For the vote on my next major project put Harry/Susan in the Triwizard, Option 1, as a low priority. Here is the start of the story... maybe it will become a major project in the future. This is a little over 12K words.
A/N: The Ilvamorny Champion: Option 1 - Harry and Susan Bones grow up together. This will be a good Dumbledore that drops Harry off at the Bones for his protection and to grow up a normal kid. The Bones are chosen because of a Marriage Contract between Harry and Susan penned by their grandparents. When it comes time to going to school, they choose Ilvamorny. It will cover a lot of 'American' Wizarding Culture and quite a bit of their years there before Harry is ripped away for the Tri (now Quad) Wizard Cup and pick up with how do they deal with Voldemort from there. Not sure which year the Tournament will happen yet. Leaning more towards fifth or sixth year. Harry is not a horcrux
Chapter 1
November 2, 1981
London, England
Amelia sat in her chair, Minsy placing a strong cup of tea and a tumbler of scotch next to it. Crouch had sent her home for two days. She had been constantly on call the last week. The Death Eaters had been rampaging until three nights ago, now they were running like scared rats, trying to find any hole they could hide in. She should be out there still, but after she almost got killed and put her whole team in jeopardy for making a few decisions that she new she would have if she wasn't so sleep deprived, Crouch thought it better for her a few others to sit out for a few days while others take the front lines for a bit.
Amelia couldn't deny this wasn't nice though.
"How is Susan, Minsy," Amelia asked.
"The young miss is sleeping. Minsy thinks Mistress Amelia should spend more time with Missy Susan," the older elf admonished her. Amelia had had Minsy since she was six years old. Forty years they had been together. Susan was the youngest daughter of her youngest bother. The only survivor of the Death Eaters attack three months back. Elizabeth had shielded Susan when the hexes had started to fly after the wards fell on Bones Manor. Amelia had found her niece when she had responded to the call from Thomas.
Amelia sighed. Her elf wasn't wrong. "A few more weeks. I think we can take most of the Death Eaters in by then. After that, I am putting in for a sabbatical," Amelia told Minsy.
"Miss has not taken any real time off in six years," her elf replied.
Amelia sighed, taking the scotch, not the tea.
She was in Grace Hall, one of the few Bones properties left. Her grandmother had rather enjoyed the city, so this three story townhouse had been bought, enchanted and warded. Unlike Bones Manor, this place was tied to the family blood not tied to a leyline or head-of-house. It recognized the Bones, and only the Bones or those accepted by them, but the House would not fall if the Lord fell, not like the Manor. As long as one Bones lived, these wards would always belong to them. If none survived, then they would revert back to the goblins, to hold for the next heir or to seal forever.
Amelia nursed her scotch. Minsy left her and returned a few minutes later with a tray of food. Her stomach growled. Amelia wasn't sure the last time she had a solid meal. It was past nine, but she was hungry now she smelt the stew and fresh bread. "Popsy made the stew you like, Mistress."
"Thank you. Tell Popsy I will want a second bowl if she has more," Amelia told Minsy.
"There is a full pot. Popsy will be pleased to provide more." Amelia nodded and Minsy went on. "There are several missives from Gringott's and the Ministry in your office. Minsy would recommend reading them tonight."
"I will get to them once I finish eating. If Susan wakes, let me know."
"Yes, Mistress."
Nodding, Amelia dug into the fresh dark bread, not even bothering to slather the butter on it, instead piling the stew into the bread and taking large mouthfuls. She was about half way down to the bottom of the bowl when a bell chimed. Looking up, she popped her wand into her hand. She wasn't expecting guests and very few remembered where Grace Hall was located. Maybe some day this house would be alive with people again. "Minsy, go to Susan. If we are attacked you know where to take her."
Minsy nodded and snapped away.
Amelia left the large family room and went into the walkway that looked down onto the lower level. Amelia could remember large balls and parties in the huge atrium and ball room across from her. A grand stairwell went down from the railed veranda she was on. An elf in a Bones house dress and frock came into the hall. "Popsy, who is ringing the bell?"
"I feel two, Mistress," the small elf called up to her.
"I want the wards up in the hall and open the door from the edge of the entry," she ordered Popsy, not wanting to endanger the small elf and moving towards the stairs to stand behind a colonnade that would give her a good arc of the door and atrium. Susan's and her rooms were on the other side of the hall. The third floor was mostly empty rooms and two suites. A relic when there were many Bones. Her grandparents had had six kids. Susan and her were the only ones left now.
Popsy looked to her before snapping her fingers. The door opened and a second later a tall wizard in purple robes and silver designs and stars stepped in. He was carrying a sleeping child who had fallen asleep on the man's shoulder. She felt instantly suspicious. Why would Albus Dumbledore be walking into her house with a child? "Good evening, sir. May Popsy know who is calling on Regent Bones?"
Albus looked up, his eyes meeting hers. "Yes, my good Popsy. Please tell Regent Bones I am here to talk about the correspondence sent to her earlier today," the man said in his usual calm and grandfatherly voice.
"If you are my old Transfiguration professor, why did I have detention after Christmas my third year," she said, doubting the man remembered, that had been almost thirty years ago now.
The Headmaster chuckled. "I believe it was you, Euphemia Black and Augusta Orrington that had iced over the boy's stairs and set a crazed Peeves to get all the Gryffindor boys dorms up with freezing orbs of water," the man said, still sounding quite amused. "I think it was that trick that forced Headmaster Tibbets to put the jinx on all the Houses to keep that poltergeist out."
Amelia didn't smile, but she felt some pride in that prank. She had been thirteen, her compatriots fourteen, and the three of them had caused some trouble. "Alright, you are Albus Dumbledore. Who is that with you?"
"Would you allow me to sit and explain?"
"Who Headmaster?"
The man gave her a sad smile. "This is your new ward, Harry Potter."
She took in a sharp breath. "What do you mean my new ward? Don't the Potters have other family he would be safer at," she asked, thinking of Susan and the trouble this boy might attract.
"I take it you did not read my letter or the messages you probably received from Gringotts in the last few days?"
She frowned, walking out from behind the pillar. "This is the first time I have been back since You-Know-Who fell three nights ago. The Aurors have not been able to celebrate like many others have been doing," she told him. Maybe she should have gone through her mail, but she just wanted an hour break to eat and have a drink. Then she was going to go sit next to her niece and probably fall asleep in the rocker Susan liked.
"Not all of us have been celebrating. May I come up?"
She nodded. "Popsy, can you bring up more tea and whatever the Headmaster would like?"
"A nice cup of meade would do," Albus told the elf.
Popsy bowed and rushed back to the kitchens. She would leave Minsy with Susan until she knew it was alright.
Albus walked through the hall and up the stairs. Amelia showed him into the large parlor. It was meant to be the main family and women's room. Concepts from a by-gone era, but still very much adhered to among many Purebloods. To most, it was still the height of the 1890's, not the 1980's. "Please take a seat."
He moved to a seat by the fire, across from where she had been sitting. "I apologize for interrupting your dinner, but this couldn't wait any longer."
"Why is this boy here? Every Death Eater we come across is looking for him," she replied cautiously.
"A fact I am well aware. They are not the only ones looking for him. Minister Bagnold has had Wizarding Child Services and her personal guard looking for Mr. Potter as well," Albus replied.
Amelia frowned. "Why would Bagnold want him?"
"Minister Bagnold's position has been very precarious, as I am sure you know," Dumbledore instructed her. "How better to secure her position than to be the curator to the Boy-Who-Lived?"
Amelia had been so out of the loop, she snorted at the man. "He is just a toddler. Is there any truth to the rumors he defeated You-Know-Who and survived the Killing curse?"
Dumbledore nodded sagely. "There is more truth in rumor than many realize."
She blinked before her mouth dropped open. "You are telling me this boy defeated You-Know-Who!"
"I don't know if I would say defeated, but he and his mother are responsible for beating Voldemort for now. That is not what I am here to talk about though. There will be time to fully discuss what I know, Regent Bones, but what I must talk with you about is of the utmost urgency," Dumbledore said in a more urgent voice.
"You mean how he is my ward?"
"Yes. In your mail you will find correspondence from the goblins. The will of James and Lily Potter and the will of Fleamont and Euphemia Potter were presented to you. The Potter's account holders will do a reading next week, but until that time you and myself are all that separate this boy from the wolves, as they say," Albus informed her.
She felt like she was missing something. She had been at the reading of the will of this boys Grandparents, two of her best friends since Hogwarts. Both had been killed at only forty-three years old, leaving James the head-of-house just after his seventeenth birthday. Amelia and Thomas had helped him and Sirius navigate the many pitfalls of being young Lords. Neither of them had been ready for the responsibility and didn't want to it. "Why would I get the wills and Harry? I know I was fourth on the list."
Dumbledore's face grew a little long. "I am afraid you are the only one left on the list, except for Lily's sister, but James and Lily were very specific they did not want Harry to go to them."
She looked at Dumbledore. "What has happened to Sirius, the Longbottoms and James' cousin Wendy?"
"Sirius was arrested yesterday after having been found to have killed twelve muggles and Peter Pettigrew. Bagnold and Crouch sent him to Azkaban. I am pushing for a trial, but Chief Warlock Winters won't hear it at the moment. He is to much Bagnold's," he told her.
Her eyes grew wide. "I haven't heard that. Wouldn't that have been all over the DMLE and Prophet?"
"I have word it has been hushed. Bagnold has wanted to get hold of Harry so she could claim the Ministry rescued him and announce Black's betrayal of the Potter's at the same time."
She hissed as she spat out, "Sirius would never have betrayed them."
"I don't disagree, but I am one of only a few voices claiming as such. Perhaps if I were made Chief Warlock I could influence this, but Bagnold doesn't exactly trust our alliance."
Amelia pursed her lips. In the recent years the old alliance that Fleamont had built had been started to be called the Light Alliance. Bagnold was part of the more Neutral Houses, but she was no friend to Voldemort and his Death Eaters, making her a very good choice for most. "The House of Bones will give our backing. You just let me know what you need, Headmaster. Now what of the Longbottoms and Wendy?"
"I am sorry to tell you, but Wendy was killed the same night as Harry's parents," Dumbledore told her.
"Why wasn't I told?"
"It has not been announced yet. There have been many other headlines, ones you have been part of, that were more important. And before you ask, I came from St. Mungo's before coming here. Frank and Alice Longbottom were attacked by the Lestrange's and others over the night." Dumbledore let out a sigh. "I am afraid it doesn't look positive. It appears they were tortured for most of the night and are suffering from Cruciatius Insanity."
A tear came to the hardened Aurors eyes. "And their boy," she asked in a small voice.
"Neville Longbottom appears to have escaped most of it. One of their elves sacrificed themselves to get Neville out about an hour into the ordeal."
A light lit in hers eyes. "Who?"
Dumbledore gave her a discerning look. "Others are chasing the culprits. Bartemius Crouch himself has assured me of this."
"Then why am I here? It was my Boss that sent me home."
"I am afraid that was at my insistence. Amelia, I really need to talk with you and press it is very important for you to take Harry. He needs to grow up in a safe environment and you are the last person on the list before I search for another wizarding family. I am hard-pressed though to think of anyone else that would be able to raise him, as famous as he will be, and still have him keep a level head," Dumbledore pressed.
"I already have Susan. I will never reject him, but is it safe for him to be here? I am Susan's godmother and can't risk her," Amelia told him.
Dumbledore sighed. "I understand, but there is more. You asked why you would get a copy of your friend's will. I know you were at the reading and they left you a few things, what you may not know is that they had hidden clauses writtten into the will. Clauses added by Fleamont's father before he passed. Those clauses were passed down to Fleamont, and then James."
Amelia had a sinking feeling. There would be very few reasons that there would be clauses like that passed down. "I know the Potter's and Bones have been in an alliance for many years. Tell me this is just a call on that alliance to take care of the last heir."
"In a way. Your father and Cadmus Potter made a contract," Dumbledore started.
Amelia sucked in a breath. "You are not serious!"
"I know the tradition is becoming frowned upon, but there is a contract that Harry and Susan will have to fulfill some day," he told her.
She looked at the sleeping boy in Dumbledore's arms. He had shifted and was now in the old man's lap. He looked very much like Fleamont and James. There was the unmistakable mop of messy jet black Potter hair and a larger nose. He looked just like James at that age. She remembered how chuffed Euphemia had been to have James. He was the apple of his parents eyes. Harry looked just the same.
"What is that scar on his forehead?"
"A mark of where the killing curse hit him. Poppy has checked him over. There is a large amount of dark magic in it, but she has shown it is already decreasing. Maybe in a few years it will be gone," he told her.
"He is my ward because of this contract and that I am the last one named in the will to take him?" she asked.
"Yes. I offer my services in setting up other wards on this residence, or where you would like. I think it would do well for him to grow up with another child his age. It would probably be good for your niece as well."
Amelia moved and got up. Taking the two steps to Dumbledore she took the sleeping boy in her hands. He shuffled a little but very quickly settled his head on her shoulder. "I won't let the granddson of my best friend be an orphan."
Dumbledore's shoulders sagged some, as though a great weight had been taken from his shoulders. "Thank you, Amelia."
"I think I may need to request a few more days off to get his affairs in order. The wards here should be sufficient for now. I will talk with the goblins when I see them in the next few days."
"Of course. If you need anything, I am sure I can find some to help that I trust," Dumbledore offered.
"Thank you. I'll contact Augusta tomorrow and I still have allies," she told him. "If you don't have anything else, I would talk with Minsy to get a bed setup and go through my letters."
"I would like another meeting in the next few days. There is more I would like to talk with you about."
"Just send me an owl. I would prefer not to meet here though. I can't risk anyone being tracked here," she told him. She was somewhat paranoid, with good cause. It probably didn't help that her mentor and immediate Boss was Head Auror Alastor Moody.
"What ever it takes to keep them both safe," Dumbledore said. "I can show myself out, if you like?"
"I will walk you to the stairs."
Dumbledore got up and she watched the man leave. "Popsy, I want this house on complete lock down. Please get an owl out to Matron Longbottom, Lord Abbot and Lord Patil. I would request a meeting with them tomorrow morning at ten. Tell them this is of great importance. Also give Augusta my condolences and assure her I will be there when she calls."
"Yes, mistress," Popsy said, scurrying for her office on the first floor. Amelia should send those, but she had to take care of this boy that was now in her care. She also had to take care of Susan. Dumbledore was right. It would be good for them to grow up with each other. She just wasn't sure if she should tell them about the contract until they were older, like out of Hogwarts. She would need to read the contract. Depending on the clauses, they may be required to marry as soon as they came into their majority, or not.
She opened the door to Susan's room. The small redhead had just celebrated her second birthday a few weeks ago. She looked so much like her mother. Thomas had found an excellent match in Frances Prewitt. Like most Prewitts, she had given her younger brother a large brood. Susan was their fourth child and she didn't doubt Frances would have given her one more neice or nephew. Now, Susan was the last. Just like this raven-hair boy in her arms. She was also the first girl of this generation, probably why she was now part of this contract.
Amelia always wanted to marry when she was younger, but after becoming an Auror she just never seemed to find the time to settle, or the right man. Now, she had two young wards to take care of. She would need help. Amelia had been relying heavily on Minsy and Popsy to take care of Susan. She couldn't ignore her niece anymore. Maybe she should take the desk job and to be a trainer at the Academy, like Crouch had been offering her. He had said she could get more experience in Leadership, seeing a lot of potential in her. Amelia had fought against any promotion that would get her off the front lines for almost twenty-five years. For the last five years she had been Captain of Green Group. Thirty five Aurors reported to her. Their group had taken in almost as many Death Eaters or sympathizers as Moody's in the last few years.
Yes, taking up a senior training position would allow her to be home every night and weekend. It would also give her the time to sit the Bones and Potter seats in the Wizengamot until Susan and Harry were old enough.
"Who is this, Mistress."
"Harry Potter. He is my ward and will be family some day. You are to obey him as family."
Minsy came over and reached a hand up to Harry. When the elf touched Harry's hand, there was a soft glow that quickly dissapated. "Master Potter is already family, Mistress."
Amelia smiled. "Minsy, can you go find another crib? Harry will be sleeping in here tonight. Tomorrow we will need to look at turning Susan's play room into a bed room for him," she told the elf.
"Yes, Mistress. Master Harry will be taken care of."
"Thank you, old friend," she told the elf. Minsy smiled and left the room.
Amelia pulled up the rocking chair to the side of Susan's bed. Harry shuffled a little as she settled herself. Amelia was tired, still hadn't eaten a regular meal in days and now had to raise two children.
Minsy was quiet when she popped in a crib located in an room with stored furniture on the third floor. She made it up and gently took the sleeping boy from her sleeping Mistress. Mistress Amelia looked so tired. Minsy would do what she could to take care of her and the other small forms in the room. The boy was promised to be family and she should treat him as such.
Minsy placed a blanket over Missy Amelia. The old elf still saw her as such, having been with her mistress since the woman had been a young miss. After a loving look at the three in the room, Minsy snuck out, leaving the small family to sleep.
-oOo-
-oOo-
Chapter 2
August 2, 1986
Potter Hall, ?, Wales
"Where are you two," Aunt Amelia called out.
Susan giggled besides him. He tried to quiet her. "She'll find us," Harry whispered to her. Of course, like most six-year-olds, they were much louder than they thought they were being.
"Do you think she found the surprise?" Susan asked.
"I haven't heard her scream yet," Harry told her.
Susan giggled again. "She is going to be so upset with you."
Harry couldn't suppress his own giggles. "It wasn't my idea to ask the snakes in."
"But you talked with them. It feels so funny to have them on my arms," Susan added.
"Where can they be," Aunt Amelia asked again coming closer to the closet in the hallway.
"Su, be quiet." Harry couldn't suppress his own giggles.
"Here you are," Aunt Amelia yelled as the door opened.
The two young children screamed and tried to get out. Harry pushed Susan before him. The woman wrapped an arm around Harry's midsection. "I don't think so, you troublemaker. Susan get back here," she called out as the redhead scampered away, stopping just around the corner of the railing.
"It wasn't me," she called back, giggling at their Auntie.
Harry was about to say something when he was suddenly squirming and laughing as he was tickled. "How many snakes did you let into the house?" she asked as Harry tried to scream out between laughs, "I told them to only scare you! Su help!"
Susan came running back. "I'll save you," Susan cried out.
"Oh, you will, will you," Auntie challenged Susan playfully.
Soon they were both on the floor laughing as Auntie mercilessly tickled them until Harry promised to have the snakes leave. Susan was laying on the floor, tears in her eyes and breathing heavily as she giggled again. "Did they at least scare you," Susan asked.
"They are only grass snakes, my mischievous little ones. If you wanted to scare me, Harry should have talked to the ashwinder we found in the great hall's fireplace the other night," Auntie told them.
"There is an ashwinder," Harry perked up, jumping up and already on his way to the great hall of Potter Hall. The house was in the country and Harry looked forward to coming here every year. Aunt Amelia always insisted on them spending a few weeks here.
"No running, Master Harry," a house elf with the Potter crest on it called after him as he ran towards the stairs. Potter Hall could easily fit three or four Grace Halls.
"I'll be fine, Cork," Harry called out to his elf. There were four in this old house, but Cork was his elf. He followed Harry where ever he went, like Minsy did to Auntie and Prim did to Susan.
"Harry, it's already been moved," Auntie called to him. The sound of other feet echoed behind him. He knew it was Susan. He didn't care. He had never seen or talked to an ashwinder before. Auntie had been very surprised when she found him talking with a grass snake last year down along the river that ran past the grounds of Potter Hall. Susan was in awe. Since then he had been taught to only do it when it was just them around. Harry didn't know why, but if Auntie asked him, he would.
Harry ran into the large room at the base of the stairs. Their was a huge oak table with twenty or more seats at it. Tapestries, trophies and heirlooms adorned the walls or small tables. Harry ran for the large fireplace at the end of the hall. "Harry, Auntie said it's gone," Susan called out.
"But they like to lay eggs in the ashes," Harry told her excitedly.
Susan stopped a dozen feet or more back. "Harry, are you sure you should be playing with an ashwinder or her eggs?"
He didn't respond as he stooped by the fire. Hello? Is anyone there?
Susan grabbed one of her red-haired braids, just watching the raven-hair boy who was her best friend.
Hello? Little snake?
"Harry, I don't think there is anything here. Come away. Auntie won't be happy if you get all dirty," Susan told him.
Harry continued looking.
"Harry, we took the ashwinder and her eggs to a better spot," Aunt Amelia said loudly across the hall. "Now, go get cleaned up. Your friends should be here within the hour."
"Is Uncle Sirius and Uncle Remus coming," he asked, still looking around the fire, not getting too close. He didn't want to get burned.
"Yes. Now go get washed up and you two can play in the family hall until everyone arrives," she told them.
He huffed. "Can I see where the ashwinder is?"
"It was moved out of Potter Manor. Now go."
Susan approached and took his now sooty hand from crawling over the floor, trying to look into the fire. He let her pull him away. After getting a talking to from Cork for getting his pants all dirty, he joined Susan in the large room Auntie called the Family Hall. It was two stories tall with a large area full of couches, chairs and tables. Book cases covered the east wall. The south wall was a large stained-glass of the Potter family crest and a scene with the first Lord and Lady Potter who had built this manor about two-hundred years ago. The old family house was now a partially ruined castle on the far side of the grounds. Harry had always wanted to go explore it, but Auntie had kept him away. Now he was six, maybe she would let him.
Susan was already here. She was skipping around the stones singing a song about a cat looking for a mouse. He watch her hopping around in her nice dress and her double braids bouncing around.
Someone walked into the room. "Hey, pups," a man called out. Harry turned away from Susan to run at a tall man with open arms and in a set of burgundy wizard robes. "Uncle Sirius," Harry cried out, jumping at the man. His uncle laughed as Susan came running too. He laughed louder as the redhead crashed into him.
"Where is Aunt Renee and Alula?" Susan asked.
"They are both with Amelia. Should be along shortly. You really should remember to wash behind your ears, pups," the man said, running his hands behind them and suddenly holding a silver sickle each. Both their eyes went large. Harry immediately grabbed for his while Susan just looked at it. "Why doesn't Auntie ever find those?"
Sirius winked at her. "A special power of mine."
"I can get a few more chocolate frogs next time we go to Diagon Alley," Harry blurted. "What did you bring me for my birthday?"
"What? It's your birthday?"
"It was Thursday. Cassy made a really good marble cake," Susan told him. "I want a strawberry cake for mine."
Sirius put a hand on her head. "I'm sure we can do that."
"What did you bring me?"
Sirius laughed. "Sorry, not your birthday anymore. No present."
Harry stuck his tongue out at his uncle. "Where's Aunt Renee? She will have my present."
Another man laughed. "You know he is going to start getting you back one of these days."
"I can be so lucky, old friend," Sirius replied to the man.
"Uncle Remus," Harry said just as excitedly as he had been for his other uncle. He rushed the man, who hugged him and then hugged Susan. "I won't be as mean, but Amelia said you aren't supposed to open it until everyone else arrives. Happy Birthday, Harry." The man took out a nice size rectangular package from his pocket.
"Oh, does that jacket have an extension charm," Susan asked.
"It does, bright one," Remus replied to Susan. She gave a shy smile.
Harry took the package. "How about I open it now and the others later?" he asked.
"How about you wait," Uncle Remus told him.
Harry huffed. Susan bumped him. "You can wait," she told him.
"Alright," he said dejectedly.
Sirius gave a barking laugh. "Already wiped, huh, pup?"
Harry looked confused at his uncle.
"Enough of that for now, Siri," a blonde woman chastised his uncle.
"Sure, Renee," the man said as the woman walked up to him holding a small blonde girl. She looked to be about three. Sirius took his daughter, who looked sleepy and curled up in his uncle's arms.
"Who's wiped?" Uncle Remus chuckled.
"Happy wife, happy life," Sirius told Remus.
Aunt Renee kissed Sirius on the cheek. "He can be trained. I'll give you a treat later." Sirius grinned and Remus shook his head. "Now, is there a birthday boy here?"
"Uncle Sirius already said it wasn't his birthday," Susan teased with a smile.
"Just because it's not my birthday today doesn't mean it's not my birthday, Su" Harry said upset at Susan.
She giggled.
"Good girl," Uncle Remus said to her.
Soon Harry was playing with all their friends. There was the shy Neville who only seemed to come out of his shell when around him. He was laughing as hard as the others as they ran around the lawn outside the family hall. The blonde hair Hannah was chasing after the blonde boy. Harry was trying to run from Hannah too. Susan was skipping rope with Parvati and Padma while his young cousin Alula was trying to catch Harry, with Uncle Sirius keeping an eye on her.
"You can't get me," Harry yelled at Hannah, who just missed getting Neville when he tripped. She turned around quickly and tagged him. "You're it!"
Neville got up and she screamed as he almost got her.
When they sat for cake, Susan plopped next to him. Hannah was next to her and Neville and the twins were on his other side. He was able to blow out all his candles, with a small amount of help from Susan.
That night, Uncle Sirius carried Harry to bed. Susan and him had fallen asleep on the couch as the adults talked. Harry remembered waking just a little. Aunt Amelia was carrying Susan. "You aren't going to put Su in her own room?" his uncle asked.
"They wanted a sleep over tonight," Auntie told his uncle.
Sirius chuckled. "You ever going to tell them?"
"Let them be children. There is plenty of time for them to figure it out later," Auntie replied.
"James tried to break the contract."
"I didn't even know about it. Harry was asking to spend a weekend with you and Renee. I was thinking of taking Susan on a camping trip if you can do that."
"You never have to ask, Amelia. We'll happily take both of them any time you want," Uncle Sirius responded.
"Next time. I think Susan needs a girls weekend."
"I'd tell you to take Renee but she hates the wilderness."
"That's why I didn't ask."
Sirius chuckled again as Harry was put onto his bed. Susan was lain next to him. Next to Neville, she was his his best mate. Even if they lived with each other, Harry didn't see her as his sister. They looked far to different from each other to be family like that.
"You really shouldn't keep this from them for too long," Uncle Sirius said.
He felt Auntie lean over and kiss him on the head, he started to drift again, not really paying much attention to what they said. "They are only six. I figure once they are thirteen or fourteen. I would rather give them time to see if they figure things out on their own first."
"And if they find someone else they like?"
"Do you see that happening? These two are already thick as thieves."
Uncle Sirius sighed as they walked away. "Just don't wait too long."
Harry felt Susan shift and he drifted off.
-oOo-
October 13, 1990
London, England
Harry woke early. Today was Susan's eleventh birthday and Harry had finally convinced Auntie to let him get Susan a cat. Uncle Remus had taken him yesterday. Harry hadn't expected to have a full kneazle, two actually, come up to him and follow him around the store. They were only about six months old, so still about half the size of an adult kneazle. Last night it had been so hard to hide them both, especially since the grey one with black spots kept wanting to escape his room, as though he already knew Harry wanted to present him to Susan.
Now, it was still early. His new kneazle, Savannah, ran out the room, chasing after the other. She was mostly white with flecks of grey and black. Harry walked out into the hall. The grey kneazle was already at Susan's door. Harry knocked before opening the door.
Light filtered into her room from the windows that looked over the street. Harry would like windows, but his room was against the other townhouses around them. In the light, he made Susan out in her bed, her duvet pulled up to her chin and sleeping soundly. The grey kneazle padded to the bed, jumped up and then moved to Susan's face. When it sniffed at her, Susan swiped a hand. "Let me sleep, Harry," she groggily chastised.
"It's not me this time," he said from the doorway. For once he could honestly claim than. Savannah had sat at his feet. She was sitting tall and looking regally around.
"I said let me sleep." She swiped again as the kneazle sniffed her again.
The kneazle on her bed meowed and nuzzled her hand. Susan started and the kneazle jumped to the side as she rolled over. Harry laughed as she sat up, her red hair wild and her eyes blinking. "What is this," she asked before her eyes alighted on the kneazle. The grey animal was looking at Susan, its tail up and ears erect.
"Happy birthday, Su," Harry told her.
Susan's sleepy eyes opened wide. "She's mine?"
The kneazle came over and she started to pet him. "It's a him. Mine is a girl," Harry told her.
Susan's face broke into a huge smile and she grabbed the animal. "What's your name?"
"The store owner said he didn't have one."
"Where is yours? What did you name her?"
"Who said I got one too?" Savannah padded over to the bed and jumped up. "Traitor," he jokingly said to his kneazel.
"Harry, he's wonderful. I know you have asked for a familiar many times. And who are you?" Susan asked his kneazle.
"Savannah. It's supposed to be your birthday though. What are you naming yours?"
"He's really mine?"
"It looks like he is accepting you, so I would say yes," he teased her.
She scrunched up her face at him. "You need to me be nice today. It is my birthday."
"I am nice. You have a new kneazle."
"How did you convince Auntie?"
"I've been bugging her for months. I think she finally got tired of me bugging her." Harry smirked.
Susan grinned. "How about Speckles."
The kneazle pushed its ears back and growled at her.
"I don't think he likes that name," Harry told her. Savannah jumped off the bed and came back to him.
"Then Shadow?"
The kneazle's ears perked up and he rubbed into her.
A house elf shuffled up to them. "Morning, Miss and Master. Miss Susan, you should get dressed. Misses Renee should be here soon."
"Aunt Renee? Why is she coming?"
"Mistress Amelia was called into the Ministry for the morning. Misses Renee has a surprise," Prim told them. "Master needs to get out so Miss Susan can get ready."
Harry laughed. "I'm going!" as Prim tried to push him out. He started to slump. "Oh, gravity is getting heavier."
Prim snapped her fingers and he yelled. His hand grabbed his bottom as it felt like a bee had just stung him. "Master Harry is not old enough for Missy Susan. Out."
Harry grumbled at Prim. She was nice, but didn't give him any slack when it came to Susan at times.
Savannah followed him around as he made it to the kitchen and had breakfast. Susan joined him a little while later as he was working on his math homework. Auntie had enrolled them in a private school so they could get through fifth year with the basics off a muggle education. It kept Susan and him from delving too far into magic or into trouble, after they had had gotten into trouble trying colour changing charms after Harry had nipped Uncle Sirius wand when they were seven.
Harry liked the school, but he really wanted to have some private magic tutors like Neville, Parvati and Padma had. Auntie gave them some stuff, but she was determined that they not push themselves until they went to Hogwarts next year. Having an Auntie that had just recently been promoted to Head of the DMLE didn't make for a house that shirked the laws.
"I thought you were going to wait for me," Susan asked sitting down across from him.
"I was bored," Harry responded. "I'll help you with the math if you help me with the French assignment later."
"Deal. Thank you, Popsy," Susan said.
"Happy Birthday, Miss Susan. Popsy make your favorite," the elf said with a smile. A plate of toast with a thick layer of marmalade, a half dozen bangers and a bowl of porridge with brown sugar and maple syrup swimming over the top. Susan had found she really liked that mixture in some oatmeal when they had gone to the Unites States over the summer. They had wanted to look at Ilvamorny. Auntie wanted them to go to Hogwarts, and Harry was pretty sure they would, but seeing Ilvamorny and Beuaxbatons had been nice. Susan had really liked the baroque-style castle of Beauxbatons. Harry liked the more open character of the American's they met and the way Ilvamorny was more spread out, had multiple buildings, styles and secrets all over the place.
They would have to make the decision next summer.
Aunt Renee showed close to half-nine with Alula. The bouncing six year old had blond hair like her mother. Their other cousin, Orion, had a monkey in his arms and was holding Aunt Renee's hand. "Happy birthday, Susan."
"Thank you."
"We are going to see monkeys," Orion spoke up.
"Mum said there are penguins," Alula said happily as she skipped around them.
Susan took her hand and started to skip with her. "Are we going to the zoo?"
"It was supposed to be a surprise," Aunt Renee said significantly.
"Is Uncle Remus or anyone else going to meet us," Harry asked.
"Your Uncle and Madam Longbottom are at the Ministry with your Auntie. They will be back later for dinner and the cake."
"Alright," Susan responded. She looked a little disappointed, but she understood.
Aunt Renee was a muggleborn and took them on the bus and then the tube. Alula wouldn't let go of Susan's hand and he was dragged along by Susan as much as she was by their cousin. Orion clung close to Harry and just about pulled his hand off when they finally saw the monkeys.
In the reptile house Susan was standing next to him as they looked at a long python. "Can you hear what he's saying," Susan whispered, her hand touching his.
"He's sleeping, I think. All I hear is is him breathing."
"I wish I could talk with animals," Susan said.
Aunt Renee was standing outside, keeping an eye on them. Susan had insisted to go inside for Harry. Alula didn't like snakes though.
"If it's so cool, why does Auntie say I shouldn't use it around others? We found those books on Parselmouths at Potter Hall. I doubt my family would have kept them if it was a dark power like some say?" Harry put to her.
"I don't know, Harry. Have you ever asked Uncle Sirius or Uncle Remus?"
"No. They just say it's really neat."
Susan squeezed his hand. "I like it. I'm not afraid."
"Thanks, Su."
Susan gave him a brilliant smile. "We should get back to Aunt Renee."
Susan let go of his hand and they went back to their aunt.
-oOo-
August 28, 1991
Over the Atlantic Ocean...
Auntie had decided they would take a plane. Susan and him were excited. In two days would be going to Ilvamorny. Harry had convinced Susan to go here over Beauxbatons. Hannah and Neville were in the seats next to them. Padma and Parvati were going to Hogwarts while they were going across the pond. Harry would miss Britain, but they would be going back for Christmas, a week in February and a week in April. He was happy their best mates would be with them. Harry had heard it had been quite a discussion with Neville and his Gran, but she had relented after finding out the other three were going.
Susan was holding his hand, not a fan of the plane of the small amount of turbulence. Harry didn't mind. It wasn't much different than being jostled on a broom.
"Why didn't we take a portkey," Hannah asked.
"We will later, but Auntie said she needed to work out our muggle passports and paperwork as well. She wanted to make sure we could leave Ilvamorny with no issues.," Harry replied.
"It also allowed us to leave without the Prophet knowing," Mrs. Davis said from behind them. "Now, get some rest. It's still seven more hours before we land and we are going to have a big day."
"Sure mum," Hannah responded.
"Yes, Mrs. Davis," Susan said. Yawning she put her head on Harry's shoulder. Harry didn't think about. They had always been this way.
"Do you think Savannah and Shadow will be alright," Harry asked.
"The cages were enchanted to keep them safe," Auntie said behind him.
"Uncle Sirius is going to meet us?"
"And Madam Longbottom and Aunt Renee."
Susan wiggled and yawned again. It was close to midnight London time and they would be landing in New York about 11:00 AM local time. "Just get take a nap, Harry," Susan encouraged.
"All right," he told her, leaning his head against hers.
"Are you sure we weren't noticed," Mrs. Davis whispered to his Auntie.
"Dumbledore assured me that the Ministry wasn't watching the muggle airports and my Aurors know this is to be kept quiet until after September first. I am not letting Fudge and the others get their hands on him. It took months to suppress that boy-who-lived stuff after I took him," Auntie said just loud enough that Harry could hear in the quiet plane. Susan tightened her grip on his hand. Auntie and others had always made some references about people wanting him, and that they were to stay close to her and his Uncles.
"I just hope Hannah is alright being so far away. It's a little sad they didn't want to go to Hogwarts," Mr. Abbot replied.
"I agree, but I think this will be better. If I had known all that Ilvamorny had to offer, i may have begged my parents to let me go," Auntie told them.
Harry drifted off as the adults talked about the school.
When they landed hours later, the four of them were to excited to feel tired. Harry thought he saw Auntie take a bottle of pepper-up before they deboarded.
Walking off the plane, Hannah and Neville just gawked at the large terminal building, the hundred, if not thousands of muggle... no-maj. The American's called them no-maj, Harry reminded himself... no-maj bustling about, either leaving planes or waiting for dozens lined up on the cement outside the building.
"I never knew there were so many," Hannah said, moving in closer to Susan, who took her hand.
"Sirius said this is one of the busiest airports in the Unites States," Auntie said. "Now, stay close and don't lose each other, she instructed as they headed for a checkpoint that many others were lining up at.
Susan took his hand and he followed Auntie, pulling Susan and Hannah behind him with Neville and the Davises just behind. It took a little bit to get through customs and to have their visas verified. The got thier luggage, which had their trunks and other things, and then they were able to retrieve their kneazles, an owl Hannah brought and Neville's toad. They had tried to convince him to take the nice tawny owl his Gran had gotten him, but he insisted on taking the toad from his Uncle Algie.
The adults took them into a small room. "Right. Let's shring this all and them we need to get to the muggle..."
"Auntie, they call them no-maj here," Susan reminded Aunt Amelia.
"You are right, Susan. We have an appointment at the no-maj consulate in about an hour, and then with the MACUSA at three. After that we will be heading to Adams, Massachusetts for the night," Auntie told them.
"How are we doing that," Neville asked. "And when are we meeting Gran?"
"Your Gran is to meet us at the MACUSA. Her portkey should arrive about two."
Outside the airport, an American style no-nose single deck bus was waiting in a spot that obviously only had witches and wizards waiting. Many flew, by plane, flying carriage or other means and had to come through Newark International Airport. The MACUSA regulated this type of travel far more than in Britain. Almost two dozen got on the bus. It left the spot and a few minutes later it popped. It was much smoother than the knight bus and where Susan had grabbed his arm, holding on tight, she had needed to since it felt like nothing more than a bumb. Hannah let out a, "Oh. That was so much more pleasant."
A man before them chuckled and turned. "You must be british? The last time I took your magical busses it left me bruised for days."
Harry wasn't quite used to this friendliness. Mr. Davis took it kindly. "This is only my third time to the States, and it still surprises me how much better the Americans are at integrating muggle technology and magic."
"Yeah, we don't fear it, like I see in much of Europe. Howard Long," the man held out his hand.
"Christopher Davis," Mr. Davis told him before introducing the rest of them.
"You here for business or are these four going to Ilvamorny? Or maybe Salem Institute or Seaboard Warlock Academy?"
"Ilvamorny, sir," Harry told him.
The man smiled. "I get to send my youngest there this year. My older daughter decided to go to Salem, but the boys are at Ilvmorny. My wife and I graduated from there."
"How do they like it," Auntie asked.
"Love 'em both. Adam is a wicked good chaser on the Thunderbird's Quadpod team. Nick made the junior quidditch team. Mary wants to go for what quadpod team she can."
The bus stopped. "Camden, Delware," the driver called out.
"My stop. If you meet a Mary Long, just say you met me on the bus."
Susan and Neville looked a little dumbstruck. "American's tend to just start conversations like that. You will get used to it," Mr. Davis told them.
Two stops later they were let off in the center of New York City. It was quick to get in and out of the British Consulate. The aide they saw understood who they were, and filed the paperwork for the American government, as well as the MACUSA. Like the British Ministry, the MACUSA's main offices were below New York. When they made it down a long escalator, they came out into an atrium three times the size the one in London. It stretch five stories tall with offices, conference room and waiting room overlooking the main atrium.
Harry spun around. "Wicked," he said with some awe, never having seen such a large place with so many wizards.
"The Ministry back home employs a thousand or so people. I think nearly six thousand work here," Auntie told them.
"There are that many more wizards in America," Hannah asked.
"The books Auntie got us when we visited last year said there are over ninety-thousand in the Unites States alone," Susan informed Hannah.
"Yes, the MACUSA here in New York is also the center of the American Conference of Wizards. It is like the ICW, but manages all the America's. Last I knew there were about forty consulate offices in this building on level two. This level is most of the MACUSA governing bodies. This way. He need to check in with the Americans, then let the British Consulate know we are here. Where is Augusta?"
"About time you showed up," a woman said, walking up to them, a stuffed vulture swinging on her hat.
"Afternoon, Gran," Neville smiled at Madam Longbottom.
"Afternoon, Neville. I am glad to see you made it safe. Amelia, Dumbledore wanted you to have this," Madam Longbottom handed a scroll to their Auntie.
"Thanks. I assume we got away without any issues then?"
"As far as we know. Let's get this paperwork done and then meet up with Sirius and Renee."
"Mum, what paperwork," Hannah asked.
Mr. Davis sighed. "They will find out in about ten minutes," Mr. Davis told the others.
Aunt Amelia pinched her lips. "We are filing for you to have a dual citizenship."
"Why," he asked.
"Harry, do you remember the conversation we had over the summer before you and Susan chose to come here?"
"Yes, Auntie. You said some wanted me because of what happened with my parents and that it would be better if we wanted to go to Ilvamorny or Beauxbatons. If we really wanted to go Hogwarts then you would find a way," he told her. Susan moved in closer.
She moved to them and leaned down to look him in the eyes. "This is a way to protect you and Susan. There are those that would like to influence you, or use you for their own means. Headmaster Dumbledore and other are doing what they can to protect you. Having the option to be a citizen of the United States is a way to protect you. If you are, then the laws of Britain won't affect you in the same way. In a year or two I think you and Susan may be old enough to understand more. I promise to explain it more."
"Is Susan, Neville and Hannah in danger?" he asked.
"They are safer here with you than back home for now. When you are older, especially when you are of age, things will be different. For now, just enjoy Ilvamorny. Let me and the other adults worry about everything else," she told him.
"Auntie, why is it so important that Harry and I stay together?"
Their Auntie gave them a half-smile. "It is, my little girl. Harry, keep an eye on her. Su, make sure he isn't expelled in the first month."
Susan gave him a look and he just smirked. "I solemly swear I will be good."
Neville snorted. He gave Neville a stink eye. Aunt Amelia pinched her nose. "Sirius and Renne and Mr. and Mrs. Davis are also applying for dual citizenship. I have give permission for Aunt Renee to be your second guardian when they can't get hold of me."
Harry cringed. "Why not Uncle Sirius?"
She gave him an eye. "I will make sure he doesn't get into to much trouble," Susan promised.
"Thank you, Susan. You be good, young man."
"Yes, Auntie," Harry promised, knowing he probably wouldn't be able to keep that promise. Susan gave him a look and he sighed. If Susan told him not too, Harry would probably listen.
"Right, now let's go find the Immigration Offices and them talk with the Consulate."
-oOo-
A/N: Ilvamorny Base Notes:
So, being an American, I am going to give Ilvamorny more of an American feel. First, Ilvamorny changes with the times. It was originally a marble house, expanded to be more like a current New England private school. Castles are not common and just doesn't feel American to me. The of Ilvamorny will still be the castle, but the Houses, having grown to large for even the castles magics to expand, are now three story residents halls. Most classes are in the castle, but the Admin buildings are now separate, as are the creature paddocks and classroom, the Technomancy and Arithmancy buildings and the divination and Astromony building.
Given the population of the US and the fact it has not suffered through two wars in the last hundred years, I picture the Wizarding population to be much greater than Britain. Ilvamorny is the largest and most renowned school, but there are two other large schools, one outside Denver, Colorado and the other in California. A dozen or more smaller schools (less than 200 students) dot the land.
Ilvamorny student count is about twenty-five hundred (2500) students. Meaning average class size is about three-hundred and fifty-seven students. Many (maybe a third to half) are day students, portkeying or taking buses like the Knight Buss every day. Harry and the rest will be boarders.
-oOo-
-oOo-
Chapter 3
August 29, 1991
Ilvamorny, Mount Greylock, Massachusetts
Unlike the Hogwarts Express and a boat ride across a lake, as Auntie described for Hogwarts, they took coaches from a train station. A sleek silver train had arrived and a few dozen families with children of various ages got off. There was a small room for those apparating and Between today and tomorrow the new students would be sorted and the returning students would settle into their dorms.
Saturday morning they were to report to the Picquery Building for a tour, meet with thier advidors for class selection and them meet some upper year mentors. Sunday was to be fun day with some type of carnival and classes started Monday morning.
It was a large group that had to take two carriages pulled by abraxan horses.
"Can I go with you?" Alula asked Susan.
"Of course, Alula," Susan told her, taking her hand, Shadow in a carrying case in her other hand.
"I'll go with the pups to keep an eye on Alula," Sirius told Renee.
"This is so different than Hogwarts," Aunt Renee told him.
The four of them climbed into the coach with Uncle Sirius and Mrs. Davis. "Keep your hands in and I recommending holding the bars the first time," the man tending the enclosed carriages told them.
"Are we flying up there?" Susan asked.
The tall man smiled. "It's the only way to really reach Ilvamorny."
"Last time a bus dropped us off as the main gates," Harry told him.
"This is absolutely brilliant," Hannah commented.
"I didn't like the plane. Is this going to be any better," Neville asked.
"Can I follow on my broom," Harry asked with a smile.
The man laughed. "You can take out your broom soon, but not today. As for the bus, that us only allowed for visitors and professors. The students and their parents get a better view. Enjoy."
A few other carriages could be seen flying. None of the no-maj's of Adams even looked towards the station. The door closed with Harry in the middle. Alula squeezed in between Susan and the window and Hannah sat besides him. the other three were across from them.
The man whistles and the carriage started and a few seconds later they were are born. Susan's hand was in his. Neville looked slightly sick while Alula was wide-eyed. Harry leaned over Susan and Alula to look out the window. They flew up out of the town and Hannah pointed, "Is that Ilvamorny?"
Neville and Hannah had not been with them last summer. Harry looked out her side. "Brilliant, isn't it?"
"It's a lot bigger than I thought," Mrs. Abbott told them.
"Renee and I took a tour yesterday. Alula will be old enough in three years," Uncle Sirius said.
"You mean I get to watch out for her," Harry asked with a smirk. Uncle Sirius smirked. "I don't need to be looked over," the eight year old girl told them.
"You need to be tied up," her father prodded.
"Not my fault you were doused with a bucket of water this morning," Alula said with a smirk.
"Yet your mum wasn't touched?"
Alula smiled. "You don't ground me."
Harry wasn't really paying attention as he looked out the window. Ilvamorny was large. Where Hogwarts and Beaxbatons had been large castles, Ilvamorny was a large campus with a quadpod field, a quidditch pitch, another field that looked lain out for footfall -he didn't like the term soccer- and the guide said the other field was for baseball. Seven large granite building dominated the campus. Four on the outskirts, the Houses of Ilvamorny. The three in the center were the class buildings. A dozen large greenhouses went down the mountian to the north. The side of the mountain away from Adams had a few paddocks, the largest one still housing a few abraxans, and a half dozen barns. The main drive went through a tall gate, with a ivy covered wall around the school. A few dozen yards from the gate the drive just stopped, as though one time it had gone all the way down the mountain. A carriage before them flew onto the drive and the horse folded its wings before regally trotting through the open gates.
"Wicked," Neville said with awe, seeming to forget his unease.
"I can't wait to fly," Harry said.
"I want to see the dueling rings," Susan added with excitement.
"I want to go," Alula whinged.
"This is so big," Hannah said with awe.
"It needs to be. The Deputy Headmaster said about twenty-six hundred students attend every year," Uncle Sirius remarked.
"Hogwarts only has about six hundred right now. I don't know it it ever house half as many students," Mrs. Davis commented.
"I wonder if that is the muggle technology building?" his uncle pointed to a more modern building with a few muggle cars and other things. "I need to bring my motocycle over."
"Mum said she doesn't like you riding it," Alula mentioned to her father.
"What your mother doesn't know won't kill her. Besides, your mum likes to ride with me. Our first date was on my bike. She just doesn't want me taking you out yet, pupplette."
Susan put her chin on his shoulder as they flew lower. Harry always liked Susan being that close.
When the carriage landed it stopped before a large fountain in the center of a garden. A few adults and a dozen or more older years in the school uniforms were waiting for them. The uniforms weren't bad. The boys had on black slacks, a white shirt and a dress coat. The coats were trimmed with colours, most likely signifying their House. The girls either wore pleated dark grey tartan skirts with white lines, or black slacks. No robes like Harry or pointed wizard hats like he hated. Aunt Amelia rarely made then dress like wizards back home, saying it was easier to blend in with muggles when needed. Aunt Amelia rarely had taken them into Diagon Alley or other wizarding places.
"Welcome to Ilvamorny. I'm Benjamin Fields. You can call be Ben though. First years?" It was a tall boy with black skin and a broad smile.
"Yes," Harry told him, helping Susan and Alula out. "Harry Potter. This is Susan Bone and our cousin, Alula Black."
"Nice to meet you. You that same Harry Potter we heard beat some Dark Lord a few years back?" Ben didn't seem to be unkind.
"Yeah," Harry told him. Auntie had never made a big deal out of it and had always made sure others didn't.
"Cool," Ben said, sounding a little impressed, but not seeming to want to bother him more than that.
"Can I go this year," Alula asked.
"Three more years," Sirius told his daughter, who ducked him as he tried to ruffle her hair.
The carriage with Auntie, Mr. Davis, Madam Bones, Aunt Renee and Orion arrived just behind them. Like two other first years before them, they were guided to the large granite building before them. A double-st of large oak double doors opened into a two-story high hall.
"This is Picquery Hall. The assembly hall is that way," the boy pointed to the left. "The Headmaster's and all the administrative offices are by the assembly hall. The other way is the Transfiguration wing down stairs and on the second floor is charms and wards."
Harry and the rest of them weren't really paying attention. They were looking at four large wooden posts what were carved into the four mythical beasts that were the Houses of Ilvamorny.
A timid looking girl with dark hair was walking to the center of a circle with runes and hieroglyphs. "What is she doing," Harry asked.
"See which house chooses her. I am a Horned Serpent," Ben told them.
"You don't have the whole school watch this?" Aunt Amelia questioned.
"We used to, but it would could take hours with over three-hundred and fifty students a year. Instead we do the sorting as they arrive and then have a House gathering tonight and tomorrow to welcome the new students.
Unlce Sirius whistled. "That's ninety new kids a year. We had less than ninety in my entire class."
"Beauxbatons was about the same as Ilvamorny," Renee told him. "Though we don't have Houses like Hogwarts and Ilvamorny."
"One of our founders quirks, from what I heard. This part of the building was the main tower after the school started to expand. About a decade or so back, the school added the techonology building and Webster Hall. The current House buildings were erected about forty years ago. Before then, I was told the school looked little more like a castle."
Harry and his friends looked in awe as the totem golblin like creature raised it bow, pulled back its arrow and shot it into the air. It trailed blue sparks. A bunch of the older students clapped, as did many of the parents here. "She will be Pukwudgie."
"I think I want to be in that House," Susan said next to him.
Harry nodded. Pukwudgie sounded nice, but he was more interested in the thunderbird totem.
Another student stepped in. This was a pudgy boy with sandy hair. He trundled into the center of the circle, a big smile on his face. It was much quicker and the Pugwudgie shot his arrow again, this time green sparks.
"Do they all go to the same House?" Neville asked.
"No. It's usually an even split each year," Ben assured them.
A tall girl with dirty blonde hair was next. They were now only two away. Three more families lined up behind them.
This time the gem on the horned serpent glowed a bright blue.
"Wicked." Harry was enjoying this.
Ben clapped loudly to have a new student in house. The girls parents hugged her as she left with them and an older year. It looked like it was her brother. The girl before them was hopping from foot to foot. She had red hair similar to Susan's. Harry liked Susan's long plait better.
She was quickly sorted into Wampus, the totem cat giving out a growling cat scream. "That's a wampus," Susan questioned.
Ben chuckled. "Yeah. They don't roar like lions."
"Shadow almost sounds like that when upset."
"You mean more like Savannah," Harry told her.
"Which one of you is first?"
They all looked at each other and Harry stepped forward. "I will," he told them.
Ben smiled. "Just face the four totems and they you will know who chooses you."
He put Savannah's cage down at Susan's feet and walked out into the center of the totems. The runes and pictograms on the floor all led into a gorgon knot at the center of the ring. Harry hadn't noticed before. When he looked up, he was staring directly at the horned serpent. It was magnificant carving of the regal snakes. The jewel in its head looked to be almost alive. He felt the pull of the snake, but it was not his path. The serpent was the way of the mind. He didn't know how he knew, but he knew. Next the looked at the pukwedgie.
The goblins were warriors, most scared and battle hardened, even if they tended the prestigeous banks of Europe. There teeth were always sharp, skin wrinkled and looked as though they never saw the sun. The pukwedgie totem showed the distinctive black eyes, ears and teeth the cousins shared, but it carved to look smooth. It's face was more mischevious and caring. They were known to help the native americans that once lived in the lands, rumored to have shown then how to live off the lands. Feircely loyal, once you earned the trust of one, they never wavered in thier loyalty. This creature looked that way. Harry knew he could live up the antics, but he didn't feel the urge to help, heal or connect with the land. They were the way of the heart.
There was no movement so he turned to his right to face the Wampus. Harry felt it is as he looked at the mountain lion type creature. There was that urge to grab his wand. He wanted to use it to fight and protect those that he loved. Harry was also a very active and physical boy, traits prized by the stealthy hunter. Like the strength and grace of the wumpas, the Wampus were the body. It took Harry a few seconds to look away and then face the thunderbird, the one he most wanted to see.
The bird, its four wings already unfurled and looking as though it wanted to cry out its pleasure at the day, regarded him. It wasnted to fly. It wanted to be free. Exploring the sky, the land, the waters. It wanted to use its magic to cover the land in life, and to be part of that life. The thunderbirds were the soul, the thing that gave everything life. Harry took a half step towards the bird before remembering he was supposed to stay in the circle.
He was caught by surprise when the wooden bird flapped its wings and the wampus gave it cry to his side. Harry, uncertain what to do, looked to Ben. Ben laughed. "I haven't see that often. You get to choose."
"Really," he asked. When Ben nodded, Harry didn't hesitate. "Thunderbird."
The statues head nodded and he walked away with a huge smile on his face. Susan hugged him. "I knew that was where you would go."
"Next," Ben told them.
Hannah went and was quickly met with an arrow, this time yellow sparks, like her hair. She give a huge smile, bouncing back at them.
"I don't think so," Uncle Sirius said, grabbing Alula's shirt as she tried to walk out when Neville went out. He too went to Pukwedgie, green sparks trailing the arrow.
Harry leaned over to Susan. "If you get a choice, go with what you want," he told her, feeling she might get a choice, like him. She did her circle, like everyone else. The pukwedgie shot yellow sparks and she was about to walk out when the thunderbird screeched and flapped it's wings. She looked surprised and her eyes met his. Harry would like her to be in thunderbird, but Harry felt he dragged her into their adventures, not the other way around. Her hazel eyes met his.
"Do what you want," he encouraged.
She smiled at him. "I want to be a thunderbird."
The totem screeched and she walked away happy.
Many were clapping for them. "Most unusual to have so many with choices today," an older woman stepped up to them. "Mrs. Calhoun, Head of the Defense and anti-Dark Arts Department," the woman greeted them.
"Mrs. Calhoun, I didn't see you there," Ben said, straightening up.
"It's fine, Ben. If you would step to the side," she held out her hand. They moved to the side and Auntie asked, "How unusual is it for first years to be given a choice?"
"It happens a dozen times or year or more, but these two would be number eight and nine, and we have seen less than forty students. I forget my manners. You are?"
"Madam Amelia Bones, Regent of House Bones and House Potter," Auntie introduced herself with a handshake. "Please introduce yourselves."
Harry stepped forward, Susan stepping next to him. "Scion Harry Potter, Mrs. Calhoun." Harry gave a small bow.
Susan curtsies. "Heiress Susan Bones."
"And you?"
"Scion Neville Longbottom."
"Heiress Hannah Abbott, ma'am."
The grey hair woman smiled. "Ah, I forget at times how much the Old World is tied to the blood of the lands. You will find your titles do not hold much forbearance here, except in some circles. It would be best not to introduce yourself that way."
"Yes, ma'am," Susan said next to him.
The woman chuckled. "You don't need to be so glum about it. Since half your party is going in different directions, I could show the Thunderbirds to their new dorm while Ben shows Neville and Hannah to the Puckwedgie dorm."
"That would be very kind of you, Mrs. Calhoun," Auntie responded.
"Please, call me Tiffany or Tiff."
Harry was already moving off with Susan at his side. "Hold up a sec, pups," his uncle chuckled.
"But we are here," Harry said to his uncle.
"You are here for a while. Chris and Beth, we'll meet in an hour or so by... is this a fountain," Uncle Sirius asked looking a at a map.
"It is," Mrs. Calhoun stated.
"By the fountain between the two buildings."