A/N thanks for your reviews and support.

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...

Regulus immediately jumped onto the table putting himself between them stopping the match. Harrison breathed hard but stood tall. Around him, other students held stunned faces. Only XIII still held a stoic expression but he thought he could see the other laying a hand on the wand. Just in case someone decided to take advantage.

Regulus declared drawing everyone's attention to him, "Kaito Karasu by the terms of the House Honor Duel you are no longer King of Nightingale. The Guard is disbanded until the new King chooses his Guard. Harrison Potter by the right of House Honor Duel you are now King."

Mutters began to arise as the King's crest disappeared from Karasu's chest. The armbands of the Captain and the rest of the Guard also disappeared. Most of it was about how a member of Lupus being King. They did not think highly of him or any member of his House.

Formally Harrison said with a deep bow, "I, Harrison Potter accept my position as King of Nightingale. I name XIII Hunter Captain of the Guard."

XIII sputtered, "Oh hell no! Potter, I do not want any more work than I already have."

Harrison grinned, "Too late."

"You little bastard," growled his friend.

"My parents are happily married, XIII," quipped back Harrison.

There was more grumbling but no further arguments. For that he was grateful. Due to their age, they would need to appear strong. Otherwise, challenges would be made before they were ready.

After a moment Regulus pointed his wand at Harrison's robes. Next to his House crest, a new crest appeared. It was a Nightingale bird with a golden crown. Then he conjured an armband for XIII. A sneer crossed his friend's face but he did not say anything against it. He took the armband and pulled it up over his robes.

Regulus then turned to the former King. Karasu glared hatefully but he did not raise his wand again. Other students began to file away with the excitement gone. No one seemed to want to issue their own challenge.

Members of the Black Hawks filed in beside him. While they weren't his Guard they would act like it. They were friends after all.

Some students stepped back indifferent to his new title. No one would look him in the eye. When he returned to the school he found Durant and Keller watching. They had seen everything from the beginning. Keller raised his chin a small spark of pride in his eyes.

Durant greeted, "I, Headmaster Durant greet the new King. May your reign be long."

Harrison bowed and returned the greeting, "I am grateful for your greetings, Headmaster Durant, and return them. May you have many years in the school yet."

...

A few weeks passed before the start of a new school year began. For the newly minted second years, it was just another day. Harrison had been up to his elbows in hot steel. He was trying out a thought he had a few days back. Trying to write magic into the steel as it formed. The possibility of the enchantments being stronger and allowing them to create larger storage rings.

The master blacksmith was watching him from the side a dark frown across his face. He hadn't exactly been happy when Harrison came to him with the idea. Still, he had not tried to stop him when he was determined.

A sixth-year student was trying to form the metal into the ring. Harrison was inscribing the runes out in blood around the steel. His magic would force into the steel when he was ready. At least he hoped it would. No sound could be heard except for their breaths. Even a moment lacking of concentration could be disastrous.

The sixth-year student double-tapped the table. Marking that he was reaching the end of his stamina. Harrison needed to wrap this up and wrap it up now. So he finished the sequence and activated the magic within it.

Runes glowed red and he focused forcing it to the steel. The two merged and sweat dripped down his face. He could feel his magic trying to break free from his control. Still, he carried on, and eventually his stubbornness paid off.

Both steel and runes merged together and the metal cooled. Harrison nearly dropped to the ground in exhaustion. The overuse of his magic had taken its toll on him.

The master blacksmith first checked on his apprentice. After ensuring the other boy was fine he checked on Harrison. Harrison waved him off with a sort of half smile tinged with exhaustion.

Harrison used every bit of his energy to move to the table. On it lay the cooling steel and he waited patiently. Once the apprentice nodded he took the ring. There was a light etching on the inside the rune sequence that made. From what he could tell it was perfectly made though he would still need his master to check it. He slipped it into his pocket.

After a handful of thanks he headed for the man's office. Students made way for him as he passed them in the hallway. Despite his new position no one had tried to challenge them. He had expected the upper years to come after him. Maybe they still would but why would they wait?

Arriving at his master's door he knocked and waited. And waited. And waited. Casting tempus he frowned. It was still early afternoon. Yet his teacher wasn't there or if he was then he was busy. Either way he couldn't just enter the man's office without permission.

Turning away he sighed. He would have to come back later then. Today new first years would be coming into Nightingale. They would either face the same trials he had. Well except for a House Honor Duel.

The rest of his day was spent in the library until it was almost time for the Start of the Year Feast. Half an hour before he returned to his dorms and changed into his formal wear. With a frown he noted that his robes were getting too short. During Yule break he would have to get new robes.

Harrison looked forward to seeing home. Letter just weren't the same as being able to physically see his family. Though if what he gleaned from his father's letter were true then things weren't happy. His mother refused to see reason about the magic laid upon Alex's mind. She thought the goblins were trying to frame whoever did it. His father would not even hint at who that person was.

While his father had not come out and said it he suspected mother was no longer living at home. He hated to think they were growing apart because of something he found out. It made him feel almost responsible for it. There was nothing he could do about it however. All he could do was consol his brother through letters.

Shaking his head from the dark thoughts he left his room heading for the Great Hall. Halfway out of the Common Room XIII fell into step with him. His friend looked exhausted. Exams were going on for the Silver Ranked Apprentice in Necromancy. One of the few things that he actually worked hard towards.

Once at the Great Hall he took his position in the middle of the table with XIII on his right. Jacob took the seat to his left and Zach across from him. On their arms was the armband of the King's Guard. While they didn't have to sit with him they chose to.

Harrison watched as fresh faced first years came in. One by one they took their places at the tables. There were thirty students to join this year. Some were around his age others were older. No one was familiar though not that he expected them to be.

When the final student took their seat Durant stood. His voice was powerful as it carried across the hall, "Welcome new students to Nightingale. Old students, I apologize for pulling you from your work and apprenticeships but as you know all must be here for the greeting. Tonight as we feast we will share our magic with the Guardians. This will grant the wards that protect our school even greater strength."

Durant continued, "Now I will go over the rankings according to our esteemed professors as well as introduce the current King of Nightingale. Harrison Potter is the King of Nightingale. Thus the House of Lupus for the first time in recent memory is First. Second is Leo. Third is Ouroboros. And finally the House of Styx is last. For you first years this means his Hosue practically controls the student body. It is in your best interest to obey the rules set out. Unless you have the ability and power to back up your words. There are four ranks within the school from highest to lowest we have King, Captain of the guard, Guard, and student. As of now, you are all students. If you want to move up in rank study hard and learn as much magic as you can. Anyone can challenge the King but know this. A teacher will only step in if it's life-threatening. Fighting amongst the students is not subject to disciplinary action unless you do permanent damage. Keep this in mind."

Harrison tuned out the rest. Lupus would have their classes with Leo now. He suspected there would be trouble. Making sure everyone could defend themselves would have to be first on his list.

This year would be a busy one for him. He had passed both Mind Magicks and Etiquette with straight Os. So he changed them out for Blood Magic and Summoning. He had wanted to go for Animagus training but he had been refused. The professor had taken one look at him and told him to come back when he was older. Despite the fact that there were young first years who were taking it.

When he had told Keller the man simply shrugged. There was something more going on here but no one wanted to tell him. Whatever he would figure it out for himself.