Chapter 27: Firenze, Buckbeak and Consequences
The next morning, Harry and Hermione get cleaned up then head on down to the Great Hall for breakfast and to get their schedules. When they arrive at the Hufflepuff table Neville is already there eating and soon the rest of the gang arrives to enjoy a good breakfast. Professor Sprout hands out schedules and every one compares.
"You and Hermione are sure taking a lot of classes this year," Neville says.
"We chose to take this many and only skipped out on the ones we already know, such as muggle studies and astronomy. We were raised in the muggle world so we already know how muggles live and because of who we are, we already know about the stars and planets. We have already studied ahead in all of our subjects so any of you need help let us know," Hermione answers.
"I signed up for Divination and Muggle studies because I thought they would be easy classes and I might learn something useful, " Neville says," At least I will find out if I have any leaning toward Divination and will learn how muggles do things."
"Maybe those classes will help boost your confidence a little. A few good grades you can boast about to your grandmother will always be a big help," Harry says.
"I'll try, with you guys to help out I should be able to," Neville replies.
"That's the spirit Neville. We're always here to help," Harry says.
"Looks like first period is so Firenze can screen applicants for his class," Hermione says while looking at her schedule," Might as well get started."
Harry and Hermione walk down to the ground floor near the transfiguration courtyard where they find Firenze in a classroom with dirt on the floor with the room transfigured into a forest setting. There are logs and stumps for the students to sit on instead of desks and a place for a campfire when it gets cold.
The couple walk in, seeing several other students there already, and Firenze says," Welcome Royal Elders. I was instructed to teach you two our ways and to allow other students I thought worthy to join in. We have a different way to divine the future than humans and we have traditions and a way of life you might come to appreciate. It will take a lot of patience to learn and will not be for everyone. Some of the classes will be outside, weather permitting, to look at the stars to teach you our way of predicting the future which is quite accurate. This is how we know when it is time to move on or stay and fight."
Harry says," Hello Firenze, it's good to see you again. I can help with the weather issue if you like so you can study the stars any night despite the weather."
"How can this be done," He asks?
Harry thinks to Hogwarts," Please convert the ceiling to reflect the sky outside accurately."
The ceiling shimmers for a few seconds and then turns into what looks like a very large window, looking directly up at the morning sky.
"I asked Hogwarts to convert the ceiling to show the sky as it is. It will always be correct, and will see through the clouds so we can view the stars despite the weather." Harry says.
"Very well Mr. Potter. This will prevent delays in the teaching schedule."
Firenze then goes on and gives a short lesson on the centaur culture and way of life. Then says by way of dismissal," If you have the patience to learn what I have to teach, regular classes will be held Friday evenings after dinner at eight o'clock."
With that being said, he trots out the door and heads back into the forest to his camp.
"That will certainly be an interesting class," Hermione says," I'm not sure about the divination part, as we don't have the insight the centaurs have, but we can at least learn how they read the stars and planets."
"Yea, we'll have to leave interpretation up to them. At least we will understand them better and be able to talk to them properly," Harry says.
After leaving the classroom, the couple proceeds towards Hagrid's hut for the Care of Magical Creatures class. Since this was a voluntary class and sign up was low enough, all four houses were represented. As Harry and Hermione approached the group they noticed a lot of books with either belts or spello-tape around them to keep the owners from getting bit by the books. Harry and Hermione look at each other with amusement and smile.
"Attention everyone," Hermione says," You need to treat the book as if it were an animal such as a cat. If you want a cat to purr you pet it or rub its fur. In this case stroke the spine of the book and it will calm right down and be your friend."
Everyone stroked their books and a lot of satisfied growls occurred letting them remove the restraints. The books were happy.
Hagrid walks up from the forest and beckons," Follow me class. I have a special treat for your today."
Everyone follows Hagrid, wondering how far into the forest they were going to go, since it was the Forbidden Forest after all. They didn't have anything to worry about because as they got to the edge of the forest there was a corral with some strange looking bird like creatures in it. The front half of the animal looked like an eagle complete with feathers, wings, along with a curved beak and talons. The back half was that of a horse. They were quite regal and proud looking animals.
Hagrid coaxes one of them out of the corral and approaches the class," This is Buckbeak, isn't he a beaut. He is what is called a Hippogriff, he's half bird and half horse. Normally they are docile and very easy to get along with once they get to know you. However, you don't want to get on the bad side of a hippogriff, it might be the last thing you ever do. Now to approach one you slowly walk up to it from the front and look it in the eye and then bow to it. If it judges you worthy and bows back, you may approach and pet it. Anyone want to volunteer to give it a try?"
Everyone steps back leaving Harry and Hermione standing alone. They look back at the rest of the class and smile at each other thinking this should be fun. The class stepping back as one startled the hippogriff, getting Hagrid's attention, so he hadn't notice the action of the class. When he turned back around and saw Harry and Hermione all alone he smiled.
"Well done Harry and Hermione," he says," Which one of you wants to go first?"
Harry steps up and bows to Buckbeak while looking him in the eyes without blinking and after a few seconds Buckbeak bows back.
"Good Harry now you can go up and pet him," Hagrid says.
Harry walks up and pets Buckbeak, running his hand down his beak and feathers.
"You are a very handsome hippogriff," Harry sends.
"Thank you Elder. Would you like to go flying?" Buckbeak sends back.
"May my life mate go as well," Harry asks?
"She may come," He sends while looking Hermione over.
Harry climbs up on the hippogriff's back, beckons Hermione over and after bowing to Buckbeak, she takes his hand and climbs on behind her husband. Buckbeak then takes a running start and launches into the air with a mighty flap of his wings. They gain altitude and soar high over the castle and then dive down to just above the lake where Buckbeak drags his front talons in the water. After a few more turns around the grounds he flies back to the class where he lands and walks to the front lowering his front legs so they can get off.
Harry and Hermione dismount and walk to the front where they bow to Buckbeak and send," Thank you for the ride. It was most enjoyable."
"You are welcome Elders, I enjoyed your company as well," he sends while bowing back.
"Now that is the proper way to treat a hippogriff," Hagrid says," Ten points to Hufflepuff. Everyone line up and you'll each get a turn."
The class claps and Hagrid leads a few more hippogriffs out to get more of the students involved. Harry and Hermione separate to help the students with Hermione drifting toward the Slytherin students to keep an eye on them for trouble. There were still a few of them that followed in their father's footsteps and were Death Eater wannabe's. Marcus Flint was one of them and had disillusioned himself in order to sneak down to see what he could do to disrupt the class. When he saw the hippogriffs, he thought he had the perfect plan to get rid of one of the Potters. He and Theodor Knott, along with a few other Slytherins, stayed inside when the Potters ordered everyone outside to witness them dealing with the Dementors. Theodor had shown Marcus a letter from his father and the pair didn't believe what their classmates told them about how the Potters had dealt with the Dementors. After all, people don't fly without brooms and they don't shoot spells from their eyes. As he was sneaking down toward the class, Hermione was helping the Slytherins get lined up and coaching them to not be afraid to approach the hippogriffs. As Flint got into position, Hermione was coaching Daphne Greengrass as her turn was next.
Flint points his wand at the hippogriff in front of Daphne and says," Imperio."
The animals eyes glaze over and he continues," attack the girl with the bushy hair and fly her very high up and drop her. Then fold your wings and fall to the ground."
Hermione noticed the change in the hippogriff right away and jumped in front of Daphne thinking it was going to attack her for some reason. The hippogriff reared back on its hind legs and charged. Hermione automatically covered Daphne with her body as the hippogriff brought her talons down onto Hermione, scratching Daphne in the process while picking her up and taking off into the sky.
Harry was on the other side of the group and didn't see what happened when he heard a scream and looked over to where Hermione was supposed to be and saw Daphne on the ground bleeding and Hermione gone. He ran over to the crying girl and saw her arm with a big gouge on it and blood everywhere.
"Hold still Ms. Greengrass," Harry says.
He puts his hand on her wound and with a soft glow it heals completely.
"Where's Hermione," he asks?
She looks at her arm and says, "Thanks," then points up.
Harry stands up and notices everyone looking up so he looks up and sees the hippogriff carrying her higher and higher.
"Are you alright?" Harry sends.
"Yes Harry, I'm just waiting for her to release me. She was imperiused and is not herself," she sends back.
"Okay, I'll keep an eye on things here," he sends back.
The other hippogriffs sense what is happening and take flight as well to help protect the Elder. They fly up and start circling the pair in order to catch her when she falls. When the hippogriff reached about three hundred feet she let go of Hermione and then folded her wings and started falling towards the ground.
Everyone screamed when the hippogriff let go of Hermione and Flint smiled when he thought his plan was working. He lost his smile though when she didn't fall and just hovered there in front of the hippogriff. When the animal folded its wings and started to fall, Hermione held out her hands and a shimmering bubble formed around the hippogriff allowing her to slowly descend toward the ground with the hippogriff inside the bubble. As she landed the class was cheering and clapping while looking at Hermione in awe. The other hippogriffs landed and made a semicircle around the pair watching what she would do next. Hermione put her hand on the hippogriffs head between its eyes and closed her eyes. Her hand glowed momentarily as she removed the curse from the hippogriff. The hippogriff opened its eyes and shook its head and looked at Hermione.
It then nuzzled her affectionately and sent," Thank you Elder. My name is Redwing. I am the leader of our flight and will always be here if you need us."
"You're welcome Redwing," Hermione sends," If your flight is ever in any trouble you can come to Harry and me and we will be glad to help out as well."
All of the hippogriffs bow as one to Hermione and she bows back.
Hagrid rushes over and says," Are you alright Hermione?" while checking her over for injuries.
"I'm fine Hagrid," she says, "I would like to introduce you to Redwing. She is the leader of this flight of hippogriffs. She is very intelligent and likes you very much."
Hagrid looks at her in surprise," you can talk to them?"
She nods and he looks over at Redwing and takes his hat off and bows to her," Glad to make your acquaintance Redwing. You have the finest flight of hippogriffs I have ever worked with."
She bowed back and snorted, which was her form of amusement, as the girls in the class tittered at Hagrid's behavior.
Meanwhile Harry had been keeping an eye out on their surroundings as he sensed someone close by watching. As Flint moved to return to the castle Harry spotted the shimmering effect of a disillusioned person, caused when moving, and was on him in a flash. He cast a stunning spell and with a thud Flint fell over and reappeared. He then summons his wand and places it in his robes for safekeeping.
"I think we found our culprit," Harry says," Let's get him to the Headmaster."
"I'm here Mr. Potter," the Headmaster says, keeping it formal, as he walks toward them," I saw the hippogriffs flying with Mrs. Potter. I take it she is alright?"
"I'm fine Headmaster," Hermione answers," however; I am concerned that this could have been one of the other students. If Harry and I hadn't been here the incident could have been much worse."
"I agree. Let's take this to my office," the Headmaster says.
Harry revives Flint and the Potters each take an arm to escort him to the Headmaster's office. Flint tries to struggle but finds he can't break the iron grip of the Potters.
When they arrive the Headmaster places a call to DMLE and Madam Bones answers.
"Could you please step through Madam and bring a couple of your most trusted Aurors with you? We have a case of attempted murder," the Headmaster states.
She looks at him in surprise and says," Be right there Albus."
After a short wait, she steps through with two Aurors. When she sees the Potters she bows and says," Good morning majesties. May I introduce my two most trusted Aurors: Kingsley Shacklebolt and D…"
"Dora," Harry and Hermione say together, while rushing over to give her a hug, "How are you cousin?"
Dora laughs and says," I'm doing well actually. Youngest ever to graduate from the academy; and the fastest as well."
Shacklebolt says," She is very good. This is part of her field training and she is my partner."
Harry shakes Shack's hand and says," She's a good person. She was very studious when she was here in our first year. Now back to the business at hand."
Amelia takes over in her official capacity and says," What happened, Albus?"
"Apparently, Mr. Flint tried to murder the Queen by using the Imperius curse on a hippogriff, which then proceeded to carry her up to a great height and drop her. Luckily there is more to the Queen than what she appears to be. She was able to hover when the hippogriff let go and even saved the creature when it folded its wings and started falling in an apparent attempt to kill itself," The Headmaster says.
She raises an eyebrow at the word hover and looks at the Potters.
"We can fly without a broom," Harry says.
Flint, not the brightest candle in the room, squawked and says," What do you mean Queen; she is nothing but a mud-blood. Nobody would miss her. She doesn't have a place in our world."
Harry and Hermione look over at him and allow their true power to show though. Their eyes take on a fierce white glow and a sword and scabbard appear on Harry's waist. There is an ethereal wind swirling around in the room. He draws the sword and puts the tip of it under Flint's chin.
"What does it say on the sword," Harry asks in a very menacing voice?
Flint looks down at the blade and reads the inscription and shakily says," Excalibur."
"My true name is Harry James Pendragon and the person you tried to kill is Hermione Jane Pendragon. We are the magical King and Queen of the British Commonwealth. I could run you through with this sword and be done with it, but I don't want to spoil the Headmaster's fine office with your dirty inbred blood. I will let the DMLE deal with you instead," Harry says.
Harry and Hermione let their power return to normal levels and everyone breathes a sigh of relief. Harry sheathes his sword and it disappears again; to reappear when needed. He turns to the adults in the room and says," He all yours. Here is his wand Headmaster."
The Headmaster stands up and says formally," Marcus Flint, you are hereby expelled from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As a person of age you will be tried as an adult for the attempted murder of a fellow student. You may have him now Amelia. Here is his wand for evidence. I believe you will find the imperius curse to be the last spell cast."
Amelia looks to her Aurors and says," Take him to a holding cell pending trial."
Dora, who's pink hair had turned a flaming red when she heard the charges, slapped a port key on him and was gone in a flash.
"I hope she doesn't rough him up too much." Kingsley says," He still needs to stand trial."
"She's very professional, "Amelia says," He'll be alive when his trial comes."
Her and Shack bow to the Potters and exit the office though the floo.
"More pureblood stupidity," Hermione says," It's too bad it had to come to this."
"Yes it is," Albus says," I'll make an announcement at dinner. Maybe the rest of the students will see the consequences of his actions and learn from it."
The rest of the day went smoothly as far as lessons go. Of course there were all kinds of rumors going around about what happened this morning. There was a general announcement earlier in the day that everyone was required to attend dinner for an important statement to be given by the Headmaster. As evening approached, everyone was making their way down to the Great Hall for dinner while speculating on what the statement would be. Everyone had heard about Flint being taken to the Headmaster's office but didn't know what happened while he was there. Some of the students that knew him noticed he wasn't sitting at the Slytherin table with his year mates. Theodor Knott was starting to get nervous. The letter in his pocket was making him feel like he had to do something.
After a full dinner everyone looked to the head table expectantly. Noticing the somber look on the Headmaster's face they knew it had to be bad. Headmaster Dumbledore walked to the podium and after adjusting for his height so everyone could see and hear him he cleared his throat.
"Attention everyone. I have some unpleasant news to tell you. Earlier today, during Care of Magical Creatures class, Marcus Flint decided to try and murder one of our students," he says.
Gasps could be heard around the hall.
The Headmaster clears his throat and takes a sip of water, then continues," Mrs. Potter was grabbed by one of the hippogriffs and flown to a great height were she was let go in hope she would fall to her death. Mr. Flint used the imperius curse on the hippogriff to accomplish this causing Ms. Greengrass to be injured as well but was healed by Mr. Potter. Mr. Flint has been expelled from Hogwarts and is awaiting trial. If this had been anyone else he might have succeeded and if he is found guilty, Mr. Flint could be sentenced to death or to life in Azkaban. This is the consequence for using your wand for unlawful purposes. Mr. Flint is only seventeen years old and his life is over along with any dreams he might have had for the future. I hope this will be a lesson to you all on what happens when bad decisions of this type are made. Dinner is finished so you may be excused to go to your dorms for the evening."
He turned to go back to his seat and noticed no had had moved but were looking at a single girl who had her hand up.
"Yes, Ms. Carmichael," he asked?
"When you said if it would have been anyone else except Hermione, "she asked," what did you mean?"
He looks over at the Potters and gets a nod from them and says," Harry and Hermione Potter are Elders. They have special powers not related to magic, like the ability to fly without a broom. Most of you saw that on sorting day."
Harry and Hermione had been watching the students in the Great Hall for their reactions to the news and noticed Theodor Knott was fidgety and sweating. They look at each other and nod, then get up from their table and walk to the Headmaster and whisper in his ear.
"Headmaster, we think Knott knows something." Hermione whispers, "We have been watching the students and he is the only one that is nervous and twitchy. We will give a demonstration of our flying and see if we can draw him out."
"Very well," the Headmaster says and turns to Ms. Carmichael," The Potters have agreed show how she survived."
Harry and Hermione turn to the students and slowly start to rise up towards the rafters.
Hermione says," this is how I kept from falling. Harry and I have the ability to fly and I surrounded Redwings with a null gravity field in order to keep her from getting hurt."
The students didn't understand what a null gravity field was but understood the flying part well enough and they all nodded satisfied with her answer. As the Potters floated there the compulsion charm on Knott's letter became too much for him and he stood up while pointing his wand at Hermione and shouted," STUPID MUD-BLOOD, DIFFENDO."
Hermione lifted her hand up and caught the spell, letting it hover in front of her. This of course got the full attention of the student body.
"This is the second time someone has tried that on me," she says, "it didn't work for him either."
She looks at Knott and gestures with her other hand and he lifts off the floor and floats up to her.
"Check his pockets Harry, I sense something in them that's driving him to do this," she says.
Harry checks Knott's pockets and pulls out a letter. Detecting the compulsion charm on the letter, he floats down to the Headmaster and hands him the letter. The Headmaster recognizes the charm and is able to cancel it with his magic being stronger. As soon as the charm is cancelled Knott sags and starts crying.
"I'm sorry Mrs. Potter. I tried to resist it but it was too much for me," he cried.
"That's okay Theodor; you are not the first student this has happened to. Did you show this letter to Flint when you got it?" she asked.
"Yes, I may not like you, but I would never want to murder you." He responded.
She let him back down and Professor Snape took him to the hospital wing to get checked over. Hermione flicks her wrist and the spell which everyone had their eyes glued to dissipated.
She and Harry float back down to the Headmaster to talk about what to do next. Professor Dumbledore dismisses the students back to their dorms while The Potters and the rest of the council head the Headmaster's office. Once they arrive in the Headmaster's office he floo calls Madam Pomphrey to check on her patient.
"How's Mr. Knott doing," he asks.
"He is doing well. There were no side effects to the compulsion charm. I gave him a dreamless sleep potion to help him rest tonight and will release him in the morning," she responds.
"Very well. Have Professor Snape come to my office please," Albus says.
"He is already on his way and should be there shortly," Madam Pomphrey says.
"Thank you," Albus says and then pulls his head out of the fire.
When Professor Snape arrives at the office the meeting begins.
Harry has a question," Grandpa, "he says," would the compulsion charm on the letter affect Mr. Flint after he got away from it? Why weren't the other students around Theodor affected?"
"It appears that it would only affect you if you read the letter. Mr. Knott apparently showed the letter to Mr. Flint since he didn't have the means to carry out his father's wishes by himself," Albus says," it also appears that Mr. Knott's heart wasn't really into following his father's orders."
"He told me was sorry and was trying real hard to fight the compulsion." Hermione says," He even apologized, saying that even though he didn't like me, he would never condone murder. He still thinks I'm a mud-blood. I will have to show him my rings, I suppose, to convince him otherwise. It looks like he still believes the tripe his father is sprouting. I wonder if a visit from us as Elders would be in order."
"Possibly," Professor Snape says," Most purebloods only understand and respect power. That's why they followed Voldemort. He had more power than anyone and spouted the pureblood dogma they wanted to hear."
"That's the plan then," Harry says," We'll talk to Theodor tomorrow and visit his dad tomorrow evening."
They wrap up the meeting and retire for the night.
The next morning Harry and Hermione head up to the hospital wing before breakfast to talk to Theodor Knott. As they arrived Madam Pomphrey pointed out the bed he was in. They walked over to stand on either side of his bed and shook him awake.
"Wake up Theodor," Harry says," We need to talk to you for a bit."
"Yea? What do you want," He asks snidely.
Hermione holds out her rings for him to see," See these rings," she asks?
He looks at them and his eyes get wide when he recognizes Slytherin's ring.
"That can't be," he whispers," my dad says you are nothing but a mud-blood and not worthy to learn magic."
"The rings are real. I am the direct heir to Salazar Slytherin through my father's side of the family," she says. "The magic skipped a few generations for some reason."
"We want you to do something for us," Harry says," your fathers letter got a student expelled from school and a possible death sentence. You almost got expelled as well."
"Anything," he says.
"We want you to send a letter to your father." Hermione says," Tell him you failed and the Elders are coming."
"He won't be alone," Theodor says," he'll gather all of his Death Eater friends."
"It won't matter," Hermione says," that's what we are counting on."
A couple of hours later a school owl finds Mr. Knott in a meeting with his fellow pureblood proponents.
"Oh good, this should be an answer from my son on his success at getting rid of the Potter mud-blood." Mr. Knott says.
He opens the letter and reads it several times trying to decipher the meaning while scowling and getting more upset.
"Well, what does it say Ted." Mr. Flint asks," My son was arrested on some trumped up charges yesterday that he tried to kill the mud-blood and failed."
He frowns and says," He failed to follow through with my commands. It also says something I don't understand."
He hands the letter to Mr. Flint, who reads it to the group," It says and I quote: 'Father I failed in the task you set for me and I was told to tell you the Elders are coming.'"
"What does it mean the Elders are coming," Mr. Flint asked?
One of the other members of the group says," There have been rumors floating around that there are two Elders at the school. I assure you the Elders are just a legend and nothing else. I couldn't find any specific information about the legend so I don't think we have anything to worry about. We will all be with you for the rest of the day to back you up if someone does come calling."
"I have the best wards money can buy laid over the top of the family wards." Mr. Knott says confidently," I don't think anything will get through but I thank you for the help. Everyone get some rest in case we need it for later."
They all retire to spare rooms in the manor and lay down for naps so they will be ready for an all-nighter if needed.
Meanwhile at Hogwarts, the day is going smoothly with no further incidents and after a pleasant evening meal the Potters approach the Slytherin table.
"Mr. Knott, would you come with us please," Hermione asks?
He gets up from the table and follows them up to the head table where the potters speak to Professor Snape.
"Professor," Harry says," we are going on another mission and we need the location of Mr. Knott's manor. We will be going as ourselves this time and we promise no harm will come from us to anyone there. Can you contact Madam Bones and have her meet us there as a witness? She can bring whomever she wants. We will wait for her appearance before we take action."
Professor Snape turns to Theodor and says," It will be alright. If Harry and Hermione say they will not harm anyone intentionally they will keep their word. Just look into Harry's eyes and think about where you live and he will get your location."
Theodor looks at Harry and says," Please protect my mother and my little sister. My father keeps them isolated at the back of the manor."
"You have my word," Harry says.
With that Theodor looks in Harry's eyes and thinks about his home.
"Got it," Harry says," Thanks, and don't worry everything will work out."
"Good luck Elders," Theodor says as he walks back to his table. He turns around and sees Harry and Hermione disappear from the Great Hall to the gasp of many of the students who were watching the exchange.
Professor Snape makes his way quickly to the nearest floo to contact Amelia Bones and tell her what is going on.
The Potters appear near a very nice manor house and study the wards while waiting on Madam Bones.
"Looks like Malfoy Manor all over again," Harry says.
"I think we will announce ourselves loud and clear by taking down the wards. I sense about a dozen people in the building with most of them gathered near the front of the manor. A couple of others are patrolling around the building," Hermione says.
A few minutes later Madam Bones and about a dozen Aurors portkey in behind them.
She walks up to them and asks," What's going on? Professor Snape said you were going to raid Knott's manor."
"Yes we are. He sent his son a letter that had compulsion charms on it that made anyone who read it want to attempt to kill Hermione. His son showed the letter to Flint who tried to follow up on it. Yesterday, Theodor tried to resist the letter but finally succumbed and fired a cutting curse at Hermione during a demonstration we were giving. We detected the letter and gave it to Professor Dumbledore who removed the charms. Everyone in the Great Hall witnessed the whole thing." Harry says," I need you and your group for witnesses to our actions tonight. There are a dozen former Death Eaters and sympathizers in the manor. Please stand back and we will take the wards down and let you know when it is safe to enter."
One of the Aurors scoffs and says," We are supposed to stand here and watch two kids take down the wards and contain a dozen Death Eaters. They will be killed the second they touch the wards."
Hermione turns to the disbelieving Auror and says," We will not be harmed, but we need witnesses to this action. That is why you are here. No other reason. We could have done this ourselves. Now move back and watch."
"Yes majesty," Madam Bones says and motions her Aurors back to a safe distance.
Harry and Hermione look at each other," Let's do this."
They walk up together to the edge of the wards and reach out their hands and come into contact with the wards. There is a shimmering dome effect over the property that becomes quite bright as the wards go from orange to red. There is a loud noise inside the manor as the ward stone explodes and the red dome winks out.
The aurors look on in astonishment. The whole process took less than a minute.
The Potters look back at the Aurors and say," Stay here and keep anyone from sneaking away. We will handle the rest."
They phase out and reappear in front of the main doors to the manor where they proceed to blast it into splinters with a wave of their hands.
Earlier:
One of the guards came running in and reported seeing a flash like a portkey would make.
"Okay men, this is it. Looks like we are going to have company after all. It should take them a while to get past the wards, so everyone take their places and we will ambush them when they try to enter," Mr. Knott says.
As soon as he finished speaking, the alarms went off and the ward stone exploded in the ward room a few seconds later.
"I thought it would take a while to get through the wards," Flint says.
"I did too," Knott says as the door explodes into a million splinters.
In walk a pair of thirteen year old kids with glowing eyes.
"It's the mud-blood and her so called husband. Fire," Knott calls out.
From outside, the law enforcement group watched as Harry and Hermione made everything look easy. The door exploded into splinters and they all witnessed over a dozen different curses fly towards the Potters, including several killing curses and cutting hexes. The pair just raise their hands, stopping the curses in mid-air and with another wave the assailants are frozen and their wands are summoned.
With the spells hovering in front of them the Potters look at each other and Hermione asks with a yawn," What do you want to do with all this energy Harry? I don't want to release it in here. It might damage this fine Manor and then Theodor wouldn't have anywhere to live."
"Let's just absorb it and be done with it," Harry says.
They turn toward each other and push the multicolored balls of magical energy into each other until they are gone. The group of Death Eaters couldn't believe their eyes. The legend of the Elders was proven true tonight.
The Aurors captured the other guard and Amelia Bones had snuck up to the manor. While looking through a window, she witnessed the whole light show.
"Come in Amelia, it is safe now. You might want to bring the others as well." Harry says.
She enters through the shattered door and stands by the Potters and motions the Aurors to come in with their prisoner.
"What next, majesty," she asks?
"Here are their wands Amelia," He says while handing over their wands," I'm going to say a few things and then let you handle this group as you see fit according to the law of the land. Some of the curses fired were of the unforgivable type."
She takes the wands and puts them in an evidence bag.
Harry looks at Hermione and says," Why don't you go and bring Mrs. Knott and her daughter out so they can also witness what is going on. They need to understand actions have consequences as well. I'll wait for you before I get started."
"Okay Harry," She says.
She walks to the back of the manor, letting her senses guide her till she comes to a door to the room the two ladies are hiding in.
She knocks and opens the door breaking the lock in the process," Please come with me." she says," No harm will befall you."
The ladies look at the shattered lock and decide to cooperate by following her back to the main room. When they arrive, Hermione goes back to her husband's side and the two ladies are directed to stand by Madam Bones. Harry wiggles one of his fingers freeing the heads of the prisoners so they can speak.
Mr. Knott immediately speaks up," What's the meaning of this? How dare you break into our home, terrifying my family!"
"That's a fair question Mr. Knott. I assure you I have as good a reason as you have for gathering all your Death Eater friends after my warning." Harry says, and then looks over the group held in stasis," Is there a Mr. Flint here?"
"I'm Flint," Mr. Flint answers," What do you want?"
"As you are aware, your son was arrested for attempted murder two days ago. He performed an imperius curse on one of the hippogriffs we were studying. While using an unforgivable on an animal is not against the law, what he instructed the creature to do is. The hippogriff was instructed to grab my wife and carry her high in the sky and release her to fall to her death. If she had been an ordinary student the act would have succeeded and your son would probably be facing a death sentence. What you probably don't know is why he did it instead of Theodor. I assume you all know of the letter sent by Mr. Knott to his son instructing him to quote: 'get rid of the mud-blood Potter girl', end quote."
They all nod indicating they knew about the letter.
"What disgusts me the most about you people is that you condone the murder of children." Harry says.
"Now, back to the letter Mr. Flint," Harry says," The letter had compulsion charms on it that made anyone who read the letter want to attempt to murder my wife. Theodor showed it to your son as he is only a third year and wanted advice on what to do with such an obviously ludicrous thing to ask a thirteen year old child to do. I would like to believe your son would have told Theodor to ignore the letter or show it to someone in authority, which would have been the right thing to do. However, due to the compulsion charm, he has found himself in jail awaiting trial for something he wouldn't have done on his own. We found the letter when Theodor tried to send a cutting curse at my wife in front of the whole student body in the Great Hall. I commend him for being able to resist the compulsion most of the day until it became too much for him to overcome."
Mrs. Knott gasped after hearing this and says," How could you Ted? Mr. Flint's son and now my Theodor are in trouble because of your stupidity. I'm going to talk to my parents about annulling this marriage. I want nothing more to do with your Pureblood idiocy."
Harry looks over the group and asks," All of you are from proud pureblood families, are you not?"
They all nod and would have stood up straighter if they could have.
"There is nothing wrong with being proud of your heritage. Hermione and I are very proud of ours. I am heir to Helga Hufflepuff and Godrick Gryffindor while my wife is heir to Salazar Slytherin and Rowena Ravenclaw," they show their rings as proof," We own Hogwarts and are trying to teach the children that blood is not what makes your families great. It is the accomplishments that you make in life that define who you are. Marrying cousins to keep your blood pure is doing nothing but poisoning your bloodline and restricting the number of children you can have. Mr. Knott, you are one of the few who have more than one child. Most of the others can't have more than one because of the inbreeding and even then their magic is inferior to the halfblood and muggleborn children because it takes their cores longer to stabilize. For those of you who allowed yourself to be branded like cattle by your so called dark lord should know his real name is Tom Marvolo Riddle and he is a halfblood. His mother was a witch and his father was a muggle. He cares nothing about your wellbeing and will use you to get what he wants. The brand on your arms is a way for him to tap into your magic to enhance his own and if he dies then you will too. Hermione and I will try to capture him and place him in stasis to spare your lives when he returns. If any of you want to have the brand removed and truly repent your ways, come to Hogwarts. If you can get through the wards we will remove the brand from your arm. In the meantime my advice is to live your lives by your name and what you can accomplish. Not by whether or not your blood is pure. However, you will have to deal with Madam Bones first."
Harry finishes his speech and turns to Madam Bones," They are all yours Madam Director. Hermione and I are going back to the school. It's been a long day."
"Thank you Majesty," She says," If you would release them please, we'll take it from here."
Harry waves his hand, releasing them from stasis and then he and Hermione disappear, phasing back to Hogwarts to the astonishment of everyone there.
"Why do you keep calling him majesty," one of the Aurors asks?
"Harry and Hermione are the magical King and Queen of the British Commonwealth. Their real last name is Pendragon." She says," They have been recognized by the muggle Queen as her equal in the magical world."
This surprises the group of purebloods who then realize the amount of trouble they are really in.
Harry and Hermione phase back in to the Great Hall where they find the council and Theodor Knott waiting for them.
"How did the raid go Harry," Albus asks?
"It went fine," Harry says," No one got hurt and Madam Bones has the situation under control."
Hermione turns to Theodor and says," You mother and sister is safe. Your mother mentioned getting her marriage annulled since your father tried to get you to do something despicable. You should be safe from your father's influence for a while as I'm sure he is going to spend some time in Azkaban for starting this whole fiasco. You are not in any trouble. It is unfortunate that your friend Marcus got caught up in this. You can go to your dorm now with a clear conscience."
"Thank you Elder. I will pass the word that you and your husband are honorable people," Theodor says, then walks out of the Great Hall to go back to his dorm for the night. After he leaves the council and the Potters move to the Headmaster's office.
"I'm sorry Grandpa; you might be a bit busy the next few weeks. There were a dozen Death Eaters at the manor and we captured them all. They will need trials to determine whether or not they are truly guilty of any infractions or if they were just helping a friend defend his property from a perceived threat. Mr. Knott is definitely guilty of starting this whole thing with that letter but the others may have been dragged into this by him." Harry apologizes.
"That's okay Harry," Albus says," We may be able to get some of the more radical purebloods off the streets for a while sending a message to the others."
With that being said the meeting broke up with everyone returning to their respective rooms for the night.
