Disclaimer; If you didn't read the others why are you reading this one?
/Ditto. /
A/N; I just want to thank again all my reviewers. I appreciate that you are giving me feedback and enjoying the story. I keep hearing from the same two or three of you and want to thank you guys.
"But Harry, why do we have to ride several hours on a train to get to Hogwarts? We could ride the winds and be there in minutes." Lucy asked as they arrived on platform 9 ¾ on September first.
"It's tradition. Everyone rides the Hogwarts express. It gives everyone a chance to meet up with their friends again and talk about their summers. I also have things I have to do here since I am head boy."
"Ok, I suppose. And then I can see more of the country instead of just popping around everywhere."
"Good, now would you like me to introduce you to some people and find you a place to sit or would you prefer to meet people on your own?"
"I think I can find somewhere to sit on my own, I'll go meet some of the other new students."
"Great, that's the way to get a good start. A lot of friendships start on the first train to Hogwarts. You can always call for me if you need me, but remember the words 'dark' and 'blood' mean different things here. Use 'powerful' and 'wizards' instead. Let's try to avoid making people think you are evil, that's for the Slytherin house."
"I will try."
"And no magic that uses blood where others can see!"
"Do you think I forgot?"
"Get going Rascal. I'll see you later."
Harry walked around the platform for a bit, chatting with one group of students or another. If his hearing wasn't trying to trick him he would either need to watch out for love potions again or else stop wearing nice clothes. The sighing and giggles were annoying. 'Oh well, they will change their tunes soon enough,' he thought.
The whistle blew announcing that the train would be leaving in five minutes. Harry quickly found Neville and Luna and asked that they save room for the others in their compartment.
"…And those are the changes to the prefect handbook you need to know about for this year. The passwords to the common rooms are all in the envelopes in front of you. Are there any questions?" Hermione was taking charge in the prefect meeting, her love of rules and order being exactly what was needed. Harry was happy to let her lead in those areas, he had other specialties.
No one asked any questions and some looked ready to leave. Parkinson seemed to have been ignoring everyone. Harry decided to flex his muscles a little bit before he let everyone go.
"Thank you Hermione. Now I have just a few last things to discuss with you all before we let you go. I shouldn't have to say this but you all are prefects you were chosen to be the leaders of the students and role models. They should be able to look up to you and want to emulate your actions. In the past, I have seen some prefects abuse their power, ignore their duties, or even harass students from Houses other than their own. This attitude ends now. You are in a position of responsibility, act like it. Inter-House rivalry is acceptable in some ways; it gives students something to be proud of. But there will be no more open hostilities. No one house is better than any other. It took all four founders to build this school. You don't have to like the other houses, but you will be civil to their students."
"Who do you think you are Potter? It's not like you are perfect." Pansy sneered.
"No, far from it, but I am head boy. I no longer have a House, I claim all Houses. If I see any prefects, no matter which House, causing unrest or making hurtful comments I will go to the Headmistress and their Head of House. I am looking at you Gryffindor and Slytherin. I happen to be on good terms with all four Heads now that Snape is gone, murderous bastard that he was."
"Also, we've got an interesting batch of first years this year. Not all of them are from England and some might need additional help adjusting. Keep an eye on them, some might need more help than others. I will be offering some study sessions this year for interested students. If you know of any second years or maybe third that are having a lot of trouble, recommend that they come. The sessions will be focused on helping them understand magic and teaching different ideas that might help them learn new spells faster. They're going to be a lot of fun and everyone is invited, but I think the first and second years will benefit the most. That's all I have to say for now, enjoy the rest of the journey and have a great year."
Harry and Hermione dismissed the prefects and most left happy the meeting was finally over. Hermione had perhaps rambled a bit longer than necessary, but he wasn't going to stop her and ruin her pride at such a prestigious position. And he certainly wouldn't undermine her in front of the prefects. Harry saw Hannah Abbot approaching as the others filed out.
"Hello Harry. Congratulations on becoming Head Boy. I liked what you said about House rivalry, I wish others thought like you. Are these study sessions of your going to be anything like the DA was? That was a lot of fun."
"Hey, I thought you wouldn't be back this year. I was worried about you. No these are going to be very different. I will be teaching some of the things I learned from teaching the DA, talking with Dumbledore, and teaching a few others over the years. I know for a fact I will be teaching magic that has never been performed within the halls of Hogwarts, and I hope to learn a few things in return. Professor McGonagall was really interested in some of the things I will try to teach."
"Well, when my mother died, it was really rough for my family. Eventually we decided that in times like these education is the best thing we can have. I am repeating my sixth year. There were rumors that you weren't coming back either. Those lessons sound interesting. New magic you say? I might come myself."
"We'd love to have you. Yeah, I started those rumors. For a while they were true, but I eventually got my head on straight and decided I needed to do it. I will talk to you later; I've got to have a private talk with Hermione before we return to sit with our friends."
"Ok Harry, see you later!"
Harry waited for the other stragglers to leave before silencing the room and turning to Hermione.
"Take a seat Hermione, we need to have a talk. This is long overdue but I promised to do it before we got back to Hogwarts."
"Sure thing Harry, what do we need to talk about?"
"We need to talk about House Elves and SPEW. Let me ask you Hermione, which of your parents had the most impact on your sense of justice and liberty? If you could look proudly and say "My mother or father inspired me to found SPEW," which would you choose?"
"My father did, why?"
"What did his parents do if it isn't too much to ask? Why did he raise you with such a fine and strong moral compass?"
"His mother was a maid, and his father a chauffer to a rich family. Later in their life, when he was going to college and they were struggling to pay bills, the head of the family died and his replacement decided to fire them. My grandparents started working when it was a different time. When they were just tossed on the street, they were old and had almost no marketable skills. They were too proud to ask the government for help. My father struggled to help them, and promised himself he would always remember where he came from."
"Ah, this makes so much more sense now. Your grandparents were servants. Hermione, the House Elves asked me to talk to you after the wedding and I promised to do so before we got to Hogwarts. Now I understand why you and they have such a communication problem."
"There were House Elves at the wedding? Wait, you threw Mrs. Weasley out of the kitchen! You made the House Elves do the work! How could you?"
"Actually, it was an exchange of services. They are being paid in a fashion. Hermione, I didn't make them do anything. I asked them nicely. I told them I would do anything they wanted in return if they could help the Weasley family have just one perfect day. They were enthralled to be trusted with such a task. Do you know what they told me I had to do in return?"
"You know they only did it because they have been brain washed their entire lives! I can't believe you did that. What are you doing for them?"
"Talking to you. Hermione, you really need to understand something. Most House Elves are not enslaved. They are servants. Do you understand the difference?"
"What? There isn't a difference. They are doing all the work and not being paid, that is slavery."
"They choose to serve. They are proud to serve wizarding households and Hogwarts. Every time someone from the school or their family achieves something important they can say 'Look what we have done. We helped them achieve greatness.' Do yourself a favor, write your grandparents and talk to them about the heart and mind of a servant and then talk to some of the House Elves. You have been insulting them for the past couple years by trying to force clothes on them."
"But they're nothing like my Grandparents. They were at least paid."
"Am I a slave Hermione? Are you going to try to free me?"
"What? No of course not. Why would you say that?"
"Because I am just like them. I am in service to my Queen. I trained all summer to be a member of her Guard. I receive no pay for the work I do on her behalf. I spent an entire week scrubbing and cleaning one of the Queens cottages in the woods alone without magic. Right now I have agreed to a seven year service as Lucille's body guard and tutor. In reality, I have been paying her for the privilege to serve. I do consider it a privilege. I will be in her service my entire life if she will have me, or Lucy's. Like the Elves, this is my place. When Lucy comes home this summer and starts telling her mother and father all she has learned, I will look on and be proud to have been a small part of it. I would be insulted if someone, no matter how good their intentions were, told me I was brainwashed and tried to force me out of service."
"What do you mean you are paying her for the privilege?"
"At first, I paid Her and her Court for the training under their Master of the Guard, now I am paying for Lucille's tuition and books as well. I don't expect you to understand this all right now, but I ask you to talk to us and your grandparents and then think about what you want the goals of SPEW to be. I agree with the name, we should promote elfish welfare. No servant will say no to better conditions, but some might want to be fired from the only jobs they have ever known. Like your grandparents, they have no other marketable skills."
"I am still not happy with you, but because this is the only payment they will get for what they did at the Weasleys, I will think about it. They deserve someone to care about them and work for their protection. I will write the letter and talk to the Elves. Maybe someone can talk sense into them."
"I used to live at the Dursley's. I know the difference between service and slavery. I hope you can learn it in an easier fashion."
When they returned to the compartment Ron, Ginny, Neville, and Luna were in, they realized that it would be a bit cramped for six people, their luggage, and pets. Harry thought about it for a moment and decided now was the time to test the theories he was going to introduce in his lessons.
"Alright guys, I've got a plan. Everybody out into the corridor. I'm going to try and expand the compartment a bit."
"Why do we need to leave for you to expand it?" Ron asked
"I've never cast this spell before. Am I the only one that remembers what can happen the first time I try a spell?" The compartment emptied in record time.
Harry studied the space, thought about how big he wanted it to be, and considered what he knew. He knew magic could be used to expand rooms. He knew the average witch or wizard should have enough power to accomplish what he wanted. He didn't know the incantation to do it, but then again he didn't know the incantation to inflate an idiotic Aunt either and he hadn't needed a wand for that. Willpower. Intent. Ability. He had them all, and most importantly he believed he could do it.
"Expand the room." He said in broken Latin while forcing his magic out of his wand. For a few seconds he only got sparks for his effort, but suddenly there was a bright flash that blinded him briefly and the room slowly grew in all its dimensions until he stopped feeding it power. He knew this was more power than he should have needed, and felt a little drained, but it held with what he had theorized so he wasn't worried.
"I'm glad I left, I wouldn't want to be on the other end of that flash." Ron joked, chuckling softly.
"I didn't recognize that spell, where did you find it?" Hermione asked.
"I'll tell you all about that and more in our first Theory of Magic lesson, but I don't want to get into a lecture on the train. Rest assured I will teach you that and more."
When the train pulled into Hogsmeade station, Harry told his friends he had something to do and moved to leave with the first years.
"What's up mate?" Neville inquired.
"My little sister starts this year, so I am going to see her to the boats. I'll probably beat the rest of you to the castle though."
"Why is that?"
"I'm taking a shortcut." He grinned like a madman. Today began a new legend.
Harry introduced Hagrid to Lucy and accompanied the first years to the boats and waved them off. Once all the boats had left, Harry smiled. It was time for phase one of the greatest prank he had ever attempted.
Acting as if nothing at all was unusual, Harry used Jaenelle's air walking trick to walk across the surface of the lake over to the boat with Hagrid and Lucy in it. He waved to the others as he passed them, most looked at him with shock.
"Hagrid, I completely forgot to ask you something. Would you like to have tea with Lucy and I this weekend? We've got a friend you would like to meet I am sure."
"Harry… do you realize you are walking on water?" Hagrid asked as if realizing it would make him plummet to the murky depths.
"Yeah, I may not be Jesus, but I did spend a couple days in Hell before I came back to Earth. Saetan really doesn't deserve the reputation he gets; he's a great guy once you get past the tough exterior." Harry loved how he could tell the truth and lie at the same time. He had been to Hell after all it just didn't mean what everyone thought. "Well, see you all at the feast." He gave a cheeky grin and ran on ahead.
Harry met up with Kaelas outside the doors to the Great Hall. Kaelas was careful to stay invisible, not wanting to reveal his presence yet. Harry walked over to the Gryffindor table and Kaelas found a place to stretch on the wide beams in the rafters. They silently conferred on a shared prank against Lucy, and the plans for later. Hopefully they would get their chance, Kaelas approved highly and looked forward to it more than Harry.
He smiled and waved to the few teachers already at the staff tables.
Harry smiled when his friends entered and took places near him, making sure to leave room for Lucy just in case. "I deny everything. The first years are lying."
"What are you talking about?" Hermione asked.
"Nothing."
"So what shortcut did you use to get here ahead of everyone?"
"Like I said, I deny everything. Let's just say Dad would be proud if he were still alive."
And indeed, looking down from the great beyond James and Sirius shared a high five. The friends chatted companionably until Professor Flitwick brought the first years in.
"Shush, I want to watch my last sorting, especially considering who's being sorted."
The Sorting Hat opened its rip and began to sing, this year's song was one of hope and new beginnings. Harry was really beginning to wonder if the Hat could see the future.
"I wonder why it is so upbeat. Ever since Dumbledore died, the attacks have only got worse. Did you hear that a dozen attacks took place in one night?" Ron obviously hadn't made the connection, but then he didn't know of the first attack either. Harry wondered if the papers had mentioned his letters.
"Shush, it's starting."
"Angelline-SaDiablo, Lucille" Professor Flitwick called.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
That was his cue… Harry leapt to stand on top of the table and threw his head back just as Kaelas let out a craft enhanced roar of approval. The cheers from the Gryffindor table grew louder than he had ever remembered. Lucy was blushing fiercely, mischief managed.
"Thank you for that display of House pride, now may we get on with the sorting?" McGonagall looked amused.
"Sure."
"Thank you."
"Bishop, Anne"
"Ravenclaw!"
"Oh, I met her on the train," Lucy whispered from beside him, "She said she wants to be a writer."
"Really, does she have any ideas what she wants to write about?" Hermione was obviously interested in a budding author.
"No, but she seems to have a great imagination, I am sure she will find something. She was nice."
The sorting continued and Harry paid attention, looking for potential. Someone needed to replace him when he was gone, and he wanted to pick his new apprentices early. There was no guarantee he would find just one multi-faceted enough to be a prankster, a leader, and a trouble magnet. But again, someone had to do those jobs. "Matthews, Evan" became a Hufflepuff, as did "Jefferies, Adam". "Gregors, Cara" became the first Slytherin.
McGonagall stood for the opening announcements, "Welcome everyone to another year here at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. For those who don't know, I am Professor McGonagall and I am now the Headmistress. Professor Flitwick is now Deputy Headmaster. There are a few more announcements, but I will save the boring speeches for after you've eaten. Enjoy!" She clapped her hands and the food appeared.
"Now that everyone has had a chance to enjoy their meal, I will proceed to the other announcements. As some of our older students need constant reminders, The Forbidden Forest is so named for a reason. There is an extensive list of banned items…"
McGonagall was silenced as the candles dimmed. Fiery letters began to form in the air as the teachers tried to un-silence her.
"Messrs. Padfoot, Moony, and Prongs (who are going to kill that sneaky rat Wormtail) are proud to interrupt this message for an important announcement. The eternal cycle has begun anew. We would like to introduce the next generation, Messrs. Tundros and Shadow and the wonderful Miss Snow and Miss Flutter-bee. The Manor of Mischief is now open. Enemies of the Heirs beware!"
It was a very impressive effort for Harry and Lucy to keep their amusement off their faces. Fear and shock played out on the faces of the older teachers. The letters dissolved in sparks and McGonagall regained her voice.
"If you reprobates are quite finished…"
"Go on." The letters responded.
"There is an extensive list of items our Caretaker Mr. Filch has seen fit to ban over the years."
"Most from our good friends at Zonko's, Gambol and Japes, or the geniuses at Triple W."
"The list can be viewed at Mr. Filch's office. Now, we are pleased to welcome Professor Moody to the post as Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Some of you may remember the imposter we had impersonate him a few years ago, but we assure you that this is the real Alastor Moody. Additionally there will be a new set of lessons this year taught by our Head Boy, Harry Potter. Mr. Potter is offering lessons in the nature and theory of magic for any students who wish to attend. It isn't mandatory, but he believes that it will be beneficial for first and second years to attend. He will cover how and why magic works in addition to teaching new spells and techniques he has found to make learning easier. These lessons will start next Saturday after lunch and will be weekly unless there is a Hogsmeade visit."
"If the prefects will take the first years to the Common Rooms, I would like to speak to Mr. Potter in my office."
"Mr. Potter…" McGonagall began.
"Harry, please."
"Mr. Potter," She restated, "a number of highly unusual things have occurred tonight."
"I may have noticed one or two." He admitted with a cheeky grin.
"Let's start at the earliest. Would you care to explain your unusual arrival at the school this evening?"
"I arrived on the train with everyone else. I went to see Lucy off on the boats, then felt like a bit of exercise so I walked to the castle. It's not that hard to understand."
"Walked indeed Mr. Potter. And what is this I am hearing about going to Hell and meeting Saetan?"
"Hagrid never could keep his mouth shut. Yes, I made a few field trips this summer in my attempts to learn rare and new magics. Saetan taught me a lot of things and took care of me through some hard times. He only ever taught me one spell though. If it is any help, I also went to the Realm of Light, bit empty."
"Are you going to share that story?"
"I'd really rather not."
"Now would you care to explain walking across the surface of the lake?"
"It was the most direct route from where the boats launched to the castle."
"You are avoiding the questions."
"You aren't asking the right ones."
"There is another matter that we encountered early on. It seems that the House Elves were unable to locate your luggage or Miss SaDiablo's."
"That's because we carried it with us."
"Neither of you were seen to carry trunks into the castle."
"And yet we did. Funny that."
"You are enjoying this far too much."
"And you too little. Such a shame."
"We will skip your display of pride and enthusiasm. What do you know about this 'Manor of Mischief 'we heard about?"
"To be honest, I probably know this castle better than anyone since the Founders. I know the secret passages and secret rooms. I've spent a lot of time out of bounds after hours in my seven years here. I even found the Chamber of Secrets. I do not believe the Manor exists." He mentally added a 'yet' here. "Furthermore I swear on my magic I don't know where it is." But he had a few ideas where it was going to be.
"And what do you know of the Marauders?"
"They are a secret society responsible for pulling pranks and spreading mayhem. The last incarnation was during my parent's time at school when Voldemort was on the rise. James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew used the aliases Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs. The Marauders have traditionally all been Animagus but the inclusion of Moony leads me to suspect that it is not a prerequisite."
"Traditionally?"
"The Marauders of Hogwarts are a group that date back to the Founders and four of their original students," and the Great Prank began, Harry hoped she didn't know legimancy like Dumbledore, "I don't know how exactly they are chosen, but it seems that every time the wizarding world has undergone a period of chaos and fear, four people begin anonymously sowing mischief. Sirius speculated that Hogwarts itself chose these students to represent the original four. James Potter was as much a true Gryffindor as I according to Sirius. Moony was as bookish as Hermione or Rowena Ravenclaw. Regardless of how recent history has painted him, Sirius Black was loyal and friendly. And Peter Pettigrew was a devious conniving bastard. Oh, sorry Professor."
"You seem to know a lot about them. Do you have anything you would like to confess since you are spilling secrets?"
"Sirius and Remus told me a lot about them and gave me the books that record their history and how their pranks were accomplished."
"I will skip the obvious question here, you would either lie or avoid it. You mentioned that they have all been Animagus except for Lupin. Do you know of any other animagus in my school Mr. Potter? It would seem there is at least one I do not know about, though I have my suspicions given who have shown the necessary skill and power."
"I know of one." He admitted. "And I am offended by your lack of faith."
"I will ask again. Is there anything you would like to confess?"
"Not particularly, but to put your mind at ease about your choice for Head Boy, I swear on my magic I am not an unregistered animagus." 'After all, I registered all the markings and my abilities with Jaenelle and Saetan before I left. That slip of paper with the SaDiablo seal may be worth something yet…'
McGonagall relaxed, but only a little. Anyone could see that he knew more than he was telling. "That's two Wizard's Oaths you have sworn to me tonight. Why do I still not trust you?"
"How about I make it three and see if it helps. I swear on my magic if I discover a student cast that message I will turn them in to you." He would too. He spent a lot of time teaching Hedwig how to spell that message and he would be severely disappointed if Lucy wasted his efforts.
"Hmm… Nope, I still don't trust you. Would you care to cast a spell for me?"
"Lumos, Yep my magic still works so I must have told you the truth."
"The truth can still leave so much unsaid Mr. Potter and I am beginning to see you are more like your father every year. For some reason I don't think this will be the last conversation I have with you. Very well, you may go and I will see you in Transfiguration."
Lo and behold, McGonagall was right. It was to be the first of many conversations that made the teachers wonder if his Wizard's Oaths were actually any good at all.