedwig, Gust!".

 

Hedwig produced a powerful gale of wind, managing to disperse a good amount of smoke, revealing the four Pokémons on the battlefield while also scoring some damage to the opposite Pokémons at the same time. Trevor was glowing with energy, letting out a cry when said glow dispersed.

 

"Wing Attack! Get that Skrelp out of his bubble".

 

"Water Gun!, Stop her!".

 

Eridamus managed to clip Hedwig’s left side, but she used the momentum produced by the sudden imbalance to make a barrel in the air and connect her right wing with the Skrelp, managing to launch him out of his water bubble and into the ground again.

 

"Bulldoze!!". Neville shouted.

 

"Bulldoze!?". Squeaked Malfoy.

 

"Tru..!". Turwig shouted while lifting himself on his two hind-legs before slamming his forelegs into the ground.

 

The ground shacked with the strength of the move, cracks forming through the battlefield and traveling towards Eridamus and Geodude. The earth exploded when it reached the two Pokémon, dust of dirt obscured their form amidst their cries.

 

Hedwig circled the field without averting her gaze from the cloud of dirt, descending to the floor when Trevor’s move stoped shaking it. The two Pokémon gazed at the settling dust, they and their trainers ready to spring into action at a moments notice. The area descended into silence, the students and professor Flitwick also waiting for the dust to settle with baited breath.

 

It wasn’t long that Eridamus and Geodude were visible again. The two were unconscious on the floor.

 

"What!? No!".

 

Malfoy’s angry shout of denial was drowned by the cheer of the students.

 

"Geodude and Eridamus the Skrelp are unconscious. Hedwig the Murkrow and Trevor the Turtwig wins!. Victory for Misters Potter and Longbottom!". Announced professor Flitwick.

 

"We did it!!". Exclaimed Harry, launching himself at Neville to give him a hug.

 

Neville looked with huge eyes at the defeated Pokémons, not believing it.

 

"We did?..We did, oh by WAIRUUS! We won!". Managed to exclaim Neville after getting out of his stupor, returning the hug to Harry with equal enthusiasm.

 

Hedwig and Trevor launched themselves at their trainers, joining the group hug.

 

"You two were amazing". Harry exclaimed, hugging Hedwig to his chest.

 

"I’m so proud of you, Trevor". Said Neville, his eyes watery while also hugging his Pokémon.

 

---

 

"You fucking traitor!". Malfoy shouted, launching himself at Theo with his fist raised.

 

Blaise interceded before he could connect, graving the malformed punch and pushing the blonde away.

 

The sudden commotion graved the attention of the Slytherin students present in the common room, with were many. Curfew was soon to reach them.

 

"Careful Malfoy, I would let your bodyguards do the punching. You don’t want to hurt your hand, do you?". Mocked Blaise.

 

Theo got up from his seat, being quickly flanked by Daphne and Tracey. Malfoy righted himself from the push, glaring daggers at Theo and dismissing Blaise’s comment.

 

"What a Slytherin you are, selling one of your own for a stupid Gryffindor!. I had Potter where I wanted, and you sold me out!".

 

"You had nothing, Malfoy. What in distortion did you think would actually happen? You would have made Harry and Neville get a weeks worth of detention maximum, and then what?". Challenged Theo.

 

"What is going on?". Theo heard Marcus Flint, of all people, ask Blaise quietly.

 

"What do you mean ‘then what’?. I would have been able to show Potter as the idiot he is, I could have damaged his reputation!".

 

"Damaged his reputation?". Asked Daphne sarcastically. "Harry only needed to mention how you lied to him and backed off an agreed upon battle for your reputation to be the one in shambles".

 

That elicited murmurs all around the common room, backing out of an scheduled Battle is really frowned upon in the society of the Pokémon Regions. Malfoy blushed at her words, embarrassed to having that part of his plan aired out. ‘Should have thought better on starting a confrontation in public, numbskull’, thought Theo.

 

"I didn’t need your help to save my reputation!".

 

"Who said we did it for you?". Asked Tracey with a raised eyebrow. "We did it to save Slytherin’s reputation".

 

"Seriously Malfoy, are you that dumb?". Asked Theo when he saw his confused face. "What do you think would have been the other Houses’s reaction to this stupid scheme of yours? It would have affected all of us!. We are really lucky to not be considered the House of Evil by the rest of our classmates, it still only takes a moron like you to make them distrust us!".

 

"I would really like to not be attacked every five minutes while traveling through Hogwarts, thank you very much". Deadpanned Tracey.

 

There were nods all around the younger years, and although the older years didn’t outwardly comment they were in accordance with Theo’s and Tracey’s statement. Malfoy looked around, seeing that the only ones to be supporting him were his posse, he ended giving a huff of annoyance and striding out towards the dormitories like a petulant child.

 

"EH! How mature of him". Muttered Blaise.

 

Theo nodded his head in agreement, but couldn’t help but comment.

 

"I fear he is just gonna get worst, unfortunately".

 

"Worst or just the same? I don’t think he is bright enough to learn form this". Asked Daphne.

 

"True enough".

 

---

 

"Sirius Orion Black, you are accused of multiple account of murder, you are accused of treason, you are accused of terrorism, you are accused of being a Death Eater in cohorts with the Corrupted Trainer Voldemort. How do you plead?".

 

"Not guilty".

 

Notes:

Another Chapter!! Look at that, second battle of the book!!(A Pokémon fanfic, and its only the second full battle shown after sixteen chapters. For shamme..) What do you people think?. Are Harry and Neville way too good? or is understandable since they battle agains the older students of the Battle Royall Teams?.

It feels like it had ended being a chapter just to show Malfoy's brattines. And to bost Neville's confidence! That too. That boy need all the conficent boosters he can get. This is why I ended chosing him as Harry's partner for this battle instead of Ron, to be honest.

Next, Sirius trial!

Note: Why do I find (almost) all the errors after posting the chapters!?. I promise that I preread them before posting (wanna cry)

Chapter 17: A Black Tragedy

Notes:

Disclaimor: Don't own Harry Potter or Pokémon. I only own the original characters and the original Pokémon.

Chapter Warning: Soo, the archive warning "Graphic Depictions Of Violence" has become relevant in this chapter. I have added two more tags just in case (I'm still trying to learn how to use them). The story is rated Teen and Up Audience (I think it should still be rated like this, I've read books for teens with this same amount of graphic violence and even more gorey in the descriptions), but if someone thinks that I should rate it higger, please tell me and I will change it. I don´t have a problem doing that.

English is not my first language, so if you see spelling mistakes, don't hesitate in telling me.

 

"Sirius Black! I’m going to kill you!".

 

"Love you too, Lils".

 

Sirius Black laughter could be heard through the fuel station.

 

"Really Siri, you didn’t have to gift us an Xtranceiver. It must have cost you a pretty pokedollar to have it shipped from Unova".

 

"I didn’t have too, I wanted too. It was in offer with the one I bought for myself. Aren’t you happy to be able to talk with this handsome face whenever you want Jamie?". Sirius asked with a smirk, his eyes shining with their usual mischief while gazing at his brother in all but blood and his lovely, but dangerous, wife through the display screen of his new communication device.

 

James rolled his eyes good naturally while Lily snorted at his cockiness.

 

"Angel, sweetie, hit him behind the head for me please. His ego is inflating it again". Lily requested with a sweet tone of voice.

 

"Wha.. HEY! Careful with those pearls!!". Sirius exclaimed while rubbing his shore spot courtesy of his traitorous Dragonair’s tail.

 

His blue serpentine dragon was wrapped around his body and looking at the screen of the Xtranciever with him. Angel gave him a cheeky look that Sirius grumbled at while trying to hide a smile at hearing a sweet laugh coming from the device.

 

"Where are you anyway? Harry wants to show you his Prongs’s Costume, isn’t that right little fawn?". James asked while bouncing the one year old toddler on his arms.

 

Little Harry laughed in delight at the movement while pronouncing his new favorite word.

 

"No!".

 

Sirius laughed at that, his eyes shining with love and happiness at the picture his family made in the screen. He could almost forget about the war.

 

"Sorry, Jamie. Had to pull an extra sift before ending the day, some punks decided to pelt a house with eggs when nobody answered the door for them".

 

"Ugh, these kids!. Don’t they have better things to do on Halloween?". Asked Lily

 

"Get free candy". James answered with a cheeky smirk.

 

"The one you are not gonna get". Lily sassed back.

 

James pouted.

 

"Sir?".

 

Sirius looked up at the new voice, finding a teenage employee calling for his attention.

 

"Your motorbike is ready, sir".

 

"Thanks kid". Sirius said while tossing him a Pokedollar as a tip for his services. "I have to leave you, I will be there before you can start missing me". He added towards James and Lily.

 

"See you soon, brother". Said James

 

"Be careful in that death trap of yours". Requested Lily.

 

Sirius snorted quietly.

 

"I will be Lils, don’t worry". Said Sirius, ending the call right after while making goodbye motions with his hand towards baby Harry.

 

Sirius kicked off of one of the fuel station’s pillars he has been leaning against, Angel unwinding herself from around him while he stretched his body with a satisfied hum.

 

"Let’s go, Angel".

 

Sirius and Angel marched towards where his motorbike, a sleek black Harley, was waiting for them. Sirius scratched under Padfoot’s chin, his Aura Bonded Mightyena having stayed seated on the side-cart attached on his bike while it was being refueled. Sirius tried not to smile while he put on his helmet, finding the picture Padfoot made with her own dog helmet and cycling glasses quite funny.

 

Starting the engine, Sirius took off from the station with Angel flying beside the bike, the wings of her head having grown larger to help in her flight.

 

…

 

Sirius accelerated the bike when he passed a sign indicating that Godric’s Hollow was just ten kilometers away, a grin forming on his lips when he heard Padfoot’s bark of excitement over the sound of the wind.

 

His grin was wiped off his face a few minutes later when he saw smoke rise at the distance from the outskirts of the town. Frowning in worry, Sirius speed more his bike while turning on the Police Light he has installed for these kind of situations. Reaching the town, Sirius took notice of the Pokémons, parents and children in costumes gazing at the billowing smoke. His worry started to turn into dread when he realize something he wanted to deny with all his heart. The path he was driving through was the same he always took to reach their house.

 

Sirius practically launched himself from the bike, his heart dropping to his feet.

 

"No…". Sirius whispered in denial, his eyes huge in disbelief while looking at the scene in front of him.

 

People and Pokémons were congregating in front of the house. Of his brother’s house. They shouldn’t be able to do that, the house should be hidden under the Fidelius. But they were.

 

People in Halloween costumes were arriving to witness the spectacle. The front door and great part of the facade were missing, as was part of the rooftop. Lily’s Gyarados was dangling lifelessly from the rooftop’s hole, his eyes unblinking and blood traveling down his giant serpentine body from were a piece of debris impaled him. Smoke rose from the dilapidated debris, fortunately no fire seemed to have actually formed.

 

Sirius was able to snap out of his stupor when he saw Angel and Padfoot launch themselves into action, the two mons starting to order the people to step back with barks and growls. Sirius reached for the rest of his PokéBalls, releasing his team amidst orders.

 

"Flygon, Altaria, take to the air!. Search for possible threats and help Padfoot and Angel in creating a perimeter!. Kingdra, take care of those debris, make sure fires aren’t forming!. Fist, Axe, with me. We are going in, we are to search for sur-survivors and get them out of there!". Sirius almost choked saying that last part, only falling into ‘Officer Mode’ having let him finish while trying not to look at the lifeless form of Gyarados.

 

They all launched into action, the people getting out of their way when they saw the powerful Thunder of Dragons make their appearance, while the ones that haven’t seen them were quick in getting out of the way anyway thanks to Sirius’s shouts.

 

"Police! Out of the way! Nobody approach the house! This is the Police!". Sirius keep shouting.

 

Reaching the outside gate, Sirius activated his police communicator without breaking his stride.

 

"Code Twenty, this is Officer Black asking for reinforcements. I repeat, Code Twenty for Godric’s Hollow, Number Six of Umbreon Street. I have a thirteen-eighty". Said Sirius, his voice in a monotone to hide his feelings.

 

Sirius knew that he should wait for other officers to arrive, he is too emotionally invested in this. But it’s precisely because he is too emotionally invested that he has to enter himself, he has to know that James, Lily and Harry are okey. They have to be okey.

 

His prayer wasn’t answered.

 

Sirius found himself frozen, all pretense of professional facade leaving him. Pinned to the living room’s wall as if it were a hunting trophy and blood dripping down like a waterfall, was Prongs head. His beautiful and majestic antlers were losing their Autumn Coat leafs, the red and orange leafs falling while dancing through the air to land in the pool of blood upon the floor. Dead eyes seemed to lock gazes with Sirius’s silver orbs almost accusingly.

 

Sirius felt himself scream in anguish. He didn’t register Fist and Axe entering the room in search of survivors, nor did he register that there were more than seven bodies of Pokémons scattered around the room. He didn’t register one of Maleficent’s wings sticking out from under a boulder that have also shattered the floor, blood pooling around it. He didn’t register Grimsnarl laying in a corner with his torso having almost been split in two, organs spilling out into his lap. He didn’t register Houndoom laying under broken debris, her neck at an unnatural angle. He didn’t register Weavile missing half of his head, his body thrown carelessly on the floor and his brain exposed to the elements. He didn’t register the two mauled bodies of a Froslass and Galarian Slowking that didn’t belong to either James or Lily but that he could recognize anywhere, having seen them break havoc on the battlefield beside their accursed master. He didn’t register Chiyome and Absol being gently piked from the floor and into the strong arms of Sirius’s Kommo-o and shiny Haxorus, the Greninja with a deep bloody cut along her torso and the Absol missing his right front leg but the two still breathing, the two still alive.

 

Sirius registered none of this, because Prongs being dead means only one thing. James was dead too. Axe’s comforting claw on his shoulder, the black Haxorus having come back after putting Chiyome to safety, let Sirius break his gaze from the gruesome scene. Looking at him, Sirius felt his loyal Starter try to guide him out of the house, but he couldn’t leave. Shrugging Axe’s claw from his shoulder, Sirius started to search for James’s body. He knew what he would find, but he didn’t care. He needed to find James, because this couldn’t be real.

 

His search wasn’t long, James was in front of the door leading towards the stairs while sprawled on the floor like a puppet whose strings were cut, hazel eyes unblinking through crooked glasses while his hand clutched the fur of Prongs’s headless body. James didn’t have any wounds, the only blood marring his clothes were those of his own Pokémons polling around the floor. Sirius knew that Prongs was the one to die first, the backlash of the Aura Bond being broken what killed James.

 

Sirius felt a sob scape his lips, his eyes going blurry with tears, the disbelief and anguish giving way to grief.

 

Kneeling down, not caring about the blood staining his trousers, Sirius reached a hand towards James to close his eyes and readjust his glasses. The clinical ‘Police Officer’ part of his brain that was still functioning noted how he was still warm to the touch. Before Sirius could spiral into what could have been if he arrived earlier, the cry of a baby graved his attention.

 

"Harry…". Whispered Sirius, huge eyes looking up towards the stairs.

 

Quickly standing up, Sirius moved out of the destroyed living room while trying to not look at the bodies, Axe positioning himself in front of him as a possible buffer to any danger while giving a growled order to Fist to guard the first floor. Sirius was too out of it to give orders himself.

 

Reaching the landing of the second floor, Sirius had to sidestep more bodies on the destroyed hallway. Another one of Voldemort’s Pokémon was dead on the floor, the grotesque remains of a hideous Weezing loitered the hallway. Seeing a third dead Pokémon belonging to Voldemort, it confirmed to Sirius that the psychotic Dark Lord was the one to do the work. Sirius felt himself tense at that revelation, there wasn’t a Dark Mark illuminating the night’s sky upon the house. Voldemort must still be here.

 

Realizing that Harry was still in danger, he hurried towards the nursery. Sirius and Axe passed the downed form of Lily’s Gallade. The Psychic and Fighting Dual Type had blood falling from his nose with the veins of his face an unnatural purple color. ‘Poison’, Sirius noted at the back of his head while he and Axe went through the hole that was originally the door to the nursery.

 

Sirius saw Axe duck from an attack the moment he stepped into the room. Turning towards the source Sirius was surprised by what he found. A bloodied Nu was standing defensively in front of Harry’s crib, the Empoleon’s eyes moving erratically in high adrenaline, Rapidash was laying around Lily’s dead body protectively, her head bobbing precariously in clear exhaustion but the fire horse too hung strung to let herself succumb to unconsciousness, Lapras was lying almost upside down beside Gyarado’s tail, her belly exposed and a huge hole on her chest. Harry’s cries were heard around the room but the baby was nowhere to be seen.

 

Voldemort himself was lying on the floor with a clear broken neck, his malformed face and red eyes permanently frozen in a grimace of surprise. His remaining three most iconic Pokémon nowhere to be found.

 

Sirius tried to reach the crib, but a warning caw from Nu stoped him on his tracks. Axe responded with his own growl, but Sirius stoped him before he could do anything.

 

"It’s okey. It’s me, Sirius. Nu, everything is alright, I’m a friend". Sirius keep saying in a measured tone while trying to calm the Emperor Pokémon.

 

Sirius carefully approached the enraged mon, his gaze not diverting from Nu not only so he could react to any possible retaliation form the penguin like Pokémon, but also so he didn’t have to gaze at Lily’s or Voldemort’s bodies. Nu didn’t relax until he heard a tired neigh coming from Rapidash, the Empoleon putting down his razor sharp flippers while his body started to wobble precariously. Axe reacted in time, catching the other Pokémon before he could hit the floor when he lost consciousness.

 

Sirius approached the crib now that his way wasn’t blocked, but he still couldn’t see Harry.

 

"Zoroark? It’s that you?". Sirius asked, his voice tight with apprehension and his body tense. "Can you drop the illusion buddy?".

 

Sirius almost shouted in surprise, taking a step back from the sharp teeth of the muzzle inches away from his face. Zoroark was snarling while clutching Harry’s crying form protectively towards his chest, the clever fox having positioned himself in such a way that Harry couldn’t see Lily’s dead form. Zoroark’s body was covered by bleeding cuts with one of said cuts having destroyed his left eye.

 

"Zoroark, please". Sirius requested brokenly, his harms extended towards his godson.

 

Zoroark didn’t seem to want to comply.

 

"S’riii!". Harry suddenly cried, his green eyes filled with tears having fallen onto the form of his godfather while his little arms were lifted towards him.

 

That seemed to be what was needed to convince the Illusion Fox Pokémon of letting Sirius carry his godson. Sirius clutched Harry towards his chest, relishing in the warm his little body generated and the clearly beating heart. His godson didn’t stop crying, his sobs only intensifying now that he was in the secure arms of one of his favorite adults.

 

Sirius started to asses his godson state, feeling his breath catch when he found a wound in the form of lightning bolts upon his forehead and part of his face, one of Harry’s green eyes being forcibly shut by the wound. Sirius prayed to whatever Legendary that were listening for his godson to not have lost his eye. The cut was strange, he didn’t know what could have inflicted it, but head wounds, one’s done in the forehead specifically, were known to bleed profusely. This one didn’t. Sirius lifted his hand towards the wound while murmuring reassuring words, his hand lighting with a bluish-green glow of healing Aura.

 

Harry ended falling asleep while he healed the wound, his little body shaking with crying hiccups from time to time. Lifting his gaze, Sirius’s eyes fell upon Lily. His lips started to tremble, the happenings of the night starting to truly sink into his mind. Sirius buried his face in the black curls of the toddler sleeping on his arms while sobs wracked his body, Lily’s emerald green eyes crying tears of blood being engraved into his mind.

 

…

 

Sirius didn’t know how he got out of the house. One moment he was crying into Harry’s black curls and the next he was walking out of the house while dodging his fellow Police Officers and ACE Agents. The area was properly cordoned off, Officers and Agents controlling the mob of people. Ambulances were to the side with paramedics helping load and stabilize Chiyome, Absol, Nu, Rapidash and Zoroark. Sirius saw the forensic team enter the house, the bodies of the deceased still inside of it.

 

Sirius clutched Harry tighter to his chest when he saw two paramedics approach them. To Sirius relief, they were interrupted in their approach by new arrivals. Looking at the direction of the new commotion, Sirius saw Albus Dumbledore with other members of the Order arriving at the scene, all of them and their Pokémon sporting wounds of some kind upon their bodies.

 

"Sirius, my boy. What happened here?". Albus asked with an horrified voice.

 

Sirius gulped, his throat felling dry and clogged. He must present quite the picture, tear tracks down his face, bloodshot eyes from crying, blood on his clothes and a sleeping and wounded toddler clutched protectively to his chest.

 

"…They are dead… James and Lily…They… They are inside with him…Oh, Giratina they ended him but they are dead!". Sirius couldn’t finish, sobs slipping from his lips and not being able to form a coherent answer.

 

Silence fell at his words, horrified looks gazing upon the young man at what they heard.

 

"Sirius, come with me". Albus said gently after a moment while reaching for Sirius shoulder.

 

Albus guided him and Harry towards the ambulances, the paramedics swarming them the moment they reached them. Sirius found himself quickly wrapped in a thermal blanket, responding to the questions of one of his fellow Officers while paramedics tried to threat Harry and asked for Sirius own health.

 

"No! Harry stays with me". Sirius practically growled when a paramedic tried to get his godson out of his arms.

 

"Sir, we need to make sure he is okey. We can’t do that with you covering his body". The paramedic tried to reason.

 

"I said no!".

 

"Black! Stop comporting yourself like some asshole officer fresh out of the academy and let them do their damn jobs and check the kid!".

 

Sirius straightened at the commanding voice, finding Commander Moody scarred form limping towards him.

 

"…All right, but stay right where I can see you". Sirius relented reluctantly, sending a glare towards the paramedic who although not happy to be commanded agreed to the request.

 

"Now, tell us what happened". Moody commanded.

 

…

 

"I have to find Peter". Sirius said after having given his report.

 

He felt drained, he has been talking for what feels like hours while the activity continued around him, Harry’s comforting weight after having him in his arms again the only thing that keep him going.

 

"You are in no state to go find anyone, Black". Moody barked. "I can send others to go find him if you think it’s that important".

 

"I have to do it myself, sir. I was… I just have to find him, make sure he is okey".

 

"Why?".

 

Sirius ignored the question, standing up from his seated position and turning towards Albus and the weeping form of Hagrid.

 

"Would you take care of Harry while I’m gone?". Sirius asked.

 

Albus gazed sadly upon him.

 

"Of course my boy".

 

"Thank you". Looking at the toddler on his arms, Sirius kissed his forehead, careful not to touch his healing wound not wanting to risk any possible infection. "I will be back before you realize, Harry. I love you pup".

 

Putting Harry in Hagrid’s giant arms, Sirius walked some distance away. Putting his fingers on his mouth, Sirius gave a whistle. He found himself rapidly surrounded by his Team. Gazing on last time to the destroyed house and the sleeping form of Harry amidst the Order members, Sirius turned to march towards his motorbike.

 

"Let’s go".

 

---

 

"Peter? Are you there?".

 

Sirius opened the door to Peter’s apartment with his copy of the key. Entering the apartment, Sirius exchanged glances with Padfoot, Angel and Axe when they found it totally bare of anything. No photos hanged from the walls, no knitted blankets from Peter’s mother covered the couches, no PlayBase One connected to the old TV, no books or magazines on the shelves.

 

Sirius frowned looking around, signaling for his three Pokémon to spread out and cheek the apartment. Widening his Aura Bond with Padfoot to enhance his senses, Sirius joined them in the search. Sniffing the air, Sirius noted that the house still smelled of Peter’s personal scent with that of his Pokémons’s, Wormtail’s scent the more prevalent of Peter’s mons. No other scent lingered in the air.

 

Searching the rest of the apartment, the four quickly realized that all the rooms were as bare as the living room. Walking back towards the living room, Sirius gazed around it while sighing and passing his hand through his long hair. He was joined by Angel and Axe not long after.

 

"Found anything?". Sirius asked hopefully.

 

The two dragons gave negative sounds as answers while shaking their heads.

 

"Whuf". Padfoot barked quietly.

 

Turning, Sirius found her coming from the laundry room with one of Peter’s t-shirts in her mouth. Sirius took it from her, sighing in disappointment at only having found this. ‘At least we can use it to track down Peter by his scent’, Sirius told himself consolingly.

 

"Let’s get out of here".

 

Passing his gaze one last time around the apartment, Sirius was turning around when he caught sight of something stuck under the couch’s leg. Kneeling to grab it, Sirius found himself with a photo of Peter with his mother in the front lawn of Mrs. Pettigrew house. An idea forming on his mind, Sirius and his Pokémons exited the apartment.

 

"Is he going to pay next month’s rent?".

 

"Pardon?". Sirius was caught off guard.

 

Having just closed the apartment doorSirius had Peter’s landlord, an old man with a common Meowth on his shoulders, standing in front of him.

 

"Oh, wow kid. You look like shit". The old man said without mincing words.

 

Sirius winced at his callous words, looking down at himself he realized that he was still wearing his blood covered clothes. 'I will have to go change before going anywhere', noted Sirius

 

"Can I help you?". Asked Sirius impatiently.

 

"Pettigrew, he left yesterday in a hurry. Leaving with all his possessions without an explanation and without giving back the key". Answered the landlord, apparently not really caring about Sirius’s state.

 

"Yesterday you say?".

 

"Hm-Hm, he looked quite stressed". Confirmed the landlord. "If you see him, tell him to come terminate the contract if he doesn’t plan on living here anymore".

 

Sirius watched the old man walk away after saying his piece, exchanging a look with Axe at the new information.

 

…

 

Walking up the steps to Mrs. Pettigrew house, Sirius knocked at the front door with Padfoot and Angel at his side. But it wasn’t Mrs. Pettigrew who opened the door.

 

"Yes? Can I help you?". Asked a huge balding man in a gruff voice.

 

"Aahh.. Yes, yes.. Is this Number Thirty, Klings Drive?". Sirius asked, a little taken aback at having someone he didn’t expect answer the door.

 

"Yes. Who are you? What do you want?. I don’t want anything you are selling". Said the man while squaring his shoulders.

 

"What? No, I’m not selling anything. I come asking for Merida Pettigrew, she should live here".

 

"Hmpf, and why should I answer you?".

 

Sirius lifted an eyebrow, unimpressed. Reaching for his pocket he took out his wallet, Sirius opened it to show his Police Badge. The change of attitude was instantaneous.

 

"Oh".

 

"Yeah, oh". Said Sirius sarcastically while pocketing his wallet. "So, Mrs. Pettigrew?".

 

"She is dead". Came the reply from a feminine voice.

 

The man was gently pushed to the side, revealing a woman of the same age as the balding man.

 

"Madam". Greeted Sirius inclining briefly his head. "How do you mean?".

 

"We have been living here for two months. The previous owner was a woman living alone that died three months before that. His son, Piper or Peter, a short fellow with straw like hair and a n Alolan Raticate on his shoulder, sold us the house".

 

Sirius tried not to show his surprise at the information.

 

"Thank you madam, you have been really helpful. Have a good day". Sirius managed to say.

 

He didn’t let them say anything, trying to hurry out of there but without showing his turmoil. Finding a secluded corner, Sirius hugged Padfoot trying to abate his rising panic, Angel wrapping herself around them to give him her own comfort. The picture forming on his head wasn’t a pretty one. Memories started to flash in his mind: Peter declining to come to some get together or another with James, Lily and Remus because he had to take care of his mother not even two weeks ago. A mother that has been death for months; Peter’s fidgeting during the war meetings with the Order; apparently innocuous conversations that now have another totally different meaning behind them; the empty apartment. Too neat and tidily empty to have been done in a hurry.

 

"Legendaries...Peter, what have you done?". Sirius whispered to the air.

 

Angel gave a doleful song as an answer.

---

 

A throng of people were celebrating through the streets of Serter, a port city in the southeast of Yggsill and home to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Yaxley and their Poison Type Gym. Celebrations have been going strong all through the Region for four whole days, ‘four days since James and Lily died’, and it didn’t look like it would stop any time soon. The people and Pokémon were celebrating the end of Voldemort, everywhere you looked the headlines telling of the news of his demise could be seen. In televisions from electronic shops, in the big screens atop buildings, in electric signs atop shops and bars…But Sirius wasn’t in a celebratory mood.

 

His brother and sister were dead, his godson orphaned, their Pokémon dead or with life altering injuries. No, Sirius wasn’t in a celebratory mood at all.

 

Sirius moved through the mass of partying bodies, following Padfoot along the streets while she followed Peter’s scent. It took her this long to locate him, but his scent still permeating the t-shirt they found in his apartment was of great help. Turning a corner Sirius stoped on his tracks, Peter’s blonde straw hair was just some steps down the street, Wormtail riding his shoulder.

 

Sirius lifted his police communicator.

 

"This is Officer Black reques…".

 

Sirius had to let go of the apparatus, hissing at the sting of his hand from a current of electricity suddenly frying his communicator. He even have to detach his Xtranceiver from his wrist when it did the same. Hearing similar exclamations around him, Sirius found more than one individual with the same problem. Looking around the street, people were exclaiming while gazing at the smoldering remains of their electronic devices, even the televisions in the shop windows suffered the same fate

 

His gaze suddenly found Peter’s, his Heliolisk was at his side. The crest of his neck was extended, electricity coursing through its membrane. Sirius saw a brief smirk graze Peter’s lips.

 

"How could you!?". Peter suddenly shouted in feigning anguish. "They were your friends and you betrayed them!!".

 

Peter’s shout graved the attention of the people in the street. Sirius felt himself falter, dumbfounded at his words and not knowing how to react.

 

"Wha…".

 

"Stop him!". Shouted Pettigrew while launching the PokéBalls of the rest of his team into the air.

 

Seeing this made Sirius get out of his stupor. Although wrong footed by the situation, he managed to command his team into action.

 

"Engage them, protect the civilians!".

 

It was chaos. People started to run in all directions while screaming, Sirius’s Pokemon having to intercept more than one ‘stray’ attack from Pettigrew’s Team while also trying to subdue them. Sirius too found himself having to dodge, or duck behind Angel, from more than one attack heading his way. But it was clear who was the more proficient in combat, Sirius team were quickly gaining the upper hand even with the disadvantage of having to protect the people around them. Only Padfoot and Wormtail seemed evenly matched.

 

The Mightyena and Alolan Raticate were engaged in a fierce battle, a wide berth having formed around them, the two mons showing why Aura Bonded Pokémon are considered on par with pseudo-legendaries. Their zone of the street was totally destroyed, the air saturated with visible Aura energy while the two Dark mons exchanged blows that made the earth sake and cracks form in the pavement under their feet. None of the other battling Pokémon seemed inclined to enter that fray.

 

Sirius’s other companions were having a much easier time of it. Altaria was counteracting Exploud’s sound based attacks quite nicely with his own, Flygon had Indeedee trapped in a stone and sandy hand formed with Earth Power, Kingdra was pelting Heliolisk with powerful water moves not caring about the electric attacks hitting his own body, Fist was engaged in a distorted game of whack the mole with Diggersby as the mole and winning, Axe was fighting against Buck the Bibarell in a battle between starters were Axe was showing who was the most powerful Pokémon of the two.

 

Angel stayed beside Sirius as protection. Sirius wondered where was Pettigrew’s seventh Pokémon, Chatot nowhere to be seen.

 

"Exploud, Sonic Bomb!!". Pettigrew shouted after having grown tired of his Pokémon being on the defensive.

 

Sirius didn’t have time to order his team to dodge or protect themselves from the Original Move. ‘Lily helped you create that move, you bastard son of a bitch’, Sirius thought with rage while covering his ears, having to even apply Aura around his eardrum to protect them from the attack. A visible sonic wave exploded from around Exploud, launching all the Pokémon away from his radius of effect. The people still here for being too curious for their own good shouted in fright when all the windows of the street shattered in a million pieces, having to duck while covering their ears to protect them from the sound based attack.

 

Pettigrew’s Team were faster in regrouping themselves, being more accustomed to the effects of the powerful attack than Sirius’s own team were. Even while having protected them, Sirius’s ears still rang like if a million Combee had made their hive inside his ears. Felling dizzy, Sirius tried to center himself and make the black dots suddenly filling his vision disappear. Managing to focus his gaze to where Pettigrew was standing, Sirius felt his breath leave his lungs.

 

‘That’s not Chatot’.

 

Pettigrew was standing with only three Pokémon beside him, only two that Sirius’s recognized, having returned the rest of his team. Wormtail was clutching Pettigrew’s extended arm, his huge incisors ready to bite into his trainer’s pinky finger. Indeedee was clutching Pettigrew’s right trouser leg, his eyes shining with Psychic power in clear preparation.

 

A Garbodor was in front of the three, his eyes blank. Images started to rapidly pass through Sirius’s mind, scenes where Death Eaters had used that same species of Pokémon in their attacks to devastating effects.

 

Sirius’s team must have realized the same.

 

All of it played in slow motion in Sirius mind.

 

His Pokémon spread around to form any kind of shield they could, trying to protect as many people as possible. Axe grabbed Padfoot and jumped towards Sirius’s position, practically tossing her beside him so she could be inside his Protect’s area of effect. Padfoot was quick to apply her own Protect to the mix, regaining her footing swiftly enough to position herself behind Axe. Altaria activated his Cotton Guard in front of a group of people, the fluffy feathers of his wings extending to form a giant white fluffy wall. Flygon controlled the stone from the street to create a barrier in front of another group of civilians while Kingdra created a wall of water on the other side of the street, were two families had been taking shelter together inside the porch of an apartment building, the Pokémon of said families joining him in creating any kind of defensive barrier they could, feeling the imminent danger. Fist extended his plate like scales, making them vibrate to create a barrier made of sound to protect another group, the vibrations distorting the air and making it almost solid.

 

Angel launched herself at Garbodor.

 

Sirius felt himself scream but being unable to hear himself over the ringing of his ears, his eyes not leaving Angel’s form while she flew towards the now swelling Pokémon. Not even to look at how Raticate bit Pettigrew’s finger, the small digit falling towards the street. Not even to look how Endeedee flashes them away in the lights of teleportation, Pettigrew’s face contorted in an ugly smirk of triumph even through the pain of losing a finger. His eyes never left Angel’s form wrapped around the about to explode Garbodor in an attempt to contain as much of the Explosion as possible, her scales shining like the rainbow with condensed Aura energy.

 

Sirius eyes found Angel’s, the two gazing at each other for what felt like an eternity that didn’t last enough. Angel smiled at Sirius with tears on her eyes.

 

"ANGEEELLL…!".

 

The world exploded.

 

…

 

Sirius’s vision was replete of black spots, flashes of the blue sky appearing from time to time. His ears ringed worse than when Exploud used Sonic Bomb, an incessant whistling attacking his eardrums and making his head spin. His limbs felt like lead and his tongue tasted like copper.

 

Sirius coughed and wheezed, with effort he managed to use his arms to lift his torso. When his vision finally cleared, his eyes landed in the last place where he saw Angel. His breath hitched.

 

"No…".Sirius whispered.

 

A huge crater was what remained of that part of the street. The unrecognizable charred remains of the kamikaze Garbodor were right in the middle of it, smoke rising from the body.

 

"An*coff*Angel". Sirius managed to say through a coughing fit.

 

Sirius started to drag his body through the floor, his eyes never leaving the long burnt body lying just meters in front of him

 

"Angel!". Sirius repeated more desperately, his voice hoarse.

 

A pained whine emanated from the body.

 

Sirius managed to reach her. With effort, he got to his knees, delicately putting Angel’s head on his lap. A lone pink eye blinked at him, laborious breaths escaping her snout.

 

A sob left Sirius lips, his vision started to turn blurry with tears.

 

"It’s alright, you are okey…".

 

Half of her body was missing, what remained was blackened from the burn wounds.

 

‘Hello, I’m James, James Potter.’

 

A pained sad song left her mouth, her eye full of love even with her fading light.

 

‘Aunt Dorea, it’s really alright for me to have it?. I’ve never raised an egg!’

 

"You were so brave…You are..".

 

‘Of course we are best friends, Sirius. No, not best friends, brothers.’

 

"I.."

 

‘It’s a Dratininy!. Look how small she is. Oooh! Hello baby Angel~.’

 

"… please.."

 

‘She said yes!. I’m going on a date with Lily Freaking Evans.’

 

"…please.."

 

‘You evolved! Look at you, you are so beautiful!.’

 

"…please don’t.."

 

‘Sirius, I want you to be my best mate at the weeding. I want you beside me.’

 

"…don’t do it.."

 

‘Angel, let’s finish this. Draco Meteor!’

 

"…just.."

 

‘We are having a babe!. I’m gonna be a dad! And you will be the godfather, right Siri?’

 

"…please, don’t leave me".

 

————

.....

…

.

 

Sirius’s vision cleared, the Musharna covering his head letting go of him. The remnants of Musharna’s Dream Mist fading from the court room, and with it Sirius’s projected memory.

 

Silence filled the room, the Lords and Ladies of the Wizengamot composing themselves after what they have just seen. Their faces were pale, the most sentimental of individuals even with tear tracks down their faces, while more than one were green faced after having seen all the corpses that appeared in the memories.

 

Sirius looked around, his own eyes glassy and holding back tears. The downside of being subject to Mind Reading is that you have to relieve the memories almost like you were living the experience again. His gaze found Remus’s in the Noble Gallery, his own face marred with tear tracks. Remus gave him a wobbly smile.

 

Sirius released a shuddering breath.

 

---

 

A BLACK TRAGEDY

 

Sirius Orion Black Found Innocent After Ten Years of Unlawful Imprisonment

 

By. Andy Smudgley.

 

 

Notes:

What do you think? I belive this is a new take at Sirius's trial, I don't remember the use of memories viewing in any other depiction that I've read at least.
Also, sorrry for the wait. This chapter was too important for me and I wanted to make sure that it didn't have any herrors (knowing my luck, there must be a ton of gramaticall herrors anyway).
I know someone asked in previous coments who of James's and Lily's Pokémon were still alive. Well here's your answer. Now, when will Harry meet them? There is still a looooooooooong way to go for that meeting.

Chapter 18: Reunions and Aura Backlash

Notes:

Disclaimor: Don't own Harry Potter or Pokémon. I only own the original characters and the original Pokémons.

English is not my first language, so if you see spelling mistakes, don't hesitate in telling me.

 

 

Harry was walking down the stairs to go to breakfast, with Neville at his side, when his PoryPhone started ringing. Harry paused in his walk after seeing who the caller was, their next call wasn’t supposed to be till the day after tomorrow.

 

"Dad?". Harry asked in surprise, exchanging glances with Neville.

 

"Hello, son". Replied Remus, there was something in his voice that Harry couldn’t identify.

 

"It’s something wrong?". Asked Harry in worry.

 

"No, no!. Everything is alright, cub. More than alright…Sirius got his day at court, he was found innocent".

 

Harry exchanged a surprised and elated look with Neville, the other boy having been able to listen to the conversation thanks to being so close to him.

 

"Sirius wants to meet you, if that’s okey? I will talk with professor McGonagall to find a day you can get out of the school".

 

"I…Yes! That would be great". Harry said, a smile on his face if a little apprehensive at meeting Sirius for the first time (that Harry can actually remember).

 

"Great, I will see you soon. Love you, son".

 

"Love you too, dad".

 

Ending the call, Harry smiled excitedly at Neville, the two boys hurried to reach the Great Hall. Harry couldn’t wait to tell his friends the news.

 

---

 

"Thank you again for representing my heir, Ms. Tuft". Said Lord Arcturus Black after taking a seat in Helen Tuft’s office at Fawley and Tuft solicitors.

 

"Don’t need to mention it, Lord Black. It was my pleasure. Seeing Fudge’s and Lord Malfoy’s faces after seeing Sirius enter the courtroom was priceless". Helen Tuft said with a small smirk gracing her red painted lips.

 

Arcturus responded with his own amused smile.

 

"Nevertheless, I thank you for all the help you have provided for my family". Insisted Arcturus.

 

"It was no problem. Mr. Potter’s situation and Heir Black’s case has been some of the most exciting challenges I have had as a lawyer. You are also paying me quite handsomely, and we strive to do everything we can to help our clients". Helen responded with an elegant shrug of the shoulders.

 

"Payment it’s something I wanted to talk to you about".

 

Helen lifted an eyebrow at the old Lord.

 

" What about it?". Helen asked.

 

"I want to have your firm on retainer, just as the Potters do". Replied Arcturus.

 

Helen was surprised at his answer, but concealed it quickly.

 

"How so?". Helen asked while interlacing her manicured hands in front of her face. "Don’t get me wrong, It would be a pleasure. Not only have you been bringing me interesting cases, but having your family as our clients would do wonders to our reputation. But the Blacks have always had in retainer the…"

 

"…Travers Law Firm. Those idiots didn’t lift a finger about my grandson’s situation when I contacted them". Arcturus interjected, with clear derision towards them in his voice. "You, for the other part, didn’t even bat an eye at taking what they wrote off as a ‘lost case’. Fudge and Malfoy weren’t happy about my grandson receiving a trial, I’m more than sure that that scoundrel of Malfoy will try to do something against Sirius. Lucius have been comporting himself with the assumption that his spawn will ascend to the Black Lordship. I need someone with the courage to go agains people like him. You, Ms. Tuft, have showed me that you and your firm are the best for that".

 

There was momentary silence after Arcturus ended talking, he and Helen looking at each other in the eyes. A smile formed behind Helen’s interlaced fingers.

 

"Let’s talk business then, Lord Black".

 

---

 

Sirius looked into the mirror of the bathroom in his hospital room, studying his form in its surface. Sirius has to admit that he looked much better now, though his face was still a little gaunt, his cheekbones didn’t protrude from his face nor were his eyes sunken into his skull. His muscles were starting to regain their mass, meat covering his skeleton. And his hair was now long enough to cover his ears, although that strand of silver hair was still present (Sirius liked it though).

 

Passing a hand through the black dragon hide jacket he was wearing over his white deep necked t-shirt, Sirius couldn’t help the somewhat sad smile that graced his lips. Sirius was surprised that the Police didn’t destroy his possessions, feeling quite glad for it. The jacket was the last gift he received from Charlus and Dorea before their deaths, they commissioned it for his sixteenth birthday and was made with the shed skin and scales of Axe, his starter, and the hairs from the mane of Dorea’s Noiverm as decoration for the collar of the jacket.

 

Taking hold of the silver dangling earring with the form of a dragon head with purple pearls as ornaments (A gift for entering the Police Force from James and Remus. James bought the pendant while Remus bought the appointment in the piercing parlor), Sirius cursed the fact that the hole on his earlobe closed up while he enjoyed his stay in Azkaban. Sighing in defeat, Sirius put the earring down in the sink before activating his Aura. Picking a cotton swab, Sirius controlled his Aura to transfigure it into a needle before taking hold of his left ear. 'This was going to suck'.

 

…

 

Sirius was finishing picking up his meager possessions around his hospital room while ignoring the displeased glare from the nurse, she wasn’t too happy with his activities in the bathroom, when he heard the sound of footstep and a cane tapping the floor.

 

His grandfather entered the room like he owned the place. 'Things never change', Sirius has to stifle a snort when he saw him . The nurse exited the room with a harrumph after his grandfather gave her a look, but not before sending a final glare at Sirius.

 

"What in distortion did you do to that nurse?". His grandfather asked with an eyebrow raised.

 

"She didn’t appreciate my way of expressing myself". Said Sirius with a smirk while touching his re-pierced ear and the earring dangling from his earlobe.

 

His grandfather rolled his eyes while giving an exasperated sigh, though Sirius detected a smirk pulling at the corners of his mouth.

 

"Well, seeing as you like jewelry so much, you won’t have a problem putting this on". Said his grandfather while tossing him a small velvet box.

 

Catching it on the fly, Sirius opened the box without asking what it was. He already had a good idea. A Heir’s Signet Ring sat in the cushion of the box, a single crow with draconic features in flight decorated the stamp of the ring. The sigil of the heir of House Black. Sirius stared at the ring for a while.

 

"Are you going to make a fuss over this?". His grandfather asked while using his Lord Black’s voice.

 

Sirius sighed but plucked the ring from the cushion to put it on, the ring slipping on his finger like a glove indicating its acceptance of his placement as the Heir of the House.

 

"Does this meant that I will have to live at Blackstone Castle?". Asked Sirius just to be whiny.

 

He really didn’t care that much, in contrast with Grimmauld Place, Sirius has fond memories of his families official seat. Sirius already knew that his old flat wasn’t his anymore and, although he knew that Remus would offer him a place in the Lupin Villa in a heartbeat, he didn’t want to take advantage of Remi’s and uncle Lyall’s generosity.

 

"Let’s get out of here, you brat. Remus is waiting for us at the reception area". Said his grandfather, not deigning to answer his question.

 

Sirius felt a warm felling spread on his chest at the thought of seeing his Marauder brother again, a smile blossoming on his face while following his grandfather out of the room.

 

It wasn’t long that they reached the reception area of Saint Helena Hospital, the central hospital of Fearhelm. Sirius didn’t fight his impulse to run into Remus arms the moment he saw him, not caring about the reprimand from the receptionist. Strong arms enveloped him as fiercely as he was enveloping Remus. Sirius buried his face in the crock of Remus’s neck, felling tears start to swell in his eyes.

 

It was some time before the two finally ended the hug, thought they maintained their hands upon each other shoulders.

 

"It’s so good to have you back, Siri".

 

"Thanks for not giving up on me, Remi".

 

"Never".

 

The two smiled at each other, both of their eyes glassy, before the clearing of a throat broke the moment. Arcturus was looking at them, a corner of his mouth lifted into a smile, not really bothering to put on a stern expression.

 

"Why don’t we continue this reunion in a more comfortable place?". Asked his grandfather.

 

"Of course, Lord Black". Said Remus after clearing his throat in embarrassment. "Come Sirius, Padfoot is anxious to reunite with you. Let’s get out of the Hospital so you can release her". He continued while presenting Sirius with Padfoot’s PokéBall.

 

Sirius couldn’t help but look at the PokéBall in wonder. After all these years, he will be able to reunite with his team, his best friends and comrades. Sirius felt a pang of loss enter his thoughts and heart, but he repressed it for the moment while tightening his hold on the PokéBall. He has an Aura Bonded Pokémon to be properly reacquaintance with.

 

…

 

Sirius looked out the window of his family’s limousine while the chauffeur speeded through Fearhelm’s streets towards the outskirts of the city, his hand never stoping petting Padfoot’s massive head on his lap while he rejoiced in the Aura Bond that he could finally feel in its full strength after all these years. Padfoot hadn’t left his side since he released her, even making him carry her in his arms since their reunion.

 

Sirius looked at Remus, finding him looking at him with a small smile on his face while he himself was petting his own Aura Bonded Pokémon, Moony never stoping looking at his mate all the while.

 

"We have arrived". His grandfather suddenly said.

 

Looking out the window again, Sirius saw that they were approaching the gates of his family’s oldest property, having left behind the towering crystal jungle of Fearhelm. The coat of arms of his family was present right in the middle of the gates. A field of stars in the upper part with a stripe in the shape of an inverted arrow separating it from three flying crows with draconic features. The gates parted without the chauffeur having to stop their ride, finding themselves surrounded by a forest inside the massive grounds of Blackstone Castle. It took two more minutes to reach the castle proper after passing the gates

 

The design of the castle was such that, if it weren’t for the still present outer and inner walls surrounding it with the battlements atop them, anyone would have mistook it with a palace instead of a castle. Blackstone Castle wasn’t as big as Hogwarts Castle or Requiell’s Castle in Levahner City, not even as big as the castle of the League Headquarters in Babylon Island. It’s design wasn’t spread like the Hogwarts castle either, it’s looks more reminiscent of the ‘fantasy castles’ with its massive towers reaching the skies and all the structures giving it a symmetrical look. But it was still big by castle standards, giving an intimidating and imposing feeling with the black stones used in its construction only intensifying the feeling.

 

Getting out of the limousine when it stoped inside the bailey, Sirius took a moment to look around. He hasn’t been here since he escaped his home and family to go live with the Potters when he was fifteen. Maids and attendants were waiting for them, all of them bowing and curtsying when they approached. Sirius tried to conceal a grimace at this, felling more than uncomfortable. He saw Remus having to do the same by the corner of the eye. 'I really didn’t miss this part', Sirius thought.

 

"Lord Black, Heir Black. Welcome home, Blackstone is yours". The head butler said while taking a step forward, an old Mienshao just a step behind him.

 

"Markus. Please, have someone bring my grandson’s belongings to his new rooms in the heir’s quarters. And bring some snacks and drinks to my solar for us and our guest". Ordered Lord Black.

 

Markus was a thin but short, by Yggsill standards, old man in his sixties that has been serving his family since Sirius has memory. Markus’s family has served the Black Family for generations, and will be doing so for more to come, Sirius was sure. 'They were better than ‘Kreacher’ that was for sure'. Sirius was more than happy to see that that old and miserable man wasn’t here.

 

"Grandfather". Called Sirius before Arcturus could give more orders. "I would like to go find my team and to go visit…her". He finished when his grandfather turned to look at him.

 

His grandfather gazed at him for a moment, before giving him a nod of assent. Sirius nodded back before looking at Remus, asking without words for him to accompany him. Remus gave him an understanding look, the two walking out of the castle walls to the outside grounds.

 

…

 

"Your property’s grounds are massive". Remus said while looking around at their surroundings.

 

They were surrounded by nature, the only people they have seen after leaving the castle being a man wearing dragon hide clothing in fashion with the Dragon Tamers trainer category, a dragon keeper for the Black Dragon Preserve.

 

"It has to be, there are a lot of biomes catering to the different species of Dragon Types we have living in the preserve". Answered Sirius. "It actually reach a little bit further than the first mountain of the Guilwich Mountaing Range". Added Sirius while pointing at the said mountain in the distance.

 

Walking some more, they found themselves in a clearing with a gigantic lake at one side (they almost weren’t able to see the other shore). Sirius and Padfoot walked until they were in the middle of the clearing while Remus stayed some paces behind.

 

"You ready?". Sirius asked Padfoot.

 

The Mightyena nodded before closing her eyes. Taking a deep breath, Padfoot suddenly opened her now shining eyes, a growl escaped her jaws before she threw her head back and howled to the heavens. Remus and Moony had to take a step back, the Howl was so loud and powerful that it displaced the grass in a radius around Padfoot, the sound traveling through the air with a haunting quality to it.

 

…

 

In a cave, red eyes opened from their slumber, the red blades of two ax-shaped fangs glistened in the dark.

 

…

 

A scaled fighter looked up from his defeated opponent, giving a roar of triumph after showing his superiority again. Suddenly, their plates like scales started vibrating. The Pokémon looked towards the northwest, his nostrils flaring in excitement.

 

…

 

A flock of Swablu took flight from the forest, a swan like creature lifted his head from where he had it hidden under his fluffy wing in his sleep.

 

…

 

A sandstorm covered a part of a small desert area, a beautiful haunting melody emanated from the violent cloud of sand. Suddenly, all went quiet.

 

…

 

From the bottom of a lake, a king observed his descendants with pride in his eyes. A disturbance in the waters of the surface attracted his attention. Excitement and hope started to fill him.

 

…

 

Padfoot ceased to Howl, bringing back silence to the clearing. Like the calm before the storm, the air seemed to still in bathed breath. It wasn’t long before the calm ceased.

 

The surface of the lake started to be disturbed, small waves forming and reaching the shore at the beginning, before the body of water transformed into a raging ocean. Sirius and Remus had to cover their faces from the water, but they were calm before the happenings, Sirius having an excited smile pulling at his lips. Suddenly, a whirlwind of water exploded from the surface of the lake like an inverted waterfall, splashing water and raising the wind in the clearing, before it exploded outwards soaking them all. The lake’s surface calmed instantly, leaving the regal form of Kingdra, his scales on the left side of his face discolored product of the old injure caused by the Garvador exploding, hovering over the surface. His eyes were locked onto Sirius’s form.

 

Sirius straightened his stance, putting his face into a neutral expression and locked eyes with the water dragon. They were gazing at each other for minutes, their stances not wavering, until Kingdra started to float towards Sirius. Kingdra was as tall as Sirius at one meter eighty, being able to look down at him thanks to his ability to hover in the air with his draconic abilities. Kingdra closed his eyes, bowing his head to touch foreheads with Sirius.

 

Sirius smiled, lifting his hands to caress Kingdra’s face.

 

"Hey there, my king. I missed you". Sirius whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

 

Kingdra gave a pleasant trumpet like sound of agreement before lifting his head, his eyes shining with happiness at having been reunited with his trainer.

 

"Let’s hope your brothers and sister didn’t feel the need to make such an impressive entrance". Sirius teased.

 

Kingdra lifted his snout to the air imperiously.

 

Sirius snickered at his aptitude, only to give an undignified squeak when a fluff of white enveloped his head making him lose his valance.

 

"Altaria! Get out of my head, you crazy bird! My neck, my neck!".

 

Luckily, the blue draconic bird got out of him to fly to position himself beside Padfoot, greeting the Dark Type Canine with a chirpy song. Padfoot responded with a doggy smile. Sirius couldn’t see any old scars marring Altaria’s body, but he was sure that under his plumage the visage wasn’t so pretty.

 

Sirius cursed while standing back up from where he has ended in all fours on the ground, massaging his neck all the while. The moment he fully stood up, his gaze locked with Altaria’s the same way it did with Kingdra’s just a moment ago. This stare-down didn’t last so long, Sirius finding himself hugging his Humming Pokémon not half a minute later.

 

The next to arrive was Flygon, making Sirius end his reunion with Altaria to look at the new arrival. The Mystic Pokémon was flying in circles around the clearing while making her wings vibrate and produce the haunting song her species were so well known for. Like Kingdra, she has some discolored scales on her body, her chest and arms to be precise. Flygon has her gaze locked with Sirius’s all the time, before suddenly giving a roar and diving towards him.

 

"Sirius!". Remus shouted in alarm.

 

But Sirius didn’t move from his spot, maintaining his stand while looking directly at his incoming Pokémon. Flygon stoped on the last moment, lifting a gust of wind that ruffled Sirius’s clothes and hair, and was done on purpose to try and make him flinch. But Sirius stood his ground, a firm look on his face while he gazed into his insectoid dragon’s eyes. Flygon didn’t seem to like that, roaring on his face loud and long.

 

All the clearing’s occupants looked at the scene with baited breath, but they didn’t have to worry. Flygon stoped roaring, her chest heaving, and tears starting to form on her eyes behind their red coverings. Sirius lifted his hands to caress her face the same way he did with Kingdra, bringing their faces together so they could touch their foreheads. Flygon closed her eyes, letting the tears fall, catching briefly in the coverings before they slowly filtered through them.

 

"I’m so sorry Flygon. I’m here". Sirius said, his voice low and tight with emotion.

 

…

 

They had to wait twenty minutes for the next arrival. Sirius wasn’t idle, getting reacquaintance with his Pokémons while they waited for their land locked partners. Remus and his Pokémons having joined the reunion at Sirius’s and his team’s prompting. Their two teams were animatedly catching up with each other, Kingdra being the center of attention while he presented his many children, a school of seventeen Horseas and one Seadra.

 

Abruptly, the Pokémons chatter stoped, the Horseas and Seadra diving towards the bottom of the lake while Sirius’s and Remus’s teams had their gazes locked into the same zone of the forest. Sirius and Remus stood up from their seated positions on the ground, Remus backing some paces away while Sirius approached the rattling sound they have started to hear and was getting louder by the second.

 

Suddenly, a figure jumped from the foliage of the forest to land in front of Sirius with a rattle of scales. The Kommo-o roared his arrival while sacking his body to make his plate like scales vibrate and collide with each other to produce a rattling sound. Fist’s form was dotted with scars, some older than others, and Sirius could even see some recent bruises and wounds on him. He was pretty sure that Fist has just had a fight not too long ago.

 

Sirius and Fist looked at each other, Fist rattling his scales from time to time all the while, until Fist smirked and presented Sirius with a closed claw. Sirius smirked too, pumping his fist with his Scaly Pokémon’s offered one, before he suddenly found himself receiving a hug that ended as soon as it started. Fist ran towards the congregated mons, an enthusiastic greeting leaving his muzzle.

 

Sirius and Remus laughed at the pseudo-legendary’s antics, until a shadow fell upon them. Looking up, Sirius found his gaze locked with the red eyes of his shiny Haxorus. Sirius didn’t need to go through the stare-down he has to undertake with his other partners, his bond with Axe thrumming with a happy hum. Sirius turned around, hugging his first companion and starter with all his strength and felling Axe do the same. A gentle purr that started from his chest left Axe’s muzzle. Sirius felt his tears start again while he hugged Axe.

 

"I’m home".

 

…

 

Sirius found himself guiding Remus while walking through a forested zone of the grounds of the Black Dragon Reserve, his team all walking or flying alongside him. Arriving at the end of the path, two trees at each side, with dangling ornaments on their canopies, served as an archway.

 

Another huge clearing was at the other side, but it was clear that this place was different the moment someone put eyes on it. Weeping Willows were planted in an orderly fashion with distance between each tree, their trunks ‘coiled’ to envelope the statue of different Dragon Pokémons, be it Dragon Type or Dragon Aligned. Some were easily recognizable, a Dratini, a Salamence, a Salazzle,…but there were also statues of Pokémon that none knew wich species they were, the information about them having been lost, what with the engravings of the stone having eroded with time. One of such statues showed a bipedal dragon with a dorsal spine on its back, the beginning of its name, ‘Arc...’, the only thing they were able to read.

 

Not two statues were the same, even when they represented the same Pokémon species, the artisans talent was so great that they managed to grave in the stone the differences between the Pokémons.

 

The clearing was calm, devoid of any strong sound, like if the animals and the Pokémons that habited the area knew of the importance of the place.

 

"My family has a tradition". Sirius started to explain quietly to Remus while they walked trough the clearing. "One of the few that I actually like. When one of our Pokémon dies heroically, their remains are buried in this place, the seed of a Salix Babylonica is buried alongside their bodies. When the hole is filled, a statue of the Pokémon is erected on the spot they were buried as a headstone, their achievement engraved in the stone of the pedestal the statue stands upon. Later, Grass Type Pokémon, preferably of the Treecko line seeing as they are Dragon Aligned, come and make the seed buried with the Pokémon bloom at an accelerated pace, making it growth around the statue".

 

A brief silence fell after his explanation.

 

"We actually started doing this one hundred and eighty years before the unification of Yggsill. One of my ancestors met another Dragon family, a tribe back then, the Blackthorns, like we call them in Yggsillian and in The Tongue, of Blackthorn City. They go by Fusube in their own mother tongue, though…We got the willows from them, being indigenous to Kanto and Johto". Sirius paused again before commenting with a much lower voice if possible. "I never thought grandfather would bury her here. Not with what was thought of me back then".

 

The group had stoped under the canopy of a young Weeping Willow, even thought it was of the size of an adult one. The trunk of the tree was enveloping the statue of a Dragonair, the pedestal the statue was upon read:

 

Here lies Angel the Dragonair

 

The example of a true Dragon and the meaning of true Courage.

 

Fought in the Blood War, dying while containing the Explosion of the Garbador of a Death Eater, followers of Voldemort. Her sacrifice saved the lives of twenty-six people and thirteen Pokémon.

 

Always Pure of Soul, of Mind, of Aura.

 

"Lord Black never truly believed what they said about you". Sirius heard Remus said quietly behind him. "Not even before I managed to talk with him about your innocence. And even when the rest of the world believed you a murderer, they always thought of her as a hero. They simply thought that she…"

 

"…went against my orders, to do what was right". Sirius finished for Remus, a small smile forming through his silently falling tears. "I can imagine her doing that if that was the case, actually". Said Sirius with a wet chuckle.

 

Silence descended among the group, Sirius gazing at the statue. Lifting a hand, he put it upon the head of Angel’s stone depiction.

 

"Hey there, my babe Angel…I’m sorry I couldn’t come sooner, but I’m here now…Thanks for saving us, you were so brave…I love you, I’m sorry I wasn’t strong enough to protect you…I will miss you, always".

 

They stayed there till the sun started to set on the horizon.

 

---

 

All the first years were sitting around the classroom of Introduction to Aura, jittery with nerves at the upcoming exam they were gonna do next class. Luckily, professor Flitwick agreed to do a quick overview for tomorrow’s exam. Harry was anxious for this week to be already over. Professor Flitwick promised them that they would start to learn to use their Aura after the exam.

 

"…that was excellent Mr. Boot, well done". Professor Flitwick was praising Terry Boot with his usual chirpy tone. "Now, next point. What is Aura Alignment?. Let’s see…Mr. Weasley, can you answer that?".

 

Ron looked up from where he has been drawing meaningless pictures in the corners of his notebook while paying half the attention to the class.

 

"I..Ahh..Well, it’s the Elemental Type someone is more attuned to. Making it easier to interact and befriend Pokémons of the type you are aligned towards. There are also the abilities that come with your…specific type of Aura". Answered Ron with a blush.

 

"For example?".

 

"Ah, well, people with their Aura aligned with the Bug Type have a great resistance to many toxins and poisons for example. Not as high a resistance as someone with Poison Type Aura, but high enough. And, well, there’s the fact that with enough training someone can produce what many describe as Pokémon Moves. Though, they really aren’t, Pokémon Moves aren’t something humans can learn. But we can learn to use a fac…facsilm…something that appears to be Pokémon Moves".

 

"Hmm, good. A point from Gryffindor nonetheless, pay attention to class Mr. Weasley. Don’t come crying later if you fail your exam for not having been paying attention now". Admonished the tiny professor.

 

Ron cringed at the rebuke.

 

"Yes, sir. Sorry, professor".

 

"…Like Mr. Weasley explained, Aura Type Alignment. There is a school for each of the elemental types. Psychic Aura, Fairy Aura, Dragon Aura, Water Aura…Each one comes with their own abilities. Some common, like the resistance to poisons and toxins that people with their Aura aligned with the Bug and Poison types are prone to show. And others not so common, that can be characteristic of a person in specific, or of an entire family for generations". Explained professor Flitwick. "Now, the last point of the syllabus that will, probably, enter in the exam. The consequences, good and bad, of Aura regarding Pokémons. Lets start for the advantages, shall we?. Who wants to tell us about them?…Mr. Potter".

 

"Having strong Aura can make you less susceptible to be attacked by wild Pokémon…erm, I mean actually attacked, not just challenged to a fight by a wild Pokémon. And yes, that can happen too". Clarified Harry in a small ramble, blushing after when he realized that he probably needn’t have to. "There is also the fact that when we form a bond with a Pokémon when we catch them, our Aura helps in making them stronger, it helps them to evolve quicker too, makes them, and us, healthier, the Pokémon’s lifespan is extended". Harry quickly continued. "That one is more apparent in Bug Type Pokémons. For example, Burmy and his evolutions are known to live four years in the wild, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Ron’s Burmy manages to live to his sixties". Ron hugged Artreos to his chest at that, sending a smile to his starter. "There is also Aura Bonding, a phenomenon that can only be done in this Region. These individuals can merge their senses and minds with their Aura Bonded Partners, gaining better senses, strength and agility while doing so, and even managing to perform Pokémon Moves for the brief moment their Aura is more intensively merged with that of their Aura Bonded Pokémon’s. And that without bringing up the fact that all Aura Bonded Pokémon are as strong as pseudo-legendaries, so you could have a Sunflora, considered as one of the weakest fully evolved Pokémon, competing blow by blow with monsters like Tyranitar".

 

"Good, well explained Mr. Potter!. As you can all see, there are a lot of benefits to having a Pokémon even if you are not a trainer. Merely the fact that our health improves is a good incentive, I would say. Now, the last part. What are the disadvantages?…Mis. Davis".

 

"There aren’t many, actually". Tracey started. "The first one is Aura Backlash. It’s uncommon for it to happen, but if a trainer enters a full battle and all his Pokémon faint, they could faint right alongside them. This is really common in young trainers who don’t have their Aura fully developed, and it’s one of the reasons Hogwarts doesn’t let us have a full team until fourth year. Even first years have been known to faint if they had two Pokémon in their teams and the two end up fainting…"

 

"I hope all of you understand the danger". Interrupted professor Flitwick. "I’ve been saying it all this year, but I don’t want any of you participating in Full Team Battles. Fainting from Aura Backlash is not only unpleasant, but also detrimental to your health".

 

Professor Flitwick gazed around the classroom, making sure to look at each of his students to make sure they understood his words.

 

"Continue, Mis. Davis".

 

"Erm, yes professor". Tracey fidgeted a little. "Another one is that, depending of how strong your Aura is, you will only be able to help your Pokémon reach a certain level of strength. Erm…for example, an Elite trainer is classified as such because they can train, and sustain with their Aura, a minimum of six Pokémon to Elite Level. For many Pokémon, that could be a detriment to having a trainer, but taking into account that many, if not all, have it really difficult to reach such levels of strength in the wild until almost their last stretch of their lives…Yeah. Erm… This also can connect with Aura Backlash, trying to train Pokémon to a level your Aura can’t sustain can make you faint…Erm, and this last one is for Trainers with Aura Bonded Pokémon". Tracey said while sending Harry a nervous glance. "This is…this is if they are only… if the Pokémon is killed…the Backlash will actually kill the Trainer". Tracey sent Harry an apologetic look.

 

Harry looked down, finding his notes really interesting, while ignoring all the eyes that were now on him.

 

---

 

"Look, it’s him!".

 

"Do you think he remembers that night?".

 

"Moron, not so loud!".

 

"I didn’t remember that James Potter had a Houndoom. Do you think his is related to his father’s?".

 

"It’s so sad that they died that young".

 

"You okey there, Harry?".

 

"Oh, hey Cedric, Bronzor. Yes, everything is…great". Harry was distracted from the whispered conversation of some upper years standing some paces away from him by Cedric’s arrival and answering to Cedric without being able to conceal his annoyance.

 

Harry and his friends were training their Pokémon on the Hogwarts grounds, their day of classes already finished. All of them were bundled in warm clothing, this probably being one of the last training sessions they do outside since the ‘first’ proper snowstorm is predicted to happen in no more than two days. Luckily, Hogwarts have inside training facilities. The Glacera Area was living up to its reputation, the northernmost part of Yggsill having been suffering temperatures more typical of winter since the middle end of September, even snowing on occasion when they reached October, although the snow didn’t settle for more than a few days if it did snow.

 

They were quickly approaching Halloween, and Harry will meet Sirius the day after. But that wasn’t what had Harry annoyed, no, it was the rest of the student body. More so today, what with the fantastic Introduction to Aura Class they have ended the day with.

 

The day his dad called to tell him about Sirius finally receiving his trial, there was a morning edition in the papers talking about it. And even though more trials have been done since then, the papers are still going on about it. Unfortunately, the trial also brought to light, again, the night his parents ended Voldemort, and that has brought back the pointing and whispering from great part of Hogwarts’s inhabitants. But now it was also accompanied with looks of pity, and Harry hated pity.

 

Harry couldn’t help but sent a sideway glare to the upper years, something Cedric noticed. Cedric gave him a look, not believing his words in the slightest, before sending his own direct glare to the whispering students. That seemed to shut them up, at least. Cedric seemed to want to say something to Harry after returning his gaze to him, but the sound of battle distracted them.

 

"Artreos, Bug Bite!"

 

"Float above him to dodge and use Shadow Ball!".

 

Ron and Blaise were engaging in a practice battle, their partners having been at it for a short while now. Artreos launched himself at Mors, the little worm quite agile despite his looks, but Mors managed to dodge him easily enough by just floating higher than Artreos could reach. The mischievous Misdreavus started to form a ball of pure darkness the moment he was right above Artreos. But before the little Burmy, or Ron, had the chance to do anything, the Shadow Ball exploded in Mors face.

 

Mors gave a mixed cry of surprise and pain while Blaise cursed with worry on his eyes for his starter.

 

"Artreos, its our chance, Struggle Bug!". Ron commanded, taking advantage of the opportunity given by Mors’s malfunctioning attack.

 

Artreos gave a determined chitter, his body being enveloped in green aura that he condensed in front of his head to shoot it at the still recuperating Mors, landing the attack without problems. Mors gave another cry not only at the damage but also at felling some of his power wane.

 

"Good, Ron was quick in taking advantage of Mors’s and Blaise’s mistake. Mors special attacks will be weaker now too…That Shadow Ball didn’t seem ready for battle, though". Cedric commented with Bronzor giving a metallic sound of agreement.

 

"It’s not, actually. Mors just learned the move, but as you know…" Started Harry

 

"… the quickest way to properly master a move is to use it in battle". Finished Cedric giving a nod of understanding. "Say, are those ‘horns’ atop Artreos’s head?".

 

"Hm-hm. Ron’s really excited. It seems he will be the first one to have a fully evolved Pokémon in our year".

 

"Eeeh!". Cedric smirked, humor in his eyes. "The benefits of being a Bug Type, I suppose".

 

Harry snorted with Dante and Hedwig, perched atop Dante’s head, giving their own sounds of amused agreement.

 

"Ain’t that the truth?. Artreos is becoming more and more difficult to beat too, even with Dante’s and Hedwig’s Type Advantage".

 

"Mors, Confuse Ray!".

 

"Oh no, you don’t!. Artreos, throw off!".

 

"Wha…?". Cedric didn’t get to finish his confused inquire.

 

Mors conjured floating blue lights around himself that he launched at Artreos. The Bagworm Pokémon responded to it by ridding himself off his Plant Cloak in a storm of falling leafs that concealed his form. The lights of Confuse Ray collided with Artreos previous covering without reaching the Bug Type. When Artreos emerged, he was unaffected by Mors’s attack and was already covered in a Sandy Cloak.

 

"Well done Artreos!". Ron yelled excitedly.

 

Cedric whistled.

 

"That was impressive".

 

Harry gave an agreeing hum.

 

"Ron is the best at strategy thinking. You could give him a Magikarp and he could think of a way to use Splash effectively in battle". Commented Harry.

 

"Hmm…A pity this strategy won’t work once Artreos evolves".

 

"Hey Cedric!, you coming or what!?. Honeydukes is selling a special bath of chocolates that are calling for me!". An upper year yelled some distance away, where he was with a small group of older years.

 

"Just a moment!". Cedric called back to his friends.

 

When Cedric turned to Harry again, the emerald eyed boy was glaring discretely at another group of upper years that were whispering between themselves while gazing at Harry. Cedric gave a disappointed sigh at their behavior.

 

"Harry…for what I learned about you, you will probably not like what I’m about to say. But let me give you an advice".

 

Harry frowned but looked at Cedric to listen to what the third year Hufflepuff had to say.

 

"The only way for these situations, where your status as the Boy-Who-Lived is again brought to the forefront of the minds of the people, to not affect you is to embrace your fame". Harry made a face, but Cedric continued before Harry could interject. "Make it part of yourself, transform it into your armor. That way nobody will be able to use it against you in any way that truly matters. If you do, situations like these while cease to affect you".

 

"…Where did you learn that?".

 

"From a fantasy book". Cedric admitted whiteout shame. "But the advice was sound. I can’t fully relate to you, you are a ‘celebrity’ by your own right". Cedric smiled apologetically at Harry who scowled at him. "But I’m still the child of an Elite Four member. Dealing with that status has become much more easier since I followed that advice, even if it came from a fantasy novel".

 

"So I should what? Start to give speeches and give stupid interviews?". Harry bite out.

 

Harry winced at his own tone, felling bad instantly for his comment.

 

"No, of course not. You don’t have to if you don’t want to". Cedric answered calmly, sending an understanding smile at Harry. "You just have to accept that being the Boy-Who-Lived is a part of you. How big or small that part is, is your decision. You don’t have to do anything with it, but accepting and acknowledging the fact will make it be as valuable as you yourself let it be".

 

Harry frowned in thought, looking away from Cedric to return his gaze towards the battle. Harry felt a comforting pat on his shoulder from Cedric, but he didn’t look away from the fighting mons.

 

"Cher up, Harry. This will pass, some poor bastard just needs to be dumped spectacularly by their partner, and their attention will be diverted from you. And poor bastards being dumped is a common occurrence, so you won’t have to wait long". Cedric joked.

 

Harry couldn’t help the snort that escaped his lips. Cedric smiled triumphantl.

 

"Beside, I heard that you first years will venture in the Forbidden Forest to gain your next partners in Halloween's day!".

 

"I already am at my carrying limit". Harry deadpanned.

 

"Details, details". Cedric waved it off.

 

"Cedric!!".

 

"Coming!. Sorry, I gotta go…Think about what I said. I promise, it really helps". Said Cedric as a goodbye before he and Bronzor marched towards his friend.

 

Harry waved goodbye, watching Cedric and his friends disappear from view, before he turned his gaze towards the ensuing Battle. Though his mind wasn’t on it.

 

"Let’s end this, Struggle Bug!".

 

 

 

Notes:

Another chapter! This one feels like a filler, but also not at the same time?. Anyway, hope you like it!

Chapter 19: The Forbidden Forest

Notes:

Disclaimor: Don't own Harry Potter or Pokémon. I only own the original characters and the original Pokémons.

English is not my first language, so if you see spelling mistakes, don't hesitate in telling me.

 

 

The promised snowstorm finally reached Hogwarts, leaving the landscape looking like Christmas come-earlier. The first years were afraid that the storm wouldn’t stop and that they would miss the opportunity of catching their second partner (For those of them that didn’t already have two Pokémons from the start). Fortunately, it stoped two days before the scheduled outing into the Forbidden Forest to catch their new partners.

While the majority of the first years were now preoccupied with researching what Pokémon they wanted, of the ones that lived now in the forest with all the snow, first years like Harry could take it much more easy without all the pressure. Harry didn’t understand it, it wasn’t like this was going to be the only outing of the year.

But the first years weren’t the only ones excited. Halloween was the same day as the outing and the school was in full swing in its preparations for the date. This was going to be Harry’s first snowy Halloween (‘Really, the weather and landscape were more appropriate to celebrate Christmas’, in Harry’s opinion), but he couldn’t muster the energy to feel festive. His nightmares had started again with more intensity, a combination of the date alongside the papers that didn’t stop writing the night of the death of his parents since Sirius’s trial. Although they have started to center themselves on the current trials more recently, to Harry’s great relief. Luckily, he never wakes screaming from them, he didn’t want to be a bother to his roommates.

Fortunately, the whispers that followed him had died down. Like Cedric predicted, a poor bastard got dumped spectacularly not three days after their chat, becoming the talk of the school and bringing the attention out of Harry (said poor bastard ended being Roger Davis, much to Tracey’s embarrassment). Even so, Harry has seen more than one student being stopped by their more intelligent friends from approaching him. Harry was more than sure, that he would punch someone in the face if they approached him to do what he knew they would do. And not even Cedric’s advise, that Harry was still thinking about, would prevent Harry from retaliating if someone were to ‘thank him for getting ride of Voldemort’. ‘The insensitivity of the people sometimes was astounding’.

"Remember class, when in snowy areas, always make sure to maintain your clothes as dry as possible, if you have a Fire Type they could be of great help". Madam Hooch voice brought Harry out of his head.

The first years, all of them bundled in warm clothing over their winter uniforms, were trekking through the snow to go back to the castle while Madam Hooch, their professor for PE and Survival in the Wilds (the class they were currently at), was listing the five tips to survive in the snow they had gone through during the class.

"Second. If you got lost in the snow, try to build a shelter like how I showed you in this class". Madam Hooch continued. "Don’t worry, we will practice more in their construction in the next classes. Pokémons with great control over Ground and, or, Rock Type Aura are some of the best to lend you help. Ice Types are also of great help, a good igloo like shelter can do wonders for your’s and your Pokémons’s survival".

"Next point, don’t stop moving. Movement produces body heat, and you all will want to stay warm any way possible". Daphne, who was walking beside Harry, was nodding along at Madam Hooch’s words.

Boreas was happily playing in the snow, darting back and forth while rolling on the snowy ground, diving into snow mounds, and basically having a good time. Since the snow settled, Daphne’s and Boreas’s aloof personality seemed to recede even when in the presence of strangers, when before it only happened when they were with their group of friends.

"This next one is really important. Many people forget about it because this kind of scenarios don’t bring the need to mind. Stay hydrated, don’t stop drinking water. If you run out of your supply of water, it’s always best to melt compact snow or, even better, ice. The kind of snow we are walking through, powder snow, is the worst kind to acquire water from. But for the love of Wairuus, don’t drink water produced by your Water Type Pokémons. It doesn’t have the properties needed to sustain us…and is disgusting".

The students laughed at that, Madam Hooch smiling while delivering that last comment.

"And last, try to create a bonfire. Fire Types, or a Pokémon that knows a Fire Move, are again of great help here. You can create your bonfire inside your shelter, even if its an igloo. Just make a small hole for the smoke to leave through". Reaching the doors to enter the castle, Madam Hooch turned Around to look at them properly. "Well class, that’s all for today. Next class, we will be going through different scenarios to learn when is best to stay put when lost in the snow and when is best to keep moving. And one last thing, remember that the outing to the Forbidden Forest starts at five in the afternoon, remember to come here if you want to go into the forest. But don’t feel pressured, it’s not mandatory if you don’t want to go…That’s all, you may go now".

Choruses of ‘goodbyes’ towards Madam Hooch followed the stampede of first years hurrying through the doors to scape the cold, leaving their teacher behind.

"Aah, warmth!". Blaise moaned when they entered the castle, taking out his hat and unrolling the scarf from his neck.

Daphne huffed and Boreas looked offended.

"Don’t be dramatic, it was quite pleasant". Said Daphne.

"Well, excuse us if we aren’t all made of ice, Ice Princess".

"Don’t call me that!".

"Why? you liked it when we were kids". Teased Blaise while Mors stuck out his tongue at Daphne mockingly.

"Hugh!, there are so few Fighting Types that thrive in the snow!". Complained Tracey suddenly, interrupting Daphne’s and Blaise’s possible argument.

Tracey was engrossed with her PoryPhone, going through it to find possible Pokémons she could catch for her team. Like she has been doing for four days now. Litta looked up at her trainer, sighing in fond exasperation at her single-mindedness.

"Still going through that?. There are more opportunities along the year, you know?". Asked Harry

Tracey sent him a small glare that had Harry raising his arms in mock surrender.

"Guys, where is Ron?". Asked Neville while looking around for the redhead.

"Knowing him, and with the way his stomach was growling, in the great hall enjoying midday meal". Answered Theo while taking out his coat much to Mico’s protest, the little Psychic Feline having been snuggling to Theo’s chest while inside the coat.

"Better hurry if we want to have something for ourselves". Harry joked.

They all snickered but hurried their steps nonetheless. Ron was capable of doing just that. Though they needn’t have worried this time. Entering the great hall, the six preteens and their eight Pokémons were just in time to witness Ron just now taking his seat angrily with a scowl on his face, while Granger stormed off towards the other end of the Gryffindor table, Ceo right beside her.

They all exchanged looks, nothing good could have come out of that. Ron and Granger were a clear example of oil and water from the start, something really drastic needed to happen to change that.

 

---

 

Harry and his Pokémons were passing through the castle halls towards Gryffindors’s common room. While he can’t catch another Pokémon for his team, the experience the outing would give was still great (just the opportunity to fight against wild Pokémons was worth braving the snow). But before that, he was going to make sure he was well stocked with regenerative Berries and the four Basic Potions he has in his possession. Professor Allen let them keep the potions they make in class, after he grades them and if they are suitable for use (Theo and Harry, like the rest of the students, just divide the contents of their potions between themselves. Luckily, they always make enough for the two of them).

Turning a corner, Harry had to sidestep to prevent a collision with another student.

"Oh, crap!…Sorry Harry, didn’t see you there". Exclaimed Justin.

"Don’t worry, no harm…"

" You have another message from Little Rascal. Do you want me to read it aloud?".  Interrupted a static voice.

Harry jumped back to prevent the RotomPhone from colliding with his face, his glasses having got close to being smashed, the device previously on Justin’s hand was now floating right on his face.

"No!. I will read it later…But send her a message reminding her that the number she is using is for emergencies only". Justin ordered to the device stressing the las two words, Kira punctuating his order with a loud meow.

"Right on, Boss". The Pokémon-possessed device said, spinning around Justin before going into his trouser pocket.

‘That is why I chose the PoryPhone’, Harry thought, amused at Justin’s exasperated sigh.

"Sorry about that, my little sister has found my second number that my dads gave me for emergencies and hadn’t stoped sending me messages all day". Explained Justin sheepishly.

"I noticed, you almost got caught during Madam Hooch’s class". Said Harry with a teasing smile.

"Don’t mention it, I almost got a heart attack!. Anyway, I better keep going, I have to pick some things from my room before the outing".

"You going too?. I thought you wanted to be an Electric Type master?, there aren’t any in the areas we are allowed into, not in this time of the year with all the cold".

"Oh, I know. I’m going for the same reason as you, experience". Justin said while shrugging. "See ya, Harry, Hedwig, Dante". Ended Justin while starting to walk down the corridor, Kira giving her own purred goodbye.

"Bye". Said Harry while Dante and Hedwig gave their own kind of goodbyes.

"You have another message from…"

"Oh, for Mew’s sake!".

Harry couldn’t help but laugh, sharing an amused gaze with Dante and Hedwig.

 

---

 

A pair of yellow and red eyes observed the group of first years congregating on the grounds of the castle while perched at the top of a cornice. A quiet growl escaped his jaws when a mope of untamable curly black hair fell into his line of sight.

The yellow and red eyes squinted into slits, fangs starting to show, before an air breeze brought an interesting scent to his nose. Head snapping in the direction of the smell, the Pokémon scented the air, a fanged grin starting to form on his face.

Cloaking himself in an illusion, the Pokémon jumped down from the cornice and took course towards the forest.

 

---

 

Looking around the congregated group of first years, Harry observed that not all of his year mates decided to participate in the outing. Of those with two Pokémons, only Harry, Theo and Robb Hunt were present, while of those that had just one Pokémon and can catch another, only half were present.

From Harry’s group of friends, all decided to attend though only Tracey wanted to catch her second Pokémon. There weren’t any Ghost Types present in the areas the first years were allowed to roam, so Blaise didn’t have any options unless he got lucky with a wandering one. Neville wanted to put all his attention on Trevor this year, and didn’t feel ready for a second partner just yet. Not to mention that there weren’t many options for him of new partners thanks to the snow and cold. Ron wanted to wait for latter on the year, Artreos was really close to evolving and Ron wanted to help his starter acclimatize to his new form once the evolution occurs. And Daphne just wasn’t interested in the Ice Types that frequented the areas they could visit, unless one catches her attention in some way. After all, with the restrictions on number of Pokémons someone can own their own Aura imposes over them, they have to be really picky.

There is a reason even many a Champion Level Trainer only owns six, personal, Pokémons. It has been greatly studied and concluded that the standard and safest number of Pokémons someone can sustain and train without danger towards themselves and their Aura is six. Of course, there are exceptions to the rule, Aura Bonding being one of them, but they are rare. Champion Joseph, Theo’s dad, have seven mons only thanks to his Pidgeot’s decision of retiring from battling. Another with more than the standard six is Champion Cynthia, being the most well known exception. She is the Champion with more Pokémons she can sustain, having eleven personal mons in total (this doesn’t affect the number of Pokémons she can field on Battles, six being the maximum imposed by the League Union for all trainers).

"Okey students, you should all have received a message with the maps of the areas you are allowed into. Your devices should also let you know if you are wandering out onto where you aren’t allowed. There will be professors and perfects patrolling the areas, so if something happens, just approach one of us". Madam Hooch said to the excited bunch of first years. "Now, remember what you have been learning to this moment, and good luck!".

"So, what do we do?". Asked Tracey.

"It’s your call, we are here as moral support and to gain experience in fighting wild Pokémons". Answered Theo.

"You are the one that wants to catch your second partner after all". Added Ron.

Tracey floundered a little, not having expected to be thrust into a leadership position, for minimum that this one was, so suddenly.

"I..Erm, well". Tracey scrambled to take out her PoryPhone. "Erm, the Pokémon I want is said to frequent this area of the forest". She said while signaling a specific zone of the map, they all huddled together to take a better look at the small screen. "So we should go there?". She ended asking instead of stating.

They all gave her sounds of agreement.

"Okey, good. Erm, Porygon?, can you lead us there?". Asked Tracey towards her phone.

The polygonal form of a Porygon appeared on the screen.

"Certantly". The Virtual Pokémon said through the phone’s speakers.

 

…

 

"Boreas, Spite!. Let’s make it pay for that!"

Boreas righted himself from were he had fallen, after not being able to dodge a Tackle, and jumped towards the wild Yungoos Daphne and him were fighting. Boreas’s eyes shined ominously, the Ice Fox sending a wave of unpleasant energy towards the wild Pokémon. The Yungoos cringed, felling that something within him had changed.

The wild Yungoos shook it’s head, waving the sensation off, it charged another Tackle towards Boreas just to find itself stumbling when its Aura Energy didn’t respond to its command.

"Tail Whip!".

Today wasn’t the day for the Yungoos, another unpleasant felling traveled through it’s body when Boreas waved his tails hypnotically behind him.

"Ice Shard. Finish this, Boreas". Orderred Daphne calmly.

Boreas barked his agreement, opening his muzzle and forming a ball of freezing energy inside it. Lunging his head in a forward motion, shards of ice were launched at the Yungoos from said ball of energy a moment later. The wild Pokémon cried in pain, falling unconscious after skidding some distance away.

"Well done Boreas!". Daphne exclaimed, walking towards her starter who puffed his chest at the praise.

"That was really well done, Daphne, Boreas". Harry said while walking towards the pair.

Hedwig cawed her congratulations from Harry’s shoulder while Dante charged towards his fellow canine enthusiastically, just for the fox to dodge him with an imperious sniff.

"Thanks". Said Daphne with a smile. "We should get out of here before the Yungoos wakes up. Let’s hope Tracey has already found her new partner".

The five exited the area after having placed an Oran Berry beside the unconscious mon, the Yungoos already showing sings of waking up before they lost it from view.

They walked towards the direction Tracey and Neville were at, the septet having decided to go their separate ways while still staying close to each other. That way Tracey would have a better opportunity of finding and catching her new partner, and the others could have their fights against the wild Pokémons. Large groups of people weren’t that great an incentive for the wild and ‘weak’ Pokémons of the area to approach them after all.

"…like this!?. I’m just trying to help you!".

"Well, don’t!. I didn’t ask for your help. And all you really do is boss around!".

Harry and Daphne exchanged worried looks at hearing the raised voices, having identified Ron and Granger quite easily. The two preteens and three Pokémon hurried towards the arguing pair. They found them in a small clearing, Artreos and Ceo trying to intervene to not avail.

"I don’t boss around!".

"Of course you do!. You are bossy, nosy and a know-it-all. It’s a wonder you don’t have friends!".

"Ron/Weasley!". Harry and Daphne exclaimed aghast.

Ron looked at them, startled at their appearance. He shouldn’t have looked away from Granger.

Ron found his face promptly looking the other way, his right cheek smarting from Grangers slap.

"You…insufferable prat!". Granger exclaimed before running away with tears in her eyes.

Ceo hurried after her, but not before sending a glare towards Ron and using their psychic powers to bump a bunch of snow on Ron’s head.

Harry and Daphne walked towards Ron with their brows furrowed. Ron had an upset frown on his face while massaging his reddening cheek and shaking the snow from his head, looking all the while towards where the bushy haired girl has just vacated the area.

"What?". Ron asked when he gazed at them.

Harry sighed while shaking his head alongside Hedwig and Dante.

"…You are an idiot Weasley". Said Daphne, Boreas barking his agreement, before she turned and started walking towards where Tracy and Neville should be.

 

…

 

"…challenge you to a battle!".

When they found Tracey, she was standing in front of a wild Pokémon. Her stand was firm, feet planted apart, a hand on her waist and the other pointing at the wild mon. Neville was to the side with Trevor poking his head out of the front of Neville’s coat.

Harry, Daphne, Ron, Hedwig, Dante, Boreas and Artreos approached the blonde boy and the grass turtle to witness the battle. The three preteens were upset on different degrees after Ron’s confrontation with Granger, Ron not having said anything all the way here, and they hoped that seeing Tracey battle would bring their spirits up.

"A Mienfoo? Didn’t know they liked the cold". Blaise voice sounded from somewhere behind them.

Blaise, Theo, Justin, Mors, Maher and Kira were approaching them having just entered the small clearing they found themselves in. Blaise took out his PoryPhone and tilted it towards the wild Pokémon.

"Two-Two, if you please". Requested Blaise, smirking at the snorts his nickname for his PoryPhone always generated.

 

Mienfoo

The Martial Arts Pokémon

A Fighting Type Pokémon, Mienfoo lives in packs alongside others of their species but only stays with them during the night and in the mornings, when all the pack congregates to go through a regimen of moves and poses to practice their katas. Different packs develop different katas and fighting stiles that they apply in battle.

Known for their fierce nature, it’s recommended to approach these Pokémons with care and respect if you don’t want to find yourself under a onslaught of attacks.

This Mienfoo is female and nine months old.

 

"Tracey will be a little upset to find that the Mienfoo is too old to accept a nickname". Daphne commented offhandedly when Blaise’s PoryPhone stoped delivering the information.

"They are one of the few Fighting Types that live in cold areas. That’s something that isn’t in their standard Pokédex’s entry". Answered Harry to Blaise’s implied question. "Hey there, Justin, Kira".

"Hello guys". Justin answered. "Hope you don’t mind Kira and I joining?".

"We found our Mr. Finch-Fletchley and the magnificent Kira wandering around while leaving a path of electrocuted bodies behind them. So, we kindly invited them to join us so we could save the poor inhabitants of the forest". Blaise said with a smirk.

"More like you dragged them along". Theo said with a snort.

"Hey! Don’t phrase it like that, the Pokémons were okey, and we left berries for them to take after waking". Exclaimed Justin while Kira gave an affronted growl in protest to Blaise’s words.

"Susan and Hannah aren’t with you?". Asked Neville curiously.

"They didn’t want to come. Susan wants a Swinub, but they wont start to roam the area till we enter proper winter. And Hannah wants an Aipon or a Teddiursa, one is easier to find in summer and the other is practically impossible to do so until then too, seeing as they are hibernating".Explained Justin.

"Shh! It’s starting". Said Daphne, bringing the attention of the boys towards Tracey, Litta and the Mienfoo.

They all were in time to see how the Mienfoo bowed towards Tracey and Litta before adopting a fighting pose, accepting the challenge. Tracey and Litta bowed back, after righting themselves Litta also adopted a fighting pose while Tracey has a grin of excitement and determination plastered on her face.

"Let’s start this!. Litta, Confu…".

Before Tracey could finish, the Mienfoo had launched herself towards Litta and was already in front of the Meditite. The Martial Arts Pokémon brought her paws in front of Litta’s face and clapped, producing a shock wave that interrupted Litta in forming any move and launched the Meditate Pokémon skidding back.

"That was Fake Out, and a really well executed one to boot". Theo commented impressed.

The Mienfoo was quick in pressing the advantage, bringing her paws to hit Litta in the face.

"Detect!".

But the move didn’t connect, Litta sidestepping the move quite elegantly with her eyes flashing just the moment before the move could connect.

"Force Palm!". Tracey pressed.

Litta’s hands started to shine and she brought them down onto the Mienfoo. Only for the Mienfoo to be the one to sidestep this time with her eyes flashing for a moment.

"Oh man, she knows Detect too?". Blaise asked rhetorically.

"Tracey is enjoying this". Theo commented.

The short haired girl had a massive grin on her face, her body vibrating in excitement after witnessing how talented the wild Pokémon was.

"Press the charge!. Alternate between Force Palm and Detect!".

It seemed that Tracey has read the Mienfoo’s mind, since the stoat like Pokémon followed the same strategy but with her own attacking move.

"I think she is using Double Slap?". Said Harry after a time had passed with the two Pokémons exchanging blows that they dodged with their Detects.

"I think you are right". Theo agreed, his eyes fixed in the two Fighting Types.

The two mons were at it for another minute, until Detect’s fail rate started to take effect. Luckily, it was Mienfoo who has her move falling on her first, skidding through the snow with a growled grimace after receiving Litta’s Force Palm to the chest.

"Now, Litta. Confusion!".

Litta’s eyes glowed with Psychic Power, a wave of Psychic energy forming around the Mienfoo and distorting the space around her. The Mienfoo cried in pain, clutching her head. When the attack let out, the Mienfoo fell to one knee panting but with a determined look on her face while she looked at Litta and Tracey.

"Tenacious little thing". Said Theo, Maher giving an appreciative growl in agreement with his trainer.

The rest couldn’t but agree at his comment.

The Mienfoo wobbled to her feet, taking a deep breath after doing so, and taking a determined stance right after. Litta’s eyes shone with respect for her opponent while Tracey’s grin softened into a softer smile, impressed by the small Pokémon’s courage.

Tracey and Litta looked eyes with the Mienfoo, before she suddenly lunged at Litta again, her paws being now the ones to shine with light. Though a different kind to the one produced by Litta’s Force Palm. Tracey gasped having identified the attack.

"Endure!. That’s Reversal!". Tracey ordered hurriedly.

Litta acted quickly at Tracey’s order, bracing herself with her arms raised protectively while her body gained a faint red glow. Just as the glow appeared, the wild Mienfoo connected her attack, the lights of her palms seeming to explode upon contact, momentarily obscuring the small bodies of the two Pokémon. When the light faded, it was clear that Litta has received quite the damage, but she was still standing. 'Mienfoo must have been really hurt by that Confusion for Reversal to have been so powerful', thought Harry.

Mienfoo looked momentarily surprised that her attack hadn’t taken out her opponent. Tracey was quick in taking advantage of her moment of stupor.

"Force Palm!".

Litta connected her glowing palm with the Mienfoo’s jaw, sending her reeling back and making the Martial Arts Pokémon fall onto her back. Surprisingly, the Mienfoo was still conscious, but was struggling to even lift her torso. Tracey didn’t let her do that.

"Now! PokéBall, GO!". Tracey said while launching a Premier Ball towards the downed Pokémon.

"Eh! Classic". Justin commented after hearing Tracey’s catch phrase for throwing PokéBalls.

The PokéBall connected with the Pokémon, opening and enveloping the mon in a red beam and bringing the Mienfoo inside itself. Falling to the snowy ground, the PokéBall rocked one, two times while beeping from a capture in process, at the third shake, it clicked, the PokeBall’s central button beeping and the capsule stoping it’s shaking signaling a successful capture.

"Yes! We did it!". Tracy exclaimed while jumping in the air before running towards her starter. "You were amazing Litta!".

The Meditite had a proud smile on her face with her chest puffed for having won the battle. Tracey piked her up and started to spin while celebrating, eliciting a squawk from Litta who resigned herself to her fate.

"That was amazing Tracey, Litta!".

"I’m happy for you. That Mienfoo seemed quite strong".

"That was so cool! Your exchanges with Detect were amazing Litta!. Congrats Tracey, you got yourself a great partner".

Harry and the others approached the duo, congratulations for the two falling from their lips and smiles on their faces.

"Thank you guys!". Responded Tracey with a smile, her already rosy cheeks from the cold gaining more color at the praise, while putting Litta on the ground at her insisting request.

"Well, shouldn’t you be doing something?". Asked Daphne while looking at the PokéBall still on the ground.

Tracey gave a small exclamation, hurrying towards the PokéBall of her new Pokémon. Piking it up from the ground she paused to take a deep breath, turning towards Litta right after.

"Let’s meet our new teammate!".

"Ti!". Exclaimed Litta in agreement.

Tossing the PokéBall in the air, red energy exited it when it opened, leaving the form of Mienfoo when the beam stoped.

Tracey crouched to be closer to Mienfoo’s eye level, a Potion already on her hand ready to be used.

"Hello again, Mienfoo". Started Tracey with a smile. "Like I promised, I’m your trainer now. It’s a pleasure having you on the team".

The Mienfoo gave a chitter as a greeting, smiling slightly at Tracey, before bowing at her and Litta. A grimace of pain appeared on her face when she straightened.

"Here, this is a Potion. Will you let me apply it on you?". Asked Tracey while shaking the bottle on her hand for emphasis.

Mienfoo looked unsurely at the bottle, but gave her consent after Litta encouraged her.

Harry and the others looked from the sidelines how Tracey and Litta interacted with their new partner. Not interrupting them, knowing how important the first interaction after the capture was for the Trainer and their new Pokémon.

"That was really good. Man, now I want a new partner too! What do you say Mors? Should we try to convince one of Hogwarts’ Litwicks in joining our team?". Blaise jokingly asked.

"Blaise…". Theo and Daphne sighed his name in exasperated amusement.

"I don’t think the professors will be very happy with that idea". Said Neville.

"Why not? I think its a great one". Harry joked along.

"See, Mors! We have Harry’s endorsement! We must do it now!". Blaise exclaimed, a smirk on his face.

"Harry! Don’t encourage him man". Theo lectured, though his lips trembled with the effort of containing his smile.

"You two are as bad as the twins some times". Said Ron with a deadpan.

"Eh-hem!".

They stoped their banter to look at an amused Tracey with her arms crossed, Litta and Mienfoo were at her side, her new Pokémon looking much better and gazing at them in bewilderment.

"Guys, let me introduce you to Mienfoo. Mienfoo, these are my…".

"You have a new message from…".

" Ro’Phone, not now!". Justin exclaimed when his RotomPhone darted in front of him and interrupted Tracey, lunging towards it to silence it and put it in his pocket.

When Justin looked up at the others, he found Blaise and Harry trying to contain their laughter while Tracey pouted at him. The rest just looked at him with amused faces. Justin flushed and smiled sheepishly.

"Sorry, Tracey. It’s just my sis…".

Justin was interrupted by a loud, almost deafening, roar reverberating through the canopy of the forest, the few birds and bird like Pokémon that still lingered in the area, even with the snow, taking flight in flock while chirping in agitation.

Silence descended upon the forest after the avians flew away, even its typical sounds of millions of tiny lives quieting at the roar. The group of preteens and young Pokémon felt themselves tense, looking around while slowly inching towards each other and positioning themselves back to back.

"What was that?". Daphne asked quietly.

Someone screamed in the distance.

All their head snapped in the direction of the sound. Harry, Ron and Daphne gasped in realization.

"Granger!". The three exclaimed.

Harry, Ron and their Pokémon took off in the direction of the scream.

"Wait, don’t… You idiots!. Wait, Neville!?. Ugh, freaking Gryffindors!". Daphne growled in frustration after seeing the three boys running off towards the obvious danger.

"Guys, wait!". Justin suddenly exclaimed, running towards were the three Gryffindors ran off with his Luxio sized Shinx beside him.

The four Slytherins and their Pokémon watched this unfold with exasperated and worried expressions.

"…Should we follow?". Tracey asked.

The four exchanged looks, before they all sprinted to catch up with their reckless friends.

 

---

 

"You…insufferable prat!".

Hermione ran away from the odious redhead, her hand tingling from the slap she just gave Weasley and feeling tears falling through her cheeks.

Her live at Hogwarts wasn’t going how she thought it would. A precocious and intelligent child since young, Hermione has always had difficulty connecting with those of her own age. Something that got worse when she entered school. While the other kids liked to play in the dirt, go treasure hunting or any other thing children liked to do, she never found interest in any of that, finding her passion amidst the library books of her school.

The other kids started to bully her for that. It started simply enough, a group of girls in her school just calling her boring for not wanting to play with them to read a book instead. It may have been a simple comment without true malice, but it still made her stay less with the rest of the kids and more in the library, with started to make her the outcast of her class. And latter, the school. She was first the bookworm, latter it was the teacher’s pet, and then the know it all. The more she read and studied, the better the grades she got, the more praise she received from her teachers, the prouder her parents seemed and the worse the other kids got in their torment, only making her retreat in her books much more, making the process go around and intensify.

Her parents tried to help her when they realized that her school life wasn’t going well despite her stellar grades, going to talk to the school and even talking with the parents of the other kids. But it only got worse, the kids retaliating against her for getting them in trouble with their parents and the teachers. So Hermione reneged from social interactions and buried herself completely in her books. Books couldn’t hurt her after all. They became her comfort. They, and the Pokémon.

Pokémon seemed to like her since she was but a baby, even the wild ones. A flock of Starleys flying playfully around her when she went on walks with her parents, a wild Mightyena guiding her home after getting lost in the forest, a school of Remoraids coming to play around her feet while enjoying a day on the beach….

Her parents, Hector and Celeste Granger, were surprised and worried by this. Neither of them were Trainers, their journey having ended without even managing their first badge or ribbon. Her mom even gave her starter to another trainer after returning to her home. The two studied to become dentist not long after returning, meeting three years later after graduating in a Dental Conference. Luckily, her Hogwarts letter came. And with it, professor McGonagall.

Finding that her Aura, though not necessarily stronger than that of other typically accepted Hogwarts’s student without them being a legacy kid, was more ‘on the surface of her skin’ than that of other people, was a surprise to her parents and her. For Hermione, it was the perfect explanation as to why no other child liked her and she started to hope that Hogwarts could be different for her, that she would be able to make friends. But no such luck, it was all of the same over again. Worse, as she didn’t have the comfort of her parents to go back to.

Furiously wiping the tears falling from her eyes, Hermione had to stop running to take a breath, her breath fogging in the cold air.

"I’m not bossy". Hermione whispered while wiping her tears

Felling a gentle tap of something hard, Hermione looked up to find her first and only friend looking worriedly at her. Ceo gave a gentle metallic sound in worry, carefully approaching their trainer to rub their ‘head’ with her cheek.

"Sorry, Ceo. I’m okey, I’m not going to let that prat of Weasley get me down". Hermione tried to appear tough and determined, but knew she was falling at it. She wasn’t feeling it after all.

Drawing a shuddering breath, Hermione felt her lips start to wobble and her eyes watering again. Approaching a fallen trunk beside a small half frozen pond (a stream fed it with water while another on the other side emptied it), Hermione sat and let her tears fall down her face.

"…I wanna go home, Ceo". Hermione confessed, letting a sob leave her lips.

Hermione stayed there for a while, crying her eyes out for a plethora of emotions. Homesickness, loneliness, frustration, anger…It seemed that this last confrontation with Weasley was all her emotions needed to break the dam.

The sound of something splashing in the water brought her out of her stupor. Hermione looked curiously at the pond, seeing a small shadow move under the surface towards her. Hermione got up from the log, putting a hand on Ceo’s metallic body to reassure herself, and to stop them from attacking the unknown figure.

Breaking the surface of the pond was the face of the ugliest fish Hermione has ever seen. ‘A Feebas?’ Hermione questioned to herself in surprise while crouching down to be closer to the Pokémon, whose features moved to gave a facsimile of a smile while giving a gurgle.

"Hey there, little guy…".

The Feebas gave an annoyed gurgle with what looked like a frown on her face.

"Sorry, little girl". Hermione corrected with a chuckle, seeing Feebas shake her body happily to confirm Hermione’s correction. "What is a Feebas like you doing in a small pond like this?".

Feebas tilted her body in question.

"You don’t know?". Asked Hermione, receiving a confirmative response from the Fish Pokémon."…How long have you been living here?".

In response, the Fish Pokémon gave a full swing around the pond.

"All your life!?". Hermione exclaimed in surprise when she understood what the motion implied, exchanging a glance with Ceo.

The Feebas tilted her body agin in question, not understanding what the problem was. ‘How has a Feebas egg ended so far from a proper body of water?. I know they can live in any kind of water environment, but this pond is way too small! ’, thought Hermione while glancing at the small pond, ‘ I don’t think there are any other Pokémon living in it either’.

"Do you mind if I scan you?". Asked Hermione, wanting to know for how long the water type had been living alone in the pond and worried at the possible answer.

Feebas gave a questioning gurgle, not knowing what Hermione meant by that.

"Oh, you see, this device, called a RotomPhone, has the ability to give information about Pokémon with what is called a Pokédex app". Hermione explained while taking out her device, the RotomPhone starting to float the moment it was out of her winter jacket’s pocket. "It will tell me some information about you, if that’s okey with you?".

Feebas didn’t seem bothered by the prospect, giving what Hermione interpreted as a smile of consent.

"Thanks. Rotom, scan her please".

"Of course, Mistress Boss. Right on it!".

"…That’s a no for that nickname too. Why don’t you simply use my name?".

"Bummer. You are no fun Boss Girl!. Aaannd, scaning!".

Hermione gave a exasperated sigh. ‘I had to pick the most exasperating RotomPhone of the bunch’

 

Feebas

The Fish Pokémon

A Water Type Pokémon, Feebas can live in any kind of water environment, even polluted waters. Feebas are known to commonly live in small schools on river beds and at the bottom of small lakes with abundant aquatic plant life. But they can also live in the ocean, preferring to live close to the coast on shallow waters when doing so.

This Feebas is female and one year and three weeks old.

 

Hermione shot a worried look at Feebas at that while absently putting away her RotomPhone.

"Haven’t you tried to reach the sea? The Black Lake is not far from here". Asked Hermione while pointing in the direction of the bay and worrying her lips ‘One year is too long a time to live without company’.

The Feebas gave her a blank look, not understanding what she meant, before looking at the floating Beldum for an explanation. The two mons talked for a moment, before the Feebas gained an understanding light in her eyes. ‘She is quite expressive for what is thought as one of the dullest Pokémon’, Hermione noted at the back of her head.

The Feebas lifter her body enough from the water as to show her gills, controlling latter the water to create two small bubbles around these. The bubbles were incredible shaky and unstable. Hermione understood instantly, slapping her forehead in annoyance to herself.

"Hello, Hermione!. Sorry, Feebas". Hermione apologized with an embarrassed blush on her cheeks. ‘A little difficult for her to learn how to travel on land in a water bubble without someone to teach her how to do it in the first place’.

The Feebas gave a happy gurgle, not bothered by Hermione’s small bundle. The Feebas started to splash playfully in the water, looking expectantly at Hermione and Ceo.

"You must be lonely". Hermione commented to herself with a small sad smile on her face. "Sure, we will play with you, right Ceo?".

Her starter gave her an annoyed look, feeling that playing with the wild Feebas was beneath them, but relented without putting a fight at their trainer’s look. The Feebas splashed joyfully in the water, happy to have some company to pash the time and that was willing to play with her.

Hermione felt her spirits lift up while playing with her starter and Feebas. She was still upset with Weasley, and she may not have any human friends, but she has Ceo and maybe…

"Hey Feebas". Hermione called hesitantly after about ten minutes of playing, feeling her heart beating faster in nerves at her idea. "What do you think of…becoming…part..?".

Hermione trailed off, her eyes going wide and body tensing when her eyes fell on a pair of green clawed feet at the other side of the pond. Lifting her gaze, her eyes traveled through a body covered in muscles made of dark hair, towards a snarling green face with crazed red eyes.

The Grimmsnarl gave a deafening roar that disturbed the surface of the pond, scared the avians of the forest and made Hermione cover her ears. The stance of the Grimmsnarl shifted, dark energy starting to condense around his body before it exploded around him in a pulse of darkness.

Ceo put himself in front of Hermione to take the attack but, before the Dark Pulse connected, Feebas jumped from the pond to put herself between them and the attack, her body enveloped in a veil of soft sparkling blue light. ‘Thats Mirror Coat!’, was the only thing Hermione was able to think in surprise before the Dark Pulse connected with Feebas. The fish Pokémon was launched through the air, impacting against a tree and falling unconscious, but not before her Mirror Coat was able to retaliate. The Grimmsnarl staggered back from the impact of the returned energy, but was otherwise unharmed, his Dark Typing saving him from any damage from the Psychic Type retaliating move.

"Feebas!". Cried Hermione while running towards the unconscious Pokémon.

Kneeling down, Hermione saw how badly hurt the Water Type was, her unconscious and hurt form struggling for breath without any water to sustain her. Quickly making a decision, Hermione reached for one of her PokéBalls and taped Feebas with it. The PokéBall didn’t even shake, pinging from a successful capture right after absorbing Feebas.

"I’m sorry". Hermione said quietly, apologizing for capturing her this way, and for having caused her to get hurt.

Hermione was quick to turn the capture device into its smaller setting to activate the stasis mode. Standing quickly, Hermione was in time to see a sweeping arm coming towards her. Hermione screamed loudly in fright, throwing herself to the ground to dodge the arm that left indents on the trunk of the tree, making pieces of wood rain over her.

Ceo launched himself at the Grimmsnarl with Tackle, managing to make the dual Dark Fairy Type stager back from the impact, but it did practically nothing but made the Bulk Up Pokémon madder.

The Grimmsnarl swiped his arm towards Ceo, a claw made of darkness descending upon her Beldum. Ceo wasn’t able to dodge, being launched back with a metallic cry. Ceo hit the ground, lifting dirt and snow on its wake.

"Ceo!". Cried Hermione, scrambling to stand up and rushing towards her starter.

Ceo levitated themselves with a wobble, a pained sound leaving their body. Hermione tried to return them to their PokéBall, but Ceo canceled the beam of light, giving a determined and fierce look towards their trainer.

"Ceo, please". Hermione pleaded with a frightened voice.

The Grimmsnarl lunged towards them, a roar leaving his fanged mouth while he charged Shadow Claws on both his arms. Ceo pushed Hermione out of the way, making her fall on the floor, and putting himself floating protectively in front of her.

"Artreos, Protect!".

"Dante, Roar!".

The sound of a PokéBall opening was heard before a red beam materialized a Burmy in front of Hermione and Ceo, a translucent barrier formed by pentagonal shapes forming the moment the small bug type appeared. The dual Shadow Claw collided with the barrier, cracks forming on its surface making Artreos wince in his effort to maintain Protect active.

A white blur jumped over Hermione’s form in the floor, landing in a cloud of snow in front of her. The Leucistic Houndour releasing a Roar towards the Grimmsnarl that made him flinch back some paces until he stood thigh deep in the middle of the pond.

Looking behind her, Hermione found Potter, Weasley, Longbottom, Finch-Fletchley and their Pokémons running towards her, and she was able to glimpsed the forms of the Slytherins of Potter’s group right behind them.

Hermione was lifted from the ground by Potter and Weasley, the two turning and practically frogmarching her out of there.

"Kira, Thunder Shock into the water!".

"Artreos, Struggle Bug!".

The fur of the Alpha Shinx sparkled with electricity before she launched it with a growl towards the water. The Grimmsnarl roared in pain and fury when the electricity coursed through his body, his roar becoming louder when Artreos attack landed. Hermione felt Potter stumble slightly, she would have thought that he tripped over something hidden in the snow if it wasn’t for the look of confusion that flashed over his face and the quick look he turned to give at the twitching Grimmsnarl.

"Come on, we gotta get out of here". Weasley said with urgency. "I don’t think Artreos’s and Kira’s attack did much".

"More like nothing, he is running towards us!. Neville, hurry!". Finch-Fletchley cried while pushing Longbottom, who has lifted Trevor on his arms, in the direction they came from to make the other boy start to move and get out of his suddenly frozen state (Trevor giving him a soft bite in his hand seemed to do the trick).

The Grimmsnarl roared, jumping out of the water and starting to chase them. Hermione finally found her feet and started to run with the boys towards the four Slytherins, Potter and Weasley not letting go of her all the while.

"What is a Grimmsnarl doing in this part of the forest!? They live in the central area!". Nott cried in surprise and fright when they reunited with them.

"That’s not important right now, Theo!". Potter, Zabini and Greengrass cried in unison.

"Justin, look out!". Davis exclaimed.

The dark blonde haired boy tripped to the ground in his haste to dodge the incoming Dark Pulse. Kira put herself protectively over her trainer, a Roar leaving her muzzle that Dante joined, the two Pokémons managing to make the fully evolved mon take some steps back. Davis and Longbottom hurried to help Finch-Fletchley up. Suddenly, something flew out of Finch-Fletchley’s pocket.

"You have a new message from…"

A dark pulse connected with the RotomPhone, destroying it in the process. All of them froze looking at the remains of the Rotom possessed phone with huge eyes. Floating over the broken device was the clearly surprised plasmic form of a Base Form Rotom. The dual Electric Ghost Type gave a frightened buzzed yelp before darting away in a flash so fast they couldn’t track the movement.

"My phone". Finch-Fletchley exclaimed in a strained voice.

"There’s no time for that! Keep running!". Davis exclaimed while taking hold of Finch-Fletchley’s hand to make him move.

Hermione didn’t know how much time they were running away while having to dodge incoming attacks and trying not to fall in the treacherous snowy forest floor, she only knew that her stamina was starting to run out. Her sides ached, her lungs burned and her legs exclaimed in protest.

Weasley, Greengrass and Hermione were starting to falter in their steps, making the others, that seemed to be holding up better, move slower to keep up with the three. This also made their Pokémon need to defend them in more occasions, getting more and more hurt by the minute.

"After we get out of this, you are running with us in the mornings!". Potter exclaimed.

"If we get out of this, you mean!". Zabini exclaimed after he had to dodge another incoming Dark Pulse.

"Where in distortion are the professors!?". Longbottom cried out.

"We can’t continue like this!. Dante and Kira wont be able to produce their Roars for much longer without seriously hurting their throats. Artreos’s Protects are starting to falter the more he uses them. The Types of the rest of our Pokémon makes them more of a liability towards themselves than any help!. And we can’t keep running towards the castle, we would put the rest of the students in danger! We need to do something!". Nott exclaimed with a serious frown on his face.

"I’m all ears!. If you…". Started Greengrass.

"Watch out!".

Hermione gave a cry of surprise when she landed on the flor after Weasley tackled her and Greengrass, the redhead keeping them down while protecting them with his own body. A explosion of light the colors of the rainbow flew over them, the Grimmsnarl having used a Dazzling Gleam to attack them all at once.

"Artreos!". Weasley cried in panic when his Burmy launched himself in Grimmsnarl’s direction.

The Bag Worm Pokémon gave a battle cry, his body starting to shine with evolutionary energy in mid air. They all gasped, their eyes transfixed in the transforming form of the glowing Bug Type. You don’t witness an evolution every day.

Artreos’s body changed, growing in size and dividing into head, abdomen and thorax, the ‘horns’ that had begun to grow on his head when he was a Burmy lengthened to form antennae, two pairs of wings grew from his abdomen, the pair of forewings longer and bigger than the pair of hind wings, two small arms grew from his abdomen along with two even smaller stubby legs.

Artreos’s didn’t stop his approach towards Grimsnarl in all the process for painful that it was, using his pain from the transformation to fuel his charge. The blue light of evolution fading from his body being replaced by a white one, Artreos found himself moving faster than ever, his wings moving instinctively to propel him forwards leaving a white trail behind him. Artreos collided with the Grimmsnarl, maneuvering fast with surprising dexterity to get some distance after delivering the attack.

"That was Aerial Ace!". Weasley exclaimed beside Hermione, the freckled redhead sitting now between her and Greengrass.

Potter, Zabini and Nott approached them and helped then up.

"Okey guys, no more running! Dante, let’s boost our attacks! Use Howl!". Potter exclaimed.

The white furred Houndour threw his head back, producing a powerful howl that visibly energized him and the rest of their Pokémon.

"Blaise, make Mors use Mean Look! Theo’s right, we can’t allow it to reach the rest of the students!". Weasley requested with a hard look on his eyes.

"But wouldn’t that actually help us!?". Longbottom protested.

"How would that even work!? He is wild! No PokéBall for him to be returned to!". Exclaimed a confused Zabini.

"Just do it, Blaise!". Yelled Weasley.

"The upper years are in Hogsmeade, remember. The only other students here are the first and second years, and the eight fifth year perfects that are supposed to be roaming the forest. And we don’t know where in distortion are the professors". Nott explained to Longbottom.

"But we are first years too!. He has been brushing off our Pokémon’s attacks like they were nothing!". Insisted Longbottom, though he still put Trevor down in the floor to let him battle.

"We don’t have to defeat him, just hold him off till help finally arrives". Potter said with conviction. "Dante, another Howl! Lets enhance ourselves to the max".

"Mors, you heard Ron. Mean Look!".

While Dante gave another Howl, Mors’s eyes gained a sinister look. A pair of phantasmal eyes formed above Grimmsnarl, the fully evolved mon tried to evade, retaliating while doing so with a Dark Pulse towards Mors.

"Protect!". Ordered Weasley.

"Leafage, Trevor!". Shouted Longbottom.

The newly evolved Mothim darted in front of Mors, lifting the protective barrier just in time to intercept the move. The little Turtwig launched his own attack, the three orbs of grass type energy connecting with Grimmsnarl impeding him from evading the Mean Look.

Hermione didn’t know what she expected, Mean Look is a move used to prevent trainers from returning their Pokémon to their PokéBalls during a battle. She didn’t know how it acted in a confrontation with a wild one. She sure as distortion didn’t expect Grimmsnarl to be enveloped in dark purple Aura at the same time that a pentagonal room of translucent purple energy formed around them all before it faded from view.

"Mico, increase our defenses!". Nott shouted while throwing a PokéBall in the air releasing his Espurr. "Maher, lower his!".

The Restraint Pokémon didn’t waste time in erecting Light Screens and Reflects all around them while his teammate started to work on lowering Grimmsnarl defenses with Leer.

"Guys, Theo and I will be attacking him with Mico’s and Dante’s help, they are the only ones with moves effective against him. The rest of you try to distract him, use obstrusive moves if possible". Potter commanded while taking a step forward alongside Nott. "Granger".

"Ay!, what?". Hermione yelped at Potter’s sudden call.

"Ceo knows Iron Head?".

"I…No, they don’t". Hermione answered, thrown off course for a moment. She didn’t expect Potter to remember her starter’s name.

"No matter, please had them attack when they can. Okey, everyone, lets do this!".

All their Pokémon launched into action. Dante and Mico were the central force of their attacks, with Dante’s Smog and Mico’s Disarming Voice, while the others did what they could to distract and lower the power of the powerful wild Pokémon.

Hermione felt amazed and lost at the same time. Though they weren’t doing much damage to Grimmsnarl, the teamwork that Potter, Nott, Weasley, Zabini, Greengrass, Longbottom, Davis and all their Pokémon showed was amazing. Even Davis’s Mienfoo, that Hermione was sure was a new capture, seemed to click perfectly with the group. And all of them were so strong too, Hermione wouldn’t be surprised if they were the strongest Trainers of their year. The only ones out of place were Finch-Fletchley and Kira, and even they were able to work better with them than Hermione and Ceo were managing. Though, staying in the sidelines was making her realize something, something that only Potter seemed to be realizing too.

"Guys, fall back! Dante, let’s try Explosive Pollution! Hedwig, help direct the smog!". Potter ordered.

Hermione’s eyes grew huge in surprise at Potter’s order of doing a Combined Move, she didn’t know he was that good a trainer already.

"Wait, Potter!. Don’t…". But she was too late.

All the Pokémon were quick to get out of the way even before their Trainers ordered them to. Dante produced the biggest cloud of poisonous fog he has done during the confrontation with the wild mon, Hedwig lifting a small tornado with Gust to help the fog reach the Grimsnarl quicker. Grimmsanarl roared, lunging through the Smog to reach Dante, but was stoped on his tracks by Maher, Litta and Mienfoo intercepting him with Arm Thrust, Force Palm and Reversal respectively, the three Fighting Types managing to make the Bulk Up Pokémon stumble back into the Smog’s poisonous cloud. The three mons jumped back just in time for Dante’s Embers to reach the Smog, igniting it in a huge explosion.

All the preteens and Pokémon were launched into their backs by the force of the explosion. Hermione managed to lift herself into a seated position, grateful when she saw that the move hadn’t started any fires.

"Harry…That was really reckless". Nott chastised.

"Aah, sorry". Potter blushed, scratching the back of his head.

"Everybody down!". Greengrass shouted.

They all followed her instruction and flopped down hurriedly into their backs, just in time for a wave of rainbow light to pass over their heads, breaking trees on its wake and dispersing the smoke produced by the explosion. Grimmsnarl was in its epicenter, his body slightly singed but otherwise unharmed. Grimmsnarl started to advance slowly towards the preteens, his steps gaining velocity at every turn until he was sprinting towards them with a loud roar leaving his fanged mouth.

"Weasley, make Artreos use a Bug move!". Hermione commanded in a panic, hoping that what she has been realizing was more than just a hunch.

"Theo, make Mico use Disarming Voice too!". Potter also requested in a panic.

The two mons didn’t wait for their trainers orders, their protective instincts towards Weasley and Nott making them act at Hermione’s and Potter’s orders in desperation. The condensed green beam of Bug Type energy from Struggle Bug and the pink sound wave of Fairy energy from Disarming Voice collided with Grimmsnarl’s body, making the wild mon pause in his approach and lift a three fingered claw to his head. The Grimsnarl shook it, his red eyes losing momentarily their mad look before it came back.

"I knew it!". Hermione and Potter exclaimed in unison.

"Ron, Artreos, change of plans!. You two lead the attack alongside Theo and Mico!". Potter said in excitement.

But it was short lived. Grimmsnarl roared, lifting his arms over his head, a ball of yellowish white energy forming between his hands that was getting bigger and bigger. When it was as wide as Grimmsnarl’s shoulders, he brought his arms down and the ball became a beam.

Hermione fell herself pale in fear, her body paralyzed while her eyes were glued to the incoming Hyper Beam.

"Hyper Beam!". A sudden new voice bellowed and another beam of energy collided with Grimmsnarl’s own.

Hermione covered her face, the two beams exploding against each other. Putting her arms down cautiously, Hermione saw a Stoutlant jumping towards the Grimmsnarl, engaging him in battle while herding the Bulk Up Pokémon away from them. A collective sigh of relieve was heard all around when the two fully evolved mons disappeared in the forest, sounds of fighting still reaching them.

"Hagrid!". Finch-Fletchley exclaimed.

" Oh thank Mew! We are saved!". Cried Longbottom in relieve.

Hermione turned, seeing Hagrid hurrying towards them.

"Kids, are you all okey?". Hagrid asked worriedly while looking them over.

Hermione was about to answer him alongside the chorus of exclaimed responses from the others when something caught her attention. Potter was staring at the distance not far from where Fang the Stoutlant and the Grimmsnarl disappeared through, a worried and perturbed frown on his face. Turning to look at the same direction, Hermione was able to just see a figure vanish from view.

 

---

 

"Mr. Potter! Stop complaining and take off your shirt so I can take care of that nasty gash on your side, or do you want to spend the night here and miss the Halloween feast?". Madam Pomfrey scolded Harry in a no-nonsense tone.

Harry grumbled under his breath but complied with her orders. Tossing his shirt at a laughing Blaise, he tried to stay still while Madam Pombrey examined one of the many bruises and wounds that littered his body, her hands illuminated with the faint green glow of Healing Aura. Luckily, all of his wounds were caused by falls and crashes with trees while they tried to flee from the Grimmsnarl instead of his attacks.

Harry and his friends were in the hospital wing, Hagrid having escorted them after he rescued them from the Grimmsnarl. Madam Pomfrey and the two Nurses Joy that worked under her were examining and treating the wounds they received during their adventure in the Forbidden Forest. The three healers descended upon them like a pack of Mightyenas with a tasty bone. The girls were quick to be examined and treated, Samatha, the Nurse Joy to do so, having come through the curtain Madam Promfey put to separate the six boys from the three girls not long after the three healers started with them.

Harry was the last of the boys to get examined and healed, the other boys already dresses and with bandages and band-aids covering their wounds while they waited for the nurses to finish with Harry. None of them were seriously injured, the more serious one being Neville's sprained ankle and he will only have to use crutches for a day thanks to Madam Pomfrey healing prowess. Their Pokémon were another matter, having received the brunt of Grimmsnarl’s attacks. Professor Kettleburn and Hagrid were tending to them with the help of the Chanseys, Blissey and Audino that belonged to Madam Pomfrey and the Joy Cousins.

Madam Pomfrey was removing the separating curtain after Harry had put his clothes back on, when professor Kettleburn and Hagrid reentered the room with their PokéBalls.

"Here are your Pokémon, kids, almost totally healed and just in need of rest". Announced the professor. "Misters Potter and Finch-Fletchley, make sure that Dante and Kira rest their throats for a full week, their vocal cords have received quite the workout this evening, you will notice their voices being hoarse in their growls, chuffs, meows and barks for quite some time". The professor said while he and Hagrid returned their PokéBalls. "Hedwig only needs a little rest, she will be in perfect condition by tomorrow…".

"Ad another day, I would prefer for her to rest two whole days". Interrupted Madam Pomfrey who has taken the medical chart from the tray of PokéBalls to read over the results.

Professor Kettleburn send her a playful pout that had all the tired preteens snickering. Madam Pomfrey sent him an arched brow, urging him to continue with a look.

"Ehem!, next, Mr. Nott, little Mico presents similar symptoms to Dante and Kira, but he will recover much faster. Maher is only exhausted, his wounds easily healed. Mr. Zabini, Ms. Greengrass, your Pokémon are the least hurt of them, but they will still need a full day of rest at minimum". Continued the professor, sending a playful questioning look to Madam Pomfrey to see if she approved. "Ms. Tracey, almost the same, but your Litta and Mienfoo will need at least three days. Also, congratulations for your new capture Ms. Davis. You have added a beautiful specimen of a Mienfoo to your team".

"Thank you, professor".

"Mr. Weasley, Artreos presents the symptoms of a Stress Evolution. Luckily, he was already close to evolving naturally, so he will only need about four days of rest. I’m sure Madam Pomfrey would like to examine him regularly for those four days anyway".

"Indeed, and no training for your starter, Mr. Weasley. Artreos will need time to recover from his evolution".

"Aye, Madam Pomfrey, professor".

"Nevertheless, congratulations on the evolution to you both". Said professor Kettleburm while sending a smile to the redhead.

"Thank you, professor". Responded Ron, his own smile huge on his face while clutching Artreos’s PokéBall to his chest.

"Mr. Longbottom, it seems like Trainer like Pokémon". Professor Kettleburn said teasingly, making Neville blush. "Trevor has a sprain in his left front leg, I presume he got it after doing a Bulldoze in the treacherous snow. Ms. Granger, I’m afraid your starter was one of the most hurt. They will be okey, but they will have a small dent on their body for quite some time. Your Feebas will also be okey, she will only need three days of rest. And seemed quite happy and grateful to have been captured, but you should talk to her yourself to alleviate your worries. For my part, I will say that you did the right thing".

Granger smiled shyly at the professor, tightening her hand around her new Pokémon’s PokéBall.

"She is quite small for her age and species though. I can give you a recipe to bring her up to snuffs if you like?". Hagrid interjected for the first time, the giant man smiling gently at the bushy haired girl.

"Thank you, Mr. Hagrid". Said Granger.

"Oh, its just Hagrid, really. And its nothing to thank me about".

"Also, I will be waiting with great interest to hear about Feebas ancestry. It’s not every day that you find a wild one with a move like Mirror Coat in their arsenal". Professor Kettleburm said with an excited glint in his eyes.

Just then the doors to the Hospital Wing were opened, letting Headmaster Dumbledore and the Professors Sprout, Snape and McGonagall with Mafdet enter the room.

"Aah, I see you have already been healed. I hope you nine enjoyed the attention of our wonderful nurses". Headmaster Dumbledore said in way of greeting, his eyes twinkling merrily.

There were a chorus of greetings coming from the preteens. Harry felt nerves crept its way onto his belly, he was sure that he will get in trouble from that Explosive Pollution he had Dante performing.

"Now then, why don’t you tell us what happened?".

Harry and the others exchanged looks, before they started to tell the story.

 

…

 

"And why, pray tell, were you in that pond alone…Ms. Granger? So close to the border of the area you first years are permitted to roam…And the rest of you…why did you not went to find help instead of marching into danger like dunderheads?. I expected better of four of my…more promising…Slytherins".

Tracey flinched while Blaise eyes tightened, Theo and Daphne wore impassive faces while averting their gazes from Snape. Harry felt himself bristle with indignation for his friends.

"Severus…". Warned headmaster Dumbledore.

"It was my fault".

They all turned to look at Ron.

"I said some hurtful things to Granger, and I upset her. If I didn’t, she wouldn’t have gone so close to the border".

"What? No! You aren’t responsible for my actions. I should have payed closer attention to were I was going, I just assumed I was safe since my RotomPhone didn’t warm me". Granger exclaimed, trying to take the blame.

"But you needn’t have…".

A clap of hands interrupted Ron.

"It’s a noble act to admit to ones failures and miss-behaviors". The headmaster started with a gentle smile. "But, I think that today’s occurrences were nobody’s fault. None of us could hope to predict that we would be attacked like we were".

"…We, professor?". Asked Harry after exchanging a look with the others, all of them having caught onto the Headmaster’s choice of words.

"Indeed. I feel we, the faculty, need to apologize to you all, and with the rest of your fellow students too. You weren’t the only ones attacked by wild Pokémon that shouldn’t have been present in the areas for the first years. We were preoccupied in protecting your fellow students, and we almost were to late to reach you. For that, you have my most sincere apologie".

Harry exchanged another look with his friends, surprised by this information. Then, it clicked.

"Professor…I don’t think this was a random Wild Pokémon Attack". Harry spoke up.

"Mr. Potter?". Inquired professor McGonagall.

"There was something in the forest. I saw a figure looking at us from the shadow of the trees. Before it disappeared". Harry still felt a shudder run down his spine at remembering that pair of red and yellow eyes glaring at him from the distance.

There was a beat of silence.

"Of course there was". Drawled Snape. "Please, Potter…save us from your…fanciful tales".

Harry bristled in indignation, but before he could say something, that he would probably regret (for getting himself in trouble), someone else spoke up

"He is not lying". Said Granger. "I saw it too. And that Grimmsnarl was acting strange".

"She is right. The Grimmsnarl clutched his head any time we attacked him with a Fairy or Bug Type move, and will I can understand why Mico’s Disarming Voice affected him so much, Bug moves only give neutral damage to the Impidimp Line. Artreos’s attacks shouldn’t have affected him so much as to cause that reaction". said Harry while sending a grateful look at Granger.

‘And I wouldn’t have been feeling such a tangled mess of emotions coming from Grimsnarl’, thought Harry while frowning internally, wondering if he will only be able to fell the feelings of Dark Type Pokémons when in dire situations or if unlocking his Aura will truly help the way he hopes it will.

"Indeed". Professor Dumbledore agreed while stroking his beard in thought, exchanging a look with his faculty members that the preteens missed. "Thank you, Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger, for making us aware of this…I think, that all nine of you deserve five points each, for your perseverance in the face of a great threat".

"Oh for…You are going to rewards them?". asked Snape indignantly, his silky voice raising slightly form its usual whisper. "They acted recklessly, not going in search of help and heading towards danger without thinking. They should receive a weeks’s detention instead".

Professor Sprout, professor Kettleburn and professor McGonagall looked indignant at Snape’s suggestion.

"I don’t think so. I think that having to face Grimmsnarl was punishment enough for their reckless behavior". professor Dumbledore answered calmly.

Snape huffed indignantly before turning and marching out of the Hospital Wing, but not before Harry noticed a limp on his steps.

"Though, I think young Ronald has something to do if I understood the story correctly". Professor Dumbledore continued after a moment of Snape leaving has passed.

Ron blushed but after a moment of nervous sifting, he squared his shoulders and marched towards Granger. Making a bow that had Granger already flustered, Ron straightened and looked at her straight in the eyes.

"Ms. Granger, I apologize for my rude and hurtful words, you didn’t deserve them and I’m sorry for my behavior".

Granger looked totally lost with the situation, Harry felt a pang of sympathy at realizing that she must not be accustomed to someone apologizing for hurting her.

"I hm..Thank you, Weasley, and I’m sorry too. For the slap". Granger fidgeted, looking contrite.

"Slap!? Ms. Granger!". Exclaimed professor McGonagall.

Granger cringed.

"Oh!, so that’s were that irritation on his cheek came from". Samantha Joy exclaimed in realization, making the other Nurse Joy cover a snicker while Madam Pomfrey looked at her two nurses with a stern expression.

Professor Kettleburn laughed.

"Silvanus! This is no laughing matter". Professor McGonagall scolded her college.

"Oh, please Minerva. We men need some tough love from a woman from time to time". Professor Kettleburn said still laughing.

"That is not right, Silvanus. Violence is not the answer!".

Professor Kettleburn just lifted an eyebrow, giving a pointed look at Mafdet and the PokéBalls everyone had in their person.

"…You know perfectly well what I mean". Professor McGonagall practically hissed, her lips pursed.

"Professor, it’s okey. I practically asked for the confrontation, I shouldn’t have insulted her". Ron interjected. "We could say that we are even". He added while sending a tentative smile at Granger who smiled nervously back.

"…Very well, but I don’t want to hear a repeat of that kind of behavior from any of you". Professor McGonagall finally relented, giving all the first years in the Hospital Wing a look.

"Now that that is solved, I think we should leave them to rest. I hope to see you all at the Halloween feast". Said professor Dumbledore with his eyes twinkling like mad, a small smile visible through his long beard.

"Before we go, here you have Mr. Finch-Fletchley, you can have this Pokédex until you are able to go buy another phone of your own".

"Thank you, professor Sprout". Justin said while taking the Third Generation Dex his head of house gave him.

The professors and Hagrid left the hospital after that, leaving Harry and his friends in the company of Madam Pomfrey and the Nurses. The three healers left them alone too, starting to tidy the wing to give them some privacy.

"Well, father will be happy to learn of the fate of my RotomPhone, he didn’t like that I was ‘buying to the competition’". Justin commented offhandedly with a resigned look directed towards the old Pokédex.

‘Competition?’, Harry asked himself in confusion while looking at how Justin started to activate and put in order the Pokédex. He was about to direct said question to Justin when Granger spoke up.

"Weasley, I’m really sorry for the slap. And thanks for protection me". Granger said again, blushing slightly at the last part.

"Think nothing of it, I deserved it anyway. And it was nothing, really". Ron returned with his own prominent blush that made his freckles stand up even more. "Also, call me Ron. I think that after all of this we can dispense of formalities".

"Oh, hmm". Granger looked a little lost. "Sure, you can call me Hermione?". Granger ended asking, tilting his head in confusion. "What is all this about giving permission to use our giving names anyway?. It’s a Noble thing?".

Daphne gave an unladylike snort, but it was Tracy who commented.

"Girl, you really need to read on etiquette, we can help you with that if you like?. Anyway, I think that after our little adventure, you can use all our names. Right guys?". Tracey asked while looking around.

They all gave sounds of agreement, Hermione also requesting that the rest of us use her name.

"…You can call me Ron too, Greengrass". Ron added after a pause.

"…Daphne, you earned the right after protecting me from that Dazzling Gleam". Said Daphne with a pompous voice

"Ladies and Gentlemen, here is the Ice Princess!". Blaise crowed jokingly.

Daphne’s face twitched.

"Why didn’t you two call each other by your names already anyway? You have known each other from childhood". Harry asked them both.

A prominent blush grew on Ron’s and Daphnes faces while smirks grew over Blaise’s, and surprisingly Theo’s, own lips, even Neville has a small mischievous smile on his. Their reactions picked Harry’s curiosity.

"Well, you see…".

"We don’t talk about it!". Ron and Daphne exclaimed, red as tomatoes, interrupting Blaise.

Blaise, Theo and Neville laughed at the other two’s reactions. Harry exchanged confused and intrigued looks with Justin, Tracey and Hermione. Before Harry or the others could press from an explanation, a beeping sound came from the Pokédex on Justin’s lap.

"Oh, finally!. This thing is super slow!". Exclaimed Justin, taking better hold of the device and starting to mess with it. Just to freeze a moment latter. "What the…?".

"Justin?". Asked Harry.

Justin’s small exclamation and Harry’s question brought Madam Pomfrey’s attention to the group.

"Mr. Finch-Fletchley, Is something wrong?".

Justin didn’t respond, he was too engrossed looking at the Pokédex in disbelieve, before carefully setting it aside and reaching for his PokéBalls. Justin touched carefully each of the four capture devices he has attached on his belt, until he seemed to find what he was searching for. Bringing the PokéBall that picked his attention to his face, Justin looked at it in confusion before tossing it in the air.

Harry expected Kira to materialize from the beam of light, but she wasn’t the one to appear.

"…I’m in so much trouble". Said Justin with a voice full of dread.

There, buzzing around with endless energy, was Rotom.

"Lucky". Blaise pouted.

 

 

 

Notes:

Extra long chapter! I'm really happy with this one, I hope the action was good. And look at that, new Pokémons!!
Now, I'm pretty sure everyone has noticed that only some of the Pokemons had names of their own quite some chapters ago. Professor Ollivander gave a hint at the reason why in chapter three. Now, in the lore and world building of this story, the reason is that the Pokemons only acept a nickname if they are young enought. Out of it, because I don't have the brain Power to think of names for every single Pokémon of every sinle character, but I also wanted for Trainers to give names for their Pokemons (More personal theri relationship, ya know?), the other motive was because I didn't want to happen what happens (to me at least) with other Pokémon Fanfics like 'Valkyrie Potter: Pokémon journey'. I love the story, but I don't know which Pokémon is who half the time. That is one of the reasons why I try to make mention of the Pokémon's species from time to time when I write a scene with them (I hope that that doesn't gets too boring to read all the time?)
Well, rant over! (Sorry about that)
Also, side note: The information about surviving in the snow, take it with a grain of salt. I got it from goolge and I'm not survival expert so...

Chapter 20: Of Earth and Dragons

Notes:

Disclaimor: Don't own Harry Potter or Pokémon. I only own the original characters and the original Pokémons.

English is not my first language, so if you see spelling mistakes, don't hesitate in telling me.

 

Remus put the flowers on the ledge of the niche that contained the two urns with the ashes of James and Lily in the Potter Family Mausoleum. Taking a step back, Sirius took his place in leaving his own flowers.

It was Halloween, the date of the year that Remus always made sure to visit them. ‘Lily, James, I got them back. We are finally together…I hope that I’m doing good by Harry. Please look over us, I will do everything in my power to protect our family’. Sirius finally stepped back, letting Remus’s gaze fall in the inscriptions of the niche.

 

‘In Loving Memory

Of James Charlus Potter

Husband, Father, Brother, Warrior, Marauder

March 27, 2060

October 31, 2081

We Are the Protectors in The Dark’

 

‘In Loving Memory

Of Lily Jade Potter née Evans

Wife, Mother, Sister, Warrior, Healer

January 30, 2060

October 31, 2081

We Are the Protectors in The Dark’

 

Remus turned his head to look at Sirius when he heard him give a wet sniff, being in time to see the silver eyed man wipe a tear falling down his check. Putting an arm around Sirius’s shoulders in a sideway hug, Remus guided him out of the crypt where Moony and Padfoot were waiting for them. Giving a nod towards Grodic’s Hollow Cemetery’s caretaker, the four started to walk through the graves and headstones, hearing the tell tale sound of the iron doors of the Potter’s Mausoleum closing behind them.

"It’s a pity you couldn’t get Harry out of school to come with us. I think James and Lily would have liked to see us together today". Sirius commented quietly.

Remus gave a sad sigh.

"I don’t think Harry is ready to come visit them". Sirius gave him a questioning look, but Remus didn’t elaborate and luckily Sirius didn’t press.

‘Remus…I don’t think I can go. Not now. I…I love hearing stories about mom and dad, I get this…warm feeling in my chest. But, what if I go see them and don’t feel anything? Can someone truly miss and long for something they don’t know? Is…is this warm felling truly for them or for the construct of them I have in my mind?. I just…I don’t want to go and not feel anything. Does that makes me a bad son? A bad person?’

Remus felt a pang in his chest remembering how vulnerable Harry sounded back them. It was the third week of Harry and Ned having come to live with them, and Remus offered to take Harry to visit his parents. Remus hasn’t asked again, letting Harry bring the subject first when he is ready.

The four passed through the arc that serves as the gate leading out of the cemetery and towards the streets of Godric’s Hollow.

"Do you think he will like me?". Asked Sirius with insecurity in his voice.

"Of course he will. Harry adored you when he was a baby, I’m sure it will be the same now, you will see". Said Remus, sending Sirius a comforting smile.

Sirius sent him a small smile back, so uncharacteristic of him that Remus felt a pang of sadness on his chest.

Remus’s PoryPhone started ringing, distracting him from he situation and making the group stop on their walk through the town’s streets.

"Yes? Remus speaking".

"Remus, it’s Minerva".

"Professor McGonagall?". Asked Remus in slight surprise while exchanging a look with Sirius. "Happy Halloween, how are you professor? Has something happened?".

Remus heard Professor McGonagall sigh on the other end of the call.

"Happy Halloween to you too. And I’m afraid that something did indeed happen".

 

…

 

"He was WHAT!?".

 

---

 

Harry rubbed his sweaty hands on the fabric of his trousers, feeling a little nervous while following professor McGonagall towards the headmaster’s office. Today he was going to meet Sirius for the first time since he was a baby, and his nerves were eating him alive. A gentle and affectionate nip on his ear made him look towards his left shoulder, where Hedwig was perched upon. She gave him a soft caw, her eyes gentle while gazing at him. Harry sent her a grateful smile, taking a discreet deep breath.

"Pechaberry jelly". Professor McGonagall suddenly said.

‘Seriusly’, Harry couldn’t help but think in incredulity while observing the Legendary Birds’s Chimera Gargoyle close its wings to let them access the spiraling staircase.

"Come on, Mr. Potter. Let’s not keep them waiting". Said professor McGonagall before guiding him towards the stairs.

Harry could hear voices drifting down the stair while they ascended them. He couldn’t discern what were they saying, but he recognized Remus’s voice as one of them. Professor McGonagall gave a sharp knock on the door, making the voices at the other side quiet down.

"Come in". Professor Dumbledore’s voice was heard.

Harry didn’t have time to even look around the office before he was engulfed in a pair of strong arms. The smell of the desert, dark chocolate, books and a faint undertone of dog assaulted Harry’s nose, letting him know instantly who was hugging him. Harry returned the hug and melted into it, closing his eyes and basking in the warmth of his dad’s embrace that he didn’t even realize he has been missing. Ending the hug, Remus maintained his hands on Harry’s shoulders while kneeling to be at his eye level.

"Are you okey?". Remus asked while taking note of all the band-aids and bandages upon his person.

"Yeah, dad. I’m good". Said Harry, smiling slightly. "Should have seen the other guy". Harry added jokingly.

Remus gave a fond sigh, shaking his head slightly before kissing Harry’s forehead and bringing him for another hug. Breaking it, Remus was replaced by the excited tongue of Moony.

"Moony, stop!. I missed you too". Said Harry between laughs while he petted the excited Dusk Form Lycanroc.

"He has been missing you, the house seems empty without you and Ned in it". Said Remus, a smile on his face while he took the scene in.

Harry returned the smile after Moony finally calmed down, the Rock Type canine changing targets towards Dante and Hedwig, to the enthusiasm of the first and the annoyance of the latter.

"How’s Dante? his voice sounds hoarse". Remus asked with a worried frown on his face.

Remus kneeled back down, beckoning the Houndour to come closer, something Dante happily obliged. Remus started to massage the Leucistic Pokémon in the throat with great care, feeling the area for the damage. Dante gave a low pleased growl at the caress.

"Professor Kettleburn said that he is okey, just needs a week to let his vocal cords recover". Answered Harry while also petting Dante. "Where’s Padfoot?". Asked Harry after a moment, gazing around the office for the Mightyena.

"With Sirius, she is his…"

"…his Aura Bonded Pokémon, right". Interjected Harry with a pensive frown. "It’s gonna be strange not seeing her at your side".

Remus just responded by tousling Harry’s hair, standing up after giving Dante some final affectionate pats on his bone-armored head.

"How is Sirius, Remus?". Professor Dumbledore suddenly asked, bringing the attention of Harry and Remus towards him.

"Recuperating, but happy to be free and be reunited with his Pokémons". Answered Remus. "Though I imagine he is quite anxious right now, wouldn’t surprise me if Lord Black has to replace the rug for the wear from Sirius’s pacing".

Professor Dumbledore gave a quiet chuckle.

"Indeed. Better not to keep him waiting then".

"Give him my regards. And tell him that he can come take a cup of tea any time he wants". Added professor McGonagall.

"Of course, professor". Remus nodded. Reaching for his PokéBalls, Remus returned Moony while releasing his shiny Claydol, the ancient doll giving a happy sound upon seeing Harry. "You ready?". he asked to Harry.

"Yes?…Are we teleporting?".

"Yes, professor Dumbledore ‘opened a path’ through the wards to let us do so". Answered Remus, giving a nod of gratitude to the old professor.

"Oh, thank you, professor".

"Think nothing of it. I hope you have a good day, Mr. Potter". Answered professor Dumbledore with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eyes.

Harry smiled back before returning Dante and Hedwig to their own PokéBalls. Taking a deep breath, Harry fortified himself. He still wasn’t a fan of this kind of transportation.

"Okey, I’m ready". Harry said, taking hold of Remus hand.

"Claydol, let’s go". Remus said while exchanging a subtle look with the headmaster of the school without Harry noticing, before the light of Teleport engulfed them both and whisked them away.

 

…

 

Harry managed to maintain the contents of his stomach in his stomach this time, only feeling a little queasy after the teleportation.

"See, it gets better the more you use it". Said Remus in encouragement, massaging the nape of Harry’s neck with a soft touch to alleviate some of the discomfort from the teleportation.

"…I still hate it". Feeling better, Harry looked around. "Where are we?".

Claydol had teleported them in front of a pair of iron gates with a coat of arms, that Harry recognized as the Black Family coat, on it. Turning to look down the single road, that disappeared down hill, Harry was greeted with massive skyscrapers in the distance, their windows glistening with the sun.

"Is this Fearhelm?". Asked Harry, taking what he thought was a pretty good guess since only two cities of Yggsill have modern skyscrapers, like the ones Harry could see in the distance, and the Blacks lived in one of them.

"Yes, it is. Come, they are waiting for us". Replied Remus.

The two started walking towards the gate after Remus returned Claydol and released Moony. Harry followed his example in releasing Hedwig and Dante, the Dark avian perching herself in her usual spot atop his shoulder while Dante fell into steps beside him. Reaching the gate, Remus pushed the call button of the doorbell. The small screen atop the doorbell lighted up, sowing the face of a distinguished old man.

"Aah, heir Lupin. Master Sirius has been expecting you, please be welcome to Blackstone". The old mans voice was heard through the speaker.

"Thank you, Markus". Replied Remus.

"Of course, heir Lupin". The screen turned black after that, the gates opening automatically to let them through.

The five passed through the gates and started the trek towards the castle proper. Harry gazed around, looking at all the massive oak and beech trees surrounding them while they walked up the road. There were statues placed at intervals on both sides of the road, they represented men, some times a woman too, in ancient-looking clothing or armor being accompanied by an Haxorus. Harry’s curiosity piked, he approached one of the statues and read the inscription on its pedestal.

 

‘Duke Leonis Trifid Black IV. The Erudite. 948-1005 a.A. He traveled the world in search of the rarest of books, amassing a collection of more than 300.000 books, tomes and scrolls in his live.’

 

"Duke?". Harry asked to himself, cocking his head to the side in curiosity. ‘Didn’t expect someone from the Black Family to be remembered for amassing books’, Harry couldn’t help but think in surprise.

"That’s the tittle the House of Black had before the new Peerage System was imposed". Said Remus while putting a hand on his shoulder to guide him away from the statue and towards the castle. "In fact, they and the Bones were the highest ranking families of the original thirteen pillars, something the Blacks loved to brag about. Only the Royal family was higher in standing".

"Sirius bragged about that? He didn’t seem like someone who would do that for what you told me about him". Asked Harry.

"Oh, no. Sirius didn’t, not in the sense of the word at least. He did try to use it as a way of flirting though, before he learned that it wasn’t that good a strategy".

"Thanks, didn’t need to know that".

Remus laughed at Harry’s comment.

"You know? We were your age once too".

Harry simply stuck his tongue out at him before he resumed gazing around the road.

"Why so few women?". Harry asked curiously.

"For what Sirius told me, these statues represent the important Heads of House of the Black Family, those that they feel archived something great in their lives. The Blacks are a Male Preferential Family, that means that while women could and did inherit the title in many occasions, they were, and are, behind their male relatives in the line of succession". Explained Remus.

"Oh right, I forgot. Uncle Arcturus explained it to me before in one of his lessons". Harry got a pensive look on his face. "What about the Lupins? I don’t think you ever mentioned that".

"We are a First Born house. All the Houses founded in more or less the last one hundred years are like that, actually. Not that there aren’t old houses that follow the same succession charters than us, or even the opposite one from the Blacks, yours is one example of an old House with a First Born inheritance after all.

"Oh, cool".

A comfortable silence descended upon the group the rest of the way, it wasn’t long before the castle came into view. Harry whistled, impressed by the sight. Blackstone Castle may not be as big as Hogwarts, but it was still impressive on it’s own right.

Entering the bailey, Harry’s gaze zeroed into the fidgeting form of a thin man wearing a black leather jacket. Six Pokémons were around him, looks of exasperation or amusement on their faces. Padfoot was one of them, and she was the first to notice them. Giving an excited bark, the Dark Type canine bounced towards them and started to bathe Harry with her tongue in enthusiasm.

"Padfoot, not you too!". Harry exclaimed between laughs, trying to keep the huge canine at bay while also petting her at the same time. Obviously, he wasn’t precisely successful in doing the first.

When he finally managed to calm Padfoot down, Harry found the man that he was sure was Sirius standing in front of him. Harry felt himself blush, fidgeting in place at the gaze of pure wonder that Sirius had on his face.

"Harry". Sirius said quietly, kneeling down to be closer to Harry’s height. "Look at you, you’ve gotten so big since last I saw you". Sirius eyes grew moist while saying that, but a huge wobbly smile was present on his face.

Harry smiled back hesitantly, he realized that the same feeling of recognition from when he meet Remus all those months ago was present within him when he looked at Sirius. Sirius eyes locked into Harry’s lightning bold scar, but his gaze was quite different to the ones Harry was used to receiving, Sirius’s seemed relieved more than anything.

"…Ooh, thank you Fenral. You didn’t lose it". Sirius said quietly enough to almost not be heard.

"I told you he was okey". Pity that Remus has exceptional senses thanks to his Aura Bond.

"Well, excuse me. Last time I saw him the paramedics weren’t precisely sure if he would lose his eyesight in that eye". Said Sirius while sticking out his tongue.

Harry scratched the corner of his right eye, almost knocking his glasses off, while the adults shared a laugh of fondness and relieve between themselves.

"Harry, thank you". Sirius suddenly said in a gentle tone.

"For what?".

"For getting me out of Azkaban".

Harry looked at Sirius in surprise.

"But I didn’t do anything, it was all thanks to uncle Arcturus and dad". Replied Harry.

Sirius felt surprised at hearing Harry call Remus dad. Remus told him about that development, but Sirius still wasn’t fully prepared to hearing that. But gazing at Remus and seeing his warded expression, any kind of negative emotion that could have resulted melted away. ‘There is no rule that says that a person can only have one dad after all’.

"Of course you did, Harry. You did the most difficult part, you listened to what Remi and grandfather had to say. You gave them the benefit of the doubt even after realizing that I was the one they wanted to help. And you didn’t hesitate to offer what help you could".

Harry blushed at the heartfelt gratitude coming from Sirius.

"I only gave them permission to have a copy of my parents’s Will. That was nothing, anyone would have done the same".

"No, Harry. That was everything". Sirius corrected, his smile huge and gentle while he gazed at Harry. "Harry, can I hug you?". Sirius asked with a soft tone.

Harry looked at Remus at that question, but his dad only smiled while mouthing ‘it’s up to you’. Harry nodded after a moment, stepping forwards to let Sirius engulf him in a gentle hug. The faint smell of leather, gasoline and something primal was the first thing Harry noticed. ‘Ooh, he smells like home too’. Harry closed his eyes, pretending to ignore the tears he was felling land on his hair. It wasn’t long before another set of arms joined the hug.

 

…

 

"You are lying!". Harry exclaimed in surprise and embarrassment.

The two men in front of him just laughed harder.

"Nope, totally true. Axe couldn’t look at you without fear for a whole month". Sirius affirmed with a mirthful voice.

Harry groaned, his face flushed red while he tried to bury it in his hands. Harry still had a smile on his face despite his embarrassment. Reclining back into the armored stomach of the shiny Haxorus, Harry looked up with a contrite expression, finding Axe’s face looking at him upside down.

"Sorry, Axe. If it serves as an excuse, I was a baby?". Harry smiled impishly while shrugging his shoulders.

The black dragon huffed in amusement.

After a tour of the family wing of the castle, Sirius guided Harry and Remus towards the private sitting room of the family. The three were sprawled upon the gigantic and, more than likely, stupidly expensive carpet with cushions around them for comfort. Dante, Hedwig, Aqua, Moony, Axe and Padfoot were with them, lying down around them and listening to the stories being told by their humans with fondness and amusement. The rest of Remus’s and Sirius’s teams were outside the castle, enjoying the massive grounds of the Black’s ancestral seat. Upon sitting on the floor, Axe decided to put himself behind Harry, to Harry’s surprise, and started to cuddle him. Not that Harry was complaining, Axe’s hide was surprisingly comfortable despite being as strong and hard as plate armor.

"Aaah, those were good times". Sirius said softly with a sad smile of remembrance on his face.

Remus, seeing the sad thoughts starting to take root in Sirius head, decided to change the subject.

"How are things at Hogwarts, cub? Apart from yesterday’s scare".

"By the way, nicely done". Sirius interjected while giving Harry a thumbs up.

"He is still grounded for two days after coming home for Christmas". Remus pipped in while giving Harry a pointed look.

"Yep, totally grounded". Agreed Sirius.

"Oh, come on dad!". Harry pouted.

Sirius snorted when he saw Harry try to give Remus the Baby-doll Eyes. It wasn’t effective.

"Ugh, fine…". Harry relented when it didn’t work. "It’s going great really, I’m having lots of fun. Oh!, I didn’t tell you, but Dante managed to learn Fire Fang three days ago!".

"He did? Well done Dante!".

The Leucistic Houndour puffed out his chest at the praise.

"Angie was a great help with that. She recommended that he learns Bite first, and even helped me with it too. After he learned it, Fire Fang came easily". Harry said while petting Dante affectionately. "I’m thinking of trying to unlock Thunder Fang next".

"Good idea, but don’t be surprised if it takes a while, you two". Said Remus, giving Harry and Dante a look. "Dante isn’t a electric type after all, it won’t be easy for him even with Thunder Fang being his egg move".

Harry and Dante nodded at that, even if the Houndour seemed a little dejected at the prospect.

"Angie?". Asked Sirius after a moment.

"Angelina Johnson, she is the daughter of Kai Johnson". Clarified Remus, knowing who Harry was friends with.

"The new Gym Leader? The one that specializes in Fire Types?".

"That one". Remus confirmed.

"She is a Gryffindor in third year, and part of the Battle Royal team. I’m pretty sure she is going to specialize in Fire Types too, all of her Pokémons are Fire Types at least". Harry said.

"Wait, are you part of the Battle Royal team?". Sirius asked enthusiastically.

"Nope,". Sirius slumped at Harry’s answer. "I’m really not that into the sport. But I’m friends with the Teams, not just the Gryffindor one. My friends and I join them every morning to exercise, they help us a lot with our Pokémons too".

"That’s good, I’m happy you aren’t limiting your friends to only first years". Remus commented with a proud smile on his face.

"Friends? More like annoying older siblings. It feels more like we have been adopted by them than anything else". Harry said with a snort and an exasperated sigh.

"…And that is bad?". Sirius asked carefully.

"If one of them is Oliver Wood, yes. He is an exercise junky!. I’m not part of the team and he still makes me do the same exercises as them!". Harry exclaimed. "And we had such a great arrangement at the start. ‘Not interfering with the team’s exercise’ my ass". Harry grumbled.

"Language". Remus and Sirius chastised at the same time, though Sirius said it more jokingly than Remus.

Harry just stuck his tongue out at them, with earned him a flick on the forehead by Remus.

"What about Hedwig? What moves does she know?. I still remember Munin, your granddad’s Honchkrow. That bird was a beast". Asked Sirius, his gaze locked with Hedwig’s.

"Hedwig knows Peck, Astonish, Pursuit, Haze, Gust and Wing Attack. Although there hasn’t been an opportunity for her to really use Haze and, with her knowing Wing Attack, we aren’t using Peck that much either". Harry answered.

Sirius nodded at that.

"You will find that pretty common. Pokémon don’t really forget moves after learning new ones, but many a move gets overshadowed by a better one or by another that works better for the Pokémon’s and Trainer’s battle style. Though moves are like muscles, so they get ‘weaker’ the less you use them. If you two really want to ‘maintain’ a certain move, better to keep practicing it even if an opportunity hasn’t presented itself to use it on battle".

"Just remember to take into consideration their preferences at the time of teaching them new moves. You may think that a move is better in strength or coverage or range, but is still your Pokémon the one that needs to fell comfortable using it". Remus added to Sirius’s words.

Harry nodded at their words before a dejected expression flashed on his face.

"It won't be a problem for a while, some things related to Hedwig's parentage is screwing our training strategy". Harry commented quietly before shaking his head and changing the subject, before Remus or Sirius could ask what he meant by that. "Could you tell me about granddad? Dad doesn’t have many stories to tell about him".

"Your grandfather was a tough fucker". A wizened voice suddenly said.

They all turned in surprise, finding Arcturus standing on the doorway.

"Grandfather!!". Sirius exclaimed, sending him a scowl for his words.

"Shut it, Sirius. He was a great man, but that doesn’t meant that he wasn’t a pain in the ass. Battling him was one of the most annoying things one could ever do, his Pokémons weren’t just strong but also incredibly tricky to fight against". Said Arcturus while ambling his way towards them, his cane taping in the floor repeatedly.

"Hello, uncle Arcturus". Greeted Harry.

"Lord Black". Added Remus while standing up.

Arcturus waved Remus’s courtesy off, indicating with his hand for him not to stand up while Arcturus himself took a seat in one of the many couches. Arcturus gave them an arched brow though.

"Why in distortion are you lot sitting on the floor? Not like we don’t have seating options". Arcturus asked sardonically.

Aqua gave a derisive croaked gurgle while looking pointedly at the three younger humans. Remus sent her a betrayed look. Arcturus snorted a laugh while nodding his head in acknowledgment towards the huge amphibian, interpreting perfectly what she was saying without even understanding her.

"Which Pokémon did he have? I knew about his Honchcrow and I’m pretty sure he had a Greninja, but I don’t know about the others". Harry asked to Arcturus, deciding to ignore his and Aqua comments.

"Didn’t I already tell you?".

"Nope, it was never brought up in our lessons. And I never thought to ask about them, now that I think about it".

"Hmm. Well, apart from Munin and Senko, he also had an Umbreon. That annoying little thing was a freaking wall to go through, he wasn’t the most offensive of his mons, but his defensive capacities were off the charts, him and Charlus enjoyed poisoning their opponents and waiting for it to pass its course. Cacturne was his most proficient physical attacker. Spiritomb, those nasty things are always a pain to deal with, specially your granfather’s. Another wall like Umbreon, though geared more towards tanking special attacks. I think it is still alive, what with it being a Ghost Type too, it must be residing in Potter Manor. Although, it wouldn’t surprise me if it was ‘inactive’. And let’s not forget Liepard, may not have been the ‘strongest’ Pokémon of the team, but she knew how to disrupt the strategies of the opposite teams while boosting herself and the battlefield to hers and her partners’s advantage. For their part, Munin and Senko served as sweepers, though Senko was as much an annoyance as Liepard, preparing the terrain to their advantage and disrupting the opposite team quite efficiently".

"Guah!, they sound so strong". Said Harry, taking all the information in with wonder.

"Oh, yes. Charlus and his Pokémon Team were really strong, they had to be, what with living through two wars. They even fought Grindelwald himself to a stand still in more than one occasion". Arcturus agreed, before he leveled a look towards Harry. "You seem to be as tough as he was, hear you fought off a Grimmsnarl from the central area of the Forbidden Forest. Care to tell me about that?".

Harry couldn’t contain his cringe, it had been bad enough to tell Remus and he was grounded for it.

 

…

 

"…that’s when I saw a figure disappear into the forest". Harry finished his retelling.

Arcturus stayed silent, a pensive frown on his face while he contemplated what Harry told him.

"Hmm…Affected by Bug Type Moves you say?". Arcturus asked. "What do you think caused that?".

"Well, the figure, obviously". Harry replied wittily.

Arcturus rolled his eyes while Sirius snickered.

"Don’t be cheeky, brat".

"Sorry, sorry…I think it must have been a Dark Type mon. I’m pretty sure Grimmsnarl was under an illusion, and seeing as Artreos’s moves affected him so much, it’s only logical that the illusion was put by a Dark Type Pokémon".

"You sure? Why not a Psychic one?". Asked Arcturus.

"Impossibly. Grimmsnarls are immune to Psychic Energy. Ghost, Psychic and Dark are the only types to dabble on illusions, they are the Mind Arts Trio for a reason, but with Artreos’s Bug Type moves affecting him while being immune to Psychic Type Energy himself, it’s only logical that the illusion Grimmsnarl was under to have been done with Dark Type Aura Energy". Explained Harry with a resolute nod of his head.

Harry blushed when he saw three proud smiles directed at him for his reasoning, Harry averted his gaze in embarrassment making him miss the worried looks the three adults discreetly exchanged. Remus giving Arcturus and Sirius a subtle nod to indicate that they would talk about this latter.

"I see you got Dorea’s intelligence". Arcturus commented

"Lily’s too. I don’t think James would have been able to get to that conclusion at your age". Added Sirius while sending a subtle look at his grandfather.

"It was nothing, Hermione noticed it too". Said Harry while scratching the back of his head.

Remus ruffled his hair for that comment.

"Cub, I’m glad you don’t mind in sharing your achievements, but you should accept a compliment when it’s deserved". Said Remus.

"…Does that meant that I’m not grounded?".

"Nope, you totally are". Remus answered with a chirpy tone and a bright smile.

Harry pouted, Sirius laughed. A cushion promptly collided with Sirius face. It wasn’t effective.

"Oh, come on Harry, cheer up!. You wont suffer your punishment for another two months. Enough time to convince this old wolf of lifting it". Said Sirius with a conspiring wink.

Remus sent Sirius an unimpressed look, and Harry didn’t look that convinced either.

"I know!". Sirius exclaimed, abruptly standing up. "What do you say to seeing Remus and I battle? I’m sure that will cheer you up".

"Really! That would be amazing!"

"You only want to show off". Remus said with a snort.

"True". Sirius admitted without shame.

 

---

 

"How strong is Sirius?". Harry asked.

Harry and his Pokémons were sitting alongside Arcturus in the stands of the private state of the art indoors Battlefield of the castle. Because of course Blackstone Castle has a private battlefield that costs more than the castle itself. Remus and Sirius were down in the battlefield going over preparations and inspecting the field. When the two men stoped their inspections and ended their talk with the referee, Markus the head butler, they got into position in the Trainer Boxes of their choosing. When they did, the two boxes and the Referee Box started to rise and became raised platforms, railings emerging to prevent any possible fall.

Getting an idea, Harry got out his PoryPhone and angled it to record the battle. ‘Whose gonna be jealous now?’, Harry thought with a wicked smirk while thinking of Ned.

"Before Azkaban, Sirius was at High Elite Level, he even got the rank of Elite for his accomplishments in the Police Force during the war. Not that it made any of his supposed comrades think twice before tossing him in that hell hole". Arcturus said with a displeased voice and a sneer on his face.

Harry frowned too, before something in the old Lord’s comment caught his attention.

"Wait, he got the rank for his accomplishments?". Harry asked in confusion.

"It was war, Harry. There wasn’t any League Circuits being conducted in those years. The region needed other ways to award those ranks". Arcturus explained.

"This will be a No Stakes Battle between Gym Leader Remus Lupin and Elite Trainer Sirius Black!". Markus announced, bringing Harrys attention to the battlefield.

"Pay attention guys, I’m sure we will learn a lot form this". Harry commanded quietly to Dante and Hedwig, his excitement obvious on his voice. His two companions barked and cawed in agreement, their own gazes locked in the battlefield below.

"This will be a three vs three standard battle with only one switch allowed per Trainer!". Markus continued.

Harry pouted a little at that, having wanted to see a full battle.

"Sirius isn’t ready, kid, he is still recovering". Arcturus commented, having caught Harry’s expression.

Harry smiled guiltily, not having thought of that.

"No restoratives are allowed, but held items are. The battle ends when the three Pokémons of one Trainer have fainted or have been withdrawn". Markus finished the explanation. "Are both Trainers ready?".

"Yes!". Remus and Sirius shouted at the same time.

"Then, BEGIN!".

"Shake the earth, Claydol!".

"The hunt is on, Kingdra!".

 

…

 

Remus watched as Claydol materialized in their side of the battlefield at the same time as Kingdra did on Sirius’s side. Remus and Sirius locked eyes, a look of gratitude passing over Sirius’s features when he saw Claydol. Even after all these years, Sirius knew that Remus releasing Claydol first meant that he was taking things seriously. Their Courtesy Release Calls done with, the two young men sprang into action.

"Prepare the battlefield, Claydol!".

"Boost yourself, Kingdra!"

Claydol was fast in calling upon Light Screen and Reflect in quick succession, invoking the moves as a ‘skin’ over their body instead of the more common barriers. The PokéBalls at Remus’s belt also glowed, signaling that the Pokémons within received the shared boost from the moves. ‘Let’s hope it last long into the battle’. That setting didn’t last more than a second to setup, Claydol already calling for Stealth Rock to punish any of Sirius’s Pokémons that would enter the battle later.

Remus saw the moment that Sirius realized his error in calling for Kingdra to boost himself instead of ordering him to stop Claydol from setting up. Remus momentarily frowned in worry for his friend, a mistake like this, for minor or insignificant that it may be to some, was something that Sirius just didn’t do.

"Stop him, Kingdra!". Sirius ordered, interrupting Kingdra in his Dragon Dance.

Kingdra fired an Ice Beam almost instantly to try and stop Claydol, but Remus didn’t worry, he trained Claydol to know how to act on their own when setting the battlefield. Claydol teleported, with the rocks of Stealth Rock included, just seconds before the Ice Beam connected, appearing some meters away. Kingdra showed his Sniper ability though, instantly locking onto Claydol’s new position and firing another Ice Beam. The process repeated for some time, Claydol teleporting away from Kingdra’s rapid fire. Remus decided to act when he saw that Claydol wasn’t able to launch Stealth Rock.

"Double Team!". Remus called

The next time Claydol appeared form his teleportation they let go of the Stealth Rock, the rocks of the unfinished move starting to disintegrate while copies of Claydol started to invade the battlefield.

"Sweep them away, Kingdra!".

The Water Dragon gave a trumpeted like growl in agreement. Kingdra showed his great ability at controlling water by creating a massive wave with Surf and controlling the attack to move it in a circular sweeping motion through the battlefield, eliminating all of Claydol’s copies. The water collided with the Protective Barrier of the battlefield, making them visible and trapping the move inside the perimeters of the battlefield before it started to be absorbed by the ground, wetting the packed earth. Sirius and Kingdra looked around in a moment of confusion, they couldn’t find Claydol.

"Now, Claydol!".

Sirius’s and Kingdra’s heads snapped up to find Claydol floating high above them with rocks from Stealth Rock floating around their body. Claydol launched them before either of the two could react, the rocks sinking into the ground upon impact, and Remus was already covering himself with his kerchief to guard off the Sandstorm that Claydol created right after. Sandstorm wasn’t ‘solid’ enough to activate the Protective Barriers. ‘Sorry Sirius, I have someone to impress’, Remus thought, his gaze averting briefly to the grades where his son was attentively watching the battle.

The sandstorm promptly covered the field, obscuring the two mons form view till only faint forms could be seen.

"Tch! Waterfall, Kingdra! Get in close!". Sirius shouted over the roar off the Climate Move, hands stubbornly planted on the railing while he protected himself the most he could with his Aura Energy.

Water exploded form under Kingdra, launching the Water Dragon into the sky and propelling him towards Claydol’s form.

"Dazzling Gleam!". Shouted Remus.

"Iron Head! Go through it!".

Remus saw an explosion of colors explode from Claydol’s body, but it didn’t deter Kingdra from his ascent. Kingdra collided head first with Claydol, a shock wave leaving the point of impact and even clearing some of the Sandstorm to reveal both Pokémons. Claydol groaned in pain just for the sound to become louder when the wave of water from Waterfall, that was following on Kingdra’s wake, collided with their body.

"Teleport, get out of there!". Remus ordered hurriedly. ‘Sirius may be a little rusty, but his Pokémon are still as powerful as ever’. "Slam him down!". Remus didn’t wait for Claydol to appear again to give his command, not wanting for Sirius to capitalize on having landed the first attack.

Psychic energy enveloped Kingdra’s body before he was pummeled into the ground by said energy. A small crater formed on the ground by the impact, Kingdra giving a cry of pain.

"Kingdra!".

"Again!". Remus ordered, ignoring Sirius cry of worry.

Claydol lifted Kingdra form the crater with Psychic again, intending on slamming him down with brutal efficiency just like before. Sirius growled in frustration.

"Oh no, you don’t! Hydro Pump!".

Kingdras head practically snapped into position to lock into Claydol’s form, with a trumped roar a torrent of hyper pressurized water was launched towards the Clay Doll Pokémon and slammed into them. Claydol gave a loud groan of pain, the force of the attack launching them into the Protective Barriers, making them appear and tremble from the power of the impact. Remus clutched the railing in worry, Reflect and Light Screen were still active so Claydol should have been able to survive the attack even after having received a full force Waterfall and Iron Head previously. But they must be on their last legs if they did.

Remus was proven correct in his thinking, Claydol managing to stay conscious and floating, though precariously, after the Hydro Pump stoped. Remus sighed internally in relieve although he was tempted to switch Claydol, more so at seeing that Kingdra wasn’t as hurt as his Pokémon was, but Claydol floating determinedly to face Kingdra stoped Remus from doing so. Taking a breath to center himself, Remus gave a nod to Claydol before taking on the battlefield.

Remus frowned when he saw the Sandstorm petering out, the climate move not having lasted as much as he would have wanted. ‘I will not be using Gliscor or Donphan then’, Remus thought with an internal frown. Those two, alongside Garchomp and Moony, also knew how to use Sandstorm, but they were much slower than Claydol in setting the Weather Change, so Remus prefers to send Gliscor and Donphan when Sandstorm is already up and roaring. It was much easier for those two to simply maintain the climate when it was already active. Much the same for Moony and Garchomp, though Garchomp didn’t receive any actual boost from the Climate Move.

"Ice Beam! Finish them, Kingdra!". Sirius said, a confident smirk on his face.

"Teleport and Earth’s Inferno!". Commanded Remus.

Despite their injuries, Claydol managed to teleport away before the Ice Beam could reach them. Appearing at the other side of the battlefield, Claydol’s many yellow eyes glowed in preparation of their personal Combination Move. Two massive wolfs (the family pride must shine through) made of sand and stone burst from the ground, their stony jaws clamping onto Kingdra’s body before they hyper heated, gaining the glow of molten rocks. Kingdra roared in pain, the ground underneath him and the two wolf golems starting to melt and gaining the properties of molten lava while the two wolf golems started to sink into it, dragging the Water Dragon with them. Steam started to rise form the ground around them, the water the field previously absorbed from Kingdra’s Surf starting to evaporate from the heat.

Remus couldn’t contain his proud smile at hearing the gasp of surprise coming from Sirius, Harry and their Referee, he was sure even the old Lord Black must be sporting a look of surprise on his face too, though Remus didn’t avert his gaze from the battlefield to ascertain that. This was the first time that Claydol used this move on battle.

"Kingdra, use Surf!". Shouted Sirius with urgency.

Even through the pain of basically being cooked alive, Kingdra managed to create an explosion of water that sweep the battlefield, dragging the hyper heated wolf golems away from him and cooling the ground.

"Telep..!". Remus tried to order, but the wave crashed into Claydol before he could finish the command and his Pokémon having been too slow in cutting the energy that was feeding his now countered move to do something themselves.

Claydol’s groan of pain was drowned by the attack. When the wave subsided, Remus saw them slumped on the ground unconscious. Remus returned them without waiting for Markus to announce Claydol’s loss, whispering words of praise into the PokéBall before clipping it back into his belt.

In the middle of the battlefield, Kingdra roared his victory roar. Looking at the Water Dragon, Remus realized that Kingdra was on his last legs, Claydol’s Earth’s Inferno having caused quite the damage. Sirius seemed to realize this too. When Remus saw him reach for Kingdra’s PokéBall, Remus made his decision of next combatant.

"Kingdra, retu…".

"Pursuit!". Shouted Remus while launching his PokéBall.

Before the beam of the PokéBall could even reach the Water Dragon, Krookodile had already materialized in front of him with Dark Aura Energy encompassing his body. Sirius and Kingdra only had time of widening their eyes before Krookodile slammed himself against Kingdra, sending the dual Dragon and Water Type skidding through the ground after a resounding crash. Kingdra didn’t get up from the ground, the enhanced attack of Pursuit having rendered him unconscious.

"Kingdra is unable to battle! Krookodile wins. Both Trainers are in an ono-on-one tie!. Trainer Sirius wont be able to switch again. Trainer Sirius, you have thirty seconds to release your next Pokémon!". Markus the head butler announced, bringing Sirius back from his surprised stupor.

Sirius shook his head to clear his thoughts before returning Kingdra and whispering some comforting and praising words to his PokéBall. Sirius frowned for a moment, before an excited gleam shined in his eyes. Taking another PokéBall from his belt, Sirius released his next Pokémon.

"Lullaby, Altaria!". Sirius commanded while launching Altaria’s PokéBall.

The moment the draconic bird materialized, he was slammed upon by the rocks of Stealth Rock, making him squeal and delaying him in following Sirius’s order.

"Bulk Up!". Remus took advantage of the delay to have Krookodile boost his Physical Attack and Defense.

Not a second after Krookodile finished his setup, Altaria managed to shrug the rocks from his body and started to sing a beautiful melody, musical notes constructed by Aura Energy floated through the Air while pink sound waves traveled through the battlefield. Remus saw Krookodile start to sway in sleepiness even while wincing at receiving the damage from the sound waves of Fairy Type Energy. ‘Altaria’s Combined Move of Sing and Disarming Voice…That is nostalgic’, thought Remus.

"Snap out of it, Krookodile, and use Dig!".

Luckily, Krookodile hasn’t succumbed to the effects of the move just yet and managed to burrow into the ground to scape the attack.

"Setup while he is under". Sirius commanded.

"Get out and Taunt!". Countered Remus.

Altaria was just starting to perform Dragon Dance while simultaneously using Cotton Guard when Krookodile burst out of the ground and started to send dark waves of Dark Aura Energy towards Altaria while producing mocking sounds and gestures that nobody needed to have interpreted for them. Altaria got an enraged look on his face, stoping his setup to launch himself clawed talons first towards Krookodile.

"Altaria, don’t!".

But Sirius’s Pokémon ignored his command, being too enraged to listen. Altaria slammed into Krookodile with Dragon Claw activated, Krookodile responding with Power Trip as counter. The exchange promptly became a brawl where the two mons exchanged hits with Dragon Claw and Power Trip as their main melee attacks. Altaria seemed to have the upper hand at the start, his move doing much more damage, but Krookodile started to gain power during the duration of the exchange, Power Trip doing its work and starting to increase it’s power the more Krookodile used it.

"Hyper Voice, Altaria! Disengage and get some distance!". Sirius ordered when he saw Altaria starting to lose the battle.

This time Altaria listened, a powerful deafening sonic bomb leaving his beak that shook the ground and made the Protective Barriers visible, making them groan in protest of having to endure another powerful move. Remus had to protect his eardrums with his Aura even with the Protective Barrier in front of his trainer box having activated like it should. Krookodile was sent sliding back, the Intimidation Pokémon having to get in all fours to sink his claws on the ground to stop his momentum, a pained grimace appeared on his face at the painful sound move. Remus tried to give a command, but his voice wasn’t heard over Altaria’s Hyper Voice. Luckily, Krokoodile was well trained and knew what to do.

With a roar from Krookodile, that was drowned by Hyper Voice, chunks of rocks started to break and float form the ground. With a swift of his tail, the Stone Edge was launched towards Altaria, making the Draconic Bird stop his attack to concentrate on evading the incoming rocky projectiles.

"Steel Wing!". Sirius commanded when he saw that some of the rocks were managing to land glancing blows.

Altaria understood Sirius request perfectly. His wings gaining a metallic sen, Altaria continued dodging Krookodile unrelenting attacks while using his steel coated wings to break the rocks that he couldn’t evade.

"Krookodile, guide him to the ground!".

"Altaria, don’t let him corral you! Draco Meteor!".

Before Krookodile could even try to direct Altaria where he wanted with Stone Edge, the Draconic Bird launched a sphere of bright draconic energy towards the high ceiling of the battlefield. His momentary pause to launch the powerful Dragon Type Move let Krookodile score some critical hits upon him, but that didn’t prevent the ball of energy from bursting in dozens of meteorites that screamed their dangerous descent to the ground, heralding the destruction they carried.

"Dig!". Remus shouted in urgency.

Remus wasn’t able to make sure if Krookodile followed his instruction, having to close his eyes and cover his face to protect himself from the explosions produced by Draco Meteor impacting the ground. Remus felt the ground sake dangerously, having to widen his stance and use his Aura to stay upright.

Felling the shaking and the explosions stop a good minute after the move landed on the ground, Remus opened his eyes only to find the field totally devastated and whole of collision crates. The Protective Barriers of the battlefield were in full display, cracks visible in their forms that were slowly repairing themselves. Remus couldn’t find Krookodile anywhere, but before he could panic he saw a small mound of earth move before settling again, making him know that Krookodile was still conscious and underground. Luckily, neither Sirius nor Altaria took notice of that.

"Altaria, Roost". Sirius said calmly after a moment of looking carefully through the battlefield, trying to take advantage of the delay of movements to cure as much of Altaria’s sustained damage as possible, that last Stone Edge did a nasty work of him.

Remus internally winced at Sirius command, though not for it being detrimental to Remus himself. Remus wouldn’t call Sirius’s command a mistake, per se, it was a good move to make in this moment of delay, If it were done with another Pokémon species as their opponent. But it wasn’t.

"Now, Krookodile!". Remus said the moment Altaria touched the ground, his friendship and brotherhood with Sirius not deterring him from taking advantage of Sirius’s error. Not that Sirius would be angry at him for doing this, in the contrary in fact, he would be truly upset if he didn't capitalize in his mistake. Sirius would say that he treated him with kids gloves, and would be furious with him for it.

Krookodile burst from the ground, his jaws wide open while secondary ones made of Dark Type energy were formed around his muzzle. Sirius winced, Altaria squeaked, Krookodile clamped his Crunch enhanced jaws around Altaria’s neck. Altaria cried in pain while flailing his wings to try to get away, to no avail. Acting like his animal counterpart, Krookodile started to perform a ‘Death Roll’, the ground he was still half buried into acting like water thanks to his great command over Ground Type Energy. Altaria screamed in pain, but he showed his Dragon Nature by transforming those screams into an attack, Hyper Voice bursting from Altaria’s beak once more.

Krookodile’s ‘Death Roll’ and Altaria’s Hyper Voice didn’t last more than a minute, Krookodile stoping his rolling when Altaria grew silent in his jaws. When Remus’s saw Altaria’s unconscious form, a smile formed on his lips.

"Well done, Krookodile!". Remus shouted.

Krookodile roared his victory, his happiness palpable at having won against his opponent, the effects of his ability Moxie already sowing. Though injured, Remus saw that Krookodile still had energy to continue, this matchup having been much lees equal than the one of Claydol and Kingdra.

Gazing at Sirius when he returned Altaria, Remus thought to have seen a satisfied look pass across his fellow marauder’s face. Remus couldn’t help but felt like he had missed something important.

"…release your final Pokémon in the next thirty seconds!". Markus finished saying.

Sirius gazed at Krookodile with a pensive frown for a moment before reaching for his trainer belt and unclipping it. Taking a PokéBall from it, he released Flygon by his side inside the Trainer’s box and gave her the belt after taking another different PokéBall. The Mystic Pokémon flew towards the stands and sat beside Harry whom she greeted with a regal nod, to the young preteen’s amusement.

"What?". Sirius asked at seeing Remus lifted eyebrow. "Krookodile still knows Dragon Tail, right? I don’t want to lose for ‘releasing’ a fourth Pokémon". Sirius explained. "Let’s continued shall we?". He asked right after, tossing the PokéBall in his hand. "Axe, defensive setup!".

"Taunt! Stop him!". Remus ordered even before Axe fully materialized.

But it was for naught, Krookodile’s Dark Energy waves collided with an already active Protect that even protected the black Haxorus from the rocks of Stealth Rock, Axe giving a derisive snort at Krookidile’s mocking growls and gestures. The black Haxorus started to dance while maintaining Protect’s barrier, draconic energy flowing through his scales.

"Krookodile, batter that barrier!".

Krookodile hissed his agreement, launching himself towards the Protect and starting to batter it with his physical moves. Stone Edge, Dragon Tail, Crunch, Power Trip, Superpower…The barrier didn’t break, but Krookodile’s onslaught of attacks made Axe stop his Dragon Dance to put all of his concentration into maintaining his barrier up, thought the enhancing move already did its work. Remus was starting to get a sinking feeling, Sirius was stalling and Remus didn’t know why. Feeling his dread increase, Remus tried to go through his memories of the battle so far as fast as he could, his gaze traveling through the battlefield for anything he could have missed. His gaze ended falling onto Sirius face, a smirking in satisfaction face. Just then, the image of Sirius recalling Altaria with a similarly satisfied expression flashed in Remus mind. ‘Fuck!’, Remus swore internally in realization.

"Krookodile, return!". Remus shouted, recalling his Pokémon as fast as he could.

Remus frowned at Sirius, his frown growing displeased when he saw Sirius’s own annoyed grimace. ‘So I was right’.

"Perish Song?". Remus asked Sirius across the battlefield.

Sirius only responded with a cheeky smile and a shrug of the shoulders.

"Well played". Remus said with a snorted laugh. ‘This is more like you’, Remus thought unable to contain his proud feelings towards Sirius.

An exclamation of understanding was heard from the stands.

"Not well enough". Answered Sirius with a sigh, but a smile was present on his face while he briefly looked at their audience.

Following his gaze, Remus saw Harry looking at Sirius with an expression of wonder. ‘It seemed that Sirius and I are tied on impressing Harry’, thought Remus with a small smile.

"Gym Leader Remus has used his switch, please release your next Pokémon!. You have thirty seconds!". Markus said.

Following on Sirius’s previous actions, Remus unclipped his trainer belt after having grabbed three of his PokéBalls, two he made sure to maintain with his person. Releasing Gliscor first, he gave her the belt with the rest of the PokéBalls and she flew towards the stands with the others. Taking a breath, a smile formed on Remus’s face.

"Okey then. Aqua, it’s your turn!". Shouted Remus while tossing the PokéBall in the air.

Aqua materialized in the field with a bellow, her gaze locking with Axe’s. Remus’s Swamper Starter and Sirius Haxorus Starter sized each other up, croaked hisses and guttural growls where interchanged but none of the two backed down.

"Breaking Swipe to Dragon Tail!".

"Lower his velocity!".

Axe launched himself towards Aqua at great velocity, his form enveloped in purplish Draconic Aura Energy while he cleared the battlefield like if it wasn’t destroyed. Aqua bellowed while raising her arm in the air before bringing it down and punching the ground, her Bulldoze forming cracks all around the already damaged battlefield and causing a ‘small’ earthquake. When the cracks reached Axe, the ground exploded outwards, but the black dragon didn’t stop his unrelenting advance even if his movement was becoming noticeable slower, his enhanced speed from Dragon Dance being countered by Bulldoze’s hampering properties. ’Pity we can’t do anything against his strength’.

"Power-up Punch!". Remus commanded, punching the air himself while doing so.

Aqua’s massive arm collided with Axe’s body, the two mons doing mutual damage while their moves cancelled each other’s setups. A small shockwave left the zone of impact, the Fighting Type energy and the Dragon Type energy dispersing from the collisions of the two attacks. Axe didn’t stop though, rotating his body to swing his tail into Aqua, Draconic Aura coating the limb.

"Grab it!".

Aqua took the attack with a slight stumble, but managed to grab the tail between her arms. She didn’t end it there, with a huge heave she lifted Axe over her body and slammed him on the ground. Axe roared in pain and annoyance, but before he could do anything, Aqua was atop of him. Colliding her fist with his armored chest, the amphibian released a pointblank Earthquake that traveled through his body. The ground beneath them snapped and rumble in a earthquake more powerful than the one produced by Bulldoze. When the attack finished its course, Aqua went for a second one, but Axe wasn’t accommodating. A pointblank Dragon Pulse engulfed Aqua’s face, launching her off Axe and onto the ground some meters away.

Axe lifted himself of the ground, his breathing heavy and a murderous glare on his face. Aqua shook her head, riding herself of the Draconic Energy that clung to her in the form of flames, her own gaze equally as hard as his.

"Earthquake!". Sirius and Remus commanded at the same time.

The ground shattered more if possible, huge chunks of the battlefield lifting form the ground creating a dividing line between the two Pokémons. Aqua may have a much better control over Ground Type Energy, but Axe’s enhanced strength allowed him to be her equal for this collision. The battlefield’s Barriers were made visible again, luckily enough time has passed since the previous powerful attack for them to recharge enough energy to withstand the double earthquake.

"Hydro Pump!".

The stream of hyper pressurized water broke through the chunks of ground that separated Aqua from her opponent…

"Protect!".

…just to collide with Axe’s lifted shield with a resounding gong, water flying everywhere.

"Underworld’s Swamp!". Remus commanded, not letting up in their onslaught.

A wave of murky blue energy left Aqua’s body and entered the ground. In an instant, the battlefield was totally changed. Taking advantage of the craters, gauges and huge cracks of the battlefield, Aqua transformed it into a swampy terrain. Axe was too preoccupied with maintaining his footing in the now much more treacherous field to prevent the terrain alteration, his form now submerged almost to his waist, and when he was able to do something Aqua was nowhere to be seen, the amphibian having submerged herself in the muddy waters. Remus heard a sound of childish awe from the stands, Remus felt more than a little satisfied in having impressed his adoptive son once more.

"Ugh! You and your Original Moves!". Sirius shouted with an arm waving in mock outrage.

"Look who’s talking!. And they are Combination Moves, Com-bi-na-tions~". Remus fired back with a playful smile playing at his lips.

"Whatever, nerdy wolf!… And it was only one! The other was a disguise!".

Remus snorted a laugh, shaking his head in amusement.

"Play time is over. Aqua, start!".

Like shark launching itself out of the ocean, Aqua jumped out of the swamp towards Axe, a glowing fist from Power-up Punch ready to connect. The Black Haxorus managed to dodge with his hampered mobility by rotating his body to one side, Aqua narrowly passing through his side in the air before diving back into the muddy waters with a splash. Not a second has passed that Aqua launched herself out of the water again with Axe managing to dodge anew. This happened a third, a fourth and a fifth time…at the sixth, Axe intercepted her with a constructed Protect around his arms as a shield that he swung down like a mace. Aqua croaked in surprise, the sound becoming one of pain when Axe’s Dragon Claw connected with her face dealing a critical hit.

"Retreat!". Shouted Remus.

Before a second Dragon Claw could connect, Aqua submerged herself into the waters of the created swamp and swam some distance away. Letting only the top of her head be visible on the surface, her fins over her head giving a threatening image, Aqua started to circle Axe like a predator. Axe followed her movements, his eyes never leaving her swimming form. A cough left his snout.

"What?". Sirius clutched the railing surrounding his trainer’s box in surprise, his knuckles turning white.

Remus gave a satisfied hum while crossing his arms, quite pleased when he saw a faint purple tint appear on Axe’s scaled cheeks. Sirius gazed down at the swamp in realization, an annoyed growl leaving his lips when he understood how Axe got poisoned.

"Axe, we’re in a time limit! Dragon Pulse, let’s make it count!". Shouted Sirius.

Axe roared his agreement, Draconic Energy condensing in his mouth.

"Intercept that, Aqua!". Commanded Remus.

Aqua growled her own garment, her own mouth filling with condensed water in preparation. The two Pokémons launched their moves at the same time, Dragon Pulse and Hydro Pump meting half way with a resounding crash of energy. Aqua and Axe fought for dominance, the moves going back and forth in a tug of war to try and gain terrain over the other.

"Axe!, endure the move with GigaImpact! Trample her!". Shouted Sirius when he saw that the interchange was going nowhere.

"Don’t let him, Aqua! Give everything you got!". Remus shouted in encouragement.

Axe cut his attack, launching himself headfirst into the Hydro Pump while a bright aura of soft pink and yellow energy encompassed his body. Aqua pumped up her efforts into her Hydro Pump, the move colliding with the incoming Haxorus. But this time, though slow in his approach, Axe won the battle of attrition. With a final burst of speed, Axe cleared the final few meters that separated him form Aqua while cutting through the hyper pressurized water stream, colliding with Aqua with a resounding crash and lifting her from the muddy waters.

"Avalanche!". Remus shouted while doing a swiping motion with his arm. "Come on Aqua, I know you can continue!".

"Outrage!. Bring her down with you, Axe!". Sirius shouted his own command while punching the air.

Aqua powered through the pain from GigaImpact and righted herself with agility you wouldn’t expect from a Swampert. Her body shining with the ice blue light from the Ice Aura Energy, Aqua invoked an avalanche of ice and snow that crashed onto Axe with impunity, the move dealing the double of damage thanks to having received the GigaImpact full force. At the same time that Aqua called her move, Axe roared to the heavens, his body being engulfed in Draconic Energy that exploded outwards just when Avalanche landed over him. Two cries of pain were heard through the battlefield, the two Pokémons having been obscured by their moves.

Remus and Sirius clutched the railings in anticipation. When the dust from the moves cleared, Aqua’s struggling, but conscious, body was half submerged on the muddy waters beside a small mountain of ice and snow. Said mountain sifted, Axe clawing his way out from under it to roar his challenge at Aqua. But it was cut short. Before Axe could do anything, the black dragon succumbed to the poison and slumped into the waters of the swamp.

"Axe the Haxorus has lost the battle! Aqua the Swampert wins!. Battle ends in a three-on-one. Victory goes to Gym Leader Remus!". Markus shouted the outcome, signaling the end of the Battle.

Remus sighed in relief, felling the post battle exhaustion settle into his body. ‘That was the hardest battle I’ve had in a while ’, Remus thought, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. ‘ Sirius may be rusty, but he and his team are still a formidable opponent’. Remus noted to himself, his gaze landing on Sirius’s form at the other side of the field where the silver eyed man was just returning his defeated starter to his PokéBall. Sirius looked up from giving some words of praise at the PokéBall containing Axe, his eyes locking with Remus, the two friends shared a smile. Shouts of excitement brought the eyes of the two remaining marauders to the stands where Harry was whopping his enthusiasm down at them alongside Dante and, surprisingly, Hedwig. The two Pokémons copying their trainers enthusiasm alongside an always excitable Gliscor.

Remus waved back, a feeling of accomplishment filling his chest at seeing Harry so happy over the Battle. A battle he had just won. But deciding to first congratulate Aqua, Remus jumped over the railing of his Trainer Box towards the battlefield below, his Aura condensed on his feet to protect his landing. Feet touching the muddy waters, Remus controlled his Aura to bring back the solid ground and disperse the waters around him (Remus liked the shoes he was wearing, thank you very much).

Approaching the tired but satisfied amphibian Remus had to sidestep to get out of the way of a gliding Gliscor, his first captured partner latching onto his starter’s neck in an enthusiastic hug that Aqua endured with tired fondness. Chuckling to himself, Remus retrieved his trainer’s belt from Gliscor’s pincer to attach it back on.

"Now, Gliscor. Careful with your enthusiasm, we don’t want to aggravate Aqua’s injuries". Remus gently admonished, Gliscor giving him a sheepish look after releasing Aqua from her hug. Aqua croaked a quiet comforting sound when Gliscor sounded her apology. "That was amazing, Aqua". Remus addressed his starter, putting a hand over her head and caressing her with a gentle touch, a grateful and proud smile on his face while he gazed at her.

Aqua croaked proudly, her orange eyes closing in satisfaction and a smile spreading across her face. Stoping the petting and retrieving a specific PokéBall, Remus released Krookodile to share in the victory. Krookodile appeared with a threatening hiss, looking around for his opponent while slamming his tail on the ground, splashing muddy water all around behind him (Remus, Aqua and Gliscor were thankfully out of the range of the splatter, not that Aqua would have minded). Realizing that there were not opponents for him to beat up, Krookodile took notice of his Trainer’s and two teammate’s presence. Realizing what must have happened, Krookodile gave a huff of annoyance while crossing his arms before giving a grumbled growl in congratulation towards Aqua.

Aqua rolled her eyes, before giving a half teasing, half exasperated, croak that elicited a reluctant smirk from Krookodile’s snout.

"Ohy, Remi!. Is this safe to walk upon?". Sirius asked.

Looking towards Sirius, Remus saw him approaching them with Flygon flying right behind, the insectoid Dragon looking with displeasure at the muddy ground, and slowly walking through the swamp. Sirius’s ground platforms were much lees uniform and stable than Remus’s since his Aura wasn’t that suited towards using Ground Type Energy.

"A little late to ask that, don’t you think Siri?". Remus asked with an amused smile.

Sirius froze mid-step, his face morphing towards one of horror that elicited a laugh from Remus and his three Pokémons.

"Yes, Sirius, it’s safe". Remus finally said.

Sirius grumbled, punching Remus arm after reaching him before suddenly enveloping him in a hug.

"Thanks". ‘For taking me seriously’, Sirius implied but didn’t say.

"Anytime". Remus answered back, returning the hug.

Before the two men could end the hug, a black haired missile collided with them almost making them fall onto the swampy field.

"That was amazing!".

The two young men laughed, integrating the preteen into the hug without complain. Ending it, Remus couldn’t help but cringe internally at seeing Harry’s now ruined trousers and shoes.

"You two were so cool! Is this how elite battles are every time!?. It was so intense!. What were the moves Claydol and Aqua used, dad? They were so fascinating!". Said Harry in complete excitement. "And Sirius, what about Altaria!? Lullaby you called it? And how did you two conceal Perish Song with Hyper Voice? I didn’t even notice till uncle Arcturus told me!". Continued Harry not letting Remus or Sirius answer, too excited to let any of them talk. "Krookodile!, that thing you did to Altaria was brutal, I loved it!". Continued Harry, rounding on the Pokémon, his eyes practically glowing in excitement.

Remus and Sirius shared a fond smile, their gazes turning loving when they looked back at Harry practically showering praise at Aqua and Krookodile.

"The kid is right, that was a good battle". Arcturus said while approaching them, the ground sifting to become solid in his wake.

"Lord Black…Sorry for the battlefield". Remus said, his cheeks tinting slightly in embarrassment.

"Nothing that we can’t easily fix". Arcturus waved the apology off before his gaze turned to Sirius. "You fought…well, grandson. It could have been better, but it was more than I anticipated you could show after your…absent…years".

"Thanks?". Said Sirius, trying to decide if his grandfathers words were an actual compliment or not.

"Don’t give them, you and I are going to resume training for your Heirship, your smugness was written all over your face. If you could have controlled better your emotions, Remus wouldn’t have figured out that Altaria concealed his use of Perish Song. Not to talk about your other mistakes, the only one you didn’t have problems fighting alongside with was Axe. You will have to get reacquaint with the rest of your team in what pertains to fighting if you want to reach your previous levels of strength".

"Aah, yes grandfather. As hard as alway, I see. And here I thought your hearth softened with age". Sirius said with a sake of his head, though he didn’t look particularly upset with the old man.

Remus didn’t know where to look at, felling a little awkward being in the middle of both Black males.

"…Though I suppose we can use this". The Lord Black mussed to himself, a pondering look on his face directed at Sirius before he transferred said gaze towards Harry, specifically the pocket were the green eyed boy had stored his PoryPhone in.

"Use what?". Asked Sirius.

"Nothing, nothing". Arcturus waved Sirius’s question off before approaching Harry, the preteen and his two Pokémons still gushing over the battle to an amused Aqua and Krookodile. "Harry, would you mind sending me a copy of the battle?".

Remus and Sirius exchanged inquisitive looks, both men wondering what was the Lord Black planing, before the two hurried to join the rest. Better to stop the old Lord on his tracks, the two not looking forwards to whatever he was planing.

 

 

Notes:

Okey, first of all...man that was a hard chapter to write!. I hope you all liked it.

Now, there are a few things. First of all...Harry finaly meet Sirius!!. I hope to have made the reunion justice. I didn't exactly know how to write it, so I went by pure inspiration of the moment till I wrote something I liked.

Second, that thing about the 'Mind Arts Trio'. Not mine. The comcept, category, or how you like to call it, is from the author BANIX. They use it in a series of Pokémon fanfics that happens in the same universe he has created (Totally recomended).
This is the URL to their page in Facfition.net:

https://m.fanfiction.net/u/7278120/BANIX

Second...I don't know from where did the battle came from but it felt right and served me to show the diference between a Low Level Battle, like we have seen alredy with Harry's, and a High Level Battle. I hope you people like it and that I managed to convey that diferce in levels!.
Now, in what pertains to the battle...yeah, I know Sniper doesn't work like that but come on, it's called freking 'Sniper'!. So, in this world, apart from the tipical game characteristics of the avility, it also serves as a default Lock On. Because it just make sense to me.
And last point, for those that are curious, the Combined Moves:

-Claysol's "Earth's Inferno": Combination of Earth Power and Scorching Sands. In all the animations of Earht Power it actually looks like the ground erupts like a volcano, but I made it as simply the Pokémon controling the earth, ground, sand...to great levels (Managing to make constructs of it like we saw with Flygon's hand in Sirius's memories, or here with Claydol creating Wolf Golems), because it doesn't actually have any heat effect on it's own (Something I find a little extrange if we go by the animations of the move). So, Scorching Sand is there to give that heat property to the move. The Pokemon just takes the heat/fire properties of Scorching Sands and adds it to Earth Power.

-Altaria's "Lullaby": Like Remus explained, its the cobination of Sing with Disarming Voice. It doesn't have anything else.

-Aqua's "Underworld's Swamp": The combination of Muddy Water, Earthquake and Toxic. Muddy Water to fill the field with, well, muddy water, Earthquake to sift and change the terrain to the Pokémon's liking (Aqua didn't need to use it in this case thanks to the field being alredy destroyed), and Toxic to make the water poisonus and poison the adversary. I will admit that this move is totally based on the justsu Swamp of the Underworld from Naruto, the only thing I actually added was to also make the waters poisounus.

And...That's all. Thanks for reading and I hope you all like it!

Chapter 21: Problems of Our Own Invention

Notes:

Disclaimor: Don't own Harry Potter or Pokémon. I only own the original characters and the original Pokémons.

English is not my first language, so if you see spelling mistakes, don't hesitate in telling me.

 

 

Arcturus found himself walking towards the Champion’s office on Babylon Island, Helen Tuft, his new Lawyer on retainer, walking just a step behind him.

"Ah, Gym Leader Arcturus. The Champion is waiting for you and your companion". The secretary behind the table at the small reception area of the champion’s office informed them.

Arcturus didn’t even acknowledge her, going directly towards the doors without pausing his strides, cane tapping along to his steps on the stone floor. Helen followed right behind after giving a small nod of thanks towards the secretary.

Entering the office, they found a spacious rectangular room with huge wall length windows in the wall right in front of the double doors they have just entered through and through the length of the left wall. Bookshelves hugged all along the right wall, done with dark mahogany wood that matched the rest of the furniture of the room and full of books and documents. Dark forest green curtains with silver embroidery descended form the ceiling in front of the windows, open to let the sunlight shine through, that matched the color of the cushions in the armchairs that filled the space before the office table, a silver and dark forest green huge carpet covered the floor beneath them. Behind the office table sat Joseph Nott, Champion of Yggsill, while his loyal starter Barret was standing guard over his seat, the eyes of the Pangoro not looking away from the newcomers.

"Gym Leader Arcturus, welcome. Please take a seat. I presume you must be Ms. Helen Tuft?". Joseph greeted them, standing form his chair to extend a hand towards them.

Arcturus took the offered seat after sacking his hand, resting his dragon headed cane in the armrest.

"Champion Joseph, it’s a pleasure". Ms. Tuft said while taking his hand with her own red manicured hand.

"Likewise". Joseph said back with a close lipped smile, his eyes assessing them both, before ending the handshake. "Would you two like some refreshments?". He asked after Ms. Tuft took her seat, indicating with his hand a cabinet full of beverages and expensive looking glasses and cups.

"So, what is this about?". Asked Joseph while taking his seat after Arcturus and Ms. Tuft politely declined his offer.

"A proposition". Answered Arcturus. "Are you still searching for a trainer the Yggsill’s League can use to tackle the problem of the ‘Showy Trainers’?

"Yes, we are". Confirmed Joseph, his lifted eyebrow the only indication of his surprise at the question. "The Trainer we hired for this year’s circuit hasn’t managed to catch enough attention from the public. She did better than the previous ones, but her social media grow has stagnated, and we, the League, not being truly able to show our support can’t do anything to change that. Not that it would have actually helped, if they knew that the Yggsill League was ‘sponsoring’ her, the public would have believed that her accomplishments were because of us". The Champion paused after his explanation. "Why do you ask? Do you have someone you want to bring forth?".

"Actually, yes. Yes I do". Answered Arcturus, his face relaxed into a calm facade though he just wanted to grin.

Reaching for the inner pocket of his dress jacket, he withdrew his PoryPhone and passed it towards Champion Joseph.

 

…

 

Taking the device from his hands, the Yggsill Champion gave Arcturus a questioning look at seeing a paused video displayed in the screen. The old Lord just looked pointedly at the PoryPhone, asking silently for the champion to watch the video. Seeing nothing to lose but a few minutes of his time, Joseph started it.

It was a recorded battle, amateur but with good resolution and surprisingly un-shaky and centered. The Champion was more than a little impressed by what he saw. He has never seen Gym Leader Remus Lupin fight so seriously like he was doing in the video, not even in the Gym Leader Tournament to decide who would be part of the main Eight for the Circuit Season (A side-effect of knowing he has almost zero chances to be chosen even if he did well, Joseph suspected). Seeing his Claydol and Swampert perform their original moves, or Combination Moves like it appears the case was here, left him more than impressed and reminded him that he wanted to talk with the Ethos’s Gym Leader about that ‘Rock Bite’ his Lycanroc did back at the September Meeting.

But for impressed that he was with his Minor Gym Leader, Joseph was sure Arcturus wanted him to pay attention to the other Trainer. Sirius Black, Arcturus’s grandson and heir, imprisoned in Azkaban for ten years and fighting with the ability and power of a Trainer between Low Elite and Solid Elite levels despite of it. Seeing the battle, Joseph could see the plan that Arcturus had in mind, the cons and pros of it going through his own mind while watching the battle for a second time.

 

…

 

Arcturus grinned internally, feeling satisfied when he saw Joseph realizing the benefits of having Sirius be the Trainer for the League’s campaign. Now he just has to sell it.

"Power, the center of the Public’s eye, and not having participated in a Circuit before. I think my grandson pass the bill". Said Arcturus, letting himself grin when Joseph looked back at him from the video. "An Elite Level Trainer, acquiring his rank through services in the war instead of the Elite Circuit. We can even use the fact that he is clearly ‘recuperating’ his former strength to our advantage, the public already has him in their minds thanks to the papers not shutting up about the scandal of his imprisonment even now, and I’m sure they would ‘love’ to watch his journey to recuperating his former strength. The fact that he is still considered young even by the younger generations, that he is a handsome man and specializes in Dragon Type Pokémon, one of the, if not the, most difficult and dangerous Types to specialize on, doesn’t hurt. The perfect role model for young adults and teenagers to look up to in regards to Pokémon Training".

"That’s all well and good, and I can see the benefits of having him be the figurehead of the campaign. But I also see some problems". Said Joseph. "First of all, all his remaining Pokémons are fully evolved. The Trainers that have sown the best results in former tries had Pokémons that still needed to reach their final stage. Few trainers star their journeys with their Pokémons fully evolved, having a role model to show them the struggles and steps one can take to help their Pokemons reach their full potential helps a lot".

"I think this will help, Champion Joseph". Ms. Tuft said before the Champion could continue, passing him a folder with documents.

Joseph looked at the folder before passing a look through the both of them, an eyebrow raised in consideration.

"Is this how this meeting is gonna be? You two giving me things to see?". Champion Joseph said with a deadpan, if joking, tone. But he still took the folder, with a sigh, and started to read through it. While reading the documents his brows creased, an impressed light shining on his eyes. "How have you managed to convince them of this? I thought they considered this Pokémon too dangerous and volatile to participate on this phase of the experiment?".

Arcturus gave a laugh of contempt.

"I let them use my Dragon Preserve for their field experiments with that species, you better believe they allowed this". Retorted Arcturus.

"That’s fair". Joseph said with a quiet chuckle before sighing. "I suppose you two already have all the possible problems solved?". He inquired with a raised eyebrow, his response being two smirks of satisfaction and a stack of folders being put on his desk by Ms. Tuft.

Joseph sighed again while looking with dread at the folders, already lamenting all the extra hours all the new paperwork will bring him. He sent a glare towards Barrett when he snorted at his Trainer’s plight.

"…Why isn’t Sirius Black here?". Joseph wanted to know, lifting his gaze from the stack of documents. "This pertains him after all".

"Let me take care of Sirius, don’t worry about that". Arcturus waved his question off.

"…He doesn’t know about this, does he?". The Champion inquired with a raised eyebrow. "No matter. Have him sign these documents if he accepts to work for the League in this matter". He continued while shaking his head, taking hold of a folder of documents from one of his office table’s drawers and passing them to Ms. Tuft when she reached for them.

Silence fell upon the office, though not uncomfortable, while Ms. Tuft speed-read over the contract. Joseph gained a pensive look on his face, putting his elbows on the table and interlacing his fingers while he gazed with curiosity at Arcturus. Arcturus gazed impassably back, waiting for him to ask whatever he had in mind.

"Why are you doing this, Arcturus?. And I’m not asking this as your Champion". Joseph asked him.

Arcturus exchanged a look with Ms. Tuft before looking back at Joseph. Arcturus hand unconsciously took hold of his cane, his hand tightening over the carved dragon head.

"Doing this will cement Sirius’s position as my heir, and will shut up the mouths of those that don’t have any business in meddling with the affairs of my House". Arcturus stated with a hard voice.

 

---

 

"It just expand on the contract all Trainers have with the League. Clauses for provided Services, Payment…there isn’t any specific ‘days off’ or ‘vacations’ since this will basically be freelance work. There are also contracts and stipulations for ‘public image’. Basically, the League will appoint a manager to control Sirius’s public image. Though whoever it is they appoint won’t be following Sirius in his journey, they will act more like a consultant in what to do and how to present himself. Even this is quite basic and only expands on his Trainer contract like I said before since, as a Trainer, Sirius already falls under the jurisdiction of the League". Ms. Tuft explained almost absently while going over the contract Champion Joseph gave them this morning.

Arcturus listened attentively while being seated in her office at Fawley and Tuft solicitors. Arcturus planned to go over the documents himself latter, but listening to a second ‘professional’ opinion didn’t hurt.

"Like we thought, it doesn’t have a specific srarting day. The moment Sirius firms the contract, him and the League can start to work in his public image and in attracting the attention of trainers. But it does have a finish date, only if successful though. The end of the Circuit Year he participates in. If he accepts the contract now, and all goes well, it would be for nineteen months, since he won’t be participating in the current Circuit for obvious reasons . If it’s not successful, the League can terminate the contact at any moment". Finished Ms. Tuft.

"So he wouldn’t go on the journey till the next Circuit". Stated Arcturus. "Good, this will give him time to fully recover. Hopefully, it will work".

"Even if he doesn’t manage to help the League to change how the Trainers are battling, it will still serve to silence the rumors of Sirius’s unsuitability as your heir and future Gym Leader of Fearhelm". Ms. Tuft promised him. "I’m still surprised at how fast Lord Malfoy was in working those rumors".

"The man’s a snake, he knows that this is the perfect moment to plant doubts against Sirius. There is nothing he can do about Sirius’s position as heir of House Black, but this still helps him in clipping at Sirius’s future political power. What he really wants is the gym, enough doubt about Sirius’s capabilities as a trainer after so many years in Azkaban, and against his mental health, could undermine his position as my future replacement. The League could heed Lucius’s words and decide that Sirius is not apt for the position, and they will look at my great-grandson Draco as their first candidate". Said Arcturus, his hand tightening against his cane’s dragon head, the rubies serving as eyes shining for a moment.

Arcturus knew that something like this could happen. The House of Black was at its weakest, their reputations in tatters since the war. With the true story about the Dark Lord’s demise now in the open, it was their opportunity to change that opinion. But their political rivals wouldn’t allow that without a fight. Lucius may be the one behind these moves, but their rivals latched onto them like starving Carvanha, adding fuel to the fire. But what truly angered Arcturus was the gall of Fudge in approaching him with false concern and platitudes about his ‘heir’s situation’.

"No matter". Said Arcturus, discretely taking a breath to calm his anger. "Sirius showing his power to the world will shut them all up and cast away any ‘doubts about his capabilities’.

"True". Ms. Tuft nodded. "If he accepts".

"Ooh, he will. I will make sure of that". Arcturus said with a glint on his eyes.

 

---

 

"Okey students, I want all of you to make yourselves comfortable …not so comfortable as to fall asleep, Mr. Finnigan…Are we ready? Good". Professor Flitwick was saying to the class, looking at all the first years readjusting their positions around the classroom.

The chairs and tables had been pushed aside, the floor covered by mats and cushions the students were using.

"Now, close your eyes and relax, calm your minds, take deep breaths". In a much lower and gentler tone devoid of his usual chirpiness, the professor continued. "Inhale through your nose and hold, one…two…three, exhale through your mouth, one…two…three. And repeat, one…two…three, exhale, one…two…three. Repeat…good, all of you, keep going…and again. Good…now, I want all of you to look inside yourselves, search for your Auras deep inside you. Think of the comfortable felling of your first time connecting with your starters, that welcoming sensation that congregated in your chests and spread all over your body.…Search for it…it’s there within all of you and…grasp it when you find it. Relax, there is no pressure Mr. Longbottom, nothing happens if you don’t find it this class. Take deep breaths, hold and one…two…three, exhale…".

Harry followed the instructions, making himself as comfortable as he could on his own mat and closing his eyes, taking deep breaths as professor Flitwick instructed and searching deep inside of himself. Harry felt lucky, this was basically the same meditation exercise he has been doing since receiving his family’s grimoire (but relaxing his mind instead of trying to catalogue all the emotions linked to the events of the day), so it was easy for him to fall into that meditation state. Trying to not overthink it, Harry searched for that connection he felt every time he is around his rambunctious Houndour and serious Murkrow (basically always), trying to search for that same felling of the first time meeting and connecting with them.

Harry wasn’t sure how much time passed, the sound of his classmates respirations fading from his mind, the voice of the professor taking a background seat. At some point during the class he thought to have found it, the warm feeling he felt the time he found Dante in that fallen tree at the clearing in High Whinging, the same one he felt when Hedwig landed on his outstretched arm at Ollivander’s. Harry tried to reach for it with his metaphorical hands, but when he tried to close his ‘fingers’ onto it, it slipped from his grasp like if it were water.

The sound of the bell ringing brought him out of his meditation with a start, Harry looked with surprise around the classroom, not having realized that the hour the class last has already ended. Felling a paw in his knee, Harry found Dante looking at him, a questioning feeling tinted with some worry and anticipation entering his mind…’Wait, what?’. Harry looked wide eyed at Dante for he has just felt his Pokémon’s emotions.

"I did it". Harry said quietly, a tone of wonder on his voice.

Dante tilted his head questioningly, the felling accompanying the gesture entering Harry at the same time, but it was harder to feel it now. At realizing that, Harry tried to grasp for that connection to his Pokémon’s emotions, feeling disappointed when it too passed through his metaphorical fingers like if he were grasping water. Harry slumped slightly in defeat, a groan escaping his lips. Dante pressed his wet nose to his check in comfort, sensing his Trainer’s disappointment. Harry scratched his ear in thanks.

"Well done class! Don’t feel disappointed to not having managed to unlock your Aura today, I would have been greatly astonished if any of you could have managed it in your first try!". Professor Flitwick said with a chirpy tone and a beaming smile. "But many of you were really close, I could feel it, I’m sure that a few more classes is all you need". He added encouraging them. "Now, lets get to the Great Hall to replenish our energies, a shower after will leave you all like new!".

Just as the professor said those final words, Harry took notice of how incredibly exhausted and hungry he was feeling. With the surprise of having felt Dante’s emotions he hadn’t realized the state he was in. His uniform clung to his body with sweat, his breathing came in quick paces like if he had just finished a marathon, his limbs felt weak and sook like if he had just ended a extenuating strength training, and his stomach grumbled for food. And he wasn’t the only one in this state, the rest of his classmates were in the same conditions.

"I’m sure many of you are grateful for PE to have been canceled today". Professor Flitwick said with a chuckle while helping Hannah Abbott to her feet. "The days you have classes with me you won’t have PE, and I would ask you to abstain from doing any kind of exercises during those days. Those of you that are part of a Sports Club are permitted to skip the club’s activities, your captains have already been informed. Unlocking one’s Aura is incredibly taxing on the body, it won’t be till you unlock it that this will cease to be the state you all end in when reaching for your Aura".

There was a collective tired groan from the congregated first year students at that, more than one having to lean into a classmate to be able to just stand on their feet. Slowly, the first years started to march out of the classroom in direction to the Great Hall, tired goodbyes to professor Flitwick being thrown while passing through the door of the classroom.

"Ugh!, Harryyy. Carry me, I don’t feel my legs!".

"Blaise!". Harry squeaked, stumbling in his walk when the much taller boy draped himself over his back. "Get off me, you freaking Girafarig! Aren’t you Slytherins supposed to be dignified!?".

"Don’t wanna". Blaise responded petulantly, Mors’s laughter accompanied his antics, the mischievous Misdreavus even copying his trainer and draping himself atop Harry’s head (not that it actually did anything but give Harry a chill). "Why in distortion was that so exhausting!?". Blaise complained, but at least he started to walk even if he was leaning onto Harry. "It feels like we have just finished one of Oliver’s harebrained exercises when he is competing with Marcus!".

"You aren’t selling it if you want me to join you all in the mornings". Said Daphne with a deadpan voice. "Ugh, I feel so gross". She added while gingerly holding the collar of her sweaty uniform’s shirt.

"Don’t remind me". Justin mock pleaded. "If I weren’t so hungry right now, I would head directly to the showers".

"I think I’m opting to do that first". Susan said while looking down at herself with disgust. "Bye guys".

"Wait Susan, I’m going with you". Hanna hurried after her while waving goodbye to the group.

Harry and his friends watched them go after calling their own goodbyes, resuming their walk to the Great Hall after seeing the two Hufflepuff girls disappear around a corner.

"Marcus and the others could have warned us about this after telling us to not accompany them this morning". Said Tracey after a moment of their resumed tired walk.

"How did you all do? Has someone managed to feel their Aura?". Asked Hermione changing the subject without realizing, a pensive frown on her face while she readjusted the blue bandana she uses like a diadem to keep her busy hair out of her face, her mind being in the class they just exited. "I swear I felt mine! But any time I tried to ‘grasp’ it, it felt like…".

"…Like trying to grab water by closing your fingers over it?". Harry finished for her.

"…Not exactly, I would have compared it to trying to grab air…But you have given me an idea". Hermione started to mumble to herself, grabbing the pen and notebook that Ceo floated in front of her without having to be asked and started to scribble on it while walking.

"Share with the class when you reach a conclusion". Said Ron with a teasing tone.

"It really surprises me how tired we are after just a one hour session. If it’s this difficult to just feel your own Aura, I’m not surprised that it takes decades to be considered a master of it". Theo said beside Blaise and Harry, Blaise having draped his other arm around his shoulders and making the three walk close together. "…Blaise, why don’t you go bother Ron if you want to drop yourself over someone?".

"No thanks". The two tallest boys of the group said in unison.

"I didn’t feel anything". Neville interjected quietly while maintaining his gaze fixed on the floor, his arms tightening slightly around Trevor on his arms. A small limp still lingered on his walk from his healed ankle.

The other eight preteens gazed at him at his dejected words.

"Neither did I". Said Tracey with a smile directed towards their shy friend. "But that doesn’t matter, it was our first class trying to unlock our Aura. You heard professor Flitwick, it will take more than one session to unlock our Auras. So don’t worry about it, we just have to keep trying!". Tracey said with cheer while punching the air energetically, just to groan and droop her arm in discomfort when the tiredness hit her, making Litta start to fuse over her.

Neville sent her a small smile in gratitude, feeling slightly better at her words.

"Hey little firsties…!". Fred started to greet them with a cheerful tone when they entered the Great Hall.

"…you lot look like absolute shit!". George continued with a sunshine smile.

Nine unimpressed looks were leveled upon George at his words.

"Fred, George! Don’t be mean!". Angelina chastised the twin redheads before turning towards them. "Sit and eat something guys, you will feel better after". She said to them with a smile while nodding towards the empty seats at the Gryffindor table.

The tired group didn’t need another invitation, the nine of then practically groaning in relief and sagging in their seats after taking them. Before they could reach for the food on the table, plates full of said food floated towards them, a faint sheen of purplish energy the only indication of how they were moving through the air. The twins sent them a wink, their eyes shining faintly with their Psychic powers. Harry responded with a smile in thanks before reaching for the food.

" ‘Never told us if you can keep Rotom, Justin". Said Blaise after a few minutes in silence had passed, the group too engrossed in stuffing their stomachs to engage in small talk.

"Oh yeah, Rotom is mine". Answered Justin after gulping the food on his mouth. "Father managed to reach a compromise with Mr. Stone about it. They understood that it wasn’t really my fault that Rotom captured themself, though we have to agree to the stipulation that they wouldn’t inhabit any kind of electronics, much less another communication device".

"What? Why!? One of the greatest things about Rotom is their ability to take possession of different electronics, being able to change one of their Elemental Types in doing so!. They are practically clipping them!". Blaise said in indignation, his passion about Ghosts shining through.

"True, but my dads aren’t keen on going to court for ‘Theft of Intellectual Property and Data’. That FinLey Industries is a rival to Devon Corps can only complicate things further".

Blaise grumbled under his breath but nodded in acquisition to Justin’s point.

"FinLey Indistries?". Asked Harry in confusion. ‘Where have I heard that name?’.

"My family’s company". Answered Justin.

"Wait, really!? Are you saying that you are related to Dr. Rowan Groves?". Exclaimed Hermione in excitement.

Justin nodded with a proud look on his face.

"He is my dad".

Hermione squealed with starts in her eyes.

"Your dad? But…surnames?". Ron asked in confusion.

"Groves is his ‘maiden name’. Dad still uses it for his research papers and in the scientific community. He uses Finch-Fletchley otherwise, since dad was the on that married into the family when he married father".

"Ooh…I still don’t know who he is". Said Ron.

They all snorted at his words.

"He is only the mind behind all the recent technological advances in FinLey Industries, Ronald". Answered Hermione with a deadpan voice. "His career path is impressive. Early high school graduate at fourteen, finished university at sixteen, got his first PhD in Computer Sciences at nineteen while on his Pokémon journey, got another three PhDs before joining FinLey Industries as their head scientist at twenty five". Hermione listed enthusiastically before blushing in embarrassment when she saw the gobsmacked expressions the rest were giving her. "What?, he is one of my heroes". She defended herself.

"…Dad will be happy to know he has a fan". Justin said after a moment, sending Hermione an appreciative smile.

"He is also the one behind the PoryPhone". Added Theo after a moment.

"Your dad must have been happy when you told him the fate of your RotomPhone then". Harry said with a smirk.

"Not really, no. It was father who was since he wasn’t happy about his son ‘buying from the competency’". Justin said jokingly. "Well, he was until I told him about Rotom, then he joined dad fully in his unhappiness". Said Justin while scratching around the edge of the band-aid in his cheek. "The first thing father and dad did after hearing about our little adventure was ground me for Christmas for reckless behavior. After that, father was practically giddy with the fate of my phone, just to end grumbling about me having captured Rotom. Dad, in the other hand, just doesn’t likes when good technology, like he puts it, gets destroyed".

The rest snorted at his explanation.

"They sound like fun". Blaise commented with a smirk.

"I’m just glad to not be the only one grounded". Harry said with a sigh.

"I feel you". Ron nodded in agreement while Justin pouted at them both.

"Are you okey, Hermione?". Tracey suddenly asked, bringing the attention of the rest to their busy haired girl that seemed to have lost her previous enthusiasm and was looking forlornly at her plate.

Hermione yelped in surprise.

 

"I…yes!, of course I’m okey. Why wouldn’t I be?". Hermione replied with a smile that seemed forced to Harry.

Before Harry or any of the others could press her, they were distracted by the arrival of Hedwig and Artreos to the great hall.

"Hey, you are back!. How was your flight?". Ron asked his Pokémon enthusiastically, brightening at having the Mothin back at his side even if they have been separated for a few hours only.

Artreos buzzed happily around his trainer, making happy sounds while ‘telling’ his Trainer about his flying lessons.

Since his evolution four days prior, Artreos joined Hedwig for a few hours in the morning to learn to fly properly (The only kind of exercise professor Kettleburn and Madam Pomfrey allowed the two to do at the moment). Although their bodies, biology, and flight form were completely different, Artreos was benefiting greatly at having someone to train his flying with and Hedwig was more than happy to comply, even if Artreos still gazed at her warily from time to time when she looked at him like he were food (Though Harry wasn’t worried, he knew that Hedwig was just teasing the Mothin…Probably). Hedwig had practically taken Artreos under her wing so to speak, the Murkrow quite glad in having someone to fly with and not being the only Flying mon anymore (Harry knows that she doesn’t count Mors, or Ceo now that they and their Trainer are part of the group. Those two levitate, they don’t fly after all).

"How was it Hedwig? Any problems?. I know you don’t like flying in the cold". Harry asked while stroking his avian partner’s chest feathers.

Hedwig gave him an imperious caw, a prideful and, surprisingly, reassuring feeling suddenly entering Harry’s senses coming from her. Harry was momentarily startled, felling disappointed when he couldn’t reach for that connection to her emotions like it happened with Dante before. But he feel happy nonetheless, it appears that unlocking his Aura was really going to be what he needed to unlock the first of his Family’s abilities.

 

…

 

"You know you don’t have to prove anything, right?".

Hermione gave a startled yelp at Harry’s words, the busy-haired girl turning in surprise to look at him. Harry leaned against the wall outside the bathrooms the group had deviated towards to take their much needed showers. The group having been on their way to one of Hogwarts’s Indoors Training Grounds before that.

Having found Hermione already out and dressed in clean clothes, Harry saw his opportunity to talk to her while they waited for the others.

"What are you talking about?". Hermione asked, confused at his sudden question.

"I saw your face at the Great Hall. Don’t know if the others realized why, but you were brooding for a moment there".

" What? I wasn’t brooding, that's ridiculous". Said Hermione with an awkward laugh while averting her gaze towards were all their Pokémon, except form Feebas, were currently talking and playing between themselves while waiting for their humans.

"…You know, when I first arrived at the orphanage, I did everything I could to show that I was useful…to show that I deserved a place where to sleep and that I wasn’t a waste of space". Harry’s said, his own gaze locked upon their Pokémon, but he still saw the surprised look Hermione turned to give him from the corner of his eyes. "It took a lot of time and effort from Mrs. Dourglass, the matron, for my to realize that I didn’t need to prove anything". ‘And it wasn’t till much later that I let myself realize that I did that because I was afraid to be returned to the Dursleys’. "Though dad needed to remind me of that when I went to live with him". Added Harry with a small embarrassed chuckle.

Harry turned his head to look at Hermione.

"I know this is not the same situation, but I also know that you think you have to prove yourself for something. Maybe that you deserve to be a Hogwarts’s student, or that you can be friends with us, or another equally ridiculous thing. But I just want you to know that you are wrong, you don’t need to prove anything, to anyone". Harry finished sending her a smile. That promptly fell from his face.

"Wha…Hermione! Why are you crying!?. Don’t cry, please. I’m so sorry!". Harry said in a panic when he saw the tears falling down her face.

That attracted the attention of their Pokémons, Harry promptly finding himself with an angry Beldum on his face while the rest hovered worriedly around Hermione. Luckily, Harry was saved when wet laughter was heard from the busy haired girl.

"Sorry, sorry. I don’t know why I’m crying, I’m okey". Hermione reassured them while trying to wipe the tears from her cheeks. "…you know, Harry, you are surprisingly perceptive".

"…Thanks?".

Hermione giggled at his confused face.

"You are right, you know?". Hermione said after a moment of silence were she was petting Boreas and Dante while the others were clamoring for her attention, the Ice Vulpix and white Houndour hogging it to the annoyance of the rest (Harry pouted when he saw Maher practically shine with happiness when she petted his head next, the Panchan didn’t warm up to Harry till their encounter with the Alpha Hydreigon and here he was, clamoring for Hermione’s attention after just four days of her joining their group). "My parents aren’t trainers, nobody in my family has been till I came around with my weird Aura. Coming to Hogwarts, I felt that I needed to show everyone that me being the first in my family to be a Trainer didn’t make me lesser. And today, with Justin revealing that his father is the CEO and owner of the biggest tech company of our region and his dad one of the brightest minds of the world… I just felt out of place. All of you come from important and influential families, but me…I’m just the daughter of dentists".

"So what? We came from big families, thats true. But that won’t help us to be great trainers in the long run. That is something we have to work for ourselves, no matter from were we came from". Harry said with a serious but soft voice. "And…you aren’t just the daughter of dentist. You are Hermione Granger, Trainer of Ceo the Pseudo-Legendary Beldum, Most Studious Student Gryffindor Has Ever Seen, and the Daughter of Dentist". He added jokingly.

Hermione laughed, the two sharing a smile and falling into comfortable silence after while they waited for the others to end with their showers.

"Thank you, Harry". Hermione said after a moment.

"Anytime".

 

…

 

The group commandeered a small parcel of the Indoors Training Ground for themselves, selecting a small section with an artificial pond so that Hermione could teach Feebas how to use a water bubble to travel through land.

"Hermione is right, you know? You are quite perceptive".

Harry looked up at Theo with surprise from his second draft for an History essay due for their next class with professor Ekatarina. Harry and Theo were sitting together in a bench going over their due schoolwork, Daphne, Tracey and Ron were with Hermione, helping the bookish girl with ideas on how to help Feebas train her land traveling, and Blaise, Neville and Justin were sitting some paces away, Blaise and, surprisingly, Neville teaching Justin all they knew about Ghost Type Pokémons to help the dirty blonde haired boy with Rotom (Although, taking into account that Neville may, will, have a Ghost Type in the future, it wasn’t that surprising that Harry’s godbrother knew his share of information about Ghost Types). All their Pokémons were huddle around the pond giving Feebas their own encouraging growls, yips, barks and caws.

"You heard that!?". Harry asked in a strangled voice, his cheeks reddening in embarrassment.

Theo sent him a mischievous smile.

"Oh, yes. Those were some beautiful words of wisdom". Theo teased lightly before sending him a soft gaze. "It was really kind what you said to her. And I think you were really brave to share some of your past with her, when you two have only been friends for a few days".

"I thought I could help and it seemed appropriate". Harry started to say bashfully. "I know how she felt in a way and…I am not ready to share all about my past, but…". Looking at Theo, Harry sent him a small smile while bumping his shoulder with Theo’s. "I’ve had some wonderful people make me realize that there is nothing I should feel ashamed about, and that they will have my back no matter what".

Theo sent him an answering smile back, the two falling into a comfortable silence while returning their attention to their schoolwork. The two continued to work for an hour, Blaise, Ron and Neville joining them at some point while Justin went to meet with Susan and Hannah, and Daphne, Tracey and Hermione went to the library to search for ways to teach Feebas how to use her water bubble to travel on land, not having had any progress in this session.

Finishing his schoolwork, Harry started to put it away when he was momentarily distracted by Ron playing with Artreos to continue helping the Mothin acclimate to his new body. Frowning to himself, Harry finished storing his things on his backpack before taking out the sketchbook turned Battle Notebook and opening it on Hedwig’s part.

"Hermione isn’t the only one with weighty thoughts it seems". Theo said taking Harry out of his mind.

Harry gave a sigh, finding that Theo’s comment had attracted the attention of the rest of their friends.

"It’s nothing, don’t worry". Harry tried to wave their concerns away.

"I don’t think its nothing". Neville pipped in. "You have been brooding over your ‘Battle Notebook’ for weeks now".

"Maybe we can help?, I thought that the idea behind all of us training together was to help each other". Ron said while approaching them from where he has been playing with Artreos, the Moth Pokémon perched on his head.

Harry felt a weight settle on his left shoulder, Hedwig having perched herself upon it, while a body settle on his feet, the warm body of Dante making itself present from under the bench. Harry was assaulted by the ‘puppy eyes’ of his Lecucistic Houndoor and the encouraging gaze of his clever Murkrow. With another sigh, Harry relented. ‘Maybe I need to stop bottling things up ’, Harry thought before a little smirk formed on his lips, ‘At least there wont be a giant three headed dragon this time’.

"I’m having problems with Hedwig’s training…She knows Peck, Astonish, Pursuit, Haze, Gust and Wing Attack so far, and she does amazing in all the exercises I have her doing".

"That…doesn’t sound like you are having a problem". Blaise said in confusion.

"The problem is who her dad and grandmother were. I don’t know how to continue her training because of them!". Answered Harry with a sigh. "Her dad was a Corviknight and her grandmother a Johtonian Murkrow, while the rest of her linage was practically uninterrupted Sinnohan Murkrows and Honchckrows".

"There is a difference between the two?". Ron asked covertly to Neville.

"There is!". Harry exclaimed while pointing a finger at Ron, making the redhead yelp in surprise. "Johtonian Murkrows are the smallest of them in terms of body, but their wings are the largest in the body-wing ratio. This affects them when evolving in that they have a much better Special Attack in comparison with other breeds of Honchkrows, they use their wings to create all their Special Moves, and their Velocity and Agility is also the best from all the breeds. Something that compensates their much lower defenses. And that would have been okey, I wanted to teach Hedwig a variety of Special Moves from the start so that she could have ranged attacks, I was also planing to have her train Gust to become Air Cutter. But I didn’t know she came from a line of Sinnohan Murkrows since she produces Haze from her wings like a Johtonian Murkrow does. Sinnohan Murkrow is the largest of the breeds but have the smallest wing-expand and actually excel at defense in comparison with the others. They are more resistant at taking hits, but their velocity suffers the most and both their offensive powers are lower than the rest. Add in a Corviknight in her line and I don’t freaking know what to do!". Harry ranted before sighing. "I feel like I’m falling her. I could easily think of strategies and new moves for Dante, we even managed to learn Explosive Pollution, but I don’t have anything for Hedwig. It’s just…I feel like I’m letting you down girl". Harry finished while gazing at Hedwig with a crestfallen expression.

Hedwig gave him a soft caw of encouragement trying to lift her trainer’s spirits. Harry smiled sadly at her, reaching with a hand to stroke her chest feathers.

The other four boys exchanged looks between themselves.

"Harry, don’t take this wrong…but some times, only sometimes mind you, you are an idiot". Theo finally said.

That made Harry sputter in surprise.

"Hey!".

"I think you are over complicating things". Theo continued, ignoring Harry’s exclamation.

Harry looked at him with a frown, but Theo lifted a hand to stall him.

"I think you are fixating on the whole when the answer is probably much more simple. For what I understood of your jumbled explanation,". Theo ignored Harry’s indignant grumble. "I think what actually threw a lop to your training plans was Hedwig’s Corviknight father". Theo continued.

"No, not only that". Harry said firmly, starting to feel upset that his friends didn’t seem to understand the problem. "Her ancestry of Sinnohan Mu..".

"Murkrow". Theo interrupted firmly but gently. "Harry, they are all Murkrows, they may all have slightly different characteristics, but they aren’t classified as Regional Variants, are they?".

"…No". Harry said with a pensive frown.

"Exactly, no. That means that the training for the different breeds aren’t that different from each other".

 

"Theo’s right". Ron said bringing their attention to him. "For what you said, she has the body type and the fighting style of the Johtonian Murkrows. There is your base for her training. With it’s what you have been doing so far, right?". Harry nodded at his words. "Now, since she is actually descendant from a long line of Sinnohan Murkrows, you just have to research how that is influencing her".

"But..".

"No buts, go one step at a time. She has inherited the body and fighting stile, with I imagine also mean the battle characteristics, from her Johtonian grandmother". Ron interrupted him, making Harry huff. "Now, what did she got from her Sinnohan ancestry?".

Harry grumbled in mock annoyance, but directed his gaze towards his battle notebook to look at the notes he has on Hedwig.

"…She got better defenses, but her offensive capacities suffered from it. Her velocity and agility wasn’t affected from her Sinnohan Murkrow ancestors, but they were affected by…"

"By steps Harry". Theo interrupted him, Hedwig cawing in agreement.

"Okey, so you just have to add some more defensive training to her exercises". Ron said like it was obvious. "But, knowing you, I’m sure you have already looked up how to train a Sinnohan Murkrow…we have to find another way to name them, thats a freaking mouthful. Was there any significant difference in how they are trained to the other Murkrow breeds?.

Harry looked at him with a blank expression, ‘it couldn’t be that simple’

"…Not really, no. Just more tanking attacks than avoiding them". Harry reluctantly admitted.

"You see!. Now, her father is another matter. What did he gave her?".

"…Bravebird as an egg move. Her defensive capabilities are even better thanks to him too, he didn’t affect her offensive prowess that much more than they alredy are though. But she is slower than others, even more than the Sinnohan Murkrows, but her agility is still as good as a Johtonian’s". Harry answered.

"Yeah, I still remember your fight against Malfoy and Crabbe. She was dancing around them". Said Blaise making Hedwig preen.

"It’s simple then, look how the Rookidee line is trained and incorporate some of that training into Hedwig’s". Ron stated with a shrug of the shoulders.

Harry gazed at him for a long moment before groaning and facepalming.

"I’m such an idiot". Harry said while covering his red face.

"Told ya, but it’s good you acknowledge it". Joked Theo.

The others laughed at that.

"Not helping, Theo". Harry complained before sighing. "I’m sorry Hedwig".

Hedwig cawed comfortingly, petting his head with her wing.

"Harry, you are the best of our year in Pokémon Care. And that’s great, don’t get me wrong. But I think you forgot what Professor Kettleburn said the first day of class. ‘Unless we go onto the medical or breeding fields, we should take what his class teach as a baseline in how to take care of our Pokémon, not as gospel’". Neville said. "I haven’t seen even Gran look up the genetics of a Gym’s Pokémon for more than to make slight adjustments to their training…I think it’s great that you want to give Hedwig and Dante the best training you can, but we are only first years". Neville finished with an embarrassed smile.

"Recapitulating, don’t overthink it, Potter". Blaise said in jest.

"I will try". Harry said with an embarrassed chuckle. "Thank you, guys…Still, I don’t know any Original or Combination moves I could teach her. I could even be happy with a simple Move Chain".

"Original and Combined moves?. Galloping Mudsdales, you truly are your mother’s son!". A jovial booming voice said beside them.

The boys startled at the voice though their Pokémons remained calm upon the new arrival. Turning they found Hagrid standing beside them with a jovial smile hidden behind his thick beard.

"Hagrid!". Harry and Ron exclaimed in greeting.

"How’s it going, Mr. Hagrid?". Blaise asked.

"Oh, how many times will I have to tell you? It’s just Hagrid, please". Hagrid requested somewhat shyly. "Everything’s alright now, Blaise. I’ve just finished my last round around the forest, the Pokémon have finally calmed down and returned to their zones after the scare of last Friday". Hagrid informed them.

"Thats good to hear". Said Harry with a smile, his statement being accompanied by sounds of agreement by the others.

Hagrid sent them another smile before seeming to grow bashful.

"Actually, now that things had calmed down in the forest, I wanted to invite you all to some tea this weekend?". Hagrid asked. "The other four are invited too, of course". He added hurriedly.

The five boys exchanged looks, none seeming to have a problem with accepting the offer. The other four ended just looking at Harry, letting the green eyed boy call the shots.

"Sure, we’d love to".

 

---

 

Sirius looked in disbelief at the video playing on his new RotomPhone.

"…them away, Kingdra!…Now, Claydol!…"

Somewhat, somehow, Sirius got a notification in his new email about a new video he has uploaded in his PokéTube account. Sirius is a hundred percent sure that he hasn’t created a PokéTube account.

"…Ice Beam! Finish them, Kingdra!…Teleport and Earth’s Inferno!…"

Sirius couldn’t do anything else but look in mounting horror at the increasing number of views the video was getting by the second…a hundred…five hundred…seventeen hundred. The number of viewers didn’t stop increasing.

"…Pursuit!…Kingdra is unable to battle! Krookodile wins. Both Trainers are in an one-on-one tie!. Trainer Sirius wont be able to switch again. Trainer Sirius, you have thirty seconds to release your next Pokémon!…Lullaby, Altaria!…Bulk Up!…"

Sirius new that video, new when it was recorded and by who. He also new that Harry wouldn’t upload it without his or Remus’s permission, that without needing to say that Harry couldn’t have been able to make Sirius a PokéTube account. That only left one option.

"…Steel Wing!…Krookodile, guide him to the ground!…Altaria, don’t let him corral you! Draco Meteor!…"

Sirius thickened his hold over his RotomPhone, the little Ghost that gave live to the apparatus making a frightened squeak. Sirius felt his eye twitch in annoyance, his teeth grounding in an effort not to scream in frustration.

"Grandfather". Sirius growled like if it were an expletive.

 

 

Notes:

Hey there everyone! Sorry for taking so long, wanted to have this chapter finished much sonner, but work got in the way.

We got to know why Arcturus wanted that video, will Sirius acept the offer? Who knows!

Like I said in a response to a coment in the previous chapter, Harry's problem with Hedwig's training was him overthinking things. Now, why did I did that?. Simply, I have the sensation that I have made Harry way too OP, BAMF... whatever you want to call it (don't get me wrong, I love my BAMF stories from time to time, but this isn't one). Harry impressed everyone with his battle against Cedric, he and Neville dominated their battle agins Malfoy and Crabbe, Harry discerned the problem with the Grimmsnarl...So this was my way to show that he is still learning and that he has some flags to his character. Overthinking things and not asking for help for himself are the more prominent ones at the moment. I hope I've conveyed that in this chapter.

This has been a more relaxed chapter none the less, a little more fluff and to flex Harry's friendship with the others a little more. Also served to make Ron shine with his thinking (Harry isn't the only one with great battle powers in this story).

I hope you all liked it! Next chapter we will discover what Pokémon Sirius will get! (You all can gess in the coments, though I will not confirn or deny anything XD)

Thanks for reading!.

Chapter 22: Of Ancient History

Notes:

Disclaimor: Don't own Harry Potter or Pokémon. I only own the original characters and the original Pokémons.

English is not my first language, so if you see spelling mistakes, don't hesitate in telling me.

 

 

Sirius paced back and forth in his grandfather’s office, the Lord’s Solar, while muttering and grumbling under his breath, sending from time to time angry looks at his grandfather sitting on his chair behind his stupidly expensive and stupidly ancient office table of Black Ebony wood. His grandfather just keep on looking at him with an unimpressed expression, something Sirius is used to get from him. He has been the subject of that expression many times since he was a wee child of seven and started his Heir Training.

 

"For fucks sake Sirius, sit you ass down already!". Arcturus finally barked, having reached the end of his patience.

 

Sirius growled at Arcturus under his breath, his Aura Bond with Padfoot making itself evident with the animalistic sound.

 

"What in distortion were you thinking!?". Sirius exclaimed while slamming his hands on the backrest of one of the two chairs facing the office table, his knuckles turning white. "Making a deal with the League for me without my consent!?".

 

"I was thinking of your future, you brat! There are people out there not happy about your new found freedom that are doing whatever they can to fuck you up. This will help you fight back".

 

"Help me or the Black Family?". Sirius challenged with a mocking smirk.

 

"Why can it be both?". Arcturus challenged right back with just a bitting a tone. Sighing after a moment, the old Lord continued. "For much that you don’t like it, you are the Heir to the House of Black. You are the future of our family, you are The Black. Anything, good or bad, that happens to this family in general, or you in particular, affects you and this House directly no matter with is the target. So, yes, I talked and made a deal with Champion Joseph to help the future of our House, but I also did it in equal measures to help you".

 

Grandfather and grandson looked at each other for a minute, not breaking eye contact. Finally, Sirius averted his gaze while sighing in defeat. Releasing the backrest, Sirius straightened and dragged a hand down his face. Looking again at his grandfather, Sirius relented and sat in the chair while giving his grandfather an arched look.

 

"Was the video truly necessary?". Sirius asked in exasperation.

 

His grandfather just smirked at him.

 

…

 

"So I will not leave until September of next year?". Sirius asked while looking over the contract.

 

"No, you won’t. That is one of the reasons I thought of this, I know you want time to reconnect with Remus and get to truly know Harry. This way you have the upcoming Christmas and all of summer to do it". Arcturus answered while absently swirling a glass of whisky with his hand.

 

Sirius sent him a grateful nod at that.

 

"For curiosity’s sake, what would you have me do if I don’t agree to do this?". Sirius asked while still skimming the papers.

 

Arcturus gave him a mischievous smirk, the same one Sirius inherited from him.

 

"Nothing much, you just will have to practice your socialite skills. Attend balls, gatherings and parties for the noble, rich and influential". Arcturus answered with a casual tone, his smirk growing at Sirius’s disgusted expression. "I was going to save you the trouble and do that part myself while you went to your journey, but if you want to accompany me…".

 

"I hate you". Sirius said without heat before sighing. "Ok, I will do this just…what in distortion is this?". He asked in confusion while lifting one of the documents.

 

After getting a look at the paper Arcturus smirk changed into what Sirius could almost say was an excited smile.

 

"Let me show you. Come, you will like this". The old Lord said while getting to his feet and marching towards the door, cane taping on the floor all the while.

 

Sirius looked after him in confusion before scrambling to follow.

 

…

 

"This is new. ‘Can’t believe I’ve missed it". Sirius commented while following his grandfather towards a huge white and square building that seemed to be the entrance to an enclosed habitat.

 

Arcturus hummed without replying at his words, continuing on his walk towards the building.

 

Sirius hasn’t realized that they had a new habitat in the Reserve, and was greatly surprised to see it actually enclosed by huge and sturdy fences. The type of fences you use to keep something big and dangerous inside. Sirius doesn’t know what this place has to do with that document, ‘I should have finished reading it’, Sirius chastises himself.

 

Sirius felt Padfoot’s confusion upon seeing the structure, the huge Mightyena giving a questioning chuff beside him. Padfoot came join him and his grandfather upon the two Black men exiting the castle, his Aura Bonded partner having felt his confusion mixed with some curiosity and decided she wanted to know what was happening to give Sirius those feelings.

 

"What is this for?". Asked Sirius after they reached the building.

 

"How far are you in getting to speed in current events?". Arcturus asked back.

 

Sirius looked at him with furrowed brows, not understanding why he was asking him that now. But before Sirius could answer they entered the building. Sirius was surprised by what he saw.

 

It was a huge laboratory, machines were beeping everywhere with scientists in white coats walking around with clipboards, RotomTablets, PoryPads and other assortment of apparatus occupying their attention. While walking through the building, Sirius observed an holographic screen displaying a sequence of DNA while a small group of scientist observed it while taking notes and making observations. But what gave Sirius pause was what was inside a set of seven huge cylindrical capsules full of some green liquid. Sirius couldn’t help but to look with no small amount of surprise mixed with horror and a little disgust at what couldn’t be anything else but some kind of reptilian Pokémon’s embryos inside the capsules and floating in the liquid.

 

"What the fuck is that?". Sirius asked rounding on his grandfather.

 

"The final step of the Reviving Machine". Another voice answered for his grandfather.

 

Turning to the source, Sirius found a middle aged woman in a closed white coat and greying pink hair done in a strict bun in front of them.

 

"Dr. Eist". His grandfather greeted.

 

"Lord Black". Dr. Eist greeted back. "You must be Sirius?". Though she said it as a question, Sirius felt that it was said more as a statement.

 

"I…". Sirius looked from the doctor to the capsules and back again before he could find his voice again. "Yes, I am… Sorry, but what in distortion is all of this?".

 

"The facilities that we use to study fossil Pokémon". Dr. Eist answered matter of factly.

 

"Fossil Pokémon?".

 

"There has been quite some advances in regards to Fossil Revival in these ten years, Sirius". Said his grandfather.

 

"Indeed, advancing the technology to ‘revive them’ with their fertility intact is one of those advances". Agreed Dr. Eist with clear enthusiasm while guiding them towards the capsules. "These little seven critters are the fifth bath revived like that, we just have to wait forty two days for them to finish growing and we will be able to introduce some new genetic diversity to our program". She finished with a tender smile while see caressed the glass of the capsule, her gaze fixed upon the embryo inside it.

 

Sirius gazed at the embryos with new found wonder, an unconscious tension leaving his shoulder at realizing that nothing actually nefarious was occurring.

 

"Sorry but, what program?". Sirius asked after a moment.

 

Sirius heard his grandfather sigh in exasperation.

 

"Really Sirius? Have you been getting up to date with current events like I asked you or not?". Arcturus asked, punctuating his question with a sharp tap of his cane on the floor.

 

"Well, excuse me if I haven’t been able to cramp ten years of history in the few week I’ve been free, My Lord". Sirius answered sarcastically, his eyebrow twitching in annoyance. "I’ve other things to do that were more important besides. Like, I don’t know, getting my life back together?".

 

Arcturus frowned at him, Sirius felt a small pang of regret at his final quip when he saw the brief flash of sadness that passed over his grandfather’s eyes.

 

"Sorry". Sirius said quietly, averting his gaze back towards the capsules while scratching behind his neck.

 

An awkward silence formed between them, Dr. Eist pretending to be engrossed with a little screen attached to one of the reviving capsules, but before it could get to long an alarm siren started to blare. Sirius looked around suddenly alarmed, but the warning sound didn’t last long.

 

"Ah, they are bringing them in!". Exclaimed the doctor. "Come, I’m sure you will like this". She said to Sirius before starting to walk deeper into the facility.

 

"You see, heir Black, when the break-through in the reviving technology was archived five years ago, the League Union jumped at the chance of fully bringing back to life the Fossil Pokémons. At first we were just reviving as many Pokémons as we could from different genetic batches to create a small, but viable, community". Dr. Eist keep explaining while they walked. "But, we promptly realized something. Some of the offspring of the first batch of revived Pokémons were presenting visible differences from their parents".

 

Just then they arrived at the end of the facility, a huge fence similar to the one encircling the habitat was in front of them. At the other side of the fence was a huge space with packed earth that could easily contain a Wailord inside, further into said space was a huge door that exited into the habitat proper and that was open, letting them see the trees and grass at the other side. Scientist were walking around it, some walking upon elevated platforms high up over the fence, while Dragon Tamers were situating themselves over the space at the other side of said fence.

 

A deafening roar sounded in the distance, some trees trembling from something skimming them.

 

"Okey people, let’s give them some steak!". One of the Dragon Tamers shouted, a dark blue cloth tied on his left arm signaling him as a Lead. ‘Mini bosses’ like Sirius likes to call them.

 

A double reinforced door, normal sized, inside the space opened to let a pair of Dragon Tamers pass through. The Pokémons of the two, a Dragonite and a Druddigon, trailed behind them while dragging some kind of pallet truck carrying six carcasses of cows that they put in the center of the space. The two Dragon Tamers were quick in returning their Pokémons and retiring towards the fence with their other colleges.

 

Sirius frowned with morbid curiosity at the dead animals, having to stifle a snort when he saw Padfoot salivating. Before he could ask anything another roar was heard in the distance, but this time it was accompanied with the rumble of the ground. Looking at the distance towards the trembling trees Sirius noted that whatever was there, it was getting closer. Sirius took a step forward, his curiosity picked, getting closer to the fence till he could grave it with his hands if he wanted. The ground rumbled harder with what Sirius identified as steps from more than one creature, it wasn’t long till he could identify figures moving towards them from inside the shadow of the trembling trees.

 

Sirius sucked in a sharp breath when they broke from the trees and made themselves visible. Six Tyrantrums sprinted towards the facility, bitting playfully at each others tails and colliding with each other in their run towards the open door. Sirius took an unconscious step back when they passed through the door, the six enormous reptiles descending into the dead cows with ravenous fervor.

 

"We have always known that the Reviving Machine was…’faulty’, we could say. We know we aren’t reviving the Pokémons exactly how they were in the past. We all know that the Lileep and Anorith lines should have been part Water Type instead of Rock Type for example, but the technology isn’t advanced enough to extrapolate completely the DNA sample for it to not be affected from their fossilized state. Hence, the Rock Typing". Explained Dr. Eist, a huge smile on her face while she looked at the feasting Pokémons. "And while it looks like the Rock Type is here to stay, it seems that other problems we didn’t know about, or simply didn’t know how to correct, started to fix themselves with each new generation of naturally born Pokémon".

 

The doctor turned her gaze towards Sirius, her excitement about her work palpable in her demeanor.

 

"When we realized this, we decided to start over in a more controlled way. The installations of Kanto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, and Kalos will continue with the initial program to bring back the species while the ones in Johto, Alola and Yggsill started a branch project to study the changes observed in the new generations".

 

"Oh". Sirius said smartly. "…What about Galar?".

 

A grimace passed across the doctor’s face while Arcturus snorted a derisive laugh.

 

"The idiots managed to be banned from the Reviving Program altogether". Arcturus answered for the doctor.

 

"What did they do?". Asked Sirius. "Doesn’t the region have four Fossil Pokémons of their own?".

 

"Yes, and they somehow managed to make it illegal for the rest of the regions to use those fossils as a final ‘fuck you’ after being banned".

 

"But what did they do?". Insisted Sirius after a moment of gazing at his grandfather with surprise at the information.

 

"Play at being Arceus". Said Dr. Eist with a grim look on her face. "They decided that it would be a great idea to combine the DNA of their fossils to ‘revive’ them. The results…weren’t pretty. They called them Drocozolt, Arctozolt, Dracovish and Arctovish, none of the Pokémons lived more than twenty four hours. And all of them needed life support to stay alive for that long".

 

Sirius looked at her in horror at the implication, feeling Padfoot lean against his side while whining at the doctor’s words, sharing the horror her trainer felt.

 

"Anyway". Dr. Eist shook her head and took a deep breath before refocusing her gaze upon the group of Despot Pokémon. "Let me tell you about what we do here. Lord Black helped us a lot with his funding and by providing us with an area were we could do our investigations upon the Tyrunt Line and the Aerodactyls, those two are way too aggressive to have them cohabiting with the other Fossils. In front of you are three generations of Tyrantrums, the two smallest are the first generation and the ones we revived from the fossils to start the project". She said while pointing at two Tyrantrums eating in the middle of the small thunder of dragons. "The slightly bigger of the two with the green eyes is Kady, it means ‘the first’ in some Galarian dialect apparently, we could say she is the matriarch of the family. Though Tyrantrums are actually solitary if they don’t have a mate, so they don’t actually have such hierarchy. Oh! They mate for life!, isn’t that fascinating?, Before we started this, we only knew of two other reptile species, animal or Pokémon, who do the same!. This has so many fascinating…".

 

Arcturus coughed pointedly, lifting an eyebrow at the doctor.

 

"Right, sorry". Dr. Eist apologized before clearing her throat and getting back on track. "Kady’s mate is Grant, slightly smaller than her with the vibrant orange line running down his spine. Grant and Kady were Revived here almost four years ago and are the parents of Hercules". She pointed at the Tyrantrum on the far left with the most impressive mane of the lot. He was noticeable bigger than his parents and his body was sleeker, for lack of a better word Sirius could find to describe the differences. "He was the only one of his siblings that sowed the…I will call them ‘corrections’ so you can understand easily what I mean, on his DNA".

 

"What happened to his siblings?". Sirius asked trying not to frown. He didn’t want to assume they did anything bad to them.

 

"Leyton has one of them in his team". His grandfather answered while nodding towards the Lead Dragon Tamer. "The other was transported to Kalos to integrate in the community they are growing there".

 

"Indeed". Dr Eist nodded her head. "Hercules’s mate comes from there actually, she is from that first generation of naturally born Fossils that sowed the changes". She explained while pointing towards the Tyrantrum eating beside Hercules, that one having the largest of crowns upon her head and being larger than her mate. "As you can possibly deduce, the females are bigger than the males. She doesn’t have a name, but we call her Queen in our papers. Now, their daughter is Eismyra". She said while pointing at the largest of the Tyrantrums, Sirius noted that she inherited the green eyes of her Grandmother and had three orange lines running down her back instead of one like her grandfather. "Her mate is Shiryu, he comes from the facilities provided by the Blackthorns for the scientist in Johto. Shiryu was one of their few purebred Tyrantrums". Dr. Eist finished while pointing to the last Tyrantrum.

 

"What do you mean?". Sirius asked curiously while gazing at the eating Pokémons.

 

"Oh, it just that the facilities in Johto that are studying the Tyrunt line are encouraging their specimens to mate with other Dragon Types to see how that affects the offsprings. Something the Blackthorns apparently encouraged". Dr. Eist answered while waving her hand dismissively.

 

"Hmm…So, what are the ‘corrections’ from generation to generation. One is quite obvious but I’m sure there are others more important". Sirius said while looking from Tyrantrum to Tyrantrum, noting the clear difference in size and proportions, ‘it almost seems like Grant and Kady suffer of some kind of dwarfism in comparison with their descendants. I wonder if this is also the case with the other Fossil Pokémons.’, Sirius thought while taking note of how out of proportion all the parts of Kady’s and Grant’s bodies were now that their child and grandchild were beside them and didn’t seem to have that problem.

 

"Like you said, their size is the most apparent. We always knew from full fossilized skeletons that Tyrantrums were actually the size of the T-Rex, size that each generation seems to be approaching more and more. We also know that the ancient Tyrantrums were covered in plumage but that’s something that isn’t changing, something we are attributing to the Rock Typing they now possess. And talking about Types! Another interesting change is in their Aura, something really fascinating I tell you. Like all other Fossil Pokémon, the Tyrunt line has Rock as their primary element, but now it’s actually Dragon the one that is their primary one! Hercules already sowed a great improvement in controlling Dragon Type Aura in comparison to Kady and Grant, but Eismyra is something else altogether!". Dr. Eist said enthusiastically. "Their ability to manipulate Rock Type Aura suffered for it though". She added as an afterthought.

 

"Does that meant that they will become pure Dragon in the future?". Arcturus asked with clear interest in the possibility.

 

"I will not say that it is impossible, but it seem more unlikely with each test done and each generation born". Answered the Dr. Eist with a sake of her head. "It seems that the chromosome that dictates their Elemental Type or Types have permanently changed to contain the Rock Type". The doctor explained. "But we are promoting the reproduction of the specimens that have the Dragon Type as their primary Elemental Type since they show the best and healthiest ‘corrections’. So we will have to see what the future brings".

 

"Anything else?". Sirius asked in curiosity.

 

"Well, they aren’t being trained, so we can’t be sure what aspects of their combat capabilities have been affected, but Eismyra and Shiryu, to go with the latest generation, show an increase in their Velocity and Agility, we also know that they have an easier time tearing with their jaws than the others. Their capacity to crush with their jaws is intact, but they don’t have the same problem to tear meat as the older generations present. And their stamina has also improved, they can run at twenty five kilometers per hour without pause and deceleration for an hour straight. Kady and Grant could only maintain that speed for twenty minutes and Hercules clocked at forty three while Queen did at Forty".

 

"Impressive". Sirius commented with an appreciative whistle.

 

And it truly was, maybe not for a many other species of Pokémons but it really was impressive for the Tyrunt Line and what was previously known about them.

 

"What about giving one to a trainer to learn what differences in battle capacities they present?". Asked Sirius.

 

"We are doing that, just not with the Tyrunt Line and the Aerodactiles". Answered Dr. Eist.

 

"Elite Four Diggory’s son is part of that experiment actually". Commented Arcturus.

 

"Who? Cedric?". Asked Sirius in surprise and receiving a hum of confirmation fro his grandfather. "He is friends with Harry". Sirius commented.

 

"He won a Shieldon, that is part of the third generation of born fossils of that species, in a tournament. The scientists at the lab in Lastview are monitoring them quite closely". Arcturus commented with Dr. Eist humming in confirmation at his words.

 

Just then Eismyra tore a chunk of meat and set it aside before croning towards the giant doors. Sirius expected it practically from the moment he saw the embryos. Sirius noted Padfoot perking up, her tongue lolling out and her eyes softening, when two small brown heads peeked from behind the wall to look inside.

 

Sirius exhaled shakily while observing the two small Tyrunts, they couldn’t be older than a couple of weeks at most, walk towards the meat their mother set aside for them. Sirius couldn’t help it, his mind making him see a baby Dratini in their place. His baby Dratini, his Angel.

 

"The two of them are perfect specimens, two females born thirteen days ago". Dr Eist commented quietly.

 

Sirius tried to look at the two hatchlings, he really did, but his mind didn’t stop replacing them with the image of a new born Angel. Sirius knew what Dr. Eist was asking without having to say it, knew what his grandfather wanted of him.

 

"I…I can’t".

 

---

 

"Come in! Come in!. Fang, back off boy!. I’m so glad you came. Please make yourselves comfortable". Hagrid intoned with a beaming smile under his busy beard after opening the door of his hut, a hand stoping his eager Stoutland from barreling into the group of preteens.

 

"Thanks for inviting us Hagrid". Harry said in greeting while entering the hut, his friends giving their own greeting behind him.

 

Hagrid’s hut was a quaint cozy place, an one story building made of wood and stone that seemed too small for someone of Hagrid’s size. The living room served as the dining area at the same time, with a small open kitchen in the same room, and only two doors were present inside the hut, one leading to the bedroom that was open, and the other were Harry assumed was the bathroom. The furniture didn’t math with each other, giving the place a strangely charmingly wild felling, something intensified with all the miscellaneous objects around the room like pans, kettles of different sides, pots with a wide variety of plants (that attracted Neville’s and Trevor’s attention), nest, perches and cages with an assortment of animals that Hagrid seemed to be helping recover from injures, and even a stack of newspapers (that Harry found curious since the top one seemed to be written in Kalosian, and that Justin zeroed upon seeing to quickly peruse before joining back with them), to name a few things.

 

The nine preteens took their seats around the table, their starters (with Theo having Maher out instead of Mico, the Espurr being asleep in his PokéBall), and Dante, taking places beside them while looking with interest around the living space. Hagrid promptly placed a set of mismatched cups in the table, a hot teapot, a sugar bowl, and a jug of milk were quick to follow.

 

"‘Want some Rock Cakes?". Hagrid asked.

 

Fang shook his head slowly at the kids from behind Hagrid’s back, his eyes huge and almost pleading. The kids exchanged looks before shrugging, not seeing the harm even with Fang’s warning.

 

"Sure". Harry agreed for them all.

 

They soon learned their error, Rock Cakes took a different meaning for all of them from that day onwards.

 

"I’m really glad you all seem to have recuperated so well from the ordeal". Said Hagrid after taking his own seat.

 

"It was a scare, not gonna lie". Said Harry after taking a sip from the tea, surprised by how good it was after experiencing the Rock Cakes.

 

"I know that he was from the central area, but that Grimmsnarl was quite powerful". Theo commented.

 

"Of course he was, he is the King and protector of the central area". Said Hagrid.

 

"Really?". Daphne asked in surprise with Boreas barking his own. "But that would mean that he was a Wild Elite!

 

"You sure?". Harry asked her, his eyes wide.

 

"Of course I’m sure!. The Forbidden Forest may fall under Hogwarts jurisdiction but it still belongs to the Glacera Area, which my family has oversight of. The Freezing Woods and the Forbidden Forest are the most dangerous forests of the region, my family likes to be abreast to any change to the ecosystem and hierarchy that happens to them. If that Grimmsnarl was the leader of the central area of the Forbidden Forest, we were really lucky". Daphne explained.

 

"She is right". Hagrid said with a nod of his head. "But don’t sell yourselves so sort, you all reacted amazingly in that situation". Hagrid praised them.

 

"But, if that Grimmsnarl was of Elite level…". Started Hermione, the busy haired girl looking at Harry with a pensive and worried expression.

 

"…How strong was that thing in the forest to trap him in an illusion?". Harry finished her thoughts, his own expression contemplative. ‘And more important, why did it do it?’ Harry thought to himself.

 

…

 

"Parkinson has been bothering you!? Why didn’t you say anything?". Tracey asked Hermione a while latter, some of them already in their second cups of tea. Their Rock Cakes were surreptitiously hidden away without Hagrid seeming to notice.

 

"It’s nothing I’m not already used to. Beside, Parkinson is all bark and no bite, its easy to ignore her". Hermione placated the Fighting Type obsessed girl.

 

"That is the best way to take care of her". Daphne complimented with a nod of her head. "Without Malfoy beside her she doesn’t have the courage to start anything physical, and she hates to be ignored".

 

"Probably why she hates you so much". Commented Blaise with a smirk towards Daphne

 

The blonde sent him a tiny smirk of her own which he snickered quietly at.

 

"Is Malfoy giving you much trouble? His father was a right piece of work when he was a student here". Hagrid asked them.

 

"More a nuisance than anything really. After the double battle Neville and I had with him and Crabbe he pretty much ignore us". Harry said. "I’m more worried about you four". He continued while looking at Theo, Blaise, Daphne and Tracey. "You are the ones that have to coexist with him".

 

"You are a worry-what, ojos verdes". Blaise teased with a smirk.

 

Harry growled playfully at him for the nickname Blaise took from Fred.

 

"He really can’t do anything. We first years are way to divided". Daphne added.

 

The non-Slytherins looked at her with questioning gazes.

 

"What do you mean?". Hermione asked.

 

"Each year has a student that is the ‘leader’ of their year-mates. For example, Marcus Flint is the leader of the fifth year Slytherins, Miles Bletchley is the one for third, Shaarza Shafiq the one for sixth…But our year is way to divided for anyone to take the spot". Theo explained. "Malfoy has Parkinson, Crabbe, Goyle, and Bulstrode following him around like puppies. None of us four is precisely the accommodating type, much less to someone like Malfoy, and Cadmus and Turpin prefer to stay by themselves. So we are pretty much evenly matched. And since the older years have the policy to not interfere with us first years, Malfoy can’t find support with them to really do anything to us. Not that he could find it easy even if the older years interfered, they are not precisely happy with Malfoy either".

 

Harry, Neville and Justin looked at him wide eyed, Hermione has a frown on her face while repeating what Theo said under her breath while Ron just looked lost.

 

"Are we sure you lot are only eleven?". Ron asked incredulously.

 

"I’m twelve".

 

"Not my point Blaise".

 

"Politics, what in all the legendaries are all of you doing playing politics for?". Hermione asked in bewilderment. "We are in school, we don’t even truly know anything about politics!".

 

Hagrid laughed, interrupting their discussion.

 

"I see Slytherin house hasn’t changed at all". Hagrid commented with mirth.

 

"It was like that when you were a student here too?". Justin asked.

 

"Oh, yes. Always has been really". Answered Hagrid. "Not that surprising if you think about it, Slytherin has always been the house with the most students from Noble or otherwise prominent families in comparison with the other three houses. All that ambitious superiority, you know?". Hagrid joked with a chuckle before getting serious. "But take care still, if Malfoy is anything like his father he wont be quiet for much time. People like him never does".

 

"Shouldn’t you be less…erm, opinionated about a student?". Tracey asked with Litta giving a look at the giant man, the Meditite not impressed by his apparent lack of professionalism.

 

"I’m not a Professor". Hagrid answered simply with a shrug of his huge shoulders, earning snorts from the preteens.

 

"You seem to be talking for experience about Malfoy". Neville observed carefully.

 

"Have you seen me?". Hagrid asked in a gentle tone towards Neville, doing a sweeping motion over his body. "I was the perfect target for bullies".

 

"Bullied? You? But you are huge!?".

 

"Ron! Don’t be rude!". Hermione chastised.

 

"Maybe, but I was never the best with confrontations". Admitted Hagrid. "I was the awkward, shy, giant kid. My size just became another perfect target for bullies to attack me by".

 

"How did you deal with it?". Neville asked.

 

Hermione seemed to also be interested in that answer while Harry and the others simply observed, noticing that this was a sensitive topic for their two friends. Harry may have been dealing with bullies all his life, and he was sure the others had similar experiences, but Harry knew that his godbrother and new brainiac friend had it more difficult to deal with than he and the others.

 

"Two things helped me. But I didn’t deal with it well at the start". Hagrid admitted. "It wasn’t till I got Fluffy in my third year that things changed for me".

 

"Fluffy?". Harry asked.

 

"My Alpha Hydreigon". Hagrid replied with a proud smile.

 

All the kids and their Pokémons gazed at him with huge eyes, Harry, Theo, Dante, Hedwig and Maher exchanged looks between themselves. ‘It couldn’t be, right?’, Harry thought, the memory of the Alpha Hydreigon in the third floor corridor playing on his mind.

 

"You have an Alpha Pokémon too?". Justin asked excitedly.

 

"And he called it ‘Fluffy’?". Asked Ron under his breath, totally unimpressed, towards Harry.

 

The bespectacled boy could only shrug at his freckled friend, being accustomed to cute and silly names for fearsome Pokémons. Moony, Padfoot, Axe and Fist were a great example of it after all.

 

Kira approached the huge man, his mention of Alphas having cough her attention. Hagrid gazed down at her, reaching with his massive hand to pet the electric feline.

 

"Oh, yes". Hagrid confirmed with a nod towards Justin. "I was quite excited when professor Kettleburn told us about little Kira here at the staff meeting". Hagrid said before continuing with his tale.  "Of course, he was just my cute rascal Deino back them". Hagrid laughed, his black eyes lost in his memories. "But having him let me realize why I was being bullied by some of my year mates".

 

"Why?". Asked Hermione.

 

"Envy". Hagrid answered plainly. "Of course, there are exceptions. There are people that are just wrong, that just like to cause pain to others. But, school bullies, any bully really, more times than not have envy as the root of their aggression. Envy at my height, at my strength, at my Pokémons, at the ease in with I interacted with any mon, even the most dangerous, like our miss Granger here can do". Hagrid winked at Hermione, making the busy haired girl blush slightly at the compliment. "When I realized it, I couldn’t but simply feel pity for them. Their words just stoped affecting me, and in the end they just stoped bothering me when they realized that they couldn’t get the reactions they wanted of me anymore". Hagrid suddenly looked bashful. "Of course, like Ron said, my size helped, I never suffered from physical bullying".

 

A pensive silence descended on the table, Hermione and Neville being the most contemplative of them.

 

"The second thing that helped me is something you all have me beat at". Hagrid added. "Friends that support you and have your back".

 

They all smiled at his words, exchanging glances with each other. Looking at his friends, Harry realized that Hagrid was correct with his words, he knew that they all will have his back the same way Harry will have theirs.

 

"Could we meet Fluffy?". Harry asked after a moment, his expression eager.

 

"Why I’m not surprised?". Blaise teased him while Tracey, Ron and Justin snickered.

 

"Harry’s our Dark Boy, what did you expect?". Tracey joined in, making Hermione huff in amusement, and Daphne and Theo share an amused eye roll.

 

"Ignore them, Harry". Said Neville while sending the offending preteens a mock glare.

 

"What do you mean, Nev? Was someone saying something?". Harry asked in mock innocence, playfully looking around and pretending to not see anyone. "Did you hear something, Dante? No?. Hmm, it must have been the breeze playing tricks". Harry said with an innocent face, earning sounds of mock outrage from Blaise, Tracey, Ron and Justin and sounds of amusement from Daphne, Hermione, Theo, Neville and all the Pokémons present.

 

"Traitor". Ron mock whispered towards Artreos when the Mothim chittered his laughter.

 

Harry felt Theo send him a questioning look that he ignored for the moment, Harry knew that the Nott Heir has a good idea of why he asked to meet Fluffy. Hagrid seemed caught of guard by Harry’s request, if amused by the group’s antics.

 

"I fear not. He isn’t with me at the moment. He is occupied with an important task for Professor Dumbledore and Nicolas Flamel". Hagrid answered with a chuckle before his face fell in realization at what he just let slip. "I shouldn’t have said that". He whispered to himself, his face turning to one of horror.

 

"Nicolas Flamel? Who is Nicolas Flamel?". Asked Harry.

 

"Oh, but would you look at the hour!? I’m so sorry kids, but I have to feed the Pokémons at the corral". Hagrid said while standing from his chair in a hurry, surprising the young occupants of the hut.

 

"But…". Harry tried to say.

 

"Sorry Harry, but I really gotta go. I really enjoyed this, you can all come whenever you want". Hagrid said while guiding them towards the door, an awkward but true smile hidden under his beard.

 

Theo grabbing his arm stoped Harry in further insisting for an answer.

 

"Don’t worry, Hagrid, we understand. It’s been a pleasure and we will be more than happy in taking you on the offer to come back". Said Theo with a small serene smile.

 

Hagrid gave Theo a relieved smile before bidding them goodbye. The nine preteens and their ten mons watched, while on the field of pumpkins beside Hagrid’s hut, how said man disappeared in the distance with Fang beside him.

 

…

 

"I thought we weren’t going to investigate anything about the third floor corridor?". Asked Daphne, a blond eyebrow delicately raised to convey how unimpressed she was with Harry.

 

The group was now in an unused classroom, the same one Harry used in more than one occasion to talk to Remus, Ned, and latter Sirius, and where Daphne and Tracey scolded Harry, Ron and Neville when they, read Ron, foolishly accepted Malfoy’s challenge. It was located in a corridor on the fourth floor that almost nobody used, being situated in a part of the castle that was practically abandoned but for the sporadic student that needed to take a shortcut.

 

"Wait! The third floor corridor? You have gone there!?". Hermione exclaimed.

 

"Yeah, but it was an accident". Harry said. "Didn’t realize where I was going.

 

Hermione didn’t seem pleased by his words.

 

"It occurred at the start of the year, Harry was upset and I was worried about him so none of us realized where were we heading". Elaborated Theo for Harry, trying to placate her.

 

"But what is there? And what does that have to do with Fluffy?". Justin inquired with clear interest in his silver eyes.

 

"Well,". Started Harry. "we ended inside a room while we tried to scape Filch and Mrs. Norris…".

 

"You almost got caught too!?".

 

"…There we found an Alpha Hydreigon guarding a trapdoor". Harry finished while giving Hermione a chagrined smile for an answer.

 

"And you think that Hydreigon is Hagrid’s Fluffy". Justin stated.

 

Harry nodded his head

 

"That doesn’t explain your interest in the matter when before you insisted that it wasn’t our business". Said Daphne, bringing back Harry’s attention to her question.

 

"Because I think that Halloween’s incident was premeditated. I think it was a distraction from Snape to go get whatever they are guarding in that corridor". Answered Harry.

 

"Wait, wait, wait! Snape? Where in Wairuus’s hooves have you got that idea!?". Asked Blaise, the rest of them exporting as stunned a look.

 

"Because he was limping in the hospital wing".

 

"He could have been hurt while trying to control the wild Pokémons in the rampage". Neville reasoned.

 

"Hate to say it, since I don’t like the Dungeon’s Crobat, but Neville’s probably right". Added Ron.

 

"True, if he had actually been there". Answered Harry.

 

"He wasn’t?". Tracey asked.

 

"Not by the accounts of our classmates". Answered Harry.

 

"Harry’s right". Daphne said with a pensive frown on her face. "Snape is the only prominent professor that none of our classmates name as being present in containing the wild Pokémons".

 

They all exchanged looks, some of them still reluctant in believing Harry’s theory.

 

"But…he wasn’t the only professor to not be there". Hermione tried to reason.

 

"True". Harry conceded before giving his own argument. "But those that weren’t there were the secondary Professors and assistants. And let’s be honest, we all know that they would have been in the way of Professor McGonagall and the others, to not say how they wouldn’t have been any help with Professor Dumbledore and Flitwick there. None of the secondary professors are higher than Low Level Ace. And the same way they wouldn’t have been any help with the rampaging wild Pokémons, I don’t think any of them as strong enough to even think of going against an Alpha pseudo-legendary. Much less an Alpha Hydreigon".

 

There were considering nods of agreement from the others at Harry’s words.

 

"That’s not the only reason you consider Snape as the culprit, is it?". Blaise asked Harry, a knowing look on his face. "You think us being targeted by that wild Grimmsnarl of elite level as personal".

 

"Yes". Harry answered. "I think, no, I know that figure in the forest was a Pokémon. One belonging to Snape. I think it directed the Grimmsnarl purposefully to us. What other reason would it have to stay there and observe but to make sure the Grimmsnarl did his job? Snape hasn’t been discreet in his hate towards me, I’m sure he ordered his Pokémon to do as much damage to me as he could".

 

They all shared uneasy looks, none of them comfortable with the prospect of a professor, no matter how much of a bully said professor was, trying to hurt or even kill a student supposedly under their protection.

 

"If I’m right…I’m just sorry I got you all in danger for it". Harry said with a strangled voice.

 

Harry felt Hedwig pass her beak through his hair in a comforting motion while Dante put his head upon Harry’s crossed legs.

 

"Hey, none of that". Theo chastised while giving Harry a sideway hug. "You didn’t put us in danger, don’t even think of thinking otherwise".

 

"If you are right, and I think you are, It’s Snape’s fault for being such a petty, hateful, evil, spiteful, slimy haired…".

 

"Ron". Daphne and Hermione interrupted him with badly hidden amusement.

 

"Okey, okey. But you to know I’m right…". Ron conceded while looking at the two girls sideways. "Douchebag of a man". He added quickly to finish his statement.

 

They all shared a laugh.

 

"Ok, so we are investigating this". Exclaimed Tracey after a moment. "What do we do first?". She asked with an excited smirk.

 

"Discover what Fluffy is guarding, and for that we need to know who Nicolas Flamel is". Stated Harry. ‘Although, I felt like I’ve heard that name before’, Harry thought to himself, trying to remember when or where had he heard that name before.

 

"Well, he is Kalosian". Justin said while looking at his new PoryPhone, bringing their attention towards him. "And apparently, really important over there".

 

"Really?". Tracey asked.

 

"Yep, if we go from what the papers say about him".

 

"Papers?". Asked Harry while scooting over to look over Justin’s shoulders.

 

The other seven also clambered to try and look at the screen

 

"Yes, papers. I got curious over Hagrid’s stack of newspapers, more so when the one on top of the pile was from a Kalosian paper. That Nicolas fellow was mentioned in the headline of the article, I just found it on Pokénet".

 

"Hagrid’s not really good at keeping secrets". Blaise commented with a snort. "If he didn’t want us to know about Nicolas Flames, he did a terrible job". He finished while reading the headline of the paper on display. Luckily, this version was written in The Tongue so they were able to understand what was written.

 

 

SECURITY BREAK IN LUMIOSE CITY’S GRINGOTTS BRANCH

 

Unidentified Robber Breaches Into the Vault of the Renowned Dr. Nicolas Flamel

 

By. Léa Leroy.

 

"What in distortion!? Someone was able to break into Gringotts!?". Ron exclaimed.

 

"When was this?". Harry asked.

 

"It happened at the end of August". Theo answered while pointing at the date of the article.

 

"They didn’t manage to get what they wanted. The vault was empty". Justin commented after a quick read of the page.

 

"What do you bet that whatever was there is now here behind that trapdoor?". Asked Blaise.

 

"And they think Hogwarts is a better place to store it?". Asked Tracy incredulously.

 

"Hogwarts is one of the safest places of the known Regions". Answered Neville

 

"So is Beauxbatons, and that school is actually in Kalos". Theo added with a raised eyebrow at Neville.

 

"Flamel and professor Dumbledore must know each other then". Daphne said. "The headmaster must be doing Flamel a favor in storing his possession here".

 

"Aha! That’s where I’ve heard that name before!". Harry exclaimed triumphantly, startling them from their rapid fire commentary. "Professor Dumbledore studied under Nicolas Flamel to gain some of his doctorates!".

 

"Wait! Seriously? Flamel must be ancient!".

 

"Ron!". Hermione chastised scandalized, the comment of the redhead having distracted her from her reading of the newspaper in her own RotomPhone.

 

" I like the ginger boy, Boss Lady ".

 

"Rotom, please, shut it". Hermione commanded with an unimpressed look towards his RotomPhone.

 

"That still doesn’t help us in knowing who Flamel actually is or what is being guarded in the third floor corridor". Theo pointed out.

 

"And, suspiciously, the Pokénet doesn’t have anything of importance for someone that is supposedly so renowned". Justin commented with a frown on his face. "PoryTwo, is this all you could find about him?".

 

They all looked at Justin, their own faces marred with frowns.

 

"Sorry, Master Justin, this is all I could find about him". Justin’s PoryPhone sounded upset at their admission.

 

"Daph?". Tracey asked carefully.

 

Looking at the blonde haired girl, they found her with a frown marring her face, her ice blue eyes lost in thought while she bitted the nail of her thumb in consideration.

 

"Or this Nicolas Flamel is actually so unimportant as to not warrant any attention, something I doubt after the importance the newspaper gave him, or…". Daphne trailed off.

 

"… He is so important that the Kalos’s Government and League don’t want any information about him on the web". Theo finished her thoughts, his own gaze troubled.

 

The group exchanged uneasy looks, but none of them appeared to want to back down from this, they seemed even emboldened from the challenge ahead.

 

"So, what do we do now?". Asked Harry, his face set in a determined expression.

 

"We use the true and proved way". Theo said, his eyes almost glinting. "The library".

 

The only one that looked as excited as Theo at the prospect was Hermione, her eyes lighting up at the mention of her favorite place.

 

"Ugh, yuppie". Ron deadpanned.

 

---

 

"She wouldn’t want you to live in the past".

 

Sirius acknowledged Remus’s comment with a small tilt of the head, not turning to look at him.

 

"Now you are at the beck and call of my grandfather?". Sirius commented in a tired voice, his gaze not leaving Angel’s statue enveloped in the trunk of the weeping willow.

 

The sun was setting in the horizon, but Sirius nor any of his Pokémons spread around him seemed in a hurry to leave the Dragon’s Cemetery. Sirius heard Remus steps, accompanied by the lighter ones of Moony, over the fallen autumn leaves till his marauder brother was standing beside Sirius’s sitting form.

 

"No, I’m at the beck and call of my brother". Remus answered while sitting on the ground beside him.

 

They stayed in silence for a while, all of them gazing upon the gravestone turned statue of their fallen sister and friend.

 

"Azkaban…isn’t a place that lets you grieve". Sirius suddenly said. "Being there, the only companion you have are your worst memories…your failures, your mistakes…your regrets... That’s the only thing those creatures let you see over, and over, and over again". Sirius gulped the lump on his throat. "Their bodies were my only constant companion while in there". Sirius gave a wet laugh. "Rayquaza above, if it wasn’t for you and Padfoot I would be as crazy as the murderers and rapist locked in that place".

 

Sirius leaned into Remus side when the Ground Type Master encircled his shoulders with one of his strong and scarred arms.

 

"You are not there anymore Sirius, you can grieve now. And I will be there for you in every step, no matter what". Remus promised.

 

"And caring for a hatchling while help me grieve?". Sirius couldn’t help but ask somewhat angrily.

 

"I don’t care if you don’t want to take on another hatchling, Siri. I’m not here to convince you of accepting one of those Tyrunts on your team. Like if you want to catch a Sunkern for your final member of your team". Remus jested lightly, managing to entice a small smile form Sirius’s lips. "Or like if you don’t want to add another member altogether". Remus finished more seriously. "But, I think I knew Angel enough to know that she would be quite upset with you if you made that decision because of her".

 

They fell into silence after Remus's words, the stars were already out in the sky before any other sound beside the ones of the respiration from the nine individuals was heard.

 

"You are right". Sirius said quietly while standing up. "She would be quite cross with me".

 

Sirius turned to look upon his team and Remus and Moony. His Thunder of Dragons plus Aura Bonded Dark Canine straightened in their places, their expressions expectant.

 

"I know what I want to do". Sirius announced. Approaching Axe, Sirius stated with resolve while gazing into his shiny Haxorus’s red eyes. "Let’s get the new member of our thunder".

 

Axe’s gaze shone with approval, a pleased growl reverberating form his black plated chest. Behind Sirius’s starter, the rest of Sirius’s team, his family, exchanged excited looks. Sirius chest filled with warmth, a sensation that only intensifies when he saw Remus own proud smile. Sirius felt like he was going in the right direction for the first time in a long, long, time.

 

 

Notes:

Hey there! New chapter!. Sorry for the wait, 'wanted to have the chapter much earlier, but life got in the way. I'll be starting my studies in the second half of september, so updates may become even more sporadic if possible. Though I'll try to update at least one chapter a month like I have been doing so far. But don't worry, I don't have any plans to drop the story (Hate to write that, I don't like it when other authors write that mesage since they ultimately end droping the story. But I hope to not become on of them), I enjoy writing this way to much to do so.

Now, into other things:

1. Well, after this... What do you think? Sirius gona end with a freaking T-Rex on his team! (Now I can put his trainer's page in the other story, I had Sirius designed since the start but couldn't put him there for spoilers)

PS: Sorry if anyione likes the fossil Pokémon from Galar...But I really don't like them. And well, taking into acoutn that I want this story to be somwhat realistic (hahahaha, I know, good joke), It's not that farfetched that those Pokémon wouldn't be viable in this world.

2. I love Hagrid, but he can't keep a secret to safe his life. I hope I made the conversation with Hagrid organic and believable, this being their first true interaction with him, I didn't think any of the kids would spill the beans about the Alpha Hydreigon in the third floor corridor like they did in canon with Fluffy.

3. Regarding the conversation on bullying, like Hagrid said, I know there are many other reasons for someone to be victim of it (I was a bully victim in my own years of high school, so...). But I have realized that the most comun reason for it in fiction is 'envy'. Even some actual 'villians' have envy as their reason to want to kill the protagonist in many stories (like in 'Snow White', the Queen is envious of Snow White's beauty and wants to kill her for it).

I don't know if I should have put a 'chapter warning' at the start or something, if anyone thinks that I should put a warning in the chapter saying that there is 'Bullying Talk' in the chapter, write it in the coments and I dont have a problem in doing so.

I will end my ramblings here.

Thanks for reading!

Chapter 23: A Dark Essence

Notes:

Disclaimor: Don't own Harry Potter or Pokémon. I only own the original characters and the original Pokémons.

English is not my first language, so if you see spelling mistakes, don't hesitate in telling me.

 

Any thoughts of Nicolas Flamel and controlled Elite Level Pokémon took a background seat in Harry’s and his friends’s minds. For Nicolas Flamel not only looked like a ghost with the not existent information there was of him, making the nine preteens almost start to doubt his existence if it wasn’t for the Kalosian Newspaper, but their professors also upped their expectations and workload after Halloween. The professors seemed to have collectively realized that Christmas holidays and the end of the first part of the school year was quickly approaching and decided to pill them all with as much work and studying as they could.

 

Club activity was one of the few things that rescued them from their tiring monotony now.

 

…

 

"Come on Tracey! You can do it!". Ron hollered with enthusiasm, Litta and Mienfoo joining in his yelling to encourage their trainer, the two always composed Fighting Types losing their coolness for the competition they were being witnesses of.

 

"Go for the groin!". Justin yelled his request, a vicious smile on his lips while his Rotom buzzed around him in excitement. Kira rolled her eyes at her Trainer’s antics.

 

"That’s against the rules!". Hermione exclaimed while covering her eyes with her hands, although she let a gape between her fingers to be able to see the math, something Neville was copying but whiteout the gap to actually let him see.

 

Blaise and Mors laughed out loud while Theo snorted in amusement.

 

"Wow, what has Smith done to you?". Blaise asked Justin with humor coloring his voice.

 

"He is a jerk". Was Justin’s simple reply.

 

Harry and his friends beside a small, but noticeable, portion of the school’s population, were congregated in the gym used by the different Martial Art Clubs watching the first First Year Tournament of the Kickboxing Club. With only eight first years as part of the club, the tournament was quick to reach the finals in where Tracey was competing against Zachariah Smith.

 

"Has it ended yet?". Neville asked with a nervous voice.

 

"No, Nev, it’s still going. And you are missing it man". Answered Ron while Artreos buzzed his annoyance at Smith managing to score a hit on Tracey’s torso .

 

"I thought Kickboxing didn’t permit for mixed gender competition?". Harry suddenly asked in confusion while wincing at the following punch Tracey barely blocked.

 

"You ask that now with the tournament almost over?". Blaise asked in an amused tone.

 

"Ms. Davis will be allowed to compete with her male classmates for this year and the next. She will be part of the female tournaments competing against older years for her third year onwards. With her being the only first year girl in the club, it’s the only thing that can be done". A voice said from behind them.

 

"Professor Ekatarina, professor Mitre!". Harry greeted in slight surprise. "We didn’t see you there".

 

"We figured". Professor Mitre said while sending a scolding look towards Justin, the boy looking chagrined at the implied rebuke from the blonde professor.

 

"Are you interested in Martial Arts, professors?". Harry asked to rescue Justin from their Geography Teacher scolding look.

 

"Oh yes. In fact, we meet while in Judo classes when we were kids". Professor Ekatarina informed them with a small smile that turned wicked after a moment. "I wasn’t able to sake him off no matter how many times I landed him in his butt".

 

"Rina!". Professor Mitre exclaimed in protest, the tip of his ears flushed red in embarrassment.

 

Their History professor answered with an unrepentant wink towards her husband.

 

"Wohu! Let’s go, Tracey! Go, go, go!". The voice of Roger Davis was suddenly heard over the clamor of the audience, bringing their attention back to the match.

 

"What is she? A Ponyta in a race?". Theo said in amused sarcasm eliciting a laugh from Harry, Ron, Blaise and Justin.

 

Harry saw a blush spreading over Tracey’s whole upper body that nothing had to do with the extraneous exercising, the cheering from her brother obviously having embarrassed her. Sidestepping a punch from Smith that just skimmed the blue protective gear over her head, Tracey entered his guard and attacked the Hufflepuff first year with a flurry of punches and kicks over the boys’s naked torso, managing to trap the Smith heir in a corner of the ring. Just when the referee, their Language & Literature Professor funnily enough, started to approach the two to separate them, Tracey managed to land a strong punch on Smith’s face, knocking him out. Tracey was directed towards the opposite corner of the ring while the referee started the count down.

 

"Come on, come on". Harry heard Daphne say in a quiet voice with a frown of concentration on her face.

 

"Eight!…Seven!…Six!…Five!…Four!…Three!…Two!…One!…ZERO!". The audience counted enthusiastically with the referee, Roger Davis and Tracey’s club captain being the loudest.

 

"Yes!". Blaise exclaimed in excitement while lifting Litta and Mienfoo to his shoulders, the two mons screaming in happiness and excitement for their trainer’s victory.

 

Harry and the others were right beside them on their celebration, Neville finally relaxing with the end of the match.

 

"She is really good. ‘Reminds me of little Maylene". Professors Ekatarina said while clapping her hands, Professor Mirtre humming in agreement.

 

"It will be interesting to see how good she is at the tournament done at the end of the year". Professor Mitre commented.

 

Harry and his friends were too engrossed in their celebration to pay attention to the two professors.

 

…

 

But studying like crazy, trying to find anything about Nicolas Flamel and participating in their clubs activities wasn’t the only thing they did during those two months till Christmas. Introduction To Aura became the most anticipated class for all of them during those months, what with all of them managing to unlock their Aura Energy.

 

…

 

Calmness enveloped Harry, his respiration relaxed and controlled, his eyes closed and his mind devoid of any thoughts. Letting himself float in this state of calm, Harry searched inside himself until he felt the warm felling of his Aura around his chest. This time, though, he didn’t try to grab it. ‘Cupping’ his metaphorical hands, Harry let his Aura fill them. Harry was momentarily mesmerized by the feeling of his Aura, it felt cold to the ‘touch’ in contrast to the warm feeling that it previously gave, but not in a bad way, more like the refreshing chill of a shade in a summer day. But Harry also felt something wicked behind it, a playfulness that could become dangerous and terrifying at a moments notice. Harry didn’t know how much time did he stay there with his ‘hands’ cupping the ’pool’ of Aura, but his Aura Energy wasn’t happy to just stay idle there. In an instant his Aura extended to envelop his whole body, making him feel like he just jumped into a pool of energy.

 

With a gasp, Harry opened his eyes. Harry felt exhilarated and full of energy, a great change with his previous attempts at unlocking his Aura. Gazing at himself, a huge excited smile formed in Harry’s face. Dark Purple energy combined with the Sky Blue of pure Aura danced through his body. ‘Fenral! I did it!’ Elated laughter bubbled out of his mouth, laughter that was exacerbated by the foreign feelings of excitement and happiness that were entering Harry’s system. Excited caws and barks accompanied Harry’s laughter, Hedwig and Dante flying and jumping around Harry, the two mons accompanying their trainer in his happiness. The felling of accomplishment only increased for Harry at realizing that not only has he unlocked his Aura, but that he has also unlocked his families’s first and most common ability.

 

Clapping hands interrupted Harry, Hedwig and Dante in their impromptu celebration, returning Harry to the present and making him remember that he wasn’t alone.

 

"Well done, Mr. Potter. Incredibly well done". Professor Flitwick said in a calming voice, slowly approaching Harry and his two Pokémons with careful steps and a small smile on his face while he gazed searchingly at them.

 

Sudden hot annoyance filled Harry at the interruption of his celebration, a hard gaze forming on his face that he sent towards the small professor. His lips curled to show his teeth, a growl escaping his throat. That served to startle Harry out of the negative feeling. Jumping slightly in surprise, Harry clapped his hands over his mouth while looking wide eyed at the professor.

 

"Professor Flitwick! I’m so sorry, I didn’t-".

 

"Hahahaha!. Don’t you worry Mr. Potter, no hard feelings. That is a response I expected from someone with Dark Type Aura Alignment". Professor Flitwick said reassuringly, his smile becoming his typical jovial one while he approached the young Potter heir without his previous caution. "Your reaction to my interruption was quite tame actually. Your father, James, didn’t startle out of it until he lunged at me!". The Professor informed jovially like if he were talking of a funny memory instead of one of his former students trying to attack him.

 

Harry’s classmates around them whispered among themselves at that information, many relaxing their stances after having been startled by Harry’s aggressive response towards their professor.

 

"…I feel like I should apologize for that too". Harry deadpanned

 

Professor Flitwick only laughed in response.

 

"Now, Mr. Potter, let’s end your Aura usage before you faint on me, hm?". Professor Flitwick requested, bringing Harry’s attention back to the Aura still coursing through his body.

 

…

 

Introduction to Aura truly became the only class any of them attended with any real enthusiasm anymore. All of the students were more than happy to train with their Aura, even if they weren’t doing anything remotely extraordinary at the moment. Still, all of them found fascinating to watch their classmates use their Auras, comparing the different feelings each Type Alignment gave, and talking about how it felt to use it for each of them. Not surprisingly, Harry found that the ones with the closest feeling to his Aura from his friends were Hermione, Theo and Blaise, their Dark, Psychic and Ghost Aura Type giving a similar feeling to each other even with their own significant differences. All of them have the same pleasantly chilling quality to it but with a certain undertone of danger that differed form each other: a predatory one for Harry, a calculating one for Hermione and Theo, and a primal one for Blaise. That those three types were grouped together as the ‘Mind Arts Trio’ was much more understandable for them now.

 

Hermione couldn’t stop preening for weeks after they all unlocked their Auras, with Neville managing to unlock his at the start of December three whole weeks before Crabbe and Goyle, the last two to unlock their Auras of their year mates, did. She was the first to unlock her Aura Energy of their group of friends, energy that manifested in the purest form in their group with its Sky Blue color only marred with almost imperceptible pinkish purple of her alignment with the Psychic Type, and she didn’t waste time in sharing how she did it. It seemed that Harry’s analogy of comparing the feeling of Aura with water gave her the idea of instead of trying to grab it, to cup their ‘hands’ like someone would do to drink from a river or lake. Idea she didn’t waste time in sharing with the rest. It spoke volumes of her that her preening was for how proud she felt from them unlocking their Aura, making her look like a proud sister. Not even unlocking hers made her as happy.

 

Harry was just glad to not have been the only one with an aggressive response towards their professor after unliking their Aura, he wasn’t even the most volatile with that ‘honor’ falling towards Lisa Turpin and her Dragon Type Aura. He didn’t want to know what Hogwarts’s rumor mill would have been saying about him otherwise. He was extra glad for having his family’s Grimoire, it was already hard to manage the ‘dark’ feelings that were now prominent within his psyche with its help, he didn’t want to know how he would be fairing without it. Regretfully, Harry still got into some incidents thanks to them.

 

…

 

"Thank you for helping me tidy things up, Mr. Potter, Mr. Nott". Professor Mirtre said towards the two boys while they all cleaned the Geography classroom (which was the same as the History Classroom).

 

"It’s no problem, Professor". Harry answered with a small smile towards the blonde man.

 

"Mico! Don’t play with that!". Theo scolded the Espurr, the psychic feline playing with some trinkets he should have been putting away instead. "Sorry about him, professor". Theo apologized in embarrassment.

 

"Don’t worry about it, Mr. Nott". Professor Mitre waved the apology off with a laugh at Mico’s antics.

 

The three continued cleaning the classroom with the help of Hedwig, Dante, Mico, Maher, and their Professor’s Hisuian Decidueye, professor Mirtre having asked for their help at the end of the class (Harry knew Tracey really wanted to know how their professor got that Pokémon, as they were classified as EW: ‘Extinct in the Wild’, not that he wasn’t curious either). Those first four weren’t that great of a help though, as just like Mico was doing his own thing, Hedwig herself was perched atop a shelf reading a book she had snagged from one of the student’s desk (Harry was really proud of her accomplishment of learning to read but that didn’t meant he was happy about her ditching work), and, for their part, Dante and Maher had joined forces and were practicing a little mischief by putting out of place the things the rest of them had just put in their places.

 

Setting down the two rolled up maps they had been using for today’s lesson, Harry took notice of faint blue glows coming from inside two glass bell jars. His curiosity picked, Harry approached the two jars. Gasping softly in surprise, Harry gazed in small wonder at the two blue crystals inside them. The two emitted a faint blue glow that reminded Harry of the natural glow of Aura, but the glow and the material that formed them were the only thing they had in common. One looked like a flower, it was even ‘planted’ in some soil inside the bell jar, while the other was a natural looking crystal that was floating inside the jar while turning slowly over its axis.

 

"Harry? What are you… Oh, whoa". Theo started to say only to pause at the sight of the two glowing crystals.

 

"Professor Mitre? What are those?". Harry managed to ask.

 

The professor hummed in question while approaching his two young students. Harry’s question seemed to attract the four young Pokémon attention as they all were quick in joining them in front of the two glowing crystals.

 

"Ah, those". The Professor intoned in understanding, a small smile grazing his lips. "Professor Flitwick lend them to Ekatarina and me to use in our next history lesson with the third years. You will actually learn about them in your second year in Introduction to Aura. That, is a Time Flower. Crystallized Aura energy in the form of a flower that let us see images of the past". The Professor explained while pointing towards the crystal with the form of a flower. "The more Aura one uses to activate them, the more it will go back in the vision of the past it show us. Regretfully, almost all of them are of one use only, they will ‘wither’ after being activated. Though they are still a pretty trinket even after". Professor Mirtre said in small jest.

 

"That’s so cool". Harry breathed in wonder with Hedwig cawing her own agreement to Harry’s statement.

 

Harry couldn’t, not that he tried, contain the small smile that grew on his lips when he was able to feel, without even trying, the emotions of wonder coming from Hedwig, Dante and, in a smaller amount, Maher.

 

"What about the floating crystal, professor?". Asked Theo.

 

"That is pure crystallized Aura. It has many names: Aura Crystal, Jewel of Life, Jewel of Souls or Soul Jewel…Scientifically it’s called Auralite. It’s use are much more bast. From a conduit in some Aura Rituals or as foci when performing incredibly complicate and advanced Aura Spells, to things as ‘simple’ as to store things inside it". Professor Mitre explained.

 

"Wait! Store things!?". Harry asked in surprise.

 

"Indeed. We have records of ancient Aura Guardians using them to store supplies like if it were a bag. We even know of some, like Sir Aaron of ancient Rota, that used them to ‘carry’ his Pokémons, serving as a faux precursor of the PokéBall before these were invented".

 

"Okey, that is kinda amazing". Theo commented.

 

"Just ‘kinda’? Legendaries! Kids these days". Harry heard the professor mumble to himself.

 

It wasn’t long that Harry, Theo, Hedwig, Dante, Maher and Mico were saying their goodbyes to their professor and his Hisuian Decidueye.

 

"Do you imagine using one of those Time Flowers? Being able to see a glimpse of the past?, that would be so cool!". Harry commented while they all walked through Hogwarts’s corridors.

 

"Yeah, it is. Just a pity they are one use only, they could be immensely useful otherwise". Said Theo.

 

"Well, professor Mitre said there were reusable ones". Harry commented with a shrug.

 

"I don’t think they are a feasible option still, he said they were really rare. It must cost a fortune to get one". Theo said with a sake of the head

 

"Yeah, you are probably right…Do you think the Aura Guardians still use those Aura Crystals?". Harry asked.

 

"Well-".Theo started to say just to be interrupted by raucous laughter.

 

Theo and Harry exchanged looks, they recognized that laugh. Signaling for their Pokémons to stay alert, the six turned the corner finding themselves with Malfoy and his two ‘bodyguards’, Crabbe and Goyle. The three Slytherins were sitting in the ledge of a window of the corridor while giggling and smirking at whatever it was that Malfoy’s RotomPhone was sowing them.

 

Before they could continue on their way, Harry and Theo not wanting a confrontation that would ruin their positive mods, Malfoy looked up from his device. A wicked gleam appeared in the Malfoy heir's eyes the same as a nasty smirk formed on his lips.

 

"Hey, scar-head! Have you read it?". Malfoy asked while waving his RotomPhone in the air.

 

The bespectacled green eyed Gryffindor frowned at the silver eyed Slytherin, annoyance already forming in him.

 

"Ignore him Harry, let’s go". Theo said taking hold of Harry’s arm, stoping Harry for giving a response.

 

"Oh, come on, Nott, not so fast. I’m sure Potter will like this". Malfoy said while standing from the ledge and approaching them. Faking clearing his throat, Malfoy started to read from his RotomPhone in a pompous voice. "A perform that gives much to be desired. Is this the end of the prestigious house of Black? By Rita Skeeter. I’m sure many of my dear readers had already seen the video of the recently Azkaban pardoned, Sirius Black, having a battle against one Remus Lupin, the weakest of the secondary gym leaders-Heeeyy!". Malfoy exclaimed while giving a step back and lifting the arm clutching the RotomPhone, his smirk still in place.

 

Harry lunged at him, his anger piked at the false description of his dad, but Theo managed to stop him before he could reach the blonde prat.

 

"You liked that, did you?". Malfoy asked mockingly while bringing his arm back down. "I’m sure you will love this next part then…In a, frankly, disappointing display of battle powers, Sirius Black, the future of the prestigious house of Black, a Most Ancient and Noble Family, lost the battle against Lupin. Although the secondary Gym Leader had to use some really questionable and underhanded methods to archive the win, one must ask themselves if the future of the House of Black should really fall upon the shoulders of man that has clearly fallen from his glory days of being a High Elite Trainer...".

 

"Shut up". Harry growled out, his anger intensifying at every word Malfoy read.

 

"Harry, come on, ignore him and lets get out of here. He isn’t worth it". Theo said while trying to guide Harry out of there.

 

Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle put themselves in their way again, the three even releasing their Pokémon, Eridamus the Skrelp and the two variant Geodudes, to help impede their pass. Malfoy paused his hand over the PokéBall containing his Skorupi, but ended deciding against releasing him.

 

"Come on, Nott, why are you in such a hurry? We are having so much fun. What happens? You don’t want to hear what the papers say?". Malfoy asked with a satisfied smirk, his words felling like poison in the air.

 

"Please, Malfoy, we both know we have better things to do than listen to you sprouting the sensationalist drivel of Skeeter. Although it explains a lot if those are the kind of news you listen to". Theo answered with a cold and unimpressed face.

 

Theo put his hand in Harry’s back while saying that, making soothing circles with his hand to help Harry calm down. Harry silently thanked Theo for his efforts while trying to take calming breaths, like the Potter Grimoire said he should to calm himself and his Aura, but it was resulting quite difficult at the moment.

 

"Ooh, but she has so many things to say!". Malfoy said in a mock hurt tone, Theo’s words not managing to affect him like they usually do. "Listen, listen, I love this part…One has to question what was the purpose of the video. Will the Wizengamot truly conform with having a future member of their body that is clearly not prepared like Sirius Black has shown he isn’t? Will the Yggsill League reevaluate his Trainer Classification now that Black has shown he isn’t deserving of the Elite Rank? What was Lord Arcturus Black thinking in confirming his position as Heir when this reporter knows of the existence of much more deserving individuals? And what about Lupin? Is this the League’s way of sowing how unqualified Remus Lupin is for the job so they can get rid of him? Maybe they are already preparing a more deserving individual to take the post of Gym Leader than a known Aura Insensitive individual is, who knows? But I, Rita Skeeter, your dauntless reporter sure hopes so".

 

"I said, shut up!". Harry snapped while lunging himself at Malfoy again, wisp of his Aura encircling his body.

 

This time, Theo wasn’t able to stop him. Malfoy sidestepped Harry’s lunge, a triumphant smirk gracing his lips. Eridamus put himself in front of his trainer, an attack already forming, but before the Skrelp could launch it Hedwig intercepted him with her own attack. The two mons cawed and growled angrily at each other, their red eyes practically shining with malice towards the other.

 

"Harry, don’t!". Theo exclaimed while encircling Harry’s waist with his arms.

 

"You are nothing but a petty child, Malfoy!. A petulant idiot with a hurt ego because he didn’t even enter uncle Arcturus’s mind as a possible heir to lead the House of Black in the future!. How much money did dear daddy pay to have that article written, eh!?". Harry shouted while struggling in Theo’s hold, his green eyes glowing faintly with Aura. Harry felt dark satisfaction when he saw Malfoy’s smug look disappear, the blonde prat’s face turning red in anger now. "How many dic-?".

 

"What…is happening…here?". The question was delivered softly, but it still stoped Harry in his tirade.

 

Snape walked towards them with measured strides, his black clothes willowing around him ominously. Malfoy gained back his triumphant smirk.

 

…

 

Harry speed-walked down Hogwarts’s corridors, Theo and their Pokémon right behind, a destination fixed in his mind. Theo was silent in their walk, feeling Harry’s still present anger that the green eyed boy was trying to abate to no bail.

 

After unlocking his Aura, Harry started to actually felt its presence within himself at every moment. Regretfully, with it attuned with the Dark Type, his emotions became more volatile as the Potter Grimoire and his father’s letter warned. It has been less than a month since he unlocked it and Harry already prayed for the day he will be able to manage better his heightened negative emotions to arrive already. Because not being able to control them has just landed him in his first detention of his Hogwarts carer. ‘Bloody Malfoy, bloody Snape and freaking bloody Skeeter too!’

 

Arriving at the abandoned classroom Harry and his group of friends had acquitted for themselves, Harry opened the door with more force than he intended, making the door slam on the wall. The young Potter started to pace the room, the dark purple and blue of his Aura Energy visibly dancing around him, not noticing when Theo, Mico, Maher, Dante and Hedwig entered the room moments latter.

 

Harry felt frustrated when he wasn’t able to calm himself, frustration that only aggravated his already present anger. ‘Ugh! Come on Harry, don’t let Malfoy and Snape get to you. Just do as the Grimoire instructed!’ Harry thought to himself with an angered groan and eyes tightly shut, trying to follow the instructions in the next level of meditation his family’s Grimoire talked about that he could now do after having unlocked his Aura.

 

Still pacing the room with his eyes closed, and ignoring the five other pair of eyes he could feel upon him alongside the foreign emotions of worry coming from three of the Pokémon, Harry concentrated the most he could in controlling his breathing. When he thought to have a good grip on it quite some minutes later, Harry reached for his Aura and made it match his breathing instead of exiting him at random burst. This was more difficult for Harry, he wasn’t only still new at using Aura, but this was the first time he did it with his emotions high strung instead of relaxed while in the confines of his four-poster bed in his dormitory at Gryffindor Tower. Something that he usually manages to do in a pair of minutes cost him ten this time. But just by concentrating on controlling those two aspects Harry already felt his anger abating.

 

Felling slightly calmer, Harry sat cross legged on the floor while exhaling a huge respiration, visible Aura exiting his body the duration of the exhale. Putting his hands together, Harry continued with the next step of the meditation; examining the feelings that accompanied each event of the day just like he always does, but with a twist. ‘Okey, breakfast at the Great Hall with the Gryffindor Battle Royal team and my friends…contentment, happiness, a little satisfaction for the meal…good feelings ’ Harry thought and analyzed while picturing the memory. Concentrating his Aura into his clapped hands, Harry tried to ‘imbue’ it with those happy feelings and, with the next inhalation after he felt ready, absorbed it back into his body. ’ Miles Bletchley being a jerk in the grooming room with our Pokémon after morning exercise…annoyance, exasperation…bad feelings’, this time, when Harry ‘imbued’ his Aura congregated in his clapped hands with those feelings he didn’t absorb it, instead he banished his Aura in a visible burst of energy. Like that, Harry went through his memories of the day, ‘absorbing’ the good feelings and ‘expelling’ the bad ones.

 

At some point in his meditation, Dante and Hedwig approached Harry and started to help him as best they could by sending him calming feelings. The two first stage Pokémon also coordinated their own Aura with that of their trainer’s, pacing their own respirations with Harry’s and releasing their Aura Energy at the same time he did. Even when concentrating in his own meditation, Harry felt his Pokémon helping him, fondness and gratitude towards them enveloping his body that helped him in abating even more his negative emotions.

 

Opening his eyes when he felt better and in control of his emotions, Harry sent a grateful smile towards his white Houndour and his Murkrow. Not Dante nor Hedwig protested when their human enveloped the two in a grateful hug.

 

"Thanks guys". Harry thanked them quietly.

 

The two mons coed softly at him, their eyes closing in a smile.

 

Releasing his partners and straightening his position, Harry shot Theo an apologetic look while his face flushed slightly in mild embarrassment.

 

"Sorry". Harry said.

 

"Don’t worry about it". Theo waved his apology off. Leaning towards him from his sitting position and propping his head with his hand, elbow on his knee, Theo sent him an amused smirk. "I liked the small tirade you were giving Malfoy. Very Gryffindoris of you". Theo said jokingly, electing an awkward laugh from Harry, before a small grimace marred his features and an apologetic gaze formed on his brown eyes. "It was some rotten luck for Snape to be the one to arrive at the scene".

 

Harry covered his face with his hands, a groan escaping his lips.

 

"Four days of detention! And in the last days before the holidays! How in distortion is that even fair!? I’m already grounded when I arrive home!". Harry complained in outrage while lifting his arms in the air.

 

"We know Snape is a jerk. He wasn’t happy with us not being punished after Halloween, I’m sure this is his way of taking revenge from that".

 

"Do you think I could go to professor McGonagall?". Harry asked hopefully.

 

Theo sent him an pitying look.

 

"Harry, you tried to attack Malfoy. I don’t think she would side with you".

 

"But Malfoy provoked me!".

 

"I know, but Snape was really careful with his punishment. He gave you as much days of detention as he could without having the other professors on his case no matter how ‘excessive’ they may find it". Theo explained in a calming tone, though he wasn’t happy about this either.

 

Harry groaned in response, letting himself flop on his back on the abandoned classroom’s floor. Harry gave a small huff when Dante stepped on his stomach to lay atop of him, a doggy smile on his lips and feelings of amusement that Harry easily caught escaping him. Harry scrunched up hiss nose when Dante’s breath ghosted his face.

 

"Legendaries, Dante! You eat a Skuntank or something?". Harry exclaimed but he still hugged the leucistic dog Pokémon.

 

Dante’s response was a long lick to Harry’s face, his feelings of amusement increasing. Harry, Theo and their other mons shared a laugh. Harry let himself fully relax, his annoyance totally abated now. The Potter heir gazed at his right when the Nott heir lay down beside him.

 

"We should bring a couch here or something. This room has practically become ours". Theo commented.

 

Harry gave a noncommittal hmm at that.

 

"Feeling better now?". Theo asked after a brief moment.

 

"Yeah, sorry about that". Apologized Harry. "Feels like I always have my meltdowns with you".

 

"You are my best friend, Harry, don’t worry about it". Theo said with a smile on his lips.

 

Harry sent him his own smile, a warm felling enveloping his chest.

 

"Don’t let Blaise hear you, he would be heartbroken". Harry said in a jesting tone.

 

"Pff, Blaise is not my friend. He is more of an annoying cousin I would kill for". Theo half joked back.

 

Harry sorted at that.

 

"You are my best friend too". Harry said softly a moment latter.

 

The two feel into comfortable silence, their Pokémon around them.

 

"So…Where did you get a Grimoire from?". Theo suddenly asked some minutes later.

 

Harry startled at that, making Dante fall from atop him with a surprised yip.

 

"What!?…Where did you-? What gave-?". Harry stammered while looking at Theo hug eyed.

 

Theo gave him a flat look, an eyebrow raised and a small smirk on his lips.

 

"I suspected something after our encounter with Fluffy. Daphne wasn’t the only one that caught your slip about feeling Fluffy’s emotions back then". Theo teased Harry. "And seeing you meditating now practically confirmed it for me. That wasn’t the meditation technic professor Flitwick gave you". Theo added with an assured tone.

 

Harry buried his face on his hands with a groan.

 

"Shit". Harry muttered to himself.

 

"Language".

 

Harry flipped him off for that, making Theo laugh.

 

"How did you know it wasn’t the technic professor Flitwick taught me?". Harry asked.

 

"I know a Family Specialized Technic when I see one. We Notts have Unstable Auras, not to the degree of the Malfoys, but we oscillate between the Ghost, Psychic and Dark alignments from generation to generation. So we have our own specialized technics to deal with the drawbacks of the three". Explained Theo.

 

Harry sighed in defeat after Theo’s explanation.

 

"Okey, yes. I have my family’s Grimoire". Harry admitted.

 

Theo sat abruptly at that.

 

"You have the Potter Grimoire!?". Theo asked in surprise and excitement.

 

"Yeah, my father, James, gave it to professor Dumbledore for study and safekeeping. He gave it back to me our first day at Hogwarts". Harry explained.

 

"Oh, by Fenral, Harry. That is great!. I’m so happy for you. Family Grimoires are practically the heart of our families!. I’m so glad you have yours". Theo exclaimed in excitement.

 

Harry felt warmth spreading through his body, a huge smile on his face and a soft grateful gaze on his eyes while he locked gazes with Theo’s. Harry felt incredibly touched at his friends clear happiness for him.

 

"Thank you, Theo".

 

---

 

Daphne found herself walking the snow covered grounds of Hogwarts, a content smile gracing her lips while she observed her handsome Boreas play with the mounts of snow on their way. Taking a deep breath of the cold air of the afternoon Daphne let herself relax, already feeling her shore muscles recuperating from the stressful day of classes and studying. Closing her eyes, Daphne felt for her Aura, a huge smile grazing her lips at the rush of energy she has quickly grown addicted to since she unlocked it. Her Aura felt cold like ice, a gentleness to it like slow falling snow in a Yule night. But she knew that a glacial storm brewed beneath, ready to freeze any that crossed her. She just needed more time and training to be able to unleash it.

 

Daphne let go of her Aura after a moment, opening her eyes so she could appreciate the snowy landscape around Hogwarts Castle. Daphne didn’t want to admit it, but accompanying her friends in their morning exercises was really helping her get through the day. Those first few days, weeks if she was honest, were torture but now she couldn’t be happier in joining them. They still left her extremely shore though.

 

Hearing a yip, Daphne chuckled when Boreas started to play around her feet, the Alolan Vulpix barking playfully at her to entice her to play with him. Smiling at her starter, Daphne indulged Boreas in his play. Daphne was really grateful that there wasn’t anyone out and about to see her playing like this, she has a reputation to maintain after all.

 

While playing, they ended between the limit of the Forbidden forest and the Sports Area. So distracted was Daphne, enjoying her alone time with her Pokémon and relishing in the cold in the air, that she almost missed the two figures entering the Forbidden Forest. Almost being the word.

 

"Professor Snape?". Daphne asked softly to herself.

 

Daphne wasn’t able to identify the first figure since the wore a hood on, though their head seemed massive and somewhat deformed, but she recognized without problem her Head of House. Daphne furrowed her brows while looking at the two disappearing between the trees. It looked like Snape was stalking the other figure, the professor making sure to not be noticed by the other one.

 

Exchanging a look with Boreas, Daphne started to follow. Making sure to not be noticed, the Greengrass heiress called for her Aura and cloaked herself in it while silently praying to Kyurem, Regice and Articuno that what she was about to do worked. Growing up, Daphne has always heard the stories of her ancestor battling alongside their Ice Type Pokémon, creating iced wastelands of the battlefields and concealing their presence in the snow. Daphne always thought those were just fanciful stories growing up, how could a mere human create tundras and conceal themselves in the snow? They weren’t Pokémon after all. That was until one day when she was six when she decided she wanted to know what was so special about that old tome her grandmother has on display upon a glass encased lectern in her Lady’s office (Now her father’s office since her grandmother abdicated).

 

The Greengrass Grimoire is given to the heiress, and in the occasions that pertains it, the heir, upon their thirteenth birthday and their official announcement as heiress apparent of the house. Daphne didn’t want to wait that long, one day sneaking into her grandmother’s office to take a look at the ancient looking tome. Of course, she was unsuccessful. Daphne was unable to open the glass door of the casing covering the lectern, giving time for her grandmother, who was notified by the wards upon said glass of the tried intrusion the moment Daphne touched the casing, to catch her red-handed. Luckily, her grandmother was more amused than anything and even allowed her to read some of the passages written in their family’s Grimoire.

 

Daphne was amazed to discover that all those tales her father told her as bedtime stories were actually true. And although she has her doubts that she will ever be able to change the landscape, an ability that nobody in her family has managed to archive in hundreds of years,

Being able to conceal her presence while on snowy terrains sounded much more plausible. Daphne found it even funny that her family’s most common ability was practically the human version of Snow Cloak, an ability that Boreas possess, she would have just liked for her first try at activating it to have been under different circumstances.

 

After what felt like hours but where probably just fifteen minutes, Daphne saw how Snape finally made his move. Seeing the confrontation starting to get underway, Daphne quickly hid behind a tree for extra coverage to add to her sloppy Aura Ability. While doing so, Daphne observed how Snape reached the other figure while releasing a Swoobat. ‘Ron’s gonna be so disappointed ’ Daphne absently thought while suppressing a wince when Snape turned the figure around and slammed him into a tree.

 

"Professor Quirrell?". Daphne softly asked to herself.

 

"Snape!? What a-are you doing?". Quirrell stuttered slightly in surprise, lifting a hand towards his now uncovered turban and the other to clutch the necklace half hidden under his clothes before dropping both hands to his sides as quickly as he had lifted them.

 

Daphne saw the Battle Professor wince in pain when Snape tightened his hold upon his shoulders.

 

"Oh, I thought you would want to keep this private". Snape answered with a sneer on his face before releasing Quirrell with a final push, making the other man hit his back into the tree again.

 

"And what is this exactly?". Professor Quirrell asked, straightening himself while keeping a wary eye not only on Snape, but also on the Psychic Bat behind the potion’s professor.

 

"Don’t act coy now, Quirinus. We both know I’m talking about the essence". Snape answered.

 

‘Essence?’, Daphne asked to herself in interested confusion, exchanging a glance with a frowning Boreas. Quirrell keep quiet at Snape’s words.

 

"Have you found a way to get past Hagrid’s Alpha monster? Or are the other precautions what have you stumped?".

 

"I don’t know what you are talking about, Severus, why would I-?". Professor Quirrell tried to say.

 

"Don’t play with me, Quirinus, you don’t want me as your enemy". Snape interrupted him, his Swoobat hissing a threat.

 

"Are you threatening me?". Professor Quirrell asked, sounding almost amused now.

 

"Not a threat, a promise". Answered Snape while taking a menacing step towards the turban clad professor.

 

"I don’t know what you want, Severus. But I don’t care for what you are implying". Professor Quirrell said with his own threatening step, ignoring the warning sound Swoobat gave.

 

"…Very well. I will give you some time to think where…your loyalties…lie before our next chat". Snape finally said, taking a step back before turning his back and walking back from where he entered the forest.

 

Daphne sliced slightly around the trunk of the tree to cover herself better from view, calling upon her Aura more strongly to conceal her presence amidst the cold and snow. Seeing Snape pass her by with his Swoobat flying at his side, Daphne held her breath while praying for the Courting Pokémon to not notice her and Boreas. Luckily, the two passed them by without noticing their presence. Daphne waited till she couldn’t see their backs before peeking around the tree again, just to see that Professor Quirrell has already left the area too.

 

Letting go of her Aura, Daphne sighed in relief, suddenly feeling exhausted.

 

"We should tell the others about this". Daphne told Boreas, receiving an agreeing chuff from her partner.

 

…

 

"Harry is right, Snape wants whatever is behind that trapdoor". Daphne announced the moment all of them were inside their claimed classroom.

 

Daphne went in search of her friends the moment she reached the castle, intent on sharing what she has discovered in the Forbidden Forest. Boreas guided the other Pokémon towards a side of the room, Ceo and Mico helping each other transport a plastic basin under a floating Feebas (The water orb said Pokémon was using was still too wobbly for comfort), intent on telling them the events himself and letting their trainers talk between themselves.

 

"I am?/He is?". The others exclaimed in surprise.

 

"Hey! I thought you lot agreed with me". Harry exclaimed.

 

The others sent him apologetic looks.

 

"You acted as surprised as us mate". Ron informed him.

 

Harry stuck his tongue out at the red head in response to that.

 

"Daphne, what happened?". Theo asked her.

 

"I found Snape following professor Quirrell into the forbidden forest while in my stroll…".

 

"How can you enjoy walking with this frigid cold is still a mystery to me". Ron chimed in.

 

"…and the two had a confrontation". Continued Daphne ignoring Ron’s comment. "Snape confronted professor Quirrell about Fluffy and being able to pass through other ‘precautions’. I think there must be other obstacles behind that trapdoor".

 

"So there are other protections beside Fluffy?". Harry asked quietly to himself, though Daphne and the others still heard him.

 

"If Fluffy is Hagrid’s help, do you think the other members of the faculty helped with the other obstacles?". Hermione asked.

 

"Most probably". Neville agreed with her thoughts.

 

"But obstacles to guard what?". Theo chimed in with a pensive frown.

 

"Snape named an ‘essence’". Daphne supplied.

 

"An essence? What are they guarding, a cologne or something?". asked Ron incredulously.

 

"Don’t be daft, Ron". Hermione chastised with an eye-roll.

 

"I’m sure it’s something much more sinister. Maybe it’s human essence or something similar". Blaise supplied with a wicked smirk and shining eyes.

 

"…You have watched that film about the murdered trying to create a perfume from women again, am I right?". Theo asked after a moment of silence.

 

Blaise shrugged unapologetically.

 

"Wait, isn’t it that horror film? The one where Gym Leader Sabrina debuted her acting carer while playing as the last victim?". Neville asked slowly, his brows furrowed in thought while trying to recall said film.

 

"It is! Have you seen it?". Blaise asked enthusiastically.

 

"Yeah, not my favorite though". Neville nodded.

 

"Bloody distortion!? Nev, you like horror films? But you are terrified of Blaise’s scary stories and creepy comments!". Harry asked in surprised.

 

The rest of them weren’t much better, looking in astonishment at their shyest friend. Neville chuckled awkwardly while scratching his ear sheepishly.

 

"Yeah, but I still like them". Replied Neville with a sheepish smile.

 

"It's always the quiet ones". Justin said softly, a stunned look on his face.

 

"You two are eleven! You don’t have any business seeing horror movies". Hermione chastised them.

 

"Again, I’m twelve".

 

"Blaise, again, not the point!".

 

"Girl, teaching you to break the rules is becoming more and more important by the day".

 

"Tracey!".

 

"Guys, enough!". Daphne finally exclaimed. "Can we talk about what’s important here?". Daphne asked with a hard gaze towards her friends.

 

"Daphne is right, we have to center ourselves". Harry agreed after giving the blonde girl an apologetic look. "So, this is what we know; Snape is after an ‘essence’ being guarded behind a trapdoor custodies by Fluffy, an Alpha Hydreigon belonging to Hagrid, and probably more traps and security systems from the other professors and faculty members". Harry summarized.

 

"We also know that this ‘essence’ has something to do with Nicolas Flamel". Theo added.

 

"Yeah, someone we know practically nothing about". Tracey helpfully added with a sunshine smile veiling her annoyance at that fact.

 

"We are practically where we were before". Justin said dejectedly.

 

"And we are just two weeks away from Christmas, and our schedules are full of exams, so we don’t have much time for investigating him, much less what this new ‘essence’ thing is!". Hermione interjected almost in a tizzy. "I haven’t been able to teach Feebas to travel on land properly either!". Hermione practically cried while gazing at the now basin submerged mon on the other side of the room.

 

"Don’t worry Hermione, I’m sure Feebas isn’t angry with you. She is always happy whenever you spend time with her". Harry consoled while giving Hermione some comforting pats on the back.

 

"What are we gonna do? Hogwarts’s library wasn’t of much help". Neville asked.

 

"We still have much ground to cover there, I’m sure there must be something amidst those books". Theo encouraged them.

 

"And we can always look through our families’s personal libraries during Yule break. My family has a huge collection of books, and I know the Notts, Longbottoms and Zabinis also have huge libraries of their own". Said Daphne.

 

"Personal libraries?". Hermione asked perking up.

 

"Yule? You follow the old religion?". Harry asked curiously.

 

"Have we thought of asking our parents? They may know something about this Flamel fellow". Inquired Justin before Daphne could respond to either question.

 

Silence fell at Justin’s suggestion.

 

"Maybe we let that as a last resort? I don’t think dad would be happy if he knew what we are doing, I’m already grounded after all". Harry finally said.

 

"Maybe we shouldn’t be investigating this then". Neville said quietly.

 

"Oh, come on Neville, don’t be like that. It’s not like we are going to go for what is behind that trapdoor, we just want to know what it is. There is nothing wrong with that". Said Ron encouragingly towards the Longbottom heir before looking around at the others. Seeing somewhat apprehensive faces and thinking frowns, Ron started to fidget slightly. "Right?".

 

They all exchanged looks, silent communication passing through the nine of them, before they all finally nodded.

 

"Right". Daphne and Harry chorused in agreement.

 

"So, that is what we are doing? See if there is something in your libraries?". Harry asked while gazing at Daphne, Theo, Neville and Blaise.

 

"Yes". Daphne answered with a resolute nod of the head.

 

"A pity you can’t access yours at Kaolin Manse, it could have been of great help". Theo said to Harry.

 

"Kaolin Manse?". Asked Hermione.

 

"My family’s state in Godric’s Hollow". Answered Harry. "I can still see if there is something in the library of the villa. Dad has a good personal collection".

 

"And I can do the same, though don’t hold your breaths. My ancestors had to sell many things alongside our ancestral home, many books included, and our library wasn’t the biggest to start with". Ron chimed in.

 

"Blessed Uxie! Please, please, please! You lot must let me see your libraries in the future". Hermione practically begged, her eyes shining at the prospect.

 

"Sure thing, Brainiac". Blaise agreed with a snort.

 

"Look in the public libraries of your towns and cities, there may be something there". Daphne suggested towards Tracey, Justin and Hermione.

 

"Sure thing". Agreed Justin.

 

"Roger". Tracey saluted her.

 

The nine friends exchanged firm gazes, all of them more than determined to discover what was being hidden in their school.

 

Notes:

Look at that, Malfoy managed to win a comfortation!.
Harry is dealing with his unlocked Aura, and we discovered one of the Aura Abilities of the others!. (I was going to go more the route og the Ice Witch with Daphne, but I managed to cotrol myself).
The comfrotation between Snape and Quirrell is prety much the same as in the books, with the diferent of Quirrell not acting as a pushover, and with Daphne overhearing them instead of Harry
Hope you liked it!

Chapter 24: Christmas Reunion

Notes:

Disclaimor: Don't own Harry Potter or Pokémon. I only own the original characters and the original Pokémons.

English is not my first language, so if you see spelling mistakes, don't hesitate in telling me.

 

 

"…last, we have had to extradite, so far, a total of seven foreign trainers for breaking the International Law of Regional Cooperation six/XX-sixtythree, by trying to illegally access the Veils in the Antodre’s Tree and in Rost’s Temple. Luckily, none were foolish enough as to try the same on Valkyrie’s Plateau". Amelia Bones finished her report.

 

There were collective snorts of derision, sighs of exasperation and aggravated eye-rolls at her words. There always were some stupid foreign trainer that tried to access the Veils without clearance to get themselves an Aura Bonded Pokémon. Being a Regional Locked Phenomenon, like Galar’s Dinamax, Alola’s Z-Moves or the more recently known, to a select few at the moment at least, Paldea’s Terastallization, being given access to the Veils was incredibly sought after by the other regions. Some people just didn’t wait for the permission to access them. ‘Being the only phenomenon that isn’t Region Locked after gaining it just sweetens the deal’, Remus thought with a shake of his head.

 

Remus and his fellow Pillars where at the League’s Headquarters in Babylon Island participating in the second in person meeting of the League Year, almost four months having passed since the start of it. Remus was trying to conceal his eagerness for the meeting to end since latter on the day he has an important appointment at Levahner’s Station. Harry was coming home for Christmas holidays. Regretfully, there were still things he needed to do before going to take Harry home.

 

"Rayquaza above, always the same every year!". Arcturus Black growled with a displeased face while giving a sharp tap with his cane on the floor. "From where were they?". He asked right after.

 

"One was from Kanto, two were Unovan, and the other four from Kalos. All were bellow Veteran level, one of the Kalosians was even a Beginner in his first year as a Trainer". Informed Amelia.

 

"Of course they were from there, those regions don’t respect anything or anyone but themselves". Emmett Selwyn said with derisive snort and a nasty sneer, his Grumpig sharing his expression of derision.

 

None, even if Remus was sure that some of his fellow pillars agreed with Selwyn, acknowledged his words with a direct response.

 

"A first year trainer and already blacklisted from entering a region, unbelievable". Kai Johnson said with an incredulous barked laugh.

 

"The kid has just destroyed his Trainer career, that must be a record somewhere". Christopher Greengrass sounded more than just a little unimpressed.

 

"Has someone been accepted to access the Veils legally this year?". Arthur Weasley asked.

 

"Yes, five so far". Answered Champion Joseph Nott at the head of the table. ‘Clicking’ some keys of the holographic computer in front of him, the champion shared a sort list of names with attached photos that appeared in their own holographic computers. "One Veteran, three Aces, and one Elite. Four of them are Yggsillians while one of the Aces is from Hoenn".

 

"The Hoenn League is quite pleased by that. Pierina Ramos is the only foreign trainer so far to have been granted permission this League Year". Elektra Levina commented.

 

"How many trainers does that make in our ranks with an Aura Bonded Pokémon?". Amaranta Zabini asked with interest.

 

Remus and Moony perked up at that question.

 

"Forty three active trainers. If we count the retired ones, sixty-eight". Answered Champion Joseph.

 

Amelia, Amaranta and Matilda Bulstrode gained pleased looks on their faces at that information. The two women with the most involved jobs in the security of the region, plus a former military, were quite happy with those numbers.

 

"It seems that our problems with the ‘showy trainers’ hasn’t affected the number of new Aura Bonded at least". Amaranta commented with a pleased smile on her crimson painted lips.

 

"What Pokémon did the five bond with?". Asked Remus intrigued.

 

"We only know of one at the moment, the other four are still eggs. Our lone Elite got himself a Magikarp". Champion Joseph answered while concealing his twitching mouth behind interlaced fingers.

 

There was a beat of silence before looks of horror appeared in all their faces, though Arcturus only lifted an eyebrow and seemed more intrigued than anything.

 

"Oh Fenral, protect us. Normal Gyarados are bad enough!". Delta Lockhart exclaimed while her Dewgong made a distressed sound.

 

"Let’s finish with the Circuits themselves, shall we?. Has any trainer caught your attention since our last online meeting?". Champion Joseph asked to gain back the attention of the room.

 

"None, all a bunch of weaklings". Emmett answered with a dismissive wave of his hand.

 

Remus didn’t bother to conceal his eye-roll at the Psychic Master’s words.

 

"Seeing as Roark Chilikov of Sinnoh just decimated you and your team last week, I really doubt your statement". Remus couldn’t help but give a barbed comment. ‘I’m still mad from the first meeting, sue me’.

 

Emmett and his Grumpig didn’t seem to appreciate his comment, if looks (Human looks that is) could kill, Remus would already be buried. But Remus wasn’t intimidated, being more than happy to maintain eye contact with the older man while sending him his own challenging look while a smirk played on his lips.

 

"How many badges does he have already?". Ignis Yaxley asked while sending Remus a slightly scolding look, though amusement danced in his poison-blue eyes.

 

"Five, I have him scheduled for his sixth badge after the holidays". Augusta Longbottom informed them.

 

"I see he isn’t going by the recommended challenge order". Ignis commented.

 

"Well, he is an Elite Trainer so he is fighting our personal teams regardless of the order he challenge us at". Arthur explained.

 

"Do we know why he came here? Mr. Chilikov came too late on the circuit for his motives to have been something as simple as just wanting to participate in our League". Asked Bianca Abbott.

 

"The kid has daddy issues". Elektra answered her.

 

"You aren’t much older than him, ya know?". Delta chimed with a snort while inspecting her manicured nails.

 

"After receiving his request to participate in our League I also received another request coming from his father, Gym Leader Byron, to keep an eye on him". Elektra continued without deigning Delta with an answer, though her eyebrow twitched. "I got curious after getting that last request and did some digging. Apparently the two got into a row over the Oreburgh Gym. It seems that the Sinnoh League has requested for Byron to take over the Canalave Gym next year since Gym Leader Braka wants to retire and doesn’t have anyone to take over from him. Byron accepted, a decision that was also helped by the iron mines of Canalave City and the Iron Island offering him to take charge of their mining operations. Roark wasn’t happy about it, wanting to continue with the Oreburgh Gym since it has been in their family since Roark’s great-grandmother gained the position".

 

"Indeed". Champion Joseph confirmed her words. "Champion Cynthia has also requested me to update her on his progress, the lad wants to take over the Oreburgh Gym and she intents to accept or decline his request depending on his showing here this year".

 

A small smile twitched on Remus’s lips at the mention of the Sinnoh Champion that he tried to conceal. Although Moony and Aqua cough on it, the two mons sending him knowing looks with Moony even waving his ‘eyebrows’ suggestively. Remus flicked Moony’s snout for his troubles, much to the Lycanroc’s and Swamper’s amusement.

 

"Well, I would say Mr. Chilikov is doing pretty well so far, he is flying through the circuit. He arrived here one month and a half after the start of it and he is already going to challenge me for his sixth badge". Augusta observed with approval in her voice. "It wouldn’t surprise me if he requested to battle you six after finishing acquiring our badges". The old woman added towards Remus, Ignis, Delta, Matilda, Aayaan Shafiq and Xenophilius Lovegood.

 

"How grand". Delta muttered sarcastically, clearly displeased by the prospect.

 

Remus heard Ignis give a sound of consideration at Augusta’s words while Remus himself acknowledged them with a nod of his head towards the Lady Regent Longbottom.

 

"Do we have any other interesting trainers competing in the standard circuit apart from him?". Amos asked the gym leaders at large with clear interest.

 

"Not really, no. At least not from the ones that have reached my gym so far. The only ones that were fun and challenging to battle against were the Elite and Ace trainers competing in the circuit, with some Veterans, and the rare outliers like a Laura Everett of Advanced Level, thrown into the mix. But apart from those, and I hate to say it, but Selwyn is…pretty much correct with his previous statement. There really are more and more trainers each year that are more worried about looking good and ‘impressive’ to the cameras than actual battling. For Wairuus’s shake! I’ve had more entertaining and challenging battles against Coordinators than what these baths of supposed Battle Trainers are bringing to the table!". Kai answered with a grimace.

 

"It wouldn’t surprise me if this year has the lowest number of participants in the Babylon Confernce recorded in recent history". Bianca added with a disappointed shake of her head.

 

Silence feel at their statements, nobody being able to contradict the Fire Type Master’s words and sharing in the disappointment of the Normal Type Master. ‘Even I as a secondary gym leader have seen it with the few trainers that have come challenge the gym’, Remus thought with a rueful shake of his head. ‘Hopefully, having Sirius at the head of the campaign finally solves this’.

 

"What about Hogwarts’s graduates?". Amos inquired further with a troubled frown on his face.

 

Kai snorted a laugh at the question.

 

"Amos, those are the outliers".

 

"Well, I’m glad Hogwarts standards hadn’t dropped". Bianca commented, almost talking to herself.

 

"What about the Ace and Elite Circuits? Are there any with promise there?". Jeremy Bertram was the one to ask the question this time, a hard frown on his face.

 

The Gym Leaders exchanged looks between themselves before they all turned to look at Arthur, making the red headed man sigh slightly.

 

"I will go first then". Arthur muttered before starting to speak. "Well, I have actually battled against about half of the trainers taking the Ace Circuit and despite the small number of takers, there are some trainers that show promise…".

 

The meeting continued like that, each Gym Leader commenting the possible trainers that they thought had a chance to rise into the ranks of Ace and Elite trainers. Surprisingly, like Arthur commented, there actually were some trainers this year that showed promise despite the low numbers of takers to archive the ranks, there were even those that didn’t manage to make that great of a sowing that demonstrated that they have potential like the Ice Specialist that Remus battled at the start of the circuits. ‘It seems that the drop of quality trainers is serving to show those that actually have what it takes to be a powerful Trainer.’ Remus contemplated to himself.

 

"I don’t know if he told you but I have a scheduled battle against your son, Bill, the sixth of January, so if you and your family want to come see it you are more than welcome, we can even make a day out of it seeing as our kids don’t need to go back to Hogwarts till two days latter. I’m sure Harry would be happy, he and Ron seem to be good friends". Remus commented to Arthur after the end of the meeting.

 

Arthur’s face light up at his words, the redhead exchanging an excited look with Sumac, his Beedrill, .

 

"I will talk to Molly, but that would be wonderful. Thank you, Remus". Arthur responded.

 

With the meeting over all the pillars of the Region were mingling a little before departing, something they were more than comfortable doing with this meeting not having ended in a sour note like the first one did. Though a select few were lingering for something more than to exchange pleasantries.

 

Remus discreetly eyed the door, giving a concealed sigh of relief when Kai closed it behind himself after giving his goodbyes. It seemed that his departure served to change the mood of the room, turning it back to the serious atmosphere that it had been while they were in the meeting.

 

"Arcturus, Remus". Champion Joseph called, giving the two a meaningful look.

 

The Lord of the House of Black and the Heir of the House of Lupin exchanged grave looks between themselves before gazing at the rest of the occupants of the room; Christopher Greengrass, Amaranta Zabini, Augusta Longbottom, Arthur Weasley, Bianca Abbott, Amos Diggory, Jeremy Bertram, Elektra Levina, Amelia Bones and Joseph Nott. With the exception of Bianca and the Elite Four, all of them had something in common: all their kids where involved in the Halloween incident at Hogwarts.

 

Remus and Arcturus took seats on the now vacated table and, seeing the seriousness on their faces, the rest did the same.

 

"I’m sure all of us are quite knowledgeable on the happenings at Hogwarts this last Halloween". Started Remus.

 

"Aye, more than I would like". Said Christopher with a thigh face.

 

"Nasty business, it got the Pokémon of the Forbidden Forest quite enraged. That Grimmsnarl of the central area is still angry and itching for a fight. He has my Rangers on their toes dealing with him". Amos added. "Thanks again for your, and your gym trainer’s, assistance Christopher".

 

The Ice Type Master nodded his head in acknowledgment.  

 

"It must have been really bad if Dumbledore asked for your help". Elektra commented with a lifted eyebrow.

 

"Professor Dumbledore is many things, but he takes the security of his charges quite seriously". Bianca said to the Lightning Empress of the Elite Four.

 

" Why do you bring this back up, Remus?". ‘It’s been two months‘, went implied in Arthur’s question, a frown of his face but his words were gentle at the same time.

 

"Did your children tell you about the figure hiding between the trees during the attack?". Remus answered with a question.

 

"Yes". Joseph, Christopher and Augusta answered simply.

 

"My little Blaise made a mention of it". Amaranta answered, a glint on her purple eyes showing that she knew what this was about.

 

"What figure?". Asked Arthur with his eyes sharpening at this apparently new, for him, information.

 

"There is more to the rampage? Why wasn’t I informed?". Amelia asked sharply.

 

"There wasn’t a need. I have Amaranta already investigating it". Champion Joseph answered Amelia with a calm and collected tone.

 

That didn’t seem to appease the strongest of the Elite Four.

 

"So you noticed too". Arcturus stated.

 

Arcturus words brought the attention of the others towards him.

 

"Notice what, Lord Black? What was in the school with my daughter?". Bianca asked with clear worry.

 

"Don’t look so worried, woman. Your girl wasn’t even in the forest during the incident".

 

That made Bianca’s Heliolisk bristle and extend her frills threateningly at Arcturus. Eltanin snorted at the smaller lizard, something the Heliolisk took offense of.

 

"Scada, stop". Bianca commanded her Pokémon with a calm voice, making the dual Normal and Electric Type relax her posture (But not before giving one last threatening hiss towards the Dragon Type Master and his Pokémon).

 

"Lord Black/ Arcturus". Remus and Joseph chastised the old Lord.

 

Arcturus harrumphed but didn’t say more. Sighing in exasperation, Remus took over talking from the old Lord.

 

" Answering your question, we think…we were pretty sure…Agh, okey, I will just say it". Remus took a deep breath. "We suspect that it was Tano who instigated the attack".

 

The only ones not to outwardly react at that name were Jospeh and Amaranta, something in their faces and the glint in their eyes told Remus that the two reached that conclusion in their own investigation. Though Elektra and Jeremy looked a little lost more than anything.

 

"You-Know-Who’s starter?". Bianca asked with surprise and skepticism, though fear was noticeable in her voice at the mention of said Pokémon.

 

"The same". Remus nodded his head.

 

Remus response produced a cacophony of noise form the others, with disbelief being the principal force behind their reactions.

 

"Why?". Jeremy’s simple question quieted the room.

 

"Because Voldemort’s-". Bianca and Amos flinched at the name while Arthur grimaced slightly at Remus saying the Corrupted Trainer’s Name.

 

Arcturus took exception to that.

 

"Oh for Giratina’s sake!. You are Elite Trainers, show some fucking backbone! He is not going to appear as if summoned for saying his name!". Arcturus barked with a punctuating tape of his cane on the stone floor.

 

The three looked chagrined at his rebuke.

 

"…As I was saying". Remus continued after a moment. "Because Voldemort’s Pritsa is one of the three Pokémon belonging to him that we don’t know the whereabouts of since the Halloween night of 1981. And because, what happened at Hogwarts?…That’s something I’ve seen that monster do many times during the war with and without Voldemort’s instructions".

 

"Tano is also the only one with a motive who is also able to ensnare so many different Pokémon of so many different strength levels in an illusion fueled by Dark Type Aura. Motive he showcased when he stayed to observe his handiwork with the Grimmsnarl". It was Amaranta who finished for Remus, surprising him slightly at doing so.

 

"Wait a moment. Pritsa? What is a Pritsa? Everybody knows that Voldemort’s starter was a Zoroa". Said Elektra with a confused face.

 

"That’s what the public believes". Joseph said. "And you wouldn’t be totally wrong, Tano is a Zoroark. But he isn’t a normal one". Joseph gazed around the room before nodding his head like if he had reached upon an internal conclusion. Tapping the table, Joseph made appear the holographic computer of his seat and taping some of the keys made a much larger holographic screen appear from the middle of the table. "This,". Joseph continued while taping some words into the keyboard. "is Tano".

 

From the central screen an image of a huge bipedal white and red fox appeared, the image of the Pokémon was captured with the monster roaring at the camera, sharp teeth in full display with spittle flying from his mouth, claws and fur coated in blood, surroundings destroyed around him, white and red mane flying in the wind while crazed red irises on yellow sclera gazed with hate at the unfortunate soul that was crazy enough to take the picture. It may have been only a picture, but even that took the breath of the occupants of the room away.

 

"I have never seen a Pokémon like this". Jeremy whispered, his troubled gaze not leaving the image.

 

" That’s because he is the first of his kind in more than four hundred years. One of the few Hisuian forms to actually be extinct. ‘Pritsa’ was what the indigenous populace of ancient Sinnoh, at the time called Hisui, called these Pokémon. The name comes from an amalgamation of words of the old Sinnohan language that roughly translates to Ghostly Fox…That’s the kindest name they gave these creatures". Joseph explained before his gaze fell upon Remus. "I’m surprised you knew the name".

 

"I traveled through Sinnoh for my… journey after the war". Remus left it at that, making a funny face while mentioning the journey.

 

Remus noted Arcturus lips twitching before the old Lord schooled his features into his usual mask. Remus decided not to react to the old Lord, though he felt his eye twitch in fond annoyance towards the man.

 

"If they are extinct, how in distortion did You-Know-Who get one as his starter?". Elektra asked perplexed.

 

"Tano wasn’t always a Pritsa, or Hisuian Zoroark if you prefer. Voldemort made him one". Joseph responded, his gaze never leaving the image of said Pokémon.

 

Silence fell at Joseph’s words, all their gazes gravitating towards the picture.

 

"How…How did he do it?". Jeremy, the always stoic Jeremy, asked with apprehension.

 

"Borrowing the words of professor Ollivander: ‘He was a terrible monster, yes, but a brilliant individual, and he did things nobody else would have dreamed of doing, terrible things’". Remus repeated with a reminiscent look on his eyes, the words of the professor having engraved themselves into his brain since he heard them that day at Diagon Alley with Harry and Professor McGonagall.

 

Focusing again in the present, Remus found all the eyes of the room gazing at him with a varied array of emotions.

 

"Hugh!, that old fossil!". Augusta growled while her lips pinched in a thin sour line.

 

Arcturus snorted a laugh at her words and Joseph cracked a smile, Augusta having dispelled the heavy feeling without realizing. With a press of specific keys of the holographic keyboard from Joseph part, the terrible image of Tano banished from the room, making all of them subconsciously relax their muscles.

 

"What are we gonna do? And what does this mean?". Jeremy asked having recuperated his cool.

 

"Nothing good…Regretfully, we can’t do much at the moment but be vigilant". Joseph answered the youngest of the Elite Four.

 

"Tano’s presence in the forest was practically none existent, but I can confirm that he indeed was there. Though, if it wasn’t because I knew that something was out there instigating the rampage I would have missed it". Said Amaranta. "I’m afraid there is nothing I or my agents can do to trap him. The Zoroa line is already hard to even get a glimpse of if they don’t want to be seen, let alone catch. But this Zoaroark in particular?…". Amaranta gave a rueful sake of her head.

 

"So we do nothing?". Remus asked incredulous, his hand tightening into a fist under the table.

 

"Who said I wasn’t doing something already?". Amaranta contradicted with a tilt of her head.

 

Remus got a perplexed look on his face at her words.

 

"…You have some of your agents infiltrated in my Rangers at Hogwarts". Amos stated with a flat look towards the Ghost Type Master.

 

Amaranta smirked at him, a ghostly laugh being heard from her shadow. Amos shook his head, but he looked more impressed and amused than anything.

 

"I still want to know why I wasn’t informed of this. It’s my job to ensure the safety of the region". Said Amelia with a hard frown.

 

"So is mine". Amaranta countered, giving Amelia an unapologetic look.

 

"It was my decision, Amelia. And it was as simple as Amaranta’s job lining better for this than yours". Joseph stated with a tone of finality.

 

"Why agree to this meeting and in telling us now then? I’m sure the moment Remus started talking you could have sent us away if you didn’t want us to know about this. And why just us beside? Shouldn’t the rest of the Pillars be informed?". Arthur asked Joseph.

 

"Because I don’t like what it means for Tano to appear now after all these years. Amelia, Jeremy, Elektra and Amos deserve to know simply because they are my Elite Four, the rest of you deserve to know because all our children are friends and were the ones targeted by Tano this Hallowing. Bianca’s daughter may not have been targeted, but she is the Head of the Education Department and the attack was at Hogwarts with falls under her purview". Joseph stated while looking each of them in the eyes. "As to why I’m not telling the others? Simply put, some I don’t think it pertains them at the moment, I will see if I think it necessary in the future to inform them if things escalate, while the others-.

 

"I will personally wring their necks before I let the likes of Selwyn, Shafiq and Bulstrode get a whiff of what we have talked about here". Arcturus stated, interrupting the champion on his explanation. "I don’t think I have to explain why that would be a bad idea, do I?". Arcturus asked, challenging the rest of the occupants of the room with his gaze.

 

None refuted him.

 

"So, are we the only ones to know about this?". Asked Christopher with an exceptional eyebrow.

 

"Of course not, I’m sure that old goat at Hogwarts had reached the same conclusion. And Sirius was part of the discussion after Harry told us about the incident". Said Arcturus.

 

"Hmmm. I would appreciate if none other gets to know about this". Champion Joseph sounded it like a request but everyone knew that it was an order.

 

None of them refused his command.

 

"Now, lets get out of here. I know I’m not the only one with an appointment with a train". Joseph said while standing from his chair and ending the meeting.

 

---

 

The Hogwarts’s express whistled while entering platform nine and three quarters, its wheels screeching to a stop. The nerves and excitement from the families waiting for their children in the platform increased, everyone waiting for the doors of the train to open and let the horde of children and Pokémon descend its confines. With a sound that reminded Remus of an exhale, the motor of the train turned off and its doors finally opened.

 

"Do you see him?". Ned asked, craning his neck while using a hand to lift the winter hat on his head that keep on falling on his eyes.

 

The platform became more and more crowded with each passing minute as students and their Pokémon began to get off the train and ran towards their families. Remus sweep his gaze through the length of the train, trying to get a glimpse of his son’s untamable black hair or of Dante’s unique white fur.

 

"There". Lyall was the one to locate him first.

 

Turning to look at the direction his father was pointing at, Remus saw Harry, Hedwig at his shoulder and Dante beside him, descending the train amidst his friends.

 

"Are we sure it’s safe to let him be friends with some of those brats?". Sirius asked quietly to Remus.

 

"Sirius". Remus said chidingly.

 

"Right, right, they are good kids". Sirius backtracked with a sigh and an eye-roll.

 

"Harry!". Ned shouted while jumping and waving his hands excitedly in the air.

 

Harry’s gaze snapped in their direction and a huge smile formed on his face. Remus’s own face developed a smile when Ned sprang into a run towards Harry with Moony and Padfoot right behind him, movement that Harry, Dante and Hedwig mimicked, the two kids colliding into a hug while the three canine Pokémon greeted each other enthusiastically with barks and play fighting. Sirius barked a laugh at their antics while he, Remus and Lyall started to walk towards them at a much sedated pace.

 

"Hello, son". Remus said with a soft smile when he reached the two preteens, interrupting Ned’s enthusiastic chatter.

 

Harry’s head turned to look at him, his features brightening even more if possible.

 

"Dad!". Harry exclaimed while launching himself at Remus’s open arms.

 

"I missed you, cub". Remus said softly, planting a kiss atop Harry’s head before ending the hug.

 

"‘Missed you too". Harry answered back.

 

"Don’t I get a hug?". Asked Sirius with a mock pleading look.

 

Harry smirked at the man, a mischievous light illuminating his eyes before turning towards Lyall instead.

 

"Grandpa Lyall!". Harry exclaimed with exaggerated enthusiasm before crushing the old man with a hug.

 

Sirius exclaimed in mock hurt while Remus and Ned joined Lyall in his laughter, the old man returning Harry’s hug all the while.

 

"Grandpa hmm? I see you have your priorities straight". Said Lyall after ending the huge, ruffling Harry’s hair affectionately.

 

"Oh, the pain! Betrayed by my own godson!". Sirius lamented while lifting a hand to his forehead and putting on a sad face.

 

Harry sighed in mock exasperation before approaching Sirius and giving him his own greeting hug. Sirius was quick in returning it, starting to sway from side to side exaggeratedly getting a laugh from the green eyed kid.

 

"Well, shall we go home?. Had you said your goodbyes?". Remus asked after Sirius and Harry ended their hug. When Harry nodded his head, a happy smile on his face, Remus continued. "Then, let’s go home".

 

…

 

"She is so cute!". Harry whisper-shouted with starts on his eyes while looking at the sleeping baby Tyrunt.

 

It has been two hours since they returned to the Villa and the group was now sprawled over the living room, boxes full of Christmas decorations were spread around the room.

 

"Cute? Rexy isn’t cute. If anything, she is fierce!". Sirius exclaimed in mock outrage in behalf of his youngest partner.

 

A kricketune could be heard in the ensuing silence, the rest of the occupants of the room gazing at the Black Heir with deadpan expressions. Lyall snorted a laugh, promptly hiding his smile by ducking his face into a box full of Christmas’s lights when Sirius sent him a mock angry look.

 

"She will be fierce when she stops going to sleep the minute you release her from her PokéBall". Was Ned’s sassy remark.

 

"Shush, you! She is just a cute little babe!". Sirius defended.

 

"Sooo, you admit she is cute?". Harry asked with an innocent tilt of his head.

 

"Of course she…". Sirius paused, a frown of realization forming on his face. "Ah, well played you two. You had me there". Harry’s godfather gave a few slow claps of his hands while nodding appreciatively at the two preteens.

 

Harry and Ned smirked triumphantly at him before first bumping each other.

 

"Aren’t you three supposed to be helping me?". Remus asked form where he stood mounting the fake Christmas’s tree. "Thank you, Fist". Remus said to Sirius’s Kommo-o, taking hold of the middle piece of the tree the Pokémon was offering him before inserting it on the base.

 

Fist jiggled his scales in reply, a happy expression on his face, before darting away to get more decorations and almost tripping upon Axe’s tail in his haste, to the amusement of the other Pokémon in the room.

 

"I can’t believe you are using a fake tree. Where’s your Christmas spirit?!". Sirius asked flamboyantly while approaching to help the ground type master.

 

"Gone on vacation with my patience for your antics". Was Remus quick and merciless response.

 

"Oohh! Buuurrn!". Harry and Ned teased, earning themselves a flick to their foreheads to their increased amusement.

 

"Ha Ha Ha! Very funny". Said Sirius sarcastically.

 

…

 

"The League has offered me a job". Sirius commented almost casually some time latter, when all the decorations where finally set up and they were all just lounging in the living room while enjoying a mug (or more) of hot chocolate.

 

Harry turned his gaze towards his godfather, but the man seemed quite interested in an arguing Axe and Aqua at the other end of the room. Harry exchanged gazes with the others, but Ned looked as lost as Harry felt and Remus and Liyall looked exasperated at Sirius but neither man seemed inclined to say anything.

 

"OK, that’s good!…Right?". Harry ended for answering with.

 

Sirius scratched his neck with a grimace.

 

"Yeah, it is". Said Sirius before giving a sigh.

 

"You don’t seem that happy with it". Harry stated.

 

"Oh, no. It’s a good offer. It’s just…that it would have me be out of the region for a long time. A year to be precise". Sirius finished, finally gazing at Harry even if he seemed afraid of his reaction.

 

"Oh…now?". Harry asked with a small frown.

 

"No! No, no. I wold have to go at the start of September of next year. We still have a lot of time to spend together". Sirius reassured him.

 

Harry relaxed at that.

 

"What is the job?". Ned asked next to Harry.

 

Harry inclined his head in curiosity at his adoptive brother’s question.

 

"Well, you see. There has been some problems with trainers not performing to the League’s standards. They want me to give them a model to look upon to change their…training… approach". Sirius answered.

 

Ned snorted a laugh.

 

"They want you to become an Influencer?". Ned asked with mirth in his voice.

 

Harry snickered at that, being joined by Remus and Liyall when Sirius could only sputter in response.

 

"How do they want you to do that?". Harry managed to ask between snickers.

 

"By participating in a League". Sirius gritted out. "Can you lot cut it out? I tough you supported this?". Sirius finally snapped, rounding on Remus for his final question with crossed arms and a pout on his face.

 

"I am!, I am, I promise". Remus answered while lifting his hands in surrender. "Just…I can’t stop seeing you dressed as a teenage girl while talking into your phone!". Remus burst out laughing again.

 

Sirius looked at him with a flat expression.

 

"…Anyway…You don’t mind me doing this? You don’t seem to mind". Sirius asked Harry, a worried expression again on his face.

 

"I don’t mind Siri, I will be at Hogwarts by then. And you will have something to do while I’m at school beside being a Slugma for Uncle Arcturus to take care off". Said Harry with a teasing smirk.

 

"Cheeky brat". Sirius mock growled, reaching to ruffle Harry’s hair.

 

"Where are you going to do it anyway?". Harry asked curiously while bathing away Sirius’s reaching hands.

 

"Johto, I have some affairs to take care off over there. This way, I can kill two Spearow with one stone". Sirius explained.

 

"Johto, eh?. That’s where Dante’s and Hedwig’s species were first discovered! I’m sure there must be some text about them only the Johtonians have". Harry exclaimed excitedly, his two Pokémon perking up at his words, before he turned his pleading emerald gaze towards the Dragon Type master. "Could you bring some back?".

 

"What in distortion!? Is this why you want me!?. My own godson, only interested in what I can buy him!. Oh, the disappointment!! Ned is my favorite now!".

 

---

 

Harry awoke with a groan, reaching for his Poryphone so he could stop the incessant ringing of the device. Taking the Pokémon-inhabited-device on hand, Harry finally noticed that it was a call and no the alarm what was ringing.

 

"Yes?". Harry answered the phone groggily.

 

"HARRY!!".

 

The green eyed boy yelped at the loud voice blaring from the speaker, the surprise making him lose his grip on the phone. Dante woke startled when the PoryPhone landed on him, the white pup falling off the bed with a yip that also woke Hedwig from her slumber, much to her irritation.

 

"..Sorry..". Harry whispered contrite to his frowning companions while clutching the phone protectively towards his chest. "Nev, what in distortion!? You almost gave me a heart attack. Why are you up so early?". Harry asked after putting the phone back on his ear.

 

"Harry! It’s a disaster". Came Neville’s panicked voice from the other side of the phone.

 

"Wait, Nev…Are you crying? By Fenral, are you okey?". Asked Harry now sitting properly in his bed and much more awake.

 

"Noo! I’m not okey. My plants! Something has eaten my plants while I was at Hogwarts!. Please Harry, you have to help me find who did this!".

 

 

Notes:

Hello people, sorry for the wait! Regretfully, this is gona be the new norm for the year. I think I said it alredy, but I have started studying and my time has been severely reduced by it. So I dont know when I will be able to share the next chapter. I'm really sorry by this.
Anyway, if there is still someone reading this after my three/four month absent, I hope you enyoyed the chapter!

Chapter 25: An Apple Dessert for a Christmas Carol

Notes:

Disclaimor: Don't own Harry Potter or Pokémon. I only own the original characters and the original Pokémon.

English is not my first language, so if you see spelling mistakes, don't hesitate in telling me.

 

Sirius pressed the turn off button of his computer and stretched on his seat, giving a content groan when he felt all of the kinks of his back loosening and the vertebrae of his spine popping. ‘Legendaries, and that was just the first meeting?’ Sirius thought with a resigned sigh.

Sirius had just finished his first online meeting with the team in charge of his public image, and they have descended upon him like a pack of ravenous Mightyenas.

"Sorry, Padfoot". Sirius apologized with a rueful smile when his Aura Bonded Mightyena gave him an indignant bark. The Dark Type having caught the stray thought and not liking the analogy.

Getting up from the office chair, Sirius exited the small office attached to his personal quarters into the hallway of the keep’s family wing, intent on exiting the castle for some training with his team. While walking through the tapestry covered halls, Sirius couldn’t help but think of the meeting he just had. The publicists the League assigned him had a lot of ideas to attract the public’s attention, and more importantly other trainers attention. They seemed almost fervent in their enthusiasm, something that Sirius couldn’t help but attribute to the previous ‘failures’ with the trainers that came before him. Sirius just wasn’t sure what to think of the most popular approach they wanted to take, using his stay in Azkaban and emphasize the way he was working to gain his previous strength didn’t sit well with him. He thought it a good idea, great even, but too personal for his liking. ‘But, that’s the price of accepting to do this, I suppose’ Thought Sirius with a sigh.

"Young Master".

"Markus?". Sirius asked a little startled, not having seen the head butler coming, while stoping at his call.

Markus bowed in greeting with his Mienfoo doing the same beside him.

"Lord Black is asking for your presence, Master Sirius. He is waiting for you in the family lounge". Markus informed him with his calm and poised voice.

"The lounge? Not in his office?". Sirius asked in surprise even while already starting to walk in the direction of said room.

Markus and Mienfoo accompanied him while walking a step behind Sirius and Padfoot. Sirius internally rolled his eyes at that deferential act, though he has learned to not fight Markus over his acts of deference a long time ago. The old butler was quite stubborn on maintaining proper protocol at all times, no matter what Sirius said to make him relax when around him.

"Indeed Master Sirius. Lord Black is entertaining a guest. Your great-aunt, Mistress Cassiopeia, has graced Blackstone with her presence".

Sirius tripped on thin air.

"Fuck".

…

"No calls, no visits, no nothing. It has been months since you, young man, got out of Azkaban, but it seems that the two of you forgot the rest of the family!. Well, have you anything to say for yourselves?".

"It’s good to see you again, Aunt Cass".

The family sitting room was as opulently and extravagantly decorated as the rest of the castle. A huge beaded chandelier dangled from the naked ceiling, rafters of dark polished wood with intricate runic designs crossing said cealing, a massive stone chimney takes up almost all the north wall, equally big double doors of dark ebony wood takes the south wall while windows in the east wall illuminated the tapestry depicting the family tree of the House of Black that covers the west wall. This was the same room were Sirius entertained Harry and Remus when his godson came to visit, with the same stupidly expensive carpet, the same stupidly expensive couches with their stupidly expensive pillows that they used to sit on the floor,…but the atmosphere of the room was noticeable much more awkward than back then.

Cassiopeia Black sat primly in one of the two armchairs surrounding the tea table in all her regal and silver haired glory while grandfather Arcturus sat on the other. Her starter, Loud the Noivern (it was rare, but some members of the Black’s didn’t bond with Axew at eleven) dangling like a bat from the rafters (Sirius got his naming sense from her, though he wouldn’t admit it even under torture).

Sirius’s great aunt sent him a narrowed eyed gaze, unimpressed with his check.

"What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be lordling your minions in that ruin of yours?". Sirius asked in a joking tone and a cheeky smirk.

"Ruin!? I should wash your mouth with bleach! My temple is no ruin". Aunt Cass answered in mock outrage, her silver eyes sparkling in amusement, not answering the first question.

His grandfather took note of that.

"Did you inform Enishida of your absence?". Granfather asked with an eyebrow lifted in question.

"Who do you take me for, brother? Of course I didn’t". Aunt Cass dismissed with an elegant wave of her hand.

His grandfather and Eltanin sighed in exasperation making Sirius and Padfoot snicker. Aunt Cassiopeia was the only one able to break the great Lord Arcturus firm control over his emotions with such ease. Sirius relaxed on his seat, feeling the atmosphere lighten.

"If he wanted to be informed, that fat mongrel with his Alolan shirts should treat us better, instead of expecting us to live and breath for the Battle Frontier". Sirius’s aunt continued after seeing the unimpressed look upon her bother’s face. "Scott owes me three months of paid leave. Three!". Aunt Cass exclaimed in anger that Sirius knew was feigned.

"Leave the job then". Sirius said while lifting one of the cups of tea, that have been left untouched upon the tea table, to cover his smile.

"Never". Aunt Cass said with an actually offended look at his suggestion. "Anyway, I didn’t come here to talk about my deserved break from work. But to talk about you". She finished, jabbing a manicured finger Sirius’s direction.

"Me?".

"Yes, you. What are you going to do now that you are free?".Aunt Cass asked while lacing her hands upon her lap.

"Well, the league has contracted me for...". Sirius started saying.

"Yes, yes. Arcturus has already informed me of that". Aunt Cass interrupted him with a dismissive wave of her hand. "I mean what are you going to do for the continuation of our house?".

Sirius frowned slightly at his aunt, fidgeting slightly on his seat feeling the previous awkwardness start to return to the room.

"Really, boy?. I knew you were slow, but I didn’t know you were actually stupid". Aunt Cass said when Sirius took more time than she liked to answer her.

"Hey!".

"You are the heir of House Black, and you don’t have a heir of your own!. And what are you? Thirty-one?, your grandfather had his kids already at Hogwarts with that age…".

"A little difficult for me to have kids this last decade!. Besides it’s 2091, things are...". Sirius tried to interrupt his aunt, but she ignored him.

"So, what plans do you have to rectify that?". Aunt Cass continued like if Sirius hadn’t talked. Sirius gazed at his grandfather for help, but the old man was just drinking from his tea while reclining on his armchair. "I have a list of young ladies that would be perfect for the next Lady Consort Black".

Sirius felt one of the vertebrae of his neck pop with how quickly he turned to look at his great-aunt again.

"Wait a minute, what...?".

"There is Ellois Markgarden, oldest daughter of the Markgardens…".

"Aunt Cass...".

"…, Lucy Laim, lovely lady with an affinity for reptiles and reptilian Pokémon, principally serpents. And she is a fellow Frontier Brain to boot!; Then there is Daisy Oak, she doesn’t need a presentation I’m sure…".

"An Oak? Have you even talked to those woman? Wait!, that’s not important. Aunt Cass I’m no...". Sirius tried to interrupt her again, starting to feel agitated. Padfoot sifting on her place beside in respond to his emotions.

"There is also Ursula Cruz, Hazel King, Eleonor Merriwater...".

"Aunt Cass!". Sirius exclaimed, jumping to his feet and finally interrupting her.

His great-aunt looked at Sirius with an startled expression, her noble training the only thing preventing her from jumping in surprise. Loud fidgeted in agitation form the rafters, the Noivern unfurling his wings slightly from his body to uncover his eyes so he could gaze at them, and making the rafter he was dangling from groan slightly in protest.

Taking a deep breath, Sirius continued.

"Aunt Cass, I…appreciate your help, but it’s unnecessary. Granfather and I already have a plan for the next heir. We will...". Sirius started to explain before being interrupted again.

"Oh? And what about the Lady to give you that heir? I don’t need to tell you that you need two to make a kid, do I?".

"Aunt Cassiopeia, I’m gay!". Sirius exploded. "A little difficult for me to have kids when I can’t make it rise in the company of a naked woman".

There was a minute of tense silence while Sirius and his aunt gazed at each other. Sirius felt his heart try to scape his chest, this was the first time he came out to another member of his blood family, his grandfather being the only one of his blood relatives since the death of mama Dorea and papa Charlus who knew of his sexual orientation (James and Lily also knew, obviously).

"Well…". Aunt Cass started slowly. "I also have a list for a possible Lord Consort". She continued totally unfazed.

Sirius sat with a groan, putting his face on his hands (Even if he felt a roaring fondness for his great-aunt at that moment).

"But, I think we need to talk agencies now to give you a heir. Since it’s obvious the usual method isn’t available". Aunt Cass said. "I would have to look into it, but I think the Kangaskhan Agency is still considered the best of Unova to contract surrogates".

"No". Sirius said firmly.

"No?".

"Yes, no. Aunt Cass, even if I didn’t have certain conflictive feeling about surrogacy that I won’t be discussing now. It would be pointless because I. Am. Sterile". Sirius enunciated each word carefully. "My stay in Azkaban left damage that even the best medics and healers couldn’t repair".

"…I see". Aunt Cass said after a moment, a thoughtful frown barely noticeable in her features. "So, what was that plan of yours then? Or do you plan to have Narcissa’s boy inherit after you?".

"I would see our house crumble into dust before I let a Malfoy get even one miserable Dustox’s eaten rug from this family". Granfather said from his seat, reminding Sirius of his presence.

"We have a plan, Aunt Cass". Sirius added to his grandfather’s ultimatum. "And me going to Johto the next league year is the start of it".

"Oh?". His aunt, Temple Priestress Cassiopeia Black, Frontier Brain of the Battle Frontier of the Yggsill region, gave a questioning sound at his words. Tilting her head, Cassiopeia looked from Sirius to his grandfather with a considering look on her face. It didn’t take but a moment for her eyes to shine in understanding. "Oh".

 

---

 

Harry took a deep breath, trying to abate the nausea of the teleportation and feeling proud of managing to calm himself in just a few seconds, his body finally seeming to be getting accustomed to the bizarre transport method. Feeling triumphant, Harry sent a cheeky grin Ned’s way, his adoptive brother having been gazing at him with an expectant look. The violet eyed boy pouted at him, disappointed that his teasing opportunity seems to not be available anymore.

"Well, boys. Let’s not make the Longbottoms wait". Said Lyall, graving their attention.

After saying their goodbyes to Claydol, and seeing the ancient doll teleport back to Remus, the three exited the teleportation point and started to walk towards the ancient home of the Longbottoms. Looking around while they walked, Harry couldn’t help but be charmed by the little town. Long’s Town was a quaint rustic town encompassed in nature, it’s buildings of old stones and wood seeming to be made to blend with the many trees that polluted the cobblestone roads, making the town seem to be a natural part of the ancient Oldbark Forest. The snow covering the top of the trees and rooftops, and the many Christmas decorations, only served to enhance the charming felling of the settlement.

The town was beautiful, in Harry’s opinion, with a relaxing atmosphere abut it that made him smile. Hedwig and Dante seemed to share his opinion, if the feelings they were emanating were anything to go by. The avian was perched atop Harry’s shoulder and enjoying the aura of the town with closed eyes, while the canine walked in a leisurely pace beside the group in contrast to his usual excitable personality.

It wasn’t long before the group reached their destination, Baileyana Hall. The ancient seat of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Longbottom was situated at the outskirts of the town, with just ten meters separating the fenced gate of their property from their closest neighbours. A great contrast from the Black seat and more reminiscent of how the Lupins have theirs built. Though, like the Blacks and in contrast with the Lupins, the Longbottoms' coat of arms was proudly displayed upon the closed doors, a tree engraved in the upper left corner of the coat with a bear facing it in the upper right corner, the button part of the coat being an arrangement of vertical stripes. Different to the seat of the Blacks though, was the fact that the mansion was at throwing distance of the fence’s entrance.

After gaining passage to the property, the group walked the small distance towards the Baroque style stone mansion. The grounds of the mansion were carefully maintained, beautiful even in the winter season, with Snovers walking the grounds while tending to the plants. It was clear that they were in the home of Grass type experts and masters with just looking at the grounds around them.

Climbing the steps to the doors of the mansion, a smartly dressed middle aged man and an Audino were waiting for them in front of the doors.

"Lord Lupin, Mr. Potter, Mr. Strong, welcome to Baileyana Hall. Please, follow me, Mistress Augustas and Master Neville are waiting for you".

Following the man, clearly a butler, through the doors, the group found themselves entering the warm halls of the mansion. After taking out their coats at the urging of the butler, the Audino taking the clothes away, they followed him through the mansion towards a reception room. Although the walk was short, it didn’t impede Harry and Ned in gazing around while they walked.

Though this wasn’t a castle but a mansion, the décor still reminded Harry of Blakcstone Castle. While lacking the tapestries, the walls were still richly decorated with breathtaking paintings of portraits, still lifes and landscapes (The latter being the more prevalent variety). The furniture decorating the mansion was also richly made, though with woods of much lighter and warmer colours than the type the Blacks preferred for their own seat. All in all, It gave that feeling of things that were stupidly expensive but not for the sake of being expensive for expensiveness sake, but because they seemed to belong in a museum.

Entering the reception room they were greeted by Augusta and Neville with Trevor waiting for them. The old woman regarded them with a calm, if strict, expression, while Neville seemed to be fighting the need to fidget in place.

"Mistress Augusta, your guests. The Lord Lupin and the Messrs Potter and Strong".

"Thank you Stuart, you may return to your duties".

The butler, Stuart, left them alone after giving a respectful bow.

"As strict and proper as always, I see. Seems you still don’t know how to relax, Augie".

"And you seem to regard propriety as poorly as always, Lyall".

The two old people regarded each other with stern expressions for a moment, making the younger members of the room fidget nervously, before Lyall broke in a laugh and even the stern Lady Regent Longbotom sported a smile on her face.

"It’s good to see you out of the Wizengamot, Augusta. The light of your home makes you look lovelier than when we stand in that dreary chamber". Lyall said with a charming smile while he approached Neville’s gran, taking hold of her hand and planting a gentlemanly kiss upon it.

Harry and Ned shared wide eyed looks, the corner of their mouth twitching. Poor Neville looked more than a little bewildered, and a little disgusted too. Lady Longbottom lifted an unimpressed eyebrow, though humor danced in her eyes.

"I caught you in to many a compromised position while in my Prefect rounds for your charm to work on me, young man. It didn’t work when you were eleven in you first year, it won’t work now". Lady Longbottom said with a strict face before she allowed her mouth to form a smile. "Although, I suppose it is good to see you out of work".

Lyall laughed at her words before beckoning Harry and Ned to approach.

"Augusta, let me introduce you to my grandson and my ward. Harry James, Heir Presumptive to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter, and my son and ward of the Ancient House of Lupin, Eddard Simons of House Strong. The two critters with Harry are Hedwig and Dante". Lyall introduced them while putting a hand upon each of their shoulders. "Boys, the Lady Regent Augusta Longbottom".

 

"Lady Longbottom". The two preteens greeted her.

 

"A pleasure. My grandson has told me a lot about you two. Thank you for coming, even if he went about asking in quite the wrong way". Lady Longbottom greeted back before sending a reprimanding look Neville’s way.

Neville ducked his head in embarrassment, a blush spreading through his face.

"But, before you youngsters go to your frolicking, let’s have some tea, shall we?". Lady Longbottom said while making a sweeping gesture towards the tea table already full of snacks and refreshments. "Say, where is your son, Lyall?. I expected to see Remus accompanying you".

"He sends his apologies. There was an incident with some trainers that he…".

…

"Your gran sure is something". Harry commented a while latter when the boys left the two adults to their talks.

The three boys and their Pokémon were walking through the mansion’s corridors towards the greenhouses.

"Yeah, sorry about her". Neville said with a nervous laugh.

"‘didn’t know that Lyall and your grandma went to school together. She seems much older than pops". Ned commented, his hands behind his head in a casual posture while they walked.

"Ned!". Harry hissed in admonishment.

"Life hasn’t been precisely kind to her". Neville defended with a stony stare directed towards Harry’s loudmouth of a brother.

Ned’s wince at the admonition was more than obvious, and Harry couldn’t help but wince alongside him. Interning her son and daughter-In-law, Harry’s godmother in fact, in a permanent ward at the hospital after their minds broke under torture; three years later having to bury her husband of forty years; having to take full custody and responsibility of raising her grandson; taking care of running the gym and the Longbottom holdings alongside all that… No, life hasn’t been kind to the Lady Regent Augusta Longbottom née Perkins.

"Sorry". Contrite, Ned apologized.

Neville just nodded, though his body relaxed significantly at Ned’s apology.

"Thanks for having me, it’s great to actually meet you without a screen in between". Said Ned, trying to save the situation and prevent for a tense silence to form.

"It is, Ron is gonna be jealous I got to meet you in person before him". Neville agreed with a shy but mischievous smile.

"You spend too much time around Blaise". Harry commented with a snort.

"Who said he is the bad influence?". Neville asked while pointedly looking at Harry.

Ned exploded in laughter with Dante, Hedwig and Trevor joining with their own, soon joined by Neville while Harry grumbled in mock anger.

"Where has my shy godbrother gone to?". Harry said under his breath, a smile threatening to break his facade of anger.

It wasn’t long that the boys reached a double door with floral motives engraved in the wood. Opening the doors, Neville led the others into a small hall made of glass, letting them have a clear view of the snow covered grounds. It also let them see three greenhouses surrounding the hall, with three separated doors connecting the greenhouses with it, permitting them access whiteout having to venture outside.

"Wow". Harry and Ned sighed at the same time, mesmerized by the small hall.

Harry couldn’t help but take a deep breath, it smelled wonderful there. A earthy aroma combined with the smell of recently cut grass and the aroma of blossoming flowers. ‘It smells like spring in here’ Harry thought while looking around. The hall looked like a miniature greenhouse by itself, it being an interior garden with benches around the walls and even a fountain in the middle of the room.

Neville puffed his chest in pride, in the way that Harry only saw him do while in herbology class.

"These are the family greenhouses. I’ve been taking care of them since I was six and managed to convince grandmother to let me start taking care of them". Then, Neville deflated, sounding close to tears. "And now something has decided that destroying my plants it’s the sport of the year".

Harry patted his back comfortingly.

"Don’t worry Nev, we will help you find the culprit. So, which greenhouse? Or have all of them been affected?".

Neville denied with his head, leading them towards the door leading to the left greenhouse.

"No, it seems to be staying in this greenhouse. It’s where I’m growing the berry trees and bushes".

"So the thing is hungry". Ned stated with a nod of the head.

"I…actually don’t think so". Said Neville before opening the doors.

What greeted them was a nightmare to any gardener and plant lover. All the trees and bushes were ransacked, their berries lying on the floor with many a broken branch still attached to them.

"Oh, wow. This looks like someone commanded a Pidgey to use gust in here". Harry commented while looking at the destruction around them.

Taking a fallen berry from the floor, an Oran to be precise, Harry gazed at it curiously. Rotating the berry in his hand, Harry saw a really small hole tunneling through the fruit. Rotating the Berry, Harry saw an identical hole at the other side, connecting the two entrances. Squeezing slightly, Harry was surprised by how hard the berry actually was, it almost feeling like a rock.

Hedwig cawed from Harry’s shoulder, inquisitive feelings flowing towards him form her. Lifting the berry towards her for easier access, Hedwig tried to peck at it. She gave an indignant squeak, lifting her wing to her beak to rub it while glaring at the offending fruit. Looking at it, Harry was surprised to only find a chip on the berry’s surface with an almost non existent trickle of juice leaving the new gap on the berry’s skin.

"They are hard!". Ned exclaimed in surprise from behind Harry.

Harry turned to look at him, finding his adoptive brother trying to squeeze a different berry, a Pecha, between his hands.

"Yeah, Hedwig only managed to make a small chink on it". Harry concurred. "And these holes…They seem quite strange".

"You think? They look like the ones made by worms". Said Ned while taking a closer look at the holes found in his own berry. "Think they have something to do with how weird these berries are?".

"They must. I know what an actual worm can do. I fight infections of them very often". Neville said with an upset frown on his face. Approaching Harry, Neville took the Berry from his hand. "See? They have not only hardened, they don’t present any kind of degradation". Neville pointed out while looking at the berry with an intense look. "There isn’t even the oxidation surrounding the holes you typically find when insects dig into fruits".

"…If you say so". Ned scratched the back of his head. "I just know they are weird".

"This has been done by a Pokémon, am I right?". Asked Harry.

"It’s the only explanation, though I don’t know what Pokémon could have done this. I don’t know of any worm or larvae Pokémon small enough to be able to do this". Neville said with a pensive and sad expression.

The sound of a PokeBall opening brought the godbrohers attention towards Ned. The violet eyed boy was crouching on the ground while showing the berry on his hand to a newly released Snubbull. The pink bipedal bulldog gazed around with his perpetually angry face.

"Is that…?". Harry trailed off in surprise while gazing at the new Pokémon. Getting out of his surprise, Harry crossed his arms over his chest. "Does dad know you brought one of the dogs of the Kennel with us?".

"Nope, but pops does". Ned answered with a chirpy voice.

Harry was distracted from responding by Dante approaching the other canine, with got the attention of the other occupants of the greenhouse. Dante planted himself in front of the Snubbull, gaining her attention from the berry she was still smelling.

The two canines locked gazes and firmed their stances.

The Snubbull gave a dismissive chuff, Dante barked at her indignantly while hiding behind Harry’s legs.

Ned crackled with laugher at the interaction while petting Snubbull in congratulation for her victory. Neville was more polity in his amusement, trying to conceal his laugher with a fake cough. Trevor patted Dante’s leg in consolation, with made the white Houndour whine pitifully at the Turwig. Harry and Hedwig couldn’t do much more than facepalmed.

…

After letting Dante and the Snubbull scent the berries for any lingering smell from the perpetrator, the two canines didn’t tardy in finding a trace to follow. The boys and remaining mons followed close behind them

The two canines guided them towards the far back of the greenhouse, where the biggest berry trees resided. These ones were in better condition than the rest, thought not by much more. The boys stoped to watch as the two canines started to circle one of the trees, the only Haban Berry tree present in the part of the greenhouse Harry has seen so far, before sitting on their hunches and barking once at it.

"A Haban tree? Wow, those are rare. Professor Sprout almost had an stroke when Seamus got to close to a sapling". Harry commented.

Neville beamed with pride while gazing at said tree.

"Yep, It’s one of my rarest plants…".Neville said with a beaming smile, just to freeze in horror right after. "Oh, no. My tree!".

Neville and Trevor ran towards it in a panic, joining Dante and Snubbulls in circling the berry tree while inspecting the branches frantically. Understanding his panic, Harry, Ned and Hedwig joined them to try and localize the perpetrator of the destruction.

The were searching for minutes, but whatever it was that had destroyed the other berry trees was elusive. Harry thought to have caught glimpses of it on occasions, a small, thin and long  little creature, but whenever he reached for it or gazed in its direction, it banished between the branches.

"Are you two sure it’s here? I don’t see anything". Ned asked Dante and Snubbull, the two canine Pokémon giving him quite the offended looks for it.

"It’s here, I think I saw it sometimes. But it’s elusive". Affirmed Harry.

"What can we do? I can’t have it destroying more of my berries, much less this one!". Said Neville, the poor boy close to tears and a nervous meltdown.

"Why not fumigate the greenhouse?". Ned asked.

"And potentially kill my plants!? Many of these berry trees are really sensitive to those kind chemicals".

"Beside, Pokémon aren’t affected by them". Harry added to Neville’s words before pausing in thought. "Well, they are, but you would get an angry mon in your hands instead of…ya know". Finished Harry, mimicking cutting his throat to show what he meant.

There was a sudden rustle from the leafs abobe at Harry’s words, but when the group gazed in that direction, it stopped.

The three boys looked at each other helplessly, not knowing what to do. They couldn’t do anything without damaging the plants even further: no pesticides, and no Pokémon moves for the same reason.

"Why don’t we call Ron?. If it’s a Bug type, maybe he knows what it is". Harry asked.

"But…he is grounded".

"So am I and I’m here, aren’t I?".

Harry and Neville gazed at each other whiteout blinking, before the two shrugged at each other.

"It’s worth a try". Neville conceded. "If he got punished by Mr. Weasley, we may be able to reach him. If it was Mrs. Weasley…I will pray for his soul".

"Seriously Nev, you spend too much time with Blaise".

"Again, who said he was the bad influence?".

Ned facked a cough to disguise his laugher. Harry frowned at them both, the two other boys giving him their most innocent looks. It wasn’t effective.

"I hate you some times". Harry deadpanned before reaching for his pocket. "Pory, call Ron, please?".

His PoryPhone came to live and floated in front of him. Pory the Porygone2 materialized on the screen. They looked almost displeased.

"…If I must ". the digital duck agreed with clear reluctance.

"Are you all going to give me check today?". Harry asked no one in particular with a crestfallen face.

The call tone didn’t last long before it connected.

"Hello, Arthur Weasley speaking". Came the voice from the other end.

Harry saw how Pory cringed, even the polygonal ‘eyes’ at the top of the phone made a pained expression. The voice of Lord Weasley came a little distorted and static, not enough to not be understood, but still a little annoying. This was why Pory was reluctant to make the call. Ron has an old phone, a flip flop actually, and the newer technology of the PoryPhones and the RotomPhones don’t accommodate well to calls with such devices.

The boys exchanged glances, feeling a little nervous at having Lord Weasley answer the call instead of Ron.

"Er, hi, Lord Weasley. Can we talk with Ron?". Harry asked nervously before remembering himself. "Oh! Sorry sir, I’m Harry, Harry Potter. I’m a friend of Ron’s". Harry hastily added, cringing at his faux pas.

"Mr. Potter! I didn’t think our first meeting would be through a phone. It’s good to meet you, Ron talks a lot about you. Please call me Mr. Weasley. I’m not too fond of the Lord title outside ceremony". Came the enthusiastic voice at the other end of the call, making Harry relax slightly.

"It’s good to meet you too sir, please call me Harry". Harry answered before exchanging a glance with a nervous Neville.- I’m sorry, sir. But I could really use Ron’s help. I’m at Neville’s place, he is another of Ron’s friends, and we think we have a problem with a Bug Type. We would like to see if he can help us".

There was a pause at the other end, like if Mr. Weasley was pondering something.

"Sure thing, I will call him over. He is due a break from work anyway". Came the response in what Harry thought was an amused tone. "Wait a moment, please". Mr. Weasley added before seeming to suspend the call.

"Seriously?". Deadpanned Ned with Snubbul and Hedwig, the traitor, giving him the same flat looks. "You have the Gym Leader of Antares on call, a Bug Type Master, and you ask for his son’s help in dealing with a bug instead of him?".

Harry blushed in embarrassment. Before he could come with one thing to say, the call was picked again.

"Hello?". Ron’s voice came through the call.

" Hey Ron/‘Shup/Hello, Ron". Harry, Ned and Neville greeted back.

"Hey, Ned is there too! What’s u-Wait! Harry, you are supposed to be grounded too!".Ron exclaimed indignantly, his shout becoming a little shrill from the bad connection between their phones.

Pory sent Harry a petulant glare through the screen.

"And I am". Harry confirmed with a sigh.

"Oh, yeah? With what? Doesn’t look like it from where I’m standing, filthy with Venipede poop". Rom grumbled.

"I have to write two essays. One about the dangers of jumping into a situation without preparing, and the other about what to do when a wild Elite Pokémon starts a rampage". Answered Harry.

"…I think I chose the poop".

"I thought so". Harry snorted.

"So, what do you want? Dad said it was an emergency with a bug?". Inquired Ron with a curious tone.

Harry gazed at Neville, prompting the blonde boy to answer the redhead at the other side of the line.

"The berries are hard you say?". Ron asked after Neville finished the explanation of what was going on. "I think I know what it is…Say, do you have apples?".

"Apples?". Harry, Neville and Ned asked in unison, their mons giving their own inquiring sounds.

…

Ron turned his phone off after the call, a small smile on his lips. Remembering that he still needs to finish cleaning the Venipede’s nest, the freckled redhead resigned himself on finding his father to give him back his phone, since he was grounded without using it. Ron startled, finding his father right behind him the moment he turned around on the spot.

Ron found himself blushing, a warm feeling spreading through his belly. Arthur Weasley has always been an attentive and affectionate father with Ron and his other siblings, always having a moment for all of them no matter what. But the gaze his father was giving him, was one Ron is much more accustomed to see directed towards his older siblings Bill, Charley and Percy.

"What?". Ron asked slightly fidgety.

His father’s smile softened more if possible at his question, he reached an arm to pass his hand through Ron’s hair in an affectionate gesture.

"Nothing, I’m just proud of you".

Ron’s blush intensified, the redhead ducked his head to hid it and the smile that formed through his face. Although he knew his efforts were futile since he felt the blush reaching his ears.

"Thanks, dad". Said Ron. "Does that mean I guessed right?".

"Oh, yes. I’m pretty sure you are correct upon your guess". His father assured, before a mischievous smile that the twins inherited from him spread thought his face. "Though, I’m sure your friends would have appreciated if you said what is destroying poor Neville’s plants instead of just telling them how to lure it out".

"…crap".

…

"Apples? Why in Dialga’s realm do I need bloody apples?". Harry heard Neville’s grumbling before he saw the blonde boy and Trevor appear from behind one of the berry trees carrying a bunch of apples on his arms.

"I think this is the first time I heard you curse in such a way". Harry commented when Neville reached his and Ned’s position observing the Haban berry tree.

Neville just grumbled at Harry

"Any idea why we need the apples? Ron didn’t say what it was we were facing". Ned asked.

"Let’s find out". Said Harry while plucking the apples from Nevilles arms.

Approaching the tree with Dante at his side like a guard, Harry put down his haul in front of it. That got a reaction from whatever it was hiding among the leaves, but after the initial rustle of the tree, the Pokémon stayed hidden. Seeing as the Pokémon probably wouldn’t reveal itself with Harry so close to the tree, the green eyed boy retreated back towards his brothers.

"I think we should hide. Make it believe we aren’t here anymore". Harry suggested quietly as to not alert the hidden Pokémon of his impromptu plan.

The others agreed, all of them finding hiding places they could use and still observe the tree and the pile of apples stoked in front of it. It wasn’t long that Harry saw movement coming from the tree.

"Look, it’s coming down". Harry whispered while pointing in the direction the small creature was climbing down the trunk of the tree.

"Where? I can’t see it". Neville asked while squinting his eyes.

"There, the small green thing climbing down the middle of the trunk". Harry whispered again, coming closer to Neville so the other boy could readjust where he was looking more easily by following where Harry was pointing.

"Blessed Shaymin, that thing is tiny". Neville exclaimed in surprise, barely remembering to keep his voice down as to not alert the still unidentified Pokémon. "I can’t believe such a tiny thing was able of such destruction". Neville said in surprise, a frown on his face sowing that he was still angry with the Pokémon, no matter how tiny it was.

"What I can’t believe is Harry’s sight. Boy, don’t you need glasses?". Ned joked while squinting his own ayes, not being able find the tiny mon.

Harry stuck his tongue at his adoptive brother’s comment, pointedly readjusting said glasses with his middle finger.

"Porygon, scan it quietly please". Neville’s request to his Poryphone interrupted any playful banter Harry and Ned could have started.

His PoryPhone, a model in greens and browns, come to live without a sound as requested. The screen of the phone came to live sowing a close up image of the little being now getting closer to the apples. It was a small creature with the appearance of a green caterpillar with what looked like floppy ears, nowhere near big as any of the other larvae Pokémon any of the boys knew about. Blinking in the middle of the screen was a red message declaring the mon as ‘not identified’.

"Not identified?". Harry asked no one in confusion.

"Wait". Neville said while focusing on the video on the screen. "Green and worm like with flappy ‘ears’? Apples?". Neville’s forest green eyes widened in recognition. "It’s an A...!".

Neville was interrupted by the pokemon giving a small cry of happiness, that was actually quite loud for such a tiny creature (being able to reach all of their ears). The Pokémon dove into one of the apple like a swimmer did from a trampoline into a pool. A light enveloped the Pokémon and the apple it chose to dive into, reminiscent of the evolution light that enveloped Artreo when he became a Mothim but not quite. Both Pokémon and fruit grew in size, thought not by much from the apples side, a green tail protruded from the apple while the floppy ‘ears’ crowned the apple sowing to actually be a pair of eyes. Neville’s PoryPhone pinged, the screen finally sowing the information of the Pokémon, and the Porygon not saying it out loud as requested by Neville.

 

‘Applin  

The Apple Core Pokémon  

A dual Grass and Dragon Type Pokémon, when an Applin is born it goes in search of an apple to inhabit, spending its entery life inside it. Applin secretes a special fluid that he uses to harden the apple and prevents it from rotting. The apple not only serves it as a form of disguise and cover, but it’s also its primary form of aliment, the Pokémon growing weak if separated from its fruit.  

When an Applin finish eating the meat of the apple, it will evolve naturally in three different evolutionary lines depending on the flavor of said fruit, as long as no outside factors intervene to change the evolution’s outcome.  

This Applin is female and five days old. ’

 

"Ooh, a baby". Harry and Ned cooed with Dante, Hedwig, Trevor and Snubbull doing the same right alongside them.

 

A PokéBall sailed right towards the now identified Applin and sucked her inside it, the little hatchling giving a cry of surprise. They all exclaimed in surprise, looking with wide eyes how the PokéBall pinged to indicate a successful capture.

 

Neville marched towards the PokéBall radiating irritation. Piking the device from the ground, Neville released the tiny dragon. Applin gave a frightened chirp, sacking like a leaf while gazing wide eyed at Neville.

 

"Nev, it’s just a baby!". Harry said trying to calm his godbrother while approaching him.

 

"A baby that has destroyed all my plants". Neville practically barked making Harry yelp, none of the shy and even tempered boy Harry knew in sight. Neville turned his angry gazed towards the Applin again, making her quiver even more. "You, young lady, are going to help me bring my plants back to health". Neville commanded before huffing and putting his clenched hands on his hips. "And latter, I will find a suitable place for you to life". That seemed to bring the Applin out of her frightened sate, the hatchling now looking at Neville in a questioning way.

Neville sighed, his body relaxing, before crouching down and picking the Applin carefully from the ground.

"Now, how did an Applin came to be on Ygssill? Not even the Blacks have any of your species in their preserve".

"There aren’t wild Applins in Ygssill?". Ned asked.

Neville denied with his head.

"No, they aren’t native. And unless something happens, there aren’t any plans to integrate them into Yggsill’s ecosystem. The scientists came to the conclusion that they would destabilize it". Neville explained.

That made Harry relax.

"That’s why you really caught her. You have me worried for a moment there". Said Harry with a relieved laugh

Neville just gazed impassively at him.

"…That’s why you caught her, right?".

 

 

 

Notes:

Aunt Cass: I have a list of woman...
Sirius: I'm gay.
Aunt Cass: I have a list of men

(That's...pretty much the comversation lol)

The second chapter of the year...Gods, but that's depresing. I'm really sorry people, but between work and my studies, I've little time to write. I hope to have more time in a pair of months when I finish my studies.
Hope you like this chapter in the mean time.

Chapter 26: Gifts, Gym Leader Duties and Interrupting Brothers

Notes:

Disclaimor: Don't own Harry Potter or Pokémon. I only own the original characters and the original Pokémon.

English is not my first language, so if you see spelling mistakes, don't hesitate in telling me.

I'm alive! I should have had this chapter for December, but I just wasn't happy with it. I still am not. However, I needed to publish it, or I would never finish the story.

 

 

Harry and Ned descended the stairs in their pajamas with a skip on their steps, their joy infectious to Dante and Hedwig who fluttered around them. Finally reaching the end of the stairs, the two boys screeched to a halt, their faces replecting pure wonder.

Remus, Lyall and Sirius were also in their nightclothes waiting for them in the living room, the full teams of the two Marauders also present and lounging around the place. Mugs of hot chocolate steamed from the low table in the center of the room, Lyall already enjoying his own while gazing at the two boys with a soft and excited smile. Smile that Remus also wore, while Sirius was practically bouncing in place with excitement while looking at the two boys, an expectant look in his eyes.

A literal mountain of presents rested under and around the Christmas tree.

"Happy Christmas!". The three men exclaimed, with the Pokémon offering their own versions of the greeting.

"Is this…all for us?". Harry asked in wonder, not believing his eyes.

"Of course it is. We have eleven years to make up for after all". Explained Sirius with a smirk. "Come on, what are you waiting for? I will be Santa!".

The two boys didn’t need more encouragement. The room quickly filled with laughter, wrapping paper flying away amidst the enthusiasm of eager hands and claws while Sirius handed gifts without order to the person or Pokémon they were destined too.

"What’s this?". Dad asked while inspecting what appeared to be a plain hardcover notebook, but for one minuscule detail. "Is this parchment?". He asked after opening it to inspect the pages.

Harry looked up from an updated illustrated encyclopedia on Dark Type Pokémon (it has the Paldean Dark Types too!). Gazing at the notebook on his dad’s lap, his eyes lit up in excitement.

"That’s an inactive grimoire!". Harry exclaimed triumphantly, enjoying the silence that descended upon the room and all the gobsmacked expressions around him.

The new toy Garchomp and Fist were fighting over in a tug of war plonked onto the ground when the two pseudos let it go in their surprise, making the rest of the mons that were edging them on to pay attention to the humans.

"…Repeat that". Requested Remus with an strangled voice, equal parts in wonder and dread, like if the thing on his lap were a time bomb. Moony gave a strangled whimper.

"Professor Dumbledore was happy to help me by creating one, since, you know, he used my family’s grimoire to rediscover how to create them". Explained Harry, quite proud of that since he was sure Uncle Arcturus would be quite proud himself of how Harry applied his (still meager) lessons in politics with the Black Lord. Even if he was sure the Headmaster was humoring him during the negotiations to acquire such a gift. "Theo thinks that even after the papers Professor Dumbledore wrote gets published, grimoires will still be a commodity for those with money. So this one will be the only new grimoire for quite some time".

"That’s…amazing". Remus managed to say after a moment trying to find words.

"I’m happy you like it". Harry exclaimed with a beaming smile. "Though, it’s a gift for Grandpa Lyall too".

"It’s an amazing gift, kid". Lyall ruffled Harry’s hair. "So, how do we use it?".

"I don’t know". The green eyed boy shrugged his shoulders. "There should be a set of instructions between the pages though".

Sure enough, while they all clambered around Remus and Lyall, a note fell from the pages of the inactive grimoire with said instructions.

"Fascinating". Dad muttered while inspecting the paper, his eyes going from it to the grimoire to the instructions in clear curiosity. The scholar in him rearing its head.

"You will have time to study it later, Remi. Come on, don’t leave us in suspense, what do you have to do?". Sirius asked impatiently.

"It’s surprisingly simple actually. Though not necessarily uncomplicated". Lyall was the one to response, having read the instructions alongside his son. "Though, I must agree with Joseph’s kid. Grimoires are still going to be rare even with Dumbledore rediscovery. I don’t think Ritual Knives are a common objects to have around your house". Lyall stood up after those words. "Luckily, the League gives them as a gift to those who manage to become a Pillar. Wait a moment".

Saying that, Lyall marched out of the room in search of said knive.

"Ritual Knive?". asked Ned.

"They are knives created using Aura Crystals, necessary for some specific rituals that require for the caster to use blood". Sirius explained.

"Blood!?". The two preteens exclaimed.

"Don’t worry. Nothing serious".

"Because I’m-HUMPH".

"From what the instructions say, it’s only a small cut". Dad explained patiently. "Sirius, I’ve known you for too long for that to work". The scarred Marauder said exasperatedly, his hand still covering Sirius’s mouth even after he liked it, much to Sirius’s grumbles.

"That’s a relief". Harry said with a relieved sigh shared with Dante and Hedwig.

"Say, what are grimoires used for anyway?". Ned asked curiously.

"Well,". Sirius started, having managed to get Dad’s hand out of his face. "that one is obviously blank, Remus and Uncle Lyall will have to fill it themselves. But they are used to record family history and secrets".

"Secrets?". Ned asked

"Yes, secrets. How is it you don’t know? Harry has one".

"Never asked, it seemed personal".

"And it is personal". Affirmed Dad.

"But all grimoires are more or less filled with the same kind of topics". Added Sirius. "As I said, family history. That can range from easily findable from other sources to events that are too important to not be recorded but too dangerous or personal to be available to the public. Those Fall in the category of Family Secrets, of course. There also are the Family Techniques, that range from Family Moves, Aura spells, Aura gifts to simple training methods developed by the family through centuries of specialized training. Of course, all of these fall under Family Secrets as well".

"Yeah, not even my friends and I talk about them. We know we have them, and we can acknowledge it, but we don’t talk about it".

"Well, the content available for you and your friends would be quite restricted at the moment, but it’s good you are all being cautious".

Harry, Ned and Remus gazed at Sirius with questioning looks.

"What do you mean?". Remus asked intrigued.

"Well, you will have to do research on that. I will give you some books. But I’m sure you already know of the use of runes to create ‘rules’ and ‘guidelines’ in contracts of a more classified and legal nature". Remus nodded at Sirius query.

"Yes, I have had to firm my fair share of those contracts for the League".

"Well, families with grimoires more times than not inscribe rune spells onto them as guidelines for the nature of the information the one reading them has access to". Sirius explained

"So, I’m not reading all that is written in mine?".

"I’m pretty sure you aren’t". Sirius confirmed with a sympathetic smile. "But don’t worry, you will be able to read on that information as you age or gain experience using your Aura. You should still have access to a lot of family history, Aura training and Gifts and techniques, and for Pokemon Moves and Training. Even if it’s still low-level".

‘So, Emotion Sensing for Dark Types, and the next two gifts I read aren’t the only ones’ Harry realized ‘I still haven’t progressed far in my Aura Control techniques. ‘Haven’t unlocked the next gift after Emotion Sensing even. I have been to preoccupied with other things…like Nicolas Flamel…Maybe I should put more time in training my Aura than what I’m doing right now’ Harry couldn’t help but feel ashamed at the realization, feeling like he must be letting his father, James, down’…Wait a moment, what was the next gift after Emotion Sense? And did I read about only two new gifts after it or were there more? What were they anyway?’ Harry frowned in thought, feeling perplexed at not being able to remember certain information he was sure he already read about on his grimoire.

"Ok, got it". Ned assented in understanding before he frowned in consideration. "Wait, you said he still can read about Pokemon Moves and Training invented by the old Potters…". Ned continued slowly in realization before turning to the green eyed boy, getting Harry out of his head after feeling Ned’s eyes on him. "Harry, why haven’t you looked into yours for a move for Hedwig? Since you are still despairing over your lack of an Original Move for her?".

"…"

"…"

"…"

"I’m an idiot".

" Wise of you to acknowledge it at least".

 

---

 

Children’s laughter rang through White Warden Orphanage, children running and playing with their new gifts throughout the place.

"Thank you, Mr. Lupin".

Remus turned toward Mrs. Dourglass, a questioning look on his face. But the elderly matron of the orphanage was gazing at the playing children, her Chatot happily moving his metronome like tail from side to side in happiness, making a ‘tick-tack’ sound in the process.

Gazing in the direction she was looking, Remus saw his adoptive son and adoptive brother amid a gaggle of children and teens. Harry and Ned were gesturing wildly, massive smiles on their faces while the children around them were clearly engrossed in whatever the two were saying.

"Don’t give them, it’s a pleasure. They are amazing kids, they deserve the world". Said Remus with soft eyes.

"They all do". Mrs. Dourglass responded with a pointed look toward the clear renovations still in process and pretty much visible throughout the building, before directing said painted look towards the Ground Type Master direction. "It seems High Whinging has won itself quite the wealthy patrons, the headmasters of our local primary and high school haven’t stopped gushing over all the new additions they were able to acquire for their schools after a hefty donation".

Remus just answered with a charming smile. Mrs.Dourglass laughed lightly.

"I suppose I have to give thanks to the Blacks as well?". The matron asked with a smile still on her face while nodding toward where Sirius and Padfoot were exuberantly playing with a bunch of children, much to the delight of said kids.

"If you want. Though I think Lord Black saw the donation as paying off a debt. So I don’t think he expects thanks for it".

"A debt?".

"For taking care of a member of his family, much that Harry bears the name of Potter instead of Black".

"I think I will never understand you Nobles".

"Believe me, Mrs. Dourglass, I don’t think we understand ourselves the majority of the time".

The elderly matron laughed at his response.

"Happy Christmas, Mr. Lupin". Mrs. Dourglass said as a farewell, ending the conversation to go separate two kids no older than six or seven who were fighting over a stuffed Pachirisu.

Remus laughed at the sight, feeling a smile form on his face from the happy atmosphere of the orphanage, so different from the first time he visited here. Remus couldn’t help but feel proud and happy to see that the donations his family and Arcturus gave were bearing fruit. His PoryPhone vibrating distracted him for a moment, but the smile soon reappeared on his face, his happy mood increasing if possible.

History Gal:

Hey Wolf Boy, happy Christmas.

 

---

 

"Ron!". Harry exclaimed while tackling the redhead.

"Harry!". Ron exclaimed back returning the hug. "Happy New Year. It’s good to see you, mate".

"Same". Replied Harry, ending the hug with a smile on his face. "Hello to you too, Artreos. Hedwig missed you during morning flights".

Artreos buzzed happily in reply while Hedwig cawed indignantly in denial (Even if it was true, she has a reputation to maintain).

"So you are Harry? Ron has talked a lot about you".

"Mum!". Ron exclaimed in embarrassment

"Oh, look at you! You look so much like your father. But those eyes are all Lily’s, a pity you got your father’s hair". Mrs. Weasley, or Lady Weasley, a motherly plump woman with russet hair and and bright brown eyes, interjected with a kind smile, ignoring Ron’s interruption.

"Hello Lady Weasley, Harry James of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter". Harry greeted formally, Lord Black’s training kicking in. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance".

"Ooh, and such good manners. Some people would do well to take notes". She finished with a pointed look at her three youngest sons.

While Ron and Harry were greeting each other and Harry got to meet the Weasley matriarch, the rest of the Weasleys and the Lupins seemed to have ended their own greetings and were now dispersing throughout the house. Mrs. Weasley approached Remus after a quick goodbye to give him wrapped food she brought for the visit; Mr. Weasley was talking with Grandpa Lyall beside the two eldest Weasley children, Bill and Charlie (Who were probably the two coolest guys Harry had ever met); and Percy and Ginny were talking with Ned, though Harry saw the young girl look at him from time to time and blushing every time he caught her doing so.

"Wotcher, Harry…"

"…How was New Year’s Eve?…"

"…Heard you got to spend it with the Blacks".

"Fred, George. Good to see you". Harry greeted while looking at each twin in the eyes as he said their names. "And it was simply dreadful, Malfoy didn’t stop glaring at me all night".

Even if they masked it, Harry knew that they were pleased he could tell them apart. Honestly, after four months sharing a Common Room, the showers and locker rooms with the two, their differences started to became obvious (at least to Harry).

"Better you than me, mate". Ron didn’t even have the decency to seem sympathetic.

"Yeah, a night with not only the Blacks, but also the Malfoys? I wouldn’t wish it into my worst enemy. It’s a relief we didn’t have to go since we aren’t related".

"George, we are related".

"Are we!? And I’m Fred, you are George. Remember?".

"You sure?, I thought today I was Fred".

"No, you are Fred next week".

"Ugh, and there they go again. Don’t know how they don’t tire of the same joke all the time". Ron complained while steering Harry away from the twin red head Psychics.

"I think they are funny" .Harry countered with mirth coloring his voice.

"Of course you do, you don’t live with them all year round. You at least get a reprieve during summer".

Harry just laughed at his friend’s complaints.

 

…

 

"So how’s work Bill? Heard you got accepted into Gringotts". Grandpa Lyall asked when they were all seated in the living room.

Snacks and drinks were served around the room. Grandpa, Dad, Mr and Mrs. Weasley were sitting on the couches, while the children, plus Bill and Charley, played board games in the low table. For such a shy little girl, Ginny Weasley sure was a ruthless player

"It’s been great, sir. I’ve been shadowing the Curse-Breakers on the Ruins of Alph, the excavation team discovered another tunnel at the start of last year. The protective Aura Spells and Wards were nastier than usual, so we had to go slower than we would have liked". Bill answered with big smile on his handsome face, clearly enjoying talking about his job that he seemed to love. "We are excited to find what it’s at the end of that tunnel, since its protections are so much nastier than what they have been tackling in the rest of the ruins".

Ginny took advantage of his distraction to make her move against him to the snickers of the twins and Charlie and approving nod from Ron. Tough Hanzo and Exu, Bill’s starter(s) Ninjask and Shedinja didn’t seem to find it as amusing.

Mrs. Weasley seemed to want to say something, clearly not so enthused by his eldest son’s career as Bill himself was, but a calming hand on his arm from Mr. Weasley stopped her.

"Wow, that seems so cool!". Harry exclaimed

Bill sent him a smile. 'Fenral, but I don’t understand why Ron complains so much about his brothers', Harry couldn’t help but think. William ‘Bill’ Arthur Weasley, Heir Apparent to the Ancient and Noble House of Weasley (though not the Gym) was really one of the coolest guys Harry had ever met. He was tall and muscularly lean at one meter and ninety-nine centimeters, with freckles dotting his pale skin, sky-blue eyes like Ron’s, amazing long red hair of different shades of copper and orange tied in a low ponytail, a small goatee beard on his chin and a pierced left ear by an industrial bar and a dragon tooth dangling from his lobe. And all of that accentuated by him rocking clothes that seemed to have been taken from a post apocalyptic movie.

"Thanks, I think so too. I really enjoy my job. I’m really disappointed I have to miss helping in the ruins to get my Elite certificate".

"I know you are, son. But you know you need it". Mr. Weasley said with a comforting pat on his eldest’s shoulder. "You should move your troops there, son. Ginny’s gaining ground".

"Dad!". Said girl protested, but Mr. Weasley just winked at her cheekily.

"I know, I just would have liked to have been able to get my license in Johto to be closer to the excavation site. I would have been able to shadow the crew while challenging the gyms that way". Bill responded to his dad after making his move on the game, ruffling his younger sister’s hair for good measure.

"Well, I actually am glad you couldn’t. This way you get out of those caves and visit the family for once".

"Mum, please. Don’t start again". Bill pleaded with a sigh.

"Why couldn’t you do it in Johto?". Harry asked curiously.

"It’s the only way to get the license. To become an Ace or Elite trainer you have to pass the exams of your home region".

"But why? You would still be accepted as an Elite trainer in the other regions after passing the exams. What difference does it make from which region you do it?". Asked Ned before gazing dangerously at Ron. "Don’t you dare".

Ron smiled winningly at Ned before making his move anyway, Artreos giving a chittered laugh at his trainer’s antics from his place atop Ron’s head. Ned sighed in dismay before sending a pouting glare towards Harry’s red headed friend.

"It’s because every trainer is affiliated with the League of their own region. You wouldn’t send your prospective soldiers to be trained by another region after all, you would train them yourself. It’s the same case here". Charlie interjected, his burn scarred arms crossed over his broad chest as he observed the board in thought. His own starter, Ogma, a male Flygon a little smaller than Sirius’s but more muscular and with antennas that curved at the end like a butterfly’s instead of going straight, was looking at the board with his great body wrapped around the scarred redhead. "I would have liked to have done my own examination in Johto too; I don’t like to be separated from my dragons for so long. But if I want to be something more than just an assistant I need to become an Elite".

Charles “Charlie” Logan Weasley, the second eldest of the Weasley siblings, was also a tall man at one meter eighty-seven centimeters, but his body was more on the stockier side of things than on the lean. Something he shared with the twins, and seemed to have inherited from their mother. He wore his red hair, the same shade of his brothers and sister (which they all inherited from their father), cut short, with a goatee, more prominent than Bill’s, covering his chin. His eyes were the same forest green as Mr. Weasley’s and Percy’s and like all the Weasleys, his body was covered in freckles. Unlike the other Weasleys, though, his body was covered in burn scars from dragon fire, scars he wore like badges of honor and just made him cooler in Harry’s eyes.

"Another dangerous job!. Why couldn’t you have chosen to work for the ministry? Much safer and more respectable if you ask me".

"No thanks, Mum. And our jobs are perfectly respectable, thank you very much". Charlie replied.

"Oh, Charlie. Of course they are, but they are also dangerous, and they take you both way to far from home". Mrs. Weasley reassured him, seeming to have caught the fact that she was upsetting her two eldest. "And at least you could have chosen another preserve to work from, Charlie. One closer to home".

"Lord Black would have hired you in a heartbeat, that’s for sure". Said Remus with a teasing tone, trying to diffuse the tension a little more than Mrs. Weasley’s last reassuring words managed.

"Really?". Charley asked in surprise.

"Yes, he grumbled quite a bit under his breath when you got hired by the Blackthorns". Answered Mr. Weasley, laughing beside Remus at the memories.

"The Blackthorns, eh? Is Elias still the Gym Leader there? It’s been some time since I talked to that old grump". Grandpa Lyall asked.

"No, it’s Clair now, his daughter, who’s taking charge of the gym". Charlie answered.

"Oh? How is she?".

"She is…intense". Charlie responded with a funny, constipated look on his face.

Grandpa snorted at that.

"She is a Dragon Trainer, with Aura to match no doubt, I’m sure she is more than ‘intense’. Let my guess, ego a mile wide? a competitive streak taller than Mount Coronet? Obsession with strength? Bad loser?". Grandpa listed with a smirk.

"Pretty much, yeah". Charlie nodded to all the points with a pensive frowm.

"Funny you agree. He was practically describing you". Percy deadpanned with a flat tone not taking his gaze from the board.

The rest of the Weasley siblings burst out laughing, the twins looking at their bespectacled brother in amazement, while Charlie sputtered affronted. Harry and Ned looked at each other while trying to be polite and not laugh alongside the others, finding the scene funny but not wanting to upset someone they had just met. Charlie looked at the Lord Lupin with a betrayed expression.

"Don’t look at my like that, boy. I had to change your diapers in more than one occasion, I think I deserve to have some fun at your expenses. Besides, you can’t tell me that wasn’t the reason you aren’t battling Remus now".

"…Fair".

"Oh? You want to come for the win?". Remus asked with a challenging grin.

"You bet". Charlie grinned right back.

"Well, I go first, so stop your Ponytas".

"True, you ready?". Asked Dad while standing up, his countenance changing to Gym Leader Mode.

"More than ready". Bill answered, also standing up.

The rest followed them, excited to see them battle.

"Wait! That’s not fair. I was winning!".

"In your dreams, Gin. Ouch! Hey!".

 

---

 

The stands of the stadium were crowded, with people whispering excitedly among themselves. There was an abundance of teenagers occupying the stands, taking advantage of the last day of Christmas/Yule holidays to come see the most exciting battle they would be able to witness before being floored by schoolwork and studying. It wasn’t every day that you saw two Gym Leader families battling each other. The Weasleys were famous around the region, and while the Lupins were in the secondary Gym Leaders category at the moment, they were still the stars of Ethos, and ninety percent of the audience were Ethos’s residents after all.

The Weasley family and the Lupin family sat together in the ‘VIP’ section of the stands, eagerly watching the heirs of both families face each other in their respective boxes. Remus stood in anticipation in his Leader Box, excited by the prospect of a good battle. Remus had known Bill since the kid, now a young man, was in diapers. It was quite common for Remus, Sirius and James, along the other ‘grown kids’, to babysit the younger children of the Pillars’s families when they were teenagers, being relegated to entertainers for the kids in the reunions their Gym Leader parents brought them to. And now that toddler stood in front of him as a challenger.

"This will be a standard six vs six Pokémon battle between Gym Leader Remus Lupin and Challenger William Weasley! The combatants will be allowed two switches during the battle! Held Items and Restoratives aren’t allowed. The battle ends when the six Pokémon of one of the Trainers had fainted or have been withdrawn!". TK recited the standard rules from his own box between Remus and Bill. "Ready?".

"Yes!". Remus and Bill shouted together, PokéBalls at the ready.

"BEGIN!"

 

…

 

Garchomp stood over his defeated opponent, the Runerigus different parts scattered around his feet, his stance triumphant despite the many injuries and exhaustion from a hard won battle. The battlefield of the gym was wrecked, filled of holes, crates and swampy areas that told of a long and arduous battle between two powerful trainers and their full teams.

Harry let out the breath he had been unknowingly holding, the excitement of the battle he had just witnessed still coursing through his veins. It seemed he wasn’t the only one holding his breath for suddenly the gym was filled with a cacophony of cheers and applause.

"Bill lost?". Harry heard Ginny ask in disbelief behind him. The younger girl’s voice seemed wobbly to Harry’s ears.

"That seems to be the case, yes". Mr. Weasley said with a calm and…proud voice?

Turning towards the Weasley Lord, Harry was surprised by the smile that adorned his face while gazing at the battlefield below them. Harry turned to look back at the field too, where he saw that his father had approached Bill alongside Garchomp and was shaking his hand, a gesture that the audience clearly appreciated. Bill’s face showed momentary surprise, before a huge and pleased, if slightly incredulous at first, smile formed on his face.

"Daaad! How can you say that so calmly!". Complained Ginny.

"Because he may have lost Ginny, but he showed Remus what he was searching for". Ron explained in exasperation.

"Ronald". Mr and Mrs Weasley warned in tandem. "Curb the tone, young man". Mrs. Weasley added with a pointed finger.

That seemed to spur Ginny to stick out her tongue, something neither of her parents noticed, much to Ron grumbles and their brothers snickers.

"But I’m right, look!". Ron protested while pointing at the battlefield where T.K, one of the Gym Trainers and the referee of the match, was approaching the two combatants.

T.K passed something to Harry’s adoptive father before said man presented it towards the Weasley heir.

"William Arthur Weasley, in my capacity as Gym Leader of the Yggsill League, I, Remus John Lupin, present you with the Elite Level Tectonic Wolf Badge of the Ethos Gym as my mark of approval of your prowess as an Elite Level Trainer". Remus voice reverberated through the speaker of the gym, having been activated for what clearly was an official event.

The crow cheered at the proclamation, clearly agreeing with the Gym Leader of Ethos in his verdict.

"This is the first time I’ve seen Remus being so formal at giving out a badge". Ned said in surprise.

"Well, this is much more serious than giving badges to trainers in the standard circuit". Grandpa Lyall said in explanation.

"Makes sense". Ned nodded his head.

After a stunned moment, apparently still not believing that he won the badge even if not the battle, Bill accepted the badge and lifted it towards the grades. Towards were Harry and his little family where sitting with the Weasleys, to be exact. The family of redheads erupted in applause and celebration at that, the twins even doing a little jig they roped Ron and Ginny into to the amusement of their father and Charlie, and the exasperation of their Mother and Percy. Harry, Ned, Hedwig and Dante couldn’t help but snicker at their antics. However, Harry wasn’t distracted for long by it, his mind racing with questions.

"But, how come he won the badge? He lost right?". Harry asked.

"Because, like Ron said, Bill showed Remus what he was searching for". Mr. Weasley was the to explain.

He said it calmly, not at all bothered that Harry seemed to question the legitimacy of his eldest son winning the Badge and approval of the Gym Leader.

"A trainer doesn’t need to win on a Gym to win its badge, but to show that they have what it takes. At the same time, winning doesn’t mean they will receive the badge, though the paperwork that comes to explain the decision is a Darkray’s induced nightmare". Mr. Weasley cleared his throat, clearly not having wanted to say that so loudly. "Anyway, a Gym Leader isn’t just chosen for their capacity as one of the strongest trainers of the region, but because we are one of the few trainers that doesn’t mind to ‘lose’ our battles to evaluate our opponents. You see, we Gym Leaders serve as protectors, military leaders, law enforcers, teachers, and examiners all in one".

"Too true". Grandpa Liyall agreed with Mr. Weasley words.

Harry wasn’t the only one paying attention to the Weasley patriarch, Ned and the rest of the Weasleys seemed as invested even if some like Ron looked to have already heard these words before. For Harry, this looked to be becoming a more extended version of the explanation Remus gave him all those months ago. His hands twitched to grab his sketchbook turned notebook just like Bill had his own in hand down below on the battlefield. The Weasley Heir receiving a lecture of his own from Remus, it seemed. Though the contents were sure to be different.

"But then, why are people like Bulstrode and Safhiq Gym Leaders?". Asked Harry, not understanding how ACE trainers, whom trainers like Bill wouldn’t have a problem taking care of, were Gym Leaders. ‘Distortion, Bill almost defeated Dad!’ Harry exclaimed on his head taking a glimpse at the screens that showed that Remus won with just two conscious Pokémon on his team, and neither Aqua nor Garchomp were in that great a shape after the battle.

"Because, as Gym Leaders we may need to be good at Battling, but we are the best at Combat, even the ACE level Leaders would decimate a normal Elite trainer that way".

"Combat?". Harry and Ned asked wide eyed, looking at each other without truly understanding.

"Arthur, I don’t think they need to hear about that". Mrs. Weasley interjected, exchanging glances with Lyall.

Harry’s adoptive grandfather seemed to agree with Mrs. Weasley’s point and Mr. Weasley was quick to comply.

"I will explain when you are older. That’s an aspect of battling you shouldn’t worry about at the moment". Placated Grandpa Liyall after seeing Harry’s and Ned’s faces.

"Now, why Bill won the badge despite losing?". Mr. Weasley continued, distracting them from the other topic and bringing it back to Harry’s initial question while they all ignored the quickly emptying gym. "Examiners and teachers, two virtues not everyone is able to have while battling. And that is where it comes our part of ‘losing’ our battles. What trainer likes to lose after all? But a Gym Leader must be able to have a cool head and not get lost in the battle lust while performing their duties as Gym Leaders. That sometimes means losing because ‘we can’t go all out’ against a challenger. After all, just because we use Gym Pokémon of the appropriate level doesn’t mean that if we went all out with more advanced tactics we wouldn’t stomp our challengers".

"That’s why this battle seemed different to the one between Dad and Sirius". Harry reflected. "Battling must be really tedious sometimes".

"You can’t even imagine". Laughed Mr. Weasley.

"Something I don’t miss of being a Gym Leader". Grandpa Lyall added with a snort.

"A Gym Battle is more an examination and a teaching moment than an actual Battle". Continued Mr. Weasley. "We must be an obstacle to our challengers, but not so much that we would discourage the truly committed to continue on their journey. And every Gym poses a distinct challenge, one that may not be obvious in the Elite Circuit but is quite clear in the lower ones. It can be simply seeing if the trainer knows their Type Chart, like I do in mine. Every Gym has its thing, and while some are simple in practice, they can be extrapolated to more advanced techniques and strategies for higher challenges. Now, for Remus, what do you think his speciality is?".

Harry paused to think, exchanging glances with Ned, trying to see if something came to mind from what he had just seen. The only thing he could think of was the Sandstorm, but that seemed too obvious of a response. Even so, Harry decided to go with it since nothing else came to mind.

"The Sandstorm?". Harry answered

"His original moves?". Ned offered his own guess.

"The two correct and part of the whole". Mr. Weasley praised them.

"Good observation, boys". Their adoptive grandfather/father praised. "What those two put together mean however, is ‘unforeseen obstacles’. The Sandstorm proves an hindrance to the challenger, forcing them to deal with low visibility on the battle, a harder time having commands heard, and, in many cases, facing a time limit due to the weather now shaping away the health of their Pokémon. That whiteout counting that they have to fight an opponent like Remus".

"He battles like an Ice specialist. Or a Weather Fighter". Charley observed, getting a nod from Lyall.

"Correct. Ice Specialists and Masters use the weather to their advantage. The first thing they do at the start of a battle is calling for a Hailstorm to freeze the battlefield, taking advantage of abilities like SnowCloak, and the increased mobility of their Pokémon compared to the compromised mobility of their opponent. Something Weather Fighters employ this tactic on a higher level".

"Just like Remus and his team do with their Sandstorm". Harry realized.

"Exactly. Remus and his team have trained intensively to fight in Sandstorm conditions, and many of his Pokémon also have Sand Veil as an ability".

"Like Gliscor"

"Like Gliscor. Now, battling an opponent who uses the weather as a weapon isn’t necessarily rare. Is something any decent Trainer must have a modicum of practice with". Lyall continued.

"But Sandstorm is the least used of the conditions due the multiple impediments it entails compared with other weather changes. Not even Trainers who specialize in the Geo Types use it that often or have it be a central part of their battling style". Interjected Mr. Weasley. "Bill did beautifully, managing to battle through it even if he couldn’t dispel the sandstorm".

"So that is a point in his favor to winning the badge. Not panicking and managing to at least defend themselves from Remus and his team’s original and combined moves would be the other, I imagine". Harry deduced.

"Precisely". Affirmed Lyall.

"Original moves are Remus specialty. It’s the curveball he throws at his opponent that differs him from the rest of us. The same way my mastery of the Type Chart can be said to be mine". Mr. Weasley smiled down at the arena while saying that, now seeming to radiate pride not only for his son but for his fellow co-worker. "Remus could be a certified Move Smith if he wanted, sown by all his Pokémon knowing at least one original or combined move of their own. Something truly impressive compared to Trainers like me with only one original move to their names". Mr. Weasley laughed at that. "So, yes, that Bill maintained his composure all throughout the battle with all of that going on is what truly won him the badge".

"Our boy has grown so much, hasn’t he?". Mrs. Weasley dabbed at her eyes, receiving a loving smile from her husband.

"Never realized there was so much going one in a Gym Battle". Harry was amazed by the realization.

"That must be exhausting". Ned exclaimed. "I’ve never noticed, and I’ve seen a lot of Ramus’s battles".

"You two are still new to this, give it time". Grandpa Lyall reached to pat their shoulders.

"Why do you think none of us wants to be Gym Leaders?". Charlie asked with a laugh, making his father sigh.

"Yeah, we are more than happy to let the post to Ronikings".

"He’s more than welcome to it". The twins teased their younger brother.

"He will be great at it, I’m sure". Ginny added with the kind of teasing sarcasm only a sibling can muster.

Ron seemed a little hurt by the comments, although not surprised by them either. Artreos seemed to have taken the comment to heart  for the both of them anyway, if the angry buzzing he was directing at the other four redheads was any indication.

"Of course he will. He is a great battler already, and an amazing strategist. I’ve learned a lot from him while training together at Hogwarts". Harry couldn’t help but come to his defense, a little miffed by their attitude.

Harry blushed when all their gazes turned to him, feeling a little foolish for having reacted that way for what just amounted to sibling teasing. Though Ron’s grateful smile made it worth it.

 

---

 

"That was so cool; your brothers are amazing".

"Thanks, Bill and Charlie are the best".

Harry and Ron were on the green eyed boy’s room, relaxing atop Harry’s bed with their mons around them after having enjoyed dinner. Hedwig was relaxing beside Harry’s head while conversing with Artreos who was lying atop Ron’s chest. Dante, for his part, was snoring between the boys while using Harry’s stomach as a pillow and enjoying Harry’s soft petting of his bone-armored head.

"I’m sorry if I said something I shouldn’t at the Gym". Harry cringed slightly, still feeling a little embarrassed from his small outburst, not knowing if he should have stayed quiet.

"Don’t be. I love my siblings, but they can be a lot sometimes". Ron waved it off, sending a smile to the black haired boy. "Thanks for calling them out. I know they don’t do it with malice, but…well, just thanks".

"What are friends for, right?".

"Right". Both boys snickered. "Sorry about Dad though, I’m sure you didn’t expect a lecture about Gym Leaders right after a battle".

"What? No. I enjoyed it. Your dad knows a lot. And at least he didn’t seem conflicted about explaining things about Gym Leaders to me". Harry sighed, trying to bury himself even more in the mattress.

"Conflicted?". Ron gazed at him funny.

"My Dad". Harry explained. "I obsessed a little over the duties of a Gym Leader when I first came to live here and learned who I am. I was conflicted about if I should try and take the mantle of Gym Leader of Godric’s Hollow or not, still am really, and Dad noticed. Now, he doesn’t discourage me fronm asking questions about it, but he always gets this funny look in his face. Grandpa Lyall says that he doesn’t want for me to feel pressured on becoming Gym Leader. So now it’s a little difficult to bring up the issue for the both of us".

"Oh…that sucks".

"Ge, thanks". Harry snorted.

"Sorry, I’m not the best with these types of things". Fidgeted Ron.

"Aaah, yeah. Me neither".

"Well, I can always talk to you about it if you want? I’m sure the others won’t have a problem with it either". Offered Ron.

"Thanks". Harry smiled gratefully, both boys falling into comfortable silence while they enjoyed the steady heat of Dante’s body webbed between them.

"So…". Ron started softly after a few minutes had passed while gazing surreptitiously at the ajar door. "Did you find anything?".

"Nope, not even in Dad’s collection. And he is a history nut!". Harry groaned.

"Ugh, what are we gonna do? I didn’t find anything either!". Complained Ron with an exasperated  huff.

"Hopefully, the others have better luck". Harry sighed in resignation.

"Yeah, hopefully Wairuus guides their search while Uxie takes them by the hand or something". Ron agreed sarcastically. "Man, how difficult can it be to find information about just one man? This Flamel guy better better be worthy".

"Flamel? Nicolas Flamel? Why are you researching about him?".

The five of them exclaimed in surprise, bolting upright from their position on Harry’s bed much to Dante’s displeasure

"Bill! What are you doing here!?". Ron exclaimed.

"Searching for you two. It’s getting late, and I’m sure Ned would appreciate being rescued from Ginny and the Twins’ clutches". Bill joked before crossing  his arms and leaning on the doorframe. "Now, you going to answer my question".

Harry and Ron exchanged looks of panic that they managed to semi conceal.

"We just heard about the guy but we couldn’t find anything about him". Ron answered as vaguely as he could. "That’s not important; you know who he is?". Ron asked quickly.

Bill lifted an eyebrow, obviously sensing that something was amiss but not knowing what.

"Well…".

 

 

Notes:

So, yeah. I'm sure the glaring lack of an actual battle between Bill and Remus is obvious to all, but I just wasn't able to write it right. I first wrote it, but halfway through, I realized I didn't like the pace of the battle. I tried rewriting it, but didn't like that either. I left the chapter aside to come back later because I was growing frustrated. I attempted to write a summary by having Remus explain his thoughts about it to Bill, like a lecture on what he could have done better or something; I didn't like that either. In the end, I realized that one of the reasons I wasn't enjoying it was that it wasn't necessary for the story. I had already established that Elite Trainers were powerful and that Remus was strong in the battle against Sirius, and that this battle was just the same thing, but with Bill replacing Sirius, except with the disadvantage of my not being able to write the pacing correctly! So, I wrote the conversation about Gym Leaders instead, which let me expand on Remus's explanation in Chapter Five. Even still, I'm not that happy with the chapter, but I just needed to get it out here, or I knew I would never finish this otherwise.

ps: No, you didn't miss a chapter where Harry had a meal with the Blacks and the Malfoys. That was off-screen, so to speak. A really tense affair, let me tell you.

pss:Another thing, and this has nothing to do with the chapter and is not that important either, is that I am putting dates to events in the story. I haven't finished yet; I'm still revising the other chapters. However, if you read the story now, you will notice that in parts where I wrote, for example, 'the Dragon Wars of XXX a.A,' they are now written with actual numerical dates. This change helped me make more sense of the timeline of the world. You will also notice that the story is occurring in this world’s 2091. What does that mean? Not much. I thought it would be a 'fun' way to show those 'repercussions of war' I wrote about some chapters ago. I don't know how well I have woven that in, but the characters are living in a society with a mix of values from the 80s, our modern society, and something as archaic as a functioning noble system incorporated into the governing body; all of that coupled with advances in technology that they are just catching up with compared to the real world. So that they are living in what should be our "future", its just a fun way to illustrate the discrepancy.

Chapter 27: The Father of Alchemy

Notes:

Disclaimor: Don't own Harry Potter or Pokémon. I only own the original characters and the original Pokémon.

English is not my first language, so if you see spelling mistakes, don't hesitate in telling me.

This chapter is short, the shortest I've done since the second. But I liked where I ended it (not sure you'll like it, evil laughs).

 

"I can’t believe I’ve been so stupid as to overlook this!".

"Relax Hermione, I don't think anyone’s first instinct is to search for information about a person still alive in books written three hundred years ago". Deadpanned Blaise.

Hermione sent him a scathing look before practically slamming said ancient book on the table, with elicited a coughing fit from the group of friends when a cloud of dust was released from it.

"Hermione!". Complained Ron.

"Sorry!". Hermione whisper-shouted apologetically.

"We were really lucky that your brother overheard you two talking, Ron". Tracey commented while eyeing the book title after having helped Lita and Mienfoo clear the dust that entered their eyes. "Alchemy: Ancient Art and Science". Tracy frowned while muttering the title.

"You two should be more careful in the future". scolded Daphne while sending a look toward Ron and Harry.

"Hey, we wouldn’t know where to look if we had been". Harry defended himself.

"At least, it wasn’t me screwing up this time". Neville sighed in relief while playing absently with the new addition to his team, the Applin swaying from side to side while trying to catch the boy’s fingers with her mouth.

Trevor bonked her playfully on the head when she almost got their trainer’s finger, eliciting a fond smile from the blonde boy.

"So, what does it say?". Theo asked while leaning toward Hermione to get a better look on the book with Maher and Mico perched on his shoulders. "I don’t think we have this book in our collection". Mumbled Theo, not really talking to anyone.

"Yeah, I want to know how the man has managed to stay alive for…how much time did you say again?". Asked Justin.

"Well, it says that he just celebrated his three hundred and thirty sixth birthday". Answered Hermione, clearly impressed by the number.

"And since the book was written in…". Theo trailed off while passing the book’s pages after having taken it from Hermione’s grasp, much to her annoyance, untill he reached the book’s information page. "Seventeen hundred and seventy five. Which means…".

"That he is six hundred fifty-two this year". Harry finished with a decisive nod of his head.

Ceo gave a mechanical-sounding impressed whistle while the rest all turned from Harry to a furiously scribbling Hermione.

"Harry’s right". Hermione concluded after finishing her rapid calculations on the paper.

Ceo rolled their only eye in mock annoyance, clearly stating to all who cared to look that that was what they had just said. Hedwig, Dante, Maher and Mors, as good and abiding Pokémon of the blackest Auras snickered at Harry’s mock hurt expression.

"Traitors". Harry deadpanned towards his two partners, their clear feelings of amusement reaching him in waves.

"How do you do that?". Tracey gazed at Harry in awe.

"I don’t know, they are just numbers. It’s not like it was a complicated problem or anything". Harry shrugged.

"I hate you sometimes".

"Love you too, Theo".

"Well, as entertaining as Harry and Theo’s love for each other is". The two aforementioned boys glared at Blaise in mock outrage. "If you could proceed, Hermione".

Hermione huffed in amusement but complied anyway.

"Well, there is a lot of information in the book before it even mentions Flamel. But he is pretty prominent in the rest of the book after that. It is really fascinating since the beginning of Alchemy is some centuries older than him, but Flamel is almost considered the father of this branch of science. If not outright so".

"I thought Alchemy was considered a protoscience". Inquired Harry.

"Only the mundane art. Things change when you put Aura and Pokémon into the mix". Explained Theo.

"Yeah, PokéBalls are created with Alchemy. I’ve seen the process of making one a lot of times when Father and Dad bring me to work". Added Justin before chuckling ruefully. "Couldn’t make any sense of the process".

"Well, Alchemy is one of the most difficult fields of study". Pointed Daphne

Hermione cleared her throat to bring back their attention to the matter at hand.

"Anyway, here is what it says".

"Please, just the relevant information". Ron interrupted before Hermione could launch herself into narrating the book.

"…Fine". Hermione complied with a huff after sending the redhead a stink-eye look. "‘Nicolas Flamel, before ascending to prominence, was a Kalosian écrivain public, a draftsman of public documents such as contracts, letters, agreements and requests. Alongside his wife, Perenelle Flamel, they were the heads of a school that taught this trade.

His fame, though, came in the year 1471 a.A when he was thirty two. Although we can’t ascertain how he did it, the facts are as follow: First. In March of 1471, King Adrien IV (The Disgraced) Zenon of Kalos, tried to unleash a weapon of mass destruction on his grief after losing his Pokémon (rumors say that it was a Floette, but records haven’t been found to confirm this); Second. Nicolas Flamel prevented him from doing so with the help of the Patron Legendary Pokémon of Kalos, Yveltal and Xerneas’".

"WHAT!?". They all exclaimed with their Pokémon partners adding their own exclamations to the cacophony.

"SssHHHhhhh".

"Sorry, Madam Pince". Chorused Theo and Hermione while the rest of the kids cringed in embarrassment.

"We should have gone to our Classroom". Tracey whispered while following the movements of the retreating librarian.

"I suppose immortality is what happens when someone manages to befriend the personifications of both life and death". Deadpanned Harry after Madam Pince finally disappeared from view behind a bookshelf.

"I didn’t know Xerneas bonded with another person after Helga Hufflepuff". Justin tilted his head alongside Kira, the little Shinx having plateaued at the the size of a Luxio, a size that let her gaze atop the table without issues when standing on her hind-legs while using her forelegs as support on the table.

"Why wouldn’t they? They are immortal, they must get bored without some company after a while". Snorted Ron with Artreos buzzing in agreement at his comment.

"Just that this time, their cure for boredom resulted in the catalyst for the deadliest war in recorded history before the two Regional Wars, and for a man to gain his own form of immortality". Hermione deadpanned. "At least he shared his method of immortality with his wife". She muttered to herself. "Listen: ‘Revered and hated in equal measures for his acts that day, Nicolas Flamel may be attributed to having stopped the firing of King Adrien IV’s weapon, but said actions culminated in the start of the Dragon Wars of 1471-1483 where he was heavily involved alongside Xerneas and Yveltal. Though his involvement on the military part of the war was, of course, important (you can learn more in-".

"Hermione, relevant information". Ron sighed in exasperation.

Hermione huffed indignantly.

"You can read the book yourself if you want, Ronald".

"Wait, let me note the book mentioned, I want to find it later". Theo exclaimed while quickly writing the name down.

Daphne and Blaise shared a fond look while Harry couldn’t help his own fond snort of laughter to escape him.

"What?". Theo glared with a pout at Harry, having missed his two childhood friends shared look. "You have your math, I have my history".

"Hey, ‘didn’t say anything". Harry lifted his arms while smiling innocently.

"Can I continue?". Hermione asked exasperatedly. She received innocent looks from her friends. "Thank you. ‘…his Alchemical accomplishments during the war are what is relevant for this book. During the twelve year war, his involvement, and that of his wife Perenelle, on Alchemy became evident (Of Perenelle, another important figure in Alchemy, we will talk further ahead into this book). He and his wife created, in conjunction and separately, many an Alchemical concoction, weapon, medical instrument and many other inventions that served their side of the war extensively. Inventions like…’ Ok, here’s a long list like…". Hermione frowned and descended into mumbles while reading over the long list presented in the book, until her face brightened into a triumphant look. "Here!. ‘…at the end of the war, the friendship between Xerneas and Yveltal with Nicolas Flamel made it clear that the two Legendaries had actually bonded with the man, making the Alchemist one of only two individuals to have ever bonded with more than one Legendary in recorded history. It is known, that even to this day, the ancient Father of Alchemy still receives visits from both Legendaries, one of the only times when the two opposing deities seem at peace with each other without the involvement of the great Zygarde. It is believed that in one of their visits not to many years after the war, Xerneas and Yveltal gave something that helped Alchemist Nicolas in creating his most renowned invention: The Essence of YX’". Hermione lifted her gaze from the book with a triumphant and excited smile.

They all exchanged excited gazes, leaning forward in their seats and urging Hermione to continue with their eyes.

"‘The Essence of YX, often called the liquid form of the fabled Philosopher’s Stone of mundane Alchemy, does even more than the Stone was ever thought to do. The Essence of YX has been recorded as capable of any kind of transmutation (surpassing the theorized Stone, which is only being able of transforming any basic metal into gold), and of creating the Elixir of Life, that grants any who consumes it the gift of eternal life’". Hermione smiled triumphantly. "That must be it, that’s what is hidden in the third floor corridor!".

"Gold and eternal life? No wonder Snape’s after it". Ron exclaimed.

"Yeah, that’s incentive enough to fight an Alpha Hydreigon for sure". Agreed Tracey.

"I think it’s stupid. Who wants to live forever?". Harry grimaced alongside Dante. Hedwig gave more consideration to the possibility.

"Not me". Neville chimed. "Is that the only thing the Essence does?".

"Well, it says here that it is the most powerful restorative in the known world, just behind Ho-Oh’s tears and curative flames. Flamel has been known to give small doses to cure people from terminal diseases, and even to wake them from comas or to cure someone in a vegetative state. But he doesn’t do it often. In the three hundred years recorded on this book, he did it only six times". Explained Hermione before gazing at the Longbottom Heir apologetically. "If things have continued in this manner, I don’t think the number has increased that much".

Something pained crossed Neville’s face before he schooled his features. Harry and the other exchanged pained looks, knowing the motive for his question.

"What are the professors thinking? Bringing the Essence here?". Daphne frowned while biting upon her nail in thought.

"Well, Gringotts is clearly not safe enough. What with a thief managing to break in at the Kalos branch and leave without getting cought even". Justin reasoned.

"And Flamel was Professor Dumbledore’s mentor. Flamel must have faith in him to take care of the Essence. Hogwarts is said to be even more secure than Gringotts". Hermione added her own observations.

"I suppose that’s valid". Daphne conceded, though she didn’t like it still.

"Wait, did the thief steal anything?". Theo asked with a frown.

"I’m…not sure…". Justin answered uncertainly. "I could search the article again, but I think I remember that they didn’t steal anything".

Theo frowned in thought at that information.

"What are you thinking Theo?". Asked Blaise.

"That we may not be dealing only with Snape".

 

---

 

"Arty, Thunder Wave!". Dean shouted.

The Smeargle barked while brandishing his tail. The green ‘paint’ of the tip changed color to an electric yellow before arcs of electricity started to dance from it.

"Dark Plumage, Hedwig". Ordered Harry.

Hedwig cawed, Dark Aura engulfing her wings. With a powerful flap of her wings, sharp plumage was launched at her opponent like projectiles. At the same time, a wave of electricity was launched from Arty’s tail and raced toward the Dark Avian.

Harry cursed under his breath when Hedwig’s attack teetered out before reaching her opponent, letting the electric attack reach her without issues. Thunder Wave may not have hurt her, but the paralyzed state she got from the attack was exactly what Dean and Arty needed.

"Perfect! Come on Arty, Explosive Pollution".

"Gust!". Harry countered.

Regretfully, Hedwig’s body locked with a spasm of electricity and started dropping to the ground from where she had been flying, preventing her from forming the attack and try to dispel the poisonous gash of Smog that Arty spelled from his now purple-tinted tail. Dean’s starter was quick in taking advantage of Hedwig’s plight and fired a small barrage of Ambers from his now sunset orange typed tail.

The smog ignited in a small explosion that propelled Hedwig the rest of the way to the ground of the training room with a crack. The combined attack didn’t defeat her, but it left her exhausted, which didn’t help with her paralyzed state.

Harry could not only see, but also feel her determination to continue battling, as well as her annoyance at the state she found herself enduring.

An alarm sounded to the side ending the fight before Harry could decide to do so himself.

"Good job, guys". Justin, Kira and Rotom approached the the center of the field where Harry and Dean were now tending to their Pokémon while Justin put his PoryPhone back on his pocket.

It had been close to a month since they returned from their break and their discussion about Flamel. For much that they wanted to do something about the information, there wasn’t really anything they could realisticaly do. Researching about Flamel and the Essence of YX had been fun, tiring and frustrating but fun; but they realized that there really wasn’t anything they could do. The adults seemed to have been taking care of things, much that they, specially Daphne, didn’t approve of the Headmaster’s decision to guard the Essence in the school. And much as they suspected Snape, who would believe them?

Theo, Daphne, Tracey and Blaise promised to observe their Head of House’s movements when possible. But, until and if Snape or the possible thief attacked them again (Or Harry more specifically), it wasn’t really their problem, was it?. Besides, they had better things to do at the moment. Like training, classes and homework.

"Thanks Justin". Dean bumped fists with their Hufflepuff friend. " Though It wasn’t as powerful as when we were practicing it".

And that was what Harry, Justin and Dean were doing right now, training their Pokémon.

"That’s normal. You two were practicing the move in a controlled way, without an opponent chipping at you. That’s why the professors and older years tell us to practice the moves during battles, it really doesn’t help for your moves to be perfect outside battles if they are going to fail you when it matters". Commented Harry with half a shrug to prevent the now healed but still tired Hedwig to fall from her perch on his right shoulder.

Harry sighed internally at his own words, feeling disappointed that Hedwig’s new move didn’t work. Dark Plumage was the move, of the few that Harry could read without later forgetting about them, that Harry and Hedwig chose from his family Grimoire so that she could have her own ‘original move’. The move consisted of using Dark Type Aura Energy to infuse it into the feathers of the user, making said feathers razor sharp, before launching them at the opponent. Upon landing, the opponent won’t just receive damage from the stabbing but also from the miniature explosions of Dark Aura the feathers randomly explode into.

"I just thought it would be different for Arty, he doesn’t learn moves the conventional way". Dean ruffled the top of Arty’s head. "Thanks again for the help, guys".

Even though Dark Plumage is a family move, and therefore a Family Secret, Harry wasn’t worried about others seeing him use it.

"Don’t mention it, it was fascinating seeing Sketch in action". Justin waved it off with an excited smile.

Or even for Dean and Arty to copy it. Original Moves are some of the most difficult moves for someone to have their Pokémon learn if they don’t know how the move actually works. Harry could explain what the move did, and still nobody could replicate it. They would need to know how to apply the Dark Aura to make the feathers not only sharpen, but also explode. Even naturally occurring moves like Bite, Tackle or Ember have their own gimmicks that if someone just learned about them, they wouldn’t be able to teach said moves to their Pokémon unless said move is one that said Pokémon naturally learns. That’s the reason why Harry could help Dante learn Fire Fang with the tips from Angelina, Cedric and the other upper years, but if he wanted to teach the hellhound Tackle, he would need to pay a tutor.

To learn and teach a move it’s not only knowing what the move does, but also why and how it works. Is like knowing what a phone does and how to use it, but if someone asked you to make one you wouldn’t know how to. That’s the reason why Move Tutors are so sought after. And also the reason why Arty could copy it, but it wouldn’t help Dean to teach it to any other Pokémon. And that is if the Pokémon doesn’t have an anatomical quirk thar prevents them from learning those moves, like the problem Houndours like Dante have with Growl. In those cases, not even a Move Tutor could do a thing.

Harry and his friends were lucky to be studying at Hogwarts. The complete Pokédex they get from Professor Ollivander, their experienced professors, and Hogwarts’ many resources (the library in concrete and even the other students) helped them learn and teach their Pokémon moves they would have had to pay Move Tutors for, or pray for their partners to learn them naturally. Ned and those like him that also go to other Trainer Schools have similar advantages, minus the Pokédex. Those prospective trainers who aren’t so lucky as to be accepted in a trainer School have it much more rough.

"Yeah, it is quite beautiful to watch actually". Harry’s words elicited a pleased blush from Arty, the Smeargle wringing his tail bashfully. "Although, I’m surprised by the change in attitude. I thought you just wanted to be an artist and weren’t that interested in battles". Harry commented with a curious tilt of his head that Dante at his side mimicked.

Dean scratched the back of his head, a blush creeping into his cheeks and giving him a noticeable red undertone to his dark brown skin, a bashful smile showing a hint of pearly white teeth accompaniedhis gesture.

"Well, after hearing how well you two and the others did at the forest I suppose I got inspired". Now Dean wasn’t the only one blushing. "Also, Arty has always been fascinated with Battles, more than other Smeargles are said to be. I didn’t think it right for me to only focus on my art and ignore what Arty wants". Dean put a hand on top of Arty’s head, the two smiling at each other. "It wouldn’t be fair, right?".

Harry, Justin, Kira, Dante and Hedwig shared a smile at their friend and Art Class partner's words.

"Right/Of course". The two boys readily agreed with their partners adding their own sounds of accord.

"So, have you already decided what type of battler you wanna be?". Asked Harry as they started to vacate the area.

"Well, Arty may be able to learn any and all moves, but their species are best suited as…Disrupters? I think it’s called? And Settlers, I think is the other".

"Yep, those are the terms. Disrupters are also called Annoyers".

"Arty wants to be a Disrupter".

"So inflicting deteriorating statuses and waiting it out. Nasty, I like it". Harry smiled viciously.

Justin snorted in amusement, something like ‘Dark boy’ reaching Harry’s ears that he ignored.

"Gonna need more than Thunder Wave, Smog and Ember for that though". Justin warned after a moment of thought.

"I know, I'm still brainstorming with Arty. Those were the only moves we agreed upon and knew of from someone who wouldn't mind us copying them from their Pokémon".

"What about Seamus?". Harry asked curiously. "I’m sure he and Chimichin wouldn’t have minded helping you".

"Oh, I know. But Ember was the only move we would have needed their help with, and since we wanted Smog too, it seemed more productive to just ask for Dante’s help. Explosive Pollution looked like a good solution to somewhat fix Arty’s lack of ‘power’".

Dante barked and puffed his chest, the white Houndour’s smugness at being chosen over the silly fire monkey more than clear to even Justin and Dean.

"What are the other moves you two thought of? Maybe we can help you find someone to help". Harry offered.

"Disable, Flash, Confuse Ray, Toxic, Will-O-Wisp and Ice Beam are the ones we have thought of so far". Arty nodded at Dean’s proclamation. "There is also Bulldoze or Ice Wind. We actually prefer Ice Wind, since it affects all Pokémon no matter their Typing". Dean sighed depressively after listing the moves. "Regretfully, they are way too niche a move. Except for Toxic, Will-O-Wisp and Ice Beam, the other three aren’t that common. Ice Beam, in the other hand, is way to powerful for us at the moment. And the other two, I don’t know anyone that knows them whom I’m comfortable asking. Bulldoze I could ask Neville, but Ice Wind really seems like the best option for us".

"That seems like a good list to start with. Although, you may want to think of a healing move to add to that list". Harry commented after a moment of thought. "You should really talk with Ron though; he’s is really good at coming up with this kind of things. Why do you want Ice Beam? It seems really out of place with the other moves you want".

"There isn’t any move that freezes, and only and exclusively freezes, your opponent. Ice Beam seems like a good alternative, and it's a powerful move too". Dean shrugged.

"You could talk with Daphne. Boreas just learned Ice Wind". Proposed Justin.

Dean tripped on thin air, his face paling at the suggestion.

"The Ice Queen!?". Dean asked almost shrilly. "Are you crazy? She would have her Vulpix make me into an ice statue".

Harry couldn’t help but laugh at Dean’s panic, knowing that it was unfounded. After having got to know Daphne for close to five months and considering her one of his closest friends, Harry has discovered that the icy personality she presents herself with is her way of dealing with new people. And there is a reason for that: she is incredibly awkward and shy around people she doesn’t know. Harry finds it incredibly funny thinking about it now, since she fooled him too at the start. Now, he is sure that the reason why she takes long walks with only her starter around Hogwarts’ grounds is her way of recharging her batteries so to speak.

"She is not that bad, really. She is just a little shy". Justin tried to defend her.

"Don’t let her hear you call her that". ‘Even if it’s true’ Harry snorted.

"Yeah, right". Dean deadpanned, not believing a word.

"And here I was going to recommend Flint for Toxic". Harry commented in mock seriousness, his eyes glinting mischievously.

Dean wiped around to look at Harry in shock, his countenance paling even more than it had at Daphne’s mention.

"I don’t have a death wish!".

Harry, Justin and their mons laughed at Dean’s horrified expression.

Anger, hate, loathing. Harry’s breath got caught in his throat, body going rigid like a statue and cold sweat starting to run down his back. Harry couldn’t feel anything but those overwhelming emotions, he didn’t even notice Justin, Dean and the mons stopping and call to him in concern, with Hedwig and Dante sending him feelings of calmness and inquisition to try and help him out from whatever was happening while the two looked for threats.

Harry turned slowly around, his breathing becoming ragged and his pupils expanding so much that the green of his eyes almost disappeared. The corridor the group had been walking through seemed to be distorting, its length feeling infinite while its end incredibly close at the same time. The ceiling, the walls and the floor started to warp and rotate in a central axis, causing the ceiling and floor stating to change position little by little.

Two glowing red eyes appeared incredibly close yet incredibly far, but not matter what, Harry could see their murderous intent. He couldn’t take his gaze off those eyes at the end of the distorted corridor.

"Harry!".

Harry gasped a rasping breath, the corridor returning to normal. He looked frantically around from his sitting position against the wall. ‘When did I sit down!?’.

"Harry, breathe".

Green eyes finally snapped to the source of thee voice.

"Theo?". Harry’s voice sounded small to his own ears.

More calm now, Harry was able to take on his surroundings. Hedwig was on his shoulders with her wings were pulsing with Dark Type Aura Energy and were wrapped at each side of his head. Her eyes were closed in concentration while calmness flowed through to Harry (A small amount of helplessness still lingered). Protectiveness and aggression flowed in waves from Dante, the leucistic Houndour was some distance away from Harry, his back to them while he growled to the end of the corridor. His fur was standing on end, smoke billowing from his mouth. Justin and Dean were kneeling at each side of Harry, looking at him with worried expressions, their countenances pallid. Kira paced from wall to wall of the corridor behind Dante, her eyes scanning the end of it, searching for something that wasn’t there anymore. Arty glanced around, clearly nervous and unsure of what to do.

"Harry, you with me?".

Theo was kneeling in front of Harry, his eyes concerned while Maher strode by his side with waves of confusion and worry emanating from him. Harry wasn’t able to capture his feelings that easily, but it was better than with Kira’s agitation that he almost wasn’t able to perceive (the Pancham wouldn’t gain his Dark Typing until evolution, and the Shynx Line was only Dark Aligned).

A small crowd of students and their Pokémon (If six individuals could be said to be a crowd) gathered around them. Some Harry recognized as a few of the other students that had been on the training room with two others who must have been passing by. Harry recognized them as some of Cedric’s friends, but the third-year was nowhere to be found. All their gazes were full of curiosity, and if Harry didn’t feel so wrong-footed and out of it he would be glaring at them in response.

"Theo, what..how..what are you doing..doing here?". Harry managed to gasp out between breaths of air.

Confusion crossed though the Nott heir’s face, though not at the question.

"I…I just got a bad feeling". Theo answered with a frown.

Theo didn’t understand the situation himself and why he suddenly felt the need to come to this part of the castle, just to find Justin and Dean kneeling beside a nonresponsive Harry. Though the boy has a suspicion that would have left him elated in any other situation.

Hurried footsteps approached attracting all of their attention. Cedric was practically running beside Professor McGonagall while Mafdet stalked ahead. The Pyroar passed the group of students and positioned herself alongside Dante. Sparing him just a glance, she sniffed the air. A great rumbling growl emanated from her chest while her stance became agresive and protective, the feline putting herself in front of Dante so that all of the students and their partners were behind her.

Professor McGonagall was too regal to falter on her footsteps at Mafdet actions and whatever she felt through their link, but her lips pinched and her gaze hardened enough to show her preoccupation.

"Mr. Potter, are you well? What happened?". Professor McGonagall crouched slightly to put a hand on Harry’s shoulder, the boy having been helped to stand up by his friends at the Professor’s approach.

"Professor McGonagall, it was it, the thing on the forest. It was here". Harry said breathlessly, his breathing still not recuperated from the frightening ordeal.

The Professor’s eyes widened in horror.

---

"‘All students return to your common rooms. I repeat, all students return to your common rooms immediately. Follow your prefects, assistant professors and their Pokémon to your common rooms and stay put until further notice’".

Tano sniffed the air, his ears twitching at the reverberating words that flowed through the castle. Cloaking himself on illusions to hide his movements upon the floors, walls and even ceiling when needed to conceal his movements from the infuriating students who hurried to follow the orders still reverberating through the stone walls of the ancient castle.

The worst were the ACE Agents and the Rangers that began to swarm the castle; it could be incredibly easy to kill them, little pests that they were. They could even satiate his bloodlust for a while, maybe some may even put on a good fight. But no, Tano needed to stay hidden for his master’s plan.

Tano knew that his actions were foolish and impulsive, but when the ghostly Zoroark saw the spawn of his master’s vanquishers he couldn’t help himself. And now here he found himself, forced to scurry around the castle walls like a rat.

A tingling sensation traveled down his back, the Zoroark jumped from the wall and slided through the stone floor leaving claw marks on his wake. A glowing wave of Psychic Aura Energy flew through the space he had occupied just seconds ago. Rage-filled red eyes locked onto his attacker, slobbery fanged mouth forming a snarl.

"Tano". The sack of old bones that was his master’s most despised enemy had the gall to sound calm on his greeting. "You shouldn’t have come here".

Hatterene silently lunged at him, Bahamut provided all the sound the situation needed with his powerful roar.

 

 

Notes:

The Group: Interesting and suspicious. Well, it was fun, none of our business.
Tano: Hello.
The Group and friends: Heart attack.

That was the chapter, more or less.

Chapter 28: Zoroark’s Illusionary Glory

Notes:

Disclaimor: Don't own Harry Potter or Pokémon. I only own the original characters and the original Pokémon.

English is not my first language, so if you see spelling mistakes, don't hesitate in telling me.

 

Albus strode onto his office with his mind in turmoil. Tano has been too close, too close for comfort. Voldemort’s beast has managed to breach the castle wards and attack one of his students. Worse, he attacked Harry Potter twice. The forest was an accident that he put as unfortunate, the wards and protections weren’t that strong on the woods, Pokémon still needed to live and pass on migrations through it. But the castle should have been safe.

He is starting to regret having offered to guard the Essence here while his friend and mentor prepared a better place to guard it.

Albus sighed when he saw the people assembled around his office. And it was quite the assembly of prominent figures. Amelia Bones and Amos Diggory calmly stood in front of his desk while turning to see him enter, Bianca Abbott also stood but she was clearly restless while Remus Lupin sat in one of the armchairs with his head bowed, looking at his clenched hands on his lap, his leg bouncing with suppressed anxiety while Moony stood beside him with hackles raised.

“ Albus, was it him?” Minerva asked with stiff shoulders while Mafdet paced the office with guarded posture and predatory eyes, probably expecting Tano to appear at any moment.

Severus pretended to watch the fire-lioness with a blank face, while his hand twitched every time Moony so much as glanced his way.

“ Regretfully. And I regret to inform, that he managed to escape.” Albus exhaled while rounding his desk to sit on his chair, suddenly feeling incredibly tired.

The air was saturated with their combined Auras. So many powerful individuals, none of them lower than solid Elite, in one room and all clearly agitated no matter what they wanted to portray, made for a charged environment. Albus felt Bahamut's PokéBall shake in response to the charged ambient.

“ Shit, how in distortion did he breach the wards?”. Amos swore.

“ I'm not certain”.

“ But you have an idea?” Amelia gazed at him with narrowed eyes.

“ Yes” Albus did have an idea of how he did it, but he vacillated to share it since he wasn’t one hundred percent sure of it. Not that any of those present seemed inclined to let him keep it to himself. Albus sighed before relenting. “The wards are lowered almost fully in the summer for maintenance and recharging. A Pokémon of Tano’s power and capabilities wouldn’t have a problem breaching them when they are in that state”.

“ He has been here since the summer? Why would he do that?” Bianca asked incredulously.

“ Is my son safe here?”.

Now the charged ambient turned tense, the silence that followed deafening. They all turned to gaze at Remus. The man was looking directly at Albus, his face calm but his gaze promised dangerous things if Albus didn’t deliver the proper answers. Albus saw Severus sneer at the question, but at least the man was smart enough to remain silent when Moony showed his fangs in warning. ‘This was going to be a…difficult…conversation to navigate’ Albus concealed a weary sigh.

...

They all watched silently as Minerva and Mafdet escorted Remus and Moony out of his office. The conversation has been difficult, but at least Albus convinced Remus that Hogwarts was still safe for his son, if barely.

“ Pathetic”. Albus caught Severus’s muttered words, and he wasn’t the only one.

“ Curve your tongue”. Bianca snapped.

“ It’s evident you don’t have children”. Amos smiled sharply with a harsh gaze.

“ Severus / Amos, Bianca. It’s not the time”. Albus and Amelia chastised their respective colleges.

 Amelia turned his gaze back at Albus, her expression hard and controlled.

“ Remus was right, Albus. We need to talk about security. We need to catch that mon. Something like this can’t happen again. Or Mr. Potter won’t be the only one leaving the school”. Amelia crossed her arms with a firm look directed towards the headmaster.

“ That would be such a disaster”. Bianca massaged her temple at the prospect.

“ Of course” Albus agreed reluctantly with Amelia.

He didn’t like the prospect of having people interfere with his school more than they have already done this year. But needs must. ‘At least it is the League and not the Ministry’ Albus tried to console himself by looking at the bright side.

 

---

 

Theo and Harry were tense, all the school was really, but specially those two. And Daphne couldn’t help but worry. Sometimes she wonders if following Professor Snape that day was a good idea, probably that thing — and how frustrating it was that they still didn’t know what it was what attacked them even with the new attempt upon Harry’s life — would still have attacked them, but they wouldn’t be so suspicious around all the adults now. Because if they couldn’t trust one of their professors — his attitude and what they suspect of Snape aside — how can they trust the rest of them? More so when Daphne was sure they were keeping things from them?.

The two boys were twitchy since the attack on the hallway. Harry always has Hedwig and Dante close to him — closer than usual that is —. Like if he wanted to drown on their presence. Seriously, that boy was practically confirming Daphne’s suspicions about his Aura Ability with his actions. Theo wasn’t much better, and her childhood friend should know better really. Randomly twitching, gazes suddenly directed towards nothing, averted steps towards random directions… Put that beside how he just went running to Harry’s side that day, and Daphne was having it easy to put the pieces together.

The two continue like that and it won’t be just Daphne that starts to put the pieces together towards their abilities. Abilities that are Family Secrets, ‘honestly those two’. None of their friends are stupid, and Daphne would switch to Fire Types if Blaise didn’t suspect already. He has known Theo since they were on diapers after all. Though she supposes it wouldn’t be that grave if it’s only between friends that they learn each other Aura Abilities. No, it’s people like Malfoy that worries Daphne.

Harry has already shown that he can become overwhelmed by his Ability. Something that someone like Malfoy or Parkinson wouldn’t hesitate to exploit to their advantage. Although Daphne’s supposes that’s why they have Professors Flitwick, to train their Aura so that it becomes an ace in the sleeve instead of a liability.

“ Last class was a great session on Aura training. I think you all have reached a level where you can start learning some basic Aura Spells. Which will also help you in training your Auras further”. Professor Flitwick proclaimed excitedly, his old but formidable Lucario opening an eye from his kneeling stance at the back of the room in stoic curiosity at his proclamation — the Jackal’s presence has become a regular sight since the attack on the hallway, one of the many Pokémon of the professors the students have started to get acquaintance with since then.

The class erupted into excited whispers, the students not able to contain themselves at the prospect of finally learning to actually use their Auras. For many, principally those that haven’t awoken some tipe of Aura Ability, this would be the first time they will be able to use their Aura for something tangible.

“ Now, the spells we will be learning will be…” Professor Flitwick paused, not only to bring up anticipation, but to also float a piece of chalk to the board to start writing the name of the spells. “ Aura Shield and Aura Sensing. And we will be starting with he principles of Aura Sphere and Aura Healing”.

Daphne exchanged a look with Tracey, her best friend eyes lit up at the mention of Aura Sphere. Hermione lifted her hand from her seat between Ron and Harry.

“ Ms. Granger?”

“ Isn’t Aura Sphere a Pokémon move? How are we able to learn it?”

“ Good question, Ms. Granger, take five points to Gryffindor. And the answer is yes and no”. The Professor explained while starting to pace around the center of the room. “The differences between the two are one: the caster and two: the energy. The first one, the caster, is self-explanatory, I hope? We have been going through this all year. Ms. Granger, as the one asking, can you explain that part?”. Professor Flitwick paused in front of Hermione’s seat, the Gryffindor Bookworm straightening on her seat while Ceo thrummed beside her.

“ The source for both Moves and Spells is the same energy, Aura. Pokémon are incredibly attuned to their Auras, the use of it to empower and create their moves being practically instinctual, only having to train their shaping and nature, or typing, of it to archive different moves and outcomes. Humans, on the other hand, we don’t have that instinctual connection. And even when we get access to it after training, what we can create with it, though impressive on its own, is a poor imitation to what a Pokémon can archive. This is also compounded by how Aura differs in its interaction with humans and Pokémon, the energy is the same but the beings are not”. Hermione explained in that lecturing tone they all were getting a costumed too.

Daphne squashed the urge to roll her eyes fondly at her friend’s explanation, ‘Another textbook answer’.

“ Excellent, Ms. Granger, take five points for Gryffindor. In resume, as two totally different beings, the way Aura interacts with us and the way we manipulate it is different from each other” The Professor clarified with a much simplified explanation. “Now, to the second difference, the energy: Yes, in the two cases is Aura, but like explained, Aura interacts differently with humans than it does with Pokémon. And that difference is present, in this case, in the fact that the move used by the Pokémon is always created with Fighting Type Energy while the spell used by us humans can take two forms, one using the Aura Type of the person — which is the usual outcome — and the other using pure and raw Aura Energy without contamination from the other Type energies”. Professor Flitwick walked to stand beside his Lucario. “Let me show you an example”. He exclaimed jovially.

Professor Flitwick lifted his hand palm pointing outwards. Daphne focused on it, excitement coursing through her veins. A ball of energy hummed to live in front of the professor’s hand. It was of a Pinkish purple tint. Boreas hopped in surprise beside Daphne, his ice-blue yes widening at the sight.

“ This is my natural Aura Sphere, ‘tainted’ by my Psychic Type Aura” The Professor explained to the awed students and Pokémon around the classroom. “Aura Sphere is one of the only spells that can rival the Pokémon move it is based upon. The reason why we are able to create something like this is because this spell is a pure condensation of energies. No tricks to it, no added effects, just pure and condensed Aura. As such, it takes in the Type Energy of the Aura of the individual using it. Aura Masters, on the other hand, are able to this instead”.

The diminutive professor dispelled the sphere just to summon another. It was blinding white.

“ This is how an Aura Sphere using neutral energy looks like” The Professor Explained. “ Should I launch this to any Pokémon no matter their typing, it would connect; while the one I created before any Dark Type could have tanked whiteout harm. Now, there is an exception to the rule of Aura interaction Ms. Granger has just explained earlier so eloquently. Obviously, the Legendaries are able to manipulate Aura however they please, but the Riolu Line is also the only Pokémon species to do so and are also able to manipulate their Aura as if they were human. Luck, if you would? Please, create an Aura Sphere as a move, and later two as pure manipulation. One with your own Aura and the other with neutral energy”.

The professor’s Lucario grunted his assent. Getting up and positioning himself so they could more easily see him, Luck the Lucario extended his arm and in less than a second Aura Sphere was ready and charged.

“ As you can see, an Aura Sphere move is of a sky blue color. And no matter the Pokémon, it will always present itself as such. Yes, Ms. Davis?” Professor Flitwick asked.

Tracey lowered her arm, her expression puzzled.

“ But, professor, if Aura Sphere as a move is Fighting Type, shouldn’t it be dark orange in color. That’s…the color of my Aura, isn’t that the color for all Fighting Type Auras?”

“ Indeed, Ms. Davis, take three points for Slytherin. The answer is simply that the move is a variation, an imitation if you will — one of the rare moments of a Move being based on a Spell and not the other way around —. And like any move of other Types, it doesn’t need to be of the color of the Aura Energy they are created with. Will-O-Wisp is a Fire Type Move, but the flames produced are dark purple like that of Ghost Type Energy” Professor Flitwick explained with clear excitement, his love for his subject clearly visible. “ Now, an Aura Sphere spell created with Fighting type energy on the other hand…”

Luck took his cue and dispelled the move just to recreate it again. But it was clearly different. The new sphere was shining a kaleidoscope of dark orange and silver, the raw Fighting and Steel Typing of Lucario failing to mix. Daphne wasn’t the only one to exhale at the sight, but she took comfort in being the more restrained. While the other Spheres had been impressive on their own right, the one Luck was now producing was quite beautiful with its clashing colors dancing in the whirlwind of energy that formed the condensed sphere. Luck, instead of dispelling the sphere again, simply lifted his other paw and created another Sphere, this one even more pure white than the one Professor Flitwick managed to create before.

Tracy gasped alongside Litta at the display while Blaise whistled appreciatively while Mors turned upside down in the air and coed excitedly at the sight.

“ Two spheres at the same time? No wonder they are Champion Level”. Blaise praised under his breath.

“ Thank you, Mr. Zabini” Professor Flitwick bowed theatrically towards the purple eyed boy.

Instead of being embarrassed by having been overhead the Zabini heir smiled winningly, eliciting laughter all around. Daphne smiled, relieved to see that even Harry and Theo joined, their tenseness momentarily going away.

“ Professor? Lucario’s ability to control their Aura like that, is it the reason why Aura Guardians have them as partners?”.

“ Astute observation, Ms. Patil. Three points to Ravenclaw. That is indeed correct. Tradition may be why all Aura Guardians have a member of the Riolu Line as partners, but this is a tradition with a good motive behind it. After all, they aren’t just the only non-legendary to be able to control their Aura like this; the first Aura Guardians, and therefore, the first Aura users, were taught by the Lucarios in its use”

Impressed gasps and murmurs flowed through the classroom at that information. Luck maintained his stoic expression under the awed glances of the students, but his chest puffed noticeably in pride, the metal spike of his chest glistening with the movement.

“ Now, Aura Sphere isn’t the only spell that will be ‘tainted’ by the Aura Type of each of you. The others mentioned also will be” Luck stoped feeding energy to the spheres, the two dispelling when he did so, and returned to his corner under the awed looks being sent his way. “ This, of course, will affect how you can use the spells. Taking myself as example. If I don’t use the purest version of the spells, with means they will be tainted by my Aura Type, my Aura Shield would shatter from any spell or move using Dark, Ghost or Bug Energy in their creation. Dark Types and people with a high alignment to the typing would be imperceptible to my Aura Sensing, while those of Fighting and Poison would be like a beacon to my spell. Aura Healing on the other side, would only be truly useful while using it on Psychic Type Pokémon and with only those people with such a high alignment that they themselves are directly dubbed as Psychics”

“ Like my brothers”

Professor Flitwick pointed at Ron affirmatively. The students listened enraptured, knowing the implications of what their professor was telling them.

“ That is the reason why these spells aren’t truly considered mastered until the individual is able to use them with the purest of most neutral Auras, something that can take years if not decades. What’s more, please don’t be surprised if you aren’t able to use and summon these spells even at the end of the year. We will be practicing them in many of the remaining sessions of the year plus the first trimester of the next. And that may even not be enough”

The students groaned at such a prospect, many sounding already defeated. Daphne exchanged gazes with her friends, challenging looks all around.

“ Now, today we will be concentrated on Aura Shield, so this is what I want you to do. First…”

…

“ That will be all for today, class. Please, take these last ten minutes to take a breath and meditate to calm your Auras” Professor Flitwick announced bringing an end to the session.

Like he promised, the spell was so difficult it seemed almost impossible to archive.

“ Professor?”

“ Yes, Mr. Boot?”

“ Why is this so difficult? Shouldn’t this be easier what with having unlocked our Auras?” Terry Boot asked while measuring his breathing as the professor answered.

“ You would think so, wouldn’t you?” Professor Flitwick laughed jovially. “ Say, what have you been practicing with your Auras so far?” The diminutive professor returned to his stool, jumping on it and siting with his feet dangling instead of standing like he usually does.

“ Meditating to more easily reach it, and guiding it out of our bodies. Practicing to guide our Auras to envelope us as long as we can”.

“ Exactly so, Ms. Granger! And what have we been trying to do now?”

“ Commanding our Aura to take form and take on a specific property it doesn’t have naturally” Daphne answered.

“ It is fighting us because we are trying to make it do something that isn’t natural for our Aura to do!” Boot exclaimed in realization.

“ Exactly so, two points for the three of you, Ms. Granger, Ms. Greengrass and Mr. Boot. You were practicing control while letting it flow naturally, you were ‘guiding it’, as Ms. Granger adequately put. For some of you, this would have been enough to produce some kind of special result on its own, something inherently specific to your own Aura”.  Daphne made sure to not react to the professor’s words, and was happy to see that none of her other friends reacted either. “ But what you are doing now, is not guiding it through its natural flow, but to go against its natural current shall we say. That’s why Aura Spells are so difficult to perform, much less master. But don’t worry, once you manage to perform at least one of these basic spells, the rest you will learn in you Hogwarts’ career will be easier to perform” Professor Flitwick promised with an encouraging smile.

…

Luckily for the blood pressure of the castle inhabitants, the students managed to leave the happenings at the corridor behind — to Harry’s great joy, since what happened only made him the center of attention, again — and they all got accustomed to see not only the professor’s Pokémon actively guarding corridors and classrooms around the castle, but also to the more apparent presence of the Rangers and ACE agents dispatched by the league. Even Daphne managed to stop looking funny at the Gym Trainers her father dispatched to the school after a while.

And it got even more buried in the minds of the students with the events that occurred not long after that class with Professor Flitwick. Tough one of them brought back, again, the attention of the student body towards Harry. Much to the Dark Type Master in training's consternation.

…

“ I’m just saying, that you should have passed it to Alice instead of Katie. We wouldn’t have been so behind the Slytherings if you did, Angie-”

“ Don’t call me Angie” Angelina’s brow twitched in irritation, her back turned towards Cormac McLaggen who continued ignoring her correction.

“ We barely got second place by ten points! The Hufflepuffs could have won second instead of us. The Hufflepuffs!”

The members of the Hufflepuff students around the room bristled at the implied insult, more than one member of their Battle Royal Team seemed ready to punch McLaggen, their lose from the penultimate game of the year still a shore thorn to their side. A game that was played just three days ago.

“ So little decorum” Daphne lamented, gaining a bark of agreement from Boreas.

“ He wouldn’t survive one of uncle Arcturus' lessons, that’s for sure” Harry snorted in derision.

McLaggen continued his spiel, ignoring his fellow Gryffindor players’ mounting irritation and the growing attention of the other occupants of the Gym Court’s Grooming Room. Daphne couldn’t help but laugh, if quietly, in derision towards the spectacle the boy was making of himself. Her grandmother would have tanned his hide for such behavior.

“ Darkray’s nightmares, he’s still at it?” Cedric swore under his breath, an irritated frown on his face.

Asher, his Shieldon, rumbled unhappily beside him. His metallic face-shield frill was shining after Cedric’s grooming, the small crack he received during the last Battle Royal match almost fixed and polished away.

“ He hasn’t stopped since the match” Harry deadpanned while gazing at the scene, waiting like the others for the inevitable eruption coming from the rest of Gryffindor’s team.

Theo twitched beside Harry with an anticipating look on his face. Daphne resisted the urge to pinch the bridge of her nose, ‘Theo, seriously, subtitle’. Blaise sent her a smirk while Mors laughed quietly at her, obviously having seen Theo’s reaction and somewhat having sensed her own thoughts. Luckily, the Champion’s Son didn’t seem nervous like the other times she has observed him react like that, so the explosion more than likely won’t be literal.

“ Seriously? What a pain in the ass”. Cedric wasn’t mincing his words today it seemed.

“ You have no idea” Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville sighed at the same time.

“ I’m so glad I don’t share common room with him”

“ Don’t rub it, Blaise” Ron grumbled.

“ What? How we trounced both your teams?” The Ghost Master in training gave the Bug Master in training a shit eating grin.

Harry and Hermione took hold of the back of Ron’s sport shirt to stop him from lunging at Blaise. Daphne did roll her eyes this time which made Tracey snicker beside her.

It has been three days since the three-way Battle Royal match between the Hufflepuff, Gryffindor and Slytherin Teams. The Ravenclaws were disqualified in the first match of the year — Daphne didn’t much care for the sport, but she was certain that only having two veteran players in Ryder Jons and Roger Davis worked against them. No matter how promising some of their new players were, like Cho Chang —. And the Hufflepuffs were disqualified in the last and penultimate match of the year. They lost the second spot with ten point against Gryffindor while Slytherin dominated with another sixty points of difference — even when Cedric was the one to catch the Snitch, a Ribombe for that match—. Daphne’s house team was the only one with a full team of veterans while the Hufflepuffs have to train a new full set of Chasers and Gryffindor a new Chaser and a new Seeker. Something that was regretfully taking their toll on the two teams as much as it did the Ravenclaws. But of all the new players on any of the teams, the one that was giving the biggest huge headache was no other than…

“ McLaggen!!”

More than one winced at Oliver’s shout — grumbles from the Pokémon filled the room with their relaxing time being so rudely disturbed — the Gryffindor captain apparently having reached the limit of his patience.

“ Shit” Daphne heard someone swear from somewhere around the Grooming Room.

“ What? I’m just saying that if they have gone from outside instead of right through the middle, we could have ended first!”

“ No, Cormac, we wouldn’t, and do you know why? Because Angelina’s, Alice’s and Katie’s play wasn’t the problem, nor was it Fred’s or George’s. It was your’s” Wood pointed an accusatory finger at the second year, his face contorted in displeasure.

The rest of Gryffindor’s team and their Pokémon gravitated to stay behind their captain’s back in support.

“ Excuse me? What are you talking about? I wasn’t the one doing stupid maneuvers when they should have been gunning for more points”. McLaggen gaped at him, apparently horrified by the accusation to his person.

“ No, you were the one wasting time giving useless advice to his teammates instead of acting as an actual team player. I don’t know if you noticed but I am the Captain, if there is something that I need to say or advice I will do it. During a pause. Not in the middle.of.the.game.” Oliver practically spat those final words like if they were bullets.

“ I…Well…It… It’s not like you did much better!”

Cedric snorted, Asher grunted, Harry clicked his tongue, Dante whined, Hedwig clicked her beak, Ron groaned, Artreos buzzed, Neville and Justin exchanged looks,… The reactions were quite varied all around the room, though exasperation was the theme of the hour. That seemed to attract McLaggen’s attention and made him remember that he has an audience to the spectacle he was causing.

“ Why is it that people like him always resort to petty shots when they don’t have a valid argument?” Theo lamented while dragging a hand down his face. “ By Fenrall, this is pitiful to watch”

“ I don’t know about pitiful, I find it entertaining”. Blaise smirked jovially.

“ Are you serious right now?”. Angelina ignored all the noise around while looking at McLaggen like he was stupid…or more stupid than usual. “ Ollie is the best Keeper at Hogwarts, period”. There were grumbles from the other teams, specially the Slytherins, but none disputed her words. “ He has the record of most saved points so far this season. I don’t know if you have noticed, but he already has scouts vying for him. And he is a fifth year!”.

“ Wait, really?”. Tracey asked in surprise.

“ Yep”. Ron and Harry answered at the same time.

“ Well, if I am so bad. Why don’t you take me out of the team?” McLaggen challenged, his face flushed in anger.

“ I think I will”.

There was stunned silence all around. Kicking out a player so late in the year? Gryffindor was practically surrounding the season, no matter how bad McLaggen was. But Wood didn’t look to be joking in the slightest.

“ You are joking!”

“ I’m not, McLaggen. Let me make something clear, we are still in the running not because of you, but in despite of you! Fucks sake, the Slytherins didn’t need to use their usual cheating methods to get ahead of the game-”

“ Hey!” Came various shouts all around the room.

“ Rude, but valid”

“ Daph! Whose side are you on!?” Tracey complained.

“ Not McLaggen’s” The Greengrass heiress deadpanned.

“-you were already doing their jobs!” Wood continue, too incensed to care about the audience.

Blaise and Mors laughed with glee at the spectacle, the pearls of the Misdreavus were shining with all the bad vibes he was absorbing from the arguing pair.

“ Why do we mingle with these people again?” Theo asked.

“ Because we almost died in the Forbidden Forest, so Harry made us come train with them”. Justin pointed out.

“ Oh, right”

The aforementioned boy just rolled his green eyes.

“ You can’t kick me out, you don’t have anyone to take my place!” There was a note of desperation on McLaggen’s voice.

“ Actually, I do”

Wood turned his back on a sputtering McLaggen and marched towards where Daphne was standing with her friends, just to make an honest to the Legendaries’s Indigan dogeza — forehead pressed to the floor included — right in front of a mortified Harry.

“ Please, Harry, join the team!?”

Stunned silence and open mouths were the expression all of the people and Pokémon present were exporting — yes, even Daphne and Boreas. Even if they will deny it to kingdom come if someone asked —. Harry sputtered clearly flustered and not knowing how to respond.

“…I knew you were training me on the sly”. Groaned Harry after regaining his wits.

“ Is that a yes?”

“ Oh, piss off, Ollie”

“ Language, Harry!”

Daphne observed this unfold, her mind running with the possibilities for her friend. Most of all, with how usefull this could be for Harry to stop thinking about the attack. Now, if only something like this happened to Theo, it would alleviate Daphne’s worries. If not, she will have to think of something herself. ‘But maybe not by herself’ Daphne though while gazing at her group of friends, a small smile curving her lips. It was good to have friends.

 

---

 

“ I don’t think it was a good idea, Harry. Joining the team like that!? You won’t have time to train properly. And what about the final exams? You won’t have time to study! We already have a thick schedule, this won’t leave you any time for yourself” Hermione worried beside him, her tone frantic.

Harry shared a fond, if exasperated, look with Ron.

“ Hermione, relax. Yes, I will have a thicker schedule, but no more than Tracey has with her own training. I will manage just fine” Harry reasoned while taking hold of Dante’s and Hedwig’s PokeBalls and tossing them in the air to release his partners from their confines.

Hedwig cawed a greeting while flying a circle around Harry before landing on his shoulders and raking her beak through his hair affectionately — just once, though, she has an image to maintain —. Dante barked his own greeting after materializing, already keeping stride before fully forming, and shaking his body like he does after a wash to get rid of the feeling of being released from his PokeBall.

Dante and Hedwig were the start of a cascade of tossed PokéBalls and released Pokémon, the group of Gryffindor and Hufflepuff first years no wasting time in releasing their Pokémon after the end of their latest Language and Literature class.

“ But, Harry, Tracey has been part of the Kickboxing Club since the start!”

“ And Harry has been training with the Royal Teams even before that” Ron pointed out.

“ But-”

“ Hermione” Neville put a hand on her shoulder, his usual shy disposition absent at the moment. “ Don’t worry, Angelina and Alice will make sure to take care of Harry and to monitor Oliver so he doesn’t go overboard. Beside, Oliver has been training Harry on the sly, he isn’t as unprepared as you think”.

“ Exactly, he is going to do great”. Ron thumped Harry’s back with a big smile.

“ Thanks”. Harry couldn’t help but smile back, feeling warm at his friend’s faith in him.

“ Of course he is gonna do great. But it’s just so sudden, and with the finals so close!” Hermione said indignantly, a little hurt that they may have though that she didn’t have faith on Harry when she was just worried about the timing.

“ Hermione, girl, I like you but you have to relax. We have just finished doing the midterm exams for the second semester”. Justin deadpanned while pointing behind them towards the door of the classroom they have just exited. “ We still have three months to go for the finals, you can’t be stressing right now”.

“ Honestly, you guys! Three months are…” Hermione huffed before starting on a rant about 'proper study time' and 'schedule management' the boys turned out with practice ease.

Something that Hermione didn’t get is that Harry actually welcomed the fuller schedule. It distracted him from his own thoughts and preoccupations that plagued him since the attack. Harry shock his head, hateful red eyes filling his mind and trying to drown him again in the memory

“ Congratulations on joining the team, Harry”. Susan piped from behind them, the group of first years not having dispersed after leaving the class since it has been the final class of the day, and they were now going towards the Great Hall for something to eat before dinner later on the day.

“ Thanks, Susan”.

“ Yeah, you will do great”. Hannah encouraged. Although she didn’t sound that sincere, her smile a little strained.

Harry gazed at her funnily, not knowing how to take the supposed encouragement. Justin snorted a laugh that he disguised as a cough.

“ Don’t worry, Harry. She means it, Hannah is just salty about how the last match ended”. Justin assured the last Potter.

The daughter of house Abbott, and the more likely candidate to take over the Abbott Gym, huffed in indignation.

“ How can’t I not!? Cedric caught the Snitch, we should have won the second place to play in the finals!”. Hannah complained.

“ The snitch only counts for fifty points. Still a huge sum, but not so large to be a decisive win for the team that catches it”. Ron said, always eager to talk Battle Royal strategy.

Conversation flowed around the group, the relaxing atmosphere something Harry welcomed. After having been months with his nerves on high alert, a moment like this was something Harry absolutely enjoyed.

“ Well, well, well, look who has appeared? It must be great to be so famous that everything just falls on your lap” Harry almost groaned at hearing the drawling voice of Malfoy.

The Slythering so proclaimed Prince — just by Pansy, but both live in a delusion — practically strutted towards them. The Malfoy Heir was gazing at Harry with a condescending sneer, anger and what Harry incentivized as concealed jealously shining through. As always, Malfoy was accompanied by his pose of the four idiots, Pansy practically dangling herself from his arms.

A Kriketum could be heard after Malfoy’s try for a taunt, not even Ron rose to the bait even with his ‘hate’ of Malfoy.

“ I think I just heard the Lengenday of Hypocrisy being born.” Justin commented while making sure to act like he was looking for said 'Legend'.

“ Are you making fun of me?”. Draco frowned with an angry blush on his pale cheeks.

“ No, of course not, Mr. ‘My-Father-Will-Hear-About-This’”. Justin mocked.

Malfoy’s angry blush intensified, his hand twitching towards his PokéBalls, but Bulstrode interrupted before anything rash happened. It seemed that someone on that group were able to learn from past mistakes.

“ Shut up, Filth-Fetching. Dray isn’t talking with you”. Though pettiness and name-calling were still the order of the day, it seemed.

“ Filth-Fetching? Seriously? That’s…quite original actually. Never heard that before”. Justin clapped in mockery.

“ Don’t worry, Justin. You would still look handsome in Garbage Man uniform”. Susan patted him on the back with a smile playing on her lips.

Harry and his friends laughed, the two Hufflepuffs having managed to defuse any kind of conflict Malfoy had pretended to start before he could even start. The five Slytherins didn’t like it, indignation coloring their faces.

“ You-“

“ Ugh, Malfoy, what do you want? Can you get on with it?”. Harry interrupted Malfoy before he could start on a rant (Harry really wanted to eat something already, and Malfoy was in the middle of his way to the food).

“ Don’t think that winning will be that easy. It won’t fall into your lap like the position did”. Malfoy sneered though gritted teeth. “ I will enjoy seeing you crushed by our team right after crushing you myself on the tournament. I will enjoy shattering your Zoroark’s Illusionary Glory”. Malfoy turned around and marched right through the doors to the Great Hall, his pose right behind him.

“ I will be waiting for our fight, Granger. If you even last long enough to face me”. Parkinson mocked over her shoulder before she and Malfoy disappeared behind the doors.

Harry and Hermione exchanged confused looks.

“ Tournament?” Harry scrunched his face in confusion.

“ What were they talking about?” Hermione turned to the others, her eyebrows furrowed.

Ron, Neville, Justin, Susan and Hannah seemed as confused as them. Until realization bloomed on Ron’s face.

“ Oh! The tournament!”

…

Each year, when the school year is almost over, the students on the Battle Club participate in a Battle Tournament (And seeing as practically the one hundred percent of the students were part of the club, the event is a huge affair for the school). With a popularity that rivals the Battle Royal Matches, the Hogwarts Battle Tournament has become an event that even attracts outside viewers. The Headmaster and, if rumors are to be believed, the Deputy Headmistress took notice of this scrutiny from the outside world and planned the event to also coincide with the last matches of the Sports Clubs. So right after all the students had completed their final exams, in that week and a half of absolutely nothing to do that the adults in charge make the students suffer, Hogwarts becomes home to an ‘Open Doors Week’s Fair’.

“ The Hogwarts Tournament is actually seven separated tournaments divided by year”. Professor Flitwick explained that same day at the Battle Club.

The first and second year students that attended the Club (So, with the exception of two second years that weren’t members, all of the first and second year students were present) paid close attention to what the small professor was saying (Though excited whispering could be heard from time to time around the battlegrounds they were in).

“ Why haven’t I heard about this?” Harry asked quietly to Theo, his eyes momentarily darting towards his best friends face before returning to the professor.

“ It’s not that huge a thing. True, sponsors come here each year to hunt for potential trainers that could represent their companies, but it’s just really for the families of the students to come and see some of the things their kids have gotten into while at Hogwarts”. Theo explained equally quietly back.

Families, sponsors in search of future promising trainers, sport scouts for promising athletes, representatives from universities, or just simply curious spectators, Hogwarts gets floored with new faces all around during that week. So, while Theo was underselling it, he wasn’t far off on his statement.

“ As first years, you will only fight in one-on-one battles”. Professor Flitwick continued explaining. His proclamation elicited grumbles and complaints from the first year students. “ I know, I know. It may seem unfair to those of you that only have one partner since your fellow students with two Pokémon can rotate their partners through the battles, but I and the rest of the staff aren’t willing to have any of you experience a ‘black out’”.

“ Reasonable”. Daphne commented at the other side of Theo. “ It’s not like the tournament could have been done any other way anyway. Not all of us have two Pokémon we can field for the tournament”.

“ You can always catch another, Daph. We still have two outings to go before that week”. Tracey chimed in with a suggestion.

“ Unless I catch a Pokémon this next one, it would be too little time to train a new partner”. Daphne denied. “ But I will not say no to a new partner if I can catch one in the next outing, there should be some Spheal sowing up where the Forest meets the Black Lake”. Her blue eyes shone at the thought of the round Pokémon.

“ That’s the spirit”. Tracey grinned at the blonde girl.

It seemed that Harry not only has to now practice and train for the final Battle Royal match of the year — no pressure there —, but also for this upcoming Battle Club competition: The Hogwarts Battle Tournament. He wasn’t alone in feeling the pressure of course, poor Neville would explode in cold sweat only thinking about it. Harry put a reassuring hand on his godbrother’s shoulder, but it did little to calm him.

“ The winner of the competition will be allowed to compete in the first rounds of the Second Year Tournament. Second years, you will be doing one-on-one battles for the first rounds and you will switch to two-on-two for the semifinals. Depending on how well I see you all in these last months till the tournament, the final match may be a Double Battle” The second years whispered excitedly, determination shining in their eyes.

“ How did Malfoy know about this? I understand Ron and others with family attending Hogwarts, but Malfoy?” Harry asked after having caught the platinum blonde pounce smirking at him.

“ His father is in the Board of Governors” Theo lifted an eyebrow. “ Haven’t we talked about it?”.

“ No”. Harry frowned.

“ So, wait. Every time he said his ‘my father will hear about this’ line, it actually has substance behind it?” Justin asked with wide eyes.

Theo and Blaise snorted.

“ Of course not. That’s just Malfoy trying to intimidate us, he doesn’t really report back to his father any time he gets upset”. Theo said with a quiet laugh.

“ I don’t think his father would be that happy if he did. Calling him for schoolyard spats? Not dignified enough for a Malfoy”. Blaise snickered mockingly in the direction of the junior Malfoy.

Harry was glad for this new announcement about the tournament. The pressure from the Battle Royal, from the Tournament he was just learning about, and of the final exams that were approaching just added another layer to his increasingly busy schedule.

“ Oh, Uxie, this is a disaster”. Hermione muttered under her breath.

Hermione’s curly hair got busier by the minute while the girl stressed over the coming exams and how much time this new event was going to eat from her studies.

“ Hermione, relax. It’s gonna be fine. I’m sure you will get A in everything without trying”. Harry tried to reassure her.

Existential crisis from his busy haired friend aside…yes, Harry was glad from his increased schedule. It let him with less time to think and more time to spent his energy. That way, come the nights, the nightmares while plague him less.

“ Now, like with the First Years’ Tournament, the second year winner will be permitted to compete in the first rounds of the third year’s Tournament. But there is more. The winners while gain an award. First years while receive fifty house point for their house, just like the winners for any of the Sport’s tournaments. Second years, on the other hand, you will not only gain those fifty points, but you will also get discount coupons for some of the Hogsmeade shops you will be able to use next year”. Professor Flitwick grinned at the excited chatter that started between the second years.

“ What do you think are the awards for the other years?”. Ron asked with gleaming eyes.

“ Maybe some Battle Items?”. Justin ventured.

“ Evolutionary stones?”. Tracy offered.

“ Maybe for the sixth or seventh years”. Theo tilted his head in thought.

Harry tried to follow the conversation but he wasn’t that interested, it didn’t matter what the older years got since it wouldn’t affect him. Regretfully, that let his mind wander. Hatefully red eyes glared from the other side of the corridor. Harry shook his head, trying to dispel the image.

Since the attack he hasn’t been able to take those eyes out of his mind. They visit him in the nights and in his waking hours. For some reason, Harry feels like he should recognize those eyes from somewhere, and not just from the attack on the corridor. His nightmares not only summoned the attack at school, but it changed his nightmares of the green light. Another layer was added to it. Now those eyes appeared on the scene accompanying the green light and the awful laughter, sometimes the red eyes were attached to a confusing mass of white fur and long limbs he couldn’t discern the actual form of. But, another mass of fur also appeared, black and red with equally hateful greenish-blue eyes.

“ Regretfully, there isn’t enough first years for each of you to participate in an equal amount of battles through your advance through the brackets. It will be an eliminatory tournament were the winner of the first battle round on a bracket while fight against the winner of another first battle from another bracket, the losers being eliminated from the tournament till only two of you remain for the final battle. If the numbers were right, the winner should only fight five Battles, but with your numbers, it is possible that he or she would have fought on six”. Grumbles and complaints rose from this. “ Nothing we can do about this, I will not exclude twelve of you to even out the numbers to an equal amount of battles. So, to prepare you, we will be doing Endurance Battles. I will choose two of you to battle, and the winner while fight the next opponent without rest till your Pokémon is defeated and the new winner takes their place”. The Professor explained briefly the process they will go through in preparation to the tournament.

But those greenish-blue eyes, their hate wasn’t directed at him. But at the hateful red ones. Safety and comfort were the feelings they gave Harry, a breath of relief from the usual feelings of his nightmares. If he could just remember what it is he was truly seeing and not just those uniformed masses of fur.

Harry’s green eyes meet Draco’s grey ones again.

‘I will enjoy shattering your Zoroark’s Illusionary Glory’

Harry’s eyes widened, something on his mind clicking. ‘…Zoroark’s Illusionary Glory’. It couldn’t be. ‘ Around the graduation picture of his mother, besides of Empoleon, there was an elegant Lapras, a happily smiling Zoroark, a serious looking Gallade, a Rapidash looking calmly at the camera with her fiery mane dancing around her face, and an enormous Gyarados encircling all of them’. Harry’s hand trembled at his side. ‘…happily smiling Zoroark…’. A quiet gasp slipped through his lips. ‘ Hateful but protective greenish-blue eyes in a mass of black and red fur formed into the form of a monstrous but beautiful fox; Hateful, so much hate, red eyes in a mass of white and red fur formed into a monstrous and disquieting fox’.

‘Many nights I’ve gone without sleep, thinking about what would have been like if I ended his trainer career right there, by not giving him that poor kit. Maybe we would have been spared the horrors he committed. And maybe that poor kit, that poor Zorua kit I gave him, wouldn’t have suffered at his hands like he did, becoming what he became after what he did to him. Because he was a terrible monster, yes, but a brilliant individual, and he did things nobody else would have dreamed of doing, terrible things’ Professor Olivander’s voice echoed through Harry’s mind. Zorua kit. Zorua kit. Zorua.Kit!

“ Shit” Harry cursed under his breath.

 

---

 

‘ …Dark, Ghost and Psychic are known as the Mind Trio for the propensity of the Pokémon of these types to play with the minds of others. One of the most common ways they do this is with Illusions, and of all the Pokémon known, Zoroark is the Monarch of Illusions…’ Harry frantically read the next day after his epiphany. ‘…most powerful members of the species are known to create “Solid Illusions”…’. Hedwig and Dante gazed with worry at their trainer, even the Porygon-2 on his phone was looking with worry from where he has left it in the table. They have been in the library all day researching since sunrise, they haven’t even had breakfast. ‘…incredibly protective…semi-bipedal foxes with black and red fur…’

Harry’s eyes darted from the screen of the library computer to the book at his side, stacks of other discarded books around him. Harry knew what he remembered, his mother’s Zoroark protecting him against another of his species. A white and red one with its mane out of their Focus Pearl.

‘…Zoroarks are the only Pokémon known to be able to deceive even Legedaries with their illusions’ Harry’s eyes darted and paused at that entry, the memory of the enraged Grimmsnarl coming to mind. “ Powerful enough to ensnare Legendaries in their own minds, powerful enough to ensnare an Elite wild Pokémon”. Harry mumbles to himself, his hand flying upon a notebook at his side.

Harry was sure of his conclusion, of what he has deduced about ‘The Thing’ that attacked him and his friends in the forest and latter him in the corridor. But he wanted to make sure about it, the memory he was relying on was from when he was one year old. Not that solid an argument to make.

Leaving the book aside, Harry focused again in the computer screen. After a moment of thought he started typing another search.

“…Cataloged Zorua and Zoroark’s sightings…Known Zorua’s Line habitats…” Harry mumbled while scrolling down the screen. “…List of owned Zorua and Zoroarks”. Harry zeroed in that link, interest piked. ‘ The Zorua line is the second most elusive non-legendary line of Pokémon just behind Spiritomb. The dual Ghost and Dark Type wins the competition with only twenty six known cases of a Spiritomb owned by a trainer. Cynthia Celestic is the only known trainer to own one in the actuality. Charlus Potter was another modern trainer with one on his team before his death’. Harry didn’t let himself pause at the mention of his grandfather, much that he wanted to know more about him. ‘ The most ‘modern’ trainer after Lord Potter and Champion Cynthia to own one of these rare Pokémon died seventy years before the birth of Lord Potter. That is how rare these Pokémon are. But, the Zorua line is not far behind. With only two hundred and twenty registered through history, Zorua and Zoroark Trainers are a rarity. Taking into account the still alive and the dead trainers, only twelve trainers have been fortunate enough to have one on their teams this century. Here is a list by known region of the trainers’. Harry skipped the list from the other regions and went straight to the list under Yggsill. And there he only found three names. “ Tom Marvell Riddle, born 2026 died in 2056; Lily Jade Potter née Evans, born 2060 died in 2081”.

Harry gulped at the sudden lump on his throat. Each name of the list was accompanied by a picture of the mentioned trainer, and right there was a picture of his mother with her Zoroark he hadn’t seen before. It was a Battle photo, his mother was smiling with determined eyes, her hair flying behind her while pointing right ahead. Zoroark had a confident smirk decorating her muzzle, claws at the ready. The Hogwarts castle was right behind them on the background, melting snow around them. They looked fierce. They looked young.

With effort, Harry managed to avert his gaze, only sparing the Riddle fellow a cursory look — just enough to note that his picture was taken when he was also young, handsome, and that he had a Zorua slung around his shoulders — before posing his eyes on the next name.

“ Voldemort”. Harry intoned, somewhat surprised that the creators of the page weren’t afraid to write down his name instead of writing ‘He-who-must-not-be-named’ or ‘you-know-who’.

There wasn’t a picture of Voldemort or his Zoroark, something that frustrated Harry. He has never heard of a white Zoroark before. Or one with red eyes and yellow sclera. Harry shock his head, not wanting to get trapped on the memory of those eyes again.

“ Maybe it was leucistic, or an albino”. Harry ventured aloud while gazing at Dante, his own leucistic partner. But that explanation didn’t ring true to him.

After a moment of thought, Harry put his fingers on the keyboard again.

“ White Zoroark”. Harry mumbled while typing the search down.

Links popped down the screen but none seemed promising. They were all pages about Leucistic or Albino Zoruas and Zoroark, many of them that weren’t even real since, you know, they were so rare. The more he scrolled down, the furthest from his search the links become. Some even just showed shiny examples of the Pokémon, with aren’t even white. It went from fake photos of white Zoroarks to just photos of white Pokémon.

Harry sighed in exasperation but right before he was going to close the window of the search, a link graved his attention.

“ Hisuian Zorua: the Extinct Species of Ancient Sinnoh”. Curious, Harry clicked on it.

The page had an old aesthetic, like if however made it hadn’t bothered on modernizing the look of the page since they created it. But Harry didn’t care for that because right there, there was a picture of a monstrous white Zoroark. The photo was old, one of those beige photos of forever ago, not even the black and white ones. But it didn’t matter since the appearance of the Pokémon was clear. And Harry’s mind didn’t have a problem in giving color to the subject of the picture. A semi bipedal fox, a mane of unruly hair — the Focus Pearl the Zoroarks use to tie their manes nowhere to be seen — visible veins running down its extremities. And those hateful eyes. He could identify those eyes anywhere. They weren’t the same, exactly — different individuals — but the hate was practically the same.

“ ‘Having been run out of their home region by hunters, the Hisuian Zoroark was the most dangerous Pokémon to inhabit ancient Sinnoh. Masters of illusions, they didn’t use them to protect those under them — which were none — but to deceive their prey. From a Swinob to serve as their meal, to the humans they hunted for sport. Their hate for the human species knew no bounds’” Harry read with wide eyes. “ ‘ A Normal and Ghost Type, the legends said that Hisuian Zorua are the deceased souls of the hunted Zorua that didn’t survive and were resurrected in Hisui with their hate for humanity fueling their energy’”.

Harry gasped in realization, ‘..maybe that poor kit, that poor Zorua kit I gave him, wouldn’t have suffered at his hands like he did, becoming what he became after what he did to him. Because he was a terrible monster, yes, but a brilliant individual, and he did things nobody else would have dreamed of doing, terrible things..’.

“ That’s why I couldn’t feel his emotions as well as I can with other Dark Types! Voldemort did something to him, something that transformed him into a Hisuian Zorua!”. Harry exclaimed while turning towards his Pokémon who jumped in place at his sudden outburst. “ He is a Normal-Ghost Type now!”

“ Harry?” Harry flinched in surprise at the sudden call.

Turning, he found Theo and Hermione looking at him and all the books and papers around him with concerned eyes.

“ What are you doing?” Hermione asked.

“ Come, I discovered something”. Harry took hold of both their hands and guided them towards the computer.

…

“…I think that’s why the Grimsnarl was so affected by Bug and Fairy moves. He wasn’t born a Hisuian Zorua, his connection to the Dark Type energies must still be integral to his being”.

“ Because it wasn’t a natural thing”. Hermione frowned while reading with horror all the conclusions Harry has come too in his hours of research.

Harry nodded his head emphatically. The green-eyed boy was glad that his friends weren’t dismissive of his conclusion about who it was that attacked them, even though he couldn’t actually talk Theo and Hermione through his whole thought process since he couldn’t talk about his Aura Ability (family secret and all that). He hadn’t told them of his childhood memory turned nightmare either.

“ What do you think?”. Harry asked.

“ I think…”. Theo started while averting his gaze from the computer screen. “ that we need to talk to the professors”.

“ Theo is right. This…this is too big to not tell them”. Hermione agreed.

Harry looked at his two friends, two of the first friends he has made since meeting Ned at the orphanage — two of the first friends he has made since Remus adopted him and brought him to his new life — and couldn’t help but note the worry and fear that crossed their faces. This wasn’t just a fun investigation with some risks anymore, it wasn’t something they could just ignore because ‘what could they do?’. This was Voldemort’s Pokémon they were talking about. A Champion level monster that hated everything and everyone but his dead master.

“ Okey”

 

---

 

“ We know it was Voldemort’s Hisuian Zoroark behind the attacks. We think he wants the Essence of YX” Minerva’s heart hasn’t been closer to a have a heart attack in her life at the words uttered from one of the three first years standing right in front of her.

 

 

Notes:

Alternate Title: The Kids Catch Up to What the Adults Know.

Alternate-Alternate Title: That Time Draco Helped Whiteout Meaning Too.

Alternate-Alternate-Alternate Title: Let's Give Professor McGonagall a Heart Attack.

Chapter 29: From the Perspective of Children

Notes:

Disclaimor: Don't own Harry Potter or Pokémon. I only own the original characters and the original Pokémon.

English is not my first language, so if you see spelling mistakes, don't hesitate in telling me.

Note; Note; Note; Note; Note; Note;

Hey everyone. First of all, I would like to apologise for two things. First for having deleted the chapter, and second for not having responded to the comments.

My e-mail has gone crazy, and all the notifications from AO3 are going to my spam for some reason I don’t understand and can’t seem to fix 🥲. I’ve learnt that some of you left me comments after having deleted the chapter when I got suspicious of my lack of notifications for new chapters of fics I’m subscribed to and decided to look in spam ‘just in case’. My gut feeling was correct, regretfully. So, shout out for all of you that left comments! Thank you very much! 😁

Now, the reason I deleted the chapter… I've been having some trouble with what I'm pretty sure is a mild case of depression that has left me with no energy or desire to do anything. It’s just recently that I have started to regain my energy to do the things I like, so the previous iteration of chapter 29 was pretty much me starting to get the hang of it again. Regretfully, that also means that it was the next day while I was at work that inspiration struck for some scenes that would have been perfect for the chapter that would have made it feel more complete (for me at least 😅).

This is the new version, there are practically no changes to the scenes you all read with the previous update of this chapter before I deleted it. The only change is that now Neville’s Applin has a name. For the new scenes though…well, this chapter has gone from 5000 words to 10500 😗. I think I say a lot without actually saying anything 🤣.

Again, sorry for this. But I hope you all like the new iteration of chapter 29

 

Albus contemplated the expansive grounds of the school through the window of his office, his mind still preoccupied with the conversation he had just had with three of his young students.

“Well? Are you going to say something?” Minerva asked with exasperation.

“It seems we have some impressive minds among our pupils.” Albus commented without turning to look at her.

“Really, Albus? We have three first years knowing what’s hidden in the school, likely more than three, since I don’t see those three keeping something like this from their friends, and that’s all you have to say?”. Mafdet chuffed in indignation beside her Aura Bonded, Minerva’s agitation and worry blending into the fiery lioness.

Albus turned to look at her at that, his gaze contemplative.

“There’s not much I can say, Minerva. Mr. Potter, Mr. Nott and Ms. Granger haven’t discovered anything we didn’t know already. The three, or nine, of them knowing doesn’t change anything. Their deductive skills are quite impressive, it’s just a pity that they discovered something we didn’t want to be discovered by the student population. But there is nothing we can do about it. Tano isn’t going to give up on getting the Essence just because a group of first years have discovered that he is here”. Albus walked towards his office chair while he talked and sat down in it, the contemplative look of his eyes still present. “Severus,” Albus suddenly called, turning his eyes towards the right corner of the room behind his chair. “what are your thoughts?”.

Minerva didn’t react to the sudden appearance of her young colleague with his Dusknoir alongside him. The Head of Slytherin 'materialized' from the shadows of said corner after the subtle illusion that had kept him hidden disappeared.

“I didn’t realize that the Greengrass Heiress had already managed to develop her family’s abilities. It seems Potter’s inability to leave well enough alone what doesn’t concern him has rubbed off on the rest of the lot” Severus commented with a small sneer on his face, more than a little annoyed to not have noticed Ms. Greengrass spying on him during his conversation with Quirinus.

Albus almost chuckled at Severus's words. He knew the young man enough to see the reluctant approval of the children’s skills, even if his annoyance was incredibly real and he wouldn’t want anything more than to give them all detention. Even to his own four Slytherins.

“It had been some weeks already that Filius started them in finding their Aura when Ms. Greengrass stumbled upon the two of you. I’m not surprised she already had access to some of her family’s Abilities by then” Albus remarked.

‘Ahh, the wishful ignorance of the Noble Blood’, Albus thought with certain humour. Family Abilities may be kept secret from outsiders, that doesn’t mean that the rest of the world didn’t have eyes and minds to piece the clues together to “discover” the Aura Abilities of someone, more so from a Noble family with generations upon generations of individuals sharing the same abilities. Of course, not confirming what they can’t do and keeping secret the specifics of how their abilities actually work is still important. Someone can’t fully recreate something to the one hundred percent if they don’t know the specifics, nor can they counteract it. They can make a “Cheap Copy”, like the Nobles like to say, but a copy is not the original, nor does it work the same. Two Ghost Aligned individuals can have the ability to travel through shadows, but one needs to ‘jump into them’ while the other just needs to ‘take a step’. A minuscule difference to some, but something that someone, like a Curse Breaker or a Warden, who wants to prevent their travel must take into account. Of course, there exist abilities that are unique to a family, but those are rare, furthermore…

Albus shook his head to relieve himself from those thoughts, now was not the time to contemplate the intricacies of Aura Abilities present in centuries-old families.

“What’s this about Quirrell?” Minerva asked, eyes hard and focused and her eyebrow raised. 

“We suspect him to be implicated in the attempts to get the essence”. Albus explained, though he has his doubts about his full implication.

If Minerva was surprised by that information, she didn’t show it but for a small pause. 

“So the children were right in suspecting a professor to be working alongside Tano”. Minerva contemplated, her gaze travelling towards his office’s door from which Mr Potter, Mr. Nott and Ms. Granger had exited not too long ago. 

“Indeed, they are just mistaken in which professor it is”. Albus chuckled lightly, trying to find some humour in the situation they found themselves in. “Though I understand where they are coming from”. He gave Severus a pointed look. 

Severus crossed his arms over his chest, the only indication of how indignant he felt about such an accusation having been veiled towards him. 

“Pampered dunderheads”. Severus mumbled with an impressive sneer upon his face before continuing in a stronger voice. “What are you going to do about this? Going places they shouldn’t, investigating something they shouldn’t and that only puts them in danger, and breaking the rules while doing so. That’s not a behaviour that should be…rewarded”. 

“I never thought I would see the day you would want to punish your own flying snakes”. Mafdet chuffed a laugh at Minerva’s comment. 

“Ms. Greengrass’ name wasn’t said by any of them during their little recounting of events”. ‘Doesn’t change the fact that it was her that discovered the…meeting between Quirinus and me’ was left unsaid by Severus. 

Albus has to applaud the three preteens on their delivery of their findings. He is sure it was Mr. Nott’s coaching, helped by him talking the most while still managing to make Mr. Potter appear to be the spokesman during the meeting. Quintessential Slytherin, managing to deliver what they want to say while saving themselves from any possible repercussions. 

“Sharing a cup of tea with Rubeus and taking a stroll through the grounds isn’t against the rules”. Albus reminded them both and ignored the exasperated (Minerva) and unkind (Severus) comments from his two professors about Rubeus Hagrid. “That doesn’t mean I won’t be doing anything.” That surprised them both. “I fear what it means for Mr. Potter to have been the one to find out about Tano and the Essence of YX. The Essence should have been something the students wouldn’t find out about, now I fear that the nine of them knowing about it will put them at more risk. Mr. Potter most of all”. 

“You think Tano may go for Mr. Potter again?” Minerva pursed her lips with worry.

 “I fear he may use Mr. Potter in some way to get his claws on the essence. How? I don’t know, but I wouldn’t put it past Tano to do something. I will have Alakazam keep an eye on him and his friends”. Albus felt Alakazam’s PokéBall jiggle on his belt, showing that she has been paying attention to the conversation.

 Bahamut’s chest rumbled with approval at Albus’s choices.

 “Glad you agree”. Albus chuckled at his oldest partner before turning towards Severus. “I know you are already keeping an eye on Quirinus, but do you think you can spare one of yours to keep an eye on the kids? I think Sableye may be a good fit for this”.

 “…If I must”. Severus reluctantly acquitted before starting to go towards the door. “If that is all?” Albus nodded, but before he could say anything, Severus stopped by the door. “I wouldn’t expect Potter to be so forthcoming with his problems in the future, and I imagine that…none of the others…will be very cooperative either”.

 “What? Why would you think that?”. Minerva questioned, looking between Albus and Severus in bewilderment. 

Severus turned his head to look over his shoulder at the both of them, his black eyes hard. 

“Because, in their perspective, none of you have-”.

…

“-taken you seriously? They didn’t even react?”. Harry grunted his negative at Tracey’ question, his mind more in the conversation he has had with Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall than in what his friends were saying right now. 

Harry keeps replaying the conversation over and over again in his head. It has been frustrating. Harry has somewhat expected for the adults to already know about Tano, but the lack of reaction and even the immediate defence of Snape galled at him. Their response had felt dismissive.

 “They already knew about Tano, that’s why there are so many ACEs and Daphne’s father’s Gym Trainers going around the grounds”. Hermione explained.  

“And you are sure you didn’t mention me to explain why you suspected Snape?” 

“Yes, Daph, don’t worry. I made sure to not mention you in the conversation”. Theo reassured with certain exasperation, this wasn’t the first time Daphne has asked that. 

“Well, there’s not much we can do now, is there? We have informed the professors, now it’s their problem if they want to do something about what you told them”. Justin shrugged his shoulders, letting himself plop down on the couch they have finally brought to their commandeered classroom, an old thing they have found in one of the seventh floor’s corridors behind a door they haven’t managed to find again. 

“And do nothing?” Ron exclaimed. 

“I like that idea”. 

“Of course you do, Neville”. Ron exhaled in exasperation. “It’s Tano we are talking about, who knows what he wants with the essence!? But I’m sure it’s nothing good.”

“Yeah, exactly. It’s Tano we are talking about. What do you think a bunch of first years can do against him? Have you forgotten about the Grimmsnarl?” Tracey deadpanned. 

“But we can’t do nothing”. Harry finally interjected. “Maybe…maybe we can’t go against Tano. But we can go against Snape”. 

“Snape? Elite Level Trainer Snape? Yeah, right”. Daphne lifted an eyebrow, her gaze incredulous.

“He would make mincemeat out of us”. Blaise deadpanned. 

“Not go against him directly, just keep an eye on him. That way, if he goes to the third-floor corridor again, we will know and-"

“And do what, Harry? Go to the professors? They didn’t take us seriously now, why would it change then? Go ourselves to confront him? Like Blaise said, he would make mincemeat out of us”. Theo reasoned.

“Maybe we should just let the adults do their thing. This…isn’t really our fight, right?” Hermione said hesitantly. 

“Of course it is! Tano has made it my fight, he made it personal!” Harry exclaimed, his emotions getting the better of him.

Silence descended upon the group, his friends looking at Harry with wary and concerned expressions. Harry’s breathing has become ragged after his outburst, shame starting to colour his cheeks. Realizing that he has let his emotions get the better of him, his Dark Aura acting up again, Harry popped down to sit on the floor with his back turned to the others to start going through his meditation steps.

“…Sorry.” Harry exhaled — after feeling himself in control again — his head bowed, without turning to look at his friends even though he still feels their gazes upon him. 

“It’s okay, mate”. Ron put a hand on Harry’s shoulder, managing to coax the green eyed boy to turn around.

“You are right, we can at least try to keep an eye on Snape” Theo smiled reassuringly at Harry. 

“No, you were right. You don’t have to do anything, it’s not personal to either of you. I’ve already put you in danger. I’m the one that wants to keep an eye on Snape, I will do it”. Harry reassured them, his gaze determined.

“Yeah, nope”. Blaise snorted. 

“You are crazy if you think we will let you do it alone”. Justin gravitated towards Harry from his previous position on the couch to put an arm around his shoulders.

“You are our friend, for annoying that you can be sometimes”. Daphne smirked at him, her tone mock haughty.

“We will help you, if it’s personal for you, it’s personal for all of us” Theo smiled, his gaze reassuring. 

Ron pumped Harry’s shoulder softly with a fist, Tracey gave him a thumbs up, and Hermione smiled in reassurance and determination. 

“We are godbrothers. And even if we weren’t, our families have a saying”. Neville’s gaze was as reassuring as it was resolute, the spine of steel that more times than not was hidden beneath the shy boy shining through. “ ‘Where a Potter goes, a Longbottom follows…” 

“…When a Longbottom fights, a Potter wards their back’ ”. Harry finished their families' mutual saying, a huge smile making his cheeks almost hurt. 

“…That was so sweet it gave me caries”. Ron put a hand on his cheek, moving his jaw side to side like he was making sure that none of his teeth had actually rotted.

 “Oh, shut up, Ronald!”. Harry and Neville exclaimed at the same time. 

All the kids descended into laughter, the tension of the conversation finally lifting.

 “Thank you, guys". They all just smiled at Harry’s words.

---

The northern landing pad of Cragview was deserted but for the employees of the place. Sirius dismounted from Flygon’s back, taking out his helmet and aviator glasses when his feet touched the ground. Sirius patted Flygon’s neck with an excited smile still adorning his wind-kissed face.

“That was amazing, Flygon! Have I told you how glad I am that you are now big enough to carry me on your back?” Sirius practically cooed, his excitement from flying not abating in the slightest.

Flygon rolled her eyes behind her red protective membranes in mock exasperation, ‘Only like once every flight we have had since getting the license. 'You can continue saying it, I allow it’ , was what Sirius was more than sure she had said. But the happy, song-like sound her wings emitted betrayed her true feelings.

“Yeah, yeah. Don’t get that big of a head, I still pretend to get a bike” Sirius flicked her snout, which made her growl while massaging the spot before sticking her tongue out.

“Really mature” Sirius laughed while starting to take out the flying gear attached to his insectoid of a Pokémon.

Sirius approached the flight attendant posted on the exit to the pad to take his leave after returning Flygon to her PokéBall.

“Hello, sir. Please state your name, the identification of the mount, and the flight license.”

“Come on, Randalf, do we have to do this every time? I thought we both had fun on our date!” Sirius tried for a charming smile. It wasn’t effective.

“You still owe me for that drink” Was the deadpan delivery.

“Cold”

…

Sirius and Padfoot traversed the small garden path leading towards the entrance of the quaint two-storey yellow house in the southeast neighbourhood of the town of Cragview, the most charming place in the town under the Zabinis’ protection. If only for one thing. Here lived the Tonks Family, the family of her beautiful, kind, generous-

“I can practically hear your thoughts complimenting me, you are not getting extra desserts for much that you try” Andromeda opened the door before he could even rap on the door, her arms crossed and an unimpressed look on her face. Perros, her Espeon, purred at him in greeting.

“That’s the way to greet your favourite cousin?” Sirius mock pouted at her before greeting her with a kiss on the cheek. “It is good to see you, Andy”.

Andromeda smiled kindly at him, her previous hard gaze melting completely, silver eyes turning from metallic cold to the sparkle of a star. Andromeda has always been the warmest of the three Black Sisters. The middle child of Cygnus Black, Sirius’ uncle—May He NOT Rest in Peace— and Druella Rosier—just as much a piece of work as her husband or Sirius’s own mother, she won’t be missed either—Andromeda could be confused for her older sister by three years, Bellatrix—Voldemort’s most ardent supporter and another piece of work—something that has regretfully impacted her professional life. Sirius gazed around the sitting room while passing through it towards the kitchen and while noting with sadness the meagre trophies Andromeda managed to win in her short tenure as a Coordinator (having everyone against you for who you’re related to and who you look like, is not advantageous for a carer in what is just another format of popularity contest).

“So, how’s work? I’ve seen your designs in that magazine… ‘Vanity Hall’?” Sirius asked after some time, relaxing back in his seat at the dining table, after the tenth time Andromeda refused his help making dinner, and feeling the tension of the last few days melt away.

The team managing his PR campaign has been brutal on him. Proving looks, making videos, brainstorming ideas from said videos, discussing which of his Pokémon to show when and how, etc., etc., etc… And they never seem to be satisfied. Padfoot sent him a feeling of annoyance from her own place on the couch in the living room next door, where she is having her own conversation with Perros, asking Sirius to think of another thing or to better mute their bond—she doesn’t want to think about those sessions with their PR team either—Sirius sent her an apologetic smile before focusing back on his own conversation.

“‘Allure Fair’, dear. And it’s going well, sales have increased since featuring in the magazine. If it continues like this, opening a second store won’t be a dream for much longer” Andromeda answered with an eye roll before smiling softly in happiness.

Her stint as a Coordinator may have been fried and bitter, but she never left the world fully. Andromeda got a bachelor's in Fashion and managed to open her own small store and brand of clothing, ‘Nebula Grace’, that catered to both civilians and trainers. The majority of Cragview’s Trainers started their journey wearing her clothes.

“I’m happy for you. You know, you should design my clothing for my upcoming trip, maybe Oscar will get off my back if you do”. Sirius proposed just half jokingly, a grimace on his lips while thinking of his PR Team Manager.

“I don’t think the League would accept a small-time brand to supply the clothing for your journey”. Andromeda waved him off.

“That sounded like a challenge” Sirius smiled roughly, his mind churning with the idea of wearing his cousin’s clothes, changing from a passing thought to being planted firmly on his mind.

Andromeda just laughed, the few long strands of dark brown curly hair that had escaped her severe bum bouncing with the movement.

Sirius felt Padfoot perk up before he could continue the conversation. Sharing his senses with his Aura Bonded Mightyena to sharpen his own, he managed to hear voices from the outside approaching the house. After a moment he didn’t need his senses enhanced to discern the voices, the sound of keys opening the door travelled through the house and was quickly followed by a yelp and the sound of a body hitting the floor.

“Aah, Dora” The fond voice of a man suppressing his laughter rang towards the kitchen’s open door.

“I’m okay, I’m okay!” Came the replying voice of a young woman.

Andromeda sighed like a Drifloon losing air.

“What am I going to do with her?” She lamented, though her apparent despair was lost with the clear love she has in her voice. “Welcome home, you two!” She called out, not even turning towards the door.

“Hello, honey!” Edward “Ted” Tonks greeted back jovially while entering the kitchen. A man six years Sirius’ senior (the same age as Andromeda) “Sirius! Good to see you!” The blonde man greeted when he saw Sirius at the table before properly greeting Andromeda with a kiss on the lips. “Hello there” He greeted her again softly, a soft and loving smile on his face while he encircled her waist.

“Ted! Not in front of my cousin!” Andromeda tried to scold him, but her attempt at a frown was foiled by the smile that spread across her face.

Sirius couldn’t help but smile seeing the two get absorbed into their own bubble, the love for each other clear to all to see without shame. Sirius was incredibly glad for her cousin, his fellow ‘White Dragon’ of the Black Family. Something they bonded over when they were children. Her, the middle child that wasn’t as ‘strong’ and ‘talented’ as her elder sister, nor was she like the ‘cunning’ and ‘calculating’ little sister; Him, the ‘headstrong’ and ‘rebellious’ heir, too ‘opinionated’ and ‘contrary’ to the ‘values’ of the Black Family; Her, the first Black in a hundred years not to have been born with Dragon Type Aligned Aura, but with the Psychic alignment of her mother’s side of the family; Him, the first Black to be sorted into Gryffindor, instead of Slytherin or Ravenclaw, in three hundred years.

Sirius was incredibly glad to see his favorite cousin so happy, that she had managed to find love with such a kind and caring man as Ted after all the shit life has thrown at her. Being thrown out of the family before even reaching majority for dating a man born from a non-trainer family instead of assenting to an arranged marriage drawn by her own cruel and idiotic parents, and that without being able to truly break from the family. Everywhere she went, she was looked at with suspicion for who her birth family was, while at the same time suffering from that stigma of being cast out and disowned from your family.

Sirius just had to deal with an abusive mother and an absent father, and he managed to escape when he was fifteen at least.

“I’m also here, you know?” Nymphadora “Dora” Tonks—just Tonks if you aren’t family, and don’t even try to use her full name even if you are— deadpanned from the doorway, but her parents ignored her with practised ease. “Hello, Siri”

“Dora, love the hair” Sirius said in lieu of a greeting.

“You like it? Moody almost got a conniption”. Tonks mock flipped, it was way too short, her bubble-gum pink hair with an unrepentant smirk.

“I can imagine” Laughed Sirius.

It wasn’t long before they were enjoying the dinner Andromeda prepared while talking about their days. Andromeda complained about a difficult customer she wouldn’t have minded wringing the neck off (customer service is the least favourite part of owning her own shop), Ted laughed about the technical problem they had that almost made it so his radio show couldn’t be aired (Sirius always thought that being a radio host suited him, what with that smooth and soothing, but engaging, voice of his), and Dora complained about her police training and how much of a hard-ass Moody was with all the trainees, but how he was harsher with her for some reason.

“That means he likes you”

“He can like me less then”

Sirius couldn’t help but laugh at her angry response.

“How’s grandfather, Sirius?” Andromeda asked with a casual tone some moments later.

Sirius searched her face, her use of that tone of voice not fooling him in the slightest. Nor were Ted or Dora fooled either. Sirius felt Padfoot starting to pay attention through their bond, all their mons being in the other room enjoying their own meals since all nineteen of them couldn’t fit in the kitchen with them.

“As stubborn as always” Sirius sighed, pausing in his eating to gaze at his cousin with a serious look. “I’m sorry, Andy”.

“Don’t be, I already told you that you shouldn’t even try. I made peace with the family a long time ago.” Andromeda waved him off.

“Honey…” Ted took hold of her hand.

“Andy, I promise you I will reinstate you into the family the moment I become the head if I don’t manage to convince Grandfather. I’m not even sure why he won’t do it himself for as much as he explains his reasons, he knows my plans to do it myself and has never complained about them! You will be a Black again, your marriage with Ted will be recognised by the family, and Dora will be recognised as a daughter of the house” Sirius promised earnestly.

Andromeda smiled at him, but Sirius noted the sadness behind it. Ted sent him a grateful look, but Sirius noted that Dora’s face was closed off. It wasn’t too difficult to read her disdain for her mother’s side of the family in it, Sirius was just glad he didn’t feature in her list of disliked relatives.

“I may be able to recruit Aunt Cassiopeia to wear Grandfather down” Sirius added to try and reassure her.

“Aunt Cassie? She hadn’t left the Battle Frontier in ages!” Andromeda asked in shock.

“Who is this aunt?” Dora frowned in confusion.

“Temple Priestess Cassiopeia Black of the Yggsillian Battle Frontier, sister to Lord Arcturus Black. Don’t let her title fool you, she isn’t a holy woman in the slightest” Sirius drawled out his great-aunt’s title before turning his gaze back to Andromeda. “She has exited her isolation. Quite thoroughly, might I add. She visited the state demanding answers for not making contact with her and getting on my case for not having married right out of prison and having my unfortunate bride popping out children already. She even had a list of brides!”.

Dora made a disgusting face at that.

“She sounds like a lovely woman” Ted commented light-heartedly.

“Oh, Sirius! How did you get out of that conversation?” Andromeda tried to conceal her laughter.

Sirius grinned at her, happy to have been able to diffuse the sad atmosphere that had descended upon the room. Padfoot laughed as well, the sound travelling towards the kitchen at the same time that it reverberated through Sirius’ head, the dark canine remembering that conversation her trainer and Aura Bonded had to go through with that force of nature disguised as an old woman. Sirius felt her start to tell the story to the rest of the Pokémon with great eagerness—Padfoot may be from the Canidae family instead of the Hyaenidae family like the Hoennian Poochyenas and Mightyenas, but she was as much a little shit as them.

“I told her I was gay”

“Oh, Sirius. How did she take it?” Andromeda asked softly while Ted and Dora looked at him with certain worry (Sirius was so glad to have told them in a previous visit, it was amazing not having to hide that part of himself).

“She got out another list of possible husbands” Sirius deadpanned.

They all laughed at that.

“Now, I am starting to like this aunt” Dora smirked while taking another bite of her almost forgotten food.

“Then she demanded to know what the plan was for finding a future heir for the family”

“And is there some plan? I imagine that Narcissa’s child is out of the question”. Andromeda queried with a lifted eyebrow.

“Are you kidding? Grandfather would have a heart attack” Sirius snorted before taking a drink. “Have I told you where I’m going for my journey next year?” Sirius asked after putting the glass down.

“I don’t think you have, no” Andromeda exchanges gazes with her husband, the two of them and Dora gazing at him inquisitively.

“I’m going to Johto”

Sirius continued eating while waiting for the information to sink in, concealing a smirk while seeing the realisation sink in.

“Wait, Uncle Marius!?” Andromeda exclaimed, silver eyes huge in shock.

“Well, more like Cousin Deneb or little cousin Altair. But yes, Uncle Marius” Sirius confirmed.

“Legendaries, I won’t ever understand your family’s obsession with naming your children such ridiculous names” Dora groused while pointing an accusatory finger at her mother. “More so when you aren’t even part of the family anymore.” She mumbled under her breath, Sirius was only able to hear her say that thanks to sitting next to her and his enhanced senses thanks to his connection with Padfoot. “Seriously, why are you all so obsessed with naming us after constellations or after gods from the old religions?” Dora asked in a normal level of voice, her mouth set in a grimace.

Andromeda ignored her daughter's argument with practised ease, this is a complaint she has heard more than once before.

“Grandfather is going to reinstate them?” Andromeda asked in surprise, hurt almost masterfully concealed.

Sirius flinched minutely. ‘Great job, idiot’ Sirius chastised himself.

…

“Have I told you how impressed I am with your team?” Sirius asked Dora after dinner while observing her going through the paces of grooming her Pokémon in the installations the Tonks have in their courtyard.

“More than once, but please continue, their heads aren’t big enough yet. Which is an achievement on its own with how many the majority of them have” The eighteen-year-old young woman joked back while cleaning her Girafarig’s head-tail’s teeth, her team calling out in outrage with Girafarig’s head-tail sticking its tongue out at her.

Dora pinched the offending muscle playfully.

Around her, having already gone through their own grooming or waiting for their turn, were the rest of her team. Her starter Zizi the Klecleon, Mimikyu, Dodrio, Barbaracle and ‘Alolan’ Exeggutor (who were still going through their food). Dora may not have specialised in a Type, but she has specialised in another way: Pokémon that conceal their forms or those that function through gestalts.

“I don’t understand why mum wants so badly to return to the Black Family. Except for you, all the others sound like mighty pieces of work” Dora didn’t turn to look at Sirius while saying that, but Sirius still noted the anger in her.

“Andromeda was always close with our Grandmother, and I’m pretty sure she was Grandfather’s favorite”

“Didn’t stop him from tossing her out like garbage” Dora did turn then to frown at Sirius.

“Don’t get me wrong, I never agreed with what Grandfather did to her. But I know that he did it to protect her, in a convoluted way” Sirius sighed tiredly.

“How is protecting her to get disinherited at sixteen?” Dora exclaimed.

“The contract your grandparents drafted was a legal nightmare. They made her practically a slave to her potential husband. It gave the Carrow family permission to search for compensation if she didn’t comply with the contract, compensation from the Blacks as a whole and Andromeda in particular. They could even go against your father for having been the party responsible for the break of contract” Sirius explained while petting Doddrio’s dominant head after getting permission from the bird. “Grandfather cast her out not only to save face, but also to protect her and Ted from the Carrows. The subjects were Amicus Carrow and Andromeda Black, not Amicus Carrow and Andromeda No Name”

“That’s fucked up, you know that? I can’t believe contracts like that are still legal” Dora shook her head in disgust.

“They aren’t, not anymore. Grandfather made sure of that after that happened. Now they only serve as a form of premarital contract, a formality”.

“Why doesn’t he want to reinstate my mother, then? He doesn’t seem to have a problem in reinstating Uncle Marius”.

“Because casting out Andromeda was a decision he made, casting out Uncle Marius was a decision his father and previous head made. Undoing certain decisions a previous Family Head has made is more than common for any noble family. But undoing a decision you yourself made as one? …. He doesn’t want to politically weaken the family, since reinstating Andromeda would be seen as him going back on his words. A problem that apparently doesn’t exist if it’s me that does it”

“He is a coward” Dora stated without shame.

Sirius couldn’t but silently agree. His relationship with his grandfather has improved tremendously since getting out of prison, but that is a thought that has always prevailed in his mind. Arcturus Black has always been a great shield for the family against external threats, but when those threats came from within, he falters. Sirius partially blames his namesake, Lord Sirius Black the Second. That man was so controlling of his family, and such a piece of work doing so, that when Arcturus succeeded Sirius, Arcturus didn’t want anyone to be able to compare him to him. That made him hesitate to take decisive actions when members of the family did stupid things and strayed towards people they shouldn’t (the reason why the majority of the Blacks flocked towards Voldemort).

Though Sirius didn’t verbally agree with his little cousin, Dora noted in his face that he actually did. Sirius just continued petting the giraffe-like Pokémon.

---

The second outing of the year finally came around, and like last time, all nine of them and their mons decided to go.

Daphne and Boreas crouched low behind a trunk of driftwood on the beach of the Black Lake, their breaths fogging from the cold. Their gazes were trained on a small Spheal that had wandered away from the other Clap Pokémon. Daphne felt that one to be the safest, the Sealeos around the beach were more preoccupied with looking over the playing group of Spheal than the wandering one, and the lone Walrein was at the other side of the pack of seals like Pokémon, and was more preoccupied with sunbathing than anything.

“Okay, Boreas” Daphne prepared one of her spare PokéBalls. ”Let’s do this”

The Ice Vulpix yipped with determination. The two ignored the expectant stares from Theo, Blaise, Justin and Hermione, and all their Pokémon, from some metres behind them. Daphne and Boreas won’t get distracted from their goal of getting a new partner.

…

“Okay, this is going to be difficult” Neville lamented with some apprehension.

 

‘Applin

The Apple Core Pokémon

A dual Grass and Dragon Pokémon, when an Applin is born it goes in search of an apple to inhabit, spending its entire life inside it. Applin secretes a special fluid that he uses to harden the apple and prevent it from rotting. The apple not only serves it as a form of disguise and cover, but it’s also his primary form of aliment, the Pokémon growing weak if separated from its fruit.

When an Applin finishes eating the meat of the apple, it will evolve naturally into three different evolutionary lines depending on the flavour of said fruit, if outside factors don’t intervene to change the evolution’s outcome.

This Applin is female and three months old.

This Applin is registered as Idunn under the Hogwarts Pokémon Trainer Neville F. Longbottom.

Known Moves: Astonish, Withdraw.

Egg Move: None

Ability: Ripen´

 

“Only two moves? That’s…erm.” Tracey trailed off, not knowing what to say that wouldn’t be somewhat rude, after having read the information on the Poryphone over Neville’s shoulder.

“Depressing?” Harry offered hesitantly.

“Disappointing” Ron put out bluntly.

Tracey hit them both upside the head, while Litta, Mienfoo, Artreos and Dante gave them disappointed looks (Hedwig had flown away not long after the nine kids separated into two groups). Idunn’s floppy eyes (Neville finally decided to give her a name after weeks of indecision) lowered with shame, Trevor glared angrily at the two offending boys while consoling the little Pokémon.

“‘Challenging’ is more apt” Neville stated strongly towards the two boys.

“That is a word for it, Applins don’t learn that many moves at this stage” Ron commented while nursing the back of his head.

“Do you know much about them?” Tracey asked while plopping down on a rock devoid of much snow.

“He was the one that helped us catch her. “From the other side of a phone call, might I add” Harry pointed out.

Ron crossed his arms triumphantly over his puffed-out chest.

“They are Bug Aligned. So much so that while they remain as Applins, much of their behaviour aligns more with how Bug Types act than with how Grass or Dragons do”.

“Interesting” Tracey cocked her head while gazing at said Grass and Dragon type.

“What moves do they learn? I remember seeing you two practising a grass type move. I was expecting to see it in the Pokédex already, to be honest.” Harry asked his godbrother while sitting beside Tracey to observe the upcoming trading session.

“In total they are known to learn five moves. Astonish and Withdraw they know since birth, the others are Attract, Grassy Glide, which is the one we were training, and…” Neville trailed off, gazing down at his Poryphone for a moment to search through its servers. “Oh, yeah! Draco Meteor!”

“You kidding! Draco Meteor!? This small thing!?” Tracey exclaimed while Harry sputtered beside her, Ron was just nodding his head all along.

“Yes, but I won’t be teaching her that! We are nowhere near ready for such a move” Neville explained.

Idunn nodded exuberantly beside his trainer, just to deflate after registering Neville’s words of not learning the cool move yet. Trevor patted her apple-shell to comfort her.

“So, what do you need us to do?” Harry asked with a smile.

Neville exchanged glances with both his partners.

“Would you help us finish learning Grassy Glide? We want to have it down for the tournament” Neville asked with determination shining in his soft eyes.

The other three kids and their Pokémon exchanged gazes between themselves.

“Of course” Tracey nodded, her shoulder-length brown hair swaying with the movement and brown eyes shining with determination.

“Did you have to ask?” Harry smirked at the curly blonde boy while adjusting his round glasses, the two pieces of glass glinting with a sinister air.

“What they said” Ron put his hand behind his head in a confident pose. “We will help you even learn Attract before the tournament too. Our classmates won’t know what hit them”. Ron's blue eyes glinted with forming plans.

Neville withdrew his need to gulp in fright, managing to smile confidently in the wake of his friends' determination.

…

Harry heard Hedwig’s wingbeat before he saw her approaching them, making them stop in their training of Iduun.

“Hey, Hedwig. How was your flight?” Harry asked after the Murkrow landed on his shoulder.

In response, the Dark Type Avian extended her claw. Gazing at her in question, Harry put his palm up to let her drop whatever it was she had brought for him. It was a bracelet, one with a metallic sheen to it that glinted beautifully in the light.

“Hey! This is the first time you have brought me anything!” Harry exclaimed in happiness, knowing what this means for his relationships with his starter.

His smile got quickly wiped from his face.

“Wait a minute. Where have you found this?” Harry asked with dread.

“Umm, Harry? Behind you” Tracey pointed out hesitantly.

Seeing the others looking behind him with wide eyes and dread on their faces, Harry turned slowly to see what had spooked them. A sixth-year prefect was glaring down at him with an unimpressed look. Harry gulped.

…

“So… how it’s going?” Harry asked Theo after sliding beside the pale boy two hours after they separated into two groups.

Neville sat on a fallen trunk, not caring for the snow on it, with a tuckered-out Idunn in his arms. His godbrother exuded an air of accomplishment even with his clear exhaustion.

“Worse than how it went for you lot, it seems” Theo answered while gazing at the Longbottom heir.

“Understatement of the year. How many times has she fallen face first already?” Blaise snickered alongside Mors and Justin’s Rotom.

“Don’t be mean, you three.” Hermione hit Blaise lightly in the arm.

“I lost count”. Justin commented with suppressed laughter.

Rotom and Mors the Misdreavus laughed even harder, if possible.

A help of pain reached the congregated youth just then, Daphne having fallen again on the mix of sand and snow upon the beach. Harry winced sympathetically, seeing her shake in suppressed rage while Boreas tried to disperse with angry yips the Spheal that had congregated around them that were now laughing and clapping their little flippers.

“Shouldn’t we help her?” Harry asked while taking a step forward already.

Theo took hold of his arm.

“Nope. We offered, repeatedly. She chewed us out the last time we did”. Theo let go of his arm to cross his own.

“Ohh, Daphne”. Tracey facepalmed.

“What about you four? You seem pale, Harry” Theo questioned with a raised eyebrow.

Ron laughed at that.

“It wasn’t funny, Ron!” Harry exclaimed before sighing. “Hedwig has finally brought me something, which is great. But she has somehow learnt ‘Thief’” Harry explained with a pointed look.

Blaise was already joining Ron in his laughter. Theo was looking at Harry wide-eyed.

“Well, there are moves that Pokémon learn instinctually” Hermione pointed out.

“Hermione, she learnt ‘Thief’ and brought Harry something,” Tracey reiterated.

The busy-haired girl looked from Tracey to Harry in confusion, until realisation sank in.

“Oh, no! Harry!”

“It wasn’t my fault!”

“Legendary’s, you are so innocent sometimes, girl”

…

In the end they went back to the castle without the stubborn Ice Master in Training getting a Spheal for a new partner, and Harry and Hedwig getting scolded all the walk back. The avian was obviously unrepentant.

---

Theo was tired. Has been tired since he awakened one of his Family’s abilities. ‘Precognition’. A powerful and handy ability that had served and saved the life of more than one member of his family throughout generations. It was also rare, the rarest ability for a Nott to awaken, in fact.

Theo would like nothing more than to get his hands on his family’s Grimoire to read the passage about it, regretfully the tome was back at his family’s estate. Because, from what he remembers when he read about his ability, only members with Dark Aura Alignment have been shown to possess it.

Like the powers of an Absol, Theo now knew when something ‘bad’ or ‘dangerous’ was going to happen. And in a school full of kids and teenagers with more dare than sense, the buzz at the back of his head was almost constant. It had taken him months of meditation and trial and error for him to get a hold of this power—he really wants to get ahold of the Nott Grimoire—but now he was ‘skilled enough’ to use it more efficiently. Skilled enough to suspect their error in their chosen target of suspicion.

“I’m not telling Harry that” Blaise shook his head.

“Are you sure? We have been tailing Professor Snape for the past four months and a half already. The school year is ending in three weeks! How are you even so sure he isn’t after the Essence?” Tracey asked while nibbling at her bottom lip.

Daphne and Blaise lifted their eyebrows behind Tracey’s back, their gazes knowing. Theo decided to ignore his two oldest friends.

A loud laugh at the other side of the Slytherin common room startled Theo. Gazing around to see if nobody was paying them any attention, Theo leaned slightly over the table to get closer to his friends, the other three also leaning over to hear him.

“It’s just something that has been nagging at the back of my head. Snape has been teaching at Hogwarts for a decade, the headmaster even trusts him enough to make him Head of House. He even vouched for Snape at the man’s trial. All of that just to squander it for eternal life or gold? Snape doesn’t seem the type to risk everything he has now for those things” Theo explained his reasoning carefully, trying not to hint too strongly at his new Ability.

The snort from Blaise didn’t bode well for his efforts. Theo ignored it again.

“If you say so” Tracey conceded carefully while exchanging glances with Daphne.

“I don’t think we should change targets to Professor Quirrell, thought” Daphne stated with a pensive frown. “If we go by your reasoning, Snape must be suspecting him. If Professor Quirrell ends up being the one to do something, Snape will know, so we will know alongside him” Daphne reasoned before sending Theo an innocent smile. “If not, well. I’m sure Wes will know if something happens either way, am I right?”

Theo smiled awkwardly at her, falling completely to quench the urge to fidget on his seat. Blaise concealed his laughter behind a fake couch. Tracey just looked clueless at the other two, but a speculative look was starting to form on her face. ‘Legendaries, dammit, Daphne!’

“Right…”

…

“I’m still not the one to tell Harry this”.

“Blaise, you coward”.

“Nope, Slytherin. I have self-preservation, thank you very much”.

“Since when?”

---

“How are you feeling?” Harry felt his four-poster bed dip from the added weight of his godbrother.

“Sore”. Came Harry’s muffled reply against his pillow, his body unceremoniously sprawled upon his bed where he has let himself fall without grace.

Dante whimpered in complaint beside him, tiredness and exhaustion rolling out of the white dog of darkness and hellfire in waves. The poor Houndour was in as much a sorry state as his trainer, Oliver having put them through their paces now that less than ten days remained for the final Battle Royal match of the year.

“You think you are ready? Maybe you could ask Oliver to go easier on you”. Neville suggested.

“Oliver? Going easy on training?” Harry forced himself to lift his head so that Neville could see the expression of incredulity on his face. 

“Yeah, fair enough”. Neville scratched his cheek in embarrassment. 

Harry let his head flop back down upon his pillow, another groan exiting his lips. Harry was actually grateful for Oliver’s training, like he was grateful for Hermione’s mad studying and the mad Battle Training they have been doing. It distracted him from his own thoughts. Having identified Voldemort’s Zoroark as his attacker hadn’t helped with his nightmares, having his Aura Ability — something that he has started to cherish more and more each day since unlocking it — turned against him so overwhelmingly was one of the most distressing things to have ever happened to Harry. That Tano drowned him in so much hate that nothing else registered, even his own emotions disappeared to be replaced by that thing’s all consuming rage, made him feel small, insignificant.

 Having to put his all in training — for himself and for his Pokémon — and in studying, let him feel normal again. Tano didn’t matter, Nicholas Flamel and his Essence of YX didn’t matter, whatever the adults were doing to protect the Essence and capture Tano didn’t matter (that’s what he wants to tell himself, but his worry is still present. More so after talking with the Headmaster and how he and McGonagall responded to his warning). It was just Harry, his friends—Pokémon and humans alike—and Hogwarts classes all over again. That it also helped him get distracted from the fact that their surveillance of Snape had led to nothing but tiredness, was a great added bonus. More so with the added worry of it not being Snape but Quirrel, someone they aren’t even trying to supervise at Daphne’s suggestion. 

“What are you two doing here? Let’s go play, let’s go celebrate! Exams are over!” Artreos buzzed happily atop Ron’s head, his trainer’s excitement infecting the Mothim. 

Harry buried himself deeper on his pillow with a louder groan echoed by Dante and Hedwig, who buried her head below her wing to try and block the outside world. Last night was the Dark Type Avian’s turn to keep an eye on the Slytherin’s Head of House, and she was exhausted. Hedwig may be from a nocturnal species of Pokémon, but her schedule has been diurnal up to that point. Though they all decided to keep an eye on Snape, in practice only four of them can keep an eye on him without being discovered. The humans were out of the question, and of the Pokémon only four have the capacity to do it without being detected. Hedwig herself, Mors, Mico and, surprisingly for such an energetic mon, Rotom. 

Neville laughed at Harry’s reaction, patting his back to cheer him up.

“Oliver has apparently been extra hard on Harry now that the date of the match is near” Neville explained for Harry, something the green eyed boy was grateful for. 

“Oh, come on! Oliver worries too much, you have the next match in your pocket. It’s only against the Slytherins; Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff are already eliminated. Besides, I’ve seen you train, you are a much better Seeker than McLaggen”. 

“Thanks, that’s such a high bar to surpass”. Came Harry’s muffled sarcastic reply. 

“Well, Oliver chose him for a reason, no?”. Neville tried to reason.

“Yeah, he was the only option”. Harry pointed out. 

“And you are a much better one, now that you have decided to use that talent of yours for something productive”. Ron flopped down beside Harry, eliciting a whine of protest from Dante, and poked the messy haired boy on the side.

Harry flipped him off.

“Don’t let Hermione see you do that”. Ron snickered.

“Or Daphne”. Neville supplied. 

“Or Theo”. Ron added.

“You two are too cheery, don’t you think?”. Harry complained while turning on his back so he could look at them properly. 

“Yeah, well. The school year is pretty much over”. Ron pointed out. 

“Exams are finished”. Neville mused with a rare mischievous smile on his face. 

“Blaise is a terrible influence on you”. Harry deadpanned to the Grass Type Master in training. 

“Nothing bad has happened in, like, the last five months. Except for Malfoy’s existence, but what can you do?”. Ron continued ignoring Harry’s comment but for his smile widening. 

“And we now have ten days of fun ahead of us”. Neville finished putting the cherry on top. 

Harry and Ron exchanged a look before focusing on Neville. 

“…That didn’t sound that sincere”. Harry pointed out. “Do you also need a pep talk?”. 

Neville slumped slightly.

 “It’s the tournament” Neville admitted.

 “Why? I know that battling with an audience can be nerve breaking, but we already do that in Battle Club in front of the other students”. Ron tried to reason.

 “It’s not them. It’s my Gran”.

 “Understandable, she is intimidating”.

 “Harry, not helping. I’m the one with the sensibility of a brick, let’s not exchange places” Ron poked him again on the side, this time Harry retaliated.

 “Come on, Neville. Don’t worry about it. You are strong, Trevor and Idunn are strong. I’m sure your grandmother will be impressed”. Harry patted him on the shoulder, ignoring the groaning red-headed boy twitching on the floor.

 Neville smiled at Harry’s words, but he was still clearly nervous.

 “Tell you what? Let’s go do some mock battles. Let’s lift your spirit by crushing the souls of others”. Harry stood from the bed (slowly, since his muscles still ached something fierce).

 “Harry, your dark side is showing”. Neville warned while following him out of their dorm.

 Dante, Hedwig, Trevor and Idunn stopped their observation of the twitching Ron on the floor to follow their trainers out the room — the Applin hitching a ride atop the Turtwig’s shell. Ron groaned louder at the pure betrayal, with only Artreos there to comfort him.

---

“Are you sure this is a good idea, letting the festivities take place?” Albus gave due consideration to Severus’ question. 

“Yes, the students have experienced an out of the norm year since the rampage of the first outing in the Forbidden Forest. And though they have shown incredible resilience and adaptability to the changes we implemented after Tano’s latest attacks, a piece of normality would be a balm to soothe the strangeness of this year”. Albus finally answered. 

Severus just hummed, not giving his thoughts away. Or trying not to. Albus knew the man enough to see that he didn’t share his opinion on the matter. 

“I’m sure Minerva was pleased”. Severus commented with that soft voice of his, sharp black eyes locked with Albus's blue ones.

 Albus’ lips twitched in half a smile, the hairs of his long beard moving with the breath of air Bahamut let loose from behind him in his own amusement. ‘Pleased’ wasn’t the word Albus would have used to describe Minerva’s opinion on the matter. 

“I will say the same thing I said to her: ‘Letting fear dictate our actions is no living at all’ ”. 

“Quirrell will act soon”. Severus warned, changing the subject. “The…festivities…will be the perfect opportunity for him to act”.

 Albus gave a weary sigh.

“ I know. I’ve already put measures in place to stall him”. Albus assured. 

“Just stall?”. Severus questioned with a grimace of displeasure that showed his crooked yellowish teeth. 

“Yes. Enough time for me to arrive at the scene”. 

“Are you still going about ‘saving’ him? He already chose his side”. 

“Has he? I’m not so sure”.

“What else could it be?”. 

“You already know my thoughts on the matter”.

 Severus just shook his head, his long black greasy looking hair moving like curtains with the movement.

 “What about Tano? We haven’t found him still. But his presence has been…quite prevalent…around the castle and its surroundings. Enough, I remind you, for even a…dunderhead…like Potter to have discovered his identity”. Severus sneered, his thoughts about the conversation Albus had with the young Potter and his two friends still quite clear.

That preoccupied Albus more. While Quirinus was a High Ace Level Trainer, Tano was a fully fledged High Champion Level Pokémon. One with a savage streak a mile wide. The few times they have managed to encounter him since the ghostly Zoroark attacked young Harry haven’t been pleasant in the slightest. One of Christopher Greengrass’s Gym Trainers had to be hospitalized beside two of her Pokémon, while one of the ACE agents had to temporarily retire from duty to train his new mechanical prosthetic arm.

“There isn’t much more we can do but what we have been doing”. Albus lamented. 

“What should I do about the little pests ‘spying’ on me?”. Severus asked. “My patience…is thinning considerably. It’s a nuisance to have to evade their scrutiny to be able to supervise the corridor”.

 "I didn't know putting up some basic illusion to fool a bunch of low level Pokémon was so draining". Albus couldn’t help but tease the young man a bit, chuckling when Severus sneered in response. “ I would appreciate if you let them continue with it. Alakazam reports that they seem to be taking comfort in their spying of your movements. Their reassurance of not ‘seeing’ you go to the third floor corridor calms their nerves” Albus requested more seriously. 

“…If I must”. 

“Thank you, Severus”. 

Silence descended on the Headmaster’s office, both men lost in their own thoughts. 

“If that’s all, I have exams left to grade”. Severus stood from the chair at the other side of Albus’ desk after a few minutes of contemplative silence. 

Albus waved him off and the Slytherin’s Head of House strode out of his office, black trench coat billowing behind him like Golbat’s wings. 

The Headmaster relaxed on his chair and sighed. It seemed that he has been doing that a lot this year. 

“ I really hope I’m doing the correct thing, old friend”.

 Bahamut rumbled his reassurance, the Dragonite’s tail waving in lazy relaxation. A wing’s beat of a massive creature was heard outside the office window, the colored glass panels left open starting to frost. It seemed that the other inhabitant of the office, and Hogwarts’s protector, was returning from their long hunt. Albus smiled; Fawkes was always good company.

---

“Welcome, fellow pupils, esteemed professors and invading guests!” Lee’s voice reverberated through the repurposed Battle Royal, slash Football field, stadium.

“Jordan!” Roaring laughter exploded from the few students and guests that were occupying the grades at Professor McGonagall’s scolding.

“Welcome to the first of seven Hogwarts Battle Tournaments! The First Year Scrabble!”

“Scrabble?” Daphne groused indignantly beside Harry. 

“Well, he is not wrong. Compared to the older years, ours won’t be much of a battle.” Harry shrugged, admitting that Lee was at least partially correct in denominating the First Years’s Tournament like so.

And Lee was clearly not the only one thinking like that. The grades were depressingly empty. Guests had arrived early on the day, and the majority were more interested in the stalls and demonstrations from the other clubs than in seeing a bunch of battles between eleven and twelve years old children. 

Hogwarts was decorated to impress, with Hogsmeade not far behind, the inhabitants of the little town always happy to participate and bring help to the castle—more so if it will bring them some more revenue—.Guests mingled around the grounds, going from stall to stall brought up by the different clubs and classes, always eager to get a glimpse of what the students of Hogwarts get to do. Families of students were the more prominent around the people visiting, the air being filled with the nervous excitement of the students wanting to show their families around and what they have learnt. 

The Tournament, though the principal attraction, won’t be so until later in the festivities. Spanning a full week — the tournament started with the First years on the first day and ended with he Seventh years on the last — the people were really only interested in the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh years, the ones with the students closer to starting going on their journeys. The Third and Fourth years will more than likely have a good amount of spectators too, but nothing like the older ones. Second years won’t have that much of a difference with the First’s, if at all.

 These first few days, the most interesting things to see will more than likely be the fighting tournaments from the Karate, Taekwondo, Boxing and such clubs — poor Tracey was quite nervous about that since she will have another competition after this one is over—. But for the final four days, the ones everyone were most excited about were the Pokémon Contest, the Basketball last match (Ravenclaw vs Hufflepuff), the Football last match (Hufflepuff vs Slytherin), and the Battle Royal last match (Gryffindor vs Slytherin). Ravenclaw and Gryffindor haven’t had much luck this year with their sports teams.

 Harry was grateful for that lack of interest, and he knew the rest of his year mates were too—even if the pride of some wouldn’t let them admit it— . He was nervous enough about having his dad, Sirius, grandpa Lyall and uncle Arcturus there in the audience, for as much as it has been good to see them again (like Harry, Ned was still sequestered behind his own school walls, so he couldn’t come). He was already worrying his lips raw about the Battle Royal match, equal parts dreading it — and regretting having caved to Oliver’s plea — and looking forward to it.

“Before we start, let me go through some of the rules for this tournament. The students will be fighting in brackets, advancing by defeating their opponents till there is only one winner. This winner will be allowed to participate in the Second Year Tournament’s first rounds. As such, and taking care of the health of the icky firsties – “ 

“Jordan!” 

“Sorry, Professor”. He didn’t sound it. “The battles will be one-on-one through the first year’s tournament”

Harry exchanged looks with Blaise, the two of them not bothering to contain their snickers at the byplay between Lee and Professor McGonagall, for unintentional as the Professor's participation in it was.

“Now, before we bring the students out, lets make the brackets!”

The big screen in the waiting area the first years were in, all thirty-eight of them, lit up showing the brackets. The pictures of each first year flew through the screen, shuffling to form the first matches of each bracket. 

“Hey, is it just me, or are we being watched like…a lot?” Neville asked quietly.

 He was right. Now that Harry took notice, the nine of them were being watched by their fellow first years, there was even a huge empty space between them and the other students. Some of them had considering looks on their faces, others looked a little fearful, and some — Malfoy and his posse — just looked outright mean. 

“They are afraid of you lot”. Susan answered while approaching them. 

Hannah trailed behind her while gazing apprehensively at the still shuffling images on the screen. 

“What? Why?” Harry asked while looking around again. 

Dean gave him a thumbs up from the other side of the room, where he was talking excitedly with Seamus, which calmed Harry some. At least his other friends didn’t seem afraid, like Susan said. 

“Well, no other first year has ever managed to scare off an Elite Pokémon” 

“Scare off? We stalled him at best, and just barely”. Theo frowned in surprise.

“Same difference, really”. Susan shrugged her shoulders. “You also have the best battle win ratio of all first years, at least when you aren’t battling against each other”. 

“There is also that the older years are training you”. Hanna piped in. 

‘What? Training us?’ The nine of them exchanged incredulous looks.

“Is that how it looks like from the outside?” Harry wondered out loud. 

“Pretty much. But don’t worry, you lot aren’t the only ones with scary reputations” Susan reassured 

Before they could continue with their conversation, the images on the screen stopped shuffling and finally showed the first matches of the brackets. 

“As you can see, with the number of first years participating, some of them will regretfully have participated in an extra fight if they had managed to reach the finals”

“Ugh, seriously” Harry complained. 

“Why is it always me?”. Neville whimpered.

“Great.” Theo sighed in exasperation. 

“Are we sure this isn’t rigged?” Tracey deadpanned. 

Complaints from the other participants about the extra brackets were heard around the room, accompanied by the exhales of relief from the other students that don’t have to do them.

 There were four brackets to account for the four battlefields present in the arena. The winner of the first bracket would fight the winner of the second, the winner of the third will go against the winner of the fourth. The two winners of said fights will then fight each other. The problem were the six extra battles that were distributed around the brackets in a way that the participants of those fights will have an extra battle on their backs in contrast with the others. 

“I know it seems unfair, but the other distributions we had thought of would have made it much more unfair to more of the first years than using these twelve unfortunate souls. For those twelve, just one thing: tough luck! HAHAHAHAHA!”

“Gee, thanks, Lee”. Harry deadpanned. 

“Now, those that have their fights illuminated, please go to your arenas and let the CARNAGE COMMENCE!”

 “JORDAN!” 

The kids exchanged determined looks between each other. Some were nervous, others confident, but all were determined.

“Let’s do this” Harry put a fist forward, his friends met him in the middle.

 

 

Notes:

Children: They don’t know what we are doing
Adults: We know what you are doing.

Did Harry help Neville with Applin’s name? Yes, yes he did

For those confused about Hedwig’s behavior, this is something hinted in one of the first chapters (don’t remember which right now). Murkrows brings shiny trinkets to those they have a close bond with. So, yes, Harry was really happy with her bringing him something. A pity she acquired it the way she did 🤣
(Again, sorry about all this 😅)

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 2 of Harry Potter and the Yggsill region