Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling.

Some of the concepts that will be in this fic are from other Fan fictions about Harry Potter with my own twist on them. So I would like to acknowledge all the Harry Potter fan writers on this site for great work and hundreds of hours of reading. This is an AU story.

Chapter 21

Hufflepuff's Legacy

Fraud, Theft and Seers

That was the headline in the Daily Prophet Saturday morning. Harry stayed in the Tower for breakfast. Neville, Susan and Hermione joined him after informing Professor Flitwick. The Professor informed them he would stop later to go over the tower and to set up the Library Index Book for Harry. Hermione was bouncing in her chair while eating breakfast in anticipation of watching the Professor casting the spells. She asked Harry several times to tell her about the spells but he kept telling her that they were family magic, therefore a family secret. He explained that not even Neville knew how to cast it before she would stop asking about it.

Susan and Neville talked with each other during breakfast while trying not to laugh at Hermione's antics. The fact that Harry's eyes had yellow specks floating around in them was enough to tell his two friends that he was okay.

Harry looked back down at the paper in front of him.

Seers, Divination, most of us would look on those that claim to see the future, the possibilities, to be a little off at the best of times. In the past eleven years many have been taught Divination at Hogwarts by Sybill Trelawney. Many who have sat through her class agree that Trelawney is stranger then most.

This week we have seen the arrest of our beloved writer and Dark Arts fighter Gilderoy Lockhart, who as it has been rumored by the Department of Magical Law Enforcement to be a complete fraud after a lawsuit, filed by Lord Potter. The arrest of Lockhart has now led to the arrest of Sybill Trelawney.

A reliable source within the DMLE told this reporter that Lockhart implicated Trelawney as his accomplice in the frauds perpetrated against Lord Potter and others. The same source has informed this reporter that Lockhart's books are also fraudulent. Lockhart has confessed to having been a Ministry employee working as an Obliviator. The stories written about within his books, have turned out to be true, but were stolen from others who Lockhart then Obliviated of the event.

Many are now asking how this has anything to do with Sybill Trelawney. Information coming out of the DMLE is that Trelawney also worked for the Ministry at some point in the past for the Department of Mysteries. For both Lockhart and Trelawney, all records and memories of their employment at the Ministry have been destroyed or erased from the ministry hall of records and employees minds.

Both are facing hundreds of counts of illegal use of Obliviate, theft of Ministry records, and other crimes. This reporter has been told that more charges are pending; if found guilty on the current charges both Trelawney and Lockhart face life sentences in Azkaban.

Harry dropped the paper back on the table after scanning the rest of it quickly into his memory. The paper wasn't on the table a second before Hermione snatched it up to read. After reading the headline she looked at Harry, she was aware that something was going on between him and Lockhart, some lawsuit. Harry didn't seem upset about the article so she didn't say anything.

Professor Flitwick arrived not long after breakfast. "Good morning everyone, are you ready to take a walk around Harry?" ask the Professor.

"Sure, where do you want to start?" replied Harry.

"Well I already scanned the Hall of Door on my way in; there was nothing of concern there. I'm going to want to see where each door goes at some time. I did put a lock on the door that goes to the Headmasters office. I'm sorry Harry, Dumbledore asked me to do that and I agreed."

"I understand Professor." Harry nodded to Flitwick.

"Okay how about we go through the individual quarters first?"

"Sounds good Professor, Hermione would like to join us, she wants to see what you're going to do."

"What about you Neville? Susan? Will you be joining us?"

"No thank you Professor, Susan and I have some homework to get done." answered Neville with Susan nodding her head.

Harry waved the professor toward Hufflepuffs rooms where he started his scans. Both Harry and Hermione watch in fascination at the complex wand movements and long string of Latin Professor Flitwick was using. Between each casting Hermione asked a dozen questions about what the professor was doing. Harry just watched and listened, Hermione was asking all the same questions he would have anyway.

"Ms. Granger, now I understand how you ended up in Ravenclaw." Flitwick smiled at the blushing Hermione.

After ten minutes, Flitwick walked toward one wall of the Hufflepuff sitting room. "There is something here." The professor indicated a section of wall that had nothing on it. "It's not a door, but I'm seeing a magical signature here."

Harry watched as the professor poked his wand toward the wall, but it stopped a little more than a foot from the wall. "Hmmm" Flitwick pulled his wand back; putting it away he reached his hand toward the same spot. Harry and Hermione watched as the professor felt around. When Flitwick pulled his hand back he was hold a book. The book looked old but well preserved, it was bound in black leather and had what looked like a family symbol or crest on the front.

"There is a hidden bookcase here; it feels like there are dozens of books." Flitwick with Harry and Hermione looking over his shoulder turned the book on its side to see the title, "Morgana's Curse." Flitwick almost dropped the book at seeing the title.

"Oh my…" Flitwick quickly picked the book back up then opened the book to the first page after turning the book away from the students and started reading. "Oh, my, this is definitely something I would not want you to have access too. I don't think I would want access to it." The book was hand written and Flitwick was having trouble reading the old language.

"Professor?" asked Harry.

"Harry, this was written by Morgana La Fey, she was a dark witch from the time of Merlin." Hermione gasped, Harry just had a look of curiosity. Flitwick put the book down on the reading table in the room; he then reached into the hidden book shelf again pulling out another book. It was bound in the same color leather with the same crest on it. "Delivering Death.' Flitwick didn't even open the book.

It took several minutes for Professor Flitwick to pull all of the books from the hidden bookcase. All of the books were bound the same way and all had titles that gave all three of them the chills. In all there were forty books that looked to be written by Morgana La Fey.

"Why would Helga Hufflepuff have books like this?" this was from Hermione.

Harry was looking at the cover of one of the books. "The crest on these is similar to the Hufflepuff Crest. It looks like some things were removed from the Morgana family crest to make the Hufflepuff Crest, could they be related or the same family?"

"They could be." this from Professor Flitwick.

"I'll be right back professor." Harry told the professor as he walked out of the room. When Harry walked back in Flitwick was working on dispelling whatever it was that was hiding the bookcase. In Harry's arms was another book that immediately got Hermione's attention.

"Harry, is that a first edition Hogwarts: A History?" Hermione knew Harry had one plus there was one in the Ravenclaw Library but she didn't expect Harry to get his. It looked older then the one she had looked at the first night at the school.

"No." replied Harry. "I must ask the both of you to never mention to anyone that you have seen this book. It is a family heirloom." Harry waited until both Professor Flitwick and Hermione agreed to not speak of this book. Harry placed the book on the table as Flitwick and Hermione walked over. Hermione looked at the cover.

"It is a first edition Hogwarts: A History!" Hermione blurted out. Harry looked at Hermione then the professor.

"No. It is THE first Hogwarts: A History written by Godric Gryffindor. It is self updating." That was all Harry was going to tell them. He opened the book to the first blank page then asked his question.

"Is Helga Hufflepuff related to Morgana La Fey?" On the page the word "Yes" appeared. When the book didn't continue Harry asked the next question.

"How was she related?" It took a moment for the book to respond as if it was struggling to answer. Finally the words started to appear slowly. "Fifth generation Grand Daughter, last of the La Fey family."

Hermione gasped. Professor Flitwick looked stunned as he read the words. Harry asked the next question as if he didn't really want to know the answer.

"Was Helga Hufflepuff a Dark Witch?" He knew the Dark Arts tended to run in families, like the Black family, but there was always the chance the family had given it up. The simple answer to the question appeared on the page, "No". The book then continued. "Helga studied the family Dark Arts in an effort to find counters cures to the curses in the family books. She was not successful. Helga has left a message to whoever finds the books."

"What is the message?" Harry asked.

To my Heir,

If you have found the family books, you have two choices, continue my work to find cures for the curses our family created or destroy the books leaving the tortured souls to their fate. It is my hope that a cure can be found for Morgana's Curse so that the souls of those afflicted can be set free. The creatures the curse creates from the innocent are the darkest of dark, drinking in the happy emotions that they can no longer feel, making a person relive their worst memories.

It was Professor Flitwick that gasped this time. "Dementors, the curse created the Dementors." The letter continued.

It is possible to destroy the creatures but that does not set the soul free of the curse. Please if you choose to continue my work, find a way to set the souls free, they are children and good people innocent of any wrong.

Be well my Heir,

Helga Hufflepuff

Harry closed the book then turned to look at Professor Flitwick. "Professor, I understand your hesitance in allowing me access to the book but I ask that they not be destroyed."

The look on Hermione's face told Harry all he needed to know about what she thought of the idea of destroying a book.

"Harry, I believe these books should be destroyed but I am in agreement if there is a way to free the soul of those cursed."

"Professor, what is a Dementor?" asked Hermione.

"Dementors are the guards of Azkaban, they are foul creatures that feed on the happy thoughts and emotions of those around them, making them relive their worst memories. They also have the horrible ability to pull your soul from your body, leaving your body alive. The Ministry uses them on the worst of the worst as punishment. It's a death sentence." replied Flitwick.

Hermione looked on in horror as the professor explained. Harry wasn't too happy either. Sirius had lived around the creatures for years and was under the constant threat of losing his soul.

"Well let me see if I can break this ward around the bookcase then we can figure out what to do." It took the professor another ten minutes to break the ward allowing everyone to see the bookcase. He then returned the books to the shelves.

"Harry I'm going to place a ward around the bookcase so that no one but me can remove the books. We can talk about working on the curse sometime in the future. I would like the chance to work on the problem, I would ask the headmaster to help, he has much more knowledge in this area, but I know things are strained between the two of you at the moment."

Harry didn't respond right away and Flitwick could see that Harry was thinking about what he said.

"Let me think about it Professor, after what has happened this week." Harry finally responded after Flitwick had warded the bookcase.

"Very well Harry. Shall we continue?"

Both Harry and Hermione nodded. They didn't find anything else in Hufflepuff's rooms so moved on to Ravenclaws chambers which Harry was using. Harry returned Godric's, Hogwarts: A History to his trunk as the professor started scanning the rooms.

"Everything looks fine here Harry." Flitwick informed Harry. The three investigators moved on to the other founders chambers but didn't find anything of interest. Back in the common room Flitwick started his scans while Harry told Neville and Susan about what they had found so far after getting a promise from both not to tell anyone about the books. Harry trusted them never to betray his secrets.

"Okay Harry, there is a dueling area set up over there; I think you already knew that." Harry nodded to the professor. "There is some magic involved with the fire place but it doesn't look dangerous."

"I know what that is Professor, there is something that allowed me fuse all the founders rings into one. I think the process is reversible as well." Harry held up his hand with the founders ring on it. Flitwick took a quick look at it before moving on.

"Well shall we go up stairs to the library?" Harry and Hermione followed the professor up stairs and watched as he performed the spells. Twenty minutes later he finished with a nod of his head.

"I can't find anything out of the ordinary. You had a spell you wanted me to cast Harry, an index book or something."

"Yes Professor." Harry reached into his book bag that he had been carrying with him, pulling out two books. The first was his cousin's book on the spell; he handed it to the professor. Professor Flitwick found a seat on one of the settees in the library to start reading the book. The second was a blank leather bound book about three inches thick. Tula appeared at that moment with a pedestal for Harry to place the book on. When Tula appeared, Hermione gave a yelp of surprise.

"Harry…? Hermione was looking at Tula; Harry just smiled in Hermione's direction. "Harry what is that? Wait, I've seen it before."

"She is not an it or that, this is Tula, she is a House Elf." Harry explained.

"House Elf?... Tula? You're the one that told me not to buy the Harry Potter books in Diagon Ally, Aren't you?" asked Hermione, she got the same look on her face that she got when sitting in class.

"Yes Miss Grangy." replied Tula.

Harry walked over to another Settee and sat down. Hermione followed him sitting in a chair across from him.

"House Elves are like butlers and maids in the Muggle world. They can be chefs, gardeners, housekeepers, and personal assistants. I'm sure there are others trained in other tasks. House Elves are very intelligent and have their own form of magic. Most of the old and wealthy families have elves, you can buy them but it doesn't happen often…" Harry didn't get to finish his explanation.

"WHAT! YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT SLAVES!" Hermione yelled. This got Professor Flitwick's attention who had been listening while he was reading. Tula jumped away from Hermione.

"Actually Miss Granger, House Elves are not slaves. They are bond to their families with magic but they are not slaves. House elves get their magic from their master. A free elf would die within months unless they find a new family. House elves love work and get enjoyment from it. Now not all house elves are treated kindly but most are and I can tell you by looking at Tula here that she is very happy." Tula nodded her head enthusiastically.

"Tula is very happy, Lord Potter is my friend." Tula confirmed.

"But… It's not right." Hermione exasperated with a huff.

"Did you not listen? House elves DIE unless they are bond to a family or person." Harry spoke with a bit of anger. "Who do you think has been doing your laundry, cleaning your dorm, cooking the meals, keeping the castle clean? House elves; there are over a hundred of them working in the castle. Tula is my personal elf; she is my best friend and surrogate mum, she takes care of me."

Tula got a huge smile on her face and Hermione could see tears building up in her large eyes just before Tula launched herself at Harry hugging him with all her might. Harry returned the hug before looking up at Hermione.

"Miss Granger, you need to learn to stop jumping to conclusions or forcing your ideas on others until you have all the facts. The magical world is not the Muggle world, for one it's stuck in the Victorian age. The wizarding world has its own history, traditions, and customs that have nothing to do the with the muggle world. I would suggest that until you know and understand that history, you stop looking at the magical world though muggle eyes. "

Hermione took on a thoughtful but defeated look giving Harry and Professor Flitwick a nod.

It was an hour later before Professor Flitwick finished reading the book and was able to perform the spell. He walked around the room casting the spell on each bookcase then tapping his wand to the blank book Harry had provided. It took him another hour to finish the work and even Harry could see that it had taken a lot out of the Professor.

"Well Harry I can see what you mean that spell is quite draining. I wonder if there is a way to improve it so that it doesn't take so much out of the caster."

"You are welcome to look into it professor but any modifications will have to belong to the Potter Family." Harry replied.

"Of course, of course, do you mind if I keep this to research it?" Flitwick held up the spell book.

"It's a copy of the original Professor." replied Harry. Professor Flitwick left the tower soon after finishing the work, there was a staff meeting that afternoon.

-oo00oo-

The staff of Hogwarts entered the staff meeting in ones and twos. The comfortable looking room was already full of little side talks as the professors waited for Dumbledore to arrive. Professor Flitwick was sitting by himself just watching the others. Minerva was having a hushed discussion with Professor Sprout about what he didn't know. Quirrell was sitting by himself toward the back of the room just watching everyone the same as Flitwick. The only professor not in attendance was Severus, as far as anyone knew he was still in the infirmary under Poppy's care.

Filius was the first to notice when Dumbledore arrived giving the headmaster a small nod that Dumbledore returned.

"Please quiet down everyone." Dumbledore called out as he took his customary seat at the front of the room. "Any old business we need to go over?"

It took the better part of an hour to go over the old issues, some upgrades to the wards that had happened over the holidays, the replacement of one of the Quidditch stands, and other small items.

"So now that we have all that out of the way how are the students doing? How are the new first years getting along?" Dumbledore asked the room.

Minerva went first. "My new lions are getting on fine; I have had a few issues as always with the Weasley twins. Their younger brother Ronald is turning out to be a bit of a headache. He is not doing the work and is falling behind in his classes in the first week no less. I will be having a talk with him Monday. Everyone else is doing fine."

Professor Sprout picked up after Minerva finished. "Hufflepuff is doing fine, no issues to report, a few homesick cases but the prefects have taken care of it."

It was Professor Sinistra that spoke up next. "With Severus out, you asked me to look in on Slytherin. With the exception of Draco everyone is getting on without a problem."

"What is the issue with the ex Mr. Malfoy?" asked Dumbledore.

"He is being ostracized from the rest of the house with the exception of Crabb and Goyle. It looks like he tried to take over the first few days but was rebuffed as he is without a name and his father is on the run. I believe he also received a letter from his mother disowning him. That is the rumor going around."

This received varying reactions from the staff. To loss your name because your parent's marriage is made invalid by the mother's head of house was one thing, to then be disowned by your mother was another thing all together. Draco was now considered a pariah, lowest of the low. That Crabb and Goyle still maintained contact with him meant that Malfoy Sr. was still in play and pulling strings from somewhere.

"Please, keep an eye on Slytherin for the time being, it is not known when Professor Snape will be out of the infirmary. Last time it was only two days but we can not rely on that." replied Dumbledore. Sinistra nodded her head.

"I will be taking over Potions again until Severus is on his feet. Regrettably if this continues I will have to find a replacement to teach in his absences."

Minerva thou she disliked the potions Master asked the question on everyone's mind. "What can you tell us about Severus, is there anything we can do?"

"Poppy and I are not completely sure what is happening, it appears that Severus is having some form of attack, what these attacks are we just don't know yet." Dumbledore answered.

"Shouldn't Poppy contact St. Mungo's for help then?"

"She feels she can handle it for now, if after this episode, he has another attack, we may have to consult with the healers at St. Mungo's"

"Filius?" Dumbledore looked at the Professor.

"My ravens are doing just fine. One firstie stands out, Ms. Granger. She is very intelligent and someone to keep an eye on, she has a bad habit of taking everything written as absolute fact and pushing her uninformed ideas of the wizarding world on others. I'm working on correcting that problem with the help of her friends."

"Yes, yes and how is Lord Potter doing in class?" Filius gave Dumbledore the slightest of a look saying don't push it. Dumbledore ignored it.

"He is doing exceptionally well, top of the class in all his classes." Minerva replied to the question. Flitwick turned to his colleague and frowned. Dumbledore sighed.

"Filius, it is a perfectly reasonable question to ask, it is within my duties as headmaster to know the educational level of our students."

Filius turned back to the headmaster. "That's fine Headmaster, I'm sure everyone here is willing to put the extra time in to bring you up to date on every student in Hogwarts. I'm sure if you're asking about one student that you will be asking about them all. No need to single out anyone, now is there?" Filius replied to the Headmaster's statement.

Minerva looked aghast at Filius, she knew he could take a differing opinion from time to time but he had never pushed this hard before. "Filius!"

"No. No Minerva, Filius is right. Filius as Lord Potter is the Founders heir, it is not unreasonable for the staff, including me to keep track of his education and how he is doing." Dumbledore replied.

-oo00oo-

Harry frowned at the way that Dumbledore had manipulated the meeting to focus on him. He was followed the meeting in Godric's book. After thinking about it for several minutes he realized that in this one instant Dumbledore was in the right. Dumbledore had the right to follow Harry's education above and beyond that of the other students simply because of his Founders status. With a heavy sigh he closed the book and returned to the common room. The rest of the night was spent in peace after Hermione, Neville, and Susan left. Tula served him dinner in the tower, falling asleep that night with Salazar's journal in his hands.