Title: Pianissimo of a Butterfly

Chapter: 7 – The Songs of Change

An aged woman sat in an office in Hogwarts. With a severe bun and a neutral yet still stern expression on her face, she wondered what was making the castle under her jurisdiction come alive. The castle's name was Hogwarts and she was the headmistress of the school that lay upon the majestic castle's grounds. Hogwarts have always been sentient given how much magic was given to her during her creation and subsequent passage of students through her halls and Professor Minerva McGonagall had felt the low hum of magic that was Hogwarts ever since she became the deputy Headmistress under Albus Dumbledore. But, recently, the low hum has turned into something else entirely; it was almost the castle itself was singing hymns. The activity of the castle seemed to increase as well, with the elves seeming almost frantic with doing their job and the ghosts seemed more expectant. She had asked the sorting hat on what was happening with Hogwarts for the sorting hat had always been able to communicate with Hogwarts.

"The workings of magic are mysterious and unknown even to the founders. The strength of the founders were known to so many, that all in the present still marvel over the things they can accomplish yet none have uncovered the depths which they are able to bend reality nor did any have come close. Had Albus' judgement not become clouded, or had Tom's mind not deteriorated, they might've been able to match or even surpass the magic accomplished by the four creators of Hogwarts. Hogwarts… she is preparing herself for a very important family member to walk through these halls once again. It is a very important time for us all I would expect."

She had pondered on who the important guest for the next several days when to her utmost surprise, her divination teacher entered the Headmistress office unexpectedly.

"He's here Minerva, we should be there at the front entrance."

"Who is here Luna?"

"Why, Hogwarts family member of course, I assumed the sorting hat had told you that Hogwarts had been preparing. I thought he would've come sooner of course but I suppose that some things needed to be hashed out. After all, he wouldn't stand by the little narglet's suffering."

With that said, Luna skipped out of the headmistress office towards the Hogwarts entrance.


Harry walked up the path towards the grand castle that was his home. A home he had left in his hurt. As he neared the entrance to Hogwarts, he saw a petite blonde young woman at the door along with an aged woman who had a pinched expression.

"Professor McGonagall, Professor Lovegood. It is nice to meet you again after so long." He greeted as he came up the steps.

"Mister Potter? Why… it has been years since anyone has seen nor heard of you. I am, welcome back mister Potter but I have to ask why you are here? And where have you been all these years?"

"Welcome back Harry, it's nice to see that you are more…whole. The House of Ravenclaw will back you in your endeavours. Perhaps, the voice of a lion would be loud enough."

"Perhaps it is better to adjourn this to your office professor McGonagall, it is a bit of a long story after all."

"Of course, of course, come along. I suppose you do remember the way."

"I wouldn't be able to forget even if I tried."

Once all three had entered the headmistress office, they sat down to begin the conversation that was needed to be had.

"Mister Potter, if you could start from the beginning." Professor McGonagall said. And so Harry told her where he was all these time, especially during his absence from pretty much all those who knew him personally.

"Most importantly, I am here because my son doesn't wish to be in Hogwarts. Whilst I should've taken up the mantle that I had inherited or otherwise attained, I was too hurt to do my job properly but now… now my son is unhappy, I simply cannot have that. Not when I can do something to change it. And Hogwarts is the start of it all."

"How do you expect to change Hogwarts? Sentient as she may be, even I couldn't change many things, not to mention the ministry wouldn't allow such drastic changes."

The sorting hat laughed over what professor McGonagall had mentioned, "Of course you can't change many things, she's not yours to change. Had she deemed the change worthy, she would've allowed you to otherwise, you would have to force her to make the change and she wouldn't be happy with that. Why did you think the atmosphere was so dark and heavy when Albus was headmaster? It wasn't due to the rising of the dark lords, it was Albus himself that made Hogwarts angry and she can hold a very long grudge. And the ministry has no jurisdiction over Hogwarts, Hogwarts has and always be a privately owned land dating back to before the ministry was even built. They can't touch Hogwarts even with their current laws, not only would magic not allow it as Hogwarts is older, it is also against the charter of Hogwarts to allow the ministry to interfere with the workings of Hogwarts, a charter that has been breached multiple times."

"Then…? As far as I know, the Potter family might be a descendant of Gryffindor but it was never confirmed."

"The Potter family actually is a descendant of Gryffindor but not a direct descendant. The direct descendant lied upon my mother from her squib grandfather. From her, I attained the Gryffindor lordship and from Voldemort through the rights of conquest, I attained the Slytherin lordship."

"And, the Lovegoods are the direct descendants of Ravenclaw. We have seen the path of the Lion's and the Serpent's heir and so we throw our support behind the heir for our voice wouldn't be heard even with many warnings through the generation. Many forget that Ravenclaw herself was never really focused on this world….there are so many more things to see after all."

"As lords of Slytherin and Gryffindor, I find Hogwarts to be currently unacceptable in the care and education of young children of magic. This, backed by the House of Ravenclaw, I call upon the great mother to aid me, in unravelling the treachery made by wizards and witches who have forgotten balance. I will act as inspector, judge, jury and executioner as was my ancestors' duty. So mote it be and so shall it will."

Professor McGonagall just looked on, flabbergasted by the turn of events.

"Hogwarts welcome back the young master home as well as the lost guardians of Hogwarts." The Sorting Hat said as a black phoenix burst into the headmistress' office and Fawkes, whom was thought to have disappeared with Albus' death and to be his phoenix when it was actually Hogwarts' guardian also burst into the office singing a joyful tune. And with a burst of magic, Hogwarts seemed to have brightened up somehow and the atmosphere changed to being lighter, more comforting, more accepting and safer…so much more than the inhabitants had felt in more than a century.

A/N: Okay, next chapter is when Viktor, Hermione and Harry will meet, that's going to be fun.