Chapter 10: Plots

*Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any characters therein

KinnatSeanach, a reviewer, asked me:

"I'm a little confused, is McGonagall allowed in the lions den or not because in this chapter she not because she lost the right but in chapter 1 she is welcoming the first year and putting the spell on them in the lions den? just wanted to point that out."

This was an added change when I revamped, so I may have missed the wording at one point to make this clear. McGonagall carries her crystal around with her always. During the Welcoming Feast, and the subsequent casting, the Gryffindors new and old have their drinks laced. After being on a train without liquid refreshment all day and with the crystals effects making them eat, drink and be merry during the feast, they have no choice but to drug themselves again. This lowers their ability to fight the crystal and it's owner, so they cannot keep McGonagall from casting it year after year. After that one day there is no reason for McGonagall to visit the Lion's Den as she gets cocky and her own crystal makes them want to go explore outside the Den anyway. (Even in Canon McGonagall was a rare sight inside the Den). I've added a lot of this below as well into the story.

The sound of a stomach growling interrupted the quiet contemplation of the two Slytherins. Lucius laughed which started Draco to stirring. They had talked through the afternoon, and it was near dinner time. Lucius and Severus both knew of one Little Dragon who would be grumpy until he had eaten. Severus grimaced, remembering some of Draco's better, or worst you might say, tantrums as a child. Harry stood with the two men, deciding that eating in the Great Hall and getting a visual on the Coot and the Cat for himself would be wise, though not as wise for the Malfoys.

"I need to check on things around the castle, and eat before any discussions resume. I know that it isn't safe for you until your ring is returned. I offer you the sanctuary of the Lion's Den, and a promise that you will not be disturbed." The men's look of surprise made Harry smile in a sly way. "The intent behind magic has a funny way of biting people in the ass sometimes. After spelling the common room as a dampener for her spell, basically a safety zone, McGonagall lost her access to the Den. The Fat Lady will not let her pass. While Dumbledore still holds the castle wards, it is only temporary. By this time next week we'll hopefully have a new prospect for Headmaster or Headmistress and we shall move forward from there."

With that Harry turned and led the men, Lucius holding the stirring Draco in his arms, to the common room once more. He pointed out rooms and hallways that led to guest quarters that they were more than welcome to. He led them down the hall to a guest room, a modest set with two bedrooms, one bath and a small sitting room with a table for dining set to the side. It was done in neutral colors, browns and greens, but Lucius felt welcomed in the rooms.

"Remus will have the rooms next to these," Harry said easily. "He can show you the door that you can use to reach this area from the main hall tomorrow. If you need anything at all call for Dobby, I think he'd be overjoyed to see you outside of your wife's sphere of influence."

The Great Hall was filled with chattering students, many of whom were sending wayward glances at the doors each time they opened, waiting for a tiny Draco to come in and put truth to the newest school rumor. Harry caught Hermione's eye at the Gryffindor table and nodded at her. He sat beside her, and tapped her forearm.

"All clear so far. Coot holed himself in his office, and Cat was in lessons until now. The castle apparently decided that a ward on the fireplaces needed strengthening because no floo call would connect, so the retrieval operation is unhampered. Cat is free now, so we need another watch after dinner. "

Harry nodded. "I leave that to you, Mya." She accepted with a smile, knowing that while they were the alphas of their Pride, they loved each other with a familial love. Sibling love, and nothing more. The trust between them was unparalleled, just as the trust within all the mission teams in the Pride were.

She patted his arm and filled a plate for him, nodding at Professor Snape as he stalked from the door to his seat. "Just eat, Harry. You need your strength, and it's been a long day. We'll probably be holding vigil until the boys return tonight, so we need to prepare."

He sighed and raised his head, eyes immediately meeting the deep wells that were the Potions Professor's gaze. He shivered at that contact, knowing that his earlier guess was true. It had to be. Severus Snape was his soul mate, and wasn't that just ironic. Harry laughed, but felt better about the situation now that he could act like himself. The dark-haired teen made sure to sweep his eyes up and down the table, reminding students to overdo their behavior, and keep the sleeves of their robes pulled down in order to continue keeping their freedom a secret from McGonagall a little longer.

"It is happening, Minerva."

"Happening? What is happening, Albus? You speak as if I can read your mind."

He glared at her. "Your Gryffindors are getting impudent. Mr. Potter and Mr. Longbottom both had the audacity to sass me today. Something must be done. You've gone soft on them. Have you even checked on your spell since you last cast it?"

It was Minerva's turn to glare, her Scottish brogue coming out to play in her anger. "Check my spell? What would I need to check it? It's been less than two weeks, Albus. Tha-

"Just check it, woman! Do you not see that they have tried to openly defy me? Me! I am Albus Dumbledore, Leader of the Light! They should have writhed in pain for daring to cross me, Minerva, and yet, that little shit Potter had the wherewithal to threaten me. How dare he?!"

Minerva paled at his words and pulled the orange crystal from her robe. She carried it with her always. As she gripped the gem, it was abundantly clear that something was desperately, horribly wrong. A crack, no more than a sliver, ran down the center of the timeworn and spell-worn gem that she had relied so heavily upon for years.

"NO!" She screeched aloud, realizing all of her efforts were for naught. For years Minerva had used the same crystal and the same spell. Every single time she cast the Moribus it was under the same conditions. As such, since the one crystal powering every spell had fallen, so had the spells. She had lost her literal and figurative sphere of influence.

For many wizards and witches it would be too little effort decades too late. The Gryffindor tendencies and stereotypes were too well set into their psyches, their lifestyles, and their thought patterns. But for others? For many like Remus and the twins this newfound freedom was being quietly celebrated. Toasts were made in ones and twos all across Wizarding Britain to some unknown being who had accomplished that which they were never able to do.

"I will not stand for this, Albus!" Minerva's were hard and glittered with devious plans, hatred lending a sibilant tone to her treachery. "Give me another crystal, a more powerful one this time—red! I will not settle for only controlling those simpleton Gryffindors this time. I want the castle, Albus. I will have my Army!"

So, if anyone was wondering about the crystal colors, no, they are not random.

First, the Orange crystal: "The strength of the red rays joined with the powerful fire of the gold rays give the orange crystals the powers to combine, integrate, and unite." Which was the original goal, to unite an army. In addition, "It also stimulates enthusiasm and creativity." Which was the orange crystal's downfall. The Lions found a loophole in the spell to protect Hogwarts' residents, which meant that the caster was enemy number one.

Now, the Red crystal: "It motivates...and is the color of fire and blood. It is emotionally intense and affects humans by raising their blood pressure and speeding up their metabolism. Red is a call to action, a battle cry...Red empowers...and engulfs." So, by McGonagall's thinking, red crystals will embody the traits she wants forced into all the students, and it was engulf them, overpowering their own wills.

A/N2: Keep the suggestions coming for the Dursleys. It's still a while away before their comeuppance.

Finally, A/N3:

For anyone confused:

1. This is an adopted plot. I adopted it from Tiger DeRanged over a year ago at 8 chapters written and one in the works. (Until chapter 13's end) Some parts of these chapters were hers, some mine. It's been so long I call them ours.

2. With the adoption came an understanding that her ships are my ships. So, this will have Snape/Harry, Remus/Lucius, Hermione/Ron, and Blaise/Neville for sure. If you do not like any of these ships, please do not leave reviews asking for something else, or complaining about them.

3. Any ships outside of that are mine, complain away, but if I state the couple as together explicitly consider it a done deal.

4. Everything from Chapter 14 on out is my plot/storytelling and it is going to get a little dark at times, but stick with me.

5. I have 40 something chapters currently written and will be doing my best to upload every other day or every 3 days. July will have fewer updates due to travel, but as of now we are good for a few months to come.

6. The FF version of this story is censored, the AO3 version is not. Enjoy :)

Edited: 9/27/15. I cut out the scene with Luna. It just occurred to me that it was on my revie list, but never got done. Sorry.