Exhibition is a Right: Chapter 26 (Patreon)

"Promises to Professors"

The next week passed fairly uneventfully. Hermione was noticeably nervous in the run up to the trial to make the quiz team, same as she always was when she was studying for the end of year exams.

It took the combined effort of Harry, Ron and even Fay to get her to relax and put her books down the night before the trial.

Thankfully, even Hermione couldn't argue with the logic that falling asleep during the trial wouldn't help her chances of making the team.

The academic trials would be similar to the duelling trials, in that there were two teams of five for each school. One for fourth years and below, and one for fifth years and above. Unlike the duelling trials, these trials were not held with an audience. This left Harry and Ron waiting around in the common room on Saturday morning.

They were fully confident in Hermione's chances, so they simply enjoyed the spare time playing a few rounds of wizard chess.

As they played, several other groups milled in and out of the common room, either relaxing there or heading out to do all manner of things in the grounds.

Ginny had come down into the common room holding her broomstick, with Angelina, Alicia and Katie in tow.

Ginny stopped behind Harry’s spot on the sofa. “Hey boys, fancy some practice? The pitch is booked, but there's nothing stopping us from flying out over the grounds.”

Harry winced as Ron took his knight in a brutal pincer move with his rook. “Tempting, might be better than getting my ass handed to me for a third time…but we really want to be here when Hermione gets back.”

 Ginny shrugged. “Your loss, but I get it. Say congrats to her from us, yeah?”

Ginny then leaned down and kissed Harry on the lips, uncaring of Ron's pretend gag across from them.

As they separated, Harry caught the glimpse of Katie's face, looking like she was forcing her smile slightly. Clearly, he wasn't the only one to notice, as Ginny rolled her eyes and pushed Katie towards him.

“Go on. I'm aware of what happened. I don't care if you give him a kiss after all.”

Katie hesitated only briefly, before leaning in and kissing him gently too. She then stood up and walked out of the common room, face ablaze in embarrassment. She was not helped by the giggling that followed her from Angelina and Alicia.

Harry looked at Ginny with a raised eyebrow, but she simply winked before following them.

Barely a minute had passed before Lavender and Parvati dropped onto the sofa either side of him. “So…Katie too huh? Does this mean kissing is fair game?” Lavender purred, crossing her legs in such a way that her foot rubbed against his thigh.

It was very hard to ignore how short her skirt was in this position. Especially not when Parvati did the same on the other side of him. He was keenly aware of Ron glancing up from the board with a knowing look.

“Er…not a problem with me, no. Though we are still in the common room girls” Harry replied, looking to either side with a bashful smirk.

Both girls exchanged a glance, before leaning in and kissing the corners of his mouth. While Parvati leant back quickly, Lavender lingered and whispered into his ear.

“Tuesday, after class. Same room as before. I have a delivery of some new outfits coming, and me and Parvati want your opinion. Among other things…”

Lavender then leaned back as well, but not before giving him a smoldering look and running her hand down his front, dangerously close to his now apparent arousal.

With a wink, both girls stood up, being sure to let their skirts ride a little higher and flash Harry their respective panties, before strutting off to the stairwell.

Harry watched them leave, before looking at Ron's amused grin. “...shut up” Harry grumbled, but Ron just put his hands up in mock surrender.

“Hey, I didn't say anything mate. Not my business if you're boning half the Gryffindor girls. Oh, checkmate, by the way.”

Harry looked down at the board. His last few moves had been poor, given how distracted he had been. “Well, fuck.”

Before the board could be set up for another match, the portrait hole opened and Hermione climbed inside.

The smile on her face suggested the trial went well.

“Hey Hermione. You were successful then I assume?” Harry asked as he raised a hand in greeting.

Hermione nodded, taking off her jacket as she neared the fire to reveal her thin buttoned shirt underneath. She had clearly decided against wearing a bra, instead choosing a set of her black pasties, clearly visible through the material.

“Yeah, I did! It was a tough competition, but I made the team.” She dropped down onto the sofa, stretching and swinging her legs up onto Harry's lap. She then sighed heavily. “Annoyingly, I didn't quite get the best score. Daphne beat me by just one point!”

Ron frowned, placing the last piece on the board. “Greengrass? The Slytherin ice queen? Didn't know she was that smart.”

Hermione rolled her eyes. “If you noticed more than her breasts, you'd know she was easily tied with me for the top spot. She beats me in some classes, notably potions. But I am better at Arithmancy”

Ron snorted. “I notice more than her breasts. Her ass is her best feature, anyways.” Hermione looked as if she was going to argue, then conceded his point.

“Ok, so you and Daphne. Who else made the team?” Harry asked as he leant over and made his first move.

“Padma Patil, Terry Boot and Luna. I was surprised to be honest, but she's earned her place in Ravenclaw. Even if she kept relating her answers back to weird and wonderful creatures. I'm not sure the judges quite knew what to say.”

Harry could picture that scene surprisingly well, if he was honest. “No Puffs then? I'll have to give Sue my condolences.”

Hermoine nodded as she snuggled further down the sofa. “So, what about you guys, anything exciting happened?”

Harry went to say “no”, but Ron beat him to it. “Only that Harry's going to be busy this week, based on the amount of girls that have been our way this morning.”

Harry groaned as he saw the glint of interest in Hermione's eyes. “Thanks mate, now Hermione will follow me everywhere hoping to see some action…”

“Ron makes it sound more than it was. Check, by the way.” Ron looked down and cursed, having not seen his bishop move into place. Harry mouthed “Tuesday, Lavender” to Hermione. She nodded in understanding.

The trio then settled in to relax the rest of the morning till lunch time arrived.

Come Monday morning, there was a distinct feeling of anticipation in the air of the great hall.

The delegations from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang were now less than a week away, with both due to arrive next Saturday afternoon.

All the teams were now chosen, so all that was left was for the Champions themselves to be picked, a process that none but Harry and those he had told knew the method of doing so yet.

As a result, the tables were buzzing with theories about how they would be chosen, and who was planning to put their name forward for consideration.

“It's the sorting hat all over again, huh?” Ron said as he overheard one Puff from behind them wonder if the champions were gonna have to levitate the heaviest items they could.

“At least no one's said they will have to fight a troll yet” Hermione commented casually as she read a book set beside her bowl of cereal.

“Actually, yes, they have. Saw it on the Twins betting pool as an option” Ron replied, before shoving a fork full of eggs into his mouth.

“The twins have a bet going? Why am I not surprised?” Hermione sighed.

“What are the odds on “picked by magical artifact?” Harry asked with a chuckle. 

Ron grinned. “10 to 1. Want to put a galleon in a piece?”

Hermione just looked up from her book with a frown. “No.” The boys just agreed with a shrug.

“Fine. Hey, it might not be that, you know” Ron muttered, as he turned towards Fay as she asked him something from beside him.

Harry frowned. The thought of something so integral to his understanding of how the tournament was going to play out being different didn't sit well with him.

“If that changes, I would have no way to stop myself being chosen, even if I wanted to. And if it's something I actually have to win to get chosen, then I might not be able to join at all. That…could be a problem. I need to be in the tournament to be able to stop Voldemort's resurrection…”

Harry felt a nudge on his shin from across him, and he looked up to see Hermione smiling kindly across from him. Clearly, his concerns were written on his face.

“Don't worry. We'll have a think before they get here, Harry. Well figure something out.” She said quietly, while extending her hand across the table.

Harry nodded, before accepting her offered hand and giving it a quick squeeze in thanks.

“That's right. We'll figure it out, as we always have. No point fretting about it now.”

The last class of the day was History of Magic. Harry had been so distracted by the events of the past few weeks, he had almost forgotten his little agreement with Narcissa. Though since they had had that chat after his very first class, Narcissa hadn't approached him again.

Though he now knew that she likely wouldn't outright harm him, the warning from Sirius that she most likely had her own motivations made him cautious to say the least.

“But what is it that Narcissa could want? Why help me? What would she get with Sirius or me as Lord Black that she couldn't from Malfoy?”

This question and more were buzzing around his head. It was making concentrating on the current lecture, today about how Grindelweld started his manipulations in America, very difficult.

It wasn't helped at all by how distracting Professor Black's choice of attire was. Narcissa was wearing a smart work jacket, deep blue and finely tailored. It would look perfectly conservative…if it wasn't the only thing she was wearing on her top half, as far as Harry could tell.

Her generous bust was clearly visible, held behind only the two buttons upon the jacket that held it closed. No shirt, and no bra, as far as he could tell. Her nipples were covered, but that was about it. 

At least she was wearing smart work trousers, which meant he wasn't also distracted by her ass…much.

When class came to an end, he had made a decision. “I can't just wait and see, time to show my Gryffindor side…” 

He took his time packing up, waving Ron and Hermione ahead of him. Susan also paused, but only long enough to wave at him as she left.

By the time he had put his last book away, he was the only student left. Narcissa sat at the teachers desk at the front, tidying up some of her sheathes of parchment.

Taking a fortifying breath, he hefted his bag and approached.

Glancing up from her desk, Narcissa smiled at him. “Still not used to that, I don't think I saw Narcissa smile once in my old timeline…”

“Hello Harry. Do you have a question regarding the class work, or something else, perhaps?” She said with a small smirk. She leaned forwards slightly, giving Harry a clear view down her jacket.

Harry shook his head. “Not class work, no. It's kinda to do with the…Padfoot situation” he said, conscious they did not currently have any silencing spells up.

Narcissa nodded. “Well, I'm afraid I'm still waiting for the investigation. These things take time. Even if you know which palms to grease.”

Harry nodded. “I know, it was more…” he hesitated, and wondered just what to ask. Eventually, he decided to be direct.

“Why?” 

Narcissa’s smile turned to slight confusion. “What do you mean? As I said before, it is in my interest to have an active head of house Black.”

Harry sighed. “Yes. But why? I keep thinking what you could gain, and nothing comes to mind that you couldn't already get as Mrs Malfoy…”

Narcissa frowned, before she closed her eyes and rubbed them.

“You have spoken to Sirius. I don't know how, but he would have a similar viewpoint.” Harry didn't bother to deny it.

Narcissa sighed and leant back in her chair, her jacket buttons straining slightly. “Very well, you want the truth. And if I deny you?”

Harry hesitated. “...I still want Padfoot free. I'd still work to that end…but I would not trust you.”

Narcissa nodded. “More mature than expected. I thought you would simply say you would not work with me at all. Very well. I am doing this for one reason only…”

Here, Narcissa reached over the desk to the picture frame Harry had noticed the last time he was here. She turned it around to show him more clearly.

The photo of the younger three Black sisters stared back at him, jostling each other and laughing together.

Narcissa gently reached out to the picture, her face now looking melancholic. “Family. That is what I am seeking. This meaningless blood war took away my closest friends, my sisters, all in the audience of “purity’.”

She scowled. “One thrown from the family for finding true love. Two others cast into marriage contracts designed to do nothing but elevate the family status. At least mine did not drive me to madness…”

Harry swallowed. He had always assumed that Bellatrix was always mad, maybe a result of her upbringing or the Black's penchant for keeping the bloodline “pure”. But she didn't look mad in that photo, she looked at peace. Happy.

Narcissa blinked the tear that was forming in the corner of her eye away before looking back up at him with a determined expression.

“So I'm working to fix these mistakes. I managed to break free, and I'm already working on reconciling with one sister. But the other…that, I need help with. Sirius’s help. So that is why you can trust me when I say I want him free just as much as you do.”

Harry ran a hand back over his hair, ruffling even more than it usually was. “Ok…I understand. Sorry for being so suspicious. I can't say I fully trust you, but I will continue to help, however I can.”

Narcissa smiled again, and reached over to take up his hand in a thankful grip. She had leant over to do so, and Harry was struck by just how beautiful she looked when she was smiling…

The moment was broken by a knock on the door of the classroom. “Auntie? Are you good for our usual tea and chat?” came the voice of Tonks on the other side.

Narcissa let go of his hand and leant back again. “Speaking of family. Yes Nymphadora dear! It's open!”

Tonks then walked in, a frown on her face. “How many times must I say, it's Tonks! Just…oh, hey Harry. I wasn't interrupting anything was I?” she asked, pausing midway to them and given the pair of them a sly look.

Narcissa simply rolled her eyes. “Not at all. And I call you Nymphadora because it's a lovely name. You should be proud of the tradition.”

Harry just nodded, trying not to be distracted by the tight corseted dress that Tonks had chosen to wear. It was low cut enough to make her ample cleavage look at threat of spilling out if the half cup brassier it consisted of. There were numerous metal chains attached to it to give the usual punk aesthetic Tonks seemed to prefer. Her dress was long..but also sheer, showing off her fishnet stockings underneath. The ensemble was completed with spiked heels.

Tinks huffed and continued to approach. “You and mum are far too alike, despite you saying otherwise.”

Narcissa rose from her seat gracefully. “On the subject of your name, at least, we agree. Now, would you care to join us for tea, Harry?”

Harry blinked out of staring at Tonks outfit, though he was sure both the professors had noticed. He looked between the pair, before shaking his head. “No, I don't want to get in the way. You carry on, I've got somewhere to be anyways.”

Narcissa nodded, before heading towards her attached office. “Then I look forward to your next lesson, Mr. Potter.”

Before Harry could leave, Tonks reached out a hand to stop him. “Aiming for professors now, Harry? I'm almost hurt that you chose Cissy before yours truly…though I suspect that's Hermione's idea, huh?”

Harry coughed in surprise. “What? I'm not…no! I wasn't here to do…that.” Harry then glanced over to the office that Narcissa had disappeared into. “Besides, I doubt she's interested in a student like me anyways.”

Tonks smirked, before stepping closer to him, invading his personal space with the casual sense of someone who had known him a lot longer than she had.

“Oh, don't put yourself down, Harry. You're quite the catch…and Cissy doesn't just invite anyone to join us for tea you know.” Here, Tonks rapidly morphed into a carbon copy of Narcissa, the only difference being her clothing remaining the tight corset, now threatening to spill a different set of breasts.

When she spoke, even her voice had changed to resemble Narcissa's! “Perhaps next time, you'll accept my offer, Mr. Potter?” she asked in her lilting, sensual manner.

Harry gulped. “I'll…think about it.” Tonks smirked, before winking and reverting back to her usual self. “Be sure that you do. My door is always open, Harry.”

She then turned and walked towards the office too, her ass swaying far more than was strictly necessary 

Harry watched her disappear, before taking the first breath in what felt like hours.

“Christ, that woman will be the death of me. Little surprise Hermione ended up such a pervert if she was living with her for the last few years.”

Harry slapped his own cheeks, before starting to march towards the exit. “That's a future me problem. For now, it's time to meet up with the others. It's time to see if we can't better plan for this shit show that's about to start next week…”