One of Victor's friends proved that his brain cell count actually reached double figures by grabbing the seekers arm as he tried to draw his wand on Harry; Krum was left with just a closing threat to try and restore some credibility to his tarnished public image. "Just watch your back Potter!"
This declaration of intent was rapidly accompanied by a rather loud double click as Victor found himself staring down the barrel of a pump action shotgun from the distance of about six inches.
Emma's voice left no room for any doubt, "Watching his back is my job sonny, you make a move on it and I'll cut you in half. If you sneak around trying to ambush my family I will have no hesitation in killing you."
His two companions pulled a white faced Victor away from the confrontation; as soon as they turned round a little wandless magic from Hermione left three sets of Bulgarian butt cheeks on display for the whole hall to see. The riotous laughter that greeted the sight of their bare nether regions was the perfect cover for their team to slip back into the hall, they were smiling for a much more noble reason though Hermione noticed that it didn't stop Amelia and Minerva checking the Bulgarians out.
Graham Bulstrode couldn't believe his eyes, a muggle woman had made a famous pureblood wizard perform a humiliating climb down then her daughter completed the rout by vanishing part of their clothing without needing a wand, just who were these people?
Ron seemed to read his mind, "Brilliant but scary, both mother and daughter!"
Graham had thought Ron was a selfish arsehole but his daughter was clearly in love with the prick so for her sake he'd tried to make the best of it, the young man appeared to have done a bit of growing up recently though facing death could have that effect. He was listening as the young girl called his daughter 'aunt Millicent' and chatting away as if they were close family, "Your former friends are really something," he said to Ron.
"Yea and I owe them a major apology but I need to work out just how big an arsehole I've been before I'm ready for that. They'll never forgive me and I can't blame them for that, the best I can hope for is to be tolerated because they like Millie. She and Joan get on so well and I can see Millie working for the Potters when she's older, those children from the orphanage made a big impression on us both."
Graham thought there might be hope for this young wizard but like fathers the world over his opinion matched that of Lady Potter, Millicent was much too good for Ronald Weasley.
Minerva whispered to Harry that it was almost like the book was helping them and wanted to be copied so, having got what they came for they promised Millicent they would see her tomorrow and left for mum and dad's with Minerva, Filius and their precious cargo heading back to the institute.
....
Harry and Hermione were in Gringotts while mum and dad played the proud grandparents and showed Joan the sights of muggle London, though the Gardiner credit cards took a bashing in Hamleys as they bought toys for all the kids.
The Potters had calmed down some since the incident at the Institute and decided to financially destroy just the five ex-governors but make it blatantly obvious what was in store for any one else who decided to go after them. Purebloods tended to put all their eggs in one basket and, as long as it was generating income leave it like that for generations.
When your sole source of gold is printing and Lovegood Press suddenly opens a printing business with the latest equipment and their own newspaper to advertise the fact that their charges are almost half of yours then that river of gold becomes a drip almost overnight.
When that same newspaper then identifies you as one of the people who tried to force sixteen children into a situation where they would loose their magic just so you could retain what little power and influence you had left then 'deep shit' was one of the milder terms for the amount of trouble you were in.
The goblins were very impressed at just how ruthless the Potters were and estimated that their initial outlay would be recovered in about two years then the businesses, suppliers and even land they bought dealing with the five individuals would start returning a profit. This was manna from heaven for the war like creatures, destroying your enemy AND making a profit, they were very happy to be on the same side as the Potters.
Ragnok proposed looking at just how much it would cost to gain control of some of the key areas of wizarding life then if the Potters were threatened in the future they would have the means already in place to bring magical Britain to it's financial knees.
The goblins were aware that there was no innovation in magical Britain, the idea of something new being able to do a job better, quicker and cheaper was an alien concept to the purebloods who controlled their society. Investing in the future didn't really apply when you were living about a century in the past.
....
The morning had been good for them but now it was time to put their game faces on, standing in Hogsmead awaiting a portkey bringing the rest of their party here from Italy. They had deliberated over allowing students to attend finally deciding that the ones who had taken an oath that morning in the great hall could accompany them, Cedric wasn't being allowed anywhere near Hogwarts until after Riddle was dead.
It was a beautiful late autumnal day in Hogsmead with the Scottish air so clear you could see for miles, but with the usual deceptive chill that ate into the marrow of your bones. The Institute had purchased heavy winter cloaks for everyone attending and had them made in navy blue so they wouldn't stand out just as much in the crowd though their distinctive snowy owl logo proclaimed to everyone who they were. Living on the Amalfi Coast left them freezing in what the locals would consider nothing more than 'a lovely fresh day,' neither Potter was looking forward to swimming in that bloody freezing lake for the next task.
A portkey delivered the fourteen students, Pomona, Remus, Sirius and Amber right in front of the Potters and Grangers, the eight were suited up for battle under their cloaks and the party made it's way to Hogwarts.
Harry saw the danger coming hurtling towards him but couldn't do a thing about it, when a half-giant decides you need a hug the only options available are to grin and bear it. Only Hermione's introduction of their daughter saved Harry's ribs as Hagrid kneeled down to talk to Joan and was immediately wrapped round her finger, she spent the rest of the journey sitting on Hagrid's shoulder as he pointed to various things and told her stories of her parents but it was when he mentioned showing her some unicorn fawns that Harry knew these two would be friends for life.
There were lots of good-luck hugs and kisses as the party made its way to their reserved seats in the stands while Neville and Luna refused to leave them, following Harry and Hermione to the tent that had been set up for the competitors. There was a ring of aurors around the tent but none of them fancied telling any of these kids what to do, memories of their ministry demonstration was still fresh in most of their minds. A couple more good luck kisses and both Potters entered the tent with their friends standing guard outside, if there was going to be trouble the four of them wanted to be able to get together as quickly as possible.
Inside the tent they quickly eyed-up the opposition, Victor was still seething from last night, Fleur seemed caught between attempting to flirt with Harry and worrying about what awaited them in the arena which gave the witch a constipated expression that both Potters were sure was not her intention. Bole on the other hand was as green as his robes, the Slytherin beater was clearly 'bricking it.'
When the officials entered with a bag for them to draw their dragons, their comment of 'ladies first' saw Fleur push Hermione out her way and try to get to the bag, she found herself unable to move though and a voice filled with menace whispered in her ear, "Unlike you, my wife actually is a Lady!"
Hermione chose first, getting a Welsh Green wearing number three before Harry released the French girl to allow Fleur to choose her dragon.
Harry drew a Hebridean Black wearing number one and was now anxious to get this show on the road though he did notice that the Hungarian Horntail hadn't come out the bag so that meant Tommy boy was number six with the nastiest dragon, poor dark lord just couldn't seem to catch a break.
When Harry's name was called he shared a kiss with Hermione then strode out into the arena, scanning the crowd he quickly spotted the Institute group with Joan waving madly and Amber on the mobile to Italy, providing commentary for those who couldn't make it. The dragon was in the far corner of the arena, eyes constantly searching for danger as she protected her eggs.