A/N: Here is a new chapter in the story of Lysandra and Hermione. It has been a long time since the last post. Second year has been rough to write and I am still working on the year, currently at 14feb. With that said I had to take a break for real world certification exams and the studying killed my muse for writing. I have not made much headway in the story since. I hope to get my muse back my reviewing the current 13 chapters and rebalance the posting in length of each chapter. I have 2.5 chapters written to post before starting new. Work on Lycan has also stalled with this studying. I was able to brainstorm ideas for possible stories, but no new one as a way to relax from studying. Thank you for those comments, as they make me re-look at my writing to see how I can improve.

I do not own Harry Potter. I just play in the sandbox created by JKR.

The Bond and the Ritual

Ch 13

15 August

Hampstead

Granger House

The family had returned from a fun filled day visiting Alton Towers and some farmers markets on the way up. The family had just finished unloading the car and putting items away in the pantry and fridge. While the girls were up in their room a strange house elf arrived on their bed.

"Who are you?" asked Lysandra of the strange elf.

"Dobby Miss," answered the elf.

Suddenly Roskey and Twinkle arrive in the room, with a pop, and pounce on the unknown elf. Hermione and Lysandra move quickly to separate the three house-elves. Lysandra was struggling getting Twinkle to let go of Dobby.

"Twinkle release Dobby," ordered Lysandra. Twinkle reluctantly let go of Dobby and allowed Lysandra to get between the two elves. "Now why were you holding onto Dobby?"

The commotion brought Jerica and Richard up to Hermione's room, both were in the doorway when they herd Twinkle's answer.

"Mistress, this be missing brother," replied Twinkle. "Elf magic know family." Lysandra looked between the two house-elves and then started to study Dobby. Dobby was in a filthy pillow case for clothes and he looked like he has been miss treated by his owners. His fingers and bandages on them and his left ear was red from a recent injury.

"Twinkle can you and Roskey sit on the bed, please?" asked Lysandra. Both elves nodded and sat on Hermione's bed watching Lysandra and Dobby.

"Dobby, how long have you worked for your current master?" inquired Lysandra. "How did you get their?"

Dobby looked at his hands and then kind Lysandra Potter, he seemed to be thinking on his answer, as House-elves look at time some what differently from wizards and witches. "Dobby been with bad master ten solar solstices," answered Dobby. "Dobby have flashes of happy family before bad master. Dobby only remember long whiskers and bad master." Lysandra nodded hearing Dobby's answers.

"Twinkle come here please," asked Lysandra hold out her hand to Twinkle.

Twinkle moved off the bed and stood in front of Lysandra, looking down while stealing glances at Dobby.

"Twinkle, how do you know this is your missing brother?" asked Lysandra.

"His magic feels familiar and like family," replied Twinkle. Lysandra studied the elf and her stance. "Roskey, can you go to Madam Bones and see if she can come over?" requested Lysandra. The head elf nodded her head and left with a pop.

When Roskey left, Lysandra took a hold of the two elves hands. As she did this she felt a wave of magic move around them and it was stronger when Twinkle reached for Dobbies hand. Both females looked at the poorly treated house elf in front of them and tried to understand the magic that was moving around them and through them. It was during this exchange that Roskey returned with Amelia.

"Jerica, Richard what can I do for you?" inquired Amelia, once she noted were she was.

"Thank you for coming Amelia, but it was not us that asked for you," Jerica replied, pointing to Lysandra and the house-elves.

Lysandra let go of the house-elves' hands and turned to Amelia when she herd her voice.

"Amelia, thank you for coming over," greeted Lysandra. "This visiting elf arrived shortly ago and had just introduced himself when Twinkle and Roskey arrived and pounce on the poor elf. Twinkle says the elf is her missing brother."

"Did the elf tell you who his master is?" asked Amelia. "Also did he tell you why he was here?"

"We have not gotten that far," responded Lysandra. "I was just asking Twinkle how she knows this is her missing brother and from Dobby how long he has been with his 'bad master'. I know from Roskey and Twinkle that she had a bother, who was given away several years ago by an old long whiskered wizard to another family. She has said that Dobby's magic is familiar like family."

"From what I saw when I arrived with Roskey. I recommend that we move this to Gringotts, as the magic released would not be good for your home," stated Amelia. "It would also be picked up by the ministry's detectors. I will meet you their, as I want to talk with an associate."

Lysandra nodded and asked Roskey if there is a way to hide Dobby until they are with Ragnok. 'I know Ragnok is aware of the missing Potter elf from our group discussions last summer.' thought Lysandra.

Roskey nodded yes and asked/told Dobby what she was going to do while they moved to family goblin work. Dobby was soon covered in an elf glamour charm and Jolsy was called to help move the family to Gringotts.

Once they arrived at the bank, Lysandra approached the tellers and ask to see Ragnok. Rockshard was surprised when Lysandra greeted him by name and with proper Goblin greeting. Lysandra and family was quickly shown to Ragnok's Office where she informed them that Madam Bones will be joining them. Messenger was sent to bring Madam Bones to the office when she arrived.

"Lady Potter, what may I help you with today and who is the strange elf?" asked Ragnok.

"Thank you for seeing us on short notice. The strange elf is the issue," stated Lysandra, as she directed Roskey to drop the glamour. "Hermione and I were putting things away in her room when this elf appeared on the bed. As soon as I asked him his name and he replied Roskey and Twinkle arrived and tackled the elf. When I got them separated, Twinkle says 'Dobby is missing brother'. When I held hands with Twinkle and Dobby while looking at them, I felt magic moving through us and around us."

"Madam Bones arrived about this time with Roskey, who was sent to collect her," stated Hermione. "She saw the magic some how and recommended that we come here."

"So you have the missing Potter elf, illegally sold/given away and the magic you felt was the family magic and elf magic attempting to restore the family connection," answered Ragnok. "Madam Bones was correct in sending you here. The magic release could do much damage to your home. The wards here will dampen and contain the release. Dobby why were you at Lady Potters house? By looking at you, your master would not want you there."

"Master Goblin, Dobby to warn good Lysandra Potter," started Dobby. "I have heard many threats and vial comments on good Lysandra Potter's character. Bad master has plans to get ride of problems at Hoggy warts this year. Dobby not want good Lysandra Potter to be harmed. Dobby will have to grievously punish himself for coming to goblins and Lysandra Potter."

"Dobby, you will not be punishing yourself or going back to bad master, If you are the missing Potter-elf," stated Lysandra.

During this discussion Madam Bones was shown in and when Lysandra was done talking, she informed Ragnok what she saw at the Grangers house when she arrived there.

Ragnok had the Lysandra, Roskey, Twinkle, and Dobby taken to one of the ritual rooms and a curse breaker called to check for an enslavement curse or binding on Dobby. From review of the files and papers house-elf Twinkle had a twin brother who was given away by Dumbledore, when the Potters went into hiding. The missing brothers name was never mentioned in the files. Potter and elf family magic together could break any bindings on the missing elf, keeping it trapped with its illegal owner.

Once in the ritual room the curse breaker found some minor charms and forced servitude binding on Dobby. The signature matched that of Dumbledore. The charms were removed and the binding broken, then Twinkle, Dobby and Lysandra held hands and allowed the family magic to start the questioning of Dobby's magic. The magic grew and pulsed around the three and Dobby was shaking and wailing as the magic surrounded and moved through them and around them. Soon they was a blinding flash as magic had corrected what was wrong and recognized Dobby and re-established the family connection. Dobby looked healthier when they could see again, from the blinding flash.

"Dobby is free!" shouted the elf.

"Dobby, how do you feel?" asked Lysandra, looking at the healthy elf.

"Dobby feel better, safe, powerful," he replied.

"Good. You will not be going back to your old bad master," stated Lysandra.

Done in the ritual room the grouped moved back to Ragnok's office and the larger grouped discussed the newly identified problems. How to protect Dobby and not alert his bad master, and how to identify the new threat at the school.

"Dobby who was your bad master and do you know what this threat is to the students at Hogwarts?" asked Lysandra. "Dobby will not be going back."

"Lysandra, he needs to go back to keep his old master under watch and unaware that his plan is known about," stated Amelia.

"Dobby worked for Malfoy family," answered the elf. "Dobby slowly remembers time with sister and baby Mistress. Dobby bad elf for not knowing what danger is, only that bad master has put students at harm." Dobby started to bang his head into the front leg of Ragnok's desk.

"Dobby stop!", exclaimed Lysandra. "You shall not punish yourself for anything. You will come to me or Hermione to discuss what you did wrong and what your punishment will be."

The elf stopped and looked at his Mistress, no one had cared about what happened to Dobby before. He looked at Twinkle and Roskey and saw that they were healthy and smartly dressed, in place of wearing a dirty pillow case.

"Dobby, go back and watch bad master," stated the elf. "It be best."

"Lysandra, Dobby is right. He needs to go back to Malfoy manor as not to raise suspicion and to keep Mr. Malfoy ignorant that his plan is known," commented Amelia.

"But his is a Potter-elf now. Will he be able to get back into the manor?" inquired Lysandra.

"He should be able to," answered Amelia. "Just do not have him leave outside of what his normal duties would include." Amelia wondered about the self harm that Dobby is required to do. "Dobby does Malfoy watch you when ordered to punish yourself?"

Dobby shakes his head as he answered, "No."

"Wont Lucy notice the difference in Dobby when he goes back?" asked Lysandra, seeing how Dobby looked healthier since his return.

"Hose elves can change look to appear different," answered Roskey.

"Okay. He can return but only until school starts then he is to return to Potter Manor to heal and recover," stated Lysandra, after thinking about all that was said and holding a quick non-verbal discussion with Hermione with some looks.

"Mr. Malfoy will not take kindly to the disappearance of his house elf," commented Ragnok.

"Then we will have to come up with a plan to cause him to give clothes to Dobby in public," stated Hermione.

"Oh, if you can trick Malfoy into freeing his elf, I want to see that memory," commented Amelia, looking at the two young witches.

Dobby left for Malfoy manor and to continue watching Lucius to see if he could learn anything more on the threat to the students at Hogwarts. He also changed his appearance to his old body and acted to punish himself when ordered. His magic was stronger now and he struggled to keep the change hidden from the two blond ponce bigots.

-x-x-x-x-x-

16 August

Potter Manor

The family had just returned form church services. Lysandra had never gone with her relatives to church and liked that her new family were religious but they did not force what they believed onto her. They were allowing her to learn what their religion was about and were open to discussions on those beliefs. They had many discussions on the difference between the views of Anglican, Roman Catholic, URC, Greek Orthodox, and several other Protestant views. At time their discussions included Islam, Buddhist, Hindu, Judaism, Taoism, Shinto and other Eastern beliefs. Lysandra was intrigued by the many beliefs of the different religions, but no single one resinated with her. She also would dive into the pagan and mythos religions when reading about the Vikings, ancient Greece, Celts and other pre-Christian cultures.

The family were sitting down to a light lunch when the floo chimed that someone was calling. Shortly Roskey arrived to let Lysandra and the family know that Sirius Black was asking to step through. Lysandra informed Roskey to let her god-father step through and to bring him to the dining patio.

{ sirius's visit }

-x-x-x-x-x-

19 August

Diagon Alley

Lysandra, Hermione and Nym were leaving Gringotts, Lysandra had a meeting with Ragnok to review the portfolio of House Potter investments. They decided on some minor changes with the addition of some promising muggle companies to the portfolio. Most of the traditional heads of houses did not fully understand the concept of investments and only looked to gain more control of the slice of the magical business that they participated in or wanted to control. As most of these practices help maintain the control of the monopolies in a hands of the traditional families. Some of these families, grey mostly, did understand the wealth out in the muggle community and would invest in some of the more traditional business, shipping and farming. So Lysandra and Hermione looked to expand into some of the new medical technology, pharmaceuticals, and high technology. They had a similar meeting with Krugnok when they visited Athens on holiday. Ragnok was open to the expansion as he had watched closely the small investments Lily made and how they had grown. The growth of Lily's investment quickly out grew the common wizard investments in only three years, and in the tens years they have be come quit profitable for the Potter portfolio.

The trio were walking down the alley heading to Fortescue's Ice Cream to get a treat before stopping at Eeylops to get Hedwig some treats for the coming school year and some more quills and parchment at Scribbulus. The girls also wanted to get some extra items for the upcoming potion classes, that Professor Wades in Water had recommended. Laying on one of the tables in the ice cream shop was a left behind copy of the Daily Prophet that had a story of the increase raids by the Ministry for illegal and dark objects. While they were enjoying their ice cream they watched the throng of witches and some wizards blocking the alley near Flourish and Blotts. It was then that Lysandra and Hermione remembered that there was a book signing going on at the store by Gilderoy Lockhart. Neither of them was impressed with the writer, he looked to much like a pompous narcissus, and his books, when they looked through them, were rubbish and very contradictory. They were both glad that they would not be subjected to his class for DADA.

They were about to leave when the saw a mob of bright red hair arrive at the book store, the trio decided to stay at the parlour a little longer, when Nym informed Lysandra and Hermione that the mob was the Weasley family. Lysandra had no interest in meeting this family of Dumbledore worshippers, and the threat to her safety. This was shortly followed by the arrival of Mr. Malfoy and his son, after the events of the March session they both knew Mr. Malfoy's face. Both of the blond bigots were casting their sneers at the crowd in the alley and the store. They could not hear what was said between the to adult males, but a scuffle broke out between the two, nor the exchange between the younger blond and red headed boys. Before the fight Lysandra had observed Mr. Malfoy picking something out of the young girls cauldron and dropped it back in with apparent comment, causing the fight.

While the Aurors broke up the scuffle and the Weasley's caught up in the book signing the three were able to leave the parlour and complete their shopping and leave the alley without being seen by the red heads.

It was a few nights later that Dobby quickly appeared at Potter Manor in the Master bedroom and informed Lysandra and Hermione that Malfoy and planted a dark journal on a student to discredit their parent who worked at the Ministry. Dobby did not know anything else on the threat. Lysandra thanked Dobby and informed him that they would let their professors know of the object and instructed him to only continue following Mr. Malfoy after the school term starts if it is necessary. He was not to put himself in any harm while doing this. Lysandra and Hermione both told Dobby that they would really feel better if he would stay at Potter Manor after the year starts as Dobby is a Potter-elf and only follows Mr. Malfoy's orders by their request and his agreement. The eccentric house-elf started to sobbing about how kind the Great Mistress Potter was.

-x-x-x-x-x-

24 August

Blackstone Manor

Lord Black and Sirius were standing in the reception hall waiting on the arrival of Lysandra and Hermione from Potter Manor. Today was to be the girls last political class with Lord Black before school started and also to review formal greetings.

'Hopefully Sirius behaves as a new Lord should and not as the overgrown child he normal acts,' thought Arcturus. 'This will be a good test for all three of the future heads of house. In practising greeting and conducting business and political discussions.'

The girls arrived and quickly removed remanent s of floo dust from their clothes and then approached Lord and Heir Black. Lysandra greeted them first with a proper curtsy addressing Lord Black and then Heir Black. She was quickly followed by Hermione.

The greeting were correct and neither of the girls took their eyes off of himself or Sirius during their exchange. Lord Black then lead them to his study were the classes would continue, for the next several hours.

They had just finished lunch and Sirius had left with the girls to tour the grounds of Blackstone Manor. Arcturus was sitting back in his study reflecting on everything that has happened in the past 11months. His grandson and heir was freed from Azkaban and cleared of all charges. The family was in respectable hands and would not fall into the hands of the crazed half-blood nor will it fall into support of Dumbledore. Albus ensured the loss of House Black with his antics and actions towards Sirius. Dumbledore's actions in regard to Lysandra was just as deplorable and pushed House Potter back to the Grey/neutrals were it belonged. He was proud to support House Potter and align The House of Black in the Grey. Arcturus knew that moving the house into the grey had severally weakened support of the radical house in support of Voldemort. Along with the public political take down and reminder of Lucius.

Meanwhile out in the gardens Sirius, Hermione and Lysandra were discussing his time at Hogwarts and his friends. During this discuss the subject of Animagus came up and the forms of member of the Marauders. Hermione and Lysandra learned that Pettigrew was a rat in more ways than one. Sirius also told the girls about the Marauders Map and how to work the map and what all it could do. Sirius told the girls to get a hold of the map as soon as possible as it rightful belonged to Lysandra, as the next generation of the Marauders.

Sirius was mindful during their earlier meeting and know not to call Lysandra, Prongslyt. He so wanted to use the term for Lysandra, as that is what she is to him, but he knew from his discussions with Andromeda and Grandfather that he could not until given permission. Lysandra had bad memories about nick names or other terms of endearment, from her relatives.

It was around three in the afternoon when Lysandra and Hermione left Blackstone Manor for home and paid their respects and farewells to Lord and Heir Black.

-x-x-x-x-x-

30 August

Potter Manor

Luna had been allowed to stay at the manor as her father had a last minute travel plans and would not be home to take Luna to the express. The three sisters had fun doing light studying, training and talking about animals. They started to discuss the difference in magical and non magical animals, using Fantastic Beasts and mundane books to describe the different animals, that they would like to see or have seen. During these discussions, Luna talked about her trip earlier in the summer with her dad to look for the Crumple-Horned Snorkacks, reported to live in Sweden. She also described what Nargles and Wrackspurts were and how they would mess with magicals. Lysandra could see whimsical/ dreamy look on Luna's face as she talked about these animals and the increasing frustration on Hermione's face at the same time.

"Hermione, just because no one has found proof that these creatures exist, dose not mean that they are living now or have in the past," commented Lysandra, trying to calm her sister. "When England first started to colonize other parts of the world, people could not believe the stories of the animals seen until specimens were brought back. The same thing happened with the Coelacanth, everybody thought it was extant and can only be found in fossil records, until fishermen caught one around 1980. You have seen real unicorns in the Forbidden Forest, yes?" Hermione nods her head to the question. "Now if you went back to your old school and told your class mates about them would they believe you or dismiss you as whacky, as they cannot see them?"

Hermione looked at Lysandra and then Luna and finally the floor before answering Lysandra. "They would laugh at me and bully me for believing in fairy tales." Slowly she realised what she was sort of doing to Luna and her creatures, and she was now upset with herself and her actions. She continued to look at the floor and couldn't bring herself to look at Luna or Lysandra. Tears were building in her eyes from the shame she was feeling for her treatment of Luna.

"Hermione, that is why we look to prove that they exist, but also it is fun family time," piped in Luna, with her whimsical look and smile. Seeing that Hermione would not look at them during or after Luna's response bothered Lysandra.

"Hermione, sis look at me," asked Lysandra. Hermione kept her eyes diverted from her sister. Slowly and not to scare her Lysandra reached out with her hand and slowly lifted Hermione's head, by lifting her chin, until their eyes met. Lysandra saw the shame and fear in her sisters eyes when they finally met. Lysandra saw the tears grow and fall while she was lifting Hermione's head.

Lysandra pulls her sister into a hug and rubs small circles across her back. "I don't hate you, and neither does Luna," comforted Lysandra. "Please just keep an open mind with what she talks about, and we may learn more about what these creatures are or what they may mean. Books don't hold all of the answers, just like teachers do not have the correct answer." Hermione buries her face into Lysandra shoulder and slowly shakes her head in answering Lysandra's request. Slowly the tears stop and she is able to collect herself and pulls back from the hug.

Hermione turns to Luna. "I'm sorry for scoffing at you and your family hobbies," apologised Hermione to Luna. Luna looks at her, with her lackadaisical smile, and then nods her head and hugs Hermione.

Hermione and Lysandra woke up in their shared dreamscape and were walking around looking for any changes in the site. They were walking hand-in-hand as they approached the ritual terrace. As the moved down the steps they noted that there appeared to be no change in the partially shadowed watchers, and no change in the setting of the brazier, alter and statues. They could see more tendrils of magic flowing around the site between the witches, than they could in the past. They both could easily identify themselves in the participants and now could clearly see Luna and one of the taller older witches had features that could be Narcissa, and another maybe Amelia. There was not much more they could make out of the others at this time, but some looked to be class mates and older witches they knew, the two on either side of Narcissa were taller and both had long wavy/curly hair but in different shades of brown and black. They sat on the lower step side by side holding hands comforted by the peace, serenity and magic in the site. The two sisters pondered the importance of this place and what it everything means.

Potter Manor

The girls woke up and looked at one another as they recalled the dream and Lysandra snuggled into Hermione for awhile before the issue of full bladders made their presence known, forcing the girls to get up and ready for the day.

Hedwig arrived during breakfast, landing on Lysandra's chair some how knowing that she was needed to send some letters. Once breakfast was finished Lysandra and Hermione quickly wrote notes for Amelia and Andi on the changes to the dream scape, before heading up to the library with Luna to read before heading off to play and relax.

Amelia and Andi arrived during lunch to talk with Lysandra and Hermione about the new changes. Luna was with them and as she listened in she commented, "I see three older sisters coming together to help teach and protect the seven younger witches."

"Luna, do you notice anything else?" asked Lysandra.

Luna looks at Lysandra, for a moment but then shakes her head, while answering "No".

"Do either of you know of three older witches who are sisters?" inquired Hermione of Amelia and Andi.

"There are only one family with three sisters of near the same age," replied Amelia. "The House of Black."

"But the sisters are no more," added Andi, with sadness in her voice and a lost look to her face.

"What do you mean, by no more?" asked Lysandra.

"Just that," answered Andi. "I had two sisters in the past, one older and one younger. When I ran off and married Ted, I was cast out of the family by my parents and Aunt Walburga. I hear she burned my face off of the family tapestry."

"You are still sisters," commented Hermione.

"No, Andi is correct. She had two sisters," responded Amelia. "When Andi was cast out of the family, she lost her connection to the family magic and her surname. If she had not married Ted then she would be called Andi no-name."

"That is not right," huffed Hermione. "She is still family, even if the rest do not want to call her that."

"It is alright Hermione, I have accepted my fate with the House of Black," stated Andi. "If what you two have seen and what Luna has said, maybe the three of us will return to being sisters again, I do miss them."

"It would be a miracle to see the Black sisters together again," added Amelia. "What with Bella in Azkaban for all of the murders, tortures and other crimes she did, in support of You-Know-Who." Andi nodded her head in agreement with Amelia, but wondering if her older sister was innocent.

"Maybe when Lysandra and I are older we can look into this more as the Head and Heir of Nyx," commented Hermione. "If magic and the great mothers are passing messages to us about a future coven built around House Nyx, it is possible for the sisters to reunite?"

"It is possible, but currently very unlikely," replied Amelia. "Bellatrix is a crazed psychopath and the environment at Azkaban would not help improve her mental state."

After Amelia and Andi left the three girls went to the training room to pick up some practice weapons and went to the out door training area and practised with staves, sword and daggers. Lysandra and Hermione also practised some earth magic using the staff to create simple earth walls.

The girls put their weapons away and headed to their rooms to shower off the sweat and grime from the weapons practice and to pack and check their trunks. Hermione and Lysandra were using their Lady's trunks and each had a third of their library section filled, the only redundancy were their class text books.

Lysandra also opened the travel apartment of her trunk and had Twinkle clean the apartment and stock the pantry. The apartment was a small three room flat consistent of a moderate sized bedroom, full bathroom and combined kitchen, eating nook and lounge. The bedroom had a king size bed and an expanded wardrobe. In the eating nook was a table for three and perch for Hedwig to sit. Over in the lounge was a comfortable couch, table and two oversized winged back chairs with Ottomans. Their was a small book shelf that magically would pull books from the library section of the trunk. In the access area were the control wards for the trunk and the apartment. Lysandra and Hermione re-read through the manual and set the wards to full security level and once closed and sealed the trunk would only open to Lysandra. They plan to use the apartment as a refuge from the meddling long whiskered goat.

-x-x-x-x-x-

1 September

Kings Cross Station

Lysandra, Hermione and Luna arrived at the platform early and were able to get a compartment on the train near the back of the third car. They put their trunks away and had started to review their books or notes from last year. Lysandra and Hermione had brought their multi compartment trunks with them so they had full access to their libraries they each had and to the extra potion ingredients. When is was about 1030AM they moved down to the platform and waited for their class mates and directed them to the compartment. The compartment they had found was larger than most and had extra room, allowing all eight to sit comfortable during the trip.

Once good byes were said and last hugs handed out the group climbed back onto the train and moved to their compartment. Just after the train had sounded its five minute warning, Hermione saw a mob of red heads rushing to the train across the platform. She started to giggle at the antics of the family and this caught the attention of the rest of the group, who all then watched out the window at the family, snickering and laughing.

"That would be the Weasley's," commented Susan, seeing the family running across the platform.

"Tonks, told us that they all had bright red hair and just about miss the train every year," commented Hermione. "She pointed them out to us when we were in Diagon Alley getting some last min supplies."

The group settled into various activities, some reading new textbooks, some pleasure, Luna had her Quibbler, or just visiting. Lysandra and Hermione sat next to the window facing forward, Lysandra by the window, with Luna and Susan sitting across from them. Next to them were Hanna and Neville with Daphne and Tracey sitting next to Hermione. It was about an hour into the train ride that the youngest male Weasley made his presence known.

The door to the compartment was pulled open by a young red headed male with hand-me-down robes and a smudge or two across his face. The front of his shirt still held the remains of his rushed breakfast. He quickly looked around the compartment and found his target sitting next to the window.

"Lysandra Potter, as my betrothed you will leave these unsorted and sit with me in my company," commanded Ron, in his best Percy imitation.

Ron Weasley found himself being awakened by his twin brothers, back in their compartment. He never saw the spell or who hit him. His nose was slightly askew and bleeding slightly. The back of his head and shoulders hurt from the impact with the wall of the passageway.

The twins were looking at him and just shook their heads, smirking, at the site of him while Percy looked on with disgust that his brother was found on the floor unconscious.

-flashback-

Ron had just finished his demands of Lysandra when he was hit by two silent natural stunners, a weak banishing charm and Neville's fist to he face. Neville closed the door and Hermione quickly cast a sealing and notice-me-not charm on the door and the group just looked at one another and to Lysandra, with questioning looks.

"Lysandra, did you know of this?" inquired Daphne.

"Yes," answered Lysandra.

"Then how were you able to attack your betrothed? Most contracts prevent you from harming the expected husband," replied Daphne.

"What type of betrothal contract would allow the witch to retaliate in defence?" asked Hermione.

"None would," answered Hanna. "They all force the witch to submit to the wizard."

"No. Not all," commented Susan, with a look of concentration as she reviewed what Auntie had taught her, then her face lit up as she recalled the answer. "An invalidated or non binding contract would."

"Right," stated Lysandra, with an ear to ear grin. "The contract he most likely trying to enforce has been invalidated by magic and head of house."

"You mean somebody wrote a betrothal contract between you and him with out the proper authority or permission?" asked Neville.

"Yes, and family magic rejected the contract," replied Lysandra.

-end flashback-

The group had a nice quite ride the rest of the way to Hogsmeade and only other interruption was when the trolley lady came by offering snacks and treats. The notice-me-not and locking charm on the door kept the remaining bothersome types out of the compartment for the trip. When the 20min warning announcement was made Neville left for the loo to change and the girls split into two groups taking turns changing into their school robes. Once all were changed and items put back in their trunks or book bags, the trunks were shrunk and put in pockets and they waited for the train to arrive visiting.

Hogsmeade village

The students were instructed to leave their trunks at the station and that they would be take to the castle for them. The Potter group all carried their shrunken trunks with them, none of them trusted the headmaster or some of the staff to not mess with their belongings.

Hagrid was calling the first years to him to lead them down to the boats for the crossing of the lake. It was an overcast night with rain and storm clouds mixed in. Lysandra, Hermione and the other followed the older students towards the carriages.

The head boy attempted to direct the group to the boats with the first years, as they were all new to the school. Lysandra informed the head boy that they were not riding across the lake in bad weather in an open boat. The group proceeded to climb into the next carriage and rode up to the castle.

The carriage ride took about 10min and let the group out in the courtyard by the main doors . It was a quick dash through the mist and drizzle to reach the cover of the main doors.

"You were to have taken the boats with the first years as is tradition," stated Professor McGonagall as the group came through the doors into the entrance hall.

"Nice to see you again too, Professor. We are not first years," replied Lysandra. "Now where would like us to wait until announced?"

Professor McGonagall lead the group to the anti-chamber that the first years will be collected in once they arrive from the boats. The group stood off to the side chamber, while they waited for the first years to be lead in by Professor McGonagall, after she collected them from Hagrid.

The first years were soaked when they arrived and most look quite cold. Lysandra, Hermione and Luna started to cast drying charms on the first years, and were soon joined by the rest of their group. When Professor McGonagall returned she was surprised by what she saw, Lysandra had just finished casting a warming charm on one of the first year girls. All of the first years were dryer than they were and all had warming charms to help combat the dampness in their clothes.

"Professor, I will be informing Lord Black, Lord Greengrass and Dowager Longbottom on the condition of the first years on arrival," stated Lysandra, once she had finished her spell and turned around seeing Professor McGonagall.

"Where did you learn to cast those spells?" inquired Professor McGonagall, knowing they were not taught to first years.

"Basic house keeping and personal care charms were some of the first spells we learned last year," replied Lysandra.

Professor McGonagall, nodded to the group, then proceeded to inform the first years of the houses and how they are like their family for the next ten months and their time at Hogwarts, and that their actions reflect on the houses earning or loosing house points. She then lead the group into the great hall down the middle aisle to a three legged stool with an old hat sitting on it, in front of the steps leading to the staff table. Along the wall behind the staff table were four glass columns in metal frames in house colours in position across from the end of each house table.

The Sorting Hat then broke into song about the traits of the houses and the teachings of the founders. It finished the song talking of friendship, making new ones, keeping and strengthening old ones.

"Now when I call your name please proceed up to the stool and I will place the sorting hat on your head to be sorted into your houses," stated Professor McGonagall, as she unrolled the parchment in her hand.

Once all of the 44 first years were sorted Professor McGonagall called the names of the Potter eight to the stool, starting with Lysandra Potter and ending with Neville Longbottom.

The sorting hat greeted each one and had a short exchange with them before announcing their house. The great hall held their collective breath at hearing Lysandra Potter being called up to the stool, and watched as the sorting hat was placed on her head. Many were waiting in anticipation to hear that she was joining their house.

"Hello Ragnvaldr, did you have a nice time looking for any other students for House le Fay?" greeted Lysandra.

"Why yes I did Lady Potter," replied the hat. "It was very interesting to look at the students who have passed through theses halls and reflect on those that could meet the challenge of House le Fay. It is few as you might expect."

"Thank you for who ever you found," answered Lysandra.

"It had best be le Fay!" announce the hat, to the great hall. There was deathly silence across the great hall at hearing the announcement. Lysandra got up and moved to the small table that appeared off to the side of the great hall between the staff table and the ends of Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables.

Albus was fuming behind his grandfatherly face. He had instructed the hat to place Miss Potter in Gryffindor and the rest in other houses, there by isolating her from her friends. "Hat, there is no house le Fay. You will resort Miss Potter into the correct house," stated Dumbledore, standing and staring at the sorting hat.

"House le Fay is the house she belongs in and where she will stay," replied Ragnvaldr.

"Then I will sort the new students into their correct houses," answered Dumbledore.

"Headmaster, you do not have that authority, nor the power to override the sorting," corrected Professor McGonagall.

Dumbledore sat back down fuming that his orders to the hat were not carried out.

Luna was called next and had a long conversation with Ragnvaldr before he announced her house as le Fay.

Each one of the Potter eight headed to the le Fay table and with Neville's announcement, he handed Ragnvaldr to Professor McGonagall.

"Professor, the hat would like to talk with you," stated Neville.

Professor McGonagall placed Ragnvaldr on her head and listened to the names that the hat wanted to call up to be resorted.

Lily Moon

Sue Li

Megan Jones

Dean Thomas

Professor McGonagall called out the names given by Ragnvaldr. The named students stood from their house tables and moved towards Professor McGonagall. The all wore a look of concern on hearing their names called, and were wondering what was going on.

Lily Moon was the first to sit on the stool and have the sorting hat placed on her head. She was surprised when she heard the hat tell her that she had the qualities to be in House le Fay. She gracefully accepted the offer in change of houses and jumped slightly with the hat boldly stated "le Fay"!

This was repeated with each of the remaining three students and all of them accepted the offer to change houses, even when told of the higher expectations. The four were told of the higher standards but they did not realise the mountain of work that was before them to get up to knowledge level of the Potter eight, but all had the ability to complete the challenge.

Up at the staff table the Dumbledore was dumbfounded when the four students were called by Professor McGonagall. He had never thought that there might be some current students that could be resorted into the new house. He did see this as a opportunity to get Mr. Weasley in with Miss Potter and to isolate her from her friends. If other students could be found worthy of the house change surely Mr. Weasley would be a good fit. He will talk with the hat and instruct it to resort Mr. Weasley. He may need to use of Legilimency on the hat to make this happen. The hat should be pliable to his suggestion.

After the sorting and resorting was done the Headmaster stood up and passed out some announcements and introduced the new Defence Against the Dark Art Professor Gilderoy Lockhart. Many of he girls in the great hall swooned when the Professor graced them with his smile. The witches sitting table le Fay all had chill pass down their spines when he looked at them, as if they were being measured and evaluated like cattle.

With the Feast over the students left for their common rooms with the prefects leading the first years. Professor McGonagall lead the students of House le Fay to their common room on the 4th flood in an formally unused hallway. When they arrived Professor Vector was waiting for them, along with Professors Wades-in-Water. The four new students were introduced to their new instructor and all of the students were introduced to the Head of House Professor Vector.

Once in the common room the four students new to the group learned that they would not be taking classes with the normal staff but with the tutors brought by the group. Professor Vector and McGonagall helped the students complete and send requests to Flourish and Blotts to change out their school books.

They were all shown to their rooms with the two boys sharing a room with a bathroom. The girls were in two person rooms with their own bathroom. The dorm rooms were accessed by a short hallway, the girls hall was warded to prevent any male from entering, to included professors and the headmaster. The common room contained a large fire place and two smaller ones with a picture of Morgan le Fay above the mantel, looking over the room, at each one. There were several small sitting areas with work tables, two large tables with several seats each, and some small reading areas. There was one wall filled with text and reference books. The colours of the room were deep burgundy red and dark blue/black accents on a neutral grey or sandstone coloured walls. The red and blue being the house colours for House le Fay.

-x-x-x-x-x-

Headmaster Office

Dumbledore was sitting in his office staring at the sorting hat sitting on one of the shelves, waiting for the heads of houses to arrive. He was still plotting on how to either get Mr. Weasley into house le Fay or move Miss Potter into Gryffindor. Sitting in the corner of his office reflecting on the events at diner was Severus Snap.

Soon the small model gargoyle announced the arrival of Professors McGonagall, Sprout, Flitwick and Vector, as the door. Dumbledore called out for them to enter and have a seat. Dumbledore just stared at Professors McGonagall and Flitwick as they came in and sat down in the chairs.

"You knew that they were not going into the normal houses," accused Dumbledore, looking at the two.

"Yes," responded Minerva, while Filius nodded.

"Why did you not inform me of the sorting?" inquired Dumbledore. "It is imperative that Miss Potter be sorted into the proper house and be guided with the right friends."

"Albus, the hat sorted the students into the correct houses," replied Minerva. "Filius and I looked into the history of the houses and the choices of the founders and there are two rarely used houses established by the founders. House Emrys is an extra house to be used when the number of students in the houses are high, while House le Fay is to be used when the school has a group of gifted students."

"Just like her father, expecting preferential treatment," scoffed Snape from his corner.

"Severus, how many of your second years can cast drying and warming charms repeatedly and successfully?" question Minerva. Dumbledore and the other heads looked at her and then Severus.

"What does that have to do with this talk of the new 'Hogwarts celebrity'?" retorted Severus.

"Severus, answer the question if you can," countered Filius, knowing that they have not been taught them in class.

"None, I am aware of," answered Severus.

"Those eight students, to include Miss Potter, cast those spells repeatedly on the first years before they were brought into the great hall," responded Minerva. "Severus, I suggest that you mind your manors and tongue around Lady Potter, she has many of Lily's traits, two of them being her temper and cunning." Severus stilled his snide remark he was going to make when he heard this. He remembers Lily's temper as he had been on the receiving end several time, as well as observing what she had done to the Marauders.

"Severus, do not push Miss Potter or Miss Granger. They are both armed and trained to used what they carry with them," added Filius, having learned a little on the sisters from his goblin clan.

"I saw no weapons. Only the staffs that each had," commented Dumbledore.

"Those staffs are not for show and are House items. I would not be surprised to see most of that group carrying staffs at breakfast," replied Filius. "Do not antagonise them, if attacked they will defend themselves and those staffs will be used."

"Then I will confiscate the staves and forbid there use and carry while they are in the castle," responded Severus. "She will not be treated any different just because she is Potters spawn."

"Severus, you have no right to remove those items from Miss Potter or her group mates," stated Filius. "Part of her education is proper use of the staff in magic and in combat. Staff magic has not been seen in centuries, but that group is learning and the two sisters are far ahead of the rest."

"This is all the more reason that Miss Potter needs to be in the correct house with the proper friends," responded Dumbledore. "She will be moved to Gryffindor and introduced to the younger Weasley children." Dumbledore, did not like what he was hearing about staff magic, and that Miss Potter was excelling in the use of said magic.

"Headmaster you do not have the authority to change Miss Potter's house designation. Le Fay is were she belongs and le Fay is where she will stay," spoke Ragnvaldr, with finality. Dumbledore glared at the hat, with animosity at this statement.

"Then Mr. Weasley will be added to her classes," stated Dumbledore. This caused both Filius and McGonagall to stifle smirks and snorts. "What's wrong?"

"Mr. Weasley will fail the first class," replied Filius. "Most likely he will run screaming from the room, when he sees the work requirements."

"Surely you jest at this," responded Dumbledore.

"Albus, did you read the ICW report on the level of teaching here at Hogwarts?" asked Minerva, knowing he he hadn't. "That group is learning at a higher level of requirements and is more advanced in their subjects. Mr. Weasley is only a second year because of your interference, he does not have the aptitude of a second year, he should be in first year with his sister." Now Severus, Pomona, and Septima looked at Minerva and Filius for an explanation.

"Minerva, Hogwarts has higher standards than the ICW require," stated Dumbledore.

"Really Albus?" retorted Minerva. "If that was the case then Lady Potter would be attending Hogwarts and sitting in standard classes, and not using her own tutors."

"That is Potter just being a spoiled princess. Just like her father expecting special treatment," spouted Severus.

Minerva and Filius just looked at one another after giving Albus and Severus both a 'are you stupid?' look to their statements. Seeing that there was no chance to talk sense into the two idiots in the office, they turned and left the headmasters office followed by Pomona and Septima. Just before they reached the door Albus spoke.

"Were are you going? I did not conclude the meeting." demanded Albus.

"We are leaving as currently there is no reason to continue this discussion," stated Minerva as she reached the door, pausing before opening. "You two fools are not listening to anything that has been told to you and you refuse to read what has been given to you."

Severus's face was changing from his normal pale pasty white to a more normal pinkish hue from his rage building. While Albus was trying to intimidate the four professors with his 'I am so disappointed in you grandfather look'. Neither look bothered the four professors as then turned back to the door and left the office. They made their way to Minerva's office. Once in Minerva's office, Filius and Minerva filled in the other two heads of houses about the findings or the ICW evaluation. Some fire whisky was required when the reading and discussion was complete to settle some nerves and tempers.

-x-x-x-x-x-

12 Grimaldi Place

1115AM

Sirius, Narcissa and Andromeda arrived at the ancestral home of the Black family shortly after the express departed for Hogsmeade. It was the first time Sirius had been in the house since he left at the age of 17. They were met by the crazed house-elf Kreacher, who greeted Narcissa warmly and bad mouthed both Sirius and Andromeda.

The trio had only made it past the landing to the first floor with the painting of Walburga started to throw more slurs and demands that the vial spawn and family traitor leave the house or calling for Kreacher to throw out the disgrace of Black blood. The portrait was quickly silenced by two wands and the curtains covering the painting pulled and stuck together.

"Why are we here?" inquired Sirius, the place left him with bad memories of the abuse he suffered from his mother.

"To see if Aunt Walburga or our parents left any papers or journals behind," answered Narcissa. "Lord Black is certain there may be more documents about what they did to me and possible Bella."

"Will we be able to get into BlackRose Manor?" asked Andi.

"I can still enter the manor," replied Narcissa. "Lord Black and Heir Black should also be able to enter and they can change who can and cannot enter the Manor, through the wards."

-x-x-x-x-x-

2 September

Great Hall Hogwarts

Hermione, Lysandra and their class mates sit at their table eating breakfast as they wait for their Head of House Professor Vector to pass out their time table for the term. They group had completed their morning physical exercise class at 545am, with professor Iwasaki. The four new students were dragging and walking very stiff from the unexpected training.

"Guys, it will get easier," commented Lysandra, seeing the slow movement of her new house mates.

"Why are we running for? We have magic to do things for us," stated Lily Moon.

"We do this for the benefits that we get in using our magic," replied Hermione. "The better physical shape you are in and the better your endurance is, then when you get in a fight you will be able to cast and dodge longer and possible out duel your opponent."

"So this will help us with magic, by making us more resilient to repeated casting?" stated/questioned Lily.

"Yes." responded Lysandra.

Professor Vector soon approached the table and started to pass out their time tables. The first thing the new students noticed is that they had full schedules every day and that the table had both physical exercise in the early morning and weapons training every day, except Saturday and Sunday. At the bottom of their schedules were notes that some form of physical exercise or weapons training was expected each weekend, self paced. Their first class was at 0800 every day and with physical training at 0545-0700. They had weapons training at 1400 for 90min. Lunch started at 1200 every day. They finished their last class at 1700. Fridays still saw the group being finished at lunch with the afternoon off to complete research projects and self study. Monday and Wednesday mornings were lectures in Charms, Transfiguration, Potions, and Herbology. Tuesday and Thursday mornings were double periods for practicals in Charms, Transfiguration, Potions, and Herbology. Monday and Wednesday afternoon had history of magic at 1300. Runes was Tuesday and Thursday at 1300, Arithmancy at 1545 Monday and Wednesday. Friday afternoon was independent study except for weapons training at 1330-1500. Warding was Tuesday after weapons training, and Astronomy on Thursday evenings.

If anyone would follow the group they would find that Hermione and Lysandra worked daily with magic and weapons. The rest of the first week saw the group revising over the material present last year and for the four new students to start catching up on what they had missed. They new four quickly learned that potions was a fun class when taught by a proper instructor. They all quickly resented how poor their instruction was the previous year. They were also surprised that the new instructors offered them help in class and outside of class, and that they had daily office hours even on the weekends to help them catch up to the rest of the group.

Albus pulled Ron Weasley aside after breakfast and handed him a revised time table that would place him in all of the le Fay house classes. Ron started balking as soon as he saw that there was physical training and weapons training every day, and that their was no free time. This interaction did not go unnoticed by Professors Wades-in-Water as the couple were passing through the main entrance on their way to their offices. The couple over heard the Headmaster explain the changed time table and that Ron would be attending le Fay classes. Professors Wades-in-Water pulled back to observe the exchange then turned around before being caught, by Dumbledore.

le Fay Transfiguration classroom

All of the members of the house were sitting in the classroom when the door in back opened and in walked Mr. Weasley, 5min late to the class.

"Who are you and how may I help you?" asked Professor Wades-in-Water (Anthony), knowing who he was but not his name.

"Ron Weasley. My time table has me attending class here," answered Ron smugly, at seeing Lysandra in the room.

Lysandra and Hermione stood up and turned to the boy.

"Who gave you the time table and who said you could attend this class?" demanded Lysandra, at the interruption, seeing who it was.

Taken back some by the ferocity of the verbal inquiry, Ron stumbled over his reply. "Professor Dumbledore gave me the time table," answered Ron. As Ron answered Professor Wades-in-Water (Xina) stepped into the room.

"Mr. Weasley, the headmaster does not determine who will attend the classes taught by my tutors. He had no authority to send you to this class," stated Lysandra. "You need to see your Head of House and get your correct time table as you will not be attending class with house le Fay."

"Professor Dumbledore, stated as you are my betrothed I will attend your classes," replied Ron, smugly and with a smirk on his face.

"Mr. Weasley, I will escort you to Professors McGonagall's office or classroom," stated Xina, with a tone of finality in her voice, seeing the death look the boy was receiving from Miss Potter. The other Potter tutors had quickly discussed the events earlier in the morning and all agreed to remove Mr. Weasley from their classes.

Xina pulled the reddening boy from the classroom and lead him to Professors McGonagall's office, knocking on the door when they arrived. Professor McGonagall did not have a class at the time, and answered the door. Her left eyebrow raised up, while the stern look on her face hardened at seeing Mr. Weasley being lead into her office.

"Professor McGonagall, sorry for the disturbance but Mr. Weasley was interrupting House le Fay Transfiguration lecture," stated Xina.

"Mr. Weasley is supposed to be in Herbology with the other Gryffindors," replied McGonagall, with a slight scowl at Ron.

Ron crumpled under the stern look from his head of house. "Professor Dumbledore gave me a different time table when I left the Great Hall after breakfast. Saying I was to attend class with Lysandra," mumbled Ron.

Minerva quickly tapped the time table for Gryffindor second years and gave the table to Mr. Weasley and collected the time table give to him by Dumbledore. Xina left at seeing Professor McGonagall exchange the time tables. After Ron had his correct time table he was lead to Herbology by Professor McGonagall and was informed that he had detention with both Professor Sprout and herself for missing Herbology, as they arrived in the greenhouse.

Ron started to mumbling and complaining about the unfairness of getting detention for following the time table given to him. For this he got a second night of detention with Professor McGonagall and the loss of 5 house points. It was pointed out he had his time table and did not follow the time table he was given, by his head of house.

-x-x-x-x-x-

Headmasters Office

Hogwarts

After dropping Mr. Weasley off in Herbology, Minerva proceeded to the Headmasters office to inquired what he was up to, but did not expect an honest or strait answer. Her trust in her old friend had been severely shaken over the summer and with the findings of the ICW report.

"Minerva, what can I do you for?" asked Albus as the Transfiguration Professor/ Deputy Headmistress entered his office, and the hard line of her jaw.

"Albus, who gave you permission to send Mr. Weasley to the tutored classes of Miss Potter?" inquired Minerva, as she stopped in the office.

"I took it upon myself to send Mr. Weasley to Miss Potter's class. Since the sorting hat selected four second years to join the house. It should not matter if their was an extra student in the class and as her betrothed, he should attend with her, " answered Albus. "Also it was an over sight of the hat in not selecting Mr. Weasley to join Miss Potters group."

Minerva pinched the bridge of her nose then rubbed her temples at the headache she felt forming. "The tutors Miss Potter brought are for her and her select group of friends/house mates," stated Minerva. "You do not have any authority to add any students to her tutor group. Those four students you mentioned were selected by the sorting hat, as they have the ability to excel in that group. Mr. Weasley does not, and has been delivered back to the second year Gryffindor class. "

"As the headmaster of this school, I can place any student were I see fit," responded Albus, allowing his magic to flare slightly, in his response for his actions. "It is imperative that Mr. Weasley be in the same group as Miss Potter to lead her in her new friendships and learning."

"That maybe in most cases," snapped Minerva, with a short sharp tone in her voice. "But not this time, per the agreement signed between the school and Miss Potter and her advisors, you have no say in the material, teaching plan, course work, or who is part of the class. Your job per the agreement is to see to the improvement of the teaching standards of Hogwarts to meet or exceed the ICW standards. Regardless of your plans Mr. Weasley will remain with the Gryffindor group. Miss Potter does not need or require his presence to make friends or guidance in her learning."

"I did not sign on to this agreement," retorted Albus. Albus had been working to weaken the education of Magical Britain to ensure that they all looked up to him as the greatest wizard and to become reliant on him to guide them. He also did not want a lot of the older magical knowledge to get out, and for someone to be able to challenge him and his goals.

"You did by sending Filius and myself to negotiate the agreement and by not rebutting the agreement during the allotted response time, once the two of us had signed," replied Minerva. "You had time to read and respond or propose changes. You did not request changes when Filius and I informed you of the requirements during negotiation. The Board of Governors have read and signed off on the agreement."

Albus kept a calm face and tried for his displeased grandfather look as he internally flinched from the stern rebuke he was receiving from Minerva. 'He is Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, leader of the light and he will not be hindered by any agreement if it is counter to the needs of the Greater Good,' thought Albus.

Seeing the look and the body language of Albus, Minerva knew that she was wasting her breath on the old wizard and left the headmasters office to finish preparing for her first class, slamming the door on her way out. Unheard by Albus, following the loud 'slam', was the soft chuckle of the sorting hat in his amusement, nor did Albus see the sad look he was getting from Fawkes.

-x-x-x-x-x-

6 September

Great Hall, Hogwarts

Most of House le Fay were eating breakfast and saw only a couple of professors were present. But what peaked their attention was the almost constant bemoaning from the students on the uselessness of the DADA class. Many of the boys and those preparing to sit OWLs or NEWTs, were complaining the most about the class. They were hearing that the pompous prima dona gave each class a quiz all about himself. There were some laughs from some in that the supposed professor ran away from the Cornish Pixies he unleashed in the classroom.

The four new group members were all shaking their heads at hearing what they had avoided by accepting the invitation to join le Fay house. They were all glade to have competent instructors in all of their classes.

-flashback-

Fourth year Gryffindor/Hufflepuff Defence against the dark arts class the class looked up at hearing the door at the front of the classroom open and close. There standing on the small landing was their new Professor, flashing his smile around the room.

"Allow me to introduce you to your new Defence professor, winner of 'Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile' award five times running: me, Gilderoy Lockhart," boasted Lockhart. "Enough of me for the moment, lets begin with a short quiz to see how much you have learned from early reading," continued Lockhart as he passed out rolled scrolls.

The Weasley twins along with Angelina and Alicia looked at the quiz then each other and were fighting to not breakout laughing when they read the first few questions with a glance. Not a single question was about defence or what they had learned, all of the questions were about Lockhart himself. From here they knew the class was going to be a long painful process, and it was confirmed when Lockhart collected and reviewed the questions.

-end flashback-