Disclaimer: The Harry Potter universe belongs to the proverbial Duchess of Magic, JK Rowling, Scholastic, Bloomsbury, Warner Bros and some other high falutin' companies. No matter how much I whine about not owning anything related to the HP universe, other than a few fanfic plots, I do not profess to own - and would never dream of making any money off - JKR's wonderful world... Damn it!
Chapter 7 - Going Public, Somewhat
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―==(oIo)==―
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On Friday, the 29th of August, Harry and Susan were taken for a very special visit to the Ministry building. They were taken direct to Aunt Ami's new Minister's office and met two gentlemen - at least, they thought they were men - wearing deep blue robes with their hoods up. Both kids were under glamours at the time.
From there, they were escorted down to Level 9 of the underground Ministry building, escorted by their aunt and the two folks they were now told were called Unspeakables, and taken through to a room that had a big circular style arch with a tattered black wispy curtain hanging in front of it.
As they were escorted into the room, both Unspeakables dropped their hoods and both pre-teens could see that the one who seemed to be in charge had salt'n'pepper coloured short hair and sported a black trimmed beard, while the other was a young woman who behaved far older than she appeared.
Also in the room was a small pedestal table with a glowing white glass ball sitting upon a little wooden stand in the middle of it. Next to it were two small toy rubber snakes.
Though neither child asked why they were there, the Unspeakable in charge - he said his name was Croaker - handed each of the kids one of the toy snakes. Then explained what he wanted them to do.
"You just want us to throw these through that stone circle thing?" asked Harry, as if the man was being weird.
"That's it, exactly, Mister Potter," replied Croaker with a slight grin. "Miss Bones first, please."
After a glance between the two kids, who both thought the adults were being weird, Susan lobbed hers through with a simple underhand toss. It disappeared through it.
Then Croaker said, "And now you, Mister Potter."
Harry gave a huff of amusement which communicated, "I'm just amusing the adults," before he matched the same underhanded toss; his toy passing almost directly through the exact centre.
As soon as he did both Unspeakables turned to look at the white glowing ball. It quickly dulled to a light grey and no longer glowed.
The woman then walked to stand near the arch and cast a few charms, before she stepped back and firmly said, "No leakage. The... experiment was successful."
"Right," said Croaker, turning a grin to the two kids. "That's that done then."
As they were then being led out, Susan asked, "Why did you want us to do that?"
"It was an Unspeakable experiment," replied Croaker, "We just needed two innocents to do it for us and your aunt was kind enough to volunteer you two while you were here and visiting her in her new role as Minister."
"Weird," declared Susan.
As Croaker chuckled he said, "A lot of what we do is considered weird by some folks. It's still important, though."
Harry was just happy Susan thought the same as him about it.
Neither noticed that Bones, who had quietly accompanied them, had an expression of profound relief on her face she was having trouble masking, occlumency or not.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
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By the time the first of September finally rolled around - a Sunday - Harry was happy, relaxed, healthy, mentally very much on the road to recovery from his treatment at the hands of the Dursleys, beginning to be well-versed in the etiquette of Wizarding Britain to the point he was confident in his rightful place and felt ready for Hogwarts.
During his time at Bones manor, Aunt Amelia had also led him through the financial situation of the Potter Estate, that all the missing funds were recovered or in the process of being recovered by the goblins, together with the missing artefacts.
"They've already recovered most of them, right?" he asked.
"They have," she nodded. "Actually, I need to go and see Grimjaw to see how that's coming along."
Once that part was out of the way, Bones then laid a box on the table between them and said, "In here is the Heirs' rings of two of the Houses for which you're the Heir Apparent; just not Slytherin and Gryffindor. For those, I'm getting rings made, but it takes time.
"Besides, I don't think you should wear them just yet, anyway."
"Why not?" he asked.
"Because it would cause problems for you and the staff at Hogwarts," she replied. "Besides being recognised as a first year student, you would also be recognised as the rightful owner of Hogwarts. That would create a bit of a difficult situation for the staff and for you."
"Oh!" he said, getting it. "Because they won't know whether to treat me as a student or as their boss, right?"
She smiled and replied. "Precisely. However, on top of that, whenever one of the students has a problem with one of the staff, they'll try to come to you to get you to overrule the staff. Which puts you in a difficult situation."
"Yeah, I can see that," he quickly said. "You're right. It would be best if others don't know I own the school."
"Susan and young Hannah do, so you can quietly discuss it with them away from those trying to listen in," she suggested. "Otherwise, please keep silent about it."
"I will," he firmly nodded.
"Good; thank you," she said.
Then, indicating the box between them, she said, "Open it up."
Once he'd opened it, he saw three rings within. They looked to him like signet rings.
"Pick up the one with the red shield and the griffin on it first," she said. "And slip it onto the ring finger of your right hand. That's the Heir's ring for Potter."
Once he did that, felt it warm a little and shrink to fit, she said, "Now the black one with the flying horse creature on it on it. That's the Heir's ring for Peverell."
Once he picked it up he asked, "Ummm... which finger?"
"Same finger," she replied. "Just press it firmly against your Potter's Heir's ring and the two will blend together."
Harry did just that and felt them blend into one.
"And now for the signet ring identifying you as a recognised son of the House of Black." It had a raven on it.
Harry picked up the much more slender ring, slipped it on the right finger and pushed it against the blended Potter and Peverell rings. As he'd already expected, it too blended with the other two.
The ring was now a vertically halved shield in red on one side and black on the other. The red side bore a gold griffin while the black side bore a small winged horse Harry thought was a pegasus, but was quickly told was actually a thestral. Below both and in the middle was the shadow outline of a raven.
"The thestral is the totem animal of the Peverells, the griffin is the totem animal of the Potters... yet another reason why everyone thinks the Potters are closely tied to the Gryffindors... and the raven is the totem animal of the Blacks," she explained.
"It kinda looks pretty," he said, admiring it in the light.
She smiled back and said, "Now that you wear those rings, don't ever take them off, Harry."
"I know," he said, "I saw that Susan wears one and Missus Abbott told me what they mean. For me and Susan it means no one can insult us or treat us unfairly in any way."
"That's right," she smiled. "And, if someone ever does treat you poorly, just hold up your hand while making sure you're showing them that ring. If they don't back off then, let me know immediately."
"Yes, Aunt Ami," he firmly replied.
That earned him another smile.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
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On the day of the first, the Bones household was up early for an early arrival at the Hogwarts Express platform, Platform 9¾, at Kings Cross Station in London. Aunt Ami's plan was for both children to be early arrivals and, therefore, reduce the amount of gawkers who would then stare at Harry.
After breakfast and a last minute check to ensure they had everything they needed, Bones took them via floo to her new office in the Minister's office space. There, they picked up two aurors who would be providing the Minister her guards - and, subsequently, Harry. They also waited until a recently released-from-Hospital Sirius Black also arrived before the adults all glamoured themselves.
From that moment on and until the Sorting, Harry would be answering to his true name, Henry. It would save possible problems on both the platform and the train.
Then they flooed directly to the platform. They arrived at barely past 10.15am, which meant they had nearly three quarters of an hour to wait until the train left the platform.
"Find a compartment and secure it for ourselves?" asked Susan.
Harry grinned back and nodded, but let Susan choose the compartment for them. To him, it didn't matter other than Hannah and Neville would be able to find them.
"Don't worry about that," she declared. "I've got that covered."
They chose a compartment in the third carriage and, with the help of the two aurors who accompanied them on-board, had their trunks stashed in the overheads. They'd not need them again until they arrived in the castle, as both also carried a small wizard-spaced backpack each that contained a couple of books and some healthy snacks Binty insisted they take with them. As they did not need to enter a muggle area on their way to the platform they were already wearing their Hogwarts unaligned-House uniforms.
Before they left the compartment, Susan stuck a small three inch square piece of parchment to the window that had a picture of a blue flipper-footed dragon on it, covering almost the entirety of it. But she stuck it to the glass with the picture facing out. The sea dragon was the totem of House Bones.
Surprised, Harry immediately figured out why and said, "That's very clever! Do Hannah and Neville know you were going to do that?"
Wearing a pleased grin, she replied, "Uh-huh! Hannah's Mum suggested it months ago. Auntie Pauline and her friends used to do it when they were students at Hogwarts."
When they disembarked again, Aunt Ami shook her head in wry amusement before casting mild Notice-me-Nots over the pair of them.
"That way," she explained. "You will be seen. However, you will not be properly recognised."
"Clever," muttered Sirius.
"What about Neville and Hannah?" asked Harry.
"Introduce yourself to them and they'll immediately see through it," she replied. "The Notice-me-Not only works on those who are generally looking for either of you. Once you introduce yourself to someone, they'll be able to see through it."
"What about for the Sorting?" Harry immediately asked.
"When you respond to your name by walking forward to be Sorted, you'll have effectively introduced yourselves," she replied. "And good reasoning skills thinking to ask that, Henry."
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―==(oIo)==―
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As the station started to fill up, Bones and Sirius shooed both children back onto the train.
"Don't worry," she assured them. "Sirius and I will keep an eye out for the Abbotts and Longbottoms."
The Abbotts arrived about twenty-five minutes before departure, just as Harry and Susan were re-boarding, but the two aurors told them to get on and they'd send young Hannah their way.
The Longbottom parents were only a couple of days out of Saint Mungo's, themselves. They refused to remain any longer as they wanted to spend the last couple of days of August with their son before then escorting him to the platform to see him off for his first day at Hogwarts.
However, because they were still quite unwell, Augusta put her foot down about how long they'd be allowed there. So they arrived about fifteen minutes before departure. As soon as they did and met up with Bones, Sirius and the Abbotts Sirius conjured up two high chairs for them; a cross between a chair-backed bar stool and arm chairs. Then levitated both into them.
When Frank frowned at him, about to say something, Sirius got in first. "You don't scare me, Longbottom; so don't even try. Your mother, however..."
Augusta gave a huff of false annoyance over humour and firmly stated, "Afraid of me, Black? So you should be."
And both Lord and Lady Longbottom were firmly ordered to remain on the high chairs by Augusta. "Do it or I'll activate your emergency portkeys," she firmly threatened.
While Alice was more than willing to go along with it all, Frank mumbled, "Uppity woman! I should just disown you! See that I don't!"
Augusta chose to ignore it. Apparently it was a threat he'd been threatening her with about three or four times a day for the past three plus weeks. Now it was just 'water off a duck's back' to her.
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―==(oIo)==―
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The same two aurors who carried in Harry's and Susan's trunks and stowed them, also brought in Neville's and Hannah's and did the same.
So, with the four children now 'safely' in a compartment, they were able to catch up with what they'd been up to for the past few days. Neville was now also growing his hair longer and already had enough for his own grey silk ribbon to tie his hair back. As soon as the girls saw it they retied it for him in a much neater style.
After explaining about their trip down to the Department of Mysteries, Neville asked, "They wanted you each to throw a toy rubber snake through a big arch thingy?"
"Yep," said Harry. "We were told it was an Unspeakable experiment they needed our help with."
"Weird," said Hannah.
"That's what we thought," agreed Susan.
One of things they discussed, of course, was yet again the Houses and where they'd be Sorted. They'd finally managed to convince Neville to get himself sorted into Hufflepuff with the rest of them. However, he didn't take much convincing.
"I've spent most of my life with my Gran telling me I was expected to go into Gryffindor," he explained. "When my Mum heard of that she gave Gran what-for and said to me, 'You should go into the House that would serve you best, Neville dear. Let the Sorting Hat pick the best for you.'
"I'm thinking Hufflepuff would be best for me, after all."
The other three grinned back and they admitted, "Us too!"
He breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Hufflepuff forever?"
"Hufflepuff forever!" they firmly agreed.
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―==(oIo)==―
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Once the train left the platform, it was almost fifteen minutes before a red-headed kid yanked the door open and stuck his head in looking around. Less than three seconds later he pulled his head back out and walked off, not even shutting the door as he did.
"Who on Earth was that?" asked a thoroughly confused Harry.
"That was Ron Weasley," scowled Susan. "His Dad works for... I mean, worked for Auntie in the DMLE. He's really not a nice boy."
"Lacks manners, too," said Neville. "He didn't even bother to knock, or anything."
"Or closed the door," added Harry, standing up, walking over and closing and latching it himself.
The rest of the journey had those walking past and peering within the windows before moving on. Either they were looking for friends or looking to see who else was on the train. No one else opened the door, let alone without knocking.
When the cart lady came around with her little trolley cart and opened the door to ask if they wanted something off the cart, Harry was quick to get a small collection of almost everything on it.
"Don't let Aunt Ami know you bought all that," smirked Susan.
"I've not had much of a chance to try wizarding sweets before, Suze," he reasonably argued "Don't you think now is as good a time as any to try them?"
That had the three other pre-teens all snicker or giggle. And the four of them worked their way through the small pile Harry had bought. The other three were also explaining what they were all like before Harry tried them, so he wouldn't be surprised by them.
Another conversation between the four dealt with pets.
Susan was happily sharing with Neville - Hannah and Harry already knew - information all about her new Snowy owl, Hedwig. And Neville was happily sharing similar information about his own new Horned owl, Krigare.
"Uncle Algie presented me with a toad and told me it would be my pet to take to Hogwarts with me. I named it Trevor," he explained. "But, Dad called Uncle Algie an idiot and presented me with Krigare... which is Swedish, apparently, for warrior... and firmly said a post owl made a lot more sense than a 'bleep' toad."
"Bleep?" asked Susan.
Neville blushed, looked down and said, "He said a swear word there. I just replaced it with 'bleep'."
Harry snickered.
"Trevor's now in one of our home's greenhouses helping keep it clear of plant eating insects, especially beetles. He loves beetles."
"Susan didn't choose her pet, either," said Harry. "Hedwig chose her."
Then Susan launched into a faithful retelling of what happened the moment she walked into Eeylops in Diagon Alley.
"She just flew down, landed on your shoulder and refused to leave?" asked Neville.
"Pretty much," said Harry.
"Did you send her direct to Hogwarts like I did with Krigare?" he asked.
"Yes," replied Susan.
"And what about you?" asked Hannah, looking to Harry. "Fawkes has still decided you're his pet?"
He chuckled and said, "Apparently. I think he's adopted me."
"Think he'll be at the castle, waiting for you?" asked Neville.
Harry shrugged and replied, "I don't know, but I hope so."
"You've become attached to him too," smiled Hannah.
"Yeah," he sighed. "I thought he would have left after he realised I was going to get better, or then got better. But, he hasn't yet."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
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After their arrival at Hogsmeade and their trip across the lake in the little boats, a place where the Weasley boy was again searching for someone, they arrived at the doors of the castle. The whole way from the platform to the doors they were escorted by a really big bloke who Susan told Harry was named Rubeus Hagrid. "But, he prefers to be called just 'Hagrid'," she offered.
"Nice to know," said Harry, a little distracted like all the rest of the first years and practically gawking about.
Once they were shown into the castle by a little man who stood, for some of them, even shorter than them, they were taken across the main entrance way and shown into an antechamber. The little man, who introduced himself as Professor Flitwick, Deputy Headmaster and Head of House for Ravenclaw, gave them a little introduction and explanation of what was about to happen before he apologised and said he had to leave for a few minutes to check to see if the rest of the school was ready to receive them.
As soon as he was out the door, the Weasley boy began to walk through the students calling, "Harry! Hey, Harry! Where are you?"
Even before he reached Harry he was intercepted by a skinny boy with slicked back blonde hair who sneered at him and condescendingly asked, "Trying to make friends with Potter, Weasley? It would be, after all, the only thing you'd have to separate you from the riff-raff."
"Piss off, Malfoy," Weasley snapped back. "That Harry's my best mate has nothing to do with you."
On hearing that, Susan, Hannah and Neville all looked to Harry in surprise.
Harry just looked back at them in confusion and whispered, "I had no idea who he was until Susan told me his name. I've never met him before."
Malfoy sneered, "As if Harry Potter would ever be friends with someone like you."
"Why you..." snarled Weasley, starting to draw his wand out of his pocket.
That was as far as they got before Flitwick returned, saw what was going on and snapped, "Enough!"
When both boys looked back at him, he said, "As soon as I learn which houses you two will be sorted into, you'll both be docked five points for making a scene."
He gave that a moment to sink in before he then said, "Congratulations, the pair of you. That would have to be about the fastest a student has ever lost points on first arriving at the castle. It's not something you should be proud of, either."
"When my― Errr..." Malfoy haughtily began before Flitwick snapped a flat 'I dare you' expression back at him. It shut the boy right up.
"If you're done," said Flitwick, "Form two columns and follow me. I'll be taking you through to the Great Hall and the Sorting."
As Flitwick began to lead the two columns out, a nearby tall dark-skinned boy looked to Malfoy and asked, "Were you about to say, 'When my father hears about this,' and add some inane threat to that, Malfoy?"
Malfoy just glared back and the boy added, "You do remember he's dead, don't you?"
Malfoy snapped back, "Shut your mouth, Zabini. The Malfoy name still holds weight in political circles."
Zabini just snorted and said, "Forget that Bones managed to get Fudge and Umbridge kicked out and then replaced him too, did you, Malfoy?"
Malfoy just fumed back.
Harry, Susan, Neville and Hannah watched it all while casting amused glances at each other.
They were bringing up the rear. Even the Weasley boy had apparently given up, for the time being, trying to find Harry and convince one and all he and Harry were 'best mates'.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
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As expected, Hannah was first up for Sorting. Professor Flitwick was standing on a small set of steps and was handling both the Sorting Hat and calling the names off a scroll of parchment.
The Hat sat on her head for only a moment before it quietly uttered, "By the four founders!" Then immediately Sorted her into her House by calling out, "HUFFLEPUFF!"
As she hopped off the stool to the approbation of the students of Hufflepuff, she cast a look of surprise to her three friends and mouthed, 'Sorry.'
None of the other three could figure out why she was apologising for being Sorted into the House the four wanted, anyway.
Susan was next and the Hat had barely reached her head before it called, "HUFFLEPUFF!"
Boot went into Ravenclaw, as did Brocklehurst. Brown went into Gryffindor. Bulstrode into Slytherin. And the Sorting continued alphabetically down through the list until they reached some girl named Granger.
For some students there were clearly some surprises. The Granger girl sat on the chair, clearly trying to convince the Hat of something before she developed quite the shocked expression. "He what?" she gasped. Then the Hat called, "RAVENCLAW!" She quietly left the stool and made her way to the Ravenclaw table in dazed shock.
Once Neville sat; again, the Hat hadn't really been on his head for more than a moment before it called, "HUFFLEPUFF!"
Neville cast a bemused eye on Harry and tossed him a thumbs-up gesture with a knowing smirk as he walked to the Hufflepuff table.
Malfoy was up next and the Hat didn't even reach sitting on his head before it called, "SLYTHERIN!"
Another quarter way through the list of students and Harry was called. However, he was called as 'Potter, Harry'.
Calmly and with his head held high, but not too high to be thought haughty, he walked forward and stopped before stepping up onto the low dais on which sat Flitwick's steps and the stool the students sat upon to be sorted.
Looking to the Professor he quietly said, "Actually, Professor, while I answer to the name 'Harry', as you were close to my parents in the time leading up to their deaths you should know that my actual name is Henry.
"I was named after my great grandfather. His name was Henry, but called Harry by his close friends. For official announcements in future, such as my being called up for my Sorting, please address me as Henry Potter."
The Professor gaped in shock for a moment before he slightly blushed. "My apologies, Mister Potter. Your name incorrectly sits upon my scroll as Harry Potter. I do, indeed, know your true name to be Henry. I shall correct the records at my first available opportunity.
"Potter, Henry!"
Harry replied, "Thank you, Professor, for your understanding and forbearance." Then stepped up onto the dais before the stool, smoothly pivoted on the toes of his right foot and sat.
The Hat was placed on his head a bare moment later.
'Well, Boss! Isn't this a turn up for the Grimoires?' said the Hat in his mind.
'Boss?' asked Harry.
'Well, I thought it was a bit more polite than Owner,' replied the Hat.
'So; you know,' Harry mentally smirked.
'Didn't come as that much of a shock, really,' replied the Hat. 'I knew your father was an Heir; and his father before him; and so on. Just as I knew young Tom Riddle was the Heir of Slytherin.
'I didn't tell him, though - Riddle, that is. That boy's mind was already a cesspit; evil little sprog. He'd have immediately abused the authority, if he knew.'
'It didn't stop him from finding out, though,' thought Harry.
'No,' the Hat mentally sighed. 'But, that had nothing to do with me.'
'I wasn't blaming you,' Harry was quick to assure.
'I'm aware,' replied the Hat. 'The shock was discovering from the mind of little Miss Abbott that you're now also the rightful Heir of Slytherin. I don't think anyone saw that coming.'
Harry asked, 'Did you also find out from her that Amelia Bones is bringing the four portraits of the four founders to the school tomorrow?'
'Normally I'd never tell anyone what I saw in the mind of another,' replied the Hat. 'However, I can see that you both knew and that you both knew the other knew; so, yes.
'I can also see that you have decided not to let others, but a very select few, know you're the rightful owner of the school. On your behalf I shall inform the castle's ghosts, portraits and house elves of that determination lest they unknowingly give away the secret.'
Harry mentally winced and sheepishly thought, 'Oops! We didn't think of that.'
'Again, I'm aware,' replied the Hat. 'It shall be my honour to inform them.
'Now, let's get you Sorted before people start wondering too much about what is going on. Before I do, though, I ask you keep me informed of just when you intend to announce your ownership. I think the denizens should be informed first, yes?'
'Fair enough,' he firmly thought.
'Well, then...' "HUFFLEPUFF!"
As the Hat was plucked off Harry's head, he started walking to the Hufflepuff table in almost complete silence. It would have probably lasted longer if Susan, Hannah and Neville hadn't immediately started applauding. Their clapping triggered the rest.
However, there was also a lot of shocked whispering going on between friends across all four tables. Harry didn't notice, as he had his back to that table, but the same thing was going on up on the head table.
As he sat next to Neville and opposite Susan and Hannah, his three friends leaned in and Susan, first to speak, said, "You and the Hat spoke to one another a fair bit. Have to spend a lot of time convincing it?"
"No," he replied. "It knows who I really am and wanted to let me know it will communicate with the ghosts, portraits and house elves not to let out the secret. It was going to sort me into Hufflepuff right off the bat, but wanted to chat for a minute first.
"I've more to tell you about that, but it's going to have to wait until we can all get together somewhere private."
All three nodded back and sat back.
As the Sorting neared its end, Weasley was sorted into Gryffindor and Zabini went into Slytherin.
As Zabini headed for the Slytherin table, Professor Flitwick vanished the steps he'd used, tucked the scroll under his arm, picked up the stool and Hat and walked them off to the side of the room near the Head table. Then Headmistress McGonagall stood to make a few announcements.
She first announced she'd been appointed the new Headmistress following the death of Albus Dumbledore and that Professor Flitwick had been appointed Deputy Headmaster.
Next, she introduced the apparently new Professors for History of Magic, DADA, Potions and Transfigurations.
Then she announced a change in school 'policy', which would now see those who commit crimes being detained, the aurors contacted and the student handed over to them. That caused quite a bit of shocked whispering among students, especially in Slytherin. A glare about the room from her had them all shut up again.
"Furthermore," she firmly stated, "If the crime is proven, that student could at the very least be suspended from the school. For severe enough crimes, expulsion awaits you.
"I am not Albus Dumbledore and I will not turn a blind eye to crimes. Unlike our previous late and now unlamented Headmaster, I do not see the commission of crimes as schoolchildren hi-jinks and just acting out. This will be the only warning you'll receive for the school year on this matter.
"As an example; simple common assault, even if through the act of a prank, is a crime. If a prank harms another, even if only for a few moments, you'll be leaving in the company of aurors."
A pair of third year red-haired twins in Gryffindor glanced at one another before they sighed and disappointingly looked down at their currently empty plates.
"Next, at the completion of classes tomorrow, all students and staff are required to immediately return to here, the Great Hall. Please, do not even head for your common rooms first. I have been informed some very important and historic presentations will be made to the school by representatives from the Ministry.
"I have been assured that those who miss it will be dirty at themselves for being so foolish.
"That is all the announcements I have for you at this time. Let the Welcoming Feast... begin!"
Suddenly, all the tables were loaded down with food. Harry thought that, if the tables hadn't been built so sturdy, they'd have collapsed under the sheer weight.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After Harry ate his fill, it wasn't long before the tables were cleared.
McGonagall stood once more and said, "Prefects, please escort our new first years to your common rooms and give whatever announcements each House gives their new students at that time. However, tomorrow is a school day and I expect everyone within their beds within thirty to forty-five minutes. Off you go."
Before the Hufflepuff first years could even stand, they were quickly joined by two of the Hufflepuff senior years.
The witch of the two said, "Hi, folks. I'm Jemima and this is Robert." Indicating the male with her. "We're the two fifth year prefects for Hufflepuff. Please follow Robert and he will lead you to the Hufflepuff common room and dormitories. I'll be bringing up the rear to make sure we don't lose anyone."
Harry was glad she'd barely tried to sneak a glance at his forehead when she first laid eyes on him. That was one thing that really annoyed him; as if he was his scar rather than the scar, now gone, was just a mark made upon him by a dark wizard.
'Robert' led them back out into the Entrance Hall and down a flight of stairs before heading off to the right. They followed for about a hundred yards before they came across what appeared to be a stack of barrels lying on their sides and embedded into the wall.
Harry, Susan and Hannah already knew this was the entrance to the Hufflepuff rooms as the portrait of Helga Hufflepuff had described it to them. They also knew Harry, as the owner of the school, didn't need to use the password to get in; so he deliberately hung back so as not to unintentionally trigger the release.
'Robert' then used his wand to tap an odd rhythm on the middle barrel. A moment later, the 'lid' swung open on hidden hinges and he indicated everyone within.
They walked down a short and slight ramp before entering a large rectangular room.
As they all gathered within in a sort of clumped group, both prefects walked around them. Robert, gesturing with his off hand, said, 'Spread out a little so you can all clearly see us.'
As their group opened up he was counting. "Ten of you. Five boys and five girls. That means we have exactly one quarter of this year's intake of forty students. That's a little low on usual years, but understandable."
Jemima smiled at him for a moment before she turned back to the first years.
"Welcome to Hufflepuff," she said. "Contrary to what the other houses might imply to you, or simply tell you outright to your faces, you should feel honoured to make it into Hufflepuff.
"Hufflepuffs are those the Hat deem to operate better as a student among those who favour hard work and loyalty. Some will tell you that Hufflepuff is the House of the 'duffers'. However, I'm pleased to tell you that our current Minister of Magic was a Hufflepuff; so, too, are three of the eight Directors of Departments within the Ministry. The lead singer of the Weird Sisters was also a Hufflepuff. Celestina Warbeck was one too. And so was the current Editor-in-Chief of Witch Weekly.
"Hufflepuffs are constantly rising to the tops of their chosen professions because they believe hard work is what is needed to get them there. That they got there and continue to get there is proof of that."
Robert then took over and started indicating about the room, "Unlike in somewhere like Slytherin, there is no hierarchy in the House other than Prefect status. Everyone else is treated equally. Therefore, it's first-come-first-served for where you choose to sit, what table you choose to do your assignments upon, that sort of thing. If the spot is currently vacant, you're allowed to sit there.
"Next; yes, the castle has house elves that keep it clean and tidy. However, that does not excuse you leaving your personal things lying around. In shared spaces, such as this common room and your shared dorms, always remember that others live here too. For example, no one wants to have to move your dirty socks out of the way so they can sit down on a chair."
With a wry smirk he said, "Actually, I'm pretty sure that if anyone actually did that they'd have to later go and fish them out of the garbage."
That had a couple of the first years titter, giggle or chuckle in amusement.
"Indicating the two sets of stairs, Jemima said, "For dorms, boys are down the stairs on the right and girls are up the stairs on the left. Boys, do not try to get up the stairs to the girls' side. The stairs will turn into a slippery slide, dropping you back out again, an alarm will sound and our Head of House, Professor Pomona Sprout, will come running.
"Professor Sprout is generally a very placid lady... until a boy tries to get up those stairs. Then, boys, it would suck to be you." And smiled.
"You need to be early in the Great Hall for breakfast as you need to have eaten before the class timetables are handed out. About that time, owl mail is also delivered," said Robert. "Oh, yes; owl mail is only delivered once per day and it is always as breakfast concludes. If you are not down in time and you are expecting a parcel or package, you'll have to wait until the next day to receive it.
"Don't worry too much about it for the first couple of weeks," said Jemima. "A senior will always come into your dorms and wake you to make sure you're up in time."
Robert, they later found out his name was Robert Hawking, turned to Jemima (Marchbanks) and asked, "Is that it? We've covered all the important parts?"
"Other than showing them to their dorms... yes," she replied.
Turning back to the first years she said, "Ladies, if you would follow me, please."
"And, gentlemen," said Hawking, smoothly adding on, "If you would follow me."
Harry discovered that the commonroom was only a very small percentage of the whole Hufflepuff 'Badger Cete'. Down the boys' stairs they discovered a long hallway with many doors leading off it. Each dormitory off the Hallway used wizarding expansion charms within to make them much bigger than the spacing of the doors would otherwise indicate.
He also discovered, of the first year boys, they were paired to a room, except him. He was the 'lucky' one to have a room to himself. Neville was in a room with a boy named Ernie MacMillan; and the other two boys, Justin Finch-Fletchley and Wayne Hopkins, also shared a room.
Harry was suspicious it was the castle's house elves that chose him to have the single room of the five. He found out much later he was right and that he missed that he was the fifth if the names were listed alphabetically. The house elves had, though, originally put his effects in the owner's suites. It was while they were enjoying dinner that the Hat communicated with the elves to move him, Harry, into the Badger Cete. And it was the house elves who also set up the roost for Fawkes and turned his single window for his room into an 'owl' window, just in case Fawkes chose to fly in or out rather than flame in or out.
MacMillan saw it and exclaimed, "Hey, how is it Potter rates a private room?"
Hawking replied, "There are five of you. There is two to a room, no more. Do the math."
"But, why Potter?" he demanded. "I'm the Heir of an important House, too!"
Harry sighed, stepped towards MacMillan and raised his right hand vertically, palm in. "Mister MacMillan. While you are the Heir of an important House. Take a look at my ring... or, should I say... rings. I'll also remind you that, while I am legally considered only an Heir, I'm actually the Head of House... Houses."
MacMillan took one look, blanched and stuttered, "Errr... S-sorry. Yes. I see. M-my apologies." And quickly entered his assigned room.
Neville snickered while the other two looked slightly confused.
"While you might be the Heir or even Head of a House or Houses, Mister Potter," said Hawking. "That is irrelevant in Hufflepuff."
"I know," said Harry, turning to him. "But Mister MacMillan needed a slap-down. And I was obviously the one who had to give it to him."
"I'll have words with him about his behaviour," smirked Hawking. "That's why I'm a Prefect."
When Harry entered his room, it was to find Fawkes had already made himself at home. He had a comfortable roost, a tray under him to catch the ash when he had his burning days, a side tray of water on one side and a tray of dried chilli and peppers on the other, his preferred snack food.
Harry also found his things had been unpacked and the elves had done their best to set things up for him.
Harry found out from Neville the next morning that Hawking was as good as his word and gave MacMillan a telling-off. And then reminded MacMillan that Neville, his dorm mate, was also an Heir of 'an important House'.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
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The next morning Harry was already up and out of bed when Hawking came past and made sure he was awake. "Good," he'd said. "You had a shower, too, right?"
"Yes," replied Harry. "Thank you for checking."
Hawking gave a nod and said, "Common room in fifteen minutes." Then pulled his head out and walked on. Harry and Neville both were there in five.
They were glad, too, as so were Hannah and Susan.
As soon as the girls saw them they practically forced them both into chairs and, moving to behind them, started working on their hair. Harry had forgotten all about it until the last minute and had both his brush and one of his grey silk ribbons in his school satchel. Neville, apparently, was the same. But, he'd pre-prepared while Harry... not so much.
A couple of minutes later and Susan was finishing up tying Harry's Hair ribbon at the base of his neck as Hannah did the same with Neville's.
"Can anyone get in on this?" asked one of the male upper years.
"If you bring down your ribbon and hair brush and we've got time, why not?" replied Susan.
That had a couple of the other girls confessing they'd be willing to do it too.
One of the seniors muttered, "Why didn't we think of this before? This is a great idea."
When the rest of the first years all began to gather in the common room there were lots of 'How'd you sleep?' 'Sleep well?' and even 'Aren't these beds comfortable?' That sort of thing.
Of the friends, Neville asked their two girls, "Who, on your side, got the single room?"
"Sally-Anne Perks," said Susan. Then she leaned in and quietly whispered, "She has a... prosthesis?... in place of her right lower leg and foot. It's this metal and plastic contraption. She had to have a special bathroom made for when she bathes."
"You wouldn't know it from the way she walks," whispered Hannah. "Mad-Eye Moody really hobbles."
"That's because the muggle world is a lot better at making such devices, Hannah," Harry quietly said. "Moody's leg would be what the muggles had back about a hundred and fifty years ago. The muggles have not stopped improving on that design. And they're not likely to stop for a long time to come."
"Hell, I've seen people on television run in races―" which as far as he got before he was interrupted by Jemima Marchbanks.
"We're all here," called Jemima, getting their attention. "Time to go and get breakfast. This time I want you all to try and remember the route we take back to the Great Hall. I know most of you were far too tired last night to try that then.
"Let's go!"
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
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As had been taught them, they arrived to have plenty of time to enjoy breakfast, then the Professors started handing out their timetables, then the owl mail all arrived in one big flock, parliament, of owls flying in from somewhere within the hidden ceiling.
"Oh dear," said Harry. Looking to Susan he said, "Weren't we supposed to send letters to Aunt Ami last night to let her know what Houses we were Sorted into?"
"No, silly," she replied. "Today. She knew we'd be too tired last night. But, that changed when she knew she'd be here this afternoon, remember?"
He nodded and said, "You're right. But, mind if I borrow Hedwig to send one to Sirius?"
She shrugged and replied, "No. Besides, she likes you and never minds the work."
Harry would never dream of using Fawkes as a 'mail owl'.
Though they did not know what classes they'd have on when yet, Harry had already loaded his school satchel with two bottles of ink, a case of quills and a small stack of parchment. He knew he'd need at least those.
He quickly pulled out ink, quill and parchment and dashed off a quick letter to Sirius letting him know he and the other three had all been Sorted into Hufflepuff. He also admitted they'd planned it that way so they could all stay together in one House.
However, he did not think it would come as much of a surprise to Sirius they all chose to go into the one House, at any rate.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After classes that afternoon, their first day of lessons, as told by the Headmistress the previous night they all immediately made their way to the Great Hall and sat at their House tables.
Present were Amelia Bones, in her role as Minister; her aide, Cynthia, now one of her two Undersecretaries; two Unspeakables with one of them with their hood flipped off, Saul Croaker; and a small contingent of media standing off to one side.
Standing on the floor almost hard up against the dais were four easels with what appeared to be paintings upon them. Each appeared identical in size and each was covered with a black cloth. Harry, Susan and Hannah all knew exactly what they were; the portraits of the four founders.
Standing between the two middle portraits was a small table with a few covered items upon them each covered with a 'doll-sized' black sheet of its own.
Once it looked like everyone had arrived, the Headmistress announced Aunt Ami as 'Minister Bones' and allowed the woman the floor.
Standing next to the table the Minister looked to the Headmistress and said, "I believe you and your staff should join your students, Headmistress. You're not going to want to miss any of this and you would not properly see if you all remain sitting up there."
So, for the first time in so long that nobody could even remember when, the staff all went and sat at the tables of the students. From a long ago established habit, Professor McGonagall went and sat at the Gryffindor table while the rest of the staff spread themselves out among the others in similar fashion.
Once they we're all seated, the Minister smiled and said, "A little over six weeks ago I met the most incredible person. I will not say who that was, as I believe I would immediately be thought as someone who was losing their mind and should be placed in the Saint Mungo's ward for the Mentally Enfeebled if I was to do so.
"However, during that meeting they provided me with a great deal of information.
"For example, they informed me of the location of certain historical artefacts long thought lost.
"First," she said before pulling one of the small sheets off one of the items on the table. Then she picked it up. "I have been informed and have had it confirmed that this is the Lost Diadem of Rowena Ravenclaw."
That had a great collective gasp rise from all those in the Hall; staff, students and visiting dignitaries alike. The photographers were taking photographs as fast as their hands could work.
As she then placed it back on the table she said, "I believe I should leave this here for now. I have more to unveil for you first."
Then she pulled another sheet away and picked the item underneath up by its chain and held it aloft. "This is the missing Locket of Salazaar Slytherin. Again, I've had it authenticated."
Yet another gasp from the audience and yet more photographs were taken.
Placing it back on the table she then flicked away the next sheet and picked the item up by one of its handles and held it, too, aloft. "And this is the Fabled Cup of Helga Hufflepuff."
That was also returned to the table after a delay for photographs.
"I know there are still other much-valued artefacts of the founders still missing," she calmly continued. "However, I know where another is at this moment and will have it brought here."
She held her off hand up, a la Dumbledore, and called, "Fawkes."
When the bird responded to her call and alighted on her arm, many were amazed. No one, but Harry and his family and friends, knew what had happened to the immortal bird after the death of Dumbledore. Even the other Hufflepuffs did not yet know Fawkes was now staying in Harry's private dormitory room.
She whispered something to the bird and it flamed away, a moment later and it was back with the Sorting Hat clutched in it's talons, dropping it into Bones's outstretched hands.
"Blasted bird!" the Hat grumbled aloud.
With a smirk, Bones then donned the Hat and seemed to have a short conversation with it mind to mind.
"I see!" said the Hat.
Bones then removed the Hat and held it with her off hand, but lying somewhat flat.
A moment later it seemed to twist itself almost into a knot in her hand.
Quickly, she reached into the hat with her right hand under the brim and, with almost a flourish, she pulled the hand under down and away to her right while pulling the upper hand with the Hat gripped up and away to the left.
As quick as that, Bones was holding the Sorting Hat in her left hand and a long sword in her right, gripped by the hilt.
She placed the Sorting Hat on the table and raised the longsword up so it laid flat on the palm of her now empty offhand and said, "The Long Lost Sword of Godric Gryffindor." And turned the sword over slightly so the people closest could just make out the name Gryffindor written down the blade in Olde English script. That, of course, was the staff.
By then the shock was so deep that only one or two people actually gasped again.
She then carefully laid the sword down on the table to join the other three important and historical artefacts, one each, of the four founders.
"Many books have been written about each of these items," she said. "Many thoughts have been spoken aloud about whatever became of them." She gestured to the table and said, "Now; here they are."
Again camera flashes were going off a mile a second. But, of course, Bones was not done yet.
Sudden applause started up, but Bones immediately raised her hand in a stop gesture. "Please wait. There is one more thing to do."
When she knew she was successful in halting the applause before it even properly started, she turned about to face the portraits, drew her wand and vanished the black sheets over the portraits. All four founders were awake and immediately grinned.
"Ladies and gentlemen," said Bones. "From your left to right, I present to you the authenticated portraits of... Salazaar Slytherin, Rowena Ravenclaw, Helga Hufflepuff and Godric Gryffindor!"
All four portraits laughed and gestured with waves to whoever they saw looking at them at the time.
Bedlam. If what then immediately transpired in the Great Hall after that could be referred to by a single word, it was 'Bedlam'. From a quiet susurration of gasps of shock, cries of disbelief and applause the noise quickly rose to a crescendo of loud applause, cheering and other yelling.
Bones just stood there with a wide grin, staring at Harry and the other three. The photographers then finally managed to break past the few aurors who'd managed to corral them until that point, closed in on Bones and were madly snapping away even more photographs. The sheer amount created an almost strobe like effect of lights and the air above them became so murky with purple smoke haze from the magical flash bulbs you couldn't even really see through it.
It took a good two minutes before the aurors were able to force them all back to the side of the room again.
Once they were back, Bones said, "I'll now take questions from anyone, but the media, at this time. That means especially staff and students of the school. The press can wait until later."
A seventh year Ravenclaw shot to his feet and asked, "Madam... sorry... Minister Bones!"
"Yes?" she asked and quickly added, "How about you introduce yourself, first."
"Sorry," he said. "Peter Martin. Seventh Year Prefect for Ravenclaw."
"Yes, Mister Martin?"
"As whoever it was who told you where to find all this allowed you to find it all, I think it's safe to say you could tell us who that was. I mean, it would have to be believable then, right?"
She smirked back, seemed to think about it for a moment before finally replying, "Sorry; no. If I was to tell you who that was, the very next set of questions would be related to how I managed to meet them. And that would place the security and privacy of a young and still living person at risk."
"So, it was a young seer?" he pressed.
She grinned and replied, "You can believe that." She never said it was true, but implying it was a seer who was responsible was a perfect cover for the truth.
She quickly glanced at Croaker, who was smirking. He gave a very slight head nod back, meaning he agreed with the idea.
A sixth year Slytherin, who had been beaten to his feet by the seventh year 'Claw by half a heart beat, called out, "Everett Bole. How do we know those are really the portraits of the founders?"
Salazaar laughed and said, "Because I told the Unspeakables how to find and get into what you modern folks call the Chamber of Secrets under the castle, Mister Bole. They'll be doing that over the next couple of days.
"However, no one else will be allowed in there until those experienced with dealing with such enter and deal with the basilisk I placed in there and under stasis.
"After that and with the permission of your Headmistress, I cannot see why a lucky few cannot be allowed to go inside and confirm its existence for everyone else."
That had the sixth year stumped for a disagreeing response, so he sat again.
"Who verified and authenticated those are really the artefacts of the founders on the table?" asked a sixth year 'Claw. "Oh, and I'm Darren Hilliard."
"The Unspeakables did, Mister Hilliard," she replied. "Except for the sword, which they'll authenticate once we finish here. However, as I drew it from the Sorting Hat, I cannot see it not being the real thing."
"It is," said the Hat, a touch firmly. "It's been inside me since Godric put it there himself; except on three occasions when I allowed it to be drawn in defence of the school. This time is the only time I've allowed it to be drawn when not in defence of the school."
There were a few more questions, but most just wanted to approach and look at the artefacts and portraits more closely.
With the aurors standing close watch, the students were allowed to approach in small groups.
Once everyone who wanted to get up close to see them for themselves had done so the artefacts were supposedly temporarily taken back to the Ministry by the Minister while the staff, with assistance by the Unspeakables, set up a physically and magically secure way to store them on display within the school.
In reality, the items were temporarily stored in a corner of the school's Trophy Room under a Fidelius charm.
As for the portraits, they immediately went up onto the wall in the Great Hall; exactly, they claimed, where they were when they were taken down by a Headmaster who did not like to hear them constantly complaining to him about how the school was being run. Even the mounts for the portraits were still there and could be seen if you knew where to look. The portraits were returned to their places and locked into place with house elf magic.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ