Summary: Slightly AU after book six. Takes place right after funeral. Harry seeks answers. Will he ask for help?

This Chapter: Harry presents his ideas to McGonagall.

School Unity

Part One

As Harry rushed to the Great Hall, he could still feel the blush on his face. Though he knew he was being a pessimistic about the future, Harry realized that he knew his uncle more than he really wanted to.

Harry entered the Great Hall, only to stop. The Great Hall seemed to have enlarged, it was now twice its original size, and instead of the four house tables there were, it seemed, fifty to sixty circular tables each could sit twelve people. Harry quickly scanned the tables looking for the Weasley's. At first glance he thought he had spotted Ginny, but as he neared that table, Harry spotted several Hufflepuff emblems on the school robes of the students sitting at the table, only to realize he was staring and heading towards Susan Bones. Harry quickly turned and continued scanning the other tables. Harry groaned when he realized that the Weasley family had been placed front and center of all the tables.

Not again, Harry thought as he made his way up to the table. Harry could see Percy leaning over Ron and Ginny. It appeared that Ron was trying not to choke on his food as he glared daggers at Percy.

". . . so where do you think he is?"

"We've already told you Percy. We don't know!"

"Oh, come on Ron. You can't expect me to believe that. You're his best mate."

"Whatever," Ginny said under her breathe.

"Look I really want to talk to him," Percy said.

Ron turned and stared at Percy, with his mouth full and responded "I dunk gevv a fej."

Hermione leaned over and said, "Ron really! How many times do I have to tell you, not to talk with your mouth open?"

"What?"

"He said he doesn't give a fig, about what you have to talk to me about," Harry said, as he pulled a chair out to sit down. As he sat down Ginny pushed a plate a food toward Harry, "Thank you, Ginny. I think I would have starved, these two always seem to forget."

"That's what's friends are for," Ginny responded.

"So Harry where have you been?" Hermione asked.

"In the infirmary, with Neville and Luna. It wasn't until Mrs. Weasley scolded me about missing dinner that I came down here," Harry responded.

"So that's where Mum went," exclaimed Ron. While Ginny reached over and slapped Ron on the back of the head, "Dunderhead," she said.

Ron turned his head and just smiled at her.

"Harry I really need to speak with you," Percy said.

"Percy, if it has to do with the Ministry, then the answer is NO!"

"But Harry . . ."

"NO!"

"Mr. Weasley!" McGonagall called as she approached the table. "Kindly remember that this is Hogwarts, and not the Ministry. Even though I hold you and your family in high esteem, this is not the way to proceed."

"This does not concern Hogwarts Professor McGonagall. So if you'll excuse me, I'm trying to do my job."

"I think not," McGonagall responded. "Mr. Weasley, I believe you have taken advantage of the relationship between your family and Mr. Potter. Kindly make yourself scarce. You can address Mr. Potter after his new guardian has been announced." McGonagall stated with her sternest expression.

Percy looked to Ron, who wore an expression of hardness and stared at him unflinchingly. Then looked at Ginny, who had an expression stonier than Ron's. Percy then turned and left them.

"Potter?"

"Yes Professor McGonagall?"

"Come to the Headmaster's office at 7:30 tonight."

All of a sudden the Great Hall was very quiet; you could hear a pin drop. Harry started to look around, to see what or who had caused such a commotion. Ginny pointed to the doors, you could see Remus walking forward, as witches and wizards moved out of the way completely. It seemed as every single wizard would move himself and their clothing, so as not to be touched by Remus, as if by touch alone would cause them to become werewolves.

As Remus continued to make his way toward the front of the Great Hall, Harry could see the disdain and the frightened expressions on the adult faces, while most children wore confused expressions. Nymphadora, who was following Remus, was receiving smiles and handshakes, and of course small nods of approval, as if to say thank you for protecting us!

As Remus neared the front of the Great Hall, he went and sat at what appeared to be an empty table. Harry realized that Remus was not going to be with him and the Weasley's. Remus it appeared was trying to protect Harry and the Weasley's from innuendo's and gossip.

Harry was preparing to stand and move his dinner to where Remus sat all alone, when he heard the distinct sound of chairs being scraped against the stone floor. As Harry turned back around, prepared to defend his friend, he froze. Leading the way to Remus was a group of Gryffindors. It appeared to be a fifth year, followed by a fourth year, followed by a second year and a first year.

"Professor Lupin?" asked the oldest in the group.

Remus turned around, surprise clearly showing on his face. "Why hello Alastair. It's a pleasure to see you again."

"Hello, Professor. I wanted to introduce you to my younger siblings, sir."

"Andrew, of course I know you. My you have grown haven't you?" Remus said as he shook hands with the fourth year student.

"Yes sir," Andrew answered.

As the one of the girls moved forward to be introduced by Alastair. "This sir is our sister Andrea. She's with us, and in Gryffindor, as you can see. She's also the brightest one of the bunch and in her year too. Just don't say it to often, it could go to her head." Alex said as he winked to Remus. Remus shook Andrea's hand, while Alex moved behind the youngest of the group. "This sir is Adara. She's also quite bright sir." Alex said this with some pride.

"Professor. . ."

"Alastair, I really think you should return to your table, I don't want you or your family to be ostracized because of me."

"Professor. We are Muggle borns, and if the wizarding world doesn't want to understand that lycanthropsy is not contagious by touch, they miss out. Besides we wanted to ask you some questions." Alastair said with a touch of force, while his brother and sisters all nodded their heads in agreement.

Soon it seemed that other students were approaching the group. Even Nymphadora could not find a seat. Pretty soon the group around Remus and Nymphadora consisted of students from first through fifth years from almost all houses. Older Slytherin's were not in the group, but there were some from first and second year and definitely one or two from third and fourth year.

Ginny tapped Harry on the shoulder, "Harry your dinner is getting cold." Reminding Harry that he was still hungry.

Harry was sitting on his bed, up in the boys' dormitory. He had a quill and parchment sitting on his bed next to him. The parchment read:

Protection Shield

Fred & George - Design

Charlie – Charms

Ginny – Research

Hogwarts Protection

Remus – Maps

Fred – Swamps

George – Stun Bomb

Potter Home/Magical Children

Fleur – Foundation Information

Mr. Weasley – Properties

Mrs. Weasley – Care/Management

Dursleys

Werewolf Safe House

It seems that Hermione had rubbed off on Harry. He was trying to list all the projects that he wanted to do over the summer, better yet before his birthday. Yet he was hesitant to add more to the list. Harry turned and looked out the window.

Harry was considering leaving early; without Ron or Hermione. But Harry knew that if there was to be any research involved he would need Hermione and Ginny to help, and he would need Ron to watch his back.

All of a sudden, Harry heard the pounding of feet on the stairway. The door was pushed open, and banged against the wall.

"Told you he would be up here."

"Oh shush Ron."

"Harry, it's time to go."

"Ya ok give me a minute," Harry said as he moved to the side of the bed. He placed the quill on the cabinet and replaced the stopper on his bottle of ink. Harry picked up his wand and waved it over the parchment.

"Been practicing?" Hermione asked.

"Just something small," Harry responded as he placed the parchment, that now was blank except for the heading that read Harry's Summer to do List, in the top drawer of the cabinet.

Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny quickly left the boys' sixth year dormitory and headed toward the common room. As the group climbed out from behind the portrait of the Fat Lady, Ginny moved forward to walk with Harry. Harry was not really paying attention, until Ginny grabbed his right hand. Harry looked over to Ginny, she just smiled at him. Harry realized that she was giving him time and space to work out whatever he needed to do or plan.

"Better love?" Ginny asked.

"Never better," Harry responded while squeezing her hand.

As the group was about to round the last corner to the corridor that lead to the Headmaster's office, they could hear someone yelling. Harry motioned everyone to be quite. Harry carefully looked around the corner. He saw Scrimgeour berating Percy.

"I don't care how you do it Weatherbe, I want Potter on board! Do I make myself clear?" Scrimgeour could be heard saying.

"Yes sir." Came the reply from Percy. The echo of voices seemed to be decreasing. Harry peered around the corner again, it looked like Scrimgeour and Percy were walking away from the Headmaster's office.

Harry motioned for the others to wait. As he watched, Harry noticed that Percy suddenly stopped and grabbed his arm; it seemed that he was in pain.

"Coming Weasley?"

"Yes Minister. Just plotting . . . sorry thinking of ways to convince Potter." Percy replied as they rounded the corner at the other end of the corridor.

Harry waited to the count of ten, and then motioned for the others to follow, all the while not talking or whispering.

"Lemon Drop," Harry whispered.

The gargoyle jumped out of the way, as the staircase spiraled up. When the staircase stopped and Harry opened the door to the outer hallway to the Headmaster's office. He knocked to be certain he didn't just interrupt. Harry heard the mumbling sounds stop.

"Come in Mr. Potter."

"Professor?" Harry asked as he opened the door and peered in.

"You might as well tell the others to come in also."

Harry quickly motioned the others in. They found seats in front of the others there, which included Remus, Nymphadora, Mr. Weasley & Mrs. Weasley. There were very few greetings as everyone present knew why they were there.

"Potter I understand that you have several ideas that you wanted to present to me?"

"Professor, one of the gifts that Sirius left me was a map to Hogwarts, Remus just found it. I've asked Remus to do some alterations on it, so when Hogwarts reopens you and the other teachers would be prepared."

"What exactly do you mean Mr. Potter?"

Lupin stood from where he was sitting next to Nymphadora, walked up to the Headmaster's desk, and withdrew from an inside pocket of his robe, the Marauder's Map. As Lupin placed the map on the desk, he did the incantation voicelessly, at which point you could see the map unfold.

"Remus, are you telling me you had this the whole time?" McGonagall almost shrieked the last, as she gave Remus a hard eye glare.

"No Minerva I did not."

"Professor, the map is mine," Harry stated as he stood from between Hermione and Ginny. "I've asked Remus to show you the map as a precautionary measure. I'm trusting the Board of Governors will realize that Hogwarts is truly safe, and let the school remain open." At this point McGonagall turns from looking at Remus, to watching Harry. "I've asked Remus to alter some of the properties of the map."

"Yes, yes you've said that already," McGonagall motioned with her hand to continue.

"Well Professor this map was originally designed to show where every student and staff member might be at any moment in time. The alteration would be that the new maps would show any type of intruder."

"What do you mean, Potter?"

"The maps would show anyone who is not part of Hogwarts. So as an example would be Tonks or any Auror, the map would show them as intruders, but you Professor McGonagall would not be shown at all."

"So the students would not be shown?"

"No Professor, the students and staff would not be seen, it would not be an invasion of privacy," Hermione stated.

McGonagall had a faraway expression come over her face. It seemed she was contemplating the advantages of having said map. "Potter how many maps were you thinking of making?"

"Well," at which point Harry turned to look at Remus, "I was thinking of one for the Headmaster, one for each head of house, so maybe five?"

"Harry that's not enough!" exclaimed Hermione.

"Quite correct Miss Granger." McGonagall paused as she calculated. "I believe that we will need a total of eighteen maps. Remus what about the Aurors, should we have extra's for them? Nymphadora?"

"I'm sorry Minerva; I don't think that should be an option."

"Why?"

"Any Aurors, are the front line, if such a map were to be found on our person, and Wormtail were to be there, he would know A) how to activate it, or B) how to reverse it. Our advantage is shot, we cannot afford for any advantage to be lost."

"Point taken. Remus will you need me to help in any way?"

"No Minerva. I'll be having help from Harry, Ron, Fred and George. We will need unlimited access to the school over the holidays, to make any necessary changes since this map was originally made."

"The twins? Are you sure that's wise?"

Remus let loose with a hearty laugh. "Minerva they know the castle better than I do. Besides I think I can keep them in line," he said with a small smile.

"Very well. Anything else?"

"Professor, Harry has suggested a way to protect the students and children of the community," Ginny stated.

"It's a viable option Professor," contributed Hermione.

"Well what is it?"

"We set up a perimeter alarm around everyone's home, to wake them up and use a Portkey to bring the students and children here to Hogwarts," Ron stated for Harry.

"That would be a good plan, Mr. Weasley, but I believe that you are forgetting one key feature." With this Ron had a puzzled expression. "The wards, Mr. Weasley."

"Oh!"

"Professor, Hermione and I have thought about that, we thought that the wards would let the students and children through because it was a Portkey, and obviously we could work the wards around the Portkeys."

"There is that, alright I'm thinking about it. Who do we have doing the Portkeys? The charm work?"

"Charlie has volunteered, as has Nymphadora and Remus, to help in whatever capacity you need them to." Mrs. Weasley said, as Mr. Weasley held her hand. Harry added, "Professor I understand that we have to work with the wards, but whether we have the students arrive in the entrance hall or outside, by the front gate, the students and children will be arriving."

"Potter!"

"Harry's" could also be heard from several others.

"I'm sorry but if we want to protect the future, we have no room for egos. The children and students are the future, besides if I have some money, I want to do something for the children like me." Harry responded as he got up from his chair and walked over to the window behind the Headmaster's desk.

"Professor, I don't want to lose any of my friends, for that matter I can't stand the idea that Voldemort will win because parents will try to protect their children or family. Besides Professor it's only for the summer."

"Yes I can see how strongly you feel about this, Potter . . . . . . show me what you have planned so far."

Mrs. Weasley stood from the chair she was sitting in, stepped around Ron and walked up to the Headmaster's desk, and placed the photographs on the surface. "These were taken earlier today, and were selected earlier Minerva."

"Exactly how many were we talking about?"

"I think we started with about fifty."

"Fifty!"

"Yes, but we cut it down to these eight photographs."

"Well. . . . These are very good. I suppose that was what Mr. Creevey was doing running around the school with his brother."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Since it appears you have everything in hand, what do you need me for?"

"Professors'" and "Minervas'" could be heard from seven people in the room. Harry motioned for the others to quite down.

"Professor, I am basing all my plans and arrangements, that the Board of Governors will elect you as the next Headmaster of Hogwarts. If the Governor's deem it necessary to elect, say someone else like Umberhead, then I will make other arrangements to finish my education." Harry paused here to take a deep breathe. "And Professor you can let them know I said that."

"My Harry aren't you being impulsive?"

Harry stopped and looked at the walls. There to the other side of the Headmaster's desk, by the window sat a new portrait. Dumbledore was smiling at Harry. "Headmasters'", "Dumbledore's'" and "Albus" could be heard from everyone in the room.

"Sh, shuch" the portrait of Dumbledore motioned. "I am here only as an advisor. I can not lead. Harry your idea is good, it is sound. You will need to work with the wards."

"Albus?"

"Yes Minerva?"

"Where will we place the children?"

"Since it will cover only for the summer, correct?"

"Yes, sir ma'am"

"Then you can convert some of the unused classrooms in the back of the castle into mini-family rooms, with bunks in the back portion for family members."

"Yes, you have a point Albus."

There was a long pause in the talking. "Minerva?" Dumbledore asked to draw her out of her contemplation.

"Yes Albus." McGonagall answered without looking up.

"Minerva?" Dumbledore said a little more loudly. Still McGonagall did not look up.

"Minerva!"

"Oh, sorry Albus I was thinking of the logistics."

"Minerva you do not have time to worry about this. You need to prepare ideas to present to the Board of Governors, that Hogwarts is still safe. That the students should be able to return.

"But Albus the meeting to discuss the closure of the school will be next month."

"That might be, but you as the next Head master must be prepared, in case it is sooner rather than later."

"Yes of course, Albus."

"Professor, I asked Mrs. Weasley to be in charge of the details concerning the children. I know I have overstepped any authority, but I felt that Mrs. Weasley was the best qualified beside Professor McGonagall."

"Harry that was an excellent idea," Dumbledore said. Harry who had worn a determined expression on his face, at Dumbledore words flushed at the praise.

"Professor, err sorry Minerva," Nymphadora asked, "you really should decide between the eight photographs. Harry said that four photographs would work. Remus has decided to lead the teams in the spellwork, for both the alarm spells and Portkey."

"Minerva I would ask for the Orders help, especially for the spellwork," Remus said.

McGonagall seemed to study the photographs, while watching everyone in the room. "Very well. Molly, I expect you here bright and early tomorrow to review and plan any and all contingences." McGonagall turned to Remus and Mr. Weasley, "I'm placing both of you to work the logistics and the implementation. These are the four photographs, that I would suggest you use."

"Thank you Professor," Harry said.

"Thank yous'" could be heard from the other teenagers in the room.

"If that is all," McGonagall said, looking directly at the teenagers, "then I would suggest you head to back to Gryffindor."

"Yes, of course Professor," Hermione said as she stood, pulling Ron with her. Ginny stood also, waiting for Harry, so they would walk together.

"Professor, I hope that I didn't step on any toes by suggesting these plans?" Harry asked.

McGonagall gave a rueful smile. "No Potter, you did not step on any toes. Now back to your dorm."

"Of course Professor," Harry responded.

The quartet made their way back to the Gryffindor common room in a somber mood. Though the quartet were happy that Harry's plans had been approved and were to be used, it still was Dumbledore's death that sadden them.

A/N: Please review.

Chapter Two:

New Characters:

Alastair Coachman 5th year Gryffindor, Muggle born

Andrew Coachman 4th year Gryffindor, Muggle born

Andrea Coachman 2nd year Gryffindor, Muggle born

Adara Coachman 1st year Gryffindor, Muggle born

Spells:

None