Chapter Two: Hyacinth
AN: Conversations and scenes the Heirs are listening to and watching are written in bold print.
"Where did these birds come from, and what just happened to us?" asked Harry Potter, as he, Hermione Granger, Ginny Weasley, and Luna Lovegood all appeared in a most spacious hall with a Phoenix on their shoulders. Looking around, he asked, "Does anybody know where we are?"
"Young Harry, you and the pretty young lasses with you are our Heirs, and the four of you are in the Hall of the Founders," said the portrait of a wizard with mane-like red hair, green eyes, and a powerful build with the name Godric Gryffindor written in red letters on a solid gold nameplate.
"What do you mean by we're your Heirs, and could someone please tell us how we got here?" asked Hermione.
"The other Founders and I charmed the castle, so that, whenever four or more of our direct descendants within two years of age entered Hogwarts, they would be brought directly into this hall by our Phoenix," answered the portrait of a beautiful witch with long dark hair and brown eyes. Smiling, the witch with Rowena Ravenclaw written in blue letters on a solid bronze nameplate, added, "Over the centuries, there have been other direct descendants of the Founders attending Hogwarts, but you four are the first to be within two years of age, and the first to become our Heirs."
"Can you tell us who some of the other direct descendants might have been?" asked Harry.
"Harry, dear, the only one we wish to tell you about was your mother," answered the portrait of a smiling witch with gingery red hair, blue eyes, and a plump figure with the name Helga Hufflepuff written in yellow letters on a black diamond nameplate
"Mum?" queried Harry. "Did she know she was your Heir?"
"You four are the only ones to learn you are our descendants and be acknowledged as our Heirs," answered the portrait of a gaunt wizard with a long grey beard and pale grey eyes with the name Salazar Slytherin written in green letters on a solid silver nameplate. "All others were too far apart in age."
"Can you tell us where exactly the Hall of the Founders is?" asked Hermione.
"The Hall you are standing in is part of the Founders wing at Hogwarts and is hidden along the corridor running between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw towers," answered. Helga. "The corridor is one of the many secret passageways throughout the castle, and the only students finding it over the past two hundred years were Albus Dumbledore, a quartet of young wizards calling themselves the Marauders, and the Weasley twins."
"The Weasley twins are my brothers Fred and George," said Ginny.
"Dear child and the blonde-haired lass standing next to you, what are your names?" asked Helga. "We know Harry and Hermione, as they came to Hogwarts a year ago, however you two pretty lasses we do not."
"Ma'am, my name is Ginny Weasley," answered the blushing young witch.
"Ma'am, my name is Luna Lovegood," answered the blonde-haired witch. "Were you four really the Founders of Hogwarts?"
"Yes, we were, and none of this sir or ma'am with us," said Helga. "We all insist you call us by our first names. Additionally, Godric and Salazar, it is time to pay up. Three of the four Heirs are witches, and, remember, as winners of our bet; Rowena and get the privilege of instructing them first."
"Dear Helga, Godric and I concede defeat," said the chuckling Salazar. "You and Rowena may be the first to instruct our young Heirs."
"Thank-you, most kind sir," said Helga. "However, before we begin their training, we must alert others as to their well-being. Headmaster Dumbledore has locked the school down and called for the parents of Ginny and Luna to come to his office. I suggest we have the Phoenix bring the Weasley twins here so we can use them to assure our Heirs are to be well cared for the two weeks they shall be with us."
"Why Fred and George?" asked Ginny. "They're not what you would call the most responsible students at Hogwarts."
"Your brothers are both very honest and caring young wizards, and Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall, and your father and will believe them," said Rowena.
"Additionally, we could not use the Phoenix to transport them if they weren't trustworthy," added Godric. "Besides, they already know where all four of you are, as they have found your location on the map they are now looking at."
"Okay, you can bring Fred and George here," said Harry.
"Until you four take ownership of the castle, the Phoenix will not do our bidding," said Salazar.
"Then, how are we going to get Fred and George here?' asked Hermione.
"Each one of you can ask the Phoenix, that hath transported you into this chamber, to bring Fred or George in here," said Godric.
"Oh, I can't wait to see their faces when they get here," said Ginny. "They're always pulling pranks on people and having them snatched up by a pair of Phoenix and deposited in here will make a great prank to pull on them."
"Yes, yes, I quite agree, for it is always good to prank a prankster," added Godric.
"Ruby and Sapphire Phoenix, please bring Fred and George Weasley here for us," said Hermione.
"Bloody hell, what was that?" said Fred, appearing with George in front of the Heirs.
"I'm not sure, but our little sister seems to think it's really funny," added George, looking unwarily at his giggling sister.
"That is, if she's really our sister," said Fred, as the twins pulled out their wands.
"Fred and George, look at your map," said Godric. "Who does it say is standing before you?"
"The map says they're all who they look like, but who in Merlin's name are you, and how do you know about our map?" asked the bewildered George.
"As the nameplate below my portrait says, I am Godric Gryffindor," answered Godric. "As to how your map works, my colleagues and I have witnessed the two of you using it on many occasions, and more importantly, we watched Harry's father and the rest of his band of Marauders make the map."
"Harry's father helped make the map, which one was he?" asked the now intrigued Fred.
"James Potter was Prongs," answered Godric.
"So, that makes Harry the son of Prongs," said the awestruck George
"Yes, it does, and, as Harry's father helped make the map, he is then the rightful owner of said map," said Godric. Seeing the crestfallen look on the young pranksters' faces, he added, "If you two promise to remain calm and let us explain things to you we'll show Harry and the rest how to make copies of this wonderful piece of magic. That way, all of you may have a copy."
"Okay, we agree to remain calm," said Fred after a nod from George.
"So, Harry you're the son of Prongs, why did you tell us?" asked George, putting an arm around Harry's shoulders.
"I didn't know it myself until just now," said Harry. "What does the map do?"
"It shows where everyone in the castle is, loads of secret passageways all over the castle, and a number of secret tunnels leading out of it," answered George.
"It must have taken some very advanced magic to make a map like this, and Harry's father helped make it, that's very impressive," commented Hermione.
"Who helped Dad make it?" asked Harry, looking at the map.
"Your father's best friends, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew helped him make it," answered Godric.
"That's odd; the map shows there a P. Pettigrew next to Ron in the Headmasters' Office with Professor Dumbledore, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, and loads of other people," said Harry.
"Are you sure, for Peter Pettigrew was reported to have been murdered by Sirius Black less than two days after your parents were murdered," said Godric.
"You just said the map is never wrong, and it says P. Pettigrew is right next to R. Weasley," said Harry. "Is there a way we could see who all's in that room we see on the map?"
"Once the four of you take ownership of the castle and its environs, you can then ask the castle to show you any room in the castle other than bathroom facilities and private living quarters," answered Godric.
"How can we do that?" asked Hermione.
"Progressing from the youngest on the left to the eldest on the right, we need you to stand with your hand hands touching a wall of the castle," said Helga
"I was born August 11, 1981; when were you born, Luna?" asked Ginny.
"I was born August 31, 1981, so that makes me the youngest Heir," answered Luna, touching a castle wall as Ginny did the same on her right.
"I was born in 1979 and Harry in 1980, so that makes me the oldest," said Hermione, touching the castle wall as Harry did the same while standing between Ginny and Hermione.
"Progressing from the youngest to the eldest, please say I, followed by your full name, an Heir of the Founders of Hogwarts do hereby take ownership of Hogwarts castle, its environs, and the Village of Hogsmeade," said Helga. "After all of you have said what I have told you, I would like the four of you in unison to say, so be it. As Headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore will magically feel it when you claim ownership of the castle, and we can reduce the effect of this by having the Phoenix flash Fred and George into Headmasters' office the exact moment you take ownership of the castle."
"Phoenix, flash Fred and George into the Headmasters' office the moment we say so be it," said Harry.
"Fred and George, do not say anything about P. Pettigrew when you appear in the Headmasters' office," said Godric. "We want the chance to see into the office, and if we spot Pettigrew in the office we will have these youngsters send the Phoenix to flash him here. You can tell others that these four are our Heirs, and we will return them safe and sound on the morning of Monday September 14."
"Our Heirs, you may now claim ownership of the castle and its environs," said Helga. Once the Heirs had claimed ownership of the castle and its environs, she added, "Now, one of you please ask the castle to show us the goings on in the Headmasters' office."
"For Merlin's sake, you two nearly scared the life out of me!" gasped Molly, seeing the Weasley twins appear in a burst of flames.
"Sorry about that, Mum, but we've been to see Ginny…" said Fred.
"You've seen Ginny," said Molly. "Is she okay, and are the others with her?"
"Gin's fine, Mum…" said George, before the castle doused him with water. Grinning, he continued, "Sorry, Sis; forgot for a moment you don't like being called that."
"What's going on, and what's this about you thinking your sister was responsible for dropping water on you?" snapped Molly, "Ginny's nowhere around here."
"Ginny, if you were the cause of me getting wet, could you please dry me off," answered George.
"Castle, please dry George off, and then douse him with water again," said the giggling Ginny.
"Ginevra Weasley, stop that this instant," snapped Molly. "This is not the time for foolish pranks."
"Misters Weasley, can you tell us where your sister and the other three missing students are?" asked Dumbledore.
"We don't know where it is for sure, but we were told they're in the Hall of the Founders," answered George.
"Such a place does not exist," spat Severus Snape.
"There are many secrets within the walls of this castle, and the Founders could very have their own hall," said Dumbledore said. "Did they tell you why they're in the Hall of the Founders and when we might expect them to be returned to us?"
"We saw the portraits of all four Founders in there, as well, and they told us their Heirs would be returned to us on Monday, September 14," answered Fred.
"Who by chance young Mr. Weasley are the Heirs?" asked Xeno.
"Sorry about that; I guess we should have mentioned that Ginny, Harry, Hermione, and Luna are the Heirs of the Founders, and that's why the Phoenix flashed them away," said George.
"Potter and Granger, Heirs of the Founders; surely this is but another Weasley brat prank," spat Snape.
"Snape, how dare you accuse my sons of lying," spat Molly with venom. "Fred and George may be practical jokers, but not once have they ever lied to me."
"I have to agree with their mother's assessment," added McGonagall. "They may be pranksters, but liars they are not."
"If they are watching us, perhaps our missing quartet could give us a sign of Fred's and George's claims," said Xenophilius.
"Castle, please gently blow wind through Daddy's hair," said Luna, as she and the Heirs and Founders observed and listened to the happenings in the Headmasters' office.
"Princess, if you caused wind to blow through my hair, please do so again," said Xenophilius. Feeling the wind in his hair one more time, he added, "Thank-you, Princess."
"If you are all really being well fed and cared for, please send us another sign," said Arthur Weasley.
"Daddy doesn't have enough hair to blow, so castle, please flicker the lights in the Headmasters office off and on," said Ginny.
"We're convinced they shall be well cared for, so I suggest we wait until they've been returned to us in two week's time," said Arthur.
"Potter's really going to be an insufferable brat now," commented Snape.
"Castle, every time Snape makes a disparaging remark about any of us or Fred and George, please make him belch really loud," said Ginny
"Snape, when Harry stayed with us during the summer, I found him to be anything but a brat," admonished Molly.
"I say he's still an insufferable brat…" spat Snape before letting go a very loud belch. Sneering, he added, "That will be one hundred points from Gryffindor."
"There will be no punishment or point taking over the disappearance of these students," said Dumbledore. "As we are now assured our missing students are being well cared for, I am releasing the school from lock down. Pass the word we will have the remaining first years sorted at lunch tomorrow, and that classes will not begin until Thursday morning. I don't know about everybody else, but I could use a day to relax after what went on here today."
"With all that's happened here and at King's Cross today, it's really quite a lot to be getting on with on the first day of school," commented Ron.
"Yes, young Mr. Weasley, I quite agree," said the aged Headmaster.
"Castle, make Snape trip every thirteenth he takes every time he take a point from any house but his own, including all the times he took points from Gryffindor, today" said Harry, seeing everyone exit the Headmasters' office.
"Castle, every time Professor Snape removes points from a house other than his own, add the amount taken to whatever house he took points from, including the ones he removed from Gryffindor, today," said Hermione.
"My turn," said the giggling Luna. "Castle, every day when Professor Snape leaves his personal quarters without bathing and washing his hair douse him with water like you did to George."
2
"Are you sure this map's never wrong?" asked Harry about twenty minutes later while looking at the Marauders' Map and the image of Fred, George, and Ron walking down the corridor near Gryffindor tower. "It says P. Pettigrew is still right next to Ron, but, aside from Fred and George, I don't see anyone else."
"Did you notice the rat in Ron's shirt pocket?" asked Salazar.
"Yeah, that's Ron's pet rat, Scabbers, but he's always with him," said Harry.
"You don't think Ron's rat might be an Animagus, do you?" gasped Hermione.
"My dear, you are most certainly the brightest witch to grace this castle since Harry's mother attended Hogwarts," said the beaming Salazar.
"What are you on about, and what exactly is an Animagus?" asked Harry.
"Harry, don't you ever read?" asked the exasperated Hermione with her hands on her hips. "An Animagus is a witch or wizard that can turn themselves into an animal. Professors McGonagall and Dumbledore are Animagi, and Salazar is hinting that Ron's pet rat is really Peter Pettigrew in his Animagus rat form."
"I don't get it," said Harry. "Somebody would have to be pretty gormless to want to live their life as a rat."
"Not if they were a coward and thought their life was in danger," said Godric. Seeing the confused look on the young wizard's face, he explained. "Your godfather, Sirius Black, was sent to the wizards' prison, Azkaban, for betraying you and your family to Voldemort and the murders of Peter Pettigrew and twelve innocent Muggle bystanders."
"Wait a minute," said Harry. "Are you saying Pettigrew might have been the one to betray us and framed my godfather for murder, to boot?"
"Yes, Harry, that is exactly what I am saying," said Godric.
"Then, let's get one of the Phoenix to hall the rat's arse in here and find out for sure," spat Harry.
"As Fred, George, and Ron are alone, now would be a good time for you to ask your Phoenix to bring them in here," said Salazar.
"Phoenix, would the four of you please bring Fred, George and Ron in here and would one of you get the rat out of Ron's pocket?" asked Hermione.
"Would you four mind giving a bloke a little warning before you have your Phoenix up and snatch us away?" asked Fred, as he and his two brothers appeared in the Hall of the Founders.
"Hey, that bird's got Scabbers!" exclaimed Ron, reaching to grab his pet rat only to see the Ruby Phoenix fly out of his reach. Shouting, he added, "Give me back my rat, you bloody menace!"
"Ron, we think Scabbers is really Peter…" said Harry, causing the rat to squirm and squeal while firmly grasped in the Phoenix's talons.
"That bird's hurting him, make it let him go!" shouted Ron.
"Ron, listen for a change," snapped Ginny. "We think Scabbers is really a wizard in his Animagus form."
"What the bloody hell is an Animagus, and what does that have to do with Scabbers?" spat Ron, jumping for but missing his pet.
"Honestly, doesn't anybody ever read?" hissed Hermione. "An Animagus is a wizard or witch who can turn themselves into an animal."
"You think Scabbers is really a wizard," scoffed Ron. "What kind of plonker would want to live his life as a rat?"
"A coward that betrayed my family to Voldemort," answered Harry, causing the rat to squeal and squirm even more.
"I don't believe you," argued Ron. "All Scabbers is, is a useless old rat."
"Ron, don't you think it's a bit odd, that Scabbers began to squeal and squirm when he heard the words Peter and Animagus?" asked Hermione.
"The worthless rat just scares easy, so what," said Ron. "Besides, you can't prove he's not really a rat, anyway."
"An Animagus can be forced to resume the natural shape by using the Resume Natural Shape Charm," said Rowena. "The incantation for this charm is Resumptum rectus forma and requires more than one caster to cast charm. There are no wand movements with the charm, and all you have to do is point your wand directly at the intended target. The seven of you combined should have enough power to cast this charm and will tell us if this rat is really a wizard in his Animagus form. If, as Ron states, this is an ordinary rat, then no harm shall befall him when you cast the charm."
"Okay, let's do it," said Harry. "Ruby Phoenix, please hold the rat still so we can cast the Resume Natural Shape Charm on him."
"Bloody hell, he really is a wizard," said Ron, seeing a short balding man with graying hair, a rat-like face, and a pointed nose.
"You gormless plonker, you even look like a rat in your human form," commented Harry, seeing the rat once more become a man. "Now, tell us why you've been living with the Weasleys as a rat."
"I was afraid because Sirius Black wanted to kill me," said the wizard.
"Why did Sirius Black want to kill you?" asked Salazar.
"Bloody hell!" exclaimed Ron, seeing his pet rat transfigure into a short balding man with graying hair. "He really is a wizard. Anybody who would want to live their life as a rat has to be nothing but a gormless plonker."
"I am unfamiliar with the term gormless plonker, what does that mean?" asked Luna, gazing intently at the mousy looking wizard.
"Luna, a gormless plonker is another way of saying a brainless idiot," answered Ginny.
"I suggest you ask the castle to form a holding cell around this pathetic excuse for a wizard, and ask him why he chose to live his life as a rat," said Godric. "I have my suspicions, but I'd like hear his answers just the same."
"Castle, form a cell around this pathetic lump," said Ginny.
"Pettigrew, tell us why we just learned you alive when it was reported you were murdered by Sirius Black," said Godric, once the wizard was revived.
"Black tried to kill me, and I was afraid," answered Pettigrew.
"Ron, how long has this pathetic coward been living with you?" asked Godric.
"He's been living with my family for at least ten years, why do you ask?" replied Ron.
"Sirius Black was sent to Azkaban for this waste of human flesh's murder, so there has to be other reasons why he chose to live as a pathetic useless rat," answered Godric. "Pettigrew, why did you frame one of your best friends for your murder?"
"I already told you, I was afraid because Black wanted to kill me," answered the groveling wizard.
"Is that why you killed a dozen innocent Muggle bystanders?" asked Salazar.
"I didn't kill them, it was Black," answered Pettigrew. Holding up his right hand, he added, "I barely got out of there alive and got my finger blown off doing so."
"This man is lying," stated Luna, peering dreamily into Pettigrew's eyes. "I can always tell when someone is lying, and this man is most definitely lying."
"No, you have to believe me, I'm telling the truth," said Pettigrew. Seeing Harry, he added with his annoying squeaky voice, "Harry, I was your father's best friend. You believe me, don't you?"
"Pettigrew, you were never James Potter's best friend, Sirius Black was," said Godric. "That's why James named Sirius Harry's godfather. All you were was a cowardly little bootlicker and how the Sorting Hat ever sorted into Gryffindor is beyond me. Tell us the truth or suffer the consequences."
"Please believe me, I'm telling the truth," answered Pettigrew.
"I normally do not make such judgments on others, but you really are a pathetic liar and I pity you," said Luna, looking sadly at Pettigrew.
"I'll make the pathetic lump confess," said Ginny, unleashing a bat-bogey hex on Pettigrew
"Stop, make them stop, make them stop," begged Pettigrew, trying in vain to battle the horde of bat-bogeys streaming out of his nose and attacking him.
"Tell us the truth, or I'll let you have it again," spat Ginny.
"Okay, okay, I'll confess," said the weeping Pettigrew. "I was the one that blew up the alley, killing all those Muggles and framing Sirius Black for it all."
"Why did you do it?" asked Harry.
"Because Black wanted to kill me," answered Pettigrew.
"Why did he want to kill you?" asked Harry.
"I don't know," answered Pettigrew, after Ginny had lifted her curse.
"Is he lying again?" asked Ginny, looking at Luna. Seeing the young blonde nodding yes, she hit Pettigrew with two more Bat-bogey hexes, and spat, "Tell us the truth, or every time you lie I'll hit you with another one."
"Black wanted to kill me, because I was the Potters' secret keeper, and I was the one who betrayed them to the Dark Lord," answered Pettigrew.
"Because of you, Dad and Mum were murdered, and I got sent to live with the Dursleys, why did you betray us?" asked Harry, glaring at the cowardly wizard.
"The Dark Lord would have killed me if I refused to help him," answered Pettigrew.
"You're no Gryffindor, you pathetic lump," spat Harry. Picking up Godric's dagger, he added with venom in his voice, "Tell me why I should spare your life."
"Harry, I care little if this cretin lives or dies, but we need him alive if we're going to free an innocent man from a fate worth than death," said Godric. "Sirius Black was sent to Azkaban for the murder of this worthless pile of dragon dung and a dozen innocent Muggles, and if we're going to free him, we need Pettigrew alive. Additionally, you have every right to see this worthless traitor die for what he has done, but please let justice have its due. If he somehow escapes punishment for his misdeeds, then you as an Heir of the Founders and Head of The Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter may exact his punishment."
"I'd really like to meet my godfather, so I'll spare his life for now," said Harry. "Until we can get Sirius freed, what are we going to do with the coward?
"You may keep him incarcerated in this holding cell until such time as we can use him to free your godfather," answered Helga.
"Is there a way he can be hidden from our view, because I'd rather not see the disgusting little rat?" said Ginny.
"You may ask the castle to hide him from view and take care of his needs however you see fit," said Salazar.
"Castle, please provide the pathetic lump with one plate of porridge and one glass of water three times a day and hide him from our sight," said Harry. "Additionally, provide him with a bucket to do his business in but only clean it out once a day. That will sustain the lump until we need him to get Sirius freed."
"That's more than the plonker deserves," commented Ron.
"Harry, like I've told you before, I think you are a great wizard, and I'm honored to be one of the Heirs of the Founders alongside you," said Hermione.
"As am I," said Ginny and Luna.
"As much as we enjoy the Weasley brothers being with us, at this time we must begin training our heirs," said Helga, smiling warmly. "I am quite sure Ron, Fred, and George will be rejoining us very shortly, but for now, we must begin the training of our heirs."