"What's this?" Hermione asked as Professor Flitwick walked down the Ravenclaw table, passing out pieces of parchment.
"Out timetables for the year," Sue Li said, "We'll probably have a lot of free periods since we're not offered electives until third year,"
"And since Dumbledore's dropped over four classes from the school since becoming Headmaster," Mandy Brocklehurst murmured, making Anthony Goldstein snort.
"What classes?" Harry asked.
"To start with, he dropped all of the advanced classes, saying everyone should be together," Lisa Turpin began. "And he dropped Spell Creation, Magical Theory, Wandlore, Magical Species Customs, Political classes for upper years, and one class I don't remember the name of that focused on students with magical affinites— elemental magic or something,"
"Technically the Magical Species Customs class was exchanged for Muggle Studies, which is a stupid class," An upper year nearby sneered. "We're almost two hundred years behind that it's a pointless class until they can get a competent teacher,"
"For younger years, I know the House Exchange Program was stopped. It was a class where, for a week in March, first years would live in a different house," Padma Patil explained. "And he dropped lots of school associated activities, like the Seventh Year Ball, and Career Week where representatives from different magical careers around the world come and you can see which one you'd want to do,"
"Not to mention neither the Divination nor the Care of Magical Creatures teachers are qualified, and the DADA position has been cursed and we can't keep a teacher for more than one school year," Terry Boot rolled his eyes. "He also dropped all of the languages classes, including human languages and creature languages, like Gobbledegook, Mermish, and other such things,"
"Why?" Ron asked, curious, while Hermione had paled dramatically.
"Easy, Dumbledore sees the world in black and white," A third year chimed in. "Anything he views as 'dark' or 'evil' is immediately gotten rid of under the guise of 'protecting the children'. Almost everyone's tried to have him sacked the past sixty years or so, but after the past war, everyone just wants some peace. And most of the Lords on the Board of Governors are devout Dumbledore followers. And yes, he is a good and powerful wizard, an excellent man. But he is a terrible headmaster. It's rubbish,"
"Dumbledore was an excellent teacher in his prime, and a powerful and wise wizard," A sixth year cut in. "But he's done so much that everyone just wants him to retire. He's older than most wizards make it to, and honestly he's going a bit senile. The man needs a break,"
"Not to mention he made it so that anyone with magical creature blood can't enroll at Hogwarts," A seventh year rolled their eyes. "It's one of the main reasons as to why the halls are so empty. Lot's of wizards intermarry with magical creatures, for love and for powerful children. Dumbledore sees almost all magical races as evil, so anyone with creature blood is exempt from Hogwarts. Old prejudice, you see?"
"That means that the triplets won't be allowed to come," Harry narrowed his eyes.
"Triplets?" Lisa asked, Ron and Hermione each taking one of Harry's hands under the table.
"Harry's godfathers, Lord and Consort Black, have three children," Ron explained, "The triplets, Pyxis, Caelum, and Rigel, were born a couple of weeks ago,"
"Since Lord Black has no creature blood, his children are full wolves like Consort Black," Hermione said. "That means they won't be able to attend Hogwarts in the coming years,"
"Which is dumb," Harry ground his teeth together. "Why hasn't Dumbledore been sacked yet?"
"Because too many people are scared of the changes so soon after the war's end. Dumbledore spear-headed the warfront, and since he defeated Grindelwald, many people see him as the perfect wizard to teach their children," The seventh year said. "And it sucks because Minerva McG's a fucking godsend and we know she'd restore Hogwarts to it's former glory because if she can't then no one can, and there's nothing that woman can't do. Accomplished Occlumens, Legilimens, and Transfiguration Master,"
"Thank you, Miss Travers," They all turned to see the aforementioned teacher looking at them with amusement, and the seventh year nodded.
"I speak only the truth, great lady," The words made Travers' friends snicker, though the girl was entirely serious.
"Well, I came to check on young Mister Potter and his friends, but I see they're doing just fine," McGonagall smiled.
"Thanks for checking anyway Professor," Harry beamed before the woman walked off to oversee her own house. "I have the best family,"
"Yeah, that's fair," Ron admitted whilst Hermioine blew raspberries at her best friend.
"Hm, since it's Tuesday we have Charms first with the Slytherins, then Potions with Hufflepuff, free period, lunch, free period, Transfiguration with Hufflepuff, and then we're free until dinner. That's quite boring, actually," Hermione squinted at the timetable. "I mean, more time for us to do as we please, but still boring,"
"Open Sirius's letter first," Ron said just before the owls flew in, earning grumbles from his two friends. He didn't often predict small things, but when he did he enjoyed pestering them.
`Dear Fawn,
I'm excited to hear you've been corresponding with Remus since the trial. Firstly, I'm sorry I've never been there for you. I should've been, and I'll never forgive myself for that. Secondly, as I know you more than likely won't like it if I barge in and try to take over charge of your life (I did read the letters you sent Remus), I'd like to make a few things clear. You are always welcome to stay at the Black family home (I'm tired of fighting, so being Lord Black is bound to be at least a little interesting). I have been reinstated as your guardian since you're only eleven, but we'll talk more of that later. Another thing, after hearing about your friend Hermione's situation, I've corresponded with her parents and become her magical guardian. Basically, I'm responsible for her well-being in the magical world. If she chooses, she is also welcome to stay with us.
Your friend Ron is also welcome to stay with us. I've fought Molly before and won, I'll do it again. I've never liked her, she reminded me too much of Narcissa. So, if the three of you would like, you can come to ours over Yule, though it is a bit hectic- triplets and all. Nonetheless, I hope the three of you accept. Stay safe, and don't get caught.
Mischief Managed,
Padfoot`
"Well that fixes my parental problem," Hermione smiled. "I quite like your godfathers, Harry, so I'm open to Yule,"
"As am I, and if I ever pop over during the summer don't be surprised," Ron added. "Though we'll stop by Potter Manor, right?"
""Yeah, I want to keep my other family up to date, and I'd like to talk to great-grandmother about her family," Harry told his friends. "Let's get to class, I want Malfoy to be humiliated,"
The trio gathered up their things and set off to Flitwick's classroom from the Great Hall, happily chatting the whole way.
"Something's wrong," Ron stopped, feeling jittery.
It was Halloween. He and Harry had been walking to the library to pick up Hermione, as she'd been there since they'd gotten out of their last class, while he and Harry had chosen to go up to their dorm and see where all the passages led. They'd separated about three hours ago, and as they walked to the library Ron felt dread pooling in his stomach.
"I've got a feeling too," Harry said. "What's wrong?"
"I can't see Hermione," Ron took off his right glove, putting his hand in Harry's and relaxing. "Ever since the alley fight I can always see you two. No matter what, I can always feel you two, and sense your magic. But I can't see 'Mione,"
"We need to hurry," Harry pointed out, the two racing through the corridors.
The first clue was a panicked Gizmo outside the library, who took off down another corridor, Ron and Harry at his heels as both began to panic.
The second clue was a random group of purebloods from all houses casually walking away from where Harry and Ron were running.
The third clue was the blood.
"I didn't give them any satisfaction," Hermione hissed, left eye swollen shut, a broken right wrist, legs hit with a stinging hex, and boils growing out of her. "I didn't cry, or scream, or bloody react. I refused to give them the blasted satisfaction,"
"I know we were enjoying the 'normal kid' school life for the past month, but this draws the line," Ron hissed as he and Harry helped her up, supporting her as they hobbled to the Hospital Wing, "What did they do?"
"Can you not see—"
"No they did something," Ron snarled, eyes flashing blue and the winds outside picked up. "I couldn't see you, or sense you, and Harry had a feeling,"
"Not to mention you're stronger than all of them combined, 'Mione," Harry growled, "They did something to you. What did they do?"
Silence.
"They were prepared," Hermione said softly. "They had prior information on how to bully the mudblood, and chained my magical core. One of the older ones used a spell to render me immoble,"
Both boys were silent as they opened the Hospital Wing doors. "From this moment forward, we rule this school," Harry hissed. "No one messes with you two, and it's time we let them know why,"
"Would this be a good time to tell you about what I did to Betty Watson?" Hermione murmured, feeling drowsy. "The hat said I should tell you. I didn't want you to call me a crazy murderer,"
"If you're one then so am I," Ron whispered.
"And me," Harry said with a smile. The words made Hermione smile, just before Madame Pomfrey came in.
"No!" Hermione near shouted, shocking the Medi-Witch. Hermione had been treated, but needed rest, and Pomfrey was trying to get Harry and Ron to leave. "I– Don't make them go. They won't bother me," She said softly. Sighing, Pomfrey nodded and left the three to sleep.
"So what did you do to Betty Watson?" Harry asked in the dead of night. His voice held no accusation, or hesitance. Only simple curiosity.
"She was bullying me, and she thought I was nothing. My parents had me get my teeth fixed when she kept making fun of me," Hermione stared up at the ceiling. "One day she shoved me in the dirt, and the dirt formed a hand and slapped her. Her friends ran away and I shoved her into a tree. The branches held her down, and I used the sharpened twigs to cut her. Eventually she'd bled and cried so much she passed out. I buried her alive, and none of her friends bothered me after that,"
"I started manipulating people after beating my grandfather at chess. They all treated me like nothing. My mother treated me like a disappointment, my father treated me like a mistake. Half my siblings ignored me and my other relatives simply dismissed me," Ron explained, glowering. "The only reason Percy doesn't bother me anymore is because he thinks I'm weak. They all thought I was nothing so I made sure I went under their radar. And when Aunt Muriel passed away just after leaving her entire will to me, well, old age hits everyone. And asphyxiation isn't easy to detect. That was the first blood I drew. If I could kill my parents I would,"
"The Dursleys kept me locked in a cupboard for days at a time," Harry started off softly. "Most times without food. So if we go to that house, under the floorboards, there's a journal. Filled with words written in code, describing all the creative ways the Dursleys will meet their end, just like their dog did," Harry smiled, "That perfect house will be painted in red soon enough. My real first blood was a boy named Piers— My cousin's friend, he'd chase me through the streets and beat me up. He mysteriously drowned in his family pool,"
"We're not monsters," Hermione said, squeezing each boys' hand. "At least, I don't think we're monsters,"
"We're not. We're just people who were wronged. Those who have wronged us will learn from their mistakes," Harry answered.
"I think I've got the perfect plan for those bigots, too," Ron smiled.
o - o - o
"Hmm," Lucius Malfoy read over his son's letter, his free hand holding his wife's.
"What is it? Is Draco all right?" Narcissa asked, knowing what was sent to Lucius was not the same as what was sent to her.
Plausible deniability and all that.
"The Potter boy has made friends with the youngest Weasley male, and a muggleborn girl," Lucius told her. "Draco says all three are incredibly powerful, more than your average eleven year old. He said there was an incident on the train, and that the muggleborn reminded him of his Aunt,"
Narcissa froze, looking at her husband and gripping his hand. "Perhaps they'll make the third side? After all, husband, most things come in threes," She said softly, and Lucius nodded.
"Perhaps,"
o - o - o
"We've got all their names?" Harry asked, and the other two nodded. "Excellent. And apparently there was a troll in the dungeons that same night,"
"That's impossible; Hogwarts wards would prevent a troll from getting in," Hermione said, head tilted in curiosity.
"Not if the wards have been messed with," Ron pointed out. "But, that's a problem for another day,"
"I think this'll be fun," Harry grinned, eyes slightly deranged.
"Adrian Pucey, Millicent Bulstrode, Pansy Parkinson, Joshua Hawthorne, Fiona Smith, and Theodore Nott," Hermione crooned, making the group snap their heads up to look at her. She was sitting daintily on one of the thicker branches of a tree, Harry and Ron standing at the foot. It was past curfew, so no one was around.
Good.
"Aw, look. The mudblood called in her little friends to save her," Pansy Parkinson sneered.
The ground rumbled, making the group lose their footing. The winds picked up rapidly, making their robes whip around harshly. It started to rain, and the Black Lake began swirling.
"You should've left Hermione alone," Harry said. "Who's idea was it, anyway? Because I'm aware Malfoy spread word to stay away,"
With shaking hands, they all pointed to Pansy, who squeaked and blushed red.
"For that, the rest of you get off easy," Ron smiled. "You get to live,"
"Is the rain loud enough, Harry?" Hermione asked, grinning when the boy nodded. She raised her wand. "Confringo!"
Pansy didn't even have time to scream before she was blown to bits, showering them all in blood, making Ron laugh. Harry smirked, and the water from the Black Lake rose up, pulling the chunks still left deep into the water. The rain washed away the blood as Pansy's group began screaming.
"Diffindo," Ron whispered, wand aimed at Hawthorne, who immediately collapsed when his right wrist was chopped off. "Oh, might want to head to the Hospital Wing for that, Hawthorne,"
"Confundus!" Harry exclaimed, wand aimed at Fiona, who had been about to cast something at Hermione.
"Crucio!" The sixth year female cast on Adrian Pucey, who began screaming. After ten seconds, she released the curse. Instead, Fiona turned on Millicient Bulstrode, who screamed when Fiona physically attacked her, ripping the first year's wand out of her hand.
"What should we do with this one?" Ron mused aloud after Harry canceled the Confundus on Fiona, who began sobbing and clawing at her skin. Theodore Nott was shaking and staring at them with fear and horror.
"Leave him," Harry said dismissively. "He knows if he tries to tell any authority figures that we'll take care of him," Harry knelt and looked Theo in the eyes. "I suggest you warn the others to leave us be. We can do much worse, Theodore. Do not make the same mistake twice,"
"Think he'll keep his lips shut?" Hermione asked, the trio turning and walking back to Ravenclaw Tower.
"He will, if he knows what's good for him," Harry smirked. "He's a smart boy. If this is what we can accomplish first year, imagine what we'll do in seventh,"
"Smart move with the lake and the rain," Ron grinned at Harry. "No evidence left behind. Now we need to clear our casting repertoire,"
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.
"On the off chance we are suspected, they'll check our wands to see what spells we've cast. There's a spell we can use to erase spells from our wand, that also won't show up. I just don't remember what it's called," Ron admitted.
"When are we going to explore the founders' rooms? It might be there," Hermione asked. "And I'm dying to anyway,"
"Maybe this weekend. I don't want any disturbances," Harry said as the three walked back into the castle.
o - o - o
"Got it!" Ron exclaimed that night, and the three got into a circle on the floor, passing each of their wands to Ron. "Deletrius," Ron whispered, doing it to each of their wands in turn. A list of spells appeared and he erased the ones they'd used tonight before smiling at his friends. "Innocent until proven guilty,"