Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter; J.K. Rowling does. I do, however, own this story's plot!
Chapter 21
~ Return to Hogwarts ~
In the sky, an owl was flying towards Hogwarts – heading for a certain twinkly-eyed headmaster. Once it breached the school's wards, Dumbledore was alerted and perked up from his paperwork. He looked towards the open window near the ceiling of his office and waited for the animal to enter. Once it did, he removed the letter and sent the owl off.
Overall, the letter itself was strongly worded, depicting open anger and frustration, and had been written in barely contained slurs. But Dumbledore guessed from the scratched out sections, that those had been unrestrained curse words towards the old man. Dumbledore had looked at the letter and fumed at the hidden meanings that Dursley insinuated. That damned muggle had dared to question his authority over that boy! And now that Dumbledore realized that Harry had sat down for his parents' will readings, the old headmaster knew that the jig was up. However, that didn't mean that Albus couldn't do a little fixer upper.
The Headmaster walked over to his personal fireplace before throwing the floo powder in and shouting, "Kitty house, Surrey." Fawkes trilled sadly, not enjoying how Albus had gone dark, and so he flew around the office three times and in a burst of flames disappeared.
…..
The fireplace at Arabella Figg's house enlarged to allow the Headmaster to enter before returning to its normal size as he stepped out of it.
"Oh! Albus! What are you doing here? Has something happened?"
"Nothing has happened my dear. I have come to check on the Dursleys' residence. My wards have gone off and I wanted to make sure nothing has happened."
"Oh of course," The female squib nodded her head. "But rest assured Albus. Nothing of importance has happened. Everything is all right."
"I trust your judgment Arabella. I wanted to make sure for myself."
The squib led Albus to the door and closed it behind him, shifting to the window and drawing the drapes open slightly to watch the Headmaster cross the street and enter the Dursleys' residence."
…..
"Dursley!" he shouted.
"What is it?" Vernon spat, his face already a putrid purple.
"How dare you insinuate that it is my fault that you lost the boy?"
"DO YOU SEE WHAT'S AROUND YOU?" Vernon roared. "NOTHING! ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!"
Albus took a few seconds to glance about, but there were still furniture in the living room. "What are you talking about?" he hissed.
"You filthy freaks have cost me my job, my marriage, my child, my fortune and wealth. I'M TO LEAVE THIS HOUSE BY AUGUST 30TH!" Vernon shouted, spittle flying from his mouth. "WHERE AM I TO GO?! MARGE IS WILLING TO HOUSE ME, BUT NOT FOR LONG! I AM TO FIND ANOTHER PROPERTY AND ANOTHER JOB! BUT WHO WILL HIRE ME? I'M POOR! HOMELESS! JUST ANOTHER MAN WITH A DEGREE! NO ONE WILL HIRE SOMEONE WITH NO PERMANENT RESIDENCE!"
The old wizard took a breath. It wouldn't do to lose his temper. "Calm." Albus said, raising a hand. With that action, it infuriated Vernon more. "I will help you solve this problem. Is there anything else I can do for you, my boy?"
"I am being sued." Vernon said, with a sudden drop in volume. "SUED YOU FREAK! HOW ARE YOU TO HELP ME? I'VE LOST EVERYTHING! EVERYTHING I'VE EVER HAD, EVERYTHING I'VE EVER OWNED! GONE! GONE BECAUSE OF YOU FREAKS AND YOUR FREAKISHNESS!"
"Can I see your documentations?" Vernon threw the letters at him and waited impatiently for the old man to finish reading them.
"I recognize this emblem. It is a law firm of both wizarding and muggle folk. I apologize, but I cannot do anything about this suit. I can, however, find you a house."
"I have no money. How am I to pay for it?"
"My boy," Albus chuckled, "I can get you a house without having to pay." He walked towards the door and shrunk all of Vernon's possessions before motioning to the large man to put them in his pocket.
They walked out of the house and Albus raised his arm, "Hold on tightly." he advised before both men apparated away.
…..
"Is this property to your liking?" The old wizard asked, motioning for the muggle beside him to check it out for himself.
"It's a big dingy." Vernon grumbled, judging the outward structure. He opened the door and walked inside, travelling through the house, up the stairs and back down. The overgrown man grumbled a bit more, but Vernon liked it nonetheless. It was a nice two-story house with a garage attached to it. There were three bedrooms, one master bedroom with an en-suite bathroom and two smaller bedrooms, one bathroom down the hallway and one on the first floor. The kitchen was fairly large and the living room was perfect to entertain his future guests and clients should he manage to regain a job. "How will I pay for it? I most certainly don't have any money left to buy any furnishings."
"My boy," Dumbledore chuckled, "who said anything about having you pay?"
Vernon growled at the old man's little term of endearment towards him, knowing that it was to scold like the little child that he wasn't. "Then how am I supposed to afford this? Are you going to do something freakish to get this?"
Albus frowned at the term Vernon used, but he supposed it would have to do, considering Vernon's love for all this normal had molded Harry into a pliable child when he had entered the wizarding world. "Yes, it was all done when we arrived of course. A well placed Obliviate and several forged documents did the trick. This property is all yours. As for furnishings, there's nothing a little magic can't fix."
…..
"Harry, a moment of your time if you will." Lucius said, bidding the boy close. The blond wizard had been looking for the Gryffindor for a while now. None of the other children had seen Harry; he had disappeared after breakfast and his friends had thought he had resumed his training with the Guardians.
The Gryffindor looked up at the blond from his tome with confusion before following said wizard to his study. Upon entering, he saw Sirius, Draco, Blaise and Blaise's mother, Gwendolyn.
"Er… what's with the gathering?" Harry asked warily. Once the door closed behind him, Harry's eyes immediately darted around the study, looking for a quick escape route.
"Sit down." Sirius sighed with a touch of amusement. He wanted to laugh so badly at the scene his godson was making. They weren't going to hurt him!
Harry slowly inched his way towards the last empty seat and took the spot there. "So… what's this all about?"
"You've asked for a marriage contract between Draco and Blaise, did you not?" Lucius asked.
The Gryffindor flushed. "W-Well, yes. I did. Is that what this is all about?"
Draco and Blaise grinned besides him.
"You want a marriage contract, and now you've got one."
"Our parents have approved, and so has your godfather."
"Though we need not your signature, I thought it would be better for you to join us for the signing." Lucius explained.
Harry nodded and waited patiently as the adults explained to him what the marriage contract stated and allowed him to read it on his own. With several explanations after, Lucius and Sirius signed the contract before pulling out another one just for Draco, Blaise and Harry.
"I thought you said I didn't need to sign it?"
"The boys thought it would be best to show you how much they were willing to marry you. Of course, once signed, the contract will be enacted. We chose for the best contract and conditions – once signed, it will give you the maximum amount of protection the contract carries, from cheating scandals to being truthful with each other to a certain extent." Lucius added, noticing how Harry had stiffened. "However, the wedding can be planned whenever the three of you wish to be married."
"Thank you Lucius." Harry said gratefully.
"Nonsense. I am your father from now on." The blonde wizard waved him off.
"Now, let's get down to business," Sirius was awfully serious. "Now, Lucius. With this marriage contract binding between Hadrian James Potter-Evans-Black-Gryffindor-Peverell and Draconis Lucius Malfoy, what do you have to offer? We offer our political backing, economic wealth and social standing to the marriage. Should the Malfoy family ever need assistance in their endeavors, the Potter-Evans-Black-Gryffindor-Peverell family will always be there. Regarding the heirs to each title, the firstborn son will be heir to the Malfoy family and so on and so forth. As such, even a firstborn daughter will be able to take the title as heiress to the families."
"With this marriage contract binding between Draconis Lucius Malfoy and Hardrian James Potter-Evans-Black-Gryffindor-Peverell, the Malfoy family offers our political backing, our economic wealth and social standing to the marriage. Should the Potter-Evans-Black-Gryffindor-Peverell family ever need assistance in their endeavors, the Malfoy family will always be there. Regarding the heirs to each title, we accept the terms. And with our connection to our French roots, we offer the same connection to our British counterpart."
The marriage contract glowed gold before the two guardians ushered the aforementioned boys to sign the contract. Once done, Sirius turned to Gwendolyn.
"With this marriage contract binding between Hadrian James Potter-Evans-Black-Gryffindor-Peverell and Blaise Gabriele Zabini, we offer our political backing, economic wealth and social standing to the marriage. Should the Zabini family ever need assistance in their endeavors, the Potter-Evans-Black-Gryffindor-Peverell family will always be there. Regarding the heirs to each title, the firstborn son will be heir to the Zabini family and so on and so forth. As such, even a firstborn daughter will be able to take the title as heiress to the families."
"With this marriage contract binding between Blaise Gabriele Zabini and Hadrian James Potter-Evans-Black-Gryffindor-Peverell, the Zabini family offers our political backing, economic wealth and social standing to the marriage. Should the Potter-Evans-Black-Gryffindor-Peverell family ever need assistance in their endeavors, the Zabini family will always be there. Regarding the heirs to each title, we accept the terms. And with our connection to our Italian roots, we offer the same connection to our British counterpart."
The marriage contract glowed gold before the two guardians ushered the aforementioned boys to sign the contract. And in five minutes, with the signing of the contracts, the group watched as it was copied, filed and sent off to the Ministry, Gringotts and everyone's law firm.
"We thought it would be too early," Draco began.
"But, since we all signed it," Blaise continued.
The two of them got onto one knee and looked at Harry, pulling out a small black velvet box.
"Harry, though we have known each other for years, we've been enemies for a majority of them." Draco said, relishing in the tearful and shocked gaze that his lover wore. "We've been through so much, and – I had this all written up, but I've forgotten it in the heat of the moment." The blonde confessed, flushing red. "Anyway, I would have rather proposed in a romantic setting, but what else is better when doing it in front of your family? Your friends will have to wait until later." Draco breathed out and looked Harry straight in the eyes, opening the velvet box. "Harry James Potter, and your many many hyphenated surnames, would you make me the most happiest man alive and marry me?"
Harry blubbered tearfully, sniffling here and there when he couldn't form his answer. He nodded his head frantically before allowing Draco to slide the engagement ring onto his finger. Harry threw himself at the blond, kissing the living daylights out of him before Blaise gently dragged him away to face the olive-skinned teen.
"Harry, I know that Draco's beat me to you, but there will be no one else besides Draco and I who will love you as much as we do. I may not have had much interaction with you, but I've always been looking at you ever since we've been first years. You might call me a stalker, but I was always intrigued and fascinated with you. I've never been one for the names, but I'm just glad that I've got to know you. In other words, I will always be there for you. I will always protect you no matter what happens. So, if you, Harry James Potter, would do me the honor of marrying me, I will be the happiest man alive. Draco would have to fight me for that position." Blaise smiled nervously, his own velvet box opened for Harry.
"Mhm." Harry could only make out, before watching as Blaise slid the engagement ring onto his finger besides Draco's. Like what he had done to the blonde, Harry threw himself at Blaise and kissed the living daylights out of him.
"Awww." Gwendolyn cooed, watching through tears as her son was now engaged with his best friend and the love of his life.
They watched as Draco and Blaise exchanged bonding rings before hugging each other. Though the two teenagers were not entirely in love with each other as they were with Harry, they felt small simmering feelings at the pit of their stomach and knew that they would eventually feel the same.
When the trio had left Lucius's study, their friends in the living room immediately bombarded them when Pansy's eyes caught the gleam from Harry's two engagement rings.
The girls aww'd and cooed at the design, while the guys thumped Draco and Blaise on the back.
Draco's ring to Harry was a 14K white gold band with five precious gems inlayed in them – two light azore that were a few shades off of the color of Draco's eyes sat at the edges, two emeralds that were the same color of Harry's eyes (which took Draco a long time to find, but he wasn't complaining) were next and a diamond in the very center. Blaise's ring to Harry was a 10K two-tone gold band with a 10K rose gold frame that encircles the 1 Carat diamond.
"It must have cost a fortune!" Hermione surmised, looking intrigued at the rings' designs.
"Are you implying that money is worth something to gain Harry's favor?" Draco snarled, his silver eyes flashing.
"W-What –"
"Hey! She didn't mean that." Ron said, pushing Hermione behind him.
Draco bristled when his attention turned to the redhead before him. Blaise and Harry touched his arms and his temper decreased, drawing his attention towards his two lovers.
"Draco? What's the matter?" asked Harry. It was strange to see his boyfriend – now fiancé – act in this sort of way when it came to his friends. He hadn't acted in such a way since two months ago. However, when Hermione made that statement, Harry's anger seemed to simmer underneath his skin as well. But he had to think rationally, and he didn't nearly fly off the handle as Draco almost did.
"Nothing is more important than Harry." Blaise replied in a terse tone.
"I don't think she meant that," Neville tried to placate the two parties – well, Draco, Blaise and Ron. The Gryffindor hoped they wouldn't become irrational in their haze of anger.
Ginny frowned and looked to Pansy. They nodded their heads and walked into the middle of the conflict. Ginny turned and faced Ron while Pansy turned and faced Draco and Blaise. They raised a hand and gave the three boys a good slap on the head – pulling them from out of their rising temper.
"What was that for?!" Blaise yelped.
"Ginny!"
"Ronald! Calm yourself or I'll tell Mum."
Perfectly cowed, Ron rubbed his head where his baby sister slapped him and stepped around her. "I apologize for that. Don't know what got into me."
"Stupid boy hormones," he heard Ginny mutter behind him.
Draco scowled at Pansy before walking over to Ron as well. Blaise followed behind him, making sure to keep Harry behind the two of them. They put their hand out and shook Ron's, accepting the apology and giving an apology all in one go.
After that situation had been brushed off, Harry asked, "What made you guys all – " And he did some weird gestures in the air in front of him.
"Not sure." Ron said, shoveling food into his mouth. He only slowed down when Hermione elbowed him on his side.
"It's like our instinct sort of felt insulted when Hermione thought money would equate to your happiness." Blaise said, cutting his steak into smaller pieces before placing them onto Harry's plate.
Harry frowned at the gesture but ate it nonetheless, giving Blaise a wet kiss, juice lingering from the steak sauce.
"Instinct? But we're practically deities."
"Perhaps it's the animals that the deities themselves can transform? There are plenty of myths that say Zeus would transform into many animals to seduce the women he fancied. Though there doesn't seem to be any myths of Hades' animal forms Hades stole away with Persephone and had the food from the Underworld and Poseidon had either stolen away with the women he fancied into the sea or had brought them gifts from the sea."
"I felt rather insulted when I thought she insinuated that money would be a problem when getting whatever you wanted, wished for or needed." Draco said, drinking his pumpkin juice. "I don't think it had anything to do with animals or whatever."
Harry made a noise that sounded as if he were thinking over their answers before piling his plate with vegetables when Alandair gave him a pointed look. The guardian then focused on his own lover before scowling and preventing Macaire from taking in more sweets like usual.
…..
"Lucius, what is the meaning of this?"
Several owls had flown in that morning during breakfast. Other than the owls delivering the Daily Prophet, an owl dropped off letters to Petunia, Sirius and Remus – flying off after it had hopped over to Harry's plate to steal some bacon bits.
"Oh, the stocks have risen. Good fortune for the Malfoy family." Lucius darted around the question.
"Lucius." Tom's voice held a warning tone. Though he was slowly changing, it didn't mean that the Dark Lord wouldn't punish the blond wizard, his right hand man.
Lucius finally relented. "Do you like it? It would work wonders for us, you know."
Tom was intrigued by his friend's lack of information, but the look in the blond's eyes clearly showed a vast amount of anticipated entertainment. So the Dark Lord would wait and abide his time, allowing the three aforementioned adults to finish reading their letters.
"Well?" Severus asked, putting his cup of tea down.
"We've been selected to fill positions within the Hogwarts staff." Petunia replied. Her eyes were wide with surprise, slowly placing the letter down onto the dining table. "I'm the Professor of Muggle Studies."
"I'm the Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts." Sirius announced.
"I'm the assistant." Remus smiled.
"I apologize, Remus. I pulled many strings but after the third year incident…" Lucius trailed off.
The werewolf smiled. "That's all right Lucius. Just having you pull strings to land me a job is enough. Thank you."
"Does that mean –" Harry gasped, unable to believe what just happened.
"We're coming to school with you pup!" Sirius grinned broadly.
"Oh my god! Yes! I can finally see you guys every day! We have so much catching up to do!" rushed Harry, his words deeply intermingling with his exuberant emotion.
"But wait –" Petunia interrupted the early festivities. "How am I allowed a position at Hogwarts when I've only learned magic for a few weeks?"
"Well, I had taken the liberty of going through your background, Petunia. I hope you don't mind." Petunia's face was stone still at his words. "I only looked at your educational background." Lucius mended, watching the woman slowly relax. "And I saw that before you've become a housewife to Mr. Dursley, you had received a degree in teaching. And regarding the position as the Professor of Muggle Studies, you don't really need to use magic or to teach the students magic. All you need is to teach them the muggle technology and progresses within the muggle world. A little extra muggle history will work wonders as well."
Petunia nodded her head, finally relaxing her body. She was thankful she wouldn't need to teach magic, but at least she'd had magic to use – as well as have knowledge about the spells, curses, hexes and jinxes the students would use against one another. Petunia Evans did not tolerate bullying and she would not allow the students to do so. Considering she heard and learned about the house rivalry between Slytherin and Gryffindor, she hoped with Harry's new found friendship, that rivalry would disperse. And if she had anything to do with it, it would also take Dumbledore down a few notches.
"Do not forget," Alandair said, scooping some mashed potatoes onto his plate, "training still happens while you're in school."
Blaise, Harry and Draco groaned. "But, your friends will also be joining you." That made the trio throw a wicked grin at their group of friends, who simultaneously gulped with anticipated fear and a shiver that ran up their spine.
"There's only a few days left until you leave for Hogwarts, but I think we can get you started on the training. Isn't it wonderful these humans have thought of time-turners?" Tesia grinned, watching the color drain from their faces.
"Stop scaring them." Egidio ordered, but the smirk on his face belied his feeling of having more students to train.
A burst of flames interrupted what the guardian was going to say. They immediately drew their weapons before Harry realized it was Fawkes.
"Stop! Stop! It's just Fawkes!" The Gryffindor cried out, pushing the weapons far away from the flaming bird.
"What's Dumbledore's phoenix doing here?" Theo snapped. "Come to spy on us for your master, have you?"
Fawkes gave a short trill before flying over to beat Theo with its red wings. He practically pecked at the Slytherin as he beat his wings in the air. After Theo apologized, Fawkes flew to land on Harry's arm.
"What's the matter Fawkes? What are you doing here?"
'I came to see you hatchling. I fear Albus has many plans for you this school year.'
"It's not like he never does. There's always something each year." Harry replied ruefully.
'Yes, but I believe this year would be most harsh. Even you and – well, I'll let you figure it out yourselves.' The phoenix let out an amused trill before settling down on Harry's arm.
"Harry… what is Fawkes saying?"
The Gryffindor repeated what the bird said before he turned to see Lucius's gobsmacked expression. "What's wrong?"
"You can… communicate with the phoenix?"
"Well… yes. Can't you hear it too? That reminds me… I have yet to tell you guys what Hedwig's true form is."
'I deserve to be bonded to you; not that hatchling.'
"Is it possible though? For two?"
'You are strong enough to have more than us two. I hope you understand that.'
"Really?! Oh! That would be so exciting!"
"What?!" Draco frowned. "What would be so exciting?"
"Fawkes said I could be bonded to more than two familiars!"
Now everyone in the room gawked at the exuberant look on Harry's face.
"What's wrong?" His smiled fell. "D-Did I say something weird?"
"No! Not at all." Blaise shook out of his stupor before patting Harry's hand. "We just didn't know how strong of a wizard you were."
"What do you mean?"
"Harry…" Draco started. "There are several marks of a wizard that shows how strong one is. One of the many ways is to show their accomplishments to the society…"
"Another way is how many familiars said witch or wizard can bond to." Blaise finished.
"And if Fawkes believe that you can bond to more than two familiars…" Hermione trailed off.
"That means I'm a strong wizard?"
"Precisely."
"Aw man. Now, I'm now more of a freak than Uncle Vernon said I was." Harry burst into tears. Fawkes flew around his head, hovering several feet away as he trilled a song so light and cheerful that it dried up Harry's tears.
"You are not a freak!" Petunia shouted, starting everyone in the room. "Dursley was a crazy man. A vicious, psychotic lard of a man. And I – I was a stupid, stupid woman. To think that my nephew was ever crazy when you did nothing to me, to us, to our family. And it was all a misunderstanding on your part. I was a jealous prat. I was a vain woman. I should have never called you a freak, Harry. I sincerely hope that you forgive me. And even if you did, the guilt still lies with me. I encouraged Dursley's slurs against you and your parents. I did nothing to stop them and only further fueled his restlessness. If it weren't for me, you would have lived a better life –"
"I don't think making yourself look like the one Harry should apologize to is helping." Draco spat. He knew Harry had forgiven both Petunia and Dudley, but he and the rest of Harry's friends, both Slytherin and Gryffindor, still had a touch of coolness towards them.
"I never meant for it to come out that way."
"Nevertheless, this conversation is over. I suspect Fawkes will be bonding with you Harry?" Tom inquired.
The phoenix landed in front of Harry, right on the dining table. The Gryffindor turned to look at Fawkes and when the two felt a spark within their gaze, Fawkes lit up in fire while Harry glowed a rich gold and red. Fawkes disappeared, leaving a pile of ashes on the table and in a few seconds, everyone heard the trill of a baby phoenix before they saw Fawkes being reborn.
"I guess I am bonded to him."
At that moment, Hedwig flew into the dining room and hovered around the pile of ashes, hooting at it irritably.
"Come now Hedwig. I think it's time for everyone to know what your true form is."
With what seemed to be a shake of her head, Hedwig flashed in a bright white light and revealed herself.
"Dear Merlin…" Sirius gasped. "Is that…"
"Sirius, everyone. I'd like you to meet Hedwig. She's… a white phoenix."
…..
On Monday August 31st, Harry Potter, Darrel D. Jans and Lucius Malfoy arrived at the Surrey Courthouse to deal with the lawsuit against Vernon Dursley. The others were following along behind Darrel and Lucius; Harry was walking in the middle between Blaise and Draco, whose hands were holding Harry's for silent support. When they all entered the courtroom, the Slytherins and some of the Gryffindors were to sit in the section behind the gates. Petunia, Dudley, Hermione, Ron, Fred, George and Draco had to wait to be called in as witnesses. After several minutes, everyone was in place and the trial began.
"All rise for the Honorable Judge Harrison." Everyone in the courtroom stood up before returning to their seats after the judge himself took his seat.
"We are here on Monday, August 31st at 8:00 AM. to discuss the case of threatened and attempted murder on one Harrison James Potter-Evans-Black- Gryffindor-Peverell against the defendant, Vernon Dursley. Will the plaintiff please begin?"
"Thank you." Darrel said, getting up from his seat. "Your honor, honorable jury and all those in the court room, my client Harry James Potter is a relative of Mr. Dursley. There are abundant files that are evident in Vernon's harsh dealings with Mr. Potter if you will please check it." Harry's lawyer moved to Judge Harrison to place all the evidence before him.
"Exhibit A. The cupboard. My client has been living there ever since he was an infant. As the house in 4 Privet Drive is a two story home with four bedrooms, one for the parents, one for their child, another for the occasional guest and one for their child's old and used toys. As you can see here, the cupboard is underneath the stairs – it is old and dusty. It is large enough for my client to live in until he reached the age of 11, but it is too small for a grown teenager, let alone an adult, to continue living there."
"Exhibit B. My client's cousin's second bedroom. From the picture there, and from my client's report, Harry had moved there during the summer after his first year at a private boarding school. Your honor, you can see that from the pictures, there are multiple locks drilled to lock my client in and there is the use of the cat flap at the very bottom of the door. My client has revealed that the cat flap was for Mr. Dursley to push food and drinks through. This is just the outside of the room. If you will turn the page, the following three pages are evidence of Harry's mistreatment. The room is filled with old toys and junk. There is a small bed – big enough for an eight year old, but too small for a fifteen year old. The walls' plaster is peeling off; there are cracks all along the walls and the ceiling. The small closet, if that can be called so, is broken. But the main point is, the second bedroom is inhabitable for my client. "
"Exhibit C. My client's previous attire. Harry has never had anything to call his own. His clothes were all hand-me-downs from his cousin, who was about three times his size. The only thing that was given to him were jumpers sewn by Harry's friend's mother. His glasses were found in the lost-and-found bin, but thankfully, Harry has no need for glasses anymore. Pictures of his clothes and glasses can be viewed in the following three pages."
"Exhibit D. My client's malnutrition. Due to my client's reluctance to show his body, I hope you understand that the physique Harry has acquired now had taken the entire summer's worth of a strict nutrition plan and exercise regime. However, because there is no pictures of his malnutrition, we have attained past medical records – given by his nurse from his private boarding school. As you can see, Harry has never gone to a doctor's office whilst he was a child. All vaccinations were given during his years within his boarding school as there is a strict policy for students to be seen to before the school semester begins. All remaining vaccinations are implemented during this summer with the help of my client's new attained physician. Page 8 shows his physique now compared to his lack of nutrition then."
"I apologize for interrupting, Mr. Jans, but how is this relevant to your lawsuit against the defendant Vernon Dursley?"
"I apologize, your honor. I was merely going through the evidence from the beginning until we reach the actual cause for the lawsuit against Mr. Dursley."
Judge Harrison nodded his head and allowed Darrel to continue. "As you can see, your honor, this is before young Harry realized that he was, within his right and blood, an heir to several affluent lordships. It was during this summer that, approximately a week and four days ago on August 20th, my client realized a majority his shares were held by Grunnings. When he was meeting with the director, he realized that his uncle was a part of the company. By the end of the meeting, Mr. Dursley was threatening to murder my client through the use of strangling. I call upon Peter Robinson, the director of Grunnings, as witness to this testament."
"The court calls Peter Robinson to the stand."
A few seconds later, the interrogation began.
"Mr. Robinson, you say that you heard my client, Mr. Dursley, threaten to murder Mr. Potter. Is this true?"
"Yes."
"Are you sure you weren't mistaken?"
"It is hard to be mistaken when Mr. Dursley was extremely angry, his face went red with fury and his arms were out trying to strangle Mr. Potter."
"The cause for the reason for Mr. Dursley's anger was?"
"Mr. Potter stated that he knew there were some affairs Mr. Dursley was linked to that would ruin the company. And as such, as a large shareholder for Grunnings, he wished for Mr. Dursley to be fired."
"And it was then that my client went to attack Mr. Potter?"
"Yes, that's correct. He shouted that he would kill Mr. Potter and in doing so, he ran towards Mr. Potter with his hands outstretched."
"Thank you. No further questions." Vernon's lawyer returned to his seat, looking at Vernon with a frown on his face. He didn't know how his client was going to get out of this lawsuit.
And soon, one by one, name after name, witnesses were called to testify against Vernon Dursley. Even some employees from Grunnings had been called to tell their account of Vernon embezzling from their company. The accountants would always end up with incorrect numbers when dealing with the company's holdings, but Vernon would always find a way to make excuses to take them off his path, considering he would be the last one to leave the company whenever he decided to take some money from Grunnings.
It shocked Vernon when he heard his ex-wife's name and his son's name being called in as witnesses. His face had turned a putrid purple and his fists were clenched in fury. The lawyer by his side had shaken his head, knowing that his case was a lost cause. Just the appearance of seeing Vernon get angry so easily did not help Vernon's statement of being an okay kind of guy.
"The jury has reached a verdict. We believe Vernon Dursley to be guilty on all accounts held against him."
With that, Vernon jumped to his feet, shouting his lungs out with spit flying from his mouth.
"Order! ORDER! ORDER IN THE COURT!" Judge Harrison shouted, hammering the gavel down several times. Guards had grabbed a hold of Vernon whom had made his way towards Harry with his hands out to strangle the boy. They quickly detained him, pushing Vernon onto the table and pulled his arms behind his body.
"Mr. Vernon Dursley. You have been found guilty of all charges. As such, you will be sentenced to prison for twenty years for attempted murder, an additional five years for neglect and abuse and an additional five years for company embezzlement. After your sentence, you will be sent to a correctional facility for five years. If you maintain good behavior, your sentence can possibly be shortened. That is all." With that, Judge Harrison hammered the gavel one last time and Vernon was removed, kicking and screaming, from the courtroom.
…..
After the trial, everyone watched as Vernon was dragged away to prison. However, Darrel promised Harry that once Vernon was done with his muggle sentence, he would be tried in the Wizarding World. With that announcement, the group left the courthouse with a smile, thanking Darrel for his hard work. But, their smiles didn't last long. Once they reached home, the guardians immediately put the teenagers to work. And so, it was with a sad and heavy heart that the group of Slytherin and Gryffindor witches and wizards were tested day after day with only a half an hour break in between each version of training. As the days progressed, the training grew harsher and their breaks grew shorter. By the time the day to return to Hogwarts had rolled by, muscles were cramped and in pain, fingers twitched at every sudden movement, ears were open to every small sound and eyes would flicker around nonchalantly.
"Great, you've made them suspicious and paranoid." Harry sighed, turning to the four guardians.
"It is better to be suspicious and paranoid than dead." Alandair waved off Harry's concerns. He, out of the four guardians, had felt that the guardians had did a wonderful job with the last remaining 'weeks' they had used to brush up on the Slytherin-Gryffindor couple's group of friends' training. Compared to what they saw at the very beginning of the training, the group at large had increased in stamina, strength and speed. They, however, needed to work harder on fights and on their magic. That, however, could be dealt with when the children returned to that insolent school they call Hogwarts.
'School! BAH! If anything, it's a waste of money compared to Beauxbatons and Durmstrang.'
"Your feelings are clearly displayed." Macaire laughed, wrapping his arms around Alandair's waist.
The raven-haired guardian wrapped his arms around Macaire automatically, already having schooled his expression into a stern look. "Now, now my love. Feelings don't make you weak."
"I understand." Alandair replied and the issue was quickly dropped.
"Come on children!" Macaire clapped, generating a loud sound wave that rippled through the manor. "You best hurry up or you'll be late! It's nearly 10:30! Your train leaves in half an hour!"
The four guardians heard rumbling footsteps above them before it lead to the long grand staircase before them. All they saw was a jumble of children running down the stairs and skidding to a halt before them, their luggage in one hand and their other hand quickly smoothing down any wrinkles in their clothes and appearance.
"10:30!" Ron complained, "I could've gotten ten more minutes of sleep! Why did we have to wake up at 9:00?!"
"The early bird catches the worm, young one."
Ron looked at Macaire with a funny expression on his face. What did worms and birds have anything to do with getting to the Hogwarts Express?
"It's a muggle expression Ron." Hermione explained. She quickly ran through her mental list, checking off what she had brought with her just in case she left something behind.
Ten minutes later, they were out of the manor and flooing to the 9¾ platform. There, in front of them, was the velvet train herself – the Hogwarts Express.
As the Gryffindors and Slytherins made their way down the platform, the students and parents that were already there at such an early time watched with shocked expressions. They had not known that the two houses were or had gotten along during the past two months of their summer; especially not the Golden Trio, the Silver Trio, the Weasleys, Parkinson, Zabini, Crabbe, Goyle, Nott, White, Longbottom and Lovegood. That combination just wasn't right! The Slytherin and Gryffindor houses had always hated each other! It's always been that way! And who were those other two teenagers amongst their group?!
"Come along children. No need to block the rest of the platform." Lucius said, ushering the children onboard the train. He stopped Draco, Harry and Blaise as they were the last three to get on after their group of friends.
"Make sure to write me. Anything regarding Dumbledore's actions, thoughts or words is of importance. No doubt the old coot is furious with having Sirius, Remus and Petunia as part of the staff now. I believe it's only a matter of time before he makes his move and when he does, we'll be ready for him."
The three nodded their heads and bid the Lord Malfoy a good day and a good bye. They quickly made their way through the train to reach the last compartment in the train. Though that specific compartment was for the larger groups that stayed together, it was still small for their group consisting of sixteen teenagers. Yet it was completely perfect for them. Harry was pulled down onto Draco's lap; Luna sat on Tom's lap much to the Dark Lord's outward displeasure and inward shock. Even though Tom hissed in annoyance, a quick and sharp glance into those brown tinted red eyes had him falling silent. Alandair and Macaire were standing guard by the door – hidden in the shadows so they wouldn't be privy to curious eyes. Egidio and Tesia stood in the shadows within the room, just in case there was a chance that someone or something was able to bypass the two guardians outside the compartment.
After casting a strong silence charm, a notice-me-not and erecting a privacy ward, the group was pulled into the conversation.
"What did Lucius say?"
"We're to report to him all that Dumbledore does. Father doesn't believe Dumbledore will take this change standing."
Theo scoffed. "Of course he wouldn't! He's already lost Black and Lupin. Severus is a spy but he's a double spy, which Dumbledore doesn't know. And with Evans here as part of the staff, he's baffled."
"Not to mention he wouldn't be able to recognize our dear Dark Lord."
"But it's so like Lucius to remind you even though you know what to do already." Tom chuckled. His serpentine appearance was hidden under a complex glamour coupled with the Guardians' own skills. The trio had promised Tom, earlier in the summer, that they were researching for ways to return him to his human appearance and with the Guardians' help and Luna's guidance, they've almost reached a solution. It wouldn't take long to find it and when they've found it, hopefully it would be during Yule when they can change Tom.
"How about Fred and George?" Neville asked.
"They'll be our sources from outside the school."
Tom smirked. "Already gathering followers, Harry?"
"Might as well start now." The Gryffindor laughed.
Tom nodded his head, proud of the Gryffindor for gathering sources from all over.
"So Dudley, what house do you think you'll be sorted in?" asked Harry.
"Haven't a clue. I don't think I've portrayed any great characteristics or strength growing up." He said uncomfortably.
Harry smiled encouragingly at his cousin before taking Dudley's hands in his. "Based on what you've said and what you've shown to us these past couple of weeks, you'll no doubt be sorted in Gryffindor."
Draco snorted. "Is there a problem love?"
"Gryffindor? Don't be ridiculous. Dudley will be a Slytherin."
"Slytherin?" Ginny looked affronted. "If anything, he'll be a Ravenclaw! Did you see how fast he caught up with us those past couple of weeks?"
Dudley looked embarrassed as everyone began to fight over which house he would be sorted in. He had heard from them that a Sorting Hat would be placing him where it thought he would be. The teenager had also heard that one's characteristics, skills, strengths and goals were also taken into account before the hat would decide the house. But, as Dudley looked at the group of true friends he's acquired, he thought that whichever house he was going to be sorted in wouldn't matter, because everyone would always be there for him.
"Don't you just love badgers?" Luna said suddenly, her calm soothing voice interrupting everyone's loud statements. Instantly, the atmosphere settled down and the topic was dropped.
"W-What just happened?" Dudley said. He wondered how Luna was able to do such a thing. Was it because she was their 'Mother' – was Gaia?
Hermione saw the curious look on his face and laughed. "Don't worry about it Dudley. When Luna says something or even predicts something, it usually comes out to be true. So I guess you'll be in Hufflepuff – the house known for loyal hard workers."
"I suppose that applies to him." Draco muttered, disliking how he was interrupted and his opinion shot down.
"I think it fits perfectly!" Neville retorted, his face flushed when all eyes turned to him. He looked down at his lap and didn't notice how everyone would flick their eyes to him, to Dudley and back.
The door to the compartment suddenly opened, "Anything off the trolley dears?"
Harry instantaneously jumped up with his hand stuffed into his pockets. "You've got to try the Chocolate Frogs Dudley! Oh, I can't believe they didn't let us eat junk food while we were training." Harry complained. He faced the elderly lady by the trolley and smiled, "We'll take the lot of them." He said, pulling out several shiny galleons.
Harry happily ignored the guardians' glares and frowns thrown at him. Only Macaire and Tesia seemed to be amused by his actions.
…..
A few hours later, the group felt the Hogwarts Express begin to slow down. It helped that an announcement was heard that the train would soon be arriving at Hogsmeade Station, so they quickly put on their uniform and relaxed.
"Okay guys. We'll be gone for now, but we'll meet up in the morning for breakfast?" Hermione asked, getting up. Hermione, Ron, Draco and Pansy were prefects this year – something they were most glad for. Though it wasn't as "prestigious" as being a Head Boy or a Head Girl, the position still allowed for some authority, which they would definitely use to their advantage.
"Good bye Draco. I'll be sure to keep Harry from feeling lonely without you here." Blaise said, wrapping an arm around Harry's shoulder and dragging his fiancé onto his lap. He enjoyed the blush that erupted across Harry's face as he snuggled closer to his beloved.
"Now, now Blaise." Draco chided. "I must receive a good bye kiss from my sweet, sweet Harry. Since I won't be seeing him until tomorrow morning and you get him all to yourself until you separate for the start-of-term feast, I deserve at least that much."
The blond wizard tugged Harry off Blaise's lap and pulled Harry into a kiss. The rest of their friends looked away and covered their ears, snickering under their breath when they heard Harry's mewls and moans when Draco's nibbled on his lips and licked his bottom lip for entry. Draco pulled Harry closer, opening his eyes to see Harry's flushed face and eyeing Blaise from the corner of his eye, seeing his best mate looking hungrily at their shared fiancé. Draco pulled away, smirking when Harry tried his best to follow him if his dissatisfied pout were any indication.
"I'm sorry love." Draco said, placing small kisses on Harry's lips. "I must be going now. I have a group of first years to tend to and the other students to rearrange."
"One more?" Harry stuck his bottom lip out and shone big Avada green eyes at his blond lover.
Draco seemed to contemplate on that thought before giving Harry one last kiss and pulling away. "All right now. That should set you for the rest of the evening. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Okay." Harry nodded, watching Draco leave their compartment.
"Come here Harry."
"Don't order me around."
"Please?"
"Okay." The Gryffindor conceded, sitting on Blaise's lap and hugging his arms around the Slytherin's waist.
"We've given you journals and the mirrors. Don't worry. If you need us, we'll be there."
"But I don't want to be separated."
"We'll be in the same classes Harry."
"But not in the same dorm! Not even the same house! Oh, I should've listened to the Sorting Hat back in first year," complained Harry.
"What do you mean?"
"Oh, you see. I was supposed to go to Slytherin, but because I met Draco and he was sort of a bully then… and Ron and Hagrid were a bit… well, bias," He laughed. "I went to Gryffindor to be with Ron."
Dudley nodded his head in understanding. He too had received a feeling that Draco was a bully, but judging by the way that Harry had paused and glanced at Dudley meaningfully, Dudley had realized that Draco had been compared to himself when Harry first met him. That meant that Dudley had ruined Harry's first encounter with the blond wizard.
"I'm sorry Harry."
"It's okay Dudley. We'll all good now. I'm glad Draco is one of my fiancés. And besides, since you've had a change of heart, it proves that even the worst of people can go through a transformation, right Tom?"
"Shut up, Harry." The wizard growled playfully, returning to the tome that Harry had presented to him just last week.
"See?" Harry giggled, drawing a smile from his cousin. "Don't worry Dudley. You were only attacking me for self-preservation. I don't doubt that Vernon wouldn't punish you for acting all friendly with me. Besides, it's all in the past. We're all together now and nothing will change a thing."
…..
Ten minutes later, the Hogwarts Express stopped at Hogsmeade Station. Student poured out of the red velvet train; upper years were left to their own means of transportation through the use of the carriages pulled by Thestrals. Dudley and Tom had moved to Hagrid to join the rest of the first years as they would need to be sorted into their houses.
When their group reached Hogwarts, they piled out and sat in the Great Hall, waiting for the first years to arrive. Minutes later, Professor McGonagall left the Great Hall and escorted the nervous looking first years in. After Dumbledore had given his start-of-term speech – introducing the three new professors sitting at the staff table, Petunia Evans for Muggle Studies, Sirius Black for Defense Against the Dark Arts and Remus Lupin as his assistant - and the Sorting Hat had startled a good amount of the new students, the sorting began. Gryffindor had received eight new students: 3 boys and 5 girls, Ravenclaw had received ten new students: 5 girls and 5 boys, Hufflepuff had received nine new students: 5 boys and 4 girls, and Slytherin had received thirteen new students: 7 girls and 6 boys. After the last first year was seated, it was time for Tom and Dudley's sorting. It was no surprise to Harry and the others that Tom had been resorted into the Slytherin house, under his new name Liam Trido. It also wasn't surprising that Dudley had been sorted into Hufflepuff, under his chosen name Dudley Evans, considering the boy's loyalty had shone through during the rest of their entire summer, but Harry and everyone else had clapped for him.
Dumbledore stood up to give his speech – confusing the rest of the school as the Sorting Hat remained where it was sitting.
"My dear students. Welcome back old students, and to our new students welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Now before we begin, we have some students who had requested for a resorting."
The Golden Trio snorted at Dumbledore's stupid guise to justify his want to resort the Golden Trio and the rest of Harry's Gryffindor friends. They saw how each person in their group had nudged the other when they spotted Dumbledore's different appearance.
"He's going to resort us." Harry laughed quietly. He enjoyed how wary and old the Headmaster looked; no doubt Dumbledore was feeling the side effects of having lost the bond of a powerful figure like Fawkes, the phoenix.
Hermione sighed and rolled her eyes. "Of course he is." She too had noted that there were more wrinkles littering the Headmaster's face than there was before. Even his white beard looked limp, wiry and lackluster. Even his body looked his age; Dumbledore was slouching a bit as he said his welcome speech. The brunette witch wondered how long he'd been walking like that; perhaps with Fawkes' additional boost of magic helped to glamour the Headmaster to make his look a tad younger and healthier?
"Now when I call your names, please come and have the Sorting Hat sort you in your rightful house. Granger, Hermione."
Murmurs rippled through the Great Hall when Hermione's name was called. She walked towards the Sorting Hat with her head held high and sneered at Dumbledore before turning around to take a seat. The Sorting Hat was placed upon her head and the Headmaster stood facing his school with a jolly smile on his face.
"Ah Miss Granger. Here to get resorted I see."
"You know I haven't asked for a resorting."
"Of course not. It is just another one of Dumbledore's plans to separate you and your two friends; it only increases in his favor if the three of you are sorted into Slytherin."
"Well, I'd like to stay in Gryffindor, but I should've stayed in Ravenclaw like you've wanted to sort me back in first year."
"Yes, yes. The Headmaster has tried, with no luck, to make myself malleable against his wishes – trying to make me sort the students into whichever houses he wanted them in. But what he doesn't know is that the combination of Godric and Rowena's enchantments has prevented any compulsion charms or any spells, matter of fact, to work on little old me."
"Then... do you mean –"
"Yes, yes. Better be –"
"RAVENCLAW!"
Hermione's tie and robes changed from Gryffindor red and gold to Ravenclaw's blue and bronze. She turned to remove the hat from her head, smirking evilly at Dumbledore. She moved to the Ravenclaw table and sat beside Luna, chatting amicably with the young girl. Dumbledore frowned; the Granger girl was supposed to be moved to Slytherin! That way the rest of the school would look down on her! That way the Slytherin house would step on her and look to her as if she were the grime underneath their shoes! Now, Dumbledore felt that he had done the wrong thing trying to resort the muggleborn. With a slight twitch of a frown, he looked down at the list and called the next name out, "Longbottom, Neville."
The Gryffindors weren't surprised, considering they had thought that Neville wasn't brave nor was he as courageous as a Gryffindor was supposed to be. Harry could see it on their faces and he snorted; they hadn't seen Neville fight during the Ministry incident. The murmurs for Neville's resorting were much quieter than the murmurs for Hermione's resorting.
Neville moved to the stool holding the Sorting Hat and narrowed his eyes at Dumbledore. He sat down and the Sorting Hat was placed onto his head.
"Hello Sorting Hat."
"Ah, call me by Eldric."
"An old, wise ruler," Neville mused, "What a perfect name befitting of someone with your years of knowledge."
"Now, now. There is no need to flatter me, Mister Longbottom. Shall we get your resorting done quickly?"
"Of course."
"Well, I've sorted you in based on your decision once. But I believe you know that I'll sort you in your rightful place."
Neville smiled widely. "I'm okay with that. My friends are behind me every step of the way."
"Better be… HUFFLEPUFF!"
Smirking at the headmaster, Neville set the hat down onto the stool and walked to the Hufflepuff table, his tie changing from red and gold to yellow and black and his robes changing to Hufflepuff's emblem. "Strange how Dumbledore's only choosing Gryffindors to resort isn't it Dudley?" Neville asked, nonchalantly. He inwardly grinned when some Hufflepuffs subtly turned their heads to better hear him. "I wonder what he's thinking.
"Potter, Harry."
"It is strange. It seems like he's specifically targeting Harry and his friends." Dudley answered Neville before turning to look at his cousin. That statement had gotten the Hufflepuff's notice as they quietly murmured amongst themselves.
"It's Potter-Black now Headmaster." Harry scowled, before walking up to the Sorting Hat. The volume in the Great Hall had risen dramatically when everyone realized their Golden Boy was to be resorted. Neville and Dudley snickered when their little statement reached the ears of the Ravenclaws, who promptly passed it toward the Gryffindor table where the Slytherins caught wind of their little floating rumor.
"It's for the greater good, Mister Potter-Black."
"Lord Potter-Black." Harry snapped in return – their exchange silent to all but the duo.
Harry sat down onto the stool and allowed for the Sorting Hat to be placed upon his head.
"Ah Mister Potter, or should I call you Lord Potter-Black."
"Harry is fine, Mister…."
"Eldric. Call me Eldric."
"Harry is fine, Eldric. So I assume you're going to resort me into my proper house?"
"Of course. There was always no other choice besides that house."
"Well, I'm ready!"
"Very well. I hope you change the Wizarding World for the better. Dumbledore has ruled the people for far too long… Better be –"
"SLYTHERIN!"
The Great Hall fell silent when the Savior of the Wizarding World was resorted into Slytherin. They watched as his tie bled green and silver, drowning out Gryffindor's red and gold. Severus, Petunia, Remus and Sirius began clapping, soon followed by Harry's friends, Draco and his friends and the rest of Slytherin house – though the students there were confused. When Ron and Ginny began clapping, the rest of the Gryffindor followed slowly in suit. Luna, Hermione, Neville and Dudley were already clapping for their friend, bringing up the rest of their own houses to the applause. Harry grinned evilly at Dumbledore before he left the stool saying, "What a nice surprise. To be where I was originally supposed to be."
This comment had left the Headmaster flustered, as he looked at the last two names on his list. "Weasley, Ginevra."
The youngest Weasley moved to the Sorting Hat, smiling brightly at the headmaster. She greeted her friends from other houses before finally sitting down on the stool. Within two minutes, Ginny was resorted to Gryffindor. Lastly was "Weasley, Ronald", but Ron was also resorted into Gryffindor. With a heavy heart and a slight foreboding, Dumbledore requested that the feast begin before moving the Sorting Hat to his throne-like seat and occasionally flickering his eyes towards the Slytherin table, looking solely at one Harry James Potter-Black.
…..
"We've basically got Hogwarts." Draco immediately said. He discretely wrapped his arm around Harry's waist when the Gryffindor turned Slytherin sat down between him and Blaise.
"What do you mean?" Crystal whispered.
"We've got two people in each house, other than Slytherin. With Ron, Hermione and Neville in different houses, we're going to be able to stop Dumbledore's campaign of viewing Slytherin House as full of just Death Eater kids and evil witches and wizards." Blaise explained.
"It's a good thing. When the school sees that the Golden Trio is still the Golden Trio, even when one of their members had been sorted into Gryffindor, the balance of power will shift to our advantage."
"Harry," Tom said, drawing the newly sorted Slytherin's attention, "I have a suspicion… I'm not quite sure, but I think at the very first Hogsmeade weekend, we should have a portkey to Gringotts to see the rest of our inheritances."
"The first Hogsmeade weekend is in October. Is something wrong? Is it important?"
"Nothing is wrong…" Tom shook his head, "But I believe it is imperative that my suspicions are correct. There's something about Luna and Neville…"
Catching onto what the Dark Lord was thinking, Harry nodded his head. "I'll make sure to tell the others. We still have the fake galleon from fifth year."
"Fake galleon?" Blaise asked, scooping some food onto Harry's empty plate.
And with the rest of the feast, Harry was spent telling the Slytherins all about what happened during fifth year.
…...
"So that's how we were unable to catch any of you." Draco said, realization dawning on him.
Harry laughed. "Yep. It was smart of Hermione to think of it. With the galleon, we were able to hide from Umbitch's evil clutches."
"Until Cho's friend ratted you out."
"Yep, just like Peter Pettigrew." Harry's eyes darkened with fury at having to deal with another Peter Pettigrew. But Marietta Edgecombe had deserved it; even right now, Harry could see that heavy makeup was used, covering up Hermione's jinx that spelled 'SNEAK' across her face. Of course, Hermione hadn't removed the jinx from her.
"Enough about that. Dinner's almost over. How are we going to meet up with everyone?" Blaise asked.
"We'll head to the Common Rooms, stay for the Head of House speech before heading to the Room of Requirement. Sixth year curfew isn't until 11:00PM, and we've still got 3 hours. We've got enough time."
In half an hour, the remaining, unfinished and untouched dessert vanished from the table. Everyone looked up at Dumbledore when he stood up to bid the students good night, ending his mini-speech with a subtle but clear warning to Harry and his friends.
"Oh… is he threatening us?" Harry laughed behind his hands.
"I believe his is." Blaise smirked, wrapping his arm around Harry's shoulders. Draco saw Dumbledore's eyes light up with fury before he turned away to hid his laughter behind a cold façade.
"I'll meet you guys in the Common Room." Draco said. The blonde and Pansy got up from their seats and starting calling over the first year Slytherins to them, leaving the upper years to return to the dormitories on their own.
While exiting the Great Hall, Harry quickly told Ron, Hermione and Neville of the plan to meet up at the Room of Requirement around 9:00PM. With that, they headed to their dormitories.
….
"My name is Draco Malfoy and this is Pansy Parkinson. We are the Slytherin prefects. There are three rules that the Slytherin house must uphold. First, Slytherins must stick together. I'm sure, as you've all heard, that all witches and wizards that enter and leave Slytherin are seen as dark lords or evil witches and wizards. So, that makes us a target for other houses, especially Gryffindors considering a majority of their pranks come from that house. Show unity for the school, but your masks can come down within the Common Room and dormitories. Second, Slytherins should not create conflict within or outside of the house. If there are any troubles with other Slytherin students, it will be dealt with within the Common Room; no exceptions. Lastly, Slytherins are always prompt. Never be late to anything; always arrive 10 minutes early to every class. Make sure to stay in groups of two or more when roaming the halls or heading to and from classes. Do not make yourself a target should you walk alone. Any questions?"
No one voiced their opposition.
"Good. Our Head of Slytherin House is Professor Severus Snape, our potions master at Hogwarts."
"Thank you Mister Malfoy, Miss Parkinson." Severus stepped up while Draco and Pansy stepped back. "I expect Slytherin to abide by the rules. Slytherin is seen as cunning and ambitious, but do not mistake it for being Gryffindors who charge into situations without thinking. As such, I expect you to do well in your studies if you wish to make it in the Wizarding World. Anything less than an Exceeds Expectations is not allowed. I will not have a house full of idiotic students and be sure that discipline will be necessary should any grades drop. Due to this, attached to the bulletin is a list of all available hours of the upper years, not including fifth or seventh years as they will be studying for their O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s respectively. My office hours are also included at the top of the page; do not be afraid to ask for help. Any additional research regarding any topics that is in need of access to the Forbidden Section will be brought to my attention where I will hand a permission slip for you to show to Madame Pince. Any further questions?"
No one spoke.
"Good. Curfew is listed at another notice attached to the bulletin. Do not disappoint me and do not embarrass Slytherin house." With a flourish of bellowing robes, Snape left the Common Room.
"Right. Five students per room; but our dorms are larger and more spacious, so there is no need to worry. There are two en-suite bathrooms per dormitory. First and second years lights out at 10:00PM. Third to four years 11:00 PM and fifth to seventh years know when their own curfew is. Breakfast starts at 8:00AM everyday, so be prompt and arrive 10 minutes early – whether it is to every class or to every meal. On the weekends, we are more lenient, as we can be half an hour to an hour late to each meal. No exceptions. If there is any problems, be it family, friends, classmates, housemates, you can come to the Slytherin prefects or Professor Snape. Understand?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good. Now go."
….
"How are the new dorms guys?" Harry asked once everyone was settled in.
"There's a lack of red and gold; that's for sure." Hermione said, sinking into the beanbag chair.
"I don't know. I think I like it." Neville smiled. His prefect had told them that, unlike the other three houses, Hufflepuff was more securely guarded. While Ravenclaw had their riddles, Slytherin had their potions ingredients and Gryffindor just a password, Hufflepuff had something similar to a code that allowed wizards and witches into Diagon Alley.
"I can't believe I had to live in a room filled with red and gold everywhere." Hermione agreed. "It's just so obnoxiously… obnoxious!"
"Every house is like that due to their house pride," said Harry.
"What about you, Harry? How are you liking the Slytherin dorms?"
Harry's flushed face answered Ginny's question, "Ohhhh, what sneaky things are you doing behind closed doors?"
"Ginny!" Harry shouted. "I'm not doing anything. Blaise, Draco and I just pushed our beds together and transformed them into a large king-sized bed. That's it! I swear! No hanky-panky!"
The lecherous gleam in Ginny's eyes, coupled by her sly smirk, had Harry flushing even further.
"Yes, well at least we can bring together all four houses." Ron said, quickly changing the topic. Harry sent him a grateful look before he began munching on the snacks that Dobby had brought in when they had convened inside the Room of Requirement.
"I'd like to see Dumbledore try to break us apart." Harry smiled.
"Young ones." Alandair called out. He smirked when no one jumped at his voice or his sudden presence. "Your friend… the talking hat –"
"Eldric." Harry and Neville chimed.
"Eldric," Alandair drawled, "has told us that your Headmaster is planning something big and would report to us when it has been revealed."
"Of course." Draco scoffed. "Though he has resorted several of us, he believes he needs a fallback plan in case anything goes awry."
"What was it that Moody person said?" Macaire laughed. "Oh yes… CONSTANT VIGILANCE!"
The children burst out laughing at Macaire's impression of Alastor Moody, drawing the guardian's frown. It was so hard for the chirpy, happy-go-lucky guardian to imitate the always frowning and scowling Order member.
"Don't laugh! I'm serious!"
"You're as serious as a unicorn is dark." Harry choked out.
Macaire frowned some more before beaming a bright smile. "Well, you understand what I mean."
"Yes, yes." Blaise sighed, drying the tears from his eyes. "We'll start with bringing the houses together and keeping everyone from believing Harry has gone dark. After that, we'll start sending articles to Rita and The Quibbler – you don't mind being our messengers do you?"
"Do we get to blackmail people?" Tesia bounced on her heels.
"Get them to sign the contracts and maybe a little blackmail here and there." Ginny said, yawning.
"Once Dumbledore's reputation is ruined, we'll get him."
Tom cleared his throat. "Of course, we will have your transformation fully researched by Yule," promised Harry.
"Now we should head to bed. It's getting late. No doubt Dumbledore has his eyes on the school now."
"Alandair, take Neville and Dudley back to their dorm. Macaire, take Ginny and Ronald. Tesia take Hermione and Luna. I will take these four back to their own. Your orders are to remain being unseen to the other students. Protect the children."
"We're not children!" Harry scowled.
"You are mere babes in our eyes." Macaire cooed.
His scowl deepening even more, the four guardians split up and returned the children to their dorms.
…...
A/N: Okay, so, as you can see, I suck at the written trial section. I should've done more research to make it more believable, but real life interruptions are plentiful and therefore, my scene was horrid to write and horrid to read. I understand if there are any (if not a lot) of criticisms for that, so feel free to write all about it. I will probably rewrite some scenes in the future when real life doesn't drag me through the mud.