"Good afternoon, Lord Black, Mr. Potter," the Headmaster said in greeting as they entered his office in turn. "May I ask why you requested this meeting? Surely you have better things to do at this time of the year than meet with an old man?"
Getting straight down to business, "We'll keep this short," Sirius said firmly as he took the lead in the conversation. "It has come to my attention that the Ministry is still thinking of deploying dementors to Hogwarts, despite how ridiculously bad an idea that actually is," at this the Headmaster nodded sadly, confirming the information.
"Sadly, that is correct. The Minister wants to be seen to be 'doing something' about this heir business and the attempts on both Harry and Neville's life. He believes the dementors will be an effective deterrent against both. However, so far I have managed to persuade the Minister that it would be both counterproductive and highly unpopular amongst the parents and his constituents," offering them a half-smile at his victory.
"Well, Harry here has come up with a possible solution to the issue," Sirius stated, gesturing over to him.
"Has he really?" the Headmaster offered in delight as he looked over at him, his eyes sparkling with new energy.
He nodded to this. "Indeed, it is a much simpler solution and far less dangerous for all concerned," Harry offered with a smile. "I have to admit, I'm surprised you haven't thought of it already, Headmaster."
"Really? Do tell, dear boy," the Headmaster pushed, looking even more cheerful.
"Kneazles," he stated simply with a grin, seeing no need to explain it any further. While the Headmaster had done some terrible things to him personally, there was no value in denying the plain truth; the man was brilliant.
"Kneazles," the Headmaster repeated, the word rolling off his old tongue easily as a small smile formed on his face, before suddenly laughing at the suggestion. "That is a rather ingenious solution," the elder wizard stated.
"Thank you," Harry said in acknowledgement. "Say Hogwarts requires a couple dozen; they can act as loving pets for lower years to handle, especially first years who may feel a bit homesick. You could set up a course or club, imaginatively called 'Kneazles,' if you like, to act as a basic introductory course to familiarize first-generation magicals with magical creatures. They can also be discreetly tasked to watch the halls without causing the obvious alarm and panic that dementors or the stationing of more Aurors in the school would," as the Headmaster nodded.
"And furthermore, cats are common amongst both the non-magical world and the magical, meaning students like myself would know generally how to handle and treat them... and it wouldn't surprise me if some students' parents already have one as a pet. Then, you also have Professor McGonagall on hand who is probably able to handle them better than any of us due to her rare talent," listing his reasoning for this idea. "And cats are natural predators of rats."
"The idea has merit," the Headmaster began. "Whilst the cost of acquiring such felines would be minor, caring for so many could become an issue. Then there is the commonly known fact that Kneazles can become rather aggressive; this could cause some issues as well."
Looking over at Sirius who just nodded in agreement at this expected tactic and made their prepared offer, "We're feeling rather generous. Since it's Christmas, Harry and I are willing to donate a combined total of twenty-five thousand Galleons to the school," Sirius stated easily, throwing the Headmaster off-guard at the mention of such a large sum of money, the portraits stirring with sudden interest as well. "The donation to be used for the reconstruction and expansion of the school greenhouses. I heard they were in need of some funding," offering the Headmaster a smile. "After all, we can't have the school falling into disrepair, especially when we may be hosting distinguished foreign guests in a couple of years," referring to the upcoming Tri-Wizard Tournament. "I'm sure the care of a couple of cats will not be a significant issue."
"Kneazles do seem to have some benefits after all," as the Headmaster nodded, accepting the unofficial bribe from the families of Potter and Black.
"So you will have no objections if I brought my own second pet? Say a Kneazle of my own?" Harry enquired easily, knowing that now was the best time to get what he wanted with little resistance. "I know some staff members will have objections," reminding the Headmaster of Professor Snape's well-known behaviour towards him. "And some students could consider it favouritism if I'm allowed two."
"Of course not, my dear boy, it shall not be an issue. The allowance of a second pet would just be for your own security and peace of mind and would of course be allowed to continue even after the current threats have been removed." He answered back with his hallmark grandfather smile, his eyes sparkling with energy. "Are there any other requests?" the Headmaster probed easily, knowing how this particular game was played all too well.
"No," Sirius stated firmly. "Just an official note of your gratitude and the school's," something the Headmaster agreed to easily. "And a chance to watch the Tri-Wizard Tournament in person, as a guest of the school, along with a couple extra seats for friends and family."
"Perfectly reasonable," the eager wizard noted. "However, I have to ask you to keep quiet about that; otherwise dozens of prominent families will be asking for similar arrangements."
"Then we have an agreement," Sirius added for the both of them whilst they both got up to leave. "I'll have our account managers transfer the gold to the school's accounts," as they got up to leave.
"Would you two like to use my office Floo?" the Headmaster offered.
"Yes, that'd be most generous of you," Sirius answered for the pair of them, as the Headmaster showed them to the fireplace and held out a pot of Floo powder.
"Have a good day, Lord Black. See you in a couple days, Harry, at the start of the new term," the Headmaster voiced, using his trademark grandfatherly smile as the pair of them disappeared through the fire.
...
(Hogwarts Express)
"What?" he demanded for what felt like the hundredth time as Penny continued to smirk at him in amusement while watching him continue to gently stroke the newly named 'Shadow,' his recently acquired half-Kneazle. Shadow purred lovingly in response.
"Oh, nothing," she dismissed, still with a small smirk on her face while he continued to stroke Shadow playfully.
Looking over at his cousin who was sitting next to him, "You have any idea what Penny's smirking at?" wanting to know if this was some kind of joke at his expense.
"Nope," Tonks said firmly with a shake of her head, her bright pink ponytail swinging side to side.
"You know you don't have to sit with me?" he said to his cousin. "You can go and sit with your own friends if you'd prefer."
"Mum and Sirius asked me to keep an eye on you, so I'm keeping an eye on you. And Penny here is a friend of mine anyway; unless you're asking because you secretly want some time alone together so that you can snog Penny here senseless," Tonks joked, as the beautiful younger girl in question blushed visibly. "I doubt Penny's had a decent snogging session lately."
Ignoring his cousin's remark, he continued to stroke Shadow, his hands running through the magical cat's soft midnight-black fur, reminding him of his own dark locks of hair.
"I freely admit that Penny has many attractive qualities that I enjoy," he voiced evenly in a factual tone, studiously ignoring Penny's increased blush, "just like with you, Tonks, my dear. Speaking of attractive qualities... that reminds me of the time I saw you fully nude. My, my, it was quite the treat; just a shame that I was too young at the time to fully appreciate the opportunity," thoroughly getting back at his cousin who was looking extremely embarrassed at the release of this rather private information.
"You have a very appealing body," he said, while using his mind magic to pull up the memory in perfect clarity of the time he stunned her and left her naked in a classroom draped over a table. This called out strongly to his newly sexually awakened mind.
"Now that sounds like a story I'd absolutely love to hear," Penny stated gleefully, looking over at the red-as-a-tomato Puff, clearly eager for some chance at payback.
"No, it's not," Tonks stated firmly, giving him a warning look which promised horrible retaliation if he continued, as her hand locked onto his, her nails pressing painfully into his skin.
"It is," feeling the pressure of her nails increase, "but perhaps for another time," he offered with a mischievous smile, walking the middle ground just like Sirius safely advised when dealing with the female sex. And the only time you picked a side, he had been instructed, was when you were dating one of them. Sirius had elaborated, seemingly unnecessarily, that that one was always the one you were currently dating, not just thinking about dating.
"You're sure you don't want to kiss Penny?" Tonks enquired. "How could you know? You've never kissed a girl before, right?" she teased mercilessly.
"It sounds like you're the one who needs a good snog, cousin, by the way you keep going on about it," he stated plainly. "Why don't you go find what's-his-name?" He knew perfectly well what the unimpressive fool's name was. "Last time I saw you with him, you were snogging like cats in heat."
"We broke up," Tonks stated plainly. Harry immediately noticed her mood shift and now realized why she was hanging around with them instead of her normal friends. She didn't want to risk running into the Puff in question.
...
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