I'm ALIVE! For those of you who didn't ask or aren't on our Tumblr, I was suffering from some major writers block these past couple weeks. I apologize for any worry I caused. Unfortunately, once I get past it I sometimes come up with some crap material that Dakota has to slap out of my hands before I ruin a story.
So here is the extra long chapter you were promised last time and if all goes well I will clean up the messy chapter that was also due this week and see you all in a couple days! Happy reading!
The next morning found Harriet, Fred, George, Lee, and Neville walking to the seventh floor for the customary morning training. As usual, the Marauders were wrapped around Harriet, just starting to wake up as they made their way through the halls. Despite the mostly relaxed air that surrounded the group, Neville was a bit nervous; he had started a bit of rudimentary physical training after they had moved in over the summer but that had been with his parents and a little one on one time with Harriet to get himself started, now he would be brought into the main group to continue. That on top of the terrible news of yesterday, Bellatrix Lestrange's escape, had the Gryffindor more than a little jittery this morning.
As they made it to the final staircase that would take them up to the seventh floor, they were joined by Luna who was holding a grumpy looking Bash in her arms. "What happened?" Harri asked immediately, eyeing the margay. Bash was very rarely carried in Luna's arms, he preferred her shoulder or walking beside her so that he could be ready to defend her.
Luna hummed and pet at Bash's ears idly, "He did not sleep well last night. To busy guarding me from the wrackspurts that were trying to get in and crawl in my ears." Bash gave a low growl.
Harriet raised an eyebrow, "And were the wrackspurts using Lavender and Pavarti to do so?" Bash huffed in affirmative and Harri drew her head back up to focus on the path ahead, "I see."
"I am fine big sister." Luna said with a smile, "I have my cat in shining paws protecting me already."
Fred and George snorted, "Doesn't mean we"
"shouldn't help said cat"
"in shining paws with"
"his duties."
"Oh Merlin, you two aren't going to flood Ravenclaw tower or something, are you?" Lee moaned, still half asleep.
Fred and George grinned, "We weren't."
"But what an excellent idea Lee."
Harri nudged Luna with a smile, "You can bunk in the RoR while the water drains." Luna giggled.
Neville edged up beside Luna, "Y-ou could-ld bor-row Jerry for a-a bit." He said quietly, "L-long en-ough to frighten them. I-I've finally got-ten him to stay in his po-ot for more than a f-few seconds."
"What's this?" Fred asked, coming up behind Neville and peering over his shoulder.
George came up on Neville's other side, "Seems like we're rubbing off on you Neville."
"What a devious plan." Fred chuckled, Neville ducked his head with a frightened squeak.
Luna just smiled at Neville, "I don't think letting Jerry eat them would improve anything." Bash let out a growl of disagreement.
Harri rolled her eyes as she stepped up to the wall that would lead to the RoR; pressing her hand against it, a door appeared in the wall and Harri opened it to find Ligia, Sage, Jor, and Fenrir already warming up. "Morning!" Harri greeted as she walked in, smiling at them.
"Good morning Harriet." Ligia greeted from where she was stretching, her children echoing her greetings. Harriet dropped her bag and toed off the shoes before joining the others on the mat as the Marauders returned to normal. Harri cocked an eyebrow as Bucky curled up on the edge of the mat moodily, his ears twitching and his body tense. Ligia caught her look and glanced over to the unhappy margay, "Are you not joining us this morning Sergeant?"
"Post stake out jitters." Harriet hummed, "He and Clint have trouble shutting down if they've been on a stake out without any final outlet for their adrenaline." Bash let out a low growl but Harri just cocked an eyebrow, "You going to come spar with us then?"
Luna shook her head as she stretched her legs out, "I took him down to the Chamber earlier so he could use the shooting range you set up but he wouldn't let me shift him back."
Harri shrugged, "Very well." In one smooth step, Harriet became Godiva, the ocelot stretching herself as she walked toward Bash, who had tensed further at her change.
"Oo, cat fight!" Lee teased, Bash shot him an unimpressed look.
"This should be interesting." Ligia chuckled, as everyone's focus shifted Neville let out quiet sigh of relief.
The group shifted to give the two room as Godiva stopped in front of the tightly strung Bash, her tail up confidently and her ears forward attentively. She let out a questioning meow and Bash answered with the low beginnings of a growl. Flicking her tail in exasperation Godiva dropped into a stalking stance, Bash eyed her and hissed in warning, in response Godiva took off like a shot. Bash scrambled to the side but Godiva hit his side and they tumbled together. Bash yowled as he was rolled onto his back and swung wildly, paws batting at Godiva who evaded them easily, moving in for a quick strike on Bash's exposed belly.
"Should we start placing bets?" Lee snickered as everyone watched the fight with wide eyes.
James grinned, "Harriet's had her form longer than he has."
"But she doesn't use her cat form that often." Sage pointed out.
"And Bucky's actually using claws." George added worriedly; Fred frowned, his jaw clenching.
"Big sister knows what she's doing." Luna said, watching the fight just as closely. "She's sparred his extra energy away a lot last time when she was helping him control Winter and with him not wanting to change back and Steve not here, she's the best choice." The twins still looked uncertain but nodded.
"So she will win?" Sage asked curiously, watching as Godiva nipped at Bash's tail, making him whirl around to swipe at her again.
"Ocelot's are larger than margays and better at hunting on the ground." Remus commented, "Add that to her experience then probably."
Before anyone else could comment, Bash jumped on Godiva's back and latched his claws into her pelt as he moved forward to grab her scruff. Godiva reared up on her back paws and fell backward, knocking Bash loose with a yowl. Bash rolled over and crouched to the side, glaring at Godiva who let out a huff as she casually circled him. The two cats eyed each other for several long seconds before Ligia huffed, "Get on with it. So we can get a little bit of training in before breakfast."
Godiva shot her a dry look but started forward, Bash hissed at her and she returned in kind, showing off her sharp teeth. Bash made a mad dash for the door and Godiva gave chase, she pounced on him once more and they rolled; Bash lashed out, his metal paw flashing, but the movements started to lose their ferocity as Godiva pummeled his soft belly with her hind paws, claws sheathed for safety. The two wildcats ended up head to head, Bash barely holding his head up as his eyelids fell to half-mast. Godiva gave an approving chuff before darting forward once again; Bash tried to jerk back but was too late, Godiva's teeth sank firmly but gently into Bash's scruff. Godiva let out series of low noises through her mouthful of fur and all the remaining tension in Bash drained from him.
Satisfied, Godiva released him and turned back to the crowd, her tail brushing over Bash's nose playfully as she walked away. Godiva changed back to Harriet mid-step again and she smiled even as she absently closed the claw marks that were beginning to bleed on her shoulders, "There."
Having helped Bash relax, their morning training went much the same as usual. Everyone fell into place again, Neville joining Luna and Lee in the more tame training exercises. After training was complete they all made their way down to breakfast, Luna holding a dozing Bash with a small smile. Harriet had reassured Ligia and her children about Frigga's intentions yesterday and while they were still a bit wary, they had accepted Harriet's judgement on the matter, promising to give the Goddess a chance.
They received their schedules at breakfast as usual and Harriet had almost pouted when she saw that Fred and George wouldn't have their first Defense class until the next day. She hoped that they would be excited to see their father, to learn that he had broken free of the manipulations and now saw the world as it should be and not what Molly handpicked for him to see. Harriet would let them decide how much to tell their father, she would remain adamant on him needing mental protection if they wanted to tell him but if they didn't she wouldn't force their hands. Either way, Harriet would support their decision.
With the big surprise for Fred and George not occurring until tomorrow, the only big things they had to look forward to on their first day was addressing the Dementor issue with Slytherin house and the testing of the Harri's defense against Veritaserum. Fred had brewed it last night after they had flown their new brooms with the Quidditch team, they were all ready to test it later. So the first day of classes went by with no incidents until they made it to dinner.
It was just as dinner was drawing to a close a commotion from the front of the Great Hall drew the attention of the Gryffindor Quidditch Team, Lee and Neville not far behind as the team swiveled almost as one entity.
Right in front of the head table was a glowing blue ball that was pulsing softly.
"Peeves?" Katie asked with a frown.
"I highly doubt that." Fred muttered in Harriet's ear softly, George snorted on Harri's other side where he was closer to the front of the Hall.
*Looks like she's taking a page from our book!* James hissed proudly.
The glow elongated and formed up into Lily Potter, who made a big show of looking bewildered as she took in her 'new' surroundings. Harriet let her eyes slide momentarily to Dumbledore even as the murmurs grew louder, the Headmaster's face was blank but the anger in his eyes was clearly visible. Harriet let her gaze snap back to her mum before she was caught, projecting curiosity as a few of the teachers began to stand from their seats with their eyes wide in disbelief.
"Mum must have been keeping a low profile for this big moment." Harri whispered.
"Harder for him to cover up if it's in front of the entire school, silencing ritual or not." Fred murmured.
"Lily?!" Flitwick squeaked, the first to recover.
Lily's head turned as she focused on Flitwick, she beamed at the Charms Master and waved before turning and floating over to the Gryffindor table, making her way along the table on the opposite side of where Harriet and the twins were sitting. She stopped right behind Oliver and Katie, turning to smile happily at Harriet. She brought her hands up and Harri could feel the entire Great Hall's eyes on them as Lily signed a sloppy ~Hello daughter.~
Harriet's eyebrows shot up and she used her genuine surprise to guide the shock she portrayed, she brought her own hands up, ~Hello mother.~
*Since when does Lily know sign language?* Remus hissed.
*Not sure.* Harriet hissed in return.
"She looks familiar." Angelina piped up, as murmurs started up around the room.
"That's because she's my mother." Harriet said, beaming up at her mum.
"Your mother!" many voices chorused throughout the packed hall, not the Slytherins of course but many of them shot suspicious glances at Dumbledore.
"Lily Potter!" Flitwick squeaked excitedly, hurrying down the aisle with Professors Sprout and McGonagall close behind. "As I live and breathe! You have returned to us!" Lily smiled at the small professor and gave a half bow with a gracious smile. "How have you come to us?"
~Play along.~ Lily signed to Harriet again, her movements still a bit sloppy, making Harri cock her head as she read them.
"She doesn't know Professor." Harriet reported dutifully.
"Lily dear, can you speak to us?" Pomona asked gently, Lily shook her head and the murmurs grew louder, "Oh dear."
"Has something been done to you Lily?" Minerva asked seriously, "I have not heard of a spirit returning mute."
Flitwick shook his head, "No, she would have had to be silenced."
Dumbledore shot to his feet, simultaneously casting sonorous so he could be heard over the curious chatter, "Everyone please return to your dorms! I and the Professors will see to the newest addition to the castle!" George snorted and Harriet raised an eyebrow at the Headmaster. He pasted on a smile and clapped his hands, "Off you pop!" The Gryffindor Team sat stoically even the rest of the school filed out, Harriet couldn't help but smile at her teammates for their show of support. Neville and Lee remained as well, Neville shifting nervously in his seat while Lee just continued eating like he didn't care. "Miss Potter, you and your friends should head back as well." Dumbledore said steadily as he approached.
"Shouldn't she be here to translate?" Oliver asked before Harriet could say anything.
"He has a point Albus." Minerva said, "None of us know sign language."
"Until we know that she is not a malicious spirit I'm afraid that it would be too dangerous for our students to be around her." Dumbledore said kindly, radiating faux concern. Lily glared at the Headmaster and started signing harshly, her hands moving over the unfamiliar movements with an extra edge of fury that made her slip into the sign language equivalent of slurring. The professors exchanged surprised glances at the absolute hatred they could see on Lily's face as she glared at Dumbledore.
"Mum!" Harriet exclaimed, trying to hold in her laughter at the particular motions that Lily strung together, "Such language!" Fred snickered and George quickly hid his own smile.
Alicia looked over to Harriet with a cocked eyebrow, "Where did you learn sign language Harri?"
"A friendly hawk." Harri said with a small smile as she brought her mom's attention back to her, ~Do I even want to know where you picked up the signs for 'shit for brains twat waffle' or 'bullshitting douche canoe'?~
~Language dear.~ Lily shot back, making Harriet grin.
Flitwick and Pamona were frowning between Lily and Dumbledore but Minerva simply huffed, "Perhaps you are right Headmaster. I would not think that a Lily Potter in her right mind would react such a way to you or your caution." Lily turned her glare on the Gryffindor Head of House and Harriet almost choked when Lily signed ~Bitch.~ at the Professor.
"Then perhaps I can be of assistance." Came Frigga's calm, steady voice. Everyone looked to her as she walked up to the group sedately with Severus next to her. Frigga gave a small smile, "I can translate. I am not fluent myself, but I know enough to read Mrs. Potter's signs."
Dumbledore's eyes widened and he paled slightly but Flitwick clapped his hands together, "Excellent! Thank you for your assistance Professor Rani."
Harri looked back to her mom, ~Try not to cuss out the Queen of Asgard, ok?~
Said Queen of Asgard gave a light laugh, "I assure you Miss Potter, I have heard much worse than what your mother could sign at me."
"Alright." Albus called, unease and anger beginning to bleed into his voice, "You should all head back to your dorms so we can assess the situation." The Gryffindors all stood up reluctantly and began to file out, each saying goodbye to Lily who waved fondly after the team.
The second they were out of range of the Great Hall, Oliver and Katie rounded on Harriet, Fred, and George, making the entire group come to a halt. "Alright, what is this about?"
"What's all what about?" George asked innocently as Fred widened his eyes, Harriet kept her face blank.
"Oh come on." Katie huffed, "None of you seemed surprised about her appearance."
"And the Dumbledore stuff is getting shadier." Angelina said, crossing her arms over her chest. Fred and George shared a look before looking down at their mate, Harri's lips were pressed in a thin line.
Before Harriet could say anything, Ligia interrupted them. Coming up on the group with Sage and Fenrir at her side, Jor wrapped around her arm. "Harriet." She greeted, looking between the Gryffindors not in the know warily, "You're needed."
Harri nodded, "We'll be right there."
Alicia reached out to Harriet and took her arm gently, "Is everything alright?"
Harriet smiled, "Everything is fine Alicia. I just need to take care of something."
Oliver frowned and Katie looked frustrated, "Think about telling us then huh? We're your team after all."
Harri cocked her head even as George slid an arm around her waist in support and Fred frowned at them, "What's going on is a bit more involved and dangerous than a simple game of Quidditch." Harri held up a hand when it looked like Oliver was going to take offence to her statement, "It is Oliver. I'm not saying it to cause problems. If you really want to know though you'll have to be certain you want to deal with that. For that you'll need time to think about what you're willing to get into. Think about what you know about me, what you've managed to see, and go from there." With that she looked over at Neville and Lee, "You two coming tonight?"
Neville rubbed the back of his neck, "I'm n-not quite up t-to go-ing down th-ere yet." Harriet gave an understanding nod.
"I think I'll help these guys tonight." Lee said, nudging Angelina who was already deep in thought.
"Alright then. Don't"
"wait up for us Lee!" Fred and George said with small smiles.
With that the trio turned as one and followed Ligia, Sage, and Fenrir down into the dungeons.
"What happened?" Harri asked as soon as they were out of hearing range.
"The house was already unsettled with Lestrange breaking out and the Dementors coming but with your mother's appearance tonight they feel that things are picking up." Ligia reported, "From what we've picked up most are feeling unprepared for where things are headed. Those whose parents fought in the first war are picking up on the Headmaster's anger and desperation and feel that they soon will have to start defending themselves. Even those who had families remain neutral in the first war are becoming wary. There are also those who believe that you will abandon the house since your mother's arrival will put more eyes on you. I came and got you after Constance had a panic attack that sent four seventh years into an argument that almost hexed a group of third years. After I separated them I came to get you, they're waiting."
Harri sighed, "Well this is certain going to be interesting."
"How are they feeling about the Bellatrix situation?" Fred asked.
"To the light side she's one of those scary stories you'll tell to keep your kids in line." George started.
"But we're not sure how she's taken by the more dark inclined." Fred finished. Harri cocked her head curiously, she hadn't even thought about that. Her experience with Bellatrix was limited. They'd only ever met in battle and the most direct contact she'd had with the woman was when she held her under the Cruciatus. Besides that, she didn't know much about that particular enemy other than who she aligned with, who her family was, and who she was married to. And of course that she was a ruthless, deadly opponent who wasn't to be taken lightly even if Harri was magically stronger than her.
*What does it matter?* Sirius hissed, *No matter how they see her, she should be taken out. She might have once been the only other family member I could stand but after the Black Madness took over she just went insane. No, sense leaving her to be a threat.*
Ligia frowned at the snake, *You've certainly come a long way from despising killing.*
*I would have suggested killing Bella even before that.* Sirius huffed, *The Black Madness ruined her.*
Ligia rolled her eyes before slowing a bit so she could answer Fred and George, "Most of them seem to idolize her but there are a few who are afraid of what she will do to them, mainly because their parents were ones who renounced Voldemort. So yes, there are mixed reactions to her escape. Some seem to think that she'll come back and take up with Harriet now that she's claimed the Ladyship of the house. Other's think she's going to challenge Harri for it. Most think Harri is going to kill her, its causing a bit of fear that Harri will stop caring about their house ties after they are out of school."
Harriet groaned and drew her hand over her face, coming to a stop just outside of the Slytherin common room, "That's not good. It will lead to a rebellion."
"But you'd only do that if they became deranged killers right?" Fred asked, eyes on Harri.
Harri swept her hand through her hair with a sigh, "They don't know that. Despite what I've set up, many probably see me as a light witch using them to get at Dumbledore. Think I'll try to kill off anyone who is dark or with views different from my own." She looked up at Fred, "Most of what I've done with them is getting them presentable and palatable for people, changing them, they wouldn't see this as any different."
"Maybe you should share your aura." George hummed, "It's still gray right?"
"And then you could start training them like you did with us." Fred added, "With the dark spells too. That will solve their fear of being unprepared and show them that their affinity toward dark magic is not what will have you coming after them."
Ligia looked between the twins with a pleased smile, "It will also have the Slytherins even more attached to her. Giving us the beginnings of an army."
Fred and George pressed close to Harriet who was filling in the gaps of the plan with a far off look, "And we'll be the Generals under your glorious leadership." They murmured in her ears in unison. Harri's eyes blinked back into focus and she leaned back just enough so she could see both of them; she smiled at them brilliantly, her eyelids sliding to half-mast as George moved in for a kiss.
"Get a room you three." Sage huffed, interrupting them. Fred and George snapped upright, blushing as they realized that Ligia and all three of her children were watching them intently.
Harriet stifled a giggle and stood up straight again, "That's sounds like an excellent idea Sage."
Ligia rolled her eyes, "You have the Veritaserum testing later, I'm sure you can wrap that up quickly enough to make out."
Fred grinned, "Oh definitely."
Harri pushed down the pleased noise that wanted to break free and quickly pulled her hair up, "The faster I deal with this the faster we can move on." She let out a breath, "Got to say, it's been a while since I've trained a school yard militia."
Ligia laughed as she hissed open the common room door, "I'm sure you've had a lot of practice by now."
As soon as the group entered the common room the Slytherins went to attention around the room, looking to Harriet attentively. Harri raised an eyebrow, they must have really been on edge, she had gotten them to stop this sort of thing last year once they had gotten used to her presence. The door closed silently behind them and Harri walked over to her chair by the fireplace, the Slytherins all following her warily. The twins took up positions behind her and Ligia and Sage stood off to the side as Harriet took her seat and let her gaze sweep over the house.
"I see we have much to discuss this evening." Harriet started, "I have been informed of much as I came here." People tensed further, "And I am sure you all have your own ideas about how this is going to go." Harriet crossed one leg over the other delicately, "Let us begin with the Dementor problem. Most of us in this room know that the Ministry is much too sure of their ability to keep the Dementors in line, especially considering how easily the creatures aligned with Voldemort" many flinched "in the last war. So while they have been ordered to stay at the edge of the wards it is safe to assume that they will stray inside at some point. Because of that I don't want anyone to be outside without one of the students who have learned the patronus. Any who I personally taught last year are currently up to the task but I will also begin teaching anyone else who wishes to learn the spell and I highly encourage all of you to do so." Just the slightest bit of tension bled from the group and many looked toward Harriet's year mates. "I will tell you all now that the rumor of it only being able to be cast by light wizards and witches was already debunked last year so if that is your only excuse not to learn then you can give it up now. Daphne?"
The Greengrass heiress stepped from the crowd, "Yes Lady Slytherin?"
"Make up a list of everyone within the house who can already cast and post it on the board." Harriet ordered.
"Yes Lady Slytherin." Daphne said, bowing stiffly.
Harriet looked back to the room, "I've also heard of the mixed reaction to Bellatrix Lestrange escaping." Any tension that had been lost was regained tenfold, Harri inclined her head slightly. "There is a lot of speculation as to why she escaped and nothing is known for certain. What is known is that if she makes herself known her I will know. I will also take care of her." Many looked away, their jaws clenched and Harriet pressed her lips into a thin line, "If 'taking care of her' means that I have to take her out, then I will but let me be crystal clear. I will not be taking her out because she is dark, I will be taking her out because she is a threat to the student population or myself." Eyes started to move back to her warily and Harriet narrowed her eyes, "Her affinity is not and will never be my problem with Bellatrix. My problem with her is the fact that she tortured two people into insanity and that she kills without reason or remorse."
Constance edged out from behind her brother and raised a shaky hand, Harriet nodded to her, "So you don't have a problem with Dark wizards and witches?" Constance eeked out shakily.
Harriet shook her head, "I have no problem with anyone based on their magical inclination. Someone's magical inclination is based off many things, most of which is out of a person's control, so I see no reason to judge someone based on that fact alone." With that one line and her open, honest expression, the tension drained from the room. Harriet smiled at them, "Honestly guys, I thought we were getting along better than that." She teased lightly, that got her a few chuckles as everyone began to relax.
Pansy huffed, crossing her arms over her chest, "Give us a break Lady Slytherin, most light witches don't think like that."
"I'm actually gray." Harriet said nonchalantly, looking down at her nails disinterestedly.
"Really?" Crabbe blurted as many broke their masks enough for curious looks.
Harriet smiled and let loose a little bit of her aura into the room, not enough to crush the other Slytherins like she had done with the alumni but enough for them to feel the gray magic that accepted even the darker inclined people in the room. It was a cool welcome to the group she considered under her care at the moment but it held her authority over them and the light bite of warning that warned against betrayal. Even with the small amount Harriet was letting out, many shook under the pressure, only the stronger ones actually enjoying the feel of their Lady's magic.
"Really." Harriet answered needlessly. She shifted slightly as she drew her aura back in, "Now, the next bit. I'm sure you all saw the arrival of my mother's ghost this evening. She was expected, I am moving along in plans to bring down Dumbledore. She will likely spend most of her time spying on and haunting the Headmaster but she is a friendly ear and ally if you ever come across her, she knows of my claim on the house." She folded her hands on her lap, "That being said. Her arrival and the stir she will be causing will start bringing suspicion on myself but I will not abandon you or the work we have done on this house thus far. If I need to reveal my involvement with the house before planned then I will deal with it accordingly, working from the shadows is always preferable but there are times when we may need to step out into the light."
"Finally," Harriet began, "I've been told that many are you are starting to feel rather unprepared as the Headmaster's anger begins to show itself. I understand your wariness in light of Dumbledore, once he gets desperate he will start to stir things up and in this community it ends up sending people after the more dark inclined or even just those under the Slytherin banner. Because of that I will offer a remedial Defense class that will take between one to two hours on the days that I am usually here in the common room and then on Sunday evenings if the demand is large enough. I will warn any who are interested that we will work on both physical and magical aspects so if you wish to join us then I expect you to know what you've gotten in to and not complain about physical training. Theodore?"
Theodore Nott stepped forward and bowed, "Yes Lady Slytherin?"
"I would like you to make a sign-up sheet and take down the name of each person who wishes to join in the training." Harriet directed.
"Yes Lady Slytherin." Nott said proudly.
"Good. The first training session will be this Friday. Draco?"
The Malfoy heir came to stand with Theodore and Daphne, "Yes Lady Slytherin?"
"Have you paired the Mentors and Mentees?"
"I have prepared the list and was going to speak to everyone involved this evening before the surprise at dinner happened." Draco reported.
Harri nodded "Good. I expect the mentors and mentees to have at least introduced themselves by the end of the week. Remember, two hours at minimum must be spent together."
"Yes Lady Slytherin." The room chorused even as Draco bowed at the waist.
"Does anyone have any questions for this evening?" Harriet asked, looking around the room. Flint made a motion, "Yes Flint?"
"Do you have any more intel on the newest DADA Professor? Will this be another that you are driving out this year?" Flint asked, the room descended into light laughter as they all though about Lockhart.
Harriet laughed, "No, we won't be driving out this teacher. She will be a bit unorthodox because she is not used to magic as we use it here but she will be a good Professor." Harri glanced over to Ligia questioningly, Ligia shrugged so Harriet continued. "Professor Rani is actually Ligia's mother, currently undercover as our Professor." Many exchanged surprised glances at that. "She doesn't know much of Hogwarts so she will not be bias toward one house or another, however to keep from creating too much suspicion we won't be telling her of our more in-depth relationship with Slytherin house so you will have to earn her favor on your own merits. Understood?" everyone nodded, "Good anything else?" another sweep over the room showed nothing so Harriet stood, "Alright, I have to prepare for one of the Headmaster's schemes. I will see you all again on Wednesday. Have a good evening." With a nod to Ligia, Harriet, Fred, and George left the Slytherin Common room.
Hearing the door close behind them, George slid an arm around Harriet's waist and pulled her against him, "Room of Requirement then dearest?"
Harriet hummed as she slid into step with him easily, "I'll just get Dobby to take the Marauders to my dorm."
*Pup! You can trust us with you under Veritaserum!* Sirius whined.
*We'll behave! You can even make an approved list of questions!* James added.
Harriet glared down at the snakes as she pulled them from their spots, James on her arm, Sirius in her bag, and Remus around her neck. *No way in Hel. That's final.*
*And I suppose you won't be coming back to the dorm this evening.* Remus sighed, Dobby showing up as he spoke.
Harriet smiled as George nuzzled her jaw, *Most likely not.* Harri hummed as she passed the snakes off, "Take them to my dorm please Dobby and be sure to spell my curtains closed so they aren't disturbed."
"Yes Harri Potter!" Dobby squeaked, saluting her before popping away.
Fred closed in on Harriet's other side now that it was free and slid his own arm just above George's, "Might have to work late on this."
"Way past curfew." George added as they went, "Wouldn't want to get caught in the first week."
"Too true, guess we'll just have to spend the night in the RoR together." Harri giggled, she gave a fake pout, "Unless you'd rather sleep without me."
"Never want to sleep without you." They chorused.
"Stupid Hogwarts." George huffed.
"Stupid rules." Fred whined.
Harriet giggled, "The one good thing about Dumbledore getting his head out of his ass and figuring me out is that as the head of a Founder's house I'll be able to demand my own rooms and of course I'd hate to sleep alone."
"How do you feel about a breakfast announcement?" George asked seriously as Fred stifled a groan.
Harri grinned, "Which morning?"
They continued their banter as they made their way back to the seventh floor for the second time that day. George pulled himself reluctantly from his brother and Harriet to pull up a bedroom for them to use for both the testing and their night together. It was a simple room but cozy. It had a king size four poster bed with green and silver bedding and a fire was crackling away on the other side of the dimly lit room, giving them gentler lighting.
Inside the room, they rid themselves of shoes and bags before climbing onto the comfortable bed. Fred began pulling out his potions as George leaned toward Harriet and brought her into his lap, she smiled and kissed him as she settled in. Fred watched them a mock scowl hiding his grin.
"Alright," Fred said as soon as he had everything laid out. "That's enough you two." He gave an exaggerated pout at his brother's smug face.
Harriet just giggled, "That's what happens when you ignore us for potions Fred."
Fred just cocked an eyebrow, "I'll remember that."
"No you won't." Harriet and George said together.
Fred blinked, "Merlin, is that what people are always complaining about when we talk? The surround sound?"
"Yes." George and Harriet answered with amusement.
"Well I don't know what their problem is. It's clearly awesome." Fred huffed, Harriet giggled and George grinned. Fred smiled back at them, "Alright, we need a base example, just in case your phoenix nature already effects the potions effectiveness." He pulled a small bottle of Veritaserum from the bed in front of him, "One drop should last a minute and a half. We'll see if it changes." He opened up the timer on his phone and got it ready. Harriet nodded, not bothering to tell Fred that she already knew that, she tilted her head back and opened her mouth trustingly for Fred to administer the Veritaserum. Instantly Harriet went ridged on George's lap and her eyes went blank. Fred hit the timer start.
"What's your name?" George asked.
"Harriet Rose Potter." She answered.
"It took then." Fred noted, he grinned, "What's the true story behind the name Godiva?"
"Soon after I got the transformation down we had a party where we all drank pretty heavily. When everyone woke up they found me passed out in ocelot form in my secret stash of Godiva chocolates. Tony called me Godiva and it stuck." Harriet said in monotone, George snickered.
"Look." Fred said softly, he and George watched as Harriet's eyes slowly cleared, the green fighting the potion for every millimeter until Harriet blinked. Fred hit the stopwatch and looked down at it, "Hmm, only lasted a minute."
"So I have a bit of built in resistance." Harri hummed, "Cool."
George chuckled, "Very."
"Okay, which one do you want to try first? Mental panic room or freezing it?" Fred asked.
Harriet hummed, "The mental panic room will probably be the easiest to implement. Let's do that first."
Fred nodded, "We'll ask one question to make sure it's working and then you can try. I'm going to give you two drops this time to make sure you have time to try it." Harri hummed and opened her mouth for the potion, Fred administered it quickly and as soon as Harriet closed her mouth it visibly took effect again.
George caressed her cheek, "What are your animagus forms?"
"Leopardus pardalis pusaea and Falconiformes phoenix glacies."
Fred and George exchanged glances before shrugging, "Give it a try Harriet." For several seconds there was no outward signs that she was doing anything until all of a sudden she drooped in place, her cheeks paling and her breathing going shallow. Fred cursed and George caught her gently as she fell against him, her eyes half-mast. "Are you alright Harriet?" George asked, Harri remained silent.
"Well if nothing else it will freak Hermione out making her feel like she killed her." Fred growled as he checked Harriet's pulse. George tucked her head against his shoulder as Fred blew out a breath, "Her heartbeat is really slow."
George tightened his grip around Harriet's waist as he moved his mouth to her ear, "We got it. You can come back now dearest." He said shakily.
It took a moment but eventually Harriet nuzzled into George's shoulder and her eyes blinked open, "Did it work?" she asked softly.
"A little too well." Fred huffed, resting his head against hers while George rubbed her back. "You got all pale and you were barely breathing."
"Well that ought to freak them out." Harri commented, the twins gave strangled laughs.
Fred latched on to Harriet's hand gently, "Still want to try the freezing thing?"
"Yes, just as a backup." Harri replied, she sat up in George's lap again, putting her back to Fred's chest.
"It might be easier for you to freeze on your tongue so you don't have to do anything drastic to get out of your stomach later." George said as Fred reached for the Vertiserum again.
Harri wrinkled her nose, "Yeah, I'm not fond of either way to get a bead of ice from my stomach."
Fred chuckled, "Then give me your tongue Harriet." She turned just enough to stick her tongue out at him playfully.
Fred held the potion vial steady and dripped one drop onto Harriet's tongue, she focused on the little bead that sat on her taste buds. With a little effort and Glacia's help, the bead froze over in seconds, glimmering like a diamond on Harri's tongue. She picked it up and turned it over curiously, "Well, there's that. I'll just have to try and catch the Veritaserum before it goes down."
Fred carefully took the frozen drop of potion and began to examine it, "Wicked." He whispered, "I wonder if there are any special effects to frozen potions or-"
Harriet giggled before moving closer to George again, "Since we've lost him to another potion rant maybe I should show you the joys of French kissing." George grinned and pulled Harriet closer, Fred huffed in the background but it soon fell away as he watched them.
Remus was right, they never did make it back to the dorms that night.
"What has gotten into you two this morning?" Lee asked as he, Fred, and George made their way to their first Defense class of the year.
"Whatever do"
"you mean Lee?" they asked jovially.
"You're way too chipper for a regular school day." Lee said with a frown, he narrowed his eyes at them, "Have you set up something? Is that where you were last night?"
"Nope! No prank!" Fred laughed.
"In fact we've been down right lazy at this point!" George chuckled.
"Losing our edge!"
"Picking up a new one!"
Lee's face grew wary, "Alright, spill it."
Fred and George slowed up a bit and grinned down at their friend, "Spent last night with Harriet." George said with a grin.
Lee made a face, "Why is that so exciting? You spend every night with her over Holidays."
Fred wiggled his eyebrows, "Yeah but we've never gotten to second base before."
Lee choked, stopping to suck in breaths. Fred and George chuckled, grinning down at their friend. Getting his breath back, Lee looked up at his friends and groaned, "It was bad enough when you were just kissing her. Am I going to walk in on full out make out sessions now?"
"At least until Dumbledore figures Harriet out and we get our own room here in the castle." George laughed.
Lee frowned as they started toward the Defense classroom again, "How's that?"
"Apparently the Head of a Founder's house can demand their own rooms." Fred said, "Considering who she shares a dorm with I doubt she'll wait much longer after the reveal."
Lee rolled his eyes, "Then I'll wait with baited breath." They finally made it to the Defense classroom and made their way to their normal seats, "So, did your girlfriend give you any insights to dealing with the royalty among us?"
"No, she did say that she"
"wouldn't be bias toward one"
"house or another though so"
"we'd have to earn her respect"
"through our own actions." The twins muttered to Lee as others started filing into the classroom. "But considering her"
"legends and what she is the Goddess"
"of she should be pretty fair."
Lee hummed in consideration, "Harriet told me that there was a surprise for you two. Did she say anything about that to you guys?"
Fred and George immediately leaned forward, "No, she didn't." they said, curiosity lacing their voices.
Before they could speculate, Professor Rani swept from her office and descended the stairs gracefully, her hair in a half up-do and wearing muted golden robes. "Good morning class. Welcome to fifth year Defense Against the Dark Arts. As you were told at the Welcome Feast, I am Professor Frieda Rani and I am currently visiting from Australia. I look forward to getting to know all of you." She laced her hands in front of her and began a slow stroll up between the desks, "Now, I have been made aware of the inconsistent education that you have been getting in this class. That paired with my own standards of teaching means that we will be jumping right in with a quiz." The class groaned and Professor Rani gave them a knowing smile as she made her way back up to the front of the room, "Yes, I'm aware of the feelings students have for quizzes. However, in this instance it will help me decide where exactly to begin in the curriculum." She turned at the front of the room and smiled at them all, "A much better alternative then throwing you all into a topic you have no basis for." There was a small click of the door closing and Professor Rani focused behind them, "Ah, there you are Mark."
"Apologies Professor, I grabbed the wrong box of papers." The voice had everyone in the class turning around curiously. Fred and George froze as the man turned from shutting the door and start into the room.
'Is that?' George asked Fred shakily through their twin bond.
'I think it is.' Fred answered, his eyes never leaving the man who was currently handing Professor Rani a stack of quizzes.
The Professor took the handouts and smiled around the room, "Everyone, I would like you to meet Mark Teener. He is my assistant. You will treat him with as much respect as you do me. He may not be able to take points but I will certainly listen to his thoughts on the matter." Everyone nodded in understand and she smile, "Good, now-"
Her voice faded into the background as Fred and George focused on the newly named 'Mark Teener', ideas and questions flying around in their heads. There was no doubt that this was Harriet's surprise but all they could pinpoint in their swirling mass of thoughts was 'How is Dad here?'
Harriet was strolling from Charms to go to her Ancient Runes class, happy to finally be back in one of the classes she most enjoyed, with Dread Pirate Snuffles trotting easily beside her. She had picked him up right after breakfast that morning and had already passed by Dumbledore twice, giving her the pleasure of seeing the anger burn in his eyes. The second time he'd seen her with Snuffles, Dumbledore had thrown another reversal spell at the dog who simply stopped long enough to scratch at the spot the spell hit before happily bounding after her to catch up. Sirius and James hadn't stopped cackling about it since and had spent half of her Charms class talking about when to set loose the entire Brigade.
Passing by the door on the third floor landing, Harriet very faintly heard the door open behind her before hands shot out and pulled her into the hall quickly. Harriet let her head fall backwards even as Dread Pirate Snuffles barked a greeting, "You two are so lucky I can feel you through our bond. Otherwise I would have stabbed you for grabbing me all of a sudden like that."
Fred grinned down at her, "You love us too much to stab us."
Harri cocked her head, "There is such a thing as nonfatal stab wounds."
"You'd feel terrible for stabbing us, fatal or not." George said.
Harri smiled at them, "True." She stood up from their grip and turned so she could see them, "What's up? Lunch is only one class away."
They crossed their arms over their chests, "You want to tell us what just"
"happened in our Defense class?"
Harriet tilted her head and blinked innocently, "What just happened in your Defense class?"
"Harriet…" George huffed.
"Our Dad showed up." Fred said, his face a mixture of emotions.
Harriet dropped the act and nodded, "And how do you feel?"
Fred's frown deepened and George ran a hand down his face, "We don't…what is he doing here?"
"Frigga sought someone to help to come and see Ligia and her kids." Harriet said evenly, "When she scryed for a person like that she found your father. He helped her insert herself here and stayed with her to help with the class since she doesn't know a lot about Midgardian magic."
"Does he…know?" Fred asked through clenched teeth.
Harri softened a bit and reached into her sub dimension to pull out a big file folder, "I've actually told him very little. Other than pointing him in the right direction to find things for himself." She rifled through her subfolders before finding the one with Arthur's information, she quickly copied it and handed one over to her mates. "This is what I found when I questioned him under Veritaserum and ran a Gringotts Diagnostic. He's already apologized to me for Molly, Ron, and Ginerva and told me he didn't approve. Other than that I've made no move or further inquiries. He's your father and I won't make the decision for you." She put the file folder back and brought Dread Pirate Snuffles to heel with a snap, "If you want to bring him in you know what he needs to stay safe." She gave them a small smile as she gripped her bag, "I will back you either way." Fred and George stood frozen, their eyes locked on the folder in their hands. Harriet stood on her toes and kissed each of them on their cheeks, "Take your time." She moved to the door before throwing back, "Don't forget to eat."
*Why let them decide on their own Princess?* James asked once they were back on their way to Runes. *You know Arthur is innocent and he didn't want anything that happened. They'll listen if you tell them what you learned, then they can have their dad back.*
*If I had had a normal childhood and you ignored me for most of my life only for me to later find out that you did so because of potions and compulsions, I wouldn't want someone to take the choice of whether to involve you in my life away from me.* Harri hissed patiently, *Logically, we know that it was because of the potions and Molly's manipulations but Fred and George are entitled to their own feelings on the issue and I won't directly involve Arthur if they aren't comfortable with him being here.* Harri started down the hall to the Runes classroom, *They're my best friends and soulmates. They come first. Logic be damned.*
After that, there wasn't much that happened the rest of the first month or so of school.
Fred and George were quiet on the issue of their father at the moment. Harriet could see them watching him closely in class and when he finally was free enough to join Professor Rani in the Great Hall for meals. Harri also knew that they had actually read through the file, the packet was now thicker than when she had given it to them, a sign that they were taking their own notes. So she gave them the space they needed to make their own decision. She would step in and play devil's advocate if need be but until then she would watch out for her mates and maintain a polite but guarded front with Arthur.
Speaking of family problems, Ligia and her children were giving Professor Rani a chance and that was going rather well. Several times already they had all met the Goddess in her office under the guise of detentions and they spent the time talking and getting to know one another better. Ligia was very happy with the results, even if her anxiety sparked every time Asgard was mentioned. Sage became the go between for his grandmother and brothers because while they were getting better, Sage was the one with more positive interactions with the Goddess. That aside, the situation was slowly resolving itself and Fenrir and Jor no longer feared being sent back to their prisons by their grandmother.
Hermione had begun to implement her plan not two days after Harriet tested her counter measures. The first attempt was a bust, that morning she had thought to corner Harriet in her early morning shower, which Harriet thought added to her creepy factor. Thankfully, Lavender had apparently set an early alarm for that morning so she could try a new make-up style. Later that night Hermione had cornered Harriet in an abandon hallway, 'stunning' Harriet before she could 'dodge it'. The fact that Harriet actually had to step into the spells so they wouldn't miss was a testament at just how far the future Hermione had come. Harriet had lay on the floor and pretended to be stunned, never mind the fact that such a weak stunner didn't work on her any more. She had felt Hermione open her mouth and pour into much too much Veritaserum for the line of questioning Harri was sure she was going to ask. With Hermione pouring so fast and Harriet not really wanting to go through the feeling of an ice shard in her stomach, Harri quickly retreated to her mental panic room. Apparently, looking like you might have killed your pawn sent young aspiring manipulators into a panic. That had ended that try but Harriet knew Hermione wouldn't give up so easily.
Lily was having fun with her new found freedom and it was really catching people's notice. Apparently Dumbledore had blocked any and all attempts she made to have Professor Rani translate correctly for the other Professors. She'd eventually abandoned the little meeting and disappeared for the night only to appear the next morning to begin using classroom chalk boards to write on, using the levitation Peeves had helped her perfect to levitate the chalk and write anti-Dumbledore messages on the board that Dumbledore would race through the castle to erase. Then, in-between her spy duties, she took part in what she gleefully called Dumbledore baiting. She would shatter his glasses or pelt him with food whenever he was in front of a large enough crowd of students to try to get him to lose his cool, she's succeeded twice already with once being in the presence of an Education Board inspector who had frowned and wrote pointedly on his clipboard. It was taking the Headmaster's focus off of Harriet, which helped immensely. Everyone was pretty genuinely confused as to why Lily Potter, a former Gryffindor who was light inclined and very publically against Voldemort when she was alive, would show such a hatred of Dumbledore now that she had died and the speculations were flying.
The Slytherins were also settling into their new routines. Many had signed up for the Remedial Defense class and Harriet had repurposed the anti-chamber of the Chamber of Secrets into their training ground, having Hogwarts put a direct path between the anti-chamber and the common room. She had left the access to the room free but had put up very tight safety wards throughout the place so that no one could do anything particularly dangerous without supervision from her, Severus, or Ligia. She had also warded the entrance to Salazar's study so that none of the snoopier Slytherins would get in, though Samarra's presence generally deterred that anyway. Most of those who didn't wish to take up the Defense course still came down to the area to take up the patronus lessons and those were progressing nicely. They weren't going as swiftly as the ones Harriet had taught last year but those she had pushed along because she was trying to boot Lockhart out so she still thought that it was going well. The Mentor/Mentee program was progressing pretty well too, bringing the house closer together to 'raise' their newest snakes. This was especially seen with the first Remedial Muggle studies of the year where Harriet had gotten them all the simplest StarkPhone model that was on the market, a majority of the house had each other's numbers and every single first and second year was pressed into having the elder years on speed dial for protection.
So Harriet was pleased with the way the year was shaping up despite its rocky start. There hadn't been any word on Bellatrix yet but Harri hadn't really expected any yet and had Alice and Frank out trying to track her. Professor Rani was settling into her role well and seemed to genuinely enjoy teaching everyone, Harriet did help round out her curriculum with her own experience and knowledge when Arthur was unsure or she thought a topic should be brought up. Harriet herself was planning for the inevitable invasion; sending memories for Tonks and Steve to review so they could train for chitauri, reporting strengths and weakness to Jarvis so he could prepare to help Tony in the field when the army came down, maneuvering around the World Council to get nukes decommissioned while saving the one she would need to send through the portal like before, and setting up her rune scheme that would alert her when the tesseract went active. She would eventually lay it around the tesseract testing lab, once she had her first plan finalized as well as her two most likely backups. Harriet hoped to finish it before Christmas.
The only thing that was really bothering Harriet were the increasingly strange things that were happening around her. It was overdue, she supposed. All the luck she'd had thus far with avoiding Dumbledore's plans and his detection. All the luck she'd had with her family members and them being relatively safe. It was time for the Potter Luck to slap her in the face with the flip side once more, and in true dramatic fashion it was going big. She was losing her damn mind! Voices in her head, random fleeting touches to her shoulders, back, and face when no one was around, and random songs getting stuck in her head almost daily. It would have been pretty funny if she had been able to find the culprits, be it a new poltergeist just for her or even Hogwarts messing with her but nothing she thought of had panned out. Whatever it was, she was sure, had access to her memories, because many of the inane songs that it got stuck in her head was from the previous timeline, not recorded here yet. It didn't seem malicious and with the lack of evidence Harriet had come to the conclusion that she had just finally gone off the deep end. It was a bit disheartening but she had hypothesized it was the broken bond having been so exposed to Fred and George without connection. That was the only thing she could think of that made any sense to her, so she knew she would have to live with it until new information arose or they bonded and it went away on its own.
With things looking up for the most part Harriet should have known that this would been when idiots struck.
Quidditch season was finally upon them and the Gryffindor Quidditch team was looking better than ever.
New Firebolts did that, but so did deeper understanding of teammates and hard training.
Harriet was still not letting Oliver, Katie, Alicia, and Angelina decide about their involvement with what she was doing. Every time they tried, Harriet had them lay out what they knew and give her their thoughts on why they wanted to join her. Every time she had sent them away, saying that they didn't know enough to make an informed decision. Harri knew she was being a bit more harsh with them on this topic, especially since she dragged the Slytherins into her fight with Dumbledore without a problem but Harriet also knew that a Gryffindor would charge in blindly without thought. The Slytherins would not have allowed themselves to grow so attached to her and her cause unless they knew what they were getting into and supported her ideas, they would have remained distanced and dropped her like a hot pot sticker the second they got the chance. On the other hand, a Gryffindor's blind trust and reckless bravery could leave them into deep shit without them even realizing it. So Harriet was doing this for her friends own good, and it wasn't like she was expecting them to find everything on their own. She just wanted them to pick up all the clearly visible clues, and they were close, so very close. She had no doubt that she would eventually welcome them into the fold and if she could recruit them past school well…they would make an excellent strike team for her new Shield Division.
The quaffle whizzing past her head was enough to make Harriet yelp and almost lose her balance where she had been laying on her broom midair. She sat up on the broom backward and looked over to see Katie cocking an eyebrow at her, "Where exactly were you, daydreamer?"
Harri grinned, "These new uniforms are quite tight, where do you think my mind was?" Which was true, third year was the move to the short coats with the tails rather than the full coats. It was allowing her some very nice glimpses of her mates as they worked.
"So you're fantasying rather than looking directly at them?" Alicia snorted, coming up next to Harriet with the quaffle under her arm.
Harri wiggled her eyebrows, "I think Oliver would frown upon me tackling them mid practice." The three girls giggled before Oliver shouted at them to get to work. Rolling her eyes, Harriet readjusted so she was siting correctly before opening her still clenched hand where her practice snitch was resetting. She tapped the little gold ball, "Ready Tim?"
A snicker drew her eyes over to Fred who had just hit the bludger back at George, "Still can't believe you named your snitch Tim."
"And what should I have named my snitch?" Harriet laughed, she released Tim and watched as it flitted around her for a moment before darting off to hide.
Angelina whizzed between Harriet and Fred, "Oliver! Their flirting on training time again!"
"WHAT!" Oliver shouted.
Harriet huffed, "I'm going! I'm going!" she wove gracefully around the returning bludger before climbing higher to get a better view of the field. Harriet hummed as she surveyed the field, searching for that illusive wisp of gold. Her eyes skimmed the mostly empty stands, smiling slightly when she saw the Marauders curled up on top of Sir Snuffles on a middle bench. Just as she looked toward the other side of the pitch, she caught sight of gold that flitted along the empty goal posts and brought her attention to two other black splotches that shouldn't be there. Pressing herself to her broom she raced toward the other goal posts.
Drawing closer Harriet's eyes narrowed as the splotches solidified into what she thought they were, two ravens, perched on the middle goal. They took off as she sped closer and followed after Tim's path, snapping their beaks at the golden ball. "Oi! You jackasses better leave Tim alone!" Harriet hissed as she slowly gained on them. She clenched her jaw as she looked over the ravens. They were bigger than normal ravens and Harriet had the oddest feeling that she had seen them before.
Suddenly, Tim veered toward the forest and his three pursuers followed after. Harriet barely registered the faint clink as she drew closer to her prey. "What are Huginn and Muninn doing at Hogwarts?" Came the voice in her head.
Harriet's eyebrows shot up, "Insanity for the win." She mumbled as she darted after the ravens she could now identify as Odin's pests. A quick glance back toward the pitch told her that changing into Glacia right now wouldn't be a good idea, there were still a few spectators in the stands whose eyes were on her. Harriet released the limiter rune that she kept on the broom for Quidditch and shot forward with her hand stretched out, managing to grab hold of one of the ravens tails. The bird shrieked and its brother sank his talons into her wrist, making her let go with a hiss of pain. Just then they hit the edge of the forest and Huginn and Muninn maneuvered sloppily, one grabbing Harriet's snitch in its talons and the other grabbing its brother by a wing before dragging them both into the shadows where they were engulfed.
"Shit." Harriet hissed as she pulled up, hovering in place at the edge of the forest. She scowled at the shadows where the two Asgardian ravens had disappeared. Glancing down at her bloody wrist, she winced, and absently iced it over before tugging her sleeve down far enough to hide it. "Should have worn my arm guards."
Turning back toward the pitch Harriet made plans to get detention with Ligia and her children later.
Fred and George walked on either side of Harriet on her way to detention with Professor Rani.
"What is this detention about?" Fred asked.
"You haven't gotten a detention in the three years you've been here." George added.
"This time." Harriet hummed, "Last time I rivaled your count, though a lot of that was in my fifth year."
Fred growled, "That was the year with that Umbridge person right?"
Harri nodded, "Yeah, she had it out for me because I announced Voldemort's return which undermined the Ministry."
George rolled his eyes, "So what is the real reason you intentionally got detention?"
"Ran into some unpleasant beings on my last chase of Tim." Harriet said as they entered the Defense room.
"Is this about why your wrist was iced over yesterday?" Fred asked.
"Yes." Harriet answered with a small smile.
"Then we'll join you in your detention." George said.
"Will you now?" Professor Rani asked from her office door, she smiled down at the trio, "Well come on up. The others are already here." Entering the Professor's office, they found Ligia and Jor lounging in one of the plush arm chairs while Sage lay against Fenrir on the floor. Once they had taken up the remaining seats, Frigga looked to Harriet, "I assume you needed to speak to me young phoenix?"
Harri nodded and edged her sleeve up so she could show the already scared over talon marks, "I ran into Huginn and Muninn at practice yesterday." The Asgardian's tensed while Fred and George just shared a frown. "They took Tim." Harriet said lightly, though it was still a sore spot. She had really liked that snitch!
"Who is Tim?" Sage asked.
"Harriet's practice snitch that she bought before school." Fred answered.
"What happened?" Frigga asked, leaning forward to inspect the talon marks.
"I released my practice snitch and took a higher position to search for it. I caught sight of two birds sitting on top of the middle post down pitch right near where the snitch was hovering. I took off after it and the ravens joined in the chase. Once we made for the forest I recognized them and tried to catch one to see if I could get anything out of him, the other clawed me and they made off into the shadows with my snitch." Harriet said.
"You've mastered bird speak?" Ligia asked, trying to distract a nervous Jor.
"Being a phoenix comes in handy for that." Harriet laughed, she focused back on Frigga, "Did they follow you here?"
Frigga shook her head, "Not that I am aware of. Odin would never send them to look after me, he would simply have Heimdall keep an eye on me." She titled Harriet's arm gently to get a better look at the wound. "And I haven't seen them around myself."
"So then there is my conclusion." Harriet huffed, "They came to see me."
Frigga looked up, her hands still holding Harriet's wrist, "A fair assumption. They would have been able to track you under most wards with their shadow travel."
"So why are they looking for Harriet?" George asked.
Ligia looked over to them with a hard look on his face, "If I know Odin, he has seen Harriet as a threat to Asgard and is planning on a way to eliminate the threat. Phoenix Laws or not."
Frigga hummed and released Harriet's hand so she could lean back in her seat, "That could mean many things unfortunately." She laced her fingers together in a manner that reminded Harriet of Loki, "You said you tried to catch one, did you manage it?"
"Yeah. I took off the broom limiter and caught tail feathers." Harriet said, she crossed her arms, "Would have been easier in my phoenix form but didn't want to risk one of the students who came to watch the practice seeing. Now is definitely not the time for Dumbledore to figure out that gem."
Frigga nodded, "Then Odin may try to spring his plan soon. If Huginn and Muninn were close enough for you to see them then they have been observing you from afar for a time already. Now that you almost managed to catch one of them Odin will speed things up, in hopes of catching you off guard." She tilted her head, "Though not too soon, he will know that you would be wary for several days after this."
Harriet dropped her head into her hands with a moan, "I know exactly when he is going to attack."
Frigga raised an eyebrow while Ligia frowned, "How? When?"
"Because while my luck is bipolar that the best of times, there is one time of year where all the bad luck likes to accumulate. A time of year that is a month off." Harriet said, rubbing at her forehead, "Halloween."
George took Harriet's hand, "And if what you've told us before holds true this time, since you had a peaceful one last year this one will be really bad."
Harriet nodded, "And since its coming from Asgard who knows what it will be."
"I can think of several possibilities but find myself dismissing them for one reason or another." Frigga said with a small frown.
"Destroyer. Bribing Amara. Sending Thor and the band of idiots." Ligia smirked as Harriet listed that last one, "I can think of lots but like you said, I dismiss most."
Ligia nodded, "The Destroyer would have a marked disadvantage since you could withstand its heat long enough to fly inside it and destroy the power source. Amara isn't powerful enough to take on a phoenix, even with her pet. And you can wield Mjolnir so there is really no reason to send Thor. He certainly wouldn't come down himself."
Frigga nodded in agreement, "It is best to try to up protections and prepare as best you can young phoenix."
Harriet nodded, "I can do that."
The first and easiest bit of business was to strength Hogwart's ward stone herself. Everyone added in a bit of magic as soon as Harri told them what it was for, Loki and Frigga adding in their own sets of protections as well. Harri even called Strange in to add Mystic wards to the stone. By the time they were done with the ward stone, Hogwarts was as safe as Dumbledore always bragged it to be. Lily reported that Dumbledore seemed confused about the sudden strengthening of the wards and frustrated that he couldn't tap into these wards as easily as he had before.
The second thing didn't even count. Harriet was always training. Sure she added in a bit more weapons training with Loki just in case Odin sent down warriors but other than that Harriet was pretty confident on that front.
The third thing was what drew her groups interest the most.
Harriet was clearing a large space at the far end of the anti-chamber and setting a protective ward line in front of the group. Everyone from her close school group was there, including Neville who had braved the Chamber of Secrets for the first time just of this. A curious Frigga had also been invited along with Arthur who looked a cross between curious at his surroundings to uneasy with the glances being sent his way by Ligia and The Marauders who had already returned to human form after Frigga had promised to hold Arthur to secrecy. Fred and George were stoically ignoring their father, their eyes glued to Harriet.
"Alright." Harriet said finally, making sure her glamours were off and conjuring up a tall perch in front of her, "Come on Dad, let's do this." James moved past the ward line, "Remember everything?" she asked.
"Yeah, I got it." James huffed, pulling a small ritual knife from his pocket as his Gryffindor Lordship ring appeared on his finger. Harri's Gryffindor heiress ring appeared on her finger and she nodded to him. James straightened and began, "I, James Charlus Potter, current Head of the Great House of Gryffindor, do call upon the guardian placed in this school by my ancestor long ago. Come, Fawkes!" seconds after he finished a phoenix cry echoed in the chamber, filling everyone with warmth. As the cry died, Fawkes appeared on the perch in a ball of orange flames.
Calming from his little light show, the fire phoenix focused on James and Harriet, ignoring the bright eyed looks he was getting from Frigga, Ligia, and Sage. Fawkes cocked his head and cooed at Harriet who huffed and put her hands on her hips, "Don't give me that ash for brains, I told you to come see me!" Fawkes let out a pitiful croak and weakly flapped one wing. Harriet scoffed, "You went through your burn the year before and I more than aware you don't burn once a year anymore old man!" Fawkes gave a fierce clack of his beak and the feathers in Harriet's hair lit on fire, "I am not a fledgling!"
"Harriet!" James interrupted, his face drawn in amusement. Behind the ward line Frigga was hiding her mortification at how Harri was speaking to an older phoenix. "Now isn't the time."
Fawkes looked to James and ruffled his feather with a strange chuff, Harriet snorted, "I know right?"
"What did he say?" Sirius laughed.
"He said, 'Oh now you decide to be the adult.'" Harriet reported with a grin, Fawkes clacked his beak in agreement. Sirius and Remus snickered as Ligia smirked. Harriet's blue flames died a bit, "Let's get this show on the road shall we?" James nodded and he quickly used the ritual knife to cut a rather deep wound into his hand, Harriet followed suit with an ice blade of her own. They moved around Fawkes carefully, smearing blood on his wings, both back and front, on his chest and his back, as well as his forehead and down his long tail feathers. Once they were done they stepped back behind the ward line.
"By the power of Lord Gryffindor and my blood," James said.
"and Heiress Gryffindor and my blood," Harriet inserted.
"We free you from the binds set upon you by one Albus Dumbledore that you may serve your bonded family once more." James finished, "So mote it be."
"So mote it be." Harriet echoed.
Fawkes began to glow warm orange, then catch fire, before he took to the air in time for his scorching orange flames cascade outward in wave after wave, only the ward stopping them all from being burnt to a crisp. The heat was blistering, even through the wards, so Harriet lit her own flames and radiated a cool that eased off the harsher temperature. Finally, all of the flames sucked back into one point, leaving a ruffled and exhausted looking Fawkes slumped on his perch.
Several floors above them Dumbledore began to destroy his office in a rage as the link to Fawkes disappeared from his mind.
Harriet rushed back through the ward, her own cold flames countering the sweltering heat that still surrounded the now freed phoenix. She brushed at Fawkes wings gently, "Okay there old man?" Fawkes croaked and Harriet nodded before disappearing in a flash of flames. Catching her breath form the spectacular display, Ligia stepped forward next and used her magic to begin cooling the area. Not even a minute after she left, Harriet reappeared, as Glacia this time, with a large trout in her talons. She landed beside Fawkes and gave him the trout, which the older phoenix took and immediately started tearing into. Glacia flew from the perch and reformed as Harriet beside it.
Fred cocked an eyebrow, "I didn't realize you were smaller than Fawkes, Harriet."
Harri pouted as Fawkes ruffled his feathers proudly, "Not by much." She whined, she crossed her arms over her chest, "It's just because he's so old." Fawkes let out a short shriek and Harriet stuck her tongue out at him.
"And he will help you with the threat from Asgard." Frigga asked.
Harri nodded, "Fawkes will be able to spend more time keeping an eye out than I will since I still have school to keep up."
"Good." Frigga said, she looked to Fawkes who was eyeing her as she approached, fish head half way out of his beak. "It is a pleasure to meet you great phoenix." She said, curtsying low. Fawkes cocked his head before sweeping his wings out half way and giving her a shallow bow, but even the small gesture put a smile on the Goddesses face. "I hope to have the privilege of knowing you." Frigga said, Fawkes clacked his beak in agreement.
Measures put in place, all Harriet could do was wait.
She hated waiting for something like this.
As Halloween approached she got more and more tense, it took Fred and George stealing her away at night to sleep in the RoR together and Fawkes perching on her shoulder whenever he could during the day to keep her from imploding with the stress. The only, only, good thing that came of Asgard's upcoming attack was the look on Dumbledore's face when he saw Fawkes with Harriet. He couldn't legally do anything so he either looked like someone a phoenix no longer found worthy and left or a liar who had told everyone that a phoenix had bonded to him when it hadn't. The truth of the matter was much worse though, so Albus had to let it lie. There was now more proof for him that Harriet knew more than she let on, since he knew there were very few ways to break the bind.
Either way, this all took a back burner to the upcoming attack and everyone close to Harriet was feeling the tension.
It was the day before the holiday that it finally happened though.
Fred and George had managed to convince Harriet to head out to Hogsmeade with them for a little bit to get her mind off of things. Fawkes had gone off to hunt while the Marauders stayed behind at the castle, preparing the Brigade for their first full outing on Halloween. This had left the trio with a little alone time and they enjoyed the quiet company, the warm kisses, and the gentle touches between them.
It was half way back from Hogsmeade, still a little ways out from Hogwarts' ward line, that they heard it.
The rattling of chains.
They swiveled, trying to pinpoint the source when a flock of ravens poured from the shadows. Harriet narrowed her eyes and drew her wand in unison with her mates. Before they could get a shot off the flock dive bombed them; driving them apart, forcing Fred and George away from Harriet who was striking out at every feathered body in her vicinity.
Harriet stumbled as hundreds of ravens pecked and clawed at her, throwing their bodies against her legs. Harri growled and brandished her wand, ready to cast only for claws to sink back into her wrist over the older wounds as other beaks pried her wand from her. She knew she couldn't transform without beginning overwhelmed by the sheer amount of ravens so she did the only other things should could, call on her flames. Just as her fingertips caught fire something heavy and metal wrapped around her wrist.
It burned! It burned into her skin where it lay again bare skin and into her magic itself if it couldn't reach her skin through her clothes. Harriet managed to get her eyes opened enough to see a silvery linked change wrapped around her wrist. She couldn't help it, she screamed.
At the sound the flock withdrew but Harriet didn't notice or care, she was burning and not the good kind. She dropped to her knees, a faint lighter clink mixing with the shouts she could hear outside and inside her head, the frantic words and the shouts of her names, all over the deep chinking of chains. Harriet forced her eyes opened again as her breathing picked up and she tried to pry the loop of chain off her hand. A raven, one of Odin's by the size of it, was flying at her with the other end of the chain. Eyes wide, Harriet tried to dodge it but the length ended up over her back, creating another scorch mark across her magic and inciting many less than pleasant memories.
This time when Harriet screamed, her magic shoved out of her in a desperate attempt to free itself. The ground froze underneath her and the rest of the world around her muffled under the sheer volume of her magic. Harriet fell forward onto her hands, panting to try and catch her breath as the chains continued to burn her. Every second they remained it felt like they were tightening around her and the edges of her vision were darkening.
A cold nose against her fevered cheek made her open her eyes. Through her blurred visions she saw familiar red fur and molten gold eyes.
And just like that the sounds around her came back into focus. The shouting and calls of her name in the real world and the voices, so many loud voices, in her head. They were all coming at her in unrecognizable fragments as the chain continued to constrict around her like a snake.
"Harriet!"
"We need to get-"
"Fight it li-"
"-an you hear us Ha-"
"Break the cha-"
'What a brilliant idea.' Harriet thought weakly, 'Fucking how though!' Thunder boomed overhead and it shook through Harriet's body like a comforting blanket, only Thor could make storms like that. Storms were calming, Thor would make her storms. 'How can I break the chain?' Harriet thought desperately, fur pressing against her side reassuringly.
"-Mjolnir!-" came the thundering voice in her mind, like a migraine waiting to happen.
Harriet threw her free hand upward purely out of reflex and was surprised when a familiar weight slammed into her hand immediately. Lightening slammed into her, raising the hair on the back of her arms and crackling wildly through her bones. The chain that was bringing her so much pain was being rattling in place as Harri felt something wrap around her arm so that the chain was no longer touching her bare skin and something warm and heavy put another layer between the chain and her magic.
Taking a deep breath, Harri forced herself back up on her knees and, focusing on the loose bit of chain in front of her, brought down Mjolnir with all her strength. Lightening surged with the strike and the entire length of chain shattered around her, freeing her from the burning sensation that had created deep wounds in her magical core.
Harriet let out a shuddering breath and looked up, the black still around the edges of her vision. Mischief and Mayhem stood before her with the eyes shining gold as they held Huginn and Muninn's lifeless forms in their mouths. Harri's eyes narrowed as the storm continued to roll through her veins, a niggling voice in the back of her head growled one thing. "Odin."