A/N: YAY! That's over 500 reviews and over 50,000 words. Thank you everyone for your support and reviews. Without further ado, here is chapter 19
Surprisingly enough, the revelation of the Dark Lord's identity didn't seem to have sparked off a run of attacks, a relief that the staff of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry were extremely grateful for. Most of them had taught during wartime before and knew that suddenly academics stopped mattering, with survival becoming more important. Also, even the school was unlikely to remain untouched for long. The children should be safe for the moment but their parents and friends were still out there in the world, Muggle parents completely unprotected, and sooner or later someone would be killed.
The next Monday morning, James went, rather nervously, up to the Headmaster's office at the very centre of the school. There the wards would be tuned to his magical signature and the school would be fully defended once more. The ritual would have taken place early, in fact, the paperwork had already been done, but certain preparations had had to be made. James had fasted for the past twenty-four hours and had eaten only bread and water for two days before that. Certainly, arrangements had also been made within the office, changing it back into the ritual room it had once been. Now he was dressed in a plain white robe and they were ready to begin.
He opened the door and went in. The room was bare of furniture and there were four concentric circles drawn on the floor - one ring of dragon's blood, one of wolfsbane one of breadcrumbs and one of salt. The heads of houses were standing, evenly spaced, around the outside circle and Albus was inside.
"Ah, James. Step through here, would you?"
With the precise moves of a well-taught acolyte, James drew his wand and used it to sketch slit down the edge of the circle. He then stepped through and brought his wand up again to close it off. Since everyone else was already in position, he assumed they had already raised a protective barrier to contain the excess magical energy until it could be dealt with. Albus watched approvingly.
Following the standard ritual procedure of warding, James knelt down, putting his wand in the exact centre of the circle next to a silver dagger that already lay there. All magical lighting in the room was removed and they were ready to begin.
"On behalf of the house of Gryffindor, I call upon the element of Fire to ward this circle and defend Hogwarts against the enemies that would destroy us," Minerva began, adopting a stance with legs well spaced to ground herself when the power began to flow.
"On behalf of the house of Hufflepuff, I call upon the element of Earth to ward this circle and to heal and nurture those who take refuge within the walls and wards of Hogwarts," Sprout continued from her place anti-clockwise from her colleague.
"On behalf of the house of Ravenclaw, I call upon the element of Water to ward this circle and to help us to find the meanings of the signs that we see."
"On behalf of the house of Slytherin," Severus continued, his eyes blazing, unfamiliar in his white robe. "I call upon the element of Wind to ward this circle and to guide those who need the protection of Hogwarts to us, be they beast, elf, Muggle or wizard."
With the final incantation, there was a blaze of colour as the circle of protection flared into life. There was no way to reopen the circle until the ritual was complete and nothing, not air, not sound, not magic, could now enter or leave it. Albus picked up the dagger and traced the runes engraved on it.
"I, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Headmaster and Defender of Hogwarts, Bearer of the Wards, call upon the elements to witness to our deeds this dawn and infuse this dagger with your power. Do you, the Defence Master of Hogwarts, accept as your duty the Defence of Hogwarts Castle and Grounds and all other duties related therein and swear upon your magic to take them up immediately upon my death."
James took a deep breath and gave the response.
"I, Harry James Evans Potter, being sound in mind, body and magic, do swear upon the magic that is born from my soul to take up the duties of Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore upon his death and hold them until another should come to take my place. Furthermore, I do swear to sacrifice my life for the safety of the castle and the well-being of all those within it should it become necessary for me to do so. I call the elements to bear witness to this oath and accept my life-blood as a symbol of the truth in my heart."
He took the dagger from Dumbledore and slit his arms vertically along the veins. If the oath was not accepted, he would bleed to death, essentially having committed suicide. If it was, the magic would close his wounds after taking the blood it required. He watched with a certain morbid fascination as the red blood spurted from his arms. Then there was a tingle and the deep cuts closed as if they had never been, leaving only the blood red on white stains of his robe. James let out the breath he had been holding and looked up to meet Albus Dumbledore's eyes.
"So mote it be," the older man murmured and the circle vanished.
The heads of houses sagged with relief and Albus helped James to his feet. Quite obviously acting on experience, the four of them staggered off.
"They'll be going to get an energy replenisher from Poppy," Albus explained. "You are going to sit down, take a dose of this one I fetched from her earlier and give me a full explanation."
James drank down the luminous green potion without complaint and closed his eyes with relief as he felt a tingle as his energy returned.
"What do you want to know?" he asked innocently.
"I am particularly curious as to how I have had Harry Potter under the same roof for months and not noticed when I could have sworn I would recognise your magic anywhere. Who else knows and were you ever planning on telling me?"
James sighed and decided there was no way to get out of it, certainly he wouldn't be able to pull off a strong enough Obliviate charm.
"After I turned sixteen, I began to think about what I would do when I defeated Voldemort. I had been studying like mad that summer already and was already about halfway through the sixth year syllabus. I remembered what had happened when they thought I was the heir of Slytherin when I was twelve, or in my fourth year when they all thought I was mad and decided that I'd given enough of my life. I wanted a chance to be myself, not to have to put masks up constantly and have no privacy."
"It would have been near impossible to keep you completely isolated from the press," Albus conceded, smiling slightly. James relaxed, his mentor obviously understood his reasoning.
"I sent off a few letters to Hermione and Remus, asking about it but not explaining exactly what I wanted to do. I transferred some money from my Gringotts vault to a Muggle account and had my papers given to the bank, my passport included, so that I could get at them without having to go to my relatives.
"In my research, I came across a mention of a type of power that was pure magic, that only Slytherin had ever been able to use with any degree of success before."
"And you can use it because you're his heir?"
"Sort of, there's a prophecy somewhere that I found about Slytherin's heir in blood and heir in power. I took those to be Riddle and myself but I didn't discover that I was also of his bloodline until Uni."
"My brother?"
"Yes. Well, I never learned to control the power properly, but it worked well enough to completely destroy Voldemort. I Apparated away and ended up in a Muggle street unconscious, delirious and with burns covering every inch of my body. Someone 'phoned an ambulance and I was taken to hospital. It took me two months to heal sufficiently to be able to leave and by then I was different; the magic had changed me. The colour of my hair is natural, as is the colour of my eyes. I was also quite a bit taller and very pleased about it. I set myself up in another city, I won't say where, and enrolled in a 6th form college to get some Muggle qualifications. When I was twenty, I received an invitation to the university. I was surprised to say the least, I was already older than most who go to university and I wasn't aware that a magical one even existed."
"Surely you must have heard about it?"
"Not that I remembered. I was never that concerned with what people did after they left Hogwarts. I was assigned to Abe at Uni. and took a Dark Arts course. One of the things I researched was my ancestry because someone told me that it's very rare for there to be a Muggleborn without wizarding blood somewhere in her family. In my mother's case, she was the first witch in a long line of female squibs descended from Salazar Slytherin's grandson."
"And she was in Gryffindor?"
"She was unaware of her heritage, and didn't expect to be in Slytherin because of not being 'pureblood'. Anyway, after my course finished, I decided I'd rather be here than anywhere else."
"Do you still have the scar?"
"Oh, yes. I use Muggle concealer so it doesn't show. Nothing magical works."
"And who else knows."
"That I know, your brother and Hermione. That's all. I wasn't planning on telling anyone but Abe guessed while I was at Uni and Hermione spent five minutes with me at the bloody festival and worked it out."
"Ah yes, the Harry Potter Festival. That must have been . . . interesting."
"Didn't any of you think to point out that I wouldn't have wanted it?"
"Ron, Hermione, Draco, Severus, myself. Everyone else seemed to think that it was their right to have a proper celebration."
"Severus?"
"It surprised me a little too. Perhaps he knows you better than you thought."
"I doubt it. You should have seen his face during Ron's talk. He looked as though all of his illusions had been shattered. I imagine he had a very clear idea about what my life was like and Ron was brutally honest and wrecked it all." Suddenly James got a little uncomfortable with the track of conversation. "I'd better go now - I've got a second year Slytherin-Gryffindor class."
"Certainly, my dear boy. But, you know Harry, you've turned out better than I could ever have hoped for. Should I ever die, I'm glad Hogwarts will be in your hands."
James fled at that. He wasn't that great, he just happened to have been born with a little more sheer power than most other people had. It didn't mean he was special: he couldn't brew even third year potions with any degree of accuracy and he had no knowledge whatsoever about Arithmancy or Ancient Runes.
After lunch, Severus caught James leaving the Great Hall.
"Are you recovered yet?" he asked. "I have a few energy potions in stock should you need them."
"I'm fine thanks, Albus gave me an energy potion this morning. I don't feel any different from normal."
"Aren't you lucky then," Severus said, frowning slightly. "Every other person in this castle has been deliriously cheerful all morning. Its sickening really."
"You think the castle is affecting people?"
"I wouldn't put it past it. There can't be any other explanation for a fifth year Slytherin-Gryffindor class with no incidents whatsoever. Would you care to stop by my quarters for a drink?"
James agreed and followed him through, accepting a glass as he took a seat on a sofa.
"Draco agreed to take my second year potions class," Severus explained, "So I have a free afternoon. At least he's earning his keep for once - I swear that brat of his hasn't slept through the night once."
"Speaking of Harry, where is he?"
"Upstairs in the staff room, being doted on by Albus and every female member of staff who doesn't have a class to teach."
"I worry about him sometimes," James muttered. "At least it's the holiday soon."
"And Albus' ball."
"Urrrgh, I was trying to forget about that."
"Have you found a costume yet?"
"Easy, same as I always wore at Uni."
"What is it then?"
"Salazar Slytherin."
"Appropriate."
"Isn't it. Normally I drag someone in to be Wulfric Ravenclaw and once I managed to get Draco as Godric Gryffindor. It only happened once though and I doubt he'll do it at Hogwarts - it would wreck his reputation. How about you?"
"I could always go as a Muggle."
James quickly revised his plans. The question was whether Severus owned a pair of leather trousers. Those would be better even than medieval tights, since they wouldn't be covered by a cloak.
"What would you wear?"
"Dress shirt and trousers, I suppose."
Not leather then. Damn.
"You'd be welcome to come as Ravenclaw," he suggested. "I have a costume somewhere and it wouldn't take much to adjust the size. Merlin, if you really wanted to go anonymously, you could use that Weasley range of appearance changing sweets before you put the illusion on. That way it will look like you aren't in attendance and you can do what you want."
Severus paused, thinking this over.
"It is an . . . interesting idea. I will have to consider it. Which unfortunate did you plan on having me go as?"
"I doubt Bertie would mind."
"Bertie?"
"Bertram Highcastle."
"Ravenclaw, the year below Draco, has a reputation for being a bit wild?"
"That's him alright," James confirmed, somewhat impressed by this show of memory. Memorable character or not, Bertie had been in Ravenclaw, and he wouldn't have expected the Slytherin head of house to know him well. "We were friends at Uni and he's gone to things like this with me before. That is, if you think you can act like him well enough to fool some of his teachers . . ."
"Of course I can, its not like he's exactly a complex character. Act like an idiot and you have him to the core."
"It's entirely your decision then. The offer stands."
"Thank you," Severus said. "I might just take you up on it."
James was halfway through a lesson with a fourth year class when someone knocked on the door.
"Come in!" he called. Unlike the doors to the common rooms and bedrooms, this was a normal wooden door, so didn't have the advantage of having someone to guard it.
The door was pushed open and a third year girl stepped in, a scrap of parchment in her hand.
"Note for you from Professor Snape, sir," she explained, handing it to him. "There shouldn't be a reply."
"You can go then," James said, unfolding the note.
Come up to the Headmaster's office at once. Our luck was too good to last.
SS
Someone had lost a relative then, probably someone in Slytherin house. James wasn't sure whether he'd prefer it to be an older or younger student - a younger one would probably have more emotional problems, whereas an older one would be more likely to do something stupid looking for revenge. There wasn't an easy answer. The note had told him approximately what had happened without spelling it out for the whole school to know had the girl read it.
"Continue reading through chapter 5 and summarise it. Put the summaries on my desk by the end of the lesson. Mr Philips, Miss Summers you will report any problems to me."
As he spoke this, the instructions appeared on the board behind him. He locked any dangerous items and the door to his office and left, breaking into a run as he left the classroom.
When he reached the office, he found Severus waiting there.
"James, I was worried you wouldn't get here."
"Who is it?"
"Mr and Mrs Macdonald."
"Alistair's parents?"
"Yes. At the moment, he's in Albus' private sitting room with him, being dosed with tea laced with calming potion. In a minute, I will go in and we will tell him. I would like you to call an assembly of Slytherin house as soon as class is dismissed in ten minutes. Tell them the bare bones of the situation - yes it was Death Eaters - and then we had better start thinking about who could take him in. The poor boy doesn't have any other close relatives."
James nodded and turned to head down to the Slytherin common room. He paused at the door.
"Good luck with him, I have a feeling he won't take it well."
As the bell rang to dismiss classes for the day, James pressed the button located within the fireplace of the common room and spoke his message.
"All Slytherins to report to the common room immediately. All Slytherins to report to the common room immediately, no exceptions."
Over the next ten minutes, the students of Slytherin House poured into their common room from all over the castle, taking seats on the chairs, floor and benches.
"Professor, Alistair went to the Headmaster's office," Simon Wood said, looking lonely without his friend.
"I know. Go and take a seat. Is everyone else here now?"
There was a murmur of agreement.
"I had hoped never to have to do this but there is no easy way to say this. I am forced to tell you that a student's family was attacked and killed this morning by Death Eaters. Alistair Macdonald is a first year, for those of you who do not know him, and at present is with Professor Snape and the Headmaster. He has no siblings and no close relatives, so I would ask you not to ask him questions and to watch out for him over the next few days. Arrangements for him are being made as we speak. Anyone with questions or concerns should come to speak to Professor Snape or myself over the next few days. That is all. Thank you."
Simon came over to him as soon as James dismissed the gathering, followed closely by a 7th year prefect, Archie Alderton.
"Are Alistair's parents really dead?" Simon asked, with all the bluntness of his Gryffindor relatives.
"Yes, Simon, they are."
"I was just thinking, he'll have to stay at school for Christmas, won't he?"
"Probably, yes, but we do our best to make sure that everyone who stays still has a good time."
"Would he be allowed to come to my place for the holiday, at least for Christmas Day?"
"That would depend on whether your parents agree and what Professor Snape says, but I should think no one would mind."
"We're not actually at home this Christmas, we're going to Oliver's boyfriend's family."
"The Weasleys?"
"Yes, he's going out with Charlie Weasley."
"Shall I speak to Professor Snape for you and see what he thinks. I wouldn't mention it to Alistair yet, we wouldn't want to disappoint him."
"Okay Professor."
Simon moved out of Archie's way and went to join some of his other friends. The seventh year was looking very serious. He obviously understood the implications far better than Simon.
"This is a bad time for it to happen, just before Christmas. Is there anything we can do to help?"
"Do you know how many people are staying over Christmas?"
"There aren't usually any, anyone who can't go home gets invited to a friend's house. There might be a couple this year whose parents want them safe but I can't see there being many."
"I'll have to make sure Professor Snape agrees to let Alistair leave for the holiday. He'll need to be around his friends, this year in particular."
"I was talking to a couple of others and we were thinking that maybe some of us could team up to buy him a few presents, since he won't be getting any from his family this year. It's not much but it might make him feel a bit better."
"As you say, its not much, but if he has to watch other people opening piles of presents from their families it might make all the difference. Thank you."
"I know no one pays any attention to the start of term speech about us being a family, but it is true at times like this. Do you want me to organise it?"
"If you have the time. Be careful with the younger years, its probably better if he doesn't hear about it."
Archie nodded and moved away, a few other seventh years drifting over to join him. They soon had a small huddle in one of the corners; one of them had produced a piece of parchment that they were scribbling names on. James smiled slightly and headed back upstairs.
When he arrived, he found Alistair curled up in Severus' arms, quite obviously asleep. His eyes were red with crying and he was clutching his teacher's robes like a lifeline. As James watched, Severus carefully pried his fingers open and put the boy down on the sofa. Albus noticed him standing in the doorway.
"Come in James," he said. Severus turned to see him.
"How is he?" James asked softly.
"Upset, shocked, a little angry - more or less how we expected him to be. We gave himself a chance to cry and then gave him a sleeping draught," Severus said, equally quietly so as not to disturb the boy. "How did your talk with the others go."
"I told them, they seemed to accept it. Archie had an idea that they could organise some presents for him between them and volunteered to organise it."
"I've always admired how Slytherins stand up for their own," Albus said wistfully. "I could only wish that the other orphans at Hogwarts were looked after quite as well, though I do my best."
"Simon Wood seemed keen on having Alistair spend Christmas with him. It's certainly an idea, especially since his family's going to the Weasleys. They should be able to provide the support he needs and he'll feel welcome there."
"I'll have a talk with Molly," Albus agreed. "She has a way of adopting orphans. If they get on well, it might work as a more permanent arrangement too. I know she's felt a bit lost without teenagers in the house."
"One of my Slytherins with the Weasley family?" Severus asked, sounding a little incredulous. "They're as Gryffindor as anyone. Would they even agree to take in a Slytherin?"
"They're less prejudiced than you think Severus. I'll send an owl to Molly this afternoon. I just hope we don't have anyone else lost before Christmas, or a great many children will be miserable this holiday. Having Alistair with the Weasleys could work very well, especially given that usually they come to Hogwarts. It might work better if we went to them this year though . . . James, would you come through to my study for a minute?"
James followed him out, then watched with surprise as Albus shut the door and erected a number of silencing charms.
"I take it you don't want Severus knowing who you are?" Albus said by way of explanation. "I wanted to ask whether you would rejoin the Order. I won't ask much of you beyond the defence of Hogwarts - its traditional that you should stay safely behind the wards - but I would like you to have access to certain channels that you wouldn't otherwise."
"I don't know . . . I've nothing against it in principal but how do we work the ritual. Fawkes knows that I'm already a member but everyone else will expect to see the full ceremony and that includes an oath that would require my full name."
"I will have a word with him. I'm sure we'll be able to work something out. I'm sure we can work out a limited effect silencing charm for your name. I will think about it."
"I'll do it then."
Albus seemed to sigh with relief.
"I know you don't like people telling you but I think you will turn out to be as important in this war as the last."
A/N: puppy dog eyes "Review?"