Hey everyone,
Wow, I don't know why, but my mind just won't stop coming up with new stories. Though this one came to me after reading an incredibly great story called Harriet Potter What It Is Like To Be A Witch by Purple-Sherlock-1985. It takes place during DH and has Harry born a girl, but then changed into a girl for the first sixteen years of her life; it also has a pretty great HP-CD pairing. I read it and wanted to give my own twist to it.
Now some might think that this is my attempt at writing a new version of Jillian Forge Potter where there is a more understandable reason behind the gender-change, but I'm going to be honest, I never had any problems understanding the gender-change in that story and I still quite like where it's going. Also, in that story Harry was born a boy, in this one he's born a girl, but changed into a boy shortly after his birth.
All clear, good,

Venquine1990

Henrietta Potter
The Life Of A Witch
Chapter 01
A Ward Of Hogwarts

29th of October 1994
Headmaster's Office, Hogwarts
Minerva McGonagall's POV

"Thank you for meeting with me, Albus." I tell my age-old friend and one of the few people who has been keeping a huge secret from basically the entirety of the Wizarding World with me. The man nods, allowing himself the chance to drop the nice grandfather persona that he shows to the world on a daily basis and showing the actual tiredness and fatigue that he is feeling. This because he has been working endlessly on the Tri-Wizard Tournament.
I look at my closest friend and confident, once again wishing I could do something to help him and take some of the burden off his shoulders, but every time I offer this, the man refutes me and tells me: "I am just grateful that I know that I am not the only one keeping the secret." And while it usually has nothing to do with the task that tires him out like the Tournament is now, I still just smile at the man and gently whisper: "Always." At him in response.

"You sound worried, Minerva. What's on your mind?" Albus asks me, the look on his face proving his greatest strength and weakness at the same time; his need to shoulder each and every burden of the world on his shoulders and just have everyone around him live happy lives without a care in the world. This is and has always the entire motivation behind the man believing in the term For the Greater Good with the fervor that he does.
"I worry for Potter, Albus. I know we've done everything we can to ensure that the secret will be kept for another three years, but – seeing the past three years; the fact that almost each of Potter's adventures started on Halloween and all those signs you told me about – I just can't help but believe that Potter's name will come out of that cursed Goblet in two nights. And it's not just his chances at even surviving the blasted thing."
I leave my rant hanging at this point and Albus sighs as he mutters: "You're right, Minerva. And please believe me when I say that I have been harboring the same level of fear since I spotted the first sign of him trying to return to a body. I just – I don't know what else we can do. We've signed our contract and while that will transpire once that name comes out, I don't see what we can do outside of offering our services."

"I've thought about that, Albus, and I can only come up with one potential solution. Though I do believe that this solution might throw a bit of a wrench in one of your other plans for when he returns." I noticed that Albus spoke of when Potter's name coming out of the Goblet, not if Potter's name comes out of the Goblet and I know that the man spotted me doing the same when it comes to speaking of Lord Voldemort's return.
Both of us are assured that both events will happen, whether one right after the other or one causing the other being only a secondary concern to the whole thing. Albus gazes at me for a few moments and I know the man well enough to know that he likes to guess my thoughts before I voice them. I also know that the man would never stoop to the level of reading my mind regardless of his skill with the mind arts and just gently let him.
And just like always the man proves one of the reasons behind our years of friendship and what allowed it to grow over the past several decades as he states: "You want to make the young Potter a Ward of the School." I nod and say: "I know it won't mean anything for the Tournament, judges in the past made sure of that, but it will lessen the chances of something negative happening once Potter's name comes out. It may not be ideal, but it's the best we've got."

"It will mean that I will need to find someone else to spy on Tom once he returns, unless of course we can play Karkaroff to our favor somehow; offer him some kind of sanctuary in return that he hints at Severus accepting the ward plan in order to get closer to Potter. In fact, Tom might even approve of the idea of Severus doing so; he might already suspect that Severus would do so for his sake, considering how everyone knows of his hatred for Potters."
"Which might just be a hurdle in and of itself, Albus." I can't help but point out, but Albus gently smiles at me and says: "Personally, I think we can convince Severus to accept the idea. If we can get all of the staff together and have Potter show to them, at large, that he also has his mother's traits, Severus might be more inclined to agree. He will probably believe that Potter is faking it if it happens in front of students, but not staff."
I nod at this, though I also hope that the man is right and Albus sighs before he says: "And if that doesn't work, we can always be honest with him. Tell him how hard Lily's pregnancy was and what the aftereffects were. Perhaps the idea that James Potter lost all of his chances to continue his line, bar his only child, will satisfy Severus' need for vengeance enough he will cooperate with our plan. Though we best make sure we do this soon."

I nod at the man and while I don't entirely like the idea of bringing up those disastrous 8 days I also know that they might hold the key to getting this done. Albus also seems to have regained himself as he sits up strong and proud again and says: "Tomorrow night. Best we do it around dinner. I'll make sure that the staff meets me in my office, you inform the Prefects and Head Boy and Girl that they are to be in charge and get Potter."
I nod again and the man locks eye-contact with me as he says: "Let us pray that this will work, Minerva. For her." I nod again as I know what the man is saying without words. While we have both been keeping this huge secret to ourselves for the past thirteen years, both of us had moments where we really wanted to spill the beans. Neither of ever did as we didn't want to hurt the others involved in the contract with us.
But then this thought reminds me of the names of the others of the contract and I decide to voice another fearful thought that has been running through my mind for the past few weeks. "Albus, one last thing. How high do you rate the chance that it might be Black that will try to put Potter's name in the Goblet? Or that he plans to –."

"Sirius is innocent." Albus interrupts me and the firm tone of his voice leaves no room for argument, yet it also astounds me. "I discovered it myself late last year. Peter Pettigrew was never killed. He has been hiding himself as Scabbers, the rat belonging to the Weasley family, for the last twelve years. He's the one that made Sirius mutter He's at Hogwarts, he's at Hogwarts. The Weasleys came into the newspaper that summer, after all."
"And Black just so happens to still have – FUDGE! Last Christmas he told me that he had taken the newspaper with him and that Black asked for it, stating he was bored and was missing the crossword puzzles. Are you telling me that's when he spotted Pettigrew?" Albus nods and I ask: "Then why did he try all those attempts? Why not try to contact us?""Because we betrayed him. We all signed the contract and with that a vow of trust and honor – and we ignored it when he needed us most."
I look at the man, my mouth slightly agape and my eyes wide as I can barely believe what I'm hearing. "Minerva, I'll be honest with you. The only two adults that Sirius is in contact with are Remus and myself. And he himself admitted that he's only in contact with Remus, because Remus helped him apprehend Pettigrew and with me because I have proven my own need to keep his godchild safe to be equal to Sirius'. If not for that, he wouldn't be in contact with either of us."

And really, can you blame him? These are the words that are left unspoken between us this time, but I don't vocally answer them, I just lower my head, shame raging through me as I silently admit to myself that I really can't. I, like so many others, let two nights affect how I thought about 7 years of teaching the young man and almost 3 years of working by his side. Those two nights made me scoff at all the times I witnessed him show true signs of loyalty to our cause and people.
"There is one other thing." Albus gently tells me and I look up. "I've been debating with myself and I am thinking of using the night of Halloween to convince Barty to clear Sirius of the charges against him. He and I were both very much responsible for Sirius ending up in Azkaban; he was the one to give the order and I accepted it, even though I knew that the order had been brought up too soon for there to have been a trial beforehand.
Both of us failed him in our roles, me as Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot and Barty as, at the time, Head of the DMLE. I'm just not entirely sure if it's a good idea, considering what I know of Barty and his character; how much he and some others in the Ministry try to desperately hold onto a positive reputation and despise anyone who tries to blemish it. Or even point out that they have done something that does so for them."

I nod in agreement with my boss and closest friend, but then say: "I say do it. And for one simple, but very important reason." And just like so many times before, in all of the years that we have worked, planned and spent time together, Albus' smile proves that his thoughts are following a path similar to my own. "Sirius is Potter's godfather; another line of protection once the Goblet does its work and speeds up the plan we made 13 years ago."
Albus nods at me and says: "It would seem we have a plan of attack." I nod my head and say: "Now let's hope that it works.""We will know that tomorrow night. For now, try to get some sleep. With the events that will transpire in the next 48 hours, I believe we can both do with a week-long nap, if not more." And on that joke of a note, I nod the man goodnight and head for my chambers. But while I appreciate the effort, it has no effect on my ever increasing sense of concern.

The next night
Harry's POV

"Mr. Potter, the headmaster wishes to see you in his office. Fear not, you are not in trouble. The Headmaster simply wishes to share some concerns." Professor McGonagall tells me as my friends and I are seated at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall. And while dinner started 10 minutes ago, I spotted something that makes me feel like it might be connected to the Headmaster's fears. I know that I won't get far with guessing, so just nod and follow behind her.
"Can we come too, Professor?" Hermione asks, but Professor McGonagall, who I know normally encourages my close bonds with my closest friends, startles me as she says: "No Mss. Granger. The Headmaster wishes to share these concerns with Mr. Potter privately. Though he does accept Mr. Potter sharing with you what he thinks is worth sharing once the meeting is over." And I just know that the Professor means me and not the Headmaster.
"What could Dumbledore have for concerns that he thinks I won't share everything with Ron and Hermione? What's going on here?" I think to myself and then notice something else. While Professor McGonagall is usually a really firm and strict teacher, right now her entire form is even more tense and stiff than normal. This both alarms and concerns me as it proves that the woman is aware of Dumbledore's concerns and might even share them with him.
"I guess that's why. If these concerns make both Dumbledore and McGonagall this worried, they must be bad. I wonder if they have anything to do with that dream I had over summer." A shudder runs down my spine at the thought as I dreamed of Voldemort and his newest plan to regain a body. And the fact that the monster was being mostly vague about his plans in my dream really doesn't help my own levels of concern over all this.

"Yeah, this is about Voldemort, I'm sure of it. But then – why are all the other teachers involved as well?" This thought reminds me of the Head Table, which had been completely empty bar Madam Maxime of Beauxbattons and Headmaster Karkaroff of Durmstrang. And of all the Houses, the Prefects had taken seats at both ends of the table, obviously in a need to keep an eye out and keep order in lieu of the absent staff.
"Cherry taffy." McGonagall tells the Gargoyle guarding Dumbledore's office and I silently berate myself for not paying attention to my surroundings. Ever since the Goblet of Fire was presented and the Tournament was announced, I've had the nasty growing fear that I might be entered against my will by an older student or someone out to kill me, Voldemort being a very strong contender for the latter of the two options.
And while I'm sure that the teachers would want me to believe that Hogwarts is safe and that they won't let someone attack me when my guard is down, I don't really have the best track record with events that prove this in their favor. And so, as we step onto the rolling staircase that leads up to the Headmaster's tower, I can't help myself and take a precautionary glance behind me, to ensure that no one is following us without me knowing.

We enter the man's office after McGonagall knocks the knocker once and the sight of all of the staff being in the office, both teachers I have studied under, teachers that have been mostly decent towards me, teachers that I wouldn't mind if something nasty happens to them and teachers that I only know from seeing them at the Head Table, just brings all of my own concerns back to the forefront of my mind and increases them tenfold.
"Potter. Why doesn't this surprise me? Of course Potter is –." Snape, the one teacher that falls under the category of something nasty, tries to sneer, but to my shock Headmaster Dumbledore says: "Severus, use your skills as a spy and see that young Harry is entirely clueless as to why he's here. You were informed of why I wanted you here long before now. I also made a deal with you and would like to see you honor it."
Instantly my senses and level of awareness is on high alert as I know that any situation where Dumbledore admonishes Snape instead of trying to just make him lessen his behavior while also trying to down talk the nastiness he portrays to others is a really serious one – and probably really bad one, especially for me. I take a seat in the nice looking chair that Dumbledore offers me, but I do so cautiously, trying to subtly keep my gaze at everyone around me.

"Harry, my dear, I will not lie to you, you are right to be as tense as you are. What I am about to share with you will, in due time, change much of what you know of yourself as well as some of those around you. Please know that, at this point in time, that concerns Minerva, myself and two others, both of whom you are very close with, thanks to your past." The man may try to be vague, but I know exactly what – or better said who – he's talking about.
"You mean Lupin and Snuffles, right sir?" I ask him and Dumbledore nods as he says: "Yes, and please know this as well. All four of us would willingly swear a vow on the essence of our magic that we have been wanting to tell you this for the past three years, but that we did not want to risk the other three.""Risk? Risk how?" I ask, my concerns growing and I can tell that mine aren't the only one as Professor Sprout has turned white and another teacher gasped behind me.
"To explain that, I must share quite a bit of a story with you, one I planned to share with you just minutes before your seventeenth birthday, but that – certain potential circumstances – have made me believe it better to share it with you now. You see, when your mother was pregnant with you – Sit down, Severus." The man actually thunders and I turn my head, spotting Snape on his way to the door. The man glares and asks:
"Why should I want to listen to Potter being born? He's here, isn't he?""Because when Lily was pregnant, she was hit with a curse that made the pregnancy extremely hard and painful for her. She had several near miscarriages and three instances where she thought her own body was trying to have our young Potter end up still born. Severus, her labor took place over eight of the most painful days of her, Minerva and my lives. Though I will never declare that the pain of watching her go through that was worse than the pain she herself was going through."

Silence meets these statements and I'm sure that Professor Sprout and I aren't the only ones who are white as a sheet anymore. A very small part of me wonders what Professor Binns might look like now that he knows this, but I am too desperate to know more to turn around and look for him. Instead I ask: "What – what happened then, sir? And – and how is this connected to what's going on now? To why you're not waiting another three years with telling me this?"
Dumbledore heaves a deep sigh and shares a look with Professor McGonagall, reminding me of the fact that she had been present to all of this as well back then and that she has been sharing in the secret for the past several years. A small part of me wants to be angry with my Head of House and Headmaster over this, but I remember the still unknown risk that the man mentioned and decide to wait and find out of the anger really is justified.
Dumbledore, in the time I was contemplating this, seems to have drawn emotional strength from the look he shared with his Deputy and continues his tale: "I won't lie to you, my dear. The curse, even after you were born, continued to affect your mother and she ended up infertile. This made it so that you were the sole future of your father's line and that, combined with the war and the uncertainty of the time we were living in, worked on even his nerves of steel.

He began to worry, began to fear for you, began to imagine what might happen to you if something happened to him and your mother. And so, while there was a certain little something that happened when you were born that Snuffles, Remus, Minerva and I were the only ones that witnessed it happening, your father vowed us to secrecy. He had us sign this contract in order to ensure that the secret would be maintained as long as the magic that also hid the secret held strong."
Dumbledore pulls a huge paper form out of one of his desk drawers, one that looks to be at least four if not five dozen pages thick and that has the words Contract of Silence written on the front. More gasps sound from the teachers seated behind me and Hagrid asks: "Professor Dumbledore, what on earth –.""DON'T ASK HIM THAT!" Professor Flitwick squeaks at the man, shocking us all due to the distressed tone of his voice.
"If anyone finds out the actual contents of the secret before it's supposed to be revealed or if Albus even gives one hint that can help someone find out what the secret entails, Albus, Minerva, Remus and whoever this Snuffles person is will lose their magic. Even someone hinting that they have an idea could cause a temporary loss. A Contract of Silence is an incredibly big deal and usually considered one of the strongest signs of trust between one who writes the contract and those who sign it. Its magic is stronger than that of the Fidelius charm."

My eyes are wide and my jaw is slack as I feel just awed and shocked at the levels that Dumbledore has been willing to go to prove his loyalty to my father and my family. And while I do feel curious about this secret, I have no interest in being the one responsible for the most powerful wizard in the world losing his magic. Because of this, I sit up and say: "I'll make sure Ron and Hermione don't question me about the secret, sir."
"Like you don't –." Snape wants to sneer, but I coldly snap back: "No, I don't. Whether you believe it or not, Professor Snape, I do have a conscience and I'd rather not have the risk of Dumbledore losing his magic and with that his ability to lead Hogwarts, on there." Snape wants to sneer at me, but for some reason I get the feeling that instead the man is observing me, as if trying for himself to see whether or not I'm being genuine.

"I am very grateful for your words, my dear, and would like to continue on with why this is all so important. As you've already been told, I was planning to reveal all of this just minutes before your seventeenth birthday, when you would turn off age and be allowed to claim the inheritance your parents left you. However, because of everything that has happened these past few months, Minerva and I both fear that our precautions may prove to have been – lacking."
"You're scared that someone might have tried to put my name in the Goblet, to enter me into the Tournament and use the Tasks to either get to me or get me killed. Trust me, sir, we share that fear. It's why I've been declaring for all to hear that I'd rather not enter and that I support anyone who has successfully done so. Angelina, Cedric, this year's Head Boy – sorry Professor Flitwick, we never introduced ourselves and I hardly see him around anyway."
Professor Flitwick's nod is followed by Snape snorting and the man derisively asks: "And what if a Slytherin becomes the actual Champion, Potter? What will that mean for you?" I really want to snap back at the man, but notice that a few of the other teachers are growing impatient. Because of this I falter and take a second to think my answer through before I coldly retort: "The only reason I didn't mention them is because I didn't feel like being called a liar, sir."

Snape glares at me, the man feeling offended even though I didn't even mention him by name when answering his question, but then Professor Burbage asks: "But Albus, what does Potter's name potentially coming out of the Goblet have to do with this secret of yours? I mean, you're planning to tell him in three years, so why make us curious right now? Why take a risk like that?" Dumbledore smiles at her and gently answers:
"I am taking this risk, my dear, because the secret isn't tied to young Potter's age, but his rights as the future of House Potter. Once the Goblet spits out his name, the magic of the Goblet and the Tournament will emancipate him. And that's what the magic is tied to as it's meant to protect him until he has access to the perks and protections that come with being emancipated. However, unfortunately the last few years have made me assured that, when this happens, Potter will still experience a severe level of danger."

At this quite a few teachers join me in grimacing and pouting in displeasure. "Get real, Albus. I mean, whatever the lad's been through can't have been enough to make you this worried." Moody suddenly snarks at his old friend and I look at him shortly before turning back to the Headmaster. And instantly I know something's wrong as a look of confusion and distrust is on the old man's face as he asks: "I beg your pardon, Alastor?"
And Moody snorts as he goes on: "I mean, let's get real here. Everyone knows that the Dark Lord always feared you even when he had a form. Surely he wouldn't dare challenge you now that he is in a – ahem – lesser state? Let's be real here, the most Potter's probably been through is –." But I wasn't looking at Moody while he was talking. My focus is on the Headmaster and I notice what Moody doesn't; Dumbledore's guard going up more and more.

And it takes me only a second to realize why. I turn back and as I do, I notice Professor Snape, at which I remember that one disastrous Dueling Club lesson. Instantly my instincts respond to the situation that is taking place between the Headmaster in front of me and my DADA teacher behind me. I jump from my chair and twirl around, my wand in my hand and snap: "LUMOS! EXPELLIARMUS!"
And while Moody does pull his own wand, my first spell startles him into dropping it and the second spell makes it fly my way, while it also shoots the man across the room. Some of the other staff members look at this and at me in shock and I guess they can hardly believe that I managed to surprise and disarm one of the best Aurors the world has ever known. Yet I don't care for their looks as I already understand why and how I was able to do that. "I wouldn't have, not with the real Moody. There's no way I'd have been able to do that."
"Severus, to me. Filius, Hagrid, guard him. Minerva, protect Potter. Accio flask." Dumbledore orders several of his staff and all four of them respond within a second of each other. And while I do keep my guard and wand up, Professor McGonagall comes to stand in front of me with her own wand aimed straight at the man. Flitwick also pushes his wand right under the man's chin in a silent warning, while Hagrid encases the man in his grip.

Dumbledore uncorks the flask and takes a whiff, the twinkle leaving his eyes entirely before he hands it over to Snape. The man does the same and his own eyes widen by a slight margin as he whispers: "Polyjuice Potion." Headmaster Dumbledore nods to confirm this and I say: "If that's the case then the real Moody must be somewhere in the castle. This bastard would need him close for the hair or something else to keep the potion working."
Snape stares at me suspiciously, but I really don't care whether or not he knows that Hermione made Polyjuice Potion for herself, Ron and I back in Second because we suspected Malfoy of being the Heir of Slytherin. Dumbledore, on the other hand, nods his head at me and Sprout asks: "How did you know, Albus?" And the man answers: "I have been keeping Alastor up to date on what happens at the castle every year for almost a decade.
The real Alastor would know all about our young Potter saving the Stone from being stolen, about him saving the school from being closed and about the fact that he has cast a Patronus against several Dementors. But apparently this imposter over here didn't bother to properly question Alastor about any of this. Either that or, and I personally think this is more likely, Alastor himself was able to keep his mouth shut, as he didn't want to betray us like that."

"I'll go look for him." Professor Sprout and Professor Burbage says: "I'll go with you.""I'll go inform Madam Pomfrey that she will be needing to expect an upcoming patient." Binns states, his voice actually sounding stern and firm instead of the usual bored and monotone. My eyes widen as I hear this and I think to myself: "Is this why he's still being hired? Because he does have it in him to be serious and pay attention to the situation around him?"
"Albus, give us 10 minutes. Hagrid and I will take the imposter somewhere I can cast containment charms, so we can hold him until we can contact the DMLE." Professor Flitwick suggests and the Headmaster replies to this with a nod before he says: "Make sure that you cast Anti-Animagus charm, Filius. I recently found out that not every Animagus is registered at the Ministry and we don't want this one escaping through, say, a rat hole or something."
My eyes widen as I realize what the man is implying. My wand hand starts to tremble and I think: "If it is Pettigrew, I'm going to use the life debt he owes me to ensure that he gets what's coming to him. If it's him, I'll use whatever means necessary to make sure he'll pay, pay for what he did to me, what he cost me all those years ago.""Mr. Potter?" Professor McGonagall asks me and I shake my head, as I haven't noticed that I got lost in my thoughts.

I turn to her and say: "It's nothing, Professor. Story for another time. One where you're not fearing for my life and future." The woman's lips turn thin by a bit, but I can tell that she agrees with me nonetheless. I retake my seat and Dumbledore breaths in and out in an effort to calm himself down before he says: "I suppose this is for the best. At least now those that will want to cause you harm won't learn of the secret until everyone else does."
"But on the other hand, I think it's safe to say that it's beyond a shadow of a doubt now, sir. With the imposter being my teacher, all he would have needed to do was rip my name from one of the DADA essays and put it in the Goblet. And if I'm right and every other student wrote their schools alongside their name, this might be enough to confuse the Goblet and make it think that I'm a participant from a fourth school or something."
"In other words, Mr. Potter's participation in the Tournament is just guaranteed." Professor Sinistra mutters to herself, yet her words all for all to hear thanks to how quiet everyone else is. Even the portraits of past Headmasters and Mistresses are silent, none of them even pretending to be sleeping and snoring. Professor Sprout turns her fearful gaze on the Headmaster and she asks: "Headmaster, surely you have a solution to this?"

Dumbledore lowers his head and says: "I can't do anything to help our young Potter when it comes to the Tournament. Not only because the magic of the Goblet is centuries older and stronger than mine, but because last night Minerva and I came up with an idea to do damage control in regards to the secret, to ensure that we can offer our young Potter a new level of security once the secret is revealed. To us, as harsh as it sounds, that was priority."
"Are you saying that the revelation of this secret could put Mr. Potter in more dangerous than the tasks set for the Tournament?" Professor Trelawney asks and Dumbledore gravely answers: "Long-term, yes. If we let the wrong people, like students who might be rivals to House Potter, try to take advantage of our young Potter's secret once it's revealed, it could ruin the future of House Potter, potentially even end it."

"Then why not try to just extend the duration of the secret? Is that because of the Goblet and its magic?" The teacher of Ancient Runes, who I believe is called Babbling or something, asks and the Headmaster sends first her and then me a reassuring smile as he says: "Because, Bathsheda, it's not the secret that is the danger; it's what those with nefarious means can do with it that is the danger. And while our young Potter –."
But then suddenly the man and Professor McGonagall grasp at their respective chest and grunt and moan in pain. Instantly I realize what just happened and I exclaim: "Headmaster, stop! I don't want either of you losing your magic!""Or Sirius for that matter. Not with the Dementors still after him." I think to myself, but I don't say this. Professor Snape hurries for McGonagall and hands her a potion against the obvious spike of pain and Dumbledore gently states:
"My apologies, my dear, Minerva. It would appear that I almost lost myself to my need to reassure you all, to my tendencies and love of teaching and explaining things.""So what do you have in mind, Albus?" Professor Flitwick asks and Dumbledore suddenly firmly turns his focus upon me, clasping his left hand over his right fist and gently, but also sternly telling me: "Please know this, my dear, this will not affect your rightful guardian state."
This strange statement, while I have a strong belief that the man is talking about Sirius and not the Muggles I have been living with for the past thirteen years, the man goes on and says: "The best way that Minerva and I can think of that we can continue to offer you the level of protection that my favoritism of you has been doing the past three years – is for you to accept to become a Ward of Hogwarts. This will mean that all staff members will become your guardians."

My eyes widen at hearing the offer the man suggests to me and the man continues: "Remember, your rights won't change and this won't allow us the chance to help you through the Tournament, you will still be on your own for that. This will simply grant you a different version of the protection that the secrecy magic has been giving you all this time." I nod and feel really grateful that the man is this open and honest with me.
Yet I can't help but turn from him to the man now standing with Professor McGonagall and ask: "If I were to take this offer, it would mean that all of the teachers, both those currently present as well as Professors Flitwick, Hagrid, Sprout, Burbage and Binns, would need to agree to this as well, right?" "What's the matter, Potter? Are you really that against having a Slytherin as a potential guardian?" Snape sneers at me, but I shake my head and say:
"No sir, it's more that I was wondering what motivation you could possibly have to agree to this. You have been making your opinion of me known since the first time you and I locked eyes at the Opening Feast in my first year and while I know it was you that kept my broom steady – well, that's one act of kindness versus several dozen acts of trying to peg down my ego, as you would call it. But let me ask you this one question; how many times did you start the argument and how many times did I? Which amount beats out the other?"

The man sneers down at me, but I just stare back and state: "I don't care where the protection comes from, Professor, not as long as it doesn't come from Voldemort himself. I just want one thing; to honor the sacrifice my parents made for me when they died for me. I want to do what they did; I want to do the right thing no matter what it takes." And yet again the man's gaze changes and he makes me feel as if he sizing me up instead of just glaring at me.
"You two have a common goal, Severus. You may not like or accept it, but you both love Lily, each in your own respective ways. And in her own ways, she too loved both of you. Please, my good friend, if not for young Potter or me, I must ask you to do it for Lily. For the sacrifice she made all those many years ago." I look at Dumbledore for a short moment as I feel shocked to hear that Snape and my mum knew each other and then back to Snape, watching him nod.

I nod back at the man and spot Dumbledore beaming at us from the corner of my eye. Then suddenly the door opens and all the teachers that had previously left come back in. And while Dumbledore gives the group a quick update, I can't help but turn to Professor McGonagall and whisper: "No offense meant, but – would this plan work with one of my teachers being – well, not entirely alive anymore?" And while she looks a little annoyed, McGonagall does still nod.
"Alright, I suggest we take the oaths to start the procedure and then head for bed. Tomorrow morning, I'll take our young Potter to meet with the real Alastor as well as Poppy and then the three of us will take our oaths as well, thus sealing the guardian-ward bond." The Headmaster suggests after finishing his explanation and all of the staff nods. "You best also invite the Heads of Beauxbattons and Durmstrang, sir.
So you can explain to them about the imposter and what we suspect. That way, they won't start to accuse Hogwarts of cheating on the night of the Champions being chosen. I mean, they'll probably be a little put out that this whole reveal of the secret might outshine – I said might – the choosing, but … at least they won't feel like they were left in the dark or something." Snape looks at me thoughtfully and Dumbledore gives me a proud nod.

"Now, for the sake of the secret and what it entails, I'd like to request that you all swear two oaths. One impersonal one now and the more personal one once the secret has been revealed. Even if you don't feel like swearing the personal vow later, that is fine, just keep it to this one. For now, please state the same oath as Minerva." Dumbledore suggests to the room at large while Professor McGonagall comes to stand with me and says:
"I, Minerva McGonagall, hereby accept the Heir of the Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter as my ward and charge. I promise to do my best to protect and secure the future of House Potter. So I swear, so mote it be." And while I can't help but think: "Yeah, that oath is basically the definition of an impersonal vow." I still just return the statement and say: "I, the Heir to the Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter accept the guardian oath made for me by Minerva McGonagall. So I swear, so mote it be."
A surge of magic seems to rise up in the room and seems to connect something strange and yet also really powerful within me with something that feels strong and protective. I realize that this must be Professor McGonagall and her magical need to see me safe and I give the woman a grateful smile to show her that I sensed her intent and appreciate the strength of her will to see me safe. The woman shows me a small smile in return and steps away to give her colleagues a chance.

Half an hour later
Gryffindor Common Room

"Harry, mate, over here!" Ron yells the minute I pass through the Fat Lady's portrait and to my shocked delight I spot a plate with cauliflower, small potato slices and meat balls on the table in front of him, the twins, Angelina and Hermione. I walk over and Angelina says: "I decided to save you a plate, seeing as how your meeting was right at the start of dinner." I thank my fellow team player for her care and the twins start their usual spiel as they ask:
"So Harry, buddy, mate.""Why don't you sit down?""Have your meal.""And enlighten us.""On why you were the only student.""Asked to the headmaster's office.""At the same time.""As the entire staff?" The two definitely try to confuse me, Fred even holding quiet for a bit and then continuing the spiel himself instead of letting his brother speak for him, but I keep up quite easily. I shrug at them and say: "I can only tell you so much."

"Why?" Ron asks, my best friend sounding hurt and I answer tiredly: "Because I still don't know everything myself. The Headmaster seems to have been keeping something really big secret from me for the past fourteen years and planned to for another three, but – I'm in the Tournament.""What? Why? There's no way the Headmaster – he's the one who put up – Harry, what on earth –?" Hermione asks me, the girl sounding terrified beyond words.
I grimace at her, but also notice that Ron seems to be fighting the urge to scowl at me. I wonder what could be up with one of my closest friends and answer the other: "Moody's not Moody. That attack that Mr. Diggory told Mr. Weasley about wasn't just animated garbage cans, it was genuine. Someone attacked Moody, knocked him out and took his place using Polyjuice Potion.
When I was in the Headmaster's office and talking with him, the imposter betrayed himself. He had apparently not done a proper job interrogating Moody. Either that or the real Moody purposely kept certain bits of information from his attacker. I don't know who the imposter was, Flitwick and Hagrid took him from the office before he could transform back and I don't know where Moody is either, though I'm sure he's somewhere in the castle, because of the Polyjuice Potion."

"Wait, that's why Dumbledore wanted to see you? Because of the imposter?" Ron asks, but I shake my head and say: "No, like I said, the guy betrayed himself while we were talking. It's the secret he's been keeping that made him want to talk to me. Especially because, like me, he and McGonagall were worried that someone would try and put my name in the Goblet. And considering that Moody is meant to be my teacher and has access to my essays, thus my name –."
"You're in the Tournament." The twins chorus, gloomy looks of concern on their faces and I nod before I turn to my best friend and say: "Ron, you know I don't want this. I've been telling you and everyone else who's been willing to listen to me for weeks that I was looking forward to a calm year, to cheering on the actual champion and whatnot. I don't want this." Ron gives me a tentative nod and then explains to me what this is all about as he asks:
"But, if you had wanted it and had wanted to try – you'd have told me, right? Shared it if you found a way, right?" I sigh at hearing these questions, put my plate back down on the table and mutter: "To be honest, I've been thinking of several ways that you can circumvent the whole Age Line thing for weeks now. Though I did that more in the hopes that I'd be able to catch someone if they tried to do it to me."
"Then why not tell us?""Yeah, you knew we wanted to try and get in.""I don't want to lose you guys. It's not that I don't trust you, it's that I didn't want to risk someone trying to sabotage your attempts at taking on the tasks to get to me, to hurt me emotionally. Not to mention that Dumbledore kept warning everyone about how dangerous the tasks are and because I kept hearing that one statement he made, about why the Tournament had been cancelled years ago." The twins cringe and grimace at this and together with Ron they chorus: "Good point."

I smile at the two of them and feel grateful beyond words that they understand my fear and where it's been coming from. I lean back and thank Angelina as she hands me my plate again before Hermione asks: "So what's this secret and why is Dumbledore telling you now? And why would he wait another three years? Why wait until you're seventeen?""Because he'd be off age then.""I know that, Ron, but why?" Hermione goes on and I shrug as I say:
"I don't know – and don't try to find out. Dumbledore proved to me how important it is that we let the secret remain as such until I get emancipated, which I will be once the Goblet spits my name out. If we even so much as hint at what we think the secret might be, Dumbledore, McGonagall and – and our two canine friends will lose their magic.""WAIT, THEY'LL WHAT?" The twins shout and Ron and Hermione clone them as they ask: "HOW? WHY?"
"Because they all signed a Contract of Silence fourteen years ago, when I was born. I don't know what it's about, that's the secret, but it made my parents really worried about my future. Apparently my mum got cursed while pregnant of me and the curse badly affected her pregnancy. According to Dumbledore, she had multiple near miscarriages, moments where she thought her body was trying to make me be stillborn and even went through 8 days of labor."

At this both my friends and a few of the Gryffindors that got curious after hearing my friends yell all cringe and the latter of the two groups move back to return to their own conversations. But I also notice that Ron has a thoughtful look on his face and tell him: "Ron, whatever is on your mind, just leave it there. Please, I beg you not to speak it out loud, I don't want to be responsible for the professors losing their magic."
Ron whitens and asks: "How long am I supposed to keep this quiet?""Until tomorrow night, Ron. Like I said, the Headmaster is sure that my name is going to come out of the Goblet tomorrow and once it does, I'll be emancipated, which will trigger the annulation of the secrecy magic. Please just make sure that you keep your mouth shut until then." Ron gives me a solemn nod and I say: "Anyway, the Headmaster was really worried what the secret being revealed would do to me.
Because I am still fourteen, which is younger than my parents had planned as their magic was meant to last until my seventeenth, he wanted something that could work as a replacement. That's where all of the staff come in. They actually all swore an impersonal Guardian vow. I'm officially the Ward of Hogwarts, though some staff members have also promised that they'll swear a more personal vow once the secret has been revealed, probably the day after tomorrow."

"Anything else, mate?" Ron asks and I answer: "I still need to accept the vows of Dumbledore, Pomfrey and the real Moody, which I'll do tomorrow morning. The Headmaster is also going to meet with Madam Maxime and Karkaroff tomorrow, as he wants to make sure that they don't feel cheated out or as if Hogwarts is willingly getting an unfair advantage. Though to be honest, I don't even see how that's possible. I'm still only fourteen."
"You're selling yourself short, Harry. You did manage to produce two actual Patronus charms last year. Oh, and I did some research, the term for a true Patronus is also known as a Corporal Patronus." Hermione tells me, the girl instinctively switching into her lecture mode at the end and I smile at her as I say: "That may be true, Hermione, but we both know Dumbledore's not going to let the Ministry use Dementors in the Tournament."
"Even so, you can always use it to boost your own self-confidence.""Or to blind your opponent if one of the tasks turns out to be dueling the other Champions or something." The twins say and I hum and nod thoughtfully as I mutter: "I suppose that's true. Though for now, I'd rather just go to bed and await the revelation tomorrow. To be honest, I'm more worried about that than the Tournament itself. More short-term, you know." My friends nod and we all head for bed.

Get ready, Harry,
Okay, so I'm not going to cover Dumbledore, Moody and Pomfrey swearing their oaths in the next chapter; it's probably going to be short and just cover the conversation between Dumbledore, Maxime and Karkaroff. Also, I can barely believe how long the last chapter was. I knew I would have much to cover, but I never imagined that the first chapter alone would be 12 pages and almost 8400 words. I can only imagine how much longer this story is going to get.
Let's find out,

Venquine1990
PS. This story was started on Wednesday the 15th of April in 2020. At this point, on Tuesday the 28th of July in 2020, there are 15 chapters written.