What's mine is mine, What's theirs isn't. Deal with it.
Harry Potter and the Wild Stallion
BY
Eric Thorsen
000000000
Chapter Four: Here's Harry (Part 1)
000000000
Ranma smirked as the witches and wizards stumbled when they came to a stop in
the Okayama apartment he and his mother had left just that afternoon. He almost
laughed at the shocked expressions on their faces when they saw all of the
weapon used in the decorations, but turned his attention to Professor Dumbledore
when he cleared his throat.
"Well, fascinating as your collection of antique arms is, we really must be
going if we wish to file your counterclaim to your husbands estate before the
ministry closes today."
"Ranma and I can pack a few things now and come back for the rest afterward if
we need to hurry." Nodoka said, her voice betraying her reluctance to leave
anything behind.
"Oh, I think we can accomplish the move quite easily if Miss Ninomiya can
acquire several cargo portkeys from her ministry offices." Hinako nodded and
apparated away. "In the meantime, if you will each show myself and Nymphadora
where your belongings are, we shall expedite the process of repacking your
belongings." Tonks followed Nodoka to her room, while Dumbledore followed Ranma.
"My stuff is in here," Ranma said leading the way to what was to have been his
room. When he noticed that some of his girl stuff was out he blushed and tried
to hide it quickly, but not quickly enough.
"Interesting belongings for a young man," Dumbledore said, his eyes dancing
merrily. "Do you wish me to pack everything in this room Ranma?"
"Um... I'll need something to wear..."
Dumbledore waited for Ranma to pack several changes of clothing, including a
couple changes of feminine clothing, then smiled. "Is that everything?"
At Ranma's blushing nod, Dumbledore waved his hand and a wooden crate appeared.
With another wave of his had everything in the room began floating about the
room, shrinking, and then taking its place in the small box. Within a minute,
even the furniture was inside the crate and it had sealed itself. Dumbledore
wave his hand again and the crate started floating from the room.
"Um... Am I going to be learning stuff like that?" Ranma blurted as he followed
the aged wizard from the room, carrying his duffel bag.
"Similar things, yes," Dumbledore replied with a mysterious smile. "Of course, I
have been doing this for many years."
"But I could learn to do the same things, right?"
"Depending on the extent of your abilities, yes. But isn't that always the way
it is? We are only limited by our own abilities."
"And what we're willing to put into training," Ranma agreed, realizing that this
old man was very wise. Nodoka and Tonks returned a short while later with
another crate. In the living room, there were already several crates waiting and
the room was bare. Miss Hinako came back soon after carrying a large tarp and a
strange looking rope with a box at one end.
Once the two crates from their rooms had joined the others, the entire pile was
lifted into the air and the tarp and rope were passed under it and then wrapped
around everything with the rope passing around the knobs on the box attached to
one end. The package was quickly wrapped up and tied together. Miss Hinako then
handed a small disk to Professor Dumbledore, who muttered the word portus and
then handed it back to her. The disc was placed in the box, and an instant later
the entire package disappeared.
"Well, now that your belongings are on their way to Hogwarts, shall we be
going?" Dumbledore said with a smile at Ranma and his mother. With a wave of his
hand their remaining luggage was small enough to fit in their pockets. "This
journey will take some time, so we must hurry." He activated his portkey again
and they traveled to the Japanese ministry of magic. Nodoka was given a special
medallion that would allow her to use the floo network safely, and their journey
began.
After the first trip through the floo, Ranma looked around and recognized the
Korean architecture of the building. Once the other members of their party had
arrived, they went to another public floo point and were on their way again.
Ranma recognized the architecture of the first four or five places, but then
they started arriving in places he didn't recognize. After ten trips to places
Ranma didn't recognize, the others traveling with them didn't come with them,
and Dumbledore ushered them into an office and up to a desk where an Asian man
in a European suit was sitting.
"Professor Dumbledore, you honor me with your presence."
"Not at all Hiro-san. This is Nodoka Black, the widow of Sirius Black, and their
son, Ranma" Dumbledore told the man when he looked at them curiously. "This is
Mr. Katsuhiro Chang, the lawyer Sirius selected to draw up and defend his will.
He will ask you any necessary questions to put your claim before the courts.I
will be taking care of some of the other things that are necessary for your
position at Hogwarts. I will return shortly. " The old man left the room as the
lawyer wave Ranma and Nodoka to chairs.
"I'm pleased to finally meet you Mrs. Black. I am surprised by the existence of
a child, but I think that is because of the misunderstanding between yourself
and Mr. Black. Now, according to the records Mr. Black left with me there was
never a divorce proceeding, so you and your son are his legal heirs according to
his latest will. There are certain things that I will need you to sign, but most
of them can wait until later. The only documents which need your signature now
are this petition for a hearing before the Wizengamot, and this petition for
transfer of guardianship of a minor child." The lawyer slid two sheets of
parchment across the table.
"Guardianship? For Ranma?"
"No, no. Ranma is an adult by wizarding law. This is to transfer the
guardianship of your husband's godchild, Harry Potter, to you. Normally this
would be just a formality, but because of Mr. Potter's notoriety this will also
have to go before the Wizengamot."
"Excuse me, but what is this Wizengamot?" Ranma asked noticing that his mom had
a confused expression on her face. "And what is this kid so famous for?"
"What is the... What is he..." Mr. Chang stared at Ranma for several seconds.
"Forgive me, I forget that not everyone is aware of recent events here in
England or the odd legal system they have here. The Wizengamot is the senior
legal body of the English Ministry of Magic and they have the final say in all
legal matters involving the wizarding world."
"All right, that makes sense... And this Potter guy?"
"Harry Potter defeated Voldemort at the age of 15 months." Nodoka gasped and
stared at Mr. Chang in shock. "No one knows how he accomplished it, but he did.
Unfortunately, Voldemort has returned, and we stand on the brink of war again."
"Hmm... I guess I can see why he would be famous if he stopped a war before he
could talk." Ranma's voice carried a note of respect now. Nodoka signed the two
forms with the provided quill pen, and the lawyer sanded the ink and put the two
forms in a folder. At the same time there was a knock at the door and Dumbledore
came in.
"If you have completed your business, we need to hurry to the ministry offices
before closing to register Ranma in Hogwarts and get him a learning license so
that he may learn apparration."
"I will inform you when we have our hearing. In the meantime, I recommend you
get to know your ward." Nodoka nodded and thanked Mr. Chang, then followed
Professor Dumbledore to the fireplace. They traveled to the ministry offices and
came to the registration desk.
"Please state your name and business," the woman behind the desk said in a bored
tone, not looking up.
"Albus Dumbledore, Nodoka Black, and Ranma Black for various and sundry items of
official business." The woman glanced up at Dumbledore's name, but when she
caught sight of Ranma, she grinned shyly and stared at him for several seconds
before Nodoka cleared her throat. Ranma blushed a little at the attention, then
took the badge Dumbledore handed to him after having his wand examined.
The old wizard led them from the reception room and down a hall to an office
that read "Office of Records."
"Hello, may I help you?" A young woman asked from behind the counter, looking up
from her book.
"We are here to register this young man in Hogwarts, and his mother as the new
Physical Defense instructor." The woman nodded and brought out a large book and
smiled at Ranma. "Date of Birth?"
"Um... November 16, 1987." The woman flipped through the book rapidly until she
came to the right year, then slowly paged through until she came to the November
entries. She looked through several before she glanced up at him in confusion.
"Are you sure of that date?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Um, your full name?"
"Ranma Sirius Theodoric Black." The woman gasped and stared at him for a moment,
then looked at the book again, checking the entry that she had.
"Everything seems to be in order, Mr. Black." She nodded and closed the book,
then drew another book down from the shelf next to the one she'd just used.
"Now, your name Ma'am?" She drew a quill out of a drawer and dipped it in a
nearby inkwell.
"Nodoka Black"
"Date of Birth?"
"May 19, 1964." The woman glanced at her in surprise, then wrote that
information down.
"May I see your qualifications to teach?"
"They are being sent from Japan, and should arrive within the next few days."
Nodoka replied uncomfortably.
"Understandable," the woman said, smiling reassuringly. " Please bring them as
soon as they arrive so we may complete your registration." Nodoka nodded and
they left room. Dumbledore led them down the hall to another door that read
"Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Division of Magical Licensing."
"Albus? What are you doing here?" a woman a little older than Nodoka asked. She
had been talking to a portly gentleman in a purple robes when they came in.
"Ah, Amelia," Dumbledore smiled at the head of the Department of Magical Law
Enforcement. "I'm here to help young Mr. Black get his license to learn
apparration."
"Ah, an accidental apparator... Did you say Black?"
"Yes, but I should remember my manners. Amelia, this is Ranma Black, and his
mother Nodoka Black. Ranma, Nodoka, this is Madame Amelia Bones, the head of
this department."
"Ms. Black."
"It's Mrs., though my husband died recently."
"Then you are..."
"The widow of Sirius Black? Yes, though I hadn't seen him for more than 17
years."
"A pleasure to meet you and your son ma'am. I wish it were under more pleasant
circumstances." Nodoka realized that this woman was sincere in her greeting and
returned the understanding smile the woman gave her. The Head cleared her throat
a moment later, and shook Professor Dumbledore's hand. "I'll leave you to your
business then. Albus, I will see you tomorrow as scheduled." Dumbledore nodded
and the Head left. It might have had something to do with the Head's interest in
them, or the presence of Dumbledore, but they finished very quickly, and Ranma
had his license.
"We will have to take you to get your wand another time I fear, since the wand
shop, Ollivander's, is almost certainly closed by now." Dumbledore explained as
they left the office. Ranma shrugged and look at him expectantly. Dumbledore
smiled and turned to Nodoka. "That is everything we will be able to accomplish
here today. Is there anything that either of you would like to do next?"
"Mr. Chang suggested that I get to know my husband's ward. I believe his name is
Harry Potter."
"Ah.... Then you are in luck, for today is Harry's birthday. I would be happy to
introduce you to him. I must warn you though, he has been deeply effected by
your husband's death.
"They were close? I understood that my husband was in prison for twelve of the
last fifteen years."
"Harry was looking for someone to care about, and your husband was one of the
few he was genuinely attached to. That made Sirius death that much more tragic."
"How?" Ranma asked, confused. "I mean, my father's dead. Not much more tragic
than that."
"Young Harry's parents were killed by the man who sent those people, the Death
Eaters, after Sirius while he was in Japan. Harry has been without loving care
and guidance of any kind for most of his life as a result of the hatred his aunt
and uncle have for all things magical."
"Surely they didn't... beat him..." Visions of another child treated like Ranma
was by his father thundered through her mind, so loudly that she barely heard
Dumbledore's denial.
"No. Thankfully, he was spared that but he has been verbally abused and
neglected for most of his life. In truth it is amazing that he is as loving and
caring as he is."
Nodoka stared at the man whom she had considered to be kind and wise beyond
belief. His description of the conditions her husbands ward was living under
though, showed a terrifying lack of compassion and concern. She had considered
discussing her custody claim with him, but now felt that she had better judge
for herself the conditions of this Harry Potter, and then decide whether to
proceed.
"Man, and I though I was the only one whose life sucked that much," Ranma
exclaimed, unconsciously giving voice to his mother's thoughts. Dumbledore
ignored him, and led the way to the public floo point.
"The Burrow," Dumbledore said, and disappeared again.
010101010101
"Harry dear, why don't you go take a nap. You look exhausted." Molly Weasley
smiled up at the Boy-who-lived and shooed him out the door. Ron grinned at his
friend, smirking when he glared at him.
"She's right you know. You do look very tired." Harry grimaced at Ginny's
concerned comment, but nodded in acceptance and followed Ron up to the room they
were sharing.
"So, have any good nightmares lately?" Ron said as Harry got ready for his nap.
Harry froze, then glared at his friend.
"Oh sure, I get to see Sirius die two or three times a night, not to mention
watching Voldemort torture his servants a couple of times a week." Harry's voice
was thick with sarcasm, as Harry almost shook with the rage that flowed through
him.
"Easy mate, I didn't mean anything by it. I just wanted you to know I'm here if
you want to talk. But even if you don't want to talk to me, you need to talk to
someone Harry. I know you feel responsible for everything that's happened
lately, just like I know you know you aren't. That's the 'Hero thing' Hermione
was telling you about before we went to the Ministry."
"Don't you think I know that?" Harry growled, forcing his anger down. "Listen
Ron, I don't want to talk right now and I really am tired. Why don't you go do
something to help your mum? I'll try to get some sleep so I'm not so grumpy."
Ron nodded and left the room.
"Why can't they just leave me alone?" Harry muttered to himself as he lay down
and covered his head with the quilt. Before he knew it, Harry was deeply asleep.
A few minutes latter, soft footsteps came up the stairs, the door opened and
Ginny slipped into the room. She smiled when she saw that he was asleep, and was
about to leave when she heard him call her name. Whirling around, she realized
quickly that he was still asleep. She walked over to the side of his bed and
tried to listen to what he was saying.
"... Ginny... no..." was all he was saying, but as she watched, he started
getting more agitated, struggling against his quilt. Coming to a decision, Ginny
reached out and took one of Harry's hands.
"Shh... Harry, it's alright..." Harry stopped struggling so suddenly, Ginny
thought he'd woken up. She was about to let go of his hand and leave when he
tightened his grip and his eyes popped open. She held her breath for several
seconds before she realized that he was still in the dream, and decided to stay
a little longer, taking the chair from Ron's desk and putting it next to Harry's
bed. A few moments later, she lay her head on the edge of his bed and fell
asleep.
That was how Ron found her half an hour later. He hadn't expected to find her in
his room, and when he saw that she was holding Harry's hand, he sputtered in
shock.
"What are you doing?" Ginny started awake, blinking in surprise, then motioned
for him to be quiet, and glanced down to make sure Harry hadn't woken up. Then
she glared at her brother.
"Mum told me to check on Harry, and when I got here he was starting to have a
nightmare." She whispered, massaging Harry's hand absently.
"So why are you holding his hand? Couldn't you wake him up?"
"Ron, he needs as much sleep as he can get, and I'm holding his hand because it
seems to calm him down. That's all." Ginny grinned at the surprised look on
Ron's face. "What? You thought I was trying to molest Harry?"
Ron turned bright red and left the room as quickly as he could while Ginny
giggled softly, smiling when she noticed the soft smile on Harry's sleeping
face. "Sleep well Harry, you deserve it."
Ginny sat there for hours, thinking about what had happened and daydreaming.
Harry slowly woke up, wondering why he felt so calm and rested. As he thought
about it, he realized that his left hand felt warmer than his right, and
glancing to his left was captured by a pair of chocolate brown eyes.
"Harry, are you awake?" Ginny asked softly. When he nodded and blushed, she
grinned and looked down at their joined hands. "Much as I like holding your
hand, Mum wanted us to come down stairs once you'd finished your nap."
"You mean your Mum knows you're here? Who else knows?"
"Probably everyone except the twins and Daddy since Ron came up here after they
all went back to work."
"Ron knows?! That's it, I'm a dead man." Harry sank into his bed in defeat while
Ginny giggled. Even the glare he sent her way couldn't get her to stop.
"Harry, you're almost as bad a Ron. It's not like we were in a compromising
position or anything... unless you want to be in a compromising position. I can
arrange that." the suggestive smirk on Ginny's face had him stuttering and
trying to figure out what it was he did want. Ginny grinned at his indecision,
then stood up and released his hand. "Maybe later. Mum wants us to help Ron
degnome the garden before Hermione and her parents get here."
"Why are they coming?"
Ginny sighed and shook her head before she spoke again. "I don't know... maybe
because it's your birthday?" Harry stared at her for a second and then smiled
naturally for the first time since his godfather died. "What?"
"So who's idea was it to through me a party?" Harry asked softly, looking
directly in her eyes. Ginny blushed hotly, and then returned his smile shyly.
Harry grinned and then pulled her in for a short kiss. "Okay ... now was the
party supposed to be a surprise?"
"Um... not... not really," Ginny finally said after gathering her senses. She
grabbed his arm and pulled. "Come on Harry, they'll be here any minute."
Harry got out of bed and followed her down the stairs, noticing the way her hips
swayed as she walked. 'Stop staring at Ginny's butt you idiot," Harry thought to
himself. 'Do you want the Weasley Brothers to kill you?' To get himself away
from temptation, Harry sped up until he was next to Ginny, who smiled at him
encouragingly and led him outside. Molly was so busy with preparations, she
didn't even notice them as they walked through the kitchen.
"Oi Harry, feeling better?" Ron asked as he flung a gnome off into the distance.
"Less grumpy?"
"Yeah, sorry about earlier Ron, too many nightmares recently." Ron nodded and
the three teenagers set to work grabbing and throwing garden gnomes out of the
yard. The work developed into a contest to see who could throw a gnome the
highest or the furthest or with the funniest wind-up. Ginny was winning easily
when the twins appeared with a sharp crack and started pelting them with
conjured water balloons. Ginny ran squealing for the house while Ron and Harry
tried to catch water balloons and throw them back. The twins were laughing at
their soaked victims when a large stream of water crashed over them, and they
turned to see a grinning Ginny setting down an empty bucket and picking up the
full one beside her. Fred and George conjured full buckets of their own, and
started menacingly toward their sister, who ran around the corner of the house.
They chased her around three sides of the house before she tripped over the
kitchen step, spilling her bucket. Then the twins threw their water, not
noticing someone coming out the kitchen door.
020202020202
Molly smiled in greeting and wiped the flour off of her hands when Professor
Dumbledore came out of the kitchen fireplace. She was about to speak, when the
fire flared again and a tall, Asian boy came out of it. A few moment later, a
woman who was obviously the boy's mother stepped out of the fire.
"Good afternoon Molly, I hope I find you well." Dumbledore greeted his hostess,
then turned to the strangers. "These are Ranma Black, and his mother Nodoka.
They just arrived from Japan earlier today. Ranma, Nodoka, this is Molly
Weasley, our hostess, and mother to one of Harry's best friends."
"A pleasure," Nodoka said with a small smile for the womans shocked expression.
"Albus did you say... is he..."
"Yes, Ranma is Sirius' son, and Nodoka is his widow. Due to a misunderstanding,
neither of them knew Sirius was alive until recently."
"How sad." Molly sighed and then remembered her manners. "Welcome to my home. If
you would like to freshen up, the bath is on the first floor at the end of the
hall."
"Thank you," Nodoka said returning the woman's smile with one of her own. "Do
you need any help with whatever you are doing?"
"I'm getting ready for Harry's birthday party, but I couldn't ask you for help,
you're a guest." They heard the laughing and shouting erupt outside, and watched
as a girl who was obviously Molly's daughter ran into the room, filled two
buckets with water and ran back out.
"I'm sorry, Ginny isn't normally so rude," Molly apologized ruefully. Nodoka
chuckled softly and reassured her as they heard a splash outside followed by a
feminine squeal and running feet.
"It is not a problem, Molly-san. She was obviously in a hurry." Nodoka and Molly
shared identical expressions of motherly exasperation, then Nodoka turned to her
son. "Ranma, it sounds like the young lady could use some help outside. Why
don't you go see what is going on, while I help Molly with her preparations for
the party. No Molly, I insist. It's the least I can do." Molly finally gave up,
and Professor Dumbledore offered to help with the decorations. Ranma shrugged
and walked toward the door to find out what was going on. As he stepped out of
the door, he caught a glimpse of the girl he saw before lying on the ground, her
eyes wide, just before he got hit with two buckets of cold water.