Fireworks Chapter 19: Desperate times
[AN: Due to my silly number of other unpublished stories, Rise of the Black Rod is delayed. Have some more Fireworks.]
Harry set at the dining table looking down on the half full table of small children in childcare while to his right sat Daphne eating breakfast to his left Andromeda feeding Teddy who was sitting in a high chair.
Andromeda turned and looked at Harry. "Harry you need to organise getting some nurses, in plenty of time for when your children arrive"
Daphne said "oh we're just going to use a house elves"
"Dear" said Andromeda "your house house elves are still run ragged looking after this zoo" she said "And the older children will be home soon afterwards so you're going to need nurses. Fourteen nurses"
"Fourteen" said Harry "that sounds like rather a lot, seven children , oh two two shifts and you me and house elves to cover the gaps" said Harry
"That's quite practical isn't it" said Daphne.
"Well I do have experience raising children" said Andromeda.
"And the best part is if you get them in now they will help with the zoo, with the smaller ones you and you can weed out any bad eggs before your trip to Australia" said Andromeda.
"So we should get some extras" said Harry thoughtfully.
"One or two just in case and you could do with some more staff here too you know if you had the school working, the older ones wouldn't be rampaging quite so much" said Andromeda.
"Well we've got one room for temporary lessons to carry having a few desks in your Ballroom does not count " said Andromeda "you have dozens of children all of whom need education you must have at least a dozen who are old enough to be in school all day. And the little ones could benefit from some education as well"
"Setting up the school is difficult" said Harry.
"Harry have you given it any effort?" asked Andromeda.
" We've got a headmistress and they're fitting out the building" said Harry defensively.
"Are there any position to teach some classes perhaps in the hall it's big enough?" asked Andromeda.
"I said that would work wouldn't it" said Daphne. Daphne's eyes lifted and made contact with Harry's. Wordlessly she seemed to be saying 'oh please some quiet'
"I'll get right on that" said Harry, got up and left the room. He dashed up the stairs to the 3rd floor and hopped through the mirror to Slytherin castle; He stepped out into the Great Hall where the staff were eating breakfast.
The headmistress Janice Wong stood up. "Slytherin" she said.
Harry walked over to Janice "just Harry" he said.
"Er, everyone looked could we get to school started on a temporary basis just here in the hall just at there's 14 and 15 children who really should be at school rampaging about the manor in"
Janice said "you'd like us to teach them something?"
"Yes" said Harry "please just teach them mathematics" he said.
"Mathematics?" said Janice.
"Yes" said Harry "It hardly gets taught at Hogwarts"
"I think we will teach the younger ones mathematics and reading" said Janice.
"Well you're The experts" said Harry.
"Look, do you need more builders?" Harry asked after a moments hesitation.
Janice said "Our problem is that most of the rooms are too small"
"What you mean too small" asked Harry.
"when I want to put a few dozen desks in a room, they won't fit" said Janice.
"Ah" said Harry "We're going to need some bigger rooms aren't we?"
"I'm not sure how you felt about knocking down walls" said Janice.
"quite negative alright the only thing for it is we'll have to make some more rooms off the side"
"Off the side" said Janice "That would that be terribly expensive"
"Fortunately" said Harry "Money I've got, time give me ask me for anything but time!"
Harry went back to the mirror "Classes today" he said "Please?" and stepped through the mirror back home to Potter Manor. Harry went back down the stairs and pulled daily prophet out of the pile that were piling up in the corner of the kitchen, Ignoring the glare from his house elves he went off with the prophet to his study.
He read through the classified section at the back, that he usually didn't look at, at all, until he found what he was looking for. A builder, a builder who was still advertising.
Harry threw a pinch of floo powder into his study fireplace, and Harry made a floo call to Beaks Breeks. Mr Breeks; the proprietor was a heavy set wizard who started smiling as soon as Harry said "I'd like some rooms built."
"What do you like to made of?" asked Mr Breeks.
"Stone" said Harry "To match the rest of the keep"
"The rest of the keep" said Mr Breeks.
"it's an extension for Slytherin keep" said Harry.
"Keep," said Mr Breeks, "Wow."
"Yes keep, it's a five story stone keep, its rectangular walled." explained Harry.
"Straight walls, that makes things easier" said Mr brakes. "So how many rooms you want?"
"I'd say six large rooms, large classroom sized" said Harry.
"All on one level or stairs?" asked Mr Breeks, taking notes.
"All on one level at probably be better" said Harry.
"Well that's quicker than having to do extra levels and makes the foundations quick, any other rooms you might want?" asked Mr Breeks.
"Well" said Harry "I could probably go with a ballroom to go with that bit, and a decent meeting room but first give me the classrooms."
"Oh yes" said Mr Breeks "A later extension."
"So when can you start? asked Harry.
"Well I can start today" said Mr Breeks.
"Where it will go, there's a lot of stone in the area" said Harry "Will that help?"
"That will help an awful lot" said Mr Breeks "Is the castle made from local stone"
"Oh yes" said Harry "It blends right in"
"Well that helps an awful lot" said Mr Breeks "It's not on swampy ground is it?" he asked nervously.
"On a Rocky Hill"
"Well if you can Organise transport" said mister Breeks.
Harry said "It's on the floo"
"It's on the floo?"
"Yes, Slytherin castle, it comes out right out in the front Hall. Don't worry we don't use it for anything it's got a spare room off it"
"You've got a front room you're not using. Could we be using that for storage of tools" asked Mr Breeks.
"Certainly" said Harry "you have to open the portcullis and the drawbridge to get outside"
"Portcullis and drawbridge" said Mr Breeks, sounding surprised.
"It's 10th century keep" said Harry.
"That's actually rather good the walls will be rather plain"
"completely plain" said Harry, stonily.
"It's a lot quicker than 15th century with arches or corbelled vaulting, and less complicated if you wanted it to be stylistically sympathetic to the rest of the building" said Mr Breeks.
"I'm not trying to get a muggle building permit" said Harry
"Do you mind me asking where is it" asked Mr Breeks.
"You floo there you floo back" said Harry avoiding answering.
"Is it raining there?" asked Mr Breeks
"It's in England" said Harry.
"Weather deflecting spells it'll be then. Rooms classroom sized , well call him 20 by 20. You want six of the rooms. Ok that's that's about 3000 square feet" said Mr Breeks.
"It's castle shaped that's going to be around a three hundred galleons per square yard, my estimate is a round hundred thousand galleons"said Mr Breeks.
"Good thing I'm rich" said Harry.
"Oh could you make a deposit?" asked Mr Breeks.
"well if you're pulling me through I'll pay for the whole damn thing now" said Harry.
"Pay in advance" said Mr Briggs
"Yeah" said Harry "I'll use my lords ring; the money will be in your vault immediately"
Mr Breeks dashed forward and pulled Harry through the fireplace. Harry stepped out slightly sooty, and cast a quick cleaning charm on himself.
"My quill here will just scribble up a quick agreement" said Mr Breeks.
Mr Breeks spoke clearly to his quill "6 classrooms 20 feet by 20 ft install to match existing castle 3000 square feet or thereabouts at three hundred gallons per square yard costing one hundred thousand galleons"
"Done" said Harry, took his Slytherin ring and pressed it onto the parchment there was a slight burning sound and smell and the Snakey S was left on the parchment Harry signed below.
"The money's in your vault. remember Slytherin castle, the front room, pull the two levers by the door to open the drawbridge" said Harry.
"Is there anyone in the castle?" asked Mr Breeks.
"Yes" said Harry "The staff and students of Slytherins' school for small snakes"
"I haven't heard of that school" said Mr Breeks nervously.
It's my family's private school we opened this year after I adopted all the orphans from St Mungo's" said Harry
"All" said Mr Breeks. "You did didn't you"
"Will there be much noise? asked Harry.
"Not in the castle it'll all be outside" said Mr Breeks.
"That'll do just fine" said Harry "And we'll need a door out so we can have some playground out there, which for safety's sake should have a wall around it."
"certainly you lordship" said Mr Breeks.
Harry stepped into Breeks' flaring green fireplace said "Potter Manor" and flooed home.
He stepped out of the main fireplace to find Daphne standing with arms crossed
"Where Have You Been?" she said.
"Organising a builder" replied Harry "Another builder this time for some classrooms"
"Slytherin castle classrooms?" she said.
"Janice is having trouble with the walls" said Harry "she didn't want them getting knocked down" "good" said Daphne.
"So I got another Builder he's building some classrooms outside the castle and then he'll knock a hole through" said Harry.
"how many classrooms?" asked Daphne.
"Six, I figured ought to cover it" said Harry.
"Good idea" said Daphne.
"Oh and I got Janice to start classes today" said Harry brightly.
"Classes today" said Daphne, looking shocked.
"Well we can just talk through and do classes in the Great Hall, the little ones will be learning to read and the big ones will be learning some mathematics" said Harry to Daphne.
"We'll have some peace and quiet" said Harry.
"we could, yes" said Daphne "we could find a nice Comfy Couch"
Harry nodded "And then we could have a nap."
Daphne nodded "you read my mind" she said.
The school age children after Harry informed them that they were going to school today looked slightly surprised but nonetheless went through the mirror to Slytherin castle. The childcare worker's all but one of them, who shepherded the children through the mirror who only had four children to deal with now took each child by the hand and lead them off.
Daphne turned to Harry "Good grief" she said "There's a guard per monster, there's a guard per Monster and all the noisy ones are off being schooled"
Harry nodded "Come on let's just sleep on the bed" Daphne let the way the short distance to Harry's bedroom and as usual bedroom doors opened for Daphne both swinging wide.
Daphne and Harry got to the bed, Daphne kicked off her shoes, and lay down. Harry swore later he was asleep before his head hit the pillow.
Harry was woken later buy a polite cough from Dreedle the house elf.
"Master, It's time for lunch" said Dreedle.
Hurry sat up "Lunch" he yawned. Next to him Daphne rolled over on the bed.
Harry looked at Daphne for a moment. He realised she looked incredibly tired.
Harry stroked her shoulder gently.
"S'right ,what is it" she said, waking up.
"It's lunch time" said Harry
"I had such a good sleep" said Daphne, who sat up and cast a spell to untangle her hair, and put her shoes back on.
Harry had slept with his shoes on. Harry followed Daphne at a sensible distance so he could watch her proceed down the stairs, down to the dining room.
In the dining room the school age children sat looking like they had some of the energy worn out of them. let these were all being held as they were being fractious by the childcare worker's
Harry and Daphne walked to the far end of the table where Andromeda was sitting. Andromeda stood back, Daphne sat down, Harry sat down and then Andromeda sad down
"you don't have to do that " said Harry
Andromeda said "I don't have to do that" she said "but you do outrank me"
Harry lifted a hand "lunch, Is served" he said.
The dining room doors swung open and trays of food floated along parking themselves along the dining table. Finally a tray parked itself on the table where he and Daphne could reach.
The school age children were talking to each other quietly.
"School is good for them" said Andromeda "see, some structure helps"
"Some structure" said Harry.
"School and school hours, breakfast, lunch and dinner at fixed times" said Andromeda
"I know that did for me" said Harry.
"And then perhaps a medical call" said Andromeda "you both know episky?"
Daphne and Harry nodded.
"Good" she said "you can do what most parents, do you call the children and see if you need to heal them of cuts and bruises"
"Play bruises are just going to be Bruise paste" said Andromeda.
Harry interrupted "Actually I've got a spell for bruises"
"You do?" said Andromeda "can you tell me what it is"
Harry shook his head "no it's a parseltongue healing spell works on small cuts and bruises"
Daphne's lips twitched.
"Well" said Andromeda "you're going to be the one doing most of the healing because that's what small children get; small cuts and bruises."
"Fair enough" said Harry "we'll do it after lunch"
Harry stood "After lunch we going to have medical call, everyone file past my chair, anyone with cuts and bruises come up, then big ones back to school for the afternoon at least you'll be with your nurses"
A child care workers rolled their eyes
Harry said "look I got most of them to school"
Laughter from the childcare worker's.
One of the slightly older children put their hand up "what we're going to do after school" they asked.
Harry said "well we've got grassy grounds outside, You can go out and play"
Childcare worker's hung their Heads.
"Oh" said Harry
"You will need more minders" Andromeda said "you need another 8 or 10 and you should be getting nurses for those babies of yours now they can look after the really little ones. Harry, newborns need almost constant care" said Andromeda "Fourteen is a sensible minimum you probably should hire sixteen or so in case some of them don't work out before,... when are they due?"
"May, June" said Harry.
"Well it's October so you've got plenty of time to find out if they can look after the little ones" said Andromeda.
"Daphne have you decided how's they're going to be fed" Andromeda said.
"I can't feed seven" Daphne said "I'm not Kali"
"Potions and charms you could feed all of them once a day" said Andromeda.
"Sounds like a lot of work" said Daphne.
"You can't outsource all of this" said Andromeda."Do you want to be one of those terrible pure blood families that never touched their children?"
"No" said Daphne "I don't"
"House elves can organise bottles as can any competent nurse" said Andromeda "And you can do what you can do"
Andromeda's lips twitched "well you could get Harry to help, with that you know the potion works on wizards" Harry blushed. "I'm not growing boobs" he said.
Daphne snorted "I don't know Harry that could be a good look on you" she said
"No" said Harry.
Some of the older children who was sitting near this into the table looked horrified.
Andromeda turned and addressed them "there are seven babies coming in June. Babies need to eat, And all babies eat is milk"
"Oh" said one of the little boys "It sounds weird"
"I agree having wizards breastfeed is a little unorthodox" said Andromeda "It's not unheard of, quite common if witches die in childbirth"
"Oh" said the ten-year old Boy, looking chastened.
After thee days of the new routine Harry was feeling quite relaxed which is why he was confused when Daphne took him by the arm after breakfast and said "come on we're off to have a nap"
"But I don't feel tired" said Harry.
Daphne said "exactly, and if you fall asleep I will hex you."
She lead Harry with a delicious swagger to the room, waving her wand at the doors "colloportus" which sucked the door shut with a slurping sound.
"I hope you feel up to breaking some windows" said Daphne.
"it's going to be like that is it?" Harry said. kicking his shoes off.
"It's going to be a lot like that" said Daphne, unbuttoning her robe.
"Well" said Harry "I better get started" he said and hissed as he kissed on to Daphne's neck.
"That's the spot" said Daphne. "You give me the works" ten minutes later Daphne sagging in Harry's arms said "that was an excellent warm up" she said, then finished unbuttoning her robe.
Harry ripped his shirt off as Daphne pulled her robe off and dropped it down on the ground.
"Now" said Daphne "I believe Lady Slytherin would like some official ladies Slytherin kisses."
She slipped her pants off and lay on the bed, her knees apart "get hissing" she said.
Harry dropped his trousers on the floor slid his boxers down and hurried onto the bed "of course Daphne" Harry said hissing slightly.
As Harry suspected might happen after ten minutes Lady Slytherin gave a gasp "I can't see" she said.
Harry pulled his head out from between two trembling thighs and looked up "I did say there's warnings in the book " said Harry.
"It's never been a problem before " sit Daphne
"You've never had it for 10 minutes before" said Harry
"Ten minutes" she said "is that all, it felt like a lot longer"
"Well," said Harry "that was pretty intense"
Daphne asked "when will my eyesight come back?"
"In a few minutes" said Harry "or we can go and see whether you can really faint from it"
"A little pointless" said Daphne
"you can't see what I'm doing to you" Harry said and started to stroke Daphne.
"Naughty man" she said "you know I can see again"
"Yeah"
"And you really impressed me" Daphne crooked her ring finger and cast a couple of spells on herself and she smirked and cast a couple more she said "and this wedding rings quite useful"
"Really how useful?" Harry asked.
"I'm glad you asked" said Daphne "I've cast a full set of charms" she said looking at Harry's erect willy. She pointed at it and Harry felt a brief flicker of coldness.
She said "I believe you were looking for a b******"
Harry said "yes", for the first time. He said yes a lot more after that while feeling tense and then finally Lady Slytherin sat up, licked her lips and said "Well, was that satisfactory?"
Harry said "that was bloody marvellous," Daphne stretched.
Harry said "you're gorgeous"
Daphne said "yes I am, is there anything else with we should do?"
"Well we could have sex" he said.
"You're a little floppy" she observed.
Harry pointed a finger at his willy and hissed a phrase; within 30 or 40 seconds it was erect again.
Daphne shook her head "that is a truly amazing spell" she said.
Harry shrugged "you know the muggles have a potion that does this apparently" said Harry
"Is expensive?" asked Daphne.
"I don't know, I think it's prescription only, means you have to go to a healer to get it, oh there's some health risks, apparently if the erection persists for more than 4 hours you should see a medical professional" said Harry, smirking.
Daphne snorted "more than 4 hours doesn't go down, apparently it doesn't go down at all, it sounds quite dangerous"
"like I said" said Harry "prescription" then he chuckled "I'm never touching that stuff."
"I don't know" said Daphne "Be kind of a cute gift to give to some people we know"
"Like who?" asked Harry
"I don't know" sad Daphne "Theo maybe"
"Oh God" said Harry "don't say that"
"Hasn't affected Slytherin's basilisk" said Daphne.
"Grandpa Sal was such a prick" said Harry.
"But I love this spell" said Daphne
Turning around and sitting astride Harry "I love the spell so much" she moved forward.
"It's good to be back" she said and started to grind on Harry's lap. Much later Daphne shuddered she said "you know Harry, this is good"
"Doing what, bonking every morning" said Harry
"That we have time for that" said Daphne "but wow Slytherin's basilisk reviver is a hell of a spell"
"Not bad " said Harry "another another round?"
"Why Lord Slytherin you hedonist"
"I know her Ladyship likes hissy funtime" said Harry.
"I've already lost my vision once today" said Daphne "I'll make do with merely mind-blowing orgasms thanks"
"I could just kiss your neck while we bonk" Harry said.
"that makes me all"… said Daphne hesitantly.
"it makes you all gooey" said Harry, hissing.
"Then I end up blushing all day" said Daphne.
"You should be proud" said Harry.
"Some of the staff look at me oddly already" said Daphne.
"We should definitely; have any of the staff ever seen you fully loved up" said Harry.
"No" said Daphne "I have my reputation to think of"
"Daphne, you're getting a hissy kiss" said Harry.
An hour later Harry finished preparing all the diamond paned windows over the bed.
Daphne lay smiling on the bed , she spoke huskily to Harry "If I don't put some foundation on I'm just going to look.."
"like I shagged you rotten" said Harry.
"I'm going to preserve some dignity" said Daphne
"Alright" said Harry "Sure, put some foundation, maintain Lady Slytherin's mystique"
"Thank you dear" said Daphne and slowly got up off the bed.
"Oh" she said "I have strained all my muscles, I see the need to get back to training, Both kinds of training" said Daphne to Harry "It is fun..."
Daphne swaggered off to the bathroom had a quick shower then came out still naked, her hair of course already dry. She sat naked on the dressing table and a fly a little bit of foundation from the pot until she looked Not flushed.
"That looks respectable" she said and started find her underwear off the floor with Accio
Harry scourgify'ed his boxers and put them back on. Harry accioed his shirt and started buttoning it up.
"Whoops, I may have pulled some buttons off" said Henry "Reparo!"
Daphne struggled her bra back on, pulled her knickers back on and then levitated her robe into the air.
"Fancy" said Harry, and Daphne, hands in the air let the robe slide down onto her.
"I didn't want to get foundation of my robes" she explained.
"Could you put it on last" asked Harry
"Well then I'm might get it on my robes" said Daphne.
"Alright" said Harry doing up his shoes properly this time
"Harry" said Daphne "you should put a little Sleekeazys on your hair."
Harry looked in the mirror; his hair looks like a positive birds nest.
"Oka little bit" Harry admitted.
"Well it looks like your slept all morning" said Daphne "and it is nearly lunch time"
-==0==-
Harry was reading paperwork from Mary and signing, when a letter arrived on a tray.
Harry recognised the green ink and four-part Wax seal.
"Dear Lord Slytherin.
The new Staff have all arrived and now need… guidance.
I expect you will want to present them to the press in the great hall?
After breakfast on a Saturday would seem a convenient time.
Minerva McGonagall
Headmistress Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry"
-==0==-
Saturday, early.
Harry flooed to Hogwarts, Headmistresses office. He stepped out into the round office in green and silver robes.
Headmistress McGonagall stood up from the large desk "Harry, good to see you" she said.
"Headmistress" said Harry "Can I speak to the new staff before..."
"One at a time?" asked Headmistress McGonagall.
"Maybe just to all of them" said Harry "I have… misgivings"
"You wife was most agitated" said Headmistress McGonagall.
"We have to have these classes, because of Grandfathers ring" said Harry, waving his hand. "That doesn't mean we want Hogwarts to get.."
"Dark"
"We've fought too long and hard to lose now" said Harry.
Headmistress McGonagall cast a patronus and sent it off to gather her new staff.
In the meantime she called a house elf and gave Harry some tea and toast. Harry sat on a chair he dragged near the desk and had some light breakfast.
The staff arrived and sat on the row of hard, straight backed chairs with tartan backs and seats..
The first to arrive was a tall, blonde woman in a green and white robe. She looked surprised. "Headmistress" she said nervously. "Is there a problem?" She blinked, her deepset eyes blue and sleepy-looking.
"Sit down Isabelle, we're going to have a little press coverage of the introduction of all the new teachers after breakfast, and Harry will make small speech. He wanted to talk to all of you beforehand, just to ensure there were no surprises." said Headmistress McGonagall, in an fairly kindly tone. "Harry, this is Isabelle Lufkin, our new History Teacher"
"Lord Slytherin?" asked Isabelle, nervously.
"Please, sit down, I wont be having to act scary today" said Harry, sipping some tea.
"You defeated Voldemort multiple times, Lord Slytherin, you are a formidable wizard" said Professor Lufkin.
"Luck mostly" said Harry. "Please, sit. You're not the ones that are going to be a problem"
Isabelle sat determinedly, her small chin trembling.
"Lord Slytherin is not a monster Isabelle" said Headmistress McGonagall. "He has had some terrible tasks to perform"
"I still do" said Harry "I'm also running a school for under-elevens. Headmistress Janice Wong, Miss Lufkin, is my Headmistress for Salazar's School for Small Snakes"
"Janice?" said Isabelle "From the Shoe?"
"The same" said Harry "Getting twenty small children to school in the mornings is terrible".
Headmistress McGonagall smiled slightly.
"Why did you adopt all those orphans"? asked Professor Lufkin curiously.
Harry was explaining about the relative merits of being a boarder versus being stuck in the orphans ward when the door opened and a short man with dark hair came in and sat down at the opposite end of the row of chairs from Isabelle.
"Professor Dannon O'Reilly, our new Divination teacher" said Headmistress McGonagall.
"Lord Slytherin?" asked Professor O'Reilly in a soft Irish accent.
Harry smiled "I hear you're not a fraud" he said "That makes me very pleased, do try not to break the law."
Professor O'Reilly smiled slightly, his pointy chin motionless, his lips thinning "I can tell a good opportunity when it comes knocking, your Lordship"
"Pleased you understand" said Harry. Professor Lufkin looked a bit surprised at Harry's request.
Harry looked at Isabelle "Professor O'Reilly was exploiting a casino when he got our job offer" he explained.
"A number of them" corrected Professor O'Reilly.
"And now your safe here at Hogwarts." said Harry.
The door opened and an old woman with long grey hair walked in, looked around and sat next to Isabelle. "Headmistress" she said and nodded.
"Gabriella Vale, our xylomancy Professor" said Headmistress McGonagall.
"I hear good things about you" said Harry "Keep up the good work"
Professor Vale blinked "You're more casual than I expected" she said.
"I'm Harry Potter, this is me meeting the new Hogwarts staff" said Harry, pointedly taking a sip of tea.
The door opened again and a dark haired figure in dark robes came in and stood "Headmistress" said a feminine voice.
"Professor Sam Rookwood" said Headmistress McGonagall "Ghoul studies"
Professor Rookwood looked at the chairs and stood over by O'Reilly. "Can you move over" she asked.
O'Reilly stood up and moved to the second to middle chair, and sat with a sigh. Professor Rookwood sat down fussily, and crossed their legs.
"Harry, Sam and Professor jjones don't get along" said Headmistress McGonagall. "jjones used to bully Rookwood at school"
"Well, we'll need to have a chat about that" said Harry glumly "Professor Rookwood, I hear you're very good. Please accept my apologies, but jjones is also very good."
After an annoyingly long wait, the door opened and a witch stepped in, wearing skintight black trousers, high heeled boots, a black blouse and a pointy hat with a skull shaped buckle.
"jjones" said Headmistress McGonagall, please sit down, Lord Slytherin wants toOTtalk to all the new staff"
Professor jjones swaggered to the middle chair and sat down and pouted in Harry's general direction. She was wearing a choker with a small silver skill on it.
"Now you're all here, Lord Slytherin would like to talk to you all before the press announcement after breakfast" said Headmistress McGonagall.
Harry smiled to the small group "Hi, I'm Harry Potter. I'd like to thank you for coming and joining the staff of Hogwarts. My ancestor was one of the founders, so I'm the person who solves Hogwarts problems. Harry smiled insincerely "For historical reasons, we had to reinstate Xylomancy, Ghoul studies and Necromancy. I'd rather the Necromancy class remained theoretical. Hogwarts has fought long to rid itself of dark influences,and we aren't losing that ground."
"You reek of dark magic" said jjones haughtily, her brown eyes outlined by violet eye-shadow.
"Family magic" said Harry "I've seen the other side. I would not recommend the trip."
Harry sighed "Now, Headmistress McGonagall runs the school. The board advise me and I make hiring decisions. I'd rather not terminate anyone. I've had to terminate staff before. Neither of us enjoyed it"
Headmistress McGonagall shot Harry a glare, and the staff all straightened in their chairs.
Harry stood up and flicked out his wand, hissing a long sentence. His clothes turned into heavy silver robes with green runic markings, his shoes turned into armoured boots, and a silvery green hat appeared on his head, dangling straps around Harry's ears reaching all the way to hi shoulders.
From the bookshelf over at the side of the round office, the sorting hat spoke up. "Oh no, It's you!" said the sorting hat. "I knew that Potter was a Slytherin, though and though. And he's The Slytherin too. Beware the hat."
The silvery hat on Harry's head flexed backwards, and a slit opened, and it hissed something. The straps of the hat did themselves up under Harry's' chin. The hat hissed again.
Harry reached up and stroked the hat gently. It flexed back and forth. The silvery hat hissed something.
"You're a maggotty snakeskin" said the Sorting Hat rudely.
Harry stroked the shuddering hat's point gently and spoke "I'm Lord Slytherin. This is , as you can probably guess, Salazars hat. Godrics hat over there is just upset Grandfather's hat is in better shape."
The staff looked at Harry's transformation, wondering what was going on.
"For the press statement, there may be some flashy magic and Lord Slytherin will do something dramatic" said Harry. "I have complete faith that as Hogwarts staff you will behave in a suitable manner all year"
"You're a little boy in a hat" said O'Reilly.
Harry hissed something and the lamps went out… or switched to burning with black flames
"I'm Lord Slytherin, Black, Peverell and Potter" said Harry "I've killed a dark lord, returned from dead more than once and fought many many death eaters. I'm your employers employer. I effectively own Hogwarts, and the Minister for magic is close personal friend. Do not try my patience."
"You always were a temperamental student" said Headmistress McGonagall mildly.
"Thank you Minerva" said Harry. "We're going to go, eat breakfast, meet the press, answer a few questions politely. Jjones, the courses will be largely theoretical, and introductory. That's the school line, do you understand. Same goes for you, Rookwood.
Jjones nodded, staring fixedly at a lamp burning black. "Death's flames" she said.
"As Lord Peverell, I'm the descendant of the greatest Necromancer Britain never knew." said Harry. "Some of my children will undoubtedly be studying Necromancy at Hogwarts. It is, in a sense a family business"
O'Reilly blanched. "Oh crap" he said.
"Language, O'Reilly" said Headmistress McGonagall
said Harry. "Do try to keep the school as just a school. I would be so happy if children got a tiny bit bored"
Rookwood spoke up "Some of the students have limited prior learning from nintety seven. Apparently Electrow Carrow ran some classes"
"Well, try to keep it not awful. Her approach to education was unhelpful" said Harry.
"Time for breakfast. Professor jjones, stay back" said Harry.
The other staff leave, Headmistress McGonagall coming over to stand beside Harry.
"Miss jjones, less skulls, more robes. You're not to overexcite the students, or the press" said Harry.
"Call me Sanctity" she says flirtatiously.
"Miss jjones, I'm happily married to a witch with a lot more to offer than you in every sense of the word ,who is mother to my seven children and stepmother to my forty two orphans." said Harry.
jjones looked thoughtful.
"Professor McGonagall, if you would?" asked Harry and Headmistress McGonagall transfigured the skulls on the hat and choker to silver hallows.
"Oh, Minerva, no" said Harry.
With a chuckle, the Headmistress turned them into silver Hogwarts shields.
With a flourish of her wand, a black robe swooped into being around Professor jjones, adorned with a silver rectangular pattern. Professor jjones looked slightly irritated, but left.
"Is she really trouble?" asked Harry.
"If she'd dress like this all the time, not really" said Headmistress McGonagall.
Later, sitting at the high table Minerva McGonagall leans over and says "You're quite the ham, Harry"
"Daphne thought It was best Lord Slytherin made a show" said Harry.
"And the one for the press?" asked Headmistress McGonagall.
"Oh, something simple" said Harry.
-==0==-
Breakfast was slowing down when the reporters arrived, led by Hagrid. Harry saw Rita and Bozo, with his camera, and a few reporters he definitely didn't recognise.
The students, who'd been staring and whispering at the new staff and Harry for an hour now, started talking to each other loudly.
Harry Stood up, and hissed Grandpa Sal's explosion of silence spell. Silence exploded out from Harry; in a loud nothingness.
The students, staff and press all looked a bit intimidated.
Harry flicked his wand lazily behind himself at the school banners, and the Slytherin Banner behind him on the wall animated, the snakes eyes lighting up green, and the snake twisting to stand upright, clearly displaying not a hood, but a frill on the back of it's head. It was, after all, a basilisk. Grandpa Sal had not really been a subtle man.
Harry spoke up "As Lord Slytherin, I'd like to announce that Hogwarts will be starting some new classes, or rather, restarting some old classes. Xylomancy; predicting the future using the patterns of twigs, with Professor Vale, Ghoul Studies under Professor Rookwood, where students will learn about ghosts, poltergeists, and of course, ghouls. We will also be having a course in … communication with the dead, with Professor jjones, from Durmstrang, who comes highly recommended. I'd like to say to any muggleborn students that that communication with one's dead loved ones has been a magic for a long time, and I personally have talked with my parents, and grandparents. It's a great way to find peace and understand your family, especially, if like me, your family died before you could talk to them. Although the course is formally called Necromancy ,we won't be making Inferii at any point, just so everyone understands."
Harry smiled to the school, and the reporters, who looked surprised. Harry waved his wand high in the air, showering silver sparks across the ceiling, and cancelling the silence explosion spell.
Harry spoke again "The press are here, and I'd like to take this opportunity to mention that our new History Professor, Professor Isabelle Lufkin has changed history teaching at Hogwarts, and it is no longer a scheduled nap time. Thank you Professor Lufkin. Our other staff change, that is happening today the replacement of Professor Trelawney by Professor O'Reilly. But then, Professor Trelawney might have seen that coming."
There was some polite laughter from the hall.
Harry waited for a pause "Professor Trelawaney, being a Seereess, is staying on to teach anyone who comes through divination who is also a Seer. Everyone else will certainly enjoy Professor O'Reilly, who is the only person to go seven for seven in the ICW NEWT practical exam.
Professor O'Reilly nodded graciously. Sybil seemed to be relaxing, after starting to have a panic attack.
"So now, members of the press, The Staff and I will be taking questions, but alas, only related to the recent staffing changes" said Harry.
"Rita Skeeter, Daily Prophet" said Rita, her glasses glinting
"Ah, Rita" said Harry "Chose your questions carefully, don't bug me , some of us have secrets we'd rather not share"
Rita stopped dead still, took a deep breath, tohught for a bit and asked what was certainly a different question to what she'd been going to ask.
"Professor Rookwood, are you related to Augustus Rookwood, who died the the war?" asked Rita, poisonous quill poised.
"I am, ah, related, but Estranged from my family. They don't support some of my life choices" said Professor Rookwood, awkwardly.
"Like being a decent human being" said Harry, loudly butting in. Laughter from the hall.
Headmistress McGonagall stood up and said clearly "Professor Rookwood has been living on the continent for the last several years and The School, and Lord Slytherin have compete faith in Professor Rookwood." she said sternly.
Harry caught Rookwoods face, flushed with, embarrassment, and yet happy. Headmistress McGonagall had defused that rather well.
Harry sat down very casually.
Rita didn't try anything too terrible, but insisted on asking jjones if she had a special someone. Jjones stared straight at Rita and said coldly "If I did, it would be no business of yours, Skeeter"
Harry felt slightly disturbed, but O'Reilly's answer to the same question was a simple "Well, Rita, it's not you… but you will meet a tall redhaired man next week"
Rita went red and grabbed her quill, scribbling manually.
The press conference improved there, some French reporter asking if Hogwarts was going to be using ICW exams for the new courses.
Headmistress McGonagall stood up and nodded "I've been working with Griselda Mountbanks from the WEA, and the new courses, well returning courses that don't currently have a WEA syllabus will be using the ICW syllabus, which is being translated and will be issued as a WEA syllabus. From there the new courses will begin. For reasons that should be clear to the third years and up, only third year courses will be available this year. Older students may choose to either sit their examinations in two years, or if they find an interest in the course, perhaps take the classes as adult students.
"Will Hogwarts be offering adult education classes?" asked Rita, surprisingly intelligently.
Minerva looked at Harry "The budget?" she said gently.
Harry turned and, without his wife to stop him, started speaking "We'll be looking at staffing and funding to offer adult education, in all the classes Hogwarts offers. I've got another school already, for educating the under-elevens, and if I have to , I could open another school, probably attached to Hogwarts, for adult education."
"How would that school be funded?" asked a black haired wizard with what might be a Dutch accent.
"I rather expect with fees" said Harry "We can't just go cap in hand to the Wizengamot and ask for more money, after all, Hogwarts is not owned by the Ministry."
"Who does own Hogwarts?" asked Rita.
"I own one quarter, the families of Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Griffindor own the other three" said Harry bluntly.
Headmistress McGonagall stood up "Ahem, The Hogwarts bequests partially fund the school, and the ministry provides funding per-student, as they do to any other school in Britain. In the last several years, of course, Lord Slytherin has provided the, ahem Lions Share of the funding to the school"
Slytherin and Griffindor house both cheered, then stopped and glared at one another.
"You'll have to go talk to Slytherin house some time Harry" said Headmistress McGonnagall out of the corner of her mouth.
"I'll being my wife for that" said Harry "They might never recover otherwise"
The Press conference stopped, clearly having got boring for the press.
Hagrid politely led them out. Hadrid was eight feet tall, and had hands the size of Christmas hams, so he could politely move quite large groups of people.
The staff and students went back to talking.
Professor jjones was regaling Aurora Sinistra with her own personal theory about her( jjones') mysterious original family. It involved many now-extinct houses and implied a rather eldritch heritage for jjones. Harry, as someone with a fairly terrible heritage, couldn't hold it in. He leaned forawrd past Minerva and said "jjones, go to St Mungo's and get a blood inheritance test. Honestly, it takes half an hour. Stop guessing. In the unlikely event you get billed by the Ministry for inheriting a house that's in arrears, owl my secretary and I'll take care of it"
jjones blinked. "Blood tests?" she said.
"Blood magic, for medical purposes" said Harry "You're a necromancer, a little blood magic shouldn't faze you"
jjones looked like she wanted to be indignant but Minerva spoke up "Given that generous offer from Lord Slytherin, jjones, you might finish your breakfast, and perhaps pop out had get some respectable robes"
Aurora Sinistra, whose dusky complexion rarely showed any colour, looked distinctly amused at young Professor jjones being told to go buy some clothes.
-==0==-
Harry stepped out of the floo into his front hall and groaned. With a hiss, he turned his clothes back into green and silver robes and he headed for the study.
He opened the door and found Daphne, in casual robes and slippers, lying on the couch, reading a scroll and dictating. Harry closed the door behind himself and walked over, Daphne turning her head.
"Stop Dictation" she said and the quill froze.
She put put the scroll on her lap "How did it go?" asked Daphne, looking at Harry's face.
"jjones needed a talking to" said Harry. "Had the cheek to say I reeked of dark magic"
Daphne sighed "And?"
"She dresses like a tramp and tried to flirt with me. I told her my wife had more to offer in every sense of the word." said Harry.
Daphne smiled slightly.
"Well done." said Daphne. Harry noticed she looked tired.
"Daphne, are you feeling all right?" he asked.
"Just not enough sleep" said Daphne. "I am catching up slowly"
"I'll make sure Mary gets us some more nurses and minders" said Harry, moving to his desk and writing a short letter.
-==0==-
Harry got a letter from Headmistress McGonagall two days later. He was at his desk, signing and sealing payments to builders when the tray with letter appeared.
'jjones has found she's a Selwyn, on the difstaff side. Hat and choker now have an appropriate S. Selywn's have not answered her owl. Knowing the old bastard, he won't acknowledge yet another actual bastard. jjones has stopped claiming to be quarter demon on her great grandmother's side. Thank you. Minerva'
Harry banished the letter to Daphne, who was lying on the nearby couch, with a writing table on her lap, translating a particularly tedious Slytherin family journal from spell-protected Latin to English. It would make a great book for tourists to buy. According to Daphne's intermittent verbal descriptions, it showed the family side of Salazar's life, complete with small children getting and losing teeth, and disagreements with his mother in law about children's education.
Harry suspected some of the momentum for Hogwarts had been wanting to get Mistress Logley out of his children's upbringing. Grandpa Sal, while extremely dismissive of muggles, was no less dismissive on anyone who wasn't his wife or children.
So far Daphne had excerpted a couple of paragraphs talking about his friend, Godric Griffindor, who was, according to Salazar, a mindless egotist, with too much facial hair. That was quite affectionate, so far.
Harry was starting to get an idea of the man behind the painting he had. Proud, overweeningly proud, magically brilliant and with a tongue like sandpaper.
Daphne had, however saved some poems 'Grandpa Sal had written about 'Grandma Reynilda. They were utterly terrible. Harry thought the difficulty of finding anything that rhymed with Reynilda didn't help.
[AN: More fireworks in Book 2 : Rise of the Black Rod]