Susan, Hannah, Daphne and Tracy were the delegation that approached Pomona with a serious matter; as usual it was Hannah who got the ball rolling.
"Headmistress, we would like to attend the tournament on Saturday to show our support for Harry and Hermione."
Susan backed her up, "all the other contestants will have the support of their schools and we want to let them all know that we back our champions."
Pomona frowned, "well, technically they're not entered as Potter Institute students since we weren't invited to compete."
Tracy butted in, "I really don't think that matters as they will be perceived as representing the Institute."
Daphne pressed home the point, "therefore us not going will be interpreted as not supporting them and that can't be allowed to happen."
Pomona could see the girls were very serious and this wasn't some ruse to get them away for the day, "are there more students who feel like this?"
"Pretty much everyone," came back at the headmistress in four different voices.
Pomona had one rule when dealing with head of school duties; she would just think 'what would the whiskered wanker do' and then do the complete opposite. He would have dismissed the girls out of hand and thrown some feeble excuse their way like a master tossing a bone to a starving dog and expect them to be grateful for his attention.
These girls were concerned for their friends and the more Pomona thought about it she found herself actually agreeing with their point of view, "ok girls I'll speak to Harry and Hermione and get their opinions on the matter before I get back to you. I have to warn you though we have safety concerns for Saturday and they might not want our students anywhere near Hogwarts, and also everyone and their granny wants to attend so tickets might be difficult to come by."
The witches left happy knowing at least their concerns had not only been listened to but given a fair hearing, they might not get the outcome they wanted but at least they would know why that decision was made - they may not like it but you had to respect it.
....
Glenda Bulstrode hadn't slept a wink, she was excited, apprehensive and more than a little overawed at the thought of meeting the Potters. The Bulstrodes would have been considered middle-class in the muggle world, comfortable without being wealthy, pureblood but with little influence and absolutely no aspirations of doing any social climbing. Neither side had thought them important enough to court their support the last war and that suited the family just fine.
They had no books on etiquette in the house and when Glenda asked Millicent how she was supposed to greet Lord and Lady Potter her daughter had just laughed at her, now she was standing beside Millicent, clutching her bag containing the gold her husband had given her while staring at the oddest house elf she'd ever seen.
"We're ready Dobby."
Glenda didn't like to contradict her daughter but she didn't feel anywhere near ready.
The elf called Dobby deposited them on a large terrace that was obviously their dining facility where everyone seemed to be just finishing breakfast, formal introductions went over the cliff when, with a battle cry of 'aunt Millicent!' a little dark haired girl hit her daughter with the force of a stunning spell. Both were laughing as Millicent spun her round and the distraction caused Glenda to turn back around and be faced with a tanned and muscled youth who owned the greenest pair of eyes she'd ever seen.
"Hi, I'm Harry, this is my wife Hermione and that bundle of mischief that just attacked your daughter is Joan."
Glenda didn't know what to do as her mind went on a vacation that involved lots of sun, bare skin and the liberal application of lotions, Harry Potter had just shook her hand and was now taking her by the arm.
"Let's get you something to drink while we finish our breakfast, those two will be a while yet." Joan was still in her aunt Millicent's arms and talking a mile a minute as she filled her in on everything that had been going on since they last met, Harry couldn't help but chuckle as he heard 'pony' mentioned for at least the third time.
Glenda was half way through her coffee before her brain finally rebooted, "oh where are my manners, I'm sorry but I just got a bit overawed there, I'm Glenda Bulstrode."
Dan was laughing, "don't worry Glenda, you should see the effect Harry has on the witches just walking down Diagon Alley, Hermione's almost had to draw her wand a couple of times."
"I thought they were after you dad," answered Hermione
"No, that was just the wizards," chipped in Harry drawing laughter from all the table and Glenda finally got to say what she needed to.
"I would like to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for what you did for my daughter, Millicent told me they wouldn't have made it if you hadn't turned up and got them out of there. For that the Bulstrode family owes you a debt that can never be repaid."
Harry again took the tearful witches hand, "if there is any debt then it is from the Potters to your daughter, her actions that night did us a great service and, should you ever need anything you only have to ask."
Glenda could feel the sincerity pouring out this young wizard as her daughter made her way over, "mum, this is Joan who just might challenge her mother as the smartest witch I know."
Watching Millicent's interactions with this young girl was yet another whole new side to her daughter that hadn't been revealed before, her head was already spinning and she'd been forewarned by Millicent that the shopping experience would have that effect on her, perhaps she needed something stronger than coffee.
....
Join my P*atreon for early access to 60+ chapters ahead of the public release.
Link : pa*treon.com/Lotus_Lover (Remove the *)
Free members can get 2+ advanced chapters FOR FREE.