Chapter Seven – Magical Detection

By Kateen

Harry stepped into the Leaky Cauldron, followed closely by Dumbledore.  He nodded to the bartender, Tom, who blinked, "Morning, Mr. Potter.  Would you like a drink?"

"No, thanks, Tom," Harry said quietly, "Maybe after my shopping."

He stepped out the back, nodding to Dumbledore.  The two had agreed to meet back at Hogwarts that evening, Dumbledore assuming that Harry would be capable of transporting himself there.  Harry planned on staying at Hogwarts for that night, before his friends all returned.  He had lots of work to do, if he was to successfully fill his responsibilities as heir to the Original Five.

The box that contained details of his inheritance was shrunk to pocket size, and he was going to Gringotts to have a financial advisor explain exactly what he had, and what he needed to do.  He wasn't too keen on being even more wealthy, but somehow felt that none of this money would be completely free from responsibilities.

"How can I help you, sir?" one of the goblins asked.

Harry was about to answer when there was a gasp, and he was tackled from behind.  He whirled around, and jumped out of the way without being touched.  Everything fell silent in the room as he regarded the woman in front of him, "Mrs. Weasley?"

"Harry!" she smiled, "You're alright!  We were so worried!  Why didn't you tell us you were back?!"

"I only got back last night.  I was with Dumbledore.  I meant to, but I had to get school supplies. Now if you'll –"

She pulled him into a hug, kissed him on the cheek, "Well, I'll be sure to tell everyone for you, and don't go doing anything like that again.  I want to know exactly what happened," she said, "because if it was You-Know-Who then maybe Arthur can persuade the Minister."

"It wasn't Voldemort," he said, as everyone flinched.

He turned to the goblin, "I need to speak to a financial advisor, please.  There are some things I've recently become aware of, that I'd like dealt with."  He turned back to Mrs. Weasley, "thank you for your concerns, but I must go.  Give my love to everyone, please."

The goblin nodded to him, "this way, Mr. Potter."

He waved to Mrs. Weasley and followed the goblin through a gateway and into what looked like a vault, but was actually an office.  It even had an airy appearance, with huge windows, pale colors and not much furniture.

"Mr. Potter," the goblin said after a few moments of searching through the box, "I have been waiting for you to come and ask about this.  I will explain to you what each of these mean, and what your responsibilities are, and give you my advice.  Is that alright?"

Harry nodded, "thank you."

The goblin nodded, "You have over twenty vaults.  Five of them are from the Original Five, and are yours to do what you like with.  There are also estates that have been passed down from them, which you must maintain and prepare for the next generation.  There is your vault, from your parents.  That is yours to spend as you'd like. 

"There are vaults from each of the numerous schools that were founded by the Original Five, and their descendants – all of which have been passed to you.  You must ensure that these schools are not taken over by Voldemort, or cease to run smoothly."

Slowly, Harry nodded, "can I control the curriculum, to any extent?"

"Ministry of Magic laws say no, but these schools were all founded before the law came into place and have little effect on it.  You will find there is a loophole in the law allowing you to override the Ministry.

"There are hundreds of estates that have been purchased by your ancestors over the years, which are yours now.  You will need to keep them in good condition, but you are free to sell or renovate as you wish.  You are also allowed to make changes to the schools, buildings and anything else you like – just through magic – within reason.

"There are several books in one of the vaults, for the heirs to read.  They document the powers you will have inherited, as well as what exactly you are meant to do.  There are rumors of a Room of Heirs in Hogwarts, which has never been proven, where reps from each of the properties and schools are expected to meet to discuss critical issues."

Sighing, Harry shook his head slowly, running his hands through his hair, "you mean I'm going to have more work?"

The Goblin nodded, "unfortunately, Mr. Potter.  As you already know, you have a whole string of titles attached to your name, and as time goes by, you will only get more.  You will have more responsibilities each day, and must do your best to meet them.  Many will help you, some will hinder you.

"I'm telling you all this because you obviously have very little idea, which isn't your fault, and you need to know.  No witch or wizard could tell you any of this, because they don't know themselves.  You will be forced to take on much more than a normal wizard could, this year, but you are intelligent and will handle it all well, I know.  Remember, A problem shared, is a problem halved.  If you delegate some of the work, you will make much more progress.

"In a financial sense, is there anything you'd like me to do?"

"Yes," Harry nodded, "I want you to deposit one thousand galleons, from my first account, in the Weasley family account, and invest two hundred galleons into Weasley Wizard Wheezes each year.  I assume that that is possible by just using the interest accrued, is that right?"

The goblin nodded, "anonymous transfers?"

"Absolutely," Harry nodded decisively, "and I want you to ensure that I get a detailed account of who takes what from each of the vaults over the next six months."

An hour later, Harry left the musty interior of the bank, with twenty books in his pocket – shrunken down, of course – he would read them during the next few weeks, when classes were boring.  It didn't take him long to pick up all his supplies, and then he went back into the Leaky Cauldron to by a butterbeer.

Sitting at the bar, he started to sip on it when Tom came back, "so, Harry," he said, "where have you been?  Lots 'a people have been really worried about ya."

Harry sighed, "I know.  Suffice it to say, I wasn't able to contact anyone.  Dumbledore knows and understands.  I can't tell the rest of you, yet."

"One day?" the bartender asked, his curiousity obviously peaked.

"Probably.  If I die, then Dumbledore will explain for me, unless I have a child first."

Harry appeared, with a pop, in the main street of Hogsmeade, but nobody noticed him.  He smiled, there were advantages to being a mage.  He could shroud himself invisibly and walk through a street without being seen, even if they bumped into him.  He could have broken the anti-apparition barriers, but didn't feel like shocking everyone out of their wits.  Instead, he transformed into a Midnight Unicorn, like Keonri, and pounded over the hill – still shrouded in invisibility.

When he arrived, he transformed back just inside the Forbidden Forest, and walked up the path to the gates.  McGonagall came hurrying out, followed closely by Snape, Dumbledore, Bill Weasley, Lupin and Sirius.  Harry blinked and nodded respectfully to them all as he continued towards them. 

"Good afternoon, Headmaster," he said to Dumbledore, "did you complete all your business?"

"Yes, thank you, Harry," Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eye, "and yourself?"

Harry waved his hand dismissively, "most of it.  Nothing major left to do.  I had an educational discussion with a Goblin.  You'd be surprised how talkative they can be."  He turned to Professor McGonagall, "Professor," he said kindly, "I trust you have enjoyed your holiday?"

She nodded, flustered, "yes, of course, thank you Potter.  Come to me after dinner and I will set you up in the Common room."

He nodded and turned to Lupin, "you are teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts again?" he asked, "Congratulations.  You will do well."

"Thank you, Harry, but where have you been?"

"Sirius," Harry said, ignoring the question, "What are you doing here?  Why are you untransformed and won't you be caught?  Don't make me turn into a parental figure here, although Merlin knows you need it!"

"I'm here because nobody knew where you are.  I'm untransformed because I got a strange letter from the Minister of Magic, saying that I was unconditionally pardoned:  Pay retroactive, and I'm a free man.  Much to a certain slimy git's dismay"

"Congratulations," Harry said calmly.  No emotion having penetrated his side of the conversation yet, except when he was talking to Dumbledore.  Finally he turned to Bill Weasley, "Are you alright, Bill?  He didn't get to you before you got here, did he?" he asked, concern lacing his voice.

Bill blanched, "how do you know? You aren't one of them, are you?"

"Good Merlin, no!  I saw the whole thing though."

"I'm fine, thank you," he said stiffly, "it's a pity that it all fell through, but it was certainly worth a try."

Harry nodded and moved onto Snape, "Professor, I assumed you were okay, but you were limping before, and you are holding your arm in a funny way.  I gather you were injured in the tussle last night?"

Snape nodded stiffly, "unfortunately so."

"My apologies," Harry said quietly, without emotion, "allow me to correct it for you."

He ran a hand up and down Snape's body, then began to pull the energy lines from around Snape's body, and realigning them into the stripes that they were meant to be.  After a moment, he released it and Snape gasped.  His arms and legs were all working again.

"Thank you, Potter," he said harshly, "but why were you apologizing?  It certainly wasn't your fault."

Harry shrugged, "Think carefully about what happened, Professor.  The answer lies in your own mind, not mine."

There were several infuriated glances but Dumbledore smiled, his eyes twinkling, "shall we go inside?  I do believe that myself and Mr. Potter are hungry, and very keen to have something for Dinner."

"So, Potter, Where on earth have you been?" McGonagall demanded, "Several people were very upset when you disappeared.  Why didn't you contact anyone?"

"I couldn't," he said simply, and took a mouthful of the mashed potato, "have the House elves added spices to this?" he asked, "because it tastes wonderful."

"It could be that it's just because you're not cooking it yourself," Dumbledore suggested with a wicked glint in his eyes, "After all, I stand as proof that your cooking is not that good."

"Excuse me?" Harry demanded, having dropped his spoon in horror, "Are you insulting my cooking?  I'll have you know I've been cooking since I was four.  I am a gourmet chef!  If you don't like my cooking then, well, you have no taste."

Snape smirked, "insulting the Headmaster, Potter?  That will do wonders towards the quality of your year!"

Harry turned a single eye on the Potions Professor, "Who said I was insulting him? I was merely stating a fact, and Dumbledore doesn't hold grudges," he said, and then added an afterthought, "except against the Minister for Magic."

This earnt him a laugh from all the teachers, and a grunt from Snape, who was looking murderous.  Harry rolled his eyes and, with a wave of his hand, dressed himself in a hot pink clown suit, "does this make you feel better, professor?" he asked cheerily, "because I could wear this to Potions everyday, if you like?"

"It's alright, Potter," Snape said, sounding strangled, "It's not regulation uniform, after all."

"I could make it so, if you'd like," Harry said cheerfully, enjoying teasing the normally formidable Potions Master, "I'm sure Professor Dumbledore wouldn't mind, would you, Professor?"

"Of course not, Harry," the Headmaster inputted, "but what of the Ministry?"

"Pah!" Harry waved his hand, "who cares?"

There was a raised eyebrow but general smiles all around as the teachers listened to this young person dismiss, practically, the governmental structures of the country, with a mere wave of his hand. 

"So, Harry," Flitwick said from his seat further down the table, "are you ready to work hard this year?"

Harry raised an eyebrow, "Of course, Professor.  It's what is expected, isn't it?"

"Potter, I have never known you, or any relation of yours to work hard," said Snape, before adding an afterthought, "except perhaps your mother,"

"I suppose it's a good thing that more than my eyes came from my mother, then," Harry commented dryly, earning laughs and smirks from the other teachers in the room.

Snape was dumbfounded and it was with an obvious effort that his jaw remained attached to his face.  Harry grinned and nodded respectfully to Snape, "I think it's time I went upstairs," he said, "but may I borrow Professors Lupin and Black for a few moments?"

The two of them stood faster than most could shoot an arrow, and Dumbledore nodded, a laugh in his eye, "There is a staff meeting tonight.  Make sure they are on time for that."

Harry blinked, nodded and left, followed closely by Lupin and Black.

"Where the hell has he been?" Snape demanded, turning to Dumbledore, as soon as the door swung shut, "why doesn't he act like a normal fifteen year old?"

"Has Harry ever been a normal fifteen year old?" Dumbledore asked demurely.

"Well-"

"Harry has not had an easy two months.  He now has to maintain an illusion of himself as he was before, to prevent suspicion, and has suddenly discovered countless new responsibilities that he doesn't know how to deal with.  Let him be, Severus."

Severus gagged slightly, "What has changed, Dumbledore?"

"There is much that you can't and won't know, ever, but when you teach him, or talk to him, try to remember that he has more responsibilities than you could even dream of.  Not the least, he is a fully trained Mage."

There was a blink and then McGonagall took a deep breath, "a fully trained Mage? Albus, They died out years –"

"Actually, they didn't.  Those that existed either died from their powers because there was no suitable training program, or they died on a mission.  Or Voldemort killed them," he said sadly, "Lily and James both fell into the third category.

"So, will you help me?" Harry asked, a smirk clear on his face.

Sirius had brightened considerably, after Harry had filled him in on his plans for a prank, he had been upset that Harry wasn't giving away any information about where he'd been.  Lupin shook his head, "Harry, we're teachers-"

"exactly.  You know I'm going to do it anyway, so what if I give you immunity for, let's say, a month if you help me."

"A month!" Sirius gagged, "A year!"

"A month!" Harry responded calmly, "You're only opening a door, anyway."

Sirius rolled his eyes, "So, you want us to open a door so that you can get into the staff meeting?"

"Yep, basically."

"Why would we do that?"

"Because," Harry said, his eyes glittering, "if you don't, I'll hex you into the next millennium, and I'll still get into the staff room.  I'll have to get you this time, because it would look suss if you were still alright, but my main target is Snape today."

There was a pause and then Sirius responded hurriedly, "when do you want the door open?"

"Ten minutes into the meeting."

There was a pause and Sirius nodded to Remus, "I do believe, my dear friend Moony, that Harry is ready, and I do believe Prongs would agree with us."

"Indeed, Padfoot, Indeed." Lupin nodded and waved his hand, "we have only ten minutes, Harry.  There is something behind your bed head to help you in your task, but we have to go.  I'll make sure the door opens after ten minutes."

"Thanks, Harry said as they hurried off, disappearing out of the dormitory.  He began to search behind the bed, against the wall.  Finally his hand found a brick that protruded slightly, and didn't feel completely right in that spot.  Without his conscious instruction, his mind pushed past the wall and he discovered that he could see straight into a chamber of some sort, even though he couldn't get inside.  Consciously, he pushed his mind further and further until he found a door.  A door that connected to the transfigurations room.  He grimaced, later tonight he'd explore it, but first he had a staff room to disturb.

He was only waiting for a moment before the door swung open, seemingly like a gust of wind had opened it.  He could have done it himself, but really wasn't in the mood to bother, so he stepped inside quickly, shrouded in an invisibility charm that he knew even Dumbledore couldn't see through.

He stood to the back, in the shadows even though he was sure he wouldn't cast one.  He quickly cast a small charm on the sofas in the room with a time delay so that they would start tap dancing about ten minutes later, holding the teachers firmly in place.  He didn't bother listening to the conversation as he knew that it would largely be something boring.

The roof was then hexed to drop glitter a few minutes later, and each of the teachers – except Dumbledore – was charmed to transfigure into some kind of animal as soon as it all started.

Harry apparated out with a 'pop' and appeared in his dormitory tired, but excited.  He lay down and began to read one of the books he had picked up from the Vault (he already knew everything in his text books). 

The Founding Five

The Original Five witches and wizards of any great note are the only ones to have passed on their specialties to their future generations.  Any descendant of the Original Five receives the same gifts that each of the Five was famed for (Parseltongue, Wandless Magic etc.) They are also given the same responsibilities as their Original, as something like an evening out of the power, for Although they are the most dangerous of all witches and wizards, the heirs are too busy to turn to the dark.

The heirs are educated in a house known as "The House of the Family" and are trained by the tutor (currently Sabina) who will teach them everything about their abilities.  It is up to them to find out their responsibilities.  Each of them must take care of anything their ancestors created, ensuring the smooth operating of almost everything in the magical community.

He frowned as he heard a shout of anger and then realized that his prank had been called into play.  He smirked slightly and waited.  Sure enough, a few minutes later, several very angry teachers came hurrying up, "Potter!" Snape shouted angrily as the door swung open.

Harry looked up demurely, "Yes, Professor Snape?" he asked.

Sirius glared at him from behind the angry Potions Master, having turned into padfoot for a few moments and causing Trelawney to mutter about the Grim and how they were all going to die.

"How did you do it?" the angry man demanded angrily.

"Do what, Professor?" Harry asked carefully.

"Cast magic in the staff room, transfigure all of us, and get the furniture to dance?" Snape shouted.

Harry laughed, "Oh Merlin!" he gasped, "Someone did that? That would have been a sight!  How I wish I could have seen it!"

"What are you on about, boy?  You did it!"

"I didn't professor, please.  I've been up here since Sirius and Professor Lupin left."

"Severus!" Dumbledore called as he too entered the dormitory, "it wasn't young Harry.  It was someone else, Har-i-rah-hishon, I believe," he said, perplexed, "I just found this letter:"

Dear Professors,

Just to keep you on your toes,

Har-i-rah-hishon – Grand Master (War) Mage of the 1st Order

Harry smirked, "I told you, Professor."

"Ten points from Gryffindor!"

"Term hasn't started," Harry protested, "and I didn't do anything wrong.  I think it should be ten points from Slytherin for being rude."

There was a general laugh, and slowly the teachers left the Dorm, until only Sirius and Lupin were left.  Lupin was smiling calmly, and Sirius was angrily pacing backwards and forwards, "HOW COULD YOU?" he demanded as soon as everyone had gone.

It was a good thing that Harry had had the sense to cast a silencing charm around the dorm, because otherwise the shout could have been heard throughout the castle.

"Sirius, my dear godfather-"

"Don't you 'Sirius' me!  I had to listen to Trelawney babble on about Grims and how we were all going to die for an entire ten minutes!"

Harry rolled his eyes, "Sirius, I've been listening to that for at least three hours a week ever since Second Year.  Do you know what I get told?  I'm going to die a painful death, far away from any of my friends and completely humiliated.  Do you know how much I believe her?  Completely.  If Voldemort doesn't get me, then something else will."

Lupin calmed Sirius down by just placing a hand on his shoulder, "Harry," Sirius said softly, "I hope you know; this means war!"

"War means that your one month immunity is forgotten," Harry said calmly.

Lupin shook his head in horror, "don't drag me into this, please!"

Sirius turned his eyes on his friend, "excuse me?  You are in this until the end."