Minerva was tired enough the next day that she nearly resorted to taking a Pepper-Up potion. But she refrained… barely. Xander was used to long nights and no sleep and he was his usual chipper self. Minerva spent most of breakfast scowling at him.
Kingsley and Nym had found all manner of illegal potions and potions ingredients. That alone was enough to place him in Azkaban for several years. But the dark objects added decades on top. Then there was his journal.
Severus Snape was a meticulous note keeper. For all his lack of skills as a teacher, he excelled as a Potions Master, and that meant keeping thorough documentation.
This also extended to the rest of his life. His journal detailed all the crimes he committed against children, fortunately he seemed to refrain from sexual deviancy, but he was still prone to causing mental and physical harm when he could get away with it. But the worst was the confirmation and confession that he was a Death Eater. Kingsley had explained to Xander just what a Death Eater was. It carried a mandatory life sentence in Azkaban.
He was subsequently strip searched and found to have the Dark Mark.
Things were not looking good for Severus Snape, Kingsley promised to keep them informed and was quite pleased to say that this would be a career maker for both him and Nym.
Xander intended to leave behind the nastiness of the nights revelations and take the kids and Nym into non-magical London. Harry desperately needed new clothes that fit and didn't have holes. He was currently sitting in the living room waiting for the kids to go to breakfast before meeting Nym. He had flipped on the TV to the news to try and get used to being back in 1991. He snickered to himself as he realized that technically, he was about the same age as Harry and Hermione. He grabbed a log from the fire and began whittling a stake just to have something to do.
A few minutes later Hermione came bounding down the stairs where she saw Xander and stopped.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" She practically screamed.
Xander was startled into a defensive position on his feet. "It's just a log from the fire! Honest!" He said anxiously.
Hermione just stared at him in confusion. "No, the TV! You can't use electronics around magic." She explained.
Xander looked between Hermione and the TV, currently showing the BBC morning news. "You sure about that? 'Cause looks like you can to me."
Hermione opened her mouth to retort, but found she had nothing to retort with.
Xander thought Hermione might have a nervous breakdown as her knowledge betrayed her, so he called in an expert.
"Joyce?" The aforementioned Lady of Hogwarts appeared. "Hermione says you can't use electricity around magic… the TV says otherwise, care to explain?"
"Ah, yes. That used to be true when electricity was first discovered. But with all the improvements in insulation and conduction, it's no longer true. But magical humans are far too narrow minded to believe otherwise. They look down on non-magicals and believe them to be incapable of little more than writing their names." She said sadly.
"Here's hoping they never piss off a nuclear country." Xander snorted.
Harry soon joined them and they headed for breakfast whilst Hermione was grilling Joyce about phones and other electrical devices.
Xander joined Minerva at the staff table with Joyce, leaving the two kids to spend the morning with their friends.
The three adults fielded questions from the staff regarding last nights events. Nym joined them for breakfast and a little before 10am they headed out. Being a Sunday, the shopping hours were shorter, only 10am to 4pm. In some cases 3pm. They headed into the heart of London where Nym and Hermione extolled the virtues of Harrods. Xander had heard nightmares of the illustrious shop from his friends when they had stayed in London after the fall of Sunnydale. He was very worried.
He and Harry were subjected to four hours of clothes shopping for the pair of them before Xander put a stop to it saying they needed to get more things than clothes.
Ironically they found a much better selection in lower range shops like British Homestores and Marks and Spencers. After all, Harry's casual wear didn't need to be of royal bearing.
Or cost as much.
Xander spent the following two hours buying a range of movies to aid in Harry's education. Everything from Alien to Zulu. Xander was disappointed by the fact that he had arrived several years too early for DVDs, but resolved to have the goblins begin investing in various companies that he knew were due to make millions. It was still a gamble as he didn't know how much this reality would deviate from his own.
It was an exhausted group that arrived back at the castle that evening. Xander was worried that Harry had been traumatized by the whole shopping deal, but he was still asking Nym and Hermione questions. Xander realized during dinner that he hadn't spoken with the goblins yet about replacement teachers.
He and Minerva left Nym with the kids as they Floo called a goblin advisor to discuss what or who was available.
It was eventually decided that goblin teachers would be provided for Potions and History of Magic. Xander eventually asked about Muggle Studies.
"We can provide a teacher for that as well. Goblins have many agents in the muggle world and we are quite capable of blending in with a simple glamour charm." Bardot, their advisor explained.
"Cool, that seems to be the extent of what we need for now." Xander said with relief.
"The new professors can be here first thing in the morning. I trust that it will be acceptable if they merely commute between their homes and Hogwarts, My Lord?" Bardot asked.
"No problem with me." Xander shrugged.
Minerva agreed so the deals were set. Bardot returned to Gringotts and Xander decided to indulge in an early night.
The following week passed without much incident. Xander only had a few more lessons to observe before he was comfortable with leaving Harry to his own devices. He was not too happy with the DADA teacher. Something about him set Xander off.
The majority of students now looked upon Xander as something akin to a deity. Both Flitwick and McGonagall now issued practical work more often than they did essays. Joyce ran a writing workshop every evening for an hour.
Slytherins and other purebloods seemed to find themselves in detention most of the time as they had trouble accepting a full goblin as a teacher.
Harry introduced Xander and Hermione to Hagrid. The pair instantly bonded over each other's stories. Hagrid would tell tales of his adventures with animals and Xander regaled him with his missions. Harry and Hermione sat listening, enraptured.
By Thursday, Xander was happy enough with the castle and Harry's safety that he began making solo forays into the world to conduct business in both worlds.
Saturday was a big day for Harry. It was his first Quidditch match. Against Slytherin as well. Whilst getting ready for breakfast Xander was quizzing Minerva on the sport and trying to get a grasp for the game. Harry was listening along as he had never even seen a match.
Hermione encouraged Harry to eat on Saturday morning, but his nerves were getting the better of him. Xander could see the worry on both his charges faces so he decided to have a word with them.
"Harry, not eating?" He asked conversationally as he slipped into a seat on Harry's right at the Gryffindor table.
Harry just shook his head.
"Nervous?"
Harry responded with a timid nod.
"If I understand this right, your job today is to sit on a broom and catch the… snitch, whilst everyone else is playing a fast game below you?"
Harry gave another nod.
"Sounds like everyone will be watching them not you… so you can just relax up there and keep your eyes open." Xander mused. "Try and eat some toast at least, get something in you."
Xander gave him a pat on the shoulder and tossed a wink at Hermione. Much to Hermione's relief, Harry started nibbling on his toast.
"What did you say to him?" Minerva asked curiously.
"I just pointed out that he won't be doing anything interesting enough for people to be watching him." Xander shrugged as he copied Harry by nibbling on his toast.
"That is until they see the snitch, then everyone will be watching him." Minerva pointed out.
"Yeah, but by that point he'll be too busy to notice." Xander grinned.
Xander walked with Minerva and Joyce down to the stands as Minerva told of some of her antics as a Chaser during her schoolgirl days. They were seated by a young boy with dreadlocks named Lee Jordan. According to Minerva, if she didn't sit behind him he tended to become slightly unruly with the commentary.
As the players took their places Xander became very uneasy as he saw how high Harry was going. He squashed it quickly, he was trying not to smother the boy, but it was hard not to love him… unless you were a Slytherin.
Xander soon got caught up in the game, even to the point of occasionally forgetting Harry was up there.
After thirty minutes and no sign of the snitch a scream was heard from the Gryffindor corner.
"Harry!" He recognized Hermione's voice immediately. He followed her gaze to see Harry hanging from his bucking broom.
"POTTER HAS LOST CONTROL OF HIS BROOM AND HIS HANGING ON FOR DEAR LIFE!" Jordan announced
"Is the floor of the pitch safe for him to fall on?"
"It's just regular grass and dirt." Joyce said worriedly.
"DAMN IT!" Xander shouted in frustration and worry.
Xander had no experience with magic really. He was happy to leave it in the capable hands of Willow. But he knew he could do magic. Just that morning he had been juggling fire and water balls again. He decided to practice what he taught Neville and Harry.
He threw his hand out towards the floor of the pitch and was relieved when a blue beam struck the ground. The students and staff gasped in shock at the display of raw power skill.
Xander jumped onto the rails of the stand and leapt off curling into a ball as he fell thirty feet to the floor. There were cries of horror as they watched him fall only for the ground to dip severely as he landed as though it were a trampoline. The floor gently rose up leaving Xander curled on the grass.
"ERM… THERE'S A WIZARD ON THE PITCH… DOES HE COUNT AS A STREAKER?"
Phase one of his 'carefully laid out plan' complete he nodded to himself and closed his eyes. He felt for the power he usually experienced when casting and imagined it surrounding him. He already created fire and water, it was time for him to move on to air.
There were more gasps from the stands and Xander opened his eyes. He was ecstatic that he had achieved his goal. He refocused his eyes on Harry and let his instincts take over.
"Does Xander know that Wizards can't fly without brooms or carpets?" Minerva asked.
"I really don't think he cares." Joyce said absently as the two witches along with the rest of the school and players watched him fly.
"IF HE CAN TEACH US ALL THAT TRICK THEN THE NEXT MATCH WILL BE A CORKER!" Jordan exclaimed.
Xander zoomed up to Harry and didn't pause as he plucked him from his broom.
"Xander? Where's your broom?" Harry asked worriedly. Xander was currently holding him under his armpits.
"What broom?" Xander grinned.
"How are you doing this? Hermione said Wizards can't make themselves fly!"
"That girl needs to realize that the people who write the books are human… mostly… they make mistakes and the don't know everything." Xander said with mild exasperation. She was definitely a mini-Willow. "Ok, this is same concept as the Lumos spell and everything else. You don't have a wand so you just decide where you want the magic to come from."
Xander had been trying to break Harry, Hermione and Neville of relying on the tip of their wands as the source of their magic. He explained that if the didn't have the wands they could use any part of their body to produce magic. This had led to a very rude discussion on magical flatulence. Xander had managed to catch himself before he moved onto… other body parts. He'd save it for when they were older.
"What is it that keeps us from floating up into space?"
"The gravity!" Harry said excitedly, he had loved the various science experiments at primary school.
"Right, so all you need to do is imagine that gravity doesn't apply."
Harry closed his eyes and followed Xander's instructions.
Xander could feel the magic pouring out of Harry. He suddenly heard shrieks below him, he looked down to see the students beginning to float upwards.
"Erm… Harry, I want you to very slowly release your magic and relax." Xander said softly.
Slowly the students were lowered back down. Harry opened his eyes and let out a breath.
"Did I do it?" He asked eagerly.
"You did something." Xander said with a bemused smirk. "You levitated the entire student body."
"I did? Why did I do that?" He asked in bewilderment.
Xander snorted. "Because the average witch or wizard is as powerful as a light bulb… you are as powerful as a nuclear power plant." Xander explained. "You still need to learn control, try again, but don't try so hard, you only need a little bit of power."
Harry shrugged and closed his eyes again. Xander felt the change and gently lowered his arms leaving Harry floating there.
"Nice work!" He said proudly.
Harry opened his eyes and was thrilled to find himself floating on his own. He immediately started doing loops.
"Ok, Harry. We better head down now. I think the game has been called on account of rogue-" He was interrupted as Harry's hand snatched past Xander's ear and came back with the snitch. "-broom. Or that works." He shrugged.
"AND POTTER CATCHES THE SNITCH! DOES THAT ACTUALLY COUNT?" Came the confused announcement.
"What do we do with my broom?"
Xander looked at the now stationary broom. "You head down to Joyce and Hermione, they are probably worried sick. I'll get your broom, Minerva will need to examine it."
Harry was practically mobbed as he reached Minerva and Joyce. He was hit by a brunette missile as Hermione launched herself at him. She had been terrified her friend would fall. Joyce was close behind and Minerva had to force herself not to join them, it wouldn't look right in front of the other students. She would hug the stuffing out of him later.
Xander grabbed the broom, relieved that it didn't hold any resistance, he then headed down to the pitch.
"Oi! Xander!" George Weasley called out from his position floating next to his brother. "Is that ground still safe to fall on?"
"Pretty much. Figured I'd leave it for future matches." Xander shrugged as he paused in mid-air.
The twins looked at each other grinning before they literally leapt off their brooms causing more screams from the stands.
Having seen Xander and the twins successfully and safely fall to the ground the majority of Hogwarts population proved the universal truth that teenagers have the mentality of a lemming.
Unfortunately for Minerva, Filius Flitwick and Rubeus Hagrid took one look at each other and jumped with roars of delight. This made it nearly impossible to punish the students as it had just become a teacher endorsed and approved activity.
As Xander reached the announcers box he was greeted with three female death glares.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, NEXT WEEK WE WILL BE GOING TO PROFESSOR HARRIS' FUNERAL." Came the quiet and reverent tones of Lee Jordan, who took one look at Minerva's face and leapt over the side.
"Don't blame me! I just made a safety feature. They are the ones twisting its purpose." Xander said defensively. "And might I add, if I hadn't acted, Harry would now be a tomato coloured stain on the pitch."
Minerva had no argument for that, but Hermione was still glaring at him, clearly holding him responsible for the recklessness of her fellow students. Joyce however looked like she wanted to join the other students.
So she grabbed Harry and Hermione and jumped over the rail with them.
"Apparently Joyce approves too." He remarked.
"You do realize that every student in the school will be wanting to know how to fly? I dread to think how many accidents are just waiting to happen! And I will be telling Poppy it was all your fault!" Minerva ranted.
"So I won't teach them, we'll tell Harry he'll have detention for a month scrubbing toilets with a toothbrush if he breathes a word. Add some extra rules like, 'no flying in the castle' and 'flying is restricted to the Quidditch Pitch only' and we'll be golden." Xander grinned.
"I'm not worried about Harry telling anyone other than Neville and Hermione." Minerva admitted.
"Me neither, but this way he can legitimately say he can't tell anyone and he won't be lying."
"I'll have to make an announcement at dinner." Minerva sighed.
Xander put an arm around Minerva's waist and she squeaked as she found herself rising up.
"We could have walked!" Minerva scowled as Xander flew them towards the castle.
"Yeah, but then I couldn't teach you how to fly." He grinned as he moved her into a similar position to how he held Harry.
After many threats to let her fall like a baby bird from the nest, Minerva McGonagall was flying along side Xander to the castle doors under her own power. It took all of her formidable self-control not giggle and squeal like a schoolgirl.
When Tonks arrived just before dinner she was thoroughly put-out that she had missed all the fun. Joyce had retrieved the pensieve from the Head's office and Minerva had shown them how to view the memory.
Tonks resolved to never miss another of Harry's matches.
The rest of the evening was spent with Tonks trying to teach Harry about his metamorphamagus abilities. Minerva was teaching Xander about animagus abilities and Hermione was grilling Joyce on Hogwarts and… everything.
Sunday passed quietly, although the announcement that Xander would not be teaching everyone how to fly was met with much discontent.
Tonks returned and she and Minerva took their students for lessons whilst Joyce took Hermione around the castle.
Monday brought news that severely blackened the three adults moods.
Tonks and Kingsley had turned up and requested to speak to the three of them immediately.
"Severus Snape has been cleared of all charges and released." Kingsley snarled.
"WHAT!" Minerva screeched. "We had iron clad evidence!"
"Albus Dumbledore had the whole lot squashed and the case thrown out." He growled.
"What? Why?" Xander asked. He hadn't spent more than an hour in the man's presence, he clearly liked to be in control, but otherwise he had a grandfatherly type vibe.
"He didn't say. It's clearly an abuse of power, but we can't go against him. He's too powerful." He explained.
"Bet he's not as powerful as Harry. Bet he doesn't know how to handle me in a fight either." Xander scowled.
"Nobody is as powerful as Harry." Joyce smirked.
"Can I please assume that we are not thinking of pitting an eleven year old boy against a one hundred and fifty year old seasoned wizard?" Kingsley practically begged.
"Don't worry Shack, just wishful thinking." Tonks assured him.
"And why does this Headmaster have the legal authority to do this?" Xander asked.
"Because he also happens to be the chief judge of the country." Joyce sighed.
"Yep… definite control freak." He muttered.
"Well, Snape is not getting back in this castle. I have a duty to the protection of my inhabitants and he has proven that he is in violation of that protection." Joyce said firmly.
"You will have to physically force him out. Albus has always ignored my pleas and complaints regarding Severus. I wouldn't be surprised if, on his return, he has Severus in tow." Minerva said with a defeated attitude.
"Cool, he may receive some punishment after all." Xander said, rubbing his hands together and cackling evilly.
"Just try not to do anything that means we have to arrest you." Kingsley pleaded.
"As long as Xander does not take actions beyond the bounds of the castle grounds or Hogsmede, you can't touch him. This is essentially, sovereign territory. Hogwarts has been around since long before the Ministry of Magic. It has also been independent of the Ministry." Joyce informed them.
"Then why do we get lessons on what the ministry tells us?" Tonks asked.
"Because I was asleep for too long a period and woke up too late to change it." Joyce suddenly grinned. "But Xander is doing a good job of putting us back on track."
Xander gave a cheeky grin. "Yep, that's me! Teacher's Pet!"
"I thought you were Teachers Post-Coital Snack?" Joyce smirked.
"Traitor!" Xander cried theatrically.
"Getting us back on track, what about Albus and Severus?" Minerva asked.
Joyce and Xander shared a look and a shrug.
"Severus does not step one foot on my grounds. Any attempt or success will be met with increasing force. He has three chances. After the third, I take permanent action." Xander said firmly.
"Albus will be placed on probation." Joyce announced. "Should his performance be found lacking, he will be terminated as Headmaster."
"Or just terminated." Xander shrugged.
Minerva sighed worriedly. "Unfortunately, in today's society, it is better the devil you know. I dread to think who will take over."
"There are only three candidates, Minerva. Yourself, Xander and me." Joyce assured her.
"Oh god! I think Snyder just rolled over in his grave." Xander shuddered.
The remaining weeks of November passed quietly. Harry caught on quickly to what Xander tried to teach him, but Hermione found it harder as there was no book to follow. But she did manage to perform wandless and non-verbal magic. Even achieving flight. But she stumbled when it came to trying new things. She lacked imagination.
But there came a point where Xander's imagination wasn't enough. He still needed to know the basics behind a charm that showed a list of the contents of a closed box. Harry tended to be the one who managed to help Xander and Hermione overcome their limitations.
During the first week of December, Hermione received a letter from her parents. She had asked if Harry and Xander could spend Christmas at their home.
Xander had been reluctant to leave Joyce alone on the holidays, but she insisted that it would be a good chance for Harry to experience a real Christmas.
Hermione excitedly wrote her confirmation with a note from Xander saying he would be by the following week to introduce himself.
On the 20th of December many of the students made their way to the train station in Hogsmede. Xander assured Harry that the Grangers were excited about meeting him. The three of them shared a compartment with Neville who was excited about showing his Gran all that Xander had taught him. Xander could tell that the shy young boy was becoming good friends with Harry and Hermione and had decided to have him join them in lessons, even going so far as to teach him how to fly. Something Neville was far more comfortable doing when broomsticks weren't involved.
The train ride was uneventful, Xander dozed off as the three kids chatted away. Many hours later they pulled into Kings Cross Station as the sun was dipping behind the skyline of London. They gathered their trunks… or backpack in Xander's case, and disembarked.
Xander suddenly became very excited as they reached the brick wall that acted as a barrier between the magical and non-magical worlds.
"Don't you get it?" He asked as if it was already Christmas morning. "If magic can make solid objects… erm…"
"Incorporeal?" Hermione offered.
"Exactly – Then Magic can do the same for us! Walls and doors are pointless! We never have to worry about losing our keys again!"
"Won't that mean that robbers and… bad people can get in easily?" Harry asked thinking of his parent's deaths.
"Sure, but that's what shields and warning spells are for." Xander shrugged. "I am gonna have so much fun trying this out over the break!"
After saying goodbye to Neville, who nervously walked over to a tall imposing woman with a stuffed vulture perched on her hat, they headed out to grab a taxi and to complete the rest of their journey.
An hour and a half later and they reached the outskirts of London. The tall buildings fell behind them as they entered areas of houses. They soon pulled up to a large house that was three storeys tall. It was even bigger than the apartments that Xander had at Hogwarts.
As they piled out of the car the door to the house opened and a young couple exited. A thin man about Xander's height with glasses like Harry's and a woman about a foot shorter with thick curly brown hair.
"DADDY!" Hermione squealed as she abandoned the two males and launched herself at her father. Her mother was treated to a similar welcome.
"Hermione! It's so good to have you home!" Her mother gushed. "Have you been using potions in your hair?" She asked with a frown.
"No Mum, Xander and Joyce have been brushing it every night and morning. They said it would help, and look! It does!" She said happily.
"Several years of looking after and living with girls, you learn a few things." Xander shrugged as he cam up with Hermione's trunk and Harry trailing behind.
"We tried for years but gave up. It didn't help that her hair was so unruly." She admitted.
"Good to see you again Xander." Hermione's father said happily.
"You too Dan, Emma. I'd like you to meet Harry Potter. Harry, this is Mr. and Mrs. Granger." He said as he dropped the trunk and shepherded a nervous Harry forward.
"Nice to meet you Harry, and its just Dan and Emma." Dan said quietly with a soft smile as he slowly offered his hand to Harry. Years as a medical professional had taught the Grangers how to handle all types of children. They also had specialized training to spot abused children. Everything Xander had warned them about was written on Harry like a billboard.
"Hi." Harry said quietly, still unsure of himself.
"Hermione, why don't you take Harry and show him the house, your room and the guest room, where he'll be staying." Emma suggested.
"Sure Mum." She said as she disengaged herself from her mother and grabbed Harry by the hand dragging him into the house already chattering away.
"Right… so she has clearly reached the age where she has learnt that men are for hard labour." Xander quipped as he glanced down at the trunks.
"Here, I'll get Hermione's." Dan offered.
"You might want to pretend it takes some effort, I made it light weight." Xander grinned as Dan suddenly stumbled backwards as he put too much physical effort into lifting something he thought was heavy.
"Thanks for the warning." He said sarcastically.
"Come on in, Xander." Emma said as she headed in.
"The confirmation came through today. We need to be there first thing tomorrow." Emma said as they sat at the kitchen counter, somewhat cryptically, in case of little eavesdroppers.
"Sweet. My… people have also confirmed everything." Xander added. "Hopefully Harry will like his first real Christmas present." He said with a hint of worry.
"You've done wonders with them, Xander." Emma assured him. "Hermione has clearly lost her officious attitude when dealing with people. It made her unapproachable by everyone. And Harry is looking healthy."
"Hermione is learning the hard way that books can be wrong." Xander chuckled. "Her favourite book was Hogwarts: A History. But she has actually met Joyce, who is Hogwarts, and the book is now treated as a charlatan."
Dan and Emma just chuckled, they had long been treated to Hermione's favourite argument of 'But the book said'. It was one of the reasons she had trouble with practical work, sometimes one had to take a little… poetic license.
"But she'll be happy to show you some fancy magic, we just have to be careful around Harry in case he over powers another spell."
"Apparently children aren't allowed to do magic outside of school. They get in trouble with the Ministry." Dan said sadly.
Xander looked at them in disbelief. "You've never seen her do any magic?" He asked.
"Nothing but the accidental stuff." Dan confirmed.
"Well that sucks. Well, you are officially invited up to Hogwarts for a holiday so you can see your daughter in action. In the meantime, I have brought the pensieve so you can see our memories." He said firmly.
"I thought muggles couldn't see Hogwarts?" Emma asked.
"They can't. It's in Hog-"
"And you know how accurate that book is." Xander interrupted Hermione as she and Harry came down the stairs.
Hermione blushed but went on. "But they use muggle repelling charms, those parts are real, Joyce told me."
"And I am sure Joyce – who is Hogwarts – can make an exception for non-magical parents of witches and wizards. Something Minerva and I will be discussing when we get back." Xander scowled as he realized that none of the non-magical born kids would be able to show off to their parents.
