Harry looked at the unlikely group sitting with him in the Gringotts conference room. "I really don't understand," he said quietly.
Hermione nodded and glanced at Pansy. "Okay, based on what we learned from Sirius' will, and from your parents' will, you never should have been put with the Dursleys. If, for some reason, Sirius couldn't take you in himself, then Neville's parents were next on the list, followed by some of their other friends, including Professor McGonagall, though I think it's safe to say she did not know or she never would've left you there, regardless of Dumbledore's orders," the brunette started.
"For some, as yet unknown, reason, I think we can safely say that Dumbledore had some purpose in keeping you away from the Wizarding World and from your true inheritance. It also sounds like he had some reason to keep you from learning how things are done, otherwise he should've sent one of the other teachers to tell you about things instead of Hagrid," Pansy said quietly.
Ginny nodded and glanced over at Draco. "Do you know the detection charm?" she asked. At his nod, she continued. "We think Harry's probably got a few on him. And maybe Snape as well. His reactions to Harry are far too extreme to be normal."
Draco nodded. "I'll cast it once we're back in McGonagall's office. Not worth the price of casting here in Gringotts. I'll hit Snape too, I think I can manage to get him away from all the portraits and such."
Ginny nodded. "Now, since we're somewhere completely secure, I have other things I should let you guys know, but I also know that Harry's shite at occlumency. Are their shields built into the rings for the houses?"
Harry looked puzzled but Draco nodded. "There should be. It's standard on most, and stronger when you get into the higher ranks."
"Good. Until just recently, I suspected Hermione knew this, but given that we're here, I think I can safely say she doesn't. Mum and Ron are up to something, for Dumbledore. I heard whispers about Amorentia, which I know Ron can't brew to save his life, but Mum's brewed potions before. She used them on Dad, according to one of her favorite stories."
"What was she going to do with Amorentia, Gin?" Nerissa asked, knowing that her friend was unusually nervous, despite appearing calm.
"I'm not certain, but I know Mom's fondest wish was for both Harry and Hermione to marry into the family. So I have to wonder if they were going to start dosing me along with the two of them. Ron's gotten it into his head that all the bickering you two do is a sure sign of love," she said, looking to Hermione, who looked ill.
"Does anyone else in your family know, Ginny?" Luna asked, somehow guessing Hermione needed that answer and knowing the other girl couldn't wrap her head around things yet.
"Not yet. I have a letter with the twins that if any of us start to do anything barmy, like Harry and I dating or Hermione snogging the idiot, they are to open immediately. It contains instructions to get Snape involved on countering any potions that may be in our systems." Her eyes flickered to Harry and she looked sad. "Not that you aren't a great guy, but you're a bit too high-maintenance for me, Harry. I love being your friend, but I don't have the patience to be anything more."
He nodded. "I understand, Ginny. Besides, you're kind of like my sister anyway, that would be gross. Not to mention the ick factor in dating a girl who looks so much like my Mum."
They all made faces at that before Griphook knocked and reentered the room. "My apologies, but you should get back to the school soon, unless you wish those who've helped you to be in trouble," the goblin said with far more courtesy than normal. But a number of large account holders who had shown no disrespect and instead had practiced every courtesy would garner better treatment than most.
Professor McGonagall was somewhat surprised to see them all come back through the Floo so calmly. "I take it the Family Business has been handled then?" she asked.
Harry nodded and handed her a copy of his parents' will. "I thought you might find this interesting," he said quietly.
The woman's eyes filled with tears as she read her own name listed as a possible guardian and then hardened when she saw who had witnessed it. "He knew?"
"It is our only conclusion," Hermione said. She handed over her own piece of parchment, listing the questions and conclusions they had drawn as McGonagall's face paled.
"You have raised a number of good questions, and I should apologize to all of you. I have failed each of you, though none so much as Mr. Potter," she said.
Draco glanced around, noticing the lack of portraits before casting the detection spell quite noticeably. Harry glowed, the Deputy Headmistress did as well, and even Hermione and Ginny appeared to be monitored. Professor McGonagall quickly removed all of the charms, a few muttered words of Gaelic slipping out as she did so.
"Right. Each of you need to learn how to detect and how to move these sorts of spells. I cannot teach you directly, but I'm certain some of you already know and can make sure the rest do, yes?"
Pansy and Blaise nodded. "We were taught the detection spell before our first year, Professor. And we've been removing them since third. We'll get everyone up to speed."
She nodded. "Anything else?"
"Can you call Professor Snape up, Professor? The question has been raised that he may be under some charms as well and I am quite concerned for my godfather," Draco asked. She nodded and reached for the Floo powder. A few moments later, Professor Snape was stepping through, the Slytherins and Ginny careful to stand in front of Harry and Hermione.
"Draco. Professor McGonagall says you are concerned there may be some charms on me? Despite my paranoia and habit of checking frequently?"
"Please, Uncle Severus, humor me?" the blonde asked, receiving a nod before he flicked his wand and cast the spell, surprised when it lit up. He wasn't the only one, as Snape looked shocked.
"Perhaps, Professor Snape, you should try casting your own detection spell as well," Ginny suggested. He nodded again and complied, silently. The teenagers were all more stunned when no spells were revealed, but Draco's re-cast had him once again showing the spells.
Professor McGonagall removed them briskly. "It appears, Severus, that a certain meddler, who is far more concerned with the Greater Good than with basic human decency, has managed to place spells that we cannot detect ourselves."
Black eyes flashed as Snape quickly got himself under control. "Yes, it would appear so. Perhaps we should discreetly check each other and the rest of staff when we can, away from any and all portraits or ghosts," he said. He spotted Harry behind his Slytherins and the other students and was puzzled at the lack of hatred filling his soul.
Ginny noticed the slight hint of confusion in his eyes and nodded slightly. "We suspect one of those charms was some sort of compulsion. He certainly couldn't give you any sorts of potions, you are far too alert for that."
"Then it appears I owe you an apology, Mr. Potter," Snape said quietly.
"No. The manipulative Goat-Lover does," Harry said, earning a slight smirk from Ginny and the others. "As far as I am concerned, Professor, today is the first we have truly met."
"Agreed. I think we shall spend some time in class on monitoring and tracking as well as transferring spells. It may prove useful," Snape said with a nod, not missing the smiles that slid across the faces of the Slytherin students, or even those on the three Gryffindors and the lone Ravenclaw.
