Chapter 20 – – Lady Hogwarts has a word
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"You have to excuse me Alastor but Fawkes has asked me to put on the sorting hat."
As I donned the sorting hat I had a bit of a flashback to my original sorting.
"My Lord Gryffindor I your humble servant have been asked by Lady Hogwarts to act as a medium between both of your thoughts."
"I assume the Lady Hogwarts has a message for me?"
"We both find this difficult to explain but when you first came to Hogwarts I found myself having the same reaction as with other descendants of the Founders. Since many descendents, however remotely related to the Founders, have come through Hogwarts we never attempt to communicate. We just continue being what we have always been, I being the sorting hat and Lady Hogwarts ensuring the castle is protected from outside forces. In all honesty both jobs are quite boring after so many centuries. Mostly every witch or wizard is related to or a descendant of one of the Founders."
"So something's happened to change this passiveness?"
"Indeed, Lady Hogwarts can be described as being at her wits end when she found you were 'The' recognized heir of Gryffindor's and she cannot communicate with you. Many things over the centuries have transpired that were not acceptable but now there are things that are being amassed on one of the Founders recognized heir, this cannot be tolerated by the castle."
"I assume you're referring to me as one of the recognized Founder's heir?"
"Indeed, we find it difficult to explain all the plots, plans, skulduggery and threats aimed upon your person my Lord."
"So I assume you have plans to change all of this?"
"Absolutely, upon your arrival back at Hogwarts on the first of September the wards will be transferred to you and you will be able to talk with Lady Hogwarts directly. You'll receive your proper status and your proper quarters. Right now we beseech you to return to Hogwarts on the first of September as our ability to converse with you right now is extremely limited. Lady Hogwarts will ensure you and your ladies will remain safe within the walls of the school."
About then the sorting hat went silent and I lifted off my head. It was obvious that the hat was talking around some problems rather than just saying, "here's what's they're going to do next", whoever they are.
"Well Fawkes you seem to be in the middle of all this what do you recommend?" I said aloud to the room.
In my head I received, "Hatchling return on the 1st of September as a beginning to begin the beginning." Fawkes just flamed away.
I thought it didn't make a lot of sense but who was I to argue with an ancient bird and an ancient castle who talk through an ancient hat about the future?" I turned to Alastor and asked...
"Alastor your retired, how would you like to work for me as a bodyguard but when we get to Hogwarts I would like to establish you as the DADA Professor if I'm able to convince the powers that be that I am now the power."
To my surprise Alastor Mad-Eye Moody agreed.
/Scene Break/
Summer raged on and so did Quidditch. The National English team was undefeated come the end of the season. The playoffs actually were a joke and even Bulgaria and their super seeker got squashed at the World Cup. I enjoyed tremendously my personal bodyguard, Mad-Eye, as he interacted with all the raging fans who just had to lay their hands on the super Quidditch star. Mad-Eye even got to break up Dumbledore's kidnapping attempt from under his invisibility cloak. It wasn't that we didn't know they were going too grab me on the way to the stadium the day of the match but Mad-Eye was having too much fun. Mad-Eye made a portkey to a broom closet in the stadium and hid out where he could watch the area with his magical eye. When the Dumbdumb's little group approached under invisibility cloaks, a sharp whistle was heard and Harry Potter disappeared.
/Scene Break/
"Harry just what are we going to be doing there at Hogwarts?" Susan asked.
"I agree we've been studying under tutors for the last couple of months and its been the best training I've ever recieved. So are we supposed to go back to classroom type studying?" Daphne grumbled.
"Well I think it will be just great to get the opinion of other people on the different concepts of how to do things." Hermione gushed.
"Look my ladies I have no idea what's going on, but if we don't fit in or it's not working we will just leave Hogwarts."
/Scene Break/
Overall I must be masochistic as Daphne and I continued to attend the Order of the Phoenix meetings. We of course reported, that under our constant surveillance, that Harry Potter had not been anywhere close to Privet Drive and of course we hadn't. Our second most masochistic activity was to head to Diagon alley on the heaviest day of shopping for Hogwarts. Parents and students were cramming the street while Alastor Moody constantly grumbled under his invisibility cloak that our glamour charms weren't good enough.
Luckily our robes were maintained or purchased by our house elves but that did not stop Hermione trying to find a book that wasn't in our library or on the mandatory shopping list for Hogwarts. We just settled down at the ice cream shop when the arriving Death Eaters committed a capital offense, they interrupted our time eating ice cream.
My staff let loose a stunner down the street. Shields collapse as did the Death Eaters as well as all the other shoppers and students in the street. I hurried down the street putting the Goblin explosive devices on as many death eaters as I could before they disappeared.
My wives and I hurried to the Leakey Cauldron before Dumbledore and the Aurors could arrive. We transfigured our clothes into Muggle attire and headed to downtown London. It always was a break when we could get some fast food. Normally the elves cooked and took care of our every need but there was nothing like a McDonald's hamburger or some hot and sour soup before some sweet and sour chicken.
Meanwhile in Little Hangleton a greenish figure leapt out on its bat wings from a house's second story window moments before the entire building exploded.
/Scene break/
"You don't feels odd being on the Hogwarts express and heading to school again." Susan mused.
"I wonder how many of our old friends will still wanted to be friends with us?" Hermione wistfully asked while not noticing everyone looking at her for asking that question.
"Dam Daphne don't you ever get enough?" Hermione asked as she was referring to Daphne snuggling in my lap while snogging me seriously cross-eyed.
About that time the door slid open and Neville Longbottom stuck his head in and asked, "Mind if some old acquaintances join you? We heard you all were on the train." Neville had his arm around Lovegood's waist but from the look in her eyes she looked like she might be on another planet, but that was normal for Luna.
"Not all Neville, pull up a bench and have a seat. You can fill us in on what has been going on in Hogwarts since we've been gone." Hermione stated.
"Things are about the same except for the Slytherins, they been quite aggressive since you said that Voldemort was back."
"How so Neville?" I inquired.
"Just more aggressive and the professors seem to ignore their mayhem as always."
"We just had to see what we can do about that Neville." I chuckled.
The conversation was off in all kinds of different directions. The exception was Daphne which had attached her lips to mine making any conversation from me a bit difficult. The conversations seemed to have a life of its own but suddenly stopped when Luna utter her first words since entering the compartment, "Here comes Drak-poo."
A few seconds later there was Draco Malfoy in his big as life arrogant self with gel cream additive, he slammed the sliding door open and sneered at the compartment. "Well, well if it isn't potty and his whores..."
Maybe I should have sent an Owl to Draco warning him that my wives have been training but then again why waste my Owls time on the illiterate and stupid. Draco got hit with a couple of curses or maybe they were charms. Anyway, Draco was now firmly attached to the far wall of the corridor and no longer had a mouth. That accounted for two curses or charms but all three ladies had cast at least one spell so I would have to ask later about the third curse. A pain curse was my best guess. Twiddle Dee and Twiddled Dumb were now headed into the compartment but ended up unconscious at the feet of Drak-poo. Maybe I didn't need Mad-Eye after all, if the girls stayed close.
"Okay Daphne scram, it's Hermione's time in preparation for the next visitor." Susan directed as she awaited her turn.
While my poor mind was crunching the fact that Daphne moved and Hermione took her place at the direction of Susan without an argument?"
Oh dear, here comes Ronald. I think he's been playing with himself too much because the Dribblehornguist are in charge." Expounded Luna.
I looked to Neville who just shook his head and looked to the ceiling.
I think Luna was right because Ron Weasley came charging down the corridor and into our compartment with his wand in his hand... eer... his Olivander wand in his hand.
"I'll teach you to steal my girlfriend!" Ron bellowed as two or three spells hit him and he found himself next to Draco on the wall. Ron had the added feature of donkey ears.
"You were right Luna, thanks for the heads up." Susan said. "Okay Hermione slide over and keep a lookout with Daphne. I need to have a word or two with Harry." Susan took possession of my lap and then my lips. It was quite a prolonged conversation before I was allowed to come up for air.
/Scene break/
As I helped the girls from the carriage I was pleasantly surprised to see that Snape wasn't there but was pleased to see in his place was Professor McGonagall, well for at least two minutes, "What are you all doing back here we thought we had gotten rid of you. Get inside and we will sort this out later right now we are expecting a very important person." Professor McGonagall turned in a dismissive manner relegating us to the entrance hall.
Fawkes appeared and settled on my shoulder, "Hatchling they are expecting Lord Gryffindor since he ordered Mad-Eye as the new the DADA Professor and Lady Hogwarts has established a small table in front the podium for Lord Gryffindor and his guests. Do enjoy the evening Lord Gryffindor." Fawkes flamed away leaving laughter echoing in my head.
"Neville why don't you and Luna joined me and my wives at my table."
"Harry you do realize that the rules state that during the welcoming feast you must sit at your assigned house table?"
"That I do Neville but I got a feeling that there is going to be enough fun about who is sitting where that they might not even notice where you are sitting." I chuckled.
Neville looked at Luna who just gave give a nod and smile. That's all it took for Neville to say, "Sounds good Harry, lead the way."
It wasn't a gigantic table but there was room enough to sit about ten people. What was notable was the table was set in front of the podium but also by the wall. Hung on the wall was the Gryffindor house crest. I knew that this alone would make for a very interesting evening.
The portion of my brain that fed me information was in a silent mode, "it didn't feet like it tonight", so I had no idea what was transpiring here at Hogwarts because Lady Hogwarts wasn't saying anything either. The Sorting hat and Fawkes had not gone into any details about anything as they said that Lady Hogwarts would fill in the facts. As I sat at the head of the table, with the Gryffindor house crest behind me, I felt a wave of strangeness engulfed me. I suddenly knew that Dumbledore was waiting to make grand appearance but that was a total sum of information that I was receiving. I pushed all this non-information off to the side of my head, I would deal with this later this evening.
"Harry it looks like Snape had a very rough night." Susan giggled. Snape was laying face down on his golden platter.
"Taking it Kip in front of the new students is not presenting a professorial image." Hermione huffed.
"I prefer him in this condition than over hear screeching at us." Daphne stated.
And then the fun began... Dumbledore made his grand entry and as he sat down he noticed me, or the new table or both, I wasn't sure. He sprang up and started yelling while Professor McGonagall was stuck with the new students that were to be sorted.
"Mister Potter what are you doing sitting at the Gryffindor table? Leave that table immediately and go to the Gryffindor table!"
I leaned back in my chair with a smile and replied, "Why Albus I am sitting at the Gryffindor table as I am a Gryffindor."
" You're not 'The Gryffindor' so leave that table immediately. Ten points from house Gryffindor for lip and not following instructions, return to your house table."
Luna leaned over to Neville and whispered, " I thought Snape was taking a Kip?"
"May be its Snape using polyjuice?" Neville whispered in return.
"Albus are you referring that this Gryffindor as not being allowed to sit at this Gryffindor table because I am not 'The Gryffindor' ? How have you come to this astounding conclusion?"
"Harry my boy, do not be dense, that is Lord Gryffindor's table and is reserved for the Heir of Gryffindor who will be arriving here shortly." Dumbledore emphatically stated.
"Then I'm at right table, since you would never would call me Lord Potter you may now call me Lord Gryffindor, so that must mean that I am at the right table wouldn't you say, Albus?
It must have registered because Dumbledore sat down and didn't say another word. So I did, "Professor McGonagall the sorting if you will, I'm sure we have a few hungry students waiting for the sorting to end."
"I must say Harry you do seem to have gotten the last word." Luna commented, as the silence in the Hall was deafening.
/Scene Break/
The next couple of days were total insanity. First it was Dumbledore who asked a gazillion questions and was still try to apply pressure on me do what he thought was best for my welfare. Then there was House Griffindoor who want me to go back to playing Quidditch since I was a famous's Quidditch star. Unfortunately this was definitely against the rules but this did not stop them from trying. Now being a Quidditch star and Lord Potter and Lord Gryffindor I suddenly had the attention of most of the females residing in Hogwarts. There were some times that my three wives were hurling hexes and jinxes just so we can get to our class on time. Then came our first potion class.
Hermione and Susan attended at a different times but Daphne and I had the same class schedule. Daphne sadly had to sit with the Slytherins and I with the Gryffindor, it was Snape's class after all. Snape however was still on a deduct points from Harry Potter mission. That started the great point assessment war.
It wasn't like Hogwarts had started talking in my ear although Fawkes did relay messages periodically. Most time it was a feeling or impression that would be advisable to follow a particular route or not do something. While apparently I now control the wards of the school I definitely was not controlling Hogwarts. Snape's class started the great point assessment war because by the end of one class Gryffindor had lost 150 points, mostly deducted from me the dunderhead. At this time I had kept my mouth shut and had just moved on from Snape's class minus the house points.
Neville and Luna had joined me and my wives and my table and we were chatting along as we ate our lunch. Alas Snape slithered up to deduct additional points. His first 50 points were unjust, his next twenty were ridiculous, when he tried the next fifty point deduction I lost it and said, "Since you are an incompetent instructor I'm awarding ten points each Gryffindor that attended your class this day, AND, nothing happened.
Snape went ballistic and deducted 20 points from each Griffindoor student at Hogwarts. The rubies in the point chart in the Great Hall fell away from Gryffindor.
About then Fawkes showed up on my shoulder, "Still haven't got the connection yet have you Hatchling?"
"Apparently not Fawkes."
"So what you want me to relate to the Lady Hogwarts?"
"Ask her to award one point to all the Gryffindors for every time that Snape takes any student points and take equal points from Slytherin when he takes away points from Gryffindor."
It didn't take long for Snape looked like he was going to blow a gasket. The students realized that Snape had been defanged. Short of a face-to-face confrontation with Snape, who wasn't taking any points, the potion classes had became more a chat room with a potion to make than Snape's torture chamber.