Standard Disclaimer: We no own dis stuff! It ain't ourz. We zo mad, we want to be JKR, dis stuff iz all herz!
Harry Potter and the
Spiritus Crystalus
Chapter
4
Somewhere in England, location unknown…
A servant came up to Voldemort and bowed low.
"Well?" asked Voldemort
"My lord, Wormtail has just arrived. He begs an audience with you," said the cowering Death Eater.
"Send him in immediately!" snapped Voldemort.
Pettigrew scurried forward, his silver hand glittering the torchlight.
"Report Wormtail," hissed Voldemort.
"My Lord, I am pleased to inform you we have recruited nearly 900 new servants for your army. I expect we will have more soon."
Wormtail scrapped and groveled in front of Voldemort.
"Yes Wormtail, your dispatches have told me how well you were doing. I am most pleased with you, my servant. I give you a gift."
Voldemort gestured with a hand. Two Death Eaters dragged a young girl, a muggle, no older than fourteen, between them. One Death Eater ripped at her blouse tearing it free from her body. The girl sobbed and tried to cover her nakedness, but could not.
Wormtail bowed low before Voldemort. "My Lord is most generous to his humble servant."
Voldemort looked at his servant with baleful red eyes. "Continue to please me and I will continue to reward you, Wormtail."
The two Death Eaters followed Wormtail from the chamber, the young girl between them. He was already dreaming of what he could do to her before she learned of his knives.
The Burrow, the morning after…
Harry woke up the next morning and slowly disentangling himself from Ginny. He kissed her forehead and headed for his morning shower. When he finished and returned to his room, he found her dressed in her nightshirt and robe.
She smiled warmly at him while he got dressed. When he sat on the bed to put his shoes on, he found himself engulfed in her arms. The two cuddled for a few more minutes before she left for her own room.
Harry went downstairs to the kitchen where Molly was making breakfast. Ron was already at the table, a slightly bemused smile on his face. When the kitchen door opened, the three were surprised to see the twins. They looked depressed and disheveled.
Molly made them sit down at the table.
"Harry mate, it's all gone," said Fred.
"Yeah, burned to the ground, and four of our employees are dead," George added.
"It's burned to the ground? Warbangers? Some kind of accident?" Harry asked in concern.
Fred shook his head sadly, but George answered for him.
"No mate, no accident. Auror's woke us up about 2 hours ago to tell us they found a Dark Mark hovering over the building."
Harry scowled. "All right guys, here's what we're going to do. I'll floo Remus and Dumbledore and ask them to come here for a quick meeting. In the meantime, I need to know if any of the people you lost had families."
Harry went to make his floo calls before returning back to the kitchen.
"Remus and Dumbledore will be here shortly. I want you two to understand. This isn't about the money it's about the people. First, we take care of the families left behind by the attack, and then we find you a secure location where you can work."
Ginny and Hermione came down stairs and entered the kitchen. A few minutes later, Remus and Dumbledore arrived. Harry recapped what had happened to Warbangers and Fred handed Harry a parchment with three names on it.
"Professor, I asked you to come here because I need some advice. Warbangers will play an important role in the coming fight, but they need a secure place where they can work. I'm hoping you can recommend a location," said Harry.
"Hmmm… actually there is an outbuilding on the Hogwarts property we could convert for their use. It wouldn't be as big, but it would be secure and safer for their employees. In fact, Misters Weasley may even find some people interested in part time work for them from the student body. It might, however, drive Mr. Filch crazy, having the Weasley twins back on campus."
Fred and George immediately brightened at this prospect.
Harry handed Remus the slip of parchment. "Remus, use money from my account to replace the twin's losses. And take a further 20,000 galleons out for each of the families on that list."
Seeing the startled looks, he felt the need to explain. "I refuse to see another family hurt by Voldemort. I may not be able to bring their loved ones back, but I'll damned if I'll let anyone starve because of it!"
Remus put his hand on Harry's shoulder. "I understand, Cub. But we're going to be partners in this. We'll help them together."
Harry nodded his head in agreement, before adding, "Maybe we should talk about a War Victim Relief fund?"
"I'll look into it, Harry. I'll owl you with what ever I find out," Remus replied.
Dumbledore and the twins left to look over the Hogwarts outbuilding. Remus stayed for a few more minutes to discuss setting up a relief fund.
"Harry, that was a very good thing you did." Hermione said, as Remus left.
Harry looked at her. She looked…different this morning…more…more what? He glanced at Ron and found him blushing for no apparent reason. Maybe Ginny wasn't the only one sneaking around last night, he thought. NO, NO, NO. I do not want to know this!
"'Mione, it's something I have to do. I can't stop Voldemort today, but I won't stand by and do nothing for these people," he said, quietly.
Everyone looked at him. It wasn't so much what he was saying, as what he wasn't saying that they heard. He simply wasn't going to allow the possibility of another family or child put into an abusive situation like he'd been left in. Harry learned one lesson from the last war with Voldemort. War is hell on the fighters, but it's even worse on those left behind.
Ginny held his hand tightly while he wrestled with memories from his past.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry…
The teachers were sitting around the breakfast table. Dumbledore had been called away, but was expected momentarily. Jack Parsons limped into the room to join them. He hadn't had the chance to meet all of the teachers as yet.
The teachers, for the most part, were understandably curious about this strange man. He wasn't a wizard, he had no magic at all. But even with the limp, he walked with an air of confidence and power about him.
Jack walked up to the table, his metal cane making a clicking noise with every step he made. He looked at the teachers and grinned. "Howdy folks, sorry I'm late. This place is bigger on the inside than it looks on the outside."
Professor McGonagall spoke. "No need to apologize Professor. Let me introduce you to your fellow teachers. You've already met Mrs. Snape. To her right is her husband, Severus Snape."
Jack reached out and shook Severus' hand. Severus carefully pulled his hand back and wondered if he should see Madam Pomfrey about a possible broken bone in his hand.
McGonagall proceeded to introduce the others, letting Jack know their names and their teaching field. Professor Flitwick and Madam Pomfrey seemed most interested in his injured leg. The rest seemed unsure, as if they didn't know how to talk to a man who lacked any magical ability.
"Tell me, Professor Parsons. Why didn't your healers fix your leg? And does it cause you much pain?" asked Madam Pomfrey.
"Well Ma'am, our medics are trained in preserving the life of someone, even if it means sacrificing the limb. I was more interested in staying alive at the time, than I was the loss of a leg. I can still get around without too much difficulty, but I will admit it hurts some, especially in your wet climate."
"How did it happen Professor?" asked Professor Flitwick.
Jack eyed the miniscule professor and decided he truly wanted to know. Most people didn't want the whole story. Most people would have shied away from it.
"Back in the first gulf war, I was leading a Recon group of marines into an Iraqi CP when we discovered we were in a mine field. We turned around and tried to make our way out. Most of us had managed to make our way back out when the man bringing up the rear detonated a mine. He was in bad shape, so I went back in for him. I was carrying him out when I stepped on a type 72 mine. After that, I was sent back to the states, spent about seven months in the fix-it up shop, and discharged with a pat on the back."
While everyone seemed a bit shocked by his story, he pressed his point home. "War, be it wizard or muggle, is a hideous thing. Everyone who trains to fight in one, hopes they'll never be called to fight. Take Harry, as an example. He'd like nothing more than to be a normal teenager, with normal teenage problems. He looks at what he has to do, and it scares him silly. But he does it anyway."
Poppy added, "He certainly seems to have more than his fair share of problems. And I have to tend to him far too often, if you ask me. Merlin knows I like the lad, but I don't think he knows how to be normal. It's something he was never taught."
"It's not that Harry goes looking for trouble, Madam Pomfrey," Jack said. "He's the flame and the moths are drawn to that."
"That's an interesting way of putting it, Professor, Harry is a child of the light, just like your flame. He's unable to use most dark art spells at all. And those few he can use cause him intense pain," Severus said, quietly.
Jack eyed Severus Snape for a moment. "Professor, since you and I'll be working together in helping Harry train up the forces needed, perhaps you can help me survey the school and the grounds? If we're going to be defending this place, I'd like to get a better idea of what sort of layout we have to work with."
Severus nodded his acceptance to the request.
"Professor Parsons, if you'll come see me later, I have a salve you can use on your leg. It should help with the pain," Madam Pomfrey said.
Back in the Burrow…
Harry sat on the bed in his room, reading. The book was one that Hermione had given him from the Black Family heirloom vault. He frowned over the passage he was reading, and then sat up quickly and read it once again.
In times long past, people, upset when a loved one died, often used an essence stone, sometimes referred to as a 'Spiritus Crystalus'. These crystals captured the essence of the dying individual. Few examples of these stones are known to exist today, as they were very fragile.
An Essence Stone? he thought. Ok, that makes sense. And it ties in with the observations I made concerning both the crystal's structure and it's composition. But how does it help me kill Voldemort? This doesn't sound like an answer to me, or if it is, it's only part of the answer.
Harry jotted down some notes in his notebook, then flipped it to the page where he'd written down everything he knew concerning the crystal. He looked over his notes about its structure and makeup. Most of the elements needed would result in a weak physical structure, but was it right? Just how fragile is fragile? Fragile as glass? Fragile as thin ice? More questions! Unfortunately, this was a puzzle that would have to wait. He had to go to Hogwarts today to see a few people.
Knockturn Alley…
James Clearwater was a minor Order member. His job was a simple one. Observe and report. What bothered him was that recently they'd changed his job slightly. James was now equipped with one of Harry's dark mark detectors and another crystal, which, they said, he could cast directly on and the spell would be received by the mark.
To be honest, he didn't understand most of what they'd told him. He just knew that he was supposed to watch the detector and cast a special charm on the crystal when the detector went off.
Today, he was delivering supplies from his employer to an apothecary in Knockturn Alley, when his Dark Detector started to blink. He quickly put down the box of gnarled toad fingers he'd been carrying, and pulled out his wand and the other crystal. He quickly cast the spell and pocketed both items again. He peered around anxiously, but no one seemed to be interested in his activity. Picking up the box, he went about his business.
Hogwarts, Headmaster's Office…
Dumbledore sat in his office talking with Jack and Severus. Both had managed to come up with a class schedule that evenly split the workload between magic and physical training.
Severus had a problem with his portion of the workload, however. He still hadn't received his list of spells from Harry. Harry was due to arrive today but, until he got to work on that spell list, he'd be hard pressed to commit to more than generalities.
The three men continued their conversation until Fawkes broke into song. A moment later Wings appeared. Wings greeted Fawkes before transforming into Harry.
Harry handed Severus a scroll. "Your spell list, Professor."
Severus quickly scanned the list noting the medical, diversionary, offensive and shielding spells. It was a very comprehensive list.
"Hiya kid! Love the entrance!" Jack said.
Harry grinned at Jack and pulled up a seat for himself.
"Harry," Dumbledore began, "Professor Snape and Professor Parsons will be handling some of the work load, but I'm afraid that you and your original companions will be filling in on a lot of it."
"Yes Sir. That's actually what I expected we'd have to do. I really have several options in regard to training them, but we have a slightly simpler mission this time. And if the Weasley twins come through, we'll have some additional squad classifications this year. I'd also like Ron Weasley and Blaise Zabini to work closely with Jack this year in developing a solid defensive plan. Ron is a pretty good strategist, and I put Blaise in charge of castle security. The two ideas are going to tie together this semester."
Jack was listening to this and nodding approvingly.
"Harry, some of these spells are quite advanced. You don't honestly expect a fourth year to learn them all do you?" asked Severus.
"No, Professor. The way I see it, the fourth years should learn the medical and shielding spells. The DA will teach the spell sets we've outlined to fifth years and above. You'll also note that Hermione has put together a small group of spells that will overload our shields, just in case the other side gets their hands on them.
"I honestly don't see any value in keeping the third years and below around. Perhaps we could find some mature third years to oversee a portkey evacuation? It's a thought.
"Jack um… I mean Professor Parsons, have you had a chance to check out the castle as yet?"
Dumbledore broke in. "Actually, Professor Parsons has been taken on a preliminary tour with Professor Snape. He was about to give his opinion of the castle's defensive status."
When the three men turned to Jack expectantly, he cleared his throat and began. "Historically speaking, castles were originally built as fortresses, with a layered outer defense consisting of walls, moats, cul de sacs. Now, as near I can figure, someone in the last 200 years decided that Hogwarts didn't need those things and had them removed. What we're left with is a couple of well-built, very sturdy buildings, totally lacking in outer defensive works. Also, it appears that the battlements atop the towers and the main structure were removed.
"Now, I'm really hoping you magic guys can come up suitable outer walls, or we're facing a 360 degree axis of attack. We need to channel and limit the areas of access, so the opposing forces are channeled into pre-selected kill zones."
"So what you're saying is we either make our own walls or we're in trouble?" asked Harry.
"Basically Harry, that's the problem in a nutshell," Jack replied.
"Ok I'll speak to the Weasley brothers. They may be able to come up with some sort of temporary wall we can use. If nothing else, I suppose we could surround the castle with portable swamps," Harry said.
"Ok, next order of business," Harry continued, turning to Dumbledore. "Sir, I have a request. As you know, in the last vision I was shown a crystal. Well, I've found a name for it. It's called a Spiritus Crystalus, also known as an Essence Stone. Every reference I've found refers to the crystal being involved in primitive death rites some how. I know it's not a weapon, but it's important." He paused long enough to give Dumbledore a copy of his notes on the subject, before asking, "With your influence in the Government, could you find out if the Unspeakables know about it?"
"I'll see what I can come up with Harry. Minister Bones seems to think she owes you a favor after your breakthrough talk with Director Ragnot, so we may be able to break some information loose on the topic for you," Dumbledore replied.
Harry smiled with gratitude. The crystal had been driving him nuts!
"One final thing Sir. I know you wanted me to arrive early and stay here, but I don't think that's a good idea. There isn't much I can do until the other students arrive and, to be frank, I'm worried about the Express."
"I, too, am worried about the Express. We've heard consistent rumors about Voldemort trying something in September or October. The Express would make an ideal target," mused Dumbledore. "Perhaps you should be on board with your fellow students at that."
"My thoughts exactly, Sir," replied Harry. "If there's nothing else to cover then, I'll get going. Remus said he had something he wanted to show me over at Grimmauld Place."
Dumbledore looked at the other two men and, seeing their nods, turned back to Harry. "No, I think that's it for now. If we find we need you, we'll floo Grimmauld or the Burrow."
Harry nodded, stood and transformed into Wings. He flew around the office once, calling to Fawkes, before vanishing in a burst of flame.
"Ya gotta admit, that kid makes an exit in style!" quipped Jack.
The other two Professors sent each other pained looks.
Grimmauld Place…
Harry appeared in the kitchen at Grimmauld Place. Remus was sitting at the table and Tonks was pouring herself a cup of tea, which she quickly dropped in surprise when he appeared. He returned to human form and grinned at her.
"Most people prefer their tea in a cup, Auntie, not on the floor," he smirked.
Remus snickered at his wife. He had quickly gotten used to her ways. A few, like Remus, suspected that she really wasn't as clumsy as she pretended to be. She certainly showed no signs of being clumsy in the bedroom!
"Harry," began Remus, "Dumbledore has turned the Order into your eyes and ears. Thanks to a comment from Hermione, we've managed to put together some interesting things that I'd like to show you."
Remus led Harry from the kitchen into the large meeting room the Order used. Along one side of the wall was a huge piece of parchment with the map of England on it. There were a few other people in the room, sitting at a large central table loaded with books and parchments. They looked up as the two men entered and nodded, before going back to their work.
"Actually, Hermione was looking into those transmitter crystals you made last semester. She thought that they might be useful in applying tracking charms to any Death Eaters we spot. It was a good idea, but it didn't go far enough. I took what I learned in making the Marauders map and applied it to making this map. Once the charm is applied, it appears on the big map. Then we select one of a series of smaller maps which contain the region."
Harry looked intently at the map. There were several little moving flags on the map and each contained the name of someone, presumably a Death Eater. He glanced at Remus with an eyebrow raised in question.
"Yeah, we've only managed to tag a few so far. We've been hoping to find out where they're setting up, but it seems like they're spread out all over the place…"
Ask Remus spoke there was a soft chiming sound and three new flags appeared.
"Hmmm… that's near Diagon Alley. Let me pull up the map from that area," Remus said as he shuffled through the maps.
Harry moved to stand next to him. Remus quickly pulled out the appropriate chart. Scanning it, he hissed suddenly and glared at the new map. One of the moving flags was clearly named Peter Pettigrew.
Remus made a low sound in his throat and the hair on the back of Harry's neck stood up. Remus might be cured of lycanthropy, but he still retained some decidedly wolfish characteristics.
"I'll be back," Remus snarled. As he turned towards the door, Harry grabbed him by the shoulders.
"Remus NO!" he said. "You can't go after him. He's the only high level link to Voldemort we have tagged!"
Remus shook Harry off him. "Don't you see? He killed James and Lily! He nearly killed you, Harry! I have to go after him!"
"You can't Remus! YOU CAN'T KILL HIM!"
Harry was now in front of Remus, blocking him from leaving the room. The few Order members in the room had stopped to watch. Tonks, hearing the shouting, had come running in and was standing by the door. She watched fearfully as Remus and Harry stared each other down.
"GET OUT OF MY WAY HARRY!" shouted Remus.
"No Remus, I'm not letting you do this," Harry said in a quiet voice. "I want him dead as much as you do, but I'm not letting you do this, not now. We need to be able to track him."
With a snarl, Remus lunged at the young man and punched him in the face. Harry's head whipped back and he staggered from the impact, but remained upright. Tonks gasped and moved towards her husband. Seeing the rage in his eyes, she stopped a few feet from him.
Feeling the swelling begin along his cheekbone, Harry turned to face Remus once more. Looking into his friend's eyes with a mixture of sadness and understanding, he said quietly, "I'm not letting you do this Remus. I'm not going to lose you too. Hit me if you must, but you're not going out to kill Wormtail."
Remus stared at him, breathing heavily. His eyes flickered to the bruise forming on Harry's cheek and his rage dissolved. He had hit Harry! The son of his best friends!
With a howl of anguish, he fell to his knees, crying. In a second, both Harry and Tonks were holding him. Between the two they moved him into the living room and put him on the couch. Tonks rushed from the room. She returned a moment later with a salve for Harry's bruise and a good stiff drink for Remus. Handing the drink to her husband, she turned to Harry to apply the salve.
"H-Harry I'm so sorry. I wasn't thinking. Oh Merlin, what have I done?"
"It's all right, Remus. You want to avenge my parents. I want to avenge them too. I promise you, the day is coming when we will. It just can't be today."
Remus looked over at the man the boy had become. He could see Lily in those fiery green eyes, and James, and so much more.
Tonks put the salve aside, the bruise already fading and sat next to Remus. Her hand gently caressing the back of his neck in a gesture meant to calm and comfort. The emotional roller coaster of the last few minutes had left Remus tired and trembling slightly.
"I think someone needs to lay down for a while," Tonks said softly. Remus nodded tiredly. As the three stood, Remus engulfed Harry in a hug, trying to convey his regret, and his love in a simple gesture.
"It'll be ok Remus. There will come a day when we'll both get what we want," Harry told him.
He watched Tonks help Remus up the stairs and out of sight before he turned into Wings and flame traveled back to the Burrow. He circled his home a couple of times before he landed and transformed back to his human form.
Later in the Hogwarts Teachers Lounge…
During the summer, the staff room was a quiet place. Most teachers wouldn't step foot in the room until term started. However, the past few days told a different tale.
Individual desks were littered with books, parchment, bottles of ink and even a few of Harry's detection crystals. The house elves had been told that, under no circumstances were they to clean anything in the room. As a result, cold teapots, broken cups and stale food could be found on every surface, from bookshelves to desks, even the floor.
The normally quiet room was filled with murmurs, mutterings and scattered curses as the professors worked on their collective project. None were too happy with Dumbledore at the moment. He'd assigned the project, and then made himself scarce. While most realized that the Headmaster had much to do, that didn't mean they had to enjoy it!
Serena Snape pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to stave off a headache. She'd been hunched over her desk in this crowded, rather odorous room for hours. The heat was becoming a problem. While the room was large, it wasn't meant to hold this many bodies for this long without being cleaned.
"This is ridiculous!" Rolanda Hooch exclaimed in frustration. "Three different books give me three different, conflicting answers to the same bloody question!"
At her outburst, eight heads turned and glared at her.
"What?" she asked. "You know I'm right! None of us has had any luck with this damn project Albus has set us. Has anyone here had a full night's sleep in the last few weeks?"
When the Charms professor snorted, heads turned his way.
"Oh, I've slept. But I keep dreaming that I'm swimming through books and parchments, chasing after floating feather quills!"
"At least you've slept," Pomona Sprout muttered, as heads whipped her way. "My eyes feel like they're full of sand! My greenhouses are overrun with daisy's, the dragon manure is drying out, and I still have marigold bulbs to harvest before term starts!"
Serena watched her colleagues with amusement. As heads turned towards each speaker, Serena stifled a wholly inappropriate giggle. It was like watching a strange tennis match, with the spectator's heads following the conversation, rather than the fuzzy, yellow-green ball hit with rackets.
"Minerva, perhaps you should talk to the Headmaster," Sinistra suggested.
"If you can find him," muttered Severus.
"And say what, Cassie?" McGonagall asked with some asperity, ignoring Snape's remark. "You know as well as I that we must find the answer to this!"
"Perhaps we already have," Serena commented quietly, and blinked as heads spun in her direction. "Think about it. The first and simplest answer may be the correct one. After weeks of research, we've found nothing else that fits."
"I will not lose my house!" Pomona said fiercely.
"Nor I!" Filius exclaimed.
Severus and Minerva glared at Serena, making it obvious that they agreed with the other Heads of House.
"And if you have no choice?" Serena asked softly.
That was a mistake. As the room erupted in loudly voiced arguments, she leaned back in her chair and massaged her temples. The lurking headache had become reality now.
The whole thing was ludicrous, in her opinion. Over the last year, Serena had broken up many fights and duels between students, all due to house rivalries. And the Heads of those houses did nothing to help matters! They held on so ferociously to their pride of house that it was no wonder it spilled over to the students. And the teachers had the audacity to be shocked by the behavior of their charges!
"Enough!" Hooch shouted. "I'll do no more research on this. I teach flying, not bookwork," she exclaimed before sweeping the contents of the desktop to the floor with a swing of one arm.
"Rolanda!" McGonagall sputtered into the shocked silence.
"I said I've had enough, Minerva," the fierce eyed woman said, staring down the Deputy Headmistress. "Accio Broom!"
"We need to work together on this," McGonagall began.
"Be my guest. Work away. I, however, am finished!" Hooch said, catching her broom as it sailed into the room. "I happen to agree with Serena. We have our answer already. No amount of research is going to change it. You may not like the idea, but I'd suggest you get used to it!"
With that, she climbed aboard her broom and flew from the room.
When no one spoke, Serena stood. Stretching, she glanced around the room and grimaced at the glares aimed at her. As she walked around her desk, Minerva raised one eyebrow, as if to ask what she thought she was doing.
"You know my thoughts on this, Minerva. If you or Albus don't like the answer, that's your problem. Research if you wish, but I'm with Rolanda. I have a splitting headache and I'm through looking things up. Enjoy your day."
As she walked out, McGonagall turned to Severus. "Can't you do something about her?" she asked in frustration.
Severus snorted. "You're overestimating my abilities, Minerva. Besides, I have to live with her, if you'll remember."
With that, he stuck his long, pointed nose back into the book he'd been reading. He was of the same mind as Rolanda and Serena. He didn't think they'd find the answer they were looking for. If Serena was right, he was going to lose his house.
Back at the Burrow…
Ginny was a little upset. Harry hadn't said much at all to her today. First he'd had that meeting with the twins, and then rushed off to Hogwarts. Once he'd come back, he'd sat out by the tree near the swimming hole, drawing in that sketchpad of his.
Why is he being so moody today? She thought. Does he regret what we did last night?
That thought was at the core of her disquiet. She left the house and walked over to him, stopping a few feet away.
"Harry?" she said quietly.
He placed his sketchpad to one side and straightened out his legs. Without even resorting to a hand wave, he levitated her over to his lap and wrapped both arms around her. He held her tightly, laying his head on her shoulder.
"I've had to deal with so many things today, when all I wanted was to be with you," he said huskily.
"Then you don't regret what we did?" she asked softly.
"Regret? Oh Merlin no, Gin! What you gave me last night… words can't describe it. It's taking every bit of willpower I have right now not to drag you back up to my room," he whispered in her ear. She shivered and moaned as he started to kiss her ear and down her neck.
"Gods how I wish this were over and we could get married!" he said.
"Me too, love," she said, softly running her hands through his hair.
She looked down at the sketchbook and, startled, reached for it. Harry had drawn a house. It was larger than the Burrow, the lines were elegant, not a mansion, but clearly a very affluent house. There was a covered outer deck, which ran the length of the house. She stood on that deck, an infant in her arms. Nearby were three other small children, playing with a big dog in the yard.
"Harry? Is this what you see for us?" she asked in a shy voice.
Harry glanced at the sketch, a little embarrassed. "It just seems right to me Gin. I've drawn you in front of the other homes I've drawn, but they didn't seem right. This one does."
"And the children Harry? Do they seem right to you?"
He nodded his head. She carefully placed the notebook on the ground again and kissed him gently. "It seems right to me too, Harry," she whispered, holding him close.
"Ginny?" he asked suddenly feeling very shy with her again.
"Hmm?"
"W-W-Would you come to my room tonight?"
She kissed his forehead gently. "I'd like that, Harry."
Hermione watched the couple from her position on the platform in the swimming hole. Ron was lying beside her, half dozing and lazily rubbing her back with one hand. Her relationship with Ron had altered again last night, and she was mentally kicking herself for not going to Ron earlier.
Now she sat watching Ginny on Harry's lap. Harry seemed so happy, so in love. Suddenly it hit her.
"Ronald," she said, "Ronald wake up, I need to talk to you."
"Wha… who… 'Mione? What's wrong?"
"Ron, I'm worried about your sister."
"My sister? Ginny? What's wrong with her? Has Harry hurt her? I'll KILL HIM!"
She grabbed him before he could leap off the platform and pushed him down. She straddled him, leaning her hands on his shoulders to hold him down.
"You can be so dense Ronald! Harry wouldn't hurt Ginny. He loves her!"
"Then what are you talking about?"
She poked him in the forehead. "Think Ron. What would happen to Harry if something happened to Ginny?"
"He'd be upset, of course…"
"Ronald, I love you my dear sweet man, but you still don't get it. Harry wouldn't be upset, he'd be devastated. If anything happens to Ginny, he'd probably give up fighting. If he ever lost Ginny, I think he'd lose his will to live."
When Ron still looked puzzled, she rolled her eyes and said, "Don't you see it Ron? We need Harry and Harry needs Ginny. We have to make sure nothing bad happens to her!"
Ron's brow furrowed in concentration before the connections were made. "But what do you suggest we do 'Mione? Ginny's not going to appreciate our hovering over her."
"Leave that to me, Ron."
She leaned back, oblivious to the fact that she was straddling Ron, with no idea what her bathing suit did to his peace of mind. So oblivious was she that she let out a startled yelp when he grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her down to kiss her. She fought that kiss for about three seconds before giving in. She could feel his excitement and it fueled her own. She firmly resolved to visit him again tonight. Maybe they'd even read that book of his together.
Hogwarts, private quarters…
Jack Parsons was in his quarters going over his notes and considering how he was going to turn a bunch of kids into fighters. He sat in one chair with his leg up on another. It had been bothering him all day. In fact, it had started bothering him consistently ever since he arrived. But in the last three days it had gotten worse.
Damn English weather! It doesn't help that this castle has ghosts, cold spots and places that are strangely humid. And who the hell has been coming in cleaning up this place every night? I never expected maid service in a school, let alone invisible maids, he thought.
There was a loud pop behind him. He started and turned to face a strangest creature. It was about four feet tall, and had tennis ball sized eyes.
"What in the Sam Hill are you?"
"I is Dobby, a house elf, Professor. I been cleaning your rooms for you. I heard you was a friend of the great Harry Potter, so I asked to be the one to clean your rooms!"
Jack leaned back with a smile. "So you know Harry also?"
"OH! HARRY POTTER IS A GREAT WIZARD! SO KIND! HE IS DOBBY'S FRIEND!" Dobby nearly danced with glee over being allowed to talk about his favorite subject.
Jack chuckled with amusement. Leave it to Harry to have his own fan club among the elves of the Wizarding world! He thought to himself.
"Well, I don't know how great a wizard he is Dobby, but I think he's a good kid," Jack replied.
Jack stood and swayed as his leg flared with pain. He gripped the back of the chair for support.
Dobby grabbed him by the arm and helped him back into the chair.
"Professor, you is hurting! Dobby get Madam Pomfrey for you." Dobby vanished with a loud pop.
A few moments later Madam, Pomfrey walked in through door. Jack was sitting on the chair with his leg propped up, rubbing at a spot below the knee. He looked up as she entered.
"I'm sorry you came for nothing Madam Pomfrey, that little elf…"
"Nonsense," she said, cutting him off, "Dobby may be a lot of things, but he's smart enough to see when someone is in pain. Now, let me see this leg of yours."
Jack grimaced. He knew this type of woman. The nurses at the hospital were like this, bossy and refusing to take no for an answer. Sighing in surrender, he pulled up his trouser leg, revealing the shiny steel and aluminum prosthetic leg.
Poppy pulled out her wand and cast a local pain relief charm while she examined his leg. Jack breathed a sigh of relief when the charm took hold.
"Professor, will you put your other leg up on the chair also please," asked Poppy. Once he'd done so, she frowned. Even muggle doctors aren't that bad! She mused.
"I don't really understand this Professor. Maybe I had best get Professor Dumbledore."
"No need Poppy, I am here. Dobby was kind enough to inform me of Professor Parson's trouble," said Dumbledore, entering the apartment.
"Professor Dumbledore! Just the person I wanted to see. I have something of a mystery here."
Jack looked bewildered. His leg wasn't hurting anymore. As far as he was concerned, the problem was solved.
"Professor, if you look at his two legs, the false leg is now nearly an inch longer than his real one. It's impossible, but if I didn't know better, I'd say his leg is regenerating!"
Dumbledore nodded with a twinkle in his eye. "I had hoped this might happen, Poppy."
"Wait a sec! You telling me I'm growing a new leg? I'll have both my legs again?"
Madam Pomfrey was flustered. This was beyond her experience. A limb that has been removed and healed could not be re-grown!
"Professor you are a squib. That means you may not have enough magic to cast spells, but you still have enough magic to be effected by magic. Hogwarts is one of the most magical places on the planet. When you first arrived, I suspected that Hogwarts itself might take an active role in regard to you. Madam Pomfrey is confused because, even with her spells, she cannot re-grow your leg. But what she can do and what Hogwarts can do are two different things. I'm afraid your probably going to have a few painful days ahead of you Professor, but I believe that you'll not need that cane much longer."
Jack looked stunned. His leg would grow back?
Jack looked down at his leg in wonder. "Well I'll be dipped in shi… um.. Pardon me Ma'am." He looked up at Madam Pomfrey apologetically.
Madam Pomfrey looked down at the man sternly, while privately echoing his reaction. "Professor, I think it best if we get you up to the infirmary, at least for the next day or so. I want to measure the rate of growth and see if we can figure out how long it will take. Besides, the pain is something I can help you with. Do you think you can walk it? Or should I get a stretcher?"
"I can walk, Madam Pomfrey."
Madam Pomfrey watched as he got to his feet and swayed a bit before snagging his cane. Stubborn man! She mused. No wonder he and Harry are such close friends. They're cut from the same cloth!
Pomfrey and Dumbledore followed the tall American from his apartment.
Serena has a blast…
Two days later, Serena was walking near the lake, hoping to avoid the staff. The castle had become stifling in the heat, and she refused to step one foot back into the staff room, regardless of Minerva's feelings on the matter. The other teachers, except Rolanda Hooch, weren't much better. The thought of losing the houses had set them all on edge, so Serena made herself scarce during the day.
She'd spent her days since then exploring the surrounding area. While she didn't go too far from the school, she wasn't close enough to be easily called back. Rolling hills hid the bulk of castle, but the towers were still visible.
Watching the giant squid perform lazy back flips in the cool water, she wrinkled her nose as a faint, foul odor wafted by on the playful breeze. Thinking Professor Sprout must have been correct about the dragon dung, she tried to ignore the smell.
What on earth, she thought, as the first explosive sound rolled over her. Whipping out her wand, she scanned the area. Over a hill to her right, she saw a plume of black smoke rising into the air. Squinting at the smoke, she concentrated for a moment and apparated with a soft pop.
Appearing just below the ridgeline of the hill, she walked a few steps and peered down. Below, the ground was a mess. The grass had been ripped apart, leaving large craters of wounded earth in its place.
Spotting two people below her, she watched as they lobbed something away from them and dove down to the ground. The earth erupted, sending dirt and smoke into the air. As the shockwave rolled out, she felt the ground beneath her feet tremble.
Seeing the damage, Serena wasn't willing to take any chances. Crouching down, she took careful aim at the two figures as they stood and stunned them both. As they hit the ground, she froze, looking the area over carefully for other targets.
When nothing moved, she made her way down the hill, quickly and quietly. Running to the prone figures, she removed their wands and bound them. Looking them over closely for the first time, she scowled.
Voldemort must be scrapping the bottom of the barrel for new Death Eaters, she thought.
The two men before her looked young enough to be students. Red hair, pale and on the skinny side, they looked like children.
"Hello my dear," a voice said from behind her.
Spinning around, wand ready, she found herself facing a smiling Dumbledore.
"Albus?" she asked in a shaky voice.
"Of course," the Headmaster replied with some amusement. "You're as fast as your husband, Serena. But could you, perhaps, lower your wand? I promise not to harm you."
Lowering her wand a bit sheepishly, she found herself grinning rather inanely. Holding my wand on the Headmaster? What was I thinking? Wait…
"Professor," Serena started, "I found these two young men. They were blowing up…"
"It's all right, Serena. I knew they were here. It was my fault for not informing the staff."
"You knew…but they…Professor, they were blowing up…" Serena stopped, at a loss for words.
"The ground? Yes, I know. You've caught the Weasley twins, my dear. Fred and George have been invited to Hogwarts. They are housed in one of the unused outbuildings."
Walking over to the stupefied twins, he gazed down at them with affection. "They're quite brilliant, in their own way. They've invented such wonderful pranks."
"Wait! Weasley's, did you say? As in, Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes?"
"The very same. Mr. Potter has asked them to turn their powers of invention towards the war effort. I suspect you've been witness to one of their newer products from the Weasley's Wizarding Warbangers line."
Noting several vials near the supine twins, she picked one up and examined it. Filled with an iridescent yellow liquid, she turned the vial slowly, noting the thickness of the contents. Reaching for the stopper, Albus' quite voice stopped her.
"Be careful, Serena. As you've seen, the contents are quite explosive."
With wide eyes, she put the vial down gently. When one of the twins started to groan, she stood up.
"Perhaps we should let them go," she said.
"Do you think so?" Dumbledore asked pleasantly.
Releasing the twins, she stepped back as they came around. While the Headmaster explained what happened to the groggy twins, Serena revised her first impression. Yes, they were young, but the keen intelligence in their rapidly clearing gazes was quite noticeable. These two must have been a handful, she thought.
After the introductions were made, Serena apologized for her actions. The twins waved her off.
"We should have been…" Fred started.
"…more careful." George finished.
Twin speak? She thought, smiling in amusement. Her only experience was with the Patil twins, and they certainly didn't speak like this!
"Wait a tick!" George cried, interrupting her thoughts.
"Snape, did you say?" Fred asked.
When Dumbledore and Serena nodded, both twins looked at her in puzzlement.
"So Snape married? We didn't…" Fred said.
"…know the old boy realized what girls were for." George finished.
Fred turned to his twin and smacked him in the head.
"Oww! What was that for?" George asked.
"'Didn't know what girls were for'? Are you mad? You're talking to the git's wife, you idiot!"
"Git?" Fred exclaimed before smacking George in the head. "You just called him a git in front of her!"
"Do you know what girls are for?" asked Fred to George.
"Of course, we read it in a book once, didn't we?" replied George.
Serena slapped a hand over her mouth, watching the twin's rage back and forth at each other. When they finally turned to her and stumbled over their apologies, she couldn't help herself. Doubling over, she laughed so hard she had to hold on to Albus' arm to remain upright. Dumbledore's amused chuckle joined her.
The twins gaped at them.
Four hours and a pleasant lunch later, Serena left the twins and their workshop. They'd given her a tour of their shop and showed her some of their inventions. Albus was right. Both young men were brilliant and she very much enjoyed their sense of humor.
After hearing about some of their exploits while at school, she was disappointed that she'd arrived after they'd left. But then, she'd always been a bit different from her fellow teachers when it came to student pranks.
Thinking about pranks, she realized Severus wasn't going to be pleased when he heard the twins were back. While she thought their pranks were amusing, the twins had informed her that her husband had never gotten over the prank they'd pulled on him.
Personally, she didn't see anything wrong in turning Severus' robes pink and his hair blond. As pranks go, it was pretty harmless.
The problem was keeping that image out of her mind when she next saw her husband. Somehow, she didn't think he'd enjoy her giggling at him.
Hogwarts Express…
The last few days of summer wound down for Harry, Ron, Ginny and Hermione. The girls continued their routine of visiting Harry and Ron every night. Hermione, however, returned to her own room before Molly and Arthur awoke.
The day of their return to Hogwarts dawned bright and sunny. Arthur said his goodbyes early. The business with the goblins was turning out rather successful, and he was needed in the office.
Harry and Hermione watched with bemusement as Molly, Ginny and Ron ran around in a state of total panic, looking for last minute items to pack.
As always, with very little time to spare, everyone was packed, trunks shrunk to pocket size, and ready to go. Ron and Harry had sent Hedwig and Pig off to Hogwarts that morning. Hermione cradled Crookshanks in her arms. Harry wished they could apparate directly to the station, but they decided not to. It was next to impossible to hide that sort of thing from the muggles. So instead they apparated to Grimmauld Place and from there, took a muggle taxi to the station.
For once, the Weasley's were early. They'd managed to arrive at platform 9 ¾ with a whole ten minutes to spare!
Molly hugged Hermione tightly to her and whispered in her ear, "I do so hope the floorboards in the boys dorm don't squeak like they do in Ronald's room, Hermione dear. Take care of yourself and my Ronald."
Hermione stepped back, her mouth open, her face flaming. Molly's message was clear. She'd know about their sneaking around and had decided not to stop it! Suddenly Hermione didn't feel as smart as she normally did.
Molly then went to Ron and whatever she said to him caused his face turned a brilliant red as well.
When Molly turned to Harry, he kissed her on the cheek and said softly, "Thank you for being my mum, Molly."
Whatever she had planned to say to Harry went straight out the window. Her eyes filled with tears and she crushed him to her.
Molly reached out with a hand and pulled the startled Ginny into her embrace as well. Choking back tears, she told them to take care of each other. Then, deciding that what was good for the goose was good for the gander, she released the two and pulled Ron and Hermione into a joint hug.
The four boarded the train with a few minutes to spare. It didn't take long to find the compartment with Neville and Luna. Hermione went to the prefect's car, being Head Girl she had to issue assignments to the prefects.
Ginny touched Harry on the cheek, catching his attention. "Harry, what did you say to mum? She acted like she just received a tea invitation from the queen!"
"I thanked her for being my mum, Gin. It seemed right to tell her that," he replied.
Ginny gave a yelp and hugged Harry hard. As the train pulled out from the station, Luna spotted the ring on Ginny's finger. She was carefully examining it while Ginny retold the story of Harry's proposal, when Hermione returned to the compartment.
Luna looked at the ring wistfully and wished them lots of luck.
Lavender stopped in a short time later. She nearly shrieked when she spotted Ginny's ring, and again Ginny retold her tale. That started a steady stream of Gryffindor girls to the compartment. Harry didn't mind her telling the tale, but the looks the girls were giving him were unsettling to say the least. Some of the girls gave him hungry, predatory looks, others smiled approvingly, and still others looked envious. All of them seemed startled by his eyes. In exasperation, he finally started staring out the window to avoid looking at them.
After the tenth retelling, he leaned over and kissed Ginny on the cheek, telling her he was going to go stretch his legs for a few minutes. He got up and walked out of the compartment, intending to walk to the back of the train before returning. He figured that would give the girls enough time to talk.
As he walked through the train, he'd often stop in a compartment to talk to some of his DA members or other friends. Generally speaking, most of the students were genuinely glad to see him. But a few people seemed cold, standoffish.
Two cars from the end of the train, a small girl rammed into him as she ran forward. Bouncing backwards, she fell to the floor in tears.
Seeing her distress, Harry knelt down next to her. "Are you alright?" he asked.
"I n-n-need to find someone. T-T-They are being mean to Eric!" she said. The little girl sounded so lost and alone, it tore at Harry's heart.
"Who is being mean to Eric?" he asked.
"Some big kids. They keep pushing him and calling him names. Something about blood," she replied.
Harry frowned. He stood up and offered his hand to the little girl. "Show me where they are," he said.
Still holding Harry's hand, the little girl dragged Harry into the last car. There was a cluster of students at the back. Harry looked down the little girl and put his fingers to his lips. She nodded fearfully and they both turned to listen.
"Filthy mudblood! You'll do what we tell you to do!" said one voice.
"Look at the mudblood cry!" said another.
Harry scowled. He recognized that voice. He was annoyed. Older students picking on first years who couldn't defend themselves was nothing new. But this was vicious, bigoted bullying, and he wasn't going to stand by and watch it happen. His eyes flared as he stepped up to the group.
"Wan Chang, I warned you once. Apparently washing your mouth out didn't work last time, so let's try it again, maybe a bit longer this time, hmm? And if I find you tormenting another student, I'll see you spend the rest of the year in detention," Harry said forcefully.
When he'd first started to speak, the group of five fifth years had whipped around to face him. Several of them blanched. When he was finished, they all grimaced as the taste of soap filled their mouths. The little girl giggled when they started to foam. With a squeak, Wan and her friends bolted from the car.
With the group gone, Harry could see a small boy slumped in the corner, tears coursing down his cheek. He looked remarkably like the little girl. Both had the same nose, eyes, and the same brown hair.
Harry knelt down next to the boy. The little girl knelt as well and grabbed the small boy in a hug.
"Are you ok?" Harry asked softly.
"We are now," said the little girl. "Thank you. I'm Erika. This is Eric, my brother. We're twins!"
"Hello Eric, Erika. You can call me Harry."
"Are you a wizard? I'm a witch! And so is my brother. Well he's really a wizard, not a witch. At least that's what the letters said we were," Erika offered.
Harry had to smile. Eric seemed almost painfully shy, while Erika was outgoing.
"Yes I'm a wizard, Erika. And I'm sure you'll be a mighty witch and Eric a mighty wizard someday," he replied with a grin. "You two didn't know you were magical? Weren't your parents magical?"
"Oh no, our parents didn't even know magic existed until that funny man came to our house and explained about the school."
Harry thought for a moment, and all the pieces clicked into place. Muggle born twins. One of them must have mentioned their coming from muggle parents. If Wan had more cronies aboard, these two would be targets as soon as he left them.
"Eric, Erika, why don't you come with me and I'll introduce you to some of my friends. They're witches and wizards too, and I'm sure you'll find them very nice."
Eric looked into Harry's eyes and seemed startled by the light dancing there. Finally, he nodded. He took his sister's hand and Erika took Harry's hand. Harry led them back up the train to his compartment, which, thankfully, had emptied of visiting girls.
He stood in the doorway to the compartment; Erika peeked out from behind his leg and Eric hiding behind his sister. Everyone turned to look at Harry, startled by the presence of the two children behind him.
"Guys, I'd like you all to meet Eric and Erika, a powerful witch and wizard. They ran into a spot of trouble with Wan and her cronies."
Hermione looked at the little girl and her brother. She could see the tear stains on their faces. She started to rise to go hunt down Wan, but Harry stopped her. "Don't worry about it 'Mione. Right now they're getting their mouths washed and I threatened them with a year of detention if they did it again."
Hermione realized that Harry's status as a professor allowed him to issue far greater punishments than a prefect or even Head boy or Head girl could ever do. Instead, she turned her attention to the little girl.
"Hello Erika. Would you like to sit with me? My name's Hermione."
Erika nodded and everyone shifted around to make room for the two kids. Eric spotted the chessboard Ron and Neville had been playing a game on and his eyes widened.
"Is that chess?" he asked shyly.
Ron looked at the boy and smiled. "Sure is! This is Wizards chess. Would you like to play?"
Eric looked torn between staying with Erika and playing, but finally he nodded. Ron set up the board and the two started playing.
Harry sat next to Ginny across from Hermione and Erika and addressed the girl. "Erika, in the future, if you have a problem, find a prefect, or find Hermione, she's Head Girl this year. She'll be able to help you. If you can't find a prefect or Hermione, find a teacher. They'll always be able to help you."
"Harry," Ginny said softly, "that includes you. You are a professor this year."
Harry looked stunned, then grinned sheepishly. "I keep forgetting about that," he said.
"Are you really a wizard, Harry?" asked Erika.
"He's a mighty wizard Erika, and he's your friend," Hermione told her.
Harry leaned forward and stretched out one arm. In his hand appeared a ball of fire. He held the fire there for a moment, and then transfigured it into a white rose. He leaned forward and gave the rose to Erika, who smelled the flower and clutched it to her, smiling shyly back at him.
When the lunch cart came along, he bought Eric and Erika their first chocolate frogs. Erika and Hermione talked for a long while about being a witch. Harry just grinned, watching her come out of her shell. She was far more outgoing than her brother. Every so often, Erika would look over at Harry to make sure he was still there.
Ginny whispered in Harry's ear, "Do I have competition for your affections, my love?"
Harry whispered back, "No. I just couldn't leave them alone. The two are muggle born and aren't prepared for what some people were doing."
She smiled and caressed his cheek before whispering back, "You really do have a 'saving people' thing Harry, and it's one of the reasons why I love you."
He was about to reply when Ron made a funny noise. Harry looked over at him and started to laugh loudly. Ron had finally been beaten at chess! By a first year student! Eric sat there, proudly surveying the carnage on the board.
"Ron, you better hope Eric is sorted into Gryffindor so he can teach you how to play right," Harry said with a smirk, before turning to the young boy. "Eric that was excellent! In the seven years I've been playing him, I think the only game I won was when he fell asleep."
Eric smiled shyly at everyone.
Harry looked out the window and noted where they were. He leaned forward to Erika and tapped her on her knee to get her attention.
"Erika, we'll be arriving at the train station in a few minutes. You'll have to go with the other new students, but I'll introduce you to the tallest man you'll ever meet. His name is Hagrid. He is also one of the nicest people you'll ever get to know. He'll take you and the other first year students up to the school. So, once the train stops, stay close to me and I'll introduce you to him, all right?"
Erika nodded at Harry, her eyes wide. Ginny snickered. She suspected that the little girl was developing a crush on Harry already.
A short while later the train pulled into Hogsmeade. Harry walked the twins back to where their trunks were and helped them put on their robes. He then escorted them from the train.
"Firs Years 'over here pleas! Firs years!"
Harry waved to Hagrid and moved in his direction.
"A'right there Harr… er.. Professor Potter, what can I do for you tonight?"
"Professor Hagrid, I'd like you to meet two friends of mine, Erika and Eric. They are first years and I told him about how nice you were to me during my first year."
Hagrid bent over the two twins and smiled. "Any frien of Professor Potter is a frien of mine," he boomed.
Erika giggled and Eric hid behind her, trying not to smile.
Harry turned to the two of them and told them he'd see them at dinner and that Hagrid would make sure they were all right. He then waved to Hagrid and walked to the carriage his friends were holding for him.
"Harry, that was a wonderful thing you did. Those two kids needed a friendly face today," Hermione said.
In the darkening gloom, he turned his gaze on her, his eyes sparkling. "I couldn't leave them alone, 'Mione. Wan and her cronies had Eric pinned at the back of the last car and were calling him horrible names. Besides, I still remember how scary it was being a first year," he replied with a mock shudder.
He turned and looked out the window, thinking about the twins he'd handed over to Hagrid. Sighing, he said, "You know, I think I'm going to have Blaise keep an eye on Wan this year. Ron, it might not be a bad idea for us to institute some sort of security patrol. Get together with Blaise and knock the idea around, ok?"
"I'll get on it, Harry."
"Harry, that's truly weird," quipped Luna. "Your eyes glow in the dark."
Harry looked at Luna, astounded. Weird? From Luna? "Umm… well it's not like I did it on purpose Luna. It just happened one day."
"We could have used you on our hunt for the uni-roo Harry. I'll ask my father if you can come along next year," she said dreamily, turning away to look out her window, a smile on her face.
Harry rolled his eyes while Ginny and Hermione snickered.
The Welcoming Feast…
Hermione sat near the head of the Gryffindor table. As prefect and Head Girl, she had to welcome any students that might be sorted into her house. Ron sat next to her, with Harry and Ginny across from them. Harry scanned the head table and noted that Jack was missing. He seriously considered going up and asking where he was, but was interrupted by the doors of the Great Hall swinging open.
Professor McGonagall escorted the new students into the Great Hall. As always, a hush fell in the room as the students wondered which of these new students would make it into their house.
Erika spotted Harry and waved at him with a big grin. He smiled back at her.
Professor McGonagall placed a stool in the center of the hall in front of the head table and looked sternly at the youngsters before her. "Students, when I call your name, you will come forward and sit on the stool. I will place the hat on your head and you will be sorted into your houses," she said.
When she placed the hat on the stool and stepped back, waiting for it to begin its song, a wave of dizziness hit Harry hard. He could feel his magic swelling inside him, far higher and stronger than ever before. His stomach roiled. He gripped the table edge tightly in his hands to keep erect. His locket suddenly gave a burst of comforting warmth.
Down through a thousand years,Into groups of four I've broke,
Spawning hatred and fear,
With divisive words I've spoke.
Harry gasped, his body straining with the power that filled him. His friends turned in alarm, looking at him.
The time of sorting is past,No more of houses will I speak.
Hogwarts, unite and stand fast!
Separate, divided, you are weak!
Harry tried to fight it. He felt like he was going to explode! He looked to his friends, the panic clearly evident in his eyes.
Blade Wielder and serpent's friend,The stars have writ thy name on high.
You foretell the Dark Lord's end,
The light, though dimmed, it will not die.
Harry began to tremble, his hands starting to glow as the magic surged even higher. Seeing the plea in his eyes, Ginny reached out to touch him, but the magic prevented the contact.
Phoenix singer, Crystal Mage,Guardian o' the light.
Stand against the coming rage,
Stand NOW and fight!
Harry's magic flared once more and he was enveloped in a glowing nimbus of blue light. The castle began to rumble ominously and the walls of the Great Hall started to shimmer in the same blue radiance.
He staggered to his feet, his eyes blazing with energy. The castle started shaking. The groan of stone against stone as the very core of Hogwarts heaved echoed through the Great Hall. The first year students cried out in fright and many fell to their knees as the castle shook. Professor McGonagall tried to keep her feet under her, as she stared at Harry in disbelief.
He threw his hands outwards and upwards. Bright beams extended from each hand and he lifted off the floor, floating. Fawkes appeared in a bright flash of flame and swooped over to Harry, singing a song of triumph and joy! The walls continued to brighten and the floor shook even harder. The Hall erupted in flame as more Phoenixes appeared. They joined Fawkes as he circled the Great Hall, singing his song.
The noise was tremendous! The wards outside Hogwarts shimmered and glowed with an intense light. In the Great Hall, the walls burned with a bright blue luminescence that was blinding to everyone. The house banners flashed into flames. There was a ringing sound like a colossus was striking a huge bell. The light flared again and everyone covered their eyes.
When the light finally faded, the students looked around in wonder. All of the house banners were gone. It their place was a banner that hadn't been seen in almost a thousand years. It was black in color with a Golden sunburst at its center. Crisscrossing the sunburst were a wand and a sword. But that was only the beginning.
Every students robe had been changed. The House colors had been replaced with a pure white trim, the House crests replaced with the same black banner.
Ron, Ginny and Hermione scrambled to Harry, who lay crumpled on the floor. One by one, the Phoenixes flew to Harry and vanished in a burst of flame.
As Harry started to come around, Ron pulled him to a seated position. The hall was in an uproar.
Dumbledore amplified his voice before he began to speak. "Quiet! Quiet down please. Everyone take your seats. That's it, every one take your seats now. Please, give us a few minutes and we'll be able to get the welcoming feast started."
Dumbledore walked over to where Harry lay on the floor. Poppy was already there, checking him over for injuries. Harry was awake, but tired. Both Snapes stood nearby looking concerned.
Dumbledore leaned down and looked into the young man's eyes. "Harry, what did you do?"
"Believe me Professor, if I knew what I did, you'd be the second person to know. The first would be me. I don't know what I did Sir. It… it… was almost like being under an Imperio, but different. It was like I had to do it, like I wanted to do it. I can fight off an Imperio, but I couldn't fight this. Merlin knows I tried," Harry replied tiredly.
"Are you alright Harry? Do you wish to go to the infirmary?" Dumbledore asked.
"No sir. I'm just a little tired and I have a headache. Besides, I think Madam Pomfrey would like to enjoy the feast for once, instead of looking after me."
Madam Pomfrey snorted with amusement.
"Miss Granger, send out the prefects to check out their respective houses. Something has changed. We should find out what," said Dumbledore.
"Professor, what about our robes? The house banners?" she asked.
"Yes, yes. It seems we have many new mysteries to ponder, Miss Granger. Now, if you will please speak to your prefects?" Dumbledore said with a twinkle.
Harry started to struggle to his feet. Ron and Ginny assisted him while Hermione went to round up the prefects. Dumbledore looked at Harry intently.
"Honestly Headmaster, I'm fine, just a little tired. I'll take my seat again."
Dumbledore nodded in agreement and let Harry's friend help him to his seat.
Ginny reached up and touched his cheek. He closed his eyes and leaned into her touch before taking her hand in his own and kissing it, his eye's sparkling at her. He never even noticed the multiple sighs coming from the other girls at the table.
Professor McGonagall fixed the stool and called the attention of the first years. "When I call your name, come up and we'll sort you into your house."
"Assanti, Angelo"
A small dark haired boy stepped forward and sat on the stool. She placed the hat on the boy's head and waited. The hat didn't move or speak. It was totally inert. McGonagall shot Dumbledore a pleading look. Dumbledore pointed to the box in front her on the head table where the names had already been pre-sorted by the House Heads.
McGonagall slumped her shoulders in defeat. Walking over and opening the box, she began reading the names from the lists made by the teachers.
Harry watched this strange sorting with amusement. He had the strangest feeling that the sorting was unnecessary. He was pleased, however, when both Eric and Erika Stonesmith were sorted into Gryffindor. Harry and Ginny waved to the brother and sister to take their seats at the Gryffindor table. Hermione was still by the entrance to the Great Hall, waiting to get reports back from the prefects.
Erika sat near Harry and was staring at him in awe. "Harry, that was way cool! You made the whole place shake!"
Ginny giggled at the young girl's exuberance. Erika looked at her, considering her for a moment. "Are you Harry's girlfriend?" she asked.
Ginny liked this little girl. She was bluntly spoken, curious and not afraid to ask questions. "Yes, I am his fiancée."
Erika thought about that for a moment before replying, "Good, he's way too old for me and I wouldn't want for him to wait around until I grew up. He is cute, though."
Ginny started to laugh, earning a glare from Professor McGonagall who was still calling out names. Harry buried his head in his hands.
The sorting was finally completed just as the prefects reported back to Hermione. With a stunned expression on her face, she went up to speak to the Headmaster. He nodded at her and motioned for her to return to her seat.
Dumbledore stood and all eyes turned to him. "And now, let us enjoy this wonderful feast! Tuck in!" At that, the tables filled with food.
"OH COOL!" Erika exclaimed. Even Eric seemed impressed as a large platter of his favorite food appeared in front of him.
As they ate their meal, Hermione kept shooting suspicious looks at Harry until he couldn't take it any more. Sighing, he put down his knife and fork and stared back at her.
"What, Hermione? You're staring at me."
"You really have no idea what you've done?" she asked.
"Done? 'Mione I couldn't stop myself from doing what ever I was doing. So no, I don't know what I've done. It's left me tired and with a pounding headache," he snapped back at her in annoyance.
Hermione looked hurt. Ginny placed one hand on the back of his neck. He leaned into her soothing touch slightly.
"Look Hermione, I don't know what I did. I don't know why I did it. It happened and no matter how hard I tried to fight it, I couldn't stop it. I'm sorry for snapping at you. But really, my head hurts like a giant's been kicking it around. Just once, I wish these things would happen to someone else. Ron, Dumbledore, anyone! I swear when this is all over, I'm moving someplace where no one's ever heard of Harry Potter or the Bloody-Boy-Who-Lived," he said softly, the apology clearly evident in his tone.
Hermione reached over and grabbed his hand. Her eyes told him she understood. He smiled weakly at her. They were interrupted when Dumbledore stood up and spoke.
"Attention please. Attention."
The hall quieted and all eyes turned to him.
"I was going to have just a few start of term announcements, but it seems circumstances have changed somewhat. So now I have more than usual to say. Please bear with me.
"Tomorrows classes have been canceled. The castle has undergone some major alterations. The staff and I need to survey these changes to make sure everything is safe for the students. Therefore, all students will be confined to the common room, the Great Hall, or outside the castle.
"You'll note I said 'the common room'. It seems that Hogwarts has decided to eliminate the Houses. Prefects have reported to me that no matter what entrance they use to enter their House, they find themselves in one giant common room. The Houses have been merged."
The Headmaster waited for the shouts, groans and angry questions to quite down before continuing.
"For the time being, you will continue to consider your Head of House as your adviser. Teachers, may I remind you that without the Houses, taking house points is now somewhat redundant.
"The banner which you now see hanging in the Great Hall is indeed a symbol of Hogwarts. It has not been seen since the founding of the school. This banner has been referred to over the years as the Hogwarts Battle Banner. The last time it was seen, the four founders rallied the rest of the Wizarding world under it to combat another Dark Lord.
"Finally, on to more mundane announcements. The Dark Forest remains forbidden to all students that do not wish to be eaten," Dumbledore looked pointedly at the Gryffindor table with this statement.
"A new class will be offered this year, called Advanced Defense. It will earn you NEWT credits. There will be three Professors teaching this course. Professor Snape, Professor Parsons who, I regret to say, is currently in the infirmary, and Professor Harry Potter. This will be an expansion of Harry Potter's group from last year. I must warn you, this course will be dangerous and difficult. If you are interested in taking the class, please see one of the Professors involved.
"Finally, the last two items. Our caretaker, Mr. Filch, has informed me that the list of prohibited items has been expanded to include all of the new products from Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes. Anyone wishing to inspect this list of over 2200 items can do so in Mr. Filch's office. Additionally, the owners of Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes have setup an experimental facility on our campus grounds. They have informed me that any students wishing to earn a few extra galleons on the weekends may do so by applying for part time work from them."
When Dumbledore sat down, many of the students turned to look at Harry in disbelief. With a groan, the Embarrassed-Boy-Who-Lived folded his arms on the table and buried his face in them, wishing very much to be the Boy-Who-Disappeared.
Authors Notes:
Ragnok was killed in a raid on the Keebler elf cookie factory. We've replaced him with Ragnot, his twin brother. IE for the purists that insist on reminding us of canon, this isn't to canon. As we threatened in our last book, it's our story and although we try to remain close to canon, only JKR can do that. If we wanted to, we could have Madam Pomfrey, Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore in a carnal threeway triangle involving midgets, a goat and a tub full of jello, while Colin Creevy took pictures to post to the Internet. But we won't do that to you or them. Okay, so it was a typo, but we're too lazy to go back and fix it. Since the goblins may well come into this story once again, let's just pretend that our story of Ragnok was true, hmmm?
Serena is actually an uncomfortable flyer. And if you'll remember, she said that the Firebolt would have to wait. Perhaps we should have made it clearer that the particular model she named hadn't been invented. Serena's the impatient sort, and urged us on in our writing. Next time, we'll make her wait while we clarify a point!
For those speculating about possible uses for Harry's crystal. Good for you! It's good exercise for your brain. On the other hand, shame on you! You're fishing for answers before we've posted the necessary information and we aren't telling. NANA NANA BOO BOO!
To all of those who comment that they see parallels between this story and others. We've worked mighty hard to prevent that from happening, but there is only so much you can do with these characters, unless you start going really crazy. For the record, we considered having Harry undergo Jedi Training, Navy Seal Training, and thought about making him a cyborg. Unfortunately, Yoda had a previous engagement, Demi Moore wasn't interested in training a kid and, since Arnold's been made Governor, he's forgotten his cyborg roots. So those that see "This Means War" in this story are obviously missing the other parts. "This Means War" is an excellent story, but its nearly 100 percent comedy, which our story clearly isn't.
