- Rating:
- R
- House:
- Schnoogle
- Characters:
- Draco Malfoy Ginny Weasley Harry Potter Hermione Granger Ron Weasley
- Genres:
- Action Romance
- Era:
- Multiple Eras
- Spoilers:
- Philosopher's Stone Chamber of Secrets Prizoner of Azkaban Goblet of Fire Order of the Phoenix Quidditch Through the Ages Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
- Stats:
-
Published: 07/29/2003Updated: 06/23/2004Words: 189,410Chapters: 24Hits: 46,133
Hogwarts Too Exposed - A Slytherin Among Us
Neil
- Story Summary:
- Nudity, love triangles, pregnancies and death, coupled with Quidditch, deceit, injustice, adventure and mystery. Sounds like another tranquil year at Hogwarts. Join me for Hogwarts Too Exposed – A Slytherin Among Us, the follow-up to Hogwarts Exposed.
Chapter 12
- Posted:
- 12/29/2003
- Hits:
- 1,741
Chapter Twelve
The Verdict
"All rise." A solemn voice
commanded.
Sam stood petrified as the judge entered the courtroom. This was it. In a few minutes,
she would know whether her future would be one of happiness or one of despair.
The testimony today had appeared to go rather well, but there was no reading
Judge Ebony Jones' face. Had she seen through the lies and bigotry, or was she
blind to the truth and as prejudiced as most of the wizarding world seemed to
be?
"I take the welfare of children extremely serious," Judge Jones began. "The
human offspring is the frailest of all creatures and requires the nurturing of
caring parents well into their teens. Sometimes even the most loving parent can
unwitting create a volatile situation that puts their child at peril."
Sam hung her head and closed her eyes, fearing her worst nightmare about to
come true.
"For this reason it is imperative that a judge listens closely to all testimony
and takes into consideration all evidence," Judge Jones said passionately. "I
personally prefer to go a step further in my hunt for the truth. I like to talk
to the child, if they are old enough to carry on a meaningful conversation.
This morning I spent an enchanting two hours with young Timothy. You would be
amazed at the fountain of information that spews from a three-year old when
they are encouraged to speak.
"Miss Bowman, I'm pleased with the job you've done up to now raising your son.
I especially like the fact that you have taken such an open and honest
approach, dealing with things such as his paternity. It is evident Timmy loves
Mr. Weasley very much; he constantly refers to him as daddy, but Timmy is also
aware that he is not his real father.
"I was especially impressed that you had informed Timmy that his birth father
lives nearby and that you wanted them to meet. This to me was a positive sign
that you put what is right for your child ahead of your personal feelings.
"Mr. Malfoy, I applaud a man who, when finding out he is a father, steps
forward to take responsibility. I, however, question the methods you have
stooped to use in your effort to gain custody. As I said the first day of this
hearing, I am only impressed with honest testimony and undisputed evidence. I
question the truthfulness of your testimony when compared to the evidence
presented by the defense.
"I find it difficult to believe that a young lady, who had maintained her
virginity throughout university, overnight turned to a life of prostitution,
and since you obviously presented her with a false name, I tend to consider the
balance of your story to be just as false. I would have thought much better of
you had you simply told the truth. You would not have been the first man that
lied to a girl in order to get her into bed.
"The courtship, or lack of same, is at this point a non-issue. The question at
hand is which couple will provide the must secure and nurturing home for young
Timmy.
"I was much impressed with Miss Weasley. I believe her to be an extremely
loving person, and I have no doubt that she would do her utmost to make her
marriage succeed and to be a good mother. But Timmy already has a natural
mother who has done an exceptional job of child rearing. If the case were
predicated only on the abilities of the mother, I would certainly lean in favor
of Miss Bowman. Nothing against Miss Weasley, but after all Miss Bowman is the
natural mother and has three positive years of experience behind her.
"But this case is not based only on the ability of one parent to raise a child.
We must look at both parents and also consider if either pairing creates an
unsafe, possibly dangerous environment for the child. On this issue, the nod
would on the surface seem to go to Mr. Malfoy.
"Unfortunately, at this point, our hearing seemed to lose its focus and,
instead of concentrating on the child, took on the appearance of a muggle
witch-hunt. I'm appalled that wizardkind seems hell bent on punishing two of
our greatest heroes simply because they enjoy nude recreation. I was always
raised to judge a person by their actions and how they treated others, not how
they dress or, in this case, don't dress.
"I certainly do not see the connection between nudity and creditability that
Barrister Bullchip tried assiduously to forge.
"Mr. Weasley, you are a werewolf, an undeniable fact. I was very much surprised
to find that even young Timmy is aware of this. He told me that daddy becomes
extremely sick each month and goes away to stay with Aunt Hermione and Uncle
Harry. They protect him and make sure he doesn't hurt anyone.
"Life does not come with one hundred percent guarantees, but I feel everything
humanly possible is being done to prevent Mr. Weasley from hurting Timmy, Miss
Bowman or anyone else. Should he be prevented from parenting a family simply
because he has a sickness, a controlled sickness?
"I find the charges of child endangerment absurd and totally unfounded. The
entire handling of this case has been a travesty of justice and it will, I
promise you, be thoroughly investigated. Thankfully, Miss Tonks was present to
prevent a true tragedy.
"And so comes the time for me to render my verdict, but before doing so I want
to make it perfectly clear that I expect both birth parents to have a part in
this child's life. Should you not be able to accomplish this agreeably, I will
set requirements.
"Above everything else, a child needs to know they are loved. Mr. Malfoy, you
and I define love in a different way. There is no doubt in my mind that you
desire to have custody of your son, but I'm not totally sure of your rationale.
I don't feel love is the primary reason. A few weeks ago, you asked Samantha
Bowman to marry you so that you and she could raise your son together. From
your testimony, it would seem apparent that your proposal was not based on
love. Yet, now merely weeks later, you are posed to marry Miss Weasley. I
question your sincerity and ability to sustain a lasting loving relationship.
"For that reason, among others, I declare that Timothy Bowman will remain in
the custody of Samantha Bowman." The judge glanced in the direction of Sam and
Ron, who had wasted no time entering into an embrace. "Professor Granger, will
you please meet with me in my chambers."
Hermione looked at Harry questioningly as Timmy was brought into the courtroom
and immediately ran to the open arms of his mother. "I wonder why she wants to
talk to me," Hermione said worryingly.
"Probably wants to give you a warning about using the floo network when you're
starkers," Harry said kiddingly. "I'm sure it's nothing to worry about."
Hermione, however, wasn't nearly as confident as she approached the judge's
chambers and knocked on the door.
Harry turned his attention back to Ron and Sam when Hermione's bushy head had
disappeared through the door.
Sam and Ron were talking animatedly and looking in the direction of Draco
Malfoy, who was now standing, talking dismally to Ginny. Suddenly, Ron and Sam
started walking in Draco's direction, Sam still clutching Timmy tightly in her
arms. Harry watched, his heart in his throat, fearing the worst.
Sam approached Malfoy and timidly said, "Draco, I'd like you to meet someone."
Draco turned abruptly ready to swear, but found he was looking in a mirror, a
mirror that reflected an image of a three-year-old Draco Malfoy.
"Draco, I'd like you to meet your son," Sam said cautiously, not sure what
reaction to expect for either boy or man. "Timmy, this is Mr. Malfoy, your
father."
Father and son simply stared at each other, Draco at a loss for words and Timmy
only three and confused.
Timmy was the one that first spoke. "You look like me," he said innocently,
"but more used."
Despite his efforts to the contrary, Draco's face broke into a faint smile.
"That's me," he said. "Used and abused."
Ginny grabbed Draco's hand and squeezed it tightly.
"Malfoy," Ron said, seeming to be struggling to force the words out. "Sam and I
take Timmy to the park at the end of Hogsmeade every Saturday about noon. If
you'd like, you can join us this week."
Draco stared at Ron in disbelief. "I might just do that," he said, nodding his
head. He turned to Sam. "You've done a good job." Quickly he turned away hoping
no one had noticed the unmanly tear in his eye. Draco ushered Ginny to the
doors of the courtroom as Sam and Ron watched.
"It's all right Draco," Ginny said reassuringly. "We'll have children of our
own as soon as we're married."
"Yes," Draco agreed. "But there's hardly any reason to rush that now any more,
is there?"
Ginny looked at Draco as if he had just ripped her heart from her chest and
smashed it on the floor.
"You two are amazing," Harry said, as he and Tonks approached Sam and Ron. "I
doubt I could have been that gracious."
"Don't look at me, mate," Ron said defensively. "It was all her doing. Sam had
a knife to my back and was threatening to take away all my treats."
"Daddy likes his treats even more than I do." Timmy said innocently.
"I somehow get the feeling Timmy and Ron are taking about two very different
type of treats." Tonks said with a laugh.
Sam blushed, "Quite different."
Tonks grasped Harry's hand and kissed him on the cheek. "It's been good to see
you again, Harry. I have to get to the office. They want me to hand in a
written report of what happened last Friday. I'm off suspension and Anders is
on. Give Hermione a kiss for me," she said as she hugged both Ron and Sam.
"Thanks Tonks," Sam said, tears in her eyes.
"My pleasure," the Auror replied.
"You know," Ron said tentatively. "You should wear your hair like that more
often. It's very becoming."
"I forgot all about that," Tonks said, as she turned to leave. Abruptly, the
hair became frizzy and turned a vivid greenish blue.
"There's only one Tonks," Harry said as they watched the Auror free her robes
from the courtroom door's handle.
By the time Hermione left the judge's chambers, the courtroom and gallery had
emptied. Sam, Timmy, Ron and Harry were the only ones remaining.
"Well, at least your not in handcuffs," Harry joked. "What did she want to talk
to you about?"
"You wouldn't believe the difference," Hermione said, excitedly, "When she
takes those robes off it's like she transforms into a different woman. I could
have talked to her for hours."
"Thank you for not doing that," Harry said, "but what did she want?"
"Well, actually three things," Hermione said. "She wanted to assure me that you
and I would not receive any problem from the court system concerning any of the
girls and the nudist issue. Ebony thinks it's ridiculous how it is being blown
out of proportion."
"Ebony?" Sam said questioningly. "You're now on a first name basis with the
judge?"
"Yes, she even offered me a job if Hogwarts gives me the boot," Hermione said,
trying to sound upbeat.
"That was right nice of her," Ron said. "What was the third thing?"
Hermione looked sheepishly at Sam and Ron. "Ebony says it's been a long time
since she's performed a marriage ceremony.
Ron and Sam just looked at each other, speechless.
"But here, now!" Sam said, both loathing and loving the idea. "But we don't
have rings or a license."
"I have the rings," Ron said, hopefully. "I don't go anywhere without them."
Sam looked desperately at Ron. Just ask me! Just ask me! She kept saying
to herself.
"I doubt the license would be a problem," Hermione interjected. "Ebony brought
up the idea and she is after all a judge."
Timmy looked quizzingly at Ron, "Are you going to marry Mommy and be my real
Daddy?"
"If she'll have me," Ron answered, his body trembling as if his life hung in
the balance. Ron took Sam's hands in his and dropped to one knee. He looked up
at her loving face. "You alone hold the power to grant my heart's desire.
Please, say you love me and that you will become my wife."
Sam sank to her knees opposite Ron and put her arms around his neck, drawing
him closer. "I love you, Ronnie. Nothing could make me happier than spending
the rest of my life in your arms. Yes, I'll marry you."
Timmy, who had been standing next to Hermione, hurried over and put his arms
around both Ron and Sam. "Can I get married with you?"
Ebony Jones stood at the door to her cambers watching, confident that she had
made the right decision.
* * * * * *
"How soon do you think they'll need us to leave the castle," Hermione asked
glumly as she and Harry trudged their way to Headmaster Snape's office.
They hadn't even unpacked yet. The message they had received was to report to
the Headmaster's office immediately upon their return to Hogwarts and that is
what they were doing.
"You're certainly the eternal optimist, aren't you?" Harry questioned, although
he too felt like he was taking that last walk that ended with the dementor's
Kiss.
"I consider myself neither pessimistic nor optimistic, but rather realistic,"
Hermione said as they reached the spiral staircase and just stood there looking
up. "You're acquainted with the Board of Directors. Do you seriously think we
stand a chance? We were on the front page of the Daily Prophet totally nude,
not exactly proper conduct for Hogwarts Professors, and I extremely doubt that
Playwizard Magazine is going to superimpose any black bars over my features in
their publication."
"No, I doubt they will," Harry said gloomily. "I wonder what type of photos we
can expect?"
Hermione face turned quite red. "I doubt we'll see any head and shoulders
shots. That rag seems to concentrate primarily on the pubic area of the body,"
Hermione said as she squeezed Harry's hand. "I think I know what one of the
pictures will be."
"You do!" Harry said in surprise. "But we never saw anyone take your picture."
"No, but we have a good idea of when the charm was removed and...." Hermione
hesitated a moment and then started fresh. "That morning when I came down to
the pool to wait for you, there was no one about except for the girls and a few
of their friends, frolicking at the far end of the pool. I knew you'd be along
shortly so I just straddled a chaise lounge and watched the girls fool around
for a time. After a bit, I leaned back and obviously fell asleep.
Hermione had a look of horror on her face. "If that's when he removed the
charm, I was practically laying spread eagle."
To Hermione's great surprise, Harry seemed nonplused at her revelation. "It's
just another part of your body, Love, and, I might add, just as beautiful as
the balance of you."
Hermione looked at Harry in disbelief. "You're starting to sound like the
girls."
"Only because they're right," Harry responded. "You laying there nude was completely
natural and innocent."
Hermione just shook her head. "To you and the girls maybe, even possibly to
other nudists, but I doubt many that buy the magazine will think of innocence
and purity when they scan the pictures. They will forever more think of me as a
slag."
Harry was at a loss for words. His wife was in no way a slag, but she was
right. A huge percentage of the wizard world would soon regard her as such,
once those pictures were published.
Harry was about to knock, when the large doors of the headmaster's office swung
open and Professor Snape beckoned them to enter.
"The hearing went well, I understand," Snape said, evidently already aware of
most of the details. "And Mr. Weasley is to be congratulated on his marriage."
"Yes," said Hermione, wondering how Snape had become so well informed so
quickly.
"Please, have a seat and I will bring you up to date on occurrences here at the
castle," Snape said.
Hermione and Harry nervously took seats, both wishing that Severus would skip
the small talk and get to the point of this meeting.
"I was extremely impressed with Jamie Zacherley's performance as a substitute
Professor. It is my understanding that she intends to train as an Auror, after
her time at Hogwarts is complete. She might want to reconsider; the young lady
has a talent for teaching."
Hermione and Harry exchanged glances, pride evident on both their faces.
Severus' expression abruptly took a more somber quality. "As you might have
surmised, the arrival of the owls at breakfast this morning caused quite a
stir. Young people, for the most part, have a rather immature attitude toward
nudity. Fortunately, the Gryffindors, being aware of Jamie, Caitlin and Emily's
backgrounds, formed a wall of support around them. The group was joined by many
friends from Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw and even a hand full of Slytherins."
"All three girls showed admirable spirit," Severus added. "I feel Jamie and
Caitlin will weather the tempest unfazed. They have a great deal of support
within their house. Emily, on the other hand, I fear has a much rougher road
ahead of her. The vast majority of Slytherin house has ostracized her and those
that supported her. I fear they all face a coarse year, as do you both."
"Then we're still employed," Harry said, seemingly amazed.
"At least for the moment," Severus said. "If I had a Galleon for every owl that
board members and I received today, I'd be considerably rich; however, I don't
and therefore still sit behind this desk of responsibility."
"What did they say?" Hermione asked half-heartedly.
"What didn't they say is a more fitting question?" Snape answered. "You're
welcome to read them if you care." He pointed to an, until now, unnoticed pile
of envelopes in the corner of the room. There must have been thousands of
letters forming an avalanche vulnerable mountain. "I saved them for you, except
of course the howlers. I actually thought at one point I would go deaf from the
screaming.
"In the morning, the letters were running about fifty/fifty. As many people
were supporting you as wanted your naked butts kicked out," Snape said,
straight-faced. "But that changed when you both testified and even more when
the judge rendered her verdict. I'd say you ended up with an eighty-five
percent approval rating. What most likely swayed the board most was the large
number of parents that threatened to shift their offspring to either
Beauxbatons or Durmstrang if either of you were terminated. So your jobs are
secure until November fifteenth
"November fifteenth?" Harry questioned, not immediately remembering the
significance of the date.
"After which Harry will most likely still have a job, but the Playwizard slag
will be out on her arse," Hermione responded angrily.
"I wouldn't have put it quite that way, but yes, I'm afraid so," Severus
responded, his face now pained. "The Board reluctantly agreed to disregard the
photo in the Prophet because of the fact that you were both discreetly covered.
They are not at all happy with you being nudists, but, in their words,
understand that extremely intelligent and gifted people quite often have
eccentricities."
"They called us eccentric," Hermione responded, with amazement. "Why didn't
they just say we were weird or odd, it means the same thing."
"Hermione," Severus said, calmingly, "You have to take into consideration that
the average age of the Board members is one hundred and forty. Plus, they don't
personally know you both like I do, but regrettably, they were flawlessly clear
and adamant on one count and that was in print nudity. Should pictures of
either of you show up at anytime without the benefit of those little black
bars, you will be discharged straight away."
Hermione reach over and squeezed Harry's hand "At least we'll still be able to
live here as a family," she said, trying to find a bright side to a dismal
situation. "But I'm going to miss teaching ever so much."
* * * * * *
"Damien, isn't the news wonderful," The Great One said, excitedly as she
entered her hidden headquarters.
"I thought it would have distressed you," Damien said, looking rather confused.
"Upset me! Impossible! The news my spy brought me is wonderful," Emma Wrong
said happily, lifting the crystal glass of white wine, which sat upon the table
in the centre of the room.
"Oh! Then you haven't talked with Madam Hooch," Damien said nervously,
realizing that he would now be the one to break the bad news.
"No, I haven't," Emma Wrong answered; coming to the conclusion that Hooch was
plainly looking for her in order to give her some disappointing information.
"Evidently, we are not talking about the same news," Damien said, now
trembling.
"Obviously not," the Great One said, her mood now changed to one of anger.
"Perhaps you'd care to share you're positive information before I tell you of
our disappointing find." Damien said as he tried unsuccessfully to blend in
with the furniture. It was at times like these, that Damien wished he had paid
more attention when Disillusionment Charms were taught.
"Very well," Emma Wrong said begrudgingly. "Good news first. As you are aware
the custody case concluded today, and not surprisingly, the Weasel and his
bitch won. Truthfully, I could not give a damn who has custody of the little
bastard, as long as they keep him healthy until the time of his sacrifice. I
was more interested in hearing the private conversation after the hearing, so I
had Crabbe hide in the courtroom under an invisibility cloak. Mind you that was
no easy matter, considering his considerable bulk.
"Most of what he overheard was useless dribble, but he did return with one
piece of worthwhile information. It seems that your girlfriend is pregnant."
Damien appeared shaken at this information.
"Oh come now, Damien. She's married to the man. I'm sure they do the dirty deed
on a regular basis," The Great One chuckled, "or did you think she was pining
away, saving herself for you. Good god man, she doesn't even remember you.
Forget her. That perfect little naked body you adored will soon be nothing but
a memory. Besides her usefulness to us will be exhausted once the baby is born.
"The important thing is that we're closer to our goal. We will soon have the
second heir." The Great One smiled triumphantly.
"Excuse me," Damien said meekly. "That's what Hooch and I wanted to speak to
you about."
"Have you discovered the identity of the healer and the seer?" Wrong asked
excitedly.
"Not exactly," Damien, shilly-shallied. "It's Draco Malfoy." Damien gulped
hard. "His ancestral link to Lord Slytherin is a sham."
"What?" The Great One shrieked.
"It seems his father paid to have numerous documents altered in order to gain
favor with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Malfoy is no more the heir to Slytherin
than I am."
"Damn!" the Great One vented, throwing the glass across the room barely missing
Damien. "Just when I thought we were making progress. And I was so looking
forward to seeing Weasley and his tart cry over the body. Hell, I can still
kill the little bastard if I want. But if he's not the heir of Slytherin, then
who is?
* * * * * *
"Do you think they'll be allowed to continue teaching?" Caitlin asked as Emily,
Jamie and she headed for the staff quarters.
"The fact that they were at the head table for dinner is a good sign," Jamie
answered encouragingly.
"I think the whole subject is ludicrous," Emily added angrily. "Everybody knows
they're the two most excellent teachers Hogwarts has."
"People just don't understand naturism," Jamie said, dejectedly.
"Yeah! And it's easier to discriminate against something you don't understand
rather than take the time to learn about it," Emily said, her voice echoing her
frustration.
Once they reached the quarters, Caitlin went to open the door and then paused.
"What do we do once we get inside?" she asked.
"What to you mean?" Jamie questioned.
"Well, normally I'd strip out of my garments," Caitlin said, confused. "But
under the circumstances, maybe we should stay dressed."
Jamie looked at Caitlin perplexed. "I hadn't thought about it, but you're
probably right. Harry and Hermione will undoubtedly want absolutely nothing to
do with nudity after what has occurred. Hopefully, in time, we can go back to
being nude here, but for now we should probably stay dressed."
Emily looked aghast. "You're not serious? All day long, people have been
taunting me about being a nudist. I've been so looking forward to getting up
here and relaxing. Now you want me to keep these on," she said, looking
disgustingly at her clothes.
"Stop thinking about yourself and think of Hermione and Harry, especially
Hermione." Jamie said, irritably. "If it hadn't been for us, neither one of
them would have even considered naturism. They wouldn't have gone to that
resort, and none of those pictures that Playwizard Magazine has would exist."
Emily sulked as they entered the door. Jamie was correct, yet it didn't seem
right or fair. No one had forced Harry and Hermione to be nudists. They tried
it of their own free will and they both now loved the way of life, especially
Hermione. The entire family had a brilliant time on vacation. What they did
hurt no one. But now, because of some git of a photographer, they were all
going to suffer. Emily was in fact sickened at the prospect.
The sound of the door initially startled Harry and Hermione, who were cuddled
by the fire, talking. Harry looked at the girls and then with an upbeat voice
said, "We were wondering if you three would be joining us tonight," he said.
"Why don't you grab a butter beer and then sit down? I imagine we have lots of
stories to swap."
"See," Hermione whispered to Harry as the girls went into the kitchen area.
"Things are changing already. When have you known them to not shed their
clothes the moment they entered the door?"
"And when is the last time you and I cuddled with you fully dressed?" Harry
asked. "If you don't want things to change, then you can't be part of the
change."
"I know you're right, but being nude makes me think of that photographer and
what pictures he might have taken," Hermione said, depressed. "I'm not
embarrassed any more to be seen nude, but that magazine has a tendency to print
rather extreme close-ups. I'm not looking forward to people asking me to
autograph a picture of my most intimate parts."
"No one would ever do that," Harry said.
"No," Hermione said, trying to be more realistic. "I doubt any one would be so
crass to ask that, but that doesn't mean the magazine won't print it. They're
known for their crude pictures."
Harry nodded his head in agreement as the girls entered the room and plopped
down. "How bad was it for you this morning when the Daily Prophet was
delivered?" Harry asked.
Jamie quickly explained how at first they were ready to flee the Great Hall,
but then their friends and fellow Gryffindors gathered around them in support.
Hermione was extremely pleased to hear that even some Slytherins had given
moral support.
"I always knew Doris Burke was special," Hermione said, quite pleased. "She
actually hugged all of you?"
"Yeah!" Said Jamie. "She asked if we could become friends; perhaps make up for
the last five years. I feel like I've missed out, not having her as a friend
until now."
"And three of your dorm mates joined you?" Hermione asked Emily. "That's
impressive!"
"I thought someone else might support me, too," Emily said rather sadly. "But I
was happy that Becky and Marta joined Kim and me."
"Enough about us," Jamie finally said. "We'll survive. What about you guys? How
did the Board react to the picture and article in the Prophet?"
"They reluctantly accepted the fact that we are eccentric nudists," Harry
answered. "We can keep our jobs; at least for the moment."
"They actually referred to you both as eccentric?" Caitlin asked. "I guess that
means they think the whole family is odd?"
Harry nodded his head. "What do you mean by 'for the time being'?" Emily asked
concernedly.
Hermione gazed in the direction of her youngest daughter. "It means that in all
probability, Harry's job is secure, but when the December issue of Playwizard
is distributed, I'll be sacked."
All three girls looked in Hermione's direction and as one cried, "No!"
Jamie and Caitlin ran and threw their arms around Hermione, but Emily instead
ran to her bedroom, tears flowing freely from her eyes.
Hermione went to get up and follow Emily, but Harry indicated for her to stay
with Jamie and Caitlin. Instead, Harry got to his feet and headed for Emily's
room.
She hadn't closed the door and Harry was rather taken aback when he reached the
threshold. Emily had literally thrown herself on the bed and was stretched out
with her head buried in the bed pillow. In her present position, the short
skirt she wore was incapable of covering all it was in theory designed to cover
up. Harry turned his head to leave and then realized how silly he was being. He
wasn't seeing anything he hadn't seen a thousand times before; it just seemed
wrong because she was dressed instead of nude.
He sat on the side of the bed and started stroking Emily's hair as she
continued to cry. Neither spoke for quite some time. Finally, Emily said, "It's
all our fault. If it wasn't for us, you and Hermione would be normal people, a
young couple with a baby on the way. You should have never taken us in; we've
ruined your lives!"
"Emily, look at me," Harry said firmly.
Emily slowly turned on her side as Harry leaned over and tenderly kissed her
cheek. "Slytherin," he said, shaking his head with a sly grin tugging at the
sides of his mouth, "will you get it through your head that you, Jamie and
Caitlin are the best thing that ever happened to us? Not once has Hermione or I
regretted the choices we've made."
"Surely you regret going to Cap d'Adge," Emily said between sobs. "I'm not
going to be a nudist anymore. It causes too much pain for the people I love."
Emily buried her head in the pillow once more.
"I'm sorry to hear that," Harry said as he stood up and started quietly
undressing. "Hermione and I have every intention of remaining naturists. We
were hoping to have a family nature swim in the Room of Requirements tonight,
but I guess you can still come along and wear a top and shorts."
Emily turned her head to look at Harry and was shaken to find him standing next
to the bed totally exposed. She hadn't seen him this way since vacation. "In
spite of everything that's happened and even considering the magazine?" She
asked.
"You girls have said it a million times; we're not hurting anyone by being
nude. We have no intentions of changing a life style we have come to
appreciate. Certainly! Hermione is upset about losing her position, but we are
what we are. People either accept that or we move on."
"Can I change my mind?" Emily said hopefully as she started taking her shoes
and socks off.
"I was hoping you would," Harry said gladly as he watched Emily hop to her feet
and quickly remove her skirt and blouse.
"I'm taller than you," Emily said, finally smiling as she continued to stand on
the bed and put her arms around Harry's neck. "Will you carry me, Dad?"
Harry put his arms around Emily's waist and was about to draw her closer when
she said, "Just this once, will you please carry me properly so I don't fall."
Harry looked at Emily questioningly, not quite understanding how she wanted to
be held.
"My real father always held me under my bum. It's really much easier to pick me
up that way."
Harry reluctantly proceeded to do as Emily suggested. "Now lift me," Emily
said, as Harry picked her up. Emily wrapped her legs around his waist. "Isn't
that better?
Harry was a little uncomfortable at first. Then, he thought about how he and
Emily were holding each other and realized that they were not holding each
other any differently than the way many other children were held by their
fathers' in public. The only difference was that those other children and their
parents were always clothed.
"Do the others know we're going swimming?" Emily asked excitedly, practically
bouncing in Harry's arms."
"I'm hoping that Hermione told them and that they're all ready," Harry said, as
he carried his daughter out of the room.
"Good you're all set," he said as he saw the three attractive witches in their
robes standing near the door. He assumed they were naked underneath.
"We're ready," Hermione said light heartedly. "but I hope you two don't intend
to walk through the halls like that?"
"We most certainly do," Harry said as everyone, including Emily, looked at him
in alarm. "Well, maybe we'll cover ourselves with my invisibility cloak? Will
you run get it Emily?"
Emily quickly returned with the cloak, and soon three witches were headed for
the Room of Requirements followed closely by a giggling sound that seemed to
emanate from thin air.
* * * * * *
"Are things back to normal then?" Caitlin asked as the three girls hurried down
the stairs from the faculty quarters.
"Hardly," Jamie said. "That was simply a show for our benefit. Don't get me
wrong; I think Harry and Hermione have come to enjoy naturism and fully intend
to continue the practice, but they're both miserable. They just don't want us
depressed or taking the blame for what has happened."
"Then you think Mum will be fired?" Emily asked forlornly.
"Unfortunately, I don't see any way around it," Jamie responded. "The Board of
Directors would fire her even if the pictures were tastefully shot and only of
her topless. I've seen a few copies of that magazine, and I'm sure the pictures
will be anything but refined."
"Then in your view, there will probably be close ups of her twat?" Emily asked.
"That's not a word I like to hear you use," Jamie said, admonishingly. "but
that's exactly what I expect. Since we never saw anyone, I'm sure most of the
photos were taken with a telephoto lens and most likely when Hermione was in an
awkwardly exposed position."
"Is that legal?" Caitlin inquired.
"Yes, we were in a public setting and it was our choice to be nude." Jamie
explained. "Having appeared in two teen pageants, I imagine there are oodles of
pictures of me floating around; of course they're muggle photos. I know both
pageants were video taped, but that was done in an appropriate way, not
unprofessionally."
"He had to be a wanker; no self-respecting photographer would take nude
pictures of a person without their permission," Emily said with anger.
"I'm disgusted with the management of Playwizard Magazine," Jamie said
just before the girls broke company. "It's one thing to print their type of
pictures if the girls willingly pose and are paid, but to ruin someone's life
and cause him or her to lose their means of employment so that you can make
money with unauthorized pictures is revolting."
The girls parted, Emily heading for the dungeons and Slytherin House, Caitlin
and Jamie to Gryffindor Tower. They all had an empty feeling.
* * * * * *
"That was fun," Hermione said two hours later as Harry held her in his arms.
"but you and the girls have a tendency to get rather rough. I have scratch
marks all over my body."
"At least your reproductive system can't be used as a lifeline," Harry said.
"Not, hardly!" Hermione said, stunned by Harry's comment. "What happened?"
"It was when Emily and Jamie were swinging Caitlin back and forth, holding her
hands and feet. They ended up sort of tossing her at me. Caitlin kind of
panicked as she went under water and just grabbed anything she could to hold
onto."
"And the something was your penis?" Hermione said dazed.
"Obviously, it was an accident; she simply questioned if she had hurt me. It's
not just talk with the girls; the three of them actually don't think it's a big
deal to touch or be touched anywhere when it's not sexual."
Hermione nodded her head in agreement. "I know what you mean. In an effort to
dunk me, none of the three hesitated to grab any part of me. It gave them an
unfair advantage until I decided enough was enough."
"What did you do?" Harry questioned.
"I started using their tactics," Hermione said innocently. "It really caught
Jamie off guard the first time. She had the funniest look on her face. Not
upset, but like she had just lost the advantage she had over me. Harry, it
amazes me how much those girls have changed me. I wish I had grown up being a
naturist."
"If you had, would you have told Ron and me?" Harry asked out of curiosity.
Hermione smiled and then blushed as she gave Harry a hug. "I wouldn't have had
to tell you. You would have noticed."
Harry visualized Ron and him walking the halls of Hogwarts under the
invisibility cloak with a naked Hermione between them.
"Harry, how do you do it?" Hermione asked.
"How do I do what?" he asked
"How do you avoid being excited when you are around the girls? I would think
that just seeing Jamie naked would cause you to have a reaction; she's so
beautiful. How can you control yourself around them?" she asked
"It's a case of mind over matter. I pretend they're someone else."
"Someone else?"
"Yes, when the girls are around, I imagine that Caitlin is McGonagall and Emily
is Grubbly-Plank."
"And who is Jamie,"
"She's been different people, but I find that Dolores Umbridge seems to turn me
off the most."
"And just what Professor do you think of when you make love with me?"
"I've tried thinking of Snape and Malfoy," Harry said facetiously, "but that
didn't produce the desired results. So I visualize the most beautiful witch to
ever grace the halls of Hogwarts, Hermione Granger.
Hermione awarded Harry for that response by kissing him fervently. Her life was
being torn apart, but she had what was most vital for her survival, his love.
* * * * * *
Harry awoke at around three in the morning to the sound of sobbing. He moved
closer, holding his trembling wife in his arms and gently caressing her back.
He didn't ask why she was crying; he already knew.
"Harry, am I selfish?" Hermione finally asked, ending the silence.
"You!" he said incredulously. "You're one of the most giving and selfless
people I've ever met."
"I don't feel noble. I should be happy and content. After all, I have you, as a
husband. That alone would make most women feel blessed. And then I have three
wonder girls that I cherish and that love me in return. I'm well educated, a
hyperempath, and I've just been offered a wonderful job with a prestigious
judge. I'm young, could train for any career I'd like, but yet I'm miserable,
and it's not because of the pictures. I'm, most certainly, not happy with the
thought of men wanking off to my naked image or people viewing close-ups of my
privates, but I'm not going to hang my head in shame. I didn't intentionally
pose for lurid pictures. They were taken without my knowledge when I was doing
purely innocent activity.
"It's just..." she hesitated. "Harry, I don't want to start a new career. I was
meant to be a teacher and I love teaching here at Hogwarts. No matter what else
I do, I'll never be happy and content like I am here. It's just not fair. I
worked so hard and now in a little more than a month, it will be history."
Harry held her tightly, but said nothing. No words could relieve the pain
Hermione was feeling. Once again, Harry felt helpless; he was letting his wife
down. Men are supposed to be heroes and protect the ones they love from sadness
and danger. Last winter, Hermione had been practically stolen from his arms,
and he was unable to rescue her. Now, she was about to be mortified and lose
the teaching position she coveted, and again, it seemed he was powerless to
aid.
* * * * * *
The warm early September days soon gave way to the brisk days of October. The
once green trees for a short time displayed their glorious fall colors before
becoming bare, ready for winter. With, homework, exams, Quidditch practice and
the incessant badgering from her fellow Slytherins, Emily didn't get to see
much of Caitlin and Jamie during the next month. Except for class, she also had
little contact with Harry and Hermione, but it was evident that her Mum was
dreading the passage of each day. Hermione's vibrancy and smile dimmed with the
knowledge that her time at Hogwarts was quickly drawing to a close.
Soon, Halloween was nearly upon them and all the houses were preparing for huge
parties. Jamie and Caitlin reminisced about the previous year when they had
found themselves completely nude in the middle of the Gryffindor common room;
one of them due to an accident and the other by choice. This year, both doubted
they would even attend the party. It somehow seemed wrong to party with
Hermione about to lose her job.
Harry and Hermione had run out of options. Seamus had tried everything
imaginable from a legal standpoint to stop publication of Hermione's pictures,
but as they had expected, those efforts were fruitless. Harry had even owled
Playwizard Magazine asking to meet with the editor in hopes of somehow
persuading him not to publish the pictures. He received no reply. They had both
accepted the inevitable.
* * * * * *
Friday, October 23, 2004
He had waited outside in the hall for her to leave the common room; finally at
last, she was alone. Why was she avoiding him? He felt they had a wonderful
relationship and thought she sensed the same. Yet ever since they had been
intimate, things seemed different. She had agreed and actually seemed to be
just as eager as him, but now she gave the impression of being so distant. She
appeared to circumvent being alone with him, even avoided talking to him
whenever possible.
The boy remained out of sight as he followed her down steep staircases and
through long corridors. Finally, he saw her enter the library. He was about to
corner her; finally they would talk. At last he would learn why she was
steering clear of him.
As he reached the library entrance and gazed about the huge room; it appeared
empty. She was no place to be seen. Slowly he walked past row and row of books.
At long last, there she was in the medical section nervously reading a book.
When he spoke her name, the girl's face flushed and she clutched the open book
to her chest. He gazed at her questioningly as he took the book in his hand and
read the chapter heading, Pregnancy: The First Stages.
He looked at her, a combination of shock and fear covering his face.
She broke into tears. "But they don't tell you how to stop it!" she said in
panic.
End of Chapter Twelve
The chapter you have just read has an alternative scene available in the files
section. The scene I refer to is near the end when they are discussing Harry
maintaining control. It just has the
dialogue between Harry and Hermione. For the NC-17 view of what is taking place
as they talk, read the alternative scene.
Thank you to everyone that took the time to review chapter eleven. I think that
chapter received the most reviews of any I have so far written. I find it hard
to express in words exactly how good that makes me feel.
Thank you also to my wonderful betas: Amber, Paul and Peter. Sometime I should
post a chapter without having them beta it first. Then you'd all realize how
good they are and how important they are to our story and me.
Want to be advised of new chapters and get to read them first? Join Hogwarts Exposed It's also a place where you can discuss the
story with other readers and myself.