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Timeslips in this Chapter

9yrs

"Alright, Harry. Just like we practised. Separate out the birth magic from the adoption magic."

Rumour waited while Harry focused and then, slowly he felt the De Silver Magics pull away from Harry.

"Good, very good. Now the hard bit… push some of the birth magic into the block…" Gesturing at the small block of wood in front of Harry.

Rumour felt the block absorb the magic and it began to emanate the same Magical Signature as the toys that Dumbledore had provided for his Order to use to recognise Harry Potter's Signature by.

"Excellent, Harry."

Harry grinned at Rumour and quickly glanced over at Draco, who gave him a beaming smile.

"Are you ready for the next step?"

Harry winced. He knew that the next step meant going to a muggle hospital and then to the children's End Care ward.

"Do we know who he was? And what about the people that had him?"

It was Draco that spoke, he saw Harry's discomfort, he always saw Harry's discomfort first.

"No… no, we don't. There's no record of his birth and the identities of the three people found with him have been found to be falsified. But, Harry? He's the only child that matches you, in age, in size and in build and Shieldsplitter is confident that he can transfer the taint of Dumbledore's bindings to the boy's core… after you create it. Sweetfurrow wants to bond the left-overs of your scar to the boy's head, she feels that it will just cement him being Harry Potter to the Aurors."

"I know… I just… He deserves better than to be used like this." Harry whispered.

"Harry?" Draco approached from the side of the room. "What if… what if we gave him a name? Ourselves? Gave him a name and a birthday. We will always remember him."

"I have a potential solution." Regulus said. "We don't know who he was, but… maybe we can change who he is. Rumour? What happens when a wizard Blood Adopts a muggle? How does that change the muggle? Does that change the muggle? Does that make them a squib or do they stay a muggle?"

Rumour saw where Regulus was going with this.

"No, Smoke. A wizard Blood Adopting a muggle, someone without a Magical core, doesn't change anything for the muggle, but their name. It won't bring them into Wizarding bloodlines, not even a goblin inheritance test will show anything. No one in the Wizarding world would know who he was."

"But we'd know." Regulus argued. "We'd know that he was adopted."

"We would." Rumour agreed.

"Then… before you and Harry… give him Harry Potter's Magical Signature, I want to adopt him. We can give him a name and a birthday, during the adoption."

"Just remember, Smoke, it's only if Lady Magic accepts the adoption, that the potion will become undetectable, otherwise, we'll have to wait 48 hours before we can add a Signature. I'm not sure he'll last that long." Rumour hesitated to add the last sentence, but it needed to be said.

"I know… but I think it's worth it. For our peace of mind and bluntly, boss, like Harry said, this boy deserves to be remembered."

Rumour thought about it quietly for a few minutes. He could see Harry and Draco discussing names, but it was the quiet desperation on Regulus' face that decided him. Regulus had sacrificed so much, it was time he got something back.

"What will you name your son, Regulus?"

Harry and Draco sat up and paid attention.

"Before I joined the Unnamed, I had little desire for a wife or children and now? It's no different, really. My life is devoted to the Unnamed and providing protection to those who need it and this child's life was cut short by those who would prey on children. It is my honour to take this child as my son, Alexander Orion."

Harry and Draco both smiled and wrapped arms around Regulus.

"Thanks, Uncle Reg." Harry smiled.

"When's Alex's birthday?" Draco wanted to know.

"Well, boys, I'm thinking Lex's birthday will be today or tomorrow. Whichever we do the adoption on." Regulus told them.

Both boys cheered.

"Can we come to watch the adoption, Uncle Reg?" Draco asked.

"Best ask your parents, boys."

The hospital corridors were dark and cold, the rooms filled with sick and dying children, but the small group of seven beings ignored these as they made their way to a small windowless room. On the bed in the room was an even smaller child. The tubes and wires connecting him to machines, lay still, draped over the boy's frail little body.

Sharpaxe looked at the child and shook his head, children should be adored not abused.

"Master Sharpaxe? We are ready." Regulus bowed.

The goblin nodded and pulled a sheathed dagger from a pocket and handed it to Regulus. He then began drawing symbols on the floor of the hospital room, three rings of runes. When he finished he straightened and his back popped, loudly.

"Are you ready?" He asked the waiting wizards.

"We are, Master Sharpaxe."

"Very well, we shall begin."

Sharpaxe moved to take a position at the foot of the bed.

"Regulus Arcturus formerly Black, you come before us to change your Family. To Adopt this child, you must approach with a clear understanding that what you are about to do, cannot be undone. By Blood Adopting this child, you become this child's father, in Name and in Blood and he becomes your son. Do you understand this?"

"I do."

"Step forward. Three drops of your blood must fall on the Key-rune. Then lay your left hand on the child's head and allow one drop of you blood to fall on the child's lips, another on his nose and a third between his eyes. As he will have no magical core, you must provide a name for him."

Regulus cut his finger and allowed his blood to fall.

"My son's name is Alexander Orion and today is his 9th birthday." Regulus spoke clearly.

Three drops to the floor, before he moved to the bed and his hand touched the child's. Three drops on the child's face and all those in the room felt Lady Magic accept the Adoption.

While it wasn't the overwhelming show of magic that Harry's Adoption had been, there was no doubt in anyone's mind that the boy was now Regulus' son.

It was a bittersweet joy shared between the wizards. The Adoption was clear, but all present knew that the newly named Alexander only had hours left to live. The damage done to his poor body was horrendous.

"Happy birthday, Cousin Lex." Harry placed a ball that Sirius had fetched from Godric's Hollow on the bed, tucking it under the blankets.

"We won't ever forget you, little Cousin." Draco carefully pushed a lily of the valley flower into the boy's hand, curling the bandaged fingers around the stem.

"Alright, Harry… it's up to you, now. Give your cousin a Magical Signature." Rumour stepped back, gently easing Draco with him, while Regulus moved to join Sharpaxe, Shieldsplitter and Sweetfurrow.

Harry concentrated and this time separating his birth and adoption magics was much easier, but pushing his birth magic into his cousin's body was much harder. In the end Harry was forced to diffuse it throughout Alexander's little body instead of having it as a core, like a wizard would have.

"Well done, young Master Harrington." Shieldsplitter congratulated. "You've done a fine job, there. Now, it's time for goblin magic."

Sweetfurrow came forward and laid a small piece of skin on Alexander's forehead and then began to chant softly. Harry stayed holding Alexander's cold little hand, while the two goblins worked. When the three goblins stopped chanting, Sweetfurrow and Shieldsplitter were drenched in sweat and obviously drained.

"We've done what we can." Shieldsplitter's voice was harsh and rough from chanting. "Sweetfurrow has merged the remains of Harrington's Horcruxe-less scar with Alexander's own skin, this will let the Aurors sense the residue a Horcruxe leaves in it's wake. And I'll transferred the taint of the bindings that Dumbledore placed on Harry Potter, because the Magical Signature that Master Harrington was able to give Alexander is fractured, I'm made the bindings fractured, too." Shieldsplitter saw Harry wince when he said that Alexander's Signature was fractured. "Now, Master Harrington. Alexander's body couldn't cope with an intact Signature, a fractured one is the best we can hope for."

"Indeed, Master Harry." Sweetfurrow added. "A Fractured Signature for a wizard is fatal and while it will be for Alexander, too, it will ease his pain, first. It will only take a few minutes and he will be at rest."

Greyson entered the room.

"Did it work?" He asked.

"It did, Da." Harry replied. "Did you get all the staff?"

"Yes, son. Shadow and I managed to get them all, the only one left is one of the ambulance medics and Shadow's altering his memory right now."

"Thank you, Whisper." Regulus was holding on by a thread.

"There are no thanks necessary, Regulus. There is something I would like to say, though."

"Oh?"

"Regulus Arcturus Black is dead. But… I, Greyson Amberly De Silver, Lord of House De Silver, declare you to be Regulus Alexander, a son of House De Silver. We welcome you and your son, Alexander Orion, to our Family, brother."

Dumbledore was escorted into a dark room, it contained only a bed and a few muggle machines. All of which were silent.

"Headmaster?"

"Minister Bagnold, Healer Davison."

"Is it… him? Headmaster is it… Potter?"

Dumbledore waved his wand over the body of the boy child. The child had the right colouring, he was the right age, but… was the Magical Signature right? Reading the results of his spell, Dumbledore slumped.

Harry Potter was dead.

"It is, Minister. You can see his scar for yourself. His Signature is fractured. Whatever happened to him was violent in the extreme. Violent enough for his Core to shatter and the healers know how flexible a core is, for it to shatter…? May the gods have mercy on his soul. Rest in peace, Harry Potter."

All Dumbledore's plans destroyed, gone to ashes.

"So, you think he'll be any good?" Remus asked.

"I think… I think Charlie will do quite well. He's got a wild side, just like his uncles did. I do think, though, that he's going to be far better than either of them, particularly with the smaller breeds." Titus replied. I'm going to bring him here a bit, to let him get used to handling Draco and maybe Harrington in their Animagus forms."

"Is that a good idea? Wouldn't that let Dumbledore know about them?"

"Oh, Sirius already did that, a couple of years ago. Which Harrington wants to keep fresh in Dumbledore's mind, that he's known about Harrington for years now."

"Well, if Greyson agrees, I suppose."

"Yeah, the issue is going to be the Weasley parents and kids."

"I can imagine."

"Harry really wants me to bring Charlie and the twins by. Why the twins? Is there a reason for them?"

"Titus, there's always a reason, we may not know it or understand it, but there will be a reason." Remus.

"I don't get it, though. The twins are only due to start at Hogwarts this year, they're 11 years old, what could make them so special to Harry?"

"I don't know, Titus, I just don't know. And that? That tells me, there's something. We'll just have to wait until he's ready to explain."

"Dammit, I hate waiting." Titus groaned.

The Wizengamot court room was silent, as the Healer in Charge read out the list of injuries that Harry Potter had suffered before his death.

Broken bones, cuts, bruises, stabs, torn muscles. The list went on and on. Many witches were crying and not a few wizards wanted to curse the people responsible.

Then the goblins entered.

Dumbledore had requested guardianship, had the Potter's Wills sealed and had laid multiple bindings on the child. Loyalty charms, Core bindings, academic bindings, compulsion charms, to mention but a few. He'd also tried for years to get access to their vaults, but without documentation signed by the Potter's, Gringotts was able to deny the Headmaster.

Upon discovering that Dumbledore had not visited, checked up on or even enquired after the child, after leaving a toddler, a walking toddler, on a doorstep, at night, in winter… the Wizengamot were not pleased.

Well, most of the Wizengamot weren't pleased. There were a few, however, that were very pleased. After all, the Chief Warlock's position was a position of trust and Dumbledore had just proven, by his own action and words, that he couldn't be trusted.

DUMBLEDORE REMOVED AS CHIEF WARLOCK

Albus Dumbledore forced to step down from Wizengamot position.

Minister for Magic, Millicent Bagnold, today told this reporter, that there was little doubt that Dumbledore's positions, for the Wizengamot, the ICW and Hogwarts, meant that the wizard had not the sufficient time to devote to each individual position. It was therefore the decision of the Wizengamot that Dumbledore relinquish the post of Chief Warlock.

Lord of House Greenacre, Matthew Horace Greenacre, who has just stepped down from Chairman of the Board of Governors for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, has stated his concerns regarding Dumbledore as Headmaster.

"Until Albus Dumbledore, the positions of Supreme Mugwump for the ICW, Chief Warlock for the Wizengamot and Headmaster of a school were each considered to be full-time positions. How does Dumbledore expect to fulfil the duties of all three when he is but one person? If he allowed this to happen to Harry Potter, how can we expected our children, our grandchildren, to be safe at Hogwarts? My grandson, and Heir, is due to enter Hogwarts in two years, should I be fearing for his life?" He stated.

Albus Dumbledore was not available for comment.

10yrs

Sirius looked up as the Great Hall's doors opened to admit the newest students of Hogwarts.

"Gods above, they look so small." Remus muttered under his breath.

"They always do, Lupin." Severus agreed.

Minerva McGonagall lead the children up the centre aisle of the Hall until they reached the front.

"Gather 'round." She said. "Now, when I call your name… you will come forth… I shall place the sorting hat on your head… and you will be sorted into your Houses."

Behind her at the table, Minerva heard Sirius mutter.

"She say that every year, why can't she find something new?"

"Quiet, Black." Severus chided.

Minerva forced her attention back to the first year students.

"Marcus Belby." She called.

A sandy haired boy stumbled forward and gingerly sat on the stool as the professor pointed. A few seconds passed and a fold in the creases of the Hat flexed and opened.

"Hmm… right… RAVENCLAW!" The Hat exclaimed.

The words were met by subdued cheering from students wearing blue and grey.

"Katie Bell." Minerva called.

A girl with messy light brown hair pushed her way through the other first years to reach the front, she continued on until she flopped down onto the stool and the professor dropped the Hat onto her head.

"Ooh… different… well, now… MERLIN!" The hat was met with silence this time.

"Ah… Hat?" Dumbledore asked.

"What?" The Hat grumbled.

"You said 'Merlin', is there a reason for that?"

"Yes. The girl goes to the House of Merlin. Why else would I have said it?"

"I do wonder. Hogwarts' doesn't have a Merlin House, Hat." Dumbledore replied.

"Well, it used to. And it's going to again."

"Hmm… I think-"

"Nope, don't. I said Merlin and I meant Merlin." The Hat said.

"And where, Hat, is Merlin house to be situated?" Professor Babbling asked.

There was a wash of magic in the air, a shudder in the Castle itself, and suddenly the Great Hall was even larger, wider. Wide enough for a fifth table against the fireplaces on the south side of the Hall.

"The sliver and black table is the Merlin table. Their dorms and common room are accessible through Bridge tower. The common room is on the third floor, girls dorms in the west battlements, third through fifth floors, boys to the south battlements, again third through fifth floors. All dorms are accessible through the common room." The Hat informed the listeners.

"And who will be their Head of House, Hat?" Professor McGonagall asked.

"The Ancient Runes Master will be Head of House for Merlin students. Now can we get on with the sort? I'll need to call students from other Houses too, you know."

"Of course, Hat, of course." Dumbledore sat back.

"Eddie Carmichael." Minerva called.

"Theresa Yonkley." Minerva called the last of the first years up to be sorted.

"Ah… a Yonkley, eh, girl? Hmm… no, you're not like the rest of them, are you? No… no, you want to learn. Hmm… in that case… RAVENCLAW!" Hat waited until the girl joined the rest of her House before speaking again. "Right… now, I get to move some students. When I call your name move over to Merlin's table, your trunks and the like will be moved during the feast."

"Will this take long, Hat?" Dumbledore asked.

"If you stop interrupting, it won't. Seventh years – Adam Branchley, Matilda Green, William Weasley. Sixth years – Sarah Addamson, Sean Rondlet, Nymphadora Tonks, Charles Weasley. Fifth years – Michael Paling, Andrea Starter. Fourth years – Ashley Clearwater, Laura Declan, Oliver Wood, Grant Wyndham. Third years – Primula Goldstein, Annabelle Pond, Simon Standish. Second years – Cedric Diggory, Angelina Johnson, Lee Jordan, Alicia Spinnet, Donaghan Tremmlett, Gabriel Truman, Cassius Warrington, Fredicus Weasley, George Weasley, Ryan Westrup. Prefects, third years – Pond and Standish, fifth years – Paling and Starter, of course… That's it, I'm done."

"Thank you, Hat. I think we've waited long enough. Let the feast Begin!" Dumbledore waved his hands and in a blink of an eye, the tables were laden with platters of food.

Minerva looked at the envelope bearing her name. The writing was unfamiliar to her, but it was clearly addressed.

Professor Minerva McGonagall,

Deputy Headmistress,

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Scotland.

The invitation was on fine parchment, the quillmenship detailed and precise. Someone had obviously taken time and care to write to her. Inside the envelope was a single piece of parchment.

Dear Professor McGonagall,

I wish to extend Yule greetings from my father and myself, to you and your family. Uncle Siri and Uncle Remmy, tell us that you are leaving Hogwarts for Yule this year, but that you will be without family to celebrate with.

I don't like this and have asked Da if I may invite you to join us for Yule. For Yule Eve and the morning of Yule, it will just be Da, Uncle Reg and I. And you, if you decide to join us.

For Yule night, it will be a larger gathering, but still not big. Uncle Frank, Aunt Alice and Neville will be coming, along with Uncle Luc, Aunt Cissa and Draco. And of course, the Uncles, Sev, Siri and Remus.

Da says that even if you don't want to come, we will get to meet you soon, as Da and I will be moving to Hogwarts in August. Da is going to be teaching Ancient Runes and I am looking forward to getting my letter this summer, Da thinks it could be any day, now.

It would be nice if you would join us. No one should be alone for Yule.

Sincerely.

Harrington A De Silver

P.S. Da says that I can send you a portkey or I can get one of the Uncles to give you the floo-address and password.

"Welcome to De Silver's Refuge, Professor McGonagall. Thank you for joining us for Yule." Harry said offering his arm.

Professor McGonagall looked at the boy, before nodding slightly and resting her hand in the curve of his elbow.

"Thank you for inviting me, Mr De Silver."

"If you will bear with me for one moment, professor?" At the professor's nod, Harry spoke again. "Wilky? Ah, thank you Wilky. Would you take Professor McGonagall's bags to the Emerald Suite? And would you ask Blossom to have tea brought to the Suite's sitting room? Thank you Wilky." When the elf bowed and disappeared, Harry gestured to the hallway and began to walk.

"I'm really pleased you decided to join us, professor. I didn't like the idea of you being alone over Yule."

"Oh, now, Mr De Silver, it's not that bad. A bit of quiet can be well appreciated after a busy school year."

"I don't doubt it, professor and now you've got Uncle Siri and Uncle Remy living in the castle? Are they at least leaving the pranks until the weekends?"

"Mostly. But even when they're not, they only involve the sixth and seventh years."

"Don't tell me they're leaving the staff alone?"

"No, but that's separate again from the school pranks."

"That's something at least. I'm not sure I'm looking forward to living in the same building as them, Uncle Sev and Da. At least when it all gets too much, Nev, Draco and me can retreat to our Animagus forms."

"I'm not sure that you'll be allowed to use your Animagus forms at Hogwarts, you may need to be registered."

"Oh, I hope that Da and Headmaster Dumbledore can work something out. We like to spend time together in our other forms."

"Sirius said that the three of you worked it out on your own when you were five?"

"Yes, ma'am. We all watched Uncle Siri, he spent the full moon with Uncle Remy, so he wouldn't be alone. We didn't know it was supposed to be hard, we talked about it and Nev found a book that described what happened, but it sounded complicated, we wanted to see if there was a simpler way. So we went through it step by step and threw out things that we couldn't see the point of. And then we began to play with it. No one told us it was dangerous, but then we didn't tell the adults we were playing with it, either."

"That wasn't a very smart thing to do, Mr De Silver."

"Harrington or Harry, please, professor. I'm not at Hogwarts, yet. And yeah, it wasn't, but we didn't know that, we were just playing. Draco was the first to shift, he turned into a Grimm, just like Uncle Siri, but he was a pup, a pale grey pup. Nev was next and he was an otter. Me… I dragged my heels and when I changed, I went straight to one of my Magical Creatures, a Hippogriff."

"A Hippogriff?"

"Yes, ma'am. I was a Hippogriff foal. Da said I was the equivalent of a foal of about a month old."

"And what is your natural creature form… Harrington? Sirius mentioned kittens?"

"Oh, I have a Chausie Cat and a Arctic Wolf and my other Magical Creature is a Draco-Aedes."

"Other? What do you mean other?"

"Me, Draco and Nev all have two Magical Creature forms and two Natural Creature forms. Nev is a Griffin and a Wumpus Cat for the Magical Creatures and an Otter and a Fence Fox for the Natural ones. Draco is a Draco-Ingis and the Grimm for Magical and a Snow Tiger and a Kite for the Natural forms."

Harry came to a halt in front of a set of elegant double doors. He gently removed the professor's hand from his arm and opened the doors.

"This suite is for you, professor. I hope you like it."

McGonagall walked around the room and admired the furnishings, looking into the other attached rooms before coming back to the sitting room, where Harry waited, patiently.

"It's lovely, Harrington, you and your father chose well."

"Oh, no, professor," Harry laughed. "Da would have given you one of the gold rooms, you being the Head of House for Gryffindor, but I told him that you should have something calming for Yule, something that doesn't remind you of school."

"Well, that's very thoughtful of you, Harrington. Thank you."

"You're welcome, professor… Ah… professor? There's something I wanted to show you. Will you watch a memory, please?"

"A memory? Yours? I don't see a pensieve, here."

"A memory, professor, but not mine, but it is about me. And while we do have a pensieve, that's not what we'll be using."

"No?"

"No, ma'am. Da's been consulting for the Unnamed for years, the Master gave him one of their enchanted mirrors."

"I see. So, the memories will show… how?"

"It will be like looking at a picture, a Wizarding photograph, but instead of it repeating every few seconds, it will last until the memory is complete."

Professor McGonagall looked at the boy, Harrington. There was something about the child that chilled her, but she couldn't say what.

"Very well, I'll watch your… mirror." She finally said.

"Thank you, professor."

The boy stood and moved to a cloth-draped item, he pulled the cloth away to reveal an easel holding a large mirror. The mirror, itself was about three foot tall and roughly four foot wide, it's surface rippled, like water in a pond.

"This is a vertis aspectu mirror. It will take a couple of hours to watch the total. If you need a break, then all you need to say is 'stabit', that will halt the memory until you say 'incipere'. Are you ready, professor?" When the witch nodded he tapped the surface with a finger and spoke again. "Ostende Memoriae Audiri."

An image of a ghost floated through a wall, the ghost of a teen, McGonagall estimated him to be 15 or 16 years old, small and underfed. His clothes were torn and bloodied, bruises and cut littering what skin could be seen.

And with this one memory Minerva McGonagall's world and everything she believed in, changed.

"I am going to string that man up by his heels and beat with his own wand! How dare he risk a child like that?! How dare he bring such foul things into a school?! And as for that Tournament?" The professor ranted for a few more minutes, before turning to Harry. "I take it you have plans for the Headmaster and for… what did you call him? Moldysnort?"

"Indeed we do, professor. Would you like to be involved?"

The transfiguration professor smiled.

"Yes, please… Harry."

"Well? How'd we do this time?" Neville asked.

"Better. Part of that is being smart about your electives, but even taking that into consideration… much better." Lucius replies.

"How much better? And in what subjects?" Harry asked.

"Draco. You ditched Arithmancy, Astronomy, Divination, Herbology and Magical Theory. It paid off, son." Lucius hugged his son. "An O in History of Magic. O++ in everything else. 8 N.E.W.T.s."

Draco smirked to himself. Fewer subjects, yes, but better results. He was pleased, very pleased, he hoped that Harry and Nev did as well in their exams.

"Nev, lad." Greyson held up a piece of parchment. "No O's this time. O+'s in Ancient Runes, Ancient studies, History of Magic, Magical Theory and… Potions! O++'s in Care, Charms, DADA, Herbology* and Transfiguration. With a note that you got a perfect score in Herbology, too. 10 N.E.W.T.s, Neville, 10! Well done."

"Harry? O++ only! Runes, Ancient Studies, Care, Charms, DADA*, Magical Theory, Potions and Transfiguration. 8 N.E.W.T.s. Brilliant work." Lucius cheered.

Narcissa glided through the door to the study-room.

"I have more news." She smiled as she spoke.

"Mama?" Draco questioned.

"Because the subject was raised at Hogwarts with Dumbledore, by Sirius, we haven't been hiding the fact that the three of you are Animagi. I've been in negotiations with Madame Amelia Bones, regarding getting you three, registered. This morning the Heads of the DMLE, the Animagus Registry, Magical Education, Magical Research and Wizarding Examinations, all gave permission for you to be tested and if you pass, registered fully as Animagi."

The boys weren't the only ones to cheer.

"Madame Bones, Mr Pinfeathers, Madame Locket and Madame Glennvale will be here at 2pm. I hope you're ready."

Griphook and Sharpaxe watched in pleasure at Draco held a dagger to Knifeshaft's throat.

"Well done, Mater Malfoy." A goblin's voice came from the shadows.

Draco spun in the direction the voice came from, a dagger in each hand, automatically falling into a fighting stance.

"At ease!" Knifeshaft snapped, Draco straightened and slid his daggers into their sheaths.

"Your Majesty… you honour us." Sharpaxe bowed to the goblin who emerged from the shadows.

The new goblin, King Shatteraxe wasn't tall or particularly distinctive, but he did have an air about him that spoke of well-earned respect.

"I thought I would like to see these Hunters for myself. And I am not disappointed, nephew." The king said to Sharpaxe.

"Thank you… Uncle." He paused. "Did you see all three of them, Uncle? Or only Draco?"

"No, 'paxe, I arrived when you were giving them their initial instructions. I must say, I doubted them. Their skill, their determination, them in general. It's not very often I am forced to make such a significant mental adjustment."

"Ah… sorry… your, ah, majesty." Nev stammered.

"Oh, no, young Longbottom, no apologies. It's good to be reminded that not even a king is infallible, that one should listen to one's advisors, from time to time. Sharpaxe and Knifeshaft, both reported that the three of you were progressing rapidly, that even your age was not a detriment. I felt I needed to see this for myself. They were right, you know. When you are fully grown, I doubt that any wizard could successfully stand against you. Maybe an Unnamed, but even then, it's unlikely. You are going to be formidable warriors and I'm glad that the goblins of Gringotts were your first teachers."

"Thank you, You Majesty. The goblins of Gringotts have most helpful and we are very grateful for that assistance." Draco bowed deeply as he spoke.

"You have pretty manners, young Malfoy, they serve you well. As will these…"

Shatteraxe waved and a goblin guard approached each boy, he held a tray with a selection of daggers and their sheaths.

"These daggers are made from the claw of the first dragon to ever guard a Gringotts' vault. She was injured in a Wizarding war and sought shelter from the Goblin Chief Swordswift, who was Manager Pro-Term of the Prague Branch at the time. She'd been hit with a light sensitivity curse and bargained to swap shelter for protection."

Harry joined Draco and Nev and the three studied the daggers closely. All three daggers looked much the same, but that wasn't what made they look closely. The blade of each dagger looked like it was made from glass, it was clear, but they could see the layers of a clear substance, one beyond another. Each dagger had a curved blade and the hilt was made of a dark matt material, unknown to the boys. A slight sheen of gold, told that these daggers were made with goblin magic, not just goblin hands.

"They are remarkable weapons, Your Majesty. You honour us greatly." Harry reverently touched a blade.

"They are that, Master Harry." The goblin kind said. "Each claw was given willingly, while Shusta was alive. It took a team of ten enchanters to create each blade and another team of five to fashion the hilts and join the two together. The blades are from Shusta's front claws and the hilts from her rear feet. Once they are Blood bound to you, they will resize to fit your hands and will grow with you. They cannot be removed from their sheaths by anyone except you, nor will they draw your blood without your consent. Perfect for warriors such as you are becoming. When you die, leave instructions and we will see that your chosen successor is to bound to the dagger. I declare no goblin right of inheritance on them. They are yours to bequeath as you will."

All the goblins in the chamber caught their breath, for the king to give up a right of inheritance to goblin-made weaponry was nearly unheard of. The last such items were gifted to the founders of Hogwarts, who left the sword, locket, cup and diadem to the school in perpetuity.

"That is truly an honour, Your Majesty. I hope that we are not forced to use them in anger, but knowing that we have them, will give us reassurance, I'm sure." Harry bowed to the king, Draco at his left and Neville on his right.

"I, too, hope against hope that you never need draw them." The king replied, bowing back.

"Father? Can I speak with you, please?" Draco approached his father's desk.

"Of course, Draco. What can I help you with?"

"I… I want to discuss contracts, Father."

"Contracts?" Lucius frowned. Now what had the boys come up with?

"Yes, please."

"Very well. Come in and sit down, Draco."

"Thank you, Father."

"Now… what sort of contracts are we talking about? Do you know?"

"Oh, yes, I know." Draco took a deep breath. "I want to discuss marriage contracts, Father. I want the Houses of Malfoy, Rosier and Gryffindor to make an offer for the hand of Harrington of Houses De Silver, Potter, Peverell and Slytherin." He finished formally.

"Oh." Was all Lucius could think of to say.

Three fat Barn owls circled the patio before settling on the railings, letters held securely in their beaks. Each owl hopped forward and deposited their burden on the table, beside a plate of biscuits.

"Thank you very much." Greyson said to each bird as he reached into his pocket for a bag of owl treats.

"Oh, Da. It that our letters? From Hogwarts?" Harry asked as he climbed the stairs from the garden, Draco on his left and Neville to the right, as they always were.

"I think so, Harry. Why don't you open them and find out?" Greyson handed each boy an envelope with their name on it.

Harry looked at his, it was so different for last time.

Mr H De Silver

First bedroom on the left,

Hunter's Refuge,

Buckland-on-Laverton.

Opening the envelope revealed two pieces of parchment and while professor McGonagall had signed the first page, it was obvious that the body of the letter was not written by her.

Dear Mr De Silver,

We are pleased to inform you that you…

Harry grinned. Finally!

"Well done, boys." Narcissa beamed at she and Alice joined the men-folk on the patio.

"Thanks, Mama." Draco's smile was just as bright.

"You do know what that means, don't you?" Alice added.

The boys looked at each other and grinned.

"SHOPPING!" They cried. "Diagon Alley!"

"Yep, cubs. Diagon Alley." Sirius agreed, grinning.

"Now, before you rush to the floo-fireplace… check the list, I know that you have most of it, already." Remus warned.

"Hmm…" Harry, Draco and Nev sat together, absently conjuring parchment and a self-filling quill.

"We'll need the uniform." Draco said.

"We've got the dragon-hide gloves, but I'd rather leave have a pair just for school." Nev muttered.

"That means Madame Malkin's as well as Slug and Jiggers." Harry said as he wrote.

"Should we get new cauldron's, Uncle Sev?"

"I'd recommend it, yes. Along with a set of scales and phials. Like Neville said, a set just for school is a good idea." The potions master poured himself a coffee.

"Well, you've got all the books, so we're not buying them again. A new trunk each, monogrammed, perhaps." Lucius suggested.

"Does that mean we can't get some more books, Da? Can't we get any?" Harry's eyes widened.

"Of course you can, just remember… we're moving to Hogwarts this week, my quarters are decent but not huge, after all they're stuck between the girls' and boys' dorms in Bridge tower."

"Yes, Da. I remember." Harry replied.

"So, what is on your shopping list?" Narcissa asked.

"Ah… Three sets of plain black work robes. A plain hat. Gloves. A winter cloak. Boots, preferably dragon-hide. A size 2 cauldron… Uncle Sev? Potage's or Slug and Jiggers?"

"For school potions equipment? Potage's is fine."

"Thanks… Um… Cauldron. Phials. Scales. A Telescope… can we at least get decent ones?" On receiving a nod, Harry continued. "A pet. I want an owl, I'm kinda hoping to get Hedwig again, but…"

"That's it?"

"No… don't forget the most important thing, we have to get wands from Ollivander's. But what about our current wands?"

"What about them?" Greyson replied.

"Are we allowed to take them? As back-ups? Just in case?"

"It's not normally allowed." Severus stated. "And I know that the three of you are quite capable of wordless and wandless magic, but… I'd feel better if the Headmaster never knew that, so back-up wands are a good idea."

"But…" Remus warned. "Only one. If something happens, then you've still got one here."

"But… but that means…" Draco started.

"…we'd have to chose…" Harry finished.

"Yes, it does." Alice agreed.

"Dammit." Neville muttered.

vertis aspect = Old(past) sight

Ostende Memoriae Audiri. = Show memory with sound.

After Sirius and Remus? We wait for a bit and have Lucius recommend Frank for a position on the board of directors of the school. Then Lucius, we'll move you to chairman of the Board. Then finally when we, three start at Hogwarts we get Da in as the Ancient Runes master

Rumour = Master (two crossed wands over a cauldron emitting sparks)

Whisper = Captain = Greyson (two crossed wands over sparks)

Shadow = lieutenant (one diagonal wand over sparks)

Smoke = lieutenant = regulus black (Sirius' brother 27 feb 1961 – 11 oct 1979 (18)

Mist = lieutenant

Zephyr = ensign (single horizontal wand)

Murmur = ensign

Black, Sirius apparition, Animagus studies and relief for Remus

Lupin, Remus Care of magical Creatures

Longbottom, Frank Chairman of board of directors

Malfoy, Lucius Chairman of board of directors

Snape, Severus potions Slytherin Head of House

De Silver, Greyson Ancient Runes

McGonagall, Minerva transfiguration Gryffindor Head of House

Flitwick, Filius charms Ravenclaw Head of House

Binns history of magic

Sprout, Pomona herbology Hufflepuff Head of House

Pomfrey, Poppy Nurse

Hooch, Rolanda Flying

Sinistra, aurora astronomy

First term 1st sept- 18 dec

Second term 6th Jan – 21st june (Note: easter holiday = 1 week – dates vary)

ʛ — Galleon

— Sickle

— Knut

One Knut is

One Sickle is

One Galleon is

1 Knut

29 Knuts

493 Knuts

0.03448... Sickles

1 Sickle

17 Sickles

0.002028... Galleons

0.05882... Galleons

1 Galleon

Bill weasley is cursebreaker for Gringotts

Magic of Hogwarts has formed a new house, the house of founder, students will show virtues embraced by all 4 founders, those students are twins, cedric, oli wood, cho, Angelina, flint etc. then first years, harry, Neville, Draco, blaise, dean.

Always three = golden trio = deathly hallows, Draco=wand, Nev=stone, Harry=cloak.

Contract takes hallows and Moldysnort's

As per our contract, we surrender to Death his Hallows and the final piece of Tom Riddle's soul.

Chptr 6(?) first year at Hogwarts sept 1st to christmas