A/N: So I wanna clear a few important thing up now before we go on with the story. I've had many reviews and PMs regarding the link between the ending of the last chapter and Wyrdsmiths 'Did You Know', and people were claiming I copied it – THIS IS NOT TRUE! This account is shared, - I use the word shared lightly because really it's my best friends logging in and reading stories, they follow and fave their best ones and then inform me that I should read them-, as it is, I sometimes don't have time to go through the ones suggested to me. I do not appreciate receiving having hate messages sent to me because Wyrdsmith slated me on her profile for all to see, especially since it was something that could have been easily resolved. I have taken the time to read the story in question in person and I do understand where the controversy is coming from and for that I do apologise. I get my ideas from my own head as well as a mix from my friends and the world around me, I did not have the intention to 'copy' or 'plagiarise' their work in any way. I would like to point out however, that while the part of the paper and it's contents is the same, the setting is completely different, the situation is completely different and the pairing is completely different – hell the timeline is completely different! The only link is the paper and, to me at the time, it was an original idea whatever people may think or believe, and I know myself enough to know I would NEVER voluntarily copy an idea without giving credit where credit is due. Having said that, I do apologise to Wyrdsmith for any slight they felt against their person and I would like to repeat that it wasn't my intention for this to happen.
I do understand the problem and I now get why Wyrdsmith was upset with this, but what I cannot and will not accept is them trying to discredit me when I honestly had no idea, I have tried to explain myself via PM, but they posted an unfinished conversation on their bio. I live in England, so when I receive their PMs I'm usually asleep and visa versa when I reply. I do not think that he/she went about this the right way by publicly slandering me and I ask everyone who saw fit to send hate mail/reviews that you please stop because it is unjustified. I have explained myself and I don't care if you believe me or not, I am handing credit to Wyrdsmith for the idea as they wish it, and if the hate does not stop, I will have to proceed to counter the attack.
Now I've said my piece and got that out of the way, on with the normal stuff.
A/N2: Hey everyone, I'm here with chapter 11, and this chapter has more of Harry's movements and the finding of Gryffindor rooms, hopefully you like it XD.
Warning; Swearing, mentions of violence and mentions of slash,
Disclaimer; All belongs to J.K except the plot which is mine!
Parceltongue
Chapter 11
Harry used the eyes and ears to sneak in to the chamber, he closed the sinks as he went down and made his way to the study. He pulled down the books on Dumbledore and shrank them down, he also pulled down Nott, Fudge and Parkinson so he could review and update. Harry grabbed a couple more timeturners as they may come in handy, he picked up some of Paws research books and the maps of different parts of the country for Swift before heading out. He had started his own search for the Hufflepuff heir, but everything was well and truly dry so he had turned his attention to the next article. Harry had a plan, he just had to go and see Rita and get her to see it his way; no doubt she would. He cast a quick tempus and headed to Tom's office, they had things to discuss about the wizengamot and the spies they had found within his ranks. Harry knocked and poked his head in, the man was reading something and looked up with a raised eyebrow.
"You busy?"
"Extremely," was the dry reply, Harry rolled his eyes and walked in, the wards flared up before he had sat down and Tom put his book to the side.
"I thought it would be prudent to inform you of what we've been up to." Harry told him, "We've found 4 spies within your ranks which was the first thing." He handed over the names and Tom nodded.
"They will be dealt with discretely." He said and Harry nodded.
"Paws is researching what Dumbledore cast on Bellatrix, but has yet to find anything of importance. Luna and Bleach have made a breakthrough with the Gryffindor rooms and the twins are watching everything to do with the order."
"And yourself?"
"Looking for the Hufflepuff heir but coming up completely blank on all leads at the moment. I'm working on the next article for the old fool now, I shall meet with Rita in the week and if everything goes to plan it will be a 4-part special." There was nothing nice about Harry's smile.
"I almost feel for the old fool." Harry smirked.
"It brings another meaning to skeletons in the closet let me tell you. And I'm also going over everything we have on Fudge for when the time comes."
"As yes, the wizengamot," Tom remembered, "Lucius gave in his report. Fudge did not take well to his probation, it will be reviewed in the January session and to save face Dumbledore neither confirmed nor denied the article, he twisted words and got most so confused they didn't bother to read between the lines by the sounds of things." Tom told him and Harry's eyes narrowed.
"He won't get out of the next one that easily. These are provable fact, I've got the past papers to prove it and with Rita's flare it will be undisputable." Harry said.
"Let him settle first, but not long enough for people to forget."
"I won't, it should be published next week or the week after." Harry agreed, "What do you have planned for Halloween this year?"
"Halloween?"
"Yes, something bad always happens on Halloween, I thought it best if we keep up with tradition."
"I believe there is a Hogsmead weekend on Halloween, I'm sure something can be arranged." Tom said with a smirk.
"Wonderful,"
"Why so much interest in the other heirs?" Tom asked.
"We need 3 heirs to overwrite the headmaster/headmistress control of the castle. Even when Dumbledore is out, the position goes to McGonagall and we all know how much she's in his pocket so a 3rd heir is needed to for us to gain control. That way, no matter what they try, we and the third heir rule the castle." Harry explained,
"That would be a bonus,"
"Yes, that way you get head position and can reform the curriculum. By that time hopefully we will had Fudge out and then the wizarding world will truly be under control, the only thing left with be Dumbledore and his order which will be where the battle will happen."
"You've thought this out haven't you?" Tom questioned amused and Harry grinned.
"Yes, there is a surprising amount of time I have on my hands because Dumbledore is watching me."
"He will call you to his office soon,"
"Yes, I'm waiting for it. I've got an extra set of eyes now though."
"The Longbottom heir?"
"Yes, it turns out Augusta Longbottom is a vicious woman who practically sold her grandson to the old fool because she blames him for her son's condition."
"I remember her," Tom mused, "Awful woman and I don't know why Herbert Longbottom married her, it must have been a betrothal because there couldn't be a lesser match."
"Well Nev's pissed and he's in. I'm waiting on the twins to get back to me on their plans for Moony, Swift laid out the plan they just have to confirm and then we're going on an outing."
"Where will you hide him?"
"If it comes to it the Chamber, I want him close and he needs to have his spells removed. Dumbledore has him dickered in them, and Moony is one of the best for research and knowledge." Harry shrugged, "What's going on with the death eaters? The papers are oddly silent." Tom smirked.
"I'm still keeping a low profile, mainly infiltrating the ministry with spies and gathering information."
"So you already know about Scrimgeor sprouting ideas that sound unusually like something out of-,"
"Dumbledore's mouth?"
"Yes, he's being fed them by Tonks. The order isn't up to a lot, but they are determined to get Scrimgeor in to head office."
"Unless you are in the wizengamot then it will be a close vote." Tom pointed out and Harry tilted his head.
"I've mentally mapped everything out and if it goes to plan then Fudge will be out on the same session we are sworn in. By then Dumbledore should be out of the school, scratch that, if Dumbledore is not out the school by then he's being poisoned."
"I doubt it will come to that, however much that outcome would be appreciated." Tom sighed in mock disappointment and Harry laughed.
"Personally I think we should just dump him with the other g-," Harry cut himself off and tinged green.
"What were you going to say," Harry grimaced and shook his head.
"I was going to say other goats," Harry got out and Tom paled,
"Ah," Harry took a few deep breaths to calm his stomach and the green faded.
"I still can't believe that," Harry muttered with a shudder.
"Let's move on," Tom suggested.
"Agreed, Dumbledore will be gone by the January session and then he will be voted out of the wizengamot because I'm going to slam down Sirius' wrongful conviction and tell him to get out of that."
"I require the memory of his face when you are sworn in to the ministry." Tom said and Harry grinned.
"I almost wish I could take a camera so I could frame it." Harry sighed wistfully, he cast a tempus and got up.
"Oh one last thing," Harry said suddenly, he pulled out a timeturner out and placed it on the desk. "Thought this might be of benefit,"
"It is appreciated," Tom said picking it up, Harry nodded and slipped out of the room. He slowly made his way down to dinner contemplating the upcoming events, he would see Rita soon and then he and Neville had a trip to Gringotts to arrange. He caught sight of Ginny and groaned, he was also planning a death by the looks of things, Harry hitched on a smile as she greeted him.
"Professor Dumbledore would like to see you after dinner Harry, he likes sugar quills." She informed him and Harry bit back a grimace, he had been avoiding looking at the headmaster at all cost since then.
"Ok, thanks Ginny," Harry ate his dinner listening to Ginny go on about something he was not paying attention to as she leant all over him, it was sickening and he was hoping she died soon because otherwise his short patience would snap.
"Don't forget Professor Dumbledore,"
"Oh yeah, I'd better go," Harry left the hall and steeled himself,
Meeting with Dumbledore he sent to Swift and Paws.
Be careful Harry rolled his eyes at that, he walked quickly to Dumbledore's office and muttered the password, he hopped on to the staircase and politely knocked on the door.
"Good Evening Harry, it's good to see you." Dumbledore greeted joyfully, Harry have him a small smile.
"The same to you headmaster,"
"Have a seat," Dumbledore said, "Lemon drop?"
"No thank you, I just ate my dinner,"
"Of course of course, I am sure you are wondering why I brought you here?" Harry nodded slightly.
"Well I wanted to see how you were coping with everything. I know it must be difficult without Miss Granger and Mr Weasley." Harry bit back the biting remark that he wanted to spew out, instead he looked down.
"I-It is hard, but I know why it has to be done." Harry said in a small voice.
"Yes, I am so sorry that you have such a destiny."
"I'm working hard though," He told him earnestly, "Professor Drield is a brilliant teacher and I'm learning so much." Harry wanted to be sick, the fact that he used to sound like that was disturbing.
"Indeed you are, Professor Drield has been giving good reports and I am pleased you get on so well." Harry coughed a bit on that,
"Now, Professor Snape also told me you have progressed in Occlumency since the last time he taught you." Harry didn't bother to hide his scowl.
"Why did you make him teach me Occlumency sir, he hates me and he shows it all the time. Just because I look like my dad, doesn't mean we're the same person." He might as well try and get out of it, even if the attempt was futile.
"Now Harry, I am sure you can put aside your differences with Professor Snape to practice Occlumency. After all, we cannot allow what happened last time to happen again, can we?" Dumbledore said sternly and Harry looked down again, but this time it was so the old fool didn't see the anger he couldn't conceal, how dare bring up Sirius when he planned it.
"No,"
"That's right, and I noticed in the great hall that you had a pain in your scar again. We need to stop that."
"Y-You're right Professor, I'm sorry. It's just Snape doesn't bother to try and stop hating me."
"I will speak with Professor Snape, and if I do will you put your full effort in?" Harry nodded with a 'relieved' smile, he felt a compulsion of trust and gratefulness wash over him and bit his tongue.
"Well I think that covers everything, I'm sure you have homework to be doing."
"Of course Headmaster, good night,"
"Good night Harry," Harry waited until his was two corridors away before he snarled to himself and made his way back to his rooms. He threw himself down in his chair and glared at the wall until Luna returned.
"What did he do this time?" She asked.
"Had the nerve to bring up Sirius and finish with a sweet compulsion to trust him; bastard." Harry spat and Luna sighed.
"He will get what's coming to him, you know this."
"I know, but it gets to me every time." Harry groaned throwing up his hands, he began pacing trying to calm down.
"I'll have to arrange a meeting with Rita before next week, and I'll take Nev to Gringotts at the same time. He can claim his heirship, maybe even his Lordship then and hopefully Ragnok can keep it silent, he is rather skilled at that." Harry stated.
"See, keep the plans in motion and then for everything Dumbledore has done you we will get to watch him crumble."
"You are right of course." Harry said with a small smile, she gave him a brief hug and grinned.
"Of course I am." Harry laughed at that, he called Winky and his elf brought in a meal for both of them; Harry was starving.
"Winky's been brilliant today, she seems to sense when I'm hungry because all through the day little snacks have ended up in my bag." Luna smiled at the little elf who blushed.
"Winky is knowing that Masters Miss Moon is liking to pick through the day." She said shyly before popping away.
"Now that is dedication." Luna commented.
"My elves are the best." Harry agreed, "Speaking of elves, I will have to call in Kreacher-," he was cut off when said elf popped in,
"Oh hello Kreacher,"
"Kreacher is hearing Master Harry calling his name, Kreacher comes to give his report." Harry blinked but shrugged, now was a good of a time as any.
"Go ahead,"
"Kreacher is watching the blood traitors and filth in Master's house and is stopping them from poisoning Master's wolf-man because Kreacher is knowing that Master is liking the half-bread." Kreacher placed 5 phials of potion on the table.
"Kreacher is also helping Master's two place things in Masters house, they is saying they is there to get Master's wolf-man out when Master is ready."
"That's brilliant work Kreacher, anything else?"
"Kreacher is seeing the disgrace to the Black blood meeting with the head auror and speaking about old goat mans plans, she is telling him that they are the good ideas, but Kreacher is knowing she is lying."
"Thank you Kreacher, you've been a massive help. Go back and continue what you were doing, alert me if anything major happens." The elf bowed and popped away, Harry turned to the potions with narrowed eyes. One he recognised was a temporary magic dampener, one was a submission solution, one he discovered was a calming draught infused with silver, one was a nightmare potion and the final was an obedience potion, not as strong as liquid imperius, but bad enough; Harry was pissed.
"The twins had better hurry with that damn plan, if I don't get Moony out of there soon I'm going to lose him." Harry growled.
"You know they will be here as soon as possible." Luna pointed out,
"Yes, I do." Harry took a deep breath, "I will speak to Neville and we will arrange to go to Gringotts, where is he?"
"Greenhouses," Harry nodded, he decided to get his homework out of the way, he had a massive back log which needed to be out of the way.
"Oh before I forget," He said suddenly, he handed Luna the timeturner with a smile.
"Thought you could make use of this,"
"Brilliant, I can double up on my searching," She said happily slipping it around her neck, Harry spent the next part of 2 hours going through the copious amounts of homework he had let build up and Luna was reading through notes on something. When he had finally finished Harry was exhausted, but he pulled out his eyes and ears and scouted out Neville, he saw the teen walking back up to the castle and he headed out. He cut Neville off on the staircase and grinned at him,
"Hey Neville, I was wondering if you could help me with my Herbology essay, I've been stuck on it for days and I know you're really good at it?" Harry asked him earnestly with a sheepish shrug, Neville looked down with a blush.
"I-I don't know, I'm n-not that good." He denied hurriedly as they walked up the corridor.
"Please Nev, I really need your help," Harry begged him, they were on the defence corridor now.
"W-w-well I-I might be a-able to h-help you." Neville stuttered slowly, Harry placed a hand on his own portrait and they slipped in. They walked in to the living room and exchanged looks before bursting out laughing,
"Oh Merlin," Harry gasped,
"That was something else," Neville put it, Luna rolled her eyes at the pair of them.
"So what's going on Snake?" Neville asked sitting down and taking the drink Winky popped in with a muttered thanks.
"We need to make a time for the bank, I want to correspond it with a visit to Rita." Harry told him.
"You've got the next article ready?"
"Oh yes," Harry said with a smirk.
"I'm up for Gringotts whenever, how I'm going to get there without notice is another thing." Neville said and Harry grinned.
"Worry not, for I have a solution," Harry proclaimed grandly much to the amusement of the other two, Harry handed over a timeturner and Neville blinked.
"Do I want to know how you got hold of this?"
"Swift swiped 12 from the DoM last year," Harry shrugged.
"That was very fortunate," Neville pointed out slipping it on.
"Yes, I can only guess he had a slight break in his spells and a well placed bit of intuition."
"They could have been disrupted because of the brain," Nev suggested,
"That's possible." Harry agreed, "Anyway, I'll write to Rita and Ragnok soon and get back to you on the date. We will live the day before heading out, you can slip out as a badger and I'll flame."
"Got it," Harry grinned and then he yawned,
"Right kiddies, I'm tired and going to bed," He told them, "Feel free to do what you want," Harry gave a short wave and vanished to his bedroom, Neville looked to Luna with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes he does that,"
"It's taking its toll on him already isn't it?" Neville asked and she nodded.
"Yes, he thinks I haven't noticed, but I know he slips of bed at night to read things and sketch out plans. If it wasn't for his release he would probably be homicidal." Luna sighed, "But he won't say anything, only push himself further."
"Yeah, that's Harry alright."
"And until Moony is safe you can bet he will double his efforts."
"We will just have to make sure Moony get's here soon." Neville stated.
Harry didn't even step in to his room before Luna yanked him out and disillusioned them both, he was dragged down to the dungeons and Harry was looking around with a raised eyebrow as he felt two other presences become apparent.
"Snake, down here," Luna hissed catching Harry's attention, she was staring intently at a blank stretch of wall, Harry walked towards her and he felt it, strong, but very well hidden, ward covering the supposedly blank wall.
"No wonder we took so long, why would we look for the Gryffindor rooms at the entrance of the dungeons." The voice of Swift sounded and Harry could almost see him shake his head, Harry placed his hand on the wall and called forth the Gryffindor ring. Nothing happened and he was about to pull away when the wall pulsed and shook, dust billowed from the cracks of the wall as it slid in to itself and revealed a stone staircase leading down. Lighting their wands and having their magic at the ready, they carefully descended in to the darkness, the stairs levelled out and then spun off going up in the opposite direction, they climbed until they came to a landing with a stone door with a Griffin engraved on it.
"I seek entrance as the heir of Gryffindor," the rubies in the Griffin's eyes seemed to be evaluating him and Harry couldn't move, he didn't want to panic and then the door swung open with a bang scaring them.
"Merlin," Swift breathed and the girls made a noise of agreement. Harry led them in, wand at the ready, and as soon as he stepped across the threshold lights flared up illuminating a massive living quarters. It was decked in red and gold, but it was done in a fashion that didn't make it look tacky or gaudy, there were many doors leading off of the sitting room and they shared a look.
"Explore?" they said together and each dived for a door, Harry opened his to reveal an immense duelling room with target dummies, an assortment of weapons on the wall, target boards and power level monitors.
"Holy shit," he breathed, he span around when he heard Hermione squeal and Luna's cry of delight, he darted out to see them frozen in the doorway with an expression of utter bliss on their faces, he stepped around Hermione to reveal a library bigger than the Hogwarts one.
"Oh Merlin," he muttered and she nodded.
"BLOODY HELL!" Swifts yell startled them both and they dashed over, he was stood in a room which was like a surveillance of the entire castle, it was like a giant marauders map, but it showed everything. The Slytherin Chamber, the Gryffindor Chamber, the Ravenclaw Chamber and the Hufflepuff Chamber, the entire layout of the dungeons, and every secret of the castle, Harry could have sung.
"Thank you Merlin," he stated, they ran to the other rooms and found 5 nice sleeping quarters, a study, and multiple exits. They checked the giant map and it showed one exit led them to opposite the headmasters office, on led to the bottom of Gryffindor tower, one by the library and one was the main entrance which they came through. It seemed the Gryffindor chamber was situated underneath Ravenclaw tower, it was a weird place, but then the founders didn't seem to be normal.
"You explore and look around, I have someone to fetch." He flashed a smirk as Paws rolled her eyes. Harry bolted down the stares and up the other side, the wall opened automatically for him and he said phoenixfor a password as it slid closed, he tightened his glamour and placed a disillusion around himself and ran at a sprint up to the defence corridor, he continued down to Tom's quarters and muttered the password, problem was in his glamour he was severely uncoordinated and fell over the threshold and right on to his face. Tom burst out laughing and whatever snarky comment which was going to come out of Snape's mouth was halted by his shock at the Dark Lord.
"Mother fucking glamour," he cursed hitting the floor with his fist, "Ugh, I hate this thing," Harry moaned from the floor, he rolled over and pulled himself up glaring at the snickering Dark Lord.
"You can shut it," he grumbled, "You know how uncoordinated I am in this."
"Uncoordinated or not, that was hilarious." Harry being mature stuck out his tongue.
"Now, before you entered in such an elegant manner, what did you want?" Tom asked.
"I need you to come with me." Harry said and gained a raised eyebrow so he elaborated. "I have to show you something."
"I am in a meeting with Severus." Tom motioned to the speechless potions master.
"So..." Harry didn't see the point and Tom rolled his eyes.
"I cannot drop everything merely because you wish to show me something."
"Yes you can," Harry said as if it was obvious. "Besides, you should be keeping me happy." Tom raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, and why is that." Harry pointed at himself with a grin.
"Current bed warmer," Snape choked on air at that statement and Harry laughed.
"Bed warmer," he repeated with difficulty.
"Indeed," Tom drawled with a smirk, "It seems as if I shall have to reschedule this meeting." Snape blinked and looked between his Lord and Harry, he shook his head and left the room.
"He's going to explode soon; it's going to be so much fun." Harry commented and Tom rolled his eyes.
"What did you make me cancel a meeting with Severus oh bed warmer." Harry smirked.
"We found them," he said and it took a moment before the crimson eyes lit up.
"The Gryffindor rooms, where are they?"
"Never believe where, the entrance of the dungeons!" Harry exclaimed. "Wait until you see the library." Tom got up and reapplied his own glamour to follow a disillusioned Harry back down to the dungeons, he easily found the wall and muttered his makeshift password. Harry dropped the spell and glamour to lead Tom up to the rooms and showed him in with a grand sweep of his arms.
"Impressive," Tom murmured and Harry smirked.
"Swift, Paws and Raven are exploring, I personally think the training room is the best." Harry said walking to the door he first went through to show Tom, the Dark Lord looked around impressed.
"This is a Masters training room." He told the teen who nodded.
"I thought so, the power indicators are what caught me. I want to see what average my spells come out as without summoning my magic." Harry said and Tom raised an eyebrow.
"It would be interesting to see." He agreed. Harry motioned for him to follow and he led him to the surveillance room knowing if he showed the man the library first he would not likely see him again.
"This is, well I can't really describe how good this is." Harry stated and watched as Tom's eyebrows shot up and he blinked a few times.
"This is the true layout of the castle." He murmured amazed and Harry nodded.
"I'm planning of mapping it out on the eyes and ears, with the new communication method it will be easy to stay here and lead Paws and the twins through to mark everything out."
"There are more passageways than imaginable." Tom pointed out.
"Which means more places to hide,"
"The lost Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff chambers also,"
"And we have leads to who the heirs are, it's a lot of work, but its worth it, Ravenclaw especially."
"The knowledge within them would be unimaginable."
"Agreed, come see the library here, it's enough to fill any Raven's need." Harry walked to the open door and did another grand gesture, Tom actually froze in shock and Harry would bet he was mentally salivating over the knowledge hidden within.
"Pretty good don't you think?"
"This is..." He trailed off and it was times like these Harry questioned if the man was a secret Raven.
"Snake," the muffled yell of Paws could be heard from the many shelves, instead of yelling he sent her a mental prod.
'Yes'
'All the books are perfectly preserved' she mind squealed and Harry could see her surrounded by books.
'Some are written by the founders' she continued.
"The books are preserved and some are written by the founders." Harry repeated to Tom and that was the green light, the Dark Lord walked forward and vanished in to the shelves, Harry laughed to himself and went to look around. The library was organised in to subjects and there was no concept of 'Dark' and 'Light' magics, they were all together ordered by level and topic. There was a comfortable sitting area to the left with an array of seating and tables, there was also a podium with a beautiful leather bound book embedded with gold down the spine with a stunning golden phoenix quill next to it. Harry ran his finger over the open pages and the book pulsed, he yanked his hand back in shock and was amazed when perfect calligraphy appeared on the page.
Welcome heir, Harry blinked and watched as the writing disappeared and more began weaving its way on to the page.
This book controls everything within Godric Gryffindor's chamber, only an heir can access it. Harry's eyebrows shot up.
Everything you need to know is within these pages; you need only write your request to gain the knowledge of the rooms. Harry picked up the quill and carefully wrote wards, the words faded and the pages flicked over before they settled on pages with a detailed listing of the wards surrounding and within the chambers which he quickly keyed in to himself. With the power of the rightful heir the wards lit up like Christmas, after laying dormant for an unknown amount of years the wards were singing with the flux of magic, they could be felt by the other occupants within to room.
"Whoa," Harry murmured to himself, he locked in 'Slytherin' because of the irony and the fact that no one would think of it for access to the Gryffindor rooms, he locked the wards to only grant access to his chosen despite the password. He called Winky and explained the rooms, she came back with food and then popped away. Harry knew he would have no luck with Tom or Paws and Luna would only be found when she wanted to be so he went back to the surveillance room where Swift would be, the teen was analysing everything and had found a few more interesting extras.
"This is amazing Snake," he said excitedly.
"What have you found?"
"This map, it shows the wards surrounding the entire castle, over every room, every corridor including needed passwords and who's keyed in to what." He explained and Harry's eyebrows shot up.
"Really?"
"Yeah, it shows you them and how strong they are." Swift tapped his wand on the map and the view changed, it was coloured lines surrounded the castle and Harry guessed they were the wards. He was severely alarmed at the state of them, they were all but crumbling, if someone with enough power were to attack, they would fall easily.
"What in Merlin's name has happened?" He demanded.
"That I can't explain, the wards are fuelled by the headmaster, but even dormant they would have been in better condition." Swift said but Harry could see he had a theory.
"What have you got?" Swift grinned,
"I think Dumbledore has altered, weakened and switched the wards to suit his purposes," he began, "the wards here are the best, they should, if powered fully, keep every student within their walls safe from the outside. But they have been changed, if they hadn't, the mirror of Erised would have never gotten in here, the basilisk would never been able to roam the main castle and attack students and dementors would have never got on the grounds."
"Dumbledore has been at his manipulations for a long time." Harry murmured angrily, he tilted his head.
"But what about when Tom was first at school and he released the basilisk?"
"Ah, well you see this ward which had faded to a dull grey?" Swift pointed it out and Harry nodded.
"Yes, it's one of the weakest there."
"Well it's indicating that is wasn't changed with its will, so I'm guessing Dumbledore imperiused Dippet and overpowered the ward forcing it to comply to his will."
"That would explain why it's so weak." Harry said looking closely at the wards, he could feel out and manipulate any wards he came across but casting them wasn't his specialty, that was all Swift.
"We're still missing points, Dumbledore has been working too long for it only be getting rid of Tom by using me." Harry mused out loud, "I know why he forced my life in to a living hell, and with this whole Horcrux thing it explains why he wanted me weak."
"But this throws a metaphorical spanner in the works, there's something deeper going on." Swift muttered.
"We need to work out what his motives are, we're obviously missing something and we need to know what."
"We will have to have a meeting, lay out everything we have on Dumbledore and then go out on a trip if needed." Swift said and Harry nodded.
"Yes, I'll organise a meeting for the quickest convenience." Harry left Swift and delved in to the library,
'Where are you too?' he mentally asked Paws.
'Runes' she replies and he rolled his eyes, of course she was, he weaved is way through the shelves and found Paws surrounded by books; she was positively glowing.
"Snake, this is just wonderful." She gushed and he grinned at her enthusiasm.
"Sorry to burst your happy bubble Paws, but it seems we're missing something with Dumbledore." He told her and she frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"Swift found that the giant map shows the wards, it seems as if Dumbledore imperiused Dippet to override the wards allowing the Basilisk to roam the castle, the castle wards are in horrifying condition and it seems as if Dumbledore has ruined them." He explained and she gained a thoughtful look,
"We need to find out what the link is and we need a meeting and an exploration date."
"Of course, I will let you know." He told her, "Remember to keep time and that you can come in here whenever, the password is Slytherin."
"Really?"
"Yes, I keyed you in to the wards."
"Thank you," he left her to her books and went to find the other bookworm, he followed his scar and found Tom with equally as many books surrounding him, Harry shook his head.
"I thought you were lost to the living world for a minute." He commented with a grin, Tom threw him a withering look.
"I was merely interested in the variety here." Harry shot an incredulous look at the surrounding books.
"Suuuuurre," He dragged the word out in scepticism, "This is why I think you're part Ravenclaw."
"Can I help you?" Tom drawled.
"Well, not really, this is kind of my library." Harry pointed out with a serious expression, Tom rubbed his temples.
"Speak," Harry opened his mouth for another smart comment, but Tom cut him off.
"The reason you came over."
"Fine, fine," he mock grumbled, "I was going to tell you that you can gain access whenever, you're keyed in and the password is Slytherin." Tom raised an eyebrow at that.
"Irony perhaps?"
"I thought it oddly fitting," Harry agreed,
"Of course,"
"Another thing, we will be going out scouting more information on Dumbledore again and soon. Seems the headmaster has other motives for screwing with my life than because he wants to get rid of you," Harry told him and Tom nodded.
"You are missing something,"
"It appears so, we need more information." Harry confirmed. "But there will be a little blip and we will find what he's been planning."
"The old man is tricky, he will have covered everything with a back up and then some." Tom pointed out and Harry nodded.
"Yes which is why we need to find out what is going on," Harry cast a tempus and blinked, it was nearly dinner.
"Time to face the rest of the world." He sighed.
'It's time to go to dinner' He informed Swift and Paws, Tom got up and looked at the book he was reading in frustration, Harry rolled his eyes.
"Take the book, but remember that books cannot be substituted for humans." He dodged the stinging hex sent his way and laughed.
"Come on secret Ravenclaw, you actually need food." He ran from the blasting hex and thanked Merlin that the wards protected his books, he waved to Swift and Paws as they glamoured themselves and slipped out from different exits, Luna danced out and left with a wave of her hand and he took the one opposite the headmasters office as Tom took the main one. Harry placed his glamour on and stepped out in to the corridor and slowly made his way down to dinner, his mind running on the possibilities of what Dumbledore was up too, he had a feeling it would be obvious as soon as the other clues were exposed. Shaking himself out of his thoughts, he hitched on a smile for Ginny and sat down, Harry was looking forward to ending her; painfully.
Harry kissed Luna on the cheek before turning in to a phoenix and flamed to an alley in muggle London, he had to wait a minute or so before a badge ran in the alley and changed back in to Neville.
"I can't believe how easy it is to get out of school." Neville shook his head and Harry smirked.
"I could apperate if I wanted to, but I don't know if Dumbledore would be alerted. I know Tom does it all the time, but then the old fool isn't watching the castle for the Slytherin heir." Harry said to him with a shrug.
"And I'm guessing you don't want to test it?" Neville asked and Harry shook his head.
"Not worth the risk, especially when I have many other ways in and out."
"Fair enough,"
"Right, now Rite should be arriving in about 10 minutes." Harry said casting a tempus, he pulled up his hood and Neville followed him out, they entered the grimy pub and Neville went to a dark corner while Harry went to the bar.
"Room under Black," He muttered throwing down 2 gold coins, he was shown to the second private room and sat down in wait.
"Ah Rita, glad you could make it." Harry greeted as the sly reporter entered the room, wards flared up as she shut the door and hastily took the seat he indicated.
"Of course, I wouldn't miss this," she said, Harry smirked and tossed a bag of galleons on the table.
"Commission for your last article, Rita dear, I must say that that was a piece of art." She opened the bag and looked at the contents in shock, there was at least 500 galleons in there, but Harry thought she deserved it.
"Thank you," she was still astounded and Harry internally grinned, she was hooked now.
"I have another piece for you Rita." Harry told her and she snapped out of it, she looked at him with a gleam in her eye that almost had Harry feeling sorry for Dumbledore; almost.
"Is it on Dumbledore again?" She asked.
"Yes, and I believe it would make a wonderful 4-part special." He tossed the thick folder on the table, she grabbed it and Harry watched as her eyes got bigger and bigger.
"This-this…" apparently he had made the unsilencible Rita Skeeter lost for words, he took it as a personal achievement.
"Dumbledore has a lot of nasty little secrets don't you think?" Harry questioned lightly, Rita was gazing at the folder as if it was a priceless artefact.
"I could run one on each, and finish with the massive blow! Link them all together and raise questions." She murmured and Harry grinned.
"Send me the drafts, you have a week before the first one needs to be published." Harry told her and she nodded, "If this is anywhere near as good as the last one Rita, I'll double the commission." With that he swept from the room pulling up his hood, Harry spotted another cloaked figure in the corner of the grubby pub and motioned for them to follow.
"How did it go?" Neville asked him and Harry smirked under his hood.
"I'm surprised she wasn't physically salivating," Harry said and Neville chuckled.
"I can't wait for the next one, the information you must have pulled."
"You are in for a surprise I'll give you that much, of course you will have to wait to discover the true depth of Dumbledore's secrets."
"There should be a law about suspense," Neville grumbled making Harry laugh, they approached the bank and Harry led them up to the nearest teller.
"I have a meeting with Director Ragnok," Harry said and the goblin nodded snapping his fingers for another, they followed him through the many corridors to the now very familiar office.
"Ah back again," Ragnok greeted once the door was shut, Harry pulled down his hood grinning.
"Yes, I am afraid you will soon get accustom to seeing me." Ragnok gave a goblin chuckle which seemed to unnerve Neville by his alarmed face.
"Have a seat and let us get down to business."
"Thank you Ragnok, you will be please to know that it is not on my behalf that I am here, but my friend." Harry told him.
"You are the Longbottom heir?" Ragnok directed the question to Neville who nodded.
"Where is your ring?"
"It is why we are here Director, my grandmother refuses to grant me my heir ring on the basis I am unworthy." Neville explained and Ragnok wasn't pleased.
"That is a crime against her own house, only the father had the right to withhold heirship, she forfeits her rights as dowager Lady and proxy head." Harry did a mental mini cheer before speaking.
"So the Lordship automatically falls to Neville as the last blood of the Longbottom line?" Harry confirmed.
"Yes, the future Lordship can be claimed now if you so wish."
"Will the ex-Dowager Lady be alerted to such a change?" Neville questioned.
"There could be a heinous delay on the owls sent out," Ragnok suggested slowly.
"So heinous that no one would be alerted until say Yule?" Harry smirked when the goblin gave a somewhat evil grin.
"Yule sounds about the time where the error in communication could be rectified."
"And in that time if a sum of say 2000 galleons were to leave one of my accounts and end up with you then it would be a complete coincidence." Harry added seriously.
"Obviously there would be no link." Ragnok agreed, Neville looked between the two in slight disbelief and Ragnok smirked.
"We just have to confirm your identity Mr. Longbottom." Ragnok told him, he pulled out a sheet of parchment and a gold dagger.
"Allow 7 drops of blood," Neville jabbed his thumb and the blood sank in to the sheet and sharp calligraphy began writing on the parchment.
Neville Frank Longbottom,
Heir to,
Longbottom,
"You are who you say you are, and the lack of mothers name means there is someone out there within your mothers family still alive and already has the title. They may not be in this country." Ragnok said to him and Neville nodded.
"The Longbottom name is enough for me." Neville said, "What do I do now."
"As your father is unable to claim the ring and you have not been formally disowned you have the ability to call the ring to you." Ragnok explained, "Merely state your claim and the ring shall come."
"I Neville Frank Longbottom do hereby claim the Lordship to the house of Longbottom." Neville said clearly and there was a flash of light, when it had dimmed the Longbottom ring was sat on Neville's finger proudly.
"Congratulations Mr Longbottom, you are now Lord to the Noble and Most Ancient House of Longbottom, all vaults, property and assets now fall in to your control."
"Thank you Director, would it be possible for me to have an overview of everything?"
"Of course," Ragnok pulled a folder out from one of his many filing cabinets and handed it to Neville.
"Do you have any business today Harry?"
"Surprisingly enough, I am fine." Harry told him, "I cannot do anything too obvious with any of my houses as Dumbledore will know, but I have my investments that he does not know about which are bringing in money."
"Well if that is all gentlemen," Harry and Neville rose and bowed.
"May you gold flow," Harry said to him,
"And your profits prosper," Ragnok returned, and they left, they both drew up their hoods and swept in to the alley.
"When will I actively take up my Lordship duties?" Neville asked lowly as they went, Harry led him in to Knockturn and down deeper in to the alley than Neville knew existed.
"January, with us," Harry answered, "Every vote counts and you have two seats I believe,"
"Yes, unless she has managed to lose one, something I will be less than pleased about."
"No, she is too power hungry to do something stupid meaning you won't have a gutted house to recover." Harry pointed out.
"Thankfully," Neville muttered, "Where are we going?"
"With all the restrictions now placed on werewolves, getting potions to heal them is near impossible, especially without them being poisoned to kill them." Harry told him, "Down here there is a shop run by a werewolf so you know that you're getting legit potions, they've been able to make more potions lately and I need to get some for Remus."
"Your funding the shop, are you not?" Harry smiled slightly under his hood.
"I fund a lot of things," Harry answered and Neville shook his head, they came to a little shop and Harry entered pulling down his hood. A youngish looking woman was sat at the counter, she had long dark hair and bright amber eyes, and she looked up and smiled when she saw him.
"Harry, I haven't seen you in ages," She greeted rushing out to hug him, Harry smiled and returned the gesture.
"I am so sorry Ellen," He said, "I ran in to a bit of trouble,"
"Oh you," She sighed, "Why am I not surprised,"
"How's business?" Harry asked and she beamed.
"Brilliant, thanks to you of course." Harry waved her off.
"It is for a good cause, besides, I have a personal interest in the health of werewolves."
"Ah the uncle you always speak so highly of, he is a wolf?"
"Yes, and I despise the current laws on wolfs." Harry scowled at the wall before smirking, "Of course I will soon be doing something about them."
"I believe you," Ellen said firmly, "I've had even more business since you funded my research. I found a counter for silver and not a temporary one. It cleans the system of all silver meaning wolves on the wolfsbane no longer suffer from its effects with monthly usage, it only needs to be taken a day after the transformation." She told him proudly and Harry grinned.
"You are amazing Ellen," She blushed.
"Thanks," She muttered with a smile, and then she frowned.
"But wolves are still being hunted, I keep getting more and more cases brought to me, attacks and deaths, some of them so brutal it turns my stomach." She went behind the counter and pulled out a file, she took a deep breath and handed it over.
"And just last week this one came in, it was from a smaller pack." Harry flicked it open and scanned it, he stiffened up, his magic flared alarmingly and his eyes flashed. It was an attack of two wolf cubs aged 3 and 5, they had been playing in their forest as they thought it safe, it was their home, and they were attacked by 6 fully grown wizards. What they had done to the cubs turned even Harry's stomach, something that he didn't even know was possible, the brutality was something he hadn't even seen any of the sickest death eaters perform; not on a child; neither survived.
"This will be dealt with," He stated and is voice was filled with icy venom, only his vice like control was stopping him hunting these sick bastards down at that very moment. Harry was shaking and he tucked the file away, he had some planning to do and it had become top priority.
"But what about the others," She asked desperately, "This is happening daily, and it's getting worse. People are losing hope, and there is only so much I can heal. They brought those cubs to me and I couldn't save them, the attack was too much and they died in my arms." Harry hugged her tightly as she cried.
"I will sort something, something that will help as many wolves as possible." He vowed.
"I knew I could count on you," She sobbed, "Drew was close to giving up, but I told him you would be back." Harry nodded, he looked her dead in the eye.
"I swear to you, on my magic, I will do something about this." His magic flashed locking it in and she gasped.
"Thank you,"
"I need some potions for now though," He said and she cleared herself up.
"What can I get you?"
"I need 3 months worth of wolfsbane, and I'll take 4 months worth of your new silver potion. I'll need some healing potions too, I'll take some of each." Ellen gathered up all of the things he had asked for and boxed them up, Harry threw down a large pouch of galleons.
"But-,"
"No buts," Harry cut her off, "Consider this a slight apology." He shrunk down the box and gave her a small smile.
"I will be back as soon as I have a solution, I have to get my uncle to safety too."
"Thank you Harry, for everything." He nodded and led Neville out, only then did it become apparent that his control was slipping. Harry slammed his fist in to the wall repeatedly, ignoring the sickening crunch that sounded and release a snarl.
"If there is one thing I hate more than Dumbledore, it's sick people who torture children; any children." Harry bit out, he was breathing heavily through his nose, his hand was bleeding freely and he was shaking badly.
"Do I want to see it?" Neville questioned.
"No," the short answer was enough to tell Neville that it was bad; very bad.
"We need to return, you need to read through that file properly and start planning. You apperate to the chamber, I'll make my way back and use the Honeydukes cellar." Neville took charge as Harry was in no state for logical thought.
"You are right," Harry muttered, "I have to speak to Tom about this, I won't let this go, not this." Harry nodded to Neville and apperated away, with a quick disillusion he went to his room. He placed the file on the coffee table and took the potions to his room where he unshrunk them and put a note on them for Luna, when he went back in to the living room Luna was just about to open the file and he summoned it away from her.
"I was about to read that," She exclaimed turning to look at him, Harry shook his head.
"I don't care," He stated, "You are not reading this."
"What is it?" She asked him.
"It's something that I have to sort out,"
"Why can't I read it?" Luna demanded and Harry shook his head.
"This is something I don't want you to see,"
"So you're keeping me out?" She stated and Harry could hear that she was hurt.
"It's for your own good."
"I want to know,"
"Well you can't, I won't have you reading this. You know I don't keep anything from you, but this will only hurt you."
"I can handle it," She snapped, "Don't treat me like a child."
"No, you can't." Harry stated coldly, and Luna recoiled, she looked him over and realised he was shaking violently and his hand was bleeding heavily.
"What happened?" She whispered,
"This." He motioned to the file, she blinked.
"Will you at least tell me what it is?" She questioned, Luna knew Harry wouldn't purposely keep her in the dark and for him to be this worked up it must be bad.
"Its an attack," he told her slowly, and she was confused, an attack was nothing, she was about to voice that when he seemed to read her mind.
"On werewolves," Luna could sort of see why he was pissed about it, but that couldn't be it because he looked seconds away from killing something.
"Werewolf cubs," he said with no emotion, "Three and five," all the air rushed from her lungs in shock, she looked at him with wide sparkling eyes.
"Are they ok?" His silence was enough of an answer, she gasped in horror.
"I'm going to sort this," He told her, "Neville will be up soon no doubt," with that he left. Harry went straight to Tom's rooms, the man would be there as soon as he felt the wards shift unless he was already there. The rooms were empty when he arrived and Harry paced furiously in front of the fire, he read while he paced and his pacing picked up the more he read, he was disgusted, horrified and down right pissed. He nearly lost his stomach when he got to the photos taken, their mangled and abused bodies were so small and Harry snarled, the ones responsible would pay for this. His rage was palible when Tom apperated in to the room and Harry did not stop pacing when the man slowly approached.
"You know my views on child attacks and abuse as I am sure you share the very same views." Even he could hear the stiffness of his voice, but his anger was too great for him to care.
"Children should not be harmed unless in defence, if they are to be killed then it is with the killing curse only." Tom said in agreement.
"Does this extend to all?"
"The children are not to be harmed, be it muggle, magical or creature." Tom stated and his voice had dropped a few degrees, Harry handed him the file as he passed.
"Your hand it bleeding," Tom pointed out and Harry shrugged,
"It's broken, but that's irrelevant at the current time." Harry waved him of with said bloody hand, Tom flicked through the file and the temperature in the room dropped with each page.
"Where did you get this?" He hissed,
"I went to see a friend about an investment I made previously, and she gave it to me as a last resort."
"You fund the wolf shop in knockturn?" Harry didn't bother asking how he knew he just nodded.
"When was this?"
"It came in last week, 6 of them." Harry clenched his fist, something that wasn't advisable for his hand, but he didn't even feel anything.
"They will be tracked," Tom stated and Harry nodded.
"They will not live long," Harry agreed, "But I cannot leave this, something needs to be done."
"What do you suggest?"
"I don't know," Harry said frustrated, "I'm funding the wolf potion store as well as Ellen's research, but this has to be something on a large scale."
"And it needs to be accessible by any wolf," Tom added as he slowly took a seat, he summoned 2 drinks and placed one on the opposite side for Harry when he sat down. The teen did another round of pacing before throwing himself down and knocking back the drink in one gulp.
"When I get hold of the bastards who did this, I'll rip out their intestines and feed it to them, see how they like it." Harry growled clenching and unclenching his fists.
"That is light compared to what they deserve," Tom spat before taking a calming breath, "What we need is a safe haven, somewhere only wolves can enter and it needs to be big enough to house them, possibly hundreds." Harry sighed,
"That is a big ask, but something needs to be done. According to Ellen, attacks like these are happening daily and they're getting worse." Harry shook his head, "That is the first thing I'm abolishing; werewolf laws. I'll build them back up again if I have to, but they will go."
"I think I will call Lucius now, he will have contacts and ears out," Tom pulled out a pendent of the dark mark and tapped it.
Lucius Malfoy he hissed and it pulsed, Harry took another drink all the while glaring at the pictures from the file.
"The sickest thing is, that little girl was 3 years old." He gave a dry laugh that held no humour what so ever, "The things they did to her," Harry closed his eyes, the floo flared up and Harry's attention snapped to the exiting blond.
"My Lord?"
"Read this," Tom ordered thrusting the file in to the blonde's hands, Lucius quickly read through and looked disgusted.
"When was this?" He asked.
"Last week," Harry answered and the icy edge to his voice was overlooked.
"Find the ones responsible Lucius, and quickly. When you have a location, inform me at once, they will be meeting a painful end soon." Tom stated and Lucius bowed and left, Harry released a tired sigh.
"I have a feeling this is connected to the old fool somehow," He murmured and Tom made a sound of agreement.
"It truly wouldn't surprise me anymore."
"And to top it all off, I have yet to collect Moony from that house." Harry went to pick up his glass, but he did it with his damaged hand and he dropped it with a yelp of pain.
"Where the fucking hell did this come from?" He burst out gripping the arm of the chair, his whole hand was on fire.
"You said your hand was broken," Tom pointed out with a roll of his eyes.
"Yes but it wasn't hurting just a minute ago," Harry hissed, Tom tapped the injured hand with his wand and the bones snapped back together, Harry sucked in a sharp breath through his teeth at that.
"Ow,"
"You broke your hand," Tom said with no sympathy,
"Because I was angry," Harry defended flexing his fingers carefully, Tom repaired the broken skin easily and Harry nodded in thanks.
"I'm exhausted," He sighed leaning back in the chair,
"It is approaching midnight." Tom told him, Harry looked at him in shock.
"Didn't realise it was that late," He said, "This chair is really comfortable."
"Do you intend to move?" Tom asked him amused.
"No, but feel free to go to bed. I like this chair just fine." Harry muttered, Tom rolled his eyes again and dragged the teen up.
"At least make it to bed if you're going to sleep here," He told him, Harry mock saluted as he was pulled to the bedroom, he changed his clothes with a flick of his wand and fell in to the bed.
"I take it back, this is really comfortable." Harry groaned in to the pillow, he felt an arm drape over his waist before he was out like a light.
I know this one had a bit of a different feel to it, and the ending was unexpected, but it all leads up to something. I hope to introduce Moony in the next few chapters and hopefully a bit more Lucius and Severus. Let me know what you please 8D.
Jess*
P.S. As mentioned in the A/N at the beginning, I am recieving hate mail/reviews and I find it unacceptable that a fellow author decided it was ok to ask people to do that. I won't be posting anything else on any of my stories until the hate stops and anything that does come through will be deleated. People are basing their accusations on a half finished conversation that they have read off of a profile and I have tried to explain myself. I will not put up with slandering, and if necessary I will retaliate to unfair messages.
I'm sorry it had to come to this, but I do not feel as if it is fair that I should recieve hate and be ok with it.
Thanks,