Author Note

Okay guest uh thank you I guess. All I try to do is tell a good story.

Now about the story. We have a lot of exposition and information to get through. Some things happen but its a lot of talki talki. Not much action. Although there is some witty banter between Draco on the train. At least half witty...

August 28th 1000hrs #12 Grimmould Place

Harry was soon standing outside the house. It was an old brick multi-story in a working class neighborhood that once upon a time must have been quite nicely upper middle class.

He was surrounded not only by his friends but Madam Bones, Remus, Moody and the two Aurors Moody had conscripted from Diagon Alley.

"Open the door Harry and then let me go in first followed by the Aurors. We don't know what's going to be in there."
"No problem. This is your show Sir."

Harry took the key and placed it in the lock with a loud click sound. When it didn't do anything else he turned it with more clicking and grinding sounds. After several seconds nothing else happened so Harry grasped the door knob and turned.

The door creaked open and they looked into the entry revealed. There was a long once opulent halls that ended in a large staircase of walnut and marble. A dusty cobwebbed chandelier hung from a high ceiling and portraits hung on the walls Harry could see. An opulent oriental rug stood next to a rather ugly troll's foot umbrella stand just inside the door.

Hermione glanced in and wrinkled her nose, "Great looks like Dracula's summer home."
"Alright Potter step back and let us go." Harry stood aside and watched as Moody walked straight into a solid sheet of air with a resounding bong.

"Naughty naughty whomever you are. This is Harry Potter's house and until he takes full ownership of it only him or anyone he's had sex with can enter. Neat trick eh Remus? I know you're there because Harry is not stupid and he'd find you somehow. If you aren't well then I guess you're dead or Dumbledore got you too. Even though you probably haven't had sex with Harry you can still come in too buddy."
Harry looked at Remus who was shaking his head, "Was that Sirius Black?"

"Yes, he apparently used some of the family wards and spells to limit who could come in."

"I'm not happy about this Potter."

"He's my godfather he won't hurt me."

Moody growled at him but seeing there was a stalemate nodded to Lupin, "Lupin you go first and make sure he's safe."
"We will!" Hermione declared as she took Harry's hand.

Remus shrugged as she stepped carefully through the door followed by Harry, Hermione and Luna.

Neville jammed his hands in his pockets, "well we'll just be out here like gormless gobs you know."

"I'll be as quick as I can, I mean I can't wait to take full ownership of this lovely stately manor."

=====xxxxx=====

Remus led him down to the basement. Aside from being dusty and a section of wall missing like it had been blasted out of existence near the stairs they did not encounter anything too disturbing.

"Where are we going?"

"The Wardstone chamber. The heart of every wizarding structure. This is where you take complete ownership of a place, set what wards are active, if you have a floo you control who can access it."

"I thought this was built by muggles?"
"It was Hermione but the Black family took it over in the late 1880s and modified it."

Before they could say anything else they had entered the kitchen. A large gloomy brick and wood area that still looked like it was the original structure. A few doors and a small cramped hallway ran from this room off into other areas. A strange musty aroma filled the air as they moved but otherwise the room was devoid of any drafts or air currents. The lights from their wands making shadows move and jump looming over them.

"I've never been down here but Sirius used to talk about this place quite a bit, especially when he was in his cups. The chamber should be just ahead on the other side of the utility cupboard."

As they stepped closer a sudden flickering light formed. It resolved itself into an image of a tall skeletal gaunt man. He was slightly burnt and one side of his face was drawn up as if in pain.

"Hello Harry. I'm sorry I wasn't here to great you personally but thanks to a slight miscalculation with the Malfoy wards I am not entirely fit company right now. Don't worry I'll recover and be fit as a fiddle soon enough. I want you to accept the gift of this house as a way of making up for all those years I failed you, for failing your parents. He was my brother. I loved him. But life goes on and you're doing well I've heard. The ladies look lovely. Just like your old man with the ladies it seems. Anyhow this crystal is programmed to self-destruct so you might want to step back. I can't take any chances. Oh and Remus if you're wondering how I got some of his magic to set the wards it wasn't easy. But I." The crystal exploded into a shower of sparks and small chunks at that point interrupting the image.

When the spots cleared from their eyes Remus growled under his breath. "I am going to strangle that lunatic."

"What did he mean some of my magic?"

"Wards are set by one of three ways, blood, magical aura, or a keyed object. These spells and wards he is using have been keyed to your magic aura. That means he had to have been close enough at some point to take a measure of it. Either that or his elf."

"Great how do we stop that."

"Well I'll have to teach you how to cloak your magical signature a bit more closely."

"Great. Okay lets get this done so Moody can get in here before he blasts a hole in the wall."

Remus nodded and carefully opened the door. The room beyond was at one time a pantry of some sort. Now it held jars of rocks and crystals. Runes were carved on every wall and wooden shelf. In the middle of the room a 6 foot high stone plinth appeared to grow out of the ground with a spike growing into the ceiling. It was carved in flowing runic script and symbols. Some of which were glowing. There was a small alcove about three quarters of the way up the plinth Harry had a very uncomfortable feeling looked too much like a mouth.

Remus and Hermione were having a quiet conversation with Luna bout the glyphs that were glowing on the stone. Hermione's hissed invectives seemed to be amusing and annoying Remus a bit simultaneously. Harry cleared his throat, "Okay guys rather than stand here all day. Tell me what I need to do and if I'm going to get hurt."

"Well from what I can determine you will need to place your hand in this alcove and then endure the test of blood."

"Do I really want to know what the test of blood is?"

"Probably nothing lethal." Remus encouragingly said.

"I don't know Harry some of these runes are like nothing I've seen in any book."

"I recognize a few more from mother's books but even then there are some that may have been invented by the ancestors of your godfather."

"Thanks guys. I am going to have to trust him. One way or another though if I die I'm going to haunt the blazes out of him."
They moved aside as Harry examined the slot in the stone. It was wide enough for a human hand and just high enough if he stood on tiptoes he could see in it. There did not appear to be anything inside there so he transferred his wand to his left hand and slide his right into the slot palm down. For a brief moment nothing happened then Harry felt a clenching sensation as the slot clamped down on his hand. It wasn't painful enough to injure him but definitely held him securely. There was a burst of light from the slot as he felt a burning stinging sensation penetrate his hand. After a second it spread up his arm as he began to separate from his body. He felt like he was spreading out thinner and thinner as he became aware of the rooms and walls. The feeling of darkness and oppressive age itself. He felt the bright shining pinpricks of Hermione, Luna and Remus as a burning energy. He felt Moody taking cautious probes of the exterior wards. Somehow Harry knew he could burn Moody where he stood or allow him in. The slot released him and he stumbled backwards into Hermione's arms.

"Harry! Harry are you alright? Talk to me?"
"Whoa what a rush Mione!"

"Harry? Are you alright?"

"Yeah gimmie a sec." He waved his hand thinking about dropping the wards keeping others out.

"Okay this is going to take some getting used to. Is there an instruction manual for this thing?"

"Probably in the library if there is one."

"Yeah lets get up there."

As they made their way back upstairs gas lights turned on and ignited with a blue white flame. At least making the place more illuminated.

=====xxxxx=====

August 28th 1000hrs Malfoy Manor

Draco knelt patiently alongside his father before the strange muggle man who was playing host to his dark lord.

"Dumbledore has enhanced the wards for the school. He is also bringing in an ex Auror to teach Defense and review security. This has assuaged the concerns of Fudge my lord." Lucius intoned from his position on the floor.

"Well Draco you will be on your own this year. We will be unable to do much to support your efforts."

"Yes my lord. What is thy bidding for me?"

"You are to sow chaos and trouble. You should be quite good at that. Beyond that I do not care so long as Harry Potter remains safe. Until his appointed hour."

"Yes my lord." Draco smoothly intoned as his father had taught him.

=====xxxxx=====

August 28th 1000hrs Headmaster's Office Hogwarts

Two figures were seated at a large cluttered desk made of old solid wood. Severus Snape the potions master for the school, sallow skinned and dark haired sat calmly with his legs crossed and his face impassive. Across the desk from his sat the headmaster for the school Albus Dumbledore. His face equally expressionless except for a slight wrinkle in his brow.

"I have had contact with Narcissa several times this summer. She has tested my mental shields and they have held, hers are of course just as strong."

"So have you managed to learn anything the old fashioned ways?"
"She has not outright confirmed it but the dark lord does still exist. He is using host bodies like he did Quirrel. Unfortunately for him due to whatever Potter did when he touched him the Dark Lord is unable to remain in the same one for longer than a few weeks to months at a time before they die. They are using muggles as hosts though to prevent too many magicals from disappearing. Pettigrew is doing things for them and has been around."

Dumbledore leaned back with his fingers steepled. "Well that is disturbing. Although it confirms that Lily's magic is still strongly tied to Harry. Her love for him must be feeding it yet today. Good good. Troubling that Pettigrew stills roams but at least he cannot get within the school. I don't suppose you've heard anything about your predecessor Horace have you?"

Snape shook his head, "No he has managed to retain a degree of stealth that is troubling to both sides. They are looking for him as well."
"That is unfortunate. He was one of the few I feel Tom confided in. He could help us greatly."

"Yes that is why he is sought by the opposition as well. The Dark Lord is still obsessed with the Weasley girl as well, and now that there are two of them it doubles the problem."
"I know but fortunately Harry seems to be accepting them into his circle of friends."

The scowl that Snape produced would have scared small children from a block away, "Collecting them for his harem no doubt. Like his father and godfather."
"Now now Severus. I doubt Harry is wildly sowing his seeds. He is a responsible young man, even if he is a healthy teenager."

"If he is responsible it is only because the Granger girl keeps him on a short leash."

Dumbledore chuckled, "Be that as it may The Weasley girls are safely protected. Harry and his friends will not allow anything bad to happen to them. As I had hoped they have formed an emotional connection. So lets move on to other concerns."

Snape merely raised his eyebrow and stared at the headmaster. "Black is also seeking Pettigrew. He is highly motivated."
"I know and that is of concern. His actions are causing Fudge to become quite malleable to unfortunate suggestions. I know Madam Bones has stepped up the imperious and other mind affecting magic tests on senior officials but they have come back negative. Which shows that fear can be an even more powerful spell for the weak minded."

Snape grunted an affirmative assessment of that. He had voted for the opposition as he at least had been willing to have an opinion and stick with it unlike Fudge who blew whichever way the galleons came from.

"Black is still going to be a problem. His focus on Pettigrew may lead him to make some antagonistic actions. Minister Fudge is already being pushed to use extreme sanctions. He has already attempted to invade the Malfoy estate."
"How do you know that?"

"Narcissa mentioned that they had an attempt a few days ago. There was no sign of the person involved. This was after I received a visit from Black."

"He came to you? After all that happened in school."

"It was not a social call. He sought information about Pettigrew and I suggested that he seek him at Malfoy manor. He apparently survived their wards though."

"We need to capture him. Should he contact you again let us know immediately."

"That may prove difficult. He has not lost his intelligence or craftiness, however he has developed a instability of personality that is disturbing."

"Yes well a few years in Azkaban can do that to a person I suppose."

Snape gave the headmaster a rather sardonic look and remained silent.

"Well is there anything else?"

"No. Not at this juncture however Narcissa wishes to have dinner tonight. She has been rather coy about the details."
"Well then do your best Severus, I am certain the hardships you are enduring for the cause will not go unrewarded."
Snape rose giving the headmaster a slight nod.

======xxxxx=====

August 28th 1000hrs Stately Malfoy Manor.

"Narssisssa attend." A tall slightly odd looking man hissed as he walked through the corridors. His flesh had a very unhealthy rash and redness spread over it.

The tall matron bowed and fell into step behind her master. Her heels clicking on the marble tiles as they entered an opulent dining room. The large table in the center was polished obsidian inches thick. Around it sat the two Malfoy males finishing a conversation about Pansy's oral prowess and how she was coming in her obedience training. A small round faced man sat off to the side chuckling occasionally at Draco's description of an act she had resisted but eventually willingly accepted. They noticed their master entering and rose.

"Be ssseated. I am consserned my friendss. This body sseemss to be breaking down even quicker than the lasst one."

"Yes my lord. From what I can determine it is because you are too powerful for their puny frames to handle. If you would use magicals like I suggested then you would be able to maintain your control much longer."
"Yesss and there are sssso few of usss that they would sssoon be notissed. If I cannot have the Weasssley girl for the sseremony then I will need to usse the alternative."

"There are many virginal females sire. I could acquire you one quite easily. I think Percival Weasley would be able to be convinced to part with his piece."

"No Wormtail. I have my sspecific reassons for wisshing to usse that girl."

"My lord there are two Weasley girls now. My informant in the underage magic office says that Ronald Weasley is now being called Veronica and is registered as a female student."

"No way. They couldn't have afforded that. He must be pretending."
"We shall know more. If he has turned into a she a new wand will no doubt be required."
A strange sickly smile with a few missing teeth and bleeding gums resulted from the comment. "Good that will double the opportunitiesss. Although how goesss the plan for next year?"

"Barty has been talking to the other headmasters. They have agreed. As the board will make the negotiations Dumbledore will be forced to host the tournament. We will place Potter within it somehow."

"Good this will allow usss to gather the sssupplies to perform the alternative ritual on the flower moon."

"Yes my lord." The elder Malfoy male nodded as did the rat man.

"Now what of your bed partner Sssissa? How isss he? Hasss he truly returned to the fold?"
"I am not certain my lord. Severus has always kept his own council on his feelings. He claims to be irritated at the special treatment Potter has been receiving from the headmaster and wishes to see the two of them brought down. Especially as the headmaster has appealed to him in dear lily's memory to come and spy on us."
"Oh ssoo good then. We can use that. Make sure he undersssstands that it would be a dangerousss game ssshould he attempt to be a double agent."

Narcissa cackled darkly, "Oh he understands what sort of game he is playing my lord. I have made certain of that."

======xxxxx=====

#12 Grimmould Place 1500hrs The Library

Harry and company had retired to the library while Moody and the Aurors had explored the house quickly. Hermione carefully noting the various books on the shelves. Looking at some of them that were held behind cages or chained to the desk but not touching them. Hovering just a few inches off of them.

They had discovered that a great deal of things remained but that there was no sign of recent habitation. Veronica countered that by saying this was the room she had met Sirius in. That made Moody and the auror team pay special attention but it had been too long ago to have any evidence remain.

There was too much ambient magic in the house to determine if anyone specifically had been around unfortunately. So Moody showed Harry how to set up and control access to the house to those he wanted and exclude those he didn't. Harry asked madam Bones if Hermione would be able to use magic in the house and she agreed that given the ambient magic levels along with some of the wards which were not entirely illegal she would be able to. There would be no way for the Ministry to determine who if anyone had cast magic here. Hermione grinned at that piece of good news.

"With it a 20 minute walk from King's Cross we could stay here once we get it cleaned up and secured." Harry said brushing a chair off in the library to sit down.

"Maybe Harry but we are still not certain you should take the train. It might be unsafe."
"If Sirius gave me this house I doubt he'll harm me, Madam Bones."
"Its not him I'm concerned about. Fudge will announce it tomorrow so people don't have time to react but he is going to deploy Dementors in all wizarding enclaves as a ready response force."
"We haven't heard anything about that." The dark haired Auror they had pulled from Diagon Alley did not sound happy about that.

"Your Station Captain will have the full details and brief you on it tonight."

"C'mon Jim better practice your happy thoughts." The blonde said as they were dismissed to return to the Alley.

"There's going to be trouble Amelia. Those things are barely under control under the best of circumstances. Put them out in the wild and it'll be feeding time at the zoo."

"I know Alastair but I was over ruled on this. That is why Mr Potter I feel it would be better and safer for you and your friends to take the Floo directly to Hogwarts."

"Why I do I feel there is a However in that sentence."
"Yes there is, the school board does not wish to permit it as they claim to see the granting of that as special treatment. Above and beyond what a common student deserves."

"So what does Professor Dumbledore think?" Hermione frowned.

"He was not upset with the idea of permitting you and your companions the floo at all. However he has been overruled. I am not entirely certain that Fudge or the Ministry isn't trying to make some kind of move against him."

"That's not going to go easy. Not with him being in charge of the Wizengamut. Plus the Board is not under Ministry control they're an independent body."

She raised her hands in a what can I do gesture but nodded, "I know Remus. But this is politics. My hands are tied on this. He used an executive action to over rule me on the Dementors, lets hope that people like Augusta and Diggory can hold him off on the board."

"Gramma may disagree with Dumbledore but she would rather the devil she knows."

"Well hopefully she can be her usual persuasive self. As for the house Mr Potter unless there is something set to go off after we leave it seems to be safe enough. There are a great many borderline items sitting around I would have someone deal with."

"Well I was hoping that Remus would be able to live here and take care of things."
"As far as I am aware even if the bill up for consideration passes that would be acceptable as long as you and your friends do not spend the night with him in the same house."

"The vote on that is tomorrow?"

"Yes. From some informal polling around the office it sounds like it'll pass."
"Bloody bigots at least Death Eaters you can hex in a fair fight. Politicians you gotta smile and play nice with." Moody growled.

=====xxxxx=====

August 28th 1500hrs Headmaster's office.

"Albus what is it?" Minerva said as she came into the office. The headmaster was standing at his window staring out over the grounds.

"Ahh yes. I was wondering how the alterations of the sleeping arrangements for your third years are coming?"
"Well Veronica Weasley has been transferred and the room is ready. I will believe she is a female when the stairs do not collapse out from under her."

"Always the skeptic Minerva."

"I prefer the term reserved acceptance. You know as well as I do there have been many attempts to circumvent the protections on the girl's dorms over the years. Some quite elaborate."

"Ahh yes. Sirius Black was the purveyor of many of them if I recall."
"Yes ably assisted by his companions. Now that we have reminisced what is your real purpose for bringing me here when I could be preparing my class schedule and looking over the new students list."

Sighing deeply Dumbledore sat down at his desk offering Minerva the sweets dish. She sat across from him declining politely but fixing him with a stern glare.

"I have had two rather distressing and unfortunate communications today Minerva. The board of regents have managed to vote to deny Harry and his friends from using the floo to reach the school. Even with Augusta leading the opposition. They will have to ride the train."
"But with Sirius Black out there as well as Pettigrew that will place them in great peril."

"That leads me to the second piece of distressing news. Our beloved and honorable Minister for Magic will announce tomorrow that he will secure the public by placing Dementors at all of our most vulnerable points."

The professor said some very unpleasant sounding phrases that the headmaster felt he was fortunate he did not speak Scots Gaelic fluently for. He understood enough to get the general gist of her tirade some of which sounded anatomically impossible even with magic. Once she had wound down she spoke again in her usual even tone of voice, "He has been told that would be as having the wolves guard the lambs has he not?"

"Between myself and others who still have more than two brain cells to rub together yes. Unfortunately I fear it is the gold coins that have rubbed together that have swayed his decision."

"And you cannot call an emergency meeting of the Wizengamut to overrule him?"

"No as chief executive this is within his purview. The Wizengamut is to advise and consent to laws and ministerial acts, act as a jury in full trials of high crimes and misdemeanors and generally give busybodies something to do on a otherwise quiet afternoon."

She shut her mouth and glared at him so harshly he felt he would be writing lines soon. "I am well aware of the purpose of the Wizengamut Albus. It is their usefulness I wonder about."
"yes well it does keep the idle employed and the otherwise meddlesome occupied."

"When it works properly. Bah. I will contact Filius and the others and let them know to prepare. Poppy should get plenty of chocolate and pepper ups on hand. She's going to have her hands full from the first years who are terrified out of their wits."

=====xxxxx====

August 28th Spinner's End the Snape Residence 1800hrs

Snape had the dinner laid out. He was wearing cologne and the outfit he knew Narcissa said complimented him the best. He looked into the mirror for the hundredth time wondering the same thought. How far his life had deviated from the dreams he had as a teen. He composed himself and sat in his easy chair to await her arrival. She was fashionably late as usual. Not that she was actually scatterbrained or that busy but it was a power play. One move in the game he understood. As he thought the floo chimed at precisely five minutes late. He stood as she glided out of his floo wearing a multilayered diaphanous dress that hinted at but showed nothing. Her usual dragon hide corset was in its proper place with her wand in its holder across it.

"Ah Cissa. You look radiant tonight." He said taking her immaculate hand and kissing the back of it.

"Thank you Severus. The dinner smells excellent."

Pulling her seat for her he smiled, "Potions and cooking share many techniques."

"No doubt. We shall enjoy the dinner before we get to the business at hand. However we should celebrate. The Dark Lord has agreed that you are welcomed back into the fold, ready to serve and obey his commands."

"That is excellent news. I am quite pleased."
"Yes pity you are a teetotaler Severus this calls for champagne."
Severus sighed but held to his convictions, "Yes as you are aware after the home I grew up in I swore an oath to never imbibe. I will not break that oath."
"Pity. Pity indeed. Oh well there will be many other ways to celebrate tonight then."

=====xxxxx=====

August 28th 1900hrs The residence of Percy Weasley. Crouch end.

Percy stepped out of his floo. Renting a flat with another magical was a wonderful thing he felt as that meant no mucking about on the train or other muggle conveyances. He noticed something odd though when he stepped out as Penelope didn't great him, and the place was quiet with the lights off. He called out only to hear no reply. Looking at the agreed upon cork board there was no note pinned to it.

She still had another year to go with her schooling so maybe she had made a last minute run to the Alley and ran into some friends he rationalized as he went to her half of the flat. The door to her bedroom standing open he was shocked to see the last person he wanted to see today.

Peter Pettigrew was reclining on the bed with a stark naked Penelope laying beside him staring at the ceiling. The rat was playing with her hair, stroking it and chuckling to himself.

"Pettigrew what are you doing here? Sirius Black is looking for you and the Ministry is looking for him. I have more people outside my house than the Minister does."
"Oh yes I know. It was such a pity they forgot to check the sewers. Fortunately your lovely girlfriend here is such an easy mind to control. Like putty in my hands."

"Did you do anything to her?"
"No she is still pure and untouched in that regards at least. Though you may want to have her brush her teeth before you kiss her. Unless you are a lot more like your brother than you want to admit. OH Wait sister I should say now." He snorted at his private joke.

"Yes I know about Veronica. Mother was proudly telling everyone about how she had another daughter and how things... bah. Hinting that Potter was going to make her one of his mistresses. Bleah. Now what are you doing in my flat?"

"Do you know for a fact if Potter has taken either of your sisters to bed?"

"No how in the blazes would I know that. Its not like they are friendly enough with me to go into that kind of detail. Although to hear mother talk they might as well have done it on the dining room table."

Squeezing one of Penelope's fair breasts Peter sneered at Percy, "Well you had better find out and soon otherwise your magnanimous benefactor may become quite cross with you." Inhaling her hair as he ran his palm down across her flat stomach, "After all there are other wombs he can use. And you do seem to have become rather attached to this one haven't you."
Percy glared at the rat. He had nothing but sheer anger in his heart right then.

Peter stood up and walking over patted Percy on the cheek, his long dirty nails rubbing his cheek, the scent of Penelope on them making him recoil. Peter clenched him by the jaw and made him look into his small dark eyes.

"You came to us. Just like your dear little sister. Don't make us regret trusting and helping you. One Weasley lost their nerve already, don't make it two. You're in far too deep to back out and live."

Percy hissed through a clenched jaw, "I am loyal to cause. You don't have to worry about me."

"I don't give a rat's arse if you're loyal to the cause or not. As long as you're loyal to him that's all that matters. Do what you're told and be a good boy and maybe you'll get an upgrade. Understand."

Percy swallowed hard nodding.

"Good, She'll come around with a simple finite. You should be able to manage that." He said then shrunk himself into his rat form and scurried off into the sewers.

Percy stood shaking for several minutes before attending to Penelope.

=====xxxxx=====

Wednesday September 1st 1030hrs. Kings Cross Station.

Harry and his companions had spent the last several days drilling in Patronus, Homenium Revelio and Protego spells among several others. Some last minute tutelage in the sword as well. Remus had to tutor them at Grimmould as Umbridge's bill had been passed by the bare minimum votes.

Veronica and Ginny came back from dinner with their family upset and angry at the impertinence of their brother Percy. He and Penelope had come round ostensibly to offer congratulations on them moving to the Burrow again in a few weeks as well as to see Veronica. When he began asking about their sex lives Ginny had reacted badly and Veronica had blown up at him. Saying it was none of his concern. A full fledged row had then occurred which caused Ginny to have a panic attack and retreat to the bathroom and Percy to be asked to leave.

Harry stopped and admired the engine once more as he always did. Waving to Pratt and Crown who were huddled in the cab they moved off to the cars when they felt a cold chill creep over them. Like the sun had gone down and a north wind was blowing. Approaching them from the opposite end of the platform was two Dementors. Gliding or walking quickly Harry wasn't sure as their feet were hidden beneath voluminous cloaks that billowed even without a wind. Their hoods drawn up hiding their faces. Remus had shown them an image of an uncloaked Dementor and even Luna had reacted negatively. Crying for several hours into Harry and Hermione's shoulders.

Harry drew his wand then stumbled as the world swirled around him. He felt a blackness coming and his fingers going numb. A scream started from somewhere he didn't know if it was him, in his mind or one of his friends. He tried to hold on but the lights went out and he fell.

=====xxxxx=====

Harry woke up stretched out on the seats in the train compartment. He was shivering even though Luna was doing her best to cling to him as tightly as a lichen to a rock. He stiffly stroked her hair and felt the comforting vibrations and rumbling of the train in motion.

"Harry You're awake!" He heard Hermione's excited exclamation from a million miles away.

"I think so what happened?"

"The Dementors came over and then you and Luna dropped like a barrel of bricks. We thought you'd died for a second. Neville and Lavender hit the Dementors with their Patronus driving them back and we got you on the train with some help."

Harry looked up to see the concerned face of Neville looking down at him so he grinned, "Thanks Nev. Glad to know you got my back." He said reaching out to the boy.
"Always brother." He said clasping Harry's hand.

Luna groaned as she awoke. "MAMA! MAMA!" She cried out recoiling into a ball quickly before recognition of her surroundings kicked in. "Harry what happened?"
"The Dementors happened. Fortunately Neville and Lavender have been practicing on their happy memories..." Hermione explained while Harry continued to gather his wits..
"Good thank you both. DO you have any chocolate?"

Lavender pulled out a bar and broke it in half for each of them. "Go slow. You both took a big hit."

"Why did we get knocked out?"

"I don't know. We'll need you to talk to Madam Pomfrey when we get to the school. See what she says."
"Did anyone else react?"
"Susan Bones passed out as did a couple of Ravenclaws I don't know. Ginny got the shakes real bad but she managed to stay conscious, barely."
Harry sat up slowly looking out the window. "I've been out about a half hour."

"Yeah we didn't think trying to wake you up early would be good. Especially when Luna grabbed you and wouldn't let go."

"Thanks Lav."

"Yeah I better go check on Susan and the others. I think I'm the closest thing to a healer we have on the train."

Hermione held Harry's hand after Lavender left. Neville was sitting so he could watch the corridor and out the window, while Ron and Ginny sat huddled together watching out the window quietly. Luna was relaxing and stretching her cramped muscles but did not go far from Harry or Hermione.

"Here's your wand Harry. I grabbed it when you dropped it."
"Thanks Ron. Are you okay."
"No. I feel like I'll never be happy again. Like all the joy and love has been sucked from my heart."

"Yeah those things aren't on the train are they?"

"I heard one of the prefects say that there are a pair of them in the baggage car. They're supposed to remain there unless there is trouble on the train."

"Let's hope its a peaceful ride then."
=====xxxxx=====

It was not a quiet ride. The Dementors in the baggage car remained where they were supposed to, unfortunately Draco did not.

He sauntered to the doorway of their compartment his usual sneer in place. "So Potter I heard you had a close encounter of the floor kind."
"Yeah keep it up and I'll show you what it was like."

"Yeah right. You might want to tamp that temper down a bit. Dementors are drawn to negative emotions. They love them like a sweet wine."

"So how come their not hovering all over you then?" Veronica asked the sneering blonde.

"Because its none of your business Weasley. You're getting pretty good at those glamours."
"I'll have you know I'm a real girl inside and out Draco." Veronica said flipping her hair and turning her nose up at him.

"Oh la-de-da. I'm happy for you. Like I care just means another Weasley bint that will pop out kids like a brood mare."
Veronica started to spin around drawing her wand when Lavender grabbed her arm. "He's not worth it. Just let it go."
"I'll let it go right in his face."
"Well you do know all about face shots don't you Ronnie baby."
"Draco why don't you go on back up to the Slytherin car. They could probably use some more ballast." Harry drawled sitting back in the seat and starting to ignore the blonde. He pulled a magazine off the rack and started thumbing through it.

"You know what Potter. I didn't think you could get any lower screwing the loon and the mudblood but having two Weasleys ride your broomstick. Now that's a special level of desperate."
Neville looked like he was going to throttle Draco when Harry looked up from the magazine and started laughing. He grabbed his belly he was laughing so hard. Draco recognized this was not a fake laugh but a real honest belly laugh at his expense. "What's so funny Potter."

"You. You. You honestly think, honestly think, that was an insult? I mean Neville's the only person in this compartment I haven't had sex with other than you. I've got a brunette, a pair of blondes and a pair of gingers in my stable what about you Draco? Hmm? Pansy is it? Or do Crabbe and Goyle do more than just follow you around like puppies on a leash."

Draco went for his wand but stopped when six wands were suddenly pointed at him. Harry yawning exaggeratedly then bending down to pick up the magazine he had dropped like he had not a care in the world. "Like I said Draco. Just go back up to your own car and leave us alone. You bore me."

Draco sneered a parting shot as he turned, "You just watch yourself Potter. The years not even begun yet."

Harry rolled his eyes but went back to the magazine.

"That was fun." Neville said sitting down.

"Why'd you tell him we've had sex?" Gin asked with a pained expression.

"Because if he thinks we have then maybe they'll leave you alone. Also he'd not expected it. If I said No I hadn't then he'd go on and insult you guys as not being good enough. Probably say something like Oh I'll have sex with a mudblood but not a Weasley blah blah blah. He needs a new needle his insults are stuck in the same groove."

"Yeah but now he'll spread it around that we've had sex."

"And some people will believe it and some people won't. We don't exactly have control over that. Besides with the way rumors go at this school just by hanging out with us they'd assume that you were sleeping with me or Neville or both of us. Even without Draco."

There was a knock at the door as Fay Dunbar and Abigail Perkwith stood there smiling at their friends.

"Hi guys. So we saw Draco go storming office like you hexed his shorts to shrink."

"Yeah we had a little discussion. You guys okay?"

"I suppose neither one of us passed out at the station but that was a really bad place. I felt like I was going to cry my eyes out." Abigail stated with a soft sigh.

"Are you okay?" Fay asked looking at Ginny's worried expression.

"Draco said a few things that bothered her. And I kinda said a couple things that made her upset."
"Harry basically told Draco that we had sex."

"Well have you?" Abigail quickly asked then blushed.

"NO. I. I don't feel that way about Harry, or Neville." She amended after a second.

"Oh. Well the rumors had already been going around. Some."

"Really? What, people think I'm so easy I would drop my knickers that quick?"

"I think they started in Slytherin or with some of the Hufflepuffs that you were."
Ginny retreated into herself briefly before she frowned. Ron hugged her sister, "Hey they'll probably say the same thing about me."
Fay shrugged, "Well considering how we don't know who you are then I don't think there's been any rumors about you."

"I'm Veronica Weasley. I used to be Ron Weasley but there was a change."

Fay and Abigail came in and sat down. The rest of the journey was taken up by discussion about veronica, what would happen at school, and if this year was going to be less exciting than last year.

====xxxxx====

When they arrived at the Hogsmeade station there was a large crowed gathered by the carriages. Professors McGonnegal, Pryce and Flitwick stood by. What drew the largest attraction though were the beasts pulling the carriages. Large leather winged horse like things that looked like someone had allowed a horse to starve to death then shaved it. It had a dark blackish blue scaly skin like a snake or lizard with pure black Mane and tail hairs. They stood in the leads for the carriages placidly waiting for the signal to move out.

Luna walked up and petted one as it lowered its head to her.

"Miss Lovegood?"

"Hello Professor Pryce. I hope you don't mind my petting one."

"No but I take it you know about these animals?"

"Yes sir. They are Thestrals. You can only see them when you have seen and accepted a death. When you have allowed it to emotionally affect you."

"yes that is true. Well since you are well aware of things I'll let you explain to your companions."

"Thank you sir." She waved to Harry and the others to come over and they did slowly. It seemed the entire student body except for a few now saw the beasts. Professor Pryce was explaining to the other students what Luna had said.

"It must have been because of the death of McCormick. Everyone saw it happen." Hermione said cautiously reaching out to pat one of the beasts scaly hides.

"So what are these things?" Harry asked Luna.

"They are a magical creature called a Thestral. They, unfortunately, are cursed to be only visible to those who have seen and accepted and been emotionally affected by death. They have become a sort of symbolic association with death. In mythology they are the horses that pull Death's chariot."

"So why the blazes are they pulling the school carriages?" Neville asked loudly.

"They work cheap and are very placid and loyal creatures. Really quite misunderstood."

Harry hugged his girl laughing, "Okay she's channeling Hagrid. Let's get ready to get up to the castle." Harry said running his hand along the flank of the creature as he moved to the carriage.

"Well they really are Harry. There is no need to be sarcastic."

Picking her up around the waist he put her in the carriage then leaped up beside her. "I'm not. I mean it Luna. If you say they're okay then they're okay."

Luna looked at him but since he leaned back and started talking to some of their friends who had begun to approach the carriages she shrugged and did the same.

=====xxxxx=====

When they reached the castle Harry dismounted and help the ladies down. Then stopping to pet the Thestral at the front of the carriage they moved to go in. Professor Sprout was there at the door to great them.

"Mister Potter, Miss Lovegood please go directly to the Hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey wishes to check you and the others who experienced unconsciousness at the station.

"Ma'am. I almost blacked out. It was close but I managed to stay conscious, barely." Ginny confessed.

"Very well Miss Weasley you should go along with them."
Hermione had begun to follow when Professor Sprout called out to her, "Miss Granger. The Matron and the new DADA professor would prefer to meet with the ones who fell unconscious alone. I am sure you're worried but nothing should happen to them between here and there."

Harry smiled and waved to Hermione as he escorted Ginny and Luna off. "Yes Ma'am. I suppose."

Neville put his arm around Hermione's waist. "C'mon he'll be okay."

=====xxxxx=====

The three of them arrived at the Hospital where the Matron smiled and had them sit down in a circle of chairs. Soon Susan Bones, a fifth year male Ravenclaw and a seventh year Ravenclaw arrived and sat down. The male student looked over and smiled weakly at them.

"Well hello glad to see I wasn't the only one who took a bit of a nap."

"Yeah. Those things should never have been allowed out there."
"I know. I thought I was dying. David Hale."

"Uh Harry Potter, Ginny Weasley, Luna Lovegood." Harry said introducing each in turn.

"Oh yes you're rather famous. Uh this is Margaret Greene."

"Susan? You okay?"

She inhaled shudderingly. "Yeah I think so. I just feel like I can't ever be happy again. Like all the joy went out of the world."

When no one else came into the room the Matron called each behind a curtain and ran basic diagnostic spells over them. Declaring them physically fit she made notes for their records and passed out chocolate bars.

"Those beasts are such a menace. I'm sorry each of you experienced that."
"Thank you ma'am."
At that point a tall grey haired distinguished looking gentleman with an olive complexion entered the room. He had a neatly trimmed mustache with goatee. "Ah Madam Pomfrey. Are they all physically and magically well?"
"Aside from having had some rather distressing shocks yes. Miss Weasley did not lose full consciousness but she came close. As for spells or charms no. None of them "

"Very well thank you for running the tests on them I wanted to make sure there was nothing physically or magically affecting them."

She nodded and he cam over. Pulling a chair into the circle with them he said a word and a watery dome formed surrounding them.

"Hello, my name is Malachi Throne. I am your new Defense Professor. I apologize for keeping you from the feast but I felt this was far more important to ensure your safety. Dementors are not a creature one should take lightly."
The six students nodded. Harry didn't know if he could trust this man yet so didn't volunteer that he and his friends had been working on the patronus spell. Luna and Ginny followed his lead.

"I wanted to reassure the six of you that your experience was not uncommon. People who have had direct experience of tragic and painful events that are still lingering in their psyche have had similar or worse events. Full on psychotic breaks have occurred."

"So because we're still broken inside we had that happen to us?"
"I did not say that Miss Weasley. Emotional pain is no different than physical pain. It is the sign of an injury. Only this injury is not visible to others only ourselves. It means you have not healed. Some wounds though they go far too deep to ever heal." He said with a gentle smile that was meant to reassure.

Ginny nodded, "Are you a mind healer?"
"That is one of the hats that I have worn in my life. The most recent was a fishing hat as I had retired before your headmaster called me."
"Sorry sir." Harry said.

"No do not apologize Harry Potter. This is an honor to teach here. Now do you want to have some food brought here or do you want to go to the kitchens and see what we can find?"
"I'm not hungry." Ginny said quietly. Only her stomach making a strange groan contradicted her.

"Miss Weasley food is not going to hurt you. Perhaps a light sandwich. Some light sandwiches?"

They six nodded and agreed. Soon platters of sandwiches were sitting on trays with jugs of juice nearby.

"Why are we sitting up here and not at the feast sir?" Susan asked.

"Because I wanted to make sure the six of you were recovered enough to deal with your classmates. That there would be no other problems. And I was hoping I could ask you to tell me what happened so that I might help you deal with it."

The Ravenclaw named Greene moved to get up. "Miss Greene?"

"I've talked to healers, psychiatrists, therapists enough sir. I'd rather not talk to you."
"I see. Well if you hurry you can make it to the great hall if you want to finish the feast or you can go on to your dorm. I won't hold you here."
She looked like she wanted to stop but then she moved off and was gone. Ginny stood up, "I already see a mind-healer once a week. She'll be here tomorrow."

"Very well good evening. My door will always be open if you wish to speak."
"Thank you sir."

"So anyone else?"
"I think I'll make sure Margaret gets back to the dorms sir. I am a prefect after all."
"Very well."

Susan Luna and Harry sat there though. Thinking about what happened.

"Sir I heard someone screaming. A woman. Only no one was really screaming, I think."

"Well Mister Potter given the history of what happened that's probably understandable. You lost your parents and never knew them. The scream of your mother may be what you are hearing."
Harry frowned, "So how do I defend myself."
"Well Occlumancy works as a brute force method of locking down those memories and thoughts. Working through the emotional pain and healing is another way but takes a lot more introspection and brutal self-honesty so a lot of people don't use that method."

"So that's it?"

"Well there is one more and that's to just remove those memories magically, unfortunately as we grow older we have more and more painful memories and if you pulled all of them it would be like pulling grey hairs from your head. Soon you'd have no hair left at all."

"Well I suppose we should retire to the kitchens for some dinner. And from what I hear Mister Potter I believe there may be a small army waiting for us outside the hospital."

"Hermione is rather forcefully protective of Harry." Luna agreed.

=====xxxxx=====

They had almost reached the kitchen when Hermione ran up and glomped Harry then turned and did the same to Luna. Susan laughed "Hey what about me?"

Hermione gave her a hug too. "Sorry just worried about Harry."
Neville, Lavender, Veronica and Ginny came along at a slower but still fast pace.

"Sorry Harry I tried to get her to calm down but she was a nervous wreck."
"Well you have to admit that Harry does have a tendency to get himself into dangerous situations with the least provocation."
"Madam. I am honor bound to protect the charges in my care."

Hermione frowned at the tall man in the dark grey suit. "Who are you?"

"I am Malachi Throne the new Defense professor." He said holding his hand out. Hermione shook it carefully like she was checking for traps.

"I'm sorry sir but ever since we came to this school things have happened that cause us to have some serious trust issues."
"That is perfectly understandable. I spoke at length with Albus and he has placed myself in charge of security for the school as well as Defense Professor. So I will be observing things and then determining what changes need to be made. So far it seems Professor Dumbledore has taken as many reasonable and prudent precautions as he can, without too much interference in your freedoms."

"Well yeah we know that. I'm just very frustrated."
"Oh believe me we adults are not any less frustrated. Albus has had the Ministry breathing down his next for the last year. They have threatened to appoint an observer to the school to determine his suitability as headmaster and if there needs to be reforms made to the school. May Merlin protect us from reformers."

"Sir?"

Laughing the new professor smiled at the students with him, "I'm sorry. There is nothing wrong with putting right bad things. Standing up for morals and ethics. Some traditions are a very good thing. Some of them not so much. However far too many reformers are using a scoop shovel when they should be using a teaspoon. Going after the wrong issues or with too heavy handed a response. I am what you might call a free thinking radical so I am in favor of the if it isn't broke don't fix it and leave people alone they'll find their own way school of thought."

Hermione raised her eyebrows, "Well okay. That should liven things up around here."

=====xxxxx=====

Reaching the kitchen they entered and started getting inundated with plates of food. Hermione even took a few after thanking the elves for their service.

"I was hoping to speak with the lot of you anyways. You of course are Harry Potter so are spoken of quite frequently in the Defense Association trade journals and meetings. The interest in your survival is quite keen."

"Uh thank you sir. I'm quite keen on surviving as well."

"Yes. Well who isn't. Even the bad guys unfortunately want to survive. Very few of them are fanatical they are willing to die for their cause. Too bad there are a always a few who are."

"So what kinda stuff are you gonan teach us?" Victoria asked. She was better at eating properly than she had been as Ron but she would still not pass as to the manor born.

"Well I was thinking about running a few tests early on to see where everyone is at then tailoring the classwork according to skill. It seems rather unfair to make those of you that are more advanced sit through things you already know."
"Uh sir how do you know how far we are?"
"Well I heard about the Patronus these two produced and the shield spell your girlfriend threw over all of you. Even Veronica there tried to be helpful. That was a rather public display of power. And don't take this the wrong way everyone but if Neville and Lavender can do a Patronus I have no doubt that the rest of you can."

"So far everyone except Ginny, Veronica and Susan can do a corporeal one."

Malachi leaned back in his chair. "Impressive, most impressive." He said staring at Harry.

=====xxxxx=====

After chatting with them for a while he escorted the Hufflepuffs to their dorm and then the Gryffindors up to their tower. The five of them agreed that he seemed to be a nice person and probably would be an interesting professor. He had heard of Remus Lupin through various circles and felt he was an effective teacher.

They talked about the new first years and if there was any interesting people. Veronica said there was a few interesting looking ones but no one really stood out to her. Hermione and Lavender agreed. Gryffindor got a handful of new students, none of them particularly outstanding. They seemed like the typical first year crop which made Harry laugh and remind veronica that once upon a time they were the typical first year crop to Veronica's chagrin.

======xxxxxx=====

Meanwhile back in London.

Kreacher the house elf jumped out and landed on Percy Weasley's back while everyone was milling about the train platform. Trying to get away from the Dementors and back into the sunshine. He felt the elf but the next thing he knew he was falling on his face in a strange room somewhere.

"Ahh Percy. Finally we get to meet. How are you old boy?"
Percy rolled over grabbing his wand which flew out of his hand into the hand of the tall dapper Sirius Black.

"Ahh ahh ahh. No no. We need to have a nice quiet conversation Percy. " he said waggling his finger at him like he was a small child.

"Sirius Black!" Percy said as he started crawling backwards before he reached the wall.

Sirius looked surprised then sighed, "Really? Wow your sister handled meeting me with bigger balls than you."
"Yeah well what do you want with me?"
"The Rat Pettigrew?"

"What about him?"

"Oh you don't have a unbreakable on you?"
"No of course not. I am loyal to the cause Black. I am a pure blood and one of the ruling class. Those are only for people you can't trust."

"Ohhh I see okay. So where is he?"

"What does it matter. You're a blood traitor and criminal. You'll get the kiss for this."
"Gee if I didn't take your sister what makes you think you'll be more enticing. Geez you Weasleys are egotistical."

"You're mad. Absolutely barking mad."

"No I'm Sirius Black I thought we established that. Don't you remember?" He then imitated Percy's scream and scrabbling backwards.

"See?"

Percy just stopped talking not sure what else to do.

"Okay Percy. Here's the deal. I don't care about you. I don't care about anything but getting that rat. So you help me get him and I'll help you. Think of me as your fairy godfather."
"Go to hell Black."
A frightening grin appeared on his face at that point as he stepped up and grabbed Percy by the throat, "I've been in hell boy. I spent the last 12 years there. You are exactly one second away from having a very bad day."
Percy spat in Black's face. He figured if he was going to die he might as well not make it easy.

Sirius squeezed Percy's throat before bringing Percy's own wand up to him, "Imperious." was the last thing he heard.