Hey everyone,
I'll be honest with you all, I had NO idea how to start this chapter. Luckily, I suddenly remembered a few small plotpoints I had forgotten about and they gave me the inspiration that solved my issue. Also, who here has already seen the Season 8 Finale? I actually haven't upon the point of writing this, Thursday the 18th, so yeah.
I'm anxious,

Venquine1990
PS. This story is inspired by the works of DisneyFanatic2364. Check out their works, both fanfiction and Youtube.

Chapter 20
Old Friends And New

5th of November 1994
Entrance Courtyard, Hogwarts
Discord's POV

Seeing all of these ponies actually sparks a memory and I look up, scouring the air for a spot of white. "What's up, Discord?" Applebloom asks and I answer: "I had written some letters to the people I became friends with after I took over James' life. I'm waiting for their reply." This confuses the young mare and she asks:
"By looking into the sky? Why?" And I answer: "Because wizards use owls to deliver their mail. I used my son's to deliver mine. Though I must say it's quite disturbing that we haven't received an answer back yet." But at this Harry turns to me confused and asks: "Wait, you send Hedwig?" I nod at him and he says:
"But Hedwig was with me a few days ago. She keeps an eye on me these days because Pettigrew turned out to be Ronald's pet." This worries me and Fluttershy asks: "And she didn't have any letters on her?" Harry shakes his head and looks between us both, the concern I feel shown in his gorgeous green eyes that have hints of blue in them.
"Well, I can't see her just losing those letters somewhere and I doubt at least some of our friends would be upset enough not to write back, so that can only mean one thing." I growl and I snap my fingers. Instantly a trunk appears and it's stupidly, and annoyingly familiar too. And its owner is just as annoyingly stupid.

"HEY, THAT'S MINE, YOU FILTHY THIEF!" Ronald snaps, only to suddenly be face to face with every last one of our friends, who are all glaring back at him and Rainbow asks: "Who are you calling a thief? Care to look in a mirror when you say that?" And both Trixie, Starlight and Sunburst light up their horns, casting a spell.
One that actually makes a mirror appear right in front of the lad, startling him and shocking a few others at how it just appears out of nowhere. "Accuse our friends of your own crimes again and we might just smack you with this thing." Starlight then snaps, only for Minerva to step up and say: "That will not be necessary, Mss. Glimmer.
Though Mr. Weasley, you can consider yourself lucky. Lucky that you won't have to carry that heavy trunk of yours down so many stairs, but only the one leading to the Boat House. You better take those letters out and then take it down there, while I inform your mother that she will have to head for Platform 9 ¾ quarters."
The boy looks at her shocked, but the sight of the woman also sparked another memory with me, one that makes me look at Fluttershy. "I did, last night. That's why she's this way again. She realized her own mistakes and vowed to make up for them." My precious wife mutters and I smile at her, glad that's at least one task done.

I then look back at the trunk and snap my fingers again, causing for several long rolls of parchment to pop out and appear before it. "Well, isn't that kind of Lord Discord? He already did one of your tasks for you. Now get to it, Mr. Weasley. That trunk is not carrying itself out of Hogwarts." Minerva says, snapping at the end.
And while Ronald looks horrified at the fact that he is actually to leave Hogwarts and while lots of students are glaring at him in spite, hatred and disgust, does he follow orders. Yet just before he goes down, do I hear him mutter: "Filthy traitors. They'll pay. I'll make them all pay." And this makes me really want to snap my fingers again.
I refrain from this and just turn to pick up the letters before I ask: "Headmaster, would you mind if I take my friends and family for a celebratory dinner back in our chambers? We'll be sure to join you for breakfast come tomorrow." The man smiles and says: "Not in the slightest, Lord Discord. I wish you a hardy meal and a restful night."

I nod at the man and then motion the ponies that have come to surround us to follow me. Starlight's horn lights up again as she looks at the mirror and with another poof and a bit of smoke, does it vanish from sight. We then head inside and when the others see the Grand Staircase, Scootaloo is the first to get over her shock and she says:
"Are we at Hogwarts – or a tamer version of Discord's Castle?" Making me laugh as I say: "That's why I had so much fun while here. Now come on, it's quite a bit to go to the Fat Lady, the portrait that guards Gryffindor Tower." And all throughout our trek up the many stairs, do I explain the entire history behind Hogwarts.
I make sure to use the version that is now known thanks to Starswirl and especially the new colt named Stygian is quite intrigued by this, even so much that he almost falls down from one of the staircases moving away as he walks. Yet Luna is the one to catch him and only then do I realize that she's still here.

"Eeeeh, Lulu?" I ask, using a petname I know she secretly likes, even if she fakes to bristle every time I do and the mare repeats this act before she says: "My sister is doing my duty. I was going to object, but she reminded me of a job I have that is over here and deserves just as much of my time." After which she smiles at Harry.
The colt looks shocked, but then smiles and then Luna says: "You are one handsome little buck, Harry. And the fact that you already have one of your Cutie marks makes me very, very proud." I can't help myself and look at the Crusaders, snickering at the looks of fake envy that fly over their faces for only the shortest of seconds.
I then explain the rest of Hogwarts' history and finish with the words: "So yeah, that's all we know." And Harry goes on: "And thanks to Starswirl showing us the truth, the rivalry between Gryffindor and Slytherin has been greatly reduced. Malfoy and a few others are still trying to keep it alive, but they are really few and far between.
Most Gryffindors feel bad for accusing Salazar Slytherin of being all kinds of evil over the years and centuries when it really was Goderic Gryffindor and most Slytherins now want to be ambitious in all the right ways, in order to honor their Head of House and Founder. And surprisingly enough, even Snape has become a lot nicer."

This does really surprise me as I had expected Snape to keep being nasty over the fact that his rival came from the House that killed his own House's Founder, but then I spot it. Just like the Crusaders had looks of fake jealousy flit across their muzzles, does a look of satisfaction flit across my precious wife's muzzle just as quick.
"She talked with more than just Minerva the other night. That devious little mare." I think as we reach the Fat Lady. The woman herself looks shocked, but then says: "Oh hoho, you must be the new arrivals. Come on in, come on in. Oh wait, can't forget my duties. Password?" And Harry gives it, making the portrait open.
"That – is so cool!" Trixie yelps and I just know that she's going to try and learn the secret behind this magic. I shake my head at her and then notice that Harry is looking up at the dorms in concern. I look at him confused and he mutters: "I wonder if Ron's bed is gone too. Do you think McGonagall expelled him or just suspended?"

"Probably expelled. Remember, he was already on probation for how badly he behaved the day we arrived here. I doubt we'll ever see him again." Rainbow says and Harry nods, yet I can easily see that new, confusing emotions have replaced the concern he felt. He guides us up and at the dorm we get evidence of Rainbow's words.
Where there have only been four beds for the last week, are there now only three, one on each side and on against the back wall. Harry's trunk has also been moved and now rests on the right of the door, which is stationed in such a way, the four actually make a perfect Plus symbol, with two windows on each side of each bed.
"This is how it should have been for Remus, Sirius and me." I think, still feeling a strong level of hatred for the rat that betrayed and destroyed the lives of many, especially my boy's. I feel a hoof on my claw and notice Fluttershy looking at me worriedly. "Later." I whisper at her, not willing to share this with the others just yet.

I then guide the whole group into the trunk and none of them even look up or down for this, proving that they are used to much crazier from me, something I take great pride and joy in. And the layout of the inside of the trunk only startles Luna, Stygian and Sunburst, but all three of them are calmed down by the others shortly after.
I then lie the letters down on the dinner table and snap my fingers again, information floating above the papers. "Good, it doesn't look as if these letters are all that old. Two days old at the longest. That means our friends won't think that we are ignoring their replies or something." I think to myself and then notice something.
While I had written Frank and while Fluttershy had written Alice, is there only a letter written in Augusta's handwriting among the pile and this really worries me. I pick it up, having also noticed that there are letters from Remus, Amelia, Sandra, Horace and Arcturus, but not from Petunia, Pettigrew or Marlene and I read.

Dear Lord Potter-Discord,
I very much appreciate your and your wife's effort to see things explained to my darling son and his wife. Now please allow me to return the favor.
It truly pains me to write this, but shortly after your son's survival of that monster and Pettigrew's betrayal, did another traitor – one of who we never found the identity, I hate to admit – betray my precious Frank. He and his wife were attacked by Bellatrix Lestrange and her family, as well as Barty Crouch Junior.
All four of them are serving life-time in Azkaban, but this justice came at a price. My sweet Frank and his wife are currently in St. Mungo's. They are diagnosed as insane and even after all these years are they completely irresponsive to anything. They don't even recognize Neville, who I have been caring for ever since.
Again, my appreciation for the explanation as well as my understanding as to why I heard this from the Prophet first. It truly is only understandable that, after thirteen years, you would want to spend eternity with your child. I admit that I would be equally guilty of this myself, if my Frank were ever to return to me. Whenever you wish me to come visit, just let me know.
Sincerely,

Augusta Longbottom

"Frank, Alice, I – I won't – I – I can't be-believe this. Those – those good for – good for nothing bastards! The Lestranges, huh? Well, I guess that they deserve a visit from the – YEEEOOOW!" This last bit I scream out, while the rest had been going through my mind and a strong sense of pain pushes away all my other emotions.
My rage, anger, disgust, disbelief, horror and emotional pain, the latter being replaced by physical as some kind of physical force launches itself at the end of my tail. I turn around and see that AJ has stepped on my tail again, just like she did when I got cold feet just before I married Fluttershy all those many years ago, at which I ask:

"What'd you do that for?" And yet it's Harry that answers: "You were completely unresponsive, dad. You were just – just looking at that letter and your – your eyes were turning into slits and – and you started bristling and huffing and – and it –." Yet he needs not say another word, which he doesn't as he looks down in silent fright.
I move over and wrap myself around his pony form just like I did around his human form when we reunited earlier last month. "I'm sorry, my little chaos spawn, but I wasn't mad at the letter or you. I got mad at those who caused the contents of said letter. I wrote Frank Longbottom earlier and it was his mother that wrote back."
"Neville's gran?" Harry asks and I nod, yet I notice that this confuses him. Realizing that Neville never confided the truth about the state of his parents to my son, do I decide to bring these two a little closer together, just like Alice and my Flutters wanted when she was pretended to be Lily and the two of them had their kids over.

"Go get him, son, and let him know what I did. About the letter I wrote and who send me a reply. He'll understand." My son nods, looking greatly curious and confused at the same time and I make sure to untangle myself from his form before he leaves back out of the trunk. As he does this, do I turn back to the letter, glaring at it.
"Discord, what does it say?" Fluttershy asks and I answer: "Wait until Harry gets back. I don't want to repeat myself, not about this." My wife nods and we all take our seats at the table, the others all leaving the seat on my left empty as they know that that is Harry's seat, as well as the one next to it so that Neville can have a seat.
"Shouldn't you read the other letters while you wait?" Starlight asks, but I shake my head and say: "I'd rather handle one friend at a time. There might be more bad news in the other letters. I don't think I can handle that, not right now." Starlight nods, but looks confused and I realize I never told her about the war that raged in this country.

Yet I don't get time for this either as Harry and Neville come back, Harry actually flying in and Neville sliding down the staircase. And just by the look on his face do I know I'm right; Neville does know what the letter contains and he feels very mixed about it. I motion the two for their seats and wait for them to sit down.
"Neville, I don't hate or distrust you for not telling my son about what happened to your parents, but – seeing how close you were growing up, before Fluttershy and I had to leave, do I still feel quite confused as to why you didn't. I do get why you didn't tell others, like your House Mates, but Harry confuses me." I gently tell him.
The boy sighs and says: "It really has two reasons, Lord Discord. One was Ronald. That stupid ass just couldn't ever keep his mouth shut or his opinion to himself. I knew that, if he were to share the tale, I would just get pitied left, right and center and I didn't want that. I felt it would disgrace what they did for me, how they fought for me.
The other is – well, with Harry growing up in the Muggle world, it put a real damper on the bond we apparently had as kids. And – I want you to know that – that this is the first time I even hear of that bond. My gran never said a word about that." This really annoys me, but I work my hardest not to let it be shown to those sharing the table with me.

"Dad, what happened? Neither you nor Neville are making any sense." Harry says and I notice a lot of those around me nodding in agreement. I look at Neville and he says: "The factors that kept my lips sealed are no longer valid, nor do they apply to you." And I nod at him, feeling a great sense of pride at how he worded that.
I then turn to my son and say: "Harry, the letter I just received was about Frank and Alice Longbottom, Neville's parents. They were, according to this letter, attacked by the Lestrange family and Barty Crouch Junior a few days after you survived that monster and that beast of a traitor. They're not dead, though, but – apparently insane."
Everyone looks at this shocked, Fluttershy tearing up in heartache as she hears this and I pull her out of her seat and into my lap, comforting her as I say: "I got angry, because it reminded me of how I felt back then. How I felt every time I had to see someone I cared for die. How helpless and powerless it made me feel.

Here I was, the Lord of Chaos, and, because my human form couldn't handle the full amount of the power I wanted to use to save those poor souls, I had to watch them suffer and die. If I didn't, if I wanted to save them, I would have to give up my human form and my disguise, but that would negate everything I was in hiding for.
If I did that, if I released myself from that form, I would be unable to help Fluttershy be the mother she deserved to be, not to mention it would put an even bigger target on her back than her human disguise status as a Muggleborn witch was already doing. I hated myself for years, but – choosing your mother over them – I'd never change that decision either."
Here I turn to Neville and say: "No matter how much it pained me to see all those friends of mine suffer." The boy looks at me and while I can easily see a strong desire to hate me for this, does the boy not seem able to give into this desire. This makes me blink back my own tears and I smile at him, before I start to laugh and say:

"Of course now that I am in my true form, those restrictions no longer count. I am back to being the Lord of Chaos and – well, all those who hurt me or took my friends from me – they are going to know that fact, upfront and very, very personal. And once the First Task is over and we have our many months of waiting for the Second – who knows.
I might just take a day off, leave Hogwarts for a bit and see what I can do about those who, while not killed, were hurt horribly by those bastards. And naturally, Neville, Frank and Alice, when that day comes, when December rolls around, will take priority." The boy looks shocked, but then sends me a grateful, teary smile.

Indeed, Discord,
Well, that happened. I'm personally not entirely sure if I want to expel Ron or just suspend him for a while – probably until after the Yule Ball or something – but I will leave that up to you. I might make a poll out of it, so make sure to check out my account as soon as you can. And I hope you all enjoyed the Guardian's Finale.
Next chapter: the ponies and the two Gryffindor students have dinner and various topics are addressed. Twilight's mistake of forgetting at what date to cast the spell, Harry's entrance into the Tournament and – wait, the Weighing of the Wands was postponed? Oh, okay, that happened. And it also means one thing.
Trouble,

Venquine1990
PS. This story is inspired by the works of DisneyFanatic2364. Check out their works, both fanfiction and Youtube.