Runaway Wizard

by Yanagi-wa

Harry finally gets tired of being mistreated by the Dursley's and his complaints ignored or dismissed by the faculty of Hogwarts so he runs away. He learns a lot on the streets and in the world he falls into.

38. Chapter 38

Mimsey woke Harry with a cup of tea in bed. This was a real luxury as Lucius said that only sick or elderly people ate in bed. This morning was a special treat for all three of them

"Thanks, Mimsey. Is everything ready?" Harry sipped his tea and sighed, "Perfect."

"Is always perfect." Mimsey humpfed at the thought that anything she gave Harry would be less than perfect. "All is ready. Mimsey is shrinking your trunk. Put it in your pocket."

Harry laughed, finished his tea and got dressed in his new student robes. They were made just exactly as he'd wanted them. The pockets were spelled to hold quite a bit and not bulge. He'd had Mimsey put potions in one, several handkerchiefs in another and some snacks. That was all, for now, he'd build up a supply of necessities as he decided on them. He took his bag off the bedside table and tucked it away safely then headed down for breakfast. Carefully making sure that his robes were spelled shut so Lucius wouldn't see what he had on under them.

Breakfast was a full English, served individually. Harry picked at it then finished it when Lucius called him on playing with his food.

"Why do we have to take the Express? What did everyone do before trains? Whose idiot idea was this?" Harry was sulking and making no bones about it.

"It's traditional now. They came by wagon or horse back or apparated into Hogsmead. Ummm ... Dippitt, I believe. Fool thought it was a bonding experience. Finish your food."

Lucius returned to his own breakfast, in just as bad a mood as Harry and Draco. He really didn't want to see them leave. He'd made one arrangement that he felt was good for Harry. He'd persuaded him to leave Hedwig here. She was miserable at Hogwarts, she really couldn't be in the dorm room and she didn't get along well with the other owls. Lucius had promised to write Harry every week, and send the letter with Hedwig. There would always be business that he had to consult Harry about. Harry was taking Aspis instead.

There was an ulterior motive for this. Aspis could go to class with Harry. Harry did tend to want to take him everywhere with him, and the snake enjoyed wrapping around Harry's warm torso. Lucius was hopeful that Dumbledore would try to forbid Aspis as he'd already gotten permission from the rest of the Governors for Harry to keep his 'pet'. Read body guard, Aspis is Latin for shield.

Breakfast finished and a final check done, they headed for the train. Harry hugged Mimsey good-by and followed Lucius to the floo. He still thought it was stupid to floo to King's Cross Station, then board a train and ride for eight hours to get to Hogwarts. All he'd ever gotten from the trip was a headache and sore back.

The floo trip took seconds and Lucius was very proud when he strode out of the huge fireplace with both of his sons at his heels. Harry didn't even break stride.

They walked to the train in step, Harry on Lucius' left and Draco on his right. Lucius made sure that they were in a compartment, settled in and ready to go. "Now, no wandering the train. Draco? I mean it." Draco had the good grace to look abashed by this command. "Harry, if Neville doesn't join you, go find him. Yes?" Harry nodded.

Harry had his own plans for this train trip. He was going to abolish the barriers between the houses and do it quickly. He was well aware that Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff got along fairly well. And Gryffindor got along with them. No one got along very well with Slytherin. And that was going to change. How? He wasn't sure. But the first step was going to be getting Millicent, Daphne, Vince and Theo into the same compartment as Neville, Ron, Hermione and him. Without a major combat breaking out. He had high hopes though, they'd all gotten along well at the balls and picnic. He muttered, "Firm hand on the reins." and settled down to wait.

It didn't take long before there was a tap at the door. Neville stuck his head in and then just entered and settled in a window seat.

"What are you up to?"

Harry gave Neville his most innocent look. "What do you mean?"

Neville rolled his eyes. "Oh, pu-lease. I know you're up to something. Give."

Just then Hermione came in without knocking, followed by Millicent. "Look who I found."

Harry stood when the two young women came in, followed quickly by Neville and Draco.

Millicent sighed and flopped down in the seat next to Draco. "Save me! Oh, my goodness. The firsties are ... so small! Were we ever that little? And Pans is being a complete bitch. We are officially not friends anymore."

Hermione just nodded her agreement and chucked her school bag under a seat which she promptly claimed. "It's ... they're so small ... and so damn loud. Supersonic squealing is not good. And Pansy is already making a total ... you know what of herself. She was picking on a firstie before she even got on the train. Thank goodness I turned down Prefect. I'm just not dealing with all Dumbledore's crap. He actually had the nerve to come to my house and demand that I tell him everything you'd been doing all summer. As if I keep track of your every breath." She huffed her annoyance, crossing her arms over her chest.

Harry gave her a strange look. "Really? That ... why did you turn him down?"

"Because I realized what he's doing ... after I had a real talk with Daddy. He explained things to me. I always thought that adults knew what was best all the time. Daddy flat out said that the road to hell is paved with good intentions and I had to make up my own mind about what was best. Full stop. We talked about a lot of stuff that I never even thought was a problem." She looked like she was about to cry. "Harry, I'm really sorry. I ... but sometimes, when you won't listen to me, I get really scared and I don't know what to do. I'm sorry I was ever such a tattle."

Harry smiled. "Hermione, you're my best friend outside Ron and Neville, you get to worry. But I ... I should listen better too, and try to explain more. We'll both work on it, ok?"

Ron, standing in the compartment door, broke in with, "Right. We'll all work on it. Enough with the sappy stuff. You'll have us all weeping like girls."

Draco just gave Harry a heartbroken look, exclaiming, "And I'm not included in the list of best friends? I'm crushed."

Harry, after a quick, sharp glance, snorted, "You're my brother, foster, true. But that's entirely different. Don't be a prat."

Draco clutched his chest in mock dismay. "Oh! I'm devastated."

Harry smacked him on the back of the head, saying with some affection, "Rotten snake."

With that settled to everyone's satisfaction, they began to share gossip. When Theo and Vincent showed up they just scrooched around to make room.

When the last of the group showed up to try to squeeze in, Harry decided he'd had enough. He just stood up, pulled out his wand and cast an enlarging spell. This made the interior of the compartment twice the size of the outside, making plenty of room for all of them. He smirked at Vincent and Theo then sat back down.

He scanned the compartment. Draco was seated between Ron and Hermione, discussing something Hermione had scribbled on a scrap of paper. Daphne and Millicent were bracketing Neville, who was showing them a wand gesture that his Gran had taught him, supposedly assuring a wrinkle free garment for the whole day. Theo and Vince were settled on either side of the door listening to something outside in the corridor.

Harry counted noses and asked, "Where's Greg?"

Hermione made a face. "He's with Parkinson. I'm afraid we've lost him."

Draco sighed. "I was afraid of that. He's ... too much a follower. I led him as long as I could but ... with his family being what they are ..." He trailed off, looking dismayed.

Vince sighed. "That's a problem. He's dumb as a box of rocks. Lots dumber than me. His father is pressing him to get marked at the holls. Mine is too. I don't know what I'm going to do."

Neville spoke up at once. "You'll come home with me for the holls. And, after graduation, you'll stay with me until we can figure out something else. No argument!" He looked at Vince, his stern expression sitting oddly on his usually cheerful continence.

Vince seemed to just collapse. "Oh, Merlin. Thank you. I ... my dad took me to a meeting. The Dark Lord is totally nutters. I'm scared of him. I can't imagine kissing his arse for the rest of my life. Lord Longbottom, you've saved my life. Literally."

Neville just nodded and returned to his discussion of household spells.

Harry grinned at Draco who patted his shoulder. This disturbed Aspis, who stuck his head out of Harry's collar to hiss at him.

Ron looked up and remarked, "He's bigger. Did he shed?"

"Yes. That book that Papa got me said that a snake his size and age should shed at least twice a year. Keeping him hungry only makes him irritable. He's getting a mouse every other day now."

Vince eyed the snake with interest. "Really? Can I watch next time you feed him? Does he bite?"

Harry laughed companionably at this. "Yes. I'll let you know for sure. And Aspis will bite, if you aggravate him enough, or if someone attacks me."

Hermione looked at Aspis carefully. "Well, he does look better. His eyes are bright and he looks sleek. Dumbledore is going to have a fit, though. And, where's Hedwig? Did you send her on ahead?"

"No. She's miserable at Hogwarts, just as much as at the Dursley's. She's much better off at home. Papa is going to send all my mail to me by her so I'll see her more than usual." He forestalled her next question by continuing. "If I need to send mail, I'll just use a school owl. They're included in the tuition."

Neville just nodded. "I've always used school owls. But, I worry now, that Dumbledore might interfere with them."

"He has, he will, and he also interferes with personal owls. Another reason that Hedwig is so unhappy." Draco scowled. "We need to figure out how to send messages that are actually private."

Harry bit his lip for a moment then said, "House elves. No one can interfere with them."

Hermione cleared her throat. "I know I've made a real nuisance about this but ... slavery is just evil. How can ..." She stopped talking when Draco raised a hand.

He sighed and started, "I know you don't want to hear this but..." Hermione made a face but nodded for him to continue. "I don't know what crime a whole race could possibly have committed but it is a fact that their indenture is a punishment to their whole race. And, if Binns wasn't so damn obsessed with goblin wars and kings that didn't actually exist, we'd know. And that leads to the real problem. If they are not tied to a wizard or a wizarding establishment, they suffer. Winkie is a drunk. Dobby is ... just nuts. I think he's better off than Winky as he's obsessed with Harry. SPEW is never going to work because you can't free a prisoner until the sentence is completed and you can't free a slave that doesn't want to be free. Now ... please drop this for something more constructive."

Hermione got that look in her eye. The one that meant research was in the offing.

Harry shifted restlessly bringing everyone's attention back to him. "I think some elves are more or less ... released. Mimsey also asked some very good questions and until someone comes up with an answer to them, we're much better off not meddling with something we really don't understand. I'm going to bond Dobby as soon as I can. He's unhappy and he wanted me to take him on a long time ago. He says he likes his freedom but he would like serving me more. I need him."

Hermione snorted then asked, "So why didn't you bring Mimsey with you?"

"Can't. Dumbledore set the rule that no one could bring a personal elf. There's no rule about bonding with one after I arrive. So, we'll all use Dobby to send letters home that we're sure Dumbledore can't mess with." Draco opened his mouth then closed it when Harry waved a hand and said, "He won't mess with Hedwig. The messages she's carrying are all personal business between me, Papa and Gringotts. The goblins would have his bollocks in a second."

Millicent, who'd sat quietly, finally demanded, "And you're discussing all this in front of us, why?"

Harry gave her a funny look then demanded, "You going to snitch?" She shook her head, Vince, Daphne and Theo followed suit. "Didn't think so. You, none of you, like Tommy-boy any better than I do. So, I figure you're on my side. Not Moldyshorts or Dumbledore's. You're included unless you demand out. So ... what's it going to be? Me or one of them?"

Theo just asked, "Do you want a formal declaration?"

"No. I just need to know where we all stand. A formal declaration will cause you too much trouble. Just ... if your families cause you any trouble, go to Longbottom house or come to Malfoy Manor."

With that, all the Slytherins students relaxed visibly. Talk turned to robe styles, classes and other trivialities. Harry didn't participate much as he had suddenly realized what his first step at Hogwarts needed to be.

.

Lunch had come and gone. A stop by the snack cart had carried them up till now but it was nearly tea time and Harry was starving.

"Damnit, Draco. I'm hungry. That cart is a joke."

Draco smirked and said, "Now you will realize my greatness." He flourished his wand, creating a table out of a couple of books. "Here we go." He reached up to the luggage rack above his head and brought down a tiny basket. He enlarged it to a huge size and opened it. Daphne got up and helped him take things out of it and put them on the table. After they were done, Draco managed a creditable bow, despite the constraints of a moving train and cramped compartment. "Behold!"

Harry laughed heartily at that and started helping Draco hand plates around. "Draco, you're the best brother ever."

Draco inclined his head slightly at that but said, "Foster brother, Harry."

Harry mumbled around a mouth full of egg salad. "What's the difference?"

Ron made a face. "Well, there's a lot of difference. Fosters are never of the same blood, for one thing. And fosters have an entirely different set of responsibilities."

Neville interjected. "Yes, entirely. You'll cause all sorts of scandal if you aren't careful."

Harry looked blank. "Don't get it. More. It's not like we're going to get married or something." He looked a bit startled as Hermione flushed deep red. "Ok. What?"

Hermione sighed. "You're showing our muggle raising. It's not unheard of for fosters to marry."

Draco looked shocked. "You mean ..."

Hermione nodded. "In muggle society, fosters are considered next best to blood related. Too many foster children get pregnant every year."

Draco blinked while Neville looked totally scandalized. Daphne exclaimed, "You mean they're not chaperoned? At all?" Hermione shook her head. "I never!"

Harry looked from one pureblood to another. "Ok. Draco? What's this?"

Draco sighed, trying to get his thoughts organized. Hermione cleared her throat then waited until Harry nodded at her.

"In medieval times, people fostered most of their children for political or social gain. They were raised together, often with the knowledge that they would marry when they were old enough. Some were actually married, by proxy, in the cradle. It's only been in the last fifty years or so that there was any scandal attached to fosters marrying, when they came of age. So ... you have to be really careful about talking about something like that. You don't want to give the wrong impression." Harry gave her a sharp look. "It's really not incest when no blood relation is involved. It's just convention. A construct of propriety to keep fosters from getting into trouble."

Harry frowned for a moment. "Oh, ok. I get it. Another case of adults applying a good dose of guilt trip for their own convenience. I take it that fosters are rather strictly chaperoned?"

Draco shrugged. "If they are of different sexes, especially if they're not intended to marry, yes. I remember Mother talking about Walburga. She was fostered into the Black family at the age of six. She was never out of the sight of either a house elf or the witch who was the housekeeper until the marriage night. Very strict. She was crazy, you know."

Harry grimaced. "I know. She's a total nutter."

"Is?" Draco looked puzzled.

"Her portrait hangs in Black House. She screams at everyone."

Draco shuddered and turned the subject.

They ate their fill then Hermione helped Draco repack the hamper, demanding to be taught the spells while she did so. Draco obliged, teaching her all the spells involved.

Then he produced more useful items from the voluminous pockets of his robes. A chess set, several books for light reading and a backgammon board. Ron challenged Theo to chess, Hermione pulled a book from her bag, while Daphne and Millicent fell on the other books with glad cries. Harry and Neville took the backgammon board while Vince declared himself too full to do more than nap.

They occupied themselves with their various pursuits until the arrival announcement was made.

Harry just stood up and waved his wand, neatly separating the compartment into two dressing rooms, girls on one side, boys on the other.

Draco had worn a shirt, trousers and travelling robe, so all he had to do was change his outer robe. Neville and Ron had just worn their school robes. Harry, however, had worn an old school robe tightly closed over something he didn't want Lucius to see. Under this robe he was wearing tight leather trousers, a t-shirt that said, 'Those who think they know everything annoy those of us that actually do'. Over that he donned his new school robes. Aspis complained about being discommoded as Harry changed then settled across his chest again wrapping once there and once around Harry's neck, giving the impression that he was wearing some sort of collar and chest harness.

These robes looked astonishingly like Snape's teaching robes, except they were made of silk. The open fronts hid nothing of what he was wearing under them.

Draco looked him over then commented, "Those boots are something else."

Harry stuck out a foot. His dragon hide boots sported steel toe caps and heel guards. They matched the engraving on his heavy steel bracelets. Bracelets which helped hide his wand holster and provided him with plenty of material to transfigure blades, throwing pins and other useful things. He'd been practising under Lucius' tutelage and was now proficient enough to be truly dangerous. He grinned and refrained from comment.

When he banished the barrier, at Daphne's call, Hermione took one look and announced, "Oh, my god! You look like a street rat." Harry just smirked at her.

Daphne announced. "He's hot! Oh, goodness, sizzling."

Millicent just smiled.

Harry took a mirror out of one pocket and checked his eye liner then put on some of that peach lip-gloss that Lucius secretly wanted to toss. "I'm ready."

Draco just braced himself. Dumbledore was going to go completely mental. He liked it.

Neville and the other boys resigned themselves to being cast completely in the shade although Ron did say, a bit hopefully that they might get a bit of attention from the girls that Harry didn't want. Hermione smacked him, while the other ladies glowered. He blushed and hid behind Draco.

.

They exited the train and walked to the carriages in a group. As there wasn't enough room in one carriage for all of them they split into two groups. One consisted of Theo, Daphne, Millicent and Vince. The other of Ron, Neville, Harry, Draco and Hermione. Since the carriages were only comfortable for four, Harry mounted the drivers box. He laughed and said, "Too bad I can't actually drive this. But I don't think the thestrals would like my ham handed driving style."

Draco snorted. "Probably not. Leave them be."

The drive didn't take long and they dismounted the carriage at the front courtyard and scurried inside. It was beginning to drizzle. Aspis complained petulantly.

Only Draco had any idea what they looked like striding into the entrance hall in a flying wedge with Harry taking point. It was a symptom of the times that the doors were both open and wide enough that they all fit through.

Behind them followed the Slytherin group, Vince, Millicent, Daphne and Theo. The only one to notice was Professor Snape.

Dumbledore did notice Harry. Harry's clothing set his teeth on edge at once. His vision was of a young, humble man dressed in neat, conservative robes carefully under his control. A young man grateful to him for rescue from mediocrity. What he saw was a Harry Potter with more street cred than Alistor Moody. Harry looked punk tough, and ready for almost anything.

Harry noticed Dumbledore staring and smirked at him.

Hermione poked him in the ribs and hissed, "Not now. Sit."

Harry glanced at Draco who shook his head and mouthed, "Let them start it." then continued on to the Slytherin table. He sat down between Theo and Vince. Harry obediently settled between Neville and Ron with Hermione across from him.

Professor Snape took one look at the robes Harry and Draco were wearing and gave it up as a bad job from the first. The robes were not standard student issue but were well within the parameters set out by Hogwarts regulations. He wasn't about to start a fight he knew he couldn't win.

Minerva McGonagall, as Deputy Headmistress, wasn't about to let this breach of decorum go. She was, however, wise enough to let it go for later, after the sorting.

Seamus Finnigan took one look at Harry and blinked, "Blimy, mate, you look like a Traveller. Damnation, but you're hot."

Harry smirked a bit, "Interested, Finnigan?"

Seamus snorted. "Not a bit. But I'm not blind. All the girls are drooling already. McGonagall is going mental though."

Harry just shrugged, causing Aspis to hiss. "Don't care." He stroked Aspis where he was coiled around his neck and hissed, "Hush, you." everyone around him flinched.

Neville eyed Aspis for a moment. "What's his problem?"

Harry glanced around. "What's wrong?"

"Too many people. Where are we? Why are we here?"

"This is Hogwarts. It is the place where I learn the knowledge of my people. Would you like to be in your tank?"

Aspis looked around, darting his head this way and that beside Harry's ear. "No. I cannot protect you if I am away. Your nest male said that I should protect you here."

This last comment startled Harry as Lucius wasn't a parslemouth. "How did he tell you this?"

Aspis hissed his irritation. "With the speaking stone. It is very weak and not much use. All he could tell me was that there are dangers here. We will speak of this more later." and with another hiss, he returned his head to its usual place in the dip of Harry's collar bone.

Harry looked around the table, everyone within earshot was staring. "Stop it! You all know I'm a parslemouth so stop staring." He glowered so fiercely that everyone returned to their business. "He's not happy with so many people around. Papa told him, somehow, to protect me so he won't go to his tank. Just ignore him." Neville nodded and turned to speak to Colin Creevey, who was seated on his other side.

Just then the sorting started so they all turned their attention to the proceedings.

Harry quickly realized that there were very few first years this sorting. In fact, he counted and there were only forty. Most went into Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff, a few into Gryffindor and the only boy to be sorted into Slytherin burst into tears and refused to go. Dumbledore spoke to him quietly but he stubbornly shook his head and demanded to be returned to his parents care at once. Dumbledore finally allowed a resort and the boy went instead to Hufflepuff where he was greeted politely and seated between two older students.

Harry made sure to smile at the boy and his bookends.

Dumbledore rose to make his usual greeting comments. "Good evening, everyone. Another year is upon us. We are pleased to welcome Harry Potter back into the fold." Harry glowered at Dumbledore, tossing his head and making his earring glitter and his hair pull out of his collar. "Welcome back, Harry." Dumbledore tried to continue but Harry stood up, pulling his braid out of his robe and bowing elegantly. "Yes, well, to continue."

Then Harry had an inspiration. He turned to Dumbledore and demanded, "where are the rest of the first years? There should be more. Hermione? Apply your considerable intellect and tell us how many there should be."

Hermione just stood up. She'd already figured this out just due to her own curiosity. "Very well, Harry. I won't bore you with a bunch of statistics but, taking into account the increase in pregnancies due to Tom being banished by Harry, there should be well over a hundred new students. More like one hundred and twenty, plus or minus a factor of one sixth of one percent. So something like eighty students are not here. Supposing several factors, I believe that they've either gone to Beauxbattons, Durmstrang, or are being home schooled. Perhaps some have gone to one of the four American schools. Either way, they're not here. Which brings about the question. Why aren't they here?"

Dumbledore sputtered for a moment but Harry just smiled at Hermione and said, "Thank you, Hermione. Now, we've interrupted the Headmasters opening remarks enough. Perhaps we should sit down now and let him finish so we can eat. Yes?"

Hermione gave Harry a little curtsey and settled back on the bench which everyone had helpfully pushed back when she stood.

This was another thing Harry had every intention of changing. It was hard to get up or sit down without bothering everyone else on the bench. And some of the younger students actually had problems eating if they were seated with several older students. He conjured himself a proper chair and settled into it. Since he used part of the wood from the bench he'd been seated on, it left plenty of room for the chair.

Dumbledore completely forgot his entire speech. After hearing Hermione's remarks and watching Harry transfigure a chair, he just gave up and sat down. Tapping his wand to the table in front of him, he ordered service to begin. He leaned over to tell Minerva to have Harry come to his office after the banquet then began to eat. Not surprisingly, the food tasted like ashes.

Harry looked across the table and gave Hermione a big smile. "That was perfect. Enough information to get the point across without being blindingly boring, but with hints enough of good data to back it up."

Hermione smiled back. "Thank you, Harry. I do actually have statistics to prove my statements." She looked a bit sad. "I doubt that anyone is really interested though."

Harry started to say something when Ron just pointed and said, "Ravenclaw." then returned to his plate. Hermione managed not to look insanely pleased with herself.

The meal itself went well. The food was good, and Harry was glad to see his friends. The one's he hadn't spent months hanging around with, that is.

Professor Snape hadn't known the statistics but he had eyes in his head and a brain to think with. He was well aware that the enrolment had fallen off quite badly but had never given it much thought. Now he was having to reassess this. It indicated a very unpleasant fact, people didn't consider Hogwarts safe anymore. He watched the room carefully.

Minerva McGonagall had never realized how straight laced she was, she just knew what she considered proper and what she did not. Harry's outrageous clothing came under the heading of improper and she intended to see that he changed to fit the proper appearance of a Hogwarts student and Gryffindor.

The banquet was done and everyone was preparing to go to the dorms when Professor McGonagall targeted Harry with her most stony glare. Harry just looked back, patiently waiting for her to say something. His refusal to squirm only infuriated her more. Finally she said, rather sourly, "Mr. Potter, Professor Dumbledore would like you to see him in his office. After you change into proper student robes."

Harry shrugged. "Check the regs. I know these robes are well within them. Made sure of that, see?"

"Detention, Mr. Potter. Now, go change those robes."

Harry's reaction shocked the middle-aged witch to her toes.

"Refused. And no."

'You can't refuse a detention." Professor McGonagall was scandalized.

"Yes, I can. Any student can refuse any detention that they feel is unjustified. By appealing to their head of house, in writing, or verbally, enumerating the reasons why. Since you're my head of house, I should appeal to you; however, under these circumstances, I believe the Board of governors is my best bet. Dumbledore is sure to uphold you just to irritate Papa. Excuse me." And with that, Harry bowed slightly and walked off. Draco, who had waited for him, bowed too, and followed.

It took them only seconds to get to the gargoyle which guarded Dumbledore's office. Harry eyed it for a moment then said, "Open."

Draco sighed. "Harry, you know it only opens to the proper password. Which we don't know. Bloody Dumbledore. We'll be here forever guessing sweets."

Harry drew his wand, a grim expression pinching his mouth. "No, we won't. I have the perfect password." He pointed his wand at the gargoyle. "My personal password is 'gravel'." He glared at the gargoyle. "Which is what you're going to be unless you fucking move your bloody arse." The gargoyle wasted no time in leaping aside. "Bloody piece of shite." Harry tucked his wand away and allowed the stairs to take him into the vestibule of Dumbledore's office.

He knocked on the door firmly then went in. He usually tapped rather hesitantly then sat on one of the hard stools until Dumbledore called for him to come in. He usually had to wait at least ten minutes. Not anymore. Harry clearly recalled never seeing anyone leave and he was sure that there wasn't another way out, unless someone went through Dumbledore's private quarters. Not something anyone would be allowed to do.

Dumbledore looked up from his cup of tea. He'd known when Harry passed the gargoyle of course but he'd expected Harry to respectfully wait until summoned.

"Harry, you should wait to be called before entering."

Harry gave him a disgusted look. "As if. You want to talk to me, so talk. Then I have something to say. Draco, have a seat. It seems Headmaster Dumbledore is going to be a bad host." He held up a hand to Dumbledore. "No, no tea, thank you. We have, after all, just dined. Now." He settled himself into a comfortable chair, comfortable because he'd charmed it to be so. Draco followed suit and seated himself on a straight backed chair, right on the edge as if he was expecting some sort of attack.

Dumbledore, well aware of Pureblood traditions, didn't bother to ask Draco to leave. He just twinkled at them both in a grandfatherly fashion and tried to guilt trip them. "Harry, Draco, I'm very disappointed in you both. First, Draco, you refuse to get along with your housemates." Draco snorted rudely. "And, Harry, these robes. They're just not appropriate."

Harry just got up, pulled a small book from a pocket and handed it to Dumbledore. He read carefully at the bookmarked page. "Well, well, it does seem I am wrong on that." He gazed sadly at Harry over his glasses. "Your attitude is not what I would expect from the Saviour of the Wizarding World."

Harry snickered loudly. "Sorry. My attitude ... it's what you might expect from someone who was fucking abused ... with your seeming approval. So, if you don't like my attitude, give me a reason to change it. You sent be back and Vernon nearly killed me. Think about that for a moment." He glanced at Draco, who was watching them like a tennis match, looking from one to the other without comment. "Wait for it ... wait..." Dumbledore opened his mouth. "And here it comes."

"Now, Harry, I know you and your uncle didn't get along, but surely you understand that it was for your own good. If you had really tried, I'm sure Vernon wouldn't have been stern with you. You needed the protection of the blood wards to save you from Voldemort."

Harry sneered at Dumbledore. "Oh, please. Tommy boy couldn't find his arse with both hands if you pointed to it. Those wards don't exist. I checked. Any ward like that would leave traces, even after it collapsed. The only wards there were put up by you. Next excuse."

Dumbledore sighed, this was not going well at all, he decided to back off and let things settle a bit. He was also going to send someone to question Vernon Dursley. It was just impossible that someone could actually mistreat a member of their own family the way Harry claimed.

"I can see that we have gotten off on the wrong foot this year."

Harry bared his teeth and snapped, "Ya think?"

"Yes, well, why don't you run along and have a good nights sleep. Maybe you'll feel better in the morning." Dumbledore stood up, nodding in dismissal.

"Night." Harry just stood up and started for the door with a still silent Draco on his heels.

After they left, Dumbledore leaned back in his chair and thought carefully. His assumption that family didn't hurt family seemed valid but – he decided to send Tonks to question Dursley as soon as she could manage it. He wrote a note, called for an owl and sent the bird on its way.

He never noticed Fawkes eyeing him unhappily.

.

Harry walked with Draco to the rooms he had been given the year before. "You going to return to the dorm?"

Draco opened the door and motioned to a chair. "Park it." He tossed his robe onto another chair then answered Harry's question. "Hell no. It's a definite political advantage, now that I have father's permission to use whatever techniques are necessary to protect myself. I'm carrying my sword from now on."

Harry blinked. "How the hell are you going to get away with that?"

"Father got the Board of Governors to rescind the Amendment of 1887, or whatever year it was. The rules are now the original governing bylaws of the Founders. You should read them. Very interesting. Rights of students to keep and bear arms, and some very interesting definitions of what are considered proper robes. I'll get you a copy. Have Hermione read it too. You better go now or Ron and Neville will be sending out a search party."

Harry stretched, got back up and went to the door. "You'll be hosting a regular study session, right? The Gryffindor common room is like trying to study in a riot zone. Night."

Draco just nodded at that idea and said, "Right. Good night."

Harry shut the door behind him and made it to Gryffindor Tower just before curfew.

The Fat Lady started to refuse him entrance because he didn't know the pass word but he just said, more or less the same thing he'd said to the gargoyle guarding Dumbledore's office, except the pass word was 'incendio'. She opened.

He was pounced on at once. "Harry, mate! Glad to see you back." Seamus patted him on the back and the party began. Harry gave in at once, happy to be back and very ready to party.

They ate and drank butter beer, talking and laughing until McGonagall stood in the portal and told them all to go to bed. The party broke up then with everyone grumbling a bit but they all realized that they needed sleep.

The second he was in his room, Dobby popped in.

Harry was delighted to see the elf and just grabbed him up and hugged him. "Dobby, I'm so glad to see you. How are you?"

Dobby turned green with pleasure. "Oh, Dobby is fine, Master Harry. Dobby is sorry."

"What the hell are you sorry for?" Harry was pissed that Dobby felt he had to apologize.

"For not being able to help Master Harry anymore. Dobby is getting caught. Professor Snoopy Snape did it."

Harry patted Dobby on the shoulder. "I'm sorry you got in trouble for helping me. Dumbledore tied you to Hogwarts?"

Dobby nodded. "Yes, Dobby is a free elf but he cannot be leaving the castle."

Harry patted Dobby on the shoulder then said, "I want to take you as my servant. Will Papa be a problem?"

Dobby mouthed, 'Papa' silently then demanded, "Who is you calling Papa?"

"Lucius Malfoy." Harry waited for an explosion that never came.

Dobby just shook his head. "He is treating you right?"

Harry had to grin at that. "He calls me his treasure."

"Then it is being good. Dobby will serve Harry Potter. And get along with bossy Mimsey." Dobby took off one of his hats, looking sad. "Here. Dobby will find a nice towel."

Harry shook his head as he took the hat. "No, Dobby, you won't be wearing a towel or a pillowcase. You'll be wearing a Potter house elf uniform. Here." Harry opened his trunk and fished around for a second. He found the tiny uniform of black pants and tunic, then he got out the soft bag boots. "You'll have to size them but this is what you'll wear. Find a belt you like, and a pouch for it. And don't let anyone tell you that personal elves aren't allowed. Now, I've got to get to bed. Wake me at six, please."

Dobby assured Harry that he would wake him at any time he asked then popped out. Harry shucked off his clothing down to his pants and crawled into bed. He was asleep the second his head hit the pillow.

.

Somewhere in the dungeons, Argus Filtch was carefully reading the old, unrevised Hogwarts rules and smirking happily. He was going to get his back from all those annoying brats who made fun of him for being a squib.

.

Harry woke at ten till six and got up. He dressed in a running suit as the highlands were already chilly this early in the morning.

He got down to the common room to find that he was being joined by Neville, Ron and Hermione. He had his doubts about her making it all the way around the lake but kept this to himself.

He led the way down the stairs where they were joined by Draco and, surprisingly, both Vince and Theo.

He led them through stretches, watching Hermione, Vince and Theo to make sure they did them correctly. He didn't want any pulled hamstrings or groin muscles on the first day.

"Ok, we're going to start out with some tai chi, the stretches were just a lead in."

They all jumped slightly as a silky voice asked from the shadows of the dungeon stairs, "And what pray tell are you all doing blocking the entrance hall this early in the morning?" Professor Snape stepped out of the shadows and pinned Harry with snapping black eyes.

"Working out. If we're really in the way, we can move this out into the front courtyard." Harry just gazed at the professor, smiling a bit as he realized that he wasn't craning his neck to look up at him anymore. Snape was still taller by several inches, however.

"Please do. And keep it down to a dull roar, some people are still sleeping."

Harry just nodded and led the way out into the front courtyard and began to teach Vince and Greg tai chi. Hermione had learned the Yang Short form over the summer and had stuck with it on her vacation trip.

Draco helped Theo while Harry helped Vince. They were both surprisingly quick studies, copying the moves without protest. Harry nodded when they were finished.

"Now we run." And with that, he took off at a ground eating trot, daring the rest to keep up.

Draco groaned. Harry was in a temper and Draco didn't blame him, but that meant that he was going to set a crushing pace. Two laps around the lake was six miles, it looked like six hundred. None of them noticed Professor Snape watching them from the doors of the Great Hall.

He watched the tai chi for a moment, shook his head at their antics and went into breakfast.

.

Lucius Malfoy was nothing if not a patient man. He'd waited for months for this day. Now he was going to enjoy it to the fullest.

"Tuggy! My combat robes please."

Tuggy just looked at him for a moment, "Is you wishing the mask and hood?"

"Yes. And start a fire in the fireplace."

Tuggy returned with the requested garments and watched with pleasure as Lucius tossed the Death Eater mask and hood into the fire, aiding their consumption with an incendio.

"There. Now, help me on with these robes and bring me a strap."

Tuggy held the robes, standing on a chair to gain height, while Lucius got his arms through the armholes. He then buttoned them up the front, covering Lucius from neck to groin in spell proofed linsey-woolsey. The top layer of the robes fell in neat folds to his booted feet, covering his legs but keeping them free of entanglement by spells.

"I shouldn't be too long. I will require a light lunch. Egg salad sandwiches and fruit, I think."

"As Master wishes. Should Tuggy be making any arrangements?" Tuggy was old and very wise. He knew exactly what Lucius was up to and he approved wholeheartedly

"No. I won't be bringing back anyone. Dead or alive. I have ... more plans for it."

And with that Lucius apparated away, reappearing in a back garden. Arabella Figg would forever swear she had nothing to do with pointing Vernon Dursley out to anyone.

Lucius descended on #4 Privet Drive like a storm trooper. He pounded on the door with his cane, leaving ineradicable marks in the wood. He waited exactly the count of three then opened the door himself.

The Vernon Dursley he saw was a far cry from the man he remembered and he was glad for the hint Mrs. Figg had given him. This Vernon was two or three stone lighter than Lucius remembered and had a scruffy beard and straggling hair. He also smelled of gin, rather strongly. As this was a weekday, Lucius assumed that the man had called in sick.

"How convenient. Dursley, you are a pitiful representation of a man, even for a Muggle. Get up." Lucius motioned to Vernon to stand up.

Instead of attempting to placate an obviously irate wizard, Vernon began to bluster. "How dare you break into my house like this. You're going to be arrested. You have no idea who I am. I'm an important person. Get out."

Lucius just smirked, a totally vicious expression that caught Vernon's attention.

"Oh, you're important, are you? To whom might I ask? Where are your loving wife and son? Not so loving, now, are they?"

Vernon finally seemed to register Lucius' robes and cane. "You're one of them, one of those freaks. Get out of my house."

Lucius just raised an eyebrow. "Actually, it is Harry's house, if I am not mistaken. Oh, and I rarely am. I am here to serve you with an eviction notice."

Vernon tried more bluster. It worked just about as expected. His name calling and threats only succeeded in annoying Lucius further. He did listen for a few moments just to see if the man ever thought before he opened his mouth. It only proved that he didn't.

Lucius tossed the eviction notice, the house really did belong to Harry, on the occasional table and demanded that Vernon get up again. He refused.

Lucius simply drew his wand from his cane and cast a couple of spells. One pulled Vernon from his chair, the other silenced him.

Lucius took the strap from his pocket and folded it over. He popped it a few times just to watch Vernon flinch and flail. "You can struggle all you want. That spell will keep you right where I want you. Oh, and I should tell you that, while I usually abhor torture as uncivilized and base, I am actually going to enjoy this. A lot." And with that he proceeded to give Vernon the thrashing of his life.

Vernon howled and struggled, but the spells held true and his efforts were all in vain. Lucius finally tossed the strap on the floor then watched the blubbering fat man for a moment.

"That was just the first in a long series of efforts on my behalf to show you the error of your ways. The next time I come, I shall expect to see the house clean, as well as your person. Drink will get you removed from your position, if it has not already. Pray, be sober when next I see you. Or you will suffer more than I have planned already." He dropped the snivelling man on the floor. "Disgusting. And, do remember, as a wizard and a former Death Eater, I have a great many spells at my command that will make your situation much worse. Be sure to take good care of that strap. Good day to you." And with that he apparated away with a loud crack.

.

Dumbledore watched the small group of Slytherins and Gryffindors as they trotted around the lake. He wondered what the devil Lucius was up to but knew that, for now he was stymied. He needed to get Harry away from all this and back into his control. The boy needed to know things but not until it was time. He sighed and rubbed his face. He was getting way too old for all this aggravation.

He had to make sure that Harry was ready to meet his destiny, defeat Voldemort and still avoid touching the Dark. This was what worried him more than anything, Harry going Dark. He never thought that leaving Harry with family he didn't get along with, even though he could never bring himself to believe they were truly abusive, wasn't a good way to avoid that.

He turned to Fawkes. "My old friend. What should I do? This is not going to turn out well."

He was a bit startled when Fawkes just made what could only be a snorting sound and turned his head. Dumbledore eyed his familiar for a moment then sighed, "I take it you do not agree with my methods. But ... where else was I supposed to get money? And how was I supposed to make sure that he wasn't spoiled by all the attention? I'm an old man, I make mistakes."

Fawkes indicated clearly that that was not the problem. Dumbledore still didn't understand so he returned to his plotting.

.

Harry was very happily surprised to find that Hermione kept up with them. Vince and Theo managed half way around the lake but Hermione made one full lap.

At the 'start' mark, she stopped, saying, "That's as far as I can manage. I've got marks in my head, you understand, for increasing my distance without hurting myself." She was panting as she spoke and veered off to do stretches and cool down before wrapping herself in a blanket to wait for them to finish their lap.

Theo approached her and flopped down on the ground at her feet, she was sitting on the only bolder in the small clearing at the trail head. "Potter is mental. That ... what else can he do?"

Hermione eyed the Slytherin for a moment then shrugged, "A bit of yoga, martial arts and sword fighting. I don't think it's really fencing, more like ..." she gave up trying to explain something she didn't understand herself. "Lucius is teaching him."

Theo's eyes widened and he whispered, "Oh, Merlin." Hermione just nodded and pulled a corner of the blanket over her head.

Vince and Theo also called for blankets and no one was surprised when Dobby showed up with them. He also brought tea. Hermione looked at him carefully then decided not to say anything. The little elf looked so happy and healthy.

"Here is being tea, masters and miss. Dobby is making it himself."

Hermione thanked him causing Theo and Vince to look at her strangely. She ignored them in favour of tea.

It took the rest of the group another thirty minutes to finish the run. Harry led them in a yoga routine to cool down, requiring Theo, Hermione and Vince to do it as well. Hermione didn't complain but both Theo and Vince groaned and griped all the way. Harry told them to shut up, suck it up and do it, or drop out now. They both shut up. Draco's cold glower and sharp, "I'm doing it. Stuff yourselves." making an impression on them.

After the yoga, Harry settled in for meditation, releasing the others to do as they pleased. This meant that Theo and Vince went in for breakfast while Draco, Neville, Ron and Hermione joined him in meditation.

Calmed and ready, they went in to clean up for breakfast and classes.

.

Harry grabbed his shower things and walked into the big, communal shower room. He hung his terry robe on a hook by the door and turned on a shower. He was washing his hair when Seamus came in.

Seamus took one look at his back and flew into a rage. His cursing was loud, crude and in Irish. Harry swiped his hair out of his face and said, mildly, "In English, please."

Seamus took a deep breath and demanded, "Wha' the devil happened to ye? What Cac ar oineach did that? I'll fecking kill 'im!"

Harry grinned at him and told the truth. "My Uncle Vernon. That's why I ran away. I got tired of being a punching bag. Calm down." He gave Seamus a truly evil smile. "Papa said he'd take care of it."

"And who is it you're callin' Papa now?"

"Lucius Malfoy."

Seamus just gasped. "Jaysus!" Harry threw a wash cloth at him and returned to his ablutions.

Seamus silently declared war on Vernon.

Harry finished drying and braiding his hair then something occurred to him.

"Seamus?" Seamus looked up from buttoning his shirt.

"Ay?"

"You speak Irish, I know, but can you read and write it?"

"Yuh, Me Mam made sure of that. Says too much has been lost. I went to Irish school. Why?"

"I need your help. I've got some spells that I want to try but, when I try to cast them, nothing happens. Hermione says it's probably because I'm not pronouncing them right."

Seamus just grinned then nodded. "Sure thing. If you get one syllable wrong, you're toast. I'll be glad to help. But, one thing..." Harry just nodded absently. "They say that you have to be really powerful to get them to work, even if you say them right. That's why most Irish wizards use the latin."

Harry blinked for a moment, considering that. "Oh, ok. I'd like to try anyway. If that's ok with you."

Seamus shrugged. "Your loss. I'm glad to help. Just don't let Dean hear you. He gets all funny about it."

Harry, hungry for breakfast, let that slide, something he was to regret later.

.

The Gryffindor group joined up at breakfast. Harry settled in his accustomed place between Hermione and Ron, but this time Neville sat directly across from him. He smiled at Draco who was flanked by Vince and Theo, faced by Millicent and Daphne then turned to breakfast.

Ron filled his plate and began to eat. He swallowed then said, "I wonder who is Defence this year. Dumbledore didn't say." He smirked at Harry. "Seemed to get put off his opening remarks ... somehow."

Hermione swatted him on the shoulder with the back of her hand. "Ron. Make nice."

Ron just snickered around a mouth full of eggs.

Neville groaned, kicked Harry on the ankle and hissed, "McGonagall. And she's on the warpath."

Harry just shrugged. "Don't care."

He looked up into irritated hazel eyes and a stern expression. "Mr. Potter. Your timetable. And I have a few things to say to you. First, your robes are disgraceful, you will change them. Then, your hair is much too long, you will have it cut by this time tomorrow. Also, you have a detention with me, tonight."

Harry held her eyes until she began to blink. "Thank you for the timetable, I'll review it for approval in a moment. One, my robes are well within Hogwarts regulations. I made sure before I had them made. Two, I'm entitled to long hair as the Head of two Ancient and Noble houses, Black and Potter. And foster of an Old and Honourable house, Malfoy. I could have claimed three houses but I declared LeStrange extinct. Three, what's the detention for?"

McGonagall looked like she'd bitten into a lemon. "Hair too long and improper robes."

"Declined. Check with Papa." Harry glanced at his timetable and sighed. "There must be a mistake, this isn't my timetable. I'm supposed to be taking Ancient Runes and Arithmancy, not Care of Magical Creatures and Divination, please change it."

Professor McGonagall knew when she was beaten, so she gave way with ill grace. "Let me see. I remember making out your timetable. Divination and Magical Creatures were not on it."

Harry handed her the parchment and waited while she looked it over. "I did not make this out. This ... Dumbledore." She sighed softly, changed the classes and handed the parchment back to Harry. "Mr. Potter, I think there's going to be an uproar over this."

Harry gazed at her for a moment then sighed too. "I'm afraid so. Professor, you have to understand. I'm not going into battle with my hands tied. Dumbledore and Snape both have a lot to answer for so I'm afraid that you're either on my side or you're an enemy. So you need to make up your mind. Excuse me. I'm going to be late for Charms."

Harry trotted off with Hermione and Ron in tow. Neville had already left for the class so when they arrived, he was holding seats for them.

Professor Flitwick explained that in this, their seventh year, they would be doing a lot more practical work than theory. His remark that, if they hadn't learned theory by now, they never would, left some of the students looking around in dismay. Hermione just poked Harry and whispered, "See? Told you so." Harry just huffed his irritation then turned his attention back to the professors lecture.

When he was done speaking, Hermione had a page of notes and a frown on her face. Harry also had a page of notes and the beginning of a throbbing headache. This was going to be a hard year, especially with the double threat of Tommy boy and NEWTS looming on the horizon.

The trip from Charms to Ancient Runes was a nightmare. Harry nearly lost his temper as a hallway that should have taken them to the proper classroom instead, dumped them in the Entry Hall.

"Damnit! Fucking weird assed, bloody minded, piece of shite school. If I wasn't mental before I started here, it's a wonder I'm not mental now. Next time this happens, so help me Merlin, I'm hexing something." Harry kicked the hems of his robes out of his way with his heel as he paced furiously. "We're going to be late now. I hate being late. Dobby!"

Dobby popped in. "Can you get us to Ancient Runes before we're late?"

Dobby nodded. "Yes, please to be holding hands." Everyone joined hands and Dobby took Hermione, Neville, Draco and Harry to the room. Ron had Herbology so he wasn't involved in the fiasco.

Harry fumed and fussed until Professor Babbling showed up, two minutes late.

"Well, it seems that Hogwarts doesn't approve, again. I'm sorry I'm late but, what can you do?"

Harry decided he had some ideas about that.

The professor wrote some text on the board and told them to start translating it. Harry glanced at it as he got out his parchment and pen. It was a fairly simple, to him, Futhark passage.

He glanced at Hermione and then turned back to his work. She was a line ahead of him and he intended to be the first done, and right. He barely managed. He was rechecking his work when Professor Babbling told the class to hand their work in. Harry glanced at his watch in surprise, the entire hour was already gone. He grinned at Hermione as he handed her the parchment to pass on to the professor. Hermione glanced at it then smiled at him.

The professor stacked the parchments on her desk then said, "I'll check these over and hand them back on Wednesday. Now that that is over, please read chapters 1 through 6 in your text book, do the revision questions for each chapter and be ready to discuss the material." Everyone groaned at this, six chapters was a lot of material to cover. "I know, but it's all review, so you shouldn't have trouble completing it. Now, class dismissed."

Harry sighed, this was going to be a long year.

Harry picked up his bag and followed Hermione out the door, Draco and Neville trailing behind. He had plenty of work already and was glad the next period was a free one. He could get a big head start on his work in the library. He was also going to have to do some sort of timetable to keep on top of everything he needed to do. Between training, homework, classes and Quidditch, he was going to be a very busy boy.

No one in the school realized that the Golden Trio had turned into five. Harry led his group to the library, where they met Ron. He'd managed to get his schedule arranged so that he had what classes they shared together.

Draco led the way to a large table in an alcove that most students didn't even know was there. "Father told me about this. Someone cast notice me not charms on it before even his time. I laid claim to it. Expect to see Theo, Vince, Millicent, Daphne and, unfortunately, Pansy here. We might be able to discourage her. Maybe." His doubtful expression didn't hold out much hope of that.

Hermione flopped down in a chair. "Goodness me. There's so much to do and ... we can't keep burning the candle at both ends like we have been. Harry, you've got so much to do. So many things to keep up with."

Harry nodded. "You're right. I have to keep up my training. Neville, Ron and I have to have at least three hours in late afternoon for martial arts and sword training. Draco is learning sword play, and Ron is martial arts. You think you could make up some sort of schedule? It has to include actual scheduled time for homework."

Hermione looked so pleased that Harry just laughed. She pulled something out of her school bag and put it on the table. "I got day planners for all of us." She tapped the thing with her wand and it enlarged into a box which contained very expensive leather day planners. "I thought I could do a master schedule, which would include all the activities we do together or in small groups then you could add your other activities as needed. What do you think? Any suggestions, comments or discussion?" Everyone shook their heads so she started working, demanding all their timetables for the hour.

The rest of them worked on their assignments while Hermione made up the schedules.

Lunch came and went without incident. Then it was time for Transfiguration. Harry realized that his entire group of friends, old and new, were in this class. The entire clique of what would soon be called the Hogwarts Horrors.

Cac ar oineach - Scumbag, scoundrel (lit. shit on honor)

I started a new chapter because this was getting way long.