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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