Sensing Magic
by Teddylonglong

Please refer to chapter 1 for my disclaimer and warnings. Thank you.


"You simply told the headmaster that Teddy is going to become a first-year?" Severus eyed him in apparent amusement. "What a Gryffindor thing to do."

'What?' Harry thought, worriedly. 'I wouldn't want to be a Gryffindor, especially as Severus and Marvolo certainly expect me to become sorted into Slytherin.'

Regina chuckled. "In any case, it was a very gentle thing to do, Harry. I am not as acquainted with Hogwarts as Severus, but I believe that what you did for Teddy would rather be Hufflepuffish than Gryffindorish."

Harry inwardly groaned. "I wonder where I'm going to be sorted," he mused aloud.

Severus gave him a sharp look. "I doesn't matter where you're going to be sorted. You'll do well in any house. Remember that you're the heir of all four founders, which means that you have traits of all four houses. Just don't be disappointed if Teddy ends up in a different house from you, son. In fact, it is more likely that you'll end up in different houses than that you'll get sorted into the same house."

"What about Neville and Draco?" Harry absentmindedly played with Lucy's ears. "Will I be able to remain friends with them, even if they're in different houses?"

"If you wish to remain friends, you'll find a way. Did I not tell you that your birth mother was in Gryffindor, while I was in Slytherin, and we were still best friends?"

Harry nodded, feeling very much reassured by his father's words. 'Still, I'm going to miss being able to sit at any house table, where I just want to sit, during the meals,' he thought.

HP

Unlike the previous years, Harry did not have any classes during the summer holidays. Not only Remus, but also Poppy, Misty and Cicero decided that he should spend the summer just enjoying himself together with his friends.

When Misty asked if he was going to join them on the Isle of Elves again, Harry eagerly nodded, before he quietened, as a sudden thought struck his mind. "Felix. No, I think I can't go this year. I'll have to be here for Felix. Otherwise, won't he miss me? He won't understand when I tell him that I'll be back after a week or two."

"Harry, I advise you to speak with Regina or Severus about it, but I believe that Felix still sleeps through most of the day anyway, so that he won't miss you too much, and your parents will manage without your help for two weeks, especially as it's during the summer holidays and they don't have other obligations."

HP

To Harry's relief, Regina and Severus fully agreed with Misty and advised him to accompany the elves to the Isle of Elves for at least two weeks. To his and Teddy's disappointment, Ana and Nihil were not able to travel with them due to being Alice's and Neville's elves; however, Harry and Teddy were busy enough looking after Lucky. The four-month-old elf was just able to walk and was running all over the place on his little feet.

"Was I as bad as him, when I was four months old?" Teddy asked Harry, who shook his head. "No, Teddy, I don't think so. Do you think Granny Anastasia would be willing to look after him for a while? I'd love to go and visit Bandhu. He promised to introduce me to the big library."

Teddy's eyes widened in apparent eagerness. "May I come?"

"Of course." Harry chuckled, as he had not expected anything else from his best friend.

Hearing that they were heading to see Bandhu, Anastasia immediately agreed to watch Lucky, and from that time onwards, Harry, Teddy and Lucy spent every afternoon in the library. They were especially interested in the history of the Isle of Elves.

"I wonder why the relationship between elves and humans is so strange," Harry said after spending a whole week in the library. "How could they even think about enslaving the elves?"

"Let's ask Bandhu," Teddy suggested, and the trio quickly made their way to the office of the Elder Elves.

HP

"This is still a result of the human - elven war, which took place from 1252 to 1256." Bandhu's voice was laced with annoyance. "The wizards won the war and enslaved the elves, believing that the elves are their minors," the elder elf said, patiently. "It's even part of the wizards' law, written in the Statute of Supremacy made by the British Ministry of Magic. Maybe you have heard of that?" Bandhu gave them a questioning look.

"No, sir." Their response was simultaneous and genuine, causing Bandhu to smirk. He held out his hand, and a moment later, an old-looking tome floated down from the bookshelf right into his hand.

"Read this if you wish to know more. You may borrow it, but do not take it with you into the human world. It must remain on the Isle of Elves just like any of the library books."

"We won't take anything with us." Teddy nodded to emphasize his promise.

"Thank you, sir." Harry smiled at the gentle Elder Elf. "Please give me some time, before I will ask the Minister of Magic to rescind the Statute of Supremacy. Or perhaps better the Wizengamot. I'm not sure, but I'll ask my father and Marvolo how to best proceed."

"I will help." Teddy grinned broadly. Bandhu, did our Granny tell you that I am going to attend Hogwarts together with Harry and the other students?"

Bandhu nodded. "Yes, Anastasia told us, and we're all very proud of the two of you. Well done, Harry and Teddy."

The two weeks on the Isle of Elves passed in a blur, and before Harry realised how fast the time passed, they were back at Hogwarts.

HP

Harry was happy to be able to spend some time with Felix, who slowly began to remain awake for longer times, and also with Neville, who was delighted to have him back.

"Hogwarts was boring without you and the twins." Neville let out a deep sigh.

"Did you not help Professor Sprout in the greenhouses?" Harry queried in surprise.

"Yes, I did, and it was much fun, but still, I missed you all, and my father was busy preparing himself to teach Arithmancy, and my mother is pregnant and often feels unwell."

Harry nodded in understanding. "I'm here now," he reassured his friend. "I'd like Draco to come and visit like he did last year though."

Severus nodded in understanding, when Harry hesitantly voiced his wish. "I shall pay the Malfoys a visit and speak with them. I believe that Lucius is somehow disappointed in Marvolo, because he is not as dark as he was, when he was under the Imperius curse."

"What does that have to do with Harry?" Regina looked from Severus to Harry in apparent disbelief.

Severus let out a deep sigh. "All the followers of the Dark Lord are aware that Harry and Marvolo are good friends this time around. Perhaps, Lucius has not yet decided if he wants to remain on the Dark Lord's side or rather defy him for a darker path. I can imagine that if he wanted to defy the Dark Lord, he wouldn't be happy if his son were best friends with Harry."

'Draco's father is an idiot then,' Harry thought; however, knew better than to voice his thoughts about others, let alone about other members of the Wizengamot.

HP

Severus gracefully stepped out of the fireplace at Malfoy Manor, noticing that a seemingly hyper elf was standing there waiting for him.

"Lord Prince, sir, Master Lucius and Mistress Narcissa are waiting for yous."

"Please lead the way," Severus replied, causing the elf to stare at him, wide-eyed, before he bowed deeply and hurried to guide him into the garden, where Lucius and Narcissa were gathered around a table drinking some kind of icy-looking beverage.

"Severus!" Lucius was the first to notice him. "Come and join us. Would you like some lemon ice punch?"

"Yes please." Severus lowered himself into a seat, which allowed a fantastic view over the manor's beautiful garden. An instant later, the elf returned and placed a glass of the delicious looking beverage in front of him.

"Thank you." Severus did not even consider talking to the elf; his words just automatically left his words.

"Dobby, now leave." Lucius' voice was slightly harsh, and Severus realised immediately that the other wizard seemed upset. "Since when do we thank mere house-elves for doing their work?" he then enquired.

"I am sorry," Severus apologized in spite of not feeling any remorse at all. "I am so used to the free elves at Hogwarts that I didn't even think about it."

"You have free elves at Hogwarts?" Narcissa enquired in apparent disbelief.

"Yes, several. Most of them are elves of my colleagues. Our own elves are free elves as well," Severus admitted, deciding that he would not try to hide the fact. "Marvolo even employs two free elves."

"He what?" Both Malfoys stared at him in obvious disbelief.

"Speaking of the Dark Lord," Lucius then changed the topic, "he called me a fortnight ago together with a few others and asked us to do some research about Squibs who are living in the muggle world and muggleborns to check if they possibly have magical ancestors."

Severus nodded in understanding. "He told me that he wants to work on researching if some of the old families that are believed to be extinct have non-magical descendants. If these are Squibs, it might be possible to give them magic and revive their family."

Lucius shook his head. "That sounds intriguing; however, the Dark Lord is an absolute mystery to me."

"Are you not going to work for him in the future?" Severus decided to use the direct approach.

"I am not sure. On the one hand, yes, I wish to remain his follower, but on the other hand, I am not one hundred percent sure about his goals. Well, we'll see. I am not in a hurry to decide anything right now."

Severus nodded his agreement. "By the way, Harry asks if Draco may come to visit again. He and the Longbottom boy apparently wish to have another soon-to-be first-year to discuss their possible Sorting."

"And why would that be?" Narcissa stared at him, incredulously. "Draco won't be sorted anywhere but Slytherin anyway."

Severus quirked an eyebrow in silent question. "Well, considering that the Sorting Hat placed the Weasley twins in Slytherin, I wonder if the Hat has gone nuts."

"He won't dare placing Draco anywhere but Slytherin." Lucius' expression was grim.

"Well, we'll see." Narcissa smiled, before she changed the topic. "As to Draco's visit, of course, he'd love to spend some time with you and Harry at Hogwarts. You're his godfather after all. When would it suit you?"

Severus remained pensive for a moment, before he replied. "The Dark Lord intends to hold a ritual on Harry's birthday, which is August 18, to where he allowed Harry to invite his friends. Perhaps, it would be good if Draco could come on the Sunday before Harry's birthday and stay for a week or even two."

All three of them agreed, and Severus felt relieved that the purpose of his visit to the Malfoys had been achieved, before they changed the topic and talked about several unimportant matters.

HP

During the following weeks, Harry, Neville and Teddy spent the mornings helping all the teachers with their preparations for the beginning of the new school year. Frank needed the most assistance, as it was his first time to teach Arithmancy.

Remus was now going back to teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts, and Miranda was going to look after Felix and James together with Regina and Alice, who was also expecting a baby.

During the afternoons, the trio thoroughly explored Hogwarts including the corridors, which were not used anymore.

One day, they almost stumbled over a large painting of two wizards and two witches. "The founders," Harry said in disbelief, as he recognised Salazar.

"What?" Neville asked.

"Over there." Teddy almost shouted in apparent excitement.

"Harry, only you and your bonded ones can see our painting. We can't have the whole school know where our quarters are now, can we?" Salazar sounded extremely grumpy. "It's about time that you come and visit our quarters anyway."

"Too bad." Harry shook his head in annoyance. "We're just exploring Hogwarts. This is Neville, my good friend, and if he can't see your quarters, I won't be able to visit them now either."

"Hello Harry, hello Neville." The slightly plump witch with brown hair sounded much friendlier than Salazar. "My husband is not always the nicest person on earth. Of course, Neville will be able to visit our rooms together with you."

A mere instant later, Neville said, "Thank you, Professor."

"I am Helga," the witch replied. "Helga Hufflepuff, and these are my colleagues Rowena and Godric. I trust that you have heard about us?"

Harry and Neville nodded, while Teddy beat them to a response. "Of course, you're the four founders of Hogwarts, and Harry is the heir of all four of you."

"That is absolutely correct, and I must congratulate you, Teddy, for being the first elf ever to attend Hogwarts." This time, Godric spoke, whom Harry only then recognised.

"Godric," he addressed the ancient wizard. "Thank you so very much for your help in the headmaster's office the other day."

"You're welcome, and it was very well done. I was very proud of you, grandson. That was a true Gryffindor speaking to the headmaster then."

Harry smiled, feeling very happy at the unexpected praise.

"Teddy." Salazar cast the elf a beseeching look. "See to it that you're going to be sorted into Slytherin."

"Ahh, Salazar." Rowena playfully slapped her colleague's arm. "Isn't it obvious that Teddy is going to be sorted into my house?"

"No, Madam Know-it-all, it's not." With that, Salazar abruptly left the painting only to return an instant later with an immensely large snake in tow.

"I trust that you've already met Amaterasu, my familiar?" Salazar cast them a questioning look.

"Lulu, it's all right." Harry tried to calm down the canine, who was growling fiercely at the large serpent. 'It's huge,' Harry thought in bewilderment. 'No wonder that Lulu is afraid.'

"What a noissssy little thingsss."

"Thisss isss Lucccy," Harry hissed back. "Thessse are Teddy and Neville, and I am Harry."

"Oh, a ssspeaker. That isssss niccce. I am Amaterasssu I am a basilissssk."

"Hello Amaterasssu."

"Anyway, if you go into our chambers, you can call Amaterasu. She is living in my private chamber, but it has a direct connection to our rooms." Salazar gently petted the basilisk. "At least I hope that she is still alive in this time."

'The basilisk is not real, she's just in the portrait the same way as Salazar,' Harry thought, when Godric spoke up.

"Behind this door are our rooms. As the first heir of all four of us, you're the owner of Hogwarts, as I already told the headmaster the other day. You are entitled to visit our quarters whenever you wish. They are yours now."

"Thank you." Harry was surprised to say the least. 'I have my own rooms at Hogwarts?' he wondered. "What do we have to do to get inside?"

Without any forewarning whatsoever, Helga leaned into Salazar's arms and Rowena into Godric's, causing a small corridor to appear in the centre of the painting.

"Lucy, will you please go ahead and show me where we're going?"

The canine let out a small woof of confirmation, before she ran ahead, making everyone follow her quickly.

"Inside is another portrait of the four of us," Rowena informed them, right before the painting behind them returned to its previous state.

HP

They found themselves in what seemed to be a large living room with a group of comfortable looking sofas arranged in front of a fireplace. Harry stepped backward, startled, when Lucy showed him that a small fire was lit in the fireplace. 'Do they have house-elves here?' he wondered in surprise. 'Still strange that they switch on the fire in the middle of the summer.'

He was brought back to reality, when Helga addressed them from the large, life-size painting of the four founders, which was overlooking the room.

"Hello Harry, welcome to our private quarters. No one has lived in these rooms for at least five hundred years. We have always been employing one elf. Lisa," she called out, and an instant later, an elf appeared in front of them. Lisa was dressed in a white one-piece with an application of the Hogwarts crest all over the chest.

'I wonder if she's a free elf,' Harry thought, while Helga introduced him to Lisa and asked her to be there for him if he needed something.

While Lisa eagerly chatted with Teddy, Harry and Neville thoroughly explored the founders' quarters. There were mostly single and double bedrooms as well as one large room and one small chamber.

The large, square shaped room was completely void of any furniture apart from one comfortable looking wing chair, which stood in front of the windows, causing the friends to worry what it had been used for.

The small room was only equipped with a sofa, which stood against one wall facing another wall. "How strange." Neville sounded bewildered, and Harry could only share the sentiment.

=Perhaps, these rooms had a special purpose.=

Harry quickly translated Lucy's words to Neville, knowing that it must have sounded like barks to him.

Seeing that Teddy and Lisa finally followed them, he decided to ask the elf. "Excuse me, Lisa, do you know what this room is for?"

Lisa chuckled. "This is the spy chamber."

"The spy chamber?" Neville looked at Harry in apparent disbelief, which Harry could only understand too well.

Chuckling again, Lisa pointed her right hand against the blank wall opposite of the sofa. "On."

An instant later, the wall allowed the view into the headmaster's office, where Dumbledore was playing Wizard's Chess with Minerva. Harry listened in shock to the conversation between the two professors.

Beginning of scene

"Have you heard that an elf is going to become a student at Hogwarts?" Dumbledore let out a deep sigh.

"Teddy, isn't it?" Minerva smiled, broadly. "He is very intelligent and eager. I am looking forward to teaching him."

"Minerva!" Dumbledore sounded horrified. "Hogwarts is a school for wizards and witches, not for house-elves."

Minerva grinned. "Albus, Teddy is a free elf, not a house-elf. That's a big difference."

Dumbledore sighed again. "That may be, but still. I don't think it's wise to have elves attending classes together with the students."

"And why might that be?" Minerva leaned forward, giving the headmaster a sharp look.

Dumbledore merely shrugged, before he suddenly jerked around to face Minerva, wearing an expression of utmost alert. "I just thought about something. The house-elves are all bonded to Hogwarts. Perhaps, I should renew the bond, but instead of Hogwarts, I should bond them to me. Otherwise, Harry might be able to bond them to him, considering that he is the owner of Hogwarts, at least according to Godric Gryffindor."

Minerva nodded. "That he is, but I am sure that Harry won't do such a thing. Why would he? The freedom of elves is high on his agenda. He wouldn't want to be bonded to hundreds of elves. Check."

"Ahhh, you got me. I was too distracted." With a flick of his wand, the chess board arranged itself anew."

End of scene

"Teddy, I'm going to the elves' quarters and speak with whoever needs to know about this. I won't have Dumbledore bind the elves to him."

"I'll come with you."

"No, please remain here with Neville. I'll be back as soon as possible. Lucy, can you accompany me?"

Not waiting for a response from any of his friends, Harry grabbed Lucy's leg and popped themselves right into the elves' quarters.