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Bonded chapter 46
🕑 Added 2023-11-18 23:57:24 +0000 UTCChapter 46 -
"Why did you call us?" Venom growled impatiently, perched high up in a tree as he stared down at the acromantula nest below him. Not a single spider dared to move as they all stared at him.
"Master," One of the older spiders breathed out. "We have news, the humans have entered the forest!"
"Yes," Another hissed. "They've set up protections to keep us away, but they are doing something here. We've seen cages, at least four, big ones."
"Hmm," Venom growled loudly, causing many spiders to flinch, though none dared to move beyond that.
'This could be for the tournament,' Harry realised.
'Agreed,' Venom replied before turning his attention back to the spiders. "Continue to observe the humans, and report when you discover anything useful." He ordered.
"Yes," Several spiders nodded.
"Do we get to eat these humans?" A slightly bigger than average acromantula asked, staring straight up at Venom.
"No," Venom answered after a moment. "They are not to be harmed," He decided, knowing that Harry would definitely give him an earful if he said otherwise, not that he felt like there was any good reason to attack these humans, not yet anyway.
"This is our domain!" The same spider hissed, ignoring the warning looks from other spiders as they moved away from him. "Aragog was old but he understood this much at least! You are not even a spider, I am his oldest son! I should lead! I..." The spider let out a hiss as a black spike pierced into one of his legs just before Venom landed in front of him. Venom's hands ripped into his body just as a large mouth with razor-sharp teeth appeared on Venom's face, he raised the spider into the air and bit his head off just as his arms ripped the spider into two. Venom took a moment to swallow the head before he stared at the others.
"Anyone else?" He asked challengingly, not a single spider spoke.
"Good," Venom nodded, satisfied, before leaping up into the air and swinging away.
'If they really saw cages, maybe we have to fight some magical creature or something for the tournament,' Harry spoke up.
'Perhaps, we should verify it as soon as possible,'
(.)
"So, how have these last few days been for you?" Andromeda asked Harry after his latest potions class.
"Tiring," Harry admitted. "Thankfully most of the school doesn't seem to think I entered my name into the tournament, or at least they're not willing to outright accuse me. Most of the Slytherins think I did it, though I don't know if they honestly think that or if they're just doing it to piss me off. Ron and Hermione both think I did it as well, so I've cut ties with them."
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," Andromeda told him with a sad smile.
"I'm not that upset," Harry admitted. "I'd rather find out earlier than later if people aren't bad friends, besides, I've got enough friends to not be alone."
'You're welcome,' Venom told Harry.
"I suppose that that's the important thing," Andromeda said just as the door opened and Tonks walked in.
"Hey-up," She greeted the two. "Been looking for you," She told Harry. "I've been sent to collect you for the 'wand weighing' ceremony,"
"Eh?" Harry asked intelligently. "What the fuck is that?"
"Language, Harry," Andromeda said mildly.
"It's apparently some little ceremony where they inspect your wand," Tonks answered with a small shrug of her shoulders. "Long story short is that they basically check to make sure it's compatible with you, it's in working condition and so on."
"Oh," Harry said thoughtfully. "Nobody told me about it,"
"Yeah, well I don't know what to say, they just sent me to collect you," Tonks told him. "So, is it alright if he leaves?" She asked her mother.
"Yes, he's finished for today," Andromeda nodded. "I look forward to seeing you at our next lesson," She told Harry.
"Same, Mrs Tonks, I'll see you then." Harry smiled before following Tonks out of the room. "So Tonks," Harry spoke up as he walked alongside her. "How are you doing?"
"Same old, same old, I suppose," Tonks replied. "But it's you we got to worry about, Harry, this tournament is for people of age, people with far more magical experience than you."
"When it comes to general spell knowledge I'm probably a year ahead of everyone in my year, at least when it comes to charms, transfiguration and defence," Harry said thoughtfully.
"Yeah, that's impressive, but these students are many years ahead, they also have to be the best in their schools if they've been selected," Tonks told him.
"Nah, just means that they're the best in their age groups," Harry replied. "Don't worry about me, Tonks, people always underestimate me and I always come out on top."
"Well, at least you're confident," Tonks smiled at him. "So what's your plan? Survive this tournament and..."
"No, I'm going to win this tournament," Harry told her. "Everyone doubts me, fine, let them. Those who turned their backs on me are going to be running back to me, and then I'm going to smile and tell them to fuck off."
"Hmm, I get it," Tonks sighed, understanding exactly what he meant. She had met so many people who wanted to use her for her grades, her job and her metamorphic abilities. More often than not, those people wouldn't spend a second with her when they didn't need anything. It was an important lesson, learning that not all people were here for you, it made those that were more valuable. "Look, we're here," She said as they stopped outside of the room. "Ready?" She asked.
"Nope," Harry answered before promptly opening the door. He walked in with Tonks and found all the tournament judges waiting there along with the other champions and some aurors, he made a great effort to resist the urge to glare at Karkaroff, a tingling sensation in his body let him know that Venom was doing the same thing. For a moment he felt a tentacle crawl up his arm before he forcibly stopped it, causing it to retract back into his body. Standing along with them was a cameraman dressed in some awful-looking brown clothes whilst holding a massive flash camera that looked heavier than him. Standing next to this cameraman was a square-jawed woman with curly blonde hair, an unhealthy amount of makeup, gaudy earrings and bright red nails that were at least two inches long, bright green clothes that stood out far more next to her cameraman and jewelled spectacles studded with rhinestones.
"Ah, and here we have our final champion," Dumbledore announced unnecessarily, waving his wand and causing four chairs to slide up for the champions to sit in, which they simply did. Harry glanced to the side, Krum was sitting as stiff as a metal pole, and Cedric was looking slightly nervous, while Fleur had simply crossed her legs and placed both hands on her upper knee while giving the judges her full attention.
"Welcome, welcome!" Ludo greeted Harry cheerily. "Now, everyone don't worry about a thing, this is simply a long-standing tradition of the tournament. All your wands will simply be inspected to see if they are in working order."
"Now, we just have to wait for Mr Ollivander to arrive before we can begin." Percy cut in. "He is this country's finest wandmaker," He told everyone, though he was clearly staring this for the two foreign champions.
"Yes," Ludo Bagman said happily, clapping his hands together. "While we wait, perhaps we should start with the interviews?" He suggested.
"An excellent idea, Ludo," The woman smiled, staring at the champions. She gave Cedric a dismissive look, two thoughtful looks for the other champions and then started staring at Harry like he was a piece of juicy meat.
"Now, Champions," Ludo said, still as happy as ever. "I'm sure you'll all know Miss Rita Skeeter, a big-time reporter for the Daily Prophet, you know. She's just hear to do a small story on the tournament,"
"Not that small, Ludo," The woman - Miss 'Skeeter' apparently - corrected him as she took a step forward and stared openly at Harry. "Perhaps our youngest champion first, yes?" She asked, though phrased as a suggestion, nobody took it as one.
"I'd rather not," Harry said bluntly, though at least politely enough that he wouldn't get told off for being disrespectful. "I did not sign up for this tournament, and I want no part in any of it, press included. If it's alright with everyone, I'd rather just get this ceremony over with and be on my way. I have work to do."
"Come now, Harry," Rita said coaxingly. "This is as much of a tradition as the ceremony itself, people will want to know all about their champions, the ones representing the school."
"Then interview Mr Diggory, he is the official Hogwarts champion after all," Harry replied, crossing his arms.
"Come on, Harry," Ludo chuckled. "There's no harm in it, just a simple interview,"
"I said no." Magic amplified the last word, causing it to echo throughout the room. This caused Skeeter and Ludo to actually take a step back while everyone simply stared at Harry, thankfully that's when Tonks stepped in.
"Excuse me," Tonks cut in. "I'd like to point out that, unlike the other champions, Mr Potter is still a minor and shouldn't really be giving interviews. I would like to remind everyone that according to Ministry laws: 'Consent of a parent or responsible adult (acting in loco parentis) must be obtained before interviewing a child under the age of sixteen'."
"That is what the law says," Percy couldn't help but point out.
"But he's in a tournament for adults!" Rita argued. "Surely, that gives me reasonable..."
Harry's mind trailed off as the adults around him argued, he repeated Rita's words mentally for both himself and his alien companion. 'A tournament for adults!' That was what Rita had said, and technically she was right, he was in a tournament for adults.
'This could have some good benefits,' Venom chuckled deeply, a small smile appeared on Harry's face as he looked up in time to see Dumbledore speak up.
"I'm afraid, Miss Skeeter that unfortunately you will not be interviewing Mr Potter today," He said rather neutrally, that was if you ignored the small smirk on his face. Clearly, the headmaster had no more love for Miss Skeeter than Harry had. Rita's face settled into what Harry would rather generously describe as a pout while Venom would more accurately describe it as looking like she was suffering from constipation.
The doors opened and Mr Ollivanders walked into the room, looking as crazy as ever. He took a look around the room before smiling and greeting Dumbledore.
"Good to see you, Albus," He smiled. "How's your wand treating you?"
"As kindly as it always does," Dumbledore smiled back before turning to everyone else. "Now, that Mr Ollivander is here, we can begin. Whenever you're ready," He told Ollivander.
"Of course," Ollviander nodded before standing behind a podium that had been set up for him. "Now, ladies first, I should think." Fleur stood and walked over to Ollivander with a natural grace that most people couldn't hope to match, she took her wand out and handed it over to Ollivander who looked quite intrigued. "Hmm," He hummed as he examined the wand. "Yes, yes, nine and a half inches...inflexible...rosewood...and containing...dear me!"
"A veela hair," Fleur spoke up, sounding quite proud. "A hair from the head of a veela, my grandmother." Harry was relatively sure that he was probably the only one who noticed Rita's floating quill quickly write something into her floating notebook, and judging by the predatory look on Skeeter's face, he didn't think it was a nice comment.
"Hmm, that is interesting," Ollivander replied. "I personally never use veela hairs, I find they typically make rather temperamental, however, if it works for you. Orchideous!" A bunch of flowers popped out of her wand before he handed them both to Fleur. Fleur took them and walked back to her seat, slightly more stiffly than before, leading Harry to suspect that she didn't appreciate Ollivander's comments about her wand. Though Harry suspected that Ollivander truly hadn't meant offence, he could see why Fleur had taken it that away.
"Mr Krum," Ollivander called, while Krum stood up and walked over, Harry leaned over to Fleur.
"I think your wand looks pretty cool," He whispered to her, she stared at him for a second before giving him an appreciative nod.
"Oh, how interesting," Ollivander whispered before examining Krum's wand. "I believe that this is ten and a quarter inches, hornbeam wood, clearly, and that's a...dragon heartstring core. Rather thicker than you usually see, is this perhaps a 'Gregorovitch' wand?"
"Yes, one of his last, a good wand," Krum grunted.
"Agreed," Ollivander nodded before testing the wand by sending out several birds from it and vanishing them, he then handed the wand back to Krum. "Mr Diggory," Ollivander called, Cedric approached while Krum returned to his seat. "Ah, I remember this wand well. Containing a single hair from the tail of a particularly fine male unicorn... twelve and a quarter inches... ash... pleasantly springy. It's in fine condition, I must say,"
"Polish it regularly," Cedric grinned. "Polished it last night,"
"Bet you polish your wand every day," Tonks muttered under her breath in an amused voice, Harry's enhanced hearing easily picked it up and a small chuckle nearly escaped his lips.
"Another wand in excellent condition," Ollivander decided, creating a cup and some wine with it and vanishing them before handing it back to Cedric who walked back to his seat. "Mr Potter," Ollivander smiled at Harry who stood up and walked over. "Ah, another one of mine," He smiled brightly as Harry handed him his wand. "I remember this one all too well," He stared at it and began examining it for at least a solid two minutes. "Mr Potter, do you seem to have any problems with this wand?" He asked suddenly, staring between Harry and the wand with a disappointed frown.
"Not any that I've noticed, why?" Harry asked, staring questioningly at Ollivander.
"I feel...it feels like this wand's connection with you...it has dimmed somehow," He said quietly, his voice echoing across the room like a gunshot.
"Dimmed?" Dumbledore asked with his own frown, looking very interested.
"Not quite the same as before," Ollivander had a thoughtful look. "Mr Potter, I'd advise you to come to my shop before the first task so I may outfit you with a new wand."
"Wait, why has my wand connection changed?" Harry asked, ignoring his irritation at Rita's quill which he could clearly hear scribbling away.
"Who knows? Typically, it occurs when there is damage to the wand...or...perhaps change to the wizard," He said, staring at Harry like he was an odd puzzle. After a few seconds, he shrugged his shoulders, looking like he hadn't caught whatever he was trying to find. "Who knows?" He repeated.
'Oh, this might be my fault,' Venom realised, and Harry understood what he meant, he had Venom after he got his wand. Maybe the wand's connection changed because he had Venom, or maybe it was because his personality had changed.
"Well," Dumbledore said a second later. "I believe we are done here, now, champions you may return to class and..."
"Photos, Dumbledore!" Ludo quickly cut in. "We still need to do the photos."
"I'm out," Harry said, never a fan of having his photo taken (neither would you if you had Colin Creevy constantly attacking you with his camera). "I've got class if you don't mind," He added as he stood up.
"Oh, come on Harry," Rita said encouragingly. "It's just a simple photo, no harm done,"
"I am not a willing participant in this, remember?" Harry asked before turning to his fellow champions. "Good luck," He nodded to them before he turned and walked out of the room. 'Venom,' He mentally said as he started walking. 'Remember what Skeeter said, a tournament for adults, are you thinking what I'm thinking?'
'I'm in your head, I know exactly what you're thinking, and the answer is a solid 'yes',' Venom replied.
(.)
A.N: Hi guys, hope you liked the chapter. If anyone wants to give suggestions for Harry's new wand then feel free.
Comments
BN7234
I love Harry and Venom's interaction. It has that same vibe with Harry and snake familiar Jet in Silver King.
Christian Jeffress
Thanks for another awesome chapter. As for his wand, I would go with this: Blackthorn Wood: This wand wood is best suited for a warrior so it should suit Harry/Venom very well. Size: 9 1/2 to 10 inch wand so it has enough length for a good amount of power but it’s short enough for a good amount of precision. Flexibility: Slightly flexible to show that Harry/Venom are willing to change, but still have a very firm core of their own views and beliefs Core: Braid of Harry’s orginal phoenix feather, Dragon Heart String, and a strand of Venom. Phoenix, feather, to represent Harry, Dragon Heartstring for Venom, and the strand of Venom to bind it all togeather. 3 also being a strong magical number.
Fran
If there is anything that could be considered a parasite in the magical world it should be used as the core. We could discover if it is possible for Venom to have a coronary.
