Chapter 9
Great Hall Monday May 4
Harry sat at the table his friends had claimed as their own eating breakfast. He was in a debate with Lisa Turpin, who had joined the group, when he noticed her robes starting to disappear. He had almost laughed at the expression on Theo's face. Theo was almost nude but luckily he likes to wear shorts under his robe. Blaise and Neville on the other hand were not so lucky. The girls were all mortify and ran out the hall screaming. Looking around the hall he could see that he and his friends were not the only ones affected, the Slytherins were all hit. Harry looked over to where the Weasley twins sat with their friend Lee Jordan and noticed their expression. They were rolling on the floor holding their sides laughing uproariously at those hit with the prank. He was angry that someone would do something so malicious to their fellow students as to make them expose them selves in front of so many people. He shot them a look that clearly said there would be hell to pay. He was about to leave the hall and check on his friends when only to be accosted Ronald Weasley.
"How did you like that Potter, my brothers are geniuses," he practically shouted to the hall gloating unaware of one Professor Severus Snape stand directly behind him. "They even let me help!"
"Well then Mr. Weasley you can join your brothers in the Headmaster office," snarled Snape. Harry had never seen him so angry, not even when he was blamed for changing the potions lab. Harry could practically see the steam pouring out the man's ears. "I think that will be fifty points from Gryffindor for every student maliciously affected by this prank so that will be 4500 points from the Lion House." He grabbed the horrified boy by the arm and led him to his brothers where he marched them out the hall. Harry quickly left the hall to go find Neville. Once he reached the tower Harry found Neville laying on his bed with the curtains closed. Harry could hear the boy crying.
"Hey Nev, it's going to b okay," he said in a soothing voice.
"That's easy for you to say, you weren't practically nude in front of the whole school!" came the anguished reply. "Why would they do something so cruel?"
"No I wasn't nude in front of the school, but you were not the only one and the Weasley's will get theirs. Don't worry, I'll make sure of it." Harry spoke with conviction. "If you want to stay here I'll get all your assignments?" he added after a moment's silence.
"Thanks Harry, but I think I'll go to class. I wouldn't be much of a Gryffindor if I hid in my room," Neville said opening his curtains with a small smile. Harry patted him on the back and they made their way to Herbology. Susan Bones and Hannah Abbott joined them and as they worked on pruning their plant, they plotted on how they were going to get revenge on the Weasleys and Lee Jordan, because they were sure he was in on the prank. Hannah and Susan had to endure the leering look sent at them by Zach Smith and other students on the way to class. In fact one Hufflepuff, whose name Harry neither knows nor wants to know, was currently on his way to the hospital wing after making a disparaging comment regarding what he wanted to do to one of the girls. Harry was sure he heard more then one bone break on impact after said boy collided with his fist.
They tired group made their way to the Great Hall, where they noticed a livid Professor Snape. Harry could even see the twitch in his eyes. Harry wondered if some poor sap blow up the potions room again. He shook his head in amusement and started enjoying his dinner of pepperoni, tomato and banana pepper pizza. He just sat listen to the conversations around him not wanting to join in, but paying attention all the same. He was about to make a comment to Draco when Dumbledore stood before the hall.
"I hope you have all had an enjoyable dinner, but I have a few announcements before you your common rooms." He said with the ever-present grandfatherly facade. "After consulting with the other professors it has been decided that there will be a competition for all students. We will be having a series of events in which students will be paired up and have to complete tasks. The winning team will receive tickets to the Quidditch World Cup being played later this summer. Now the teams will be posted after dinner in your house common rooms. All teams are final and can not be changed," he said glancing at where Harry and his friends sat. Harry was like everyone else in the hall excited about the idea of the competition, but was dreading that he was going to be paired up with Weasley. "Second announcement I have is regarding that prank from earlier today. I feel that the culprits of the prank were just trying to have a bit of harmless fun and will not be punished further."
"What do you mean won't be punished," exploded Draco from the table next to Harry's. He was tinged with anger. He was one of the students exposed left in nothing but is underwear. Other furious students joined him in his anger. "When my father…" he was interrupted by the Headmaster.
"Yes I understand some of you are upset but no one was harmed…" he was interrupted by more shouts of outrage.
"What do you define as harmful Headmaster?" spat Harry. "I would call students forced to expose themselves against their will harmful. I would call having students leering at you Harmful. If you are not going to punish them then we will." There were nods of accent through the hall as many students were thinking of how to make the Weasleys lives hell. Dumbledore did not like the looks he was seeing from the Slytherins and was more than a little scared of the looks sent his way by the Puffs. He quickly left the hall to find the Weasleys and set some form of protection for them. He found his way block by the time he got to the door. Standing there in all their Pureblood glory was the Hogwarts Board of Governors including Lucius Malfoy, Amelia Bones, Sirius Black and Augusta Longbottom. All of them wore looks of outrage.
"Dumbledore what kind of school are you running that allows students to play such a malicious prank and escape punishment," shouted Madam Longbottom. Amelia Bones contacted her about the prank and those affected. She couldn't protect her son and his wife but she would not allow harm to come to her grandson if she could help it. She would never forgive Dumbledore for what happened to her son. They were safe where they were and the moment they came out of hiding the day after the Potters were attacked they were driven insane by the Dark Lords followers.
"I demand to see those responsible be brought before the Board immediately!" shouted Lucius Malfoy. He heard on the way that the Weasleys were responsible for the prank and was always happy to get the better of the family he hated more than anyone. "I if the staff will not punish them then we will."
"They were already punished by Professor Snape with detention and a loss of points" said Dumbledore in hopes of sparing the Weasleys from any punishments the Board will come up with.
"Yes we are aware of their punishment Headmaster," sneered Sirius. He looked as if he were channeling Snape. "We all know what kind of punishment the staff can hand out without the Headmaster's permission. We feel that they need further punishment. Now go get them Headmaster," he ordered. He was well aware that Harry would seek vengeance on behalf of his friends but he felt he could by his godson some time to plan something truly marauder worthy.
"I am the Headmaster of this school and the students punishment rest with me!" Dumbledore exclaimed.
"Except if the Headmaster fails to properly punish the students," said Madam Bones.
"I shall go fetch them," spoke Professor McGonagall. She could feel the tension in the room. She knew where Dumbledore was keeping them. On her way out she sent Percy to fetch their parents. They needed to be present for this. Twenty minutes later all parties were present and the proceedings were started.
"Fredrick Weasley, George Weasley, and Ronald Weasley, you three have been bought before the Hogwarts Board of Governors to discover the involvement of all parties involved in this tasteless prank," spoke Lord Boot. "You three are in serious trouble and will be swearing an oath to tell the truth."
"You can't do that," shrieked Molly Weasley. " My boys are good boys and did nothing wrong. I'm positive that they had nothing to do with this prank and it's just some slimy snake trying to get my boys in trouble.
"Mrs. Weasley, your youngest son admitted their involvement to the whole school," sneered Snape.
"I refuse to allow them to swear an oath that could damage their magic," shout the banshee.
"Mrs. Weasley either they swear the oath, or with your permission they can take a dose of Vertaserum," spoke Lord Zabini.
"And if I refuse to allow that to happen?" spoke Arthur Weasley.
"Then you can start looking for a new way to educate your children!" spoke Madam Bones.
"Fine you can give them the Truth Potion," accented Arthur,
"Arthur no what are you doing?" wailed Molly"
"Molly as Head of House my decision is final."
"Ronald you'll go first," spoke Lord Boot.
"What is your name?"
"Ronald Billus Weasley"
"Who was in on the prank?"
"I do not know"
"Who planed the prank"
"Fred and George,"
"Who helped set it up"
"Lee Jordan and Ginny"
"Why"
"To get back at Potter and his friends for hexing us and dishonoring the Marauders"
"How did Harry Potter dishonor the Marauders?" asked Sirius.
"He sided with the other houses instead of his own he needed to be taught a lesson. Plus he wouldn't be our friends like the Headmaster wanted" Ron said smugly.
"Why did the Headmaster want you to be friends with Potter?" asked Lord Malfoy.
"He want him to have proper friends so we can lead him to the light side.
"How was making students nude going to teach him a lesson.
"It was only suppose to be him and the snakes but he moves tables so much that we didn't know where he was sitting so we had to put it in all the cups at the tables he sits at."
The Board questioned Fred, George, Ginny and Lee Jordan about their intent with the prank. They found out the Headmaster promised that they would get no further punishment. Also that he promised Ginny that he would put a word in with Harry to see if he would include with his friends and maybe date her. The board decided to suspend Ron, Fred, and George for one month. If the Weasley Twins do not pass five O.W.L.S. they would repeat their fifth year. Ron's grades were so bad they didn't know how he was still at Hogwarts. When he returned from his suspension she would be with the Second years. Lee Jordan and Ginny would spend month in detention for helping to carry out the prank and loss Gryffindor another two hundred points. It was safe to say that Gryffindor was out of the running for the house cup. Harry and his friend were satisfied with the punishment but were still going to plan a prank to get those five back. Harry made his way back to the common room with the rest of the house. He was interested in what the competition would entail and who he would be on a team with.
Team One. Percy Weasley, Roger Davis, Cedric Diggory, Harry Potter, Ginny Weasley, Susan Bones, Cho Chang, Romalia Vance, Penelope Clearwater, Amanda Wood, Erine McMillian. Harry stopped reading the board after he learned his team names. It didn't escape his notice that all his team members were part of families with some loyalties to Dumbledore. He wasn't happy that Ginny was on the same team and vowed to avoid her like the plague. On his way up to his room he passed Percy who said the team would be meeting sometime tomorrow to come up with a strategy for the games. He got to his room and saw a note sitting on his bed.
HarryWe need to meet tomorrow night. I have valuable information that you need to know.
Meet me on the Astronomy Tower at 2 am
Your Ally
Dark Raven
Harry was excited that he would finally meet the mysterious Dark Raven. He quickly got ready for bed but tossed and turned the whole night. It was four am when he finally got to sleep only to be woken up two hours later for his morning work out. He though about skipping it but he never knew if Logan would turn up. He was in luck no Logan but he did get Tony Stark. Tony waited till Harry was finished with his run to make his presence known. Harry was rounding the corner for his last turn around the lake when he was tackled from behind. Harry was able to use Tony's momentum and turn it into a roll. He hit his attacker with an elbow to the gut and then hit a leg sweep. He turned the man over and put him into a sharp shooter. His attacker was somehow able to counter it and Harry wound up on his back looking up into the smiling face of his mentor Tony Stark.
"Tony what are you doing here?" Harry asked excited and a little confused.
"I was meeting with the Queen and Prime Minister and thought I stop by and see you. By the way president Bartlett sends his regards and says that they training program should be set up for the summer when school lets out. So how is school going kiddo?" He said ruffling the young mans hair.
"Not bad. The Weasleys have been suspended for a month so it should be quite for a while. Plus there is some kind of competition going on for the end of the year," Harry said excitedly. All Tony could do is laugh.
"I also came to bring you your portfolio. It's a smaller one compared to your normal one. This only has some of you investments so you can get a feel for what you own. This is just what's in the mundane world though. I don't know how to get your holdings in the Wizarding world."
"Don't worry about that Sirius said he would get it for me before we head to the States. So what's going on with everyone." Harry and Tony spent the rest of the morning catching up. Harry swore when he heard a bell ring in the distance announcing there was ten minutes till classes started. He quickly said goodbye to Tony and transformed into an eagle and flew to Gryffindor tower. His window was closed but he noticed that the second years had left theirs opened. He transformed his clothes into his uniform and grabbed his bag and dashed to class. He was five minutes late. The rest of the day past slowly even his tutoring sections with his teachers. McGonagall was surprised when he was able to turn into a dire wolf during his Animagus lessons. He was large coming to her waist. He had ebony fur like his hair and no identifying features. The time for his meeting was here and he calmly made his way through the dark halls to the astronomy tower. When He arrived he noticed a figure wearing dark robes stand with his back to Harry.
"Dark Raven?" Harry asked. He could see the figure nod.
"I'm glad you could make it Harry we have much to discuses." Harry was starting to get a bad feeling that he should know that voice. Its identity was at the tip of his tongue when Dark Raven turned around.
"You but how, why?" Harry was really confused because standing before him was not Professor Snape like he assumed but Dumbledore
"Come now my boy. I had to keep you informed. I mean how else did you expect to get into the castle and get your friend. I was hoping that by informing you of the events happening at school you would feel it was your duty to come."
"But all the advance spell books?"
"I had to make sure you would be ready to face your destiny when the time came. I told you when we last met that I wanted to train you and prepare you for what was to come. Granted I went about the wrong way in doing so by placing with your relatives but we don't have to worry about that anymore."
"Why set me up with the Weasleys?"
"I had to make sure you were on the light side. I didn't know what those people were teaching you and I need to know incase I had to change your views. Yesterday you showed that you were willing to stand up for the innocents. You showed that you were ready for what I have to teach you."
"What makes you think I need your help?"
"Come dear boy, you need my help as much as I need you to help bring about my vision for a stronger wizarding world."
"How am I suppose to help you with that?"
"By defeating Lord Voldemort and leading our world to an new age. Harry I am but an old man. I know I will not live to see a new age. I need to teach you to be a leader. I want you to become my apprentice so I can pass my knowledge to you."
Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing. Here was a man who tried to manipulate him into a pawn by leaving him in an abusive home, and kidnapped his big brother. He was also the man that helped him learn advance spells and knowledge. He wanted Harry to trust him. How could he expect that to happen after everything the old man's done. He needed more information. "What does this apprenticeship entail?
"I will teach you more advance spells an knowledge, much of it forgotten over time. I will set you up with Professors McGonagall and Flitwick to learn their crafts as well as a couple of old friends of mine Nicolas Flamel and Alastor Moody. They are great at their crafts.
"What about my other powers, I am still learning to control them."
"Yes, I believe you know of a group by the name of Excalibur," he grinned when the young boy nodded. They will be willing to help you develop your powers."
Harry had met the team a few times when he was in town with the X-Men. He liked them well enough but they were not his team. He still wanted to know what was with the secrecy. Why pretend to be someone else?
"Would you have trusted me if I signed my name to the letters?" Harry would not have.
"You could have called me to your office and kept the fact that you were Dark Rave to your self."
"Yes but you would have been hostile and I had to meet you while you had an open mind."
"I don't know if I can trust you enough to let you teach me. I mean last time you swore an oath that had so many holes in it, it would not have been worth the breath used to swear it. I need some time to discussed it with some people. You'll have my answer by the end of the term. Good night Headmaster."
"Goodnight Mr. Potter."
A/N: Sorry for the extremely long delay in getting you this chapter. I had extreme writers block as well to moving to Pittsburgh, Pa USA. I will try to get more regular updates out to you and I hope you enjoyed the twist. Dumbledore who would have thought that one.