Santa Paws
by Teddylonglong
Please refer to the disclaimer and warnings in chapter 1.
At three o'clock in the afternoon, Harry accompanied Severus to Hogwarts and straight to the staff room in his Animagus form, feigning to be Severus' familiar. Santa Paws and Santa Star remained on the North Pole with Luna and would only step through Harry's trunk into Hogwarts on time for the welcoming feast.
When Severus lowered himself into the seat next to Regina, Harry simply lay down on Severus' and Regina's feet.
'I mustn't get too comfortable, as I can't fall asleep here,' Harry reminded himself. 'If Luna thinks that it's important for me to be here, I must listen to their conversation.'
When everyone was assembled, Severus was the first to speak.
"Headmaster, what is so important that we have to spend our New Year's Day here? I have multiple potions to brew before the welcoming feast. May I ask that you keep it short, please?"
Harry inwardly chuckled and considered giving up his comfortable spot under the table to be able to see the headmaster's face. However, he became soon distracted, when Dumbledore began to speak.
"I won't keep you long," the headmaster promised. "However, I have an announcement to make. Since the beginning of the school year, I have been in contact with two magical schools on the continent, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, and we have decided to commence anew the tradition of the Triwizard Tournament." Ignoring his colleagues' collective gasps, he continued, "The next Triwizard Tournament will be held here at Hogwarts during the next school year."
"No," McGonagall was the first to react. "Albus, do you know why the Triwizard Tournament was abolished in the first place?"
"Because of the death rate of the participants," Remus spoke up in a grave voice.
"I'm sorry, but I won't be able to cancel it," Dumbledore continued. "Everything is already fixed with the other schools, and the Ministry of Magic is organising the event under the guidance of Barty Crouch and Ludo Bagman."
While he explained about the Goblet of Fire and presented a rough schedule for the event, which was going to last a whole school year, Harry's thoughts went haywire.
'This is why Luna wanted me to attend,' he thought. 'What am I going to do? Dumbledore needs to be punished in any case. He can't set up such a thing neither without asking me as the owner of Hogwarts nor without his colleagues' consent.'
Making a decision, he rose from his comfortable spot on Regina's and Severus' feet, stepped aside and transformed into his human form.
"Dumbledore," he addressed the old wizard without the slightest bit of respect, "this time, you've gone too far. You've already been on probation ever since you let Pettigrew escape; however, this is too much. Please vacate your office and leave Hogwarts before the welcoming feast tonight."
"But Harry my boy…"
"I'm not your boy," Harry said, coldly, glaring at the old wizard who was looking at him without the usual twinkle in his eyes. "I've enough from your manipulations and meddling at the cost of innocent others." Turning to McGonagall, he said in a much softer voice, "Professor McGonagall, please accept the position as our new headmistress from today onwards. I'll see to it that Frank and Alice Longbottom will come and take over your former positions from tomorrow morning onwards."
"I accept," the new headmistress replied, smiling. "Thank you, Harry."
"Minerva," Dumbledore addressed his successor, "do you really take the word of a barely educated thirteen-year-old over mine?"
McGonagall let out a deep sigh. "I'm sorry to say this, Albus, but I support Harry as the owner of Hogwarts and I know for a fact that the other three heads of the houses do so, too. Please vacate your office within the next three hours."
"Please raise your hand if you support Professor McGonagall as our new headmistress," Harry spoke up in a firm voice, and – to his relief – everyone but Dumbledore raised their hands in confirmation.
"Albus, you may leave," McGonagall addressed the old wizard, and Dumbledore left the staff room without another word.
"I shall speak with Barty and Ludo to see if we can still cancel the tournament," the new headmistress continued. "As soon as I know more, I'll inform you. As Harry is the owner of Hogwarts, I believe that he should be involved in this planning in any case; therefore, I will invite him to the next staff meeting as well." Looking at the time display on the wall, she added, "I shall see you in about three hours for the welcoming feast."
"Professor," Harry asked the headmistress, when everyone filed out of the room, "will you please come with me into the parlour of the founders' quarters, so that I can officially introduce you to Hogwarts as the new headmistress? I want to ask her to support you but also to shift the wards to you. I hope that she'll be able to change the wards accordingly."
McGonagall cast him a smile. "Thank you, Harry, and yes please. Let's do this right away."
"Are you still on speaking terms with the meddling old castle?" Severus quipped. "After what she did to you and Ms. Lovegood…" He slowly trailed off.
"Oh well, that was that, but she only meant well, and accidental magic can happen to anyone, apparently even to a one thousand-year-old castle," Harry replied, chuckling.
"Severus," McGonagall asked, quietly, "do you agree to become my deputy headmaster?"
Severus cast her a look of pure shock. "Yes, of course, I will support you, but you should know by now that I'm already extremely busy." Turning to Harry, he asked, "Would you perhaps be willing to become my student assistant?"
Harry shrugged. "If you deem me adequate enough for such a thing, I will," he replied, not exactly sure what it entailed, however, fully trusting Severus to have his best interest in mind.
HP
'Luna,' Harry thought to his girlfriend through the friendship ring, 'thank you so much for sending me to the staff meeting. I just fired Dumbledore and made Professor McGonagall the new headmistress.'
'Well done, Harry,' Luna thought back. 'Are you going to come home now? I just came in after playing in the snow with the other doggies.'
'Not yet,' Harry replied in amusement, as he envisioned Luna in his Animagus form rolling through the snow with the puppies. 'I need to introduce the new headmistress to Hogwarts and then I'll have to speak with Severus, who asked me to become his student assistant. I accepted the position, but I don't have a clue what it means.'
'Oh, it sounds cool anyway,' Luna replied, pleasantly. 'May I come and join you with Santa Paws and Santa Star?'
'Of course,' Harry replied, just when he led McGonagall into the parlour. 'There is just one thing that I'd like to ask you to do before coming here. Could you speak with Alice and Frank and ask if they're ready to accept their new positions at Hogwarts from tomorrow morning onwards? If they agree, please ask Santa to make Portkeys for them, so they can attend the welcoming feast tonight.'
'All right,' Luna promised, swiftly.
HP
"Harry and my new headmistress," Hogwarts greeted them, as soon as they entered the room.
"Hi Hogwarts," Harry replied, grinning at the castle's apparent excitement.
"Harry, you did a wonderful job," Hogwarts commended him. "It was overdue for Dumbledore to take his leave, and Professor McGonagall is a brilliant choice for my new headmistress. Congratulations, Minerva."
"Thank you, Hogwarts," McGonagall replied, her mouth stretching to one of the smiles, which Harry had only ever seen her show him on the North Pole.
"Hogwarts, can you change the wards to obey to Professor McGonagall instead of Dumbledore, or what do we need to do?" Harry enquired, looking towards the ceiling, which he used to do when talking to the castle – even knowing that it was unnecessary.
"Please give me a moment," Hogwarts replied, slowly, and an instant later, a bright glow surrounded both of them – similar to the glow that Harry had witnessed, when Hogwarts had bonded him to Luna.
"Hogwarts, what was that?" Harry asked in suspicion, thinking, 'I really need to be careful with whom I come here to speak with Hogwarts.'
"That my dear boy were the wards that are now set to the two of you," Hogwarts replied, gently. "You both are now able to control the wards."
"Thank you very much," McGonagall was the first to respond. "That was very considerate."
"Thank you, Hogwarts," Harry echoed, smiling.
"Nevertheless, I suggest that you take the four heads of the houses, go out onto the grounds and strengthen the wards at the next opportunity," Hogwarts advised them, and Harry and the headmistress immediately agreed.
"Harry, you should also ask Salazar for a spell, which you should cast in favour of Amaterasu," Hogwarts continued; however, did not go into detail but merely told him to speak with Salazar.
'I'll do so during the weekend,' Harry resolved, making a mental note to take more time to speak with each of the founders.
HP
When they left the parlour, Luna was waiting for Harry in the living room together with Frank and Alice. Santa Paws and Santa Star were cuddling with the three of them on the sofa. Upon seeing Harry, Santa Paws immediately ran over and jumped up at Harry, eagerly licking his face.
"Santa Paws, that's enough. It was only two hours, since I left," Harry said, feverishly trying to throw the eager canine off. When he finally succeeded to put Santa Paws' front paws down onto the floor, he turned to the headmistress, who was observing them in clear amusement.
"Professor, if you need any help with the office or anything, please call Dobby, and he'll fetch me," he said in determination. "We're going to see Severus and take Santa Star to him."
"Thank you Harry, and please discuss the matter with the student assistant with him if you're sure that you want to do it," McGonagall replied, only to add in a soft voice, "Please tell him that I agree with whatever he decides in this matter."
"Thank you, Professor," Harry replied and ushered Luna and the canines out of the founders' quarters, while the headmistress tended to Frank and Alice.
'Thank Merlin that I already prepared living quarters and an office for Alice before the Christmas holidays,' Harry thought. At that time, Professor McGonagall had voiced her surprise, when he showed her the rooms, however, Harry had insisted that Dumbledore was on probation and could possibly lose his position at any time.
"They will be all right," Luna spoke up, "and Sirius has recovered nicely as well. I don't think that he's going to go back to his Auror position but will just stay on the North Pole in his canine form."
"That might be true," Harry replied, thoughtfully. "He spent most of the holidays playing with the puppies."
"Still he makes a wonderful head of the Wizengamot though," Luna said, smiling.
"And a very cool godfather," Harry added, groaning in annoyance at Santa Paws and Santa Star, who were alerting the Slytherin head to their presence by alternately scratching at his door and letting out small whines.
HP
A moment later, Severus opened the door giving them a questioning look. "Already tired of baby-sitting the doggies, Ms. Lovegood?" he then enquired.
"No sir," Luna replied, smiling broadly, before she added, smirking, "we were just wondering if it was worth Harry's time to become a student assistant."
"Luna," Harry blurted out in shock.
However, Severus merely smirked. "Oh well, he can begin right away by putting together a pop quiz for the lazy Hufflepuff-Ravenclaw second-years for tomorrow morning," he replied in a stern voice, even if unable to completely wipe the smirk off his face.
"Sure," Harry replied, grinning.
"I'm sure some of the Slytherin third-years would fail it," Luna replied, calmly, wearing a dreamy expression that caused Harry to chuckle.
'Weasley, Crabbe and Goyle?' he thought to her through the ring.
'Certainly,' Luna thought back.
Severus finally offered them a seat and began to talk in a soft voice. "As far as I know, the position of a student assistant has not been used at Hogwarts in about two hundred years. However, teachers with double responsibilities are entitled to employ a student assistant, who will help them, for example, with the grading of papers, the brewing of potions for the hospital wing or might even teach the occasional class. Usually, student assistants come from the upper years; however, I believe that you're more adept at brewing, Harry, than any of our sixth or seventh-years. Plus," he added, slightly hesitating, "I can't imagine tolerating anyone else's presence in my lab. Before we began working together, your mother was the only person with whom I could work comfortably."
"Thank you sir," Harry replied, smiling, "and I gladly accept the position.
"I further suggest," Severus continued, unexpectedly, "that you take your Potions OWL at the end of the school year."
"Professor," Luna spoke up in a soft voice, "may I please study together with Harry for the Potions OWL?"
Severus gave the girl a sharp look. "If you both wish to spend all evenings for the remainder of the school year in my potions lab, feel free to do so," he finally agreed.
"We will," Harry and Luna promised, simultaneously.
All of a sudden, there was a knock at the door, and when Severus called out "Come in," Regina appeared in the doorframe, carrying a plate filled with Christmas biscuits.
"Am I disturbing you?" she asked, looking from Severus to the students. "I just thought that we could have some tea and left-over Christmas biscuits. Maybe Harry and Luna could join us, too?"
"Please come in," Severus replied and invited the three of them into his private quarters.
"These biscuits are delicious," Harry spoke up after trying three different ones. "Did you bake them yourself?"
"Yes, I love baking, and I invited some friends," Regina replied, and Harry noticed in surprise how her expression darkened some.
"Is something wrong?" he asked in a soft voice, causing the woman to let out a deep sigh.
"Not really," she admitted, "it's just that I invited some friends during the holidays only to realise that now that I'm getting used to living in the magical world again, I can't really relate to them like before. Do you understand what I mean?"
"I fully understand," Severus replied in a soft voice, only to add, "I hope you don't regret coming to Hogwarts."
"No, not at all," Regina confirmed, smiling.
'It's strange for Luna to not add a comment,' Harry thought, letting his eyes wander to his girlfriend, only to realise that she was staring at Regina wearing a strange expression.
"Luna?" he asked, tentatively, causing Luna to turn her head to him, however, he had the impression as if she didn't even see him.
"Harry and Severus will be able to cure you," she finally spoke up, looking back at Regina. "Merlin has invented a potion to restore a Squib's magic, the second magic potion."
"Severus?" Harry addressed the professor, "Are you busy tonight? Can you accompany me home to speak with Merlin?"
"Of course," Severus promised, "only after my house meeting though."
"I'll go ahead and wait for you then," Harry decided.
"Eh, excuse me?" Regina finally spoke up, looking at Luna in disbelief. "That's impossible," she added, matter-of-factly.
"I saw Harry and Severus cure you," Luna admitted in a soft voice, smiling.
"Luna can sometimes see things," Harry explained. "She was also the one who told me to attend the staff meeting earlier, because she knew that I had to be there to fire Dumbledore."
"You're a Seer?" Regina enquired wide-eyed.
Luna shrugged. "Sometimes, I just know things. I don't know if I'm a Seer. I just see things. I don't know if it'll work. I just know that Harry and Severus gave you Merlin's second magic potion to cure you."
"We're going to look for it tonight," Harry promised.
"Nevertheless, don't get your hopes up," Severus warned her.
"I won't, but thank you so much for doing this for me anyway," Regina replied, smiling happily. "Thank you, Luna."
Luna merely smiled, absentmindedly playing with the friendship ring on her left hand.
HP
On their way to the welcoming feast, Harry and Luna made a short detour to the greenhouses to receive Professor Sprout's permission to quickly head to the North Pole and speak with Merlin right after dinner. Usually, Harry would have simply gone and returned without anyone noticing; however, since it was obvious that Luna would accompany him, he decided on the official way.
Hearing their reasoning, Sprout was all for it and merely asked that they should send Santa Paws upon their return to inform her that they were back.
"It might be quite late if we have to search for the potion," Harry warned her, before Luna thanked her profusely for the permission.
HP
To Harry's relief, Merlin had developed a spell, which they could use to search for a specific potion in his notes, and by the time Severus joined them on the North Pole, Harry was already in the lab brewing the potion with Luna's assistance.
Under Severus' supervision, which Harry secretly found unnecessary, as the potion was not difficult to brew, they finished the concoction and returned to Hogwarts on time for curfew.
"Let's meet in the hospital wing," Severus suggested. "It's better for Regina to take the potion in Poppy's presence. I'll fetch her."
HP
Severus' thoughts went haywire. 'She might become a witch,' he thought in excitement. Never after Lily was gone had he felt any attraction to a woman; however, Regina was completely different from everyone else, and it was not because of her lack of magic. 'If we succeed and she becomes a witch, she definitely won't return to the muggle world,' he thought, feeling extremely happy at the idea.
'Tell her how you feel about her,' the annoying little voice at the back of his mind that tended to drive him nuts at times spoke up.
'Not now,' Severus growled, as he knocked at her door to fetch her.
"We have the potion. Will you accompany me to take it in the hospital wing?" he merely asked, causing Regina to stare at him, wide-eyed.
"Of course, even if it sounds like a myth," she replied, smiling sadly.
Her expression of sadness was only replaced by excitement, when Poppy ushered her into her office, where Harry and Luna were already waiting for her with the phial that was labelled second magic sitting on the table.
After a glance at the inscription on the phial, Regina pulled off the cork and downed the cool liquid without lingering let alone complain about the taste.
tbc...
Thank you so very much for the many kind reviews for the previous chapter. My muse really needs the encouragement, especially if I want the story to be finished by Christmas. Please let me know what you think of this chapter and what you expect from this story. Any ideas or opinions are welcome. Have a nice 2nd Advent.
Next chapter: "The Dark Mark".