Everyone around him sat with rapt attention, but first he had something to announce.

"But first, I'd like a reporter to show up."

At everyone's confusion and/or hesitation, he went on.

"We need to prove that Hogwarts is safe now, and that we didn't just shove our problems in a cupboard somewhere."

Most still weren't convinced but his father went to the nearest fireplace and called out to the daily prophet. Moments later, a familiar white haired woman stepped out of the fire with her bumbling photographer. At the same time, Albus Dumbledore came in through the door.

"Excellent timing. Let's get this show on the road, shall we?"

He uncovered himself to show his bare-chested body. Gasps were heard around the room as they all clearly saw the damage done. By now the holes through him were healed and what remained were two big scars from the teeth, and grey lines flowing out from the point where he was bitten in the shoulder.

"Let's start with this, the Chamber of Secrets is real. And with the help of Mr. Potter, I'm going to show you where it is."

His leg hadn't healed of course but after a little convincing, Madam Pomfrey let him be levitated by two aurors so he could show everyone. And he did. He talked about how two boys showed up to his office and how he couldn't let them get into danger alone.

He embellished parts of course, but the two boys didn't seem to mind as long as they didn't get seen in a bad light. He made sure they sounded like two young boys desperate to save Ginny, which they were. He made himself sound just a tinge more heroic than he actually was.

When they arrived at the bathroom, Harry opened the pathway to the chamber and all you could hear was the camera clicking. Lian kept explaining their journey down there while everyone walked along the massive skin of the basilisk. Soon they came to the round door and Harry opened it once more.

Inside they saw the beast. Right next to it lay the Hat and the sword. Lian explained that when he entered, a boy named Tom Marvolo Riddle stood over Ginny. Albus flinched at the name and Lian knew that was a conversation for later.

He explained how magnificently he fought, and then Fawkes the Phoenix showed up to help him. At that time, Fawkes appeared beside them as if confirming that he had helped before as well. But then the basilisk was summoned. That was when Lian's story was altered a little more to show his heroism. He claimed that he tried summoning roosters but before they managed to harm the beast, they were splattered on the floor.

A few had been splattered under the massive writhing snake so it wasn't a tough sell. He then explained how the sword appeared in the hat, and that he used it to thrust from the inside of the Basilisk's mouth. Killing it instantly. He then explained that it was a cursed diary that was the culprit of everything that had happened. It had possessed Ginny Weasley and was sucking the soul out of her.

He showed them the place he had burnt the book until even its ashes were gone. All that remained was a small area of blackened slightly melted rocks. With that, he was placed down next to the basilisk so they could take pictures.

Some weren't very pleased with how he was basking in the spotlight but nobody could really blame him. He had risked his life to save the roughly 700 students at the school and they were all grateful for it. Even McGonagall let him have his spotlight for the moment.

He sat there, with his scars showing, with the hat on his head and the sword of Godric Gryffindor in his hand. Rita Skeeter, the reporter, was exuberant. She interviewed everyone involved. His father, so ask if he was proud. The aurors to see what happened when they showed up. The two children who came down with him, to ask how much they enjoyed having their new Headmaster. Ginny and her family were interviewed, to see how grateful they were of her saviour. After all that was done, he was thanked profusely by the girl's mother before he was left in the hospital wing to recover and regrow some bones overnight.

The next morning, everyone had already read the paper when Lian made his entrance. Boy was it an entrance. Everyone was seated already when he burst open the doors. The hall silenced and everyone looked at him. He wore an open robe with a loose fitting shirt underneath it. The shirt had a deep enough neck to faintly show the grey lines they now all knew were scars from Basilisk venom.

He strutted up to the front. Up there sat all of the teachers and Dumbledore, only one seat was empty but Aurelian didn't sit down. He stood in front of them all at the lectern.

"A dangerous foe has left the castle forever. I am sorry we could not solve the problem sooner, but I have seen the victims start to recover. They should join us within the hour."

A loud applause resounded throughout the great hall. He silenced it with a gentle raising of his hand.

"For now, Hogwarts is safe. Know that while I am here, I will do everything in my power so that it remains that way. Hogwarts will be the safest and best place in the world to educate our youths. Don't you doubt that."

Another applause later, he had a few additions to make. But before he could do so, the door opened and the former petrified victims came through the door. A wide smile was spread across the hall as friends were reunited.

"Excellent. Now I can begin handing out points to some important people. To Ms. Hermione Granger."

All eyes went to the young girl who only just reunited with her friends. She herself just looked oblivious.

"For solving the secrets revolving around the entrance, and thereby securing the lives of your fellow students, have 100 points to Gryffindor."

Loud applause could now be heard from just one of the tables, but reluctantly the others acknowledged that she deserved more than that.

"To Mr. Harry Potter."

All eyes now turned to the insecure boy.

"For using parseltongue for good instead of proving the stereotypes right. And also for doing the final necessary steps to secure the survival of young Ginny Weasley. Have 100 points."

The hall had a similar applause as before, perhaps a bit louder. It seemed some were feeling bad because of how they treated the boy before.

"Finally, to Mr. Ronald Weasley."

The boy looked up in surprise.

"For getting me to act as I should, and for taking care of your sister while getting back up. Have 50 points."

As those points rolled in, it became clear that Gryffindor had just won the cup for the second year in a row. Celebrations were extraordinarily loud from the centre table as Aurelian called it out. Almost as loud as when he stated that all exams except for owls and newts were cancelled for the year. Those exams would be done at the ministry, since all students would go home the next day. An extra long summer vacation was a welcome surprise to most after the tumultuous year they had.

From those celebrations and joy, to the evening when he was packing what few items he had in the office. He knew it was his last day. He only really dared to make those promises because he knew it was his final day on the job. Aurelian Fudge wasn't Dumbledore material. He couldn't possibly fill his shoes, and he honestly didn't even want to.

All he hoped for was that his father didn't force him into another position soon.

A knock on the door could be heard but before he could respond, Albus Dumbledore stepped into the room. He didn't look at Aurelian, he looked around the office in something that looked reminiscent. He was a happy man though.

"You know. Maybe your father was right. Maybe I should step down from some of my positions and let the next generation step forward."

He flicked his wand towards the door and in came an eavesdropping Lucius Malfoy. He quickly straightened his robes and adjusted his look, before taking strides forward towards the desk.

"Yes. You have gotten old, Dumbledore. You're not the man you once were."

And he couldn't keep the sneer off his face when he said it. Albus' face remained unfazed.

"Indeed. But I couldn't exactly step down until a suitable option stepped forward, could I?"

He looked towards Aurelian and Lucius couldn't hold in his laughter.

"That little one? Sure, Dumbledore. If that's your wish then I'm certain I can get the board of governors to accept that."

Lian was absolutely stunned and couldn't really react to what was going on around him. Dumbledore believed in him, Lucius believed he was easily manipulated and suddenly someone was at the door again. He thought it wasn't that easy to get to the office but obviously he was wrong.

In through the door came Harry Potter with a house-elf on his heels. The house-elf ran over to stand behind Malfoy.

"Dobby? You're Malfoy's house-elf!?"

This clearly caused some anger on Lucius' part, he yanked the elf in the ear and dragged him out of the room. He yelled out at Albus while walking away.

"We'll talk at the meeting Tomorrow!"

Harry looked like he wanted to run after him, but Lian called him up to his desk.

"Did you want something Harry?"

And he went on to explain that the elf had been trying to protect and warn him all year, in his own peculiar ways, and that it was Malfoy's fault that Ginny had the diary.

Suddenly Harry asked if he could have the notebook Lian was about to pack into his sack.

"Why?"

He was reluctant to say, but eventually he explained his plan to free Dobby.

"Harry, you do realise that elves need to be bonded to live, don't you?"

At Harry's wide eyes, Lian surmised that he, in fact, did not know that. Lian sighed.

"If you're doing this then I personally would recommend that you ask if he wants to bind himself to you. If he doesn't, Hogwarts always has room for more house-elves.."

He wasn't all that convinced on that last point, but he left running with the notebook with his left sock in it.

Since Dobby didn't pop in, Lian surmised that the plan worked and the elf wanted to be with Harry. Most elves prefer staying with a person or a family. So with that sorted, his attention snapped to Albus.

"Dumbledore, I'm not ready for this."

He simply chuckled at Aurelian's reluctance.

"Nobody worthy feels like they are."

It sounded a bit similar to how he praised Dumbledore down in the chamber.

"I'm not sure I want this.."

Albus simply raised an eyebrow at that and wore an amused grin.

"Yes you do. I saw you standing there in front of the students. I heard how you were willing to sacrifice yourself to save your students. It's like you were born for this, Aurelian."

He scoffed at first but soon noticed that Dumbledore was completely serious.

"Besides. You'll get an Order of Merlin for that stunt you pulled, they won't be able to get rid of you if they wanted to."

Now that made him think. He could start acting any way he wanted towards the ministry and even though dad and Lucy put him there, they couldn't take him away from the position. He started thinking of ways to improve the school, he had just been one of the students after all. He should know best what the current problems were from a student's point of view.

With Dumbledore's help he could figure out what was wrong from a completely different view as well.

"Dumbledore, you can't just leave though. How about you become a teacher again? I've heard you used to be the best teacher this place had!"

Albus let out a happy sigh as he walked around the office, just remembering things.

"I was always an educator. The only reason I stepped into the roles I have is because I couldn't trust others to do a good enough job."

He turned around and looked Aurelian straight in the eyes.

"I will place my faith in you on a trial basis. I believe you can become a great Headmaster, but I agree with you that I should be here to help. But what should I teach? McGonagall is as good of a replacement for my former position, as a man could possibly hope for."

Lian now sported a wide grin and stepped over to the bookcase closest to the desk. He took out two books and placed them on the desk in front of Albus.

"Alchemy and Warding. Two subjects rather reliant on a decent understanding in other subjects. You could perhaps offer them as a course for 6-7th years with certain grades on their Owls."

Albus grabbed the two books, one of which he had written himself once upon a time.

"It is certainly a valid idea. Since I would only have four classes to run, I would probably have a bit of spare time as well."

He went to the bookcase and grabbed quite a few more books and placed them in a pocket in his robes.

"I'll think about it. For now, you should get some rest and then get ready for the meeting of the board tomorrow. Perhaps you could send an owl to your father insisting that you get the deal with the OoM sorted out quickly as well."

And he did just that. Cornelius Fudge only saw an opportunity to widen the prestige of his family, so he instantly pulled all of his contacts and set up a ceremony that very same evening. It wasn't a huge thing, but Aurelian stood in front of a small audience of mainly reporters and accepted his award.

Afterwards, he had to answer some questions from the press. Most were simple questions but two newspapers stood out.

Witch Weekly were going to run a massive piece on him since he was currently single. Aurelian knew he wasn't the most handsome man. He was rather short, had a rather large nose, and his blonde hair was certainly not as luscious as Lucius'. But he supposed he looked alright. He had broad shoulders, an excellent smile if he said so himself, and as he noticed when he lost a lot of weight as a kid, he had a rather nicely sculpted face structure. His eyebrows were a bit darker than the hair on top of his head and they were thick, perfectly to make his blue eyes pop.

The other newspaper that stood out was the quibbler. A silver haired man came up to him and honestly the first reaction was to think he wasn't supposed to be there. But after getting past the first odd glance, he seemed to be a very cheery, unnaturally so, man. He looked like his head was constantly in the clouds, but the first question that came out of his mouth certainly wasn't loony at all.

"Did you know that Tom Marvolo Riddle is an anagram for 'I am Lord Voldemort'?"

He handed Lian a piece of paper which was probably the first draft of tomorrow's newspaper. The letters rearranged every few seconds to show that what the man said was in fact true. Aurelian was gobsmacked. Did he fight a young Voldemort down there? Or a weirdly specific imitator perhaps? He had to talk to Dumbledore about this. But first he had to answer the man's question.

"No. I did not.."

He gave the man the five galleons he had in his pocket.

"Sign me up for a subscription, I'm going to need tomorrow's newspaper."

And then he left, no further questions.

It was already late by the time he got back to the castle. All of the students had left and it was completely empty apart from a few staff members who remained to finish up their work. Lian would have confronted Dumbledore right there and then but he was very tired and didn't even know where Albus slept now that he had taken over the Headmaster's quarters.

The next morning, he strode into breakfast with determination. The Quibbler had just arrived and he held it in his hand, he was ready to have a chat with Dumbledore before the board meeting began.

"Albus, mind explaining this to me? I found it to be a rather interesting little tidbit."

At first he looked amused, but when he saw what the newspaper stated, his face took on a grave appearance. He read the little article, as it wasn't much information apart from the name itself being an anagram, and then looked up to Aurelian.

"I'm not sure what you want to talk about, but I for one am happy, for once, that the Quibbler has incredibly few readers."

Lian sat down next to Albus and his breakfast appeared in front of him. He looked around to see that they were alone in the hall.

"How about the fact that I might have fought Lord Voldemort himself in the chamber of secrets? How about the fact that, judging from your reaction, you knew who he was before he took up the name? How about the fact that Riddle is NOT a pureblood name? I haven't even heard of a wizard with that surname at all."

Albus sighed. He knew that Aurelian had to be told. He had permission to look at old records and could find everything out for himself anyway, so Albus might as well be the one to explain.

"Tom Riddle was a young wizard with more potential than any other I have seen."

And then he went on to explain who he was. He explained Tom's upbringing and Albus' own failures in that area. He explained that Tom had taken a turn while he was at Hogwarts, from a slightly spiteful kid, to a mastermind manipulator. He talked about when Tom first opened the chamber and poor little Myrtle was killed. He talked about who Tom ended up being after school, about when he applied for a teaching position, and that the position had been cursed ever since. Finally, Albus explained that the former dashing young man became so twisted that his eyes became red and his appearance started changing. The effects of dark magic are hard to hide, but Tom didn't even make an attempt to do so.

"Years later, he returned as the one we today know as Lord Voldemort. What you fought down there was the memory of a sixteen-year-old Tom Riddle, how that is possible I'm still fully figuring out."

Aurelian wished he could sit and gather his thoughts after such a revelation, but neither of them had time to waste. The meeting with the governors would soon begin, so he had to push those thoughts further ahead in his schedule.

The Board of Governors. A rather lame way of trying to control the Headmaster if Lian was completely honest. Their sole duty was to control and improve the school where necessary, and yet they usually fail miserably. Most often, the Headmaster has to do everything themselves and the only actions which actually stem from the BoG are restrictions from the wizengamot.

Most members of the BoG were also members of the Wizengamot, old families with influence simply by existing. Aurelian shouldn't really complain. He wished his family was like that, so it was rather hypocritical to go hard on the old geezers, but he didn't care. They had no idea what the school needed, and they didn't try to understand it either. Very few of them even had any close relatives at the school anymore, Lucy and Madam Longbottom being a couple of exceptions. Lucy shouldn't even have his seat, it actually belonged to the Blacks but somehow he snuck in there. Probably Dad's fault, Lian thought as he sat down at the head of the table.

They were situated in a massive room in the west corridor of the fourth floor. It was completely circular and had a bunch of seats surrounding a platform in the middle, with a couple of head seats at the front of the room in front of some beautifully painted windows. In those seats sat the most important people at Hogwarts.

Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Filius Flitwick, Pomona Sprout, and Severus Snape all sat there waiting for the last meeting of the year to be over so they could all take a vacation. Aurelian Fudge joined them and sat down in the middle of them.

"Are we all in attendance?"

Aurelian called out from his seat using a sonorus charm. It seemed to be as full as can be expected. Many families had died out but their seats remained, he considered whether they should actually change some aspects of who gets a seat and who gets to keep it. At least taking it away until someone claims it should be reasonable, right?

Albus leaned in and whispered in his ear.

"Yes, I think we can start. Just remember what I told you earlier."

Albus had told him what he needed to know in order to properly lead one of these meetings, and also warned him of who tended to cause trouble.

And so, the meeting started. The first point was to fully instate him as the Headmaster. It was easily accepted by the board, his Order of Merlin hanging on his robe probably played a part in that.

"As the next order of Business, I'd like to create a couple of new NEWT classes. They would be led by Albus Dumbledore, so you can be assured they will be properly done."

Albus was called to the stage, and briefly went through what the courses would entail. Alchemy would require an EE in Potions and Arithmancy, while Warding would require an EE in Charms and Ancient Runes. Considering Dumbledore was leading the courses, and many felt bad for ousting him off the Headmaster position, it easily got passed.

Apart from that, there were only some minor things. A team of ministry unspeakables would be visiting the Chamber of Secrets to assure everyone that it was, in fact, safe. The corpse of the beast would be harvested, and all parts would go to Aurelian Fudge as its slayer. They also agreed on how to help muggleborn 5th and 7th years get to their exams at the ministry. A special room was even marked as a place they could all practise the spells they needed. It was apparently the auror academy's rooms which were barely used anymore since there were so few applicants.

The meeting was soon adjourned with another meeting planned a month before school started again. Until then, a new candidate for two subjects would have to be found. Kettleburn was retiring from Care of Magical Creatures, and of course Lockhart was nowhere to be found.

That wasn't all Lian had planned though, he was going to fix this school in one way or another. He didn't know how many years he had until someone else would take his spot, but he sure as hell would leave his mark on the school. He'd be up there on the portrait wall as one of the greats!

For a moment, as he was saying goodbye to everyone, he wondered where that aspiration came from. He wondered if Dumbledore was right, but doubted it at the same time. No matter, Fudge would have to get busy. He'd start off with writing down the issues he could fix during his first summer. Off-handedly he didn't think it could be that many.