Thanks for all your comments. Thank you for reading.
Italics = patronus
Chapter 36
"Draco, I was so worried when I realised you weren't next to me. Are you alright?" Harry fussed in the background as Charlie rushed to get Draco out of public sight.
"Sirius, I'm going with them. Close the door on your way out, will you?" Charlie said quietly.
"Okay, but come to the Grove when you've gotten them to the castle." Sirius frowned.
"I will." Charlie replied, as he waved his wand over Draco's head in a diagnostic spell. "I think your parents should know, Draco... would you rather Sirius tell them or will you?"
"I'll floo-call them after the feast." Draco replied quietly.
"If you're not up to it, I will." Harry said gently.
Sirius nodded and said his goodbyes before leaving to meet Remus.
"Ron, there are two compartments on this car." Charlie glanced up at his brother. "Tell Percy to stay in the other one with the rest of the group."
"I'll fill the others in." Ron volunteered, standing up. "Gin, maybe we should give Malfoy a bit of space?"
She nodded and hurried past him into the hallway allowing Blaise to sit across from Draco as Ron closed the door behind them.
Luna closed the blinds and then held Draco's hand. "Did you see any of the people who attacked you?"
"No. They were quick and careful." Draco told them. "They distracted me, separated me from Harry and then blinded me with a spell."
"I saw you hit your head." Charlie asked calmly. "Are you feeling nauseous or dizzy?"
The young Dragonlord shook his head. "It's just my eyesight."
"His forehead is cut." Harry told him grimly.
"I'm sorry." Charlie used a spell to clean and heal it. "I think you need Madam Pomfrey for your eyes. I can't figure out what spell blinded you. Did you see what colour it was?"
"Blue... but it's alright." Draco sighed. "You did what you could."
Harry frowned as Draco leaned against him and closed his eyes. "How are we getting him to the infirmary?"
"We can't show them that they hurt me, Harry." Draco insisted.
"I have an idea." Harry smirked. "We can glamour Percy to look like you and we'll all take a carriage while you and Charlie stay behind. When we're out of sight, he can take you directly to the hospital wing through the floo at the Three Broomsticks."
"I like it!" Blaise smirked. "What about the feast? No way can that particular Weasley pass for Draco."
"Oh! I know! Percy can pretend to get offended by something and storm off before the meal is served." Luna suggested serenely.
"They can have the elves give them something in the suite." Harry snorted. "It could work... Oh! Especially if we use the invisibility cloak to make sure nobody sees that you've stayed behind."
Charlie laughed. "Wow, you're sneaky, kid!"
Draco smirked. "I guess I've been rubbing off on him."
Blaise grimaced. "I did not need that image in my head."
The plan went off without a hitch and Draco was in the sitting area of the suite with Percy and Charlie when Harry arrived after dinner.
Harry replaced the illusion of Sigmund with the real thing and walked in to find the communal sitting room unchanged.
"I know it doesn't look very different yet..." Draco smirked. "But just wait until you see what the castle did!"
Harry chuckled at the excitement in his boyfriend's voice. "You can see again?"
"Yes, and I checked the whole suite over as soon as Percy got here." Draco grinned. "I'll show you!"
"The fireplace is bigger." Harry noted as he looked around. "My office door is in the same spot..."
"The sitting room and office haven't changed much but they're the only things that didn't." Draco pulled him into the hallway and waved one arm. "Our suite is the same, but it's upstairs now."
Harry stared. "There's two floors?"
"Yes. There's now two floors and five bathrooms. Our rooms and the guest room are upstairs with their bathrooms and the owlry." Draco explained with a nod. "The visitors bathroom is in the same spot it was but now it's slightly bigger. The girls room now takes up the left side of the hall while the boys room is on the right. Nobody will need to leave the privacy of their rooms to use the facilities and if everyone needs to use it at once it is possible."
Harry grinned. "This is going to blow Snape's mind."
Draco laughed and nodded. "Now, I asked Charlie to stay because I wanted to show you something. Let me call him."
"Wait! Did you firecall your parents?" Harry asked gently.
"Not yet." Draco shook his head. "I don't really know how to tell them that their only son almost died. Let's talk to the second eldest Weasley brother first. Then I'll call them."
"You can call me Charlie, you know." The Dragonologist snorted in amusement as he joined the couple in the common area of the master suite.
"I suppose since you saved my life, the least I can do is use your name to address you respectfully." Draco's lips twitched as he picked up his special satchel. "But I'd like to do more."
Harry's eyes lit up but Charlie seemed sceptical. "I don't know about saving your life, Malfoy. I just pulled you onto the platform."
"Hush. If I say you saved me, you did. Now, this satchel connects to a special chest in my vault at Gringotts." Draco explained solemnly. "Inside that chest is a collection of artefacts with special meaning to me and to the dragons." He reached in and pulled out a long leather strap with a medallion attached to one end. "This medallion signifies that you are a close friend of the Dragonlord. It can be worn any number of ways from necklace to hair tie."
Charlie took it reverently in his hands and ran his thumb over the design which depicted a dragon standing with its wings raised as if taking off. "This is... you can't imagine how much it means to me."
"Then I'm glad it can be meaningful to both of us." Draco replied, reaching out for a handshake.
Charlie clasped his hand tightly and bowed his head. When they parted, the older man gave Harry a quick hug and left.
"May I suggest asking your parents to come through? Or perhaps telling Snape and asking him to tell them?" Harry put forth. "He should know as well."
Draco thought about it and shook his head again. "I don't want to be cowardly about it. I am a fairly powerful wizard and the Dragonlord to boot. I should tell them face to face."
"Too late." Charlie interjected from the doorway. "It appears that Sirius was unable to avoid your mother's questions about the trip. They are in the downstairs floo and Snape is here too."
"I assume the others are in their rooms by now?" Draco asked, sighing quietly.
Charlie nodded.
"Harry, you should see to your cousins. I'll deal with this." Draco sighed again but began to make his way to face his family.
"Don't be ridiculous. I played a part in this too." Harry replied, stepping into place beside his boyfriend. "I stand with you."
The young Dragonlord relaxed slightly, accepting his support as they walked down the stairs.
"Why wasn't I notified of the incident as soon as you arrived?" Snape demanded as his godson walked into the sitting room. "Why all the theatrics?"
"Yes. Why didn't you call from the infirmary, Draco?" Lucius asked just as demandingly.
Draco took a deep breath before explaining the incident and his reasoning, going into detail about the way the group had come to their decisions.
Sighing, Snape nodded tersely. "I see."
Lucius nodded but remained silent allowing Narcissa to switch places with him.
"Dragon?" She called gently. "Oh, I was so worried when Sirius wouldn't answer my questions and then he said they'd blinded you! Please don't do this again, darling! Let us know as soon as you're safe! Harry, I know you can cast a patronus! That's the least you could do!"
Harry winced. "I'm so sorry I didn't think of it, Lady Malfoy. It won't happen again."
Surprising everyone, Tom's voice suddenly came through from behind the Malfoys. "I- that is ...Nagini and I... would be most displeased if something were to happen to you, nephew."
"Thank you, Uncle." Draco bit his lip, holding back a chuckle. "I'll keep that in mind."
"Alright." Lucius muttered. "I think we can let him be."
"What?" Narcissa left the fire to glare at her husband.
"If you'll remember, my dear, we gave him permission to make decisions on his own." Lucius told her quietly but not so quietly that everyone on Hogwarts end wouldn't hear them. "We've heard the explanation for the decisions that were made and seen that he is alive and well. Other than this business of not telling us promptly, I'm quite satisfied with his actions. What he needs now, is to rest so he can get on with his classes."
"Thank you, Father." Draco said softly.
"Alright... I suppose you're correct." Narcissa replied quietly. "But, Draco, you are my son and I will always worry about you. Do you understand?"
Draco nodded solemnly.
"I can acknowledge that you got through this ordeal with minimal damage, so as long as you learned something...?" Narcissa looked at him with raised eyebrows and when he nodded, she sighed with relief. "Then, I'll be able to rest easy tonight."
"Write soon, Draco." Lucius commanded before cutting off the floo.
"I will expect you in my office tomorrow at lunch, Draco." Snape informed him as he turned on his heel and began walking toward the door. "Mr. Weasley, you will use my floo. As we don't wish the Headmistress to know you were here, you must disillusion yourself."
"Yes, sir." Charlie waved to Harry and Draco before disappearing.
Harry chuckled as the sound of footsteps faded. Draco joined in when the door shut behind them.
"I'm exhausted." Draco sighed.
"Let's go to bed." Harry smiled gently and they walked in silence until they arrived at the door to Draco's private room. "Draco? Does it disappoint you that it wasn't me that caught you?"
Draco's head whipped to face the young lord. "What?"
"I just - I dunno - I feel like I failed you at King's Cross." Harry sighed.
"Potter, do you hear yourself?" Draco couldn't believe his ears. "It doesn't really matter who saved me as long as I'm not dead!"
"That's - Of course that's true! I'm not disputing that, but I'm your intended. I feel like I should've been more alert to trouble! I should've been able to protect you!" Harry lamented. "Shouldn't I?"
"Sometimes you are so sweet and amazing and romantic..." Draco shook his head. "But sometimes you're just so clueless. We are equal in all things until it comes time to bear children, Harry! It could just as easily have been you they targeted. We both need to be more alert. Do you understand?"
Harry nodded silently.
"Good. Now go to bed." Draco gritted his teeth to keep himself from asking for a good-night kiss. "We'll talk more tomorrow."
Harry sighed as the door closed between them. Was he really wrong to feel that he could've done more during the crisis? Maybe his betrothed was right and he was thinking of it all wrong but Harry couldn't help himself. He'd been raised to think of others before himself and the Gryffindor inside said to be chivalrous.
Resolving to sleep on it, Harry went to find his cousins.
"Hello, Harry!" Luna answered the door to hers and Ginny's room with a sleepy smile. "We're fine - we're all fine here, now. How are you?"
"Come to bed, Luna." Ginny called from the bed. "See you in the morning, Harry!"
Smirking, Harry waved and went to knock on the door to the boys' room. "How's it going guys?"
"We're fine." Zack answered with a slight frown as he stepped back to let him see the others.
"Hope you don't mind but we wanted a bunk-bed, Harry." Fred called from the top bunk.
George grinned as he came out of the bathroom. "It gives us all a bit more room!"
Ron frowned at Zack. "I offered to do the same but someone didn't like the idea."
"I like the traditional curtained beds." Zack snapped. "Sue me."
Harry chuckled. "There are triple bunk beds if you really want to do that, Ron."
"Nah. That's alright. As long as the mattress is comfortable, I'm all set." Ron smiled at his best friend. "Night!"
"Say, how's Malfoy?" Zack asked as Harry was turning to leave.
"I think he's ok." Harry's lips twisted. "He knows he got lucky today and he's thankful to be alive but he pointed out that I could just as easily have been targeted and we need to be more careful."
"It's good that he's got his wits about him." Zack nodded. "G'night."
Harry sighed and made his way up to his room. He'd just laid down when the door to his room creaked open.
"Move over, will you, Potter?" Draco bluffed hesitantly.
"Draco?" Harry called, sitting up.
"Alright... so..." The blond sighed heavily. "I know I won't have nightmares because of Sigmund but I can't fall asleep. My mind refuses to settle. Can I...?"
"Sleep here? Of course you can!" Harry felt his heart twist causing him to stand up and open his arms. "Let me call Dobby."
"You don't mind?" Draco asked softly.
"Of course not!" Harry took a few steps toward him. "We'll get another sheet in order to bundle and I..." He paused, unsure if Draco was still angry with him. "I'll hold you if you want."
Draco nodded and fell into Harry's embrace as he heard Harry call the elves to make the arrangements but couldn't bring himself to let go until Harry himself coaxed him into bed and took his place on the other side. He fell asleep to the sounds of Harry telling him he was safe.
When Draco opened his eyes, he saw that Harry had awakened before him. He sighed and sat up determinedly. "Don't think this changes anything, Potter."
"What are you talking about?" Harry frowned.
"I haven't forgotten what you said last night and my need for comfort doesn't change that you seemed to see me as a damsel in distress who needed saving..." He snapped, glaring at the brunet. "And the fact that I needed saving doesn't change that you seemed to care more about who was the hero than the fact that I survived."
"What?" Harry protested, his eyes lit with inner fire. "I don't care who the hero was! I care that Sirius foisted me off to get on the train instead of letting me do something to help!"
"Just admit it!" Draco shouted. "You're jealous that Charlie Weasley saved me!"
"You've lost the plot!" Harry breathed. "Draco, Charlie didn't save you! You caught yourself!"
"What?" Draco frowned.
"There's nobody for me to be jealous of! You were your own hero! You caught the railing and held yourself up from the tracks..." Harry said in a hard voice. "Charlie didn't catch you as you fell. He just helped you get back up on the platform. He even said so last night."
Draco blinked. He hadn't thought of it that way but Harry was right.
"You were so brave, Draco. You were confused and blind but you reached out and somehow grabbed the railing of the train carriage." Harry pointed out. "I'm incredibly proud of you for it. I just wish I could've done more to help."
"I see what you meant now..." Draco told him quietly. "But you can't think that way, Harry. It's enough that you're here now, supporting me afterwards. Sirius was right to get you on the train, you know. The attack on me could've been a distraction to kidnap you! I wonder if it was the Ravenclaws or Umbrage or whoever is parading around as Dumbles."
Harry's lips twisted into a snarl. "They're all going to get what's coming to them so it hardly matters."
"C'mon." Draco stood up to stretch. "We have to get to class."
Harry nodded grimly and began his own morning routine as Draco left the room but they met up again on the way to breakfast. They walked down the stairs in silence but, before opening the door for his betrothed Harry paused to ask as gently as he could. "Draco, you have at least one friend in every class, right?"
"Friend?" Draco echoed.
"Friend. As in a person you or I or one of us can trust?" Harry inquired with a sarcastic tone to let his boyfriend know he knew he was being deliberately obtuse.
The blond pursed his lips but nodded. "Yes. Why?"
"You were attacked yesterday and you want to know why I'm asking that question?" Harry stopped, incredulous.
Draco sighed but gave in, plucking dust from his robe. "You're going to ask me to keep close to my friends and be wary of the Ravenclaws."
"Yes." Harry confirmed. "Please?"
Draco nodded solemnly. "I'll be careful."
"Thank you." Harry said softly.
That's when they heard someone clear their throat behind them.
"That's an excellent idea, Harry, and it's subtle enough that the attacker might not realise anything has been done to protect him and try again." Zack drawled. "Then we'll have them."
"We don't have much time. Should we just have the elves give us something?" Harry fretted.
"No. We need to be seen, Harry." Draco sighed. "We will walk into the Great Hall and have a small meal before hurrying off to class."
Blaise was waiting when they arrived at the doors to the hall. "The Ravenclaw table is suspiciously full. You should both be on your guard."
"Thank you, Zabini." Harry muttered as Zack went in first. He pretended to be having a conversation with his Hufflepuff cousin as they walked toward the Gryffindor table. He nodded and gave a forced chuckle as he sat but stood right back up when Umbrage began walking toward Draco, who was about to sit with the Slytherins.
"Mr. Malfoy, please remain standing." The headmistress said as she began to raise her wand. "I have been informed that you are an imposter and I will not have it! We will find out the truth of this!"
Zack looked at Harry with a warning in his eyes and shook his head minutely as Pansy stepped up behind Draco with Crabbe and Goyle on either side of her.
"How DARE you lift your wand against a student who has done no harm to anyone?" Snape stood, rushing to intercept her. "The son of a Lord, no less!"
"I will simply ascertain that he isn't in disguise, Severus." Umbrage leaned to the side to get a clear shot.
"First of all, Headmistress, I have not given you permission to use my name..." Snape snapped. "And second, as his godfather, I have ways of doing that without magic... If you don't mind?!"
Her lips twisted into a pout but she nodded and lowered her wand.
"What did you give me for Christmas, Draco?" Snape drawled.
"That's it? That's your security question?" Umbrage laughed. "Any number of people might know that!"
"Only my godson knows the answer!" Snape snarled through gritting teeth.
Harry frowned at his betrothed. Had Draco given Snape something other than the gift he'd watched the man open?
"I gave you two vials of snake venom. It came from the snakes Harry and I received as a betrothal gift from a relative." Draco said loudly enough for the whole hall to hear him.
Harry recalled the discussion they'd had about the blond's intention to do that.
"We were alone when he gave me the vials, Headmistress." Snape glared down at her. "He is Draco Malfoy."
"Cast revelio at him." Umbrage commanded coldly. "Cast it or I will!"
The staff members still sitting at the faculty table stood, protesting in outrage. The Slytherins, along with several other students scattered across the room, stared in horror and Harry refused to hold himself back. He got as far as Zack's position at the Hufflepuff table before stopping short of knocking his cousin down.
"Revelio doesn't hurt." Zack hissed at Harry while reaching out a hand toward Luna. "He'll be fine."
"That's not the point and you know it!" Harry hissed.
"Do it, Uncle, but mark my words..." Draco sneered. "My father will hear about this!"
"I will notify him myself." Snape gritted his teeth and performed the spell.
Draco stood tall and proud as his uncle's magic rolled over him. He sneered again and stormed off with Blaise hot on his heels.
"It appears I was misinformed." Umbrage shrugged and left the hall.
Harry immediately ducked into the trophy room and called Dobby to bring him back to the suite just in time to hear Draco ranting to Blaise.
"I cannot believe that woman's audacity!" He shouted, furious. "The sheer gall to demand that I submit to a revelio!"
"Is there anything I can do, Draco?" Harry asked gently.
"No, thanks. Severus will be telling my father and he should arrive by lunch." The blond fumed, turning toward his friend. "You should go to class."
"That's erumpant-shit! I'm not leaving you, Draco!" Blaise growled.
"If you won't go to class, then at least do something productive." Draco smirked. "Write your mother."
Harry looked at him sharply. "What good would that do?"
"Think about it." Blaise grinned, catching on. "Draco has the second highest student status in Hogwarts after you. If Umbrage insists on doing that kind of magic on him, who's next?"
"Every parent that complains, is a vote against her to the governors of the school." An ear to ear grin worked its way across Draco's face. "And the minister can't argue if the board refuses to keep her."
It took Blaise only a few minutes to write out a note and he tied it to Draco's owl just as a sharp knock preceded Severus' entrance to the suite.
"Draco?" The older man called out walking briskly through the sitting room. "Are you here?"
"Yes, Godfather, upstairs." Draco called back from the door to the owlry before frowning at his boyfriend. "That was fast."
"Upstairs? What on Earth?" Severus looked around in confusion. "This suite is...How did it get...? Was it like this last night?" He blinked and shook his head ignoring the young lord's snicker. "Fine. Have your fun confusing me. Draco, I can't get in touch with your father." Severus explained, frustration ringing in his voice. "I tried to use my floo but it wouldn't stay lit so I sent Ms. Parkinson to the owlry with a note."
"And...?" Draco prompted.
"She found me moments after her attempt and informed me that the owl just flew in a circle before returning to her." Severus told him grimly.
"Potter?!" Zack's voice rang through the suite. "Something's wrong! There's been a run on the owlry!"
"In here Zack!" Harry chuckled. "People are rushing to contact their family members and they can't."
"Damnedest thing." Blaise complained as he joined them. "The owl flew in a circle and returned to me."
"Indeed, Mr. Zabini." Snape nodded at his student. "Ms. Parkinson had the same problem."
The Hufflepuff stopped short when he saw who was sitting there. "What's going on?"
Harry looked at each of them as soon as it clicked. "She's locked down the school!"
"Indeed." Severus smirked. "She obviously doesn't want anybody knowing what went on here today."
"What other methods of communication have we got access to?" Harry asked.
"There's letters, the floo, two way journals..." Zack began listing.
"Two way?! Of course!" Harry gasped and rushed off. A moment later, he returned dejectedly. "Damn, the mirror isn't working either."
"What about Patronuses... Patroni?" Zack asked absently. "Whatever they are, I wonder if they're restricted."
"Let's find out." Harry smirked at his cousin. "I can send a few."
"To whom would you send them?" Severus asked thoughtfully.
"Sirius and Remus." Harry suggested with a shrug. "Zack's and Draco's parents? Luna's dad? The Weasleys need to know, as well. Why? What are you thinking? Madam Bones? Lady Longbottom? The press?"
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves." Zack conferred with Draco and Blaise. "I suggest a test first."
"A test? Alright." Harry frowned. "Who should be our test and how will we know if it works?"
"My mom." Zack suggested. "Send her the message that the school has been locked down and get her to contact Lords Malfoy and Black. Malfoy is a school governor and Mom is a ministry employee. It's her day off so she won't be around too many people. Together they might be able to figure something out."
"Sounds good." Harry nodded. "What should I say? What information is most important? I'd think the fact that the school is on lock-down is number one."
"Yes." Zack nodded. "But a very close two is the way Umbrage insisted on using magic on a student."
"After Dumbledore's removal, you'd think she might've learned something..." Harry sneered. "I guess not."
Draco smirked. "Ok, School on lock-down. Magic on students. Contact Lords Malfoy and Black."
"Ask for an immediate silent reply if she understands." Zack instructed.
"You know..." Severus looked at Harry suddenly. "If this doesn't work we can send Percival Weasley out through a secret passage with a missive to Black."
Nodding, Harry chuckled but Draco could hear the tension behind it. He conjured his patronus a moment later and sent it off. Less than ten minutes later, a hedgehog took shape beside Zack and disappeared.
Mabel stared as Harry Potter's voice rang through her living room, emanating from the beautiful glowing stag that had just appeared.
"Cousin Mabel, we need your help. Hogwarts has been placed on lockdown and Umbrage has begun using magic on students. She started with Draco but who knows which one of us will be next. Please contact Sirius Black and Lucius Malfoy as soon as you can. If you receive this message, please send Zack a silent reply."
She stood instantly, sending off her little hedgehog to assure her son that they were successful in getting the word out. Then she walked over to the floo and called out for Potter Grove.
"Then, Sirius invited me through and I told him what Harry had said in his message." Mabel shrugged and sipped her tea. "He called you and here I am."
"That horrible Umbrage woman used magic on my son?!" Narcissa whispered in outrage.
"Oh, dear!" Molly fretted to her husband. "That poor boy!"
Lucius snarled silently. "We have to do something about her."
"Harry's right to be concerned." Sirius murmured. "Between the attack on the train platform and the public use of magic on Draco - to whatever extent it was - because we don't have details..."
Remus frowned. "Why send the message to you? You only met once."
"I don't know." Mabel chewed her lip.
Xenophilius suggested, patting her shoulder. "Perhaps Zacharias was with him?"
"You're in the ministry, aren't you?" Arthur asked. "Maybe they think you're in a position to help them."
"I don't see how." Mabel frowned. "I'm just an agent of the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes. Besides, you're also a ministry employee, Arthur."
He shrugged, nodding to acknowledge her point.
"I have a plan." Sirius turned to his cousin. "It starts tomorrow morning. Harry should send an owl - or perhaps Dobby - to each of his professors and those of his cousins since they're under his protection."
"And say what, exactly?" Arthur asked, sceptical.
"Different messages to everyone." Sirius chuckled as he pictured it. "First, he should tell his head of house that he was unable to reach his godfather and his cousins' respective guardians so he feels unsafe."
"Next, he should command his cousins to report the same story to their heads of house and stay in the suite." Lucius got into the act.
"Then, he needs to tell the other professors that he and those under his protection will be taking an extended break from classes until such time as they feel safe again." Sirius grinned.
"A boycott?" Remus huffed. "Will that work?"
"Yes." Sirius smirked. "Because while he's distracting the staff and students with his entitled antics, Percy can sneak out and owl strategic people from outside the castle's wards."
"In addition, I'll be sending a personal missive to the minister." Lucius growled. "But not until after all the others are sent."
"If you don't mind..." Tom shocked everyone by removing his disillusionment charm. He was seated in an armchair in the far corner of the room. "I would like to make a suggestion."
Mabel stiffened, bracing herself to see an inhuman looking man. When she looked up, however, what she saw was a man who seemed to be in the midst of a transformation that was taking a toll upon him. His hair was short and fine, his eyes had shadows beneath them.
Molly squeaked in shock, gripping her husband's arm tightly. Arthur tightened his grip on his wand but looked at Sirius and Remus for a clue as to what he could expect.
"Weasleys, meet Tom Riddle." Sirius sighed. "Yes, he's Voldemort but he's also Harry's cousin and Draco and Luna's uncle. He and Harry have... uhm..."
"Suffice to say, Dumbledore did wrong by him too and those wrongs put the crimes against Harry in motion." Remus told them gently. "Harry has somewhat of an alliance with him. He wanted to tell you himself but the time was just never right."
"I-I-I suppose we should hear what he has to say." Arthur stammered, patting his wife's hand in an attempt to calm her.
"Thank you... While I commend your idea, Black... and Lucius' additions... I believe that it needs a rather large tweak. I believe it needs to be a student revolution rather than adults coming to their childrens' rescue." Tom explained. "Only Harry and Draco have the skill needed to lead such a revolt at the moment but they can prod some of the others to evolve before their time."
"Like who?" Mabel asked with trepidation.
"Your son, for one..." Tom answered. "My nephew has given me a comprehensive list of his contemporaries and from what I've heard, he has the potential to be a leader... Well, Potter will need him to step up."
"What do you have in mind?" She frowned, worried for her son.
"I have thought about this at length, Mrs. Smith," Tom told her softly. "If the school ever needed to revolt, it would be best for the first move to be made by a Hufflepuff."
"Oh?" Mabel considered this.
"Given the fact that Hufflepuffs are known for their loyalty, it would be more impactful to the students if they are the ones to start the boycott." Tom went on. "Potter needs to be seen out of his suite and helping others. He must unify the houses. This is key. Seeing Gryffindor's Golden boy publicly mingling with the other houses during a crisis such as this will help. Now, I think he mentioned to me that there are no Hufflepuffs on the Ministerial Squad."
"That was a terrible idea on her part." Remus nodded. "Hufflepuffs are known for more than their sentimentality."
"They are also known for hard work and fair play." Sirius frowned at Tom. "And fairness is seriously lacking there right now."
"That's the place to start." Tom pointed out. "It should build slowly but once it reaches its peak, it will roll fast. You may wonder how we get our foothold... my answer is - with a bit of theatrics."
Sirius frowned at him.
Tom smirked. "Harry needs to act protectively of Draco around his Hufflepuff cohorts and Draco should have his closest friends keep him company when Harry isn't able to do so."
"I can see how that would start it but what will get it moving?" Remus asked, nodding absently.
Sirius took off running with the idea. "Zack will have to say something to Diggory."
"Cedric Diggory?" Mabel questioned. "The seventh year who competed against Harry in the tournament?"
"Yes. Harry was very fair to young Diggory last year." Tom pointed out.
"Oh, Draco told me that Harry recently helped Diggory with his mother's Christmas present." Narcissa remembered. "In return, Diggory replicated his miniature dragon from the first task for Draco."
"Harry is already planning to go back into Helga's quarters." Lucius pointed out. "He should invite your son and Diggory to join him."
"They can mention the attack on Draco and how worried Harry is for his safety." Sirius nodded decisively.
Mabel's eyes shimmered. "He'll be sympathetic and then Harry and Zacharias can begin talking about deeper things."
"Like the number of each house's students in the Ministerial Squad." Lucius smirked. "And the harsh punishments they've witnessed."
"Potter will need more than just two badgers to pull this off." Tom commented.
"I know just who he needs to approach." Sirius sighed heavily. "The Bones girl."
"Yes." Tom smirked. "See to it. Get word to Harry with these first steps and Draco's Slytherin instincts will kick in."
"Now, how do we get that word to them?" Arthur frowned as the Dark Lord walked out of the room.
"That's a good question." Mabel frowned. "A patronus wouldn't be able to get that much information across!"
"There are several secret passages." Sirius smirked. "One of us could sneak in?"
"Secret passages?" Mabel murmured.
"We found them as children." Remus shook his head, smiling. "Well, it's too close to the full moon for me to join you but I don't mind if you go, Siri."
"Don't be dumb, Remy! It can be just like old times - sneaking around!" Sirius cajoled. "I can get your potion from Snape and meet you at the shack!"
Remus grinned tiredly and gave in. "That sounds nice."
Sirius winked at him before grinning at Arthur and Molly only to be confronted with nervous, shell-shocked expressions.
Sirius sighed and faced them cautiously. "I know you're scared. I know you're probably questioning everything we've said to you since July." His eyes switched back and forth between theirs. "I know it's asking a lot... but we know things about him that you don't and we've seen him with Draco and Luna and Harry."
"It comes down to whether or not you trust Harry." Remus took over, glancing at Mabel but concentrating on the Weasleys. "Harry trusts Tom Riddle, therefore we do. Can you say the same?"
The redheaded couple looked silently at each other in the way that only a couple who'd been married for a long time can.
"Have the children been exposed to him yet?" Molly asked, her voice sounded hoarse.
"No... not yet." Sirius said softly. "Bill knows we're working with him because we needed his expertise for something important and I think Charlie knows too...but they haven't been in direct contact with anyone from Malfoy Manor besides Draco."
Molly closed her eyes and sighed. "Alright. I don't like it but if Harry really trusts him...?"
Remus nodded solemnly.
"And he doesn't come in direct contact with our children without our knowledge...?" She continued hesitantly, checking with her husband who only nodded worriedly. "We will trust Harry until there's a reason not to."
"That's all we can ask ...but please consider what happened today. He pretty much does as he pleases." Sirius pursed his lips. "If he has access to a place, he might just show up."
"Or there might be an emergency and he comes to help Harry." Remus suggested gently. "If the kids are there...?"
Molly nodded, resigned. "Go, Sirius. Go to Harry."
A determined look overtook the animagus' face as he stood up to say goodbye to the group.
Sirius apparated just outside of Hogsmeade on the road leading away from the castle. He looked toward the town and, seeing a young couple outside Madam Puddifoot's Tea Room, changed to his animagus form for the walk to his chosen pathway into Hogwarts.
Having discussed it with Remus, they'd decided that he'd use the passage that came out on the school's fourth floor. On that side, it was guarded by a mirror that was triggered by a brick in the wall but it exited inside the network of caves Sirius had used to hide while the dementors had searched for him during Harry's third year. Fred and George had mentioned during their stay at Raven's Roost that it had collapsed so he figured that he could fix it on his way in. His dog form took the path with ease but, once inside the cave, he changed back. About halfway through the journey, he checked his watch and frowned. He should've reached the collapse by now. This was strange. Keeping his wand at the ready, he continued toward the castle becoming more baffled by the minute. Had the twins lied? Had they mistaken this passage for another? He considered the possibilities as he approached the end of the passage. From this point, a person inside the passage could see people passing by the mirror inside the castle. Rather than risk being seen, he called Dobby.
"Master Harry will be so happy to see yous, Mister Siri!" The elf exclaimed, not bothering to greet the man before grabbing his wrist and popping them into Harry's suite.
As soon as they arrived, Sirius called out to his godson.
"Sirius!" Harry responded with surprise as he rushed into the room. "What are you doing here?"
"I came through a secret passage to tell you what we came up with." Sirius replied. "A patronus can't relay the amount of information that you need."
Draco followed him in and was accompanied by Percy and Luna. "So, we can assume that Smith's mother got in touch with you?"
"She sure did!" Sirius smirked. "My first priority is to find out what exactly happened this morning."
Draco sighed but explained the situation.
"While insulting, it wouldn't harm you. That's good." Sirius hummed as he turned back to Harry. "When Mabel floo- called, I held a meeting at the Grove for the Malfoys and your cousins' guardians... and with a little surprise assistance from Tom... we came up with a plan."
"Assistance from Tom?" Draco asked, glancing at Harry, stunned. "You mean, my Uncle Tom?"
"Tom Riddle?" Harry blinked. "You mean Voldemort...? Does that mean...?"
"Yes." Sirius grinned mischievously. "Molly and Arthur know you're related to him and they, along with Mabel, have made his acquaintance."
"And...?" Harry cringed.
"They're not happy but they have decided to trust you." Sirius chuckled. "They figure that you were right about Dumbledore so far and that increases the likelihood of you being right about Tom. Now between all of us, Tom, and the Malfoys, we've come up with a plan."
"Great!" Harry replied with a grin.
"Where are the others? They'll all play a part in this." Sirius said, sitting down. "And I need to talk to the twins."
"Everyone else went to classes." Harry told him through clenched teeth. "My first instinct was to batten down the hatches and not let anyone leave the suite but Draco was the one wronged so I deferred to his judgement and he insisted they go while I stayed here with him." Harry had a defiant look in his eyes.
"Sirius, will you please tell him that was for the best?" Draco huffed.
Harry watched his godfather grimace.
"It was for the best, pup. The plan will take time and you need to be seen." Sirius told him grimly. "I shouldn't wait around. So I'll explain our plan and you can tell them when they get back from class."
"Before you do...What did you need the twins for?" Harry asked.
"They told me the secret passage behind the mirror on the fourth floor had collapsed but I didn't find anything wrong with it." Sirius told his godson. "I just wanted to ask them about it."
"There is being no need, Mister Lord Sirius, sir." Dobby popped in right next to him. "Dobby is being told by Master Harry Potter, sir, that the elvesies should clear the rock slides in the secret passages. So Dobby sent them to it."
Harry grinned. "At the time I only needed one passage cleared but you did all of them?"
Dobby shrugged.
"Ok. Thanks, Dobby." Harry nodded thoughtfully. "Before we start, have you thought about how Snape is going to get the potion to Remus? The first night of the full moon is tomorrow night."
"Yes." Sirius nodded. "I'll pick it up while I'm here and meet Remus at the shack."
"I wonder if he even started making it." Draco commented.
Everyone turned to look at him.
He shrugged. "It's just that, well, that potion takes a couple of hours and- was there a plan to get it originally?"
"Probably not beyond him delivering it to the Grove by floo." Harry frowned.
"But Umbrage has shut down the floo and that was unexpected." Draco pointed out.
Harry quickly called Ziva and sent her to Snape with a note while Sirius informed them what the adults had come up with.
A little more than an hour later, Severus Snape was led into the sitting room of the Heir's suite. "Black. I should've known you'd find a way in. What has been decided?"
Harry's cousins chose that moment to return so Sirius simply smirked. "I guess you'll get to hear it from the boys while I take Remus' potion to him."
"There are three vials of the potion and they are protected with spells. One for each night of the full moon." Severus explained as he handed over a small satchel.
"How did you know to make the potion even though there was no way to get it to him, Professor?" Harry asked.
"I knew at once, when your patronus received a reply from Smith's mother, that you would find a way to get it to him so I just continued my plans for the day." Snape admitted with a smirk. "Lo and behold..."
"So glad you're no longer underestimating me." Harry joked, motioning for his professor to join the group forming at the couch. "I'll see my godfather out."
Severus eyed the boy but nodded and moved on.
"One more question." Sirius poked Harry lightly in the ribs. "Why Mabel?"
"Zack suggested it and I guess I figured that she might be able to help." Harry said with a shrug. "She works for the ministry in the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes. I suppose I thought some reports of no communication from Hogwarts might go through her office."
The thought had obviously not occurred to the adults because his godfather looked absolutely gobsmacked.
"We can do this, Sirius." Harry assured him with a smirk on his face and a determined glint in his eyes.
Sirius muttered softly. "I know you can, pup... I just wish you didn't have to."
"Get going, Padfoot, and tell Remus I'm counting the moons til I can join you." Harry grinned.
Sirius stared deep into his godson's eyes and nodded. "Take care of yourself... and each other."
Harry nodded and turned away so he wouldn't become emotional. "Alright, guys! I think you all saw that Sirius was here. He met with all your parents and they helped put together a plan of action for us. Draco's going to help me explain it."
Just then, Sirius burst back in. "Is there a way out from here?"
Harry looked startled. "Not that I know of, Siri; why?"
"I was walking toward the passage I used to get in and saw Umbrage leading a large group of people in this direction." Sirius explained. "I wanted to warn you so I had no choice but to disillusion myself and hurry back here."
"She shouldn't find me here, Draco." Snape told his godson.
"Why not? You're my godfather." Draco protested. "It isn't inappropriate."
"Trust me." Snape replied, standing up. "You may relay the plans to me at lunchtime tomorrow." He disillusioned himself and left quickly.
"That leaves us with finding a way out for you, Siri." Harry said, looking around.
"You should check your office, Harry!" Luna winked and giggled. "Maybe it's changed more than we thought!"
Harry blinked and several things happened at once. There was a knock at the door to the suite as Harry reached for the office's knob.
Draco pushed him toward it and went to the other door. "Go!" He hissed. "We'll stall her. Everyone, get to your rooms or get your homework out. Look busy!"
Harry pulled Sirius into the office and started looking around for anything new. "You've never been here, Sirius, so this is the main room. That arch leads to a small conference area. Go look and see if there's anything more than a table and a few chairs. The walls should be blank."
Sirius returned with a negative reply but that's when Harry noticed an addition to his bookcases. "That bust... That's never been there before!"
"Headmistress, please!" Draco spoke loudly to make sure Harry was hurrying. "It's just that Harry's working on one of his class projects and he's asked us not to disturb him for a while! If you insist on searching our suite, I'll take you through the other rooms first!"
Harry growled in Umbrage's general direction but rushed across the room to the bust. He felt around the base but then he noticed a hinge along the person's hairline and lifted his head by the chin.
Sirius shook his head in disbelief as Harry pushed the button that lay hidden inside. "I'm so glad the Potter luck is with you, Pup."
"Me too." Harry snorted as the bookcase swung outward. "Now, get going and be careful! We don't know where this comes out!"
Sirius nodded grimly and ducked in.
Knowing there was no time to lose, he pulled a couple of books on transfiguration off the shelves and summoned a few empty scrolls from their bin. Leaving a handful on the desk, he labelled one with the date and scooped it up on his way out the door.
"Draco!" Harry called out. "I'm done! Where are you?"
Ron hissed to get his attention. He was playing chess at the coffee table with Luna while several Ravenclaw students stood nearby watching.
"Hello. Have we met?" Harry asked the nearest one.
The older boy stared unhappily at him without answering so Harry settled for eyeing him as he sat beside Ron.
"They said there was an intruder and they were seen headed this way." Ron muttered, not taking his eyes off the board. "Zack went with Draco to help the Ministerial Squad 'search the apartment'."
"Interesting." Harry's eyebrow rose. "I think I'll see what Sigmund has to say."
"I wouldn't, mate. There's someone posted there." Ron replied quietly.
Harry's eyes widened. "Now I'm curious." So he stood and walked over to the door.
Seamus and Dean glanced at him and stood straighter.
Involuntarily, Harry flashed back to the dream where he'd seen that several of Hogwarts' outer walls had been demolished. He nodded a greeting and retreated into the suite intent on finding Draco because it had been too long since he'd left him alone.
He strode purposefully past the students watching the chess match and into the hallway where he looked around and saw a squad member standing with a sulking Ginny, outside the room she shared with Luna. Another stood with Fred and George outside the boys' dorm. Zack leaned against the doorframe outside the owlry with someone else and Percy glared at the one standing with him beside the door to the guest room. Draco, however, stood impassively at the door to the Master suite with Roger Davies and Harry reached his side just as the Headmistress finished her inspection.
"Mr. Potter, I must see the inside of your office to ensure that you do not have any unauthorised occupants." She smiled placidly at him.
"Lord." Harry corrected her.
"I beg your pardon?" She blinked innocently up at him.
"You don't have it." Harry smirked. "I am an Earl and I will be addressed as Lord Potter or I will cease to be polite, Headmistress."
Her eyes widened and then narrowed into a glare. "Show me your office, Lord Potter."
"Very well. I've been in there for hours, though, and I think I'd know if there was anyone unexpected inside." Harry remained civil though he was not happy with her presence. "But if you insist..."
"I do." The expression she wore was a mixture of smile and sneer.
Draco joined Harry as he led Umbrage to the office door and opened it.
Interestingly enough, the glass cases that were awaiting the puzzle pieces were no longer visible. Nor were the portrait shadows or the hook that was now home to the Sorting Hat. Only Gryffindor's sword was in evidence.
Draco strolled through the room as the Headmistress poked around.
"If you told us what you hoped to find, perhaps we could help?" Harry suggested.
"I told you - an intruder. Now, are there any passages from this suite?" She snapped at Draco.
"Not that I'm aware of." He smirked, pleased that he didn't have to lie.
"Hmph." She glared and stormed out to the sitting room where she called her Ministerial Squad to gather. "It appears that we were, once again, misinformed. We're leaving."
"If you give me advance notice, I'll serve tea next time!" Harry called as the last student trickled out into the hall.
Dobby closed the door behind them and added a soundproofing spell. Harry and Draco looked at each other only to begin laughing hysterically. Once they calmed down, Harry asked for an account of what happened while he was in the office.
"As soon as you entered the office, I opened the door to the suite." Draco shook his head. "She didn't waste time. As soon as she saw you weren't there she demanded to know where you were. When I told her you were busy with schoolwork and not to be disturbed, she glared at me and demanded to be shown the suite."
"So you gave her the tour." Harry nodded, seeing it all take shape.
Ginny told of how the Headmistress had demanded to know what each room was for and who had access before commanding her minions to enter the room and open the drawers and closets. "I'm pretty sure nobody took anything but I wasn't allowed in the room while the person searched."
The twins' report was similar.
Zack told them that each owl was checked for mail and the desk was searched.
"This is ridiculous." Harry gritted his teeth. "I wonder how she knew Sirius was here."
"Ziva can be answering that." Ziva popped in next to Harry with a note.
"Hermione warned us?" Harry asked.
"Not in time." Draco grumbled.
"She says she overheard Dean and Seamus talking." Harry told Draco and his cousins. "It seems Umbrage placed someone to watch our door at all times to report our comings and goings - an elf during the day and a student from dinnertime to midnight!"
Draco nodded understanding. "So the elf reported Severus' arrival and she assembled the Ministerial squad to come and see what he was doing here because the teachers aren't allowed to offer information about a subject they are not employed to teach."
"So she was really looking for something he might've given us?" Harry asked. "But, anyway, Sirius saw them and ran to warn us."
"And we thwarted her." Draco reminded him. "Now tell us about the new secret passage."
"Right!" Harry grinned and led them into the office where everything was back to normal and told them to just look around.
Surprisingly, Percy figured it out first. "Hey, that bust of Lester Mallow was never there before! I bet that's it!"
"Who?" Ron asked in the background.
Luna smiled calmly and explained that Lester Mallow was a prominent alchemist in the times before Nicholas Flamel was born and that some of Flamel's work was an extension of his.
Harry nodded and lifted the chin again, showing the button. "It's getting late so I don't think we should explore tonight but this is what happens when you push it." He pushed the button and, once again, the bookcase swung out.
"Look!" Fred pointed.
Harry frowned and leaned forward to see what turned out to be a small recess in the dirt wall.
"What's a scroll doing there?" George asked as Harry took it out and closed the door.
"Sirius came back to let us know where it goes!" Harry said, reading the note.
"Well? Don't leave us in suspense!" Ginny whined.
"Fred and George's store!" Harry laughed.
The Weasley Twins blinked and stared at him and then looked at each other. "What?"
"Yup. That's what it says!" Draco replied, holding out the note he'd taken from Harry.
"That is so wicked!" George blurted out.
Fred started laughing and suddenly everyone was cracking up.
It took a few minutes for their mirth to settle down but once it did, Harry reminded them that they needed to discuss the information that Sirius had brought them. So the whole group went back into the sitting room and most of them sat down again.
"I believe I was going to start." Draco remained standing. "So, rather than having our parents charge in with wands ablaze to save us, we are going to grow up and save ourselves."
"How are we going to do that?" Zack asked.
"I'm so glad you asked that, Zack." Draco smirked. "We're going to start a revolution. Harry will need all of our help eventually but it begins in Hufflepuff house."
Zack looked worried but he nodded to Harry who took over the narrative.
"This Saturday, I'm going to invite Cedric Diggory and Susan Bones to join me in my second search of Helga's quarters. You're coming with me." Harry told him. "We need to inspire Cedric - and hopefully a few others - to take a stand against Umbrage. The things we say will all be true but we can exaggerate slightly. We'll mention the attack on Draco and the revelio incident and the search of our suite. We'll mention any super harsh punishments we've heard of being used."
"Don't forget the fact that her Ministerial Squad has no Hufflepuffs on it." Draco reminded them.
"That makes sense." Zack nodded thoughtfully. "Then the Gryffindors?"
Draco smirked as he shook his head. "Nope. Slytherin is next."
"It has to be a slow process, guys." Harry chuckled. "Slytherin is the second step..."
"Along with a few strategic students from the other houses." Draco interjected. "But that will take place a few days, possibly a week after the meeting with Diggory and Bones."
"Like who?" Ginny asked.
"Neville." Harry looked at his Gryffindor cousins. "And the quidditch team..."
Fred and George looked at each other, nodding. "We can help with that!"
"That's great, Forge, we also want you to recruit your buddy Lee Jordan." Harry told them cautiously. "It might be difficult because of Dean and Seamus' membership in the Ministerial squad, but if he and the team don't want to be visibly involved we just need them to be positive influences, supporting the opposite viewpoint from Umbrage if someone talks to them from other houses."
"Lee wants to do what he can." George asserted and Fred finished. "'He doesn't mind being seen."
"He can be part of my underground news team!" Luna giggled. "Once you've spoken to him, I'll introduce myself."
"Right now, it's best if fewer people know the whole plan, so please trust the process. Ok, guys?" Harry asked, marvelling at everyone's enthusiasm.
"One more thing." Draco told them, nudging his boyfriend.
Harry sighed. "Sirius and the others had some unexpected assistance while coming up with this plan."
"My uncle was involved." Draco told them matter of factly. "That means your parents met him."
"As we always suspected, Draco's 'Uncle Tom' is Voldemort." Harry looked at Ron and Ginny. "He's also my distant cousin through my Slytherin ancestry. I've met him several times and spoken with him about a slew of subjects."
Ron sat blinking rapidly in response while Ginny didn't react at all the way Harry expected.
"Luna already told me about that." She replied calmly.
"He was also a victim of the Dumbledore impersonator." Draco told them.
"The diary in Ginny's first year would never have been made if it hadn't been for that meddling old fool and, when we catch him, he will be held accountable." Harry assured them.
"Our parents met Voldemort?" Ron asked numbly.
Harry nodded.
"Wow." Ron whispered. "They must've flipped their lids!"
Harry laughed. "They did... but they were more worried about all of us and took his suggestions into advisement."
"Beyond the order in which the houses need to mobilise..." Draco began.
"Tom has put faith in Draco's resourcefulness and ability to lead." Harry grinned as Draco's chest puffed up. "And I am putting my faith in him as well... along with my best mate who is a master strategist."
The blond stared at Harry.
Ron's jaw slackened. "What?"
"I need you and Draco to work together on this, Ron." Harry told him quietly. "He's got Slytherin instincts and you're a highly respected chess player in this castle. You got me and Hermione through that stupid obstacle course to save the Sorcerer's Stone in our first year."
Ron grimaced, looking like he was going to cry but then his lips pursed and he nodded determinedly. "I'll do it. You can count on me, Harry."
Harry bit his lip. "There can't be any egos in this, guys. There's too much at stake."
Ron and Draco eyed each other but when Ron stuck his hand out, Draco shook it.
There's a reference to my other favorite movie series. Did anybody notice?
I paraphrased Remus' words from The Halfblood Prince about trusting Dumbledore to make them about Harry.
Lester Mallow is an original character. Not canon at all.
The mirror passage is real and it collapsed in Order of the Phoenix. Fred and George mention it at some point.