Harry Potter: Eclipse.
Chapter 109:

Chapter 109: Chapter 109:

He hadn’t had chance to talk to the man much on his own; there had always been a buffer between them, either Harry, Remus, or Narcissa. Therefore, he didn’t quite know how to deal with him. He could still remember Sirius from the last war and how he had fought so fearlessly for the Light and his reputation had been feared by Lucius and the other Death Eaters. All Blacks were famed for their duelling - even Narcissa could be deadly if the situation arose. However, he did recognise that Sirius had changed; the betrayal by Dumbledore at the end of the war had left its mark on the man. Yes, he had recovered physically, magically, and mentally, but he was different. Sirius was much more like the boy Lucius had known growing up. He seemed to no longer be pretending to be a Light wizard and seemed willing to actually accept himself and his magic. Lucius suspected Harry’s influence as he had no doubt that the boy was as Dark as they come.

"Would you like something to drink?" Lucius offered, ever the good host.

"Perhaps a cup of tea," Sirius said.

Lucius clicked his fingers and summoned an elf. "Two cups of tea," he ordered before turning back. "Not that I am not happy to have you here, for I am. However, I do find myself at a loss at to the reason for your visit."

"Right. Well, I’m sure you’ve heard about Lockhart and Harry’s influence on the school resulting in a boycott?"

"Yes, both Harrison and Draco wrote to me."

"Well, I’m sure you’re aware that as Lord Black, I have a seat on the Board of Governors."

"Indeed," Lucius said, now seeing the reason. "I was hoping you would put forward my recommendation so that I can claim my seat. I want to help Harry to get rid of Lockhart and, as a governor, I would have more power to do so. What was Dumbledore thinking, hiring that man?"

"I will be happy to put your name forward," Lucius said. "As for Lockhart well. I doubt he will remain for the entire year after we inform the others of his teaching standards."

"How was he hired anyway? I thought the governors had a say in new teachers," Sirius asked.

"We should. However, Dumbledore, in his esteemed wisdom, thinks himself above that rule. And, as the Defence position always needs to be refilled, the Board grew tired of fighting him and allowed him his choice. But now I think we shall be able to argue our point and have the power returned to us," Lucius said, his smirk dark as he thought about getting one up on Dumbledore.

"That man really doesn’t know when to stop," Sirius grumbled.

"Oh? I had believed your business with him is finished."

"He is still obsessed with Harry. I worry for him now, being at the school with him," Sirius confessed.

"I’m sure he will be fine. From what I have seen and know, Harry isn’t somebody who needs protection."

"I know, but still it’s a father’s job to worry, right?"

"It is indeed."

~

October 1992, Hogwarts Witchcraft and Wizardry

School

of

After receiving the letter, Harry noticed an increase in the number of students questioning the quality of teaching, particularly in Defence. It looked like Lucius had brought to light just how bad it was to the other parents and Board members and they in turn questioned their children. The results were obvious with a record number of students ’forgetting’ and feeling ’unwell’ during Defence, leading to low attendance.

All because of his boycott, Harry had five detentions with Flitwick; detentions in which he was allowed to learn Defence from the textbooks or given practical demonstrations with the former duelling champion. Often there would be other members of his House, even those from different years, in his detentions as they too started to avoid the peacock’s lessons.

However, Harry soon found the answer to his problems. Looking up the school rules, Harry found something that hadn’t actually been used in the last 200 years: "If a student feels unable to attend a lesson, be it for personal, medical, or religious reasons, then they can be excused from attendance with the understanding that they will self study in preparation for the end of year examinations. This option is available with the permission of said student’s legal guardian and Head of House, as long as the materials requested for the lesson are available".

After Harry shared this information with Flitwick and the rest of the students, he wasn’t surprised to see the number of absences increase. Therefore, when he received a note from Dumbledore asking for his presence, Harry wasn’t surprised. He had been shocked when he hadn’t been immediately called up to the man’s office at the start of term; he had thought the man would want to get his claws back into him immediately after losing his control of him to Sirius in the summer.

~

Harry,

I would appreciate if you would join me for a quick chat and a spot of tea this afternoon.

Oh, and today I am enjoying acid pops.

Albus Dumbledore,

Order of Merlin, First Class

Grand Sorcerer

Chief Warlock Supreme Mugwump of the International Confed. of Wizards

~

What did surprise Harry was the use of all his titles. Then again, maybe he was hoping to intimidate him...?

Walking up to the office once his lessons were finished for the day, Harry sighed when he heard his name being called.

"Oh, there you are Harry," Ginny Weasley said, practically running at him.

"Ginevra," Harry greeted coolly. She had taken to following him around like a love sick puppy. It not only grated on his nerves, but also his friends; she would butt into their conversations and be extremely rude and argue with them like Ron had in the previous year. However, unlike him, she was better at keeping her cool. This made her even more annoying in his opinion as it usually meant he had to be in her presence for longer.

"I’ve told you before, silly, call me Ginny," she said, latching onto his arm and smiling sweetly up at him.

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