After Hogwarts: A New Evil Emerges

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The Next Day
Boston Harbor
Port 21 2/3

Ron glanced at his watch. The boat that brought their kids to and from school should be arriving soon. He already had his stepchildren come back. Now it was time for the rest of the brood.

Malfoy and his wife were there as well, and Harry and Mali. Gina had stayed at home, saying that the smell of sea water made her sick. Not surprising really. Any strong smell made her sick when she was pregnant.

"I got an owl from James,"He heard Harry in the background. "Slytherin beat Gryffindor. But Gryffindor beat Racenclaw. Looks like it'll be those two again for the final game."

"Slytherin will win,"Ron heard Malfoy sneer. "Your son can't keep his head straight when he plays against your daughter. She uses it to her advantage."

"Spoken like a true Slytherin."Harry said lightly.

"Hey, Weasley. Are any of your brats on the team?"

Ron stiffened and he clenched his fists. Not much had changed between Ron and Malfoy. Unlike Harry, he didn't have to be civil for the sake of others. But for Harry's peace of mind Ron generally kept his temper in check.

"Regina's a Chaser,"he said between gritted teeth. "And Sebastian's a Beater."

"From what James said they're both courting offers from professional teams,"Harry joined in.

Ron nodded. "I think Regina's taking it. Sebastian hasn't decided yet."

Malfoy snorted. "That's because James hadn't decided yet. Your son and Potter's remind me of you and him. Wherever James goes I'm sure your son is sure to follow."

"Draco."Savannah's tone held warning.

"All right, I'll shut up."

"How much longer till that blasted boat gets here?"Mali grumbled.

"Not long hon. I'm sure Raven is eager to get off it. She never remembers to take the SeaSick Potion."

"And to get away from her brother. I bet he hasn't made life easy for her since she beat him."

"I'll talk to him again."

"You mean lecture and berate. You should leave them alone Harry. I'm sure the two will eventually call a truce."

Harry said nothing and Ron shook his head. Ron had remembered the conversations he and Harry had when they were younger,both of them about to become fathers. Harry had quickly declared that he was going to give his kids what he never had...in essence everything. The next generation of Potters were going to be come spoiled brats. And indeed they did. Whatever they wanted they got. And they never lacked affection. But they were decent kids. Not like what Malfoy was when he was a kid.

But Harry's attitude started to slightly change when James got accepted in Hogwarts. The spoiling was lessened. James was praised for his accomplishments. But James got lectures when he got into trouble. At least on James's part. Raven was still young. And she had her father wrapped around her fingers. Harry stated that James had to come into his own at Hogwarts, just like he did. If James got into trouble and complained to Harry, he would tell James to deal with it. He had to.

Then Raven entered Hogwarts. Harry wasn't surprised that Raven was sorted into Slytherin. He almost was. And what he did to James when he entered Hogwarts, he did to Raven. No spoiling. Lectures on her getting into trouble. Praise for her accomplishments. Admiration when she got put on the Quidditch team her first year.

That was when trouble started between brother and sister. Harry watched it take place. The whole rivalry that Slytherin and Gryffindor had in the past came back up with a veangence. All because of the Potter children. Raven didn't tell on James though. Draca and Damien did. To their parents they detailed every rotten thing James did. And it got back to Harry.

That was when the dynamics in the Potter family really took a turn. Raven ended up becoming Daddy's Girl, and James ended up becoming the bully in Harry's eyes. Several arguments ensued. Raven trying to protect her brother, Harry angry at Raven being blind to her brothers jealousy and animosity, Harry being angry at his son for being a jerk, and Malicia being the go between, the peace maker.

"Hey there it is!" Savannah pointed to a spot in the distance.

And there it was. A large vessel pulled into the hidden magical port. It reminded Ron of the boat that brought the Durmstrang students in his fourth year.

10 Minutes Later

Ron peered over the teeming heads coming down the ramp. "Hey it just hit me. Where's Hermione?"

"Bulgaria for the holidays. She picked up Lorena last night and went off." Mali said absently.

"Bet Lorena loved that. She hadn't been there in years. Viktor, I take it, was the one who suggested it?"

"Yes. Said he wanted Hermione to relax a little bit."

Ron heard Malicia and Savannah snort. "Like that'll ever happen,"they both said.

Ron nodded. Hermione never relaxed. She didn't in school and she wouldn't know. The word was not in her vocabulary. So the five of them waited patiently for their kids to come into view, meanwhile catching erstwhile comments from passing students.

"Merlin that was a great match. Who would of thought Raven could of faked out her brother like that?"

"And to think he thought he knocked her off her broom? Didn't he forget that their brooms have a tracking device on them and could catch them if they fell off?"

"Maybe he does have a conscience and didn't want his sister to get hurt."

"Shit I wished my mom let me go to France."

"Lucky Granger. Bulgaria. Bitch.

"Hey watch the language."

"Longbottom's going to Assyria."

"Really?"

"Come off it, man let me see."

"Did you hear the fight the Potters had on the ship?"

Ron paused. It looked like Harry was going to have another 'great' Christmas.

"Who didn't? The Malfoy twins had to keep them seperated."

"Heard Weasley yelling at Potter. Told him he may be his friend but he was being a right git at the moment."

"Did you hear the lambasting Granger gave James for his stunt in the Great Hall last night? I mean come on, it's not funny turning someone's skin and hair green. Raven was pissed. She still has some green streaks in her hair. So do the Malfoy's. "

"She got back at him didn't she? Turned his hair purple."

Ron burst out laughing and Harry,Mali,Malfoy, and Savannah turned to him. "You'll find out when you see her Harry."

And they surely did. His son Sebastian. and Regina were dragging their luggage, along with James...who indeed had purple hair and a scowl. The Malfoy twins were trailing behind, Raven on Draca's side, bright green streaks indicating her presence, not to mention the identical scowl that James had, on her face as well. Draca and Damien just looked miserable. Then again if he had green streaks in his hair, he would be miserable too.

Harry's eyes widened as his two kids came further into view. Mali had her mouth covered, as to hide her smile, Malfoy burst out laughing and Savannah groaned. Ron just grinned. At least his kids had stayed out of it.

"What...."Harry trailed off as all of them stood still in front of their respective parents, luggage dropped.

Sebastian and Regina exchanged grins with their father, hugged him and began pushing their luggage into the car.

"Bet you 6 sickles James is going to get grounded,"Ron heard Sebastian mutter to his sister.

"Bet you your six that Raven will defend him."

"That's a given sis."

Ron turned back to pay attention to the new situation.

"Don't ask." was the resounding greeting the other four gave.
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An Hour Later At Potter's Home-

"Irresponsible! Not to mention immature to boot!"

"Oh come on dad, it was just a--"

"You just turned 18 for Merlin' sake! Not 5!"

"Come on Dad."

"Reckless! You could of actually hurt her and the Malfoy's kids with that stunt!"

"But-"

"Don't 'but' me James Sirius Potter! Turning you're sister's hair and skin green!"

"Her skin was only green for a couple hours...no harm!"

"I don't give a damn if no harm was done! You did it because you can't handle losing for crying out loud! When did you start getting so damn childish is beyond me."

Mali exchanged looks with Savannah as both women were trying to get the green out of their kids hair. Ron had taken his kids home, while the rest of them came back to the Potters. Draco was busy with his own son, trying to get his version after James finally told his own version, making Damien out to be the villian. Not unusual, both boys took after their fathers.

But Harry didn't want to hear anymore. The minute they came home, and once he thought the girls were out of hearing range(they weren't) he started lighting into his son. Mali decided to stay out it, for once not taking her son's side. He had reacted poorly to losing against the Slytherins and let Damien's remarks about not being able to play against his sister get under his skin.

"Have you got them out Mom?"

"Not yet sweety. Protean charms take a while to undo."

"Malfoy started it!" James yelled, finally losing his cool with his father. "He just had to make snide remarks about the game!"

"I DON'T GIVE A DAMN WHO STARTED IT!"Harry bellowed. "YOU WERE THE ONE THAT DECIDED TO SINK TO A LEVEL I TRULY DON'T LIKE."

"Your boys certianly have a temper," Savannah muttered.

"And Draco and Damien don't?" Mali muttered back.

"They're better at restraining it."

"All I know is young man that you better not pull another damn stunt like this during the holidays or for the rest of the year. I'm sick of the hostility between you and your sister-"at this Mali felt Raven curl up a little, "and you will aplogize to all three. And this little rivalry will end. She is your sister, your family and she will be treated as such. I will not tolerate this anymore. Family is sacred and you're pushing the boundaries."

Mali paused in the middle of enchantment. Family. Harry experienced very little of it when he was younger and even though the Weasley's sort of adopted him, he had none to speak of. When they had discussed children, Harry said he wanted a dozen. Mali was willing to go along, for she wanted a few herself, both of them knowing how lonely it was to grow up as an only child. But that dream was put to a stop after the difficult pregnancy(Mali went into premature labor 4 times) and the equally difficult birth of Raven. Raven had it tough for the first few months and was a sickly child her first two years. After Raven, both of them decided not to have anymore.

As Mali and Savannah continued to work on unraveling the Protean Charm, James and Harry continued to argue, until Harry threatened to ground him for the remainder of the holidays. That was when her son wisely shut up, came out onto the balcony, gruffly apologized to his sister, Draca, Damien and Draco who had joined them minutes before the argument and then promptly shut himself up in his room.

Mali watched out of the corner of her eye as Harry lifted a small trap door that next to the couch in their living room and proceeded down the stairs. He was going to his "special" room which no one was allowed in, even Mali. She knew he had several things down there, including a small space where he could work out his frustrations....when he couldn't work them out in their bedroom and on her.

It took about an hour to undo the Protean Charm, and get everyone back to normal. Damien admitted to making the remarks about James unable to play against Raven, and got a light bitching out from Savannah. Draca,Damien and Raven then made their way outside to have a snowball fight,while the three of them chatted.

When the sky finally darkened, Harry re-emerged and everyone said their goodbyes. James still hadn't come out of his room and Raven decided to use that to her advantage taking her father's complete attention. While she regaled her father with the story of her Quidditch match, Malicia went to her son.

"Who is it?"she heard her son's sullen voice ask after she knocked on his door.

"Me,"She opened the door and came into the room. As usual, his room was a mess. Give the boy five minutes to himself and his room would look like a tornado hit. Once again she was hit in the face with the differences between her two children. James liked everything disorderly. He liked making sense out of chaos, while Raven needed everything neat and ordered. She might as well be Harry. He had once been somewhat of a slob, but over the years he had begun to prefer neatness and order.

"What is it?"

Malicia stepped over a couple books and sat down in one of Jame's chairs. Three brooms were in one corner, all of them gifts from his grandmother. He would place the old ones in a corner, using them at home. He was lying on his bed, one of his school books in his lap.

"Nothing. Just wanted to talk to my son. Your father's attention is focused on Raven for the moment."

James coughed. "More likely during the whole vacation."

Mali chuckled. "Perhaps. She does have a way of getting people to focus on her. Your father certianly isn't immune to it."

"She got that from you Mom. You have the same effect."

"Do I?"

"You think I haven't noticed? Or Dad? Whenever we go into to town, you get attention. Then again so does Dad."

"I guess I don't notice anymore. I bet you Dad doesn't either."

James shrugged. "He ignores it really. Raven revels in it though."

"So do you James. Admit it. The minute you entered Hogwarts I got owls on how you basked in the glow of receiving all the attention, being called The Prince Potter and such."

James scowled. "I was an idiot when I was younger. Especially when Lorena started pointing out that no one would take me seriously if I just continued to coast on being just 'Harry Potter's Son'. And the she pointed out how Raven was doing the exact opposite."

"She is James."Malicia agreed. "From the minute Raven entered Hogwarts she was determined to show people she was more than Harry Potter's daughter. Everything she's done shows that she is her own person. For years you refused to show people who you were and just coast along in your Dad's shadow. But you started to change in your fourth year. And I'm glad."

"You can thank Raven for that,"James grumbled. "She woke me up to how ridiculous I was acting."

"Good. So how about giving her a break? I mean she defends you all the time James. No matter what you do. She at least, is loyal to you. And yet you show no loyalty to her."

James's eyes darkened and right then Mali knew she pushed her son a little too far. "I show her no loyalty?"He barked. "Like hell I don't! She doesn't know how much I defended her to my friends, other Gryffindors, the Ravenclaw's, even the Hufflepuffs. I defended her against those damn Daily Prophet and American Wizarding News reporters, all claiming that she was the next Dark Witch in the making, how she's going to end up betraying us all." He tossed his book off his bed and swung himself around, his feet touching the floor.

"She doesn't hear the mutterings in the halls about her being in Slytherin and what the ramifications are."James continued. "She doesn't here others condemning her, saying she's going to turn out like Grandmother, She doesn't here people insult her, assume, make snide remarks, tell me they feel sorry for me because I have a Dark Witch in the making for a sister. She doesn't hear me telling them off, telling them to mind their own business, that they have no right to judge her. Why do you think I've been in detention so much? Why do you think I've been in so many hexing duels in halls? And everyone thinks Raven and I start them. We're not."

Malicia frowned. "Other people have been doing this?"

James nodded. "Raven just joins in to make it look like we're doing it to each other. Don't think I'm not being loyal to my own sister Mother. I love my sister. She's my sister for god's sakes. I'm defending her in private because that's where the nastiness. In private."

"And the other Gryffindor's?"

"Everyone except Longbottom, the Weasley's, Lorena and mainly the first years are condemning her as well. Crap mom, the Hufflepuffs are doing it as well. It's getting to the point that I'm telling six or seven people off every day. The Slytherins are the only ones that aren't making snide comments."

"That's not true,"Raven's voice was heard from the doorway. Mali and James turned to see both Harry and Raven at the door. Mali forgot to shut it, and James wasn't exactly talking in a low voice.

"It's not,"Raven insisted. "I can think of at least 12 people in my house that think I'm a disgrace, that it's an insult that I'm in their house. They're not vocal about it in public though. And you think I don't hear the mutterings? The whispers? The comments? Bullshit. I hear them. But I ignore them. I don't let it get to me."Raven frowned. "And you shouldn't either."

"They don't have any right to talk about you like that,"James countered.

"People will say what they want James,"Harry added quietly. "They always will. People condemned my fifth year, saying I was a lunatic and a attention seeker because they didn't want to believe Voldemort was back. And when word got out that your grandmother was teaching me certain aspects of magic that were considered Dark Arts, they condemned me even more. I remember one series of articles stating that I might as well confirm that I'm a Dark Wizard and that I should join Voldemort."

"They also condemned him because of me,"Mali said quietly. "The wizarding world fell in love with Ginny Weasley, when they found out about their relationship...even continued to root for it even though Harry had ended it after Dumbledore's death. But me? They hated me. They didn't want their savior to be involved with me. They claimed I used a love potion, or that Allesandra was putting him under Imperious."

"The point of this James is that you need to learn how to deal with criticism."Harry came into the room and pulled up another chair. Raven was already sitting on James's bed. "Raven hears the same things you hear. But she's learned to ignore it. You need to as well. Because every time you tell someone off, it'll get worse. Once people realize they no longer can get a rise out of you, they'll stop."

"And learn how to be a gracious loser as well,"Raven pointed out.

Malicia smiled as James tossed a pillow at Raven who quickly retaliated. Harry and Mali backed out of the room as a full fledged pillow fight started.
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Author's Note: REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW!!!!!!