Previously: The entire group thought it had been shocked enough for one evening, only to find out that on top of everything else there was another mystery to solve. A very important mystery, because everyone knew how Harry felt about the Dursley's and how they treated him. To find out he had a sister someplace, they knew he wouldn't rest until he found where and how she was. He wouldn't rest until he could make sure that she wasn't being treated like he had been.
While the rest of the group was thinking about what Harry would do to find his sister, if she existed, Harry pulled out his mirror to contact Sirius. "Padfoot." Harry said into the mirror. When the image cleared Harry began. "Padfoot I need you to make sure we aren't overheard."
With a curious look on his face Sirius stepped to the back of Dumbledore's office and cast a spell so no-one would be able to overhear their conversation. "OK pup, what's up?" Sirius asked, wondering what could have his godson looking so serious when they hadn't even been parted two hours. He figured he would be the one that would have things to tell not the other way around. After all he and Amelia were the ones dealing with Dumbledore. They were the ones that were more than likely to come up with new information.
"Padfoot I need you and Madam Bones to come down to the guest quarters yesterday." Said Harry, with a look of utmost urgency on his face. "I also need you two to come up with someway to make sure Dumbledore doesn't skip out on us. I'm sure by now you told him about me squibbing him. That might be enough, however see if Madam Bones can threaten him with something else. Hell give him something else, we can try the carrot now that we have beaten him with the stick for a while. Just don't tell him that I'll not enforce the magic from the will, that is one thing I won't give up."
Sirius was momentarily taken back by Harry's tone and urgency. Recovering quickly he said "Sure thing pup. Want to give your old godfather a clue as to what is going on? It might make things a little easier."
The serious look on Harry's face never wavered as he replied. "Not this time Sirius. If I did you would either break down on me or kill Dumbledore and then break down on me. Well that is if what I have to talk to you about is true. If it's not true then all of us will have a good laugh at my expense. Sadly I don't think we are going to be laughing."
Sirius started to chuckle at the though of him breaking down, then he took a good look at Harry's face. His pup was barely holding it together, that scared the old marauder. Harry was tough as nails after all the Dursley's and Dumbledore had put him through. Whatever had him worked up must be bad. "No problem pup, we'll be down there soon. Do you think that being the heir, that there is some way you can keep Dumbledore in the castle? It might make things easier all the way around." Sirius' question put a thoughtful look on Harry's face.
"I don't know Sirius, but since I technically own the castle it may be possible." Harry replied. "Go ahead and do what you can, then get here as soon as you can. I'm dying to know something and you are the only one who I trust that may have the answer." With that Harry closed the connection, leaving a thoughtful looking Sirius staring at a blank mirror.
When Harry turned back around he was surprised to find Neville close by, waiting for him to be done. When he saw that he had Harry's attention, Neville knelt at Harry's feet. "Lord Potter, after hearing some of your life before Hogwarts and the rest of what happened here at Hogwarts, I've come to the conclusion that the Longbottom family has failed you." Harry went to interrupt him, but Neville plowed on. "If your sister does exist there isn't anything we could have done about that, as the family didn't know. However I've seen much of what you've gone through here at school and with you and Hermione filling in the blanks, we, I have failed you." Neville took a deep breath before he began again. "I know as much as you've told us about your home life, there is much, much more you have left out. Again we as a family have failed you. My family knew that if Sirius couldn't take custody of you, then my parents were supposed to. Even though they were not able to the rest of the family should have at least made sure you were happy and safe. We all know now that you weren't and there were enough clues that the family should have looked into it. I offer my life and magic to you for the failure of my family."
Unable to pull Neville to his feet, Harry dropped to his knees so he could look Neville in the eye with his own tear filled ones. "Neville neither you nor you family have failed in any way." Harry began. "None of you had anything but suspicions, and even those suspicions were vague. And you are forgetting the most important thing, even if you had proof there was nothing you could have done. Dumbledore wouldn't have allowed it. The only reason I've gotten away with what I have so far is because it was all a complete surprise. Once he has time to think, we are going to have a fight on our hands. I could end it immediately by squibbing the old man, but he has a lot of information in his head that we may need. Because of the tournament, if I squib him he dies. That means that while I can threaten him, I better have everything I need from him before I do the deed. Now I don't want to hear anymore about you or your family failing. You're here now and I need you, we need you, and maybe most of all Luna needs you. I'm sure you have noticed that she has been bullied during her time here. Well she likes you, probably even loves you, and I wouldn't take that away from her for anything." Finishing his little speech, Harry reached out and grasped Neville's shoulder giving it a good squeeze. Neville stared at him hard for a moment, then nodded.
The rest had watched in both fascination and fear as the two young men had a clash of wills. They all knew they couldn't interfere and had kept a distance as to not seem like they were listening in. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief as Harry grasped Neville's shoulder and when Neville gave Harry a nod.
Harry stood dragging Neville up with him. "Now Nev I need your help. I don't want Dumbledore disappearing on me for the next month, and then showing up just before the first task. So as I'm the heir of Gryffindor and owner of the castle, and you are the heir of Hufflepuff, I want to see if we can't ask the castle to keep him here." As Harry spoke, Neville's eyes widened, then his face took on a look of fierce determination. "So let's talk to the old girl and see if she will keep him here. I'm thinking of stripping everything, except the title of headmaster, away from him. So lets go talk to McGonagall and see if she will accept the burden, then we will see what we can do."
Harry explained his plan to the others and after thinking for a moment McGonagall agreed. She did have more to say on the matter however. "Lord Potter." And at Harry's look. "Harry, when all is said and done however, I do not want the Headmaster's position. I already do most of the work now and I can't stand it. Teaching is what I love."
Harry stared at her for a moment and then asked "Why are you already doing most of the Headmaster's work?"
"Albus has been pawning it off on me little by little over the years." She replied.
"Why hasn't the board of governors done anything?" Hermione asked with a frown. "Surely they must know that you are doing all the work."
"Because just over half the board feels Albus can do no wrong." Replied McGonagall. "And the other half don't care one way or the other. They only hold the positions because it is seen as a prestigious one."
"Well that is going to change." Growled Harry. "For one thing I'm going to do away with the board. I'll have an advisory committee but I'll make the final decisions. Too many people are letting this school and her students down and that is going to stop." Everyone nodded at this, as they all knew of things that could be changed for the better.
"Now Professor since you don't want the Headmaster's position, can you tell me if there is anyone on staff who not only wants it, but would do a good job at it?" Harry questioned.
"Professor Flitwick." Responded McGonagall immediately. "He wanted the position before Albus got it. But since he is part Goblin, the board wouldn't let him have it."
"You know that just shows what is wrong with our society." Said Harry. "Professor Flitwick is a great teacher and I'm sure he would make an even better Headmaster. He truly seems to care about his students, and seems to relate to us very well. When all is said and done I think I'll offer him the position and see what he thinks."
Harry and Neville then stepped off to the side and discussed the best way to get the castle to hold Dumbledore. Both of them then silently sent their plea out to the castle. After a few moments both felt a presence that seemed to be saying yes to their request. Both then got a shock as several images flashed in their minds. The first was of Hogwarts itself, morphing into a castle with white marble walls and colorful pennants flying. The second was of James and Lily Potter, then of Harry and then finally of Luna. Both young men sucked in their breath at the final image and turned to look at each other.
"Did you catch that Nev?" Harry asked.
"Yes I did. Do you think it means what I think it means?" Neville replied.
"I'm not sure." Harry answered. "But it does give us someplace to start. Lets just keep this between the two of us for now. There is no reason to get everyone all worked up, I don't want Luna worrying about it. I think it would really hurt her to find out that her parents stole her from someone else."
"I'll agree with that." Said Neville. "What do you think the other images were about? The one with Hogwarts changing?"
"I think it is possible for Hogwarts to return to looking like Camelot again." Said Harry. The words were no sooner out of his mouth when both again felt a positive presence in their minds. "I would say that was a yes." Said Harry, smiling.
The young men returned to the other members of their group with smiles on their faces. "It seems Hogwarts won't have a problem keeping the Headmaster in." Said Harry.
"I also felt the wards transfer to myself. I'm sure that Albus is probably quaking in his socks about now." Said McGonagall with a grin. "I'm sure he is waiting for the axe to fall. I'll also relate to all the portraits and House Elves that they are no longer to report to Albus. The only time they will be able to go to him is if someone is in danger. And even then I will want to know about it."
Everyone smiled at that. It felt good to get one over on the old man.
Sirius and Madam Bones walked into the room to see a smiling bunch of people. This confused the old Marauder, as Harry sounded so tense when he spoke to him earlier. Even as that though crossed his mind, Harry's smile dropped as he turned to him and asked. "Sirius, what can you tell me about my sister?"
"Little Lily? Where… is.." With that Sirius collapsed to the ground, crying. No one could make out what he was saying. The most they could catch was the word no, over and over again.
Harry rushed to his side and pulled him into a hug. Trying to get the man to calm down. It was obvious that his sister did exist and somehow people were made to forget. Yet when directly questioned about it, they could remember. Slowly but surely Sirius calmed down. When he finally could talk again he looked at Harry and said. "I'm sorry pup. I don't know why I couldn't remember her until now. Merlin from the pictures Lily showed us, it was like your mother all over again. Little Lily and the same hair and eyes. From the baby pictures they looked like twins."
Harry just sat there staring off into space. When he came around, he asked a question that threw everyone for a loop. "Padfoot, where is Potter Manor?"
Sirius looked at him oddly for a moment and then said "I don't know."
"What is the address of where my parents were murdered?" Asked Harry. Again confusing everyone.
"Number 1 Godric's Lane, Godric's Hallow, Wales." Replied Sirius.
"How can you tell me that if it's under the Fidelous Charm?" Asked Harry.
That gave everyone a pause, now that they thought about it. Everyone was looking back and forth at each other in confusion.
"Peter was still alive when my parents were killed." Harry continued. "So the charm was still active. What I think happened is this. The house on Godric's Lane, was never under the charm. Potter Manor was. Since I claimed my Lordship I think the secret past to me, because I do know where it is. For some reason my parents and I left the Manor."
At that Sirius perked up. "You did leave the Manor! Little Lily disappeared! That's why you left. Your mother wouldn't stay behind at the manor with you. So all three of you moved to the house in Godric's Hallow. However hardly anyone knew you were there. It was hard to search from the Manor because of the wards. They wouldn't let any kind of scrying or searching spells go out. Not to mention it was very difficult to get in and out of. You just couldn't Portkey or Apparate in and out of the Manor. And since the floo was disconnected that was out as well."
Everyone was looking at Sirius in shock. This was a whole lot of information to take in. Madam Bones spoke for the first time, startling everyone as they forgot she was there. "Let me see if I have this straight. The Potter's had a second child, a baby girl. Said baby girl disappears from a very, very well warded Manor. The rest of the family moves to a place that is much easier to stage the search from. While at said place, the are attacked and killed by Voldemort. Did I miss anything?"
"No I think you covered it all." Said Fleur. "But it raises more questions. Why did Pettigrew admit to being the secret keeper and betraying the Potter's if they weren't at the Manor?"
Luna surprised them all by answering. "Probably because of the way the questions were asked. If they just asked if he was the Potter's secret keeper he would have said yes. They didn't ask what location he was the secret keeper for. The same for betraying them. If they just asked if he led Voldemort to their location, not which location, again he would have answered yes."
As everyone was mulling over the new information, Harry posed another question. "Padfoot, we all know you are my godfather. Was that just in name, or did you do the ceremony?"
"We did the ceremony Pup. Being a godparent is a big thing in our world." Sirius replied.
"Did anyone witness the ceremony?" Asked Harry.
"Sure the whole Order was there. Since times were so dark, it was nice to have a reason to celebrate." Sirius said.
"Yes, I remember it well now." Said McGonagall. "It was one of the few times I can remember Sirius being, well serious."
Harry started cursing up a storm. Talking about manipulative old men and what he was going to do to them. When he finally noticed everyone was looking at him, he elaborated. "Everyone should have know that Sirius didn't betray my parents. And they should have known that when he escaped Azkaban it wasn't to find me and kill me. The magic of being a godparent won't ALLOW it."
That drew everyone up short. They should have known that. They shouldn't have forgotten that. Just like Sirius shouldn't have forgotten little Lily.
"We all know who is responsible." Said Hermione. When everyone was looking at her she continued. "Dumbledore let everyone believe Sirius was guilty, let him go to Azkaban, just to keep control of Harry. Someone made sure that everyone forgot that a magical ceremony was used in making Sirius Harry's godfather. Someone made sure that those that knew of her forgot Harry's sister. That someone has to be Dumbledore. I mean we are talking about some pretty esoteric charms to block a certain event or fact from the minds of a large group of people. It's almost like a Fidelous charm in a way. Unless the memory in question is brought up directly, no one remembers it. No matter how much we despise the old man, none of us will ever say that he is stupid."
As the rest of the group was digesting Hermione's theory, Harry pulled Sirius to the side. "Padfoot, while you and Madam Bones are at the Ministry looking up the information on Molly and Arthur, I want you to look for information on Lily as well."
"Pup, that is a pretty tall order." Sirius said. "I mean I know when she was born, so I have an idea on what date to look around, but that is still a huge amount of paperwork to go through."
"Well I have a lead for you." Harry said, with a smile. "Look closely at the Lovegoods."
At Sirius' questioning look, Harry continued. "When Neville and I were asking the castle to keep the old bastard in, we got a series of images back. The images were of mum and dad, then me, then Luna. Neville and I aren't sure what it mean, and we haven't told anyone else, but it's a starting point at least."
"You're right." Sirius said. "Are you sure about the info on the Weasley's? It just doesn't seem right."
"No I'm not sure, but there have been clues that make me wonder." Harry said. "There is something not right there, there is something not right with Ron and Ginny as well. And if we are right, well then all hell is going to break loose tomorrow."
Pausing for a moment, Harry gestured for Neville to come over. "Nev, what can you tell me about your betrothal, when did it happen?"
Neville thought about it for a moment, then spoke. "I was ten at the time. I remember it so well because Luna and I were supposed to start spending time together. Then not long after the papers were signed. Luna's mother died in a spell crafting accident. Luna saw the whole thing and was pretty shook up over it. Because of that we didn't spend any time together before I started school. Fact is up until the past summer, something always seemed to happen over the summers to keep us from getting to know one another."
Harry got a thoughtful look on his face before speaking again. "What if her mother knew? What if by setting up the betrothal she was trying to let someone else know? Fleur, Hermione, and I had to undergo all sorts of tests with the Goblins before we could marry. They had to make sure we were who we said we were. That we weren't under any compulsions or potions. What if Luna's mother was trying to tell someone the only way she could?"
Neville and Sirius thought about that until Neville suddenly paled. Harry could almost read his thoughts and rushed to re-assure him. "Neville, the girl is crazy about you! You should have heard her before you got here earlier. It was my Neville this, and my Neville that. You have nothing to worry about on that account. And let me just say that as Lord Potter, I have no problem with my sister being betrothed to you."
Harry's words seemed to do the trick, because that was exactly what Neville was thinking. He had grown very fond of Luna since they had started spending time together. Losing that, losing her, would be very hard to take. To think that it was all a set-up to get the truth out was hard. But if Harry was right, and she really did care, then maybe things would work out. He knew that Harry wouldn't force a betrothal. But he also knew that if it was what Luna wanted, then he would do everything in his power to make it happen. And being the Lord of not one, but two Noble and Ancient Houses, he had quite a bit of power.
Sensing that everything that needed to be said, was said. Harry returned to the rest of the group, dragging Neville along with him. When he reached Luna, he pulled into a hug and said. "You have a good man here Luna, take real good care of him. And tomorrow we will discuss what to do about those Ravenclaw's who have been giving you a hard time."
Luna started to protest when Fleur's words stopped her cold. "Luna not only are you our friend now, you are family. And family always comes first." The emphasis on the word, always, wasn't missed by anyone.
Harry, Sirius, and Neville were all thinking that Fleur's words might be more true than she thought. Luna could actually be family before she married Neville.
Luna bust into tears as everyone nodded in agreement and came over to hug the girl. After her sobs subsided, she spoke. "Thank you all, I've been alone so long, with just daddy to talk to, and he just isn't right anymore, not since mum died, that I'm not sure what to do or say. I've wanted a friend, just one, for so long, I'm afraid I'll do or say something to make you all go away. If I do or say something that upsets you, please don't go away, I don't want to be alone again." With that she burst into tears again and turned her head away, as if ashamed.
Neville wasn't having any of that and gathered the young woman in his arms. "Luna, love" he felt her stiffen at his words, but plowed on anyway "love, friends and family don't just go away. We will disagree, we will argue, and we will probably fight, but as Fleur said family always goes first and will never, ever go away. Remember, you will be my wife. I shall never leave you, I'll always be there for you. In fact if you wish, I'll speak to your father about having our bonding ceremony whenever you wish, so that you will never have to worry about being alone again."
Luna hugged him to her fiercely at those words and spoke softly. "As soon as possible please, I don't want to be alone anymore." Those soft words and the obvious heartache in them brought tears to everyone's eyes.
While everyone was pulling themselves together, Harry pulled Sirius to the side. "Sirius something here is not right. Now I really want you and Amelia to dig into the Lovegoods. Her mom dies just after signing a betrothal agreement. Her father isn't right anymore? That reminds me a lot that social worker Snape basically destroyed. The man's mind will never be the same again. It's not like I can go and show him I'm fine. That will raise way too many questions that can never be answered."
"I agree with you pup." Sirius said. "There is something strange going here. I knew both of Luna's parents and I can't believe her mother would ever make a mistake crafting a spell. Yes it happens, but normally spell crafters, those with young children even more so, change their focus to more theoretical work when they have family to take care of. And her father was always as sharp as a tack. Both of them were Ravenclaws. I can't believe that the loss of his wife would push him over the edge. Not when he has Luna to take care of. Something is rotten in Denmark, as the saying goes."
The two men broke apart just as McGonagall started speaking. "Miss Lovegood, we, the Professors have failed you greatly. We should have noticed how you were being treated. The Prefects should have notified us yes, but it is our job to watch out for you as well as teach you." McGonagall's voice was hard and sad at the same time as she spoke. "I apologize to you for our failure, and I know that Professor Flitwick will be broken hearted that one of his children have failed you in such a way. Knowing him the way I do at first he will be severely upset, then he will be simply furious. I foresee major changes in Ravenclaw tower coming in the very near future." At that she turned to her three lions. "Are there any such problems in Gryffindor Tower I need to know about?"
"No Professor" Hermione said. "And believe it or not you have the Weasley twins to thank for that. If they ever hear of one of our own being bullied, the bully soon finds him or herself the target of more pranks than they can handle."
"Hermione, Harry, there is an exception to that." Everyone looked surprised at Neville's words, they still weren't used to him speaking up. "Harry, Ron uses your name to push quite a few people around."
The quiet that statement brought was just the calm before hurricane Harry blew up. Harry's rant went on for several minutes and some of the things he wanted to do to the red head made even the men blush. But funnily no one, not even Hermione, stopped his rant. Once he calmed down he turned to everyone else. "I would like everyone to be at the meeting with the Weasley's tomorrow." At Neville and Luna's look Harry just said. "You two are part of our family now, where I go, you may go if you wish. I'll never order you to, I'd actually rather you stayed away, but I'll never stop you. You are both old enough to make your own decisions in this world."
When Luna bust into tears at this, Harry pulled McGonagall to the side. "Professor since this suite has three bedrooms, may Luna and Neville stay here tonight as well?" He could see the protest in her eyes so continued quickly. "Luna can stay with Hermione in one room and Neville can stay in the other." He started blushing furiously as he continued. "Fleur and I will be in the third since this is technically our bonding night and there are several things that must be done to complete our bonding and the marriage contract."
McGonagall grinned at the young Lords discomfort and acquiesced. "Yes Lord Potter, I believe that they both can stay the evening. However there had better be nothing untoward happening between Lord Longbottom and Miss Lovegood."
"Professor, while Neville may have hidden his talents and abilities, while he may have acted the shy, clumsy fool; I can guarantee that his honor would never allow anything to happen until their bonding night." There was a little heat in Harry' words as he finished.
"You are correct Lord Potter, Lord Longbottom would never sully Miss Lovegood in such a way. I'm sorry if you felt I was implying otherwise." McGonagall replied, trying to call him.
"No Professor, I'm sorry." He said. "This has been a long night, with quite a few shocks and even more up's and downs. I know your weren't implying anything. I'm just tied and snappish now. Again, I apologize." At her nod of acceptance, he turned back to the others and explained the sleeping arrangements for the evening.
AN: There was supposed to be a Lemon here at the end. Sadly I know I would be terrible at writing one. If anyone out there wants to write up a Fleur, Harry bonding night, I'd be happy to take it and put into my words, so it at least sounds like the rest of the story. Full credit would of course be given. Cheers!
