I own neither franchise. You know those fics where the 'scarcrux' is removed by the goblins in thirty minutes or less? This isn't one of those. If the only way to remove it in cannon is either destroying the vessel or tanking a killing curse with the whole Elder Wand ownership oddness going on, a simple removal doesn't make sense.
Pebble's Harry Potter has had it a bit worse than his cannon counterpart, and his sacrificial blood protection is weaker as a result.
Chapter 14: Hermione Discovers Internal Dialogue
As she began her work to heal the teen's minds, Alira discovered a small problem. Well, it would have been much easier to sift through their minds for the various foreign effects if we had done this before they learned mental defenses. Hermione certainly has something wrong with her, and it isn't a simple fix at all. But her mind is so well defended I can't get in to see what was done to her…
Harry has that parasite on him, but the compulsions are weakening. Removing the various substances in his system is helping him fight them off, and his increasing power will help break them and hold back the parasite as well. Well if I can't get in directly, I'll have to employ a bit of trickery, not what I'd like to do, but she should thank me if we ever completely free her mind. With a decision reached, Alira slipped her mind into the Dream and gave Hermione a tug to bring her in as well.
As Hermione found herself in the not-reality of the Dream once more, the teen soon found herself with a very friendly Night Elf wrapping her in a gentle hug. With a smile on her face, she greeted the drake. "Hello to you Alira. I'm not entirely sure why we're here again, was there something you wanted?"
Pulling back and returning to her true form, she reclined against a suddenly solid green haze. How odd it is to be in a Dream untouched by the Titans. Perhaps it could use some work, but I want to be sure nothing I do is harmful first. Then again, for good or ill, it isn't like I have the power to make huge changes here anyway.
"Hello Hermione. I'm afraid this isn't strictly a social call. Could you sit with me? There are a few things we need to discuss that aren't safe to say in the waking world." When the teen had sat down against a folded wing, nearly as uncomfortable as Harry with physical contact that wasn't familial, the drake continued.
"These questions will be personal, and I apologize for making you uncomfortable but there is a reason." She saw the human understood, so she continued.
"How do you feel about Harry?" With the controls on this girl, she really didn't expect a truthful answer, and was focusing her attention on what she could feel from the physical contact with Hermione's mind. The Dream stripped many of the barriers sentient creatures placed around their minds and hearts, so she expected to be able to get a sense of what the girl really felt.
"He's my best friend, his friendship means the world to me." Ah, that was certainly true, but when she focused, there was more than a hint of something else beneath the surface as well.
"Is that all he is? He's certainly not an ugly male, even with all of those scars on him. He's a powerful mage and wealthy as well. Not to mention he's a kind man, gentle when he needs to be, you don't know how comforting his touch has been. Harry Potter is also one of the few that can be trusted with authority and power, he could have ordered us drakes to destroy his enemies, to fight and kill for him as soon as the oaths settled. He hasn't.
"If he wanted to, he could even order us females to service him sexually. He hasn't done that even if the only one who would actually object would be Vespiona; she's grieving for a mate she'll likely never see again." It was interesting to follow her deeper emotions as she spoke. Using the Dream, the realm all living creatures touched in small ways as they slept in this way was a new technique. It proved not to be very difficult, if an odd experience, and the Green drake was quickly becoming used to processing the emotional undertones. Hermione's emotions betrayed hints of a romantic love buried deeply, perhaps some desire, and jealousy when she spoke about Harry sleeping with the drakes. Interesting…
"No! Harry is my friend and I see him as a brother only."
That wasn't really a lie from her conscious mind, but deeper down it was. Okay, so something is really warping her mind, I can't get it out without tearing my way in and I'm not even sure I could succeed with that. "Okay, last question: If you knew that there was a foreign presence in your best friend's head, and it was working to consume him from the inside out, what would you be willing to do to help him?"
"What do you mean? Harry has some kind of protection from his mother..."
"Yes, and that is the only reason his body isn't walking around with someone else controlling it already. (There really was some ward around Harry, in the Dream it tasted like a mother's desperation to protect her child. A mother's love lived on, far past Lily Potter's end.) There's a parasite deeply rooted into him both physically and metaphysically, and we can't remove it physically without taking most of his brain with it.
"It's been inside him for years, Hermione, it could have been removed with a bit of skin and bone when he first got that scar on his face, (That was her best guess at this point, but the one that made the most sense.) but now it's burrowed deep. It was allowed to grow roots andfester! I found out about it when all of us were leaving the Dream, the fact that it was there at all when I only called Harry to join us is worrying."
Alira let the girl digest that for a moment. All parts of Hermione's mind were horrified now. I really don't like doing this, but I can feel from how her mind is working that she really is very intelligent and would likely help Harry greatly. That she would probably be interested in a romantic relationship with him if free doesn't hurt either. She would be good for him and he for her.
"If Harry really is in danger like you say, I would do anything I could to help him. You have a plan, right?" And there was steel in that response. Alira could work with that, and do it without truly betraying the girl as well.
"Right now, we're attacking the problem from all sides. Harry's magical strength is increasing quickly thanks to a variety of factors. When we started healing his body we found that the parasite doesn't like life-fire, which is good and bad. It's good we can hurt it with the flames, but bad that it reacts to the fire like that. We're trying to build Harry up mentally and emotionally, and I've been pulling the sludge out of him that's been altering his mind and keeping him weak.
"All the things are helping, but it isn't yet enough. We dare not even tell him he has the parasite, because we're afraid of it harming him if it knows we're working to remove it. We haven't exhausted all the possibilities yet, but removing it remains difficult. Aurogos gave me a spell we can use, the two of us. It isn't a full solution, but together we can aid him even more."
"What kind of spell is it? I'm still learning about the mind arts, there was nothing in the library at all on them." Alira was glad to see the eagerness of the bushy-haired teen, feeling her desire to both help her friend and learn something new.
"It's a spell that will allow us to merge our power and our will so we can pick at and remove the compulsion keeping Harry from consenting to treatment from a mind-healer before moving on to the true threat of the parasite. Once we no longer need to do this behind his back things will become easier. You see, he refuses direct treatment but he did give us an order to help him as we saw fit. I'm following that now. You are very important to him, so I want to work with you to help him." Ah, if that warm feeling deep in her doesn't indicate romantic feelings forcibly repressed I'm a fool.
"Together we can loosen the parasite's hold while he dreams, we won't remove it that way, but we will make another method of removal possible. The spell isn't without cost. You and I will be stuck together for between ten and fifteen years, and it won't always be easy. Our true cores, the parts of our minds, our souls that make us who we are will remain separate. Everything else, every memory, every stray thought, every desire will be felt by both of us. I admit, I am a little apprehensive about this because of how fast your mind seems to work." (That was not a lie. Hermione's mind seemed to be both fast and more than a little twitchy, at times like a squirrel given an entire pot of espresso.)
"But in the few days I've known him, Harry Potter has grown on me. I think he represents the best chance my kind have, and maybe not just the ones of us here, on this world. I think we can both agree that Harry Potter is a good man. Sometimes, good men become truly great ones if they have people standing behind them. Hermione, will you help me?"
No shortage of apprehension now, but I know she'll be helping me. I wish I could tell her the whole truth beforehand, but I can't account for how the previous Headmaster has tied her into knots.
Though it took some thought, Hermione soon reached a decision. "From what I understand about the bond you have with Harry, you're incapable of betraying him, right?"
Alira smiled and drew Hermione closer, placing a wing around her in a hug. Still looking the teen in the eye, she answered. "That's correct. And because he cares so much about and relies on you like he does, it would require foul, willing treachery on your part for me to justify harming you. As a positive, we'll be closer than sisters, and I wouldn't mind a sister. I was part of a small clutch and my three brothers both went into combat training as soon as they could. They're still alive as far as I know, but we were never close."
"Are there side effects you haven't told me about?" It was nice to see a little caution in the teen, but there wasn't a ton of it; befitting of one sorted into the house of Lions.
"Yes. You won't be able to betray Harry any more than I can; I don't think it will be possible for us to betray each other, which seems like a plus right now anyway. We'll be exposed to each other's taste in virtually everything. Some of Harry's commands to me may bleed over; so far you could be compelled to ignore the whispers of the Old Gods, live a life you can be proud of, and help Harry as you see fit. There's more, but I need to withhold the information until we're stuck together. Do you have any more questions?" Alira felt the young woman gather her determination for a moment before she gave her answer.
"No. If you think this could help save Harry, I'll do it. What must we do?"
"First we wake up, Harry can sleep through this, he could use a little more rest anyway. You'll need to paint the runes on yourself and me, and we'll both need to strip completely. I have some green enchanted bags on my sides, right behind my forelimbs, could you help me with the straps? Don't worry about Harry, he'll be asleep for at least an hour yet."
After returning to the waking world, Hermione found the Green drake was rather ticklish on her sides, and her smirk promised that she wouldn't forget that discovery anytime soon. Soon, all the markings were in place, and Hermione was as ready as she could be.
"Are you ready? Once we start, you're going to be stuck with me for over a decade, so this is the last chance to back out."
With determination burning in her eyes, the girl simply said: "I'm ready." And knelt, naked as Alira on the cold stone. The drake raised a talon and very carefully grasped the teen's neck. Later, she'd tell the girl that this origin had been created by a Blue dragon as a way to bind prisoners that couldn't be trusted at the time but were believed capable of reforming their ways. For now, she began channeling her magic into the young woman, ignoring her gasps as the witch got a taste of just how strong the magic of even a drake was.
It swept through Hermione, pooling in the runes, overwhelming the teen. Aurogos had explained the most essential part of the ritual was the caster's intentions, so she tried to forge the bond that would be as an older female taking a dear friend under her wing. Hermione's piece was less important, she simply needed to accept the drake like one would a guiding older sibling.
While a bit of a difficult piece of magic, it was proving to be within Alira's capabilities as she worked. When she was ready, the drake started to pull Hermione's magic into her own flesh, essentially taking all of Hermione's magic and replacing it with hers. The magic taken from the teen would then mix with her own under her scales and be overwhelmed as it blended. This would leave Hermione at her mercy, a very real part of her kept within the dragon for at least a decade as it very slowly drained, drop by tiny drop, back to the witch. When Hermione's magic was back where it was meant to be, and all of the Draconic magic returned as well, the effect would end. Until then, their minds would flow together, the witch obeying the dragon.
(Sadly, blending two minds together like this without designating a leader and a follower was a recipe for chaos, division and eventual madness as they would fight, tearing at each other even without wanting to, until both sides lost.)
As she felt the magic finish its movements, Alira began the final part of the magic, sealing them together as one. Without this part, without forcing their minds and magic to work together, the foreign magic would probably kill them both.
The final surge of magic left them both panting and sweaty on the floor. Laying on her side, Alira pulled Hermione close against the soft scales on underside and draped a wing over the witch both to keep her warm and to protect her dignity in case Harry woke early. Though human dignity still made no sense to her, there was nothing wrong with showing others that one was healthy and beautiful. And Hermione was certainly healthy, easily capable of giving Harry many intelligent and powerful children when they felt the time was right. Hey! I have more purpose than just giving birth!
Letting out an audible snort, Alira responded. Yes you have more purpose in life than ensuring the next generation, yet choosing a mate and continuing the cycle of life is both a drive and responsibility that exists in all of us. How do you feel, sister?
It was interesting to watch Hermione's eyes dance around as she started to feel out the mental changes. I feel okay, I can feel my magic inside you, and yours in mine. Wait! You tricked me! Why?!
Wanting to alleviate her concerns quickly, Alira got ready for a deep dive into the witch's mind. Do you remember back in the common room, when the spell for detecting mental effects returned 'black' on you? Something has been done to you, the memory taken away and your mind was warped to not allow anyone to even try to help you. Harry wanted me to do everything I could, so here we are. I want you to lower your mental defenses. Yes, I can order you around, but try to imagine existing in this state without one of us leading.
Really Hermione? Do you think two minds would do anything but tear each other apart like this? Okay. Now, one thing this bond allows is for your consciousness to exist within my brain. Sister-witch, my brain will serve me for at least ten thousand years, there's plenty of room for us both.
Why? I'm hoping the magic binding you exists within your flesh, you should expect to feel different once you cross over. No, the parts that keep you breathing are autonomic, your body won't die if your mind hangs out in my brain for a bit. You feel that connection? I'll help you come over the first few times, until we both get the hang of it.
It was certainly an odd sensation this bond, thankfully Alira was able to cut off a lot of questions before they were spoken by nudging Hermione towards pertinent memories, otherwise the clutter in their shared internal dialogue would quickly become grating. Once you're here, don't try to control my body please. I'm going to teach you how to use it in time, but you're not used to this many limbs and I don't want the bruises right now.
After a few moments, Hermione entered Alira's head, essentially using the unused portions of the dragon's physical brain to run her own thought processes. This is different… Do you have perfect recall?! Hey, nearly perfect is still better than mine. I can see your memories even clearer now… Why do you want me to stay away from certain ones, you can see all of mine right now!
I'm sure you'll see them eventually Hermione, but I just don't want to relive them again any time soon. Just stay away from the time between my being drafted and reaching the Eastern Kingdoms, please. There's a lot of ugliness in war, and that war especially. I'm glad you understand.
Your memories of flying are incredible! The wind, the scents, the sun on your scales! Oh, all those cute little whelps! Those elves wearing leather gloves in your nursery make sense after the memory of the lecture about the newborns not having control over their instincts yet. Oh my god! In the halls?
Yes, sister. The only real rules we have about copulation is no reproducing with another Dragonflight, don't do it when you're on duty, and if the whelps see it you have to give explanations to them until they run out of questions.
With that, Alira used her tail to begin poking Harry, a touch of magic in her extremity proving enough to overcome the chemical keeping him asleep. "Hello my Lord. Hermione is all right though I need a little more time with her right now. I wanted you to wake up and give us some privacy. Just be careful, you're going to be drowsy for a while I'm afraid. We'll be done in an hour or two, in time for dinner."
With a nod, Harry left them be. Hermione began the mental discussion again as soon as he left. You have feelings for him. Strong ones… I. That was as far as the witch got before the drake interrupted her.
Before you say that you won't pursue Harry for my happiness, let's look at my recent fantasies please. See? I can see in your head that your culture doesn't like two females with one male, Titans know why. No, I'm serious. If people can get over their own desires and put their loved ones first, put their family first, relationships like this can work just fine. Look at how of my people do this. Stop. Relax. Focus on my breathing. It's kind of disturbing how poorly your culture prepares its young for romance and reproduction.
Easy Hermione. I'd tell you to breathe, but you're not taking my body for a spin until we put you through some training to protect my wings and tail. Yes, I do think they're the best physical parts of me, unless I get really lucky and end up with impressive horns in eighty years or so. Attractiveness among dragons has a lot more to do with looking healthy, though things like unusual colors or the slight variations we have can help.
Hermione took control of their shared monologue for a moment then. That is rather interesting. And likely healthier than the various trends we humans have, trying to stay thin or alter our bodies to attract a man. I wonder why there's such a difference?
That's easy sister. We don't wear clothing. Everything we are is on display, well mostly anyway.
Now, I want to examine your mind in depth. Relax, let me in and remember that I'm not trying to hurt you. Yes, it will be unpleasant when I push deep enough, I'm trying to find out what's been done to you. I've been discussing the memory charm 'Obliviate' with Healer Tonks and I think it's possible to view a memory with some creative application of my magic.
What I won't do is risk your mind digging out this mystery, you're too important to my Lord. Also, I consider you a friend and the others respect you as well. Talion would take an arrow for you, you really made an impact on him that first night. Good, I'm going to begin looking at the structure of your mind, it's much easier when you're also in my head.
Neither mind 'said' anything for a time, as Alira began a metaphysical inspection of her friend. For Hermione, the closest comparison she could make was a mental equivalent of getting a physical exam from her mundane doctor. Alira watched and listened, poked and prodded. Fairly quickly she had found the various places her memories had been suppressed. Thankfully, none of the missing memories seemed to be the work of that fool Lockheart.
Hermione, I found some memories your mind was repressing, good thing too. That time you spent petrified, at least part of your mind kept going, recording what you could hear but not process at the time. You want to go through it? I will do you a favor and limit the memories to speech, or you'd have to go through every noise your ears heard. It will distract you from what I'm doing, and it will be helpful for me to see your mind process information.
With Hermione distracted, listening to what she'd missed, the drake continued. For Hermione, she was surprised by how many of the memories were from Harry, just sitting with her and trying to keep her company. Hermione could tell that Alira thought it was an adorable memory of young love.
As she went deeper, Alira was thankful she had spent time studying the mind before she was sent to war. Early Broodmother training was mostly hands-on, lectures from an elder, and a lot of independent studying. And the mind had fascinated her. To be honest, she had been hoping it was possible to reclaim first the Black Flight, and later the Twilight with the right application of the mind arts, though she never shared her aspirations with another soul.
If she'd been older, more powerful, had enough respect she would have been ordering the Twilight Dragonflight taken alive wherever possible at Hyjal. If nothing else she would have found some way to spare the innocent, even if she failed to free their minds she could have shipped them off to Outland and burned into their minds that attacking the innocent and returning to Azeroth meant their own deaths.
In any case, her studies were proving handy now. Hermione's first missing memory occurred shortly after her adventure involving the third floor, Quirrel, and the… Did you three kids really risk your lives for a philosopher's stone?
This led to an internal discussion on the item in question, how it could differ from the much more common item from Azeroth. Huh, I'd bet a few choice scales that the elixir of life is a hoax, and they just don't want to share how they've extended their lives. I'd bet a few more that only their identities have died this time.
Leaving that train of thought alone for the moment, Alira got back to her task. Hermione's memory gaps were careful and precise, taking no more than needed. And whatever control effect was at work seemed to begin after that first missing memory, but the commands she'd been given were missing as well.
Hermione, I need to see the memory of when this effect began. Somehow, it has you obeying commands you can't consciously remember. We're returning to the Dream again so I'll be a bit stronger, I want you to sleep while I do this. I have some fears, yes. Now, this is my first Order to you: You will not view the memories I recover or make any attempt to learn them without my explicit permission. Because there's a chance of a self-death woven into them if you were to learn of it, and you and I are both too important to die yet.
A few moments later, Hermione was settled into the Dream, having a pleasant dream. Alira decided that when it was possible, they'd have to try alternating their sleeping hours a bit to experiment with entering each other's dreams. Gathering herself, the drake pushed as hard as she could, and then she was inside the memory, standing in the Hogwarts Headmaster's office as a little girl.
Alira could tell her new friend was only twelve years old at this point, and the memory was taking place after the events on the third floor obstacle course. Alira, though only a scant few years older than Hermione, still had her beaten in maturity and life-experience. And as Albus Dumbledore praised the little girl, her intelligence, her bravery and her loyalty to her friends, Alira began to get a very bad feeling.
After again saying how impressed he was with her, the Headmaster offered to teach her, to take her as his apprentice, so that she could stand by Harry in the future. She was assured that Harry would be given the same offer when he woke up. Hermione's acceptance was never in doubt, her trust for authority had yet to waver. Of course, it really should have at this point. That adventure was obviously tailored for either first years in general or her group in particular.
Dumbledore firmly grasped her arm, telling her that there was a ceremony for apprentices they needed to travel for, but it would only take a few moments. Wait, why isn't the Phoenix here? I thought the old man was very proud of it?
The memory twisted for a moment, and though she felt Hermione's sickness at the apparition, Alira started taking in the details quickly. The time of day isn't the same as Scotland, we're just after dawn wherever this is. Dumbledore spoke a little more about how masters needed a firm hand to guide apprentices, but told the girl the magic he would work on her would only last until she learned all he had to teach.
Hermione was told that all she needed to do was say her Name when the Headmaster asked, and the drake heard the capitalization in that word. Alira cringed but kept watching when Albus cast complicated magic on the girl and asked if he had her trust. Hermione said he did. He asked if she would follow his commands, and she said she would. As the magic rushing around reached a crescendo, he asked the girl "Will you give Me your Name?" She answered Hermione Jane Granger. And Alira saw the magic snap closed around the little girl, who honestly thought this was a gift, something special.
Alira continued to watch as they returned to the Hogwarts Castle, and the Headmaster gave her commands. He told her that she would keep an eye on Harry, and do everything she could to keep him away from 'unsavory' individuals. (In this case, unsavory to mean anyone that would disagree with the Headmaster.) She was commanded to trust 'Me' completely, never to doubt 'Me' for long no matter the situation. Hermione was commanded that while she would remain Harry's closest friend, she would have no romantic interest in him, to better chip away at the boy's self-worth. Ah, there's her fire. She knows that he tricked her, her anger is roaring. Sadly, there's nothing she can do now.
In addition she would take no action to help Harry outside of school. Hermione was also commanded that if she ever learned of these commands and found a way to subvert them, she was to contact 'Me' immediately. If she ever broke herself free of any single command, she was to die at her earliest convenience. The final command from Dumbledore was to forget that he had bound her, forget that she had been given these commands but to follow them anyway, and to forget even being summoned to his office today.
Poor girl. I'll talk with Aurogos, Dumbledore put an odd emphasis on the word 'Me' in that memory. This will be a tricky effect to purge from her, lets see what the other memories are.
After examining the other memories, mostly of the girl reporting to the Headmaster everything Harry had done, Alira had some idea of the method by which the controlling influence was attached. It's literally bound to her 'Name.' I'd assume this was fiction if not for the fact that it works.
When she could, when she could make absolutely sure Hermione wasn't aware of the conversation, Alira needed to discuss the most recent 'debriefing' early in the summer with the resident Blue dragon. Albus had allowed her to remember everything, and she had begged him to stop toying with Harry. Hermione had pleaded with the Headmaster, trying to convince him to make Harry his successor. She told him how strong he was, both in character, morals, and magic.
And the Headmaster had been enjoying the despair the girl felt as she went on and saw him unmoved. Dumbledore had just begun to taunt her when Fawkes screeched at him, quickly flying onto his desk and expressing his displeasure. The old man had started, and his expression changed from one of gloating to regret. He had told the girl that he deeply regretted the necessity of his actions. When Hermione saw the defeat in his Phoenix and understood in that moment at least that Fawkes was a fellow prisoner. At least until her memories were suppressed again.
Sure that meant something, but not completely sure what, Alira put it aside for the moment and slipped into Hermione's current dream. After dredging through those memories, the vaguely pleasant and happy dream her new sister was experiencing seemed like just what she needed.
**...**
While Harry Potter gradually shrugged off a magically/chemically induced nap and Alira and Hermione shared a fluffy, happy dream, Aurogos was making preparations for tonight's announcement. Events had seemingly escalated out of control, or at least expectation. At least we're secure in the school for the moment. We're ready to 'decant' Valistraza in a few hours as well.It's strange, before coming here I would have agreed that her clutch needed to die, but today the thought of her eggs smashed or whelps murdered sickens me.
More, I would fight to protect them from that fate. There are so few Blue dragons left… Even the half-bloods are precious. How odd, I'm even looking forward to teaching them magic! Thank Elune none of them are in danger of ending up as apprentices of Saragosa.
Now he returned to the Room of Requirement again, very much wishing for more time to spend with the two teens inside. Sadly, there simply wasn't time right now; the drake was however, very much looking forward to the future when he had more free time. He did enjoy the Room's bathing facilities with Sarah and Naomi, wishing he had the time and energy now for more than getting clean.
After they were dry, his third Dragonsworn arrived as requested, eager to learn. For now, he wanted the three to use the room to research this world's familiar magic. He explained how it intrigued him, especially in light of the various species from Azeroth that could surely be made into life partners with the right spell. He also promised to arrange for appropriate familiars for all three of his Sworn as soon as possible. More than anything else, all three were eager to learn Common, and Aurogos promised to arrange tutoring for them and anyone else that wanted to learn soon.
**...**
Finally the dinner hour came, and the Great Hall was filled again. Messages had been sent to the Prefects of each house that an important announcement would be given before dinner that night. Aurors still remained inside the castle, monitoring the students in theory, but mostly being useless in practice. Delores Umbridge had attempted to sit in the Headmaster's chair when she reached the Great Hall that evening, only for a painful shock to chase her out of it quickly.
Agreeing with his Lord and Hermione's opinion on the general level of intelligence of the residents of the castle, (Though that was something he intended to improve, as large a task as it was.) Aurogos had decided to give the school a show. A simple series of charms had been applied to an area in front of the staff table, keeping students from standing in a specific space. Also, a charm to keep the toad-like woman off of what was, by rights, his chair.
At exactly the minute that dinner was to be served, a sound echoed through the hall. It took a moment to place, but it was the low howling of a blizzard. In that spot charms had kept clear, snow formed and began to swirl. More and more formed from the air, until a localized, tightly centered sphere of white swirled rapidly before a crack sounded through the hall. (Aurogos intended to learn the apparition of this world, but for now he substituted his own method of teleportation with an added sound effect.)
At the sound of the crack, the snow exploded outwards, racing towards the students but evaporating before reaching them. With the snow gone, the students got a good look at their new Headmaster. Aurogos was wearing a simple blue robe with the Hogwarts crest proudly displayed on his chest. With a bit of magic to enhance his voice, he greeted the hall.
"Hello Hogwarts. My name is Aurogon Salonar, and as of today, on the authority of the Echoes of the Founders, I am your new Headmaster!" Though there were some cheers from the Slytherin table that was less surprised, he continued on, tramping over increasingly loud objections from the witch in the pink cardigan. "I wasn't a student here very long before circumstances caused me to take action I never expected to. Yesterday morning, as soon as WE, all of us here, chased Albus Dumbledore out of this castle, myself and three other students began a quest to KEEP him out!
"The Founders left Echoes of themselves in this school, more than portraits, less than ghosts. You see, a new Headmaster is meant to visit each Echo and be judged. Slytherin's Echo has long been ignored, his portion of the castle's wards without a master! But the Echo judged me worthy, and allowed me to control one forth of both the wards and the castle's guardians yesterday! Through that approval, I gained another, then a third and early this morning, Gryffindor's Echo gave its blessing! With that, I succeeded in locking Albus the Insane out of our school, and was the first Headmaster in centuries to feel the entirety of the ward scheme settle onto my shoulders!
"I have been given a privilege and a hefty responsibility to all of you. I will not shirk from it! There will be changes, changes for..." Sadly, Aurogos was cut off when the increasingly unhappy woman finally managed a cannon blast charm.
Before the uncouth woman could barge into his acceptance speech, Aurogon spoke again. "Perhaps we'll add a class on manners and comportment as well? I've said this before recently, but good manners are imperative for users of magic. We who can touch the world around us and bend it to our will must always be careful to not provoke others. Otherwise," Here, the new Headmaster turned around to face the irate woman. "you never know when you'll provoke someone far more powerful than yourself."
The Great Hall, every student in the castle, every Auror and Healer present went silent at that. Harry Potter, (Hermione was still resting down in the Chamber, Alira's dive into her memories had proven both necessary and exhausting.) couldn't keep a small smirk off his own face, in between yawns anyway.
Deciding to use a proven strategy, Aurogon watched her out of the corner of his eye until she was about to speak and then spoke again. "What can I do for you Ms. Umbridge? If you want a seat in the class I just mentioned, that can be arranged."
Though she obviously wanted to snarl at the young man, Dolores Umbridge maintained her composure, for the most part. "I think you'll find, young man, that the Ministry will never permit someone so lacking in experience to lead a school! That should be left to your betters." Though mostly polite, her face remained in a snarl and her complexion was becoming ugly.
Swallowing a smirk, Aurogon raised his hands in front of him, as though he were cradling a large ball. A flickering flame of fire, an insubstantial frozen mist the size of a cantaloupe, arcs of lightning that chased each other in circular patterns, and thin ropes of a purple energy coiling upon itself sprung into being and orbited above his hands, maintaining their distance from each other. "I suppose I lack experience in politics, I lack experience in managing a school, I even lack experience in transfiguration. What I do not lack experience in, is magic. I know many of its secrets, its hidden dangers. I know the blunders of ages past and the triumphs of the greatest sorcerers. I have touched the magic that beats at the heart of the world!
"And I want to share what I know. The previous headmaster here allowed the teaching of magic to become dry, repetitive, and boring! The study of MAGIC! The art of touching the heartbeat of creation, of touching what both is and isn't and commanding the universe to heed your call, to shape itself to your whims!
"Under me, Hogwarts students will learn both magic and power! Under me, this school will be a place of learning unequaled anyone on Earth! Tell me Dolores, what would a Hogwarts under you look like? What would you teach your students? What HAVE you taught them, other than to fear and hate authority? The very stones of this school saw what you've done to children for the sake of politics Madam!" Aurogon spoke the last word with as much derision as he could, a sneer visible on his face.
"As long as I have a say, you will not gain power here or continue torture of students. For your actions the Echoes of Slytherin, Gryffindor, and Ravenclaw all demanded you made an example of and strung from the battlements. Hufflepuff suggested your head in a box sent to the Ministry as a warning to not interfere here."
As Aurogon had been speaking, one by one each ball of energy floating above his hands was set upon by the purple strands of energy and compressed within them. As the last ball, fire, was consumed, the purple chains floated to hover over his right hand. Shifting the energy just a bit, the tiny construct took a reptilian form, and a creature he had only seen in ancient scrolls filtered into being.
Cloud Serpents had been flying serpentine draconic war-mounts of the Pandaren people before the Sundering. As a whole the race and their lands were thought lost in their entirety, until his old master had happened upon the Wandering Isle. Sadly, their history was… poorly archived, to use a phrase he'd heard from a fellow apprentice. It was unknown when the group on the Wandering Isle had left their homeland, and it was truly sad that the dragonkin war-mounts had been lost entirely. But now, a little bit of history was brought to life as the energy in his hand shook to life, or a semblance thereof.
Now fully formed the construct, appearing as a dark purple dragon of the typical oriental shape depicted in legends, about as long as a man's arm, shook its head and began shifting it's attention around the room, its eyes flitting here and there. Releasing his control on it slightly, knowing it was bound to not harm those in the hall, the little construct darted away, an inquisitive nature compelling it to dart here and there. Sneering at him, Umbridge spoke harshly. "A simple trick, lights and illusions! Nothing that makes you the right sort of person to run this school!"
Further words from Umbridge were cut off when she was proved wrong. The little construct proved to be much more mischievous than intended, and had picked up a large chalice of wine before pouring it over the furious woman.
Ignoring for now the sputtering woman, Aurogon turned to address the students again. "This is a lesson I hope you will take with you when you leave this school, all of you. Magic is capable of both wonders and horrors, and like any other source of power, is dangerous if one is careless. That little arcane construct of an extinct creature? Was meant to flit around the room, being curious. Even though it is more than I expected, it remains safe because of a dozen spells woven beneath the surface. At worst, it will roam and play little pranks if it gets bored."
The little purple creature returned to him, affectionately rubbing on his hands. For a moment, he just scratched the little thing, before an idea came to him. Looking into its eyes, a pulse of magic gave the new Headmaster its full attention. "Little one, I've decided to keep you around, and the wards will sustain you as long as you follow some rules. First, you will not harm anyone save in the defense of students or guests. Second, you may amuse yourself as you wish but do not hamper learning within the school. Learn and grow, and if you prove yourself I will make you the new Guardian of this school."
Covered and stained, Delores was again building a head of steam, so Aurogon took her initiative again by negligently waving his right hand at the throne-chair that usually held Albus Dumbledore. A spear of ice flew from his hand, impaling the chair and carrying it back twenty feet. Looking as many students as possible in the eyes, he spoke again.
"I do not have any need to lord my authority over my fellow seekers of magical knowledge. I do not require you to be continually reminded of my supposed greatness. I reject the idea that being Headmaster of this school gives me any mandate beyond making this school the best it can possibly be!"
As he spoke, the hall changed. The platform from where the staff had presided over the students sunk, until it was just slightly elevated over the students. (A practical matter, giving those at the head table proper visibility over the students.)
Stepping up to the now much shorter platform, Aurogon twitched his wrist and the holster up his sleeve dropped his new wand into his hand. With a flourish, he gestured to the space where the toppled throne once stood, and ice began to condense out of the air. After but a moment, a high backed, comfortable chair took shape.
Snapping off a few additional spells, giving the chair comfort and permanence as well as keeping others out of it, Aurogon walked around the table and took his place. With a pre-planned pulse of his magic, the tables were laden with a feast. There were some new additions, the drake had lifted restrictions on the menu, telling the elves they could prepare whatever dishes the students seemed to enjoy as long as the proper nutrition was provided.
Nodding to a corner of the Hall where his invited reporters had been taking photos, Aurogon enjoyed his first meal as Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. An interview with Rita would be waiting after the meal, and he would have a lot of questions to answer soon. For now, the elves had outdone themselves for his welcoming feast.
Over the next week even more fruits bloomed from the deal that had been struck, and later bound by contract, with a well-known reporter. Rita had made a deal for positive press, or at least honest press for Harry Potter, those close to him and the new Headmaster in exchange for a polite interview with Harry Potter as soon as he was declared healthy by both of his healers. Harry wouldn't be exactly pleased to sit down with Rita Skeeter, but since the interview was also dependent on a good 'I was wrong' article by Skeeter, it would be bearable. And so, the headlines flowed.
"New Headmaster in Hogwarts!
Former Student braves Castle to protect others from Albus the Insane!
Has support of the Board of Governors!"
"Aurogon Salonar proclaims himself first and foremost a Student of Magic!
Creates magical construct from thin air! Charges it with the protection of the Students!"
"What has Dolores Umbridge been doing in Hogwarts?
Undersecretary to the Minister missed Dark Lord Dumbledore!
Boy-Who-Lived seen by students limping and bleeding after her detentions!
Umbridge threatened by new Headmaster! Torture of Students is not allowed!
What has the Ministry sent her to accomplish?"
"Headmaster Salonar: Magic is incredible! Learning its ways should never be boring!"
"New subjects to be taught in Hogwarts:
Magical Culture, Comportment, Beast Magic, Blacksmithing!
'A Headmaster should not be the only one with a true magical familiar!'
'Magical Metalworking is nearly a lost art!
For those willing to put in the sweat and toil the reward is worth the effort!'"
"Magical Comportment: Hogwarts getting a course on proper Manners!
Attendance for Spring Term Mandatory for all Students!
Those who fail to show proper conduct will repeat!"
"A new focus: Hogwarts will encourage students to produce and create!
New shop to open in Hogsmead after Yule!
Will sell 'good enough' student potions and metalcraft!
Profits shared, students receive funds and so does the school!"
"Harry Potter: A truly powerful Wizard!
See new photos of pitched battle, lifted from a pensieve!"
"Ten Dark Years: While Britain celebrated, Boy-Who-Lived sent to become a House-Elf!
How did this Happen? How did we miss it?"
"Did Albus the Insane fear a future Rival in the Boy-Who-Lived?
Did You-Know-Who?"
"A disturbing shop visit: Harry Potter denied access to his inheritance!
Confined with abusive muggles, guarded but not protected,
Was Boy-Who-Lived prisoner of Albus the Insane?"
"How did we miss Albus's fall?
How does his legacy live on in our government?"
"Where is Albus Dumbledore now? What is he planning?
When will we see his madness again?"
**...**
A/N: Life has decided to limit my free time lately, so I've decided to go to releasing a chapter every other Friday. I'm working on a shorter piece telling the story of the Hallows in this fic, I'm hoping to release it on Monday to celebrate the WoW Shadowlands expansion.