J K Rowling owns all the rights to the books and the amazing characters she created. I write only to satisfy my imagination and use my creativity and make no money from my writings.
Chapter 2 – Albus' Loophole
Lady Hogwarts was invisible to all inhabitants of the school unless it was a dire circumstance and only then could she take action. However she was in constant contact with Lars, the ghosts and the house elves who had to obey her first and then the Headmaster. The paintings in the castle were also on alert and the Lady hovered outside the Great Hall viewing the students.
She took one look at Harry Potter and saw that her worst fears had come true. She knew he had been illegally placed with his mother's magic-hating relatives and knew exactly what all those "trinkets" in Albus' office were. During the years there had been many emergency visits to the Dursleys to save the boy from their abuse or obliviating and spelling other Muggles, but most importantly, the boy when he had an outburst of accidental magic to save himself from peril.
However, seeing him in person she realized just how bad his life had been. The boy did not deserve such treatment considering his circumstances and his true heritage.
She watched him interact with Ron Weasley. She decided he was an odious boy already bullying and controlling Potter. Then the Malfoy boy completely destroyed any chance he had to make a friend of Potter, no doubt his "mission" as ordered by his father by acting like a pompous fool and then the Weasley cinching the alienation by opening his big mouth. It was all a disaster in the making.
The sorting started. It was going well until that Granger girl went up to be sorted. Due to the special circumstances, Lady Hogwarts was listening in to the conversation Lars was having with the girl. Sure enough, McGonagall had done her best to indoctrinate the girl into wanting to be in her old house not only for her own reasons, but because Dumbledore had wanted it. McGonagall had sent some special books as a gift to the girl outlining and praising the House of Gryffindor and making a note that it was the house of Albus Dumbledore, the greatest wizard since Merlin.
Lars thought that a compulsion charm had been placed on the books because although the girl was a Ravenclaw through and through she was arguing to be placed in Gryffindor. Actually she was demanding to be placed there but as Lars said to Lady Hogwarts "she's going to Ravenclaw" and then he announced Ravenclaw but all that was heard in the hall was "Gryffindor." The girl jumped off the stool and proudly made her way to the house of her desire.
"What just happened?" Lars asked Lady Hogwarts. "Albus just copied your voice and superimposed it over what you said."
"Are you certain?"
"We will soon find out."
The sorting continued until Neville Longbottom sat on the stool. Lars saw immediately just how badly he had been treated by his grandmother and her brother. Neville was told that if he didn't get into Gryffindor "like his father, grandfather and all the Longbottoms before him" ….well it was insinuated that he would be held in even more contempt than he had been in the past 10 years of his life.
"Oh no, he has his father's wand and it is all wrong for him," Lady Hogwarts told Lars.
"Well that's Augusta Croaker for you. She was a bitch as a girl and has only gotten worse. This child needs to go into Hufflepuff like his mother. It will be the only chance he has to make any friends and get any confidence."
"Then why does Albus want him in Gryffindor," asked the Lady.
"For some nefarious scheme of his, what else. But he will be disappointed as this boy will be going to HUFFLEPUFF."
Except Gryffindor was heard by the assembly.
"He's going to put Potter in there" Lars said. "What can we do?"
The Lady said, "Just read his thoughts and don't say anything – I'll take care of it."
For some reason, as soon as Lars was placed on the head of Draco Malfoy "Slytherin" was called out. Now that was only to be expected but Lars told the Lady "I didn't say it" and thus another Dumbledore manipulation had taken place. Apparently Albus wasn't taking any chances even with a Malfoy.
The sorting continued until the name "Potter, Harry" was called out. The hall was abuzz, people pointed, stared and made the already self-conscious boy cringe.
Lars was placed on his head and a quick reading was done. The Lady felt magic starting and realized that Albus was taking things into his own hands and was just going to have Gryffindor shouted out without the Hat saying anything.
But before it could happen suddenly Harry Potter with a quiet Sorting Hat sitting on his head disappeared from the Great Hall with a loud popping sound being the only thing heard.
Then all hades broke out and an uproar started building in volume and panic until the amplified voice of the Headmaster demanded silence. There was no explanation as to what had happened and there were still some students to be sorted. After a quick conference between the four Heads of House and Dumbledore, the command was given that the meal would commence and the rest of the sorting would be continued once "things calmed down."
A meeting was held in the Headmaster's office. It had been hoped by Albus that the Hat was back on his shelf but he was not. The portraits were questioned and knew nothing although they all wanted to hear all the details. Dumbledore just silenced them all and began his meeting.
But what could be said or discussed. The only thing they knew was that the Sorting Hat was sitting on Harry Potter's head and suddenly they both disappeared. That was all that happened and was all the information they had.
"It was obvious to all that the Hat was about to announce that Harry Potter was going to Gryffindor so we may assume…."
"No it was not obvious Albus," snapped Flitwick. "The Hat's mouth was tightly closed wasn't it Minerva?"
"Well yes, it didn't look like it…."
"I am sure you are mistaken Filius and Minerva, as I saw it clearly that the Hat…"
"No it wasn't Headmaster," added Snape. Sprout concurred with her colleagues.
"Well we all know that it was a given that Harry Potter would be sorted into Gryffindor therefore we can…"
"No it was not a given," came a voice out of nowhere. The next thing they all saw was Lars, the Sorting Hat popping back onto his shelf before saying, "Lady Hogwarts is furious with you. You managed to 'get around the rules' once more Headmaster but THIS IS THE LAST TIME."
Ignoring the Hat and his message Dumbledore merely demanded, "WHERE IS HARRY POTTER?"
"Someplace where you can't get him."
"Has he been sorted into Gryffindor?" asked a worried McGonagall.
"No – and he won't be," came the reply. "Not only that but two of the students were not placed in the house I sorted them in. Hermione Granger was sorted into Ravenclaw, which is what I called out but my voice was shouted over and Gryffindor was called out. The same thing happened with Neville Longbottom. I sorted him into Hufflepuff but the sound which was heard was Gryffindor. I do find it strange Headmaster that my voice and decision were shouted over for two students which you had been pressuring me into placing into Gryffindor. Care to explain to this?"
"I don't know what you are talking about," came the sharp reply from an angry Albus.
Suddenly the entire castle began to shake. Frighten children and teachers screamed as they feared the walls were going to fall on them. In the Headmaster's office Snape asked, "What is going on?"
"Lady Hogwarts is dropping the wards," Lars said.
"WHAT? BUT THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE."
"No it isn't," said a ghostly voice. Lady Hogwarts had appeared in front of those assembled. "You were warned many times Albus Dumbledore and tonight was the last time you will misuse the position of Headmaster. I cast you out."
With that said Albus Dumbledore disappeared from the room. All of his legitimate personal possessions would be following him outside the Hogwarts gates. As soon as he left Fawkes the Phoenix had a burning day.
The ghostly form of Hogwarts addressed the Heads of House. "Filius Flitwick until further notice you will be acting Headmaster. You will write several letters this night which I will dictate to you. McGonagall, Sprout and Snape, you will return to the Great Hall with Lars…"
"Who?" asked Snape.
"That's me," said Lars.
"You will return to the Great Hall with Lars and the sorting will resume. However, you will announce the change in "leadership" and say nothing else. Oh, and Lars was correct concerning Hermione Granger and Neville Longbottom. They will go to Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. I have just changed their robes to reflect this. Now see to it – unless you want to join Albus Dumbledore in what the Muggles call the unemployment line.
The three didn't need to be told twice. McGonagall picked up the Hat and they quickly left.
Once they had gone Lady Hogwarts addressed Flitwick and started dictating the letters. A hot meal of Flitwick's favorite foods appeared on the desk since he would be missing the feast.
Meanwhile in a secret room in the castle, a very scared and confused boy sat at a small table. On the table was a large assortment of delicious-looking food. As hungry as the boy was (and he was used to being hungry) he was afraid to eat for many reasons. The first one being the presence of a strange-looking creature urging the boy to eat as if her life depended on it.
The second reason was the boy just couldn't eat as he would probably just vomit it up as his stomach was in turmoil. His great fear was that he really didn't have magic and now would be sent back to his horrible relatives. They would laugh and taunt him and if his life had been miserable before…well he just might as well commit suicide as life would not be worth living more than it already was.
But then one of those real ghosts floated into the room. It was the beautiful lady who didn't identify herself other than saying she was the official Ravenclaw ghost and she had come to see how he was doing. The boy finally broke down and did something that he had not done in many years as he wasn't allowed to do and if he did he would just be laughed at and treated worse than usual. He cried.
Years of emotions broke out in the heavy tears pouring down his gaunt face. The ghost let him cry for a while before she asked exactly why he was crying. He told her his fears and that he didn't understand what was going on and that he couldn't go back to his relatives – he just couldn't as he would be dead within the week one way or another.
Then the elf started wailing, crying and banging her head on the floor. "Harry Potter is sad and won't eat the food because he doesn't like Hogwarts, house elves and especially Wendy. It is Wendy's fault that Harry Potter is sad."
The Grey Lady had to calm the elf down and after assuring her that it was not the food and definitely not her fault, she sent the elf off to get the very special hot cocoa that Professor Flitwick liked. After the elf popped away the ghost asked Harry to "please drink the cocoa because if you don't the elves will cry all night and…"
But then the elf popped back in with the most delicious-smelling thing ever. In a large mug was the richest, darkest hot chocolate Harry had ever had – not that he had ever had much, other than what he managed to drain off after the Dursleys finished their cocoa and made him wash up. It was rich and creamy had a touch a cinnamon in it and was topped with thick homemade whip cream and there were chocolate shavings on the top.
It had to be one of the most beautiful things the orphan boy ever saw coming his way. He couldn't believe it was for him, but the ghost lady urged him to take a sip. It was pure heaven so he took another, then another until it was all gone.
"Did Harry Potter like his drink?" asked the hopeful elf.
"It was the best thing I ever drank." The elf began to cry again but in joy and Harry thought she was going to do herself damage until the ghost asked her to get Harry Potter another mug full. Wendy popped back to the kitchen to share the good news with the other elves and tell them what Harry Potter had said and get another cup. There was great rejoicing in the kitchens.
Eventually the ghost soothed the boy's fears and encouraged him to try some of the food. It was wonderful. He managed to drink two cups of cocoa, eat some chicken broth, mashed potatoes, green peas, a piece of tender roast beef, a fried chicken leg and a dish of vanilla ice cream with warm butterscotch sauce.
The last thing he remembered was being showed where a bathroom was so that he could "prepare for bed" then he found himself in the best bed he had ever had – okay the ONLY bed he had slept in as the mattress in his cupboard wasn't really a bed. Harry changed into ragged, oversized pajamas inherited from Dudley. Wendy tsked, tsked at seeing the overly large rags and with a snap of her fingers changed them into something much better. She then had the great honor of tucking THE Harry Potter into bed and watching as he quickly fell asleep.
Back in the Great Hall McGonagall made the announcement that "some things have happened" but that the sorting would now continue. Before the Hat could be placed on the next student it announced the "mistakes" which had been made but didn't go into detail but the Hat would as explanations were needed.
"As you all know I must not reveal any intimate secrets of those I am sorting and I won't. I can, however, give a reason for why I sorted a person into a particular house and due to the present circumstances and the crime which has been committed tonight, I can and actually must explain why certain things are being done. Also certain behavior has been witnessed by other students, the ghosts, Lady Hogwarts and even Peeves and already things are being discussed and truth revealed. Therefore I can announce why I am making such a decision."
When Lars said Hermione Granger had really been sorted into Ravenclaw, Hermione started complaining and announced loudly that she was thrilled to be a Gryffindor. Lars snapped back at her, "Well it isn't very nice to insult the people of your real house. However, I am sure they will understand when I inform them that you had been hexed to want to be in Gryffindor, so it is really not your fault."
Lars had dealt with students like Granger before, but none so stubborn and unyielding. He hoped she was intelligent enough to take the hint and use the "out" he had given her to explain her rudeness. If she didn't, well that was her problem.
He said the same about Neville Longbottom and announced to Professor Sprout that Neville had been heard by others to say that he didn't have his own wand as his Grandmother was making him use his Father's wand to "honor" Frank and it was a complete misfit for the boy. Therefore, the next day he was to be taken to Ollivander's to get fitted for the wand he was meant to have. Again he blamed the boy having been cursed as anyone who had Augusta Longbottom for a relative was cursed in some way.
Then Lars requested that Draco Malfoy come back because "I didn't call out Slytherin because I was only on your head for approximately one second" and a very unwilling and loudly complaining "Wait until my father hears about this" whine came out of the mouth of the boy. Lars read the boy's mind especially concerning the "task" his father had given him. This, along with the boy's general upbringing and personality, just made Lars sigh sadly.
"Although your family has been in Slytherin for generations," Lars began saying aloud for the entire hall to hear, "you lack the cunning and overall personality for that House. You really don't have any ambition as you were raised to believe that everything will be handed to you on the proverbial silver platter solely because you are a Malfoy and your family possesses great wealth and power and everybody knows it."
"Now if I put you in that House and your father suddenly loses that wealth and power, you would be torn to shreds by your fellow Slytherins. Any of those who heard or personally witnessed your attempts to 'befriend Harry Potter' or rather to catch him off guard since he was coming into this world completely innocent and ignorant of everything and then force him into a binding acceptance of vassalage to House Malfoy as per your father's instructions, will agree that you fumbled it completely. Even Crabbe and Goyle noticed this which is why they are in Slytherin despite having the brains of flobberworm – a quote often used by Severus Snape I might add. They were heard saying it in the hallway and the portraits and ghosts reported it to Lady Hogwarts, which is why I can reveal this information."
And Crabbe and Goyle did notice as well as the new Slytherin first years who had witnessed Draco's interaction with Potter before the sorting. What Lars said was true and now he continued.
"Gryffindor House is more suited to you not because you are brave as even most Gryffindors are not. However, you are reckless and thoughtless, have no tact whatsoever and like to bully people, which are the other Gryffindor traits."
Draco was starting to feel sick to his stomach and was noticeably turning paler than usual.
"Ravenclaw is out as although you are intelligent, you aren't that intelligent and you are rather lazy and would only annoy your housemates with your incessant babbling and egocentric ways. Hufflepuff is the only House left, even though you are definitely not loyal or hardworking but it will accept those who don't fit into anywhere else."
"So little Malfoy I will let you choose where to go. It will NOT BE to Slytherin or Ravenclaw so either pick Gryffindor or Hufflepuff. CHOOSE NOW or I will sort you to one of those."
Apparently Draco couldn't as he fainted and fell off the stool.
Lars sighed before saying, "Since the Gryffindors will either kill you outright or make your life so very miserable, to save you it better be HUFFLEPUFF."
The colors on Draco's robes changed to yellow and a house elf appeared to drag him over to the Hufflepuff table. Laughter came from Gryffindor and some from Slytherin. The not yet sorted Ron Weasley was laughing so hard he nearly wet himself but was saved at the last minute from that embarrassment. However, there is an old saying that he who laughs last laughs best and it would prove a bit true very soon.
Draco Malfoy had been revived by a Hufflepuff Prefect once he reached the table and therefore got to witness Ron's sorting.
Sitting on the boy's head, Lars looked through his mind and then said loudly for the students and teachers to hear, "You are definitely not Ravenclaw material nor are you worthy of Hufflepuff. You are very ambitious and have some cunning but are too lazy to work very hard and you can be a very VICIOUS individual. You are not particularly brave and NOT NOBLE OF SPIRIT but you are reckless, tactless and like to bully even more than young Malfoy."
"By rights I should place you in Slytherin with the more vicious, cruel, bullying Purebloods but you wouldn't survive as your mother would kill you! I am not joking, she really would if it served her purposes. Therefore you will be placed in the only House which you fit in namely, GRYFFINDOR."
The Hat NEVER told his reasons for sorting the way he did until this night as it was necessary to warn the school of Draco and Ron. He didn't reveal their secrets, only their character which he could do and keep in line with his programming.
Ron Weasley was greatly relieved that he was sorted in the "house of his ancestors" so he didn't care or notice that the entire school had been tipped off to his real nature. He just quickly took his place at Gryffindor's table and started complaining about the $%#$^^ Hat and what was going to happen to it once Dumbledore got a hold of it. The rest of the sorting was done.
After everybody had been sorted, Percy Weasley had to be the one to ask the question everyone wanted to ask. "Where is Harry Potter and has he been sorted into Gryffindor like he was supposed to be?"
It was time to blame a curse again as Lars replied, "Harry Potter was hexed on his way here and is currently being given medical treatment. I will not tell you where he has been sorted only that IT IS NOT GRYFFINDOR!
After the feast the students were dismissed to their respective houses. Everyone was still frightened about the castle shaking as well as confused but things were only going to get worse after the Daily Prophet came out the next day. But fortunately exhaustion took over as everyone had had a long and exciting day so sleep came quickly to most.
While the student population slept, the rest of the castle inhabitants were wide awake and a flurry of activity reigned. Lady Hogwarts, assisted by suggestions from Lars, dictated letters to Flitwick and once a letter was finished it was immediately taken by a house elf to be hand-delivered. The first letter went to Amelia Bones, the second letter to Ragnok, President of the British Gringotts Branch, the third was written to the editor of the Daily Prophet and the fourth was written to the head of the Board of Governors of Hogwarts, all with very explicit instructions.
There was no time to lose as Albus Dumbledore was on the loose and he would not take being removed from his position as Headmaster of Hogwarts, despite it being the only ethical thing to do, without putting up a fight. Despite his title as Leader of the Light, Dumbledore fought dirtier than a Death Eater and Lars estimated they would have about a half hour before Dumbledore began his counterattack.
Once Dumbledore had been evicted from the school he found himself outside of the great gate and try as he might he could not gain entry. But he already knew that because he had studied all the laws of Hogwarts and knew them inside out as how else would he be able to bend the school to his will. But this time although he had found another loophole Hogwarts was not going to let him get away with it.
He spent 10 minutes trying the various spells he knew of and then, being a certified Master of Transfiguration, he attempted to transfigure the great gate into a revolving door, shrinking it down to the size of a tin can, transfiguring it to a bridge so he could cross it and then, in desperation, he transfigured a nearby rock into a Muggle cannon and attempted to blow the gate open. Nothing worked so he just gathered together his possessions and apparated into his brother's seedy bar.
There were a few of the regular customers sitting around drinking and keeping mostly to themselves. Aberforth was behind the bar drying glassware with a dirty towel when his elder brother walked in the door, slammed down a shrunken trunk on the bar and ordered his brother to "watch this and keep it safe until I send for it." Then without any further explanation, he went over to the fireplace, threw in some floo powder (which he didn't pay for) and called out "Ministry of Magic" before stepping into the flames and disappearing from view.
Because he was the Great Albus Dumbledore (and also Head of the Wizengamot) he could go to the Ministry anytime he wanted and demand assistance in an emergency. An emergency was anything he said it was and he considered his ouster as Headmaster an emergency not only for himself but for the entire nation.
Therefore he went to his office to make new his plans as, because he was positive nothing could go wrong with any plans he made, he didn't have the requisite Plan B (or even Plan C) which a good leader should always have in case of emergency. He summoned one of the Ministry house elves to bring him a late dinner and then began his planning. He'd have to plan very carefully as although he was the "well-beloved Leader of the Light," Headmaster of Hogwarts, Head of the Wizengamot and ICW as well as holding many other exalted positions and titles he had many, many well-deserved enemies.
Over the years Albus Dumbledore had written and seen the passage of many laws, some even concerning Hogwarts. But few knew the true rules and regulations of that school as only the Headmaster or mistress was privy to "the Book" and the By-laws of the school written by the Founders and made an integral part thereof.
He could pass all the laws in the Wizengamot that he wanted concerning Hogwarts but they were all worthless because it was the Rule of Hogwarts which counted, but again most people didn't know that and he certainly wasn't telling. As the Lady Hogwarts was viable and active and no longer under his control since he was not now the Headmaster, anything could happen.
Only the Goblins could be his allies as they were bound under oath regarding the Hogwarts account, but the Goblins and Dumbledore were not on the best of terms and hadn't been for many a year. His best bet was to contact Cornelius Fudge, cast a few spells on him so that he would not blab to Lucius Malfoy, Dumbledore's chief advisory on the Board of Governors, and have Cornelius give him permission to commandeer the services of some of the Unspeakables. Only with their help, special knowledge, magical power and a few hidden tricks he had up his sleeves could he hope to force the school to accept him back as Headmaster.
By the time Dumbledore had his plans in order and had Fudge dragged into the Ministry due to "an emergency of the highest order," those contacted by Lady Hogwarts were already at the school and carrying out her orders.
Well everyone except the Flamels as the only way to contact those elusive people was by a secret password, an approved owl or, in Dumbledore's case, via Phoenix. Fawkes had started a premature burning day so that Dumbledore couldn't summon him.
It was a well-known fact, which was, of course, totally untrue, that a Phoenix bonded with his chosen master or mistress for the course of that person's life. But people changed and a person could have started out pure of heart and over the course of his/her lifetime turned…well not exactly evil, but shall we say naughty enough so that a Phoenix would need or want to severe the bond.
When something like this occurred there were ways for a Phoenix to free itself. At this point in the relationship, every time Fawkes had a burning day, his allegiance had to be re-established while he was still helpless, otherwise he could set himself free from his current bond and leave the Wizarding World for a time or bond with someone else.
Although older editions of Hogwarts, a History clearly stated that Fawkes was the official Phoenix of the school, having been Godric's familiar, the newer editions did not (thanks to one guess who). During the almost 1,000 history of the school, sometimes Fawkes bonded with a Headmaster and sometimes he didn't and wasn't seen for years. He personally checked out each and every new Headmaster or mistress and made his decision whether or not to stay.
He hadn't stayed for the three Headmasters before Dumbledore as there was always something off about them. When Dumbledore had been made Headmaster Fawkes was very close to having a burning day. Dumbledore knew all about the relationship of the Phoenix with the school and having a Phoenix bond with him could only enhance his reputation. So when Fawkes made his appearance and started inspecting the new prospect, Dumbledore hit him with a reducto curse.
Naturally Fawkes went into an automatic burning and while still in his chick form Dumbledore prepared a spell binding the Phoenix to him. He explained it all very carefully to the bird as "I just had to have you as a familiar as there are many things I need to accomplish for the Greater Good and I just couldn't risk you rejecting me for a little thing or two I've might have done in my youth or that you wouldn't give me the opportunity to properly explain."
So Fawkes was stuck with the wizard. He did do some good things but not enough to warrant being the bonded of a Phoenix. Then there were the "bad deeds" or the unethical things Dumbledore did for his version of "the Greater Good" and which the Phoenix definitely didn't agree with. He had wanted to escape for some time but while he was still bonded to Dumbledore, he had to obey him in all things and even take a death blow for his master, since he could be reborn.
The first thing Dumbledore had tried to do was call Fawkes to him but since the bird did not respond and it wasn't due for a burning day for months, Hogwarts must have done something to prevent the bird from answering his command. But no matter as once Dumbledore regained control of Hogwarts (AND HE WOULD) he'd get Fawkes back as well as everything else he needed done for the Greater Good.
