Chapter 11: Year 4-- We Are the Champions V

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Disclaimer: I'm not Thanos... or am I?

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It was a strange procession of people that were headed down to the shore of the lake the first weekend of March. Luna's father had come to visit and brought along the family grimoire, the book's cover an odd dark leather with a clasp binding it closed. Harry and the Patils were right behind them along with the Weasley twins (who were trying to interest Harry in investing in their joke shop idea), with Hagrid and Dumbledore in the rear. Fleur had bowed out for some reason; Harry was disappointed that she didn't want to see the show.

Xenophilius was chatting happily with his daughter about his most recent trip to America where he'd been searching for something called the Moth Man.

"And then he showed me the most delightful little diner where we ate pancakes all night."

"That sounds yummy," Luna replied.

"Indeed," Xeno agreed with a smile. "Of course, he put ketchup on his hash browns, which made me want to leave early. Can you imagine?"

"What a philistine!" Luna turned her nose up.

"Why are we out here?" Padma wondered as she shoved her hands into the pockets of her jacket. "I could have been finishing up my Charms essay early and then spent the rest of the day relaxing."

"Because this is going to be cool," Harry answered.

"I think Fleur had the right idea," Padma rolled her eyes. "Besides, it's cold."

"The Lovegoods are always fun to be around," one of the Weasleys replied.

"Just stay out of their vegetable garden," the other added. "Or be prepared to run for your life."

"But Auntie Ethel is such a sweetie," Luna teased.

"Auntie Ethel?" Parvati asked.

"It's a venomous tentacula that's been crossbred with something... else," Fred shivered.

"You shouldn't have tried picking her turnips," Xeno chuckled. "She's quite territorial. Even the family has to offer a tribute to harvest them."

"Right, so here we are," Hagrid announced. "I can't wait to see what sort of beastie yeh might be summonin'. I'd bet it'll be something to remember."

"Indeed," Dumbledore smiled. "Why, I remember when your great uncle Leonidas brought his pet Blibbering Humdinger for show and tell. It was such a remarkable creature."

"And its saliva had a remarkably strong effect too!" Xeno laughed. "Such a shame that they're nearly extinct now."

"Yes, a pity," the headmaster agreed. "If people weren't so careless, we would have tried to farm them responsibly."

"Daddy, can I do the honors?" Luna asked.

"Of course, butternut," he smiled. Xeno pulled out a pocket knife and carefully cut his left hand, smearing a bit of blood over the clasp to allow it to open before passing the book to his daughter.

"Blood magic, how fascinating," Dumbledore murmured.

"One can never be too careful when dealing with things beyond mortal ken," Xeno replied solemnly.

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