Chapter 6
Authors Note;- thanks to everyone whos reviewed hope use are enjoying it please review and let me know thanks
Disclaimer I own only that which comes from my head the rest belongs to others
Preperations before training
After his morning exercise, Harry came down to the Great Hall after showering and changing Rose into her clothes for the day. Upon entering the Great Hall Harry found that there was only five other people there, thinking he had been late Albus informed him that the rest of the faculty had all gone on a some vacation or some sort. Taking his usual seat to the right of Albus, Harry greeted those at the table there was Minerva to Albus' left, Tonks to her left, Remus was next to Tonks and Filius next was on Harry's right. Once it looked like everyone was finished breakfast Harry asked Hogwarts if they were the only seven in the Great Hall and that if she would close off the Great Hall and make it so no one who was about could hear what was being said. Once Harry got the all clear, he nodded to Albus.
"My friends we have a great task that calls for attention" said Albus who did like his dramatics at times.
"What's wrong Albus, is something happened with Voldemort?" asked Remus
"No, the task that calls us is the training of our Harry here, which will be held in a secret and secure location, it is my task as Harry's friend and I hope mentor" said Albus nodding his head to Harry who returned his nod in recognition. "that he be trained by the best and you my friends are the best we will also have the knowledge of those who have long gone I will not go into much information at this point, we would be leaving on Monday morning to begin and I cannot say any more until I have your answer" finished the old Headmaster.
"Of course we will do it," said the voice of Filius who received nods of confirmation from the other four.
"Excellent, well my friends we will be gone for a time, round about five months, and before you argue about missing school we will be back in time, to explain further I must ask the Master of the Mansion to continue" said Albus who's eyes where twinkling mischievously.
The other four looked around as if expecting someone to pop out of thin air. It was when Harry began to speak that they turned to him in surprise.
"It appears that the Potter family have long held secret a Mansion that was gifted to Arthur Potter on the day of his marriage to Galadriel Potter nee Peverell. It was built in the Magical Realm the Mansion has certain features you don't find these days that will allow us to be away for five months but still be back in time for the Sorting Feast. It has the ability to work on a five to one ratio, as I am lead to believe for every five days in the Mansion one day will pass in our own time. I don't know how it works but it does." Harry stopped there not knowing what else to say.
"So my friends if there is anything that you want to bring with us on our training bring it there will be plenty of room, and anything you think that will be essential to Harry's training bring the list to Harry or myself and we will get it. Now if you will excuse us we have another appointment and it's not even eleven o'clock yet." Said Albus getting up from the table in the Great Hall with Harry to go to the Mansion to meet with Godric and Rowena.
They arranged to meet in the Living room of the Mansion, so that Harry and Albus could talk in comfort. Upon entering the Living room, they found Rowena and Godric already sitting in a portrait that was similar to the room they were sitting in that moment.
"Greetings gentlemen," said Rowena as Harry and Albus sat down in the two armchairs.
"Good day Lady, how are you today Godric?" said Albus
"Fine Albus but as I said last night everyone here is called by their first names even my darling wife," said Godric putting his arm around his wife on the couch they were sitting on.
"Yes Albus, call me Rowena" said Ravenclaw smiling at Albus and Harry. "As my husband said last night we are here to talk about Hogwarts. As heir Harry, you have the right to full control over Hogwarts as Headmaster if you wished no offence Albus. But even though you are not Headmaster you can still take control though leaving Albus with the responsibility of Headmaster but you can make decisions and changes on how you want Hogwarts to be run, you can claim your right and take Hogwarts out of the Ministry's and the Board of Governors control. The final discussion will come from you on matters to do with the school. Is there anything that you think should be changed at Hogwarts at the moment as a student of the school you may have a more fresh opinion on what goes on" said Rowena smiling.
"Albus what I say is in no offence to you, but there are teachers in positions and they cannot teach, for instance Binns is a ghost whose only interest is the Goblin rebellions. Though I come from an old Wizarding family I was brought up by Muggles all I know about the Magical World is what Fortescue told me that summer when I was staying at the Leaky Cauldron before third year."
"To be honest with you Harry I have tried to get Professor Binns to retire every year since I became headmaster but he wouldn't go all he would say is that only the Heir could make him retire but even that was a mumble to himself" said Albus
"Well then Harry all you have to do is go up to him and tell him that for all his services to the school as her Lord and Master you give him his retirement, that should solve some problems," said Godric
"Well then that's that sorted but who would we get to replace him?" asked Harry
"We can look into that if Sirius was alive I would have recommended him he was always good at history and being from the Black family. Which like a lot of Pure Blooded families relied on what was in the past than what was present, so he would have been perfect but we can look into the matter together and see what we can come up with." Said Albus
"There are other teachers still, though I am not sure but the Muggle Studies professor from what I hear is useless, has she ever been near a Muggle, wouldn't it be better to have a Muggle Studies Professor who was a Muggleborn or half blood." Said Harry
"I see your point Harry," said Albus who was really beginning to see what Harry was talking about.
"I know it isn't your fault the Professor of the subject was given the job and should have put time to be able to teach it for instance I heard one of the questions in the OWL exams was 'what is the use of a rubber duck'. If that is the difficulty of the questions then a three year old could sit the paper and get an Outstanding." Said Harry not getting into a role
"Now I know the subject of Divination is a touchy subject but in all my classes with Professor Trelawney I never learned anything and everything I predicted was made up, now I know that she does has the Seers sight but what has that got to do with teaching." Said Harry
"I know what you are saying, but it is safer for Sybil to stay at the castle." Said Albus
"I agree but that doesn't mean she has to be teaching," said Harry
"True!" said Albus who was giving serious thought to the situation.
"Now what I'm about to bring up is a touchy subject between the two of us, you have your reasons for trusting Snape, and I am willing to give him a chance. But he's got to start teaching properly instead of putting a potions list up on the black board he needs to start explaining the uses and stop favouring his own house and start using the points system fairly." Said Harry determinedly
"Thank you Harry but I think from what you are saying I am giving him a second chance and when he returns to the castle I will have a conversation with him I have been trying to put off. But as you say Hogwarts should be the best school of Witchcraft and Wizardry and the standards have slipped on many fronts." Said Albus
"I have been wondering why there is no physical training program at Hogwarts?" asked Harry
"I partition the Board of Governors every year for it but it always gets laughed down," answered Dumbledore
"Well I think we should initiate a full physical education program at Hogwarts I have realised that the fitter a person is the more easy it is for them to cast magic for longer periods of time." said Harry.
"Harry" interrupted Godric; before you can make any changes you must make the claim to Hogwarts before the Board and Ministry officials."
"How do I do that?" asked Harry curious.
"What you've got to do is..." went Rowena
After another hour of discussion on when Harry should make his claim, what he would have to do, and what would happen when he did.
Later that night just after Dinner, which Harry left early there was a rather large disturbance in the Entrance Hall where several loud voices could be heard.
"The nerve of Dumbledore summoning us here like this it's not proper" yelled the voice of Fudge.
Suddenly the doors to the Great Hall opened by themselves to the embarrassment of those in the Entrance Hall.
"Good evening Gentlemen," said Albus standing up from his seat "thank you all for coming so quickly this shouldn't take long, please come in and have a seat." With a wave of his hand chairs arrived for the twenty-five present. As they all sat down the doors to the Great Hall closed and the torched went out. Suddenly there was a loud knocking on the door to the Great Hall; "Enter" called the voice of Albus. As the doors opened there was a tall figure about six foot tall in a red and gold rob that had a crest of a Phoenix perched upon top of a Stags antlers. The figure at the door had the hood of the cloak he was wearing which was also read and gold pulled up over his face.
"Who are you stranger and what is your business here at Hogwarts," shouted Fudge who was not too impressed.
"I come to speak to the Headmaster of this School," the stranger said.
"I am the Minister for Magic declare yourself," shouted Fudge
"Very well, before all ye people here present I make my claim as the Heir to the Four Founders of this here Castle and School, may she accept me as her Lord and Master," said the stranger with his hood still up.
At these word's Fudge and the others from the Ministry and the Board burst out laughing. However, stopped as the stranger was surrounded with a strange golden light and was lifted up into the air. Suddenly next to this stranger appears an old worn out Hat with a silver Sword floating next to it.
"Hogwarts recognises her heir, and accepts his claim" called out the Sorting Hat
As the Sorting Hat and the Sword of Gryffindor vanished suddenly to reappear on the strangers head and hand. Suddenly the Hat began to glow red as it increases in its intensity the hat changed. All of a sudden all the lights in the Great Hall vanished and there was complete darkness until the Hogwarts Crest which hung over the exit into the Entrance Hall sprung four animals that shined like silver and stopped next to the stranger who was standing on the ground now.
"Who are you stranger?" called Fudge who was more than a little scared.
"Why Minister, you profess to be my friend and yet you do not know who I am, I am Harry James Potter Lord Gryffindor. Heir to all four Founders of this here school, my school Minister, which is now no longer in the control of the Ministry or the Board of Governors for you aid over the years Hogwarts I thank you but it is no longer needed. Now if you could have all the information you have about requests or anything to do with Hogwarts to be by nine am tomorrow morning, and if you are ever in need of help the doors to Hogwarts are always open to those who do not bode her ill" finished Harry.
As Harry finished what he was saying it all went dark in the Hall again but only for a few seconds when the lights went back on Harry was standing there, the four silver animals that represented the four House of Hogwarts. The old had was no longer there replaced was a red and gold hat it's power renew from it being reunited with his rightful master.
"Harry my boy, why have you done this, this is too much for a boy your age. You can see that from the events of June, Harry listen to someone who cares for you, and appoint yourself a steward to make these decisions until you are ready to do so. I would be happy to do that for you Harry," said Fudge in a sickly sweet voice
"Minister thank you for coming but presence is no longer acceptable here; you seem to forget I am of age, Head of the oldest families in the UK. It was my ancestors, who built this castle and I will carry on with their work I will not have political interference from someone who cannot fight his way out of a paper bag and is only interested in staying in an office he does not deserve." Said Harry who had, had enough of the pompous git.
"Very well Harry if that is the way you want to be then I have no other choice, I challenge you to a duel, if I win you will give up this claim to Hogwarts and return the running of it to the Governors."
"I will accept on the grounds that you will resign from your office once I defeat you in the duel." Said Harry.
"Very well I accept, who do you choose as your second?" asked Fudge confident he could defeat the teen.
"Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore...and your second Minister?" said Harry looked at his mentor who nodded in confirmation.
This is when Fudge became worried Dumbledore was powerful and no one had yet defeated him in a duel. Albus in the mean time was enjoying himself, though he knew that when Harry won it would mean that there would have to be an election and someone in the Ministry who was connected with Voldemort could take power and make things even more difficult.
"My second will be... Dawlish" said Fudge. Who was used to his personal bodyguard Auror or lapdog as many other people know him as.
"When would you like the duel to be Minister?" asked Harry politely.
"September 1st before the Sorting Feast will give you some time to prepare, boy" said Fudge sounding over confidant.
"If that is your wish Minister, I would have proffered here and now but as you called the challenge you can also set the date. Be here twelve noon, on September 1st." Said Harry turning and walking away from the Minister and the other former Board of Governors.
Without a word Fudge shot a look of daggers at Dumbledore as if he should have controlled the boy, Fudge had easily forgotten that it was Albus who saved his career once he finally admitted that Voldemort was back but no more Albus had given him his second chance, Fudge was on his own from now on.
"Good night Cornelius" said Albus with no twinkle in his eyes.
The others gathered who hadn't said much left at the look from Dumbledore knowing that they had one final task to do and that if not on time there could be consequences and not from the old wizard, it was the young wizard that they were afraid of.
Harry wasn't angry he was just annoyed that Fudge thought he could just come in make demands and have them accepted well not any more.
The next morning at breakfast, after doing his morning routine Harry was sitting in the Great Hall when the morning post arrived. When the owl that delivered the Daily Prophet he couldn't help but smile slightly, though he hated being in the papers this is something he wanted people to know about.
MINISTER FOR MAGIC CHALLENGES
HARRY POTTER HEIR TO HOGWARTS
In a shocking turn of events last night Harry James Potter, Boy Who Lived claimed to be the heir to Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Before employees of the Ministry of Magic and the Board of Governors.
Unlike in the past when someone has tired to make the claim and been rejected by the cast. Mr Potter was successful as the Castle accepted him as her Lord and Master This time the person claiming to be the Heir was accepted and now Mr Potter or should be say Lord of Hogwarts has told the Board of Governors that their services are no longer required. An eye witness who wishes to remain nameless states that Minister Fudge was not to happy about this revelation and that was when things quickly escalated with the Minister demanding a duel...
The rest of the story just goes on to state when it was taking place and what the terms of the duel where. Harry couldn't help but think that maybe Fudge had bit off more than he could chew this time as the article went on to state how the Magical Worlds faith in their illustrious Minister for Magic was almost gone. Harry knew this would attract Voldemort's attention but Harry had thought of a way for him to attack Hogwarts while he was away training. Hogwarts said that the founders made a ward that could be initiated when the castle would be undefended, it made the castle invisible to anyone who wished harm to anyone inside, but those who sought aid could see the castle as could those to whom bore no ill intent. Part of the ward would alert Harry even when he was in the Mansion to anyone who passed through the wards around Hogwarts so Harry would no if anyone came to attack the castle and managed to break through the wards.
Harry looked at those around the table who where all reading the paper there was a look of worry on their faces. It was only Albus who knew about the ward and that was the only reason that Harry had decided to make it publicly know he was the Heir and taking control of the school away from the Ministry and the Board of Governors.
"So Harry what are your plans for today?" asked Remus who knew Harry and Albus would not do something this public if they did not have a plan, was wondering what his cub, for Remus did love Harry as a son, was going to do that day that might possibly turn the Wizarding World upside down.
"Going to the Burrow in a moment, to talk to Molly and Arthur" said Harry trying to sound casual.
"Oh right" said Remus with a small smile carrying on reading the paper.
Fifteen minutes later Harry, Albus and Rose arrived at the Burrow by Portkey. The Burrow looked the same as ever, there where chicken's running around the yard, the back door into the kitchen was open. Upon entering the kitchen they found Mrs Weasley reading the Daily Prophet.
"Good Morning Molly, how are you this glorious day?'' asked Albus in greeting.
"Fine thank you Albus" said Molly looking up and catching sight of Harry and Rose next to Albus
"HARRY JAMES POTTER WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU WHERE DOING AGREEING TO DUELING THE MINISTER FOR MAGIC" shriek Molly Weasley who was worried about he adopted son getting hurt in a due while enveloping him in a bone crushing hug.
"Please calm down Molly dear," said Albus soothingly "It's the Minister who should be worried he was the one who demanded it because he thinks that if he wins he will get control of Hogwarts, all it means is that we will be needing a new Minister for Magic shortly after the start of September" finished Albus with a calming smile.
"Oh Harry, I'm sorry I reacted like that it's just that I don't want any of my children to come to harm" said Molly tightening the hug once more tears in her eyes.
"Thanks Mrs…Molly I'm honoured you count me as one of your children, and you should know Albus here is my second so if I do some how by some miracle manage to be knocked out by Fudge Albus will finish it off for me," said Harry hugging back
"I know I just can't help but worry" said Molly
"That is one of the reasons why we are here today" said Albus
"Really why?" asked Molly
"Yes," said Albus taking out his wands and casting a series of spells for detecting bugging spells and placing silencing charms around the whole house.
"Is Arthur and Ginerva in?" continued Albus.
"Yes they are both through in the living room" said Molly heading towards the living room of the Burrow.
"Albus, Harry is everything okay?" asked Arthur Weasley, who had been sitting in his arm chair reading the morning Prophet, but at the sight of Dumbledore and Potter he had quickly got out of his chair in case there was a need for immediate action.
"Yes, Arthur no need to worry, we have just came to talk with Molly, Ginerva and yourself about a task we are about to undertake and we where hoping for some help" said Albus smiling and looking directly at Ginny.
"What is it you need help with Albus?" asked Molly
Albus didn't say anything he just nodded in Harry's direction
"I'm going to be going away for a month to a secret location to train, I wont go into too many details just now but I was wondering if you would both be able to look after Rose while im gone?" finished Harry
"Of course we will Harry" said Molly smiling, she loved looking after babies it was one of the things she did best.
"There's one other thing though, we would like Ginerva to come, not only would it be great preparation for her for the apprenticeship program but it will also teach her to be able to defend herself, we would have invited Ronald and Hermione but we both feel that they are best having this time to relax especially with what is to come, but know this does not mean they will not get training there will be a plan put together but a select few who don't know it yet" said Albus winking at Harry who all this was new to but couldn't help think the old coot was up to something because his twinkling eyes where going into over drive. "They will both receive training when they return to Hogwarts for the Apprenticeship, please have no fears" finished Albus
"Well I don't see why not they will both be safe?" asked Arthur.
"Perfectly I will be there the whole time as will a few select others" answered Albus
"Okay then, that is if you want to Ginny" said Molly for even though she worried she knew her children would be safe with Albus there.
"Yea I'd love to thanks mum, dad, professor…Harry" squealed Ginny in excitement at the thought of being alone with Harry for a month. She hugged each of them in the room, though Harry's hug did last a little longer than the others and it didn't go unnoticed.
"When do we leave?" asked Ginny once she calmed down
"Monday" replied Harry "there is one more thing we would like both you and Arthur to do?" continued Harry
"What is that dear?" asked Molly who was holding Rosie at the moment
"Move out of the Burrow" said Albus
"What? Why?" asked Arthur
"Because after the news of Harry being the Heir to Hogwarts and the fact that Voldemort will not be able to find Hogwarts for the rest of the summer, he may come looking for both of you, he knows how close you are to Harry and that use both are against him, we would like you to move to Headquarters and head up the renovations that are going on, there will be a team of house elf's from Hogwarts who all volunteered to do this task. While you are at Headquarters, there will be another team of House elf's here with a few of the top wizards in magical home security making the place as secure to live in and when we return we will add a few of our own with your permission, and so you know none of this will cost you a nut, all you have to do it state what you would like and the elf in charge Winky will have it done." said Albus with a smile
"Of course we will go to Head quarters, we know we will be safe there and I'm sure Molly will make sure its fit to live in, in no time" said Arthur
"But we can't accept for all this work to be done on the house without paying" said Molly
"Yes you can" said Harry "it is a gift from me to my family, I've already lost one set of parents and a man that has been as close to a father as I could have ever dreamed of but I will not loose this set of parents here in this room, will you please accept it for the sake of my peace of mind knowing that my family has somewhere safe as can be expected to live without fear" said Harry
"Mum, Dad just accept the offer," said Ginny in a commanding tone
"Thanks Ginny but your mother and I can make up out own minds thank you, and Harry we would be honoured to accept" said Arthur standing up and hugging his seventh son who was quickly brushed aside by his wife who had tears in her eyes and Arthur thought for a moment Harry was going to pass out from the look of the tightness of her hug.
"Well now that all that is sorted, we'll have a few of the House elf's come and help up pack up everything, and we will store it in a safe place until the house is done, just tell them what things are going to Headquarters" said Albus who was glad things had gone so well.
"Harry will be going shopping tomorrow Ginerva for things that will be needed; you will be needing things to and are welcome to join Harry and Remus. It would make things easier as Harry will be buying his things for the Apprenticeship as there will not be much time when we get back to go shopping." said Albus again standing up.
"If you're sure" said Ginny looking at Harry
"Course it is, we'll pick you up around nine thirty?" said Harry smiling
Harry, Rose and Albus left shortly after that but not before Harry slipped Ginny the other of the two way mirror, so he could speak to her tonight and tell her that she would really be away for five months and that only one month would pass in ordinary time as Harry decided to call it.
They returned to Hogwarts, tonight would be the night that Harry was to be inducted into the Order of the Phoenix.