Little Dragon

Authors Note: Hello everyone, I had been hoping to have this update done back at the beginning of January in time for my birthday. As you can see that did not work out. On top of COVID and family matters, my beloved cat has been eaten by an owl. My favorite pet, eaten by one of my favorite animals. Cruel irony. Let's just say that the owl tattoo I want to get has been postponed...

Anywhozles, back on to information on the story! I have to say, I was so happy to see all of your participation with my cliff hanger in the last chapter! So many of you had amazing ideas, I loved to read them all! In fact, despite having everything planned out, I was honestly tempted to use a few of your ideas and scrap my own! Long term, however, I would have had to completely redesign a LOT of the story so I soldiered on and kept to my original plan.

So, here is the new chapter, I hope that you all enjoy and it brings you some happiness in these trying times!

Disclaimer: Do I really need to keep putting this? Can someone tell me if I do or not? ...Anyone? *sigh* Fine. I don't own Harry Potter in any way shape or form, just my own twisted and demented ideas...

Previously on Little Dragon: The sorting hat has been released from his imprisonment inside of an enchanted chest in the Headmasters office, revealing with his release that Dumbledore's meddling is not quite finished. With Hogwarts now not having a Headmaster, and none having been appointed, Lady Hogwarts has come forward to choose the new protector herself...

Chapter 43: The Start of Something New


On Wednesday morning the lockdown which had kept the vast majority of the residents of Hogwarts confined to their Common Rooms finally lifted as the legions of Aurors and Gringotts Goblins left after deciding that Hogwarts was safe enough to release their students once again with a plan to return the day after, as soon as the students were sent home for the summer.

The events that had begun on Sunday night with the attack were still raw within the student community.

Hufflepuff house especially teemed with the undercurrent of rabid protectiveness featured around their youngest members. This protectiveness could especially be seen as the Hufflepuff's filtered into the Great Hall and sat at their table. While to an outside perspective it seemed as though they had sat the same way as any other day the teachers could see otherwise. There was an understated orderliness to their seating, with the first years in the exact center of their table with each year after being split in half and surrounding them in an adjusted echo of Sunday night when they had positioned themselves similarly to defend their common room.

More than one teacher could feel a shiver of newfound appreciation and respect for the Hufflepuff House and their fearless leader. How could they have forgotten that sweet Pomona had indeed been a great asset within both of the wars that she had fought? It was easy to focus on the humdrum of everyday life and become complacent when there did not seem to be a threat any longer. It was also easy to become paranoid and bitter to the world, choosing only to see the threats and not the peace. It seemed, however, that Pomona herself had been able to achieve both, and provide an extra level of protection to the members of her House in such a way that they had been the most capable in this latest debacle.

As the students finally settled down into their seats, each casting questioning and uneasy looks to the empty seat that the Headmaster had sat in just days prior, an air of anticipation and curiosity building as the student population seemed to hold their breath, waiting desperately for news.


Finally, after what seemed like a lifetime Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall stepped forward from the line that the teachers created together as a united front, in front of the head table.

"Typically our school year would continue on for a few more weeks, unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances that will not be the case this year," Minerva started as she looked in pride over the students of Hogwarts. "End of year exams have been canceled and O.W.L.'s have been rescheduled for next year, they will take the place of the post-summer review in each class. Those students who are to take their N.E.W.T.'s will be contacted with a time and date to do so at the Ministry.

"As you all have already been informed, our previous Headmaster had... Resigned from his post. The new Head of Hogwarts has been found, chosen by the school itself. To speak on behalf of the school will be the Sorting Hat. This is an event that has not occurred in a very long time. Pay attention, you are witnessing history."

Casting one final glance over the students to ensure that they understood how significant this event was, she turned and retrieved the Sorting Hat from the table behind her, conjuring a stool and placing it down before backing away and rejoining the remainder of the staff.

She was unsure what Hogwarts' decision would be, so many members of the staff had qualities that would make for a respectable Headmaster or Headmistress, all she knew was that whoever it was, she would be there to help them adjust to their new position as best as she could, as well as her own replacement should they choose to do so.

With all of the responsibilities that she had been tasked with as Deputy Headmistress for all these years, she could only imagine how much harder the task of being the head of the school was.

She prayed to Merlin that whoever it was would have success.


For the first time that most of the students had seen, as the Sorting Hat came alive, it did not sing.

Instead, it sat there and gazed at them solemnly as the air around them seemed to thrum with a force that they had all become used to in small amounts.

This force was the castle itself, but instead of the mild playfulness that was ever-present around the tripping stairs and moving staircases, the whisper of mischief that called to pranksters from the hidden passageways, and entrances, or even the gentle care and comfort which had thrummed through the common rooms these past few days, now it was solemn and reserved. Seeming to lament in the fact that the students had been put through such an ordeal and were now being forced to leave early due to the actions of those who were supposed to keep them safe above all else.

The presence which most students became accustomed and numb to all too soon, was very much present now. Some students never lose touch with sensing Her, taking comfort in her presence or following her gentle prodding to explore her secrets and spread joy throughout Her walls, most, however, while still feeling comforted by Her presence did indeed become numb to Her gentle presence.

She would not allow them to be numb to her presence today. They would understand that this decision was Hers and was not to be questioned or overruled. Her place in the school had been ignored for far too long. The Sortings Hats rightful place in the school had been ignored for far too long. Even Fawks', known previously as Fei, had lost his rightful place within the school, being lowered to the level of a simple Familiar and pet.

Hogwarts had the full belief that the Protector that she had chosen would honor and respect their original places. That the new Protector would bring Hogwarts back to her original glory.

Having made her presence clear Lady Hogwart relaxed again and allowed the Sorting Hat to take back the attentions of those within the Great Hall.

"The Laws of the Founders have been reinstated this day. As such, Lady Hogwarts, One of the Three Pillars which comprise Hogwarts' very being, has chosen the next Protector. The Protector will be both the leader of Hogwarts' staff and students as well as the primary being to ensure the safety and protection of all within.

"The Protector will be asked, as all before them, to bond to the Three pillars. Should they accept, they will be the first in centuries to do so. Minerva McGonagall of Caithness, Lady of Clan Ross, current Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts, Lady Hogwarts has chosen you as the next Protector of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Do you accept the honor being offered to you?"

The air thrummed once more with anticipation and magic as Minerva McGonagall stepped forward, working desperately to hide the shock on her face at having been chosen.

"I will accept the honor being granted to me, and will give all that I have to ensure that I do my new position justice," She said, voice firm and confident despite the shock that she had just received.

"Will you accept the full extent of your new role, including the tying of the wards to your Magical Core, and bonding to the Three Pillars? Will you accept the Will of the Founders completely? Will you work to bring Hogwarts back to her full glory? Will you reinstate the Laws that the Founders Four had implemented that are no longer being followed? Will you put the needs of Hogwarts above your own desires when needed?"

"I do." Minerva said firmly, standing taller as the magic of Hogwarts began to swirl around her, small tendrils working their way in and wrapping around her core.

An ancient magic was being used now, one which had been left ignored for centuries. The very foundation of Hogwarts thrummed with it as Minerva was tied to it all.

All before her who had refused this honor had no idea just what it was that they had denied. The very power which came with being tied to Hogwarts, the constant thrum of the wards that you could feel under your skin, the ancient knowledge and power that would wrap around your own and expand it. Outside of her wards, those bound to her were exponentially more powerful. Within? Within her wards those who were bound to her were bound to everything. The beings who took shelter within her, the plants and animals within, everything was tied. From the smallest ant to the very towers themselves, they thrummed with power and might. Power that you could not access without being bound.

This is not to say that you were all-powerful. Everything has a will and the ability to ignore an unjust command. In fact, being bound to Her made you that much more susceptible to the laws of Mother Magic Herself. This was why the bonding had been ignored for so long.

Why tie yourself to a power that you could not use for your own gain? The decline of the integrity of Hogwarts' Heads could be marked by who refused the bonding.

The Olde Ways were not falling to a new era of righteousness, instead, they were falling to a falsely benevolent smile and sugar-coated lies.

Mother Magics laws were being forgotten with every passing year, the most blatant example of this being the treatment of so many of her children by those who were 'superior'.

For the first time in a long time, there was finally a stirring in the foundations of magic itself, a new hope for the future. For the protection and prosperity of all of Her children.

Something was coming, soon. A change that was needed as much as a Phoenix needs a Burning Day.

Whatever was coming would change the world for the better, but it would be no big event. No horrible battle or overthrowing of an empire. No, this change was a natural one, one that would occur as steadily as a trickle of water becoming a stream. A change that began with a simple smile.


Authors Note: Okay, I have determined that I hate writing a 'previously on' segment as much as I hate writing story summaries, so... If you're bored, write up a short recap of the chapter as/in your review, and I may just use it in the next chapter! ;) (You will get credit for it as well lol)

With how weird and uncertain everything is right now I sincerely hope that all of you amazing people are staying safe and healthy!