Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

A little less than an hour after Harry and Kreacher popped into Spinner's End, Harry was sitting in an armchair in front of a steaming cup of tea. He was mostly healed except for the lacerations around his wrists, which were heavily bandaged. Since they were both self-inflicted and done through muggle means, they were a bit resistant to magic and would heal more slowly. While being healed, Harry had told everyone what happened from the time Dumbledore found him in the library until he called Kreacher. Nagini was still hissing her desire to kill Moody in the most painful ways possible while Harry and Tom tried to ignore her.

"So, what happened on your end? I assume you didn't get the call when I tried to activate my ring?" Harry asked as everyone seemed to be at various degrees of fury, and he tried to pull them back in.

"No, we didn't," Tom sighed in frustration.

"Harry, I think Dumbledore has finally gone past help," Remus seemed to wilt in sadness. "I don't think he can make logical plans any longer."

"How did he tell you I was gone?" Harry nodded, agreeing. The man just didn't seem to make much logical sense when Harry had been talking with him. Yeah, he understood training and needing to destroy Voldemort, but there had to be easier, better, and more ethical ways to go about that. It was like he was making plans like all other options had been exhausted, but really none of those options had even been looked into.

"He said that you had approached Moody and requested he take you away to train," Sirius growled. "Since you are of-age now, Moody agreed."

"We all knew that was hippogriff dung," Tom said as he sat on the arm of Harry's chair and put an arm around his son, reassuring himself he was safe and home. "I don't think the man knows you at all after all these years. I couldn't get the Occlumency door open, which could only mean you were drugged or something had happened to you. We built the doors specifically so that they would always be able to be opened by either of us."

"Yeah, what did they drug me with?" Harry wrinkled his nose in distaste and sipped his tea, which he had definitely checked for drugs ahead of time.

"Most of it was already out of your system, but it seemed to be a cocktail of an excessively strong calming draught and something that mutes mental faculties. I'll need to study your blood that I took a little more to be more specific than that," Snape explained as he cleaned up the empty potion vials he had given to Harry.

Fawkes was still fluttering around the room seeming to be in a state of high agitation. "Should we worry about him?" Harry motioned to the distressed Phoenix.

"He came as soon as we got here," Remus frowned at the bird. "We think he was trying to get to you, but those wards you mentioned were too strong. They must have made set like that to specifically keep out Fawkes and house elves."

"Real talk, pup," Sirius said, looking at Harry with one of the most serious looks he had ever used. "There is no way in Merlin's green earth that you're going back to Hogwarts this year."

"What?!" Harry exclaimed in shocked indignation. "I can take care of myself. I just escaped. That has to prove that to you!"

"Pup, he's just going to keep trying and your memory-wipe of Moody was less than ideal, you said so yourself," Sirius reminded him.

Harry looked to Tom who was rubbing calming circles on his back, but the man just looked like he was giving it a lot of thought instead of coming to his aid. "You can't do this!"

"Harry, what about going to TIW? Melinda would love to have you," Remus offered hopefully.

"It's also on a completely different continent, which may be ideal," Snape added in, also not on Harry's side.

"Or you could do Beauxbatons or Durmstrang if you would rather," Sirius added quickly before Harry could oppose the idea.

"You know," Tom began with a look at Harry. "You could just go ahead and take your NEWTs. It's not like you really need this last year of school. Then, we could go and do whatever."

Harry glowered at him. "I still need to figure out a way of separating a horcrux from the main soul piece and something to do with said evil soul piece," Harry reminded him. "Plus, there is no way I'd pass Transfiguration or Herbology right now."

Tom rolled his eyes. "You'd definitely pass Herbology, probably with an A, but that's still passing. As for Transfiguration, you only think you're bad at it because you can't do it wandlessly, and you keep trying to use soul magic. A pincushion doesn't have a soul when you are trying to turn it into a hedgehog, and the hedgehog you turn it into doesn't have a soul either. If you use your wand and don't use soul magic, you'll pass fine with at least an E if not an O."

"But I want to go back to school and have one more year with my friends," Harry protested. "Plus, we can't just leave Dumbledore out there making a mess of things, can we?"

At that statement, Fawkes gave a cry, mid-flight, at disappeared into a ball of fire. "Maybe we shouldn't have been talking around the phoenix who we don't know who its master is…" Sirius raised an eyebrow at where the bird had disappeared from.

Tom waved a hand dismissively. "The bird proved he was on our side. He even saved Harry's life second year. I don't think it's a big deal. He's probably just bound to the school or something."

"I don't think that's how familiar bonds work…" Severus said thoughtfully.

"Kreacher will go with Little Master wherever he goes," Kreacher proclaimed with a glowering look of challenge to Sirius who just raised his hands in surrender.

"I agree with you, Kreacher. You go with Harry. That's fine with me."

Harry's expression took on a look of pure stubbornness that everyone who knew him recognized as his 'I'll fight this to my dying breath' face. "I want to go back to Hogwarts, and I think it's the most strategic and best place for me as we try to end this ridiculous war."

Tom had already relented, based on the look on his face, when Harry had protested leaving Dumbledore in charge. Severus huffed out a sigh when he saw Tom's look. Sirius and Remus were digging in though. "Hogwarts is too dangerous for you right now," Remus said sternly.

"Not any more than usual," Harry shrugged, the stubborn look settling in even more.

"You can still keep in touch with your friends, even if you take your NEWTs tomorrow," Remus continued.

"It's not just my friends, and you know it," Harry narrowed his eyes. "You know the prophesy. I know you conveniently try to forget it or don't believe it or whatever, but I'm the only one that can stop this war, and Hogwarts is where I need to be to figure out how to end this."

With a flash of fire and a loud trill, Fawkes was once again sitting on the coffee table in front of Harry. Everyone jumped as the phoenix gave them a bemused look and seemed much calmer than when he had left. Fawkes held out one foot to Harry where a letter was tied, just like what he would do with Hedwig.

"I guess that's for me," Harry looked around at everyone before removing the letter. After reading it silently, Harry's face broke into a huge grin and he gave a little chuckle. "Well, looks like I'm going back to Hogwarts after all!"

Tom smiled from where he was reading over Harry's shoulder. "Well, it seems I was wrong, and Fawkes really does have a master…or rather a pet."

Harry passed around the, beautifully written in flowing calligraphy, letter that read:

Dear Mr. Potter,

I hate that I'm only now reaching out to you, but Fawkes came to me in distress about what has happened today. I'm sorry to say that I've let this get too far. Blame an old man for thinking that everything would turn out fine in the end.

I should probably explain how we find ourselves in this situation. Fawkes, my familiar, has always loved to spend time at Hogwarts. I'm not sure how old he actually is, no one really knows how long a phoenix can live. Personally, I suspect he may have been Godric Gryffindor's familiar a long time ago. Regardless, he spends a lot of time in the headmaster's office just observing (really spying if we're being honest) what's going on.

I asked him to stay around more full time when I began to suspect that something may not be exactly right with the current headmaster. I doubt the headmaster realizes he's my familiar even though we do know each other. Fawkes has been a fixture at Hogwarts from even before my time, so not many know of our connection.

I'm led to believe that you want to continue at Hogwarts, but it seems impossible with the Dumbledore's actions? I happen to be on the Board of Governors. I usually don't attend meetings or vote, but I'm still a member in good standing, even with some pull. I'll handle Dumbledore. Go to Hogwarts if you want. I think it's time I handled my own business.

Fawkes's Master (read pet)

"We can't just trust some random person!" Sirius exclaimed, waving his arms around wildly.

"He's not random, he's Fawkes's pet," Harry protested. "We trust Fawkes."

"I don't like this," Sirius continued.

"You don't have to. I'm of-age, and I'm going," Harry glared at him.

"Can I propose a compromise," Tom cut in before people started shouting. Everyone looked at him and he nodded. "Great, so Sev and I are already there. We show up on the first day and don't let Harry out of our sights. If this person handles Dumbledore, then he stays. If Dumbledore tries anything we leave instantly. Harry promises…" He paused and glared at his son to stress the point. "Harry promises to keep Nagini with him at all times. I suggest outside of his robes as well to give an added deterrent for anyone messing with him."

"The snake thing tends to bother people," Harry protested.

"And you care what people think?" Tom raised an eyebrow.

"Fine…" Harry grumbled. ::You ok with that Nagini?::

::Of course, hatching:: Nagini responded with a smug sound in her voice. ::I'll bite anyone that tries to harm my hatchling again::

::And I have some anti-venom just in case:: Tom sighed, knowing he'd probably have to save someone at some point.

"Do we want to know?" Remus smiled at Tom's look.

"Over-protective snakes," Tom explained with a roll of his eyes.

"Fine, but I want a patronus message every night for at least the first week where you tell me you are ok," Sirius frowned. "If I ever don't get one, Voldemort himself won't be able to keep me from the castle."

"I can do that," Harry agreed, just thankful they were letting him go.

"You'll need to stay here," Remus said with a look to Severus. "The Order is at Grimmauld and, unless we kick them out, Harry can't be seen when everyone expects him to be off in training."

"Don't kick them out. It's just Dumbledore and Moody that's the problem," Harry shook his head. "Can I stay, Sev?"

Severus waved a hand dismissively. "You've already moved in. I doubt my permission matters," he said, but he had a bit of a pleased look right around his eyes.

"I'll go track down Moody," Remus offered. "My memory charms are quite good what with trying to hide that I'm a werewolf for most my life. I'll see if I can strengthen whatever Harry did."

"Just keep him away until Hogwarts starts back," Tom instructed. Remus gave a little nod and turned to Kreacher.

"Could you take me to where you picked up Harry?"

Kreacher grabbed onto the werewolf's robes and they instantly popped away.

"So…food. Anyone hungry?" Harry asked brightly as he made his way to Severus's kitchen, making himself completely at home. "What do phoenixes eat, by the way? Fawkes…you like bacon?" There was a trill as Fawkes flew into the kitchen to join Harry.

The last few weeks before school at Spinner's End flew by. Since Harry was in hiding, Tom and Severus had to go get all his school things from Diagon Alley. They made sure to add in some extra potion supplies, and Tom even bought Harry a new blood magic ritual knife from Knockturn Alley that was spelled with stronger healing magic than his last one. Farshield passed along his birthday wishes and regards to Harry through Tom, and Ollivander did the same as Tom and Severus passed his shop.

Though he was well prepared and had spent a wonderful summer with his family, it was bitter-sweet as Harry was quickly pushed onto the train by a Polyjuiced Sirius under his dark disillusionment spell just as the Hogwarts Express was leaving the station. It felt wrong sneaking off to school, but it wasn't like he had ever had a normal year at Hogwarts.

Harry removed the spell the moment he saw Hermione. "Hermione! Hey! How are you?" He called out to the friend he hadn't heard from all summer.

The Head Girl slightly turned her head and then continued walking as if she hadn't heard a word he'd said. Harry stared after her, his heart sinking with each step she took away from him. Taking the hint, he turned and walked the opposite direction, not stopping until he sank into the compartment that Luna Lovegood had commandeered. "Hey Luna," he breathed out, doing his best to keep away the tears.

Luna just reached over and gripped his hand soothingly. "She'll come around. I don't see it, but I know Hermione. The nargles are just distracting her right now," Luna said with a smile.

Harry couldn't believe that Hermione just brushed aside six years of friendship. He understood that she was upset, but she didn't even let him explain. Luna kept shooting him concerned looks, but she knew better than to try to comfort him more in that moment. Harry stared gloomily out the window as the train pulled away from the station.

"Hey, mate, mind if I join you?" Ron asked as he pushed open the compartment door with a smile on his face. Harry looked up into his first friend's face. Ron had obviously had another growth spurt that summer and was very tall and imposing now. He was taller that everyone in his family, except maybe Bill.

"Ron," Harry breathed out a sigh of relief that he hadn't lost another friend. "Of course!"

Ron shoved his trunk up in the luggage rack and flopped down beside Luna who gave him a little hug of greeting. "Good to see you too, Luna," Ron blushed.

"Er, Ron…not that I'm not super happy you're here, but aren't you kind-of with Hermione? Isn't she going to be a bit mad at you for hanging out with me?" Harry asked with concern dripping from his words.

Ron shrugged. "Then we aren't together anymore if she has a problem with it. Look…" Ron glanced over to Luna with a pointed look. "Maybe we should talk alone?"

Harry motioned for Luna to remain seated as she went to stand. "Luna already knows everything. You know you can't keep anything from her. You can say whatever you need in front of her." He threw a wandless silencing and locking charm towards the door to the corridor.

Ron sighed in relief. "Oh good! It's been eating at me to talk to someone outside the family about it. You know I can't keep a secret, mate! It's a good thing Shade put that spell on us, or I'd probably have blabbed it to someone. I wanted to write you about everything at the end of the summer, but I couldn't even remember those jinxes you put on your letters and didn't want to send you anything unprotected."

Harry laughed. "Yes, and that's why no one ever tells you what Christmas presents they got others."

"Ok, so here's the gist of it," Ron said, settling in and looking seriously at Harry. "Dad called a family meeting a couple weeks ago. You know anything about pureblood family meetings?"

"Just that they're sacred. That's what Charlie said anyway," Harry shrugged.

"Yeah, everyone has to show up. Even Percy came though he wasn't happy about it. Don't worry, we didn't tell Percy anything because of the spell, we had a separate meeting after the one he came to where we talked more," Ron explained with a serious look that never graced his face. "Harry, mate, Dad remembers. He remembers what you did in the ministry when he…died. He thought it was just a hallucination but realized it had all actually happened when he saw you without the glamour. You saved the lives of my sister, my father, and my brother. He even got the twins to admit you gave them the start-up capital for their business."

Harry shifted uncomfortably. "It's no big deal…" he started.

"No big deal!" Ron exclaimed, waving his arms around in exasperation. "We owe you at least three life debts! Dad made it extremely clear that anyone in the family who doesn't support you in any and everything is immediately disowned, not that I needed the ultimatum at that point, I promise. Literally though, anything you want is yours. You want the Burrow; the deed is yours. That's how serious he is!"

"Ron!" Harry exclaimed in indignation. "I'd never take…"

"I know!" Ron exclaimed, interrupting. "The point is, that we owe you a debt we can never repay. Everyone's on board wholeheartedly except for Percy, and he just has to be. Percy really doesn't like it one bit, but he's forced back into the family, even having to live at the Burrow again. We're here for you, mate."

"Look, Ron…" Harry was extremely uncomfortable at this point and Luna started patting him on the knee. "I don't know if Charlie told you what it means to become a necromancer…"

Ron sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, a look of shame on his face. "No, Charlie didn't," he finally said. "Dad tried to make him tell us, but he refused. And Dad was using his scary head of the family voice too, but Charlie said it wasn't his story to tell. But, Harry, then Dad asked Bill," he said with a little trepidation. "Bill didn't want to tell either, but you haven't seen Dad in his head of the Weasley clan mode, he can be pretty stern, like Snape looking at Neville during potions."

"So, Bill told," Harry nodded in understanding.

"I'm so sorry, mate. We didn't know. I didn't know, and I should have figured it out, especially after what happened before second year," Ron held back a little sob and wrung his hands. "I always knew you were secretive and didn't tell me things, but I didn't know why. I just didn't know…"

Harry had never seen his friend so affected, and he wasn't sure how to comfort him. "Erm, well that's what I mean by it's no big deal. I mean, you, Fred, and George, well, you basically saved my life that summer. I don't think I'd have made it back to Hogwarts that year if you hadn't shown up in the flying car. So…life debt taken care of then."

Now, to Harry's horror, there was actually a tear making its track down Ron's face. "Harry, that's not how life debts work," he sighed. "We accidentally saved you then, and even if it did cancel out a life debt, we still owe you two others. Then, we stood back and let you be sent back to those monsters two more times."

"But you didn't know…"

"We should have! There were bloody bars on your window!" Ron growled.

"Ron, he's doing better now," Luna reminded their friend soothingly. "He has family and friends. He made it out."

Harry looked at Luna appreciatively. "Yeah, Ron. I'm ok, really. I have you guys and Sirius and Remus. I'm doing ok. Besides, being a Necromancer is pretty cool and dead useful."

"I have sooo many questions," Ron asked excitedly. "Like why the black magic, how you got to my dad in the ministry, how you learned wandless magic, what all else you've done…"

Harry laughed. "Maybe we take it a bit slow. I started all this before I even came to Hogwarts. That's a lot to tell…"

Ron gaped at him. "I really don't even know you, do I?" The question wasn't accusing, it was more a statement than anything else. "I mean, I look at you, and even your face is literally a mask."

Harry awkwardly rubbed the invisible silver studs on his face. "Well…you do know what my face looks like now."

"Not the point," Ron responded, and both him and Luna raised disbelieving eyebrows.

Harry couldn't help chuckling. "You guys looked so much alike right then!"

"Look, Chaos, we'll let you take it slow and not push," Luna said, recognizing that Harry just couldn't open up like what Ron was asking for.

"Chaos?" Ron looked at Luna.

She shrugged. "Apparently it's what's called a marauder name."

"Excellent!" Ron turned back to Harry. "Does that mean Sirius and Remus finally helped you get an animagus form?"

Harry smiled and nodded, now this was something he could actually talk about. "Yeah, Sev…er, Snape, picked the name though."

Ron's eyes widened. "Didn't I mention I had sooo many questions? Add Snape and Shade both to that list. So, what's your form?"

Luna hummed in approval. She really liked Harry's form. "Thestral, and he got to keep his green eyes in the form," she smiled at her friend. "I haven't gotten to see it yet, he just told me in a letter."

"I'm ridiculously excited to meet the herd at school in my new form," Harry smiled. "Maybe they'll let me go flying with them."

"Of course, you're a thestral," Ron sighed a bit sadly. "That also means I can't see you," he explained.

"Ah," Harry nodded, he hadn't thought of that.

"Look mate, about Hermione," Ron started a bit awkwardly. "I won't tell her anything, but I think you should tell her what it means to be a Necromancer. I think it'd bring her around."

Harry huffed and crossed his arms. "This is Hermione we're talking about. She researched me as soon as she saw me. She already knows."

Ron and Luna both shook their heads. "No, Harry," Ron continued. "You know Hermione, she researched Necromancers in the Hogwarts library and in Flourish and Blotts. She would refuse to go into Knockturn Alley. Hogwarts library doesn't have anything on dark magic outside of the restricted section. The twins looked when they were in school, believe me. They said that even the restricted section leans more towards the lighter, dark magic. There won't be anything on black magic. I doubt she found anything in either place besides that Necromancers exist, and probably that they're evil since they use black magic. I know they aren't. Bill and Charlie told us," Ron added quickly at the end, responding to Harry's look.

The Harry stubborn look began to cross his face once more. "She should know I'm not evil though," he protested. "If not, she should talk to me about it at least."

"Mate," Ron sighed. "I'm the perfect example that sometimes people don't react logically when they get their feelings hurt."

*cough* "Triwizard Tournament" *cough* Luna smiled at her cheeky reminder.

"Yes, Luna. I remember," Ron rolled his eyes, but had a smile on his face.

Harry shook his head. "Look, I'll give her some time and space, but I'm not going to chase after her. I already sent her letters and tried to talk to her," Harry responded. "I'm not going to kidnap her and make her listen. Plus, I still can't…I can't…it's hard to talk about it…it's…"

Harry's breaths started to get shallow as a panic attack started to set in. He never talked about what happened at the Dursleys. He was fairly positive Tom had shared some of it with Sev, Sirius, and Remus, but Harry never had really talked about it. It had been years, but he still wasn't ready. It was safer to just pretend that it all hadn't happened.

Luna moved over and slowly wrapped her arms around him to be as non-threatening as possible. "Don't hex me. I'm just going to keep you safe, ok?"

Ron's face took on a look of horror. "That's why you don't like hugs. You still can't talk about it. Oh, mate, look it's ok, really. I won't push. I'm so sorry."

Harry's breaths started evening out as he clutched Luna's arms. Nagini exited his robes and wrapped around both of them. Ron leaned back just a bit. "Blimy! I always forget about Nags!"

Harry chuckled dryly. "She's going to be more visible this year. Evan's worried about my safety and wants people to see her. She'll be a little harder to forget."

"Merlin, it'll be second year all over again."

"Nah, I'm here now," Luna smiled at Nagini and petted the snake's head. "The wrackspurts are clear that this year will be challenging but we'll get through it together."

"Ok, so probably first thing I should tell you, Ron," Harry smiled as he stroked Nagini. "Nags is actually Nagini. I kind-of stole her from Voldy. He didn't treat her well at all."

Ron's jaw dropped as he looked at the tiny snake in disbelief. "I shrunk her down," Harry explained.

Ron just shook his head. "Next thing you're going to tell me is that your turtles are some sort of super dangerous version of turtle."

"Well…actually…" Harry smiled with a mischievous wink to Luna.

Neville eventually joined their compartment and he and Harry got into an in-depth discussion on Herbology where Harry was trying to get any advice he could get to do well on his NEWTs. They sent a stunned Ron off to spend some time with Hermione, with assurances from Harry that he completely understood and wanted Ron to stay friends (or more than friends) with her. Luna disappeared into her Quibbler as usual, and the train ride went quickly. Even Malfoy stopped by for a couple seconds with a quip about how Harry was a disgrace to Gryffindor by having a pet snake, but it sounded more like a compliment than an insult. Harry vowed to himself to grab the blond at some point during the term and ask him all about his time with the Tonks. He figured it had to have been good for the former Death Eater...right?

After Harry and Luna greeted the thestrals, Ron met back up with both of them and Neville to ride in the carriages to the castle. "She's off doing Head Girl duties, but I'll sit with her at the feast," Ron said in explanation when he jumped into their carriage.

"Should I even ask what happened?" Neville asked, looking between Ron and Harry.

"Hermione doesn't like me a lot right now," Harry vaguely explained. "Luna can tell you all that happened later."

"Are you ok with that, Harry?" Luna asked from where she was putting her Quibbler in her robe pocket.

"Yeah, just stick to my secrets and not others'," Harry gave her a look. Luna nodded, understanding that Tom was still off-limits.

"Neville will take it well," she said dreamily. "He already knows some of the stories, told to him by his uncle."

Neville looked confused but nodded. "Uncle Algie told me a lot of stories growing up. Some more questionable than others. As long as you aren't part of a limerick about a hag from the Hague, then we're still good," Neville shuddered about the limerick.

"Neville, mate, you will be telling me that limerick sometime," Ron grinned at him, causing Neville to wince

Harry was immediately pinned with an intense and almost murderous look coming from the head table when he entered the Great Hall standing tall between his friends with Nagini draped loosely around his neck. "Er, Harry, what did you do to the headmaster?" Neville asked nervously.

"I did absolutely nothing," Harry frowned right back at the headmaster, fending off a stab of legilimency sent his way. He really hoped that Fawkes's master had something planned, or he was fairly certain Sev and Tom would be spiriting him away before he could even get to Gryffindor Tower.

The headmaster spent the entire time of the students entering and the sorting ceremony starting looking angrily at Harry and very suspiciously at Tom. Harry assumed that returning to a cursed position was actually a little suspicious since Voldemort was the one commonly known to have cast the curse. Tom just had a little smirk on his face as he watched Dumbledore out of the corner of his eye.

He's sooo confused! Tom sent happily through the link. I didn't die, and you're not off somewhere in training. This is just beautiful!

I really hope Fawkes's master comes through…

Yeah, Sev is getting nervous. Tom agreed as Harry saw his dad pour more tea into Snape's cup.

Harry really wasn't paying much attention to the sorting besides to clap when each student was sorted. His head quickly shot up though when McGonagall called out, "Smythe, Emilia."

Dad, why do I know that name? It seems familiar.

Tom sent a mental shrug. I agree. It does seem familiar for some reason…I don't know why…I don't remember having a Death Eater with Smythe as a last name...

Harry watched as a tiny girl with blonde hair bounced onto the stool where the hat was placed on her head. It didn't take long before the hat called out: HUFFLEPUFF!

I can't get a good look at her. Does she look familiar to you? Harry asked.

I can't really see her from here either. She's so tiny.

Harry strained to see over to the Hufflepuff table, but she was at the far end from him. It was like an itch in the back of his mind. He knew that name from somewhere; he just couldn't remember where.

Finally, the sorting ended, and Dumbledore stood for his normal opening speech. "Welcome students all!" He called out. "This year…"

Dumbledore was interrupted as the doors to the Great Hall were dramatically pushed open, and two men strode forward. The one in front looked to be in his early to mid-forties, dressed in muggle jeans and a polo. He had sandy hair and bright, blue eyes with smile wrinkles prominently around them. His face was kind and looked like laughter was the most common emotion it saw. However, right now, it was twisted into a look of fury. The second man was dressed in white robes and had a stern face. He was older, maybe in his early sixties.

Harry smiled as Fawkes flew into the room behind the two men and began to circle. Ah, the illusive pet of Fawkes. Tom laughed through their link.

The muggle-dressed man stopped in the middle of the room and crossed his arms over his chest. "Albus Percival Wolfric Brian Dumbledore! You have some explaining to do, young man!" He yelled out into the hall. "Come with me, right now!"

Everyone in the entire hall whipped around their heads to look at Dumbledore. Harry was frankly expecting the man to curse whoever this person was that treated him like a misbehaving child. Instead, Dumbledore's mouth fell open, he immediately turned on his heel, and ran out of the hall through the teacher's door faster than anyone of his age should move.

Almost as one, everyone's head whipped right back around to the invader. The man gave a long-suffering sigh and ran his hand over his face in frustration. "Don't mind me and Healer Wilderman," he called out to the staff and students. "We're just going to go track down your errant headmaster," he said as both men headed towards the staff door while Fawkes flamed out, probably to find Dumbledore.

"And who are you, young man?" McGonagall asked sternly with her hands on her hips and blocking the door Dumbledore had exited through.

The man just stared back at her with a bit of a scowl on his face. "I'm a member of the Board of Governors of this school, Minerva McGonagall!" He looked at her sternly. "And, as I am over 600 years old, I haven't been young for quite some time."

"Nicholas Flamel!" McGonagall exclaimed as all the students started whispering amongst themselves.

"Yes, and you will move out of my way," he pinned her with a look like she was a misbehaving small child. After a stunned Professor McGonagall moved out of their way, Flamel turned back to the hall. "Snape, Shade, and Potter, meet me in the DADA professor's rooms in two hours!"

The man quickly exited, followed by the healer, after that command. Are we in trouble? Harry asked with a wince as everyone at the Gryffindor table turned to look at him.

This is AWESOME! I've always wanted to meet Flamel! Tom fangirled. I wonder if he'll tell me how he made the stone? Or how he got started in Alchemy? I wonder if his wife came with him! You have no idea the research she's done into Transfiguration through the lens of Alchemy!

Calm down, you're vibrating. Harry soothed as he watched Tom almost bouncing at the head table and Snape scowling at him. Erm…do you remember the password to your rooms?

Silence met him through the link. Maybe. Was finally sent to him. I have two hours to figure it out, I guess.

McGonagall quickly dismissed all the students to their dorms, probably so she could go find Dumbledore and Flamel. As the prefects grabbed all the first years, Harry tried to move closer to the Hufflepuffs. This was made easier as everyone was moving out of the way of him and his snake, not wanting to get close. ::Well, you make getting through a crowd easier:: Harry laughed to Nagini.

::It's because I'm a ferocious killer:: Nagini almost preened.

::Just keep telling yourself that, Love:: Harry laughed as he slunk in behind the Hufflepuffs.

He finally got a good look at the tiny, blonde. He frowned, she looked familiar, but he wasn't sure from where…He wracked his brain. When would he have been around a child that would have stuck in his memory? It's not like he knew many kids. Smythe! He exclaimed in his head to Tom.

You figured it out?!

Emilia Smythe! He answered back.

Yes, I got that. Tom said with a mental eyeroll. Where do we know her from?

Fourth level of Necromancy! Harry exclaimed excitedly in his mind. I healed her cancer! What're the odds she'd turn out to be a witch?!

Oh wow! That's…I actually don't know. Tom said with shock and confusion rushing through the link.

I need to talk to her!

Later, we need to meet an Alchemist now! Tom called back. Erm, give me an hour anyway. I'll try to convince my portrait guardian to give me the password.

You're hopeless. I really hope Sev knows that…

Oh please, I'm delightful!

Up Next: You have to really mean an Unforgivable to make it work...