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Harry Potter and the Four Heirs
By: Sinyk
Merlin, not happy with how the future unravelled for the life of Harry
Potter, intervenes early to set the course of history back on track. Implied
Pairing Only. Smart!Harry Bash!AD Idiot!RW
Rated: Fiction K - English - Adventure - Harry P., Neville L., Hermione G.,
Susan B. - Chapters: 30 - Words: 282,458 - Reviews: 2,557 - Favs: 10,937
- Follows: 4,937 - Updated: 27.03.2013, 10:55:54 - Published:
26.02.2013, 06:25:36 - Status: Complete - id: 9048823
16. Dumbledore's Second Bad Day
(Part 1)
Chapter Sixteen - Dumbledore's Second Bad Day (Part 1)
# # #
After training the next morning, the Monday before the great Harry
Potter 'reveal' in Diagon Alley, Harry brought Hermione and Dan back to
the Pottery. Harry told Dan, Hermione was perfectly safe at the Pottery.
But Dan just said his orders were to protect the Countess until she left for
Hogwarts. And he was serious about his duties and his responsibilities.
Harry shrugged his shoulders. "Okay. You can come and watch, if you
like."
Harry took Hermione outside where he'd had a platform conjured with
different levels. The first was about two feet off the ground, the second
was four feet, and the third was six feet. They were angled so she could
launch from the edge of one and take a straight line glide down towards
the back of the yard, where the vegetables and chickens were located.
He had Hermione stand on the first platform and assume her crow form.
"Okay, 'Mione," he instructed. "I want you to just lean forward with your
wings spread and push off from the edge of the platform. Get a feel for
how the wind flows over your wings. As you near the ground, flip the
bottom of your wings forward with your elbows as drag, and bring both
feet right forward to cushion your landing. Try that."
Hermione, executed a flawless take off, but was a little rough on the
landing. She changed back into her normal form and was jumping up and
down.
"I did it!" she cried. "I did it! I flew!"
Amused, Harry said, "Of course, you did."
Hermione came running back and climbed back up onto the first landing.
"'Mione, wait!" ordered Harry. "You're going to exhaust your magical core
if you keep changing back and forth all time. Let me provide you the
magical power to do it. Or you're going to exhaust yourself before we get
very far in your training."
Nodding, Hermione waited with excitement almost quivering off herself.
"Next level up, please," instructed Harry.
Hermione climbed up to the next level and stood near the edge. Harry
pumped magic into her and she changed again.
"Okay, same thing, this time practice your landing."
Hermione, not as hesitant this time, launched herself forward. This time
her landing was pretty good. She spun about, took a couple of steps back
towards Harry and flapped her wings. She lifted off the ground a little
and glided back a fair bit, before trying it again.
Grinning, Harry said, "This isn't going to take you long at all."
Hermione shifted back and was giggling away.
"Okay, this time we're going to try banking off the top level," he said.
"We're both going to change. I'll go first and I want you to follow me.
Watch what I do with my wings and my tail. Watch how they move and
see if you can emulate it."
"Okay!" she said.
After both climbed up onto the top level, Harry helped change her into
her form before changing himself. Harry walked up to the edge of the
platform and made sure Hermione, a larger bird than he, was right beside
him. He nodded once and launched in a glide.
About ten feet away he quickly looked back to see Hermione launch off
after him.
He banked slightly to the left, before straightening back up. Then he
angled himself towards the back left corner of the property. Hermione
followed as best she could.
Near the back he banked a lot sharper and held the bank as he slowly
wheeled about above the vegetable garden before he'd turned almost
completely around and was heading back towards the platform. During
his bank he was careful to keep stealing glances back to make sure
Hermione wasn't getting into trouble.
He held his glide as long as possible before braking and landing about
half way back up the yard. Hermione had landed about ten feet behind
him.
Shifting back he said, "That was pretty good."
Hermione shifted and exclaimed, "That wasn't good. That was... cool!"
Chuckling, he asked, "Still feeling afraid of heights?"
"Not when I'm in my crow form, no," she replied. "I mean, I can't actually
fall, can I?"
Harry knew the truth but said, "No."
Of course a bird could fall. Gravity was gravity. But a bird, once
mastering flight, didn't need to worry about falling unless they injured a
wing, or unless they didn't reach enough speed to get air passing under
their wings. Even then their landing would be significantly cushioned.
"This time, though you've already tried it, we're going to try powering the
flight with wing beats," explained Harry. I'll shift into my form and, while
just standing there, move my wings slowly as if I was flying. You'll see
how I move my wings. Watch carefully."
Both of them climbed back onto the top level of the platform. Harry
helped Hermione to change and said, "Remember to watch my wing
movements." Then changed.
While standing there on his clawed feet, Harry moved his wings slowly
up and down, demonstrating the wing beat movement of powered flight.
Then he changed back.
"Okay, your turn," he instructed.
Hermione copied his movements and it wasn't long before she got the
rhythm of it. So, Harry said, "Try to go faster. As you do, you'll start to be
propelled forward. Let it happen. And Fly!"
Hermione's wing beats quickly built in pace. Soon he could see her trying
to dig in with the claws on his feet. But it wasn't long before she couldn't
hold back and, quite suddenly, she shot forward. Launching off the
platform she quickly gained altitude heading for the back of the property.
Harry stood and threw himself forward changing as he went. He quickly
headed off after her.
Hermione was beating her wings at a furious pace. He didn't even know
if she'd realised how much height she'd gained.
Harry knew he couldn't catch her at that rate so he phoenix-flashed
forward to be just behind her and off to one side. When she finally
stopped flapping they were quite some distance in the air. This allowed
Harry to come up alongside and just in front and below her, about five
feet away.
He was worried she'd finally stop flapping, look around to see where she
was, and panic. By taking position just ahead and off to one side he
hoped she'd focus on him and not suddenly drop out of her animagus
form in fright.
He was right, he heard Hermione suddenly give a shrill sounding 'caw'
before locking her eyes on him. He saw her try to cover the distance
between them as if she was trying to grab him. He simply banked away
keeping the distance between them close, but not too close.
He allowed himself to drift down and banked slightly. Hermione
followed. She might have been as stiff as a child's kite, but she held her
form and flight.
Seeing her follow him he steepened his bank while also using his wings
to brake. She, at first, flew past him a little, but soon she was copying his
moves, braking the same way.
Harry nodded to her as he saw her look at him. He finally had them
headed back towards the Pottery and was steepening their descent. The
last few hundred feet he was approaching at an almost forty-five degree
descent and heading for the rear yard near where he could see Dan.
Dan, having watched Hermione speed off and Harry in hot pursuit, had
risen from his chair.
Harry swooped in and landed about ten feet short of Dan. Hermione, not
quite as graceful, hit a bit harder next to him and just in front. She
popped out of her animagus for at almost the same time as Harry.
She ran the couple of step to him and embraced him in a big hug. "Oh,
my god, Harry!" she exclaimed, nearly in tears. "I was so scared! I didn't
realise I'd climbed so high, so fast!"
"Why were you scared? You're a bird, remember? You can fly!" replied
Harry, trying to call her down and holding her out at arms length. "You
no longer need to fear that sort of thing anymore."
Dan came over and gave her a hug. "That was amazing, Pumpkin! You
flew so fast... and you're doing so well!"
Harry nodded and smiled at Dan. He knew Dan could see the same thing.
She had to get back into the air or would fear it forever.
"You can fly, Pumpkin!" said Dan. "And you don't need a plane to do it."
Steeling himself, Harry said, "We'll go just once more, 'Mione. And you
can have a rest."
"But... but I it really scared me," she sobbed.
"I know," said Harry, soothingly. "And that's why we're not going to try
and fly so high. I want you to fly on the straight and level from this end
of the yard to the other, and back again."
After a few more moments he managed to coax Hermione back onto the
second level, four feet.
He said, "Okay, you don't need to flap anywhere near as hard as you did
the last time. Keep your eyes open and you'll be able to see how high you
are at all times. That will guide you in how much you need to beat your
wings, okay?"
Hermione nodded. Harry pumped magic into her and said, "Shift!" And
she did.
"Okay, 'Mione; just to the end of the yard and back again. Try and stay
below six feet off the ground," he instructed.
She gave her head a bit of shake, waddled up to the edge of the platform
and launched. She glided down and bit and then started lazily flapping
her wings. Up to the end of the yard and she banked around losing a bit
of height, but gained it again with a few beats. She drifted back to where
Dan and Harry were standing and landed a lot more gracefully than the
last time.
Shifting back she stood up straight and smiled.
Harry said, "That was perfect, 'Mione. As I said before, you've got this.'
"That felt easy," she said. "That took very little effort, at all."
"It's not supposed to," he replied. "You should be able to stay up in the air
for hours at a time. By the time you've come close to mastering how to
fly, you're going to be able to fly from your home in northern London, all
the way down to here.
"You'll learn about thermals and other forms of updrafts that'll help you
gain plenty of altitude with little effort on your behalf, and how to find
them to use them. There's no great trick to it. It's just what birds do."
"So, when I really flapped my wings hard that last time..." she began.
"... You shot off that platform like a jet taking off from the Ark Royal,"
Dan finished.
Harry said, "In my animagus form I had no hope in catching up to you. I
had to use my phoenix ability to flash forward all the time just to keep
up."
"So, I'm faster than you?" she asked Harry.
"Well, you sure fly faster than I do in a straight line already. But, I think
I'll have the edge on you in turning and manoeuvring. And that's without
using my phoenix abilities," he replied. "You have long glider's wings,
longer than I'd expect for a crow; while I have an aeronautical acrobatic
style of wing."
In his animagus form, Sirius came bounding around the corner from the
front of the manor. He gave one mighty 'woof' as he passed, and headed
for the other corner. Behind him came the dark grey wolf of Susan in a
dead run. While Sirius looked like he was bounding away, Susan looked
more like she was in a determined race of ground-eating speed.
"Well," said Dan. "It looks like Susan's getting the hang of four-foot
running. She'll catch Lord Black easily at that rate."
Harry just grinned. "C'mon!" he said. "Let's head inside to get something
to eat and recharge our magical cores."
Inside, Pixie was in the process of putting the last touches to an early
lunch. They went into the parlour and were just starting to talk when
Neville walked in the front door, laughing. The lad, still laughing hard,
walked into the parlour and collapsed on one of the couches still giggling
away.
"Nev?" asked Harry.
Gasping for breath and trying not to laugh, Neville replied, "Su... Susan
was having trouble... getting the galloping motion down... Then she
refused to run... because she said... it made her look... look silly... Sirius
wouldn't hear of it... He made us... reassume our forms. Then he... then
he... bit her on the bum and ran off!" That started Neville roaring with
laughter again. "I think she's still... still chasing him!"
Chuckling, Harry said, "Well, I suppose that's one way to... motivate... a
student."
"Excuse me?" said Dan, a bit shocked. "He bit her on the bum?"
"Oh, my!" said Hermione. "That wasn't very nice."
Still laughing, Neville nodded. "She leapt straight up in the air about six
feet and 'yipped'!" He laughed again. "I don't think... she's very happy
with him... at the moment!"
"If she was in her animagus form, it would be 'rump', rather than 'bum'.
And I'd say he probably nipped her, rather than bit," said Harry. "But, if
what we just witnessed out the back was any indication, I'd say it
worked."
Sirius, in human form and clearly out of breath, burst in through the
front door, slammed it behind himself, and bolted up the stairs.
A few seconds later, Susan, in her human form, burst in, also breathing
heavily, and glared around. In a loud screeching voice she demanded,
"Where is he?"
Harry called back, "He has fled the field of battle, My Lady. You are
victorious!"
She came stomping into the parlour with her left hand flat on an area just
below her left hip, still breathing hard. "Do you know what he did?" she
growled.
Dan replied, with as straight a face as he could manage, "We heard."
Hermione rose from her chair and, taking Susan by the other hand, said,
"Come on. Let's go see what damage he did." And led her from the room.
Dan looked at Harry with a curious look and asked, "He has fled the field
of battle?"
Harry, still chuckling, shrugged and replied, "I didn't know what else to
say that might stop her long enough to calm down."
While the girls were gone, Neville had managed to get control of himself
long enough to stop laughing, and Pixie laid out a lunch for them all.
Hermione returned with Susan, who was still quite annoyed, and said,
"No damage, but it left a bit of a mark."
Grinning, Harry rose and went to the foot of the stairs. Calling up he said,
"You better come down here, Padfoot, and apologise! Lunch has been
served!"
Returning to his seat, Harry decided to dig in while the others were doing
the same.
A few moments later, Sirius stuck his head in around the door and said
very contritely, "Sorry, Susan."
She just 'hurrumphed' at him; then decided to ignore him.
Sirius came in and took a seat as far away from her as he could and,
while still watching her warily, started to load his own plate.
After lunch they had a few more practice sessions with their animagus
forms before Susan and Neville departed via the floo. Harry and Sirius
side-along apparated Dan and Hermione back to their home before
returning.
Finally alone, Harry asked, "What possessed you to bite her on the
rump?"
"She needed to stop over-thinking about how to move in her form and
just let nature do the rest. I needed to get her to stop thinking and just
acting," replied Sirius. "But it worked, didn't it?"
Smiling, Harry replied, "Yes, but if she tells Madam Bones what you
did..."
Sighing, Sirius replied, "I know. But, that's my problem. I'll deal with it if
it arises. I'll just explain the same way I just did to you."
Sirius reported that Susan was now ready to just exercise her form, as she
had it almost all down pat. She just needed to practice. Neville was the
same. However, he also said that, though Neville was not as long-running
as he or Susan, over shorter distances he was much faster than the other
two. And he could leap pretty high, too.
And Harry reported how he was progressing with Hermione, and what
happened on their third flight. And he was talking about how he was
getting her over her acrophobia.
# # #
The rest of Monday passed without incident. It even looked like, either
Susan hadn't told Amelia what happened, or Amelia didn't need an
explanation, as there was no irate floo call from the Ossuary.
After they left or were returned to their homes, Harry tried to get back to
writing his book. But he was feeling 'antsy'. Tomorrow was the day he
could finally pull Dobby out of the Dursley home and free him of the
abuse he was suffering. Tomorrow was the day 'Harry Potter' came out of
hiding. And, tomorrow was the day Albus Dumbledore was going to
begin to learn what it meant to annoy Harry Potter.
He finally managed to get some more work done on his book. But there
was the whole section that covered the amount of abuse he received that
was giving him problems. Eventually, he just listed everything he
witnessed through Myrrdin's time viewer of the timeline from which
Myrrdin pulled him.
He listed the beatings, the times he was locked in his cupboard and for
how long, the injuries he suffered and the periods of starvation. He listed
when and where his abuse was reported and to whom. And what he
thought happened as a result. He also questioned why nothing was done
about it.
Then he removed a lot of the minor events, but still covered the major
ones. And began to write it all out in as dispassionate a manner as could.
He also mentioned he had left a lot of it out for 'brevity' as the book
would become too overburdening on the reader if he hadn't.
He didn't notice when Pixie brought him tea and sandwiches. He didn't
notice when Sirius came into the room and looked over his shoulder and
was reading a lot of what he wrote, only noticing that his godfather had
come in 'for a moment' and left. He didn't notice it starting to get dark
and Pixie lighting the candles on his desk or elsewhere in the room. He
was simply very focussed.
When he finally finished he sat back with a groan. He noticed it was
quite dark outside. And he noticed he desperately needed to go to the
toilet.
After his ablutions he went into the only other downstairs room he
noticed was still lit; the kitchen. In there he found Sirius drinking tea and
looking worried.
"Sirius?" he asked. "Are you okay?"
Spinning around to look at him a relieved Sirius said, "God, Pup! I
thought you were never going to come up for air!"
Abashed, Harry said, "You should have come and talked to me if you
were worried."
He came forward and sat on a chair at the table next to his godfather.
"No, Harry," said Sirius. "I had a look at what you were writing and I
knew how much you were hating doing it. I knew it was going to be
cathartic for you, and knew you needed to just get through it. But, God,
Pup!"
Sighing, Harry said, "Yeah, I understand. I had to get it down on paper.
And I had to trim it right back. People would never believe one boy could
endure so much if I left it all in. But, they'd also never believe how bad it
was if I didn't list a lot of it down."
"Do you feel better for doing it?"
Thinking about it, Harry replied, "Yeah. I do. But... I also feel a little...
embarrassed about it all, still."
"Harry," said Sirius. "Don't!"
Sighing again, Harry said, "I know. I know it was not my fault. I know I
was not to blame for any of it. I know I have nothing to be ashamed or
embarrassed about. But those feelings are still there. I'm slowly getting
over it all. And Myrrdin helped one hell of a lot. But..."
"Pup" said Sirius quietly. "It's my fault. If I hadn't gone..."
"No!" interrupted Harry. "Stop it right there, Sirius. If you're not going to
let me blame me, then I'm not going to let you blame you. If Mum and
Dad hadn't trusted Pettigrew. If people, my parents included, hadn't
automatically assumed it was Remus who was the traitor. If they hadn't
joined Dumbledore's Order of the Phoenix. If whatever.
"Harry," said Sirius quietly again.
"No!" interrupted Harry again. "We both know that people made their
own choices based on what they knew. No one would have made the
choices they did, except possibly Pettigrew, if they knew how things were
going to turn out. The only one who had a pretty fair idea about what
was going to happen, and yet still let things run their course, was Albus
fucking Dumbledore."
"Then stop feeling embarrassed, ashamed, guilty or whatever!" said Sirius
firmly. "We both know the real fault lies with that old coot. And
tomorrow is going to be a really dark day for him with what you... we...
have planned for him. Focus on that!"
Harry sighed again and dropped his head to the tabletop. "None of this
should have happened. I know what the original future held. I was
supposed to be a very happy little boy who went to Hogwarts and, with
his friends, made magical Britain a far better place to live."
Putting his hand on his godson's shoulder, Sirius said, "And you're still
going to have those friends and make the country a better place to live.
You and Myrrdin have seen to that. You and Myrrdin have set in motion
events which will set things to rights."
"But," he said more firmly, "you need to remember you're not in this
alone. You have eight of us directly in this with you. Plus, you have Her
Majesty... whom you still haven't introduced me to, you know... and all
her people right behind you to provide you the support you need from
the mundane world.
"Pup," he sighed, "you need to let your friends and their families help you.
If there are things that need to be done, we can do a lot of that for you. I
know you have what you call a mission. But it's our mission now, too."
Harry lifted his head from the table and ran his fingers through his hair.
"I feel responsible, at least, for pulling 'Mione, Susan and Neville... and
their families... into this. They could have lived their lives without
knowing any of this. At least until they were seventeen, at least."
"Again, no," replied Sirius. "Because of Dumbledore they had to brought
in early. Besides, I've already heard from the others that it was Her
Majesty who forced the rings on the other three, not you. You don't have
any blame there."
Harry nodded.
"Now," said Sirius, sitting up straighter. "We both need to get some sleep
in order to be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for tomorrow. And, because I
pretty much expected you to be like this tonight..."
Harry watched him pull a couple of small vials out of one of his pockets.
"...you need to drink one of these when you go to bed. Which, should be
right about now," finished Sirius, handing one off to him. "And, as your
godfather, I'm ordering you to take it."
Harry checked the time and then stood up. "Well, it looks like it's that
time already," he said, grabbing the vial and heading off.
About twenty minutes later Sirius knocked on his door and checked in on
him. Harry was fast asleep and the empty vial was on the bedside table.
He quietly shut the door on his way back out.
# # #
The next morning Harry ate a continental style breakfast, but couldn't
remember what he ate when he thought about it later. He was prowling
around the downstairs of the manor waiting for Dobby to arrive.
Harry watched the clock as it wound inexorably towards the appointed
time. Each second like a minute, each minute like an hour, each hour like
an eternity.
Sirius had also had an early breakfast and was sitting on one of the
couches in the parlour just watching his godson. He had already asked
the boy to sit down on a couple of occasions and was ignored. Now he
just sat and waited.
At just after 8.00am Dobby popped into existence alongside Harry, still in
his Polyjuiced form. Though he'd been expecting him, Harry was still
quite startled.
Sirius just sat up straighter.
"Hello, Master Harry!" said 'Harry' excitedly, offering Harry his Hogwarts
letter. "Can I drink the potion antidote now?"
"In a minute, Dobby," said Harry, giving the Polyjuiced elf a hug. "But
first, I'm changing clothes with you."
Harry had Dobby stand alongside him. Then he went through the
carefully remembered and practiced ritual that transferred all Dobby's
scars, external and internal, to Harry. It was very old magic; best
forgotten.
The flash of magic indicated to Sirius something major had just
happened. Then Harry bent forward and groaned.
Sirius leapt forward and demanded, "What the Hell was that, Pup?"
"I just transferred all the scars and injuries from Dobby's body to mine.
They are mine to bear, not his."
"You what?!" bellowed Sirius.
"For what is to come, and for what I will probably need to prove, I need
to have the scars and remains of the injuries Dobby has had to bear in my
stead. I just need a few seconds to get used to it," replied Harry.
"Bloody Hell, Pup! That was completely unnecessary," growled Sirius.
Harry straightened up and stared his godfather in the eyes and said, "It
was necessary. If I'm even injured at Hogwarts, I need to have the effects
of the Dursleys'... discipline... upon my body, or the whole concept falls
apart." Then he took a few deep breaths and stepped back from his
godfather, and let his magic heal the last of the still healing damage.
"Damn, it, Pup!" growled Sirius again. "You should have discussed it with
me first."
Harry just ignored him.
Once he was finished, Harry then cast the spell to switch clothes with
Dobby. He said his temporary goodbye's to them both and apparated
directly into the entry hall of the Dursleys' residence. The Dursleys were
talking in the kitchen and it was clear they had not yet noticed that
'Harry' had been missing for about two minutes.
Harry opened the door and walked outside. He looked at his letter and
then ran off. Now to go and see Mrs Figg.
About fifteen minutes later he'd managed to work himself up into
appearing upset and flustered and ran up to the door of Arabella Figg. He
banged on it calling, "Mrs Figg! Mrs Figg!"
A few moments later Arabella Figg opened the door and Harry walked
past her. Acting all upset he showed the lady his letter and sobbed, "Do
you know anything about this? I'm supposed to be a wizard! I'm a freak!
Nothing but a freak!"
Arabella, quite taken back about Harry's actions, said, "Harry? What's
going..." and she noticed his Hogwarts letter in his hand. "Oh, I see you
have your Hogwarts letter."
Harry looked shocked and stunned. "You knew?!" he blurted. "You knew
about this? You knew I'm a wizard?"
"Well," she stammered, "I suspected you were..."
"What's this about stuff I have to buy?" demanded Harry with tears in his
eyes. "I don't have any money! The Dursleys won't give me a penny! What
am I supposed to do?"
"Harry," she tried again. "You need to calm down..."
Riding over her, Harry cried, "How am I supposed to buy any of this
stuff?"
"Harry," she tried again. "I can get..."
"No! How am I supposed to get any of this stuff?" he cried shaking his
letter in Arabella's face.
"Gringotts, Harry..." she tried again.
"Gringotts? What's Gringotts?" Harry demanded acting even more
agitated.
"It's the wizarding bank, Harry," she said, trying to calm the clearly
distressed boy down. "Wait. There's someone I can..."
Again, riding over her he cried, "I need money to buy this stuff! How am
I supposed to find a wizarding bank? I wouldn't even know where to go?"
"It's in Diagon Alley, Harry; just off Charing Cross Road in London," she
said.
"There's no such thing!" said Harry "You're lying!"
"No, Harry, I'm not. You get to it through the pub called the Leaky
Cauldron," she explained. "Just let me contact..."
"No!" cried Harry again. "It's all lies! I'm not a freak! The Dursleys, and
now you, are always just mean to me! I'm running away! Number Four,
Privet Drive is not my home!"
Suddenly, there was a mighty flash. Harry, the real Harry, was even
dumbfounded by it. He didn't realise just how much magic was involved
in the blood wards on the Dursley home. Well, one thing was for sure,
that had to have made alarm bells ring.
He had to give himself a few seconds to try and absorb what had
happened. It was lucky that even Arabella Figg had felt the effects of the
wards coming down. She, too, was quite stunned.
Harry took the opportunity to bolt out the door, out onto the road, and
run for the alley between Wisteria Walk and Magnolia Crescent. Once in
the alley and out of sight he quickly apparated back to the Pottery.
Back in his own home, Harry bent forward and took a couple of deep
breaths.
Coming in from the parlour, Sirius asked, "How'd it go?"
Standing up and looking at his godfather, Harry said, "Even easier than I
thought. The idea of a very upset little boy, especially Harry Potter, made
her answer the questions I asked just to try and calm me down. Once I
had them, I bolted out of there for a spot I knew where I'd not be seen,
and apparated back here. But... Damn!... the feedback from the wards
coming down was one hell of a shock!"
Sirius nodded and said, "Very good. We'll let the others know. Now we
just wait for just before 12.30pm..."
# # #
Dumbledore stomped back into his office in a furious mood. That damned
Bones woman accusing him of bribing members of the Wizengamot was
intolerable! He didn't care one whit that it was true. He was Albus
Dumbledore, Leader of the Light, Headmaster of Hogwarts, Chief
Warlock of the Wizengamot and Supreme Mugwump of the ICW. He was
not some common wizard who could be pushed around. How dare she!
It took him a few moments to notice his little trinkets indicating the
wards on the Potter boy and his home were either dead or going nuts.
In shock he quickly grabbed some floo powder and threw it into the
fireplace. "Arabella Figg!" he yelled.
Before the floo even properly connected he was bellowing, "Arabella?
Arabella!"
Very quickly he heard back.
"Albus? Oh, thank God!" he heard the woman reply. "It's Harry, sir! He's
run off!"
"Arabella, I'm stepping through!" he declared.
With the flash of green flame Dumbledore was gone from his office.
# # #
Stepping through into the Wisteria Walk home of Arabella Figg,
Dumbledore didn't even wait for the usual pleasantries.
"What happened?" he demanded.
"Harry received his Hogwarts letter today," began the upset woman. "He
came here with it... It must have been straight after he received it... He
was all upset.
"He was yelling and crying. He demanded to know if I knew anything
about it and I must've let slip I knew about Hogwarts.
"Stupid woman!" he bellowed. "Get on with it!"
"Next thing I know, Albus, he's demanding to know how to get his school
supplies. He didn't give me any time at all to call you. He was yelling and
demanding and I was trying to calm him down.
"Then he said something about the Dursleys' home no longer being his
and there was a great flash of magic. I think it scared him a lot and he
ran off. I haven't seen him since."
"He knows about Diagon Alley?" demanded the old man.
"Yes, and about how to get to it," she replied. She'd never seen
Dumbledore so angry.
"How bloody long ago was this?" he roared.
"A... about an hour and a half ago, Albus."
Dumbledore just grabbed some floo powder off the mantelpiece, threw it
in the fireplace, and called, "Headmaster's Office!"
He was gone in another flash of green flame.
Arabella Figg had never been so scared of someone in her life. Even the
threat of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named didn't scare her as much as Albus
Dumbledore did that day.
# # #
Dumbledore apparated from his office out to the muggle world in an
effort to try and head the boy off before he could make the Charing Cross
Road entrance to Diagon Alley. He was wearing the invisibility cloak he
had 'borrowed' from James Potter and was apparating as quickly as he
could from one point to another.
He checked bus stops, train stations, the footpath between them, the path
from Charing Cross Station to the Leaky Cauldron. He couldn't find the
boy.
Eventually, he entered the Alley and went directly to the bank. He
demanded the Potter Account Keeper, Block-something, tell him if and
when Harry Potter showed up. He told the goblin the boy had run away
and, as his magical guardian, it was his right to take the boy home again.
He demanded the goblins not interfere in his guardian duties.
After half an hour the goblins had had enough and evicted him from the
building.
Knowing what school supplies the boy would be needing, if he did come
to get his supplies, Dumbledore went from shop to shop. Where he could,
he pleaded he be informed as soon as the boy arrived. Where he couldn't,
he bribed.
Yet more galleons flowing from his hands because of that boy.
He said he believed the boy had run away from home because he was
throwing a tantrum. He said the boy had run off because he was
impatient to gather his school supplies. He conned, he wheedled, he lied.
Eventually, he left. He'd set in place watchers for the boy and had other
places he could look for him. He'd try to move around the Little
Whinging neighbourhood under cover of the invisibility cloak and see if
the boy had not even left the area.
Even after that he'd given up, realising the boy was no longer in the area,
and returned back to Hogwarts to see if his lookouts spotted him.
# # #
At 12.20pm Harry, for the first time as Harry, left the floo at the top end
of Diagon Alley. He was wearing an old tatty baseball style cap he,
supposedly, found. The only things of any value on him where the copy
of his parent's Will he had folded in a back pocket, the letter from
Hogwarts in his other back pocket, and his hidden rings.
Earlier, Harry was able to spend some time with Dobby and make sure he
was alright. After Dobby took the Polyjuice antidote he was laid up for a
couple hours, but was okay well before Harry had to leave for the Alley.
Once he'd recovered, he asked if he had done everything right. Harry
hugged him and said they'd talk about it soon. Pixie tended to him while
they were gone.
In the Alley and glancing around to make sure he couldn't spot
Dumbledore, Harry hurried down the Alley towards Gringotts. He noticed
Sirius near the top of the Alley follow him for a bit before peeling off and
away into one of the shops. Sirius was busying himself visiting shops and
asking if anyone had seen his godson. But, he was doing it more to see if
Dumbledore had been in earlier asking the same questions.
Dumbledore had been through the Alley about an hour before. He'd
visited those shops he was sure Harry would visit if he was there for his
school supplies. Otherwise, he tried to get into the bank to search it. The
goblins rebuffed him.
Augusta and Neville had been there and ensured they were in a couple of
the same shops as Dumbledore to check if the old man had, indeed, paid
a few folks off to contact him if Harry turned up. Harry now knew at
least a couple where he'd make sure he'd make his identity clear.
Harry hurried up the stairs of the bank. Inside he found the Grangers
anxiously waiting for him. He went to lead them over to a teller but,
before he could approach one, a goblin approached him first, *Greetings,
Lord Potter; I am Wheelock. I trust your enemies lay dying and their gold
now fills your vaults?*
Taken aback, Harry only replied, *For the moment I'm having more fun
tormenting my enemies, Wheelock. Why did you approach me?*
*Director Ragnock is expecting you and has asked me to convey you
directly to his office,* said Wheelock. *Account Keeper Blockrig will also
be there.*
Hesitating for just a moment, Harry said, *We will be honoured to meet
with the Director; may his enemies meet with an early and bloody death.
Please, escort us.*
The goblin bobbed its head once, spun on its heel and marched across the
main floor of the bank expecting his charges to follow him.
Harry said to the Grangers, "Come on. We're invited upstairs by the
Director." Harry then followed after the goblin. The Grangers hurried just
a little to catch up.
Hermione came up alongside Harry and said, "Harry, I understood
everything you and he said."
Nodding, Harry said, "The goblin language, gobbledegook, was on the
last cube, remember?"
Frowning, Hermione said, "Oh, yeah."
Wheelock led them directly to the doors of Director's main office. He
knocked once, waited for the command to enter, pushed the door open
and held it for the humans to enter.
Inside, Ragnock was sitting at his desk. He looked at his guests before
turning to Wheelock and saying in English, "Thank you, Wheelock; you
may go."
Turning away, the Director climbed down from his chair and walked
around his desk. He said, "I am informed it is your intent to allow the
magics of the Potter and Black rings to be set free. And for Harry Potter
to come out of hiding today."
He indicated a small business discussion table with a few chairs around
it. "Please, be seated."
The Director ordered one of his guards to summon Account Keeper
Blockrig, plus two other Account Keepers. After their group was seated, a
tea service was brought in.
While they waited, he said, "Albus Dumbledore came into Gringotts
almost two hours ago and demanded he be informed if you came in. We,
politely of course, refused him. He left quite upset."
Harry just snorted and said, "Do you know if he left the Alley?"
"He left after paying a visit to a couple of the retail outlets in the Alley.
He departed over an hour ago."
Blockrig appeared only moments later with the Potter account books.
And less than a minute later the, supposedly, other two Account Keepers
entered. Harry recognised one as, Cavepick, the Account Keeper for the
Slytherin account. He'd not met the other one.
"Lord Potter," said the Director, "Account Keeper Blockrig has matters to
discuss with you ere you depart this day. However, he is ready to provide
any assistance you may need now."
Turning to Hermione, he said, "Lady Ravenclaw, this..." he said,
indicating the goblin Harry didn't know, "... is Stoneaxe. He is the
Account Keeper for the Ravenclaw account. He has been awaiting your
arrival."
"Ah!" said Harry, turning to the Grangers and starting to rise. "I'll wait
outside while you... get acquainted with your Account Keeper."
"No," said Hermione. "Please stay, Harry."
Harry hesitated and looked at the Grangers. They all seemed to want him
to stay.
He sighed and, retaking his seat, said, "Very well."
Stoneaxe, checking to ensure he was to continue said, "My Lady, it is an
honour to finally meet you. I have with me the account ledger of the
Ravenclaw account. You will be pleased to know the balance of the
account currently holds approximately 9.5 million galleons.
"There are no current investments other than one quarter ownership of
the Hogwarts castle and the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry,
plus the same for the lands on which it, and the village of Hogsmeade
sits. You receive one eighth of one percent of the net takings of the
school, and one quarter of the takings of the net rent from the
Hogsmeade properties."
"The account is growing. However, I believe I can greatly improve on the
return from investments by making further investments elsewhere with
the liquid assets now available to you. I seek your approval to begin
those."
Hermione looked back at the goblin. Hesitated a little and said, "I'll need
to discuss this with my parents. Does it need to be done now?"
"No, My Lady," he said. "I stand ready to provide you service at any time
you may need me."
Harry said to Hermione, "I take it, then, you have not enquired yet into
the creation of a magical house account?"
"No, not yet," said Dan. "There's plenty of time for that when we have
enough money to make it worthwhile."
"I need it done, Dan," said Harry firmly. "I need the Magical House of
Granger set up for when we take our seats on the Wizengamot to block
any attempts by members of that body to block Hermione taking her
seat."
Turning to the Director, he said, "Director Ragnock, we need to create a
Magical House. We will need the paperwork for that commenced
immediately."
"Lord Potter," the Director replied, "it will require, at minimum, the
purchase of a vault, and the deposit of at least fifty thousand galleons
into it, for the paperwork to have any chance of successfully being
accepted."
Nodding, Harry said, "Open a vault in the family name of Granger.
Transfer one hundred thousand galleons from the Potter vaults into it..."
"Harry, no!" exclaimed Dan, beating Emma to the punch by a heartbeat.
She said, "We will not accept such an extravagant gift!"
Turning to them both, Harry said, "It isn't a gift. It's one of the methods
by which I'm going to... redesign... the wizarding world community. It's
one of the steps through which I'm going to cut the legs out from under
collective rich pureblood families. Please let me do this."
Thinking, Dan said, "Then it'll be a loan, only."
Harry nodded and grumbled, "Fine." Turning to the Director he said,
"Please draw up the loan papers at half a per cent per annum. I'll also pay
for the vault out of the Potter accounts, as it's my idea."
While he was talking, Stoneaxe was madly writing away on a parchment.
Once he was finished, he handed it to the Director, who read it before
summoning one of the guards. Handing it to the goblin he said, "See to
this immediately."
StoneAxe then commenced writing on a second parchment.
The goblin guard left with the original parchment but returned moments
later without it.
Blockrig had also been madly writing away since Harry said it would be a
loan. He handed the parchment to the Director who read it before
handing the document to Harry to sign. Harry signed it and then handed
it to Hermione. "This is the loan document for the one hundred thousand
galleons at one half of one percent interest calculated per annum."
She read it and handed it to her father, who also read it. He then handed
it back to Hermione and nodded. Hermione signed it and handed it back
to the Director, who said to her, "Copies will be made for both parties
and available to you when next you visit us." He handed it to Blockrig.
Blockrig handed his third parchment to the Director, who checked it and
handed it to Harry. Reading quickly through it, Harry signed it and
offered it to Dan, saying, "This creates the vault in the name of Granger.
I've signed the section relating to payment of the vault."
Dan read it, nodded, and handed it to Hermione. She quickly read it,
signed it and handed it back to the Director, who said to her, "The vault
will be created for you by the time you next visit us. The keys will also be
ready by that time. Is there someone whom you want to hold the second
key for you?"
Hermione thought for only a moment before replying, "Harry."
A little startled, Harry replied, "Thank you; but, no. Your father should
hold your spare key. For a start, you may need someone to access it for
you while you're at Hogwarts."
Nodding, she turned to the Director and asked, "Can it be my father?"
The Director, thinking furiously, replied, "A non-magical having a key for
a vault. It's never been done before, that I can recall... But, there's no
reason I can see against it. A key holder does not need to have magic in
order to use the key."
"Then, I choose my father," said Hermione firmly.
The Director nodded and wrote a small note on the bottom of the vault
creation document. Then he handed it off to Stoneaxe.
While they were talking a goblin entered and handed a small sheaf of
parchments to the Director. He read them and passed them to StoneAxe
who, glancing through them, began to write furiously upon them.
The Director then turned to Harry and said, "Now, Lord Potter; shall I
remove those blocks on the Potter and Black rings?"
Harry nodded and held forth his right hand. He had it display his Head of
House Potter ring, first.
Director Ragnock drew his small wand from his vest and waved it over
the ring muttering a small incantation. The ring flashed once.
Harry then switched to the Heir of House Black ring and the Director
made the same wand movements and incantation. It then flashed once.
Harry withdrew his hand and said, "We'll leave the Slytherin ring for
now. The other Heirs agree with me and do not want the founders rings
recognised as yet."
"Right now," said the Director. "The ring notification will have gone to
the Wizengamot and your magical guardian, Lord Black, that the rings
have been taken up. As we know Dumbledore was never the guardian he
will, of course, only be notified via the offices of the Wizengamot. I
suspect it won't be long before he finds out."
To the Director, Harry said, "Let him." Then turning to Blockrig, he said,
"Okay, Account Keeper Blockrig; you're now free to begin the recovery
process of the assets removed from my trust fund vault."
Grinning, Blockrig said with a small bow, "Thank you, My Lord. I have
eagerly awaited this day for almost a decade."
Director Ragnock said to Harry, "Is there anything else you need of
Account Keeper Blockrig at this time?"
"No," replied Harry. "I believe he now has quite a bit of work on his plate
this day."
Turning to Blockrig, the Director said, "You may go. May your enemies
rue this day, and fortune favour your endeavours."
Blockrig quickly left with Cavepick. StoneAxe left moments later.
To Harry, the Director said with a smile, "You have just made him a very
happy goblin."
Harry replied with a frown, "He unjustly believed his honour had been
ruined and he had brought shame to his clan with what had been
happening."
"It was only he who believed that, Lord Potter," replied the Director. "If I
felt he had caused such, I would have taken his head long ago."
That last shocked the Grangers. To Dan that seemed, a tad excessive.
Turning to the Grangers, Harry asked, "Well? Shall we go and have some
fun?"
Nodding, they all rose.
Turning to the Director, Harry said, *May our business here this day
bring us great wealth and leave our enemies nothing but dust in history's
pages.*
Smiling and with a small bow, the Director responded in English, "And
may our enemies be left quivering and begging for our mercy before this
day is past."
# # #
After leaving the office and visiting his vault to pick up some more
galleons. Though, truth be told, Harry wanted to show the Grangers just
how much was in the main Potter vault. They made their way back out
onto the Alley. Harry made sure his Potter House ring was always
displayed on his finger.
As they were leaving Dan made a mirror call Harry suspected was to
Sirius. Dan had said into the mirror, "Show time!" Before immediately
disconnecting the call without a response.
As they left the bank, Harry immediately led them down to the bottom of
the Alley to visit Ollivanders and the trunk shop, next door.
Entering Ollivanders, Harry approached the counter and rang the little
bell. A moment later, Ollivander came walking forward from between the
high shelves of wands.
"Back again, Mister Potter? Finally here to purchase your first wand?" he
asked. "And with Miss Granger, I see. Vine wood with a dragon
heartstring core."
"Yes, sir," replied Harry.
"Hmmm," said Mr Ollivander, giving Harry a piercing look. "Well, now -
Mister Potter. Let me see." He pulled a long tape measure with silver
markings out of his pocket. "Which is your wand arm?"
"I'm right-handed," said Harry.
"Hold out your arm. That's it. Oh? I see it's Lord Potter now. My
apologies." He measured Harry from shoulder to finger, then wrist to
elbow, shoulder to floor, knee to armpit and round his head. As he
measured, he said, "Every Ollivander wand has a core of a powerful
magical substance, Lord Potter. We use unicorn hairs, phoenix tail
feathers and the heartstrings of dragons. No two Ollivander wands are
the same, just as no two unicorns, dragons or phoenixes are quite the
same. And of course, you will never get such good results with another
wizard's wand."
Harry realised that the tape measure was now measuring on its own, but
he expected it. Ollivander was flitting around the shelves, taking down
boxes.
"That will do," he said, and the tape measure crumpled into a heap on the
floor.
"Right then, Lord Potter. Try this one. Beechwood and dragon
heartstring. Nine inches. Nice and flexible. Just take it and give it a
wave."
Harry took the wand and waved it around a bit, but Ollivander snatched
it out of his hand almost at once.
"Maple and phoenix feather. Seven inches. Quite whippy. Try -"
Harry tried - but he had hardly raised the wand when it, too, was
snatched back by Ollivander.
"No, no - here, ebony and unicorn hair, eight and a half inches, springy.
Go on, go on, try it out."
Harry tried. And tried. He knew what Ollivander was waiting for, but
wouldn't provide the hints lest it give him away. The pile of tried wands
was mounting higher and higher on the front counter, but the more
wands Ollivander pulled from the shelves, the happier he seemed to
become.
"Tricky customer, eh? Not to worry, we'll find the perfect match here
somewhere - I wonder, now - yes, why not - unusual combination - holly
and phoenix feather, eleven inches, nice and supple."
'There it is,' thought Harry. He took the wand and felt a sudden warmth
in his fingers. He raised the wand above his head, brought it swishing
down through the dusty air and a stream of red and gold sparks shot
from the end like a firework, throwing dancing spots of light on to the
walls.
Ollivander cried, "Oh, bravo! Yes, indeed, oh, very good. Well, well,
well... how curious... how very curious..." He put Harry's wand back into
its box and wrapped it in brown paper, still muttering, "Curious...
curious..."
Ollivander fixed Harry with his pale stare.
"I remember every wand I've ever sold, Lord Potter. Every single wand. It
so happens that the phoenix whose tail feather is in your wand, gave
another feather - just one other. It is very curious, indeed, that you
should be destined for this wand when its brother - why, its brother gave
you that scar."
Harry, of course, already knew that. But he still gave the impression of
being shocked at the news.
"Yes, thirteen and a half inches. Yew. Curious indeed how these things
happen. The wand chooses the wizard, remember... I think we must
expect great things from you, Lord Potter... After all, He-Who-Must-Not-
Be-Named did great things... terrible, yes, but great."
Harry paid the seven Galleons for his wand and Ollivander bowed them
from his shop.
Outside the shop, Emma said, "That man gives me the creeps!"
Harry snorted and said, "He does that to everyone. I think he enjoys the
sensation he causes within people. It makes him come across all
mysterious."
Harry then led them into the furniture shop next door where he'd buy a
trunk.
The shopkeeper was at the front, this time, so no need to ring the bell.
Walking up to the man, Harry said, "Hello, I'm here about buying a trunk.
Well, two, actually."
The shopkeeper said, "Certainly. I take it you're attending first year at
Hogwarts?"
"Yes, we both are," said Harry indicating Hermione. "This is my new best
friend, Hermione."
"Hello, my dear," said the older man, bowing to Hermione. But I seem to
recall you being in here not that long ago to purchase a trunk."
Hermione replied, "Yes. So Harry only needs the one."
"Very well," the shopkeeper said before turning to Harry, "Standard trunk,
as well, Mister..."
"Potter," said Harry promptly. "But the goblins told me it's Lord Potter,
now," he said, holding up his hand with the ring displayed with a big
smile.
"Oh, my!" said the old shop keeper, clearly taken aback. "My... apologies,
My Lord."
"Oh, don't worry about it," said Harry with an even bigger grin. "I only
just found out today!"
"Oh... err... thank you, My Lord," the man stammered.
Taking pity on the man, Harry said, "Now, I've heard you have special
types of trunks. You know, like Doctor Who's Tardis. Bigger on the inside
than on the outside?"
Not knowing who Doctor Who was, or what a tardis was, the old man
mentally latched onto the 'bigger on the inside than the outside' part.
"Yes, trunks fitted with wizarding space similar to a mokeskin bag.
Actually, our special trunks are lined with mokeskin for just that
purpose," he said, now warming to the sale. "Come this way, please." And
led them off to the rear of the shop.
In a more restricted area at the rear, the shopkeeper indicated a shelf full
of trunks near identical in appearance. "Now," he said. "Is there anything
special you want within your trunk?"
Looking like he was thinking furiously, Harry asked, "Ummm... What sort
of things can I have?"
Expecting the question, the shopkeeper replied, "Well, depending on what
you want, we can compartmentalise the interior with everything from
living quarters to simple storage space. You can have a bedroom, a
library, a study, a combined library study, a walk in wardrobe, cool
storage, a potions lab, masses of shelving, an entertaining area, et cetera."
"Umm..." said Harry. "What about locks?"
"Ahhh..." replied the shopkeeper. "You can have anything from a normal
keyed lock through to a lock keyed to your magical core, or even
multiple magical cores. Plus, there's ones linked to blood, a password or
three, or combinations thereof."
Nodding, and pretending to think for a while, Harry said, "Okay, can I
have two that have space for a walk in wardrobe, a combined study and
library, a potions lab, and extra shelving? And I want both linked to an
individual's magical core; and can you make it that family house elves
can get into them? Actually, better make it four."
"Errr... yes, M-My Lord," the now, quite stunned, shopkeeper replied.
"You want... four... trunks?"
"Umm... Harry?" asked Emma from slightly behind.
"Yes, four identical trunks," replied Harry. "Oh, and I trust I can rely on
your discretion in this?"
Looking a little affronted, enough to pull him out of his shock, the
shopkeeper said, "Of course, My Lord!"
"Excellent!" stated Harry, "I want three of them with house coats of arms
on them. One each with the House of Potter, the House of Bones and the
House of Longbottom. Leave the fourth blank, for now. I'll have a crest
for that one later."
"Harry!" called Emma, louder this time.
Turning to look at her, Harry asked, "Yes, Ma'am?"
"Harry James Potter," she glared at him. "What do you think you're
doing?"
As if it was a mere bagatelle, Harry replied, "I'm making sure... us four...
are going to have what we need for our time at Hogwarts. Nothing more;
nothing less."
"Harry," said Emma a little ominously. "We talked about this."
"Yes, I know," he replied quite calmly. "I'm not allowed to buy you any
more than one gift. Don't worry, I won't."
Turning back to the shopkeeper, he asked, "How long will that take?"
"Errr... I can have them ready for you inside a week," he replied.
"Good," replied Harry. "They'll be for myself, Hermione Granger here,
Neville Longbottom and Susan Bones. I'll make sure everyone comes in
and picks theirs up. You can explain to each how to configure them, then.
Okay?"
"Y-Yes, My Lord," replied the rather confounded shopkeeper.
"Excellent!" said Harry. "I take it I can pay directly from my account via
this ring?" He said, holding up his hand.
"Errr... Yes, My Lord," said the old shopkeeper. Leading the way back out
to the front of the store.
Harry left the imprint of the ring and his signature as authorisation for
the old shopkeeper to deduct the funds from the main Potter vault. And
they left the store.
# # #
17. Dumbledore's Second Bad Day
(Part 2)
Chapter Seventeen - Dumbledore's Second Bad Day (Part 2)
# # #
Out in the street, Emma spun him around to glare at him. "Harry, what
did you think you were doing?"
"All four of us are going to need the space in our trunks, above and
beyond what students normally need," he explained. "The trunks give
them all a space into which they can retreat to work on matters relating
to their high offices. That's something normal students aren't also tasked
with.
"I also wanted trunks with high security so that others can't go in there to
spy upon them once we come out into the open. Trust me on this, they're
a necessity. And, as I'm way and above, the most wealthy of the four of
us, I can afford it. If it makes you feel happier, I've finally given them
each the congratulatory gift I should have given them a while back."
"Well, I don't like it!" replied Emma, firmly.
Harry said quietly but firmly, "Ma'am, your daughter is a Countess! This
is not an expensive gift for the level of office we're talking about here."
Backing off a bit, he said, "Oh, and you're going to need to bring with
you, the next time you come into the Alley, a pretty decent image of the
Granger family crest. It should go on her trunk, and a copy of it should
be made part of the application for the creation of the Magical House of
Granger."
Dan, trying to placate his wife, said, "Well, we need to get a move on if
we want old Dumbledore to find us."
Still fuming a little, Emma just gave a curt nod.
"Okay," said Harry a lot more calmly. "You folks know what stores we
need to visit to get the first year supplies, so how about you lead the
way?"
Emma took the lead and marched off back up the Alley. On the way they
stopped in, first, Madam Malkin's for Harry's fitting. He needed his set of
uniforms.
Madam Malkin was a squat, smiling witch dressed all in mauve.
"Hogwarts, dear?" she asked Harry. Then seeing Hermione, she said, "Oh,
I remember you, dearie."
"I'm here with Harry, Ma'am," replied Hermione. "He needs his uniform
and robes."
Turning to look back at Harry rather closely, she said, "Harry?"
"Harry Potter, Ma'am," said Harry. "My new best friend Hermione here,"
he said, indicating Hermione, "said this is where she came to get her
uniform. So I came, too!"
"Umm... yes, Mister Potter," said the little lady with a look of surprise.
"It's Lord Potter, actually, Ma'am," said Harry, once more showing his ring
before saying brightly, "But you can call me Harry!"
"Oh... errr... yes... Harry," said the old woman shocked at the display of
the ring. "Umm... this way, please. She said leading the way behind a
rather large and thick curtain towards the rear of the shop."
Harry started to head through and noticed the Grangers hanging back. He
turned to them and said, "Well? Coming?"
Dan replied, "Ummm... Harry... you're going to need to get changed...
and..."
Harry shrugged and said, "I don't mind."
Emma firmly said, "We'll be across the Alley at Fortescue's getting an ice
cream while we're waiting, alright? It's going to take about half an hour."
"Okay," he replied. Before turning and heading into the fitting room with
Madam Malkin.
After his measurements were all taken, he waited as she went to collect a
set of uniforms and brought them into the room. He knew the old witch
was a bit of a gossip so took the opportunity to show someone else in the
wizarding world the scars and marks of the beatings Dobby had received
at the hands of the Dursleys.
"And why are you wearing these rags?" she asked.
"Oh, I don't deserve new clothes. I'm a freak, so I only get hand-me-
downs from my cousin, Dudley. And he's really big," he said in a matter-
of-fact voice.
The old witch frowned at that but let it pass.
"You can go into the change room here..." she began, but Harry had
already whipped his long-sleeved shirt off over his head. He wasn't
wearing an undershirt under it, so he was naked to the waist.
After taking one look at his torso, the old witch exclaimed, "Oh... my...
God!"
Pretending to flush with embarrassment, Harry spun around and
presented his back to her. "Sorry, Ma'am," he timidly said.
Now staring at his back, Madam Malkin said in a very quiet voice,
"Dear... sweet... Merlin!"
Harry quickly pulled his shirt back over his head and turned around. The
old woman was looking back at him quite horrified.
"Sorry, Ma'am. I shouldn't have done that," he said. Then, perking up a
bit, he asked, "Are those for me to try on?" indicating the pile of folded
uniforms the old witch held in her hands.
"Errr... yes," she quietly replied.
Harry took them and headed into one of the change rooms. He only
found the pants to be a little loose and, on exiting, showed her.
The old witch was still staring at him a little horrified. She asked, "Who...
who did that to you?"
"Did what, Ma'am?" he asked.
"Th... those marks... those scars?"
"Oh, that was my Uncle Vernon and my cousin Dudley. That's where I've
been living since my drunk father and my whore mother were killed in
the car crash," he said. "My Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia said I
deserved it, though. Because I was such a bad boy and a freak. It's okay,
though. I don't think I need to go back there, any more. I'm going to get a
room at the Leaky Cauldron now I've got some money.
"Anyway, these pants are a little loose," he went on, changing the subject.
"Can I get smaller pants?"
"You're going to put on a bit of weight once you reach Hogwarts, My...
Harry," said the old witch quite distracted and horrified by what she was
hearing. "You can wear a belt until you start to get some weight back on."
Harry frowned at her and said, "I don't like belts. That's one of the things
my Uncle Vernon used to whip me with."
The old woman nearly fell into a nearby chair. Sitting down with tears
brimming in her eyes, she said, "That's... not what belts are for, Harry.
You'll need to wear one while at Hogwarts. They're part of the uniform."
"Oh," said Harry softly, looking down at the ground. "Well, if I must."
"Oh, Harry!" the old woman started to cry. Harry wasn't prepared for that
so tried to head it off.
"Umm..." he stammered. "I was also told I can have my family crest put
on my robe. Can I have that, too, please?"
Stifling her weeping, the old woman rose and walked towards him. "Of
course, you can, My Lord," she said more firmly. "It would be my honour
to attach it myself before you come back to collect it."
"No," he said, "it's Harry, remember? I'd prefer it if you called me that.
Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia and Dudley only ever called me 'Boy' or
'Freak'. I like my name."
Nearly crying again, the old witch said, "Thank you, Harry," she quietly
replied. "I am honoured."
"Why?" he asked.
"Pardon?"
"Why?" he asked again. "I'm only a kid who just found out he's supposed
to be a wizard. I mean, I didn't know I was a wizard until I received my
Hogwarts letter, this morning. I was supposed to be going to Stonewall
High Comprehensive for school in September, until I received my letter."
"Oh, Merlin! Harry. A muggle school?" she asked, shocked.
"Muggle? What's muggle?"
"Muggles are non-magical folk. Those without magic," she replied.
"Then why not call them non-magical? 'Muggle' sounds like a nasty
derogatory name," he said, firmly with a frown.
"I'm sorry, My... Harry. I didn't mean to sound offensive. I've never
considered it to be such," she replied.
Harry looked back at her and with a firm voice said, "Well, I think it is.
My Aunt and Uncle may be non-magical folks, and I may hate them, they
used to lock me in the cupboard under the stairs for a long time, but I'd
never call them a name like that."
"Once again, My Lord, I apologise," she said a bit contritely and still
horrified. 'A cupboard?' she internally ranted.
Harry gave a firm nod and, changing the subject, said, "Call me Harry,
please. The goblins said I could pay for all this by using my ring."
He held up his hand to show her his ring. "Is that okay?"
Once more getting control of herself, Madam Malkin stood up straighter
and said, "Yes, Harry; you may. Bring your purchases and come back
through to the front, please."
Harry headed for the front on the other side of the counter. A few
moments later, Madam Malkin came through carrying a second, larger
pile of clothing.
"Harry," she said. "It's your birthday in about a week, isn't it?"
"Yeah," said Harry brightly. "How'd you know that?"
Hesitating, she said, "I just do. Now, as an early birthday present I'm also
giving you all these new clothes..."
"No!" exclaimed Harry. "Don't do that! I don't deserve new clothes. And I
especially don't deserve birthday presents. I'm a freak and a burden on
everybody! I'll just wear these," he said indicating what he was wearing.
Again, nearly choking up, the old witch said, "I'll... I'll just put them aside
for you... in case you change your mind."
"No, that's alright," said Harry. "I've got money now, remember? I'll pay
for it when I come back. You shouldn't buy me anything. Give them to
somebody who deserves them."
Harry paid for his new school uniform using his ring imprint and asked,
"Can I leave them here until I come back for my robe? It just seems silly
only taking part of my uniform and coming back for the rest."
"Yes, Harry; you may," she replied picking up the pile, still choked up.
"I'll tie them up and leave them under the counter with your name on
them. Then, when your robe is ready, I'll put them all together for you."
"Great," said Harry with a big smile. "I've got to come back in a week,
anyway. So, is it alright if I leave it until then?"
"That will be fine, Harry," she replied. "I look forward to seeing you
then."
"Okay, bye!" he said brightly turning around and heading for the door.
He stopped, turned back and said, "Oh, and thank you. I know I don't
deserve it, but you were really nice." Before turning once more for the
door and heading out to cross the Alley to Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour.
As soon as he walked out the door, Madam Malkin walked straight over
to the fireplace, grabbed a handful of floo powder and threw it into the
fireplace. "Aurors!" she barked.
# # #
Dumbledore was pacing his office. He was trying to think of some way...
any way... he could find the boy before anyone else did. He couldn't
afford for anyone to get him to the bank or the aurors before he got to
him.
Suddenly there was a flash from the floo.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, Sir?" he heard.
"Yes," he barked, after hurrying over.
"It's Mundungus Fletcher, Sir," the voice said. "I've spotted young Mister
Potter."
"Where is he?" barked Dumbledore.
"I get paid the reward, right, Sir?" Fletcher asked.
"Yes, yes," Dumbledore snarled. "Now, where is he?!"
"I just saw him coming out of Madam Malkin's and going across to
Fortescue's ice cream parlour, Sir," snivelled Fletcher. "I'll get my money
right away, won't I?"
"Yes, damn it!" snarled Dumbledore. "Now, get out of the way, I'm
coming through!"
"Yes, Sir!" said Fletcher.
Dumbledore stepped through into the public floo in Diagon Alley.
# # #
After receiving a very tearful floo call from Madam Malkin about that
'poor Potter boy' Amelia summoned her two top aurors who were
currently in the outer office to her personal office.
"Shacklebolt, Scrimgeour; get me two teams together, right now," she
ordered. "I've just received a report from the Alley from Madam Malkin
about a boy who's been badly abused. He's now left her shop but he's still
in the Alley. I want him found, I want him brought immediately here,
and I want a report from the Malkin woman. Move!"
"Yes, Ma'am!" they both said. Scrimgeour asked, "Do we know who the
boy is?"
Grimly, Amelia said, "Harry Potter!"
"Oh, Merlin!" exclaimed Scrimgeour.
"Move, damn it!" ordered Amelia in her most authoritarian, Head of the
DMLE, loud voice.
They moved.
'And let the fun begin,' thought Amelia.
# # #
Harry was sitting down with the Grangers at an outside table enjoying an
ice cream when he suddenly felt a hand grab him by the shoulder and lift
him out of his seat.
"Harry! Harry, my boy!" said Dumbledore in as friendly a voice as
possible. "We need to get you out of here, right away. It's too..."
Having already dropped his ice cream when he was wrenched out of his
seat... and he was enjoying it, too... Harry was a little startled, at first.
"Arrrrghhhh!" he screamed. "Help! Help! A dirty old man has grabbed me!"
Dumbledore, startled by the outburst, almost let go. He then just gripped
tighter.
Harry tried his best to kick Dumbles in the shins as hard and as often as
he could.
After one swift and painful kick to his shin, Dumbledore managed to drag
Harry a bit away from the table where he was sitting with people the old
man had never seen before.
Harry was still kicking out but was now also trying to pull the old man's
beard out by the roots.
"Help!" he continued to scream. "A dirty old man is trying to drag me away
and play with my naughty boy bits!"
"Harry!" cried Dumbledore still trying to drag Harry away. "You need to
stop this at once! I'm here to take you home!" By now Dumbledore had
managed to drag him into the middle of the Alley.
Harry continued to scream, "Arrrrghhhh! I don't know you, you dirty old
man! Somebody help me!"
Dan had already risen to his feet and was boring in on Dumbledore. He
roared, "Now see here, you filthy old bugger! You unhand that boy at once!"
Harry heard someone call, "Somebody summon the aurors!" and someone
else call back, "They're on their way!"
A crowd had started to gather. Many recognised Dumbledore but had no
idea as to the identity of the small boy.
Meanwhile, Harry had managed to give Dumbledore another hard kick to
the shins and had managed to stomp on the old man's foot. Dumbledore,
though, wouldn't release his grip.
He continued to scream, "Arrrrghhhh! Help! Somebody help me!"
Harry could see Hermione sitting on the other side of the table he'd just
been dragged out of, talking in her mirror. He heard her calling his
godfather by name.
"Harry!" cried Dumbledore still trying to drag Harry away. "Stop! I'm your
magical guardian!"
The boy shouldn't be acting this way. He was supposed to be rather
meek.
Next thing Harry knew he saw Emma swing her hand bag at
Dumbledore's head. She must've hit him pretty hard as Dumbledore
suddenly let go and staggered back. Dan used the opportunity to grab
Harry and put him behind him.
"You leave him alone you dirty old bugger!" Dan roared at Dumbles. "We
have a name for individuals like you who want to fiddle with little children!"
'Go, Dan!' thought Harry. 'Have at him!'
"No, no!" cried Dumbles. 'You don't understand! It's all a
misunderstanding!"
Emma took another shot at him with her purse. Dumbledore had to duck
to avoid being clonked again.
"Madam! Please!" cried Dumbledore. "I'm the boy's magical guardian!"
Suddenly, with calls of "Aurors! Aurors!" the now sizable crowd was
surrounded by Amelia's aurors with wands drawn.
Kingsley and Rufus both stepped through from opposite sides. "What in
the name of Merlin is going on here?" Rufus bellowed. They were followed
by the other aurors. Six more.
Harry was doing his best to both huddle behind Dan and watch what was
going on. He looked behind himself and spotted Hermione still sitting at
the little outdoor table calmly eating her ice cream. She saw him look at
her and she grinned. Harry had to turn away before he did the same.
Dan was yelling about the pervert who tried to drag the little boy away.
And Dumbledore was spluttering how it was all just a simple
misunderstanding. Other people were also chiming in with what they
thought was going on.
Rufus bellowed, "Silence!" And everyone shut up.
The next voice coming from up the Alley was Sirius's. "Dumbledore!" he
roared, coming through the crowd.
The crowd parted and Sirius strode into the middle. He took one look at
Dumbledore, grabbed him by the lapels of his robe and tried to lift him
into the air by them.
He bellowed, "Where's my godson, Dumbledore?! Where's Harry Potter?!"
'There's my cue,' thought Harry. Sticking his head out from behind Dan
he called, "I'm Harry Potter!"
That created one hell of a buzz through the crowd.
Quick as a flash, Sirius dropped Dumbles, making him stagger back. He
spun about and stared straight at Harry.
"Harry?" he asked in a voice of pure concern. "Harry Potter?"
'Yep,' thought Harry. 'Just making sure everyone heard the name
correctly.'
"That's me," said Harry coming out from behind Dan and calling across
the now sizable gap. "Who're you?"
Just standing there, Sirius said in a voice dripping with anguish, "Harry,
I'm your godfather, Sirius Black."
Then Sirius strode across the gap. But Dan stepped in front of him. "No,
sir!" he said. "I'll not have you touch the boy until we sort this mess out!"
Sirius dropped to his knees just shy of Dan and pleaded, "Please! I've been
looking for him for sooo long!"
'Bloody hell,' thought Harry. 'Don't lay it on too thick.'
"No, sir," said Dan loud enough for everyone to hear. "Not until we get
this sorted out."
"You're Sirius Black?" asked Harry reaching into his pocket to pull out his
copy of the Potter Will. "You're in my parents Will!"
Scrimgeour called "Call for Madam Bones!"
"I'm already here!" replied Amelia, stepping through the crowd from
Madam Malkin's. The little old witch was right behind her. "Lord Black,
please step away."
"Albus Dumbledore!" she called. "Aren't you in enough trouble already?"
"Hey, if he's Albus Dumbledore, he's in my parents will, too!" said Harry,
waving the Will about.
"No!" cried Dumbledore even louder. "You can't! That's sealed by the
Wizengamot!"
Looking across at Harry she then called, "Mister Potter! Please come over
here."
"Who're you?" replied Harry from behind Dan's back.
"Madam Amelia Bones," she replied. "Department of Magical Law
Enforcement."
"You're a police officer?" Harry asked.
"Yes, Mister Potter, I am," she replied in a kindlier voice.
Harry ran around the other side of Dan, ducked past his godfather, who
was rising to his feet, and ducked up close to Amelia.
"Hi!" he said cheerfully. Then, pointing to Dumbledore, he accused in an
angry voice, "That bad old man was trying to drag me away!"
Harry then offered his copy of the Will to Amelia, who took it. And,
opening it, read it, "It says here, you knew Mister Potter was never to go
to the home of his muggle Aunt and Uncle."
"No! Wait!" said Dumbledore waving his hands in front of himself in a
warding gesture. "There's been a misunderstanding! I'm the boy's magical
guardian, I tell you! You can't read the Will it's sealed, I tell you!"
With a sudden screech, Madam Malkin launched herself at him, "You're
his guardian? You're the one who's allowed the abuse of that poor boy?"
Two aurors stepped forward and carefully dragged the old witch away
from Dumbledore, where she had a handful of his long beard and was
whacking him about the head. Harry noticed they did seem to move a
little slower than would be called 'with alacrity'.
"No, no, no!" cried Dumbledore. "That was his muggle relatives! His
uncle!"
"What?" roared Amelia. "Harry Potter has been abused?"
"Look at his back!" cried Madam Malkin from where she was being held
by two aurors. "Look at all the scars and marks!"
"No, no, no!" cried Dumbledore. "Nooo! There's no need. The boy
exaggerates!"
"Look at his back!" screeched Madam Malkin.
Looking from the old witch down to Harry, Amelia said, "Mister Potter.
Please lift your shirt."
Harry looked at his feet and shook his head.
"Mister Potter," said Amelia in a grandmotherly sort of voice, "Please...
lift... your... shirt!"
Moving with the appearance of reluctance, Harry moved his hands to
begin lifting his shirt.
"Noooo!" cried Dumbledore. "Not here! You'll embarrass the boy!"
Harry ignored the old fool and lifted the bottom of his shirt to between
his shoulders in a quick upward movement.
There were gasps and angry mutters coming from all around. Even Dan
and Emma were quite shocked by what they saw.
"The boy who lived!"
"The hero of wizarding Britain!"
"How dare they!"
Harry quickly dropped his shirt and hung his head in the appearance of
shame.
"Dumbledore knew! He admitted it!"
Suddenly there was a cry of, "Dumbledore, you mongrel!" and people
surged forward.
The aurors suddenly surrounded the old man and Amelia called,
"Emergency portkey him back to a cell! Now! Everyone else, get back!"
She pointed her wand in the air and fired off an explosive crack. Harry
dropped to the ground and cowered next to her feet.
Dumbledore and two aurors suddenly disappeared.
The crowd stopped and moved back a couple of paces. They were quiet.
Amelia bent down and took hold of Harry's hand, his left hand, and lifted
him back to his feet.
"Mister Potter, we're going to need..."
"Errr... excuse me, Ma'am?" he asked.
"Yes?" she asked.
He held up his right hand and let the sunlight glint off his Potter House
ring.
After a heartbeat, Amelia said in a clear voice, "My apologies... Lord
Potter."
Another ripple of murmurings passed through the crowd.
She went on to say, "Lord Potter, we're going to need to take you back to
my offices, so we can investigate this further."
Harry declared, "I'm not going anywhere unless my new best friend,
Hermione, and her parents can come too! They saved me!"
Looking over at the Grangers, Amelia said, "Well, it looks like you're
coming, too. I need your statements, anyway. You, too, Lord Black."
Amelia and her aurors portkeyed everyone back to the offices of the
DMLE.
# # #
Finally, just arriving back at the Pottery via floo from Amelia's office
after a pretty gruelling couple of hours, Harry was sitting on a couch in
the parlour with Sirius, Dan, Emma and Hermione.
"Well, there goes a day of shopping down the drain," he sighed.
Emma, still standing, walked over to Harry and said, "Harry. Stand up
and take off your shirt."
He stood, shrugged his shoulders, and took his shirt off up over his head.
Emma turned him about and asked, "I know you were abused by your
aunt and uncle. But not all of these could have come from your time
before you turned four."
"No," said Harry. "Some of them are. But these are the marks and scars I
took from Dobby when he first arrived here. In order to have the
Dursleys and Dumbebutt properly dealt with, I used very old magic that
Myrrdin and I knew to take them from Dobby's Polyjuiced body and
transfer them to mine.
"It's irreversible and, besides, he may only be a house elf, but I refused to
allow him to bear the brunt of what was meant for me, one moment
longer."
"It was not meant for you!" scolded Emma. "It was not meant for anyone!"
Harry started to pull his shirt back on before he stopped and said,
"Excuse me. I'm getting out of these rags." And headed for his room to get
changed.
When he returned, cleaner and feeling much better wearing his own
clothes, he saw that Pixie or Dobby had prepared an afternoon tea for
them.
That reminded Harry of something he needed to do.
"Dobby!" he called.
The, now, little elf popped into existence alongside him.
"Yes, Master Harry, Sir?" he asked.
"Dobby," Harry sighed. "What you did... what you put up with... for six
years with the Dursleys, is something I can never repay. However, I'm
going to try my absolute hardest to do so. Tell me, if you can have
anything in the world right now, anything your little heart desires, what
would it be?"
Hopping up and down from foot to foot, Dobby said, "Dobby wants to be
Master Harry's house elf! That's what Dobby wants more than anything!"
Surprised, Harry said, "You can have anything, Dobby. I mean it! You can
have house elves of your own, if you want."
"Dobby wants to be Master Harry's house elf!" the little elf declared again.
"Well, okay..." Harry started to say.
"Yes!" cried Dobby throwing himself to wrap his arms around Harry's
legs. There was a sudden flash of magic pass from Harry to Dobby and
back again.
"Dobby is very happy with Master Harry!" the little elf declared. "Master
Harry is the greatest master Dobby could ever have!"
"Damn, Pup!" said Sirius. "Now that's what I call loyalty!"
Once Dobby let him go, Harry collapsed onto a chair and softly began to
weep. "How the bloody hell do I deserve this?" he asked the room in an
anguished cry.
Hermione came over and hopped into his lap. She cuddled him and held
him until he'd wound down.
"That's all the stress you've put yourself under, Harry," she said. "You
can't keep things bottled up like you've been doing. It's not good for you!"
When Harry looked up, he'd noticed everyone else had left the room. He
had Hermione hop off his lap and he went looking for them. He found
them in the kitchen. Dan and Sirius sat at opposite ends of the little six-
seater kitchen table. Emma sat on Dan's left.
When they walked into the room, Hermione went and sat at her Dad's
right while Harry sat alongside her, on Sirius's left hand.
They each had a cup of tea sitting in front of them. As Hermione and
Harry sat, identical cups of tea appeared before them.
While he was sipping his tea, Sirius was quietly humming a tune.
Harry quickly recognised it as Wagner's Bridal Chorus. "Shut up,
Padfoot!" he demanded.
Sirius, ignoring him, continued to hum the tune while sipping his tea.
"God damn it, Padfoot! Shut up!" snarled Harry.
Again, Sirius continued to ignore him. Dan and Emma just exchanged
slightly amused glances.
Harry placed both hands on palm down on the table of either side of his
cup and saucer and snarled ominously, "Damn it, Snuffles! If you don't
stop that incessant tune this instant I'm going to have Dobby stuff you
head first down a garbage chute somewhere!"
Sirius still continued to ignore him.
Harry just sighed and gave up. He picked his cup up and just decided to
sip it and ignore his pain-in-the-butt godfather. He hoped ignoring the
man would see him give it up.
While he took a big sip of his tea, Hermione quietly and with an air of
dignity, said to her parents, "He's wasting his time, you know. Harry and
I aren't going to be married for years yet."
The sheer shock of Hermione's statement had Harry coughing his tea
halfway across the kitchen. They were just lucky no one was sitting
opposite at the time.
The outburst had Sirius throw himself backwards so hard, and begin
laughing so hard, he fell over the back of the chair and ended up on the
kitchen floor. There he lay, rolling back and forth, absolutely howling
with laughter.
Harry was sitting at the table trying to cough tea out of his lungs. He had
tears in his eyes from the effort.
Dan had hung his head and was shaking it back and forth, while Emma
was looking a bit of a cross between being faintly amused and quite
scandalised at her daughter.
While no one was looking Pixie popped in and cleaned the sprayed tea up
off the table, the back of the other chair, the kitchen floor and the
cupboard doors under the kitchen bench. Then she set a fresh cup of tea
and a glass of water down in front of Harry with a couple paper napkins,
frowned at him, and disappeared again.
Hermione, after her little statement, just looked around and harrumphed.
Then she rose from her chair and walked around to where Sirius was on
the floor. She said, "Sirius Orion Black! You will stop that this instant!
There is nothing to laugh about!"
Sirius laughed even harder. So, Hermione harrumphed again, stuck her
noise in the air and stormed out of the kitchen.
Emma rose and quietly said, "I'd better go talk to her." And followed after
her daughter.
Dan looked up and said, "It looks like the cats out of the bag... son."
Harry, still not able to talk, tried to sooth his throat by taking a couple of
swallows of water.
Sirius was finally getting control of himself again, and was trying to
climb to his feet by pulling himself up on his chair.
"Oh... Merlin!... She sounds so much like Lily," he gasped.
"Padfoot, you bloody idiot!" rasped Harry, still trying to talk properly.
"Oh, knock it off, Pup!" he replied, finally getting himself back into his
chair. "I don't think there's a person in our little group who has not
already figured out you two are meant to be together! You're the only one
who's fighting the inevitable."
"I think her father might have something to say about that," sighed Harry,
still with a bit of a rasp.
Dan sighed and shook his head. "Not anymore," he said. "I just ask you
hold off on the nuptials until you're both well over eighteen."
Harry nodded and said, "I so did not want this to happen."
Dan replied, "No, you said she had to be free to make her own choice.
She's made it. Even if it was far quicker than either of us expected."
"I'm only the first boy she's really been friends with. It's 'puppy' love", said
Harry. "There's every chance she's going to find someone else when we
get to Hogwarts."
"I don't think so," said Sirius, while Dan shook his head. "I doubt I've ever
seen a more soul-bonded couple than you two. Your parents came close,
though"
Harry just harrumphed. And, in doing so, matched Hermione's effort of a
few moments earlier.
Sirius said, "You have your mothers eyes, love for others and sense of
justice. You have your father's cunning, determination and drive.
Hermione is your equal, but she's more intelligent and not as cunning,
plus a few other things. You're a match, but with enough differences to
remain individuals."
# # #
Early that evening they were joined by the Longbottoms and the Boneses.
Neville and Susan, and even Augusta, wanted to know everything that
happened.
Harry, Sirius and Dan did their best to run through what happened, when
and where. Harry didn't know but Emma had about forty galleons in her
purse when she clonked Dumbledore a good one upside his head. She
thinks she also got another good shot in but it only glanced off.
Amelia said Dumbledore was going to be spending the night in her cells.
"For his own safety, of course," she smirked. They'd called the healers for
him as he had abrasions on his shins and a badly bruised pinkie toe
where Harry had landed once with the heel of his shoe.
Augusta, who had visited the Alley later in the day, reported how the
whole Alley was abuzz with how Harry Potter had turned up in the Alley
and that he was attacked by Dumbledore. They also said how Harry was
abused, with the most fanciful tales saying he had ended up deformed
from it all. And how he was now Lord Potter; though, they didn't know
how that was possible.
Yet another evening version of the Daily Prophet came out. There was
even a photograph of Harry with his head dropped low and his shirt up.
Another of Madam Malkin pulling Dumbledore's head down by his beard
so she could whack him about the head with her hand. Harry didn't even
know there was a photographer there. The one of Madam Malkin
reported how she had to attend St Mungo's later in the day to see to
injuries sustained to her hand.
This time there was only one voice speaking out in favour of Dumbledore;
a lady who wasn't there in the Alley at the time. She couldn't believe the
great Albus Dumbledore could ever do such a thing. She insisted it must
have been someone Polyjuiced to destroy Dumbledore's reputation.
One article covered, again, what they believed happened on the night of
the 31st of October 1981. This time, however, Peter Pettigrew's name
was substituted for Sirius's as the Secret Keeper and betrayer of the
Potters. Another article covered Harry's recent family tree and how Harry
was currently the last of the line. Hence, that 'must have been' why he
was able to take up the family Headship.
Another article covered how Dumbledore was still yet to be tried for not
coming forward with information about his role in what happened on the
night of the 31st of October 1981, and not coming forward with the
information he knew the now Lord Black was not the Secret Keeper. It
also covered how the DMLE had received over five thousand individual
complaints about owl interceptions by Dumbledore of Harry's mail and
how the DMLE wanted to put him on trial for that matter, as well.
"That reminds me," said Harry, looking up from reading the article.
"We're going to need to put in place our own owl interception once
Dumbledore's stopped from doing it. I'll need the mail to be sent to the
goblins to check the whole lot, as it comes, before they forward it on to
me. Who knows what's going to be in it all."
Amelia sat up and said, "Actually, have it sent through to us first. We've
the manpower and will want to know what may be included, too. If
there's anything that shouldn't be there, I'll be having words with the
people concerned."
Harry nodded and said, "Do you need me to fill out any paperwork for
that?"
"No," said Amelia. "It's something we can do, considering the nature of
the matters involved. I'll see to it when I get home. The on-duty night
shift aurors can organise it for me."
The large editorial was the most interesting and pleasing. And also the
most damning. It covered Dumbledore's many accomplishments. How he
was Supreme Mugwump of the ICW, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot,
Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, defeater of
Grindelwald, and the only man He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named appeared to
fear.
Then it went on to cover his recent actions. Actions that appeared to be
of a man who had either snapped, or was losing his faculties. The
editorial questioned whether Dumbledore, hero that he is, should be
'allowed' to quietly retire. Or, whether his recent alleged crimes were so
dire, he should be placed into permanent enforced care at Saint Mungo's
Wizarding Hospital. The editorial oozed concern for a man 'who had
borne so much for so long'.
After reading the editorial, Harry looked up and said to Amelia and
Augusta, "Is this..." indicating the editorial "... going to be enough to start
having Dumbebutt stripped of some of his positions?"
"Legally, no," said Amelia with a sigh. "Though he's been charged, he's
not yet been found guilty of a crime."
Augusta took up the thread of the conversation and said, "However, that
doesn't mean we cannot act within the Wizengamot. At the next session,
I'll be putting forward a motion to have Dumbledore stripped of the Chief
Warlock position and replaced. If I can't get the support to make it
permanent, I'll move it be temporary until all the legal matters relating to
him are cleared.
"Whether or not I can get him removed from the Chief Warlock position,
I'll also be trying to get him removed from the ICW, as we don't want
someone who's under a legal cloud representing Britain in matters of
international importance; and from the Headmaster's slot at Hogwarts, as
he is under investigation for child abuse, conspiracy to commit child
abuse, child endangerment, assault upon a child and claiming magical
guardianship of someone who he wasn't in a position to do so. That last,
in Harry's case, can be construed as an attempt at Line Theft."
Sirius asked, "And who would you ask to replace Dumbledore in any of
the three positions?"
Harry piped up and said, "Madam Marchbanks, as Chief Warlock. She's
fair, will warrant no nonsense from anyone, and really should have been
the Chief Warlock if not for Dumbledore's... popularity."
Amelia said, "Tiberius Ogden for the slot on the ICW, though it'll be up to
the ICW to appoint a new Supreme Mugwump. I think there's a wizard
from New Zealand who'd be the choice for that."
Sirius said, "And it would have to be Minerva McGonagall for the
Headmaster slot. She's only been Deputy Head for a couple of months.
But, it's the role she was born to hold. And I'd also put Filius Flitwick up
for the Deputy Head position and say bugger the fact he's part goblin.
Like McGonagall he's been there since the 1970's, and all the staff and the
students love him. I did, as did James, Remus and, especially, Lily."
"And talking about Hogwarts," said Harry, grateful for the segue. "Is this
going to be enough for you, Madam Bones, to have aurors stationed at
Hogwarts from the first day of school?"
Nodding, Amelia said, "Definitely! Even if Dumbledore is able to get
himself back to Hogwarts for the first day, I can have aurors stationed
there to make sure he's watched and monitored. If we can't get him
removed from his position as Headmaster, then I'll definitely be able to
get Wizengamot approval to have the aurors in place."
"Merlin!" said Augusta. "To think, our greatest allies on the Wizengamot
to get this done are going to come from the dark families."
"Well," said Harry. "I don't think we can make Dumbledore's life even
more of a living hell, tonight. I think this last lot, added to what
happened at Sirius's trial, will keep him back-footed and dancing to our
tune we play for him until well after the 1st of September."
After their guests had departed for their own homes - Amelia and
Augusta took the Grangers home - Harry sat down and typed up a report
for Sir David to forward on the information to the Queen.
In it he covered what had transpired, especially the day just past, and
how things were progressing. He also reported on what had also been
transpired within the wizarding world, in general. He typed it in as dry
and bureaucratic a style as he could, as he knew it would be appreciated.
He also left a note reminding the man he could be contacted via the
mirror.
After he finished, and made sure he made no mistakes, he tucked it into a
DL envelope and wrote upon the front of it:
For Sir David Smythe-Umpton,
from Lord Harry James Potter
He stood back, shifted into his animagus form, and picked the envelope
up with his beak. Then he phoenix-flashed it to the blotter on Sir David's
desk in his office at MI5, before returning to the Pottery.
# # #
The next morning, Harry collected Sirius's copy of the Daily Prophet from
where the owl had delivered it. There were yet more stories about the
scene in the Alley of the day before. There was very little of new
information about what happened, but there were now articles quoting
members of the Wizengamot and the Ministry. However, there were a
number of quotes from Malfoy, the Minister and even a short one from
Amelia.
Amelia was quoted as saying, "Mister Dumbledore..." she used none of his
titles... "is to be given the benefit of trial before people comment on his
alleged crimes against Lord Harry Potter..." but used Harry's title. Nice.
The comments from Malfoy were, as suspected, very scathing of the old
man. He hinted how he was "... discussing matters with other members of
the Wizengamot about Dumbledore's actions these past days" and how
"He felt sorry, but appalled, at how the 'old man' was now losing touch
with all reality". He laid it on a bit thick but, in this, Harry considered
him an ally.
The Minister, however, was very reluctant to comment. Most unusual for
the man, thought Harry. But he did say Albus Dumbledore... again, no
title... was to be presumed innocent until the findings of the court were
made public. However, he felt the man was a hero and should continue
to be treated with respect.
In other words, the Minister was straddling the fence. Harry wondered
how many splinters were in his butt from how much he always sat on
said fence. He must've saddled the damned thing.
What did get under Harry's skin were the remarks in a couple of the
articles where it said, 'Lord Potter has refused to comment on' and 'when
speaking with Lord Potter, we were unable to get his views on'. Harry
highlighted both remarks and made a copy of the two articles. Both were
written by one Rita Skeeter.
Sirius went into the Alley later in the morning and picked up the rest of
Harry's supplies. He didn't bother with the text books, of course, as Harry
already had those memorised. And Harry would return in six days to pick
up his uniform and robe, and his trunk.
There were also some potion ingredients not on the approved list of
school supplies Harry wanted, as well. Plus, he knew where there was a
perfectly good giant basilisk just waiting to be killed and sold off. He'd
make sure the skins went to Amelia's aurors to be made into armour. He
thought about having four sets of that armour set aside for himself and
the others. However, they'd be growing too much over the next couple of
years to make it worthwhile. He did wonder, though, just what
Ollivander would make of eye string from a basilisk.
This morning he collected off Dan a high quality image of the Granger
crest and gave it to Sirius to make sure a copy went both to Gringotts and
to the trunk manufacturer. He reported back the goblins would ensure a
copy was presented to the trunk manufacturer.
He asked Sirius to call in to the Daily Prophet offices while he was in the
Alley and wave both his own thirty per cent share, and how he held the
proxies for another forty-five per cent share, of the paper. He would
demand an immediate retraction of both comments that Harry had
indicated, that the retraction was to be on the front page, and the
journalist concerned would be publicly reprimanded for her deliberate
lack of truth. Or the editor would quickly find himself fired and someone
who would obey the owner's instructions would replace him.
The editor was also given instructions relating to interviews. They were
to destroy every quik-quote quill in the building - not sell; destroy - and
replace them with dicta-quills. All staff were not to interview anyone
under the age of consent, or not emancipated, without the presence and
permission of the parents or guardians of the child. Any source was, in all
instances where possible, to be verified prior to publishing.
Sirius also reported how he was often stopped by shopkeepers in the
Alley, and by shoppers while he was moving from shop to shop, by
people asking after 'that poor boy, Harry Potter'. Sirius confessed to using
the opportunity to curry further support and see if he could 'hook up'.
Susan and Neville were happy to learn, yesterday, of Harry's purchase for
them of a new expanding trunk for each of them. But he had to smooth
over ruffled feathers with Amelia and Augusta. Once he convinced them
the other heirs would need them to properly fulfil their duties, once their
heritage became known, they were accepting of the gifts. But Harry still
had to point out it was not considered an extravagant gift for one of their
station, even if they hadn't yet taken on the duties of those stations.
Well, anything further he bought for each of them he'd just pack in his
own trunk and give to them once they all arrived at Hogwarts. Their
guardians couldn't stop him, once there. They could only send him a
howler or two. Embarrassing, but better than getting an earful while they
were standing in front of him. He'd just hide behind the wards at
Hogwarts. Yes, both Amelia, especially Amelia, and Augusta could come
directly to the school to... remonstrate... with him, but it would take
effort on their part.
Now that the great Harry Potter reveal was done and out of the way,
Harry decided there was another issue he could take care of. He couldn't
very well champion the rights of other sentient magical creatures when
his own house elves were made to wear linen or rags.
"Pixie! Dobby!" he called. Both elves flashed into existence in front of
him.
"Yes, Master Harry, Sir?" asked Pixie.
"Okay, you two," he said to them. "I don't like how you wear rags while
you work for me. So, I want you to wear uniforms. This is not me giving
you clothes, understand. This is me requiring a certain level of dress in
my staff."
Both elves nodded vigorously.
Harry thought first of what he wanted Pixie to wear. "Can you see my
thoughts, Pixie?" he asked her.
She said, "Yes, Master Harry, Sir!" and suddenly she was wearing what he
had in his mind. A light white blouse with a female cut dark blue blazer
with a grey skirt to the knee. On the breast pocket of the jacket was the
Potter crest sized to fit the uniform.
Turning to Dobby, Harry said, "Okay, now yours." and suddenly Dobby
was wearing the male version of what Pixie was wearing. A light white
open collared shirt with a dark blue blazer with grey trousers. On the
breast pocket of the jacket was the Potter crest.
"Excellent!" said Harry leaning back to survey his handiwork. "Okay, do a
slow turn about, both of you." And both elves turned full around in front
of him.
"Definitely, excellent!" said Harry, quite satisfied. "You both look very
smart and I feel blessed to have both of you working for me."
"Thank you, Master Harry, Sir!" said Dobby, before he dove at Harry's
legs and gave them a squeeze. Pixie very quickly did the same.
"Does Master Harry need anything else?" asked Dobby.
"No, thank you, Dobby," replied Harry. "You can both go back to what
you were doing."
"Thank you, Master Harry, Sir!" said Pixie, before they both disappeared
again.
Harry thought to himself, 'Make them start to look like people, and
witches and wizards will start to treat them like people.'
# # #
At Hogwarts, Dumbledore had arrived back at the castle just in time for
breakfast. He quickly changed out of the robes he'd been forced to wear
from the previous day and headed down to breakfast with the staff.
He stomped into the Great Hall and 'flomped' into his throne-like chair.
No one on staff even said, 'Good morning' to him.
Still in a foul mood, he'd just started to load his plate with his favourite
breakfast dishes when the owls streamed in from overhead. A few flew
over to the other members of staff. The remainder, however, unloaded on
him.
As with a couple weeks ago, Dumbledore was buried under a veritable
avalanche of folded parchment.
Roaring out his displeasure, he banished almost all of it out towards and
across the four, currently empty, house tables. "God damn it!" he snarled.
Bathsheba Babbling on his left, and Minerva McGonagall on his right,
both moved as far from the old man as they could. And still no one said a
word. Dumbledore just sat there, hunched over, and shovelling food into
his mouth as if he was trying to kill his breakfast with his teeth.
As soon as he'd felt satisfied enough to have broken his fast, he rose and
stomped back out of the hall back to his office.
Well," said Professor Flitwick, "There goes a most unhappy individual."
Professor McGonagall calmly finished her breakfast, took a sip of her tea,
and said, "I think it's time we spoke with the School Board. This cannot be
allowed to continue."
Up in his office Dumbledore was trying to figure out how to get Harry
Potter back under his control. He did not yet know the Dursleys had been
arrested... again... and that the computers of the police involved now had
full and detailed reports of their atrocities. He also did not know it would
not matter if he obliviated everyone involved, as the computer systems
would simply remind the officers of the serious nature of the Dursleys'
crimes and they'd be back behind bars within an hour.
Their own Headquarters at New Scotland Yard, and MI5, were
monitoring things from afar. If it appeared minds had been wiped both
departments were prepared to go in to Surrey and set the involved
officers back on track.
Wiping the minds of Her Majesty's Metropolitan Police Service would no
longer be an effective way for magicals to escape police investigations.
Dumbledore also did not know that Harry Potter was not staying at
Grimmauld Place with Black, but at the Pottery, his own Manor House.
He also did not know that what funds he'd secreted away in his own
office from the boy's trust vault was going to be the last he ever took from
there. And he did not notice the missing books off the shelves, or the
invisibility cloak from its package under his bed.
All Dumbledore focussed upon was his plans for when the boy arrived at
Kings Cross Station for his trip on the Hogwarts Express. Once he had
him at Hogwarts, he would very quickly get the boy back under control.
# # #
After lunch, Harry was preparing to head out into non-magical London to
track down a publisher for his book. He'd sent in an initial draft of the
first few chapters to a number of publishing houses a while ago. Now he
had a call back from one of them. It was a relatively new company that
had only been running for about five years. He was going in to see them
today.
Finding a secluded spot just around the corner from the offices of the
publisher, Harry apparated directly to the spot with his glamour on and
under a Notice-Me-Not charm. The address, Harry found, looked a lot
like a brownstone walk-up.
Harry checked the address again - 50 Bedford Square, London - and
thought, 'This is it. Bloomsbury Plc. It sure didn't look like much from the
outside.'
He dropped the Notice-me-Not charm and entered. He was greeted by a
receptionist behind a reception desk. On introducing himself he was led
to an office upstairs.
The man in the office said, "I gave that teaser you sent us to my daughter.
She loved it and wanted to read more. So, that's why you're here."
Harry said, "And I thank you for your time."
He handed over the typed up pages of his book to the man behind the
desk and said, "I'll understand if you don't want to print it, but it's for a
very select audience. I'd like to pay for all costs associated with printing
the book and need an advanced run of about four hundred copies before
the 1st of September."
The man leafed through a lot of the pages, frowned, and said, "Yeah, we
can do that."
Harry gave the man his credit card details and said, "Take what you need,
but be prepared to provide very detailed invoices to go along with the
charges. I'll be by in about a week to see how you're doing. Is that okay?"
"More than okay, Sir", said the man standing and offering his hand.
Harry stood, shook the man's hand, thanked him again for his time and
left.
'Another job crossed off the list,' thought Harry.
# # #
When he arrived home, Sirius had a guest waiting for him in the Parlour.
A tall lanky man wearing a threadbare herringbone suit with a shock of
short blondish red hair and a very scraggly moustache.
Harry walked in and stopped dead in his tracks.
"Hello, cub," said the man rising from his chair to come forward.
# # #
18. Hermione's Power
Chapter Eighteen - Hermione's Power
# # #
Though he knew he and Sirius hadn't made a big secret of him being out
of prison, and Harry turning up in Diagon Alley - Hell, as far as he knew
it made the international papers, as well - he didn't expect Remus to turn
up so soon.
Remus Lupin, very part-time werewolf, came forward and gave the son of
his best friend a huge hug. "God, Cub," he half choked, "I've been looking
for you for ten years!"
"Hello, Moony," said Harry in a quiet voice. "I found that out when I
finally got Padfoot sprung from Azkaban. I'm so sorry you've been looking
for me."
"Where have you been?" sniffled the older man.
Trying to lighten the mood a little, in a singsong voice Harry replied, "I've
been to London to visit the Queen."
Remus snorted and held Harry out at arm's length, "I see you've got your
father's sense of humour. I'm sorry about that."
Sirius was trying not to laugh from behind Remus, on the couch.
"Well, " replied Harry in a normal voice. "Just now, I've been out to get
my first autobiography published. I've called it Harry Potter: In His Own
Words. What do you think? The publishers think it's some kind of witches
and wizards children's fantasy novel, but I'm happy they do."
"Come on, Cub!" said Remus a little exasperated. "Stop kidding around!
For this past ten years, where have you been?"
Harry sighed and said, "Well, that's a very long story and needs to be told
over a nice cup of tea. How about we sit in the kitchen at the table and
I'll have Pixie make some tea and sandwiches."
# # #
After they were seated, and Harry called Pixie to organise some tea and
sandwiches, Sirius exclaimed, "You've got them wearing clothes?"
"No, I had them put on my own designed house elf uniform," replied
Harry. "What do you think?"
"How'd you get around that?" asked Moony.
"The rule is that if I give them clothes it releases them. I simply didn't give
them any. I had them make them, themselves."
"Huh!" said Sirius. "That's very clever."
Harry shrugged. Then, turning to Moony, he said, "I'm going to start back
when this really all began. The night my parents died. Then I'll step you
through the major highlights."
Moony nodded and remained focussed on Harry. He didn't say a word.
"On that dreadful night..."
# # #
By the time he was finished, Harry had gone through about three cups of
tea, and about a dozen of the little quarter-cut sandwiches Pixie knew he
liked.
"So," said Remus, "when you said you'd been to London to visit the
Queen, and how you were just out getting your autobiography published,
you really weren't kidding."
"Nope!" replied Harry. "It was a double prank. I knew you'd think they
were pranks so I told you the truth. And, you know what they say, the
truth is stranger than fiction."
"And I still say you've got your father's sense of humour," grumped
Remus.
In a much more serious voice, Harry said, "All that aside. I'll need your
word you won't pass on any information to Dumbledore, or any of his
cronies. What is discussed here - and what is discussed with the Grangers,
Longbottoms and Boneses - is for our ears alone."
"You have it!" said Remus firmly. "I'll swear it on my magic and my life, if
you like."
"No, your word is more than good enough for me," replied Harry.
"So, what's the little cub going to do next?" asked Remus.
"Right now, I haven't the faintest idea!" replied Harry. "I think
everything's done that can be done now, even things that I don't expect to
need for about nine months."
Snapping his fingers, he said, "There is one thing! I need to teach the
other three how to apparate. Especially, Hermione, as she has mundane
parents. Plus, of course, there's the rest of the lessons in how to move
about effortlessly in their animagus forms. But, that's pretty much it."
"You want to teach them how to apparate? Now?" asked Remus. "It's
illegal for them to learn until they turn sixteen. Then they're not allowed
to do it until they turn seventeen."
"While I know why the law is in place, I don't care!" replied Harry. "Those
other three and I are going to be having our hands absolutely full when
we start to get things up to speed and I don't want them getting delayed
because they're not allowed to apparate.
"Hell, I can always argue that the four of us are emancipated and, as
we're now legally adults, the seventeen year old minimum rule doesn't
apply to us. If someone pushes it, I'll get Her Majesty to sign off on it, just
in case."
"So, everything is pretty set and you're waiting on the 1st of September?"
asked Remus.
Shrugging, Harry replied, "Pretty much. I have to go back to Diagon Alley
to collect my uniforms and robes, and my trunk. I'll also collect the ones
for the others if they haven't gone themselves, by then. Plus, I need to
purchase Hedwig from Eeylops Owl Emporium, plus treats. She should be
there by now. And I need to buy a small gift for the Grangers. I was
thinking of them having their very own owl."
Thinking about it, he also said, "I'm also thinking of picking up a whole
heap more potions ingredients from the apothecary. Stuff used in the
higher years, but also stuff I know from what Myrrdin taught me. I'll have
the room in my trunk to store them for taking them to Hogwarts."
"So," said Sirius holding up his hand and ticking things off on his fingers,
"you need to collect your trunk... and those of the others, your uniforms,
your owl, an owl for the Grangers, owl nuts, and potions ingredients."
"Yup," replied Harry. "To stave off the boredom of being forced to sit
through classes on material I did when I was five, I'm thinking of doing
some inventing and - hell, why not - pranking of the senior years and
staff. Traditions must be upheld, you know."
"There's always the Marauder's Map," said Sirius, amused. "I have no idea
where mine's gone, though."
"I think yours is the one the Weasley Twins have," said Harry,
thoughtfully. "Dad's is in the vault, or Dumbledore has it, which is more
likely. I have no idea where Remus's or Pettigrew's are."
"No," said Sirius, remembering. "Mine's at Grimmauld Place in my room.
Well, my old room."
"It's mine the twins must have," said Remus. "I left mine in one of the
tunnels, one day, and I don't remember dropping it. I know it was in my
pocket when I passed through from the school to Hogsmeade, but it
wasn't there when I returned."
"Well, hopefully, the goblins will be able to recover my Dad's, if
Dumbledore has it," said Harry.
# # #
The discussion and long needed catch up between Harry, Sirius and
Remus went into the night. They skipped a proper dinner and just ate
sandwiches as they talked. Remus described some of the jobs he had
taken up in order to raise funds. He'd helped lay mundane roads, dug
ditches, learned how to plaster a wall. He'd washed cars in France, car
windscreens in Germany, and worked for a commercial herbologist in
Spain. Whatever he could find to do, he did.
So long as it helped him raise money.
"And you've been doing this for ten years?" asked Harry. "You've spent
the whole time just raising money so you could continue the hunt for
me?"
"Yep," said Remus.
"Well, you found me," he said. "Bored yet? I mean, what do you want to
do now?"
Very seriously the older man said, "Anything I can to help you, Harry. I
owe it to your mother and father."
"Remus," sighed Harry. "You've been running around for ten years
dedicating your whole life to finding me and helping me. I consider your
debt, if there ever was one, paid in full.
"My parents thought you were the likely spy within the Order.
Dumbledore knew better," Harry continued. "Hell, I think he probably
even made the initial suggestions to Sirius to switch to Pettigrew as the
Secret Keeper. And probably made the initial suggestions to everyone else
you were the spy. He's been playing everyone for a very long time.
Longer than you can imagine."
Both men frowned. "What do you mean?" asked Sirius.
Harry sat back and said very firmly, "What I'm about to discuss with you
gentlemen is not to leave this room tonight. It is not to be discussed with
the others unless I am dead. Do I make myself clear?"
"Merlin! Harry," said Sirius, trying to make light of it. "A bit
melodramatic, aren't you?"
"No!" he snapped. "I must have your words on this!"
"Okay, Pup," said Sirius. "You have my word."
"Mine too, Cub", said Remus. "No matter what it is."
Nodding, Harry said "Thank you." Then asked, "What do you know of
Gellert Grindelwald?"
"A dark wizard back in the 1930s and 40s," said Remus. "What of him?"
"Where is he?" asked Harry. "What happened to him?"
"Dumbledore killed him," said Remus. "Everyone knows that."
"There's that 'everyone knows' crap again," muttered Harry. "Really?" he
asked, before leaning forward again. "Who told you Dumbledore killed
Grindelwald?"
"Merlin, Harry," replied Remus. "We know because Dumbledore claimed
to have killed him and he's never been seen since."
"Dumbledore has never claimed to have killed Grindelwald," said Harry
firmly.
Sirius said with a frown of his own, "Harry, Dumbledore says it all the
time big-naming himself. 'I am Albus Dumbledore, Chief Warlock of the
Wizengamot, Supreme Mugwump of the ICW, Leader of the Light,
Defeater of Grindelwald'..."
"Stop!" ordered Harry suddenly. "The what of Grindelwald?"
"Defeater," said Sirius.
"Exactly," said Harry. "Not 'killer', not 'slayer', not 'murderer', not
'assassin', not anything else but 'defeater'. He never uses any other term
but that."
"It's the same thing, isn't it?" asked Remus.
"No, it's not," replied Harry. "Let's say you and I engage in a game of
Wizarding Chess. It's a close game but I lose. You, therefore, defeated me,
correct?"
"Of course," replied Remus.
"Then I would be dead, right?"
"No," replied Remus. "Of course not."
Harry said, "Well, if defeated means the same thing as killed, why
wouldn't I be dead?"
"Oh, sweet Merlin!" said Sirius. "Because defeated doesn't mean killed. It
just means beat!"
"Precisely!" said Harry. "Dumbledore defeated Grindelwald, but he did not
kill him!"
"Then," said Remus, "if he didn't kill him, who did?"
"Now you're assuming someone killed him," replied Harry. "I never said
he was dead."
"He must be!" said Sirius. "Otherwise he'd still be running around creating
havoc!"
"Before I get into what happened to him," said Harry, sitting back. "I must
first tell you about the man, and his relationship with Dumbledore."
"Dumbledore attended Hogwarts and graduated at seventeen. Just after
he graduated his mother passed away, leaving him and his brother to
care for their mentally incapacitated middle sibling, Ariana.
"Gellert Grindelwald attended Durmstrang but was expelled when he was
sixteen. At this time Dumbledore was just turning eighteen. Grindelwald
had decided to go abroad to get away from his troubles in Europe, and
came to England to live with his great-aunt Bathilda Bagshot. He was
fascinated by the story of the Deathly Hallows and wanted to visit the
place where Ignotus Peverell had died and was buried.
"He met Dumbledore when Dumbles, his brother Aberforth and sister
Ariana all lived at Godric's Hollow. And it wasn't too long before
Dumbledore fell in love with young Gellert... you didn't know Dumbles
was gay, did you?... and the two became almost inseparable. Grindelwald
started to bring the young Dumbledore into his schemes for world
domination and Wizard Supremacy. He said it was 'For the Greater Good'.
Dumbles already believed in keeping the wizarding world a pureblood
society.
"Before long, young Aberforth had heard enough. He tried to drive
Grindelwald out of their home and out of Albus's life. He could see his
older brother was starting to succumb to power that is the dark side. The
three of them ended up in a three-way duel and, during the melee, poor
Ariana was killed. Grindelwald knew he killed her, Dumbles thought he'd
killed her, and Aberforth blamed his brother, if not for the fatal shot, for
the shot being fired in the first place.
"Since that time, Dumbledore has never been able to fire off any sort of
hex or curse that could lead to somebody's death. And he can't allow
anyone who he sees working under his authority to do so, either. That
includes members of his so-called Order of the Phoenix.
"However, he has no such compunction when it comes to others he sees
as working outside his direct control. No matter how much he
manipulates things. And he has no compunctionto stop others from being
killed by a third party, if it suits his 'For the Greater Good' philosophy.
The philosophy he learned from Grindelwald.
"Grindelwald fled Godric's Hollow back to Europe.
"During his subsequent rise to power, Grindelwald built a prison similar,
but far sturdier, than Azkaban. He called it Nurmengard. He built it to
hold his opponents who were too powerful or useful to kill, but too much
of a threat to leave free. Over the door of the prison he carved the slogan
'For the Greater Good'.
"Dumbledore, of course, was well aware of Grindelwald's abuses of power
and evil, but would not go near the man to try and stop him during the
early days. He avoided having to confront his former friend and lover,
because he was afraid Grindelwald would tell him who it was that had
cast the spell that killed Ariana. Dumbledore was terrified it might have
been him.
"However, Dumbledore eventually had to try to stop Grindelwald, no
matter the cost. The final battle between Dumbledore and Grindelwald
took place in 1945, the final year of what non-magical society refer to as
'World War Two'.
"Dumbledore won the duel, but he didn't kill him. Grindelwald was sent
to and imprisoned in his own prison, Nurmengard. He remains there
today - the only prisoner now incarcerated there - and Dumbledore visits
him every summer, still trying to redeem the man."
During his whole discourse, both Remus and Sirius barely moved. That
just stared at Harry with looks of horror.
"Well, gentlemen?" he asked. "Do you feel better for knowing?"
"Oh, dear God!" said Remus, the first to come back to his senses.
Sirius just sat there, stunned.
"Pixie!" called Harry.
*Pop* "Yes, Master Harry, Sir?" she asked.
"Could we have three fresh cups of tea, please? Oh, and something a little
stronger for these two," asked Harry.
Harry rose and went for a walk outside around the Manor, before
returning to the kitchen.
Sirius and Remus were just talking quietly between themselves until
Harry sat back down.
"Are you guys okay?" he asked.
"Yeah, Pup," replied Sirius. "That information just answers so many
questions I've always had."
"Yeah, me too," said Remus. "And the same questions."
"Well, it's now getting quite late. I'm heading for bed as I have training
with Major Granger in the morning, and the heirs are coming over for
more animagus training," said Harry, standing back up. "Good night."
Turning back, he said, "Oh, and... Pixie!"
*Pop* "Yes, Master Harry, Sir?" she asked.
"Could you or Dobby make up another of the spare rooms for Remus?
And make sure he has access to my father's clothes, so he can have
something better to wear, okay?"
"O-Kay, Master Harry, Sir?" she said before popping away again.
"Good night!" he said again.
"Good night, Pup!"
"Good night, Cub! And, thank you."
He left the two older wizards, and long time friends, to enjoy each other's
company. He headed off to bed.
# # #
After his training session with the Major the next morning Harry brought
Hermione back to the Pottery while Sirius apparated across and brought
Dan. The other two heirs arrived shortly afterwards via floo.
Sirius introduced them to Remus, and Remus gave them a rundown on
who he was, and how he came to be in the company of Sirius and Harry's
parents. He didn't mention his werewolf status and neither Sirius nor
Harry raised it. Harry didn't because he felt it was irrelevant, and he was
soon going to cure the man, anyway.
Remus couldn't help with the animagus form training, but Harry wanted
the man to rest. However, Remus would hear none of that, what he
called, nonsense.
While Sirius took the other two for a run and a play in the woods, Harry
took Hermione up into the sky. She was now getting used to reasonably
high flights, though not more than a few hundred feet up. He had a
feeling there was more to Hermione's form than just an oddly coloured
crow. Hermione just liked the freedom flight afforded her. And she was
slowly getting over her acrophobia.
After about half an hour of flying, Harry suggested to the girl a game of
'chasey' as a way of increasing Hermione's skills of manoeuvring in the
air. He took the lead and, to make it interesting, immediately flipped
over and dived for the ground in a reverse Immelmann. Hermione gave
chase. He'd promised not to 'cheat' by using his phoenix powers, so his
only advantage was his tight and twisting turns. If he stayed flying
relatively straight, he knew she'd be on him in a flash.
Coming out of his descent, Harry dived for the trees of the Great Wood.
He was going to try and lose her in amongst the trees. He knew the trees
would slow her down.
He weaved through the trees heading south. But it took him what felt
only moments to emerge out the southern edge of the Wood and between
houses. Hermione had been smart and flew over the tops of the last trees.
She then used her greater height to power down on Harry from behind.
Harry flew down the length of a driveway towards the road. He was
going to use the high hedge across the front of the property to block
Hermione by performing a sharp bank to the right around it. Hermione,
with her greater speed, and the advantage of acceleration from diving,
was only a dozen feet behind.
Harry ripped a tight turn around the hedge and was shocked to find a
lorry barrelling down on him travelling south on Hastings Road. He
couldn't avoid it and did the only thing he could do. He phoenix flashed,
sending himself straight up about two hundred feet. He hoped Hermione
couldn't take the turn and overshot the corner, thereby missing it.
Hermione, however, knew what Harry had planned to do so was
swinging wide to take the turn herself. As she came around she saw the
truck in front of her and strived to gain height. She pushed... hard.
Harry saw Hermione about to hit the truck, and try to avoid it. He was
already diving back for the deck in a panic. His eyes were fixed on her
form.
With a sudden flash of what looked like lightning, Hermione was
suddenly gone. Where she was a moment ago was now only a truck still
honking and with its brakes locked in a skid. And, up behind him, Harry
heard a crow's sharp cry as the sound of thunder echoed across the sky.
He spun in the air and could see Hermione hundreds of feet above him.
Shocked, he phoenix flashed up beside her.
After getting her attention he signalled they should land. He flew directly
back to the Pottery. Hermione just rocketed past him for the rear yard.
He was still a couple hundred feet out when he saw her flare out for a
near-perfect landing near the back door of the manor and release her
form just before her feet touched the ground. He flared out where he was
and flashed to her side.
Hermione was on him in an instant. She tried to scream at him, hug him
and hit him with her fists at the same time. After a few moments she just
hugged him, crying. Harry just hugged her tight. It had scared him, too.
Dan was out of his chair as soon as they landed and had approached. He
didn't know what had happened, as he wasn't in a position to see it, but
he knew something had frightened his little girl.
"Pumpkin?" asked Dan, moving to hug his little girl while she hugged
Harry. "What happened?"
"It was a big lorry, Daddy!" she cried. "I came around a hedge chasing
Harry and there was a big lorry right there!"
"We were out over the homes bordering Hastings Road on the southern
border of the woods, Sir," said Harry. "I knew we were high enough to
avoid any cars that might have been there, but I didn't even think about
how high-roofed lorries use the road occasionally. Hermione nearly flew
right into one."
"I don't know how I missed it, Daddy," she continued to cry. "One second
I was sure it was going to hit me, the next I was hundreds of feet up in
the air!"
"One thing I do know," said Harry. "You're most definitely not a normal
crow."
Calming down a little, Hermione asked, "What happened, Harry? What
was that? I 'pushed', wanting to be up high and away from the lorry, and
I was suddenly so high up and I don't know how I got there."
"You... pushed?" asked Harry.
"Yeah," replied the girl. "I think I suddenly gathered my magic... it felt
like electricity running through my veins... and used it to... apparate?...
straight up. It just happened so fast!"
"That's not how apparation works," said Harry. "But, electricity, you say?"
She nodded.
"This bears investigating, and we need to do it now," said Harry.
"Hermione, can we go back up? But this time we're going to stay up."
She nodded again.
Nodding, Harry said, "Good. But this time, high up, I want you to see if
you can gather that electricity again. And I want you to then picture
yourself being, say, a thousand feet ahead of yourself, and release it. Do
you think you can do that?"
Hermione nodded once more and said, "As long as we're not near lorries,
this time."
"Not a couple of hundred feet up, we won't be," he said with a bit of a
relieved grin. "When you're ready. There's no rush."
"No, let's do it now," she said firmly much more calmly. "I want to know
what happened."
"Okay," replied Harry. "When you're ready."
Hermione turned away, took a couple of quick steps and changed into
her crow form already in flight. She quickly gained altitude with a firm
purpose.
Harry quickly followed her up.
Once they were both a couple hundred feet in the air flying parallel,
Harry turned to look at her. When she looked back, he nodded.
He then felt her gather power. It was so strong he had to angle away
from her. Suddenly there was a loud crack and flash of actinic light and
Hermione was suddenly about a mile away ahead of him. It even looked
like a small bolt of lightning led her away. The power of it knocked
Harry across the sky as he heard a loud rumble of thunder. He could
smell the distinct odour of ozone in the air.
Righting himself in flight, with the flash of light still echoing in his eyes
and the thunder still in his ears, Harry flashed to be near Hermione, who
had already wheeled about.
He indicated with his head to land and flashed to the ground where'd
they'd just so recently left. Hermione regathered her... power... and
flashed to be about thirty feet away in the air. Again, there was another
huge crack and flash of lightning, followed by a peel of thunder from
where she'd originated. She flared out and reverted to her normal form to
land on her feet next to Harry and her father.
Remus had already come outside and was standing next to Dan when
they arrived.
"My God!" exclaimed Dan. "What the hell was that?"
Before Harry could voice his thoughts, they were joined by Neville, Susan
and Sirius from around the corner of the manor. All three were in their
animagus forms, and all three reverted as they approached the group.
"Is there a storm approaching?" asked Neville. "I can't see any storm
clouds in the sky."
"Pup?" asked Sirius. "Was that you?"
"No," he replied. "It was Hermione. And I was right about her not being a
normal crow. Now, give me a second, I need to go and check on
something."
He apparated to just inside the line of hedges where Hermione first used
her power. Sure enough the lorry was on the side of the road. Plus, about
four cars. All appeared to be dead with one driver already receiving
assistance from another vehicle with jumper leads.
Apparating back to where he was, he said, "Yeah, just as I thought. There
are vehicles on the side of the road, out there, where Hermione first used
her power. All appear to have flat batteries."
"I killed their batteries?" asked Hermione, a little shocked.
Nodding, Harry said, "Yep. Come inside and I'll explain what I think
happened."
Once inside in the parlour Harry said to Hermione, "What I think is
happening, 'Mione, is you're collecting all the... electrical ambient
energy... from around you, and using it. I think you're collecting all the
free electrons... that's the power you're thinking you're collecting... then
you're using it to... propel... yourself in the direction you want to go.
"What you're doing is creating a lightning bolt, and then... riding... that
lightning bolt. But you're also directing it where to go. And I think you're
doing it while you're in... as near as I can tell... a pure energy form. Think
about how electricity works. Electrons travelling from one place to
another. You're gathering an abundance of electrons to yourself and then
releasing them in a set direction. You're then, for want of a better term,
riding them."
"I've never heard of an animal able to do that, non-magical or magical,"
said Remus.
"I have," said Harry. "It wasn't on the cubes, or is even in the books we
have on magical and non-magical biology. It's something Myrrdin
mentioned once in passing. A magical bird thought mythical and found in
the Americas, North and South. It's a bird spoken of in American Indian,
Mayan and Incan ancient culture... which is why it was brought up in
discussion. It's a storm crow."
"A storm crow?" asked Remus. "I've never heard of such a thing, and I
consider myself pretty widely travelled."
"It's ancient culture, Moony," explained Harry. "From many hundreds, if
not thousands, of years ago. Myrrdin once went searching for signs of one.
The ancients of the Americas believed... believe... that thunderstorms are
a result of storm crows gathering and circling in the sky. They caused the
lightning, and the resultant thunder, with their play."
"Wicked!" exclaimed Hermione. "I can ride lightning!"
"Yeah, but we're going to have to be very careful about how you develop
that talent," said Harry. "You don't realise this, but you nearly killed me
up there. When you drew in the electrical energy, you were also drawing
it from me. That's why I suddenly wheeled away from you. But, even
then, you still nearly knocked me unconscious."
"Oh, Harry!" she exclaimed coming to sit on his lap. "I didn't know!"
"I know you didn't," he replied. "That's why I'm not upset with you. And
that's why we'll need to find a way to train you in how to use it without
harming anyone, or anything, around you. I shudder to think what would
have happened if I told you to try for a point over London, or
somewhere."
"I've always loved electricity," she said. "I've always loved how it can be
harnessed and shaped to do our bidding. How it can be made from hydro,
wind and solar conversion technologies. How it has made our lives so
much better over the past century and a half."
Sirius said, "Then it's no surprise your animagus form has something to
do with lightning. As I've mentioned before, your animagus will be of a
form that most matches your personality or traits."
"What about mine?" piped up Susan. "Mine's a big wolf. And... and I think
I have a power, too."
"Oh?" said Harry, suddenly quiet interested, as was everyone else.
A bit shyly, Susan explained, "I've shifted to my animagus form at night
while Aunt 'Melia is at work. I've gone for runs in it. I can see really
clearly at night. To make sure none of the non-magicals see me, I make
sure to stay in the shadows as much as I can.
"One time, I thought some non-magicals saw me, so I ran. And I found
that, while I was in shadow I could... shoot... blur... whatever, forward. It
was like I was apparating from one shadow to the next."
"Shadow wolf," said Harry. "That explains it."
"A what wolf?" asked Sirius.
"A shadow wolf," repeated Harry. "In her animagus form, Susan has the
ability to jump from one shadow to another. In that manner she can
travel long distances in a very short time. We thought she was a wolf
because she has a very strong sense of the law and loyalty to family. A
definite wolf trait."
Turning to look more fully upon the girl, he said, "However... Susan...
you also have the trait of preferring to... be in the background... of what's
going on unless you're directly challenged to take a more active role. In
other words, your main trait is stealth backed up by loyalty to pack. A
perfect personality for a shadow wolf."
Harry rose and went into his library. He returned with a large tome of
magical creatures thought long dead or very rare. He flipped it open to
the right page and handed it to Susan.
Susan quickly read through it before handing it off to Neville, on her left.
He scanned it with his eyes it and passed it on to Sirius.
"So, that's three of us with an animagus form that would be considered
highly unusual if just one of us had such a form. Three out of four is
phenomenal. It is so phenomenal I wouldn't be surprised if Neville has
one, too. It would then make sense."
"Make sense?" asked Remus.
"The four heirs of the founders; each having certain powers in their
animagus forms," replied Harry. "There's me. Myrrdin informed me my
personality was as a bit of what mundane folk call 'a white knight'. I'll
rush to the defence of a damsel in distress without any consideration of
my own safety. That's the sort of thing you'd expect of a Gryffindor.
However, I'm also a very methodical planner and strategist, think long
term, and am firmly anchored in reality. That's definitely Slytherin. I'm a
phoenix because I'm a white knight; I'm an earth phoenix because I'm
'grounded'.
"Hermione is a storm crow. She's highly intelligent and inquisitive, has a
sharp wit and can be playfully happy. That's the crow and Ravenclaw.
She also believes in structure and constraints of law and authority,
Hufflepuff, and is very fond of electricity and technological advances.
That's the storm. Actually, she's very fond of any advances. Again,
Ravenclaw.
"Susan is a shadow wolf. She is foremost loyal to friends and family, and
cannot see a time when she'd ever doubt she couldn't rely on them
through thick and thin. That's Hufflepuff and the wolf. She prefers to stay
in the background and let others take the lead. A non-alpha wolf. But,
rile her, and she'll go after you leather and tongs... as Sirius has already
discovered," he said, looking at Sirius and grinning. The old dog just
grinned back.
"As she's not an alpha that means she's a beta wolf. And she much prefers
to stay in the shadows and watch what's going on around her before she
reacts. That's the shadow part. That also makes her, by far, the most
deadliest of the four of us at night. An enemy will not see her, hear her or
even smell her if the wind is right. She can strike out of the darkness and
be gone so fast that she can drop one member in a group and the others
would not even know one of their own was already dead.
"Then there's Neville; a wolverine. He likes being around others but he's
more of an... outrider. In a pack, he'd be one of the wolves ranging out
wide. He is, sorry Nev, just as comfortable, maybe more so, being alone
as he is with others near him. He'll only fight if he's pushed into it, much
preferring to avoid the fight in the first place. That's the wolverine. But, if
he has to fight, he won't hold back one iota. He'll go at it tooth and claw.
That's the wolverine and Gryffindor combined. In a family setting, he'll
fight for his family the same way, offering no quarter. That's Gryffindor,
through and through.
"As for what his power is likely to be. That's yet to be seen. But I've no
doubt he has one, and that it'll match either or both of his wolverine and
Gryffindor traits. He'll also be the deadliest during the day, at least until
we discover his own personal power. He's fast over the ground over short
distances and has the ability to use his teeth plus all four sets of claws.
Then, couple that with how he'll be able to summon the sword of
Gryffindor once we take our positions as Heads of Houses, he'll be as
close to an unstoppable machine of battle as one person can be."
"As for fighting prowess for Hermione, once trained, I suspect she'll be
able to use her lightning to attack targets, any target. Mine is the ability
to be able to lift objects... people, animals or anything else... a great deal
beyond my own body weight. I can get things into an area, otherwise
inaccessible."
Dan, who'd clearly been thinking furiously, said, "So, you could carry
Susan or Neville rapidly into a combat zone, drop them, and let them
deal with enemies, then collect them later?"
"Yep," replied Harry. "Though I could carry Susan and Neville at the same
time if we could figure out a way to make that happen. Think about what
that sort of operative could do in the... fighting unit... of which you're a
part, Sir."
"Good, God!" said the Major.
"Sirius, Remus?" he said, turning to the two old members of the original
Order of the Phoenix. "What do you think that would do to a team of
Death Eaters."
"They wouldn't stand a chance!" exclaimed Sirius.
"And they wouldn't be given one," said Harry firmly.
After allowing the others to talk through what he'd just made clear to
them, for a while, Harry then said, "Okay, so Neville's power has not yet
been discovered and there's probably no way to learn what it is just yet.
However, he should probably look at practicing hitting someone hard
while in his animagus form to knock them down, and then quickly
reverting to his human form ready to call the sword."
"Susan is going to need help practicing stealth," said Harry, then looking
at Dan, "Though you're not a magical, Major, I think you can provide a
lot of assistance and advice in that. Sirius and Remus can provide you
with knowledge of the combat techniques of witches and wizards."
Indicating himself and Hermione, he went on to say, "I need to take
'Mione well away from civilisation to gain practice in her newfound
power. We don't want the United Kingdom's National Weather Service
getting calls from the populace asking why they keep seeing lightning
and hearing thunder on relatively cloudless days. However, next storm
that comes along, we can let rip."
"So," said Harry clapping his hands together. "Shall we try that for an
hour, then have lunch and call it a day?"
Nods all round and people rose to their feet. Harry then found the next
hour to be quite exciting, avoiding being barbequed by lightning, or
having all the electrical energy in his body drained from him. Both he
considered to be horrible ways to die.
# # #
After their guests had left for the day, Harry quickly wrote down his
shopping list for what he wanted from the apothecary and cauldron shop
in the Alley. He donned his old glamour and floo'ed directly there.
First, he paid a trip to Gringotts. There, he removed a few thousand in
Galleons. And he transferred another one hundred thousand into Remus's
account, on top of the money he received from his parents upon the
reading of the Will.
He wanted to purchase two extra cauldrons; one main one for the potions
lab in the basement of the manor, and one for his potions lab in his
trunk. Then he had a ball spending lots of galleons buying all sorts of
ingredients from the apothecary. He had already collected his list of the
things he wanted to specifically purchase, now he was going through
ingredients in the shop to both memorise what they stocked, and to build
up a collection for both the manor and his 'trunk' labs.
He also purchased the specialised containers needed to store some of the
ingredients, and a whole set of vials, bottles, jars, boxes, and other
containers he'd need.
He had purchased so much he had to call Dobby to come and collect
them and take them back to the manor. There were some items and
ingredients the apothecary didn't stock in the shop, but she promised she
would have them available within the next few days. She asked for, and
received, a sizeable down payment on those.
When he left he thought the apothecarywas going to wrap him in her
arms and cry on his shoulder. He was pretty sure he'd made the largest
purchase of ingredients the old woman had ever rung up on her little
register in her life. And that included the ones she even sold to the few
commercial potioneers in wizarding Britain and Hogwarts combined.
'Oh, well,' he thought. 'At least I made someone's day a little brighter.'
After his purchases there, he headed out into mundane Britain. He was
heading for the retail arm of a company in London called SciChem, as
they were a huge distributor of the sort of laboratory equipment he
needed. Though Potions Masters didn't use them, because they were
never taught how to, Harry knew there were many potions that could be
brewed in a laboratory using specialist scientific chemistry laboratory
equipment. Even potions that could be brewed without the equipment
came out far improved if the right equipment was employed in the
brewing process.
Everything he needed, except a large bottle of gas, he could purchase out
of their shop front off the shelves. By the time he was finished making his
selections he had two large crates loaded with his well-packed purchases.
After paying for it all up front with his nice shiny credit card, he had
them run the crates around to their loading dock. They wheeled it out
onto the back deck for him.
When he was asked where his truck was, he said it was currently driving
around so it wasn't parked anywhere. And that he'd called the driver on
his 'car phone' to come in and collect him and his crates. As soon as the
handlers went inside he called Dobby and had the elf take both back to
the manor. Then he apparated the hell out of there.
His last stop was at a store in Birmingham that sold up to the large
bottles of liquid petroleum gas. He bought one of the smaller bottles, pre-
filled. And apparated with it directly to the Pottery. That would give him
his clean heat source for his cauldron and beakers.
He then spent the rest of the afternoon setting everything up in the
basement. The supplies for his trunk he set to one side.
He already knew one of the first potions he would be creating, the
Damocles Wolfsbane Potion. He was also going to need, at some stage, an
inert solution containing the virus Canine Hepatitis. But he'd need to
ensure Remus was in a suitable hospital bed under twenty-four hour
monitoring before he'd take that extra step of actually curing his new
friend.
In the meantime was just the Wolfsbane Potion, plus a whole heap of
others that he'd developed under the tutelage of Myrrdin. 'Let the
pranking potion preparation begin!' he thought with glee. He had just
over a month to get everything ready.
# # #
Sirius came looking for him a couple hours later.
"Damn, Pup!" he exclaimed. "What on Merlin's frizzy beard are you
cooking?"
Harry glanced up at his godfather. He pointed to each of the batches,
said, "That's Wolfsbane Potion for Remus. That, that, and that," pointing
to each in turn, "are mild sleeping draughts, a general poison antidote
and a magical core rejuvenator. And Myrrdin's beard wasn't 'frizzy'."
"You're working on four potions at once?" asked Sirius. "How on earth can
you keep track of what you're doing?"
"One of the advantages of having an eidetic memory," replied Harry. "You
don't forget what you're doing, or what you were up to at any given
time."
Sirius shook his head, sighed, and left the basement again. A few minutes
later Remus came down.
"Padfoot tells me you're making Wolfsbane Potion," he said.
"Yup," said Harry. "The full moon is in a few days. Do you also want me
to rig up a cage down here, or would you prefer something in your
bedroom?"
"Errr... you.. you know?" asked Remus.
"Of course, I do," replied Harry. "Why would you think I wouldn't?"
Remus sighed and said, "Cub. Most people won't have anything to do
with me when they find out. They think I'm going to automatically infect
them, or something."
"Then, they're idiots," said Harry firmly. "Lycanthropy is an illness;
nothing more, nothing less. It can be treated. It's only contagious under
very specific, and known, conditions."
"I... thought you might want to turn me out, if you found out," said
Moony with a sad sigh.
"Besides the fact you've just spent ten flippin' years searching for me,"
replied Harry with a firm voice looking at his honorary uncle. "You're
family. Real family don't do that."
"Thank you, Cub," he quietly said.
"Nothing to thank me for," replied Harry, returning to his work. "It's no
bother to me. But I have a lot to thank you for."
"Thank me?" asked Remus.
"For never giving up. For never giving up when everyone else except
Sirius, because he was in prison, did. The rest of the wizarding world did
nothing about trying to find out what happened to me. They all just
assumed 'someone else took care of it'. Even when they sent me gifts,
cards and letters, they never bothered to find out why I never responded
to any of them. Again, they just assumed. You never accepted 'No' for an
answer."
"I'm... you're welcome."
Harry nodded and said, "Now, get out of here and let me work. You'd
best tell Sirius where you want your cage, if you feel you need one."
Remus nodded and started to leave, obviously quite moved.
"Oh," said Harry as an afterthought. "You cannot give it back, either. If
you try to, I'll be deeply offended and throw you out of my life."
"Give... what back?"
"My parents left you a little something in your bank account from the
Will. I've added a little something to it. You've more than earned it," said
Harry focussing on what he was doing on his mother's large potions
workbench.
"Cub... Harry... what have you done?" asked Remus looking not very
happy.
"Only what should have been done ten years ago if not for Dumblebutt's
meddling," replied Harry working on measuring some dried dragon's
blood. "Now, get back upstairs. I'm busy and you're distracting me."
"Yethhh, Matthhhhter!" the old wolf intoned, hunched over with one
shoulder hunched up. Then he lurched back at the stairs.
"Uppity wolf!" muttered Harry.
Harry couldn't be bothered finding out what the time was when he
eventually went to bed. It was just 'late'.
# # #
Dumbledore was furious! He'd tried to collect some more galleons from
the Potter boy's vault but his key was seized almost immediately. As the
boy's magical guardian he demanded to see the Potter Account Keeper.
The goblin escorted him to an audience room. Instead of sitting,
Dumbledore paced while he waited. He even found a bare few seconds
delay as intolerable.
When Blockrig entered he was escorted with two of the goblin guard.
They took posts either side of the door while Blockrig took a seat on the
opposite side of the table from Dumbledore. He was not carrying the
Potter account ledgers when he walked in. He was only carrying a large
file, which he placed before himself when he sat. Dumbledore didn't
notice.
Without even sitting first, Dumbledore demanded, "What is the meaning
of this?"
"The meaning of what, Mister Dumbledore?" asked Blockrig, politely.
Dumbledore replied, "The meaning of why I've had my key seized. I need
access to my magical ward's vault right now. There are things I need to
purchase for him of an immediate nature!"
Blockrig listened to the man rant at him, and just sat there quietly. "And
who would your magical ward be, whose vault to which you need this
access?"
"Don't play games with me!" snarled Dumbledore. "It's the Potter Boy, of
course! Harry James Potter!"
Blockrig frowned at Dumbledore and firmly said, "Lord Potter is not your
ward. And, even if he wasn't Lord Potter, his magical guardian is Lord
Sirius Black."
Dumbledore spluttered, "What? Of course I'm his guardian! I've been his
guardian for almost ten years!"
"No, Mister Dumbledore, you have not." Blockrig then opened his file and
drew out a couple of sheets of parchment.
Dumbledore half-snarled, "I am the boy's magical guardian. And you will
give me access to his vault immediately!"
Blockrig ignored Dumbledore's last comment and checked over the
parchments. Then he spun them about and slid them over towards
Dumbledore's side of the desk.
He said, "This is an account of the amount of gold and other heirlooms
you have unlawfully removed from Lord Potter's trust vault. You have
forty-eight hours to see it returned, here, to Gringotts Bank. If you do not
do so, then we will simply take it back."
"What?!" snarled Dumbledore loudly. "I will do no such thing! I will speak
with your supervisor immediately. Do you understand?"
Blockrig stared back impassively. He turned to the guards and said,
"Guards. You are to escort Mister Dumbledore, with his Parchment
ordering recovery, out the front door of the bank. If he tries to resist, use
force."
Waiting a moment he said, "Good day, Mister Dumbledore."
Dumbledore spluttered, "I'm not going anywhere! I demand to speak with
your supervisor!"
The two guards then walked around Dumbledore and held him at sword
point, pushing him with them as they marched him out. One of the
guards picked up the parchment as they left.
"You can't do this!" spluttered Dumbledore. He winced in pain each time
he was prodded with a sword. "I'm Albus Dumbledore; Chief Warlock of
the Wizengamot; Supreme Mugwump of the ICW. I demand you cease this
at once!"
Less than one minute later, Dumbledore was forced off the outside steps
of the front door of the bank. The parchment ordering recovery was
tossed after him.
# # #
Two days later, to the minute, what little Dumbledore had of gold in his
vaults disappeared. The little remaining funds he had in his secret stash
was already gone. And a lot of his personal effects of any value
disappeared.
His property in Godric's Hollow, where he grew to be a man in his last
years as a child, was seized. As were any other holdings in his name.
Dumbledore did not know it at that time, but he was effectively destitute.
The only financial income he was receiving was his income as the
Headmaster of Hogwarts and his stipends as Chief Warlock and Supreme
Mugwump. His only home was his Headmaster's apartment at Hogwarts.
Dumbledore was, again, at the Ministry attending business when the
goblins' parchment of recovery went into force. He was organising the
calling of an emergency session of the Wizengamot to have the Potter
boy's emancipation overturned - thereby removing his Lordship from him
- and having his magical guardianship returned to one Albus
Dumbledore; for the boy's protection, of course.
It wasn't until he reached into his pocket to draw out his pocket watch,
and wasn't able to find it, that he became quite concerned.
He hurried back to his office at Hogwarts. Once there, he found little but
his own clothes. The shelves, cupboards, everything, was pretty much
stripped bare. Fawkes's golden perch had been removed and replaced
with a very simple wooden one. Even many of his favourite knickknacks;
including his crystal bowl holding his favourite sweets, Lemon Drops,
were gone. The ones of any value, at least.
Dumbledore roared out his rage.
He decided he'd go home and collect things from his home there. It was
under a Fidelius Charm, so it should be safe. He floo'ed out to the public
floo in 'The Founder's Home' pub in Godric's Hollow.
He apparated the short distance to his home and activated the ward
allowing him entry. As soon as he did, the entire Fidelius Charm, plus the
wards, collapsed. And he was thrown backwards into the street. As he
regained his footing he could see a parchment then appear tacked to the
door of the property, 'Eviction Notice', followed by some of his personal
effects appearing on the ground at his feet. A lot of it was family
paintings without their frames.
Dumbledore, again, roared out his rage.
He called one of the house elves from the castle to come and take his few
remaining possessions back there, while he went looking for what of his
well-hidden property remained. There was very little.
# # #
Finally, it was his birthday. The week after he first made an appearance
in the Alley. It was time to collect the rest of his things. And he had to go
as Harry Potter. However, he did wear a baseball cap he bought out in
mundane London just to shield his forehead and allow him to remain at
least a little incognito.
He called in at Madam Malkin's and thanked the dear old witch for
holding on to his uniform for him. He also saw she had faithfully added
his family crest. She explained how he would need to move it to his new
House robes once he was sorted into a House at Hogwarts. And she
taught him the minor spell to do it.
Next, he headed down to the furniture shop where his trunk would be.
He walked in and the old shopkeeper hurried right over, just finishing up
with another customer, who appeared to be a student buying their first
trunk.
"Lord Potter," he said. "It's good to see you again."
"Hello, Sir," replied Harry. "I trust the four trunks are ready?"
"Indeed, My Lord," he said. "They've actually been ready for a couple of
days. But the extra days gave me the opportunity to test them and ensure
they were to your specifications and my standards."
"Excellent," replied Harry.
"This way, My Lord," I have them in the back to ensure no one else can
touch them."
Harry followed the man to the rear of the shop, through to the restricted
section. And there, before him, were four identical trunks set on
individual stands at about hip height. Each were topped, just in from the
front edge, by the family crests of each of the four heirs. Potter,
Longbottom, Bones and Granger. Each crest was surmounted by a full
faced steel helmet. And each was surrounded by an ostrich tail feather
design with colours matching the main colours of the crests.
Harry actually thought the crest of Granger was quite the prettiest of the
three. A field of blue with a wide gold bar horizontal across the middle.
There was a golden unfurled short-stemmed thistle centred in the two
remaining blue areas, and two red portcullis side by side in the gold
band.
His own family crest was only black and white; same as with the Black
family crest he was also now entitled to use. It had a horizontal ermine
bar decorated with a pattern of black ermine spot tails drawn upright.
The top black field had two large white cinquefoils, and one was centred
in the bottom black field.
The Bones family crest was a white field with a wide blue bar diagonal.
On the blue bar were three gold fleur-de-lys tilted to the angle of the bar
and spaced equidistant.
The Longbottom family crest was probably the most colourful, even a bit
gaudy. It was a field split vertical with a field of red on the left and blue
on the right. over it was a stylised inverted chevron of gold. There were
three gold horns, one each in the top left, top right, and centre bottom.
"They're each ready to be set for the individual, My Lord," said the shop
keeper.
"Okay, let's do mine," said Harry. "And, if it's easy enough to do, I can
show the others. Otherwise, they'll each have to come in to do theirs."
"It's pretty simple, My Lord," said the shopkeeper stepping forward. "You
need to place your thumb on the lock and push with your magic. Once
you hear a click, it's done. It'll also, right then, accept access from any
house elf bonded to your immediate family."
"Oh," said Harry. "That sounds easy."
He put his thumb on the lock and gave a gentle push of his magic. He
heard the click almost immediately.
"It's done, My Lord," said the shopkeeper, stepping forward and trying to
open it with his own thumb and hands.
Harry then touched the lock again and he heard another click. This time
the lid was easily opened.
"And if there comes a time I want to allow others to access it?" he asked.
"You'll need to bring the trunk back here as we'll need to reset
everything."
"How impervious is it to unlocking charms?" he asked.
"There's no locking charm, of which I and my experts are familiar, that
can open it."
Harry checked the internals of the case. Everything was as he expected.
The inside was even a little larger than he anticipated. He placed his new
school uniforms on one of the shelves, and closed it again. It
automatically locked itself.
"In that case," said Harry. "I'll take all four of them with me."
Nodding, the shopkeeper said, "Very good, My Lord. Do you have a house
elf to take them?"
"Yep," said Harry. "Dobby!"
*Pop* "Yes, Master Harry, Sir?"
"These four cases need to go back to the manor," instructed Harry,
indicating the four trunks. "Do not touch the locks as they need to be first
touched by their rightful owners. And tell Remus and Sirius not to touch
them, either. Off you go!"
"Yes, Master Harry, Sir!" *Pop*
*Pop* *Pop* *Pop* *Pop*
"Thank you for your service, Sir," said Harry to the shopkeeper. "I'll be
sure to visit your shop again when I'm looking for furniture or travelling
luggage."
"Thank you, My Lord," said the shopkeeper with a slight bow.
Harry next headed for Eeylops Owl Emporium. He walked in and, yes,
saw Hedwig in her cage at the back.
"Hello, Hedwig," he said fondly to the large Snowy owl. "We meet at last."
He bought her, a larger cage for her, a free standing roost, and a large
selection of owl nuts. Plus, he also bought another, slightly smaller owl,
with the same supplies. This was the gift he meant to buy for the Granger
parents when he was in the Alley a week ago.
"Dobby!" called Harry.
*Pop* "Yes, Master Harry, Sir?"
"I need these two owls and these goods also taken back to the manor,"
instructed Harry. "Can you do that for me, please?"
"Yes, Master Harry, Sir!" *Pop*
*Pop* *Pop*
Returning home, he was greeted by his godfather offering him an official
letter from the Office of the Wizengamot, those people in the Ministry
who provide administrative support for the Wizengamot, informing Sirius
an emergency session of the Wizengamot had been called for the
following day, the 1st of August 1991 at 9.00am.
He asked his godfather, "I take it you received the only one of these?
There wasn't one for me?"
"Nope," replied Sirius. "One didn't arrive for you."
"Then Dumbledore is still redirecting all my mail," he frowned. "Damn the
man!"
Sirius said, "I've also contacted both Madam Longbottom and Madam
Bones. They confirm they've, also, received their emergency session
notices."
"You know what this is going to be, don't you?" asked Harry.
His godfather replied, "Dumbledore trying to strip you of your
emancipation and Lordship. And to try to get you back under his
unlawful guardianship."
Harry nodded. Tomorrow was going to be an interesting day.
# # #
19. The Wizengamot's Rage
alix33
Chapter Nineteen - The Wizengamot's Rage
# # #
Though the emergency session of the Wizengamot was scheduled for
9.00am, both Harry and Sirius had arrived an hour beforehand. They met
Amelia and Augusta there.
Harry trained with Dan and the few in his unit who were now somewhat
aware of a few of Harry's unique gifts, that morning. But Dan could tell
his mind wasn't on what he was doing. Taking him aside, Dan had asked
what the matter was, so Harry told him the basics of what he suspected
Dumbledore was attempting later that morning.
Dan then took him for a run to allow his mind to relax before sending
him home. He knew Harry's mind was already on the meeting and that
he needed to deal with that. But, he did ask Harry to mirror him when he
was finished. And that he'd let Hermione know Harry wouldn't be
available for her training that morning.
Dumbledore had also arrived early and was talking to everyone -
including Augusta - except Sirius, Amelia and Harry. He very studiously
avoided any contact with any of the last three. And, was also clearly
annoyed Harry was there.
At a few minutes to 9.00am the Wizengamot, except Harry and Sirius,
took their seats in the main chamber. Harry and Sirius stood on the floor
before them.
At exactly 9.00am the scribe stood and announced, "Order, the time is
now 9.00am and this emergency session of the Wizengamot has been
called to order; Chief Warlock Dumbledore presides!"
A long 'gong' sound echoed through the chamber.
Dumbledore cleared his throat and said, "This emergency session of the
Wizengamot has been called to discuss the matter of the unlawful
emancipation of..."
Augusta stood and held up her wand. She called, "Point of order, Chief
Warlock!"
Dumbledore was startled by the interruption, but clearly chose to ignore
Augusta when he continued, "... unlawful emancipation of Harry James
Potter..."
Augusta, still standing and holding up her wand, called more firmly, "I
said, point of order, Chief Warlock!"
Dumbledore stopped and gave an overly dramatic sigh. He said, "Very
well, Augusta; what is it?"
Augusta stared at Dumbledore and started rather firmly, "It's Madam
Longbottom, Chief Warlock! We are in chambers, after all."
Frowning, Dumbledore replied, "Very well, Madam Longbottom, what is
your point of order?"
Hesitating, while she glared back at Dumbledore for a few seconds, she
said, "We have two new Lords who have presented themselves in
chambers, this morning. It is customary to invite them to take their seats
before business commences."
Frowning even more fiercely, Dumbledore said, "This is only an
emergency session of the Wizengamot, Augusta, they can present
themselves at the next ordinary sitting."
Glaring right back, Augusta said, "This is still a sitting of the Wizengamot,
Chief Warlock. And they are presenting themselves now, as is their right!
And it's still... Madam Longbottom!"
Dumbledore replied with another of his 'I'm just humouring a child' sighs
and said, "Very well,... Madam Longbottom."
Finally looking down at Sirius and Harry, he said, "Sirius... Harry... you
may take your seats."
Augusta resumed her seat, but neither Sirius nor Harry moved. She then
snapped, "It's Lord Black and Lord Potter, Chief Warlock. You will address
them as such!"
With yet another of his 'I'm just humouring a child' sighs, he said, "Very
well... Lord Black. You and the boy may take your seats."
Again, neither moved. Sirius said back very firmly, "Chief Warlock, you
have been reminded three times already in less than a minute of the
proper forms of address in this chamber. I now remind you for the fourth
time. Either you are being deliberately rude, or you are becoming
mentally enfeebled. It's Lord Black and Lord Potter. We shall be addressed
as such!"
Glaring back, Dumbledore said, "While we recognise you are the rightful
Lord Black, whether or not Harry keeps his Lordship is one of the matters
before this Wizengamot this morning!"
Not to be outdone in the glaring stakes, Sirius replied, "Be that as it
may... and we suspected such... until this body rules, Harry James Potter
is Lord Potter, and will be addressed as such! And that's now five times!
Or, are you attempting to pervert proper procedure?"
There were mutters and calls of "Hear! Hear!" from other members of the
Wizengamot.
"Very well... Lord Black," grumbled Dumbledore. "You and Lord Potter
may take your seats."
Without a word, Harry followed Sirius up into their seats on the
Wizengamot.
Once they were sitting, Dumbledore resumed with a bit of a snarl, "As I
was saying, this emergency session of the Wizengamot has been called to
discuss the matter of the unlawful emancipation of Harry James Potter..."
Harry shot to his feet and said, "Point of order, Chief Warlock!"
With another of his sighs, Dumbledore asked, "What is it, Harry?"
Harry glared right at Dumbledore and said, "I now have two points of
order. The first concerns your use of the term unlawful as it applied to
my emancipation. By what right do you use the term? What law has been
already determined to have been broken?"
Murmurs passed through the gathering.
Dumbledore replied, "It is for this body to decide what is unlawful and
what is not, Harry. It is why we are here today. Now, please resume your
seat."
Still standing Harry said, "And yet this body has not yet made the decision
it was unlawful, Chief Warlock. So, again, by what right do you use the
term?"
Dumbledore replied with another of his 'I'm just humouring a child' sighs
and said, "Very well... the emancipation of Harry James Potter... Now,
please resume your seat."
"I informed you I had two points of order, Chief Warlock. Or, did you
forget that, as well?" asked Harry quite firmly.
"Very well!" grumbled Dumbledore. "What is your second point of order?"
"You are still referring to me by my given name, Chief Warlock. It has
been pointed out to you by both Madam Longbottom and Lord Black
what is now a total of five times of the requirements of your position,
placed upon you as a member of this body, to address its members... all
of its members... by their proper titles. You still fail to do so. Your latest
now makes it six times!
"I now find myself feeling quite insulted, both for myself and for the
Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter. And, as you are the Chief
Warlock of this body, appointed by this body to lead and represent them, I
now wonder if your insults are sanctioned by them all!"
Near pandemonium broke out. Harry calmly took his seat. A few of its
members were yelling at him; but everyone else was yelling at
Dumbledore, either demanding the floor or demanding he step down.
He looked over at Amelia, Augusta and Sirius. Amelia and Augusta were
sitting quite calmly while Sirius was laughing his head off. Amelia was
smirking back while Augusta just had her eyes closed and a pained look
on her face.
"Order!" roared Dumbledore. "Order! I will have order in this place!"
Members slowly began to resume their seats. All except Lady Griselda
Marchbanks.
Dumbledore, grumbling away and about to start talking again, noticed
Lady Marchbanks still standing with her wand raised. "Sit down, please,
Griselda; so we can get on with this!"
"That's seven times... Albus!" she waspishly snapped back. "I now formally
move that Albus Percival 'whatever' Dumbledore be dismissed as Chief
Warlock immediately..."
"What? No!" exclaimed Dumbledore.
"... for behaviour not in keeping with the office of Chief Warlock!" she
finished.
"I do not accept the motion!" he snapped.
Sirius shot to his feet with his wand raised and said, "I second the
motion!"
"I have a seconder!" called Lady Marchbanks. Turning to look at
Dumbledore, she said, "A formal motion, one you cannot ignore or fail to
accept by procedure of this body, is before you... Chief Warlock. You will
call the vote... or I will!"
"I am Albus Dumbledore!" the old fool called back. "And I am Chief
Warlock of this Wizengamot. I will not be spoken to in this manner! You
will sit down immediately!"
Still standing Lady Marchbanks replied, "Then you leave me no choice...
Albus. Under Standing Order six seven four, all those in favour of the
motion removing Albus Dumbledore from the position of Chief Warlock
will signify with the raising and lighting of their wands."
Of the members present, all but nine did so. The Minister, who had been
trying to make himself look as inconspicuous as possible, was one of the
nine. Dumbledore was still spluttering about how he refused the motion.
"All those against?" asked Lady Marchbanks.
Of the last nine, only the Minister and two others, Doge and Yaxley voted
against the motion. The other six abstained. Of two members of the
Wizengamot least likely to be on the same side in a vote, it had to be
Doge and Yaxley. It was clear it was noticed by other members.
After only a glance about the chamber, Lady Marchbanks stated, "The
vote appears to be near-unanimous against you, Albus. You will step
down, immediately."
Grumbling sulphurously, Dumbledore didn't move for about five seconds.
Suddenly, he shot to his feet and stomped away to take a seat at the end
of one of the lower tiers. Lady Marchbanks took her seat.
Harry stood and raised the tip of his wand.
Lady Marchbanks asked, "You wish to say something, Lord Potter?"
"Yes, Lady... ummm..." he stammered.
"It's Lady Marchbanks, Lord Potter" she said.
"Thank you, Lady Marchbanks," he said. "I apologise for not knowing who
you were and meant no disrespect. I wish to ask three questions, if I
may?"
"You may ask, Lord Potter," she replied.
"Thank you, Ma'am... Ummm... Lady Marchbanks," he said. "My first
question is: Now that Mister Dumbledore is no longer the Chief Warlock,
who is supposed to chair this meeting?"
"Hem-hem"
"I do, Lord Potter," she replied. "As the oldest member of the
Wizengamot, the role falls to me until a new Chief Warlock is appointed."
"Thank you, Lady Marchbanks," he said. "My second question is: Now
that Mister Dumbledore is no longer Chief Warlock, and as he is not a
Lord or a senior member of the Ministry, how does he now come to
occupy a seat on the Wizengamot?"
"Hem-Hem!"
"As Headmaster of Hogwarts, and as there is currently no Lord of
Hogwarts, he holds the position as Castellan of Hogwarts; the Governor.
As such, he is recognised as an adjunct Lord and sits in absentia of the
Lord," she replied.
"Thank you, again, Lady Marchbanks," he said. "My third question falls
moot. And, I apologise for not knowing this in advance. My true legal
magical guardian, as per my parents' Will, my godfather, Lord Black, has,
through no fault of his own, been remiss in some of his instruction to me
of my responsibilities as the Head of a Noble and Most Ancient House."
"Oi! Pup!" exclaimed Sirius. Harry chose to ignore him.
Dumbledore interjected at the same time, "As such, he should be stripped
of his Lordship immediately!"
"Hem! Hem!"
Again, he was ignored. Clearly, Lady Marchbanks did not even deign to
recognise anyone saying anything until she formally recognised them.
Harry continued, "The person who claimed to be my magical guardian,
Albus Dumbledore - whom I never met until a few short days ago in the
Alley, when he assaulted me by grabbing me and dragging me out of my
chair - also clearly never provided me with the training I needed to be
Head of such a Noble and Most Ancient House."
"Pardon, Lord Potter?" asked Lady Marchbanks. "Castellan Dumbledore
was fulfilling the role as your magical guardian? Why on Earth would you
need a magical guardian? You're of a Noble and Most Ancient House!"
"HEM! HEM!"
Knowing who... and what... he'd be addressing, Harry looked around and
asked, "My apologies, Lady Marchbanks; but, where on Earth is that
horrid, toad-like, croaking sound coming from while I have the floor?"
Harry heard a couple of snorts of amusement and mutterings coming
from the assembled members.
"How dare you!" screeched Dolores Umbridge, the source of the noise,
before Lady Marchbanks could say a word.
Before the woman could say anything else, Harry cut in and said, "I
dare... whoever you are... because I currently have the floor and your
rude noises are both distracting and, quite frankly, annoying! If you are
suffering from some malady that troubles your throat I suggest you
refrain from passing it on, and infecting, the rest of us by removing
yourself from this chamber."
"I am Dolores Jane Umbridge, Special Assistant to the Minister of Magic,
and I will not be spoken to this way!" the ugly woman huffed.
"Ah! So, you're not a Head, Regent or Proxy of a Noble House, nor even a
Head of a Department, who have the right to be here. In other words, you
have no voice on this august body. Your toad noises are infringing on my
time on the floor."
"I... I... You...!" Umbridge gasped out near choleric in rage.
"Madam Umbridge, be silent!" snapped out Lady Marchbanks. "Lord Potter
does, indeed, have the floor. Your... throat clearing... is not the approved
method by which to gain my attention!" Turning back to Harry, she said,
"Lord Potter, you were saying."
"Thank you, Lady Marchbanks," replied Harry with a slight bow. "I was
about to say I thought you knew that Albus Dumbledore, contrary to my
parents' wishes, put me with my non-magical relatives on my mother's
side, Vernon and Petunia Dursley. If I was put with the people my
parents had wished for me in their Will, then I wouldn't have needed such
a guardian. Castellan Dumbledore was able to do that by sealing my
parents' Will."
"Your parents' Will was sealed because material within it was considered
a security risk," she said.
"Really? By whom, Lady Marchbanks?" he asked. "I've read it and fail to
see what sort of security risk it could be. And, Madam Bones over there,
in her role as Head of the DMLE, has a copy of it and has now also read
it. Mayhap, you should ask her what's in it that represents a security
risk."
Dumbledore cut-in raising his wand and not waiting to be recognised,
"Ooh... errr... There's no need for that! It was sealed for the boy's safety.
There's no need to open the Will now."
"Madam Bones?" asked Lady Marchbanks, ignoring Dumbledore and
turning to Amelia. "Is there something within the Will that may be
considered, or may have been considered, a security risk?"
"Madam Bones!" Dumbledore again cut in, "I've already said there's no
need to open the Will. Think of the boy's safety!"
"No, Lady Marchbanks; there is not," replied Amelia. "Other than the
usual financial details of dispositions relating to select friends and
associates, there is a section on whom the Potters sought to be the
physical guardians for their then infant son, Harry James Potter. And, it
is very clear where it states he was never to be put with the Dursleys.
They preferred he be placed in an orphanage before going to his non-
magical relatives."
"No!" exclaimed Dumbledore. "You are to speak no more of it! I won't
have it!"
Still choosing to ignore Dumbledore, Amelia said, "The Will was also
witnessed by Albus Dumbledore. So, he knew the contents of the Will well
before he sealed it. He knew there was no such security risk, and he knew
the infant Harry Potter was never to be put with his non-magical
relatives. Yet, that is precisely what he did."
"Castellan Dumbledore? Do you have any explanation for this?" asked a
clearly unhappy Lady Marchbanks.
"What I did was for the best interests and safety of the child," said a huffy
Dumbledore. "It's still the best place for him, and I insist he be sent back
there immediately, until he boards the train for Hogwarts on the first of
September!"
"If what I've heard of the scars on Lord Potter's body is any indication,"
snapped Lady Marchbanks. "It most clearly is not the best place for him."
Turning back to Amelia, she asked, "And what does the rest of Lord
Potter's file disclose?"
"The entire file has been sealed by Albus Dumbledore, Lady Marchbanks,"
Amelia said formally.
"Then we shall unseal it and see if we can get to the bottom of this," said
the Acting Chief Warlock. Turning to Harry she asked, "Lord Potter, do
you mind if we do this?"
"Not at all, Lady Marchbanks," said a happy Harry.
"Thank you, Lord Potter," she replied. "We'll take a ten minute recess
while the files relating to Lord Potter are brought before us. We're
adjourned."
Two of the Ministry support staff hurried from the chamber.
# # #
During the break a number of other members of the Wizengamot
approached both Harry and Sirius and formally introduced themselves.
Even the Minister approached, without his tag-along Umbridge, to offer
their welcome to the Body. Harry was then able to get an initial feel for
those members who were likely allies and enemies.
Many wanted to organise private meetings with them both, or
individually, to 'discuss matters of like views on wizarding matters'. The
Minister was almost pleading with Harry to join with him to give
interviews to the wizarding press, trying to curry the image the Boy-Who-
Lived supported him.
When the Ministry staff returned, Lady Marchbanks called the meeting
back to order.
After everyone returned to their seats, she ordered, "Bring the files
relating to Lord Potter to me."
The files were passed up to her. She looked through the files, and said,
"Are all these files supposed to be sealed? His medical records, the files
on occasions of accidental magic, the financial disclosure files... All of
them?"
One of the Ministry support personnel replied, "Yes, Lady Marchbanks; all
of them. By order of the Chief Warlock, Albus Dumbledore."
"Well, I'm opening them as Acting Chief Warlock," she snapped. Then she
passed her wand over the documents and broke the seals on each of
them.
Opening the first one, she said, "This is the medical file of Lord Potter."
She then held the file up and open. "It's empty," she said looking to the
staffer.
"Yes, Lady Marchbanks," said the staffer. "We've never received any
parchments to put within it."
"Lord Potter," she said, looking at Harry. "Where are your medical
records?"
"Other than a couple of times where I was treated by a non-magical
doctor while with my aunt and uncle, I've never had occasion to visit a
medical practice, Lady Marchbanks," replied Harry.
"But, what about your inoculations?" she asked.
"Inoculations, Lady Marchbanks?" asked Harry. "Do you mean for rubella,
cholera, stuff like that?"
"I'm... I don't know what those are, Lord Potter," she replied. "I mean
inoculations for dragon pox, wizard flu, scrofungulus, and the like."
"Ummm... I've never been inoculated for those, Lady Marchbanks. To the
best of my knowledge, I've never visited a trained magical healer's
medical practice in my life!"
There was quite a bit of angry mutterings from other members of the
Wizengamot on hearing that.
Turning to Dumbledore she asked, "Castellan Dumbledore, as you
claimed to be the boy's magical guardian, it was your responsibility to
have the boy receive the necessary inoculations. When and where were
those carried out?"
Dumbledore grumped and grouched before he said, "I just never found
the time to take him. There were always more pressing matters with
which to deal."
Furore erupted.
After Griselda Marchbanks regained control, she said to Harry, "After you
depart here today, Lord Potter, I strongly recommend you present
yourself to Saint Mungo's to see about those inoculations." Turning to
glance at Dumbledore she said, "It is quite clear the person claiming to be
your magical guardian has utterly failed you in his responsibilities
regarding your health."
Next, she opened the file containing accidental bouts of magic. There
were quite a lot of parchments in this file and she spent a while reading
through them.
Once she finished she said, "This file contains over fifty incidents of
accidental magic, of which over forty of them relate to self-healing."
More angry mutterings from the members.
Turning to Amelia, she said, "Madam Bones, I certainly hope that these
Dursley people have been, or are being, dealt with by the authorities."
"They are, Lady Marchbanks," she replied. "At this present time I have
been informed, through contacts in law enforcement in the non-magical
world, they are being held in a secure location under arrest. For security
reasons and for their own safety," she said, glancing at Dumbledore, "the
location is not in the public record."
"They'll need to be freed immediately!" spluttered Dumbledore. "They need
to be released to take care of Harry!"
"Good!" said Lady Marchbanks, glancing back down at the file before her.
"Over forty cases of self-healing using accidental magic," she said,
shaking her head. Looking up at Harry she asked, "Just what happened to
you there, Lord Potter?"
"I'm... currently in the process of writing an account of all that, Lady
Marchbanks," replied Harry. "I'm using the experience of writing it all
down as a form of... catharsis. So, I'd rather hold off on any comment
that will enter the public record, for now, Ma'am."
"That is your right, Lord Potter," she replied solemnly.
"Now, the financial disclosure documents," she said, turning to the next
file.
Opening it, she again held it open and aloft. She said, "Again, it is
empty!"
"Yes, Lady Marchbanks," said the staffer. "We've never received any
parchments to put within that one, either."
"Lord Potter," she said, looking at Harry. "Where are your financial
records?"
"Other than with the goblins, Lady Marchbanks," replied Harry, "I have
no idea. I've never received an item of mail from them concerning that.
They have, however, informed me they have sent plenty."
"Castellan Dumbledore, as well as intercepting Lord Potter's... fan mail,"
she asked, glaring at the old wizard. "Have you also been intercepting his
financial records?"
"As I have already stated, Griselda," he huffed. "It is for the boy's safety
he not receive mail. It could have included any manner of harmful hexes
and the like."
"So, you now accuse the goblins of this foul chicanery?" she waspishly
asked.
"No, no," replied Dumbledore. "Someone may have sent him something
purporting to be from the goblins. I couldn't take the risk!"
Harry again stood and asked, "If I may, Lady Marchbanks?"
"Lord Potter," she replied with a nod.
"I have been informed Albus Dumbledore currently faces charges relating
to my mail being intercepted," said Harry. "I would inform you, and the
members, I'm still not receiving my mail. I only knew of this meeting, as
Lord Black felt it was his duty to me to ensure I had the relevant
information."
"Lord Potter," asked Lady Marchbanks. "Do you mean to inform us, you
did not receive your summons to this meeting of the Wizengamot?"
"Yes, Lady Marchbanks, I do," replied Harry. "I'm still not receiving any
correspondence, whether it be from this body, the Ministry, the goblins at
Gringotts, friends, or even people who would wish me well. And, I must
say, I'm getting pretty bloody annoyed about it!"
"Castellan Dumbledore," said Lady Marchbanks staring furiously at
Dumbledore, "you have already been charged with committing the crime
of mail interception. Are you still committing this criminal act?"
"As I said at Sirius's trial..." Dumbledore began,
Lady Marchbanks overrode him. "Castellan Dumbledore! You will answer
the question with a 'yes' or a 'no'. Are you still committing this criminal
act?"
"As Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot..." he tried.
She overrode, "I am the Acting Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot. You no
longer hold the position, and you will answer the question! Are you still
committing this criminal act?"
"I will not be spoken to this way!" he spluttered.
"Aurors!" she called.
"No! No!" cried Dumbledore.
"Aurors, you are to take Albus Dumbledore, and throw his disobedient butt
into a holding cell."
"I will not allow you to do this!" Dumbledore continued to splutter.
"There, you will learn from him, by whatever means are necessary, how he
is intercepting Lord Potter's mail, and you will then remove that
interception," intoned Lady Marchbanks.
"Griselda, this has gone far enough!" spluttered Dumbledore even more.
"Further, you will ensure Albus Dumbledore is never again able to
intercept Lord Potter's mail. You will not release him until that has
occurred," she snapped.
"I am the Supreme Mugwump of the ICW," tried Dumbledore from a
different tack. "You are not permitted to treat this way."
"That's easily rectified," replied Lady Marchbanks. "Take him away!"
"No!" Dumbledore struggled as he was dragged away. "Griselda? Griselda!
Release me at once! Griselda!"
After the doors shut behind the auror escort and Dumbledore's still
spluttering and demanding self, Lady Marchbanks then said, "As he has
raised it, himself - and though there is still the matter that originally
brought this body together this day - I seek a mover to have Albus
Dumbledore removed as magical Britain's representative on the ICW."
Augusta stood, but was beaten to the floor, by about six members; light,
grey and dark, alike.
"The chair recognises Lord Greengrass as the mover," said the Lady. "Do I
have second?"
Other than Lord Greengrass, no one else sat down, a few others rose,
though.
"The chair recognises Madam Longbottom as seconder," she said. "Unless
anyone feels strongly enough to speak up against the motion?... In that
case, I'm calling the vote."
This time there was about a 60/40 split in favour of the motion.
"Scribe, note that Albus Dumbledore has been removed from his position
on the ICW," said Lady Marchbanks. "Please, ensure the ICW are informed
of this immediately on the conclusion of this meeting. Inform them they
shall also be looking for a new Supreme Mugwump, as Albus Dumbledore
cannot hold that position if he is not also the representative of magical
Britain."
"Yes, Lady Marchbanks," said the scribe. He'd been monitoring a brace of
dicta-quills from the start of the meeting.
Referring back to her notes, she said, "We can finally return to the
business for which this emergency session was called. However, as Albus
Dumbledore is not here to speak on behalf of his motion, I hereby declare
it invalid. Is there any new business?"
Nobody said anything.
"In that case," she said. "I hereby declare this meeting closed. Lord Potter,
please ensure you attend Saint Mungo's at your earliest opportunity. Like,
now."
Harry knew an order when he heard one.
# # #
Harry received his inoculations, that afternoon. And, was ordered
immediately to bed. If Sirius hadn't also been there, they would have
stuck him in a bed at the hospital. As it was, Sirius was able to take him
back to the Pottery. There, he ordered him to bed, and dosed him with
one of his own sedative potions.
The next morning, Harry still wasn't feeling all that well, but joined the
Major on the range and for physical fitness. Again, Dan noticed he wasn't
training up to par, so questioned him on it.
Harry replied, "I finally received my inoculations for magicals in the
wizarding world, yesterday afternoon. I'm still feeling a tad seedy from
it."
Surprised, Dan asked, "Did they provide you with any instructions
regarding physical activity, and for how long?"
Frowning, Harry replied, "No. They just said, 'Rest for the rest of the day
and have an early night'. I've done that."
"Good," said Dan, grinning. "In that case, the British military have a
perfect treatment for how to treat people following required inoculations.
I'll be applying that to you. We're going for a run... double the usual
distance... then we're going to do some callisthenics to get the heart
pumping the blood, and those inoculates, around your system; then a
warm down run."
Groaning, Harry closed his eyes and said, "Oh. God!"
# # #
When he arrived home for breakfast, he flopped into a chair at the
kitchen table. Sirius handed him a Pepper-Up potion. "There must be
laws against killing Heads of Noble houses with exercise," he moaned.
That afternoon the other three heirs arrived, and Harry was able to help
them set the locks on their trunks. They loved how he had asked for the
House crests to be emblazoned on their trunks. Hermione was already
speaking about how she was going to use the space within her trunk the
mokeskin lining afforded her; as was Susan.
The other heirs were now actively following individual preferences of the
subject matter they favoured. Harry was focussed on potions and runes,
Hermione on spellcraft, Susan on law, and Neville on herbology.
'Interesting,' thought Harry.
Harry then had Dobby bring the more regal looking of the two owls he'd
just purchased, together with a bag of assorted owl treats, down. She was
sitting quite alertly in her large, gilded cage looking about.
"Oooh!" squealed Hermione and Susan. "She's gorgeous, Harry!" exclaimed
Hermione. "What's her name?"
"That's for your parents to decide, 'Mione," replied Harry. "This is the gift
I'm giving them for their assistance when we walked through the Alley to
buy my things."
Hermione looked gobsmacked at Harry. "You bought them an owl?"
Harry shrugged. "The trunk is your gift for attaining your Headship of
House Ravenclaw. The owl is theirs, as agreed, for accompanying me in
the Alley that day. I was only allowed to buy them one gift, remember?
This is the most practical thing I could think of that I know they'd
appreciate. This way they can..."
Hermione, after a moment and while Harry was explaining, leapt at him
and tackled him to the floor in a big hug.
"Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!" she squealed.
"Oof!" exclaimed Harry. "Gerroff, 'Mione!"
Neville roared with laughter while Susan just stood there, not knowing
whether to be amused or horrified a 'Lady' had tackled a Lord and gave
the appearance of trying to hug him to death in his own parlour.
"...thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!" continued the young witch.
"You're so wonderful!"
Sirius and Remus were just standing back and watching with their own
levels of amusement.
"'Mione!" begged Harry. "I need to breathe!"
Sirius had to step forward and lift Hermione off Harry before she
accidentally killed him through suffocation.
Later, after Hermione had calmed down but still looked at Harry like she
wanted to hug him to death, Harry helped Hermione take her trunk and
her parents' new owl back to the Granger residence. When he gave the
owl and its... accoutrements... to the Grangers, he was smothered in
another hug. This time by Emma.
At least Harry knew where Hermione got her hugging gene from.
They called the owl, Curie; named after Marie Curie, the first woman to
earn a Nobel Prize. Harry nicknamed it 'Mir Curie', a play on the name
'Mercury', the messenger of the Gods. Mir, in Arabic, meant 'of Noble
rank'. And the entire name would, therefore, mean 'Lady Curie'.
Dan just thought he was being a smart-aleck, which made Harry
impudently grin in response. Which made Dan snort and say, "Don't
forget training tomorrow, lad. Then, you're mine!"
Harry lost his impudent grin after that.
The second owl was the Pottery manor owl, and would remain there for
the use of Sirius and Remus, or anyone else who was in-residence at the
time in the future. Remus ended up naming it 'Crackpot'; a play on it
being the Pottery owl, and how it always seem to watch them with its
head tilted to the side.
# # #
After spending almost twenty-four hours in a holding cell at the Ministry,
Dumbledore was finally released. However, it was not until after he gave
a magical vow to remove the current mail redirection within the hour,
and to not invoke another mail redirection for anyone except himself, or
by any means instruct another to invoke a mail redirection.
The aurors had been very careful in the wording of the vow for
Dumbledore to invoke, and allowed him to divert from it not one jot.
Upon returning to his office at Hogwarts, he removed the Potter boy's
mail redirection. He knew he had no choice in the matter.
His job was made harder, however, due to much of what he considered
personal property having been seized by the goblins.
Now that his attempt in the Wizengamot to have the boy stripped of his
emancipation, his Lordship, and Black's guardianship of him had failed,
Dumbledore knew his last chance to have the boy brought back under his
control before the 1st of September had been lost.
However, he knew the Potter boy would, again, be his to control once he
set foot on the train at 11.00am on the 1st of September. He would then
have him until Christmas recess, and have him back again until the
following June. He would use the time wisely, by working his skills upon
the boy. He anticipated he would have the boy enthralled well short of
Christmas.
When he went down for his lunch, the other staff that lived at the castle
full-time ignored him. He was beginning to suspect they were planning to
have him ousted. Well, he wasn't going to allow that to happen. Hogwarts
was his domain! He started to think about which staff he was going to
need to replace if they attempted to directly challenge him; and who
with.
# # #
Other than the small hiccup with the Wizengamot at the beginning of the
month, the rest of August passed smoothly.
Harry started receiving his mail immediately following the
announcement Dumbledore had been released. Of course, it was all being
routed through Amelia's office, where trainees and curse breakers were
examining every item before sending it on. He was also receiving a report
first thing each morning from the aurors informing him what had been
held back, and why.
There were attempts at slipping him marriage contracts, parchments
laced with compulsion charms, tracking charms, howlers, and all manner
of chicanery. These were held back and the senders of them brought to
the DMLE offices to explain what they thought they were doing. The
worst ones had the senders charged. Amelia's aurors were having a
veritable field day!
The fan mail that finally arrived at the Pottery, Harry had Dobby draft
replies. The ones that were gifts, Harry had sent back with a thank you
letter and a request the sender donate the money to a fund that was set
up for an orphanage for magical children. The letters and cards were sent
thank you notes. Harry signed every letter or note in reply.
Every morning, Dobby took the replies to the Diagon Alley owl post
office to be sent. Harry was running an account at the post office just for
that purpose. And Dobby was enjoying himself, immensely.
The three heirs, under the patient instruction of Remus, were all able to
safely apparate in only a couple of weeks of their first attempts. There
were no splinching incidents. Harry suspected there was no splinching
because all of them were able to focus so well on what they were doing
from their meditation training, just as they were able to quickly master
animagus forms.
Now that Hermione could apparate she was able to bring herself to her
flight and form power training, while Harry brought Dan. Hermione did
not yet feel comfortable side-slong apparating another. And her magical
core was not yet strong enough to compensate for any difficulties if they
arose. With Hermione self-apparating, Harry no longer needed to ask
Sirius or Remus to give him a hand acting as magical transport.
Hermione's flight training had reached the point she had well and truly
overcome her fear of heights. He even had her dive off the roof of the
manor in human form and shift to her animagus form while in the air.
And used the experience to demonstrate to her she no longer need fear
heights.
They had a day when a summer electrical storm passed through the area
and he and Hermione were able to do some training in amongst the low
clouds. Hermione was getting a pretty good handle on her lightning
strike magic. She was now able to shoot herself across the sky over
fifteen miles away.
Dan called her 'a bright spark' when he watched one of her efforts
shooting across the sky and she landed to ask him what he saw. Her
problem was, Harry heard it, laughed and called her 'Sparky'. That was
her new animagus name. Hermione wasn't impressed, but the others
thought it was a wonderful name and fit her form perfectly.
They were beginning to work on her being able to pinpoint a location
beyond the range of sight and lightning flash to that point. Harry didn't
think it was going to be too long until she'd mastered that. And she was
also getting a pretty good handle on from where to draw the electrons.
Harry could now be very close and he barely felt the drain on his
physical body's nervous system.
Dan and Sirius worked with Susan on using shadows and moving silently
across any terrain. She had reached a point in her training where she was
pretty invisible in any sort of shadow unless she wanted to be seen. Dan
had mentioned he found it uncanny the way he tried to track her through
the woods. She'd even managed to sneak right up behind him and nudge
him in the back of the knee with her snout when he thought she was
hundreds of yards out ahead of him. He reported later it was the first
time in many years he'd ever been so thoroughly trounced on a stalking
exercise.
It was Dan who came up with her name when he said she was 'a bloody
ninja' when he was startled by her on one too many occasions. When he
explained what a ninja was to the magical-borns, 'Ninja' became Susan's
animagus name. She liked it.
Sirius also worked with Neville on his form and movement. He had
started using training dummies and had Neville knock them down, shift
back to his normal form on the way down, and pretend to stab or hex the
target before shifting back to his animagus form and moving on to the
next target dummy.
The girls were also spending a great deal of time together at the Granger
home during the days. At first, they'd used their mirrors to stay in almost
constant contact when discussing the laws. However, it didn't take them
long to realise they needed to actually be together to go over the more
complex parts. And that led to Susan apparating to the Granger residence
each day.
Amelia was pleased with the arrangement as it meant Susan wasn't home,
alone, in Bones Manor. As Dan was now on hand all day.
With about a week to go before the end of the month, the girls finally
decided they'd gone as far as they could with the laws, for now. Much of
what they needed to change would only be known once other
reconmmended changes were made. So, Harry was called in to take what
they had to Sir David to forward on to Her Majesty's legal teams.
When Harry asked if they wanted something else to work on, both girls
smiled at him and said, they'd be working on their own projects for the
remaining time before they left for Kings Cross.
Harry had been keeping in contact with his contact at Bloomsbury
Publishing and, with only a week to go before boarding the train for
Hogwarts, he was informed his first batch of one thousand printed books
called 'Harry Potter: In His Own Words' was ready to be collected. The
publisher offered to use their own contacts with distributors to see them
on shelves in bookshops around the country, but Harry informed them
the first batch was for his private use only.
When he had a spare hour, Harry headed to the publisher's distribution
centre and collected his boxes. There were forty-two boxes of a very
similar dimension of five reams of A3 printing paper, or ten reams of A4.
Each box contained twenty-four - two dozen - books. The boxes were
loaded on a pallet and stood approximately four feet high.
He had them deliver the pallet out to their back loading dock. Then, as
with his chemistry equipment, he informed them he'd wait outside for his
truck to arrive, and that he could handle it on his own from there. As
soon as no one was in sight, he called Dobby and had the little elf pop
the whole lot back to the manor.
He stored it all, except eight books that were in a smaller box, in his
basement workshop. Those eight he left out. He gave one each to Sirius
and Remus, and sent a copy each to Amelia and Augusta. All signed
copies, of course. He then delivered two to Sir David for one to be
delivered on to the Queen and to keep one for himself, and one to Sir
Anthony. The last one, print number 1, he kept for himself.
There were three hundred plus students and staff at Hogwarts. Each
would be given their own copy. The rest would be held until the 3rd of
September when Sirius and Remus would offer them for sale through
wizarding bookshops such as Flourish and Blotts.
He'd also instructed the goblins to inform Mr Doge, his lawyer, who his
client really was, and to instruct the man to start going after the authors,
publishers and bookshops about the outright lies and untruths in books
that were reportedly about him. That would then leave the field open
when Sirius and Remus approached the bookshop owners about his own
book. He also provided them with a signed statement from him that the
books were to be accepted as true and correct, and that he, Harry Potter,
would not sue anyone for selling or distributing them.
He also worked on his pranking potions and rune stones during the lead
up to the first of the month. All these were carefully labelled and stored
in his trunk as they were finished. Those potions that had a short shelf
life he placed under a 'keep fresh' or stasis enchantment.
During one of their animagus training sessions, while Neville was in his
wolverine form, Susan noticed how he always seemed to be muttering
something to himself in an annoyed fashion. Harry explained that the
noises Neville was making were the usual noises made by a wolverine.
Susan thought, while Neville was normally one of the moat placid people
she'd ever met, he was just being grumpy at the time. And Neville was
awarded his animagus name of 'Grumpy' on the spot.
A week before the end of the month he arranged an invitation for the
others of their little group to gather for a celebratory and farewell get-
together at the Pottery on the Saturday, the 31st of August, the day
before the train ride.
# # #
The month of August was a nightmare for Dumbledore. He was informed
two days after the Wizengamot meeting he had also been dismissed as
magical Britain's representative on the ICW. The next day the ICW
informed him, direct, he was replaced as the Supreme Mugwump by a
counterpart in New Zealand.
What really stuck in Dumbledore's craw was the nice and polite way the
letter 'thanked him for his service to the magical world' and 'wished him
the best'. As if he was now a non-entity to be swept into the pages of
history. He had hoped to use his contacts within the ICW to force the
Wizengamot to reinstate him as Chief Warlock and the British
representative. However, that plan was clearly dead and buried before it
was even fully formed.
Each time Dumbledore received his stipend as Headmaster in his
accounts the money would immediately disappear again. He attempted to
be paid cash, but the goblins informed him all payments were made
direct to bank accounts. It was a safety issue to stop people from being
mugged for their pay on payday.
Now out of liquid assets, Dumbledore was confined to the castle. He'd
even run out of his favourite muggle sweets and was unable to buy any
more. The castle house elves had attempted to make them for him, but
they didn't taste the same. Professor Sprout eventually felt sorry enough
for him she went into muggle London herself and purchased him a couple
of bags' worth. Dumbledore was just thankful they didn't disappear.
During the month, Dumbledore was barely able to keep ahead of moves
to finally have his case heard. He claimed he was far too busy dedicating
his time to preparing for the new year of studies at Hogwarts. He claimed
he'd been more than punished by having his positions on the ICW and
Wizengamot stripped from him. He claimed he had found himself,
through no fault of his own, currently out of funds to secure the services
of a suitable barrister to represent his interests in such an important
matter. He politically ducked, and legally dived. He promised support in
order to obtain it. He even found himself hinting to that Malfoy man his
'support' could be bought. And he hated all of it.
It wasn't until two days before the end of the month, when he accepted a
bribe large enough to finally clear his debt to the goblins, before they
stopped stripping him of any assets he gained. And he could breathe a
sigh of relief.
# # #
Pixie and Dobby had been working hard all morning to make sure
everything was as close to perfect as possible for the farewell party.
Harry even made Sirius and Remus spruce themselves up for the event
and then sent them to collect Dan and Emma while Hermione apparated
herself to the Pottery. The Longbottoms and Boneses floo'ed in a short
while later.
All were sat down at the little-used dining table in the dining room.
Harry at one end, his godfather at the other. On his left he had
Hermione, Dan, Emma and Remus. On the right he had Amelia, Susan,
Neville and Augusta. The table was decorated with a couple of low
centrepieces.
Once everyone was seated and had their favourite cold beverage before
them, Harry stood and said, "Thank you, everyone, for coming. Over the
past half-dozen plus weeks, everyone here has played an integral part in
what will soon happen. The groundwork has been laid, the training
undergone, the preparation completed. A silly old manipulative fool has
been, for at least the short term, bested."
With a bit of a toast towards his godfather, Harry went on to say, "My
godfather, Sirius Black, unjustly imprisoned, has finally been released."
He indicated Remus, "A friend, long lost, has been reunited with us."
Indicating the others he said, "And new friendships have been formed."
"Tomorrow, us four heirs embark on a new part of our lives. Though we
no longer require any of the education we are about to receive..." he
chuckled, as did a few others, "... we can use the opportunity to form
friendships, alliances, and just have fun!
"We have a year in which to enjoy just being like everybody else. But,
this time next year, the really hard yards start. And the wizarding world
is not going to know what's hit it! We four heirs will identify ourselves.
And we will be kicking butts and changing the magical world!"
"Remember, everyone, your mirrors." He'd given Remus the final spare
mirror just after the start of the month. "We can use them to keep in
contact. Remember, too, that Dan and Emma are mundane and don't
have the ability to travel anywhere magically on their own. And could
someone please remember to visit them once in a while to at least make
sure their mirror's wand is fully charged."
"I'm sad about leaving members of my new family behind. But, I'm
excited about what tomorrow is going to bring. I say, 'Bring it on'.
Cheers!"
He received a few laughs and they enjoyed their last meal together for a
quite some time.
# # #
At 10.00am the next morning, Harry arrived on platform 9 ¾ at Kings
Cross Station. He was accompanied by both Sirius and Remus. Both
insisted on helping him carry his effects on board, even though it was
only Hedwig in her cage, and his trunk.
Harry was the first of the four to arrive, so he grabbed the particular
compartment in which they'd planned to share. One car back from the
prefects, first compartment if it was free, it was. If it was not, then each
successive compartment until they found one that was. He had no need
to be outside so Sirius and Remus waited in the compartment with him
until the others started to arrive.
Hermione was next. As her parents couldn't enter the platform -
something Harry was determined to fix, once they took control of the
school - she headed straight for the compartment. Remus saw her
struggling to get her trunk onto the train, so dashed outside before he
even said anything. She joined them a few moments later.
Susan and Neville arrived together with Amelia and Augusta. Like
Hermione and him, the other two heirs were very excited about going to
Hogwarts.
Susan said, "Boarding the Hogwarts Express for the first time is a rite of
passage. We move from being sheltered under our guardians' care pretty
much all the time, to taking our first, tentative, steps as being on our
own."
Neville nodded and, turning to Harry, asked, "So, what was supposed to
happen in the other timelines at this point?"
Harry replied, "Well, I was supposed to have met Ron Weasley out on the
mundane side of the platform. Missus Weasley is running about saying
thisgs like, 'What was the platform, again, dear? Nine and three quarters?
Look at all these muggles!' We'd have... sort of... just said 'Hi' to each
other. But, at that time, he didn't recognise me. We boarded and shared a
compartment, just the two of us, a couple of compartments behind this
one.
"A few hours from now, Hermione was going to come and visit us looking
for a pet toad that you, Neville, had lost. But we wouldn't have had
anything to do with her until we arrived at the castle and, all of us except
Susan, would have been sorted into Gryffindor. Hermione would have
shared a boat ride with Susan, and sort-of been friends with her after
that. But Susan was sorted into Hufflepuff, so there wasn't that many
opportunities to mingle.
"Also, during the train ride, a blond-haired boy named Draco Malfoy -
also going to his first year at Hogwarts - came looking for me. His father
had tasked him with finding me and trying to strike up a friendship. Ron
mouths off at him and they get into an argument. That, unfairly, sours
me to the boy. I think it was one of the worst mistakes I made during the
year and we hadn't even arrived at the castle yet."
"And you think that's what's going to happen again?" asked Susan.
"Well, Ron and Draco are both going to try and track me down. I very
much suspect Ron will find me first. He's going to ask if he can sit with
me as, 'everywhere else is full'. That's nonsense, of course, as the train is
magical and expands and shrinks as needed to accommodate everyone.
"Draco acts a bit of a git. He tries to come off as regal and important.
Instead, he just comes off as a git. Plus, he has Tweedledumb and
Tweedle-even-dumber with him; Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle. I
think he's also asserting his authority, though he actually has none, over
them."
Harry shook his head and sighed, "What happens on this first train ride
has such a significant effect on the next seven years of my life, in either
of the other two timelines. For everyone, new friendships are near-
instantly formed, and lifelong enemies are created. And all this is thrown
onto the shoulders of eleven year olds."
"So, who do you think will arrive first? Ron or Draco?" asked Neville.
"Definitely Ron," said Harry with a smile. "He's on his own. Draco has to
collect Gregory and Vincent, as 'backup' goons first. There's no point
strutting if you don't have an entourage."
He sighed and continued, "It's not for very many years I eventually
discover that, in the Dumbledore meddling timeline, Ron was sent by his
mother to track me down, just like Draco, and to make friends with me.
His mother was told by Dumbledore to do so. Ron, though he's not an
idiot... just lazy, just did as his mother asked. He knew his little sister had
a crush on her fanciful image of 'The-Boy-Who-Lived' so he saw no harm
in it.
"Ron filled my head with how Slytherin was full of dark wizards and
witches, Ravenclaw were all smart-alecks, Hufflepuff were duffers, and
only those who went into Gryffindor were worthy of his respect. So,
when I arrived at Hogwarts, I begged the hat to put me in Gryffindor,
even though it wanted to put me in Slytherin.
"I still wonder how my life would have turned out if I was sorted into
Slytherin. I don't think it would have been anywhere near as hard."
"Do we let either of them in, if they turn up?" asked Hermione.
Harry shrugged and said, "I don't think it's going to make much of a
difference. Ron will be on his own, and we definitely have the room to let
him be in here. I'd be interested to see how he plays it when I tell him I
think I'd like to go into Slytherin," he grinned. "However, Draco will be
with Gregory and Vincent; and we won't have the room for all of them."
"If Ron gets snotty, though, we can throw his butt back out. I'm not going
to put up with someone like that, when I definitely don't have to. The
same applies to Draco."
After the train pulled out of Kings Cross Station, with much waving of
hands out of train windows and from the platform with tears in eyes of
mothers, and not a few of the children, the four heirs waited to see how
long it would be before the others arrived. Susan, sitting next to the door,
was reading a book slow-style, as was Hermione sitting next to her. Harry
had the window seat and Neville sat opposite Susan not doing much of
anything.
Less than five minutes later the door was wrenched open by... Ron.
"Do you mind?" snapped Susan.
Ron glanced around until he spotted Harry, who had been looking out
the window until the door was opened. Harry could see the recognition
in his eyes.
"Ooh... errr... Do you mind if I sit in here?" he said dragging his trunk in
with him. "Everywhere else is full!"
"Full?" snapped Susan, standing in front of him as he tried to barge in.
"On a train magically capable of expanding to suit the needs of the
passengers? I find that hard to accept!"
Harry was quite amused and tried to hide his smile by turning back
towards the window again. He also ensured his scar was covered under
his fringe.
Brought up short by Susan blocking his way, Ron spluttered, "Oh,
ummm... Well, there's room in here, so I can sit in here, then." And tried
to push his way past the slightly chubby, auburn-haired girl who blocked
his entry.
Susan would have none of it. "Get your hands off me!" she barked. "If you
want to sit in here, you'll have to ask politely first! 'Please' and 'thank you'
are socially acceptable terms when you're asking for something!"
Ron, taken aback by the Susan's posture, words and the fire in her eyes,
was somewhat stunned. "Oh... sorry... I..." he stuttered before regaining at
least a semblance of composure. "May I... please... sit in here?"
Susan glared at him for a few moments before finally stepping aside. She
said, "You may... if... you can remain civil."
Grumbling, Ron dragged his trunk the rest of the way into the
compartment and said, "Can someone.. please... give me a hand with
this?"
Harry, snorted and rose from his seat to give Ron a hand to lift the trunk
into the overhead storage compartment. As Harry was making a few final
adjustments to it, to ensure it wasn't going to fall off, Ron stepped around
him and took Harry's window seat. "Thanks, mate," he said with a sigh. "I
think I must've dragged that from one end of the train to the other!"
Harry, still standing, looked down at Ron with a frown and said, "You're
in my seat."
"There's one over there, mate," replied Ron with a gesture towards the
seat between Susan and Hermione.
"Yes, there is," replied Harry. "And you're welcome, for the moment, to sit
in it. Now, get out of my seat."
Ron huffed but changed seats to sit between the two girls. "My name's
Ron, by the way," he said. "Ron Weasley."
No one else said anything, for a few moments until Neville, remembering
his training in manners his grandmother had given him, said, "This is
Susan, over there's Hermione, this is Harry, and I'm Neville." He didn't
offer his hand. The others only nodded.
Ron just looked to each in turn before he stared at Harry and asked in a
comical attempt to sound surprised, "Harry? Are you Harry Potter? The
Boy-Who-Lived? The one who defeated You-Know-Who?"
Harry looked back and quietly asked, "What makes you think I'm Harry
Potter, the one who supposedly beat Voldemort?"
Ron nearly visibly shuddered when Harry mentioned Voldemort's name.
The other three barely blinked.
"Ummm... you... you must be, right?" asked Ron, soldiering on. "I saw the
picture of you on the front page of the Daily Prophet, and everything?"
"Then if you knew who I was, why did you ask?" asked Harry.
"Ummm.. 'cause I wasn't sure?" replied Ron. Gathering himself, he forged
on, asking, "Can I see your scar?"
Harry frowned at him and said, "Which one? The one where my Uncle
Vernon hit me with a poker out of the fireplace, broke two of my ribs and
left me in agony for two weeks? The one where my cousin whacked me
across the back with a fence paling and dug a furrow of flesh out of my
shoulder? Or, what about the one where I was given third degree burns
when a hot iron was dragged across my arm? You're going to have to be
more specific."
Ron was taken quite aback and stared back with a look of horror.
"Ummm... n-no. I meant the scar where the killing curse bounced off your
forehead."
"Ah," said Harry, as if he finally understood what Ron was getting at.
"You mean the one I received the night when my parents were brutally
slain by a lunatic. The one when my mother was murdered before my
infant eyes, and I still have nightmares about. In that case... no." Then he
looked back out the window, signifying the discussion, as far as he was
concerned, was over.
"Awww... go on!" Ron pushed on. "Show me!"
Neville was out of his seat in a flash and right in Ron's face with his hand
on the red-headed boy's chest. He said with an almost growl, "You will
cease this rude behaviour immediately, or I will toss your butt out of this
compartment!"
Neville then resumed his seat and glared back for a moment, before
turning away again. Ron didn't say a word for about five minutes, and
neither did anyone else. But even that long was torture to the young boy.
He eventually asked, "So, what houses does everyone think they'll be
sorted into?" Without even pausing to wait for an answer he declared,
"I've got five brothers ahead of me and a sister behind me. All five have
all been sorted into Gryffindor. That's where the brave wizards go. If I get
sorted into Slytherin, I'll quit! I'll leave school! Only dark wizards go
there!"
Focussing on Harry he said, "You don't want to go there! Only evil gits get
sorted into that House!"
Calmly, Harry replied, "Really? There's nothing I read that said anything
of the sort! And, what about Peter Pettigrew? He was a Gryffindor. There
were other Death Eaters that came from Gryffindor, as well."
"Oh," replied Ron, waving his hand dismissively. "They must've fooled the
sorting test and got in. A Slytherin trick if I've ever heard of one!"
Harry just smirked at the idiocy of the boy. He couldn't, for the life of
him, figure out how he'd managed to be steered by the boy, in the other
two timelines.
Wanting to tweak the lad a bit, he said, "I actually like the sound of the
ideals of Slytherin; ambitious, resourceful and determined. Yes, those are
the sort of ideals I can aspire to."
"No!" blurted Ron, almost jumping off his seat. "You can't! Slytherin are
evil gits! You're Harry Potter!"
Harry just chuckled in response. Ron might have been lazy, but he wasn't
stupid. It didn't take him long to figure out Harry was pulling his leg. He
slumped back, crossed his arms, and grumped, "You're just trying to be
funny!" Then he just moped.
About an hour later, Ron was talking quietly with Hermione; now
choosing to ignore Harry, altogether. He was trying to talk to her about
Quidditch. Hermione was just being polite, but clearly didn't care for the
sport. The door was yanked open again.
Three boys stood in the doorway. Harry immediately recognised Draco
Malfoy, flanked by Goyle and Crabbe.
"Is it true?" Malfoy asked, looking directly at Harry. "They're saying all
down the train that Harry Potter's in this compartment. So it's you, is it?"
"Really?" asked Harry. "And how would they know that?" He was looking
at the other boys. Both of them were thickset and looked extremely
mean, though dense. Standing either side of the pale boy they looked like
bodyguards.
"Oh, this is Crabbe and this is Goyle," said the pale boy carelessly,
ignoring Harry's question but noticing where he was looking. "And my
name's Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."
Ron gave a slight cough, which might have been hiding a snigger. Draco
Malfoy looked at him.
"Think my name's funny, do you? No need to ask who you are. My father
told me all the Weasleys have red hair, freckles and more children than
they can afford." He turned back to Harry while Ron just huffed.
"You'll soon find out some wizarding families are much better than others,
Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can
help you there." He held out his hand to shake Harry's, but Harry didn't
take it.
"Mister Malfoy, scion of the Magical House of Malfoy," Harry said firmly.
"I'm sure your parents have provided you with a modicum of education
into the proper formalities of greeting; especially, someone who heads a
Noble and Most Ancient House."
Malfoy stared back with a look of shock on his face. He slowly lowered
his hand to his side.
"You do not get to call me by my surname, only," continued Harry. "You
are only allowed to address me as Lord Potter. Unless... and only unless...
I invite you to address me otherwise, that is how you will both speak to
me, and refer to me."
Draco Malfoy didn't go red, but a pink tinge appeared in his pale cheeks.
Harry continued. "Now, you have insulted someone who is clearly a...
companion... of mine, though he may have richly deserved it with his
poor behaviour. And, you have opened the door without first knocking
and asking for an audience. I suggest you consider your actions before
acting upon them, in future."
Harry kept on, "If you wish to enter, you may do so. However, we do not
have sufficient room for yourself and your companions, Messers Crabbe
and Goyle."
Susan had her head buried firmly in her book, but was clearly trying not
to laugh. Neville was looking like he was in shock as he'd never heard
Harry speak like that before, and Hermione was clearly amused by
Harry's lofty manner of speech. Ron, for about the first time since he'd
entered, appeared speechless.
"Ummm... No, Lord Potter," replied Draco quietly, and apparently a little
ashamed. "I... merely wished to introduce myself and my... friends."
"Then, I thank you for doing so, Mister Malfoy," said Harry. "I look
forward to establishing an acquaintanceship with you, Mister Crabbe and
Mister Goyle, once we are settled in at Hogwarts."
"Th... thank you, Lord Potter," said Draco. "I will... take my leave." He
quietly shut the door and left.
Ron burst out laughing and said, "Wow! Harry! That was..."
There was a muted flash of red and Ron suddenly looked like he was hit
by a curse, and collapsed unconscious where he sat. Though Hermione
couldn't see what had happened from where she sat, Harry and Neville
stared at Susan, who looked back with an expression of complete
annoyance on her face.
Neville, quite shocked, exclaimed, "Susan!"
"What?" she said. "You may have been willing to put up with his rubbish;
but, I wasn't! I'll wake him in time for him to get changed into his robes
before we arrive."
Harry just chuckled.
The rocking of the train started to cause the unconscious boy to fall over,
so Harry put a sticking charm on the back of his shoulders and stuck him
upright in his seat. He said, "That'll hold him."
As promised, Susan enervated him with time to change into his uniform
and robes; barely enough time, so he was unable to speak to them. She
told him he'd fallen asleep. The four heirs had already changed before
Ron was enervatedand he had to scurry fast to get dressed in time, with
no time at all to ask what had happened.
A voice echoed through the train. "We will be reaching Hogwarts in five
minutes' time. Please leave your luggage on the train; it will be taken to
the school separately."
# # #
20. Hogwarts's Action
Chapter Twenty - Hogwart's Action
# # #
The train slowed right down and finally stopped. People pushed their
way towards the door and out on to a tiny, dark platform. Harry shivered
a little in the cold night air until he wandlessly cast a warming charm
upon himself.
The train had pulled in to Hogsmeade Station just as it was getting on
dark. A very tall, large, man Harry recognised as Rubeus Hagrid was
standing on the platform holding aloft a large lantern calling, "Firs' Years!
Firs' Years! To me! Come along now! Firs' Years!"
Harry could feel that same yearning and excitement he felt from the
direction of the castle the last two times he was here. But this time he
also felt great joy. It almost made him feel a little giddy.
"Do you feel that?" asked Hermione in a loud whisper to the others with
wonder in her voice.
"Yes," whispered Susan. "It's like the... castle is expecting us. Welcoming
us."
"I feel... great joy!" whispered Hermione.
"Here," interrupted Ron. "What're you on about?"
"Nothing for your concern, Mister Weasley," said Harry, firmly shutting
down the discussion.
As they were in the first compartment of the first carriage after the
prefects', the four heirs and Ron were the first to reach Hagrid.
"'Ello, 'Arry," said Hagrid, looking down at him. "You may not remember
me, but I was... we've already met. I knew yer parents."
"I know," replied Harry with a straight face.
Hagrid appeared a little flustered by the boy's stare so just looked up and
called some more. "Firs' Years! Firs' Years!"
Once he thought he had all the First Years standing in front of him, he
said, "Leave yer trunks! They'll be taken to the castle for you!"
Then said, "Follow me! Mind yer step, now! Firs' Years, follow me!"
Holding aloft his lantern he led them off the platform and down to the
edge of the lake on foot.
There, he said, "Four to a boat! Don't crowd, now! There's plenty o' room
fer ev'rybody!"
Harry and the other three moved to board one of the little boats together.
Ron, seeing which one the others were going to board, jumped in first,
almost tipping the little vessel over.
Harry glared at him and just motioned for the others to board another.
Ron had tried to clamber back out to follow but was forced back in when
another first year joined him in the rear seat. Two others quickly filled
the front two.
After Hagrid made sure there weren't too many students to a boat he
handed one person in each craft a small lit lantern on a pole. Susan
accepted theirs. Then he climbed into one of the little boats on his own.
As soon as he was seated, he said, "Everyone in?" and looked around.
"Right then - FORWARD!"
His boat headed out into the lake. The other boats all followed along in
its wake.
As they passed through the wards, all four of them reacted as if they'd
been hit with a strong wave of emotion. Harry, as he was sure did the
others, heard in his mind, 'Welcome home, my lords and ladies!'
"Oh, my!" exclaimed Susan. "The castle!"
Other students in nearby boats looked across, wondering what was going
on.
"Shhh!" whispered Harry. "You're drawing an audience!"
"Harry!" whispered Hermione. "The castle's sentient!"
"I heard it, too!" whispered Neville.
"We all did!" whispered Harry.
'My Lords and Ladies, prepare to receive the wards!' the castle said in their
minds with a very happy voice.
'No!' shouted Harry in his mind. 'Not yet! We're nowhere near ready!'
The four heirs' boat was one of the last. Ron's boat was about thirty yards
ahead of them, and he kept glancing back with a frown.
Harry received the sense of great disappointment emanating from the
castle. But there was something else, as well. A sense of... determination.
'We four will let you know when it's time!' he thought, hard. 'And, we'll
discuss this later! Now is not the time!'
Harry whispered to the others, "This was not anticipated. Myrrdin and I
knew the castle was magical, but we had no idea it was fully sentient!"
Neville whispered, "Well, it seems very happy that we're here!"
Susan asked, "Why did it suddenly feel as if it was disappointed?"
"I told it not to give us the wards," whispered back Harry. "That, we were
not yet ready to take them. It wasn't happy about that."
Harry watched the boats ahead of them as they each rounded the little
headland and came upon their first sight of the castle. There seemed to
be a lot of gasps of wonder. When his own boat rounded the headland he,
too, gasped. It definitely looked impressive all lit up the way it was.
Much better than at a couple hundred feet in daylight.
'No wonder they have the first years arrive for the first time by boat,' he
thought.
"Heads down!" yelled Hagrid as the first boats reached the cliff. They all
bent their heads and the little boats carried them through a curtain of
ivy,which hid a wide opening in the cliff face. They were carried along a
dark tunnel, which seemed to be taking them right underneath the castle,
but it was actually more like a flue. With Hagrid leading all the little
boats made their way into a small harbour at the base of the cliffs under
the castle. As each boat reached a long pier and came to a halt hard up
against it, the students clambered out. Then the boat moved away.
Harry and the other heirs were one of the last to disembark.
Harry could see Ron, up ahead, trying to hold back to join them.
However, the pier was narrow and, after some angry mutterings from
fellow students, he was forced to move along up the pier, and then up the
narrow path leading up through a narrow ravine in the cliff face. Harry
walked along with the other three heirs in line ahead of him. He was in
no race.
When they reached the top the land opened up around them. Harry could
see out over the lake and the train still sitting at the station with its big
headlight on. Ron had finally managed to hold back and was waiting for
them.
"What have you lot been whispering about?" he asked.
"Mister Weasley," snapped Susan. "We have been engaged in a private
conversation. It is not for you to ask!"
"Move along, Mister Weasley," said Harry. "We have a date with destiny."
He didn't know how prophetic his words were about to be.
They walked up a flight of stone steps and crowded around the huge, oak
front door.
"Ev'ryone here?" called Hagrid. After looking around over their heads, he
turned back, raised a gigantic fist and knocked three times on the castle
door.
# # #
The door swung open at once. A tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green
robes stood there. She had a very stern face and Harry's first thought was
that this was not someone to cross.
"The Firs' Years, Professor McGonagall," said Hagrid in an
authoritativevoice.
"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here."
She pulled the door wide. The Entrance Hall was quite large, the stone
walls were lit with flaming torches, the ceiling was too high to make out,
and a magnificent marble staircase facing them led to the upper floors.
They followed Professor McGonagall across the flagged stone floor. Harry
could hear the drone of hundreds of voices from a doorway to the right -
the rest of the school must already be here - but Professor McGonagall
showed the First Years into a small empty chamber off the hall, an
antechamber. They crowded in, standing rather closer together than they
would usually have done, peering about nervously.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "The start-of-term
banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great
Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important
ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like
your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your
house, sleep in your house dormitory and spend free time in your house
common room."
Harry could sense something 'off' with the emotions he could feel from
the castle. There was a sense of many emotions all laid over each other.
He felt, disappointment, great happiness and joy, consternation, glee,
determination, and others. He couldn't make sense of it all. The only
thing of which he was sure was that the sentience of the castle was
definitely up to something.
Professor McGonagall was continuing to talk as Harry thought. "The four
houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Each
house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding
witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn
your house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the
end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the House
Cup, a great honour. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever
house becomes yours.
"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the
rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you
can while you are waiting... I shall return when we are ready for you,"
she said. "Please wait quietly." And left the chamber.
Harry grabbed the other three and led them to the rear of the chamber.
"The castle's got something planned, I can feel it," he whispered.
Susan replied, "I sense it, too. What do you think is going on?"
Harry looked around and noticed Ron edging over to join them.
Harry looked over at him and firmly said, "Are you still trying to listen in
on other people's conversations, Mister Weasley?"
Quite a few students looked around to see what Harry was talking about.
Ron had the decency to at least look a little abashed. He moved away
again.
Harry leaned back in to the other three and whispered, "I just have this
feeling, is all. I get the sense we're not going to get our year."
Hermione drew a sharp intake of breath, and whispered, "But, the plan!"
Neville frown and whispered, "I think Harry's right. Now that I think
about it, I think the castle's going to act, whether we like it or not."
That's when the sense Harry was getting from the castle subtly changed.
Susan whispered, "It's... she's... I'm getting the impression of smug
satisfaction!"
Harry and the other two looked a little shocked, but nodded their heads.
"Don't do this!" Harry thought hard, but also whispered so the others
could hear. "I told you we're not ready. We won't be ready for another year!"
Another shift in the emotions. Neville whispered, "That'll be a 'No'."
Then something happened which made him jump about a foot in the air.
Several people from with the crowd screamed.
"What the...?" gasped a dark skinned boy. So did the people around him.
About twenty ghosts had just streamed through the back wall. Pearly-
white and slightly transparent, they glided across the room talking to
each other and hardly glancing at the First Years. They seemed to be in
deep discussion.
What looked like a fat little monk was saying, "What do you suppose has
Cassie in such a state? She seems almost... 'giggly'."
"My dear Friar, I haven't a clue. But there's bound to be something big in
the wind, I tell you, if she's like this," said a ghost wearing a ruff and
tights. It suddenly noticed the First Years. "I say, what are you all doing
here?"
Nobody answered.
"New students!" said the Fat Friar, smiling around at them. "About to be
sorted, I suppose?"
A few people nodded mutely.
"Hope to see you in Hufflepuff" said the Friar. "My old house, you know."
"Move along now," said a sharp voice. "The Sorting Ceremony's about to
start."
Professor McGonagall had returned. One by one, the ghosts floated away
through the opposite wall.
"Now, form a line," Professor McGonagall told the First Years, "and follow
me."
Harry had the others hold back, and they fell into line behind a boy with
dark hair. They walked out of the chamber, back across the entrance hall
and through a pair of double doors into the Great Hall.
Harry had never even imagined just how beautiful it would look in real
life. It was lit by thousands and thousands of candles which were floating
in mid-air over four long tables, where the rest of the students were
sitting. These tables were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets.
At the top of the Hall was another long table, forming a squared off 'U'
shape, where the teachers were sitting. Professor McGonagall led the
First Years up towards there, until they came to a halt in a crowd
between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables, and short of the low
platform where the head table was. The hundreds of faces staring at them
looked like pale lanterns in the flickering candlelight. Dotted here and
there among the students, the ghosts shone misty silver.
Mainly to avoid all the staring eyes, Harry looked upwards and saw a
velvety black ceiling dotted with stars. However, he quickly looked down
again as Professor McGonagall silently placed a four-legged stool in front
of them, the First Years. On top of the stool she put the Sorting Hat. It
was patched and frayed and extremely dirty.
For a few seconds, there was complete silence. Then the hat twitched. A
rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth, and the hat began to sing:
"Oh you may not think me pretty,"
"but don't judge on what you see."
"I'll eat myself if you can find"
"a smarter hat than me."
"You can keep your bowlers black,"
"your top hats sleek and tall;"
"for I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat"
"and I can cap them all."
"There's nothing hidden in your head"
"the Sorting Hat can't see;"
"so try me on and I will tell you"
"where you ought to be."
"You might belong in Gryffindor,"
"where dwell the brave at heart;"
"their daring, nerve, and chivalry"
"set Gryffindors apart."
"You might belong in Hufflepuff,"
"where they are just and loyal;"
"those patient Hufflepuffs are true"
"and unafraid of toil."
"Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,"
"if you've a ready mind;"
"where those of wit and learning,"
"will always find their kind."
"Or perhaps in Slytherin"
"you'll make your real friends;"
"those cunning folks use any means"
"to achieve their ends."
"So put me on! Don't be afraid!"
"And don't get in a flap!"
"You're in safe hands (though I have none)"
"for I'm a Thinking Cap!"
The whole Hall burst into applause as the hat finished its song. It bowed
to each of the four tables and then became quite still again.
"So we've just got to try on the hat!" Ron, who had carefully moved back
to join Harry and the other three, whispered to Harry, "I'll kill Fred; he
was going on about wrestling a troll."
Harry didn't even bother to respond.
Professor McGonagall now stepped forward holding a long roll of
parchment.
"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be
sorted," she said. "MacMillan, Ernie!"
A boy stumbled out of line, put on the hat, which fell right down over his
eyes, and sat down. A moment's pause, "HUFFLEPUFF!" shouted the hat.
The table on the middle right cheered and clapped as Ernie went to sit
down at the Hufflepuff table. Harry saw the ghost of the Fat Friar waving
merrily at him.
"Jones, Megan!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!" shouted the hat again, and Megan scuttled off to sit next
to Ernie.
"Patil, Padma!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
The table on the far left clapped this time; several Ravenclaws stood up
to shake hands with Padma as she joined them.
"Goldstein, Anthony" went to Ravenclaw too, but "Thomas, Dean,"
became the first new Gryffindor and the table on the left exploded with
cheers; Harry could see Ron's twin brothers catcalling.
"Davis, Tracey," then became the first Slytherin.
He was starting to feel ill. He'd have a better idea about what was going
on before very much longer.
"Finch-Fletchley, Justin!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
Sometimes, Harry noticed, the hat shouted out the house at once, but at
others it took a little while to decide.
"Finnigan, Seamus," the sandy-haired boy now next to Harry in the line,
sat on the stool for almost a whole minute before the hat declared him a
Gryffindor.
Professor McGonagall kept calling out names. Students would come
forward and be sorted. The number remaining grew smaller and smaller,
and not one of the four heirs had yet been called.
"I've got a bad feeling about this," muttered Harry to the other three. "The
odds of none of us being called, and we're now down to less than a
quarter of the original number..."
"Malfoy, Draco!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
Susan whispered, "I agree, the odds are too small to be considered pure
chance. I think we're going to be called last."
"Brown, Lavender!"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"Entwhistle, Kevin!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
Neville nodded and whispered, "I agree."
"Weasley, Ronald!"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
As the numbers dwindled the four friends listened with a little dread.
"Abbott, Hannah!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
Harry whispered to the others, "Yep. We're last."
The rest of the First Year students were slowly divided amongst the
houses. As the numbers dropped, Harry could see the expression on
Professor McGonagall's face. She was obviously counting down the
number of remaining names on her scroll and seeing there were four
extra students standing before her, waiting to be sorted.
Finally, there was only one student besides the four heirs to be sorted.
"Parkinson, Pansy!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
'Here we go!' thought Harry.
# # #
Professor McGonagall was staring down at her scroll. She didn't call out a
name.
"Minerva?" Dumbledore asked. "Finish the sorting."
"Headmaster," she said shaking her head with a frown. "There are no
more names..."
Turning to the other four, Harry whispered, "Awww... crap. The castle is
forcing the hat to announce us as the heirs!"
"What do we do?" whispered Susan.
"Look in your ceremonies file. It was on the fourth cube," Harry
whispered back.
The hat, quiescent after the sorting of Miss Parkinson, suddenly erupted
once more into verse.
"In times of old, when I was new,"
"and Hogwarts barely started;"
"the founders of our noble school,"
"thought never to be parted."
"United by a common goal,"
"they had the selfsame yearning;"
"to make the world's best magic school,"
"and pass along their learning."
Professor McGonagall was standing there in shock, staring at the hat as it
sang. She still held the scroll unfurled in front of herself.
"'Together we will build and teach',"
"the four good friends decided."
"And never did they dream that they,"
"might some day be divided."
"Minerva?" called Dumbledore, standing up. "Professor McGonagall, what
is going on?"
"Got it", said Hermione. Susan and Neville nodded.
"The Founders that, like pillars four,"
"had once held up our school;"
"now turned upon each other and,"
"divided, sought to rule."
The old witch replied, "I have no idea, Headmaster."
"And for a while it seemed the school,"
"must meet an early end;"
"with duelling and with fighting,"
"and the clash of friend on friend."
"Alisdair?!" cried Dumbledore. "What are you doing?"
'I've got to shut him up,' thought Harry.
Suddenly, Dumbledore was yanked back into his chair. He was bound to
it and a silencing spell had been cast on him. Harry received the feeling
of satisfaction from the castle.
Neville, though shocked, also snorted in amusement.
"And at last there came a morning when,"
"old Slytherin departed;"
"and though the fighting then died out,"
"he left us quite downhearted."
'Okay,' thought Harry. 'That'll work.'
"And never since the founders four,"
"were whittled down to three,"
"have the Houses been united,"
"as they once were meant to be."
No one else was moving. The staff was frozen in shock. A few of the
students were muttering among themselves, trying to understand what
was happening.
"Oh, know the perils, read the signs,"
"the warning history shows;"
"our Hogwarts is in danger,"
"from vile and deadly foes."
"Though I must fulfil my duty,"
"and must quarter every year,"
"still I wondered whether sorting,"
"would not bring the end I fear."
"But now the time has come, my friends,"
"to end the long divide;"
"The heirs have come to Hogwarts new - "
"together - side-by-side."
The hat paused for a few moments. The only sound was Dumbles
struggling in his bindings and attempting to make noises. No one paid
him any attention.
'What now?' thought Harry.
A light smattering of applause was started but it quickly died back out
again. The new First Years didn't know this was not normal.
"We have the lady of the glen,"
"fair skin and eyes of brown;"
"the smartest lady of her time,"
"most beautiful renowned."
'Well, at least we know,' Harry thought.
"Intelligence and bright of wit,"
"in her house you saw;"
"step forth the heir of knowledge wise,"
"the Countess Ravenclaw!"
"Okay, Hermione; you're up," he whispered.
Hermione walked forward and across to her far right to stand in front of
the table of Ravenclaw House, facing down its length.
Holding her wand over her heart, Hermione began her
acknowledgement. "I, Lady Hermione Jean Granger, Countess Ravenclaw,
being the blood heir of founder Lady Rowena Ravenclaw..."
A few mutterings were heard throughout the hall. Especially from those
on the Ravenclaw and Gryffindor tables.
"... do take my place as Head of the Most Noble and Most Ancient House
of Ravenclaw at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. So mote it
be!"
Suddenly, a tone was heard throughout the hall and a column of golden
light, at first lost within the enchanted ceiling, descended and surrounded
Hermione where she stood. Golden motes danced within. It held there
with Hermione standing in the middle of it. Her robes changed to pure
silk and her hems, cowl and hood changed colour to rich blue. And a
gold coloured ghost, Rowena Ravenclaw, gently appeared alongside
Hermione and appeared to lay her hand on the young girl's shoulder.
A moment later, the Hat continued with its song.
"He stood proud with head held high,"
"but still with heart most caring;"
"To his side attracted he,"
"those with verve and daring."
"He fought for equal rights he did,"
"the bravest of the four;"
"Welcome back to Hogwarts, all,"
"the Earl of Gryffindor!"
Neville braced himself up proudly and strode forward and across a few
steps to his right to stand in front of the table of Gryffindor House.
Holding his wand over his heart, Neville gave his acknowledgement.
A second, lower, tone was heard and a column of golden light descended
and surrounded him where he stood. Golden motes also danced within
this column. His robes changed to pure silk and the hems, cowl and hood
changed colour to a deep red. A second gold-coloured ghost, Godric
Gryffindor, gently appeared alongside Neville and appeared to lay his
hand on the young boy's shoulder. Godric and Rowena looked at each
other and smiled.
"Next, we have from valley broad,"
"the witch who saved the elves;"
"her house she taught with love and care,"
"put-others before themselves."
"A kindly lady whom all loved,"
"this one knew her stuff;"
"now I'm introducing,"
"the Countess Hufflepuff!"
Susan walked forward and just across to her left to stand in front of the
table of Hufflepuff House, facing down its length.
Holding her wand over her heart, Susan gave her acknowledgement.
Another tone, higher than the first tone, was heard and a third column of
golden light descended and surrounded Susan where she stood. Golden
motes danced within this column, too. Her robes changed to pure silk
and her hems, cowl and hood changed colour to bright gold. A third
gold-coloured ghost, Helga Hufflepuff, gently appeared alongside Susan
and appeared to lay her hand on the young girl's shoulder. Helga looked
across at the other two and joined them in smiling.
"Misunderstood his ethics were,"
"he sought our world's protection;"
"from hate filled eyes of mundane kind,"
"to slide below detection."
Harry looked to his right and saw Ron staring between him and the Hat
and looking quite gobsmacked. It was an expression on many other faces.
Harry winked and smirked at him.
"Though first to leave these walls behind,"
"he's now returned within;"
"Prophecy has called him back,"
"the Earl of Slytherin!"
Harry held his head up high and strode forward and across to the far left,
passing behind Susan and Helga along the way, to stand in front of the
table of Slytherin House. He, too, faced down its length.
Holding his wand over his heart, and recalling the accepted oath from his
memory, he began his acknowledgement. "I, Harry James Potter, Earl
Slytherin..."
That started a few gasps and mutterings.
"... being the magical heir of founder Lord Salazaar Slytherin by right of
conquest and inheritance, do take my place as Head of the Most Noble and
Most Ancient House of Slytherin at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and
Wizardry. So mote it be!"
A middle tone between the first and second tones was heard and a fourth
column of golden light descended to surround Harry where he stood,
matching the other three. Golden motes also danced within this column.
Harry glanced down as his robes changed to pure silk and the hems, cowl
and hood changed colour to a deep green. Looking to his side he saw the
gold coloured ghost of Salazaar Slytherin standing there with his hand,
apparently, resting on his shoulder. He glanced across at the others and
gave a small nod.
Together, as one voice, all four began to recite the unified oath, "We four,
the heirs united, swear on our magics, to work together, to raise the
quality of education within Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
so that, once again, Hogwarts will be among the most respected
institutions of magical learning around the world. So mote it be!"
The four columns of light faded as did the four ghosts.
"Hogwarts; we will have the wards!" called Neville. And all four felt the
shifting of the wards from the Headmaster, to themselves.
"Hogwarts; seal the wards. Nothing in, nothing out, until further notice!"
called Susan.
Neville suddenly began to turn around saying, "What on Merlin's..."
Harry, already knowing what was about to happen, had dropped his
wand into the proper grip. He spun on the spot, raised his wand, pointed
it at Professor Quirrell and cast the spell, "Stupefy!"
Professor Quirrell, where he was looking back in shock, bounced off the
backrest of his chair and slumped forward, unconscious. Professor Snape,
on Quirrell's right, shot out of his chair to his right and went to draw his
wand. He froze when he noticed Harry had shifted aim and was pointing
his wand right at him.
By this time, Susan, Neville and Hermione had their wands pointing at
Quirrell's slumped form.
"Nobody move!" yelled Harry.
Once he was sure no one was going to make a silly move. He called,
"Susan! Summon your Aunt! Tell her what happened and tell her to bring
aurors. Tell her it's an emergency and to apparate directly to Hogwarts
into the Entry Hall. Hermione! Tell Lady Hogwarts to drop the anti-
apparation wards in that spot only."
'Done, My Lord,' heard Harry, in his mind.
"Never mind!" he called. "She's done it."
"While still holding her wand pointed towards Professor Quirrell, Susan
had her mirror out and was calling Madam Bones.
"Professor Flitwick," called Neville. "Please move out and away from
Professor Quirrell. You, too, Professor Burbage and Groundskeeper
Hagrid!"
Snape, Burbage and Flitwick all moved away from Quirrell. Hagrid was
frozen in his chair staring at Quirrell's slumped form. They were as
stunned as everyone else over what had just happened. But, they obeyed
and made sure they made no sudden moves.
Professor McGonagall was still standing next to the stool with the now
quiescent Hat upon it. She'd dropped the scroll.
"Mister Potter?" she called. "What do you think you are doing?"
Without taking his eyes off Quirrell he replied, "It's Lord Slytherin,
Professor. I'm acting in my capacity as part owner of Hogwarts. All four of
us are. You are not to interfere. The repercussions for interference, by
anyone, will be severe!"
# # #
The sudden sound of an apparation crack came from through the doors
into the Great Hall.
"Hermione?" called Harry. "Who is that?"
"Lord Potter?" called Amelia's voice. Harry could hear her footsteps come
into the room. She was walking up between the Hufflepuff and
Gryffindor tables. She also sounded alone.
"Madam Bones," called back Harry. "Please join me. And it's Lord
Slytherin, at the moment."
Standing away from the boy, and not wanting to step between her niece
and her wand, Madam Bones said, "Lord Slytherin? What is going on?"
"Ma'am, Hogwarts gave us the wards, whether we wanted them or not. As
soon as we had them, they immediately alerted us to a possession of one
of the members of staff by a malevolent spirit; Professor Quirrell, over
there," said Harry, indicating the Professor with his wand tip as from
those nearby he heard gasps of shock. "We had to immediately act in the
best interests and safety of the staff and the students."
"I see," she said.
Suddenly Susan called out, "Stupefy!" and Professor Quirrell's inert form
jumped a bit. Mind you, so did a couple of the other Professors.
"Susan!" called Amelia.
"Sorry, Aunt... err... Madam Bones. I thought I saw him... twitch!"
Harry snorted.
"Why is Headmaster..." Amelia began.
A few more echoes of incoming apparations were heard from the Entry
Hall. "Aurors!" was called from out the doors.
Amelia, who had already turned, as soon as she heard the apparations,
called, "In here!"
Though he wasn't watching, Harry could hear multiple footsteps making
their way to the front of the hall through the tables. His eyes were fixed
firmly on the form of Professor Quirrell.
"Your target is the head table, gentlemen," Amelia called. "Not the four
children."
Two aurors walked to stand behind the head table. Harry recognised one
as Kingsley Shacklebolt. He didn't know the other one.
Calling to the aurors over the back, Amelia said, "Auror Shacklebolt.
Please check Professor Quirrell... the one in lavender lying on the table...
for signs of a possession."
Shacklebolt came forward and cast his wand over the back of Quirrell. He
lurched back in surprise. "Yes, Ma'am! A definite possession!"
Harry called, "Remove his turban. Do not touch the back of his head!"
Shacklebolt looked at Amelia for confirmation before stepping forward
and pulling Quirrell's turban off his head with his left hand.
As the turban fell free, Kingsley shot backwards and cast a third,
"Stupefy!" at Quirrell's back. There were also gasps of horror coming from
the rest of the staff who were in a position to see.
Amelia, showing annoyance, said, "Auror Shacklebolt! The man was
already stunned and unconscious!"
Still pointing his wand tip at the back of Quirrell's head, he said, "It's
Voldemort, Ma'am! I'm not taking any chances."
Some of the students screamed. Some tried to flee the hall. One of the
two aurors at the door called out, "Sit down!"
Students slowly returned to their seats. But they all slid as far on the
benches, as they could, towards the rear of the hall.
Amelia walked forward and stepped up onto the step about five feet in
front of the table. She looked at the back of Quirrell's head, before
stepping down again and turning to Harry.
"Alright, Lord Slytherin," she said. "We've got it from here. Please, lower
your wands. Is the apparation point still open in the Entry Hall?"
"Yes, Ma'am," replied Harry, finally dropping his arm and turning away.
The other three heirs also lowered their wands.
Amelia nodded and looked at one of the aurors still over by the doors
leading in from the Entry Hall. "You!" she barked. "Go and get me two
Unspeakables and two more aurors. I want them here, yesterday!"
The auror gave a firm nod, stepped out through the doors and apparated
away.
Turning back to Harry, she asked, "Now, why is Headmaster Dumbledore
tied to his chair and silenced?"
"I think Hogwarts, herself, did it, Ma'am," he replied.
"Really?" she asked. "The castle?"
"That's the best I've got for the moment, Ma'am," he replied.
"Can you release him?" she asked.
Harry thought, 'Do it'. And Dumbledore's bindings and the silencing spell
were negated.
He spluttered and rose to his feet. "How dare you!" he half-bellowed at
Harry.
"No, Headmaster," spat Harry. "How dare you! You allowed a person
suffering a possession onto the grounds of Hogwarts! You were informed
he was possessed as soon as he entered. Yet you did nothing!"
Turning to Amelia, he said, "When you take Quirrell with you. Take the
Headmaster, as well. You'll probably be wanting to ask him why he
knowingly allowed a possessed soul onto, and remain on, the grounds and
in amongst children."
Amelia gave a firm nod. Turning to the other auror behind the head table
she said, "Bullfinch! Take the Headmaster into custody! He'll be coming
with us when we depart."
"No, I will not!" yelled an angry Dumbledore.
"Headmaster!" snapped Harry. "You will accompany Madam Bones's
aurors, you will answer the questions they put to you, or you're fired!"
Harry then turned to the other three and asked, "Heirs! Are we agreed?"
"Yes, Harry."
"Yep!"
"Yes, Lord Slytherin!"
"There was the sound of multiple incoming apparations from the Entry
Hall again.
Harry glanced out the door, once, before turning to look back at the
Headmaster. He said, "Then it appears the first joint decision we're going
to make is to fire your butt! Congratulations, Albus Dumbledore, you're
about to make history... again."
"Alright!" spluttered Dumbledore, angrily. "I'll go with them!"
"That was not the entirety of the instructions given to you, Albus!" said
Harry. "You will also answer their questions. Is that understood?"
"Alright, Harry," the old man replied with a bit of a snarl. "I'll go with
them and answer their silly questions!"
"That's Lord Slytherin!" roared Harry. "It appears the senility you
demonstrated in the Wizengamot has spread to your role as Headmaster
of Hogwarts. Will we need to take the same action here?"
"No!... Lord Slytherin," spluttered Dumbles.
"The new aurors, or possible Unspeakables, approached Madam Bones
and she had a quiet word with them. Heads suddenly shot towards where
Professor Quirrell was still lying slumped over the head table, with
Kingsley Shacklebolt still holding a drawn wand on him, ready to fire off
spells.
Two of the older gentlemen walked around the table and stood each side
of Quirrell's chair. They took one look at the back of his head, glanced at
each other, before looking back again. One drew a wand and magical
bindings flew from his wand tip lashing the man tight.
The other grabbed the chair and drew it back while the first levitated the
still unconscious man up and away. He was flipped onto his back and the
second gentlemen lashed him with his own magical bindings. A black
hood suddenly appeared over Quirrell's head. Then they carried him from
the hall, back through to the Entry Hall. A moment later, they'd
apparated away.
"Shacklebolt. Bullfinch. Take Mister Dumbledore back to the Ministry and
stick him in a holding cell." She thought for a moment and then said, "Put
him in the same one as the last two times. He should be thinking of it as
home, by now."
"Yes, Ma'am!" they each said. Dumbledore was lead from the Hall. He
was apparated away a moment later.
Harry looked at Professor McGonagall. She was still standing next to the
Hat on the stool. "Professor McGonagall!" he called.
"Errr... yes, Lord Slytherin?" she asked, obviously still quite shocked.
"You're Acting Headmistress until... if... Headmaster Dumbledore returns,"
instructed Harry. "Please, take your seat."
"Yes... Lord," she replied. She slowly walked around the other end of the
head table.
Harry then turned to Professor Snape and said, "My apologies for pulling
a wand on you, Professor. I know you found it quite shocking and,
probably, offensive. I can only offer you my apologies, at this time, and
hope that you can find it within yourself to accept it at some stage.
Please, you and the other professors may resume your seats."
"Madam Bones," called Susan.
"Yes... Lady Hufflepuff?" asked Amelia.
That made the corner of Susan's lip twitch.
'Not a bad steeling of expression,' thought Harry.
Susan said, "The wards have also informed us there are dark artifacts in
the castle. May we... borrow... your aurors to search for them and remove
them?"
Surprised, Amelia said, "With those sorts of things around where children
are moving about? I think I'd have to insist on it!"
Hermione then said, "And there are other creatures in the castle that'll
also need to be dealt with. I don't want them here!"
"But first," said Harry. "These children have waited long enough for their
meal. They're safe enough here with at least one of your aurors present,
and the teaching staff. Do you mind if I get them fed while they're forced
to wait here?"
"No, Lord Slytherin," replied Amelia. "I can see the wisdom in that."
"Thank you," he replied before walking back the couple of paces he had
moved away from the head of the Slytherin table. Laying his palm on the
table he intoned, "The House of Slytherin is ready to be served!"
A large throne-like chair appeared at the head of the table, and a smaller,
similar chair appeared at the other. The table then filled with the feast.
The other three did the same for their own houses.
Harry then said, "You can eat, folks. I apologise that I'll likely not be
joining you, this evening. I'm in for a long night."
Turning to the head table he said, "Acting Headmistress McGonagall, you
may serve the head table."
Professor McGonagall frowned and said, "Please, serve the feast." And the
head table was filled with dishes.
"Madam Bones," said Harry turning back to Amelia. "Perhaps, you'd care
to join us in the Entry Hall?"
Amelia nodded and Harry indicated she should lead. He then indicated
for the others to join them. Most of the aurors came, too.
# # #
Once out in the Entry Hall, Amelia spun about and quietly but
vehemently asked, "What the hell happened?"
It was Susan who replied. "The castle, Lady Hogwarts, wasn't prepared to
wait. She saw the students were in grave danger and the Headmaster
refused to do anything about it. He was even the cause of a lot of it. And
she wasn't prepared to tolerate that."
Hermione picked it up from there. "So, she saw us as the saviours of the
children, recognised us as the rightful heirs - even though we demanded
she not - acted against our wishes and had the Sorting Hat announce us,
right at the end of the sorting. As soon as we went through the ritual of
accepting the Lordships - we couldn't avoid it - we had to take the wards
before she had a chance to just dump them on us."
Then Neville took the conversation, "That's when we were immediately
informed of the possession of the Professor... Professor Quirrell. I turned
to look at the man to try and figure out what had happened, but Harry
was far faster. He stunned the Professor before he could even blink! And
held a wand on Professor... Snape as Professor Snape went for his own
wand."
Back to Susan. "That's when Harry had me call you. You know what
happened from there."
Harry said, "Hogwarts did what it was supposed to do, Ma'am. Hell, it did
what the Headmaster was supposed to do! It put the children, the
students, first and foremost! And we couldn't stop it from happening." He
sighed, "Murphy's Law of Circumvention: If you perceive that there are
four possible ways in which something can go wrong, and circumvent
these, then a fifth way, unprepared for, will promptly develop."
Amelia sighed and said, "If I get the opportunity I'm going to throw
Dumbledore through the veil myself for this!"
"At the moment, we've got this contained," she continued. "But, come
tomorrow, a lot of those kids are going to start writing home to their
parents and guardians letting them know what happened. The furore
from this latest... misadventure... is going to turn magical Britain on its
head!"
Harry said, "And that's why we want this castle searched, top to bottom.
And I'm including the personal effects of the students in that. Go through
their trunks, any trunks that cannot be opened, set aside. Then we'll have
the owner brought in to open it for you. Go through the dormitories and
the common rooms next. Once the four house sleeping areas are cleared -
the feast should be concluded by then - we'll be able to send these kids to
bed."
He then looked up slightly and said, "Lady Hogwarts, please unlock the
four House common rooms so the aurors may search them."
"Done!" the four heard.
Hermione then said, "Then, we're going to need to search the rest of the
castle from top to bottom; starting with the third floor corridor on the
right."
"Oh?" asked Amelia. "What's there?"
"A giant Cerberus, a giant Devil's Snare, and some other nasties. And
they're only sitting behind a single locked door!"
Amelia looked back stunned. "A... Cerberus and a Devil's Snare? And
there's only a single locked door keeping students out?"
Hermione grimly nodded.
"No wards, or anything like that?"
Hermione grimly shook her head.
Amelia said, "Oh, Gods!"
She turned to two of her aurors, who'd been listening, and said, "You two,
get up there now!"
The two of them bolted up the stairs.
To another auror, she said, "Go back to the DMLE. You are to start
contacting every auror we've got; even the trainees. I don't care if you
have to drag them out of bed. Tell them they're to report for duty
immediately at the DMLE. Once there, they are to be told to apparate
direct to here, in the Entry Hall of Hogwarts. I also want the Department
of Mysteries contacted. Tell them what we're up against and that we need
them. And tell them all they are not, under any circumstances, to speak to
anyone outside of the DMLE or the Department of Mysteries. Go!"
The auror blinked, nodded once and apparated away.
Turning back to the heirs she said, "If parents and guardians start
learning of this before everything's been cleared out, there will be mass
panic among the citizenry - especially the parents and guardians - who
will demand their children be brought home. I don't blame them for that.
But, this is the only school in Britain they can attend. If we don't get this
dealt with, we're going to end up in a situation where children are going
to forcibly have their magic bound and their wands snapped. Five
hundred children!"
Susan said, "That's one of the reasons we sealed the wards. I've also had
all the floos locked off, and we can let owls in but stop owls flying out,
for now. But, if parents don't start getting replies to their letters, they're
going to panic, anyway."
Amelia nodded, surprised at her niece's quick thinking and understanding
of the issues involved.
Harry said grimly, "And with something this big, Ma'am, you're going to
have to tell that loudmouth, the Minister."
Amelia winced. She said, "Yes, but I don't have to tell him immediately;
only when it looks like the story's going to break."
Hermione said, "I'd also suggest using the Seventh Years, and maybe the
Sixth Years, to help with the search. But not of the private possessions,
dormitories or common rooms. However, I don't think that's wise, for
now."
Thinking, Harry said, "The staff also deserve an explanation of what's just
happened. This has hit them cold; even colder than us. I want to take
them aside directly after the feast and lay it all out for them as I think
they have a right to know. It's what I was planning to do after the end of
the school year, anyway. But we're now on a much accelerated timetable."
"Well, that's an understatement," smiled Neville. "And I need to let my
Gran know what's happened. I mean, with me having to identify I'm a
Lord, now."
"I think we're all going to have to do that," said Hermione. "Except Susan,
of course."
Harry said, "Well, I've just had the Defence Against the Dark Arts
Professor hauled off, and the transfiguration Professor temporarily
promoted to Headmistress. I think Minerva McGonagall is going to have
her hands full in her dual roles as Headmistress and Counsellor for House
Gryffindor. I think it would be unfair to have her fulfill three roles."
Turning to Neville, he said, "Nev? How much do you want to keep
Professor McGonagall as the counsellor for Gryffindor?"
Neville thought about it, shrugged, and said, "Lots! I'll need her
knowledge and expertise to get a handle on taking over as Head of
Gryffindor House."
"Damn!" said Harry, with a smile to take the sting out of it. "Myrrdin and
I trained you too well. She's going to have to drop her teaching duties, for
now."
Harry sighed and said, "So, two new Professors. And we need them
tomorrow. Anyone have any objections to me calling Sirius and Remus
and offering them temporary, at least, positions as Professors of
Hogwarts?"
He only received head shakes. Neville said, "They're both really good
teachers. I think we'd be lucky to have them teach here."
"Then I'll call them directly after we finish here."
"You'll need approval from the School Board," said Amelia.
"No, we won't," said Hermione. "We'll just disband the board. The
founders never had them, and we're not required to have them, either.
Irrespective of what the Ministry says."
"Oh, damn!" said Harry giving himself a face smack. "The map!"
"Pardon?" asked Amelia.
"I'm about to make your job a lot easier," replied Harry. "Give me a
minute."
Harry walked back into the Great Hall. Quite a few eyes looked up as he
entered and there were hushed whispers through the students while they
ate.
Harry walked up the Gryffindor table and stopped when he reached the
Third Years. He turned to Fred and George Weasley and said,
"Gentlemen. You have something that belongs to me. I need to have it
back."
Both of them blinked and then looked at each other before looking back.
Fred, or was it George, said, "Ummm... Harrikins?"
"Don't start!" replied Harry. "I need the map. You know what I'm talking
about. And it's Lord Slytherin or Lord Potter, not 'Harrikins'. You just
heard me ream the Headmaster a new one over that."
"Ummm... what map..."
"...would that be..."
"...Lord Slytherin?"
"I'm the son of Prongs, gentlemen. Hand it over!"
"Prongs?...
"... Lord Slytherin?..."
"...You?"
Harry nodded and replied, "Me!" And held out his hand. "Now, give!"
The twins looked at each other and back at Harry before one of them
reached into his robes and drew out a folded piece of parchment. He
handed it over to Harry.
"Thank you," he said. "And, if you behave yourselves, I may give it back
to you before too long."
Turning on his heel, Harry walked back out into the Entry Hall.
Walking back up to the others he held the map out in front of himself,
drew his wand and held the tip to the parchment. Then he said, "I
solemnly swear that I am up to no good!"
The map revealed itself. He looked at it for a few minutes and focussed it
on the Gryffindor dormitories.
He said, "This will show you where every individual in the castle can be
found, and identifies them by name. It also shows a number of hidden
passages in and out of the castle."
He frowned and handed it to Amelia, showing her how it worked. "Take a
look at who is in the Gryffindor dormitories as we speak. You'll find the
individual will be in his animagus form as a rat. He's come in as Ron
Weasley's pet."
As they had been talking, aurors had started showing up. Amelia
indicated one of the ones that was there while they were all still in the
great Hall and said, "Go up to the boy's dormitories in Gryffindor Tower.
The one on the sixth floor. You're looking for a pet rat in the First Year
boys' dormitory. It's an illegal animagus. Stupefy its butt and bring it
back down here. He's under arrest."
She called the rest of her aurors that had already arrived over and
showed them the map. Then she started sending them in teams of four to
search each of the dormitories, including personal effects. Two teams
each of two females and two males.
After the first sixteen had been sent off to deal with the dormitories and
common rooms of each of the Houses, she started sending teams of two
off to start searching each floor of the castle, including the basements and
dungeons.
The pair sent off earlier to investigate the Cerberus returned. They
quietly reported their findings to Amelia.
"Get it out of the bloody castle," she said. "Then start clearing the rest of
that mess out of there."
"A Cerberus and Devil's Snare, behind nothing more than a simple locked
wooden door, in a castle full of children. God knows yet what's beyond
that," she said angrily. "Albus flippin' Dumbledore will pay dearly for
this!"
"Right," said Harry. "Amelia's busy detailing off her aurors. I'm going to
go and talk to the staff and let them know what's going on."
"I'm coming with!" declared Hermione.
They both headed back into the Great Hall.
# # #
21. The Staff's Revealing
Chapter Twenty-One - The Staff's Revealing
# # #
Harry, with Hermione walking beside him, walked back down the lengths
of the tables. Once again, students stopped what they were doing and
watched them.
Both walked past the Hat and approached the table on the opposite side
from the staff. The staff watched them come.
Harry placed his hands on the edge of the table and leaned forward.
Keeping his voice low, he said, "Acting Headmistress, when the feast is
complete, the students are to remain here until the aurors come to collect
them. They will be escorted, by the aurors, to each of their common
rooms.
"Once the students have been escorted from the hall there will be a staff
meeting, right here. You're all, quite clearly, shocked about what has
happened. Even we didn't expect this to happen... yet. You deserve an
explanation, so we will be giving it to you. At that time we will also be
available to answer any questions you and your staff will have.
"For now, the aurors are in the process of going through the castle from
top to bottom, including the dormitories. They are removing dark and
dangerous items, and removing a couple of creatures that should not be in
a castle full of children."
The Acting Headmistress went quite pale. And there were murmurings
from some of the other staff.
Harry went on, "One of us will get back to you, to let you know how
things are progressing. We will also inform you when the aurors are
ready to start escorting the children to the dormitories. We want them
out of harm's way."
"As for the meeting, tonight," said Hermione, frowning, "some of you are
going to have some explaining to do. I suggest you start thinking of
suitable excuses."
Harry was about to turn around and leave, when he suddenly thought of
something. "Oh, and classes for tomorrow morning are cancelled. All
students will be given a single class, here, in the Great Hall, at 9.00am.
They, too, will be informed as to what is going on. Do you understand
these instructions as they have been given to you?"
"Yes, Lord Slytherin," replied McGonagallfirmly.
Harry gave a sharp nod, and then he and Hermione strode back down the
hall and back out into the Entry Hall. As they left, Harry could hear The
Acting Headmistress beginning to make sure 'her' staff were aware of
what she'd just been told.
Harry and Hermione joined the others. He said to the others and Amelia,
"The staff have been told students will be escorted to their dormitories
once the meal is completed, and it's safe for them to be moved. They've
also been told there will be a staff meeting once the students have exited
the Great Hall. We'll be holding it in the Hall, and you're more than
welcome to join us, Madam Bones."
"Oh," replied Amelia firmly, "I think that's a given."
He said, "I'm also asking you to arrange for a Master Healer to be brought
in. I want to know who, if any, of the Staff have been obliviated. And if
they can tell who did it, when, and how bad it is."
Amelia looked back at Harry with a questioning look. "May I ask why?"
"Yes," he replied with a bit of cheeky smirk. "But I'll answer the question
before you do, anyway. I believe they'll find members of the staff have
been obliviated; especially, Healer Pomfrey and Acting Headmistress
McGonagall."
"What?" blurted Amelia. She then physically regained control of herself
before turning to one of her aurors in the Entry Hall. She said to the
woman, "Go and get me a Master Healer. One who's skilled in dealing
with people who've been illegally obliviated. Tell him or her they're
needed on auror business and bring them directly here!"
"Yes, Ma'am!" replied the woman. Then she was gone.
Neville said to Harry, "You'll be interested to know the Cerberus - named
'Fluffy', by the way - and the Devil's Snare have been removed. There was
also a couple of other 'puzzle traps' that looked like they were being set
up, or had been set up. And there was a red, uncut crystal sitting on a
stool at the end of the series. We think it's the Philosopher's Stone."
"'Fluffy' will be something to do with Rubeus Hagrid," said Amelia
frowning. "I'll definitely be having words with him about that; and with
Pomona Sprout about the Devil's Snare. I don't know what Dumbledore
and the rest of the staff were playing at, but it looks like quite a few of
them were involved."
As they were talking two aurors came down, with one of them holding an
unconscious rat by the scruff of its neck.
"Oh, and two of my aurors found the Mirror of Erised in one of the old,
unused, classrooms in the basement," said Amelia. "There was nothing
stopping anyone from finding that. Any student could have walked in and
been... ensnared... by it. It has now been secured by Unspeakables, who'll
be taking it back to the Department of Mysteries."
Harry, looking toward the two aurors that now joined them, said to the
assembled aurors and a couple of who he guessed were Unspeakables,
"Anyone here know how to knock someone out of their animagus form?"
One of those stepped forward and said, "I do."
"Well, said Harry indicating the rat, "have at it."
The Unspeakable told the auror to place the rat on the ground and
gestured for everyone to step back.
A quick incantation and shot with a wand, and Pettigrew, the original
form of him, grew out of the rat. He was in a fetal position on the floor,
still unconscious.
"That's Peter Pettigrew!" exclaimed one of the aurors.
Amelia looked grimly down at the little fat traitor and ordered, "'Cuff him
with anti-animagus cuffs, take him back to the Ministry and stick him in
a cell alongside Dumbledore. We'll deal with him tomorrow."
The two aurors who brought him down secured him, levitated him, and
apparated with him out of Hogwarts.
"Neville," said Harry, turning to his friend, "You'd better ask Ron Weasley
to join us for a few moments. Oh, and you'd better ask Percy Weasley to
come, as well. He's both the oldest brother still here and is a Prefect."
Neville nodded, and disappeared back into the Great Hall.
Turning to the remaining three heirs, Amelia said, "The search through
personal effects is moving quicker than I thought it would. However,
there's a number of trunks that are warded and cannot be unlocked, so
the owners of those will be taken through first and told to unlock them.
Two aurors will be on hand to search each trunk when it's opened.
"Plus, we've found two dark arts items in the trunks of two of the
students; both Seventh Year Slytherins. The items have been seized, and
I'll want to speak with both students before they're allowed to leave the
Hall."
Harry nodded and said, "Let me know who they are and I'll make sure
they're held back. Anything else?"
Amelia hesitated before answering, but was interrupted before she could
by the return of Neville and the two Weasleys.
Amelia turned her stern look upon Ron and asked, "Mister Weasley; how
long have you had your pet rat?"
Startled, Ron hesitated a moment before saying, "Just the last few weeks.
I got him off Percy when Percy got his owl."
"Mister Weasley?" she asked, turning to the older brother.
The older Weasley frowned and said, "I think it's been about... nine years,
Ma'am. I can't remember where I got him from."
Amelia nodded and said to them, "Do not be alarmed, but we've now
seized your... pet... and have taken it back to the DMLE. We thought you
should know so you wouldn't be upset when you couldn't find it when
you get to your dormitory."
"But, why?" asked Ron, somewhat plaintively.
Amelia's face softened a bit before she replied, "It's an auror matter,
Mister Weasley. You will be notified 'why', in due course. For now, your
pet is safe."
Looking to both, she said, "You may return to your meal, gentlemen. You
are not to discuss with others what we have discussed here with you. It's
for your protection. I'll be speaking with you two, and your twin
brothers, about this probably tomorrow. For now, you are to stay silent.
Understood?"
Ron nodded, while Percy replied, "Yes, Ma'am." And both re-entered the
Great Hall. Both were quite clearly confused.
Turning back to the four heirs she said, "As for the search of other
personal effects, so far there's been a number of... prank... items found.
But, as there's nothing illegal about them, the aurors didn't remove them.
Three students in Gryffindor seem to have the majority of prank items."
"Let me guess," replied Harry. "The Weasley twins and Lee Jordan."
A little surprised, Amelia said, "Got it in one!"
Harry sighed and said, "Well, as long as they're not harmful to themselves
or other students it's just innocent fun. Leave them be."
Neville chuckled. "Those three are going to require careful watching," he
said.
"Oh," said Harry. "Another thing. I believe the Defence Against the Dark
Arts Classroom, or the private rooms of the Professor for that classroom,
are cursed. If you have any curse breakers, I'd love for them to have a bit
of a look-see,when they get the chance."
Amelia asked, "What sort of curse?"
Harry replied, "The sort of curse that means no DADA Professor will stay
for more than one school year. I'm pretty sure Tom Riddle put one on it
when he applied for the position of DADA Professor and Dumbledore
knocked him back."
Amelia nodded and said, "I've got just the man."
Once the personal effects, dormitories and common rooms of each of the
Houses - plus, the routes to each - were searched, the way was now clear
for students to be escorted back to their dorms. After the meal was
completed, they were accompanied by two male and two female aurors
each.
The students were to be taken to their common rooms and held there.
Then the students with locked trunks would be individually taken to
them and told to open them. Harry heard, later, that there was a fair bit
of loud complaining from some of the students about the property search.
None of the students with locked trunks had anything they shouldn't have
had. Unless you claim loads of chocolate in one as something they
couldn't be allowed. The aurors left it all alone.
The two Seventh Year Slytherins were held back from leaving the Entry
Hall. Harry, as their rightful Head of House, Amelia and a couple of her
aurors took the two older boys aside and they were told to explain. One
said it was an item his father had, and he just wanted to bring it to
school to show his friends. The other refused to talk about it and claimed
he was a minor and couldn't be asked questions like that.
"Bullshit, Mister Jones," Amelia firmly retorted. "You cannot be in seventh
year and still be a minor. Or, did you forget you had a seventeenth
birthday not that long ago?"
Both were taken back to the DMLE for further questioning, and for their
guardians to be summoned.
Once the students were all dealt with the four heirs, Amelia and a couple
of her aurors entered the Great Hall and walked towards the other end.
Some of the staff were standing just behind the head table and chatting
quietly, or were still sitting at the table and chatting.
As soon as the party entered the Hall, all the staff fell silent and watched
them come.
While they were walking up, Susan said, "I think we should all sit at the
Hufflepuff table. There'll be more room."
Hermione said, "That's a good idea." While Amelia, Harry and Neville
nodded.
Towards the head end of the Hufflepuff table, Susan called towards the
staff and said, "I think it would be best if you were joining us, here,
Professors."
The staff hesitated a moment before walking around the head table and
making their way over to sit on the benches at the Hufflepuff table. They
spread themselves even between the two sides. Amelia sat with them.
The other three heirs stood with Harry at the head of the table. He pulled
Susan's chair out of the way.
"Okay," he said. "First, I apologise that this has all hit you folks cold.
What happened at the end of the sorting was not what was supposed to
happen."
Susan said, "What was supposed to happen is, we'd be sorted as per
normal. We'd then enjoy a year as normal First Year students. This would
give us the time to enjoy being ordinary students for a year. At the end of
the school year, at the Leaving Feast, we would... then... show ourselves
for whom we truly were."
Hermione next said, "That would have given us the time to help you
accept that the heirs of the four founders had finally returned to
Hogwarts, to take up their roles. However, Lady Hogwarts was not
prepared to wait."
"No," said Neville. "As soon as we crossed the wards on the other side of
the lake, Lady Hogwarts attempted to hand us the wards immediately.
We, through Lord Slytherin here, refused her."
"However," said Susan, once more taking the conversation, "That did not
deter her from forcing us to take them through a different way. She
couldn't say the four heirs had arrived, herself. So, she used the Sorting
Hat to do it for her."
The Sorting Hat, from where it was still sitting on the stool before the
head table, suddenly spoke up and said, "And it was my distinct pleasure
to do so!"
Harry sighed back at the Hat and thought to the castle, 'Can you please
make it go away?'
The Hat and stool disappeared.
Turning back to the Hufflepuff table he said, "That gets rid of the 'big
mouth', for now."
Hermione said, "Lady Hogwarts was deeply concerned about the welfare
of the students. It's her job to be. She had been notifying the Headmaster,
Albus Dumbledore, of the problems of which she was aware... such as
one of the Professors being possessed... but the Headmaster failed in his
duties to immediately act."
"So she did," said Neville. "The arrival of the four heirs... us... gave her the
opportunity to go over the Headmaster's head. But, she couldn't do it
until we took up our titles, here, in the Great Hall. So, she forced the
issue. And we had no choice but to go along with it."
Harry asked, "Before we continue, are there any questions on what has
been explained to you, so far?"
Professor McGonagall coughed to clear her throat, and asked, "You're
telling us that the castle is alive?"
"No," said Susan. "It's sentient. However, it came as a big shock to us,
too."
"So, Potter," sneered Professor Snape. "We're supposed to let children
dictate to us?"
Staring right back, Harry said, "Firstly; it's Lord Slytherin or, My Lord, as
I am the Lord of your House. You will remember that. Secondly; no,
Potions Master Snape, children will not be dictating to you. Magic and
Law emancipated us. We four are adults and it will be fully recognised as
such." Harry held up his right hand showing his Slytherin ring. "And it is
your employers, who will be dictating to you.
"What this means is the following: We four own Hogwarts; the school, the
castle, the grounds it sits upon for many miles around, and the town of
Hogsmeade. And we own it outright, to the point it is effectively sovereign
land and, by Her orders, we operate under the direct authority of Her
Majesty, the Queen."
Hermione said, "That's to what Harry... sorry, Lord Slytherin... was
referring when he instructed Headmaster Dumbledore to accompany the
aurors or he'd be fired. We have that authority."
Professor Snape tried again to be surly. "And who gave you all this
supposed authority?" he asked.
Neville replied, "Our authority comes direct from Her Majesty, the
Queen, as per Royal Decree and Treaty of the 1st of January of the Year
Ten Hundred. It was signed by the then King of England, King Kenneth
the Third; and the then King of Scotland, King Ethelred the Second."
Susan took it up again, "By their authority the lands of Hogwarts was set
aside for the four founders to run their school of magic. The four
founders were given dual-recognised titles in both courts of the day. And
it predates even the formation of the Wizengamot, by centuries. The Earl
of Gryffindor, the Earl of Slytherin, the Countess of Hufflepuff and the
Countess of Ravenclaw... for those unaware, a Countess is the same rank
as an Earl... are recognised in both the magical and non-magical worlds."
Neville said, "That means only Her Majesty has authority over us. And
also means, while you are here on Hogwarts land, we are your Lords and
Ladies. And it is only Her Majesty who can overrule a decision we make
or an action we take."
"However," said Harry. "We also understand all those 'Lord this' and 'Lady
that' is just stupid. So, in classes... those we attend... we shall only be
known just as any other student; Mister Potter, Mister Longbottom, Miss
Bones or Miss Granger. We will also not interfere with the day-to-day
running of the school. That's the Headmaster's, or Headmistress's, job."
Hermione said, "But, we will be, before too long, altering the curriculum
of the school. It is our responsibility to do so. However, we will be seeking
a great deal of input from the staff."
Professor McGonagall said, "But, you're only children; even if you have
been emancipated!"
Susan said, "We recognise that students will not be comfortable coming
to us with their problems. Especially, the older students. So, those of you
who fulfilled our role for us as nominal heads of the Houses, you are
welcome to remain and fulfil the roles of House Counsellors. The remit
for the position remains the same."
Neville said, "The staff will handle the day-to-day running of the school,
but we will run the Houses. We expect those who accept the positions as
House Counsellors to take their proper position at meal times sitting in
the chair at the foot of the table where the senior students, at least, can
talk to you during meals." She indicated the chair that had appeared at
the foot of the Hufflepuff table, "Such as that one down there."
Hermione said, "If you are going to be a part of a House, then you will sit
with the House. We will be doing the same, at this end of the table,"
indicating the chair Harry had pulled out of the way. "This is so the
students better understand we are approachable. We don't bite."
Harry said, "So, Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick, Professor
Sprout and Professor Snape; if you accept the positions of House
Counsellors, you will be sitting at that end of the hall, during meal
times." And he pointed to the other end of the tables.
"I will not!" snapped Professor Snape.
"In that case," said Harry firmly. "I thank you for your time acting as Head
of House Slytherin. Your services, in that position, or in the position of
House Counsellor, are no longer required. I shall be seeking a new House
Counsellor for the students of my House."
"You're an arrogant child, Potter," snarled Professor Snape. "Just like your
father!"
Harry shot back, coldly, "I will write off your comments, Professor, as
those of a man in shock. You will hold your tongue if you are unable to
use it in a civil manner. Should you fail to do so, you will be escorted
from this room. Perhaps even from the castle. Dumbledore is not here to
protect you from your own actions!"
Before another word could be said in anger, Neville said, "Acting
Headmistress McGonagall. As of only a short time ago, you now are
responsible for four positions within this castle; Acting Headmistress,
Deputy Headmistress, Transfigurations Professor and the acting Head of
House Gryffindor. I wish to retain you as House Counsellor for
Gryffindor, but Lord Slytherin rightly informed me your current four
roles is too excessive for one person to hold. I seek your counsel on what
we are to do about it."
The woman auror sent off to collect a Master Healer came in and passed
a note to Amelia. She read it, nodded to the woman, and placed the note
in her pocket. Harry noticed it, knowing it's meaning.
Professor McGonagallthought about it for a few moments before saying,
"I hope the position as Acting Headmistress is only for a short period.
And I want to retain my role as... Counsellor of House Gryffindor. How
soon do you need a decision?"
Amelia spoke for the first time, "I wouldn't bet your only being
Headmistress is for a 'short time', Minerva. Mister Dumbledore is in a
great deal of trouble with my office, at present."
Harry asked, "If I may offer a suggestion?"
Professor McGonagallhesitated a moment, but nodded.
"You're going to be quite busy filling the roles of Acting Headmistress and
House Counsellor. I'd like for us four to make Professor Flitwick Acting
Deputy Headmaster, and have a temporary teacher brought in to fulfil
the role of Transfigurations Professor. Plus, we already need a new
Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor."
Professor Flitwick exclaimed, "Oh! I say!"
Hermione asked Harry, "You're thinking of Remus and Sirius?"
Harry nodded.
Frowning Professor McGonagallsaid, "I like it. But, how are you going to
get Professor Flitwick approved by the School Board?"
"Oh, I'm sorry," said Susan. "I thought that would be obvious. The services
of the School Board of Governors are no longer required. We make the
decisions, remember? The Board has become... superfluous."
That got a few of the staff muttering and talking among themselves.
Professor Sinistra said, "They're not going to be happy hearing that. Some
of those people consider their roles to be hereditary."
"Tough!" said Neville. "Their role was supposed to be as guardians of the
school. And those roles only existed as the founders, or their heirs, were
no longer available. However, over the years, that role has become...
corrupted. Now they just 'approve' and 'disapprove' matters when they're
not happy with decisions that were made by staff, especially the
headmaster. We are the ultimate authority. Therefore, the Board has
become... defunct."
"Plus," continued Harry, "as they're supposed to have been the guardians
of the school, they're just as liable for the crap Madam Bones's people are
currently dealing with, as is the Headmaster. I'm wondering how much
wailing and gnashing of teeth they're going to be doing once that's
brought to their attention."
Amelia snorted. "Thank you, Lord Slytherin," she said. "I was wondering
how I was going to deal with them."
"So," said Harry, trying to get things back on track. "Remus as
Transfigurations Professor and Sirius as DADA Professor?"
The other three nodded. He turned to McGonagalland asked, "Do you
have a problem with me asking Remus Lupin to temporarily hold the fort
as Transfigurations Professor, and Lord Black as DADA Professor?"
McGonagalljust shook her head.
"Great!" replied Harry. "I'll contact them both once we're finished here.
They should be packed and here by tomorrow morning."
Harry then said, "I have nothing else for the staff to know, tonight."
Turning to the other three he asked, "How about you folks?" He only had
shaken heads.
Susan said to him, "They can always think about what questions they
want to ask and ask them after we address the students at 9.00am
tomorrow morning."
Harry nodded and said, "A most excellent suggestion." Turning to Amelia,
he asked, "Madam Bones, I believe there's a matter you wish to raise?"
Amelia nodded and said, "A couple, actually, Lord Potter. But, first, I
want the staff to follow me to the Infirmary. There's something there we
need to take care of."
"Certainly, Madam Bones," he replied. Looking to the staff he said, "Well,
folks, it looks like we're all going to the Infirmary. Come along, then,
please."
He saw a number of frowns on faces as they all began to stand. Madam
Pomfrey asked, "Is there someone hurt?"
Amelia replied, "We believe so, yes."
The staff, the four heirs and Amelia started to make their way from the
Great Hall.
Madam Pomfrey said, "Then I must hurry!"
"No need," said Amelia, "It's non-life-threatening and it's being taken care
of."
As they passed through the Entry Hall, Amelia was handed another note.
She read it, frowned and put it in her pocket with the first one.
# # #
As they arrived in the Infirmary on the second floor, two aurors closed
the doors behind them and took up guard positions.
Harry had the other three hang back with him. He whispered to them,
"This is Madam Bones's thing. It's best if we stay out of it, okay?"
The other three nodded. They moved to stand on the other side of the
room to watch.
While they were moving, an older wizard started speaking to the
assembled staff. "I'm Master Healer Jenkins," he said. "I've been asked to
examine each of you to detect if anything... magical... a magical attack
has been made upon you."
"I don't think that's necessary," said McGonagall, with a frown. "I assure
you, I have not!"
The other staff were also not happy about this.
"Then my passing a wand over you will not matter, then," he replied.
McGonagallfrowned even deeper. Then she sighed and said, "Very well!"
The Healer passed a wand over her. "Thank you. Please, go stand over
there!" he said indicating a spot off to the left.
McGonagall, still frowning, walked a little apart to the left.
Madam Pomfrey then stepped forward and said, "You can do me, next."
The Healer passed a wand over her. "Thank you. Please, go stand over
there with the Professor!" he said indicating McGonagall.He looked at
Amelia with a very grim look, before turning back to what he was doing.
He then moved through the staff slowly. Almost all staff were sent off to
the right. Professors Snape and Hagrid were sent to stand with
McGonagalland Pomfrey. Those four were the ones Harry figured would
be the only ones. He just thanked God there weren't more.
Healer Jenkins then said to the others, "Thank you for your patience, you
may go." Two aurors escorted them back out of the infirmary.
Turning to the four he said, "I now require you four to take one bed
each."
"Sir, I assure you..." started McGonagall.
"No, Madam, you do not," said the Healer, matter-of-factly. "One to a bed,
please. You have each been magically attacked. In fact, you've each been
attacked at least once."
"What?" roared Snape. "Who would dare?!"
"That, Sir," said the Healer, "is what we're about to learn! Now, one to a
bed. Please!"
He had them each lie on a bed, side by side and each separated by a
transportable curtain. The heads of the beds were turned up so the
patients were partly sitting up.
Harry and the other three came closer, to stand next to Amelia. However,
they remained out of the Master Healer's way. There were two witches
with him. Harry assumed them to be medi-witches.
Healer Jenkins started with the first patient, Acting Headmistress
McGonagall. With his two medi-witches in support, he carefully made a
scan of her head. He spent quite a while.
When he stopped, he said to her, "I'll be back."
Then he moved on to Madam Pomfrey on the next bed. Same check and
he moved on to Snape, then Hagrid.
Then he came over to speak with Amelia. "May I speak with you in
private?" he asked.
Amelia grimly shook her head and said, "These four remain. It is their
staff you're examining. Now, what's going on?"
Healer Jenkins looked at the four heirs, hesitated a moment, and said,
"All four have been obliviated in one form or another. Medi-witch
Pomfrey has a significant hole in her memories going back about a
decade, as does Mister Hagrid. Mister Snape's is more recent but it's more
of a... attitude adjustment... than a memory obliviation. The worst is
Missus McGonagall's. She has the same decade old obliviation, but she
also has a number of others, with memory modification, over the course
of the past same decade."
"And what can you do, Master Healer?" she asked.
"Very little, I'm afraid," he replied with a shake of his head and sigh.
'Damn it!' thought Harry. 'Well, bugger!'
"If I remove the blocks on their memories I'm likely to cause damage,"
said the Healer. "It may be irreparable."
"What's going on?" called Snape.
The old Healer turned to Snape and said, "I'll be with you in a moment,
sir."
She asked, "Is the magical signature the same?"
He grimly nodded.
Harry said to Amelia, "Madam Bones?"
She looked at Harry and cocked an eyebrow.
Harry looked back grimly and said, "I'm... we're... going to need the
people in this room to take a magical vow of silence. Then, I'll explain
why."
Amelia frowned at Harry for a moment. Then, he could see she suddenly
understood.
She turned to the two aurors who were still standing guard at the door.
"You two," she called. "Stand outside and bar anyone entry. The rest of
you, except the medical personnel, the four patients and the four heirs,
leave the room immediately."
The two aurors plus a couple more that were inside, left the room.
After they were gone, she said softly to the four, "This doesn't include you
four." Then, she said to the room, "I now require each of you to give a
magically binding vow you will not discuss with anyone what's about to
happen in this room over... for the rest of the evening!"
"Madam!" exclaimed the Healer. "I took an oath!"
"This will not impinge on your oath," she replied. "You're about to learn
something I cannot allow anyone else to know."
"Very well," he grumped. He drew his wand and made the oath. All the
others, including the four patients did the same.
"And what about these four?" the Healer asked, indicating the four heirs.
"They're the reason for your oath," she replied.
Harry said to the old Healer, "Tell them what's going on, Sir. And you
may as well tell all four of them together, now."
The Master Healer frowned at Harry, but turned to his patient's. He said
to them all, "My apologies for the delay. I regret to inform you, you have
each been obliviated or mind-altered, at least once."
"What?" they all, except Hagrid, roared. Hagrid said, "I don' rememba tha'
happ'nin'!"
The others all tried to ask questions or make demands at the same time.
Harry just walked forward, raised his right hand and said, "Stop!"
They all quieted down. Snape glared at him, Hagrid was frowning in
confusion, Pomfrey was in tears and McGonagall was displaying shock
and anger. Pomfrey and Hagrid were lying back while Snape and
McGonagallwere sitting right up.
Harry said, "Let the Master Healer finish what he has to say."
Healer Jenkins walked to stand between the feet of the beds of Pomfrey
and Snape. "One of you has had their... attitude... adjusted using a
combination of an Obliviate Curse and Legilimens attack. Two of you
have been obliviated once, and the obliviation erased a significant
portion of time back about a decade ago. The fourth person had the same
obliviation but has also had multiple attacks since then."
He then sighed and said, "There's very little I can do for you. The damage
is too old."
Harry stepped forward and said, "Now, I'm going to step you through
when I believe it happened, and by whom. That is, if you can't figure the
second part out for yourselves."
He headed over to stand at the foot of Hagrid's bed. "Hagrid. The night
my parents died. Dumbledore told you my parents were dead and told
you to go and get me from the cottage where they were staying. You
collected me from the cottage nursery. Then you went downstairs. You
jumped on Sirius Black's motorcycle and left. Where did you go?"
"Errr... Ummm... Harry... errr Lord Slytherin, sir... It... it's best not to
speak o' such things..."
"Hagrid!" barked Harry. "You will speak of it. You were riding Sirius
Black's flying motorcycle. Where did you go?"
"I... umm... came back 'ere to 'ogwarts."
"Then what happened?"
"Then... ummm... Perfessor Dumbledore, he 'ad me take you to another
place."
"What place?"
"I... ummm... I don' remember."
"When you brought me back here. What happened when you arrived?"
"I... I took you to... I took you to that other place."
"You came here, and then immediately took me to that other place?"
"I must've."
Harry nodded and moved on to Madam Pomfrey.
"When Hagrid brought me back here, did you examine me?"
She replied, "I don't ever recall seeing you before this evening, Lord
Slytherin."
Harry nodded and went to Professor McGonagall, who appeared to be in
shock with what she'd just heard.
"That's not how you remember it, is it, Ma'am," said Harry.
"Definitely not!" she replied. "Hagrid brought you here the night your
parents died. I know that. But he didn't deliver you to your aunt and
uncle's place until the next evening."
"Were you here when Hagrid arrived?"
"Yes, I was just leaving. I headed for your aunt and uncle's place."
"So, you were at my aunt and uncle's place for the rest of that evening
and through to the next evening?"
"Yes. I went there to check them out. I wanted to be sure it would be a
safe place for you."
Harry nodded and asked, "And what was the weather like that day?"
"I... I... don't remember!"
"Okay, so you were there when Hagrid showed up. How did he arrive?"
"He arrived riding Sirius's motorcycle with you tucked inside his coat."
"And how did Dumbledore arrive? Did he arrive before or after Hagrid?"
"Before... and... I don't remember how he arrived."
"What happened next?"
"We left."
"So, I was still inside Hagrid's coat?"
"No, we must've left you behind, first."
"Do you remember it?"
"N…no."
"Have you ever considered going back to check on me?"
"Of course!"
"And did you?"
"I... I don't remember."
Harry nodded. He turned and looked back to the Master Healer. He said,
"Now we know what was taken. The knowledge of their actions relating
to me on the nights of the 31st of October and the 1st of November 1981.
And the knowledge of either visiting me, or wanting to visit me, over the
past near decade by Acting Headmistress McGonagall, here."
Harry walked over to stand at Professor Snape's bed. "Now, I'm pretty
sure I know what's been altered in your attitude."
"What would you know of it, Potter?" the Professor snapped at him.
"You're just an arrogant git, just like your father."
"That's what's been altered," replied Harry. "Your attitude towards me."
Stepping across to stand with the Master Healer, who was in shock
himself, over what Harry had just done, Harry said to all four of them,
"Here's what actually happened. Dumbledore had monitoring charms on
the Potter Cottage in Godric's Hollow. He saw them go off. Instead of
contacting his Order of the Phoenix, and or the aurors, and letting them
know the Potters were under attack, he summoned Hagrid to his office.
"He then sent Hagrid via, I think, portkey to the Potter Cottage to collect
me. He knew my parents were dead and that I was still alive. Think about
how he managed that. Hagrid arrived and found me in the Potter Cottage
remains up in the nursery, alive but with an injury to my forehead.
Hagrid carried me outside and found Sirius's motorcycle where Sirius had
left it when he went off chasing Peter Pettigrew. Instead of risking
another portkey with an injured infant, Hagrid stuffed me in his coat and
took the motorcycle. He rode it back to here.
"It was sometime around then that Professor McGonagall, under
Dumbledore's orders, left to go to Little Whinging in Surrey to check out
the home of my aunt and uncle. Dumbledore had told her that was where
he was going to place me. However, my mother had told her what her
sister and husband were like. She stayed all night and through to the next
evening in her animagus form of a tabby cat. She did not like what she
saw.
"When Hagrid arrived at Hogwarts, because I was injured, he brought me
directly to this very room. Madam Pomfrey examined me and found that
I had a soul leech stuck in my head, attached to my wound," he said,
indicating his scar.
There were quite a few exclamations of shock. The Master Healer
immediately waved his wand over Harry's forehead. "There was definitely
something there. But, it's gone now."
Harry nodded to the Healer and pressed on. "Madam Pomfrey wanted to
take me immediately to Saint Mungo's. Dumbledore had arrived in the
infirmary by that time and either then or later, probably later, hit Madam
Pomfrey and Hagrid with an Obliviate Curse. I was kept here for about
twenty-four hours.
"The next evening Dumbledore sent Hagrid with me, again, in his coat
down to where my aunt and uncle lived in Surrey. Hagrid was riding the
motorcycle so Dumbledore was able to bide his time. Later, Dumbledore
arrived in Little Whinging through apparation and was met by Professor
McGonagall. Hagrid arrived a few minutes later.
"Dumbledore then took me from Hagrid and placed me on the bloody
doorstep - in the middle of the bloody night, in late Spring - and stuck a
letter on my chest for my aunt and uncle. He didn't even bother to knock
or ring the bell to let them know I was there. Then he, Professor
McGonagall and Hagrid left. He, again, obliviated you both to my being
delivered there."
Looking to McGonagall, he said, "And I believe he's also obliviated you
whenever he found out you had visited, or were about to visit, the
Dursleys to stop you from doing so and planting the suggestion you had,
and that everything was okay."
Looking at Snape, he said, "And I think he's altered you to make you
somewhat hostile towards me. He's able to do that by playing on your...
dislike... for my father."
McGonagall was leaning forward with her head in her hands. It sounded
like she was crying. Madam Pomfrey definitely was. She was weeping
openly, as was Hagrid. Professor Snape was frowning away and
muttering curses.
Harry allowed them a few moments to digest what he'd told them, and to
come to terms with it.
Healer Jenkins said, "I wish I could do something for you all. The only
thing I can do is offer you sedative potions. At least now, if Lord
Slytherin is right, you all know what happened."
"Well, this is where the magically binding vow comes in," said Harry.
"With the help of Susan, Neville and Hermione, I can recover a lot of
those memories that were removed without harm to any of you."
"What?" asked the healer with a frown. "That's impossible!"
"No, sir, it is not." said Harry firmly. "What I need you to do is be ready
to sedate each of the patients when I'm done. At the very least, they're
going to come out of what I do to them, very dizzy. It may take them a
while to... reabsorb... the memories."
Harry then turned to the other three heirs and said, "We'll start with
Hagrid."
The four of them walked over to Hagrid's bed. Harry was standing the
closest to Hagrid's head on the side opposite Snape.
"Okay, guys," he said. "Magical medicine. The Obliviate Undo charm."
The other three frowned for a couple of seconds before Harry could see
they'd each found it.
Harry then drew his wand and looked down at Hagrid. "When I do this, a
lot of images are going to flash through your mind, then sound and the
other senses. It may take you a while to sort through it. Give yourself
time and don't try to sit up, or you may fall out of bed. Okay?"
Hagrid looked a little afraid, but he said, "I trust yer, 'Arry!"
Harry smiled and nodded at the man.
"Okay, guys. I need your magical support," he said.
He raised his wand and said, "Obliviatus Obscura Revealus!" And tapped
Hagrid lightly on the forehead with the tip of his wand.
They waited a few seconds while Hagrid's eyes darted about, not
focussing on anything. He stiffed and shook a bit before he let out a cry
and suddenly bursting into renewed tears. "Oh Merlin!" he cried. "What
did we do to yer, 'Arry? What did we do?"
"It's okay, Hagrid," said Harry, patting him on the shoulder. "It was all
Dumbledore."
Hagrid was still bawling as Harry and the other three left the side of the
bed. The medi-witches then hit him with a sleeping draught.
The three heirs then approached Madam Pomfrey's bed. "Madam
Pomfrey? Do you want us to do this?" asked Harry.
Madam Pomfrey grimaced but gave a firm nod.
"Okay, guys," he said. "Same again."
Harry still had his wand in his hand and gave the same explanation as he
gave to Hagrid.
When he asked her if she wanted him to go through with it, Madam
Pomfrey nodded again and closed her eyes.
Again, he raised his wand and said, "Obliviatus Obscura Revealus!" And
tapped her lightly on the forehead.
A few seconds later she drew a deep breath and held it. Harry could see
her eyes dancing about under her eyelids. "Aaaahh!" she cried. Then she
shot up to a sitting position. Harry had hold of her by her shoulder as
Neville stepped forward and grabbed her by the other. She swayed about
and Harry forced her to lie back again. He held her down, this time.
Her eyes then shot open and she looked straight ahead. Tears started
welling in her eyes again. "Oh, Merlin!" she sobbed.
Once Harry was sure she wasn't going to try and sit up again, he let her
go. He and the others moved away from the bed.
Moving around to McGonagall'sbed, Harry said, "Acting Headmistress
McGonagall, because you've had multiple obliviations across the past
decade, your reaction is going to be quite stronger. Do you want me to do
this?"
McGonagalllooked right back with fire in her eyes and said firmly, "Yes,
Lord Slytherin, I do!"
Harry gave her the same explanation and asked her if she wanted him to
continue.
"Yes, Lord Slytherin," she replied with a firm voice.
Once again, he raised his wand and said, "Obliviatus Obscura Revealus!"
And tapped her lightly on the forehead as she closed her eyes.
McGonagall's reaction was almost immediate. She stiffened right up and
let out a small cry. Her eyes were going crazy behind her eyelids. Harry
reached out and put his hand on her shoulder. Neville did the same from
the other side.
"Don't fight it, Minerva," said Harry. "Let it come. It will not harm you!"
Then she'd suddenly relax and let out an explosive whoosh of air, before
stiffening up again and drawing a deep breath.
They stood that why for a while. McGonagallslowly relaxed and just laid
there sobbing. Harry and the others moved away from the bed. The medi-
witches then moved in to do their thing.
Once Harry was sure the three were going to be okay he went back over
to Amelia. "They should probably rest for the night; especially Acting
Headmistress McGonagall. They've got a lot to think about."
Amelia nodded.
After checking on Professor McGonagallhimself, the Master Healer came
over. He asked, "What was that spell you used, My Lord? I must have it."
Harry replied, "Well, you can't tell anyone where you got it from; but,
okay." Turning to Hermione he asked, "Can you step Master Healer
Jenkins through the mechanics of the charm, 'Mione?"
She nodded and led the old Healer aside to instruct him.
Harry thought for a bit and then walked over to Professor Snape. He said,
"I'm pretty sure I know what to do with you, Professor. But it's something
I'd really rather not do."
"And just what do you think you could do, Potter?" sneered Snape. "I'm a
Master Occlumens!"
Harry sighed and said, "Then you can go into your own mind and fix the
bloody problem! However, the fact you're an Occlumens is really not
going to matter one whit if I have to do something about it. And it's still
Lord Slytherin! However, I now know your... sucky... attitude is not
entirely your own fault. So, I'm going to cut you a bit of slack... for now."
He left the man spluttering and muttering.
Harry went to turn about before hesitating and turning back. "Remember
this, though. If I really was anything like my father, you'd already be
gone by now. I'm much more like my mother. Her eyes are not the only
part of her within me I inherited." Then he walked away.
He rejoined Amelia and Master Healer Jenkins. He said to the Healer,
"Professor Snape is going to be far more difficult. There's something I can
do but it's going to be quite... rude... of me to do it. The man's a Master
Occlumens, so I want to see if he can adjust his own attitude, first. Other
than that, unless you need him for anything else, you should release him
for now."
"Well, I can possibly recommend an Occlumens therapist that can help
him find and repair the damage. But it's up to him," said the Healer.
"Offer it to him," said Harry. "It's up to him to take it or not. But, it'd be
best if we leave the room. As the modification is based on me, I think my
presence may influence his response."
The Healer nodded and went to talk to the Professor. Harry, the other
heirs and Amelia headed out of the infirmary.
# # #
Back down at the Entry Hall, Amelia's aurors were finalising their search.
The castle had been searched and they'd only found two more dark items.
One was in the castle library and behind a locked case. Harry told her to
leave it, if no one could get to it. And the other was in the owner's suites
in the rooms allotted for Lord Slytherin.
That surprised Harry. He hadn't even thought where he, and the other
three, would be sleeping that night. The idea there was owner's suites
appealed to him.
However, they'd clearly not been able to search either the Room of
Requirement or the Chamber of Secrets. That meant they hadn't found
Rowena's diadem or the basilisk.
Amelia said, "Well, it looks like the castle is now clear, thank Merlin!"
Harry nodded and said, "That leaves just the grounds. But, that can wait
until daylight and when there's more time."
Amelia looked askance at him and asked, "The grounds?"
"The Forbidden Forest," he replied. "I know there are a number of
dangerous creatures in there. And we don't like them this close to the
castle."
"What sort of dangerous creatures?" she carefully asked.
Instead of answering, Harry asked, "Do you really want to know, right
now?"
"Yes, I think I had better," she replied with a sigh.
"Well, for one, there's a significant acromantulan nest somewhere in the
middle of it. And there are hundreds of the buggers there. The largest,
Aragog, has a body about the size of a small horse. With its legs spread, it
would easily fill the floor of this Entry Hall. It's been there for almost fifty
years."
"Oh, sweet Merlin!" she said, putting her face in her right hand.
"Something to deal with in the broad daylight, Amelia," said Harry
firmly. "Oh, and leave the centaurs alone. I know they're considered dark
creatures, but there's an unwritten treaty with them. They can live there,
so long as they behave themselves. And, I don't want any creature that
isn't harmful to children removed, either.
"But, as I said, something for the daylight hours. There's no rush."
"Alright, then we'll be back at about lunch time tomorrow, then," she
said. She walked off to talk to her aurors muttering, "Acromantulans,
hundreds of them, less than a mile from the castle. Why me?"
# # #
Just before Amelia and her aurors left for the night, Harry and the others
sent the staff off to bed. They already knew the four still in the infirmary
had been magically attacked, and that they were going to be alright.
Harry told them he was quite sure they'd be down for breakfast, the next
morning.
Then he told Amelia they'd leave the Entry Hall open as an apparation
point, for now. There really wasn't any reason for one not to exist in the
castle during a time of peace, anyway. But he'd definitely find a better
place for it. One where it'd be out of the way and securable.
Susan called for an elf, and asked it to show them the way to the owner's
suites. Harry thought she was really starting to assert herself. Hermione
was also starting to take a firmer role in matters, but Neville was still
lagging behind a little.
'Ah give them time, ya bully!' Harry thought. 'They'll get there, even
Neville.'
When they walked in to their suites on the second floor, which were
quite spacious, they found a common room with a large fireplace. The
decor was quite antiquated, but Harry still considered it quite opulent.
The set of suites led off it. There was each of the House crests on one of
six doors leading out of the room. One of the doors was the set of fancy
double doors through which they entered the room, there was one to
each of the four houses, and a sixth one. The sixth led to a communal
kitchen and some storage space; plus an individual toilet and wash-up
area.
Harry entered his Slytherin suite. Again, very opulent but antiquated. He
had a huge master bedroom, a private wash facility, a large walk in robe,
and a private combined office library. He checked the bed and found it
had freshly laundered sheets ready for him to climb into and sleep. His
trunk was also in the room and his school uniforms were hung up ready.
He also had a second set of the silk robes he was wearing, plus a set of
student's robes with the Slytherin colours.
'Well, so much for buying those expensive bloody trunks for each of us,'
he thought.
The library had all his books on the shelves, adding to the scrolls already
there. He wondered if he'd even be able to read them, or they'd just
crumble. His potions, potions ingredients and the three hundred plus
copies of his 'auto' biography were still in the trunk.
He went back out into the common room to see how the others had
found their rooms.
Hermione was already there. She said, "Harry, the rooms are gorgeous!
And the bed is just so huuuuge! I've got my own office and bathroom,
too!"
Harry smiled and said, "Same here. But, I don't know if I like the decor.
For one, everything is just so old. For another, my room is mainly
decorated in green."
"Oh, Harry," she said. "But the colour matches your eyes so well!"
Neville had walked in and only heard Harry's last comment and
Hermione's reply. He snorted. "Ooohhh... Haaaarrrryyy!" he gushed in a
little girl's voice. "You have such beautiful eyes!" And broke into laughter.
"Nev," said Harry ominously. "Have you ever wondered what the inside of
a toilet waste pipe looks like?"
Hermione just harrumphed.
"Alright, we've got folks to call," said Harry. "I need to call Sirius and
Remus, Hermione needs to call her folks, and Nev needs to call his
grandmother. Let's be about it, then."
However, first things first, they needed to eat. None of them had eaten
much of anything, except snacks, since breakfast that morning. The house
elves brought them a large serving of fresh meats and fruit, plus tea and
pumpkin juice. They ate while they talked on their mirrors.
Hermione's parents were quite shocked that their little girl had 'come out
of the closet', so to speak. Neville's grandmother couldn't make up her
mind whether to be joyous or upset, so settled for both in equal measure.
One second she was congratulating him; the next, she wanted to berate
Harry for getting her grandson into this. And Sirius and Remus were both
happy for him, and the others.
However, Harry's next move came as a shock to both of them. "You heard
me, Professors. We need you here tomorrow morning. 9.00am sharp,
please. You may want to arrive earlier as you'll need to move your stuff
in, first, and review the materials Quirrell and Professor McGonagallhad
set for the term."
"Harry, please," begged his godfather. "Have a heart. I'm a humble man,
newly released from Azkaban."
"Oh, sorry, Sirius," said Harry, voice dripping with mock sympathy.
"Would you like me to book you back into Saint Mungo's for a bit of
rehab? I'm sure your bed in room 49a is still available."
Sirius sighed and said, "That's low, Pup."
Harry said, "I really am sorry, Sirius; but I need you. You can't tell me
you're not one of the best skilled defenders against the dark arts, there is,
who isn't already an auror or an Unspeakable. Acting Headmistress
McGonagallhas already given the nod for you to do it. Same with
Remus."
"Alright, Prongslet," replied Sirius, surrendering. "We'll both be there in
the morning."
"Thank you, Sirius," said Harry. "I knew I could count on you."
After disconnecting from Sirius and Remus, Harry heard Hermione
reviewing what had happened for her parents. They had their heads
together peering back into their own mirror. Seeing Harry peer over
Hermione's shoulder, Dan asked, "So, your cover's blown, then?"
"Yes, Sir," replied Harry. "Myrrdin and I had no idea the castle was
sentient. We should have thought of that, though. It makes sense, when
you think about it. After all, the Sorting Hat is sentient, why wouldn't the
castle be?"
Dan said, "Harry, there's an old army maxim. No plan survives much
beyond first contact with the enemy. Then, it's in God's hands."
Harry replied, "Well, Sir, I hope Her Majesty understands that when I
send her a report on what has happened via Sir David at MI5."
Harry," said Dan, gently, "she's the Queen. Of course she knows that."
Harry nodded and said, "Well, it's now publicly official, Sir. Your daughter
is a Countess. Congratulations. I bet neither of you had these dreams for
her."
Emma snorted. "We couldn't be happier, Harry."
Harry left Hermione to chat with her parents. Neville had already
finished his call to his grandmother. And Susan had been waiting on
everyone else, but had also talked with Neville's Gran.
He told them Sirius and Remus would be arriving the next morning to
take up their new duties. Both of them were looking forward to seeing
them in the castle. Even though it was only a little over a few, long,
hours ago they'd seen them at Kings Cross Station.
Not too long after Hermione finished her call, all four of them sat
together to draft the letter to the Governors notifying them they were, in
effect, fired. Harry offered to go to the owlery to send out the notices.
"Before that, though," he said. "I want to clothe the elves similar to how I
have them clothed at Potter Manor. Are there any objections?"
Three head shakes and Harry called for an elf. "You called an elf, Master
Slyth'rin, Sir?" it asked.
"Yes," replied Harry. "I want to talk to the elf in charge of... what elves do
what in Hogwarts."
"Yes, Master Slyth'rin, Sir!" the little elf said before popping away. A
moment later, a new elf popped into place.
"So, you're in charge of the house elves, or just in charge of scheduling?"
asked Harry.
"Both, Master Slyth'rin, Sir!"
Harry nodded and said, "Are the same elves tasked with the same jobs all
the time? Or do you rotate them around?"
"All elves work together, Master Slyth'rin, Sir!" replied the elf. "We knows
what to do and gets it done."
Nodding again, Harry said, "Well, I don't like how the elves are forced to
wear rags. I want that fixed. You know what my desires are by looking at
me, yes?"
"Oh, yes, Master Slyth'rin, Sir!" And the elf was suddenly wearing black
slacks, a white shirt, a black pseudo-sports jacket with the Hogwarts crest
on the pocket of both jacket and shirt and black slip-on shoes. Harry
thought it actually looked quite smart.
Looking up at the other heirs he asked, "Well, gang? What do you think?"
Nodding, Neville said, "I like it; fitting and functional."
Hermione and Susan agreed. But, Hermione added, "The girl elves can all
wear knee length skirts of the same colour, though."
Looking at the now smartly dressed elf, Harry asked, "Are you under
instructions to remain hidden from the denizens of the castle?"
"Yes, Master Slyth'rin, Sir!"
"Well," said Harry, "when you need to be seen from now on, you may
allow yourselves to be so, okay?"
"Yes, Master Slyth'rin, Sir!"
"Make sure the other elves also know of these changes," instructed Harry.
"Off you go!"
Sighing, Harry said, "And that's me pooped for the night. I'll see you in
the morning. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Harry," the other three replied; though, none of the other
three left the room.
"When do we tell him?" asked Susan.
"Soon," replied Neville. "Leave him happy in his ignorance, for now."
"You know he's going to go mental, when we do tell him, don't you?"
asked Hermione.
"Yeah," said Neville. "But, we'll make sure Sirius and Remus are nearby
when we do. He can rant and rave all he likes; but, he won't be able to do
anything about it, anyway."
# # #
22. Tom's 'Outing'
A/N: Harry Potter and the Harry Potter universe belongs to J.K. Rowling.
I just play in her sandbox and make no monies from her works. I just
wish I did.
Chapter Twenty-Two - Tom's 'Outing'
# # #
The next morning saw four bleary-eyed owners enter the Great Hall
together again. They were, again, wearing their silk robes indicating their
authority. They had just come from visiting the infirmary where Hagrid
and Madam Pomfrey had already been released, but Professor
McGonagallwas in the middle of receiving a berating from Master Healer
Jenkins.
When the doors opened and the four heirs entered, the Master Healer
turned to Harry and said, "You need to tell your Acting Headmistress she
needs to obey her Healer's orders, and remain in bed for at least another
few hours!"
Harry sighed and said, "Master Healer Jenkins, she's an adult. I have no
right to order her to stay in bed as I feel it falls outside of my authority to
do so. If she wants out, then she can get out."
"Well, I don't bloody like it!" the Healer snapped. "I have no idea what
she may be in for now her memories have been returned."
"But I do," replied Harry. He turned to his new Acting Headmistress and
said, "Professor, if you want out no one is going to stop you. While we
cannot order you to stay in bed if you are healthy, your health is also our
responsibility. If you sense any lingering side effect of what we did last
night, you are to inform Madam Pomfrey immediately. Are we agreed?"
McGonagall was sitting on the side of her bed. The Acting Headmistress
saw who had entered and then cast her eyes downward. She replied with
a sad voice, "Yes, Lord Slytherin. May I now return to my duties?"
"Almost," he replied. "I need you to try and accept that I... nor anyone
else... holds you to blame for what happened to me these past ten years.
Hear me well, Minerva McGonagall, I will not forgive you, because there
is nothing to forgive you for."
McGonagall took a deep breath and held it. She firmed her face, looked
Harry in the eyes, and said, "Thank you... Harry."
"For helping you see the truth?" he asked. "You're welcome."
"Now, we're starved!" said Neville. "I'm a growing boy and I need
sustenance to help me grow big and strong!"
Susan snorted. "Or fat!" she said, as they all turned around and started to
head out of the infirmary again.
Harry went to his table and sat on his chair at the head. He looked down
the length of the table and saw the empty chair at the other end. 'Oh,
yes,' he thought with a grin. 'Someone is soon to receive a mighty shock.
The first prank of the year, if the Weasley twins don't beat me to it, will
be at dinner tonight.'
He saw the first years, even Draco, were hesitant to talk to each other,
fearing they'd be in trouble for doing so. So, Harry started it off by asking
one of the new First Years how she found her first night sleeping in the
castle.
Daphne Greengrass stammered to reply, "I... I... umm... it was... okay?"
"Last night was a bit of a shock, wasn't it?" he asked her.
She carefully replied, "It... was... not what I expected."
"Well, I'll let you in on a little secret," he said, all conspiratorially.
"Neither did we! We hadn't planned on anyone knowing for at least a
year yet. We wanted to enjoy our first year as students, just like you."
"Really... My Lord?" she asked, shocked.
"Yes, really, Miss Greengrass," he replied with a smile. "But, Lady
Hogwarts," he said with a gesture in the air, indicating the castle, "would
have none of it. She decided we would take our positions straight away."
Harry reached for some toast and a tab of butter, and proceeded to butter
his toast before spooning on some fresh marmalade.
"So..." one of the other Slytherin 'Firsties', Blaise Zabini, asked, "you really
didn't know it was going to happen?"
"Nope!" replied Harry with a grin, before taking a bite out his toast.
"But, you seemed prepared for it," Blaise said.
"We were," replied Harry. "Prior preparation and planning prevents poor
performance. That is, be prepared for whatever eventuality you may face.
A noble Slytherin trait, don't you think?"
Blaise, and a few others nodded. Harry could see they understood the
message.
One of others, Tracey Davis, then asked, "You said, 'Lady Hogwarts'. Is
the castle alive?"
"In a sense," replied Harry. "She's sentient. That means she's capable of
higher level thought and action. However, she doesn't have a beating
heart, or blood flowing through veins, or a brain. And she is supposed to
report to, and obey, us. Unlike last night."
Harry sat upright and seemed to peer off into the distance for a moment,
before giving a small snort of amusement.
"Was that her?" asked one of the Second Years, Terrence Higgs, who had
slid up the table to listen in.
"Yes, that was her," replied Harry with a chuckle. "She didn't actually
speak to me, then. Though she is capable of it. It's like a whisper in the
mind. But, what I got from her was an emotional sense of... smugness.
She's actually quite pleased with herself for what she did."
"Well," cut in young Draco Malfoy, who had only recently arrived at
table. "When I owl my father, about this, he'll soon put a stop to it. He's on
the school board." And looked rather pleased with himself.
Harry let him prattle on until he'd finished, and then said, "I have no
doubt your father will soon learn of this, Mister Malfoy. His termination
papers, as well as those for everyone else on the School Board, should be
winging their way to him, very soon; if they've not already been sent."
"Wh... what?" the young lad blurted.
"Really, Mister Malfoy," asked Harry, a touch condescendingly, "Did you
not pay attention to what happened not twelve feet from you, last night?"
"I... I..." the lad stammered.
Harry tsk-tsked and said, "What about when the Hat sang, 'The heirs have
come to Hogwarts, new, together side-by-side', and when I stood and
gave my oath where I said, '...being the magical heir of founder Salazaar
Slytherin...', and when the four of us recited, 'We four, the heirs united...'.
Did none of that mean anything to you?"
"Oh, my..." said Daphne.
"I...," stammered Draco, before bracing himself up and haughtily stating,
"I don't know what you mean."
"Clearly," said Harry. "However, it appears Miss Greengrass does." Harry
then indicated Daphne and asked, "Miss Greengrass?"
More students had gathered to hear what Harry was saying.
Daphne replied, "It means... the four heirs..." she indicated Harry and the
other three sitting at their own tables and talking to students, "... own
Hogwarts."
Harry nodded and said, "Correct, Miss Greengrass. Turning to one of the
other students, he asked, "And what does that mean regarding a School
Board of Governors?"
"Ummm... I... don't know," the student said a bit confused.
"Anyone?" he asked, looking around. "No?"
Nothing but headshakes except Daphne.
"Miss Greengrass?" asked Harry, looking back at the lass.
"As you own Hogwarts, and have taken control," she replied, "the school
no longer needs governors?"
"Very good, Miss Greengrass!" said Harry with a bright smile. "As of about
ten minutes after the completion of the sorting, last night, the entire
membership of the Board, including the remit of the Board itself, became
superfluous. They're all out of the job."
Draco huffed and said, "My father will not stand for that! You'll see!"
"Mister Malfoy," said Harry, "are you sure you were sorted into the right
House? Because, you're acting like a Gryffindor. Stop jumping in with
both feet before you have all the information you can gather. Don't
volunteer anything unless it gains you something in return."
Draco spluttered and looked ready to burst a vein. A couple of the other
boys grinned while two of the younger girls tittered.
"Anyway, I don't like to talk around a mouthful of food; so, if you folks
can excuse me for a bit, I want to see if I can get some breakfast into me
before the first lesson in here at 9.00am."
The small crowd returned to their seats while Harry partook of breakfast.
After he'd eaten his fill he called an elf and made sure they knew to
rearrange the hall just before 9.00am into an effective lecture hall. Then
he headed over to talk to the other heirs.
He laid out what prank he wanted to pull on his godfather, that night, at
dinner. They thought it'd be hilarious; though Hermioine did scold him a
little about it. And it would show the students the four heirs were up to
having a bit of fun. Especially, given the lecture they were all about to
receive.
Then he called for an elf and spoke to one of the ones responsible for
castle maintenance. He told him what he wanted and the elf understood.
He said he'd have it done in the hour and popped away.
The students were ordered from the Hall at 8.45am, and told to return at
9.00am sharp. The four heirs remained inside and supervised the setting
up.
# # #
When the students and staff returned, all the tables had been removed.
There was a long blackboard sitting on the stage where the staff table
was normally found. Where the House tables would normally be angled
down the length of the hall, there were now student lecture theatre style
chairs. Each with its own little table at the right hand side. Left handed
for the left handed students.
The four heirs were standing side-by-side on the dais in front on the
blackboard. As the students and staff filed in, Susan said, "Take a seat,
everyone. Houses don't matter. Those who sit at the back will, more than
likely, be called upon to answer questions."
When everyone was seated, Harry summoned a house elf. "Are there any
students or staff not present here in the Great Hall, right now?"
"Three is not here, Master Harry," the elf said.
"Who are they?" asked Hermione.
"They be Mister Filchy, Mister Hagrid an' a student from Gryff'dor,"
replied the elf.
"And where is the student?" and Neville.
"In the Gryff'dor big room."
"Well, then," said Neville. "We'll excuse the two staff members; but, go
and get the student and bring them here, immediately."
The elf popped away. A moment later, Lee Jordan, the compatriot of the
Weasley twins, suddenly appeared reposed on the dais in front of the four
heirs. Though wearing his uniform and robes, he appeared to have been
sleeping.
Some of the students in front of them sniggered. Others whispered among
themselves.
Neville said, quite cheerily as the Third Year Gryffindor boy lay there
bleary-eyed looking up at the four heirs in shock, "Well, good morning,
Mister Jordan. I'm sorry to wake you, but the time is after 9.00am, and
you had a mandatory lecture to attend."
Susan stared at him and said, "Go find a seat. One of the ones near the
front row will be perfect for you."
The boy scrambled off the floor and scurried to a seat a couple of rows
back, next to a couple of other Third Year Gryffindors. They gave him a
little bit of curry, for his trouble.
After the boy had settled, Harry said, "The reason you have all been told
to attend this morning is, in part, to properly introduce ourselves; to let
you know what happened last night; and to inform you of some rule
changes."
"First, though, is the rule changes, Here are your copies." Harry and the
other three distributed copies of what Harry, with the help of the other
three, had drafted just over a month ago. The ten most important rule
changes for Hogwarts students and staff.
"So," said Hermione, "let's go over them!" She held her wand out, flat,
gripped in the middle between thumb and index finger. "This is a wand.
With it, you are able to kill. And that makes it a deadly weapon."
Neville then said, "If you are found pointing it at someone, it could be
considered a threat to their life. As such, you may find yourself treated
accordingly. We do not care who you are. We do not care if your father is
the Minister for Magic or your mother is a scullery maid in the mundane
world. If we believe you are threatening the life of another student, we
will immediately act. The staff also have these instructions."
Hermione said, "Second is the point system. Until now you were awarded
points, and lost points, based only on the House. As of now, the point
system applies to the individual student, and then to the House. The new
point system starts right now."
That received a lot of murmurings and mutterings from the assembled
students. Harry called, "Folks, please be silent until we get through these
few items. Once we're done you'll be able to ask questions!"
Continuing, Hermione said, "Each student has one hundred points at the
start of the school year. Those one hundred points also goes to the House.
Each student can earn, and lose, points. If you drop below fifty points in
a year, your parents and guardians will be notified. If you drop below ten
points, your parents and guardians will again be notified. If you drop to
zero points, you can find yourself, at the minimum, suspended and sent
home!"
"Thirdly," said Susan, "there are five terms that we, and Her Majesty,
consider highly offensive. I will only say them once, and they will only
appear in writing once... on that sheet in front of you. Those terms are:
'squib', 'muggle', 'muggle-born', 'mudblood' and 'blood traitor'. In their
places you may use the terms 'non-magical', 'mundane' and 'mundane-
born'. From this moment forth, the use of any of those offensive terms
will lose you points."
"Fourth," said Harry, "The Muggle Studies class is going to be replaced. It
will be replaced with two classes run side-by-side. They will be Studies of
the Mundane World, and Studies of the Magical World. Students raised in
the magical world will attend Studies of the Mundane World, and vice
versa. However, we need to track down a mundane-raised or mundane-
born witch or wizard to run the mundane class. We don't have them yet."
Susan said, "Those are the four main points of those ten rules you have in
front of you. If you don't understand any of them, or just seek
clarification, ask. There are only two places where we will be
unapproachable. They are in the toilet, and in the bathroom. Even when
we are in our private suites, you may knock, seek entrance and talk to us.
We do not bite."
Harry said, "The points tally for each student and each House is on the
back wall of this Hall." He indicated the two sets of tally boards each side
of the doors leading out of the Entry Hall. "They also appear for each
House in their common rooms. So, you have no excuse for not knowing
where you sit on the tally board and how many points you have."
"So," said Hermione, "those are the four main points. The floor is now
open to questions."
There was general murmurings before a student halfway back raised her
hand. "What about if a student gets hit for fifty points by... a Professor for
only asking a question?"
The student was Gryffindor and Neville answered it. Even an idiot knew
who he was talking about. "All awarding and deducting of points are
reviewable by each House's Counsellor, and us four, together. We're
aware of the difficulties relating to the point system in the past. This will
fix it. If you believe you've been unfairly deducted points, you can have it
reviewed. First by your House Counsellor, then by the four of us sitting in
review."
Professor Snape did not appear to be happy hearing that.
Susan picked up the subject. "But, be aware, if the points deducted, when
reviewed, seem to be insufficient, they may be increased. We will not
have students coming to seek point reviews for every single time they're
deducted points, or believe another student unfairly received points."
A First Year from Slytherin, Theodore Nott, said, "But everyone uses the
term 'muggle'. Why can't we?"
"That's five points against you, Mister Nott, for using one of the banned
terms" said Harry. "But, as your question is relevant, you get your five
points back. Her Majesty, and we, all find the terms offensive. This is our
home you're currently living within. You do so by our Grace. And we will
not have those terms or language used within our home or on our
grounds."
"Next question?" asked Hermione.
A Slytherin student asked, "What if a Gryffindor points a wand at me, and
I need to defend myself?"
Hermione answered, "Then the castle, Lady Hogwarts - or the house elves
or paintings if they see it - will inform us immediately. If you, also, draw
your wand and point it at the original culprit, then you both will be in
deep doo-doo."
Harry expanded on that by saying, "The castle, the paintings, the house
elves... will report to us or a nearby staff member any and all times a
student is in danger; no matter the reason. Your safety is our primary
concern. It's also the reason the castle insisted, last night, we take control
immediately."
Susan firmly stated, "Any student who deliberately harms another
student, or member of staff, will face immediate suspension and or
expulsion; and be handed over to the DMLE for assault. No exceptions!
This is your first, last and only warning!"
Another student, "You said, Her Majesty finds... those words... offensive.
Do you mean the mugg... errr... the mundane Queen of Britain?"
Harry answered, "No, I mean Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the Second,
by the Grace of God Queen of the United Kingdom... all of the United
Kingdom, including magical Britain. And she is not a non-magical or
mundane. Her Majesty has magical powers of her own. The knowledge,
of which, is a secret of the realm and not for the public to know."
Neville continued with, "And, for those who don't know... or haven't
bothered to find out... the Minister for Magic answers to the Prime
Minister. The Prime Minister answers to the Cabinet, the House of Lords
and Her Majesty. That means, Her Majesty commands the Minister's boss;
and, through him, the Minister."
Susan added, "You are all British citizens. That means, you are all Her
Majesty's subjects. You must never forget that; even if the Wizengamot
and the Ministry have... for the time being. If you want to know what that
means, come and see us later, or one of the mundane raised. They all
know what it means; and would be shocked to discover you didn't."
"No more questions?" asked Hermione.
No more hands were raised.
"Good," said Harry. "Don't forget, you can come and approach us at any
time if you're unsure about anything."
Susan said, "Next, is who we are. For those who weren't paying attention
last night, or were in too much shock to remember anything," she
grinned, "I'm Susan Bones, the Countess Hufflepuff. That makes me Lady
Hufflepuff as Head of House Hufflepuff, and Lady Bones as Head of
House Bones. When dealing with matters pertaining to the owners of
Hogwarts... such as this meeting here... I'm Lady Hufflepuff; when
dealing with matters pertaining to my family, I'm Lady Bones; when I'm
just being a fellow student, I'm Miss Bones, the same as you."
Hermione stepped forward, "I'm Hermione Granger, the Countess
Ravenclaw. That makes me Lady Ravenclaw as Head of House
Ravenclaw. The same applies for the rest of my names as with Lady
Hufflepuff."
Neville stepped forward. "I'm Neville Longbottom, Earl Gryffindor. And
my names follow the same style as Lady Hufflepuff."
Harry stepped forward and said, "And, I'm Harry Potter, Earl Slytherin.
Again, the names follow the same style. However, I'm also the Heir to
House Black.
"Lady Hufflepuff and Lord Gryffindor," Harry went on to say, "are both of
Pureblood families and are both magically raised. Lady Ravenclaw is
considered mundane born, though she comes from Pureblood roots, and
is mundane raised. And I'm considered a half-blood of Pureblood stock,
and am mundane raised."
"I know that may confuse people; so, any questions?" he asked.
A Hufflepuff, Paul McCutcheon, asked a question without raising their
hand. "But, weren't you supposed to have been raised in a giant castle
and fought trolls and stuff?"
Harry smiled and said, "That question would have earned you five points.
But it also lost you five points for not raising your hand. Wait one
moment, please."
Harry then called Pixie.
*Pop* "Yes, Master Harry, Sir?"
Harry knelt and whispered quietly to the little elf, "I need you to go into
my private suite to my trunk and get out a copy of the book I wrote for
every student and staff member here. Then, I want you to distribute them
to all staff and students. Okay?"
"O-Kay, Master Harry, Sir!" *Pop*
A few seconds later, a copy of Harry's book appeared on each student and
staff member's table.
Harry said, "The book before you is a pretty accurate telling of how my
life has been lived until very recently. Everything else you've read about
me, if it does not match what is in my book, is a lie. I consider such things
slanderous and libellous. My legal representative, Mister Doge, is
currently visiting the authors and publishers of each of those other works
to... have words... with them; and you may wish to return whatever
publication has spread such lies about me that you own back to where
you bought it to gain a refund. Read your copy at your leisure; don't read
them at your leisure; it's up to you. However, I hope you do, as it will
shoot down a lot of misconceptions you have about me and my history."
Susan said, "Now, for what happened last night." She, with help from the
other three, gave the same information about what happened as they did
with the staff. And it took about the same time.
Neville asked, "Are there any questions on that?"
Marietta Edgecombe, a Ravenclaw student, asked, "So, last night wasn't
planned? It wasn't supposed to happen?"
Harry answered, "Oh, it was supposed to happen, alright; just not until
the end-of-term feast next June. That would then have meant the four of
us would have been able to enjoy the whole of our first year as ordinary
First Years. It would have also meant we'd have had an effective nine and
a half months to review everything going on, and made plans for the new
school year, beginning this time next year."
Hermione picked it up from there. "We wanted the year, without being
announced, to be just ordinary students. We wanted to enjoy the year,
just as you've been able to, and the First Years, this year, will be able to.
We wanted you to get to know us as ordinary students before we dumped
the whole Earldom thing on you."
A House scion Sixth Year from Slytherin raised his hand and asked, "But,
surely, the magic of the rings would have immediately announced the
ring had been donned?"
"There's the 'million dollar question'," said Harry, pleased it was one of
his Slytherins who had come to that realisation. "Your name, Sir?"
"Warrington; Charlus Warrington," the boy replied.
"Well, Mister Warrington, the ring's magic was... is... suppressed. The
goblins blocked it. And they did it by special request of Her Majesty. The
four of us will have to go to Gringotts and get the magics unblocked," he
said. "And that question just earned you ten points, Mister Warrington."
As soon as Harry said it, the tally board for Charlus jumped from one
hundred to one hundred and ten points. And the total Slytherin points at
the bottom also jumped up by ten points.
Mister Warrington also asked, "The Queen knows the goblins?"
"Yes," said Harry. "Magical Britain is not the only part of the United
Kingdom that has a treaty with the goblins. So does Her Majesty on
behalf of the entire realm."
One of the Gryffindors asked, "Does that mean you own Hogwarts?"
Susan replied, "Yes, it does. All of it. Each of us four own one quarter
each of the castle, the school it houses, the grounds on which it sits for
miles around, and even the land on which Hogsmeade sits - including the
station. The net rent on the properties of Hogsmeade go directly into the
accounts for each of the four Houses. Five points"
Another Gryffindor asked, "But, don't you have to attend classes, or your
wands will be snapped and your magics bound?"
Neville replied, "Actually, no. The law requires us to attend school; not
classes. We're doing that. It also doesn't say how many classes you have to
attend to be considered 'attending school'. Five points."
Draco, without raising his hand, called out, "Well, that's not what the law
is supposed to mean. When my father hears about this, he'll fix things
back to the way they're supposed to be!"
Harry sighed and said, "Mister Malfoy, we've been over this. Raise your
hand when you want to ask a question. And we've not asked you for
overblown, ill-thought brash statements of fallacy! We've asked for
questions! Five points from Mister Malfoy."
Susan said to the silly lad, "We own Hogwarts! Just as any other owner
has the right to do with their property as they wish, we have the right to
do with ours. It does not matter one whit what anyone else attempts to
tell us to do."
Hermione spoke up and said, "It does not matter what anyone thinks the
law was supposed to say, either. It only matters what it does say. If it was
supposed to say something different than what it does, then it was ill-
conceived."
Neville asked, "Are there any other questions?"
That was it, for the questions. Draco's poor declaration ended the
discussion.
Susan said, "We also have four school notices. First, last night the aurors
searched the castle top to bottom. They removed at least five dark
artefacts. Two of them were in the possession, one each, of two students.
Those two students were removed from the school last night and taken
back to the DMLE for further enquiries. We expect them to return
without those artefacts. Any student who knowingly brings such an
artefact into the school will find the same treatment."
Hermione then said, "Second, the Forbidden Forrest is just that.
Forbidden! The aurors will be returning to the grounds of Hogwarts
shortly. They will be clearing a lot of dark creatures out of it. However,
even after they do, students will still be forbidden from entering it."
"Third," said Harry, "As you're aware, Albus Dumbledore was removed
from the school in the custody of the aurors, last night. Until... and if...
he returns, the Acting Headmistress of the school will be Professor
McGonagall; the Acting Deputy Headmaster will be Professor Flitwick."
"And, fourth," said Neville, "as Professor Quirrell is currently suffering
from a possession, the position of Professor of Defence Against the Dark
Arts will be filled by a new Professor, Professor Sirius Black. And, as
Professor McGonagallis currently filling the position as Headmistress, her
slot as Professor of Transfigurations will be temporarily filled by
Professor Remus Lupin. They're sitting in the audience with you."
The two new Professors waved their hands about.
Harry said to the others, loud enough to be heard by their audience, "I
think that covers everything?"
They each nodded.
Susan said, "If there aren't any more questions...?"
No one responded.
Harry asked, "Acting Headmistress McGonagall, do you or your staff wish
to address the student body, at this time?"
"Yes, please, Lord Slytherin," she replied.
She stood and walked up onto the dais. Then turned about to stare back
over the audience.
She paused for a few moments before saying, "I know this comes as a
shock to many of our students. However, we have no doubt the four heirs
here," she gestured to the four of them, "are exactly who they say they
are. The Hat would not have announced them, and the castle would not
have given them the wards, if it were otherwise.
"Though I am no longer considered Head of House for Gryffindor, I
remain the staff counsellor for the House; even though I am also Acting
Headmistress. Professors Flitwick and Sprout also remain staff counsellors
for Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, respectively. Slytherin, Professor Snape
has decided for this year not to be the staff counsellor for your House.
However, I believe your replacement staff counsellor will be announced
shortly," she said, looking at Harry; who nodded in return.
She finished by saying, "Classes will resume after morning tea."
"One, final, point," said Neville. "Tomorrow morning at 9.00am will be
the same as today. Students will be required to attend that lecture, as
well." Looking at Lee Jordan, he went on to say, "Only those who are in a
bed in the infirmary, under Madam Pomfrey's ministrations, will be
excused."
"Aaaaand, we're done," said Harry. "Please clear the hall so the normal
arrangement can be set back up. Then it'll be morning tea. Oh, and we'll
release the locks on the wards now. You can all send mail to your loved
ones, if you wish."
Harry felt the wards go back to standard configuration, but left the
apparation point in the Entry Hall. The aurors were going to need it
when Amelia brought them back to clear out the forest.
"Professors Black and Lupin, Messers 'Red-HeadedDevil Twins Weasley'
and Jordan," called Harry. "Please come see me before you leave."
Harry saw Professor McGonagall also hesitate. He looked across at her
and said, "It's okay, Professor. It's a personal matter." The Acting
Headmistress nodded once and left through the rear door while the other
students and staff were filing out the other main doors.
When Sirius, Remus, the twins and Lee Jordan reached Harry, he smiled
at them. Turning to Sirius and Remus he said, "Professor Black, Professor
Lupin, welcome. And thank you for your prompt response and
attendance." They nodded in return.
"You're welcome... Lord Slytherin," replied Sirius.
"I hope you'll be able to join us at your first opportunity in the owner's
suites. However, I also understand you'll both be... scrambling... to
acquaint yourselves on the lesson plans, if there are any, for your
respective classes. I believe Acting Headmistress McGonagall will be able
to assist you there."
"Thank you, Harry," they both said.
Turning to the Weasleys and Jordan, Harry said, "Now, you three..."
reaching into his robes he drew out the Marauder's Map, "... I return the
Marauder's Map..." he said, glancing to see the startled reactions on the
faces of Sirius and Remus, "... to you. And thank you for the loan of it last
night. However, I remind you it is not your property, per se, and may call
upon you in future to hand it back. Are we clear?"
George, or was it Fred, accepted the Map back with reverence, and said,
"Thank you... Lord Slytherin."
"We'll be happy to..."
"...hold onto it for you..."
"until you need it again."
Lee asked, "Can you tell us who the other three Marauders are?"
Harry snorted and said, "They know who you three are. If they want you
to know, they'll approach you at some time and tell you. As the son of a
Marauder I will not break their trust in this."
"Thank you..."
"...oh, great Son of Prongs."
"Gred, Forge and Eel are at your service," said Lee. And all three gave a
deep courtly bow.
Harry grinned and said, "Begone, upstarts!"
The three wannabe Maraudersgrinned back and left, clearly discussing
what they now knew. And remaining unknowing they were in the
presence of two of their 'heroes'.
"After they'd left hearing range, Sirius turned to Harry and asked, "How'd
they get the Map, Pup?"
Harry smiled and replied, "They stole it out of Argus Filch's office last
year. I have no idea how Filch came into possession of it, though."
"It'll be Pettigrew's copy," mused Remus. "Filch caught him towards the
end of our last year trying to sneak into the Kitchens for a late night
snack. But, that still doesn't answer what happened to my own."
# # #
At morning tea, all four of the heirs answered questions while sitting at
their tables. They were minor questions but merely rehashing of what
they'd already covered. Harry had a couple of Slytherins attempt to find
out what the subject matter of the next day was going to entail, but he
told them they'd have to wait. It was too important a subject just to
provide 'piecemeal'.He didn't want people thinking they had the crux of it
when they'd only have a small part of the whole.
Amelia returned with her aurors while the students were sitting down for
lunch. And they immediately headed out to the Forbidden Forest.
Harry and the four heirs joined with classes in the afternoon. For Harry
and Hermione one of them was First Year Charms with Professor
Flitwick. Though he had little doubt of the Professor's skill, Harry wanted
to assess Flitwick's performance, as a long term teacher, against the level
of standards of the other Professors. He felt Professor Flitwick would be
the standard he'd be expecting all teaching staff to meet in coming
months.
Harry sat with Hermione in the back of the classroom. He wanted to
quietly chat with her about things they'd be looking for that
demonstrated competence of the Professor's field of teaching.
Today, for the first class in Charms, they'd be learning the Lumos Charm,
and its cancelling component, the Nox Charm. The wand gesture was a
simple holding of the wand vertical, pump magic into it, and calling
'Lumos!' with confidence. The cancelling Charm was the same, except the
wizard would call 'Nox!'.
Harry knew he'd be bored, so he went through the movements, keeping
his magic only trickling into the wand. He didn't want to seem to be
overpowering the other First Years in only their first class ever using
their wand.
After the first forty-five minutes Harry and Hermione, both, were bored.
They'd taken notes on the class, the lesson plan, Professor Flitwick's style,
the student's responses and their developing relationship with him. Harry
was making little singsong chants when going over his Lumos Charm. He
already had his chin propped up by the cup of his off-hand with his
elbow resting on the desk.
Hermione gave a big sigh. Then she sat up straighter, held her wand
tighter, made the tip describe a flat circle and stuck the tip up through
the middle of it a couple inches. As she did she called, "Photonus
Excitum!"
A ball of brilliant white light, equal in luminosity to about a five hundred
candlepower spotlight, appeared about two inches above the tip of
Hermione's wand. Harry just about dived away from the girl covering his
eyes with the inside of his bicep. "'Mione!" he cried. "Stop that!"
Hermione just held her wand tip higher. The entire classroom was bathed
in bright light. So bright, the other students were having difficulty seeing
if their own wand tips were glowing suitably enough. However, they
weren't watching their own wand movements, anyway. Just about all
students, and Professor Flitwick, were staring back in shock at Hermione.
Professor Flitwick hopped down off his stack of old textbooks and hurried
to the back of the class towards Harry and Hermione. He had his off-hand
up shielding his eyes as he came. "Ooh! Ooh!" he cried. "My, oh, my, oh,
my! That's a strong Lumos Charm you've got there, Miss Granger!"
"Hermione!" cried Harry. "Turn it off!"
Ignoring Harry, Hermione replied, "It's not a Lumos Charm, Professor. It's
a charm of my own design." She cancelled the Charm by saying,
"Photonus Peace!"
"Thank you!" sighed Harry in relief and straightening up.
Dropping his hand, the Professor asked, "A Charm of your own design?
And a very strong one at that. How on earth did you manage it?"
"Basically," she replied. "I looked at what the Lumos Charm was supposed
to accomplish. What it does is cause the molecules at the tip of the wand
to... fluoresce. That uses a great deal of magical energy to occur. It's
effective, but energy inefficient.
"What I've done is just cause the photons in the ambient air to vibrate,
and nothing more. Photons are the particles of matter that cause light, or
reflect light. By only targeting those particles to vibrate and not the rest
of matter, such as the dense matter in the tip of the wand, I'm able to
conserve a great deal of magical energy, while also causing more photons
to incandesce."
The professor was trying to understand what Hermione was talking about
and was nodding his head appearing to understand. Harry doubted he
actually did.
The Professor asked, "You don't happen to have the arithmancy for the
Charm, do you?"
"Of course, Professor", she replied. And drew a great sheaf of parchment
out of her book satchel, handing the lot to the Professor.
The Professor eagerly reached out and took the parchment and started to
rifle through it. "Oh... umm... good... good," he said. "Thank you, Miss
Granger. I'll be sure to get these back to you," he said holding up the
parchment.
"No need, Professor," she replied. "I've got it memorised. You can have
those if you want."
"Thank you, Miss Granger!" said the old Professor, heading back to his
book stack. Looking around, remembering where he was, he called, "How
is everyone doing? Are we getting some good light happening?"
The Professor left the stack of parchment on his lectern and moved about
the rest of the class providing one-on-one instruction where needed.
"Bloody, Hell, 'Mione!" whispered Harry to the girl. "Is that what you've
been doing?"
She frowned and replied in her own whisper, "Remember when you said I
could practice any spell I wanted to, as long as I had the magical energy
to do it, and didn't overexert my magical core?"
Harry sighed and nodded, "So you figured out ways to cast spells by
coming up with methods that conserve magical energy."
"Yep!" she said with a grin.
"How many more spells have you figured out such ways?" he asked.
"Not many," she replied. "But, for some of those spells I wanted to try and
couldn't solve the magical energy quotient problem, I figured out whole
new spells to replace them. And those spells solve the energy problem."
"Good, God!" he groaned. "Tell me you haven't been fiddling with the
blasting curses and the like?"
"Okay," she replied. "I haven't been fiddling with the blasting curses and
the like."
"Thank you!" he said, with feeling.
"I designed my own," she said.
Harry dropped his head to his desk and groaned.
# # #
The rest of the school day went, thankfully, without any further
incidences. Amelia arrived, as promised, with a team of aurors and they
headed out into the Forbidden Forest. Some students had climbed into
the upper reaches of the castle and were watching from the battlements
over the forest for signs of the aurors in battle with the denizens therein.
Harry and Neville had thought about joining them, but decided to just
wait for any report back in the Entry Hall. Some of those students came
down for lunch and reported seeing a great deal of smoke rising from the
centre of the forest, and some flashing spell light through the reaches of
the trees. They couldn't see much else, though.
While the students were at lunch a couple of aurors brought a comrade
back to the castle and straight to the infirmary for treatment to a
wounded leg. He was sent back to the DMLE a few hours later. And two
more aurors had arrived in the meantime. They, too, headed for the
forest.
# # #
As dusk approached, Amelia and her team of weary aurors returned to
the castle. Without Amelia, the aurors apparated back to the DMLE.
Amelia hung back to report to the heirs that her aurors had eradicated
the giant acromantulan nest and had cleared out a great many denizens
that were a risk to the students. She said her aurors would return in a few
days to go back into the forest to see if anything else had come out of
hiding.
She also said, the herd of centaurs were not happy with her and her
aurors for 'violating their territory' and heated words were exchanged.
One of her aurors was injured by a centaur that tried to trample him.
Harry said he'd wait a few days and go into the forest to talk to the
centaurs. They needed to be aware the four heirs had taken back control
of the lands of Hogwarts and, any treaty the centaurs believe they had to
live in the forest, were moot.
He said that the centaurs would be told they could remain and live in
peace in the forest. But, that was conditional on them keeping the forest
clear of dark creatures. Any they couldn't handle were to be reported
back to the four heirs, immediately. If they failed to do either of those
two, then they'd no longer be welcome on Hogwarts' grounds, including
within the forest.
Amelia nodded and said it was good idea. And that's when the castle
alerted the four of the arrival of... guests... walking up from the gate to
Hogsmeade.
Harry, already in the Entrance Hall looked out and back up the path. He
could see two figures walking between two, what looked to be,
dementors. Both walking were somewhat short and squat.
Susan, Neville and Hermione joined Harry after a couple of minutes.
Neville said, "Well, it seems someone told the Minister."
Susan looked at her aunt and said, "Perhaps you should stay inside for
this, Auntie 'Melia. There's no need for you to risk your career."
Amelia looked back at her young niece; pride filled her chest at the
strong and determined young woman before her, "Alright, Lady
Hufflepuff; if you wish," she replied. "But I'm going to be just behind the
door and out of sight listening if Fudge or Umbridge try anything."
Harry and the other three walked outside to stand on the front steps
awaiting their unexpected, and unwanted, guests.
Standing to Harry's right was Neville. And the young boy was getting
more and more visibly upset. Harry didn't know if it was the sense of
outrage coming from the castle over the presence of the dementors or
not. But, Neville was still not happy.
When the party of four was no more than a hundred feet from them,
Neville suddenly snarled, "I will not allow this!" And he leapt forward,
assuming his form as Grumpy as he did. He raced forward.
"No!" exclaimed Susan, reaching forward as if to pull Neville back. But
the boy... the wolverine... was already racing away.
Harry and Hermione were in somewhat shock as Grumpy charged
towards Fudge and his party. Neither of them had even had a chance to
move before Umbridge suddenly squealed and tried to dive behind
Fudge. Fudge already had his wand out and was pointing it at Grumpy.
He fired a spell. "Repulso!" he bellowed. The two dementors surged
forward.
Harry, though he felt he had quick reflexes, wasn't fast enough with
hitting Neville with a summoning charm before the brown light of the
banishing charm hit Grumpy. However, it had no effect. The light of the
spell hit Grumpy but just... rippled... through the wolverine's body before
flashing into the ground through the animagus's feet.
Before the shocked Minister could fire off a second spell Grumpy
launched himself at the first of the two dementors. He hit it full-on in its
chest and rode it to the ground. The Minister couldn't get off a second
shot as Umbridge suddenly had hold of his arm while trying to hide
behind him.
Hermione suddenly called out, "Expecto Patronum!" And a near-solid
silvery owl shot forward and charged towards the first dementor before
suddenly veering towards the second as Grumpy hit the first.
Harry, again, tried a summoning charm on Grumpy. Again, it failed.
A second later Grumpy reverted to Neville standing on the demon's chest.
With his right hand held aloft and a cry of "Gryffindor!" the golden sword
suddenly appeared in Neville's hand. He reversed the blade and drove it
straight through the demon's head. It... squealed, but Neville was already
moving again.
He dived forward towards the second dementor, which had halted its
advance as Grumpy hit its... partner... and the patronus owl hit it, and
was trying to reel back. Having resumed his form as Grumpy, the
wolverine dived past Fudge and Umbridge and, hitting the second
dementor, bore it to the ground. Again, reverting to human form and
calling the sword, this time from out of where it was sticking through the
head of the first dementor, Neville drove it's tip through the head of the
second dementor.
Turning, the still angry boy glared at the Minister and Umbridge before
jogging back to the stairs and joining the other three heirs side-by-side. A
few moments later the sword faded out of existence from where it was
still sticking through the, now dead, second dementor.
Harry knew he wasn't the only one of the other three who were gaping at
Neville in shock. The boy just stood there glaring back at Fudge and
Umbridge, with anger radiating from his very being.
By this time, Fudge had managed to extract himself from Umbridge's grip
and was storming forward towards the four heirs.
Fudge roared at Neville, "What do you think you are doing?" Umbridge
just hurried along behind him, still trying to clutch at the Minister. Fudge
just outpaced her.
Neville only responded with his glare.
When the Minister was about ten feet short of the four, Neville simply
raised his hand in the 'stop' gesture. Fudge stumbled to a halt with
Umbridge colliding with his back. Fudge didn't seem to notice.
"Cornelius Fudge," snarled Neville, "what do you think you're doing,
bringing dementors onto school grounds; and within easy access of a
school full of children unable to protect themselves?"
Neville's response, increasing in vituperation and volume as he gave it,
made Fudge rock back on his heels in shock.
"How dare you..." shrilled Umbridge as she came out from behind Fudge.
The woman had apparently found her backbone.
"Shut up, lackey!" bellowed Neville right back in a snarl, cutting the
woman off. She visibly cringed back from the ferocity of Neville's
response.
"I am the Earl of Gryffindor, Lord Gryffindor of the Most Noble and Most
Ancient House of Gryffindor!" Neville continued to bellow. "And I dare
because this is my home and you two fools are unwelcome here!"
Though he was in some shock himself, Harry had the presence of mind to
think to himself, 'Go, Nev!'
Though also in shock, Fudge gathered himself and responded with a snarl
of his own, "I am the Minister of Magic. And I've come..."
"No, you bloody-well are not!" snarled back Neville, cutting the man off.
"You are the current Minister for Magic... not of Magic. You serve Her
Majesty, the Queen!"
Fudge just stared back, gobsmacked. "I do not serve that muggle bitch!"
Susan then spoke up and said, "That, Cornelius Fudge, is sedition against
the crown!"
"Madam Bones!" called Hermione over her shoulder.
Amelia then stepped around the door with wand drawn, followed by a
couple of aurors, "Cornelius Fudge," she stated, "you are hereby under
arrest for the crime of sedition. Surrender your wand and ready yourself
for being placed into custody by the DMLE."
Fudge blustered, "I am the Minister. I order you to stand down, Amelia!"
"Cornelius Fudge, you are currently under investigation for crimes, not
the least of which is sedition against the crown, you have no authority to
order anyone," stated Amelia. "Now, for the last time, ready yourself for
being placed into custody by the DMLE!"
"I will not!" the old fool blustered yet again.
"Stupefy!" cast Amelia.
The spell hit the shocked man right in the middle of the chest. He
crumpled on the spot.
"Bitch!" screeched Umbridge, drawing her wand from her off-sleeve. "I'll
kill you!"
"Stupefy!" cast Amelia and both her aurors, who were walking forward
from the bottom of the steps at the time.
Umbridge managed to bat the first spell aside. But, the next two hit her
in the middle of the chest. She crumpled to the ground managing to fall
partly across Fudge's legs.
"What do you want to do with, soon-to-be-ex-Minister Fudge and his...
lackey?" asked one of the aurors turning to look at Amelia with a smirk
on her face.
Amelia sighed and said, "Take both of them and dump their butts in
holding cells in the Ministry. You are to tell no one they are there outside
of us three. No names, either. Just... call them by their docket numbers."
Both were mobilicorpused into the Entrance Hall and apparated away.
While they were being taken, Amelia turned to the four and said, "And, I
guess I'd better go and make sure neither attempts to bribe their way
out." She gave Susan a kiss to her forehead and apparated away, herself.
After she'd left, Harry turned to Neville and said, "I guess we've also just
discovered you actually do have a magical power in your animagus form,
Nev. It looks like you're either resistant, or immune, from spells being
cast at you. We'll have to experiment on that later."
Neville grinned and said, "I also didn't feel the effects of the dementors as
Grumpy, either."
About ten minutes later, two more aurors arrived as the standing auror
contingent for Hogwarts. Harry ensured the house elves prepared a suite
for each of them not far from the hall.
The heirs returned to their owner's suites to await the evening meal.
# # #
That evening, just under twenty four, long, hours since the heirs had
arrived at Hogwarts, the four heirs would sit down with the students for
the evening meal. Harry had them all keyed in on the plan to prank
Sirius. They entered, together.
As they all approached their seats at the heads of the table, they each
stood by them. Hermione was the first to summon a house elf. In a clear
voice, she asked, "Are all Ravenclaw students and staff present?"
Professor Flitwick was seated at the foot of the table already.
"Yes, Missy Claw!" the elf replied.
"Thank you," she told the little elf, dismissing it.
Neville then called a house elf. He asked it, "Are all Gryffindor students
and staff present?"
"No, Master Gryff'dor!" the elf replied.
"Really?" asked Neville. "And who is missing?"
"Professor Mac-lady, Master Gryff'dor" the elf replied. Professor
McGonagall, as Acting Headmistress, was sitting at the head table, as
befitted her acting position.
"Ah!" said Neville. "Well, I think we can excuse the Acting Headmistress.
Anyone else?"
"No, Master Gryff'dor!" the elf replied.
"Thank you."
Susan call for and asked a house elf, "Are all Hufflepuff students and staff
present?"
"Yes, Missy Huff'puff!" the elf replied.
"Thank you."
That left Harry last. He called a house elf and asked, "Are all Slytherin
students and staff present?"
"No, Master Slth'rin!" the elf replied.
"And who is missing?" asked Harry, already knowing the answer.
"Professor Black, Master Slyth'rin!" replied the house elf.
Harry turned to the head table, where Sirius was staring back in shock.
He frowned at the man.
Sirius, already figuring out what was going on, pleaded, "Harry. Pup! You
can't do this to me! I'm your godfather!"
"Sorry, Professor," replied Harry with a grin. He gestured to the foot of
the table and said, "Your seat awaits!"
Remus was grinning like a loon and was trying to push Sirius out of his
chair at the head table. "It looks like you're the new House Counsellor of
Slytherin, Professor Black!"
"Pup!" cried Sirius. "C'mon, I'm a Gryffindor, through and through!"
Harry already had a counter argument for that one. "You're also a Black.
And Blacks are famous for being Slytherins," he replied. "You even have a
great-grandfather who was both a Slytherin and Headmaster of
Hogwarts! You're in fine company."
"Pup! Please, no!" Sirius exclaimed.
Harry, knowing his godfather was going to put up a bit of struggle turned
to his First Years and said loud enough for the whole Hall to hear, "Well,
it appears Professor Black wants to start a new tradition at Hogwarts. He
wants to be dragged to his seat at the foot of the table for his first time.
Please, do the man the honour; go and get him, and drag him to his seat."
A couple of the grinning First Years dashed up onto the dais and around
the staff table. They each grabbed one of Sirius's elbows and dragged him
around the front of the staff table, and down between the Houses to his
seat at the foot of Slytherin table. Sirius was begging Harry to reconsider
the whole way. Harry just grinned back and didn't say a word.
When the two First Years scurried back to their seats, Harry said,
"Slytherin is now all present."
The other heirs, now all grinning, placed a palm each on the table and
ordered the meal be served, as did Harry.
Professor McGonagalldid the same for the head table, now depleted by
one staff member.
Sirius may have been reticent to be the House Counsellor for Slytherin,
but that didn't stop him from engaging in conversation with the Seventh
Years down at his end. By part way through the meal he was deep in
conversation with a whole bunch of them. He had them enthralled with
some business or other. Harry guessed, looking at some of the looks
aimed his way, that Sirius was already planning his revenge. And, he was
going to do it using the Seventh Years of his own house. That would be
rather unfair of the man.
Harry answered more questions from First Years, and a couple of the
Second Years, who asked down the length of the table. He still had in the
back of his mind both the subject of the next morning's talk, and having
to deal with the giant basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets.
# # #
The next morning, after breakfast, the Great Hall was, again, configured
into a lecture theatre. The surprise was the return of Albus Dumbledore
at breakfast. Harry could see the man was annoyed over two new staff
members in the Great Hall, and that four staff members were now sitting
at the foot of the four House tables. Professor McGonagallwas now sitting
at the foot of the Gryffindor table.
Harry also received a summons by owl from the Wizengamot to attend a
special meeting called for that evening. He noticed Sirius, down the other
end, also received one. Sirius frowned back at him. It was clear the
Wizengamot now had wind of what had happened at Hogwarts two
nights earlier. And they wanted to know what was going on.
As breakfast finished, the Headmaster called Harry to join him. Harry
walked up to face the Headmaster across the staff table.
"Harry, my boy," greeted the old man. "I'm sorry we didn't get an
opportunity, the night before last, to chat. Would you mind joining me in
my office in about half an hour?"
"Certainly, Headmaster," replied Harry. "Is this a student matter, a family
matter or a Hogwarts business matter?"
The Headmaster frowned and said, "I... would just like to chat, if you
don't mind."
"Then, I'll treat it as a student matter," said Harry. "In that case, it's
'Mister Potter', not 'Harry, my boy', and I'll see you then."
Harry returned to his table and the Headmaster quickly left the Hall.
Professor Snape left through the same door only a minute later.
After he left, Harry walked down to the other end of the table to join his
godfather. Asking one of the Seventh Years at the end of the row to slide
across a bit, Harry said to Sirius, "The Headmaster just asked me to join
him in his office immediately after breakfast. Do you feel like coming
along?"
"Do you think he's going to try something?" asked Sirius.
"I'm almost sure of it," replied Harry.
Sirius nodded and said, "Then I'm happy to. What do you think he's going
to try?"
"Oh, he's definitely going to try to get things back under his own control,"
replied Harry. "I think he's going to start with requesting I 'give up this
Lord Slytherin nonsense' and, at least, hand him the wards back. He may
even be stupid enough to attempt a Legilimens attack upon me."
Sirius cocked an eyebrow and asked, "Really? You think he'll try?"
"Oh, yeah!" replied Harry with a grin.
"But," spluttered Adrian Pucey, one of the Seventh Years, "that's illegal!"
"Come now, Mister Pucey," remonstrated Harry. "What does its legality
have to do with it? Did you honestly believe the so-called Leader of the
Light would not stoop to such a level?"
"Well... yes, actually," said Pucey.
Harry just snorted. Turning to his godfather, he said, "Educate them on
the difference between light and dark, and good and evil, Professor. It
sounds like an excellent lesson for DADA, too." He winked at his
godfather before he then returned to his own end of the table, leaving
behind a chuckling DADA Professor.
As breakfast was winding to a close the mail was delivered. This was the
first incoming mail after the four heirs taking their rightful places became
public. Harry knew any mail addressed to him, specifically, would be
intercepted by the DMLE and then Dobby, taken first to the DMLE before
going on to Potter Manor. Dobby had all of Harry's mail sorted and laid
out in his private study in his suite. Only the latest Daily Prophet and The
Quibbler were allow directly through.
As the mail was delivered a little owl flying somewhat... wonkily... flew a
bit of a zigzag pattern before heading for Hermione. It dropped a red
envelope that appeared to be smoking slightly. The envelope fell until it
was hovering about three feet in front of Hermione's face, still smoking
away.
Harry knew what it was and was out of his chair as it was still falling. He
walked towards Hermione tapping Susan on the shoulder on the way
past. Neville also recognised it for what it was and rose to join the other
two as they headed for Hermione.
Hermione, not knowing what it was, was slowing reaching out to touch it
when it suddenly flared open into a mouth and began screaming at her.
Harry and the other two were behind Hermione in an instant. Harry laid
a comforting hand on Hermione's shoulder from one side while Neville
was on the other doing the same thing.
"How dare you people usurp the Headmaster in his own school! Albus
Dumbledore is a great man who deserves everyone's respect.
"How dare you have him arrested! If I had my way you'd be thrown out on
your butts, have your wands snapped and sent out into the muggle world.
You're a disgrace!
"You will hand back control of the school to the Headmaster immediately!
My husband works for the Ministry and I will have him push through for
your immediate arrest! The wizarding world will not stand for this outrage!
"Now give us back our school, you thieves!"
The envelope then shredded itself before disappearing in a small flash of
flame. Everyone in the Great Hall was looking back in shock.
Neville looked up, gave Hermione's shoulder a quick squeeze before
calling across from the head of the Ravenclaw table, "Whose parent was
that?"
No one responded for a moment before Neville looked towards his own
table and called, "Messers Weasley! Was that your mother?"
Ron tried to climb under the table from his seat on the benches, while the
twins just looked at each other before looking back. It was Percy
Weasley, the oldest of the Weasley's still at the school, who stood and,
with his chin firmly raised and lips compressed into a grim line replied,
"Yes, My Lord, that was our mother."
Harry looked at the older boy and demanded, "Right, who is your Head
of House?"
Percy visibly flinched before regathering himself and replying, "My
father, Arthur Weasley." Knowing what the next question would be he
said, "He works at the Ministry. He is Head of the Misuse of Muggle
Artefacts Office within the DMLE."
Harry nodded and quietly called, "Dobby!"
*Pop* The little elf stood alongside him looking up adoringly with a
printer's cap on his head and a quill seeming stuck behind his ear with a
sticking charm. He looked like a caricature of an editor. "Yes, Master
Harry Potter, Sir?"
After getting over the 'look' of his crazy little house elf, Harry leaned
down and quietly said, "Get me a couple of sheets of howler parchment
and a self-inking quill."
"Yes, Master Harry Potter, Sir!" replied Dobby, before disappearing with
another pop. He was back seconds later with the required items having
them placed on the table next to Hermione's right hand.
Harry leaned over the end of the table and began to write.
After he had finished writing, Harry asked the other three, "Are we
agreed?"
"Yes, Lord Slytherin," the other three all said in near unison.
Harry then leaned forward again and signed his name, followed by each
of the other three.
Looking up out over the four House tables while the others were signing,
everyone had stopped what they were doing and were staring back in not
a little fear. Once the document was signed Harry picked up the slip of
ensorcelled parchment and began to read:
"Arthur Septimus Weasley, Head of the Elder House of Weasley; your wife,
Molly Weasley, had the gall... the sheer effrontery... to send a howler to us,
the four Heads, Lords and Ladies all, of the four Most Noble and Most
Ancient Houses of Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff.
"She had the impudence to make demands of us well outside any bounds of
civility or even basic common sense!
"This breach of etiquette must not go unpunished!
"You, Sir, will get your House in order or you will feel our wrath upon you,
personally, and your House!
"Our tolerance is limited. It has now expired!
"Signed,
"Lord Neville Francis Longbottom, Earl Gryffindor
"Lord Harry James Potter, Earl Slytherin
"Lady Hermione Jean Granger, Countess Ravenclaw
"Lady Susan Charity Bones, Countess Hufflepuff
While he was reading, Harry heard not a few gasps of shock from people
who knew exactly what he meant with his choice of words. The four
Weasleys at the Gryffindor table had turned white. Percy and Ron had
both gone beyond that and turned a little green.
When he was done Harry placed the parchment back upon the table and
folded it. Then, drawing his wand, he placed the tip of it in the middle of
the created envelope. The other three's wands joined his.
"I want his office door blown open from the sound," said Harry.
"Ready?... Pump it!"
When they were done the envelope wasn't smoking; it was burning with
black flames. It rose to hover about a foot off the table. The closest
Ravenclaws were quickly moving away from it down the benches.
"Dobby!" called Harry softly.
*Pop* "Yes, Master Harry Potter, Sir?"
"Take this," he said, indicating the now well over-charged howler, "and
let go of it in the air about two feet forward and five feet above the desk
of Arthur Weasley in the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office in the
Ministry. You'll find it on the second floor, near the Aurors' offices. Do
not, under any circumstances, wait around. The noise will be quite loud.
"Yes Sir, Master Harry Potter, Sir!"
And both elf and howler disappeared with a pop.
Harry then took the other three heirs aside to let them know he'd been
'summoned' to the Headmasters office after breakfast. And, that he and
Sirius had also received summonses to a special meeting of the
Wizengamot for that evening. He told them that though it was not time
for them to take their places on that supposedly august board, they
should attend, anyway. They'd head for Gringotts as late into the
afternoon, as possible. And they'd have the magics of all the rings
unblocked.
Harry suggested Susan and Neville advise their Aunt and Grandmother,
accordingly.
The rest of the students and staff in the Great Hall returned to their
breakfasts as they'd moved away a bit to talk quietly.
# # #
A few moments later, upon the second floor of the Ministry, Amelia could
hear the four bellowing voices of the four founders ring out from the
direction of Arthur Weasley's little office he shared with Cliff Perkins.
Amelia strode to her office door, opened it and... just listened.
After the clearly overcharged howler ended, and she'd have to ask Susan
and the others how they managed to get a howler into the DMLE through
the mail owl redirection wards, she looked out across the desks of her
Aurors currently within the building. "Well?" she told them. "You've got
work to do, haven't you?"
A small sea of stunned faces looked away and returned to their duties.
She just gave a low, throaty chuckle and, returning to her office, closed
the door behind herself.
A few minutes later, she received a knock on her door.
"Enter!" she called.
Arthur Weasley stepped into the room and, in a loud voice, said, "Excuse
me, Ma'am! I wonder if I may take a few minutes to duck home for a few
minutes! I have House business to attend to!"
Trying not to smile back, Amelia replied, "Arthur, don't yell at me. I can
hear you quite clearly."
"Pardon?" said Arthur clearly confused in his loud voice. He appeared a
little deaf.
Openly smiling, Amelia took out a piece of parchment and wrote upon it:
You may go. But take yourself off to the infirmary first. Your hearing is
clearly causing you problems.
And handed it to Arthur.
Arthur took the parchment slip, read it, nodded and said, still loudly,
"Thank you, Ma'am!" Before walking back out the door.
# # #
As soon as Sirius had finished his breakfast... he was not a morning
person... he and Harry headed for the Headmaster's office. This year it
was up on the sixth floor in its own tower. But, was accessible through a
moving staircase on the third.
As an owner, Harry didn't need the password to have the gargoyle step
aside and activate the stairs. It practically leapt aside as he and Sirius
approached. They were quickly whisked upwards to the landing outside
the door of the Headmaster's offices and private apartments.
On knocking, Harry heard the Headmaster call, "Come in, Harry!"
Followed by his godfather and Counsellor of his House, Harry walked in.
He wasn't surprised to find the Headmaster sitting behind his desk, or
Professor Snape standing off to one side. He also left the part of his
Occlumency shields that gave entry to his mind trap open.
"You wanted to chat with me, Headmaster?" asked Harry.
"Yes, yes," replied the old man. He looked over at Sirius and said, "Thank
you... Professor Black. I've got it from here. You may leave."
Sirius smirked and said, "Well, thank you, Headmaster. But, I'll be
staying."
The Headmaster frowned and said, "Come now, Sirius. Harry is in
Slytherin and his Head of House, Professor Snape, here, is with him. You
can go."
Harry raised his hand in a 'stop' gesture and said to the Headmaster, "You
have been... absent... for a day and half, Headmaster. Clearly, you have
not had time to avail yourself of the knowledge of which the rest of the
staff, and the student body, are now aware.
"As Lord Slytherin, I am automatically Head of House Slytherin. The role
of House Counsellor, so the students will have an adult in which to
confide, was offered to Professor Snape. He declined it! The position is
now held by Professor Black.
"So, as Professor Snape is no longer affiliated with House Slytherin, just
what is he doing here?"
From over where he was standing Professor Snape grumbled and glared
back. Harry heard him mutter, "Arrogant git!"
The Headmaster huffed and replied, "Professor Snape has my full
confidence and faith. I trust him, completely."
"Well, I'm happy for you, Headmaster," said Harry almost snidely. "But it
still doesn't answer my question. Just what is Professor Snape doing
here?"
Professor Snape interrupted and snarled, "Arrrgh... Potter! You're an
arrogant git, just like your father!"
As the man was snarking, Harry drew his wand. On the Professor's last
word he raised his wand at the man and called, "Stupefy!"
The professor, a skilled duellist, was able to draw his wand and bat the
Hex aside at the last moment. "Potter!" he exclaimed.
"Harry!" cried the Headmaster. "What are you doing?!"
Ignoring the Headmaster, Harry held his wand pointed at the Professor
and snapped ,"Severus Snape, I have warned you! If you insult my family
again, even if they are deceased, expect to be suitably dealt with! And I
won't be holding back."
The Headmaster, rising to his feet, spluttered, "Harry.. Severus... please!
There is no need for this!"
Professor Snape half-snarled, "The boy needs to be put into his place,
Headmaster."
"Severus, please!" begged the Headmaster. "You really shouldn't have
attacked young Harry's father."
The professor grumbled a bit but settled back down.
"It's time for him to leave, Headmaster," said Harry.
The Headmaster, again, said, "As I said, Professor Snape has my full
confidence and faith. I trust him, completely."
Harry replied, "And, again, Headmaster, I'm happy for you. But, it's time
for him to leave."
Undeterred, the Headmaster soldiered on, "Harry, please. I just wanted to
have a friendly chat. Now, how was your first full day at Hogwarts?"
Harry, however, was not to be denied. He snapped, "You'll have your
answers once Professor Snape leaves, Headmaster."
"I'm just asking some friendly questions, Harry," soldiered on the
Headmaster. "Surely, you see no harm in that?"
Harry, again, snapped, "I said, you'll have your answers once Professor
Snape leaves, Headmaster. This is your last chance."
The Headmaster sighed, "Surely, some polite questions..."
Harry interrupted. "Professor Black!" he called. He spun around and said
to his godfather, "We're out of here!"
"Wait!" cried Dumbledore.
When Harry turned to look at him, he said, "Alright, Harry." He turned to
Professor Snape and said, "Severus; perhaps you and Professor Black
would care to leave us alone for a bit?"
Professor Snape stormed off back out of the office saying to Sirius as he
went, "Come on, Black!"
Before leaving, Sirius asked Harry, "Are you sure, Pup?"
"I'll be fine, Sirius," replied Harry.
Harry watched as they both left the office. Once the two men had gone
he turned back towards the Headmaster. "Now, what..."
Harry felt the immediate attack on his mental shields. Dumbledore had
hit him, hard.
Harry raised his wand and hit the Headmaster with a Banishing Charm.
At the close range they were apart, the Charm blasted the Headmaster
backwards out of his chair and into the wall.
Before the Headmaster even fully felt the effects of the Curse, Harry
summoned the Headmaster's wand to him; but, immediately dropped it
onto the man's desk, before the old man had even realised what had
happened and noticed.
Dumbledore scampered to his feet while Harry just stood there. He
looked around for his wand and saw it on the desk. He breathed a sigh of
relief, thinking he'd only dropped it.
He bent down and righted his chair.
Harry said, "Try that again, Albus, and you're through as Headmaster of
Hogwarts. There will be no second warning. You'll just be thrown off the
grounds."
The Headmaster seemed to have ignored what Harry said. However, as
soon as he reached for his wand, Harry raised the tip of his own and said,
"Don't even think about it!" And the Headmaster's hand froze in place.
"And you will immediately stop calling me Harry!"
Taking his hand away from reaching, the Headmaster placed both hands
on the arms of his chair and adjusted it so he was, again, sitting properly
at his desk.
He said, "I don't know why you felt the need to do that, Harry..."
"That's it!" interrupted Harry. "Shut the hell up, old man. We're done! You
have a lecture to attend at 9.00am, sharp, in the Great Hall. If you are
not there on time you will be brought... against your will, if need be... and
put in the Hall in clear view of everyone." He spun on his foot and stalked
out of the office.
The Headmaster tried to call him back, but Harry didn't even care to
listen.
After he was gone, Dumbledore reached out and grabbed his wand off the
desk. With it back in his hand he noticed something... off. The wand
seemed to no longer accept him.
# # #
At The Burrow, there was a flash of floo flame in the fireplace and Arthur
stepped out.
"Molly!" he bellowed.
Coming in to the parlour, Molly Weasley asked, "Arthur? What are you
doing home..."
Whirling about and clearly quite livid, Arthur turned to where his wife
walked in. "Shut it, woman!" he bellowed.
"Arthur!" his wife gasped, reeling back in shock.
"Get your arse back in the kitchen! Right now!" he bellowed, stalking
towards her.
Molly scampered back in through the way she'd come with Arthur
stalking towards her. She rounded the kitchen table as he entered, almost
terrified of the man before her.
"Arthur, what is..." she tried again.
Cutting her off, Arthur bellowed back, "I said shut it, woman!"
Again, Molly reeled back; this time, remaining silent with her fingers
held towards her mouth. She seemed to be on the verge of tears.
"You will go and get me all the howler parchment you have. And you will
do it now!" bellowed Arthur, no less upset.
Without a word, Molly raced across the kitchen and removed several
sheets of parchment from a drawer in a china cabinet. She turned
towards Arthur with them in her hand and carefully walked over to him
barely close enough to hand them to him.
Snatching them from her hand, Arthur strode over to the oven and
opened the doors to the banked fire within. Without a moment's thought
he tossed the sheaf inside and slammed the doors closed.
Spinning back around to face his wife, Arthur commanded in an ominous
voice, "Molly Weasley, you will never again ever send a howler, or even a
curt letter, to anyone! Do I make myself perfectly clear?"
"But, Arthur..." she tried.
"Don't 'but' me, woman!" he snapped. "You will obey my command!"
Shrinking back a little, Molly replied, "Y-yes, Arthur." She had never seen
her normally placid husband this... riled... before. Not as he truly was,
the Head of two Elder Houses, Weasley and, through her, Prewett.
"You," roared Arthur pointing his finger, "through your unconscionable
actions, have brought this House into direct confrontation with four," he
held forth four fingers on his left hand, "Noble and Most Ancient Houses!"
"I have no choice left to me! I have to go to the four of them and beg them
for leniency for, not just my House, but for you!" he continued to roar.
"They have the right to demand of me justice!"
Molly collapsed to the floor, sobbing. It had finally begun to seep into her
awareness just what she'd done.
# # #
At 9.00am, Harry and the four heirs were already standing on the dais
with the same configuration of chairs and blackboards as the previous
day. The Headmaster had tried to approach Harry to talk to him before
the hour, but Harry ignore the man only gruffly directing him to take
seat. The last few student stragglers entered the Hall and quickly found
seats.
Hermione called a house elf and asked, "Are all students and staff present
in the Great Hall?"
"Yes, Missy Claw!" the elf replied.
"Thank you," she replied.
Harry then spoke out over the assembled students and staff. "The reason
for this entire school lesson is we're here to talk about one of the most
ruthless Dark Wizards of the century, and the vast majority of you do not
even know his name," he said.
That had a number of students muttering amongst themselves. They had
no idea of whom Harry could possibly be referring. He looked down at
Dumbledore and noticed the man appeared quite worried. He had good
reason to be.
"The name of this dark wizard, was Tom Marvolo Riddle."
Dumbledore jumped to his feet and spluttered, "No! You must not talk of
this! I forbid it!"
Susan said in a firm voice, "Sit down, Headmaster; or you will be
restrained. You're in no position to forbid anything."
Dumbledore continued to splutter, "You will cease this immediately! It's
not for the chiiii..."
Ropes had sprung from the tip of Neville's wand straight at the old man.
Dumbledore tried to avoid it by stepping back but it caused him to
tumble backwards back into his chair. Neville's ropes then bound him to
it. Hermione then hit him with the Silencing Charm. Dumbledore could
be seen continuing to rant. Some of the students watched, dumbfounded,
by what had happened to their Headmaster.
"Now," said Harry. "As I was saying, Tom Marvolo Riddle; so-called dark
wizard. For those who don't recognise the name... And I'm pretty sure
that's all of you, except the headmaster... you'll find reference to it and
him up in Hogwarts's trophy room. He won an award for services to the
school in 1943. And he was also Head Boy back in 1945. When you get
an opportunity, go and take a look for yourselves."
Harry then wrote, in big letters and with wide spacing, the name TOM
MARVOLO RIDDLE across the top of the centre black board. About two
feet below it he drew a series of dashes. They were spaced; one, two, four
and nine, with a gap between each grouping. _.
In turns, each of the heirs covered Riddle's conception, emphasising he
was born both a bastard and a half blood, that his mother died shortly
after childbirth, and that his uncle sent him to grow up in an inner
London orphanage for non-magical children. That he later returned to the
place of his birth and slew his entire remaining family, including his birth
father, who had refused to acknowledge him.
They covered his time in Hogwarts, including how it was he, and not
Hagrid, who had opened the Chamber of Secrets. And then they went
into his early adult life, covering his time as a sales clerk at Borgin and
Burkes in Knockturn Alley, before he fled to Albania.
"So, now that this dark wizard has been described for you in detail, to
this point, who can tell me why you don't know his name?"
Dumbledore was actually bouncing in his chair. His face was turning an
interesting shade of puceas he tried to yell his way past the Silencing
Charm. No one was any longer paying him the least attention.
Hermione asked the crowd, "Again, how is it that none of you, except for
the Headmaster... who was the Transfigurations Professor here at
Hogwarts when young Tom was a student... know of him?"
Still no raised hands with answers.
Harry said, "Well, the answer is pretty simple. He changed his name.
And, he needed people to believe he was a pureblood of noble birth. He
took his name, as it appears on the top of the blackboard here... Tom
Marvolo Riddle... and played a simple non-magical child's game with it,
called an anagram. It was his own little private joke on purebloods. What
he did was rearrange the letters like so..."
Harry then started crossing letters off, left to right, and moving them to
the lines of dashes.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - T
- - - - O - - - - - - - - - - T
- - M - O - - - - - - - - - - T
- - M - O - - - - - - - M - - T
- AM - O - - - - - - - M - - T
Five letters in and Harry could hear students whispering among
themselves. Many of the mundane raised, of course, knew what an
anagram was. And they were trying to beat Harry to the answer. Harry
just worked methodically through the letters, without pausing.
- AM - OR - - - - - - M - - T
- AM - OR - V - - - - M - - T
Some of the others were starting to talk louder. The first letter of the
name was the big giveaway for many of them.
- AM - OR - V - - - - MO - T
- AM LOR - V - - - - MO - T
- AM LOR - VO - - - MO - T
More students were starting to catch on to what Harry was doing. As
each letter was scratched off the name they could see the new name
developing. The brighter ones, especially from Ravenclaw, had already
figured it out.
_ AM LOR _ VO _ _ _MORT
I AM LOR _ VO _ _ _MORT
And a few more... Harry heard a mutter of, "Oh, my God!" and "That's
incredible!"
I AM LORD VO _ _ _MORT
I AM LORD VO _D _MORT
Two to go and it was starting to get quite loud behind Harry. Neville,
Susan and Hermione were glaring at staff and students, alike. Susan
called, "Be quiet!"
"You lie!" screeched young Draco Malfoy. "It's not true! It can't be true!"
Susan replied, "I assure you, Mister Malfoy. It most definitely is true. And
that's a further a five points against you!"
I AM LORD VOLD _MORT
I AM LORD VOLDEMORT
With the last letter scratched off and the anagram filled, Harry placed the
piece of chalk on the bottom edge of the blackboard and turned around.
Susan, Hermione and Neville were issuing five point deductions left, right
and centre. It did not matter whose House the student was in, if they
were making a fuss, and one of the heirs saw it, they were deducted five
points. Some students were deducted multiple times because they
wouldn't be quiet.
The worst offenders were, of course, the Slytherins. First Years Malfoy,
Nott and Parkinson; Second Years Urquhart and Mulciber; Sixth Year
Bole; and Seventh Years Montague and Pucey. All were deducted five
points twice. Harry was beginning to wonder if he'd have any students
left in Slytherin before much longer, if this kept up. And he wondered if
young Draco was going to make it to the end of the month.
Using a Sonorous Charm Harry yelled, "Be silent!"
Eventually, calm was restored to the Hall. A student from Ravenclaw,
who had their hand raised since before the last letter was transcribed was
called upon by Hermione.
"Yes, Mister Chambers?" she asked.
Warren Chambers, a Second Year, asked, "He's not real? Not a real Lord, I
mean?"
"No.. and Yes," Hermione replied. "In the mundane world, for Riddle...
and that's his real name, by the way; not the nonsense one he made up
while a student here at Hogwarts... for Riddle to have been a Lord he
would have had to have been accepted as the non-magical Lord Tom
Riddle's true heir. He never was. And Riddle killed him for it."
Susan continued, "Riddle wanted to rule the world. He knew to
accomplish that feat he needed people who believed him capable of it.
He needed money and support. The place to get that in magical Britain
was from the purebloods. He needed their financial support and political
power.
"So, he purported to be a pureblood Lord and then told them what they
wanted to hear. He gave them an enemy, the non-magicals and the
mundane-born, and told them it was the non-magicals who were the
cause of their problems. Adolph Hitler did exactly the same thing when
he told the German peoples it was the Jews who were the cause of their
problems. In other words, he lied."
Neville said, "What Riddle didn't know... but would have if he'd ever
bothered to go into Gringotts and have the heirs test... was that, after he
killed his maternal uncle, he became the last of the line of Salazaar
Slytherin. That would have made him Lord Slytherin by right of magical
inheritance if he'd ever bothered to find out.
"When Riddle attacked the Potters he was, at the time, the Heir Apparent
of Slytherin. Lily Potter had cast truly old magics about the crib of the
infant Harry. She had discovered how to stop the killing curse. But, it
required her sacrificing her own life, and using her life energy, to power
the wards. She knew Riddle's main target was her son, Harry Potter. But,
she wasn't going to let him get past her to Harry without him having to
kill her first."
Hermione continued, "So, Riddle attacked the Potter Cottage in Godric's
Hollow. And he was able to do that, even with the Fidelius Charm in
place, because Peter Pettigrew, his spy in the Order of the Phoenix, was
also the Secret Keeper. And Pettigrew, of course, told Riddle the secret.
Riddle attacked and killed James Potter in the downstairs living area.
Then went upstairs to the nursery. Lily Potter stood in front of the crib
and refused Riddle a clean shot at Harry. He killed her. And, in the
process, Lily's life energy flowed into the wards around Harry.
"When Riddle then cast his killing curse at Harry, the killing curse
bounced off the wards. But it did leave Harry with a scar where part of
Riddle's shattered soul hit him, forming a soul leech in his head behind
the scar."
That bit of news caused a bit of a ruckus. Harry called, "Be silent... if you
want to hear the entire story, or you will be tossed out!"
Hermione went on. "So, Riddle was killed by Lily Potter's magics. And,
due to the 'End of Line' clause on the line of Salazaar Slytherin, the title
should have flowed to Lily. However, as she was already dead, it passed
directly to her heir, Harry Potter. That's why, when Lord Slytherin here..."
She indicated Harry, "... took his oath before the Slytherin table a couple
nights ago, he gave it by claiming the title through magical inheritance
and right of conquest."
Harry said, "For those worried I still have a soul leech behind the scar on
my forehead, fear not. It has been removed and no longer poses a threat."
He went on to say, "Now you know the truth. Voldemort... Yes, I have no
problem calling him by his silly little made-up name... was a liar who
found a weak spot in the minds of his followers, and exploited it. All those
who called themselves Death Eaters bowed before the feet of a half blood
bastard, and called him Lord."
Neville said, "The information we've given you today is all easily
verifiable. Go up to the trophy room and look in the cases. There's a
picture of Tom Riddle there from when he earned his award for services
to the school in 1943. His name also appears as Head Boy for 1945. Then
compare that picture to the early pictures of Voldemort. You'll easily see
they're the same person for yourselves."
Hermione said, "Now stop referring to him as 'He-Who-Must-Not-Be-
Named' or 'You-Know-Who'. You sound ridiculous to those who know
better. Better yet, call him by his real name, Tom Riddle, if the name
Voldemort scares you so much."
Even after the demonstration they were just provided, some of the
magically raised children still gasped in shock each time Voldemort's
name was spoken aloud. Hermione just frowned deeper back.
A mundane-born Second Year Gryffindor, Alicia Spinnet, asked, "But why
doesn't everybody know this? I mean, if it's supposed to be so easy to find
out?"
Harry replied, "That's a very good question, and one everyone should be
asking. Five points, Miss Spinnet, isn't it?"
Alicia Spinnet nodded.
Harry continued, "The reason why people don't find out for themselves is
because they make wild leaps of assumption. They assume something as
fact. Then, when pretty much everyone else makes the same assumption,
they believe they must be right. When, in fact, they're not. Or, somebody
tells them something is fact when they don't actually know for
themselves.
"Here's a question I don't expect you to answer. However, it's a question I
expect you to keep in mind as often as possible. If everyone believes a lie
to be true, does it make it true? The answer, of course, is of course not.
But, it happens with astonishing regularity in the magical world. As
students, it's your mandate to question what people believe to be true.
Don't just accept things at face value all the time."
Neville said, "Here's a good example of that. Question: Does electricity
work around magic users?"
A couple of people raised their hands. Neville called on a Ravenclaw
student who was the quickest. "Miss?"
"Chang; Cho Chang," the Eurasian girl replied. "No, it doesn't. Everyone
knows that. But you're about to say everyone's wrong, right?"
Neville chuckled and replied, "Correct, Miss Chang; on the second part,
that is. Five points. The reason magical Britain believe electricity... and,
by extension, electrical items... don't work around magic is because of
Hogwarts. Back almost a century ago, when electricity started to enter
the mainstream of life for British citizens, a Hogwarts Headmaster
thought electricity was dangerous. And he didn't want witches and
wizards 'playing' with it.
"So, he added to the Hogwarts wards a spell that would cause any
electrical item brought into Hogwarts to fail. The more sensitive to
electrical fluctuations to the item; the faster it would fail. So, things like
battery powered fans would work for a while, but modern electronics
would fail within hours of being brought in. And, since almost every
witch or wizard in magical Britain learned to control their magic through
attending Hogwarts, he was able to make people believe at a young age
that electricity and magic can't co-exist."
Susan said, "And now we're going to stop that from happening." She
glanced toward the ceiling and said, "Lady Hogwarts; please drop the
ward that causes electricity to fail."
The four heirs felt the spell fade away. "It's done," said Susan. "From now
on, electricity and magic does mix in harmony; here, in Hogwarts."
Neville mused, "I had been wondering for quite some time why, if magic
and electricity didn't mix, why Diagon Alley didn't cause the very close-
by mundane buildings to have electricity problems. Think about it for a
moment; if there was supposed to be a problem, then mundane
electricians... that is, people trained to fix problems with electrical
items... would have been swarming about the place trying to find the
source of it. It would have meant Diagon Alley, for starters, would have
been found by the mundane world long ago. The same applies to the
Ministry for Magic and Saint Mungo's Hospital. And yet, they never have.
That should be proof enough. Yet no one has ever questioned it."
Harry said, "The problem is one to do with logic. By all logic, to the
normal person, magic should not be able to work. It defies logic. You
have to accept magic works on face value. Accept it, don't question it and
believe it. Now, we all know it does work, and the reason it works has to
do with what's known by non-magicals as high energy physics. But that
sort of knowledge is debated, even today, by non-magicals who have
gone on to study doctorates... that's the level above Mastery and can take
about an extra four years of study to reach... and they've still not found
the empirical proof.
"If a magical is told something is fact, they've been conditioned to believe
it to be true. They won't, and probably don't know how to, question that
so-called fact and discover the answer for themselves. So, that's why a
good, logical question will see you earn five points from one of us. You
can call it, positive conditioning."
Anthony Goldstein, a Ravenclaw mundane-raised First Year, asked, "So, if
we asked a logical question that progresses from what's being taught, we
get points?"
"Yes, Mister Goldstein," replied Hermione with a grin. "And, to self-
reference demonstrate, that question just earned you five points."
"Sweet!" said the pleased boy.
Finally raising his hand and waiting to be called upon, Draco asked in a
surly manner, "And what if I prove you wrong?"
"Then you receive double the points," replied Neville, matter-of-factly.
"You will never receive points against you for asking an honest, logical
question. And, if a staff member does deduct points from you for it, come
and see us. We'll rectify it. But, it has to be an honest question, rather
than one asked to be surly or insulting. I'll over look the tone in which
you asked your question... this time. And award you five points for it."
Hermione said, "Folks, by all means, set out to prove us wrong. We invite
you to do so! But, even if you can't, we expect you to be honest with us
and everyone else about the research you undertook to prove it. Even
though you don't prove us wrong, the effort you put into it can earn you
points."
Susan asked, "Are there any further questions?... No?... Then we break for
morning tea. Please, quietly exit the Hall so it can be reconfigured for
normal use."
Harry said, "And there will be another school-wide class, like today and
yesterday, same time tomorrow morning. You are welcome to discuss
amongst yourselves, outside of normal classes, the material given to you
today. And, as always, we're available for you to talk to; except for a
time, this evening, when the four of us have another appointment."
Harry finally released Dumbledore from his binding and Silencing Charm.
The old man just sat there with his head bowed. Harry had no idea when
the man finally left the Hall.
# # #
23. Dumbledore's Eviction
Chapter Twenty-Three - Dumbledore's Eviction
# # #
The rest of the day went pretty normal for a week day at Hogwarts.
Classes recommenced after morning tea and progressed into late
afternoon. Classes normally scheduled for first thing in the morning were,
where possible, rescheduled to occur during the late afternoon.
That afternoon the four heirs had planned to retire to the own chambers
to discuss the day's highlights, and to plan their talk for the next
morning. It was going to be the last, and the culmination of the first two.
It would give the student body, and the staff, the whole reason why the
heirs have come forth; the prophecy.
However, soon after 4.00pm they received a knock on the door. Harry
answered it to find an auror standing before him. Just beyond his
shoulder he saw a neatly, but cheaply, dressed red headed man in his mid
forties.
"Lord Slytherin," said the auror, "there's a Mister Weasley who seeks
audience with you."
Harry nodded and said, "Thank you, Auror." Then, looking at Arthur, he
said, "Come in, Mister Weasley."
Arthur stepped through into the owner's common room very nervously.
Here was a man who was clearly afraid, both for himself and his family.
Harry gestured towards the couches and said, "Take a seat, Mister
Weasley."
Arthur moved over to sit on one of the couches. He was clearly still very
nervous.
Harry smiled at him and, walking back to take his own seat, called for
Dobby.
*Pop* "Yes, Master Harry Potter, Sir?" asked the little elf.
"Dobby", replied Harry, "could you organise for us some tea? And,
perhaps, something a little stronger for Mister Weasley here."
"Yes, Master Harry Potter, Sir!" *Pop*
Very quickly there appeared a serving of tea on the coffee table between
them. Plus, a small bottle of firewhiskey and a shot glass within Arthur's
reach.
After Harry made himself a cup of tea, without looking up at the clearly
defeated man sitting opposite, who hadn't moved since he'd sat down, he
quietly said, "Alright, Mister Weasley; you may as well say what you feel
you need to say."
The other three heirs were all making their own beverages and were
letting Harry, as per usual, handle it.
"My Lord," said Arthur. "After your... message... I went home to see my
wife. Until I... ummm... yelled at her, and told her what she'd done
wrong, she didn't understand she'd done anything wrong. She had been
talking with Dumbledore, and he'd told her that four... children... had
effectively... stolen Hogwarts from him. And..."
Interrupting, Harry quietly said, "Stop."
Arthur's head snapped up but immediately fell silent.
"When did she talk to Dumbledore?" Harry quietly asked.
"Last night. He floo-called her directly, apparently, from his office,"
replied Arthur. "It was after I went to bed after a hard day of work."
"That manipulative old bastard!" hissed Susan. "He played her! He knew
how she'd react and he used it!"
Neville softly growled while Hermione gasped, "Susan!"
"What?" asked Arthur. "I... don't understand."
Looking back at Arthur, Harry called the older man's attention back to
him. "Arthur... How long have you and your wife known Dumbledore?"
"Years," replied Arthur. "Decades even. He was the Headmaster here
when we were both students. And he was the Headmaster well before we
arrived for our first year. Why?"
"So," replied Harry, "he would know exactly how your wife would react if
he made it seem like four children had stolen something from him,
right?"
Arthur frowned and said, "Right. He knew how... fond... Molly was of
howlers. She's sent a few of them when she's discovered the boys,
especially the twins, had misbehaved."
Nodding, Harry said, "So, he knew that your wife's immediate response,
when children misbehave outside of yelling distance, is to send a howler,
right?"
Frowning darkly, Arthur stared back at Harry. Harry could see the man
starting to put all the pieces together. Arthur's countenance quickly
shifted to one of fury.
"He... he... knew!" growled Arthur. "That... that..."
"Bastard," supplied Susan.
"Susan!" exclaimed Hermione.
"That bastard!" said Arthur.
"I'm only helping the man, 'Mione!" said Susan gently.
Harry, trying to ignore the byplay between Susan and Hermione, said to
Arthur, "Your wife, Molly, was used, Mister Weasley. And by a master
manipulator, who is quite comfortable sacrificing people who trust him,
if he thinks it gets him one step further along in his own plans."
Harry reached out and poured the man a dram of firewhiskey and held it
out to him. Arthur took it and downed it in one gulp.
"Still, my Lord," said Arthur, returning the glass to the tabletop, "My wife
overstepped her bounds. And I come to offer my apologies on behalf of
House Weasley. And stand ready..."
Harry held up his hand in a stop gesture. Arthur stopped in mid sentence.
He said, "Have you taken steps to ensure your wife never again sends us a
howler, or like?"
Nodding firmly, Arthur said, "She no longer has, and will never again,
have access to howler parchment. I have... remonstrated with her
concerning her actions. And she knows, now, how far over bounds she
has stepped. We both..."
Again, Harry raised his hand in a stop gesture.
"Then," said Harry, "the matter is dealt with. Nothing more needs be
said."
Harry looked towards the other three and received nods in agreement.
"You are willing to forgive her of her actions?" asked Arthur hopefully.
"Forgive?" asked Harry. "No. Recognise she has been suitably dealt with?
Yes. While she overstepped the bounds of civility outside of her House,
we accept she and her actions have been dealt with in-House. And we let
the matter rest."
Arthur visibly sagged in relief. "Thank you, My Lord."
Harry leaned forward and said in a deeper, firmer tone, "However, Mister
Weasley; Albus Dumbledore did this to your wife, and your House,
deliberately. He knew what he was doing. And he'll try to, once again, use
you and your family for his own ends if he thinks he can get away with
it. It's your responsibility to not let him get away with it. Do not trust
him."
With his mouth set in a grim line and firmly focussed on Harry, Arthur
nodded his head once, sharply, and replied, "No, My Lord; we will not!"
Arthur left them a few minutes later.
After Arthur left the four heirs didn't leave their private common room.
Instead they called a house elf and asked for a meal to be served for them
there. Harry also asked one of the house elves to ask Sirius and Remus to
join them. The evening meal, in Hogwarts's Great Hall would not be
concluded in time for them to dine before they'd need to make their way
to the Ministry. So Harry thought Sirius, at least, should be able to dine
with them.
Sirius and Remus joined them about ten minutes later and they all ate
together.
Something had been bothering Harry for a while about the behaviours of
the other three. At the conclusion of dinner, and before they left for
Gringotts, he felt now was the best time to ask. With a sigh he asked,
"Okay, you three. Perhaps now you can explain to me why it is your
language and mannerisms are those of people much older than eleven
years old. There are times when you are the children I expect you to be,
and other times where you're acting as almost clearly adults. What's
going on?"
He saw Susan, Hermione and Neville all exchange glances. Now, he knew
something was afoot. Sirius and Remus just looked confused. He waited
out his fellow heirs.
It was Neville who broke the silence. "Errr... Harry... do you know how
those cubes of yours and Merlin's gave us all the information from the
lessons you'd received? All the training?"
Frowning, Harry said, "Of course..."
"Well..." continued Neville. "While those cubes were doing their... thing...
While it was approximately eight hours per cube to run in real time..."
"Oh, God," moaned Harry. "What happened?"
Susan said, "We experienced, in our minds, time running at a different
pace."
Hermione took it up from there. "There was a time dilation effect, similar
to your physically being in the pocket reality, but only going on mentally
for us."
Neville said, "The prophecy states we would all enter the Great Hall
together as equals. It would not have been equal if we didn't have the
same mental development as you at the time."
Harry slumped forward, having already figured out what had happened.
Sirius and Remus were still confused, though.
Susan said, "While we might have been asleep for up to eight hours
physically for each cube, for some of those cubes we were mentally awake
for years."
"So, how old are you all... mentally?" asked Harry, his anger rising.
"The best we've been able to calculate, the same as you," replied
Hermione. "Nineteen years old."
"Bloody hell!" gasped Remus, realisation dawning.
"Harry," said Susan, softly, "Merlin made his calculations very carefully
and set everything out so we would be equal to you in all but magical
power after the last cube had run its course."
"Damn it!" snarled Harry, leaping to his feet and beginning to stomp
around the room. Yelling, he snarled, "If I'd known they were going to
have that effect upon you... locking you within your minds for such long
periods of time... I would never have gone along with allowing you the
cubes!"
"And that's exactly why we didn't tell you!" snapped Susan right back. "We
knew what was happening after the first cube. It was our decision to
continue them!"
"Harry," called Hermione, softly, "we know you care for and love us. We
know you are trying to protect us. We know you don't want any harm to
come to us, and will go on protecting us. But, this was our choice; not
yours. And we made it, together."
"She's right, Pup," said his godfather in almost awe. "It was their choice to
make. And I, for one, fully support them in it."
Harry just grumbled and stomped back to his seat before collapsing into
it.
# # #
Starting to run late for the Wizengamot meeting, the four changed into
their finest 'civilian' garb robes. They then used the Floo in the owner's
common room to floo to Diagon Alley. Sirius was heading direct to the
Wizengamot. Harry had already contacted Blockrig and had the goblin
ask on his behalf to be ready to remove all the blocks on the magics of
the rings.
After being taken directly to Director Ragnock's office, the four heirs
entered.
*Welcome, Lord Slytherin, Lord Gryffindor, Lady Ravenclaw and Lady
Hufflepuff. I hope I find you fresh from success in dealing suitably with
your enemies and building your wealth,* said the Director.
Harry, as unofficial spokesperson for the four, replied, *And we hope you
successfully dealt with your enemies long ago and their gold is earning
you even greater wealth while it sits in your vaults.*
The old goblin grinned and said, in English, "I like that one. I hope you
don't mind me using it from time to time."
Harry chuckled and said, "Not at all, friend Director. I was rather pleased
with it myself."
Ragnock said, "I believe you wish for me to remove the blocks on the
rings? I take it something has happened to require it?"
Susan replied, "Yes, sir. Lady Hogwarts, the magical sentient that is the
castle at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, was not prepared
to allow us to wait the year before announcing us. She forced us to go
through the ritual where we took the reins of the school to ourselves. It
was announced in front of the entire school, so we can no longer keep it
a secret."
As Susan was talking the old goblin had climbed down from his high
chair and walked around his desk. He stood before them.
"Plus," said Harry, "the Wizengamot has called a special session for this
evening. As Lady Hogwarts has already... outed... us, it seems prudent to
attend that body before they attempt to block us from our rightful
inheritance. The four of us will be attending this evening's session. And
they're all about to receive one hell of a shock."
Ragnock said, "It sounds as if this evening's session will make the front
page of the Daily Prophet in tomorrow morning's paper. I wish I could
attend."
Neville grinned, "We will think of you, there, as if in spirit."
Ragnock smiled and nodded. "To the business at hand. Please hold out
your right hands so I may remove the blocks."
Harry's had already had the block removed on his Potter and Black rings,
so it was only the Slytherin ring he needed unblocked. It took Ragnock
only a moment to allow it free.
He moved on to Hermione, who stood next in line. Again, it was only a
moment to allow it free.
Next was Susan. Hers took a little longer because Ragnock had to remove
the blocks on both her Bones ring and then the Hufflepuff ring.
And, finally, Neville. Ragnock released the bindings on both the
Longbottom and the Gryffindor rings.
"I wonder what they're witnessing in the Ministry office that deals with
the register of who has what ring," mused Harry. "They must have
monitoring Charms going off left, right and centre."
Neville chuckled and said, "I bet there are Ministry officials scurrying
about like ants!"
Susan said, "Six rings of major Houses being donned. All within the space
of half a minute, and less than a half hour shy of a special session of the
Wizengamot. I do not envy them."
Harry looked at Ragnock and said, "Director Ragnock; we, the four heirs,
thank you very much for the service you have performed for us... and for
you and your people's discretion this past couple of months."
Ragnock said, "The pleasure is mine. We, the goblin people, believe you
four will perform great service to goblin kin during your time on this
plane of existence. I am thankful I will live to see it."
Standing up straighter he said, *May your enemies, at this moment, be
trembling in fear you may soon notice them. And may your vaults require
expanding from the amount of gold soon to fill them to overflowing.*
Glancing at Harry, Neville asked, "May I?"
Harry grinned and gestured him to go for it.
*May you soon have no enemies left, and their gold find its way into
your vaults,* the boy intoned. "I hope that was right."
"That was very well done, young Lord," Ragnock congratulated Neville.
"You will find it comes easier with practice."
Looking at all of them, he said, "If you'll excuse me, I have important
business I need to conclude."
The four heirs left the bank and headed back to the nearest floo to go to
the Ministry.
# # #
With about twenty minutes to go before the special session of the
Wizengamot, the four heirs arrived in the main atrium of the Ministry.
There, they met Sirius. All five were dressed in their finest robes. All five
had their family House crests embroidered above the right breast. What
wasn't showing was the four crests for the four Houses of Hogwarts. They
had them hidden under strong charms.
All five passed through security and made their way to the Wizengamot
chambers. The plan was for Harry and Sirius to join the other, already
recognised, members of the Wizengamot in the members' antechamber.
The other three were to wait, sitting in the visitors' gallery, just in from
the stairs.
They had no trouble finding seats, as there were not many people outside
of the Ministry and the Wizengamot who knew the full details of what
had transpired over the last two days at Hogwarts. And it was, after all, a
special session. However, there were at least two journalists from the
Daily Prophet attending, and they thought another person was a journalist
from one of the International papers. Someone had clearly tipped them
off.
It was probably the Minister, thought Harry. He'd invite journalists to a
trip to the toilet, if he thought it'd gain him positive press.
In the members' antechamber, Sirius gave Harry a nudge to indicate
Dumbledore was there, across the other side of the room. He was talking
in close with the Minister and a couple of his strongest supporters. Harry
indicated to Sirius to lean in close.
"Let's try and keep out of his sight, for now," he said in a near-whisper.
"He clearly does not realise his position as Castellan of Hogwarts no
longer requires, or allows, him to sit on the Wizengamot now the four
heirs have returned. Or he just doesn't care. We can use it to discredit
him further."
Sirius nodded and led the way to the side of the room as close to a line
directly behind Dumbledore as they could.
Augusta entered a little while later. And, on seeing the two of them off to
the side of the room, headed over to them. "Amelia is not long behind
me," she said.
Harry said quietly to her, "We four had the rings unbound not long ago. I
don't know how many of the members know of it yet, but they most
certainly will soon. The other three are currently sitting in the visitors'
gallery."
Augusta nodded and said, "I know. I saw them as I came in and Neville
told me what you had to do. However, until he presents himself, I'm still
his Regent for Longbottom. I step down as he assumes his seat. Then,
when he calls on me to be his proxy, we switch back. Susan and 'Melia
will be doing the same."
Sirius said, "Maybe I should call Saint Mungo's and ask for a medi-witch,
or two, to be brought here on standby to deal with the collective
apoplexy that's sure to occur."
Even Augusta smiled at that one.
While Sirius was complaining to Augusta how Harry had forced him to
become a Slytherin, Amelia entered the room and came over. "Well," she
said, "The Office of Inheritance is currently in a right kafuffle. It seems
six new heirs suddenly took up their Head of House rings about half an
hour ago, and they only know who two of them are; Susan and Neville.
They contacted me in my office and asked if I knew what was going on."
Augusta asked, "And what did you tell them?"
"That it was family business and they should keep their bloody noses out
of it," she replied with a grin. "They can find out, like everybody else, and
wait for the time when they... finally... present themselves to the
Wizengamot to take their seats."
"'Melia!" gasped Augusta. "What a typically political shenanigans thing to
do!"
Amelia snorted and said with a grin, "I don't know whether to be pleased
or offended by that remark."
Augusta replied in an aside, "Well, I am a political animal myself, you
know."
The light gong sound that summoned the Wizengamot to chambers softly
chimed through the room. And the assembled members slowly made
their way through the doors to take their seats. Harry, Sirius, Augusta
and Amelia hung back a little to let Dumbledore proceed through. They
weren't sure if he'd seen them or not.
# # #
As he entered the chamber, Harry could see Dumbledore in the Castellan
of Hogwarts seat. He was talking closely with the person sitting alongside
him. Harry thought the man was either completely oblivious, or was
deliberately ignoring him. But, he really didn't care which.
As the final members took their seats, Lady Marchbanks cleared her
throat and said, "The Wizengamot has been summoned to discuss the
news we're hearing coming out of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and
Wizardry. The session was requested by Lord Malfoy, who has been...
apparently officially... informed the entire School Board of Governors has
been dismissed. Lord Malfoy."
Lucius Malfoy rose and, drawing a folded sheet of parchment from one of
the pockets of his robe, said, "I have received correspondence from
Hogwarts informing me the owners," he sneered, "of Hogwarts no longer
require a School Board of Governors. And that the Board has been... and I
quote here... 'become obsolete and no longer required. As such, the entire
membership of the Board is dismissed'."
Harry, Sirius, Augusta and Amelia all knew the letter said a great deal
more than that. More tellingly, it covered how the Board had failed in its
most solemn duty of protecting the children who formed the majority of
the student body, from physical and mental harm. If it wasn't for how
much Dumbledore had risked the lives of children in his care, the four
heirs would have been content to leave the School Board alone, and just
treat it as a 'toothless tiger'.
Malfoy continued, "This is outrageous! Hogwarts is owned by the Ministry,
and has been for hundreds of years. For someone to come along and
claim ownership of what belongs to the people of magical Britain should
see them sent to Azkaban at the minimum!"
Sirius stood and said, "Point of Order, Lady Marchbanks!"
Malfoy looked as if he'd been slapped. He'd not expected to be called on a
point of order over what he thought were simple and obvious
introductory remarks.
"You have a point of order, Lord Black?" asked Lady Marchbanks.
"Yes, Lady Marchbanks. Lord Malfoy, the canny political mind he is, has
apparently accepted as fact the following two points: one, that Hogwarts
is owned by the Ministry; and two, that the owners cannot dismiss the
School Board if it sees fit. Perhaps he should first present the evidence of
the Ministry owning Hogwarts, and how the Board cannot be dismissed
by the owners, first. Before, he claims otherwise."
Lady Marchbanks frowned and replied, "Those are both valid points, Lord
Black." Turning to Malfoy, she asked, "Well, Lord Malfoy? Do you have
that proof with you?"
Malfoy had already recovered his aplomb by the time the old matron
turned her gaze back upon him. "Lady Marchbanks," he scoffed, "it
appears Lord Black may still be suffering from his stay in Azkaban. I have
much sympathy for him for the mental stress he must have been
suffering, and bear the man no ill will. But everyone knows Hogwarts is
owned by the Ministry."
Augusta stood and said, "Really? I, too, wonder if the Ministry really does
own Hogwarts. I have recently been... educated... by a very intelligent
young man, who told me I should never accept anything on face value,
just because someone tells me it's true. I should investigate matters and
discover the truth for myself. Perhaps, we can ask one of the Wizengamot
support people to go and collect the ownership and the land title papers
for us, so we may see for ourselves." And sat down again.
"Really, Madam Longbottom," scoffed Malfoy, yet again. "It's well known
that the Ministry owns Hogwarts."
"Nevertheless," said Lady Marchbanks, "if the Ministry does own
Hogwarts, or doesn't, it will be made clear once the papers arrive from
the Ministry office that records ownership of property." She sent one of
the support personnel scurrying off to gather the supposed documents.
"In the meantime..." she continued, before being interrupted by the
Sergeant at Arms Auror over near the doors leading outside.
"Madam Acting Chief Witch!" he called.
Looking across the chamber at the Sergeant, she asked, "Yes?"
"Madam Acting Chief Witch, I have a new Lord who seeks recognition!"
Startled, she called, "Send him forward."
Neville, having already descended the stairs, strode forward into the
middle of the chamber with his head held high. He said, "Lord Neville
Longbottom, Head of House Longbottom, Madam Acting Chief Witch. I
come to take my rightful place on the Wizengamot."
Looking a little surprised, she looked at Augusta and said, "Gus?... Sorry,
Madam Longbottom? Young Neville has been emancipated?"
Augusta stood and said, "Yes, Lady Marchbanks, he has. I relinquish the
seat of Longbottom to the rightful Lord Longbottom." And she stepped
down from the Wizengamot seats. As she passed Neville, she gave him a
quick peck on the cheek. He blushed, but said, "Thank you,
Grandmother."
Augusta moved to the visitors' gallery and sat with Hermione as Susan
was down talking to the Sergeant.
"Madam Acting Chief Witch!" he called again.
"Yes?" Lady Marchbanks called again.
"Madam Acting Chief Witch, I have a new Lady who seeks recognition!"
She sighed and said, "Send her forward!"
Susan marched into the centre of the floor of the chamber and said, "Lady
Susan Charity Bones, Head of House Bones, Madam Acting Chief Witch. I
come to take my rightful place on the Wizengamot."
No longer really surprised Lady Marchbanks looked at Amelia, "And I
suppose young Susan has been emancipated, as well?"
Susan stood and said, "Yes, Lady Marchbanks, she has."
Lady Marchbanks sighed and said, "Very well, Lady Bones, come forward
and take your seat."
As Amelia did not sit in the Bones seat, as she sat in the seat for the Head
of the DMLE, she didn't have to relinquish. Susan sat in the vacant Bones
seat.
It was during this that the support staffer returned to the Wizengamot
chamber. He spoke quietly to Lady Marchbanks. After he'd said a few
words to her, she reeled back with a look of surprise. "Really?" she asked.
The support staffer solemnly nodded.
"Very well," she said. He then moved off from the Wizengamot seats back
down onto the floor to resume his normal place.
Turning to Lord Malfoy, she said, "Lord Malfoy. The Ministry regrets to
inform the Wizengamot that it does not own Hogwarts. In fact, Hogwarts
is owned in perpetuity by the heirs of the four founders. That includes the
school, the castle, the land on which it sits, the land on which the town
of Hogsmeade sits, the railway station and the lands for quite the many
miles around."
Lucius Malfoy shot to his feet and exclaimed, "What?"
He was joined by a great number of voices of members of the
Wizengamot all calling to be heard.
Malfoy remained on his feet while Lady Marchbanks called for silence.
Eventually, she had to use the Sonorus Charm to be heard. "Silence!" she
called in her strident voice.
It, finally, got through to the members and they quieted down very
quickly.
Lady Marchbanks glared at the few remaining pockets of noise before
turning back to Malfoy. "As for the second part of Lord Black's point of
order," she went on, "under the charter of the school, which predates even
the existence of the Wizengamot, the owners of Hogwarts only answer
directly to the Kings and Queens of England and Scotland. As those two
kingdoms are now united under one monarch, it means the owners only
answer to the Queen of Britain!"
Again, there was pandemonium in the chamber. Again, members were
clamouring to be heard. Harry, Neville, Susan, Sirius and Amelia were
about the only ones who were calm. But, because they were, they were
barely even noticed.
Harry gestured for Neville and Susan to join him down on the floor and
to be quiet about it. He rose and 'slunk' down off the Wizengamot seats.
No one noticed the three of them moving.
Dumbledore was also not clamouring. He was frowning and it was
apparent he was not happy. He had seen the three heirs step down to the
floor.
Harry called Hermione down to join them. They were then standing
together near the doors leading back out to the public area of the
Ministry.
The three journalists in the visitors' gallery all had dicta-quills running
flat out. They were also, themselves, writing upon parchment.
After Lady Marchbanks had to again use the Sonorus Charm to gain
silence in the chamber she, once more called on Malfoy, "Lord Malfoy, as
the two parts of the points of order are proven, please refrain your
remarks from including those errors of fact. You may continue."
No one had noticed that Harry, Neville and Susan had left their seats.
Nor, that Hermione had joined them.
Malfoy, having had almost the entirety of his opening remarks rendered
useless, took a few moments to gather his thoughts. He stood and said,
"Madam Longbottom made an excellent point when she asked for proof.
So, I now ask for proof that these supposed owners are who they say they
are. Even if the heirs of the founders of Hogwarts are supposed to be able
to dismiss the School Board, there is no proof that these people who
claim to be the owners really are the owners. The lines of the heirs died
out centuries ago. How are they supposed to be the heirs if the lines died
out? Let them prove themselves, I say.
"Even if they manage to prove themselves, the people of magical Britain
have the right to ensure their children are taught in a safe and happy
environment. The Wizengamot must act to order the Ministry to appoint
overseers of the school to check on the well-being of the children within
Hogwarts. The only reason this must not have been included in the
original charter was because, as Lady Marchbanks said, the charter
predates the existence of the Wizengamot and Ministry. If these two
bodies existed when the charter was first drafted, I say they would have
included provision for the two bodies to oversee the school."
Gathering himself for a moment... a political move, if Harry had ever
seen one... Malfoy said, "I call on this body to reconstitute the School
Board of Governors with its original membershipand demand these so-
called owners to both accept them and prove their ownership!" He sat
down looking for all the world as if he was indignant with righteousness.
The four heirs then walked together back into the centre of the chamber,
they stood just behind the witness chair, where it was bolted to the floor
in the middle of the room. They might not have been noticed leaving, but
they were definitely noticed returning.
Lady Marchbanks asked, "Lords Potter and Longbottom, Lady Bones...
and 'friend'? Why are you standing down there?"
"Because, Lady Marchbanks," replied Harry. "We four are the owners of
Hogwarts. And we're not happy."
Susan said, "We are here to, both prove our right to sack the Governors,
and give you the truth as to why the entire Board of Governors was
sacked, in the first place."
"First, though," said Neville, holding his right hand palm down and
forward, displaying his Head of House ring for Gryffindor. "I am Neville
Francis Longbottom, the Earl of Gryffindor, Lord Gryffindor, heir of
Godric Gryffindor and Head of the Most Noble and Most Ancient House
of Gryffindor. The ring I wear on my finger proves this. If you question
my claim you are welcome to come down and try and remove it from my
finger."
Susan then held out her right hand in the same fashion as Neville and
said the same thing for Hufflepuff, as did Hermione and, finally, Harry.
Susan said, "Lord Malfoy asked that the four heirs of Hogwarts prove
their ownership and right to sack the School Board. We four, as the heirs
of the four founders, are the owners of Hogwarts. I trust, at this time, he
is satisfied as to our credentials?"
Lucius Malfoy, as stunned as everyone else by what had just transpired,
replied, "Errr... Yes." Gathering himself and his thoughts for a moment,
he then stood again and said, "But... you're only children! And you have
still not proven you can stop us from ensuring a school board is in place
to protect the safety of..."
Harry interrupted him before he could regain his cadence. "Lord Malfoy!"
he overrode the man.It brought Malfoy to a sudden stop. "You were in
the process of misleading the Wizengamot as to the truth of why the
School Board was, rightfully, fired! You were fired because you proved
yourselves to be incompetent! You were fired because you failed in the
very act for which you are attempting to claim you should be reinstated;
the safety of the children attending the school. Either, inform the
Wizengamot of the entirety of the dismissal letter you received... which
clearly lays out your negligence... or sit your butt down!"
"Lord Potter!" exclaimed Lady Marchbanks at the same time as Malfoy
snapped, "How dare you!"
"How dare you speak to me that way!" blustered Lord Malfoy with all the
pomposity and bombast he could muster.
"Lady Marchbanks," said Harry with a small bow. "I apologise for causing
you distress. But this will be done."
"First, though," he continued. He turned to look directly at Dumbledore.
"Albus Dumbledore, as the four lords and ladies of Hogwarts are back in
residence, the position of Castellan for Hogwarts is no longer required.
We thank you for your service to this day. We now require you to step
down!"
Dumbledore glared back. However, he rose and, with as much dignity as
he could muster, stepped down from the Wizengamot seats, crossed the
floor and ascended the stairs to the visitors' gallery. There, he merely
glared back with hate filled eyes at Harry. That caused a great deal of
mumbling coming from the assembled members.
Susan, speaking aloud to the entire chamber, said, "The School Board was
fired and dismissed because it failed to meet even the bare minimum of
its supposed charter; protecting the children. When the four of us entered
Hogwarts on the night of the 1st of September, Lady Hogwarts, the very
castle itself, demanded of us to immediately take our rightful positions as
the four heirs. It did so, because it was fearful for the safety of the
children."
The entire Wizengamot sat silent. Harry thought complete shock had
finally settled in.
Susan continued. "That very night we were alerted by the castle as to the
possession of a professor, Professor Quirinus Quirrell, by part of the soul
of he you know as Voldemort. We were further alerted to there being no
less than five dangerous dark artefacts within the castle. We were alerted
to there being a Cerberus locked, by a simple key lock, behind a door in a
passage on the third floor of the castle. We were alerted to there being a
giant Devil's Snare behind and below a trapdoor, without a lock at all,
through which a student could have fallen. We were alerted to there
being a giant nest of acromantulans, with at least one of their number
being the size of a small horse, not more than two miles from the front
doors of the castle within the Forbidden Forest and on school grounds!"
There were gasps of shock and alarm coming from members of the
Wizengamot as Susan continued to list the many risks.
Hermione took it up from there. "All of this can be verified through
Madam Bones. It was she, and her aurors, we immediately summoned, as
was proper. And, who were saddled with the task of ridding the school of
those risks. A major job upon which they spent many hours that very
night for the castle, and the next day for the Forbidden Forest,
completing. Lady Hogwarts had repeatedly tried to warn the headmaster,
Albus Dumbledore, through the wards and the Sorting Hat of the multiple
risks to the children. However, he ignored her every attempt. She could
not even take the matter to the School Board, by using the Sorting Hat to
do her talking for her, because not one member of the School Board had
even bothered to attend the school over the past many years so they could
hear her alarm.
"It was the responsibility of the School Board of Governors to ensure the
safety of the children within the school. Clearly, they utterly failed! We
four, the rightful heirs of the founders and owners of Hogwarts, sacked
the bloody lot of them for their incompetence and negligence. If the
Wizengamot attempts to reinstate even one of their number, then we will
consider the Wizengamot itself in collusion to cause harm to the students,
and guilty of the crime of conspiracy to commit child abuse!"
Near pandemonium broke out within the Wizengamot.
When the room was once more quieted down, Harry, looking directly at
Lord Malfoy, said, "Now, Lord Malfoy... you were saying?"
The meeting was closed very quickly after that with the apologies of the
Wizengamot. The four heirs immediately left the chamber. With Sirius,
Amelia and Augusta running interference for them from the press and
other members, they floo'ed directly back to Hogwarts. Sirius, Amelia and
Augusta joined them shortly afterwards.
# # #
Back in the owner's common room, the seven of them gathered.
"Damn, you four!" said Sirius as they were all collapsing onto the couches
and divans. "You didn't believe in holding back, did you?"
Hermione called for a house elf, who then brought back for them tea and
hot chocolates with a large serving plate of cut sandwiches.
"No," replied Harry. "If we held back one iota, members such as Malfoy
would have exploited it. Better to slap them down hard now, than later."
Neville said, "They need to get past the fact we're children. They need to
understand that, just because we're children, they can't attempt to silence
us. If we give them the opportunity to do that, then they're going to try
and ride roughshod over us forever claiming we're only children and we
should let the adults get on with running magical Britain. No, tonight
might have been politically brutal, but was necessary. Political
dominance, Merlin-style."
Hermione said, "Now we need to prepare a media release for the Daily
Prophet and other periodicals and get it sent to them as soon as possible.
The quicker we give the Daily Prophet and other media organisations our
side of what happened, the less chance they have of printing hearsay and
untruths."
Harry went into his private apartments and brought back with him
parchment and a pen. He didn't believe in using quills when they weren't
required.
"Okay," he said. "Where do we start?"
Neville said, "The four heirs of Hogwarts tonight... last night... addressed
the Wizengamot."
Susan said, "Given the dangers... given the publicly acknowledged
dangers... that existed for the students of Hogwarts, it was clear their
sacking and dismissal of the entire School Board of Governors was proven
to be the wisest course of action."
Harry said, "As such dangers were clearly evident, questions must be
asked of the Headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore, and the
membership of the now sacked School Board, why the dangers were
allowed to remain."
Neville said, "With the return of the rightful owners, we hope the quality
of education at Hogwarts will soon see great improvement... No, that's
not it."
Hermione said, "Now that the true owners of Hogwarts have affirmed
their ownership. We expect great things from them. The quality of
education at the school has been lacking for a long time... for a great
many years..."
Susan said, "...and the... breath of fresh air they will bring... is a...
welcome change."
"That's it," said Neville.
Harry said, "Albus Dumbledore, already under a cloud... a dark cloud...
for his actions relating to Harry Potter... Uugh!... The-Boy-Who-Lived...
and awaiting trial for criminal actions relating to same, must be
questioned as to why he allowed... no, we covered that... must now be
concerned further charges will be brought against him for... no... will be
brought against him."
Hermione asked, "What about quotes attributed to us?"
Neville said, "I'd rather not. What if we were to remain all mysterious
like? The four heirs, after making their presence felt in the Wizengamot,
retired back to Hogwarts where we trust they are working hard... for the
betterment of children... of our children."
Harry nodded and said, "I think I'm with Neville on this one. We can also
give a publicly candid interview to the media here, in our private
apartments at a later time. But, for now, I'm a little sick of being a 'media
celebrity'."
Hermione said, "I'll do it. I'm the complete unknown. Lady Ravenclaw
gave a short statement where she said, Us four... no... The four heirs
understood and accepted they had a great deal of work to do and were,
for the time being, dedicated to getting it done. She hinted they may
soon sit down with this media organisation and give an in-depth candid
interview."
Susan said, "I think we have it. Get it down on parchment and we can
have it sent."
The three adults sat in silence as the four heirs drafted the words of their
media release. When Susan finished, Augusta said, "Merlin, you four got
that done fast! And, you're sending it to the Prophet?"
"Yes, Gran," replied Neville. "If we don't feed the maw of the media what
we want them to report, then someone else, such as Malfoy, will. By us
getting our version out there first the media will probably cover it the
way we want them to. As Hermione gave them a quote they're sure to
include what's in the release. The mundane world's politicals have been
doing this for centuries."
Harry, after he finished redrafting the release onto a second parchment,
called a house elf and handed him the two envelopes containing the
releases. He told the elf, "Take these to the owleryand have each sent by
owl." The elf popped away. One was sent direct to the Daily Prophet and
the other was sent to the wizarding world's version of Associated Press.
He said, "Welcome to the world of being a media celebrity, 'Mione." And
grinned.
She blew him a raspberry.
Later in the evening, after the adults had departed, Harry was working on
some rune and charms-based work. When asked about it, he said it was
just a personal project. He didn't know the other three had already been
alerted by Myrrdin as to Harry's... predilection... towards pranking. They,
too, had been designing their own. And they intended to strike first, after
the prank Harry pulled one on his godfather the previous night.
Tomorrow, one of them would make their first foray against him. They
knew he wouldn't expect it so soon on the heels of that night's
Wizengamot hearing.
# # #
The next morning Harry woke and made his way out to the heirs'
common room. He hung around waiting for the others to arise. But, by
almost 8.00am, none of the others had put in an appearance. He tried
knocking on Neville's door. When there was no answer, he opened it and
walked in. No Neville.
He moved onto the rooms of the two girls but only knocked, not willing
to walk into the room of a young lady. No answer on either door. He
could only assume they had all risen early and gone down to breakfast
together. 'Strange,' he thought. A little confused, Harry headed down to
breakfast.
As he walked in through the tall, large double doors the music started. It
was mundane music and took him a little while to figure out what it was.
He was sure he'd heard it before.
Then the singing started. That drew his eyes to the dais, where sat the
Sorting Hat on its stool. It was singing!
"On the day I was born, the nurses all gathered 'round"
"And they gazed in wide wonder, at the joy they had found"
'Ah!' thought Harry. 'George Thoroughgood and The Destroyers. 1982. It
isn't hard to figure out to just whom the song is aimed. Yours truly.'
"The head nurse spoke up, and she said, 'Leave this one alone'"
"She could tell right away, that I was bad to the bone"
Harry conjured a set of high priced sunglasses and donned them. He
turned the collar of his cowl up and strutted into the Hall. 'Time to turn
this prank back on the "pranker",' thought Harry.
Harry started to sing along to the Hat's rendition as he strutted up the
Hall between the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor tables.
"Bad to the bone"
"Bad to the bone"
"B-B-B-B-Bad to the bone"
"B-B-B-B-Bad"
"B-B-B-B-Bad"
"Bad to the bone"
Before he reached the head of the table he could see Hermione with a
knowing grin plastered on her face watching him. 'Pranker: identified,' he
thought.
"I broke a thousand hearts, before I met you"
He reached the head of the four tables and, pushing a Hufflepuff female
Firstie aside, sat down at the end of the line of benches and sang to
Susan. She chose to ignore him.
"I'll break a thousand more, baby, before I am through"
He turned to the Firstie and sang the next two lines.
"I wanna be yours, pretty baby, yours and yours alone"
"I'm here to tell ya, honey, that I'm bad to the bone"
The Firstie, and the one next to her, sighed and giggled.
He then rose and moved across to the Gryffindor table squeezing between
two Second Year females
"Bad to the bone"
"B-B-B-Bad"
"B-B-B-Bad"
"B-B-B-Bad"
"Bad to the bone"
He was up and moved towards the head table moving around the Hat as
he did.
"I make a rich woman beg, I'll make a good woman steal"
He stopped in front of Professor McGonagalland sang
"I'll make an old woman blush, and make a young woman squeal"
"I wanna be yours, pretty baby, yours and yours alone"
She blushed, harrumphed and decided to also ignore him.
"I'm here to tell ya honey, that I'm bad to the bone"
Then it was down between the Slytherins and Hufflepuffs.
"B-B-B-B-Bad"
"B-B-B-B-Bad"
Before, finally, heading for his own seat.
"B-B-B-B-Bad"
"Bad to the bone"
He plonked himself down just as the last line and music rang out. The
Hat, and its stool, disappeared again.
There was smattering of applause from students, especially the mundane
raised.
Harry removed his sunglasses, stood, and said, "Thank you, thank you.
I'm here all year!" And bowed a few times in various directions across the
Hall.
That earned him a few chuckles and a catcall or two. He could see
Hermione give him a wry look. She knew he'd bested her on that one.
And he could see she was aware he knew it was her. He gave her a
courtly bow.
His revenge would have to be carefully planned. He couldn't retaliate too
quickly. She'd be expecting that. 'No,' he thought. 'Best to lull her into a
false sense of security.' He'd go after someone else, first. He'd even try to
see if he could have it blamed on someone else. But, who to target as the
'Prankee' and the blamed 'Pranker'.
He answered a few questions from some of the First and Second Year
Slytherins. But, his mind was elsewhere. He wanted to read the Daily
Prophet to see what it printed concerning last night's actions.
Miss Greengrass asked, "So, My Lord; what is today's topic on?"
He had to hand it to the girl. She was doing her best to get a foot up on
the rest of the student body by trying to collect information in advance.
He thought she'd bear watching over the coming years. She was
demonstrating all the hallmarks of a canny political mind.
"Now, that would be telling, Miss Greengrass," he replied with a smile.
"I'm afraid you're going to have to wait and enjoy the suspense."
"No hints at all, My Lord?" she asked.
Harry grinned even more and replied, "Nope! Sorry." Before stuffing a
piece of marmalade toast into his mouth.
Blaise Zabini said, "I wrote my father about what you said yesterday
about He... about Riddle. I received an owl back from him, this morning."
He unfolded a small piece of parchment and, looking at what was written
upon it, said, "He said, 'It's about time someone used some brains and
spoke about his... Voldemort's... origins'." Before refolding the parchment
and sticking it in his pocket. "But, he doesn't know if telling children was
the best way to do it."
"Why not?" asked Harry. "It should now be an integral part of the 'History
of Magic' syllabus, anyway."
Thinking a bit, he went on to say, "And that reminds me. I need to do
something about Binns. It's about time I moved that ghost on... 'to his
next great adventure'. And replace him with someone who was more up-
to-date."
Millicent Bulstrode, another First Year, asked, "How'll you get rid of
Binns? I've heard it's been tried before and failed."
Harry replied, "There's an old non-magical saying, 'There's more than one
way to skin a cat'. It implies there's more than one way to solve a
problem. So, Miss Bulstrode, if given the problem, how would you go
about solving it?"
Millicent thought hard and replied, "Exorcism is the normal way. But
that's been tried; as has appealing to him to leave. He simply ignores the
attempts."
Harry nodded and asked, "Now think outside of those solutions. Can you
come up with an answer by coming at the problem from a different
direction?"
Again, she thought hard. "Move the class to a different room... or move
the times the class is taught."
Harry sat back, impressed. "Very good, Miss Bulstrode, five points," he
said with a smile. "The solution, as you deduced, is not to try so much to
remove Binns from his classroom; but to remove the class from the
classroom. I believe the classroom next door to the normal one is vacant,
and hasn't been used in many years. Moving the time of the class,
however, may prove somewhat problematic at the moment as the
timetables have already been set. Next year we can definitely look at
moving the times the class is run, if moving classrooms doesn't work.
"Binns is locked into a routine. He knows where his classroom is, and he
knows the times he needs to be there and what year he's supposed to be
teaching each time. It hasn't varied for many a year. If we can't move him
on, we'll just let him teach to an empty classroom, for now."
Thinking a bit, Harry said, "First, though, I'll need to talk to the others
and Professor Lupin."
For the first time, Gregory Goyle spoke up. Draco gave him a look as if
the boy had stabbed him in the back. He said a little shyly, "I've been
reading your book. Did those mugg... errr... those... mundane relatives of
yours, really do all those horrid things?"
Harry looked the boy straight in the eye and quietly said, "Yeah, they did.
They felt magicals were 'freaks'. It's the same sort of mentality that makes
magicals think of non-magicals and mundane-borns as beneath them.
That sort of attitude springs from many different sources. In the case of
the Dursleys it was because they feared magicals as having power they
did not. And, it's the same thinking that led to the Salem Witch Trials in
the United States in the early eighteen hundreds.
"People don't like to be afraid. And, when they're afraid, their fear can
manifest as hatred. They hate that which makes them feel afraid, just for
making them feel afraid. Was it my fault they were afraid? Of course not.
But it didn't stop them from hating me for it."
Draco piped up and said, "But, that's just silly!"
Harry replied, "Yes, it is. But it's also very common. And it's how one
person can manipulate others. All you need to do is give a suitably large
number of people something to be afraid of. Then, make them afraid of it
to the point the hatred develops. Then tell them you know how to get rid
of that which they now hate. And they will follow you. Bad guys have
been doing it for millennia." Harry shrugged and then said, "Supposed
good guys have been doing it, too." Harry could see young Greengrass
understood the hidden message he also conveyed with what he said.
The owls then delivered the mail. And Harry had his first look at that
morning's Daily Prophet. He found what he was looking for on the front
page as the lead story.
WIZENGAMOT SHOCK
Last night's special meeting of the Wizengamot, called at the request of Lord
Malfoy, concerned letters each member of the School Board of Hogwarts
received from people alleging to be the owners of the school, reports political
reporter Bartholomew Cavendish.
Lord Malfoy was demanding the Wizengamot force the reinstatement of the
Board. However, demands by Lord Black to produce proof the Ministry owned
Hogwarts, or even had the authority to reinstate the board, were met by the
shock that the Ministry does not own Hogwarts at all. Hogwarts is owned in
perpetuity by the heirs of the four founders.
When he asked for proof the alleged owners truly were the heirs, four eleven
year old children shocked the entire chamber. Standing on the floor before the
Wizengamot they displayed their Heads of House rings on their right hands.
They are: Neville Francis Longbottom, Lord Gryffindor; Harry James Potter,
The-Boy-Who-Lived, Lord Slytherin; Susan Charity Bones, Lady Hufflepuff;
and Hermione Jean Granger, Lady Ravenclaw.
Lord Longbottom and Lady Bones had only a few minutes earlier claimed their
Lordships for the Head of their respective family Houses.
The four heirs clarified they had summoned the aurors on the night of 1st
September to the castle to rid the school of dangers to the students. They
claimed the aurors removed five dark arts artefacts, a Cerberus, a Devil's
Snare, and a Professor who was possessed by the spirit of He-Who-Must-Not-
Be-Named. These were all in the castle with the student body, our children.
This was all later confirmed by Madam Amelia Bones, Head of the DMLE,
who oversaw the removal of these dangers. Madam Bones further confirmed
that a team of her aurors returned to the school the next day to remove an
infestation of dark creatures from the Forbidden Forest, some of which was a
very large nest of acromantulans.
The four heirs claim, given the publicly acknowledged dangers that existed for
the students of Hogwarts, it was clear the sacking and dismissal of the entire
School Board of Governors was proven to be the wisest course of action.
As such dangers were clearly evident, questions must be asked of the
Headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore, and the membership of the now
sacked School Board, why the dangers were allowed to remain until the four
heirs acted. Albus Dumbledore, already under a dark cloud for his actions
relating to Harry Potter, and awaiting trial for criminal actions relating to
same, must now be concerned further charges will be brought against him.
Now that the true owners of Hogwarts have affirmed their ownership, we
expect great things from them. The quality of education at the school has been
lacking for a great many years and the breath of fresh air they will bring is a
welcome change.
Lady Ravenclaw gave a short statement where she said, 'The four heirs
understood and accepted they had a great deal of work to do and were, for
the time being, dedicated to getting it done.' She hinted they may soon sit down
with the Daily Prophet and give an in-depth candid interview.
Acting Chief Witch, Lady Griselda Marchbanks, when asked what she thought
of the shocks that had occurred that night, said she supported the decision of
the four heirs to sack the Board, and did not believe a replacement Board was
necessary. 'Clearly, these four young witches and wizards are working hard to
take care of rectifying wrongs within the school. I believe they should be left
alone to do it,' she said.
Lord Malfoy was not available for comment.
Harry chuckled and looked up to see Sirius looking back at him with a
big grin on his face. Harry waved his copy of the Daily Prophet at him.
Sirius nodded.
# # #
As breakfast was winding down, Dumbledore sent Professor Snape over
to Harry to tell him the Headmaster wanted to see him, again, in his
office. Harry, again, took his godfather with him.
As he entered the old man's office Harry could see Snape was there yet
again. And Dumbledore was also frowning because Harry, again, had
brought Sirius, as his House Counsellor, with him. Both already had their
wands drawn as they walked in.
Dumbledore said, "Thank you for bringing Harry to see me, Professor
Black. I can take it from here."
Harry burst out laughing. "You just can't give up, can you, Albus? You're
either rudely obstinate, senile or incapable of learning from your
mistakes. I just can't be stuffed figuring out which one it is!"
Professor Snape lurched forward and snarled, "You're still an arrogant git,
Potter. Just liii..."
Sirius hit him with a stupefy spell from behind Harry's back. Professor
Snape, who had his eyes on Harry, didn't see it coming. He collapsed
onto the floor.
Dumbledore shot back in his chair as far as it could go. "Professor Black,
please! There's no need for this!"
Sirius calmly replied, "Then don't have him here when you call Lord
Slytherin to come and see you. And this will be the last time, by the way.
That he comes to see you, that is."
Dumbledore, ignoring Sirius's response, turned to Harry and said, "And,
it's Headmaster Dumbledore, Harry."
Harry snapped right back, "It's Lord Slytherin, Lord Potter or Mister Potter,
you stupid old fart! If you can't be respectful enough to use my proper
names, don't whine and complain when I don't use yours!"
"Harry!" exclaimed Dumbledore.
"Albus!" mock-exclaimed Harry in response. "Now, am I here as a student,
as part owner of Hogwarts, as a member of the Wizengamot, or on some
form of business relating to my family? Think hard, old man. If you don't
answer the freakin' question as it has been put to you, then I turn around
and walk out the door. From that time forward it will be I who will be
summoning you!"
"I... I... wanted to ask if... you touched my wand yesterday morning," the
old man stammered.
Harry glared at him and said, "Good day, Albus! Don't forget you are
required to be in the Great Hall at 9.00am. You'd best immediately write
it down, considering how poor your memory is of late. You're going to
find the subject of this talk even more enlightening than yesterday's."
Harry then turned on his heel and strode out, while Sirius watched his
back as he went. Dumbledore tried to call him back but he and Sirius just
ignored him.
Out in the passage outside the Headmaster's office, Sirius asked, "Just
how much longer are you prepared to put up with him?"
Harry replied, "No later than either this afternoon or tomorrow morning.
I want him in the Great Hall for the lecture we're about to give. Then I
know that he knows that I know... what he was attempting to do. I want
him fully aware he's not going to be able to control me, and that I know
he can't do a damned thing to try and control me, as I know the full
prophecy. I believe in the maxim, 'Keep your friends close, and your
enemies closer.' But he's outlasted even my patience."
Just before 9.00am, Harry met with the other heirs to go over what they
were preparing to do. While they were doing so the house elves finalised
reconfiguring the Great Hall back into the lecture theatre they wanted.
At 9.00am the four of them were back on the dais. This time Harry had
already prepared each of three blackboards with the text of the prophecy.
The first one had just the first two lines, the second one had the first four,
and the third had the full prophecy as the four heirs, Sirius and Remus
knew it. But the boards were all facing the other way, for now.
"Okay, folks," said Harry. "This is the last of these morning lectures, for
the time being. And this one is also the main reason for the first two."
That had a few people murmuring among themselves.
"This talk is all about a particular prophecy." As he said it, Harry kept a
close eye on Dumbledore.
As soon as he said the word 'prophecy' the old man started with shock.
Then he shot to his feet. "Harry!" he exclaimed. "You can't!"
Hermione stated, "Sit down, Headmaster! Or you will, again, be
restrained."
"Nooo!" the Headmaster blurted. "No one must know!"
Neville raised his wand but Dumbledore saw it and stuttered, "Wait! No!"
But Harry could see the old fool was trying to bide his time to ready his
wand.
Harry thought, 'Lady Hogwarts, bind him and silence him again.' And
Dumbledore was slammed back into his seat, rebound and silenced again.
Harry sighed, looked over at Professor McGonagall, and said, "Deputy
Headmistress McGonagall. At the completion of this talk, the position of
Headmistress of Hogwarts will be offered to you on a permanent basis.
Please use this time to consider the offer. I also ask that, as the position
will be permanent, you also consider stepping down from your position
as House Counsellor for Gryffindor."
Professor McGonagallnodded. But Harry could see the woman was quite
pleased and feeling nothing but ire towards Dumbledore, anyway.
Turning to Neville, he said, "Yes, Lord Gryffindor; I know we'll be having
words about that later."
Neville nodded back, gravely.
"Now," said Harry, turning back to their audience, "we were talking about
a particular prophecy. We'll reveal this in three parts."
Susan stepped up to the first board and said, "This first part is known by
a few people. And they've known it for ten years. They were, at the time,
Albus Dumbledore, Severus Snape, and Tom Riddle... Plus, possibly a few
more of his followers."
The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches...
Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies.
A few students muttered among themselves.
Hermione said, "Dumbledore heard this from Professor Sybill Trelawney,
when he was interviewing her for the post as Divination Professor. After
talking with her for a while, he was about to thank her for her time but
not offer her the position. However, when she started her prophecy,
Dumbledore hesitated."
"At this point, too, just after the second line," said Neville, "Dumbledore
heard a noise outside. He leapt up to investigate but, not finding
anything, returned to his seat to hear the rest of it. The person outside
was Severus Snape. Remember, this was before he became a Professor,
here, at Hogwarts. Professor Snape, as a Death Eater, took what he heard
directly to his so-called master, Tom Riddle. So, Riddle now knew the
first two lines."
Harry took it up from there. "Both Dumbledore and Riddle believed the
second line to be the most... informing. And both also figured the
prophecy related to either of two people, Lord Gryffindor and me. It's the
reason why both of our parents were attacked very closely to the 31st of
October 1981."
Susan said, "Then there comes the part only Dumbledore knew, because
Death Eater Snape had already fled, and Sybill Trelawney didn't
remember, because of her prophecy trance."
Having already moved to the end of the second blackboard, Neville
turned it around.
The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches...
Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies.
And the Dark Lord will mark him as equal, but he will have power the Dark
Lord knows not...
And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the
other survives.
Harry said, "'And the Dark Lord will mark him as equal'..." and lifted his
fringe out of the way to show his scar.
That created quite a stir in the crowd.
Hermione said, "So, now Dumbledore is absolutely positive he knows
who it is to which the prophecy relates. He's now positive it's Riddle
versus Harry Potter time in magical Britain. And that Harry Potter must
kill Tom Riddle, or that Tom Riddle will kill Harry Potter. But, is he
right?"
Neville spoke up. "The trouble with this whole concept is that this..." he
said, gesturing at the middle board, "is not the entire prophecy.
Dumbledore suspected he hadn't heard all of it, but he wasn't sure. That's
why he hired Professor Trelawney to the position of Divination Professor.
It had nothing to do with her ability to teach. It was only so she'd be
close by if she ever dropped back into her trance and completed it. In
other words, Dumbledore was using Hogwarts's teaching funds to fund
his keeping a supposed Seer close at hand."
Susan said, "Dumbledore was both wrong and right. He was wrong to
keep what he'd heard to himself. He's no trained interpreter of
prophecies. Interpreting prophecy is the bailiwick of trained members of
the Unspeakables. However, he didn't take it to them, as he bloody well
should have. He was also wrong in what the prophecy meant.
Hermione said, "Albus Dumbledore is no trained expert in prophecies.
He's no more skilled at it than you. So, since he decided to decipher it
himself, we think you should do the same. Let's look at the first line, shall
we?"
Susan said, "First line 'The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord
approaches...' Okay, what are the problems here? I'll start. 'The Dark Lord'
what is that supposed to mean? In the past one hundred years there's
already been at least two, and those are the ones here and in Europe that
we know of - Grindelwald and Riddle. There's no date, there's no
location, there's nothing. However, Dumbledore... knew... it must have
been referring to Riddle. Why leap to that conclusion? Was it simply
because the prophecy was heard while Riddle was running amok? It
could even be talking about a Dark Lord that hasn't even shown him- or
herself yet.
"And what about the word 'approaches'. Maybe its not a reference to time,
but to distance. 'The one' is coming to Britain from a long distance away
and is trekking to get here. That would mean they were 'approaching',
wouldn't it?"
Neville said, "'Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh
month dies.' Well, this one's really interesting. 'Born to those who have
thrice defied him'. It sounds pretty cut and dried, doesn't it? So, it will be
a boy or girl child, at this point. And the biological parents will have
defied this Dark Lord character... who still has not been identified... on
three separate occasions. But, 'defied' can mean anything. It can be as
simple as Dark Lord asked them for a favour, and they said 'No'. Then he
said, 'Awww... go on' and they said 'No' again. Then he said, 'Pretty
please?' and they said 'No' a third time. Dark Lord has now been thrice
defied."
There was some murmurings from the collective student body. And not a
few looks towards Dumbledore.
Hermione said, "It also doesn't mean they only defied him, either; or that
they only defied him three times. They could have given in to him on
other occasions. They could even be marked Death Eaters, if it really does
refer to Riddle, by the time their child was born."
Harry said, "Now we come to the interesting part. It's why both mine and
Neville's parents went into hiding in 1980. Both of us were due to be
born at the end of July that year. So Dumbledore, not knowing anyone
else who was due to have a child at that time, illogically assumed the
'one' had to be the child of the Potters or the Longbottoms. Setting aside
the fact that there were approximately ten thousand children born
towards the end of July in 1980 in Britain, alone, let alone the rest of the
world, it's also an assumption the seventh month is July.
"For example, I bet few of you know that 'Sept' is a Latin derivative for
'seven'. And, when a fire is dying, it leaves glowing embers. Seven and
dying; sept and ember. September. Now you need to add another ten
thousand children from Britain alone that could conceivably be the 'one'
ordained in prophecy. Another example: The school year starts on 1st
September each year. The seventh month of the school year is April. Add
yet another ten thousand children. The Chinese New Year is in mid-
February, which makes the seventh month a split between mid-August
and mid-September. The Financial Year runs from 1st July until 30th
June. That makes the seventh month January. I could go on and on. I
expect you folks to see how many more differing dates you can call the
so-called seventh month."
Hermione said, "'And the Dark Lord will mark him as equal, but he will have
power the Dark Lord knows not...' Now we're getting down to, as non-
magicals say, 'the brass tacks'. There are only one set of people Riddle
deliberately marked; his Death Eaters. Harry Potter was marked
accidentally when he received that scar on his forehead. But a mark can
be more than just physical, it can also be a mental mark. Someone
rendered permanently mentally changed is also considered 'marked'."
Harry said, "So Neville was also marked. When a small group of Riddle's
Death Eaters attacked the Longbottoms, they tortured them to the point
of causing their minds to 'snap'. That meant Neville Longbottom's parents
became unable to raise him; and he was raised by his grandmother. And,
that, of course, meant Neville's experience of life was altered. Through
his actions Riddle mentally marked Neville Longbottom."
Neville said, "'but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not'. The only
thing really cleared up here is that the child will be a boy... 'He'. And
what of this 'power' he's supposed to have? If we knew what it was, then
the chances are, so would Riddle... or Grindelwald... or whoever. Then it
wouldn't be a power he knew not, would it?" He shrugged.
Susan said, "Next line; 'And either must die at the hand of the other for
neither can live while the other survives'. What sort of nonsense is that?
How can one cause the death of the other if one can't live while the other
one does. It means the one born second must cause the first ones death at
the moment of their birth, otherwise they'll both be alive at the same
time. That line is nonsensical."
Harry said, "But it also causes something else to happen. It would mean,
if it really was me and Riddle, that we are both immortal if we decide not
to try to kill each other. To be more blunt about it, Riddle cannot be
killed unless I'm the one doing the killing; and I cannot be killed unless
it's Riddle who's doing the killing.
"So, if Riddle were to agree not to try and kill me, and I do the same for
him, we're immortal. And it also means that if anyone else tries to kill
me, then they'll fail. How good is that?"
Susan said, "However, Dumbledore was right about one thing. There was
more to the prophecy that he hadn't heard. But, he was never going to
hear it from Professor Trelawney. Her moment as a channel for that
prophecy was over. The person who was supposed to have received the
entire prophecy, did so."
Harry had moved to the final blackboard and was ready to turn it. As
Susan finished and stepped out of the way, Harry said, "And this is it in
its entirety..." And he spun the board around.
The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches...
Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies.
And the Dark Lord will mark him as equal, but he will have power the Dark
Lord knows not...
And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the
other survives.
Before two hands of full turnings shall pass...
The one with the power will come forth from whence he has been lost.
He shall be joined by loyalty...
He shall be joined by wit...
He shall be joined by resolve.
The four are rejoined!
They shall defeat evil and restore order to magical kind.
Harry looked at Dumbledore, who was sitting with a look of shock on his
face. "Now, Albus," he said. "If you're going to behave yourself, we'll
release you."
Dumbledore didn't mouth a word. He just sat there staring at the final
blackboard as if he hadn't heard a thing.
Harry told the castle to release him and remove the silencing charm
placed on him. The magical bindings released, but Dumbledore didn't
move.
Ignoring Dumbledore, Neville said to the staff and students, "As Lord
Slytherin said, this is the prophecy in its entirety. Its eleven lines long. A
great deal more than the four that Albus Dumbledore knew it to be. And,
if he had bothered to discover the rest of the prophecy, or taken it to
people who actually knew what they were doing in deciphering it, he
may have learned a hell of a lot more."
Hermione said, "So, we'll go through this part quickly as it's pretty easy to
figure it out.
"Before two hands of full turnings shall pass...
"A full turning is a year. Therefore, it's ten years, or more properly, just
short of ten years.
"The one with the power will come forth from whence he has been lost.
"Not particularly clear. But it does become so, later.
"He shall be joined by loyalty...
"That's Hufflepuff
"He shall be joined by wit...
"That's Ravenclaw
"He shall be joined by resolve.
"That's Gryffindor
"The four are rejoined!
"Which means 'He' is Slytherin. He is the one who 'comes forth from
whence he has been lost'. He is 'the one' of prophecy.
"They shall defeat evil and restore order to magical kind.
"'They shall...' Not might; not could; not possibly will; shall!
"And where has he been lost?" she went on. "Dumbledore illegally
kidnapped Harry Potter to go and live with an abusive non-magical
family, the Dursleys, for nine and three-quarter years before Harry ran
out of the Dursley residence. 'Will come forth'; Harry headed for, and
entered, Diagon Alley, where he was quickly identified. As such and until
that moment, he was 'lost' to the magical world."
Susan said, "Albus Dumbledore wanted to control what he believed the
prophecy to be, and to whom it applied. To do that he decided he had to
have complete control over Harry Potter's life. He used Rubeus Hagrid to
kidnap Harry Potter from his rightful guardian, Sirius Black. It was why,
when he knew Lord Black to be innocent of the crime that had him sent
to Azkaban, he kept silent when he knew the truth."
Neville said, "It was why he had the Potter Will sealed, because it
identified to whom the infant Harry Potter was to be taken; who would
then raise him. It was why he was intercepting all of Harry Potter's mail.
It was why he had himself declared Harry Potter's magical guardian,
when he knew damned well he had no such right. It was why he
attempted, in the Wizengamot, only a few days after Harry became aware
of his true heritage, to have Harry stripped of his emancipated minor
status and his Potter Lordship."
Hermione said, "It was why, just yesterday morning, he attempted to use
Legilimency on Harry up in his office. And, it was why, over the past ten
years, he has mind raped four members of staff here, at Hogwarts, and
used both Legilimency and the Obliviate Curse upon them!"
Looking Dumbledore directly in the eye, Neville said quite firmly, "And,
in case you are so feeble-minded, so oblivious of reality, so self-
delusional... that you do not understand what this all means... Albus
Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, for the crimes of multiple counts of
mind-rape and attempted mind-rape of a child, defrauding the Hogwarts
School of Witchcraft and Wizardry through paying people staff wages just
to have them close by even though they may have been ill-suited to the
roles to which you hired them, for conspiracy to commit child abuse, for
conspiracy to cover up child abuse, for abuse of authority as Headmaster,
for intentionally failing to provide safe haven at Hogwarts... and
probably a great deal more I can't be bothered thinking of, at the
moment... you are fired! Your employment as Headmaster, and as a staff
member of Hogwarts, is terminated!"
Susan said, "Mister Dumbledore, you have thirty minutes in which to
vacate Hogwarts lands, and that includes Hogsmeade, or you will be
forcibly evicted. Do not attempt to take that which is not rightfully yours
as you leave. Adding the charge of theft to those mounting against you,
while it seems to be a bit of a waste of time, we will still do!" Glancing
up, she said, "Lady Hogwarts, dump the ex-Headmaster of Hogwarts in
the Headmaster's office, so he can pack his personal effects! In exactly
thirty minutes, if he hasn't already left on his own accord, he is to be
dumped outside the front gates."
Dumbledore disappeared from the Hall.
Hermione turned to Professors McGonagalland Flitwick and said,
"Headmistress McGonagall; Deputy Headmaster Flitwick; congratulations
to you both. Consider your positions permanent, as of this moment."
# # #
24. Snape's Cure
Chapter Twenty-Four - Snape's Cure
# # #
That afternoon, after meeting with the staff in the staff common room,
Harry sat with the other three heirs in the owner's suites to discuss
whether or not to introduce the new school curriculum, in part or in full,
immediately. They resolved to immediately replace the curriculum of all
seven years of the History of Magic class, plus replace the teacher,
introduce the Ethics and Morality Class and the Study Practices &
Assignments Class for the First Years, and replace the 'Muggle Studies'
class with the two simultaneous 'Studies and Traditions of the Mundane
World' and 'Studies and Traditions of the Magical World' classes.
Professor Burbage would be offered the Magical World class and would
work with the four heirs on a curriculum for it.
They needed to find new teachers for the History of Magic, Mundane
World, Ethics and Morality and Study Practices & Assignments classes.
However, they would advertise internationally for the positions. They
wanted a Mundane raised and experienced teacher for that slot. And they
wanted someone with a knowledge of both British and International
magical history for the first slot. That one would be advertised locally.
Neville was to immediately implement the school garden vegetable farm
on the spare grounds. That would allow the implementation of the new
wards. And he would also head the redesign of the old Hogwarts wards.
Susan and Hermione were to 'ramp up' their efforts in going through the
laws to see what they could do to help Her Majesty's folks. Once they had
the full list the four of them would then figure out what they'd tackle
first.
Harry would sit with Headmistress McGonagall and Deputy Headmaster
Flitwick as interview panel when they started receiving applications for
the vacant positions. In the meantime, he'd start on preparing the
employment advertising.
First of all, though, he needed to write yet another report for Her Majesty
to let her know what was going on. She, Sir Anthony and Sir David all
needed to be prepared with a rapidly accelerated timeline of when they'd
need to act. He intended to visit with Sir David over the coming days for
a one-on-one so he could answer any questions the man may have.
He also drafted a short piece for the Daily Prophet announcing
Dumbledore had been permanently stood down, Minerva McGonagall was
now the Headmistress and Filius Flitwick was the Deputy Headmaster.
Once the heirs checked it he had that sent off immediately.
Neville had also let everyone know that, while he was sad to let Professor
McGonagall go from the position as House Counsellor for Gryffindor, he
was pleased to announce Professor Vector had agreed to take on the
position. It would be properly announced at evening meal in the same
manner as Harry had announced Sirius to the position of House
Counsellor for Slytherin.
While the others were busily working on their own projects Harry was
surreptitiously working on his greatest pranks ever. He had two ready to
go and he was just putting the final touches on them both.
That evening the four heirs carried out their check to ensure all members
of their Houses were present, but Neville went last. Very soon afterwards,
Gryffindor had a new House Counsellor, Professor Vector.
# # #
The next morning, Harry and Neville decided to attend the Slytherin
Gryffindor First Year double potions class. This was the first morning
when they didn't hold one of their school wide lectures in the Great Hall.
So, classes could return to normal.
Harry thought it would be wise to watch Professor Snape in his element
to ensure the man could actually teach. He knew the man only held the
position because Dumbledore wanted him close by, but that didn't mean
he couldn't teach.
When they entered the two Houses were sitting on opposite sides of the
room. But, Harry and Neville decided they'd sit together between the
two.
Professor Snape entered the class from the hallway at exactly 9.00am, the
time the class started. He strode down the length of the room from the
door, mounted his dais next to his lectern, and said, "There will be no
foolish wand-waving or silly incantations in this class. As such, I don't
expect many of you to appreciate the subtle science and exact art that is
potion making. However, for those select few who possess the
predisposition, I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the
senses. I can show you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a
stopper in death. Then again, maybe some of you have come to Hogwarts
in possession of abilities so formidable that you feel confident enough to
not pay attention."
Looking over at Harry, he said, "Ah, Mister Potter, our newest celebrity.
Tell me, Mister Potter, what would I get if I added root of Asphodel to an
infusion of Wormwood?"
Harry replied, "The Draught of Living Death. It's a powerful sleeping
potion."
Frowning, the Professor asked, "Where would you look if you wanted to
find a bezoar?"
"In the stomach of a goat; or probably in your potions store. It's a fast and
effective way of curing most poisons."
The frown became a glare. "What is the difference between Monkshood
and Wolfsbane?"
"They're from the same plant, aconite, and are often considered the same
thing. However, they're not. Monkshood refers to the flower of the plant;
which looks like a purple monk's hood, hence the name. However,
wolfsbane refers to the roots of the plant. While the roots of the plant are
not poisonous, the greenery and flower most definitely are. And, that's
important to know because the root is the main ingredient in Damocles's
Wolfsbane Potion, for which he earned the Order of Merlin about 15
years ago."
He could see the Professor was furious, but had stopped asking questions.
Harry asked back, "So, tell me, Professor. Since I've just answered
questions relating to Third, Fifth and Seventh Year studies, have you just
given me an oral examination for my OWLs?"
Professor Snape spluttered, then roared, "Get out! All of you, get out now!"
Harry tapped Neville in the ribs and whispered, "Stay. We need to fix this
right now. He'll attack with Legilimens and I'm going to use it against
him."
Neville nodded. He had a very good idea what Harry was going to do.
The other students scrambled to pack their things, pick up their small
cauldrons and flee the classroom. Harry and Neville packed their things
but were in no hurry to leave. Professor Snape just glared at the two of
them. He now had his wand out.
After the other students had left, Harry looked at the Professor and asked,
"What would you get, Professor, if you took Damocles's Wolfsbane potion,
followed it with an inert infusion containing the virus Canine Hepatitis,
and let the virus run its course before killing it a week after the cycle
passes, just treating the symptoms rather than the cause; then dose the
patient with one of those bezoars of yours?"
"You'd kill the werewolf!"
"No, you'd cure them!"
The Professor, near choleric with rage, attacked exactly as Harry thought
he would; with Legilimens. Harry let him in to his mental prison, and
then locked him in there with him. Harry had it set as a black room
without boundaries.
With Snape standing, Harry appeared about ten feet from him. The
Professor launched a couple of Curses at him. They had no effect. Harry
calmly said, "Come now, Professor. There will be no foolish wand-waving
or silly incantations in this mind."
Snape yelled, "What is this, Potter?"
"You know very well, what this is. It's my mind. At least, it's the part of
my mind I let you into. Clearly, Dumbledore didn't tell you he'd already
tried to use Legilimens on me... and failed."
Snape closed his eyes and grimaced. He then opened them in shock and
stared at Harry.
"No, Severus. You cannot leave until I allow it."
Snape snarled, "What do you intend to accomplish by holding me here?
You cannot hold me forever!"
Harry smiled and said, "No, but I can make it seem like it is. No, I'm
keeping you here to... re-educate you."
Appearing around them was the scene of a small English village. They
were standing in a meadow not far from a lake. There were two young
children, about eight or nine years old, sitting together under a large oak
tree near the edge of the lake and about twenty feet from them.
"Do you recognise the scene, Severus?" asked Harry.
The Professor walked to stand a little closer to Harry as he stared in
shock at the two children. "It's.. it's... me and Li... Lily. Your mother.
When we were young children. We had yet to receive our Hogwarts
letters. I... knew I was a wizard, but Li... your mother... didn't."
"Yes," said Harry. "It was also the time when you first demonstrated
magic for her. You were still quite shy, but Lily had managed to bring
you out of your shell, a bit. She wanted to be friends with you."
Harry and Snape watch as the young Severus caused a little bit of
wandless magic and made butterflies appear to dance around Lily's head.
Harry said, "That was actually quite impressive, you know. The fact that
you could cast wandless magic at such an early age. And you used it to
impress someone you started to feel... even then...love for."
The scene changed. They were standing together just outside the door to
a neat little cottage. Lily, slightly older, came running up the path. She
banged on the door and called, "Severus! Severus!"
A young Snape opened the door and ducked outside, quietly closing it
after himself.
"Lily?" he asked excited. "You got yours, too?"
Both children held their Hogwarts letters in their hands and danced
about.
Harry said, "You didn't tell her you received a beating from your father,
did you? You didn't tell her about the abuse you suffered because you
were a wizard, and he wasn't. I know what that's like."
"You don't know, anything!" the older Snape roared, visibly shaken.
"Release me from this, immediately!"
"It's exactly the treatment I received at the hands of Vernon Dursley,"
Harry firmly shot back.
The scene changed again. The two children were sitting across from each
other in a compartment on the Hogwarts Express. However, there were
no other children with them. The door suddenly flung open and there
stood a young James Potter and Sirius Black.
"Ah!" exclaimed James. "Firsties!" He then cast a minor spell and all of
Lily's hair disappeared. Both boys laughed.
Severus shot to his feet, drew his wand, glared at the young James and
Sirius, and yelled, "You leave her alone!" He then pushed both back out
of the door before slamming it shut.
Lily had reached up with her hand and felt her bald scalp. She screamed.
Severus was beside in a flash. He spent time comforting her. "It's okay,
Lily. It's only a minor spell. It'll wear off very soon, and you'll have all
your hair back. I promise"
Lily clung to him and sobbed.
Harry said, "That was a very brave thing you did, Severus. You stood up
to two bullies who were bigger than you, and you stared them down."
The scene changed and they were in the Great Hall. The First Years were
undergoing the sorting.
A younger Professor McGonagall held her scroll and called, "Evans, Lily!"
Lily, with her hair back, tremulously left the side of young Severus and
walked forward. She walked forward and climbed onto the stool while
the Professor held the Hat aloft. As it was placed on her head there was a
few moments before the Hat called, "Ravenclaw!"
Smiling, Lily looked back at the young Severus before heading for the
Ravenclaw table amongst applause mainly from that table.
The sorting continued apace until it reached young James. Before the hat
even landed on his head, it called, "Gryffindor!" And young James joined
his friend, Sirius Black, at that table. They were sitting with a young
Remus Lupin, and a freshly sorted, and thinner, Peter Pettigrew.
"Snape, Severus!" called Professor McGonagall.
The young Severus sat on the stool and scrunched up his eyes looking to
be in furious concentration.
The Hat was quite a while before it finally called, "Slytherin!" And a very
dejected looking young Severus looked at young Lily. They were both
sad. Severus walked over to join the Slytherin table.
Harry asked, "You really wanted to be in Ravenclaw, didn't you?"
Snape quietly said, "Yes. I wanted to be with Lily. I argued with the Hat
for what felt like hours. It told me I should probably have gone into
Gryffindor but I was too ambitious and cunning. It also looked to put me
into Ravenclaw, and I begged it to, but it said I would truly find my way
in Slytherin."
The scene changed and it was a warm summer's day outside the castle on
the grounds. A now mid-teens Lily was sitting under a tree talking to an
equally older James and his friends.
"No!" the older Snape bellowed. "I will not watch this! Release me right
now!"
Harry said, "You must, Severus. It's the key to everything. It's also the
answer to your salvation!"
A young Severus with longer hair came running across the grass from the
castle. He appeared excited and happy. "Lily! Lily!" he called. "I did it!"
The older Snape tried to turn away. Harry wouldn't let him.
Lily, having heard him call her name, was rising to her feet. "Severus?"
she asked. "What's going on?"
"I got it! I got an Outstanding in Potions! Professor Slughorn wants me to
aim for maaaa...!"
Severus suddenly flew up into the air hanging upside down by his ankle.
His robes fell to be billowing around his face. His pants were reefed 'up'
to be about his ankles, leaving him hanging with his old underwear on
full display.
The four Gryffindor boys - Potter, Black, Pettigrew and Lupin - were all
roaring with laughter. Lily turned on Sirius and cried, "Release him!
Release him, this instant! You bully!"
With a twitch of his wand, Sirius released the Curse causing young
Severus to fall to the ground head first. The four Gryffindors walked off
laughing. James turned to Lily and said, "Are you coming?"
She angrily replied, "No."
Turning to help the young Severus to his feet, she asked, "Severus, are
you alright?"
Rising to his feet, the young Severus yanked his arm out of her grip and
snarled, "Let go of me, you filthy mudblood!"
Lily reeled back in shock.
The older Severus was leaning over with his hands on his knees and
groaning.
Harry paused the mental replay and went for the kill. He said to the
Professor in a firm voice, "And that was the moment, Severus. Right then.
If you had held your tongue, young Lily would have cut all ties to James
and his friends. You two would have grown closer together. Eventually,
you would have married. And all the major points in your life, from that
moment forth that occurred, with the exception of you earning your
Mastery in Potions, would not have happened."
As he spoke, Harry's voice rose in volume and anger. "You would not
have joined Voldemort and become a Death Eater, you would not have
been placed under a compulsion charm by Dumbledore and made to run
to Voldemort and told him of the first two lines of the prophecy, you
would not have then realised how badly you made a mistake - though, it
really wasn't - and run to Dumbledore begging for his help, he would not
have been able to manipulate you like his personal little play toy puppet.
And you would not have... through your own actions... caused the death
of your true love, Lily Evans-Potter. And I would have been your son!"
Harry waited for a few moments before continuing in a calmer and softer
voice. "I am not my father, Severus. I am not James Potter. He's dead. I,
however, am much more like my mother. I may have inherited many of
my father's looks; but I have my mother's eyes and cheek structure. I did
not inherit my father's mean, cruel streak, either. Instead, I inherited my
mother's caring nature, her love for others, and her softer side."
Not expecting an answer anyway, Harry asked, "Do you know she forgave
you, Severus? She forgave you only days after all this happened." He
gestured with his hand at the scene before them. "She desperately wanted
to reconnect with you. But, you continued to shut her out. Your own guilt
kept you apart after that. And you, knowing the guilt was your own,
grew to hate. And you let the hate rule your life. And now you aim that
hate at me!
"You seem hell-bent on taunting me as my father taunted you. You want
to blame me for my father's actions; a boy not even a twinkle in his
mother's eyes when it all occurred. When you look at me, you see him.
And you can't let it go. I have offered you help, Severus. I see in you a
brilliant man. A man still capable of a great many things. A man seeking
redemption, but unable to find the solace of it. And now I'm offering you,
again, help in finding it. I can give you that solace, Severus. All you have
to do is let me."
And Harry abruptly released the Professor from his mind prison.
# # #
When Harry released the Professor, the man collapsed to the floor where
he stood. Neville immediately jumped forward and helped him back to
his feet while Harry brought one of the student stools over for him to sit
upon. The two of them then guided the Professor into sitting on the stool,
and waited to ensure he had his balance upon it. And Harry noticed
Susan and Hermione were also there.
"How'd it go?" Neville asked Harry.
"As expected," he replied. "When did Susan and Hermione turn up?"
"I mirrored them a few moments after the Professor, here, launched his
attack. They've been waiting and watching ever since."
The Professor was still quite dazed. Tears brimmed his eyes.
"Do we need to fire him?" asked Susan.
Harry shook his head. "I don't think so. It'll be up to him, though."
With a raspy voice, the Professor softly said, "I can hear you, you know."
Harry replied, "We know."
The four heirs were sitting in the front row of student desks and waited
for the Professor to gather himself. When he did, he looked at Harry and
said, "You were waiting for that, weren't you? Waiting for me to use
Legilimens on you."
Harry replied, "Yes. I'm just sorry I had to goad you into it."
Turning away, the Professor asked, "That cure for werewolves you
mentioned - Canine Hepatitis. It'd actually work?"
"Yes."
"How do you stop it from killing the patient? Canine Hepatitis is fatal in
almost all cases."
Harry replied, "The virus is fatal because the body overheats to the point
it can no longer sustain life. Effectively, it cooks itself. Secondly, the virus
is fatal in full canines. Werewolves are only partially canine. The virus
does not attack the human part. What you need to do is infect the patient
on the first night of the change, as soon as they change. Then you hit
them with a massive dose of the virus throughout the body. Keep the
patient cool using cold packs and ice; especially around the head; that's
where the body heat does the most damage. Then, let the virus run its
full course over the next few days. Keep treating only the symptoms, and
do not attack the virus itself.
"Once the lycanthropy period passes, then hit the patient with the best
healing draughts you've got. It may not work on the first pass through of
a full moon, but my research indicates it will within no more than three.
You can have the patient cured of lycanthropy within three months."
Susan said, "We've all looked at Harry's notes and we all concur. Our
problem is, who is going to believe four eleven year olds invented the
cure for lycanthropy?"
The Professor thought a bit and then nodded. He said, "I am. You four
can do things no eleven years old should be able to do. Po... Lord Slytherin
has just provided me ample demonstration of his skill in Occlumency. I
have no doubt his skill in other areas of magic may be just as...
formidable. Plus, I already saw what you four did to Professor
McGonagall, Madam Pomfrey and that oaf, Rubeus Hagrid. That
shouldn't have been possible, either."
Remembering, Harry said, "There's one more thing I can do for you,
Professor. But I must have your absolute faith and trust to pull it off. As I
told you in the infirmary on the first night, I can fix what Dumbledore
did to you."
Frowning, the Professor said, "I would know, first, what it is you're
planning to do."
Harry replied, "I think he's tweaked your emotional response
mechanisms; especially, those related to anger and frustration. I think
he's put in place triggers for them so that, whenever you look at me or
think of me, it hyper-activates those emotional responses. I'd like to go in
and remove them."
Frustrated, the Professor shook his head. "It can't be you," he said. "It has
to be one of the other three." It was only then that Harry noticed the man
had not looked at him since he came out of Harry's mind trap.
"That sounds... a wise course of action, Professor," said Harry. Turning to
the others he said, "Okay, who feels the most confident they can help the
Professor."
Hermione said, "We've already discussed it, Harry. It's going to have to be
me."
Harry frowned, but nodded. Turning to the Professor he said, "When and
where do you want to do this?"
"Now," he replied. "And it better be in the infirmary." He then stood up
and strode for the door. The four heirs hurried after him.
# # #
Striding into the infirmary, the Professor called, "Madam Pomfrey? I need
a bed!"
Madam Pomfrey came hurrying out of her office calling, "Severus? What's
wrong?"
Turning to the sound of her voice, he said, "These four are going to do
their... thing with me. Now."
"Oh," she exclaimed. "Well, wherever you feel most comfortable, I
suppose."
The Professor walked over to the nearest bed and lay upon it. "You may
need to ready a healing draft, Pomona. I may need it very soon."
The medi-witch scurried into her office and came back with a couple of
vials. She placed them on the bedside table.
The four heirs stood two to each side of the bed. Hermione and Susan
closest to the head.
Susan said, "I think I need to join you, Hermione. I'll be your backup."
Hermione nodded and said to Harry, "You provide the extra magical
power for me; and," looking at Neville, said, "you provide the extra
magical power for Susan."
When everyone agreed, Hermione said to the Professor, "Okay, Professor,
you know you're going to need to drop your Occlumency shields. Please
do it now."
Hermione concentrated a bit, nodded to Susan and said, "Legilimens!" a
mere fraction of a second earlier than Susan. Both boys were pushing
magic into the girls. Harry could feel the slight drain on his magical core.
The Professor's eyes glazed over.
The drain increased for a bit about thirty seconds in, but eased back off
again shortly afterwards.
Ten minutes later, both girls came up from their focus. Hermione swayed
a bit, but Harry was there to steady her. Susan reached over, unstoppered
one of the vials, sniffed it, and upended it into the Professor's mouth.
"Headache reliever," she said. Then she reached for the second one and
did the same thing.
Hermione said, "It's done. Dumbledore was not very subtle with what he
did, either. Besides also tweaking with the professor's emotional response
centres, he also put in place a shield to prevent the Professor from even
going anywhere near it himself. It was pretty nasty. Susan and I had to
work together to bring it down."
"But," she said, "we've fixed it. We haven't altered the Professor's
emotions in any way. All we've done is remove the alterations that were
already in place. How he behaves from here on out is entirely him."
Madam Pomfrey came around and checked the Professor out more
closely. "He appears to be... deep asleep," she said.
"Yeah," said Susan. "He was going to come around suffering from a
massive headache. So, I triggered his somulus state as we left. He should
wake anywhere from half an hour to two hours from now."
Harry told the medi-witch, "Tell him to come up to the owner's suites
when he feels up to it. There's no rush."
Before they left, Harry said to the medi-witch, "Before we go, please dose
these two with magical core revitalisers. What they did, though they
won't admit to it, took a lot of magical power to achieve."
She hurried back into her office and came out with another vial for each
of the girls. "Straight down with them, both of you. I'd prefer you
remained here for at least a few hours, but I suppose this will have to
do."
The two girls dutifully downed them straight away with both wrinkling
their noses at the taste. Then the four left the medi-witch to minister to
her temporary patient.
# # #
A little over an hour later, back in their common room, they received a
knock on the door. Neville called, "Come in!"
Professor Snape walked in. He took one look at Harry and frowned a
little, but his expression brightened almost immediately. Neville asked
him, "How're you feeling, Professor?"
"Much better, actually," he said. "I came to thank you all, Lords and
Ladies. And to apologise to you, Lord Slytherin. My behaviour these past
few days..."
Harry held up his hand to stall the man, "No apologies are necessary,
Professor. You weren't yourself. However, from this moment forward..."
"Understood, My Lord," replied the Professor. "But, thank you, again."
He then bowed, turned and left the room.
Susan, looking up from whatever project she was working on, asked, "Do
you think we're going to see any behavioural improvements out of the
man?"
Hermione said, "Yeah, actually, I do. But I think Harry's right in getting
in a chemistry 'slash' potions master to teach the younger years. Professor
Snape is too valuable an expert in potioneering to let him go without
giving him every chance."
Harry said, "And I think he'll make a fantastic teacher for the Fourth
Years and up; plus, when we get the Potions Pre-Mastery course up and
running next year."
He then said, "I need to call Sir David. I need to talk to him about all the
changes that have occurred over the past few days. Plus, I want to find
out if he's found me an electrician with experience in the magical world,
yet." And he went into his private quarters to his desk.
He didn't see it, but the other three all looked at each other and grinned.
# # #
After talking for a few minutes on the mirror with Sir David, Harry came
back out into the common room and said, "Yeah, he wants to see me.
Who wants to come with? He's made sure his office is clear of staff for
us."
Neville said, "Yeah, why not. I've not actually met him yet."
Harry thought for a bit and said, "Lady Hogwarts, please drop the anti-
apparation wards on the owner's common room."
"Alright, Nev," he said to Neville. "You've not been there before, so I'll
side-along apparate you direct to his office so you know where it is in
future."
Neville nodded and walked over to where Harry was standing. They
gripped each other about the waist and Harry disapparated them.
Their arrival in the office of the Head of MI5, startled the man. "Damn it,
My Lord Potter!" he exclaimed. "You scared the bejeezus out of me!"
Harry grinned and said, "Sorry, Sir David. I guess you're still not used to
dealing with magicals."
"Well, I'm getting better," he huffed. "I'm just not used to people...
apparating... directly into my office, yet."
"It will come with experience, Sir David, I assure you," said Harry.
Turning to indicate Neville, he said, "This is Neville Longbottom, Earl
Gryffindor, Head of the Most Noble and Most Ancient House of
Gryffindor, Head of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Longbottom."
Having already walked around his desk, Sir David offered his hand to
Neville and said, "Welcome to my humble little demesne, Lord
Longbottom, Her Majesty's MI5 intelligence service."
Neville shook the man's hand. But, he wasn't used to being so easily
treated as an adult on equal footing with another just yet.
"Hello, Sir," replied Neville softly.
Sir David smiled and, taking pity on Neville, said, "You address me as 'Sir
David', My Lord."
"Hello, Sir David," replied Neville a little more firmly.
Sir David smiled at him and ushered his two guests to his conversational
table.
Once sitting, he said, "Now, My Lord Potter, as I said on your mirror
thing, I've found your electrician. Actually, I've found three of them. And
they now all work for us on a... contractual... basis."
"Excellent," said Harry. "I wanted to see about getting my manor house
wired and hooked up to the electricity grid. They can do that at any time
as I'm now living full time, for the moment, at Hogwarts Castle in
Scotland. Then in late June, I want to get as large a team of electricians
as possible to set about wiring the castle. We may need to consider
having a generator arrangement to which to connect it, though."
"Actually, Harry," interrupted Neville. "Hermione's working on a magical
electrical power generator, at the moment. She's having a few problems, I
believe. But she thinks she'll have them solved well before June, though."
Harry was surprised. "Really?" he asked. "I had no idea."
Sir David said, "Anyway. I can get the electricians out to your manor but
you're going to have to grant them access. I believe you have some pretty
good wards protecting the place from... prying eyes. I admit to having a
few of my boys and girls out there to have a look for it, but they couldn't
find it."
Harry grinned. "No, they wouldn't. One of the wards stops non-magicals
from stumbling upon it by accident. I can, however, come up with a...
magical key... for want of a better term, that'll allow your people to find
it."
"Rune stone?" asked Neville.
Harry nodded. "I think it would be the safest way. That way, Sir David's
people can find the place in future. That is, so long as they carry the
stone with them."
Sir David asked, "So, you can magically make something, even something
as big as a castle and it's grounds, disappear from view. And all someone
would need to find it was to carry a... rune stone... on their person?"
Harry replied, "Well, a rune stone is what we call it. It can actually be
pretty much anything, really. Even a... say... badge, or a mundane ID
card, can be made a rune stone. If the person has that item upon them,
then they could see through, and even enter, the wards."
Sir David wrote all that down. "And what about something like, say, a jet
fighter?"
Harry grinned and said, "Yep!"
"And it would be invisible to everything? Even radar?"
Harry thought about it for a minute and said, "If we could get a... magical
taste... of the technology. Such as radar, lidar, whatever. Then, yes,
wards can be created to protect it and make it disappear from the naked
eye."
Sir David continued to write down on his pad. "You've given me a lot to
think about, yet again, My Lord," he said. "I'm going to be talking with
the magicals we've already located and see if they have this knowledge."
Harry asked, "Can I ask if Madam Bones's records of students helped?"
Sir David looked up in surprise and replied, "Oh, yes, My Lord. Once we
had the lists we then had our computers programmed to start searching
for them. It took a while to fine tune everything. But, before very long, it
was churning out the names and addresses of people by the dozens!"
"Our biggest annoyance, though," he said. "Was just how many returned
to the mundane world for only a short time before they headed overseas.
A lot of them emigrated to the United States. And our friends over there
are not being very helpful in tracking them down for us."
Harry snorted and said, "Then it wouldn't surprise me, in the least, to
learn the US Government is making use of them."
Sir David said, "That was our thought, as well."
"And, Sir David," said Harry, changing the subject, "I trust Her Majesty is
happy with the reports I've been sending via you?"
"Yes," he said. "She was no less shocked than I when we learned your
castle is... as you said... sentient. And that it insisted you take the reins
immediately."
Neville snorted and said, "No matter how hard we told her not to, she
forced the issue by making the Sorting Hat announce us. At that point we
had no choice but to accept."
"Yes," replied Sir David. "So Lord Potter's report informed us."
He then leaned forward and asked, "I take it this... Sorting Hat is also
sentient?"
Neville nodded and said, "It belonged to my ancestor, Godric Gryffindor.
To stop arguments about which House a new student would be placed
into, the Hat was enchanted to do it for them. It has the ability to read
the minds of new students and, based on what it finds, place the student
into the House which best suits them. The Hat takes its job very seriously.
And it never tells anyone what it finds inside those minds. It also likes to
sing."
"Incredible," said the Head of MI5.
Harry grinned and said, "Keep the evening of the 1st of September free in
your calendar for next year, Sir David. I'll take you to see it for yourself."
"Really?" he asked, surprised. "My... I think I'd really like that."
"Of course," said Harry, "we also expect you to come and visit us in the
castle soon, anyway. I'd love to introduce you to the staff. We just need to
get them over this whole 'Magical Secrecy' schtick they've got going on in
the magical world."
Sir David, coughed a bit, clearing his throat, and said, "I also have a
message from Her Majesty for you."
Interested, both Neville and Harry sat forward, "Yes?" asked Neville.
"She advises the efforts towards ridding the magical world of those laws
she is not happy with, are progressing," he said.
"Ah!" replied Harry. "Lady Ravenclaw and Lady Hufflepuff are working in
concert with that. However, it is safe for me to report we have now made
our presence felt with the Wizengamot. Her Majesty's throne and the four
heirs' chairs are still hidden, for now. However, the entire Wizengamot
felt our ire on her behalf.
"They don't, yet, understand what that fully means. But, very soon, they
will. As we no longer have the luxury of waiting the year out and having
everything prepared in advance. We four are now... scrambling... with
the much accelerated timeline to get things done."
Sir David said, "They're going through every law and treating them all
with a fine tooth comb approach. I think they're still thinking longer
term. I have to say, though, that many of the laws they're going through
are leaving them feeling quite... perturbed."
Harry nodded and said, "Ask them to.. expedite... the most heinous ones,
if they would. The ladies are eager to start stripping the worst ones from
the books. I know both ladies are feeling quite incensed about some of
them."
Sir David snorted and said, "Why do I have the feeling you're
understating their feelings on the matter?"
Harry grinned and said, "Asks the man who used the word 'perturbed' in
a sentence? And it's because I'm a gentleman and would never use a
phrase like 'ready to bust some balls' when it comes to the ladies."
Neville coughed and said, "Why not? I think it perfectly describes Susan's
mood."
"Nev!" exclaimed Harry, turning to him. "What a horrid thing to say about
Countess Hufflepuff! True; but, horrid!"
Neville and Sir David just chuckled in reply.
The meeting wound up soon afterwards.
# # #
After Neville left to solo apparate back to the castle, Harry then headed
to Gringotts. He hadn't been in to see Blockrig for a while, and he
wondered what his Account goblin would have for him by now.
After the usual greetings in gobbledegook, Harry got down to business.
"How goes things, friend goblin?" he asked.
"Things are well, My Lord," replied Blockrig. "All assets have been
retrieved from Dumbledore, including all the missing funds. They're now
safely secured in your main vault. One of them was a portrait of your
parents, standing together with you in the arms of your mother. Your
mother is asking about you.
"Mister Doge is working apace with his actions against all the various
publishing houses and authors for the works where they claimed facts
about you. He's particularly miffed over most of the ones where they
claimed to have interviewed you as part of their material."
"Good," said Harry. "I take it he knows, now, that he's working for the
Harry Potter?"
The goblin nodded, "Of course."
"Thank you," said Harry, grateful. "I didn't like the fact I, essentially, lied
to him when we first met."
Thinking, he asked, "And how goes getting the House of Granger
recognised as a Magical House?"
"It had stalled, somewhat, until Lady Granger was recognised as Countess
Granger, and the four of you proved beyond any wild expectation you
rightfully are the heirs of the founders. However, the Ministry is now
tripping over themselves to push the paperwork through," the goblin
replied.
"But, fair warning, My Lord," the goblin said more seriously, "We're
hearing rumours that many on that body are very unhappy of your
actions, and seek to discredit, or even, kill you."
"That's not surprising," said Harry. "We've completely upset the various
balances of power right across the wizarding world. Many alliances and...
bribes... will now be pretty much useless. Our enemies will seek to set
things back to the way they were before we took our seats."
Nodding, the old goblin said, "And they fear that which they cannot
change, that which they cannot control. It is a state with which they have
little experience."
"Yes," said Harry. "But, things are also running out of control, at the
moment, for us four as well. As you're aware, we were supposed to have
a year in which to prepare. That year has now been denied us. So, I now
have to deal with Riddle, the school and the Ministry at the same time.
Plus, I'm going to have to deal with individuals such as Dumbledork, who
are going to try and interfere with what needs to be done." And sighed. "I
have to cut down the fronts."
Gathering himself he took his leave of the goblin and headed back to
Hogwarts.
# # #
Walking back in to the owner's suites, Harry found the other three
already there working on their own projects. Sirius and Remus were also
there talking about lesson plans and... whatever else.
"Guys," he said. "I've just been coming to the realisation I'm trying to deal
with, at the moment, three separate problems. Two, of which, are
currently on accelerated timelines. It cannot continue."
"Well, it's about time!" said Sirius. The others all nodded. "So, you're
finally going to ask for help, are you?"
Harry sighed and said, "You're all already helping. What I'm going to do is
activate one of my and Myrrdin's fall-back plans. And it's going to be a
shock, to everyone."
Sirius and Remus, and the three other heirs, all closed up what they were
doing, and sat back to listen.
"Okay, spill," said Hermione.
Harry came forward and sat in one of the armchairs. Everyone else came
to sit around in front of him.
Once everyone was sitting and comfortable, he asked, "What do you all
know of the Tales of Beedle the Bard? And the items known as the Deathly
Hallows?"
# # #
"You're the heir of all three Peverell brothers?" asked Sirius.
"Yes," replied Harry. "The Peverell family was an off-shoot of the Potter
family."
"And the Deathly Hallows are family heirlooms?" asked Sirius.
"Yes," replied Harry.
Susan said, "I thought they were just bedtime stories my aunt used to
read me when I was little. That they were a myth."
Hermione cut in and said, "Most modern myths have a basis in fact. In
this case, in history."
"So," asked Neville, "What brought up this whole discussion. The Deathly
Hallows have, if they're real, been lost for centuries."
"I know where all three are," replied Harry.
"What?" He was bombasted with sound.
"All three Hallows are currently here, within this castle," said Harry.
"What?" He was, again, bombasted with sound.
He sighed again and said, "Look, I have to get rid of the threat Riddle and
his followers represent. I was going to take this year and part of the next
to do that. However, we're going to be busy with both redesigning the
school and taking over the Wizengamot. I won't have time to deal with
Riddle while all that is going on, and I cannot afford to allow it to wait
until we've got the other two resolved. Hell, it may take many years for
the other two to be resolved and, by then, Riddle will be back in physical
form."
"And, what do the Deathly Hallows have to do with that?" asked Neville.
"What the stories don't tell you is the truth concerning where they come
from," replied Harry. "They didn't belong to the incarnate form of Lord
Death. They were... something else."
"What?" asked Hermione.
"A magical artefact so powerful the Peverell brothers spent their lives
studying it," said Harry. "They first sought to destroy it, concerned it
would fall into evil hands. But, were only able to split it into component
parts. I intend to... reintegrate them... to deal with Riddle sooner, rather
than later."
"The True Cloak of Invisibility, the Resurrection Stone and the Elder
Wand, reunited," said Neville softly. "And they're your family heirlooms?"
"Yes," stated Harry matter-of-factly.
"The story states they will make the person who reunites them the Master
of Death," said Susan. "Is that what you want to be?"
Harry shook his head and said, "That's where the story is in error. The
person who reunites the three will not be the Master of Death. Instead,
they will be the Herald of Magic. That... position... also grants them the
ability to deal with other planes of existence, other states of matter."
Sirius cocked his head like Padfoot and asked, "What does that mean?"
Harry replied, "Well, I'll be able to deal with souls. I would be able to...
force... spirits onto their, so-called, next great adventure."
"Wouldn't that be considered the Master of Death?" asked Remus.
With another shake of his head, Harry said, "No, because I will not be
able to bring anyone back from the dead. I can only force those... in
between... to 'go on'. I could, I think, also stop a soul from leaving its
host. But, I think I'd have to be there when they die to hold the soul to
their physical form."
Shrugging, he said, "However, that's only a small portion of what
reuniting the Deathly Hallows will allow."
"Isn't that enough?" asked Hermione. "What else could you possibly
want?"
"Nothing; but, the united Hallows make you the Herald of Magic," he
replied before giving another sigh. "Basically, if Magic itself feels it's been
abused or misused, I become the physical embodiment of it in
retribution."
"Magic thinks?" asked Sirius.
Harry thought for a moment and replied, "When you turn a desk or coffee
table into a lion, for instance, you have little understanding of the
internal biology of the lion for it to assume its form. Magic, however,
does; it knows what needs to go where. You give it the command and
magic does the rest."
Hermione harrumphed and said, "That's probably why the castle is now
sentient. If magic is sentient, and that much magic has... imbued... the
castle over the last millennia, then it's no wonder the castle has become
sentient."
Harry face-palmed himself. "Yep. Perfect sense!" Looking up, he asked the
castle, "Is that what happened?"
All four received a sense of smug happiness back from the castle.
Turning to Remus and Sirius he said, "We just received clarification back
from the castle in the affirmative."
Harry could see the other five thinking furiously. Sirius looked up and
said, "I have one question for you, Pup. Will this be safe?"
Harry knew his godfather was worried about him; so, he didn't just give a
flippant answer. Instead, with a firm nod he said, "Yes. At least, Myrrdin
and I could not find fault with it."
"Then, why didn't you do it before now?" asked Remus, curious.
"Because it will probably make me the most powerful wizard, probably,
on Earth. And, as the Queen said, 'Power corrupts - absolute power
corrupts absolutely'," he replied. "I don't want to be seen as... taking
over... amongst us four heirs. Even though that's what the four of us are
going to be doing to the rest of Magical Britain; in the name of Her
Majesty, of course."
Neville snorted, and said, "Harry, do you think you're better than us? Do
you think you'd 'rule' us?"
Harry reeled back in shock and exclaimed, "Hell, no! We four stand as
equals!"
"And we don't see you taking over, either," said Susan firmly. "You have
given us so much, already. You clearly care about all of us. I know you
don't have it in you to seize control."
"Actually," said Neville, "I'd be even more worried you'd take on even
more work under some belief or sense of guilt you should work harder
than the rest of us."
"Well, I would," said Harry, a bit sheepishly.
"Then, you'd be a bloody idiot!" said Susan.
"Susan!" said Hermione. "Language, dear lady!"
Neville just snorted while Sirius and Remus just looked at Susan with a
sense of shock.
"What?" said Susan looking back at Hermione. "I'm right, aren't I?"
Sirius and Remus burst out laughing, soon joined by the rest.
The first to calm down, Sirius asked, "Okay, say you're going ahead with
this. What's your plan?"
And Harry spent the rest of the evening before everyone headed to bed
going over how and when he was going to reunite the Hallows.
# # #
25. Tom's End
Chapter Twenty-Five - Tom's End
# # #
The previous night it was discussed whether or not Harry would reunite
the Hallows in public. Or, reunite them beforehand and deal with Riddle
in public. Harry, though he was loath to hideanything, eventually agreed
he would reunite the Hallows in the presence of those who were with
him, and use the recombined Hallows later, in the Great Hall. As it was
'home ground', they decided to hold the press conference in the Great
Hall while the students were at morning classes.
Harry argued that Riddle had to be dealt with in public so that the
wizarding world saw for themselves that the threat of a return of
Voldemort was over. So, that part was going ahead.
Harry said, "Hermione promised, the other day, we would give a media
conference. She did not, however, promise them why it would be called."
"You mean, we said we would call a press conference," said Susan. "It
was, after all, our media release we sent out."
"Yes," said Neville, "but it was a quote attributed to Hermione,
remember?"
"Ah!" said Susan, understanding what he meant.
They drafted the media release that night, in private, and owled it out
immediately. The conference would take place the morning of two days
hence, at 9.30am. Access to the grounds would not be granted until
9.00am. The release also invited the Minister, the Heads of the seven
departments - including the Department of Mysteries - and the other
Members of the Wizengamot; plus, Mister Albus Dumbledore. Amelia and
Augusta were notified immediately via mirror.
Harry expected about thirty people, total. He was in for a rude shock.
# # #
Early down to breakfast the next morning Harry was reading that
morning's Daily Prophet, with its article on the release of both Cornelius
Fudge and Dolores Umbridge from the clutches of the DMLE, and how
moves were afoot to have the Minister ousted from his position. There
was little covered about what the actual charges were, but there were a
couple of quotes from Amelia. Amelia had just said, as the matters were
still under investigation, she wasn't prepared to release details of the
matter to the media.
There was, not surprisingly, no comment attributed to the Minister or
Umbridge. The Daily Prophet, however, was making guess left, right and
centre as to why both had spent the time in the DMLE's cells.
Harry had just finished reading his copy when he was joined by a couple
of Second Years, who had managed to beat the First Years down to
breakfast. "Good morning, My Lord," said one of the Second Years, quite
chirpily.
Harry looked up and asked, "Okay, what's got you so happy this
morning?"
"Everything is so much better, this year, My Lord," replied the boy,
Horace Urquhart. "Everyone is so much happier with the changes you
have made so far."
A Third Year that had joined them as Mister Urquhart was speaking,
Henrietta Vaisey, said, "Yeah, there are very few incidents where the
Gryffindorks try and provoke us, any more. I think, even the Weasley
twins have called a truce; though, they haven't told anyone."
Harry was listening while more students were entering the hall, heading
for seats and preparing their own breakfasts. He was in the process of
lathering a couple of slices of piping hot toast with butter and marmalade
and eyeing off the locations of the containers of bran, sugar and milk.
"I don't think the peace is going to last long, though," he said, mindful of
the glorious prank he'd set up with rune stones and charms in the grand
staircase, just waiting for the right conditions to be triggered. "Those two
are never inactive for long. And when they are, it usually means
something big is in the offing."
"Uugh!" shuddered one of the Third Years, listening in. "Last year they
pranked our whole house by changing our robes to Gryffindor's colours.
That wouldn't have been so bad if they weren't also taking pictures of
everyone and sending photos of us in Gryffindor colours back to our
parents. My Mum sent me a howler about that one."
Harry snorted as he was about to take a bite of his toast and said, "Well,
that's the sort of prank I don't mind. No one is hurt and everyone is
embarrassed a little, equally."
Another Second Year, Terrence Higgs, stared back and asked in shock,
"You don't mind them doing that to us?"
Harry shook his head and said, "I don't mind pranks where no one is hurt
or excessively embarrassed. But, the prank also has to be well executed.
That is, it can't just be jinxing someone in the hallways; which I would
consider bullying, by the way. And, you'd get in trouble for pointing a
wand at someone."
Shaking his head he said, "No. Use runes, potions or charm an item. So
long as none of them are harmful. Or, as I said, could be construed as
bullying."
He then listened as the, now, collection of Third, Second and First Years
looked at what they could do, and who they could do it to. He even
suggested they make their main target the current self-confessed reigning
prankers of the school, the Weasley twins. And continued to eat his
breakfast.
He was enjoying the discussion of and with the lower Years when Sirius,
as he was wont to do, arrived late to breakfast. He wasn't a morning
person and was generally a bit of a grouch up at his end of the table. The
Seventh Years had already learned not to antagonise him at this time of
the day.
Professor 'Old Grumble Bum' Black sat carefully loading his plate with his
usual morning fare. Harry acknowledged his godfather's arrival but
otherwise didn't say anything to him.
After about ten minutes, Sirius's hair turned a shocking shade of lipstick
pink. All his hair - his long locks, his little goatee and thin handlebar
moustache, and it even looked like the hairs on the back of his hands and
wrists - had also changed colour.
"Errr... Professor?" said Simon Montague, one of the seventh years. "Your
hair's gone pink!"
Sirius dropped his cutlery and looked at the backs of his hands, then he
pulled a lock of hair from the side of his head around to the front to try
and get a look at it. He dropped it and glared straight at Harry, who was
engaged in conversation with the lower years, and hadn't looked up.
Sirius bellowed down the length of the table, "Harry James *Woof!*" as
he suddenly transfigured into his animagus form. A now, all pink, Irish
Wolfhound.
The bellow had all heads in the room suddenly swivel towards Sirius,
including Harry's.
"Harry James Woof?" called Harry, quite amused.
Very quickly after that, the long shaggy hair of the hound was suddenly
frizzed and a whole lot dropped to the floor with a *poof*. What was left
was a crazy person's interpretation of an Irish Wolfhound with a 'poodle
cut' trying to stay seated in his chair at the end of the table. And then a
large pink bow appeared tied into the hair between his ears.
One of the seventh year girls said, "Awww...!"
"Up at the head table, Headmistress McGonagall,watching what had
happened to one of her Professors, said with a small smile, "Oh, dear!"
Harry, trying and being very successful at, keeping a straight face, turned
towards Neville and called, "My Lord Gryffindor; I would have words
with a matching brace of your red-headed troublemakers!"
"It wasn't us..."
"...My Lord!"
"We'd admit it..."
"... if it was!"
Sirius, however, believed he knew exactly who had done it to him. He
half fell out of his chair to land on all four feet and galloped down the
length of the table between Slytherin and Hufflepuff, growling as he
came. Some of the girls from both houses tried to pat him as he dashed
past.
Harry saw him coming, said "Oh, crap!" bolted out of his own chair and
ran down the length of the table on the other side. Sirius didn't see him
go until he arrived at the head end and, with a rump-sliding turn bolted
back down the other side after Harry.
Harry had already reached about two thirds of the length of the table
passing by the fifth years against the wall. He was yelling, "It wasn't me,
Sirius!"
Knowing his godfather had rounded the corner at the other end and was
barrelling after him, he did the only thing he could do, given the
situation. He suddenly jinked left, put his left foot on a spot of bench
between two fifth years, and vaulted over the table passing between two
other students with his robes billowing out behind him. He landed on the
floor between the Slytherins and the Hufflepuffs and bolted for the door.
He was cheered on by the Hufflepuffs and cat-called by the Gryffindors.
As he made it to the double doors, he cried, "Cassie! Slam the doors
shut!" And the big double doors to the Great Hall suddenly closed before
Sirius could reach them.
With a second rump-sliding move Sirius tried to stop, but ended up
smacking into the closed doors. All Harry heard was angry barking as he
bolted for his apartment in the owner's section. Neither he nor Sirius
noticed Hermione and Susan smirk at each other from their seats at their
respective tables.
An hour later, a no longer pink and no longer wolfhound, but very miffed
Professor Black, stormed into his Defence Against the Dark Arts
classroom. He was, however, sporting the afro mohawk from Hell. Cut
hair, even magically cut hair, does not grow back in an hour.
"Today," he snarled at his Third Year combined Gryffindor Slytherin
DADA class, "we discuss the use of pranks in seeking revenge on those
who dare attack you!"
Sitting up the back, the Weasley Twins looked at each other and said,
"Cool!"
"Did you have a specific target in mind, Professor?" asked Lee Jordan,
with as much innocence as he could muster.
"Who!?" barked Sirius. "Lord-bloody-Slytherin, Harry James Potter; that's
who! And you're going to help me!"
The twins and Lee Jordan all looked at each other and grinned.
# # #
Knowing his godfather was running a Third Year class, Harry felt it safe
to exit the owner's suites and go in search of just who had set him up. He
headed directly for the kitchens.
Tickling the pear to get in, he made his way into the inner workings of
one of the busiest places in the castle. He made it only a dozen feet in
before an elf popped into place in front of him. "Yes, Master Slyth'rin,
Sir?" it asked.
Harry could see all the house elves were wearing the uniform he'd
designed for them. It made them look like a well-oiled army of machines.
Hesitating just a moment he said, "I need to know if someone slipped a
potion, or potions, into the food on the Slytherin table for breakfast, this
morning."
"Oh, no, Master Slyth'rin, Sir!" the little elf said, almost in shock someone
might have done such a thing. "No one allowed to do that! House elves
protect students and staff from that."
Harry frowned and, thinking a moment, asked, "What about table
condiments, such as... No. That wouldn't be it, either."
"No one can touch the food until it leaves here, Master Slyth'rin, Sir," said
the elf.
Still frowning, Harry asked, "Does the food leave from here and go
directly to the tables in the Great Hall?"
"Yes, Master Slyth'rin, Sir," said the elf.
"Then, if it's not the food," said Harry, before understanding dawned.
"What about the crockery and cutlery?" he asked.
Frowning, himself, the little elf replied, "They be all collected after each
meal. They be brought to the kitchens and cleaned before being stored in
the kitchen store. We not bring them out until just before the meals be
served. Then, they be sent directly to the Great Hall."
Nodding, Harry said, "Show me the kitchen store."
The little elf grabbed Harry's hand and led him through the kitchens,
through the cleaning area, and into the large storeroom containing all the
castle cutlery and crockery.
"Is there any other way in here other than the way we've just come? Is
there another access?" asked Harry.
"Oh, no, Master Slyth'rin, Sir!" the elf replied.
"Can a student, or staff member, get in here alone?"
"No, Master Slyth'rin, Sir!" the elf replied.
Thinking for a moment, Harry nodded. "Then the answer must be the
cutlery and or plates while they sat on the tables within the Great Hall."
Turning to the elf he asked, "Has the crockery and cutlery from this
morning's breakfast been cleaned yet?"
"Yes, Master Slyth'rin, Sir!" the elf replied.
"Damn!" said Harry to himself. "That would have been the 'smoking gun',
if they hadn't."
Again, to the elf he said, "Then, I thank you for your answers and the
impromptu tour. I'll be leaving your domain, for now." And Harry left
through the way he came in, wiser as to how the prank had been pulled,
literally, from under his godfather's nose. Mind you, he could also use it
to prank others who sat in specific seats the same way, such as the other
heirs, the House Counsellors and the head table.
"Ingenious," thought Harry. "At least, very smart."
It was impossible to make anything foolproof because fools can be just so
bloody clever.
He decided to head back to the owner's suites common room to await his
godfather. He just hoped he could tell him what he believed had
happened before his godfather managed to hex his butt off.
Sirius, however, had not decided to head right for the owner's suites
common room. He had plans of his own to make, based on the ideas he
was given by his class. Plus, he had homework parchments, handed in
early by the Ravenclaws, to mark. He remained in his own private
apartment off the new DADA classroom, he felt it safer to move to
another classroom, due to the old curse on the old classroom.
Harry had completely forgotten about his own prank ready to be
triggered, given the right circumstances. And those circumstances were
soon to occur.
# # #
Harry, after waiting in the owner's suites for a while, and there being no
sign of Sirius - though, Remus turned up shortly after his own class - left
to have an early lunch. He was pretty sure that, if he was in the Great
Hall with a crowd of people around him, his godfather wouldn't hex his
butt off.
Harry was deep in conversation with some Fourth Year Slytherins - who
had sent the First Years down to the middle of the table claiming it was
only fair they got to talk to the Lord of their House for at least one meal -
when Sirius arrived. His godfather merely glared at him for a moment
before he smiled and gave the boy a nod; as if to signify 'Let the prank
war begin'. Harry shuddered but sent his godfather a note protesting his
innocence of the prank and what he had discovered from the elves in the
kitchen.
After Sirius had read the note he looked down the length of the table
and, catching the eye of his godson, gave him a nod. 'Maybe the lad
wasn't responsible for the prank, after all,' he thought.
Harry left soon after and headed back to the owners' common room,
making sure he walked between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables as
he did so. He didn't want to be in reach of his godfather until he had a
chance to talk to him, one-on-one.
As Harry was heading for the owners' suites he passed through the grand
staircase area. He didn't even think about the prank he had set up a
couple of days earlier.
# # #
Remus approached Sirius and asked if he wanted to join him. He was
heading for the owners' suites and wanted to ask Harry what had been
decided about uniting the Hallows.
Sirius gave a shrug and, rising, said, "I need to talk to the Pup, anyway. I
think I may have judged him unfairly in thinking it was he who pranked
me, this morning."
About to exit the Great Hall, they were approached by Professor Flitwick.
"Oh, Gentlemen," called Filius, "mind if I join you?"
"Not at all," said Remus. "Heading for the Ravenclaw Tower?"
"Of course, of course!" replied Filius. "And where might you be heading?"
"For the owners' suites," said Sirius just as they entered the bottom of the
moving staircases. "I need to see, His Holiness, Lord..."
Loud music suddenly began drifting down the tower through the stairs.
"... Sliittthhhh...!?"
"Who let the dogs out? (Woof! Woof! Woofwoof!)."
The paintings all started to sing and dance.
"Who let the dogs out? (Woof! Woof! Woofwoof!)"
All three stood there, completely stunned. There were also quite a decent
number of students on the stairs above them looking around.
"Who let the dogs out? (Woof! Woof! Woofwoof!)"
"Who let the dogs out? (Woof! Woof! Woofwoof!)"
Filius scurried over to one of the paintings, pulling his wand out as he
went.
"When the party was nice, the party was jumpin' (Hey, Yippie, Yi, Yo)"
"And everybody havin' a ball (Hah, ho, Yippie Yi Yo)"
"I must say," he said, waving his wand over the bottom of the painting
and calling back, "that's some impressive charms work!"
"I tell the fellas 'start the name callin'' (Yippie Yi Yo)"
"And the girls report to the call"
"The poor dog show down"
Some of the students were also beginning to dance.
"Who let the dogs out? (Woof! Woof! Woofwoof!)"
A couple of the, clearly mundane-raised, students were beginning to sing
along to the chorus while dancing.
"Who let the dogs out? (Woof! Woof! Woofwoof!)"
"Who let the dogs out? (Woof! Woof! Woofwoof!)"
"Who let the dogs out? (Woof! Woof! Woofwoof!)"
"You do realise," said Sirius with a straight face, "the boy must die."
"I see ya' little speed boat head up our coast"
Nodding, Remus replied, "The prank war has been declared!"
"She really want to skip town"
"Get back off me, beast off me"
"Get back you flea infested mongrel"
Hearing those words, Sirius growled.
"Who let the dogs out? (Woof! Woof! Woofwoof!)"
"Who let the dogs out? (Woof! Woof! Woofwoof!)"
Harry, about to enter the owners' suites and had the door open, heard the
music and singing coming from the grand staircase. He froze for a
moment and, dropping his head to his chest, moaned, "Oh, God. I forgot
about that."
Hermione was already inside. She came out when she heard the music
and said to Harry in a sing-song voice, "Ooooh, you're in trah-ble!"
"Oh, God!" moaned Harry. "Sirius is gonna kill me; if Remus doesn't reach
me first." Before heading in to the owners' suites common room.
Harry spent a good part of the morning being chased around the common
room of the owners' suites with his godfather throwing minor hexes his
way. Remus was munching on, of all things, a bowl of popcorn he had a
house elf bring him while Sirius was chasing his godson.
Harry, however, wouldn't have minded that so much if his 'second uncle'
hadn't also been offering suggestions on hexes to his godfather while he
was doing the chasing.
# # #
Harry had gathered the other heirs and, together, they sat in their
common room. It was time for Harry to unite the Deathly Hallows. Before
him, on the coffee table were the folded True Cloak of Invisibility; and
the Resurrection Stone, still attached to its horcrux-bearing Head of
House ring for Gaunt.
"Are you ready to do this, Harry?" asked Neville.
"It needs to be done," replied Harry. "I do this today, and tomorrow we
end Riddle's existence. It's going to save many lives."
"The downside," said Hermione, "is that it places you in even further
danger. Wizards and witches from around the world are going to want
that wand."
"And that's where I lie through my teeth!" said Harry. "It'll be 'bonded' to
me. Through some wandless summoning charms I can make it seem like
it cannot be taken from me. I'll also be telling people it's bonded to me
through blood, bone and magic. If anyone else tries to use it after taking
it from me through force, magic will turn on them and kill them."
"That'll do it," said Neville with a shrug and a chuckle.
"Okay," said Harry. "Are we ready for this?"
Sirius shrugged and said, "Now's as good a time as any, Pup. Is there
anything we can do to help?"
"No," replied Harry. Then he sighed and stood. "If I'm going to do this, I'm
going to do it on my feet. No doubt someone will want to... I don't
know... write something down for the history pages, I suppose."
Neville just snorted in amusement.
"Hey!" said Harry. "It is something... momentous... is it not?"
Susan said a bit smirkily, "Maybe you should say something grand as you
begin."
Harry blew her a raspberry.
Hermione, already with a quill and parchment before her, asked quite
sugary sweetly, "Would you mind spelling that for me?"
Neville snorted in amusement again.
"Comedians; the bloody lot of you!" said Harry.
Bending forward he picked up the invisibility cloak and held it before
him. He didn't need to check the words of the summoning or the ritual,
as he had them already memorised.
"I, Harry James Potter, true heir of the brothers Peverell; summon that
which is mine by birthright; through blood, bone and magic I summon
for the Ritual of Reunification, the wand fragment known as the True
Cloak of Invisibility. So mote it be."
The cloak began to float free of his hands before him. Harry then moved
his hands to each side just apart from the edges of the cloak. He began to
pump magic into his hands and, from them, into the space between them.
"I, Harry James Potter, true heir of the brothers Peverell; summon that
which is mine by birthright; through blood, bone and magic I summon
for the Ritual of Reunification, the wand fragment known as the
Resurrection Stone. So mote it be."
The joined ring of the Head of House Gaunt and the Resurrection Stone
levitated a moment above where it rested on the coffee table. The ring
suddenly dropped free back onto the tabletop and the stone suddenly
disappeared from where it hovered to suddenly reappear floating above
the cloak.
"I, Harry James Potter, true heir of the brothers Peverell; summon that
which is mine by birthright; through blood, bone and magic I summon
for the Ritual of Reunification, the wand fragment known as the Elder
Wand. So mote it be."
A few moments later the Elder Wand, last seen still in the possession of
Dumbledore, suddenly reappeared floating above the cloak with the end
of the handle of the wand almost touching the Resurrection Stone.
"I, Harry James Potter, being in possession of the three wand fragments
known as the Deathly Hallows, call to magics old and new to heed my
request and reunify that which was torn asunder. So mote it be. So mote
it be. So mote it be!"
On the last 'be' Harry felt his magic surge down his arms and into the
space between them, into the three Hallows. He found he couldn't move
as the three Hallows began to slightly glow. He felt magic surging
through him as if it was truly alive and was... testing him; testing his
worth.
The three Hallows became encased in a field of almost pure magic and
Harry felt his hands being pushed a little further apart. The effort he took
from him in magic was so strong it almost hurt.
The Resurrection Stone and Elder Wand moved together with one of the
points of the stone connecting solidly with the base of the handle of the
wand. The dark, murky green of the stone gave way to become what
appeared to be an emerald. Then the two joined items began to spin
down the length of the wand; gaining speed. A few moments and it was
spinning so fast the edges of the stone, and the grain on the wood
became a blur.
The cloak spread out below Harry's hands and began to unravel. The
finest of threads came up and began to wrap itself around the wand. Very
quickly the wand and stone, spinning rapidly, began pulling at the thread
of the cloak faster and faster. The light coming from the joining of the
three was almost too bright to look within. The length of wood began to
be encased in the thread of the cloak, like a sewing bobby being wrapped
in cotton thread.
After what felt like a near eternity to Harry, but was really no more than
a few seconds, the thread had ended and the cloak was gone; now
encasing the full length of the Elder Wand. The wand started slowing
down its spinning. A few moments later it stopped. Then the sphere of
magic between Harry's hands began to contract. As it did the light
coming from within brightened until it was too bright to look directly
within.
Harry, not being able to turn away, had to tightly close his eyes.
With an almost audible snap of magic the light was gone. Harry opened
his eyes.
There, before him hovered a black wand with an emerald focus stone in
the base of the handle. It was a touch thicker than Harry's own, but not
too much. And slightly longer, too.
Harry reached out and grasped it by the handle. It almost felt like a wave
of magic surged down his arm as he grasped it. Magic poured through
him.
Holding it upright, he gently cast a Lumos Charm. A very bright light
burst forth from the tip of the wand. With a Nox he cancelled the charm.
Still holding it in his hand, he lowered it to his side looking quite
stunned.
The other five in the room - the other three heirs, Sirius and Remus -
were staring back, also quite stunned.
"Whoa," said Harry softly.
"I'll say," said Remus. "That is one powerful wand. I can feel its... energy...
from here."
Harry still hadn't moved. He seemed slightly dazed and was staring off
into the distance.
"Pup?" called Sirius, the first to notice.
"I know," said Harry.
"Know what, Pup?" asked Sirius.
"I know how to defeat Voldemort. I know how to recombine his soul. I
know how to banish him from this plane of existence... or just end him
forever," replied Harry, still with the same soft voice of awe. "I know."
"So," asked Neville, "we're ready for tomorrow morning, then?"
Nodding his head slowly, still staring off into space, Harry replied as a
grin slowly spread across his face, "Oh, yeah."
# # #
After breakfast, the next morning, the house elves reconfigured the Great
Hall. The students were already on their way to classes or were told they
weren't to enter the Great Hall until the press conference was complete.
Harry had the elves set up a small hip-height table on the dais where the
staff table was normally located. And, at the leading edge of the dais, he
had Hogwarts set up a powerful multi-layered ward to block magical
attacks. Sitting at one end of the table he had the Gaunt ring hidden
under a Notice-Me-Not Charm.
About ten feet behind the table in the middle of the dais was one of the
big portable blackboards. No one could see what was written on the
board from the front, just as they'd done with the prophecy the other
day.
Looking at the dais from the doors there were a half dozen comfortable
chairs against the side wall, near where the door leading to the Hall's
antechamber was located. Harry wanted the other three heirs and the
Grangers on the dais with him, where they'd be protected by the ward
from attack.
In front of the dais, where the House tables normally sat, he had the elves
configure the Hall with a row of low benches and chairs for the
journalists to sit on one side, giving them an uninterruptible view of the
dais. The rest of the Hall was filled with normal seating on tiers similar to
the Wizengamot chamber, but much lower to the ground. The front row
were at ground level.
While he had been conversing with the elves Neville entered the Hall and
approached. Having been instructed to ensure the ghosts within the
castle did not enter the Hall, the elf popped away.
"There's quite a large crowd outside the gates, Harry," said Neville. "It's
almost time."
"Have Sirius and Remus gone to get the Grangers yet?" asked Harry.
"Yeah," replied Neville. "They left about fifteen minutes ago."
Nodding, Harry said, "Okay. When they arrive back in our common room,
have them head directly here."
However, no sooner were the words out of his mouth, when Dan and
Emma entered with Hermione, Susan, Sirius and Remus. Dan and Emma
were wearing a large ring each on their left hands. The rings were
manufactured the night before by Harry to allow the two Grangers to see
everything a magic user could see. It brought them up to the level of a
squib.
Dan and Emma were looking about in wonder and awe at the majesty of
the castle, especially the ceiling of the Hall, like First Years do when they
first arrive. To hide their identity both Grangers were dressed in fine
robes rather than mundane clothing.
The small party joined Harry and Neville just in front of the dais.
"Bloody hell, Harry," said Dan. "This place is..."
Harry grinned and said, "I know. Words cannot describe it."
Thinking a bit Harry then tilted his head slightly to the side while
looking at the Grangers. It was Emma who noticed it first.
"What?" she asked, before Dan also looked back.
"Thank you," replied Harry simply but softly.
"For what?" she asked.
"For, again, opening my eyes to the wonder that is magic," replied Harry
with a smile. "When you're around this..." he gestured about, "... all the
time, you forget just how wondrous it actually is."
Emma surged forward and enveloped Harry in a hug. "You're welcome,"
she said.
Susan entered and called, " It is 9.10am. Hogwarts has opened the gates
and people are approaching up the walkway."
Breaking her grip on Harry, Emma stepped back to stand with Dan.
Harry said, "If you two would like to take seats I'll need to go to the front
doors to greet our... guests."
Harry waited a moment to watch Dan and Emma take seats along the
side on the dais against the side wall.
"We have to go, Pup," said Sirius. "Our classes will be getting... raucous
with us not there."
"Okay, Sirius," replied Harry.
"Good luck, Cub," said Remus, before he and Sirius left to head to their
own classes.
Harry, with Neville and Hermione, headed for the front doors of the
castle to join Susan.
As all four heirs stood just inside the Entrance Hall with both front doors
wide open, they watched as the procession of wizarding adults made its
way towards the castle. Harry could see Amelia leading the procession
with two aurors either side holding back the small tide of humanity from
rushing forward.
The four heirs were soon joined by the two aurors nominally stationed
within Hogwarts but who rarely made their presences felt at other times.
Harry had nearly forgotten about them. He figured they were normally
using invisibility cloaks.
"Hogwarts," Harry softly called, "Are there any within the approaching
crowd who are secreting upon their persons anything considered a dark
artefact, or something that is likely to be used against us?"
He received an affirmative impression.
"Apparate those persons to the main street of Hogsmeade and refuse them
any further access," he instructed.
Harry didn't see it but... felt... five people from within the crowd
suddenly be apparated out. The crowd seemed to shudder for a moment
before it continued forward.
"Is Albus Dumbledore within the crowd?"
Another affirmative impression.
"If he's under some sort of glamour or invisibility artefact, don't strip it
from him; just place a sunflower on his hat or in his hair where it can be
easily seen. Don't allow him to notice it."
An impression of satisfaction.
"Is anyone carrying a portkey?"
Another affirmative impression.
"Deactivate them on their persons, but leave them in place."
Satisfaction.
Harry thought furiously looking for any other risks. He couldn't think of
any.
Hermione then asked, "Are any of them carrying a non-magical firearm or
other form of explosive?"
A negative impression.
One of the aurors stationed with them looked at Hermione curiously.
Harry smiled back and said, "I'm not taking any chances. If there's
anything you can think of, I'd love to hear it."
The auror frowned for a moment before glancing at his partner, a female
auror. Both shook their heads. Neither were the loquacious sort.
"In that case, I think we're ready," said Harry.
Harry then led the other three back into the Great Hall and all four
mounted the dais to stand side by side. The Grangers were already sitting
in the chairs off to the side. They'd no sooner reached the raised platform
when Amelia led the crowd into the Hall.
"Do not approach the dais!" she commanded over the crowd. "Take a seat
and keep your noise down! Anyone who disregards these orders, or
thinks the rules do not apply to them, will be apparated directly back
outside the gates. You have been warned."
Neville then called out, "Journalists will sit over there," and indicated the
chairs and desks set aside for them.
Even though the crowd was still far enough back it heard the instructions
in plenty of time, one female journalist disregarded them and raced to
the dais. As she got within a foot of the dais she suddenly disapparated
with a loud crack and was gone.
Others, who saw the first journalist race forward and were about to do
the same, suddenly skidded to a halt and reeled back in shock.
"You were warned, people!" bellowed Susan. In a quieter voice she said,
"Go and take a seat where you were told or you will be joining your
colleague in Hogsmeade, unable to return." The journalists, though not
liking it very much, did as they were told.
The crowd then made a more-or-less orderly effort to find seats and be
seated. Most kept looking back at the four heirs as they were finding
seats. The only ones still standing were the Aurors, who were standing
along the walls and out beside the doors leading in to the Hall.
Harry looked around and saw an elderly woman wearing a large
sunflower in her hat transform a simple chair in the second row next to
the centre isle into a far more elegant one with arms and all, before
sitting in it.
Harry couldn't help but share a smirk with the others. No matter what
form Dumbledore took, his actions always easily identified him for who
he truly was. The man couldn't help himself. Harry wondered why almost
everyone else was completely oblivious of it.
As the last people were in the process of taking their seats, one of the
reporters, who had already found a seat and had a dicta-quill running,
called out asking, "When did you discover you were one of the heirs of
the founders; and who was the first?"
That set other journalists trying to ask questions.
None of the four answered.
Hermione held up her hand in the stop gesture and waited until she had
a modicum of silence before saying, "It is not yet 9.30am. At 9.30am we
shall begin. Until after you are given the... presentation... we have
arranged for you, none of your questions will be answered."
That set forth a whole rush of demands from mainly the journalists. "The
people have a right to know!" yelled one. "You called this press
conference..."
Suddenly, the entire collection of journalists went silent. They were all
still trying to yell questions and demands but there was no sound. "You
were warned," said Hermione.
Harry turned to look at his fellow heirs when Susan gave a knowing
smile and looked to the ceiling. 'Ah!' he thought. Susan had called on
Hogwarts to silence them.
As the last few stragglers rushed in to take seats, nearly filling the front
half of the Hall, Harry looked out across the gathering. He saw journalists
from across the magical world all filling in the journalist's area. He saw
many workers from the Ministry, some fellow Lords and Ladies -
including Madam Marchbanks -almost every Head of a Department, and
not a few who were clearly Unspeakables. The Unspeakables sat right at
the back.
At 9.30am, Neville led Hermione and Susan off to the side of the dais
and, like the gentleman he was, seated them either side of himself with
Hermione sitting next to her parents. As anticipated, no one was sitting in
front of Dumbledore where he was sitting. None of the four heirs wanted
the old man to miss a second of this. Harry was left, alone, at the centre
of the dais.
"Greetings; and welcome to Hogwarts," he said with a slight amplification
to his voice. "For those who attended school here, or were members of
staff, welcome back."
"Today, I hope to solve a major problem for wizarding Britain. But,
before I do that, for those who don't understand about a prophecy
concerning myself and the person you know as Voldemort..."there was a
collective gasp as Harry mentioned the feared name, "... you need to
learn what part of it states."
Harry then spun the board about. On it was the first four lines of the
prophecy. That which was on the middle board that Dumbledore thought
was probably the entire prophecy until Harry and the others disabused
him of that notion. He then read it out for those who couldn't read it
clearly for themselves.
After he finished he gave them a moment to digest it all. Then he said,
"The thing the prophecy does not make clear is that Voldemort is not a
Lord. His real name is Tom Marvolo Riddle, born the half blood bastard
of a near-squib witch by the name of Merope Gaunt, and a non-magical
by the name of Thomas Riddle. Both lived in the village of Little
Hangleton."
As he was speaking he 'fire-wrote' the name 'Tom Marvolo Riddle' in
capitals in the air, then allowed each letter to drop into its position for 'I
am Lord Voldemort'. He left it there a few moments.
As he watched the audience watch the last of the shifting letters, one of
the aurors jumped forth and, drawing his wand, yelled, "You lie! Avada
Ked..." The auror was suddenly hit from the ceiling by a bolt of energy
and dropped dead where he stood, the killing curse dying on his lips.
Harry waited a moment as people reeled back and gasped in shock,
before saying almost conversationally, "I wonder why he thought it was a
good idea to attempt to attack a Lord within his own home. Clearly, the
man was suicidal."
Amelia sent two of her other aurors over to levitate the corpse and take it
from the Hall. She turned to the audience and glared before saying, "If
there's anyone else here thinking of doing something so stupid, you'd
better leave now."
No one moved. Harry doubted anyone dared.
Pausing for a moment, with a clap of his hands to draw everyone's
attention back him again, Harry said, "Okay, where were we?... Oh, yes.
Tom Marvolo Riddle."
"So, Tommy was... is... a half blood bastard who pulled the proverbial
wool over the eyes of pretty much all of his followers, leading them to
believe he was some powerful pureblood Lord. As you can see; he wasn't.
You will find information concerning Tom Marvolo Riddle in your own
Ministry records, as well as up in the Trophy Room, here, in the castle.
"So, I'm left wondering, as should you all, just why the prophecy states
'Dark Lord' when it should state 'Dark Wizard'." Harry just shrugged.
"Now, that's the background information. I encourage the media to do
their own further research into the truth of what I've said here today.
And that brings me into what I'm about to do now."
"Please be assured that there's a very powerful ward in place around
where I currently stand. It covers the entirety of the dais. If you attempt
to approach from now on, or interfere in any other way, you... will... die!
You may only approach with my direct and freely given permission. You
have been warned. And you are all otherwise perfectly safe where you
are."
A few murmurs arose from the audience, but no one attempted to
interfere.
Harry then drew forth from his sleeve his new wand, the Wand of Magic.
He approached the table from behind and removed the Notice-Me-Not
Charm on the ring.
"This is the Head of House ring for the Most Ancient House of Gaunt," he
said. "It contains within it one part of the fractured soul of Dark Wizard
Riddle. I'm going to draw it forth and contain it. Then, I'm going to
summon the rest of Riddle's fractured soul and reunify it. He will not
have a body and will be unable to harm anyone; except, maybe, swear a
lot. Please, do not attempt to interrupt what I am doing. Doing so may
prove... catastrophic."
Harry then pointed his wand tip at the ring and, with magic's help,
stripped from it all the enchantments Riddle had placed upon it in his
attempt to keep it safe. With the last one gone he was left with just the
soul fragment within it. This he drew forth. It was in the form of a black
wraith.
Drawing his wand tip back he moved it to one side, his left, with the
wraith attached to the wand tip. There were quite a few gasps of shock or
fear from the audience.
He shot out his left hand and 'grabbed' the wraith by its 'chest' where its
heart would be if it was human. And drew the wand back without it.
Harry then stood there holding the wraith with his left hand.
Some of those in the audience had tried to flee but found themselves
unable to move from their seats. Neville calmly stood and, catching
Harry's attention, turned to the audience, held his right hand aloft and
bellowed, "Gryffindor!" The sword appeared in his hand. Lowering and
holding the sword to his chest, he bellowed, "Silence!"
Nearly everyone in the audience stopped in mute shock.
"You people were told to be silent!" he continued. "Now, calm down!"
Then, after a glare directed across the audience, calmly turned around
again and sat down allowing the sword to fade away again.
Harry gave him a nod and turned back to face the wraith. He aimed his
wand to the centre of the wraith before him and intoned, "I, Harry James
Potter, acting as Herald of Magic, call on magics new and old. I seek to
recombine the soul of the one known as Tom Marvolo Riddle. I ask of
magic to bring his soul together. I need of magic to bring those portions
of his soul to me. So mote it be!"
On the table before him, next to the now de-horcruxed ring, Harry saw
five artefacts appear; the diary of T.M. Riddle, the diadem of Rowena
Ravenclaw, the Cup of Helga Hufflepuff, the locket of Salazaar Slytherin,
and the cape broach of Godric Gryffindor. Just as suddenly, in the air
above the table, appeared a second wraith.
Harry stabbed it with the tip of his wand. It silently screamed. It was
easily the smallest of the fragments.
With an almost gentleness, Harry dragged the second wraith sideways,
and pushed it into the first, merging the two into a single whole.
With the merging of the two, instead of a black wraith, there and held by
his left hand, writhed a dark grey ghost. Harry recognised it for what it
was, part of the soul of Tom Riddle.
He then pulled the wand tip away leaving the wraith ghost held by his
left hand through its chest.
The audience was utterly silent as it watched. Their fearfulness
dissipating.
He pointed the wand at the first item, the diary. There was a compulsion
charm enchantment placed on it for the bearer to write within it. And a
curse that enabled the soul fragment to use it to start to take over the
mind of the bearer. He stripped those away.
Using the wand tip, he then pulled from the diary the largest of all the
fragments. It was the first horcrux Tom had made, so it contained a full
half of Riddle's soul. This time it definitely screamed. It was heard by
everyone in the Hall. Some of the female attendees, and possibly even a
male or two, fainted. Harry noticed a couple of aurors moving to help
them.
He pulled from it a second dark grey ghost and pushed it into the first. As
they merged it was clear he was holding a good portion of the soul of
Riddle. It looked just like Voldemort did just before he died on the Thirty
First of October, 1981.
"Potter!" it screamed at him. "What are you doing?"
"I'm righting a great wrong, Tom," replied a calm Harry. "Magic is not
happy with you. You desecrated its gift."
"I'm going to kill you, Potter!" the ghost screamed.
"Yeah, yeah," replied Harry. "Take a number and wait in line."
Turning to the audience, he calmly said, " As you folks can now
recognise, I hold within the grasp of my left hand part of the soul of he
you know as Voldemort."
"You'll die a death of extreme agony for this, Potter!" the ghost screamed at
him again.
Aiming his wand at the artefacts before him, Harry calmly asked the
shade, "Do you recognise these, Tom?"
Though it couldn't do such a thing, the ghost attempted to rear back in
shock. "Where did you get those, Potter?!"
"Magic gave them to me, Tom," replied Harry, starting to carefully
remove the enchantments and curses on the next item, the diadem of
Rowena Ravenclaw.
Frowning, Harry realised there were much deeper, and more powerful,
enchantments on the item that predated its use as a horcrux. He decided
to leave them alone, for now. He only wanted to strip away the curses
that Riddle had placed upon it.
After removing the compulsion charm to don the diadem, and the one to
allow the soul piece within to take over the mind of the wearer, he was
left with the soul containing enchantment. Again, he drew the soul
fragment partly out before stabbing it with the wand tip.
"Potter!" screamed the ghost in his left hand. "Stop that, or I will torture you
for eternity! I will never allow you rest or respite. You will beg me over and
over again for release!"
Ignoring the ghost, Harry continued to drew the fragment out of the
diadem with his wand piece. Once completely free, he pushed it into the
ghost in his hand.
Riddle screamed in agony as the soul fragment was returned to him.
Once more it fused. More and more the darkness of the colour of the
ghost faded.
Harry then repeated the process on the next item, the Cup of Helga
Hufflepuff.
What he didn't see, as he had no attention to pay to anyone else, was one
of the aurors from along the wall pulling a large knife from a hidden area
within their robes.
The man then charged forward with the knife and attempted to jump
onto the dais. He hit the ward and was flung backwards; dead before he
hit the floor. The knife clattering away across the stones.
Nobody moved to check on him.
As the soul fragment from the Cup was rejoined to the part in Harry's left
hand, the ghost of Tom Riddle screamed again.
Harry moved on to the locket and, finally, onto the broach.
As the soul fragment from the broach, the final piece - except for the
small fragment that Myrrdin destroyed five years earlier in real time in
the pocket dimension - finally turned the ghost into the full corporeal
silvery white form everyone recognised as ghosts. There, in Harry's left
hand, writhed the form of Tom Riddle.
"How dare you, Potter!" the ghost screamed in hate, loathing and no little
amount of fear. "How dare you!"
Harry then held the wand tip to what little remained of his scar. With a
little bit of conjuring, he made it appear he drew from his scar a small
piece of wraith, and flung it at the ghost. As it hit, he banished it.
'That should silence anyone Dumbledore might have confided in about
my scar,' he thought.
"Okay, Tom," said Harry in a calm voice. "I, Lord Harry James Potter,
Head of the Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Slytherin, Head of
the Most Ancient House of Gaunt, do hereby strip from you all your
worldly possessions to claim as my own. So mote it be."
A flash shot from the ghost of Riddle into Harry.
"No!" screamed the ghost in shock. "I am the heir of Salazaar Slytherin. I
am Head of the House of Slytherin. How dare you!"
"You're dead, remember, Tom," replied Harry. "The dead lose their
Headships at the moment of their death, remember? And, silly ghost, I
wear the ring."
With that, Harry held up his right hand showing the ghost the ring
showing his Lordship over the House of Slytherin.
The ghost stared at the ring in shock.
"I am Lord Slytherin, I am Salazaar's heir, you can no longer make that
claim," said Harry.
The ghost still stared at the ring before he locked eyes with Harry.
Harry said, "As your Head of House I command you to answer my
questions."
"I'm going to kill you Potter!" the ghost screamed. "I'm going to kill you a
thousand times over!"
"No, you're not," replied Harry. "Now, who taught you how to create soul
anchors?"
The ghost struggled anew in Harry's grip. It continued to struggle until it
suddenly screamed. The ghost of Riddle suddenly spat, "Albus
Dumbledore! Albus Dumbledore showed me when I was a student!"
Harry, though suddenly stunned into immobility for a moment, snapped
his head to look right at Dumbledore where he was posing as the old
lady. Neville moved almost as fast and was out of his chair and drawing a
wand. However, Hogwarts was far faster.
From where he was trying to draw his original wand while in the process
of standing, having already broken the enchantment holding him to his
own chair, Dumbledore was slammed back into his seat. Iron bands
flashed into place about his chest, lower arms and lower legs pinning him
in place to his own configured chair.
He only gave a muffled, "Oof!" before he was also gagged.
Seeing Dumbledore secured, Harry turned back to look at the ghost of
Riddle.
"How?" he snapped.
Riddle tried not to answer but with a near scream he blurted, "He
murdered Myrtle Malone. A Ravenclaw student in my fifth year! In 1943!"
"Myrtle Malone?" asked Harry.
Hermione piped up and said, "I think he means Moaning Myrtle, the
ghost in the second floor girls' bathroom."
Harry looked back at Riddle and asked, "Was Myrtle Malone, Moaning
Myrtle, the girl killed the last time the Chamber of Secrets was opened?"
"Yes!" screamed Riddle.
"Did Albus Dumbledore open the Chamber of Secrets?" demanded Harry.
"No! I did!" screamed Riddle.
"How did she die?" snarled Harry.
Moaning and sagging in Harry's grip, Riddle replied, "I was bringing
Slytherin's giant basilisk from the Chamber. Malone was in the girls'
bathroom and saw the reflection of the basilisk's gaze in the mirror while
she was washing her face. The basilisk petrified her! I had to hurriedly
order the basilisk back down the passage into the chamber. While I was
closing the entrance Dumbledore walked in. He killed the girl to cover it
up. And he told me to blame Rubeus Hagrid for it!
"Then I followed him back to the Headmaster's office. He froze all the
paintings so they couldn't watch and drew out a phoenix fresh from a
burning day he had locked under a stasis field. He then performed the
rite to fracture his soul and stuff part of it into the phoenix. It bound the
phoenix to him."
Harry turned to glare at Dumbledore with hate filled eyes before turning
back to Riddle's ghost.
"So," he asked, "Rubeus Hagrid was completely innocent of the charge of
both opening the Chamber, and of causing Myrtle Malone's death?"
"Yes!"
Harry then asked, "Did you use that knowledge to then create your first
soul anchor?"
"Yes!" replied a beaten Riddle. "I killed my birth father, a muggle, and
used my own diary for my first one."
"How did you know you could create more?" asked a seething Harry.
"From Professor Slughorn," replied Riddle. "He hinted that more than one
could be made under specific circumstances. I picked six as it would
mean seven pieces of soul. Seven being a prime magical number."
Glaring at the ghost of his mortal enemy, Harry thought for a few
moments. He then asked, "The dark mark. How is it unable to be
removed?"
"Only a parselmouth, using parseltongue, can unlock them," replied the
ghost. "The spells are linked to the magical core of the bearer using part
of their own fractured soul. If the mark is destroyed the soul is destroyed
along with it. Only I have control, in every sense, of the mark."
"Fractured soul?" asked Harry. "How do their souls become fractured?"
"They have to commit murder of an innocent," replied the ghost.
"Innocent?" asked Harry warily. "What do you mean by the term
'innocent'?"
"Someone whose own soul is undamaged by evil acts," replied the ghost.
"Such can usually only be found in a small child."
Thinking a bit, Harry then asked, "And how does it fracture their own
soul if they were under the Imperius Curse or some other form of
compulsion, such as blackmail?"
Dolefully, shaking his head, Riddle replied, "That won't work. If they
were under compulsion, such as the Curse, then it is the evil act of the
person casting the curse, not the person committing the act. You can only
fracture your soul if you commit the act of murder willingly. Of your own
free will."
While focussing on Riddle's ghost, Harry didn't see Amelia signalling her
remaining aurors forward. Nor did he see the aurors place Lucius Malfoy,
Bevis Mulciber, Hamish MacFarlan and a few others under wand point,
before stunning them, placing magic resistant manacles on them, tying
them up with the Incarcerous Charm and placing a black bag over their
heads where they sat unable to move.
Nodding his head, Harry then asked, "What are the names of all your
Death Eaters, both marked and unmarked?"
And Riddle started listing them all down. He took a few minutes to list
them all. The list included a few names of existing aurors; one
unspeakable, Rookwood; and a couple of Healers from Saint Mungo's.
"And, what are the names of the people who are not Death Eaters you
know support you?"
Riddle listed another dozen names.
Thinking a bit more, Harry then turned to look for Amelia. He saw her
finishing up cuffing and incarcerating someone from within the audience.
His left arm was beginning to ache a bit from holding it out the way he
was.
"Madam Bones?" he asked. "Any questions of this scumbag before I cast
sentence as his Head of House?"
Amelia strode forward and stopped short of the ward. "No, Lord
Slytherin, I think I have everything I need."
Neville stood and stepped forward. "I do," he said.
Turning to look at his friend, Harry asked, "Yes, Lord Gryffindor?"
Glaring at Riddle's ghost, Neville demanded, "How did the Imperius Curse
cause my parents to stay in a coma?"
Harry turned back to the ghost, waiting for the answer. Riddle just glared
back at Neville.
Wondering why the ghost wasn't answering it took Harry a few moments
to figure out why. Neville had no control over the ghost and had no
authority to demand answers of him.
Harry gave the ghost a shake and demanded, "Well? Lord Gryffindor
asked you a question. How did the Imperius Curse cause his parents to
fall into and stay in a coma?"
Being 'bodily' shaken upset the ghost. Riddle wasn't accustomed to be
treated so roughly. He glared at Harry and snarled, "It couldn't!"
"Then why are they still in a coma?" demanded Harry. "You will tell me
what you know or suspect! Now!"
The ghost glared back and snarled, "Bellatrix used family magic from the
House of Black to lock them into a coma state! As it was family magic I
could not delve into her mind to find out how she did it."
"And what do you suspect she did?" asked Harry snarling right back.
"What sort of magic are we looking for to learn how she did it?"
The ghost replied, "It's a form of mind magic. When I asked Bellatrix how
she did it she even gave me the name of the book."
"What is the title of the book?" asked Harry
"'Mind Arts and the Darkness'," snapped Riddle.
Turning to Neville, Harry instructed, "Get Sirius to go through the Black
family library for you. Tell him what we learned here and what he needs
to look for."
Neville gave one short, sharp nod, spun on his heel and bolted.
"Neville!" called Harry.
Neville skidded to a halt and spun back to face Harry.
"Send a house elf to get him here," suggested Harry.
Realisation dawning on Neville, he grinned back a bit sheepishly and
blushed. Harry didn't wait to see what Neville would do. They now had a
lead to bring Neville's parents back to him. He returned to his seat.
Turning back to Riddle, Harry asked, "Any last words before I sentence
you, Tom?"
Knowing his torture was coming to a close, Riddle snarled, "You can't stop
me, Potter! I'm a ghost now; and you have to release me some time. Then,
I'll just find a willing host, possess them, and come after you!"
"There is no coming back from what's about to happen to you, Tom," said
Harry. "Goodbye."
Harry raised his wand and pointed it next to his hand with the tip just
inside the ghost of Riddle's chest.
He intoned, "I, Harry James Potter, Head of the Most Ancient House of
Gaunt and Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Slytherin, hereby strip
you of all your magic," he intoned. Before then snarling out, "So mote it
be!"
Immediately, Harry felt a surge of magic surge back up his wand arm as
Riddle's magic began to be stripped from him; sucked out of him like a
fire hose. The feeling was like a burning sensation up his arm and out the
back of his shoulder.
Riddle arched his back and snapped his head back as the pull on his
magic surged out of him and into the tip of Harry's wand. He screamed.
As the magic continued to pull from his spirit, Riddle was able to lower
his chin and grit his ghostly teeth as the magic continued to pull. He
stared back at Harry in fury.
What no one else saw was the Death Eaters in the room who were still
conscious, or had returned to consciousness, try to hold their arms
against their chests to lessen the pain they were feeling. Not even they
knew what was happening to them, only that they must have been
feeling their master's pain.
Harry didn't see that the magic he was drawing from Riddle was spraying
out like a hose from the back of his shoulder. Or where it was going. It
hit both Granger parents full on, with not a little also striking Hermione.
Neville and Susan had both been able to dive forward and away and were
not struck. Hermione, after a few seconds, toppled over to the side and
out of the stream, out cold. Her parents were not so lucky. They were
pinned in place by the force of the spray.
Harry was still pulling magic from Riddle's spirit form, surprised by just
how much he was drawing, or the pain it was causing in his hand, arm
and shoulder. He wondered how the hell Riddle had developed such an
exceptionally large core. He put it down to dark rituals. However, he just
gritted his teeth and didn't stop drawing it out.
As the last of the magic, finally, was being drawn from Riddle, he didn't
notice the marked Death Eaters in the room pass out. No one did.
With his wand almost glowing, so filled with magic it was, Harry also
didn't notice he had burned his right hand where it gripped the wand.
And he didn't notice the residue magic in the wand instantly healed his
hand and the magical channels in his arm and the back of his shoulder.
The ghost of Tom Riddle was sagging in his hand.
"Harry!" cried Susan.
Harry, panting with the effort it took to draw the magic from Riddle,
turned his head to look at where the other heirs and Susan were sitting.
There, he saw Hermione on the ground with her parents also lying on the
floor. He didn't know what had happened but it looked bad. Susan was
cradling Hermione's head while Neville was checking on the Granger
parents.
"Dobby!" called Harry.
*Pop* "Yes, Master Harry Potter, Sir?" asked the elf standing to Harry's
side.
Harry gestured towards the Grangers with his chin and said, "Get the
Grangers and Lady Ravenclaw to infirmary immediately! They're hurt!"
"Yes, Master Harry Potter, Sir!" exclaimed the elf.
He popped over to the Grangers and then immediately popped with the
three of them out of the Hall.
Stilling looking over to where the heirs and Grangers were sitting he
could see what appeared to be ice crystals in a spray pattern on the wall.
The only missing part where the two outlines of the adult Grangers and
the three chairs.
"Susan," he called. "Can you go up to the infirmary and see if they need
help, please?"
Susan gave a quick nod of her head and bolted from the room. She was
chased out the door by Madam Bones and an auror Harry recognised as
the auror corps's in-house healer.
Harry turned back to look at the ghost and said, "There, Tom. No more
magic for you. You're not even a squib. If you had been alive when I did
that, it would have killed you. But, as you're already dead, you're even
'deader'."
The ghost just looked up and let out an ethereal snort. "Funny, aren't
you?" he snidely asked.
"Maybe," replied Harry. "But I'm not finished yet."
More wary, the ghost asked, "What more can you do to me?"
"You threatened that you would find a way to come back and possess
someone," replied Harry. "I cannot, I will not, allow that to happen."
The ghost frowned back at Harry. He lacked even the ethereal energy to
be angry at the boy standing before him.
"There will be no 'Next Great Adventure' for you, Tom," said Harry.
Realisation dawned in the expression of the ghost of Riddle. "No!" he
begged. "Please, no!"
Ignoring the ghost's pleas, Harry stood up straighter, aimed his wand
back at the centre of the ghost, and intoned, "I, Harry James Potter, call
on magic old and new, to end from all existence, the entity known on this
plane as Tom Marvolo Riddle. I judge his crimes so great, he not be
allowed to exist for ever more. So mote it be; so mote it be; so mote it be!"
A beam of pure magic shot forth from the tip of Harry's wand and struck
the centre of Riddle's chest. The force of the energy being directed at
Riddle forced the ghost off Harry's left hand to hang suspended just out
of his reach. The emerald focus stone glowed with an intense green light.
With some relief, Harry dropped his left arm to his side while continuing
to pump magic into the wand.
Riddle struggled in the beam, screaming. He continued to scream as the
magic suffused his whole being. It built until it appeared he was
surrounded by an aura. With a final scream from Riddle, the ghost
literally and silently exploded into twinkling motes of silver. Then the
motes faded out of existence.
Harry folded over at the waist. And rested the palms of his hands on his
knees. He didn't even notice the wand floating in air where he had let go
of it.
"So endeth the dark wizard Tom Marvolo Riddle, also known as Lord
Voldemort," he panted out loud.
After a few moments to catch his breath, Harry thought, 'Where's my
wand?'
He looked up and was a little surprised to see the wand hovering in the
air about his shoulder height. "Oh," he said, looking at it.
Neville came forward and rested his hand on Harry's shoulder. "I need to
get you to Madam Pomfrey," he said.
Harry shook his head and said, "No, I've got Dumbledore and his soul
anchor to deal with yet. I can't delay that."
"Then, Harry James Potter, you will take at least one revitalising potion
and one rejuvenation potion, first!" he growled back.
"Yes, Sir," replied Harry with what he hoped was a suitably chastised
expression on his face.
Neville just glared back for a few moments. Harry even noticed the
corner of his mouth twitch slightly in what he sincerely hoped was a sign
he was trying not to smile at him.
Spinning around he called, "Dobby!"
*Pop* "Yes, Master Neville, Sir?" asked the elf.
"Harry's going to need to get his strength back before he continues," said
Neville. "But, he must continue, so we can't rush him off to the infirmary
just yet!"
"Yes, Master Neville, Sir!" exclaimed the elf.
"Can you get for me one rejuvenation potion and one magical core
rejuvenation potion from our personal supplies, please?" Neville asked.
"Yes, Master Neville, Sir!" the elf replied before popping away.
Neville passed his own wand over Harry's front and his right arm a
couple of times before saying, "You're damned lucky you didn't blow your
own core or something equally bad, when you did that."
It was then Harry felt a slight draft on the back of his right shoulder.
Reaching up and across with his left hand, and turning his head to as far
to the right as he could, he pulled his robes down on his right shoulder.
He saw a ragged hole about as round as a tea cup rim torn out of all the
layers of material.
Harry, still looking at the hole through his robes and school uniform
underneath, wondered aloud, "How did that happen?"
"Harry," replied Neville. "When you were pulling the magic out of the
ghost of Tom Riddle, it burst out the back of your shoulder like a
spraying hose and sprayed the wall and the Grangers," replied Neville. "I
think it's crystallised pure magic."
"Huh!" said Harry looking back at the wall, "I truly hope they're going to
be alright."
Not having heard the little house elf's return, Harry was surprised when
Neville said, "Lord Slytherin!"
Turning back to face him, Harry asked, "Yes?"
His friend held out two potions and said, "Drink these."
Knowing it was pointless to argue, Harry took both uncapped potions,
one in each hand, and downed them as quickly as he could. "Ack!" he
exclaimed. "Yuck!"
Neville just snorted in response before saying, "As soon as you're finished
here I'll want you in the infirmary. Don't make me tell Madam Pomfrey to
come looking for you, Lord Slytherin."
"Yes, Sir," replied Harry as contritely as he could.
Neville just snorted in amusement.
Harry then straightened up and said, "'Nev, I need to get this done. Can
you return to your seat, please?"
Neville gave him one last manly shoulder clench before saying, "Be more
careful this time!" And hurried back to the side of the room.
Standing up a little straighter, Harry then looked across his audience.
Most were just staring back in mute shock or glancing back at him every
now and then while softly talking between themselves. The journalists, in
the area set aside for them, had their dicta-quills still running flat out.
Not a few of them had quite a significant stack of parchments already
filled and set aside.
Taking a deep breath and giving his left elbow and wrist a bit of a rub
while the potions were taking effect, Harry looked up and said,
"Hogwarts, reset the ward in front of the dais." Then, only thinking it this
time, thought, "And, as soon as Fawkes shows up in here with me,
instantly put in place an anti-phoenix ward. I need the bird unable to
flash out again.'
Harry received a mental assurance it would be done. He also felt concern
from the castle.
'Don't worry,' he thought. 'I'm not going to hurt the overgrown flaming
chicken.'
He received the feeling of reluctant acceptance.
Again holding his wand forth in the centre of the dais, and with his left
hand held in front of his left breast ready to snap forward in a grabbing
motion, Harry intoned, "I, Harry James Potter, acting as Herald of Magic,
call on magics new and old. I ask of magic to bring me the phoenix
known as Fawkes. I need of magic to bring to me those portions of the
soul of Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore that do not inhabit his
own, mortal, body. I seek to recombine the soul of the one known as
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore so that it may, again, be whole.
So mote it be!"
With a sudden flash just in front of him, Fawkes appeared. Harry snapped
his left hand forward and grabbed the magical bird by the neck.
Fawkes, with a startled squawk, attempted to flash away, multiple times.
Each time, he burned Harry's hand with a quick sear of flesh. Harry held
on. Over and over a half dozen times Fawkes attempted to flash away.
"Fawkes!" bellowed Harry at the bird. "Quit it, right now!"
Fawkes made a couple more attempts but then suddenly stopped. It
glared back at Harry and squawked at him in indignation.
Harry's hand now had what felt like second degree burns but, as with
when he destroyed Riddle's soul, he refused to relent. He just gritted his
teeth for a few moments while trying to will the pain away into a back
corner of his mind.
"Sorry, Fawkes," said Harry between gritted teeth. "But, you know I need
to do this."
Harry then raised his wand and passed it over the bird's body. He found
what he was looking for in the bird's head.
Turning to point the tip of the wand directly between the bird's eyes,
Harry gently placed the tip just above the bridge of the beak. Holding it
for a moment, he pushed his magic through the wand and had his magic
grasp the soul fragment within. Slowly, and as gently as he could, he ran
the tip up between the bird's eyes and lifted the tip away. As he did so,
he pulled the soul fragment away. Fawkes was squawking the whole time
but didn't attempt to flash away again.
He was surprised to feel the bird helping him as much as it could. Both
with holding still and with using its own mind to force the fragment out.
Clearly, Fawkes now knew what was going on, he thought.
As he finally pulled the fragment free it coalesced into the form of Albus
Dumbledore. Letting go of Fawkes's neck, Harry shot his left hand
forward and up and grabbed the fragment through the chest, as he'd done
with Riddle. Fawkes dropped free from his grip, and Harry felt the castle
drop the anti-phoenix wards and reset them at the boundaries of the
Great Hall.
Fawkes began to flash and popped all over the place around the ceiling
trilling with a great deal of happiness and pleasure. He was quite loud
and spectacular flashing all around. However, not many people watched
him. Their eyes were affixed to Harry on the dais.
Harry didn't have any spare attention to place on the now free phoenix's
antics. He was focussed entirely on the dull grey ghost grasped in his left
hand.
He moved it to the side in the same place as he held Riddle's spirit and
gave it a little shake. All the while the fragment was cursing at him and
in pain.
"How dare you manhandle me!" it bellowed at Harry. "I am the great
Albus Dumbledore, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, Supreme
Mugwump of the ICW, Holder of the Order of Merlin First Class, and
Headmaster of Hogwarts!"
"Liar!" replied Harry calmly.
"What?" spluttered the grey ghost fragment.
"I said, 'Liar'," repeated Harry.
"I assure you..." it tried to splutter again.
"You don't," interrupted Harry.
"Pardon?" the ghost fragment asked.
"Your other half,..." said Harry, indicating where Dumbledore in the flesh
was sitting, "... was fired as Chief Warlock, was fired as Supreme
Mugwump, was fired from even holding a seat on the ICW and was fired
as Headmaster of Hogwarts. I think you... that is, he... will very soon find
yourself... himself... stripped of the Order of Merlin, as well."
"I'm the Leader of the Light!" it spluttered.
"No, you're not," replied Harry. "You may have been, at one time, when
you had everyone fooled as to what you really were. However, the fact I
pulled you from that poor bird you had enslaved with the most vilest
magics, magic that requires you to commit cold-blooded murder, proves
beyond any shadow of a doubt to our audience here..." Harry gestured to
the room, "... that you are, in fact, inherently evil. Someone as evil as you
could not possibly be considered the Leader of the Light."
"You lie!" it screeched.
Harry just shook his head at the shade before then looking over at
'mortal' Dumbledore. "How could you, Albus?" asked Harry. "You had
everything going for you, and you do this."
As mortal Dumbles was gagged, Harry knew he wasn't going to get an
answer from him. And probably wouldn't even if he wasn't gagged.
Instead, Harry just looked back at the shade and said, "Now, half-ghost-
Dumbles, I'm going to ask you a few questions. We can do this the easy
way - meaning you'll just answer my questions truthfully and wholly,
without trying to dodge answering - or we do this the hard way -
meaning you're going to feel excruciating pain. Which is it to be, half-
ghost-Dumbles?"
"I do not have to answer your questions," huffed the shade.
Harry suddenly squeezed his left hand into a fist.
"Arrrggghhhhh!" screamed the shade in agony, until Harry relaxed his
hand slightly.
"Would you like to try that again, half-ghost-Dumbles?" asked Harry in a
pleasant voice.
"H-How could you do this to me?" wailed the shade.
"I can do it because I currently hold dominion over you," replied Harry.
"Now, did you fracture your soul to create this abomination by
committing the cold-blooded murder of Myrtle Malone?"
"I don't know what you're talking about!" huffed the shade.
*Squeeze!*
"Arrrggghhhhh!" screamed the shade in agony again.
"Let's try this again, shall we?" asked Harry.
"H-H-How can you justify doing this to me?" wailed the shade.
"It's For the Greater Good! And because I need answers and you're going
to give them to me," replied Harry. "Again! Did you fracture your soul to
create this abomination by committing the cold-blooded murder of Myrtle
Malone?"
"I refuse to..." began the shade.
*Squeeze!*
"Arrrggghhhhh!" screamed the shade in agony for a third time until Harry
relaxed his hand a little. "Please, stop!" it begged.
"It will not happen each time you answer, truthfully," said Harry still
using a calm voice. "It's For the Greater Good, after all."
"Please, don't torture the man!" one of the women in the audience
begged.
"This is only a soul fragment of Albus Dumbledore," replied Harry. "It is
not even living tissue."
"Yet, you are still torturing it," she responded.
"Well, I'm only going to ask one more time. After all," said Harry in best
impersonation of Dumbledore, "It's for the Greater Good.
"If it doesn't answer, then I'm going to banish it to Hell. The only way for
the soul of Dumbledore to then be reunited as one, whole, spirit is for the
remaining part of him, that part still residing in his mortal body, to join it
in Hell after Dumbledore's physical body shuffles off this mortal coil."
Turning back to the shade and not bothering to hear a response, Harry
asked again, "For the third and final time. Did you fracture your soul to
create this abomination by committing the cold-blooded murder of Myrtle
Malone?"
"Yes!" the shade sobbed.
"Did you enslave a phoenix in an attempt to show you were a light
wizard?"
"Yes!"
Nodding and turning away from the soul fragment to face the entire
audience, Harry sought out an auror. Finding one, he asked, "Auror, do
you have enough information to now charge Albus Dumbledore with
cold-blooded murder?"
Nodding back, the auror replied, "Yes, My Lord, I believe we do."
"Good," said Harry.
Turning back to the shade, he said, "Now to deal with you."
Not in a little fear, the shade begged back, "You said you wouldn't banish
me to Hell."
"I'm not," said Harry.
He then pointed his wand at the still bound physical body of Dumbledore
and levitated it. He caused it to come forth from where it was and
brought it up onto the stage next to where he was holding the shade.
Physical-Dumbledore struggled within his bindings all the way, even
when Harry caused the chair to settle onto the floor of the dais.
Then Harry poked his wand back into the chest of the shade and
withdrew his left hand.
After withdrawing his hand he pulled the shade forward a bit. Both
physical and ethereal forms of Dumbledore realised what was about to
happen. Both struggled mightily in their bindings.
Harry caused the ethereal form to practically sit in the lap of the physical
form. Then he... pushed. The ethereal form sunk into the physical form
and, calling on magic again, Harry caused the two forms to merge back
into a whole.
In his physical bindings, the now whole and physical Dumbledore
slumped forward.
"There you go, Dumbledore," said Harry. "You're now mortal, again."
Harry turned to look at the auror before hesitating and turning back
again. "Oh," he said. "In case it escaped your attention, if you manage to
not be thrown through the veil or be kissed by a dementor, and only
thrown into Azkaban for the rest of your natural life, the only title you
now hold is 'Mister'. I doubt very much the public is going to recognise
you as either the Leader of the Light, or allow you to keep the Order of
Merlin. You disgust me, you piece of desiccated dragon dung!"
"Errr... Lord Potter?" asked the auror.
Turning back to look at her he asked, "Yes, Auror; you can come forward
and slap magically resistant cuffs on this waste of good air."
"Thank you, My Lord; but, that's not it," the auror said. She pointed to a
space on the dais behind him.
Harry turned and, standing less than ten feet away, was the ghost of
Myrtle Malone.
That surprised Harry. He thought Hogwarts and it's ghosts knew not to
approach.
"Yes, Miss Malone?" asked Harry.
Myrtle gently curtseyed before standing back up. "Thank you, Lord
Slytherin, for finally seeing the man who killed me, brought to justice."
"You're welcome, Miss Malone," replied Harry. "Are you ready to... move
on... now?"
"Yes, My Lord," she replied with a soft smile.
"Do you need my help with that?" asked Harry quite gently.
"No, thank you, My Lord," she replied. "I just wanted to give you my
thanks in person... so to speak... before I... left."
"Then, again, you're welcome, Miss Malone," replied Harry. And Myrtle
simply began to ascend with a smile while blurring and fading out.
Giving his head a quick shake he turned back around to face the auror.
She was looking up into the ceiling where Myrtle had ascended.
"Auror?" asked Harry snapping his fingers, trying to recapture her
attention.
Looking back down at Harry she said, "Oh! Yes! Magical restraints." She
snapped her own fingers and one of the other aurors came forward.
Hogwarts removed the iron straps that were holding Dumbledore's lower
arms to the chair, allowing the auror to manacle the old fool. Once
attached, Hogwarts removed the rest of the restraints.
The two aurors dragged the old man to his feet and shuffled him off the
dais back up the aisle towards the main doors. They were not being
particularly gentle.
Harry looked up to see Fawkes had calmed down and was circling inside
the ceiling. Harry instructed the castle to remove the anti-phoenix ward
completely.
Fawkes obviously felt it. He banked tight and suddenly flew out through
the main doors in a gentle glide.
Addressing the audience, once more, Harry said, "I think that's enough
for one day. Quite frankly, I'm exhausted! I ask the aurors to escort you
out of the building and back out the gates. I need to attend my peer and
her parents. If you desire, we will reconvene here in two or three days.
Hopefully, we'll be able to answer your questions then."
Turning to the journalists, he said, "I apologise we will not be able to
answer your questions, either. Please, come back in two to three days.
We'll send out another media release with the details as soon as we can."
And, with that, Harry strode from the room with Neville hot on his heels.
Neville had re-summoned the Sword of Gryffindor and held it in his
hand. Nobody dared bother them.
# # #
26. The Grangers' Magic
Chapter Twenty-Six - The Grangers' Magic
# # #
Walking in to the infirmary, Harry saw Hermione was awake and was
sitting between the beds of her parents. Fawkes was sitting on her
shoulder with a somewhat dazed expression on her face. Fawkes was, for
want of a better term, preening her.
The other two heirs, were looking between what Fawkes was doing, and
Harry. Hermione was staring off into space with a gentle smile on her
face. The two Granger adults were still unconscious. Poppy and the
auror's healer were working upon the two of them.
"Lady Ravenclaw?" called Harry. "Lady Ravenclaw? Hermione!"
"Huh?" exclaimed the girl as her focus finally alighted on Harry. Even
Fawkes looked back. Harry had the sense the bird was feeling ineffably
pleased.
"Hermione," he asked, "Why is Fawkes... pretty much... grooming you?"
"Oh!" replied Hermione. "His name's not Fawkes; it's Polaris. He told me
so. He also told me he's mine. But not like he's property, or anything."
Harry, already suspecting, only raised his eyebrows in surprise. Madam
Pomfrey, Neville, Susan, Madam Bones, Sirius - who had turned up - and
Remus gasped with shock. Barely anyone wasn't staring back at
Hermione.
Harry grinned at his friend and said, "He's bonded with you, Hermione."
"Oh!" she said still distracted.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," Harry called out with a grin. "Presenting,
Hermione Jean Granger, Lady Ravenclaw, the true Leader of the Light!"
Fawkes... or, rather, Polaris... assumed a posture of eagle displayed with
one wing behind Hermione's head while still holding on to her shoulder
with his claws. And trilled away quite happily. Hermione just sat there
stunned.
Harry was surprised no one even clapped.
When he looked about the room a bit, he saw Severus lying in a bed off
to one side.
Frowning, Harry turned to Poppy and asked, "Madam Pomfrey, what
happened to Professor Snape?"
He was in class and one of the students said he suddenly grabbed his
right forearm. Then he grimaced before collapsing to the floor
unconscious. I had a house elf bring him directly here. His magical core's
been drained and he's suffering from magical exhaustion. However, he's
going to recover.
While wondering what had happened to the man, an auror entered the
room and approached Amelia. He whispered a few things to her and her
face took on an expression of consternation.
As the auror headed back out, Amelia approached the rest and said,
"You'll need to excuse me. It appears all the marked Death Eaters we had
captured in the Hall have all died. We've also received a report from
Azkaban infirming us the ones in there are also dead."
Harry frowned but nodded his head. He was still thinking hard as Amelia
went over to Susan, gave her a kiss on her forehead, and headed out.
Thinking a bit, Harry had a feeling he knew what had happened.
"Harry?" called Neville.
Harry looked up at his friend.
"What's got you obviously thinking so hard?" Neville asked.
"I think I should know what's going on," replied Harry, still thinking
furiously. "Professor Snape clearly grasped his dark mark before he
passed out, marked Death Eaters are turning up dead, Riddle..."
With sudden realisation, Harry stared back at Neville in shock.
"Harry?" asked his friend.
"Riddle..." said Harry. "I think I know what happened."
"Well, don't leave the rest of us guessing," said Susan a bit tartly. "What
do you think happened?"
"When I was pulling the magic out of ghost-Riddle," replied Harry, "I was
wondering how there happened to be so much of it. It seemed, for a
while there, it was never-ending. I thought Riddle had used dark rituals
to greatly enlarge his magical core."
Frowning back, Susan asked, "But, that's not what you now... suspect... is
it?"
Shaking his head in wonder, Harry replied, "The dark mark. When I was
pulling the magic out of Riddle to strip him of it, I think Riddle was
pulling the magic out of his marked followers - through the dark mark -
to replace what I took."
Neville, in surprise, said, "And, you think he didn't stop until he drained
them dry."
"Yes," replied Harry in shock himself. "As I said to ghost-Riddle, if he had
been alive when I did that, it would have killed him. I think that's what
killed all the Death Eaters."
"Good, God, Harry!" exclaimed Neville. "You know there's about fifty of
them, don't you?"
"Was, Nev," said Susan.
"But, why is Snape still alive?" asked Neville.
Susan frowned, spun on her heel and walked over to Severus's bed. She
reached out, picked up his arm and drew the sleeve back. She held it up
to show the others and said, "No more dark mark."
Still stunned, Harry gasped and said, "I killed about fifty people! I'm a
mass-murderer!" He collapsed to the floor. Not passed out, but no longer
able to stand. He just sat in the middle of the floor.
Neville and Sirius both hurried over. Sirius gently said to Harry, "Pup?
Come on, mate. You didn't kill them; Riddle did."
"I drained them dry, Sirius!" said Harry.
"No," replied Neville, "Riddle did. You were only pulling the magic out of
Riddle."
Neville and Sirius helped Harry back to his feet. He was in quite a bit of
shock and felt nauseous.
"Come on, Harry," said Sirius, soothingly. "Let's get you back to your
common room."
"I need all of you to leave," snapped the auror's healer. "Both of these two
have significantly drained magical cores and it's taking us a fair bit of
effort to stabilise them."
Hermione's head snapped to look directly at the healer. "Huh?" she asked,
"What do you mean 'their magical cores'. My parents are non-magicals!"
The healer looked back at her and scoffed, "Don't play games with me,
little missy! I've been a healer for twenty years. I know what a magical
core looks like, and these two are quite drained and fluctuating. Now get
out while I do my job!"
Hermione stood in a daze and headed over to Harry where he was being
supported by Sirius and Neville. Susan came back with Remus, who had
also gone over to see Severus's dark mark was gone.
Fawkes... Polaris... hopped off Hermione's shoulder and flew back to
perch on the back of the chair Hermione was sitting upon. He was trilling
gently to both of the Grangers.
As one completely stunned group, the four heirs, Sirius and Remus
walked out of the infirmary and headed back to owners' common room.
# # #
In the suite, Remus called a house elf to serve them a late morning tea.
He also asked the elf to lace it with a mild calming draught. The elf was
back a few moments later with two serving sets and a half dozen cups. As
a group they were sitting on the couches around the coffee table.
"I'm a mass-murderer, Sirius," moaned Harry.
Sirius, while watching Remus make a cup of tea and adding extra
calming potion to it, said, "No, Pup. Riddle's the mass-murderer. You just
made it so Riddle can't come back."
Remus offered the cup and saucer to Harry who took it without a
thought. He started to sip from it.
Harry suddenly looked up and, with determination, said to Susan, "Susan.
You'll need to call your aunt! Tell her to send two aurors around to arrest
me! I'll go quietly." Then he reached into his pocket and drew both of his
wands. He put them on the coffee table in front of himself for a moment
before picking them back up again.
He offered them to Sirius, who was sitting next to him, and said, "Sirius;
you're an auror. I hereby surrender myself to your custody. I'll go
quietly."
Sirius gravely reached out, took the two wands, and placed them on the
coffee table. "Pup?" he said. "I'm a Professor, not an auror. I haven't been
an auror for ten years. I've been in Azkaban, remember?"
Thinking furiously again, Harry brightened and said, "Yes. But you were
never dismissed from your job; and you didn't quit. So, you're still an
auror and the DMLE owes you back pay."
Reeling back a little in surprise, Sirius said, "You know, you might be
right about that, Pup. But, I still don't feel right about arresting you. It
would be a... conflict of interest. You are my godson, after all."
Frowning back down at his cup and taking a mouthful of tea again, Harry
then looked up at Susan and said, "How's that call to your aunt coming
along, Susan? She's going to need to send a couple of aurors, after all."
Susan glanced at Sirius for a moment before saying, "Sorry, Harry; but,
Aunt 'Melia's a little busy, at the moment. If you promise not to go
anywhere, she'll send someone along when she can."
"Yeah, I can do that," replied Harry frowning back down at his cup again.
"I'll stay here, then. House arrest."
"That sounds like a good idea, Cub," said Remus gently. "How about some
more of that delicious tea."
"Yeah. I can do that," said Harry, offering his cup for a refill. He didn't
even notice Remus dropping almost the entire contents of a sedative into
it before topping it back up. He just continued to sip it when he brought
it back. He couldn't even taste the tea, let alone the sedative.
With a dawning realisation, Harry fixed his eyes of Hermione's with a
look of horror, "'Mione! I... I hurt your parents! I... could have killed
them! They're in the infirmary because of me!" Then he broke into tears
and wailed, "I'm soooo sorry! You must hate me now!"
Hermione put down her own cup, walked around the coffee table, took
Harry's cup out of his hand and offered it to Sirius, before sitting in
Harry's lap and cuddling him. "It's alright, Harry," she said. "They're going
to be fine."
Harry just hugged her tightly and wailed into her chest. "I'm a killer and I
nearly killed your parents!"
Hermione just sat in his lap and rocked them both back and forth. Before
long, Harry stopped crying and fell asleep as the potion he'd been doped
with took effect.
Gently, so as not to wake him, she climbed off. Sirius carried him into his
room and put him to bed.
Hermione returned to sitting next to Susan and cried for both her parents
and the pain of her first, ever, friend.
Polaris flashed into the room and landed on the back of the couch behind
Hermione. The phoenix softly crooned to his new companion.
# # #
Harry didn't awaken until early the next morning. However, he felt much
better.
Rising, he took a shower and changed into fresh robes. Then he headed
for the infirmary. He needed to know the Grangers were going to be
alright.
Walking in, he saw Madam Pomfrey hovering over Professor Snape while
the healer from the aurors was joined by two other healers and was
hovering over the Grangers from between their beds.
Softly, so as not to disturb anyone, Harry softly asked, "Madam Pomfrey?"
The medi-witch looked up and saw Harry quietly standing there. "Yes,
Lord Slytherin?" she asked.
"Are they going to be okay?" asked Harry softly.
"Yes, Lord Slytherin," she replied with a smile. Professor Snape is well on
his way towards a full recovery and will be waking soon. Lady
Ravenclaw's parents have been kept, for now, in an induced sleep while
their cores stabilised. They're about to be woken up."
Frowning, Harry shook his head a little and said, "Hermione's parents are
non-magicals. They're dentists." Thinking a bit more, he said, "Well,
Hermione's mum, Emma Granger, is still a dentist. But, Her Majesty
reactivated her dad's, Major Granger's, commission. He's now serving in
the Diplomatic Protective Detail."
One of the healers hovering over Hermione's parents had looked up when
Harry started talking about 'the Grangers'. He walked over to Harry.
"Excuse me, Lord Slytherin?" he asked. "You're the one that caused the
wave of pure magic to strike these folks, yes?"
Harry was about to burst into tears again when he forced it down,
straightened himself up, and said, "Yes, Sir. I'm the one that nearly killed
them."
The healer merely cocked an eyebrow and asked, "Would you mind
lifting up your wand arm, please, My Lord?"
Harry dutifully raised his right arm. The healer then passed a healer's
diagnostic wand all over it, including at the back of Harry's shoulder.
"Amazing," he said, before looking directly at Harry and saying. "Do you
realise you practically burned out the magical channels throughout the
length of your arm. But, that they are now completely healed?"
Harry replied, "I remember it hurt a bit."
Hesitating a moment, the healer said, "I can imagine. You have fresh skin
where the skin on your hand received second to third degree magical
burns, the deep tissue damage that, apparently, has repaired itself deep
within and along your arm, and the third degree magical burn about
three inches across at the back of your right shoulder. This, also, appears
to have healed itself. Fresh skin and deep tissue now covers that area,
too."
"That happened when I was drawing the magic out of Tom Riddle's...
Voldemort's... soul," said a sorrowful Harry. "It's what then hit the
Grangers. But, I didn't know at the time that, while I was also drawing
the magic out of Riddle, he was drawing it out of his marked Death
Eaters. I've been told there were about fifty of them.
"Except for Severus, here," said Harry pointing at the Professor, "all the
others are dead. I killed them."
"No, you didn't," said Amelia's voice from behind him. Harry hadn't even
heard her coming in. The sound of her voice, though, caused Harry to
spin about in shock. She was standing with Headmistress McGonagall and
facing him about ten feet away.
Waving the shock off, Harry stood up and held himself up as a Lord
should, and said to her, "Madam Bones. I regret to inform you that I am a
mass-murderer. Through my actions, I killed approximately fifty people. I
also caused grievous bodily harm to Major Daniel and Doctor Emma
Granger, and Professor Severus Snape. I stand ready to be arrested and
face justice."
While he was looking straight into the confused eyes of the Head of the
DMLE, a male voice called out, "Well, that was a bit melodramatic, don't
you think?"
Recognising the voice, Harry spun back to face the Grangers. Both were
now propped up in their beds. Dan was looking at him with a slight, but
painful, smile on his face.
"Dad!" yelled Harry before he was beside the man's bedside in an instant.
Then he hugged Dan tightly around the chest. "I'm sorry!" he wailed, "I'm
soooo sooo sorry!"
After a few moments to wrap his own arms around Harry, Dan said, "I'm
not."
Harry flinched back from Dan a bit and, looking the man in the eyes,
said, "Huh?"
Dan, with a gentle smile on his face, said, "Two things, lad. First, there is
no way you could have known what was going to happen. It was a
complete accident, and neither of us hold you in any blame. Second, it
appears you've given Emma and I an amazing gift as a result of that
accident."
"Huh?" said Harry, again, still stunned.
Turning to look at his wife, Dan said, "Honey, I think I broke him."
"Huh?" said Harry, again.
Emma just grinned back at them both.
"Harry," said Emma softly.
"Huh?" said Harry snapping his eyes to Emma, before giving himself a bit
of a shake and saying, "Mum?"
With her eyes shining brightly, Emma softly said, "Harry, you've made
Dan and me 'Magicals'."
Harry blinked at her in confusion. "But... but... no. That can't happen. No.
It's impossible," he stammered.
"Lord Slytherin," called another male voice from near the foot of the beds.
"Huh?" said Harry, snapping his head and locking eyes with another of
the healers.
"No matter how much we believe it to be impossible; nevertheless, you,
Sir, have managed to do the impossible," the healer said.
"But... how?" asked Harry.
"We do not yet have an answer to that question, Lord Slytherin," replied
the healer. "We have seen a few pensieve memories of the event from
those who witnessed it, and have analysed what we could of it. However,
be assured we will be trying to figure out just how it was done. We have a
few educated guesses, but it's going to take time to analyse everything."
Thinking for a few moments, Harry then stood back up straight and
glared at the medico. "You will not be using the Grangers as guinea pigs!"
said Harry flatly.
The healer looked back at Harry in confusion. "Guinea pigs, Lord
Slytherin?" he asked. "What does a small rodent of the caviidae family
have to do with anything?"
Dan snorted and said to the healer, "It's a mundane expression; those you
call 'muggles'. It means to use someone as a test animal and run
experiments on them."
The healer nearly reeled back in shock. "I assure you, Lord Slytherin, we
will do nothing of the sort!" he exclaimed. "We will only ask that we
monitor their health over the next few days, and they come and see us
every couple of weeks for a while, so we can again monitor how they're
doing!"
"Okay," said Harry, still glaring at the healer. "Because, if you tried
anything like that, I'd place them both under the protection of both the
House of Slytherin and the House of Potter. Not to mention, 'Mione
would... 'Mione!"
Harry suddenly bolted from the infirmary. A couple of seconds later, he
bolted back in, skidded to a halt in front of Amelia and said, "Sorry! You
can arrest me in a little bit!" before bolting back out of the infirmary
yelling back, "Gotta get 'Mione!"
"Chock full of nervous energy, this morning, isn't he?" said a worried, but
amused, Dan.
Concerned, Emma looked at Amelia and asked, "Just how much trouble is
Harry in, anyway?"
Amused, but turning to look at Emma, she said, "None. Her Majesty
wants to see him... all of us, actually... in a couple of days. But, as for all
the Death Eaters dying, there is no criminal charges pending against
him."
Frowning, Emma asked, "But, why does Harry believe you're arresting
him?"
"Because no one's has been able to get it through that thick head of his yet
that he's done nothing wrong," replied Amelia. "He firmly believes, for
the moment anyway, that he's committed mass-murder; as well as the
assault causing grievous harm to the parents of his best friend."
"He needs to be sat down and made to talk to a shrink," said Dan with
feeling. "The lad's suffering from a severe case of post traumatic stress
disorder."
"A... shrink?" asked Amelia.
"A psychologist," replied Emma. "Someone skilled in dealing with people
who have suffered a traumatic mental event leading to emotional
problems and worse."
One of the healers asked, "Errr... do you mean a mind healer?"
Emma shrugged and said, "If that's what you call someone capable of
helping another who has a mental problem, yes. The taking of a life by
someone with a high moral and ethical viewpoint as Harry, will be
traumatic to the person who does it. Harry believes he's killed, in one fell
swoop, about fifty people. That
would cause a major shock in even the most hardened warrior."
Harry came bolting back into the room and exclaimed to the Grangers,
"'Mione's coming! She screamed at me, though, when I woke her up. I
think she hurt my ears. Wow, she's loud!"
"Stupefy!"
Harry dropped to the ground as if he was pole-axed. One of the healers,
with his wand drawn, walked over and, using the Mobilicorpus Charm,
levitated Harry up and put him on the bed on the other side of Emma.
Then she uncorked a potion and, using a minor cantrip to make him
swallow, poured the potion down Harry's throat.
Looking up and seeing the Grangers looks of surprise, she said, "A
stunning spell, followed by a potion to keep him asleep and thinking
pleasant thoughts. We'll call for a mind healer for him, shortly."
Amelia said, "Make sure the mind healer you bring in is aware Harry is,
pretty much, a Master Occlumens with formidable mental defences.
Delving into his mind without permission may get him, or her, hurt."
The healer looked back in surprise. "At his age?" she asked.
Amelia simply nodded. "He is Lord Slytherin, after all."
Hermione entered just in time to see Harry secured into bed in pyjamas.
"Mum! Dad!" she exclaimed, slightly out of breath with her clothes
slightly askew. "Harry said you were awake! At least, that's what I think
he said."
"And, as you can see, Pumpkin, we are," said Dan as his daughter speed-
walked across to hug him.
"I was so worried," she said with tears in her eyes. And walked around
her father's bed to give her Mum a hug, as well.
"What's wrong with Harry?" she asked.
"Stress, honey," said her Mum. "The doctors are going to deal with that
soon."
"I was asleep," said Hermione. "Next thing I know, someone's jumped on
top of me and was shaking me by my shoulders, yelling at me that you
were awake. I think I screamed at him before he ran back out the door.
He scared the life out of me!"
Smiling, Dan said, "We got that - well, most of it, really - from Harry, a
few seconds ago."
Interrupting, one of the healers said, "Well, it looks like your magical
cores have stabilised at about one-fifty on the Merlin scale. But, we're not
going to know for sure until they've finished recharging back to peak
level. Whatever that happens to be"
Frowning, Hermione said, "But, Healer, my parents aren't magicals. They
don't have magical cores."
Sighing, the healer replied, "And yet another child trying to tell me my
job. I assure you, Miss; both of your parents have magical cores. I can
only fathom that both of your parents probably had existing magical
cores, but that both have been boosted when Lord Slytherin hit them
with a continuous stream of highly charged pure magic. Their levels now
register them as a true witch and wizard."
"But," stuttered Hermione, "We had them tested! There was nothing
there!"
"Tested, Miss?" asked one of the healers, frowning.
"Lady Hermione Jean Granger. Lady Ravenclaw," replied Hermione, off-
handedly. "We had them both tested at Saint Mungo's less than a month
ago. I was trying to work out how I came to be Lady Ravenclaw when
both of my parents were supposed to be non-magicals. Neither registered
as having a magical core."
Now very interested, one of the healers asked, "And they were tested at
Saint Mungo's? Who ran the tests?"
Hermione distractedly shook her head. "I don't remember. But, it was a
Thursday afternoon. About three to four weeks ago."
The healer jotted it down and said, "Thank you. We'll check their files. If
what you say is true, then we've found the first ever case of a muggle
turning into a magical."
"Non-magical!" snapped Hermione. "Her Majesty doesn't like the term
'muggle'. It's offensive."
Not knowing what else to say, the healer replied, "Errr... my apologies.
Non-magical it is, then,... My Lady."
"Miss Granger... Lady Ravenclaw," scolded Headmistress McGonagall.
"Please show the healers some modicum of respect. After all, it's apparent
this is the first time they've ever seen anything like this. Clearly, they're
as shocked as everyone else."
Suitably abashed, Hermione said to the healers, "Sorry. I was just worried
about my parents."
"Understandable," said the healer. "However, it now gives us the
opportunity to find their baseline in their files at Saint Mungo's. If you'll
excuse me, I'm going to go to the hospital and collect those files."
With that, he turned on his heel and made his way to the main fireplace
before floo-ing away.
Turning to the Grangers, another healer asked, "I take it we'll be able to
find you two here if we need to talk to you again?"
Looking at their daughter, who nodded, Dan replied, "We have other
business we also need to attend - our own dental practice - but it looks
like we'll be spending time here as well."
"Well, we need to make sure your... new... magical cores are stabilised..."
he said before giving a shrug. "We're on new ground here. We have no
idea what's going to happen. All we can suggest is you don't go anywhere
without an emergency portkey to Saint Mungo'sor here, and a witch or
wizard capable of side-along apparating. Frankly, we're completely
stumped."
Dan just snorted and said, "Don't feel so bad about it, though. Even Her
Majesty is... astonished... by what young Harry over there does."
"Once we're finally able to figure out what happened... and I don't intend
to stop until I do... this'll make the lead story in 'Magical Medicine'," said
the healer. "We're all going to be famous."
Emma snorted and said, "Knowing someone as famous young Harry over
there..." she gestured towards Harry... "I'd really rather not have my name
bandied about in a medical magazine or journal."
Confused, the healer said, "Yes. Lord Slytherin. I understand he'd be
famous being the heir of one of the four founders but... I don't
understand."
Hermione said, "Harry is Lord Harry James Potter, Earl of Slytherin; Peer
of the Realm; Head of the Most Noble and Most Ancient House of
Slytherin; Head of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter;
apparently, Head of the Most Ancient House of Gaunt; Scion of the Noble
and Most Ancient House of Black; the Boy-Who-Lived; and, now, the Boy-
Who-Destroyed-Voldemort. He utterly hates his fame, and wishes people
would just like to get to know the boy named Harry, and be just Harry."
"Sweet Merlin!" the healer exclaimed.
"Indeed," said Amelia. "So, it would be appreciated by him if you bowed
to his wishes, got over the whole Boy-Who-Lived attitude, and just called
him 'Harry'."
"I... think I can do that," said the healer. The other one simply nodded.
# # #
An hour later, the Grangers were allowed out of bed and were escorted to
the owners' suites by Hermione just before lunchtime. They left Harry in
the infirmary asleep with Professor Snape. However, when the Potions
Master awoke, and very quickly saw Harry lying in a bed of his own,
demanded to be released immediately.
With imprecations from Poppy and the other healers about using any
magic until his core built up again, Severus snarled he was more likely to
hex 'the Potter boy' if forced to remain in the infirmary rather than be
released. Besides, he reminded her, the heirs had said adults could not be
forced to remain in the infirmary if they chose to leave.
Knowing the Potions Master's... discomfort... around Harry, Poppy
allowed him to leave. However, she insisted he return if he felt even the
slightest discomfort.
Rising from the bed, he frowned and looked down at his arm where the
dark mark was. Drawing up the sleeve he found nothing more than
unblemished skin. He hadn't realised, until then, he was finally free of
the Mark. It left him sitting on the edge of the bed, speechless.
It wasn't until Poppy looked over towards him for a moment, and noticed
him still sitting on the edge of the bed looking at his bare arm, that she
ordered him out. She didn't know he'd once had the mark and had
proceeded to chivvy the man out of the infirmary.
Severus knew Harry was probably the one responsible for it disappearing
and was decidedly unhappy he had yet another debt he owed the boy.
He stomped out of the infirmary and returned to his private quarters off
his potions lab.
# # #
In the owners' common room, over a private late breakfast early lunch,
brunch, Sirius was telling the Grangers with enthusiasm how much fun it
was to be a wizard or witch.
Offering Dan his own wand, Sirius suggested, "See if you can feel
anything from it."
Frowning, Dan said, "There's a tingle. Almost, but not quite, like a
thrum."
"That's good," said Sirius with some surprise. "Now, hold it aloft a little
with the tip pointing straight up. Feel if you can push a little of your
magic into it, and say 'Lumos'."
As instructed, Dan held the wand with the tip pointing up, tried to feel
his magic being pushed into it, and said, "Lumos!"
The wand tip glowed quite brightly.
Sirius, quite pleased, then instructed, "Now, allow your magic to relax,
and say 'Nox'."
"Nox!" said Dan in wonder. The tip extinguished.
Hermione was looking at her father quite pleased. "Well done, Daddy!"
she squealed.
Offering the wand to Emma, Dan said, "Here, honey. You try."
Emma, remembering what Sirius had told her husband, frowned when it
was in her hand. "I don't feel much of anything at all," she said.
"Definitely no thrumming or something like that."
Nodding, Sirius said, "Try the Lumos Charm, anyway, Mrs Granger. Wand
tip pointing straight up. Try to push with your magic. And say, "Lumos'."
Emma did as instructed but only saw the tip glow just a little.
Emma sighed and passed the wand back to her husband, who passed it
back to Sirius.
Thinking, Sirius looked about the room. With the flash of an idea, he
turned to Hermione and said, "Perhaps we may see an improvement if
she tries your wand, Miss Granger." Sirius was in full Professor mode.
Hermione drew her wand out of her sleeve and offered it, handle first, to
her mother.
Taking it in her hand, Emma's eyes opened wide in surprise. "Oh! Now I
know what you meant by a thrum."
Sirius instructed, "Try the Lumos Charm again, please, Mrs Granger."
This time, the wand tip lit up even brighter than Dan's attempt. Emma
almost forgot the cancelling Charm, 'Nox'.
Remus said, "Well, if there was ever a test to see if you were Magicals,
that was it. You're definitely a wizard and a witch."
Hermione came over and gave both of her parents a hug. "Oh, wow! This
is so great!" she said.
"We'll need to take you both to Ollivander's to get your own wands," said
Sirius. "I'd be honoured if you'd allow me to escort you both, when you're
of a mind to go."
"Actually," said Dan, "Emma's going to need to get in to the surgery
before we do anything else, to let them know she's safe. She was
supposed to be at work, this morning."
Sitting forward, Emma exclaimed, "Oh, bugger!"
"Mum!" exclaimed Hermione.
"Sorry, dear," said Emma distractedly. "Someone's going to need to take
Dan and I home, first. I need to get changed."
"I can do that," said Hermione, thinking. "Professors Black and Lupin have
classes until this afternoon. And, besides, I'm the only one to have
experience of the mundane world and can dress and act, appropriately. I
also know where the dental surgery is and can side-along apparate Mum
to the laneway just around the corner, to speed things up a bit."
"You do realise," said Remus to the Grangers. "Now that you're a witch
and wizard, you can fully integrate yourself into our society. You really
no longer need your dental business."
Shaking his head, Dan said, "I don't want to give up the practice. We've
worked too hard to walk away from it."
"Well," said Remus. "You're going to need to develop at least some skill in
using magic. If you don't, you're going to have periods of accidental
magic, and that places you at risk of breaking the Statute of Secrecy, to
which you're now bound."
Taking the conversation from there, Sirius said, "For at least a couple of
months, you're going to need some intensive training in using your
magic. I know it's short notice, but can you find a replacement for the
both of you for that period of time?"
Thinking hard, Hermione asked, "What about after hours schooling?"
Frowning, Sirius asked her, "What do you mean?"
"Well," replied Hermione. "In the mundane world, when someone wants
to better themselves, or learn a new skill, they often take classes after
work. Some call it Night School."
"That means," said Dan, "We maintain our existing, non-magical, lives as
dentists during the day. Then, in the evenings, we study magic."
Laughing, he said, "It would be like having a secret identity like a comic
book hero!"
"And you call this 'Night School'?" asked Remus.
"Uh-hmm," nodded Emma.
Neville leaned forward and asked, "May I offer some suggestions?"
"Sure!" replied Dan, first in.
"Okay," said Neville holding up his hand and beginning to tick things off
on his fingers. "Now that the entire Granger family are Magicals, they can
now get the Granger home connected to the floo. That means they can
have instant access through to here once it's connected," he gestured at
the fireplace. "We have plenty of teaching staff, and will soon have more.
So, I think at least one or two of them would leap at the chance of
teaching magic, in the evenings, to the world's first people who were...
converted... from non-magicals to magicals. This will also be the perfect
place to do it, as those healers you two have made all excited will have
access to the infirmary, and direct access to Saint Mungo's."
Leaning forward herself, from where she'd returned to her seat, Hermione
said, "It also means you can spend the evenings here and have dinner
with us. As it's our castle, no one can whinge about how you're getting a
'free feed'."
"And," said Susan, putting her own views in, "We're not going to be able
to keep what happened secret for very long. We can't even tell people
you were magicals all along because, when the truth does come out - and
we know it will - they're going to know we lied. And we need people to
trust us.
"Those healers are also going to want to write papers on what happened
to you two. When they get published, Master Healers from around the
world are going to want to come and see you. Here, in the castle, we can
protect you from much of it."
Sirius sighed and said, "Harry despises being known as the Boy-Who-
Lived. That's going to be nothing compared to being the 'Muggles-Who-
Became-Magicals'."
Susan said, "And we still don't know... no one knows... if this is going to
be permanent, or not. If we can convince one of the Master Healers who
has already seen you to come and visit each night and on weekends for at
least a little while, just to check on you, we'll be prepared and have you
close by if something starts to go wrong."
"And, it shouldn't interfere with you and your dental surgery," said
Hermione. "Though, you may need to cut back on the number of patients
you see in the afternoons."
Dan sighed and said, "As a medical professional, I can see the wisdom in
what you're saying. But, as a business owner and operator, I can see this
is going to cause a sizable... dent... in our financial state of affairs. Plus,
we also have social lives and a network of friends... non-magical friends...
who are going to start asking questions about why our routine has
suddenly drastically altered. I'm already getting a lot of grief from them
about how I took a sudden two month vacation from our practice and
didn't go anywhere."
Hermione said, "That's why magicals and non-magicals don't normally
mix. And, it's why magical-born tend to despise mundane-borns. They
think mundane-borns are far more likely than they to break the Statute of
Secrecy. The problem is, they're right.
"For example, a mundane-born witch or wizard is in the mundane world
walking down a street. They see a small child run out into the road and
just about to be hit by a car. Out of instinct, the mundane-born witch or
wizard summons the child to them. How do they then explain that to the
witnesses?
"That's where the Ministry's Obliviation Squad comes in. They have no
choice but to obliviate all the non-magicals of the event, and serve the
mundane-born witch or wizard with a notice of the breach of the Statute.
Any further incidences will likely see the mundane-born serve time in
prison."
"So, that's why most mundane-borns, when they can't secure employment
in Magical Britain, head overseas!" mused Susan. "I couldn't understand
or figure out why so many did that."
Neville, who had been thinking, was frowning at the rings Harry had
made and Emma and Dan were still wearing. "Mr and Mrs Granger?" he
asked.
"Hmmm?" asked Dan.
"Were you wearing those rings your whole time in the infirmary?" asked
Neville.
Dan looked down at his ring and twisted it with his off hand. "I guess so,
why?"
"I think it's what may have been... confusing the healer's scans," mused
Neville. "Take them off, please."
Dan, followed by Emma, removed the rings and placed them on the
coffee table, frowning in confusion.
"Do you still see the castle?" asked Neville.
"Of course," replied Dan.
Neville shook his head and said, "There is no, 'of course' here, Sir. Before
the... accident, those rings were the only thing allowing you to see the
castle. That you can still see it, even from inside it, means your magical
cores are definitely still in place. Magic would not have allowed you to
see it if you weren't magicals. From what I understand, you would now
think you were sitting on something inside the ruins of an old castle."
Remus sat back forward and said, "I think we need to get you two back to
the infirmary and have a healer rescan your cores. Neville is probably
right in that the rings may have been affecting the scans they've done on
you."
"That sounds like a wise course of action, to me," said Susan.
"Right, then," said Dan standing up. "We should do that now."
The entire group then made their way out of the owner's common room
and back to the infirmary.
# # #
Back in the infirmary, Harry was at the back of the room with an elderly
looking witch. Both were sitting in large-sized matching armchairs with a
small occasional table between them and sipping on tea. The elderly
witch had a dicta-quill running close by.
The elderly witch was the mind healer the healer who had left, and since
returned, had sent back to talk to Harry. He was going over how he felt
and why he needed to be arrested. She was not telling him anything;
rather, she was simply asking questions. Harry felt some of them were
inconsequential, but he couldn't help but answer her questions. He found
her to be quite the nice lady.
What Harry didn't know was that she had laced his tea with a very mild
form of Veritaserum and a mild Compulsion potion and Calming Draught.
When the Granger-party walked back in they headed to talk to the three
healers. The one who had left had returned and brought another pair of
medical files with him. Both Minerva and Amelia had already left.
"Ah!" asked the first healer, "Has something happened?"
Dan shook his head and replied, "No. However, young Neville, here,
pointed out how we were wearing... enchanted... rings that allowed us to
see that which is normally hidden to non-magicals by magic. He thinks it
may have been interfering with your scans."
With a slight frown, the healer asked, "Do you have the rings with you?"
Dan pulled them out of his coat pocket and handed them over. The healer
passed his wand over them and frowned. "It's possible," he mused. "Would
you mind lying back down on the beds again? I think we should do
another scan."
As the Grangers were climbing back onto the beds again, the healer
explained to his colleagues what he'd been told. The three of them
rescanned both Grangers and moved slightly away to discuss their
findings.
On their return, the first healer said, "Well, it seems the rings have
confused our readings. As of right now, your much more stable cores are
showing a Merlin scale reading of a little over 200 points. And, they're
still slowly, but steadily, rising."
"Do you know when it's going to stop?" asked Dan.
"No," replied another healer. "So, we'd like you to come back this evening
and we'll perform another scan. And we'll keep doing them until it
steadies at whatever level it reaches. As we said earlier, this is all new to
us."
The third healer said, "We've also had a chance to peruse your files from
when you attended Saint Mungo's. And we apologise for disbelieving you,
Lady Ravenclaw, when you said they didn't have a magical core. The files
show they clearly didn't."
Hermione bobbed her head in acceptance.
The second healer said, "At some time, we'd really like you to come to
Saint Mungo'sso we can put you through our MMRI machine so we can
perform a full body scan on each of you. As you were both mug... errr...
non-magicals until this happened, we'd like to see how the magical
pathways have established throughout your bodies."
Dan looked at Emma before turning back and saying, "We can do that.
However, it would probably be somewhat pointless until our.. cores...
settle down, anyway. Right?"
"Correct, Sir," said the healer.
"In that case," said Dan sitting up and swinging his legs around to sit on
the edge of the bed, "as long as there isn't any imminent likelihood of us
dying or anything, we'll come back after dinner this evening. If that's
okay?"
"Yes, Sir," replied the healer.
Dan nodded and said, "We need to get home and visit our own practice to
let them know we've not simply disappeared off the face of the Earth.
And to cancel our appointments for the next few days."
"Plus," said Emma, also now sitting on the edge of the bed, "I've been told
we should go and get ourselves a wand each."
Surprised, the healer replied, "That's probably a good idea. But, please,
make sure someone accompanies you at all times. At least for the next
twenty four hours, or so."
Both Dan and Emma nodded. Dan said, "Thank you."
As the party were walking back out the doors, Emma noticed Hermione
was not with them. Turning back she saw her daughter looking to the
back of the room at Harry with a look of worry on her face.
"Hermione?" she called.
Turning, Hermione just looked at her mother.
"The healer will take care of him, dear," said Emma. "You're going to
need to trust in them to do right by Harry. Now, come on. You need to
take us home."
Hermione sighed a little and followed her mother out of the infirmary.
# # #
After shuttling her parents home, apparating right into the living room,
the Granger adults had a quick shower, changed into non-magical clothes
and packed a small travel case each, and giving their owl, Mir Curie, a
feed before sending it on to Hogwarts.
Hermione then took them to a quiet laneway near their dental practice
where they walked the short distance. They organised for their patients
to be told they wouldn't be able to see them for a few days, claiming a
mild strain of Rubella for their staff to give as an excuse. Hermione
waited outside in the laneway with their bags.
They headed back into the lane where they arrived, and Hermione
apparated them directly back to the castle to drop off their bags in the
owners' common room before they floo'ed to Diagon Alley. It was still a
secret the four heirs could apparate and they didn't want other magicals
to see them arrive that way.
In Ollivander's both received their first wands, without the trace, and
Hermione paid for them using her ring. They left Ollivander in a great
deal of shock as he vividly remembered the two adults from when they
came in with Hermione to pick up hers. He was stumped how he couldn't
sense them having a magical core each then, but could now.
A quick bite to eat in the Leaky Cauldron of a wonderful thick soup and
crusty bread, they chatted over a few inconsequential things.
As they'd been able to move through their business so fast, Hermione
suggested they go in to the Ministry to the Department of Magical
Transportation to have their home connected to the floo network. They
also organised for the fireplace in their home to be magically enlarged
and charmed to appear as it normally was when not in use. Again,
Hermione paid for it using her ring.
The Grangers left with a small bag of floo powder and the promise the
floo would be connected in a couple of days. They had been quite
amused with the various people in the Ministry, and what they'd seen,
when they left.
They arrived back at the castle in plenty of time before the last classes
were dismissed.
Back in the owners' common room, Hermione found Neville and Susan
talking animatedly with Sirius, Remus and Professor Vector. "Professor
Vector?" asked Hermione. "What brings you here?"
"Lady Hufflepuff asked me to stop by and go over some notes she and
Professor Lupin have been writing," the dark skinned witch replied.
"They've been trying to go through the arithmancy to see if they can find
the answer to how your parents became magicals."
"And, what did you find?" asked Hermione.
"We've found we've little idea," she replied, shaking her head. "And we're
not likely to, either."
Susan said, "The only facts we have is that Harry stripped Riddle of all his
magic and, through him, drained all the magic out of about fifty Death
Eaters. We also know that all that magic sprayed out of the back of his
shoulder, and that most of it struck the Grangers full-on. From what we
can conceive, no one has ever been hit with that much pure magic before.
"To measure it, we'd need to know how big on the Merlin scale each of
the Death Eaters and Riddle rated. However, if we were to use the mean
average with Riddle sitting at about 950 - and we got that from records -
then your parents were hit with a significant portion of what would rate
at about 33,500 Merlin points of magic. Of that, we think about two
thirds didn't hit them directly, or was bounced off. That still leaves about
11,000 points of magic power hitting them full-on."
"In other words," said the Professor. "We think your parents were directly
struck with about the same amount of magic as the entire magical core's
worth of seventeen individual magic users. And that doesn't include
whether or not what missed them and hit the wall didn't also contribute.
The numbers are staggering in their enormity.
"As they were not covered with the... crystallised magic... like the wall
was, the only thing we can surmise is that their bodies simply absorbed it.
The pure magical energy then... changed... their bodies to become
magical." Professor Vector then leaned back, still quite astonished by
what they'd been able to surmise from their arithmancy and summations.
"If Lord Slytherin had tried to absorb the magic he pulled out of Tom
Riddle, it would have consumed him."
Neville frowned and said, "I wonder..."
Susan asked, "'I wonder'... what?"
"Harry knew that Hermione wished that her parents were also magicals,"
he explained. "He also knew that they couldn't... shouldn't... have wards
up about their home to protect them from magical attack. We also know
that magic is inherently intent-based. If, when pulling the magic out
through his own body, he had in the back of his mind he wished for her
parents to be magical to make Hermione happy..."
"... Then the magic coming out of the back of his shoulder that hit the
Grangers possibly held that intent," continued Susan. "So, when the pure
magical energy struck them, it acted with that intent from Harry. And,
set to work."
"Dear Merlin!" said a clearly shocked Professor Vector. "It's quite
possible."
Susan stood up and said, "I'm going to go talk to the healers. Care to join
me, Professor?"
"Yes... yes..." said the Professor standing, straightening her robes and
heading out the door. "Excuse us, please." And they were gone.
Hermione, about to follow them, heard Neville call her name. "Huh?" she
asked.
"How did it go at your dental practice and Diagon Alley?" he asked.
"Good," said Hermione. "They've informed their practice they're going to
be unavailable for the next few days, and Ollivander fitted them both for
wands. We also went into the Ministry and put into motion getting the
fireplace at home connected to the floo network. How's it been here?"
Shrugging, Neville replied, "Don't know. Sirius and I went to Black Manor
and found the book Harry got Riddle to tell us probably had the spell
Lestrange used to put my parents into a coma after torturing them. He's
looking through it now."
"And I think I've found it," replied Sirius. "We, too, need to speak with the
healers." And he rose from where he was sitting. "Coming, Neville?"
This time Hermione was just starting to follow them when her father
called to her, "Pumpkin?"
"Yes, Dad?" she asked hesitating to talk to him. "I know you want to go
and see how Harry and your friends are doing; but, would you mind
showing us where we're going to sleep tonight, first?"
"Oh!" said Hermione a bit embarrassed. "Hang on." And she asked the
castle to arrange a married persons' suite near where they were.
*Pop* "Yes, Missy Claw?" asked the house elf that had just popped in.
Hermione looked down at it and said, "I've just asked Lady Hogwarts to
prepare a married persons' suite near where we are. Do you know where
it is?"
"Yes, Missy Claw!" replied the house elf. "We's just making place ready
now."
Nodding, Hermione asked, "Can you please show us the way?"
"Yes, Missy Claw!" replied the house elf. "You'se follow Fizzy. Fizzy takes
you."
And the little elf dashed across to the door. Hermione followed but was
stopped by her father asking, "Ummm... Pumpkin? Where did our bags
go?"
Hermione just smiled and said, "Follow me, and I'll show you."
Only about fifty metres down the passage there was a painting with an
older couple waiting in it. "Ah!" said the man in it. "I take it you're to be
our new guests?"
Without answering, Hermione turned to her father and said, "These are
my parents, Dan and Emma Granger, they will be your guests for the next
few days at least. I also want the room to be set aside for them on a
permanent basis."
Both images in the paintings nodded and the woman said, "Then,
welcome, dears. You can set the password for your suite barring entry to
others by giving it to the painting of Colonel Thruppence inside the
sitting room."
Though, Hermione and Dan were now used to talking paintings, Emma
wasn't as much. "Ummm... thank you," she said with a bit of a stutter.
"You're welcome, dear," said the painted woman. The painting clicked
and swung open into the passageway a little.
Hermione grabbed the edge of the frame and pulled it wide open. She
then ushered her parents inside.
Pulling the door behind her she indicated the portrait of the Colonel,
"You'll need to tell him the password you want for the door. You'll need a
password to stop the Weasley twins from coming in, at least. Those two
consider themselves the resident castle pranksters, and would consider
coming in here a challenge that they simply cannot ignore."
"Shall we have a look around while you consider a password?" she asked.
The suite had the small living room they were in, a bathroom, a toilet off
the bathroom, a large bedroom with a small walk-in robe and direct
access to the bathroom, a kitchen cum dining room and a small study. It
was all tastefully furnished but, as with the owner's suites, the furniture
was all antiquated.
The first one into the bathroom, Emma saw what was tastefully arranged
on the vanity. "Dan?" she called.
"Yes, dear?" he replied having a look into the bedroom from the door
between the living room and the bedroom. "All our bathroom things are
already here."
Dan walked into the bathroom from the door between the bedroom and
bathroom and said, "Then you'll probably want to come and have a look
at this."
Leading her into the bedroom he showed her their night clothes laid on
the bed and the rest of their clothing in the walk in wardrobe.
"But, how?" asked Emma.
"The house elves, dear," he replied with a smile. "They tend to anticipate
your every need." With a bit of a chuckle he said, "No more housework
for you, my darling, while there are house elves around."
While Hermione waited for them near the portrait hole, the Grangers
finished their exploration.
"Decided on your password yet?" she asked her father.
"Yes," Dan simply replied. He walked up to the portrait and said,
"Colonel, we have the password for you."
"Oh, jolly good, old boy," it replied.
"The password is Gingivitis," said Dan.
"Gingivitis!" said the Colonel. "Excellent!"
Hermione smiled and said, "I really want to go and visit with Harry for a
little while. Do you want to come along? I think we've still got about two
hours before the evening meal in the Great Hall. Or, would you prefer to
explore for a bit?"
"I think we'd like to explore for a bit, sweetheart," replied Dan. "You don't
mind, do you?"
"Of course, not, Dad," replied Hermione. "I understand you've spent
enough time in the infirmary for your stay here. Just call for a house elf
if you get lost while you're exploring. They'll show you the way."
"Thank you, Pumpkin," said Dan, as Hermione opened the portrait main
door, stepped out and closed it behind herself.
Just standing there, Dan turned to Emma and asked, "Ummm...how do
you feel, Darling?"
Looking back at her husband, she replied, "I'm happy. Except for being
poked and prodded in the infirmary by those... healers... I've managed to
see the school where my daughter is learning magic."
"No," replied Dan. "Well, yeah; I guess I'm happy, too. I mean... how do
you feel... physically, I mean."
Frowning a bit, Emma said, "Now that you mention it, I feel... alive."
With that she grinned a little and said, "I feel like I used to feel when I
was in my early twenties. You know, when we were... just getting to
know each other." And a wide smile broke out on her face.
"Me, too!" said Dan happily. "I feel I like I could run to the moon or back.
Or, you know... do something else!"
With a sly grin, Emma asked, "Are you feeling... frisky, husband mine?"
"Hell, yes!" he replied.
"Me too!" she replied with a gleeful squeal, before running into the
bedroom.
Dan charged after her and slammed the door shut behind himself.
# # #
Down in the infirmary Harry had only recently finished talking with the
mind healer. He was surprised with how much time she spent with him.
They even had lunch together.
What Harry didn't know was that the mind healer had returned to Saint
Mungo's to write up her report for Madam Bones, and a copy for Harry's
near-new medical file kept at Saint Mungo's.
When Hermione came in she hurried over to where Harry was gathering
a few things preparing to leave the infirmary. Together, they walked over
to talk to the healers, who had set up a wide table in the middle of the
room and were sitting around it with various sheets of parchment. Susan
and Professor Vector had recently left and they were now talking to
Neville and Sirius.
Neville was nearly bouncing out of his seat in nervous excitement, while
Sirius and the healers were going over a particular curse in the large
book Sirius had opened in front of them.
Conjuring two chairs for he and Hermione at the table, Harry said, "Hi,
everyone." And sat down.
"Good to see you feeling better, Harry," said Sirius. "Have a nice time
talking to the nice lady?"
"Yeah, she was actually pretty easy to talk to," replied Harry. "She
explained how I couldn't be at fault for what happened to the Death
Eaters because there was no way I could have known. Except, I think I
should have known considering how much power I drew out of Tom.
We're at a bit of an impasse there.
"But I'm not responsible, mentally, for what happened to the Grangers
because that was just my body and my magic trying to protect me by not
trying to hold on to all that magic to myself. If I had tried then it would
have killed me way before I was done. And Riddle would have escaped,
and found a willing host.
"However, I hurt them. I think I should have asked the castle to put up a
ward to protect them. But, she said any ward I put up would have failed
anyway," he sighed.
Shaking his head, one of the healers said, "We just had Lady Hufflepuff -
and I'm still trying to get used to that, by the way - and Professor Vector
in here with a theory about what happened, Lord Slytherin. However,
while we recognised the flaw in their thoughts surrounding the subject, it
gave us a lead as to what actually happened."
"Oh?" asked Harry.
Nodding, the healer replied, "They believed you had unconsciously had
the magic turn them into magicals. The flaw in that was that you were
already casting a spell, drawing the magic out of V... Riddle, at the time.
So, you couldn't also have been casting a second spell turning the
Grangers into magicals. Besides, the magic that struck the Grangers
wasn't spell magic; it was core magic, unchanged into spell magic. Lady
Hufflepuff's and Professor Vector's calculations led us to a different
theory.
"Instead, what we believe happened, is the magic struck them and
entered their bodies still as core magic. As core magic can only exist in a
human body in a magical core, a part of the magic created a new core in
each of them so that it could remain within them. It built the cores where
none existed, then probably all the relevant magical pathways - but, we
won't be able to properly determine that until we get them into our
MMRI machine at Saint Mungo's - and settled in as if it was home. Our
surface scans, however, show all the relevant pathways to be there.
"So, how are they doing?" asked Harry a bit nervously.
"As far as we can tell, they're fine," replied the healer. "Their bodies are
showing no sign of the core magic dissipating. Instead, it appears their
cores are getting stronger. Now their cores are drawing the magic from
the ley lines and ambient magic just as other magicals do. The only thing
we don't know, at this time, is just how big their magical cores actually
are because they're still recharging; or, charging up for the first time.
We'll have a better idea when they stop charging up."
Frowning, Harry asked, "So, they're going to stay magicals then?"
"It definitely appears that way," said the healer, firmly.
Harry sagged back in relief. Before he then sat forward again. "A...And
how do they feel about that? Are they upset with me about it?"
Hermione snorted and said, "Hell, no! I think they're over the moon,
actually. They're definitely not unhappy."
"Where are they now?" asked Harry. "I really should apologise to them for
placing them in harm's way like that."
"You apologised to them, this morning, Harry," replied Hermione. "I also
had Hogwarts open a small apartment for them just down the corridor
from ours. They're going to stay with us for a few days as the healers
want them close by to monitor the... growth... the filling of their new
magical cores."
"And... ummm... where did Madam Bones go?" asked Harry. "I really
need..."
Interrupting, one of the other healers said, "She said that if you still
believed you should be under arrest, then you should consider yourself
under house arrest and remain here in the castle until you're called for."
"Besides," said the third healer, "you should be here for if Healer
Smethwyck, the nice lady you talked to, returns tomorrow. She enjoys
talking with you."
"Oh," said Harry. "Good, then."
"Now that that's out of the way," said Neville. "Sirius and I went to Black
Manor and found the book Riddle told you about."
"Book?" asked Harry. "Oh, the one you asked Tom about that related to
what's going on with your parents."
"Yep!" said Neville. "And, we found it! It was in the Black library where
he thought it was. Sirius brought it back with us!"
"So, there's a chance we can wake your parents up?" asked Harry,
hopefully.
"Not you, Lord Slytherin," replied the third healer before Neville could
say anything. "That will be handled carefully by those of us at Saint
Mungo's who are experienced with long term coma patients waking up.
"If we can reverse the effects of the curse, it'll take us at least three days
to get them fully awake. And, even then, it will take careful handling of
both patients to get them back to health."
"No... no..." said Harry. "Of course not us. You know this better than us. I
should have thought of that myself."
The healer just sighed in exasperation. "Really, Lord Slytherin. You keep
wanting people to not believe all the stories written about you; and then,
you go and behave like this."
"Which reminds me," said one of the healers. "You should also let us have
a look at all those injuries you've suffered you related in your book. We
may be able to do something about healing the injuries."
Harry firmly shook his head. "Too much to do; too little time to do it in.
Besides, Her Majesty has given me a task to do and I'm on a mission to
get it done."
"Need I remind you, Lord Slytherin," the healer pointed out, "You're
currently under house arrest; for, at least, the next few days."
Harry grumbled a bit and grouched, "Fine! But I'm going to have the
evening meal in the Great Hall first! The students need to see that I'm
healthy and alive. After what happened yesterday, rumours are going to
be flying..."
#BOOM!#
# # #
27. Harry's Reward
Chapter Twenty-Seven - Harry's Reward
# # #
#BOOM!#
# # #
Harry was out of his chair in a shot. He was already almost through the
doors before the others at the table were even moving, as the sound of an
explosion reverberated through the castle.
Running down the corridor the paintings were guiding his way. He
skidded on the flagstones as he hit a cross corridor, the one that led to
the owners' suites. As he started running he was only just in time to see
Remus trying to get behind a portrait.
He remembered Hermione telling him her parents were in a suite just up
from the owners' suites. That appeared to be where Remus was trying to
get into.
Skidding to a halt next to Remus, he yelled, "Open!" And the painting
swung open.
Remus bolted in, hesitated barely a moment, and bolted to a doorway
across the other side of the room and off to one side. The door to the
room was laying propped against a couch. Harry was not far behind him.
As Remus skidded to a halt just inside the doorway, Harry heard a loud
shriek and some male cursing. Harry skidded to a halt alongside his
honoraryuncle and looked at the scene of devastation within the room.
The canopy bed was a shambles, the windows had been blown outwards,
and a piece of one of the broken canopy posts had hit the wall and
smashed.
Sitting in the bed with the sheet and blankets pulled up were Dan and
Emma.
Dan was yelling at Remus and Emma was blushing furiously. Neither
appeared harmed.
Remus spun about in place and fixedly faced back out the door.
"What the hell happened?" asked Harry.
"We have no idea!" grumbled Dan. "We were... well, we were... Never you
mind, lad!"
Coming running into the room were the healers. While he was listening
to what Dan was trying to say, Remus had managed to scoop up Neville
and Hermione and walked them both back out the doorway.
"Oh, for goodness sakes!" said Dan exasperatedly.
The healers took one look at the Grangers and ordered Harry out of the
room.
As he stepped out, wondering what the hell had happened, Harry noticed
one of the healers repairing the door and doorframe. Another was trying
to repair the windows and the third was repairing the bed while Dan and
Emma were still in it.
Hermione was struggling in Remus's grip. "Let me go!" she cried. "They're
my parents. I need to see if they're alright!"
"They're fine, Hermione," replied Remus. "It looks like it was just a bout
of accidental magic, is all."
"Then why won't you let me go in there?!" she cried again.
"Because the healers are dealing with them, and you'll only get in their
way," the old wolf replied calmly. "You can go in when the healers are
finished and they say they're ready for visitors."
The healers were quite a while before they came back out. Two of them
were blushing furiously. All three were openly grinning.
Hermione came forward and asked, "Can I go in now? I need to make
sure for myself they're alright."
"They're fine," one of the healers replied. "It was just a bout of accidental
magic. They're just getting dressed and they'll be out soon."
Then the three of them left.
Hermione went back to her pacing where she'd been doing it after Remus
had released his grip on her.
Her parents came out not long afterwards. Emma was blushing and
grinning a bit sheepishly.
"What happened?" asked Hermione walking up to them to give them each
a hug. "I was so worried. The healers just said it was a bout of accidental
magic. But with your cores still so new I was worried it may have hurt
you. Are you feeling okay? Do you need to go to the infirmary?"
"We're fine, Pumpkin," replied Dan. "It was just accidental magic. Don't
worry about it."
Coughing a little Emma asked, "Umm... How about you take us on the
tour of the castle now. It seems young Harry has already left. Maybe you
should go and look for him, instead?"
"Harry's fine. Are you sure you're okay? We can go and search the castle
later, if you like. Maybe, after dinner?" asked Hermione.
"Look, Pumpkin," said Dan, drawing her attention to him. "I think your
mother and I would just like to go and take a little walk in the grounds
surrounding the castle. I think we'd both like to see if we can burn off
some energy before dinner. Okay?"
"Oh," replied their daughter. "Okay. I'm be next door in the owners'
common room. You can find me there. Is that alright? Are you sure you
don't need me to accompany you?"
"We'll be fine, love," replied Emma. "Run along, now, and join your
friends."
After giving her parents a quick kiss on the cheek each, Hermione left.
But, not before one last look back before she stepped out the exit.
Emma said, "When you make the earth move for me, Daniel, you don't
muck about."
Dan just snorted in embarrassed amusement. "At least the healers have
promised us they'll come back after we leave for dinner and cast spells to
strengthen everything and cast unbreakable spells on everything else. I,
for one, don't want to be interrupted like that again."
Emma chuckled.
# # #
An hour later, they knocked on the door of the owners' suites common
room and were allowed to enter by Neville. The boy flat out grinned at
them. They could tell he had a fair idea what they'd been doing. Emma
blushed again, but decided to say nothing to the boy.
"Come in," said Neville. "We're about to head down to dinner, though."
"Yes, we know," said Dan. "We thought we'd walk in with you. That way
you can direct us where to sit."
"Hi, Mum and Dad," called Hermione from where she was sitting on the
couch across from the coffee table. "You can sit with me at the Ravenclaw
table, if you like. Or, we can arrange for you to sit at the Head table with
Sirius and Remus. Which would you prefer?"
"I... uh... think we should sit with the adults tonight, Pumpkin," replied
Dan. "We can sit with you tomorrow, if you like."
"Okay," said Hermione. "I have a feeling the four of us heirs are going to
get bombarded with questions from the students about what happened
yesterday morning, anyway." Calling a house elf, she said, "Two more for
the head table, please."
"Yes, Missy Claw!" said the elf, before popping away again.
"Are we ready, then?" asked Sirius. Getting no negative responses, he
said, "Good, let's go then," and rose to his feet.
Susan and Neville, closest to the door, led the way.
# # #
Sitting down for dinner at the Head of the Slytherin table, Harry could
see there were quite a few people missing.
"Where is everyone?" he asked Tracey.
"Ummm..." she stuttered. "Some of the students were allowed home to
attend... funerals. A...And spend time with their families."
"Oh, damn!" groaned Harry. "I forgot about that."
"Errr... My Lord?" she hesitantly asked.
"Yes?" groaned Harry from where he had his head bowed over the table.
"Thank you," she simply replied in a soft voice.
Harry snapped his head up and stared at her. "Thank you?" he asked.
"For making sure Vol... Tom Riddle will never come back again."
Those who heard Tracey immediately fell silent and stared at her and
Harry.
Harry hadn't noticed. His head was still bowed with his forearms on the
table. His hands, clenched.
"I killed them, Miss Dav..." he stuttered. "I killed them, Tracey. They all
died because of me."
Tracey hesitantly reached out and placed her hand over his. She gave it a
gentle squeeze.
"They were very bad people, My... Harry," she said softly but firmly.
"They were all guilty of very bad crimes."
"Yes, thank you, My Lord," said another, Blaise Zabini, reaching out and
touching Harry on the arm.
"I..." stuttered Harry. He didn't know what to tell them. He didn't know
how to respond.
"Thank you, my Lord," said Daphne Greengrass.
A second year, who had overheard, rose from where he was sitting and
came around. Placing his hand on Harry's shoulder, he said, "Thank you,
My Lord," before he moved off.
Another came forth. Harry didn't recognise them. "Thank you, My Lord,"
he, a male student, said in a stronger voice.
Others, including some from the Hufflepuff table, rose from their seats,
approached, and said, "Thank you, My Lord."
Tracey kept hold of his hand. She was pleased Harry hadn't pulled away.
More started to come forward. "Thank you, My Lord."
Soon, others from other house tables approached. Each one said, "Thank
you, My Lord."
The Head Table - indeed, all the other tables - stopped where they were
chatting before the food was served. The Head Table just watched.
Headmistress McGonagallsat with her hand to her mouth and was silently
crying. So were many others.
"Thank you, My Lord."
Harry sat in a daze.
"Thank you, My Lord."
On and on it went.
"Thank you, My Lord."
Every student in attendance, even Ron Weasley, came forward.
"Thank you, My Lord."
As the last of the students approached, gave their own thanks and moved
away again, the staff moved forward.
"Thank you, My Lord."
Harry just sat there in a stunned daze.
"Thank you, My Lord."
'Didn't these people realise he was a mass murderer?' he thought.
"Thank you, My Lord."
'He didn't even give them a chance to defeat him in combat. They died,
unable to defend themselves.'
"Thank you, My Lord."
As the staff returned to their places, Headmistress McGonagall stood and
said, "We've now all said our piece, and thanked our saviour..." Harry
winced. "... But, it's now time we were fed and watered. Heads of Houses,
if you please."
Hermione stood and commanded, "In the... way of Lord Slytherin; serve!"
Neville stood and commanded, "Serve!"
Susan stood and commanded, "Serve!"
Then, finally, Harry stood and softly commanded, "Serve."
And Headmistress McGonagall, still standing, said, "Serve!"
One by one the tables filled with a full serving of various courses. Head
table, last.
In front of him, the students began to load their plates. Noticing Harry
wasn't putting anything on his plate, Tracey began to load his for him.
"You need to eat, My Lord," she said. "Please, eat something."
Harry sighed, picked up his cutlery, and began to mechanically eat his
food.
He didn't even notice Tracey and Daphne, who sat opposite,
surreptitiously loading his plate with more and more food.
He was just thankful the meal finally ended so he could return to the
owners' common room.
Shortly thereafter, he took his leave and went to bed.
# # #
The next morning he felt a lot better, he even went down to breakfast
with a bit of a smile on his face.
Those who saw him thought it was because he had finally accepted he
wasn't to blame. Harry, though, knew it was the day he was scheduled to,
once again, visit Her Majesty. There, she would commit him to High
Justice.
What he wasn't expecting was what he read in the Daily Prophet. He
hadn't read it since the morning of his 'getting rid' of Tom Riddle for
good. He didn't know why he hadn't sought out a copy of it. He suspected
it was his subconscious refusing to think of it to read of his crimes.
He had also forgotten to speak with the others and draft a media release
inviting the media to, again, attend the castle. They had still promised to
answer their questions about what had happened. But, this time, it would
be just to answer questions.
However, he saw at the bottom of one of the stories where the Prophet
said they had received the 'invitation' and would be attending. He kept it
in his mind to talk to the others about it. And to thank them for getting it
done. He didn't want the bad press saying they'd lied and a media
conference wasn't going to be on, after all.
Looking around the Hall he noticed there was no sign of Neville, and
Sirius still hadn't arrived either. Susan and Hermione were in their places
and Remus was up at the Head Table. Dan and Emma were sitting at the
ends of the table either side of Hermione, and they were chatting
animatedly with both Hermione and some of the First Year students.
The paper also had an article about how Harry had turned two non-
magicals - the paper was finally using the term non-magical instead of
muggle (and Harry suspected Sirius's hand in that) - into magicals. It also
included a short statement from the healers saying it had never happened
before, and how they doubted it could possibly ever happen again.
Dobby had also popped by to let him know the amount of mail he had
been receiving had, once more, begun to increase. This morning, he had
received many more marriage proposals than normal. Some he knew he'd
already received during the period immediately after he started receiving
mail again. Obviously, people still thought him to be a 'good catch'.
This morning, it appeared everyone was willing to leave him alone to his
thoughts. Tracey and Daphne tried to engage him in polite conversation
but gave up when his answers were simple, almost always, one word
responses.
After he'd finished eating he walked across and, asking a First Year
Hufflepuff at the end of the table to slide across, sat down. The girl
looked upon him in awe.
"Susan?" he asked his colleague. "Where's Neville? Doesn't he normally
come down with you?"
Susan replied, "He and Sirius had an appointment at Saint Mungo'searly
this morning. I believe they're waking up Neville's parents, for the first
time."
"Oh!" said Harry, surprised. "I didn't realise they'd be able to try quite so
soon."
"Once they knew the spell that had put them into the coma," she said,
"they were quickly able to fashion another spell, combined with
treatments, to wake them up. Fawkes... sorry, Polaris... has gone to meet
them there. They're hoping his phoenix song will be able to help keep
them calm when they're first awoken."
"Oh, good," said Harry. "I hope all goes well with them. Neville and his
family have been just as much a victim of Dumbledore's manipulations as
me and my family."
Hesitating a moment, Susan looked directly at Harry and asked, "How are
you doing, Harry? I haven't had much of an opportunity to sit and talk
with you these past couple of days."
"Yeah. Good," replied Harry. "It'll all be over this afternoon. When we
visit with Her Majesty."
He didn't hear the First Year Hufflepuff girl next to him, a mundane-born,
gasp in shock.
Frowning, Susan asked, "Just what do you think is going to happen with
Her Majesty?"
"High Justice!" replied Harry firmly. "As a peer of her realm she has
clearly decided she will be the one to try me for my crimes."
Surprised by what he'd said, Susan just sat there for a few moments. Then
she reached out and smacked Harry in the back of the head.
"Ow!" said Harry, in surprise of his own, turning to look at her with a
hurt look on his face. "What'd you do that for?"
"That was for thinking you need to be punished," she replied, firmly.
"But," he spluttered, "I killed people, Suse! I killed a lot of them!"
She reached out and smacked him in the back of the head again. "Stop
it!"
"Ow! Suse!" he exclaimed.
"Harry James Potter!" she scolded him, not a little angry. "Promise me, that
you will accept what Her Majesty says. It will be Her decision and you
will respect it. Promise me!"
"Okay!" he replied somewhat hurt. "Damn, Suse; I promise, okay? I am Her
servant, after all."
Still glaring at him a little Susan just nodded her head once and said,
"Good. I accept your promise. Now, go back to your own table and stop
scaring my 'Puffs."
Feeling like a whipped puppy, Harry went back to his own table.
Tracey and Daphne, he wondered when he started thinking of them by
their first names rather than Miss Davies and Miss Greengrass, were quite
sympathetic for the way Susan had hit him.
# # #
After breakfast, Harry headed back to the infirmary. He had a morning
appointment with the lovely witch healer.
Walking in, he saw the Grangers had already beaten him there. There
was only one of the trio of healers that were working on them the past
two days, in attendance.
"How are they?" asked Harry.
"Good, actually," replied the healer looking pleased. "Their magical cores
still seem to be growing."
Frowning, Harry asked, "What are they up to, now?"
"Just under 500 Merlins," said the healer. "Mister Granger's core is
slightly larger than Mrs Granger's, at the moment. But, we think we know
why that is."
"Why?" asked Harry, quite curious.
"While their cores have been growing, or filling up, their magic has also
been working at healing them," the healer replied.
"Healing?" asked Harry, quite concerned. "I... hurt them... a lot?"
"Oh!" replied the healer in sudden understanding. "No, no. The magic is
healing... damage their bodies already had before the... incident."
"Harry," spoke up Dan. "He means the normal damage that happens to a
human body as it starts to get old. What he's referring to is the magic is
somehow de-aging our bodies. He thinks, once the magic has finished
doing its work, we'll look like a non-magical couple of about our mid-
twenties. At least, that's what a late thirties magical couple looks like."
"Oh," replied Harry in understanding. "That's good, then, right?"
With a wide grin Dan replied, "That's very good."
With a returning grin, Harry went to take a seat in 'his' version of the two
armchairs the nice mind healer witch had conjured for them yesterday.
He had just called an elf to bring them some tea when she arrived.
Harry stood and said, "Welcome back, Ma'am."
"Oh, pish, Harry!" she replied with a flick of her hand, "What did I say
yesterday? You can call me Gwenneth."
"Sorry, Gwenneth," replied Harry with a smile.
He waited until the witch had sat down and was starting to rummage
about in her bag until he sat down himself.
Once she had everything out and set up the way she liked, she looked
back at Harry with a pleased smile and said, "So, Harry; tell me what's
been happening since last we chatted."
And Harry launched into what was happening with the Grangers, about
their bout of accidental magic, about how all the students and staff came
up to thank him just before the evening meal last night, and about what
Susan said to him that morning.
Gwenneth smiled, frowned and encouraged where appropriate. Harry just
enjoyed his time chatting with her.
She left about an hour later.
# # #
Harry noticed the Grangers and the healers had already left, so headed
up to the owners' suites common room. In there he drew forth a sheet of
parchment and began to write. However, he had to set aside what he was
going to do when Dobby popped in.
"Master Harry Potter, Sir?" he asked.
"Yes, Dobby?"
"Is Master Harry Potter, Sir, ready to read all the incoming and sign all
the outgoing mail he's received over the past few days?" asked Dobby
respectfully.
"Damn!" said Harry with feeling before turning the his most loyal servant.
"Sorry, Dobby. I'd completely forgotten about it."
The little elf just waited.
"Okay, then," said Harry. "We'd best be about it. Let's see it all, then.
Dobby snapped his fingers and an in-tray appeared stacked high with
parchment. Alongside it was an empty out-tray.
Harry just sighed at the tower of parchment and began to go through it.
Mostly, he only scanned the incoming mail and its corresponding
outgoing letter or note, signed it, and placed it in the in-tray. Dobby had
already disappeared.
He worked hard at it for a couple hours. By the end, he was suffering
from 'quill-cramp'.
Sitting back with a sigh he called Dobby and had the elf take away the
mail. Then, he pulled back in front of him the sheets of parchment he
was working on and continued putting his thoughts down on parchment.
He was running out of time before he had to go to his appointment with
the Queen.
Harry knew the Queen was probably going to lock him away as of that
afternoon and wanted to get as much committed to parchment as he
could. He wrote out for Her Majesty how the Wizengamot broke down.
He had to detail what each of the Houses on the Wizengamot were,
whether they were Most Ancient, Ancient, Elder or - in the case of the
Magical House of Malfoy - Magical. He also listed how each House
currently aligned themselves, to the best of his knowledge.
The so-called 'light' side was of seven houses: Abbott, Black, Bones,
Longbottom, Marchbanks, Potter and Stebbins. The so-called 'dark' side
was, also, of seven families: Avery, Crabbe, Goyle, Rosier, Yaxley,
Parkinson and Malfoy. The so-called 'grey', unaligned, side was of four
families: Greengrass, MacMillan, Ogden and Smith. Dumbledore had sat
as Castellan for Hogwarts and supposedly sided with the light. However,
he also had support from two of the grey families, ensuring his position
was, until recently, secure.
He went on to further list each of the Department Heads who sat on the
Wizengamot, including Madam Umbridge (who was only an
Undersecretary). They were: The Minister, Cornelius Fudge;
Undersecretary to the Minister, Dolores Umbridge; Department of
Magical Games and Sports, Hamish MacFarlan; Department of Magical
Accidents and Catastrophes, Arnold Peasegood; Department of
International Magical Cooperation, Barty Crouch Snr; Department of
Magical Law Enforcement, Amelia Bones; Department of Magical
Transportation, Basil Wood; Department for the Regulation and Control
of Magical Creatures, Cuthbert Mockridge; and Department of Mysteries,
Algernon "Croaker". Though, the last never attended.
All the rest of the so-called seats were being sat in proxy by the other
Houses as their lines had been ended during the previous war, during the
1970s, or before. That meant there were some Wizengamot members
who were holding as many as ten seats by proxy. And they could vote
each of their proxy seats along with their own. It gave certain individuals
far too much voting power.
Harry recommended that those seats that were occupied because their
lines had been ended, and were illegally being held by proxies on behalf
of other houses, be removed. He also recommended that the members of
the Ministry who sat within the Wizengamot were also removed. He
couldn't see how they could sit unbiased when laws could be passed that
related to themselves and their own departments; especially, at budget
time.
Harry further recommended that those Most Ancient, Ancient and Elder
Houses that weren't ennobled, be given consideration for ennobling
under the wizarding world definition of it. And fix the number of
ennobled members on the Wizengamot at fifty excluding, Herself; or, in
her stead, the Royal Wizard.
Then Harry laid out that, instead of Ministry officials filling seats, forty-
nine seats should be opened to elected representatives from the people of
the wizarding community. And one seat, the Minister, should be filled as
appointed by the Prime Minister as part of his Cabinet.
This would create a combined wizarding merged House of Lords and
Commons with 101 members sitting in deliberation if the entire
Wizengamot was in attendance. He also suggested the Heads of
Department, especially the Head of the Department of Magical Law
Enforcement, also be in attendance, but not as Members of the
Wizengamot. Instead, they would sit as advisors, without a vote, and
would only be permitted to speak when specifically asked for information
relating to their own portfolios within the Ministry. They would also not
be permitted to wear the purple and silver trimmed robes of members of
the Wizengamot. Theirs would be plain black.
Harry did not believe there were currently sufficient numbers of
wizarding folk in magical Britain for a larger body to govern them. The
war in the 1930-40s, where many flocked to Grindelwald's banner,
followed by the war in the 1970s, by the first incarnation of Riddle, had
so decimated the number of wizarding kind in Britain that the current
populace could not hope to support a larger body.
That many of the pure blood, ennobled Houses joined either Grindelwald
or Riddle in full, causing their paternal lines to either end or be so gutted
they died out soon after, made things easier for Harry; and, therefore, the
Queen. It meant those Houses who all had seats upon the Wizengamot
could be removed from the Roster of Members. It would both make way
for new blood lines to be elevated and for a partial elected membership
to step forth and be seated.
However, Harry also believed the number sitting upon the Wizengamot
should be up for review once each decade to keep pace with the growth
of the community. At that time, either new seats could be added through
elevation or adding more elected members.
He then suggested to Her Majesty he meet with her, Sir Kingston, the
other three heirs, and whomever else; to go through it all.
By the time he finished writing everything out, and laying everything out
in written form as part of his report to the Queen, the other three heirs
were in the owners' common room.
Harry walked across to Neville and asked, "Nev, mate. How are your
parents?"
Without saying a word, Neville simply stood up and gave Harry a very
strong hug. Harry, a bit shocked, ended up hugging him back for a few
seconds.
When Neville back off again, he said, "They're awake, Harry. My parents
have woken up." He had tears in his eyes.
"Damn, Nev!" replied Harry, happy for his friend. "That's brilliant!"
"The healers only woke them up for a minute or two, just to make sure
they were going to stay awake, before they put them back to sleep again,"
the clearly happy Lord Gryffindor said. "Now that they know they're out
of the comas, they're pumping them full of major healing potions to get
their bodies back to normal health. That should take a couple of days,
then they're going to wake them up for good and have a mind healer
spend time with them."
Harry was happy for his friend. He was glad there was some good come
from his having to deal with Riddle. Both Susan and Hermione had tears
in their eyes, and Hermione had a case of the sniffles.
After Neville had sat back down again, still quite pleased, Harry handed
him the stack of parchment he'd been working on concerning the
Wizengamot.
"Nev," he asked. "Would you mind going over these notes of mine... my
latest report to Her Majesty... and seeing if you can improve on any of
it?"
Looking up at Harry, Neville took the documents and laid them out on
the coffee table in front of him. The girls also leaned forward. It wasn't
until then Harry noticed the Grangers were also in the room. "Oh!" he
said noticing them. "Sorry, I didn't see you there."
"That's okay, lad," replied Dan. "What have you got there?"
"I've had it in my head to start focussing on Her Majesty's first task for us;
fixing the Wizengamot. I wanted to get some things down on parchment
before Her Majesty locks me up, this afternoon."
"Stop that!" Hermione snapped at him.
"Huh?" replied Harry.
"I said, 'Stop that'," she replied. "You don't know what Her Majesty is
going to do, so stop treating it as a foregone conclusion."
Before Harry could respond, Susan half-growled, "Do I need to smack you
again, Lord Slytherin?"
Harry held up both his hands in surrender and replied, "No, no! I'll just
sit here then, okay?" And sat next to Neville.
He sat and waited for his friend and colleague to read through his report
and attachments.
Neville sat reading, frowning, for a while before once more looking at
Harry with a look of surprise on his face. "This is amazing, Harry." He
looked across at the other two and said, "Ladies? Have a read of this.
Harry's decided the Wizengamot needs to be redesigned and has been
writing a report to the Queen laying out his idea for her."
Neville passed them the sheaf of parchments to read.
Harry was worried. What he planned, with what he hoped to accomplish
with the Queen's backing, would set Wizarding Britain's society on its ear.
However, both Neville and Susan... even he, himself, when he thought of
it... were also going to be victims of that upending of society. He wasn't
worried about Hermione as she was both mundane-born and raised. But
the other two could upset matters before they even began.
"Bloody Hell, Harry!..." exclaimed Susan.
'Oh-oh,' thought Harry.
"... It's brilliant!" Susan continued to exclaim.
For once, Hermione didn't scold Susan over her language.
Harry was stunned by her overwhelming support. "Errr... you like?" he
asked.
"Definitely!" she firmly stated.
Hermione looked back at Harry with no small amount of awe. "You've
been holding out on us, Harry," she said.
Harry looked across at Neville and could see his best male friend was
grinning back like a loon. "I take it you're in support, too?" he asked.
"As Susan said," replied Neville, "Definitely!"
Harry sagged in relief. "I wasn't sure how you or Susan were going to
take it; as you're pure-bloods and all."
Neville said, "Don't be a git. Everything you've said in there is solid fact. I
bet both Gran and Amelia would agree, too. But, there was no way the
other ennobled were going to let go of their 'free' votes if it was simply
raised as a motion. So, neither would have even considered it, otherwise."
Susan nodded and said, "However, if the Queen stamps her authority over
the Wizengamot, they will have no choice but to go along with it. After
all, she can strip them of their ennoblement at a whim, if she so chooses."
A much happier Harry said, "Then, are there any changes you can
recommend before our appointment with Her?"
The other three talked about it between themselves while Harry sat back
and waited. Finally, Neville said, "No. But how do we rank the order
presented for each of the non-ennobled Houses to step forward? We can't
have a situation where we need five more ennobled members and fifteen
people are eligible to take them."
Harry frowned. He hadn't thought of that. His original plan was just to
have them came forward alphabetically. But, how could someone named
'Blenkinsop' be more important than someone named 'Edgecombe' and
that person be more important than 'Scrimgeour'?
Even in their Most Ancient, Ancient, Elder and Magical 'rankings', that
was just too many Houses to ennoble.
Susan said, "Okay, Neville and I should be doing research into that with
Auntie 'Melia and Madam Longbottom. Auntie 'Melia can use DMLE
records to go through the records of all the Magical Houses to see if the
latest Heads of those Houses, and or their heirs, have gotten into too
much strife."
"Yeah," said Neville, "and Gran has quite extensive records on almost all
the wizarding families across Magical Britain, and knows who's done
'great things' and would be a deserving family of ennoblement. For
instance; Damocles Belby invented the Wolfsbane Potion almost a decade
ago, Newt Scamander has done amazing things in cataloguing magical
creatures, and... Hell... we've basically given Severus Snape an Order of
Merlin by giving him the details on how to cure lycanthropy."
"His being a former Death Eater should play against that, though," said
Hermione.
"If he earns the Order of Merlin?" asked Neville before answering his own
question. "No one's going to give a damn."
"Okay," said Harry, "you've got plenty of time for this. Hopefully, Amelia
and Augusta will come through for us again." Thinking a bit, he said
musingly, "I wonder if I can convince Her Majesty to give one or both a
knighthood. Hell, they've both been working their butts off so much
already around our return. And we've just dumped a whole lot more
upon them..."
Neville, who was taking a drink out of a goblet at the time, sprayed those
sitting opposite with his pumpkin juice when what Harry had said had
finally percolated in his brain.
"Ewww!" said Susan, sitting with orange coloured juice dripping from her
hair, face and clothes.
"...And," continued Harry, not really paying attention, "that doesn't take
into consideration how much they've been the true 'Leaders of the Light'
within the wizarding world for the past ten plus years. Even though
Dumbles has been decrying he's the Leader of the Light to anyone who
would listen."
Hermione, frowning because she, too, had been hit - though not as badly
as Susan - and negligently waved her hand and cleared them both of
the... residue while trying to pay attention to Harry.
"You..." stuttered Neville, "...want to get the Queen to give my Gran a
knighthood?"
"Sure!" replied Harry. "If there's been anyone 'fighting the good fight'
these past ten years, it's your grandmother and Amelia. Besides, she took
out the Lestranges and Barty Crouch Junior four on one."
Harry then glanced down at his watch and exclaimed, "Lunch time!"
Shaking his head in wonder, Neville said, "Yeah, sure; let's go eat. After
he drops that on me."
Dan was just sitting there, chuckling. Emma gave him a light smack to
the back of the head.
# # #
After a quick lunch in the Great Hall the four heirs, the Grangers, Sirius
and Remus all went back to the owner's common room. Inside, Augusta
was waiting for them dressed in her finery.
Neville rushed over to her, hesitated a moment, and gave her a hug.
"Lords and Ladies, please hurry up and get changed," she instructed them.
"Yes, Ma'am," the four heirs said, heading for their rooms.
Looking to the Grangers, she said, "If I may ask, do you two have
something to change into?"
"Not wizards robes, no," replied Dan. "However, we have something nice
to wear next door."
"I'll leave you to it, then," replied Augusta. "We'll meet back here in... ten
minutes?"
Don nodded but looked at Emma. "Em?" he asked.
"That should do," said Emma, before turning on her heel and heading
back out. Dan followed behind.
Looking down at Sirius she asked, "And what do you think you're doing,
Lord Black?"
Looking confused, Sirius replied, "Errr... Putting my feet up? I don't have
a class until later this afternoon."
"Get changed, Lord Black!" scowled Augusta. "Her Majesty is also
expecting you!"
"Me?" asked Sirius, astonished. "Why does she want to see me?"
"It was not my place to ask, Lord Black," she replied, still scowling. "Now,
off with you. Go and get changed."
"Yes, Ma'am!" exclaimed Sirius before he bolted for the door. As the door
opened he shifted into Padfoot and was gone.
Looking at Remus she said, "I'm sorry to say, Professor Lupin, she didn't
specifically ask for your attendance. However, I'm sure you'll be welcome
if you'd like to come along."
Holding up his hands, Remus said, "No, no. That's okay. I'll just go and...
let Professor McGonagall know Sirius won't be available for a few hours
again."
"If you wish," said Augusta.
Remus hurried out of the room with Augusta scowling at his back. As the
door closed, her face broke into a wide smile. 'I've still got it,' she
thought.
Harry and Neville, as expected, return to the common room first. What
was surprising was when Sirius knocked on the door before either Susan
or Hermione came out of their own rooms. Sirius came in a bit puffed,
but clearly quite pleased with himself when he noticed the girls hadn't
made an appearance.
"Having the animagus form of a grimm has its perks!" he boasted. "I even
made two Seventh Years faint just by running past them!"
Scowling at him, Augusta said, "I hope you at least let Poppy know where
they were, or had someone else take them to the infirmary."
"Ummm..." said Sirius a bit sheepishly. "No?"
Augusta sighed and asked, "Where are they?"
"In the corridor just on the other side of the grand staircase, outside my
office and classroom," replied Sirius.
Augusta sighed and sent off a patronus message to Madam Pomfrey. "At
least it's not far from the infirmary," she said.
Harry was surprised to see her patronus was a lioness. 'It fits, though,' he
thought.
Shortly thereafter they were joined by Susan and Hermione. Her parents
arrived a couple minutes later.
"Are we waiting on Aunt 'Melia?" asked Susan.
"No, dear," replied Augusta. "She'll be waiting for us there." Turning to
the wider room, she said, "Now, that's everyone. Let's be off, shall we?"
Augusta strode over to the fireplace, took a pinch of floo powder and
called, "Buckingham Palace!" The flames whooshed and turned green.
Sticking her head into the flames she called, "Anyone there?"
A movement out of the corner of his eye caught Harry's attention. He
turned to see both Grangers standing there looking at Augusta in shock.
Walking over to them he said, "This is your first time travelling by floo,
isn't it."
Both just nodded their heads.
"Okay," said Harry soothingly. "We'll get you through this."
He led them over to the fireplace and called to Augusta as she pulled her
head back, "Madam Longbottom?"
Turning to Harry, Augusta cocked an eyebrow at him. "Yes, Lord
Slytherin?" she asked.
"We have a couple of first-timers here," replied Harry. "If Neville and I
step through first. We can be ready to catch them on the other side, just
like we did with the colonel."
"A wise precaution, My Lord," she said.
With a grin, Harry turned to Neville and asked, "Through together again,
Nev?"
Neville grinned and joined Harry standing in the fireplace. Harry already
had the pinch of powder and put his other arm around Neville. He looked
at the Grangers and said, "Watch carefully." Then threw the powder at
their feet and called, "Buckingham Palace!"
They disappeared with a whoosh of flame.
# # #
Stepping out into the Queen's Audience Room at the Palace, Harry saw
Colonel Benton and a Page waiting for them. He said, "Be with you in a
minute," before turning back to the fireplace. He and Neville waited for a
few seconds.
A few moments later, there was a quick whoosh of green flame and Dan
just about came flying out of the fireplace. Harry and Neville, expecting
it, quickly caught him before he sprawled across the floor. They helped
him gain his balance before stepping forward again.
"Okay, that was a little disconcerting," said Dan.
Next came Emma. However, she wasn't moving as fast and Harry and
Neville didn't have to struggle so much to help her get her balance. She
had clearly waited a heartbeat longer than Dan before stepping out. She'd
bled off most of her velocity on her own. They backed off and guided
Emma to stand with Dan.
Harry asked Neville, "Can you please remember to tell Dan and Emma
the secret to exiting the floo when you leave here?"
Cocking an eyebrow at Harry as Hermione and Susan popped daintily out
of the floo, Neville asked, "And why can't you?"
"I don't know what Her Majesty is going to decide will be my
punishment," replied Harry while he was clearing the soot off the
Grangers and himself.
Neville just snorted and shook his head in response.
Sirius came next, followed by Augusta.
Once they'd all been 'de-sooted', Harry turned to the colonel and said,
"That's all of us."
The colonel regally bowed and said, "Very good, My Lord. Please follow
me."
Looking around, Sirius exclaimed, "Wow! Big room!"
Harry just turned and smiled at him.
The colonel led them back through the palace to the Throne Room. Like
the last time they were here, they were led through and into an ante-
chamber that was guarded by two more Pages. One of the Pages held the
door open for them as they approached.
Sirius was commenting on just about everything that caught his eye,
including the throne and how Dumbledore would be envious of it, as they
were led along.
As he was about to enter the room where the other three heirs had taken
up their rings and they'd all been 'dubbed', Harry hung back and said to
his godfather, "Sirius? We need the real Lord Black in here, okay?"
Nodding solemnly to his godson, Sirius replied, "Okay, Pup. No being the
'fun uncle' in front of Her Majesty."
"Thank you," said Harry with all seriousness, before stepping through into
the room beyond.
# # #
Her Majesty was dressed a bit more formally, this time. She was wearing
robes. Her diamond tiara was also a little larger. As was the retinue. This
time, Prince Phillip was also in attendance, in the full military regalia of
a High Admiral. Prince Charles was sitting on the other side of the Queen
in his own Captain's uniform.
'Am I being tried or court-martialled,' thought Harry.
Standing about halfway between the middle of the room and the left
wall, was Amelia. She was standing with a file containing parchment
under her left arm, but no less well dressed. She wore formal Auror's
robes. Standing with her were the Prime Minister, Sir David and Sir
Anthony.
When he reached about twenty feet from the foot of his Queen, the Page
gave a bow before spinning about and directing their party to where he
wanted them standing. The four heirs stood together, in a line across,
twenty feet in front of Her Majesty. The adults were directed to stand in a
position, also in a line, on the side opposite Amelia and her small party.
The Page, once the guests were where he wanted them, stood just off to
the side of the four heirs and after a deep bow, said, "Your Majesty. I
present..."
The Queen gave the Page a flick of her hand and he shut up, instantly.
"Thank you, Stephen," She said. "That will be all."
The Page gave a second deep bow and moved to join the Royal retinue.
After a small hesitation, the Queen said, "Just over two months ago We
had an... uppity... young Lord claim Privilege of Peerage to Our Prime
Minister, and demand audience with Us. To say We were unhappy at
this... presumptuousness... would be an understatement."
Charles gave a little snort of amusement. Her Majesty ignored him.
"However," she continued, "this young Lord proved his right, and the
validity of his claim, by informing Us of sedition within one of Our
Ministries, and the wizarding world in general.
"Furthermore, this young Lord, the Earl of Slytherin, informed Us of
another three rightful heirs of Earldoms under Our dominion We had
thought extinct for many centuries. That, alone, won him Our favour.
"It has recently been brought to our attention that, of the three tasks Our
young Lord took upon himself, and onto the shoulders of his three
colleagues, he has already made great strides in the first of them - the
redesign of the school curriculum - and completed most utterly the third -
the eradication of the self-styled terrorist known as Voldemort and his
followers."
Glancing over at Madam Bones, she looked Harry straight in the eye and
said, "We have witnessed, for Ourselves, through the device known as a
pensieve, what you did on the morning of just a few short days ago. And,
We find Ourselves, once more astonished by you, My Lord Potter."
Looking over at Amelia she said, "Madam Bones has also provided us
with a significant and detailed report as to what effect your actions of
that morning achieved."
Harry bowed his head in shame.
"Furthermore, she has also provided Us with a report from your mind
healer as to how this has affected you," She said.
"I killed about fifty people, Your Majesty," said Harry feeling shame. "I'm
a mass-murderer."
"Lord Potter," She snapped. "Look at me!"
Harry snapped his head up in shock.
"Lord Potter, We are not wroth with you," She said. "In fact, we are most
pleased. And We most certainly do not consider you a mass-murderer!"
Harry just stared back in shock.
"But.. but..." stuttered Harry.
"No, 'buts', My Lord," She firmly said. "We are led to believe you have, in
a most effective fashion, eliminated for good the terrorist, Tom Marvolo
Riddle, also falsely known as Lord Voldemort, and fifty-six of his most
avid followers; all, of which, had committed at least once the abhorrent
crime of cold-blooded murder.
"I assure you, Lord Potter, if you had not... unknowingly... killed them, We
would have ordered their executions. Through your accident you have
saved us the effort required to have them so executed."
"Further," She continued, "We are informed Mister Riddle would have
killed them, anyway, if he had been alive and it gave him an advantage.
The fact you feel remorse and shame for what occurred speaks highly of
you. However, it is misplaced."
"No, My Lord Potter, though you seem to expect it you do not find
yourself facing punishment, this day," She said. "Instead, we have decided
to reward you for your actions."
Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing.
The Queen stood, as did Prince Phillip and Prince Charles.
She walked forward and stopped about five feet short of him. Harry
didn't notice the man move, but another Page came forward carrying a
cushion. He stopped and stood sideways just in front of her and just off to
one side.
"Step forward, Lord Harry James Potter, Earl of Slytherin," She instructed
him.
Harry stepped forward a couple of paces and stood there in shock.
Hesitating barely a moment the Queen reached across and lifted from the
cushion what looked like a beautiful medallion hanging on a red ribbon.
She turned and held it just out from her body by the ribbon and said to
Harry, "Bow your head, My Lord Potter."
Harry, not knowing what else to do, and unable to stop it anyway,
obeyed her command and bowed his head forward.
The Queen then said, "For services to Our realm, and magical Britain - in
ridding us, for good, of the terrorist leader Tom Marvolo Riddle, and his
organisation, the Death Eaters - We award you the Order of Merlin, First
Class; as is Our right." And she hung over Harry's neck the beautiful
medal.
Harry didn't hear the gasps of shock come from the other magicals in the
room.
Harry raised his head and said, "Ummm... Th...thank you, Your Majesty."
The Queen gave a short sharp nod and quietly said, "You may step back
now, My Lord Potter."
Harry stepped backwards until he once more stood beside his friends. He
didn't know what else to say or do.
The Queen turned on her heels, walked back to her seat and sat down.
Prince Phillip and Prince Charles followed suit.
Once she was seated and had smoothed out her robes, she said, "Now. We
have followed, with interest, the events that have transpired while you
and your friends have been within the magical world these past few
weeks. We understand you have had to accept your mantles as the Lords
and Ladies of the Castle Hogwarts. Thereby, nearly destroying your
careful planning. And We have viewed the pensieve memories of that
event."
Harry wondered from where she's gotten hold of one or more of those.
"Even with your plans in near ruins, We have also come to understand
you, and your fellow Lord and Ladies, have accomplished quite a few
other feats, too.
Leaning forward slightly, She said, "We find ourselves most pleased with
all of you. Keep up the very good work."
Sitting back she then said, "You four may rejoin your fellow guests for the
moment."
A Page ushered them across to stand with Sirius, Madam Longbottom,
and the Grangers.
"Madam Augusta Longbottom, please step forward," Her Majesty called.
Harry, who had been looking down at his unexpected medal, looked up.
The same Page then led Augusta to stand where Harry and the other
three had just so recently stood.
Augusta stood in the middle of the floor with her head held high.
"Madam Longbottom," said Her Majesty. "This morning, We had the
distinct displeasure of having Our Minister for Magic, Mister Cornelius
Fudge, and his so-called Undersecretary, Miss Dolores Umbridge, stand
before Us where you now stand."
Augusta frowned a little.
"We were in the middle of... remonstrating with Minister Fudge
concerning his actions. At least, those of which We are aware," said the
Queen. "During the course of that discussion, Mister Fudge engaged in
the worst behaviour and committed the most grievous act of lese majeste
we have ever witnessed. When I ordered his immediate arrest, Miss
Umbridge attempted to commit regicide upon Our person."
Everyone on Harry's side of the room gasped in shock. Harry noticed the
only reaction on the face of Amelia was a grimace with pursed lips. Those
with her were clearly already aware of what had transpired.
"Miss Umbridge was shot and killed by Our loyal staff where she stood
before she could commit such an act. Then, under guidance by Madam
Bones, I was able to bind the magic of Mister Fudge, before sending him
off to one of Our Prisons where he shall spend the rest of his miserable
life.
"Through Our own intelligence gathering, and through advisement and
wise counsel, We have decided to offer you the position of Minister for
Magic in Our name. Do you accept?"
"I..." Augusta stuttered, "Yes, Your Majesty; I accept."
"Good," nodded the Queen firmly.
Another Page stepped forward with a cushion with a scroll of parchment
placed upon it.
"That parchment," said the Queen with a slight nod of her head towards
the scroll, "contains the details of Our Royal Writ and your remit to your
office. You now answer directly to the Prime Minister and to Us. Please,
take it."
Augusta reached out and took the scroll from the cushion before turning
back to the Queen. "Thank you, You Majesty," she stuttered.
"You may step back and join your family and friends," said the Queen.
Augusta moved over to join the others.
"Madam Amelia Susan Bones, please step forward," ordered the Queen.
Amelia was a little startled by being called upon, but stepped to where
Augusta had just stood.
"Madam Amelia Susan Bones, through Our own intelligence gathering,
and through advisement and wise counsel, We have decided to offer you
the position of Chief Justice to magical Britain in Our name. Do you
accept?"
"Yes, Your Majesty; I accept," replied Amelia.
"Good," nodded the Queen firmly again.
Another Page stepped forward with a cushion with a scroll of parchment
placed upon it.
"That parchment," said the Queen with a slight nod of her towards the
scroll, "contains the details of Our Royal Writ and your remit to your
office. You now answer directly to the President of the Supreme Courts of
the United Kingdom and to Us. Your title will be Chief Justice. Please,
take it."
Amelia reached out and took the scroll from the cushion before turning
back to the Queen. "Thank you, You Majesty," she said.
"You may step back and join your family and friends," said the Queen.
Amelia moved over to join the others. Looking down in shock at the
scroll she held in her hand.
Once again standing, as did both Princes, Her Majesty said, "We would be
pleased to see you all join Us shortly in the library for an informal
gathering."
Then she left through the same door as last time, both Princes following,
followed by the rest of her retinue.
When she left Harry quickly found himself surrounded by his friends and,
dare he say it, family. All of whom where admiring the medal and
congratulating him. Or, congratulating Augusta and Amelia. Sir David
and Sir Anthony also came over and offered their own congratulations to
the three.
Very soon, Colonel Benton came over and asked them to follow him. He
was leading them to the library.
# # #
28. The Magical Parliament's First
Day
Chapter Twenty-Eight - The Magical Parliament's First Day.
# # #
In the library they found the same setup as last time. However, this time,
there were a few more twin settees. And, where there was a single
armchair last time for the Queen, this time there were two.
Harry and Hermione sat together again, as did Susan and Neville. Amelia
sat with Sir Anthony as Augusta sat with Sir David. The Grangers sat
together, as usual. Sirius had a settee to himself. They were soon joined
by the Royal Wizard, Sir Kingston Davies, who sat with Sirius.
Sirius soon realised he recognised Sir Kingston. Sirius was a First Year
when Sir Kingston's son was one of the seniors in Ravenclaw. They were
quickly engaged in a conversation about their days at Hogwarts.
Both Amelia and Augusta had undone their scrolls and were reading
through them. This time, Harry kept an eye on the door from where the
Queen had entered last time.
A server then came around and took their beverage orders. Another
placed a tray of small sandwiches on the coffee table in the middle with
little sandwich plates ready for people to load.
A few minutes later, with people nibbling on sandwiches and sipping tea
or coffee. Her Majesty and Prince Charles entered from the side door. A
few retainers followed them in.
Harry softly but firmly said, "All rise!" as he stood, himself.
The others very quickly followed and turned to where his eyes were fixed
on the two Royals.
The Queen continued to come forward and took her seat, followed by
Prince Charles. Then the others resumed their seats.
"Now the formalities are out of the way," started the Queen, "How is
everyone doing?"
Harry spoke first. "Your Majesty, Your Highness, if I may have the
honour, allow me to present my godfather, Lord Sirius Orion Black, Head
of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black."
Turning to his godfather, Harry said, "My Lord Black, allow me to
introduce, Her Majesty Elizabeth the Second, Head of the Royal and
Elder House of Windsor, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and of Her other Realms and
Territories, Queen, Head of the Commonwealth."
Sirius, no fool when he wanted to be, slid off the settee and dropped to
one knee with his head bowed. "Your Majesty," he said solemnly.
Not one to be easily shocked, Her Majesty said, "Rise, Lord Black, and be
seated." When Sirius sat back in his seat with a smile, she said, "It is good
to see you have recovered from your ordeal within that horrid prison."
Sirius gave a nod of his head and simply replied, "Thank you, Your
Majesty."
Harry also said, "My Lord Black, also allow me to introduce, His Royal
Highness The Prince Charles Philip Arthur George Mountbatten-Windsor,
Scion and Heir of the Royal and Elder House of Windsor, Prince of Wales
and Earl of Chester, Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick,
Baron of Renfrew, Lord of the Isles, Prince and Great Steward of
Scotland."
Once more Sirius slid off the settee and dropped to one knee with his
head bowed. "Your Royal Highness," he said.
"Oh, do sit up, Lord Black," said Prince Charles with a large grin. "One
would think you're having way too much fun."
Sirius sat up with a grin and admitted, "I was, Sir. I'm just glad those
awful lessons in 'acting the noble' I had to go through as a child could be
put to good use."
"You, too?" asked the Prince leaning forward. "Were they as horrid for
you as they were for me?"
Leaning forward himself, almost conspiratorially, Sirius replied,
"Dreadfully so. I spent as much time as possible trying to hide from my
tutor. When I wasn't trying to prank her, of course."
"Lord Black!" interrupted Augusta. "I will not have you corrupt and turn
our future king into another of your Marauders!"
Sirius sighed and said, "Sometimes, you can be a spoilsport, Minister
Longbottom."
Augusta looked a little startled over the first use of her official title.
"Marauder?" asked Her Majesty.
Gathering her wits, Augusta replied, "Lord Black was a member of a
group of four who, during their Hogwarts years, spent more time
pranking - that is, pulling practical jokes on - their fellow students and
the staff than they did on their studies, Ma'am. It's surprising they even
managed to graduate!"
"Hey!" said Sirius in protest. "Remembering those pranks, and that I was
innocent of course, was what helped me stay sane while I whiled away
the days in Azkaban."
Perhaps noticing an uncomfortable place in the conversation, the Queen
looked at the Grangers and said, "I believe congratulations are in order
for the two of you. Becoming magicals must have been quite the shock."
"Errr... Yes, Ma'am," said Dan. "We've been informed it's probably
permanent. We'll have a better idea when we attend Saint Mungo's
hospital and they put us through their body scanning machine."
"A positive happenstance, then," said the Queen.
"Yes, Ma'am," replied Dan.
Turning to look at Hermione and Susan, She said, "And I'm pleased to
inform, you two, that Our legal department have gone over your
recommendations and made very few changes to them. As a team, they
feel the pair of you have done a brilliant job with what you've gone
through. You've also managed to drag them back on track, from where
they'd wandered off for a while, and just look at the overviews rather
than the gritty details."
"Thank you, Ma'am," the girls chorused.
"Our legal teams," continued the Queen, "are no longer looking at making
alterations to all the so-called laws. Instead, they've recognised your
approach and have adopted it, themselves. Any law that goes beyond
about thirty percent requiring change will simply be overturned until a
new law can be enacted.
"They've also asked you to continue what you're doing, as it's making
their own jobs that much simpler and faster."
"Yes, Ma'am," they chorused.
"Nevertheless," the Queen continued, "the sheer amount of work set
before you is astounding. I have no doubt you will be dealing with it for
years. But I need the government of magical Britain, this Wizengamot,
fixed as soon as possible."
"Ah!" said Harry. "We've been working on that, Ma'am."
"Be fair, Harry," said Neville, piping in. "What you've done is astounding.
We've just been sounding boards."
"My Lord Potter?" asked the Queen. "Just what is it you've done?"
Feeling a little uncomfortable, Harry replied, "I've laid out an idea to
replace the Wizengamot with something I see as being far fairer."
"We see," see the Queen.
"I remember your requirement of me, of us, to fix the magical world and
rid it of sedition," explained Harry. "I thought how it could be done and
borrowed from the mundane Houses of Lords and Commons. It's going to
create an uproar but, I figure, sometimes it's better to rip the band-aid off
rather than gently ease it off.
"I wanted to organise it in such a way that existing Lords and Ladies that
sit upon that body aren't suddenly... 'dis-ennobled'... but also gave the
common folk the chance to have their voices heard and recognised.
"This way, the pain of the... ructions... will be over in one fell swoop, and
the government can get on with the business of running the magical
community."
"That is definitely something We want to learn more about, My Lord,"
said the Queen.
"Show her your notes, Harry," said Susan. "They're very good."
"I've left them on the coffee table in our common room," he said. "One
second."
He turned his head slightly to alongside where he was sitting. "Dobby!"
he called.
*Pop* "Yes, Master Haa... oh, crap!" the elf started to say before he
noticed the Queen and dropped to his knees and forehead in a posture of
abject abasement.
"Dobby is sooo sorry, Majesty lady, Ma'am," he grovelled. "Dobby didn't
know the wise and powerful wizard Master Harry Potter Sir was meeting
with the Queen!"
Startled for a moment, the Queen said, "Rise... Dobby."
Dobby slowly stood, shaking like a leaf.
"Dobby," said Harry gently. "You're not in trouble. Please, try to relax a
little."
Dobby looked fearfully from the Queen to Harry and back again. But, at
least, his trembling diminished.
The Queen looked on, quite astonished by the sight of the little house elf.
"Dobby," Harry called the elf's attention to him. "We left on our owners'
common room coffee table a stack of parchment I had written upon.
Would you mind getting them for me?"
Dobby nodded his head once and disappeared with a slight pop. He was
back a moment later. The parchment appeared on the coffee table in a
neat stack in front of Harry.
"My Lord Potter," asked the Queen. "Is this the little being who
masqueraded as you within your relatives' home?"
Dobby was staring back at her, still quivering a little.
"Yes, Ma'am," replied Harry. "This is Dobby. A house elf. He wants
nothing more than to serve people. When I tried to set him free, it greatly
upset him. When I tried to otherwise reward him, it also upset him."
"D...Dobby is very happy serving the great and powerful Master Harry
Potter Sir, Majesty Ma'am," Dobby said tremulously. "Master Harry Potter
Sir is a wonderful and wise master."
"And absolutely devoted, We see," said the Queen as an aside to Harry.
Turn to face Dobby she gently said to the elf, "Come forward, Dobby."
Dobby slowly approached the Queen until he stood just in front of her
knee.
She reached down and lightly placed a hand on Dobby's shoulder, and
said, "You have Our personal thanks, Dobby, house elf of Harry James
Potter."
The little elf burst into tears. "Majesty lady is kind to Dobby. Dobby is
very happy, Majesty!" Then he popped away.
Sirius snorted and said, "I've said it before, but I'll say it again. That is one
loyal house elf."
Harry blushed and said, "I tried to give him a promotion to just being my
correspondence secretary. I've tried to make his life easier for him. He
thought I was punishing him."
"A most unusual being," said Her Majesty still a little surprised by Dobby
and his behaviour.
Harry gave himself a little shake, picked up the parchments off the coffee
table, checked through them and made sure they were in some semblance
of order, and handed them to the Queen. "This is my vision for
redesigning the Wizengamot, Ma'am."
The Queen took the documents, quickly read through them with the same
speed reading skills she demonstrated back in early July, and passed each
sheet off to Prince Charles as she finished with it.
"This idea pleases Us, My Lord," she said as she finished and passed the
last sheet to her son.
The Prince finished with them and, with a somewhat surprised expression
on his face, passed the entirety of it to Sir Kingston. Sir Kingston then
browsed through them. His own eyes rising in surprise at what he'd read.
"To accomplish it, I'll need the services of your Royal Wizard, Sir
Kingston," said Harry. "With him, if we five walk into the Wizengamot
chamber, the current members who then arrive will receive a rude shock.
"On the few occasions I've been there, I've seen there appears no one who
truly understands the magic of the chamber. People buy their own purple
robes with the silver W embroidered on them. None of their robes
properly displays their House crests. None of the House seats displays the
House crest, as they should, when they sit upon them. During voting they
all use their wands to signify their vote, rather than the arms of their
seats. The Orb of Authority is not displayed. Hell, the well for the Orb of
Authority is located under a bolted down chair!"
"Sorry, Lord Slytherin," said Augusta leaning forward. "Amongst other
things you said, 'Orb of Authority'?"
Harry smiled and said, "Much of the magics, and what can be done in
that chamber, have been forgotten by the current... inhabitants. We're
going to resurrect that knowledge. In so doing, no one can question our
right to be there. And no one will be able to question Her Majesty's right
to stamp her authority on the chamber."
Not long afterwards the conversation broke up when the Queen
announced she had another engagement to attend. Her final words to
Harry were, "Get it done, My Lord Potter."
Harry had the Royal Wizard join them in flooing back to Hogwarts so he
could be keyed in to access the castle.
The Royal Wizard, Sir Kingston, though he wanted to have a look around
his old magical alma mater, had to return to the palace so he could reset
the wards. He promised to make time at another opportunity.
Augusta and Amelia also headed off almost immediately. Both were
headed for the Ministry. With their Royal appointments in their hands
Harry thought both looked like women on missions. Before they left, he
offered the services of the four heirs to draft up the media releases for
them. He received a kiss on the cheek from both older witches. But, they
said they had it in hand.
# # #
After Augusta and Amelia left, and Sirius took his leave to attend a final
class before school wrapped up for the day, Harry was wondering what to
do. He didn't think he'd be anywhere but incarcerated by now. It was an
odd feeling.
Neville had left to go talk to Madam Sprout about plans for the school
vegetable farm, and the girls were once more engrossed in the laws of the
land. The Grangers were with them but would soon be leaving for their
own home. This afternoon was when the scheduled appointment for
having their home connected to the floo network and they needed to be
there for it.
Harry decided to go a-wandering,instead. He did not believe he would be
free, so the chance to stretch his legs was a wonderful feeling.
He wandered all over the castle. He visited each of the House common
rooms, getting odd looks in each as he looked around.
In Hufflepuff he was approached by a slender Seventh Year with
bubblegum pink hair, "Hello, cousin," she said.
Harry warmly smiled and replied, "Hello, Tonks."
She came up to him and wrapped him a hug. "It's good to see you!" she
said.
"And you," he replied. "I'm glad Sirius brought you back into the family."
She shrugged and said, "As I'd never been in the Black family before, as
Mum was kicked out before I was born, it didn't mean as much to me as
it did to Mum. Mind you, Dad's over the moon, too; at least, for Mum."
"Still, Sirius needs pleasant family around him as much as I do," he said.
"I'm sure your parents, and you, will be good for him."
"And what about you... Harry?" she tentatively asked.
Smiling, he replied, "I'd like to get to know you, too."
That earned him another hug.
Harry left feeling a little conflicted. He hadn't had anyone, other than the
peers, treat him as 'just' Harry before.
# # #
The next morning the Hall was, again, configured as a conference centre.
This time, there was even more people than three days earlier.
Most of the questions were aimed at Harry. But, as the four knew this
was going to happen, they took turns answering the questions when they
could. One question to the Grangers was along the lines of if they were
feeling any ill-effects from being blasted with pure magic. Both simply
answered, "No." And no further questions were directed their way.
They received the expected questions.
"Is Voldemort really gone for good?"
"Yes."
"Did you know all the Death Eaters were going to die, as well?"
No."
"Do you regret that?"
"I regret not knowing Voldemort was stealing their magic for himself as I
was trying to destroy him for good."
"Did you know Dumbledore had created a soul anchor?"
"Not until Tom told me."
"Will you now kill Dumbledore for what he's done?"
"Whether or not Dark Wizard Dumbledore dies for his crimes is not my
decision to make."
"Do you know what happened to his phoenix, Fawkes?"
"The phoenix he called Fawkes and enslaved to himself is really named
Polaris. Polaris has bonded to another."
"Do you know who he has bonded with?"
"Yes."
"Who?"
Hermione looked up and Polaris flashed in just above the journalists. He
banked around the room and swooped in to land on Hermione's
shoulder."Does this answer your question?" she asked.
Then came, from a minor journalist from the Daily Prophet, one of the big
questions. "Do you believe you should be awarded the Order of Merlin for
finally ridding us of the Dark Lord?"
Harry replied, "Firstly, to the second part of your question, I did not rid
you of a Dark Lord. I utterly destroyed the Dark Wizard Tom Riddle, who
self-styled himself a Dark Lord. You should not believe his lies. He will
never be able to return, not even on his 'next great adventure', as people
like to say, because I eradicated the man from all existence. Then I
unmasked the other dark wizard in our midst, Dark Wizard Dumbledore.
"To the first part of your question, it is not for me to say whether or not I
should be awarded the Order of Merlin. All such awards, and to whom
they are given, are Her Majesty's decision only."
"Do you now consider yourself to be the 'Leader of the Light'?"
"No," replied Harry. "That is clearly Lady Ravenclaw, here," he said,
indicating Hermione and Polaris.
"Should Dumbledore be held accountable for his crimes?" another asked.
Susan snapped, "If ever there was a stupid question a supposed journalist
could ask, that was it. Dark Wizard Dumbledore is currently being held
by the Aurors on at least one count of murder of a defenceless minor, a
young girl who was one of his students here at Hogwarts; that's
infanticide, folks. We have left the matter in the capable hands of Chief
Justice Bones."
"Do you want to see him kissed?"
"We want to see him face trial for his crimes. Those who attempt to block
him having a trial are, we believe to be, clearly in collusion and
accessories to the crime of murder after the fact."
From out of the blue came, "Do you know where Minister Fudge is?"
Susan responded, "If you mean Mister Fudge, no. Her Majesty fired his
butt for, amongst other things, illegally obliviating Prime Minister John
Major on multiple counts, the man he was supposed to be reporting to.
Her Majesty, as is her right as Sovereign of the United Kingdom,
appointed Madam Augusta Longbottom, current Proxy for the Noble and
Most Ancient House of Longbottom, to the position of Minister for Magic
in Prime Minister Major's Cabinet.
"You should address your questions regarding her appointment to this
prestigious position direct to Minister Longbottom's offices."
"Undersecretary Umbridge has also disappeared. What about her?"
Neville replied, "Dolores Umbridge attempted to commit regicide; that is,
assassinate our Sovereign. She was shot dead in the attempt."
Uproar.
"Madam Umbridge was a pureblood! How dare your Queen..." one of the
attendees tried to say.
Neville rode straight him. "Dolores Umbridge refused to accept Her
Majesty had authority over her, just as she has authority over you! She
paid the price for both her ignorance and stupidity with her life. She was
a traitor to the Crown and died because of it!"
Another journalist, attempting to bring the topics back under control,
asked, "My research indicates you've not yet taken your seats on the
Wizengamot. Why haven't you taken your seats?"
"We will take them when we're good and ready," snapped Hermione. "It is
House business and not for you to ask."
No other journalist wanted to feel the ire of the four most powerful Lords
and Ladies in front of them after that. The conference broke up very soon
afterwards.
# # #
On the following Sunday, just after breakfast in the Great Hall, the four
heirs, the Grangers - who had returned home a few days earlier - and
Sirius met Sir Kingston in the owners' common room. As soon as he
arrived, they floo'ed directly to the Ministry. They were expected by no
one except Chief Justice Bones and Minister Longbottom. They were met
by those two, plus a small contingent of a dozen Aurors, and the scribe
who normally took the minutes during Wizengamot meetings. He had
been sworn to secrecy and had with him the new Book of Minutes.
From the Atrium they walked directly to the empty Wizengamot
chamber. The dozen Aurors were told to wait outside.
Once inside, all bar the Grangers, the four heirs and the Royal Wizard
stood at the back of the floor against the visitors' gallery. The Grangers
ascended the stairs into the visitors' gallery and took seats. The four heirs
stood directly behind the accused's chair with its chains.
The four then held out their right hands, palms down and flat, over the
seat of the chair. And pushed with the magics of the rings. The wooden
disk that formed the central core of the wooden floor shimmered and
disappeared from directly under the seat leaving a circular opening.
A glowing orb of golden light, about six inches in diameter, rose on a
narrow golden pedestal from within the opening. It rose steadily from the
hole, reached the underside of the seat of the chair, and pushed right
through it, splintering and shattering the wood as it came.
When the glowing orb reached a height almost chest high on the four
heirs, it stopped its ascension, and dimmed. The four heirs removed their
hands from hovering above it. Still softly glowing, the orb revealed the
imprint of a right open hand on its surface.
Harry banished the remains of the accused's chair.
Sir Kingston stepped forward and placed his right hand upon the imprint.
He said, "I, Sir Kingston Davies, Royal Wizard to the court of Her
Majesty, Elizabeth the Second, Head of the Royal and Elder House of
Windsor, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland, and of Her other Realms and Territories, Queen,
Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, hereby swear
allegiance to the Crown and claim my rightful place in this august
chamber until otherwise relieved. So mote it be!"
The orb flashed once, quite brightly and a light gong sounded. A ring
with the Royal crest overshadowed by crossed wands appeared on Sir
Kingston's right ring finger. Without moving his hand, Sir Kingston
glanced down at it, quite pleased.
As the glow on the orb steadied, a sound could be heard coming from
deep within the floor under the middle seats of the Wizengamot. And the
tiers split right down the middle along a seamless join. The two halves
began to move apart. As they pulled apart, the tiers pivoted slightly
making the gap at the rear open further and faster than the gap at the
front. The two halves appeared to be pivoting slightly towards each other
at the original ends. The back wall was also sliding backwards to make
room as the two halves drifted apart.
When the two halves finally stopped moving, there was a gap of about
fifteen feet between chairs that were sitting either side of the gap on the
top tier. And the gap was a good deal narrower at the front tier. A few
moments after the two halves stopped moving, there rose a complete new
section of tiers to fill the gap.
First appearing out of the hole was the chair back of an ornate golden
throne. Above the headrest was an ornate embossed crown. As the throne
rose directly below the crown, upon the headrest could be seen the Royal
crest. The throne was soon joined, two to each side, and slightly forward,
by four other ornate chair backs. On the headrest of those where the four
crests of the Houses of Hufflepuff, Slytherin, Gryffindor and Ravenclaw.
The five chairs continued to rise, seemingly majestically, from under the
floor. When they finally stopped rising they stood slightly above the
other seats of the Wizengamot, with the centre throne the highest of
them all. The two halves of the original tiers of the Wizengamot then
began to close onto the new section. They only needed to move about an
inch at the front, and about three inches at the rear until the whole thing
formed a seamless join.
Sir Kingston smiled at the four heirs, walked up the stairs directly in front
of the throne, and seated himself upon it. The trim on the seat flashed
once as he sat and his robes changed to red acromantulan silk with a
silver 'W' embroidered high on his left breast. Directly beneath it
appeared the Royal Crest of Her Majesty.
He placed his wand in the slot on the arm of his chair and clicked it into
place. "By Royal Decree of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, I
declare the Wizengamot of magical Britain, as a body, defunct in its
responsibilities and duties. All seated members to this day are hereby
stripped of their authority to take seat within these tiers. Chamber, please
remove all other seating bar my own and the Houses of Gryffindor,
Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw."
All other seating, bar the five, were banished.
"Now to rebuild," he said. "Place to my left forty-six unmarked seats
ready to be adopted by the other Noble Houses."
The room stretched back further as the blank seats appeared on the tiers
to Sir Kingston's left.
"Place to my left one seat for the Lady Chief Justice."
An extra seat appeared on the left hand end of the five, already marked
on the headrest with the thistle badge of the Supreme Court. While the
others were plain black, this one was trimmed in deep crimson velvet.
"Place to my left upon the end of the bottom tier, one seat with a desk for
the appointed Scribes."
A slightly smaller seat without the high back appeared at the end of the
bottom tier. In front of it appeared the desk for the scribes to use when
taking minutes.
"Place to my right fifty unmarked seats ready to be adopted by elected
Members."
Fifty seats appeared on the empty tiers.
"Have those seats draped until such time as an election is held for fifty
citizens of the magical United Kingdom to be selected to take those seats
as representatives of the people."
The seats were covered in their entirety with black cloth.
"Place to my right one seat for the Minister for Magic."
An extra seat appeared on the right hand of the five, already marked on
the headrest with the Royal Coat of Arms as used by the Parliament of
the United Kingdom. This one was trimmed in deep green velvet
matching the crimson for Chief Justice.
"Place to my right upon the end of the bottom tier, one seat with a desk
for the Master at Arms."
A slightly smaller seat without the high back appeared at the end of the
bottom tier. In front of it appeared the desk for the Master at Arms to
use.
Looking back and down at the others as they looked around at what Sir
Kingston had wrought, he said, "Okay, folks, I think we're ready."
Amelia stepped forward and drew from the folder in her hand the oath
the scribe would take for taking the minutes and caring for the Book of
Minutes.
She then called the scribe and had him place his hand on the orb. He did
so, tremulously. Then she held the words of the oath for him to read.
He said, "I, Winston Gilbert Weatherby, swear on my honour, I will
faithfully execute my duties in this chamber to the best of my ability and
my conscience. So mote it be!"
The orb flashed once but no sound of a gong was heard. Amelia then
guided him forward to take his seat at the Scribe's table. He placed his
book upon the table and took his seat. His robes changed to deep black
with a brace of crossed quills over his right breast embroidered in silver.
Before him appeared a set of self-inking quills as the book automatically
opened to the first page.
"Sir Kingston looked down and across at him and said, "Scribe. The
Wizengamot is no more. This will be the first meeting of the Magical
Parliament of the magical United Kingdom. Please write your minutes
accordingly."
The scribe, though clearly a little fearful, replied, "Yes, Sir," before
starting an auto-quill running and beginning to write in the new Book.
The silver 'W' on Sir Kingston's robes then altered itself to the letter 'P' in
the same styling. Harry wondered if he'd even noticed.
Sir Kingston then said, "I, Sir Kingston Davies, Royal Wizard, now call
upon the Most Noble and Most Ancient Houses to give their oaths and
take their seats."
Neville then stepped forward and placed his hand upon the softly
glowing orb. He said, "I, Neville Francis Longbottom, Earl Gryffindor,
Head of the Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Gryffindor, swear
allegiance to the Crown and on my honour and my seat, to faithfully
obey the law and vote my conscience within these chambers. So mote it
be!"
Another flash of the orb and another light gong sound. Neville walked
forward, up the stairs and took his seat. The trim on his chair flashed
once a moment after he sat. His robes changed to purple acromantulan
silk with a silver 'P' embroidered high on his left breast. Directly beneath
it appeared the crest of the House of Gryffindor. Neville then dropped his
own wand into the receptacle for it.
Susan then stepped forward and placed her hand upon the orb. She gave
the same oath.
Another flash of the orb and another light gong sound. Susan walked
forward, up the stairs and took her seat. As for Neville the same changes
occurred. She dropped her wand into the receptacle for it in the arm of
her chair.
Hermione then stepped forward and placed her hand upon the orb giving
the same oath. She then took her place in the tiers.
Harry then stepped forward and gave the same oath.
He, however, did not ascend the stairs to take his seat. Instead, he
accepted from Amelia a file containing various oaths in template form
when she stepped forward. He withdrew from it the oath for the Chief
Justice.
He held the file with the parchment on top where Amelia could read it.
Sir Kingston then said, "I now call on the Lady Chief Justice to give her
oath and, when ready, take her seat."
She placed her hand upon the orb and said, "I Amelia Susan Bones, Chief
Justice of the magical United Kingdom, swear on my honour and my
seat, to faithfully obey the law, to provide wise counsel when asked, and
to deliberate with fairness when serving as judge, within these chambers.
So mote it be!"
Another flash of the orb and another light gong sound.
Instead of walking forward, up the stairs and taking her seat, she stepped
back and took the file from Harry.
Harry walked forward, up to the chairs and took his seat.
Sir Kingston then said, "I now call on the Lady Minister to give her oath
and take her seat."
Augusta stepped forward. Amelia already had the relevant parchment
ready and held for her to read.
Augusta placed her hand upon the orb and said, "I Augusta Longbottom,
Minister for Magic of the United Kingdom, swear on my honour and my
seat, to faithfully obey the law, to provide wise counsel when asked, and
vote my conscience within these chambers. So mote it be!"
Another flash of the orb and another light gong sound. She walked
forward and took her seat.
Sir Kingston said, "I now call on the Noble and Most Ancient Houses in
attendance to give their oath and take their seats."
Sirius then stepped forward and placed his hand upon the orb giving the
same oath as the heirs.
Harry, Neville and Susan stood and stepped down from their seats, back
onto the floor as Sirius gave his oath.
Another flash of the orb and another light gong sound. Sirius walked
forward, up the stairs and took one of the blank seats near Harry. The
trim on his chair flashed once a moment after he sat. The crest of the
House of Black appeared on the headrest above his head, trimmed in red.
His robes changed to purple acromantulan silk with a silver 'P'
embroidered high on his left breast. Directly beneath it appeared the
crest of the House of Black. He dropped his wand into the receptacle that
appeared for it.
Each one the three heirs gave the same oaths as Sirius before re-
ascending. None of them, however, took their own familial House seats.
Once the three finally settled in their seats, Sir Kingston said to Amelia,
"Okay, Lady Chief Justice, please summon your Aurors into this chamber
so they may act as... security against the rebelliousness to which we are
about to be subjected."
"And let slip the Dogs of War!" grinned Harry.
# # #
The Aurors were called inside and looked around in wonder. Not one of
them had never been in the chamber before. None of them had seen the
orb before, nor had any of them seen the seats Sir Kingston and the four
heirs were sitting upon, or the opening and stairs leading up from the
middle. They realised something big was in the wind as they saw Amelia
standing next to the softly glowing orb on its gold pedestal. Only two
noticed the accused's chair was missing.
"Aurors," said Amelia. "By order of the Crown, the Wizengamot has been
made defunct and has been disbanded. We will shortly be summoning the
members of the now disbanded Wizengamot so that selected Lords and
Ladies may take their seats. Those who sat upon these tiers as Regents
will have to prove their regencies first. Those who only sat upon these
tiers as Proxies will not be allowed to be seated until their positions are
confirmed by the rightful Lords and Ladies."
She fixed the twelve of them with a firm glare, "You are to direct all
Members to seats within the visitors' gallery. If anyone attempts to take
seat within the tiers of the Wizengamot, you are to bar them from doing
so. If they attempt to resist, you are to force their compliance. If
necessary you will use the Incarcerous Charm and the Mobilicorpus
charm upon them before levitating them into seats in the visitors' gallery.
"Only when Sir Kingston, the Royal Wizard," Amelia indicated Sir
Kingston, "calls them forward to the orb here," she indicated the orb,
"will they be allowed to stay on the floor. Only until they have given
their oath when called upon to do so, may they then approach and
ascend the stairs into the tiers of the new Wizengamot; the new Magical
Parliament. Have I made myself perfectly clear?"
Amelia received a dozen stunned, "Yes, Ma'am," from the twelve.
She then directed two to go into the chamber where the Members
normally gathered before being called in to take their seats. They were
told to immediately direct all arriving persons into the chamber.
She also placed one each at the now three sets of stairs leading up off the
floor into the tiers. These were the three biggest and fittest Aurors she
had. They were to not permit anyone ascending the stairs who had not
already sworn oath upon the orb first.
Two more she placed at the two sets of stairs leading into the visitors'
gallery. Once people ascended those stairs they were not permitted to
descend them until they were either called or wished to leave the
chamber.
Two more she placed at the main doors to the chamber. They were to
ensure anyone who had been ejected from the chamber were not able to
re-enter.
The last three she held with her. They would be sent to collect anyone
summoned to attend who did not receive the alert, or sent in support of
the others.
Once she had the aurors where she wanted them, she looked up at the
Royal Wizard and said, "We're ready, Sir Kingston."
Sir Kingston nodded and, placing his hand on his armrest while pushing
down on the butt of his wand in its receptacle called, "I summon the
Heads of the Noble and Most Ancient Houses to this chamber. Your
presence is required immediately in the now defunct Wizengamot
chamber."
Harry, Neville, Susan and Sirius all felt the rings on their fingers buzz and
saw the crests on them intermittently flash. When they pressed on the
crest they each clearly heard the voice of Sir Kingston in their minds.
"Well, that worked," remarked Harry. "I had somewhat believed it would,
but wasn't sure until just then."
Sir Kingston looked across at him and smiled. "It's nice when a plan
comes together, isn't it?"
No one else got the reference, except the Grangers and one of the aurors.
As the Lords and, in one case, Lady of the Noble and Most Ancient
Houses arrived in the Member's antechamber they were sent to the
visitors' gallery. Three of the Lords made a bit of a ruckus but the aurors
were firm in their handling of them.
Once they were seated in the visitors' gallery, Sir Kingston addressed
them. "By order of Her Majesty Elizabeth the Second, Head of the Royal
and Elder House of Windsor, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and of Her other Realms and
Territories, Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith,
the Wizengamot was found defunct and disbanded."
That received angry mutterings from the gathered Lords and Lady. Sir
Kingston and the others seated ignored them.
Once they had quieted down Sir Kingston addressed them a second time.
"Also by order of Her Majesty, the First sitting of the Magical Parliament
of the magical United Kingdom has been called.
"When you hear the name of your House called, you will step down,
approach the orb and give your oath to be seated. Lady Chief Justice
Bones will have the words of your oath for you to read. Please follow her
instructions. Once you have made your oath you may take seat in a
vacant seat to my left."
Using his own set of notes on parchment, Sir Kingston called, "The Head
of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Greengrass, please come
forward."
Amelia looked up at Cygnus Greengrass and encouraged him to come
forward. She already had the relevant oath ready for him. A tap of her
wand had changed the relevant details on the document.
He came down from the gallery and walked up to the orb. Amelia
whispered to him and he looked at her with not a little surprise. He
placed his hand on the orb and gave the oath.
The orb flashed, and Sir Kingston said, "Come forward Lord Greengrass of
the Noble and Most Ancient House of Greengrass, and be seated among
your peers.
Amelia whispered to him again and he found a seat next to Sirius. They
then engaged in a whispered conversation.
Sir Kingston then called the next down. "The Head of the Noble and Most
Ancient House of Longbottom, please come forward."
Harry sat forward in surprise and flicked his head to look at Neville.
Neville just grinned back.
From the doors leading outside Frank and Alice Longbottom came
through. Both were in wheelchairs but were sitting up proudly. They
were brought in by medi-witch attendees. Alice was set just in front of
the visitors' gallery while Frank was wheeled up to the orb.
Neville popped his wand, stood in his place, and said with clear
confidence, "Sir Kingston, if I may?"
"Lord Gryffindor," replied Sir Kingston, clearly expecting the interruption.
Harry frowned at him. He had the feeling he'd been set up with a mini-
prank.
Neville lifted his wand held out from his chest and intoned, "I, Neville
Francis Longbottom, Lord of the Noble and Most Ancient House of
Longbottom, hereby relinquish my claim to the Lordship of House
Longbottom to the rightful Lord Longbottom, my father, Francis Monroe
Longbottom. So mote it be!" A flash on his ring finger signalled his loss of
the Lord's ring for the House of Longbottom. He sat down and re-
sheathed his wand in its receptacle.
Frank then placed his hand on the orb and intoned in a somewhat
scratchy voice, "I, Francis Monroe Longbottom, hereby claim my Lordship
of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Longbottom. So mote it be!" A
flash on his ring finger signalled his gaining the Lord's ring for the House
of Longbottom. He lowered his hand.
Sir Kingston then said, "I again call the Noble and Most Ancient House of
Longbottom, please come forward."
Following the instructions from Amelia, Frank gave the same oath as
Cygnus before him.
As soon as the orb flashed, Sir Kingston said down to him, "Lord
Longbottom, at this time you may take your seat or name a Proxy in your
stead. Which would you prefer?"
Frank looked back and said in as clear a voice as he could, "I wouldn't
miss this for the world! I'll take my seat at this time, thank you."
Sir Kingston said, "Then, come forward Lord Longbottom of the Noble
and Most Ancient House of Longbottom, and be seated among your peers.
Harry noticed a quick whispered conversation between Sirius and Cygnus
as Frank was wheeled to the stairs leading up into the tiers. Both men
rose from their seats and hurried forward.
As Frank reached the foot of the stairs the medi-witch who was pushing
him flipped the foot rests out of the way. Cygnus and Sirius then helped
him to his seat before assisting him up the stairs to a seat next to where
they were sitting. Cygnus popped his wand out of his seat and sat Frank
in it. None of the three noticed the house crest for the House of
Greengrass fade out before it was replaced by the crest for the House of
Longbottom, and the seat flashed once.
When Cygnus took the next seat along and holstered his wand in it his
house crest appeared there and flashed once. On the second flash he
noticed with surprise his house crest had moved to his new seat.
Sir Kingston had also summoned the Noble and Ancient Houses, the
Noble and Elder Houses and the Magical House of Malfoy while Frank
was being assisted to a seat.
He then called the next House, MacMillan, forward. Each then came
forward in order of Marchbanks, Ogden and Smith. Each also gave the
oath. Each was summoned forward to join their peers.
The Noble and Ancient Houses had begun to arrive and they were forced
to wait in the antechamber. That left three people in the visitors' gallery
who shouldn't have been there.
Sir Kingston called on all three to stand. "And who might you be?" he
asked pointing at the first person.
"Arnold Peasegood. Proxy for the Potter seat."
Harry just snorted.
Turning to look at him, Sir Kingston asked, "Lord Slytherin, do you name
this man as your proxy for the Seat of House Potter?"
Harry stood and said, "No, Sir; I do not. I have never met this man in my
life!" And he sat down again.
Peasegood spluttered in indignation.
Sir Kingston turned to look at him and said, "Then, it appears, Sir, your
appearance here is in error. Leave."
Peasegood spluttered and said, "Albus Dumbledore gave me that seat! By
what..."
"Aurors!" barked Sir Kingston. That shut Peasgood up.
"Escort this man from this chamber," instructed the Royal Wizard. "If he
attempts to resist. Don't be gentle!"
Mister Peasegood turned and stomped out of the chamber through the
main doors. Harry wondered how he'd heard the call through the rings as
he didn't appear to be wearing one.
Indicating the next man he asked "And who might you be?"
"Phinneas Ackerley, Proxy for the Seat of House Black."
"No, he's not," said Sirius.
"Lord Black, please," remonstrated the Royal Wizard.
Sirius didn't even look abashed.
"It appears you, also, are in error, Mister Ackerley. Leave."
He, too, stomped out of the chamber muttering sulphurously.
Sir Kingston turned to the third person and asked, "And you, Sir?"
"Damien Goldstein, Proxy for the House of Stebbins, Sir."
"The House of Stebbins is an Noble and Ancient House, sir," said Sir
Kingston referring to his notes. "We have not called on those seats yet.
Please place yourself back into the visitors' gallery until the Head of the
House for that seat is called. After that you may be invited to give your
oath."
Mister Goldstein gave a minor shrug and climbed back up the stairs into
the visitors' gallery.
Sir Kingston called, "Please bring forward the Noble and Ancient Houses,
Noble and Elder Houses and the Magical House of Malfoy."
Many of those who came in representing the Ancient and Elder Houses
also muttered darkly about being stopped from taking what they believed
their seats to be. Some, however, noticed the major change to the layout
as soon as they could see it. They were clearly stunned. Very quickly,
they all did.
Once again, Sir Kingston stood and made his announcement over the
disbanding of the Wizengamot and the forming of the Magical
Parliament.
Again, there were mutterings of discontent and outright cries of denial
and outrage.
Once they'd settled down, with the aurors threatening to toss people out
if they didn't quiet down, Sir Kingston then gave them the same
instructions as before and started calling them forward.
Again referring to his own set of notes on parchment, Sir Kingston called,
"The Head of the Noble and Ancient House of Avery, please come
forward."
A man stepped down and approached the orb. Amelia frowned at him as
he came down. There was a bit of a heated sub voce argument between
the two before Sir Kingston asked, "Is there a problem, Lady Chief
Justice?"
Amelia looked up and said, "This man, Mister Alastor Gumboil, claims
Proxy for the House of Avery, Sir Kingston."
"And, where is Lord Avery?" asked Sir Kingston.
"Dead, Sir." she replied firmly.
"Then, he cannot be his proxy, can he?" said Sir Kingston firmly.
"Summon the late Lord Avery's heir." And turning to Gumboil said, "And
you, Sir, can leave."
"Arrrgghh!" snarled Mister Gumboil. "This is ridiculous! I was appointed
to the Seat by the Wizengamot!"
"Were you not listening, man?" snapped Sir Kingston. "The Wizengamot is
no more! Her Majesty, as is her right as Sovereign, disbanded it! Now, get
out unless and until you can present papers signed by the current Lord or
Lady Avery authorising you to be his or her proxy! And that won't be
accepted until such time as the current Lord of Lady Avery has presented
him- or herself to this body and sworn their oath first!"
"We'll see about this!" snarled the man storming out of the chamber.
Watching the Royal Wizard at work, Harry had to hand it to the man.
Two months ago he never would have believed Sir Kingston Davies had
the backbone to do this job. Now, he had backbone to spare. A mundane-
born snarling down on the purebloods. Having the total support and
backing of the Queen behind him had done wonders to supplying
stiffening to his spine.
"If there are any others of you up there claiming proxies you may as well
leave now. The only exemption will be if you're accompanying the
current Lord or Lady Head of the House. Otherwise you're just wasting
mine, and everybody else's, time," said Sir Kingston to the crowd in the
visitors' gallery.
With the exception of three people, the rest left. Shouting imprecations
and otherwise cursing.
After they left, Sir Kingston once more cast his eyes to Amelia. "Lady
Chief Justice, has the heir of the House of Avery been summoned?"
"No, Sir," she replied. "At this time, it appears the Noble and Ancient
House of Avery has no heir."
"Very well," he said. "Then we shall mark the House as currently having
no Head and remove it from the rolls until and unless an heir can be
found."
Again referring to his own set of notes, Sir Kingston called, "The Head of
the Noble and Ancient House of Crabbe, please come forward."
Amelia looked up, saw no one coming down, and said, "Regulus Crabbe
was the Lord and Head of the House, Sir, he recently died. I believe his
eleven year old son, Vincent, is his heir."
"Does young Mister Crabbe have a regent or magical guardian?"
"His mother is alive, Sir," she replied.
"Very well. Summon them both!" he ordered.
Amelia sent off a couple of her Aurors.
Again referring to his own set of notes, Sir Kingston called, "The Head of
the Noble and Ancient House of Goyle, please come forward."
Amelia again looked up, saw no one coming down, and said, "Same, Sir.
Olam Goyle was the Lord and Head of the House. He, too, recently died. I
believe his eleven year old son, Gregory, is his heir."
"Then same as with the House of Crabbe, Lady Chief Justice," he said,
"Get them in here."
"Yes, Sir. However, I will need to call more Aurors in first to then send
them out."
"Noted, Lady Chief Justice," he said.
"Let's try this one," he continued. "The Head of the Noble and Ancient
House of Mulciber, please come forward."
Bevis Mulciber stepped down out of the visitors' gallery and approached
Amelia. Harry could see she was as surprised as he was that the man was
still alive. Harry was sure he was a marked Death Eater. Thinking about
it, he realised the man didn't become such until Riddle was reborn in
1995.
Mulciber was also arguing with Amelia.
"Do we have another problem?" asked Sir Kingston.
"I will not give this oath and you cannot force me to!" snarled Mulciber.
"You are, of course, correct, Sir," responded Sir Kingston. "If you are not
willing to give the oath then name your heir."
Frowning, Mulciber glared back and asked, "Why?"
"Because," replied Sir Kingston, "if he is willing to give the oath where
you are not, then I will strip you of your Lordship and Head of House
position and grant it to him or her."
"What?" exclaimed Mulciber, "You can't do that!"
"Her Majesty has granted me both the permission and fiat to do exactly
that, Sir," snapped back the Royal Wizard. "Now, give the oath or name...
your... heir!"
"And if I refuse?" huffed Mulciber.
"Idiot!" Harry heard Hermione mutter. He grinned back at her.
"This should be interesting," he whispered to her.
"Then I will act," replied Sir Kingston.
"Then I refuse!" huffed Mulciber again crossing his arms.
Harry knew there was going to be a first to do this. That was part of the
careful planning they had done over the past few days.
"Very well!" said Sir Kingston. He then placed his hand back on the butt
of his wand and intoned, "I, Sir Kingston Davies, Royal Wizard to the
court of Her Majesty, Elizabeth the Second, Head of the Royal and Elder
House of Windsor, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern Ireland, and of Her other Realms and Territories,
Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, under her
authority, hereby strip you of both the Lordship and Headship of the
Noble and Ancient House of Mulciber. So mote it be!"
There was a sudden flash on the ring finger of the now ex-Lord Mulciber's
finger, and the ring was gone.
"What?" Mulciber exclaimed when he felt the ring disappear and looked
down at his hand to see it gone. "How? That's impossible!"
There were shocked mutterings from those others gathered who didn't,
until then, believe just what power Sir Kingston wielded. 'They know
now,' thought Harry.
"Clearly, I can," replied Sir Kingston. "Now, Mister Mulciber, who is your
heir and the new Head of the Noble and Ancient House of Mulciber?"
Bevis Mulciber kept looking from his ring finger to the Royal Wizard and
back again.
Hermione stood and said, "Sir Kingston, if I may?"
Looking at Hermione, Sir Kingston asked, "Lady Ravenclaw?"
"Sir Kingston," replied Hermione, "I believe Mister Mulciber's heir to be
his son, Caleb Mulciber, currently a student at Hogwarts; a Second Year
in Slytherin House, if I recall." She sat down again.
Harry suddenly had the image of the boy in his mind. He was always
somewhat aloof and wasn't one to approach him to talk.
"I see," said Sir Kingston. "Thank you, Lady Ravenclaw." Then, turning to
look once more at the now ex-Lord Mulciber, he asked, "Mister Mulciber,
is your son, Caleb, your heir?"
"Yes, damn you!" snarled Mulciber. "Now, give me back my ring!"
"Lady Chief Justice," said Sir Kingston, currently ignoring the furious man
on the floor, and talking to Amelia. "Please summon Caleb Mulciber from
Hogwarts."
Harry ducked down off the tiers and hurried over to Amelia around and
behind Mulciber. He reached into his pockets and withdrew his mirror
and offered it to her. "Maybe your aurors will be better able to gather up
the heirs if they're not forced to keep running from here to the apparation
point to Hogwarts and back."
"Mister Mulciber," said Sir Kingston, "it is not your ring for me to give
back. The ring now rightfully belongs to your son, Caleb. We will wait to
hear directly from him. You may step back and return to the visitors'
gallery while we await your son. Or, you will be ejected, forcibly if
needed, from this chamber."
Amelia immediately understood what Harry was getting at and said, "An
excellent idea, My Lord Slytherin. Thank you." She called over one of her
aurors and instructed him in its use.
Bevis Mulciber stomped up the stairs to the visitors' gallery.
As he was just starting to mount the stairs back into the tiers again, Harry
saw an auror come hurrying in. He was quite puffed. He also had with
him Vincent Crabbe.
Harry hesitated going back to his seat. Instead, he grabbed young Mister
Crabbe by the elbow and led him off to one side.
"Do you know why you are here, Vincent?" he asked.
The boy frowned and replied, "No. The aurors wouldn't tell me. I figured
it had something to do with my dad." The boy hesitated for a moment
before asking, "Am I in trouble?"
"No, mate," replied Harry. "You are the new Head of your House, now. As
such you're about to be asked if you wish - and feel you are ready - to
take up your Lordship, or to name a regent to your seat. If you believe
your Mum can do the job, then nominate her for the position. But, wait
until she is here and discuss it with her first, okay?"
The boy nodded and relaxed. Somewhat, assured.
Sir Kingston called out, "The Head of the Noble and Ancient House of
Stebbins, please come forward."
Again, Damien Goldstein came down.
Sir Kingston said, "Mister Goldstein, it is our understanding you claim
proxy for the Seat of Stebbins, is that not true?"
"Yes, Sir," replied Goldstein. "I am the properly authorised Proxy for the
Seat of Stebbins."
Sir Kingston said, "Mister Goldstein, I called for the Head - that is, the
rightful Lord or Lady - of the House of Stebbins. How can you claim
Proxy if you're also supposed to be the Head of the House?"
"Errr..." said Goldstein, "It is my understanding the Lord Stebbins is
unable to attend due to ill health. As such, I stand as his Proxy."
"And just where is Lord Stebbins?" asked Sir Kingston.
"He is abed in Saint Mungo's," replied Goldstein.
Turning once more to Amelia, Sir Kingston said, "Lady Chief Justice,
please send someone to Saint Mungo's to discover why Lord Stebbins did
not answer his call to this chamber. Speak to his healers, if you must. If it
is discovered Lord Stebbins is, and will, be unable to carry out his duties
as a member of this body, then discover for us the name of his heir. Then,
bring his heir forth."
"Yes, Sir," replied Amelia.
Turning back to Goldstein, the Royal Wizard said, "Mister Goldstein, until
such time as we discover, for ourselves, whether or not Lord Stebbins or,
in his stead his heir, will be able to take seat in this chamber, your
presence is not required. You may leave."
Without a word, Goldstein stormed out of the chamber.
Sir Kingston called out, "The Head of the Noble and Ancient House of
Yaxley, please come forward."
"Dead, Sir," said Amelia. "We do not know the identity of his heir."
"Very well," said Sir Kingston.
An auror entered with a young to middle aged woman in tow. She was
frowning in confusion. Vincent Crabbe saw her and called, "Mother!"
Her face brightened a little and she came across to where Harry was still
standing with Vincent.
"Vincent?" she asked, the confusion still written on her face. "What is
going on?"
"I'll answer that for you, if you like, Ma'am," replied Harry smoothly.
"Lord Harry James Potter, at your service. I am Mister Crabbe's Head of
House for Slytherin."
The lady looked at him with wide eyes of shock. "You're the one who
killed... destroyed the Dark Lord!"
"Yes, Ma'am," replied Harry. "Please, allow me to explain what's going
on."
The lady nodded.
Sir Kingston called out, "The Head of the Noble and Elder House of
Abbott, please come forward."
Lord Abbott descended from the visitors' gallery. He seemed amused, and
quite pleased, with what was going on.
While Lord Charles Abbott gave his oath, was invited to, and ascended
the stairs into the tiers, Harry went over in short detail what was going
on and explained to both of them their options. They decided she would
act as regent for the House and allow Vincent to dedicate himself to his
studies until such time as he completed them. Harry also told them they
could change their mind and have Vincent take up his Lordship at any
time, but they couldn't go back once he did that.
Harry then said, "I believe you've made a wise decision, Vince, Ma'am. I
just hope the others who will soon find themselves in the same situation,
are just as wise."
Sir Kingston called out, "The Head of the Noble and Elder House of
Parkinson, please come forward."
"Dead, Sir," said Amelia. "We do not know the identity of his heir. But,
believe it to be his daughter, Pansy."
Harry then hurried across to Amelia and told her what they'd decided
and told her Pansy was one of 'his' First Years at Hogwarts.
"Very well," said Sir Kingston. "Summon his heir."
Amelia gave him a nod and flipped open her mirror communicator. She
said a few words before flipping it closed again.
Sir Kingston called out, "The Head of the Magical House of Malfoy, please
come forward."
"Dead, Sir," said Amelia. "We know the identity of his heir. I will have
someone summon him."
"Very well," said Sir Kingston. "Summon the heir."
Amelia again gave a nod and flipped open her communicator and said a
few words.
Harry waited for her to finish her call before telling her the Crabbes were
ready.
"Sir Kingston," she went on to say, having turned back to the Royal
Wizard, "we have the Head and Regent of the Noble and Ancient House
of Crabbe now with us."
"Very well," said Sir Kingston. "Have the Head step forward."
As Vincent, still a little terrified, was brought forward with a word of
encouragement from Amelia - she didn't hold the children of Death Eaters
responsible for the actions of their parents - Gregory Goyle, and someone
who appeared to be his mother, were brought in onto the floor together.
"Adeline?" asked Gregory's mother of Vincent's mother, "What's going
on?"
Adeline indicated Harry, who said, "The Wizengamot has been disbanded
by Her Majesty and a new Parliament is being formed in its stead.
Gregory and you have been called due to your House's noble status.
Please, watch what Vincent and his mother do and I'll explain."
Vincent stepped up to the orb and placed his right hand upon it. He read
from the parchment Amelia held for him, "I, Vincent Regulus Crabbe,
Head of the Noble and Ancient House of Crabbe, swear allegiance to the
Crown and name my Regent, my mother, Adeline Devyna Crabbe, until
such time as I am ready to take up my seat in my own right within these
chambers. So mote it be!"
The orb flashed and the light gong sounded.
Sir Kingston called out, "Regent for the Noble and Ancient House of
Crabbe, please come forward."
Harry quickly gave the same explanations as he did to Vincent and
Adeline as they were waiting. And provided the same counsel. Madam
Goyle and Gregory made the same decision.
With her hand on the orb, Adeline recited, "I, Adeline Devyna Crabbe,
Regent for the Noble and Ancient House of Crabbe, swear allegiance to
the Crown and on my honour and my seat, to faithfully obey the law and
vote my conscience within these chambers. So mote it be!"
The orb flashed and the light gong sounded.
Madam Crabbe was then invited up into the tiers to take a seat. Harry
suggested to Vincent he take a seat in the visitors' gallery to watch
history being made, which he did. As Regent for the seat, Adeline's crest
was surrounded by a red border.
As the Goyles were about to step forward Pansy Parkinson, Draco Malfoy
and his mother entered with the auror sent to fetch them.
Another auror came hurrying in unattended. He hurried across to Amelia
and whispered in her ear. Amelia frowned and nodded.
Harry called the Malfoys and Pansy across to join him against the back
and under the tiers of the visitors' gallery.
Just as Draco frowned at Harry and was about to say something, Amelia
had stepped forward to the orb, halting Gregory from placing his hand on
it. Harry used the opportunity to call Sirius down. He hoped, at least,
Narcissa would listen to him even if Draco wouldn't.
"Sir, Kingston," she called. "One of our aurors has returned from Saint
Mungo'swhere they went in search of Lord Tyler Stebbins. According to
his healers it appears Lord Tyler Stebbins is permanently unable to fulfil
his duties on this body."
"I see," responded Sir Kingston. "In that case, summon his heir."
Amelia nodded and sent the same auror scurrying off after she gave him
whispered instructions. Then she called Gregory forward again.
As Gregory and his mother gave the same oaths as the Crabbes, Harry
said to Pansy and Draco, "You may not like me, Mister Malfoy, Miss
Parkinson; however, I am duty bound to provide you wise counsel and
advice. I have also asked Lord Black, here..." indicating Sirius, "... to join
us so he may also offer his counsel. Try to listen before you decide to hurl
abuse, okay?"
Again, Draco was about to say something; but, before he could, his
mother growled, "Draco!"
She said to Harry and Sirius in turn, "Lord Slytherin, Lord Black, we
welcome your counsel."
Another auror entered with a rather pug-faced and stern woman, who
appeared furious. Harry immediately guessed she had to be Pansy's
mother, Madam Parkinson, and gestured for her to join them.
Once she had, Harry went on to describe what was happening and why.
He could see Draco was decidedly unhappy but at least the boy kept his
mouth shut. Pansy just whined about how it was so unfair.
Sirius also reiterated Harry's counsel and supported it. He added, "You
can always take the Lordship - or Ladyship in your case, Miss Parkinson -
at any time afterwards. You are no longer restricted to the seventeenth
birthday age limit. However, I also recommend you name your mothers
as regents until you have had time to discuss it further."
"Thank you, both, for your counsel," said Narcissa. "I shall discuss it with
Draco, Albrechta and Pansy." Narcissa dragged the boy a little apart with
Madam Parkinson and Pansy joining them. Harry and Sirius backed off to
leave them to it. They were soon in a bit of a quiet but heated argument.
Sirius returned to his seat.
"Is there a problem, Lady Chief Justice? Lord Slytherin?" asked Sir
Kingston looking down on them.
"It's just a finalising of decisions, Sir," replied Amelia. "If you would give
us a few moments, we should have it resolved."
"Very well," he replied before turning to have a quiet conversation with
Neville.
Neville, who had kept looking at his father with expressions of both
concern and pleasure, was talking with both Sir Kingston and Susan. Lord
Longbottom was happily in a discussion with Lord Greengrass and Sirius,
who had returned to his seat. However, he still looked a little pale. Harry
knew his convalescence would be a slow process.
Madam Parkinson came forward to Harry with Pansy. "We'll be taking the
same option as the Crabbes and Goyles, Lord Slytherin," she said.
Harry also noticed the now ex-Lord, Mulciber, leaning over the rail from
the visitors' gallery and talking with Narcissa.
Harry respectfully nodded to the Parkinson matriarch and said, "Yes,
Madam Parkinson." He turned to Amelia and didn't see the expression of
surprise on the older woman's face as he addressed her with respect.
"Lady Chief Justice?" called Harry. "Miss Parkinson will be taking the
same option as Messers Crabbe and Goyle, establishing her mother as
regent for her House."
Amelia nodded and brought Pansy forward to the orb.
Harry left her and her mother to say their oaths while he kept an eye on
the Malfoys and Mulciber. Mulciber seemed to be angrily remonstrating
with Narcissa, who was looking back in defiance.
He walked over and asked her, "Is there a problem, Madam Malfoy...
cousin?"
Mulciber glared at Harry for a few moments before pulling his head back
over the rail.
"No, Lord Slytherin," she replied with a slight look of gratefulness back at
Harry. "It seem Lor... sorry, Mister Mulciber, is angry with having his
Lordship stripped from him."
Harry, throwing the man a bone without seeming to, said, "Well, if Mister
Mulciber can convince his son to name him his regent he will regain
much of his power. However, if he still refuses to give the oath then his
regency will be denied. And, his son will be asked to take up the Lordship
himself or name another regent. It's up to him, of course."
Mulciber was clearly listening and sat back with a thoughtful frown.
Narcissa could clearly see what effect Harry's words had on the man, and
why he said it.
"And", he asked, "have you made your decision?"
Narcissa nodded while Draco continued to scowl.
She looked down at her son and said, "Yes. Draco will be offering me the
regency as his friends have offered their mothers before him."
Draco just scowled even further and muttered under his breath.
"A very wise decision, Mister Malfoy," Harry said to him with kindness
and resolve. "Give yourself the time to complete your studies so you can
dedicate your time primarily to that goal. This new Magical Parliament
are going to be made to work very hard over long hours for quite some
time to come. Your studies would have suffered."
As Madam Goyle walked up into the tiers of the new Parliament, Harry
said to Amelia, "We're ready for the House of Malfoy. Mister Malfoy will
be taking the same option."
Amelia nodded, turned towards Sir Kingston and called, "Sir Kingston, we
have the Head and Regent of the Magical House of Malfoy now with us."
"Very well," said Sir Kingston. "Have the Head of the Magical House of
Malfoy come forward."
Amelia helped Draco through his oath. Draco then backed away and
Narcissa stepped forward. She gave the Regent's oath.
As she was about to walked forward, Sir Kingston said, "Let it now be
known the Magical House of Malfoy is now the Noble and Magical House
of Malfoy. Come forward Madam Narcissa Malfoy, Regent for the Noble
and Magical House of Malfoy, and be seated among your peers."
Both her and Draco looked back at the man in shock. But Narcissa
continued to ascend.
Harry, looked at Draco and said, "Surprise! Go take a seat in the visitors'
gallery, Draco. We won't be too much longer today."
Draco, still in shock, took a seat in the gallery.
While he was guiding Draco up the stairs, a boy only a year his physical
senior was brought in by an auror. As with those before him, he looked a
little terrified, but was putting on a brave face. Harry recognised him
immediately.
He looked at the tiers where the Wizengamot once sat and frowned. His
father came down from the visitors' gallery and began to urgently
whisper to him before he could even say hello.
The boy first looked happy to see his father, then a little shocked by what
he was being told, then he frowned, then he looked... resolute.
He pulled slightly away from his father and frowned back at him. Then
he said something quietly back and saw his father looked shocked, then
angry.
Harry used the time to walk over and said to the boy, "Mister Mulciber?"
The older Mulciber glared at Harry. Harry just ignored him.
"Yes, My Lord," said the young Mister Mulciber, as he squared his
shoulders and walked apart from his father. Away from the man he
frowned back at him for a moment before turning his attention to Harry.
"What is going on?" the boy asked. "And why is my father telling me I
must hand him back the Lordship of our House?"
Harry quietly explained to the young man about how the Queen had
disbanded the Wizengamot, demanded the formation of a parliament in
its place, and that each Lord or Lady who were offered a seat in the new
Magical Parliament were required to swear an oath. He explained how
his father refused to give the oath so the Royal Wizard of Her Majesty's
court... Harry indicated the man... stripped his father of both his Lordship
and his Head of House position.
"That's something both magic and the crown recognises he has the right
to do," said Harry.
Harry then went on to detail how the boy's father refused to name his
heir to take his place, so it was done for him. And he laid out how Caleb
was, as the heir, now the Head of House Mulciber.
Then Harry laid out for the boy his options same as presented to Crabbe,
Goyle, Parkinson and Malfoy. And their decisions.
The boy stood there hearing it all without asking a single question. Once
Harry had finished, he asked, "Do I have to name a regent?"
"No."
"If I name a regent, does it have to be my father?"
"No. But, as that person would have access to the entire family financial
estate, it should be someone you implicitly trust."
"And, if I take up the Lordship and name a proxy?"
"Then you become Lord Mulciber, you will be automatically
emancipated, and have the full responsibilities of a legal adult. At that
time you can also name a proxy in your stead. However, you will need to
renew their proxy status once per year by attending the chamber. And
the proxy cannot be an existing Lord, Regent or Proxy for another."
"If I name a regent, does that block me from becoming Lord until I'm
seventeen?"
"No. You can inform your regent, at any time, you are taking up your
Lordship. They cannot refuse you, as you are the rightful Lord."
"Can my father stop this?"
"Definitely not. He is now a vassal of your House, unless you decide to
kick him out," said Harry. "However, there is nothing to stop you from
naming him your heir. But, he needs to know he still won't be able to
take up a Seat, when the time comes, until he gives the oath."
"What does the oath state?"
Harry quoted it for him.
"That's it? Why the bloody hell did my father refuse to give it?"
"That is not for me to know. Nor, do I need to know. You will need to ask
him, yourself."
"Thank you, My Lord," said Caleb. "I believe I know what to do, now."
"You're welcome, Mister Mulciber," replied Harry.
The young man walked back to where his father was standing and, with
his arms crossed, said a few words to his father. The senior Mulciber
appeared quite livid. It appeared, at one point, the senior Mulciber was
going to strike the junior. An auror even stepped forward and said a quiet
word.
Caleb came back to Harry and told him with a scowl, "My father
attempted to force me to name him my heir, and then immediately step
down as Lord."
"Clever," said Harry. "But he would still had to have given the oath.
Otherwise, it would be removed from him again."
"I figured as much," replied the young man. "That's why I told him I may
name him my heir, but I was not going to step down. He had his chance
and blew it."
"As you wish, Mister Mulciber," replied Harry, not surprised. "If you have
now made your decision you need to go see Lady Chief Justice Bones.
She will guide you through what you need to do."
Caleb listened to what Amelia told him, then told her what he was doing.
He then gave the oath naming his mother as his regent.
His father ranted at him from the visitors' gallery. The aurors quickly
moved to usher him out of the chamber.
Caleb, however, didn't move either. He called out, "Sir! May I name my
heir at this time?"
Everyone stopped. Even Amelia was surprised at this turn of events.
Sir Kingston said warily, "You may, Mister Mulciber."
Caleb asked a question of Amelia and then turned back to the front. He
laid his hand back on the orb and said, "I, Caleb Bevis Mulciber, name as
my heir to the Noble and Ancient House of Mulciber, Lord Harry James
Potter. So mote it be!"
The orb flashed and gonged while there was another flash on Harry's
finger. Cycling through them he saw the heirs ring for the House of
Mulciber on his finger.
Bevis Mulciber ranted even more and was quickly ushered out of the
room. Sirius was roaring with laughter, even both Cygnus and Frank
were laughing. Neville looked to be having a fit of giggles, as was Susan
and Hermione.
As Caleb stepped away from the orb, Harry approached him.
"Why?" asked Harry.
Caleb smiled back and said, "It protects me from my father having me
killed. His behaviour up there clearly shows he was more than
considering it. Now, if he wants the Lordship back, he's going to have to
go through you too, Mister Destroyer-of-the-Dark-Lord."
Harry just shook his head in denial of the shock of it.
Caleb laid his hand on Harry's shoulder and, still smiling, said,
"Congratulations, Scion and Heir of the Noble and Ancient House of
Mulciber."
His mother was even more quickly summoned than Mulciber senior
getting tossed out. Amelia wanted an auror at the Mulciber residence
before Mulciber senior could get there.
Harry suggested to the young man he join Draco and the others in the
visitors' gallery to witness what was going on.
Sir Kingston called out, "The Head of the Noble and Most Ancient House
of Bones, please come forward to take your oath for the House of Bones."
Susan rose from her seat and made her way down to the orb. She placed
her hand upon the orb and said, "I, Susan Charity Bones, Lady and Head
of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Bones, name as my Proxy for the
House of Bones, my aunt, Madam Amelia Susan Bones. So mote it be!"
Another flash of the orb and gong sound.
"Very well," said Sir Kingston. "Named Proxy for the Noble and Most
Ancient House of Bones, come forward and give the oath."
Amelia stepped up while Susan held the parchment for her.
"Madam Bones," asked the Royal Wizard, "you are aware you can only
occupy one seat each sitting? And that you may only vote while you
occupy the seat of Bones, and not sitting as Lady Chief Justice?"
"Yes, Sir; I am," replied Amelia.
"Very, well. You may give the proxy oath."
Susan, again, held up the parchment for the aunt to read.
"I, Amelia Susan Bones, named proxy for the Noble and Most Ancient
House of Bones, swear allegiance to the Crown and on my honour and
my seat, to faithfully obey the law and vote my conscience within these
chambers. So mote it be!"
Another flash of the orb and gong sound.
Susan handed the parchment back to Amelia and walked back up to take
her seat.
Sir Kingston called out, "The Head of the Noble and Most Ancient House
of Potter, please come forward to take your oath for the House of Potter."
Harry walked over to the orb, placed his hand upon it, and said, "I, Harry
James Potter, Lord and Head of the Noble and Most Ancient House of
Potter, name as my Proxy for the House of Potter, my cousin, Miss
Nymphadora Tonks. So mote it be!"
Another flash of the orb and gong sound.
"Very well," said Sir Kingston. "Named Proxy for the Noble and Most
Ancient House of Potter, come forward and give the oath."
Amelia stepped up and said, "Miss Tonks is a Seventh Year Hufflepuff at
Hogwarts; she will need to be summoned."
Sir Kingston frowned and said, "Lord Potter, do you require your proxy to
take your seat for the House of Potter at this time?"
"No, Sir!" replied Harry.
"Very well," said Kingston, before turning to look at Amelia. "Lady Chief
Justice, do we still await the arrival of any Heads, Lords or Ladies,
Regents or Proxies of Noble Houses?"
"Yes, Sir," she replied. "We await Madam Mulciber only."
Just as she said it, an auror walked in with Madam Mulciber in tow.
"Ah!" said Amelia. "A few moments, please, Sir Kingston."
He gave her a nod and waited.
Caleb called the woman over. The two spoke quietly together for a few
moment. At one points she reeled back in surprise. But, Caleb spoke to
her for a while and her face became a grim mask. She then gave a short
sharp curt nod.
Caleb ushered her over to Amelia while he held back.
She, Lisanda Maerth Mulciber, gave the oath as regent for the House of
Mulciber. She was invited to and ascended the stairs.
Harry saw Caleb nod in satisfaction.
Sir Kingston then asked Amelia. "Lady Chief Justice, do we still await the
arrival of any other Heads, Lords or Ladies, Regents or Proxies of Noble
Houses?"
"No, Sir," she replied.
"Very well," said Sir Kingston. "At this time I ask our guests to please wait
outside. We will not be long, so you may wait just outside the chambers.
Aurors, please clear the visitors' gallery and others from the floor. Only
Senior Auror and up may remain of the aurors. Lord Slytherin, Lady Chief
Justice, please take your seats."
After a bit of grumbling from those who wanted to stay and watch
everyone bar those seated in the new Magical Parliament, plus the Scribe
and three aurors, the doors were sealed.
Sir Kingston then said, "Lords, Ladies, Madams and Sirs, this officially
ends the first sitting of the formation of the new Magical Parliament of
the magical United Kingdom. As you can see, there are a number of
empty seats to my left. These will be filled as we find new Lords or
Ladies, or their Regents or Proxies, to fill them.
"By order of Her Majesty, if an heir cannot be found for a House, then
that House will be struck from the books. We will not see this chamber
filled by people claiming proxies for Houses whose entire lines have
actually ended. However, arrangements have been made with the Goblin
Nation for any and all who are willing to pay the associated costs to
undertake the Rite of Inheritance."
That brought a few mutterings from the few in the room.
He continued, "Her Majesty is very interested in finding those who do not
realise they have inheritance due them; and ensuring they get them. I
assure you, the goblins are just as interested, as they believe unclaimed
inheritances are simply gold gathering dust and occupying space that
could be used to earn monies for them.
"Lord Potter and Lord Black, as majority shareholders in the Daily
Prophet, have assured us they will ensure space will be granted us for the
inclusion of a notice informing the people of magical Britain we are
seeking the rightful heirs of a wide number of Houses. And that many of
those Houses may be due a seat on this body."
That brought even more grumblings.
"If someone is the true heir it is theirs by right and they will have it!"
snapped the Royal Wizard. "This is the command of your Sovereign."
And that halted the mutterings.
"The second and final item I have for you is a delicate one," he said.
"Scribe, this will not be entered into the official record. This will not be
discussed by anyone, or communicated to any other person in any form.
This includes all those present."
Weatherby looked up for a moment, and then shut the auto-quill down.
Once he was ready he nodded back.
Sir Kingston waited on the signal from the scribe and said, "Earlier this
morning, by order of Her Majesty Elizabeth the Second, Head of the
Royal and Elder House of Windsor, by the Grace of God, of the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and of Her other Realms
and Territories, Queen, Head of the Commonwealth... Mister Albus
Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore was taken to the Veil of Death in the
Department of Mysteries, here, in the Ministry. There, he was read the
Order of Execution lawfully signed by Her Majesty. He was then executed
by being summarily thrown through the Veil of Death. His execution was
dutifully witnessed by Lady Chief Justice, two of her aurors, and two
Unspeakables."
That caused a few shocked exclamations.
He continued, "I now call this First meeting of the Magical Parliament of
the magical United Kingdom to a close."
*Gong!*
# # #
Harry asked Sir Kingston to join him in the chamber's antechamber. He
needed to know how the man's attitude had changed so much from the
man he'd first met back in early July.
"Sir Kingston," said Harry, carefully considering his words. "I need to
know how it is you've managed to change so much in the past few weeks.
The man I met in the palace in early July is not the man I see standing
before me today."
The older man stood looking intently at Harry for a long for moments
clearly thinking. When, to Harry, it appeared he'd come to a decision, he
said, "Until that day, My Lord Slytherin, I thought my job to be - in the
vernacular of the common folk - quite 'cushy'. I believed it to be no more
than monitoring and maintaining the existing wards about the palace;
and to answer for Her Majesty specific questions about the wizarding
world. A job description, as explained to me by my predecessor.
"Then you came before the Queen and explained to her about sedition
within the magical world. Information I should have both been aware of,
and provided her, long before you arrived. Yet, I did not.
"The shock of learning from you that sedition was occurring and that I
was unaware of it; that day, in the presence of our Queen, I suffered a
mild heart attack."
Harry interrupted and said, "I'm sorry to hear that, Sir Kingston. Are you
alright now, though?"
The older man made a throw away gesture and said, "It was what it was.
It was a warning."
Continuing he said, "Later that day, while still resting in the palace
hospital, I received a note from His Royal Highness, Prince Charles,
inviting me to morning tea the next day. One does not ignore such an
invitation.
"The next morning, and against doctor's orders, I met with the Prince in
his private apartments. It was just the two of us.
"During that meeting he told me a few cold hard truths. And, about the
nicest thing he said to me was... and I remember it vividly... 'You have let
down the realm, you have let down your country, you have let down
yourself; but, worst of all, you have let down my Mum'.
"Instead of heading home to further rest up, I headed for the palace
records office. There, I researched deeply into the role of Royal Wizard,
and what it meant. I had to go back over two hundred years before I
finally discovered just what my role was supposed to entail.
"Then, incognito, I visited Diagon Alley, the Ministry, and other
wizarding towns and communities. I spoke to a great many people. At the
Ministry I visited the records office there and had to go back almost four
hundred years before I found records concerning the role of the Royal
Wizard.
"From it all, I learned a number of things. First, I am too old to truly be
effective in my role; it is a younger man's role. Secondly, it is my primary
role to protect Her Majesty and the Royal Family from magical attacks;
be they, spell fire, potion, physical, or mental. And, third, to be aware at
all times of the... temperature... of the wizarding world within the United
Kingdom, so I may provide Her Majesty wise counsel.
"That is why I am currently training my son, my apprentice, to take over
as Royal Wizard from me as soon as possible. Instead of learning things
such as how to make the perfect cup of tea, he is undergoing training in
how to wield a sword, how to detect harmful magic in an as unobtrusive
manner as possible, to instinctually place himself between the Queen and
a magical threat - as a true knight of the realm should - at all times, and
know how to carry out the role with the dignity and etiquette the role
demands.
"I may have failed my Queen once, for that I even offered my immediate
resignation - which was refused, by the way - but, so help me God, I will
not fail her again. I would rather forfeit my own life before allowing that
to happen a second time.
"It took you, an eleven year old boy, to shake me out of my stupidity and
phlegmatic attitude to my responsibility. It hurt, but it also opened my
eyes. And I thank you for that."
Harry heard the man's clearly passionate speech, and let him complete it
without further interruption.
Once he was done, Harry said, "Then, Sir Knight to Her Majesty, the
Queen, Royal Wizard, I welcome you as friend and comrade," and held
out his hand to shake. "I look forward to working with you."
Sir Kingston shook Harry's hand and smiled. "For as long as that may be,"
the man said.
# # #
29. It's a Conclusion
Chapter Twenty-Nine - It Concludes
# # #
Once they'd returned to the castle, Harry moaned about his so-called,
now elongated, full title. "Lord Harry James Potter, Earl of Slytherin,
Lord and Head of the Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Slytherin,
Lord and Head of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter, Head of
the Most Ancient House of Gaunt, Head of the Most Ancient House of
Peverell, Heir of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, Heir of the
Noble and Ancient House of Mulciber, Part-Owner of Hogwarts' School of
Witchcraft and Wizardry, The-Boy-Who-Lived, The-Destroyer-of-The-
Dark-Wizard-Tom-Riddle" he sighed. His bloody title was even longer
than the Queen's.
Hermione threw a pillow at him. "Stop your whining!" she admonished
him.
"Damn it, 'Mione; think about it for a moment, will you?" he asked. "Of
those families, Slytherin, Gaunt, Black and Mulciber are all considered
dark. Only Potter and Peverell are considered light families; and only
Peverell because of its close ties to the House of Potter! How am I
supposed to get people to like me if I keep coming up looking more and
more dark, all the time? How am I supposed to restructure the thinking of
what it means to be a Slytherin if I keep having dark families make me
their heirs? Sheesh!"
"You'll just have to prove 'dark' and 'light' are words that don't apply,
anymore," she replied. "Besides, you've done little to make the Slytherins
understand Salazaar was talking about purity of spirit rather than purity
of blood. And, do they even know Salazaar was a mundane-born yet?"
"Okay," said Harry throwing up his hands. "I get it. There's loads more
work to do and moaning about something as inane as an overly long title
isn't getting it done."
"Well," she said, "that wasn't specifically what I was referring to; but, it
works for me."
"Okay, you two," spoke up Neville from one of the couches. "Enough with
the lovey-dovey stuff."
"Neville!" said a highly shocked Hermione. "We were not doing any such
thing!"
"Uh-huh," said the boy in mock agreement. "Anyway, the reason I
interrupted is; it appears we have our first complaint from a student that
has been pushed through to us to 'overturn'. We need to deal with it
swiftly."
Harry found himself a seat on the one of the couches and asked, "Okay,
who is it and what have they supposedly done?"
Gathering his thoughts, Neville said, "One of my First Years approached
Professor Lupin about how a fellow First Year Gryffindor was bullying
her into helping him with his homework. The... bully... is already a
known skiver of homework and has felt the ire of the Professors already
about not handing in homework, or the homework being of such a poor
standard.
"The culprit - sorry, the alleged culprit - was issued a loss of ten points,
detention and remedial homework. They now feel they've been unfairly
punished. On appeal to her, Professor Sinistra increased both the number
of points to fifteen and increased the detention from one week to two.
The alleged culprit now seeks to have the matter heard by us. The
original complaint now has the addendum of the second complaint."
"I detest bullies," scowled Hermione. "Do we have to listen to them?"
"Yes, Hermione," said Susan. "We all agreed on the rules and it is their
right under those rules."
Hermione sighed. "Alright then."
"How about we start with the initial complainant then go on to hearing
from Remus, then from the rest of the Professors he has handed in poor
homework to, and leave our little skiver to last," suggested Harry.
The others agreed.
"And, who may I ask, is our alleged culprit?" asked Harry.
"Ronald Weasley," replied Neville.
"I'm not surprised," said Harry.
"And who was the victim who first raised this?"
"Lavender Brown."
After calling for and interviewing Professor Flitwick - both acting as
Deputy Headmaster and as one of the Professors who taught young
Mister Weasley - and asking the half goblin to remain, they then called
for Remus, Sirius, and, finally, Professor Sinistra interviewing each in
turn. They, then, called for Professor Vector to accompany young Miss
Brown.
The young girl came in, clearly nervous. She was accompanied by
Professor Vector as her House Counsellor, as expected.
Hermione, being of the same stature and less intimidating than the
others, ushered her and the Professor into a couch sitting with them at
the coffee table. Hermione was assuring the young girl she was not in
trouble.
To try to help put the girl at ease it was agreed Susan would interview
her. The others would remain quiet.
"Miss Brown," began Susan. "We are aware of what has been going on
regarding you and the youngest Mister Weasley." The girl began to tear
up. "And we are also aware none of it is your fault. You have attempted to
do the right thing and have only acted with thoughts to your own safety.
"Though you may find it embarrassing to tell us about it you need to be
aware you have nothing to be embarrassed about. We need you to tell us
everything. Please, do so."
Lavender sat there looking wretched. But, it wasn't until Professor Vector
whispered into her ear that she began to talk.
Starting a bit hesitantly, but soon pouring out her heart, she told them
everything. She told them how Ron Weasley had threatened her. How he
had said his status as a pureblood and secret friend of Lord Slytherin and
Lord Gryffindor meant he could go to them and have her kicked out.
How she would do his homework for him 'or else'. How his older brother
was a Prefect and how would become Head Boy. And how she would do
as she was told as he had the power to punish her.
By the time she had finished speaking she was weeping openly. All four
heirs were furious, but only Susan was hiding it well; as was Professor
Vector.
"Miss Brown... Lavender..." said Susan in a calm voice. "We are neither
angry nor upset with you. Ron Weasley lied to you. However, you had no
way of knowing he did. And he used those lies to use you. You are only a
victim of belief. We, however, can right this great wrong."
Susan then leaned forward and asked, "As the victim we now ask you;
what do you want to see happen here?"
Still with tears in her eyes, but with a hopeful look, Lavender said, "I
want it stopped. I don't want anyone else to feel this way. I want it so no
one else is bullied like this!"
Susan sighed and said, "And what about Mister Weasley?"
"I just want him stopped," the girl said firmly.
Harry finally spoke up and said, "It speaks highly of you that you did not
seek punishment for him, only that he be stopped. However, punishment
is what he will face.
"We also cannot stop all bullying for there are those who think they'll
either not get caught when they do it, or think the rules don't apply to
them. However, we will punish them when we discover it, and no one is
beyond the rules. Through that we can ensure the cases of where and
when bullying does occur will be very few and far between.
"We will be punishing young Mister Weasley, so we need you to
understand that what punishment he faces is not your fault because you
told us about it. All you sought was for the bullying of you to stop, and
that will occur. What punishment is meted out will be our decision and
does not impinge on you. Okay?"
Lavender had stopped crying but just nodded in misery.
"Lavender," said Hermione, calling the girl's attention to her, "you were
very brave to tell us what was going on. And it is clear to us why the
Sorting Hat placed you in the House of Gryffindor. Now we need you to
be a little brave for only a couple hours longer. Mister Weasley will no
longer be in a position to ever come near you again, okay?"
Lavender mutely nodded again.
Neville said, "Professor Vector, please escort Miss Brown back to her
common room, and escort Mister Weasley and Mister Percy Weasley back
here."
The Professor stood and said, "Thank you, My Lords and Ladies," and
escorted Miss Brown out of their common room.
# # #
That evening, just before the meal was served, the four heirs stood just in
front of the head table and called attention to themselves. The staff were
already aware of what was to happen, as were three red-headed
Gryffindors.
Neville stepped forward and, using a clear voice, said, "Students!"
That received immediate silence.
"You are all aware of the rules we put in place on the morning of the 2nd
of September. One student egregiously breached those rules. One student
engaged in continuous and threatened harm to another. One student used
intimidation and other threats to bully another.
"That student was given a major point deduction, detention and remedial
assignments. However, that student refused the punishment and sought
for the matter to be taken all the way to us. He should have been
accepting of the punishment he was issued.
"However, bullying and intimidation of another is not something we feel
could be handled so... lightly. This breach of the rules was so egregious -
and the culprit so unrepentant of their actions - we, the four heirs and
owners of this school, saw no recourse but to immediately suspend that
student fore the remainder of the year. He will be allowed to return next
year. However, he will both be re-sorted and forced to recommence his
studies as a First Year."
That brought quite a few mutterings from amongst the students. Most
were just curious as to what happened.
Neville continued, "We will not name the victim, or victims, of the
perpetrator. We will, however, name the bully as Ronald Bilius Weasley,
now an ex-First Year from my House. We do not, and neither will you,
hold the other Weasley siblings to any blame in this."
More mutterings and looks at the Gryffindor House table.
Harry then said, "You are not to attempt to discover the identity of the
victim or victims. Such actions would be considered further attempts at
bullying, and will also be harshly treated. Further, we only informed you
of this action, and against whom it was directed, to put to rest any...
enquiries... as to why young Mister Weasley is no longer in your midst."
Hermione spoke next. "You should come away from this knowing we will
act, when and if, we need to. You should also come away from this with
the knowledge your so-called blood status does not exempt you from the
rules. Young Mister Weasley, using the old terms, is a pureblood."
Susan said, "We apologise for upsetting your dainty stomachs with such
news. However, we will now have the meal served and hope you will at
least try to eat something."
The four heirs moved off the dais and returned to their tables amidst a
few chuckles, and quickly called for the meal to be served.
After sitting down, Harry noticed that quite a few of the missing students,
those who had lost a parent when Harry... did his thing to Riddle, had
returned. Most of them were talking happily about them becoming the
Heads of their Houses with their mothers as their regents.
He answered quite a few questions about what that meant. And about the
formation of the new Parliament and why.
No one asked him about Ron Weasley or his victim.
# # #
Next morning and Harry was well on the way to recovery from
'accidentally' killing all the marked Death Eaters. He was sitting down in
the Great Hall enjoying breakfast and avidly reading the Daily Prophet.
The stories about his finally ridding the world of Riddle were finally at an
end, except for what it meant to the new Heads of their Houses, where
appropriate.
There was a long article on how the Wizengamot had been disbanded
and what it meant to the pre-existing power structure. All of it, of course,
was conjecture.
What he was really interested in was the big 'advertisements' informing
all and sundry that there was a great many Heads of Houses that were
currently unoccupied, and how 'you' could be the missing heir. It also
covered how Gringotts was prepared to do the Rites of Inheritance for all
those who wanted it done - for a fee, of course - but that they'd have to
book an appointment in advance.
The advertisement also said there would be plenty of time set aside for
after hours; after normal business hours, of course, as the goblins were
not ones to shut their doors if there was gold to be made.
It further indicated there were a great many seats to be had by Heads of
Houses who were not currently Noble Houses.
Harry hoped Ragnock appreciated the business headed his way. He
expected the old goblin would.
The other large advertisement along the same lines was the call for
general elections, and who could apply to stand. It mentioned the various
districts and how many from each district would be elected. Though it
was not used within the mundane world of the United Kingdom it was
agreed to use what was called the Hare-Clark Electoral System. It was a
system used in Australia on the island of Tasmania and within the
Australian Capital Territory.
Harry and the others provided Augusta and Amelia all the information
they could gather about the system and the two witches wholeheartedly
supported it with their combined endorsement. A new Department within
the Ministry was created that would both administer and run the
elections on a three year cycle during the summer months. The first
election would not, however, be run until the summer of the following
year. They needed that time to set the system in place, and to ensure
magic could not be used to interfere.
Until then, the new Parliament would only be formed of the adapted
House of Lords. However, they were going to be busy enough very soon
with having to re-enact laws that were either being stripped from the
laws, or rewritten to meet the Queen's demands.
The talk of the morning for the table was, of course, on what it meant to
the existing ruling elite and those otherwise with power. Many were
surprised to learn that those Seated would only be allowed the single
vote. No longer would they be permitted to also hold proxies.
Already some of his students were making a start on creating new
alliances, and disassembling old ones.
Harry just shook his head in wonder.
He folded the paper and placed it on the table under his left hand. And
proceeded to make himself a proper breakfast. He was digging in and
enjoying it immensely when Daphne, who always managed to sit on his
left at the end of the table, slid a little closer.
"My Lord?" she asked quietly. "I am led to believe there are... three...
Most Ancient Houses that were once ennobled."
She then lifted her right hand and placed it on top of Harry's left where it
rested on the newspaper.
"You wouldn't happen to know the identity of those Houses, would you?"
she asked, Harry was surprised, almost seductively.
'Not bad for an eleven year old,' thought Harry. "As a matter of fact, yes I
do," he said, amused.
Harry noticed the slight flicker of annoyance cross her face as he didn't
tell her which Houses they were.
"And, what Houses would they be, My Lord?" she asked carefully sliding
even closer.
Harry watched as Tracey Davies looked at her friend in a mixture of
shock and surprise; one eyebrow lifted.
Steeling his expression and trying not to smile, let alone laugh, Harry
said, "That would be the Most Ancient Houses of Gaunt, Peverell and
Lovegood. At one time Gaunt was ennobled but, I believe, an ancestor of
that line lost the nobility to the Malfoys. The other, Lovegood, simply
had their noble status annulled due to not wishing their line to be
involved in the politics of the realm any longer. And Peverell was
subsumed into the Potter line."
Harry watched the young girl lightly moisten her lips before trying to
slide a little closer still. The fingers on her right hand were now lightly
stroking the back of Harry's hand.
"And," she asked, "you wouldn't happen to know who the Head of the
House of Gaunt is, do you?"
Harry sat pretending to think about his answer for the moment before
saying, "Yes, actually. As a matter of fact, I do."
Tracey sat almost frozen watching her friend trying to tempt Harry with
her 'feminine wiles'.
Another slight flicker of annoyance crossed Daphne's face. This time she
leaned in closer, and whispered to him in a breathy voice, "And who
would that happen to be, My Lord?"
Harry responded with, "And what is it worth to you to know?"
Daphne then leaned forward slightly and kissed him on the cheek. "What
would you have of me, My Lord?"
Tracey, who had clearly been listening, dropped the knife she was
holding and turned a nice shade of pink.
Harry also turned a little pink. But, not from embarrassment; from trying
not to laugh. However, she did manage to make goose bumps rise up on
his arms.
He said quietly back to Daphne, "Well, seeing as you've been so polite to
ask. How could I refuse to answer?"
He then turned his head to lightly breathe on the girl's neck as he gently
whispered, "Me, my dear Miss Greengrass."
Then he pulled his head back, withdrew his hand and re-attacked his
breakfast as if he didn't have a care in the world.
Daphne sat there in utter shock for a few moments before she quickly got
up, grabbed her bag, and fled the room. Harry suspected she was dashing
to the owlery.
Harry sat there chuckling a little, while Tracey looked at him with no
little shock of her own. "What did you say to her?" she asked.
"Now, how would that be fair of me to tell you when Daphne went to so
much trouble to get the answer; hmmm?" he gleefully replied.
Tracey just glared at him for a moment before she, too, quickly stood,
grabbed her bag and fled the room.
Harry chuckled, watching her go. He looked up to see his godfather had
been watching him from the other end of the table. The man grinned
back at him with a knowing smirk and winked at him. Harry suspected
his godfather thought Harry had made a female conquest, or something.
One of the closest other First Years, Theo Nott, asked, "What did you say
to her to make her run like that?"
Harry smiled and said, "The truth."
Nott sat there for a moment and snorted, "You told her the truth? To a
Slytherin? No wonder she ran off."
Harry burst into laughter. Even young Theodore chuckled a little,
considering Harry's own response. Not a few students looked their way
wondering what was going on.
# # #
Later in the week, Harry and the others received a note from the
renamed Wizengamot Administration Services, the Magical Parliament
Administration Services (MPAS), that the next session of the new Magical
Parliament would be delayed by a week. They apologised for the delay
and stated Gringotts had asked for the extension due to the sheer number
of people, even those with living parents, coming in for the Rites of
Inheritance tests.
Harry thought the delay might have had more to do with the goblins
seeing a way to make a bit of extra gold. He didn't blame them for it,
though. You'd as soon blame a mosquito for stealing blood. It was in their
nature. And, as long as the goblins were happy taking gold from
wizardkind, they were less likely in future to take heads.
The MPAS were also going through all the copies of the tests sent their
way with the Minister and Lady Chief Justice. They felt they would not
have time to properly vet each application/demand for at least another
week.
Working with the MPAS was the new Department of Electoral Services.
As they will still in the planning stages they were called upon to assist
the MPAS get through the workload.
Harry winced. He had given a thought to the amount of work it would
take, but even he was surprised at the sheer numbers of RoI tests they
had to wade through. There were even not a few supposed mundane-
borns who soon found themselves sporting a new Head of House ring.
Amelia had handed over the Head of the DMLE position to Rufus
Scrimgeour while she Headed the new Department of Justice; another
new Department set up by the new Minister. Amelia was tasked with
creating a department separate from the aurors and responsible for the
prosecution and trials of the accused. She was already getting a lot of
work as Rufus's investigative aurors went through the Ministry with
many doses of Veratiserum rooting out all the corruption left over from
the previous administrations.
Harry was happy to see Amelia and Augusta were on the warpath and
purebloods, and those half bloods from sufficiently powerful families,
were being ousted from their cosy offices, charged and released until a
trial could be arranged for them at a later date. Those so arrested, of
course, were immediately barred from returning to the Ministry offices or
other employment within. Those so arrested and barred were also banned
from seeking a position within the tiers of the new Magical Parliament.
Augusta had approached Sir David and Sir Anthony begging them to send
a few of the mundane-borns with administrative experience back into the
magical world with promises of respectable jobs in the evolving Ministry.
The same applied with Amelia looking to fill the ranks of her new
department with those skilled in handling matters relating to law.
Augusta, Amelia and Rufus were working their butts off for many long
hours a day but seemed to be having the time of their lives.
# # #
On a warm day, Neville had also dragged the three of them outside to
watch the wards being installed on the large patch of vacant fallow
ground that would house the new vegetable gardens. He, Professor
Vector, Professor Sprout and Hagrid had worked hard to get it done.
Surprisingly, Hagrid had a fair idea as to the dietary requirements of the
student population, and altered Harry's conception of twelty-five percent
over the dietary needs of non-magicals to forty percent. It was confirmed
by Headmistress McGonagall when she showed them the invoices for the
monthly purchase of foodstuffs that found its way into the castle year
round.
Gringotts had supplied the ward stones and they were being lowered into
the ground. Harry thought the area the wards would encompass was
huge! It had taking a great deal of planning by Neville, Professor Vector
and the goblins to ensure they had the alignments right. But now the
stones were being settled into place. As planned, the wards of the new
vegetable farm would also be linked with the wards for the entire
grounds.
Once the stones were in place and partially buried, the goblins remained
to assist with the first powering of the wards. The four heirs instructed
Lady Hogwarts to hand control of the wards to the goblin team leader. It
was he who first linked the stones to the ley lines, linked them together
and set in place the shunt for the wards of the vegetable plot to boost the
main wards if and when needed.
When control of the wards was returned to the four heirs, they
immediately felt the added power coming from the new ward stones.
They tested the emergency shunt and declared it in fine form to the
goblin. Then, with help from the other heirs and the two Professors,
Neville set up the wards specifically required to protect the soon-to-be
planted vegetables and fruits.
Harry and the girls left an ecstatic Neville and Professor Sprout to it, and
returned to the castle with Professors Vector, Flitwick, Snape and
Headmistress McGonagall. The goblins had already left with barely a
word of goodbye. Hermione gave them thanks on behalf of the school
and gave the goblin words of parting. The lead goblin was surprised but
reciprocated. Harry thought Neville and Pomona hadn't even noticed.
# # #
Finally came the day the new Magical Parliament could ennoble all those
wondering if they'd be selected. Those already in place filed into the old
Courtroom Ten. Sir Kingston was ready; the others already ennobled and
waiting were ready. Lucky members of the media filled the visitors'
gallery, the unlucky were left dejected or furious outside in the atrium.
Sir Kingston opened the session and called for the first order of business.
This, too, had all been planned in advance.
Harry stood and said, "I have business before the Parliament, Royal
Wizard Davies."
"You have the floor, Lord Slytherin," said Sir Kingston.
Harry stepped down to the main floor and stood before the orb. He
looked up and said, "Many of you are unaware I am also the Head of the
Most Ancient House of Gaunt. This title I won by Rite of Combat against
the living dark wizard Riddle when I was fifteen months old, the then last
remaining of the line of Gaunt.
"The Most Ancient House of Gaunt was one of the original Great Houses.
However, through poor management and business dealings, it lost its
once earned Noble status. The House, once proud, then fell into poverty.
"When I discovered I had won the Headship of the House through the
goblin Rite of Inheritance, I also discovered the House had no assets left
to its name. At that point it could have been rebuilt. I could have used
my wealth to re-establish it. However, I do not wish to do that. The name
Gaunt will be associated forevermore with the name Riddle... and
Voldemort... and I do not want my family associated with it.
"Therefore," said Harry placing his hand on the orb, "I, Harry James
Potter, Head and last remaining member of the Most Ancient House of
Gaunt, hereby end the line of Gaunt. So mote it be!"
There was a flash and gong sound. Mutterings rose from the tiers and
from the Gallery. Harry could see Cygnus Greengrass frown a great deal.
Clearly, young Daphne had advised her father.
'That's one title gone,' thought Harry.
"Further," he said, "I wish to name my Proxy for the Seat of Potter."
"You still have the floor, Lord Slytherin," said Sir Kingston.
"Thank you, Royal Wizard," replied Harry before he once more placed his
hand on the orb. "I, Lord Harry James Potter of the Noble and Most
Ancient House of Potter, name as my Proxy for the Seat of Potter, my
cousin, Miss Nymphadora Tonks. So mote it be!"
Flash and gong.
Sir Kingston asked, "Is the Proxy for the Potter Seat ready to take her
place amongst her peers?"
"Yes, Sir," replied Harry.
"Very well," said Sir Kingston. "Have the Proxy for the Seat of the Noble
and Most Ancient House of Potter come forward."
Tonks - 'Don't call me Nymphadora!' - came in from where she waited in
the antechamber. She walked up to stand beside Harry.
"Are you sure about this, Harry?" she quiveringly asked.
"We've been over this, Tonks; with you, your mother and your father," he
replied. "I'm very sure."
Tonks sighed and turned to the orb. Harry held the written oath for her
to read.
"I, Nymphadora Tonks," recited Tonks, "named Proxy for the Noble and
Most Ancient House of Potter, swear allegiance to the Crown and on my
honour and my seat, to faithfully obey the law, and vote as my
conscience and Head of the House I represent wishes, within these
chambers. So mote it be!"
Flash and gong.
Sir Kingston said, "Come forward, Miss Tonks, named Proxy of the Noble
and Most Ancient House of Potter, and be seated among your peers."
Tonks, a little startled by being addressed so formally, ascended the
stairs. Sirius indicated a seat for her. When she sat and placed her wand
in the receptacle as instructed by Sirius, her new Parliament robes
appeared with the Potter Crest surrounded by a white background. The
Potter crest also appeared in the head rest above her head, also
surrounded in white.
She looked a little stunned, but pleased. Sirius whispered words of
encouragement to her.
Sir Kingston called, "Is there any further business before we begin the
main reason we are here today?"
Sirius stood and said, "I have business before the Parliament, Royal
Wizard Davies."
"You have the floor, Lord Black," said Sir Kingston.
Sirius joined Harry on the floor and said, "As many of you know, my
godson, Lord Potter, my son in all but name, is my current heir.
"However, he claims he already has too many titles and he must wonder
if he will be man enough to father enough children to ensure all his titles
succeed him..."
"Oi!" replied Harry a little indignantly.
Chuckling, as were a few others, Sir Kingston said, "Lord Black has the
call."
"To... alleviate him..." continued Sirius as if there was no interruption, "of
part of this... problem, and to assuage his pleading, I name a new heir to
the House of Black." Sirius then placed his hand on the orb and recited
from Harry's parchments, "I, Lord Sirius Orion Black, hereby name my
heir for the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, my cousin, Madam
Andromeda Tonks nee Black. So mote it be!"
Flash and gong.
Harry saw and felt the flash as the Heir's ring for the House of Black
disappeared from his finger. He hoped Andromeda would wear it with as
much pride as he did.
"Thank you, Sirius," he said, looking up at his godfather. "I think."
"You're welcome, Pup," replied Sirius with a grin and giving Harry's hair
a quick ruffle before heading back up the tiers to his seat.
"To other matters unresolved a fortnight ago, do you have Lord Stebbins
with us, this morning?" asked Sir Kingston.
A tall man came forth and said, "Sir. My brother, Lord Mathias Stebbins,
passed away during the week due to long illness. His heir is his son,
Francis. However, Francis is only nine years old, and ill-suited as yet to
take up his Lordship."
"I see," replied the Royal Wizard, before turning to Amelia, "Lady Chief
Justice, is this confirmed?"
"Amelia placed her hand upon her chair arm where her wand was already
held in its receptacle and said, "Yes, Sir Kingston. All that has been said is
true. At this time, and as per the Will of the late Lord Stebbins, we ask
that the man before us, Mister Tyler Stebbins, be granted both
guardianship of young Francis Stebbins and be granted Regency of the
Stebbins Seat."
"You have personally confirmed this by sighting the Will, Lady Chief
Justice?" he asked.
"I have, Sir," she replied.
"Very well," said the Royal Wizard, before turning back to face Harry and
Tyler Stebbins, "Come forward, Tyler Stebbins, guardian of Francis
Stebbins, Head of the Noble and Ancient House of Stebbins, and give the
oath."
Harry held the parchment for Tyler to give his oath.
Flash and gong.
When Tyler Stebbins, Regent for the House of Stebbins, finished, the
Royal Wizard said, "Come forward Regent Stebbins of the Noble and
Ancient House of Stebbins, and be seated among your peers."
The older man walked up into the tiers and took a seat. As with the other
Regents, his crest on his Parliamentary robes and headrest was
surrounded by a red border.
"Lady Chief Justice," called the Royal Wizard, "are we ready to induct our
new Lords, Ladies and Regents?"
"We are, Sir," Amelia replied. "Lord Slytherin has also offered his services
to assist me. And the auror corps is ready to protect all and bring forth
the lucky few."
"Very well," said Sir Kingston. "You may proceed."
"Thank you, Sir," said Amelia.
Amelia joined Harry on the floor. The Royal Wizard indicated for the
commencement of the call of those about to be ennobled.
"First, Sir, if I may?" said Amelia, receiving a nod from Sir Kingston, "It
seems Lord Potter has not yet taken up his Headship of the Most Ancient
House of Peverell. I ask that he do so, at this time."
Another nod with Harry grumbling.
"Fine!" he grouched. He lifted his hand and intoned, "I Harry James
Potter, hereby claim my Headship of the Most Ancient House of Peverell.
So mote it be!" He lowered his wand.
"Thank you," said Amelia with a smirk.
"Let it be known," said Sir Kingston, "That the Most Ancient House of
Peverell is returned, once more, to the title of Noble and Most Ancient
House of Peverell."
Amelia then had Harry place his hand on the orb and recite, "I, Harry
James Potter, hereby claim Lordship for the Noble and Most Ancient
House of Peverell. I further swear on my honour and my seat, to
faithfully obey the law and vote my conscience within these chambers.
So mote it be!"
"Do you wish to name a Proxy to the Seat of Peverell at this time?" asked
the Royal Wizard.
"Yes, Sir," replied Harry before he once more placed his hand on the orb.
"I, Lord Harry James Potter of the Noble and Most Ancient House of
Peverell, name as my Proxy for the Seat of Peverell, my friend and tutor,
Major Daniel Granger of the Queen's Own Regiment. So mote it be!"
Flash and gong.
Sir Kingston asked, "Is the Proxy for the Peverell Seat ready to take his
place amongst his peers?"
Harry looked up to the visitors' gallery and saw Dan sitting there looking
at him in shock. "Yes, Sir," replied Harry, with a grin.
"Very well," said Sir Kingston. "Have the Proxy for the Seat of the Noble
and Most Ancient House of Peverell come forward."
Dan hesitantly came down from the Gallery and walked up to Harry. He
was gobsmacked. "Harry, I..." he tried to say.
"Do this, Dan," replied Harry. "It'll give you more time to spend with your
daughter, and ties in nicely with Her Majesty's instructions for you to
protect her."
Dan nodded, braced himself, and placed his hand on the orb. "I, Daniel
Michael Granger," recited Dan, "named Proxy for the Noble and Most
Ancient House of Peverell, again swear allegiance to the Crown and on
my honour and my seat, to faithfully obey the law, and vote as my
conscience and Head of the House I represent wishes, within these
chambers. So mote it be!"
Flash and gong.
Sir Kingston said, "Come forward, Major Granger, named Proxy of the
Noble and Most Ancient House of Peverell, and be seated among your
peers."
As Dan took a seat near Sirius and very close to Hermione his robes
changed to their Parliamentary configuration with the House crest of
Peverell surrounded in white. The seat did the same for the headrest. The
man himself sat there in not a little residual shock.
Sir Kingston started to call forth the new, and sometimes renewed
Ancient Houses. "When you hear the name of your House called, you will
step down, approach the orb and give your oath to be seated. Lady Chief
Justice will have the words of your oath for you to read. Please follow
her instructions. Once you have made your oath you may take seat in a
vacant seat to my left."
Using his own set of notes on parchment, Sir Kingston called, "The Head
of the Most Ancient House of Lovegood, please come forward."
Amelia looked up at Xeno Lovegood and encouraged him to come
forward. She already had the relevant oath ready for him. A tap of her
wand had changed the relevant details on the document.
He came down from the gallery and walked up to the orb. Amelia
whispered to him and he looked at her with not a little surprise. He
placed his hand on the orb and gave the oath. "I, Xenophilius Robin
Lovegood, Head of the Most Ancient House of Lovegood, swear allegiance
to the Crown and on my honour and my seat, to faithfully obey the law
and vote my conscience within these chambers. So mote it be!"
The orb flashed, and Sir Kingston said, "Come forward Lord Lovegood of
the Noble and Most Ancient House of Lovegood, and be seated among
your peers.
Xeno, not a little dazed, came up and joined the others to the left of the
Royal Wizard. Hearing a noise, Harry turned to the visitors' gallery and
saw a young blood girl, almost ready to start at Hogwarts, sitting with
the journalists and clapping gaily with a big smile on her face.
Sir Kingston called, "The Head of the Ancient House of Alderton, please
come forward."
So it went through the Ancient Houses of Alderton, Belby, Bobbin,
Bulstrode, Bletchley, Crouch, Fawcett, Fortescue and Jorkins.
Next came Lestrange. When Sir Kingston called for the Head of the
Ancient House of Lestrange to step forward, Frank came down from his
seat and approached the orb.
"Peers," he called to those already seated in the tiers, "It has come to my
attention that, on the death of my cousins, Rudolphus and Rabastan
Lestrange two weeks ago, marked Death Eaters serving time in Azkaban,
the Lestrange name has fallen to the Longbottoms as having the only link
to the line.
"However, as Lord Potter-Peverell-Slytherin has said before me, I do not
wish that stain upon my family's honour. As such," he placed his hand on
the orb, "I, Lord Francis Monroe Longbottom, Head of the Ancient House
of Lestrange, hereby end the line of Lestrange. So mote it be!"
Flash and gong.
He gave Harry a nod and carefully walked back up into the tiers. Harry
was happy to see the past two weeks of recuperations had done well for
the man's health.
Next came Rosier - not a wannabe Death Eater, but an elder gentleman -
Scamander, Selwyn and Smethwyk. That made the last of the Ancient,
now Noble and Ancient, Seats.
Then they dropped to the Elder Seats of Bagman (with Ludo Bagman as
the heir), Bagnold (Millicent's son, Basil) and Blenkinsop.
The next one was a surprise, too. When the Elder House of Carrow, a
known very dark family, was called forward. The Head of the
Unspeakables, Algernon Croaker was brought in, grumbling all the way.
"What is the meaning of this?!" grumbled the cloaked figure.
"Mister Algernon Carrow,..." the Royal Wizard began.
"What?" splutter the figure. "Damn it! Now I'm going to have to obliviate
everyone!"
Harry was stunned speechless, as were a great number of other people in
the room. 'Croaker was a Carrow?' thought Harry. 'Who would'a thunk it?'
"Mister Algernon Carrow," the Royal Wizard began again, "you will do no
such thing!"
"And why is that?" growled the Unspeakable.
"Her Majesty requires you to take up seat, here, in the new Magical
Parliament," replied the Royal Wizard. "You don't want to be forced to go
and tell her why you refused to serve, do you?"
"Damn it! That's playin' dirty!" the Unspeakable grouched again. Then he
sighed, reached up, and dropped the hood of his cloak off onto his
shoulders. Clearly, the man looked like 'a Carrow' but was older and
looked like a kindly man. He also looked very familiar.
Harry asked, "Do you know you happen to look..."
"... like Santa Claus, kid?" finished the ex-Unspeakable in a friendlier
voice. "Yeah, I know."
Harry just snorted in response before holding the oath up for the man to
give.
"Oh, I already know what to say, kid," said the still grumbling ex-
Unspeakable, waving Harry off. And he gave the oath.
When invited to take seat by the Royal Wizard he replied, "No, not yet.
I've now got to go and tell my second-in-command he's now Head of the
Department, damn it all!" And stormed back out again.
Sirius, Frank and Cygnus were all laughing. Not a few others were trying
to hide their grins. Even Sir Kingston was smiling. "That was fun!" he said
to all and sundry. That set the laughers back off again.
After everyone had calmed down again Sir Kingston went back to calling
up the New Lords and Ladies. Doge was next. He held his seat in the old
Wizengamot as a Proxy for a House that no longer existed. This time he'd
hold it in his own right.
The next one was going to be touchy.
Sir Kingston called, "The Head of the Elder House of Dumbledore, please
come forward."
Amelia and Harry looked up at Aberforth Dumbledore and encouraged
him to come forward. She already had the relevant oath ready for him.
There were a great deal of mumblings from the visitors' gallery and a few
from the already newly seated Lords and Ladies. 'What happened to
Albus Dumbledore?' 'Where is he?' 'How did Dumbledore die?' 'Is he dead
or just banned?'
He gave the oath but, when invited to ascend into the tiers and take seat,
he instead said, "Sir, at this time, I wish to name my heir."
"Very well, My Lord," replied Sir Kingston. "Name your heir."
Aberforth laid his hand back on the orb and said, "I, Aberforth Simon
Montague William Dumbledore, name as my heir to the Noble and Elder
House of Dumbledore, Lord Harry James Potter. So mote it be!"
"Huh?" said Harry, in shock. "Damn it! Not another one!" he moaned.
There was ructions in the visitors' gallery and in those already seated.
Susan was grinning while shaking her head. Hermione was giggling so
much she had tears in her eyes. Neville, Sirius, Frank, Dan and Tonks
were roaring with laughter - Sirius had already fallen out of his seat he
was laughing so hard. Cygnus looked pained but was also chuckling. A
few of the other families were either shocked or looking a little pained.
When Aberforth stepped away from the orb, he turned to Harry, placed a
hand on his shoulder, and quietly said, "It's the least I can do for you,
considering how much Albus screwed you over."
Not knowing what else to say, Harry simply said, "Thank you, My Lord."
Aberforth blinked in startlement for a moment before grinning and
saying, "Now, I'm going back to my pub. I'm in the process of giving it a
new lease on life. I may even call it 'The Lord's Hogshead'. Ha!" And
walked out.
After the chamber was brought to silence again, Sir Kingston continued
with calling Heads of Houses forward. Next came Edgecombe, Gudgeon
and Higgs. The Fudge family, though it was due a title, was skipped due
to the crimes of the former Minister.As a were a great many other
families.
Then, one of the moments Harry had been waiting for, Sir Kingston
called, "The Head of the Elder House of Lupin, Remus John Lupin, please
come forward."
Remus, who thought he had been sitting there as a special guest of both
Harry and Sirius, sat up in shock.
Harry and Amelia both looked up and waited for Remus to step down.
The man didn't move.
Sirius called out, "Remus, you old wolf, that's you!"
"My Lord, Black; please!" said Sir Kingston.
Sirius didn't looked fazed at being chastised, one whit. He was having
way too much fun.
Remus still hadn't moved, so Harry walked across to just under the rail
where Remus was sitting, and called, "Come on down, Professor Lupin."
Remus rose and descended the stairs in a daze. Harry led him over to the
orb.
Harry held the parchment with the correct wording and softly said,
"Come on, Uncle Moony; place your hand on the orb and read the words."
"But," said a stuttering Remus, "My father..."
"... was blocked because of his treatment of you," finished Harry. "Her
Majesty did not take that well. Surprise!"
Remus placed his hand on the orb and read the oath, but still appeared to
be in a daze.
Flash and gong. And Remus was invited up into the tiers to take one of
the few remaining seats.
Next came Prewett, a cousin of Molly
Then Sir Kingston called, "The Head of the Elder House of Prince, Severus
Tobias Snape, please come forward."
Proudly, Severus came down out of the visitors' gallery. Harry was
smiling at him as he gave the oath. Many were commenting on how the
Potions Master 'seemed' to have developed the cure for lycanthropy and
was a shoo-in for an Order of Merlin if the trials proved successful. The
last full moon, only a week earlier, saw the first round of live trials on
ten volunteers. All lived and, in almost all cases, the virus seemed to have
been eliminated on the first run through. Remus was one of those.
Then came Scrimgeour with the new Head of the DMLE, Rufus
Scrimgeour, as heir.
And, finally, Weasley.
Arthur came down and proudly, but a little tentatively, approached the
orb. He looked as if he felt he'd be tossed out any moment.
He gave the oath and the flash and gong sound signified it'd been
accepted. He entered the tiers with one of the biggest smiles Harry had
ever seen. Harry followed him up and took his own seat.
Once he'd taken Seat, Sir Kingston brought everyone to silence again
before stating, "With only a few seats left to fill as we locate the true
Heads of those Houses, Ladies and Gentlemen, we have here the Magical
equivalent to the House of Lords. Congratulations to our new Peers.
Revel in your elevation. But, be aware, we have a great deal of work to
do.
"Lords and Ladies, Regents and Proxies, let's get to it, shall we?" he said
before hesitating for a moment. "Scribe, please inform us on the first
order of business before us."
The scribe stood and said, "Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Lords and Ladies, Regents
and Proxies, the first order of business is the renunciation of those laws
declared by Her Majesty to be discriminatory against other magical
sentients and the mundane born. My Lord Royal Wizard!"
And the new House of Lords side of the new Magical Parliament got
down to work.
# # #
The next morning, after a very long day and early evening sitting in
chambers, Harry was sitting down to breakfast at the Slytherin table. He
was clearly tired and many of the students decided not to harass the
clearly tired young man.
Hedwig had just dropped him off the morning's copy of the Daily Prophet.
Flicking it open he scanned through it. On the third page was a small
story covering the death of Albus Dumbledore.
'Not the recognition the old fool would have hoped for,' he thought.
He read through and was amazed the details on the old man's death were
still a matter of speculation. The only thing it got right was that
Dumbledore was executed on the direct order of the Queen.
Reading down, Harry saw the last line.
The details surrounding the death of Dumbledore, surprisingly uncovered dark
wizard, are still unclear. What is surprising is that, when questioned on the
facts, Minister Longbottom, Lady Chief Justice Bones, and even his brother,
Lord Aberforth Dumbledore, all had only this to say, "It was For the Greater
Good".
He burst out laughing.
Finite Incantem!
30. Author's Wind-up
Chapter 30 - Author's Wind-up
Throughout this journey upon which I've taken you, I've received a
decent share from my readers of both charms and hexes. All verbal, of
course. But, I really appreciated all of your remarks.
As some of you already know... and the rest of you are now being told...
I'm a professional writer. I'm a Public Relations Consultant. So, I have
always, until now, written factual works. This story is my first foray into
'published' fiction. And it's something I've thoroughly enjoyed.
In PR our 'coin of the realm' is feedback; just as it is with fanfiction. It's a
highly valued commodity of my trade. So, when I receive it, I value it; no
matter whether it be a bouquet or brick bat. So, to all of you who've
taken the effort to write your review, no matter how short or long, I say,
"Thank you!"
No matter what many may think, a critical review where you, as the
author, get literarily creamed for your work, is sometimes actually a good
thing. It gives us, as a writer, information which may aid us in
improvement. Oft times a scathing review may prove of even greater
value than a dozen reviews of praise.
However, I ask you to always temper your words to any fanfic author
with this thought in mind: Would you welcome a scathing review where
your reviewer's only contribution was to belittle you as the author rather
than your works? Remember folks, play the ball, not the man. Ad
hominem attacks belittle only yourself.
Just think about it.
# # #
Like all good things, even a fanfic must wind to a close. However, while
this fanfic has ended, the story has not.
At the moment I'm currently working on two others. Yes, one's another
HP fanfic. The other is a cross-over. But, I'm currently struggling with
both.
I feel the story of Harry Potter and the Four Heirs has some way yet to
go. While writing it I left in place a lot of material that can easily
transfer, and make a significant impact upon, a sequel. I've not made a
lot of use, for instance, of their animaguses; nor have I made much use of
their significant depths of knowledge, both magical and mundane. This
yet lays open to me.
So, will the story continue? Probably. However, it will be as a separate
story similar to robst's Fate's Gambit and it's sequel. This one will remain
a stand-alone and not require you to keep coming back to check if it's
been updated.
Because of the way I write I simply cannot post each chapter as it seems
to complete. The reason is because I often find plot holes that need a
previous chapter or chapters to be rewritten. In HP & the 4Fs there were
no less than six I found where I had to rewrite significant parts of
chapters to close them.
One example is where I completely forgot magical portraits in HP Canon
and Fanon could speak. This meant I had to go back three chapters to
rewrite the section where Harry first visited Potter Manor. If I had been
publishing each chapter as it was written, I would have had to direct
people to go back the three chapters to reread that particular one.
Embarassing, or what?
So, you may not hear from me for a while. But, do not fear, I shall be
writing. When you next hear from me I shall follow the same as this by
posting, on average, a chapter every one to two days.
And, lastly, I once more give my everlasting thanks to the skills of alix33,
a wonderful person who stepped up and offered to proofread for
grammatical errors. I'm embarassed to say, she found quite a few.
Cheerio for now. :)
Sinyk
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