Harry Potter and the Rings of the Founders
Disclaimer: Don't try to tell me I own anything. I'm certain I don't. To legally own something, don't you have to pay for it… with money… with legal tender of some sort?
Have fun reading… if not, just go away. One last thing, this will eventually contain that thing that sometimes goes by the name *SLASH*. I'm not telling you who, though because that would be ruining the story, but if you're smart, I'm sure you've already figured it out.
And just so you know, this wasn't intended to be a parody of Lord of the Rings or anything.
~*~
Rings are curious magical objects. Rings are able to hold magical power. They store magical power, so many wizards do not wear them. But four powerful wizards once wore them; while they built a centre of learning. They wore them so that the rings could protect their castle even after they had died. The rings were hidden around the school to protect it from all dark forces.
One hundred years ago, four students found the rings. One Ravenclaw, one Hufflepuff, one Slytherin and one Gryffindor. They took the rings from the school and scattered them throughout the earth.
Now four descendants are back at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. They are again one Ravenclaw, one Hufflepuff, one Slytherin and one Gryffindor. They must work together to repay the debt… to find what their ancestors lost.
***
From 'Hogwarts, A History':-
Four to create them
Four to lose them
Four to retrieve them
One Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Gryffindor Slytherin
One to protect them
One to be defeated
~*~
The summer had ultimately been boring for Harry Potter. He spent his days in his small bedroom, not daring to venture out except at mealtimes. The Dursleys never disturbed him and ignored him. Today was the 31st of August. Harry had arranged for the Weasleys to buy his schoolbooks. He'd already asked uncle Vernon for a lift to Kings' Cross Station. His uncle had very reluctantly agreed. Harry suspected that the only reason his uncle complied was to get Harry's horrid influence away from them as soon as possible.
There were advantages to a boring holiday. Harry had finished all his homework and done it to a higher than usual standard because of all the time he'd had to check and recheck his work. And, most importantly to Harry, Voldemort hadn't killed him… or the Dursleys. So much had happened to him in the past six years that Harry sought and craved routine. This summer had been perfectly ordinary. Harry had come to expect unexpected things and didn't like living on the edge of a knife.
The car ride in Uncle Vernon's newest company car was uneventful; besides the fact that Harry was close to being kicked out of the car as usual. Vernon Dursley only helped Harry with his trunk to be rid of the boy sooner. The car sped off and Harry wheeled his trunk to the barrier between platforms nine and ten. He sped through the barrier and into the magical world for the first time in months. Harry smiled as he watched familiar faces swarm around the platform. He moved out of the way before someone came rushing through the barrier to hit him.
"Harry!" Harry grinned. Some unfamiliar faces looked at him. That was Hermione's voice.
"Hermione?" Harry still couldn't spot the bushy-haired brunette anywhere. He spun around and saw a cloud of flaming red hair. The Weasleys. Harry headed for them, careful not to dislodge Hedwig or bump any unsuspecting younger students.
"Harry!" This time it was Ron calling. He didn't think they'd spotted him yet; only calling for him. Finally, he was close enough.
"Looking for me, Ron?" Harry asked.
"Harry!" Four Weasleys and a Granger surrounded him.
"How are you Harry?" Hermione asked.
"Great!" Harry replied as Mrs. Weasley handed him a stack of books and then hugged him.
"There you are Harry," she said, releasing him.
"Thanks Mrs. Weasley," Harry opened his trunk, pushed the books inside then shut it.
"Let me get that on the train for you," Arthur Weasley said.
"Thanks Mr. Weasley," Harry replied, lifting Hedwig's care off the trunk. Bill appeared out of nowhere and helped Mr. Weasley.
"Hermione's Head Girl," Ron said proudly.
"Ron, I wanted to tell him myself!" Hermione said.
"That's excellent, Herm!" Harry exclaimed, throwing his arms around her.
A whistle blew.
"We'd better go," Harry said.
"Ginny!" Ron called, ever the over-protective sibling.
The friends boarded the train and discussed recent happenings in the wizarding and muggle worlds.
"Did you hear about Malfoy?" Ron asked, solemnly. Obviously this wasn't something mean or rude. "His parents were killed. By You-Know-Who." To Harry's look he said. "All right, Voldemort. Sixteen year habits are hard to break." Harry had been trying to get Ron to stop saying You-Know-Who.
"That's awful," Hermione said.
"I wonder why," Harry said. "The Malfoys were some of his closest supporters."
"Maybe they turned on him," Hermione suggested.
"What's wrong, Gin?" Harry asked. Ginny had remained silent the entire time. She just shook her head.
"She's been like that all summer. Ever since that last attack on the school. She was watching when a Death Eater killed one of her friends," Ron said, glumly.
"Are you all right, Ginny?" Harry asked. She just turned her head away and nodded. "Any other Death Eater attacks, Ron?"
Although Harry and Hermione now both received the Daily Prophet, Ron received information faster and more accurately from his father and Percy.
"More muggle households," Ron said. "Some of them aren't even related to a witch or wizard however distantly."
The train arrived at Hogwarts. Harry Potter was no longer as happy as he had been when he first arrived at Platform nine and three quarters. He began to remember in vivid detail what he'd managed to forget over the summer. Six Death Eater attacks on the school in the past two years. Close calls with Voldemort himself. Hogwarts was no longer a safe haven for witches and wizards. Enrollments had dropped dramatically. Dumbledore kept the school open for the sake of the students who had chosen to remain. Letters weren't sent to muggle-born first years for their own safety.
The sorting was over quickly. There were only ten new first years this year. Bates, Field, Langtry and Schofield all went to Gryffindor. Avery, Nott, Wallace and Zabini all went to Slytherin. Fairbanks was a Ravenclaw and Edinburgh was a Hufflepuff. Harry clapped politely for the new Gryffindors.
The site of the almost empty Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables saddened Harry. Many had been killed, gone insane or fled the wizarding world completely. He looked to the almost full Slytherin table almost with disgust, but not hatred. So many of their parents had caused the losses. The Gryffindor table was almost as full. The Gryffindors had lived up to their reputation as being courageous and brave. The only empty seats were those who had died either from attacks on the school or in their own homes. They would stay until there was no Hogwarts left.
Dumbledore rose before the meal began.
"Let us start the meal with a minute's silence for all of us who have lost their lives during this great war." Dumbledore said.
Harry bowed his head and shut his eyes. He thought about all the Gryffindors who had passed away. All the Hufflepuffs who had died to protect their friends. Ravenclaws who had gone insane from the Cruciatus Curse. The minute was soon over and food appeared. The students around Harry continued their vow of silence as they ate.
After the meal, Dumbledore addressed the school again. "In times of great need such as this one, we must take care. We must strive to prevent accidents. We must move with greater caution.
"The Hogwarts School Grounds are off limits and all visits to Hogsmeade for older students have been suspended. Care of Magical Creatures and Herbology classes will take place in the dungeons and on the first floor. There will be no flying of brooms, and no Quidditch.
"And I will be requiring a word with the following four students: Amy Fairbanks, Rachel Overduin, Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter. Would they please see me immediately. Goodnight."
Ron, Hermione and Harry exchanged puzzled looks. Harry just shrugged and went up to the high table. A third year and the Ravenclaw first year joined Harry.
"Professor?" Harry questioned him.
"Just a moment Harry. We are still waiting for Mr. Malfoy," Dumbledore said. Malfoy sauntered up. Harry just looked at him. He shot Harry a more venomous look than usual. Some things never changed. Malfoy's hatred of Harry was one of them. He didn't look any different even after what had happened with his parents. "Follow me."
Dumbledore led them through doors and walls, up corridors and walls and finally to a stone gargoyle that Harry knew marked the entrance to the Headmaster's office.
"Fizzing Whizbees," Dumbledore said. The gargoyle moved aside and allowed the five entrance to the moving staircase. "Please sit," Dumbledore said as they entered his office. The two younger students and Malfoy sat but Harry went over to Fawkes and said a quick hello. When he realised that Dumbledore was waiting for him, he sat in the only place available. Unfortunately, this was next to Malfoy on a fairly small two seater. Neither of the two girls had wanted to sit next to him. Malfoy scowled at him. Dumbledore chose to ignore this and continued.
"I am sure that you are all anxious to know why you are here in my office." Dumbledore began, looking at each of them with his crystal blue eyes. "I am sorry," he said, looking at the youngest. "That you haven't been able to take a tour of the castle with the rest of your year. But I am also certain that Mr. Potter and Mr. Malfoy will not mind showing you around, Ms Fairbanks. Or may I call you Amy?"
"Amy's fine," the first year said.
"Sherbet lemon anyone?" Dumbledore offered them a bowl of yellow sweets. Malfoy snubbed them, Harry took one and sucked on it. Both younger students refused. Dumbledore bit into one before continuing. "You are all here concerning two times in the past. One, one hundred years ago and one many years before the, when this school was first built. What do you know about rings, Harry?"
"Wizards and witches don't like to wear them. They absorb magic and can make the wearer weak."
"Anything else, Mr. Malfoy?"
"Some very powerful wizards and witches wore them to keep their powers in check."
"Very good, Draco." Malfoy's scowl grew and Dumbledore appeared not to notice. "Do you know of any witches or wizards who wore rings?" Both Harry and Malfoy shook their heads. So did the first year and the third year. "The school founders wore rings. Have any of you ever read 'Hogwarts, A History'?"
Harry smiled and shook his head. Hermione had told him to read that book so many times. The other three also shook their heads for the second time.
"You really should read it. It's a fascinating book documenting the school's history from founders right to present day. It's direct, concise and to the point." Harry seriously doubted the last bit. No book that thick could be concise. He nodded anyway. "Now, since none of you hour have read it, I'll tell you myself.
"There is a section on prophecies Rowena Ravenclaw, the great seer predicted. One goes - if I remember correctly -
Four to create them
Four to lose them
Four to retrieve them
One Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, Slytherin
One to protect them
One to be defeated"
Harry let the words sink into his head. He didn't really believe in the 'exact science of divination'.
Dumbledore continued. "What is not told in the book is that this prophecy regards the four rings the school founders word while creating the school. The rings absorbed excess magical power and were hidden around the school to protect it. That's the first line.
"About a hundred years ago, four students: one Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, found the rings. They didn't know what they were so took them, kept them and lost them."
'Four to lose them,' echoed in Harry's mind. The next line, 'four to retrieve them'… there were four students in the room. One from each house.
"You want us to go and get them?" Malfoy said, trying to clear this up.
"Well, yes," Dumbledore admitted.
The third year girl spoke. "Why us?"
"The four students who took the rings were related to you four. Only you four, as the last remaining of your names can find the rings wherever they are hidden."
'A quest,' Harry thought.
"Why now?" he asked.
"Only now have we truly needed these rings. Only now are all of you here in this school. You will be taught things to help you on your quest. You need not begin right away."
Harry just nodded politely. He'd known right from the beginning that this visit wasn't routine.
"You four have all been excused from last period classes on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. During these lessons, I would like you to meet Professor Hadyn, our new DADA teacher in the DADA classroom. On Saturdays after lunch, I would like you to meet Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape and myself in the transfiguration classroom.
"Now, I know this is a big responsibility for students so I would like to know if you do not wish to continue. The school has survived this long. It can survive another hundred years."
"I'll go, Professor," Harry said. He was starting to get used to having the weight of the world on his shoulders again. Malfoy sneered at Harry.
"I will too, Professor," he said. Anything Harry could do, he could do better… even if it meant they'd have to spend long periods of time together.
Dumbledore turned to the two younger students. He hadn't been worried about the older two's support. Harry would do anything he asked and anything Harry was going to do, Draco would find some way to either do one better, or ruin whatever Harry was doing. Both of them were naturally strong. You couldn't be the headmaster of such a close-knit school and not get to know your students. The two younger girls he didn't know well at all, though.
"I'll go," the third year said in a timid, but determined voice. When the headmaster turns his piercing blue eyes on you it's difficult not to say yes. Even if he's asking you to risk your life for the safety of your school and indirectly, the rest of the only world you've ever known.
It was only the first year left. She of course was a pureblood and so didn't have to be told the importance of what they were doing.
"I'll go, too," she said firmly, trying to persuade herself that this was the right thing to do.
"Thank you all," Dumbledore said. "Now it's off to bed."
"Professor," the third year said.
"Yes Rachel?"
"I don't know the password to my common room."
"Of course," Dumbledore beckoned her over and whispered in her ear.
"I don't know mine either," the first year said. And Dumbledore told her.
"Now Harry, Draco. Could you show Amy to her common room?"
"Happy to, Professor," Harry said, although he was tired. "Where is it?"
"Second floor, fifth corridor. It's marked by a suit of armour with an eagle on his helmet. I believe his name is Reginald."
"Thank you Professor," Harry said. The four of them left together.
"I think you can handle this on your own, Potter," Malfoy said. "Surely six years in this castle have taught you something."
"Of course Malfoy," Harry said. "Good night," the third year had already left and Draco followed her.
"I'm Harry," Harry said. "Harry Potter."
She stared curiously at him. "I'm Amy Fairbanks."
"So you're a pureblood?" Harry asked as they walked down a corridor. He'd heard Ron mention a Fairbanks at some point in time.
"Yes," she said. "My aunt knew your father."
"Really?" Harry steed through a wall. "Be careful of doors that think they're walls." Soon they reached the suit of armour. "I guess I'll leave you here. Someone in your house will take you to breakfast in the morning. You'll be having classes with all the other first years because there are so few of you. And watch out for Slytherins. They think they own the school… but in a way, they do." Harry quietly said the last part to himself.
"Good bye, Harry," she said.
"Good bye, Amy," he called and walked away. He walked into the Gryffindor common room and was met by a worried Hermione and Ron.
"What did he want?" Hermione asked.
"You won't have to leave the school will you?" Ron asked worried.
"Tired," Harry said and yawned, muttering. "te' 'a t'morw." He stumbled up the stairs and into his bed, barely taking his shoes off before falling asleep in his day robes.
~*~
So how was it? I think it may be a little cliched, but I've already written too much to care. =)