Chapter 4
A/N Just having fun with the wizard chess pieces. Harry Potter belongs to JKR still.
A/N 2: For all of the people who might disappointed that this story is not going the way that they envision, I apologize in advance. This is a work of fiction with original characters and beloved characters from Rowling's work. If this were just a rewrite of her great work, I would have worse than Fitzgerald Mortimer Leach after me. The focus, at times, will be on original characters. If this bothers you, I highly recommend the original books. They have only JKR's characters after all.
For those of you visiting and reading, thank you for stopping by. Now, let the curtain rise as I humbly present the next chapter.
-OO—OO—
Dinner was a quiet affair that night. Harry blushed every time he had to talk to his mother. She knew that she would just make a bad situation worse if she said something, so for a change, she kept quiet.
The knights met in grand council, and Harry was allowed to present his points for and against Hogwarts. He knew that it wouldn't be completely up to him. But until his magic was mature, there was no reason for Harry not to go to school somewhere. This had been discussed before. He would probably leave after OWL's to concentrate on training. Again, that was independent of where he went.
The witches and wizards asked him several questions, just as his father had, so he was well prepared.
"What house to you want to be in?" One witch asked.
"Any is fine. Mum was Ravenclaw, dad a Gryffindor. I am related to Slytherin, Oma Inga tells me. She saw me talking with a grass snake, and said nearly all wizards with parseltongue are his descendants. Plus, it would get me closer to our enemies if I was in Slytherin. Hufflepuff house already has my cousin Nymphadora Tonks, in it, so I would likely be welcomed there as well. But I thought the hat chose."
"Yes and no. You can certainly influence it. Harry, will you be willing to leave your friends after OWL's to concentrate on training?" The witch's eyes bore into him.
"Brune, ma'am, you are asking me would I rather play with my friends, setting myself and my family up to be slaughtered, or would I rather train and get ready to face a madman with a better set of skills. I know that it will be hard. Thinking about leaving home is hard, and I would rather stay home and be a little boy most days."
It was time for honesty with these leaders. "But then I remember something. A flash of green light. The feeling of loss as I see my birth-mother lying dead on the ground. A pair on insane eyes looking at me. Another flash of green."
Tears were welling up in not just his own eyes, but others as well. "What kind of monster kills a baby? Or tries to? Oma Inga, I never thanked you for welcoming me and my mother into your home after that terrible day. I don't remember much from that time, but have heard so many stories that I feel like I do remember you holding me and rocking me. Thank you all for keeping me safe here all these years. I'm told that I could be at risk at Hogwarts, but I feel that it is a calculated one."
"I do not forget my destiny. For my birth-mother's honor, I will face him. For my birth-father's honor, I will face him."
He turned to the council, and squared his shoulders as best he could. "For the sake of my sister, my family, I will face him. How can I deny the training that you offer? Have already given? I will return when you say to take up shield, sword and wand. I will kill that bastard, and kill him again and again. As many times as needed until he is dead, truly dead."
Brune came over to the boy and offered her arm in the way of their people. He shared the warrior's arm clasp.
"You won't be alone, Harry Potter. We are the Knights of Walpurgis. We will stand with you. Always."
-OO-OO—
Sirius was having fun. For the sake of sanity, they only brought Lily Belle with them in going to Diagon Alley. Charlus had been in such a bad mood in hearing that Harry was going to school, and James would not give up his rant of 'needing' a new broom when his current one was just fine, so the middle children were at home with Oma Inga and five willing helpers. Darla never let Lily Belle out of sight. She still felt guilty over the death of her namesake, and was the definition of over-protective when it came to Harry's little sister.
Sirius insisted on Ollivanders for Harry's wand. The experience left them all a little creeped out. Knowing that he had a brother-wand to the one that killed his birth-parents made Harry want to throw up, get rid of it, and get another in that order. The wand seemed to sense that though, and was sending reassuring feeling though the auror quick-draw holder that held it tight to his arm.
He would think and not act rashly, just as he had been taught.
Feeling that they could use a break, they went to the Eeylops Owl Emporium. Harry saw the most beautiful snowy owl, and begged his parents for it. With tears in her eyes that Harry did not understand, Christine quickly said yes, and sent Sirius for a perch, as she grabbed a year's worth of owl treats, a gauntlet for his arm to protect him when carrying the predator, and a guide-book for the care of a post-owl.
Harry put on the gauntlet, and the bird flew to his arm immediately. "You are one smart girl, aren't you Hedwig?"
"Why Hedwig?" Lily Belle asked.
"You know, from 'Hogwarts, a History'? She just looks like a Hedwig to me." Harry explained.
Christine intended to make sure that this bird survived past five years. "Hedwig. There will be times that Harry needs to return to our main home for a time. We are staying in our London home for at least awhile. Do not come to him at his home in Switzerland. You will be staying at Hogwarts or the London house, or maybe even at a friend's house later. You may go to the island. You may not go to Switerland. You will be killed. You will deliver his mail to the Hogsmeade station to go to us, and pick up our mail there when we are out of the country. You will send local letters in Britain and Ireland. I want you to live a good long life. Do you understand?"
The bird turned her head sideways and stared at the healer, then turned it the other ways. She barked agreement with the arrangement, even it is was unconventional.
"We'll check with Dora to see if she can take Hedwig on holidays and such, alright? If she can't, I'll talk to Hagrid. He owes me a favor or two." Sirius Black's face darkened a moment, but was back to being cheery quickly. "How about ice cream after picking up your books? That might mean that we get out of there before emptying Gringott's."
Christine put her hand to her chest. "Moi? Mon amour, you wound me."
Harry choked. "Yeah Dad, she only spent ten thousand the last trip. Pocket change."
"That was for a specialized healing manual that had been lost for hundreds of years. And I saved up for it…" her defense sounded weak, even to her. Drat these men for knowing how to tease her. She'd get them back.
Harry went to the defense section whilst Sirius grabbed the books from the list. He wasn't impressed, they really hadn't changed from his day. But he couldn't send his son to school with second hand books. They had an image to make after all.
Harry had a book of the history of magical weapons open and was drooling a bit when a head of bushy hair went by. Excusing herself, she picked up the first year defense book and was about to go on.
"If you have the coin, you really should get Senor Martinez's book as well. The English version that Seattle uses. It's the best first year defense book that there is, miss. Miss?"
"Granger, Hermione Granger." She offered her hand.
"Harry Potter, please to meet you. He clasped her arm in a warrior clasp, watching her reaction. She didn't flinch, but smiled.
"Are you really? I've read of you. Thank you for what you did and all. I actually bought all of my books last September, but my mother spilled her coffee all over my defense book. The charm that I used to clean it was the wrong one. I now have a very expensive, well-bound diary."
Harry chuckled in sympathy. "Why didn't your mother accio the coffee? I mean, I understand what you did, that sort of thing happens at home, didn't she have her wand?"
"My mother doesn't have a wand. Both my parents are muggles. They're dentists, actually."
"Really? And you're a first year? Me too! I'm so glad to meet you Hermione. May I introduce you to my parents?"
Hermione picked up the recommended text first, and then got dragged off to meet the notorious Sirius Black, the first wizard to ever break out of Azkaban. She fixed him with a steely look.
"I've been getting the Daily Prophet now for a while. Is it true that you hate purebloods and have turned against magic? Is it true that you have sworn to kill Dumbledore? Is it true that you plan to take over the ministry and institute mandatory harems?" Hermione demanded, all in one breathe.
"Harry, I think that you need to talk with Hermione's father and post the bans. You've clearly found your girl. She's just like your mum."
Harry choked and blushed. He had been thinking something along the same lines, but hadn't been going to say anything yet! How about give them a few years to be friends?
"Ok, one at a time. First off, the Prophet is yellow journalism at its worse. Subscribe to the Salem Trials, a much better paper, and they have a section for British ex-pats that is perfect for us. No, I don't hate purebloods, I are one. No I haven't sworn to kill Dumbledore. I just want to but for reasons that you are too young to understand. Maybe Harry can explain. As for the last, I refuse to answer in front of my wife as I want to remain fully male for a long, long time." The man looked sideways at his wife who was laughing at them all.
Hermione blushed at the last bit, and Sirius realized that he needed to watch his words better.
Her parents, confused and bemused by the wonders around them accepted the invitation to lunch and ice cream, and the group made its way to the café.
"Have you gotten your robes yet?" Harry asked. "I still have to get mine."
"No, not yet. We're here to get a replacement book, my robes, and a bit of gold from the bank."
"You should set up a trust vault for your daughter. You won't have to pay for the exchange in paying tuition, and you get better rates." Christine started to suggest. But her husband was looking at the girl.
"Granger, Granger. You probably have wizards in your line, but being a muggle-born witch can make for a lonely time in Hogwarts unless you have patronage. Mr. and Mrs. Granger, I would like to offer Hermione a scholarship to Hogwarts and the patronage of House Black." Sirius looked at the girl intently.
"No offense, Lord Black, but why do you do this?" Hermione asked, now polite to the man for the first time.
"You remind me of two muggle-born witches that I knew in school and out. The scholarship was already planned, just not put into place yet. You would wear the Black sigil on your robes. You will be a part of our House."
"Say yes, please sir, ma'am. We have some wonderful vacation homes. Oh Hermione! You and I are going to be friends and have fun!" Harry was nearly shaking he was so happy, and his look of joy told the parents that this was a good thing.
"We have the money for school. We are paying a bit less than the school she was to attend, actually. She was down for …" Christine paled. It was the same school she had had a full-ride scholarship for. Apparently Harry wasn't the only one that the headmaster had stolen from if this school was more expensive than Hogwarts. The headmaster needed a leash.
The dentists shrugged and looked at Hermione. "What are the costs of this? What would she have to do?"
"Have to do? Nothing. I would ask her to be friends with Harry, study hard, something I can see is not an issue, and do her best. That's all."
Lily Belle looked at Hermione. "Are you going to be my new sister? If so, I really like chocolate frogs. And unicorns. And rainbows."
"Not a sister, Lily Belle!" Harry argued, blushing. "A friend. You know."
Hermione smiled at the raven-haired little girl. "I like unicorns and rainbows too. I don't know what chocolate frogs are, but if your daddy says its ok, maybe I can buy you one?"
Lunch and ice cream had been fun, but it was past time to get robes. Harry's were of the finest quality, the sigil of House Potter on his chest, with House Black crest on his arm. Hermione was also similarly attired, though with just the House Black crest on her robes. Harry thought she looked very nice.
Christine took her parents aside. "I know that you don't know me, but I am a professional healer. Children are bullied and teased for the most petty of things. I could fix Hermione's teeth in a twinkling if you allowed me to. It's a simple charm, and will not hurt her or her teeth. I can scan her for other issues too. I know what dentists are. In your world, I would be a doctor and surgeon."
The muggle parents looked at Harry's adoptive mother with new eyes. They nodded. In the dressing room, Mrs. Granger had Hermione stand by a mirror, and watched over the transformation. It was a miracle, and Hermione was oh so happy!
The witch continued, seeing the source of the issue at the follicles and fixed the girls hair as well. Instead of bushy hair it was now more relaxed. The hair was soft now, and had gentle waves.
"Do you like that Hermione? I can put it back." Christine offered.
The girl offered the witch a hug with tears in her eyes. Two of the worse taunts she had had to endure came from her hair and teeth. A new school, and a new chance to be accepted at last!
The parents were next dragged off to Honeydukes where a case of the chocolate frog treats were bought by Christine to share out amongst all of the parents in their clan, and Hermione bought a few too. Harry bought a few treats for himself and his siblings at home. He also bought a sugar rose for Hermione to give her sometime at school, because he didn't think that he would be back here anytime soon. Thinking about it, he bought a few extra things for later too.
Harry watched Hermione read the packaging of the chocolate frogs. "Just be careful when you open them. They do jump." Harry warned her.
"So, do you have a chocolate frog card?" Emma Granger asked Harry.
"Nope, you have to be over seventeen, thank Merlin. I need to do something more than kill somebody though. I want my card to talk about me saving the rainforest, or protecting the rare crumpled horn snorkak. Who wants to be known for killing someone?" He explained.
Dan and Emma shared a look. That was a very mature attitude to have, and not what they expected having shared the paper that Hermione bought.
"It was wonderful meeting you. We'll see you on the first, no doubt. If not before then" Dan said, shaking hands in the normal way all around, even with little Lily Belle, clutching her gifted chocolate frog. The children had exchanged phone numbers and were making plans without the parents to see each other.
Dan eyed the boy. Was he looking at a future possible boyfriend? He shook his head. No, no. They were children, and just making friends. Which was a very good thing.
Harry wasn't ready to say goodbye to Hermione. He looked to his parents.
Christine rolled her eyes. Sirius smiled. The London house was not ready for muggle visitors! But yes, he could bring Hermione over if he wanted to. And invite her on some of their planned outings that they had talked about for London.
Britain had been largely missed in his travels growing up. His parents did not appear to be happy to be back, but were already being courted by the pureblood elite for their parties.
"I'm sure that we will be seeing a lot of each other the next few weeks, but I have an idea. Hermione could join Harry for his studies for a time, get a head start to school?"
That invitation was never going to be declined. The Granger's had taken a few weeks off for holiday previously, and Hermione would be at home alone if she did not have this.
But Harry's parents wanted to get to know Hermione's parents as well.
"Why don't we meet for breakfast on September first somewhere and then take these two to the train? Sirius loves to eat out." Christine suggested.
Sirius nodded at that. "I know the perfect place too. Its muggle, so we best leave the elves at the station, but it was James and I favorite cop spot for a while."
"We clearly need to get to know one another better. And I look forward to it." Emma said, jotting down the restaurant's address. The children shared awkward hugs, before breaking away.
"So Harry, I really, really like her. How old do you have to be to get married?" Lily Belle asked him.
"A lot older, at least thirteen or so, I think." Harry replied, looking to his mum.
"Don't worry Harry, we'll reserve the church. You won't have to worry about anything." His father intoned.
Harry looked at him sideways. He huffed. Fine, he knew it was going to happen sooner or later. "Thanks for offering Hermione protection, dad. And the scholarship. Now she can buy more books."
Indeed, the Granger family was headed back to the bookstore. They had given the family much to think about. It was time for them to return as well.
Christine was not done spending her gold though, and Sirius knew that they had been tagged. The family took the portkey to Paris first, finished up their shopping, removed the trackers they had picked up onto innocent bystanders, taxis, small bushes, and even a dog, and returned via elf to home.
-OO—OO—
The next few weeks were intense for Harry. He wanted to make sure that Hermione wasn't bullied. The whole scholarship that Sirius had planned went silent. Harry got his wish, and Hermione spent time with Harry in the magical world. Not just his normal lessons, which she adored, but extras as well. She was learning about the great and lesser houses, the proper manners and modes of dress.
She even learned the right way to wear muggle clothes in front of wizards so as not to show off her muggle roots.
The most important defense drills. She could already cast a magnificent shield and stinging hex. That would surprise most adult wizards and allow her to get away in a bad situation.
Hermione was a sponge. Sirius wound up taking a longer vacation that he had intended, being with all of the children. James and Lily Belle were bored by some of the history lessons, but the older children were fascinated.
Harry would like to have taken her to the island as well, but unless they went back in time, that was going to have to wait until next summer. But he was so happy to have a new friend!
On the last night at home before school started, Harry was having trouble settling down for sleep. His room in the London town house was comfortable, the bed fairly new, and the linens were soft and clean.
There was a pop, and Kreature appeared in his room.
"What can Kreature do for Master Harry?" he asked, bowing low.
"Why does Dad hate you? You are a good elf. You've kept this place very nice." Harry loved the creepy old house. It reminded him of Halloween, scary B movies that he watched on vacation, and the Addams Family show from TV reruns.
"Kreature supports the Black Family, and Master Sirius was bad child, always hurting his mother. Kreature liking Master Regulus. But Kreature serve."
Harry looked at him, and noticed he was wearing an odd necklace. "What's that?" Harry didn't like the feeling surrounding that locket. It felt evil.
"I need to destroy this one day for Master Regulus. That is my task."
Harry thought about it. "I'll help you, Kreature. I need to be stronger, but I will help you."
"Thank you, Master Harry. You might be child now, but you is being mighty wizard when you is grown."
"Thanks. I need to get some sleeping draught from mum, or I will never make it tomorrow."
Kreature popped away and back in a moment. "Only a tablespoon full, or you will oversleep the morning." He warned. Harry saw it was his mum's formula.
Harry nodded, and took the offered potion. He was soon asleep, and had very, very interesting dreams.
-OO—OO—
Harry had been packed already, so all he had to do was pack his pajamas back in the trunk and he was done. The toiletries in the on-suite bath were his for when he visited there again.
His dad would be headed back to headquarters in Geneva soon, but his mum planned on staying close, for at least a time. It was hurricane season on the island, and was storming now anyways. And the weather in Britain was nice this time of year.
Harry had risen early, and went to the library. 'Customs of the Ancient Houses', 'Hexes for all Occasions' and 'Kill your enemy, Not your friend' went into the stack that he brought downstairs. The elves were busy. Kreature was grumbling about the intruders, but Harry felt sorry for the elf. Always alone. He should at least have another elf to talk to.
"Dad, can I …" Harry stopped.
His parents were in the parlor, but Harry couldn't hear a word. They were clearly fighting. It hurt his heart to see his mother crying like that. Without thinking, Harry pulled his wand, running to her, putting himself between them.
"Stop it right now!" He said.
His mom turned him around, and pulled him into a hug. "Harry, your father didn't hurt my feelings. I'm crying because I am sad. I am going to miss you."
Chagrinned, Harry put his wand away. He really wasn't going to be any match to his father, but how could he not help his mother?
"That was very Gryffindor of you." Sirius said brightly, but his eyes were sad.
"You appeared to be shouting?" Harry asked.
Sirius nodded. "Sorry, pup. I was reminding your mother, in a bad way, I admit, that there is more going on than we can control. If you stay home, we might lose the war for lack of allies, for lack of information on the enemies, or for some other reason entirely. We can keep you safe in prison, mostly."
The healer looked sad. "I'm scared of Dumbledore, son. I reacted badly too. I'm sorry."
The family hugged, and Harry admitted his feelings. "I'm scared Mum, really scared. But I had a dream that I stayed at home and lost the war badly because the only weapons I had were tin soldiers and chocolate frog cards." He was too old to cry, but he couldn't stop the tears that that image brought to his mind. He had been terrified. "It's great to be a child, wonderful to be your child, but I need to put away childish things and grow up now."
Tears were freely falling down his mother's face now as well. Harry hugged her hard, and she hugged him back. Sirius wrapped his arms around them both. He kissed Harry's forehead and his wife's lips, and magic swirled around them.
"I love you, mum, dad, so much."
"I love you son." They said together.
It was nearly time to go, so Harry ran to his room, dropped the books in his trunk and went to find his sister and tickle her awake.
-OO—OO—
Harry said the non-teary good-byes to his brothers, with threats of bodily injury if James made Lily Belle cry. He and Charlus shook hands somberly.
Harry thought his heart would break saying goodbye to his sister though.
"I'll write you once a week. Don't chase the chickens so much that they don't lay eggs. Don't forget to check the bushes near the door. And be good, and happy."
James scoffed. "Are you crying like a girl? You big kneazle!"
Charlus turned red. "You'd better not let Mum hear you talk like that! She'll wash your mouth!"
Harry turned to his little brother, but decided to say nothing. Little snot.
Harry said goodbye to Kreature, and thanked him for his hospitality. Then he and his parents apparated to a quiet place near the all-night café that Sirius had chosen.
After sharing a large breakfast and many stories with the Granger family, they walked the short distance to the station. Christine handed each new student a new book-bag.
"I put in a lunch, some bottled waters, treats, a few fun books, as well as some new reference materials. And letters for you both to read over the next few days. They are dated. It was great seeing you again, Mr. and Mrs. Granger. You won't be able to go through the barricade, so if you like, you can say goodbye to Hermione here with a bit more privacy."
The Grangers each hugged their daughter for a long moment. Then they stepped away. Harry stepped up to his new friend and reached out to hold her hand. The family had already practiced this, and had the carts with the trunks following behind.
"Come with me if you want to live." Harry intoned, in his best Arnold voice.
"What?" Hermione never had a chance to finish, and was pulled through to the other side.
It was five minutes to ten, and there on the tracks was the Hogwarts Express. Harry went to the back, knowing that older students sat forward, and would likely bump them out of a carriage if they took one of the preferred seating areas. He got in a carriage, and helped his father get the trunks in and onto the shelf.
He then turned to his parents, and so far the biggest challenge of his life that he could remember.
"I love you." Was said at the same time. A quick three way hug was shared, Harry's messy hair messed further. He and his mother shared a long hug. She couldn't stop her tears as the mother left her oldest child on the train with his new friend.
"You know, he is nothing like what I expected him to be. And he really loves your mum, doesn't he?" Hermione was looking at the retreating parents that were off to the apparition point. She was wiping tears, and getting a one-armed hug from her husband.
"He does, he really does. I know that I am lucky to have her for a mum. I mean, she's a healer, right? She could work in a hospital, and leave us every day. But she works at home, takes care of a few people now and then. She doesn't do it for the gold either, though Oma Inga makes her charge something. And she teaches us potions, and French, and Latin, and Greek…"
"Je parle Francais aussi." Hermione informed him.
"Eh bien!" And Harry chatted with her in French for a time.
"Hermione, I should have warned you before, so let me do this now. Voldemort is not really dead. He's coming back someday, and when he does, he'll come after me. If you don't want to be my friend, I'll understand. I will. I don't want you to be in danger because of me." Harry told her. He should have told her soon but didn't know what to say.
"What are you going to do?" Hermione mentally went through her knowledge of spells. Scourgify? Reparo? She doubted she knew anything to be of use, at least not yet. She doubted that a stinging hex would stop a dark lord for more than a half second before he killed you.
"My plan is to survive through my OWLs. My magic by then should be strong enough to take the type of training I need. Then go all-out. You know what a hit-wizard like my dad is? My birth-father too? Training like that. Hopefully he won't return until I'm seventeen or so, if I am lucky. If not, he tried to kill me as a baby, he will gladly kill me as student here."
Hermione pulled out her robes from her bag that Christine had told her to transfer them into so they wouldn't have to deal with trunks. She had said to put them on before the train left so that others would know she was protected. Hermione had thanked her for that, the scholarship, and fixing her teeth. And her hair. It was currently in the style that she had learned about in France but had never had the chance to wear before.
"Your dad offered to pay my school and put this crest on my robes because of two muggle-born witches. I'm guessing that Lily Potter was one."
Harry nodded, trying not to think of his only memory of his birth mother, and concentrate on the picture of her holding him as a newborn. Lily was tired but happy in that one.
"Who was the other?" Hermione asked.
"My mum, but Hermione, no one knows who she is. This mysterious healer weds Sirius Black. Many think of me as a pureblood because of my birth father being a Peverell. Plus my title and all. So, when I act all snooty with others, please play along. That patronage is a real thing. Didn't you ever watch the high society news? Think of the haughtiest lady you know. She is almost good enough to serve you tea. Want to practice?
Hermione laughed, and they played Lord and Lady for a time. Harry loved her laugh.
A whistle blew and Harry pulled on his own robes. She had been taught her a lot in the last few weeks. But more importantly, Harry had taught her how to deal with questions she did not know the answer to.
"And one rule that Mum taught me above all others is not to answer every question in class. She said that she would have my hide if I did. She asked me to warn you against that here. Even Ravenclaws keep their knowledge to themselves unless called upon."
Christine wanted her son to get along better than she had. She had not had the best clothes, and she had second hand books. Her mediocre looks combined with the drive to show the other students that she was good enough had alienated everyone when she was in school. She wanted her son to be accepted. She hadn't realized that Potter mania had hit the school, and Harry could walk around with his finger in his nose at times, and still be sought after as a friend.
Their carriage door opened suddenly, and a red-headed boy came in.
"Have you seen Harry Potter? My family waited for him at the portal, but we must have missed him."
Harry had no idea who this boy was, but Hermione stood.
"Do you know how to knock, or was that not taught in your home? Perhaps your home had no regular doors. Barns are like that. Take yourself to the loo, wash your dirty face, and never barge into my compartment again." She pointed to the door imperiously.
Blushing, the boy stammered an apology, and rushed to leave, forgetting to close the door behind him. Forgetting to hide his talents, Harry closed it without getting up.
"You can do wandless spells? And silently?"
Busted.
"Sirius Black, hit-wizard, my dad? I picked up a few things."
"Will you teach me that? Please?" Hermione's eyes were bright with anticipation.
"Sure. Look, we might be in different houses. I think I am headed one way, and as smart as you are, I am sure that you are Ravenclaw material. No matter what though, we are first years, and we will be friends. We can find a place to study together, practice spells, fly, hang-out."
"Wait, fly?" Hermione looked panicked. The London house had no place to fly. They had not talked about that!
"I'm not technically allowed my broom here for quidditch." Harry smirked. What his mother didn't know about his shrunken broom wouldn't hurt him. "Flying is great Hermione. I'll show you, and we'll start slow. They'll have a class with everyone, so it's better if we practice in private first. You don't want to come across as though you haven't seen a broom before."
Hermione nodded. While she didn't want to break any rules, she also understood so much more about the whole class system. Harry had taught her a lot in two weeks. Things that Professor McGonagall never mentioned. And she had been lied to as well. Being told that you could do anything, be anything wasn't exactly true.
Harry told her that he now had his 'thing' that he wanted for his frog card after helping to prepare Hermione for school. She said that goal, dream, vision, and other words were available. He had responded that he was a boy, and he could have a 'thing' if he wanted to. So there.
There was a knock at the door. Harry stood, and looked. He smiled, a smile that Hermione hoped he never sported again. Three boys were at the door. The blond in the middle spoke.
"Hello. There is a rumor that Harry Potter is on the train."
"Yes, I am Harry, Lord Potter. Baron of Peverell. A member of House Black. May I introduce my companion, Miss Granger, under the patronage of House Black? And you?"
"Malfoy. Draco Malfoy." He introduced his friends, no titles. Very Slytherin.
Harry held out his hand for shaking. "It is good to meet you Scion Malfoy. I hope that one day you'll allow me to call you cousin, for we are closely related. Would you like to join us?"
"Sadly no. I need to find my betrothed still. I promised my mother that I would pay my respects. It was very nice to meet you both."
"And you as well." They shook hands again, and the trio left.
"Harry, is that boy really your cousin? He didn't seem very nice at all."
"I don't know if he is evil or not Hermione. But his father is a death-eater. I don't want to spoil lunch by telling you what that is. But remind me sometime, alright? I doubt you've read anything that paints the full picture. As for family, my grandmother Dorea Black is his great aunt. So no matter what degree, we are cousins. And we have other relatives as well. For all practical purposes, the only one on the train I am not related to is you!"
The boy-who-lived looked as his new friend. He needed to explain at least part of his mission or she would think him two-faced.
"I have to be careful. I don't want to make any enemies that could have been allies. That red-headed boy is a different matter. Supposed light-sided family by the name of Weasley. They were put at the gate to befriend me to get me under Dumbledore's control. Or so I think." No need to give away their spies. He needed to watch his words better.
"I will never be friends with any of them. I can't trust them."
Hermione nodded. She had had her eyes opened to a great many sad truths recently. She couldn't trust Dumbledore or McGonagall, and Hermione wanted a powerful witch as a mentor. Harry had said nothing but good about the head of house of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, and he seemed to wax rhapsodic over the Slytherin head of house.
The trolley came by, and Harry stocked up on treats that he knew would be scarce once he got to school. He was disappointed with the food choices, so was stuck with the quality home-made lunch from his mother.
She was rather a health-freak, and her protein bars, whole-wheat organic everything proved it. None of the family was overweight though, which she said was a huge problem in the muggle world.
Hermione ate the lunch quietly. "Harry, you need a friend. You have a difficult job, I can tell. I want to be your friend. Thank you for trusting me with all this. It means a lot.
"I was always bullied in school. Buck-tooth bushy-haired know-it-all bookworm. Your mum was fantastic to fix my teeth and hair like that. I was tempted to try to heal my teeth, but figured I should wait, or get a healer to do it. That procedure costs a thousand galleons at a hospital, and your mum would not accept a knut! But I got off track. You are my first friend, and your family has been so nice. I know that they teased us about being betrothed, but honestly, all of this is so overwhelming and you have been so wonderful!"
Hermione went over to sit next to Harry, as she had been across from him, and hugged him. He returned the hug, and kissed her cheek.
"You're my first friend that I wasn't related to in some way or other. So, it is great to know you." Harry confessed, blushing beet red as he did.
Hermione went to go back to her seat but Harry summoned her bag, and asked her to stay next to him. They finished their lunch, and then he offered up a dessert of licorice wands.
They were mock sword fighting with the candy when there was a knock at the door again.
Harry motioned for Hermione to stay. This time, his face lit up.
"Hi, I'm Neville Longbottom, have either of you seen a toad?"
"Please come in, Scion Longbottom. This is my friend and companion Hermione, born of the House Granger, but under the patronage of House Black. I am Harry Potter, and I am so pleased to finally meet you godbrother."
"Godbrother?" Neville blinked.
"Alice Longbottom worked with my birth-father, and was in the same militia together fighting Voldemort when we were born. She is my godmother, Lily Potter was yours." He saw his mother's crumbled body, lying dead on the ground. No! No her tired face holding him. He would not dwell on the sadness.
Neville shook the offered hand and as Hermione stood, he shook hers as well.
"May I help you find your toad?" Hermione offered.
Neville smiled and nodded. The three went down the train. Harry taught the others 'accio' and soon Neville had a grumpy looking foot-wide toad back in his arms.
"I'm probably not going to be in Ravenclaw, but I hope to get into the choir." He explained.
"Nice! We sing songs at home, but I wouldn't call it music. Keeps the lethifolds away." Harry smiled at his own joke.
"Where are you sitting?" Harry asked.
"A little ways forward from here. I am by myself." Neville said.
Harry looked to Hermione for permission who smiled in response. "Let me help you with your stuff. That is, if you would like to sit with us?"
"I wouldn't like to be a bother…"
"No bother, brother. None at all."
"Then yes please." Neville's smile was like a sunflower opening. The boys made quick work while Hermione held his toad.
"Singing? You sing?" She asked it. She started humming one of the hymns from church. The toad started to harmonize, not with words but tones. She didn't notice the boys finish, and sit across from her.
The boys looked at her amazed, and clapped. Hermione had the sweetest voice that either of them had ever heard.
"Oh, you have to try out for choir with me Hermione! Please!"
She looked at Harry, who had a small wave a jealously pass his face but it was gone in an instant.
"Yes Hermione, you really should. You are clearly talented. Quickly Neville, can you please teach us a few of the local songs. We aren't from here, and want to fit in."
Neville nodded. Hermione proved her genius was partly genes. She had an eidetic memory and was soon singing a lovely soprano to Neville's tenor. A couple of girls showed up at the door. Harry waved them in, one an equally lovely alto and the other another soprano. Students gathered around the doors to listen and clapped as the song ended. A few others joined in, and sang new songs that Hermione hadn't learned yet. But she was a quick study. Harry held her hand and squeezed it in delight at her amazing talent.
After the latest song, a different taller boy with red hair came up. "Sorry to break this up, but we are nearly there, and not all students have their robes on. Lovely job, everyone. Very nice."
Hermione blushed. The first two girls were about to leave, but Harry stopped them. "I'm Harry, Lord Potter. This Hermione Granger, under patronage of House Black, and Neville, Scion Longbottom.
"Daphne, Scion Greengrass, and this is my friend Tracy Davies. It was nice singing with you."
They quickly shook hands all around, and the girls left to throw on robes. Neville was already in his.
Trevor looked at Neville and Hermione in half-lidded bemusement. He appeared to have enjoyed the impromptu choir, and more than one singer was talking about the unfair rules of toad or cat, and why they couldn't have both.
-OO—OO—
They were walking to the boats when Harry and Neville stopped to look at the carriages. They looked at each other and shuddered, and continued down to the boats without saying a word. Hermione had seen Harry flinch at the sight of the half-giant. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and walked right passed the being that seemed to want to stop and talk to him.
Harry promised to explain later.
He helped Hermione into the boat, when a very pretty blonde girl came up to him.
"I hear that you are THE Harry Potter." She gushed.
"May I help you to a seat?" Harry offered politely, sitting her next to Neville. He took Hermione's hand, and started to tell her some of the history of Black Lake.
"You are telling me that a pirate ship brought mermaids here?" Hermione repeated.
"Well and their families. Otherwise, it would have died in that generation." Harry blushed. He hoped he didn't have to explain THAT to Hermione. Talk about embarrassing!
"And then the pirate ship left?" Hermione demanded.
"Well, there was nothing to plunder here. No mad-men to raid, no tyrants to try to overthrow. Dumbledore wasn't headmaster then, you see. It's a pretty small lake. So the ship went back to doing business somewhere in the Caribbean. Dad owns the most amazing island there. And the water is clear, the beaches are protected sugar white sand, and the swimming is amazing! Mum makes us a potion where we can stay underwater for hours. I've never seen mermaids there, but Dad has. He says that they migrate. Follow the fish."
"But how did the ship leave a land-locked lake?"
The blonde girl, now identified as Lavender Brown demanded.
"Magic." Neville responded. He was a Black too after all. The boys slapped hands together while the girls glared. But they went around the curve, and there it was in all its glory. Hogwarts. Wow. No wonder Dad had said that the castle was its own reason for going. Harry had a magical map that Dad and Uncle Remus made. Harry was under strict instructions to not let this one out of his sight.
"Sorry Miss Brown. I don't know. I suspect rune-work on the timbers, sails, wizards and witches to make it jump to the sea. I'm sorry. I know that I've never seen any books about boat-making, I did look at home in the libraries at Black and Potter Manor."
Hermione's eyes glazed over and looked at him. In the quietest voice she could. "You have your own library, and access to another private library?"
Harry's mother had kept the children busy, so other than a few times sitting in their parlor or at the kitchen table, Hermione had not seen much of the house. Plus, that library might not be safe for muggleborns yet. Dad was working on it. He would have it done by Christmas he had said. Remus would help.
Harry smiled and whispered in her ear. "Miss Granger, that sigil also means that you have the same access. During holidays of course."
She not only squeezed the hand that she was holding but scooted over until her right leg was side by side with his left, touching all the way down. Harry wasn't complaining in the least.
As they climbed the steps to the castle they were met by a stern Scottish woman that looked at Harry and huffed. Her look clearly told him that he not only didn't measure up to her standards but he could never measure up to his standards.
Right. Plead number one to hat, please do not make this woman his head of house. It would not be fun.
She led them to a small room off the great hall. She stopped by to hiss at him.
"I was most disappointed in you, Mr. Potter. We shall speak of this later."
Great. Hadn't been there five minutes, and he was already in trouble with the deputy headmistress. Now he owed Charlus a sickle. He blinked back tears that thinking of his brother brought. He already missed him. And Lily Belle. He focused on the moment.
Draco came up to him, and Harry straightened. "I know that you've been raised away from Britain, Lord Potter. There are some families that are better than others. I can help you there."
Harry smiled and bowed. "Thank you. I ask permission to call you by your given name, please call me Harry. I am grateful for such instruction, I am sure that it will be very enlightening." An insider's guide to who is really dangerous and who wants to be, who wants to be left alone, who wants to rule from the shadows.
"Of course, Harry."
"Thank you, Cousin Draco."
The blond offered his hand that Harry shook without question. Oh yes, here was the help that he desperately needed. Now began the games.
The stern woman was back and lined them up for the school to gawk at. Harry was whispering reassurances to Hermione the entire time. He hoped that she would be in Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff, he didn't want to have to put up with the red-heads. His mother had said that Mrs. Weasley 'caught' Mr. Weasley by the use of potions. Now, his mother liked to share stories with the other ladies, but she had been around them when they were younger, and had even watched Bill and Charlie so that the Weasley parents could go on missions.
He shuddered. Harry knew that his mom would check him for potions if he ever married or was going to marry someone entirely out of the blue. The Potter money was a blessing and a curse she said, and he was starting to become old enough to understand the curse part.
"Hermione, let's make a plan to walk around the lake tomorrow after class. Alright? Meet you here, just in case we're in separate houses." Harry brought her hand to his lips that he had been holding.
She smiled at that and nodded. He had kissed her twice today. She beamed at him, and then went back to plotting which house to be in.
Hermione so involved with her planning that she had to have her name repeated before going up to put on the hat.
She sat down, and in no time, the hat shouted "Ravenclaw!"
Harry clapped with Neville. The girl was clearly genius material. Good.
Neville was sorted into Gryffindor. He looked over to Lavender, who made a place to sit next to her. Good, their teasing hadn't made her really mad. The girl smiled at Harry expectantly.
Draco got his desired house before the hat hit his head, and then after a couple of others it was his turn.
"Harry Potter."
Harry strode up to the hat like he was royalty. He sat down and put it on.
'Mr. Potter. You represent a difficult challenge, indeed you do. And influenced not by two, but four parents, and many, many good witches and wizards. You've clearly got the brains and talents for Ravenclaw, but you rushed to defend others like any good Gryffindor, you are loyal to your family and others and work as hard as a Hufflepuff. Hum, and power, yes. Lurking just below the surface, power and a thirst to prove yourself. Better be…'
"Slytherin!"
Harry's robes gained the green trim and the house crest on the other side of his robes. A tall man, older than the pictures of him that Harry had seen stood clapping. Horace Slughorn had just won himself not only a prize student, but the staff pool. He was the only one who had bet on Harry going to his house.
The school went quiet. No one at Slytherin had expected this at all. The Gryffindors stood there, stunned, and a few of the girls were crying. They clearly expected Harry to be sorted there. A few of the older students startled from their shock, and started to clap, triggering a half-hearted attempt around the room.
The rest of the students were sorted. Harry was invited to sit next to Daphne and Tracey, but he sat across from them, to be closer to Draco. He explained why with a bow. That, and he liked Hermione, and did not want her to be mad at him for sitting with other girls their first day.
Harry was being introduced all around, and Harry was listening carefully as to who Draco introduced and what he said about them. He would have to write notes carefully later. He was then introduced to Pansy. It was clear that at eleven, Draco had no interest in knowing Pansy, or getting to know her better. She was his future, she was going to be the mother of his children, and he introduced her as though she was dog poo on his shoe.
"Pansy, Betrothed to the House of Malfoy, it is a pleasure to meet you. We will be family one day. Narcissa Black Malfoy is my father's cousin, but I am related by blood as well. My lady." He kissed her hand, well, breathed on her knuckles. He wasn't going to touch his lips to any part of her, but it served the forms.
She smiled at him, and Daphne and Tracey both beamed at him. Draco frowned a bit, and took the hand Harry had held into his own for a moment.
After dinner, the first years were led into the common room to meet their head of house. The jovial appearing man welcomed one and all. He talked about the importance of doing well, not losing face or points for the house. He showed them the study carrels, showed them how to get to the students' practice potion lab.
"First and second years are not allowed there by themselves, they need a prefect or other older student. If one is not available, come to me. I am always happy to help my house." Professor Slughorn beamed at them again, and winked at Harry.
"Single rooms here, we are not Gryffindors or Hufflepuffs. Prefects will show you the routine."
The common room appeared to be underwater, and had a greenish haze from the torchlight. He found his trunk at the foot of a comfortable bed. The room had a small but serviceable on-suite. Harry heard other pureblood questions, and decided to ask his own.
"Do I need to bring one of my elves here? I don't see a place for one." Harry asked with a sniff.
"No Lord Potter, the castle will provide that service. Laundry goes in the baskets provided, first years, not the floor."
Harry was finally allowed to go to his room. He sat at the small desk, took out parchment, and recorded a list of names and what he had learned so far, leaving a lot of space in-between to add more information.
This was the nice thing about his mission. He could leave any time he wanted to, and had an easy scapegoat.
He then remembered the parchment from the ICW. Enough for an official copy for each teacher, prefect, head boy and head girl of the school.
He then wrote a very quick note home, letting them know about his house, his room, the train, and the friends he was making so far. He left it addressed on his desk. He would send it in the morning with his beautiful owl. For now, it was time for bed, and he was ready for it.
At breakfast, Harry handed Professor Slughorn the copy of the restraining order that the ICW had issued against Albus Dumbledore. The headmaster wasn't there yet, so Harry took the opportunity to tick off many names off the delivery list. He would let his owl deliver the others.
He thought Flitwick was going to faint when Harry mentioned that the goblin was his mother's favorite teacher, and sent her regards. Harry supposed he should have said adoptive mother, but with portraits, and other devices to speak to the dead, he decided to leave it alone.
Daphne and Tracey cooed over Hedwig, and asked to pet her. Harry asked the predator who eyed the girls before giving a bark of acceptance. She accepted their bacon as token payment for suffering the indignity of if all.
She left with her multiple deliveries, and Harry saw Hermione enter the great hall. He walked over to escort her to her seat.
"I found out that after today, we can sit together at meals. We only have to sit with our houses at holiday and the opening feasts. Well, and to get our times schedule."
He kissed her hand, and then ran back over to his own table. Her house-mates looked at her in awe. "You know Harry Potter? You're a member of his house. Are you betrothed?"
She smiled a little enigmatic smile and read her times schedule. She would have to compare with Harry later, but they would likely be able to study together regardless if they were in the same class or not.
Harry was nearly done with breakfast, and listening intently to a conversation that Draco was having about quidditch and how the rights of first years were being trampled on.
"Harry agrees with me, don't you?" Draco asked.
"Of course he does. As if Potter had an original thought that you hadn't given him!" Theo Nott was not a fan of the boy-who-lived, and was trying to needle his house-mate.
"Actually, I really do. I mean, there's a wonderful quidditch pitch, the weather is glorious, and there are only a handful of games for seven people in each house. How is that fair? There should be games every weekend when the weather permits, allowing many people to play. Limit the time. Let the lower years play each other. I want to fly, and I have to wait an entire year, and then what? Hope that there is a slot open? That won't happen until the older students graduate. Draco is spot-on."
The house turned to look at him. Prefects were looking at him.
"That's brilliant!"
"There's other games too. I've only played quadpot a few times, I really don't like it, but it has the advantage of being able to be played in a reasonable time. The South Americans play a quidditch league without the snitch at all, and just play for three hours with breaks, and time-outs, and half-time shows that are amazing." Putting a napkin on the drool he was leaking, Harry wrenched his thoughts away from memories of half-naked dancing girls.
"Half-time shows? That could involve those of us who don't like to fly." One witch suggested. The house started playing with ideas back and forth. Then the conversation broke up when there was a discrete cough behind him.
"Mr. Potter, you have been summoned to the headmaster's office." Professor McGonagall handed him a note.
He still hadn't seen the whiskered one today. He took out a parchment, checked off her name, and handed her a sealed document.
"Please read this, Professor McGonagall. I will explain why I cannot do what you just requested. If he insists, then I will summon the family solicitor. This is an International Confederation of Wizards ruling ma'am. Unless you think an eleven year old faked that seal, ma'am?"
She fixed him with steely eyes and pursed lips. She scanned the seal before breaking it. The proclamation was not long.
"What did you do to that great man?" she demanded.
"Ma'am, if you will look at the date on the parchment, I was roughly seventeen months old at the time. I guess I was looking to vanquish my second dark lord before I was two." Harry responded.
"Detention, Mr. Potter."
"I will appeal that decision with my head of house ma'am as you asked a question, and I answered it truthfully and in a civil tone."
He then pulled out a different parchment. It was a copy, but had the originals' look and feel.
"Please read this, ma'am. It is the diagnosis of the healer that took care of me after my rescue from the muggle home that Albus Dumbledore took me to after having kidnapped me from my home. His minion would not release me to my father, but delivered me to two months of torture."
Minerva read the parchment. Bits of the trial long ago had been published in Britain, but Albus had explained it away as the typical gossip and tripe that was a daily dish of that rag.
"Christine Hammerstein? She was a healer apprentice here, she was a genius. She's the one that saw you, healed you?" Tears were streaking down her cheeks. "I don't understand. I told him that they were the worst muggles imaginable, but he promised me that you would be safe. I loved Lily like a daughter. Oh, Harry, I'm so, so sorry for my part in this."
She offered the parchment back, but he shook his head.
"Please keep it ma'am. Share it with your friends here. It will help them to understand why my parents barely allowed me to attend this school."
"You do not have detention, Mr. Potter. I will see you in class tomorrow. Read chapter one of your book if you like."
"I've read the entire thing ma'am, but I will reread it if you like." Harry smiled at her. "By the way, Lily Potter mentions you often in her journals with affection and love. She felt the same way about you ma'am."
The woman nodded, and headed out of the room. There was a small group of students around him, looking at him in awe.
"Harry slew the dragon. Did you see? One bit of parchment, and boom! She went down."
"Harry, remind me not to make you angry, right mate?" Draco added, shaking his head. The group of first years made their way to charms with the Hufflepuffs. Harry was disappointed to not be with Hermione, but he would see her in potions, defense, and Herbology. He waved good-bye as she left.
It was going to be an interesting first week.
-OO—OO—
A/N Thanks for reading.
